Dreams

In her dreams, a line gets crossed. Not for bad, just for better... in the dreams, anyway. The sun always greets the sky, though, and Xena puts those dreams away. She does this often enough, puts away wishes and hopes. She hides them under armor, both real and figurative.

Dreams of her brother, alive and well. Dreams of herself, no longer a shattered soul. Dreams of how life could be... if the pain would end...

These particular thoughts are stored deep inside, only coming out in moments of agony or despair. These thoughts... they are near the first wounds ever cut into Xena's heart.

Newer dreams, they spook Xena... They cause her to open her eyes quickly from sleep, cause her breathing to be rapid. Dreams of no longer being alone, dreams of having a companion for soul and body, dreams of some unknown woman...

Xena stays awake one night, willing the visions to leave her mind. They do not, though. They just linger... They tease and confound... Xena gives into the temptation these dreams offer, the chance for... for...

The sun always greets the sky, though, and Xena puts those dreams away. She tries to right wrongs this day, tries to do the right thing this day. And she tries to remember that dreams do not come true, no matter how hard you want them to...

Even when that specter of nightly longings becomes real, standing before Xena's eyes and begging to go with the warrior princess.