To Find the Light

by Debir

Picking up where Enter the Dark ended, Xena and Gabrielle search for Deerdra who is doing some searching of her own. Their respected journeys will impact their lives forever.

15. Chapter 15

"To Find The Light"

by

Debir

Chapter Fifteen: "Contrasts"

PAST:

Morning and Deerdra is watching Xena sleep, trying to think of a way to get her back for Harpy hand gag. She looks around their camp. Nothing interesting here. Then she remembers the pile of dead Harpies. She finds one that is still intact then stretches it out in front of her making it look as though it is walking on its own. She yells "Harpy!" Xena springs up, see the Harpy coming toward her and throws the Chakram, slicing its head off. Deerdra pops her head up in the empty space, "Whoa! I nearly lost my head there! Good Morning, Xena. Sleep well?"

Xena shoots her a dirty look and grumbles, "I slept fine."

"It got your blood flowing, didn't it? Deerdra tosses the Harpy back onto the pile. "I'm getting tired of fighting off Harpies everyday. They need to get more creative."

"What would you prefer? The Gorgon sisters?"

"It'd be a change of pace."

"Uh, huh."

"Oh, come on. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"My sense wants to live to see tomorrow...and Gabrielle."

"Well, yeah. There's that." Deerdra flops down next to Xena, "Whew! It sure is getting ripe around here."

"It wouldn't be if you bathed more often."

"I bathed the other day."

"Yeah, right before you nearly let me drown."

"I wouldn't have let you drown." The breeze changes direction, blowing right across the corpses. The stench is too much for Deerdra, "I'm going up the road a ways. Feel free to join me unless you enjoy smelling rotting flesh."

"Nope. We should move closer to the mountain anyway."

They walk all day and into the afternoon without incident or argument. The quiet sets their nerves on end, jumping at every leaf rustle and wind gust. They make camp in a clearing in the trees not far from a cliff with a spiky bottom.

Deerdra, master of stating the obvious says, "It sure was quite today."

"Yeah. It probably means they'll hit us harder next time." Xena stretches out on her bedroll, "Wake me when they do."

"Yeah, you just take that nap. Sooner or later something is going to jump out of the bushes, something big."

Deerdra's too antsy to rest. She doesn't have any dinars to clink off her elbow, but she does find a short twig she can fiddle with between her fingers. That's how the rest of her afternoon goes. Fiddle, pace, fiddle, pace. Finally, when her anticipation nears its peak, leaves in the distance rustle. This rustling is different, it sounds bigger and coming from all around.

"Finally, some action." Deerdra readies her swords and takes a defensive stance. She tries to nail down what is making all that noise, "It's not footsteps or hooves, or even hairy legs. It sounds more like-holy crap! Xena!"

Even a bit drowsy Xena can hear the alarm in Deerdra's voice. She springs to her feet, "What?"

Deerdra point up, "Look!"

It's the three Gorgon sisters slithering their way toward camp, "You just had to mention the Gorgons, didn't you?"

"You have to admit, this will defiantly be different. Run!"

The warriors run for their lives. Jumping over logs, ducking under branches, zig-zaging hither and fro and still they stay just ahead of the slithering woman/snakes. The sister's eye beams turning everything on either side of their prey to stone. Unfortunately, our heroes are literally running out of room. The shear cliff is coming up fast.

"Can you immortals be turned to stone?" Xena isn't being sarcastic.

Neither is Deerdra, "I don't care to fine out."

Both are trying to come up with an exit strategy. Xena finds one first. Deerdra has stuck the Hinds' Dagger in the back of her trousers. Xena grabs it, leaps over a log, turns in mid-air and throws the dagger at the Sister in the lead. She screeches then promptly turns to stone and shatters.

Xena yells, "One down!"

Deerdra doesn't make a smart remark, instead while still running at full speed, she grabs a young tree and lets her momentum spin her around back the way they came. She tumbles and rolls away from the stone making beams of the two remaining Sisters. She pauses long enough at the stone pile to retrieve the Dagger. She also hurls it and hits Sister number two who screeches then turns to stone and shatters.

Sister number two is breathing down Xena's neck, but Xena has a plan. When they reach the cliff, Xena doesn't stop. She jumps, grabbing hold of a tree root sticking out of the side of the cliff. The Gorgon, not having any feet, can't stop and goes flying off the edge meeting an impaled ending.

Deerdra has retrieved the Dagger and jogs up to Xena. "Good job! Now wasn't that fun!"

Xena isn't amused, "You think nearly being turned to stone is fun?"

"Well, it was different, and exciting. You can't deny that."

Xena grumble, mumbles, "This is the woman Gabrielle's infatuated with?"

"Boy, I am pumped up! I can't wait to see what's next. Ooh, some Satyrs maybe?"

Xena slaps Deerdra back into reality, literally. She slaps Deerdra hard. Deerdra, in response, backhands Xena. Both women ball up their fists, ready to fight. Xena would like nothing more than to knock Deerdra down a peg or three, but not right now. They still have to work together to allow Gabrielle to come back.

Xena unclenches her fists, "I was just trying to bring you back down to earth. If I had wanted to start a fight, I would have done more than just slap you."

Deerdra eases up a little, "Maybe I was caught up in the moment. But next time, find a different way to get my attention."

"Fine."

They head back to camp. Xena has to know, "Where did you get the Hinds' Dagger?"

Deerdra grins. Another opportunity to yank Xena's chain, "Ares gave it to me."

Xena mumbles, "He would."

FUTURE:

Gabrielle and Deerdra are still asleep on the couch, until the jet hits some turbulence. The bump knocks Gabrielle off the couch and onto the floor. The thud and Gabrielle's sudden disappearance wakes Deerdra. She looks over the edge, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Is that how you wake people now a days?"

Captain Mike talks over the com system, "I apologize for the rude awakening, but now that you're awake...Welcome to Greece! We'll be landing in approximately thirty minutes."

Gabrielle gets to her feet, "Already?"

Deerdra yawns,"Time flies when you're asleep."

After they buckle up, Gabrielle looks out the window, "Wow, look at all the lights! Is that Athens?"

"It sure is."

"Wow."

They land and get at rental car and drive to Deerdra's villa arriving as the sun begins its ascent above the ocean. After getting settled in, they stand on the veranda and take in the ocean view. Well, Gabrielle is taking in the view, Deerdra is admiring her.

"It's so beautiful." Gabrielle says.

"Yes, it is." Deerdra isn't talking about the sunset.

Gabrielle quickly turns around, "Okay, now that you know that I won't remember any of this you can start answering my questions. "

Deerdra braces herself, "Okayyy."

"When I look at you, there is so much sadness in your eyes. I have to wonder how much of it is because of me being here and how much is because of your past."

