A Life Worth Living Part 17

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Renaissance/Universal Pics. No copyright infringement was intended. This story is based on the loving relationship between Xena and her lifebond, Gabrielle. If this offends you etc. please don't read any further.

Dedication: For Jan, Suz, Melissa and Linda O'Farrell (good luck in the exams, Babe)

The scorching sun beat down on two lifebonds and their daughter as they trekked across the desert of Egypt. There was no one around them for miles and the barrenness of the area urged them to try to find civilisation more quickly than either of them normally would have wanted. Sand rose from the hooves of a gold palomino mare and a chestnut gelding as they walked, the partners leading them by their reins. Xena was carrying her daughter in her arms, trying to shield the child with her cloak as the wind-blown grit whipped around them. The baby was crying and the warrior did her best to calm her, eventually resorting to handing her over to Gabrielle so she could tell her a story.

"How much further do you think?" the bard asked as she handed her reins to her partner and rocked her daughter.

"I'm not sure," Xena replied, squinting at her from under her hood. Her voice was muffled by the wrap covering her mouth and she pushed it down a little so Gabrielle could hear her over the noise of the wind.

"I'm not sure," she repeated. "Cleopatra's return message just said that she'd send someone out to meet us. She didn't say when or where but I hope it's soon. I have sand in places that sand should never be. It's sick and wrong."

The bard chuckled and hefted Gabby higher in her arms.

"Gods, she's getting really heavy," she commented. "I won't be able to carry her much longer."

"I know," Xena replied with a smile. "Even MY arms are aching." She sighed inaudibly. "What I wouldn't do for a hot bath right now."

"When we get to the palace we'll have all the baths we can handle. I've heard that Cleopatra bathes in milk three times a day."

"That's not true," Xena replied with a laugh. "Its only once a day. And I've heard it's very good for your skin. Makes it nice and soft."

"I don't really care about being soft," Gabrielle replied with a grin. "I'd rather be clean."

"Yeah, me too," the warrior agreed and tugged lightly on the horses' reins. "Come on, Argo, don't give up on me now. We're nearly there... I hope."

Gabrielle raised her hand, shielding her eyes from the sun and then pointed into the distance.

"Xena, is that my imagination or do you see camels?"

The warrior turned and looked herself but then she glanced at her partner with a solemn face.

"No, it's your imagination. It's called a mirage. Usually happens with dehydration." She couldn't however keep a straight face when she saw the look of panic on her partner's. "I'm just kidding! Yes, I see them. It must be Cleopatra's escort."

"You swine!" Gabrielle exclaimed indignantly. "You had me worried there for a second."

"I'm sorry, Love. I couldn't resist."

"I'll forgive you this once if you promise to wash my back for me when we finally get a bath."

"I promise, Gabrielle. Let's head in their direction and pick them up."

"I thought they were supposed to be picking us up," the bard complained.

"They know we're here," Xena replied, squinting in the bright sunlight.

"They do? How do you know that?"

"I saw the sun reflecting off something. They probably have one of those long distance seeing things. Damn, I shoulda got one of those."

"We'll get you one when we get to Cairo, Honey," Gabrielle replied with a teasing grin. "The gods forbid that there would be a gadget out there that you don't have."

"Gadget? What's a gadget?" Xena asked, ignoring the bard's teasing.

"It's a thing, you know, an object. It's my new word," Gabrielle replied.

The warrior rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Well I guess it's better than kite," she muttered.

"Hey! Kite is a great word!"

"Sure it is, Gabrielle."

Xena and Gabrielle trudged on, keeping their eyes firmly fixed on the caravan heading for them but as they got closer, Xena slowed down and finally stopped.

"I don't like this, Gabrielle," she stated. "They're not Egyptians, they're nomads. Dammit, that glint of light must have been off a weapon."

"What do we do?" Gabrielle asked. "Xena, there's no cover around here."

"Then I fight," the warrior growled, pulling her sword from its sheath on her back.

"We could just ride away," Gabrielle said, placing a hand on her sword arm but Xena shook her head.

"The horses won't get far on this sand and those guys have camels. They'd catch us anyway. Gabrielle, I want you to take Gabby and the horses up over that dune there. Don't come back, ok?"

"Xena, I'm not leaving you to take these guys on alone," the bard protested.

