A Life for A Life By Chelsea Disclaimer: All characters belong to MCA/Universal/RenPics and others Timeline: I started this before Sacrifice I & II were aired, did some rewriting after season 3 and again after season 4; so yes, it was written a long time ago, I just never got the nerve to post it. Warnings: None Comments: chelsi1977@yahoo.com "NO…………….." Gabrielle heard the scream even as she felt the sword plunged into her heart. She felt the physical pain on her body and heard the emotional pain in Xena’s voice. She saw Xena’s face one last time as her vision became blurred and childhood memories briefly flashed before her eyes. She surrendered to the darkness and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again she knew she was in a different realm. She sat up and looked into the eyes of Hades, God of the Underworld. She gathered her courage and questioned softly, "am I here for judgement?" "Yes, but your circumstances is a little different." Hades said reluctantly, "I’m not even sure if I am the one to place judgement on your soul." "If you were, am I to remain in Tartarus?" She questioned after a brief hesitation. "You’ve done a lot of things this past year Gabrielle. Well, what with you and Xena in Chin, and then what you did in Rome, plus all the Romans that you killed while trying to save Xena, well… I’m sorry to say that it is a possibility." Hades said apologetically. "Oh…I have no regrets for the things that I have done. I guess I just didn’t realize my time was up so quickly." She lowered her eyes to the ground. "Well, it wouldn’t have been but for the interference of a god." Hades admitted. "Do you mind explaining that?" "Well, it all started when The Fates and I had a conversation about you and Xena." Chapter 1 – A God’s Inference The Fates quietly slipped in and sat down across from Hades. "Yes?" Hades was not surprised to see them. After all, they often came when they are about to cut the thread of someone acquainted with Hades. "The mortal Xena’s life thread is about to be cut. We just thought you should be prepared to welcome her." The three Fates said in unison. "Xena? Somehow I didn’t expect to see her coming for a long time." Hades was stunned. "Her time at the mortal realm is up, and we have foreseen her death in battle. This will take place real soon." "Well, Tartarus always welcomes another lost soul." Hades said expressionlessly; he has no real feeling toward Xena one way or another. Hades was not surprised when in a shimmering flash of light, the God of War appeared. "What are you talking about?" Without even sparing a glance at his uncle, Ares turned to The Fates. "Xena’s thread is to be cut. Her life on earth will be no more." The Fates said without emotion. "Why would she die? How does she die?" Ares demanded. "She will die in battle protecting Gabrielle." "That little irritating blonde again." Ares banged his fist on the table. "If anyone is to die, why couldn’t it be her?" "Gabrielle’s life line is not in question at this moment. Her destiny is not death during this battle." The Fates replied. "I said change it. You are not to cut Xena’s thread, do you understand me?" Ares threatened. "Someone has to die in this battle. Xena’s thread is so closely entwined with Gabrielle’s that it has to be either one of them. As we’ve already said, Gabrielle’s life line is not in jeopardy at this time." "But you could change it, right?" Ares looked menacingly at The Fates. "I don’t want Xena dead, and if you know what’s good for you, she will not die." Hades decided it was time to interfere, "Look Ares, I know how you feel about Xena, but if her time is up, then her time is up. I can’t just let you give her back her life. What will happen to Tartarus if I let all those wanting to stay alive live?" "You want someone to fill up space? Fine, we’ll give you Gabrielle." Ares said without thinking. "She’s been nothing but a thorn in my side since day one." "You can’t just take away her life like that." Hades protested. "Why not? We all know that little blonde will willingly die for Xena. I’m suggesting that we make it a reality." "But we also know that Xena will willingly give up her life for her best friend." Hades replied calmly. "Well, she isn’t going to this time." Ares turned back to The Fates; "I will not allow you to cut Xena’s thread. If you do, I promise you three will live to regret it for the rest of your lives." "Someone must die in order to maintain the balance." The Fates replied. "Fine, then take Gabrielle. Consider this as a favor to the God of War." Ares said. The three fates looked at each other, "agreed." "All