~ A Chance Encounter ~
                            by Daniel Stevens
                            jds1958xg@aol.com


DISCLAIMER:  The more familiar characters and situations in this story are 
property of Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA, and Universal/MCA.  No 
copyright infringement is intended. 
  
SYNOPSIS:  This story takes place in India, following the events in the 
Fourth Season 'Xena: Warrior Princess' Episode titled 'Devi', but prior to 
the events in 'Between the Lines'.  It involves just what the title implies 
- and a whole lot more. 
  
WARNING:  Mild straight sex (Yes, you read that right!  I did say straight 
sex, between two consenting adults, one of them a man). If this offends you 
for *any* reason, or is illegal for you to read, please move on. 
  
SPECIAL NOTE: The Ethiopia referred to in this story is *not* the modern 
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, but was a Kingdom in what is now 
the northern and central parts of the modern Republic of the Sudan.  This 
Kingdom was contemporary with every major empire of the last millennium BCE, 
from Assyria to Rome, and bore somewhat the same relationship to Pharaonic 
Egypt that the United States bears to the United Kingdom. 

**************************************
  
Mid afternoon on the road to Taxila, along the upper Indus River, in 
northwesternmost India, Two women are heading towards that city.  Both are 
clearly foreign to the land.  The taller, more statuesque one has shoulder 
length black hair, and is dressed and equipped as the Warrior that she is. 
She is leading a palomino mare by the reins. Her companion is smaller, with 
strawberry blonde hair.  She carries a staff, and is dressed in a much 
modified sari. 
  
"Xena, you're not still bothered by that business with Tatthaka, are you?" 
  
"Maybe a little." 
  
"Well, it's like I said before.  Since there's an evil power out there that 
can heal, so as to deceive the innocent, there has to be another spiritual 
power out there with the same ability, that is good, and stronger." 
  
"But Gabrielle, I almost had to kill you!" 
  
Gabrielle reaches over, to take Xena's hand.  They stop, and look straight 
into each other's eyes. 
  
"Xena, even if it had come to that, it would have still been better than 
unleashing that thing on an unsuspecting humanity.  The gods know that I've 
done enough of *that* to do me for *several* lifetimes!" 
  
"Now who's bothered about it?", with a mischievous smile. 
  
"Okay, Xena, you've got me there." 
  
"Okay, then.  Now, can we kindly change the subject?" 
  
"You've got it!" 
  
With that, Warrior and Bard continue along the road, minding their business.  
Barring any unforeseen occurrences, they should reach Taxila within the 
hour.  Once there, Gabrielle hopes to talk Xena into springing for a set of 
civvies - for herself. 
  
******************** 
  
Taxila:  New Capital of the Surena Kingdom.  The city is quite prosperous, 
and growing.  Still, memories of the great Emperor Ashoka die hard in this 
land of long memories - despite his having passed into Nirvana some two 
centuries before. 
  
The two women are now in the main bazaar of the city.  Gabrielle is looking 
around, doing some stall shopping, while Xena does some shopping for 
supplies.  Suddenly, the Bard sees a very familiar looking person.  He is 
at least as tall and as powerfully built as Hercules, but the resemblance 
ends there.  The man has a complexion as dark as properly aged ebony wood, 
with a full mouth, and large nose.  At first, Gabrielle wonders if this 
might be Cecrops, the one time Lost Mariner, but the man's hair style (or 
rather, lack thereof) and clothing have the look of the Nile, not the open 
sea.  The Bard soon concludes that this is more likely an Egyptian or 
Ethiopian nobleman, possibly an emissary for one of those two lands, in 
India on official business. 
  
Suddenly, the black giant sees Gabrielle looking at him so intently, and 
gestures for her to come over.  She does so.  He then speaks to her, in a 
strongly accented Greek, and with a voice that has no need to shout to 
command attention, and total authority. 
  
"Is there something wrong, Ma'am?  I couldn't help but notice that you were 
staring a hole right through me just now." 
  
"Ugh,.. no, Milord.  It's just that, for a moment, you looked familiar." 
  
