Disclaimers: Characters Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Callisto, Ares, Draco, etc. are the property of Universal/Renaissance Pictures/Studios USA. I merely borrowed them for the purpose of this story. Characters Charis, Allmar, and Sanshee are my own.

This story contains explicit scenes of two consenting adult women making love. If you find this offensive, I recommend that you refrain from reading any further (and also that you at least consider seeking some form of professional guidance). This story also contains a rape scene, graphic violence, as well as mature situations and some language. If you’re under 18 or if this sort of material is illegal where you live and you read this anyway, don’t blame me if the dung hits the fan. You’ve been advised.

This is my first attempt at fiction, not to mention fan fiction. I hope you enjoy it. Please send any comments to: [email protected]. Much appreciation to my partner, Crimson Blade, for her creative input and editorial assistance.

(c) 1999 Not intended to infringe on the rights of the owners of "Xena: Warrior Princess."

The story is meant to take place following the episode, "Maternal Instincts."

When Friends Collide
by AztecAmazon

Part I

The warrior had no idea how many days had passed since she had ascended the mountain. Motionless, she focused on the sky, now transforming into a beautiful tapestry of pinks and blues. Her hair dancing with the wind. Her teeth clinched so tightly she wasn’t certain she could speak if she tried. How could this have happened? What went wrong? And, most importantly, what now?

"I can help you with your dilemma, Xena," Ares’ voice cut through the air, interrupting the calmness. The warrior, though momentarily startled, remained perfectly still. "Your son is dead. Your dear Gabrielle is responsible and this is the best you can do? Frankly, Xena, I’m disappointed. Everyone you’ve ever counted on has double-crossed you. Why? Because you keep placing your bets on the wrong horse. You know what I can give you. You recognize the splendor of what we had and what we could have again and yet you choose to sit there and do nothing. The gods have given you the gift of rancor, Xena. Use it. Use that anger, that fire, for your own gain. Reach inside yourself and claim it. Thrive on it. Because it’s the very essence of your being. And we both know it’s what you need." If the warrior had heard his words, she offered no indication as she continued to stare blankly ahead. The God of War, obviously annoyed

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Ephiny, carrying the bard’s dinner, entered the hut. "I brought you something to eat. You haven’t been eating enough and you need to keep up your strength."

"Why?" Gabrielle sluggishly crawled out of bed. "After what I’ve done, I don’t deserve to eat...I’m not even sure I deserve to breathe."

"Gabrielle, you have to forgive yourself. You did what you thought was right. You handled the situation as your way demanded you should." Ephiny placed her hand on the bard’s cheek, pulling her closer to her. "There’s no way to change what’s happened. You have to accept that. And condemning yourself isn’t going to solve anything."

"Xena blames me, Ephiny. She’ll never forgive me..."

"Xena has to handle this her way," the Amazon interrupted. "She has chosen not to forgive you and you’ll have to learn to live with that. But it doesn’t have to mean the end of the world...for either of you. I know how much Xena means to you...how much you’ve meant to each other..."

"Do you?"

"Yes, Gabrielle. It’s obvious. And, believe it or not, she loves you as much as you love her. And a love like that doesn’t die easily."

"She loves me but it’s not the same...," Gabrielle’s words disintegrated. "I never got to tell her, Ephiny. She never knew how ..."

"She knew, Gabrielle." She looked into her eyes, her heart sinking at the sight of her queen consumed by such anguish.

The bard’s tears overcame her as she collapsed into Ephiny’s arms, her body shaking as she began to sob.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"I have a mission for you boys." Ares began to speak to the men who were, by now, wondering why they had been summoned here by the God of War. "As most of you already know, I have a vested interest in the Warrior Princess..."

"Xena?" one eager warlord chimed.

"Yes, Xena." Ares continued, "I went to visit our old friend recently. She’s allowed the death of her son to transform her into a pathetic mound of quivering madness. What a waste." He hesitated before adding, "and that’s where you come in. You see, I want her back. I am not referring to the Xena who travels from village to village in search of some retribution which doesn’t exist. No, I want Xena as she once was--a mighty warlord. And might I add, the greatest warlord this land has ever seen."

"What does this have to do with us, Ares?," Draco, becoming impatient and obviously offended by the god’s last statement, interjected. One of the most feared warlords in the land, Draco had never been one to waste time nor did he take kindly to being referred to as second best.

"Patience, gentlemen." Ares paced back and forth across the room sizing up his newly acquired assistants before pausing, his arms folded across his chest. "You all know that Xena’s son is dead, but do you know who is to blame?" A snide expression spread across his face as he continued, "Seems Xena’s dearest friend, unintentional though it may have been, orchestrated the death of her only son. Needless to say, the warrior isn’t very happy with her irritating blonde these days." He made his way over to the window and stared out at the night sky, contemplating his next words. "Gabrielle has been staying in the Amazon village on the north side of the river. Your mission is to bring her to me."

"And then what, Ares?," the warlord Allmar blurted out. "What’s in it for us?"

The muscles in the god’s face began to shift, settling into a haughty grin. "I’m going to offer Gabrielle to Xena. Once she casts her eyes on the woman who destroyed her life, killed her son, betrayed her trust...she’ll want to annihilate her. And, once she does that, my warrior will return. She just needs a little coaxing to help her get in touch with her dark side again. With Xena on our side, there won’t be a village we can’t take. After all, what good is a God of War without a worthy war? As for all of you, the riches of the land and the power that comes with them will be yours for the taking."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Ephiny, delighted to see Gabrielle somewhere besides lying in bed, gently took the bard’s hand. "Here. This is the place."

"It’s breathtaking. I haven’t seen anything so beautiful since..."

"Gabrielle...I brought you here so you could relax and clear your mind," Ephiny gently reminded her companion. It seemed so long since the bard had returned to the village, mourning the death of Solan, the loss of her daughter, and the end of her relationship with the warrior princess.

"Thank you so much for not giving up on me. I almost gave up on myself...but I know that I have to go on...with or without Xena." The bard’s words were music to the Amazon’s ears. She’d waited so long to be with the woman she loved and now, after all this time, she might get the chance. She loved both Xena and Gabrielle...but Gabrielle. The bard was everything she’d always wanted. Kind, loving, funny, talented, brave, strong, and utterly beautiful. For so long she had put her own feelings aside out of respect for the bard, for the warrior, and for the love the two shared. She had assumed that they were lovers all along, but now she understood that the depth of Gabrielle’s love for the Warrior Princess remained unknown to Xena...and now it seemed she would never know. Happy in her newly found hope, yet saddened in the realization that it was interwoven with such despair, Ephiny tightened her grip on the bard’s hand.

The two women sat closely together on the most comfortable rock they could find, staring out over the valley, each lost in her own thoughts. Visions of her time with Xena played over and over in Gabrielle’s mind, while Ephiny focused on the bard and the future she hoped to have with her. "Ephiny?," Gabrielle spoke through a sheepish grin. "I’m really hungry. Did you bring any food?" The Amazon began to chuckle, partially because she found the bard’s voracious appetite amusing but also because she was elated to see the bard’s smile again. Placing her hands on Gabrielle’s shoulders, the Amazon playfully pushed her onto her back on the grassy patch next to them exclaiming, "You’re always hungry!" After a few moments, the laughter diminished, and the two women lay still on the ground. Gabrielle, forsaking her stomach pangs, made her way into Ephiny’s arms.

The Amazon’s mind began to wander as the bard slept peacefully, the sun glistening on the ends of her long blonde hair. Feeling Gabrielle’s body shift on top of her own, Ephiny struggled to control her desire. This became increasingly difficult as the bard made her way across her chest and placed her lips against her own. The kiss was the sweetest she had ever experienced and just as she began to hope it would never end, the bard hastily pulled away. Gabrielle, now awake, jumped to her feet repeating the words, "I’m sorry, Ephiny."

"It’s...it’s alright, Gabrielle. We must have both been dreaming," the Amazon, clearly bewildered, uttered in an attempt to hide her deliberate compliance, not to mention her true feelings for the bard.

"Yeah..I guess I was dreaming about Xena. Who were you..."

"I don’t remember," Ephiny replied nervously, interrupting the bard’s inquiry. "Let’s head back. It’s getting late."

After dinner, the two women made their way toward their huts. "Goodnight, Gabrielle," the Amazon said as she leaned forward and planted a kiss on the bard’s cheek.

"Come on, Ephiny! You can do better than that!," she declared, grinning from ear to ear.

"Get some sleep, Gabrielle," she chuckled as she turned toward her hut, her face turning red at the bard’s reference to the kiss they had inadvertently shared earlier.

The bard fell asleep quickly but was soon awakened by her own dreams. She’d been having nightmares about Solan’s death since it happened. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, she found comfort in her scrolls and a mug of cider. After a while, she noticed the candle still burning in Ephiny’s window.

She opened the door slowly and, without a sound, made her way toward the Amazon’s bed. Still in a playful mood despite her restless slumber, she ripped the blanket from the Regent’s body and, upon seeing her friend, blurted out in surprise, "Oh gods!...Ephiny! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to....I didn’t know you were...Oh gods!" She bolted through the door and scampered toward her own hut. The mortified Amazon made her way to the window and peered outside where she saw the bard running at full speed, dragging her blanket behind her, saying the words "knock first, then enter" over and over again to herself.

Ephiny had been dwelling on the afternoon’s events and the way Gabrielle’s tongue had felt as it clumsily made its way around her mouth but she certainly never meant for the bard to witness her yearning first hand. Stark naked and extremely frustrated, she covered her face with her hands in an attempt to quash her embarrassment.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The five warlords were nearing the Amazon village when Draco gave the command. "Don’t go any further. We’ll make camp here and tomorrow, just before sunrise, we’ll nab the wench and deliver her to Ares."

"What do we want with this useless girl?" Santel said loudly as he moved toward Draco.

Allmar, blocking Santel’s path, drew his sword and placed it’s point against the warlord’s chest. "We’re doing this as much for ourselves as for Ares," he reminded the his comrade.

Santel hastily shoved the sword away and began collecting his belongings, strapping them to his horse again. "I’m not wasting my time traipsing around some Amazon village looking for some woman just to appease the God of War. Do what you want, but I’m out of here." Digging his heals into his horse’s ribs, he shouted a final, "Yah!" and disappeared from sight, followed by two more who shared his sentiment concerning the seemingly fruitless mission.

"All the more glory for us!" Draco shouted as he turned to the one remaining warlord. "We don’t need any more reinforcement. The two of us will be more than enough to handle the blonde. Be ready in the morning."

"Count on it," Allmar replied as he unpacked his gear and began to set up camp.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Xena, her eyes still fixed on the sky, remembered nights like this spent under the stars with her bard. The way Gabrielle’s face beamed with excitement as she wove her tales. The way they would place their bedrolls side by side and lay next to each other discussing the constellations and reminiscing their adventures. For the first time since her arrival on the mountain, a tear escaped the warrior’s eye, digging a trench in her cheek as it made its way toward her chin. And for the first time in days, she spoke, crying out though no one was there to hear it, "Damn your soul to Tartarus, Gabrielle!"

She still couldn’t seem to come to terms with what had happened between her and the bard. The love of her life had crushed her heart, her dreams, her soul. Yet she wondered whether or not things would be different, whether or not Solan might still be alive, if only she had told Gabrielle of her feelings for her. Collapsing to her knees, she released yet another cry, again condemning the bard. She remained there most of the night, cursing her lost love and writhing in her torment.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Ephiny reached for a sample of everything on the table, placing each item of food neatly on two trays as she had every morning since Gabrielle began getting out of bed again. She knew the bard would be along soon. She was always one of the first arrivals for breakfast. "Sweet Aphrodite," she thought to herself, "how is she going to react to me after last night? How am I going to look her in the eyes?" She found a place to sit and waited, picking at the food on her tray and rehearsing the words she would say when the bard arrived. Before she knew it, she had eaten almost everything in front of her. After waiting a few more moments, she decided to find out what was keeping Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle?" she called out, poking her head through the door only to discover that the Queen wasn’t inside. It took only seconds for her to notice that something was terribly wrong. The scroll the bard had been working the night before was ripped to shreds and strewn across the floor and, most telling, traces of blood could be seen on several of the tattered pieces of parchment. "Amazons!" her voice rang out. "Amazons!" Before she could shout a third time, at least fifty women were in or around the hut. The Regent began frantically explaining and pointing to the tattered scroll and the newly spilled drops of blood as more Amazons arrived on the scene.

