Title: Changes, Doubts, Guilts and Love Part 3
Disclaimer: Such as in Part 1, I still don't own anything!
Ratings: I'll make this one PG just to be sure...
Summary: Gabrielle finally got someone answering her prayers for help, but
is it more than she can handle?
Beta-Reading: Once again, Thanks to Smenzer for all her help with this
story, she's the one to thank for you being able to read this....So the
best way to thank her is to go to her profile and read her stories!
"Help!" Screamed Gabrielle. Iolaus was getting closer, still threatening her with his sword. "Iolaus, what has got into you? Aren't we friends anymore? Why would you want to kill me?"
"I told you Gabrielle, I'm here to help you."
Not convinced at all, Gabrielle felt tears running down her face. She wiped them furiously. This was no time to show any sign of weakness. She wouldn't stand there doing nothing while he tries to kill her. Iolaus was in for a fight, for she had acquired many new skills since they last met. But as she got ready to take her sais out, someone appeared in front of her. Ares!
"What is the meaning of all this? You run away from me only to get trapped by him? Do you want me to get rid of him for you, Sweety?" Said Ares with a grin that showed that he didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. He took a better look at the situation while Gabrielle took cover behind him. Finally understanding what was going on, he bit his upper lip. He was trying his best not to laugh. He knew that Gabrielle would never forgive him if he made fun of her right now.
"Ares, Iolaus has gone mad. He wants to kill me." Gabrielle had spoke directly in his ear, not wanting to be overheard by her friend.
"Why in the name of the Gods? Why would you want to do a thing like that, Iolaus? Besides, aren't you dead? Answer me before I squash you like the bug you are!"
Iolaus' only response was to slowly put his sword back out of sight. Then, he smiled at Ares. Gabrielle was loosing patience, when was she ever going to get answers?
"What's wrong with you Iolaus? You said you would help me and then you try to kill me? I don't see how that's suppose to be helpful."
"Well, it got Ares here to rescue you, didn't it? I'd say I've been helping you already!" The young hunter smiled mischievously and stared at Gabrielle. "We needed Ares to get you to heaven. Or I could just kill you. But I think you don't want that to happen, no? Besides, Angels can't kill pure souls like yours Gabrielle."
"So that was just a trick of yours to get me here? I swear one day I'll strangle you with my bare hands Iolaus! If you ever get back alive that is. Hasn't anyone told you it was rude to scare young women like that before? No wonder you never got a date in your entire life."
"No need to get insulting Ares" Iolaus' smile was wiped off his face at Ares' sarcastic tone. " I never thought she would buy that. Like I would ever hurt you Gabrielle. You know me better than that, I always had a soft spot for her anyway. But I think that it's time I give you some real explanations now. Before Gabrielle might try to kill me herself." He added as he saw Gabrielle's murderous look focused on him. " I'm sorry, I wanted to know if it was true, that's all."
"Well, next time you want to meet up with Ares, try calling him instead of scaring the hell out of me." Gabrielle was very upset, even Xena never gone that far in trying to joke with her. Who likes having their life threatened? " What did you want to verify? That Ares would come if something was happening to me?"
"Exactly, I needed to know if it was true that he was in love with you. His love could be the key in all your problems. Like Eli said, Love is the Way. While you were in Ares temple, I couldn't see or feel you. Ares put a spell on all his temples to avoid being watched by other gods. That's what kept me from knowing the truth. And don't give me that look; I know it's not an excuse for what I just did. I'm sorry Gabrielle." But he could see that Gabrielle was clearly not over it yet. "With Ares' help we could go to heaven now. Michael will explain everything else you want to know."
"How can we be sure this is not another lame trick?" Ares' tone was cold. He wasn't about to forgive the hunter, angel or whatever, from frightening Gabrielle. She wasn't a toy to be played with. " And why do you need me?"
"I told you Ares. Mortals are not allowed in heaven, only if they're dead. But as a God, you can bring her with you. Michael is waiting for us above. I swear on Hercules's head, Gabrielle. They will tell you everything. They know what's happening to you, it's pretty simple actually."
"Then why can't you tell me right now? I'd rather have this over with as quick as possible you know. Before I found in my heart a reason to try and hurt you Iolaus. I'm sure I can come up with a good reason to hate you too. Like trying to kill me for example." Gabrielle was not kidding. She could feel her blood boiling once again. Ares felt it too and put a hand on her arm. She took a deep breath and stared at Iolaus. His expression was sad, he seemed truly sorry. Gabrielle sighed; she knew she would forgive him before long.
"You see how Ares is already helping you? Just a hand contact and you're ready to forgive me. Now I know Michael and Eli were right. But we need to get going. They won't be happy if I spoil what they have to say." He motioned for them to follow and he disappeared. Ares sighed and looked at Gabrielle.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I never trusted him before, and I'm certainly not going to start now. Not after what he just did. Some people have a wicked sense of humor." He rolled his eyes.
