• Episode References: Chakram
• Chronology: Obviously this has no real exact place in continuity. I meant it somewhere in the fifth season, more or less, though I chose to ignore the Xena pregnancy and the Twilight of the Gods, etc.
• The Subtext Issue: I'm funny about subtext. It's a part of the show; X&G are undeniably INCREDIBLY close. The more I reread this story, the more I actually kinda think that it is a romantic love I portrayed, however briefly, between them. But, meh, whether it is or not doesn't really matter - she comes to love Joxer just as much either way, whether she's got the hots for Xena or not. In any case, when I wrote it I just thought of it as ambiguous in the vein of the show, and so the way I see it in retrospect shouldn't be meant to imply that I intended to show it one way or the other. See what you want, as they so irritatingly say. ;)
• When Does It End?: For about two and a half years now I have been planning a sequel. I have the essence of it plotted out in my head, the very beginning written, and a few inspirational music moments. Unfortunately I've never really felt the push to finish 'er up... I can only hope that, when I do, there will still be enough interest out there for people to care. <:)
• Random Info You'll Never Do Anything With: When I got the lyrics to this song, I had no idea what to do with them. Truth of the matter is, I don't like downers. I mean I like reading them, but not writing them- they scare me. ^_~ So I spent about two, three days trying desperately to think of a way to write this without killing one of them. And couldn't. I mean, it's all right there in the lyrics; it's not like the title, which is "one year of love", it's "JUST" one year of love. Only. No more. Get it all in while you can. So I had to resign myself to the fact that one of them was going to die. Then there was the problem of, where the heck is Xena? And so on, and it all sort of formed from there. For a while I thought of trying to find a way to let Gabrielle live, after all, but then realized that after the rest of this- I'm sorry, I wanted her to live, but that would be chickening out. I set up a story that tells about how she dies. So, she dies. I anticipate your flames. <;)
• I know, I probably got the pregnancy thing all wrong. Sorry. When I wrote this story I was a 21-year-old who knew everything she needed to know and nothing else, and even as of now I'm not exactly swarming with babies. ;) Plus, having this be set about 2,000 years ago complicated it. :P
• My views on reincarnation are fairly organized in my own head; however, the views as portrayed on the show confuse the crap out of me. Last season, they sort of implied that everyone gets reincarnated (in Gabby's monologue in "Deja Vu All Over Again" about how we never die, because we're never truly born, and the friends we meet along the way join us again and again or something)- but in "Fallen Angel" it's pretty clear that it's a middle ground. And for what reason? Punishment, working towards achievement of nirvana, or what? I don't think THEY know.
• I plagiarized rather shamelessly here and there. The line towards the end - "there are no happy endings, because nothing ends" - is the brainchild of Peter S. Beagle, in the screenplay for "The Last Unicorn". (Movie, not the book.) Every time I hear that line it gives me chills, and it worked SO well in this context. Also, the entire tone of the story - the love story, the inevitable loss coupled with a bittersweet gain - were inspired heavily by a Xena fanfic by Oshram that had me *bawling*, and I don't bawl over fanfic EVER. I can never, ever remember the title, but look up his fanfics if you have the chance, because that story is amazing.
• My own opinions on this story are mixed - I am proud of it, I do think it's moving in parts, but I've always been mildly amazed by the incredibly positive fan reaction it's gotten. Oh, pleasantly amazed, but still mildly befuddled by it. I mean, I never thought it was THAT good - I never even beta'd it, for heaven's sake - yet I even now get the occasional note from someone saying "I loved it, I was sobbing and I NEVER cry over fanfic" (hmm, ironic *g*). And hey - it actually won Best Dramatic Story in the first Golden Quill Awards. I mean, wow - thanks, guys. I remain flattered, pleased, and befuddled. ;)
• A few of my character choices in this might stand out. Notably, having Amarice as regent of the Amazons. Clearly this was written before it turned out that Amarice wasn't a "true" Amazon, let alone before the poor gal was killed off (sheesh, I know she had another series to go to, but... man). Some might question why I chose that casting: well, there's an unfinished fic by Filippa Flasheart that uses the same idea, and I liked it. And I like Amarice. And I like Arman. I do realize that Arman very likely wouldn't be allowed to live in the village with her, but let's just say he visits a whole lot. ^_~
• Oh, and the pointless stupid trivia you REALLY didn't need to know: the moment with the shopkeeper, when she tells them how happy they look and all? That has happened to me. About six months into my relationship with my significant other, we were out shopping together and the girl at the cash register, looking near tears, told us we looked "SO happy" and that we should make sure to really appreciate each other. It always really stuck with me, and seemed appropriate in this fic.

<-- back thataway