It was late morning when Gabrielle began to stir and her eyes slowly fluttered open. As her surroundings came into focus and her sleepy mind became more clear, the realization of where she was caused her a good deal of confusion.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Wait this is Xena's room? And I'm in her bed. Why?
Gabrielle rubbed her forehead as she tried to think but when she tried to remember the What happened the previous night. But after coming to the Conqueror's room for dinner everything else afterward was all a blank.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) What happened? I didn't drink anything other than cider so why don't I remember a lot of the night or why I'm here now.
Gabrielle continued trying to piece together what could have happened to her for a few more moments, when her internal questioning was interrupted by the sound of a door opening, and she looked to see Xena walking in and stopping when she saw Gabrielle sitting up in bed looking at her.
XENA
You're awake.
Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror moved to put the tray of food she was carrying down on a nearby table and walked over to where Gabrielle sat in bed.
XENA
How ya feeling?
GABRIELLE
Um okay I guess.
XENA
Well that's good to hear. Okay let's take a look at you
Gabrielle didn't have time to ask Xena anything before she felt the Conqueror's hand gently cupping her chin and tilting her head back slightly as she used the thumb on her other hand to lift each of Gabrielle's eyelids open further as she seemed to inspect the younger women.
XENA
Can you breathe okay?
GABRIELLE
Yes?
After a moment Xena let Gabrielle go and turned away to pick up the tray she brought in.
XENA
Anything feel off or not right?
GABRIELLE
Well I am a bit confused about why I'm here, and I can't really remember a lot of last night.
Gabrielle looked at Xena as the Conqueror brought over a tray of food.
GABRIELLE
Xena what happened last night. Why was I sleeping in your bed? And why can't I remember a lot of the night?
Xena placed the tray on the bed in front of Gabrielle as she sat at the young woman's feet that were tucked beneath the blanket covering Gabrielle's lower half.
XENA
I didn't know any easy way to put this but...
Xena paused not knowing how exactly she should tell Gabrielle that she was the target of another attempt on her life. Something that she certainly never deserved to have happento her either time it happened.
GABRIELLE
But what?
Gabrielle looked at the Conqueror and could see what could only be described as a pained expression in the woman's eyes and placed her hand over Xena's as it rested on the bed beside her.
GABRIELLE
Please Xena, what ever it is, I can take it. I don't want you to treat me as though I'm too fragile or nieve to handle the painful things that happen.
Hearing the young woman's plea and knowing that she couldn't keep something like this from her, Xena took a slow breath and turned her hand over to hold Gabrielle's in hers.
XENA
Last night you nearly died Gabrielle.
Shocked by what she had just heard, it took Gabrielle a moment to fully register what Xena had just said.
GABRIELLE
I almost died? What? But how, I don't... what happened?
XENA
The cider you drank was poisoned.
GABRIELLE
I was poisoned? Why? By who?
XENA
Don't worry I'm taking care of it.
GABRIELLE
Okay but that doesn't answer my questions.
Xena eyed the younger woman as she put her best fierce Conqueror look on her face.
XENA
You know I remember the days when you barely said a word unless directly asked.
Gabrielle smiled as she knew full well that Xena putting on her Conqueror persona for her was nothing more than a poorly veiled hollow threat.
GABRIELLE
Hey you aren't the only one that's changed around here.
Xena's face changed to a blank expression as her bluff was called, and she smirked at the thought of just how right Gabrielle was. No longer was she the sacred, quiet and timid young woman that had wandered into Xena's camp and then was brought to the keep. In the recent months she had shown herself to be a cheerful, kind, talkative young woman. Of which had at first taken Xena by surprise until she figured that this must-have been Gabrielle's true personally. Which made Xena's heart warm to know that Gabrielle had become comfortable enough with being around her to be her actual self. And brought a smile to Xena's face as she let her Conqueror scowl fade away.
XENA
I suppose I can't argue with you there.
Xena sighed as her and Gabrielle's expressions returned to being serious.
GABRIELLE
Please Xena, tell me why this happened. Don't you think I deserve to know why I almost died?
Xena sighed again as she knew that if she were in Gabrielle's position she'd be demanding to know the same thing. And though she wanted to try and protect the younger women from the darkest parts of what life could be like for those around her could be, Xena knew that she wouldn't be able to shield Gabrielle from the harsh reality forever. After all with everything that Gabrielle already been through and seen, it wasn't as though she was unaware of just how painful life could be. And so after a brief moment of silence Xena told Gabrielle everything that she knew about the situation.
