Author's Note: This is it my loyal readers. The end has come. I know some of you were worried that I wouldn't finish, but I promise you that if I post a story I will finish it. I don't believe in abandoning stories. I hope you enjoy the ending of The Death of Me and be sure to the read the little note at the bottom it will tell you what I'm working on next.

Chapter 17

Gabrielle awoke in a cocoon of warmth, wrapped in strong arms that held her with both a sense of protectiveness as well as need. Her head lay on a muscled yet soft shoulder and when she breathed in she detected the distinct smells of roses and leather. The bard's green orbs shot open as she recognized the scent as belonging to the Conqueror. Pushing herself up slowly so as not to disturb the sleeping woman Gabrielle looked down at Xena's relaxed face and everything from the night before came back in a rush. As the images flashed across her memory she felt herself blush and become wet at the same time.

"Am I that interesting?" said a sleep hoarse voice from below Gabrielle causing her to jump.

A single blue eye opened, gleaming at the young bard before closing as the strong arms pulled her down and a single large hand pushed the blonde head back towards its abandoned resting place.

"Go back to sleep, it's too early to get up," grumbled Xena.

Gabrielle chuckled, "Says the woman who gets up before sunrise every day."

The chest below her head rumbled, "True, but I was ravished by an Amazon Queen last night and I'm exhausted."

The blonde smiled and snuggled into the warm body. Then a sudden, dark thought wormed its way into her mind driving away her warm feelings.

"Xena?"

"Yes?"

"What does this mean?"

The dark warrior chuckled, "What do you think it means?"

"I'm serious."

"I know you are. And the truth is I don't know what this means. You're my slave and I'm you're Mistress but no matter what I do, I cannot get you out of my mind. You occupy my thoughts every hour of every day. I long to touch you and hold you; I can't get enough of you, my bard."

Gabrielle was silent for a moment, lost for words, that was the longest thing Xena had ever said to her and it was about the stoic warrior's feelings. She savored them, especially the words 'my bard' which made her chest constrict in happiness.

She felt the body beneath stiffen slightly, "Gabrielle?"

The Amazon Queen looked up into those beautiful blue eyes and saw the mask of the Conqueror beginning to slip back into place.

She stared into those eyes, "I feel the exactly the same way about you, Xena."

The dark warrior's face softened as the mask retreated, and she smiled down at the bard before kissing her deeply.

"Will you wait for me, my bard?" whispered Xena against Gabrielle's lips.

The bard pulled back a little, "Where are you going?"

"I have to leave for Rome tomorrow; I finally have Caesar exactly where I want him. Now I just need to go in and kill him like the dog he is," Xena's eyes flared in anger at the very thought of the Roman general.

The small blonde cringed at the idea of what the warrior may do to the man but from what Darius had told her she couldn't begrudge Xena her need for vengeance. She understood it but hoped that the dark woman wouldn't let it destroy her like Gabrielle's had almost destroyed her.

The bard's hand cupped Xena's cheek, "I will not waste my breath by asking you not to do this but I will ask that you be careful and don't take any unnecessary risks; because I will be here waiting for you."

The dark warrior's eyes seemed to glow as she once again devoured the bard's lips and led her in another round of love making.

Chapter 18

It had been four months since the Conqueror's departure and Gabrielle was restless. That wasn't to say that she had slept soundly since Xena had left, in fact, the large bags under her eyes were testaments to her lack of sleep. No, Gabrielle was restless because there had been no news at all since her lover had gone. Her lover. The young bard was still getting used to the idea of Xena being her lover. There had been so little time to discuss their true feelings before the Conqueror had left for Rome that the blonde had begun to wonder if she had imagined the dark warrior's speech about needing her. Of course it wouldn't surprise Gabrielle if she had imagined the whole exchange considering she was still a slave bearing the Conqueror's collar around her neck. But Xena had said it was for her own protection, no one would dare touch the property of the Conqueror of Greece. Even so it was humiliating and the young bard felt the seeds of doubt beginning to take root in her mind.

