Reactions And Resolutions
Chapter 13
by DQiscool
Hercules awoke before Xena did and merely gazed at the beauty in his arms. Everything about her was beautiful. Suddenly he saw something that caused him to jump. On her left arm, there was a strange color. He leaned over and sniffed and suddenly shook her awake. "Wha.. what?" She asked slowly waking up.
"You’ve been poisoned!" He yelled.
"What?!" She exclaimed. "I.." she trailed off as she fell trying to stand.
"When did this happen?" he asked referring to her arm.
"My arm, I was in a fight a couple of days ago and I was cut by a knife," she replied. "By the gods! Why didn’t I realize it?" she asked.
"You didn’t know!" he yelled. She started to defend herself but suddenly passed out. Hercules gathered her limp form in his arms and started towards Amphipolis with the speed of a deer, running as fast as he possibly could.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle had managed to get out of bed and was eating breakfast downstairs at the inn with her friends. Toris smiled at her from across the inn and Iolaus sat across from her as she ate. Suddenly the door flew open and a distraught Hercules stood there with an unconscious Xena in his arms. Everyone was at his side in a moment, but he pushed them aside, his entire mind and body focusing on Xena. He ran upstairs and laid her reverently down on the bed. Cyrene was the first to enter the room and Hercules shoved her aside, not wanting anyone near Xena. Thinking everyone a threat to her.
"Hercules!" Cyrene exclaimed. Iolaus entered and sighed.
"Here we go again," he said quietly. He slowly approached his friend. "It’s me Hercules. Calm," he said quietly. Hercules gradually was able to focus and allowed them to come to Xena’s side. "You really have to stop with the blind rage routine," Iolaus said relieved.
"She’s been poisoned," Hercules stated.
"What!?" Gabrielle exclaimed.
‘The knife cut, there was poison. Please, we need to hurry. Luckily it didn’t hit a vein so it didn’t spread but if we don’t hurry, she could die. And I’m not losing her again," Hercules said, brushing a strand of raven hair from her face. "I need you to get me a knife, a torch, a bowl, a needle and thread and a strip of cloth to bandage it. Oh, and a bowl of water as well," he added. Cyrene nodded and ran for what he needed. Toris held Xena’s hand speaking about something they couldn’t hear. Something about a tree and a battle. Cyrene returned with lightning speed with everything he asked for. Hercules then ran the knife through the flames, sterilizing it. He then made a cut in Xena’s arm and looked at them. "Here goes," he said. He then pressed his lips to the cut and began to suck. After a few moments, he turned and spit it in the bowl. He then repeated the process. Sucking, spitting, sucking, spitting, until he was sure that all the poison was out. He then began to sew up the wound. Once finished, he wrapped the cloth around it. He quickly ran to the water and started gargling and spitting more until he had completely washed the foul tasting poison from his mouth. He then turned to the others wiping his mouth. "She needs to rest," He offered. They nodded solemnly and helped Cyrene carry everything out. Hercules left Gabrielle and Xena alone, knowing that Gabrielle needed to be with her as much as he did. Once everyone was gone Gabrielle took Xena’s hand in hers.
"I think I understand something Xena," she began. "You are afraid. That’s something you’re not used to. And something I never thought you capable of. You know, if you wanted to get off the pedestal you could have fallen more gracefully. But, you only slipped, and I managed to get you back up there. Xena, if that would have happened to me, I would be insane now, jumping at everything and screaming every night. I thought you were called the Warrior Princess because of your fighting skills. But, I learned something in this time. That’s your name because of your grace, calmness, and strength. Not just in battle, but in emotions and will-power. Only you could go through this without killing everyone in sight. Even Hercules went insane for a while, but you, you kept your cool. Some say it’s from years of hiding your emotions, but I think it’s because you feel your emotions and can still control it. Xena, I can’t lose you again. Please, be all right," Gabrielle said. She then just sat there, holding her friend’s hand and watching Xena sleep. After what seemed an eternity she felt Xena squeeze her hand. Gabrielle started to cry and called for everyone. Hercules was the first to reach the room. Gabrielle turned to him smiling, one tear glistening as it fell down her cheek. "She’s awake," she said. Xena then opened her blue eyes and saw her best friends and family with her, and she blinked back tears.
Hercules was at her side quicker then Xena’s chakram could fly through the air. "You didn’t notice because of me, right?" he asked, slightly accusingly.
"Yes," Xena whispered. She could see the anger fuming just beneath the surface.
"Why!? You didn’t want me to die for you! Why did you do that?" he practically screamed. Gabrielle started to interrupt but Xena silenced her.
"Because I know you. I knew what you were going to do. I couldn’t let you die because of me," Xena said.
"Xena, I know you feel you have to do all these things to make up for your past. But, I think you’ve done enough. It’s time to rest Xena. You need to rest," he said.
Xena looked at him shocked and he heard some whispering from the back of the room. "Now, I know you’re upset, and I am hurt, so I’m going to be patient. Now, as much as I love you, I’m not about to let you tell me what to do," she began patiently.
"No, you’re done fighting, that’s final. I don’t care if I have to get Hephaestus to make some chains for me, I’m not going to lose you again!" he yelled. He then pushed past everyone leaving the room. Xena attempted to stand but couldn’t.
"Don’t worry little one," Cyrene said. "I’ll talk to him," she added.
"Thanks mom," Xena said smiling and settling back. She then turned to Gabrielle. "You’re the strong one," Xena said, she then fell back to sleep. Toris and Iolaus smiled at the girl as she practically floated out of the room after receiving the praise. Cyrene then went to track down Hercules, trying to decide the right way to approach the irrational, and emotional man. This was going to be harder then teaching Xena to sew.
To Be Continued......
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