Deerdra walks over to the railing, "I have had to watch many of my loved ones die, but moments like this, with you, make all the pain worthwhile."

"Was I one of those you watched die?"

Deerdra slumps her shoulders,"Yes and no."

"What does that mean? Did Xena and I die in a battle? I'm sure you would have been there if you could have been."

"No, you two lived to be a ripe old age."

"Xena as an old woman. That's hard to imagine." Gabrielle chuckles, "Was she anything like Meg?"

"I never met Meg. Was she one of the look-a-likes?"

"Oh, yeah. She was married to Joxer. So, did the three of us stay together all that time?"

Deerdra reaches down and takes Gabrielle's hands into her own, "Gabrielle, we were married."

Gabrielle's jaw drops, "We were married? Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Gabrielle steps away. She doesn't know what to make of this information. "I do have some feelings for you, but married? Who's idea was it and how long were we together?"

Deerdra sighs, "It was your idea and not long enough."

"My idea?" Gabrielle shakes her head, "How long?"

"It seemed very important to you, but it was only for a few months."

"That's not very long. What happened?"

"Honestly, I don't know. We were happy then you left."

"I left you? Why would I do such a thing?"

"To this day I have know idea. You gave me some lame excuse about being afraid of me then walked away."

Gabrielle doesn't believe it, "You would never hurt me."

"That's what I said, but you kept walking...back to Xena."

"Back to...this doesn't make any sense."

"Tell me about it. And I've had centuries to mull it over."

"Did we argue before I left?"

"We never argued. Disagreed, but not argue."

"So, you weren't there when we died?"

"I was in a different village when I got word you were sick. I made it to your side moments before you died. Me not being there to take care of you, now that hurt."

"At least we got to say goodbye. I still can't imagine what could have possessed me to walk away from you."

"I'm sure you had a good reason. You did seem to struggle with your decision. It was a rough night for both of us. I do think the Archangels had a hand in our marriage and separation."

Gabrielle shakes her head in disgust then It dawns on her what Deerdra just said. She smiles, "Xena and I were together when we died. Do you know how it happened?"

"You came down with pneumonia and got incredibly sick.. Xena died a day later. They said she died in her sleep. I say her spirit died the day your heart stopped."

"None of this makes any sense, but now I'm super curious to find out what happened."

"Well, when you do, leap back through time and fill me in, will ya."

Gabrielle smiles, "If your magic friends can figure out a way, I will. So, what else did you and Xena do while I was here, beside fend off Harpies?"

Deerdra tells a tale to lighten the mood, "Well, we thought about running off together and tying the knot, but that would have been awkward, so we just went to the nearest tavern and got drunk."

Gabrielle laughs, "No, really. What did you do?"

"Right now it's still Harpy. There seems to be a delay in my memories by a day. But as you probably suspect, we are butting heads, but we still look out for each other. Both of us have to be alive for you to return, so that's a big motivator for us to behave."

"I want you to tell me what's going on, okay?"

"Promise."

"Good. The sun's about up. What's on the day's agenda?"

"A nap then spend the day lounging on the beach."

Gabrielle yawns, "Lounging sounds good."

PAST:

It's the same day as the Gorgon attack. The two pick blueberries on the way back to their camp. A large rat dashes out of the bushes and stops directly in their path. It stands on its hind legs, cocks its head to one side and twitches its nose a few times before dashing back into the bushes.

Again, Deerdra states the obvious, "That was a rat."

"Yeah and he was mighty curious about us."

"You're thinking it was a scout of some sort."

"Yep, which means he has someone to report to."

"And a way to stop these attacks." Deerdra gets ahead of herself, "Ha! We've won."

Xena's a bit more realistic, "Not until we find the one in charge."

"They can't be far. Lurking in the shadows, watching our every move, just waiting to pounce when we least expect it."

Xena can't help be be sarcastic, "That set the tone for the rest of the day. And before you wonder what's next, don't."

Deerdra smirks, "I don't have to, you just did."

Xena ignores her remark. She crosses her arms, "I'm getting tired of being the one who's surprised. How are you at tracking rats?"

Deerdra grins, "He scurried off that way."

Deerdra was right about the one in charge being close. They don't see the cloaked figure hovering deep within the shadows of the forest nor can they anticipate the chaos he is about to unleash upon them. With a wave of his hand, it begins.

Off the warriors go, rat hunting in the Black Forest. "Keep your eyes open for anything unusual." Xena advises.

Deerdra replies, "More unusual than two battle tested warriors scouring the forest floor for rat droppings?"

"Yeah, more unusual than that."

It isn't long before Deerdra notices something odd. "Uh, Xena? Is it getting darker or is it just me?"

Xena stops poking around in the bushes and looks up, "It isn't you."

They draw their swords as one, smooth and quick. The rustling of leaves signals the arrival of their next foe-the trees themselves. Before either can react, each is grabbed by the waist by a trees limb and hoisted into the air. Deerdra yells, "Son of a B...!" The trees hurl the women up and over the tops of the trees all the way back to the lake at their original campsite. They land in the water with a big splash and sink several feet under water.

The water is too murky for Deerdra to see Xena. What she can see are two glowing red eyes heading straight for her. She waits for the water demon to get close then hauls off and hits it with all her strength, sending it spinning like a top back the way it came. She smiles, pleased at herself. She makes like a torpedo and heads for the surface. She yells, "Xena!"

From shore she hears, "Yeah?"

She swims over. Xena is bent over trying to catch her breath. Deerdra is a tad winded herself, "Are you okay?"

Xena sucks in air, "Yeah. At least we know which way our 'friend' is hiding."

"You saw the castle as well? Now we just have to find a way to get past those walking trees. Any ideas?"

"I'm working on it."

Deerdra scans the lake. Bubbles popping in the middle of the lake tell her the fight isn't over. The giant figure rising from the lake makes her heart skip a beat. She grabs Xena and pulls her toward the forest, "Work on it over here!"

The water explodes, announcing the arrival of a two-headed Hydra.

Deerdra can't believe it, "I didn't think that lake was deep enough to hold a Hydra."

"Apparently it is. I wonder just how tough it is." Xena slings the Chakram at one of the Hydra's heads. It bounces right off and returns to her blood free. "That's one tough skin."

"Well, now what? If we go back into the forest, those trees will throw us into the lake."

Xena surveys the tree line and spots a clearing close to the lake. "First we take care of the Hydra. One of us needs to lure it into that opening."

"The one of us who can't die, right?" Deerdra pulls out the Hind's Dagger, "I'm on it. I would appreciate it if you'd fish me out of its stomach."

"No guarantees there, but I'll try."

"Well don't put yourself out now."

Xena points to the clearing, "Move."

