Our Final Moments

Written: 1999
© Julie Ruffell 1999
Timeline: Takes place during the final seconds of "The Ides of March"
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: Xena and Gabrielle's final moments on the crosses in "The Ides of March." Told in the first person by Xena and Gabrielle.

"Our Final Moments"

At some point, I no longer felt the pain. Instead, a gentle light reaches out and touches me. I open my eyes, but they are not those my of body. I am dead.

I look over and softly call to Gabrielle. I float out of myself towards her and I touch her face. Her chin lights up, and suddenly I hold her soul in my hands. I pull her from her tortured body and we rise into the air.

Holding hands and looking deep into each other's eyes, we can see the love we share. Past deeds are gone and we are bathed in a warm light, which has released us from the pain.

Gabrielle holds my hands in hers and we smile at out release from all the suffering. The pain, the hate, the guilt, all wash away.

Though we don't speak, I can feel the love she has for me and the smile on her face shows me she can feel my love for her. We might be dead, but we are forever together. We do not look down at out bodies, bloody, bruised and mine, crippled. That's not us anymore. The shells are empty and they will be disposed of by the Romans. It doesn't matter.

And in death, we know we will see those we love: Solan, Marcus, Solari, Ephiny and so many others who have left this world behind. We will all be reunited; forever together without fear.

I can finally rest, the sword put down for good.

* * *

I hear someone call my name, but I cannot reply or face it. Then a gentle touch caresses me, but it's not my flesh. Hands pull up my head and the pain falls away. I look up into Xena's kind eyes, so angelic in appearance.

A smile spreads across my features as I feel the warmth of the light. It's more amazing then I could have ever dreamed and seeing Xena bask in its same glow, brings me a joy I have never felt before.

Love radiates from my body for Xena, and I can feel her love for me as well as I hold her hands in mine. We're free.

No more living in fear or pain. We have been granted peace for the first time in so long and we will see those we have lost: Perdicus, Melosa, Eponin, Solari, Ephiny and so many others. It will be the happiest reunion and we'll never have to fear leaving them again. Together forever, just as I will be with Xena.

I ignore the bodies on the crosses, since they are not us anymore. We are free.

I'm free from fighting to keep myself safe, from my guilt and free from trying to hold so strongly onto love. Love is all I feel within me and it gives me the greatest joy, since I can feel the same peace in Xena.

How we love what we have become, knowing we did the best we could to help this world for the last four years. Other heroes will take our place, for we have earned this peace.

We're earned the right to be together for eternity.

FIN