"Gabrielle!"

"No! We're in this together. Where you go, I go, remember?"

Xena couldn't help but smile, despite her annoyance.

"Alright, strap Gabby to her chair and tell Argo to stay there."

"I'll be back soon," the bard called over her shoulder as she led the horses away. "Don't start without me!"

Xena watched as Gabrielle mounted her horse and rode up the dune with Argo in tow. Once down the other side, she strapped her daughter into her chair on Argo's saddle, wrapped her in her spare cloak and kissed her.

"Argo, stay," she said, gently stroking the horse's muzzle. The mare dipped her head, nodding her understanding. "Good Girl."

The bard took off back to Xena but as she crested the dune, she looked down to see Xena already engaged in battle. She was surrounded but holding her own. Gabrielle drew her sword and ran down the dune toward the fight, her cloak billowing out behind her, and flipped over the Nomads' heads to stand with her partner.

"What took you so long?" Xena asked with a grin.

"Kept sinking into the sand and getting lost," the bard deadpanned. "You know how short I am."

"I told you that you should have drunk more milk," the warrior replied seriously and then slammed her palm into a man's face, sending the bone of his nose into his brain. He died instantly and dropped onto the sand with a muffled thud. Gabrielle winced but threw herself into the fight with a loud cry. The Warrior Princess and Warrior Bard of Potedaia soon finished off the last of the Nomads and looked around them, watching out for more trouble. Xena sheathed her sword and strode purposefully to the nearest semi-conscious man. She pulled him up by the front of his cloak and stared into his eyes.

"Who are you?" she growled, her own cold and angry. He replied to her in a language that she couldn't understand so she dropped him and stood back.

"I can't get information from him," she stated. "Come on, Gabrielle, let's get moving."

"Xena, look," the bard replied, pointing into the distance. Xena shook her head wearily.

"Better late than never," she said with a shrug, her sharp eyes recognising Cleopatra's banner.

"I'm gonna get Gabby and the horses," Gabrielle said and climbed back up the side of the dune. She reappeared a moment later, dragging the horses by their reins down the shifting sand. The soulmates pushed on and finally met up with Cleopatra's guard. The commander of the guard bowed to her and Xena instantly liked the young man. His face was tanned and kind and his dark eyes were shining brightly in the sun.

"Xena," he said in a strong baritone voice. "My name is Hazir. Her Majesty, Queen Cleopatra, sent us to meet you."

"Well, Hazir," the warrior replied with a grin. "We could have done with your help a half hour ago. Some nomads attacked me and Gabrielle."

"I am sorry, Warrior Princess," he replied, bowing again.

"Don't worry about it. We could handle them," Gabrielle replied stepping forward. She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Hazir."

The man took her hand gently and leaned down, touching his forehead against it.

"Your beauty brings a radiant light to the darkness of the world. Welcome to my country."

Gabrielle glanced at Xena, a smile tugging at her lips but the warrior rolled her eyes and perched her hands on her hips.

"Well, I guess we should get moving," she said loudly. "How far to the palace?"

"It is but a few hour's ride. Follow me."

He motioned toward the camels and walked to one, crooking a finger at Gabrielle. The bard held up a hand and then unstrapped Gabby from her chair. She handed her to Xena with a smile and then walked to Hazir.

"Xe?" Gabby said, looking up at her mother.

"Yes, Honey?"

The little girl pointed at the camels and bounced up and down in the warrior's arms.

"Mama!"

Xena glanced over at her partner who was settling herself on a camel's back and looking nervously at the ground.

"And I thought Argo was tall," the bard muttered and Xena chuckled.

"Gabrielle, you ok up there?"

Gabrielle nodded slowly.

"I was until you mentioned the word 'up'," she replied with a smile. "No, I'm fine. You want to give Gabby up to me?"

"It's ok," the warrior replied. "You just concentrate on holding on."

The bard's eyes widened nervously.

"What do you mean by thaaaaaat!" She grabbed the saddle as the camel began to walk. "Whoa! Stop, Camel! Xena!"

The warrior laughed helplessly as Gabrielle passed her.

"Gabrielle, pull back on the reins hard. He'll get the idea."

The bard reached down and took the leather reins in her hands, wincing as they burned her palms.

