Copyright:May, 1998

Revised: May 28th, 2002.

Second Revision: February 22^nd, 2007.

Ratings: (USA) T/M | (UK) 15 | (AUS) PG/M

Disclaimer: Robert Tapert, UNIVERSAL/MCA and RENAISSANCE PICTURES et al, have something to do with “Xena: Warrior Princess”. No copyright infringement is intended or inferred. The story along with any/all original characters are the sole property of the author and can not be used without expressed permission first.

Author’s Note: I felt I needed to write this. I’ve already watched the last episode more times than I should. The ache is still there, I’ll stay mad until September, when we see how Xena saves Gabrielle… again. Here’s to the two fictional characters I love to watch each week, may we continue to bring them into our homes for awhile yet.

Second Author’s Note: Of course I was referring to the second season finale. Just thought I’d throw that in.

I watch in slow motion as my whole world falls apart.

And there was nothing I could do.

I never saw it coming.

If I had, I would have stopped her some how. One… one minute she was here, the next thing I know, Gabrielle cried out “HOPE!!”

I stood transfixed as Gabrielle threw herself at Hope and into the chasm where Dayhok emanated from.

There was no sound, nothing.

Absolute silence…

Then as she started to fall, Gabrielle turned around and I saw her face. The one I had grown to love… the one I was ready to die for so that Dayhok could not re–enter the world.

I had told her that.

I didn’t want her to sacrifice herself. She still had so much good to do and I was ready to go.

I watched as she fell…

“Gabrielle!!” I shouted as dove to her, flinging my arm out in a futile gesture, as if I could reach her.

As if I could save her.

Like I have countless times before. Like she has— she’s saved me — and I’m helpless.

I’ll never forget her calling to me: “Xena!” She wasn’t holding Hope any more, they drifted apart as they fell down the chasm.

Hope never said a word, not one. Why would she? She was going to her father.

They would be together.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. I could barely make out Joxer’s voice as he shouted Gabrielle’s name.

Then, something entered my consciousness… something out of place in this… hell hole.

Laughter.

I heard laughter.

From Callisto.

She tormented me. Telling me how she could feel again, what she’d witnessed had given her life meaning once more.

She thanked me for that.

She thanked me.

My heart is torn into shreds and she has the audacity to mock me. To make light of the pain I feel.

To laugh at Gabrielle…

That can’t happen.

I rise from the edge of the chasm, the hind’s blood covered dagger still in my grasp. Without a second’s thought, I turned around and thrust it into her body. I tried to bury it in her, I wanted her to feel pain, to feel my anguish.

“No more living for you,” I told the blonde bitch. You could say she goaded me into killing her. It’s what she truly wanted.

And I gave it to her, gladly. The dagger embedded to the hilt.

As she collapsed to the floor I knew there was someone else who had to feel my wrath: Ares, God of War…

My anger for him know no bounds.

Whether or not I wanted to admit it, there was a part of me that still had feelings for him.

Ones he would use, ones I would use.

Now… he means nothing to me. He has created his own worse enemy.

I stayed at Dayhok’s temple, wracking my brain for a plan. Anything to keep my demons at bay.

I find myself calling out her name as if she’s still here…

“Gabrielle!”

Why Gods! Why did you take her from me? I kept asking myself.

Joxer – he hasn’t left my side, not for a moment. I know he loved her. Just as he knew she loved him: like a brother. I notice a certain hardness in his eyes, the same look I faced everyday for ten years. For Gabrielle’s sake I won’t let him fall.

I won’t let him slide into the abyss.

He’s a good man.

My chest aches… the weight is tremendous and I can sense the wetness on my check as a lone tear makes its way down.

But that’s all.

Nothing more.

I’m ashamed of myself. Did I love Solon more than I loved Gabrielle?

No…

I’m simply denying to myself that she’s truly gone. There must be some way to get her back. We’ve done it before… how can this be any different?

“Gabrielle… don’t leave me here. I can’t do it alone… please… please… come back,” I whisper into the dank air around the temple.

I’ve set up camp, and although I can’t say why, I’m staying a little longer.

“Xena… Xena…”

“Gab… Gabbrielle?” I look around the camp quickly, intent on finding her.

“I’ll always be with you… always. Get some rest, you’ll know what to do in the morning.”

My eyes flutter.

I resist, the more I fight it the harder it becomes to stay awake.

“Sleep… sleep, that’s it. You’ll know what to do, you always do. I love you Xena.”

The morning comes and I rise looking over to see Joxer fast asleep. I’ll send him to my mother’s, she’ll need to get things ready for when Gabrielle and I come home.

“Oh yes, my bard… you are coming home,” I whisper, as I watch the breaking of a new dawn.

The End.