I’m doing is ensuring that she fills her place in the Elysian Fields sooner rather than later, that’s all." Before Hades had a chance to correct him, he disappeared. Chapter Two – She’s in Tartarus "So I’m here because of Ares?" Gabrielle asked. "Yes, I’m afraid it was his interference that caused your early demise." "I have no regrets if my death ensured that Xena survives." Gabrielle smiled. "Gabrielle…" Hades found himself cursing Ares out loud. "It’s okay, Hades. He understood how much Xena meant to me, and I understand how much she means to him. He traded my life for hers because he loves her. I’m willing to die for her because I love her." "But…" "As I said, it’s okay. I’ve always known that my life with Xena means that we’re constantly in danger. It’s actually surprising how lucky I’ve been up until now. But if my death meant saving Xena’s life, then I have no regrets." Gabrielle tossed her head back and smiled at the god. "Ares knew that I would have made the same choice myself. I don’t condemn him for his action; I thank him." Ares sat at his hall watching the entire exchange between his uncle and Gabrielle. He felt as if he has been stabbed when she defended his action. Curse her, why does she have to make it so hard for him? How dare she trivialize his action? He thought he didn’t really care if Gabrielle lives or dies. If it weren’t for her, Xena would have been back in his service a long time ago. He knew that. He thought that he would be glad now that he had finally got rid of her, but instead he felt…sad. He watched the flow of blonde hair, the clear and untroubled green eyes, the determined jug of the chain, and found no satisfaction in the outcome. Feeling frustrated, he kicked a chair across the room. He turned his attention to Xena, his warrior princess, maybe that will lighten up his mood. "I have to take her back to Potadeia, her parents will want to bury her there." Xena looked at the body of her best friend and tears started to run down her face again. "I’ll come with you." Before Xena could protest, Joxer added quietly, "I loved her too, you know." "I know." Xena cried and hugged Joxer tightly. "At least we know that she had earned her place in the Elysian Fields." Joxer hold on to Xena and said through a mist of tears. Ares watched the two feeling totally disassociated. Even the sight of Xena did not lighten his mood. His couldn’t get his mind off the irritating little blonde. He finally admitted to himself; he doesn’t really hate her. In fact he admires her courage, appreciates her beauty, marvels at her loyalty, and delights in her sense of humor. On hearing Joxer’s words, Ares decided to check on Gabrielle in the Elysian Fields. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so bad once he sees that she is happy where she is. Ares arrived at Elysian Fields and quickly scanned the area, but Gabrielle was no where in sight. He checked on the new arrival roster, but her name was not on it. He felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. She had to be here; this is her destiny, isn’t it? Once she had seen Hades and received her judgement, she should have been send here. Where else could she have gone? He sucked in his breath when he realized that there is only one other place that she could have gone. Chapter 3 – A God’s Remorse "Hades!" Ares stormed into his uncle’s domain. "What are doing here, Ares? I know this isn’t a social call." Hades calmly appeared before his nephew. "Is she here?" Ares demanded without ceremony. "Is who here?" "Don’t play games with me. You know very well whom I’m talking about. Where is Gabrielle?" "Yes, Gabrielle is here. I thought that was what you wanted. You traded her life for Xena’s, remember?" Hades goaded softly. "But she is supposed to be in the Elysian Fields. How the heck did she end up here?" "Gabrielle had done some stuffs this last year that make judgement on her soul questionable. We can’t quite decide where to place her yet, so she is staying here in the mean time." "What do you mean ‘questionable’? We are talking about Gabrielle here. How could someone like her not be allowed to cross over to the Elysian Fields?" "Gabrielle has changed Ares. True, she still maintains her noble heart, but there is blood on her hands now, a lot of it. We can’t just wipe out her action because we happened to like her you know." Hades said sarcastically. "I don’t believe this." Ares ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "You said her place in the afterlife is questionable. What exactly does that mean?" "Well, she just sort of ended up here. All souls