Merry Christmas Everybody! :D

When Gabrielle returned to the town centre, her eyes were drawn to the small group of people that stood around outside The Rose. They seemed to be talking, their heads close and a look of worry upon their faces as they listened to whatever the dark haired warrior was saying. She watched Xena as her hands moved around in the familiar gestures she had gotten used to when Xena gave orders to people. Amongst the few listening were the ones they had come to know: Selena, Juliette, Krateros and Silas, who stood a little distance away, watching. Looking closer Gabrielle realized the noticeable absence of one particular person; someone who had flashed in her mind, present as fuzzy images from the night before. She hadn't seen Leandros this morning, and though she knew his background and his involvement in Darius's plan, Gabrielle had come to care for him. Despite the dark influence of Darius and his men, she knew he had a good heart, even if he seemed willing to deny it in favour of retaining a harder presence. He confused her, but like Xena, she wasn't prepared to give up on him due to his own lack of self-esteem and self-worth. She knew that if she had done the same to Xena she never would have grown to love her the way she did.

Gabrielle's eyes shot to Xena. She watched with growing interest and ardent love as Xena reached out as she spoke to Juliette. The woman seemed upset about something. Although they hadn't really spoken since she arrived, Gabrielle still felt responsible; as she did every other person she wanted to help. Whatever it was, Xena seemed slightly distracted by it too. As she started in their direction, Gabrielle's eyes remained on Xena. She watched as the dark woman moved, noted every time the muscles under her skin rippled as she gestured outwardly, or the way the blackness of her hair soaked up the sun, or the rays glinted off her armour.

She looked magnificent. So strong, so beautiful and determined and sure in the way that she moved. There was no wonder that Gabrielle found that she couldn't help but love her. There was no way out for her. There had never been a way to escape Xena's love or the enigmatic energy that surrounded the warrior, and even if there had been Gabrielle wasn't sure if she would have wanted to. Somewhere along the way she had unintentionally given into the strange but sure draw that Xena seemed to unconsciously give off. But now that she had fallen, and fallen hard, she didn't know whether she would be able to pick herself back up if everything went as she feared.

Aphrodite's little talk with her – brief and puzzling as it had been – had given Gabrielle something to think about, giving her time to muse about everything that the goddess had mentioned. She'd dissected every word, listened from all angles, but each time, Gabrielle would come to the conclusion that Aphrodite was trying to tell her that Xena loved her…the way she did her. It was unbelievable. She had thought about it, dreamed even, that the warrior princess would one day reciprocate her love, but only if she allowed herself to dream in dangerous territory. She'd stayed on the side-lines, remained quiet and tight-lipped when Xena had been approached by lovers – past and potential, in the fear that to speak up would have been to reveal her true feelings. It had cut her deeply every time each of them had laid their hands on Xena, touching her in an almost possessive way. Each time they had looked at Gabrielle, seen the ire behind her eyes and smiled in triumph before walking away, but not before silently staking a claim on the warrior for their own and reminding Gabrielle that the warrior would never be hers the way she desired.

But perhaps things could be different? Maybe there was a way to reveal her feelings in a subtle way so that they would no longer be a burden on her own soul, and she would be able to get her answer one way or another without embarrassing herself or risking their friendship. It was strong, she didn't doubt that, but would it still be the same if she told Xena her heart?

She placed a smile on her face, forcing her heart to stay steady as the approached the small group. "Xena? What's going on? Where's Leandros?"

Xena breathed a sigh of relief as she turned and saw Gabrielle had returned from her walk. Seeing how distracted and upset she was earlier that morning, Xena decided that leaving her to her own thoughts would be better than interfering. Gabrielle was complex sometimes and allowing the bard time to think worked more than pushing her for answers. Xena had learned patience over the years, and by the gods, since meeting Gabrielle she knew she'd exercised it more than she ever thought she would with a single human being.

"Gabrielle? He's gone."

Gabrielle frowned, glancing over at Juliette who she noticed looked more upset than everyone else. "Gone? Do you mean he's…?"

"No, he's not dead. He just left. We're planning on bringing him back."

"How do you know he's left? Maybe he-"

"He left, Gabrielle," Juliette interjected quietly, though her voice sounded on the verge of tears. "Before he did, he spoke about following his heart to set things right and facing his shadows."

Gabrielle looked to Xena. "Well, isn't that a good thing? He knows what he's fighting for and what sort of man he is now."

"But it's the man he is that's going to get himself killed," Xena replied carefully.

"What do you mean?"

"He isn't a fighter. He hasn't got it on him to harm another. Walking back into Darius's encampment is going to get him killed." Xena looked around at the group; saw them watching her intently as she spoke. "I've known Leandros since he was a child, Gabrielle. I told you about the time that my army destroyed Darius's village, right? Well, Leandros was there too. They're brothers."

Gabrielle's eyes flew wide. "Leandros is…Darius's brother?"

"Yes."

"Then…how? Why?" Gabrielle felt her stomach roll sickly when a thought struck her. "Darius sent him to kill you, didn't he? That's why he attacked us. Do you think it was some kind of payback?"