"Alright. Here we go." Deerdra waves at the beast, "Hey, ugly! Come and get it!"

The Hydra roars then lunges at her. She rolls out of reach, but while the beasts' head is at ground level, she plunges the dagger into on of its eyes then hangs on for dear life. The Hydra raises up and shakes that head side to side trying to shake her loose. Deerdra's flapping about gets the attention of the other Hydra head. It lunges at Deerdra but misses and ends up chomping down on the first head, gouging out the other eye. Deerdra then hurls herself over to the second head and plunges the dagger into one of its eyes. It starts flailing about as well, but this time Deerdra purposely loosens her grip so she can flip over and gouge out the other eye. She pull out the dagger and allows the Hydra to buck her off and fling her free and clear and into the trees. The jolt knocks the air out of her and she free falls to the ground landing face down on to of a boulder. Blood shoots from her mouth and she slowly slides down to the ground.

"She blinded them so they would fight each other and leave us alone. Impressive." Xena runs over to her, "Deerdra?"

Deerdra asks, "How many more days of this?" then falls unconscious.

Xena answers, "One too many."

FUTURE:

They doze under the beach umbrella soaking up rays for a couple of hours, that's about as long as Gabrielle can take sitting still.

"Okay, I'm rested. Can we go to Potedaia now?"

Deerdra teases, "Is someone homesick?"

"Well, yes, and curious. It does still exist, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it's still there."

So off in the convertible they go. Deerdra's villa is a three hour drive away along the coast. Deerdra points out what's left of the monuments to the gods. Gabrielle isn't surprised that they're standing. "Monumental egos" she calls them. They arrive at the town of Potedaia. Gabrielle is happy it's still here, even if the population is under one thousand. Deerdra has another more surprise. She takes them out to the countryside and stops at an electrified fence. She punches in a code and the gate opens.

"Why are we going in here?"

Deerdra smiles, "You'll see."

They drive a little further and there it is. Gabrielle's home. It's a little worse for wear, but easily recognizable.

Gabrielle's in shock, "That's my house!" She sprints out of the car and runs up to the front door. She looks back at Deerdra. Deerdra nods and she goes inside. She runs her hands over the table and chairs remembering the last time she was here. It wasn't exactly a happy visit, but the memories warm her heart non the less. Deerdra steps inside. Gabrielle asks, "You bought this, didn't you?"

"I couldn't let it go."

"I brought you here after we got married, to meet my sister and niece?"

"Yes, they were...surprised."

"I can imagine. Thank you for saving it and for bringing me here." She gives Deerdra a hug.

"Anything for you."

Gabrielle gazes into her eyes and smiles. Deerdra adds, "I have one more surprise."

Gabrielle grins, "What?"

Deerdra's cryptic, "You'll see."

She has Captain Mike whisk them away to Amphipolis. It's now a busting city of twelve thousand. Gabrielle is impressed. "Wow, it sure has grown and improved. Did you save Siren's tavern as well?"

"Sadly, no. But I did save something else."

Again Deerdra drives out of town and through another locked gate. They get out and Deerdra leads them through the trees and bushes and to a thorn covered hillside. She points to a stone slab, "That's the entrance."

Gabrielle's eyes widen, "To Xena's family tomb?" She touches the stone, "Our ashes are in here"

Deerdra starting to regret bringing her out here, "Are you okay? I didn't mean to bring you down/"

"No, Deerdra. It's okay. It just feels, weird. I'm glad you did. I like knowing you're looking out for us."

Deerdra caresses her cheek, "Always."

Gabrielle moves in close and they kiss.

"I hate to do this, but we need to get back to my villa."

Gabrielle grins, "Oh?"

"Not for that. We have to fly back to my home tomorrow then up to Kansas."

Gabrielle didn't realize their time was up, "Today was our last day? That was quick."

"It's our last full day in Greece. We still have all day tomorrow together before..."

"Before I leave you, again."

"At least this time I know why."

They chuckle, but their hearts are sad.

They hold hands as they walk back to the car. Deerdra tries to lift the gray cloud hanging over them, "I've had some more memory flashes."

Gabrielle perks up some, "Oh, yeah? What kind beasties have you two been fighting now?"

"After the Harpies we fought off an army of dog sized spiders and their big ass mamma spider. That was fun. Xena was a human torch and cooked them suckers good. And just resent, the forest tried to feed us to a two-headed Hydra. I took care of that one."

"Gee and I'm over here playing tourist with you." Gabrielle smiles.

They don't say much on the drive back to the villa, they're too busy soaking in the sun and enjoying the tranquility of the moment. It's dark when they pull into the drive. After a quick meal and baths, they hit the hay...in separate beds. Except Gabrielle's too restless to sleep.

She walks into Deerdra's room, "Deerdra are you awake?"

Deerdra rolls over, "Is something wrong?"

Gabrielle sits on the side of the bed, "I don't want to be alone tonight."

Deerdra raises the covers and Gabrielle slips in next to her. Having her so close is almost too much for Deerdra. The warmth of her body, the smell of her skin, the love that never died. Her heart is pounding out of her chest. Gabrielle whispers, "You can let your hand wander, if you want."

Deerdra whispers back, "Are you sure?"

Gabrielle rolls over and faces her. She strokes Deerdra's cheek, I'm sure."

Deerdra grins. No sleep will be had this night.

The next morning finds Gabrielle standing on the balcony watching the sunrise's colors dance across the water. Deerdra walks up behind her and wraps her arms around her waist, "You're up early."

"I don't want to miss a single moment of this day."

"Yeah."

They hold the embrace until the sun is all the way above the horizon. Gabrielle says, "I don't want this to end."

"I know, sweetheart. But we have to get back so you can go back."

Gabrielle turns around, "What if I didn't go back? What would happen then?"

"It would totally screw up the time line, for one. And there would be two Deerdra Reese's in the world, for two."

"And that would be a bad thing?"

"Sweetheart, without those past experiences, you won't be you and I won't be me. You have to go back and live your life out to it's natural end."

"It just seems so cruel throwing us together just to tear us apart."

"We'll be back together and soon."

"Just for me to leave you. No wonder you're so sad. After all these years, you were never with anyone who had children?"

"I never stay with anyone that long, except Lyn. Beside, I'd be a terrible mother."

Gabrielle grins, "But you'd make a good father."

Deerdra laughs. "But you? Now, you'd make a great mother."

Gabrielle's still being playful, "And Xena'd make a good father."

Now both laugh.

Deerdra says, "See, now you have to back and make Xena a proud papa."

Gabrielle replies, "I'm going to miss you, you nut."

Deerdra whispers, "I'm going to miss you more."