Not knowing whether the blood belonged to Gabrielle or to someone...or something else, she knew that time was of the essence. Frightened that her love might be lying somewhere injured or dead, she quickly designated a search party consisting of those most skilled with their weapons. She mounted her horse and took the lead, trailed by the best the Amazon Nation had to offer. They followed the trail of blood until it disappeared into the earth. "The trail’s gone cold," Ephiny began, "we need to split up. Shara, take your party and head east. Talin, take your party west. Eponin, head south. Charis, come with me. The rest of us will continue to follow the river north. Send word to me if you find her." With that, the Amazons scattered, dust filling the air as their horses charged in all directions.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The bard, slipping in and out of consciousness, raised her head in an effort to focus on the form before her. "What do we have here?" the voice grew louder as the form moved closer. "Poor, poor Gabrielle, bard in distress. Where’s your warrior in shining armor? Oh yes. That’s right--you two are having some sort of family feud these days, hmmm?" Gabrielle, recognizing the voice immediately, assumed she was hallucinating. She began to drift into unconsciousness again when the hallucination backhanded her across her left cheek. Jolted from the blow, she opened her eyes wide exclaiming "Callisto!" as she reached for her staff, only to discover that, not only did she not have her staff, but her wrists and ankles were in shackles connected to the corners of the board on which she lay. "Now, now. Don’t fret, Gabrielle. I’m not going to hurt you...yet," Callisto said through a smirk.

It didn’t take the bard long to realize that she’d been injured and she was pretty certain she’d also been drugged. The worst of the pain was emanating from her right arm, although she wasn’t able to move it far enough to see why. The inventory of her injuries was soon interrupted by two husky voices, growing louder until they were in the cabin with her. "Long time, no see, Gabrielle," Draco addressed her as he removed a key from his leather vest and began unlocking the shackles one by one.

"What do you want with me, Draco? I don’t know where Xena is and she doesn’t care where I am or what you do to me," Gabrielle informed the warlord, assuming her abduction must have something to do with Xena.

"Believe me, I have no interest in you. Cupid removed that spell long ago," Draco responded.

"The Amazons will come for me. I am their queen, you know."

"More women?" Allmar joined the conversation. "Bring them on, bard. They’re no match for us and they’re certainly no match for Ares."

"Ares!" Gabrielle was beginning to understand. Ares wanted to use her to get to Xena again, the ransom being Xena’s compliance with some plan of battle concocted by the God of War. "Take me to Ares. He’ll only set me free once I explain that Xena and I are no longer together. But then...wouldn’t he know that already?," she began to think aloud.

"Ares is aware of what happened to Xena’s son. Word has it you’re to blame," Draco scoffed. "But you’re right about one thing. This does have something to do with Xena."

"What?," Gabrielle asked, both concerned and puzzled. "How is Xena involved?"

"You’ll find out soon enough," he told her as he pulled at her wrists, lifting her to a sitting position, aggravating her injured arm.

"I’m thirsty and my arm is killing me," she resounded, trying to conceal her fear.

"Allmar, get blondie some water," the warlord demanded before turning once again to Gabrielle. "If I give you some water, I expect your silence in return. Your voice irritates me," he snarled.

Allmar returned with a small cup filled with water which he handed to the bard as he began to speak. "You’re not a bad looking Amazon. Maybe we’ll skip the meeting with Ares and keep you for ourselves." Without warning, Gabrielle slammed the tin cup into the side of Draco’s head and ran for the door. But her attempt was soon stifled. The warlords stopped her before she reached the door and carried her back to the wooden slab. Draco began to clasp the shackles around her wrists when Allmar interrupted, "The shackles won’t be necessary right now. I have plans for the little lady." He grabbed the bard’s arms and loosened his whip from his waist. Before she knew what was happening, he had tied her hands together behind her back. "Since Ares hasn’t arrived yet, I assume he’s in no hurry to claim his prize so...," he focused his eyes on Gabrielle as a smirk surfaced on his face, "let

"I like the way you think," Draco responded as he reached toward Gabrielle, taking her in his arms and forcing her mouth against his own. Her screams were soon muffled as Allmar stuffed an old piece of cloth in her mouth, tying the ends behind her head. Draco placed the point of his sword against her neck, removing her tunic with one swift stroke of his blade while Allmar cut the back of her skirt with his dagger. Now flat on her back on the floor, the bard struggled to prevent it, but soon found her body being invaded by Draco while Allmar held her legs. When he was finished with her, she had only enough time for a fleeting gasp for air before Allmar took his place. Again and again they took turns with her before tiring of it and moving on to torturing her with their weapons. Though the wounds weren’t severe enough to kill her, she soon wished they had been.

Ares arrived in time to see the two men sitting outside the cabin, guzzling from their water skins while Gabrielle, inside and shackled, was choking on her own vomit as the gag in her mouth forced her to swallow what her stomach expelled. "What in Tartarus is this?," Ares’ angry voice rumbled like thunder as he angrily yanked the cloth out of the bard’s mouth. Draco, pouring water from his skin over his face, addressed the god’s question with one of his own. "Is there harm in finding a creative way to kill time?" Obviously pleased with his handiwork, he added, "We did what you asked. Take her. She’s yours."

"She’s no use to me now, you fools. Even in her present state, Xena wouldn’t kill her now." Ares, growing increasingly enraged, added, "I should kill you both. I refrain only because I might need you again soon. Be prepared." With these words, the god disappeared as quickly as he had arrived, leaving the two warlords and the bard to fend for themselves.

"I’ve had enough of the Amazon," Allmar informed the warlord, "I’m leaving. Leave her here or take her with you. The choice is yours."

"If I never see her again, it’ll be too soon," Draco snapped as he readied his horse.

Not long after Allmar rode out of sight, Draco hastily removed the shackles from Gabrielle’s wrists and ankles before departing, leaving the once again unconscious bard alone inside the cabin.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Gabrielle woke to the sounds of pounding hooves mingled with voices...female voices. Stripped and bleeding, she began to crawl toward the door which led outside, only it swung open before she could reach it. She burst into tears at the sight of Ephiny’s face. The Amazon quickly scooped her up in her arms as her own tears surfaced. "Gabrielle, who did this to you?," the Regent whispered in her ear. Though she tried to speak, the Amazon was unable to decipher the bard’s words through the sobs. "Gabrielle, it’s going to be alright," Ephiny’s voice along with her embrace soon calmed the bard.

The Regent called for Charis who had been waiting, as instructed, outside with the rest of the search party. Charis entered and her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her battered queen. "What can I do to help?," she asked, placing her hand on Ephiny’s shoulder.

By the time Charis returned with the blanket the Regent had requested, Gabrielle had managed to tell the Amazon that Draco and Allmar were responsible and that Ares had played a part in the attack. As she wrapped the blanket around the bard, Ephiny instructed Charis to take the other Amazons and head home, leaving four women behind to help her get Gabrielle back to the village. "You’ll need more supplies. Get them and regroup. Organize a search party, including our best archers, and find the warlords Draco and Allmar. When you do, kill them," the Regent ordered through tears and clenched teeth.

Getting the bard home proved to be a difficult task. Her injuries prevented her from walking and travel by horseback was no better. She had to be carried back to the village where she was placed on Ephiny’s bed. After the bard consumed nearly an entire skin of water, Ephiny began to cleanse and dress the Queen’s wounds, surprised that she needed only a few stitches in her arm. Knowing her friend well and, judging the look on her face, the Amazon began to suspect that there was more to this story than she’d been told. "Gabrielle?," she began to speak. "Is there something you’re not telling me?"

"No... I...I don’t...," the bard’s words were lost as she began to crumble before the Regent’s eyes.

"I’m here, Gabrielle. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again," the Regent, fighting back her own tears, struggled to get the words out.

"Ephiny...I...," she attempted, her words again stifled by her grief.

"Gabrielle, it’s ok. You don’t have to talk now."

The bard woke with the morning light relieved to find Ephiny beside her. The Amazon had been awake for some time, watching her queen as she slept, grateful that she was alive, yet enraged at the men who had done this to her.

Charis, delivering a tray of food to the two women, informed the Regent that the search party had returned and that there had been no sign of Draco or Allmar. Upon vowing to kill them both herself if she had to, Ephiny returned her attention to the wounded Queen.

The bard sat up and planted her feet on the floor only to realize that she was unable to walk on her own. After carefully inspecting Gabrielle’s legs and back, Ephiny looked puzzled. "There are no broken bones," she thought aloud before growing momentarily silent. "Gabrielle?" She hesitated before continuing, "What did they do to you?" The look on the bard’s face told her everything she needed to know. "Did they...the gods, Gabrielle." She wrapped her arms around the bard, holding her as tightly as she could without hurting her. "Ephiny...," Gabrielle managed to force the words through ragged breaths, "I need Xena."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The Amazon trembled as she mounted her horse and headed for the mountains, but she knew this was something she had to do. If Gabrielle’s heart ached for Xena the way her own heart ached for the bard, she had to at least try. As she rode, she thought only of her queen. The way she scoffed down her meals and threw her head back when she laughed. The way she told stories that captured her soul. The way she kissed her in her sleep that afternoon in the valley. She couldn’t help but wonder whether she would ever share a kiss like that with the woman she loved again.

She knew her future with the bard depended on the outcome of this journey. She hadn’t told Gabrielle where she was going or what she planned to do, only that she needed to travel to the Centaur village across the river to check on her son and that she would return as soon as she could. Leaving her at a time when she was so frail was hard on the Amazon, but she was confident that Charis would take good care of her. And she knew that what she was doing for her now could help her heal more completely than anything else ever could.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"You have company, dear." Callisto’s voice cut through Xena like a double-edged sword. The warrior jumped to her feet and, for the first time in weeks, filled the air with her warcry. "Ayiyiyiyiyi!" Her voice rang out, bouncing off the mountain tops.

"You should have told me you were coming. I might have bothered to bathe," Xena growled.

"Now, Xena. Tsk. Tsk. Must you always be so testy?"

"Cut to the chase, Callisto, what do you want?" The warrior, in no mood for the antics of the pseudo-goddess, rose to her feet and began walking toward her antagonist, leaving her sense of humor behind.

"Well..., " a colossal smile appeared on Callisto’s face. "Now that your precious Gabrielle’s gone and since Solan’s taken up residence with Hades...I thought maybe I could be your new sidekick. Doesn’t that sound delicious?" The air began to hiss as the warrior’s chakram sliced it in two, lopping off the goddess’ head.

"No need to lose your head," Xena smirked. Callisto, not amused, conjured up her usual fiery remedy and stood, whole again, before her.

"And I was trying so hard to keep myself together, " the goddess spoke through a toothy smile. "But then you always did have a way of making me fall all to pieces."

"Don’t you have huts to burn or animals to slaughter?"

"Yes, I suppose the day would be a complete loss if I didn’t destroy..something. Besides, I wasn’t referring to myself when I said you had a visitor."

The goddess had barely made her flaming exit when the Amazon arrived, trudging uphill leading her horse by the reins. Not knowing what to expect, she stopped short of reaching the warrior and called out, "Xena?"

"What are you doing here? If this is about Gabrielle, I’m not interested," the warrior said as she began to sharpen her blade for the first time in weeks. The Amazon moved closer, "Xena...it is about Gabrielle. Something has happened..."

"I don’t want to hear it, Ephiny. Don’t you get it? My son is dead because of her, because she..."

The warrior’s next words fell on deaf ears as the Amazon’s mind wandered to thoughts of her own son, safe in the Centaur village with his father’s family. As she stood there staring at Xena, she couldn’t help but ask herself how she would have reacted if Hope had taken her son’s life as she had taken Solan’s.

"...so don’t expect me to stand here and listen to you talk about Gabrielle." Ephiny’s mind returned to the moment just as Xena finished her last sentence.

Determined to complete her mission, the Amazon retorted, "I’m going to say what I’ve come here to say. Whether or not you listen is for you to decide."

"Ephiny," the warrior’s eyes began to narrow as she raised her sword, "I’d suggest you just go home."

Before the Amazon could make a move, Xena was behind her pressing her blade to her throat. Looking back over her shoulder and into the warrior’s eyes, Ephiny began to speak. "I’m not going anywhere yet. Kill me if you want but know that I will continue to speak as the last drop of blood leaves my body." The warrior released her grip on the Amazon, giving her a shove. "Talk, " she demanded.

"Something has happened to Gabrielle."

"Thanks for letting me know," Xena interrupted her. "Will that be all?"

"Xena, you don’t understand. She’s..."

"Is she dead?"

"No, she’s not dead. She..."

"She’s not dead which must mean she’s still alive. Deal with her yourself. She’s your queen and, frankly, I don’t want to be responsible for her anymore."

"She was abducted from the village and...," Ephiny grew impatient as she struggled to get the words out.

"Do you know where she is now?"

"Yes, she’s been returned. We found her but..."

"She’s back? Great. Glad to hear it. Now, goodbye," Xena snapped, growing increasingly annoyed.

Ephiny, in her frustration and desperation, released the words, hurling them at the warrior. "Xena, she was raped and beaten by Draco and Allmar!"

