DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Xena stuff is the legal property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures, I just felt like using it. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer.

Coming Home
By Kristjan Brezovnik

They had finally reached Poteidaia, Gabrielle's home. They stopped for a moment, both a bit uneasy. Xena still remembered how she was treated the last time she was here and she doubted that the general feeling toward her was any different. Not to mention Gabrielle's family, who was probably not too happy about their daughter roaming around with the Warrior Princess. Gabrielle, on the other hand, felt that she should have come home sooner and she hoped that her family wouldn't blame Xena for her long absence. She hoped that her family was all right and that the bandits hadn't hurt them. There was also one other thing she had to do and just the thought of it made her want to cry.

"Are you sure you want me to come with you?" Xena asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes," Gabrielle confirmed, also for the umpteenth time. "My family has to accept that you have changed and that you're not a monster anymore."

Xena pursed her lips, she did not look forward to the meeting, but she decided to go through with it anyway.

They walked slowly through the village, Xena leading Argo by the reigns. The people gave them strange looks, but they ignored them.

"Gabrielle!"

Gabrielle looked and saw her sister.

"Lila!" she said and ran to her. "Are you okay?" she asked after they broke the hug. "How are Mom and Dad?"

"We're fine," Lila assured her.

"Good," Gabrielle said, glad that her family was not hurt.

"So, what brings you home?" Lila asked.

Gabrielle flinched, feeling the sting in Lila's question. She sighed.

"I heard that this area was being terrorized by bandits."

"Yes," Lila confirmed. "They come every two days and give us a hard time. They'll come again tomorrow."

"Then we have time. You remember Xena," Gabrielle introduced her friend when Xena came closer.

"Yes," Lila said and gave Xena a once over.

"Xena, this is my sister Lila," Gabrielle said.

"Hello," Xena said.

"Hi," Lila said, feeling a bit intimidated by the warrior's looks.

"Are Mom and Dad at home?" Gabrielle asked.

Lila looked at her sister.

"Yes. Come."

Gabrielle and Xena followed Lila to the house.

"Mom, Dad, look who came!" Lila called as she entered the house.

Gabrielle followed her and Xena tethered Argo.

"Gabrielle!" Hecuba said and hugged her daughter.

"Mom," Gabrielle said, hugging her back.

"Hello, Gabrielle," Herodotus said.

"Dad," Gabrielle responded, but they didn't hug.

Gabrielle felt that her father resented her that she didn't come home sooner.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to come again," she said.

"Are…" Hecuba started, but stopped when Xena entered.

"Mom, Dad, you remember Xena," Gabrielle said. "Xena, these are my parents."

"Hello," Xena said, breaking the silence.

"Hello, Xena," Hecuba said.

Herodotus said nothing and Xena could see in his eyes that he wasn't happy at all to see her.

"She will stay here until we drive away the bandits," Gabrielle said.

Herodotus wanted to object, but Hecuba gently put her arm around his.

"Of course," she said. "Why don't you show her to the guest room?"

"Okay. Come, Xena."

Xena and Gabrielle left and Herodotus turned to his wife.

"How could you let her stay here?" he demanded in a low voice.

"She is Gabrielle's friend."

"She has changed, Dad," Lila said.

Herodotus shook his head and left the house.

"Lila, help me prepare lunch."

"Yes, Mom."

A few moments later Gabrielle came to the kitchen.

"Lila," she said and paused for a moment. "Are Perdicus' parents at home?"

Lila gave her a surprised look.

"Yes. Why?"

Gabrielle sighed.

"I need to talk to them," she said and left.

Lila and her mother looked at each other, confused.

"Xena!" Lila called when she saw the warrior pass by.

"Yes?"

"Is something wrong with Gabrielle?"

"No. Why?"

"Well, she went to Perdicus' parents and she seemed sad."

Xena bit her teeth.

"I think she better tell you herself," she said and went out for her gear.

Lila and her mother looked at each other again, confused.

Gabrielle slowly walked to Perdicus' parents' house. She was deep in her thoughts and she ignored the people around her. When she got to the house, she hesitated for a moment and then knocked. A few moments later, Perdicus' father opened the door.

"Gabrielle?" he said, surprised.

Gabrielle hesitated for a moment.

"May I come in?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Sure," Perdicus' father.

Gabrielle entered and Perdicus' father closed the door behind her.

