Best Friends, Better Enemies, Chapters 5 & 6

Xena was pleased by what she had accomplished. Food for tonight, supplies for the trip. Then later, shelter and a rubdown for Argo, directions to the seer, and a bath for herself.

Usually Gabrielle negotiated for such things, but Xena didn't think she had done too badly. Xena had taken over the chore when it had become apparent that Gabrielle wasn't going to. Strange, she usually likes doing that kind of thing.

The platter of ripe fruits and cheeses in her hand attested to Xena's negotiating skills. All Gabrielle's favorites. And at half the normal cost. Xena's smile was one of fulfillment as she opened the door to their room.

Instantly, she was on guard.

The room was dark, except for the few candles Gabrielle had lit. As to Gabrielle herself, she was not lying on the bed where Xena expected her to be after an accident. No, it didn't even seem as if she was in the room.

"Gabrielle?" She called out, not really expecting an answer.

"I'm here." a soft voice replied, startling the usually alert Xena as Gabrielle stepped from the windows shadow.

"You startled me. I didn't know what..." Xena's words trailed off as she got her first good look at her friend.

Her sun-kissed hair was draped invitingly around her bare shoulders, concealing yet revealing the round fullness of her breasts.

Xena's eyes continued on their unobstructed view. She was totally naked. Her skin gleamed like alabaster in the golden candlelight. Xena had thought that, eventually, this time would come. But not this soon. Definitely not this soon.

"Gabrielle, what do you think you're doing?"

The entity was startled, but played along anyway. "What does it look like?" Thrusting her breasts forward in invitation, the entity waited patiently for Xena's response.

Xena couldn't quite believe this was happening. She and Gabrielle had always shared a special relationship. But Xena had figured that someday, after she had matured and had the children she talked of one day having, would they expand their friendship to this level.

"Gabrielle, do you know what you're doing here?"

Xena set the tray down on the bed stand and slowly approached her friend. Gently, Xena took Gabrielle by the shoulders and tilted her friends head up, so they could look eye to eye.

The unbridled lust Xena saw there shocked her when she had thought there was nothing in this world left that could do that.

"Things will never be the same between us. You know that, don't you?"

The entity almost laughed aloud at this new discovery. Imagine, these two weren't already lovers! Ha! That'll change!

"What I know, Xena, is that I can no longer resist what my heart is telling me. We were meant to be together. I know it."

The old, practiced line slipped with ease from Gabrielle's lips. Ah yes. The innocents I lured to my bed with that bit of flop.

Seconds later, the entity felt Xena stepping closer and putting her arms around her. Works every time, the smug entity crowed as he allowed Xena to proceed with her loving actions.

Go slow with her, Xena thought. I don't want to upset her.

The entity was excited and ready to get on with it. The tender caresses Xena was giving, nor the loving little pecks with her lips, was what he had in mind.

Suddenly, Xena was holding a wildcat in her arms, instead of her passive best friend. The seams of her leather armour began ripping, followed by the dull thud of it as her armour hit the floor, sent shockwaves echoing across the room.

A familiar tingle of unease started in the pit of Xena's stomach and continued as Gabrielle frantically ripped off the remainder of Xena's clothes.

"Gabrielle, slow down. Let me take the rest off before you ruin all I own."

Xena started to step back, but Gabrielle grabbed her arm with inhuman strength and dragged her back to complete the task. The sounds of cloth tearing was only slightly underscored by Xena's now frantic attempts to get away.

"Gabrielle! What are you doing? Stop! Not like this! You don't want it like this!"

A rough, mannish sounding growl from her friends smooth throat was her only reply. Xena knew she could use pressure points to get away, but that could do irreparable harm to Gabrielle.

So instead, she used her fighting techniques, bringing her arms up in a swift blow. But her efforts came to naught. Gabrielle's body absorbed the strike, and all those after it as Xena started a frantic attempt to break away. But her actions were useless.

The Gabrielle entity had her firmly in his grasp, and wasn't about to let go. Naked and vulnerable, Xena stood before her best friend, terrified in that rare moment and yet certain something had happened to the real Gabrielle.

"Who are you?" Xena asked, still struggling in Gabrielle's grip.

"I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you."

She had tried every move she could think of to break away, but they had all been ineffective against Gabrielle's newfound strength. She finally decided to try using the pressure points at Gabrielle's neck to end the conflict, but even after her fingers pinched the nerves, Gabrielle stood in command. Exhausted, Xena slumped in Gabrielle's arms, waiting for what, she wasn't sure.

I have her. She's at her most vulnerable. Now it's time to see if the old magic still works. Looking deeply into Xena's eyes, Gabrielle began an ancient chant. Slowly, as the chant progressed, Gabrielle saw the effects drift over Xena's features, then down her body, until she remained a mass of hypnotized jelly.

Yes! It still works! My powers are still as potent as ever. The entity released Gabrielle's hold on her friend, then ordered the now defenseless Xena to lay down on the bed. Xena obeyed without a flinch. These puny mortals. They never could withstand my powers.

Xena's mind was a blank. As soon as Gabrielle had started chanting, a curtain had descended over her mind, sheltering the precious flame of life hidden within. She saw nothing. Felt nothing.

She is ready now, the entity cried to himself, standing over the prone body of Xena. A wicked giggle escaped Gabrielle's lips as he thought cruelly, let's have some fun!

< Chapter 6 I made it, she thought with a shudder. She could only remember brief glimpses of what had occurred the night before. Instances when Gabrielle's power of hypnotism faded and Xena was allowed to surface for a time. Such instances were few. But every time one happened, Xena would look out the window and tell herself, if she could make it until sunrise, everything would be all right.

Evil had a new meaning to Xena now. It wasn't a warlord bent on burning a village to the ground. It wasn't a god urging thousands of men into battle. And it wasn't even Callisto attempting to seek revenge by brutalizing others.

No, evil had a familiar face. One she had laughed and cried with. One she had called sister and had taken into her heart. One she had thought was incapable of the kind of violence she had experienced last night.

How could I have been so blind, not to have seen the monster hidden so deep within my best friend? Xena finally rose to a sitting position, but dejection dropped her head sorrowfully. Black hair, snarled and ragged from the night's torture, hung limply before her eyes. But as she grieved her unexpected loss, the sunlight once again caught her eye.

Looking up, Xena could feel it's warmth sink through her skin, penetrate her muscles, and revitalize her frozen heart. A gleam, unlike any that had ever glittered in her eyes before, settled firmly into her blue orbs.

Now I see, she mumbled to herself. Evil has a face. As I live and breath, Gabrielle will never harm another soul like this ever again. She clenched her jaw as she arose to her feet. By all the gods, never again.