Title: Visions of Death

Rating: M

Author: Ellixer

Pairing: X/G

Disclaimer: Characters and show are owned by Universal and others. The story is mine. I make nothing.

Note: Xena has a Vision of Gabrielle's death and tries desperately to change it.

I'm screaming her name as if somehow that will help. I'm powerless to do anything as I watch her fight a losing battle. She blocks a downward swing, bends low sweeping his legs out from under him before popping up again. I try to scream out a warning as I see a soldier come from behind. I need to get up but I'm pinned to the ground by a spear, legs wrapped in several lengths of rope. My one free arm reaches out as I watch the sword slide into her body effortlessly causing her to still instantly. She drops to her knees, turning partly toward me so I can watch as the life drains from her eyes.

I look around, aware once again that I'm standing in the river, cold water rushing by below me. I was fishing a minute ago, just before the vision blinded me. My heart is beating fast; sweat is dripping from me despite the cold water at my feet. Is this something I should keep to myself? Despite my belief that we control our destiny these visions tend to come true. A tear slowly falls down my cheek; I move quickly to wipe it away realizing just how terrifying the vision was.

She's calling my name, walking through the woods towards me. There's a lightness about her, a smile in her voice that I desperately don't want to ruin. I'm always the one to wipe that smile from her face; it causes me pain every time too.

'Xena?' She's on the bank of the stream, I can feel her eyes on me, studying my posture. 'What's wrong?' She knows me too well, I can't hide the tension, the pain that still courses through me no matter how hard I try. 'Xena?' Her voice is filled with compassion and concern. Slowly, I turn to face her with red eyes. She comes rushing out to me, boots and all. Her hands come up to my face, thumbs rubbing at my cheeks. 'What is it?' Why is it, she is the only person that can do this to me?

'I saw something?' I'm not sure I can tell her, I'm not sure I want to. She looks at me worried and confused.

'What?' She wants only to make my pain go away, if she only knew that I want the same for her.

'I had a vision.' My tears come again, even though I don't want them to. I can't look her in the eye, I don't want to continue.

'Xena, what did you see?'

'You.' I swallow hard, trying my best to be the warrior, to have the courage I'm supposed to have. 'I saw you die.' I manage to look at her, but she still looks at me with such compassion. She's not worried about what I saw, but how it made me feel.

'That doesn't mean it will happen.' She's trying to sound convincing for me. Wrapping her arms around me pulling me in close, trying to convey the same sense of safety she usually feels.

'We're not going.' I say suddenly. 'I'm taking you home.' I pull away from her walking towards the bank of the river. Sitting on a log I pull my boots on.

'Xena?' Gabrielle is still rooted to her spot in the middle of the river, she looks confused and befuddled. Her hands wave through the air as she tries to find the words to express herself.

'No. We're not arguing about this Gabrielle.' I grab my sword and chakram, starting back towards camp. For all I know going home can be what starts this vision into motion, but I'd rather take the chance with safety then keep on our path towards a fight. I don't care who we're meant to be saving, it's not worth her life.

She's crashing through the brush behind me, yelling, hands grabbing out for me; but she can only stop me if I want her to, and I don't. I easily shrug off her attempts to hold me back, soon leaving her standing there in frustration, watching as I walk away. We're heading to Potidea right now; if we ride hard it should take no more than a day.

Finally, after once again getting her brain moving, Gabrielle walks into camp, a grumpy demeanor emanating from her but she doesn't argue again, well for the time being anyway. I swing up onto Argo and extend my arm down to her. She looks surprised for a moment but grasps it, swinging herself up behind me.

'Hiya!' I urge Argo into a sprint. Gabrielle's arms reluctantly wrap around my waist. It's hours before she finally speaks again.

'Where are we going?'

'Potidea.' I feel her stiffen even more than she already is. I know she loves her family very much, but she has been avoiding them. Her personality has become stronger and she hasn't wanted to go home only to argue with her mother and father. My mother has accepted her only because she has had to learn to accept me. Gabrielle prefers to go to Amphipolis where there is no resistance and no fighting.

She doesn't say another word the rest of the trip. Her arms barely touch me; in fact she does her best to touch me as little as possible, just enough to keep her attached to the horse. The words are only building up inside her. At some point she will explode in a torrent where she won't even stop to breath and her face will screw up and get all red. It's cute and at the same time exasperating.