When her mood was like this, dark and dower, Gabrielle had taken to walking around the battlements of the palace. Too high to jump from, the guards often ignored her or if they knew her requested a story to pass the time while they watched the country side and the city below. Tonight wasn't any different. As she stood next to a young guard the young bard leaned against the rough stone and waited for the sun to rise. Already, the sky was changing from black to purple with just a hint of red along the horizon the guard she stood next to sighed at the beauty before them.

"It's magnificent isn't it?" whispered the guard.

The Amazon Queen glanced at the young guard, surprised by the tender admission, and nodded her agreement.

"She'll be back you know."

Gabrielle remained silent.

"The Conqueror is the best there is. She'll be home soon with horns blowing and soldiers banging their shields."

"I hope so," whispered Gabrielle, realizing that despite her doubt she truly did hope that Xena would return safe and sound.

A gentle silence surrounded them before the bard turned to the soldier, "What's your name?"

The soldier gave her a little nod, "Jett, ma'am, and you're the Conqueror's bard."

"Slave, not bard," grumbled Gabrielle.

"Could have surprised me ma'am considering that on more than one occasion I've seen our Lord lurking outside the hospice listening to your stories with us guards."

The bard looked up at him with surprise, but there was no sign of falsehood on Jett's face. The idea of the great Warrior Princess crouching outside the hospice doors listening to her stories made her feel warm with happiness.

"Well isn't this touching?" rasped a gravelly voice.

Gabrielle spun around only to be confronted with the grinning, coal lined, black eyes of Alti.

"Alti," growled the blonde.

"Xena's little bitch," Alti smirked.

"Hey!" Jett took a step forward his hand on the sword at his side,

The witch chuckled darkly, "Yet another admirer, Gabrielle? Soon you'll be running Greece. Or at least that's what the Conqueror will think when she returns."

"What are you talking about?" Gabrielle felt dread beginning to pool in her stomach.

The Shamaness smirked, "Oh, only that I sent out a few well placed letters. Your Amazons are on their way to rescue their beloved Queen, that whore Loa Ma is on her way to advise Xena about her 'feelings' for a certain bard, and of course the Conqueror will be coming soon to prevent a certain treacherous Amazon slave and traitorous Governor of Chin from taking the throne from her. In the end I will not only have all of the souls of your Amazons but Loa Ma's as well."

Alti stepped closer and touched the bard's face gently, "And of course your soul Gabrielle, after the Conqueror finally allows you to die. I'm sure she'll want to draw out your death as long as possible."

The Amazon Queen jerked her head back in disgust; fear and anger began to fill her mind. What if Xena believed this? Jett, having listened to the whole exchange interpreted the touch as a threat to the bard; giving him the excuse he needed to draw his sword and slash at the evil Shamaness.

Alti caught the movement of the sword out of the corner of her eye and flew back, dodging the blade. Jett followed putting himself between Gabrielle and the witch. Alti smirked at the foolish move before waving her hand flinging the soldier head first into one of the stone walls of the fortress. A sickening crack told Gabrielle that if Jett was still alive he wouldn't be for long. The glimmer of light reflecting off metal drew the Amazon Queen's gaze to Jett's dropped sword. Without thinking she lunged for the weapon, grabbing it and rolling back to her feet before facing Alti.

The witch simply grinned at her, "Do you really think you can take me on, little girl?"

Bringing her hands together the Shamaness slowly pulled them away from each other revealing a black sword. Grasping the weapon the witch twirled the blade a few times showing her prowess with the weapon.

Alti admired the blade, running her fingers lightly of the razor sharp blade, "It doesn't matter if you die now or at the Conqueror's hand. Either way your soul will be mine."

Gabrielle gripped her sword harder feeling the impression of Xena's crest carved into the hilt, "Never."

