Xena sat on a tree stump idly shining her chakram as Gabrielle spun her staff around, practicing some new offensive techniques she had been learning. After a little bit, the bard planted the end of her staff on the ground beside her as she took a breather and looked over at Xena.
GABRIELLE
What's taking him so long?
Not looking up from her task, Xena gave an idle reply.
XENA
Cut him some slack. Gareth just got done stomping out a whole army. He probably needs a break.
The blonde looked around as she noticed that something was missing.
GABRIELLE
Hey, where'd Minya go?
XENA
Probably taking a bit of friendly advice from one woman to another.
?
(Angry tone) Xena!
Hearing her name, the warrior smirked as she stood up and watched as a very disheveled man stood several feet away, glaring intensely at her.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Hey there, Zagreas. Bad day?
The warlord sneered as he drew his sword and pointed it at Xena.
ZAGREAS
(Angry tone) You set me up, Xena! That damned giant destroyed my entire army! It's not fair! I'm just a simple warlord trying to make a living! You know, raiding and looting. The same thing that you used to do, Xena!
(Mocking tone) But no, you had to go and change, and then ruin everything for the rest of us.
Zagreas stepped toward Xena.
ZAGREAS
(Angry tone) You've made fools of all of us. But now I'm here to end it, Xena. And I'm gonna make sure you don't walk away from this alive.,
Filled with rage, the warlord yelled as he prepared to charge Xena, but was stopped when he heard another person's voice.
?
Hey, tough guy! Are you here to fight, or just talk?
Zagreas turned to see who was speaking and saw Minya standing there in a new outfit that looked oddly similar to Xena's.
ZAGREAS
(Angry tone) Now there are two of you?!
The warlord yelled as he reached his breaking point and with his sword ready, charged at Minya.
ZAGREAS
(Angry tone) I'll kill you!
Gabrielle was just about to chase after the warlord to stop him before he could hurt Minya, when she saw the farmer woman nail Zagreas right in the side of his face, spinning the man around before he dropped face down into the dirt unconscious. Meanwhile, having witnessed the whole encounter, Hower ran up to Minya as he looked at the woman in amazement.
HOWER
Whoa! Minya! That was amazing! I had no idea you could... I mean you...
Seeing that Hower was clearly at a loss for words, Minya smirked as she stood with a hand on her hip and looked away as she acted disinterested like Xena told her.
MINYA
Look good in leather?
Minya flipped her hair nonchalantly before walking away as Hower smiled, watching the woman for a moment before quickly following after her.
HOWER
Hey, Minya, wait up.
Gabrielle smiled as she and Xena watched the two villagers run off.
GABRIELLE
Well, I guess that takes care of that problem.
The bard then looked at the unconscious warlord that now laid sprawled out on the ground.
GABRIELLE
Along with our warlord issues too.
The ground shook again as the tremors got stronger
XENA
It's Gareth, he's headed toward the giants' burial ground first.
The warrior looked at the sky.
XENA
I've gotta go out to meet him. If this doesn't work, or if the bad weather doesn't hold, I want you to get Hower and Minya to safety. Don't let them die for a lost cause.
Xena began to walk away but stopped when she felt the bard grab her wrist.
GABRIELLE
Xena, wait.
The dark-haired warrior turned to look at Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry I traded your whip for a frying pan.
Xena smiled.
XENA
Don't worry about it. I suppose I shouldn't have used your scrolls.
GABRIELLE
I love you, Xena. Please stay safe.
XENA
I love you too.
Using her free hand, the warrior lifted Gabrielle's chin upward as she placed a soft, loving kiss on the young woman's lips.
XENA
Don't worry. I'll see you soon.
Smiling, Xena turned away as the bard released the warrior from her grasp and watched her leave, before moving to find Minya and Hower.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
The ground trembled as the giant stomped his way across the field, stopping by a large tree when he heard a voice.
?
Hello Gareth.
Gareth turned his head to find Xena standing in the tree and scowled at the sight of the woman.
GARETH
(Angry tone) Xena.
The giant swung his fist at the woman, but missed when she quickly dropped from the tree and landed at his feet.
GARETH
(Angry tone) I'm gonna squash you like a bug!
Gareth raised his foot to stomp on the warrior, and Xena dove and rolled out of the way. The giant then brought his massive sword down to strike the woman, but again she dodged. And as his arm was still lowered, Xena quickly jumped onto the giant and ran up his massive limb, jumping forward when Gareth tried to grab her with his other hand. Once she reached his shoulder, Gareth turned his head to look at the woman and was taking off guard when Xena launched her fist into his eye. The giant let out a painful and angry yell as he turned his head away and threw his arm to the side as he tried to shake Xena off of him. Instead the woman lept and dropped down behind him. On her way down, she grabbed onto a string that she had wrapped around the tree branch and caught herself on the bottom of Gareth's shirt before attaching the string to the giant's belt and then dropping the rest of the way to the ground.
XENA
Ha! You missed, Gareth.
Gareth looked down as he again tried to crush Xena under his boot. The dark-haired woman easily dodged yet again.
GARETH
(Angry tone) You can't dodge me forever, Xena.
Xena smirked confidently up at the giant.