She stood in silence studying the expression on the warrior’s face. Xena’s blood ran cold as she turned her back to Ephiny, her heart pounding as though it were trying to escape from her chest. "There’s something else you need to know...," the Amazon’s tone grew cautious. "Xena...Gabrielle was a virgin."

"But Perdicus?," confused, Xena spoke in a whisper as her mind began to wage war against itself, pitting thought against thought, emotion against emotion. As she stood there, every moment she and the bard had ever shared flashed before her eyes. Spinning around inside her mind, making her dizzy, relentlessly clawing at her soul. She placed both of her hands on the tree in front of her in an attempt to steady herself as sweat began to trickle down her face.

Ephiny, now moving toward the tormented warrior, stopped in her tracks when Xena began to speak. "Solan?," her eyes glistened as she made her way to the edge of the cliff. The Amazon’s heart raced as her legs took control of the rest of her body, carrying her up the hill, pushing her toward the warrior. She had just reached the top when Xena jumped, hurling herself over the side of the mountain. "No Xena! Don’t!" Ephiny’s voice rang out to no avail.

The Amazon, still lying on the ground where she had fallen in her attempt to grab the warrior, crawled toward the edge of the cliff and looked over. Xena was gone. And she would have to deliver the news to her queen.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Ephiny reached the Amazon village early in the morning just before sunrise. Unable to sleep and desperately worried about Gabrielle, she had decided to travel by night, stopping only long enough to allow her horse to feed and rest. After closing the door to the stables, she slowly made her way to her hut. "Gabrielle?," she said her name so softly she could barely hear herself speak. But the bard wasn’t there.

Upon opening the door to Gabrielle’s hut, she found her queen sleeping peacefully. Exhausted, she sank to the floor, resting her back against the bard’s bed. She sat in the dark agonizing over the task she would soon be forced to undertake until, finally, she drifted into sleep.

Sensing the warmth on her neck, Ephiny opened her eyes. The bard leaned over the side of the bed, wrapping her arms around her friend’s shoulders. "I’m glad you’re back," she said, a barely visible smile adorning her face.

"How are you feeling?" Ephiny asked, trying to ignore the sweat pouring from the palms of her own hands.

"I’m starting to feel better. I can walk on my own now. That’s an accomplishment," the bard made a half-hearted attempt to recapture her sense of humor.

"Gabrielle," the Amazon’s voice began to shake. "I need to talk to you."

"About what?," her tone grew cautious.

Though she tried, Ephiny was unable to tell her what had happened on the mountain. Ravaged by the guilt which had already begun to paint her soul black, she uttered the only words she was able to muster. "We’ll meet in my hut later, after I’ve had a chance to bathe and change my clothes. Let me take a look at your wounds before I go."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Gabrielle arrived at Ephiny’s hut to find her friend on her knees, her head bowed, whispering something that she couldn’t quite make out. "Ephiny?" She placed her hand on the Amazon’s shoulder, gently caressing her soft muscular skin.

"Artemis...I was talking to Artemis." Her words were gentle and her demeanor unusually humble as she looked up at her love, longing to deliver her from what was soon to be her darkest hour. As she confided in the moon goddess, she came to accept that it was her burden to tell the bard of the events that had occurred on the mountain and the role she had played in the death of the Warrior Princess.

Burning inside her, clawing at her soul, the questions tormented her mind. Had she betrayed Gabrielle, casting her trust aside, falsely convincing herself that her intentions were pure--that her purpose was to reunite the bard and the warrior? Had she truly wished to return with Xena or against her? Had she hoped against hope that the warrior would deny her queen at the time when she needed her most? Was it possible that she had secretly longed to tell Gabrielle of the warrior’s heartless response in the face of her anguish, expelling Xena from the bard’s soul, leaving a void to be filled...a pathway through which she could claim Gabrielle for herself? She wondered if she had subconsciously conspired to destroy her love, breaking her into pieces so that she could put her together again...at her own discretion.

"What did you want to talk to me about?," the bard’s words interrupted the battle ensuing in her mind. The Amazon, rising from her knees, placed her hands on the Queen’s shoulders and gazed into her eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of her soul. She stood before her love, her own heart breaking at the thought of causing her more pain, her mouth determined to hold the words captive. Tears began to swell in her eyes as she placed her fingertips on the bard’s bruised face before wrapping her in her arms, pulling her close. "I love you so much," Ephiny’s words came in a whisper, settling in the softness of the bard’s hair. "I love you too, Ephiny," Gabrielle sighed, tightening her arms around the Amazon’s waist, "I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here with me."

"I’ll always be with you," she spoke as her hands made their way down the bard’s arms before taking her hands in her own.

"I can tell something’s bothering you. You’ve done so much for me. Let me help you." A tear escaped the Amazon’s eye as the words fell on her ears.

"I’ve always admired your strength, you know. After all you’ve been through, somehow you find it within yourself to want to help someone else. I wish you could see yourself as others see you, love yourself as others love you."

"Speaking of loving oneself...," the long-lost devilish grin momentarily returned to the bard’s face.

"Don’t go there, Gabrielle," the Amazon blushed, a vague smile forcing its way through her tears.

The two women, now lost in their embrace, nearly snapped their own necks when they abruptly turned their heads, diverting their eyes toward the door as it began to swing open. The Amazon instinctively picked up her sword and moved in front of the unarmed bard. "Xena?," the two women spoke in unison. The warrior’s eyes locked on Gabrielle as Ephiny’s weapon slipped from her trembling hands.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The god and the goddess hovered over each other, evidence of their powers revealed in the icy blue weapons they held in the palm of their hands. "Callisto, the gods despise you as mortals do. You’re a wanna-be. A makeshift goddess with no real purpose," Ares snarled.

"You were hating me that afternoon when I was in Xena’s body? Pity everyone doesn’t hate the way you do." The goddess held her hand over her head prepared to strike as she flashed her trademark smile.

"The Warrior Princess is in the Amazon village, Callisto. Are you able to comprehend what that could mean?"

"Ah, yes. She’s gone back to claim her precious Gabrielle..."

"My goal is for her to return to me, not to Gabrielle. And you...," the god, obviously annoyed, paused before continuing. "If you advocate Xena’s happiness, then let her reunite with her worthless bard. See where it gets you. Bask in the glow of the warrior’s bliss if you will, but I refuse to let her go."

The goddess lowered her arm, the fiery blue ball vanishing from her hand, and made her way across the grass until she stood face to face with the God of War. Placing her arms around his waist and her lips within inches of his, she asked, "So, Ares my darling, what are we to do about it?" Visions of the passion he and the goddess had once shared overcame the god as their mouths came together, each seeking to devour the other.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The warrior was obviously overwhelmed by the sight of the bruises and cuts on the bard’s face. She looked down for a moment, collecting herself before she started to speak. "Ephiny, can I speak with you outside?"

"Ye...uh...yes, sure," the Amazon, still stunned, managed. "Gabrielle, will you be alright?" The bard, also flustered, nodded in approval. Ephiny and Xena made their way outside, leaving Gabrielle alone to wrestle with her thoughts. Uncertain whether the warrior would even speak to her before she rode away again, she began to formulate the words she might say in case she did. What could she say, if anything, to atone for her mistakes--mistakes which had cost Xena’s son his life? And how could she face her after what had happened with Draco and Allmar? But, most of all, what would she do if the warrior turned and walked away from her once more? Her tears began to flow as she reflected on the recent past. How could she have allowed this to happen? How could she have caused her love such pain?

Outside the hut, Xena addressed the Amazon. "Ephiny, I’m sorry about the way I treated you. I let my rage get the best of me. I let my pain overpower me..."

"Xena," the Regent stopped her before she could get any further. "I understand the love a mother has for her child. And, honestly, I don’t know that I would have handled myself much differently than you did if I’d been in your position." Her mind drifted as she spoke, recalling the day Xenon was born. The warrior had brought him into the world, freeing him from her womb when he was unable to free himself. She remembered Xena’s concern and the smile on her face as she placed the newborn safely in his mother’s arms.

"I...I came to be with Gabrielle. How is she?," the warrior continued.

"Her body is beginning to heal, but her mind...well, that’s another story."

"Do you think she’ll want to see me?"

"I know she will."

"I hurt her so badly, Ephiny. I can’t tell you how deeply I regret that."

"Go to her. Tell her. She needs you right now," the Amazon wrapped her arms tightly around the warrior, holding her close for a moment, before loosening her grip. "Xena? How did you survive that fall?," the lines on her forehead became more pronounced, revealing her astonishment.

"Solan. Ephiny, he came to me," the warrior’s eyes widened and her voice became more zealous as she spoke. "He helped me to see things...," she paused, tears forming in her eyes. "He gave me the ability to understand...I have to face Gabrielle."

"I’ll spend tonight in Gabrielle’s hut. You two take your time. If there’s anything I can do, Xena...," the Amazon offered a warm smile before she turned and walked away.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Your plan has potential. Mine is better...but I’m feeling unusually cooperative today so we’ll go with yours. You’ll get your warrior and I’ll get satisfaction," Callisto’s delight was evident in her voice. "I can hear her heart breaking now. Sweet music to my ears!"

"You’ve got to do your part as planned," the God of War reminded her. "Xena mustn’t know what’s going on and, if I’m right, Gabrielle isn’t going to tell her. Don’t underestimate her. Timing is everything, my dear."

"Come on, Ares. She’s good, but she’s not that good!," the goddess blurted out.

"If she wasn’t that good, I wouldn’t be so adamant about having her on my side."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The bard lifted her head as the warrior entered the hut. "Gabrielle?"

"Xena...," the only word she could manage before gentle sobs transformed into uncontrollable weeping. The warrior, hesitating only because she was afraid the bard would deny her, cautiously moved across the room, kneeling beside her on the floor. "Gabrielle?," she repeated. "Look at me...please."

The bard lifted her eyes to meet the warrior’s, terrified that she would demand an explanation for the bruises on her face. But Xena took her in her arms without uttering a word. Holding her love as close as she could, the bard found the ability to speak. "I’m so sorry, Xena. I never wanted to hurt you...," her gasps for air, the result of her intense crying, brought her words to a halt.

"Gabrielle, I’m sorry I left you...sorry that I wasn’t here when you needed me," the warrior’s tears mingled with the bard’s as she placed her cheek next to hers, gently kissing her bruised face.

The two women stayed up talking until Gabrielle, exhausted from the day’s events, fell asleep in her chair. After relocating the weary bard to the bed, the warrior settled into her bedroll on the floor, thankful to be reunited with the one who had held her heart for so long.

It was nearly noon the next day and Ephiny hadn’t seen Gabrielle or the warrior. She knew Xena was still in the village as she had checked the stables earlier and Argo was still there. Not knowing whether or not either of them was awake, she placed the tray of food on the ground before gently tapping on the door and heading off to soak in the hot springs and sort her thoughts. Though she was happy that the woman she loved would be whole again, she began to mourn the death of her own dreams of having a future with the bard. She would always love her, but the fates had other plans for Gabrielle...plans that didn’t include her...at least, not as she had hoped. She thanked Artemis for watching over her queen, for sending someone who could restore the bard’s soul, for sparing her the task of telling Gabrielle of the warrior’s demise.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Inside Ephiny’s hut, the bard opened her eyes and struggled to free herself from the blankets, before frantically leaping out of bed. The warrior, obviously startled, jumped up from her bedroll. "What’s the matter, Gabrielle?"

"Xena. Thank the gods. I was afraid you weren’t really here...that yesterday was only a dream," again the bard’s tears found their way to her eyes.

"I’m right here, Gabrielle," Xena’s voice and loving embrace chased away her tears.

"Is that food on the table?," the bard asked through a crooked smile.

"Yep, that’s food. I found it outside the door," she answered, clearly pleased to know that Gabrielle’s appetite was still healthy.

"Ephiny...," the bard thought aloud upon seeing the variety of delectables, her affection for the Amazon reflected in her voice. "She’s taken good care of me, Xena."

"I know," she responded, flashing a warm smile, before popping a piece of apple into Gabrielle’s mouth. "Eat. I’ll put fresh bandages on your wounds when you finish." The warrior cringed at her last statement, knowing that Gabrielle was trying to avoid discussing the rape. Visibly troubled, the bard merely glanced at her as she continued to pick at her food.

Xena finished dressing the bard’s arm and tending to the other visible cuts on her body before reluctantly asking, "Are there more?" Gabrielle looked at the floor, biting her bottom lip, trying not to cry. "Gabrielle," she felt a wave of apprehension wash over her body as she spoke. "I know what happened," she admitted.

"Ephiny told you?!," the bard’s elevated tone surprised the warrior. "She shouldn’t have told you, Xena. I didn’t want you to know."

"Ephiny’s the reason I’m here, Gabrielle. She found me on the mountain and..."