The short, blonde, warrior lunged at Alti slashing at her throat. The witch parried the move with ease laughing at the attempt before striking out with a stroke of her own. Together they struck out at each other Gabrielle's usual gracefulness contrasting Alti's brute force. The bard ducked and weaved looking for the one weakness in the witch's defense. And found it.

The blade slide easily into Alti's chest all the way to the hilt like a hot knife through butter; Gabrielle glared up into the black eyes so filled with surprise and pain and felt both satisfaction and revulsion. She was repulsed by both the act she had committed and the fact that this woman had forced her to commit it. In the back of Gabrielle's mind she wondered when killing would get easier; Eponin had told her once at that after her first kill it got easier. This hadn't been easier, it had just been necessary.

Alti dropped her blade then quickly touched Gabrielle's golden head, "A gift for you, bitch."

Suddenly a vision filled Gabrielle's mind she saw herself standing in front of a cliff overlooking the ocean with Xena standing before her dressed in armor. The wild, angry look that filled the dark warrior's azure eyes made Gabrielle flinch more than her raising her chakram.

"You betrayed me!" screamed the Conqueror as she let loose the circular blade, aiming for the bard's head. Tears filled Gabrielle's eyes as she through her chakram as well.

Then the vision shifted and Xena was on her knees before Gabrielle glaring at her. Blood oozed from her ears and nose. The bard could feel similar wounds weeping blood from her own face as she clenched the chakram in her hand.

"Do it," growled the Conqueror.

The Amazon Queen raised her arm the chakram ready to strike the killing blow.

"NO!" screamed Gabrielle pulling away from Alti's touch.

Alti fell to the floor clutching her chest and laughing. The wet, wheezing laugh scared Gabrielle more than when Alti had raised her blade; it was the sound of someone who knew that they had already won.

The Shamaness stopped laughing long enough to gasp one final message to the Amazon Queen with her blood tinged lips. "One of you will slay the other in the end, either way I win."

"NO!" Gabrielle dropped to her knees and shook Alti, "You're wrong! I'll stop it somehow!"

But the witch was already gone; her vacant black eyes reflecting the light of the rising sun.

Gabrielle released the lifeless body and stood looking out at the sun, seeing a few moving dots on the horizon heading towards Corinth. She had no doubt that her Amazons would soon be here. She needed a plan, a way for her to escape Alti's vision. A way to insure not only her survival but Xena's as well. As the sun fully crested the horizon an epiphany graced the bard's brilliant brain. It wasn't the best idea she had ever had but it was something.

Chapter 19

BANG! BANG! BANG! Screams followed each slam of the hammer as the Conqueror drove the eight inch nail through Caesar's right hand. And those screams were music to her ears.

The battle had been long and tiresome for Xena and her army. Storming the walls of Rome had been no easy feat but with her strategic mind and her superior forces Rome had fallen. The key to Rome's downfall had in fact been Caesar's friend Brutus who had given up the General's location when it was proven that the Conqueror would win. The dark haired warrior had spared Brutus at first when he had delivered the information but upon Caesar's capture she had had him executed. Traitors were not to be trusted. But she did show her gratitude by simply beheading him rather than crucifying him.

Caesar whimpered as she moved on from his hands to his ankles. As she rammed the nail through his crossed ankles memories of him seducing her, capturing her, raping her, and finally crucifying her flashed through her mind. The memories only made his screams of agony and cries for mercy all the sweeter to her. As she finished her bloody work she nodded to her soldiers to raise the cross and backed up to see the final image. Caesar's cross had been placed close to entrance of Rome and would be the first of many to line the main road leading to the conquered city. The laurel of rotted leaves around his head and the parchment above his head on which his name and crimes were written completed the picture. The Conqueror grinned as the cross settled into the ground.

"Xena, mark my words. I will see you dead," screamed Caesar.

The dark haired fury looked up at her vanquished foe, "No Caesar you won't. Your destiny ends here on a cross. But don't think that I am completely without compassion and mercy."

The Conqueror motioned to one of her soldiers to come forward. The large, muscular man hefted an large war hammer in his hand.

