Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Circle of Life

By Melissa Good

The inn was a moderate one, in a somewhat out of the way village, in an out of the way section of Greece. It was a sturdily built structure, with two floors, and a few painted ladies, and a clientele that was mostly comprised of out of work mercenaries and retired fighters who had settled in the area. It smelled of lamb stew, and old leather and ale, and boots rustled against the muddied rushes underfoot dampened by the day’s earlier rain.

The locals didn’t care… the inn was a way to pass the time boasting and telling stories, mostly lies, of battles that had never happened. There was good things and bad things about that, the innkeeper thought, as he set up yet another brace of ale mugs for his girls to deliver. Good thing was that when the boys had dinars, they didn’t mind spending them. Bad thing was, they didn’t have them all the time, and wanted their ale anyway.

Derren sighed, remembering times when he, too, wore the armor, and was stuck in some backwater winter town with little to do and less money. He served them, and hoped for the best.

Sometimes it was, and sometimes it wasn’t. Tonight was a quiet night, as some of the boys had gone out and gotten themselves involved in a local squabble that hadn’t gone well. Tempers were sour, and bodies were hurting, and he’d been hard pressed to keep the peace between the irritable men.

With a grunt, he sat back, and hoped the rest of the night would be slow. It was cold outside, and the draft whistled in through the cracks in the boards, defeating the fire’s best efforts to keep the place warm, and he was looking forward to retiring to his little room it the back, where a cozy private fireplace did a better job with the smaller area.

Footsteps sounded on the boards outside, and he lifted his head, gazing at the door as it opened and admitted a tall, cloaked figure who paused inside the threshold and surveyed the interior.

Derren’s hackles rose, and his thumbs pricked at the uneasy energy evident in the smooth power of the newcomer’s movements, and the almost arrogant sweep of the hooded head as it evaluated the inn. The cloak draped against a lithe, armored body, and the hilt of a sword was a visible bulge at the base of the neck.

Then it gave a tiny nod and lifted a hand,, sweeping the hood back and revealing a chiseled profile and night dark hair that made Derren’s breath catch in his throat. Uh oh.

The head turned and he was skewered by cold, pale eyes that ran him through set in an expressionless face that he remembered in his dreams.

Or his nightmares, to be precise. Times of slaughter and blood, when he’d watched those icy eyes light with an unearthly fire as a tireless sword ripped through bodies as though they’d been straw. This wasn’t good. Nervously, he gave the newcomer a faint nod. "Xena."

The eyes flicked over his face for an instant, leaving a chill in their place. "Derren." The low, musical voice stirred that old shiver inside him. "Been a while." She regarded him for a moment, then turned her head, dismissing him.

Xena faced the inn’s crowd, and spared them a glance, then started across the floor to a back table, flicking her cloak out of the way of muddy boots. She ignored the stares and gave the dark looks only a passing notice as she edged her way through the scattered chairs, pulling off a pair of leather gauntlets as she did so and tucking them under her belt.

Halfway across a man rose to block her, lifting a head sporting tangled chestnut hair and light brown eyes whose level matched hers. "Well well.. lookee what we have here." He looked her up and down.

Xena stopped and gazed at him impassively.

"Haven’t see you since you left a bunch of us for dead near Thessaly, Xena…I’ve been waiting to meet up with you again." He stuck his thumbs in his belt, and rocked back.

A dark brow rose. "I haven’t." Xena replied. "Get outta my way, Gregor.. I’m not in the mood for games tonight."

He looked at her appraisingly. "Heard you retired….in fact, I heard you were hiring yourself out as a horse trainer out in the sticks somewhere."

Xena shifted and exhaled. "Second chance, Gregor, get outta my way." She commented shortly.

He moved the chair out of the way with a booted foot. "You know, I’ve been waiting for my chance at you since Thessaly, Xena… and I heard you were sitting out there all nice and soft… maybe it’s time I found out for sure…I think maybe you’ve lost it."

Xena shifted forward with flickering speed and slammed a knee into his groin, then nailed him in the chin with an elbow as he slumped forward putting him on the floor. ‘I dunno.. what do you think?" She asked mildly, as she stepped over his groaning body.

"That’d be a no." He coughed, spitting out teeth and blood. "Teach me to listen to rumors."

"Smart boy." Xena found her way to her chosen table without further molestation. She sat down, and propped a foot up against the table support as a nervous server approached her. "Ale, and a plate of whatever you’re serving." She growled, giving the girl a warning glare, as she settled back and fastened her eyes on Derren.

One hand lifted and a long finger pointed at him, then curled towards herself. She kept her glare up until he crossed the room and arrived at her table, obviously sweating. "Look.. Xena.. we don’t want trouble here."

She ignored the statement. "I’m looking for Sefrel."

A wary look entered Derren’s eyes. "He…Xena, he doesn’t do that kind of work anymore." The siege engine builder had settled down several years earlier, and now spent his days puttering around making chairs and tables. "Not for a long time."

Pitiless blue eyes lanced right through him. "Just tell him I want to see him. I have a commission.. some work I need done."

"But.. "

"Derren, just do it." The low voice went to a familiar growl. "Now."

Reluctantly, he gave a nod, then backed off, pulling his apron off and throwing it on the bar before he stomped out the door.

Uneasy murmurs rose as he left, but Xena ignored them, sipping slowly on the mug of ale the server had hastily brought her. She knew about half the men in the room, from one battle or other, but she refrained from renewing their acquaintance, preferring to remain solitary, a dark, angry presence in her shadowed corner.

She was halfway through the mug before the door opened again, and Derren returned, with a slight, gray haired man in a woodcrafter’s oversmock. They made their way through the crowd and stopped in front of her, looks of reluctance and fear respectively on their face. She kicked the chair facing her out. "Siddown, Sefrel."

He remained standing. "Xena.. look.. no disrespect, but I don’t do that kind of work no more."

Fierce blue eyes bored right through him. "What kind of work is that, Sefrel?" The low, velvety voice made him lick his lips nervously. "Why don’t you sit down and hear the proposal first?"

Sefrel looked at her, natural caution warring with the pull of her considerable charisma. He studied her face, wondering if the stories he’d heard, even here in the outlands, were true. She certainly looked the same…those deadly eyes, the face that only reluctantly creased into a smile. The sleek, muscular body encased in dark leather and dully gleaming armor. The attitude. He could feel the allure, though, just like in the old days. Xena had led as much with her personal aura as with her battlefield skills, and he sighed, surrendering to the inevitable.

He sat down, and placed his worn hands on the table, and waited.

Xena flicked her eyes to Darren, and dismissed him. Reluctantly, the innkeeper left, not without a worried glance at the woodcrafter, though. "Be back behind the bar if y’need anything, Sef." He said, screwing up his courage and giving Xena what he hoped was an intimidating glare. He’d spend a long time being a mercenary, and the heavy muscles hadn’t all quite disappeared. Yet.

Xena returned the glare, and raised him one, making him turn tail and run like a dog. She shook her head, and looked back at Sefrel. "Been a while."

The short man nodded. "Siege of Bethrel, wasn’t it?"

A nod. "You built the ram we used to take the town." A smile edged Xena’s otherwise still face. "That was some nice work."

He looked at his hands. "I tell you , Xena.. I don’t do that anymore." His gray eyes flicked over her. "I don’t think I can help you.. I can’t build a war engine for you."

The tall woman leaned forward, resting bracered arms on the table. "I don’t want one." She lowered her voice. "Sefrel, I don’t have an army.. what would I do with a siege engine?" She asked, reasonably. "I’ve been out of that business going on four years now."

He was confused. "But.. what do… what do you want, then?" His voice was doubtful. "I’d heard you’d left the hack and slash biz, but.."

Xena took a sip of her ale. "I remember you used to do panels on the work.. in your spare time, with intricate carving…pictures and things like that."

Sefrel blinked. "Yes…I still do… " He pointed at a sturdily built chair nearby. The back featured a strip with running horses carved into it. "You need something like that?" His voice was incredulous.

Pale blue, dangerous, endless eyes bored into his, and the voice dropped lower, snaring him in with its deep, sensual power. "I need a cradle."

A moment of pure silence from him. "W..w..what?" He squeaked.

"A cradle. It’s something you put a baby in." Xena explained, patiently. "You’ve heard of those, right?"

He scratched his head. "Once or twice, sure." He looked around. " Not many of em around here…" He glanced back at her. "What do you need a cradle for?"

Xena sucked in a breath, counting to twenty before she answered. "A baby."

His voice dropped. "You’re doing a kidnapping?" A vaguely outraged note entered his tone. "That was always offlimits.."

Another twenty. "No."

His eyes went to her body.

"No." Xena forestalled the question. "Look.. it doesn’t matter, will you do it or not?"

A moments hesitation, then he nodded. "Sure…" He relaxed a little. "Did’ja have something you wanted to.. oh." He took the folded piece of parchment from her and unfolded it. Inside was a series of pictures, interlinked with curving, connecting lines. "Hey.. that’s not bad.. "

"Can you do it?" Xena cocked her head to one side in question.

"How long, how much?" Sefrel asked, guardedly.

"Three months.. and you tell me what it’s worth." The dark haired woman answered. "Deal?" She held out a powerful hand.

He looked at her, remembering the bad times. And the not so bad ones. His hand clasped hers, feeling the warm living heat of her that triggered memories of a different kind. "Deal."

Xena settled back, satisfied. It would be perfect. And after everything else, she was determined to keep things that way.

Another inn, another small, outlands town, but this one was more obviously prosperous, and had well built, carefully caulked walls that kept out the brisk wind, and cleanly swept floors that showed signs of frequent washing and sanding. It was lunchtime, and the inn was almost full with townsfolk taking a rest from winter labors, and merchants excited over a coming cold weather festival which promised to bring neighbors from surrounding villages in and stir some trade up.

Against the far wall, the village reeve sat amidst a pile of parchment, working out details with two burly merchants, the innkeeper whose inn would bear the brunt of the visitors, and a young woman of middling height and fair hair, whose kindly face featured an ever-present smile on its edges and golden flecked green eyes. At her feet a large black wolf was curled, his muzzle resting on her booted foot.

"I’ll give them a break on the rooms, " Cyrene was saying. "But I’m not feeding them without a percentage."

"Wait.." Gabrielle interjected, holding up a hand. "Why not charge them an overall percentage, and then split it among everyone? If we have everyone demanding a dinar, it gets too confusing.. let’s have someone to a census of their goods when they come in, and one when they leave, and tax them accordingly."

The merchants both nodded. "Aye… that sounds fair…we can subsidize everyone like that… nobody loses."

"Good.. " Gabrielle stood and edged around the table. "I’m going to get some water… be right back."

Cyrene watched her go, knowing better than to offer to get it for her. Her eyes followed the young bard, though, tracing the changes in her slim figure with a wistful smile. Even at five months, Gabrielle barely looked pregnant, only a gentle curve at her waistline betraying her state, which was almost invisible in the oversized royal blue shirt gathered loosely around her body. Otherwise… the innkeeper nodded quietly to herself. The bard looked very healthy, and her stubborn spirit had rebounded from the quiet introspection she’d exhibited when they’d first come home. "She’s going to be all right." She murmured to Johan, who was seated next to her. She wondered, briefly, if she could say the same about her daughter, however.

It has been dark, almost midnight when the watch had reported Argo’s approach, and she’d thrown on a robe to meet the quiet pair as they headed up past the inn.

Xena had gotten down, and even in the dim light her mother had seen the weariness that seemed to shimmer from her daughter’s tall form, as she gently helped Gabrielle down, and they came to the porch railing. And she’d seen a quiet, remembered desolation in the blue eyes that glanced her way, sunken in a face that had taken on new strains since she’d seen it last.

So she’d hugged Xena first, and felt the rail thinness of her under her cloak, and had wondered.

What now?

"I’m going to go stable Argo." The warrior had said quietly. "Meet you at home." This to Gabrielle, who nodded, and touched her arm before she turned to go.

Then Cyrene had asked. "What happened?"

And Gabrielle, in a few words, had told her. About her going into the pit. Waking up three weeks later knowing only that she had survived, somehow.

But Xena hadn’t known, and it had shattered something deep inside her, something that was only very slowly coming back together. "So we decided home… was the best place to be." Gabrielle had finished, letting out a little sigh. "And am I ever glad to see this place."

"How are you doing?" Cyrene had asked, gently.

Pale green eyes gone dim, and gray in the moonlight had glinted. "I’m all right." The bard had answered, with a tiny, wistful smile. "Aside from being pregnant." She’d added.

You could have knocked Cyrene over with a feather. "My gods." Her hands had gone to Gabrielle’s shoulders. "You too?"

"Me too…does that mean Xena was right, and Gran is?" A sparkle had entered Gabrielle’s eyes.

"Yes… and having a time of it." Cyrene had replied. "Poor thing… sick every morning… " She’d touched the bard’s cheek. "What about you, cutie? You doing all right?"

Gabrielle had glanced down, then rubbed her nose. "Yeah… I’m…. " Her eyes had gone towards the barn, then back to Cyrene. "It’s a little complicated."

Of course. Nothing with them was simple, Cyrene remembered thinking. She’d sent Gabrielle on towards their cabin, then gone to the kitchen, putting together some fruits and cheeses in a small basket. Waiting patiently until she heard familiar steps near the door, then sighing as it opened, and Xena came in. "Thought you’d be by." She’d held up the basket.

Xena had given up a little smile, and came forward. "Thanks… guess you heard the good news?"

She’d put a hand on her daughter’s face. "And the bad." Cyrene had said, very gently. "Honey, that must have been horrible for you."

The warrior had stayed very still for a moment, then slowly exhaled. "It was." She admitted in a near whisper, then she’d inhaled again. "But it’s over, and I can put that behind me now." It had sounded as though she were trying to convince herself of that, as much as Cyrene.

Who had felt deeply for her. "Your family would have been here for you, Xena.. you do know that, don’t you?"

The blue eyes wouldn’t look at her. "I know.. but.. I couldn’t come back here." The warrior had managed to get out. "Not here." Jaw muscles had tensed,, and she’d seen Xena swallow hard once.. twice… then blink her eyes.

Cyrene had put the basket down, and pulled her daughter into her arms. "Oh honey." She’d whispered, feeling the shudders passing through the long frame. For a frightening moment, she’d thought Xena was going to collapse, but the taller woman had drawn in a breath, and straightened, returning the hug gently.

"Thanks." The warrior had cleared her throat self consciously, and lifted the basket. "I’d better get back."

Cyrene had patted her side. "I’m glad you’re home." She’d replied simply. "Go get some sleep."

Xena had nodded and given her a half smile, and padded out the door, closing it tight behind her.

"Course she is." The ex merchant assured her. "She’s a tough kid, Cy…and you know, we’re going to have a couple of beautiful grandkids running around her shortly." He sighed wryly. "Thought I’d be well past being a granddad, I did."

She chuckled. "You can say that again." Cyrene turned back to the conversation, as Johan worked out the last few kinks in the ambitious plan. It had been a tough first couple of weeks, but things were settling down to normal again, and for that, she was overwhelmingly glad.

The cool water passed her lips, and carried with it a hint of the oak from the cup she was holding. Gabrielle surveyed the inn, and relaxed against the service bar, shifting a little as her belly pressed against the wood. Still not really used to that, huh? She ribbed herself. Better start.. it’s gonna only get worse from here.

Not that it had been bad so far, she had to admit, at least not for her. Granella, on the other hand.. she darted a glance at the young Amazon, who was a month further along that she was, and looked about twice that. She was sitting by the fire, talking to a tall, fur covered companion, the forest dweller Elaini, who was bouncing one of her furry babies on his butt over one knee, and enjoying his giggles. Gran was far more obviously pregnant that she was, with a huge, curving expanse under her ribs, and a layer of softness that had rounded her all over as well.

The bard had worried about that at first, since her own body seemed to be only grudgingly giving way to the growing life inside her, but Elaini had pulled her aside and told her she suspected Granella wasn’t carrying just one, and that, along with the fact that Gabrielle was more active and determined to keep her strength up, was what the difference was. "Believe me, little sister.. you’ll be glad of it in the end." The forest dweller had assured her, wryly.

Gabrielle closed her eyes, and exhaled, then opened them and drank in the familiar surroundings. It felt so good to be here…after the fear, and the horror…

Gabrielle had come so close to dying. And her soul had been riven on the choice between allowing her beloved soulmate to perish, killing the child she had brought into the world, and knowing that forfeiting her own life to prevent that would surely seem to Xena a far worse thing.

When it came down to it, she had put her trust in her partner’s courage, and surrendered to her fate, enduring that one, last look over Hope’s shoulder to meet terror, and understanding, and a soul rending grief in the blue eyes that were the last things she thought she’d ever see in the mortal world.

She’d hoped Xena would forgive her, someday, that was all. She’d felt the jolt of pain through their link, clinging to it until the darkness swallowed her up, in a nightmare of heat, and impact, and the smell of hot lava.

But she hadn’t died, and what had followed was a whirlwind of confusion, and pain, and waking up to know that weeks had passed, a long forever when she had no idea where Xena was, or what she was doing.. all she had known was that the warrior was alive, that much she could feel through the bond that linked their souls.

Alive, and in incredible pain, the grief echoing down that bond, and flooding over Gabrielle, until she could hardly think straight. It had only lessened at the very end, and muted, becoming shot through with anger, and impatience.. as the presence grew stronger and closer.

And then she’d gone to nearby Potadeia, on her way home to Amphipolis to wait for Xena. Finding herself wandering through woods known to her from childhood and turning a leafy green corner only to feel the sudden, eruptive, incredible surge of their connection as a dark body came at her, sword raised, yell reverberating.

Their eyes had locked.

And she had come home, at last, rejoining the person who meant more than life to her.

But it had been hard on both of them, and only now, two months later with their family surrounding them, was life starting to get back to normal. A month ago, Xena wouldn’t have considered leaving on this short trip to the south. She could hardly bear to be gone on a day’s hunting, her eyes anxiously searching the moment she returned to the village until they fell on Gabrielle’s face, and only then would a hint of a smile come as she relaxed.

Not that she would talk about it, the bard sighed inwardly. She’d teased her once about not being let out of the warrior’s sight, and Xena’s answer had stunned her into speechlessness. "I’m afraid if I close my eyes, when I open them, you’ll be gone." The warrior had said, with a wry, wistful smile. "Crazy, huh?"

Then the blue eyes had dropped, and Xena had played with the bit of wood in her hands self consciously, until Gabrielle walked over, and gently pulled her head down, kissing it and tucking her own against the dark locks. She knew better than to promise to never leave her like that again. Life was just too cruel to both of them for her to put her hurting soulmate into that kind of danger. It had taken her months to get over Xena’s dying, and that had only been less than a week. Xena had put herself through a long, torturous half crazed month, running from herself, from the past.. utterly alone in her grief.

It would take time, Gabrielle knew. And as her experience had changed her, this would change Xena, it only remained to see exactly how.

But things had slowly gotten better, and Xena had decided to take a run down south for a day or two, on some mysterious errand or other that probably had to do with baby stuff. Gabrielle had to chuckle to herself when she thought of her partner peacefully selecting blankets and toys.

In fact, she couldn’t decide which one of them was more excited the first time she felt the baby move. She had gripped Xena’s arm in alarm, but the warrior had laid a gentle hand on her belly, and they both had gasped when it moved again, then Xena had laid her cheek down and listened, her beautiful blue eyes lighting up as she swore she could hear the baby’s heartbeat. A happy, full grin had taken over her face for one of the very few times since they’d been home, and that, as much as the movement, had warmed the bard to her very soul.

Gabrielle smiled at the sweet memory, and wished her soulmate was back already, missing her presence more than she’d readily admit to, despite her sometimes frustrating overprotectiveness, which threatened to drive the bard half insane.

"Hey, Gabrielle!" Elaini called, waving her over. "C’mere and help me convince Gran, huh?"

The bard pushed away from the bar, and ambled over, seating herself in the chair next to her friends, and leaning back. "Okay.. sure.. what are we convincing her to do?" She replied amiably, taking a deeper breath, as she wistfully remembered her soulmate mentioning being short of breath all the time during her own pregnancy. Now she knew what she meant. It felt like she wasn’t breathing fast enough, or deep enough.. and she found herself almost getting lightheaded sometimes as her body struggled to get enough air. It was really annoying, and she had to be careful not to overdo it in front of Xena, who had, just the other day, insisted on carrying her back to the cabin in broad daylight, while half the village looked on in friendly amusement. Brat. Gabrielle had to smile though, remembering the wistful blue eyes, that melted her arguments like butter.

"I’m trying to convince her to let me figure how many she’s got in there." Elaini stated, waggling her furred and clawed fingers suggestively.

Gabrielle’s eyes widened, and she blinked at the claws. "Uh… " She saw the alarmed look on Gran’s face. "Just.. for.. um… well, just as an academic question.. how are you going to um… "

Elaini rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah.. I’m going to cut a hole in there and look." She snorted, then delicately laid her fingertips against the bard’s arm and closed her eyes. "I’m just going to See." She smiled and shifted her touch to the bard’s belly, extending her Sight. Gabrielle’s life force was very strong, golden warm and distinctive, and she had no trouble sensing it. Beyond that… ah… a tiny, bright pinpoint, silver hued in her Vision that was surely her growing child. She opened her eyes. "You’ve got one." She informed the bard, with a grin.

Gabrielle patted her belly. "Gods.. I hope so… if there was more than that, they’d be the size of walnuts." She chuckled wryly. "C’mon, Gran.. it’s better to know now… I mean, if it is twins, you gotta get two of everything."

The dark haired Amazon groaned. "He’s toast if it is." She growled. "One’s bad enough at a time.. what am I gonna do with two?"

"Pardon me if I don’t sympathize." Elaini, a mother of triplets remarked dryly. "Yours don’t have needle-like fangs and claws, let me just say that."

Both humans winced in pure reaction. "Ow." Granella covered her chest.

"Yeah, ow." Elaini agreed, with a chuckle. "How about it?"

"You should, Gran.. especially since that posse of Amazons are trooping up here in the next few days for the merchant fair.. they gotta know if they have to get doubles for you." Gabrielle teased gently.

A pained sigh. "Oh, all right."

Elaini grinned toothily, and put her hand over the rounded surface, closing her golden eyes and concentrating. "There’s one." She announced, then paused. "Hmm."

Granella and Gabrielle exchanged glances. "I don’t know about you, Gabrielle.. but ‘hmm’ is not on my list of happy words today." The Amazon growled, giving the forest dweller an evil look.

"There’s two." Elaini chuckled… "Ohh.. that’s a strong one…" The life force was a pulsing point of blue light, almost as strong as the one she’d felt from Gabrielle. "All nice and bluish."

"Centaur poop." Granella sighed. "I knew it.. he’s dead meat." She paused. "Blue?"

The forest dweller nodded. "Everyone’s more or less a different color.. Gabrielle here is a nice, buttery shade of golden yellow, for instance… you’re a lovely green.. My lifebond’s a goofy shade of orange… "

"What about Xena?" The bard asked, quietly.

"Silver.. like polished metal." Elaini responded promptly. "She’s very distinctive… there are only so many varieties, and they do get duplicated, but she’s the…" The forest dweller’s voice faltered a moment. "The only one I’ve seen that shade."

Gabrielle looked at her closely, but was prevented from questioning her further by a call from the watch outside. "Mm." A smile formed on her face when she heard the hunting hawk’s cry. "Xena’s back.. excuse me." She got up and made her way to the door, poking her head out and then slipping onto the porch, straining her eyes unapologetically towards the horizon.

The dawn painted the sky a feathery shade of pink, a dusting of rose over the mist which lay thick on the ground in the chill morning air.

Steady blue eyes greeted it, and Xena lifted her chin off her forearm where it had rested, as she leaned her head back, and cleared her mind of the drifting thoughts she’d allowed herself. Sleep.. had been problematical for a while, and in Gabrielle’s absence, nightmares inevitable. Without the faithful Ares here to guard her, it had seemed better to do without.

No sense in screams leading some brigand riff raff into her quiet dell, right? It was only a couple of nights, and she’d gone far longer than that without sleep before. She’d be home before lunchtime, and after that, coaxing her expecting soulmate into a nap wouldn’t be much of a problem.

The thought of being with her again brought a smile to the dark haired warrior’s face, and she got to her feet, stretching in the early morning light and startling Argo a bit. The mare snorted, then ambled over, nudging her in the chest and blowing soft, warm air against her belly. "Hey girl." Xena scratched the mare behind the ears, and rubbed her neck. "Time to go home, huh?"

Home. Her two months in Amphipolis had allowed a gentle healing, and she was looking forward to spending more time there, watching Gabrielle come closer and closer to the birth of.. Xena smiled quietly into Argo’s mane. Their child.

She combed the thick, silver hair, studying the patterns of light and darkness as the sun trickled through the leaves and speckled both of them.

Remembering that first, awful night, after she’d crept away from the pit, and found a hole in the rock to hide in, when the numbness wore off and every scent, every sound, even that of the silence ripped through her like knives.

She’d closed her eyes, and just prayed, and hoped, and pleaded, needing to hear the faintest scrape of a boot, the rasp of skin on fabric, a breath.. anything that would give lie to the truth her mind refused to accept.

That she was alone.

It was like being speared in the gut, the pain was so intense, and so real, and it just kept getting worse, until she curled up into a ball, and just lay there, hurting too much to even cry.

Only two things allowed her to keep her sanity. One, that Gabrielle would be hearing her thoughts, and she had no intention of tormenting her beloved soulmate. And two, that she’d understood her partner’s awful choice, and was, in a faint, horrible way, glad she was sparing Gabrielle from going through what she was right now.

A part of her wanted, craved… needed… to crawl back into that cave and dive into the pit after her. Only the darker part, the dull, gray soulless part of her knew better. Knew they weren’t going to the same place.

She’d lifted her head, her eyes falling on a silent, lonely leather bag, lashed onto her own, and the knowledge that she’d never hear its owner’s voice, or see those green eyes looking back at her again hit her.

She thought she remembered screaming, but she was never really sure, as her body convulsed again and again, slamming her head against the rocks until a merciful darkness took her.

And then she’d woken, in a very gray dawn, to the reality of a lonely emptiness that reduced her to helpless tears, her fists opening and closing loosely on bits of rock, crystalzing in the bleak knowledge that she had to find Gabrielle. To see her, if only for one last time, a need so great it overrode the pain, and forced her into a semblance of life until her search was over.

She’d learned two very important things, all those days alone and searching. She’d learned painfully, honestly… that she was capable of living without her soulmate. That her life had meaning beyond the two of them. That she was capable of doing good for good’s sake, and not because Gabrielle was there, to remind her of it.

And she’d learned that while possible, she never, ever wanted to do it again. Before this, it had been an academic question, a vow and a promise spoken from a true heart, but without the weight of experience behind it. It was easy to say ‘Even in death, I will never leave you’ without knowing what that truly meant.

Now she knew. As Gabrielle had known, when Xena had her turn at death. It was an almost peaceful feeling, really, to be able to say to the bard. "I know what it’s like to lose you, and I’m not going through that ever again." And have Gabrielle understand, because she’d been there herself. It made them equal, in a way.

"C’mon girl.. let’s get moving, huh?" She murmured to the patient mare, as she swung the saddle up and onto her back, tightening the cinch strap with expert hands. She’d left Argo’s saddle blanket on against the damp chill, and now had only to add the packages she’d obtained to the mare’s saddle straps, and carefully tamp out the fire before she started off. Even now, two months later, the memory of that pain haunted her, bringing with it a fear she had almost no defense against. It coiled in her gut, gnawing at her with a nagging fierceness she knew wouldn’t let up until she was back in Amphipolis, and her eyes drank in the sight of her living, breathing soulmate. "Time to get home, Argo." She whispered, seeing the golden ear flick back and forth.

The sun had risen over the treetops as she cantered easily down out of the mountains and onto the river road that lead to Amphipolis. She’d only been on it for a few candlemarks before she spotted a small group up ahead, moving in the same direction she was. "Let’s see, Argo." She stood in the stirrups, and sniffed the wind, blowing back to her. "Leather, feathers, and that godsawful pine scented soap.. must be Amazons."

She urged Argo forward, knowing any Amazons on this particular road, heading in that particular direction, were probably known to her.

Sure enough, as they heard Argo’s hoofbeats and turned the foremost among them raised a fist in greeting, which she returned. She reined in the mare, and brought her to a halt next to the small group. "Solari… good to see you." She kicked free of Argo’s stirrups and slid down from the mare’s tall back, extending an arm in greeting.

A genuine smile from the dark haired woman as she took it. "Hello, Xena.. good to see you, too…I’m bringing this next training bunch up now.. Pony’s right behind me with a trade wagon for the fair."

"Mother’ll be glad to hear that." Xena chuckled. "She terms your stuff.. intriguing and very…quaint." She glanced at the other Amazons, some of whom she knew by sight, but two of which were strangers to her.

"Oh.. sorry.. " Solari rolled her eyes. "My damn manners… you know Ellis, Lista, and Aileen, right?"

Xena nodded. "I remember… Aileen, how’s the kid?"

The young Amazon smiled shyly. "Growing like crazy.. Rena’s watching her while I come down here for a few weeks, but I miss her already."

Solari chuckled. "And this is Frendan, from our northern village, and Cesta, who just joined us from another tribe in the south."

Xena gave them both pleasant nods. Frendan was a tiny, worried looking woman, with gingery, curly hair and a workmanlike, sturdy build. Her companion was much taller, almost as tall as Xena was herself, and had a lithe, proudly muscular body along with rich, reddish brown hair and unusual dark gray eyes. "We’re not far from Amphipolis " The warrior stated. "I’ll join you."

They started walking. Solari fell in on Xena’s left side, and related the current goings on in the village. This was the third training group that had made their way in, as Xena fulfilled her promise to teach combat techniques over the long and wet winter. She’d enjoyed the other two classes, as they gave her practice she was otherwise neglecting, and kept her skills up without her having to talk herself into leaving Gabrielle’s side in the mornings or giving up her peaceful firelit evenings.

That suited her just fine. The kids learned something, she kept in shape, Gabrielle was happy. "So.. how’s Eph doing?" She asked, adjusting her hold on Argo’s bridle.

"Just great… let me tell you, having her settle down with Pony has done wonders for both of them… remind me to thank Gabrielle AGAIN for that when we get to Amph, huh?"

The warrior chuckled. "I will.. at least this winter hasn’t been the killer last one was… speaking of which, how’s our friend Paladia?"

Solari squinted up at the sun. "You can ask her yourself.. she’s coming down with Pony… some of the stuff we’ve got includes some nice paintings and sketching of hers." The Amazon eyed her mischievously. "One of em’s of you."

Xena’s brows shot up. "ME?"

"Yep." Solari grinned. "And boy, she nailed you, too." She poked the warrior in the ribs, then turned as Ellis asked her a question.

Xena just shook her head and sighed, then glanced over Argo’s neck and found Cesta looking back at her, the tall Amazon’s eyes appraising her thoughtfully. The warrior had the distinct impression she was being given the once over, and she sighed internally. She must be new here. "So." She felt Argo snort, and contemplated doing the same. "Where exactly in the south are you from?" Gabrielle had been bugging her to develop her conversational skills.. this seemed as good a time as any.

"Not so far south that we haven’t heard of the famous Warrior Princess." Cesta replied, with a frank grin.

Oh centaur poop. Xena just gave her a look. Argo, however, snorted in her behalf.

"I’ve been looking forward to meeting you… especially after the first two groups came back and raved about how much they’d learned." Cesta moved a little closer. "Everyone tells so many stories about you."

I coulda just kept riding. Xena examined Argo’s left ear intently. But no, I had to stop. "Well, most of the stories are half lies, and half exaggeration." She replied wryly. "I wouldn’t pay much attention to them if I were you."

The dark gray eyes roamed over her again. "Oh.. I doubt that."

Ah.. another one who likes muddy, sweaty fighters who haven’t slept or bathed in three days. Xena groaned silently, catching Solari’s eye with her own.

"Something wrong, Xena?" The dark haired Amazon inquired.

The warrior peered ahead, spotting the first outposts, and hearing a soft whistle go up. She whistled back, and smiled as a hawk’s cry followed it. "No.. no. .I’m fine… we’re almost home."

To the watching bard, the small cluster of approaching people seemed to start as a gray cloud, then slowly resolve itself into moving figures, chief amongst whom she spotted the tall, unmistakable bulk of her soulmate. And Argo, of course, who was pretty distinctive herself, being the only horse there.

A few more moments, and she recognized the figure to Xena’s left as Solari, which put a smile on her face, then a little while later two others became familiar. She didn’t recognize the other two though, which was surprising, not the tiny woman beside Solari, nor the tall redhead flanking Xena on the right hand side.

Body language was so interesting to read at a distance. Gabrielle reflected. Redhead was trying to get Xena’s attention, and had moved inside her soulmate’s personal comfort zone. The warrior kept edging Argo away, but the Amazon just moved closer again. Stupid, very stupid…Xena had very distinct ‘don’t mess with me vibes’ and people usually ignored them at their own peril.

Xena’s shoulder set and the way she had her head tilted indicated forced patience, though, and Gabrielle could see the faint movement as she played with Argo’s tack, the nervous movement typical of her when she was uncomfortable. Which meant she was trying her best to be ‘nice’. Probably because they were Amazons, and she knew her partner expected it of her, the bard realized, making a mental note to be extra nice to her soulmate for the effort.

Redhead touched and stroked Argo, leaning close to the horse and closer to her partner. Now Gabrielle’s hackles rose, as she took in the strangers sculpted body and flirtatious gestures, and realized the newcomer’s interest was more than friendly. She straightened, and moved a few steps forwards as the crowd of them crossed the entrance into the village, and starting making their way towards the inn.

They all surrounded Xena in a babbling group, and the redhead reached out to touch the warrior’s arm. Gabrielle saw the jerk as Xena reacted, then forced herself not to react and slug the woman. Why, that little…The irritated bard was about to storm down the steps when blue eyes turned her way, and their glances locked.

And all of a sudden, there wasn’t anyone else in that courtyard but her, and the tall, leather clad figure striding toward her, who had merely dropped Argo’s reins and said excuse me and simply left them all standing there. Who had eyes only for her.

Heh. Take that, Amazon. Gabrielle grinned. "Hey stranger." She got out before Xena gently scooped her up, and hugged her, wrapping long arms around her body and drawing her close, into a warm world smelling of horse, and sweat and earth, and the ever-present leather and spice that were natural to her soulmate. It was wonderful.

Lips found hers, and she tasted the sweet tang of apples on her partner’s breath, as she nibbled gently around and explored with her tongue. Take that, too. She smirked mentally. This is mine, and don’t you forget it.

She could have just stayed there forever, but a corner of her mind reminded her there were Amazons to tend to, and it was midday, and they were standing in front of the inn before the entire village. Reluctantly she broke off, and patted Xena’s chest. "We’re on mom’s porch, tiger."

"I know that." Xena was loathe to relinquish her hold. "I was born not a hundred bodylengths from here, remember?" She buried her face in Gabrielle’s hair for a moment. "I missed you." She added, very softly.

A gentle smile spread across the bard’s face, as she rubbed a soothing hand over her partner’s ribs. "I missed you too… did you get all the ‘stuff’ I wasn’t supposed to ask about out there?"

"Mmm." Xena bent her head to steal another kiss. "And I brought back something I didn’t go for.. some Amazons."

"I noticed… who’s the redhead who nearly got knocked into next week?"

"Newcomer from the south.. she’s got a thing for leather, apparently." Xena replied with a sigh.

"Mm.. does she know you’re taken?" The bard inquired, nibbling at a bit of the leather in question.

Xena chuckled, and straightened, slipping an arm across her soulmate’s shoulders as they turned to meet their guests. "I think she does now." She commented, seeing Solari’s exasperated expression and wryly rolling eyes.

"Hi guys." Gabrielle lifted a hand and waved at them.

"My Queen." Solari ducked her head, and saluted. "I brought another class up, and am here to tell you that the merchant train is about two days behind us on the way here."

"That’s great news, Soli… " Gabrielle ambled forward, complete with her large, leather and armor clad animated cloak. "It’s great to see you.. glad you guys could come over. I know Xena’s been having a great time with the classes. " She glanced up at her soulmate. "Right?"

"That’s right" The warrior agreed, amiably. "Solari, you can show them where we’ve set up the guest quarters…it’s too late today to start, so we’ll probably work out a schedule tomorrow morning."

"Gotcha." Solari nodded. "My Queen, these are two new members of the Nation… this is Frendan, from the northern borders, and Cesta, who joins us from a sister tribe in the south."

Gabrielle gave them both a smile. "Welcome…I’m glad to see you here."

Cesta stepped forward, and inclined her head slightly. "We have heard of you, Queen Gabrielle, in the south. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." Her gaze evaluated the shorter woman, and a brow lifted, just slightly.

"Thanks." The bard responded evenly. "Why don’t you get settled in, and plan on joining us for dinner? It’s usually just after sundown." She leaned against Xena, and tucked a proprietary hand across the warrior’s stomach, feeling the faint silent chuckle at her action.

"All right.. you heard the word.. let’s go." Solari ushered them off towards a low, barracks style building they’d put up for just that purpose. "See you two later."

"Later, Soli." Xena lifted a hand and let it drop.

They watched them leave, then turned to each other. Xena stroked her partner’s cheek gently. "How’s everything?"

The bard laughed softly. ‘Xena, you’ve only been gone for two days… did you expect massive changes?" She teased. "The baby’s moving around more, I will say that.." Her hand dropped to her belly, and so did the warrior’s. "Missed you too, I think… my singing’s not nearly as nice as yours."

Xena grinned, then let out a breath. "I’m gonna go get cleaned up.. I had to slog through mud up to my knees most of the way back…. Glad you had that commitment to meet with those merchants and didn’t have to suffer through that."

"Nah.. we would have found some way to have fun with it." The bard cheerfully disagreed, as she slipped her arm back around her partner’s waist, and tugged her towards their cabin. "I almost canceled that meeting… it was a dinar toss as to whether you’d have looked up as you hit the river road and found me trotting behind you."

The cabin had changed a little since they’d been back. Xena had taken time to build on a solid, well caulked bathing room with its own tiny fireplace, insisting her soulmate had to have a nice, warm, secure place to take a bath. Which of course also accounted for the large, well built tub, complete with an easy to get into set of steps which followed. Gabrielle had considered protesting, but then figured she must be nuts to, since it was a gorgeous bathtub, and a very comfortable little addition. There was, she realized, a point where resisting was just plain goofy.

A new set of drawers had been added against the back wall, already partially filled with little blankets and booties from the village knitting and weaving circles. Gabrielle had been touched by the offers, especially since she was no seamstress herself, and figured she wouldn’t have to worry about clothing the child for quite a while.

Xena prudently had designed hooks for her armor, raising it high above the floor along with her weapons, as her concession to babyproofing, which had Gabrielle giggling no end. "Xena… the baby’s going to take six months just to learn to crawl.. I don’t think it’ll be picking up your leg armor any time soon." She’d teased her partner.

"No sense in taking chances." Had come her soulmate’s stubborn response. "Those things have sharp edges."

Paladia’s portrait of the panther and the fox sat above the fireplace, and Xena had built a little area near the fire, with a smooth, sloped desktop and a well for her ink for her to write in, with a gorgeous, padded chair, since curling up on the rug before the fire wasn’t going to be an option for a while.

And it wasn’t like the two months had been totally peaceful either.. they’d interceded in a clan squabble just after they got home, rescued two villages from flooding, stopped a warlord who had entered the area with the mistaken notion that Amphipolis was free for the taking, and stood up to a petty prince who was looking to add the local villages to his fiefdom, and take tribute from them.

All in all, a pretty active two months, and there hadn’t been a peep out of Xena over her participating in everything. Well, almost. After they’d gotten a few things about that worked out between them, that is.

Gabrielle watched the taller woman unhook her cape and stow it, then start on the muddy leather and armor which encased her body. With a warm familiarity, she sidled over and started unbuckling straps, letting her fingers trace the surface below them before moving on to the next one. "Gran’s carrying twins." She commented, as she ducked under Xena’s left arm to get the buckle there.

"Figured" The warrior lifted her now free armor over her head and set it down. "Boy, does that ever need cleaning." She muttered. "She’s gonna kill Toris."

Gabrielle grinned, and started on the lacing that held her right bracer on. "I don’t think he’s heard yet.. but considering how huge she is.. it wasn’t a hard guess." She looked up at Xena’s face, watching the dark brows knit in concentration as the warrior tried to unlace her other bracer. "Elaini confirmed I’ve only got the one."

Xena glanced down and smiled, dropping her arm band to the floor and gently tracing the soft swelling under her partner’s ribcage. "Did she now?"

"Mm… she.. .I guess she can just… she sensed its life force, I think… like they can everyone’s. That’s how she knew Gran had two.. she could sense that, I guess." She shook her head a little. "I can’t imagine what that must be like…" She looked up "I mean, I know how it feels with you… but that’s not nearly what it is for them, is it? They can do a lot more.. see a lot more, right?"

The warrior nodded. "I think so.. yes… from what Jess describes.. it’s almost like another sense, like hearing, or smelling.. for them it’s like that." She tugged off her other armband then loosened the laces on her leathers and moved off towards the bathing room with Gabrielle still wrapped around her. "He should be back any day.. I had no idea his people had a small tribe up to the west of here… strange that I never heard a peep of anyone seeing them in all these years."

Gabrielle thought about that as she helped her soulmate fill the tub, watching in wry amusement as Xena bit her tongue to keep herself from warning the bard to be careful lifting the buckets of water. She’s being so good.. She set the last bucket down, and went over, slipping her arms around the warrior and hugging her gently. "Thanks."

Blue eyes blinked puzzledly at her. "Um.. did I do something?" Xena hazarded, uncertainly.

"You didn’t do something.. you didn’t nag me about helping with the water." Gabrielle answered, resting her chin on her soulmate’s chest. "I know it’s hard for you not to." That had been the kernel of several sharp arguments between them, and she knew the taller woman was trying to avoid a repeat of the last one.

"Mm.." Xena’s brows quirked. "You’re gonna get away with it for about another month and a half, and after that, my bard, no matter how much you fight with me, you are not going to be doing things like that." She warned.

"Oh.. so I have two and a half months of enforced coddling to look forward to?" Gabrielle inquired, but with a smile. "considering it could have been nine, I guess I’ll have to accept that." She knew at that point, she’d probably be ready for some, despite her determined effort to remain very active. It was already getting hard to work with her staff, and her constantly shifting balance was sort of driving her crazy.

Xena turned and leaned against the tub, tangling her fingers in Gabrielle’s hair. "Is that a surrender?" She asked, quietly

The bard snuggled up against her, and tucked her head into the hollow of the warrior’s shoulder. "Yes." She stood there in quiet peace for a moment, then patted the leather surface. "C’mon…get in there. If we’ve got to entertain Amazons tonight, I want you to myself until dinner."

Xena had to smile. The possessive assertiveness was a relatively new development.. not one that really bothered her, but it had been a bit of a surprise after they’d gotten back home. She suspected it might have something to do with the pregnancy, or maybe their recent experiences triggered it.. but having Gabrielle so firmly claim her was a definitely unusual experience for the infamous Warrior Princess. "No complaints from me." She replied mildly, as she loosed the straps of her leathers and tugged them off, then lowered herself into the water with a sigh.

"Gods, Xena.. and you say I get mud in weird places?" Gabrielle shook her head and handed the warrior a bar of fragrant soap.

Xena glanced down, to see the pattern of laces among other things imprinted on her body. "Well.. " She laughed, scrubbing at the marks with the soap. "Not as bad as when you had the fabric design from your top all over you in red clay."

"Tch.. you love mud and you know it… you stomp in puddles, Xena.. I’ve seen you do it." Gabrielle scrubbed at a mark with a linen cloth, running it down her partner’s winter paled skin and across the faint, faded scars that marked her body. Their sojourn at home had allowed her soulmate to recover strength sapped by their dual ordeal but she still had a ways to go yet before bouncing all the way back. She’d been almost at the end of her reserves when they’d rejoined each other, and it had been all Gabrielle could do not to break down in tears seeing what the mental anguish of their separation had done to her soulmate.

She’d been… well, shocked wasn’t a strong enough word for what she’d been when Xena had haltingly, reluctantly told her of the path she’d taken, trying desperately to get back to her. Hearing about the Amazons had been very hard. But she’d felt very proud that Xena had put aside her own desires, and helped them, had given back a tiny portion of what she’d taken from them all those years ago.

Gabrielle would have liked to have met Cyane. She’d thought a lot about Xena having killed all those Amazon leaders…in single combat. No wonder Velaska had seemed to admire her.. had called her a ‘true Amazon’ after she’d.. died. It was hard for her to accept.. and reconcile herself to the fact that the person who meant the most to her in the world was capable of doing something like.. but she wasn’t sure she had a choice.

Xena had, in fact, done it. The state of the Amazon nation in the current day proved that. As an Amazon herself, she should be horrified, to say the least.

But.. this was her soulmate. And no matter how hard she tried, when those trusting blue eyes looked up at her, she simply couldn’t see a monster in there. That was the magic of love, she supposed. Because Xena had laid herself so open now, had stripped herself so bare of any defenses regarding Gabrielle, that she knew she held a power over her like no other person ever had.

She could take revenge for the Amazons. She could cause Xena the anguish, and agony those leaders surely felt when their lives were taken from them, and the long years of decline that followed.

She could.

And destroy herself in the process.

She wasn’t sure what she believed in anymore.. the gods had betrayed her so many times they weren’t even an option she thought about, and she felt that somewhere, somehow, there was a path that led to a better place, it was just a matter of finding it.

It was strange, and frightening, but one thing she did know. Whatever path that was, wherever she had to go to find it, she wanted Xena to be on it with her, because whatever eternity she found would be way too long without her.

"Dinar for your thoughts?" Xena’s deep voice prodded her gently.

"Just thinking… in a weird way, I was really glad you had to stop and help the Amazons, Xena." The bard replied, reaching around and scrubbing her partner’s muscular back. "I mean.. what would you have done if you went through the Gates of Eternity, and I hadn’t been there?"

A pensive silence, broken by the trickle of water as Xena washed her wrist. "I would have kept looking." She finally said, softly. "I would have found a way to get to wherever you were."

Gabrielle smiled a little in acknowledgement. "Yes, you would have, wouldn’t you?" She rubbed the back of the warrior’s neck then leaned over and planted a kiss there.

"Would you have been glad to see me?" Xena’s voice had gone very quiet.

The question came from around a totally blind corner and slapped Gabrielle in the face hard. "What?" She edged around to see Xena’s face, her own a study in disbelief. "What kind of bizarre question is that?"

The warrior pulled her knees up and put her arms around them. "I followed someone.. a friend.. into the Land of the Dead once before… and they hated me there… they told me how I’d corrupted their soul." She stated quietly, the glanced up into Gabrielle’s face and gave her a tiny shrug. "I’d only known her a month."

"After all we’ve been through, how could you even ask me that?" The bard whispered.

"After all we’ve been through, how could I not ask you that?" Her soulmate countered, with aching honesty.

They stared at each other in silence, then Gabrielle loosened her hold on the washcloth and put both hands on either side of Xena’s face, staring into her eyes intently. "Yes. I would have been glad to see you." She replied softly. "I would have seen you come through that gate, and been there waiting, and thrown my arms around you, and thanked any gods that happened to be listening." A pause. "Yes."

Xena’s jaw shook under her touch, and the warrior looked down, unable to answer.

Gabrielle pulled her closer and kissed her head, rubbing a hand down her back comfortingly. "I love you… please don’t ever forget that." She murmured in the pink ear closest to her.

It took a moment, but Xena nodded against her and cleared her throat. "I know… and I love you too."

Gabrielle kissed her head again. "Oh, I certainly do know that." She reassured the taller woman. "C’mon.. before you turn into a raisin."

Pause. "Dried grape." Xena replied faintly, then she shifted, and put her hands on either side of the tub, pushing upward and lifting her body over the side to stand next to Gabrielle, who took a piece of linen and started to dry her off. "Sorry about that."

"It’s all right." Gabrielle kissed her bare chest. They’d both had moments like these since it happened, though thankfully they were growing much rarer. "Did you get lunch?"

"No… I got Amazons." The warrior quipped faintly, glad of the change of subject. "Argo and I snacked on the trail this morning." They walked back into the main room, and Xena slipped into a thick linen tunic, pulling the sleeves down and clasping the belt over the shirt and warm leggings she added to it. "Did you get lunch?" Her brows lifted along with her spirits.

The bard crossed the room and picked up a tray of flatbread, cheese, and dried meats, and brought it with her, snagging her soulmate on the way to the fireplace. "C’mon.. sit down, and let’s share.. I’ll tell you what your mother’s been up to."

Xena willingly allowed herself to be lead, glad to be home and curled up with her partner on their comfortable couch, listening to plans for the fair. "An overall tax is a good idea." She took a bite of bread and cheese, and chewed it.

"Thanks." Gabrielle mumbled, around her own mouthful. "I thought it sounded like a good idea… otherwise all those little quarter dinars here, half dinars there… it’s so disorganized." She took a nibble of dried fig and swallowed. "How’d your trip go? Any trouble?"

"Nah." Xena shook her head. "Met up with a bunch of guys that used to fight in my army… but I only had to hit one of them, so that went okay." She finished one sandwich and started on another, surprised at how hungry she was. "Mm… this new cheese mom got in?"

Gabrielle snuggled a little closer, and broke off a piece, tasting it. "Yeah.. she said you liked it." The bard commented. "It’s tasty." She watched her partner scarf down another slab of it, then handed her a cup of cider. "Here.. try not to choke, okay?" She grinned at the abashed look. "No one’s chasing you."

Xena swallowed her cider, then gave the bard a mock scowl. "Who’d dare?" She inquired archly, touching a fingertip to Gabrielle’s nose. "Besides you, that is."

The bard caught her finger between neat, white teeth and sucked on it for a moment, wiggling her eyebrows. Then she released her hold. "Your redheaded friend, for one." She replied, with a disgusted look. "Who does she think she is, anyway?" Gabrielle scowled. "I gotta have a talk with Eponin.. what in the blazes are they teaching these days?"

Xena studied her discontented companion with wry amusement, then put her arms around her. The blond woman was obviously jealous of the tall Amazon’s attentions, even though she knew damn well Xena had eyes for no one but her, and that was just… very endearing. "Think of the kidding she’s going to get back at the village." She commented, nuzzling her soulmate’s neck. "I think everyone else there pretty much knows exactly who.. " She nipped the soft skin and felt the goosebumps travel down the silent bard’s neck. "Owns every single bit of my heart." The warrior said the last words in a raspy whisper, breathing in Gabrielle’s scent dreamily.

Gabrielle let the words wrap around her. "Yeah?" She tilted her head back, gazing up into Xena’s pale blue eyes with a faint smile. "You think so, huh?"

"I know so." The warrior replied seriously. "My queen."

That always brought a shiver down Gabrielle’s spine, and this time was no exception. "I think you’re right." She acknowledged softly. "My champion." She smiled at the little sparkle that flared at that. "I bet Solari’s poking at her right now." She added, sliding a hand across the warrior’s chest and leaning against her.

Xena remained quiet for a moment. "Nap time?" She asked, seeing the stifled yawn.

Damn. Gabrielle could feel her body making its wishes known, and she considered fighting against it, knowing she had about a dozen things to do. "No… I just…"

"I could use one." The warrior stated blandly.

In pure reflex, Gabrielle lifted a hand and felt her partner’s forehead. "What?"

Xena sighed. "I didn’t sleep last night…it’s been a long two days riding… " She shrugged, almost smiling at her slack jawed soulmate. "C’mon, Gabrielle.. I’m not a total idiot about that." Long pause, as the bard goggled at her. "Am I?"

"Yes, honey.. you most certainly usually are." Gabrielle finally spluttered, with a gentle laugh. "C’mon, then….I really need one too, I just have so much to take care of." She stood carefully, and drew Xena up with her, then led her soulmate to the large, comfortable bed and crawled into it, delighted when the warrior willingly followed her. She waited for Xena to settle onto her side, then she curled up against the taller woman’s body, letting out a soft sigh as she felt Xena’s arms wrap around her. "Mm…. " A cool breeze was coming in the window, and the warrior tugged the quilt up over both of them. "How come you didn’t sleep last night?" Gabrielle asked, turning her head a little to gaze up. "Was there trouble?"

Xena’s eyes were already half closed. "No." She admitted, after a moment. "I just couldn’t sleep." She let her eyelids slide shut, hoping that would end the conversation.

This was Gabrielle, though, and she should have known better. A hand gently cupped her cheek, and she reopened her eyes with a silent sigh. "Xena, I’m sorry." The bard whispered.

A moment passed. "You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, my bard." Xena told her, firmly. "Certainly not for a little insomnia." She just as firmly shut her eyes.

Better that way, not to see those pale, green eyes looking back at her, in bleak understanding.

Cyrene leaned against the door for a moment, surveying the inside of the inn. It was mostly full, and she could hear the sounds of normal conversation rising and falling, which indicated all was well. She noticed the new Amazons, and wondered if her daughters were going to join them for dinner.

As if on cue, the door to the inn slipped open, allowing a cold, damp draft in along with Xena’s unmistakable form. The warrior turned towards the kitchen as she entered, spotting her mother and giving her a mildly sheepish grin. "Hello, mother." She held the door open for Gabrielle who poked her fair head around her partner’s broad shoulder, and waved.

"Well." Cyrene debated whether or not to be annoyed her daughter hadn’t so much as said hello when she’d arrived, then sighed as she read the slightly dazed look of recent sleep that Xena still wore. "Glad you’re home, honey… everything work out okay?"

"Yep.. just great." Xena assured her. "Toris back?"

"Not yet.. he thought the trip with Jessan would be just a few days… it’s been almost a week, I hope they didn’t run into any trouble."

"Elaini’d know if they did." Gabrielle reassured her. "They probably got sidetracked somewhere… I’m sure they’ll be back soon." She paused. "If not.. we’ll go find them." She shot a glance up at her partner, who simply nodded.

"I know." Cyrene smiled at her. "Cutie, I’ve got those blackberry tarts for you tonight."

Gabrielle’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

Xena put on a hurt expression. "Only for her, huh? I see where I rate."

Gabrielle slipped an arm around her and gave her a little pat on the belly. "Don’t worry.. I’ll give you.. one." She leaned against her. "Maybe."

"Gee, thanks." The tall warrior rolled her eyes. "C’mon.. let’s go play with your Amazons."

"All right.. " The bard replied, tucking an arm into the crook of her elbow. "But if that redhead touches you again, I’m going to whack her one with a breadstick."

Xena chuckled softly and put an arm around her. "Easy there, slugger." She ran a hand through her hair as they moved across the floor together, trying to shake some alertness back into her sleep fogged body, and returned the nods and greetings of their friends.

"So, that’s the famous Queen, huh?" Cesta leaned over and observed the two women who had just entered.

"Yep." Solari agreed, sipping at a cup of mulled cider. "That’s her."

"Doesn’t look like much." The woman commented, taking in the worn shirt, and scuffed boots the bard was wearing.

Solari put her cup down. "Listen. " She sniffed reflectively. "I’m only gonna say this once, so pay attention." She leaned closer. "Don’t say poop like that around here, okay? And don’t judge people by the clothes they wear.. that’s one real life, bona fide one hundred percent Amazon Queen over there, who has a temper you would not believe, and the muscle to back it up."

Cesta regarded the subject of the conversation. "You’re joking, right?"

Solari shook her head. "Don’t let that sweet smile fool you." She watched Gabrielle hug her cloaked soulmate. "She can outwrestle Ephiny, and she kicked everyone’s butt at the last festival with a quarterstaff. She’s the real thing, Cesta…just because she doesn’t wear a sword strapped to her back like tall, dark and deadly over there doesn’t mean she isn’t dangerous, in her own way."

"Hmm.. wouldn’t have guessed it." Cesta commented mildly. "They’re certainly an odd pair."

Solari gave her a look. "Don’t start." She warned. "Let me tell ya, Gabrielle does not take kindly to anyone putting a come hither on those baby blues."

The red haired woman looked back at her. "I’m not starting anything.. much." She smiled easily. "C’mon, Soli…it’s not like I haven’t sat around the fire for weeks listening to you women lust over Xena… I’m just honest enough to step forward an do something about it."

"Listen." Solari grabbed her elbow. "Don’t play games like that.. I’m warning you.. those two are like this." She crossed her fingers. "You’re asking for trouble."

"Shh.. " Cesta patted her arm. "Relax… I don’t want to break them up.. Artemis knows, I’m no homebreaker, I just figure there’s no way one little blond can keep someone like her satisfied, and a little extra’s all I’m looking for." A shrug. "Besides, she’s pregnant.. it puts you outta the mood, you know?"

Solari sighed. "No.. I don’t.. but from all I’ve been able to tell, Xena’s pretty happy with what she’s got.. I wouldn’t go poking around in that nest, if I were you." She looked up as Xena and Gabrielle arrived. "Hi guys."

They seated themselves and Gabrielle leaned forward and inquired about doings with the Amazons, while servers set down tankers and plates for everyone. "Did you guys get that big storm that went through here about a half a moon back?" The bard asked. "It was amazing…the wind pulled part of the barn roof off, and Xena had to go chasing down the horses who got scared silly and broke out."

"We did, but it wasn’t that bad, since we’re so far upland." Lista said, shyly. "It was windy, though.. one of the lookout posts got blown completely out of its tree."

Xena had taken a sip from her mug and considered that. "Anyone in it?" She inquired idly, flexing her other hand which was sore from a kick the previous week.