coming to Tartarus have to cross Charon, but she didn’t’." Hades said with a puzzled look on his face. "And I’ve been told that she is to stay here until judgement is made, so my guess is that her fate has yet to be decided." "And just who is suppose to decide on her fate?" Ares asked impatiently. "I have no idea. So far I’ve been told very little concerning our little friend here." Hades admitted, "She is to stay until I get further instructions." "I want to see her." Ares said quietly. "I don’t think she wants to see you." "I want to see her." Ares repeated. "You know you can’t stop me, I will find her one way or the other." "Fine. She’s in the waiting quarters. Go down the hall and turn left. Take the corridor to isle three. You’ll find her there. But be warned Ares, don’t expect that she will be glad to see you." Without another word, Ares stalked off. Ares followed his uncle’s direction and stood in front of a green door. He could sense that she was in there. He looked through the door and saw her lying on the floor. Her head on a pillow and her hair spread out. She looked…at peace. He stepped through the door before he had a chance to change his mind. On seeing him, Gabrielle immediately sat up. The face that looked at him was quite expressionless. She waited for a while, but Ares just stared at her without saying a word. Finally Gabrielle got tired of waiting and decided to break the silence. "Hello Ares, came to see if I’m really dead?" "I…uh…you shouldn’t be here Gabrielle." He said in a low voice. "I understand that you were the one who helped to put me here." She said ironically but without malice. "I didn’t mean for this to happen. It’s just…" "I know." She said quietly. "You can stop beating yourself up over it. We both know that if the decision were mine, I would have made the same choice. I wish I didn’t have to die, but if my death means the life of Xena, then there is no choice." "Why do you think that her life is worth more than yours?" "Isn’t that how you see it too?" She asked without humor. "I thought it was." He admitted reluctantly. "But then I’ve always underestimated you, haven’t I?" "Yes, you have Ares." She confirmed without hesitation. "I admit I was pretty green when I first joined up with Xena. Remember how I used to be petrified of you?" She laughed at her memories. "But I’ve finally grown up Ares. You don’t scare me anymore. At least it’s comforting to know that you can’t manipulate me anymore. You can’t use me to get to Xena ever again." She said with a hint of steel in her voice. Ares felt his temper rising at her derogatory tune. "You think not? What if I go to Xena and offer her your life back? You don’t think she will jump at the suggestion?" "Stop it Ares. Just admit it to yourself. You win some; you got rid of me. You lose some; you lost Xena. Stop taking everything so personally. Just consider this a victory and move on." Ares looked at her in amazement. How dare she talk to him like that? Here he was feeling remorseful about causing her death and she’s sitting there sounding off on him. He forgot how badly he felt just moments ago and instead let his God of War instincts take over again. "Well, if you think you are going to stay dead, then think again." She jumped up and stepped closer to him. "Don’t do anything stupid. If you do, you’re going to place Xena’s life in danger. It’s going to defeat the whole purpose. You’re already owning the Fates for this little fiasco, you don’t want it to be all for nothing." "Are you daring me?" "Stop it Ares, just stop baiting me." Gabrielle said tiredly. The events of the last couple of days had finally caught up with her. She ran a weary hand through her hair and said softly, "I don’t like being dead, but I’ve accepted it. A life for a life, you owe me for this. I’ll gladly stay dead as long as you leave Xena alone. Do we have a deal?" "No, little pest, we don’t." Ares laughed softly. This might work in his favor after all. "You might be annoying, but you don’t bother me so much that I’ll give up my warrior princess just so that I can be rid of you. In fact, I’m starting to miss you already." He said tauntingly. "Yeah, and I miss you too, just like I miss a kick in the head." "Why do you hate me so much? I remember us having some friendly conversations." "Friendly? Why am I here if not because you hate me?" "I don’t…I just didn’t want Xena to die." He admitted reluctantly. "Well, you got your wish, why are you still here?" "Don’t you miss it Gabrielle? Wouldn’t you like to live again?" "Of course, but I understand why I’m here. The mortal realm is a continued realm