As Gabrielle sat in the bed at the village infermery she shook her head in disbelief at what Xena had just told her.
GABRIELLE
Xena that can't be right. Everyone in this village are our friends. Why would someone be trying to kill me?
XENA
I don't know. But I have every intention of finding out who they are and why they're doing this.
GABRIELLE
Are you sure that's what happened? I mean couldn't it have just been an accident?
Xena knew that Gabrielle didn't want to believe that someone she had befriended could be behind the attempts on her life. But unfortunately so far that did in fact seem to be the case.
XENA
I wish it was. But based on what you were poisoned with it's clear that whoever's responsible had every intention of killing you.
Gabrielle looked down sadly for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Then she looked back at Xena.
GABRIELLE
Do you have any idea who it might be?
Xena sighed as she began running through possible suspects in her head.
XENA
Don't know yet. But I swear I'll find out. And I'll make them pay.
Gabrielle reached over and held Xena's hand.
GABRIELLE
Xena, I know how you get when it comes to me. Please don't go doing anything you'll regret later.
Xena smiled a little as she lightly squeezed Gabrielle's hand.
XENA
Don't worry Gabrielle I'm not doing anything to anyone who doesn't deserve it.
Gabrielle smiled as Xena held her for a while. After a couple days Gabrielle was deemed well enough to go home.
XENA
Damn it open.
Xena fumbled with the front door to their house as she held Gabrielle in her arms.
GABRIELLE
Xena I can walk just fine you know.
XENA
I know.
Xena smiled as she put Gabrielle down and let her stand. Xena opened the door and the two went inside. The next few days Xena was on high alert. She made sure that she kept her eye on Gabrielle as she went about her normal business. As well as watching everyone around her. Xena was determined to find out who was trying to murder Gabrielle. Fortunately Gabrielle had no lasting effects from being poisoned. And seemed to be okay. Everyone appeared happy to see Gabrielle back up and about. She chatted with their friends as she and Xena sat in the mess hall. Xena had inspected the food before hand to insure that there was nothing dangerous in it. Even though she was certain that whoever was behind the poisoning most likely wouldn't attempt to kill Gabrielle the same way again. While Gabrielle wasn't too thrilled about Xena hovering over her a bit more. She understood that was just how Xena was. And Xena did her best not to go back to being too overly proactive. A number of few weeks went by without incident and Xena hadn't come up with any evidence on who could've been behind trying to kill Gabrielle. Other than the fact that she knew that it was someone who was in the village. No one outside would have access. So it was clear that the culprit was someone within the village. And the fact that it was someone they knew who was in close proximity made Xena feel even more on edge about the whole ordeal. Which made her want to find the culprit even sooner.
SKYLA
Did we do or say something to upset Xena?
Skyla, Fauna, Clover and Amarice looked at Xena who was standing a little ways off and every so often glaring at them as they talked to Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
No. Xena's just been keeping an eye out for whoever's been going after me.
AMARICE
Has she found anything yet?
GABRIELLE
No, we still have no idea of whose been doing this.
CLOVER
It's up to three times now right?
GABRIELLE
Xena thinks so.
FAUNA
I sincerely hope they get caught soon.
GABRIELLE
You can say that again.
Skyla looked at Xena for a moment.
SKYLA
She doesn't think it could really be one of us dose she?
GABRIELLE
Unfortunately according to Xena, for now everyone's a suspect.
SKYLA
What about you?
Gabrielle smiled at her friends.
GABRIELLE
Not at all. I know you guys are my friends. I trust you. Even if Xena doesn't.
CLOVER
I can kinda see where she's coming from though. I'd be the same way if someone was trying to kill Skyla.
SKYLA
(Joking tone) Aww aren't you sweet. I wove you too.
AMARICE
(Joking tone) Ooo wove is such a strong statement.