Another warm yet passionate kiss. Deerdra reluctantly pulls back, "We need to go. We'll be in the air most of the day and I don't want us to be late."

With heavy hearts, they board the jet and head back to the States and the end.

PAST:

Xena has dragged Deerdra's body to a new camp. It's getting dark and Xena's fighting off the sleepies. For better or worse, this round goes to the sandman.

Morning, Xena wakes and immediately berates herself for falling asleep. She also notices that Deerdra is gone, "Did you have to visit the bushes or are you getting breakfast? Hmm, I'm surprised we were allowed a peaceful night's sleep. That can't be good, not on the last day."

What she doesn't notice is the hooded figure watching her. A wave of his hand puts his final plan in motion.

Deerdra did visit the bushes, but she also was doing a little reconnaissance. On the way back, she walks through a swarm of gnats. She emerges from the shrubbery flailing her hands about, "Darn gnats! Hey, Xena-"

What does Xena see and hear? A twig snap and bush rustling. Xena's Spidy sensation tingles. She unhooks her Chakram, "Deerdra? You know better than to sneak up on me. Come on out." She does, only it's not Deerdra, but Hope's son The Destroyer waving his arms and grunting. Xena takes a step back, "By the gods! Deerdra, wherever you are, get over here now!"

The Destroyer cocks his head confused then starts running at Xena. She doesn't wait around for help. She hurls the Chakram and follows in behind. It hits him square in the chest. Xena grabs it, pushes it in further, then rips it up and out. He falls to his knees, blood spurting from his chest and dripping from his mouth. Xena raises her sword, "Now you're going to stay dead." He raises his head and has a look of fury, pain, and confusion. In a familiar human voice he says, "Xena. Stop."

Xena's eyes clear and she's mortified at what she sees. She drops to her knees, "Deerdra? I'm sorry. I didn't-"

Deerdra cuts her off and sputters out, "Third- tree-on-your-left. Shadow." She hands Xena the Hind's Dagger then goes limp.

Xena takes the dagger and throws it at the tree without looking. It hits with a thud and a howl. She lays Deerdra down, "I'm gonna pay for that. For now, let's see who or what I've caught." She rushes to the tree expecting to find a shadowy figure pinned to the tree. What she finds stops her dead in her tracks.

The dagger is sticking out of the middle of an orange-yellow flame. "Ah, Xena. We meet again."

The deep airy voice churns her stomach, "Dahak. What do you want?"

"Not what you think. This is about self preservation, not revenge. I've seen the future and it doesn't bode well, for either of us. Although, by the looks of things, you've taken care our problem."

"What? That? Deerdra will recover and be as angry as ever."

"Yes, at you." Dahak laughs. "I look forward to our next meeting...if you survive! Ha, ha, ha!" The flame ball splits in to two smaller balls, hovers in front of Xena then rejoins and zips into the late morning sun.

Xena yanks out the dagger, "Typical evil entity. Let someone else do your dirty work for you. He is right. Deerdra is going to be madder than a dog with a bell tied to its tail."

Xena's ripping with the Chakram has come close to separating Deerdra from her shoulder. It takes her the rest of the day and into early evening to heal. The whole time Xena's on high alert. Jumping at every leaf crinkle, every wind gust, and every and all unusual sounds a forest makes. She looks down at Deerdra's glowing arm, "Hurry up and heal, would ya. The suspense is killing me. The suns about down. Stay here while I get some more firewood." She gets and arm load and heads back. She hears Deerdra scream out in pain. "Here we go." She enters camp still holding the firewood.

Deerdra, soaked in blood from head to toe is waiting. She glares at Xena. If she had the ability, flames would shoot out of her eyes. She growls, "You killed me."

Xena answers in a calming tone, she thinks, "I know and I'm sorry. It wasn't-"

Deerdra yells, "We're a sunset away from getting Gabrielle back and you're sorry!"

"I know you want to beat me senseless, but before you do, let me explain."

Deerdra's too angry to listen, "Explain this!" She lunges at Xena and Xena in return throws the wood in her face and keeps a stout one for herself. Deerdra grunts and backs up then starts for Xena again. Xena whacks her across the face with the branch, "I don't want to fight you."

Deerdra wipes the blood from her mouth, "Oh, but you're going to."

Xena swings the branch to keep her at bay, "It was Dahak. He made me believe I was killing Hope's son. I didn't know it was you."

"I don't care. You've been killing my family for generations. First my human family then my god family. It's time for you to be stopped."

"You know why I killed the gods. As for your human family, whatever happened, it wasn't by me."

Deerdra isn't listening. Xena has stopped swinging the branch and she takes advantage. She pounces on Xena, knocking both of them to the ground. Deerdra winds up on top and they struggle back and forth over the branch. Deerdra gains the upper hand and forces the branch down on Xena's neck.

With Xena gasping for air, Deerdra can't help but taunt, "Your mother didn't put up much of a fight, either. That must run in the family as well." She may be over a thousand years old, but she hasn't learned that you don't talk about someone's mother, especially if that someone is Xena: Warrior Princess.

Xena pushes the branch off of her throat, "What about my mother?"

Xena's taken the bait. Deerdra piles it on, "She didn't tell you? Oh, I was there when she killed your father. I even got rid of the body for her." She grins, "Siren was very grateful."

Xena's blood pressure rises. She shoves Deerdra off and both quickly get to their feet, "You lie! My mother would never-!"

Deerdra doesn't know when to quit, "Ah, Siren. If I could have been there when the villagers tied her to that pole, I would have saved her, if only to experience her gratitude one more time."

That tears it. Xena explodes, "You lying little bitch!"

FUTURE:

The flight from Athens to New Mexico is a somber one. Gabrielle and Deerdra not saying much just holding hands and enjoying each others company. They're at Deerdra's house long enough to pack Gabrielle's 'old' clothes, boots and sai in a bag then they're back on the jet for Kansas.

Deerdra asks, "Are you nervous?"

"A little. I'm trying to convince myself it's the right thing to do. The greater good and all, but I'm having a hard time with it."

"I know, sweetheart. The laws of time travel are confusing. If the Gabrielle in the past didn't exist, can there be a Gabrielle in the future?"

"I can't even wrap my head around it. I do believe you when you said we were happy, though. These have been an amazing five days. I'm sad they have to end."

"Just remember, you have two women who love you more than anything waiting for you on the other side."

"Yeah. How's that going?"

Deerdra chuckles, "Not so good. But we'll straighten up."

They touch down ten minutes till midnight and waste no time getting to the farmhouse. Mrs. M. flags them down before they actually arrive at the house. "I was getting concerned that you changed your minds."

Deerdra answers, "No, just not in a hurry."

"I understand. Everything is ready. Follow me."