Xena shook her head. "No. Leandros was never violent. Not even as a child when he stood up to me. He chose words instead of weapons. My guess is that Darius was trying to change his brother's attitude by sending him to kill me. It was an initiation…and he failed." She frowned faraway at the entrance to the town, silently contemplating a plan in her head. "Going back to face that and reveal the truth to Darius is what is going to get him killed. Unless we stop him."

Gabrielle nodded carefully. "I agree. But then that means that we're going to have to leave the town." She glanced at the redhead standing near her. She'd known she was there, but looking at the woman after what she'd seen last night felt like too much for her, even after the goddess's words. "What about Selena? She needs protecting."

"That's where I come in," Krateros, captain of the guard said. He smiled gently at Gabrielle as he stood straight beside Selena. "After hearing your predicament with your man, I have offered to watch over Selena and her tavern in your absence. All of my men are trustworthy and have watched over her efficiently already. No harm will come to her. You have my word on my honour, Xena."

Xena stepped forward and clasped his forearm. "Are you sure it will be no trouble? Since arriving, no one has attacked her. I just hope that leaving temporarily will not act as an opportunity for them to come crawling out of the woodwork and finally show themselves when I'm not here."

"We are strong; it would not be a burden, Xena. She will be under constant supervision. She will be safe."

When Krateros patted her arm and she let go, the captain stepped back and nodded to Selena. As soon as Krateros left, leaving a handful of his men stationed at points far enough away to give her privacy, but close enough to keep an eye on her, Selena drew closer to Xena. Noticing her friend's sudden hesitation and strange expression, Xena looked to her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Are you sure about this, Xena? Leandros is just one man…he's part of a band of men trying to kill you. What makes you think that he won't turn around and try the same thing again? Why try and save him? Please, stay here with me. I don't trust Krateros. He seems…strange."

Xena frowned and she and Gabrielle exchanged a quick look of surprise. "That's funny. I don't get that impression from him, and I'm normally a good judge of character, Selena."

"What if you're wrong? What if he can't protect me? I don't want to die, Xena!"

Xena rested her hands on Selena's shoulders and smiled. "Selena, relax. I trust the captain. He seems like a good man. I haven't detected a single false note in any word he has spoken to me. I have no doubt that he will be able to protect you when I'm gone."

"What? You mean you're still going?" Selena's eyes turned hard. "Xena, I don't trust these men. You can't leave me!"

"I understand that you're scared, but I feel that you're safe for now, Selena. The only one that could have done you any harm is already dead, and the brother from the temple; the one that is being tried for killing Moris, and his brother are both being held in the captain's cells." Xena smiled gently to try and soften the strange look in her friend's eyes. "If there is anyone else, the guards will capture them long before they get to you."

"How can you be so sure?"

Xena nibbled her lip as she looked around. Smiling suddenly, she turned Selena until her back was to her own chest. "Look closely, Selena. How many guards can you see?"

Following Xena's orders, Selena scoped the area. "I count five."

"Correction; there is thirteen watching over you," Xena said as she turned her back around until she was facing her once more. "There are some in the trees and some near the buildings. See? They're well hidden. Any potential attackers wouldn't be able to get to you without being seen first by the captain's men."

Gabrielle noticed something in Selena's eyes suddenly changed as she appraised the tall warrior. Her stomach clenched as the red head lifted her hand to gently stroke Xena's cheek. She considered looking away, unable to endure a bond Gabrielle knew she couldn't match, but when Xena lifted her own hand to remove Selena's, showing no signs of attraction or romantic love, Gabrielle felt her heart smile, if only a little. Ignoring her friend's spurned look, Xena stepped back, re-joining Gabrielle and Juliette.

"You are going to be fine, Selena. I swear. Juliette is going to be with you." She turned to the young seer next to her. "Aren't you, Juliette?"

Juliette did her best to smile past the pain she felt with Leandros's absence. Xena could empathize with her. There was nothing worse than the absence of the one that your heart belonged to, and the pain that came with knowing they were walking into potential danger.

"I can stay with you, Selena, old friend. I don't mind keeping you company. I'm sure Silas would like to keep you safe too," she said, indicating the silent man stood a small distance away, still watching them.

Selena frowned at the ground. "I see there is no changing your mind, Xena. But I suppose you know what is best, even if I don't like it."

"Thank you, Selena. We'll be back as soon as we are able. They will take care of you, Selena. Don't worry about that. Gabrielle? C'mon. We need to get Leandros before he goes and does something stupid."

~X~

It was a long way back. He knew it would be. Even as the moon started to rise in the sky and daylight faded, obscuring his vision and creating shadows. But he had to go. He had to keep moving on. It was his only option anymore. He had to go and see his brother. It was either that or wait for Ivan to return, and he would be damned If he was going to wait around so that son of a bitch could return and mar him again, scarring him as he always had since he'd joined Darius's cause.