"Ouch! Xena, I'm not liking camels much," she called as she pulled back hard. Xena laughed harder as the bard passed her again, heading in the opposite direction. Her mount stopped suddenly and she grabbed the saddle again to stop herself from falling off as he dropped to the ground. Xena glanced around the soldiers noting that their shoulders were shaking as they tried to hold back the laughter. Gabrielle's first attempt at riding a camel had been almost comical. The warrior strode to her own camel and strapped Gabby into the chair a soldier had removed from Argo. Then she climbed onto him and urged him to stand up.

"See, Gabrielle, you have to squeeze with your knees and calves," she said, demonstrating said manoeuvre.

"Easy for you to say," the bard muttered. "You've got long legs."

The soldiers mounted their own camels and Hazir led the train back to Cleopatra's Palace.

"By the gods!" Gabrielle whispered, as she walked... well actually limped... through the main hall of the most beautiful palace she had ever seen. Everywhere she looked, statues, flowers and huge, ornate tapestries lined the walls. Gold busts of previous Egyptian Pharaohs stood proudly on white, marble pedestals and large marble vases teetered precariously on small, carved shelves. "This is incredible," she breathed as she glanced at her partner. Xena smiled tenderly, amazed that, after everything her soulmate had been through, she was still in awe of the beauty around them. She realised that it was one of the things she loved most about her partner... her ability to see beyond the detail to find simplistic beauty... the bigger picture.

"Yeah, it's pretty nice," she replied.

"Pretty nice? Xena, all the castles and palaces we've ever been in pale in comparison to this and you say that it's pretty nice? It's as close to paradise as I've ever seen!"

"I'm glad you like my home, Gabrielle," said a soft, low voice and the bard spun to find Cleopatra standing in front of her. Xena moved up close to her partner, standing behind her and resting her hand on her hip.

"Cleopatra, it's good to see you," she said with a smile as Gabrielle glanced up at her over her shoulder.

"Yes. It's been too long," the Queen replied. "Welcome to Egypt. I'm glad you decided to take me up on my offer. My home is your home."

"It's beautiful here," Gabrielle said. "Believe me, it's our pleasure to finally come here. Cleopatra, this is our daughter, Gabby."

The tall Queen held out her arms and Gabrielle passed Gabby over to her. She smiled and then looked intently at the blonde bard.

"Your daughter?" she asked.

"Our daughter," Xena replied firmly. "A gift from the Greek Goddess of Love."

Cleopatra nodded graciously.

"A gift indeed. She's beautiful. Well, you must be tired. I had two rooms prepared for you but now I see that you'll only need one. Your bath has been prepared and my handmaiden has laid out some clothes you might find comfortable in this heat."

The Queen clapped her hands and a young woman scurried up to her, bowing low before nodding to Xena and Gabrielle.

"Leoni, show my friends to their room. Give them anything they request. They are my honoured guests."

"Thank you, Cleopatra," Xena said and followed the young woman. Gabrielle took Gabby from the Queen and followed her partner. Once in their room, Gabrielle sat her daughter down on the floor and went to her lover. She looked up into the piercing blue eyes that had captured her heart as she wrapped her arms around her waist.

"I love you," she stated simply.

"Hmmm... Even when I'm in a bad mood?" Xena asked, her eyebrow arched in question.

"Yep."

"Even when I yell at you and be overprotective?"

"Yep."

"Even when I jump into a fight without thinking?"

"Yep."

"Even..."

"Xena?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Ok."

The warrior leaned down and captured her lover's lips gently. She kissed her passionately and Gabrielle smiled as she felt herself being walked back toward the bed.

"Xena, we can't right now," she whispered.

"Why not?" the warrior replied, nibbling on her ear lobe.

"I have to bath Gabby and put her to bed for a nap and then we have to take a bath and go have dinner with Cleopatra."

The edge of the bed met the backs of Gabrielle's legs and she sat down suddenly. Xena pushed her back onto the bed and crawled up onto her, her hands and knees resting on either sides of her body.

"Let them all wait," she growled as she lowered herself into her lover's muscular arms. Just then, Gabby started to yell and Xena sighed heavily.

"She has the worst timing," she stated, rolling off Gabrielle. The bard laced her fingers behind her head and laughed softly.

"She does sometimes. This time though, I think she's right. Xena, I really should bath her. Besides, I seem to remember a certain Warrior Princess promising she'd wash my back for me."

