ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Bloodlust

by WordWizard

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: Xena learns a secret about Gabrielle that could destroy their friendship forever.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was inspired to write this story after reading a Buffy/Xena crossover called Dark Promise.

WARNING: This story contains subtext.  If a relationship between the same sex offends you.  Do not read this story.

DISCLAIMER:  Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny and all related characters and locales in this story are owned by Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal and are used without permission.  No money is being made from this. FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.

A dark haired woman and a short blonde girl were walking along a wooded trail one spring afternoon. They had been travelling all day. The blonde looked at the dark woman and spoke.

"Xena, I can't go another step."

Xena stopped and looked over at Gabrielle. She noticed that the bard seemed paler than normal and had the hint of dark circles beginning to form under her eyes.

"Okay, we'll rest here." the warrior responded.

The blonde gratefully sank down onto a rock and sighed as the weight was suddenly taken off of her feet. Xena sat next to her and looked at her with a look of concern on her aquiline features.

"Gabrielle, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Just tired." Gabrielle replied without looking at Xena.

Xena laid her hand on Gabrielle's forehead expecting the blonde bard to feel feverish. Gabrielle pushed her hand away, but not before she noticed that the bard was ice cold.

"Xena, I'm FINE!" the bard said once again.

The blonde sat on the rock and rested. The burning and pulling in her throat had almost become unbearable. She needed blood soon. She glanced at Xena and could see the beat of Xena's pulse near the base of her neck. She licked her lips, then forced her eyes off of her friend. She stood up.

"I'll be right back." she said and started into the woods.

The dark warrior, concerned for Gabrielle, decided to follow her. She waited a few moments, then rose and walked in the direction the bard had gone. She walked for quite sometime without seeing a sign of Gabrielle. Then, off to her right she heard a sigh of contentment. She followed the sound. She entered a small clearing and stopped. Gabrielle was kneeling over the body of a small deer. The bard, sensing someone else in the clearing looked over her shoulder.

The warrior's breath caught in her throat when she beheld the bard's features. Gabrielle's eyes, normally a beautiful emerald green, were now yellow and somehow predatory. Two small fangs peeked from beneath her full lips. Xena saw a small trickle of blood running down the girl's chin. She didn't know what was going on, but she didn't like it. The Gabrielle thing rose to her feet and walked toward Xena.

"Xena, you shouldn't have followed me." it said.

As the warrior looked at the thing, the fangs retracted beneath the lips, and the eyes returned to their normal green color. In a few moments, she was looking at her Gabrielle. The bard walked to Xena and laid a hand on her shoulder. She looked into her eyes. Green met blue.

"Gabrielle, what.........?" Xena asked confused.

Gabrielle put a finger to the warrior's lips.

"Shhh.......Let's go back and I will explain everything." she said quietly.

They returned to their resting spot beside the road. They sat and Gabrielle took a deep breath before starting.

"Remember when we fought Bacchus a few months back?"

Xena nodded.

"After he kidnapped me, he bit me in the neck and said that I was one of his minions now. I didn't know what he was talking about. Then, you came and rescued me. A few days after that, you remember I was quiet. You thought that it was because I was still recovering from being kidnapped. But that wasn't it at all. I began feeling weak and tired. My throat burned and throbbed. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Then, one night when we were eating, I bit into a piece of meat that was not cooked all the way through. When the blood squirted into my mouth and down my throat, the burning stopped and I felt my strength returning."

She paused and shuddered at the memory before continuing. Xena was watching and listening to her intently.

"I felt fine after that. About a month later, I began to feel the burning and weakness again. So I decided to try an experiment. One night while you were sleeping, I snuck into the woods and killed a rabbit. I slit its throat and drank its blood. Almost immediately I felt better. That's when I knew that something was definately wrong. Then, when we were saving that little village by the sea a few days later, I felt stronger when I fought, a strength I never had before. The man I was fighting, suddenly shrieked and ran from me. I was puzzled of course, but thought nothing of it. When I turned to help you, I caught a glance of myself in a small mirror in one of the stalls. My eyes were yellow and I had small fangs peeking from under my top lip. Then it dawned on me what Bacchus meant. I knew that I had become evil. A creature like him."

She paused for effect and to collect her thoughts.

"I learned that I needed blood to survive. But I only needed to drink it once a month. Although I always crave it. I wanted to tell you, but I love you too much. I thought that once you found out that I wasn't human anymore, that I was a blood drinking demon, you would want me to leave."

She looked at Xena, tears rolling down her cheeks. Xena sat quietly for a few moments, absorbing what the bard had confessed to her. Then she took the blonde girl in her arms, hugged her tight and kissed the top of head.

"Gabrielle, I love you. I always will. Nothing, not even this can change that. And I'll be at your side for as long as you'll have me. We will work through this just like all the other problems we've faced."

She leaned down and kissed the bard gently on the lips. Then, she sat back and spoke again.

"And you are not evil, Gabrielle. I've never known a more compassionate and gentle person than you. Evil is in the soul and personality. Your soul is pure and you are the most caring person in Greece."

"Y..You thinks so?" the bard asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I know so." Xena replied with a smile.

She stood, pulling Gabrielle up with her and kissed her passionately.

"Let's get a move on. We want to reach the Amazons before dark."

They once more set out on the road. They travelled in realtive silence most of the way. As twilight approached, they came to the Amazon village. Ephiny ran to greet the Queen and her companion. A feast was prepared for them while they went to their hut to freshen up and wash the dust from the road off of them.

As they sat around the table in the queen's hut, eating, Ephiny, Gabrielle's regent had the feeling that the Queen was much changed. She couldn't put her finger on it but Gabrielle was different. After the feast was done and most of the Amazons had returned to their huts to sleep off the heavy meal, the regent pulled the bard aside and spoke to her.

"My Queen, you seem different. What is wrong?"

