Stories by ArcticPonkey

Gabrielle felt like someone had just ripped her heart out in the most cruelest way there was. Her eyes blinked and narrowed as she felt that familiar pain flowing through her veins, numbing her body entirely. Ironically, all she could do was to somewhat smile painfully and to throw the small innocent stick in her hands into the furious flames in front of her. Before Gabrielle even realized it her feelings took over completely and she rose to stand on her shaky feet. As she rushed off she desperately tried to somehow close her ears so she wouldn't hear the heartless laughter that chased after her. But angry tears formed in her eyes when she unwillingly relived the moment it was Callisto's turn:
"When I sliced open your husband- how long did it take him to die?"
The blonde clenched her hands with so much force now that it started to hurt, but it didn't interest her. Callisto had won, Gabrielle admitted, but she wouldn't allow that insane to wear her down wholly, she wouldn't satisfy that monster's sick need to hurt people by crying in front of her!
Gabrielle noticed Xena, who came up to her smilingly, but didn't care about whatever she had to tell her and passed the confused warrior princess without even looking up at her. Instead she even barged against her friend because the tall woman was blocking her escape route. "What's wrong with her?", was the last Gabrielle heard before she disappeared behind a bush and finally broke out in tears.
When Xena found her blonde friend about a candle mark later she cursed herself. She had hurried up to tell Callisto about her plans for tomorrow so she could follow Gabrielle as soon as possible - not only because Velasca was still out there. But it hadn't been fast enough - her heart ached, no broke, at the sight she was given: Gabrielle kneed on the hard ground, totally drenched in tears and obviously at the end of her very powers. Callisto had done a good job.
"I'm so sorry, Perdicus.", Xena could hear her mumbling through a hysterical crying, "You died … because of me … because you loved me … you fool! … I should've saved you … now that cormorant god is haunting me … trying to kill me … and all I can think of is to face her … so I finally pay for my crimes … so you are avenged …"
Now it was Xena's turn to do an even better job. "No. Don't say that my love.", she whispered to herself and shook her head in disagreement with Gabrielle. She approached her weeping friend silently but as a branch under her feet went to peaces she was exposed. Gabrielle swung around and directly faced the warrior. Puffy eyes met sympathetic ones as Xena didn't wait any longer to bend down and hug her love with all the support she could ever give. At the same time she expressed a sorry for not being there right after the instant: "I'm sorry.", she said but the simple touch spoke more than a thousand words, Xena felt, for Gabrielle was clinging to her as if her very being was depending on it. "I'm here now… let it all out, Gabrielle … I love you - more than you might know.", Xena whispered loving words in her ear while rocking her still crying bard back and forth as if she was her baby. "You better not.", Gabrielle answered sobbingly though and broke the hug rather abruptly. She roughly whipped some tears away, then watched her black-haired friend sternly: "Don't you understand? He died because he felt for me!" "It's not your fault, Gabrielle.", Xena's calm voice responded, "It's Callisto's." - the blue-eyed warrior sighed loudly - "You know, I told you before that I know how hard this is for you. Being around her … and I'm so sorry that I am hurting you another time." Xena hugged her again, this time more softly. Gabrielle - failing to say anything - suddenly felt not only comforted but protected and rested her head on Xena's shoulder thereby inhaling the sweetest smell of hair she'd ever sensed. She sighted in relief as there was finally a sense of well-being and calmness that lay over her like a transparent cloth. "But we don't have a choice right now.", Xena continued with a soft voice, "We need her because without her we can't beat Velasca.", Xena smiled sadly as she felt some tears rising in her eyes. She began to stroke Gabrielle's golden hair slowly. "I don't want to loose you, Gabrielle. I can't loose you. Please don't do this to me.", the warrior pleaded. She pushed her friend away a bit so she could see into her beautiful emerald green eyes. Gabrielle began to smile again and the taller woman's heart rose like a phoenix. While sharing the smile and stroking Gabrielle's soft cheek gently, her thoughts traveled around one circumstance only: What would she do without her bard? In the end, however, she didn't want to imagine it and lay her thoughts to rest. Xena's smile turned into a grin as she kissed the younger woman's forehead: "You know, we've survived worse, now, haven't we? We're gonna get through this. If we just stick together we'll be able to move the mountains yet another time."