The following episode written for The Xena Warrior Princess Virtual Season is a work of fiction based upon the television series Xena: Warrior Princess. The original characters are used strictly for fan purposes and not for profit. There is no intent to infringe upon or violate any copyrights held by Studio USA, Renaissance Pictures, Universal Television or any other organization that owns the rights to this series.

The script, story ideas, and any characters created by the authors that are not part of the original series are copyrighted and remain the sole property of those authors. Also, any original artworks are copyrighted and remain the sole property of those artists. Permission to use any of the written or drawn works herein must be submitted to the original author(s) and artist(s).

Disclaimer: The following episode takes place immediately after the episode A Necessary Evil.

Last Week on Xena...
Wracked by terrible nightmares that awaken her screaming in pain during the night, Gabrielle is confused and exhausted. Xena, desperate to help her ailing friend, heeds the advice of Ephiny to visit the Oracle at Delphi. While on her way, Xena visits Cyrene in Amphipolis and pleads with the local shaman, Hesperia for help. Hesperia gives Xena a magic ceremony that encircles the Bard in a ring of enchantment. Xena helps Gabrielle to fall asleep and to fend off those terrible dreams...

1. BEDROOM

Xena pours the contents of the large bottle down the center of Gabrielle's back. With strong hands, she massages the fragrant mixture of oils and spices over the tired young woman.

Gabrielle's eyes begin to close.

Ummmm... that... smells nice and... feels sooooo good...

Told you, you wouldn't mind this part.

You know, Xena... I've been thinking...

Uh-huh ...

I want to... protect you... don't take...

Every inch of the young bard's body is limp. Xena places a light blanket over the still form.

As the bard sleeps, Xena reaches over the side of the bed and picks up a small bag. From it she removes some leather strips and her leatherworking kit. Carefully she leans over Gabrielle and cuts a lock of hair.

CUT TO:

2. BEDROOM - HOUR LATER

Xena has sewn together a small purse for Gabrielle. Before stitching the bottom closed, she places the lock of hair in it. The talisman complete, Xena lies beside the sleeping young woman and blows out the candle. She turns on her side, her fingers close tightly around the hilt of the golden dagger she'd tucked under her pillow. Within minutes, she drifts off to sleep.

FADE OUT:

3. FADE DREAMSCAPE - MONTAGE OF DREAMS

Gabrielle and her friends are surrounded by slavers. A tall dark haired woman pops up from behind the slavers and attacks. The woman is Xena. She senses something within the warrior woman... the need for a friend.

The scene changes to Xena's battle in the town hall. Both she and Draco are in hand-to-hand combat, high above on rafters. Xena is about to fall. A man prepares to step in for the kill. Gabrielle trips him.

The scene changes again, to a tomb. Xena is alone, speaking to the sarcophagus of her brother, Lyceus. Gabrielle senses pain and anguish. She puts a hand on Xena's shoulder and tells her she's not alone anymore.

The faces of Niklio and M'Lila swirl in a misty blur. A tree log sails through the air. Xena stands, waiting...

The images fade, and Gabrielle finds herself in a cage, sword in her hand. Facing her is a warrior about to thrust a devastating blow.

Xena pops through a wall behind the warrior and kills him, and Gabrielle punches the High Priest of Morpheus in the face.

FADE OUT:

4. BEDROOM

A few feet from the foot of the bed, a nervous Strife paces back and forth.

This is NOT good! NOT good at all! Uncle will be furious!

He turns to Morpheus, edgily running a thin, pale hand through his spiky black hair.

DO something!

I'm TRYING, you IDIOT! Nothing is working! She's fighting me! You should know that! You haven't had any success, either!

Morpheus grabs the thin, leather clad nephew of Ares and pulls him toward the bed as if emphasizing his point.

They are both repelled backward.

See, you TWIT!

He waves his hand in a godlike gesture over the sleeping form, but Gabrielle only moans slightly, shifts her position and drapes an arm around Xena's waist.

Absolutely NOTHING! Every time I get close to bringing her mind down into the darkness...

You end up losing her to THAT one!

I don't know WHAT Uncle sees in that... that... ARGH! MORTAL! There are dozens like her! What make HER so special!?

I sure as Tartarus don't know! But she's not hard on the eyes. And you have to admit, Ares does go for the strong silent type.

UGH! There's got to be SOMETHING we can do before Uncle finds out we've lost control!

Morpheus scratches his chin in thought and with a raised brow turns to Strife.

We haven't lost control YET. We're just experiencing a temporary setback... If I could just understand what power THAT one holds over the bard, we might be able to figure something out.

Tsk, tsk, tsk... You two are sooooooooooooo pa-the-tic.

At the sound of the familiar voice, Strife jumps and glances anxiously around the room.

Yeah, and I suppose YOU know what that power is, huh!?

Ohhhh... like... D'UH! It doesn't take a genius to figure THAT out!

Strife takes a hesitant step and stands beside Morpheus.

Sure... It's loooooooooove. So, I'm a genius...

Not EVEN on your best day, twerp!

But... he's right... isn't he?

Aphrodite puts a finger to her nose, and then points at the gangly pale god, who ducks behind Morepheus.

Have you got anything to do with this, Aphrodite?

Maybe... maybe not... I won't tell.

Why are you two bothering them anyway?

Just because we CAN.

Why do you care? They're nothing but MORTALS.

Aphrodite gazes down at the two sleeping women. Her full lips curl into a smile.

Mortals, schmortals. Truth is I kinda like the blonde. She's... nice.

Nice? You mean she's got a lot of good in her, don't you? A great deal of love and trust in humanity...

As he steps close to the circle of herbs on the floor, he is once again repelled backward.

That can all be changed...

Both Morpheus and Strife disappear.

Humph! How typically RUDE!

FADE OUT: