Disclaimers: The characters don't belong to me, wish they did. This is just a little slice of the life of our favorite Warrior and Bard. It takes place sometime after ITADITH.

 The Stopping for Water

By Sheri Borgstahl

It was an ordinary day in Ancient Greece. The sun was shining and local villagers were gathered at the market trading. Two travelers wandered into the town square and over to the well to fill their water skins. As the younger and shorter of the two women reached for the handle to fill the bucket the other taller, older woman kept watch. She knew that even though the village looked peaceful enough wherever she and her friend traveled trouble was sure to follow them.

"Xena?" The bard questioned as she filled their skins.

"Hmm." Xena answered watching a particularly nasty looking thug as he eyed the two women.

"Do you think we will make it to Amazon Territory in time for the summer festival?"

"Do you want to make it in time for the festival?" Xena asked, still watching the thug in the dirty armor.

"Well. I think that as an Amazon princess I should try to make it to as many of their festivals as I can. And I would really like to see Queen Melosa again, and Ephiny and Xenon too."

"Sure Gabrielle, we can be in Amazon Territory in time for the summer festival." The nasty thug had decided that he could take the two women even if one of them was dressed as a warrior. While Xena was speaking he decided to draw his sword and attack. Gabrielle was still busy filling the water skins and didn't notice when Xena backhanded the thug and drew her own sword. The thug shook off the first hit from Xena and attacked again, this time trying to slice what appeared to be her unprotected side. As he ran towards them Xena took to the air and flipped over his head to land behind the thug and slap him on the backside with the flat of her sword. He turned to her and ran into her upraised fist falling to the dirt with blood staining his cheek and nose.

"So Xena, when should we start for Amazon Territory?" Gabrielle asked completely oblivious to the fight taking place behind her.

"How about now?" Xena asked as she stepped over the thug still laying in the dirt. She walked over to Gabrielle and took two of the water skins from her.

"I thought you wanted to get some supplies here? Gabrielle asked.

"We do need a few things before we can go." Xena agreed. The thug slowly got up from the dirt and seeing Xena walking away with her back to him, thought he would give it one more shot. He attacked again, this time aiming for the little woman walking with the warrior.

"Bad move." Xena said as she drew her sword in one smooth motion and blocked the thug's weak attack. She then brought the hilt of her sword down on the back of his head with a crash. The thug fell to the dirt with a soft thud, unconscious. Xena watched him for a moment to make sure he wasn't going to attack again.

"Did you say something Xena?" Gabrielle asked, looking over at her friend.

"No Gabrielle. You're right though we might as well get the supplies we need as long as we're here. Ready to do some bargaining with the local merchants?"

"You bet." Gabrielle replied. She glanced back at the well and saw the thug sitting on the ground shaking his head as he watched them walk away. "You never had a chance."

"Did you say something Gabrielle?"

"They don't stand a chance." Gabrielle replied putting her arm around Xena's waist and hugging her. "Let's go shopping."

End