The three of them walk toward a large overgrown corn field. Mrs. M. leads them into the field and eventually to a twelve foot clearing. A young woman is there finishing up lighting a four foot circle of candles.

Mrs. M. makes the introductions, "This is my daughter, Tara." She gives a shy wave then steps aside. M. continues, "Gabrielle, Deerdra, I need you to stand in the middle of the circle."

Deerdra turns to Gabrielle, "Here we go."

Gabrielle whispers, "I'm afraid."

Deerdra takes her hands, "I'll be right here. Nothing is going to hurt you."

Gabrielle strokes her face, "You have a good life here, don't go through alone."

Deerdra kisses Gabrielle's hand, "I love you."

They embrace then step into the circle. Mrs. M. hands Gabrielle a palm sized crystal. "Hold this in your hand, palm open. Deerdra, you're going to place your palm on top. When I start the incantation, all the power of the gods will be filtered through you and into the crystal. I need you both to think back to the past and the exact day of the original spell. Where you were and what you were doing, okay? This is going to reopen the portal that brought you here."

They nod in unison. Deerdra asks, "Will the past me remember these last five days?"

"No. It will be like starting over. You're memories will be wiped clean."

"Bummer. Xena and I had some good times."

Gabrielle looks at her, "Oh?'

"Battles. We had some good battles, against other things." Deerdra adds, "Will this me remember?"

"Yes." Mrs. M. thinks that's a bad thing for Deerdra. She thinks wrong.

"Good. I want to remember every second of every minute of every day this past week."

Gabrielle smiles, "I won't leave you this time."

Mrs. M. starts chanting, the candles flare, the crystal glows. Deerdra can feel the power surging through her body. she closes her eyes and imagines Gabrielle standing on the mountain top. The crystal glows brighter and brighter and brighter still. A final flash and the crystal falls to the ground.

PAST:

It's Xena's turn to go on the offensive. She tackles Deerdra and they go tumbling. They roll around jockeying for position. More than a few jabs and elbows are thrown, but they're too close together to do any real damage. Deerdra twists her way on top and notices a glow coming from Xena's cleavage.

Deerdra stops struggling, "Gabrielle's coming!"

"What?"

"Your cleavage is...the crystal is glowing. We have to go. Get up."

Xena thinks it's a trick until she reaches in and pulls out the shining crystal. She hurries to her feet. "We're not finished here."

"Yeah, yeah. Go climb a mountain. Don't forget you were naked when you came back."

"And you were getting ripped to shreds by the wolves."

"Oh, right. Where's that staff?"

Xena starts her climb while Deerdra searches for the staff. Dee waits until Xena's almost out of view before shouting, "Hey, Xena! I lied about your mother! I did get rid of the body, but I never saw her again!"

Xena shakes her head, "Lying sack of ...Keep yanking my chain, Deerdra and I guarantee we'll fight again!"

Deerdra picks up the staff, "So do I."

With everyone in place, the vortex opens and with a blinding flash it spits Gabrielle out.

Naked Xena walks over to the unconscious Gabrielle. She gets dressed then wakes her up. Gabrielle is ecstatic, hugs Xena and they kiss. Gabrielle pulls away and says, "Deerdra!"

Zip forward several months to the desert. Xena is talking to a dejected Deerdra. Gabrielle is napping by the fire. She bolts up and shouts, "Deerdra!"

Deerdra peers around Xena. "Has she changed her mind? Do I go to her or not?"

Xena answers for her, "Stay here."

Xena walks over to Gabrielle and after a brief conversation Deerdra hears Xena say, "Are you sure?"

Gabrielle nods and staying in the shadows, walks over to Deerdra. She takes Deerdra's hand and places it on her belly. Deerdra's jaw drops then they embrace. They hold on to one another as they join Xena by the fire.

FUTURE:

After the flash, the candles go out and the three women are alone in the corn field. Deerdra feels dizzy and drops to one knee. "Whoa! Memory rush."

Mrs. M. kneels down, "Did it work?"

Deerdra gets her bearings and stands, "Oh, yeah. It worked. Thank you. Like I said before, ask me anything within reason and it's yours."

"I'll remember." Mrs. M. smiles. "What she said at the end. About not leaving? She did understand that she won't remember any of this?"

"She understood." A grin as wide as the Milky Way spreads across her face, "We had twins."

Deerdra hops in her car and blares the radio. "And I will never be free. You'll always be a part of me."

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! Yet another leap through time to get us to the ending:

The year? 2001 Six months after Alti's clone 'experiment.'

In a small-ish town on the Central Coast in California, Deerdra tootles into said town to blow off some steam and relieve some tension. She's headed to the local woman's bar. It's not a large place, but the women there are friendly. Parking is parallel on the street. Deerdra finds a place and whips in. The line to get in is short and the prospects are promising. Deerdra has been away for the past year hunting demons in the Middle East with a brief stop-over in Greece to take care of some business. She's had her fill of sand, heat and male chauvinism. She needs a ladies night.

She runs her fingers through her hair and straightens out her clothes. A commotion in the alley nabs her attention. She peers around the corner and sees that three thugs have a woman surrounded and are taunting her.

Thug one, "What cha got in the bag?"

The woman's voice is weak but firm, "Leave me alone."

The thugs laugh, "Or what?"

Deerdra taps him on the shoulder. He spins around and is met with a right hook. He does a back flip, landing face down. Thug two whips out a switchblade. Deerdra spin kicks it out of his hand then crane kicks him in the jaw. He flies back and hits the brick wall and also ends up face down. Thug three charges at her. She kicks him in the solar plexus then plants and upper cut on his jaw. He to flips and lands face down.

The woman looks the thugs over, "That's what." She looks up a Deerdra, "Thank y-by the gods! Deerdra!"

The woman steps into the light and Deerdra just about passes out. "Gabrielle? How?"

"I'll explain in a bit. We have to get these to Xena." She shows Deerdra a grocery bag.

Deerdra is still stunned, "Xena's here, too?" She studies the shadows, "Where?"

"Up there." Gabrielle points to a door at the top of a rusty fire escape staircase.

Deerdra takes the bag from her and gets a good look at her. She's thin and pale and her steps are shaky. Deerdra helps her up the stairs and pushes the heavy metal door open.

Gabrielle warns her, "Careful, the place is booby-trapped."

Deerdra follows behind her to the far side of a dark, barren, cobweb filled room. On a mattress lays a long figure covered in blankets. Before Gabrielle can light the candles, Deerdra smells the pungent odor of an infection.

Gabrielle kneels beside the woman, "Xena, I've brought help."

Xena opens her eyes and looks up at Deerdra.

Deerdra has to tease, "Hey, there. I'm still saving your sorry butt, I see."

