Gabrielle comes from a small village that Xena saved from destruction by the forces of Draco. In fact, this was the first village that Xena had rescued after her "conversion." Gabrielle saw an adventure in the making and wanted to come along. At first, she more or less insinuated her way into Xena's company. But a friendship quickly grew. In Gabrielle, Xena sees what she could have been if things had been different. There is a fire in Gabrielle that Xena recognizes in herself. And, perhaps, in Gabrielle, she sees a way to protect that part of her own soul that was damaged.