I am here with a new chapter. This one is a little bit longer. We are finally getting to the breaking point in Xena&Gabrielle's relationship/friendship. I hope you will like this one. If you do, please review. Enjoy reading. Sammie

She had tears in her eyes when looking at the damage one of the hospice rooms suffered. She looked from one burnt corner to another covering her mouth with her shaking hand. She tried to stay strong and deal with the situation without crying but her sobbing soon filled the space. It was painful to see her hospice in such a state but on the other hand she was grateful that only one room was destroyed. It could have been worse.

„It's my fault," Xena's words reached Gabrielle's ears and she stepped out of the damaged room to face Xena, who was now sitting on one of the beds. The warrior woman didn't know how to react to what she was feeling but she was sure about one thing. In her life she has done terrible things that people wanted her to be punished for but this hospice and Gabrielle should have stayed out of it. They weren't a part of her past so this act was completely unnecessary. They weren't supposed to pay for what she's done.

Was this the first time she felt sorry for someone innocent being under an attack without even having anything in common with the attacker? Was it the first glimpse of how it felt when people got hurt by someone like her? She used to be like Gabrielle, young, innocent, full of joy and living happily with her family in Amphipolis. Then a warlord attacked her city and her life turned upside down. It changed her so much that she's been living this bloodthirsty life since the moment of losing everything she held dear. Could something like that happen to Gabrielle after suffering such a horrible event as seeing her hospice being burnt down? Xena has made a decision. If there was something that she could give Gabrielle for her care and treatment it would be her help with finding who did this. Oh, lord, would she make sure to bring the attackers to justice and punish them accordingly. She watched Gabrielle walking to one of the nurses, her ears allerted.

Xena wanted to know what Gabrielle would do about this whole accident.

„Sia, please, send someone to the village. Ask about anyone who've seen the people who did this," she said and pointed at the room behind herself.

„I am not going to press any charges, I just want to talk to them," Gabrielle smiled at Sia and watched her leave the room. Then she turned to Xena.

„Are you out of your mind?" Xena blurted out and looked into Gabrielle's eyes.

She was furious.

If it was her she would already be after the attacker promising him a very quick end.

„If this hospice was mine I would ..." Xena wanted to express her idea about hunting down the enemy but had been stopped by Gabrielle's risen finger.

„But it's not yours. I will handle this by my own rules," Gabrielle defended herself and her own approach. More hate could only bring even more hate and she didn't want to stay in the circle of violence. There has to be an end to all of this hatred and fear and revenge. If she didn't have anough power to end it all she would at least try. Saving the humanity was worth the fight. Bringing love and compassion back into people's lives was something she would sacrifice her life for. That was her mission, hr life goal. It was very demanding but when she succeded, the feelings could not be explained. All her effort and time spent with the person was never wasted and she felt blessed to witness the change. Now it was Xena's turn. It was about time when Xena had finally opened her heart and accepted what Gabrielle had to offer.

„Love to pain, peace to war. It's probably your motto but not mine. I believe that the chain reaction caused by hatred can be broken with love and understanding," Gabrielle tried to express her feelings the way Xena would understand. And according to how the warrior woman looked at her, she assumed she did. This was the first step. Gabrielle's heart jumped with joy. These little moments made her feel happy and also kept her motivated to keep teaching about her simple principles.

Gabrielle managed to crack Xena's heart open a little bit to be willing to accept what she was teaching and also willing to listen to what she was saying. It was important that the person not only listened but also heard the words and their meaning.

„Now, you should lay down and rest. We don't want your leg to get swollen, don't we?" Gabrielle went to Xena's bed, took the warrior by her shoulders and helped her to rest on the bed. She took her broken leg and helped her to rise it up.

„I will bring your weapons from the other room," she added and turned around. Xena caught her hand and made her stop in the middle of her turn. Gabrielle turned her head toward Xena and their eyes met. Xena smiled and Gabrielle could see that deep inside she was struggling with something.

„Thank you," the warrior pressed the words through her lips and it was probably the hardest thing she has ever done in her whole life.

„For what?" Gabrielle asked, partialy knowing what for but she kind of wanted to hear it from Xena. It was also a part of her teachings, letting people learn to open up about their feelings.

„For saving me," Xena answered with ease having no idea about where that came from.

„No need to thank me, I only did my job," Gabrielle tried to stay as casual as she could knowing that it will make Xena even more curious about what motives she had.

„And you still haven't answered my question," Xena pulled Gabrielle back when she tried to walk away from her bed. Pressing her fingers gently into the healer's skin Xena made it clear she wouldn't let her go without getting her answer.

„What question?" Gabrielle asked trying to look like she was thinking about what the warrior had asked her about. Sure she knew but wasn't it also her turn to be cheeky, mysterious or unobtainable?

„Why did you save me?" Xena knew very well that Gabrielle was playing with her but she let her have her own moment of victory.

„Why didn't you let me burn? It would be so easy and you wouldn't have to worry about feeling guilty," Xena said and stared at Gabrielle's face, her eyes searching for any sign or a hint of anything new that could be revealed to her. Her interest in this blond healer deepend with every single moment they've spent together. The grip on Gabrielle's hand loosened so now it looked like they were just holding hands as very close friends.

„I couldn't let you die. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did let you burn in the flames," Gabrielle began her answer with justifying her living standards and letting the warrior know by what rules she has been leading her life. Leaving someone to die when there was something she could do to prevent that was absolutely impossible for her.

„Everyone's life is precious and should be saved if it's possible," Gabrielle smiled and hoped that this answer would satisfy the warrior woman.

„Even if the saved life is not a good one?" Xena asked and eagerly waited for Gabrielle's response.

„Your life is in your hands, it's up to you if it is good or bad. I've seen good in you and even thought it is deep, hidden under all this anger and bloodlust, saving it is worth the try," Gabrielle finally let Xena have the whole answer, then she freed her hand from Xena's grasp and without a single word she left the room. Xena has already had a lot to think about so these new words Gabrielle shared with her confused her even more. Few days ago she was completely sure about who she was, what she felt and would never question if her life was good or bad. Now, after listening to Gabrielle she started accepting how confused she was. She was sure that this was what Gabrielle wanted her to feel. Only through confusment and questioning your own life, motives and feelings it is possible to actually find the right path towards yourself.

TBC