The Reckoning

• Gabrielle invites Xena to bathe with her.
  • "Come on in, this stream is great!"
• Xena gives herself up to a bloodthirsty mob to protect Gabrielle.
• Xena is chained in a cell by a town that seeks her blood for the murders of their kinsmen, and the first thing she shows when she is visited in prison is concern for Gabrielle.
  • "Gabrielle, I told you to get away from here if anything happened. I meant it."
  • ..."I'll get you out of here." "No, Gabrielle, leave. Get away from here."
• When the crowd attempts to drag Xena behind horses, Gabrielle puts the rope around her own neck as well.*
  • Xena, about to be dragged to her death, is still worried about Gabrielle.
  • "Stop that. This isn't about you Gabrielle."
• Xena and Gabrielle have a little heart to heart back in the cell.*
  • Xena says: "That was a pretty dumb thing you did back there." "Well, you would've done the same for me." "That's different." "Why? Because you're a warrior? Yeah, well normal people like me take chances to save their best friends, too, you know."
• Xena beserks as she is being beaten and the only thing that brings her out of it is when she strikes Gabrielle.*
  • Gabrielle's expression is one of horror, betrayal.
• Gabrielle returns to free Xena from her cell.*
  • Xena says: "How could you come back after what I did to you?" "What you did wasn't you. I know that."
  • ..."You've got an idea." says Gabrielle. "Someone made me a better offer. I need you to leave me alone for a while." Gabrielle looks saddened after being told this. "Okay." she murmers. Xena immediately recognizes the hurt and says: "I didn't mean that like it sounded. (Giving a REAL intense look) I'm glad you came back." Gabrielle looks all giggly-happy again.
• More heart to heart at the end of the episode.*
  • Xena: "You coming back for me really meant a lot after what I did to you." "I trust you. I never thought for a moment you meant to hurt me." "Well, I owe you one. Thanks." "I owe you too." says Gabrielle as she suddenly hits Xena on her breastplate. "What was that?" asks Xena. "Payback for hitting me." "Feel better?" "I think I broke my hand. But I do feel better." "Good. So do I."

Notes:
This is only the sixth episode, but what keeps coming up is that these two are more than willing to die for each other. (Or at least risk their lives for each other, which is pretty much the same thing.) Also, i believe that this may be the first episode where Xena and Gabrielle start calling each other "best friend." Of special significance is the last scene of this episode. When Gabrielle punches Xena, she is probably punching her arm (difficult to see in slow motion.) But it sure looks like she is punching Xena's breast. When Gabrielle says she feels better and Xena says "Good. So do I." there is a VERY odd expression on Xena's face. As if she is turned on, or something.
*All examples marked with an asterisk were provided by Lynda H.*