CHAPTER FIVE:
THE BARD THING
The Federation Starship Voyager, somewhere in the Delta Quadrant
A tear shone in the corner of Kathryn's eye as she sat back in her chair. The story of Xena's noble death and Gabrielle's terrible loss had always brought a lump to her throat, but now she had met the couple in the flesh and was beginning to count them as her friends, it became all the more poignant. She knew the warrior would eventaully find the peace she craved, and that pleased her, but at what price! She knew that over the years to follow, Gabrielle would develop into a great warrior in her own right and that after her belovéd's death she would become the greatest queen the Amazons ever had, eventually uniting them into a powerful nation, but that she would never fully recover her heart. The tear fell down her cheek before she could prevent it and she winced, slowly wiping it away as she wished she could wipe away her knowledge of the couple's future. "Computer," she said, "restrict access to all historical data concerning Xena, Warrior Princess and Gabrielle, Queen of the Amazons, until further notice. Level 10 clearance required. Authorization code Janeway 4513 alpha." The computer bleeped its acknowledgement and the captain relaxed a little. Since she and Tuvok were the only ones on board with level 10 clearance, she could now be sure that neither of her guests would be able to get hold of information on their own futures, at least not from the computer. Much as she wanted to warn them of what lay ahead of them, she knew that it would not only be a violation of the Prime Directive, but also extremely dangerous. Who knew what the consequences might be for the timeline if they chose differently? No, however much she regretted it, however much it hurt her, it was essential that they didn't know about their future. She just hoped the rest of the crew had the sense to keep their mouths shut about what they knew of the stories.
She was startled out of her reverie by the door chime and pulled herself together before calling "come," looking up to see the smiling face of the tall warrior stride into her ready room. Quickly snapping off the computer screen and forcing herself to smile back, the captain got to her feet and greeted "Your High....I mean Xena," allowing herself a little blush at the presumption, even though both Xena and Gabrielle had insisted on everyone calling them by their first names, "how are you?"
Xena looked puzzled as she answered "fine. Are you alright?"
"Yes," came the hasty reply, "why?"
"Oh nothing, you just look a little troubled, that's all." She sauntered around the captain's desk and laid her hand on the closed computer screen, looking down at it thoughtfully, before she enquired quietly "what were you reading?"
Janeway swallowed, suddenly feeling like she'd been caught stealing apples from her neighbour's garden, but she affected an air of nonchalance as she answered smoothly "nothing important, really, just....."
"Don't" said the warrior suddenly but kindly as her eyes raised to meet Kathryn's with a penetratingly clear gaze. "There's no need," she explained, "I know how it will end." She stepped away from the desk and moved back towards the captain as she continued, "not the details, of course, I don't know them, but I've always known I would die before Gabrielle. I hope it's an honourable death and that it doesn't destroy her. I've been trying to prepare her but I...."
"You know I can't tell you anything, Xena" the captain said gently, smiling sadly at the little nod her friend gave.
"I know," the warrior acknowledged, "I'm not asking."
"Just one thing," the captain acquiesed, "it will be honourable and...eventually, Gabirelle will be alright."
Until that moment Xena hadn't realised how worried she had been about this and now she dropped her head and sighed with relief, fighting back the tears. When she looked up at the captain it was to smile gratefully. "Thank you" she said, so softly it was only just above a whisper, as she winced almost imperceptibly. The captain just nodded and smiled encouragingly, leaving a pause before taking a deep, calming breath. "Now," she asked, once more business-like, "what can I do for you?"
"I've come to invite you to lunch on the holodeck," Xena explained, "B'Elanna's organised a picnic for us at something called the Great Sulobia Reef and we thought you might like to join us."
"On Kataria. You'll love it, Xena, it's a beautiful spot. As for joining you, it's a lovely thought but I'm afraid I have a mountain of reports to get through."
Xena smiled secretly and informed the captain "she said you'd say something like that?"
"Who? B'Elanna?"
Xena's eyebrow rose in private acknowledgement of the question but answered "no, Gabrielle," as she sat down on the soft sofa, "it was her idea. She said you work far too hard and you'd make some excuse about having too much to do, but that you really need some rest and relaxation."
Janeway was a little taken aback by the observation but smirked good-naturedly. "How can she know me so well after just four days?" she asked softly.
"Oh that's just Gabrielle" the warrior informed her fondly, "she can work someone out in four seconds." She sat forward into Janeway's space and added "she also said that I wasn't to take no for an answer and that if necessary I was to use force." Xena stood up, staring down at the auburn head as she allowed the captain time for the threat to sink in. "So what's it to be, Captain?" she asked, her voice playfully harsh, "are you going to come quietly or do I have to carry you to the holodeck?"
