"Ok... I can do this..." and after some reflective thought, {I think I'm going to kill her}."Uh, Xena?? Do we really NEED to go by water, I mean... well, it's only an extra couple of days by land...?" "Gabrielle, we've already discussed this. You agreed, I booked passage, it's non-refundable, non-negotiable, we go!" At a near complete loss for words, Gabrielle boarded the ship that had already become her worst nightmare (well almost) for the next day or so. Granted, she has gotten better about her seasickness but... well, not that much better. The ropes were cut and the ship was about 20 feet away from the dock when... "MMBLEGHHHH!" "Gabrielle?? Are you all right?" asked a concerned warrior princess. "MMBLEGHHHH, OOHWHAAACK, ugh, oh, gods help me." Gabrielle pleaded. "Use the pressure points I showed you." The warrior nervously offered. "Oh... yeah, right. I really didn�t think I would need it." The spittle dangling from her lip proving just how wrong she was. "And what made you think that?" Xena inquired. "I didn't have much of a problem last time..." The bard didn't get to finish. "HOOWAAACK." "Last time," Xena repeated almost to herself. "Last time there were 50 other Amazons on board with you and most had never even seen the water much less been on it! They were more sick than you were." With that the warrior struck the pressure points that would give relief to the bard. A few minutes later... "Was there anything left over from lunch? I'm starving." Inquired Gabrielle. "You're hungry?" The warrior asked flatly. Then realization struck. "Of course you are." A side effect of these particular pressure points is hunger and no taste. You'll eat anything. Xena reminisced about a young bard eating squid and quickly came back to the here and now, breaking out Argo's saddle bags and finding something for the bard. "You know..." Xena began. "You've been talking about growing out your hair again... maybe you should leave it short." "Well, I wasn't really sure about it. I mean, maybe...why?" The bard asked as curiostiy got the better of her.. "I kinda like not holding your hair out of your face. And not having to wash the puke out of ..." "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!? IF THAT IS THE ONLY GOOD REASON FOR ... XENA... You have never held my hair out of my fa..." Gabrielle infuriatingly states then abruptly stops when she realizes that Xena has a wicked little grin forming and is about to explode in laughter. "You were kidding, weren't you? XENA... THAT WAS... not funny." She finished quietly; realizing that it was a little funny but insulting nonetheless. {Two can play at this game... upset look in place and...} "Why do you always do that?" {Uh, oh.} "Do what?" As Xena squirms to find an excuse, any excuse and quick. No, scratch that, a believable excuse. "You make fun of the things that trouble me the most. Do you have any idea how much that bothers me?" {Not good enough, think quick}, "how much it can hurt." {Beautiful save, there are reasons why I'm the bard}. {Oh Hades! I'm eating my own cooking for a week, at least. I can't go through that again.}, "Well... I... I'm sor... Uh," {Damn it all to Tartarus just apologize stupid!}. "Look, I'm sorry Gabrielle I... I didn't realize..." {stuttering is good, she thinks I mean it}. "Well, I mean, I'll... I'll try not to do it again." {That was good, real good. Oh, no... I said 'try'}. {She said 'try,' time to pay}. "You enjoy it don't you? Is that why you keep me around? Am I your little Bard of Comedy Relief?" {Ok Gabrielle, pause for effect and...} "A best friend wouldn't do that." Stated in a very depressed and upset tone. The bard turned her gaze down at the deck seemingly close to tears. {I can't do this. What is Zeus' name can I possibly say to fix this?}. "Gabrielle? I didn't mean it that way... look, you know I didn't mean any harm. I was just trying to lighten the situation. That's all. I didn't know it would affect you like this." {I can't possibly look any more sorry. What in Tartarus is she... trying to... ACCOMPLISH?} Xena then eyed the bard up and decided to find out. Gabrielle, very in tuned to the warrior, noticed the slight change in demeanor. She decided it best to accept the apology rather than piss off the warrior. {Ok here it goes}, "It�s ok, I just..." "Just?" Repeated Xena {Sad, be sad}, "Forget it. It really doesn't matter I guess." {Whew!