HEART AND SOUL

pt.1

It was just another day, not unlike any other. Xena and Gabrielle were riding along. They had just helped rescue some people from an attack on their village. This sort of thing had become the usual for the two. By this time Xena and Gabrielle had been traveling together for quite some time. They've had many adventures, faced down numerous foes and came out victorious in countless dangerous situations. Throughout all of this the two had become 
very close friends.
        
XENA
This seems like a good spot to stop for the night.

Xena stopped them by a quiet little stream. They both climbed down from Argo. After getting their things, Xena patted Argo, telling her to go eat, drink and rest. Then she helped Gabrielle set up camp. Once things were set and the the sun was just about gone. Xena got a fire going. After eating dinner, Gabrielle sat by the campfire, writing about their most recent adventure. Xena sat quietly watching the young bard as she happily wrote. The flicker of the fire cast a soft glow on Gabrielle's face. The light bouncing off her long golden hair. Xena couldn't help but smile as she watched her. Gabrielle looked up from her scroll, seeing Xena smile at her.
    
GABRIELLE
What?
        
XENA
What?
    
GABRIELLE
You were just sitting there smiling at me.

Xena hadn't realized she was doing that. And instantly got slightly defensive, though she wasn't sure why.
       
XENA
What I can't smile.
    
GABRIELLE
That's not what I meant. It's just I don't usually see you smile so casually. It's nice, you should do it more often.

Gabrielle smiled back at Xena as she went back to her scroll. The two sat quietly for a while.
          
XENA
(thinking to herself) Why was I smiling? I wasn't really thinking about anything inparticular. I was just sitting here watching Gabrielle. So what was I so happy about?

Later that night, they were settling down for bed. Gabrielle and Xena layed side by side. While Gabrielle was asleep, Xena layed awake. No reason inparticular. As she did, Xena looked over at Gabrielle. Seeing how peaceful she looked as she slept, a soft smile came across Xena's face. Then she thought about earlier. But that wasn't all. She realized that for a bit now she had begun to look at Gabrielle differently. Gabrielle, who was her companion, her friend, someone who she trusted with her life. Now Xena saw something else in her. Though it was something she had tried for a bit to ignore. She could no longer deny it. Xena had fallen in love with Gabrielle.
         
XENA
(thinking to herself) I can't tell her. Gabrielle has such kind heart. She has the amazing ability to see the good in everything. Including me. Though I don't know why. She deserves someone who will make her truly happy. Someone far better than me. Someone who hasn't done the horrible things I have.

With that thought Xena vowed to keep her true feelings hidden from Gabrielle. She turned her back to Gabrielle and drifted off to sleep.
           
XENA
(thinking to herself) It's better off this way.

The next morning Xena and Gabrielle got back on the road. As they rode along, Gabrielle looked in the distance. She saw a young woman being chased by a group of people.
     
GABRIELLE
Xena look.
            
XENA
I see 'em. Hold on.

Xena had Argo speed up, catching up to them. As they got close, Xena lept through the air and landed between the young woman and her pursuers.
           
XENA
Now all of you agienst one defenseless girl doesn't really seem fair.

One of the people in a cloak stepped forward and spoke. Xena couldn't see their face. They were using some sort of magic to conceal their identity by covering themselves in a dark shadow.
        
SHADOW
This doesn't concern you Xena. Stay out of this.
           
XENA
Well since you know who I am, you should know that I can't do that.
        
SHADOW
I'm warning you.

Xena drew her sword, preparing for a fight.
        
SHADOW
Have it your way.

The mysterious cloaked group began attacking. Xena and Gabrielle fought them off as they defended the young woman. When almost all of the group was defeated, the leader summoned more out of nowhere. The numbers were too much. Xena knew they couldn't take all of them.
         
XENA
Gabrielle, take the girl a run.
     
GABRIELLE
What about you?
          
XENA
I can hold them off long enough for the two of you to get out of here.
      
GABRIELLE
But Xena..
          
XENA
I'll be fine. Now go. I'll be right behind you.
      
GABRIELLE
Okay.

Gabrielle took the young woman's arm and the two of them ran off to find safety. With Gabrielle and the other women getting away, Xena focused her attention on the girl's pursuers.
       
SHADOW
Oh Xena. You think sending the girl away will protect her. When all you've done is make it easier for me.
           
XENA
Who are you and how do you know who I am?
       
SHADOW
Wouldn't you like to know. But I don't have time to chat right now. I have to inform my people about the whereabouts of the girl. Don't worry I'll see you soon.

With that the shadow vanished, leaving Xena to face the rest of the group. She knew she had to finish them quick and get to the girl and Gabrielle. Meanwhile Gabrielle was running with the young woman. After a bit, feeling like they got far enough away, Gabrielle and the young woman stopped to rest.
        
GABRIELLE
Are you okay?
    
YOUNG WOMAN
Yes, thank you.

Gabrielle introduced herself.
        
GABRIELLE
Who were those people? Why were they after you?
    
YOUNG WOMAN
They belong to the temple of Deimos.
        
GABRIELLE
Deimos. That's the God of Fear and panic right?
     
YOUNG WOMAN
Yes.
       
GABRIELLE
But why would anyone want that?
     
YOUNG WOMAN
Who knows.
       
GABRIELLE
But why do they want you?
                        
?
Oh we don't necessarily need her specificly.

Hearing the voice behind them, Gabrielle and the young woman quickly jumped up. They turned to see a shadowy figure standing behind them. Gabrielle grabbed her staff and got in front of the young woman. Slowly backing up, Gabrielle glanced back at her.
       
GABRIELLE
Quick get out of here.
  
YOUNG WOMAN
Are you gonna be okay?
        
GABRIELLE
Don't worry about me. If what you said is true, then we can't let them get you. Now run.

The young woman began to run back the way they came. As she did, she ran into Xena.
             
XENA
Where's Gabrielle?

The young woman told Xena what happened.
            
XENA
Go hide. I'll be back.

Xena took off running towards where Gabrielle was. As she got there she saw the shadowy figure had a hold of Gabrielle.
           
XENA
Gabrielle!

Gabrielle looked over as she struggled to break free.
        
GABRIELLE
Xena!

Xena quickly took her chakrum and hurled it towards the shadowy
figure. But as it flew through the air and reached the figure, it just passed right through them. As if they weren't even there. Seeing this, Xena drew her sword and changed towards them. As she came close, the figure turned their head seeing Xena coming at them. Then they looked back at Gabrielle.
          
SHADOW
I suppose she'll do instead.

Just as Xena got to them, the shadowy figure disappeared. Taking Gabrielle with them.
              
XENA
Gabrielle!

Xena looked all around but didn't see any sign of them at all. She called out for Gabrielle, but got no response. They were gone. And Xena had no idea where Gabrielle had been taken.
              
XENA
No, Gabrielle.

TO BE CONTINUED...