Chapter Nine

"How curious," Xena said. "You stabbed him right through the heart."

"I guess I did," Buffy answered. "I didn't mean to, it just -- happened."

"It's almost like you've done that before – no hesitation, hit the mark the first time."

"Are you one of those Slayers?" Gabrielle asked.

"Of course she is," Xena answered, then slowly raised her sword again.

"You really don't need to do that," Buffy said. "I certainly don't want to fight you."

"Why didn't you tell us you're one of them?" Xena asked. "You said you were going to answer my questions truthfully."

"Well, I didn't actually lie. I just left out that part."

"A lie of exclusion is still a lie!"

"You're right. It is. And I'm sorry. But since I have some – unusual abilities, I didn't want you to think I was any kind of threat."

"What kind of abilities?" Gabrielle wanted to know.

"Strength, speed, acute hearing and sense of smell, and accelerated healing."

"So, just how strong are you?" Xena asked.

"The legend says that Slayers have the strength of ten men."

"That, uh – that's pretty strong." Gabrielle said.

"What's that thing about the healing?" Xena asked.

"Accelerated healing. It means that any cuts or bruises I get heal up much faster than normal."

"How fast?"

"Well, that cut Gabrielle has – if I was cut like that, it would be completely healed by tonight."

"Really?" Xena said, then suddenly slashed at Buffy's upper left arm, intending to slice it open. But Buffy's right hand caught the end of the sword scant inches from her flesh, and held it tight.

"You ARE fast!" Gabrielle commented.

"You can let go of my sword," Xena said, impressed despite herself.

Buffy hesitated a few seconds, then pulled it toward herself, and cut herself exactly where Xena had intended to. She then released the sword.

"If anyone's going to cut me, it's going to be me."

Xena and Buffy locked eyes for a few seconds, then as she turned away, Xena said, "Gabrielle, let me look at that cut."

As the mini-confrontation between Xena and Buffy was happening, the three unconscious thugs began to stir, then tried to skulk away.

While she tended to Gabrielle, Xena said, "Take THAT with you." And she nodded her head toward the dead man.

"He ain't no good to me now," the leader said.

"You can take him, or you can join him." Xena was in no mood to be argued with.

The three of them picked up their dead comrade and carried him off through the woods.

Buffy washed her wound as Xena bandaged Gabrielle's arm, then asked, "So now what?"

"What do you mean?"

"Can I stay with you guys for a while, or do I have to leave? . . . Oh, CRAP!"

"What's the matter?" Gabrielle asked.

"I just realized my amulet's gone, too."

"What amulet?"

"I was supposed to have an amulet with words on the back of it I was to say when I was ready to go home. But apparently, it disappeared with the rest of my things."

"Then I guess you can travel with us," Gabrielle told her.

"She can?"

"Can't she?"

"Why?"

"Why not? Xena, she doesn't have any provisions. She doesn't know anyone. Where's she supposed to go?"

Xena had a very irritated look on her face.

"Look, I don't want to cause any problems. And I sure don't want to come between you two. I'm pretty resourceful. Just point me to a town and I'll be okay."

"Xena," Gabrielle pleaded, "she DID save my life, kind of. We can't just abandon her."

Xean took a deep breath, shook her head, then said, "All right, if Gabrielle wants you along, fine. But you're going to pull your own weight."

"I'm as strong as ten men, just tell me what you want me to do."

Xena tossed two almost empty water skins to her.

"There is a stream off that way. Fill them up."

"No problem," Buffy answered and headed in the direction Xena indicated.

As Gabrielle began to break camp, Xena started grooming Argo.

"She's good. She's really good." Xena said almost to herself. "Even Argo didn't sense her sneaking up on us."

Gabrielle smiled but didn't say anything. She was beginning to like this Buffy, this Slayer from the future.

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