Gabrielle looked at Ephiny surprised for a moment. Then, she gathered her wits and answered.

"Nothing. Just strung out, I guess. We have been busy since the last time we were here. I just need a good night's sleep in a soft bed. That's all."

"Very well, My Queen. Good night. Do you wish guards to be posted outside?"

"No. Thank you."

"Very good."

Ephiny left the hut and walked toward her own. The Queen had seemed surprised at her question. But, the bard had come up with a plausible enough answer. But, Ephiny wasn't buying the excuse. Something was wrong and by gods, she was going to find out what.

A few moments after Ephiny had left the Queen, Xena entered. She walked over to the blonde and placed her arm around the girl's slim waist and led her to the bed. They sat.

"I saw Ephiny talking to you. What did she want?" Xena asked.

"She said that I seemed different. She asked if something was wrong. If she only knew!" the bard replied.

"What did you tell her?"

"That I was just stressed and tired. I told her that we had been busy since we were last here."

Xena nodded.

"Maybe we should tell Ephiny ab........"

"No!" Gabrielle exlaimed, "No one must know! This is just between us. Swear it."

"What....."

"Swear it!"

"Okay, I swear." Xena replied.

"You know how the Amazons feel about Bacchus. If they knew what I am, Queen or not, they would kill me."

"They would have to come through me to do it." Xena said grimly.

"Xena, not even you could stop all of them. Let's get some sleep."

They lay on the bed and Xena snuffed the candle.

The next morning, Gabrielle awoke to find Xena gone. She got up, dressed and walked over to her pack. She took out her personal scroll and quill, along with a container of ink. She sat down at a small table and began to write,

-Morning

Had a dreamless sleep for the first time since the encounter with Bacchus. Told Xena about my "problem". She took it better than I thought she would. I know that she will do everything she can to help me. I only hope that there is someway to get rid of this. Lately the craving for blood has been becoming stronger and harder to ignore. I must not let the Amazons find out my secret. I know I can trust Xena to keep it to herself. But Ephiny will be another matter. I could tell when she questioned me yesterday, that she didn't believe my story about being strung out. I know she will investigate and not rest until she knows what is ailing me. I only pray to Zeus that she never finds the answer that she is seeking.

Finished writing, she put away the scroll and quill and went outside to find Xena. She found her lover sparring with one of the young Amazons. She was giving advice when needed and helping the young girl hone her fighting skills. Gabrielle walked over to where the two were fighting.

Seeing the bard approaching, Xena turned to the girl.

"I think that is enough for today, Persephony."

"Same time tomorrow?" the young Amazon asked hopefully.

"Sure." Xena replied with a smile.

Persephony walked toward her hut to put away her sword. The warrior waited for Gabrielle to arrive. When the blonde stopped next to her, she smiled.

"Good morning, love. How do you feel this morning?"

"I feel rested for a change. No dreams." Gabrielle replied with less than her usual good humor.

"What's wrong, Gabrielle? You don't seem like you are okay." the warrior asked.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little nervous I guess. Trying not to let the others know that anything is wrong is kind of tough."

"I know. Are you sure you don't want Ephiny to know? Maybe telling her would ease your mind." Xena suggested.

"No! The Amazons must never find out." the blonde said forcefully.

Xena nodded in understanding. They went into the Queen's tent. A few moments later, a slip of a girl brought in some food for the Queen and her companion. After she withdrew, they began to eat. Xena noticed that Gabrielle was just picking at her food. For Gabrielle, that was a sure sign that something was on her mind.

"Gabrielle, if something is both..........."

"I'm fine!" Gabrielle shouted.

She stood, sat the food aside and left the hut. She wandered aimlessly for awhile. Then, Ephiny spotted her. The regent walked over to her.

"My Queen, I must speak with you."

"What is it?" the bard asked.

"Not here, in my hut." Ephiny replied, leading the way.

When they entered the regent's hut, Ephiny turned to her.

"My Queen, you are not well. I know you weren't telling the truth yesterday. I've never known you to lie to me. What is it? Maybe I can help."

As Ephiny was talking, Gabrielle could not focus on her voice. The craving was becoming too much. She could see the beat of the regent's pulse at the side of her neck. Suddenly, before she knew what she was doing, she grabbed the regent and pushed her head to the side, and began to lower her head to Ephiny's throat, baring her small fangs as she did so.

Xena concerned about Gabrielle decided to follow her. She heard Ephiny's frightened voice begging with Gabrielle. She rushed to the regent's hut just in time to see Gabrielle's head descending toward Ephiny's neck.

"NO!" the warrior shouted.

Thinking quickly, she threw her chakram at Gabrielle's ankles, knocking the bard off her feet. Three quick strides and Xena was standing over the blonde. Gabrielle looked into the warrior's face and could tell that her lover was not pleased. The dark woman helped the bard to her feet and began to lead her outside.

"What is going on!?" Ephiny demanded angrily.

"I will explain everything later. I think right now, I had best get Gabrielle out of here."

She left, and led Gabrielle out of the village and into the woods. They walked for a while. When Xena was sure that they weren't being followed, she stopped and glared at Gabrielle.

"What were you thinking! You almost killed Ephiny!" she bellowed at the young bard.

Gabrielle broke down. She fell to the ground crying uncontrollably.

"I......I don't know. The craving, it's just becoming so strong. I.....I....I couldn't ignore it. Oh, Xena! You have to get away from me! I can't trust myself anymore! I don't want to hurt you, but I might not be able to control myself."

Xena sat down next to her lover and embraced her.

"I promise that I will not rest until we find a way to get rid of this. But now, we have to tell Ephiny everything. I will go to her and explain......"

"No," Gabrielle replied," I'll do it. I have to take responsibility for what I did. I only hope that she can forgive me."

Gabrielle stood and took a few steps before stopping and turning around.

"Xena, would you come with me? In case I lose control again?" she asked in a small frightened voice.