of balance. There’s the side of good and the side of evil. There is the side for the living and side for the dead. Unfortunately sometimes the two cannot co-exist. I spoke with Hades and figured out why I’m here." She looked at him and frowned. "I wish I knew why you are here now?" Ares stared at her but refused to answer. Frustrated and not sure what to do next, he disappeared. He arrived back at his hall and summoned The Fates. The Fates appeared with blank looks on their faces; "what do you require now Ares?" "I want to know what’s going on with Gabrielle." "We did as you asked and cut her thread instead of Xena’s" "But why is she just staying in Tartarus? I understand that even Hades doesn’t know what’s going on." Ares said impatiently. "When you made us cut her thread while it isn’t her time to go, her life line clings on even though her mortal body is gone." What does that mean?" "She is dead, but her soul refused to leave the mortal realm. There can be no judgement on her soul until she has fully accepted death." "If she refuses to leave, does that mean you can bring her back?" Ares asked with a note of wonder in his voice. "Not without an exchange. As we said, she should not have died, but she is dead as a favor to you. So you are the only one that can bring her back alive." "I don’t understand. Are you saying that in order for her to come back, I will have to die?" Ares asked in puzzlement. "No, even we can not severe your thread Ares." The Fates looked at one another, "Since you took away her life willfully, it will require a sacrifice on your part to bring her back." "What kind of sacrifice?" Ares asked. He never really trusted The Fates. Everything they say or do is always in riddles. "You will find that out when the time comes. Don’t worry, we will not ask for your life. But that’s only the second part of it, The first part requires you to humble your pride to her. She must learn to forgive you. If you can make her see you in a positive light, then we can return her mortal soul to this realm. But if you fail, then she would be doomed to stay in Tartarus forever." Ares sucked in his breath. He knew this was a risk he had to take. He’s banking on her generous heart to forgive him. Whatever it takes, he will make her forgive him. He closed his eyes, whatever sacrifice they demand, he will give it because he can’t bear the thought of her staying in Tartarus for an eternity. Chapter 4 – Asking for Help Ares sat staring at Gabrielle’s image through his mirror. He has no idea how to go about making her forgive him. She’s just lying there in her room staring up at the ceiling. She stayed that way for a long time. But when she turned over, he saw her put up a hand and wiped away at the tears. What have I done to you? Ares asked silently. She needed someone to look after her, he called on Aphrodite. Aphrodite appeared but without her normal cheerful smile. She stared at Ares without a word of acknowledgement. "Dite, I…" Aphrodite saw the reflection of Gabrielle on the mirror and turned back to Ares, "what do you want Ares?" "I know how you feel about Gabrielle, and…" "Yes, I considered her my friend Ares. Possibly the only mortal friend that I have." "I’m sorry." "Sorry? Sorry? She was the only person who never judged me. She accepted me as I am, flawed and all. Not even my own sisters had ever shown me so much compassion." Aphrodite yelled at him. "Dite, I wasn’t thinking. I just reacted to a situation. I don’t want to see Gabrielle like this any more than you do." "So, did you call me here to explain yourself? Am I supposed to just forgive you? Do I just wipe her out of my mind and forget about her ever existing?" She demanded as she backed him up against the mirror. Ares hit the mirror and stopped. He turned and watched as Gabrielle sat up and folded her arms across her knees, she then put face down on her knees and sobbed quietly. Aphrodite was also watching Gabrielle, she felt her eyes misted and turned to look at Ares accusingly. "Do you see what you have done to her?" "Yes, I do." Ares sighed and turned his attention back to his sister, "I have a plan to bring her back. But in the mean time, I want you to stay with her and look after her." "What?" "Look at her Dite, she needs someone with her. I can’t think of anyone else other than you." "Let’s say I believe you for now. Just how do you expect to bring her back?" "I haven’t got it all figured out yet. But I know where I have to start. Just promise me that you will stay with her and make sure she’s okay." Aphrodite nodded as she shimmered out of sight. Ares stood up and called