Xena saw the fear enter Caesar's eyes and reveled in it, "Break his legs."

The Conqueror felt like laughing as the sounds of shattering bone and Caesar's screams of suffering filled her ears. But the prickling sensation that flowed over her body distracted her from her glee. Turning her head she saw Ares standing a few feet away, motioning for her to follow him as he walked away from the crucifixion crew. After making sure the soldiers in charge of crucifying the other designated prisoners and the soldiers guarding Caesar's cross had their orders she left to follow the God of War.

Gabrielle pushed through the double doors leading into the hospice franticly running pass Darius to her cot. Snatching up what little clothing she had from under the bed along with her chakram, she stuffed them into a bag she used to gather herbs for the old healer. The bard's thoughts flashed through mind at an almost alarming rate as she tried to think of what she might need for her escape as well as her journey to Amazonian land. Darius said something to her in a disturbed voice but she ignored him, instead she moved toward his cabinets and began throwing them open. Finding herbs needed to prevent infection and bandages she shoved them into her bag. As she moved along continuing to ignore the old healer's frantic questions she found what she was looking for. In a drawer containing metal tools she found Darius' knife, designed to make swift cuts into the body of an ailing patient the blade was razor sharp. Gabrielle felt exhaustion and sorrow as she gazed upon the blade knowing that she might have to use it on another person. 'When will the killing end?' she wondered.

Spinning around she came face to neck with Darius who grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, "WHAT IS GOING ON?"

Gabrielle stood there for a moment memorizing Darius' face, trying to commit every wrinkle to memory because she would never be able to return after this betrayal.

The old man shook her again, "Talk to me Gabrielle! You're scaring me."

"I'm leaving Darius," Gabrielle murmured.

His hands dropped, "But you can't. Gabrielle, you're finally getting through to the Conqueror. If you leave now it will devastate her. You must understand that?"

"If I don't leave now Darius all is lost. My Amazons and Loa Ma are coming and if I'm found here I will die or Xena will."

"How can you do this to her, Little Rabbit? She loves you."

"Don't you think I know that!" Gabrielle slammed her fist into a cabinet, "Alti showed me a vision, if I stay she dies."

"Alti," Darius' voice dropped to a growl.

The bard felt defeated. Everywhere she turned she was surrounded. If she left she would never see Xena again except for possibly on the battlefield and if she stayed then Xena would die by her hand. She felt the energy leave her body as she finally understood that the pretty picture Loa Ma had painted of her changing Xena for the better and possibly living with her was a lie. A dream that could never be.

Gabrielle's shoulders dropped as she sobbed, "Damned if I do and damned if I don't."

Large arms encircled the short blonde and pulled her into the warm body of the old healer. As Darius held her, Gabrielle cried into his tunic weeping for Xena, for the Amazons, for herself, and for a future that would never be. Once the tears had been shed the bard began to feel better and pulled away from Darius.

"Alti could be wrong, Little Rabbit."

"Maybe, but I won't take that chance."

The doors to the hospice flew open slamming into the wall. Turning Gabrielle and Darius were confronted by two of the dirtiest Amazons they had ever seen.

"Ephiny? Eponin?" gasped the Amazon Queen in confusion.

"Good morning my Queen, we'll be your rescue party this morning," Eponin grinned.

"Gabrielle, are you alright?" asked the Regent.

Gabrielle groaned internally, "I'm fine Ephiny but now we need to hurry and…"

Before she could finish a flash of light filled the room.

Ares smacked solidly into the tree causing a soft rain of green leaves to fall over him. He glanced up and smirked at the very angry Conqueror standing over him.

"You're lying, you son of a bacchae," snarled Xena shaking with fury.

Ares gingerly touched his jaw, "Xena, Xena…have I ever lied to you before?"

He gave her his best innocent look but it seemed to only infuriate her more. The agitated warrior began to pace back in forth in front of him gritting her teeth and mumbling under her breath as her hands remained clenched into fists. He caught a few words that sounded like Gabrielle, torture, suffer, and crucify but her couldn't be sure. Either way it was clear the Conqueror was pissed and his Xena was back.

