A Life Worth Living Part 18

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Renaissance/Universal Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended. This story is based on the love between Xena and her lifebond, Gabrielle. There is no subtext� only blatant maintext so if this offends you, if you're too young to read it, or if it's illegal where you are, please don�t read on any further. There's nothing too graphic in here though.

Archiving : Go ahead, you want? you take! drop me a mail to let me know if you want! I'd get a kick outta it!

Dedication: For Sham, a really good friend and, of course, steerer of drunken Cheeyas to excellent pubs in Dublin. (giggles) Also for Jan� welcome to the team, Hon!

Gabrielle stood at the window of the bedchamber she was sharing with her lifebond and gazed out over the palace gardens. A soft, trickling sound of water lazily drifted to her on the breeze and her eyes were quickly drawn to the fountain at the centre of the garden. It wasn't the sound that drew her though, it was the powerful, graceful form of her partner. Xena was practising sword drills in the open area by the fountain and once again, Gabrielle admired the warrior's skill. The bard never ceased to be amazed by her lifebond's beauty and, not for the first time, thanked the Fates for bringing them together. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. "Thank you," she whispered and then moved away from the window to check on her daughter. Gabby was sitting quietly on a large, woollen rug, playing with a doll Cleopatra had given her. She was giggling softly and, as Gabrielle sat beside her on the floor, turned wide, green eyes to her mother.

"Mama, where Xe?" she asked brightly.

Gabrielle tickled her gently making her squirm and then scooped her up to sit her on her lap.

"Xe's outside, Honey. Do you wanna see her?"

"Yes, see Xe!"

The bard set Gabby on the floor and then stood, taking her hand and walking to the door.

"How about you and I go for a walk and we can see Xena in the garden, ok?"

"Yes, garden, see Xe," Gabby replied joyfully and ran ahead of her mother down the long corridor. Gabrielle jogged to catch up.

"Hey! Wait for me!" she laughed as she caught the little girl's hand. Gabby giggled and walked with her mother out into the bright sunshine. Gabrielle stroked her hair lovingly as they walked, chuckling softly as Gabby squirmed under her touch. "Just like her mother. Doesn�t like fuss," she muttered as she shot a tender look at her lifebond who had paused in her drills to watch her family approach. Xena sheathed her sword on her back and opened her arms as Gabby raced toward her.

"XE!" she squealed and the warrior swooped her up into the air.

"Hiya, Cute Stuff," she grinned, kissing her daughter on the cheek. "Whatcha been up to? Huh?"

"She's been playing with the doll Cleopatra gave her all morning. She's been as good as gold," Gabrielle said with a smile. "So, did you speak to Leoni?"

Xena frowned slightly.

"Yeah, I did," she replied. "She agreed but I'm not sure whether we can trust her. For all we know, she may be the 'man' on the inside, Gabrielle."

"Does this change the plan?" the bard asked worriedly.

The warrior put her daughter down and took her love's hand locking their fingers. They followed Gabby deeper into the garden, strolling slowly through the pungent flowers.

"Well, not really," Xena replied after a moment's thought. "We can control what she knows so we'll know exactly what she's going to relay. No, we stick to the plan. It's the only way we can get the assassin to focus on me rather than Cleopatra."

Gabrielle chuckled softly.

"Ok, I guess we should get started, huh?"

"Yeah� uh� Gabrielle� I� " Xena trailed off uncertainly and the bard squeezed her fingers encouragingly.

"What?" she asked softly.

"If this doesn�t work, I want you to take Gabby as far away from here as possible, ok?"

The bard shook her head and sighed.

"How many times are we going to have to go through this, Xena. I'm NOT leaving you behind!"

"Gabrielle, if this doesn�t work, there won�t be anything TO leave behind," the warrior replied honestly. There was a stunned silence for a long moment but then Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly.

"It WILL work," she said fiercely. "It has to work. Gabby and I are NOT losing you."

Xena smiled tenderly.

"Definitely not� if I have anything to do with it� but just� be ready, ok? Just in case."

The bard nodded and looked down. Once again, she felt the familiar fear at the thought of losing her lifebond� the only woman she had ever, could ever and would ever� Love.