"Hmmm, I don't remember that," Xena teased and ducked a flying towel. "Ok, ok, gods!" She started to take off Gabby's clothes but the little girl kicked and yelled. "Gabby, what's wrong, Honey?"

"Xeeeeeeeeeee," the baby cried and the warrior lifted her up, cradling her gently.

"What is it, Gabby? Tell Xe what's wrong."

Gabby just sobbed loudly, holding on to her mother tightly and resting her head on her shoulder.

"I think she's just tired," Xena said, glancing at her worried partner. "I'll bathe her and put her down for a sleep. Gabrielle, see if you can find me her sleeping shift will ya?"

"I think it's in my saddlebag," Gabrielle replied and went to the pile of bags to rummage. A short time later, she found the shift and handed it to Xena, who was drying her daughter off. Gabby had stopped crying and she sucked on her thumb as the warrior leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

"There now. Feel better? You're gonna have a nice nap now, Honey and give your Mama and I some time alone, aren't you?"

"MAMA!" Gabby yelled and Xena winced.

"Don't you even think about it. Your Mama is mine for at least the next hour. Longer if I do it right..." She looked at Gabrielle with a sexy smirk. "I plan on taking my time," she purred, perfect white teeth flashing briefly through her grin.

"Hmmm... On second thoughts I think we have some time," the bard replied. Xena deposited her daughter in the large wooden crib, tucked her in and then flew at Gabrielle, surprising the Hades out of her as they crashed back onto the bed.

"You're mine," Xena growled, pinning her hands to the bed at shoulder height.

"Yours," Gabrielle replied with undisguised tenderness and suddenly Xena's face grew serious. She released the bard's hands and gathered her into her arms.

"Gods, I love you," she whispered and then lowered them both gently back onto the soft bed. She closed her eyes and moaned softly as Gabrielle hands began to roam.

"Xena?"

"Hmmm?"

"Remember you said you have sand in places sand shouldn't be?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I think I've found it."

"Oh? Ooooh... yesssss... oh you definitely have, Love!"

Two hours later, Xena and Gabrielle walked hand in hand to Cleopatra's dining room... or dining cavern, Gabrielle thought as she entered the room.

"Xena, I think this is the biggest room I have EVER been in," she whispered.

"Yeah. It's cool."

"Cool?"

"Yeah, you know, not hot?"

"Oh right, yeah, it is."

The Queen's handmaiden led them to their seats at the table and bowed low.

"Queen Cleopatra will be with you shortly," she said and left them alone.

"Hey, Gabrielle," Xena suddenly said.

"Yeah?"

"See that over there?" She pointed to the bard's right.

"Yes?"

"That's a fertility statue."

"And?"

Xena grinned wickedly.

"We should get one."

"Why, Xena? Wait! Have you been trying to get me pregnant?" the bard teased.

"Very funny, Gabrielle. Not for us. For Toris. He sent word just before we left that he was going to marry that woman in Athens."

"Xena, you never told me that!"

The warrior looked away guiltily.

"Sorry. It just slipped my mind with everything that happened."

"It's ok, Honey. I was just..." Suddenly a loud noise came from behind them. "What was that?"

"That, my bard, was a gong. Cleopatra's coming."

"And I thought you made dramatic entrances," the bard replied with a chuckle.

"Ha ha," Xena stated flatly and then stood as the Queen of Egypt swept into the room.

"Good Evening, Xena, Gabrielle," the Queen said as she took her seat at the head of the table. "I hope your room is suitable."

"It's beautiful, thank you," Gabrielle replied with a smile. "Thanks for the clothes too."

She looked appreciatively at the long white robe Xena was wearing and Cleopatra laughed.

"You look very beautiful, Gabrielle."

The bard looked at the Queen in surprise and Xena felt her hackles rise but she took a deep breath and tried to change the subject.

"How have things been here?" she asked conversationally but her face fell as she saw the worried look on Cleopatra's face.

"Not so good, Xena," the Queen replied. "I received word a few days ago that the Nomad tribes have joined together. I'm not sure how many there are but I have to admit to being worried about it."

The warrior nodded slowly.

"Gabrielle and I were attacked by some Nomads on the way here. We didn't have any problem in stopping them but I was surprised because I've heard that they're normally peaceful people."

