Gabrielle stood across from Celine as she saw the vengeful amazon raise her fists ready to fight. As Gabrielle tried to do what she knew how to do best and attempted to talk her way out of the situation.
GABRIELLE
Celine we don't have to do this. I get that you're upset about losing your mother, but there has to be another way to handle this.
CELINE
I have nothing more to say to you Gabrielle. I'm finally going to make you pay for you and Xena killing my mother.
Celine slowly walked towards Gabrielle who backed away. Not having her staff was going to severely hinder her ability to defend herself. Plus dispite everything Gabrielle honestly felt bad for Celine. She had lost her mother and was lied to about what actually happened by someone claiming to be her friend. She still had hope that maybe there was still a chance that she could get through to Celine and make her see the truth.
GABRIELLE
Please just listen to me Celine. Kai's just using you to get revenge on me and Xena. Think about it in the time you've gotten to know us do we really seem like cold hearted murderers to you?
CELINE
Oh please Gabrielle it isn't that hard to put on an act. I mean look how long I pretended that I didn't actually hate your guts.
XENA
Apparently that's another thing you have is common with your mother. On top of clearly being out of your damn mind.
KAI
No one was talking to you.
Kai punched Xena in her stomach. Xena showed little reaction other then an angery stare, not wanting to give Kai the satisfaction.
CELINE
Enough talk. I've been waiting a long time for this and I intend on savoring every moment.
GABRIELLE
I'm not fighting you Celine. We don't have to do this.
CELINE
If you don't wanna fight back that's just fine. It just makes this easier for me.
Celine ran up to Gabrielle and kicked her to the ground. Gabrielle looked at Celine as she began to get back up.
KAI
Ouch that looked like it hurt.
Instinctively wanting to come to Gabrielle's defense Xena pulled against the rope that kept her restrained with no result.
KAI
Don't even think about trying anything Xena. Did you forget about your daughter?
Xena stopped struggling knowing for the time being that her hands were tied, in both the figurative and literal since if she didn't want anything to happen to Aurora.
CELINE
Come on Gabrielle. You could at least try and put up a fight. Or is this what you did to my mother too. You played the defenseless girl and then struck when she never saw it coming.
Gabrielle groaned in pain as Celine punched her several times in the face chest and stomach before throwing one more hard shot across her jaw, knocking Gabrielle to the ground. Realizing that she wasn't going to be able to talk Celine out of her plan, Gabrielle wiped away the bit of blood that was coming from her lip and stood back up. She might not have wanted to but if it was to protect her child and Xena, Gabrielle was prepared to fight.
GABRIELLE
This is your last chance Celine. Stop this now and i'm sure we can find a way to work things out.
CELINE
That might work on other people but not me Gabrielle. I want you dead.
Celine rushed in and swung at Gabrielle who dodged and swept out her foot, tripping Celine. Celine fell back but grabbed Gabrielle's ankle and pulled her to the ground as well. Then Celine quickly got on top of Gabrielle pinning her to the ground and rained her fists down repeatedly into Gabrielle's face.
XENA
Gabrielle!
Kai just smiled as she watched Xena's reaction to seeing Gabrielle being ruthlessly beaten as she returned her attention to the fight. Finally Gabrielle was able to get her arms free and brought them up to protect her face. Celine just scowled as she stood up and drove a hard kick into Gabrielle's side. Gabrielle yelled in pain as she rolled over gripping her ribs. As she tried to get up Celine grabbed a handful of Gabrielle's hair and forced her to her feet.
CELINE
I can't believe someone like you was able to kill my mother. What did you do sneak up on her when she didn't exspect it? Or some other sneaky way of doing it? Or wait let me guess you had Xena do you dirty work for you. That would make the most sense because you clearly can't actually fight to literally save your own life. Or apparently your own daughter's either.
In that moment Gabrielle felt like a switch was flipped inside her. She wasn't only fighting to defend herself, she was fighting for her, Xena, the child they had together. The same baby that Celine had kidnapped and threatened the life of. So why had she been trying to reason with her child's kidnappers? They were willing to go this far, so they clearly had no intention of changing their plans. Both Celine and Kai only wanted to hurt or kill both Gabrielle and Xena. And they were willing to stoop so low as to go after a child to do it. They couldn't be reasoned with and needed to be stopped. With Xena unable to do anything at the moment, Gabrielle knew it was up to her.
GABRIELLE
Enough!
Gabrielle swung at Celine and knocked her away.
GABRIELLE
You can try and hurt me all you want but I won't let you, Kai or anyone else harm my daughter. And if I have to fight to protect her I will.
CELINE
Big talk for someone who can't even actually fight.
GABRIELLE
Watch me.
KAI
Oh this I have to see.
Celine rushed back in and caught Gabrielle in the cheek with her fist. Gabrielle staggered back but didn't go down. She looked at Celine with a stare that was made up of pure defiance and determination. Gabrielle swung back, landing a hit on Celine who backed off a bit. Both from pain and shock. After a moment Celine recovered.
CELINE
Good I can start actually fighting for real now.
Celine reached behind her and drew a dagger. Gabrielle saw the weapon and glanced towards her staff that layed on the ground a little ways off. Celine noticed.
CELINE
Sure go for it Gabrielle. If you can.
Celine lunged for Gabrielle with her blade. Gabrielle managed to move out of the way and ran for her staff. As she ran she heard Xena yell for her to duck. She didn't look to see why and dove to the ground only to see the dagger land in the dirt next to her staff. Gabrielle looked back realizing that if she hadn't gotten down when she did she'd have that dagger burried in her back. Unsurpassed by the extremely cheap move Gabrielle got up and knowing that just running right for her weapon wasn't going to work. She was going to have to wait for just the right opportunity to grab it. But just how long could Gabrielle actually last unarmed against a more skilled fighter?
TO BE CONTINUED…