"I wasn’t going to tell you!," the Queen screamed, her tears beginning to flow freely.

"It wasn’t your fault. You know that...don’t you?," she asked as she reached for her.

"Don’t touch me!" Confused by the bard’s reaction, the warrior backed away from her.

"Gab..."

"I don’t want anyone near me right now, Xena. Please...just leave me alone."

The bard had been alone in the hut most of the day. She reached for the candle on the table as the sun would be setting soon. Before she laid a hand on it, the flame appeared on its own. Bewildered, she moved closer, mesmerized by the flame.

"Boo!," the voice arrived ahead of its owner. Just as Gabrielle was certain that the furies had cursed her with madness, Callisto made her appearance. "Now listen to my story "bout Gabrielle," the goddess began to chant. "Irritating bitch with the banged-up outer shell. It’s such a big disgrace. Her story’s kinda crass. They marred her perfect breasts while they took her perfect... ," her laughter roared through the room as she vanished, taking the light of the candle with her.

"Gabrielle?," Xena’s voice soon replaced the visitor’s as she, Ephiny, and Charis hovered over the bard, now on her knees screaming so loudly that her throat felt raw. "Gabrielle, what happened?," Xena probed while the two Amazons looked on in silence, Ephiny’s eyes growing glassy. "Eph...Ephiny. Charis...help..help me get her up," the warrior stammered as she spoke.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"The fish just don’t like me, Xena," the bard declared as she pulled her line out of the water and sat down on a log next to the warrior.

"It’s not that they don’t like you. They just sense that you don’t really want to catch them," the warrior teased, making reference to Gabrielle’s tendency to apologize to the fish as she removed them from the end of her line.

"Well, I’m going to take great pleasure in cutting the heads off those suckers today," the bard insisted. "I’ve been here all morning and all I’ve managed to get is wet. Besides, I’ve found that fish is always better when you catch it," she focused her eyes on the approaching Amazon as she spoke.

"Catch anything?," Ephiny asked, returning her queen’s enthusiastic embrace. Xena looked on, taking notice of how comfortable Gabrielle appeared to be in the Amazon’s arms. For the past couple of weeks, the warrior sensed that the bard, who at one time settled easily into her embrace, had become wary of her touch. Her heart grew heavy with the thought of Gabrielle pulling away from her. It seemed to begin shortly after she told her that she knew what Draco and Allmar had done to her. And though she tried, she couldn’t quite figure out why she seemed to be withdrawing from her during the most difficult time in her life.

The warrior’s thoughts soon turned to the conversation she was having with Ephiny concerning the art of fishing as Gabrielle excused herself, making her way to the river’s edge. Cooling her feet in the water, she focused on her reflection shimmering in the sunlight. From behind her, the warrior tossed a large rock into the water just in front of her feet. Xena and the Amazon laughed as the impact of the rock sent water into the air, soaking the Queen. "You’ll pay for that later," Gabrielle warned before shifting her eyes back to her rippling reflection. She watched in amazement as the tiny waves calmed themselves only to emerge again. After the cycle had repeated itself several times, she noticed that her reflection seemed to be distorted by more than the impact of the rock. Kneeling to take a closer look, she realized that the image in the water no longer belonged to her. She found herself staring into the eyes of Draco as the familiar sound of Callisto

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The glow from the fire bounced off their faces, as the warrior and the Amazon sat next to each other, not far from the Queen’s hut where Gabrielle slept. Ephiny had taken up residency in the hut shortly after the bard gave her the honor of leading her village in her absence. The Regent had hoped that her queen would resume her duties upon returning to the village. Though the bard had been considering reclaiming the mask, in light of her recent trials, she had yet to do so. Ephiny knew that Xena’s return would likely mean that she would continue to rule in Gabrielle’s absence for it was doubtful that the two would choose to settle in the village, or settle in any one place, for that matter.

"I want to help her get through this, but she won’t let me. This is one of the few times in my life that I don’t have a solution," the warrior’s frustration was evident in her voice as she addressed the Regent.

"She’s having a hard time getting over what those bastards did to her," the Amazon’s face grew cold as she spoke. "I sent a search party to find them...to kill them...but they failed to locate them. Gabrielle doesn’t know this but I’ve since sent another. Their orders are to bring them back alive so that they can be tried according to Amazon law. I suppose even worthless scum deserve justice."

"Justice? I’ll show them justice. After what they did to Gabrielle, their justice will be to bleed to death at the end of my sword," the warrior spoke without moving her mouth, her jaw beginning to tighten as the rage swept through her body.

"I sent the best we have, Xena. They’ll find them," she assured her, knowing that in her heart she hoped the warrior would find them first.

Xena’s blood began to boil at the thought of those swine violating her bard, the pit of her stomach churning with repulsion as she longed for the day when Gabrielle would be well enough for her to leave the village long enough to take care of Draco and Allmar. She kept reaching out, searching for the Gabrielle she once knew, her hatred for the warlords augmenting each time the bard pushed her away. "Ephiny?," the warrior focused her eyes on the Amazon.

"You said Gabrielle was a virgin. How..."

"She spoke to me about her wedding night while we were preparing for...," the Amazon paused as she considered the peculiarity of what she was about to say. "While we were preparing for your funeral," she continued. "She told me that she and Perdicus never made love that night. She said she was too nervous and that, when she explained that to him, he suggested that they spend their first night together talking. She said he was very understanding and that he told her there would be plenty of time for them to consummate their marriage. She told him stories until the sun came up...," the Amazon’s words suddenly faded. It wasn’t her place to tell Xena that the Warrior Princess was the subject of the stories she told her husband that night.

"Then Callisto killed Perdicus...," the warrior thought aloud, wishing that Gabrielle loved her the way she had loved Perdicus. For so long she had kept her love for the bard to herself, longing to reveal her feelings yet fearing she would somehow lose what they had if she did. To be with her bard was enough for the warrior. Though she wanted so much more, she’d give up anything just to continue to walk beside her. "Has she told you anything about what happened to her?," she asked as she emerged from her thoughts.

"No. She hasn’t. I’ve tried to help her deal with this, but she insists on fighting this battle alone."

"There must be some way to bring her back...," the warrior paused briefly, concentrating on the incident that had taken place by the river earlier. "What do you make of these episodes she’s been having? I asked her what triggered the one this afternoon but, as usual, she wouldn’t tell me anything."

"She won’t discuss it with me either...but something is setting her off."

"Ephiny? Does she let you get close to her?"

"What do you mean?," the Amazon’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered if the warrior had detected her feelings for Gabrielle.

"Does she...," her words were delayed as she contemplated the best way to express her thoughts without giving herself away. "Does she let you get near her...physically?," she managed, nearly choking on her words as the image of the embrace she had witnessed between the Amazon and the bard played on her mind.

"Well...yes, I guess she does," she answered, her stomach slowly making it’s way to her throat, as she added, "Why do you ask?"

"I don’t know. Lately she...," Xena chose her words cautiously. "She’s been...distant. Especially since I told her that I knew about the rape. It’s like she doesn’t want me to get too close to her. It’s almost as though she’s afraid of me."

"She’s been through a lot. She just needs time to heal," the Amazon assured her.

"Maybe...," she wasn’t entirely convinced that it was that simple. "Thank you for taking care of her, Ephiny. I can never repay you for all you did for her while I was..."

"I love her, Xena." Hoping she hadn’t been conspicuous, the Amazon quickly added, "I’d lay down my life for my queen."

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Who’s there?," the bard asked as she cautiously crawled out of bed and made her way across the dark room. Once her staff was in her hands, her voice grew more severe. "Show yourself!" The figure appeared as a silhouette, a man standing against the wall. "What’s your purpose?," the silhouette asked, revealing itself as the God of War.

"Ares?," the bard looked perplexed. "What do you want? Didn’t your goons do enough damage?"

"I asked you a question. What’s your purpose? Specifically, what is it about yourself that makes you think you’re deserving of Xena’s loyalty? And, while I’m asking, what makes you believe that she’ll ever love you the way you love her?"

"How is that your business? Are you handling Aphrodite’s affairs now?," the bard’s adopted a sarcastic tone.

"You’re obviously in a nasty mood, so I’ll make this short and to the point." The god moved closer to her, so close she could feel his breath on her face as he spoke. "You have nothing to offer Xena. My men robbed you of the only worthwhile thing you ever had to give to her. I didn’t require them to do what they did. They did it on their own. However...it is important that you realize the consequences of their actions. They defiled you, reduced you to nothing more than a filthy harlot. Xena deserves better. But then...you already know that."

"Go to Tartarus!," the bard shouted at the god, thrusting her staff into his gut just as he disappeared from her sight. Glancing out the window, she noticed Xena heading for the hut. Not wanting her to know about the God of War’s visit, she quickly climbed into bed, pulling the blankets over her head.

Xena prepared her bedroll before leaning over to kiss the bard’s cheek, whispering a gentle, "I love you." Pretending to be asleep, Gabrielle fought the urge to ask the warrior to sleep in the bed next to her. Although she longed to feel the warmth of her embrace, she found herself unable to utter the words.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Xena, may I have a word with you?," the Amazon called out from the edge of the trees as she dismounted her horse. The warrior made her way over to Ephiny, leaving the eight Amazons she had been working with to finish stacking the wood for the funeral fire. Charis’ sister, Larah, had left the village just before Winter Solstice to return to Athens to care for an ailing friend. The disease turned out to be both contagious and fatal, killing her friend before rapidly sweeping through her own body, taking out her organs one by one. Ephiny sent for her corpse and, upon its return, scheduled the funeral for the this evening.

"Yes?," the warrior addressed the Amazon.

"My search party has returned. Xena...," Ephiny hesitated. "They brought Draco and Allmar with them."

"Where are they?," the warrior snarled, her eyes narrowing. "And does Gabrielle know they’re here?"

"No, she doesn’t know yet. I thought we would tell her after Larah’s funeral. Xena, they’re to be dealt with according to Amazon law. I’d like to rip them to shreds myself and, without a doubt, their punishment will be death. But, out of respect for Larah, I’ve scheduled the trial for tomorrow. The funeral will be at dusk today. The warlords will receive their punishment tomorrow at noon," the Amazon asserted.

Xena verbally agreed to Ephiny’s terms. She knew there was no use arguing with her over the matter. Yet she was mindful of the fact that the funeral would distract the Amazons long enough for her to take care of Draco and Allmar herself.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The warrior sat outside the bard’s hut, sharpening her sword as she waited for the sun to set. "Xena, you never sharpen your sword this early in the evening," Gabrielle observed.

"I was just looking for something to do to kill time." The warrior was growing restless as she awaited the opportunity to rid the Amazons--and the bard of the two warlords currently held captive in the hut at the north edge of the village.

"I feel so bad for Charis. She loved her sister so much," Gabrielle said pensively.

"I heard her ask Ephiny to sing in her place tonight," the warrior mentioned matter-of-factly, attempting to find out where the Amazon would be so that she could be certain to maneuver around her.

"Yes, I think she did...," the bard’s words dissolved as she thought about the last funeral fire she had observed. The way she and the warrior had stood side by side, yet so far apart there seemed to be an immense gorge separating their souls from one another. Each in agony, watching the body of her only child swallowed up by the hungry flames. "It’s almost time, Xena. You coming?"

"You go ahead. I’ll be right behind you," the warrior answered, feeling bad for lying to the bard. With that, the Queen headed toward the center of the village to take her place among her Amazons.

The sounds of drums and chanting filled the air as the smoke from the fire wafted through the night sky. Xena’s dagger ripped through the back side of the hut creating a passage more than large enough for her to crawl through. Before the prisoners detected her presence, she reached through the bars on the cage that held them, thrusting the tainted darts into their backs, sending the two into a deep sleep. "You two are coming with me," she growled through a wicked grin as she secured ropes around the bars. Upon ensuring that the ropes would hold long enough for her to get the warlords away from the village, she climbed on Argo, giving the horse the command. "Yah!," her blended with the sounds emanating from the center of the village. Dragging the cage behind her horse, the warrior rode into the night.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"So, Xena thinks she can solve her problem by taking out Draco and Allmar," Ares smirked. "I must admit, blood on the hands of the warrior inspires me, no matter what the reason behind it."

"I’d me more inspired if the blood was her own," Callisto spitefully noted. "But then I do believe I hear the faint sound of Xena’s heart beginning to crack. Her precious Gabrielle can’t keep her mind off...what were their names? Oh, yes. Draco and Allmar. What a pair. Anyway, our gentle reminders seem to be working and that’s all that matters."

"I do think we’ve managed to cheapen the bard’s opinion of herself. It won’t be long now before she realizes she’s not worthy of Xena...or anyone else for that matter. And when she does, the warrior will have no one to turn to but me," the God of War boasted.