"Gabrielle?" Perdicus' mother asked, surprised, when she saw her.

Gabrielle hesitated and Perdicus' parents could see that she had something painful to say.

"Is something wrong?" Perdicus' mother asked.

"Perdicus," Gabrielle started and paused for a moment, "my husband, is dead."

Perdicus' parents stared at her, shocked. Gabrielle looked down and wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"How did it happen?" Perdicus' father finally asked.

Gabrielle took a deep breath.

"A couple of months after I last came home, I met him on the road," Gabrielle stared, choosing the short approach instead of the usual epic one. "He said he still loved me and wanted to marry me. I said yes and we got married. The next day, Callisto killed him."

Perdicus' parents stared at her, still shocked.

"Why?" Perdicus' mother asked.

"She wanted to kill someone and he was there."

There was silence for a while.

"I'm sorry," Gabrielle whispered and quickly left.

"Are you all right?" Hecuba asked her daughter when Gabrielle returned home.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hecuba asked.

Gabrielle shook her head.

"Not now," she said.

"Then let me know when you're ready."

Gabrielle nodded.

"Where is Xena?" she asked.

"She is taking care of her horse."

Gabrielle nodded and went to her room.

When Xena came back, Gabrielle took her to the village elders and Xena listened to their reports. She noticed that they felt uncomfortable around her, but that they were also glad to have a warrior like her on their side. She then requested a map and examined it. She quickly found a couple of spots that would make perfect hideouts and she decided to scout them out. Gabrielle wanted to go with her, but Xena told her to stay home with her family.

When Xena returned from the scouting trip, she offered the village elders to give the villagers a crash course in fighting. The elders were reluctant, but with Gabrielle's support, Xena managed to convince them. She knew that by themselves the villagers were as good as dead and that's why she divided them into pairs so that they covered each other's backs. With Gabrielle's help she showed them a few tricks and when the night fell, the villagers went home, feeling much safer. Xena hoped it would be enough.

When the bandits finally came the next day, the whole village was ready. Sure, this time the bandits were better fighters and better organized, but the village also had a better warrior than Meleager.

When the trap sprung, Xena let out her war cry and attacked. Gabrielle was right behind her. They fought like crazy and Xena was glad to notice that the villagers fought the way she showed them to. The bandits were caught off guard and were losing the fight, but when they reorganized, they stroke back twice as hard.

Suddenly Xena noticed that Gabrielle was in serious danger as a large group of bandits fiercely attacked her. She quickly dispatched the closest bandits and ran to help her friend. She quickly dispersed the bandits, but the bandits were reluctant to let go of their prey. They quickly regrouped and fought back.

When Xena heard Gabrielle scream a few minutes later, she quickly turned. She saw that Gabrielle was on her knees and that two bandits were about to kill her. She lunged herself at them, deflecting one sword, but only diverting the other. She fell over Gabrielle with a gash on her back, but she quickly got up and stroke back. Her eyes glittered with fierce determination. Her back hurt, but she ignored the pain and concentrated solely on the bandits. She noticed that Gabrielle was all right and she stepped away from her, so that she could get up. Gabrielle did and joined Xena in the fight again.

Xena's concentration slowly diminished and the pain got stronger by the minute. She was relieved when she noticed riders in the distance, help was on the way. The bandits noticed them too and they started to retreat.

"Are you okay?" Xena asked Gabrielle.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yeah. Thanks."

Xena smiled and watched the soldiers approach. When they reached her, their leader stopped.

"You are Xena?" he asked.

"Yes. The bandits went that way. Their camp is about ten kilometers south from here, near the second turn of the river."

The leader nodded and the soldiers moved on. When they were gone, Xena started to walk toward Gabrielle's house, but the pain was so great by then that she simply collapsed.

"Xena!?" Gabrielle cried and kneeled beside her friend, only then noticing the gash across Xena's back. "Xena," she called again, shaking her friend, but Xena didn't respond. "I need some help!" she called and looked around.

The crowd gathered and a man stepped forward.

"Can you help me carry her to the house?" she asked.

The man nodded and looked into the crowd.

"Caphis, help me," he said.

Another man stepped forward and they carried Xena to Gabrielle's house.

"Put her on my bed," Gabrielle said when they got in. "Thank you," she said when Xena was lying on the bed and ran to the guest room to get Xena's saddlebags.

