Xena freezes, then turns and gazes at Gabrielle, "Why? He's not who he was and he … he doesn't remember anything", the warrior says dejectedly and hangs her head.
Gabrielle, swallowing that horrible feeling of relief, clasps Xena's hands and says imploringly, "Xena, you loved him so much and thought he was dead and now you two could get a second chance. Don't throw that away."
Xena considers this for a moment. "Gabrielle", she sighs, "I don't know …", her voice trails off and she goes to sit on her bedroll.
Gabrielle is overwhelmed by relief again because of Xena's hesitation to return to Marcus immediately. But then she feels a horrible pang of guilt.
"No, I have to try and bring them back together. It's my fault he died and Xena deserves to be happy", she thinks to herself, her resolve hardening.
She walks over to join Xena, "Hey, didn't you see the way he looked at you?" she begins with an encouraging smile.
Xena looks up at Gabrielle, a frown on her face. "I know he didn't recognize you right away but he was definitely taken by you. There must be a way to get him back! Xena, you always look out for others. Now it's time you make your own happiness a priority for once!" Gabrielle finishes with as much conviction as she can muster.
Xena considers her friend and smiles, "Oh Gabrielle! You've always had a way with words and I love you for that and for your optimism and for countless other things. … Maybe you're right. Trying to talk to him can't make it worse, can it?"
Gabrielle gives Xena a reassuring smile and whispers, "No, it can't."
The two friends hug, holding tight to each other for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
"My god, I'm so blessed to have her in my life! I couldn't imagine a life without her", Xena thinks and smiles.
At the same time Gabrielle's heart fills with fear, "God, I love her so much and can't imagine being without her, but she deserves to be with the love of her life."
When they finally break apart, they exchange another smile.
"Well, actually it's still a bit early for lunch, don't you think? Should we try and find these thugs before we eat?" Xena asks.
Gabrielle agrees and they step back onto the road leading out of the village.
"Look", Xena says, bending down. "These are the tracks we're looking for."
"Well, let's follow them then, shall we?" Gabrielle suggests.
So the two women follow the tracks over a hill and through a small clump of trees.
At the edge of the trees they stop short because they can hear male voices shouting and coursing, "You weren't there. These two women were not normal. They fought like demons and the dark one had this strange and powerful round weapon", one of the men is reporting.
At these words Xena and Gabrielle can't help but grin at each other.
"What do we do now?" another thug asks. "We can't let these two treat us like that! That's a disgrace and an insult!"
"Yeah, right. WE are the disgrace here", Xena snarls in a sarcastic voice.
"And THEY are such lovely folks", Gabrielle adds in the same tone.
Xena smiles and raises her eyebrows in a mock unbelieving sort of way.
After a pause the thug leader announces the new plan, "Ok, tomorrow night these fools celebrate the harvest feast in their stinking village. We'll lie low and prepare and then attack when they least expect it. These two warriors will be gone by then and these pathetic villagers will stand no chance."
All other thugs cheer in agreement.
"Ok! Then they'll be in for a nasty surprise", Xena whispers with a calculating smirk.
Gabrielle gives a tiny chuckle and the two women retreat soundlessly.
Back at their camp Gabrielle asks, "So what's the plan?"
Xena turns to her with a sly smile and answers, "I think … we'll give them their surprise. They're planning to attack the feast tomorrow night and will spend the time until then planning at their camp."
Gabrielle nods and continues Xena's train of thought, "And we could take them out all at the same time with a trap."
The warrior smiles, "My friend, you know me too well!"
The bard returns her smile and busies herself with making lunch. However, as she looks through their supplies, Gabrielle finds them quite depleted, "Ah, … I think we're a little low on food, Xena"
"Oh my! I'm so sorry, Gabrielle!" the warrior begins. "I totally forgot to get the supplies at the village because of … Marcus", she finishes, her voice becoming distant once again.
Gabrielle reacts immediately, "No! Gods, Xena! I didn't mean it like that! Honestly!" she pleads.
The warrior smiles warmly and lays a hand on her friend's shoulder, "I know that, Gabrielle! But I'll still go and get us something to eat. How do you feel about fish?"
The bard's worried expression is replaced by relief, "Sounds fantastic!"
Xena squeezes Gabrielle's hand and then leaves to catch some fish.
The warrior moves swiftly and silently through the forest and down the hill to the clear stream. She picks up a long, thin stick and uses her sword to sharpen one end. Then she takes off her boots and steps into the water. A feeling of refreshment rushes through her as the warrior scans the stream for fish. With her amazing hunting skills and the self-made spear Xena has soon caught enough fish. Pleased with her work, Xena steps out of the water and sits down on the soft grass. Breathing in the clear fragrance of the flowers and trees, she is overwhelmed by memories and emotions.
To be continued...