for the other goddess that would help Gabrielle. Artemis appeared with her bow and arrow. As soon as she saw him, she shot an arrow straight into his heart. Ares pulled it out and looked at her impatiently. "What were you hoping to accomplish by this childish gesture?" "I wish I could have dipped that arrow in hind’s blood." Artemis spoke with so much anger in her voice that Ares physically winced. "I guess I understand where your anger is coming from." "Do you? Have you lost your mind? Don’t you know how important she is to me and to the Amazon Nation?" She stepped forward and slapped him across the face hard. Under normal circumstances Ares would have immediately hit her back, but this time, well…maybe he deserved it. He did however caught hold of her hand when she would have hit him again. "Look Artemis, I’m sorry. I…I made a huge mistake." "Mistake? You took away her life, and it’s just a mistake to you?" "I admit, I totally screwed up. I don’t like seeing Gabrielle like this any more than you do." "Oh cut the sob story Ares, I know why Gabrielle is in Tatarus with no where to go. You cut a deal with The Fates to trade her life for Xena’s. Are you now afraid that Xena will never forgive you? If you think you can get your warrior princess back after this act of malicious tempering with her best friend, well you can just forget it. Xena will never forgive you. Just like I would never forgive you." "I’m not looking for forgiveness. Well, I am, but it’s neither from you nor from Xena. The only person that needs to forgive me is Gabrielle." "Gabrielle? Even now you are not contended to just leave her in peace? Just what exactly do you have against her? What did she ever do to you?" "Nothing. Well, she prevented Xena from coming back to me, but she never really tried to harm me in any way." Artemis sucked in her breath; "Ares, I beg of you, just leave her alone. I don’t know how, but I’m going to get her into The Elysian Fields. I’m not going to let her stay in Tartarus. She deserves so much more, but if that’s all that I can do for her, well…" "I’m not letting her go to Elysian Fields, not yet." He raised his hand before Artemis could give voice to her disgust. "I’m not going to let her stay dead Artemis. I’m going to bring her back, and you are going to help me." Artemis stared at him for a long time, "why?" "Because she shouldn’t have died. I realize that now." "Are you willing to trade Xena’s life for her?" "Whether I’m willing or not is not the issue here. Gabrielle would never allow me to do it, furthermore she would never forgive me for doing it." "Why do you need her forgiveness?" "Because that’s the only way to bring her back." Ares looked at his sister and stated simply. "What do you want me to do?" Artemis finally asked. Chapter 5 – Bringing Back Gabrielle Gabrielle felt a hand on her head and looked up into the smiling face of the Goddess of Love. She grimaced slightly at Aphrodite and stood up. "What are you doing here?" "Came to see you sweetie." Aphrodite put a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder and pushed her back down to a sitting position. She then took a seat beside her. "Have things been rough on you?" "No, at least not physically." Gabrielle said truthfully. "But this waiting game is really getting to me. Do you think you could find out what’s going on?" "No sweetie, you know that I’m on your side, but well, I cannot interfere when it comes to Hades domain. I’m here to keep you company and to make sure that you are okay." "You sounded like you were send here." Gabrielle said jokingly. "Well… not that I won’t come here myself, but I was actually sent here by Ares." "Ares…" Gabrielle stiffened, "why would he asked you to come?" "He said he has a plan to get you back alive." She continued at Gabrielle’s raised eyebrows, "I don’t know what he’s planning to do, but I do believe he’s sincere." "Why would he wanted to help me now?" "I think it’s because he’s sorry." Gabrielle just laughed, "no, he’s up to something. Whatever it is, it better not involve Xena." "Listen Gabrielle, I don’t think he’s even thinking about Xena right now. I believe him when he said he’s trying to help, and I think you should let him." "After all that he has done, you think I should trust him?" Gabrielle looked at Aphrodite and shook her head slowly, "I might be naïve, but I’m not stupid. There must be something that he wants, and somehow he needs me for whatever it is." Before Aphrodite could say another word, Artemis appeared in front of the two. Gabrielle had never seen Artemis before, but there is no mistake that this is the