Two of the three smile. Xena reaches up grabs Deerdra, putting her in a head lock, "You keep your hands off of her. I"m not dead yet."

Deerdra squeaks, "The thought never entered my mind."

That's all the energy Xena had. She passes back out.

Deerdra rubs her neck, "Sheesh, even when she's wracked with fever she can choke me out."

Gabrielle eases into the chair by the mattress, "She's been very protective since we've been here."

Deerdra crouches in front of her, "From where? Where did the two of you come from?"

Gabrielle coughs. Her breathing is raspy, "Alti played scientist and cloned us."

"You're clones? Why would she...it doesn't matter. I need to get you two to a hospital."

Gabrielle grabs her shoulder, "No, no doctors. That's what those are for." She nods at the bag.

"Sweetheart, unless there's a powerful antibiotic in there, they won't do you any good. I have a friend that runs a clinic. He'll treat you and keep it to himself. Okay?"

Gabrielle is too weak to argue, "Okay."

Deerdra pulls the blanket off Xena and cringes, "What happened to her leg?"

"Would you believe a rusty nail? She's going to loose her leg, isn't she?"

"No guaranties, but we'll try."

Xena mumbles, "No doctor."

Deerdra uses tough love, "Okay, it's your leg. I'll take care of Gabrielle when you're gone, which could be any day now."

Xena grumbles, "Help me up."

Xena slings her arm around Deerdra's shoulder and the three hobble down the stairs. Xena sees the thugs laying in the alley, "I see you've been busy."

Deerdra plays it cool, "Nah. I barely broke a sweat."

Deerdra peeks around the corner. All clear. Xena lays across the backseat of the car and Gabrielle slides into the passenger side. Three blocks later, Deerdra pulls into another alley way. "I have to let them know we're here." She goes over and knocks three times on the back door.

A male nurse cracks open the door. Deerdra tells him, "I need to see Dr. Mark. Tell him it's Deerdra/"

The door closes. A few seconds later Deerdra's nose starts to itch. A young man, tall and slender steps out, "Deerdra? What's -"

"My friends need medical attention, yesterday."

He hustles over to the car, takes one look at Xena's festering wound and Gabrielle's sunken complexion and then starts barking orders to the staff. The two are whisked away inside. Dr. Mark can't believe their condition, "Geez, Deerdra. Where'd you find those two?"

"In a room in a building that was forgotten a long time ago."

"Do you know what happened?"

"The leg wound, Xena, that's from a rusty nail. The other, Gabrielle, I have no clue."

"That's why we have tests. Sit tight and I'll get back to you when I know more."

Out in the hallway, Deerdra can see into their rooms. Both are hooked up to I. V.'s and monitors. Gabrielle is wake, Xena is not. Deerdra stops the nurse coming out of Xena's room, "Did you have to sedate her?"

"Yes, ma'am. She was being combative and we were afraid she'd do further damage."

"Thank you," she looks at her name tag, "Denise." She waits until Denise is down the hall then goes into see Gabrielle.

Gabrielle looks over at her, "Hi."

"Hi, yourself. How are you feeling?"

"Awful. Was that Xena making all that noise?"

Deerdra chuckles, "Yeah, they had to sedate her."

"You know, I've seen all of this medical stuff on television and wondered what it was all for. This is a pretty sucky way to find out."

"Well, Mark'll find out what's going on."

"It doesn't look good, does it?"

"Honestly, no. But we'll see. Do feel up to telling me about Alti?"

"Yeah, but in a nut shell. I am getting tired. Here goes: Somehow Alti cloned Xena and me. We woke up in a lab. There were a couple of other people there. To jog our memories, they had us watch our stories on television. It was before I met you."

"Yeah, I didn't come along until the fan fiction stories came out."

"Well, we got into some trouble with the authorities, Alti tried to kill Xena, she and I almost got blown up, and we left to start a new life in the mountains. We only came down here after Xena's leg wouldn't heal and I got sick."

Dr. Mark appears in the doorway. Deerdra nods. "You rest. I'm going to go and talk to the doctor."

Dr. Mark looks grim, "Let's talk in my office." They walk in and he shuts the door. "I gather you've been on another one of your sabbaticals and haven't had any contact with the outside world?"

Deerdra wonders why he's stalling, "It wasn't a sabbatical, but yes."

He taps on his computer, "Come take a look."

He offers up his chair. Deerdra scans the screen expecting test results instead he's called up clippings from the local paper. "What is this?"

"Just read."

She does, out loud, "Fictional Characters from the television series Xena: Warrior Princess are real and go on a violent spree through the city." She scrolls down. There's a picture of Gabrielle in handcuffs. She scrolls down and the headline reads: "A Violent End to a Violent Day." It's followed by a picture of the smoldering remains of a junkyard.

Deerdra leans back, "Wow. You go away for a year and all Hell breaks loose."

Mark puts the screen saver back on the computer. "Whoever or whatever they are, they're wanted by the police."

Deerdra slowly stands, "They're clones and if you want to live past seven-hundred, you'll keep your mouth shut."

Dr. Mark knows she'll follow through on that threat, but in this instance he's not concerned. He picks up a vanilla folder, "That won't be a problem. I have their test results."

Deerdra deflates, "They're dying, aren't they?"

"I'm afraid so. They're cells aren't just breaking down, they are disintegrating and taking their organs with them."

"How long?"

"At this rate? Not long at all."

Deerdra slumps down onto the chair, "Put them in the same room, side by side, close enough so they can hold hands. They shouldn't be apart for this."

Dr. Mark squeezes her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Deerdra."

Deerdra chokes back tears. Her voice cracks, "Me too."

She walks to the door and looks out the window and at the sleeping Gabrielle. She thinks back to the last time she saw Gabrielle laying in bed: The village Deerdra was in was a two day's ride away. She pushed her horse to make it in one. She roars up to their house, dashes in and pushes her way past their grown children and grandchildren. She enters their bedroom and rushes to her side. She picks up Gabrielle's hand. She opens her eyes and smiles, "You made it." Deerdra replies, "Where else would I be?" Gabrielle whispers, "By my side." She takes a ragged breath and is gone.

Tears roll down preset day Deerdra's face. She watches as they roll Xena into Gabrielle's room.

Mark walks up behind her, "Deerdra? Are you going to be okay?"

Deerdra clears her throat, "Eventually. If either of them wakes up and asks for me, tell them I stepped outside for a few minutes."

"To make arrangements?"

"Yeah, something like that." She flips open her phone and steps outside, "Hello, Mike? You feel up to taking a trip to Greece?"

She and the Captain finish their conversation. When she walks back into the hospital room Gabrielle is awake. Deerdra tries to sound upbeat, "Hey, there."

