Xena and Marcus are sitting together at the edge of a lake. Fish are roasting on a stick over a brightly blazing fire. It is evening and the two warriors are relaxing from a hard day of fighting.
"We did good today, didn't we?" Marcus says with a smile.
Xena returns it and sighs, "Yes … I'm just really sad that we couldn't save that poor girl's husband."
Marcus considers this, sighs and then nods, "Yeah, it's terrible to lose the love of your life."
He grasps Xena's hand, squeezes it and they lean in for a kiss.
When they break apart, Xena whispers, "I love you. Please don't ever leave me."
She hugs him and holds on tightly. Marcus remains silent.
"I begged him not to leave me and then he tells me he's married. He broke my heart and years later he apologizes and I might have fallen for him again but then he dies. And now he's back and I don't know what to do", Xena murmurs to herself in desperation.
Shaking herself mentally, the warrior puts her boots back on, collects the fish and heads back to Gabrielle.
After Xena has disappeared into the forest, Gabrielle begins to kindle a fire. Sitting down on her bedroll and staring into the flames, her mind starts to wander, "How can Xena still be with me when I am the one who is responsible for Marcus' death? When Perdicus was killed I wanted nothing but revenge. I don't understand it but I need to try my best to support Xena in getting him back."
She takes a deep breath and her resolve hardens, "I promise you, my friend, I'll make up for what I did to you!"
Then Gabrielle gets up, finds an empty scroll and begins to write.
Twenty minutes later the bard hears the rustle of leaves and looks up from her scroll. Xena is strolling back into the clearing several large fish on a string in her hand. Gabrielle notices a somewhat dreamy and peaceful expression in her friend's eyes.
"Hey there", she says cheerfully, "I see you found us some very nice lunch."
Xena hands the fish to Gabrielle and smiles, "Sure, I thought we could also use some for dinner tonight."
Gabrielle puts two fish on sticks and sets them over the fire. The others she hands back to Xena who wraps them into some large leaves. A short while later the two friends are enjoying excellent roasted fish and fresh, cold water from the stream.
"So, should we go into town and tell them your plan?" Gabrielle asks Xena, getting to her feet after a little rest.
"Our plan, Gabrielle", Xena corrects her.
The bard smiles and extends a hand to help her friend up. Xena takes it and gets to her feet but doesn't release Gabrielle's hand.
Instead she takes her other hand too, "Thank you, Gabrielle – for everything."
"Xena", the bard begins, torn between gratitude and terror.
But before she can find the words to continue, the warrior has released her and has turned around to pick up her weapons. Gabrielle stands frozen for a moment but then puts her worries aside and also gets her sais. Together the two women leave their camp and head for the village.
Walking next to Xena, Gabrielle's mind wanders back to Xena's words from before.
"What did she mean? Thanks for everything? As in a general thanks or as in thanks and that's it now?"
"Gabrielle? Gabrielle?" Xena's voice jerks her back to reality.
"What?" the bard asks confusedly, "What did you say? Sorry!"
Xena gives her friend a worried look, "Are you ok?"
"Sure, just thinking about something. All good", Gabrielle says a little too quickly for Xena to be convinced.
"Gabrielle", Xena says worriedly, "I know you better than that", the warrior finishes with a concerned look at her friend.
"No, all's good, really!" Gabrielle assures her, "What's up?"
Xena is still not convinced but decides to give Gabrielle her space.
"I was asking you who you think we should talk to."
Gabrielle considers Xena and says with a sigh, "Well, since Marcus, ah Felicus, is their hero, we should probably talk to him."
The warrior frowns, heaves a deep sigh but agrees. Gabrielle's spirits rise but she immediately feels guilty about it and remembers her promise, "Make it up to her!"
When they arrive at the village they spot Marcus sitting in front of his house peeling some potatoes. Xena stares at him but continues approaching.
"Hello Felicus", Gabrielle says.
He looks up and gets to his feet. At once, his eyes turn to Xena although she hasn't spoken. Gabrielle realizes this and nudges the warrior.
"Hello", Xena says somewhat stiffly.
Marcus smiles and says, "Good to see you again, Xena."
Gabrielle senses her friend's discomfort and takes the lead.
"Xena and I spied on the thugs who tried to rob your village. They are planning a surprise attack tomorrow night at the harvest feast."
Marcus looks shocked, "My god, what are we going to do? We are no fighters!"
Gabrielle calms him down, "Don't worry. Xena's got a plan."
At once Marcus' face shows relief, "Thank god and thank you, Xena", he says, turning to her. "We'd be lost without you. We don't fight."
Xena glares at him, "So you wouldn't even try to protect these people?" she asks with quite some contempt in her voice.
"How could I? I'm just good at fighting with words not with weapons. And I believe in the way of love as taught by the great Eli", Marcus answers quietly.
Xena and Gabrielle both gape at him incredulously. "So you would let these innocent people die and sacrifice yourself just to honor Eli's teachings?" Xena demands.
"JUST to honor his teachings?" Marcus bristles. "Love is the way! Love is the most powerful force on earth! It conquers everything!"
Xena and Gabrielle exchange a pained look.
Gabrielle then addresses Marcus, "Look, I've tried that. I was one of Eli's followers but sometimes fighting might be the only way to protect those you love. And not even then …"
Xena puts a supportive hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, knowing that her friend is remembering Eli's death, the following fight with Xena and, of course, Xena's death in Japa.
"She's right", Xena says more gently.
"But you have a plan to beat them, right?" Marcus asks.
Xena seizes him up but then says, "Yes, we'll set a trap and catch them tomorrow morning", she confirms.
Marcus is relieved and also thanks Gabrielle, who nods. Then he turns back to Xena, takes a deep breath but hesitates.
"Xena?" he ventures tentatively. "Would … would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the feast tomorrow?" he finally manages to get out.
Xena stares and Gabrielle's heart drops right into her stomach, "This is it, Gabrielle. Now you have the chance to prove how much she means to you!"
Xena regains her voice, "Ah … thank you but … I don't think so. We should be moving on after we've taken care of these bastards. We've promised to pay a friend a visit and…"
Marcus looks distinctly disappointed and Gabrielle decides to take action, "Xena, we could sure use a break and good company after the fight. And we'd still be in time for the visit."
She looks imploringly at her best friend and tries to convey all the unsaid things in this look.
Xena still hesitates but remembers their conversation from before lunch. "Well, ok, I'll … ah … we'll think about it", she finally agrees and Marcus expression brightens.
"Great!" he grins.
All three of them stand in somewhat embarrassed silence for a moment.
Then Gabrielle speaks, "Ok, we'll see you tomorrow after we've dealt with the thugs then."
"Thank you so much you two", Marcus answers.
Xena and Gabrielle nod and then turn to leave. Together they walk out of the village and back to their camp in silence – both deeply lost in thought.
To be continued...