Disclaimer: A Xena:Warrior Princess story. All characters (or at least most the important ones!) are the property of MCA and Renaissance Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. This may be archived, but please include this disclaimer. Disclaimer#2: This story features two women in love. If this will offend you, or you are underage, please go back now. Disclaimer#3: This story does not take into account the events of season three. BEYOND PRICE By: A.L.Dunham The air in the room was heavy and oppressive, a tangible force pressing in upon the occupants. Gabrielle wanted nothing better than to throw open the windows, but sleet beat down outside and she had been warned that the last thing Xena needed was a chill. Frustrated by her helplessness, the bard could only sit beside her dearest love, murmuring low peaceful words and hoping that they were heard. She looked up expectantly when a short, rotund man walked into the room. “Any change?” he asked brusquely. “No. She hasn’t woken up.” “Damn sickness wiped out half the village to the north,” the man said under his breath as he stood at a small side table and began grinding together a mixture of herbs. “But she’s a fast healer. She’ll be alright,” Gabrielle’s words were half statement, half imploring question. “I don’t know,” the healer said gently. “I’m surprised she’s lasted this long.” “Well you must be able to do something for her!” Gabrielle rose from her seat and advanced towards the healer, her eyes begging him to answer her with reassurances. “Believe me, I’m doing everything I can,” he said. Gabrielle turned back to the warrior, lying so still and weak. Tears pricked her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She had to be the strong one. She leaned down close to Xena’s face and whispered in her ear. “I lost you once… I am not going to lose you again!” Then she stood up and spoke to the healer, a fire burning behind her eyes, her face set in a mask of determination. “Watch her. Don’t you dare let her die on me. I just have a quick errand to run.” The healer had turned away during the bard’s private moment with her warrior, but he knew and could see the love, fierce and unwavering, emanating from her as she spoke. “I’ll take good care of her,” he assured her. Gabrielle ran a soothing hand over the warrior’s forehead and kissed her gently on the lips before quickly turning to leave the room. She only paused to grab her cloak and staff and then she was gone. Outside the air was frigid and held the taste of snow. The ground was frozen hard and slippery from the recent storm.. Still, Gabrielle found it a relief after the stuffy confines of the healer’s home. She passed some village residents and returned their friendly greetings. The healer had obviously told them of the warrior princess who lay so deathly ill. She couldn’t know that he had spoken more of the warrior’s companion, tireless in her efforts to comfort and heal. It was only a short walk to the center of the village and once there she didn’t falter in her steps to the temple. It was small, but carefully maintained. A fire burned in the pit before the alter, which was covered with candles and small offerings. There were no statues; the village was too small for that, but weapons, meticulously polished, hung on the walls, silent testament to the god who was worshipped there. Gabrielle walked to the alter and knelt down. She didn’t begin the usual litany of worship, but simply whispered her plea. “Ares,” her voice was barely audible, “please come to me and show yourself.” She remained kneeling, prepared to wait patiently for some sign, but she hadn’t long to wait. “Well look who’s here! Does your warrior know where you are?” the god spoke in mocking tones. “You know she doesn’t,” Gabrielle replied, drawing on a strength she had almost depleted. “I’m sure you’ve kept your eye on her.” “Well, yes. I admit that I have. Just waiting for opportunity to knock.” “Well it won’t have much of a chance if she dies,” Gabrielle stated. “Don’t look so shocked… You just said you’ve been watching everything.” “Yes I have. My surprise comes from you thinking that it will all be over if she dies. Have you any idea how much I have planned for her in Tartarus?” Gabrielle noticeably paled and reached out a hand to support herself on the alter. “That’s not where she’s going.” “Oh isn’t it? Little Gabrielle, such the optimist.” “Only Hades makes that decision!” Gabrielle exclaimed. “True, true, but you know I always have a few favors I can call in,” he chuckled as he watched the bard struggle with herself. Tears threatened to overwhelm her but she held them in check. “Ares, I didn’t come here to argue with you. I came to ask your help… your mercy.” “Help? Mercy?! For a mortal who turned her back on me?!” “For a mortal how helped you regain your godhead.” “I gave her my thanks for that. She got her body back., didn’t she?” Gabrielle only stared at him. If it hadn’t been