XENA
We'll just see about that.
The warrior then took off as she called back to Gareth, taunting him as she ran.
XENA
(Mocking tone) Come on, Gareth, catch me if you can.
The giant let out an enraged roar as he chased after Xena. All while threatening the woman with all the different ways he was gonna make her suffer before finally killing her.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Dark clouds gathered overhead as Xena ran with the giant, Gareth hot on her trail.
GARETH
(Angry tone) Come back here, Xena. You can't get away from me.
Gareth stopped as he lost sight of the warrior and began scanning the new area for her, while standing amongst the bones scattered amongst the giant's graveyard.
GARETH
(Angry tone) Now where are you hiding?
XENA
You know, you should really have more respect for the dead. Especially since you're about to be joining them soon.
The giant looked behind himself to see Xena standing on a large rock with her arms folded confidently across her chest as she looked up at him.
GARETH
(Angry tone) Xena!
Seeing only red, Gareth picked up one of the long dead giant's leg bones and raised his arm to throw it at the woman. Then suddenly, before he could throw it a bright light suddenly lit up the sky as lightning flashed and was drawn to the kite that Xena had made and attached to the giant's belt after she jumped off of his shoulder. Upon connecting with the flying parchment, the lightning instantly traveled down the string to strike Gareth, who screamed in agony as he felt the pain of pure electricity surge through his body and everything in him short circuited. Then a moment later, after the lightning stopped, Gareth crashed to the ground and laid there completely motionless with his eyes open, but unseeing as Xena stepped closer to the now slain giant.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
MINYA
Look, here she comes.
Hearing Minya call out, Gabrielle looked up from the patch of dirt she was absent-mindedly poking at with a stick and smiled as she quickly stood from the stool she'd been sitting on, as she saw someone entering the village.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
The bard hurried over to meet the other woman.
GABRIELLE
I'm guessing you managed to stop Gareth?
Xena smiled as she looked over to Minya and Hower.
XENA
Everything's taken care of.
The two smiled at the news that their village was now safe as they made their way over to the warrior to thank her and Gabrielle for all their help.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
The moon hung in the night sky as Xena and Gabrielle laid side by side on a blanket after leaving Minya, Hower and their village earlier in the evening. The warrior and the bard each took turns pointing out the different things they saw in the patterns of the stars hanging high above them.
XENA
And that bunch right there looks like a big dipper.
GABRIELLE
You mean like one of those cups you use to get water from a bucket?
Gabrielle squinted her eyes as she tried to spot what the warrior was seeing.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I don't see it. Looks more like a bear to me.
Xena looked over at the younger woman.
XENA
A bear?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, look.
The bard pointed toward the sky and moved her hand to trace the shape of what she saw in the stars as Xena yawned.
XENA
(Lying) Oh yeah. There it is.
Gabrielle lowered her hand as she looked over at the dark-haired woman and smirked.
GABRIELLE
Liar.
Xena chuckled as she put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes.
XENA
(Joking tone) Nothing gets past you, does it?
The two laid there peacefully for a bit until Gabrielle peeked a green eye open and stealthily reached her arm out to the side as Xena began to drift off to sleep. Then when all seemed calm, Xena suddenly felt a sharp sting on her face as Gabrielle grabbed her staff and swung it at the other woman, hitting Xena right in the nose.
GABRIELLE
Oh, no.
Having not expected to actually catch the warrior off guard, Gabrielle instantly felt terrible for hitting Xena with her staff. And turned to face the woman who was now holding her nose.
GABRIELLE
Xena, I'm so sorry. I swear I thought you would stop it. Are you okay?
XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) I'm fine.
Xena rolled to her side so her back was facing the bard.
GABRIELLE
I really didn't think I'd actually hit you. I mean you can catch arrows right out of the air. And you always seem to have a sixth sense for anything coming your way.
XENA
It's all right, Gabrielle. I know you didn't mean it.
Xena looked over her shoulder.
XENA
It's been a long day and I'm tired, so let's just go to sleep, okay?
The bard smiled, relieved that Xena wasn't upset.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
The dark-haired woman laid her head back down and closed her eyes once again as Gabrielle shifted to lean over the warrior.
GABRIELLE
Goodnight, Xena.
The bard placed a quick kiss on Xena's cheek as Xena jokingly shooed her away. Then Gabrielle laid down completely and got comfortable for a moment before the dark-haired woman rolled over and put her arm over the blonde, who snuggled closer to the woman as the two settled down to go to sleep. It was silent for a few moments until Gabrielle spoke when she had a thought creep into her mind.
GABRIELLE
You just let me hit you, didn't you?
Xena sighed as she didn't bother opening her eyes to respond.
XENA
No. You got me fair and square.
Hearing what she thought was way too casual of a tone, Gabrielle raised her head to look at the warrior.
GABRIELLE
You did, you let me hit you, because you feel sorry for me.
XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Go to sleep, Gabrielle.
The bard laid her head back down and looked at the semi-asleep woman and smiled as she closed her eyes, and listened to Xena's steady breathing for a few moments until she was certain Xena was nearly asleep.
GABRIELLE
I know you let me hit you.
TO BE CONTINUED...