Lista giggled. "Oh yes…." She blushed a little. "But the um… " She covered her face and just laughed.

Gabrielle caught a motion out of the corner of her eye and reached over, curling warm fingers around her partner’s hand and gently rubbing it, easing the stiffness she could feel under her touch. She felt a squeeze in response, and she smiled as she turned to Solari.. "Well?"

Solari was also chuckling. "Well, it was a cold and stormy night.. the two lookouts, with reason, felt that no one in their right mind would be wandering around in the forest in the middle of the night in that weather.. so they’d taken the time to um.." She waggled her hand. "You know."

Xena leaned forward. "They didn’t notice a wind storm was pulling their outpost apart?" She asked, with a slight grin. "I can’t believe anyone could be that distracting."

Gabrielle rubbed her nose. "Oh, I don’t know about that." She muttered, then glanced up at the sudden laughter and blushed, but didn’t retract the statement. She gave Xena an impish smile instead, and a tiny, helpless shrug.

The warrior blushed herself, almost invisibly in the darkened interior of the inn, reaching over and ruffling her partner’s fair hair. "Always looking out for my reputation, eh?" She asked wryly.

Green eyes met ice blue. "Always." The bard replied softly, in an affectionate tone. Gabrielle paused, then went on. "After all, someone has to do it, right?" She was aware of the newcomer watching them with languid, interested eyes, and she turned her head, to meet them squarely. "So, Cesta… tell us about the south. I don’t think we’ve ever met any Amazons down that way."

The redhead was slightly startled, but amiably cleared her throat and began a description of her home village. She had apparently apprenticed as a bowyer, but the tribe already had four, and she had little opportunity to practice her craft. Hearing that the upland tribes were in search of craftswomen, she decided to make a move.

It sounded logical, Gabrielle considered, noting her callused hands, which she used a little in her speech much like the bard herself did. The woman seemed friendly enough, and had a natural beauty that was quite striking, down to the tiny dusting of freckles that lay across her well shaped nose. Her wavy hair shone in the firelight, and she had a fluid way of moving that laid testament to a very active lifestyle. She was seemingly very nice, and willing to work her trade in the service of the Nation, and seemed glad to be a part of it.

Gabrielle didn’t like her.

The bard sighed, as Solari prodded Frendan for a description of her home territory just to keep the ball rolling. Okay, do I not like her because it’s this deep, mystical instinct that Xena keeps telling me I have to develop, or do I not like her because she was hitting on my partner?

Jealousy was something she knew she was capable of, but after all, the woman was new to the group, and to be totally honest, Xena was something of an attraction. She let her eyes slide to her partner’s half shadowed face, drinking in the familiar planes with a half smile. Oh yeah… it’s harmless, Gabrielle.. it’s good for her ego, and it doesn’t hurt you, so lay off, and chill out.

Another sigh. Maybe if she wasn’t so damn good looking, I wouldn’t care…and that does Xena such an injustice.

"Hey." A gentle elbow nudged her, and she lifted her eyes, to see her soulmate’s inquiring look. "You go off somewhere?"

Gabrielle smiled and patted her hand. "Just thinking.. from what Solari tells us, that train coming down is going to be the hit of the merchant’s fair… I can’t wait to see those pictures of Paladia’s."

Xena winced. "You’re not going to get the one of me." She stated, firmly.

"Oh yes I am." The bard laughed, shaking a finger at her.

"Solari.. I can’t believe you told her about that." Xena glared accusingly at the dark haired Amazon, who gave her a toothy grin in response. The warrior sighed, then shook her head in mock disgust. "Is Cait coming down with them?"

"Are you kidding?" Lista giggled. "Like you could separate those two." She leaned forward. "You know…I have to tell you, Queen Gabrielle, when you sent Paladia back to the village, most of us thought it was a horrible idea. But now that we’ve all gotten a chance to get to know her, she’s not so bad."

Gabrielle smiled at her. "Actually, that was Ephiny’s decision… and it was hard for her to make, but I think it was the right one. I know it’s hard to get past what she did, but I really felt there was someone worthwhile under all that nastiness." She deliberately didn’t look at her partner when she said it, though everyone else darted quick looks at the warrior. "I’m glad things worked out."

Xena just let a half grin surface, and reached over, scratching the bard’s neck gently." She’s got a talent for that kind of thing." She drawled, self mockingly, acknowledging the similarities. "Too bad Eph can’t make it down.. I heard Xenon was sick?"

Solari nodded. "Yeah.. it’s not…well, he’s got a sensitive stomach, and he’s having trouble digesting the winter fodder this year, so Eph’s got him up at the village, and she’s been trying all kinds of combinations with him… his favorite so far is shredded winter carrots and honey. "

The server came with a platter of sliced meats and roasted vegetables, and set it down, stopping conversation for while.

Gabrielle was glad to make the return trip to their cabin tucked under Xena’s cloak, reveling in the warmth of her partner’s body as they made their way across frost hardened ground. "Nice bunch." She commented, stifling a yawn. "You going to start them with sword work tomorrow? "

"Haven’t decided." Xena replied absently. "Maybe.. or maybe hand to hand.. depends on how I feel tomorrow."

I’m sure hand to hand would be very popular. Gabrielle didn’t vocalize the tart suggestion, but she felt a gentle rub on her shoulder anyway. "Wish I could join in for parts of it." She said quietly. "I miss going full out with you."

Blue eyes studied her unseen. "I miss that too." The warrior admitted. "Couple more months, though… then you can wrestle with me all you want."

"Yeah." Now the bitterness came out, and Gabrielle felt unable to stop it. "If I have any energy left at the end of the day… I just.. "

"Hey.. " Xena stopped walking, and faced her, resting her forearms on Gabrielle’s shoulders. "You will…it’s not like you’re going to do it alone, Gabrielle, remember?"

A moments silence, then the bard leaned against her, and sighed. "I’m sorry…I’m just.. I feel like I’m constantly trying to find a level surface, and everything keeps moving.. things are getting harder.. I feel like I’m losing a part of myself." She paused. "I won’t even be able to hug you soon." She felt irrational tears sting her eyes.

Uh oh. Xena rapidly sorted through her available options, then gently scooped her partner up, cradling her easily in her arms, and gazing down at her moonlit face. "No problem." She reassured the bard with a smile. "We can improvise." She pulled Gabrielle closer and kissed her. "You have no idea how creative I can be."

Gabrielle felt a band around her chest loosen, and she slipped her arms around her soulmate’s neck, looking up at her affectionately. "How come for someone who claims not to be into the word thing, you always know what to say?" She laid her cheek against Xena’s shoulder. "Sorry to be so whiney." She added quietly. "I guess I spent too much time listening to the women in the knitting circle all complaining."

"They.. are not joined to me." Xena stated firmly, cocking an eyebrow and starting to walk the short distance to the cabin. She walked up onto the porch and elbowed the door open, ducking inside and waiting for Ares to enter behind her before she kicked the door shut. Then she crossed the room and settled onto the bed, still holding on to the quiet bard. "Is that what you really think, Gabrielle? That I’m going to leave you to take care of the baby, while I go off and do things?"

Her soulmate was silent for a moment, then she just buried her face into Xena’s shoulder. She remembered, all too clearly, when this kind of honesty between them would have been… impossible. "I think it’s that pregnant woman losing their mind syndrome we talked about." She managed a smile for the anxiously watching warrior. "No.. I know better than that…Hades, Xena.. you know better than that.. you know me better than to think I’d go along with that little scenario."

Xena looked relieved. "I was gonna say." The warrior smiled, then freed one hand and gently stroked the smaller woman’s face, tangling her fingers in the soft fair hair. "I didn’t even consider thinking about trying to get away with that for even a minute… Gabrielle, I want to be a part of this with you."

"Even the ucky parts?" But the bard’s eyes twinkled a little.

Xena snorted softly. "Horse poop, wolf poop, chicken poop, baby poop…" She lifted a hand and raised her eyebrows. "Just think of what Ephiny went through."

Gabrielle thought about it. "Oh…centaur p…"

A grin. "Exactly."

The bard laughed, then snuggled closer, smoothing a hand over Xena’s tunic and playing with her laces. "Thanks." She glanced up. "Thanks for being here for me when I lose my grip."

"Hey.. that’s what friends are for, right?" Xena leaned over and kissed her forehead, then moved down a few inches.

"Mm… that’s not what friends are for." Gabrielle slid a hand up around the warrior’s neck and pulled her down again after they parted. "Or that either." She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Xena’s lips nibbling at her throat. "I don’t know whether it’s the pregnancy or not.. but everything seems more in… ah….whoa."

"What was that?" The warrior rumbled in her ear, nipping the lobe gently.

"Intense." Gabrielle squeaked, her voice cracking. "Gods.. Xena.. you’re still in your cloak… "

"Guess you’ll have to find a way to get me out of it." The warrior purred, relaxing down onto her side and taking her partner with it. "You make it too easy with these nice, loose shirts." She demonstrated, slipping a hand under the fabric and letting her touch wander across sensitive skin.

Gabrielle knew she didn’t really need the reassurance. Really. But it was nice to get anyway. And Xena was right… she was very inventive.

Once again, the rising sun was met by patient, pale blue eyes, which watched it trickle in over the windowsill in the cabin, and paint gentle stripes across the wooden floor.

This time, again, it was by choice. Xena had developed almost a haunting need to spend at least a little time in the morning, just looking at Gabrielle.. just being with her, there in the peace of their home. Ares was curled up at the foot of the bed, and the warrior was flat on her back, with her soulmate curled up against her.

The bard’s growing belly was making it hard for her to get into her regular spot, so Xena usually compensated by half turning onto her side and wrapping her arms around her smaller partner, cradling her gently throughout the night. However, this morning they were still in the position they’d ended up before they fell asleep, with Gabrielle pretty much draped completely over her, arms tight around her in a fierce hug.

The sunlight crept up the bed and spilled across them, catching Gabrielle’s pale hair in a wash of golden red, and highlighting the soft down that covered her face. The pregnancy had softened her features a little as her body started taking on the reserves she’d need to allow her baby to grow properly, but to Xena’s watching eyes, she had never seemed so beautiful.. and every day that brought them both closer to the birth only made that more so.

The quiet morning peace reminded her of that first, awful, wonderful morning after she’d found Gabrielle again.. after they’d left Potadeia and were on their own, alone at last in a quiet forest glade, when after all that time, she’d woken up from the aching, haunting dream of remembered love, to find it real again.

It had been dark, her body stirring nervously in the pre dawn as it had for a month, and she’d kept her eyes tightly shut, as she felt the warm figure nestled against her.

Her heart had pounded so fast, it had given her a headache, and she sat, torn between hope and despair, between holding tightly to her dream, or opening her eyes, to find only the emptiness of reality.

But the warmth hadn’t vanished, the solid heartbeat beneath her hands hadn’t faltered, and she’d slowly opened her eyes. To see pale hair reflecting the dim glow from the fire, and a pale cheek resting against her shoulder.

At last.

She’d broken down helplessly, and the startled, sleepy Gabrielle had held onto her, whispering gentle reassurances for a long time. Reminding Xena of her own reaction the morning after Xena had returned to her, which had been as intensely relieved, when the warrior had expressed embarrassment over her lack of composure.

But every morning after that had gotten a little better, until now… now, she woke in peace, bathed in Gabrielle’s familiar affection.

As to how the bard had survived… Xena felt, deep down, that there had been godly intervention in that… a favor granted to her that would have to be repaid at a later date. She had discussed it once or twice with the bard, who wondered if Hope herself hadn’t done something.. or Dahok… but their purpose always had been to separate the two of them…to force them apart.

It made sense, then, that Hope had gone to Potadeia. In her mind, she could portray her mother, and turn them against the warrior, then turn against her herself, bringing Xena down with the one weapon she knew could destroy her.

It might have even worked… except for their bond. Except that Xena had known, in that first interaction and even after all that time apart, that this wasn’t Gabrielle.

Just like she’d known in one split second look into mist green eyes, when it was. She smiled just thinking about that moment, when her entire world had changed, admitting color and light into what had been a gray, dull existence.

And then she smiled again, as the soft skin under her hand moved a little, the baby tumbling, or swimming, or perhaps just stretching in the morning like anyone else. She paused expectantly, then felt it again, and grinned in the sunlight now pouring over them.

"What.. is .. that… incredible smile for?" Gabrielle’s sleepy voice asked, as the bard ran a lazy finger up her partner’s side.

"You." Xena replied. "And our bouncing baby." She patted the bard’s belly.

"Mm." Gabrielle let her hand gently trace the curve. "Boy or girl, what do you think?"

It was an often asked question, without any real answer.

"I think.. maybe a girl." Xena replied, surprising her soulmate. "Just from the way you’re carrying." She pressed gently on the bard’s side, then on the bottom of the curved surface. "Let me know if that hurts you, okay?"

The bard rolled onto her back, submitting to the examination with sleepy contentedness. "Like I’d have to.. you know almost as soon as I do." She lifted a hand and ran it over Xena’s skin, tracing the ridges and slopes, and finally giving her a little pat. Only now, after two months of relative peace, was Cyrene’s kitchen finally starting to gain a foothold on her soulmate’s tall frame, and the bard was relieved to not be seeing deep hollows between her ribs any more.

Relieved that she was sleeping through the night finally, as well. "A girl, huh?" The bard smiled at her. "You know, I’ve kinda got that feeling too." She rolled over as Xena finished her exam, and reached for a small jar on the night table. "Oo… time to be basted?" She joked wryly.

Xena chuckled, and smeared a bit of the cream in the jar on her fingertips, then smoothed it over the taut skin covering her partner’s belly. "I think you enjoy this." She accused with a smile.

"Are you kidding?" Gabrielle had rolled back over onto her back and was wriggling happily. "Of course I do. Yah!.. Ares.. cut that out.. your nose is cold!"

The wolf had woken and scrambled over to see what his pack was doing, and decided to try tasting the cream Xena was using. He sneezed, and poked his tongue out.

"Yeah? Well keep your tongue to yourself, buddy." Xena told him, as she finished up her task.

"Mmm… thank you." Gabrielle gazed up at her fondly. "Tell you what.. I’ll reciprocate with some liniment tonight after you beat up on the Amazons all day.. how about it?"

The warrior grinned, and touched a fingertip to her nose. "You’re on." She bent her head and kissed the bard with gentle thoroughness.

"You know, I really missed having you around the past few days." Gabrielle commented, as Xena stood up and pulled a shirt over her head. The warrior glanced over her shoulder, an expression of mixed pleasure and confusion on her face. "I mean.. besides the fact that I love you… and you’re the center of my world, and all that… it’s just really good to have you here."

Xena thought about that for a while as she plunged her face into a basin of water and scrubbed it. Finally, she leaned on the edge of the large dish, and cocked her head at her partner. "Thanks."

Gabrielle grinned a little, then rolled up off the bed and joined her soulmate. "Will you come with me on my walk?" She combed her fingers through the warrior’s dark hair. "I tried to get Granella to come with me.. but she says it’s too hard."

"Sure." Xena agreed readily. "She should try to stay a little more active.. it’s gonna cause her problems, especially with twins." She traded her nightshirt for her gambeson, and fastened the straps. "As much as you accuse me of coddling you… Toris really coddles her… I’ve gotta have a talk with him when he gets back."

Gabrielle finished washing, then slipped into one of her soulmate’s old shirts, which were still a little baggy on her, but very comfortable. Then she put on a pair of leggings and sat down to put on her boots. "This is going to be interesting after a while." She commented, feeling the pressure as she bent over. "I don’t suppose your inventive brain could come up with arm extenders, huh?"

Xena chuckled, as she fastened her own boots, and bounced up and down. "I was lucky in that respect." She held out her arms, and looked at them. "How about I run over, and grab some muffins, and we can take off?"

The bard smiled happily. "Trail breakfast with you… yeah.. I like that idea." She took a deep breath, and nodded. "Let’s go."

Minutes later, after Xena detoured to the kitchen and conned some muffins and fruit from a disapproving Cyrene, they were starting up the gentle trail that lead up past the creek that supplied Amphipolis with its drinking water. The air was cold, and crisp, and both women’s breath was visible as they strolled up the path. "You doing okay?" Xena asked unobtrusively watching her soulmate’s chest rise and fall.

"Yeah… " Gabrielle assured her, as she settled down into a easy rhythm. Her balance was shifting, she recognized, and little muscles she’d never thought about before strained as her body tried to compensate. After a minute, it did, and she put more energy into her strides, feeling the welcome pull against her thighs. "Okay.. did you say breakfast?"

Xena chuckled, and handed her a muffin.

"Hi mom." Gabrielle poked her head in the door to the kitchen, smiling as Cyrene turned and waved her forward. "I got a list of the things the Amazons are bringing.. thought you might want to see it."

"C’mon in, cutie." The older woman smiled at her. "And now you can sit down, and have something proper for breakfast, instead of that pot luck my daughter insisted on."

The bard laughed, but did as she was asked, settling down at the long worktable. "But I like that stuff, mom… " She protested. "Besides, you can’t munch on bowls of gruel while you’re walking.. it bounces and gets all over the place when you try to put it in your mouth." She looked up. "Right, Eustase?"

The heavyset cook half turned and nodded. "Right you are, ma’am."

Gabrielle sighed, ignoring the muffled laugh from Cyrene, who put down a plate of eggs and lightly smoked ham. "Wow.. that smells good." She traded her parchment to the innkeeper for a fork, and started in on her plate while Cyrene read the list. "Pretty good selection… I think those pouches are going to go over well.. and the crossbows."

"Mm." Cyrene sat down, and flicked the edge with a fingertip. "Paintings.. is that the horrible person you brought back with you from that cave?"

The bard nodded. "Yeah.. " She spoke around a mouthful. "But.. she’s really improved… Soli told me one of the pictures she has is of Xena.. I can’t wait to see it. She did the fox and panther we have over our mantel."

"Oh ho… you’re going to have a fight on your hands there, my dear." Cyrene warned her. "Does she do commissions? If she’s good, I’d love her to do one of Xena and Toris… and one of Toris and Gran.. and of course, of the two of you… with Ares maybe… "

"Mom… " Gabrielle laughed. "One at a time, okay??" She took a sip of apple juice. "Besides, I think Gran would throw a rotten fruit at you if you suggested she get sketched right now."

"Ehh… maybe… " Cyrene waggled a hand. "Twins are rough.. and not everyone has it as smooth and easy as you, cutie…I can’t remember when I’ve seen someone carry as well as you are." She sighed. "I certainly didn’t… especially with Xena…Zeus, that was a rough pregnancy."

"Always a handful, huh?" The bard smiled. "I think she was probably fighting even before she came out… it’s so much a part of her, I can’t imagine her a quiet, peaceful child."

"You’re right there, Gabrielle." Cyrene agreed ruefully. "I remember when she was…oh… I suppose two years or so…and a brawl broke out in the tavern… I had someone try to take care of it, but there was this one fella… a tall, rough man taller than Toris is now, but really big, husky, you know?"

"Mmm." Gabrielle chewed, listening intently. She loved stories about her soulmate’s childhood. "I don’t know mom.. he’s kinda getting up there himself." Her eyes twinkled. "You and your dangerous cooking."

"Ehhh… " Cyrene cocked her head in acknowledgement. "I think he’s just sharing what Granella’s going through… they nibble together." She cleared her throat. "Anyway.." She paused. "And speaking of that, I wish you’d share the same thing with my daughter… gods, she scared me when you came home."

"I know." Gabrielle nodded quietly. "Me too.. but she’s doing a lot better…it’s just taking time."

Cyrene sighed. "Maybe.. but she’s still missing that spark… it worries me." She stared pensively at the table. "Where was I..oh, yes. This great bear of a man just picked up a bench, and was clearing the place with it… I was ducking, the patrons were running, when all of a sudden I hear this yell."

"A yell." The bard folded a piece of ham in half and bit into it.

"Oh yes.. sounded like a duck had been sat on, mind you… just this squeak of outrage, but it stopped everything. And there they were, in the center of the tavern, this big brute with his bench, and my little two year old holding her stuffed doll under one arm, and waving a pot with the other."

Gabrielle hastily covered her mouth, almost aspirating a bit of ham. "Oh mom.. don’t do that when I’m chewing.. " She laughed, picturing it.

"I was floored.. " Cyrene laughed herself, holding her sides. "This little tot, standing there yelling "Foo!" Which was what Xenie said when she didn’t like the way something smelled… "Foo." "

The bard closed her eyes and laughed harder, tears squeezing out from under her lashes. "Oh gods in Olympus.. what happened?"

"What could he do? Even a brute like him couldn’t conk a baby… he ran out of there like Cerebus was after him, and Xena was made the hero of the tavern… those men played with her, and gave her so many honeycakes… it was a wonder she didn’t explode." Cyrene rested her chin on her hand. "She loved every minute of it… and to tell the truth, so did I." She sighed. "I know… I know I was too busy.. I didn’t… I wasn’t as close to the children as I wanted to be.. there was so much to do, and no one to help… she needed attention I just couldn’t give her. Sometimes.. I wonder if things would have been different if I had."

It fit. Gabrielle chewed her ham. She thought of her partner, now so cautious and wary, as a young adult wanting.. needing that attention she’d never gotten at home. Finding it in a bunch of farm boys and cast off fighters, who she somehow, by brute luck and slim talent, fashioned in to an army. Finding it again in a Roman emperor she trusted unthinkingly. Finding it again, and again, each time giving her heart….each time having it thrown back at her, bloodied. Battered. No matter how successful she was, no matter how many battles she won… that child inside never found the approval and love she was looking for.

Until she was so poisoned, that when it was offered, she mistrusted that, and spurned it in favor of embracing the known, cold darkness that at the very least, wouldn’t touch her vulnerable heart.

Until the darkness lost its thrall, and the battles weren’t enough, and there was nothing left for her but bitter memories, and pain, and the knowledge of a lifetime of killing. And she had laid her weapons down, trying at the last to reach out for that child barely remembered, only to find nothing left of home but suspicion, and dislike. The end of the road.

Except for that tiny, almost random detour past a small sheep herding village called Potadeia. Gabrielle smiled quietly, treasuring the glimpses she’d gotten, now and again, of that child, peeking out shyly and hopefully, hidden away so very, very long. "I don’t know… maybe… " She gazed at Cyrene. "But maybe not…I think the Fates.. or something.. had a plan for her, and nothing you could have done would have changed that a whole lot, mom…you can’t blame that on yourself."

"Mm." Cyrene studied her. "You know, it’s funny, but when I saw you, for the first time there in the tavern facing all these angry people, I turned and I looked at Xena, and I saw her watching you, with an expression on her face I hadn’t seen since before Cortese… since before Lyceus died. " She paused, and shook her head. "I knew.. in that moment… there was still some little part of my daughter.. of the child I loved.. and I raised… left in there."

Gabrielle finished up her breakfast, and stared pensively at the tabletop. "I thought… this is a person who needs a friend. And I can be that friend." She looked up with a little lift of her shoulder "And I was."

"Yes, you were." Cyrene smiled, and tweaked her nose. "So.. have you thought of any names yet?" She decided the talk had gotten far too serious, and changed the subject. "Granella tells me that’s all they argue about… now that they’re going to have two, maybe each one of them will name one, and they’ll stop fighting over it."

"Oh, let’s see… we haven’t really, though Xena said this morning she thinks it’s going to be a girl.. and you know, I think so too, so that sort of makes it easier." She picked up a warm sweetroll from the basket Eustase put down in front of her, and nibbled it. "It’s sort of weird, because there’s so many choices.. " Her eyes twinkled. "Cyrene, for one."

"Oh gods no." The older woman waved a hand at her. "No no… not after me, please." She paused. "Not that I’m not flattered, cutie, but no… I’m not that fond of hearing my name yelled about."

"Well, not after either of us." Gabrielle laughed softly. "We’ve got enough namesakes already." She shook her head. "I don’t know… I guess we’ll have to start talking about it."

"Mm… well, I’ve got a few ideas if you run out of them. " Cyrene grinned. "And, speaking of her, where is Xena?"

"Beating up Amazons." The bard replied. "And this afternoon, she’s working with the colts… then she has another session with the kids before dinner."

"Gods.. her energy exhausts me." Cyrene pushed herself up and brushed her apron off. "I’ve got cooking to do… the knitting circle’s due here shortly, are you going to give it another try?"

Gabrielle grimaced. "Um… " She also stood, stretching her body out carefully then moving around the table. "I think I’ll leave that skill to my partner…I’ll go find the children, and practice my lighter stories." She had no patience with knitting, or embroidery for that matter.. it was repetitive and exacting…how her soulmate managed to focus her energetic nature on it she’d never understand. Buttons, she could do.. a trim or two here and there… even a pocket sewn on. Beyond that… "See you later, mom.. thanks for breakfast." She stroked her stomach and smiled. "From both of us."

She left the kitchen, and wandered out the front door to the inn, putting her hands on the porch railing and watching the morning crowd traveling back and forth. Across the way, she spotted Johan with a squad of the village children, working over a fishing set and figured they’d be occupied for a while yet. The merchants had settled the details of the fair, and she’d finished working on two boundary disputes the preceding day. Satisfied that she was, indeed, completely free, she decided to go find the Amazon battle school, and watch her soulmate at work.

Xena stood easily, her sword resting against her right thigh as she watched Lista and little Frendan square off, trying a combination move she’d just demonstrated. Ares was curled up nearby, happy his favorite human was back. He loved Gabrielle, but tended to stick by Xena when they were both around. Mostly because the stoic warrior was an excellent source of goodies, held in a small pouch tucked under her belt. Ares was no fool. "Hold it.. hold it.. " Xena stepped in, and flicked her sword tip between them, moving their weapons to one side. "No.. it’s not straight up and down.. it’s from the side a little.. and you turn your body as you swing down, to add weight to it." She demonstrated again. "Like that… "

"Oh..okay… right.. " Frendan nodded, and shifted her body a bit. "Like that?"

Xena nodded. "Right… if you’re swinging your body like that, you can even be off balance, and it will still be an effective stroke."

"Wait.. wait.. " Cesta objected, standing up from the fallen log she’d been sitting on. "That makes no sense…how can you defend like that?"

Xena sighed inwardly. Cesta was one of those people who were not quite as good as the thought they were. Xena guessed that she’d been one of the better swordswomen in her village, and that lead her to question most of what the warrior was teaching. Either that, a wry thought occurred to her, or she just liked to be the center of attention. "It’s all in the momentum." She explained with what was, for her exceptional patience. "Here.. come at me."

Cesta did so, with relish. She bounded forward with a competent stance, lifting her sword and bringing it down towards Xena’s left side. The warrior deliberately waited for the stroke to go past its zenith, then brought her own weapon up and caught the blow, twisting her body as she’d demonstrated, and easily using the forward momentum to shove Cesta back. "See?" She flipped her sword in her hand, rolling it over her forearm and then capturing it again.

"Wait.. let me try that again. " The redhead pushed her crimson locks back, studying Xena’s relaxed posture with stubborn concentration. She moved forward, wrapping both hands around her sword hilt then swinging with all her strength. The warrior read her body language and set herself just in time, centering her balance over slightly bent knees and letting her weapon rise to meet the stroke, allowing it to push her arms back and deepen her crouch, then she recoiled, powering her return stroke with a little more energy than she had intended and sending Cesta stumbling backwards.

The younger woman caught her balance and growled in frustration. "How do you do that?" She lowered her weapon and approached Xena. "You’re showing us this stuff, but even when we do it right, it’s not like when you do it."

Xena let her sword rest against her shoulder. "That’s why I have you working against each other.. I can give you advice, and the techniques.. but I can’t hand over experience.. or years of practice." She explained reasonably. "I’ve been doing this a long time, Cesta…I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent just working with this sword.. " She twirled it, then rolled it up over her arm and caught it, and twirled it again. "Until it’s become an extension of my arm.. as much a part of me when I fight as my hands.. or anything else. " She shrugged. "I can’t teach you that.. or give you this.. " She slipped her sword into her scabbard, and walked over to the fallen log, crouching down beside it.

"What are you doing?" Cesta asked, curiously.

Xena rocked the log a little, then set herself, and grabbed two stubby limbs, jerking the wooden piece up violently and getting her shoulders under it, then slowly straightening up, shifting her burden to a more evenly balanced position. She watched with a wry smile as their jaws dropped, then she took a breath. "Nothing comes easy." She lowered her body into a crouch, then straightened up again, feeling her legs coil and shift under her. "I can’t give you the years of doing this… " She repeated the move, then pressed the log over her head, and let it fall. "Which is what lets me do this. " She crouched again, then exploded up into the air, flipping her body lazily over and landing lightly on her feet, with a tiny bounce.

"Great Artemis." Frendan breathed.

Xena chuckled wryly, as she put a booted foot up on the log, and leaned on her thigh. "No.. just a lot of hard work." She motioned for Frendan and Lista to continue. "Go on.. again." She straightened up but left her boot on the log, folding her arms across her chest as she watched.

Cesta wandered over, and kicked the log a bit, putting her own foot up on it, then letting a hand rest on Xena’s tensed thigh. "That’s pretty impressive." She removed the hand before Xena could answer, then peered at the two combatants. "Maybe what we really need is a conditioning program… I mean, it’s nice to know what the moves should be, but it would be much better if we had the muscles to really execute them like you do."

"Well." Xena drawled thoughtfully. "You know.. you may have a point there, Cesta."

The redhead straightened up and preened. "Glad you think so…sometimes it takes an outside set of eyes, to see things, you know what I mean?"

"Absolutely. " Xena agreed. "In fact.. I think you should sit down with Eponin, when she gets here, and lay a new program out for her." She stated helpfully. "She loves hearing new ways to do things."

"Really?" Cesta edged a little closer. "All right.. I’ll do that… maybe I can get some pointers from you in the next day or two, hmm?"

The warrior lifted a hand lazily, making a thumbs up gesture, then clenching her fist, and releasing it, extending her fingers outward. "I’ll see if I can come up with some ideas.. " She drawled. "But you talk to her.. she gets kinda huffy when I do it.. being an outsider, and all."

"Great… you know, we think alike Xena… that’s an amazing thing." Cesta gave her a self satisfied smile, and turned to watch the two fighters. "They’ll always have a disadvantage because they’re so short, though.. not tall like us."

Pale blue eyes slid to watch her, then a faint curl of Xena’s lip came and went. "Think so??"

"Oh yeah. " She replied confidently.

Xena hopped over the log, and held up a hand. "Hold on, guys."

The two women stopped obligingly, and looked at her. The warrior turned around, and motioned for Cesta to come forward. "C’mere." She paused. "No.. put the sword down a minute."

Cesta gave her a puzzled look, but did as she was asked, putting her weapon down and slinking into the center of the circle, brushing by Xena who took a step back, and put her toe under a staff half hidden in the tough dried grass booting it up to her hand, and passing it to the redhead. "Here.. hold onto this for a minute."

The younger woman hefted the staff, and nodded agreeably. "Oh good… I was looking for some closer work." She faced Xena. "Where’s yours?"

"Oh.. no.. not me.. " Xena faced a quiet, wooded area nearby and lifted one hand, curling her finger in a beckoning gesture.

Out of the shadows, Gabrielle stepped, moving quietly across the winter dead grass with a smoothly muscular pace despite her condition. The pallid sun rippled through her red gold hair and seemed to gather itself in her face, as her eyes fell on Xena, and a smile spread across her features. "Hi." She cocked her head at the warrior as she came even with her. "What’s up?"

"Wanna demonstrate something for me?" Xena inquired with devastating innocence.

Mist green eyes went to the waiting Cesta, then to Xena’s face with a gentle twinkle. "Sure." She’d seen the tall redhead crawling all over her beloved soulmate, and had almost stormed out of her pleasant nest under the oak tree nearby, until she’d seen the warrior’s lazy hand signal.

The "I love you" had settled her churning guts, and put her soul at ease, and she’d relaxed, until Xena’s gesture brought her forward. "What did you have in mind?"

Xena kicked up another staff, and handed it over. "I was just going to demonstrate to Cesta how being tall can be a disadvantage if you’re up against someone who really knows what they’re doing."

"Oh.. hey.. hold on… " Cesta backed up, protesting. "Wait, she’s pregnant."

Gabrielle’s hands moved in a flashing motion, taking the staff out of the taller woman’s hands so fast she didn’t even see it. "It’s okay.. I’ll go easy on you." She told the woman kindly. "I don’t want to strain myself too much."

"Hey!" Cesta retrieved her staff, her face reddening in embarrassment. It was all very well to have the Warrior Princess beat up on everyone, but she’d be damned if she was going to let this half pint little Amazon do the same.

Xena just backed off until she bumped into Solari, who gave her a look. "You’re so bad." The Amazon whispered. "Remind me never to get on your evil side, okay, Xena?"

Innocent blue eyes regarded her. "Me? I’m just teaching a class, Solari… I have no idea what you’re talking about." She turned. "Okay, Cesta, now go at my bard there… try an upper combination move."

The tall redhead shifted her grip, her face going very serious, then she slid forward, and aimed at Gabrielle’s shoulder level, trying to engage her staff and twist it out of the bard’s hands.

Gabrielle caught the blow on one end of her weapon, then rotated it, and crouched a little, ducking under Cesta’s swing and bringing her own staff around to smack the taller woman in the ribs. Then she pulled her staff back, and sent the other end between Cesta’s legs, twisting hard with her newly more centered balance and dumped the other woman on her butt with an unceremonious thud. "I’m lower to the ground." She explained kindly. "It gives me better balance, and reduces the amount of effective attack area. You tall people have all sorts of interesting angles and surfaces to whack at." The other Amazons laughed as she offered Cesta a hand up.

She stepped over to one side, and reached out, tapping her soulmate’s long side, and then her knees, as Xena allowed the soft pats to fall unhindered. "What I learned from Xena was, it doesn’t really matter how big you are.. what matters is that you learn how to use what you have to do the job you need to do." Her eyes fell on Frendan, who was gazing worshipfully at her. The little Amazon was perhaps three or four inches shy of the bard’s own short stature, and Gabrielle winked at her, receiving a shy grin in return.

Cesta shook out her ruffled feathers, and returned to her sword, handling it with restless fingers. "Well… staff’s not my weapon.. want to try that with these?"

"You raise your hand with a sword in it against Gabrielle, I’ll cut it off." Xena stated, before the bard could even start to answer. The warrior’s face had taken on the cold mask familiar to her soulmate and Gabrielle moved instinctively closer, curling a hand around her arm.

They all stared at Xena uneasily.

Gabrielle exhaled. "Most people know, Cesta, that I don’t fight with anything other than a staff.. I’ve never learned the sword, nor do I want to." She gave her taller partner a pat, bumping her gently. "Xena gets a little overprotective about that."

Xena’s postured relaxed, and she draped an arm over the Queen.

"Sorry." Cesta lifted her hands. "I didn’t mean any insult.. it’s just I’m a lot better with this." She lifted the sword. "We mostly concentrate on that, and the bow in the south… not very much staff work, I’m afraid." She made a regretful face, but somehow managed to insinuate that she didn’t think much of the weapon.

"Well, it’s saved my life on more than one occasion." Gabrielle replied. "But anyway… I’m interrupting here… I’ll just go back to quietly watching." She gave Xena a pat on the belly. "Make sure you get some water, okay?" She leaned in closer. "madam let me lift a log up like it was nothing." Her voice dropped. "Show off."

Xena gave her a quick hug and chuckled. "Thanks.. I will." She stepped back and bounced a little. "Okay… let’s try that overhand attack again."

Gabrielle seated herself on the log, tucking her boots under her and watching her soulmate contentedly.

The sun was high in the sky before the sound of running footsteps drew their attention. Xena lifted her head, pushing sweat dampened hair back from her forehead, and motioning the three Amazons facing her to hold back.

Coming towards them was Johan, his booted feet thudding against the ground. "Xena!"

The warrior started towards him, moving into a powerful run that whipped her hair back and made the dusty grass scatter under her weight. "Jo.. what’s up?" Fear for her mother suddenly grabbed her. "Is mother all right?"

He puffed to a halt, putting a hand out to steady himself against her fabric covered chest. "Aye lass… tis bad news, though.. ye’d better come.. it’s your brother and Jess."

Xena let out a curse, then turned as Gabrielle and the rest of the Amazons came trotting up. "Something happened to Tor and Jess.. I’ll meet you back home." She glanced behind the bard. "Ares, you stay with mommy, all right?" She turned and started back towards the inn, going from a walk to a run in a few steps, and disappearing from sight quickly.

They all looked at each other, and Gabrielle sighed as she slid an arm around the still panting Johan. "C’mon dad.. let’s start back and you can tell us what happened."

Continued in Part 2

Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Cyrene nibbled on her fingernail, as she listened to the stocky, bearded man tell his somewhat confusing story. She glanced up as she heard a set of familiar, heavy bootsteps hit the porch, and was unsurprised as the door shoved open, and her daughter strode in, sweaty and imposing in her buff colored gambeson.

"Xena!" The stocky man crowed in delight. "How are ya?"

The warrior stopped short, and regarded him in a puzzled fashion. "Salmoneus?" She looked at Cyrene. "I heard there was trouble?"

Cyrene nodded at the stocky man. "He says Toris and Jess are being held by some kind of a… " She looked at Sal. "What did you say it was?" A shifting of a chair was Elaini, leaning close to listen, her face a tense mask.

"Oh Xena.. it’s this crazy cult." Salmoneus exhaled. "They’re driving me nuts."

Xena had stiffened, her nostrils flaring as she caught the word cult. She brushed her mother out of the way, and sat down on the table next to where Salmoneus was, leaning on her thigh and pinning him with intent eyes. "What kind of cult?" Her voice lowered dangerously.

"Oh.. well, it’s just your everyday ordinary cult kind of cult, Xena.. you know, robes, funny customs, that kind of thing… a little more conservative, shall we say, than the usual, but… "

The warrior reached forward and grabbed his lapels, shaking him. "Salmoneus, start talking. Who are these people? " She asked sharply. "What do they worship?"

"Xena..Xena…Xena…" The bearded man patted her chest. "Take it easy, okay? Just relax.. I’ll tell you everything I know, just don’t tear the threads…it took me forever to find this pattern." He cleared his throat. "It’s some kind of cult who worships a strange god… not like ours aren’t strange, but this one’s… well, anyway… they’re harmless enough.. though they have very very odd customs regarding women."

The warrior’s face had gone very still. "What’s their god’s name?" The room had gone very quiet too.

Salmoneus glanced from one face to another, puzzled. "He doesn’t have one.. not that they admit to anyway…just a burning leaf or something like that… he talks to them in echoes or whatever." He hesitated. "They really are harmless, Xena… they’re just nuts…they won’t eat this, they won’t eat that, you have to have milk at this time, lamb at that time…just crazy."

Xena relaxed a little and let go of the older man’s lapels. "Sorry, Sal.. but what do they want with my brother.. and Jess?"

"Well,.. " He broke off as the door opened, and Gabrielle entered, with Johan, Ares, and the rest of the Amazons. His eyes blinked several times. "Great Hera, Gabrielle.. you’re pregnant!"

The bard walked over and patted his shoulder. "I know, Sal.. but thanks.. what’s up?"

"Xena, she’s pregnant!" Salmoneus turned to the warrior plaintively. "How did you do that?" He leaned closer. "Whatever it is, I can sell it, you know, Xena.. we can make a lot of dinars, here."

The warrior rubbed her head. "Sal, what do these people want with Toris and Jess? Why did they capture them?" She shot a reassuring look at Elaini. "Looks like they’re okay, for now."

"I know." Elaini folded her arms across her chest unhappily. "He’s just scared."

Xena shared a look of complete sympathy with her. "Know the feeling." She turned back to Sal. "Talk."

The bearded man cleared his throat. "Well… I stopped by there, figuring I could at least get rid of some extra parchment and stuff.. and they practically kidnapped me!" He lifted his hands. "Can you imagine? Me? Anyway… I went along with them, and listened to their crazy rhetoric about some kind of ceremonies that they do that they need special herbs for, and about a cleansing.. anyway, I didn’t have anything they needed, but they took me through this cave system they have in the back of their little compound, and I saw they had a… well, a series of cages, sort of."

"Go on." Xena put her hands on her thigh, and drummed her fingers impatiently.

"Right.. right.. say, do you have anything to drink around here? I’m kinda dry." He looked expectantly at Cyrene who reached over and tapped a serving girl on the shoulder. "Thanks… where was I? Oh yes… cages.. right, so there were some men in one, and some women in the other…the guy in the robes I was with explained that they were ‘salvaging lost souls.’ "

"From what?" Xena asked, sharply.

"Like I would know?" Salmoneus waved a hand at her. "They go out and find people who are not leading what they called ‘righteous lives’ and they bring them there, and brainwash them, then match them up, I guess… "

"What quarrel did they have with Toris?" Gabrielle asked, studying Salmoneus’ face intently.

"You know, Gabrielle, pregnancy really becomes you… you look wonderful." The bearded man beamed at her. "As to what quarrel.. er… it seems they came upon him and the furry guy.."

"Hey.. that’s my husband." Elaini growled.

Salmoneus glanced at her, then smiled weakly. "Yes… I guessed that.. " He turned back to Gabrielle. "They were wrestling." He said, in a low voice.

Gabrielle and Xena exchanged glances. "So what?" Xena asked for both of them. "That’s not immoral."

"Ah.. well, they thought they were doing something.. you know… else." Sal replied, with an embarrassed look. "Something less… martial and more marital, if you catch my drift."

Xena’s dark brows contracted. "You mean to tell me they thought Jess and my brother were lovers?"

"Dead animals’ balls on fire." Elaini put her face in her hands. "He’s got better taste than that."

"Hey!" Xena gave her a look. "That’s my brother you’re talking about." She turned to Salmoneus again. "Again.. so what? That’s not immoral either."

"To them it is." Sal sighed, shaking his head. "Bunch of unimaginative little… they think sex is evil."

Gabrielle giggled. "No wonder they’re unhappy."

Everyone in the room laughed, and Xena circled her soulmate with a long arm and kissed her head. "You’re not serious, right?"

Sal nodded. "Unfortunately, I am.. they think the only thing you should use it for is to have children.. so.. they’re trying to convince the people they capture of the error of their ways, and pray for them to return to righteousness." He cleared his throat. "They also think women are just property of their men." He let a smile briefly twist his mobile lips. "I hate to admit this, Xena.. but I really, really wanted to be the one to introduce them to you."

"Mm." Xena agreed sardonically. "What happens, though.. I mean, didn’t Toris explain what the truth was?"

He shook his head. "I couldn’t tell… but they were talking about having to go to ‘drastic measures’ .. and I’m not sure if they were talking about him or his fuzzy friend, or both, or what." Salmoneus shrugged. "I only got to talk to him for a minute.. and only because the robed guy was distracted, and he looked so familiar." He sighed. "Once he did, I made it my business to get the Hades out of there, and head here."

"Thank you, Sal." Gabrielle put a hand on his knee, and squeezed it. "It was great that you did that.. when did it happen?"

"Early this morning.. " He looked up as the server handed him a tall mug. "Thank you! Very, very early this morning.. " He added, giving the kitchen an oblique look. " I ran nearly all the way here." He added virtuously.

Xena stood up, pushing her hair back off her forehead and pacing back and forth beside the hearth. "I’ll have to go down there and straighten them out." She said, with an annoyed sigh. "Shouldn’t take long."

"Wait a minute, Xena… I mean, I’d be the last person to tell you what to do, but these guys are very into protecting themselves, you know… " Salmoneus protested. "I don’t think they’re going to take very well to you just going in there and doing your usual thing."

The warrior regarded him in silence for a moment. My usual thing. She grimly repeated. "I wasn’t going to… " She started, then stopped, with a little shrug, letting her words fall into an awkward silence.

Gabrielle took the opportunity to pat Salmoneus’ hand. "Thank you for bringing us the news, Salmoneus…would you like some lunch?" She gave her brooding soulmate a glance.

"I’d love some." The bearded face broke into a fond smile. "And, say… since you’re in a family way, I’ve got some fantastic bargains in my wagon I bet you’d just die for."

Everybody flinched at that.

"What?" Sal felt the looks. "It’s just a figure of speech people, come on now!"

"Sorry, Sal… " The bard apologized. "I’ve had some extreme adventures lately." She stood and wandered over to Xena’s side, absently straightening the warrior’s buckles. "Let’s all have some lunch, and we’ll think about what to do, okay?" This was mostly for her partner’s benefit. "They’re not in an immediate danger, are they?"

Salmoneus sipped at his mug. "No.. I don’t think they are….these people are harsh, and conservative, but they didn’t seem overly violent to me." His eyes went to Xena’s imposing form. "Just stubborn, and very self righteous."

Xena made a face. "That’s not against the law, unfortunately." She advised the traveling opportunist. "But I don’t get it…I can understand my brother, but what do they think they’re accomplishing with Jessan? In case they didn’t notice, he isn’t human."

"Oh..oh.. right.. well, they’re using him as evidence to support their doctrine… they’ve been displaying him as an example of what happens to you when you don’t live a moral life."

Elaini leaned forward. "You become seven foot tall, fur covered people with fangs and claws? Get out of here.. if that were true, Greece would be overrun with us." She snorted. "If we laid down, you’d be able to walk over a fur carpet from the Mediterranean to the Aegean."

Even Xena chuckled a little at that.

"They’ve got three guys in tablecloths bowing around him praying all the time." Salmoneus added, as a plate was put down in front of him. "Thank you!"

"Oh Ares in boots… " Elaini winced. "Poor Jessie.. he’s probably spitting claws."

"I wonder how they captured them?" Gabrielle mused.

"They didn’t say, and I didn’t ask, if you know what I mean." Salmoneus responded as he stuffed his mouth. "Thf if wfndrfl!"

"All right.. " Xena sighed. "I’m going to go clean up, and we’ll meet back here in a quarter candlemark.. figure out what we’re gonna do." She started to leave, only to find she had a bard attached to her. "Hey." She glanced down at her accompanying soulmate. "I can handle that by myself if you want to start lunch."

"Hmm.. " The bard didn’t let go. "Depends on what you consider lunch." She ignored the grins of the Amazons and Cyrene. "Besides… someone has to make sure you clean in back of your neck."

Chuckles and Ares followed them out.

"I got a little nervous about that cult talk. " Xena admitted, as she sat quietly and allowed Gabrielle to rub her back down with a piece of soft, wet sea sponge. "I was afraid it was something else for a minute."

The bard leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck. "I know." She replied softly. "I could see it in your face… thank the gods it doesn’t look like it’s connected…do you think this is a cult of the one god, like Iacus’ people?"

Xena inhaled. "Maybe… it’s hard to tell… they were kinda stubborn and self righteous, huh?" She felt Gabrielle’s arm slide around her neck and she nibbled the soft skin with pleasure. "They pretty much kept to themselves, though.. they didn’t go out and try to ‘fix’ people."

"Maybe it’s a splinter group.. they got tired of just telling themselves what to do.. and decided to go out and tell everyone else what to do?"

The warrior smiled. "They hurt either of them and I’m going to teach them what a splinter is." She informed her soulmate dryly. "Up close and personal." She closed her eyes and sighed in pleasure as the bard continued her task. "I guess we’re going to have to sneak in there… I don’t suppose my just going up and asking for them to be released is gonna work, huh?"

"Mm… probably not." The bard recalled the patriarchal authority of Iacus’ father. "Maybe Johan could…we could go with him, and say we were his daughters." She paused, then picked up a brush and started to sort out her soulmate’s disordered hair. "I mean, we are… so… and then, once we were in, we could sort of play it by ear."

Xena yawned. "Mm…. Yeah, we could do that." She agreed mildly. "Use our brains instead of my fists for a change."

Gabrielle studied her, a tiny crease appearing in the very center of her green eyes. "Hey… your fists get us out of a lot of trouble sometimes, partner." She folded her hand around the warrior’s arm. "We may need them to beat through the clouds of dogma."

"Yeah, I know." Xena replied, resting her chin on one fist and studying the water’s surface. Then she changed the subject. "I have so hard a time understanding people like that… like Iacus’ mother.. she watched as her husband was going to sacrifice her son.. and she acted like she didn’t have the right to protest."

The bard sighed. "Xena, there are lots of places where women are treated like that… we forget that sometimes because it’s so different here, and with the Amazons… Iacus’ people aren’t unique in believing women aren’t anything but property, in fact… from what I’ve seen, they’re the rule, and we’re the exception."

Long, dark lashes flickered. "A damned good exception. " The warrior growled. "Like anyone could ever own me."

Gabrielle peeked over her shoulder, and twirled a dark swatch of hair in her fingers, gazing at her soulmate with impish affection.

"Well… unless I wanted them to." Xena relented, allowing a grudging smile to shape her lips. "But that’s different." She half turned, and slipped her arms around the smaller woman, resting her cheek against Gabrielle’s belly. "Sure you’re up to this? We can get any of those damn Amazons to play along in your place.. maybe the little one?"

"C’mon, Xena… this is an easy one." Gabrielle reassured her with a gentle smile. "I should ask you if you’re up to it… are you going to let me do the talking, and keep your temper under control with those idiots until we figure out what’s happening?" She put a fingertip on the warrior’s nose. "Maybe you should let me take one of the Amazons, instead, hmm?"

Blue eyes took on a stubborn tint. "You’re not going in there without me."

"And you’re not going in there without me. So I guess that’s settled then." The bard replied. "Now we’ve just got to keep the rest of the Amphipolian militia from peeking over our shoulders the entire time." She playfully braided Xena’s hair, and fluffed her bangs. "Besides… you’ll get to dress up for a change… and you look so pretty in that embroidered outfit."

"Hmm.. then we’ll have to find you something other than my old shirts.. " Xena mused. "Well, mother will have something, I bet.. c’mon, let’s go break the news to everyone and get all the objections out of the way."

"You have my royal permission to tell the Amazons to shut up, by the way." Gabrielle muttered, as she watched her partner change into a clean shirt. "Thank you for arranging that little session this morning.. Cesta is so obnoxious… you think it’s the hair color?"

"Mmm… " Xena ran her fingers through the bard’s fair hair judiciously. "Careful, love.. you’ve got a touch of that in yours too, y’know." She tweaked the straight nose playfully. "You did a great job.. I think you picked up an admirer of your own."

"Uh huh.. an Amazon shorter than I am… awesome." Gabrielle laughed. "She’s kinda cute, isn’t she?" She picked up her scroll case as they headed out the door. "Do you think Cesta’s pretty?"

Xena cocked her head in thought as the walked across the wind swept courtyard, the trees chillingly bereft of leaves, and the ground hard and sterile looking. Ares trotted along side, and made a small foray under the porch of the inn, returning with a stuffed rag ball. The warrior stooped and retrieved it, then sent it flying. "She thinks she’s pretty." She commented wryly. "She’s not ugly."

"She’s hot for you." Gabrielle responded. "Does that bother you?"

Xena gazed down at her. "Not really.. does it bother you?" She stopped as Ares returned, and stood up, placing his big paws against her chest, thrusting the sodden rag ball in her face. "Thanks, boy…" She took it, and threw it again.

"I guess I could lie and say no, of course not. " Gabrielle admitted. "But yeah, it does." She mounted the steps, and watched as Xena sent the rag ball flying a third time, as Ares bounded after it, his dark fur rippling in the pallid winter sunlight.

"Alright." Xena stepped up onto the porch. "I’ll take care of it." She grabbed the door handle, and pulled it open. "G’wan."

Now, Gabrielle wondered, as she entered the inn, greeted by the scent of a rich lamb stew and fresh bread. What does she mean by that?"

Xena picked up several of the emptied platters, and steeled herself, then entered the kitchen with them, seeing her mother’s back stiffen as her steps were recognized. She put the platters into the clean up basin, and started in on them, running the pitcher of water over the wooden plates and adding a little soap to it. She waited.

Cyrene stubbornly stirred her stew, ignoring the presence of her tall daughter.

Xena continued cleaning.

The innkeeper grabbed a few herbs, and added them, then continued stirring.

The warrior scrubbed, relying on a patience honed from a lifetime of battlefields.

Cyrene studied the surface of the stew, divining interesting things from the languid bubbles, testing a patience developed from bearing three children.

Including the incredibly frustrating, stubborn, maddening one standing across the kitchen from her.

Humming.

"Why can’t you let other people go in there?" She finally asked, to the broad, muscular back turned to her. "You tell me there is no real danger to Toris, or to your friend.. why not let those Amazons go? They offered, Xena… must you go.. must you take Gabrielle in there?"

Xena finished the platter she was working on and put it on the rack to dry, turning and leaning back against the washing table and folding her arms across her chest. "We don’t know what the situation is in there, mother… I can’t put my trust in other people to know what to do."

The innkeeper put her hands on her hips. "That’s pretty arrogant, isn’t it?" She eyed her daughter. "You don’t always make the right decisions either, Xena."

A duck of the dark head. "Maybe… and no, I don’t.. but the fact remains that of us all, only Gabrielle and I have dealt with people of the type we suspect these people to be… and the fact remains that of all the people here, only Gabrielle and I have the experience to go into an unknown situation, and develop an ongoing plan based on the circumstances.. would you have me put untested women in there, who have never been in this kind of thing before?"

Cyrene sighed. "Must you take Gabrielle then?" She asked. "Leave her here, Xena.. she’s more than halfway through her term.. it can’t be comfortable for her."

"I can’t." Xena replied softly. "I promised her I wouldn’t leave her behind." She gazed at her mother. "She’ll be fine… she thinks on her feet, and she can talk her way out of situations you wouldn’t believe." She paused. "Would you feel better if I took someone other than Johan? I can get one of the other men to play the part."

"No." Cyrene threw up her hands. "The crazy man has this notion that he’s been inducted as a full fledged member of the Xena, Warrior Princess clandestine infiltration club." She walked over, and laid her hands flat on her daughter’s chest. "Honey…you’re making me nuts."

Xena dropped her eyes to her boots, then lifted them again. "I’m sorry."

Cyrene gave her a wry look. "That’s all right.. you’ve been making me nuts since you were two." She exhaled, and gave the taller woman an affectionate pat on the side. "Please… just be careful?"

Xena smiled at her. "I will be… I’ll bring everyone back safe, mother… I promise." She exhaled. "I need to go talk to Granella… she’s pretty upset about the whole thing." The warrior grimaced. "She wants to go with us."

The innkeeper shook her head. "Crazy girl."

The warrior turned and went to the door, then paused, and glanced back. "Only since I was two?" A dark brow edged up.

Cyrene put her hands on her hips, and gave her daughter a look. "Honey, have you ever heard the saying ‘I hope you have children just like you?" She smiled.

Xena chuckled. "No chance…not with Gabrielle involved." She grinned, and ducked out of the kitchen. Then she paused just outside the door, and ran her fingers through her hair. "One down… " She sighed, and headed off towards her brother’s cabin, knowing she’d find Gabrielle already there.

Xena took a moment to marshal her arguments, and take a few deep breaths, before she mounted the porch steps, and knocked lightly on the door.

"Gran, just listen to me for a minute, okay?" Gabrielle sat down, and leaned on the arm of the chair next to her friend. "You’re not making sense here."

"Don’t tell me I’m not making sense." The dark haired Amazon snapped back. "If you can go, I can go, and that’s final, Gabrielle.. I do still have the right to make my own decisions, remember?"

The bard drew in a breath. "Gran… no one said you didn’t.. that’s not the issue."

"Isn’t it? I have everyone here telling me what I should do.. what I shouldn’t do…I’ve had enough!" Granella answered, her face tense and angry.

Gabrielle bit her lip, considering her next words. It was hard, because just about anything she said would be construed as a little hypocritical, given her own condition. "Gran…"

"Go on..tell me it’s for my own good." The Amazon spat. "Tell me I have to be responsible for the baby…babies, damn it…right? You’re not!" Her voice rose. "Damn it, Gabrielle, don’t you come in here and lecture me about responsibility, or I swear I’ll…"

The door nudged open, and a dark head poked itself in, featuring pale blue eyes that fastened themselves on Granella’s face, a dangerous glint in them. "You’ll what?" Xena asked, pushing the wooden panels in and entering. "The fact is, she’s physically capable of going, and you’re not. End of conversation."

An uneasy silence fell. "Well, that was tactful, sweetheart." Gabrielle finally murmured, making a little face at her soulmate and scratching the side of her nose.

Xena spread her arms, then let them fall to her sides. "If I had a broken leg, I wouldn’t be going either." She replied simply.

"Yes you would." Granella and Gabrielle both answered together.

The warrior scowled at them, then walked over and perched on the arm of the chair her partner was seated in.

Gabrielle scratched her jaw, then turned her head and gave Granella a wry look. "She’s right."

The dark haired Amazon dropped her gaze to her folded hands. "I know." She admitted, in a discouraged tone. "I hate this."

Bard and warrior exchanged glances. "Gran… " Gabrielle put a hand on her arm. "Look.. it’s going to be fine… I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.. we’ll get it cleared up."

"No." Granella finally looked up, setting her jaw. "I mean, I hate this." Her hands indicated her body. "I hate being so helpless.. I hate the way the other Amazons look at me.. like I’m not even one of them anymore." She let her voice trail off. "Maybe I’m not."

Xena shifted uncomfortably. "Granella… that’s not true… Amazons have babies all the time." She stated gently. "I know it’s uncomfortable…but it won’t last forever."

Granella fiddled with a bit of trim on her shirt. "It’s different when you’re with them…" She replied. "Here… it’s like I’m losing that part of who I am." She looked miserable. "And I don’t want to do that."

The warrior got up, and seated herself cross legged on the floor next to the younger woman. "Ephiny felt like that too." She remembered quietly. "She felt very guilty that Phantes died protecting her.. and she wasn’t able to help him."