Gabrielle is turning as red as a beet, much to the amusement of the black 
titan.  Still, she sees that he is even more impressive looking and awe 
inspiring up close.  It's a good thing she's no longer easily intimidated 
by people more than twice her size, who look to be more than strong enough 
to easily break her in half if they wanted to, and have the natural bearing 
of born and bred warriors. Thanks to spending over three years living and 
traveling with the most intimidating and dangerous woman in the known world!
  
"I see.  Well, since we've met now, we may as well introduce ourselves.  I 
am Prince Kashta, Emissary to the Surena Kingdom for the Kushite Court.   
And you are..?" 
  
"Gabrielle.  Bard of Potidaea.  That's in Macedonia." 
  
The two shake hands.  In that instant, Gabrielle senses something very 
special about the Prince, that relates specifically to her.  A feeling, 
really.  One that she has only had in relation to Xena - until now.  A 
sense that, under other circumstances, they would belong together. 
  
Just then, Xena walks up, looking somewhat concerned. 
  
"Gabrielle, is everything all right?" 
  
"S-sure, Xena. Wh-why wouldn't it be?" 
  
"Gabrielle, I think your friend's referring to me." 
  
"And you are..?" 
  
"Prince Kashta, Emissary of Kush.  The land you Greeks call Ethiopia." 
  
"Xena of Amphipolis, in Macedonia.  Some people call me 'The Warrior 
Princess'." 
  
The two warriors now shake hands. 
  
After a moment, "I've heard of you.  In Alexandria, well over a year ago." 
  
"Oh, really?" 
  
"Yes.  I was posted to Egypt at the time.  Pharaoh Ptolemy wasn't too happy 
about you helping his half-sister, Cleopatra."  A moment later, "Of course, 
Cleopatra's his problem, not mine, or Kush's." 
  
"I assume you heard what happened?" 
  
"Something about you stopping a hired assassin from killing her." 
  
"That's right.  We did." 
  
"Well, to be honest, I'm glad you did.  After all, she is the legitimate 
heir to the Egyptian throne.  Besides, such methods should only be used to 
defend against a dire threat to one's life, or the lives of loved ones.  
Not to settle a political quarrel." 
  
"And even in the two cases you made allowance for, I prefer to do my own 
dirty work, Your Excellency." 
  
"I can tell."  A moment later, "Gabrielle here said that I looked familiar 
to her." 
  
"As a matter of fact, you do look familiar.  Gabrielle and I met someone 
who could almost be your twin brother, about two years ago." 
  
"I see."  It is clear that Prince Kashta wants to hear more of this, as the 
three begin to walk together. 
  
"Gabrielle, you've always been a better storyteller than I.  I'll let you 
take it from here." 
  
With that, Gabrielle proceeds to tell Prince Kashta the story of Cecrops, 
the Lost Mariner, and of how she and Xena (mostly Xena) helped him beat 
Poseidon's curse.  As it turns out, the Prince had heard the story before, 
but had thought it to be a mere fable - until now. 
  
"Gabrielle, if you don't mind my saying so, your description of his 
long-dead love, Tarae, sounds almost like a description of yourself." 
  
"That's what Xena said at the time." 
  
Next, the two women explain that they are in India on a spiritual quest, as 
their own religious traditions are unable to provide the answers they seek.  
Especially Gabrielle. 
  
"Well, aside from Egypt or Kush, you couldn't have picked a better place to 
come to on such a mission.  In the few months that I've been here on trade 
matters, I've begun to wonder about such things myself." 
  
"Your Excellency, would you care to join two footloose pilgrims for dinner?"
  
"How about I have you over to dinner, at the Kushite Residency?" 
  
"We'd love to, right, Xena?" 
  
******************** 
  
That night, at the Kushite Residency.  The Residency proves to be a typical 
North Indian aristocratic home, complete with a second floor balcony on one 
side.  The interior decor has been reworked, to reflect Egyptian or Kushite 
tastes, but the North Indian influence is still very evident in the place.
  