The Conqueror felt like she was in the cage back in Chin. A trapped, wild animal slamming against the bars of her prison; ready to rip out the throat of anyone she met along the way to freedom. If what Ares said was true then Gabrielle had betrayed her. The crafty Amazon Queen had not only summoned her Amazons to take Greece while she was away but had also gotten Loa Ma to help her. Such a betrayal was unacceptable and the slave would pay dearly. Yes, she would suffer for weeks before Xena would allow her to die if she was allowed to die at all. The Conqueror might just force the Amazon Queen to watch as each of her Amazon warriors was crucified before entering her in the dungeons for life. That way the dark haired warrior would not only always have a living reminder of her deepest betrayal but she could torture Gabrielle whenever she liked.

But a part of Xena continued to argue that the bard would never do this, not to her. The conflicting thoughts and feelings frustrated the Conqueror increasing her agitation; she needed proof that Ares was right. Proof that Gabrielle was guilty.

She stopped suddenly and turned, "How do you know she did this?"

Ares propped himself up and whipped out a piece of parchment from his tunic, "A little bird told me."

Xena snatched it from his grasp and skimmed over the writing, her lip curled as she reached the signature. Alti. A letter from that witch meant nothing to her. Alti had become troublesome lately and this was just the sort of thing she would cook up to turn Xena against Gabrielle. Part of her was relieved by the letter.

She balled up the letter and threw it at Ares, "Alti's word means nothing to me Ares."

Ares caught the balled up parchment, "Would it help to know that your sweet slave murdered her."

Xena couldn't help it, she laughed.

"Gabrielle killed Alti? Well, I'll just have to reward the little bard when I get home for that. If you've got nothing else Ares…"

"Wait. Her Amazons are already at the palace to aid her in gaining control."

Xena glared at him, "If you're lying…"

"I'm not. In fact I can take you there right now. How about it Warrior Princess? Let me show you the real irritating blonde," Ares held out his hand.

The Conqueror heisted for only a moment before grasping the War God's hand and light consumed them.

Chapter 20

Gabrielle opened her eyes as the light faded only to see not only her lover but the God of War standing opposite her, Ephiny, and Eponin. Poor Darius was in the middle and upon seeing the Conqueror's glare quickly got out of the way.

Xena's gaze was murderous as it flicked from Gabrielle to the two Amazons. The young bard felt her heart constrict with fear as she looked into the ice chip eyes of the Conqueror. With a sense of despair she realized that no matter what happened now, she had lost the one person she had come to cherish most.

"Xena, I…"Gabrielle began in a pleading voice.

"No," interjected the Conqueror in a whisper.

"Xena, please listen…"

Xena drew her sword, "NO! Ares was right you BETRAYED ME!"

The bard backed up slowly, reaching for the chakram in her bag.

The Conqueror grinned, "I'll make you suffer slave. So much that you will beg for death. But first I'll crucify every Amazon in your nation in front of you. Yeah, by the time I'm done the bodies will line every road to Corinth. In fact, let's begin with these two."

Ephiny and Eponin drew their blades while simultaneously moving in front of their Queen.

"You won't ever touch her again," growled Ephiny.

The dark haired warlord laughed, "I think I'll touch her every night in my dungeons until she dies. And you won't stop me Amazon."

The Conqueror lunged at the two warriors just as Gabrielle drew her chakram. Once again the room was filled with light.

The Conqueror almost fell on her face and Gabrielle almost dropped her knees as they were both suddenly transported onto a grassy cliff side overlooking the ocean. The bard recognized the place and felt her blood run cold. This was the place from Alti's vision, the place where Xena would die.

Regaining their equilibrium the two women backed away from each other. Gabrielle moved back to prevent the inevitable while the Conqueror sought to get a hold of the situation. Somehow she had been transported with only her chakram to this cliff side with the traitor. Maybe Ares wanted her to kill the slave with her own hands. The warlord grinned, she liked that idea.

