OWNERSHIP DISCLAIMER
The characters of Xena and Gabrielle and
others belong in their entirety to Universal/MCA , Renaissance Pictures, and
all the other powers that be. No copyright infringement is intended. I wrote
this story at the urging of my muse; it should never be used for profit. Please
do not copy or cite elsewhere without permission from the author. Thanks to
Martman for first posting it at his shrine to Xena and Gabrielle's relationship.
VIOLENCE
This story depicts the aftereffects of violence.
LOVE/SEX WARNING/DISCLAIMER:
This story involves a loving friendship between two consenting adult women.
If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the
state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of
this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something else.
Spoiler Warning: This story takes place the day after Succession. It may contain spoilers for that episode.
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MsCL@ix.netcom.com
Aftermath: The Warrior's Tears
Xena watched her companion move stiffly from the fireside to their bedroll and
lower herself slowly to a sitting position. The young Amazon stared into the
flames and tried to shut out thoughts of pain and fear.
It had been just one day since their encounter with Mavican - a madwoman determined
to replace Xena as Ares' chosen warrior. Gabrielle and Xena triumphed, but Gabrielle
took a real beating - sustaining a deep puncture wound to her left shoulder,
along with numerous cuts and bruises.
Gabrielle had cleaned the shoulder wound herself. The Amazon insisted on "toughing
it out" and would not allow Xena to examine it more closely for remaining rock
fragments or dirt that might cause infection. The wound still bled slightly,
and the bandage covering it showed traces of red.
Gabrielle tended her other cuts and bruises in rigid silence as she sat on the
furs next to Xena. Her body glowed in the firelight and Xena suspected the sheen
of sweat might have more to do with a fever than with the evening's temperature.
The possibility of internal injuries concerned the Warrior Princess. Her companion's
shaggy blonde bangs concealed a broad gash. Mavican had kicked Gabrielle in
the head hard enough to draw blood and render her unconscious - and that came
after the madwoman had hurled the Amazon against a tree, then practically choked
her with a vine tether. Ares forced Xena to watch all of this from a distance
-- helpless to protect the friend she loved. Yet, Gabrielle survived her test
and seemed stronger than ever.
"She had a rough time," thought the Warrior Princess, "but she'll be damned
if she's gonna to show it. By the gods, she reminds me of me."
In one way, Xena liked her companion's new stoicism and toughness. It meant
that she might stop worrying about the young woman's safety - perhaps in a hundred
years or so. Gabrielle could take care of herself.
In another way, though, Xena feared the loss of "her" Gabrielle - the optimist,
dreamer, and Bard who followed the Warrior to the ends of the earth; to hell
and back, as it turned out. She loved protecting this woman. It was the way
a true Warrior showed her devotion to her soulmate. Surely Gabrielle understood
this by now.
"Say something," Xena commanded herself when she saw Gabrielle wince as she
reached for some ointment to soothe the cuts on her right arm and hand, and
apply to her aching muscles.
Gabrielle lowered one strap of her top and began to rub the salve into her right
shoulder. The painful wound on her left shoulder made this an awkward process.
"Here, let me." Xena placed her hand gently, but forcefully, atop Gabrielle's
and would not allow the Amazon to withdraw.
"It's OK, Xena. I can manage," Gabrielle insisted.
But Xena held tight.
"I want to do this for you, Gabrielle," she whispered as she gently kneaded
the strong shoulder with both hands.
For a moment, the Amazon let down her guard. She closed her eyes and savored
the pure pleasure of being touched by the person she loved most in the world.
Then, she turned from the Warrior Princess and tried again to pull away.
Xena tightened her grip on Gabrielle's shoulder.
"Ouch!" exclaimed the young woman when her sore muscles reacted to the pressure.
"Gabrielle, just relax. I'm not letting you move."
Tears clouded Gabrielle's eyes. Despite determined effort, she could not stop
them.
"I am so sorry, Xena," she said in a quiet, husky voice, wiping her eyes with
the back of her hand.
"For what, my love?"
"I was afraid of Mavican… and of not knowing where you were, or if you were
alive. That was Ares' cruelest game yet."
Gabrielle fought to control herself; she couldn't break down now. It would be
too humiliating after all she had done to convince Xena of her courage and independence.
"Gabrielle, you handled everything right. You beat Mavican, but chose not to
kill her, and you didn't fall for Ares' offer to make you his new Warrior Princess.
You did good, my friend." The Warrior knew her companion needed this reassurance.
Xena began rubbing the back of Gabrielle's neck and maneuvering her head gently.
Her skilled hands probed for hidden injuries, as well as fever. All Gabrielle
sensed was a wonderful feeling of relaxation.
The Amazon wondered how she would ever tell this magnificent woman that she,
Gabrielle, must become the ultimate warrior - to be so tough that Xena would
never have to rescue her again… so strong that they would never die together
again…
This was not the time. Gabrielle leaned back into Xena's arms. They both cried
silently, as warriors do.
End.
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