Subtext Reports
Those crazy posts about the episodes originally posted to the nutforum and saved here for posterity in their error riddled entirety (since they were written 'on the fly'). 
Homecoming Series
A series of five (not so short) stories about Xena and Gabrielle building their life together as a couple. 
Magic Series
Janice Covington and Melinda Pappas find love as they uncover more writings of Gabrielle about her warrior princess. 
Conversations by Campfire Series
Set during Season Four, parts of the episodes are worked into chats between Xena and Gab, particularly the subject of Najara and the bard. 
Changes of Heart Series
My take on what happened after Gabby got Chakram'ed upside the head by Xena in the Season Five ender. 
Bonding of Souls Series
This series picks up where 'Changes of Heart' ends with Xena and Gabby back together. Each 'episode' is an expansion of the episodes of Season Six.
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
How DID Ares get stuck in that tomb from the Xena Scrolls? This story answers that question. 
The Play
Xena and Gabrielle have to play the leads in a performance for a ruthless king to save Salmoneus' neck. Unexpected consequences and confessions are the result. 
The Queen, the Regent, the Warrior
Xena leaves Gabrielle in the care of the amazons, only to have Ephiny and Gabby fall in love. Xena does return and chaos and secret confessions follow.
The Contest
Ares and Aphrodite battle over Xena's spirit. 
Loss of Virginity
Romantic musings from one of our gals. 
Moment of Truth
Gabrielle does anything it takes to keep Xena out of a battle that's foretold to take the warrior princess' life. 
Thank the Gods For Henbane
At an Amazon festival Gabrielle has one too many henbane brownies, which results in a funny and sexy night for Xena. 
As It Should Be
The Queen gets taken by the Warrior Princess at the Amazon Village.
Family Ties
Xena takes Gabrielle back to home to spend a little time with the 'in-laws'. 
Dueling Cousins
Xena's look-alike cousin, Sappho, has always been competitive but now the Tenth Muse wants the ultimate prize - Gabrielle. 
The End
Alternate 'demise' of Xena and Gabrielle based on the Season Four crucifixion. 
Truth or Dare
Sexy romp between Callisto and Gabrielle set during 'A Necessary Evil' 
November 29th, 1942
A little romance fic between Janice and Mel. 
Inside Outside
Set after the events of 'A Family Affair', it's a scene told through the eyes of four people - Gabrielle's Father, Mother, Gabrielle herself and Xena.
Something To Talk About
Xena and Gabrielle's friends are all surprised that the pair aren't lovers so they consider why not.
Henbane, Horsenappings and Other Obstacles
A 'murphy's law' comedy where everything that can go wrong for Xena and Gabby but, of course, they still end up saving the day.
All That Matters
During Gabrielle's birthday party in' Takes One To Know One', Xena reflects on her love for the bard.  
Warlord
What if Gabrielle was actually the one behind all the folks who influenced Xena's journey toward good? 
Have Yourself a Merry Little Solstice
A little Winter Solstice tale that's available in general (not lovers) and alternative (lovers). .
Little Moments: A Day in the Desert
A tale told through the eyes of Janice and then Mel while on a dig.  
Candy or Chaos
'Classic Xena' general Halloween story with Xena and Gabby return for the Potiedaia Harvest Festival.
Conquering Heroine
Gabrielle is the Conqueror in this piece. How exactly? Give it a read and find out. 
Watching and Waiting
Set after FIN II, Xena watches from afar as Gabrielle moves on with her life. 
1971
Police Office Carol and Protestor Erin clash but find they're fighting for the same things. A short story based on my novel, 'One Belief Away'. 

Title: Watching and Waiting

Author: CN Winters

Fandom: Xena Fanfiction, Xena fanfic, Xena fan fiction, Xena and Gabrielle fanfiction, Xena fiction

Rating: PG

Disclaimers: Xena and the gang aren't mine. They belong to MCA/Universal/Studio USA and a bunch of other folks who now own them. It is the musings of a certain warrior princess and her affection for another woman. If the thought of two ladies in love is unappealing please proceed on to another story.

Synopsis: Dead Xena watches as Gabrielle moves on with her life before making her next leap into another lifetime. 

Feedback: Drop me a line at cnwinters71@yahoo.com.

Watching and Waiting

She's kissing her, my Gabrielle. That Amazon harlot. Paria. What kinda name is Paria anyway? It sounds like the name of some foreign land and not a person.

Playing the voyeur of Gabrielle's life is getting harder, especially since that Paria came into her life. She's a few summers younger than Gabrielle - strong build, dark hair and blue eyes. Okay, she's gorgeous, no question about it. She also does something that other people haven't been able to do in the 14 months I've left Gabrielle's side. She makes Gabrielle smile. I should be absolutely happy for her. For both, of them. I would if this damn gnawing sensation would go away in my stomach.

But then again, it is for the best. I know it is. I don't want to see her lonely. I don't want her to go through life not sharing herself with someone who loves her. I want her to be kissed and held and loved. If ever a soul deserved it, then it's Gabrielle. I just wish I could be the one to do it. But now it's too late. I made my choice. I controlled my fate. It sent me here... watching her from afar, wishing I was the one now whose lying back in the meadow, tickling her chin with daisies, making her smile. But I can't. I'm here. I'm trapped. And I'm forced to watch PARIA build a life with Gabrielle that I should have stuck around for.