Clover gave a slightly annoyed sigh as the rest of the group laughed a bit. The fun banter helped to lighten Gabrielle's mood a little as she looked back over at Xena who was keeping her watchful eyes on the immediate area for any signs of danger. A few days passed without incident and Gabrielle was getting ready for bed as Xena came upstairs and walked into the bedroom. Gabrielle smiled when she saw Xena standing in the doorway as she pulled on her nightgown. Xena sat her sword and chakrum on the nightstand by the bed as she began getting ready to go to sleep as well. Gabrielle noticed Xena stop and look out the window into the night.
GABRIELLE
Is something wrong?
XENA
I thought I saw something out there.
GABRIELLE
It was probably just one of the villagers walking by.
XENA
Not this late and with no light. Plus our house isn't near any of the others.
Xena picked up her sword and headed to the door.
XENA
I'm gonna go check it out I'll be right back.
Gabrielle sighed as she went to the window and saw Xena step outside below. She watched her walk out into the night before turning to get into bed. Gabrielle layed down, got comfortable and began drifting off to sleep as she waited for Xena to come back. Meanwhile Xena looked around outside for any signs of trouble. Back at the house now mostly asleep, Gabrielle turned over as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. Only to feel too warm a few moments later. Not opening her eyes she uncovered herself a bit as she got comfortable again. A few moments later it only seemed to get warmer as Gabrielle opened her eyes to figure out why it was suddenly so hot. She quickly sat up when she saw smoke coming in the room from outside the bedroom door. Gabrielle jumped out of bed and went to the doorway to see flames racing down the hallway towards their room. With no time to get to the stairs Gabrielle slammed the door shut and hoped it would hold back the fire long enough for her to get out the window. Outside Xena continued looking around and spotted an unknown dark figure running towards the trees not far from their house. She scowled as she began to follow. Xena made it to the trees and was about to continue when she heard Gabrielle's voice yelling. Xena stopped and turned around. That was when she saw their house lit up in a fire.
XENA
Gabrielle.
Xena wasted no time and rushed back towards the burning building. She stood outside and looked up as she yelled for Gabrielle. Gabrielle came to the window.
GABRIELLE
I can't get out. The fire's outside the bedroom door.
XENA
Stay there I'll come get you.
GABRIELLE
Xena you can't.
XENA
I'll be fine. Just hold on I'm coming.
By now others in the village had noticed the commotion and arrived on the scene.
EPHINY
Tell me Gabrielle's not still inside.
XENA
Not for long.
VALASSCA
You can't go in after her it's too dangerous.
Xena glared at Valassca.
XENA
I'm not leaving her in there. I'm going in to get her.
EPHINY
Go Xena. We'll get to work putting out the fire.
Ephiny shouted to the crowd that had formed in front of the house.
EPHINY
Hurry start getting water over here!
The crowd quickly scattered and began getting water to extinguish the flames as Xena charged into the burning building. Inside she moved through the smoke that had filled the house. Xena made it to the stairs as she noticed that the fire didn't appear to have started on the first floor. She used her arm to try and shield herself from inhaling too much smoke as she ran up the stairs. At the top Xena was stopped by a wall of flames. She yelled to Gabrielle who heard her from the other side of the closed bedroom door.
XENA
Gabrielle are you alright?
Gabrielle coughed as more smoke continued to fill the room.
GABRIELLE
For now yeah.
XENA
Good now move away from the door.
Gabrielle did as Xena said.
GABRIELLE
What are you gonna do?
She didn't hear any response from Xena as she stood in the middle of the room. After a few moments of silence Gabrielle got worried.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Again Gabrielle heard nothing. The worst case scenario began to go through her mind as she headed back towards the door.
GABRIELLE
Xena?!
Gabrielle stopped dead when the door was suddenly busted open and an unidentified cloaked figure rolled in. The figure stood and Gabrielle gave a relieved smile when Xena emerged from the mass of cloth that she had apparently grabbed to shield herself from the flames in order to reach Gabrielle.
XENA
Come on get to the window. The flames are too intense to go back down the stairs. I barely got through getting here.