Janeway looked up into the spakling blue eyes and admitted "well, since you put it like that....I don't suppose I have much choice, do I?"
* * * * * *
As Janeway stepped into the holodeck a light breeze rustled her hair and she smiled at the freshness of it. "Welcome to Kataria" she said, indicating for Xena to move forward. The warrior was agog at the scene before them. The seemingly endless beech, stretched out in a graceful curve around the bay of the Cyrstal Ocean, so named because the water was so clear one could see the spectacular reef that lay below the surface in amazing detail. Xena took a deep breath of the holographic air and closed her eyes to take in its sweetness. When she had once more opened them she squatted down to pick up a handful of the slightly purplish sand and let it run through her fingers. "This is incredible," she said, "it seems so real."
"Well it is possible to tell the difference after a while," the captain informed her, "but it's certainly real enough to provide the crew with some much-needed escape from time to time."
Xena nodded and looked around, "is it a convincing representation of this Kataria?" she asked.
"Yes, it's accurate in every detail. Anything in the Starfleet databanks can be reproduced faithfully, but you can also create new locations and scenarios, if you know how."
"Are there any Katarian's on board? I'd like to meet some, coming from a place like this they must be very calm."
Janway laughed and said "we only have one half-Katarian, a child called Naomi Wildman, but her mother is human and I wouldn't exactly call her calm, although she is a remarkable child. She's never seen Kataria, though. She was born on Voyager.
Xena's line of questioning was halted by a call of "Hey! Up here" and she and the captain looked up to the cliff above to see Gabrielle and B'Elanna looking down at them. It was not very high but it afforded a wonderful view of the deserted bay and the intricate reef below and they had considered it worth the short climb. "Hello, Captain," greeted the bard when they had made it to the top, "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Well I didn't have much choice in the matter" she said teasingly before acknowledging the silent Klingon with a slight tilt of her head and a shattering smile.
Over the delicious lunch that Neelix had provided the conversation turned to the purpose of the Greek couple's visit. "I must say, Kathryn," Gabrielle began, "life on Voyager doesn't seem at all like the way Ares described it."
"And that surprises you?" asked Xena incredulously.
Gabrielle smiled at her lover and reached out to stroke her hand. "I guess it shouldn't," she agreed, "but he seemed so convinced, I couldn't help wondering if there might be something in it."
"There is," the captain admitted sadly, "on this ship at least." She sat back against a tree and began to explain. "Out here in the Delta Quadrant we're on our own. It's a harsh and volatile place and we're having to fight our way through it. Back home in the Alpha Quadrant, though, things have, generally speaking, been pretty peaceful for the last few centuries. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't all been plain sailing, we have frequent skirmishes with the Romulans and the Borg and just recently a full-scale war with the Cardassians, but these are exceptions rather than the rule." Pride began to creep into her voice as she continued, "we've built a strong alliance, a United Federation of Planets, made up of over a hundred worlds, some of whom were blood enemies just a century ago. Now, although we remain alert and ready for unknown dangers from outside and sometimes within, we generally live in peace with eachother. Even the Klingons, who are a naturally violent race of warriors, have managed to remain at peace with the other members of the Federation." Suddenly realising that a Klingon was sitting right opposite her, the captain reddened a little and dipped her head, saying "I'm sorry, B'Elanna, I didn't mean..."
"It's alright, ma'am," the engineer allowed, with a wave of her elegant hand, "you're right. In the past Klingon's have been quick to run into battles. It's in our nature to fight first and ask questions later, but I believe that, while still maintaining our traditions and values, we have learned to be a little more tolerant and more discriminating in our choices, at least I hope this particular Klingon has." She looked at the listening couple beside her and elucidated "I'm only half-Klingon, but when I first came aboard Voyager I acted just like they do. I was angry and belligerent and defensive and......let's just say I was a total pain in the...." Looking at the captain she stopped herself using the vulgarity that had been about to issue from her mouth and moved on. "Anyway, the captain gave me a chance to prove myself and I'm very grateful for that" she finished, lowering her eyes.
Smiling as she reached out to place a hand on the young woman's arm, Janeway assured her "I'm the one who should be grateful, B'Elanna. You've got us out of so many scrapes I've lost count. You totally justified my faith in you and you've become essential to Voyager. I hope you know how proud I am of you."
"Thank you, Captain" was all the engineer said but the look that passed between them spoke a thousand words. Another, more knowing look passed between Xena and Gabrielle and they smiled secretively.
The conversation moved on to other topics as they finished their lunch and then, after a short interval, the warrior princess turned to B'Elanna and asked, "you want to drill with me? Then after you could show me this weapon of yours."