"We should get started. I know Cleopatra's temporary chambers have been prepared for her. Now all that's left for today is to get you into character."

Xena laughed softly.

"Well, all I need now is the wig!" She picked up her daughter and walked back to the palace with her bard alongside her. Part one of the plan was in action.

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"Gabrielle, I need to see Cleopatra."

The blonde bard shook her head, a regretful look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Hazir," she replied. "The Queen is VERY upset about all this and she doesn�t want to be disturbed. She left strict instructions to say that she doesn�t want to see anyone but Xena and Leoni."

The Commander nodded slowly.

"Fine, but perhaps you would ask Xena to pass on a message to Her Majesty for me?"

"Of course. What's the message?"

"Tell her� tell her I� miss her," he replied with a smile. Gabrielle's jaw dropped a little in surprise.

"You and Cleopatra are�?" she asked.

"Yes. We have been together for almost three years now," Hazir explained, his eyes smiling as much as his mouth. Gabrielle placed a gentle hand on his forearm.

"I'll make sure Cleopatra gets the message," she said and then went to find Xena. She entered Cleopatra's bedchamber and sat on the bed. She reached out to touch the Queen's face but she jumped as a hand suddenly shot up to grab hers and she was met with a pair of piercing blue eyes.

"Sorry," Xena said with a grin. "Must have dozed off. You gave me a fright."

Gabrielle chuckled and tugged lightly on Xena's wig, straightening it into place.

"Wouldn�t do for the Queen of Egypt to have crooked hair," she teased. "Everything ok last night?"

"No," Xena replied with a fake pout. "Didn't sleep a wink."

"Why? Worried?"

"No, missed you," came the tender reply and once again, the bard melted.

"That's sweet," she whispered and leaned in to kiss her partner deeply. Warm, strong arms encircled her and pulled her down onto the bed.

"Xe?"

"Hmmm?"

"I don�t think we should�" Gabrielle trailed off as the warrior's lips moved lower. She sighed happily. "Never mind."

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The Warrior Bard of Poteidaia stuck her head out the door, looked up and down the corridor, straightened her clothes and headed back to her room with a huge smile on her face.

"She's getting better and better at that," she muttered and then chuckled proudly. "And judging by her little vocal display� so am I!"

Gabrielle slipped into her room but, as she walked toward the wash stand, she suddenly heard a sound behind her. She spun reflexively but she was grabbed roughly and punched hard in the stomach. The bard doubled over as the air rushed from her lungs and dropped to her knees, fighting for breath. She looked up and the last thing she saw before her world went dark was a hooded figure raising a cudgel�

"How long ago?" Xena demanded as she paced back and forward.

"A few hours, judging by�" Hazir stopped suddenly as cold, blue eyes drilled into him.

"Judging by what?" came the terse question.

"Judging by the dried blood we found on the floor."

Xena swallowed once and then again as she tried to calm down.

"Was there� much� blood?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest with fear.

"No, only a few drops. My guess is that she was hit over the head and taken away. I do not understand how her attacker got inside the palace, Xena. I've doubled the guards as you asked."

Xena stopped pacing and perched her hands on her slender hips.

"Hazir, are there any underground passageways or sewer tunnels leading into the palace?" she asked slowly. Understanding suddenly came to the commander's eyes.

"There is only one that I know of�"

The Warrior Princess knelt down, braced her hands on either side of the trap door and stuck her head down into the sewer tunnel, wrinkling her nose at the foul smell wafting to her. She held her breath as she looked up and down the tunnel and then pulled back, releasing and then sucking in a deep lungful of air.

"We were right," she stated in a throaty growl. "I can see footprints in the sludge. One man carrying something heavy, judging by the depth of the prints. My guess is that it was Gabrielle he was carrying." The commander nodded and waved to his men but Xena held up her hand. "No, I go alone."

"But�" Hazir started but Xena shook her head.

"It'll be easier if I work alone. That way no one gets hurt unnecessarily, got me?"

"Yes," the man replied and signalled for his men to stand down.

"Hazir, I'm leaving Cleopatra in your hands. Take care of her," Xena warned.

"My life for hers," Hazir replied but Xena smiled.

"Let's just everyone keep their own lives," she said and then dropped through the trap door into the tunnel. Her boots made a disgusting, squelching sound as she landed and once again she wrinkled her nose and held her breath. "How in the gods' names do I get myself into these things," she muttered as she trudged off into the deeper shadows of the sewer, holding a torch in front of her.

Gabrielle's groan echoed around her cell, making her head hurt even more.

"Not again," she complained as she gingerly touched the large bump just at her hairline. "Son of a�" she began but froze as she suddenly realised she wasn't alone in the cell. "Who's there?" she asked and then stood up shakily, placing her hand against the wall for support. She heard a figure scramble away from her and held out her hand. "It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly and her eyes widened with shock when a small child stepped out of the shadows. Gabrielle immediately dropped to one knee so she could be at eye level with the little girl. "What's your name?" she asked but she was met with blank, brown eyes. "Ok, you don�t speak my language." The bard paced back and forward for a moment, trying to think but then she knelt again. "Gabrielle," she said, patting her chest. After a long silence the little girl moved closer to her and patted her own chest. "Liri," she said and Gabrielle smiled.

"Ok, Liri," she encouraged. "C'mere." She held out her arms and the little girl stepped into her, hugging her tightly. "How long have you been here, huh?" the bard asked softly as she stroked tangled, dark hair. "A long time by the look of you but don�t you worry. Xena and I will get you out of here�" She looked around the cell and sighed heavily. "Somehow."

"I tell her to be careful. I tell her to watch her back and she still manages to get herself into trouble," Xena muttered as she continued her walk down the sewer tunnel. She was in a very bad mood from both worry about Gabrielle and the smell that was really beginning to sicken her. And then there were the rats. Even though she wasn't afraid of them, they definitely weren't her favourite animals. Now and again, she nudged them out of the way with the toe of her boot. "How do you guys live down here with this smell?" she asked absently, her eyes straining to see as far ahead as possible in the dim light. She shrugged and raised the torch higher, cursing softly as she scraped her knuckles against the low roof. Then she rolled her eyes as a pain started in her lower back from walking with her head and shoulders bent. "You know, Gabrielle," she stated. "Sometimes I envy your lack of height. Being six-foot tall can be a real pain in the�" She trailed off as her sharp hearing picked up a sound up ahead. "Ssshh," she told the rats and then crouched low, waiting for whatever made the sound. She grinned as one of the men who had attacked Gabrielle in that tavern two days earlier strolled along carrying his own torch. He was whistling and didn't even realise that Xena was there until her fingers shot out and jabbed a pressure point on his neck. He dropped to his knees as she grabbed him by the front of his tunic.

"I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain," she growled. "You've got thirty seconds to live unless you tell me where my partner is."

He wheezed but managed to speak.

"Cell under the tavern. She's alive."

The warrior released the pinch and dropped him into the foul smelling sludge.

"If there's even one hair on her head out of place, I swear by any god you name, I'll hunt you down until you're nothing but a carcass for the desert scavengers. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes," the man replied and took off back the way he had come. Xena turned and headed back to the trap door to the palace. She flipped up and into the tiny anteroom where Hazir was waiting for her.

"What did you find?" he asked quickly.

"Lots of rats," the warrior replied and ran for the door. "And one really large one!" she called back over her shoulder as she disappeared. Hazir shrugged, not even pretending to understand.

Gabrielle spun and slammed her boot into the door for the tenth time but it didn't even budge an inch. Her head was aching badly and the more she moved, the worse it got, yet she couldn't just sit and do nothing. Liri watched her carefully but suddenly grabbed her arm and pointed at the door, tugging lightly. She pulled Gabrielle back and flat against the wall. Just as they moved, the door flew open and two bowls of, what the bard could only describe as slop, skidded across the floor. Then the door was banged shut. Gabrielle moved to the bowls and sat cross legged on the floor, gingerly picking one up. She carefully examined the contents and then dipped her little finger in to take a taste. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good and she decided to eat it anyway when her stomach let itself be heard. Liri giggled and demolished her bowl twice as fast as Gabrielle. The bard laughed as the little girl licked every last scrap out of the wooden dish.