I used to visit her but it got to be too much... too much for both of us. That trip to Athens. That was the last straw. They almost committed Gabrielle for being crazy. Anyone walking the streets and talking to dead lovers surely must be a wacko, right? She escaped imprisonment that night... barely. I knew I had to go then. I couldn't keep hanging on to her. It had been almost a year since I died on Japa. I couldn't continue to 'haunt' her any longer. I told her I loved her and that she'd see me again someday but she needed to move on. It felt like a good idea at the time. As I sit and watch her now I realize dying was easy. It's eternity that's a bitch.

I feel someone approach behind me and I know it's George. I can sense his presence.

"I thought I'd find you here," he says taking a seat next to me.

"Got nowhere else to be," I tell him.

"It hurts you so Xena," he says sympathetically. He's a good angel, as if there's any other kind, right? Still, he's a sweetheart. "Why do you watch?"

"I need to know she's okay." It's true. Even if it does hurt. And even if watching her fall in love again... I know it's the best thing for her. I know deep down I really am happy for her. It's the 'upfront' part of me that's having a problem with it all.

"Well, I wanted you to know... it's almost time. Just a few more minutes in fact. Your new body awaits."

"And then I won't see her again. I won't know her. I'll have no memory of her... She'll be gone forever won't she?"

"Not forever," George tells me. "Your souls are connected. You know that. You'll find her in every life. I promise. The face will always change but the spirit will remain the same. Just as it has for hundreds of years now. In fact we seem to have this conversation over and over again."

I look and I see his grin. I can't help but grin myself. "And each time?"

"I give you this same speech," he says faking exhaustion before grinning again. "So if it sounds pickled you know why. My lines are very old and well preserved let me tell you."

I look back toward Gabrielle and her new lover with a nod. "So what about this lifetime? What's in store for Gabrielle? Not like I'll remember... I'd just like to know. I mean... will it be a long time before I met her again. Will she pass peacefully?"

He holds up his hand and stops me.

"It will be sometime Xena before you met again. She builds a life with Paria and they'll be happy for many years. Just shy of her 50th birthday she'll become ill. There will be some pain for her but Paria will be a faithful servant to her, making sure she has healing herbs to cure the pain. She'll cross over peacefully in her sleep."

"So I guess I'll have awhile before I met her then?"

"She'll make the jump immediately this time around. But yes it will be some time before you meet. You'll be a wise, old woman by the time she comes into your life again."

"The mother of peace?"

George gets a surprised look on his face that makes me grin. "How did you-?"

"I've got connections." I grin as I pat his leg.

I feel my spirit start to flutter and glow. Quickly I turn to George, "Please. Will you visit her? Tell her I'm gone but I'm happy for her. Tell her I've made the jump. I don't want her hanging onto the fact that someday I might come back."

"Someday you will come back to her Xena." He grins. "But yes, I'll let her know your new life has begun."

"You're a good friend, George," I tell him. "Maybe one of these lives Gabrielle and I will get it right and join you here for good."

"I have no doubt it WILL happen. Be well my friend."

Suddenly, I feel an explosion of light and then...  

XXXXX

Gabrielle and Paria scrambled to their feet at the vision that transformed before them. George halted his movements when he saw he had frightened them on his arrival.

"Please," he began. "Don't be afraid. I'm a friend."

Protectively, Paria steps in front of Gabrielle, blocking him from coming closer.

"Who are you?" Paria asks. "What do you want?"

"I bring a message... for Gabrielle."

"From who?" Gabrielle questioned.

He grinned. "Do you really need to ask?" he begins as he flutters his wings. "She wanted you to know that she's been watching you." Gabrielle started to get a guilty look on her face. "Don't. She understands. She's glad you're building your life again. And she wanted me to tell you that it's begun."

"What's begun?" Paria asked the angel. She turned to Gabrielle. "Who is he talk-?"

"Xena," Gabrielle answered. "She's started a new lifetime?"

George simply gave a nod.

"So she's gone... for good?"

"From this lifetime, yes. She wanted you to know."

"Thank you," Gabrielle replied.

"Do her memory proud, Gabrielle," he said nodding to Paria. "Live honestly, love deeply and don't hold anything back... ever."

With that George vanished as quickly as he appeared. Paria started to shake her head.

"That was incredible," she muttered. She turned back to see Gabrielle's bottom lip quivering and tears in her eyes. She didn't waste any time pulling the Amazon queen in her arms. "Are you alright sweetheart?"

Gabrielle pulled back and began to pace. "I always wondered you know. If she would come back? And I haven't been fair to you Paria. I'm sorry. I just kept thinking about what she would say."

"I know you're sad-

"I'm not sad," Gabrielle started to chuckle as she wiped her eyes. "I'm very happy actually."

"Why's that? Because Xena won't ever come back?" Paria was clearly confused. She knew how much Xena had meant to her and at moments she had serious doubts if she could live in the huge shadow that Xena left behind in Gabrielle's life. But she knew Gabrielle was worth the risk that might come to her heart should Gabrielle decide she couldn't love her.

"No, it's not because she won't come back. It's because now, well, now I know I can move on. And I know that's what she wants too. Of course, that's if you'll have me. I really want to try. I know I'm not the easiest person to live with and... 

Paria grinned and closed the distance between them. She lifted Gabrielle's chin with her fingertips and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'm honored. And I promise I'll try my best to make you happy. Lord knows I'm not a warrior princess," she chuckled nervously. "And I know I never could be... but I'll be happy to serve an Amazon queen."

Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Paria, resting her head on her chest. She felt Paria's arms envelop her. Her skin felt warm. For the first time, in a long time, Gabrielle herself felt warm again.

The End

 

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