Together
Legal Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters that appeared in the series are owned by MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures and no copyright infringement is intended. The rest of the story is mine, however.
Subtext: No. It's maintext. Xena and Gabrielle are in love with each other.
Sex: No.
Violence: No.
Time: This story is settled right after the events of "The Ides of March".
Personal Note: I started this short story in March, because I wasn't happy with the development of the 5th season and I didn't actually intend to put it online, but after having seen "Motherhood" I just had to (well and a very good friend of mine asked me too. Thanks Anne.) Maybe there are more people out there who are disappointed with the direction the show has taken and maybe this story will help a little... I know it helped me.
Another Note: English isn't my first language so please excuse any mistakes in grammar or spelling (although I really tried to avoid them).
Gabrielle slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She found herself lying in a beautiful garden. There were flowers everywhere, trees bearing all sorts of fruit and birds were singing in the trees. The sun covered the garden like a blanket and warmed up the air.
When Gabrielle stood up she noticed that she was wearing a long, white dress and when a breeze of wind blew threw her hair she noticed that it was long again. Gabrielle couldn't believe it and instinctively touched it... it was real and she smiled, then she looked round again, searching for something... someone.
"Gabrielle!" she suddenly heard a voice calling.
She turned to the direction she had heard it calling her name and then she saw her...
"Xena!"
Only a few meters away from her she saw the warrior princess standing nearby a little pond. She was wearing the same dress as Gabrielle and she looked stunning. The long, black hair fell loose down her shoulders and her eyes were as blue as the ocean. Gabrielle was taken aback by Xena's beauty and she could have watched her standing there for ages, but she also wanted to hold the woman she loved and so she began to run... so did Xena and when they met they embraced and held each other tight, neither one of them saying a word. After what seemed like a lifetime they finally broke the embrace and looked at each other. There was a great love visible in both women's eyes and when Xena wiped away a tear from Gabrielle's cheek tears gathered in her eyes as well.
"Your hair..." Xena softly said, "it's beautiful." She gently touched the long, golden hair and smiled. "I missed it, I really did."
Gabrielle also smiled. "So did I, believe me."
They looked at each other again and Gabrielle got serious. "The vision came true. We're dead, Xena."
"I'm afraid we are." Xena answered in a low voice.
Suddenly they heard a loud noise and from nowhere a big, black chariot, pulled by two black stallions appeared and came to a halt in front of the women. A tall, good looking man dressed in a black uniform got off of the chariot and walked towards them.
"Hades." Xena said and the man smiled.
"That's right, Xena." He looked at both women and then continued: "It seems like you have eventually found your way to me, Xena and you even brought your friend with you. Welcome to the Elysian Fields."
"Thank you... I guess." Xena said and looked to Gabrielle who shrugged her shoulders.
"You will have a wonderful life here, Xena. You will meet old friends and your son Solan."
"Solan..." Xena whispered.
"I've already told him that you're here and you will meet him later. Do you want me to send a messenger to tell anyone of your deaths?" He asked both of them now.
The two women looked at each other and Gabrielle spoke first: "Yes, my parents and my sister should know..." she paused a moment before she added: "But please, don't tell them how I died. It would be too hard for them."
Hades nodded and turned to Xena. "And you?"
"Just tell my mother Cyrene, Hercules and Iolaus. Thank you."
Gabrielle looked questioningly at Xena. "What about Joxer? Should he know?"
Xena sighed. "It will break his heart, but yes, I think he should know. Hades, send also a messenger to Joxer. Let him know that he was a very good friend and that we really liked him."
"Consider it done." Hades said and just wanted to leave when Gabrielle stopped him.
"What about our bodies?"
"Follow me," Hades said, walking towards the little pond. He pointed to it and when Gabrielle looked into the water, the surface began to blurr. An image appeared... it showed two bodies nailed to crosses and guarded by Roman soldiers. Gabrielle looked away, the sight was too painful.
"I'm afraid I can't do anything about the bodies," Hades said in a low voice. "I'm only responsible for your souls. I'm sorry."
"We understand." Xena put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.
"I have to go now." Hades said and walked to the chariot. "If you need anything, or have questions just call my name." With these words he dissapeared as fast as he had appeared.
Gabrielle looked into the water again, but the image was gone. She turned to Xena. "We are together."
"Always." Xena smiled at the woman she loved with all her heart. "Remember when I told you that even in death I would never leave you... I kept my word, didn't I?"
Gabrielle also smiled now. "Yes, you did..." she looked deep into the warrior's eyes and then added softly: "I love you Xena."
"I love you too, Gabrielle." Xena bent down and they kissed. It was a wonderful feeling for both women and when Xena took her mouth off Gabrielle's lips, she said: "We had a wonderful life together and we will have a wonderful afterlife together."
"Yes, we will..." Gabrielle agreed. "We sure had some great adventures. Do you remember when we were on Cecrops' ship?"
Xena laughed. "Oh yes, I could never forget that."
Gabrielle continued: "Or when we tried to defeat the giant.... or when we fought against Bacchus..."
Xena smiled as she thought of all their adventures. "Gabrielle..."
"Yes?"
"Please tell me a story." Xena looked into Gabrielle's eyes and she could see the joy her question caused.
"My pleasure." Gabrielle smiled and then she began: "I sing
of Xena the mighty warrior princess and her trusty sidekick Gabrielle. Joined
by the fates and bonded for all eternity...
The End