"Do you suppose dear Gabrielle might decide to take her own life?," Callisto sounded hopeful.

"The bard is, without a doubt, nearing the edge. Now all we have to do is push her over," the god’s words echoed in the air as he took his leave.

"You could at least say goodbye!" Her hands on her hips, the goddess directed the comment to the empty space where the god had been standing.

Part II

Gabrielle joined Ephiny and Charis next to the fire. "I’m so sorry," she offered her condolences to Charis who was leaning against Ephiny, the pain of her loss revealing itself on her face.

"She was an extraordinary woman. A proud Amazon. That’s how she would want to be remembered," Charis responded, burying her head in Ephiny’s chest as her tears began to resurface.

"You should get some rest," Ephiny suggested as she held her mourning friend.

"I know. I will...Thank you both," Charis answered, her lips meeting Ephiny’s in a fleeting kiss, before she turned and walked away, glancing over her shoulder at the fire which enveloped her sister’s body.

"Have you seen Xena?," the bard turned to address the Amazon, a puzzled look on her face.

"Not since before the funeral...," Ephiny’s eyes widened as she took off running toward the prisoners’ hut.

"Ephiny! Where are you going? What’s the matter?," the bard called out as she ran behind her.

"Gods! I knew it!," the Amazon exclaimed upon discovering the now damaged, empty hut. Pacing back and forth she began talking to herself. "Where in Tartarus did she take them? Why couldn’t she have just waited until tomorrow?"

"What’s tomorrow?," the befuddled bard inquired. "And where’s Xena? Ephiny?," she placed her hands firmly on the Amazon’s shoulders, looking her squarely in the eyes, "What’s going on?"

"Gabrielle, I need you to prepare yourself for what I’m about to tell you," Ephiny directed the bard as she guided her to a barrel, motioning for her to sit. "Gabrielle," she continued. "I sent out a search party weeks ago with orders to find Draco and Allmar." The bard winced at the mention of the two men’s names. "We were holding them captive in this hut until tomorrow when..."

"They were here in the village?!," the bard was now visibly shaken. "Why didn’t you tell me?! Why didn’t Xena tell me? Ephiny, I deserved to know."

"We were going to tell you tonight after the funeral. We didn’t want to upset you, Gabrielle. We both know what a difficult time you’ve had dealing with...what happened."

"Are you sure Xena has them? What am I saying? Of course she has them," the bard thought aloud. "What do you think we should do about it?"

"That decision is rightfully yours to make. I’m only acting on your behalf. You’re still our queen." The bard stood and walked to the back of the hut, peering through the hole into the woods. "Let her have them. If we go after her, we’ll only kill them ourselves tomorrow. They’re going to die either way."

The Amazon found satisfaction in knowing that Xena would avenge the attack on her queen. There was no doubt in her mind that it would be done. She only wished that she could get a crack at them. The skin on her back began to crawl as she remembered the way she found Gabrielle that day in the cabin. She despised those men for what they had done to her love. The scars on the bard’s back and arm were constant reminders, serving to exacerbate the Amazon’s hatred of the men who had put them there. Though her wounds were almost healed, the fire in Gabrielle’s eyes had yet to return and Ephiny loathed the warlords for robbing her of that flame the same way she loathed the God of War the role he had played in the attack.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The bard lay awake in her hut, the first entire night she would spend alone since the incident. Worried about the warrior and needing time alone to think, she had assured Ephiny that she would be fine on her own. She knew Xena was more than capable of handling herself against the warlords, but still she couldn’t help being concerned. She had always worried about her when she was away no matter what she was doing. And tonight, like every other night she had spent away from her love, she prayed to Artemis for her safe return as she told herself she would send out a search party if she didn’t return soon enough.

As she lay there in the dark, the bard’s mind was flooded with thoughts of the warrior. She reflected on the time they had spent together, trying to pinpoint the exact moment she had fallen in love with her. As the images progressed, she began to think about the recent weeks since Xena’s return. Though she loved her more than ever, she found it increasingly difficult to convey her affection. She had seen the hurt look in the warrior’s eyes when she, sometimes literally, pushed her away. She realized that she had been cutting their embraces short, walking away when she reached for her, making up excuses when Xena asked her why.

The bard honestly didn’t know why or exactly what it was that she was feeling. She only knew that, right now, she couldn’t allow herself to be too close to the warrior for too long. At the same time, she longed for her love. She yearned to feel her arms around her, the sweet sensation of her caress. But each time she was given the opportunity, some unknown force from within seemed to tear her away. Her guilt was beginning to gnaw at her insides. Xena didn’t deserve to be treated this way. Why was she denying the warrior over and over again when all she really wanted was to spend eternity lost in her eyes?

"There is a curse on your head," Ares suddenly appeared. "And as long as you remain with her, Xena will share in your misfortune. Maybe you aren’t aware of this but, though she tries to hide it, she finds you revolting. The idea of spending the rest of her life with a tramp turns her stomach. Why do you suppose she’s so determined to get rid of Draco and Allmar? Do you think she’s doing it for your sake? The truth of the matter is that she can’t stand knowing that your former...let’s just call them admirers...might have actually brought pleasure to your body, pleasure you consistently withhold from her."

"Go away! Find someone else to torment!," the bard loudly protested as she threw her pillow at the god. She had intended to get up and retrieve her staff, only to find that she had no strength in her legs. The agony she had experienced during Draco and Allmar’s assault came back to her, tormenting her body. She felt everything they had done to her as sharply as if it were happening again at that moment. Finally overpowered by the pain, the bard screamed in agony so loudly that Ephiny, sound asleep in her own hut, was awakened by her cries. The Amazon ran barefoot across the dusty ground, sword in hand, hastening the god’s departure as she entered Gabrielle’s hut. "What’s going on?," she anxiously asked as she sat next to the bard on the bed, pulling her tearful queen close to her. "What’s causing this, Gabrielle? What’s happening to you?"

"It’s nothing," the bard’s physical pain had vanished as quickly as it had originated. "Just a bad dream," she tried to regain her composure.

"I know you better than that. There’s something you’re not telling me," the Amazon placed her hands on the bard’s tearstained cheeks. "Gabrielle, I can’t help you if you won’t let me."

"Don’t get involved, Ephiny. I have to deal with this myself. I caused it. I have to be the one to take care of it."

"Caused what? Gabrielle? You’re not blaming yourself for what happened?"

"Ephiny, don’t you get it?! I’m a whore! I have nothing to offer Xena or you or anyone! I wanted to love her! I wanted her to love me, but I can’t even hug her without...," the bard’s ranting suddenly gave way to an eery calm. "I’ve been fooling myself...and Xena. I thought I could make her happy, but I realize now that I can’t. I can’t even make myself happy. I’ve become a different person. A dark person with a dark soul. I can’t expect Xena to settle for that. Ephiny, I’ve lost my purpose." Crestfallen, she looked into the Amazon’s eyes only briefly before moving from the bed to a chair by the window.

"You’re strong enough to overcome this, Gabrielle. You..."

The muscles in the bard’s face and neck tightened as she stood to face the Amazon, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. "They held me down--took turns with me. Laughed when I bled." The bard gritted her teeth as her rage began to pour from her body. "They made me do things...say things while they tortured me."

Tears now made their way down Ephiny’s cheeks as she listened to her queen. "They used their daggers, their swords, themselves...and all I could think of was Xena. All I could do was lay there, hoping I would survive and praying to the gods that, if I did, Xena would never find out what happened inside that cabin." The bard ran her forearm across her eyes, angrily swiping at the tears on her face.

Ephiny, still wrestling with her own tears and unable to speak, reached for her queen. "No! Don’t touch me!," the bard’s words resounded as she slapped the Amazon, the intensity of the blow forcing her head to one side. Stunned, Ephiny began to back away, soon finding herself backed against the wall, the bard delivering blow after blow to her chest. Raising her hands only to protect her face, the Amazon remained silent as her queen spun out of control. Gabrielle’s frenzy continued as she pummeled her friend, tears soaking her face as she yelled at the warlords--though they weren’t there to hear it.

When her furor finally subsided and she realized what she was doing, the bard stood paralyzed, staring at her confidant. "The gods. What am I doing?" Clearly as startled by her behavior as Ephiny seemed to be, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around the Amazon, apologizing to her again and again.

After calming the bard, convincing her that she needed her rest, Ephiny remained awake for the rest of the night, keeping vigil over her queen as she slept.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Thank you for staying with me," the bard said upon waking to discover the Amazon sitting in a chair by the window. She then softly placed her hand on Ephiny’s back, her regret of last night’s events showing in her eyes. Noticing the bruise on the Amazon’s face, she whispered, "Can you forgive me?"

"Gabrielle...," she guided the bard into her lap, placing her arms around her chiseled waist. "You don’t owe me an apology. I’m just glad I was here," the Amazon gently kissed her cheek.

The bard rested her head on Ephiny’s shoulder, burying her face in her neck. As they sat, holding each other, she began to wonder why this felt so right. Why did she feel so comfortable in the Amazon’s arms? Why did she recoil from the woman she loved? Why was it so easy to confide in Ephiny, yet recently, so difficult for her to talk to Xena? She had always relied on the warrior for everything. Relished in the moments they spent in each others’ arms. Longed for her embrace. Desired her kiss, her body, her heart, her soul. Even now, wrapped in the arms of another woman, she yearned for her return . She ached to tell her of the love she felt for her. But what if it was too late? What if Xena had grown weary of her evasiveness? What if she remained unable to convey her true feelings to the warrior?

"Gabrielle?" Ephiny’s voice interrupted her thoughts. "I know this is a stupid question, but are you hungry?," she grinned.

"Actually, I’m not hungry...," the bard seemed miles away. "I was just..just thinking about Xena." The smile on the Amazon’s face slowly dissipated. "I hope she’s ok. Ephiny, I haven’t told her how I feel about her yet. Every time I try, I get tongue-tied."

"I’m sure she’s fine. And, when the time is right, you’ll find the words to tell her. I have faith in you," her heart sank as she was reminded that moments like this between her and her bard would soon end. Upon Xena’s return, Gabrielle was certain to tell her of her love for her. And she knew that eventually, the two would leave the village to resume their travels. Though she wished most for her queen’s happiness, the thought of being away from her, the thought of her loving and being loved by someone else hurt the Amazon deeply.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Good morning, boys," Xena addressed the warlords when they woke, squinting as the sun glared in their tired eyes. The warrior’s teeth revealed themselves, her crooked smile making the men uneasy. "I thought we would spend the day together. You’re not busy, are ya?," she slowly circled the cage as she spoke, a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

"What do you want to say, Xena?," Draco yawned, stretching the muscles in his arms. "Because I do have better things to do than watch you prance around and gloat."

"I thought I’d do a little hunting. Great day for hunting, don’t you think?"

"Stop entertaining yourself and unlock this cage, woman. I’m not interested in your games!," Allmar erupted.

"You will be soon enough," Xena responded.

"Xena, you might be able to hold your own with me, but taking on the two of us together? Not one of your more rational plans, even if we are unarmed," Draco informed her.

"Yes, you are unarmed...can’t have that," she stated as she tossed two swords into the cage.

"Now I’m a chakram, a whip, a dagger, and a horse ahead of you---but then," her expression grew harsh. "Considering the advantage you had over my friend when you raped her and beat her into oblivion, I’d say we’re even." She removed her chakram from her waist, sending it slicing through the bars on the cage. The men, as she had expected they would, immediately charged at her. The warrior drew her sword from her back and engaged the two warlords, toying with them, drawing blood but making sure she didn’t cut too deeply. She wanted this to last.

After a while, she grew bored and threw her sword to the ground. "Ayiyiyiyiyiyi!," her warcry rang out as she flipped backwards through the air, landing behind the two warlords. With one smooth sweep of her foot against their ankles, the men found themselves lying face down in the dirt. Another leap landed the warrior on their backs where she stood until she had secured both men with the rope she had stuffed in her boot. She then led the two back to the cage, tying them on the outside of the bars. Holding her dagger against Draco’s throat, she snarled, "This one’s for Gabrielle."

"You’re pathetic," Draco looked the warrior in the eyes. Disgusted by her sentimentality, he attempted to spit in her face. When he missed, he added, "Your reflexes are better than your friends’. I didn’t miss her."

"You worthless bastard," the warrior snapped, slicing Draco’s thigh. "When I’m finished with you, you’re going to wish you’d never laid eyes on Gabrielle."

"I already do," Allmar interjected. "She wasn’t very good," he smirked. "All that screaming and crying..."

"You shut your hole," the warrior was as close to his face as she could get. "Or I’ll shut it myself."

"Speaking of holes...," Draco laughed out loud, not bothering to complete his sentence, his laughter ceasing when he realized that the warrior was holding his tongue in her hand. "No more talking for you," she quipped as she tossed it aside.