The space between the two warriors shimmered as the God of War appeared looking rather amused.

"While I like your style Xena I thought we could settle this a little more privately. The each of you have chakrams, the chakram of dark," he motioned to Xena, "And the chakram of light." Ares nodded to Gabrielle who clutched her own circular blade.

"So, let's settle this like warriors. There's only one rule. There are no rules. Whoever kills the other with her chakram gets Greece and a spare round killing thing."

"What do you get out of this Ares!" shouted Gabrielle.

The God of War gave her the once over, "Well blondie, I get to be entertained. Having warriors kill each other over petty things is fun and all but seeing two hot women really try to rip each other throats out gets my blood flowing." His hand passed over his crotch as he said the last part.

"Alright ladies, ready, get set, KILL" Ares vanished.

The two warriors slowly began to circle each other once the god had left.

"Xena don't do this," pleaded Gabrielle.

"Shut up."

"It's what he wants."

"SHUT UP!"

Xena stopped and raised her chakram, "You made me weak before with your words but it won't work here. Not after you're betrayal."

"But Xena I didn't…"

"YOU BETRAYED ME!" screamed the Conqueror as she let loose the circular blade, aiming for the bard's head.

"I love you Xena," Tears filled Gabrielle's eyes as she through her chakram as well.

In that moment, as the young bard's tears of love and regret blinded her and the dark haired warrior stared at her former lover eagerly awaiting her death the chakrams met, stopping in mid air. As the two women watched the two circular blades began to spin around each other, spinning faster and faster until they exploded. The force of the explosion slammed into the women, knocking them off their feet.

As Gabrielle slowly raised her head off the ground she could feel something sticky and wet trickling from her nose and ears. Reaching up with her right hand she attempted to wipe away the wetness only to find that she was clutching a chakram. But it was not hers or Xena's it looked similar but it lacked the designs on the blade and there was a center piece now, making look like one of the symbols she had seen Loa Ma wear. She stared at the weapon. Was this all that was left of the two chakrams? Gently pushing herself up Gabrielle saw Xena lying a few feet away from her. Getting to her feet she moved cautiously towards the Warrior Princess.

"Xena? Are you alright? Please be alright."

As Gabrielle drew closer she saw the Conqueror's eyes open and look from her to the chakram. The young bard watched as the light in those intoxicating blue eyes seemed to fade with resignation. Gradually, the dark haired warrior rose to her knees and looked up at the Amazon Queen.

"Get it over with," said Xena wiping a bit of blood away from her nose.

"Xena."

"Do it," growled the Conqueror.

Gabrielle looked at the chakram in her hand and back to Xena. This was Alti's vision all over again but she wasn't going to let the witch win. And if that meant letting Xena kill her then so be it.

"No," whispered Gabrielle as she fell to her knees.

"If killing me will ease your pain Xena then do it; but know this, I never betrayed you and I love you and forgive you," the bard gently placed the chakram in Xena's lap.

The Conqueror gazed into the Amazon Queen's sparkling emerald eyes as she raised the newly acquired open. The razor sharp blade sparkled in the sun.

"I love you, Gabrielle," Xena stuck out with the blade.

And the chakram found itself imbedded in the chest of a very annoyed War God. Taking it out he examined it closely before aiming at the two lovers.

"I gave you a chance Xena. She makes you weak, but if you won't kill her then, by me, I WILL!" snarled Ares.

"ARES!" shouted three distinct voices.

The chakram was wrenched out of the War God's hand and went flying over the Gabrielle and Xena's heads. Turning the two lovers found three women standing a few feet behind them. Standing in front, clutching the chakram, was a woman dressed in full battle armor carrying a golden spear. On either side of her, was a woman dressed in dear skins with a bow strapped to her back and another woman dressed completely in pink and had the blondest hair either of the warriors had ever seen.

"Back off Ares," commanded the foremost woman.