Soft brown eyes looked at her. "She did?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes, she did.. I remember her saying that.. when we first found her in the forest outside Thessaly…she said she felt very ashamed… that she couldn’t protect herself." She looked up at her partner. "And I remember Xena here telling her that her responsibility was to do everything she could to give her child a chance to be born., and that Phantes would have told her to do the same thing." Her steady green eyes met Granella’s. "If I thought my going was going to hurt my baby, or endanger my partner, I wouldn’t do it, Gran… or if Xena really thought it was a bad idea, I’d listen to her, because I trust her judgment." She ignored the raised eyebrow this brought on. "But it’s just going to be a bit of play acting… and actually, it’s going to be a lot easier for me, than for the Warrior Tactless Princess, here."

"Hey!" Xena protested.

"C’mon, Xena.. it’s true… I’d have a better chance of pulling this off if I took Argo in there with me." Gabrielle laughed, ruffling her partner’s dark hair. "You know I love you, but getting you to be a sweet, innocent, demure country gal is gonna be a stretch."

Granella had been watching the two of them, then she finally gave a rueful chuckle. "Now you’re pissing me off because I won’t get to see this little act."

Xena lifted an insulted eyebrow. "Hey.. I’m not the one who almost clobbered the innkeeper at the last place we stayed because they didn’t like the color shirt you were wearing, my tempestuous friend."

The bard blushed, and nibbled a fingernail. "I was in a bad mood?" She offered hopefully, giving Xena her best innocent look. "C’mon.. I was very sensitive that day.. I’d just started showing.. you know that." She exhaled, and turned back to Granella. "Anyway…someone has to be here to meet Pony, and keep this fair under control…don’t let the merchants take advantage of those guys, Gran."

"Hmm." She regarded Gabrielle thoughtfully. ‘That means I get first crack at their stuff.. doesn’t it…" Her eyes narrowed, then she made a face. "All right… but let me just tell you both this.. after these kids are born, daddy’s gonna be stuck with dirty nappies for at least a fortnight while I go and be a wild child, all right?"

Gabrielle grinned. "Deal." She stood up. "I gotta go see if mom’s got something I can borrow…" She waited for Xena to join her, then lead the way out of the cabin and down the stairs. "That went better than I expected. "She commented to the silent warrior.

"You want to see if mother has something for Argo to wear too?" Xena inquired dryly.

Uh oh. Gabrielle tucked her hand inside the warrior’s belt and slowed down, pulling her to a halt. "Whoa."

Xena just stopped and stood quietly.

"I bumped the tease threshold, huh?" Gabrielle came around to face her, and put a hand on her stomach, gazing up at the hooded blue eyes.

The warrior shrugged a little. "I didn’t know you thought of me as such a crude person."

"Xena… you know that’s not… " Gabrielle started, then stopped. "That’s not what I …c’mon now…I was just teasing you."

Another shrug. "It’s all right." Xena started moving again. "C’mon.. we’ve got a lot to do." Privately, she chastised herself for being so damned sensitive. But the words had stung, there was no denying it. "Guess I’m just a little off today.. but listen, if you’d really rather take someone else…it’s okay."

Gabrielle pulled her to a halt again. "Hold on.. let’s talk about this a minute." She made for their porch, where she sat down on the padded bench, and tugged her soulmate down with her. "Listen.. I’m sorry.. I went a little too far with the joke…I was just trying to get Gran to loosen up, not get you mad at me."

Xena faced her squarely, her jaw tensing a bit. "I don’t like being made fun of." She stated very softly. "Not even by you."

It was like being hit in the face with a mud brick. Gabrielle hadn’t expected the admission, and now she cast around for a way to respond to it. "I… " She stopped, then took a breath. "I’m sorry." One hand reached out to gently stroke Xena’s arm. "You know that’s not how I think of you."

"It’s like Salmoneus assuming I’m just going to ride in there with a drawn sword." Xena responded. "I thought I was moving just a little closer to leaving that in the past, Gabrielle."

"Hey… " The bard looked troubled. "Xena… listen, I’m really sorry… I was honestly just kidding with you." She gently took Xena’s unresisting hand, and kissed it. "I didn’t mean it to sting like that."

Something melted in the back of the blue eyes facing her, and Xena shifted a little, glancing out at the wind swept yard then back at her with a tiny, rueful smile. "With both of us being affected by this baby, this is going to be a Hades of a thing to pull off." A wry admission. "I overreacted… Gabrielle.. I’m sorry. "

The bard felt weak with relief, and she rested her head against her partner’s shoulder and sighed. "No.. that really was a little too much…and you’re right - if it comes right down to it, I’m a lot more likely to fly off the handle than you are." She looked up wistfully. "I don’t think you’re crude." She issued a hopeful smile. "I’m the one they had to give lessons to so I wouldn’t trip over my gown, remember?" She lowered her voice. "Good peasant stock." She mimicked.

Xena poked her lower lip out, and glanced sideways at her. "Well.. I am crude sometimes.. I’m not sure there is a refined and graceful way to kick someone’s head in." She scuffed her boots against the wooden planks. "But I think, if I dredge up some old memories, I might be able to recall what it was like to be just a simple village girl."

"We could pretend what it would have been like if we’d actually met when we were kids." Gabrielle responded, with a smile. "Or grown up together."

Xena considered that. "I don’t think you would have liked me much." She finally confessed. "I was a mess growing up."

"Mm.." The bard chewed her lip. ‘Were you in trouble all the time?"

Xena nodded. "Uh huh."

"Causing havoc?"

Anther nod. "Was I ever."

"Always in fights?"

"Oh yeah."

"I would have loved you." Gabrielle told her. "You would have been the kind of person I would have followed around like a puppy dog, and made stories about."

Xena had to smile. "Imagine that."

"Imagine that." Her partner responded. "I guess some things were just meant to be."

The warrior put a long arm around her and hugged her close, but didn’t say anything. They sat like that for a few minutes, then Gabrielle patted her leg. "We should go get our stuff ready.. I guess we can’t avoid taking that Amazon guard, huh?"

Xena sighed. "Solari is having kittens as it is… she cornered me and told me if she let you go off into danger without at least a token attempt at protecting you, Pony would kick her butt from here to the high country and back." She explained. "So no… we get an escort."

Gabrielle considered this thoughtfully. "We could dress them as Hestian virgins."

Xena covered her eyes, and made a small choking noise.

"Okay..okay… milkmaids?" The bard offered. "I know…they’re an assortment of younger daughters looking for husbands?"

The warrior allowed a curse to escape, in an unknown language.

"Ooo.. what was that one?" Gabrielle inquired. "I liked the sound of it."

"Don’t say it in a room full of shepherds." Her soulmate informed her.

Gabrielle made a face. "Baaa." She started laughing, and was glad when Xena started laughing too. "Hey.. I got a smile." She reached up and gently stroked the warrior’s cheek, gazing into her eyes and letting the love she felt come bubbling to the surface. "It’s going to be so hard to remember not to do this in there."

A wry hint of humor warmed Xena’s blue eyes. "Hey.. sisters do that to each other all the time, remember?" She reminded her soulmate innocently. "This is Greece." She bent her head and tasted the bard’s lips, then went back for another sample, pulling Gabrielle gently onto her lap and persisting until her partner breathing was soft and ragged.

Gabrielle sucked in a breath unsteadily. "I don’t think sisters do that, honey."

"Sure they do." Xena disagreed. "Common household safety… you have to know how to do mouth to mouth breathing, right?" She demonstrated again, and felt Gabrielle’s hands slip under her tunic, sending jolts down her spine. "Or what if I had no arms.. and I had to feed you when you were a child.. like a little bird."

Gabrielle giggled softly, and abandoned herself to the insistently seductive touch, not even caring that they were in broad daylight on the porch of their cabin.

Johan finished buckling the tack on to the four cart horses, who would be pulling the open bedded wooden wagon they’d be taking to the cult’s settlement. He rested his arms on the back of the near horse, and leaned against it. "Ye gods, me laddies… if those are suppose to be village gals, I’ll be eating my hoof cleaner. " His eyes were on a group of women clustered on the porch in an assortment of colorful outfits, ranging from the tiny Frendan in a bodice and peasant skirt, to the tall Cesta in what must have been an old outfit of Xena’s which didn’t fit quite right.

They all looked very, very annoyed.

The door to the inn opened, though, and Gabrielle came out, in a simple peasant blouse over a knee length skirt, the outfit gently flattering to her swelling body. She also had a shawl draped over her shoulders, and had pinned her fair hair back in a youthful style, adding to the picture of a young, innocent village lass. She turned as the door opened, and a smile appeared on her face as Xena joined them, the tall, dark haired woman putting a hand on the bard’s back as she spoke to the agitating Amazons.

Johan shook his head in bemusement, hardly recognizing his foster daughter. Xena was wearing a neatly fitted blue dress with white trim, the neckline exposing a good amount of her collarbone, and the length covering her long, muscular legs. She had her hair in neatly done braids on either side of her face, which were gathered in the back in a clasp, and if Johan hadn’t known better, he never would have guessed that this beautiful young woman was also one of the deadliest fighters in Greece.

"This might work." He muttered to the horse, who snorted. "Long as they keep the rest of that lot from blowing the deal."

"All right, look." Xena said, for the fourth time. "You guys wanted to come along, so you’ve got to play the part… quit your whining."

"Xeeennaaa… " Solari protested, plucking at the frilly, flowered blouse that had replaced her leathers. "C’mon.. I feel like an Athenian flower seller."

The warrior leaned forward, regarding her. "Dunno.. I think it suits you. " She gave Solari a wicked grin. "What do you think, Gabrielle?"

The bard regarded the fidgeting Amazons, then turned and surveyed her soulmate. "I… think I need to go talk to Johan." She patted her partner on the side, then slipped down the steps, neatly sidestepping the issue.

Solari glared at her, and scratched her arm. "It itches." She complained. "All these little frilly things… "

Xena twitched her own skirt into place and gave her a look totally devoid of sympathy. "Hey. If I can do it, you can do it." She lifted her hands, and let them fall. "Get your stuff ready… we need to get going." She left the Amazons to gather their kits, and walked down the stairs, feeling the unfamiliar flow of fabric around her legs and the strangeness of not wearing a single weapon. Not that she wasn’t bringing them, of course… her sword and chakram, and her leathers in fact, were stowed in a hidden panel under the wagon’s bed in case their little act didn’t go over very well. Salmoneus’ never-ending wagon had provided them with outfits for the Amazons, along with several other items they’d needed, and the opportunist had been delighted to ‘donate’ them to the effort, in return for free board and lodging while the little party was gone. He’d also talked his way into the merchants’ fair, and was now happily holding court inside the inn, regaling the villagers with various tall tales, including several of hers told from a slightly different perspective.

She sighed, and joined Gabrielle at Johan’s side, as the bard arranged their bags in the back of the cart. She put her hands on her partner’s back and gently rubbed it, feeling the muscles shift under her touch. "We ready?"

"Just about." Gabrielle closed her eyes and leaned back against her partner’s hands. "We should get there before nightfall.. you think they’ll let us in?"

"Oh.. let’s see… we’ve got a sturdy respectable man, with seven fertile daughters… " Xena watched Johan almost choke on a piece of apple. "I’d say we’ve got a good shot at it."

Gabrielle glanced behind her, to where the Amazons were mincing across the grass, tripping over their skirts, then turned her eyes on her beautiful, assured soulmate. "Do you remember what I said about taking someone else in there instead of you?" She murmured.

Xena nodded quietly.

"Forget I said that, okay?" Gabrielle rested her head against the warrior’s chest. "Do you suppose I can just hog tie them and leave them in the wagon?"

"Shh.. they’ll be fine." Xena kissed her head. "Give em a chance to get used to the stuff…by the way, you look great." She arranged the shawl around Gabrielle’s neck and fluffed her pale bangs.

The bard absorbed the compliment with a smile, then backed off a step, and regarded her fondly. "Speaking of which.. you really look pretty yourself.. and I love your hair." She reached up and touched a braid.

Xena pulled a neat curtsy, and winked. "Why thank you, kindly ma’am… " She drawled.

"All right.. are you two finished billing and cooing at each other?" Solari got the Amazons gear stowed. "Great Artemis..you guys are a walking advertisement for Aphrodite, I swear. " She surveyed her troops. "Cesta, put that dagger away… Lista, you need to keep those shoes on.. and Frendan…oh never mind." Solari hitched her skirt up and fastened the hem up under her belt. "There.. that’ll do until we’re near the damn place…" She braced a muscular leg against the step of the cart, and heaved a canvas bag of weapons on board. "Hide these under those mats."

Oh boy. Xena exhaled, then turned and gave her soulmate a hand up to the seat of the wagon. "All right… let’s get started." Johan mounted the steps and settled in the driver’s seat and took the reins while the rest of them climbed into the back, seating themselves on the rough sacks and blankets that had been put down in the bed. It wouldn’t be a comfortable ride, but it would be faster than walking. Xena stretched her legs out and leaned against the back wall, on hand wrapped around the seat post. She waved to Cyrene, who had come out onto the porch to see them off, along with Granella and Elaini, as the wagon lurched into movement and they headed down the road.

The sun was setting as they plodded up the long, sloping road that lead to the small town of Elebar. The weather had remained clear though, and the Amazons managed to pass the time playing a dicing game, while Xena looked on, her eyes half closed. Gabrielle had traded her padded seat to Frendan some time before, and had settled down in the straw and blankets, cuddled up next to her soulmate, where the bard had spent a little while trying out a new story on her, then wrapped her arms around the warrior’s body and used her as a pillow.

Xena hadn’t minded. She’d tucked the ends of Gabrielle’s shawl around her, and stretched out her legs, letting the bard’s peaceful breathing and warm body soothe her despite the rumbling of the wheels and the annoyingly persistent looks from Cesta.

Deliberately, the warrior let her chin rest against Gabrielle’s fair head, pulling the bard a little closer against the cold wind that had sprung up as night neared.

"Mm." Gabrielle murmured sleepily, burrowing into her partner’s shoulder. "Love you." The soft whisper barely reached Xena’s ears, but brought a smile to her face. Just two words, and if they’d been said by anyone else it wouldn’t have mattered. "Love you too." She muttered back, feeling the gentle squeeze as Gabrielle heard them.

The wagon slowed, and Johan half turned. "Bout there, lassie."

Xena glanced up, and nodded. "Just go in… Salmoneus said there was a main gate. Tell them your village was burned out, and you’re looking for shelter."

Johan nodded. "Aye…ye’re no serious about all of ye being my children, are ye?"

A faint twinkle showed in the blue eyes that regarded him. "C’mon, Jo…you’re up to it." The Amazons snickered at her sly joke, and she felt Gabrielle tickle her gently. The ex trader blushed.

"And here ye’re an innocent pure little thing." He gave her an exasperated look. "I’m liking to have reputation as much as the next man, but Hades’ left ankle, Xena…"

A soft chuckle. "Oh, all right….the rest of this lot can be your nieces…tell em your brothers were killed in a raid." Xena relented.

"Why would we be hanging around with him?" Solari asked, grumpily.

Blue eyes gazed innocently at her. "He protects us… where else would we go?" Xena purred pleasantly.

"Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"I’m gonna throw up all over this wagon."

A dark brow quirked. "Oh, that’s ladylike."

The wagon creaked on, and Xena half turned to watch the road, noting the walled enclave that surrounded the village. It wasn’t like something they would see in Greece, more like a fortress than a homestead, and she studied the well built wall with a sense of vague foreboding. You put up a wall, people wanted to know what was behind it…and they assumed whatever it is, it was worth a lot. If I were planning the conquest of an area… that’d be the first place I’d hit. Xena mused.

As Johan skillfully drove the horses forward, watchers on either side of the gate spotted him, and came forward, holding long staves. "Hold!"

"’Ere we go." Johan muttered, as he pulled the horses to a stop, and waited for the two men to come to meet him. They were both of middling height, and bearded, with thick woven tunics and leggings tucked into well made boots. They looked tolerably prosperous, and had the arrogant attitude that usually carried. "Fine day to you."

The closer one stepped up to him, while his companion circled the wagon, regarding its contents. "And you.. what business have you here?"

Johan gave him a tentative smile. "I’d heard this be a good place for those seeking a new way." He half turned, looking at the wagon, then swiveled back around. "My home village was burned out… two warlords fighting over the sheep, they were.. and my brothers killed. I took away my daughters and theirs.. and went out from there."

The man gave him a friendlier look. "Oh? And what steered you to here?" He peered at the wagon, and the sturdy, muscular horses with an almost proprietary air.

Xena watched out of the corner of her eye as the other man peered in at them, glad that the darkness masked the ill hidden scowls on the Amazon’s faces. Gabrielle was awake, and she removed her stranglehold on the warrior, but was still huddled against her, blinking out at the watcher with plainly innocent eyes.

Which was all right for the bard. Xena kept her gaze down at the straw, figuring rightly that it would be a better idea than returning the man’s look. He leaned against the buckboard, though and peered at her curiously.

"Hello." Gabrielle said, softly, giving him a smile. Xena let out a tiny sigh of relief as the man’s attention was drawn to her soulmate, and paid attention to what Johan was saying.

"As I say… we’re tired of the old ways… do us no good.. look at what happened? All the prayers to our gods did nothing… nothing, I say… and I’m hearing you teach a different path." It was a good line, Johan decided. "I’ve got only what’s in t’wagon.. but the girls are good workers, and fair." He paused. "And my little one, she’s w’child."

The man’s eyes went to his face, then he slowly and deliberately circled the wagon, examining its contents. The Amazons wisely kept their eyes on the straw, and Xena did the same, as the eyes raked them. Judged them.

Only Gabrielle lifted her head, and regarded the two men with intent, mist green eyes. She watched them examine her partner, their eyes flicking over her in an almost dismissive gesture, then fasten on the Amazons, especially on Cesta’s striking face. They nudged each other, then walked around to the front of the cart.

"All right… come on inside. Let’s discuss things there, out of this wind." The taller of the two decided. "And we’ll send for our leader, so that he might speak with you, and explain our ways." He patted the sturdy lead horse’s shoulder. "Be welcome here."

"I thank you." Johan muttered, as he took up the reins, and waited for the gates to open, then guided the horses inside, with the taller guard following him in. As the gates closed behind them, he pulled to a halt again, and glanced around.

So did Xena, her eyes flicking over the compound in a rapid analyzation. It was a village built on a series of squares, not very different from Amphipolis. In the entryway here, a large open space fronted buildings that looked like stables and storerooms, and there was a broad dirt avenue that lead up between the center buildings towards another open space. Off to one side a dust cloud and the small sounds of bleats attested to the presence of sheep, and the odd chicken or two scuttled across the road. A number of men and women were moving about, the men dressed in tunics and trousers, most of them also wearing the striped wool overlay of a shepherd tied around them. This was used, Xena knew, as a blanket and a dozen other things out in the fields. The women all wore long skirts and long sleeved blouses, soft and shapeless, and shawls wrapped around their heads.

The two didn’t mix, the watching warrior noted. The men clustered in groups, talking, complaining, gesticulating, and the women moved in their own circles, heads bent towards each other, hands full of bowls or other domestic items. It seemed a peaceful scene, and the people appeared happy, and content. Xena shot a glance at Gabrielle’s watching face, and saw the muscles shift as her eyes moved about, absorbing her surroundings.

The tall guard gestured him to move the wagon closer to what appeared to be a stable. "Wait here." He trotted off, and they were left alone for a moment, though the eyes of the inhabitants curiously watched them.

"Did I do all right then?" Johan whispered over his shoulder.

"Just fine." Xena burred, pitching her voice low. "All right, everyone listen up. This is going to get ugly for all of us, so put a lid on your tempers, and remember why we’re here." She caught and held the Amazons’ eyes, especially Solari’s. "You’re gonna get insulted, and looked down on, and generally not be respected. Cope with it." The warrior felt a gentle hand rub her back, and she consciously relaxed some of the tension there. "Just stay calm, and listen to what they say, and don’t argue with them."

"Poop." Solari gave her a disgusted look.

"You insisted on coming." Xena shot back. "I didn’t ask you to be here."

Hazel eyes regarded her, then dropped. "All right… she’s right, you guys… I got us in to this, you can beat me up later. But while we’re in here, make like sheep."

Cesta regarded her thoughtfully, then let her eyes wander back to Xena’s shadowed face.

The guard came back, with a burly older man with thick, bushy eyebrows and almost a lions mane of hair. He gave the wagon and its contents a brief glance, then leaned his elbow on the traces, and gazed up at Johan. "Welcome." His voice was very deep, and compelling. "Matthias tells me you wish to join us."

The ex-trader nodded and wrapped his reins around a seat post before he hopped down and faced the man directly. "Aye.. that’s true." He turned. "I haven’t much save these." His indicated his hands. "And t’wagon… we got some small stuff in there."

The man regarded the scene. "The women all yours?" One bushy eyebrow lifted at him, but more in amusement than surprise.

"My two girls, aye." He gestured to the two shadowy figures in the flickering torchlight, huddled in one corner. "T’rest are my nieces… they’re all that’s left."

"Mmph." The man nodded. "Brave and kindly of you to take responsibility for all of them.. you’re a good man.. ah… " His voice rose in question.

"Johan." The ex trader extended an arm.

The burly leader took it. "Isaac." He glanced around. "Let’s get your stuff taken care of… and we’ll find you a place to sleep." His eyes went to the silently waiting women. "They’re all in right minds, eh?"

"Eh?" Johan spun to regard them. "Of course they are." He gave Isaac a puzzled look. "Let me.. "

Isaac waved him off. "Just being sure… such terrors often affect a woman’s sensibilities.. they’re delicate, I know.. glad that’s not the case here." He considered. "Have them move your stuff out, and you can put the horses in there… Matthias tells me one of them is with child?"

Does he mean the horses? Johan wondered for a moment, then realized what the question was. "Oh.. aye..aye.. my little one here." He put a hand on Gabrielle’s arm, feeling the tension under the fabric of her sleeve.

Isaac grunted. "Very well.. you and she can stay with my family… Matthias will take the others and split them up in a few other homes nearby."

Gabrielle didn’t like that. Being separated from her soulmate was not in her plans, but she glanced back, to see a quiet, almost still face above hers. "You okay?" She barely aspirated the sounds.

"Mmhmm." Xena murmured back. "I’m imagining what it would feel like to pull every hair in his body out." A pause. "Slowly." Another pause. "While holding him upside down." Yet another pause. "With his head in a bucket of sheep dung."

"Really." The bard bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling.

"Mm.. I don’t much like being separated.. but let’s see what happens." Xena’s eyes flicked around, so fast it was almost undetectable. "Doesn’t look like much security once you’re inside."

"All right, children." Johan cleared his throat. "Ye heard the man… out ye go."

The warrior waited for the Amazons to exit, then she slid out, and turned to help Gabrielle as she followed, taking the bard’s arm as she got down from the wagon. She took out both of their bags, then put a hand on the smaller woman’s shoulder as Johan moved closer.

"These are yours, then?" Isaac eyed the two of them.

"Aye." Johan agreed.

"Comely looking, they are.. pity though, you have no son." Isaac clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on then, I’ll take you to my home." He turned. "Matthias, take two of them by you, and put the rest in the communal hall… we’ll sort things out better on the morrow." He exhaled. "Be easy, my friend… " He gave Johan a smile. "We’ve got a good crop of younger sons ready for wives… we’ll find them all places. They look like good, strong girls."

"Xena?" Gabrielle leaned back against her soulmate.

"Hmm?" The warrior ducked her head a little to listen.

"If you end up stuffing him into a potato sack and sending him down the river, I’ll forgive you."

"Mm." Xena gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Let’s just find Toris and Jess, and get the Hades out of here."

Matthias stepped up in front of them, and regarded the cluster of women. "You, and you.’ He pointed at Cesta and Xena. "Will come with me. The rest of you will go to the shop. Bring your things." He turned and started walking, obviously expecting them to obey.

Xena sighed inwardly. Just who she wanted to be stuck with. She’d felt the twitch go through Gabrielle’s body when he’d spoken as well. She took advantage of the darkness and gave her soulmate a kiss on the head. "I’ll be by shortly." She handed Gabrielle her bag and shouldered her own. "Let’s go." She gave the Amazons a look, and they started after the striding man.

Gabrielle watched them go, then she turned her attention to Johan, and walked over to him. He put an arm around her shoulders. "Isaac, this is Gabrielle."

The man hardly looked at her. "Fine… let’s go then." He patted the horse next to him. "I’ll give you a hand untracing these beauties."

The bard felt a burn of anger, but hid it by walking around to the other side of the horses and starting to unbuckle the tack, a task she knew at least as well as Johan did. Her fingers worked automatically, as she ignored the startled look from the village leader.

"Plucky lass.. has she any skills?" Isaac inquired, glancing at Johan.

The ex trader watched the fair head bend itself into her task. "Oh, aye… she’s a fair, fair cook.. and a wondrous storyteller." He replied. "And a great one for getting the bargains." Xena had coached him on what to say, and he said it, but ached at the short shrift it gave the young bard.

The village leader grunted. "Don’t have much call for tale telling, but a cook is always welcome." He acknowledged, as he watched Gabrielle lift the heavy tack up and sling it into the wagon. "Strong un, she is. We can work something out, I’m sure…if she bears a son, she’ll be a welcome addition in the bargain." He sighed, as they walked the horses into the stable, and gave them feed and water. "Her husband die in the raid?"

Gabrielle turned and looked right at him. "My husband was killed by a bloodthirsty lunatic." She stated flatly. "But I don’t like to talk about it." She also hated being talked about like she wasn’t there. "But thanks for asking."

The man grunted, then gestured. "Come… my home waits." He started off, taking Johan’s arm, and glancing at Gabrielle, dismissing her to follow behind.

The bard’s palms itched, as she tagged along, and she realized what her body was desperately wanting was the familiar feel of her staff. And to do what with, Gabrielle? Clobber that guy? She sighed inwardly, at the desire. And you were worried about Xena.

Matthias’ house was a low, one story dwelling with an attached stockyard to one side holding what smelled to Xena like chickens and geese. She had pulled Solari aside as they walked, and given her some terse instructions, then grimly followed an openly smirking Cesta and a stomping Matthias back to the house. He walked in first, and looked behind him, obviously waiting for them to come in.

Xena slipped in ahead of Cesta, ducking her head slightly to clear the doorframe. Inside was a square room, with a roughly built table on one side, and a small food preparation area nearby. Through a doorway in the back, she could see a further room with pallets, obviously for the three children who were clustered around a fair, thin woman of middling height in an apron and long dress.

"Sarah… we have two visitors." Matthias called over. "Isaac has asked me to shelter them until he can find a permanent place for them. " He gestured. "She will make you comfortable.. I have work to attend to." He stalked out, leaving the three women alone with the children.

The woman looked up from her pot, gazing at the two newcomers with gentle interest. "You are welcome in our home." She put the spoon down and walked over, holding a hand out to Xena, who was a pace ahead of Cesta. "Pay no heed to my husband’s shortness… he has so much on his mind.."

Xena took her hand in a gentle grasp and released it. "It’s nice of you to put us up." She stated quietly. "My name is Xena, and this is Cesta… our village was burned out by a raider band."

Sarah pursed her lips, as she nodded a greeting to the silent Amazon. "That is truly horrible… I’m so sorry for you. It’s a grace of the Lord’s that you made it here." She glanced around. "These are our children… my eldest son Jacob.. " She put her hand on the dark head of a small boy of perhaps six or seven, who gazed up at them with truculent eyes. He had a snub nose, and a slightly pointed chin. "And his younger brother Ruben." A lad of three or four looked up at his name from the wooden toy he was playing with on the floor. He put a finger in his mouth as he looked at them with big, brown eyes. "And their sister Rebekah." A girl of nine or so peeked at them from behind a spinning wheel, and gave them a tentative smile.

"They’re lovely children." Cesta stated, with a toothy smile. "And you have a very nice home."

Sarah smiled back at her. "Thank you… we have a small room in the back where my parents are coming to stay in… you can stay there. " She motioned for them to follow her. "Come.. you can put your things down, and get settled." She started walking, with them following but little Jacob picked up a stick he’d been waving around and stepped in their path, poking it in Xena’s direction at the level of her knees.

"Halt!" He put up a hand self importantly. "You can’t pass."

The warrior glanced down, aware of a smirking Cesta at her back. "I can’t?"

"No." He waved the stick at her.

Xena knelt down, so that her head was on a level with is, and peered at him, resting her forearms on her knee. "Why not?"

He blinked. "Cause I said so…. My daddy isn’t here, so I’m in charge."

The warrior nodded sagely. "I see." She considered. "Well, my mother taught me that it’s not polite to boss around people who are your guests." She commented. "You don’t want to be rude, do you?"

He stared at her, caught in the deep blue gaze. "Um… no."

"Thought so.. tell you what.. why don’t you let us go through, and I’ll find some way to make it up to you later, okay?"

Jacob turned shy, melting before Xena’s magnetic personality like so many before him. "Okay." He smiled impishly at her, from under long, pale lashes. "You’re pretty nice, for a girl."

The greatest warrior in Greece gave him a tolerant smile. "Thanks." She stood up and moved past him, ignoring Cesta’s sniggering.

Sarah gave her a timid smile. "You’re very good with children."

Xena glanced at the Amazon, then back at her. "I get a lot of practice." She replied, giving Sarah a wry look.

"Oh.. did you have a big family?" The slim woman inquired kindly.

"Getting larger all the time." Xena deadpanned, ignoring the bug eyed look of outrage on the Amazon’s face.

"How nice." Sarah looked a bit confused, but she shook her head. "Please.. come this way." She moved towards the back of the dwelling, and indicated a thin door. "You can settle in there…

It was a small room, and Xena felt her instincts shudder slightly as she forced herself through the door, edging to one side to allow Cesta to enter behind her. One dresser, a small window, and a barely double size bed. The warrior uttered a short curse, switching to a different language as a precaution.

"Oh.. was that Aramaic?" Sarah was just behind her, and her voice sounded surprised and delighted.

"Turkish." Xena replied, with as pleasant a smile as she could muster.

"I so miss hearing Aramaic…I can’t say I’ve ever heard that language… I don’t.. " Her eyes went over Xena’s tall form doubtfully. "Do they speak that here?"

Ah. "We… um.. come from a trading village." Xena lied. "Lot of merchants.. you know.. you pick up a word or two here and there." She clasped her hands in front of her. "Well, we’ll get settled in.. out of your way here."

"We’re serving a dairy meal tonight.. I hope you’ll join us." Sarah peered at them. "Perhaps you can teach my son a word or two of.. Turkish, was it?"

Not that word…"Yes." Xena plastered a polite look on her face. "Sure.. we’d be glad to join you."

Sarah turned around and edged out the door, leaving them to the grand solitude of the small space. "Well." Cesta gave the bed a smirk. ‘That’s cozy."

Xena gave her a look then went to the window, opening the shutters and letting a draft of cool air in. "Don’t worry.. you’ll have it all to yourself." She murmured, peering out. The back of the house faced a small wooded area, and she could see a path running up, presumably towards the center of the village. It was fairly secluded, and at night would be very dark. Perfect. Everyone goes to sleep, I go find Toris and Jess, we figure out how to get the outta here, we do it, we leave, end of story. She glanced around the peaceful village. This place gives me the creeps.

"C’mon, Xena.. " Cesta closed in behind her, and put a hand out, clasping the warrior’s arm. "Don’t.. ow!"

Xena whirled, and grabbed her, as her already edgy reflexes reacted. With an exasperated look, she shoved her back. "Don’t do that." She rasped. "You’re gonna get hurt."

"Hey.. take it easy champ… " Cesta rubbed her wrist. "Just looking for a little fun here, okay?"

Pale blue eyes glared at her. "I don’t like people touching me."

Cesta raised innocent eyebrows. "You can’t tell that by the way you and Gabrielle carry on."

"That’s different." Xena growled, returning her attention to the window.

"Tch tch.. " The tall redhead eyed her appreciatively. "You’re not gonna tell me one little pregnant blond bard can keep you satisfied, Xena… not from what I heard."

Xena counted to twenty. Then she counted to twenty again. Then she turned around, and leaned against the windowsill in a seductive pose. "So. You want a little fun, huh?"

A big grin creased Cesta’s face. "Now you’ve got the idea."

Xena slipped past her, closing the door with a negligent foot, then circled Cesta, stalking her like a large, hungry cat. "Oh yeah.. I’ve got the idea."

"Heh… " Cesta watched, a touch nervously as the ice blue eyes focused on her. " Right." She took a step back as Xena closed in, suddenly aware of the magnetic presence of the warrior, which became more intense the closer she got. Her throat went dry.

"Well you know.. you might have a point there." Xena purred, forcing her back another step, and letting her personality off it’s leash. "Because I do love to have fun… " Her voice dropped an octave, rumbling in her chest. She reached out, slipping past Cesta’s defenses and gave her a little shove towards the bed. "I really do."

"Uh." The redhead stuttered.

"This what you had in mind, Cesta?" The warrior gave her another shove, which put her on her back on the bed. Xena leaned over her, and stared down, her eyes half lidded. "Hmm? Think you can handle me?"

Wide, overwhelmed gray eyes stared back at her. "Uh."

"Nice big girl like you? Hmm???" A grin found its way onto Xena’s face. "I can think of lots of things that would make you scream." She chuckled softly.

"Uh…well.. you know.. maybe with that family in the other room.. uh… that um… " Cesta squirmed, realizing she was trapped by a large, very strong, very aggressive, very sexual animal. "Maybe it’s not such a good idea."

"No?" Innocent blue eyes widened.

"Uh…" Cesta felt like crying.

Abruptly Xena stood up and smiled. "Maybe you’re right… not everyone can take me like Gabrielle does… I don’t want you getting… hurt." She took a step away, her eyes never leaving Cesta’s.

"Ah.. good thought.. I mean.. uh.. " Cesta launched herself off the bed and got to the door in record time. "I’ll.. go get the bags. Yeah.. that’s a good idea.. I’ll be right back." She whisked out the exit at a near run.

"No problem." Xena commented to the hastily closed door. "Take your time." She leaned against the wall and chuckled to herself, shaking her head in pure amusement. "Oh… Gabrielle… you did wonders for my reputation.. I think I just returned the favor." She sighed to her absent soulmate, then she chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I hope you don’t kill me for that."

Gabrielle followed Johan towards Isaac’s house, checking out the village as they passed through it. The village leader was talking about a series of raids they’d been suffering in the area, but he seemed quite proud of their ability to fend the brigands off. The bard padded along after them, half listening, and half wishing the adventure over. She wasn’t really in the mood for this… the religious undertones of the village rubbed sense so recently faced with a different sort raw, and she fought her tendency to find familiarities between this set of zealots and that other set.

She sighed and wondered if they were really part of the One God faith, and if so, why were they settling here, so deep into Greece? The gods of Olympus were as entrenched as a herd of sows in these parts. They entered a small yard fenced in with wooden posts, which held a garden and several chickens. To one side was a small storage shed, and directly in front of them was a well built home, with a neatly thatched roof and well made doors and windows. As they walked towards the door, it opened inward, pulled out of their way by a petite woman with gray hair, and a quiet smile.

"Leah, we’ve got some guests here." Isaac stated gruffly, turning to Johan. "This is a traveler gone on hard times, name of Johan.. he’s got eight good strong girls with him.. looking to settle down."

The woman peeked out at them, and nodded. "Welcome to our home." Her eyes slid past Johan to find Gabrielle’s watchful eyes. "Please, come in."

"Johan’s daughter here is with child… they’ll be staying with us until we can get them placed." Isaac informed her. "Take them to the back room, and then we’ll have some dinner." He slapped Johan’s shoulder. "You must have tales of the road then, good sir…we haven’t heard much these last few weeks."

Leah sidled over to Gabrielle and put a tiny hand on her arm. "Come… let them talk… let’s get you comfortable."

The bard sighed inwardly. "I’m fine, thanks.. what a nice home you have." She glanced around, seeing the spotless cleanliness, and the few, but well made items of furniture proudly displayed. On one side of the house was a sturdy table, with a set of dressers behind it, and in the opposite corner a bookshelf with leather bound volumes tucked into it. "Are those books?"

Leah glanced over. "The holy writings.. yes.. Isaac keeps them, for when the quorum comes over to discuss the meanings of them." She peeked at the bard. "How far along are you..um… "

"Gabrielle." The bard took her hesitantly offered hand and squeezed it. "Five moons, actually." She put a hand on her belly. "Have you any children?"

Leah pulled her further into the house, away from the two men. "I have not been so blessed." She admitted softly. "It has been a great disappointment for us.. was your husband killed in the raid? How sad… "

"No.. he died a l… a few months ago." Gabrielle corrected herself hastily. "Right after.. um.." She hesitated. "You know."

"Yes. Yes.. " Leah blushed, and half turned away. "Well, let me take you to where you can rest…you must be exhausted." She led Gabrielle towards a curtained off doorway. "I have some warm goats milk… let me get you some."

The bard winced. "No.. no really.. I’m fine… " She followed the older woman into the small room, which held two pallets, and a dresser made of a pale wood. "I got some sleep in the wagon on the way here."

"Really?" Leah turned and looked at her with interest, now that they were alone. "Could you really sleep in that thing? I tried once, and it jarred me black and blue." Her eyes blinked. "How old are you, child?"

A faint smile edged Gabrielle’s lips. "Old enough not to be called a child, actually." Her voice took on a kind tone, though, to take the sting out of her words. "I’ve just finished my twentieth year." Gods… she suddenly mused. It seems impossible…time’s going by so fast.

"Goodness.. is this your first?" Leah sounded surprised.

Such simple question, with such complex answers. "Yes." Gabrielle replied, after a slight pause.

"Well… " The older woman considered that. "We usually start having children much younger than that… but perhaps… " She laughed a touch nervously. "And here I am going on about it, when I haven’t even a one… you can rest here, Gabrielle.."

"Actually.. " The bard ran a hand through her hair. "I’d rather help you prepare dinner.. if that’s all right.. I like to keep busy." She paused. "To keep my …um.. mind off of things, you know?"

A look of contrition covered the tiny woman’s face. "Oh my goodness.. of course.. how foolish of me… please, at the very least, you can keep me company at the fire." She fluttered around the bard, who gave her a kindly smile. "Come.. come… perhaps we can share a recipe or two."

Thank the gods it’s me here. Gabrielle felt an almost helpless laugh coming on. I can imagine Xena dealing with her.. wonder how she’s getting along? She followed Leah dutifully into the main room, and stopped to wash her hands in the hand basin, careful to scrub off the evidence of a long afternoon’s traveling. Her poor practical, no nonsense soulmate… but when she had to be subtle…

They’d been traveling all day down some of the dustiest roads she’d ever seen. Finally, about twilight, they’d come upon a small, drab looking village on the edge of a dark blue lake. It hadn’t been much of a place, just a tiny market, a tinier inn, six or seven houses, and a decrepit barn.

Gabrielle had stretched out her back, stiff from walking all day, and started to trudge towards the inn, surprised when she heard the thump of Xena dismounting, and the soft crunch as the warrior caught up to her.

"How about we trade?" Xena had said, clearing her throat and glancing at the inn. "You take Argo, and I’ll get us a room."

Gabrielle’s brows had knit. "Um… " She exchanged looks with Argo. "Sure… sure.. no problem." She put a hand on the mare’s bridle, as Xena gave her a brief grin, then watched as the warrior strode off towards the tiny hostel. "That’s weirder than albino crickets, Argo."

The mare had snorted, and bumped her in the side, and she’d shook her head as she led Argo into the barn, finding the most sheltered and sturdiest stall for her. "Let’s see… I’m glad Xena’s been letting me help with this lately.. " She carefully pulled their bags off, then unbuckled the girth strap on the mare’s saddle, pulling it off with a grunt, and laying it over the edge of the stall. "Wow.. that’s heavy."

The bridle came next, and the saddle blanket, which she laid over the stall as well. Then she went and dipped Argo some water, and pulled down a thick, fragrant clump of hay for her to munch on. "There you go, girl…" She took out a soft piece of linen and rubbed the horse down, then she cleared off most of the traveling dust from the worn, but well maintained leather of her tack. "We can finish that up tomorrow, like Xena usually does." She told the busily chewing mare. "Okay?"

Argo snorted, then raised her head, as the door opened and Xena came ambling in, resting her forearms on edge of the stall. "Nice job." She complimented Gabrielle.

Pale green eyes had gazed at her. "Do we have a room?" She asked, putting a hand on her hip and doing her best to imitate her companion’s gruff manner.

Unaccountably, Xena had glanced down, then back up, peeking at her from under dark, sexy lashes. "Probably paid more than you would have, but yeah." She commented. "C’mon… smells pretty good in there, even though it’s half the size of this stall."

Gabrielle had knelt by her bag. "Okay.. let me grab some dinars."

"No.. no… " Xena’s hand on her shoulder had stopped her. "Um… my treat."

Slowly, Gabrielle had straightened, and looked closely at the taller woman. "Excuse me?"

A shrug. "It’s um… well, you paid last time.. it’s my turn." Xena explained offhandedly. "No big deal."

"Uh huh." The bard had walked up and peered at Xena. "Are you feeling all right?"

The big warrior’s face scowled. "Of course I am… Hades, Gabrielle.. can’t I pay for dinner without being accused of having a fever? I’m sorry you don’t think I… " She’d fallen silent, almost sullenly so.

"No.. it’s fine.. I was just.. " Gabrielle had paused, trying to figure out what was bothering her friend. "It’s just that usually, when you change the way we’ve been doing things for over two years, you have a reason." She patted the warrior on the arm. "I didn’t mean to get you mad… come on… " She’d tucked her hand around the muscular surface. "It’s almost like we’re having a date or something."

Silence, and a flash of a guilty look from very blue eyes.

Gabrielle felt a little foolish. "Oh." She’d found herself blushing, and studying her feet. "Put my foot in that, didn’t I?" She’d murmured.

Xena had sighed, and kicked a cast off horseshoe. "I’m not really good at this." She admitted. "I..um… every other time.. I… " She’d paused, then went on. "I’m just not… I’ve never had to.. observe the conventions, so to speak." She’d cleared her throat, then took a breath and gave the bard a sideways glance. "So.. how about it? You want to have dinner with me, or what?"

Gabrielle could have pointed out, of course, that they had dinner, and lunch, and breakfast with each other every single day, and had done the same for over two years, with very few exceptions. "I’d really like that." She’d answered softly. "I’ve never been… um… " She’d fallen silent for a moment. "No one ever asked me before and I… I’m not really sure… "

Xena had held her hand out, waiting until the bard had taken it, then she’d closed her fingers, wrapping them around Gabrielle’s in a warm grip. "We’ll improvise." She reassured her. "C’mon.. let’s go have some fun."

They’d walked across that courtyard hand in hand, and Gabrielle had felt her heart soaring up to meet the stars. "Hey… you think they’ve got some cake or something?"

"They’d better." Xena mused.

"You didn’t let them con you out of a ton of dinars, did you?" The bard had laughed.

Xena had smirked back. "Nope.. that reputation’s good for something, though."

They’d both laughed, and kept going.

Running footsteps made them both look up, and Gabrielle blinked in surprise as Cesta popped her head inside the door, and spotted her.

"Gabrielle." The tall redhead oozed into the room, and crossed to her, wiping her hands nervously together. "Listen.. I was just thinking.. "

"Dangerous." The bard murmured.

"Um.. you know, that Matthias is a swell guy.. and he’s got a nice place.. and three really cute kids… those kids would just love to hear stories.. and.. well, we all know how great you are at that so.. I think we should change places." Cesta got it out in a huge breath, and stared at her. "Please?"

What in Hades is this all about? Gabrielle’s green eyes widened a little. "Hold on.. slow down." She put a hand out. "I can just go there to tell stories… is there a problem?"

"Uh." Cesta licked her lips nervously. "Your sister misses you." She nodded fiercely. "A lot."

Gabrielle had to turn away, and half cover her face, which was twitching into a helpless grin. She got herself under control and turned back around, then cleared her throat, and glanced at Leah apologetically. "She was traumatized by the attack… you have to forgive her."

Leah cooed, and patted Cesta’s arm. "Now now.. take it easy…. " She peered at Gabrielle. "Is your sister very upset too? Maybe it would be better if you saw to her.. since you seem so assured."

"Um." Gabrielle scratched her jaw. "My sister tends to react in…mm.. unexpected ways… maybe I’d better go see what’s going on." What in the world is that troublemaker up to now? "Cesta.. you.. why don’t you stay here for now, okay?"

"Absolutely." The redhead agreed immediately.

Isaac and Johan came back over, hearing the raised voices. "What happens here?" Isaac demanded, glancing at Cesta. "You were to go with Matthias."

Gabrielle gently folded her hands. "It.. um.. apparently there’s a problem with my sister… I’d like Cesta to stay here, and I’ll go there to see if I can help."

Isaac eyed Cesta for a long moment, then gave a brief nod. "Johan, does that suit you?"

The ex trader’s eyes twinkled as he ruffled Gabrielle’s hair. "Whatever suits my little one here suits me."

The bard gave him a hug. "Thanks dad."

"You take care of your sister now, hear?" Johan advised her solemnly.

"I will.. " Gabrielle shouldered her bag, and wiped the grin off her face before she turned, and gave them all a brief nod. "Bye."

It was a short walk to Matthias’ house, after she stopped and asked directions from a young boy who told her impatiently then stalked off. She tapped on the door, and smiled when a young woman answered it. "Hello."

"Hello." The woman looked taken aback. "I’m sorry, I was expecting…"

"I know." Gabrielle stuck her hand out. "My name is Gabrielle.. Cesta and I are going to be switching places… the other woman staying her is my sister."

"Ah!" The woman smiled. "I see.. I see.. how nice." She backed up to allow Gabrielle to enter. "My name is Sarah.. Matthias went out to talk to a friend, but you are welcome here, I’m sure." She lead the way inside. "So you two are sisters? Forgive me.. you don’t look much alike."

Gabrielle bit her lip, realizing that no one else had even questioned it. "I know. Everyone tells us that." She replied politely. "It’s just one of those things, I guess.. she looks like mom, I look like dad." Sort of, she mused. Johan shared her relatively short stature, and lighter features, enough to get away with.

"Well, that’s lovely.. your sister seems very smart." Sarah mentioned, lowering her voice. "Did you know she speaks Turkish?"

Uh oh. "Some words of it, yes." Gabrielle nodded. "And she is very smart."

"Let me introduce you..." She motioned to the small boy sitting on the floor. "That’s my son, and his brother Ruben." She glanced over. "And Rebekah, my girl." She smiled at the bard. "Jacob was quite taken with your sister."

Gabrielle smiled. I bet. "She has that effect on people… " Her eyes found Jacob’s, and warmed. "Especially handsome little boys."

Sarah beamed with pride. "Why, thank you." She took Gabrielle’s arm, and steered her towards the back room. "I hate to say this, but you’re much more pleasant than that other woman.. she ran out of here like wolves were chasing her."

"She’s been through a lot." The bard bit her lip. "Is that.. " She pointed at the door.

"Yes.. your sister is in there… please join us for dinner as soon as my husband gets home."

"Thanks." Gabrielle smiled at her, then at the children, then slipped through the door and closed it behind her. Her eyes found the tall, silent figure at once, her head outlined against a canopy of stars seen out the window. As she watched, Xena turned, and leaned lazily on the windowsill, a faint smile playing about her lips. "Okay, what in the name of Hades did you do to Cesta?"

Oh so innocent blue eyes. "ME?" Xena pointed at her chest in mock surprise. "Why Gabrielle… I haven’t the faintest idea of what you’re talking about."

Gabrielle put her hands on her hips, and gave her beloved soulmate a wry look. "Uh uh… save that ‘butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth’ attitude for someone who hasn’t lived with you for over three years, Madam Warrior Scheming Princess."

That got a little, surprised chuckle out of Xena. "Not buying it, huh?" She teased. "She um… was being very persistent in wanting my attentions, so I gave them to her."

Gabrielle blinked. "What?"

Xena pushed off from the sill and crossed to her partner, leaning an arm on either shoulder and touching her forehead to the smaller woman’s. "I chased her butt around this room and told her I was going to make her scream like a cat in heat."

The bard’s eyes closed. "Oh gods."

"Mmhm…. She decided it probably wasn’t a good idea." Xena purred, with a sly chuckle. "But now has a lot more respect for you, my love."

Gabrielle snorted a helpless laugh, and buried her face into Xena’s chest. "Not exactly how I like to earn respect, but I’ll take it." She managed to mumble, feeling the warmth of Xena’s breath against her neck. "So she sent me over here.. said it would be better if I .. um.. handled you."

"Well." Xena smiled, and released her. "She’s not so stupid after all." She exhaled, and indicated the bed. "That certainly looks a lot better now."

"Mmm." Gabrielle regarded it, then eyed her soulmate. "Were you going to share that with her?"

Xena just snorted.

"Okay.. just asking." The bard smiled, then looked around. "Well, hopefully, it won’t be long… this place… " She searched around for a word for it. "Ew."

The warrior nodded. "Not exactly how I’d put it, but yeah." She went to the window and peered out. "I figure I can hunt around after everyone goes to sleep… find them, and then we can figure out how to get them out of here."

Gabrielle nodded. "The sooner the better…" She heard a low, male voice outside. "I think that’s our cue for dinner."

"Oh.. you mean the lord of the manor returned?" Xena’s sarcasm was biting. Then she took a breath, and wrestled a smile onto her face. "I just keep telling myself this is good practice developing patience for when our child is born."

The bard sighed, and tucked an arm in hers. "You’re doing better than I am, tiger… c’mon." She led the way towards the door, feeling a lot better just being with her soulmate. This might, she reflected, even be kinda fun.

Matthias looked up as the entered, then went back to his conversation with a tall, thin young man who was seated to his right. Gabrielle decided she didn’t much like him, and tried to convince herself it wasn’t just because he ignored them as though they were insignificant house dressing. That bugged her, and as she looked up at Xena’s still, quiet face, she saw indisputable signs that it bugged her tall soulmate as well.

Sarah was putting bread on the table, and she looked up, wiping her brow a little. "Welcome….could I ask for a hand for a moment? I’ve got a heavy pot and I can’t lift it by myself."

Xena allowed her blue eyes to rest on the two chatting men, then she gently guided her soulmate to a seat next to the children. "I’ll help." She murmured, waiting for the bard to sit down before she continued on, following Sarah into the kitchen.

It was a small space, but neatly kept, one side bearing what appeared to be a food preparation area, the other a storage cupboard, stacked with parcels and boxes. On a trivet next to the fireplace was a cast iron pot, almost full with a bubbling substance. Xena paced over, and examined it. "Soup?" She hazarded a guess.

"Yes… mushroom and barley." Sarah smiled. "I made a good amount.. I hope you’re hungry."

Xena tried not to breath in the steam coming off the gray liquid. "Where do you want it?"

Sarah brought a cloth over. "Here.. I’ll take this side, if you’ll grab that handle there, I could take it over onto the table there and put it in smaller bowls for serving."

The warrior took the cloth from her, and wrapped it around the thick swinging wire the pot was depending on. "Move over." She lifted the pot off the trivet, and walked with it over to the table, setting it on the wooden surface and stepping back. "That what you had in mind?" She stated shortly.

"Goodness." Sarah murmured, staring at her. "You’re very strong… Matthias has trouble lifting that."

Xena sighed inwardly. Whoops. "I.. um… work with horses a lot." She temporized. "And um… help harvest.. you know, in the fields?" She swept her arm in a scything motion.

"Ah.. " Sarah smiled in understanding. "I see… of course… well, you won’t have to worry about that here." She hesitantly patted Xena’s arm. "We’re not expected to do that."

The warrior studied the piece of linen. "What are you expected to do?" She inquired curiously. "There’s nothing wrong with what I did there.. I enjoyed it."

The slim woman sighed. "It’s such a different culture… my work here is my home, and my family.. how could I spend time outside working with animals.. that’s a man’s work." She patted Xena’s shoulder again. "Tomorrow, I’ll take you over to the women’s work center…we can explain it all to you there. I know you’ll get used to it.. you seem intelligent."

"I’ll do my best." Xena replied, with a forced grimace that might have been taken for a smile. In the dark. If you didn’t know her well. "Do you want this inside?" Anything to get this dinner moving, and get the night in progress. "I can just bring it in."

Gabrielle watched her partner disappear, then turned her attention to her tablemates. The two men continued their discussion, pointedly excluding her, so she turned her attention to the children. The eldest boy was scowling, listening to his father and their guest with an absurdly serious expression. The younger boy just sat quietly, playing with a cup on the table, and plucking at his lower lip. Gabrielle caught his eye as he looked up. "Hello."

He blinked at her. ""lo."

"What’s your name?" The bard asked gently.

He didn’t answer, preferring to continue playing with his lip and rocking back and forth instead.

"His name is Ruben." The girl to her left said softly. "He doesn’t talk much."

Gabrielle gazed at her, then held out a hand. "My name’s Gabrielle… what’s yours?"

"Rebekah." The girl smiled shyly, then tentatively gripped the bard’s outstretched hand. "Are you going to have a baby?"

The bard studied her, noting the thin, almost translucent skin. "Yes I am… in a little while." She told her. "What’s your other brother’s name?"

"That’s Jacob." Rebekah answered readily. "Are you glad you’re going to have a baby?"

What a strange question. "Very much so.." Gabrielle told her. "I’m looking forward to it.. .why?"

She shrugged. "I don’t know…I’ve had to take care of my younger brother since he was a baby.. it’s not much fun." She glanced at the boys, then back at Gabrielle. "Who’s going to take care of you? Papa said your husbands all got killed."

Remember who you’re supposed to be, Gabrielle.. not who you are, okay? "Well, honey… that’s why my father brought us here… he’ll make sure I’m okay. And I still have him, and my sister…it’s not like I’m all alone." The bard explained. "They’ll help too."

"Mm." The girl kicked her chair a little. "Your sister’s pretty."

Gabrielle felt a smile cross her face. "Yes she is."

"You are too.. but you don’t look alike. How come?" Rebekah seemed to be edging out of her shell, obviously entranced with talking to someone other than her family.

"Well, Xena looks like our mother, and I take after our father… so that’s how that works." Gabrielle explained easily. She glanced up to see her soulmate returning and reflected on how nice she looked in the soft fabric. The light from the candles bathed her, and gentled her powerful features, and the bard got a quick, flickering smile from her as she set down a large pot on the table. She waited for bowls of the stuff to be passed around, noting that Sarah was careful to serve Matthias and his guest first, then she and Xena got theirs, then the children.

Seeing that they were still going to be ignored, she turned to Rebekah. "Would you like to hear a story?"

The girl’s eyes lit up. "Do you know any? I’ve heard all the ones from the holy book."

"I know some, yes." Gabrielle assured her, now noting she had the two boys’ attention as well. "Do you have any kind you like to hear?"

"Ones with lots of fights…. " Jacob interjected. "And soljers… you know those kind?"

"Ah, now… " Matthias finally glanced their way. "Be still, Jacob.. these little girls know not of that kind of thing.. probably never been past them mountains, then, have you ?" He turned his eyes pointedly to Gabrielle.

"Well.. " The bard held her temper. "Since father’s a trader… yes, actually.. I’ve been a little further than that… tell you what, how about the story of David and Goliath.. would you like to hear that?"

Three heads nodded, and the bard took a bite of her bread after taking a taste of the soup and understanding the wry look from her soulmate. "Okay… this is what happened… "

Xena maintained her silence, swallowing her soup while trying not to taste it as she listened to Gabrielle relate the familiar story.

Leaving out their parts in it, of course, which would have been a little hard to explain. She noticed that partway through, Matthias stopped his conversation and started listening, and by the time the talented bard was done, was glued to her every bit as much as the children were.

"Gabrielle, that was wonderful.. it was almost like you were there." Sarah smiled, as she put down her spoon. "You’re going to be terrific with the children.. don’t you think, Matthias?"

The man grunted, giving the young bard an appraising look. "Might be.. might be… Johan said you’d the talent for that." He admitted. "What happened to that other one.. Isaac said she went crazed?"

"She.. um…. " Gabrielle pursed her lips. "She was pretty traumatized by the whole thing.. you know." She glanced around, then exhaled. "Well… I.. um… it’s getting pretty late.. I think I’d better go rest." She patted her stomach and gave them all an apologetic look when the children chorused a protest. "Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the Trojan War, okay?"

"Oh of course… you must be exhausted." Sarah stood up, nervously wiping her hands. "That bed in there is so small.. will it be all right for you?"

"Fine." They both answered together, then glanced at each other. "We. .um.. we’ve been sleeping in the same bed for a long time." Xena stated blithely. "We’re used to it."

"Isn’t that nice?" Sarah looked at her children. "I hope you all get along together like that when you get older."

Xena draped an arm over Gabrielle’s shoulders. "C’mon, sis… let’s get you settled… " She stated innocently, as the bard rose and they both retreated to their small room. The door closed behind them and Gabrielle stuck her tongue out and made a horrible face. "All right, Ms. Warrior Princess of intestinal fortitude.. how in the seven levels of Hades did you manage to eat that stuff?"

Xena grinned. "I thought you added a few extra parts onto that story.. were you waiting for your soup to evaporate?"

"Ugh… Xena…. Gross. Ick." The bard complained. "What was in that? No.. no… please.. on second thought, don’t tell me."

The warrior chuckled, and crossed to her pack, digging out a small package and tossing it to her soulmate. "Here… "

Gabrielle pounced on it, and uncovered the contents, letting out a soft squeal of delight. "My hero."