} {Wait a gods be damned minute} "Don't you dare drop this! You started the argument, finish it!" {By the gods, she really wants to cook for herself doesn't she?} Gabrielle looked at the warrior with a faint whisp of a smile then stated quietly and sincerely... "I did finish it, I've forgiven you." {Ooh, she hates that. Not that she understands it either.} {How does she DO that??????} " How do you DO that?????" Xena asked with a genuine inquisitiveness. {I am not going through this again}, "I just do. You know that I can't stay mad forever." {Ok, time to offer the deal}. "Yeah, I know, but..." {I�m not buying this. She wants something}. �Ugh, ok, fine. Thank you for accepting my apology." The warrior could have shown just a little more emotion, enthusiasm, animation, anything, but she didn't. {Something's up... now isn't that a pathetic excuse for an apology}. "Look, you don't seem to believe, even after all of these years, that I can forgive without strings. So... Fine... I'm going to add some strings to make you happy." {Why is she just staring at me? Blankly?} {Damn it all to Tartarus, Hell and wherever else there is evil and flames. I was right, she wants something.} A raised eyebrow and a step forward..."Yes?" As Xena attempts to quell the flames of infuriation. Gabrielle fidgited slightly under the warriors intense gaze. "Well, I seem to have pulled a muscle in my back. I injured it yesterday in that fight, I should have told you, I know. Well, anyway, I hurt it some more a little while ago... after we boarded...when I... got seasick." All of this said with the utmost sincerity while moving her shoulders around for effect. {The cat is out of the bag}, "You started this argument for a back rub?!" {Jeez, all she had to do was ask. I can see the knot every time she turns around}. Gabrielle, attempting to look as downtrodden as possible, answered in a small voice, "no." {Well, yeah, but I can't admit that}. {She's lying, I can see it from here}, "GABRIELLE," said Xena, in that tone that says your caught and you'd better fess up. Scrambling for the right words so as not to blow the back rub, "Xena, I'm sorry, if this argument has gotten out of hand it's my fault. It's just that I was upset by what you said and... Maybe because I wasn't feeling up to par... I don't know, but...I shouldn't have blown up at you." The bard finished as she tried desperately to hold back tears... or so it seems. Poor Xena...{She's doing it AGAIN!! Oh, Tart... Hell...whatever. Ok, just let it drop. Fix her back, make her pay later}. "Gabrielle, it's all right. Don't get upset, don't blame yourself." {How did this get so out of hand???} "I'll fix your back after we eat. You are still hungry? Right?" {Please let her be hungry; oh gods please let her be hungry} "I don't know. All of this has my stomach in a knot..." the bard whispered. {Oh no, no please. She really is upset. I'm in Tartarus.}. "Are you sure?" Xena whispered back. "Well, maybe I'll try just a little something." Gabrielle, still pathetic looking, half smiled looking up at the warrior. {Yesss!!!! I'm not in Tartarus, I'm not cooking, argument over}. After giving her friend a warm smile and comforting squeeze on the shoulder, Xena replied, "good, you need it after... well you know... being sick and all." {That sounded caring, right?}. {I wonder if I'm still getting the back rub?}. "Listen, Xena, about the back rub, if you don't..." "Stop, I've been looking at that knot in your back since yesterday waiting for you to come around." {End it here like a good little bard} The End Disclaimer: No Squid were harmed during the making of this story. No squid were harmed during the original incidence that created Xena's flashback. However, one unlucky octopus did give up a few tentacles for the greater good. |
 |
| And for Argument's Sake... |
| Disclaimers: The Characters of Xena:Warrior Princess do not belong to me. They are the proud property of MCA/Ren Pics. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Language/violence: No violence or really bad English to speak of... well, maybe just a little. Mid to late sixth season (c) June of 2001 |
| Please feed the bard at [email protected] |
 |
 |