"You have no jurisdiction Athena, Xena is mine."

The woman dressed in skins stepped forward, "Well, Gabrielle is my chosen Ares and you are directly interfering with her life. Zeus is pissed."

Ares pouted, "Pop is always pissed at me why should I care?"

Athena smiled mischievously, "Because, after Artemis, Aphrodite, and I told him what you were up to he granted me a request."

"And what could that possibly be dear sister?"

The goddess smirked, "Xena is now mine."

Ares face turned bright red, "WHAT!"

Aphrodite spoke up, "That's right big bro, part of your punishment is that you lose tall, dark and deadly here."

"The other part is that you're going to be banished to somewhere very cold for a while," Artemis grinned.

A bolt of lightning struck the ocean and thunder rolled over them.

"Better not keep him waiting Ares, he's already angry you don't want to make it worse," warned Athena.

In a huff of frustration and anger associated with losing one of his favorite toys Ares pushed passed the kneeling Xena and Gabrielle and put his face close to Athena's.

"This isn't over, Daddy's girl," he snarled.

"Oh, yes it is Momma's boy," Athena smiled.

Growling the God of War vanished in a shower of sparks.

Aphrodite waved her hand in front of her face trying to disperse the little bits of heat, "Hmph, he really needs to take up my offer on anger management classes."

Two goddesses, a warrior, and a bard stared at the Goddess of Love in complete confusion and slight disbelief.

"What? A girl has to have hobbies."

Xena and Gabrielle just shook their heads as they rose to their feet before the three goddesses.

"Alright down to business," said Athena, "Gabrielle you go with Artemis, I need to talk to the Conqueror alone for a moment."

The bard looked to Xena who kissed her hand before nodding and allowing the Goddess of the Hunt to take Gabrielle. As the Amazon Queen and her patron goddess began to talk Xena turned back to Athena. The goddess' grey eyes seemed to pierce the Warrior Princess, looking straight into her soul.

The dark haired warrior fidgeted under the gaze, "So, how does this work? Do I have to get on bended knee and swear fealty or something?"

The Goddess of Wisdom laughed, "While I would be amused by the act I already know that such an oath would never be true. Your fealty already belongs to someone."

Grey and blue eyes flicked to Gabrielle.

"By the decree of Zeus you are now my chosen so nothing else need be done. All that changes is that you'll be getting advice and protection from me now."

"That's it?"

"That's it. Although I would like you to move your capital to Athens but I won't force you," hinted Athena.

"I'll think about it."

Xena felt a hand grasp hers and turned only to find a short, blonde, bard clutching the limb, "I'm ready to go home now, Xena."

"Me too."

Athena sighed, "Well, if there's nothing else…"

"Wait," the Goddess of Love interjected.

Xena and Gabrielle watched as the once quiet pink goddess moved until she was in front of them only to be startled when she wrapped them in a bone crushing hug.

"Take care of each other chicas. I know you both have trust issues but I still consider you both to be my greatest work. It's so rare that I get to work with soulmates especially ones as beautiful as you two. Just remember if you're good I might just bless you with something special," Aphrodite winked as she ran her fingers lightly over Gabrielle's abdomen.

Stepping back the Goddess of Love motioned to her sister, "Ok sis let's send these two love birds home."

Athena rolled her eyes but did as she was told. As she raised her hand the two soulmates closed their eyes and held on tight to each other.

Chapter 21

Upon opening her eyes Gabrielle found herself lying in-between the soft silk sheets on Xena's bed. Beside her lay the Warrior Princess who looked up at the ceiling in surprise. Turning the lovers stared into each other's eyes.

"We're home," whispered Gabrielle.

"Yeah"

"Are you okay Xena?"

Xena's eyes grew dark with hunger, "More than ok Gabrielle."

Leaning forward the dark haired warrior claimed the lips of her bard, leading her in a gentle kiss. As the kiss began to grow into something more passionate Xena reached for her lover only to find Gabrielle completely naked beneath the sheets.

