And Then There was Two

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GENERAL COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Xena, Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Ares, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction.

All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author (meaning Kharis and Syrinus belong to me). This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

VIOLENCE WARNING/DISCLAIMER: this story is based on the series and of course, what would Xena be but not the violent kick ass grrrl that she is! But violence has been kept to a minimum with very little actual bloodshed involved. That's for the next story. Muhahaha

SEXUAL VIOLENCE WARNING/DISLAIMER: This story insinuates a scene of sexual violence and a small amount of its aftermath. Some readers may be disturbed by this type of depiction and anyone who is sensitive to this particular issue may wish to read something other than this story. But I promise that there isn't any actual description of it, just the vague inference to it from one of the characters.

LOVE DISCLAIMER: This story depicts a loving relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something other than this story.

If you can't stand the idea that two women can have a loving relationship then please keep your closed mind where it belongs and don't bother reading this story. 'Nuff said

This is my first attempt at XWP fanfic so please be gentile with this newbie. It is the first in the Sins of a God Series that will continue to grow with your support. Hopefully the other stories will be finished before you have to wait much longer. But, for now, enjoy what is below and remember...all comments, suggestions, and flames are welcome.

And Then There was Two
by Crys

CHAPTER 3

The pyres were still smoking when Xena stepped onto the porch, the unconscious child slung over her back. Clear blue eyes quickly scanned the landscape until they fell upon a distant hill slowly being bathed in the sun's motherly glow. Sliding up to her friend, Gabrielle averted her eyes from the crosses and looked in the direction that the bronzed warrior was focussing on.

"Anything?" the bard asked as she slung one of Xena's saddlebags over her shoulder and retrieved her staff from beside the door.

"Nope. We'll have to cut across those hills to the northeast. Cyphus is in that direction and I want to get there as fast as possible."

The golden head looked up, surprised that they weren't heading back to the forest. "Why Cyphus?"

"I have to see someone there," was all that the warrior would reply as she lightly jumped off the porch and walked towards Argo. Slinging the girl over the mare's broad back, Xena quickly attached the saddlebags then turned her attention to the child. Gently tying her hands and feet the warrior looped the two ends underneath her mare's belly, effectively securing the girl to the mare and stopping any chance of slipping off.

"How long will she be out you think?" Gabrielle asked as she leaned on her staff.

"As long as I want her to," Xena drawled and quickly applied pressure points to the child's neck, essentially keeping her unconscious for a few more hours.

"Xena? Is that safe?" the bard was worried about the child but more so with her friend.

"Yes, Gabrielle. I know what I'm doing. I just want to keep her quiet until we make camp tonight. Then I'll wake her up. Okay?"

Gabrielle nodded and lowered her eyes to a bronzed thigh, "How's your leg?"

Xena shrugged while grabbing hold of Argo's reins; "It's fine. Just a scratch really." Which was a lie, but the warrior didn't want to admit it to herself or worry her bard. The knife had gone in deeply but cleanly. Stitches and bandaging were all that was needed for now. And time to heal of course, something that would more then likely only take a few days. 'Thank the Gods I'm a quick healer.'

The two women walked side by side as the golden mare followed behind placidly along the same path of last night's chase after the girl. By midday the three of them had covered a great deal of ground and decided to stop for a break at a shady pool of water surrounded by a light ring of cypress trees.

Sitting down heavily, Gabrielle laid back in the soft grass while watching her warrior gently untie the ropes that bound the child to Argo's back. Gingerly, Xena lifted the girl up and laid her down under one of the trees then sat down beside her and checked her thigh. The walking had loosened the muscles somewhat but had broken a few stitches that now needed to be cleaned and sewn again.

"Gabrielle? Could you grab my instrument pack? I've got to sew this back up."

"Sure. I'll get us something to eat also."

Slowly rising, the bard retrieved the pack that was needed along with their provisions and walked towards her friend, "You want me to do that for you?"

A dark eyebrow raised as Xena shook her head, "Don't worry. I can do this. Just watch the little one here." The warrior made her way to the small pool and slowly sat down. Quickly undoing the pack she removed the needle and gut along with a small rag which was doused in the cool water. Cleaning off the wound, Xena cut open the rest of the stitches and removed them from her skin. Grimacing she started to sew the deep cut, ignoring the pain like she always did.

Pain was something she could handle, placing it in the same spot she used for everything else that enabled her to survive the trials and tribulations of being a warrior. Pain, contempt, disgust, hatred, anger. All very powerful forces yet all managed under a tight control that enabled the woman to do things that would have been impossible for anyone else. She could have used pressure points to numb the leg but that would have defeated the purpose. Without the pain she would never know if she had sewed deep enough.