"Go ahh harrrara," he attempted to speak.

"Go where? I didn’t quite catch that," Xena grinned, turning to Allmar. The warrior sliced through his shirt, revealing his bare chest. "What color are her eyes?," she asked.

"Whose eyes? What are you talking about?"

"What color are Gabrielle’s eyes?!," the warrior demanded, drawing blood as the point of her dagger pierced the warlord’s neck.

"Blue! Like yours," Allmar guessed.

"Wrong." Xena’s eyes narrowed as she placed the dagger against his chest, cutting off his right nipple. "Next question," she continued as the warlord writhed in pain. "What village is she from?," she folded her arms over her breasts and began to tap her foot on the ground, clearly expecting an answer.

Allmar, hoping to keep the rest of his body parts, blurted out, "Amphipolis!"

"Wrong." Allmar’s left nipple fell to the ground. "One more question...and there’s a lot riding on this one so I’d think about my answer carefully if I were you." She lifted the warlord’s chin with her blade, insisting that his eyes meet her own. "Why did you butcher my friend?," her eyes reflected the animosity she had harbored for weeks.

"I...I didn’t...," the warlord began and then fell silent again.

"Why?!," Xena refused to allow the tears building up behind her eyes to surface.

"Because I knew she’d enjoy it!," his words tore into the warrior.

"Wrong again!," the warrior’s response collided with Allmar’s eardrums as his audacity began to falter. "You didn’t listen to Gabrielle’s cries for help. You refused to hear her pleading. You didn’t listen to her when she begged you to stop. Did you? Did you?!," Xena continued without bothering to wait for an answer. "No. You didn’t listen. And now, I refuse to listen to you." Allmar was horrified when his tongue met the same fate as Draco’s.

Reaching behind her, the warrior picked up her sword and slashed the warlords’ clothing until there was nothing left on their bodies. First one and then the other, she stripped the warlords of their remaining weapons. The weapons they had used against Gabrielle. The weapons that had robbed the bard of her virginity. The weapons that still haunted her love in the night, shredding her soul as they had shredded her flesh that day in the cabin.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The Amazon and the bard had spent most of the afternoon alone in Gabrielle’s hut polishing off more than one wine skin. "She should be here by now," Gabrielle’s concern was evident in her voice.

"Xena can take care of herself. She’ll be back for you. You have to be patient," Ephiny attempted to reassure her queen.

"I know...she’s fine. I just worry..."

"Give her some time. She’s been though a lot," the Amazon reminded her.

"Yes...she has," Gabrielle agreed. "I just wish I had talked to her before she left."

"You’ll get your chance," Ephiny moved closer to her. "Now...what were you getting ready to ask me?," she inquired, referring to the question the bard was about to ask before her mind had been distracted by thoughts of the warrior.

"If this is too personal, you don’t have to answer. I was just wondering...What I wanted to ask was...It’s really none of my business, but..."

"For the sake of the gods, Gabrielle! Just ask me!," the Amazon was amused by the bard’s stall tactics.

"Well...I was just wondering who...I mean, when you lost your virginity..."

"Charis, Gabrielle. I lost my virginity to Charis," she confided. "We were both very young and..."

"Charis? Really?," the bard was clearly surprised.

"She was my first love...and I was hers. We were out hunting and one thing led to another..."

"Was it special to you...to her?"

"Yes...honestly, it was wonderful. I wouldn’t change anything about it even if I could," the Amazon confessed, her mind wondering back to that day in the woods. She hadn’t thought much lately about the relationship she and Charis had once shared. Young and madly in love, they had spent every possible moment together. Learning the Amazon ways during the day, ravaging each others’ bodies in the darkness of night. Noticing the forlorn look on the bard’s face, she quickly added, "It was a meaningful experience, just as it will be for you..."

"But I’m not...they..."

"Gabrielle, what they did to you has nothing to do with what you wanted. You’ve never given yourself to anyone. When you do surrender yourself completely to someone...to Xena...," Ephiny reluctantly inserted, "it will be one of the most enchanted moments of your life."

"Ephiny?," the bard hesitated. "Can I tell you something?"

"You know you can. Anything."

"I’m afraid."

The Amazon placed her hand on the bard’s chin, gently lifting her eyes to meet her own. "What are you afraid of, Gabrielle?"

"I’m afraid of actually being with Xena. I mean, I want to be with her. I want that more than I’ve ever wanted anything...but I’m scared...of what I might feel," the bard admitted, the look of hopelessness on her face tugging at the Amazon’s heart as she longed to take her queen in her arms and chase away all of her doubts and fears.

"Gabrielle, you are one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met," her words were marked with an undeniable earnestness. "I knew that from the first time we met, when I saw you put your life on the line for my fallen sister, someone you didn’t even know. And since...," Ephiny paused briefly before continuing. "Since that time, I’ve grown to respect you, to admire you, to love you more than anything I could say will ever express. You’re one of the most selfless, compassionate, genuine, beautiful women I know and anyone you choose to love should feel honored."

"You really feel that way about me?," the bard, visibly overwhelmed by the Amazon’s words, uttered. Unable to speak through the lump in her throat, the Amazon nodded her head as she gazed at her queen through teary eyes. The bard placed her arms around her, pulling her body close, feeling her breath on her cheek. After praying silently to the gods that she wasn’t about to make the biggest mistake of her life, she covered the Amazon’s mouth with her own. Their kisses were deep as their tongues began to delve into their surroundings, taking in everything, until the bard pulled back without warning. Still in her arms, Gabrielle muttered an apology. "It’s ok, Gabrielle." Ephiny reinforced her hold on her, longing to revive their kiss, but leaving the choice in the bard’s hands.

Gabrielle gently brushed her lips against Ephiny’s as though they were some forbidden delicacy. Just as the Amazon was certain she would die from the torment of her love’s inadvertent teasing, their mouths once again merged. Lost in the moment, Ephiny’s breathing grew rapid as her hands made their way over the bard’s form. "Wait," Gabrielle suddenly blurted out, her body beginning to tremble. The Amazon bridled her passion and placed her hands on the bard’s face, gently caressing her cheeks with the tips of her fingers. She was aware that her queen’s emerging apprehension was based on the fear she felt. Fear of being the object of another’s desire. Fear of what was happening to her body, to her mind as her own fervor began to surface. "Gabrielle...I’m not going to hurt you. I want you to trust me." The Amazon’s words swept over the bard, somehow managing to soothe her.

"I’ve never felt...this before," the bard confessed, not sure how to describe what she was feeling.

"I know," Ephiny whispered, gently kissing the bard. "Don’t try to go through this alone anymore. You don’t have to."

"Ephiny?," Gabrielle uttered before growing silent.

"What is it?"

"I keep seeing their faces...hearing their voices," tears fell from her eyes.

"I know. And you will...until you can find a way to separate yourself from what they did to you. I know it’s hard. I know you’re angry and you have the right to be angry...and frightened." The Amazon, not wanting to push the bard, gently and reluctantly tore herself from her embrace, took her hand, and attempted to guide her over to the chair next to the table.

"No...," the bard froze in her tracks. After remaining still for a moment, she squeezed the Amazon’s hand, leading her in the opposite direction. When they reached the other side of the room, she kissed her again, pulling her onto the bed next to her. "Gods, Ephiny. Help me get them out of my head...please," the bard pleaded, her speech beginning to slur from the effects of the wine. The bard’s reluctance resurfaced only once more as their kisses became more desperate, the Amazon again succeeding to quickly dispel her queen’s uneasiness.

Ephiny began to loosen the strings on the front of the bard’s tunic, only to realize that she was unable to go through with removing it. Images of the warrior invaded her mind as her conscience began to admonish her. She hadn’t intended to take advantage of her queen’s vulnerability, yet she felt that to let this go any further would be to do just that. As much as she wanted to believe it, she knew this wasn’t what the bard wanted. Gabrielle’s heart belonged to Xena. They were meant for each other...destined to walk through life together. Though she had fantasized many times of making love to her, she couldn’t allow her love to submit to her out of fear and certainly not out of drunkenness.

"Ephiny,?" the bard had sensed her hesitation.

"I love you, Gabrielle," the Amazon whispered as she buried her head in the bard’s neck, tracing a path to her ear with her tongue. She realized that she was in over her head. Gabrielle was already uncertain of herself. Ephiny was afraid her love might view her reluctance to continue as blatant rejection. She didn’t want to hurt her and the last thing she wanted to do was magnify her feelings of inadequacy. Sensing the bard’s growing frustration, she searched her cluttered mind for a solution, relishing Gabrielle’s kisses in the meantime. "Gods, Ephiny...," the bard’s voice sounded desperate as she writhed beneath her.

The Amazon’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the dazed look in Gabrielle’s eyes as she stared up at her, wondering why her own hand was between her legs. "Ephiny? What...," she looked confused.

"Gabrielle...who better to confront your passion than you?," she stated, pleased that her words made at least some sense.

"I can’t...in front of you?!" Her reaction nearly sent the Amazon into a fit of laughter.

"I did it in front of you...well almost" struggling to contain herself, Ephiny couldn’t hide the huge grin on her face.

"I guess that’s true...but we’re talking about me!," the bard was obviously giddy from overindulgence.

The Amazon kissed her again, taking in her sweetness as it mingled with the taste of wine. Within moments the bard was, once again, ready to erupt. Ephiny reached down, loosening Gabrielle’s undergarment to allow her access to herself. Gabrielle managed to ask between explosive kisses, "Are...you...sure?"

"Gods, yes, Gabrielle. Yes," the Amazon forced herself to breath as she spoke, her mouth consuming the bard’s.

Gabrielle slowly moved her hand between her own legs and underneath her clothing, hesitating when she realized the Amazon’s eyes were focused on what she was doing. "Ephiny...I don’t think I can..." The Amazon pushed her thigh between Gabrielle’s and gently rocked back and forth against the bard’s hand until it began to move uncoerced. As her passion heightened, the bard moved her mouth down Ephiny’s neck until her tongue found its way to the tops of her breasts, the Amazon’s clothing hindering her efforts. Her mind clouded by the combination of desire and wine, Ephiny fought to resist the urge to take the bard. "I can’t let this happen. This can’t go any further. She doesn’t know what she’s doing," she thought as she moved down, pulling her breasts away from Gabrielle’s hungry mouth.

The bard welcomed each kiss, pushing her tongue deeper into the Amazon’s mouth as her fingers explored their surroundings, making her insane. Ephiny, straddling the bard’s leg, watched as Gabrielle’s undergarment moved in unison with her hand. The movement slowed without stopping as the bard spoke, "Ephiny...let me." She reached for Ephiny’s undergarment, having noticed that her thigh was soaked with the Amazon’s desire. Refusing to allow herself to give in to her own craving, the Regent reached between her own legs, letting out an almost inaudible moan as her fingers sought to provide relief.

Feeling the bard’s body become tense, she tore her mouth away from Gabrielle’s. "Look at me," she spoke through ragged breaths, "I want to see your face." The bard reached her limit, frantically pushing her hand into herself again and again, throwing her head back in ecstasy. As she began to descend, the Amazon sat up and strattled her again. "Not yet," she gasped, her hips moving against her own hand, the friction driving her wild. Gabrielle pressed against herself one last time as the two simultaneously exploded, their cries of pleasure escaping into the air.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The bard woke to find that she was alone. Her head pounding, she grappled with the blankets and stumbled out of bed. Just as she discovered the tray of food on the table, the door to the hut slowly opened. "Morning!", Ephiny nervously blurted out.

"Good morning," the bard croaked, her voice raspy. "My mouth feels like it’s covered in moss."

"I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. I was out searching for cider. Got it!," the Amazon exclaimed, holding the skin full of cider in the air.

"Bless you. And the food looks wonderful...except for whatever that is," the bard pointed to something slimy.

"Snails, Gabrielle. I didn’t figure your stomach would be able to take them this morning, but with you, one can never be certain," she smiled uneasily as she sensed the bard’s discomfort.

"Thank you," she leaned over the table and gave the Amazon a peck on the cheek before pouring two mugs of cider.

"You...you’re welcome,." Ephiny’s mind flashed to the night before as she sat down next to the bard for breakfast. The two ate in virtual silence. Sitting back in their chairs after scoffing down everything in front of them, the tension between them was so thick it was nearly visible. "So...," the Amazon spoke first. "Read any good scrolls lately?" With that, the women burst into laughter, their nervousness finally getting the best of them. When they had laughed so hard for so long that their stomachs began to ache, a knock on the door demanded their attention.

"Come i...i...in," the bard managed.

"Yeah, gods, by all means. Come in," the Amazon said flippantly, nearly rolling on the floor by this time.

"Am I interrupting something?," Charis inquired upon entering the hut. "What did I miss?"

"Noth...nothing," the bard struggled, unable to gain control of herself.

