“Through the Darkness”

Author: Adelaide
Rating/Pairing: PG-13 (I’m not sure)/ Of course it’s H/G (friendship)
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em...wish I did...not doing it for money...please don’t sue...
Archiving: Anyone who wants it, just e-mail me and let me know.
Author’s Note: This idea occurred to me after the Sacrifice episodes. I wondered, “What if Gabrielle hadn’t been fast enough to hurl herself towards Hope and Xena actually did kill her. So, it’s kind of a hurt/comfort story. Hope you like.

Gabrielle stared. It was numb inside and all she could do to keep herself from crying was just stare. She kept replaying the scene in her mind.

Gabrielle had tried to jump towards Hope, but Xena had been too quick and stabbed the Daughter of Dahok herself. Of course, she should of known it wasn’t enough time for her to grab her Hope. Xena was a remarkable woman,...was. In that very instant she stabbed Hope, the thread was cut. Now, she lay still at the feet of her best friend.

First, though, she decided it was time to take Xena to Amphipolis, just like she had promised. But at the moment all she wanted to do was cradle her best friend, partner, and hero in her arms. Xena had died taking out of the world the very thing she had brought in. It was almost too much to bear. Because of Gabrielle, Xena was dead. The least she could
do for the warrior was hold her and love her even after the end, and that was exactly what Gabrielle was going to do.

Joxer had watched wordlessly, as the bard he loved so much silently cried with Xena in her arms. He may not have been an extremely graceful or smart man, but he knew how to feel, and right now there was a whole lot of that going on. Sadness and fear were the two strongest emotions coming through. Sadness at the loss of one of his friend. Fear for the lovely woman holding that friend.

What would she do now? How would she survive without her life long partner? He knew better than to think those things, though. There was always help to be found. Joxer at the moment only knew of one person who could possibly comfort Gabrielle. Someone who knew what loss of a loved one felt like. Someone who he would search a lifetime to find for his love.

tbc.......