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 4

'How does she do it?' Gabrielle thought as she struggled to stay on top of Argo while cantering along beside her raven-haired friend. The child was light to be sure. But to be able to carry the girl while running beside the war-horse, with a thigh wound to boot, was beyond the realm of possibility. If there hadn't been a necessity for speed the bard never would have agreed to ride the war-horse alone, but there was no other way. Xena could run for days it seemed whereas Gabrielle couldn't.

Strong defined legs pumped towards the ground as the woman warrior ran effortlessly beside her mounted companion. The child, slung over on either side of the warrior's neck, bounced lightly at each step. Xena didn't even notice the child's slight weight around her shoulders as she ran. She had done that for years while training to be a warrior. Instead of a child though it was usually a sack of millet or an old log.

Coming out of the valley the two women stopped once they caught sight of the city that lay on the open plain before them. Cyphus, despite it's outwardly appearance, was a bustling city behind the stone walls that protected its open attack existence. Unlike most prominent cities, Cyphus didn't have the nature defences of forest, water, or land to help aid it against raiding armies. What it did have was one of the most advanced systems of fortifications found in the Thessaly region.

Gabrielle smiled as she looked upon the gleaming white walls and multicoloured banners. Surely there was good shopping to be had. It had been so long since the last time the bard was able to be selfish and buy something for herself. Maybe she'd even find something for Xena.

Xena lifted the girl off her shoulders while Gabrielle admired the city. Putting her down on the ground the warrior checked the girl's level of unconsciousness and smiled. Thankfully it had been an easy journey with that little beast from Tartarus knocked out cold. Reaching up and shaking her bard by the knee Xena indicated for her friend to dismount the mare.

"So what next?" the bard asked as she swung herself out of the saddle and lightly landed on her feet.

"We have to find a man called, Syrinus." the warrior replied as she threw the child up onto Argo's back and swung herself up behind the sleeping girl.

"Who's Syrinus?"

"A healer from my old army."

Gabrielle looked up at the warrior's face and saw the typical cold, steel blue eyes that usually sat in the woman's face when confronted with anything from her past.

Xena clucked to her mare and urged the golden horse forward, "Come on. We want to be inside those gates before they close them for the night."

Gabrielle felt like she was in the Elysian fields upon seeing the marketplace. Everything under Helios' sun was to be found. Glancing to her left, the bard spied a booth that sold parchment and quills, among other worldly things. Starting to veer over Gabrielle was stopped dead in her tracks when a loud voice rang above the crowd.

"Xena, Destroyer of Nations! Halt!"

Sharply turning her head back to where Xena was just a moment ago, the bard quickly found the man who had raised the challenge. Taller then even Hercules, this man was a bear among men. Large in body and bone with long chestnut hair and a sweeping moustache to match the man stood directly in front of the warrior and her horse, towering over the two of them. Xena sighed as she stood up in her saddle to be on the same eye level as the man before her.

"Syrinus! How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?" she seethed into his face as she reached forward and grabbed his head, butting it against her own forehead.

The large man chuckled as he also grabbed the beautiful warrior's head and held her face close to his mouth, "Until I stop finding you dressed like that, you irresistible woman."

Xena blushed slightly then released her hold on the man as Gabrielle moved her way up to her friend's side. The exchange was brief yet electrifying. Who was this man that could make her normally stoic warrior blush, even if slightly?

Xena cleared her throat when the recognisable presence of her bard was at her side, "Syrinus, this is Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is my old friend Syrinus."

Gabrielle looked way up and beamed a beautiful smile at the giant before, "Pleased to meet you."

The man smiled down at the small golden woman before him and before she could even flinch grabbed her into a great bear hug swinging her around, "So you're the one that won my Xena's heart. Welcome to Cyphus. Welcome indeed!"

Gabrielle squealed as she was quickly set down, trying to orientate herself once again on firm ground. Xena just shook her head with a small smirk. 'Leave it to Syrinus to make a display here in the market.' The crowd that was around the threesome slowly went back to its regular shopping when it became obvious that nothing besides a reunion was going to happen.

Grabbing the bard by the arm, Syrinus started walking her away from the marketplace towards a large building just beside an inn. Following behind, the warrior scanned the crowd for any trouble that might come up while her two friends started to chatter about nothing in particular. 'Hades, this was going to be a long night' the warrior thought grimly.

Syrinus was in his element when he showed Gabrielle his healing practice, pride overflowing from his deep rich voice. The bard was impressed to say the least. Everything about the place was warm, inviting, and tranquil. The perfect place to help bring the child back from whatever demons possessed her soul at the moment. The man had a knowing look when he spied the young girl being held in Xena's arms. Looking up at the dark warrior with a raised eyebrow and a question in his eyes the woman shook her head, leaving the questions lingering on his lips for later as he showed Xena where to place the girl.

The child was resting in a bed in a smaller room with a stool while Xena unpacked their things in her old, much larger room. Carefully placing everything in its proper place a small gleam over the hearth caught the warrior's eye. Walking over, Xena quickly recognised the snake staff that she had given to the man when they parted ways over 6 years earlier. How touching that he had kept it in such a prominent place. Syrinus was one of the few people who knew the warrior from her evil days and yet, still considered her a friend despite everything.