Goddess of the Amazon standing in front of her. She was loss for words as she gazed in confusion at the Goddess. "Hello Gabrielle, this is not how I wish we would meet." Artemis said softly. "I’ve always wanted to meet you Artemis, but you are right, I would rather it be under different circumstances also." Gabrielle replied with irony. "You’ve done a great service to the Amazon Nation and made me proud of my Amazon Queen." "Thank you." "I’m just sorry that it was my brother who caused this whole mess." "Yeah well…Ares and I were never really friends you know." "He asked me to tell you that he’s sorry and that he’s begging for your forgiveness." Artemis said slowly as she carefully watches the bard’s expression. Gabrielle smiled without humor, "if he had just listened to me, he would know that I don’t blame him. I told him I understood his motives. He and I both love Xena. I will always be willing to give up my life for her, and I know he knows that to be the truth. All that he did was to take a decision that I would ultimately made myself out of my hand. He doesn’t need my forgiveness because I never blamed him for it." "Gabrielle, that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard." Aphrodite interrupted. "I think Ares is such a poor excuse for a god. You should let him get down on his knees so that you can kick him a few times." Gabrielle smiled at Aphrodite; "I appreciate your sentiments, but I doubted it if Ares would ever agree." "You’ll be surprise at what he will agree." Artemis said, "he actually asked me to come here you know." "You too?" Gabrielle looked from Artemis to Aphrodite and then back again, "why?" "To the best of my knowledge, Ares had asked The Fates to bring you back. Part of the deal stipulates that you show your forgiveness of him." "The Fates must have known that I don’t blame him. I’ve already said so to Hades." Gabrielle frowned, "if that is the case, why am I still here?" "There is a second condition which Ares refused to tell me." Artemis said. "I think he sent us here to protect you. I think he needed time to work out a deal with The Fates." "Cut it out Artemis, I might not blame him for me being here, but I don’t trust him. He hates me. I don’t think bringing me back alive is part of his agenda." "I don’t know what’s on his agenda, but I do know that we are here because he’s worried about you." "Well, he can stop worrying. It’s not like I can get out of here and start telling on him." "That’s not why I am worried." Ares appeared in front of Gabrielle. He looked at her and winced when she took two steps back and then just turned away from him. "I thought you said you have forgiven me." "Well, that doesn’t mean that I’m glad to see you." Ares glanced over at his sisters, "thanks, can you two leave now so that I can speak with Gabrielle." "Don’t leave." Gabrielle grabbed hold of Aphrodite and inched closer to her. Aphrodite looked over at Ares and saw him gave her the look that clearly says ‘get lost’. She gently tapped Gabrielle on the hand; "You should listen to what he has to say. I promise I won’t go far. If you need me, just call." She then leaned over and hugged her before she disappeared. Gabrielle stared at the trail of smoke in disbelief. She then turned to Artemis, but the Goddess just smiled at her and she too disappeared. Gabrielle turned her attention back to Ares, "right, you sent them here, and then you tell them to leave. Just exactly what kind of game are you playing at now?" "No game Gabrielle." Ares said softly and looked at her closely. Apart from being mad, she seems to be perfectly all right. "I just wanted a chance to talk to you. You weren’t willing to listen to me the last time, but I need you to listen to me now." "Fine," Gabrielle walked away from him and sat down at the edge of the bed. "Talk away." "I’m sorry. I didn’t think when I traded your life for Xena’s" He said sincerely. "I didn’t think about the consequences carefully or I would never have done it. I thought I didn’t care what happened to you, but I was wrong." He admitted reluctantly, "I care Gabrielle, I care more than I’m willing to admit." He paused as he waited for her to say something, but nothing came. He looked at her and saw her just staring at him. "This is some kind of trick isn’t it?" "No, I don’t know how, but somehow you just got under my defense. I don’t want to see you die Gabrielle." Gabrielle continued to shake her head. Ares was about to say something else when he noticed The Fates had arrived. It took Gabrielle a moment longer to realize that they were no longer alone, but when she did, she too