"It's Ok, Ares. I think we can trust him. Besides, he's not going to be able to hurt us in Heaven. As long as you stay with me, I won't be afraid." She smiled at the God.
"All right then. It's your call, my Love. Let's go before you try to run off again." He held her against him as they disappeared in a sparkle of lights and reappeared in Heaven. They could see that Michael and Eli were lecturing Iolaus. But when they saw Gabrielle, they stopped and walked towards her. They knew there was no time to waste. They greeted the couple and Eli could feel Gabrielle's confusion and anger. She was in so much pain that he felt so sorry for her. How could this have happened?
"I'm sorry Iolaus played such a trick on you, Gabrielle. He had no right to toy with you. Not with the condition you're in. But I'm afraid to say that he was right. You must die, my dear." Eli looked through the eyes of Gabrielle and felt once again all of her pain. She needed to get over so much pain, that the only option they had left was her death.
"Not that's enough" Yelled Ares, creating a fireball, aiming at Eli's chest. "I killed you once, remember? I could do it again, just give me a good reason."
Eli smiled sadly at Ares. "I don't think you could, Ares. Not because I am already dead and you can't hurt me, but because the fact that when you killed me many years ago it almost killed you, too. It was the first time you actually felt guilty. You nearly went mad when you realized you might have lost Gabrielle forever. Now that you finally admitted your wrongs, she came to you. And you'll never do anything to hurt again. I can see through your heart. Just like you can see through Gabrielle's."
"Are you done talking about me like I wasn't here? I'm going mad Eli. Please help me" Anger has vanished from Gabrielle's voice. She sounded like a little girl on the verge of tears. That's how she felt too. "If you say I need to die to be at peace, I'll do it. I've always trusted you, Eli. If you say so, it must be for my own good. But would that be possible to say Good-Bye to Xena? And to spend some time alone with Ares? There are some things I need to say to him as well."
Eli exchanged a look with Michael. The Archangel shook his head. " It's not possible Gabrielle. We need to get started right away or your soul will be lost forever." He was about to add something when Ares lost his temper.
"NO! I won't loose her again, you filthy demons!" He created numerous thunderballs and threw them at the three men looking at him.
"Ares don't!" Gabrielle shouted. But it was too late. The fireballs exploded in an enormous BOOM. The place was all covered in smoke. Gabrielle coughed.
"You killed them Ares. You really did. What are we going to do now?" She was crying.
"Listen to me instead?" Suggested an amused feminine voice behind them.
To be continued......
"Help!" Screamed Gabrielle. Iolaus was getting closer, still threatening her with his sword. "Iolaus, what has got into you? Aren't we friends anymore? Why would you want to kill me?"
"I told you Gabrielle, I'm here to help you."
Not convinced at all, Gabrielle felt tears running down her face. She wiped them furiously. This was no time to show any sign of weakness. She wouldn't stand there doing nothing while he tries to kill her. Iolaus was in for a fight, for she had acquired many new skills since they last met. But as she got ready to take her sais out, someone appeared in front of her. Ares!
"What is the meaning of all this? You run away from me only to get trapped by him? Do you want me to get rid of him for you, Sweety?" Said Ares with a grin that showed that he didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. He took a better look at the situation while Gabrielle took cover behind him. Finally understanding what was going on, he bit his upper lip. He was trying his best not to laugh. He knew that Gabrielle would never forgive him if he made fun of her right now.
"Ares, Iolaus has gone mad. He wants to kill me." Gabrielle had spoke directly in his ear, not wanting to be overheard by her friend.
"Why in the name of the Gods? Why would you want to do a thing like that, Iolaus? Besides, aren't you dead? Answer me before I squash you like the bug you are!"
Iolaus' only response was to slowly put his sword back out of sight. Then, he smiled at Ares. Gabrielle was loosing patience, when was she ever going to get answers?
"What's wrong with you Iolaus? You said you would help me and then you try to kill me? I don't see how that's suppose to be helpful."
"Well, it got Ares here to rescue you, didn't it? I'd say I've been helping you already!" The young hunter smiled mischievously and stared at Gabrielle. "We needed Ares to get you to heaven. Or I could just kill you. But I think you don't want that to happen, no? Besides, Angels can't kill pure souls like yours Gabrielle."
"So that was just a trick of yours to get me here? I swear one day I'll strangle you with my bare hands Iolaus! If you ever get back alive that is. Hasn't anyone told you it was rude to scare young women like that before? No wonder you never got a date in your entire life."