B'Elanna smiled as she nodded her acceptance. "Alright" she agreed, "but I want to learn how to use a sword too. Computer, transport my bat'leth here."
As the two warriors moved away from the others to begin their drill, Gabrielle smiled warmly and gave a little laugh. "I wondered how much longer she could keep this up," she confessed, "she hasn't had any excersise for four days, let alone a fight. She's been itching for this."
Janeway jerked around in alarm and said, her voice husky with warning "I hope they're not going to get too serious."
"Oh don't worry, Kathryn, I'm sure they can both hold their own. Besides, I thought you couldn't get hurt in here."
"Only if you're using holographic weapons, and even then you can still get hurt, just not badly."
"Like I said, don't worry about it. They're warriors, they both know what they're doing."
When Xena and B'Elanna had finished their warmups they gave eachother a few basic instructions in the use of their respective weapons and began to fight, each using the other's blade. It felt strange to the Klingon to only have to use one hand most of the time, but she adapted very quickly, as did the Warrior Princess. Their styles would have been considered a little unorthadox but they didn't mind, they were fairly evenly matched and they were having fun, and after a while they lost themselves in the battle. Watching from a little way off, the captain flinched as the sharp bat'leth blade missed B'Elanna by a hair's breadth and she looked around in slight embarrassment to see if Gabrielle had noticed, only to find the young bard looking at her sagely. "It's tough, isn't it?" she asked softly.
"What's that?" enquired the captain.
"Being in love with a warrior."
Janeway huffed and closed her eyes, nodding as she whispered "yes". It took a second for her to realise what she had just admitted and she looked up at Gabrielle, startled, as she asked "what!?"
But Gabrielle's gaze was constant and full of wisdom. "Kathryn," she soothed "you're not going to insult my intelligence by trying to deny it, are you?"
The captain admitted her defeat gracefully and slumped silently back against her tree. "Am I really so obvious?" she asked mournfully.
"No," came the kind reply, "I'm just very observant. It's a bard thing." They both smiled and sat in silence for a few seconds before Gabrielle moved in and murmurred conspiritorially, "you know she's crazy about you."
"I know" she concurred softly.
"Well then....?"
Janeway looked up at the sparkling eyes of her young friend and sadly shook her head, "I've been over it a thousand times in my head, Gabrielle. It's impossible."
"I don't believe that," replied the bard kindly, "if there's one thing I've learnt being with Xena it's that nothing is impossible. Nothing."
"What if something went wrong? How could we continue to work together?"
"What if it didn't?"
"What if, one day, I have to choose between her and Voyager?"
"Well, that could happen, but Kathryn, you're already in love with her. What if you had to choose between her and the ship right now? Would it really be any easier just because you're not actually together?"
Janeway looked into the penetrating eyes for a second longer before looking away and admitting "No, I guess not."
"Look," said the bard as she reached out to lay a comforting hand on the captain's arm, "I don't know you two very well, and maybe this will turn out to be nothing anyway, but just maybe it could be the real thing, maybe she's the one. That doesn't come along very often in a lifetime, if at all. You can't push it away when it's potentially standing right in front of you, asking for your love."
"She's not asking."
"Not in words, maybe, but she would be if you weren't the captain. You know she can't make the first move, that has to come from you. Just promise me you'll think about it."
"I've done nothing but think about it for so long."
"I know," acknowledged Gabrielle, "but maybe you've been considering it from the wrong angle. You've been considering all the possible problems and dangers and complications, all the cons. I'm sure there will be some of those as in every relationship but I think it's time you started exploring the pros, all the wonderful things you can bring into eachother's lives." She squeezed Janeway's arm gently and her stare commanded that the captain look at her again. "Please, Kathryn," she crooned softly but firmly, "I know what it's like to try and run away from feelings like this but, believe me, it can't be done indefinitely. Just think about that, okay?"
Janeway gazed over at the duo battling a little way off and mused quietly, "you know, when I was a child my sister used to call me an Amazon. It was her nickname for me....I guess because I was such a tomboy." She dropped her head in shame and moaned "some Amazon, huh? I can't even tell B'Elanna...."
"Hey" said the bard encouragingly, squeezing the captain's arm once more, "I'd be proud to have you as a member of my tribe."
"You would?"
"Sure," came the smiling reply, "but I would be your queen so you'd at least have to listen to me."
Janeway huffed as she turned back to the Amazon. "I am listening, Gabrielle, it's just that it's......complicated."
"No," the queen said softly, shaking her head a little, "no it's not. At least, it doesn't have to be. Just promise me you'll think about what I said, okay?"