Dinner consists of a rice pilaf, with venison, and various other delicacies 
and curries, for side dishes, and a local wine to wash it down.  Also in 
attendance is a Priestess of Isis, whom the Prince introduces as Asetari.  
The Priestess is as tall as Xena and Gabrielle remember Ephiny being, with 
the same midnight complexion as the Prince. 
  
As she is the storyteller of the two, Gabrielle does most of the talking for 
herself and Xena.  The topic is their adventures together.  However, when 
Gabrielle gets to the part about Dahak and Hope, it soon becomes clear that 
she still feels deep remorse over that subject.  In fact, when the subject 
of Solan comes up at all, the Bard falls silent, and Xena has to take over.  
It breaks both Kashta's heart, and Asetari's, to see Gabrielle still eaten 
up with remorse after all this time, even though they can see that Xena had 
forgiven her a year ago. 
  
The Kushites also quickly comprehend why their guests are washing their 
hands of any devotion to the Olympians - especially Ares!   In fact, the 
kindest thing Asetari can find to say of the Greek gods after hearing their 
account is 'misfit spoiled brats'.  She finds that, far from Xena or 
Gabrielle being offended by her saying so, they fully agree with her. 
  
Then, Prince Kashta speaks. 
  
"I'm afraid that Kush has also had some problems with Dahak.  Fortunately, 
we were able to deal with the problems quite efficiently.  That demon's 
foul cult has been expunged from our land." 
  
"Good!", from both Greek women, in unison. 
  
Now, the floor moves to Prince Kashta, who describes in detail a, to him, 
rather typical story of the upbringing, education, and early career of a 
Kushite nobleman.  He also describes his estate, just outside the provincial 
capital of Soba, right where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet to form the 
Nile.  He soon sees that Gabrielle, especially, is absolutely spellbound by 
his account of his family's domains, and his people's way of life.  As he 
finishes up, however, the Bard does have one question to ask him. 
  
"My Prince, you haven't said anything about being married." 
  
Almost immediately, Gabrielle realizes that she has touched upon a topic 
that is as intensely painful for Kashta, as the subjects of Dahak, Hope and 
Solan are for her.  She quickly apologizes for asking. 
  
"It's... all right, Gabrielle.  You couldn't have known but since we've told 
each other so much else about ourselves, I... may as well... tell you about 
that."  After taking a moment to collect himself, "Her name was Neferamani.  
It was an arranged marriage, of course, between two noble houses of our 
land, but I had come to absolutely adore her.  She... died... trying to... 
give me a... daughter.  Our baby... also... died.  That... was nearly... 
four years ago.  I've accepted various diplomatic postings since then, 
hoping to bury the pain under a mountain of work, as well as for other 
reasons.  I've been only partially successful in doing so." 
  
"My Prince, I'm really sorry!", as she reaches over, to take his hand, and 
try to comfort him in his still intense grief.  He looks up at her, his 
eyes bright with unshed tears, and smiles sadly.  He can see that Gabrielle 
is coming to care a lot about him, as can everyone else present.  
  
"Thanks, Gabrielle." 
  
******************** 
  
Later, after dinner, they are offered the use of a guestroom, with a nice 
big soft bed, big enough for the two of them.  Even Xena finds such 
hospitality hard to refuse. Once Gabrielle applies her very own brand of 
pressure, the Warrior doesn't take long to cave. 
  
It turns out, however, that Gabrielle wants to speak with Prince Kashta for 
a while longer.  Alone.
  
"Just don't do anything I wouldn't do, okay, Gabrielle?", with a knowing 
smile.  She had seen her best friend checking out the Prince during dinner, 
while trying desperately not to show it. 
  
Then, "Seriously, though, I think you should be honest with him." 
  
If looks could kill, Xena would be booking a one way passage aboard Charon's 
ferryboat for that last remark. 
  