"No need to get insulting Ares" Iolaus' smile was wiped off his face at Ares' sarcastic tone. " I never thought she would buy that. Like I would ever hurt you Gabrielle. You know me better than that, I always had a soft spot for her anyway. But I think that it's time I give you some real explanations now. Before Gabrielle might try to kill me herself." He added as he saw Gabrielle's murderous look focused on him. " I'm sorry, I wanted to know if it was true, that's all."
"Well, next time you want to meet up with Ares, try calling him instead of scaring the hell out of me." Gabrielle was very upset, even Xena never gone that far in trying to joke with her. Who likes having their life threatened? " What did you want to verify? That Ares would come if something was happening to me?"
"Exactly, I needed to know if it was true that he was in love with you. His love could be the key in all your problems. Like Eli said, Love is the Way. While you were in Ares temple, I couldn't see or feel you. Ares put a spell on all his temples to avoid being watched by other gods. That's what kept me from knowing the truth. And don't give me that look; I know it's not an excuse for what I just did. I'm sorry Gabrielle." But he could see that Gabrielle was clearly not over it yet. "With Ares' help we could go to heaven now. Michael will explain everything else you want to know."
"How can we be sure this is not another lame trick?" Ares' tone was cold. He wasn't about to forgive the hunter, angel or whatever, from frightening Gabrielle. She wasn't a toy to be played with. " And why do you need me?"
"I told you Ares. Mortals are not allowed in heaven, only if they're dead. But as a God, you can bring her with you. Michael is waiting for us above. I swear on Hercules's head, Gabrielle. They will tell you everything. They know what's happening to you, it's pretty simple actually."
"Then why can't you tell me right now? I'd rather have this over with as quick as possible you know. Before I found in my heart a reason to try and hurt you Iolaus. I'm sure I can come up with a good reason to hate you too. Like trying to kill me for example." Gabrielle was not kidding. She could feel her blood boiling once again. Ares felt it too and put a hand on her arm. She took a deep breath and stared at Iolaus. His expression was sad, he seemed truly sorry. Gabrielle sighed; she knew she would forgive him before long.
"You see how Ares is already helping you? Just a hand contact and you're ready to forgive me. Now I know Michael and Eli were right. But we need to get going. They won't be happy if I spoil what they have to say." He motioned for them to follow and he disappeared. Ares sighed and looked at Gabrielle.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I never trusted him before, and I'm certainly not going to start now. Not after what he just did. Some people have a wicked sense of humor." He rolled his eyes.
"It's Ok, Ares. I think we can trust him. Besides, he's not going to be able to hurt us in Heaven. As long as you stay with me, I won't be afraid." She smiled at the God.
"All right then. It's your call, my Love. Let's go before you try to run off again." He held her against him as they disappeared in a sparkle of lights and reappeared in Heaven. They could see that Michael and Eli were lecturing Iolaus. But when they saw Gabrielle, they stopped and walked towards her. They knew there was no time to waste. They greeted the couple and Eli could feel Gabrielle's confusion and anger. She was in so much pain that he felt so sorry for her. How could this have happened?
"I'm sorry Iolaus played such a trick on you, Gabrielle. He had no right to toy with you. Not with the condition you're in. But I'm afraid to say that he was right. You must die, my dear." Eli looked through the eyes of Gabrielle and felt once again all of her pain. She needed to get over so much pain, that the only option they had left was her death.
"Not that's enough" Yelled Ares, creating a fireball, aiming at Eli's chest. "I killed you once, remember? I could do it again, just give me a good reason."
Eli smiled sadly at Ares. "I don't think you could, Ares. Not because I am already dead and you can't hurt me, but because the fact that when you killed me many years ago it almost killed you, too. It was the first time you actually felt guilty. You nearly went mad when you realized you might have lost Gabrielle forever. Now that you finally admitted your wrongs, she came to you. And you'll never do anything to hurt again. I can see through your heart. Just like you can see through Gabrielle's."
"Are you done talking about me like I wasn't here? I'm going mad Eli. Please help me" Anger has vanished from Gabrielle's voice. She sounded like a little girl on the verge of tears. That's how she felt too. "If you say I need to die to be at peace, I'll do it. I've always trusted you, Eli. If you say so, it must be for my own good. But would that be possible to say Good-Bye to Xena? And to spend some time alone with Ares? There are some things I need to say to him as well."
Eli exchanged a look with Michael. The Archangel shook his head. " It's not possible Gabrielle. We need to get started right away or your soul will be lost forever." He was about to add something when Ares lost his temper.
"NO! I won't loose her again, you filthy demons!" He created numerous thunderballs and threw them at the three men looking at him.
"Ares don't!" Gabrielle shouted. But it was too late. The fireballs exploded in an enormous BOOM. The place was all covered in smoke. Gabrielle coughed.
"You killed them Ares. You really did. What are we going to do now?" She was crying.
"Listen to me instead?" Suggested an amused feminine voice behind them.
To be continued......