"Gabrielle!" Lila called when she burst into the house.

She stopped, noticing the wounded Xena.

"Get me some water and some clean cloths," Gabrielle said, ignoring her sister.

Lila nodded and ran out.

"Gabrielle?" Hecuba asked when she and her husband came in. "Are you all right?" she asked when she saw Xena.

Gabrielle nodded, concentrated on Xena's wound.

"Shall I get a healer?"

"No. I need some clean cloths."

Hecuba nodded and left. Herodotus quietly observed his daughter as she tended to her friend's wound. He had seen how Xena had thrown herself over Gabrielle to protect her and he also saw that Gabrielle was very worried.

Hecuba returned with the cloths and gave them to Gabrielle. Lila was also quickly back and Gabrielle took care of Xena's wounds. Her family quietly observed her and Lila gave her a hand from time to time. They were all impressed when they saw Gabrielle fight. Sure, they had seen her fight before, but that was nothing compared to the fight that just ended. They were also impressed by Gabrielle's knowledge of healing.

When Gabrielle was done, she sat down beside the bed, exhausted, and buried her face in her hands.

"Gabrielle?" Lila asked and kneeled beside her.

Gabrielle looked up and her family saw that she was crying. Lila gave her a hug and Gabrielle hugged her back.

"Let's clean this up," she said when they broke the hug.

"Are you okay?" Lila asked, concerned.

Gabrielle nodded and wiped her tears.

Over the next two days Gabrielle sat beside Xena and took care of the wound. Hecuba noticed that Gabrielle was very concerned, it was like she was taking care of her own sister and not just a friend. She knew Herodotus had been angry that Gabrielle left with Xena, she herself didn't approve of their friendship, but Herodotus had told her how Xena had jumped to protect Gabrielle and she could see now how deep their friendship really was. She wasn't angry with Xena anymore for taking Gabrielle away nor did she resent Gabrielle for leaving with her.

The peace and quite ended when on the third day the bandits returned. The villagers quickly set up a defense, but without Xena they felt vulnerable.

"We're looking for Xena," the leader of the bandits called.

"She's not here," Gabrielle said.

"Don't lie to me!"

"If she were here, don't you think she would be here, fighting you?" Gabrielle countered.

The leader grinned.

"She usually would be, but I know for sure that she is wounded and can't fight. Now where is she? I want her."

"Over my dead body," Gabrielle said and attacked.

The bandit was caught by surprise, but he quickly regained his bearings and fought back. Other bandits also attacked. Gabrielle fought fiercely, ready to die in order to protect Xena. The villagers, encouraged by Gabrielle's attack, remembered Xena's lessons and defended their village.

The fight was bitter, but without Xena taking on the majority of the bandits the villagers weren't doing so well. Unfortunately for Gabrielle, the bandits noticed that she was the best fighter and a large group concentrated on her. She fought well, but there were just too many bandits and she couldn't handle them all. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her side. She looked and noticed that she was bleeding. She deflected another blow and collapsed to her knees. The last thing she saw was a bandit with lifted sword, ready to finish her off.

The bandit, however, didn't get to the striking part because an arrow suddenly appeared in his throat. The bandits were confused. Suddenly loud screams pierced the air and monsters with bodies of women and heads of large birds attacked. The bandits were surprised and terrified by the monsters. The monsters used their surprise and quickly slew a fair number of the bandits, including their leader. The second-in-command quickly ordered retreat.

"Solari, take three quarters of the Amazons and destroy them," one of the monsters called.

Another nodded and issued orders. The monster who ordered the bandits destroyed, approached Gabrielle and kneeled beside her. She lifted her mask and the people were surprised to see a woman. It was Ephiny.

"Leto, secure the village," Ephiny ordered and one of the Amazons near by nodded and left. "Leonine?"

Another Amazon kneeled beside Gabrielle and lifted her mask. She quickly examined her.

"I'll need to sew this up," Leonine declared and Ephiny nodded.

"Will she be all right?"

Ephiny looked at the young woman who spoke. She noticed that she was a bit afraid of her, but that she was also concerned for Gabrielle.

"Yes, but we need to take care of her wound. Where is Xena?"

"She's lying in our house. She's wounded."

"Wounded?"

"Yes. There was a fight three days ago."

"Oh." Ephiny thought, observing the young woman. "Are you Gabrielle's sister?" she asked.

Lila was surprised.