Xena relaxed on the small bed, leaning on an elbow and gazing at her in some amusement. "So glad I could be of service." She drawled. "Save a piece for me, okay? I need to get this taste out of my mouth." She muttered, getting up and going back to her pack, then digging out a small sack. "Ah.. nevermind." She tugged a small honey colored ball from the sack and popped it into her mouth. "Mm… that’s better." She sat back on her heels and regarded the small room. "So.. what do you think?"

Gabrielle was busy munching on the small cakes and fruit rolls "About what?"

"These people." Xena sat down and leaned against the wall, circling her upraised knee with both arms. "This… religion."

"Well." Gabrielle walked over, and carefully sat down next to her, leaning against the wall as well and passing over a bit of cake. "I think it’s unfair of us to judge them….we come from such a different way of life, Xena." She chewed and swallowed. "I mean… would I put up with that for one minute? No.. but then, I’ve lived with you for more than three years, and I know a different life. " She took a bite of fruit roll. "If I didn’t know anything else.. maybe I’d just accept it, like they do."

"Mm." Xena shook her head "It just seems so… I mean, I know that’s what our culture is like at the villager level… like your family is, Gabrielle.. .but it still… putting people in such restrictive roles seems to me to be a waste of resources."

Gabrielle thought about that for a while. "I don’t think they look at it that way.. I think… just from listening to them talk, it’s more like they think bearing and raising children is the most important thing of all.. so they want the women to concentrate on that, and not get involved in anything else." She replied slowly.

"Yeah, I’d buy that if they valued the children equally.. but it’s obvious the boys are the ones they want." Xena objected with a dour look. "And that blows that theory out of the water, Gabrielle… it’s more like they’re using the women as breeding stock."

The bard winced. "Ouch… well, I don’t know… " She thought. "They don’t show much respect for women, that’s true." She fell silent. "They have a right to their beliefs, though." She shook her head. "Sarah seems to be happy."

"Mm.." Xena shrugged. "I don’t think her daughter is."

"No." Gabrielle mused. "There’s something a little familiar there." She gave Xena a wry look. "I was thinking, before, about what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you, and if the slavers hadn’t attacked us." She nibbled on a bit of pastry. "Would I be like Sarah? Working all day to take care of kids, and trying to make Perdicus happy?"

Xena remained silent.

"Would I have been happy doing that?" The bard wondered softly, letting her eyes wander and rest on her soulmate’s face, seeing the tense lines of her jaw muscles clamped tight, the only sign of inner distress. She watched the movement as Xena swallowed, but didn’t speak. "I don’t think I would have been." Gabrielle concluded gently. "But I wouldn’t have known any different, so maybe I would have thought I was." She leaned against Xena’s warm body, resting her cheek on the tense shoulder, and brushing the skin there with her lips. "Lucky for me, I do know different, so I know that I really am happy."

Xena didn’t move or speak, but the bard could feel the tension slowly drain out of her, and she started to roll the candy around in her mouth again. "What about you? Do you ever wonder?" She asked the warrior curiously.

Long silence. "I try not to entertain what ifs like that, Gabrielle." Her partner finally said quietly. "There’s no point to it." She let her chin rest on her forearm.

Gabrielle waited, patiently.

"I don’t know." Xena went on, after a pause. "It’s so impossible for me to imagine… the closest I came to thinking about it was at the Fates temple….when they sent me into that alternative possibility.. and then…" She slowly shook her head. "I still knew who I was….if I hadn’t…. " Xena closed her eyes, and forced her imagination to put herself in Sarah’s place. She was quiet a long moment, then let her eyes drift open and turned her head, resting her cheek on her forearm. "I think I would have turned out like Menelda… angry at the world and hardly understanding why."

Gabrielle studied her face. "You’re too smart." She reached over and pushed the dark hair out of Xena’s eyes. "I worry about keeping you occupied for a few months at home… I think you’re right." The restless, impatient intelligence… and the aggressiveness that was as much a part of Xena as her blue eyes… no, she wouldn’t have been happy and content as some merchant’s wife. "I’m glad."

"What?" The warrior’s brows creased.

"I’m glad.. I like you the way you are." Gabrielle replied, simply. "I’ll be exploring different facets of you for the rest of my life, and never uncover all of them." She smiled. "It’s great."

Finally, that brought a grudging smile to Xena’s face. "You know, Gabrielle.. that might be the single nicest thing you’ve ever said to me." The warrior commented, giving her partner an affectionate look. "C’mon… let’s get off this hard floor." She stood and offered a hand up to the bard. "We have time to relax a little and let everyone get to sleep before I go out snooping."

She changed into a dark tunic and boots, and helped Gabrielle get into one of her sleeping shirts, then laid down on the small bed and waited as the bard snuggled up to her contentedly. They could hear the low tones of discussion droning on in the next room, and Xena felt herself relaxing, as the candle fluttered on the bedside table, sending a hint of tallow to them on the night breeze. Outside, only the small sounds of animals, and the occasional door opening and closing broke the silence.

"Oh." Gabrielle twitched a little.

"Kicking?" The warrior inquired, putting a hand on the bulge under her partner’s ribcage. "Wow.. yeah… " A bit of a chuckle entered her voice. "Time to start talking about names?" She asked, kissing the bard’s head. "Looks like he or she is going to have a feisty personality… not that I’m surprised."

"Hah hah… like I’m the only feisty one in this partnership." Gabrielle retorted. She waited for Xena to correct her, and was pleasantly surprised when the warrior didn’t. "Okay… well… you thought it might be a girl… right?"

"Mm.." Xena agreed, pulling her a little closer. "I don’t know why… but yeah."

The baby moved again, and she patted her belly. "Easy there.. no backflips just yet, okay? " She told it, peeking a look at Xena’s face. Hmm.. no protest to that, either…. Interesting. "We could name her Argo." She mused seriously.

Xena squeaked in startlement, then laughed. "Gabrielle!!"

"Well, you like that name." The bard objected mildly. "I know you do… okay, okay.. what about…Minya."

Another laugh. "Gab-re-ielle"

The bard giggled softly. "I’d love to name her for you, but you won’t let me get away with that, will you?"

A sad look. "I’m not saddling a child with that kind of legacy, my love." Xena quietly objected. "That’s not fair and you know it… but what about naming her for you?" She played with the bard’s hair idly.

"No… " Gabrielle shook her head. "I don’t want that… I guess we’ll have to think about it. I mean.. do you give children names because of your dreams.. or let them find their own?"

Xena thought about the last name Gabrielle had given a child and kissed the bard’s head again. "Maybe something will occur to us… that’s what happened to me with Argo." She felt her soulmate giggle. "I’m not kidding."

"Maybe." Gabrielle let her eyes close, and allowed the comfort of Xena’s warm presence to surround her, suddenly very glad Cesta had decided to chicken out. "Thanks." She mumbled.

"For what?" The low voice answered.

For a reply, Gabrielle simply squeezed her.

At last, the silence extended everywhere. Xena lifted her head a bit, and concentrated, hearing nothing but the faint creak of boards settling, and a soft clank as the lantern outside the dwelling hit against it’s post. Gently, she disengaged herself from Gabrielle’s tenacious grip, and settled the bard’s limp body down onto the bed’s cover. She stood up and went to their bags, tugging out her light cloak and returning to tuck it around her sleeping partner.

The bard let out a soft sound of protest, and reached for her, and she knelt beside the bed. "No.. it’s okay, Gabrielle.. I’ll be right back."

A fluttering of golden eyelashes, then a hint of silvered reflection as pale green eyes slipped into the faint candlelight. A hand curled around her arm. "Xena?"

"Shh…it’s okay." The warrior soothed her. "I’m just going to find Tor and Jess… and I’ll be right back.. you go to sleep." She chafed the bard’s hand. "If someone sees me, it’s a lot easier to explain one person out wandering than two."

"Like someone’s going to see you." The bard retorted grumpily.

Half- hidden blue eyes peered at her. "You want to come with me? Okay." Xena had learned something in the past three years. Tell Gabrielle she couldn’t do something, and you might as well just pack it in right then and there.

Gabrielle’s nostrils flared a bit, then she lowered her chin to rest on her arm. "No.. go on.. you’re right… it’s safer for you to go alone." She admitted grudgingly. "But don’t take long, or I’m coming out after you."

Xena chuckled, and ruffled her hair. "Be right back." She stood and moved to the window, peering out for a long silent moment before she put her hands on the sill, and vaulted over it, landing soundlessly on the earthen ground.

Her boots made no sound as she padded along in the darkness, her eyes soaking in even the barest light revealing shadows and shapes invisible to most others. She cast the web of her senses around her also, drinking in the slight sounds of the trees and brush around her, and smelling the earthy scents of horses, and goats, and the small herb gardens she was passing. The wind was cold, and somewhat damp, and she sucked it into her lungs with a sense of relief from the almost claustrophobic closeness of the cottage.

She circled the village once, to get her bearings, and then investigated the large buildings towards the back of the village, which butted right up against a crook in the mountain.

One was apparently a gathering place. Xena poked her head in, and caught the scent of parchment and dust, and she padded inside, looking around with curious blue eyes at the wooden benches and the sturdy cabinets at one end. The room was divided in two, with a tall wooden wall down the center, and she peeked around it, to see another series of benches, apparently the same as the ones on nearer side of the wall. It smelled of oil, too, and a hint of herbs which made her nose itch. She roamed to the cabinet in the front and peeked inside, seeing a set of scrolls tucked neatly within it. Curiously, she lifted one out, and unrolled part of it, leaning close to see the text.

It was illegible to her, characters unlike any she was familiar with, and she rolled it back up and put it carefully back in place, then closed the door before leaving the building and moving around the rear of it.

Soft footfalls alerted her, and she pressed against the wood, stilling herself completely.

A stocky, muscular figure moved right past her, almost brushing her arm as it continued down the beaten path towards what she could see was a wooden doorway built into the mountainside itself. A dark brow edged up, and she slipped after the man, pacing silently after him like a darkling shadow.

He was carrying a sack, and he unlocked the door, pushing it inward with a rusty creak and moving inside. Lantern light poured out, and threw his shadow back behind him, for a bare moment duplicated, then he pushed the door closed behind him and moved on, never seeing the tall, dark haired figure that slipped in behind him.

The cavern was large, and part of it was given over to a storeroom, musty scents of grain and old cheese filled the air. Along one side were alcoves which had been partitioned off with woven branches, and inside those were prisoners.

"Ah." Xena said to herself. "I think I found it." She slipped along behind the jailer, who was tossing bread to the men behind bars, along with rough wooden mugs of what smelled to Xena like sour ale. The men were too busy with their dinner to look up, so they missed the tall shadow following their benefactor along the rocky path.

"That’s good for ye." The man told them. "Starve yer body, and feed yer soul." He dug in his bag and tossed each man a bit of fruit. "You break the Lord’s law, you bow to his justice."

You think he’s got more pedantic platitudes, or is he out of them? Xena wondered sourly. She watched him pick up another bag, and head towards the shadows in the back of the cavern, and she followed. He passed three empty chambers before he reached a final one, standing in front of it and peering in. "Hey… fuzzlover."

A pair of familiar blue eyes glared back at him.

"Here’s your food. You c’n have it if you beg me." The man laughed.

"Kiss my left nut." Toris growled. "You piece of horse’s crap."

"Another day without then, pig." The man stated, then turned and found his face connecting with something very fast, and very hard. He slumped to the floor in a soundless pile.

Toris blinked, then smiled as the shadows parted to reveal a very welcome face. "Zeus, am I ever glad to see you."

Xena grinned back, and relieved the guard of his food bag, tossing it to her brother. "Likewise." She moved closer and put her hands on the bars, peering in at him. "You okay?"

"Get me the Hades out of here, and I’ll be a lot better." Toris told her. "These people are nuts, Xena… totally fruitcake, out of their minds, wacko, kooks.. "

"I get the picture." His sister told him wryly. "Just relax.. I’m checking the place out tonight.. so we can figure out how to get you and Jess… where is he, by the way?"

Toris pointed. "Down that way.. I haven’t seen him since they threw me in here, but I’ve heard them talking. "

"Right.. how to get you two out of here without causing a riot." Xena hunted around the area, and retrieved a belt knife, another loaf of bread, and what looked to be the guard’s private stock of wine. She sniffed it. "At least it’s not bad." She shrugged and handed all three to him. "Just relax, and let me handle this."

"Xena, no offense, but why not just cause a riot?" Toris asked around a mouthful of bread. "It’s not like you’re not good at riots."

It was a good question, Xena mused. The odd reluctance she was feeling towards using force was puzzling her, but so far she’d put it down to the feeling of mental exhaustion she’d had since Gabrielle had…come back. His sister sighed. "I know.. but these people aren’t breaking any laws.. they just are following their beliefs.. I can’t just start kicking them around." Her eyes flicked around the cavern. "Not if there’s another way." She muttered. "Hey.. slow down and chew that."

"First thing I’ve had for three days.. gimme a break." Her brother answered. "How’s Gran? She okay?"

Xena glared at him. "Now you’re asking me?"

Toris stopped chewing, and blinked at her. "I figured if it wasn’t you’d have told me right off." He commented plaintively. "Damn, Xena… what are you so prickly for? I’m the one in jail."

"Save it.. we’ll talk later." Xena told him. "She’s fine. I’m going to go find Jess, then I’ll see what we’re going to do in the morning." She peered into the cell. "What all that?" She pointed to piles of parchment.

"Scriptures. " Toris glanced at them. "Explaining why I shouldn’t have been rolling around in the bushes with Jessan."

"Were you?" Xena inquired mildly.

"Xena." Toris gave her a look. "He’s not my type, for one thing. He’s not my species, for another."

"That didn’t stop Ephiny." Xena grinned. "I always thought Jess was kind of cute, myself."

Her brother stopped chewing, and stared at her, his eyes widening.

"Just kidding." Xena patted his arm. "Don’t go anywhere." She dragged the guard over to his pallet, and lifted him up onto it, tucking him neatly into the bunk and dusting her hands off. "No sense in raising suspicions." She muttered, as she continued down the darkened hallway. She could see a faint light ahead, and slowed her steps, also hearing the murmuring of voices.

There was a bend before her, and she went to the edge of it, peering around and into a larger, open area filled with torchlight. In the very center was a large cage, and inside the cage stood Jessan, his seven foot stature sending frightening shadows against the wall. Surrounding him were a group of six men, and they were muttering, reading from parchment, and bobbing up and down. The lead man stepped closer, and sprinkled the forest dweller with a liquid.

"Stop that." Jessan barked. "That stuff smells like weasel piss. "

The man bobbed at him, and went on muttering.

Xena stepped around the edge of the corridor, and stood silently, waiting. After a moment, the liquid gold eyes turned her way, and a large, delighted, toothy grin spread across Jessan’s face.

Xena put her finger up to her lips, and tapped her wrist, turning her thumb upmost to indicate he would have to wait a bit. She grinned as he stuck his tongue out, and spread his hands out in a pathetic gesture. She patted the air in a conciliatory gesture, and he sighed visibly.

"Hey guys.. let me clue you in on something, okay?" He increased the volume on his growly voice. "I’m not going to turn into a human, no matter how much of that stuff you spray on me, and how much junk you babble….hello? Hello? Ares, you’re the dumbest humans I’ve ever met." He finished in disgust.

"My son… as long as you call upon the heathen gods, we cannot help you." The man in front intoned seriously. "You must learn that they are nothing but myths… that your true god is the One God."

"They are NOT myths.." Jessan retorted. "You ever met your god?" His eyes widened at them. "I’ve met mine."

They sprinkled him with water again and he groaned, rolling his eyes and staring at Xena over their heads in beseechment. The warrior gave him a sympathetic look, then clasped her hands together, and slipped back into the shadows, heading back towards the front of the cavern. She stopped to say good night to Toris, who was busy chewing the other loaf of bread, then she moved along the row, where the other penitents were quartered. She stopped outside one cavern, and glanced inside, as the inhabitant stared back at her. "What are you in here for?" She asked shortly.

He came to the bars and peered through them, trying to see her better. "I thought lustful thoughts against my neighbor’s wife." He said faintly.

"Did you do anything about it?" Xena inquired curiously.

He shook his head.

"And that’s a crime here?" She leaned closer, watching his eyes flicker over her.

"Yes." He replied faintly.

She reached through the bars and patted his cheek. "Find another religion, kid." She advised him, before she slipped off towards the door and let herself out.

Minutes later, she vaulted back into the window, and shed her boots, rejoining a sleepy Gabrielle who snuggled up against her immediately. "Hey.. watch it.. I’m kinda chilly." The warrior warned.

"Mm… " The bard wound arms and legs around her. "Not for long." She buried her face into Xena’s chest and sighed happily. "You found them." It wasn’t a question.

"Mmhmm.. they’re okay, just real, real frustrated." Xena wrapped her arms around the bard, and allowed herself the luxury of taking a long breath of air full of her soulmate’s scent. It occurred to her that if anyone walked in on them, they might well find themselves in a similar situation.

Well, she decided. They could try putting her in a cage.

Lips tensed into a feral grin.

Continued in Part 3

Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

The dawn found them up, washed and dressed before the rest of the family. Xena volunteered to help Rebekah with the morning chores the girl was assigned to, while Gabrielle joined Sarah in the kitchen. "Try to give her a few tips while you’re there." Xena muttered, getting a poke in the ribs in return. "After breakfast, we’ll get together with the others, and see what kind of plan I can come up with."

Rebekah seemed glad of the help, since her outside chores had mostly to do with dragging firewood, and carrying buckets of water. She dutifully lugged the heavy buckets until Xena took them from her, lifting them over her head and telling her to get the smaller sticks of kindling. "You ever get any help with this?" The warrior inquired.

Wide, brown eyes peered up at her. "What do you mean?"

"Help… from your brothers, or anyone?" Xena repeated, pouring the buckets into the horse trough, then grabbing two large logs and lifting them up to her shoulder.

"My brothers are in school." The girl replied softly. "But I wish I was as strong as you.. then it wouldn’t take me so long to do everything, and I could… "

Xena put the logs down, then looked around for a hatchet. "Could what?" She asked, spotting the tool and walking over to it.

"Oh.. no wait!" Rebekah held up a small hand. "No… you can’t touch that."

Xena stared at the hatchet, then at the girl. "Why not?"

"The men do that… I just bring the wood over." She explained. "Girls can’t cut wood."

Xena was in the mood for a little subversion. She put a hand on the ax and jerked it free of the wood it was resting in, then lifted it over her head one handed, and brought it down on the log’s end, splitting it partway. She pulled the ax free, then sank it again, twisting it as it hit and separating the two halves. "Sure they can." She smiled at the girl, as she finished splitting the firewood. "What would you do if you were out in the woods by yourself, and no one else was around?"

Rebekah goggled at her. "Why would I be out in the woods alone?" She asked, confused. "Has that happened to you?"

Xena crouched down, resting her hands on the handle of the ax, and gazed at her. "I’ve been in the woods alone, yes." She told her. "But what I mean is, sometimes you can’t depend on other people to do things.. you have to do them yourself."

"Oh." The girl studied the large, muscular hands at her eye level, then she looked at Xena’s face. "Has Gabrielle been in the woods alone too?"

The warrior smiled. "Not as often, but yes, she has.. and yes, she can cut wood, but she doesn’t like to."

"Oh." The girl said again. "What does she like to do?"

"Well.. " Xena stood, and tossed the split logs on the pile sitting close by. "She likes to write stories… and she likes to talk with people, to get them to agree with each other… she likes to cook and fish, but she hates sewing or mending boots."

Rebekah was staring at her. "She can write?" Her voice turned a little excited. "Can you write?"

Xena looked at her, puzzled. "Yes, I can."

She stepped closer, and her voice dropped. "Can you read?" Her eyes widened.

The warrior nodded, a little taken aback. Then she put together the girl’s earlier comment about school, and realized what was gong on. "You can’t."

"Shhh… don’t you tell anyone you can.. .it’s real bad." Rebekah tugged on the sleeve of her new friend. "Will you teach me?"

Uh oh. Large wagonfuls of Uh Oh, in fact. Of all the things she’d been asked to teach, this… "We’ll see what we can do." She promised, reflecting that ignorance was its own, insidious shackle. Gabrielle’s comment the night before about awareness nudged itself to the front of her mind and she felt guilty, all of a sudden. "I don’t know if your parents would like that."

The girl’s shoulders slumped, then she looked up. "If someone didn’t want you to do something, I bet you’d do it anyway." Her brown eyes analyzed the tall warrior shrewdly. "Wouldn’t you?"

It captured her rather in a nutshell, Xena ruefully acknowledged. "Maybe." She couldn’t keep a small smile from moving her lips. "C’mon.. let’s get this finished up."

Sarah peered out the window into the small yard outside. "Rebekah seems quite taken with your sister." She smiled at Gabrielle, who was deftly peeling vegetables. "It’s nice of her to help that way."

The bard smiled quietly. "She’s good with children." She commented, as she lifted the bucket of potatoes and set them by where Sarah was working. The woman had spent a good half candlemark explaining the rules in her kitchen, and Gabrielle was still pretty confused. It had, she gathered, to do with cleanliness, and not mixing stuff like goat’s milk with stuff like dried beef.

It didn’t make much sense to her, but it wasn’t her kitchen, so she just kept quiet.

"She has none of her own?" Sarah seemed surprised.

Funny. Even after all these months it still felt like a dagger in her side. "No… " Gabrielle realized her face must be showing something, and she cleared her throat. "She had… a son."

"Oh." Sarah gave her a deeply sympathetic look. "I’m so sorry… it’s so horrible to lose a child.. I’ve lost two myself."

Gabrielle studied her. "Really?"

She nodded. "At birth.. it just… it didn’t go right." She glanced up in horror for a moment. "My goodness.. listen to me talking about this to someone’s who’s expecting… I’m so sorry, Gabrielle.. "

The bard managed a smile. "It’s all right.. I know the risks." She replied softly.

An awkward silence fell. "You’re so good at telling stories." Sarah finally said, changing the subject. "I really enjoyed that last night."

Gabrielle started cleaning some carrots. "Thanks… I have some more written down.. if you’d like to read them I could leave them with you for a while."

The woman stared at her, then laughed a little self-consciously. "Read? Goodness, I don’t have time for that, Gabrielle." She turned and added some spices to the pot she was bending over. "I leave that to my husband and his friends… they do the reading."

The bard stopped what she was doing, and looked at her. "You don’t know how to read?"

"Why would I need to know that?" Sarah asked, lightly, wiping her hands. "Much better that I know how to cook, and sew.. and it’s not our way, Gabrielle… " She looked at the bard kindly. "Women are not permitted to read… we have other tasks."

Gabrielle looked stunned, she was sure. "I.. um… I’m sorry.. I never thought about what it would be like not to… I mean, I’ve been reading and writing since I was very small." She cut the carrots up and put them in water. "I find it a great comfort.. I can just sit down and write about what I think.. and how I feel… or a bit of poetry… I don’t know."

"Goodness." Sarah laughed. "You must have had a lot of spare time… I have to warn you it won’t be like that here.. we keep ourselves very busy. " She pointed a stirring stick at the bard’s belly. "And after you have a little one.. well… you won’t be writing, I can tell you that."

"Yes, I’m sure that’s true." The bard replied quietly. "Um… I’m going to go find my friends… see how they’re doing.. then I’ll come back here to help some more, all right?"

Sarah looked around. "Well.. we’re all done for now.. it’s nice to have a few minutes of quiet. You go on, Gabrielle… it’s very nice having someone to chat with."

The bard nodded, and smiled, then edged around the table and headed out the door, her eyes sweeping the village in search of a tall, dark form.

"Ah.. Xena.. there ye are." Johan came from around the barn and spotted her. He came closer at her motion, and saw three of the Amazons heading that way as well. "Let’s go inside a minute… less ears about." He opened the door to the stable and lead the way inside.

"Gods be damned pieces of sanctimonious horses butt.. " Solari started in, spitting the words like pebbles against the wooden walls.

"Solari." Xena gave her a warning look. "All right, listen up." She put her hands on her hips. "They’re in a cavern at the back of the village… it’s guarded by one guy, and a bunch of people who are praying around Jess. I don’t see any problem with sneaking in there tonight, and letting them loose, then just fading out of here. "

Everyone was nodding, their heads bobbing like cattails in a sharp wind.

"So.. no arguments, right?" Xena stated, crisply.

Heads swung back and forth like weathervanes in a storm.

"Good." Xena started, as the door swung open behind them and revealed Gabrielle. The bard strode towards them, her short, powerful stride and the flashing green eyes projecting an atmosphere of indignant outrage. "Uh oh." Xena muttered under her breath. "Hey… "

"Xena… " The bard stopped at her side, and put her hands on her hips, glaring up at her soulmate. "They don’t let women read or write here."

Xena scratched her nose. "Um… yeah, Rebekah clued me into that." She admitted.

"That’s barbaric." Gabrielle snorted. "It’s not a life.. that’s slavery."

Everyone has their own scales to judge by, eh? Xena put an arm around her shorter partner’s shoulders. "I know… I didn’t realize either.. Rebekah asked me to teach her to read."

"There you go… we can’t just leave these people like this, Xena.. they need our help." Gabrielle stated, glancing at the Amazons and Johan. "If we just leave them, they’ll go on like this forever."

The warrior sighed. "Gabrielle… this is their way… it’s not against the law, and we don’t have the right to force them to change."

Green eyes snapped with anger. "So you think we should just let them be, and go back to our cozy village, knowing these people here are condemned to a lifetime of ignorance, is that it?" She shrugged off her soulmate’s arm, and waited.

"Gabrielle.. " Xena shot a glance at the wide eyed Amazons watching them.

"Don’t Gabrielle me." The bard stated firmly. "Just because it’s their traditions, it doesn’t make it right."

"Look… " Xena put a hand on her arm, then cupped her cheek, and forced eye contact. "This is our way.. what would you do if someone told you it was wrong, and said you had to stop it?"

"Xena, that’s not the same thing and you know it." Her partner shot back. "And besides, I’d tell them to go to Hades."

"Which is what they’re going to tell us." Xena insisted. "It’s their customs.. Listen, the gods know I don’t think it’s right, but Gabrielle, I can’t force them to change their lives just because I don’t agree with how they raise their children."

"But.."

"What are you going to do.. start teaching classes? Those men will toss you out of the place, and then I’ll have to kick their butts. And where will that get anyone?" Xena argued reasonably. "We’ll have to break Tor and Jess out, people will get hurt, and those kids still won’t be able to read."

A stark silence, with green and blue eyes fencing glances of startling intensity.

"Xena, that SUCKS." Gabrielle yelled suddenly, then she stalked off to where one of their horses were, stroking it’s nose with intense concentration.

Xena sighed. "Yes, it does." She turned to the group, who were staring round eyed at her. "What was more amazing.." She asked wryly. "That she argues with me, or that I won?"

That broke everyone’s frozen stillness, and a round of nervous chuckles

"All right.. let’s suffer through another day… I don’t like it here any more than Gabrielle does…and if I saw any way to change things.. I’d do it, so if anyone has any ideas…??" She waited, and got silence for a response. "Go on… just… be subtle.. try to talk to the people… especially the younger ones…let them know there’s a wider world out there."

Quick nods of agreement, then the Amazons and Johan filed out, leaving Xena and Gabrielle alone.

Silence settled down again, and Xena seated herself on a nearby hay bale, watching her partner whisper to the phlegmatically chewing mare. After a long moment, Gabrielle turned, and leaned back against the horse, regarding her quietly.

"I shouldn’t have done that in front of everyone… sorry." The bard sighed.

Xena shrugged a little. "It’s all right… I just wish I could do something about it."

Gabrielle walked over, perching herself on the edge of the bale, and laying her hands on her lap. "Xena, there has to… "

"Shh… " The warrior put a hand on her arm. "Gabrielle.. they’re not far from where we live.. we can do it a little at a time.. make some contacts here.. and when trading caravans go through, arrange for teaching materials to be sent.. if you want that."

"If I want that? You don’t think it’s important?" The bard shot back. "Maybe you think they’re right."

"Whoa." Xena lifted a hand. "Just hold on a minute… where is all this coming from?" Her voice deepened and lowered. "Maybe I just think people have to want to change.. and from what I’ve seen, that’s not the case here."

"How would they know?" Gabrielle countered. "If I’d never known what it was to read, and learn, and explore things… if all I knew was cooking, and taking care of the house, and… maybe I’d be content too." She sighed in frustration, seeing the not quite hidden flinch in the face across from her. "I know.. we talked about that last night.. and I don’t mean to take this out on you, Xena.. I just… I don’t know."

"All right.. look… " Xena leaned against the hay, and regarded her. "Let’s get the boys out of here, then we’ll plan and see if there’s anything we can do."

Gabrielle sighed. "You’re saying that to make me feel better."

"Yes, I am." Xena admitted readily. "Did it work?"

A trickle of sunlight came in between gaps in the boards, and spilled across Gabrielle’s face, dancing over her clear eyes and lining her skin with gold. A gentle smile finally curved her lips. "Yeah, it did." The bard confessed., as she moved through the liquid stripes and settled against her partner’s body for a quick hug. "But now you have to go tell the Amazons that you did not win this argument." She tapped the warrior in the ribs, and felt the faint chuckle move through her.

"All right." Xena patted the back of her head. "It’s too bad you don’t have any children’s stories you can leave with Rebekah… she’s smart.. I think she’d learn fast."

Gabrielle smiled suddenly into the soft fabric over Xena’s collarbone. "Oh… well… now that you mention it.. maybe I… yeah, I’ve got just the thing."

"Yeah?" The warrior pulled back, and regarded her in question.

"Mm… " The bard was in a much better frame of mind. "Stories about just the right kind of little girl, in fact."

*********************************************************************************************

"Isaac, my daughter here was wondering if you’d show us around the place." Johan studiously didn’t look at Xena, who was peering out of the window blandly. "If you have a moment, that is."

The village elder looked up from his task and grunted. "Surely." He set his knife down carefully, and wiped his hands on his apron. "You were up fore me, did you not sleep well, Johan?"

"No..no.. fine.. I’m just used to being up before the sun." The ex merchant did his best not to wince as he tried to work a kink out of his back from the meager bed. "Long habit, you know how that is." He got the hint of a wry grin from Xena, who knew better. "I’m not a lazy thing like my daughter here."

A dark eyebrow lifted.

Isaac snorted, and settled a cap on his head. "Wouldn’t put up with that from my get." He grumbled. "But as ye will.. c’mon now."

Xena followed the two men out, startled but not surprised when a familiar fair head popped around the corner as they emerge. "Hey."

"Morning, cutie." Johan gave Gabrielle a fond smile, not at all feigned. Xena he held a true regard for, tempered with a healthy respect, but there was a special place in his heart for the young bard. "We’re taking a tour."

"Great." The bard fell into step next to her soulmate, giving her a bright smile. "Hi sis."

"Hey." Xena gave her a wry look. "Thought you were doing chores."

"I finished those… I was just coming to look for you and the others." Gabrielle advised her cheerfully.

Isaac paced in front of them, pointing things out to Johan. "That there is the birthing barn… we’ve got six herds of sheep… a herd of mixed cows, and two big herds of goats." His voice was unmistakably proud. "Had a good year this… a big crop of youngsters."

"Good stock." Johan commented, pacing along with his hands behind his back.

"That’s the common garden… my wife’s in charge of that. She organizes the women to bring plants in, so we have plenty of herbs for our healer." Isaac pointed. "Over there is the common workroom." His eyes fell on Xena and Gabrielle. "That’s where the women meet to attend to their duties." There was a note of censure in his voice. "You’ll be expected there on the morrow."

"What kind of things do they do?" Gabrielle took the opportunity to question him, as they walked across the open spaces.

For a moment, she didn’t think he was going to answer, then he cleared his throat in annoyance. "Women’s things… cleaning, sorting.. mending… looking after the children… you’ll find out tomorrow, young lass." He blinked. "Matthias tells me you tell a good story."

"She’s a good storyteller.. like I told you." Johan interjected. "Held the whole village with their mouths open, she did."

Isaac grunted. "Be sure you’re not filling the young one’s ears with outlandish tales, then." He told her sternly. "We have stories from our good book.. I’ll have someone tell them to you.. stick to righteous tales."

Gabrielle blinked, and decided to be a troublemaker. "Well.. I could just read them for myself, if you want.. no sense in taking up someone’s time." Her green eyes blinked innocently.

Isaac stopped, and looked at her. "Men only read the scriptures. They’re not suited for women’s eyes."

The fair head cocked to one side. "Then.. how do the women know what’s in them?" She inquired.

"We read them, and study their meaning, and we tell them." He told her firmly.

Gabrielle shrugged. "Seems like a waste of effort to me… wouldn’t it be easier just to let them read for themselves?"

Isaac didn’t answer her, instead, he turned to Johan. "And that’s what comes from educating your women Johan…insolence and foolishness." He stomped on. Johan gave Gabrielle a wry look, but the bard remained unrepentant. She stuck her tongue out at the irritated elder, and kept walking, catching up with him and starting in on a new tangent.

"Did she have t’start that now?" Johan muttered to the warrior, who was taking in the surrounding area in daylight.

"One thing I’ve learned about Gabrielle, Jo.. when she get an ideal between her teeth, the only way to stop her is to knock her out." Xena replied with a wry look. "I’ll see what I can do, though.. no sense in getting them all riled up before we’ve got to get those guys out of here." She lengthened her stride, and caught up to where Gabrielle was probing the elder on children. Unceremoniously, she clapped a hand over her soulmate’s mouth, stifling her words. "What is that place?" She asked Isaac, who gave her action an approving look.

"Tis our hall of worship." He answered gruffly. "Matthias has been given the task of instructing you in our ways.. pay heed to him, for we hold our beliefs very sacred." He opened a side door on the opposite side of the building than Xena had entered on last night and allowed them to peer inside. The same smell of wood and parchment poured out, and Gabrielle edged past him into the building, having shaken off her tall dark and deadly gag.

"Oh.. it’s nice in here." The bard gave Isaac a kinder look. "Will you show us around?"

The elder seemed glad of her interest. "This is the women’s side, the men sit on the other side of that wall."

"Why do they sit apart?" Gabrielle interrupted.

"The Lord’s truth is different for men, than for women." Isaac answered, brusquely. "Women are weaker in mind, and in belief… it was their weakness that lead to our being thrown out of the Lord’s garden… of course they worship apart."

One blond, perfectly shaped eyebrow edged up. "Excuse me?"

Isaac sighed. "Matthias will instruct you in our beliefs.. but in the beginning of the world there was one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve.. they were given house in the Lord’s garden, and told they could have all, yet not the fruit of one tree." He cleared his throat importantly. "For that one tree was forbidden.. yet Eve, weak in mind, heeded the Lord not, and ate of the tree, which was the fountain of the knowledge of good and evil, and she got Adam too to eat, and so the Lord was angry, and expelled them from the garden, and sent them out to the wild world."

A hand lifted. "Okay." Gabrielle stated. "Let me get this straight…. Everyone in the world comes from just two people?"

"Yes." Isaac shifted impatiently. "Look.."

"Just one minute.. just… okay, and these two people lived in a beautiful garden, and they were told not to eat fruit from one tree, because that fruit represented knowledge?"

"Er… the knowledge of good and evil, yes."

"Okay… so.. the woman was curious, and wanted to know what was going on, so she munched on one, and got the guy to munch on one too, so they knew what was going on, and your god got mad at them for that, and tossed them out on their ear?" The bard’s voice was tinged with disbelief.

"That is not how we speak of it, but.. " Isaac shifted again. "Yes."

"Uh.. huh…so because of that, in your culture, women are forbidden to seek knowledge?" Gabrielle reasoned. "You won’t let them read, or interpret your scrolls, or go to school.. or stuff like that?"

Isaac was silent for a moment. "I hadn’t considered it that way, but perhaps.. yes.. that is the law."

"As.. punishment… for getting everyone kicked out of the nice garden, right?"

The elder backed up a little. "It’s not punishment.. it’s just our way.. women have other tasks." He protested, then thought a moment. "I will have to consult the scrolls though.. that is a curious thought." He looked at Gabrielle with a touch more respect. "Knowledge is a risky, and dangerous thing, as we know."

"Ignorance is bliss." The bard responded, with a faint smile.

Before Isaac could take offense, Xena caught his attention with a sweep of her hand. "What is that…it’s really beautiful."

The elder cleared his throat, giving Gabrielle a wary look, but responded. "That is our tabernacle.. where our most sacred scrolls are kept." He gave Gabrielle a look. "None but the rabbi can touch them.. or God will smite them down into dust."

"Really." Gabrielle murmured.

"Really?" Xena asked, a faint twinkle in her blue eyes.

"Tis the truth." Isaac nodded solemnly. "Came a strike of lightning when a doubter came up into the tabernacle two seasons back, and struck him dead."

"Goodness." Johan stated, impressed.

Isaac seemed gratified by their response. "We take our laws, and our ways from the scriptures.. it gives us the strength to face the hardships of this life, knowing there’s a better place we’re to go to."

"That’s a very comforting thought." Gabrielle replied, in reflective tone. "I’d like to hear more about it."

"Matthias will instruct you." Isaac replied, but in a friendlier tone. "We keep our laws very strictly, but you must understand it is for the best.. we want the Lord to judge us all well, and the harsher we punish transgressors in this life, the less chance they will be judged into Hell in the next." He ushered them out and gestured across the square. "Come w’me."

Johan ambled along next to him, leaving Gabrielle and Xena to walk behind.

"Gabrielle, do you have to antagonize him?" The warrior asked, plaintively.

"That’s not what I’m doing.. " The bard protested. "I’m trying to get him to think about what they’re doing here… you may be satisfied with rescuing Toris and Jess, but I’m not."

The warrior sighed. "Can we get them out of here first, please?"

"Xena, damn it.. if you wanted to get them out, you could just walk in there and do it…we’re not in any danger here and you know it." The bard gave her a sideways look. "Don’t make me think I’m the only one who cares about what happens to these people."

The warrior slowed a bit, and let Johan and Isaac move ahead of them. "Look, Gabrielle… it’s not that I don’t care.. it’s just that this is their culture, and their beliefs, and they’re entitled to them. These women aren’t slaves, and maybe, just maybe, they’re happy with their lives." She expelled an irritated breath. "They’re not asking for our help."

The bard fell silent, drawing away a little and pounding her steps a bit more heavily.

"Stop stomping." The warrior muttered.

"I’m not stomping." Her partner shot back. "I’m sorry, Xena.. I can’t sit by and watch people be lead into ignorance… accepting the word of someone just as fallible as they are." She stared ahead. "I know what that feels like.. it feels so good to believe in something and not question it."

Her mind focused in on her bitter memory of Krafstar, and she glanced at the ground, before she let her eyes flick to Xena’s face.

Where her partner was almost successful in hiding a quiet, but profoundly hurt look.

Sometimes, Gabrielle.. you really do just open your mouth and let crap come out of it. She cursed herself silently. "I didn’t.. " Mean that? Well… if she was completely honest, it could apply to their relationship too. But the last year had been a hard learning experience for both of them, and that was not all a bad thing.

The warrior just sped up her steps. "Come on."

"Xena?" Gabrielle doggedly trotted to keep up, tucking a hand into her partner’s elbow.

The warrior glanced at her. "Hmm?"

"I meant Krafstar." The bard squeezed her arm.

The warrior’s jaw tightened. "You wouldn’t have been so open to him if I hadn’t given you reason to be." She admitted quietly. "And I’m sorry for that."

Gabrielle kept quiet for a moment, tacitly acknowledging both the truth and the apology. Then she tucked that thought away, and changed the subject. "So…what do you think?"

"About what?" The taller woman replied quietly, accepting the new direction.

"Their way."

Xena shrugged. "They obey rules, and if they don’t, they get punished… at the end if they do the right thing they go to a nice place, the wrong thing they go to a bad place… it’s not too much different from our way, Gabrielle."

"Mm." The bard mused. "But to strike someone down for touching a scroll?"

"I don’t believe that." The warrior stated flatly. "It’s just to keep knowledge in a small number of hands.. that’s power, Gabrielle."

"Tch… you’re so quick to not believe, Xena.. " The bard chided her. "How do you know it didn’t happen? We’ve seen gods be more vindictive than that.. why not give their beliefs a chance?"

The warrior flicked her eyes around. "Because I went in there last night and unrolled one their scrolls, and I’m still in one piece." She told the bard in an undertone. "That’s why."

A pause. "Oh." Gabrielle backhanded her in the belly. "I should have known." They walked along a few more paces in silence, before the bard eased closer, and looked up at her companion.

Xena glanced back at her. "What?"

"Forgive me for being so stubborn??" Gabrielle pleaded softly.

A grudging smile twisted the warrior’s features. "Gabrielle, I wouldn’t have you any other way." She admitted, circling the bard with a friendly arm and exhaling. "C’mon.. looks like we’re gonna get a tour of the jailhouse."

They followed Isaac to the cavern and ducked inside at his request. "This is where we punish those that break our laws." He intoned seriously. "For what terms we think needful. "

Gabrielle gazed into the small cells. "What did they do?"

"That one stole his neighbor’s lamb." Isaac nodded. "And that one had lustful thoughts on another’s wife."

Xena observed the scene, much the same as it had been last night. Her friend in the second cell was sleeping, fortunately. "You treat them both the same?"

He glanced at her. "Penance is penance, lassie." He moved along the line. "And we found some blasphemers in the woods outside the village… one is in here, but the other is too awful for your gentle eyes to see."

They peered in the cell. Toris peered out, a wry look on his face.

"Certainly looks depraved." Gabrielle stated seriously, getting a glare back from her brother in law. "What did he do?"

"Tis not a fit subject for women to hear." Isaac gave Toris a disparaging look.

"You know.. given that we give birth to live children, I think you’d really be surprised at what our little minds can withstand." Gabrielle responded, her hackles rising again as she felt her soulmate sigh behind her.

"Y’ve got a smart mouth on ye, young lass." Isaac stared at her disapprovingly. The bard stared back at him, equally as disapproving.

"If you don’t stop pouring that crap on me I’m gonna throw up all over you!" A bass yell reverberated through the cavern, familiar in its timbre.

Gabrielle started towards it, neatly evading Isaac’s restraining hand. "What’s that?" She called back, as she headed towards the bend in the rock, responding to the level of frustration in her friend’s voice.

"Wait… ye can’t go in there." Isaac yelled, starting after her. Xena and Johan exchanged looks, then Xena gave her brother a pat on the hand before she followed her partner, shaking her head in wry disgust. What in the world’s gotten into her today? She broke into a jog.

Gabrielle lengthened her stride, easily outdistancing the older man and trotted around the corner, stopping short when she almost piled into two elder men, who were moving away from a large cage. Inside, her friend was standing, dripping wet, his fur plastered to his body.

The two men tried to grab her, but she slipped past them, and walked right up to the bars, putting her hands on them. "Jess." She called softly to him.

Jessan blinked back at her miserably. "I wanna go home." He told her piteously.

Gabrielle felt a deep anger start inside her. She turned and faced Isaac. "Why are you doing this to him?"

"Get away from him, young lass." Isaac ordered. "He’s dangerous."

The bard whirled and yanked the lock on the cage open, pulling the door aside and entering. Her eyes found her soulmates, and she gave Xena an angry look. "I can’t believe you left him in here." She scolded the warrior, who lifted her hands up and let the fall to her sides.

"C’mere, you poor thing." She reached up and pushed the fur out of her friend’s eyes. "Poor Jess." She sniffed at him. "What in the heck did they put on you?"

An uncomfortable silence fell at her back. "You… know.. this creature?" Isaac stared at Johan in disbelief.

Xena felt her plan unravel, and she rubbed her temple briefly. "Yes." She finally said, stepping forward and putting her hands on her hips. "He’s…. um… his people live on the other side of the mountains."

"His people?" One of the older men blurted. "You mean.. there’s more of them? He’s not a…"

"That is what I’ve been trying to tell you." Jessan stated, through gritted teeth. "You keep thinking I’m an.. ugh… human." He poked his tongue out.

"Hey." Gabrielle nudged him.

"Oh.. well, you’re an exception." Jess told her, tipping his head back and gazing up at her face. "But I think you just messed up the plan."

Gabrielle gazed at her soulmate, standing half in the shadows. "We’ll figure out another plan." She answered softly. "I didn’t really like this one anyway." Disappearing into the night was efficient.. yes.. but it didn’t teach these people anything, and she could always apologize to her partner later.

Xena sighed. "He’s harmless." She got a wide, indignant, golden eyed look. "Mostly."

Isaac glanced between all of them. "What is going on here?"

"Xena, go let Toris out, will you? We might as well just.. " Gabrielle started, then glanced up as running bootsteps brought a younger man into the area, breathless.

"Isaac.. Isaac… the women… there’s a riot at the workhouse… Malka just got thrown in the horse trough.. it’s those new ones!"

Xena exhaled. "I knew I should have just done this myself." She shook her head, then pointed at Gabrielle and Johan. "Stay here. Get Toris out. I’ll go find out what’s going on, and we’ll meet back here. Got it?" Her voice snapped with command.

"Got it." Gabrielle replied, gazing fondly at her. "You think you could find a bucket of warm water or two while you’re out there?" She pointed at Jess. "He needs a bath."

Blue eyes gave her an exasperated look. "Later, Gabrielle." Xena pushed past the gaping younger man, and broke into a run, her powerful strides echoing as she left.

They were left staring at each other in uncomfortable silence. Finally Johan sighed. "Let me go let the lad out."

That shook Isaac out of his stupor. "Hold on there.. you have no right to do anything here.."

Johan put a hand on his arm. "Laddie, let me just tell ye something. If that tall dark lass wants something done, don’t you be standing in the way now, all right?" He gazed directly into the older man’s face. "She’s not one to be trifled with, and the lad in question’s her brother." He moved past Isaac and headed down the corridor.

Isaac stared after him, stunned. Then he looked back at Gabrielle. "You lied."

Clear green eyes gazed back at him. "Yes, we did… we knew you had our friends in here, and we wanted to get them out without causing a lot of trouble." She stepped out of the cage and left the door open. "I just couldn’t stand seeing poor Jess there in a cage… and I decided that maybe some trouble is exactly what you’d need." She paused as Toris came around the corner, and she smiled. "Hey, bro."

"I’m depraved, huh?" The tall, dark haired man came over and hugged her. "How are you doing?" He touched her belly in a gentle gesture.

"Just great… though I think your sister is about ready to fry me." The bard chuckled.

"She’ll get over it." Toris assured her. "Hey Jess… " He gave the forest dweller, who had just emerged from the cage a wry look. "Gods.. what is that all over you?"

Johan came back, almost colliding with Isaac. "There.. that’s done."

The elder was just standing there, staring at them. "Done? Aye… you lot are done, it’s true. I’ll have the marshals on you in the Lord’s name!" He yelled angrily. "Guards!" Running feet answered him, and five large young men pelted in, evidently having been sent in by the elders who had left. "Lock them up!"

Xena strode out through the outer cavern, shaking her head as she passed two of the elders, who gave her outraged looks. Damned Amazons. She cursed silently, as she shoved the door open, and headed towards the noise, which echoed across the small village from the work house.

She turned the corner and spotted the problem. "Centaur poop." A sigh. She started towards the large cleaning trough outside the building, where three dripping Amazons and six dripping villagers were squaring off.

"Keep your hands off me, you rotted piece of centaur’s hoof." Solari was growling, twisting an arm that had a villager’s hand wrapped firmly around it.

"Be still, woman!" The man shouted, just before he was unceremoniously dumped in the trough. Three other men pounced on Solari, who was grabbing and punching . Aileen and Cesta took exception to that, and jumped on them, causing the entire pile of people to go crashing down into the black, sticky mud that surrounded the trough.

Xena muttered several curses under her breath as she shoved her way past the watching crowd and planted herself in the middle of the melee, picking up two of the Amazons and shaking them like water rats. "All right… settle down and cut that out."

A dripping, mud covered Solari blinked at her. "Oh poop."

Cesta winced. "We’re in a pile of crap up to our ankles, huh?"

"And we’re upside down." Solari confirmed wryly. "Listen, Xena… "

The men scrambled to their feet. "Ungrateful wenches." One spat, wiping mud off his face. "Take em in, and look… pathetic vagrants."

Xena straightened to her full height, and eyed them coldly. "Why don’t you let me sort this out, all right?" She commented. "I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding." She dropped her gaze to the muddy Amazons. "Right?"

"Wasn’t no misunderstanding… " The man disagreed. "They just don’t want to do an honest day’s work, that’s all… should have known." He spat again. "Godless."

Xena drew in a breath, and held tight to her patience. "Let me deal with this." She kept her voice steady.

"Aye, that you will." The man answered. "And pay for my shirt, and his as well." He motioned his companions towards the path, and they stomped off.

Solari winced as Xena released her arm, then she flicked a clump of mud off her chest. "They figured we were new.. wanted us to clean their damn boots and socks." She muttered.

"And figured we were ripe for the picking." Cesta interjected angrily. "Poking and prodding us like a damn sheep… " She glanced at Xena. "You would have done the same thing."

The warrior put her hands on her hips and sighed. "No… because I’ve learned over the years how to control my temper." She enunciated carefully.

"Xena, there was no way we were going to put up with that." Solari objected.

"Yeah, it was really slimy." Aileen chimed in.

"It’s irrelevant." The warrior muttered.

"They just have this attitude like they can treat women like dirt, Xena, and I.. ." Solari paused. "Huh?"

A sigh. "It doesn’t matter… Gabrielle just blew our cover anyway." Xena explained, reluctantly. "We’re going to have to do this th… "

Approaching footsteps, lots of them, caught their attention, and they turned to see a squad of male villagers headed their way, ropes in hand.

Xena sadly regarded the mud puddle. "Shoulda done this myself… I knew it…" She eyed the approaching mob. "Listen, just keep quiet, and let’s see what they say."

"Xena!" Solari protested.

"Just do it." The warrior growled fiercely. "I’d like to get out of this without killing someone for a change."

Us or them? Solari wondered, but kept her mouth shut. She watched in wary silence as Xena stepped in front of them, and raised her hands in a calming gesture.

"There’s the lying heathens." Isaac pointed. "Put them in the lock down with the others."

The men with him charged ahead, moving towards Xena and the others purposefully.

"Wait a minute." Xena protested.

"No.. nothing more from you… we’ve heard enough of your lies." The man stated. "Today is the Sabbath… you’ll spend the night thinking about how you tricked us, then we’ll pass judgement on you after the Sabbath ends, tomorrow night." He motioned the guards forward.

"Look.. we just wanted to get our friends out of here safely." Xena argued, backing up a step. "So that no one got hurt."

"Be still, woman." The man nearest to her spat, as he threw a loop of rope over her head.

A hand reached out and enveloped his lapel, balling itself into the cloth, and lifting him up to dangle with his feet above the ground. Ice blue eyes pinned him remorselessly. "Be nice." Xena sent her voice to its lowest register. "Or I won’t be." She pulled the loop of rope off with her other hand, and tossed it to the ground.

Solari rubbed her nose, smearing mud all over it. "What was that she was saying about her temper?" She muttered in an undertone to Aileen, seeing the sudden narrowing of the warrior’s eyes, and the shift of edgy muscles under the festive dress she was wearing.

An uneasy silence fell, broken by a shout from the gate. Xena released her victim, and turned to see a young man heading towards them at top speed.

"Isaac! Isaac! An army is coming!!!"

The cell was… crowded. Gabrielle had settled in the back corner, on a small bench where she was perched, her elbows resting on her knees. Toris was sitting next to her, and Jessan was slumped against the wall opposite, his furry hands lying on his thighs. Johan was pacing up and down near the front of the cell. "We could have just overpowered them. " He finally turned and glanced at Gabrielle.

The bard nodded slowly. "I know.. but Xena really did want to do this without anyone getting hurt.. and I screwed up her plan enough already... I owed it to her not to start kicking butts." She sighed. "She’ll get us out of here, in a few minutes probably. Don’t worry."

"What’s up with that?" Toris asked, bluntly. "I know my sister… she’s never had a problem with just busting heads… I don’t get it."

Gabrielle sighed. Xena was acting strangely, and she knew it. She wished she knew what was going on inside that intelligent mind.. having her troubled soulmate seeming so hesitant was scaring her a little. "I don’t know." She finally said. "I wish I did."

But deep down she did. A part of her knew, and recognized that there were areas of her partner that had been cruelly shredded when she’d thought Gabrielle had died, and those parts were very slow in healing. Xena would never admit it, even to her, but a lot of the warrior’s sturdy self confidence had been damaged, and it was a struggle for her to maintain her usual tough façade.

Just like there were parts of her that had been beaten almost beyond recognition at having to once again go through the agony and heartache of Hope’s death at her hands. She’d just been hoping that time, and the birth of their child would help to heal both of them. "She’ll be all right.. she’s got a plan." She stated softly. "She always does."

The outer door banged open, and they all looked up, to see a crowd entering, forcing their friends forward at crossbow point. Xena was in the lead, and her face was set in an expressionless mask, and the other Amazons were covered in mud.

"Oh, Hades." Gabrielle muttered, as they approached and hesitated.

"Put them all in that one." Isaac ordered. "I will not have them mixing with our people, no matter how penitent." The guard unlocked the door, and waved them in, though Gabrielle noted they were careful to steer clear of her soulmate. The wooden cell door swung closed, and they locked the huge, iron lock. "Rot in here for all I care." He turned and lead the rest out. "We have a defense to arrange."

Xena walked to the back of the cell silently, and sat down next to Gabrielle, leaning back against the stone wall and snorting softly. "Another fine mess." She folded her arms across her chest and glared at all of them.

Everyone looked at each other, awkwardly. The Amazons retreated to one corner, trying to scrape some of the mud off themselves, while Johan joined Toris against the opposite wall.

Gabrielle exhaled softly, then turned, and regarded her grumpy soulmate. "So.. what’s the plan?"

Sullen blue eyes glanced at her. "Beats me.. you all seem to have your own.. so have at it."

Everyone looked at the ground.

Except the bard, who merely let her shoulders drop, and mouth purse a little. She knew her partner was truly angry, and that sent a little uneasy shiver through her. She also knew she was the only one who could reasonably be expected to defuse that. She put a hand on the warrior’s tanned arm. "I’m sorry." Her voice was quiet, and contrite. "I lost it, and I was wrong."

She could see the shift of muscles in Xena’s jaw as she chewed her lip, and glanced down at the bard, a perceptible softening immediately obvious. "Yeah well.. ‘ Xena moved a touch closer. "Everyone did.. so don’t feel bad. Problem is, they’re under attack."

"What?" Johan and Jessan barked at once.

"Guard came up… said there was an army headed this way." Solari told them. "Looks like fifty, sixty mounted soldiers… I think it’s that warlord Baracus we’ve been hearing about."

Gabrielle eyed her partner. "Xena… we can’t just sit here."

A dark brow edged up. "I offered, they declined." She shrugged. "They think they can handle it by themselves."

Another awkward silence. "She did offer." Solari muttered. "Got told if they wanted a woman’s opinion, they’d ask for one."

The bard considered that, seeing the tensing jaw muscles in the angular face next to her. "Okay.. so they’re clueless as well as obnoxious." She sighed. "But we can’t just sit here and let them be overrun… besides, we’re stuck in here, too." She continued, practically.

The warrior snorted. "We can defend this cavern.. that’s not a problem."

"Xena." Gabrielle curled a hand around her partner’s, and interlaced their fingers. "Come on.. I know this went bad.. and it’s my fault.. but we have to get out of here."

"They don’t want our help, Gabrielle." Xena argued stubbornly.

"No.. but we should give it to them anyway." The bard insisted.

They locked gazes for a long moment, while the rest of the crowd waited in silence. "Fine." Xena finally said, standing up and moving across the cell, approaching the door without so much as slowing down. She took a long step before she got there, and slammed the wooden construct with a savage kick, ripping through four of the supports and sending it off at a drunken angle, hanging from the iron locks on the other side. Lifting it up, she tossed it to one side, then entered the echoing cavern without looking back.

With a silent sigh, Gabrielle stood, and followed her, stepping carefully out past the wooden barrier. "C’mon." She motioned to the others. "Let’s go."

The outer square was full of rushing men, most carrying weapons of some kind, either bows, or scythes, or the occasional pike. No one noticed them until they were halfway across the area, then a man grabbed Isaac, and pointed.

He turned, and stared, then motioned some of the men towards them. "Get them back inside."

Ten men rushed towards them, and Xena just kept walking, taking them all out with kicks and savage blows, until the last two, whom she simply grabbed, and slammed their heads together, letting them fall in her wake as she kept going, right towards Isaac.

"All right. You listen." She snapped, bearing down on him. "I don’t have time to sit here and debate with you. If that’s Baracus heading down here, you’re going to be overrun, and you need all the help you can get."

Isaac stared at her, then turned as Matthias came up, peering at the groaning men on the ground. "We need no help from you." The younger man stated, firmly. "We can hold our own here."

Xena eyed him evenly. "Those are soldiers coming in here. You’re farmers."

"And you are nothing but a stupid woman." Matthias replied. "Because we practice war, and are very skilled at it." He added. "These men will see our defense, and ride away."

"Really?" Gabrielle came up next to her soulmate, whom she sensed was about to explode. "Are you a betting man?"

"What foolishness is this?" Isaac interrupted. "We have little time to play games."

"Mm.. well, I’ll bet you your best fighter here… can be defeated by…oh… say… a pregnant woman." The bard smiled at him. "With a quarterstaff."

"Gabrielle." Xena uttered softly under her breath.

The bard patted her back. "C’mon, Xena… I could have been really mean and made you put on a blindfold and tie one hand behind your back." She walked over and picked up a stray staff, hefting it. "Are we on? I win, you let us help you, I lose, we walk out of here and leave you to it."

"You’re mad." Isaac snorted.