"Sure." Xena said, rising.

They walked together to the regent's hut. When they arrived, the bard knocked on the door. After the second knock, the door opened. When Ephiny saw Gabrielle standing there, she gave her an evil look and started to close the door, but the Amazon Queen held it open.

"Ephiny, please. I came to apologize and to explain why I did what I did." she begged.

Ephiny appeared to think about it for a few moments. Then, she opened the door wide. Xena and the blonde entered and Ephiny closed the door after them. She turned and stared coldly at Gabrielle waiting.

Gabrielle cleared her throat, took a deep breath and said,

"I'm sorry I attacked you. I haven't been myself lately. I think you deserve an explanation."

Ephiny gave a snort of sarcasm.

"A few months ago, Xena and I were rescuing a village that was being attacked by Bacchus. Bacchus captured me. Before Xena could rescue me, he bit me in the throat. I soon discovered that I was becoming like him. That I needed blood to survive. Lately the craving for blood has increased. I find it harder and harder to control. Can you....can you forgive me?"

Ephiny stood looking from the bard to the warrior and back to the bard with her mouth gaping from the tale she had just heard. She walked over to Gabrielle and gave her a hug.

"I forgive you, My Queen. I should have known that you wouldn't willingly hurt me. But now what? We have to find some way to cure you."

"Maybe if we kill Bacchus, we can save Gabrielle." Xena suggested.

Ephiny nodded in agreement. Gabrielle felt the burning and pulling in her throat rising again. She could feel a slight pressure on her bottom lip as her small fangs descended.

"I......I have to go." she said.

She ran out of the hut, leaving the dark warrior and the regent alone. She ran through the forest, trying to fight the hunger, the need, but she was losing the battle. She came to a clearing, and unable to run another step, stopped and tried to catch her breath.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

The bard spun around and saw four thugs approaching her. The man in front, who the bard took as the leader of the band, drew his sword as he came toward her. He was a tall muscular man. He was tanned from long days in the sun. He had dark hair and his face was hidden beneath an enormous beard and mustache. Gabrielle tried to back away, but the four quickly surrounded her. The leader grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her to him.

"My, you're a pretty thing aren't you? So young and innocent. I am going to give you the honor of being my wench." he said with a harsh laugh.

"No! Let me go!" Gabrielle responded.

"You don't have a choice girlie!"

He leaned forward and captured her mouth with his own. She recoiled from the kiss and drew her knee up, catching the rouge in the crotch. He released her and doubled over, holding his manhood. Gabrielle grabbed him, shoved his head to the side and buried her fangs in his neck. The three remaining bandits, seeing their leader being fed upon, dropped their swords and ran screaming into the forest.

The blonde threw the drained body of the highwayman to the ground. As she slowly came back to her senses, she realized what she had done. She collapsed to the ground.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she shouted agonizingly.

"Gods help me!" she began to cry, holding her face in her hands.

Xena, who was in the forest looking for a sign that the bard may have passed that way, heard the scream and crying. She rushed in the direction she thought the cry had come from. She rushed into the clearing with sword drawn. She stopped short, when she saw the body of the man laying on the ground, and Gabrielle sitting a few feet away, crying uncontrollably. The warrior quickly deduced what had happened. She put away her sword and walked over to the blonde girl. She sat down beside her and took her in a firm, but loving embrace.

"I.....I......I......killed....him! I've never......killed........any.....one before!" the bard said between sobs.

"Shhhhh.You didn't kill him, Gabrielle. Whatever, Bacchus put inside you did. I love you, little bard, and we will find a way to cure you." Xena comforted.

Gabrielle spun her head to look at Xena. Her fangs peeked from her upper lip and her eyes were yellow and predatory.

"How can you love this!? I'm a monster!" she shouted.

"You're still my Gabrielle. The Gabrielle I know would hold onto her humanity and never give up until she found a way to save herself."

"I'm not your Gabrielle anymore! I don't even know myself anymore!"

She looked away from the dark warrior and cast her eyes to the ground.

"I...I have to leave you, Xena. It's the only way. I can't trust myself any longer. I don't want to hurt you, but I won't be able to help it. I would rather die than hurt you."

"Gabrielle, you don't trust yourself, but I trust you. We can work........"

"No. This is the only way."

She rose and started toward the village. She gave one last look over her shoulder at her lover. Her heart was breaking and the tears began to flow again.

"Goodbye, Xena. I will always love you."

She disappeared into the forest. The warrior sat, and finally all the pent up pain and agony that had been building ever since she discovered Gabrielle's terrible secret was released. She cried as only a lover could. She had lost the one person who she cared about more than life itself.

'No. I won't let him take her from me! I will find a way to help you, Gabrielle. I swear it!' she thought to herself as she rose and started toward the village.

As she walked through the forest toward the village of the Amazons, she couldn't help but remember all that she and her bard had been through together. Through all of their hardships and battles, the blonde had been by her side. Gabrielle had risked her own life on more occasions than Xena could count to save her life. She wasn't going to give up on her bard.

Soon, she came within site of the village. As she entered, Ephiny ran up to her.

"The Queen has left! She didn't say where she was going!"

"I know." Xena replied sullenly.

"We have to stop her! She might get herself killed!"

"No. She needs to be alone. She can take care of herself. More now than ever." the warrior said.

As Gabrielle walked through the dense trees, trying to put as much distance between her, the Amazons, and especially Xena as possible, she began to remember all that they shared. This only caused her tears to come harder. She remembered the first time she had met Xena so long ago when Draco was attacking her village, and how she had tagged along behind Xena until the dark woman had reluctantly permitted her to accompany her. She remembered countless nights beside the campfire, reading one of her newly written scrolls as the warrior sharpened her sword and polished her armor.