"Yes," she said.

"Lila, right?"

"Yes," Lila confirmed, even more surprised.

"Where do you live?"

"Over there," Lila said and pointed at her house

Ephiny turned to two Amazons near by.

"Carry her to her house," she ordered.

The Amazons nodded and picked up Gabrielle. Then they followed Lila.

"Put her on my bed," Lila said and the Amazons put Gabrielle on the bed next to Xena.

"I'll need water and some clean cloths," Leonine said and Lila quickly left.

"Stand guard outside the house," Ephiny ordered and the two Amazons left.

While Leonine took care of Gabrielle's wound, Ephiny quickly examined Xena's.

"I think she needs the bandage changed," she declared.

Leonine glanced at Xena.

"See if Thaisa is here, she can do it," she said.

Ephiny nodded and left the house. She asked around and quickly found the Amazon. When they returned to the house, she saw two people enter it. She quickened her step.

"Will she be all right?" she heard the woman ask when she entered.

"Yes," Leonine said.

"You need help?" Ephiny asked the Amazon healer.

"Yes. I need you to hold her so I can sew the wound," Leonine said.

Ephiny nodded and stepped closer. Gabrielle's family quietly observed how the Amazons took care of Gabrielle's wound. Lila noticed that another Amazon started to change Xena's bandage.

"Do you want some help?" she asked her.

The Amazon looked at her and smiled.

"Sure," she said and Lila stepped closer.

Hecuba and Herodotus quietly observed how the strange women took care of Gabrielle and they didn't understand why.

"We're done," Thaisa declared after a while. "Do you want me to help Leonine?"

"Yes," Ephiny said and gave way to Thaisa, who took over.

"Why are you helping her?" Hecuba asked when Ephiny washed her hands.

"She is our Queen," Ephiny said.

Hecuba and Herodotus looked at each other, surprised.

"What do you mean?" Lila asked.

"Gabrielle is an Amazon Queen," Ephiny explained.

Gabrielle's family stared at her, astonished.

"You didn't know?" Ephiny asked.

"No," Lila said.

"Oh. Well, she's only been Queen for a couple of months."

"You mean like a real Queen?" Lila asked, impressed.

Ephiny smiled.

"Yes."

"Does she have a palace?"

Ephiny's smile grew even wider.

"No, she doesn't have a palace, she has a hut like the rest of us. Sure, it's a bit larger, but I wouldn't call it a palace."

"Oh."

Ephiny turned to Hecuba and Herodotus.

"I'll leave the guards outside," she said. "I'll come back later. If you have any questions regarding Gabrielle's health, ask Leonine."

Hecuba nodded and Ephiny left.

The next day Xena woke up. She opened her eyes and saw a blurred face.

"Gabrielle," she said and smiled, but when her vision cleared, her smile faded. "Lila."

"Hi. How do you feel?"

"My back hurts. How long was I out?"

"Four days."

"Four? And the bandits?"

"They came back, but the Amazons drove them away."

"Amazons?"

"Yes. They came yesterday."

"Oh."

One of the Amazon guards, hearing the conversation, looked in for a moment and then closed the door again.

"Where's Gabrielle?" Xena asked.

Lila glanced at her sister and Xena noticed the strange look in her eyes. She turned her head and frowned when she saw her friend.

"Gabrielle," she said and tried to sit.

"No, you have to rest," Lila tried to object, but Xena ignored her and got up.

She ignored the pain and kneeled beside Gabrielle's bed. She noticed the wound and was relieved that it was taken care off.

"What happened?" she asked and caressed Gabrielle.

"When the bandits came back, they wanted you. They knew you were wounded and Gabrielle wouldn't let them take you. A fight broke out and she was wounded."

The door opened and Ephiny came in.

"Xena," she said. "How do you feel?"

"I'll be fine," Xena said without looking at the Amazon. "How come you're here?" she asked after a while.

"We heard that some bandits were terrorizing this area and we decided to check it out. Unfortunately, we came just a bit too late."

Xena didn't immediately respond.

"And the bandits?" she asked after a while.

"They are being taken care of."

"Good," Xena said and Ephiny could detect a very cold edge in her voice.

"Leonine will come by later to change your bandage."

Xena nodded and Ephiny left.

"I'll tell Mom and Dad you're awake," Lila said and left Xena alone with Gabrielle.