XENA
It was Isidora. She put poison in the cider you drank in the hopes it would kill you.
GABRIELLE
Isidora?
Now somehow feeling even more confused than before, Gabrielle tried to process the new information and figure out why the keeps lead cook would possibly want her dead.
GABRIELLE
Why? I barely even spoken to her. What could I have possibly done to make her wanna kill me?
XENA
Nothing Gabrielle.
Xena moved her hands to hold Gabrielle's face.
XENA
You've done nothing wrong. This wasn't about you. The only reason you were targeted was to get to me. Isidora's a spy working for Draco and you were just collateral in their efforts to get to me.
Xena pulled Gabrielle into a tender embrace.
XENA
And I'm so sorry that you ended up getting put in the middle of such a mess.
Gabrielle let herself be held as Xena kissed her blonde head and just held her a few moments before letting Gabrielle go and sit back upright.
GABRIELLE
Why are you apologizing? You said that I wasn't to blame for what Isidora did, but this isn't your fault either Xena.
XENA
But it is. This war between myself and Draco, my inability to see a danger that's right under my nose is the whole reason why that hag was even able to go undetected as a spy in the first place. Which had a different impact on giving her the opportunity to do what she did to you.
GABRIELLE
Xena. .
Not knowing what she could say that could convince Xena of her innocence in the matter, Gabrielle fell silent for a moment before more questions about the overall situation came to mind.
GABRIELLE
So where's Isidora now?
XENA
She was brought to the dungeon beneath the keep, waiting until I decide on exactly what I'm gonna do to her.
Gabrielle gave Xena a look of surprise.
GABRIELLE
Do to her? You mean locking her up isn't her punishment?
XENA
Of course not. You didn't think that I can just let someone try killing someone in my keep and not have there be severe consequences for doing so.
GABRIELLE
Severe consequences?
Gabrielle paused as the realization of what Xena meant hit her.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you don't seriously intend on executing Isidora, do you?
Xena sighed as she realized that getting the young woman in front of her to understand why she had to do what she already had planned.
XENA
Gabrielle the punishment for a crime like this is death. She tried to kill you.
GABRIELLE
And the solution is to kill her instead?
Xena sighed again.
XENA
It's not killing her.
Gabrielle eyed Xena.
GABRIELLE
Isn't it though? Or do we have very different definitions of what the word executing means.
Xena scowled.
XENA
It's not the same thing Gabrielle. A death sentence is a completely valid punishment for what Isidora did and attempted to do. And that isn't just by my standards.
GABRIELLE
But...
XENA
(Stern tone) This isn't up for discussion.
Xena stood up from where she had been sitting on the edge of the bed.
XENA
(Stern tone) Now I'm sorry if you don't like it, but that's the way it is. You're the one who didn't wanna be treated as if you were unable to handle the hard things that came with life, so here you go. Things happen that you aren't going to like and there's nothing you can do to change it. The sooner you understand that, the better.
The Conqueror began to turn to walk away.
GABRIELLE
Yeah well I'm the one that Isidora tried to kill. So shouldn't I have a say in what happens to her?
Xena paused in her steps and turned back toward Gabrielle who looked at her defiantly. A look that Xena had never seen before but silently admitted she liked seeing the passion that had been lit in the green eyes that were looking at her so intensely. And having never seen Gabrielle act so passionately about something before, Xena decided to at the very least see what Gabrielle had in mind.
XENA
And just what would you do? And don't say let her go because that's not happening.
GABRIELLE
I don't know yet. But I know that there has to be a better option for all of this than just sending an old woman to her death.
Gabrielle thought for a moment as she tried to come up with something that she thought might appeal to the Conqueror.
GABRIELLE
I mean what would killing her actually solve. She's already locked up and unable to hurt anyone else. And besides she's an old woman Xena, how many more years can she really have left anyway. If you actually wanna punish her don't you think making her spend whatever time she has left locked away would be more of a punishment than just out right killing her.