Seeing the intense compassion in the young woman's eyes the captain nodded "okay, I promise.....My Queen."
* * * * * *
B'Elanna crumpled to the floor with a groan and grabbed her ribs, looking up at the warrior that towered over her, a triumphant smile on her face. "You know" jibbed Xena good-naturedly, "I never would've got that blow in if you'd been paying attention."
"I know" growled the Klingon frustratedly as she struggled to her feet, batting the other woman's helping hand softly out of the way. Xena smirked and withdrew her hand, teasing "Kathryn's not going to be very impressed if you let me beat you so easily." B'Elanna looked up with a mirthless grin and, as she rose, lunged at Xena completely without warning, knocking her off her feet. With the woman sprawled on the floor, the Klingon brought the point of her sword to her throat and asked sarcastically "You were saying?"
Xena laughed appreciatively and acknowledged "nice move" as she held her hands up in surrender, but she had noticed the Klingon's eyes flick, yet again, in the captain's direction. "Don't worry" she assured her opponent, as she got up "she saw, in fact she can't take her eyes off you."
"Xena," growled B'Elanna warningly, "I told you nothing's going to happen with Kathryn so will you please drop it?!"
The warrior laughed in mock derision and, drawing herself up to her full height, stepped up to the compact woman and growled, almost Klingon-like, in her face "make me." It was a dangerous thing to say to a Klingon, as Xena soon discovered when, after a ferocious onslaught, she found herself pinned against a tree with her own sword pointing in her face. "Okay, okay!" she laughed, "I yield."
* * * * * *
"Feeling better, darling?" asked Gabrielle, as the warrior flopped down at her side.
"Yeah, but I've worked up a bit of an appetite" replied Xena with a suggestive flick of her eyebrows as she allowed the battlelust to flare in her eyes, taking Gabrielle's breath away.
"So I see," mumbled the bard, "you want some grapes?"
"Grapes?!" repeated the warrior, about to add something else but stopping when she saw the warning in her wife's eyes. "I guess they'll do for now" she said, settling down to put her head in Gabrielle's lap and looking up expectantly.
Gabrielle smiled lovingly as she slowly fed her lover the grapes, one by one, ocassionally letting her fingers linger on Xena's lips. They were totally wrapped up in eachother and didn't see the nervous, slightly embarassed looks passing between their two companions. When the bard put a grape in her own mouth and leant down to pass it into Xena's, the captain cleared her throat and made to stand up. "Well" she said, "I must be getting back," drawing Gabrielle's attention away from her wife.
"No, don't go yet, Kathryn," she requested, "I've just had a great idea."
"A duel!" gasped the captain, "why?"
"Why not?" shrugged Gabrielle.
"Someone could get hurt, for one thing" returned the captain, a little crossly.
"Well they can use holographic weapons, have the safety proto...thingies on. Come on, Kathryn, it'll be fun. Xena would be my champion and B'Elanna yours. They fight three rounds, one with bat'leths, one with swords and one with their own weapons. If Xena wins I get to choose her prize and your forfeit, if B'Elanna wins it's your choice."
The captain looked dubiously up at the warriors standing expectantly in front of her, clearly itching for her permission. "What do you think, Ladies, are you game?"
"Absolutely, Captain" said B'Elanna,
Xena adding "I'm always game for a fight."
"Very well," smiled Kathryn, allowing her apprehension to flow out of her, "but if we're going to do it, let's do it properly. No holds barred and no welching on the deal, agreed?"
Everyone agreed and Gabrielle took her champion aside while B'Elanna went to speak to the captain.
"What are you playing at, Gab?" asked Xena as Gabrielle checked her armour.
"What do you mean?"
"You're up to something, I can tell" smiled the warrior lovingly.
"You'll see" came the coquettish reply, as the bard removed the necklace that adorned her pale throat and reached up to place it around Xena's neck. "A token, my warrior," she said as, having been pulled in close by the arm around her waist, she kissed her wife gently on the lips and added softly "just make sure you win."
Meanwhile, Janeway was standing awkwardly before her own champion. "I'm supposed to give you a token, aren't I?" she said, patting her pockets, "I don't seem to have any....wait!" from her left pocket she drew out a folded, bright blue handkerchief with the initals KJ embroidered on the corner. "Don't worry, it's clean" she smiled as she opened it out, rolled it into a band and reached out to tie it around the Klingon's naked bicep. It was only then, as her hand lingered on the younger woman's arm, that their eyes met and a silent wish passed between them. B'Elanna nodded almost imperceptibly and gathering more courage than it would ever take to go into battle, she took the captain's hand from where it rested on her arm and pulled it to her lips.
End of Chapter Five
