As I began this chapter, I realized that I totally left Eve out of the story. So I'm just going to tell you now that all those times Xena was hangin' out with Ares, Eve is with Gabrielle. It is important in this chapter. And I found a convenient was to get rid of Gabrielle, like some of you instructed me, and simultaneously give this story a plot. Oh and I decided to make this one slightly longer than the others. Hope you like it!


As Ares reclaimed Xena's lips with his own, a scream penetrated the night. Xena sprang from his grasp and spun around, looking for the source of the cry. She knew she recognized it but could not quite place it. After a terrifying moment where Xena racked her brains, hoping it was not who she thought it was, she came to an even more terrifying conclusion. It was exactly who she thought it was.

"Gabrielle!" Xena shouted. With one fleeting glance back at Ares, she dashed off toward the camp. Ares promptly vanished, reappearing by the empty space where Gabrielle had been sleeping just as Xena crashed through the brush. Xena glanced around at the empty space, her eyes wide. "Gabrielle," she whispered. For a moment the two stood in silence, Ares watching Xena, Xena watching the ground. Then another scream reached their ears, this one fainter, as though further away, "Xena!" Without a second thought, Xena turned and ran in the direction of the yell.

She did not look back, not caring what Ares was doing. All she could think was that Gabrielle was in trouble. Unconsciously, Xena drew her sword. As she forced her way through the forest, she stumbled into a clearing. Xena froze; about twenty feet from her lay Gabrielle. Blood gushed from her forehead, and she was not moving. Xena felt the sword drop from her hands, and her feet carry her swiftly across the clearing to Gabrielle's side. She fell to her knees, grasping the bard's hand in hers. Gabrielle shifted slightly and moaned. "Xena?" she said, "Is that you?"

"Yes, Gabrielle, I'm here now,"

"Xena, they took Eve, I couldn't stop them, there were too many,"

Xena said nothing, tears forming in her eyes.

"I heard you get up, Xena, and I went to see... I saw you, you and Ares."

"Gabrielle, I'm so sorry, I meant to tell you..." Xena began, the tears starting to flow down her cheeks.

"No, I'm sorry Xena. I didn't know you loved him, I just wish you'd told me."

"Gabrielle, Gabrielle, no, I love you..." Xena took Gabrielle in her arms and leaned down, pressing her lips to the bard's. Even as she did so she felt Gabrielle's breath wane, then cease. Xena pulled back to gaze at Gabrielle, her best friend, dead in her arms. A slight crunch behind her announced Ares' presence, but she took no notice.

Ares stood watching Xena silently. He knew she was in pain and it was killing him not to be able to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew better than to disturb her. After what felt like an eternity, Xena stood, carrying Gabrielle in her arms. "I'm going to give her a proper burial," she said. Her voice was rough and she did not look at Ares as she spoke. He watched her walk off into the woods, holding tightly the limp body of her best friend.


The flames leapt and danced high in the air, reflecting orange on Xena's tears. Gabrielle's body lay on a pile of burning wood, the fire reducing her to ashes. Xena and Ares stood nearby, Xena watching her best friend being devoured by the flames, Ares watching Xena. From his position behind her, Ares tentatively put his hands on Xena's shoulders. She did not resist, but Ares could feel her tense under his touch.

"Xena, there was nothing we could do for your friend, but I can help you save Eve,"

"Yeah? How?" she spat back at him.

"I know that she was captured by Athena's followers, and I know where they're headed with her. If you let me help you, we can overtake them and get Eve back."

Xena turned around to face him. "Why should I let you help me?" she asked quietly.

Ares gently pulled Xena towards him until their bodies touched. Then he leaned his head down and kissed her softly. "Because," he said, "I love you."


Yeah so, I might have made it longer but I'm tired and I don't like to keep you guys waiting. Awww, isn't that nice of me.