"No, I’m not leaving her side."

Garona gave Xena a smile. "I suspected as much. You can
stay here, as long as you get some sleep. The minute I think that
you are keeping a vigil instead of resting, I'm sending you out
of here and into a hut. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Xena nodded. "Good. Get some rest." Garona took her leave
as Xena laid in a bed next to Gabrielle’s. She reached out
and touched Gabrielle’s cheek.

"Please come back to me my love." Morpheus finally
came and laid claim to Xena’s mind and body.

Loud shouts broke the silence of the day. Xena woke up, rose
from the bed and looked at her best friend. After two days the
bruises and cuts were healing nicely, and most of the swelling was
down, but Gabrielle remained unconscious.

After giving her a kiss, the warrior princess walked toward the
door to find out what all the commotion was about. As Xena exited
the hut, she noticed that Chilapa stood talking with a number of
warriors. "What is going on?"

"Xena, Garona told me what happened. Eponin is leading a
group to find the man and bring him to justice."

Xena grabbed Chilapa by the arm. "Chilapa, we need to talk.
There are some things you need to know."

"What is there to know?!?" Eponin interjected.
"The scum brutalized our Queen. He will have a fair trial, and
then he will die a very painful death."

Before she could continue, two bright lights appeared before
them. One was gentle and glowed. The other flickered three times.
As the lights disappeared, Artemis, Ares and Sophia came into
view.

The Amazons bowed to their knees. "There is no need for the
Amazons to search for him." Sophia looked at Xena as she
spoke. "He is dead." Artemis motioned for the Amazons to
stand. Chilapa looked over Sophia. "Who are you?"

"I’m a friend. My name is Sophia."

"Well Sophia, the Amazon nation owes you a debt of
thanks."

"No thanks necessary." Sophia sighed. "The
bastard killed himself before I could get to him."

Artemis motioned for Xena, Ares and Sophia to follow her as she
walked into the healer’s hut. Gabrielle still lay motionless
in the bed. Xena walked to her side and held her hand. She really
couldn’t stand him, but she knew she had to allow him here to
do what he had to do. "Ares, do what you came here to do. Then
leave."