for him Callisto never would have been able to switch bodies with Xena in the first place. “Look bard, you know I can’t grant your request without an offering. I’d look like a sappy wuss.” The air in the temple grew perfectly still as Gabrielle lowered her gaze to the floor. “I don’t have anything to give you,” she said, and then remembered the pendant Xena had given her one week after they admitted their love for one another. Xena had been almost shy, presenting her with the golden necklace. It was a miniature version of her chakram, complete with tiny blue gems. Gabrielle had cried, unable to contain her joy. Then they had talked and made love and held eachother all night long. Now Gabrielle’s hand moved up to brush over the symbol of her love and then she opened her mouth to speak. “Oh don’t bother. Such sentimentality! No, I don’t want your precious necklace.” Gabrielle looked at him, clearly confused, “Then what?” “Your innocence. Xena’s life for your innocence… an even trade I believe.” “What?” the bard was even more confused. “I don’t—“ “For the love of—do I have to spell it out for you? Your blood innocence. I want you to kill someone.” Gabrielle stared at him blankly. Take a life? She had long ago sworn never to do such a thing, knowing even then that it could someday come to that. Now she thought of Xena, lying so helpless, depending on her. “W- who?” she asked quietly. “Oh no one in particular. I’m going to make it easy on you. See, I’ll heal Xena and you will then have ten days to make your first kill. The way you two run into trouble it shouldn’t take more than two,” Ares chuckled to himself. “You mean Xena will be with me?” this was getting worse and worse. “Why yes, of course. I’m willing to keep her alive but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t relish inflicting a little pain. What could be more painful than seeing her little girlfriend start down the same road that she chose so many years ago?” Gabrielle looked straight at Ares but did not see him. She saw only the look that she knew would shadow Xena’s features if she did as he required. Then she saw the bleak years ahead of her if Xena were to die. “I haven’t got all day, blondie. You should be grateful. You only have to kill someone who’s out for your blood anyway. I could be telling you to kill your own mother.” The young woman blinked and looked Ares in the eye. In a way he was right. The person she killed would not be an innocent. She thought of Xena, bravely holding onto life… how could she let her die knowing she could prevent it? Xena’s life for that of a blood thirsty stranger. How difficult was the decision, really? “Alright, Ares,” she said firmly, “I accept your conditions.” Ares smiled, “I’m glad, little bard. I admit that I would have missed having Xena here on the mortal plane. Go now… She’s calling for you. Remember… ten days.” Before his words could completely reach Gabrielle’s ears Ares had disappeared in a flash of white light. The stunned Amazon was frozen for a moment, unable to comprehend the bargain which had just been struck. Then, with a small gasp she turned on her heel and bolted out of the temple. ***** Gabrielle was chilled to the bone and her mind was spinning by the time she arrived back at the healer’s cottage. The sky had darkened to a dull metal grey and the sleet had changed to a drizzling, half-hearted rain. The bard stepped through the door and quickly shed her cape, brushing the cold water from her forehead as she did so. Stephanos came shuffling out of the back room as soon as he heard Gabrielle enter. She looked at him with the trepidation borne of many false hopes. “How is she?” she ventured to ask. “I can hardly explain it, young bard! She woke not half a candlemark ago! Been askin’ for you ever since.” Gabrielle hardly heard his words, she only picked up on his cheerful expression and then hurried to where she had left her lover. Her eyes traveled quickly over Xena’s form, noting the subtle change in coloring, the relaxed expression on her face. The blue eyes were closed, but Gabrielle could easily imagine them beaming out at her. She went to the bed and took one of Xena’s hands in both of hers. “Can you hear me Xena?” she asked quietly. The warrior nodded as she slowly opened her eyes. “Yes,’ she said, her voice rough from disuse, “and your hands are like ice! Have you been out in this weather?” she arched an eyebrow indicating the window which was being pelted by the now steady rain. “Only for a minute. I had to run an errand. But I’m here now. I promise not to leave your side.” Xena saw the devotion in her bard’s eyes and smiled. “Well I think I could permit you a little free time,” she joked and was relieved to see the familiar sparkle in the bright green eyes. “How long have I been out of it?” “Almost a quarter-moon. Five days,” Gabrielle replied. “Mmm…” Xena’s brow wrinkled as she struggled to remember. “I remember killing that big cobra north