She remembered the first time that they discovered their feelings for one another, and the long passionate lovemaking that followed. She remembered her wedding night, when the Amazons performed the ceremony of bonding, that bound the bard and her dark lover together for eternity. But now, she would never feel her love's warm embrace, never feel the gentle caresses and passionate kisses. She would never look into the ice blue eyes of her soulmate ever again. She sat down on a rock, lest she collapse as the sobs of agony wracked her body. As she sat on the rock, even as the tears were streaming down her face, she drifted into a restless slumber.

Xena paced the floor of her hut restlessly. She missed Gabrielle terribly. What if she were attacked again? What if she lay somewhere in the forest stabbed and bleeding to death? What if? What if? What if? She could not stand the worrying and doubts any longer. She quickly gathered her belongings and went to the stables to saddle Argo.

Ephiny saw her as she was leading the palamino out of the stall. She walked up to her.

"What are you doing, Xena?"

"I am going to find Gabrielle. I can't just sit here any longer. She may need me. She was always there when I needed her. I won't abandon her now."

"I am going with you. Give me a few minutes to gather my things." the regent stated.

"But what about the others? They need you to rule in the Queen's absence."

"Zana can handle things while I am away." she dismissed.

Xena knew that the regent had made up her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, she didn't want to be alone now. The warrior nodded her consent. Ephiny ran to her hut giving orders for her horse to be made ready and that Zana be brought to her at once.

"Hold on, Gabrielle. I'm coming." Xena said to herself as she watched the regent disappear into her hut.

Gabrielle stirred, yawned and slowly opened her eyes. She realized that she had dozed off. It was dark, but her new "gift" as Bacchus had referred to it, allowed her to see as though it were daylight. She stood, stretched, picked up her gear and continued on. After traveling for a few hours, she came upon a secluded hut. As she approached it, she heard begging.

As she peered in the open door, she saw a small boy, of no more than ten summers cowering in a corner. His father was standing over him whipping at him mercilessly with a thick leather strap.

"I'll teach you to work! Supper is supposed to be on the table when I get home! Lazy lout!" the father ranted as he continued to beat the young boy.

"P....Please, Father!.......You ....were .....early!...It'll never happen again!"

The bard's jaw clenched and her eyes grew hard as she witnessed this horrifying event.

"Leave him alone!" she commanded, stepping into the small hut.

"Who the Tartarus do you think you are?" he asked, turning on her quickly.

"You stop beating that boy or you will have to answer to me."

"Aren't you the brave one?! I'll show you to meddle in my affairs!" he threatened, advancing toward her.

Without even thinking, she slipped into a battle stance, her staff at the ready. The man was heavy and clumsy. He took a wild swing at her with the leather strap. Seeing her chance, she brought the staff around in a fast circle. It struck the man in the side of the head, knocking him unconcious. He slumped to the ground. Gabrielle relaxed and looked at the boy. He was still cowering in the corner, eyes wide, as the tears of pain and fear flowed freely. She walked toward him smiling and speaking softly.

"Hi. Don't cry. It's alright. He won't hit you again."

She knelt beside the boy and slowly reached out for him. He shrank back farther into the corner, shivering.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Gabrielle. What's yours?"

"Quentin." the boy replied quietly.

"Nice to meet you, Quentin."

She kept smiling reassuringly. The hunger was back. She willed herself to ignore it. She didn't want to take the boy with her. She still wasn't sure how long she could resist the hunger. But, she also knew she could not leave him there with that poor excuse for a father.

"Quentin, you want to come with me? I don't think you father will be in a good mood when he comes to."

He looked from Gabrielle to his father and back to Gabrielle. He nodded and tentively stuck out his hand. Gabrielle grasped it gently and helped him up. They gathered a few of his clothes and some blankets, then left the hut. They travelled for a couple of hours, when Gabrielle noticed the boy stumbling, almost falling over.

'Poor kid, he must be exhausted.' she thought to herself.

They stopped and Gabrielle made a campfire. She cooked a rabbit that she had caught. After they ate, she cleaned and dressed the boy's wounds as best she could. He lay down with his head in her lap and closed his eyes. She absently stroked his dark hair as she gazed out into the night. She could ignore the thirst no longer. She looked down at Quentin who was sleeping peacefully in her arms.

She gently laid him on the pallet and covered him with one of his blankets before slipping off into the forest. She stalked through the woods for what seemed like hours before she found something to feed on. A wolf was drinking from a nearby stream. Gabrielle charged and caught it by the scruff of the neck. Eagerly, she sunk her teeth in. After she had quenched the thirst, she went back to camp. As she approached, she could make out the shadow of someone in the camp. She could see that Quenting still lay on the bedroll, fast asleep. She crept closer, hiding in the brush trying to see who it was.

Xena and Ephiny had been riding for hours. They were about to give up and make camp for the night, when they came on a secluded hut. They stopped and dismounted and walked to the door. Inside they saw a man picking himself off the floor, holding his head.

They entered and helped the man to his feet.

"What happened?" asked Xena.

"Some crazy blonde. She hit me in the head and took my boy." he said groggily, still trying to shake the cobwebs from his brain.

"Sounds like Gabrielle." she said.

"But why would she kidnap a child?" Ephiny asked confused.

"I don't know. Unless what ever is inside her is taking control of her. That has to be it. Come on!"

They hurried outside and jumped onto their horses. They rode off looking for any sign of someone having passed that way. Soon, Xena spotted a very faint trail of blood. Fearing the worst, she urged Argo to greater speed.

Soon, they could see a campfire a little distance off. They dismounted and walked to the edge of the camp, just outside of the firelight. They could see no one in the camp. Then, they spotted him. A boy of perhaps ten or eleven summers lay sleeping on a pallet next to the fire. Xena and Ephiny quietly snuck into the camp. Xena spotted Gabrielle's staff laying near a small log. She stepped closer to look at the child. Just then, she was grabbed from behind and flung against a tree. She slid to the ground, the wind knocked out of her.