Gabrielle watched as Xena appeared to contemplate the option. And though Gabrielle didn't actually want to send an old woman to prison for the rest of her days, it was the only thing she could think of that Xena might accept in exchange for keeping Isidora alive. However, Xena was no fool and was well aware of what Gabrielle was trying to do. And so knowing that if she carried out her original plan of punishment for Isidora, it would likely damage and even potentially ruin her and Gabrielle's still growing relationship, Xena made her decision on what the old woman's fate would be.
XENA
Fine. I suppose spending the rest of her days in a cell is also an appropriate punishment for the crime Isidora's committed.
A slight smile appeared on Gabrielle's face for a moment.
GABRIELLE
Thank you Xena. I really appreciate you changing your mind about this.
XENA
The only one who should be thanking anyone here is that old hag for you saving her neck. Probably literally.
Xena continued making her way to the door.
XENA
Now you just relax and give a yell if you need anything. I have a few things to do. I'll be back later.
With that Xena left and made her way down to the dungeon with a couple of guards accompanying her. She walked among the series of small bared enclosures before stopping in front of one particular locked door.
XENA
Enjoying your new accommodations?
Xena watched with a small smirk on her face as a gray-haired head that was hung low raised to meet her gaze.
ISIDORA
(Unphased tone) Come to kill me yourself?
The Conqueror chuckled slightly as she stepped closer to the bars separating the two women.
XENA
Oh please, if I were going kill you personally I would've done that right after you were caught trying to flee like the coward you are.
Isidora leaned back against the wall was she shifted her sitting position on the cells cold, stone floor,
ISIDORA
Well then what brings the almighty Conqueror down to the bouls of this pit you call a dungeon.
XENA
An opportunity. You tell me what I wanna know, and you won't end up with your head resting on the chopping block.
The old woman scoffed.
ISIDORA
Right and You'll just hang me, have me run through with a blade or do some other method of killing me instead
XENA
Not bad ideas but no. I was actually thinking about the possibility of doing something that could actually benefit us both.
ISIDORA
And just what could you have in mind for me that I could possibly find beneficial.
XENA
How about my choosing not to end your worthless life.
ISIDORA
And what you leave me here to be tortured or starved. Not interested.
XENA
What about sending you away from here? I can send you to a prison that I know of that treats their prisoners pretty well.
Xena could see a new interest appear on the elderly woman's face.
ISIDORA
And why would you wanna do that?
XENA
Because you're not my actual enemy here. Draco is. So how 'bout it Isidora? You tell me everything you know about Draco and what he's been up to, and I'll have you on the first cart out of here where you'll not only be safe from me, but from Draco as well. Because let's be honest if I were to just let you walk out of here I have no doubt that Draco will find out that you've completely failed in your mission and come after you for doing so.
Isidora thought for a moment before responding.
ISIDORA
And how do I know that you won't still kill me after I tell you what I know.
XENA
The same way I can be certain that what you tell me isn't complete horse manure. You're just gonna have to take my word for it.
ISIDORA
And to your point, you'll just believe what I tell you?
XENA
I have a pretty good track record of knowing when someone is lying straight to my face.
An evil smile crossed the Conqueror's face as she continued.
XENA
And besides I have ways of getting pretty reliable information out of people when I need it.
Suddenly in a lightening quick motion Xena stuck her head between the bars of Isidora's cell and jabbed two fingers into the side of the woman's neck causing her gasp in both shock and fear as a strange sensation took over her body and she dropped to her knees.
XENA
I've cut off the flow of blood to your brain, and you'll be dead in about a minute unless I undo the hold. So I suggest you tell me what you know and make what you say damn convincing. Otherwise, you're gonna suffer a very unpleasant death.
Isidora struggled as the feeling of her life beginning to drain away from her body brought on a level of fear she never knew before.
ISIDORA
I'm not actually allied with Draco. I only work for him, so I'm not sure if everything I tell you will be completely accurate.
XENA
What do you mean you aren't allied with him? You work for him, it's the same damn thing.
ISIDORA
I'm a spy for hire. I have been for most my life. I was approached by Draco for a job before I even came here, and he hired me to come here spy on you and send reports of anything that I thought he might find useful to know.
XENA
And after you sent word to him about Gabrielle, he decided to make her a target.
Isidora gasped.
ISIDORA
Yes and that's the absolute truth.
XENA
Then why were you acting so cocky and boasting about Draco after you were discovered? Why not just tell me this then?
