UNTIL DAWN

pt.1

GABRIELLE
Well, it was certainly uh, interesting.

Joxer sighed.

JOXER
You didn't like it either did you?

GABRIELLE
(Lying) I think it just needs a little more tweaking.

XENA
(Quietly/ Sarcasm) More like a complete exorcism.

Gabrielle nudged Xena in the side with her elbow. Xena shot her a an annoyed look.

JOXER
Okay Xena you think it's so easy to tell a scary story. Why don't you try?

XENA
Hey we all know Gabrielle's the story teller here.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
Actually I like that idea.

Gabrielle got another irritated look from Xena.

GABRIELLE
Come on, it'll be fun.

Gabrielle gave Xena her prettiest smile as she baited the warrior with her big green eyes. Xena sighed knowing that Gabrielle knew full well what she was doing and that Xena wouldn't be able to say no.

XENA
Fine.

Gabrielle smiled, satisfied. Xena leaned close to Whisper in Gabrielle's ear so Joxer wouldn't hear.

XENA
(Whisper) You owe me.

GABRIELLE
(Whisper/ Seductively) Don't worry I'll be sure that you're fully compensated for your trouble later.

Xena raised her eyebrow and smirked catching Gabrielle's hint.

JOXER
Uh what are you two Whispering about?

XENA
(Lying) Just bouncing some story ideas off our resident bard here.

Gabrielle smirked as Xena sat back and returned her focus to coming up with a story. Then she had something pop into her head.

XENA
Alright you want a scary story, I've got one for ya. And it's not just some little old ghost story. This one is actually scary, because it's true.

Gabrielle looked at Xena wondering just where she was going with that last line.

XENA
It started out just like any other day. Gabrielle and I were riding along on our way to I forget where. It's not important.

JOXER
Wait, wait, wait you and Gabby?

XENA
I said the story was true didn't I? I would know because we were there. Now can I continue?

Joxer nodded as Xena continued her story.

XENA
Now where was I?

----- FLASH BACK -----

Xena and Gabrielle rode down through the quiet scenery on Argo. Xena looked up at the sky.

XENA
It's getting late Gabrielle. I think we're gonna have to camp here tonight.

Gabrielle looked around at the bare trees as they slowly rode by. Not liking the idea of having to stay in the forest all night.

GABRIELLE
I don't know Xena. Something about this place gives me the creeps.

Xena chuckled.

XENA
We face warlords, gods and all sorts of other dangers all the time and you're telling me that you're afraid of sleeping in forest just because it's a little creepy?

GABRIELLE
It's not funny.

XENA
Relax everything's perfectly fine.

Xena gave Gabrielle's arm that was wrapped around her waist a light reassuring pat.

XENA
(Joking) I'll be sure to protect you from anything that might go bump in the night.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Funny.

Xena and Gabrielle rode for a little longer before they found a good spot to set up camp. Once everything was set Xena and Gabrielle sat by the campfire. Gabrielle looked out at their surroundings. Her uneasiness about that place hadn't left her. Xena could tell that she was still uncomfortable.

XENA
Since when do you get so easily scared like this?

GABRIELLE
I don't know. But there's just something about this forest that feels really off.

Xena got up and looked around trying to figure out what Gabrielle might've been picking up on, but got nothing,

XENA
I don't see or hear any signs of anything that we would need to worry about.

GABRIELLE
Huh usually you're the more perceptive one. But I'm telling you Xena something's not right here.

Xena sighed as she folded her arms across her chest. She looked at Gabrielle, seeing the worry on her face.

XENA
You really don't feel comfortable here do you?

GABRIELLE
No.

XENA
Okay. Start packing up then.

Gabrielle got up began picking up their stuff along with Xena. She looked at Xena, giving her a semi relieved smile.

GABRIELLE
Thank you.

Xena lovingly patted Gabrielle's shoulder.

XENA
Don't mention it.

One they were all packed up, Xena took Argo's reigns as she and Gabrielle walked out into the darkness. Not knowing that Gabrielle was right and this was about to become one of the longest nights of their lives.

TO BE CONTINUED...