Ivan had always been relentless and ruthless, but something about him had changed. Warped his mind and made him seem a little more twisted than usual. While Leandros had been a teen, Ivan had constantly tormented him, poking and prodding fun, or beating him as a way to toughen him up. It seemed only recently that his methods had turned to madness. Using weapons with sharp edges had been his way of getting his point across lately, instilling fear into Darius's subordinates, and pecking Leandros further down the chain until Ivan had successfully managed to gain his brother's favour and a place at his ear. Ivan had always struck him as a man to be feared, even when he'd tried not to, but lately Ivan seemed crazy.

Leandros tripped when his toe nicked a jagged stone sticking out of the ground. He fell quickly. The ground rushed toward him, but well placed hands prevented his face from hitting the hard ground. His throat itched; dry from lack of water and the dust listed from his walk, his feet were sore, and his stomach was cramping with hunger pangs. He didn't know how long he'd been walking, but upon looking back he saw the small silhouette of Dreyas as the moon hung above it, if he had to guess his position, he would almost say that he was halfway between places, right where he met Xena barely a fortnight ago.

As he unrolled the threadbare sheet he'd stolen from the healer's house along the soft grass, he pondered. Things had changed considerably since those first days. H had been ready, or as ready as he thought he'd been, to kill the mighty and feared warrior princess. He'd known somewhere at the back of his mind that he wouldn't have succeeded. He couldn't have. She was a powerful and strong woman. He'd known when he'd taken on the challenge that to try and kill Xena was a suicide mission. He had been prepared to die when he had been captured. His life had been so empty. He'd already lost his family, he was losing Darius to his own vendetta, and his life within the camp was like living in Tartarus. Letting Xena kill him would have been an easy and welcome way out. Now, however, things had changed.

He turned onto his side and used his arm as a cushion. In a strange way, by sparing him but keeping him as her prisoner, Xena had allowed him some freedom to roam, letting him learn during his time in her hands, and observing her ways. Many parts of her still remained a mystery to him. She confused and amazed him. Her will was strong, her mind wise and experienced; he was sure that her little protégé, Gabrielle, felt the same way too. Though things seems complicated enough where they were concerned. Being with them, he had watched the woman that many had claimed to be a killer, a murderer, and saw nothing but a kind and caring woman. He had known her as a child, but even then, as bad as she had been, he had sensed that there was good behind her evil façade. He'd seen it in her eyes the first time he'd asked for her help. She could have easily beaten him, smacked him away. But she hadn't. Instead, she'd helped. Even then he'd known that the good called out for her to follow – she'd just needed a hand to hold and keep her steady, and Gabrielle, it seemed, was that steadying presence she needed.

He chuckled to himself. He'd been silly and deluded to think that he'd had a chance romancing the woman that was so clearly Xena's soulmate. The bond between them was so tangible that he could almost touch the invisible thread that tied their lives together so strongly. There was nothing that he could have done or possessed that would have given him even a fighting chance to have her for his own. But then, he knew that he couldn't have her. Not because she wouldn't allow it. No. His heart whispered another's name, one that he'd been surprised to hear. She had been there all along, speaking words of wisdom, keeping him grounded, advising, protecting and healing his heart as well as his body without needing to be asked or prompted. She had done it simply out of her own kindness.

Juliette

He grinned and rolled onto his back, twining his fingers behind his head. When had she done it? When had she enchanted his soul, possessed his heart and given him something to fight for? Maybe she had seen it coming all along? She was a seer after all, just like his mother. His initial instinct was to protect her, wanting to succeed where he had failed before, but even before then, something had shifted between them. He had just been too blind to see it. Was that what love was? Blind?

Love?

Was it love that he felt? He wasn't sure if it was or not. He had thought that he loved Gabrielle, but it turned out to be a kind of romanticized view on the protective role she seemed to have developed once he's stopped trying to hurt her feelings and allowed himself to open up. He still felt something for her. Leandros touched his chest, felt his heart beating…normally. Its rhythm was steady, paced. However, when the image of the young seer floated into his mid, he smiled and felt his heart begin to pick up. What he felt did not feel like what it had with Gabrielle, but something stronger. He wanted to be with her now. He wanted to be sure that she was safe. He had seen her every day she had remained in the town. Being away from her felt odd. Like he was missing some vital part of himself.

He wondered as he looked up at the stars that dotted the sky whether she felt the same? Had he read the signs wrong again? He was sure that there was something there. He felt guilty for leaving without informing her first. He hadn't wanted to cause any unnecessary problems. But as he'd snuck away, watching from the town arch, he'd spotted the seer arrive at Dantorix's house, no doubt looking for him, and then leave seconds later, her face concerned and her eyes filled with doubt. It had hurt him to see it, but he had felt it a necessary price for what he was going to do.

For the first time in years he had something to fight for, friends, a cause…love, and by the gods, he was going to fight for it!

Thank you for reading, everyone :) I hope you liked reading this chapter. If there is any issues regarding spelling/grammar, or if you have con-crit, please don't hesitiate to inform me in a PM so I can make ammendments :) The next chapter will be up soon x