Everything was calm as the waves hit the ship,
but Gabrielle’s heart wasn’t one with the ocean as she
headed for Egypt, land of the pharaohs.

It’s time for me to pick up where
Xena left off. Somehow, I knew this day might come, but I was
hoping for Xena and me to die together, as it should have
been. Gabrielle thought.

Just as she finished, a golden shower of
sparkles flashed before Gabrielle’s eyes as Aphrodite
appeared before her. Although, instead of her usual fluffy pink
clothes, she was dressed in all black and a carrying a very
depressed expression.

“Oh, honey, I heard what happened. Are
you all right? I hope I had got here before Ares, who knows what he
is thinking now that Xena is…” Aphrodite’s throat
caught on the last word as she embraced the bard in a full
emotional hug.

“I’ll be alright… in time.
Aphrodite, can I ask a favor of you? It’s nothing huge or
anything, just some quick transportation.” Gabrielle
responded.

The goddesses’ frown turned back into
her charming smile quickly as she replied,

“Sure, anything for you sweet
pea.”

“Well would you mind transporting me to
Amphipolis, so I can bury Xena’s ashes next to her brother?
It’s what she wanted.”

“No problem!” Aphrodite chuckled
as the two friends disappeared in a flash of golden
light. 

Screams sounded as Aphrodite and Gabrielle
appeared in Amphipolis. Quickly, the active bard handed the ashes
of her warrior princess to the goddess.

“Protect Xena’s ashes while save
the town. I’ll call you when the coast is clear.”
Nodding in understanding, Aphrodite hurriedly took the urn and
disappeared.

Arming her sais, Gabrielle headed towards the
mayhem. Blood was everywhere as the soldiers added up the
damage.

“These villagers are innocent; the one
you want is me.” The battling bard yelled at the pre-occupied
fighters.

Just as expected, the small army charged at
Gabrielle. Then, suddenly, she saw a familiar face charging at the
soldiers. Following him, she recognized the villager.
“Virgil!” Gabrielle exclaimed, while her sais met a
soldier’s head.

“Thought you could use some help!”
Virgil exclaimed as he knocked out a remaining attacker.

Smiling, Gabrielle had new determination from
seeing her old friend. Using this to her advantage, the bard sent
the cowardly army home running.

Chuckling as he watched this sight, Virgil
strolled over to Gabrielle. “You clean up nicely. Tell me,
where’s Xena?”