Preface

Dear Readers,

You are about to embark on a journey. Currently the story is incomplete. There are a variety of reasons for this - including that horrible ending episode and the cessation of the show, the remarkable coincidental timing of a few particular episodes that had me gnashing my teeth in frustration for awhile, some 5 years worth of writers' block, some difficulty with the challenges these beloved characters faced, and a need to set this piece away for awhile.

My ideas about writing (as practice and method) and the direction and pace of the story have changed quite a bit since the original starting point. Things will change - sometime somewhat radically. But first I will start with the cosmetic by fixing some html issues to make the text easier to read.

Now, what you need to be aware of is that this story contains mature themes. There is sexuality, mystery, danger, adventure, cusswords, and some genuine crassness. Familiar characters may act in ways that seem (at first) out of character. Unfamiliar characters may have their own surprises. This will be the only warning you will have. If human and other sexuality offends you, even if written in the mildest terms, this is probably not the story for you. On the other hand, very few of the incidents are frivolous and they point to resolutions of personal issues, character development and even sometimes greater mysteries. You can, also, if you're feeling so inclined, just skip those paragraphs and chapters.

Tartarus is both beautiful and dangerous. It has it's points of serenity and it's points of adventure. As, I believe, does Elysia. I expect to revisit the the actual content, context and plot of the story soon. I have, however, much in the way of planning and outlining to do. Once I start, I wish to actually finish - this time.

While I'm thinking of just hauling out and starting completely over, the story is currently a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights, but rather to entertain, amuse and provide moments of speculation. If you dislike the premise, have personal issues with the characters or disapprove with urges towards censorship, please go read something else.

Most importantly:

Remember, this is all meant in fun!

The Tour: Chapter 1

Timing is everything. Or so the God of War had learned over his many millennia of existing. In this case, his timing was perfect.

The brilliant smile formed upon his face made up for all the years of frowning and personal sorrow he'd experienced since the loss of his Warrior Princess. Things were so perfect it made his goatee stiffen in bliss.

Yes! he exulted to himself.

Now Gabrielle, the meddling blonde rival for Xena's affection, was out of the way. For good. That is, if there was no unexpected divine intervention, which wouldn't happen if he had anything to say about it.

Why, He hadn't had to do a thing, just nod at the important bits, shake his head judgementally. Prod a little. And, of course, use a bit of . .a very very tiny bit. .wouldn't do for Hades to find out. .of Godly pressure, to Gabrielle's guilty conscience. Zeus' Nuts! It had been so Easy! And she had been done in by her own words and choices.

All he had to do was bring up a messy little incident in Brittainia, add the one in Crete, the one in Amazonia and a few of those she didn't know about and she was took off on the rest. Fortunately for him, that stick of hers was harder than it looked and modest injuries could be tricky things. Especially if they were.. helped...along. And there she was, at the judgement throne, willing to take any punishment for the guilt and shame of it all. Others, in their right mind, would have called it self defense. Gabrielle, however, being who she was, when facing Hades, called it murder.

Out of her own mouth! Gods! He loved this! Xena hadn't been able to convince Gabrielle of her ultimate innocence, not deep down anyway. Stupid woman. And now. . .

If he'd have known how easy Gabrielle was going to be, he would have had one of his henchmen...oh, wait...Xena would have stopped that.

He laughed again. Timing.

Nothing like a little...unnatural...accident to speed things along. He would have to reward his niece, Discord. She'd done a fine job. Subtle. He licked his lips in anticipation. She was a juicy, if kinky number and Gods! How he loved kink.

The God of War grinned evilly as he watched the small woman being led by the toweringly muscular guard. The red taloned hand pressed bruisingly into fair skin. She looked back only once, hopelessly, looking for some absolution or hope in Hades' stone face. Her gaze switched to the gloating Ares and he wiggled his fingers mockingly at her, as she was led through the portal to Tartarus.

Ares watched until he saw the last of her fine ankle and foot disappear, then laughingly he disappeared. (He didn't want to have Hades jumping down his throat just yet).

Xena was his!!!

