The pink rays of dawn slid through the iron bars high in the stone wall as ice blue eyes stared up into the beloved face of her best friend. She'd fought so hard to prevent the vision of their crucified death, but in the end Fate won. Her hand slowly rose to touch Gabrielle's smooth jaw. "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. "Don't be. I'm not. I chose the way of friendship." Her hands lovingly smoothed Xena's hair from her forehead. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Xena."

Xena's lips curled into a small smile when Gabrielle repeated her own words back to her. "I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to read your stories." She was deeply sorry. She knew how much Gabrielle's tales meant to her, and she'd never taken the time to read one. Now, she'd never get a chance.

"You would have liked them. They were full of adventure about a noble Warrior Princess that fought against her darkness and turned into a warrior for the greater good." Gabrielle cradled her best friend's broken body, giving her as much warmth as she could. "My favorite is when she found a young girl from Potadeia and allowed her to be everything that she wanted to be."

Xena's eyes closed for a moment, sadness filling her. Gabrielle was dieing because of her, and had killed because of her. Her life would have been so different if she'd never gone to Potadeia. Suddenly images flashed behind her eyelids of the alternate universe that the Fates had granted her if she'd never taken up the sword. With a gasp her eyes popped open, she didn't want that life for Gabrielle either.

Her smile sad, Xena gently caressed Gabrielle's cheek before falling to her side. "You are my light."

Before Gabrielle could respond, the cell door clanked open heralding the arrival of the Roman guards. Strong hands pulled Xena roughly from her best friend's arms and suspended her body between them. Her paralyzed legs made a trail in the dirt floor as they dragged her beside Gabrielle toward their destiny.



Muse: Xena
Fandom: Xena, Warrior Princes
Word Count: 359