"They are peaceful," Cleopatra replied thoughtfully, "which leads me to believe that their leader wants to change their ways. I haven't been able to find out who their leader is."

Xena looked questioningly at Gabrielle and the bard nodded.

"Cleopatra, why don't you let Xena and I try to find out. We're not known here and we could move around easily."

The Queen smiled but shook her head.

"Thank you but I couldn't ask you to put yourselves in danger like that," she said.

"There doesn't have to be any danger," Gabrielle replied. "All we have to do is keep a low profile."

"Are you sure?" Cleopatra asked.

"Absolutely," Xena stated. "We'd be pleased to help. We'll go tomorrow."

"Take Hazir with you, just in case," Cleopatra said and the warrior nodded.

The meal was pleasant, with interesting conversation and more than enough wine. As the warrior and bard strolled back to their room, Xena smiled as she realised that her partner was a little bit tipsey. Gabrielle was giggling at nothing and on more than one occasion, wandered off course and bumped into the warrior.

"Gabrielle, how much did you drink?" Xena asked with a laugh as Gabrielle placed her hand against the wall to steady herself.

"Not that much," the bard replied with a grin. "Only about five goblets."

"Five? Gabrielle, you can't handle five!"

"Sure I can, Xena. I'm a little bit old for you to be watching what I'm drinking now, aren't I?" she scolded.

"Yes," Xena replied sheepishly. "But I just don't want you to be hung over if we're going after this leader guy tomorrow."

Gabrielle shook her head in exasperation and sighed long and hard.

"You're doing it again," she said. "I thought we got over this?"

"What?" Xena replied defensively.

"You treating me like a child. Xena, you're my wife, not my mother!"

The warrior suddenly stopped, anger rising quickly.

"Well, if you didn't act like a child, I wouldn't have to act like your mother, would I?" she snapped. Gabrielle's eyes closed at her lifebond's angry tone. She was upset and hurt by her words.

"Well," she said softly. "If I'm such a child, then why do you stick around? Let me guess... the sex is good, huh?"

Xena lowered her eyes and slowly shook her head.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you shouldn't," Gabrielle replied, unwilling to let her off the hook just yet. "After all we've been through, you had no right to say that."

"I know. Gabrielle, really, I'm so sorry."

The bard sighed and then smiled.

"It's ok. Look, it's been a long day. Why don't we both get some sleep?"

"Yeah," Xena agreed and held her partner's hand as they walked back to their room. They snuggled up together in bed and fell asleep, safe in each other's arms.

Xena and Gabrielle threaded their way through the crowds in the market area. The market was loud and colourful but Gabrielle wasn't really paying attention. She glanced over at her partner now and again and was worried because Xena had been very quiet since their argument the previous night. While Gabrielle had let it go, it was obvious that the warrior hadn't. The bard decided to bring it up later but for that moment, she would wait.

"Gabrielle, let's split up. See if you can find any Nomads and try to make friendly with them. I'll meet you back here at midday, ok?"

"Ok," the bard replied and then frowned as Xena headed away in the opposite direction. She hadn't even said goodbye. Now Gabrielle was sure that something was wrong. She sighed and pulled her scarf tighter around her head, hiding her blonde hair from view. Most of the people in the area were dark-haired and she didn't want to attract attention. "Right, Nomads... Nomads..." She turned in a full circle and then walked slowly through the market square, her eyes darting from side to side as she tried to keep tabs on both the people around her and where she was going so she could find her way back. She picked out several men who looked like Nomads from the way they were dressed but when she got closer and heard their accents, she decided they were just Egyptian peasants and moved on. She spotted Hazir and a couple of his men at one stage but they ignore each other and moved away. The last thing Hazir wanted to do was make Gabrielle a target. After an hour of searching, Gabrielle ducked down a side street and leaned back against a wall. She pulled back her cloak and tried to settle her sais more comfortably against her boots. For some reason, they had been bothering her all morning. She slid them out of their leather holders and then back in again, stamping her feet to test if they were seated properly. Once satisfied, she covered her legs again and walked back into the street where she almost collided with Xena.

"I'm sorry," the warrior stated and kept going without even a glance back.