Gabrielle saw one of the figure approach the boy. She pounced and caught the person from behind and threw them against a tree. As the figure slid to the ground, Gabrielle recognized the person.

"Xena! Oh, my. I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was you!" she apologized.

"Nice to see you too." Xena said with a small grin as she stood, rubbing her head.

"What are you doing here?" Gabrielle asked.

"I came to find you. I can't let you just walk out on me. I love you too much to allow that to happen. We will beat this together." the warrior said as she wrapped an arm around the bard's shoulders.

The bard suddenly noticed Ephiny standing by the fire. She looked from Gabrielle to the boy and back to Gabrielle with a questioning look.

"You're probably wondering about the boy, right?" the blonde asked.

"Yeah. We came across a man in a hut a ways back there. He said some crazy blonde knocked him out and kidnapped his son." the regent replied.

They sat around the fire. Gabrielle explained how the boy came to be with her. When she had finished, she could see a determined look on Xena's face.

"If I had known that, I would have beaten him to a pulp." the dark woman said flatly.

"The question now," Gabrielle said, "is what to do with him? We can't let his father take him back, and it will be too dangerous for him to come with us."

"I could take him back to the village. He will be safe there." the regent suggested.

Xena agreed that was the best option.

"Tomorrow, Ephiny will take him back to the village. Gabrielle and I will begin searching for Bacchus."

With their plans set, they settled down for a good night's sleep. Gabrielle lay next to the boy for a long time, watching the fire slowly die down to a pile of glowing embers, turning everything over in her mind. She never knew when Morpheus claimed her. The next morning, she was awakened by an insistent, almost panicky shaking. She opened her eyes slowly and saw Quentin shaking her with a frightened look on his face. She sat up.

"What is it Quentin?" she asked him quietly.

He pointed to Xena and Ephiny, who were still asleep on their bedrolls. He hugged Gabrielle tightly and tried to squeeze as close to her as possible. The bard stroked his hair and cooed to him softly, trying to calm him.

"It's okay. They are my friends. They want to help you."

She gently kissed the top of his tousled head. He quieted under her touch and voice. Soon, Xena and the regent stirred and stood. Gabrielle and Quentin had just come back from gathering some firewood to cook breakfast on. After they had dumped the wood by the remains of last night's fire, Gabrielle introduced him to the two women.

"Quentin, this is Ephiny and the tall one is Xena." she said indicating each in turn.

"Hello." Xena said smiling at the boy.

He slipped behind Gabrielle, holding on to her for dear life.

"I guess he's still jumpy. Can't blame the poor kid though, after what he's been through." the bard said.

She pulled him in front of her and knelt down looking into his brown eyes.

"Ephiny is going to take you home with her. You will be safe there." the bard said.

"NO!", the boy said clinging to her tightly,"Want to stay with you!"

"I know you do, sweetie. But it's dangerous to be with me right now. But, I'll come back."

Ephiny came over and pulled the boy off of Gabrielle. She gently lifted him into the saddle of her horse, then mounted behind him. She said farewell to Gabrielle and Xena before heading back toward the Amazon village.

After she was out of sight, Xena leaned in and gently kissed Gabrielle on the mouth, tasting the sweet honey of her full lips. The bard moaned into the warrior's mouth as her tongue dueled with Xena's. And she knew in that instant that Xena would be with her until death. She tried to choke back tears of happiness. Xena pulled back and gazed into the emerald eyes of her one true love.

"What is it, Gabrielle?"

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you. And how much I love you. I never want to be without you ever again."

She hugged Xena tight as the warrior stroked her blonde hair.

"You won't. I promise that I will be with you always." the dark warrior said softly.

They packed their things and broke camp. The warm sun beat down on the two women as they hiked through the forest. Birds were singing in the trees. Soon, they came to a road. They started toward the village where they had fought Bacchus. They travelled hard. By nightfall, they were only a few miles outside of the village. They made camp. As they sat by the fire, eating their meal, Gabrielle couldn't take her eyes off of Xena. She was hungry for the dark warrior. But, it wasn't the bloodlust. It was much deeper than that. It was a hunger that came straight from her soul, her being. She could feel herself growing wet between her legs in her most private area.

Xena glanced at Gabrielle as she ate. She could see the passion in the bard's eyes. She was becoming highly aroused as she looked at the vision of beauty sitting across from her. She put down her bowl and moved next to the petite blonde. She kissed her ever so softly, taking her time. Gabrielle moaned and parted her lips, drawing in Xena's tongue and swirling around it with her own. She put down her bowl and threw her arms around her soulmate.

They crushed against each other, breast against breast, lips against lips. They stayed like that for a long time. Finally, the need for air caused them to break the kiss. They sat there, gazing at one another, gasping for breath. Gabrielle was the first to break the silence.

"Gods! I'm so wet just from being near you."

Xena looked away and stared at the ground. Gabrielle's happy expression turned to one of concern.

"What the matter, Xena?" she asked, embracing her companion.

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you. You've had such an impact on my life. If it hadn't been for you, my dark side would have taken over long ago. But you saved me. You made me see that there is good in everyone. Even me. How can I show you how much I care for you?"

"You already have. When you found out what I have become. You vowed to help me. And when I walked away from you. You could have let me go, never seen me again. But, you came looking for me, even though it meant that you might die at my hands."

The blonde hooked a finger under Xena's chin and turned the warrior's face to her own. Green met blue. A tear rolled down Xena's right cheek. The bard gently wiped it away with her thumb. She kissed Xena. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate kiss. She put all of her heart, soul, love, and devotion she had for her dark lover into the kiss. When the kiss was finally broken, Xena was left reeling.

The warrior returned the kiss, pushing Gabrielle onto her back. Xena fondled the bard's firm breasts through the cropped green tunic. Her lips moved from the blonde's mouth, to her ear, where she gently nibbled on it, causing Gabrielle to moan with delight.