of Antires. Is that where we are now?” “Yeah. You weren’t feeling well so you decided we should stay at an inn for a change.” The bard didn’t mention how Xena’s mere admission of illness had been enough to frighten her. “You took a fever that night and I couldn’t wake you. The innkeeper’s son carried you here to the village healer, Stephanos. He’s been great.” Xena laid a hand against Gabrielle’s cheek. “Yeah, but you’re the one who really makes me feel better.” Gabrielle turned her head to kiss the warrior’s palm, slightly surprised by the touching admission in a strange and almost public place. “Well ya know, that’s part of my job as ‘trusty sidekick’,” the bard said in an effort to lighten the mood. “Oh I think it goes way beyond ‘trusty sidekick’.” Xena said with that sly little look that Gabrielle was so familiar with. “It does, hmmm?” “Oh yeah,” the warrior murmured as she pulled Gabrielle down for an achingly slow kiss. When they broke apart Gabrielle gave a little laugh. “Well you sure know how to make me feel better too.” After a few more minutes of simply basking in their connection Gabrielle insisted that Xena close her eyes and go back to sleep. “Only if you’ll lie down too,” the warrior countered. “Xena, it’s a small bed and you need to get your rest.” “We’ve shared smaller and you look like you could use some rest too.” Gabrielle had to admit that her lover was right, on both counts. “C’mon…” Xena was using her best pouty-child voice, “you know I always sleep better with you beside me.” Gabriele rolled her eyes at the mixture of flattery and whining, but she was also smiling and she bent over to unlace her boots. Xena grinned in victory and moved over to one edge of the bed. Soon the bard was comfortably ensconced in the tiny bed, curled next to a very content warrior. She noticed that Xena’s eyes were very quick to close after they arranged themselves in a tangle of arms and legs. It was a small sign of how sick the warrior had been and how much she still needed to recover. The bard let her eyes trace over her love’s features, once again committing them to memory. She knew that she had made the right decision. For now though, she wanted to forget about deals and killing and all the other troubling things that played at the edges of her consciousness. She settled her head on Xena’s chest and allowed herself to be lulled to sleep by the steady rhythm beneath her ear. ***** Gabrielle woke early the next morning, pleased to find that her companion held no trace of fever and was breathing comfortably. Nevertheless she knew that Xena still had some recovering to do and she quietly slipped out of the bed and padded into the common room where Stephanos was making breakfast. “Good morning, Gabrielle,” he greeted her, “you’re looking better rested than you have since I met you.” “Yeah, well knowing that Xena’s going to be ok does a lot for my sleeping patterns,” she joked. “I’m making some nice, mild cereal for the warrior. Hopefully she won’t have any trouble keeping it down. Sit yourself down and you can test it out,” he said with a wink. “Oh I think she’ll be able to handle it,” Gabrielle said, knowing that thanks to Ares the illness was gone and only the slight afteraffects remained. “How long do you think it will be before she’s able to travel?” “Well now, I don’t care how fast a healer she is I wouldn’t go making plans already!” Stephanos said with a laugh, entranced by the bard’s gung-ho optimism. He scooped some hot cereal into a bowl and set it before her on the table. “I know, I know, but she gets really irritable when she’s cooped up,” Gabrielle said between bites. “I have a feeling she’ll be demanding that we move on soon.” “Hmmm… ya, I can see that might be the way with her. If she eats ok for the next few days she should be strong enough to travel. But remember, the weather here isn’t exactly good for the health.” “I’m hoping that she’ll agree to go south. We have friends there and once we get out of the mountains the weather should improve,” Gabrielle said. Stephanos nodded and then moved to don his cloak. “I have to run to the other end of the village, but you just see that she gets some of that cereal when she wakes,” he said. “I will. And thanks, Stephanos. For everything.” Stephanos, like so many before him, blushed under Gabrielle’s sincere and generous thanks. He gave her a little nod and smile and then walked out, shutting the door tight behind himself. Gabrielle continued eating the bland but filling breakfast as she worked out a plan in her mind. She knew that her stubborn warrior would insist on leaving within the next day. She would go along with her but would convince Xena to go to the Amazons and finish rebuilding her strength there. It would take about two days to get out of the mountains, but there were numerous villages they could stop at to rest. Once in the lowlands it would only be another day or two before they reached the Amazons. That