Blissful Slumber

Written: 1999
© Julie Ruffell 1999
Timeline: Takes place during "Chakram" right after Ares has left when Gabrielle walks in on him and Xena
Disclaimer: Xena: Warrior Princess is the copyright property of Renaissance Pictures, Universal Studios and Studios USA. This fan fiction story was written for entertainment purposes only.
Description: Gabrielle contemplates the now peaceful Xena in "Chakram." Told in the first person by Gabrielle.

"Blissful Slumber"

Xena's expression is one of a small child as she looks at me with eyes that don't understand what is going on. Ares has disappeared, but the chill that crawls up my spine remains. I move over to Xena, picking up a towel along the way.

"Come on, Xena. You should probably get some rest."

"Who was that, Gabrielle?" she asks me. "What did he do wrong? That's the man that rescued me from Kal."

"What?" I question. "He let you go?"

"Yes. What's going on?"

"I don't know, but if Ares is involved, it's got to be bad."

Xena steps out of the tub and I wrap the towel around her. We enter a large bedroom which faces out over the waterfall. The scenery is breathtaking, but the fear for Xena's safety and the worry over what has happened to her, prevents me from enjoying it.

Dressed once more, Xena sits on the bed and pets the soft blanket. A gentle smile touches her face but is then replaced by a frown. "Gabrielle, I don't understand what Kal and Ares want with me."

"They're gods of war, Xena and you're the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. Ares hasn't stopped chasing you since your redemption."

"But I'm not a warrior. How I can be the best at something I know nothing about?"

I sit beside her on the bed and take her hand in mine. "Xena, I don't know why whatever force brought us back did this to you. I'm sure there's a reason, but there has to be some way to bring your memories back. You don't know how much I love seeing you at peace, but just because you don't remember who you are, it doesn't mean everyone else won't. People will come after you, Xena and kill you to claim they are the best warrior."

"How could I do such things? I killed people."

"You killed evil people so that good people could live."

"Who am I to decide that?"

"I know you're confused, Xena, but you've done a lot of good in this world. Just have faith."

"I don't know if I can."

Reaching out, I hold her face in my hands and brush away her tears with my thumbs. "I'll always be here to help." I kiss her forehead. "Now, try to get some sleep."

She curls up under the blanket and I pull up a chair to stand watch. After what Ares did earlier, I don't want to leave her alone. It doesn't take long for her to fall asleep and as I watch, I see that it is a blissful slumber. She even smiles.

Then I recall how, for as long as I've known Xena, her dreams were always filled with the horrors of her past. Xena never spent a night where she didn't wake up in shock, sometimes several times. Some nights she didn't sleep, and still others, I've heard her quietly sobbing. But now, her dreams are free of the death and the destruction.

What could she be dreaming of? Does it matter? She's happy, and she's at peace. Who are we to take it away? Why give her back that dark side and the evil? I'm not sure what I should do.

FIN