Title: The Bitter Sweet Reunion

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Feedback: Would be nice

Disclaimer: X:WP belongs to Renaissance Pictures - Universal Television

Rating: PG-13

Information: This is an alternate version of The Bitter Suite

Summary: After the death of their children the estranged pair meet again

Xena returns to the Amazon village to kill Gabrielle. The tribe does its best, but it is only a matter of time before she finds her target. Or so it seems, until Ephiny shoots Xena with a drugged dart, and Xena falls insensible at Gabrielle’s feet.

“Take her away”, she orders.

Xena awakes in a hut securely bound to a stake. As she recovers her senses Gabrielle’s face swims into view. The effect is like an electric shock as suddenly Xena strains every muscle to break free.

“You bitch! You killed my son, and by Ares, I’ll kill you!”

Gabrielle gestures and a guard gags Xena.

“We’ll talk later, when you’re calmer”, she says.

Exiting the hut she confers with Ephiny.

“I’m not sure this is going to work. It took me three days and nights of the purification ceremony to come to terms with this. I’m not sure she ever will.”

“She can’t stay angry forever.”

“Why not? Callisto did.”

“That’s different, Xena knows you.”

“Does she? I can hardly recognise her. This is the old Xena returned with a vengeance, and I’m terrified of her.”

“Courage, Gabrielle, you will succeed.”

Later Gabrielle returns to the hut to face Xena again.

“Okay, Xena, this is how it works. I talk, you listen, we come to an understanding, and life goes on.”

Xena’s look of utter contempt is the only reply.

“First let me tell you about Hope. I know she was not my daughter, only a demon in disguise, but that’s not how she seemed to me at the time. So I reacted as any mother would when her child is threatened. I told you a lie, sent her down the river, and prayed she might survive and grow up to be good. When she came back to me I was overjoyed. Imagine my horror when I found out what she had done. Do you know how hard it was to kill my own child ... I nearly took the poison as well, but I said to myself, no, Xena needs me, more than ever now. I am her friend and I must stand by her, whatever the cost. But you rejected me and you went away. I was hurting too you know. So I spent days and nights in the purification ceremony. Expelling sweat, tears and recriminations, until I could face what I had done. In the end it became clear to me what had happened. I was but a pawn in someone else’s game, acting as I did because I could do no other. Dahak used me to hurt you in the cruellest way, simply to further his aims of conquest. If your pain causes you to go back to the way you were then he has won. I won’t let that happen – I love you Xena – and I’m going to help you.”

As the guards took Xena away to the sweat lodge, she knew Xena had barely heard a word, but she would understand – eventually. Then Gabrielle followed Xena out into the cold night.