I stop Argo at the fence. I don't like being here; they treat me worse than just an outsider, I'm an enemy. I've never been welcomed here and I never will be. Gabrielle hops off the horse, her hand lingers on my leg as she looks through the darkness at the house.

'Why here?' She asks.

'It's your home.'

'So is Amphipolis.' I look down at her placid expression.

'You haven't seen your family in a long time.' I try and give a small smile.

'You're my family, you know that.' She doesn't even look at me. 'You know how they feel about you.'

'I know.' I look up, the night is clear and not too cold. At least I don't have to stay in that barn. 'Just one night.' I look down at her again. 'Please, for me.' She finally looks at me, jaw clenched but eyes soft and forgiving. Giving my leg a squeeze she nods.

'Ok, but you're coming with me. 'She reaches her hand out as I slide off the horse. My feet plant firmly on the ground and I pull her body against mine, staring down into emerald eyes.

'I know you're dying to start yelling at me.' My eyebrow rises as I grin.

'Yeah, later.' She rises up on her toes, lips brushing briefly against mine. Her fingers link with mine as she pulls me towards the house. I never let her do this, but at this moment I know it's bringing her courage for the task at hand. I'll let it slide just this once, besides no one is looking. Pulling Argo behind me, we approach the house in no particular hurry. Smoke bellows from the chimney, the smell of roasting meat wafts through the night air. Gabrielle drops my hand as the door looms closer. Her muscles begin to tense, the nervousness begins to show on her face. I stand at her back and wait. I will not be welcome, but her parents will have nothing but love for their daughter.

Warm light spills out into the darkness as the door opens. Lila stands there, a wide smile spreads as she nearly jumps into Gabrielle's arms. 'Hi Xena.' She says as an afterthought, pulling Gabrielle through the door and closing it behind her.

'HI. How are you? I'm great!' I mock converse as I walk Argo to the barn. After being pushed all day, she's relieved to have the saddle and bags taken off and to get brushed down. She yawns in my face as I give her water and food, nudging me away once I finish because she wants to sleep.

I make my little camp on the other side of the fence where the grass can conceal me even though I can feel the eyes of Gabrielle's father on me. I lay down on my bedroll, not bothering with a fire or food. Stars litter the sky with wild abandon and I easily get lost in them.

'Lila is being courted by a farmer's son the next village over.' Gabrielle says as she sits down as close to me as possible. 'They met at the last solstice. Father and mother seem to like him.' She holds out a bowl till I sit up and cup it in my hands. I breath in the wafting steam.

'Boar stew.' I dig in immediately, the smell more than enticing. 'You know you could have come in.' She looks at me sideways.

'I think your sister made it clear that I shouldn't.' She doesn't say anything aside from biting the inside of her cheek. 'And how is the family?'

'Good. Father didn't like my hair.'

'I think you've gotten more marriage proposals with it short.' I snort at her. She chuckles.

'Don't tell my father that, it would only encourage him.' She begins to rub her hands up and down her arms in an attempt to warm herself.

'Why don't you go back inside.' I suggest quietly.

'I'm staying here.' My bowl drops with a clatter.

'Gabrielle!'

'Xena, don't treat me like a child.' Her tone is exhausted and tired, as if she's already had this fight. So I just stare at her for a second before grabbing a fur and wrapping it around her shoulders. Grabbing my bowl I continue eating. 'Thanks.' She mumbles.

'I take it your parents aren't happy I'm here.'

'That would be an understatement.'

'Your father looking to hire an assassin?' She chuckles at me.

'I don't think he has enough money.'

'Are you sure you shouldn't sleep inside?' Her head turns as she gives me a soft smile, her head tilted slightly.

'Would you?'

'There is a warm bed.' I pretend to contemplate. She pushes her shoulder into me and I suppress a laugh. Putting the bowl down to the side I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in close for warmth. 'I don't this will ingratiate me with your parents any more than I already am.' She humph's.

'Xena, what exactly did you see?' My chin drops to rest on top of her blond hair.

'Death. Isn't that enough?'

'More than enough.' She sighs, her body easing further into me. 'But what if we can't change it, like before?' What can I say, I've been thinking this same exact thing all day. I'm just going to make sure I die to.