would still give her at least two days to complete her part of the bargain. She would make up some excuse to leave Xena in the village… maybe she could say she wanted to visit the Amazon outposts while they were there. Then she could do Ares’ bidding and return without Xena ever knowing. After all, Ares had just assumed the warrior would be with her. He had never demanded that she be present. Yes, that’s how she would do it. It wouldn’t be so hard. It was worth it to keep Xena alive. A sound from the other room caused Gabrielle to jerk her head in that direction. She quickly filled another bowl with cereal, poured hot water over the herbal tea Stephanos had left, and carried it all into Xena’s room. “Are you awake?” she asked, seeing that Xena’s eyes were closed. “Yep,” came the reply, “saw that you weren’t here so I thought I’d just close my eyes again.” “Sorry about that,” Gabrielle said, remembering that she had promised not to leave. “I was just in the other room. I brought you something to eat, and some nice tea.” The bard set down the bowl and mug and helped Xena adjust her pillows so that she was sitting up. “Smells good,” Xena commented, sniffing experimentally at the tea. “Better than you make,” Gabrielle grinned, “Stephanos actually puts in stuff to cover the bitter taste of the medicine.” “Hmph. That’s kids’ stuff,” she said, but she took a long sip of tea and her face relaxed at the smooth, sweet taste. “Kids’ stuff, eh?” Gabrielle questioned. Xena opened eyes that had slipped closed in contentment, “Ok, so maybe it’s pretty good.” She smiled and caught her partner’s eyes in a loving gaze. ***** “I’m feeling better already,” Xena said cheerfully as she finished the last of her food. “Mmm-hmmm,” Gabrielle replied, knowing that the debate was about to begin. “Yeah. We can head out tomorrow morning,” the warrior said with authority. “Actually I was thinking that we should stay here for at least another quarter-moon.” “Seven days?!” it was Xena’s typical response and Gabrielle had been expecting it which was why she’d set her estimate so high. “How about tomorrow afternoon?” the warrior countered. “Mmm… I really think you need more rest than that.” “Gabrielle…” Xena’s voice was a low rumbling in her chest. “Ok, day after tomorrow,” the bard offered. “Deal,” Xena agreed and settled back against the pillows. Gabrielle watched her and smiled. Oh yeah, she knew her warrior pretty well. Xena’s eyes were slowly drifting shut and it was relatively easy for the bard to convince her to take a little nap. She mentioned that she would probably use the time to update her scrolls and look around for something to eat for lunch. Xena chuckled at the way Gabrielle was already thinking of their next meal. Then she turned to the young amazon and accepted a gentle kiss before rolling onto her side and allowing sleep to steal over her. The worst of the weather seemed to have passed and Gabrielle wandered over to the window. It was still overcast but for once the bard was the restless one and she decided that some staff drills were definitely in order. She gave one last check on her partner, pulling the blankets up to her chin, and then grabbed her staff and headed outside. There was a small yard behind the healer’s hut and Gabrielle viewed it as the ideal practice place. The bard reflected that it had taken all of her storytelling skills to keep her secret from Xena during breakfast. Her mind was crowded with plans guilt and doubt surrounding the task she had before her. She knew that keeping up the act would only become more difficult but she could only imagine the warrior’s reaction if she found out about the deal. She wasn’t about to allow that to happen. No. Xena had made numerous sacrifices, taken dozens of risks, given everything for her, and she was not about to do any less for the warrior. Before beginning her drills Gabrielle tried to clar all those thoughts from her mind. She stood in the center of the yard and started with breathing exercises. She closed her eyes and drew in a breath of cool air. A warm front had moved in and pushed the ssleet and rain off, but the air was still raw and damp. It cut into her lungs and bit at her exposed skin but instead of being painful it focused and invigorated her. After a few more breaths she began with simple moves, allowing her muscles to streatch out and relax into the routine. Overhead the sun began moving from behind the hazy cloud cover. By the time it was fully visable the amazon had transitioned into a more complex series of motions. She had moved beyond the problems and troubles in her mind. Her body moved with the precision and grace of a musician who no longer has to think of the music but who simply plays. Eventually she began to slow down her movements, turning lazy eights in the air, and circling her imaginary opponent. She was breathing heavily and feeling every part of her body sing out when she finally executed an overhead