Xena gently squeezed Gabrielle's hand.

"Get well, Gabrielle, I need you," she said.

She held her friend's hand, hoping that she would be all right.

When Hecuba and Herodotus came in a few minutes later, they could see Xena wipe a tear before she looked at them and they could see the pain in her eyes, not the physical pain but the mental pain. They quietly stared at each other for a few moments and then Xena broke the silence.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I should have known better than to let her come with me."

Hecuba and Herodotus were surprised.

"Gabrielle chose her own path," Hecuba said. "She lives her own life and makes her own choices, you can't stop her from doing that. She cares for you like you were a part of the family and she was ready to die for you."

"Just like you were ready to die for her," Herodotus added.

Xena looked back at her friend and caressed her.

"There's nothing you can do for her now," Hecuba said. "You should lie on your bed."

"Later," Xena said.

Hecuba smiled.

"You're as stubborn as Gabrielle," she said and then she and her husband left.

A couple of days later, Gabrielle finally woke up.

"Gabrielle?" Xena called softly.

Gabrielle opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times.

"Xena?"

Xena smiled.

"Yes."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. How do you feel?"

"Like half of my waist is missing."

Xena chuckled and hugged her. Gabrielle hugged her back.

"How's the village?" Gabrielle asked after they broke their hug, remembering the bandits.

"Everything is fine. The Amazons came just in time and they went after the bandits."

"Amazons?"

"Yes. Ephiny said they heard that bandits were terrorizing this area and they came to help."

"Oh. How long have I been out?"

"Three days."

The door opened and Lila came in.

"Gabrielle!" she called, happy and ran to her sister.

"Lila!"

Xena moved aside and let the sisters hug.

"I was so worried about you," Lila said when they broke the hug. "How do you feel?"

"Like half of my waist is missing."

Lila smiled.

"I'll tell Mom and Dad you woke up," she said and quickly left.

Xena and Gabrielle quietly held their hands, both glad that the other was all right. A couple of minutes later, Lila returned with her parents. Hecuba ran to the bed and Herodotus followed her.

"Gabrielle," Hecuba said and hugged her daughter.

"Mom," Gabrielle said and hugged her back.

"How do you feel?" Hecuba asked when they broke the hug and caressed Gabrielle.

"I'm fine."

Herodotus kneeled beside his wife.

"Gabrielle," he said.

Gabrielle looked at him and she saw that he was glad that she was all right.

"Dad."

Herodotus hugged her and Gabrielle hugged him back.

"Oh, Dad," she whispered and Herodotus caressed her.

When they broke the hug, Gabrielle noticed Ephiny, who had come earlier, but remained in the background. Ephiny stepped closer.

"Hey, Gabrielle," she said and smiled.

"Thanks for the help."

"You didn't think we'd let our Queen alone, did you?"

Gabrielle suddenly remembered that she hadn't told her parents about being an Amazon Queen.

"Er, I…"

Hecuba smiled.

"Yes, we know, you're an Amazon Queen. I'm sure you'll tell us all about it. Later."

Gabrielle smiled.

"I promise," she said and looked back at Ephiny. "How are things?" she asked.

"Fine. I sent Solari after the bandits. Her messenger said that she is coming back today. Eponin is in charge of the village while I'm gone. We're camping outside the village and I posted guards around it."

Gabrielle nodded.

"Thank you."

Ephiny nodded.

"Leonine will come by later and change your bandage."

Gabrielle nodded.

"How's Xenan?" she asked.

"He's fine."

Gabrielle smiled and Ephiny left.

"Mom, I'm starving," Gabrielle declared.

Hecuba smiled.

"I'll get you something to eat." She turned to Xena. "You want something too?"

Xena shook her head.

"No, thank you."

Hecuba nodded and left.

"I'll see you later, Gabrielle," Herodotus said and got up.

"Okay, Dad."

"Lila!" Hecuba called from the kitchen and Lila ran to her mother.

When they were left alone, Gabrielle looked at Xena.

"Is it just me," she asked, "or is something different?"

Xena smiled.

"I think they have accepted me," she said.

Gabrielle beamed.

"They have?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Great. Oh, get me my bag, will you? I need to write this down before I forget."

Xena smiled.

"And don't forget, you were the hero this time, not me."

Gabrielle grinned.

"It's all a matter of perspective," she said.

Xena grinned back and fetched the bag.

The End