ISIDORA
I was ordered not to. And besides would you really have believed me if I did?
XENA
No I suppose not.
Isidora gasped as her body went limp and Xena grabbed the back of her dress as she held her up and thrust her fingers into the woman's neck again and Isidora gasped in relief as the hold was released and Xena eased her down to sit the floor as the woman recovered.
XENA
Do you know what else Draco has planned?
ISIDORA
No. I only sent him information about various goings on here and received the order to kill Gabrielle in order to make you suffer and leave you vulnerable for Draco to make his move.
XENA
Where's Draco now?
ISIDORA
He moves around alot, so I have a rotation of set locations that I send the information I give Draco to. But I have a box of our communications hidden beneath the floor under the bed in my room. I'm sure you can find something of use among the letters.
Xena scowled to herself as she remembered that Velasca had also pulled up a bit of her floor to hide some of the evidence of her attack on Melosa and Terreis and made a metal half joke about what she planned to do to the next person who dared defile her home in their efforts to achieve whatever dubious plans they may have.
.XENA
Alright. You tell me where they are and if I find them and see that what you say is true, I'll begin the prepositions to have you safely escorted elsewhere that's relatively decent to serve out whatever sentence the warden of the prison sees fit.
Xena turned away and began to walk off as Isidora called after her from her cell.
ISIDORA
Thank you Xena. And Gabrielle too.
After leaving the dungeon Xena had a couple of guards go up to Isidora's room and search for the letters the old woman said we're hidden under her floor as Xena herself returned to her room to check on Gabrielle and after seeing that she was sleeping peacefully, sat on the edge of the bed just quietly watching the young woman sleep as the thought of almost losing Gabrielle echoed through Xena's mind.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) She almost died because of her connection to me. Because of this damned war over who owns some stupid bits of land. I don't even care about doing any of this anymore.
Xena shook her head as she turned her attention to looking out of the nearby window.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) But if I just give up fighting Draco, what then? He takes over, makes everyone under his rule suffer. Sure I have my flaws but at least I make sure the people in my territory are well cared for. Draco's a slaver. Greedy all he cares about is money and power. Anything that benefits him, regardless of who else what he does effects. He can't be allowed to gain more power.
Xena looked over at Gabrielle.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) And besides ifI plan on getting Gabrielle reunited with her family then I have to put an end to Draco and free everyone he has held captive.
Xena watched Gabrielle for a while and found herself unable to shake the memory of the level of panic and fear that she had been feeling when it looked as though Gabrielle was about to be taken from her. The thoughts making her restless, Xena made sure Gabrielle was okay and pulled the covers a bit further up to make sure the younger women was warm before quietly leaving the room again and made her way downstairs.
XENA
Hey, I know it's getting late, but I was wondering if maybe I could talk to you about something.
Xena stood in the doorway of the kitchen as Cyrene finished cleaning up for the day and wiped her hands on her apron as she walked over her daughter.
CYRENE
Is Gabrielle okay?
Xena gave a small smile.
XENA
She's fine, I just checked on her before coming to see you.
CYRENE
That's a relief. So was Isidora really responsible for poisoning Gabrielle?
XENA
She was. It was all part of a plan to get to me.
Xena gave Cyrene a brief review of what Isidora had revealed to her, which left the woman shaking her head in disbelief over all of it.
CYRENE
Poor Gabrielle. She's such a sweet young woman who never asked for any of this.
Xena sighed as she leaned back against the wall across from Cyrene who stood resting back against the counter.
XENA
I know. She only got dragged into this mess because of her connection to me.
CYRENE
But wasn't she an escaped would be slave from that Draco when your paths first crossed?
XENA
Yeah but he would've completely forgotten about her by now if he hadn't learned that she was with me and that I had developed feelings for her.
CYRENE
So what do you do now? You don't think he'll come after Gabrielle again, do you?
XENA
To be honest I'm not sure. But I do know that I'll do whatever it takes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
Cyrene watched as Xena's eyes began to tear up slightly before the woman turned away and rubbed her eye to get rid of them.
CYRENE
Xena,
Cyrene reached over and touched her daughter's arm.
CYRENE
You almost lost someone you love, it's okay to be emotional about it.
Xena returned her attention to Cyrene.