turned her attention to The Fates. "Well Ares, it looks like you fulfilled the first part of your task." Ares looked at The Fates hopefully, "so are you going to bring her back?" "There’s still the second part of our deal that has yet to be accomplished." "Stop talking in riddles." Ares said impatiently, "just tell me what do you want from me?" "You will find out soon enough. For now you can take Gabrielle back to the mortal realm. You are to keep her with you until you either fulfill the second task or you fail and we send her back to Tartarus permanently." "Wait, I don’t understand." Gabrielle began, but Ares just grabbed hold of her hand and they shimmered out of sight together. They reappeared back in the hall of one of his temples. Gabrielle looked at Ares without saying anything, but that look demanded answers. Ares ran his hand through his hair; "I just wanted to get you out as soon as possible before they changed their minds." "What kind of tasks were they talking about?" "The Fates said since I was the one who took away your life, it was up to me to bring you back. The first task was to get you to forgive me; that task alone enables me to bring you back. But in order for you to stay alive, I need to complete a second task…" He drifted off slowly. "And just what is the second task?" "Umm…I guess I will find out soon enough." "Fine, you wait to find out about your task. I’m leaving." Gabrielle turned to leave, but Ares grabbed hold of her before she even took two steps. "That’s not possible. The Fates said you are to stay with me until I complete the second task. You can’t leave." "You can’t keep me here." "Yes I can. For gods’ sake Gabrielle, stop being so stubborn. I won’t hurt you. I promise I won’t do anything to you." Gabrielle looked at him in distrust but realized that there is very little that she could do. "Fine, where is my room?" "Umm… why don’t you take the one down the hall, second door on your right. I’ll get a bath ready for you." Gabrielle could never resist a nice warm bath, and the thought made her smiled at him, "thanks!" Ares watched as she turned and walked down the hall. When Ares turned around he came face to face with Artemis and Aphrodite. "So you managed to bring her back?" Artemis questioned. "For now. I wish I knew what The Fates are expecting of me." Ares said tiredly. "Just exactly what is the second task that they want you to perform?" Aphrodite spoke. Ares looked at his sisters and decided that they deserved to know, " I’m suppose to perform some sort of sacrifice. The Fates were not very forthcoming. I have no idea what this sacrifice is." Aphrodite and Artemis exchanged looks of concern, but neither said anything. "Why don’t you two stay and keep her company." Ares said, "she still doesn’t trust me." The two goddesses nodded in agreement. Chapter 6 – The Sacrifice Gabrielle splashed happily in the tub. This is wonderful. There is nothing as soothing as a nice warm bath. She finally got out of the tub after the water had turned cold. She dressed, found a brush and sat down to brush the tangles out of her wet hair. When there is nothing more to do, she decided to go find Ares, after all, she needed answers, and he’s the only one able to supply them. When she reached the main hall, Ares was no where in sight. Instead both Aphrodite and Artemis were there apparently waiting for her. Aphrodite jumped up on seeing her and hugged her. Gabrielle returned the hug and then questioned, "so what’s going on?" "We are still waiting for The Fates to make their decisions." Artemis said carefully, not sure how much she should really tell her queen. "So where is Ares?" "I think he’s trying to stay out of your way." Artemis said truthfully. "Why?" "I think it’s because he figures that’s what you wanted." "Oh…well, I don’t want to chase him out of his own temple." "Should I tell him to come back then?" Artemis asked. "It really has nothing to do with me." Gabrielle said slowly. "Oh goody, I’ll ask him to come back and we can have a big party." Aphrodite said happily and disappeared. Artemis looked at her queen thoughtfully. "How do you feel about Ares?" "I told you, I don’t hate him. I guess I’m grateful for what he has done for me." Gabrielle shrugged. Before Artemis could say more, Aphrodite reappeared with a reluctant Ares on her arm. "I found him, so let’s party." Ares stared at Gabrielle, but she refused to meet his gaze. Instead she walked over to Artemis and announced to no one in particular; "I’m starved. Can we get something to eat in here?" During the following days, Ares tried to stay out of the way, but the