The two got to the window and looked at the people below working to put out the fire.
GABRIELLE
What do we do? Jumping from up here to the ground is risky.
XENA
I have an idea.
Xena yelled down and got some of the women's attention. She threw down the cloth down to them and they held it spread out.
XENA
Okay Gabrielle we have to jump. Hold on.
Gabrielle held Xena as the two climbed out on the windowsill. Gabrielle looked back and saw the fire now beginning to consume the bedroom. Then Xena jumped and they both fell from the second story of their burning home. Landing safely in the cloth below. The villagers then lowered them the rest of the way to the ground. Xena stood up and helped Gabrielle to her feet as she looked to make sure she was uninjured.
XENA
You sure you're alright.
GABRIELLE
I'm okay.
Xena hugged Gabrielle close, happy and relieved that she was okay. A while later once the fire was put out, Gabrielle sat on a bench wrapped in a blanket that someone had given her as she looked at the smoldering remains of their house? Xena walked out of building and sat down next to her.
XENA
Looks like we'll be able to fix the house itself. Nothing irreplaceable was destroyed. And most importantly no one was hurt.
Gabrielle looked sadly at the wreckage.
GABRIELLE
That's good.
Xena put her arm around her knowing that they were both aware that the fire was almost certainly not an accident. They sat there in silence as the fact that someone desperately wanted Gabrielle dead began to weigh very heavily on her. Just trying to kill her Gabrielle could handle, but that fire could've gotten Xena killed too. And that was something that Gabrielle wasn't just going to take laying down. Xena felt Gabrielle grip her hand and looked at her.
GABRIELLE
We have to find who's behind this Xena. It wasn't just me that they put in danger tonight. They could've killed you too. And I...
Xena hugged her as she saw the fear of Gabrielle losing her in Gabrielle's eyes.
XENA
It's okay. We're both safe. We'll stop whoever's responsible I promise.
Xena and Gabrielle received several offers from various villagers to stay with them until their house was repaired. But Xena declined. Unsure of who they could trust, Xena wasn't taking any chances. The last thing Xena wanted was for them to possibly be under the same roof as Gabrielle's would be assassin. So that night the two stayed outside like they had done most nights before coming to the secret village. They found a spot out of the way among a group of trees. Gabrielle managed to fall asleep. While Xena stayed awake as she just layed next to Gabrielle holding her close under the blanket. She closed her eyes but kept her other senses on alert for anyone who might come their way. The night was quiet quiet except the normal sounds of the nocturnal wildlife. That was until Xena heard the snapping of a twig. She stealthy reached for her chakrum as she peeked open her eyes. That was when she saw a hooded figure crouching a little ways from her and Gabrielle. She noticed the figure pull back on a bow as they aimed an arrow directly at Gabrielle. In an instant they sent the arrow flying as Xena sat up and threw her chakrum at the figure. It flew through the air and deflected the arrow away as it continued on course for the mystery figure, who hastily got out of the way of Xena's weapon. The chakrum bounced off a couple trees then came back to Xena who was on her feet and glaring angerly at the mystery person.
XENA
(Angry tone) So came back to try killing Gabrielle again? And twice in one night. You really have some nerve. You had better hope that you're faster than I am because when I catch you you're gonna wish I had just killed you.
The mystery figure quickly turned and started running as Xena drew her sword and let out her battle cry into the pre-dawn morning. Hearing the familar sound, Gabrielle quickly awoke and sat up just in time to see Xena chasing after someone. Gabrielle stood and followed Xena, realizing she had probably caught her attempted assassin in the act. The chase was on as Xena followed behind an obviously highly skilled assailant. Whoever the mystery person was Xena noted that they were very fast and agile. But she also knew that they were in a walled village. It might've been fairly large but there was still only so far the would be murderer could go. And after multiple attempts on Gabrielle's life Xena was determined to not allow whoever she was chasing the opportunity to escape.
TO BE CONTINUED...