Xena moved quickly leaping between the floating chunks of earth within the lava as she reached where Gabrielle was curled up on her island of self-doubt. XenaNow physically beside Gabrielle, Xena crouched down and spoke to her again as she next tried to reach her both mentally and emotionally.
XENA
Come on Gabrielle you have to snap out of it.
It was dark, empty, but somehow at the same time full. Full of pain and sorrow as Gabrielle drifted within the recesses of her mind. She could no longer hear the taunting words of the spirits as she had shut out everything from the outside. But the echoes of everything she'd been saying to herself were still playing loud and clear. With her physical eyes closed, she had tried to desperately escape, but all Gabrielle had felt she had done was find a way to run away and hide.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Nothings changed. I'm sorry Xena but I can't do this anymore. I just can't. I'm not as strong as you. I can't do anything without help. Without you. Please Xena, help me. Make this all stop. I'm sorry, I know it's not fair to you, but please Xena, I'm begging you to save me just like you always have to do. Please, Xena!
While Gabrielle drifted further into the darkness she began to have another thought.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) But why should she? You know how unfair it is and yet you would still repeatedly ask that of the woman who you're supposed to love. Gods I'm not only worthless but selfish too. Why does Xena keep putting up with me? She'd probably be better off without me. And the same goes for everyone else. I shouldn't even be queen. I should've just stayed in Potidaea. At least then I probably wouldn't drag everyone around me down and constantly need saving. Maybe it would be better if I just left and...
?
Gabrielle!
Gabrielle's self-deprecating inner monologing was interrupted when she heard a voice echo in the distance.
?
Gabrielle, I know you're in there!
It took a moment for the voice to become clear but when it did, Gabrielle recognized it instantly.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Gabrielle looked for Xena within the darkness but didn't see her.
XENA
You have to snap out of it.
Though her words were fragmented at first, Gabrielle could recognize Xena's voice speaking to her. But instead of hearing them, Gabrielle could practically feel them within her. As if Xena's words were penetrating her very soul.
XENA
I know I've said it before but I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have you in my life.
Out of desperation, Gabrielle tried calling out to Xena from the darkness she had found herself in.
GABRIELLE
I can't do this Xena. Please just make it all stop. I'm sorry, I need you to save me again.
Though Gabrielle still couldn't see her, Xena's voice responded.
XENA
You're not the one who needs me.
GABRIELLE
What are you talking about? Of course, I do. Just look at me. I can't do anything on my own. Just like those spirits and gods know how many others have said. (Sad tone) And now I need you to save me once again.
Gabrielle lowered her head in shame and defeat as Xena's voice reached her again.
XENA
The truth is that I'm the one who needs you, Gabrielle. The only way that I'm able to do half of the things I do is because of you. You're so much more than what these spirits are saying. Or what you've been telling yourself. Don't you know that?
Gabrielle looked up as she spoke into the darkness.
GABRIELLE
But I'm not.
XENA
I know I've said it before but I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have you in my life. You're not the one who needs me. The truth is that I'm the one who needs you, Gabrielle. The only way that I'm able to do half of the things I do is because of you. You're so much more than what these spirits are saying. Or what you've been telling yourself.
GABRIELLE
But how can you say that? I couldn't even defend our child. I put you in a terrible situation that ended up nearly getting you killed. Besides it's not just about that. This is how it's been from the beginning. You can't honestly tell me that you aren't getting tired of having to save me.
XENA
I don't defend you because I don't necessarily think that you can't do it yourself. I'd do that regardless of whether you could fight or not. I do it because I love you.
GABRIELLE
Xena...
Gabrielle lowered her eyes for a moment as Xena's words slowly seeped into Gabrielle's heart as well as the darkness surrounding her, causing a small light to begin to glow as the spirit's voices faded away.
XENA
So what's it gonna be Gabrielle?
This time when Gabrielle heard Xena's voice, she sounded so clear and close it was as if Xena was physically right there with her. This caused Gabrielle to look up again and was shocked when she saw an image of Xena standing right before her. The image of Xena within Gabrielle's mind smiled as she waited for Gabrielle to stand up on her own.
XENA
Are you just gonna sit there and prove these spirits and all the others who've said you shouldn't be where you are in life right? Or are you gonna stand up and fight for yourself? Like we both know you can.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) She believes in me, so deeply.
Gabrielle couldn't help but smirk to herself but then lost the smile as she still felt her insecurities holding her back.
GABRIELLE
But what am I supposed to do? I'm not a fighter like you.
XENA
So what. Gabrielle, I didn't become the woman I am overnight. I can't tell you how many times I've failed. Besides I thought you knew that a person's real strength doesn't come from how well they can swing a weapon around. Any idiot can do that. A person's true strength comes from here.
The image of Xena crouched down and placed her hand on Gabrielle's chest over her heart.
XENA
You taught me that. And that's how I know that you're the strongest person I've met.
Gabrielle's hand found its way over Xena's as Xena gazed into her eyes for a long moment before she smirked.
XENA
(Joking) Hercules only wishes he had your kind of strength.
GABRIELLE
I don't know. What good does that actually do? It doesn't help me protect the people I love.
Gabrielle looked away for a moment before Xena's hand touched her cheek and gently guided Gabrielle's eyes back to her.
XENA
But it does.
GABRIELLE
How?
XENA
Gabrielle, do you trust me?
GABRIELLE
More than anyone. You know that.
XENA
Then just take my word for it. You are so much more than what you think. You've already shown that time and time again. Now go out there and prove it.
The image of Xena took her hand away as she stood and looked at Gabrielle.
XENA
Come on, get up. I'd offer you a hand, but I'm pretty sure you can handle that on your own. Right?
The image of Xena turned her back to Gabrielle and began walking into the darkness as her words began to sink into the depths of Gabrielle's heart.
XENA
(Joking tone) Let's go, we've still got that damned test to finish. And you know I don't like to be kept waiting.
Xena's image faded out of view as Gabrielle slowly stood up within the darkness and the voices of the spirits came back. But the words Xena had said were the ones that now seemed to have Gabrielle's focus as the words of the spirits were being drowned out. A moment later Gabrielle physically opened her eyes as she came back to reality. She saw Xena crouched beside her. Xena and the spirits watched as Gabrielle sat up.
XENA
Are you okay?
Xena felt a rush of relief as Gabrielle looked at her and lightly touched her cheek as she smiled at her.
GABRIELLE
I am now.
Gabrielle got back to her feet as Xena did the same and stood slightly behind her. In response, the spirits moved closer as they resumed their taunting of Gabrielle.
SPIRIT XENA
Why get up Gabrielle? You know that you'll only end up being knocked down again.
Gabrielle stood tall before the spirits as they floated around her.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I know. But that just means that I can get back up again too. I might've been down for a while there but I refuse to stay that way any longer.
TO BE CONTINUED...