Gabrielle whisper so as to not wake Xena, "Hey, yourself. Xena's still out of it. That must have been powerful stuff they gave her."

Deerdra manages a chuckle, "Yeah, must have been. Listen, I have a couple of things I need to take care of. Xena'll be out for a while so why don't you close your eyes and rest. When she wakes up we'll talk."

Gabrielle reaches for Deerdra's hand, "You're coming back then?"

Deerdra kisses her hand, "Of course. Where else would I - I'll be back before you know it." She kisses Gabrielle's forehead, "Rest now."

Deerdra tip-toes out and runs into the doctor, "Mark, that lab that was mentioned alongside the news articles, is it far from here?"

"No, not far. Going to take a look around, huh?"

Deerdra grins, "Something like that."

She gets directions then heads out. On the way, she stops in a hardware store. (they're closed so she picks the lock). On the way to the lab, her mind wonders back to heartbreaking conversation she had with her children:

After the funeral pyres and the ashes placed in Amphipolis, Deerdra and Gabrielle's grown children have a sit down with Deerdra. The oldest, Solan does the speaking. He's nervous. "Mother, um, okay, um, I know you like it when people get straight to the point, so here goes. We feel it would be in the family's best interest if you didn't hang around now that Mother is gone."

Deerdra looks at her son and daughter, "You both feel this way?"

Daughter, Laurie answers, "Yes. While you were gone, we always had someone to protect us. Then as Mother and Xena got older, we fended for our selves."

Solan adds, "The townspeople didn't always like having a demigod living so close. We were harassed and challenged to fights all the time. New people are moving in and our little ones have a chance at a happy anonymous life."

This is news to Deerdra, "I had no idea. You're right, of course. The young ones shouldn't have to pay for the parent's chosen life...even though it was chosen for me." Deerdra's hurt and angry, "Well, I won't burden you any more. I hope you have a long happy life." The last bit was said with more than a little sarcasm.

Back in the car, Deerdra says, "And I never saw you again." Sigh. "I knew I'd make a lousy parent."

She pulls into the parking lot of the boarded up building. She fetches a sledgehammer and a can of gasoline from the trunk along with a big flashlight. "Hmm, let's see if your alarm is still working."

She kicks in the front door and marches in. No audible alarm goes off. She looks at the abandoned computer equipment and at the two pods on the wall. "So that's where it began," she raises the sledgehammer, "and where it ends."

While Deerdra is inside smashing everything to bits, outside the two Xena fans Alti tricked into helping her, Clea and Polly, ponder what's going on inside. They come her every weekend hoping the clones didn't die in the explosion and are in the lab recovering. Yep, they're in denial.

Clea shines her flashlight on the broken door, "If someone's kicked in the door, maybe we shouldn't go in."

Polly answers, "That's exactly why we should go in. Maybe one of Alti's researchers is starting it up again. They'll need our Xena and Gabrielle expertise like before."

Clea reluctantly agrees, "Okay, but I want classic Gabby hair this time."

They go in and shine their lights on the smashed in pods. Polly can't believe it, "They're all broken up. Who would do something like this?"

Clea shines her light around the room. It' beam illuminates a figure holding a sledgehammer, "Uh, I'd say it was her." She points a shaky finger at Deerdra.

Polly shines her light on Deerdra, "W-who are you and why are you destroying things that don't belong to you?"

Deerdra ignores the first question and answers the last, "Why? So it can't be used again, that's why." She raises the sledgehammer to continue smashing then stops, "Did you say you helped Alti?"

Polly, in an attempt to intimidate the sledgehammer wielding woman, embellishes the truth, "That's right. We were friends of hers."

Deerdra knows better, "Alti didn't make friends. Try again."

A nervous Clea blurts out, "We helped her jog the memories of the new Xena and Gabrielle."

Polly gets on to her, "Clea..."

Clea shrugs, "Well, she wasn't buying what you said."

Polly doesn't think they are in any danger so she asks again, "Who did you say you were?"

Deerdra sets the sledgehammer down, "I didn't. You first."

"Oh, I'm Clea and this is Polly. We're Xena mega fans hand picked by Alti to help her."

Deerdra is amused by these two, "Hm, I'm surprised she let you live."

Clea answers, "Well, she really didn't have a chance to-"

Polly interrupts, "And you are?"

Deerdra scans the carnage, "Deerdra Reese."

The two gasp. Clea asks, "Not the Deerdra from the fan fiction story?"

Deerdra regrets telling them. Not that the fire marshal would believe them. She kicks at a hunk of plastic ignoring them.

That's a yes in Polly's mind, "I can't believe you're real! Are you the one writing the stories?"

Clea joins in, "Ooh! Does that mean everything you wrote actually happened?"

Deerdra's ego takes over and confirms their suspicions. "Well, I did embellish a little."

The fans ask in unison, "Which parts?"

Deerdra grins and walks over to the next piece of equipment to be destroyed.

Polly's hopes goes down the drain, "Well, there goes that fantasy. At least Annie and Mattie are together."

Deerdra pushes pause on her swinging, "Who?"

Polly gives Deerdra a funny look, "Annie and Maggie. Don't tell me you didn't see those episodes."

"Nope, I must have missed them, seeing how I've been busy saving the world from evil and all."

The two get excited and play tag team filling her in.

Clea, "Okay, the story line starts like this: Joxer is Harry. Xena is Annie. Gabrielle is Mattie. Joxer's soul is in Xena's body, Xena's soul in Joxer's body, and Gabrielle's soul in Annie's body."

Polly: "Ares switches Xena and Joxer's souls and Xena defeats Ares." She punches the air then raises her hands a la Rocky.

Together they finish, "And Xena and Gabrielle were finally together!"

Deerdra just stares at them. She does think, "Ares is still around? Cool. I should have known" She asks, "So, this Annie and Mattie, are they still around?"

Clea stops to think, "Well, they did leave together."

"I meant around here. Have either of you seen them?"

Polly answers, "No, but they do spend a lot of time in Greece."

The wheels in Deerdra's mind burn rubber spinning with this new information and all the possibilities it opens up. She shakes it off. She has to finish the task at hand and get back to the hospital. She sets the hammer down and whips out a small box of matches, "Alright, ladies. It's been interesting but," she picks up the gas can, "it's time to go."

Polly's disappointed, "Do you have to burn it down?"

Deerdra opens the lid and starts sloshing the gas about, "Yep."

Polly consoles herself, "Well, Annie's more like Xena than her clone was."

Clea has an amazing thought, "Oh, what if when Xena was in Harry's body she and Mattie made little Xena's and Gabrielle's!"

Together the gush, "Little Xenites!"