"Hungry, huh?" she asked. "I wonder how you got here." She paused thoughtfully. "I wonder how I got here," she added with a smile. "And why Xena isn�t here yet. She's going to kill me, you know. Yep, stone dead Gabrielle after this one. I can hear her now� 'I told you always to check behind the door when you enter a room alone'� I'm never going to hear the end of this." Gabrielle rolled her eyes and scooted across the floor to sit with her back against the wall. Liri sat beside her and Gabrielle lifted her into her lap, wrapping her arms around her and cuddling her. "I have a daughter," she said softly. "Her name is Gabby and she's two-and-a-half years old. I miss her like crazy. I'll bet you miss your Mom and Dad too but I promise Xena and I will get you out of here."

Liri finally fell asleep in Gabrielle's arms and the bard took the opportunity to rest. Her head was still pounding from the blow she took. She soon fell asleep.

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"Gabrielle? Are you in there?"

"Xena? Yes, I'm here!"

"Hold on! Keep back from the door."

Xena kicked the door and it flew open with a loud crash. She stepped through with a huge grin on her face. "Hi there! Ready to go?"

Gabrielle nodded quickly.

"Let me just get Liri. Xena, I�" Her eyes grew wide when a guard suddenly jumped on Xena. He brandished a dagger and before Xena even had a chance to block, he slit her throat. Blood cascaded from the wound, running rivulets over her breastplates and between her breasts as she clutched at her severed windpipe.

"XENA!" Gabrielle screamed as the warrior sank slowly to her knees, her eyes wide and terrified�

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"Gabrielle!"

The bard cried out as she jerked forward, her hands instinctively reaching for her sais. She was shaking violently and her face and chest were covered in a light film of sweat. "Gabrielle?" A tiny voice drew her out of her fear and she looked around to see Liri's frightened face. The bard swallowed and then took a deep breath, forcing a smile.

"It's ok, Honey," she said in a soothing voice. "I was just having a bad dream. It's ok." She hugged the little girl and held her in her arms as she thought about her dream. Gabrielle immediately remembered the time when Xena fought the Persian Advanced Guard alone. She had dreamed that a man with a double edged sword came through the roof, slitting Xena's throat and killing her however, when the fight had actually happened, the man had appeared but the warrior had stopped him. Gabrielle wondered if this dream was another warning for Xena. She closed her eyes briefly but the sound of breaking furniture startled her out of her thoughts. Bootsteps she instantly recognised, pounded down the stairs.

"Gabrielle!"

The bard ran to the door.

"Xena! I'm in here!" she yelled.

She heard Xena skid to a halt outside the door.

"Gabrielle, get back from the door!" The bard moved back and Xena kicked the door in. It crashed back against the frame and Xena ducked into the cell, a huge grin on her face. "Hi there! Ready to go?"

Gabrielle immediately shook her head.

"Xena, behind you!" she cried as the warrior moved toward her. Xena spun, her sword already in her hand but she looked out the door and up and down the corridor.

"There's no one there, Gabrielle. Are you ok?"

The bard released a breath and nodded slowly.

"Sorry, I had a dream that a guy was behind you when you came to rescue us. Forget it. It doesn�t matter now."

"Us?"

"What?"

"Gabrielle, you said rescue us."

The younger woman nodded and looked around the cell. Xena hadn�t spotted Liri in the dimness of the room.

"Xena, meet Liri."

The little girl came out of the shadows to look up shyly at the tall warrior. Xena knelt down and smiled.

"Hi there," she said. "You're Liri, huh?"

Gabrielle placed a hand on her shoulder.

"She doesn�t understand us," she said softly. "Xena, how did you find me?"

"A rat told me," the warrior growled with a raised eyebrow. "Come on, Gabrielle. We have to get back to the Palace."

Xena led her lifebond and the little girl out through the tavern, pausing to punch one of the guards out as she passed. An hour later, they were back at the Palace and the warrior was pacing back and forward in front of her lifebond.

"I�" Pace, pace pace. "Gab�" Pace, pace, pace. "I can�t believe�" Pace, pace, pace.

"Xena! For the gods sakes. If you're going to lecture me, do it sometime this year!" Gabrielle exclaimed and Xena stopped dead in her tracks.

"You'll check behind the door when you enter a room, right?" Xena asked in a low, controlled voice.

"Yeah, I will," the bard replied and suddenly, Xena had her arms tightly around her.