twirl and planted her staff on the ground. “Very impressive.” Gabrielle spun around and watched as Xena stepped from the shadows near the house. She gave her warrior a mock stern look as she walked over to her. “You are supposed to be in bed,” she said as she slipped one arm around Xena’s waist. The warrior was dressed in her leathers, minus armor, and her thick wool cloak. “Yes, but I wore this,” she said, tugging at the black wool, “so I thought that would balance things out.” She grinned down at her red-headed bard and was rewarded with and all out smile. “Well I think we’d better get you back inside before I decide that we should stay an extra day,” Gabrielle joked as she took Xena’s hand and led her back into the hut. “Yes mom,” Xena replied in a voice that dripped sarcasm. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and gave the warrior a gentle backhand to the stomach which caused the warrior to let out a growl that quickly degenerated into a laugh. “I thought you were going to find lunch,” she said as she hung up her cloak and placed Gabrielle’s staff near the door. “You’re hungry?!” Gabrielle exclaimed. Xena rarely let on that she possessed such mundane feelings. “Maybe a little,” Xena replied with her characteristic half smile. “Well you sit yourself down by the fire and I’ll see what I can do,” the bard said happily as she poked through Stephanos’ food stores. The kind healer had already given her free reign in the kitchen, citing that she was a far better cook. Xena seated herself at the heavy wooden table, slightly surprised at how good it felt to sink into the soft cushions which padded the chair. Maybe Gabrielle was right about needing a little rest. She glanced around the main room of the dwelling, taking it in for the first time. There wasn’t much furniture aside from the table and four chairs surrounding it. A bench sat front of the fireplace along with a willow rocking chair with a small table in between them. Along the opposite wall were shelves full of small jars, flasks and other medical supplies. A wide shelf a little higher than waist height served as a work surface there. There were a few more shelves near the fireplace that held dishes and food. At the back of the room were the doors leading to Stephanos’ room and the sickroom. There were curtains draped across the doorways and the one leading into the sickroom could be tied back with a length of cord and a nail in the wall. Xena supposed that was sot hat the healer could watch his patient even from the front room. Before long Xena was brought out of her observations by Gabrielle placing a wonderful smelling bowl of soup in front of her. “This looks great,” she said, “just what I needed.” Gabrielle smiled at the compliment and sat down with her own bowl. Before she could start eating Xena reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I mean it, Gabrielle,” she said, “thank you for everything. You always take such good care of me.” Gabrielle felt her heart speed up at Xena’s touch, feeling the love pass between them through their hands and through their eyes. “You deserve it,” the bard said thoughtfully. Not ‘you’d do the same for me’, not ‘oh it’s nothing’, but ‘you deserve it’. The phrase was a pointed reminder of how Gabrielle viewed her lover, as a woman who deserved everything she could give her. Everything including… Gabrielle could feel her thoughts moving in a dangerous direction and occupied herself with her soup. As Xena drank down the last of the broth from her soup she peered over the edge of the bowl at Gabrielle. She was trying to guage the bard’s mood. “Ummm,” she finally started speaking, “I really am feeling a lot better, Gabrielle.” “Xena…” the bard’s voice held the warrior’s usual dangerous tone. “No, really. I think we should head out tomorrow while the weather’s still good.” One look at Xena’s face and Gabrielle knew that arguing would be futile so she decided to take advantage of the situation as best she could. “Ok. We’ll leave tomorrow. But…” she paused for effect and Xena tapped her foot, “we head towards the amazon village where we can both have a nice long rest.” Xena’s eyes narrowed. Gabrielle had certainly gotten to be a shrewd bargainer in and out of the marketplace. “Yeah, that sounds like a good plan,” she agreed, knowing that Gabrielle could be just as stubborn as she was. “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to see their queen.” Gabrielle colored slightly and grinned in response to Xena’s mention of her title. She was always a little taken aback when her lover referred to her that way… though sometimes it had led to some interesting little ‘games’. Her smile widened and Xena guessed what she was thinking about. “That’s another good reason to leave. As nice as Stephanos is, I doubt that he’d take to kindly to us keeping him up all night.” The warrior raised one eyebrow suggestively and Gabrielle squirmed in her seat. “You may have a point!”