"What the Hades got up her nose?" Gabrielle muttered with a shake of her head but she frowned as she saw the three men who were very obviously following her partner. She walked toward them and waited until they passed her and were a bit ahead of her before doubling back to follow them herself. In the distance, she saw Xena turn into an alley and saw the men quickly follow. She broke into a run to catch up, but as she approached the turn off, one of the men flew back into the street, landing on his back with a painful thump. Gabrielle grinned.

"That's my Warrior Princess," she said proudly and turned into the alley herself. Xena was standing over a Nomad, her fist clenched in his tunic and she had put the pinch on him. Once again she scowled and released the pressure point as he babbled in a language she couldn't understand. She dropped him and perched her hands on her hips, looking at Gabrielle.

"I think I'm gonna have to learn this godsbedamned language before I can get any information," she stated and Gabrielle smiled. "Or we could just get a translator," she suggested.

"Good idea! I knew there was a reason why I kept you around," the warrior teased but her face suddenly dropped as their argument of the night before came back to her. "Gabrielle, I didn't mean that," she said quickly as she moved up to her lifebond.

"I know you didn't. You were joking. I got it," the bard replied. "Xena, what's wrong? Is this about what happened last night?"

"I hurt you... again..." Xena stated a look of self-loathing on her face. Gabrielle shook her head.

"Xena, we both said things we didn't mean. Honey, we're joined," she went on with a smile. "We're supposed to fight sometimes. Think about how much we used to fight before we got joined. I hit you in the nose with my staff one time trying to catch you off-guard. We used to disagree about a lot of things but now we just know each other well enough to know when to step back."

Xena nodded slowly and then smiled.

"Look, Gabrielle. I just... I don't ever mean or want to hurt you. If I do I'm sorry and I'm apologising now for the next time I do it because I probably will."

"Alright, then I'm apologising too. Besides, I said something I'm not proud of last night too so let's just forget it and move on, ok?"

"Ok," Xena replied with a grin and kissed her partner on the nose. "Let's keep searching." She turned to walk away but suddenly stopped and drew Gabrielle into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I love you," she whispered and then took off back toward the market. Gabrielle blinked and looked around her, cursing under her breath as she realised that she wasn't sure where she was so she decided to follow Xena.

"Thank the gods for Xena's sense of direction," she muttered as she followed the warrior back through the maze of streets and alleyways and soon found herself back at the market. She saw Xena disappear into the bustling crowds and moved away to find something to drink. Gabrielle stopped at a tiny tavern and ducked inside. She slid into a seat near the back of the room, trying to be inconspicuous. The bard asked for wine and sat quietly, watching the room with interest as patrons moved in and out. She was just about to leave when two men entered and she immediately covered her face. Gabrielle recognised one of the men as having been part of the group who had attacked herself and Xena in the desert the day before. She looked down submissively as they took the table beside her and then beckoned to the tavern keeper, pointing at her glass. He came by with a refill and Gabrielle nodded her thanks as she tried to focus on the conversation near her. She smiled as she realised they were speaking Greek. One of the men was obviously a trader of some sort who didn't speak Egyptian so the Nomad was forced to speak Greek, luckily for Gabrielle. She did, however wonder where a wandering, animal herder would have picked up her native tongue. She knew Xena spoke a few different languages, including Brittanic, Chinese, Roman and a bit of Hibernian but that was because the warrior had lived there at one time or another, even if it were only briefly.

Gabrielle took a sip of wine and leaned back in her chair, listening carefully. The men were speaking in low voices and she was finding it difficult to hear what they were saying since the noise from the market was flooding into the room.

"You had better have it. I'm warning you, if you don't get it soon I'm going to have to............ until you............... Afayad won't be too pleased......... Cleopatra inside the Palace............ worried about guards............ Xena. ...............won't stop the......... Cleopatra............ dead."

Gabrielle's eyes grew wide at the mention of her partner's name. The Nomads knew Xena was there and who she was and there was a good chance that they would know her as well. She soon found out. The Greek man glanced over at her and his eyes strayed down her legs but they suddenly narrowed and he stood up, pointing at her. Gabrielle looked down and realised that her cloak had fallen open, exposing her boots and sais.