******************** 
  
Some time later, Gabrielle and Kashta are alone, out on the second floor 
balcony of the Kushite Residency.  They are looking up at the full moon, and 
talking.  Kashta very tentatively puts his arms around her.  Far from trying 
to avoid or resist his embrace, the Bard puts her arms around the Prince, 
and lays her head against his upper chest.  Soon, powerful black fingers are 
gently stroking strawberry blonde hair, as they seek at least comfort in 
each other's arms. 
  
Then, Gabrielle looks up at him, and smiles warmly.  Taking that as an 
invitation to kiss her, he does so.  She returns his kiss with equal 
interest and desire, moving her arms up around the back of his neck, and 
opening her mouth for him.  In that moment, Gabrielle is almost able to 
forget the one morsel of her pain that she hasn't yet shared with Kashta, as 
she drinks in a powerful kiss she finds more intoxicating than the strongest 
wine.  Yet, he notices beyond the sweetness of the Bard's mouth a certain 
note of desperation. 
  
After what seems like a blissful eternity for both of them, Kashta breaks 
the kiss.  He then sees that her eyes are now bright with unshed tears.
  
"Gabrielle, what's wrong?" 
  
"M... me,.. My Prince." 
  
After a moment, "Gabrielle, I don't see anything wrong with you.  I see a 
woman whom I could love very easily, who obviously feels the same about me, 
and is not the least bit put off by the difference in our skin color.  
Though many of your people would be."  A moment later, "I see a woman who 
could finally fill the hole in my heart after all this time.  And if you're 
concerned by your low birth, that makes absolutely no difference to me.  As 
far as I'm concerned, nobility is as much a matter of character as it is of 
birth, and you more than meet the character requirements."  Then, "After a 
suitable time to get to know each other a little better, I'd be honored to 
accept your hand in marriage,.. if you'd have me." 
  
Now, Gabrielle does begin to cry.  Kashta knows right then that there is 
something else wrong, that would keep her from accepting his marriage 
proposal, much as she would love to.  Something that is tearing her apart 
inside.  He returns her head to his upper chest, and begins stroking her 
hair again, while she gets whatever it is out of her system.  Soon after, he 
sits down in a nearby chair, and gently draws her into his lap.  She then 
lays her head on his shoulder, still sobbing convulsively. 
  
"Gabrielle, whatever it is, it can't be *that* bad." 
  
She only nods, as if to say, "Yes, it is." 
  
After a while, she looks at him again, as an ebon finger dries the tears 
from ivory cheeks. 
  
"My Prince, my love I could give you.  Easily.  The companionship you need, 
I could give you.  But there is one thing I can't give you, that a man of 
your rank would have to consider very important." 
  
"And what is that?" 
  
"Since that monster 'Hope' was born, I haven't had my period once.  That's 
been well over a year.  I think your Priestess could tell you what that 
means." 
  
"Gabrielle, I think I have a pretty good idea what it means already." 
  
"My Prince, men of your social standing *have* to think about the ability to 
produce an heir to your title, when choosing a prospective wife, or even a 
concubine. Is that not correct?" 
  
"Unfortunately, yes.", in a dry, hard tone of voice that makes it clear that 
he knows where this is going. 
  
She now takes hold of his chin. 
  
"Kashta, I know that we're right now falling in love with each other.  But 
I'll not mislead you just for the sake of my own happiness, nor trap you in 
a marriage that would fail that one test.  If I did, you would come to hate 
me, and I don't ever want that to happen.  Better that we part while our 
feelings for one another are still positive, so that you can love again." 
  
Then, to make it clear that she's not just telling him this to brush him 
off, Gabrielle plants a scalding kiss on Prince Kashta's lips.  A kiss that 
reveals to him the full measure of her desperate love for him.
  
Then, "Kashta, if you were to tell me that my being left barren by Dahak 
would make no difference to you, I know that right now, you would not be 
lying to me, because you would actually believe it.  But what about three 
or four years from now?"
  
"Yeah.", in a defeated tone of voice.  Then, "Gabrielle, why couldn't we 
have met two years ago, before this whole filthy 'Dahak' business even 
started?!" 
  
