Gabrielle stood beside the spector that resembled Perdicus within a blank space she found herself inside of the spirit realm. While Xena continued to view what was happening from the other side of an impassable portal. There was only total darkness around the spirit and herself as Gabrielle looked around to see if she could see anything within the completely black void. But there was nothing. Nothing except herself and the spirit. Finally Gabrielle heard what sounded like the hooves of a horse that was rapidly approaching her way from behind. She turned around just as a vision of Xena riding a fast galloping Argo came into view. She then heard her own voice in the opposite direction desperately calling Xena's name and turned around as the vision of Xena rode by her and disappeared into the darkness.
PAST XENA
Gabrielle!
The next thing Gabrielle saw was a bright flash of light. She closed her eyes against the intense brightness and then opened them when she noticed it fade away a moment later. Once Gabrielle opened her eyes she saw her past self dangling from a rope. Gabrielle sighed as she remembered what it was that she was watching. This was during one of her and Xena's encounters with Calisto. Gabrielle had been captured by Calisto who tied her up and danged her high above some spikes. Leaving Xena to have to fight to save Gabrielle before the flame beneath the rope holding her up was burned through and she fell into the spikes. Gabrielle looked on as the vision of Xena used her expert skills to fight off Calisto and catch her past self as the rope gave and she fell onto the ladder that Xena had set up beneath her. The Gabrielle of the present watched as the scene played out to its conclusion of Xena not only saving her but defeating Calisto and saving her life as well before the mad woman fell to her own death. The scene faded away as another quickly took its place. This time Gabrielle saw herself being shot with an arrow. She then remembered this scenario as well. Though alot of it was a little hazzy due to the poisoned arrow. The scene jumped forward to herself and Xena being held up in a small shack. With Gabrielle feverish and slowly dying from the poison as Xena single handedly fought off an entire army to defend them and stop the army's advance to a neighboring city. The current Gabrielle remembered being barely able to even more at all as she could hear Xena relentlessly fighting to save them. But actually being able to see everything that happened that day was alot. She knew how lucky she had gotten that Xena had figured out that one of the soldiers had the antidote for the poison and had given it to Gabrielle before it was too late.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Gods I knew that she fought like crazy that day but I had no idea that it was this bad. And all I could do was lay there.
Another scene change and again Gabrielle saw Xena fighting as she stood behind her unable to do anything. Gabrielle watched as over and over she passed through various points of her life with Xena and saw Xena rescuing her time and time again. Or Xena charging into danger without her as Gabrielle stayed behind for her own safety. As well as Xena's who had explained many times that she couldn't fight as well if she was worried about Gabrielle being caught up in the chaos and getting hurt or killed as a result. Which could lead to a distraction which may very well cost Xena her life as well. As the scenes continued to play out, the spector spoke.
"PERDICUS"
How many times has Xena had to rush in and save you?
Gabrielle looked down in defeat.
GABRIELLE
Too many.
After a moment of thought Gabrielle looked back at the spirit.
GABRIELLE
But eventually I started to learn how to better defend myself.
"PERDICUS"
You did. Let's take a look at how well you were able to do just that.
The images around them shifted again. This time Gabrielle saw herself wielding her staff as she defended herself against a couple of armed attackers that came her way. She watched her past self smacked one of her enemies accross his jaw with the end of the weapon then avoided another that came at her. Then one of the attackers caught the staff and tore it from her hands and threw it aside. Another image flashed and the past Gabrielle was unarmed with a sword wielding enemy standing between her and her staff that had been knocked out of her reach. Each time Gabrielle would be left defenseless and Xena would jump in and save her before anything happened to her. The actual Gabrielle scowled.
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) I guess a staff is much easier for someone to just grab without getting injured than a sword or something smaller.
The scenes continued as another pattern seemed to form within the other scenes. Over and over Gabrielle watched as she was repeatedly grabbed and or held hostage by someone getting a good handful of her hair. Gabrielle subconsciously rubbed her head as she watched the scenes play out. Eventually she saw some scenes that were fairly recent compared to alot of the others. Now she was seeing some of what had happened since she and Xena had come to the secret amazon village. She watched as the Slaver Arsen beat her as she stood against him to protect the village. Then there was the member of the great Amazonian council Alanis who only due to Xena outsmarting her and Ares who had teamed up with her side for his own selfish reasons, had Gabrielle some how survived. Then the images of the whole ordeal with Valassca trying to repeatedly kill her played out. Leading to the final stand off above the waterfall where Xena once again saved her. Knowing what was coming next Gabrielle couldn't take seeing anymore. It all became too much as she closed her eyes and covered her ears as she yelled.
GABRIELLE
Stop it! Just stop!
Xena wanted so badly to get to Gabrielle and comfort her as she saw her reaction to what was playing out and Gabrielle fell to her knees.
GABRIELLE
Please I don't need to see anymore.
"PERDICUS"
If that's what you wish. Very well.
As quickly as the visions had started, everything around Gabrielle stopped. Gabrielle opened her eyes and saw that she was now kneeling behind Xena who turned around from the portal when she saw Gabrielle and the spirit suddenly vanish. Xena hurried over and crouched in front of Gabrielle.
XENA
Are you okay?
Gabrielle spoke but didn't look at Xena.
GABRIELLE
(Lying/ sad tone) Yeah, I'm fine.