Matthias picked up a staff, and motioned to her. "All right, you’re on.. we don’t have time to play games, and I want this over with." He walked forward and aimed a blow at her.

She took the staff out of his hands with lethal precision. "You know, I really don’t like you." She commented idly, waiting for him to pick up his weapon again. She moved towards him and engaged his staff, slamming it back then whipping her own down and around to take his feet out from under him. "You let me know when you’ve had enough, okay? I don’t really want to strain myself… I get yelled at." This with a tiny, apologetic look at her glowering soulmate.

He got up and leaned on his staff, then came at her again, swinging right at her head. She deflected the blow, then let him come past her and slammed him in the butt, sending him sprawling. This time he stayed down. "Now… can we start working on how to keep those soldiers from overrunning this place?"

Isaac threw his hands up. "I haven’t the strength or time to deal with you now… if you wish to help carry things, do what you will." He turned away and went back to his planning.

Xena exhaled, and shook her head. "I’m gonna go get my stuff." She glanced at the Amazons, Jessan, and Johan. "Jess, make a circuit of this place, and find out what kind of trouble we’re really in.. take Solari with you."

He nodded, giving her a toothy grin. "I’m going to stop and dive in the lake. I hope no one minds the smell of wet fur."

"Gotta be better than what it smells like now." Solari commented, with a wince.

The warrior turned and headed for the barn, keeping her eyes on the ground and her thoughts to herself.

Gabrielle leaned on her borrowed staff, and exhaled. "Frendan, did you notice if there were lots of cloth for bandages, and herbs when you were in the workroom?"

The tiny Amazon shook her head. "I didn’t… should I go check?" Her eyes fell on Gabrielle worshipfully.

"You’d better." The bard said grimly, then she glanced towards the barn. "I’m going to go see if I can sooth some very ruffled feathers." She moved off in that direction, taking her staff with her, and leaving the remaining Amazons to stand and listen to the plans of the villagers.

The barn was quiet, save the soft whickers of the horses, and the shift of hooves against straw. Xena went directly to where the wagon was stowed, and unlatched the hidden compartment, feeling it swing loose against her hand. She knelt beside the edge of the cart and pulled out her weapons and armor, feeling the leather and brass cool against her skin. She stood up and put her belongings on the wagon seat, then pulled out the leather armor and shook it, clearing bits of straw from its dark folds.

A soft creak alerted her to company, but she didn’t need it, her senses telling her before any sound occurred who it was that stood at her back. The soft footfalls came closer, and now she could hear Gabrielle’s breathing, and smell her distinctive scent.

A gentle hand touched her back, warming it through the fabric of her dress, enhancing the connection she always felt with Gabrielle near.

"Hey." The bard’s voice was soft, and reflective.

"Hey." Xena answered, grudgingly, aware that it was almost impossible for her to remain angry with her partner for any length of time. She kept her eyes on her work, though, and shook the leathers out again. "Happy now?"

The bard eased between her and the wagon, forcing eye contact and pressing their bodies together. "Xena." She put both hands against the warrior’s chest. "Am I happy that we’re being attacked? Am I happy people are going to get hurt? What kind of a question is that?"

Blue eyes regarded her. "Everyone keeps saying they don’t understand why I don’t bash some heads and get it over with.. well… " She glanced at her hands. "I guess that’s what I’m going to do now."

"Xe?…what’s going on with you?" Gabrielle asked softly. "Listen.. if you feel like that, the Hades with that.. we’ll just leave."

"And leave your precious villagers?" Xena shot back.

The bard felt her heart start to pound. "I don’t understand what’s going on here… Xena, we help people all the time, remember?"

The warrior’s eyes dropped.

"Look.. I’m really sorry the plan got screwed up… and I admit it’s my fault, okay?" Gabrielle peered at her. "I’ve apologized a half dozen times already… I lost my temper, and I’m not sure what more you want from me."

Xena remained silent, but her body shifted, the shoulders slumping and the muscles in her jaw bunching and relaxing.

"Are you.. not feeling well or something?" The bard hazarded. "Did something else happen… that I don’t know about? This isn’t like you." She was encouraged by the fact that Xena hadn’t moved, or backed off, instead she’d remained quietly still, almost as though she was taking comfort from their contact. "C’mon, love… level with me.. what’s going on in there??"

"I… " Xena felt her defenses eroding, and the almost irrational anger drain out of her, leaving a quiet sadness in its place. "Sorry… I’m not really sure why I reacted like that." Her eyes lifted finally, and the very concerned green ones facing her. "And it’s not your fault, Gabrielle…I don’t blame you for going off like that when you saw Jess.. I should have just let them out last night, and gotten us all out of here."

Gabrielle let out a breath she hardly realized she was holding in. "Honey, don’t scare me like that." She let her head fall forward and rest against Xena’s chest, feeling her legs start to shake.

Xena embraced her, feeling the shivers going through her body. "I’m.. sorry." She whispered, rubbing the bard’s back, and savoring the touch of Gabrielle’s skin against her own. "I get…I think I’m getting tired of fighting, Gabrielle… I wanted to do this without any of that… I really did." She explained quietly. "It’s so easy to use force… I… "

The bard lifted her head and studied her partner. "Then let’s leave… we can’t save everyone." She knew Xena. "Let’s just go home."

Wryly, blue eyes regarded her. "You say that, knowing I won’t do it." But a tiny smile edged Xena’s lips.

Gabrielle sighed. "I know that you’re hurting… and I wish I could fix that." She gazed up into Xena’s face. "And I know that’s my fault."

A shake of the dark head. "No."

The bard lifted her hand and gently caressed her partner’s cheek. "Yes."

Xena swallowed. "You know.. I almost went after you." Her voice cracked. "Down that pit."

Gabrielle went still, and merely watched her face.

"Ares stopped me."

"Of course he did." Gabrielle’s eyes darkened with anger. "For his own reasons."

"He told me… that I wasn’t ever going to get to the Fields." Xena murmured softly.

"Xena, you know he’d say anything to get you to do what he wanted." Gabrielle objected urgently.

A hand gently cupped her cheek. "He’s done a lot of horrible things, Gabrielle.. but he’s never outright lied to me."

An aching silence. "So you believed him." She watched the warrior nod briefly. "And you didn’t believe I’d find you wherever you ended up?" It hurt, and she didn’t deny that to herself.

"No… I did believe it." Xena corrected her softly. "He asked me if you really deserved that."

Gabrielle breathed in and out. "That bastard."

Xena stroked her face. "It’s a valid question, Gabrielle.. and the only answer I could come up with was no." She swallowed. "So… what I was trying to do was to find your… spirit.. so I could tell you face to face, and hoped you forgave me." She shook her head. "And then… when I found out you were still alive… I had to start asking myself, what was the point?" She lifted the armor and let it drop. "Why am I doing this? I can’t ever make up for what I did.. I can’t ever be forgiven, or forgive myself.. I… "

"Xena… " The bard fell silent, unsure of what to say.

"All I can do is.. just try to live, and try to make you happy… and I can’t do either of those if all I do is fight all the time." Her partner finished, in a miserable tone. "I don’t know what to do anymore."

Gabrielle sighed, and rested her forehead against her soulmate’s shoulder. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Xena had no good answer for that, so she just touched her head to Gabrielle’s.

"Let me guess.. you didn’t want to worry me." The bard murmured into her shirt.

"I thought I was just… " Xena exhaled. "I thought it was a reaction from what happened… and that it would kind of fade… after a while."

"But it hasn’t." Gabrielle guessed.

"No." The warrior sighed. "I don’t know where to go from here."

Gabrielle stroked her mindlessly for a moment, thinking. "Wait a minute." She looked up. "Ares said you weren’t going to the Fields?"

A nod.

"But.. he didn’t say where you were going." The bard reasoned. "Did he?"

Puzzled silence. "Well, the inference… "

"No.. forget inference, Xena… he didn’t say it." Gabrielle insisted. "That sneaky bastard tricked you… all he said was you weren’t going to end up in Elysia."

Xena thought about that for a minute. "That’s true." She reluctantly admitted. "He didn’t say anything else." She felt a tiny easing of the dark depression that had caught hold of her, and that she’d been stubbornly pushing back. Her eyes flicked around the barn. "Guess we’d better get going… listen, I… "

A finger touched her lips. "You listen. I love you." Gabrielle stated firmly. "And if I have to turn the world upside down and find a… way of believing.. that allows for forgiveness.. for both of us.. then that’s what I’m doing to do, Xena." Her voice firmed. "I’ll find a way."

The warrior cradled her face. "You are my way." She told her simply. "Nothing else matters to me."

That responsibility settled on her shoulders. "We’ll go home after this, Xena… and there’ll be no fighting there. Just you, and me, and our child." She stroked the taller woman’s shoulder. "Okay?"

A faint smile. "Okay… The blue eyes lost some of their haunted expression. "Sorry.. this is really bad timing." Xena acknowledged softly. "I thought I had a handle on this."

Gabrielle pursed her lips a little. "Just don’t close up on me, okay?" She pleaded. "We’ve been through too much for that, Xena… and I know we’ve both still got some sore spots."

The taller woman drew in a breath, and released it, with a small nod. "You’re right…let’s get out of this mess first, then… " She untied the laces holding her dress closed. "Maybe Baracus will bypass this place.. not much to it." A lace stuck, and she pulled at it impatiently, only to have her hands gently removed from the fabric.

"Let me do that, before you start just ripping it." Gabrielle worried the knot free, and pulled the laces out. "There." She watched her soulmate pull the dress off, the dusky sunlight streaming in the barn’s high, waxed windows dusting her shoulders with golden sparkles, and throwing her face into shadow. "So.. what were the Amazons doing?"

"Fighting." Xena sighed, as she slipped into her leathers, and unconsciously straightened her shoulders as the hide warmed to her skin. "What else? They took offense at being asked to do scutwork." She fastened the straps then reached for the armor that Gabrielle was already handing her. "And apparently some of the men thought they would do a little shopping."

Gabrielle ducked under her partner’s left arm to fasten the strap on her chest armor. "Oh yeah? Guess they didn’t get a bargain."

A soft snort. "More than they bargained for, I think." Xena muttered, as she tugged her upper arm bands on, and then her unlaced bracers. Gabrielle immediately closed in and started tightening them. They stood in peaceful silence for a moment with the sunlight draped over them, then the bard looked up

"Well, for one thing, they’re going to have a different opinion of women as fighters before we leave."

Xena allowed a reluctant smile to cross her face, as she settled her chakram and fastened her sheath to her leathers, reseating the sword more comfortably. "Oh yeah." She agreed wryly. "At least we’ve got a pretty good little force here, between us, the Amazons, and Jess."

"You’re forgetting your brother." Gabrielle reminded her.

"No I’m not." The warrior replied, with a sly grin.

The bard returned it, then put her arms around her taller partner and squeezed gently. "Feel better?"

Xena rested her cheek against Gabrielle’s head, and hugged her back. She could feel the pressure of the bard’s rounded belly pressing against her, and a tiny motion telegraphed its way through her leathers. That’s the important thing, Xena… get all the rest of this crap out of your head, and try to remember that. "Yeah." She breathed out. "I’m all right."

"Good." Gabrielle folded her dress up, and tucked it inside the wagon, then stepped back to let her partner pull on her leg armor and boots. Standing there in the fractured sunlight, half darkness, and half golden brilliance, the duality of her nature seemed sharply defined for the bard’s watching eyes. She reached up and flicked Xena’s bangs into place, neatly arranging them, then smiled. "So I’m forgiven for throwing a goat in among the chickens?"

The warrior’s stern look gentled. "Yeah… besides, given what just happened it’s pretty moot anyway." She admitted. "Guess I should ease up on the Amazons too, huh?"

Green eyes glinted in the sun. "Oh.. I don’t know.. chastened Amazons… I kinda enjoyed that." Gabrielle teased gently. "Maybe you shouldn’t forgive them just yet."

Finally, that got a smile out of her soulmate. "Chastened or chaste? I’m not sure you’ll be able to manage the latter."

"Says the woman who sent one screaming into the night." Gabrielle shot back, putting a hand on her hip and raising an eyebrow.

Another smile, this one edging towards a rakish grin. "C’mon… let’s get out there." Xena wrapped an arm around her partner’s shoulder. "I’m sure your reputation’s about to jump a few notches.. having tamed me so easily."

"Tamed you?" Gabrielle burst into laughter, as she took hold of Xena’s waist, and rubbed a thumb against the familiar leather. "As if." They continued on arm in arm, and eased their way out the door into the disordered courtyard.

"How does she do that?" Aileen whispered to Solari, who was busy cleaning off her arms.

"Huh?" The dark haired Amazon jerked her head up and looked in the direction Aileen was pointing, to see Xena and Gabrielle making their way across the yard, the warrior now dressed in her familiar leathers and armor, and the two of them looking like freshly baked lovebird cakes. "Hera’s left tit, I’m sure I don’t know." Solari muttered, shaking her head. "Must be that love thing.. but you know what, I don’t care.. it worked."

"Mm." Aileen agreed. "Boy, she was mad."

Solari rubbed the back of her neck, where Xena had grabbed her. "Oh yeah…but you know, whenever I think of her, that’s how I see her." She nodded towards the tall, leather clad figure. "In those, with Gabrielle by her side."

"They’ve been through a lot." Aileen commented softly. "Hard to believe they lasted through it all."

A soft laugh from Solari. "One of the great, unexplained mysteries of the world, you got that right." She fell silent as the two stepped up next to them.

"Well?" Xena eyed her in question.

"Eh." Solari waggled her hand. "Turfed wall around the perimeter, with decent clearance, but they’ve only got about a dozen longbows, and about a half dozen arrows per.. a couple of quarterstaves, three pikes, a handful of farm implements, a dozen bells we could probably throw at them, and a pile of rocks."

Xena sighed. "It’s never easy."

"It gets worse." Jessan stated, dripping up next to them, the water glistening off his golden fur. "They’ve got silver and gems here."

Everyone looked at him. "What?" Xena’s brows hiked up into her hairline.

A nod of the fuzzy head. "Yep… buckets of em… musta dug them out of that mountain in there… all hidden away in that worship place of theirs." He paused, as everyone blinked. "You said look everywhere." He continued, in an injured voice. "I was wondering why they put up all that stuff, and were so secretive.. well.. they aren’t guarding sheepies, that’s for sure."

The warrior snorted. "Damn." She shook her head. "You think Baracus knows?"

Jessan lifted both hairy arms then let them fall against his thighs. "I doubt he’s headed here for the food."

"Hmm.. definitely a good point." Solari muttered. "Gotta tell you guys.. I don’t know what you ended up with, but Eponin’s cooking’s better than what we got."

A moment of reverent silence followed that profound statement. "Ew." Gabrielle bit her lip.

"He’s not just going to raid then.. he’ll take the place." Xena exhaled. "Damn." She glanced up to where the men of the village were clustered around Isaac. "If he gets those funds, he’ll be able to hire every damned mercenary in the territory.. and we’ll be in for big trouble."

Everyone gazed respectfully at her. "Didn’t think of that." Solari admitted.

"You didn’t used to be him." Xena told her, bluntly. "I know if I found out about a mother lode like that, I’d have taken this place to bits for it." She thought for a moment, then took a breath. "Let me go get this over with."

"Right behind you, Ch… " Jessan cut off his words, giving Xena an apologetic look. "I mean.. "

A hand on his arm. "It’s all right." Xena squared her shoulders, and started towards the agitated group, and the two Amazons at its periphery, waiting with her brother.

They followed her, and Solari bent her head close to Gabrielle’s. "What was he gonna call her?"

Green eyes flicked towards her grimly. "Chosen."

"As in.. " The dark haired Amazon’s eyebrows lifted. "But I thought… "

"It’s what his people call her." The bard explained, in a low voice, watching her partner out of the corner of her eye. "They worship him."

"Oh." Solari said, in a small voice. "How about that."

"Yeah." Gabrielle noted the fluid bounce come back into her soulmate’s walk as she headed towards the conflict, and her shoulder shift, as she moved into a characteristic swagger that the bard knew well. "But in a time like this.. that’s the side of her we need." She lifted her head, and lengthened her stride to catch up with the warrior.

"Three of you go outside the walls, and keep guard.. the rest gather up all your weapons, and we’ll meet in front of the gate." Isaac pronounced weightily.

"He’ll charge the gate." Xena’s voice interrupted.

"Woman, I said if you want to… " Isaac turned towards her angrily, then he simply stopped speaking, and his jaw sagged as he faced a six foot tall, glaring, armed to the teeth fighter.

"My name… " The warrior sauntered over to him, putting her hands on her leather clad hips and glowering. "is Xena." She paused meaningfully. "Use it."

"Dear god, what are you?" The older man breathed. "You’re.. no.. not one of those horrible Amazons, are you?"

"No." Xena replied mildly, pointing a thumb over her shoulder. "Those are Amazons." She gestured to Gabrielle who was watching in silence. "That’s an Amazon queen." A finger towards Jessan. "That’s a forest dweller." A pause. "I, am just a fighter." Another pause. "A fighter in a damn bad mood." She pushed her way through the crowd and glanced at all of them. "And you’re in a world of trouble, because my guess is, that warlord knows your little secret, and he’s comin to tear this place apart."

The men all looked at each other. "How did you know of this?" Matthias challenged. "Maybe you’re a spy for them!"

"Don’t be dumb." Jessan ambled forward. "I looked in your little box."

Shock. "What?"

"See?" He pointed at his golden eyes. "They’re functional." Then he held out his hands. "Opposable thumbs, too."

"You’re an animal!" Isaac threw up a hand.

Jessan gave him a look, then he suddenly shook himself, scattering lake water all over the men. "Ah. That felt good." He gave them a smile then turned to Gabrielle. " That was pretty animalistic, huh??"

"Look." Xena rubbed her temples. "Your only chance is to either divert him, or run." She glanced at them. "He’s got fifty or sixty mounted mercenaries…fighting him’s not an option."

"For them." Jessan muttered, under his breath.

Blue eyes flicked to his face, then a tiny, twitch of a grin edged Xena’s lips.

"We won’t leave our home." Isaac shook his head. "God will see us through this… he’ll protect us from these men."

The warrior considered this. "Oh.. well, okay then.. I guess we’ll be leaving.. you don’t need us." She shrugged. "C’mon, folks.. we got what we came for.. let’s get on the road home." She turned and started towards the barn, circling Gabrielle’s shoulders and turning her to follow before the bard could open her mouth.

They got seven or eight paces when Isaac called out.

"Wait."

They stopped. Xena turned her head and raised a brow.

"Perhaps.. I was wrong.. perhaps God led you to us in our time of need." The older man acknowledged. "He works in… very.. mysterious ways… but it is not ours to question him." He cleared his throat. "You may stay, and help us."

"Xena’s been called the answer to a prayer many times." Gabrielle informed him with a straight face. "We’ll see what we can do." She ignored the poke in the ribs. "How far away is the army?"

The scout looked uncertainly at her, then at Isaac, then he shrugged. "A day… they overtook a merchant train not far from here, and they’re still figuring out what to do about that."

"Bastards." Johan muttered. "Train was probably heading to Amphipolis."

Xena exhaled. "Yeah.. and we don’t want to have to fight him there, either…" She felt a tinge of worry. "Even with the militia… all right… first thing’s first.. get supplies into that cavern of yours, we can defend that if nothing else works." She ordered. "Barrels of water, dried fruits.. anything you can use to live on."

"Matthias, get the women to start moving everything." Isaac pronounced. "It will give them something to do, and keep them from fretting." He turned. "Take the cart, and bring water barrels.. hurry. It will be Sabbath soon."

"What does that mean?" Gabrielle asked curiously.

"It is the Lord’s time.. when we may do no labor, only rest, and worship him." Isaac explained. "From sundown tonight, until sundown tomorrow."

Xena stepped forward. "Hold on.. you do realize you’re going to have to work tomorrow, before those guys get here, right?"

"Our duty to our Lord comes first." The man told her. "He will protect us as he sees fit.. as he has by sending you to us." Isaac turned and gestured to the other men. "Come.. let us engage ourselves in prayer and meditation.. that God may know our intent." They left the women standing in the open spaces, and walked off towards the worship hall, heads together, speech rising and falling.

"Good grief." Gabrielle blurted.

"Well." Jessan tugged his furry beard. "Isn’t that the biggest walking clump of rabbit droppings you ever did see."

"These people are nuts, Xena." Solari chimed in. "You were right to begin with.. we shoulda just grabbed the boys and ran."

"Hey." The forest dweller poked his lip out. "I am not a boy."

"Neither am I." Toris complained.

Xena looked at them. "Gabrielle, would you write something down in your diary for me?"

The bard blinked. "Sure."

"One is simple, two is company, three is asking for trouble." Xena enunciated. "Double that if it’s Amazons or members of my family."

"Gotcha." Gabrielle gave them an apologetic look, then edged closer to the warrior. "Can I safely assume I’m the company?" She asked, in a low voice.

Blue eyes twinkled solemnly at her. "All right… give them a hand moving all that stuff into the cavern.. and try to see if there’s a back exit out of that place, just in case." She pointed at the Amazons, Jessan, and her family. "And you, " She glanced at the bard. "Come with me."

"Where are you going?" Toris inquired, putting his hands on his hips.

Xena settled an arm around her soulmate. "I’m gonna go pray and meditate." She stated. "Maybe I’ll get lucky and I’ll get hit in the head with a clue as to how we’re gonna get out of this."

"So." Gabrielle leaned back against the tree they were sheltered under. "Do we have a plan yet?"

Xena was sprawled in the grass at her feet, gazing up at the clouds with her hands folded over her middle. "We don’t really have many options." She stifled a yawn. "We can desert the village… we can scare him off or we can fight him."

"Xena, I don’t think these people are going to want to leave their place." The bard ran her fingers idly through her partner’s dark hair. "And I know you would rather not fight him."

A shrug. "If I have to.. I have to, Gabrielle… he’s got fifty soldiers, I’ve got you and me, a forest dweller, six Amazons, and a herd of sheep." She paused. "I figure it’s about even."

The bard laughed.

"But.. you’re right.. if we fight him, and drive him off, he’ll only be back, with more men, and in a bad mood the next time." The warrior analyzed. "And we don’t want him going off and hitting Amphipolis… what we need is something that will drive him out of this area, and make him not want to come back."

"How about the cooking?" The bard remarked wryly. "Just kidding… um… " She thought quietly. "What about just hiding everyone?"

Xena regarded the clouds, tiny, puffy ones that drifted lazily across the blue sky. "What if Baracus thought he could get really sick here?"

"Sick?" Gabrielle’s brows knit. "We could pretend to have fevers, I guess.. but.. "

"No.. it has to be scarier than that… " Her partner mused thoughtfully. "All those guys have beards, right?"

"Um.. yes."

"Heh." Very slowly, a smile crossed Xena’s face. "What if Baracus thought his men were in dangers of becoming… nice, big furry teddy bears?"

The bard snorted, covering her mouth with one hand to stifle a laugh. "C’mon, Xena.. no one would buy that.. even if we have poor old Jessan as an example."

"No.. not if he were the only one… " The warrior rolled up onto one elbow, intelligent blue eyes sparkling. "But if we could show a progression of the sickness.. starting with..oh… a little craziness like bowing and talking to yourself, then group singing… then finally a couple of the local forest dwellers… what about that?"

"Oh Xena.. those guys would never agree to acting like that." Her partner laughed. "Not that it wouldn’t be funny… or work, for that matter."

"Act?" The warrior smiled. "They don’t have to.. it’s what they were doing to Jessan anyway.. it’s part of their worship." She argued. "All they have to do is what comes naturally.. it’ll be so strange to Baracus, he won’t know what to do."

‘Well… ." Gabrielle thought about it. "What about all the women?"

A grin. "Guess they’d have to be in charge, huh?"

The bard gazed worshipfully at her. "You are an awesome human being, you know that?"

Xena blushed a little, and glanced down, and embarrassed grin taking over her face. "It might not work." She warned.

Gabrielle traced her finger down a planed cheekbone. "Worse comes to worse… we can fight."

A nod. "Gabrielle.. I… would you do something for me, if that’s what it comes down to?" Xena gazed up at her seriously.

"If I can, sure." The bard responded .

The warrior captured her hand, and chafed it gently. "Please.. don’t fight this time." She requested. "You know it’s not because I don’t think you can."

Gabrielle took a breath, then let it trickle out. "But…"

"Please." Xena asked intently. "Stay with the children.. defend them.. but for the sake of the gods, Gabrielle.. don’t put yourself in front of a lance if it comes to that."

The bard considered the request, acknowledging it’s legitimate nature. "All right.. but you have to promise me something."

"If I can, sure." Xena hid a smile of relief.

"You don’t get yourself into any trouble I could have helped stop." Gabrielle put a fingertip on her nose. "If you get hurt, I won’t be able to live with myself."

"I’ll do my best." The warrior promised. "Okay?"

"Okay." Gabrielle agreed reluctantly. "But I hope your plan works.. because it’s going to be really, really funny.. and it’ll make a great story." She leaned forward and kissed her soulmate. "C’mon.. I can’t wait to hear you tell them what they’re going to have to do.. the stuck up, pretentious, overbearing sheep’s butts."

Xena pushed herself up, then hauled the bard up after her, as they headed back towards the village.

"You want me to what?" Jessan’s voice rose almost to a squeak, goofy in the extreme coming from a seven foot tall fanged man. "Xeeennaa! Even if I could find them.. who says they’d do what I asked them to?"

"Try." The warrior advised him shortly. "If it doesn’t work, just come back.. we’ll use you, and maybe paste some sheep’s wool on my brother."

"Hey." Toris put his hands on his hips. "I am not into sheep, Xena.. I thought that’s what got us into this in the first place."

"Just… do.. it." Xena growled softly, as she gave her brother a look.

"I don’t know, Xena… you want me to act like a hibernating bear.. " Jessan objected doubtfully. "I mean.. they’ve got these.. " He waved his claws. "And their faces.. " he pantomimed a snout. "And they kinda waddle."

Hand wrapped themselves in his chest fur and pulled hard. "Look.. if I can act like a feckless village girl, you can act like a bear. Got me?"

"Uh…. Roar." Jessan rocked from foot to foot. "See? I can waddle."

"That’s better." The warrior released him. "Now listen up… we can’t slip up with this. Baracus is not a stupid guy… and he knows what I look like, so I’m gonna stay out of sight." She glanced up. "All the stuff moved?"

Solari flexed her arms. "Yeah… half of it was frigging bricks, I think… every damn thing became a priceless heirloom." She looked out the window at the silent, twilit courtyard. "And all of them sure disappeared." She turned to Gabrielle. "What’s that all about?"

The bard was sitting at a makeshift table, in the stable they’d taken over as a command center. It was more comfortable than being the object of all the furtive curiosity in the homesteads, and, as Solari noted, they could at least munch on their travel rations in relative peace. Gabrielle was writing in her journal, and now she paused and looked up. "Near as I can tell, they take one day a week as a day of rest.. their religion dictates that. All work stops.. that includes cooking, cleaning, farming.. anything except for rest, and worship."

Everyone considered that. "Well…" Solari made a face and shrugged. "I’ve heard of worse customs.. it would be nice to have an excuse to loaf around once a week."

"Oh? What’s the excuse you usually use?" Cesta commented, from the end of the table, with a wry twist of her lips. "I’ve seen you guys sneak off after lunch.. let me see.. was it.. uh.. patrols?"

Xena snorted. "I can’t understand how they need to be ordered to rest."

Gabrielle started laughing, then quickly covered her mouth and went back to writing, not looking at her partner. Her shoulders shook gently, however.

The warrior cleared her throat. "All right.. so… tomorrow we let them just go about their usual routine… Gabrielle, you know what to do when Baracus gets here?"

"I welcome him in." The bard replied promptly. "And I tell him a strange sickness is spreading madness through the village." She made a note in her journal. "I try to convince him it’s something in the mountain that we’ve been digging out."

"Right." Xena nodded. "Solari, you guys can handle the sheep?"

The Amazon cracked her knuckles. " Yeah… but that’s gonna be messy."

"S’allright.. I thought you liked mud." The warrior replied, with a wry grin. "Toris, you and Johan stay in the cavern.. if Jess doesn’t find any of the local forest dwellers, we’ll need to use you."

"Xena, I’m not really good at this kind of thing." Her brother protested. "Can’t I just.. "

"No." The warrior cut him off. "Look, all you have to do is curl up and go to sleep.. how hard is that?"

"Naked.. with a bunch of armed, pissed off dudes looking at me?" Toris shot back. "Could you??"

His sister let a sly grin cross her lips. "Sure." She drawled. "But you’ve already got fifty percent of the hair…and a few other attributes that I fortunately lack."

The door creaked open, and they all looked up. Sarah was standing there, in a long skirt and painfully white shirt, her hands clasped in front of her. "Matthias sent me… to see if you would like to join us in our worship."

They all looked at each other, then as if by common consent, at Xena.

She blinked. "Um… "

"We’d love to." Gabrielle replied firmly. "Wouldn’t we?" She closed her journal and stood. "New experiences broaden the mind, right guys?"

"At this rate mine’s gonna be the width of the River Styx." Solari muttered.

Xena gave her partner a dour look, but sighed. "Sure, Sarah… um.. we still have some planning to do.. is it very long?"

"Not very…we’ll have our service, then Isaac will speak on the scriptures, and we’ll go to our homes for a cold dinner… you all are welcome." The young woman mustered a wary smile, trying not to look at the nearly naked Amazons.

"We’ve.. um.. we’ve got stuff with us." The warrior hastily told her. "We’ll be fine here… are you ready now?"

Sarah nodded. "Yes… he sent me to see if you would come.. and to show you where to sit."

"All right.. c’mon." Xena waved at them, and moved towards the door. "Lead on, Sarah."

The woman glanced at her, then at the Amazons, then back to her. "Um… you can’t… go into the house of the Lord so."

The warrior’s brows knit. "So.. what??" She asked, puzzled.

Sarah appeared very embarrassed, and she turned her eyes towards Gabrielle. "Our laws forbid us to bare ourselves so." She cleared her throat a little. "It’s unseemly."

The bard strolled forward, and cleared her throat, forestalling the sarcastic response she could feel tickling her partner’s tongue. "Sarah.. see, it’s like this.. you know the blacksmith?"

The woman blinked at her. "Of course, but what does that have to do with this?"

"He wears an apron, and hide trousers, because his job makes it necessary for him to do that, right?" Gabrielle told her. "It’s kind of like a tool."

"Yes." Sarah nodded.

"Okay.. well… Xena’s job is being a warrior, and these are her tools." The bard ran a hand over the dark leathers. "They protect her, and keep her safe." Her fingers traced a brass whorl. "And since she’s working to try and protect your people, I don’t think your Lord would mind if she wore this to listen to your service."

The woman studied the silent warrior for a moment. "If she wears that for protection, though, why is there so little of it?"

Ah. "Well.. " Gabrielle scratched her nose. "That’s because she’s such a good warrior, she doesn’t need that much protection." She let her touch linger down Xena’s thigh. "If she wore more, she wouldn’t be as fast as she is."

"I see." Sarah glanced at the Amazons. "What about them?" She looked closer " Are those feathers?"

"They’re Amazons." Gabrielle took Sarah’s arm and started guiding her outside. "It’s part of their sacred customs.. in fact, when Xena was inducted into the Amazons, she had to undergo a trial that involved feathers."

"Really?" Sarah mused. "It’s all so different.. but you don’t dress as they do."

Gabrielle glanced back at the group, now strolling along behind them with smiles on their faces. "No.. well, actually, when I’m not pregnant I do.. in fact, I wear less than the Amazons."

Sarah looked at her. "Your husband did not object?"

"I didn’t have one." The bard found herself saying, before she could stop the words.

"I thought you said you were… " The woman faltered. "Or was that a lie as well?"

Gabrielle sighed. "No.. I am married.. I just don’t have a husband." She could hear the soft chuckles from the group behind them.

"Would you do me a great favor?" Sarah finally responded to that.

"Uh.. okay."

"Please don’t explain yourselves any further. My head is aching."

"No problem." Gabrielle agreed briskly. "So.. tell me about this service? "

The worship hall was packed full, and they entered in the rear of the building, as Sarah directed Toris, Johan and the very reluctant Jessan to the men’s side before she timidly led the rest of them to the women’s side of the divided room.

A low murmur was ebbing and flowing, which ebbed right out of the building as the demure Sarah edged down a row followed by her exotic looking companions.

Xena made a point of standing there, collecting the torchlight and returning all the disapproving gazes before she seated herself, and folded her arms across her chest. She was used to being stared at, for one thing, and for another, the benches were damned uncomfortable. She gave Gabrielle a steely eyed look as the bard tucked her booted feet under the seat. "Broadening the mind. Huh?" She uttered softly.

Gabrielle simply patted her on the thigh. "You lived through the Twelve Acts of Sophocles with me outside Thebes.. you can live through this."

"Oh please… Xena… I never ask you for stuff like this.. " Gabrielle had begged, tugging on her companion’s leather skirting in her eagerness. "I’ve always wanted to see that…"

Xena had sighed. "Gabrielle, we don’t have time… come on now, you know we told Hercules we’d meet him and Iolaus tomorrow night.. we’ll stop the next time we’re here, I promise."

The young girl’s shoulders had slumped. "I know." She’d admitted, dropping her eyes. "All right.. I’m sorry… I… I wasn’t thinking." She’d picked up her bag, and her newly acquired staff and straightened up. "Okay.. let’s go."

The warrior had silently sighed in relief, and finished fixing Argo’s tack, then started out of town, vaulting to the horse’s back and settling her boots firmly in the stirrups. They’d gotten a little ways beyond the buildings when she’d glanced back, not really sure why, and caught Gabrielle glancing wistfully behind her, the young girl’s face tensed in a faint scowl as she turned forward again, and nearly tripped. Xena quickly turned her own head to face Argo’s bobbing ears and sighed.

Damn it. She’d thought. I became a warlord so I wouldn’t have to deal with cranky, stubborn kids. I could just crack their skulls in, and leave em lie. She’d plucked at a dark hair in the mare’s mane irritatedly. I didn’t ask for a tag along, and I’ve got no intention of pampering her, and coddling her.

A few more steps. She’d peeked over her shoulder, to see the pale green eyes fixed on the road, a look of self absorbed concentration fixed on the girl’s expressive face. Her lips were moving a little, as though she were talking to herself.

Convincing herself, just like she always tried to do with Xena.

The warrior had studied her hands, then, with a silent, inward curse that would have stood Argo’s tail on end, pulled the mare up. "Hold on." She jumped down, and knelt at the horse’s side, picking up her off hoof and examining it. A flash of silvered sunlight danced over her hands as she pulled her dagger out, then she was standing, holding a slightly bent horseshoe between her strong hands. "Damn."

Gabrielle had edged around Argo’s front end, and peered over her shoulder. "Oh.. what happened?"

"Must have cracked a nail." Xena had studied the shoe in evident disgust. "And I don’t have extras.. this metal’s bent, too. I’m gonna have to get the smith back there to beat it back into shape." She’d exhaled in frustration. "All right.. .let’s go on back… can’t go on this road like this."

She’d gathered Argo’s reins, and started back the way they’d come, juggling the horseshoe as she walked along. Gabrielle had fallen into step next to her, handling her staff a little awkwardly as she paced over the dust covered surface. "Wow.. I mean.. that’s shame… but it won’t take too long, will it?" She’d carefully asked, pretending the answer didn’t matter to her one way or the other.

Xena had sighed. "I don’t know… depends on if I can find that guy…. " She’d looked up at the sun. "Guess we’d better count on sticking around here tonight… we’ll have to ride hard tomorrow to make up for it." She’d turned a scowling look on Gabrielle. "That means you riding too."

The girl had nodded, pushing her hair back behind one ear. "Okay."

A few more grudging steps. "Guess you could go see if you could see your whatever that is." The ex warlord had muttered. "As long as we’re stuck here."

Sparkling green eyes had suddenly peeked at her, an excited smile just under the surface of Gabrielle’s carefully sober face. "I guess I could." She’d said. "If you don’t mind."

The soft, hot wind blew Xena’s hair back, and she squinted up into the sun. "Damn.. it’s hot… " She grumbled. "That thing’s outside, right?"

"Yeah.. but not until just before sundown.. " Gabrielle chattered at her. "So it should cool down by then… and there’s no clouds, so I don’t think it’ll rain, or anything." She exhaled happily. "It should be perfect…not too windy either."

Xena let out a disgruntled sigh. "Might as well go with you…it’ll be cooler than in that damn inn." She muttered disgustedly.

"Oh..wow.. you mean it? That would be great! " Gabrielle’s eyes had lit up. "I mean, I know you’d probably rather be arm wrestling or beating up some guys or something.. but I could get us some sandwiches, and we could have a lot of fun!" She skipped twice to keep up with Xena’s long strides. "I’ll go to the inn, and get dinner.. and I can meet you over by the amphitheater, how’s that?"

"Sure.. sure.. whatever." The warrior had replied, as they reentered the town and she angled off towards the blacksmith’s shop. "Just be careful, all right?"

"I will.. " Impulsively, the girl had given her one of those startling hugs. "Thanks, Xena.. I mean.. I’m sorry Argo threw her shoe, but… "

Xena had given her a look of dour sufferance. "Go on… I’ll meet you over there." She’d watched Gabrielle scamper off, almost smacking a donkey with her staff, then she’d glanced down at the shoe, and then at Argo. "Perfectly good nail, Argo.. I don’t know what the Hades got into me."

The mare snorted, and poked her shoulder.

"Yeah.. yeah.. I know… well, c’mon… let’s go find a man about a shoe." She glanced off. "Then I’ll go watch a play, I guess." She’d sighed. "How bad could it be, anyway?"

Xena winced, remembering the production, then glanced around at the group of women. They were all now pointedly directing their attention the woven screen which separated them from Isaac, and the room settled.

A poke in her ribs. "Don’t look so grumpy." The bard muttered.

The warrior inclined her head. "I feel like a lion in the middle of a flock of sheep." She grumbled.

"Baaa. " The bard replied very softly. "Xeeennnaaas beeen a baaaaad girrrl."

"Stop that." Xena bit her lip to keep from laughing

They both quieted down, after several disapproving stares from their neighbors, and listened as Isaac started to speak.

Which didn’t do much good, because it was in a different language. "Great." Xena gave her partner a wry look.

"Do you understand it?" The bard whispered.

"No." Her soulmate replied.

"Good.." Gabrielle answered. "Then the dogma won’t bother either of us."

She had, Xena realized, a point, and she contentedly turned her thoughts to the plan, ignoring the rising and falling of the melodic, fluid language.

****************************************************************.

Continued in Part 4

Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

"Well, that was interesting." Cesta remarked sarcastically, as they escaped into the cool night air. "The most fun I had was watching that one woman get attacked by that beetle two rows up from us."

"Hey.. how was I supposed to know it was going to be held in a different language?" Gabrielle protested. "The chanting was sort of.. um… " She waved her hands. "And Isaac’s singing was.. um.. "

Atonal, was what Xena considered it, her perfect pitch having gotten a severe beating about the head and neck. "Consider it a learning experience." The warrior told them, giving the Amazons a glare over her soulmate’s head. "Besides, we didn’t really have anything better to do."

"I coulda thought of… " Cesta stopped in mid word, and clamped her mouth shut, having been the recipient of a Warrior Princess special direct look. "So.. what’s for dinner?" She glanced behind them "Think the guys are going to join us?"

"Their part goes on longer." Gabrielle advised her. "They talk about important stuff." The sarcasm in her voice was very evident. "The women get to go home and take care of the kids and the house, and put out a nice dinner for them when they get back."

"That’s a bad thing?" Solari quipped. "Hades, I can tell ya I’m glad to be out of that stuffy place… they can flap their jaws all night if they want"

Gabrielle merely shook her head, and sighed, as they reached the barn and Xena opened the door. "Well, I guess we pool our supplies.. let’s see what we’ve got."

It wasn’t much. Some jerky, some dried fruit, several nutballs, and a couple of trail bars. Gabrielle studied the small pile. "Better than that damn soup last night, and I’m hungry enough to start munching on the hay in here, so.."

Xena was rooting around in the corner, and now she stepped back. "Got a small brazier back here." She pointed. "Solari, start a fire in there."

"Why?" The Amazon inquired. "It’s not that cold out."

Xena counted to ten. "Because I said so." She replied evenly, before she muttered something under her breath and stalked out, slamming the door behind her.

The Amazons all stared. "What is up with her?" Solari asked, putting her hands on her hips and turning to look at Gabrielle. "She’s been acting like a b.."

The bard held up a hand. "Hold it." Now her face was serious. "Xena always has a reason she does things.. and if she asks you to do something, it’s because there is a reason behind it. Not because she just felt like telling you to do something, okay? In this case, she probably wanted a fire started because we’re going to end up having fish, or rabbit, or something for dinner."

"Oh." Solari scowled. "Why didn’t she just say so?"

Gabrielle sighed. "She hates when people question her. She really hates when everyone questions her, which is basically what’s been going on all day. I mean… she didn’t ask everyone to get involved in this, and now we are, and she’s responsible for all of us." She walked over and settled herself down at the makeshift table. "So.. do what she asked, and start a damn fire in there.. okay?"

"Okay." Solari meekly agreed, giving Cesta and Frendan a look as she regarded the small stove. "I’ll go get some firewood."

"I’ll go with you." Cesta said, hastily, as she met Solari at the door.

A little silence fell over the room then, as Frendan trudged over and settled herself on the bench near where Gabrielle was writing. Aileen knelt and examined the stove, while Ellis and Lista moved around, clearing space for bedrolls and arranging their stuff.

"Is Xena really mad, your majesty?" Frendan asked quietly.

The bard looked up at her, chewing on the end of her quill thoughtfully. "Well…aggravated, yeah… not mad as in really angry, no." She replied. "It takes a lot to get her really mad."

"Oh." The smaller woman said. "You seem to be really good at dealing with that."

Gabrielle paused, and cocked her head. "Dealing with her, you mean? Well… we’ve been through a lot.. I’ve learned a thing or two." She smiled ruefully. "We’ve had our moments… I think what I realized finally is that it’s just better to be honest… we used to get mad at each other, and then wait for the other one to say something.. and with Xena, you can wait well into the next year, you know?"

Frendan laughed, and ducked her head.

"So what I do now is just be really honest, and ask her what I want to know.. and it works out." The bard finished, as she turned back to her journal.

"Do you ever get scared of her?" The Amazons asked softly.

Gabrielle leaned on her elbows and twirled her quill between her fingers. "That’s a hard question…because sure, there have been times when I’ve been scared half to death by things that have happened, and, yes, things she’s done." She paused, considering the question seriously. "I think I can say I’ve been scared by her a number of times, but I’ve never been scared of her, if that makes any sense."

"Yeah." Frendan answered quietly. "I think you’re a really brave person, though."

Gabrielle gave her a tiny smile. "Thanks." She sighed, and reread her entry, then scribbled a note on the bottom.

Cesta and Solari came back with neatly split firewood and went to the stove, stocking it expertly and adding tinder. The dark haired Amazon struck a spark, and the fire started to burn steadily. "They think we’re heathens for doing this, by the way." She called over her shoulder to the steadily scribing Queen.

"Fine.. I’ll be a full heathen." Gabrielle muttered. "You can tell them my religion dictates not going hungry after we’ve been working on saving their butts all day." She glanced up several heartbeats before the door swung open, to reveal her soulmate’s dripping, mud covered body. "Um..hi."

Xena edged in the door, tossing her head back to clear the damp hair from her eyes, and swinging around to reveal a string of fish. "Someone wanna take these?"

A scramble of bodies almost overwhelmed the warrior, and she blinked as hands took the still twitching fish from her, as she glanced over the Amazons heads to where her soulmate was closing up her diary and standing. Green eyes met blue, and Gabrielle smiled warmly, rolling her eyes a little at the other women. "Found something interesting in the stream."

"Other than those?" The bard inquired, glancing appreciatively at the trout.

Xena nodded, and walked over, dripping water and mud on the straw covered floor. She closed with the bard, and held out a hand. Gabrielle obligingly turned hers palm up, and blinked as a small rock the size of an acorn was dropped into it.

Then she looked closer, and noticed the candelight was reflecting back in an intense, rich, buttery golden shade. "Good grief.. this isn’t what I think it is, is it?" She looked up at her partner. "A gold nugget?"

The muddy warrior nodded. "Yep." She glanced at Solari. "Explains those heavy sacks and baskets."

The Amazons clustered around, and stared at Gabrielle’s outstretched hand. "Artemis’ Headpiece." Cesta breathed. "There must be enough gold around here to buy Athens."

Xena snorted. "Try Rome, if that’s any indication." She moved over to a corner of the barn, and started stripping off her armor, draping it over a stall divider.

Gabrielle grimaced, then glanced at the still goggling Amazons. "Let’s get those cleaned and on the fire.. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving." She watched them scatter, before she closed her hand over the nugget, and walked over to where her partner was standing. "Here.." She tried to hand the nugget back.

Xena looked at her, then peeked over towards the Amazons, who were clustered around the stove. "No..it’s for you." She muttered softly. "You could get the merchants at the winterfair to make it into a necklace, if you want."

"Tch tch." The bard clucked, moving closer. "You’re going to ruin your grumpy image that way, Xena." She smiled, and patted the damp, leather clad side. "Thank you very much for getting something for dinner, by the way."

The blue eyes warmed, and a wry grin found its way across the warrior’s face. "Gave me a chance to relax a little." She admitted in a low tone, as she unlaced and pulled off her boots. "I’m gonna go rinse this muck off."

Gabrielle carefully knelt, and retrieved a soft, blue tunic from their pack, handing it to her with a smile. "I’ll go make sure they don’t burn those." She stood, then grabbed the stall divider as a wave of dizziness almost made her knees buckle. "Whoa."

Xena’s arms were around her instantly, holding her up and taking the weight off her legs as she blinked. "Easy."

The bard waited a moment, then nodded. "Okay… I’m all right. Wow.. haven’t had one of those in a while." She muttered. "Guess that’s from not eating all day."

"Good guess." The warrior gave her a stern look. "Go over there and siddown…" She walked over to where they’d put their communal food stockpile and retrieved two of their trail bars, which she handed to the bard. "Here… munch on that."

For once, Gabrielle didn’t argue. She took a bite of the sweet, fruity snack and chewed it, then went quietly to the bench Xena had indicated and seated herself, keeping an eye on the busy Amazons. Cesta, she noted, apparently knew how to clean and cook fish, and seemed to be doing a good job at it. With a sigh of relief, the bard settled back to wait.

Xena watched her, then wiped the worried look off her face and ambled outside, heading for the trough of water. She was glad she’d gotten the fish, and more than a little surprised and discomfited to find the nugget resting in the bottom of the stream winking at her.

It meant trouble, that was for sure, and not just with Baracus. If word got out of ample gold in the area, there’d be a stampede to get it, Greeks and others, and she knew that while her own little militia could handle the odd warlord or two, an army was a different matter.

She picked up a bucket of the cold water and dumped it over her head, rubbing her hair to get the gritty grains of sand from the bottom of the stream out of it. She followed that with another couple of splashes, scrubbing the black mud from the banks off her arms and legs.

Footsteps made her look up, and she tossed her head back, flinging dark, wet hair out of her eyes and focusing into the dim, murky light. A pause, then. "Rebekah?"

"Yes." The girl’s voice sounded nervous, and unsure. "I brought this from my mother." She moved a little closer, and held up her hands, which contained what looked like a loaf of bread. "She said she felt bad, with you doing all the moving for us, and not having supper." Her eyes stared at Xena’s damp form, covered only by her brief leathers and grew round and huge.

The warrior put her bucket down and walked over, kneeling down to put her eyes at the girl’s level. "That’s really nice of her." She glanced over her shoulder. "You want to bring it inside? My hands are pretty wet."

Rebekah nodded, a little uncertainly. "I’ve never seen someone take a bath like that." She mentioned, curiosity getting the better of her. "Wasn’t it cold?"

Xena smiled. "Yeah.. a little.. but I just went fishing in the stream.. and I was pretty muddy.. we don’t have a bathtub in there."

"You went fishing at night?" The girl asked, incredulous. "Did you catch anything?"

The warrior nodded. "Sure did." She stood and motioned towards the barn door. "Come on.. I need to go dry off." She opened the door and watched the girl enter cautiously, peering around at the now strange surroundings, then she followed. Her eyes caught Gabrielle’s, and she indicated the girl. "Sarah sent over some bread."

The Amazons looked up, and smiled, as Gabrielle untucked her legs and stood, walking over to Rebekah. "That was really nice, Rebekah… thank you for bringing it over."

The girl handed her the loaf, which was covered with a linen cloth. The bard removed it, exposing a shiny brown surface of what appeared to be braided twists of bread. "Oh.. how pretty." She complimented the girl. "I’ve never seen bread like that."

Rebekah smiled and relaxed a little. "The mothers make it… it’s got eggs, and raisins in it.. it’s my favorite."

"Oh yeah?" Gabrielle set the loaf down on her table, aware of the sizzling scent of cooking fish that now comfortably permeated the barn. "Well, it must be good then." She picked up the small knife she’d been using to sharpen her quills, and sliced off a small end, taking a gingerly taste. "Mm." She made a surprised sound, delighted by the rich, sweet taste. "That is good."

A warmth at her back revealed a curious Xena, who peered over her shoulder. "Here." The bard sliced off another small bit, and offered it to her soulmate who took it in her teeth with a wary expression. "Go on.. it’s good. You’ll like it."

Xena gave her a look, but chewed the bit and blinked. "It sure is." The warrior had changed into her dry tunic and fluffed her dark hair out to dry in the candlelight. "Wanna join us for dinner?" She asked Rebekah.

The girl looked very startled "Oh.. I…um… " She looked around. "I’ve never… " Then she stopped and thought. "Is this what you do when you’re out in the woods alone?" She asked Xena, looking up at her with open curiosity.

"Sort of." The warrior replied. "We’re usually outside, and not in a barn, but we just catch things, and cook them, yes - if that’s what you mean." She gently nudged her soulmate towards the low, makeshift table the Amazons had created, and were clustered around. "C’mon… it won’t hurt you." She smiled at Rebekah.

The girl surrendered, and moved timidly towards the table. "All right… " She seated herself down at one end, staring wide eyed at the Amazons, who smiled back at her. "Goodness, you’re all naked."

Gabrielle laughed gently, as she eased down next to her, very aware of the warm hand steadying her back. "Not quite." She put the bread down on the table, next to the wooden planks containing the grilled fish, and the assortment of other edibles they’d dug up.

"Do you say a prayer, thanking the Lord for the food before you eat?" Rebekah asked.

"We’d have to say one to Xena." Solari chuckled. "She got the fish." She reached over and neatly sliced the bread up with her belt knife. "And she’d probably kick our.. "

"Solari." Gabrielle gave her a look.

"Uh… kneecaps." The Amazon grinned at her Queen, taking a slice of the bread and adding a side of trout to her trencher, along with some dried fruit.

"Here." Feldan put a smooth travel plate down for Rebekah, and portioned some fish onto it for her. "Your house is that big one on the corner, isn’t it?"

The girl nodded, and picked up a bit of fish, tasting it cautiously. "Oh…" She nibbled it more eagerly. "That’s really good.. mother always boils our fish."

Everyone winced. "Well.. " Gabrielle mused. "If you eat it cold, and have a sauce on it, that’s not bad."

"No.. we have it warm." Rebekah told her. "With dill."

Xena tasted her fish, then gave Cesta an approving nod. "Nice job."

"Thanks." The redhead preened. "Our village is coastal, so we take a lot of pride in our fish…and we have the best summer clam bakes." The conversation turned to the differences in their villages, and Rebekah merely listened, nibbling on her fish and watching the faces in fascination until the door opened, and deep, male voices were heard. She stiffened, her eyes widening.

"Bout time you guys made it back here." Xena glanced over her shoulder, spotting her brother, Johan and a very disgruntled looking Jessan. "What in Hades did you do… marry one of them?"

"Ha ha." Toris glared at her. "No.. we got stuck in a debate." The three of them ambled over, and collapsed on the other side of the table. "Hey.. where’d the fish…. " Blue eyes flicked and met their twins across the table. "Oh.. dumb question…thanks, sis."

Xena leaned back against a stall support and gave him a gracious nod. "Anytime." She noticed that Rebekah was staring at Jessan open mouthed, and she smiled quietly. "Beats being in that cage, huh Jess?"

"Oh please." The forest dweller mumbled, around a mouthful of trout. "That was worse than the time our training group got stuck in a peat bog, and had to be rescued." His golden eyes flicked up, finding Rebekah’s and blinking. "Hey.. it’s a kid." Jessan remarked. "You’re not going to ask me to show you my fangs, are you?"

The girl shook her head emphatically.

Jessan smiled, showing all of his impressive white teeth. "Great."

"Rebekah brought us over that bread." Gabrielle hid a grin, and indicated the half eaten loaf. "Try some.. it’s really good." She stretched a little. "Long day. "

"I’ll second that." Johan sighed wearily, munching on a slice topped with some fish. "Lassie, this has been more adventure than these bones have seen in a dogs age."

"And it’s not over yet." Solari sighed. "I shoulda known that… I figured, hey.. two days, get the guys loose, we’re outta here." She shook her head. "I forgot who we had with us."

"Hey!" Gabrielle protested. "It’s not my fault things got so complicated!"

They all looked at her.

The bard poked out her lower lip, and gazed up at her soulmate. "Is it?"

Xena let her wait a moment, then she smiled, and circled the bard’s body with her arms, pulling her back to rest against her chest. "No." She told her. "It’s my fault." She told her, then gave everyone a look. "Got that?"

Everyone laughed, and resumed eating. When they finished. Xena glanced across the table. "Aileen, would you walk Rebekah back to her house, please.. and tell her mother thank you for the bread?"

"Please?" A soft whisper tickled her ears, and she felt a gentle nudge in the ribs.

"Sure.." Aileen smiled at the girl. "C’mon…" She led Rebekah to the door, and opened it. and the girl turned to face them.

"Thank you." She said carefully.

They waved at her, and watched as the door closed.

Gabrielle nestled closer and poked her again. "That was very subversive."

Blue eyes batted innocently at her. "Subversive? But Gabrielle.. all I did was ask her to eat with us." Then the warrior grinned, and glanced around. "So… interesting accommodations." The barn was tall, and well made, with hay lofts in either corner, and strongly built stalls around the perimeter. The area in the center was open, and had posts with thick, iron rings inset to allow animals to be hitched to them. Most of the stalls were occupied by placidly chewing beasts, not a few of whom were giving Jessan sideways looks.

"Relax." He told them, burping gently and patting his stomach. "I’ve already eaten."

Everyone chuckled a little, then glanced at each other. "So.. do we draw straws, or what?" Solari finally asked wryly.

Xena let out a low laugh. "Ten years as a warlord taught me one real important thing." She got to one knee, then gently scooped up the startled Gabrielle and stood, cradling her. "When it comes to sleeping.. never draw straws." She stalked across the hay littered ground and mounted the thin ladder to the nearer hay loft, balancing both herself and the bard with effortless grace and strength as she moved upwards. Once at the top she turned, surveyed them all gaping at her, then smiled at them. "Night."

She picked her way carefully across the uneven surface, and settled her burden down in the back corner, on top of a particularly comfy pile of springy hay.

"You know." Gabrielle regarded her fondly. "There are times when I really like that little bit of the warlord that comes shining through."

Xena put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" She purred.

"C’mere." The bard crooked a finger at her.

The warrior slowly dropped to one knee, then extended out onto one side, stretching her long legs and propping her head up on one hand, close enough to her soulmate to feel the warmth coming off her skin. "Yeeesss?" She drew the word out teasingly.

Gabrielle studied her in the very dim light afforded by the candles flickering below. She reached a hand out, and gently stroked the warrior’s cheek, letting her fingers run back into the dark hair as she pulled herself up on an elbow and leaned forward, kissing her.

Tasting the spices Cesta had used, and the tangy hint of raisin from the bread and feeling the soft, silky hair as it shifted under her fingers as Xena moved closer, sliding a hand up along her hip. She let her eyes drift open as they parted for a moment, and saw the pale blue eyes darken and the faint, teasing smile edge Xena’s lips as the warrior studied her.

She felt so attractive, reflected in those eyes. It was a really good feeling, putting solid patches on the insecurity she’d felt after she’d started showing, and was awkward and unsure of what to expect from her partner. But Xena had never let her down.. never made her feel ugly or unwanted, not even for a second. She loved her for that.

She loved her for a lot of reasons, of course. But that was one of them. "You know I really love you." She murmured, letting her eyes show it.

Xena’s widened a bit, and the lashes fluttered. "Even when I’m being grumpy?" She asked, lightly.

"Yeah." The bard replied, simply, leaning forward again to kiss her, and finding herself unexpectedly enfolded in warm, linen scented warmth as she was picked up and cuddled in a pair of strong arms. She let her fingers search along Xena’s skin, parting the tunic edges and slipping beneath them, as she felt the warmth of their connection soak into her like sunlight.

I wonder… She reflected, as Xena’s hand traced a tingling path down her back. If the baby can feel this.

She hoped so.

She also hoped she remembered not to squeal. Otherwise, it was going to be one Hades of an embarrassing morning.

Xena leaned back against her impromptu mattress, and lazily watched the setting moon’s light stream in the high windows of the barn. It was almost dawn, and she was curled up very comfortably with Gabrielle, enjoying this little bit of peace before the start of what she knew was going to be a hectic day.

Everyone was sleeping. She could count three male snores, and four female ones, and idly considered trying to match snores with owners, then decided she really didn’t care much one way or the other. Only she was awake to hear the soft hoot of an owl up in the rafters, it’s translucent eyes turning ever so often her way and catching the fading moonlight.