They do the Xena war cry as they walk out the door. Deerdra never thought about them having children. She'll have to ask them at the hospital...if they're still alive. She gets everything good and wet and ignites the room. She stands in the doorway, drops a match into the gas can, then hurls it across the room. She somersaults out of there.

Outside and before the explosion, Clea has a thought, "Maybe we should have tried to stop her. Just because she said she was Deerdra doesn't mean she was."

The gas can explodes. Polly says, "I guess we'll never know."

Deerdra pops up behind them and puts her arms around their shoulders, scaring the crap out of them. "You'll never know what?"

The women jump and spin around. Clea asks, "How did-?"

Deerdra says, "What did you want to know? Make it quick before the fire department gets here."

Polly puts her hands on her hips, "Are you or aren't you the Deerdra Reese from the stories?"

Deerdra smiles, "I am."

Polly's still defiant, "Prove it."

"All right. Follow me." Deerdra takes them to her car. She opens the trunk and pulls out a leather scabbard. "Ladies, I give you The Sword of Light!"

The two ooh and ahh. Clea reaches out and touches it. She yelps as the ensuing jolt propels her across the parking lot. Polly runs over to her. Clea's hair is standing on end and smoldering. Again, both say, "Woww."

Deerdra puts the sword back, "Okay, ladies. It's been real, but we had better high tail it out of here."

She hops in and peels out of the parking lot.

All the two can say is "Wow."

Deerdra arrives back at the hospital and the staff has long faces. Mark stops her from going in the room. "Deerdra, we need to talk."

Deerdra's heart sinks, "What's happened?"

"Their conditions. They're going downhill fast. They've already had multiple seizures and it will only get worse. We have them sedated, but when they come too...it won't be pretty."

"Tell me straight out, Mark."

"The pain will be unbearable and no amount of drug will be able to ease that pain. You're not hearing it from me, but you're going to have a decision to make."

"One that isn't mine to make." She walks into their room and her knees buckle. They look like emaciated ghost versions of themselves. They are somewhat awake and holding hands. Deerdra puts on a brave face. "Hey, you two. I made it back."

Xena uses her finger to motion her over. Deerdra bends down close. Xena whispers, "Truth."

Tears well in Deerdra's eyes. She looks away, clears her throat, takes a deep breath and goes over to Gabrielle. "Okay, the truth. You're dying, but you probably know that. They're pumping you full of drugs to keep you from feeling the full extent of the pain." She can barely get these next words out, "What do you want me to do?"

Xena and Gabrielle slowly turn their heads so they can see each other. They clasp hands. Gabrielle says, "You know. Do it."

Deerdra finds Dr. Mark.

Three weeks later, Deerdra has managed to climb out of her deep pit of despair long enough to fly two urns to Greece. She runs her finger along the edges of the lid marked with the Greek letter 'G'. "This is the third time I've had to say goodbye. I don't know if I can do this again." Her lip quivers, "So, Mattie and Annie, wherever you are, you had better take good care of yourselves and live a long, long, long life...together."

Deerdra's jet flies over a cabin deep in the Colorado mountains. Gabrielle is sitting at her computer catching up on the news. The rumble of a motorcycle fills the air. A few seconds later, Xena, wearing black leather chaps over blue jeans and a black leather jacket, walks in.

Gabrielle glances up, "Good ride?"

Xena runs he fingers through her hair, "Great ride. The spirit of Argo lives on." She walks over and gives Gabrielle a kiss. "What are you reading?"

"Just some news. Huh. Look at this?"

"It's not another request from C.H.A.K.R.A.M, is it?"

Gabrielle chuckles, "You know they shut down after that incident with Ares. This is a story about a mystery buyer of a couple of objects on display at a museum in Greece a month a go."

"Why would I be interested in-?"

"There's a picture of your Chakram and my sai."

Xena turns around and reads the screen, "A mere two days after the unusual artifacts went on display, an unknown person walked into the museum and bought said items. Museum officials refuse to comment, however at least one witness claims to have seen a woman speaking to the museum's curator. Shortly thereafter, the item were removed from the display. That same woman was seen leaving the museum carrying a leather satchel. A crystal heart necklace also on display was also removed. It is unknown if the two incidents are related." Xena crosses her arms, "That interesting."

Gabrielle wonders, "You don't suppose..."

"Who else would think to take your necklace along with our old weapons?"

Gabrielle leans back in her chair, stunned but happy, "Deerdra Reese is alive and well in the Twenty-First Century! Wow! What do you think she did with our stuff?"

Xena's not surprised by the news, nor is she happy. "She probably buried them on some hallowed ground or something."

That though brings Gabrielle down, "As a final goodbye. It would be pretty weird for her if we showed up out of the blue, wouldn't it?"

Xena picks up Gabrielle's left hand. A gold band shimmers in the sunlight, "Yeah, it would be a little weird."

"But still she should know-"

"No, let her be. She's said her goodbyes."

Gabrielle knows Xena's right, but she can't help feeling disappointed. She shut the computer off, "You're right. I think I'll go outside and meditate. Care to join me?"

Xena grabs her by the waist and pulls her in close, "I'll join you, but not to meditate."

"Ooh, someone's feeling frisky."

"Must be that fresh mountain air."

Gabrielle doesn't make it outside. In bed, Gabrielle lays partially on Xena's chest playing with her hair, "Good old mountain air."

Xena smiles at her, but a question has been lingering in her head for a looong time.,"Why Deerdra?"

That came out of nowhere. "Why Deerdra what?"

"Why did you go off with her instead of staying with me?"

"Does it matter now?"

"It does to me."

"Okay. I didn't want to watch you die, again. You have no idea how much it hurt to just sit there while you faded away."

"You didn't know Deerdra was immortal when you first met."

"No. I did know she had a home and responsibilities and didn't go around getting beat up, shot up, or stabbed."

"So, she was a safe choice. She did tell me she felt like she was a stand in for me."

"Xena, what I saw in her was what we could have had if we settled down. The two of you were a lot a like. That's what drew me to her. I don't know, maybe I was projecting my feelings for you onto her."

"Then you fell in love."

"Yes, but a part of me still with you." Gabrielle gets philosophical, "Our paths, our chakra, run side by side. Occasionally they cross and run together. My time with Deerdra was one of those parallel moments. Like when you went off with Leonius."

Xena looks away, "I didn't want to stand in your way your happiness."

"I did love her, Xena. I wouldn't have married her if I didn't but...she wasn't you."

"Yeah, that's how I felt with Leonius, I mean Ares. The sex was great, but it wasn't you. "

Gabrielle wraps her arms around Xena's waist, "We may have taken different paths, but they led us to exactly where we were meant to be. In each others arms."

Xena smiles, "No argument here."

Their kiss long and overflowingly full of love and all is right in the universe.

THE END