".....Xena please.......I need you.." the bard pleaded.

The warrior ceased her ministration on the small woman's ear and undid the ties of the short tunic. Soon, the grapefruit sized breasts sprang free. They were firm and capped by two erect pink nipples. The warrior flicked her tongue over the puckered flesh of the bard's right breast. The bard moaned and arched her back, forcing more of her breast into Xena's mouth. The dark woman alternated between breasts, lavishing equal attention on each. As she did this, one hand slid between the young woman's thighs and removed her leather breeches.

Gabrielle gasped as she felt a finger enter her hot and sopping sex. She groaned as a thumb began to massage her clitoris. Xena pumped in and out of her lover slowly, her thumb gently caressing the tiny bundle of nerves that gave her Gabrielle pleasure. The warrior withdrew her fingers, much to Gabrielle's disappointment. The dark woman captured the blonde's mouth with her own and they kissed deeply. They broke the kiss and quickly struggled out of their clothes. Naked, Xena lay on top of her lover and again began to kiss her.

Gabrielle moaned as she felt Xena's naked flesh against her own. She was so horny, her clit felt like it would explode. Xena began to pump her hips against her companion's, causing their clits to rub together. Both women moaned loudly at the powerful sensations. Each woman felt her climax building. Xena pumped faster. They were writhing and kissing, completely lost in the intense sensations and emotions. Both women orgasmed simultaneously. As their orgasms died down, they lay there holding each other as the aftershocks swept through them. They fell asleep in one another's arms.

The next morning, after breakfast, they entered the village. Calypso was a small quiet village. The streets bustled as shopkeepers opened up their shops and street vendors opened their stalls. The dark woman and her blonde companion strode through the village, observing the morning activities. Soon, they arrived at the spot where Xena had defeated Bacchus. They searched and searched, but could find no clue as to where Bacchus had gone. Gabrielle flopped down onto a tree stump dejectedly.

"Now what? We'll never find him!"

"We will find him." Xena said flatly.

They returned to the village and after a brief discussion, decided to spend the night at the local inn and continue their search the next day. As they entered the inn, a hush fell over the common room as the patrons scrutinized Xena and Gabrielle. The two were used to this by now, so Gabrielle found the innkeeper and began to barter for a room. She soon returned and reported to the warrior that she had gotten them a comfortable room for 5 dinars.

They sat at a small table in a corner, with Xena sitting with her back to the wall where she could keep an eye on the entire room. The bard sat down next to her. They called a barmaid over and ordered some food and ale. Soon, the food and drinks were placed on the table. The two friends began to eat, realizing for the first time, that they hadn't eaten anything since early that morning. Even Gabrielle's appetite was hearty, much to the relief of the dark warrior. It was a sign that things were returning to normal for the bard.

As they sat eating, a rough looking fellow approached the table. Xena watched him carefully. He plopped himself down next to Gabrielle.

"Hey, sweething. I got a nice little room here. Whatya say we go upstairs and you can entertain me. I can make it worth your while." he said, placing his hand on Gabrielle's thigh.

Xena seemed prickled and started to rise, but was stopped by a look from the bard that said she could handle this alone. Gabrielle realized immediately that the man was drunk. So, she just looked at him and politely said,

"Not now. Maybe some other time."

"Aw, come on, honeybuns. I'll show you what a man can really do." he replied as he gently squeezed her thigh.

The bard reached under the table and took his hand and squeezed. A look of pain came across the man's features. Gabrielle heard a snapping sound.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRG!!!!" the man screeched in pain.

Alarmed, Gabrielle let go of his hand. He held up the mangled remains of his left hand. He looked at Gabrielle with eyes that were opened wide in terror and pain.

"Yo.....You ain't normal!" he cried as he staggered away, clutching his hand.

Gabrielle looked down at her hand. Xena noticed a tear beginning to well up in her lover's eyes.

"I....I didn't mean to hurt him! I just meant to move his hand! What have I become!!?" she said as she rushed out of the inn.

Xena thought about going to her, trying to comfort her, but thought that Gabrielle might need the time alone. She stood and went to their room. She removed her armor and sat on the bed and began to remove her boots. As she did this, she couldn't help but think of her love.

'Oh, Gabrielle, if you only knew how much I wish I could trade places with you. To take the pain from you. '

She began to weep.

The bard ran to the stables, where Argo was being boarded. She collapsed in the hay next to the palamino, her tears of anguish flowing freely. She didn't know how long she lay there, weeping, cursing herself over and over again for losing control. After sometime, a stableboy made his final rounds before turning in. As he passed near Argo's stall, he heard someone crying. He looked in the stall and saw the bard laying in the hay, her head laying on her arm. Her shoulders quaked as her sobs wracked her small frame. He went and knelt beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

She looked up at him, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Yes. Thank you." she replied standing up.

The boy watched as she walked out of the stable into the night. She wandered the streets aimlessly. As she passed a dark alley, she heard a feeble voice.

"No! You can't have it! Stay away!"

She looked into the alley and saw two burly men holding daggers on a stooped gray haired man.

"Give us the dinars, gramps, and we'll let you live."

"No!"

The bard stepped into the alley.

"You leave him alone!" she demanded.

The two thieves turned to look at her. They began to snicker at her.

"Look at the brave lass! Go home little girl, before you get hurt."

As the old man tried to slip past them, one of the men pushed him hard against the wall. That was enough for Gabrielle. She was on them so fast, they never saw her coming. One second she was standing in the entrance of the alley, the next she had them by their necks, holding them a foot off the ground. She had a steely, almost dangerous look on her face.

"Why don't you boys go home before you get hurt." she said tightly.

"Sounds like a good idea." one of them said between chattering teeth.

She let them go. They ran pell mell out of the alley like scalded dogs. She turned to the man.