Gabrielle nibbled on some dried venison while watching her friend quietly sewing the leg. Shaking her head the bard couldn't understand why the warrior submitted herself to endless pain all the time. Atonement for past evils was one thing but masochism was something that the light haired woman thought her friend wasn't into. Shrugging, Gabrielle leaned back against the tree's trunk and slightly closed her eyes.

Silently at first, a moan started from the girl lying next to the bard bringing two sets of eyes to quickly snap open. Looking down, Gabrielle was surprised to see small golden eyes staring up at her in shock. They were so unusual; shards of gold lining the iris in a star pattern that mesmerised the bard. Unlike the bard's own soft green eyes, the child's were harsh in their intensity as they changed from a look of surprise to wary disgust, finally growing colder with hatred. Gabrielle quickly smiled down at the child to appease the obvious disorientation that was coursing through the girl's slight body.

"Hi there. You've had a rough couple of days haven't you?" The bard said softly, trying to calm the numerous emotions lying on the surface of the child's eyes.

Unlike her body, which remained tense yet silent, the girl's eyes visibly changed, darkening as she fought to control the panic that was quickly building inside. She had to get away. She had to be free so that she could seek retribution that was hers alone.

Gabrielle laid her hand on the girls' head and soothed, "Shhh. We won't hurt you. You aren't going to die. You're safe now."

The girl violently recoiled from the touch, shifting away from the bard while trying to roll over to get up. Grasping her around the shoulders, Gabrielle held the girl down while continuing to softly talk the child out of her fear.

"Shhh, you're safe. No one's going to hurt you any more. Shhh, don't be afraid. Shhh."

The dark shadow of the silent warrior loomed over the bard and child while Gabrielle tried calming the distressed girl. Looking up at the beautiful face before her, the child instantly recognised the warrior in one sickening moment. With strength she never knew she had, the girl broke the bonds tying her hands together and with a sudden lurch, threw a startled bard off her body as she propelled her hands towards Xena's throat.

The warrior saw the futile attack coming towards her and weighed her options quickly before finally settling on the most obvious course of action. Side stepping the advancing girl, the warrior swung her leg out as she pivoted on the other, sweeping the child's legs from underneath her. Falling down hard the girl was suddenly engulfed in muscular bronzed arms that slowly tightened their grip the more the girl struggled.

Xena looked questioningly at Gabrielle as the bard struggled to her feet; shocked at the strength the young girl had shown. The child continued to struggle like a wild animal caught in a snare while Xena held on for eternity it seemed.

The bard slowly walked towards the wild child while speaking in her soothing voice, "Shhh little one. Easy. We won't hurt you. Shhh."

The girl continued to struggle free as the exertion slowly started to drain her strength until she finally succumbed to exhaustion. Despair overwhelmed her as her body shock from the deep sobs that racked her body.

Gabrielle knelt down beside her friend, placing a hand on the shaking girl's midnight black hair. Gabrielle sought Xena's eyes, questioning, seeking answers. The warrior frowned and sat back cross-legged, pulling the girl into a more comfortable position while still holding the girl tight in case the child's strength returned to her suddenly.

"Xena."

The mention of the warrior's name from the bard's lips sent violent shudders through the girls' body as she started to struggle once again, only much weaker then before. Looking deep inside the vault that held all of the warrior's evil past Xena quickly sought some remembrance of the village they had left earlier that day, hoping to find some resolution to the child's hatred. Not finding any Xena sighed as she struggled to control the darkness that was quickly bubbling to the surface. Memories were like food for the soul, feeding the light as well as the darkness.

Time passed slowly as the sun started to slide quietly over the treetops, emitting a patchwork of lights and shadows that splayed themselves across the three bodies on the ground below. Final exhaustion overcame the child as she slept peacefully on the warrior's lap. Sensing that the battle was over, Xena quietly stood up, cradling the young girl in her arms and walked towards the closet tree. Placing her down gently, the warrior motioned towards her friend to retrieve the broken rope that lay next to the spot where the, once confined, girl had freed herself.

Gabrielle swiftly stood up and retrieved the ropes, bringing it to her friend, "What are we going to do? We can't keep her tied up obviously."

Xena sighed and looked up into mist green eyes seeking permission, "There is only one thing we can do until we get to where we need to go."

The bard realised that her companion was right and nodded her head, "Your right. She's too dangerous awake. How long can you keep her unconscious?"

"A few days before any after effects start, but not more then that. We'll have to move quickly."

"How? We only have Argo and there are three of us. She can't carry all of us."

Xena smirked as she finished tying the girl's legs and arms, "Don't forget Gabrielle, I have many skills."

Continued

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