temple is only so big, and every so often he would run into Gabrielle. At first he would turn and walk the other way, but after he did that a couple of times, Gabrielle finally put out a hand to stop him and said softly, "you can’t keep avoiding me at your own temple you know." "I thought it was what you wanted." Ares turned around and stared at the hand that is still on his wrist. She quickly pulled it away and blushed. "I can’t pretend that you are not here, so let’s just be civilize o.k." "Fine." After that Ares did not try avoid her. As a matter of fact, he tried to get closer to her. Everywhere she went, he was right there beside her. If she voiced a question, he was the first one to supply the answer. Pretty soon Gabrielle got so used to his presence that she actually missed him when he wasn’t there. Artemis watched as Gabrielle and Ares grew closer and closer together. She sighed as she watched the two laughed and whispered and strolled through the halls holding hands. She saw the soulful exchange of glances, the blushes and the growing attraction between the two, and her heart began to sink. She watched and worried but she couldn’t quite explain why she was worried. Finally Artemis decided to talk to Ares about it. She found him in his room lying on his bed with his feet pressed against the bedpost. "What do you think you are doing with Gabrielle?" She came straight to the point. "Nothing." He swung his legs down and sat up. "What do you mean?" "I meant all the little whispering sections, all the laughing and everything else." "I thought you wanted me to treat her nice." He said evasively. "I’m just trying to make her feel comfortable until… well, until we hear from The Fates." "You would rather that we never hear from The Fates, isn’t that right?" Ares sighed, "just what is it that you are accusing me of now?" "I’m not accusing you of anything, but I do think you are treading on very thin ice." Artemis looked at her brother and continued, "I just don’t want to see either one of you getting hurt." "I don’t know what you are talking about. I have no intention of hurting her." "Gabrielle is my Amazon Queen, and you are my brother. I love you both, and I would like nothing more than to see you two together, but it isn’t going to happen. If you let this continues, she is going to end up getting hurt, and so are you." Ares just stared at her but refused to answer. "Ares," Artemis started but Ares cut her off, "I know what you are saying, but I’m not losing her. I can’t." He said simply. Before he could continue he felt an unwelcome presence and turned to see the three fates standing across the room. "Well Ares, the time has come for you to make your sacrifice." The Fates said in their unemotional voices. "What is the sacrifice?" Ares said in a monotone, somehow he knew he wasn’t going to like their answer. "It’s very simple. Your sacrifice is losing Gabrielle. You let her go back to Xena, erase her memory of this whole incident, and we spare her life." Ares felt like he’s been hit in the stomach, even though he half expected it, he still wasn’t prepared for it. "Why?" "A sacrifice must hurt. It must cause you pain and suffering. After watching you two for last few days, we have concluded that this will cause you the greatest sorrow." "You let me brought her back here knowing that this is what’s going to happen." He stated flatly. "Yes, Gabrielle is a remarkable young woman, no one is immune to her charm for long. You agreed to a sacrifice Ares. If you keep her here with you, we will be forced to send her back to Tartarus. But if you send her back to Xena, she will at least have her old life back." The Fates stated. Ares turned to Artemis and saw his sister gently nodding her head. He closed his eyes and slowly let out his breath. Artemis moved over and silently offered her support. He looked at his sister and realized that he wasn’t being offered a choice. He would never risk her life in Tartarus. Ares watched as Gabrielle ducked from the attack, squatted down and swept the other man off his feet. She then delivered a swift kick to the head and knocked the man unconscious. She ran over to join Xena and together they took care of the other bandits. The two walked away as Ares watched until they disappeared off the horizon. Ares swallowed. He had sent Gabrielle back to the time when she was killed. He had erased the incident from her memory so that she couldn’t remember having spent any time in Tartarus or any time with him. He had resigned to losing her. His only consolation is that she is alive. The End Back to Ares & Gabby Fan Fiction Page