XENA
She almost died mother. Because of me. We got lucky this time, but one day her connection to me can get her in serious trouble that I can't protect her from. She can be kidnapped, hurt in any number of ways. Even killed. That's not the life she deserves. None of this has been.
Xena sighed.
XENA
Maybe I should just send her back to Potidea. I think at least her father os still there. Or maybe Amazon's. At least she'd be safe from my enemies there.
CYRENE
Do you really think that Gabrielle would be happy with that?
XENA
Maybe not, but at least she'd be safer than she apparently is with me.
Xena paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.
XENA
I don't know what I would've done, what I would do if anything happened to her. Since Gabrielle's come into my life so much has changed and for the better. I've... changed.
CYRENE
You have. So can you honestly stand there and tell me that you don't care what Gabrielle wants.
Xena gave Cyrene a disapproving look.
XENA
Of course I care what she wants. If she wanted the very stars in the sky, I wouldn't rest until I found a way to give them to her.
Cyrene smiled.
CYRENE
And I have no doubt you would do it. So why should it be any different when it comes to where Gabrielle wants to b. Because from what I've seen, she seems pretty content here. And I know regardless of what you might say, that's where you want her too.
XENA
Of course I want her here with me. I never said I didn't. I don't wanna imagine my life without her. I just...
Xena paused, not knowing what else to say as Cyrene moved closer.
CYRENE
Then don't. If you really feel that way then I don't fight it Xena. I know that you're worried about what Gabrielle's life could look like for being with you, but don't you think that's something she's already thought about and clearly made her peace with giving where you two are now.
XENA
I guess so. But I just don't want her to keep getting hurt because of me.
CYRENE
Life's full of ups and downs Xena, and Gabrielle would go through both and everything in between even if she were still back in her home village. But here with you, she has someone that she knows she can count on to be there for whatever the life she's chosen might bring her way.
XENA
Sure but I highly doubt she'd go through anything close to what she has.
CYRENE
You do remember that she was taken to be a slave before she met you.
Xena sighed as she relented to her mother's argument.
XENA
Yeah I know.
CYRENE
So if you ask me I think Gabrielle would be in a far worse situation if she weren't here with you. And the same goes for if she had stayed with the Amazon's. In fact I dare to say that she would have ended up with a worse fate given that you had only arrived just in time to prevent Gabrielle from being killed by those rebel Amazons.
Xena made a slightly annoyed grumble.
XENA
Alright you made your point. Maybe Gabrielle wouldn't be completely better off without me.
Cyrene smiled.
CYRENE
You say that as though you wouldn't be miserable without having her around.
XENA
Okay fine.
Xena's tone softened as she continued.
XENA
But what am I supposed to do? If I can't be sure that she's safe with or without me, then what?
CYRENE
The same way everything else in life works, Xena. You live your life with the choices you make and deal with whatever comes from that as a result.
Cyrene looked her daughter in the eyes as she continued.
CYRENE
So the question is could you actually live with letting Gabrielle go? Or do you think that what the two of you share is worth the risk of all the potential pain that comes with it?
Xena didn't need any time to contemplate her reply to the older woman's question as in her heart she had already known the answer for quite some time and let a smile cross her lips as an idea came to mind.
XENA
Gabrielle's worth all of that and more.
Xena stood up straight from where she had been leaning against the counter behind her, as Cyrene saw a small glimmer in her daughter's eyes as she turned to leave.
XENA
Thank you mother. You've given me lot to think about. I've taken up enough of your time so I'll be going. I wanna go check on Gabrielle again before I get to doing the work that's pulled up on my desk.
Cyrene smiled.
CYRENE
Nonsense. I always have time for you, Xena. That's what mothers are for.
Xena just replied with a silent smile as she turned and left the kitchen and returned to her room to check on Gabrielle who was still asleep before going into her study. And as Xena sat at her desk going through some of the papers in front of her, her mind continued to return to an idea that to the logical part of her brain consider to be foolish and a waste of time, the other part of her mind as well as Xena's heart wouldn't allow her to brush the thoughts aside. So as the clarity Xena got from her conversation with Cyrene sank in, what now weighed on Xena's heart wasn't where Gabrielle should be for her own safety, but how Gabrielle would feel about what her life could look like if she gave a specific answer to a question that Xena was uncertain if she should even ask.
TO BE CONTINUED...