Xena knew that Gabrielle obviously wasn't okay. She looked up as she spoke to Cora who was still keeping tabs over everything that was happening inside of the spirit realm.
XENA
Cora, I think that's enough for today.
Cora's voice echoed around them.
CORA
I agree. Don't worry it seems as though you've both seen everything that you were meant to see anyway. So I can bring you back now and you'll still have passed this test.
Xena looked around as she noticed everything beginning to fade away around them. Confirming what Cora said. Moments later both Xena and Gabrielle opened their eyes back in the real world and sat up.
CORA
Welcome back. How are you both feeling?
XENA
I'm okay.
Xena looked at Gabrielle who stood up.
GABRIELLE
(Lying) Same.
Gabrielle looked at Cora.
GABRIELLE
Are we done with these tests now?
CORA
Done with the tests in the spirit realm yes. But you still have a few other things to do yet.
XENA
(Annoyed Sarcasm) Oh great I love having to jump through hoops just to get married to the person I love.
Xena looked at Gabrielle who had a very defeated look in her eyes.
XENA
Not that I wouldn't march through fire itself for you.
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) Yeah, I know.
Xena stood as she reached out and touched Gabrielle's arm.
XENA
Hey are you sure you're okay?
Gabrielle moved her arm away.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I said I'm fine Xena.
Xena took a breath as the same Irritated feeling that she'd had with Gabrielle as of late returned.
XENA
(Thinking to herself/ Irritated) Now what's her problem? She's obviously upset and all I'm doing is being nice and trying to comfort her.
Gabrielle saw the unhappy look Xena sent her way and felt a mix of anger, sadness and shame as she looked away. Pushing past the tension of the moment Xena turned her attention to Cora who could plainly see the uncomfortable feelings that hung between Xena and Gabrielle at the moment.
XENA
Okay so if we're gonna continue here, what do we need to do next?
CORA
Given how intense you're journeys within the spirit realm were, you'll have some time to relax and reflect on what you've both seen. Afterwards you'll be brought to an unknown, secluded location. There you'll have to overcome the knowledge of everything you've seen revealed in the spirit realm as you work together to reach a destination that you'll be told to go to. And if you can move past what you've learned, reach the destination together and complete the ritual there, you'll have passed all tests and be able to be joined and ruled as Amazon queen's together.
XENA
Well as long as we're done taking a stroll down memory lane the rest shouldn't be too difficult.
Xena looked at Gabrielle.
XENA
Right?
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) Yeah, sure.
Gabrielle looked at Cora.
GABRIELLE
So if we're done here, can we go?
CORA
Of course. I'm sure you're both fairly tired. So rest up, talk things over and I'll inform you in a few weeks when everything for the final test is ready.
XENA
Afew weeks huh. It must be some test if it takes that long to prepare.
CORA
Indeed. So be sure to take this time to prepare yourselves.
XENA
Alright. Thanks Cora we'll see you later.
Cora waved as Xena turned to leave and Gabrielle moved passed her and walked quickly outside without saying anything. Later that night as Xena layed in bed with her eyes closed she thought of how strangely Gabrielle had been acting recently. And it only appeared to have gotten worse after they had entered the spirit realm. At first Xena figured that it was due to Gabrielle witnessing the visions of her past brutal and violent actions. But then Gabrielle appeared to become even more withdrawn after they had returned from seeing what was meant to be important from Gabrielle's life. And as much as Xena tried she just couldn't get why. She had tried to get Gabrielle to talk to her about it when they had gotten home but Gabrielle refused to admit that anything was wrong. Finally after talking in circles and arguing for what felt like hours both Xena and Gabrielle had run out of steam and decided to just go to bed with the hopes of a night's sleep being enough to cool things down between them somewhat so they could talk things over more sensibly in the morning. Suddenly Xena peeked her eye open when she felt Gabrielle get out of bed. Xena covertly watched as Gabrielle got dressed and left the room. Moments later Xena heard Gabrielle walking down the stairs where shortly after her keen hearing picked up the sound of the front door being opened and shut. Becoming very curious of where Gabrielle could possibly be going in the middle of the night, Xena got up and got dressed. After making sure that Aurora was sound asleep and knowing that she'd be fine left alone for a few minutes, Xena left the house and stealthily followed Gabrielle. She ducked behind some shrubbery when she saw Gabrielle stop amongst the trees and silently watched her.
GABRIELLE
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
Gabrielle through a series of punches against the trunk of a tree. After several moments Gabrielle tired herself out as she sunk down along the tree and leaned her forehead against the tree.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Evan after everything nothings changed. How many times am I gonna have to Xena save me? Because of me one day she's gonna end up being killed. Along with everyone else around who tries to protect me. I couldn't even save my own child when Aurora was kidnapped. Instead I ended up being seriously injured then because of that becoming so sick that I put Xena in a situation that she didn't want with becoming queen. Which in turn put her in danger when she had to deal with a situation that should've been my responsibility. Then to make me happy Xena agreed to remain queen with me and had to relive all those horrible memories. When does it end? How many times am I going to cause problems for everyone around me simply because I'm not capable of standing on my own?
Xena watched in silence from the shadows as Gabrielle pounded the ground beside her in frustration.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) This has to stop. I know I've said this to myself before but now I'm serious. Starting right this moment I'm going to make sure that the Gabrielle we saw today will never be seen by anyone ever again.
TO BE CONTINUED...