Only she was awake to smell the strong hint of rain on the air, and hear the gentle rumble of thunder that could, possibly, buy them a bit more time, depending on if Baracus chose to ride in a storm or not.

Only she was awake to feel the subtle movement under her protective hands, as Gabrielle’s baby also woke, and stirred, tumbling about in lazy somersaults that pressed erratically against the bard’s belly.

It was a beautiful time of the morning. Xena smiled up at the moon, and gently kissed the fair head tucked under her chin. A patter overhead sent her eyes that way, as the rain started, and the breeze brought in a scent rich with water and earth, and the dampness of wood. The baby moved again, and she wondered if it could hear the thunder, and sense the rain as well… no one really knew, though.

No one remembered, at least not when they were awake. Xena remembered a child who had grown up with her in Amphipolis, who was, from an infant, frightened of thunderstorms almost to the point of irrationality. She’d found out later from Cyrene that the child had been a month from birth when one of the worst storms in the village’s history had struck, and half the buildings destroyed including the one her mother was sheltering in.

So.. who knew? Maybe the baby could hear the rumbling.. certainly she seemed to hear singing, and would tumble around if Xena started singing to her.

She. Her. The warrior rolled her eyes. They both tended to do that, as though it wasn’t up to chance, but some knowledge they both had. Wishful thinking, but Xena found herself becoming intensely curious about the baby, wondering what it was thinking, what it was doing.. would it be smart? Cute? The warrior glanced at Gabrielle and smiled. Yeah, it would probably be both.. if it took after it’s mother.

She tried not to get excited, but sometimes she couldn’t help it, wanting the months to go faster so she could, at last, meet this child. So that Gabrielle could meet this child, and at last hold her own infant in her arms, without fear or… Xena’s lips tightened. Without worrying that I want to kill it.

She wondered if Gabrielle thought about that. If the bard would ever be reluctant to let her be a part of the child’s life because of it. Or was Gabrielle scared on her own behalf, given what had happened before?

The warrior sighed soundlessly. This time was different. There was no Dahok, no supernatural influences, just a regular, very ordinary pregnancy that was going along outstandingly well. Even Lila had been envious of that.

"I want you there with me." Gabrielle had stated, almost nervously, as they eased down the road into Potadeia.

"Gabrielle, it’s just your family… I know they’ll be fine with this." Xena had argued. "Come on now."

"Xena.. " The bard had tugged one her shoulder armor, forcing her to turn around in the saddle and peer back. "Please?" She’d softened her voice. "I need you there."

She’d leaned a bit and kissed the bard’s forehead. "Okay." She’d humored her partner. "I’ll stand behind you and do the ‘threatening glare’ number, all right?"

"Okay." Gabrielle had resumed her tight hug, and pressed her face against Xena’s back, leaving it there until they ambled in to Potadeia’s main square, to the cheerful greetings of its inhabitants. Lila had spotted them right away, and hurried over.

"Gabrielle!" She’d squealed, waiting for the bard to slip off Argo’s tall back, and hugging her. "Hey… we weren’t expecting you… but it’s great that you’re here." Then she’d looked up. "Hi, Xena."

"Hi." The warrior had smiled a greeting, as she dismounted. "We were on the way back home, thought we’d drop in."

"It’s great… and believe it or not, we were going to send a note up there, sis… we were hoping you’d help out with a little problem." Lila told her, as she watched Xena turn Argo over to a boy from the stables, and shoulder both of their packs. "So your timing is perfect."

"Really?" Gabrielle had looked flattered. "Sure.. I’ll help if I can.. what’s it about?"

Lila had linked arms with her, as they strolled along towards their parents house. "Remember your friend Serephim? Seems she’s run off to some weird cult or something.. her parents were hoping you could find her, and see what’s going on with that."

"Seraphim… gods.. I haven’t seen her for… " Gabrielle had considered. "Years.. she was off at her aunts when I left…" Her eyes had turned to Xena, who was pacing silently alongside. "Shouldn’t take long to find her… she’s really nice, Xena… I had a lot of fun with her when I was growing up."

"Sure." Xena had said casually. "Sounds like an easy one." Not knowing then how those words would come back to haunt her. "Think she’ll remember you?"

Gabrielle had laughed. "Sure… we used to get into all kinds of trouble together.. she’ll remember me."

They’d gone on to the family homestead, where Hecuba had greeted them warmly, hugging her daughter and giving Xena a look that had convinced the warrior she almost received the same treatment.

"Great Athena…it’s good to see you, daughter. " Hecuba had shooed them inside. "Come.. I was just getting some lunch.. you both look like you could use it." Lila had gone off to retrieve her son, and they settled down in the small living area after Hecuba bustled out with plates of cold, sliced quail and roasted roots for them.

"So." She’d said, seating herself and taking a bite. "How are things with you both?"

Green eyes and blue had exchanged wry glances. "Same as usual. " Xena had answered, after it became apparent her soulmate wasn’t going to. "We were just out west of here… had a little problem to take care of.. then we were headed back home."

"Oh?" The gray haired woman had cocked her head. "Really? We didn’t think we’d see you back this way so soon… are you settling in for the winter?"

Gabrielle had nibbled on a root. "Um… you could say that, yes… we… um… " She’d taken a breath, and released it. "We decided to kind of stick around there for a while.. maybe into the spring.. we’ll see."

Her mother’s eyes had brightened. "That’s great news." She’d smiled. "I mean, I know you do enjoy your adventuring, Gabrielle, but it makes me glad to hear you’re thinking of settling down for a while… you don’t know how I worry about you sometimes." Her eyes had shifted to Xena. "No offense to you, Xena.. I know my daughter’s in safe hands."

Xena had returned the brief smile, and unobtrusively curled an arm around her soulmate’s waist, sensing the tension in the slim body next to her. "No offense taken, Hecuba…" She’d answered mildly. "It gets dangerous out here, and I’m glad we’re heading home, especially now."

Gabrielle had elbowed her in the ribs in outrage, but Xena had figured either she got this started, or they were gonna be trading weather remarks with her mother for the rest of the afternoon, and she’d beamed innocently at her soulmate’s disconcerted look.

"Especially now?" Hecuba had caught on at once. "What’s going on?"

"Um." Gabrielle had cleared her throat, pushing her hair back behind her ears a little nervously. "Well, it’s good news, actually… "

"You finally got proper clothing?" Her mother had asked, delightedly. "Oh Gabrielle.. I’m so happy… I noticed you’re wearing such a pretty shirt, and I thought it was just the weather…"

The bard had glanced down automatically at the soft aqua colored chemise blouse Xena had gotten playfully for her when she’d made one comment too many about wondering when she’d start to show. "Um… well, thanks..it’s nice.. yeah.. but.. um.. "

"I think it really shows off her eyes… don’t you?" Xena had innocently added. "Don’t you think she’s got a really nice glow about her?" She’d gotten another elbow for that, and a patented bardic teeth gritted glare.

"Well, yes.. as a matter of fact.. " Hecuba had stood and walked over, putting a hand on Gabrielle’s chin and turning her face towards the light. "I had noticed…but dear, why are you punching poor Xena? I’m sure that hurts.. has she done something to deserve it?"

Gabrielle had sighed. "She’s trying to be helpful." She’d looked up at the cheekily grinning warrior. "Remind me of this the next time I want you with me on a sensitive chat, okay?"

Her mother had looked very puzzled. "Gabrielle, what is it? Have you decided to take up a trade?"

"Sort of." The bard had glanced out the window, then up at her mother. "I’m pregnant."

Hecuba’s face had been a combination of confusion and delight. "Oh? Really? You mean you’re…oh my." She’d sat down abruptly on the chair next to them. "Oh my."

They’d waited a moment, just to see if she was going to say anything else, then they’d both started talking at once. "We’re really.. … " Gabrielle got out.

"It’s great.. " Xena had blurted at the same time, then they’d looked at each other and laughed. "You’re the first one in the family to know." The warrior had quietly added. "We haven’t practiced this yet."

Hecuba blinked at that, and took in a breath. "I am?" She’d collected herself, and grabbed Gabrielle’s hand. "That’s wonderful…I didn’t think you… " Then, at last, she seemed to connect the dots, and her eyes lifted to Xena’s face. "Ah…"

That was always the sticky one, Xena had mused. When they got around to figuring out that Warrior Princesses, no matter how skilled, usually didn’t father children. "My brother did us the great honor." She’d answered easily, having practiced that part, at least.

"Oh! Of course… how.. uh…. Uh… " Hecuba had searched in vain for a word.

"Logical?" Gabrielle hazarded. "I mean… " She ran her fingers through Xena’s dark locks, and held them up. "They do look alike, right?"

"Oh.. yes, yes, they do…. " Her mother had nodded vigorously. "Yes, well now.. that makes sense…. This is wonderful, Gabrielle… just wonderful."

A pause.

"It is wonderful, isn’t it?" Hecuba hesitantly asked.

"Yes, it is." Her daughter had answered, in quiet relief. "I couldn’t be happier." She’d reassured her mother. "I’m very much looking forward to it…and I know he or she’s going to have two really great grandmothers."

"Oh my.. that’s very hard to absorb.. " Hecuba sighed. "I’m still not used to that from your sister." She’d glanced up. "Are you taking care of yourself dear? You look a little thin… would you like some soup? How about some nice fruit pudding… why don’t you put your feet up.. "

"Mother.. " Gabrielle protested.

"Now, you have to take care of yourself.. isn’t that right, Xena?" Hecuba interrupted her.

Big grin from the warrior. "Absolutely, Hecuba.. I couldn’t agree more." Xena had stated with a firm nod. "You tell her."

"Don’t you start in!" The bard had shook a finger at her. "I am not being coddled for nine months!" She told them sternly. "So you just… stop that." Another finger shake. "Stop making that face, Xena." A pause. "Xena.. I’m warning you… "

But at last she’d given in, and nestled against the warrior’s chest with a sigh, regarding her mother wryly. "I think I’m done with adventures for a while, mother."

Hecuba had nodded. "As it should be… and you make sure she stays well, Xena."

The warrior had chuckled. "Yes, mom."

That caused a little startled silence. "Well.. I call Cyrene mom." Gabrielle offered, sensing the prickliness. "So I guess it’s only fair.. right?"

It had taken a moment, then Hecuba had smiled. "Yes, I suppose it is." Her eyes had gentled as she regarded her daughter’s partner. "I suppose it is."

Xena smiled in sad memory, remembering the next time she’d seen Gabrielle’s parents. After Hope had gotten there, and fed into all their nightmares, and convinced them that she…

Well, it’s what they’d always thought, right? Xena swallowed. The parting from Potadeia hadn’t been pleasant, and they hadn’t spoken to Gabrielle’s family since. Maybe now, they’d get a chance to straighten that out a little.

The baby moved again, apparently doing somersaults from the feel, and now Gabrielle stirred a little, disturbed by it. Xena pulled her a little closer, then started singing, a low, soft melody from her childhood. It took a few minutes, but the baby settled down and the warrior smiled.

Definitely different this time. Thunder rolled overhead, and the rain got stronger, the sound outside changing from the drumming of water on earth to a slight splash as puddles formed. Xena let her head rest back against the straw and let herself feel a brief moment of contentment.

Gabrielle blinked sleepily, and edged her head so she could look up at her partner. "Hi." She yawned, making a tiny noise. "Is that rain I hear?"

"Mm hmm." Xena confirmed. "Just started."

"Think that’ll put a damper on things?" The bard inquired.

A shrug. "Dunno…maybe."

"Were you just singing?"

"Uh huh."

"You know, Xena.. I can remember days when you and I wouldn’t have this much conversation between sun up and sundown."

Xena sighed. "Yeah."

"You’re turning into quite a chatterbox." Gabrielle murmured, giggling a little. "Who’d have thought." She smiled as she felt the chuckle shiver through her tall soulmate’s body. "Mm." She closed her eyes in quiet joy, just loving the feel of the warm skin under her, and the steady sound of Xena’s heartbeat. She was safe here.

This was home.

Mine.

She almost started laughing again, despite the rain.

Or maybe, because of it. All she knew was that it felt very good to be with Xena, and to feel their relationship, their friendship so solidly around them. Suddenly, she felt an almost irrepressible surge of excitement, and she wished she could make the next two months go faster, just to see Xena’s face when presented with their child.

She could almost see it, if she closed her eyes tightly. The warrior would first kind of give that pleased smirky thing, then, Gabrielle knew, those blue eyes would focus on the baby, and all sorts of interesting things would go on across the warrior’s expressive face. She’d end up with that frank, all out grin that the bard saw so seldomly, and her eyes would light up from it.

Yeah. I want to see that. With a satisfied sigh, she glanced up. "Whatcha thinking about?"

Xena yawned. "How damned slow time is going." She admitted, stroking the bard’s belly. "I wonder if the baby will come out sooner if I offer it some nutbread?" She mused, in a serious, thoughtful tone.

"Ha ha ha.. how about if we offer it some sweet dumplings?" The bard retorted, giving her soulmate a little poke in the ribs. "It could go either way."

A chuckle. "Yeah, that’s true." Xena admitted easily.

They both stopped, and looked at each other, the only sound in the hayloft two sets of breathing. Then Gabrielle simply put her head back down and didn’t say anything at all, afraid that words would bring denials and she wanted none. Silence would do just fine.

The rain rattled down harder, drumming an insistent rhythm.

The owl hooted, watching in contentment.

A cool breeze blew in, heavy with moisture, and possibilities.

Xena stood, leaning against the doorjam as she watched the torrents of water come down, drenching the village and sending racing streams of water across the soaked ground. Behind her, twitching was happening.

The Amazons were pacing, Johan was whittling, and Jessan was working with Toris to pitch hay to the hungry horses.

Only Gabrielle was at peace, ensconced at her table, one hand propping up her fair head as she scribbled into her diary. Every so often she’d lift her eyes, study the restless motion, shake her head, peer at her soulmate’s calm form, and return to her writing.

Xena simply watched the rain, fairly well convinced Baracus wasn’t going to be making the ride in this weather, for one thing, he had two large rivers to cross, and with this heavy a downpour, he was looking at possible flash floods. That could sweep fifty men and fifty horses down in less time than it took to think about it, and from what she knew of the warlord, he wasn’t stupid.

Unfortunately, that left them here, with very little to do unless she started up some drills, which she really wasn’t in the mood for, or some unexpected emergency happened.

Xena held her breath as the words formed in her mind, wincing and glancing around with a pained expression.

Nothing happened. She relaxed again, and returned her eyes to the courtyard. Across the muddy expanse she could see the worship hall, well lit from within, and almost, if she concentrated, hear the rising and falling voices of the people inside it.

It seemed strange to her, spending all day inside, thinking and talking about the gods. Or their one god, in this case. Xena never considered the gods interesting enough for all that, and she put these people in the same category as she did other religious fanatics.

Like the Hestian Virgins. Now that was some kinda devotion. Xena chuckled to herself, and shook her head. But they seemed at peace, as did most of the other devotees she’d ever run into, so maybe there was something to it. She turned as she felt Gabrielle approach, and eyed the bard, who slid in next to her and leaned against her shoulder. "Hey."

"It’s still raining, Xena." Gabrielle commented.

"I know." Her soulmate replied. "Not gonna let up anytime soon…we’ll probably be reprieved until it slows down."

Green eyes slowly tracked to the pacing Amazons then back to you. "And.. you consider this a reprieve, I take it?"

The warrior chuckled wryly. "I could run a few lessons on them, I guess…I just wasn’t really in the mood to." She turned her eyes outward. "Weather maybe.. but I’m just in a lazy mood today."

Gabrielle sighed. "It’s a really good day to be inside, near the fire… roasting a few apples…" Her eyes tracked up Xena’s tall form. "Telling a few stories…"

Their eyes met, and the both smiled. "Mm…. I think I like that idea." Xena replied. "Wish this whole damn thing was over with."

"Jessan… why is your head in that bucket?" Toris’ puzzled voice got their attention. "What are you doing?"

"Corlffrnf ofsf." The words came bubbling out, followed by a dripping wet, furry head. "Ah.. that’s better." He turned, and gave Xena and Gabrielle a pathetic, rueful glare. "I need to talk to you two about.. um… energy.. sometime."

Blue eyes and green met, and both sets of brows creased. "Well… " Xena indicated the weather. "Now’s as good a time as any. Go ahead."

Jessan darted a look at the Amazons, at Toris, at Johan, then back at them. "Uh….now’s not maybe..um… "

"C’mon, Jess.. we’re all friends here." Xena walked over to a water barrel and perched on it, swinging her long legs and crossing her ankles. "We’ve got time… and there’s not much else to do here unless you guys want to give a wrestling exhibition." She kept her face blandly expressionless.

"Squeek." Jessan closed his fanged jaw on the odd sound. "Uh… well… okay.. if you say so." He ran a hand through his wet fur and shook his head. "You.. uh.. you know how my people… we sort of can sense… strong emotions, right?"

Gabrielle had wandered over, and was now leaning on Xena’s thigh, observing him. "Oh yeah.. sure we do." She idly traced a pattern on the tanned skin, and felt the warrior’s hand start a gentle rubbing against her back.

Jessan coughed, then sat down, crossing his legs and clearing his throat. "Let me… try putting this another way." He scratched his jaw, aware of the now interested looks from the Amazons and Toris. "No.. never mind.. just um… "

"No no.. go on. You’re doing fine." Xena protested, moving her gentle massage lower, and feeling the bard’s body press against hers. "Really."

Jessan glanced up at her, and bit his lip. "You’re doing that on purpose. " He barked accusingly.

Xena grinned at him evilly, starting to laugh as Gabrielle looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

"What?" The bard inquired. "What’s he talking about , Xena?"

The warrior just kept on laughing, holding her sides and leaning back against the wall. Finally, she edged forward and whispered into her partner’s ear. It promptly turned beet red, along with the rest of Gabrielle’s face.

"Oh… centaur farts." The bard covered her eyes. "That explains the crack your mother made during our joining." She accused Jessan, whose muzzle was blushing a deep brick red. "About us being good for your population count."

Solari and the Amazons had been shifting their eyes back and forth to follow this confusing speech, and now the dark haired Amazon held up a hand. "Whoa! I’m lost!"

"We make them horny." Xena explained seriously, ignoring the splutter from her soulmate. "It’s an energy thing."

Solari started laughing. "Hera’s tits, Xena… you don’t need to be a fuzzball to feel that… why do you think we’re always so damned glad to see you two?"

"Oh crackers." Gabrielle just hid her face in Xena’s leathers.

"Excuse me.. what’s a fuzzball?" Came a childish voice from the door.

Ten adults and one aforementioned fuzzball cleared their throats. "Uh.. I am." Jessan raised a furry hand. He plucked a bit of his chest hair up. "See, fuzzy."

"Yes.. but where does the ball come in?" Rebekah asked innocently, tugging her younger brother inside the barn with her.

Everybody looked at Xena. Blue eyes looked right back at them. "Oh no." The warrior shook her head. "I did this the last time. " She poked her soulmate. "Your turn."

Gabrielle drew a breath to protest, then she sighed. "It’s just a saying, Rebekah… forget it." She pushed away from Xena’s barrel and went over to the children. "Did you come over here in this weather?"

The girl nodded. "Everyone’s in service… mother left me at the house to get things ready for the Sabbath dinner, but I finished all my chores, and Ruben wanted to see the horses, so I thought it would be all right to bring him over here." She paused. "We ran under the porches, and the wagons, so we didn’t get too wet."

Little Ruben blinked at them owlishly, his eyes taking in the leather clad Amazons and Xena with wide eyed interest.

"And I thought maybe if I asked, you ‘d tell us a story." Rebekah gave Gabrielle a tiny smile. "The ones you told the other day were so interesting."

"Sure. "Gabrielle walked over and held out a hand. "Come on..let’s go sit down over there."

Ruben worked his tiny hand free and trotted over to where Xena was standing, stopping about three feet from her, and tilting his head way, way back to look all the way up her tall body. He put a finger in his mouth and chewed it, blinking at her.

The warrior dropped to one knee, and rested her elbow on it. "Hi."

An almost soundless "Hi" answered her back.

"You like horses?" Xena asked quietly.

The body nodded vigorously.

"C’mon." Xena motioned him towards the stalls. "Wanna sit on one?"

Rebekah smiled, then turned to Gabrielle. "Do you mind if a few of my friends come in too? They sort of sent me on ahead.. kind of.."

"To check things out?" The bard grinned. "Sure… the more the merrier." She watched the girl run to the door and wave her hand, then her eyes widened as a barrage of children pushed through the opening. "Oh boy." She muttered, watching the Amazons slowly backing away as they were surrounded. "Hiya, guys."

The crowd was mostly girls and younger boys, and they stared at the Amazons, Jessan and Xena with goggling eyes. "Wow.. you were right, Bek." One whispered, giving the brown haired girl a nudge. "This is wild."

"Okay… let’s all sit down over here… " Gabrielle seated herself on a bale, and took a breath. "So.. what kind of story do you want to hear… more about David and Goliath?"

The kids looked at each other, then one of the older girls pointed at Solari. "What are they?"

A dark eyebrow lifted and Solari put her hands on her hips. "Hey!"

Gabrielle muffled a smile. "They’re Amazons."

A low whisper went among the children. "You know any stories about them?" The older girl asked, with a rakish grin. Three of the children broke off out of the group and headed back to where Xena was busy showing Ruben a large hoof. "Or about him?" The girl pointed at Jessan.

"Matter of fact, I do." Gabrielle smiled. "How about one of each?" She received an approving chorus, and noticed the Amazons settling down in the straw at the edges of the group. "Okay… well, we can start with the Amazons, and I’ll tell you how I first met them… "

Xena let the familiar, engaging sound of her soulmate’s voice float over her, as she directed her small audience about the tall draft horse, showing them different parts of the animal and trying to get used to the small faces watching her every move. It felt…nice. She lifted Ruben up and set him on the horse’s back.

"Now.. you can hold on, but you really ride here." She tapped his knee. "You grip with your legs, and that way, it leaves your hands free to… um… " She nibbled her lip. "Read a scroll or something."

"Read a scroll.. why’d you want to do that while you were riding?" The little boy on the ground asked. "Wouldn’t your horse bump into something?"

Xena chuckled. "No.. horses know where they’re going…I’ve fallen asleep when I was riding, and my horse made sure I got where I needed to go." She told them. "They’re pretty smart.. you can teach them all kinds of things. My mare Argo comes to me when I whistle, and she knows what to do if I get hurt, or if I need help in getting up on her."

"Wow." The boy answered, impressed. Then he walked forward and touched her knee armor. "Is that heavy?"

"Well.. it is a little.. but I’m used to it." The warrior told him. "It keeps my legs in one piece."

"When you fight?" The boy asked, giving Ruben a glance.

Xena paused. "Yes."

"Do you get scared?" The girl asked, now coming closer herself.

"Sometimes." Xena admitted. "When there’s a lot of fighting, or when one of my friends is in danger."

"I’ve never heard of a girl fighter before." The boy objected. "My father says that’s not right."

Xena knelt down and gazed at him. "Why not?" She asked, reasonably.

He had to think. "Because girls have to take care of the family.. and we have to have mommies."

The warrior sighed, pushing aside a sharp jolt of guilt. "Well, sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do… when I was a girl, bad people attacked where I lived, and I had to help protect my family."

He considered that. "Oh."

"My father went away to war, and he wasn’t there.. but I was." Xena told him. "And so I learned how to fight."

Fair lashes flickered in the low light. "Are you a good fighter?"

Xena hesitated, then gave him a half grin. "Yes."

"Is your family okay?"

Another sigh. "Mostly… my younger brother was killed, but my older brother is the man standing over there… and my mother runs an inn where we live."

He studied her. "Oh. Well, I guess you’re okay then, for a girl."

In an odd way, it was a touching compliment. Xena chuckled. "Thanks." She ruffled his hair and stood up, catching a pair of mist green eyes which found hers over the stall divider. She read Gabrielle’s twinkling amusement and gave her a sheepish shrug in return, then she herded the children out of the stall, lifting Ruben down easily. "G’wan and listen to the story.. I’m going to see if we’re flooded out yet."

She was pacing across the floor when her ears picked up the sound of running footsteps, and her head snapped up as she froze. "Trouble."

The door slammed open wide, and a tall, thin young man fell inside, gasping. "The river." He sucked in breaths of air. "It’s over its banks and headed this way."

Xena whirled, and pointed at Gabrielle. "Stay here." She warned. "Keep the children here, too." She added. "Until I figure out how much trouble we’re really in." She pushed past the panting young man, and stuck her head out the door, peering out into the downpour and shading her eyes with one hand.

Sure enough, she could see the rising edge of the water down the road, and it occurred to her that the village was situated right in a semicircle of high cliffs. "Oh… damn." She bolted out into the rain and ran out towards the road, then whirled, and looked at the village.

There was no where else for the water to go. It would slam up against the rocks, smashing the village apart along with everything in it, and it was too late to escape down the road. People were running back and forth carrying personal items, and animals were frantically bolting here and there. With a curse, Xena dashed back into the barn and faced the small crowd there. "We have to get into the cavern." She paused, and took a breath. "Now!"

Everyone scrambled forward, and Xena rushed past them, to where the horses were restlessly stamping. She unbuckled their leader lines and kicked the stall doors open, hoping they’d back out without trying to bolt. "Jess… Toris… get all our stuff." She yelled over the din. "There might not be much left of this place after that water hits."

Gabrielle was busy tucking everything in their bags, and slinging them both over her shoulder, as she tried to keep the children from panicking. "Okay guys.. you heard her.. let’s go on to that big cave in the back of the village, right?"

"That’s the dungeon!" Rebekah protested. "Only bad people go there."

"Well, right now, we’re going to go there, so the water doesn’t catch us.. okay?" The bard took a few deep breaths, then she gave Rebekah a gentle push. "Go on."

"You got that?" Solari caught up with her, one of the Amazon’s bags thrown over her own shoulder. "I can take that other one."

The bard gave her a grateful smile. "I’m okay, thanks.. let’s just get over there… Xena has that ‘we’re in deep poop’ look." They followed the children outside, and the water hit them. Gabrielle threw her arm over her face, and leaned into the wind, putting her other arm around little Ruben. "Okay.. come on.. this way." She yelled, as the Amazons clustered around her. "Take care of the children…come on.." She spotted several women dashing around. "Hey! Over here!" They looked up, then ignored her, and went on with what they were doing, carrying bags back and forth across the courtyard.

Matthias ran towards them, waving his hands. "We’ve no more room.. go back to the barn."

"What?" Gabrielle stepped up next to him. "You can’t stay in your houses… the water’s going to come all the way in here.. we need to get into the cavern." Her breath was coming hard, and she fought the desire to wipe her eyes.

Toris put his arm around her shoulders. "She’s right.. you’re in a culvert here… the water’s coming in over that ridge… the only safe place is the cavern."

"But.. " Matthias glanced around, his eyes wild. "We can’t… "

"Come on.. we’ve got to go.. we’re out of time." Toris insisted.

"Our homes… we can’t just leave them." The man protested.

"Matthias… man, ye’re gonna die in em if ye don’t." Johan came up, his beard darkened and plastered in the rain. "C’mon now, be sensible.. get a move on."

He hesitated then let out an long breath. "All right. " He turned and raised his arms. "Everyone… everyone… take your things.. go to the cavern!!!"

For a long moment, they stared at him, then they started moving, tripping and stumbling in the mud and rain, dragging boxes and bags back towards the rear of the village.

"You all right?" Toris asked gently, peering at Gabrielle.

She nodded. "Yeah… just out of breath.. come on." The rain came down harder, slamming against her back, and she was glad of Toris’ secure presence as they slipped and skidded across the muddy ground, hearing an ominous rumble at their back. They skidded around the corner of the worship hall, only to stop short.

"What in the bla… " Toris barked.

Three men were desperately trying to herd thirty or so sheep into the small opening, squeezing the animals through one by one. "There’s no time fer that!" Johan yelled.

The shepherds glanced up. "We’re not losing these.. it’ll just be a minute." Another wooly animal jumped through the doorway.

Pounding footsteps behind them advertised Xena’s arrival. "What.. " The warrior skidded to a halt. "Get those sheep out of the way.. that water’s coming down!"

Another sheep popped inside. The shepherds glanced at her stubbornly.

Xena unsheathed her sword and stalked forward lowering her head and balling her free hand into a fist. "The children are more important than these damn sheep." She growled, raising her sword arm threateningly. "Now get out of the way, or there’s going to be little sheep bits all over that mountainside." She brought the flat of the sword down sharply on the rump of a bleating sheep, who jumped to one side, kicking backwards and catching the warrior on her knee armor.

Xena growled at the sheep, and slapped it again, and it moved against its mates, jostling away from the warrior. "C’mon.. follow me." She yelled behind her, then started swatting sheep.

"Hey!" The shepherds ran after the bolting animals.

The children stumbled inside the cavern, and Xena’s group followed, but the warrior paused at the entrance and glanced behind her. "Move it!" She yelled, encouraging stragglers.

The roar of the water was louder now, a deep, angry rumbling that shivered the ground. Men and women ran past Xena, more afraid of the river than of the glowering, dark haired woman. Matthias came stumbling up, a huge sack on his shoulders. "Is that it?" Xena’s eyes scanned the village, seeing no other human forms, only the odd, running sheep and a scattering of boxes and bags.

"Yes." Matthias gasped. "Close the door." He ducked inside.

The warrior hesitated, searching out all the parts of the village she could see, then she reluctantly eased through the door into the noise some darkness of the cavern, and closed the door behind her.

It was… oh gods. Xena almost backed right out the door. The cavern was filled to bursting with goods, people, and sheep, the mixture of children crying, adults yelling, and animals bleating nearly overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes and concentrated, almost missing the sudden impact of a hand against her leathers. Her eyes popped open, to see Leah’s frightened face. "What?"

The older woman backed off. "I can’t find Isaac." She lifted shaking hands. "I can’t find him.. he’s not in here."

Xena looked over her shoulder. "How can you tell? It’s dark in here, Leah…he could be in the back somewhere."

She shook her head and tried to push past the warrior. "No.. no.. he’s not here.. I have to go find him."

Xena grabbed her. "Stay put." She sighed, and shoved the door open, poking her head out. The water’s roar was now so loud, it almost hurt her sensitive ears, and she thought a moment. "Would he have tried to get your scrolls?" She yelled back at Leah. "In the temple?"

"Yes!" The woman pulled at the warrior’s leathers. "Yes.. he would.. "

Xena took a breath, then turned, and grabbed Solari, who was standing next to her. "Listen… you watch that water.. if I’m not back by the time it hits the edge of that building, you shut this door, hear me?" She told the Amazon fiercely.

Solari swallowed. "No." She took a shaky breath, scared, but unrepentant. "You get back here, Xena, because I am not going to tell my damn queen I locked you out."

Xena cursed, then just shook her head and bolted out across the water filled courtyard, where the first, uneasy wash of the river was already racing. Her boots splashed through it, and she felt the sucking draw of the mud, but ignored that as she headed for the worship hall.

She reached the door as the first rumbled of rocks crashed into the outer buildings, and she ducked inside, her heart pounding and her senses racing, eyes flicking everywhere in the building the focusing on the altar in front. She powered up the aisle, her boots slamming against the wooden planks, then she was up on the platform, and spotted Isaac kneeling by the square cabinet. "Isaac, we’re outta time!"

The older man turned and held a hand up. "Get back.. .you must not come into the presence of the holiest of holies."

The warrior didn’t even break step. She hurdled the low table separating them, and grabbed his arm.. "I don’t have time to argue." She pulled him up, and with her other hand, grabbed the intricate wooden case he’d been loading. "Gotta go."

He stared at her in shock.

"Now!" Xena pulled his arm, and headed for the back door. He stumbled after her, and they made their way down the aisle , just as the door burst open under the pressure of the water, and it cascaded down sweeping Isaac off his feet, and throwing Xena against the wall. "Damn."

She scrambled over and got a hold of his arm, pulling him toward her. "Hold still… " She got her other hand on him, and lifted him up, throwing him like a sack of potatoes over her shoulder. "Hang on.. this is gonna be tough."

Xena fought against the water’s pressure, driving forward step by step until she was outside, seeing the water start to lap up against the cavern wall. A glance behind her showed a wall of dirty, cold river headed towards her, and she realized there was no way she was going to make it before it caught her.

Her eyes went to the doorway, and found a pair of green ones, wide with anxiety looking back at her.

Time stood still, as she watched Gabrielle shift her gaze to the oncoming water, then deliberately step outside the cavern.

Xena bolted, throwing every single bit of energy she had into every step, plowing through the water as though it wasn’t even there. The roar grew at her back, and she felt the sting of a rock hit her. Then another. A third, which rippled across the backs of her thighs and almost made her stumble.

She couldn’t feel Isaac’s weight. She couldn’t feel the tug of the water against her legs. All she knew were those eyes, and the lessening distance between herself, and her soulmate.

A limb cracked against her shoulders.

The roar deafened her. She felt a searing pain along her back.

The water surged, and she knew it would take her legs out from under her, so she shoved off against the ground, leaping the last distance with her burden and taking herself, and her soulmate into the darkness beyond.

The door slammed behind her, and she heard a heavy body throw itself against it with a grunt, then the sliding scrape as the solid bar slid into place and held against the water and debris. Xena took a breath, then lifted her head, to see Gabrielle sprawled next to her, blinking a little in surprise "You okay?" The warrior rasped, trying to ignore the pain her back.

Gabrielle nodded shakily. "Yeah.. are you.. gods, Xena.. you’re bleeding.."

The warrior slowly lifted herself up on her elbows, wincing, and peered past the bard into the chaotic mixture of shadows and flickering firelight. Isaac was surrounded by six or seven men, all kneeling next to where he’d fallen when Xena lunged into the cavern.

The cave was full of people and animals, and the sounds and smells assaulted the warrior’s overly sharp senses. Every breath she took pulled against whatever it was that was embedded in her back, and she felt very much like just putting her head down, and trying to block it all out. A gentle hand touched her neck, and she gazed at the concerned bard. "You were going to let them close you out."

Green eyes gone cinnamon colored in the low light glinted. "Us." She gently corrected. "Besides, I knew you could make it.. you just needed a little poke." She reached out and pushed the wet hair out of Xena’s eyes. "The Amazons are over in that corner.. trying to clear a little space for us." Gabrielle looked in that direction. "Better get you over there so I can clean off those cuts… your leathers are drenched, and it’s not with water."

Xena nodded. "Yeah… feels like it." She half rolled over and pulled out the box she’d rescued, running an idle finger over the fine carving. "Nice."

A strange silence suddenly made her look up, aware of only the shifting of hooves and the soft baaing of the sheep. Isaac tottered forward, and she pushed herself up to a sitting position, lifting the box in one hand and extending it to him. "Here… sorry I had to just grab it."

A collective indrawn breath moved the air, and the old man dropped to his knees, bowing his body forward and back in a bobbing motion. He then straightened and peered at her. "The Lord has spoken. He works in mysterious ways, but his prophecy has been fulfilled." He bobbed at her. "Before me, the Lord has placed his messiah."

Xena resisted the urge to look behind her. "Excuse me?" She raised one eyebrow in question.

"You are the one spoken of. The messiah.. who may drink from the cup of life, and hold the holiest of holies without harm." Isaac intoned, in a sing song voice. Then he broke into his own language, bobbing up and down, and the group of men around him joined in.

Oh, this isn’t funny. Xena closed her eyes, and tried to ignore Gabrielle’s twitching face. "Isaac, I’m not any kind of… whatever it is you think I am." She sighed. "Here.. take your box." She stretched her arm out.

Still bobbing, he reverently took the case from her, mumbling over it. "The Lord has spoken.. I serve the Lord." He kissed the box., then turned to the men around him. "You will serve the messiah, and attend to all her wishes."

He motioned two of them. "We must get this under the holy covers.. come."

Xena muttered a curse under her breath, and eased into sitting position "Stop laughing." She growled softly at her partner.

"I can’t help it." Gabrielle whispered back, as she watched the remaining elders edge attentively around them. "Come on.. I think Solari’s ready over there.. let’s just get you taken care of."

"Right." Xena slowly got to her feet, water and trickles of blood running down the backs of her legs in warm streams. She gazed down at the bobbling elders, who were chanting softly under their breath. "Um… we’re fine here.. thanks."

"What are your wishes?" The oldest of them asked, peering at her from under grizzled eyebrows.

"I’m.. " Xena stopped, and exhaled. No sense in pissing them off again. "I’m going to go over there and sit down, okay?" She gave them a forced smile, then turned and studied the door just behind her. The wooden panel was leaking, rivulets of water seeping down from the top and side edges, but it was a slow leak, since the wood had swollen to fill the doorway and effectively sealed it. She put her hand against the surface and felt the chill right through it, hearing the rush and crash of water against the rocks above it and to either side.

They were stuck here for a while… at least until the water subsided. Xena hoped fervently that it wouldn’t be long. She eased past the older men and several sheep, and headed towards the far corner of the cave where a tiny cul de sac afforded some clear floor space. "You.. um… why don’t you take it easy for a while… okay? I’ll be fine." She told the following elders.

"The messiah speaks." The leader of them intoned, bobbing at her. "Amen."

Xena sighed, and shook her head, then gladly followed Gabrielle towards where the Amazons had staked out space.

"You all right, Xena?" Solari asked, as they came up. "That was quite a leap."

"Yeah" The warrior grunted. "Got some splinters, that’s all.. and we’re stuck in here until the water goes down." She looked up as Gabrielle took her arm, and pulled her towards the rock wall, where their bags had been tucked.

"Sit down." The bard urged. "I’ll get your kit out. " She nudged Xena towards a boulder near the wall, then knelt and dug into Xena’s bag. She pulled out her medical kit, then she hauled herself to her feet, and moved around in back of where the warrior was seated, wincing at the raw red wounds she could see through her soulmate’s ripped leathers. "I need to get this armor off, Xena."

"Yeah." The warrior reached under one arm and unbuckled the straps, then started on the other, sucking in a silent breath as the motion pulled against her wounds. The armor plates lifted off her shoulders and she felt the bard’s fingers against her leathers. "Bad?"

Gabrielle didn’t answer for a moment. "Little bits of sharp, thin stone is embedded all over back here, Xena." She murmured. "It’s a mess.. and there’s one big piece right near your spine."

"All right." The warrior bit her lip. "Take my armor tools and pull them out." She paused. "Start with that big one."

Reluctantly, Gabrielle did so, wincing every time she felt her partner’s skin flinch under her touch. She cleaned the small cuts, and put a few stitches in the big ones, including the deep, angry gash that had come very close to Xena’s backbone. When she was done, she spread a bit of herbal salve over the cuts, and put a linen bandage over them, putting her hand on Xena’s shoulder. "So, messiah.. what’s the plan now?"

"What?" Solari had been seated against the wall, peering morosely at the crowd, and now she turned to look at Xena. "What did she call you?"

"They think Xena’s their messiah." The bard informed her. "She grabbed their magic box, and didn’t get zapped from above." She smoothed her fingers over the torn skin, knowing from her soulmate’s silence just how much pain she was in.

Solari snorted. "Well.. their god gets points for knowing when not to mess with someone."

"Mm." The bard agreed, letting her hands slip up Xena’s neck, and probe her skull gently. She was relieved to not feel any telltale bumps, and gave her partner an encouraging look as the blue eyes glanced inquiringly back at her. "That any better? That one big piece was really nasty, love."

"I know." Xena answered quietly. "Things were going a little numb." She admitted softly. "You did a good job getting it out of there."

Gabrielle almost stopped breathing. "Xena, why didn’t you say something?" She murmured fiercely.

Blue eyes studied her. "I didn’t want to make you nervous… you did fine." She flexed her hands and rubbed her fingers. "Tingling’s almost gone."

The bard slowly lowered her head to rest against Xena’s. "Gods."

The warrior reached up and patted her hands. "Relax." She peered around the crowded cavern. Sheep milled around, uneasily bunched into a makeshift corral formed from barrels of water and boxes of supplies. Men were clustered in a large circle, heads bent together, and the women had herded the children over to the other side of the cavern, near the back. They were walking back and forth through the boxes of belongings, collecting food and water and chattering among themselves. The smell, of all those people and all those sheep was almost indescribable.

Xena sighed, and briefly wished she was home. She didn’t feel much like being a messiah today. Or any other day for that matter. "We’re stuck here." She informed them all, nodding at Toris and Jessan who had come back with full waterskins, which they passed around.

"Well, on the bright side, we don’t have to worry about Baracus." Gabrielle commented.

A sheep escaped its corral and dashed by them, baaing frantically as a young shepherd chased her down, The boy’s feet slipped on the wet rock and he went sprawling, knocking into a basket of assorted nuts, which scattered across the floor. Two women carrying baskets of cheese slipped on them, sending bits of crumbling, old cheese across everyone with pungent accuracy.

Xena plucked a bit of it from her partner’s hair, and lifted a brow. "Does the term lesser of two evils have any meaning for you, Gabrielle?"

"Y’know, Gabrielle.. I never really did like sheep." Solari commented, as they edged their way across the close, noisy chamber towards where the village women had set up a food distribution area. "They’re just so… so.. " She nudged an ewe aside with one booted foot. "So.. sheepish."

Gabrielle eyed a ram, who was eyeing her back. "No.. it’s just that they look so cute, but they aren’t. " The bard told her. "Potadeia mostly lives on sheep, you know… and let me tell you, they’re nasty guys and girls."

"Yeah?" Solari encouraged her. "Did you ever ride on one?"

"Ride.. on a sheep?" Gabrielle laughed. "No.. but my parents had one, named Whistler because she’d always make this little whistling sound as she walked. " The bard demonstrated. "Anyway… Whistler used to wait for me to get involved with something.. like pulling up water, or collecting stuff under the porch, when my back was turned, and she’d come up and butt me."

Solari regretfully discarded the first three responses that came to mind and gave her queen a sympathetic look. "Ouch."

"Yeah.. but I got my revenge." Gabrielle chuckled softly. "I sheared her."

Brown eyes blinked at her. "Remind me never to piss you off."

They both laughed, and Gabrielle was still chuckling as she came up to where Sarah was sorting roots. The slim woman glanced up as she approached, and her brows knit. "Hello… how are you doing?"

"Fine, thanks." The bard replied. "We came over to see if we could get a couple of pieces of fruit"

Sarah spread her hand out. "Isaac has said you are to get anything you need.. please.. take what you wish." She half turned. "Wait.. I have some soup here.. would you like some of that?"

"Uh.. " The bard gave her a polite smile. "No.. that’s okay.. just some fruit, and some bread if you have it." She glanced around. "It’s a little too hot for soup." The cavern’s closeness was almost cloying, and the bard could feel a sheen of sweat forming on her skin. So many people and animals together, along with the torches that were sputtering fitfully in their wall sconces made for a very uncomfortable living space. They’d checked out the back part of the cavern, and found, much to Xena’s relief, a tall, crooked chimney that let in air, and sucked a bit of the smoke from the torches out.

The bard suddenly sniffed the air. "What is that smell?"

Solari looked at her like she was crazy. "WHICH smell is that, your majesty?" She inquired wryly. "Sheep, sweat, or wet blankets?"

"Oh.. you must mean the incense." Sarah laughed gently. "Tonight starts our festival of lights…they’re just preparing." She indicated a group of men in the rear of the cavern. "We celebrate for eight days… and even though we’re stuck in here, we’re alive, and we thought it would be very appropriate to keep everyone’s mind off things."

"Oh?" Gabrielle looked interested. "Tell me about it… is that like the harvest festivals we have?"

Sarah wiped her hands off, and looked around. "Matthias tells this usually.. but.. .not exactly." She picked up a bowl of thick, white substance she started mixing with her hands. "A great leader of ours once defeated an enemy, someone who had invaded our homeland and desecrated our temple. After we cleaned the temple out, we found there was only one cask of consecrated oil to light the sacred lamp with.. only enough for one day. But we had to celebrate the Sukkoth, which is the harvest, to insure good crops for the next year."

"Mmhm.. " Gabrielle studied her intently, trying to imagine the scene. "So what did you do?"

"Well, by a miracle, the lamp burned on that one day’s oil for eight days, long enough for a new supply to be obtained, and for us to properly celebrate the harvest… since then, we’ve celebrated that as our festival of lights." She mixed her hands in the bowl. "We tell that story, and the children get little gifts of nuts, and a coin or two, so they’ll remember."

"That’s really nice." The bard smiled at her. "We have our Solstice celebration coming up very soon… and we give little gifts then, too." She glanced at the bowl. "What is that?"

Sarah had relaxed a bit. "We make tiny fried cakes from this.. it’s traditional this time of year." She explained. "I’m sure you’ll like them." She glanced up as another woman called her. "Excuse me." She put the bowl down and moved over to where several other workers were clustered around.

Gabrielle glanced at Solari, then leaned over and took a bit of the mixture on her finger, and tasted it. Her brows creased. It had a mealy texture, but the taste wasn’t bad, a mix of onion and garlic, with a nice, almost nutty under taste. "Mm… sort of like those ground bean cakes Cyrene makes." She commented. "C’mon.. let’s get some bread, and see if we can rest for a while.. my back’s starting to bother me."

Solari took the basket from her hands, and selected a loaf of bread along with some fruit. "Considering what you’ve been doing all day? Artemis’ bright blessings, Gabrielle… you really are something else." She shook her head at the bard in mild amazement. "I mean, I’ve lived with bearing women all my life, but not one in ten dozen stayed as active as you have, even with them being Amazons."

Gabrielle paused a moment, then smiled. "Thank you." She tucked an affectionate arm through Solari’s as they walked back across the crowded cavern, nodding pleasantly at the women who crossed their paths.

"How many will this make?" One asked, standing up and wiping the sweat off her brow. She too, was pregnant, a month or two less than Gabrielle was.

"Just the one." The bard answered quietly.

"Oh.. " The woman dried her hands off and gave the bard a sympathetic look. "I’m sure your husband will make it up to you now that you’ve started."

Gabrielle smiled kindly at her. "Actually… I’ve spent the last four years in the company of a bloodthirsty ex warlord, traveling around the world and fighting evil kings, gods, and monsters to help people.. I kind of just didn’t find the time until now." She commented. "But thanks for asking."

The woman gazed at her, speechless. Then she edged off. "Excuse me."

"Bye." The bard waggled her fingers, and continued on, her green eyes twinkling despite the sheepy atmosphere and the constant yells of playing children.

"You’re bad." Solari solemnly shook her head, then she glanced around, "Speaking of.. where’s tall, dark and deadly?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Last time I saw her, she was coming back from that back section.. I think she’s trying to persuade them to take these blasted sheep back there and get them out of our faces."

"Convince them?" Solari laughed. "Why not just tell em? She’s supposed to be their mucky muck, right?"

The bard winced. "Don’t start with that… she’s not happy about that whole thing." They reached the far wall, where the Amazons had set up camp, and were now clustered around, resting against the wall, smudges of mud, dirt, and sheep crud dusting their skins. "Hi."

"Your majesty." Frendan sighed, resting her hands on her legs, which were extended out before her. "I think we’ve done what we could… gotten things organized as much as possible. It’s just a mess."

Gabrielle settled slowly down on a rock outcropping, and leaned back. "You’re right.. it’s a mess.. you guys did a great job of getting our little space setup here.." She gazed approvingly at the corral of boxes and barrels, blocking out some of the noise, most of the eyes, and all of the sheep, and creating a tiny oasis of almost calm in the chaos. Her gear, and Xena’s, was tucked in the corner around the outcropping she was sitting on and she gave the thick bedrolls that Frendan had rescued a wistful look. They’d been in the bottom of the wagon, and she’d considered them gone before the tiny Amazon had turned up with them. "Okay… Xena says she’s not sure how long the water will be blocking us in here.. though she hopes, and so do I, that it won’t be long."

Cesta nodded tiredly. "Second that." The redhead seemed to have lost a lot of her superior attitude. Perhaps it was the sheep poop liberally smeared on her face.

"They’re having some kind of a celebration.. it’s something from their culture, so if they want you to participate, just go along with them.. I don’t think it’s dangerous." The bard eased her back against the cool stone, and braced one booted foot against the lower part of the rock she was sitting on, taking the pressure off her lower back muscles. They ached, and she was glad to be sitting, as she watched the comings and goings idly across the cavern. "They give kids small gifts… it’s tied into the harvest somehow.. so just go with it."

Aileen rolled over and started rummaging in her pack. "Hey.. I have some little carved acorns I was doing.. we could give them to some of those kids.. they’re kinda cute." She nudged Frendan with a boot. "Didn’t you have some rag dolls you were fiddling with the other day?"

The tiny Amazon nodded. "You’re right.. I think I have those… I was going to put them out on our table at the fair, but it would be fun to give em to the kids here.. let me look."

Gabrielle smiled benignly at the Amazons, lifting an eyebrow at Cesta, who sighed, and shook her head.

"Nope.. not me.. I’ve got a knife, three pairs of leggings, an extra bracer, and some leather lacing."

The bard was about to answer, but a flash of dark leather caught her attention, and she fastened her eyes on the tall, dark haired woman emerging from around the far corner of the cavern accompanied by several men, by their hands arguing. Xena was listening, by her demeanor with at least a minimum amount of patience. Gabrielle could see the faint limp, though, and she studied her partner with worried eyes. As if on cue, the warrior looked up, meeting her gaze and letting a quick smile cross her face. Gabrielle lifted a hand and curled a finger at her, and the smile widened a bit, then Xena held up a hand and turned to her companions.

What was apparently one long sentence, and three sharp hand gestures ended the conversation, and Xena gave them all a nod, then she started to make her way across the cavern towards where the Amazons had set up camp. She evaded collisions smoothly, and dodged several sheep before she made it, entering their small haven with an almost imperceptible sigh. "Hey."

"Hey." Gabrielle patted the rock next to her. "Any luck?"

The warrior sat down next to her, leaning forward a little and resting her weight on her elbows. "Yeah… I have them convinced they have to move those damn sheep back where they had Jessan… they were afraid the things would panic and start crashing into the walls. "

Gabrielle put a tentative hand on her back. "How are you feeling?"

Blue eyes flicked to the pretending to be not watching Amazons. "Fine."

"Mmhmm." Gabrielle picked up a slice of bread and offered it. "Hungry?"

Xena hesitated, then shook her head. "No.. I’m.. not really." She replied offhandedly. "You doing okay?"

One thing she’d learned about her stubborn soulmate… when she was in pain, the first thing that went was her appetite, which was otherwise very healthy. Gabrielle knew the warrior hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and it was, if her reckoning was right, after dark. She sighed, and realized the presence of the Amazons as well as their uneasy allies was forcing the I’m too tough for my leathers attitude past its usual boundaries with her present. And she saw no quick or easy way of getting around that, short of a major confrontation.

Unless… "I think it’s time I change your bandages a little, Xena… but this is really awkward…" She shifted around a bit. "Listen.. if I sit down on our bedrolls, and you get over on your side, I think I can do it."

The warrior hesitated, then sighed. "Well, I can’t change them myself." She commented wryly. "All right.. " She helped Gabrielle settle down on the soft furs, then eased down next to her, resting on a hip and one elbow. "Go ahead."

Gabrielle pulled her kit over, and stretched her legs out, gently unhooking the strap holding her partner’s leathers on and pulling the surface back, exposing the linen bandages she’d put on earlier. They were stained with dried blood and gore, and she eased them away from the cuts gingerly.

Not a sound came from her soulmate, who gazed across the circle of boxes at the Amazons with a quiet, noncommittal expression.

"Um… Xena.. can I ask you a favor?" The bard inquired innocently.

"Sure." The warrior turned her head. "What’s up?"

Gabrielle winced a little, as she turned her body. "It’s kinda tough to do this from this angle.. " She laid a hand on her belly and gave the warrior a rueful look. "Could you put your head down here. " She patted her thigh. "Make it easier for me?"

One dark eyebrow lifted, but Xena did as she was asked, settling her head down on her partner’s leg and rolling mostly onto her stomach.

"Thanks." Gabrielle undid the other strap and went about her task, watching her partner’s shoulders relax and feeling the warmth as a long exhale eased against the skin of her thigh. "You pulled this big one out, I need to restitch it." She told her quietly, stroking a gentle thumb against the raw skin. The blood was oozing from the one cut, and she carefully cleaned it off, and restitched it, feeling the sensitive skin twitch under her needle and wincing herself every time the sharp instrument pierced the wound. A glance up revealed the healthily respectful looks from the Amazons, both at her steady handedness and her soulmate’s stoic and silent suffering.

She dusted the cuts very liberally with a dried herb Xena used for wounds, and made new bandages, pulling the leathers up into place to hold them securely. "There… how’s that?" She sensed her partner’s reluctance to move, and felt the deep breath she drew in before she forced herself to ease back up onto an elbow and flex her shoulders.

"Better.. thanks." Xena admitted, wishing she could simply put her head back down and let herself drift off. The constant ache, and the shooting pains from the large wound near her spine had been wearing on her all day, and the noise, and the smells were making her nauseous. With a sigh, she started to sit up, then she stopped, chewing her lip thoughtfully. What in Hades do I care what those damn Amazons think? "You going anywhere?" She asked the bard quietly.

Gabrielle blinked at her. "Um.. actually, no… I’m really kind of tired.. why?"

"Good." Xena let herself back down, resuming her spot and curling her hand around the bard’s knee, stroking the soft skin with her thumb. After a startled moment, she felt fingers running through her hair and she closed her eyes wearily, simply absorbing the bard’s nearness. The warmth of their connection washed through her, blocking out the discomfort for a long, blissful moment.

A chill wind had blown across their campsite, as they’d stopped outside Potadeia on the way home. Xena had gotten lucky and trapped a rabbit close to camp, and it was stewing on the fire while they went about their quiet, familiar routine.

Except that it was no longer that familiar to Xena, and she had to keep looking up from her task in aching fear, expecting every time not to see the blond figure sprawled on the grass nearby. Finding herself holding her breath every time it was.

She’d had to finally stop trying to fix the armor piece, since her hand were trembling so badly she kept knicking herself with her armor knife. So she’d folded her hands, and simply sat there, waiting for the bubble to burst.

"Xena."

A gentle hand on her arm, and she’d looked up to see worried green eyes peering at her as Gabrielle sat down on the log right next to her, a thumb rubbing her skin in absent reflex. "You look like you’re sick to your stomach…can I make you some tea?"

Pull yourself together, damn it. She’d cursed to herself. "Um… just a little chilled, I guess.. I’m fine." She’d forced herself to respond. "But if there’s tea I’ll take some." She’d added, seeing the wrinkle in her partner’s forehead.

"Mm.. it’s breezy over here.. " Gabrielle had agreed. "Tell you what.. why don’t you come over there by me, and I’ll bring some tea over…okay?"

She’d allowed herself to be led over to a comfortable pile of furs, bought in Potadeia when she’d admitted to Gabrielle that the only bit of their personal gear she’d kept was the bard’s scroll bag, and personal items. That she’d been simply using Argo’s blanket for herself at night, or else nothing. It felt so strange to feel softness under her knees instead of the scratchy wool, and have Gabrielle settle down next to her, pressing her leg against the warrior’s and letting a hand rest casually on her knee.

She’d wrapped her fingers around the mug and sipped the contents, racking her brain for something to say to the newly restored gift at her side. Nothing came to her. Nothing could adequately express the emotions she was feeling, or why she was shaking like a leaf, or why the thought of falling asleep was frightening her almost senseless.

What if she woke up and..

She’d bit down on the edge of the mug, unable to stifle the tiny sound that came out of her throat.

Gabrielle had set her cup down and folded her hands around her partner’s. "Hey… what’s going on in there?"

And she couldn’t tell her. "I’m all right.. just tired." She’d answered quietly.

"Me too." The bard had answered softly. "Here… put that down." She’d taken the mug from Xena’s nerveless hands, and put it away, then she’d leaned back against the rock wall they were sheltering against, and pulled gently on the warrior’s arm. "C’mere…"

She’d been almost frozen in agony, knowing if she allowed Gabrielle to pull her into the warmth she’d been denied since the bard’s disappearance, the wall of fragile composure she’d gathered around her would shatter. An essential part of her resisted that, afraid of the pain. Afraid of the needing.

She’d felt the pulling stop, and she’d found her eyes looking at Gabrielle, watching a pall of hurt confusion cloud the bard’s face as she slowly let her hands drop. And then her pale head dropped, and Xena had seen the pained tensing of her lips. "I.. sorry… I just… " The hands lifted, then dropped to the furs. "I thought you’d…" A painful pause. "Want to be…I…"

It was a choice of pain. Either she bore the crushing fear of loss again, or she bore the knowledge of the look in Gabrielle’s eyes if she didn’t. And really there never was a choice at all, was there? "I… I do…" She’d managed to get out, moving a tiny bit in the bard’s direction. "But.. I think I’m… still kinda in shock…and I.." The emotion came up, and she felt it choke her. That same, small sound of pain escaped her, and it was hard to breathe. It had taken several long, shaking breaths before she could continue. "And I missed you so much I hardly know what to do with myself now."

A soft intake of breath sounded just before the warm hands came back, touching her chilled skin, and oh, so gently pulling at her. And this time she felt her resistance dissolve, as her body curled towards her soulmate’s and settled into the warmth of her arms with a relief so profound, it hurt.

Gabrielle had cradled her and hugged her close, stroking her hair as she wrapped her own arms around the bard’s body, feeling the overwhelming wash of their connection as it surrounded her in a comfort she never thought she’d feel again.