"Are you all right?" she asked as she stepped toward him.

He took a step backwards.

"St...Stay away! Stay away you fiend!"

Gabrielle stopped and looked at the man with a hurt look. Then, she turned and walked out of the alley, leaving the elderly man cowering in a corner. She unconsciously walked toward the inn.

'I'm a monster! Everyone is frightened of me! What do I do now? Where do I go?'

When she arrived at the inn, she went to their room. As she entered, she saw Xena sitting on the bed looking out the window. She was dressed in a thin white shift. She looked up when Gabrielle entered. Her smile quickly faded when she saw the look of distress on the face of her lover.

"Love, what is it?" she asked.

The bard told the warrior everything that had happened after she had run out of the inn. When she was finished, the dark woman put a comforting arm around the blonde's thin shoulders.

"They just don't understand, Gabrielle. People are afraid of things they can't comprehend." she said quietly, soothingly.

The young girl collapsed against the firm bulk of Xena as she sobbed in despair. The warrior hugged her tight and they lay down on the bed. Neither one knew when slumber claimed them. Xena was awakened by the sound of voices in the common room below. She opened her eyes and looked around. Golden sunlight streamed in through the window. Birdsongs drifted in on the breeze. She got out of bed quietly, so not to wake her companion. She dressed. She strained her ears to hear what the voices were saying.

It sounded like the whole town was there. By the sound of their voices, they weren't happy. She was able to catch a few words of what was being said below them.

"....she's a monster! Look what she did to my hand!"

"I saw her lift two grown men off the ground as if they were sacks of flour! Ain't natural!"

Xena quickly deduced that they were talking about Gabrielle.

"She must be destroyed!"

A loud bellow of agreement answered the last statement. Xena didn't wait to hear more. She shook Gabrielle roughly.

"Get up, hurry!"

Gabrielle rolled over and mumbled as she squinted her eyes.

"Mmmm...what.....is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Get up. We have to leave, now!" the warrior said as she began to gather their belongings.

Gabrielle got up and quickly dressed. Then, the two slipped out of the window of their room and hurried to the stables. Xena speedily saddled Argo and then mounted him, pulling the bard up behind her. They quickly rode out of the village. It was as Xena had suspected. Most every citizen was at the inn, planning the murder of her friend.

They rode for hours. When they stopped for a quick meal. Gabrielle spoke.

"What is wrong, Xena!? Why did we have to sneak out of the village?"

"Because," Xena replied, "they were going to kill you."

"WHAT!!!!???"

"They think that you are a monster or demon. They were going to mob us and kill you."

"What am I going to do, Xena? I can't be around people. I'll be hunted like an animal if anyone else finds out what I am. We have to find Bacchus!"

"We will, we will."

They travelled all that day. As dusk began to darken the sky, they made camp in a shallow cave. Within minutes, the warrior had a campfire blazing. After they had eaten, the dark woman told the bard to turn in.

"You've had a rough day. Get some sleep. I'll keep watch." she said.

Gabrielle lay down on her bedroll and closed her eyes. She fell into an uneasy sleep. The bard walked cautiously around the side of a small hut. Just as she turned the corner, two strong hands grabbed her. She struggled with all her strength, but it was futile, her captor was simply too powerful. She was turned around and found herself staring into the face of Bacchus.

"You will be my bride, young one." he said in a raspy voice.

"Never!" the bard replied indignatly.

Bacchus gave a grunt of anger and dragged her to the center of the plaza. He tied her between two columns. Gabrielle was terrified, but she would not let Bacchus see that. She stared at him defiantly.

"You will be my bride, or your friend dies!" he stated.

The blonde replied by spitting in his face. His eyes blazed blood red as anger clouded his features. Then, before her eyes, he vanished. She struggled against her bonds. Suddenly, she heard his voice behind her.

"You have no choice, my dear."

Her head was roughly pushed forward and to the side. A second later, she felt a burning pain in the back of her neck. She tried to cry out, but could not find her voice. She felt herself growing dizzy and weak. She was so thristy. She felt something warm and wet pressed to her lips.

"Have some water." A kind and gentle voice said.

She drank the water deeply, gratefully. She heard a deep throaty laugh. She opened her eyes and saw Bacchus standing before her. She drew her head back from the liquid and looked down. She saw his arm. There was a jagged gash in his forearm where he had cut himself. Disgusted, she realized that she had been drinking his blood.

"Now you are one of my minions! You belong to me for eternity!"

"AAAAAAIIIIIIYYYYYYYYEEEEEE!!!!!!!"

Bacchus spun around to see the Warrior Princess charging at him. He leapt toward her, hitting her hard in the chest. She flew backwards, slamming into the side of a stall. The dark god raised his arm above his head to deliver the final, fatal blow. Xena quickly hurled her chakram at the god. He bellowed in pain as his hand hit the ground. Holding the stub of his wrist where his hand used to be, Bacchus looked at her coldly.

"I will be back, warrior! I will taste your blood!"

He vanished in a flash of fire and smoke. Gabrielle, felt so weak, she could hardly hold her head up. She saw Xena coming toward her. She whispered Xena's name before the darkness clouded her vision.

Xena heard a moan and turned to look at the sleeping bard. Gabrielle was moaning and tossing in her sleep. She had a frightened look on her face, as if she were some animal caught in a trap from which it knew was no escape. She stood and walked over to the bedroll. She knelt down and gently shook the girl.

"NOOOOO!!!!" Gabrielle screamed as she sat bolt upright. She was dripping with sweat.

She looked around for a moment as she remembered where she was. She looked as Xena for a moment.

"You were having a nightmare, Gabrielle." the warrior said calmly.

"Xena? It was so...so real! I dreamt about when we were in that village fighting Bacchus. He was too strong! I felt so helpless....."

"I know," Xena said as if she were comforting a child,"but, you're with me now. And if you think that I am ever going to let you out of my sight again, then you are highly mistaken, little bard."