"I’d offer you something to eat, but as you can see, we were really hungry this morning...for some reason," the Amazon, finally rid of her laughter, winked at the bard.

"Actually, Ephiny, I came to ask if you’d like to ride with me while I check the parameters," Charis requested, tickled at the sight of her queen holding her head in pain, still overcome with laughter.

"Yes, I’d like that," the Amazon responded. "Can I meet you shortly? I need to talk to Gabrielle for a moment first."

"Yes, I think somebody needs to talk to her," Charis teased. "I’ll saddle your horse. See you later, Gabrielle!" The bard laughed even harder, tossing her hand in the air in an effort to wave goodbye.

"Gabrielle?," the Amazon tried to keep a straight face as the bard continued to laugh herself into oblivion.

"Hmmm?," she attempted to gain control of herself.

"I want to talk to you later..."

Detecting a hint of concern in her voice, the bard attempted to ease the Amazon’s mind. "Ephiny, everything’s alright." The look in her eyes melted the Regent’s heart as the two embraced, their lips meeting in a tender kiss before she made her way out the door. When she was out of sight, Gabrielle gathered her things and headed for the springs to soak, hoping that the warm water would ease the throbbing pain in her head.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Argo moved at a leisurely pace, carrying the warrior back to the Amazon village. After ridding the warlords of their manhood with a stroke of her sword, she had stood glaring into their eyes, watching the life drain from their bodies. Upon decided that she had avenged Gabrielle’s ordeal to her satisfaction, she picked up her dagger and slit their throats, finishing them off. She then mounted Argo and headed into the woods to set up camp. The days she had spent alone in the forest had been time well spent as she was finally able to make the decision that she knew would permanently alter her life...one way or the other.

For so long the warrior had been certain of her love for Gabrielle and she knew in her heart the bard loved her. What she didn’t know was whether or not the bard loved her enough to commit to spending the rest of her days by her side. The question burned inside her, blistering her insides, her future residing in the bard’s response.

Xena knew that she was going to have to reveal her heart and soul, the essence of her being, to Gabrielle. She understood the significance of her decision and it terrified her. She had never been one to lay all of her cards on the table and, for that reason, she had rarely been defeated. But the bard had managed to get inside her, somehow scaling the fortress she had built around herself, embedding herself in the very core of the warrior.

As she tried to rationalize what she was about to do, she kept telling herself, "She can only say yes or no. Either she’ll share my feelings or she won’t. If she turns me down, she turns me down. Life will continue." Only the warrior wasn’t exactly sure how the latter would be possible. Deep down she knew she was going to be crushed if the bard rejected her love. Yet she was intent on taking the risk. She had to know in any case. Filled with hope, Xena headed toward her destiny.

As the trees grew still, the gentle breeze abruptly disappearing, Argo’s demeanor shifted. "What’s the matter?," the warrior addressed the animal as she reached for her sword. Looking down at the smoldering branch which had fallen just in front of them, she demanded, "Show yourself, Callisto!" The goddess surfaced next to Argo and immediately started in on the warrior. "My, my, Xena, I almost didn’t recognize you with that blood all over your hands."

"If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black," the warrior retaliated before instructing Argo to keep moving.

"Leaving so soon? I haven’t even had a chance to tell you my fascinating news?," the goddess smirked as she trailed along behind the warrior.

"Not interested. But thanks for thinking of me." Her heals nudged Argo’s sides, putting some distance between herself and the goddess.

"Since when are you not interested in Gabrielle?" Callisto, in an instant, repositioned herself in front of the warrior.

"What about her?," Xena half-heartedly asked, not in the mood for the goddess’ nonsense.

"Do you have any idea what she’s been doing while you’ve been away?"

"I’m sure you’re going to tell me," the warrior yawned.

"Let me just say that Gabrielle’s home fire no longer burns for you. Seems somebody snuffed that little flame right out," the goddess snapped her fingers for effect, seemingly exhilarated by her own words. "How I wish you had been there to see them. It was positively...carnal. And I didn’t know the little bard had it in her."

"What are you talking about?," though she tried to conceal it, the look on Xena’s face exposed her concern.

"Why don’t you ask that naughty Amazon friend of yours. What’s her name? Ah yes...Ephiny. I’ve never known dear Gabrielle to call on the gods so many times in one evening." She tossed her head back as she taunted the warrior, "Oh Ephiny! Oh the gods! Yes! Yes! Yes, Ephiny!" The goddess bared her fangs as she added, "Give it to me. Do me. Yadda yadda yadda. I’m sure you get the point."

"You’ve got to be the biggest bitch the world’s ever known," the warrior’s voice dripped with disgust as she coaxed Argo into a full gallop.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The two Amazons rode side by side, the wind whistling through their hair. "Not this time!," Charis called out as her horse pulled ahead of Ephiny’s. "You actually beat me," Ephiny sounded surprised as the two women climbed down off their horses.

"I knew sooner or later I’d find a horse that could outrun yours," Charis laughed.

"Don’t get too cocky. When we get back, we’ll do staffs," the Amazon joked, referring to the fact that she was always able to get the best of her friend when it came to the fighting staff. They tied their horses to a nearby tree and trudged to the top of the hill where they found a place to rest in the shade. Passing a waterskin back and forth, the two continued their conversation. "One of these days, Ephiny, I’ll beat you at staffs the same way my horse beat yours just now," Charis grinned.

"Yeah, yeah," the Amazon shook her head.

"So...how are you, Ephiny? I haven’t seen you much lately?"

"I’m doing well. The question is, how are you?," the Amazon gently brushed her hand across Charis’ forearm. She could tell by the look in her friend’s eyes that she was having a difficult time dealing with the loss of her sister.

"I’m managing," she paused to reflect. "I’ll always miss her. I know that. But I also know that, with time, I won’t miss her in quite the same way that I do now." Abruptly changing the subject, Charis inquired, "Is Gabrielle almost ready to reclaim the mask?"

"I honestly don’t know that she will ever reclaim the mask, Charis," the Amazon sighed. "She’s been through so much...and I don’t think resuming her position as queen is foremost on her mind right now."

"That’s understandable. I was really worried about her for a while, but she seems to be coming around."

"Yes, I think she’s starting to. Gabrielle’s one of the strongest people I know. She’ll pull through this."

"You’ve been spending a lot of time with her," Charis pointed out.

"She needs me right now," the Amazon instinctively attempted to conceal her emotions.

"I’m sure she does," Charis agreed, growing momentarily silent before adding, "I’ve seen the way you look at her."

"What do you mean?," Ephiny’s voice grew soft as she averted her eyes. She had never been able to keep much from her perceptive friend.

"Come on, Ephiny! You don’t have to be an oracle to see that you’re crazy about her!"

"Gods, is it that obvious?," she didn’t bother trying to elude her anymore.

"Maybe not to everyone, but I know you. So how bad is it?," she teased.

"I’m going insane!," the Amazon shouted through laughter as she allowed herself to fall onto her back.

"Sounds serious. Maybe we have something in the medicine hut that will make it go away?," she joked.

"I only wish we did," Ephiny’s tone grew serious as she placed her hands behind her head and stared up at the blue sky.

"But you two always look so happy...so content together?," Charis pressed.

"Looks can be deceiving and, in this case, I assure you that they are...Gabrielle’s heart belongs to someone else."

"Xena?"

"Yep. She’s always loved her...and she always will," Ephiny resigned.

"I can relate," Charis slipped as she blushed crimson. Ephiny gave her a sidelong glance as her friend continued. "You’re not going to fight for her?"

"Charis, Xena’s my friend. And, although she doesn’t assume the title, she’s an Amazon at heart..."

"But I’ve never known you to shy away from anything?"

"She saved my son’s life. She saved my life. And she’s saved Gabrielle’s life more than once and in more than one way. I love her as though she were my own sister. And I can’t betray her. I won’t," Ephiny maintained, tears welling up in her eyes.

"What is it, Ephiny? What else is going on?," she inquired, noticing the distraught look on her face.

"I have to talk to her," the Regent appeared to be far away as she stood and headed back down the hill. "You coming?," she called out to her friend who was still seated in the grass.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"All alone? I thought you’d be playing with your little friend," Callisto sneered upon materializing seated on the table in Gabrielle’s hut.

"Get your bogus goddess butt off my grapes!" The bard’s audacity temporarily stunned the goddess.

"Do you ever stop eating?!," Callisto was clearly irked as she attempted to wipe the grape juice off her backside.

"Do you ever stop acting like a yahoo?," the bard scoffed, popping another grape into her mouth.

"Is that any way to treat a guest? After all, I only came to check on the lovebirds."

"You came for the same reason you always do, Callisto. To annoy me. Well, it’s not going to work anymore. Talk until your face turns blue, but I’m not sticking around to hear it," the bard declared as she grabbed her staff and headed for the door.

"How long do you suppose it’s going to take Xena to find out about your little tryst, Gabrielle?," the goddess unveiled her toothy grin.

Without saying a word, the irate bard turned her staff on the goddess, landing a ferocious blow across the back of her neck. Callisto’s laughter rang out as her indestructible form deflected the attempt, sending a powerful jolt through Gabrielle’s body as the goddess made her exit.

The bard sent her staff sailing through the air toward the door as she began to rant. "That...that...that thing! What in Tartarus does she want with me?! Doesn’t she have anything better to do?! If she shows her face here again, I’ll break her scrawny neck!"

"Umm...Gabrielle? Who are you talking too?," Ephiny asked upon entering the hut.

"No one. I was just practicing my moves," she attempted to conceal the truth as she spun her staff behind her back, knocking the candle off the table.

"Did those grapes attack you?," the Amazon pointed to the smashed fruit covering the table.

"Uh...the grapes...yep. They can be nasty little suckers sometimes," the bard laughed nervously.

"Gabrielle...," she fought to maintain a serious look. "Please tell me what’s going on."

"Well...I’ve been...," the bard delayed. "I’ve had some unexpected visitors lately," she finally told her.

"Visitors?," the Amazon raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Ares and Callisto."

"What do they want?," her eyes narrowed as her suspicion emerged.

"Since Draco and Allmar’s attack, Ares and Callisto have been harassing me. They’re just trying to get to me, Ephiny. I know that...and I guess I let them for a while. But I’m ok now. Really. I can handle them."

"I can’t say that it surprises me that they’d want to rattle your cage. After all, what better way to get to Xena?," the Amazon tripped over her last statement.

"Ephiny...," the bard began reluctantly. "Can we talk about something else right now?"

The Amazon’s stomach started to churn. She knew what she wanted to discuss and, though she’d tried to prepare herself, she wasn’t quite ready for this conversation. "Actually, Gabrielle...I wanted to talk to you too," she heard herself proclaim.

"Last night...," Gabrielle suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Sensing her wariness, Ephiny picked up where her queen left off. "Yes, Gabrielle...last night. I...first of all, I want you to know how much last night meant to me...how much it will always mean to me..."

"It meant a lot to me too, Ephiny," she reached for the Amazon’s hand.

"Gabrielle, I’m going to make this easy for you," the Amazon’s heart ached as she spoke. She had no choice but to let her off the hook so that she could be free to be with Xena. Though the passion they had shared the night before would be forever emblazoned on her mind, as she sat looking into her love’s eyes, she thanked the gods that things hadn’t progressed any further than they did. "Gabrielle, what happened between us was beyond wonderful...," she sank deeper into the Queen’s eyes.

"I feel that way too," the bard promptly interjected. "But Ephiny...," she was talking fast, trying to get to her point. One question had been on her mind all day. Even though she knew she probably shouldn’t bring it up, her curiosity got the best of her. "Ephiny? Why didn’t you...I mean, why didn’t we..."

"Why didn’t I give myself to you?," the Amazon completed the question for her. Ephiny had spent much of the day hoping for the chance to explain to the bard why she hadn’t surrendered to her. She feared that Gabrielle would feel unwanted, undesirable, maybe even disappointed. She had to make sure that her love understood.

"Yeah...why did you hold back?"

"Gabrielle, I’m about to say one of the most important things I’ve ever said in my life. You have to know something," the Amazon seemed desperate.

"I’m listening," she squeezed Ephiny’s hands.

"Gabrielle...I want you to know that I had to restrain myself last night...and it wasn’t easy. The truth is that I did want you. I wanted to make love to you, to please you, to give myself to you...completely." Tears formed in the bard’s eyes as she focused on the Amazon’s words. "I wanted to show you love like you’ve never known before. But then...I realized that I couldn’t." Ephiny’s eyes grew glassy. "Gabrielle, I just couldn’t do that to you...or to Xena. She’s the woman you love, the woman who fills your soul. And I couldn’t stand in the way of that."

"You were trying to make sure I saved myself for Xena?," the bard uttered, almost as though she couldn’t believe what she was hearing,

"Yes," the Amazon whispered as she rested her head on the bard’s chest. "I knew you would regret it if you didn’t and I couldn’t let you do anything you’d regret."

The bard fixed her eyes on the Regent’s before she spoke. "I want you to know that I don’t regret what happened between us, Ephiny," her tone indicated that she meant what she said. "But...," she searched for a way to say the words without hurting the Amazon. "But thank you for not letting me...," she faltered.

"You’re welcome, Gabrielle," Ephiny assured her as she gently pulled herself away from the bard’s embrace. She took in a deep breath before continuing to speak. "Gabrielle, I told myself I was going to tell you everything today," she struggled to express herself. Turning to face the bard, she unlocked her soul, at long last setting the words free. "I’ve loved you for so long...wanted you for so long...needed you for so long. And part of me will always feel that way. I don’t expect you to say anything or do anything about it. I just wanted you to know the impact you’ve had on me...on my life."

"Gods, Ephiny. I didn’t know," the bard spoke through tears. "I didn’t mean to hurt you..."

"No, Gabrielle," the Amazon gently placed her fingers on the bard’s lips. "You haven’t hurt me. You’ve shown me unconditional love. So don’t feel bad about this. I want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Gabrielle, you have to tell Xena how you feel about her. Don’t miss the opportunity. And don’t you dare worry about me. You’ll always be a very important part of my life. That will never change."

Overwhelmed by the Amazon’s words, the bard leaned toward her until she felt her lips touch her own. "I love you, Ephiny," she said in a hushed tone, before taking her in her arms. Ephiny surrendered to her kiss one last time, dwelling on every sensation. She was aware that her love was kissing her goodbye. And at once, the Regent felt sorrow and joy. Love and despair. Regret and redemption.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Ephiny? Mind if I have a word alone with Gabrielle?" The warrior fought to hide both her shock and her pain as she stood in the doorway, dumbfounded at the sight of her bard kissing the Amazon.

"Xena, I...we...," Ephiny attempted to explain.

"Ephiny," the warrior wrestled with her emotions. "Excuse us...please."

"Xena, I...," the Amazon tried again.

"Just go!," the warrior snapped as she pointed toward the door.

Once Ephiny was outside, the bard began to speak. "Xena, it’s not what you think."

"Gabrielle, I came here to tell you something." The warrior looked as though she might collapse. "I came here to tell you that...that I love you. I’ve loved you for...forever it seems." The words liberated themselves before she could stop them. "But I can see I’m too late. My pride, my fear, or whatever it was cost me what I wanted more than I’ve ever wanted anything." Realizing that she had said too much already, she cut herself off before she could go any further.

"Xena," tears rolled down the bard’s cheeks. "I..."

"Don’t, Gabrielle. Don’t," her face was expressionless. "I didn’t come here to make you feel guilty. I just wanted you to know how I feel about you. I’m sorry my timing is off. But...now you know." The sight of her love quickly becoming more than she could bear, the warrior headed for the door.

"Xena," the bard grabbed her arm.

"Just let me go, Gabrielle," she choked back her tears as she spoke.

"Xena! Don’t leave!," the bard called out to no avail as the warrior walked into the night.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"Xena?," the Amazon’s voice rattled the warrior.

"Ephiny, you would think you’d know that yours is the last face I want to see right now," she spoke without raising her head. The Amazon cautiously entered the stables and made her way toward Xena who sat alone in the hay, her back against the wall.

"I need to explain..."

"Ephiny, drop it. I’ve lost Gabrielle. And, as much as I’d like to blame you, I don’t. I blame myself. So don’t worry about me getting in your way. She’s made her choice and I love her too much to make her feel bad about it. I’ll be gone by sunrise tomorrow. Until then, just leave me alone."

The Amazon couldn’t help but notice the warrior’s tear stained cheeks. "I didn’t mean to...," she tried again.

"Didn’t mean to what?," Xena’s voice grew louder. "Didn’t mean to kiss her? Didn’t mean to hold her? Didn’t mean to make love to her?!"

Taken aback by the last remark, Ephiny threw the sword she held in her hand as a precaution to the ground. "I didn’t touch her!," she shouted in an attempt to be heard by the stubborn warrior.

Xena looked flustered as she sat down on a bale of hay. "This I’ve gotta hear," her sarcastic tone sliced through the Amazon.

"I can’t tell you that nothing happened between me and Gabrielle," Ephiny began.

"Well, that’s about as obvious as a snow storm in the spring."

"If you’ll be quiet and listen, I’ll explain everything," the Amazon was obviously growing more agitated.

"Go on," the warrior insisted, her patience beginning to dwindle.

"Gabrielle has been tormented by what Draco and Allmar did to her." She paused, wondering whether or not the warrior had taken care of the two warlords. But, in an attempt to avoid averting her attention, she decided not to ask until they had straightened this out. "First, you should know that Ares and Callisto have been badgering her," she continued. "That’s why she kept having those sudden outbursts. You also need to understand what Gabrielle’s been feeling. She finally opened up to me last night, after a couple of skins of wine. Basically, she told me she felt undesirable, helpless, frightened..."

"Why? Frightened? Of what?"

"She’s afraid of you, Xena."

"Me? Ephiny you’re not making any sense," the confusion the warrior was experiencing was evident on her face.

"Xena...," she grew still as she weighed the consequences of what she was about to say. "Gabrielle loves you. The same feelings you have for her, she has for you."

"No...she...," she looked at the Amazon in disbelief.

"It’s true, Xena. But she’s afraid of what will happen if the two of you...," her voice began to shake as she spoke. "She doesn’t want to hurt you and she doesn’t want to let you down. She’s afraid that what happened to her will manifest itself at the wrong moment."

"I thought maybe...but I wasn’t sure...and then when I came in and saw the two of you...," the warrior, reminded of what she had seen moments before, interrupted her own thoughts. "If Gabrielle loves me so much...," her tone grew harsh, "what in Tartarus was she doing with you?"

"I’m getting to that. This part’s a little harder to explain," the Amazon said nervously. "When Gabrielle told me all of this, as I said, we had been drinking...a lot. She was vulnerable and hurt and..."

"So you thought you’d comfort her? Ephiny, don’t hand me that ‘we were drunk and it just happened’ rubbish. At least try to think of something original."

"It wasn’t like that, Xena. Her sense of self was all but destroyed. She had lost all hope. All hope of being whole again. And all hope of sharing a future with you. And she ended up kissing...w...we...ended up kissing," the Amazon stuttered.

"And rather than stopping her, rather than putting her to bed to sleep it off, you..."

"Xena, if I had turned her down flat, how do you think that would have made her feel?"

"I don’t know, Ephiny. How did it make her feel?," the warrior exposed her bitterness.

"She was hurting. She felt worthless, unlovable, abnormal..."

"So you decided to make it better by making love to her?"

"Xena, I never touched her."

"Don’t take me for a fool, Ephiny. I saw the two of you."

"Gods, Xena! Would you shut up and listen?! Yes, I kissed her! Yes, I held her! And, yes, Xena--Gabrielle reciprocated. And, when I realized it had gone too far to stop...," the Amazon hesitated. "I saw to it that her needs were met...all of her needs. Xena, I wasn’t about to let her go to sleep in the state she was in...drunk, afraid, hopeless. But believe me when I tell you that I didn’t touch her...not like you think."

"So...," jealousy resounded in the warrior’s words. "What did you get out of all of this? Just how noble do you expect me to believe you are?"

"Xena, I’m not about to tell you that I did nothing. I took care of myself...just as Gabrielle did, if that’s what you’re hinting at," the Amazon reluctantly admitted.

"Why don’t you just face it. You used Gabrielle to your advantage. You waited until she was down and you pounced on her like a wolf in heat!"

"I wanted her, Xena!," the Amazon snapped, spilling her guts at the warrior’s feet. "Gods, I wanted her! But I couldn’t get you out of my head! Every time I reached for her, there you were! Thanks to you, the only person I got that intimate with last night was myself!"

"Yourself?," the puzzled warrior thought aloud. "Wait a minute. Are you telling me that you...that she...together? Gabrielle? In front of you?"

"Yes, Xena. That’s exactly what I’m telling you," the Amazon tried not to blush. "And, just so you’ll know, we never even took off our clothes."

"You were dressed? The entire time?," the warrior probed, still attempting to grasp the reality of the situation.

"The entire time," Ephiny, amused by the warrior’s reaction, tried not to smile

"And how do you explain what I walked in on earlier?" Xena remained skeptical.

"What you walked in on was a final kiss..."

"Yeah, I guess you two had to try to squeeze that in before I got back. You gotta do better than this, Ephiny." The warrior was fed up.

"Xena, I had just finished telling Gabrielle that I’m in love with her when you walked in," the Amazon forced herself to reveal the whole truth.

"Well, that’s just great. We’re back to square one." Xena threw her arms in the air as she paced back and forth across the stable, trying to comprehend everything the Amazon was telling her.

"Let me finish," Ephiny insisted. "I told Gabrielle that I love her. She reaffirmed her love for you. And then she kissed me. That’s when you came in." The Amazon lowered her head to hide the tears in her eyes.

The warrior could tell by the look on Ephiny’s face that she was telling the truth. In an instant the fates had turned. Xena looked at the broken Amazon sitting on a bale of hay, her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she wept. The sight of her, sitting there heartbroken as she mourned the loss of her love, invoked the warrior’s compassion. Empathizing with her plight, Xena knelt before her, placing her hand on her knee. "I understand," she said softly.

The Amazon, already crying so hard that she couldn’t speak, began to cry even harder when she heard the words. The warrior’s heart ached for her friend. Only moments before, she had been the one sitting there, weeping for her lost love. Though she was overjoyed by the news that of the bard’s feelings for her, she couldn’t help but feel compassion for Ephiny. She wrapped her arms around her as she assured her that everything was alright.

Moment after moment passed as she held the grieving Amazon in her arms. "Xena?," Ephiny finally raised her head as she began to speak. "I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you." Her sincerity was apparent to the warrior.

"I know you didn’t. And I didn’t mean to be so...cold."

"I understand though. After all, I love her too," the Amazon managed a smile. "But, Xena...I also love you. You and Gabrielle have my blessing. I want you to understand that."

"I do, Ephiny. You think Gabrielle will still have me after tonight?," the warrior chuckled to herself.

"You won’t know until you ask her. And this time...," the Amazon grinned, "try giving her a chance to answer."

"Yes...I suppose I’ll try that this time. Are you going to be alright?," the warrior asked her as she prepared to head back to Gabrielle’s hut.

"I’ll be fine," she assured her.

"Wish me luck."

"You won’t need it." As the two women latched the stable doors, Ephiny inquired, "Draco and Allmar?"

"Dead," Xena bluntly stated.

"Good. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to help you."

"So am I," she told her, placing a hand on her shoulder before the two headed in opposite directions.

"Ephiny?," the warrior called out as she walked away.

"Yes?," the Amazon looked back over her shoulder.

"I love you too, ya know," Xena smiled. The Amazon returned the warrior’s smile before turning away. She had decided to take a walk to clear her head, leaving Xena and Gabrielle to reconcile.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

"You scared me half to death!," the Amazon exclaimed after literally bumping into Charis. "What are you doing roaming around so late?"

"Couldn’t sleep," Charis answered. "What about you?"

"Let’s just say it’s been an incredibly long night."

"Want to talk about it? I lend an excellent ear," her friend reminded her.

"Actually, I really need to be alone for awhile...but thank you," she looked down at the ground.

"Are you sure?," Charis asked, noticing the distraught look on Ephiny’s face.

"I’m sure," she insisted, giving her a peck on the cheek before resuming her solitary walk.

"Tomorrow?," Charis called out after her.

"Yes, tomorrow. Goodnight. And, for the sake of the gods, get some sleep!," the Amazon responded, trying not to let on that she was currently in the midst of one of the most trying times of her life.

Before Ephiny realized it, she was standing on the edge of the riverbank, staring across the dark water. She shivered as the night air chilled her bones. Though she tried to fight it, she found herself beginning to break. She had known the time would come when she would have to let the bard go, but the reality of it had left her shattered nonetheless.

The images of the time she had spent with her love danced in her head, flooding her mind. At that moment, Ephiny remembered everything. The flippant remarks the two women had exchanged during their first days together. The day the young girl from Poteidaia became an Amazon Princess and, later, an Amazon Queen. She remembered handing the bard her first fighting staff and the satisfaction they both felt as she held it in her hands for the first time. She recalled bursting with pride the first time Gabrielle matched her blow for blow in a sparring match. Tears returned to her eyes as her thoughts drifted to the afternoon they had spent together in the valley, when they had shared their first kiss. And then, last night. Only a short while ago, she had held her in her arms. Kissing her. Holding her. Loving her. Yet tonight, the bard would be in the arms of another.

Continued in Part III