It had made her realize just how precious that was, while she’d rested there with Gabrielle in her arms, as they watched the flames and fed each other the hot rabbit stew and let the magic between them chase away the shadows. Whole again, at last.

Gabrielle felt slightly shocked, but she took a breath, and gently ordered Xena’s hair, peeking up to surprise envious looks on the Amazon’s faces. She watched the warrior close her eyes and felt the tense muscles under her fingers relax. "Hurts, huh?" She murmured.

Xena nodded. "Like hot pokers going down my back and into my legs." She confessed very softly. "That piece of rock must have gotten a little deeper than I thought."

"Ow." The bard winced, a bolt of worry coursing through her. "Anything I can do?"

The warrior considered the question, smiling a little as she felt a gentle movement against the back of her head, which was pressed up against the bard’s belly. "No… I feel better already." She reassured her partner. "Feels good just to be quiet for a bit." Another motion, and she squirmed a little closer, pressing her ear against the rounded surface, and trying to convince herself she could hear a faint heartbeat.

"Felt that, huh?" Gabrielle asked, in a teasing tone. "See? She feels bad too.. she wants to make you feel better."

"Just like her mother." Xena responded wryly. They sat quietly for a bit, just watching the activity in the chamber. The sheep were finally being moved back, and that had cleared a little space around them and lessened the almost ceaseless bawling of the animals. "Jessan and Toris found a rockslide in the back.. they and a bunch of the younger guys are trying to see if it leads anywhere."

"Ah… like a back way out?" The bard inquired hopefully.

"Yep." Her partner agreed. "Better than waiting for that water to go down."

"You bet." Gabrielle snorted. "Besides.. it’s almost Solstice.. and I have no intention of spending it in this cave, partner." She twirled a lock of dark hair around her fingers. "Lot of things to celebrate."

Xena gazed ahead of them. "Mm… you know, I’d pretty much decided…when I was alone.. that I’d spend the whole day so drunk I just wouldn’t remember any of it." A pause. "If I lasted that long."

Gabrielle felt her breathing catch at the words, as she studied the dark head under her hands. "Xena…. " She hesitated, then went on. "If I had… died… I want you to know something, okay?"

The warrior shifted, and glanced up at her, blue eyes violet in the dim light. "Hm?"

The bard ran the backs of her fingers across the soft skin on Xena’s cheek. "There is no way.. no matter what it took, no matter who I had to convince, no matter what price they asked… there is no way I would have let you be alone on that day." Her eyes glistened. "Do you really think something so insignificant as death could keep us apart?"

Insignificant? Xena blinked a few times. "Maybe that should have clued me in to the fact that you weren’t…" She lifted a hand and curled her fingers around the bard’s. "I had… no sense.. of you anywhere…and I thought.. " She remembered standing on a lonely, windswept ledge, and feeling emptier than at any other time of her life. "I guess that’s why I went to find you."

Gabrielle gazed down at her. "Do you know… when I woke up, in that hospice.. the very first thing I thought about was you? Not what happened to me, not where was I… " She stopped, and swallowed. "Then I remembered your face when I was going into that pit, and it was one of the worst moments of my life." Their eyes met. "I’m so sorry…Xena…I knew that was going to hurt you." She uttered softly. "I just couldn’t let you die before my eyes.. not that way."

The warrior sighed. "I know." She laid her cheek on the bard’s thigh. "There were no good ways out of that cave, Gabrielle… and I knew that." Her thumb brushed against the bard’s belly. "I’m glad it’s behind us." She looked up. "We do have a lot to celebrate in a few days, huh?" She wanted to get away from the subject of Gabrielle’s dying. Her stomach hurt enough already, and that was just making it worse.

The bard smiled sadly at her. "Yes, we do… is it okay if I give you an early birthday present?" She was already reaching for her bag, and tugging it over.

Xena chuckled wryly. "Sure."

Gabrielle pulled a linen wrapped object from her bag, and looked at it. "I brought it, because I was kind of finishing it up.. at least for now." She unfolded the linen, revealing a small, leather bound set of neatly cut scroll pages and handed it to Xena. "I know you keep those little… um… the notes and stuff and I.. " She watched the warrior slowly finger the small volume. "I thought maybe you’d like everything in one place. " She said quietly. "So.. that’s a collection of all the poems and notes and… I kind of borrowed the ones you had and copied them over… and put some little notes on the back because of stuff I remembered.. and.. um.. " A pause. "There are some new ones at the end.. and you have to let me take it back once in a while to add things." Another pause. "Okay?"

Xena lifted herself up onto one elbow and studied the book, running her fingers down the leather surface before she opened it up, revealing page after page of a familiar, neat script, forming words that somehow she wasn’t able to read at the moment. "Gabrielle, this is wonderful." She breathed, looked up at the bard with a genuine, open smile. "Thank you."

The bard grinned back. "You’re welcome." She was very happy to see the sparkle of surprised pleasure in her soulmate’s face, worth the effort it had taken to borrow Xena’s carefully hoarded collection of small, many times folded pieces of parchment, a few at a time during the month they’d been at home. Xena was already bending her head over the book, studying the first few pages, and leafing them over to glance at the back, at the wry, sometimes surprising, sometimes humorous notes she’d scribed in, memories of when the poem had been written, or her thoughts as she’d written it. It felt really good to see that. She thought Xena was going to enjoy it very much, and she sighed happily as she stretched her legs out a little.

"This is fant.. " Xena started chuckling, then stopped, as a long, low rumble rattled through the cavern. "Uh oh."

The sound of scrambling, running feet cut through the nervous mutterings, and the rumbling grew louder, now interspersed with a weird, thrumming sound. Xena sat up, and peered around the curve of the chamber wall, to see her brother, and Jessan hauling bare and furry butt across the rocky ground, followed by the small group they’d been exploring with. "Jess.. you find anything?" The warrior yelled, getting to her feet as she saw the pace of the runners.

"Oh yeah." The forest dweller hollered. "Another cavern."

"Yeah?" The warrior started walking toward him. "So.. what’s the rush? You knock down some rocks?"

"Bats." Toris yelled, redoubling his pace, as the thrumming sound got a lot louder, and a high, keening sound was added to it. "Coming after us."

"C’mon, Toris." Xena laughed, putting her hands on her hips. "Bats won’t hurt you.. they eat fruit."

A dark cloud suddenly filled the end of the chamber, and Xena’s senses got a powerful jolt as the scent of old blood filtered to her sensitive nose.

"Not these bats…" Jessan panted, as he ran past her and skidded to a halt. The sheep caught the scent and now started milling around in panic. "They’re bacchae bats."

The dark cloud headed towards them, individual red eyes now seen in a sea of black, flapping wings.

Xena stared at them. "Oh boy…" A wave of sheep headed their way, stampeding in panic. The bats caught the scent of the wooly animals, and dove for the attack, tiny fangs exposed.

They were in trouble.

Big, big trouble.

Xena whipped out her sword, shoving the pain into the back part of her mind reserved for that kind of thing, and neatly sliced three bats headed her way into messy black ribbons. Her eyes searched the interior of the cavern frantically, trying to come up with a plan. She spotted a pile of green branches to one side, and considered. "Jess!"

"What?" The forest dweller was alternating sword swipes with claw swipes next to her. "Ew… I hate when that guck gets under my nails." He shook a hand rapidly, sending globs of gore through the air.

"Get a hold of those branches.. and get them into the fire." The warrior yelled. "The smoke will stun the bats." She ducked a flying mammal, which made a beeline for her soulmate’s unprotected chest, then grinned nervously as Gabrielle neatly whacked it out of mid air with a rolling pin she’d captured.

Men and women were running and screaming across the floor, and the sheep were stampeding back and forth. Jessan cursed, then ducked under a persistent cloud of the beasts and grabbed an Amazon along the way. "Give me a hand!"

Cesta left off slicing bats and followed him, hurdling sheep as she got to the branch pile, and helped the taller Jessan drag the green, fragrant limbs into the cookfire that had been carefully prepared to one side. The leaves began smoking immediately, giving up their moisture into the already close air, rising to envelope the clouds of circling, angry, hungry bats. "Well.." Cesta coughed, as a bat veered off, and headed away from the smoke. "Smells better than those damn sheep."

Jessan sniffed it, then rubbed his nose. "Uh… " He watched a bat fly into the wall, and flutter to the ground. "Hey, Xena??? " He turned, to see the warrior standing on a rock, weaving a net of flashing steel around her, and protecting a group of children who had thrown themselves under the dark haired woman’s considerable shield.

"Yeah?" Xena barked back, ducking and slashing another handful of angry bats from the sky. The smoke was starting to put a gentle blue tint into the already reddish air, and she blinked as she glanced over at him. "What?"

"Did you know what those leaves.. uh… were?" The forest dweller inquired, hopping out of the way of a determinedly charging sheep.

Xena paused in her attack, and sniffed gently at the air. Her shoulders slumped and she breathed out several virulent, half disgusted curses in a language she was fairly sure the children had never heard. "No… but I do now." Of all the things… the leaves were a fairly potent narcotic, though fortunately they weren’t dried, which would have concentrated the strength. As she watched, the bats stopped diving, and started aimlessly flapping around, chirping and banging into other bats. "Oh brother."

"You called?" Toris asked, amiably, as he hopped up on her rock, balancing carefully. "Hey sis… that was one wild idea… get everything breathing crocked, and the problem goes away.. nifty."

Xena sighed ruefully, feeling a certain loosening in her own perceptions. "Wasn’t really my intention." She turned and watched the now smoke filled cavern, which was much less frantic. Bats were settling in small alcoves on the walls, since the roof was fairly smooth, and the sheep were blinking stupidly at her, quiet at last. "Not that I’m complaining." She added, gazing at her brother’s slightly glazed eyes.

Then she remembered the secondary effect of the leaves, and her eyes widened. "Aw… Hades in handbasket…"

"C’mere.. " A shepherd ran by, chasing a frisking eye. "I won’t hurtcha… "

"Hey… " Toris watched amiably, then tugged on his sister’s leather skirting. "Did I ever tell you how cute I think you are?"

A murderous blue glare didn’t even distract him for an instant. "Toris.. cut it out."

"No.. really.. " Her brother answered earnestly. "You’ve got the nicest smile."

Xena picked him up and dropped him off the rock.

"And the sexiest biceps." The man continued without a pause. "I even like your kneecaps."

Xena sighed, and sheathed her sword, the bat danger apparently over. Then she turned as another tug came on her leathers. "Wh.. oh."

Dusky green eyes were devouring her intently, and she felt her knees almost give out. "Uh.. hi." Though she realized the drug was really irrelevant where Gabrielle was concerned, she stepped off her perch at the bard’s gentle tug and rubbed her body against her partner’s, reveling guiltily in the familiar scents and touch. The children she’d been protecting were blinking sleepily, unaffected by the leaves, and she’d forgotten completely about Toris, finding her attention focusing on the smaller woman before her whose eyes were running over her like a hot bath.

"Hi." Gabrielle ran her hands up the smooth leathers, tracing the body under them. "Was that planned?"

Xena enjoyed the subtle chills that chased her partner’s fingers. "Not entirely." She admitted, turning her head and reviewing the cavern. "I think it loosened them up a little, though." Only them? Xena felt a familiar jolt in her guts, as Gabrielle’s touch traced her breasts. Like we need any help in that area… right?

"Mm." The bard agreed, moving closer. "How’s your back?" She leaned forward and nibbled the warrior’s bare neck.

"What back?" Xena asked, in a puzzled tone, as her hands found warm, familiar spots on her partner’s body. Guiltily, she glanced over her shoulder to find her brother, startled to see him being led off by Cesta.

Well, maybe not so startled. She snorted in laughter, and realized the smoke, and the lowering torches obscured most of the other activities going on. She had no idea what this was going to do to the community’s structure, but… well, it wasn’t like it was on purpose, right?

At the very least, they’d figure out she wasn’t no damn messiah. Fingers tickled her neck, and she felt a faint dislocation in her senses, as the drug got into her blood, and her body started to respond to the close proximity of her soulmate. Then a thought occurred to her, and she looked up, over Gabrielle’s head, her eyes searching for Jessan.

Poor guy. Then she spotted him curled in a corner, peacefully asleep.

Whew. One less complication.

Insistently, her body recalled her attention to the distraction at hand, who was easing the laces out of her leathers, and exposing warm skin to the hazy air. She felt the worries and concerns weighing on her slip free, as she focused on the here and now, relaxing tense mental barriers she’d put desperately in place months ago.

She cupped the bard’s face in her hands gently. "You are so beautiful." Xena told her, offering up her heart simply, and totally. Forgetting everything else. "You’re the best thing in my life."

A tear slipped loose, and trickled down Gabrielle’s face, dampening a path across her cheek. "I love you." The bard answered very softly. "And I always will.. now, as long as I live, and as long as my soul lasts in the realms to come after."

The warrior’s lips trembled a moment, then parted. "Forever." And gave herself up in the belief, again, knowing its potential for her destruction.

Gabrielle felt the acceptance glide gently into place, as though something long missing had been given back to her. Lips brushed lightly, teasingly against hers, and she smiled, believing again at last. In herself. In Xena.

In the incredible power their love bestowed on both of them, that no evil could destroy.

They’d proven that.

Xena gently lifted her up, and the next thing she felt under her boots was the softness of the bedrolls. She let her lips explore the warm, musky scented skin as they eased down together, pausing for a fuzzily startled moment as a set of squeaks alerted them to an intruder.

Xena scooped the bats up and flipped them over her shoulder.

Gently.

Then all they knew was each other. .

Continued in Part 5

Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

It was very dark when Gabrielle felt herself nudged up to consciousness, only a few of the torches guttering fitfully in their wall sconces, the air mostly clear of the cloying smoke. She nuzzled her head into the comfort of Xena’s shoulder, breathing in a lungful of the familiar scents that clung to her, of leather and warm skin, and the sweat that covered both of them. Her body was curled into the security of the warrior’s arms and she felt a pleasant moment of utter peace as she shifted her head to regard her sleeping partner.

The disheveled hair brought a wry smile to her face, and she lifted a hand to push it back, exposing the well-shaped forehead. Then the pale blue eyes fluttered and gazed at her, with a complete openness she hadn’t seen there in the months since her return.

How many chances at this am I going to get? Gabrielle asked herself silently, as she brushed her fingertips over the high cheekbones. She’s always so worried about hurting me.. how many times is she going to put herself right out there in the open for me to rip her apart? "Hi." She let her lips curve into a smile. "We now have a true, honest to goodness mess, right?" She indicated the cavern over her shoulder with a glance.

"Mmmhmm." Xena agreed, wrapping a curl of pale hair around one finger and playing with it. "We sure do.. we’ve got bacchae bats, who are going to wake up hungry, possibly penetrated sheep, upright folks who certainly ended up in a non upright position, and my brother who very possibly just joined the Amazon Nation to deal with."

Gabrielle gently suckled on a nearby earlobe. "Coflf fibe wofs." She mumbled.

Xena disengaged her ear and applied her lips. "Shh." She silenced her partner for a very long moment. "Don’t tempt the Fates, okay?"

"Okay." The bard conceded. "I wasn’t in the mood to be giving birth right now anyway." She gave Xena an impish grin as the warrior lifted both brows at her. "I love when you do that."

"Do what?"

"That eyebrow thing." Gabrielle ran a finger along the dark hairs. "Your face is so expressive…you say things just by moving a muscle here. " She touched the side of Xena’s mouth. "Or here.. " Her finger drifted to the edge of one blue eye, which crinkled as Xena smiled. "See?" She chuckled. "How’s your back feeling?"

Xena’s gazed went inward for a moment, then she flexed her shoulders. "Fine." She shrugged, burrowing into the furs and stretching her body out. "Just needed a little rest."

The bard hitched herself up and pulled one of the warrior’s shoulders towards her. "Roll this way."

Xena did so, finding a very tasty bit of skin to nibble.

Gabrielle muffled a giggle as she peered at her partner’s smooth skin. The cuts were closed, and scabbed over, even the big one. A feeling of quiet relief flooded through her, and she gently kissed the shoulder she was tugging on. "Looks good." She patted Xena’s side, and the warrior reluctantly rolled back over. "So. What’s the plan?"

Xena lifted both hands and shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno." She grinned. "It’s not like there’s a section on being trapped in a cave under water with a herd of sheep and a village full of religious fanatics while under the influence of henbane in the Warlord’s Guide to Conquering Greater Greece, Gabrielle." She remarked reasonably.

The bard burst out laughing, burying her face into her soulmate’s chest. "Oh gods that was funny." She finally sighed. "Okay.. so we kind of play it by ear.. or..??"

The warrior stretched and yawned, then pawed into their bags for a shirt. "Well.. first things first.. lemme go check out that damned cavern they found… who knows.. maybe we’ll get lucky." She peeked at her soulmate. "See if you can find the Amazons, huh?"

"Oh sure." Gabrielle crossed her arms over her bare chest. "Leave me to do the squirmy stuff."

"Tch.. you are the Queen, kiddo." Xena reminded her. "They’re YOUR Amazons."

"YOU are one of my Amazons too, love." The bard replied, with a faint smirk. "Or did ja forget that?"

An eyebrow lifted. "No.. but you know where I am." The warrior answered practically, as she pulled on a boot. "Besides.. you’re a lot more diplomatic than me." She poked the very tip of her tongue out at her partner, then stood up and tied the belt on her tunic.

Gabrielle leaned back on her hands and studied the taller woman. "You’re in a good mood." She complimented her. "I like that."

Xena stopped in mid motion, considering, then smiled. "Yeah.. I am." She remarked, with a tinge of surprise in her voice. She bent down and picked up her present, and tucked it inside her belt. "See ya in a bit."

The bard watched her pace off, staying close to the wall to avoid bodies she could hardly see in the dimness. "Okay." Gabrielle sighed, pulling a fresh shirt out for herself and pulling it over her head. The linen smelled of home, and… she pressed it up against her face and breathed in. That faint tinge of leather and musk that came from close contact with Xena.

Of course… She sniffed her skin. She also carried that tinge. A grin crossed her face at just how appealing that thought was, and she hugged herself briefly before she stood, pulling herself up by a cleft in the rock face. A groan caught her attention, and she turned to see Solari stumble into the circle of boxes, and collapse, holding her head in her hands. "Hey."

Bleary brown eyes glared up at her resentfully. "Shh."

The bard cocked her head, and ran a comb through her hair. "You okay?" She asked, a little concerned at the moan she got in response.

"M’gonna killer." Solari mumbled.

Gabrielle perched on the box next to her. "Kill who?"

"Your blasted, Artemis be damned, centaur butted, pig headed partner." The Amazon moaned. "M’gonna kill her.. where is she?"

The bard neatly brushed her hair, and braided it to keep it off her neck. "Solari, you can’t kill Xena." She told the Amazon. "And besides.. she didn’t do anything.. so why do you want to?"

"Didn’t do… wherintheHades were you?" Solari wailed. "Do you know who I ended up… oh wait.. let me guess… you two lovebirds had a grand old time, didn’ja?" She glared at Gabrielle accusingly. "Figures."

She got a kind smile in return. "Now, Solari… " Gabrielle patted her hand. "Xena just did what she could to fix our bat problem.. she didn’t make everyone go goofy on purpose." The bard glanced around. "In fact… she’s out looking for a way out of here right now."

A moan. "Why are you so damn cheerful?" Solari grabbed her head. "I feel like a centaur is dropping two stone poops on my noggin."

"Hm.. " The bard considered. "Well, Xena didn’t seem to be feeling bad before she left.. and I don’t.. maybe we were further away from the smoke or something… you guys were pretty close." She looked up to see Aileen trudge in, holding a small ewe in her arms. "Uh…"

The younger Amazon plopped down. "She’s cute, huh?"

Solari looked at Gabrielle, who looked right back at her. "Adorable." The both said in unison.

"Yeah.. I rescued her from that shepherd… " Aileen sighed. "I don’t remember much after that.. gods.. my head is killing me."

"Whew." Gabrielle silently wiped her brow. "Well, Xena went to go check out that cave.. and see if there’s another way out of here." A low wail made her look up. "Now what?"

Matthias staggered up, his clothing only minimally attached to his body. "You… are … demons!" He accused. "Isaac has been grossly tricked… you are of the darkness… all of you." He pointed a shaking hand at them, then keeled over, and thumped to a halt on the ground, squashing a bat flat.

"Hmm… " Gabrielle scratched her jaw. "Wonder who he ended up with?" She peered off into the dim air, started to see Sarah’s face anxiously appear. "Sarah?"

"Yes, have you.. oh. " She found her husband and sighed in relief. "Thank the Lord.. I was afraid he would do something foolish… he went off so angrily." She sighed, and knelt by Matthias, putting a hand on his head.

"Um… " The bard hesitated. "That was um… sort of unexpected, I mean… the bats, and then that smoke.. did you… uh…"

Sarah glanced up. "Very disturbing, yes." She sighed. "When Matthias came to me, I hardly knew what… well.. " She blushed delicately. "It was quite a surprise."

"Ah.. so you two.. um.. " Gabrielle waved a hand. "Ended up together?"

"Yes of course.. are we not husband and wife?" Sarah seemed slightly insulted, then her eyes drifted, and fell on some of the still sleeping bodies entangled around them. "Oh… good Lord…" Her eyes widened. "Wh…"

Gabrielle rubbed her temples. "Not everyone was in the.. um.. right place at the right time, so to speak." She muttered. "But.. if you two.. then why was he so angry?"

Sarah tore her eyes from the unlikely pairing nearest them, and blinked. "Oh…well, he… Matthias feels an evil force came over us, because he enjoyed it." She informed the bard seriously. "The writings tell us this act was given to us by the Lord to allow us to be gifted with children, and so should be honored as a sacred obligation."

Solari goggled at her. "And… you think because of that you shouldn’t enjoy doing it?" The Amazon’s voice was thick with disbelief.

The woman gazed at her. "If there is enjoyment, the temptation would be too great to use this act for one’s own pleasure, and not for the glory of the Lord." She paused. "That would be evil."

Mist green eyes blinked at her. "You really believe that, don’t you?"

"With all my heart, yes." Sarah answered seriously. "I know you think we’re…backwards.. I can see it in your face… but the word of the Lord gives our lives structure, and stability, and I am at peace living under his guiding hand." She hesitated. "Even if I cannot read, as you can.. and I have never traveled outside the confines of my people.. as you have. I am happy. Can you say the same?"

Solari was silent, her eyes flicking from Gabrielle’s face to Sarah’s and back, curious as to what the bard would answer. There were so many layers to the complex person the young bard from Potadeia had become, she really had no idea what exactly Gabrielle would say to that.

But Gabrielle merely smiled. "Yes." Her eyes crinkled up around the corners. "I had a choice, Sarah.. I could have been like you." She thought back in memory. "But I’ve been all over the world.. I’ve seen beauty, and horror… I’ve seen war, and peace, and life and death… I’ve met people whose lives have changed the world, and some who have just changed my own life… I’ve made good friends.. " Here, she put a hand on Solari’s shoulder. "And collected a few enemies…and I’ve suffered pain, and sorrow.. and been gifted with the kind of love the poets only dream about." She exhaled. "So, Sarah.. yes. I am happy.. I wouldn’t have it any other way."

The woman studied her. "I do not understand you."

The bard gave a little shrug. "That’s okay. .I don’t much understand you, either." She sighed. "You want a hand waking him up?" She indicated Matthias. "Honestly, we didn’t do this on purpose.. Xena was just trying to pacify the bats." Now she glanced uneasily around, as the small creatures were stirring. "And I hope they stay pacified." She peered at a nearby leathery ball, and the animal hissed at her, baring its tiny fangs. "Yikes."

"Guess he didn’t like who he ended up with." Aileen commented, petting her ewe complacently.

"Yuck." Jessan yawned, showing his huge fangs as he ambled into the circle, cleaning out bits of dead bat from under his claws. "Well, that was a nice nap.. remind me to thank Xena." He gave Gabrielle a look.

"Just be glad you missed it." Solari grumbled. "It got kinda squirrelly in here."

Jessan glanced around. "Aren’t they a little small for this?" He asked, puzzled. "Gosh."

The bard covered her eyes for a moment, then cleared her throat. "Jess, can you take Matthias over to his family? " Gabrielle asked him. "I’m going to try to find the rest of our group.. Xena went out to explore your cave."

"Oh sure.. she gets to do the fun stuff." The forest dweller grumbled. "Great Ares, he’s about the size of that pig I had to wrestle down for dinner last year." But he stooped down next to Matthias as Sarah backed off, and lifted him in his arms. "Okay.. where to?"

Sarah made a face. "You eat swine?"

Jessan blinked his golden eyes at her. "We cook them first." He assured her hastily. "Honest."

"They are unclean animals." The woman shook her head. "We do not touch them."

"Lady, I’ve got news for you." Jessan chuckled. "All animals are dirty.. you gotta wash em first." He stepped over a young man sprawled in happy abandon over a young woman. "My mother scrubs em with soap."

Sarah averted her eyes. "Dear Lord… what will their parents say?" She murmured, then her eyes fell on two slightly older men, curled into a happy ball. "Oh my." Her voice was shocked. "Matthais was right.. this is the worst of evil."

"No it isn’t." Jessan disagreed. "If you believe that. you don’t know what real evil is." He dodged a stumbling ram.

Sarah looked up at his seven foot furred height. "You cannot presume to tell me that." She answered. "The Lord has told us what evil is…his words are clear." She paused. "But you are not human… you cannot understand."

"No, I’m not." Jessan agreed, showing his fangs in a smile. "And boy, am I ever glad… you humans live in such tiny minds.. it’s a wonder your heads don’t explode." He set Matthias down on the pile of skins tucked in one corner of where his family had put their belongings. "Don’t worry.. you can always fall back on the comfort of knowing it was the smoke that caused all of this… right?" He straightened, and looked directly at her, one furry eyebrow lifted in wry knowledge.

She looked away from him, and stared off into the dim light.

Jessan sighed and shook his head, stepping out from their area and heading towards the back of the cave. "Humans." He rolled his eyes. "Only species on earth who thinks they’re going to get punished for enjoying life." He hopped over a couple of huddled figures, then stopped, and peered closer. "Oh boy.. that’s gonna be a shock when they wake up." His fangs glinted in a grin, then he moved on.

The smell was… Xena sighed. Well, she should have been used to it, right? What was a little bat poop after what she’d just been through in that other cavern? Her stomach roiled anyway, and she took a moment just to swallow a few times, before she poked her torch inside the cave the rockslide had opened up into.

Flapping wings, startled into motion rewarded her action, and she ducked instinctively, feeling the unpleasant sensation as a bat passed over her head and into the other cave. "Great." She muttered, glancing down as she placed her boots carefully, not wanting to slip in any of the stuff.

A pair of eyes reflected her light, and scurried away, joined by several others. "Terrific. Bats and rats." The warrior sighed. "Two of my favorite things." A rat trotted over her boot and she jerked her leg in pure reflex, sending it flying into what seemed to be another group of them, judging by the outraged squeaks which followed. "Whoops." A brief flash of white as Xena smiled. "Sorry about that."

She walked further in, relieved when the roof of the cavern lifted, and she could sense clear air around her. She held the torch up, and saw the barest reflection of the light against the rocks above, and numerous glinting eyes peering back at her. "Relax, fellas.. hopefully I’m just passing through."

A large splat of poop fell just in front of her, and she grimaced. "Thanks." She circled around it, then headed towards the rear of the cave, which narrowed back down again. If there were bats, she knew, there had to be a way out for them to hunt, she just had to find it. The walls came in closer, and she paused a moment, breathing evenly, then went ahead until it became obvious that she was close to the mouth of a tunnel.

She sighed. "It’s just not my year, is it?" A fingertip against the rock came away with years of slick oil from the bats’ wings as they went through the opening, and she knelt, peering forward into the dark hole with the torch held back a little to throw its light ahead of her.

Wide enough for her to pass, if she crouched. Barely wide enough for Jessan, if he squeezed, she reckoned, then with a deep breath, she edged forward. Her shoulders rubbed up against the slimy surface and she grimly ignored that, as she kept going three or four bodylengths into the tunnel.

A strong flashback jolted her, and she tightened her jaw, forcing the memories of the rockslide that had buried her back, sucking in deep breaths and inching forward with her eyes closed tightly, until she felt a soft breath of fresher air stir her bangs. She blinked her eyes open, and detected a lightening of the gloom ahead of her, and expelled a sigh of relief.

It was another six or seven bodylengths, then the passage turned to the left, and she could see a definite hint of light, pouring through and catching glints off the stone she could now see around her. The breeze blew in again, bringing a hint of earth, and very strongly, water, which the warrior could now also hear, a restless sound that pulled her forward, until the passage opened into a much larger space.

Xena dropped out of the tunnel into an open cavern, whose walls rose up around her, and sloped down to a rushing stream that emerged from the rock, and exited through a chasm into a waterfall. Through the opening she could see the sky, and she threw back her head, pulling in a delicious lungful of fresh air. "Damn, that feels good." She sighed, and scrambled down the embankment, towards where the stream left the cave.

She jumped up to one small ledge, and then another, putting her boots carefully on the moss covered rocks, until she was at the lip of the stream, and one hand was on the rock edge. Xena peered out, drinking in the sunlight with a feeling of utter relief, and examined their possible escape route.

It would be tough, she realized, and they wouldn’t be able to take much of their belongings. The waterfall covered most of the rock face, but just where she was, a small, barely navigable path led down the side of the mountain. Tough, but doable, especially by her own people, who could go ahead and string ropes along to help the others.

Xena grinned, and put her hands on her hips, taking an extra moment just to enjoy being outside before she had to start the stifling journey back into the mountain. She peered down at herself, seeing the dirt and mud and worse that covered most of her body, and eyed the water speculatively, then shrugged, and padded back inside, sitting down and pulling off her boots before standing up and removing her tunic.

The water was icy cold, and it’s impact sent shock waves through her, making her breathing almost stop until she got used to it. She braced her legs against a rock outcropping, and lowered herself into the rushing water, allowing the cold stream to pour over her in a refreshing wave.

It felt wonderful, and she laughed a little, ducking her head back and rinsing her hair out before she spread her arms and just enjoyed the massage of the water. The sharp scent of the moss tickled her nose, and she closed her eyes, breathing it in for a long moment.

Then a soft curse made her eyes open, and she listened, a wry grin edging her face as she recognized the intruder. "Hey, Jess." She called out.

"Aw, Xena… you would have to find just the nastiest, grubbiest way out of here, huh?" The forest dweller complained. "I have things in my fur so awful my mother would shave me if she saw me."

Xena heard the scrabbled of his claws on the rock, and she eased to a sitting position, then pushed herself up, dripping and naked into the light streaming into the cavern. "Sorry.. if it’s any consolation, I felt the same way."

"Well, I wo… Xena!" Jessan clapped his hands over his eyes. "For Ares’ sake."

"C’mon.. I’m not that bad looking." The warrior grinned, as she made her way back towards him. "Am I?"

One golden eye peeked out from between furry fingers. "You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant." The forest dweller scolded, pretending not to enjoy the smooth combination of beauty and strength that so totally characterized his friend. Human or not, she was sure good to look at, he sighed inwardly.

Xena chuckled, and pulled her tunic on, then sat down on a rock outcropping and shook her boots out, before she started tugging them on. "Found a way down.. it’s tricky, but if we rig up some ropes, it’s manageable."

Jessan ambled over to look, and peered out and down. "Nice." He complimented the view. "Great to get out of that place."

"Yeah.. " Xena agreed. "And we’d better get everyone else out of there before those bats start really waking up.. I have no intention of slicing my way through them."

The forest dweller turned his head, eyeing the vision of her sitting there in the sunlight, water glistening off her tanned skin, and cascading around her in a shower as she shook her head and pulled her hair back. "Those people are pretty ticked off in there." He offered, watching the light catch glints from her pale blue eyes as she looked at him. "Maybe you should just leave them."

The warrior shook her head. "No can do, Jess… I can’t help what happened, all I can do is get them outta here, then let them get on with their lives." She stood up and walked over to him. "And I know you want to get back to Elaini and the kids."

"Oh.. you bet." Jessan sighed. "Listen.. I haven’t taken the time to say thank you… for coming after us, that is." He put a furred hand on her shoulder, feeling the shift of muscle and bone under his fingers. "I really appreciated that."

A warm smile creased the angular planes of Xena’s face. "C’mon, Jess… of course we came after you.. what are friends for, if not that?" She patted his side. "Let’s go… I want to see the last of that damn cave sooner than later."

He nodded agreement. "Right…." Then his furry head cocked. "You’re in a good mood."

Pale blue eyes flicked to his. "Is that a crime?"

"No no.. no.. " Jessan waved a hand. "I…" His brows creased, as he focused his Sight on her, seeing a burnished fire he’d mostly seen dampened since the bard had returned. "No crime… it’s just nice to see."

Xena dropped her gaze to the rocks for a moment, then lifted her head again. "Been one Hades of a year." She admitted quietly. "I think I’m just glad it’s over." A tiny shake of the head. "I realized last night that the nightmares weren’t ever going to go away unless I made the choice to move on… and I did."

"I think you made the right choice." Jessan replied.

The warrior nodded a little, then her head jerked up, and she started for the tunnel, as a deep, frightening jolt of fear hit her in the gut. "Gabrielle’s in trouble." She yelled back as an explanation, as she dove headfirst into the darkness without hesitation.

"And that’s what you live for, isn’t it, my friend?" Jessan replied softly, as he trotted after her.

"All right, now look." Gabrielle put a hand up, edging back to keep the angry crowd in her vision. "There’s been a misunderstanding."

"No misunderstanding.. " The man closest to her shot back. "It’s pretty clear to me… first you trap us in here, then you seduce us all with your tricks…now your so called sister and that creature are missing.. it seems very clear to me!"

A mutter of agreement traveled around the crowd. "Did you think we’d give up our faith so easily?" A woman challenged. "Our Lord is a stronger shepherd of our hearts than that."

"Look.. we’re not trying to get anyone to give up anything." Gabrielle argued. "We’re trapped in here too, remember? Xena and Jessan just went to try and find a way out." She felt Solari and Aileen move up next to her, the Amazons putting themselves into a position to protect her if things got ugly.

Uglier, that is. "Let’s just calm down, and wait for them to come back."

"They’re not coming back here.. surely you don’t expect us to believe that?" The first man shook his head. "Except with that warlord maybe… now that we’re helpless in here.. we’ll be sitting ducks… and they’ll get everything." He lifted a scythe. "I say we take ourselves some hostages so we have bargaining chips when they get here."

"That’s not a good idea." Gabrielle felt her heart start to pound. "They didn’t go anywhere, and they’ll be back here any minute.. let’s just stay calm, all right?" A glance behind her showed Toris’ towering form now just to her left with Johan behind him and Frendan’s tiny pugnaciousness next to her. "We’re not your enemies."

"Aren’t you?" Sarah asked. "Do you think we didn’t realize what you were trying to do with our children?" She pointed at the bard. "Undermining the words of the Lord? You all have been mistaken.. it’s not Xena who is the danger to us.. it is this one."

Gabrielle’s nostrils flared. "Danger? Because I told them a few stories?"

"Stories which turned their minds away from God, yes." Matthias shot back. "Sarah is right… you seek to poison us with your lies."

"I’ve told no lies." The bard responded softly. "But who are you to talk? You kidnapped my brother and my friend… because you thought they didn’t follow YOUR teachings?" She took a step forward, and was aware of the Amazons and Toris shifting with her. "If you hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t ever have come here.. what gives you the right to try and ‘cure‘ them?"

A moment of silence. "The Lord has tasked us with spreading his teachings." Matthias said seriously. "We sought only to instruct them in the ways of the Lord."

"Oh.. so your lies are okay to tell.. but mine aren’t right?" Gabrielle felt her temper snapping. "What makes your stories any more real than mine?"

"Our teachings come from God… yours come from the devil." Sarah accused. "We don’t want our children having their minds twisted… our traditions distorted in them, because you think they need teaching… your thoughts.. your ways are evil to us." She pointed at Gabrielle again. "Look at you …all of you are like animals… and you.. that poor child in you.. born with no proper father, because no man would accept anyone like you."

Green eyes narrowed, and the bard took a deep breath, but hands dropped on her shoulders and she halted, as Toris took a step past her and faced Sarah down, his pale eyes fierce, and his hands clenching into fists.

"You will not speak to my sister that way, you piece of sanctimonious horse crap." His voice pitched down to a deep growl, so like to Xena’s it was truly uncanny. "Or I’ll take your Lord’s teachings, and beat you over the head with them." He turned and faced the assembled men. "That goes for any of you.. one step further, one hand raised to her, and I’ll take you all on, and you better pray to your god after that."

Solari stepped up next to him, and drew her sword, catching firelight along its silver length. "The Amazon Nation doesn’t take kindly to threats against its queen… so if you’re gonna do it, you’d better get ready to die." She told them firmly.

Johan put his arms around Gabrielle’s shoulders. "What they said." He growled.

Gabrielle almost had to laugh, and she would have, if she hadn’t been so mad. She wondered if Xena’s over protectiveness was contagious. "You’re outclassed, Matthias." She stated quietly. "And where is Isaac? Doesn’t he have a say in all this? Xena saved his life.. .doesn’t that count for anything?"

"A trick." Matthias shot back. "He was found, cold and dead after your drug had done its work… messiah, he said? What a fool he was."

The bard winced. "I’m sorry." She said, softly. "But it really wasn’t a trick."

"Lies." The man raised a hand. "Come forward… there are but six of them… with the power of the Lord behind us, we will take them."

"No you won’t." The calm voice echoed across the cavern, accompanied by a low, rumbling growl.

Heads turned, to see Xena perched on a rock, with Jessan standing next to her, the forest dweller’s fur almost standing on end, and his golden eyes on fire.

"I found a way out." The warrior continued quietly. "And we’d better take it, before either those bats recover, or that door gives way." She gestured behind her. "Through that cave, and down a small tunnel… there’s a rock face we can climb down."

Frozen silence, then all eyes turned to Matthias. He stared at Xena, who was outlined in torchlight up on her rock, the shadows painting a threatening mask across her still features. "We will settle this on the outside." He finally decided. "Gather your things.. but this had better not be a trap."

Xena didn’t even dignify that with an answer. She hopped off her rock and strode across the cavern, expecting people to get out of her way.

They did.

She gave Toris a smile as she got closer, and clapped her brother on the back. "Nice.. I don’t think I could have done a better threat than that."

Toris groaned. "Not so loud, sis… my head’s about to explode." He leaned against her. "And I am in one Hades of a bad mood… what happened last night?"

The warrior circled Gabrielle’s shoulders with one long arm and sighed. "You don’t remember?" She glanced around for Cesta, to no avail.

Toris shook his head. "No.. I remember the bats, then it getting all thick and smokey.. then I woke up with what feels a lot like a hangover."

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged glances. "Well, everyone’s in the same boat." The warrior brushed him off lightly. "Don’t worry about it."

"You’re wet." Gabrielle commented, touching her hair. "Does this escape plan involve swimming?" She looked over at the milling crowd. "Because I think that’s gonna be tough with those sheep."

"No.." Xena gazed at her. "You okay?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Knocked down a peg or two, but otherwise fine… I guess you were right, Xena.. they really don’t want our help."

The warrior kissed her gently on the head. "Just our being here changes things, Gabrielle… they can talk all they want, but those kids have seen us… talked to us… they’ll remember that someday."

"I guess." Gabrielle exhaled. "You know, I think sometimes people don’t want to know the truth, Xena… it’s much easier to believe a lie, if your comfortable with it."

They glanced at each other in joint understanding. "That’s true." The warrior acknowledged. "Or sometimes it’s just much less painful to cling to a belief instead of facing the truth."

A faint nod. "Do you think a lot of people will follow their way?"

Xena sighed. "I hope not." She moved to their gear, and exchanged linen for leathers, adding her armor in quick, practiced motions. "But the notion that there is someone up there.. taking care of you, and telling you what to do.. how to live your life.. that’s very comforting to some people, Gabrielle… it’s much easier to believe that, then to live with decisions you make that cause pain to yourself, and to people you love."

Gabrielle thought about that, as they made their way across the cavern, studiously avoided by the villagers who stared at them with frightened suspicion. Then her eyes fell on a small face, peeking out from behind Sarah’s back.

Rebekah smiled at her, and put a finger to her lips, then ducked back behind her family.

Gabrielle smiled to herself.

The bats were starting to wake up and become active, and the sheep were restive, the shepherds having trouble forcing the nervous animals through the tunnel until Jessan got behind them, and let out a bass roar. Then they popped through quickly, and the rest of the people followed, letting out sounds of disgust as they headed through the now firelit bats’ cave.

Gabrielle was glad of her partner’s steadying hand on her back as they went through the dark, enclosed space, and she reached back to pat a muscular thigh in comfort. "Bet you loved this part."

"Oh yeah." Xena replied wryly.

They exited out into the outer cavern, where several men were already up near the mouth of the waterfall, peering down the path. They appeared to be working on setting up a rope guide down themselves, so the warrior led her soulmate over to the water and sat down on a rock outcropping, helping Gabrielle as she joined her.

"Feels great just to breathe fresh air." The bard commented, as she leaned over, and dabbled her fingers in the water. "Whoa.. that’s cold."

Xena cupped her hands and drew up some water, offering it to her.

Gabrielle sipped the icy fluid carefully, kissing the steady fingertips as she did so, watching the blue eyes gazing at her soften and narrow slightly as a smile crinkled their edges. She let her mind drift ahead, to home, and she realized she was looking forward to the peace of it.

Now, more than ever. "This has been one of the weird ones, huh?" She asked her soulmate wryly.

Xena snorted, then ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing it back from her forehead. "To put it mildly." She remarked. "We need to find a wagon or something for the ride home."

"Why?" The bard asked, giving her a look. "Are you that tired?"

"Gabrielle." Xena’s voice dropped low.

"Come on, Xena.. I just dealt with a flood, a sheep stampede, an attack by bacchae bats, and a near lynching… I can walk to Amphipolis, for Artemis’ sake." Gabrielle retorted. "Get a grip, will you? I’m pregnant, not disabled."

The warrior sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

A cheeky smile. "Anything you like."

"All right.. .then we have to find a wagon for Johan." The warrior thought fast. "He’s getting on.. not fair to have him walking all the way home, is it?"

"Lemme go ask him." The bard countered, with a wicked grin. "See what he says about it."

"Gabrielle." The warrior sighed again.

"You’re not going to win on this one, tiger." Gabrielle shook her head. "C’mon.. this is really my last chance to get some solid walking in… we’ll take it easy." She reached over and scratched the skin on Xena’s knee lightly. "Humor me?"

"One condition." The pale blue eyes regarded her wryly. "You gotta promise first."

Gabrielle nibbled her lip. Promising first was always risky, but she knew in her heart that whatever the darling overprotective stuffed leather pillow was asking, was probably for her own good. "Okay.. I promise." She folded her hands on one knee and raised her eyebrows. "What is it?"

A diabolical grin was her answer. "I don’t know.. I haven’t come up with it yet.. but don’t worry, I will."

"Xena!" The bard protested. "That’s not fair!"

"Remember, you promised." The blue eyes twinkled merrily. "C’mon.. they’ve got that rope strung.. let’s get this parade moving." She got to her feet, and held a hand out to her soulmate.

"You rat." Gabrielle took the offered fingers, and allowed Xena to haul her to her feet. Then she jumped a little, as a rat ran between her boots. "Hey!"

Xena blinked. "Damn… " She watched the animal scurry away, then looked back over at the tunnel. "What on.. " A stream of rats were pouring from the opening, and heading out along the rock shelf. Then she realized. "Everybody hang on!!!" She yelled, at the top of her voice. "The door collapsed!!" She grabbed Gabrielle and pulled her towards the rock wall, kicking running rats out of the way as she picked up speed.

They reached the stone face just as a savage roar permeated the chamber, and a solid pipe of water exploded out of the tunnel, sweeping a wave of rats in front of it, and racing with lethal speed along the shelf they were standing on. "Hang on !!!!" Xena hollered, grabbing onto Gabrielle with one powerful arm, and the rocks with the other. The bard wrapped herself around her partner firmly, and nestled her head against the warrior’s armor.

Screams told of others, not as fortunate as she, swept off the shelf. She felt the water hit her like a sledge hammer, tugging fiercely at her body, but Xena’s hold was like iron, and the warrior never wavered an instant.

Bodies went flying by, caught by others closer to the waterfall, then she felt Xena start to move as she worked her way along the rocks, bracing against the water’s flow. Gabrielle simply concentrated on keeping her balance, trusting Xena’s strength to protect her.

Sheep weren’t so lucky. They flew over the edge of the falls, driven by the pressure of the water, and bawling. One shepherd went with them, his arms and legs flailing in the racing waves.

"Start moving down the path!" Xena yelled, her chest pumping powerfully, as Gabrielle ducked to avoid being deafened. "Get out of the water.. .hurry!"

Then Jessan was there, his long arms braced to either side of her soulmate, his body between them and the water. "The Zonnies are all up top already." The forest dweller bellowed over the crashing. "Your brother and Johan had gone down first… with the group running the rope.. trying to talk to them."

"Thanks." Gabrielle yelled back, since Xena was busy yelling instructions of her own."

A scream echoed, and past Jessan’s arm she saw a small body go tumbling by. "Xena!" The bard caught her soulmate’s attention "Look!"

The blue eyes flashed, following the tiny form. "Damn.. "

Time stopped. Xena felt it slow, as it always did for her… she raised her eyes, and met Jessan’s gold ones, in a searing moment passing an understanding to him. Then she unclasped her arms from around her partner, and watched him take hold. She brushed her lips over the damp, pale head. "Be right back. " She whispered, then ducked under Jessan’s muscular wrist, and dove after the child, kicking away from the wall and extending her body, reaching out a hand for an ankle that was almost… within.. reach…

"No!" Gabrielle twisted in Jessan’s grip and lunged, struggling against his hold.

Xena got him.. she felt her fingers close around living flesh, and she pulled back, but the surge of the water crested against her, and the rock she was holding pulled loose from its perch.

Then the water took her, and she grabbed hold of the child as they both shot over the edge of the waterfall, and began the long journey downward.

"NO!" The rawness in the bard’s voice sliced pieces out of Jessan’s heart. He hung onto her with all his strength, barely able to keep her in his grasp. "NOOOO!!!!!" The agony resonated through his skull and he came close to letting go.

To letting her go.

Understanding what she was feeling, like none of these other blindlings could ever, ever do.

"Let me go." The whisper was so low, he almost missed it. "Oh gods please… let me go."

His sight followed her down, feeling the power of her, so unique among her kind, breathing in its fierce light. "She’s still with us.. hang in there, little sister." He whispered back to the now limp, quiet figure in his arms. "Don’t give up."

Fingers closed in his fur, and far off, he could feel the sudden, vivid presence of Elaini, no doubt responding to his distress.

A yell from the top of the path. He lifted his head, to see Solari’s dark head.

Their eyes met.

The Amazon smiled, and shook her head, then gave him a thumbs up.

"She’s all right." He whispered to his silent charge. "Gabrielle?"

Slowly, green eyes lifted to his. "I know." She patted his fur. "Sorry I got all crazy on you… it just happened so fast."

"It’s all right." He relaxed his hold a little. "I’m glad I was here for you….that one of us was."

"I’m glad you were too." Gabrielle answered, as her heart began to slow it’s pounding. "You understand." She looked to the top of the path, where a cluster of people were working their way down, out of the racing water. She could see Solari still standing there, to one side, watching her with a concerned expression, and she lifted a hand to wave.

The Amazon lifted a fist in return salute.

"C’mon… " The bard carefully began edging through the racing water. "I want to see what happened." And get my hands on a certain tall, blue eyed hero I know.

The water pummeled both of them, as Xena briefly became disoriented not knowing which way was up until she twisted in mid air, bringing the child close into her, and wrapping an arm around him.

They were falling, and she knew she had only seconds to make a decision, sensing the hard rock of the mountainside just behind her, and remembering the craggy boulders below.

Instinctively, she tucked her body in, then kicked outward, feeling the impact as her boots hit the rocks, and the sudden shock as they exploded out of the falling water and into misty air, traveling sideways for a long, arching moment.

A tree limb ripped by, and she grabbed at it, pulling them both into a tangle of hard branches that slammed into her, as she turned her body to protect the child tucked under one arm. "Don’t move." She got out, as they bounced off a springy limb that almost knocked her unconscious as it smacked her in the head.

She gripped at the bark desperately, then felt a stunning shock as her boots hit a lower branch, stopping their motion momentarily. It was enough for her to grab on to a thicker limb as the ones they hit splintered under her, and she slammed against the tree bole with a gasp, wrapping her free arm around it and holding tight.

For a long moment, all she heard was her own heart beating, hammering in her ears with a force that felt like it was lifting her hair straight up with each thump. Her whole body was shaking and she took the precaution of locking her knees, her boots braced against a lightly bending branch that swayed in the wind caused by the waterfall.

Then the child sucked in a breath that was half sob and half cry, and she looked down, to see Ruben’s terrified eyes fastened on her. "Hey… you okay?" She managed to mutter.

He clung to her desperately, wrapping his arms and legs around her body and shivering violently.

"It’s okay.. you’re all right." She reassured him, with a shaky breath, then she looked up, to see a line of shocked faces looking down at her from far, far above. "See? Wave hello at everyone, cause I can’t, okay?"

The boy held tight for a moment, then he peeked upward, and slowly pried one of hands loose, to wave weakly for a very brief instant, before he reattached his hold on the warrior’s neck.

Xena heard the shout from above, and she leaned against the tree bark, wanting to throw up more than anything else. Worse than the fall had been the sickening sensation of Gabrielle’s terror, which had ripped through her with unexpected force, bringing back stark memories of her own emotions on seeing her soulmate’s body disappearing down Dahok’s pit.

Well, no sense in dwelling on that. She decided, concentrating on breathing and getting her body to stop shaking instead. They were all right, and that’s what mattered. "You doing okay?" She asked Ruben.

The boy sniffled, then rubbed his face with the back of one hand and peered at her. "Scared."

Xena gave him a lopsided grin. "Yeah, me too." She glanced up. "That was some jump, huh?" She stretched a little, testing her limbs for damage, and was relieved to find only minor twinges. Lucky, again. How many times was that luck going to hold, she wondered briefly, as she carefully shifted her boots and flexed her knees, not wanting any surprises as they made their way downward. One of these days, she knew, her body was just going to throw it’s hands up in disgust at all the abuse, and fall apart in pieces.

That would be ugly. Xena sighed. But for now, they were both intact. "Okay.. look, we’re gonna get down from here, and go sit on that big rock." She told Ruben. "And wait for everyone else to take the slow route."

He sucked his thumb thoughtfully. "Okay." He agreed amiably.

Xena smiled at him. "Hang on now." She gently hopped down to the next branch, and waited for it’s swaying to steady before she continued down the tree, working around the bole in a circle until she was low enough to simply drop the remaining short distance to the ground.

It felt very good to have solid earth under her boots and she walked over to the rock she’d spotted, and set Ruben down, then she eased herself down onto its sun warmed surface as well, and leaned back, listening to the rush of the water, and the soft rustle of the trees in the cool wind. Her eyes drifted up the steep path, and she spotted Jessan and Gabrielle immediately, working their way downward, the forest dweller sticking close by her soulmate’s side.

"Fuzzy." Ruben stated, also peering up where she was. "Bear." He looked at Xena. "Talkie bear."

"No.. he’s not a bear." The warrior shook her head. "He’s a people."

The small brow scrunched. "Bear."

"Nope." Xena assured him. "People."

Ruben poked his lower lip out, then he crawled over and into Xena’s lap, and started playing with her armor. "Bang." He tapped on the shoulder piece, then his eyes drifted over and fastened on the sword hilt visible just behind her head. "You fight?"

Xena studied him thoughtfully. She’d never known Solon at this age, and suddenly wished she had. "Yep." She answered quietly. "I fight."

He picked up her hand, and moved it, then flexed her arm and watched the biceps form with a serious, intent expression. "Pow." He concluded, examining her loosely curled fist and tapping his palm against her knuckles. "Pow pow."

"Yeah." Xena agreed, with a wry chuckle. "I do that, too."

He scooted down onto the rock, and snuggled up against her side, laying his head on her thigh and closing his eyes. "You nice."

Xena ruffled his damp hair lightly. "Sometimes." She acknowledged, leaning back and absorbing the sunlight that dusted both of them. The cool breeze blew her hair back, drying it and the heat got a start on drying her leathers, which always took forever.

She made a mental bet with herself that Gabrielle would insist on her changing when she got down here. And that she’d have to argue the bard out of it, because there was still dangers out there. Gabrielle would grudgingly give in, but would get out her cloak, and make the warrior wear it.

Xena smiled at the puffy white clouds drifting across the sky. The predictability was as comforting as warm soup on a cold night. She exhaled, reviewing what was likely to be their last adventure for a while.

Certainly an interesting one, and she’d actually gotten out of it without fighting.

Well, except for those bats, but that didn’t count. She mused. And a few threats, but those didn’t count either. She glanced up as the first few people reached the bottom of the path, and recognized Toris’ familiar form barreling towards her. She’d been so damn proud of him, earlier, when he’d stood up for Gabrielle. "Hey."

"Xena! Are you all right?" He skidded to a halt, and knelt on the rock "You scared the crap out of me." He glanced behind him. "Not to mention Gabrielle.. great Hera!"

"Relax.. I’m fine." The warrior assured him calmly. "Didn’t really have the patience to pick my way down that path anyhow."

He shook his head. "Xe…"

She chuckled wryly. "Toris, I didn’t jump over the falls on purpose, okay?" She looked down at the snoozing boy. "It’s become a sort of habit."

Toris sat down next to her, and propped a booted foot up on the rocks. "Does it feel strange?"

Pale blue eyes regarded the waterfall with a distant edge to them. "When I think about how many people I’ve killed, and how many lives I’ve ruined? You bet it feels strange." She answered softly.

Her brother regarded her. "Life has a way of maintaining a balance.. maybe it’s part of that." He commented.

"Maybe." Xena replied peacefully. "Being evil gained me nothing… everything I strove for either disappeared, or fell short.. it was never enough.. never satisfying… " She exhaled gently. "Turning the other way has been a lot more painful, but in four years, it’s brought me a more moments of pure joy than the all the years before it." Her eyes flicked to Toris’. "Not the least of which has been regaining my family."

Toris settled an arm over her shoulders. "Love you too, sis." He grinned at her scowl. "Don’t hit me, okay?"

They both chuckled wryly, as footsteps caught their attention.

Matthias was stumbling over the rocks, his clothing covered with mud and stained by the moss which liberally covered the stones edging the waterfall. His eyes were on his son, curled up peacefully in the warrior’s lap, with one of Xena’s hands draped protectively over him. He stopped a few feet away, and regarded her warily.

Xena returned his stare evenly, then gently shook Ruben’s shoulder. "Hey… c’mon… your pappa’s here."

The boy reluctantly opened his eyes, and rubbed them with one grubby fist, then peered up at his father. "Abba."

"Come here, Ruben." Matthas said, gruffly.

"Okay." The child got to his feet, then turned, and toddled forward, carefully putting his arms around Xena’s neck, and kissing her cheek. "Good." He uttered solemnly, looking her right in the eye.

Xena felt a blush warm her neck, and she managed a half grin back at him. "Thanks."

He patted her on the side of the head, then he turned and sat down on the edge of the rock, pushing off it and hopping onto the path that led to where his father was standing.

Toris waited a beat, then turned to regard his sister. Ice blue eyes slid to his own.

"Not a word." Xena warned, lifting an eyebrow. "Or you’re gonna be wet." She turned her attention to Matthias, who had picked up his son and was hugging him. "You’re welcome." She put a tiny, sarcastic bite in her tone.

He looked at her, his dark eyes haggard, the strain of the last few days evident in his face. "You are not the messiah."

Xena smiled wryly. "I never said I was."

Matthias was silent a moment. "And yet, you are somehow touched by the Lord… he has used you as his tool to save our scriptures, to guide us, and now to save my son." A tiny shake of his head. "He does surely act in mysterious ways." A pause. "May he always hold such a hand of mercy over you." With that, he turned and started to make his way back up to where Sarah and the two other children were waiting.

"Blind." Toris sighed. "Didn’t it ever occur to them you might not need any help to do that stuff?"

Xena rested her head against the rock, her eyes fastened on a fair haired form almost at the bottom of the rocks, a line of villagers between herself and the bard preventing her from simply plowing her way up there. "Toris, if you didn’t know me.. would it occur to you?" She folded her arms across her chest.

Toris remained silent for a long moment. "Interesting question." He finally muttered. "Listen.. " he changed the subject awkwardly. "Did I do.. anything… last night?"

Xena gazed at him "I have no idea, Toris.. I was busy." She told him, bluntly. "When I saw you last, you were being led off by Cesta, and then… let me tell ya, bro.. that cavern could have come down on top of my head for all I would have noticed." She replied honestly. "Where were you when you woke up?"

He paused thoughtfully. "In a corner… by myself."

Xena absorbed this. "Remember anything?"

He shook his head. "No.. not at all.. not even a glimmer.. just… I thought I… I remember kind of.. getting a little silly, and..I um.. seem to remember saying something stupid about someone’s kneecaps."

The warrior chuckled softly. "That was me you were fooling around with." She reassured him.

"You????" Her brother squeaked. "Oh gods…you’re kidding.. we didn’t.. um… " He waved his hands vaguely.

"No." Xena snorted. "Gimme a break, will ya?"

He sighed. "Well… anyway, that’s all I remember, so… I don’t have to tell Gran that, do I?"