They held each other tight for a long time. The bard noticed that her lover's eyes looked heavy.

"Get some sleep, Xena. You can't keep going like this."

"I can't sleep. We may have been followed. I have to stay on guard."

"We are alone, love. There is no one out there."

"How do you know?"

"If there were anyone out there, I would be able to hear them breathing. My "gift" gave me some kind of acute senses. I can hear better, see better, even smell better than I ever could. Now, get some sleep."

Xena, knowing that the bard would not give up, lay down on the bedroll reluctantly. Soon, she was snoring. Gabrielle lightly kissed her on the cheek and lay down beside her.

"Good night, my warrior." she too was soon snoring deeply.

The next afternoon found them on the trail once more. As she walked beside her friend and lover, she wondered outloud.

"I wonder how Quentin is doing."

"I'm sure he's fine." Xena said.

They travelled for most of the morning in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. That afternoon, they stopped in a shady grove to rest and eat. The bard watched as her lover ate. Just being around Xena made her feel all giddy and fluttery inside. She admired the warrior's dark hair, her small full mouth as she chewed her food, her ice blue eyes that could suck you in with her sexuality or freeze you with a menacing stare. Gabrielle still couldn't believe that the warrior was all hers.

Xena noticed Gabrielle staring at her. She looked at the blonde, smiling.

"Like what you see?"

"Very much." Gabrielle said, sliding over next to Xena.

She leaned in and kissed the dark woman softly. She cupped Xena's cheek gently in her palm and deepened the kiss. Xena let the bard take control. Gabrielle's kisses sent electricity through her body. She moaned into the girl's mouth. She felt a deep aching rise between her thighs. Finally, Gabrielle broke the kiss and drew back slowly, opening her eyes. Xena looked at her with lustful eyes.

"Gabrielle, please......."

The girl gave her a mischievous smile.

"No way, Xena. I'm saving the best for last."

Xena looked disappointed. Gabrielle stood and stowed the leftovers in her pack. Xena mounted Argo and they continued their search for the evil god. As they travelled, Gabrielle told Xena a story she had dreamt the previous night. Xena was in agony. She was still horny from the young bard's kisses, and every bump rubbed her against the saddle, increasing the stimulation. Soon, it got too dark for them to travel any further. So, they made camp next to a small brook. Xena gathered wood and soon had a decent campfire blazing. Gabrielle, using her culinary wizardry, prepared a tasty meal out of the remains of their lunch.

After they were finished eating, Gabrielle snuggled up against the warrior.

"Now, where were we this afternoon? I remember."

She kissed the dark woman passionately. Xena moaned into the bard's mouth as she felt herself grow more aroused that ever. She allowed the girl to push her onto her back. Gabrielle straddled the prone woman and continued her oral assault. She released the warrior's mouth and began to suckle on her earlobe. This caused Xena to breath a sigh of contentment and pleasure.

The dark woman ran her hands up and down the bard's sides, causing the young girl to shiver at her lover's caresses. The blonde could feel her juices flowing down her thighs. She sat up and removed her tunic, freeing her perfect breasts. Her nipples were hard. She leaned over and Xena caught one of the teats in her mouth and sucked hard. Gabrielle took a sharp breath as the sensations flooded her. As she sucked, the warrior undid the belt that held the bard's tiny skirt in place. Gabrielle was soon naked. She hurriedly undressed her dark lover. They embraced and kissed, putting all of their love into the kiss.

As Xena began to suckle on the bard's earlobe, Gabrielle softly kissed the warrior's shoulder. Before she realized what was happening, she sank her fangs into her lover's shoulder. She felt Xena's warm blood flood her mouth and rush deliciously down her throat, setting every vein and artery afire. She heard the woman gasp and cry out in pain. She jerked her head back. When she realized what she had done, she began to cry.

"I................I........I'm sorry. I..don't.....kn....kno.....know what came over me!" she wailed as she rose and grabbed her clothes.

"Gabrielle....."

But it was too late. The bard was already rushing into the woods. She ran as fast as she could, trying to outrun the fear, the confusion, and the guilt. She had hurt her lover. She couldn't live with herself any longer. She had given up hope of ever finding Bacchus. She had killed a man, almost killed Ephiny, and crushed the hand of an innocent drunkard, but worst of all, she had inflicted pain on her lover, her friend, her Xena. As she ran through the forest, she was grabbed from behind. She was spun around to face a man. He was muscular, and his eyes where those of a hardened murderer.

"Give me your dinars, and I might let you live!" he hissed at her.

Gabrielle, no longer caring whether she lived or died, spat in his face, defiantly. She began to laugh. It was a frightening laugh. The laugh of someone who is on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

"So, you think you can spit in my face and laugh at me do you, bitch!" he roared.

Before she knew what was happening, the rouge had buried his dagger in her gut, up to the hilt. She sagged to the ground, blood spewing from around the dagger's handle.

Xena, wanted to console her lover and tell her that it wasn't her fault. That she was still the light of her life, quickly dressed and ran after the fleeing blonde. She wandered through the woods for a long time, until in the distance, she heard a cry of pain. It was Gabrielle. The warrior plunged headlong through the foilage, heedless of the branches and thorns that whipped and scratched at her face. She somersaulted into the clearing with her wary cry. She saw the rouge fleeing. Then she saw something that made her heart stop in her chest. Gabrielle was laying on the ground, the handle of a dagger protruding from her midsection.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the warrior cried out in agony.

Her eyes became hard and cold as she hurled her chakram at the fleeing attacker. The flying disk slit the man's throat before returning to her hand. She ran to where Gabrielle lay. Kneeling, she scooped the bard up in her arms. Gabrielle did not move. Xena began to cry and wail in grief as she cradled the bard's lifeless body to her bosom.

Continue The Story In "Bloodlust II"

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