"Hades," she cursed and hopped over the table, running for the door but she was blocked by a huge man. She spun and kicked him in the face but he didn't even flinch. He grinned, flashing rotten, black teeth and cracked her across the jaw. She spun in a full circle but he grabbed her around the waist, squeezing her hard. She struggled for a minute as she felt the air being squeezed from her lungs and she was expecting to feel her ribs crack any second, but as she was on the verge of passing out, the man suddenly dropped her. She collapsed onto the ground and rolled out of the way as the man fell over, Xena's chakram sticking out of his back. Gabrielle retrieved the weapon and ran out to her partner.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked. Xena shook her head. "I have the power to read minds," she deadpanned. "No, I met Hazir and he told me you had gone in there ages ago but hadn't come out. He was worried about you so I came over to peek in the window. I saw that big guy pick you up so I let rip. Are you ok?" Gabrielle gingerly felt her jaw and then spat a tooth into her hand along with some blood.

"Awww," she groaned. "I've managed to keep my teeth intact up until now... and it's a good chewing one too." She shrugged and dropped it on the ground. "Xena, the Nomads are planning something to do with Cleopatra. I couldn't hear everything that was said but I think they're going to try an assassination. I was also going to say that they know who we are and why we're here but I think they just proved that to you."

"Yeah. They'll keep a low profile from now on, Gabrielle and I have a feeling that we're not going to be able to find out who their leader is. Let's get back to the Palace and tell Cleopatra what's going on. I'm also going to speak to Hazir about stepping up security in the Palace, especially around Cleopatra's private chambers."

An hour later, Xena and Gabrielle were granted access to Cleopatra's bathing chamber. The Queen was sitting in her bath of milk, her eyes closed in relaxation.

"Were you able to find anything out?" she asked.

"They're on to us," Xena growled. "But we think they're going to attempt to kill you, Cleopatra. I've spoken to Hazir and he's doubled the Palace guard and tripled your personal guard."

Gabrielle stepped to the edge of the bath and knelt down to whisper to the Queen. She looked surprised for a moment and glanced at Xena but the warrior nodded and grinned.

"Really? Ok, if you think it's necessary. I trust you both," Cleopatra replied. She stepped out of the bath and Leoni, her handmaiden, wrapped a long white robe around her naked body and led her out of the room.

"What do you think?" Xena asked her partner.

"Not bad at all," Gabrielle replied as she glanced in the direction of the door. "But you're more beautiful, Honey and you've got a much better figure."

Xena scowled.

"I wasn't talking about Cleopatra, Gabrielle," she said with an exasperated eye roll. "I was talking about the plan."

"Oh! Right, the plan," Gabrielle chuckled. "I think it's a good plan. It'll work."

The bard raised her hand to her head and then blinked rapidly. Xena took her face in her hands.

"Gabrielle, focus!" she said pointedly but she saw the glazed look in her lifebond's eyes and grew suddenly worried. "Hey, are you ok?"

"I feel kinda... light headed," the bard said but then her knees buckled and she passed out, collapsing into Xena's arms. The warrior scooped her up and laid her gently on a nearby sofa. She lifted Gabrielle's eyelids one by one and shook her head.

"Dammit, she has a bad concussion," she stated. "What did that guy hit her with?"

It was hours later when Gabrielle finally came to and she gritted her teeth against the ten Amazon drums that were beating in her head.

"I hate when this happens," she whispered and Xena smiled down at her, squeezing her hand gently. "I don't know how I'm at all sane anymore. I've taken so many knocks on the head."

The warrior chuckled.

"Well, think about it this way, Gabrielle. I've been doing this ten years longer than you so I've taken an extra ten years worth of bumps and look at me... I'm still sane."

"Nah, you're crazy," Gabrielle replied with a teasing grin. Xena smiled tenderly and stroked her partner's hair back from her eyes.

Well, if you mean crazy about you... then you're absolutely right," she said softly. Then her face grew serious. "Gabrielle, if we're going to get this plan to work, we're going to need something else."

"What's that?" the bard asked.

"Leoni. She's the key to whether this will work or not. She's never away from Cleopatra, except at night so we're going to need to bring her in on this plan. I'll go talk to her and check on Gabby. You try to get some sleep, ok?"

"Ok," Gabrielle replied and smiled as Xena kissed her on the forehead.

"Gabrielle, if I'm right about this, I think we can catch Cleopatra's assassin and the leader of the Nomad tribes in one go..."

The End

To be continued in part 18 'The Price of a Good Deed'