"I was so scared, Gabrielle. I thought� there was blood� I� I love you."

"I love you too, Xena. Listen, I remembered something else from the conversation I overheard in the tavern. The Egyptian guy mentioned a man called Afayed and he said something about Afayed not being happy if the Greek merchant didn't bring him something."

Xena pinched her bottom lip as she digested this information.

"Do you think this Afayed is the ringleader?" she asked.

"Well, the Nomad guy sounded as if he was afraid of him," Gabrielle replied thoughtfully. "I know that it's this guy who's planning to kill Cleopatra though."

Xena walked to the window and looked out over the garden, her arms crossed over her breastplate.

"I think I should get back into character then. Now that they don�t have you anymore, they're going to strike quickly. Be ready."

"I'll be ready," Gabrielle replied and strode out of the room.

"You IDIOTS!" Afayed slammed his fist into the table, a look of fury on his tanned face. "I can�t believe you let Xena get the blonde back! She was our insurance in case our assassin was caught!"

Mohammed lowered his eyes, waiting for his master's wrath but he was surprised when the man just shook his head.

"Mohammed, I know Xena's skill. Look, let's just move on with the plan. We'll try to catch them off guard. I know where Cleopatra is and I also know that Xena is playing her part as a decoy. She has guards on Cleopatra but they'll be easy to get past once we're in." He paused to look around the room. "Does everyone know what they are to do?" Murmurs and nods wandered around the room. "Good. Now go!"

Gabrielle set her mug of wine on the bedside table and pulled the bedcovers up to the Queen's shoulders.

"Don't worry, Cleopatra," she murmured. "Everything's ok. Xena knows what she's doing."

"I know that Gabrielle," came a low voice and the bard almost took a step back as a hand came up to caress her cheek. "I wanted to say thank you for everything you and Xena have done for me. This is the second time you've saved my life. I have something special for you both."

"You have nothing to thank us for. You're our friend, Cleopatra and Xena and I always look after our friends." Cleopatra smiled and a heaviness suddenly descended on the room, making it hard for Gabrielle to breathe. In fact, her breathing increased pace as she looked into warm brown eyes. She was lost in the moment but then she suddenly pulled back. "I� um� I'd better go check on Gabby," she said distractedly and then turned to leave the room.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"The wine you were drinking was laced with an aphrodisiac. I know how much you love Xena. Go to her."

"Thank you, Cleopatra. This was very thoughtful of you."

"It was Hazir's idea. He's very romantic. Now go, she's waiting for you."

The bard grinned and took off at a run to Cleopatra's usual quarters. She flung open the door and ran to the bed, quickly noting the half-mug of wine sitting on the table. Xena chuckled and pulled back the covers and by the time Gabrielle crawled in beside her, they were both naked. They kissed deeply but the warrior pulled back slightly, seeing the need burning in her lover's eyes.

"You can't resist a good wig, can ya?" she teased. Gabrielle laughed helplessly and then surrendered totally to her lifebond's touch.

"Cleopatra certainly knows what she's doing when it comes to aphrodisiacs," Xena said weakly. "I'm exhausted."

Gabrielle chuckled and placed light kisses on her lifebond's breast.

"She said it was actually Hazir's idea," she replied but Xena suddenly sat forward.

"Hazir's? Why would Hazir�" The warrior froze and her mouth dropped open. "Cleopatra!" She hopped out of bed and pulled her clothes on, followed quickly by her bard. They ran to Cleopatra's quarters with weapons drawn and Xena got a sick feeling in her stomach as she saw the unconscious guards by the door. The Warrior Princess kicked in the door and somersaulted into the room, trilling her war cry and holding her sword at the ready.

"I wouldn�t do that if I were you," she growled, spinning her blade slowly in her hand. Mohammed turned, his dagger still raised above his head. His eyes were wide and frightened because he knew he would die at the hands of the Warrior Princess. "Be a good boy and put that down," Xena asked, taking a step closer to him. Cleopatra scooted back on the bed and climbed out the far side, running to Gabrielle. The bard stood in front of the Queen, her sais raised and her knees bent in a defensive stance. Mohammed's eyes moved from Cleopatra to Xena to Cleopatra again. The Queen stepped out from behind Gabrielle to get a better view and the assassin saw his chance. He hurled the knife across the room, aiming right between Cleopatra's eyes. Xena dropped her sword and dove for the knife but she missed it by a hair's breath. She held her breath as Gabrielle yelled and dove sideways. There was silence for a long moment and then Cleopatra knelt down at the bard's side. Xena released her breath as she realised that Gabrielle had stopped the knife. She smiled but when Cleopatra looked at her, her face was stricken.