In an equally frustrated but weary tone of voice, "Really, My Prince.  I 
*would* have married you in a heartbeat - then."
  
"I know.", with a rueful smile. 
  
"Even now, it would be the easiest thing in the world for me to say 'yes' to 
you.  And yet, I could not love you so much, that loved I'd not honor more."
  
"I know.  And to be honest with you, Gabrielle, I have ten times more 
respect for you now, because you *were* honest with me."
  
Then, "My Prince, do you think we could..?  Just for this one night?  So 
we'll have some pleasant memories of our time together?"
  
After a moment, "Sure, Gabrielle.  I'd love to, if that's what you really 
want."

"Believe me, My Prince. It is, more than anything." 

With that, she stands, taking Kashta's hand.  The Prince also stands, and 
leads the Bard to his private chambers.
  
Some time later, Kashta and Gabrielle are making love.  She finds that he is 
quite gentle with her, and that his every caress serves to further heal the 
remaining leftover emotional damage from the nightmarish experiences of the 
previous year.  For his part, her every touch and sigh renews his 
willingness to try again, and his confidence of success.  Afterwards, they 
sleep soundly, in each other's arms.
  
******************** 
  
Xena, on the other hand, doesn't sleep at all well. Not when she's used to 
having Gabrielle sleeping close by.
  
'Still, Xena, you have to admit that if Gabrielle *had* returned tonight, 
you would have been quite surprised - and you would have probably had some 
emotional damage control to do, too.'
  
******************** 
  
The next morning, at breakfast, Xena can't help but notice the glow in both 
Gabrielle's face, and Kashta's, as they walk in, holding hands.
  
"I take it you two were able to work out the problem?" 
  
Gabrielle's reply is, "Insofar as it *can* be worked out." 
  
"Xena, one thing that will never change is that Gabrielle will always have 
my deepest respect and regard."
  
"Kashta, that's my line about you!", as she playfully elbows him in the 
side. 
  
Prince and Bard smile warmly at one another. 
  
Then, "Kashta, part of me will always love you." 
  
"I know, Gabrielle.  Same here." 
  
******************** 
  
After breakfast, Xena and Gabrielle say their good-byes, at the main door of 
the Kushite Residency.  While Kashta and Gabrielle had been out on the 
balcony, Asetari had gone to see Xena.  They had talked about Gabrielle and 
Kashta's problem themselves, as well as other things.  By the time they were 
done, Asetari was fully satisfied that Gabrielle and Xena were inseparable, 
in any case. That the time had passed when anything could have come between 
them.  Xena thinks back on part of that conversation now.
  
("Xena, you have to admit that if it could work out, Prince Kashta and 
Gabrielle would make a very lovely couple."
  
"I know.  They would have been good for one another, if they had met, say, 
two years ago.  Before *it* happened.  But, as matters stand, there's no 
doubt in my mind that when I leave here tomorrow morning, she'll be leaving 
with me."
  
Just then, "You know, Xena, from what little I've seen of you, you'd be a 
good choice for the Prince yourself."
  
"I couldn't do that to Gabrielle.  She's suffered enough because of me.")
  
Now, Xena and Asetari are saying their good-byes.
  
"Xena, whatever you may have been once, you are a good person now.  A fully 
worthy companion for Gabrielle."
  
"Thanks, Asetari."
  
They turn, in time to see Prince Kashta place two fingers to his lips, then 
to Gabrielle's cheek.
  
"Gabrielle, may you find the answers you're looking for."
  
"Thanks, My Prince."
  
"And you take good care of her, Xena.  Gabrielle's one in a million."
  
"I know.", as the two Warriors shake hands.  Then, Xena and Gabrielle leave, 
to continue their spiritual quest.
  
"Well, Gabrielle, it looks like Prince Kashta gets to try again, while 
you're still stuck with me."
  
"Xena, part of me will always love him, but I'm committed to *you*, from now 
until the end of time.  It's like you told me a year ago, after we finally 
got things straightened out between us.  Even in death, I will never leave 
you."
  
THE END