Xena grinned, "I guess Aphrodite suggested this."

"Are you complaining?"

"Never."

After hours of love making the warrior and the bard lay with Gabrielle's head on Xena's chest, completely sated and content.

"What are we going to do about your Amazons? I'm sure they're in the dungeon by now and Darius is probably throwing a fit," wondered Xena.

Gabrielle yawned, "Artemis took care of it. Ephiny and Eponin are back on Amazonian land and Darius can wait till morning."

Silence filled the room for a moment then Xena nudged her bard, "Hey Gabrielle?

"Yes," the bard mumbled in reply.

"What does that look like to you?" Xena pointed up at the ceiling.

Rolling onto her back Gabrielle looked up at a perfectly painted representation of the night sky on Xena's ceiling. The bard gasped in wonder, "It's beautiful Xena."

The Warrior Princess grinned, "Yes but what does that constellation look like to you?"

Once again the dark haired warrior pointed indicating the stars she was looking at. Gabrielle examined the painted stars for a moment then settle on the perfect answer.

"It looks like a bear."

"A bear? Where do you get a bear?"

"See the little ears and his face."

"That's not a bear."

"Well then what's it look like to you?"

"A dipper. You know like one of those things you use to get water out of a bucket."

"Nah, it's a bear."

"A dipper."

"Bear."

"Dipper."

Gabrielle couldn't help it, she laughed. And soon enough Xena joined in, both amused by the ridiculousness of their argument.

As they quieted down Xena took Gabrielle's hand in hers, "I love you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle looked up into the blue eyes of the woman she adored, "I love you too Xena."

As fire and water finally joined, the universe found balance at last.

Epilogue

Xena the Conqueror married Gabrielle a few days after their return home and as their fame grew few people even remembered that the bard had once been Xena's enemy turned slave. Although many would say that the two women were perfect for each other, with Gabrielle's calming ways reigning in Xena's anger and Xena's passion influencing the bard's creative side. As the years passed Gabrielle would come to be known as the Savior of Greece on many occasions due to her skill with diplomatic proceedings, preventing many wars. Secretly, the Queen was called the Warrior Bard due not only to her ability to fight but also for the many scrolls she wrote based on her dreams of herself and Xena in another time. The Conqueror herself was very taken with the stories (although she thought they were sometimes a little too fantastic) and not only encouraged her wife's writing but had it copied and sent out throughout her kingdom. But she did keep a few personal scrolls which she and Gabrielle acted out on special occasions.

Soon, what some would call a miracle happened. Gabrielle became pregnant, whether by man or divine intervention it is not known but it is known that the Conqueror was ecstatic about the news. Some months later their first born, Lycea came into the first time she held the little girl in her arms was the first time that Xena actually called Gabrielle her soulmate. By the time of Xena and Gabrielle's death they had five children in all, who continued to rule their mothers' empire with justice and wisdom.

But like every great empire, many generations after her death Xena's kingdom fell and all traces of her and Gabrielle's names were destroyed in an attempted to wipe the Warrior Princess and her Bard from history. However; in the end they failed, for Gabrielle's stories lived on. What the bard called her Dream Scrolls still roamed the world, cherished by early historians and readers alike until they too were lost.

That is until 1940 when distant descendants of Xena and Gabrielle finally discovered a small cache of the scrolls. Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas with the same drive as their ancestors hunted down what they called the Xena scrolls only to give up fame and hide them once again from the world. From these scrolls Xena and Gabrielle's story has been told, believed to be fact. Until now.

XXXXXX

Author's Note Part 2: Although this story will not have a sequel I am working on another Conqueror story which will incorporate not only Conqueror aspects but also vampire lore and a bit of Friend in Need (but don't worry it's only in the beginning and it doesn't last long). And if you're wondering, Xena will be in the story as a flesh and blood Conqueror. Working title for this is Conquering Shadows, so keep an eye out. I plan on publishing the first couple of chapters this week. Lots of Love my loyal readers and feel free to email me. Cheers.