"Xena," she whispered.

"What?" The warrior looked at her lifebond and realised that she hadn�t moved at all. "Gabrielle?" Xena ran to her as soldiers charged into the room to grab Mohammed, and dropped to her knees beside her. She lifted Gabrielle's head and immediately saw the blood trickle from the side of her mouth. The knife was lodged up to its hilt in the bard's chest. Xena shook her head.

"No," she cried. "No! Gabrielle!" She gathered her lifebond's body into her arms and rocked her as she sobbed. "No. Gabrielle, please, oh dear gods no."

Tears streamed down her cheeks and her face twisted with pain. She felt the pain build and build in her chest and finally it released as a long, soulful, grief stricken scream. Cleopatra wrapped her arms around them both and held Xena as she cried. They sat that way for a long time until the warrior finally pulled back. "We still need to find out who sent this bastard." She got up slowly and walked to the man who was being held in chains by two soldiers.

"Who sent you?" she asked. He looked away. Xena cracked him across the jaw with her fist. "I asked who sent you," she repeated. When he didn't answer, she jabbed the pressure point on his neck. I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You have thirty seconds to live unless you tell me who sent you."

Just then, Hazir strode into the room.

"Xena, I just heard what happened. Are you ok?"

Xena's eyes narrowed and she shook her head.

"Gabrielle is dead," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. She jabbed Mohommed's neck to release the pinch and then turned to Hazir. "It just so happens that only four people knew that I was taking Cleopatra's place." She ticked names off on her fingers as she paced back and forward. "Me, Gabrielle, Leoni� and you. I told Leoni that Cleopatra was on the far side of the Palace which means it couldn�t have been her. I know that Gabrielle and I certainly didn't want Cleopatra dead� so that leaves you, Hazir� or should I say Afayed. I just don�t understand why. Why did you want Cleopatra dead?"

Afayed drew his sword and held it out in front of him. He looked at Cleopatra and smirked.

"What you don�t realise, Xena, is that Cleopatra and I are married. We married secretly months ago."

The warrior nodded slowly.

"I get it. This is about the throne and money. If Cleopatra were to suddenly die, you would become King of Egypt. So the Nomads were a diversion. There is no conflict, only your men causing trouble." Xena crossed her arms over her breastplate. "Well, I have to give it to you, Afayed. You had me and Gabrielle fooled." Xena's stomach twisted as she realised that Gabrielle wasn't there to agree with her. She drew her sword and spun it slowly in her hand as the lion inside her lifted its head. "You killed, Gabrielle!" she cried. "YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED MY WIFE!" she screamed as the darkness rose. She lunged at Afayed but he blocked her blow. They fought viciously back and forward across the room but Xena soon got the upper hand. She spun and slashed Afayed across the stomach, a look of glee on her face as his blood splattered her. She licked her lips, tasting his blood and then dropped her sword on the ground. Xena went to her partner and sat cross legged on the ground, lifting her into her lap.

"I know you can hear me, Gabrielle," she said softly as she stroked the bard's short, blonde hair away from her lifeless eyes. "I don�t know what I'm going to do without you. I already feel lost. I promise you I'll take good care of Gabby. I love you, Gabrielle. I've always loved you and I always will. I'll see you again some day, My Love."

Xena bowed her head and sobbed. She felt as if her life was� Over.

"Michael, I have to go back."

"Gabrielle, you can�t go back� not now."

"You expect me to sit here and do nothing while Xena's dying down there. I can feel her, Michael. We didn't come all this way to lose each other now. You know we're soulmates. We're supposed to be together."

The Archangel Michael nodded and took Gabrielle's hand.

"There is a way but you must think carefully before you decide."

"Tell me," Gabrielle replied firmly�

The End