A tear gingerly made it's way to the corner of the warrior's eye as she turned from the hearth. Reprimanding herself over her short loss of control the warrior checked the girl. Seeing that she would be out for another candlemark Xena quietly left the room to join her two friends.

"So Xena, what brings you this way and with a child no less?" the burly man asked while handing his friend a large mug of ale.

"The child actually," Xena replied as she flopped down onto the chair Syrinus had been holding for her. He was always so considerate. "Her village was burnt down and her people hung on crosses four candlemarks ago. She survived some how but has been violent and crazy ever since. I thought you might be able to 'see' what was wrong with her."

Syrinus looked down at the dark head, the same question from before. The warrior took a large drink of her ale before placing the mug down on the table and looked directly into his eyes; the azure eyes filled with apprehension. Fear was definitely lying beneath the surface of those expressive eyes and he had a feeling he knew why.

"So," was all the healer could say as he sat himself down. "When?"

Xena released her breathe, not realising she had been holding it. She never doubted that the man would help her as he had done in the past but there was always that chance that someday she would ask for too much and he would have to decline.

"Once she awakens I suppose. I applied a pressure point on her to keep her unconscious."

The gentle giant quickly looked at his friend wondering why she had taken such severe steps with such a small pup. Flicking an eye towards the bard, who was reclining back on rocking chair, the man sought an explanation knowing that he wouldn't get much from the normally untalkative warrior princess.

"The girl, well, has a few issues with Xena it seems," Gabrielle started to respond when her friend wouldn't continue.

"Issues?" Syrinus inquired softly.

"It seems like the girl has a real hate going for our leather bound friend here. She's already tried to kill Xena twice now in the time that she's been awake, which hadn't been long on both accounts."

The man choked at the last statement, spraying ale on the table. Xena just raised an eyebrow and continued to drink hers in silence. Syrinus looked from the warrior to the bard and back again, trying to discover if they were attempting to pull one over his eyes. When he understood that it wasn't a joke he sobered quickly.

"So you want..." the healer started to ask Xena, who nodded slightly. "Fine. We'll do it tomorrow morning before the cock crows. The only time of day where I have a chance to be at peace in this city. Until then, I'm assuming you two must be hungry."

Xena just quirked an eyebrow in the bard's direction, "I'm fine myself but I'm sure Gabrielle here will no doubt challenge you to keep up with her appetite."

Syrinus gave out a large bellow as he looked over at the slight bard, "Her? I think I could do that in my sleep." Gabrielle just smiled her winning smile and patted her belly.

"I think I might be up for that challenge."

The large man just shook his head as he went into the kitchen and prepared to make the meal. This night was going to be interesting.

A large belch emanated from the bard's lips as she finished the last chicken on her plate. Syrinus was in awe. The girl not only ate twice as much as him but also was able to put half a pie away after the meal. 'What strange creature was she?'

Xena stood up from her meal, nodding her head towards her dinner companions as she made her way to a door next to the child's room, "I'm going to hit the sack. Don't stay up too late you two."

Gabrielle swallowed the remainder of her ale and nodded towards Xena, "I think I'm going to go to bed too. It's been a long day. Thank you for the wonderful meal Syrinus. I haven't had anything this good since we were last at Cyrene's place."

Syrinus beamed with pride as he motioned towards the door Xena had just entered, "You're room is right through there. May Morpheus bless you with happy dreams."

Gabrielle stood up and quickly placed a small peck on the large man's cheek, "He always does." Slowly the bard weaved her way to the door and entered the room.

Xena was already out of her armour, placing it on the table next to her sword and chakram when Gabrielle entered the room. Flopping on the bed, the bard kicked her boots off and rolled over to go asleep without removing any of her clothes. Smiling, Xena walked over to the now sleeping bard and flipped her over gently. Carefully stripping the bard of her mud stained clothes the warrior picked up her friend and placed her under the sheets. After stripping down herself, the warrior silently squeezed into bed with her friend who snuggled up to the larger woman, wrapping slim pale arms around the bronze woman's waist. Signing contentedly, Gabrielle delved deeper into Morpheus' grasp leaving her companion to stare up at the ceiling still wide-awake.

She had been trying to figure the mystery of the strange child in the other room for over two candlemarks now and couldn't come to any conclusion. A god's hand was at play, that was to be assumed. No mortal body could heal as fast as the child had let alone exhibit such strength for such a frail body. Hercules possessed inhuman strength but he was a demi-god. Xena, herself, had unusual strength but she attributed that to the years of training she submitted her body to, along with the luck to be born with certain muscular development not usually found in woman. As for her healing abilities, they weren't THAT unusual, just accelerated a bit.

The one question that truly had the warrior perplexed, and a bit afraid, was why the child was so filled with hate towards her? Searching deeply within herself, the woman could find no answers. Defeat was not a notion that came easily to the dark woman. Exasperated, she finally had to accept it, for the time being. Tomorrow would hopefully reveal answers to the questions that kept sleep out of Xena's grasp.

Sighing, the woman wrapped her free arm around the bard and kissed the honey-coloured head. Tonight she was safe in a bed, with the friend she loved with all of her life, in the home of a truly forgiving man. It was enough. What more could she ask for? Besides answers that could wait till the next day.

Continued

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