Ages Apart
by dawnm
A Trip Through Time
[reviews]
Title: Ages Apart
By: dawnm
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy or Xena. Please don't sue me for trying to have a little fun with them.
Spoilers: Takes place around Buffy s3 ep. "Choices" and Xena s2 ep. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", but events from all episodes prior to those are fair game for mention here as well.
Rating: PG-ish
Pairings: Buffy/Willow, Xena/Gabrielle
Feedback: I'd love to hear what you think of the story. Please read & review. Also, feel free to email me anytime with comments or questions about a story. Email: dawnm92@yahoo.com.
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Chapter 1 - A Trip Through Time
Gabrielle stood at the edge of the woods waiting for Xena who was talking with one of the men from the village. The bard could hear only bits and pieces of the conversation.
"...loss of so many. Three more girls have disappeared from a village just south of here." She heard the man say to Xena.
"What did he say?" Gabrielle asked, when Xena approached.
"Three more girls kidnapped from a neighboring village. That brings the total to six." Xena answered.
As they entered the edge of the woods, Xena paused, looking around.
"Who would do this?" Gabrielle asked.
"Shh. Listen."
"I don't hear anything." Gabrielle replied, wondering what Xena could be listening to.
"That's your answer. This is the Bacchae forest." Xena stated.
"The hunting grounds for Bacchus, the god of wine, and his Bacchae followers. So...we should hear Orpheus. His music is said to tame the Bacchae." Gabrielle said, recounting the legend.
"And without it, these woods aren't safe." Xena stated.
"So you think the Bacchae took those girls?"
"There's one way to find out." Xena said, heading off deeper into the woods with Gabrielle trailing closely behind her.
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"Did you bring me the head of Orpheus?" Bacchus asked.
"No, master. He got away." The Bacchae responded.
"You fools! How could you let this happen?!"
"He and his idiot companion were rescued...by Xena." The Bacchae explained.
"Xena...well, I will take care of her." Bacchus bellowed, grinning as he formulated his plan to get Xena out of the way.
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"Kronos, God of Time, I call on you. Come before me." Bacchus bellowed, raising his arms toward the heavens.
In a flash, Kronos appeared, looking toward Bacchus, "Why have you called me here?"
"When you were banished to Tartarus, I fought to free you." Bacchus explained.
Kronos nodded. "I owe you a debt. Have you called upon me to collect that debt?" Kronos asked.
"Yes, Kronos. My time to rise, to reign, is now. Someone is trying to stand in the way of my plans. Xena, the Warrior Princess, has entered the Bacchae woods. She has come to stop my festival. Banish her from this time, far into the future. There she can cause no further trouble for me." Bacchus stated.
Kronos considered the request thoughtfully for a moment. "I will grant your request. With this act, my debt to you is repaid."
Bacchus nodded in agreement.
"Do not call on me again." Kronos warned, and in a flash he was gone.
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"Do you think that the stories that people tell about the Bacchae are...are true?" Gabrielle asked tentatively.
"Some are; some aren't. What have you heard?"
"Well, they say that...a single bite from a Bacchae can turn a young, innocent woman into a wild, soulless creature, whose only allegiance is to Bacchus...And, once bitten, she's lured into his lair to drink his blood. If she does, there's no way to save her. She becomes a Bacchae -- forever."
When Xena didn't reply, Gabrielle continued. "They say that...the Bacchae women can take many forms -- sometimes, just...roaming the forest as wolves. Driven with an unquenchable thirst for blood, they track their intended victim relentlessly...until they corner him. Then they tear him apart...limb from limb."
Still no response from Xena, so Gabrielle concluded, "But, if you ask me...I think the stories are exaggerated...you know? Just...made up to give people a really good scare."
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Xena stopped in her tracks, as if sensing an unseen presence. "Show yourself, Ares." She demanded.
Kronos materialized in front of the two women, laughing.
"That's not Ares." Gabrielle pointed out, hiding behind Xena.
"Smart girl." Kronos chuckled. "I am Kronos, God of Time."
Xena instinctively moved closer to Gabrielle. "What do you want Kronos?" Xena asked through clenched teeth.
"I have come to repay an old debt." Kronos replied. "How would you like to see the future, Warrior Princess?"
"No Thanks." Xena quipped. "I like the present just fine."
"That's too bad." Kronos answered flatly, raising his hand toward her.
Xena tackled Gabrielle and attempted to roll out of Kronos' line of fire. The god easily adapted his aim and a bright light shot from his fingertips. A portal opened close in front of Xena and Gabrielle. The pull of the vortex was intense, like the draw of a tornado. Xena grabbed onto the trunk of a nearby tree and Gabrielle grabbed onto Xena's leg.
"Hold on, Gabrielle." Xena pleaded, seeing Gabrielle struggling.
"I'm try-ing...Xena...I'm losing my grip." Gabrielle's voice shook with fear.
The portal seemed to grow wider, its pull stronger, with each passing moment. Xena took one of her hands from the tree trunk, reaching down toward Gabrielle. "Here, Gabrielle, take my hand."
Gabrielle tightened her grip on Xena's leg with one hand and with the other reached up toward Xena's outstretched hand. Green eyes locked on blue, as their fingertips touched, but before Xena could take hold, Gabrielle's grip gave way.
"Xena..." Gabrielle cried as she was pulled into the portal.
"Gabrielle..." Xena screamed. Without hesitation, Xena let go her hold on the tree and dove into the portal after her friend.
The last sound either of them heard from their world was Kronos' self-satisfied laughter.
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Buffy and Willow walked through the gates and into Restfield Cemetery, arm in arm, embarking on another night's patrol.
"So, have you dusted many vamps lately?" Willow asked casually.
"One or two. It's been pretty quiet. Whenever there's a new big bad coming up, it's usually slow."
"The calm before the storm, huh." Willow noted.
"Exactly. And with the mayor's ascension coming up...not surprising." Buffy added.
Buffy made her way over to a tree near the center of the cemetery. Satisfied with her view of the fresh graves nearby, she took a seat, leaning back against the tree, taking Willow's hand and pulling her down next to her.
"So, Will, what's going on with you?" Buffy asked, giving Willow her full attention.
"Oh, nothing really. The usual, you know...studying for finals and logging a lot of research time." Willow paused, lost in thought.
Seeing Willow's expression turn serious, Buffy asked, "Hey, what's up, Will?" Getting no response, Buffy raised her friend's chin and tried to catch her gaze. "Earth to Will. Come in, Will."
"Oh sorry, Buffy."
"S'okay. What's on your mind?"
"I was just wondering...do you think we'll be able to stop the mayor?" Willow asked quietly.
"Sure we will." Buffy reassured her, trying to sound more confident than she actually felt. "We've faced the end of the world how many times now?" Buffy asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. "We always win in the end, don't we?"
"Yeah, I guess we do." Willow answered, a small smile starting at the corners of her mouth. "Thanks, Buffy. Talking to you always makes me feel better." Willow added.
Buffy shook her head, dismissing the thank you. "That's what friends are for," Buffy said, looping her arm through Willow's. "Besides, I could never make it through any of this if it wasn't for you," Buffy admitted, "...and Xander of course." She quickly added.
A point of light emerged off in the distance, directly behind Buffy's back. As the portal opened, light flooded a large section of the cemetery.
Willow gazed in awe. "Uh, B-Buffy...what's that?" She asked, pointing over Buffy's shoulder.
"I don't know," Buffy answered, peering back at the spectacle. "Let's check it out." She said, getting to her feet and offering Willow a hand.
--------------------------------------------- Continued in Chapter 2