When Xena died, she died with honor and was cremated by the Amazons and her ashes laid to rest with Lyceus. She was still young, but everyone knew that would happen. It was often a warrior's lot, if they didn't have someone to come home to and Xena's someone had been taken years ago. Ephiny had been surprised that the warrior hadn't gone sooner, but she guessed Xena's drive for life had been stronger than her will for death.

Funny how she missed that arrow.

She usually caught those.

Tartarus! Not a thought usually held in Elysia, but the cuss still came to mind. Where *was* she?

Surely the honey haired woman knew she was coming. Xena had sent her thoughts down, specifically before the end, telling Gabrielle she was on the way to meet her. She'd closed her eyes and smiled, even as the arrow greeted her heart from the back.

Gods, when she'd stood in front of Hades, she'd talked and talked and talked about the changes she'd made in her life. She'd actually begged! And Hades had smiled that gentle smile of his and said, "Be at Peace, Xena. It is enough." It had been a relief to her soul. A burden lifted. And the sight of Elysia through the portal had been bliss. But only because she'd expected. . .

Another heavy load took the old one's place.

Gabrielle. Her lovely Gabrielle. Her friend and companion had not been there to greet her, like she promised. Gods, she must be with Perdicus. Yes, that's it. Why hadn't she thought of that? She was with Perdicus, but surely she would have at least come by to say hello?

It caused a wrench in Xena's soul, an aching, to think she might have been rejected, forgotten. Still, she searched on. It could have been the way the air pulsed with sweetness. It almost overcame the senses. The bard might have forgotten because of that. She'd be the type. The warrior, however, was not. Her mind remained vividly clear and her desires more so.

Well, if she had to, she could share. At this point all she wanted to do was find the woman and pull her in her arms and tell her how much she. . .

'Gods, Xena thought, One would think I'd be done with tromping around. They'd better be taking care of Argo up there.' Her mind, which should have been at peace, here in the happiness of the fields, continued to grouse as she searched.

She fell apart the instant she was in his arms, succumbing as she would never had done as a warlord. It was an unheard of phenomena in the Fields, but Marcus didn't say a word about it. His love for her was greater than that. He held his heart in his arms and let her weep until she could talk about what was bothering her.

At first, he thought of trying to make Xena forget, but the look in her eyes, the way she spoke of her friend, that made him stop. He kissed her tenderly and told the gorgeous woman he would lead her to the places he knew. He would take her to the scrying pools and the villages. Elysia was a big place, made for the eternal rest of everyone, but there were ways of finding people.

Just as he had found her.

That had brought a smile to her lips, and it was worth the sacrifice of his jealousy. They walked hand in hand and caught up on the other details of her life, and if she wasn't blissful, at least she wasn't crying. He forgot he'd even been worried.

They found Perdicus first. He hadn't seen Gabrielle. He hadn't heard from her since her passing. He had assumed that she'd chosen to wait for Xena and that he would see her when the warrior arrived. It was a shock to him, a very real one and his eyes took on a grey cast, much like Xena's had.

The comely warrior and the gentle man looked at each other and saw the truth.

"You shouldn't have thrown down your sword," she said.

"I know." He said. His heart and hands clenched reflexively.

"You shouldn't have taken her from me," she said. Xena stepped nearer to him and he didn't back away. Her voice was a whisper.

"I know." He said. His own whisper was almost silent. His eyes spoke of the cost of his learning and she forgave him for dying. Perdicus joined the search.

They found comfort in each other. He talked of the Gabrielle he knew. She talked of the woman she knew. Both were made fuller for it. He and Marcus hit it off. The farmer talked to the dark skinned warrior and they found they had more in common than one would think. If nothing else, they now shared the company of Xena, and she let them, finding her own ease (though not so much in her heart) in their gentleness.

They went to the Amazons next. There was no handclasping over the heads. This was Elysia after all. There was no war to worry about.

The Amazons, like Perdicus, thought she was waiting for Xena. They had expected them to join them in the fields, even preparing a hut for their bliss. By now Xena had given up tears, had given up the fear of rejection. Now she knew something was very very wrong.

Gabrielle was not in Elysia.