“He was your first kill and I know you
didn’t want to kill him, you just wanted to stop him from
hurting those people and anyone else he would hurt.” Athena
said and Xena shook her head, “he was scum,” Xena said
and Athena looked at her, “and it’s alright that you
feel for killing him. I would be worried if you didn’t feel
anything at all,” Athena said and Xena closed her eyes and
let out a breath as she turned and looked at Athena. “I never
wanted to take someone’s life, I just wanted to protect and
help people,” Xena said and Athena looked into her eyes and
nodded as she took a couple of steps forward. “I know and to
tell you the truth I never wanted you to kill but sadly doing what
you want to do, you had to know that it would eventually come to
it.” Athena said and Xena looked down for a minute as Athena
continued to speak to her.

 

 

“Xena you are my chosen and there is so much
in the world that you have yet to experience but I believe you
already know that to survive, sometimes you will have to take a
life maybe more than one. I don’t encourage you to kill, in
fact if you can find a way to solve a problem without violence then
I’m all for it. Wisdom before weapons,” Athena said and
Xena looked into her eyes and nodded. “I understand, I may
not always like it but I understand,” Xena said and Athena
looked into her eyes. “Do you? Xena being my chosen means
more than you know right now, but there will come a time when you
will have to take a life. Tell me now if you will be able to handle
it. If you can’t I’ll understand, there are only a
handful that are meant for this,” Athena said and Xena looked
into her goddess’ eyes. “No I am meant for this, there
is a reason that you chose me and I swear to you I will live up to
the title you have bestowed upon me.

 

 

You’re right I don’t fully know what it
means to be you’re chosen yet and there is a lot I
haven’t experienced in this world but there is one thing that
I do know and that’s the greater good. To help and save
people whenever and however I can, and that’s what I’ll
do.” Xena said then let out a breath, “I’ll never
be okay with taking someone’s life but I’ll be able to
deal with it by knowing I’ve saved a lot of lives.”
Xena said and Athena looked at Xena then brought her hand up and
placed a lock of hair behind Xena’s ear, “you continue
to surprise even me.” Athena said then let out a breath and
lowered her hand, “I’m giving you some time off, I
think you need it but don’t worry you’ll be back to
work sooner than you know.” Athena said and Xena looked at
her and nodded then let out a breath as she sat down on her bed,
“I miss him,” Xena said and Athena looked at her.
“I know but be strong Xena and everything will be
alright,” Athena said, “rest and relax, I’ll see
you later,” Athena said and Xena nodded.

 

 

“Thank you Athena,” Xena said and
Athena looked at her, “for what?” Athena asked and Xena
looked at her, “for helping me deal and understand
everything.” Xena said and Athena grinned at her, “you
already understood Xena, you just needed someone to show
you.” Athena said then grinned as she disappeared and Xena
grinned as she shook her head then laid back on the bed, staring up
at the ceiling as she thought about what Athena said and then she
thought of more pleasant things like Ulysses. She thought about the
time she spent with Ulysses, the things they did and the fun they
had. She thought about the great love that they made and how he
always held her in his arms afterwards and there were time when he
would lay his head on her breast or stomach, holding her tight as
she ran her fingers through his hair; sometimes they talked for
hours on end and other times they laid there in silence and
eventually dosed off to sleep in each other’s loving
embrace.

 

 

Xena let out a breath as she rolled on her side
pulling her pillow closer to her as she continued to think about
Ulysses and all the good times they had. She looked at Gemini who
hopped onto the bed since she was big enough now though sometimes
she struggled. Xena grinned as the cub walked up by her stomach and
Xena scratched behind her ears and stroked her coat before Gemini
laid down snuggling against Xena. Xena grinned and continued to
stroke Gemini as she continued to think until she started dosing
off. As Xena slept she started dreaming of Ulysses and her hand
instantly came up to the half of her necklace that she wore and her
finger rubbed the stone as she felt Ulysses presence.