It was getting late in the day as Xena continued on horseback to find Gabrielle. She'd been searching for a while and when she didn't see any signs of her, Xena became increasingly worried that something might've happened to her. So she gave Argo a nudge to go a little faster down the road as she kept up her search. Then a good ways ahead Xena saw a figure coming towards her with a horse walking beside them. As the two sides continued on their own trajectory, Xena gave a relieved smile when she recognized the person and sped up a bit to close the distance between them. Meanwhile, Gabrielle was walking and talking to her new horse companion when she heard the sound of hooves against the dirt road. She turned her attention forward in time to see a horse stop a few feet in front of her. Gabrielle stopped walking when she saw it was Xena, as did the horse with her. She watched as Xena hopped down from Argo and stood next to the mare.
XENA
I was hoping I'd find you.
Gabrielle gave Xena a disapproving look.
GABRIELLE
Why don't think I can handle myself?
XENA
No, it's just, you were gone so long and after what happened earlier.
Xena sighed as she tried to think of the right thing to say.
XENA
Gabrielle, you know I don't always know the right words to say. Especially as of late it seems. But then again that's always been more your thing not mine anyway. But I'm trying here.
GABRIELLE
Trying to do what exactly?
Now Gabrielle knew full well that Xena was trying to choose her words carefully in an attempt to not upset her and apologize. But she rarely had Xena in this position, so she decided to let her squirm a little.
XENA
Look I'm just glad that you're back. You are back, right?
Gabrielle smiled as she decided to end Xena's suffering.
GABRIELLE
Yes, Xena. I'm back. Come on after everything we've been through together it'll take a lot more than some arguing for you to get rid of me for good.
Xena gave a relieved smile.
XENA
That's good to hear.
Happy that Gabrielle was back and safe, Xena noted Gabrielle's new companion.
XENA
So who's your new friend there? I know you didn't buy it because you stormed off and I have all of our money.
Gabrielle looked back at the horse for a moment then returned her attention to Xena as she casually shrugged.
GABRIELLE
I found him.
Xena raised her eyebrow in disbelief that Gabrielle just happened to find a horse with a saddle, reigns, and no owner.
XENA
You "found" him?
GABRIELLE
Technically.
Xena folded her arms across her chest, knowing that Gabrielle was intentionally not telling her the full story.
XENA
(Warning tone) Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) What do you think I stole it or something?
XENA
Of course, I don't think you stole it. But there's obviously a reason why you don't want to tell me how you got him.
GABRIELLE
(Sighing) Because you're not gonna like how I got him.
XENA
(Cautious tone) Why?
GABRIELLE
Because I know how you are Xena. I tell you and you just end up lecturing me about being reckless or not knowing what I'm doing. Just like you always do.
Xena sighed.
XENA
Gabrielle I know I can be overprotective of you at times and I don't mean to be. I'd like to think that I've gotten better at that. But you know I only get that way when I do because I love you. And as for earlier, I'm sorry I got so upset with you. I just don't want anything to happen to you. It wasn't even just that you jumped in to the fight like that, it's everything that's been going on between us lately. I was frustrated and just lost my temper. And I'm sorry for that. I won't force you to tell me anything you don't want to. But you can't just completely shut me out of everything either Gabrielle. So I'm asking just once if you'll tell me what happened with the horse and I promise I won't get upset with what you say.
Gabrielle could see the sincerity in Xena's eyes and gave in figuring that there wasn't really anything Xena could do about it now anyway as she told Xena about her encounter with the bandits who owned the horse.
XENA
You really did that?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. So despite your objections to having these so-called "dangerous weapons", my having them saved my life. So it's a good thing I did have them or I probably wouldn't be here talking to you right now.
Xena thought for a moment knowing that Gabrielle was right. She still didn't exactly like the idea of Gabrielle having weapons like that but this was just one more thing that Xena would apparently have to get used to. And if they helped keep Gabrielle safe then what did she really have to complain about?
XENA
Okay. So I might've overreacted about you having those. I just...
GABRIELLE
I know, I know. You don't want to see me get hurt.
Gabrielle put her hand on Xena's arm.
GABRIELLE
But Xena you have to accept that I'm not that same girl you met outside of Potidaea back then. I've changed a lot since then. We both have.
Xena smiled.
XENA
I guess we have.
Xena looked up at the darkening sky for a moment as night would soon be upon them, before returning her attention to Gabrielle.
XENA
I don't think we're getting much closer to our destination today. We should probably make camp and head back out in the morning. That is if you want to anyway.
GABRIELLE
Make camp, yes. Continue with this test, despite how difficult it's been between us also yes. It's been rough lately but I have to think that things will get better soon.
XENA
I'm sure they will. Come on let's go find a spot to camp and I'll have a look at that horse's leg.
So Xena and Gabrielle lead their mounts to a not-far-off spot that looked like a decent place to spend the night. Once everything was set up, Xena examined the stallion and found that he'd be just fine as long as they kept the wound on his leg bandaged until it healed. Xena returned to the campfire and sat across from Gabrielle who had finished cooking dinner.
XENA
Well, you're friend over there should be just fine.
GABRIELLE
That's good news.
Gabrielle handed Xena a plate of food as she took hers. The two ate and spent the rest of the night going about their typical routine for when they were camped out with incident. Later as they were settled into their blankets Xena laid awake as she looked at Gabrielle sleeping beside her. The day's events replayed in her mind, along with everything else that she'd noticed changing in Gabrielle. While Xena knew that people it was completely normal for people to grow and change throughout their lives, she still couldn't help but worry about what was the driving force behind Gabrielle's metamorphosis. As well as what it could mean for both of them. This led to the same nagging questions that Xena had been desperate to find the answers to for a while now, but still felt no closer to getting. Just who was it that Gabrielle was becoming? And more importantly, why?
TO BE CONTINUED...