Although Xena's approach is entirely soundless, Gabrielle can sense her and turns around.
In the moonlight Xena can see tear tracks on her friend's face, "Hey, what's wrong, Gabrielle? And please don't say you're fine. I know you're not", Xena says in a pleading voice.
Gabrielle hesitates and, as much as she wants to tell her best friend the truth, she asks, "Why are you not with Marcus? It looked like you two were having a great time."
Although the bard tries to keep the bitterness out of her voice, Xena catches a trace of it and a sudden thought hits her.
She inhales sharply, "Gabrielle … we did have a good time but it could never have worked."
Gabrielle looks at Xena and the warrior notices a hopeful expression that the bard tries to hide.
"Xena, I … I'm so sorry. What happened?"
Shrugging slightly, Xena explains, "We are too different, Gabrielle. He is not the man I once new. He wanted me to give up my way and my destiny to be with him."
Gabrielle frowns but Xena senses that her friend starts to relax.
"Gabrielle, … were … were you worried that I'd sacrifice our friendship for Marcus?" Xena finally asks, putting all the clues of her friend's odd behavior together. "Was that why you were so distracted and why you didn't want me to see your scroll?"
At this question Gabrielle nods, buries her face in her hands and starts to sob. Immediately, Xena walks forward and embraces her friend, stroking her back and holding her tight.
"Oh, Gabrielle", Xena whispers, "I'm so sorry! I had no idea all this hurt you so much! I'm so sorry!"
"Xena", Gabrielle sobs, looking up at her friend, "I'm sorry too! I know this is incredibly egoistic. But I really meant what I said about wanting you and Marcus to have a second chance."
She pauses and Xena gives her an adoring smile while wiping away Gabrielle's tears and shedding some herself.
After a while Gabrielle continues in a strained and sad voice, "After all, … it was my fault Marcus died in that battle so long ago."
In utter shock but realization finally setting in, Xena gasps, "Oh god, Gabrielle! You were not responsible for Marcus' death. I told you he died a hero's death in that battle and that was the truth!"
"I know, Xena but you said he died saving innocent people", Gabrielle sobs. "I passed out, you had to leave him to save me and when I was out of harm's way he'd already been overpowered and killed", she finishes, bowing her head.
"Gabrielle … how on earth can you know this? You were unconscious", Xena asks in surprise, taking the bard's hands.
Gabrielle lifts her head, "Xena, we've travelled together for so long and you've taught me so much about warfare. I'm not the little girl that followed you from Potedeia anymore."
For a moment Xena is lost for words and remembers her first encounter with Gabrielle all these years ago.
"Why didn't you hate me and leave me after Marcus' death? How can you have lived with me all these years and done all these incredible things for me, when I was the reason you lost the love of your life? Xena, how?" the bard asks desperately.
The warrior is so taken aback by these questions that it takes her a while to recover her voice.
"Gabrielle", she begins, "I never, for a second, blamed you for Marcus' death and I could never have hated or left you! You are my best friend, my soulmate, my family!"
Gabrielle's eyes fill with tears again, "But Xena, if it hadn't been for me he would have lived", she insists.
"Listen to me, Gabrielle. I CHOSE to save you that day knowing what it might mean! I WANTED to save you", Xena counters.
"Xena", Gabrielle breathes, "But why?"
"Don't you know that by now?" the warrior asks.
Before Gabrielle can say anything in reply, Xena goes on, "You are the most important person in my life, Gabrielle. You are the reason I am who I am and I don't ever want to be without you."
With these words Xena grasps Gabrielle's shoulders and the bard finally believes her friend.
"Xena, I don't know what to say. I feel the same way about you. You're my best friend too and I couldn't imagine a life without you. I love you and am endlessly grateful for our friendship", Gabrielle says and hugs Xena tightly.
Xena looks into Gabrielle's eyes, crying happy tears, "I love you too, Gabrielle and our friendship is the most important thing in my life", she whispers and returns the hug.
The end.