"What.. that you were coming on to your sister?" The warrior’s eyes twinkled a bit. "Oh.. I’d say probably not… but I don’t think it would hurt anything if you did… I’m kinda taken."

"Oh gods.. that’s too embarrassing to even think about." Toris groaned. "First I Jessan, then you… my reputation’s in tatters."

"You’ll survive." Xena pushed herself up from her rock and jumped off it onto the ground. "Excuse me." Gabrielle had reached the bottom of the trail, and she made her way quickly towards the bard, catching up with her just as she cleared the small break between the rocks that led to solid ground. "Hey.. sorry about that I.. "

Gabrielle just threw her arms around her partner, stopping her speech, and let out a shuddering sigh. "Gods."

Xena rubbed her back. "Yeah.. that was a toughie." She joked faintly. "Another one I owe to a tree." She released her partner and cupped her cheek. ‘Sorry.. " She sighed regretfully. "I know that scared you."

The bard nodded a few times. "Yeah, it sure did…" She patted the warrior’s chest. "I should have known better though… you’re pretty well stocked in the impossible department." Now her brows quirked. "You’re wet."

"Yeah." Xena agreed. "It’s a waterfall. I fell through it."

"You should change." Gabrielle commented seriously.

"Too dangerous." Xena replied, just as seriously.

"I’ll get your cloak." A tiny twinkle appeared in the green eyes. "We’ve got that one cut right down to essentials, don’t we?"

It got a wry smile from her companion, which quickly faded. "You all right?" Xena asked, in a lower voice, as she felt the tremors running through Gabrielle’s body and pulled her closer again. "Hey.. "

The bard took a shaky breath, and stroked the damp leathers. "I’d.. kind of purposely forgotten what it felt like to almost lose you." She whispered. "I wasn’t ready for that."

Xena rested her chin against her soulmate’s fair hair. "Yeah.. I know exactly what you mean." She murmured. "C’mon…let’s get out of here." She glanced up at Jessan, who had picked his way carefully down to them. "Thanks, Jess."

He nodded quietly at her. "Quite a jump."

She shrugged. "Had to give you a story to tell the kids, right?"

They turned and headed down the narrow, rocky slope towards a small clearing, where the village was gathered, taking stock.

The entire village was gone. Xena stood on the ridge overlooking where it had been and surveyed the lapping water, now being siphoned from the river through the cavern system and out the waterfall. The cool wind, growing steadily colder blew her hair back, and ruffled the edges of her light cloak, and she gratefully tugged the edges closed over her still damp leathers. "Damn."

Matthias and two of the other village elders stood nearby, their faces resigned. "It is God’s will." Matthias stated. "We were not meant to be there." He turned and surveyed the sad train of his people, with boxes and bags strapped on their backs, and a few on the backs of the sheep. "We will find another home, somewhere down the road."

Xena glanced at him. "This part of the country is not highly populated… it’s pretty empty the further inland you go for a while here, until you hit the mountains, and Amazon country."

Matthias gave her a sour look, peering to his left at the group of Amazons standing around a seated Gabrielle, as they waited quietly. Their leathers gleamed a warm golden in the sunlight, against tanned skin and lithe bodies adorned with feathers and weapons. "No. We do not wish to go that way."

"They’re not bad people, Matthias… they just have their own ways, like you do." The warrior commented. "Like all of us do… but further to the west you’ll find a bunch of smaller villages..I think their traditions will come little closer to yours."

He nodded briefly. "And you? Where do you come from?"

"Trading town called Amphipolis, about half a day’s ride from here." Xena answered. "My mother’s the innkeeper… Johan there is her husband. My brother Toris’ wife is expecting her first child in a few months." She exhaled. "We’ve got a winter fair going on in a few days.. you’re welcome to stop by.. see if you can trade for some of the stuff you lost."

"Tis not a bad idea, Matthias… we’re sorely lacking in gear." The older of the other two commented.

Matthias jerked a thumb over his shoulder at Gabrielle "What of her?" He asked. "Who tells tales to our children the like to give them nightmares?"

Xena let him wait a bit, while she stared at him. "Gabrielle is a queen of the Amazons… our town’s chief negotiator… a talented bard… and my partner. " She stated blandly. "Which of those were you asking about?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "And those stories weren’t any worse than what they’ve just been through."

Silence, as they looked at her. "Come." Matthias finally said, with a disgusted snort. "We must find shelter… tomorrow we will move on." He turned and stalked off, with the other two men following in his footsteps.

Xena’s lip curled. "Bite me." She muttered, turning on her heel and heading downslope, to where her friends and family were waiting. Can’t win em all, she realized, as she watched the remaining villagers group themselves around Matthias, and pointedly turn their backs on her. She felt the wind tug her cloak, and she straightened, facing into it, and letting it whip her hair back as she strode away from them, and towards a pair of patiently waiting green eyes. "Well… I guess we’re outta here."

"Not even a thank you, huh?" Johan snorted. "Pig’s butts.. half of em be dead or worse if it weren’t fer us."

"What about all the gold, and the gems in there, Xena?" Gabrielle asked, as she got to her feet, and twitched her tunic straight. "Are they buried under all that water, for good?"

Xena glanced over her shoulder. "Pretty much… they’re convinced their god doesn’t want em around here, and I’m sure not going to tell anyone about what’s in that cavern… and the riverbed’s changed course enough so that maybe most of that gold’ll get covered up again." She settled an arm around the bard’s shoulders. "You got your little bit, right?"

"Mm." Gabrielle nodded. "I think I’m going to have it made into a little charm.. maybe a bear or a horse or something." She glanced up at her soulmate and smiled. "With a place for a birthdate on it."

Xena smiled back. "Fair enough." She shouldered her pack, and got a hold of Gabrielle’s before the bard could lift it, slinging over her shoulder as well.

"Xena."

"Yeeess?" The warrior purred an answer, lifting both eyebrows. "You said you were going to walk.. not that you were going to walk while carrying all our junk." She took a breath. "All right… if we get going now, and keep to the road, and we get lucky with the weather, we might make home by dark."

"We’ll make it." Gabrielle’s eyes twinkled. "I promised someone I know breakfast in bed on her birthday, and I’ll be darned if I’m not going to keep that promise."

"Oh.. hey.. that’s right!" Solari crowed. "Tomorrow is Solstice, isn’t it!" She socked Xena in the arm. "What a great excuse for a party!"

"Oh no." Xena started off, shaking her head. "No parties.. and since when did Amazons need a damn excuse?" She glanced down at her soulmate. "Sorry things didn’t work out too well with those folks."

A shrug. "Oh.. I don’t know, Xena… I had a visit from Rebekah before they chased all the children back over… " She slid an arm around the warrior’s waist. "I sent some scrolls with her."

"Gabrielle."

She got an unrepentant look back. "You were right.. those people don’t want our help.. but that girl does." She lifted her chin. "I gave her a basic instruction on our letters.. and the sounds.. and a few easy stories to read when she can."

Xena sighed, then laughed. "That’s my Gabrielle."

"And directions to Amphipolis." The bard muttered, peeking up at her. "Just in case."

"I wonder what Baracus is going to think when he finally shows up, and there’s no village there." Toris mused. "Think he’ll come looking for them?" He asked his sister. "That could be trouble."

"Cross that bridge when we come to it." Xena answered shortly. "Let’s just get home."

It was just twilight when the road started angling up, leading into the main entrance to Amphipolis.

Gabrielle was direly grateful for this, since she figured if she had to hear her beloved soulmate ask her if she was okay just one more tiny little time, she was going to go completely out of control. Okay, so the walk had been taxing, and she had been out of breath a lot, but that didn’t mean she was about to keel over.

The village had plenty of warning of their approach, and as they entered the main square, a flood of bodies headed towards them, ranging from Cyrene, to Elaini, to a very anxious looking Granella.

"Hey cutie." Cyrene hugged her. "Everything come out okay?"

Let’s see. Bats, rats, floods, fanatics, warlords, and sheep. "Everything’s great, mom… it all worked out fine." The bard assured her. "We’re just glad to be back."

"We’re glad you’re back too.. and nice timing." Cyrene teased, tweaking her hair. "How’s the old grump doing?"

Gabrielle peeked over at her soulmate, who was busy saying hello to Eponin. "She’s fine…we had one or two little incidents.. but nothing major." She exchanged glances with Cyrene. "In fact, I think I have to go get her to change.. those leathers are probably still a little damp from this morning.. we had a little accident."

For once, the innkeeper didn’t ask any questions. "Sounds like a good idea, cutie… you get changed, then c’mon back over… I think you’ll like what’s for dinner."

Green eyes twinkled into amber in the twilight. "I bet I will." She eased over, and took Xena’s elbow, grinning a hello to Eponin. "Hi Pony… glad you could make it.. how was the trip?"

"Just great… " Eponin rocked on her heels. "How about you?"

"Fine..fine.. listen, I need to borrow Xena here.. she’s got an appointment with some dry clothes." Gabrielle smiled at her partner. "Don’t you?"

The warrior gave her a look.

"And I’ll tell you all about our adventure when we get back." The bard added, directing this to Eponin. "Okay?"

"Sounds great." Pony agreed amiably. "I’ve got notes from Eph… and some stuff to tell too."

"Wasn’t Cait supposed to be coming down with you?" Xena queried, glancing around for the girl.

"Oh.. yeah.. she’s here.. she and Pal are down where they’re.. uh.. setting up the fair, I think.. that’s what she said." Pony scratched her jaw. "She’ll be back here for dinner, m’sure."

"Speaking of which.. " Gabrielle tugged on her soulmate. "C’mon.. I’m hungry."

Xena amiably allowed herself to be led across the familiar confines of Amphipolis, past the open courtyard, and the front of the inn, their boots kicking up a light cloud of dust as they moved through the now cold air. Through the archway beside the inn and into the area behind it, where her brother’s home was tucked into one corner, and to the left, nestled between two large oak trees, stood their cabin.

Home. Xena smiled, as their footsteps rang with familiar weight on the low, wooden porch, then she half turned as she heard the scrabble of running paws. "Hang on…" She warned Gabrielle as Ares hurled himself onto the porch and jumped up against her jubilantly. "Hey boy.. whoa!"

"Rooo!!!!" The wolf threw his head back and yodeled. "Arggrroooo… " He shoved his head into Xena’s chest, and snorted, as she ruffled his fur, and hugged him. "Grrrr… ."

"Hey.. I’m glad to see you too." The warrior laughed. "But you should be so grateful to us that you got left here this time, boy… you’d have hated this one."

"Grrrrroooo… " He panted at her, then glanced at the amusedly watching Gabrielle, and changed targets, aiming for her more readily accessible face.

"Hooold on there.. " Gabrielle staggered under his weight, as his paws hit her shoulders, and his head came even with her own. "Take it easy there, Ares… you’re going to knock me over.. I’m not a tree like your mommy here."

"Roo?" The wolf delicately licked her face.

"Yes, I love you." Gabrielle kissed his nose. "Come on.. we’ve got to get your mommy into some dry clothes." Ares trotted ahead of them into the cabin and ran around sniffing interestedly. "Wow.. good to be home."

"I was just thinking that." Xena replied, as she hung her cloak up, and unbuckled her armor, lifting it over her head and letting it drop with a sigh of relief. "That’s gonna take an entire afternoon to bang back into shape." She glared at the plates. "Damn trees."

"Excuse me.. " Gabrielle lifted a bit, examining a healthy dent. "I’d much rather this dent be in here then on you." She waved the armor at the warrior. "Besides, you always fuss with this stuff.. even when it doesn’t need it."

Xena unlaced her bracers, and chuckled ruefully. "Yeah.. I guess that’s true.. it’s habit, more than anything." She rubbed her wrists, where the leather armor marked her. "Wonder where those folks ended up tonight?"

Gabrielle sat down, and braced her foot on the low table near the fireplace to remove her boots, since leaning all the way over wasn’t a comfortable option. "Are they bothering you too? I don’t know, Xena.. I.. I just feel like this whole thing is… unfinished."

"Mm." The warrior sat down to remove her leg armor, unstrapping the worn iron buckles behind her knees and lifting the heavy plates off. "Yeah… it bothered me just leaving them like that.. but I didn’t see what else we could do… they decided to move in a different direction, and didn’t want an escort.. I… " She exhaled. "I know they didn’t like us, but… " She unlaced her boots and slid out of them, wincing at the filth caked all over them. "Ugh."

"Yeah… " Gabrielle regarded her own mud stained feet. "Gross… I think a bath is an option here, don’t you?"

Xena didn’t even think twice, she just headed for the small bathing room, and almost groaned in grateful relief when she spotted the full buckets already resting against the back of the fireplace wall on one side. "Oh ho.. remind me to give my mother a big hug for this." She called inside, as she emptied the buckets into the tub.

Gabrielle leaned back in her chair, folding her hands across her belly and gazing at the ceiling with a grin. She wiggled her feet contentedly, glad to be off them. "Oh. I will.. " She assured the wooden supports.

The warrior finished filling up the wooden tub, then padded back into the main room and collected a bag of bath salts they’d picked up someplace or other. "Shall we?" She offered a hand to her soulmate.

The warm water felt wonderful, and Gabrielle groaned as she let it envelope her, then she almost groaned again for a different reason when soap wielding hands started rubbing her all over, scrubbing the sticky, nasty mud off her body in time with some gentle nibbling that progressed along her neck and ear. She kept her eyes closed, but reached for some soap herself, and started an exploration of her own. "Gods, this feels good." She muttered.

"Mmhnmm." Xena agreed readily, smiling as she felt a kick against her hand. "Baby thinks so too."

"Baby’s glad to be out of that nasty, dank, disgusting cavern just like I am." Gabrielle informed her. "Hey.. roll over.. let me see your back." She inspected the cuts, and ran a gentle finger over the deepest one, still tender and visible. "That one was kinda scary."

"Yeah." Xena rested her chin on the edge of the tub. "A little too close." She reflected soberly. "Maybe I need to work on getting more armored back there."

Gabrielle blinked at her. "That’s a great idea." She complimented her partner, then kissed her lightly on the nose. "I think we’ll have some time now… sounds like a good project."

"Oh yeah." Xena curled her arms around her soulmate protectively. "It’s now my turn to spoil you rotten."

Gabrielle realized how bone deep tired she was, and surrendered to her body’s warning signals gracefully. "Okay.. I think I did pretty good, holding you off for six months." She acknowledged. "I’ll start taking it easier." She promised, stifling a yawn. "Gods… okay, let’s get out of here, and get some dinner.. or I’ll fall asleep right where I am."

Xena regarded her fondly. "I’ll go pick something up from the kitchen for you.. I mean, we’ll have a couple of days to get together with the whole crowd… you’ve got an excuse to be a bum tonight."

Mist green eyes ruefully traced her face. "No… I’d really like to see Cait.. and spend a few minutes with Mom and Gran… we can make it an early night."

"You sure?" The warrior inquired. "You know they’ll forgive you."

Oh.. no they won’t. "Yeah.. I’m sure… " She tickled her partner’s ribs. "C’mon… now that we don’t look and smell like mudpuppies."

They dressed casually, then donned cloaks for the short walk over to the inn, where streams of light were pouring out the mostly closed window shutters and spilling across the hard, cold ground.

Xena guided the bard up the stairs, and onto the low platform outside the inn door, reaching for the door handle only to be beaten to it by her smaller companion. "Hey."

"Please.. I’m capable of opening a door." Gabrielle told her, pleasantly, tugging it open and standing to one side. "After you." She gestured inside.

Xena had her eyes on her partner, and caught the faint smirk just before she ducked inside the inn.

To be greeted by a thunderous "SURPRISE!"

And get hit by a cascade of colorful, tiny, paper birds, that floated down from the rafters, and lodged in her cloak and hair, as she stood, too stunned to move, in the doorway.

"Heh." Gabrielle closed the door, and patted her behind. "Paybacks are a bitch, huh?"

Xena found her eyes looking at just about every friend she had in the world, who were now grinning at her, and slapping themselves on the back for a successful surprise. Autolycus, Salmoneus, half the Amazon nation.. she spotted Tyldus in the back there, along with Palimon’s scarred face. Toris was grinning at her, his arm around Granella, as Jessan and his family laughed behind them.

She couldn’t even speak, not even to respond when Autolycus strutted up, and chucked her on the chin.

"Happy birthday there, Xena… I was going to steal you the crown jewels of Egypt, but um.. " He straightened his moustache, and leaned closer. "They tell me you and Cleo are like this." He crossed his fingers. "And I didn’t want to end up a mummy, if you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean." The warrior responded faintly, then she had to chuckle, and lift her hands up, to let them fall. "All right.. all right.. you got me."

Ephiny sauntered over gave her a hug. "You bet your ass we did." The Amazon Regent laughed. "You should have seen your face." She handed Xena a large mug of something which smelled like it would take the hair right off a centaur’s butt. "Try that… Pony made it."

"Xena… Xena.. listen.. remember that soap?" Salmoneus broke in, his bearded face all smiles. "We’re a franchise!" He tugged her arm. "C’mover here and see this… "

Hands pulled her forward, towards a table filled with gifts, and her mother’s small cakes. She found the presence of mind to turn her head and find Gabrielle’s eyes, though, to see the bard gazing at her with a big grin on her face. Xena held a hand out to her, and beckoned her forward with a jerk of her head. "I’m gonna get you for this." She whispered, as Gabrielle snuggled in against her right side.

"Promises, promises.. you’ll never top this." The bard grinned triumphantly, not seeing the instantly arched eyebrow, or the swiftly hidden, diabolical grin.

Together they joined their friends, as the party began.

Much later that night, two slowly walking figures made their way back towards a snug, candlelit cabin.

"So.. you going to forgive me any time soon?" Gabrielle inquired, bumping her tall soulmate gently.

"Don’t keep doing that unless you want to be picking me up off the ground, Gab." The warrior drawled. "That was two cups of ale way too many."

"Sorry." The bard muffled a giggle, having kept to apple juice the entire night, thoroughly enjoying watching her partner get bombarded with well wishes, and the teasing of their friends, and gifts.

And ale, of course, and whatever the Hades it was that Ephiny had brought with her, which had knocked even Autolycus for a loop. Watching him and Sal try to develop a fake sugar crystal jewelry scam had been quite the experience. "You okay?" She tucked a hand around Xena’s elbow just in case.

The warrior exhaled heavily. "Yeah… I have a feeling I’m gonna regret this in the morning, though… " She peered down at her partner. "How long didja plan that?"

"Since we were at the Amazons." The bard confessed. "Well… I mean, actually.. since last year, but….I got things moving then… sent runners out with messages, that sorta thing."

"Mmph." Xena considered this. "Well, I was surprised." She carefully negotiated the few steps up to their porch and padded to the door, reaching out for the handle, then stopping and peering at Gabrielle. "Any more s’prises?"

"No." The bard smiled fondly at her. "Well… I have a few things wrapped up for you for tomorrow morning, but that doesn’t count."

The warrior nodded solemnly, and pulled the door open. "Good… I got a s’prise for you, then." She followed Gabrielle inside, then walked over to where her weapons were laid neatly on the garment press, and gazed at them. With utter seriousness, she picked up the sword and chakram, and walked to the large, locked chest on one side of the bed, lifting the lid and putting the weapons inside.

Then she closed it, and locked the top, studying the key for a long moment before she stood unsteadily and went back to where Gabrielle was standing. "Here." She handed her the key. "And before you ask.. I’m not too drunk to know what I’m doing."

Gabrielle looked at the brass key in her palm. "You’re really serious about this."

Xena’s hand dropped lightly to her partner’s belly, and rested there. "I want to know this child." She paused, as though considering the words. "I have three months to see if I can be something other than a killer…to see if I can leave the fighting, and the dying behind for a while."

The bard took a deep breath, and closed her hand over the key. "What if you can’t?" She asked, honestly. "You have a dark side, Xena… but we both know that dark side has brought light to a lot of people."

"And brought pain and grief to the people I love most in the world." The warrior responded softly. "I don’t want this child to know the Destroyer of Nations, Gabrielle." She dropped her head, and exhaled wearily. "I know I can’t ever leave that behind, but just for a little while, I’d like to try."

The bard studied her partner’s shadowed face for a long space before she nodded quietly. "All right.. I’ll keep this for you." She felt the coldness of the brass warm against her skin, an odd, dark trust. "C’mon…" She patted the wool covered chest with her free hand. "It’s been a really long day, and you know we’ll be busy tomorrow."

Xena smiled, and circled her with both arms, kissing the top of her head affectionately. "Thank you, Gabrielle." She mumbled. "I loved the party."

The bard grinned quietly, her face buried in warm fabric.

Amphipolis, two months later.

The cabin was quiet, only the dry rustling of the winter dead branches outside stirred the air, matching the gentle scratch of a quill on parchment inside. Candles lit the interior with a warm glow, outlining Gabrielle’s pensive profile as she sat at her writing desk, her head propped up on one hand, and her quill idly being twirled by the other as she reviewed her writing.

The last fair we had was so successful, we’ve decided to have another, and it’s going to be in about three weeks. I’m trying to get some things arranged now, because I’ve got a feeling that in three weeks. I’ll be way too busy to be worrying about merchant space.

Not that I have a lot of energy to spare right now, of course…sometimes I sit here, exhausted, and think about what Xena must have gone through when she was pregnant… I mean, she was leading an army in the field, for Zeus’ sake…how did she do it? I can barely do my chores these days, and there she was, probably riding and fighting right up until the very last minute.

Gabrielle shook her head, and put a hand on her stomach, as the baby shifted, and a cramp rippled through her. "Ow." She winced, shifting a little and grimacing until the cramp relaxed. "Ugh… are you unhappy in there tonight, honey?" She asked her unborn child, rubbing the swollen surface gently. "Or do you just miss Xena, huh? Like I do?"

She returned her attention to her diary. Xena had reluctantly, very reluctantly, taken a three day trip to pick up some ‘things’ she said she’d ordered earlier in the year, and had promised to bring back some fresh parchment as well. Go. Gabrielle had told her nervous soulmate. Go now, because we’re in the home stretch here. She’d said, gently shoving the warrior on her way.

Not that she wanted to get rid of her, of course… but as the bard had started moving closer and closer to giving birth, her partner’s pervasive overprotectiveness had gotten progressively worse, until Gabrielle was seriously considering drugging her morning tea just to get some respite from the solicitous attention.

I feel like a glass ornament. And it’s not that it isn’t nice to be pampered, a little, but sometimes she acts like I’m going to break into a million pieces, when actually, I really feel pretty strong, and surprisingly energetic most of the time.

Well, not late at night, like now.. or if I’ve had to run around a lot, but in general, I feel great. Which has gotten Granella really pissed off at me, but I can’t help that.. she’s been sent to bed for the last two weeks, because the healer’s worried about her delivering early, and she fainted twice at the inn before that. Every time I go in to bring her something she gives me that really irritated look, even though I know she’s just wishing it was all over.

I guess I’m getting to that point, too.. it’s been almost eight months, after all, and I’m kinda tired of not being able to do simple stuff, like put my boots on. And my back hurts, though not nearly as much as Gran’s does, but then, Xena gives much better massages than Toris does, so I guess that kind of figures into it.

And would you believe it.. we still haven’t picked a name for the baby yet. Oh, we’ve talked about lots of them.. .but it’s like we haven’t found something we both really like yet. I guess we could just call the baby ‘Hey you.’ Until we figure it out, but I’m pretty sure Mom and everyone aren’t going to put up with that for more than a quarter candlemark.

It’s been a very quiet two months… Xena.. I really had my doubts, but she held to her promise, and she hasn’t picked up a weapon since Solstice, except her staff to keep the Amazons and militia amused. They all think it’s so strange, but…and I have to admit I didn’t think she could do it but I was wrong, and it’s made a change in her I hadn’t really expected.

She says she doesn’t miss it. I wonder. She’s kept up her running, and the staff practice, mostly she says because it makes her feel good, or maybe it’s because she’s too proud to let herself get out of shape, especially with the Amazons around.. I’m not sure. Maybe a little of both.

She told me a joke the other day.. just out of the blue, and almost made me snort apple juice out my nose it was so funny. That funny, mischievous streak is coming out again, and I think I’m getting an idea of what she would have been like if Cortese had never happened. It hurts to think how many layers that’s buried under…and how quickly it disappears when she has to fall back on her dark side.

I think we both know this won’t last forever.. I see it in her eyes sometimes, a kind of..oh, it’s weird, but a sad kind of happiness, like how you feel when you see the beautiful leaves of fall, and know the winter’s coming.

The darkness is too much a part of her to give her peace forever. I think I’ve come to accept that, and I know there will be a time when I hand her back that key, and take up my staff, and face that darkness again. It’s sort of inevitable…I think. But for now, and for as long as this lasts, I’ll accept this as a magical time in my life, and just enjoy it. You can’t worry about what might have been, or what might be coming… you just have to take what’s now, and make it the best now you can.

Wow.. that was a profound tangent, wasn’t it? Anyway, I was really uncomfortable earlier, because the baby was moving around a lot, almost like she was practicing backflips, but she’s settled down now, and kind of shifted lower.. it’s a lot more comfortable, but it feels kind of weird. And the cramps I’ve been having on and off for the last week or so are back.. they’re driving me crazy tonight. I wish Xena were here.. she distracts me and I forget about them.

Names.. names… part of me wants to name her after someone we know.. but…I don’t know.. I’m not sure I want to gift our child with anyone expectations.. Xena says it’s going to be tough enough as it is, since we’re both pretty well known, at least in these parts.

The bard paused, and listened to the first rattle of a frozen rain on the roof, and she tugged her fluffy shawl closer around her body. She hoped Xena was tucked away in some inn, not roughing it in this weather, though since the warrior had worn brand new clothes out on her trip chances were she was knee deep in mud by now.

It never failed.

Another cramp, and she leaned on the desk, closing her eyes until it passed, leaving her slightly nauseous. She picked up a chunk of dried apricot, and nibbled it, letting the fragrant scent sooth her stomach.

At the motion, Ares glanced up at her from his place curled up on the soft bearskin under her feet.

"No, no fruit.. remember how sick you got last time, when your other mommy gave you those cherries?" She warned the hopeful wolf, then looked up as the hail rattled against the window, and a low moan eased through the trees from the rising wind. "Great." She flicked a glance at the firewood, which Xena had stocked before she left. "At least we’ve got lots of that." She put her quill down and rubbed her eyes. "Ares, I’m really tired… I think I’m just going to sit by the fire for a while.. what do you think?"

"Roo?" The wolf gazed at her inquiringly.

"Yeah, you too." Gabrielle answered, as she carefully got to her feet, waiting for her shifting balance to settle before she walked over to her newest gift, a nice, comfortable chair Xena had built, with padded cushions, and rounded runners on the bottom of it that allowed it to rock back and forth soothingly.

Gabrielle loved it, and now she settled into its soft plushness with a smile, tucking a colorful quilt around her knees, and rocking a little. "Now.. watch your tail." She warned Ares, who curled up next to her. "Remember the other night." She’d accidentally come down on the wolf’s dark, bushy appendage and suffered his resulting howl of outrage. She let her head rest to one side, observing the small, low table tucked in the corner, near the fireplace that held small wooden toys of various shapes, in various stages of becoming.

Xena’s projects, ranging from tiny soldiers, to bears, to a tiny rocking horse. Gabrielle found a smile forming as she gazed at them. To one side stood a stuffed purple and blue dragon with button eyes, a teasing gift from Cyrene to replace the threadbare Flameball, Xena’s childhood toy that Gabrielle refused to give up possession of.

The bard sucked in a breath, as another cramp tensed her body, this time going on a bit longer, and making her ache from the tension. "Wow." She sighed. "Maybe I should make some of that tea Xena showed me how to brew the other day." Her mind reviewed the ingredients. "I think I’ve got everything here… " She started to get up, but paused, as hoofbeats overshadowed the hail, coming down the main road.

Hoofbeats coming fast, and accompanied by a familiar warmth that made her blink in startled surprise. Xena wasn’t due home for another three days at the very least.. unless something had happened. Anxiously she listened, as the barn door opened and closed, and silence fell, then what seemed only moments later, she heard the door again and then bootsteps headed her way at a steady lope.

Ares scrambled for the door, and reached it just as it powered open, a gust of cold air and blowing hail revealing the tall, dark haired form of her partner. "Xena.. " The bard put her hands on the chair arms. "What’s wrong?"

The warrior stepped inside, her chest heaving, and closed the door behind her, one hand ruffling Ares’ head absently. "Are you all right?"

Dumbfounded, Gabrielle glanced around the cabin. "Yeah.. I’m fine… " She peered at her soulmate. "What in Hades is up with you?" She gazed at the drenched and muddy warrior. "Good grief, get those clothes off before you catch cold.. and what are you doing here?"

Xena stepped further into the cabin, stripping off her cloak and hanging it on the hooks near the door. She was dressed in heavy wool riding leggings in burgundy with a matching wool tunic that covered her to mid thigh, and her new boots, which were liberally covered with muck.

Her armor and leathers hung quietly in the garment press, unused for two months, and she bore no weapon save her belt knife. "I.. um.. " Xena ran a hand through her wet hair and came closer, settling in the chair opposite her soulmate. "Crazy, I guess.. I just had a feeling I needed to be here." She confessed. "Must just be nerves." She paused. "You sure you’re all right?"

Mist green eyes rolled wryly. "Xena… yes, I’m just fine.. with the exception of a few cramps, and an aching back, that is." She admitted. "I was just going to make some of that tea you showed me the other night." She sighed, then grimaced as another cramp hit. "Unless you’ve got something better in mind."

Xena slowly stood, then moved over to her, and knelt, putting a warm hand on her wrist. "Cramps?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah.. like I’ve been having.. only these are a little more persistent… they’re driving me a little crazy tonight.. so I’m really kind of glad you did come back."

Her soulmate put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sit back." She carefully felt the bard’s belly, probing cautiously, then letting a long, steady breath escape. "I’ve got something for this, yeah.. but you’re not gonna like it."

"No?" The bard played with a lock of her dark hair restlessly.

"No.. it involves a lot of pushing ." Xena rested a hand on her knee and gazed up at her.

"Pushing? I don’t…. " Gabrielle stopped, and stared at her. "What exactly did you mean by that, Xena?"

"Those aren’t cramps.. they’re contractions.. the baby’s coming." Xena told her, with a faint, rueful grin. "Guess my instincts were right on the dinar this time."

Gabrielle felt chiefly shock, mixed with a shiver of fear and anticipation. "Oh my gods…you’re serious?" She put her hands on her stomach. "But it’s… " Her eyes flicked to Xena’s intently. "Isn’t it early?"

Xena’s lips twitched. "Babies have a mind of their own sometimes.. and since this is your child… " She teased lightly. "I know it surely will have that."

A hand eased through her dark, damp hair. "Our child." The bard corrected gently. "You’re sure?"

The warrior’s fingers traced a path around the lower curve of her partner’s stomach. "See how the baby’s shifted? Down and forward"

"Yeah.. I felt that earlier today." Gabrielle gazed at herself in fascination, then she tensed, as the pain gripped her. "Ow." She sucked in a breath when it was over, and eyed her soulmate. "Now’s the hard part, huh?" Memories flashed in her mind, of a foreign stable, and an overwhelming fear that had gripped her body and soul. "I’m a little scared."

Xena put a hand on her shoulder. "It’s gonna hurt for a while.. if I block the pain too early, everything might just stop."

"Like with Aileen." The bard remembered.

"Yes… so you just sit here, and let me get things ready, okay?" Xena half turned. "I’ll get the healer, and.. " A hand on her arm stopped her, and she turned to see serious green eyes fastened on her face. "What?"

"Just you." Gabrielle whispered softly. "I don’t want anyone here but you." She tightened her grip on Xena’s arm when the warrior opened her mouth to protest. "Please… Xena, you’re the best healer I’ve ever known… and.. I don’t want anyone else here."

Xena stroked her face. "Gabrielle, Renas is a very good healer.. and you know it’s not always the best idea for someone so close to be involved…"

"You won’t choke." A small, sad smile edged Gabrielle’s face. "We both know better." Her eyes searched Xena’s face. "Please?"

Perplexed, the warrior sat back on her heels, and rested her hands on the chair arm. "If… if that’s what you really want, Gabrielle.. all right.. but… " A tiny shake of her head. "I thought we…I mean I thought we had discussed this."

"I know." Her partner replied softly. "But I’ve been thinking about it, and it’s what I really want, Xena…I want it to be just us.. just you, and me." Her eyes lifted, and found Xena’s firmly. "I want you to be the one…to bring her into the world."

Xena’s jaw muscles clenched suddenly, as the meaning of the words hit her.

A trust she hadn’t earned, and knew in her heart she didn’t deserve, and all she could do was accept it. "All right." She managed to get out. "If that’s what you really want."

Gabrielle felt the confusion in her, and the pain, and she lifted a strong hand up and pressed her lips against the knuckles. "That’s what I want." She affirmed. "Now.. where do we start?"

Xena bowed her head for a long moment, then lifted it. "I get some water heated up, and prepare my kit… get you some tea to drink that’ll help you relax. " She glanced around. "You might be best off walking around a little bit… you’re starting to open up."

"Sounds like a plan." Gabrielle agreed softly. "Okay.. if you help me up, I’ll give you a hand sorting some herbs.. how’s that?"

The walking did, in a curious way, help, Gabrielle realized, as she paced very carefully around the cabin for what seemed like a dozen candlemarks, but was probably less than three.. She helped Xena get everything ready, then watched as her partner braced a chair into a small alcove, then put a footstool against the opposite wall. "What’s that for?"

"You." Xena turned just as the bard gasped, and doubled over, and she jumped across the room to grab her. "Hey.." A spreading dampness alerted her. "Water break?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle hissed, startled. "Oh.. that felt so weird."

"Okay.. okay.. c’mover here and siddown." The warrior led her to the chair, which she’d spread with soft linens, and sat her down, gently lifting her feet so that they were braced against the footrest. She let Gabrielle grip her arm as a contraction hit, and the bard’s fingers tightened against her skin. "Now.. when you feel that, bear down." She patted the smaller woman’s thighs. "Use these."

"Oh gods.. " Gabrielle did as she was told, and her strong legs almost lifted her up out of the chair. "Like that?"

"Whoa.. try not to go flying across the cabin, love." Xena coached her gently.

"It hurts." The bard’s faced contracted in pain. "Can’t you make it stop?"

"Soon." Xena’s voice was low, and soothing. She checked the baby’s progress. "Okay.. you’re opening up real good here, Gabrielle.. I can… oh… "

"You can what?" The bard snapped, nervously. "Don’t stop talking like that."

"See the very top of the baby’s head." Her partner reassured her hastily. "That’s good.. the baby’s in the right position to be born.. not upside down, or backwards." She got a long basin of water, and put it under her partner, then carefully arranged several long, painfully clean strips of linen across the table nearby. "Okay.. when it hurts, push."

"Easy for you to say." The bard growled, as her body seemed to want to rip itself into two parts. "Oh gods… " She latched onto Xena’s arm, and squeezed hard. "Aughhh.."

Xena winced herself, at the strong fingers. "That’s it… good job." More of the head had appeared, inside its protective sac, enough to reassure Xena that the baby was, indeed, right side up. "Okay.. again." She almost swallowed her tongue as a grip far more powerful that she’d realized clamped down on her wrist. "Oh.. good.. good girl." She breathed, seeing the tops of tiny eyes appear. "Gab, let go of my arm."

"What?" The bard almost hollered. "Oh no… if I gotta go through this, you do to.."

"Gabrielle.. I need that hand to give you the pressure points." The warrior reminded her. "For the pain, remember?"

"Oh." Gabrielle released her, then felt a jab, then two more, and suddenly she could breath. "Sorry.. yes.. thank you.. I love you… you are a goddess… oh.. " It still hurt, and she could feel the compulsion to push getting stronger and stronger, but it no longer felt like she was fracturing apart. "Oh… " She bored down.

"That’s it.. " Xena watched in barely contained excitement as the tiny head edged out, and she slipped a hand under it for support. The silvery protective sac was tearing, and she helped it, clearing the sticky stuff off the baby’s face. "One more good push,.. c’mon.. "

"I’ll push you." The bard gritted her teeth, and felt the contraction coming, and she arced her body, using muscles made powerful from four years of hard use. The tension built and built, and she pushed until her head felt like exploding. Then in one sudden instant, the pressure released, and her body relaxed, and it was done. She sank back against the cushions, and tried to catch her breath.

"Whoa!" Xena got her other hand down just in time to catch the tiny form as it slid free, and squirmed in her grasp. "Whoa there… " She gently let it into the warm water, rising off the blood and birth fluids, then she lifted the tiny form up and reached for a piece of linen to dry it. "Oh… Gabrielle.. it’s a girl.."

The bard opened an eye, then hissed as a final contraction worked through her, and she felt the baby’s protective sac leave her. "A girl?" She whispered softly.

Xena carefully separated the sac. "Yeah, I .."

A lusty, bold yell almost made her drop the infant, as the baby took stock of its surroundings, and decided she didn’t like being held up head downward.

"Whoa… that’s quite a set of lungs there, young lady." The warrior managed to get out, her eyes widening. She righted the angry infant, then tucked a sheet of linen around her. "Okay.. okay… just hold on there…" The baby squirmed, and let out another yell. "Good grief… you’ve got your momma’s lungs, huh?" She cradled the infant in her arms and peered down at her, feeling an ache in her chest that brought a solid lump to her throat and cut off her speech.

Gabrielle struggled to sit up, then she peered at the noisy bundle. "Is she okay?"

Xena cleaned the last of the fluids off the baby’s face and brought her close to her mother. "Here… " She handed the infant to Gabrielle. "Say hello to your daughter." She couldn’t help the catch in her voice as she went back to her task, cleaning up and gently caring for her soulmate. "Don’t even need a stitch there.. good job." She tucked a soft blanket around the bard’s knees, then gazed up at the squirming infant. "She’s beautiful, Gabrielle." A thousand memories haunted her, making her eyes drop to the floor in pensive silence.

Gabrielle felt the slight weight and she curled her arms around the infant as she gazed at her in wonder. She gently touched the baby’s face, and she calmed, though her fists kept waving. "Yes, she is… hello, sweetheart…" She whispered incredulously, as she smoothed a finger over the soft cap of dark hair on the baby’s head. "I know where this came from.. " She laughed softly, then glanced up at her soulmate.

The blue eyes were almost gray with a mixture of emotions, chiefly a quiet, gentle sadness, which faded as Xena realized she was being watched. "She’s perfect." The warrior agreed quietly. "She’s long, for coming so early." One finger reached out and touched a tiny foot.

Gabrielle nodded gently. "I bet she grows up nice and tall." She picked up a small fist, and watched the fingers curl around her own in a sturdy grip. The baby’s body was covered in red wrinkles, and her eyes were shut tightly. "She’s so cute."

Xena rested her arm on the chair arm, and propped her chin on her wrist, gazing at the infant. "Yeah…. " Her finger traced a spot on the baby’s back. "She’s got your butt."

"Tch.. Xena.." The bard muffled a laugh, glad of the gentle attempt at humor. She carefully turned the baby over and examined the body part in question. "Oh.. I don’t think so.. " Then her eyes fell on the infant’s back and she went very quiet.

"Oh yeah.. " Xena disagreed. "Same little round.. "

"Xena… is that a birthmark?" Gabrielle’s voice had taken on a strange tone.

"Um.. yes..I noticed it." Xena peered at the baby’s spine. "Kind of interesting…like a bird.. see, there are the wings there… I’ve never seen any one like that before."

Gabrielle was silent for a few heartbeats, savoring the moment as she had few before in her life. "I have." Her voice cracked.

Blue eyes glanced up, a touch interested, but mostly surprised. "You have?"

A solemn nod. "Yes.. I know someone whom I love very much who has one just… exactly.. .like it.. in the very same spot." Gabrielle felt the smile stretch her face as she watched the slow dawn of realization come over Xena’s expressive features.

"You don’t mean…." In a purely human reflex, Xena reached for her own back with one shaking hand. "I don’t.."

"Yes you do.. and yes, I do mean just that." Gabrielle reached out a hand to cup her soulmate’s face. "I don’t think this baby’s early at all…. I think she’s right on time."

The warrior slumped bonelessly onto the floor, swallowing hard. Her mouth moved several times, but no sound emerged. She suddenly realized that talking about something and being hit in the face with proof were two very different things. "I.."

"Here." Gabrielle handed over the tiny bundle, watching her soulmate’s eyes grow round. "Say hello to your daughter." She whispered, in exultant triumph. "Go on…"

Xena curled her hands around the infant, feeling its live weight in her hands and gazed at her, so dumfounded she found it hard to even breathe. The baby wriggled, and she instinctively cradled her, studying the sturdy form intently.

Gabrielle was right. The baby was in no way premature, right down to her full head of silky, dark hair. The hands and feet were fully formed, with neat, tiny toe and fingernails, and the baby was of very good size, with a long body, and round, well shaped limbs.

Tiny hands that already showed long fingers, and a sure grip. And a birthmark she knew neither her brother nor her mother possessed.

Part of her wanted to dissolve in hysteria on the wooden cabin floor. Part of her wanted to run outside and wake the entire village. A big part of her was just shaking. Her daughter. "Gabrielle. I think you better take her back." Xena handed the bundle over, feeling the blood drain from her face.

"Why?" The bard glanced at her, concerned. "Is she okay? I.."

"She’s fine." Xena felt the room start to fade out. "But I think I’m gonna.. "

"Good gods!" Gabrielle stared in shock as her soulmate slumped to the floor, out cold. She gazed at her daughter, who waved a fist at her. "Sweetie, you just did what half of Greece has only dreamed about." She sighed gently, leaning over to rub her nose against the infant’s. "Not an auspicious way to be starting out, huh?"

**************************************.

The first thing she was aware of was something cold, and wet draped across her forehead. A trickle of cold water dripped down her cheek, and she slowly became aware of the thick, soft carpet under her ear, and the friendly sound of the fire nearby.

"Xe?" Gabrielle’s voice was a mixture of amusement, worry, and impatience. "Sweetheart.. you gotta get up…If I have to call your brother over here to lift you up into bed, neither of us is ever going to here the end of it."

Up. Xena’s brow furrowed. What in Hades am I doing on the floor? Puzzled, she tried to remember what was going on, then her eyes popped open like twin blue marbles and she jerked upright, scaring her soulmate half to death.

"Yow!" Gabrielle tucked a protective hand around the gently moving bundle and blinked. "Didn’t mean that fast… take it easy, there, tiger."

"Um." Xena rubbed her head, still feeling dizzy. "Sorry.. I… I don’t think I’ve ever done that before." She picked up the damp linen her partner had helpfully tossed across her face and examined it, then turned her attention to the now murmuring baby. She slid closer and smiled. "Wow."

Gabrielle reached over and stroked her hair back into some semblance of order. "You okay? You’re still really pale."

"How long was I.. um.. " Xena rubbed her eyes. "Damn… "

"Just a few minutes.. that’s all." Gabrielle reassured her. "Hey..look.. she’s opening her eyes."

They both peered at the infant, who was indeed blinking open tiny, bewildered bluish green eyes.

"Hey sweetie." Gabrielle whispered. "How’re you doing?"

The baby poked a tiny tongue out a little and made a soft noise, her eyes watching Gabrielle’s face in fascination.

"What does that mean, I wonder?" The bard mused.

"Well." Xena’s deep rumble caught the infant’s attention, and the eyes turned her way, opening wider. "Seeing as it’s your daughter, I’d guess it means she’s hungry."

"Ha hah." The bard rolled her eyes. "Is that right, honey? Are you hungry?" She felt a little nervous. With Hope she’d never…. Xena had said it was because her body just wasn’t ready for childbirth that time, so she never had any milk to give. This time was different, though. She unlaced her tunic, and with Xena’s help, gently positioned the baby, guiding her head towards her first meal. "That’s it… come on, you can…whoa!"

The baby clutched enthusiastically at her, and found the spot, all right, making Gabrielle’s mist green eyes pop wide open at the powerful suction. "Good grief…. " She peered down at the happily suckling infant, then up at her soulmate, who was struggling to keep a smirk off her face. "Well.. I certainly know where she got thattrait from."

Xena glanced at the baby, then blushed slightly, but grinned. "She’s so cute." She rested her chin on the chair arm and watched the infant swallow.

The bard lifted her free hand, and gently traced her partner’s cheekbone. "So.. what are we going to call her? I know we said we were going to decide when you got back, but.. um… calling her snookums until we get our act together is probably not the best idea in the world."

"Well…" Xena reached out and played with the tiny foot that was kicking gently in time with the baby’s suckling. "She’s pretty feisty…"

"How about Doriana?" Gabrielle smoothed a finger over the dark hair that crowned the baby’s small head.

"A gift?" The warrior smiled gently. "She is that, isn’t she?"

"Mm… " Her soulmate agreed softly. "Dori, for short…it sounds so cute." She made a startled face as the baby sucked harder. "Guess I don’t have to worry about her starving to death, huh? I hope I can keep up."

The warrior laughed gently. "The more she wants, the more you produce, Gabrielle.. you’ll be fine. Trust me." Her face went a little pensive. "I didn’t get much of a chance… just a little while, but.."

"Feels so strange." Her soulmate breathed, studying the infant seriously. "I can hardly believe I’m seeing this."

The baby slowed her efforts, and blinked, blowing a tiny, milky bubble as she moved her head back and poked her tongue out a bit. One small fist curled up, and she hiccuped, her eyes opening a little wider in surprise.

"Hey… " Gabrielle shifted her into the crook of her arm. "You finished?"

Another tiny hiccup. "I guess you are." The bard murmured, then she glanced up at her avidly watching partner. "Here… would you take her for a little bit?"

"Sure." Xena replied instantly, taking the linen wrapped bundle and tucking it in the crook of one elbow. "You okay?"

Gabrielle retied her tunic, then she sighed, and stretched her body, curling her legs up and resting an arm on one knee. "You have absolutely no idea how good it feels to be able to do this."

Blue eyes tore themselves away from the tiny, milky smile and gazed at her. "Um.. yeah, I do." She informed her soulmate wryly. "You feeling okay?"

"Yes.. in fact, I am." The bard replied, putting her feet down on the floor and carefully standing up. Her body tried to adjust for a balance that was no longer front heavy, and she had to grab onto the chair for a quick support. "Whoa…. " She stood for a moment, just getting used to the sensation. She ached all over, and she was very tender where the baby had come out, but all in all, she really didn’t feel too bad.

"Nice to be able to see my knees." She remarked wryly, glancing down. "I feel a lot lighter, that’s for sure." Now she looked at Xena. "Could you put her in her cradle for a minute?"

"Sure." Xena stood without effort, and watched the baby’s eyes widen, as she peered fuzzily around. "Hang on there.." She moved over to where the wooden cradle rested near the fireplace, already lined with clean linen. The warrior very gently placed the baby down, and tucked a fold of the covers in loosely around her. "Bet you’re tired, huh?"

As if on cue, the baby yawned, making Xena laugh, and she tickled a tiny palm with one finger before she stood and faced her soulmate, who was patiently standing there. "What’s up?"

Gabrielle walked slowly forward, wincing a little, and put her arms around her partner fully for the first time in months. "Oh gods.. I’ve missed being able to do this."

Xena wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and hugged her tightly, then carefully lifted her up, and felt Gabrielle’s spine crack all the way down its length, accompanied by a sincere moan of appreciation. "Did that feel good??"

"Have I told you lately just how much I love you?" Gabrielle responded, with a contented sigh. "That felt awesome." She simply leaned against the warrior’s body for a short while, then she lifted her head and peered up. "Xena, we have a daughter."

The warrior’s eyes were on the occupied cradle. "I know…it’s so hard to believe." She held Gabrielle close to her, and pressed her lips against the bard’s head. "It’s incredible." She ran her hands down Gabrielle’s back, giving her a light massage, which produced mostly incoherent sounds of pleasure from her. "Bet you’re tired, too, huh?"

Gabrielle thought about that. She lifted her head, and rested her chin on Xena’s breastbone, gazing up at the angular profile. "Actually. I’m hungry." She replied, a touch sheepishly. "With all the cramps.. excuse me, contractions, and all, I wasn’t feeling great all day, and I didn’t eat much."

"No problem." Xena replied at once. "I can go raid the kitchen… you go sit down, and I’ll be right back." She gave the bard a last hug, then released her, turning to see a pair of dark, furry ears poking out from under the bed. "Oh ho.. I wondered where you were hiding."

A nose sniffed the air. "Roo?"

"C’mon, Ares.. come meet a new friend." Gabrielle laughed, patting her thigh. "Come out here."

One paw at a time, the wolf edged out, peering suspiciously at both of them.

"I think he’s upset because you were yelling at me." Xena remarked, as she swung her cloak over her shoulders.

Gabrielle gave her a puzzled look. "When was this?"

"When I told you to let go of my arm, and you told me what I was going to die of." Xena replied dryly, her eyes twinkling. "And you said if you were going to have to go through all that pain, so was I."

Shocked, green eyes blinked at her. "No way."

Xena chuckled, and reached for the door. "Don’t worry about it… I’ll be right back." She left, not without one last look at the peacefully sleeping infant, however.

"I said that?" Gabrielle put her hands on her hips, and regarded the wolf. "Really?"

"Roo." The yellow eyes blinked at her reproachfully.

"Wow." The bard hobbled over to her rocking chair, and sat very gingerly down in it, glad of the soft pads as she leaned on the chair arm, and watched the baby sleep. "See, Ares? It’s a new friend for you..c’mere."

The wolf had tip toed over, sniffing at the cradle tentatively. He poked his nose inside, and smelled the tiny fist outside the covers, then his tail wagged. "Agrrooo." The baby moved in sleep, and he jumped back with a snort.

"You’re such a chicken." The bard rolled her eyes, then she propped her chin on one hand and just watched her newborn child sleep, a sense of peace settling over her.

Continued in Part 6

Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Specific Story Disclaimers:

Violence –It’s a Xena story. There are forest dwellers, bad guys, pregnant bards, sly Amazons, several troublemakers, and one very persistent mincemeat pie. Of course there is violence. Not too much though. Maybe one head, maybe two.. it depends on how it goes.

Subtext - I’m not disclaiming subtext anymore. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what it’s about. I don’t personally think there’s anything in their relationship that needs disclaiming. It’s not like they’re vegetarians, or something.

This is, of course, PG13 level involvement here, no more. That never changes.. for those of you who are waiting for me to stick in a rip roaring, no holds barred graphic orgy scene, make sure you have plenty of coffee and doughnuts handy. And a comfortable chair. And a good book. I can recommend some excellent altfic bards for you if you drop me a note.

If you read this story, and are offended by the love portrayed within, too bad. No raspberry brownies for you.

Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

mailto:merwolf@bellsouth.net

Xena paused on the porch for a moment, to take a deep breath of the cold air before she started off towards the inn, seriously resisting the urge to bounce all the way there. She rounded the corner of their cabin, then stopped as she spotted every window in the larger building ablaze, and a scurry of activity around it. "What in the… " She broke into a lope towards the kitchen door, and had to dodge two hurrying Amazons as she reached it.

It was a good thing her reflexes hadn’t slipped that much, she reflected, as she jumped out of the way of the violently slammed open door, managing to avoid Toris’ rushing form as well. "Hey!" She barked in surprise.

Toris stopped short, peering into the gloom. "Who.. oh! Xena… hey.. you’re back.. that’s great.. um.. I gotta go…. " He bolted off.

"Whoa.. what’s going on?" His sister hauled him down like a sack of turnips, catching the back of his tunic with one fist.

"Awk.. cut that out.. Gran’s in labor!" He shook himself loose. "I gotta get.. uh.. water.. and um.. they sent me for linens, and those herbs.. and she wanted some soup, and I.. "

Xena merely picked him up and shook him. "Would you calm down? How long has it been?"

"Yehh..uhh.. ." Toris scratched his beard. "Three candlemarks?" He glanced towards his own quarters. "Sis.. I gotta go… "

She released him, and patted his shoulder. "You need to relax, Toris.. you’re gonna pass out." She advised him wryly, relying on recent experience.

"Hah.." Toris snorted. "We’ll see how you react when it’s your turn." He bolted off before Xena could answer him, and she smothered a grin as she entered the door he’d left open. Her mother was there, and several pots of water were boiling, at the direction of Renas, and an apprentice healer who was sorting out herbs, enough to service an entire village of pregnant women.

"Hi." Xena leaned back against the door. "Guess we’ve got some excitement going on here, huh?" Suddenly, she was really, really glad Gabrielle had chosen to keep it simple, and very private. It had made Dori’s birth, in her eyes, just that much more special.

Renas glanced up. "Oh.. Xena… you’re back. Great.. I might need some help." He wiped his brow. "I think I’ve got everything I need.. but is there any way to keep those Amazons busy?"

The warrior pursed her lips. "I’ll see what I can do."

"Great.. great… Toby, come on, get those herbs, and let’s get back there.. we’ve got to boil all those linens, and I .. " His voice trailed off, as he and the apprentice left the warm light of the inn for the cold darkness outside.

Xena pushed off the wall and went to her mother’s side. Cyrene was busy assembling soup, and watching the boiling water, but she looked up as she felt her daughter’s presence. "Hi, honey… you’re home early."

"Mm.. yeah… I had something I had to take care of." Xena remarked. "Mind if I rustle up some snacks for me and Gabrielle?"

"Sure.. go ahead… just don’t ask me to help you." Cyrene wiped her brow. "I’ve got a dozen things to do, and those Amazons are running all over bumping into things, and Renas is driving me crazy with all these pots.. and… " She exhaled weightily. "And I’m not sure I’m ready to face being a grandmother yet."

Xena leaned over, and put a hand on her shoulder. "You already are one." She commented quietly.

"And, with all those linens, I’m not sure if I…. " Cyrene turned. "What?" She stared at Xena in puzzlement, then the words percolated through her understanding. "Oh no.. you don’t mean to tell me.. "

The warrior smiled. "C’mon.. can you take a minute?"

"Hera’s left tit." The innkeeper pushed the soup back onto a smaller part of the fire and wiped her hands. "I can’t believe it.. you didn’t say a word?"

"Gabrielle wanted it that way." Xena answered quietly, as she steered her mother out the door, after grabbing a loaf of bread and a small basket of dried meats and cheeses. "Besides, it looks like… " She paused, as two Amazons rushed by, carrying a huge cradle. "You’ve got enough on your plate here."

They made it back to the cabin, and Xena pushed the door open, motioning her to go inside. "G’wan."

Cyrene glanced in, spotting Gabrielle seated near the fire, its red flames catching the russet highlights in her hair, dressed in a thick tunic that was once again far too big for her. "Hey cutie." She smiled at the bard, who smiled back.

"Hi mom.. come here and meet your granddaughter." Gabrielle leaned over and lifted the still sleeping infant up, cuddling her in her arms and turning as Cyrene hurried over. "Say hi.."

"Oh… " The innkeeper crouched down, and smiled in delight at the tiny baby. "Would you look at that… what a cutie.

"We’re going to call her Doriana… " Gabrielle said softly, then she carefully held her arms out. "Do you want to hold her?"

"You betcha…" Cyrene eagerly cradled the baby in her arms and studied her, touching the tiny nose, and tickling a sturdy foot. "Oh, Gabrielle, she’s beautiful." She murmured, glancing up at the tall, quiet form standing next to her. "And she looks very much like someone else I know did as a newborn."

Blue and green eyes met. "She does, huh?" Gabrielle smiled. "You know, it’s really hard for me to imagine Xena that small." Her eyes twinkled up at the sturdily built warrior.

Cyrene chuckled wryly. "Me too." She cooed delightedly as the baby blinked her eyes open and made a face. "Hey there, honey…"

"Me three." Xena added dryly. "Gran’s in labor, by the way." She remarked to the bard. "The place is a circus over there."

Gabrielle jerked in surprise. "Really? Is she okay?" Her eyes lifted to her soulmate’s. "Does she need any help?"

"Please.. ." Cyrene raised a hand. "The last thing we need is MORE people in that cabin.. it’s bad enough with Toris, those Amazons, Renas and Toby, and the midwife." An angry yell echoed suddenly over the quiet village. "Ah… I think the contractions have really kicked in." She sighed. "She’s not having an easy time of it… I think one of the babies might be turned."

"Ooo." Gabrielle took the bread and cheese her soulmate handed her and took a healthy bite of them. "Guess me romping in there now would be a bad idea, huh?" She chewed the mouthful and swallowed it. "How long’s she been at it?"

"Four candlemarks." Cyrene sighed. "It’s been quite a night." She gazed at the bard. "For you too, apparently…you had a pretty easy time of it, eh?"

Gabrielle shrugged a little. "It happened so fast… Xena came back, and we figured out what was going on, then I walked around a little, then… " She glanced at the baby. "It was over before I knew it." She gave the warrior a fond look. "And I had the best coach I could have asked for."

Cyrene settled the infant back in her mother’s arms, and smiled at them both. "She’s very well grown for an early birth." She commented quietly, watching the exchange of looks between her daughter and Gabrielle. "Isn’t she?" She studied the baby curiously. "I figured you for another month at the least…Granella’s about a week or two early… and this little honey looks full term."

An awkward silence fell. "Um." Xena rubbed her temples, and cleared her throat. Her mother, at least, would have to know. By the time most people saw the infant, they wouldn’t realize she wasn’t premature, but Cyrene…no way to avoid it. "See, we’re not.. um.. " She paused. "We’re not really sure if.. I mean, Gabrielle was just about to start her cycle that night, and I… don’t know if…"

Cyrene looked from one of them to the other. "But I thought… " Her eyes fell on Gabrielle who was gently rocking the baby. Surely the bard hadn’t… but well, a lot of things had gone wrong, maybe… "I don’t understand…was there someone else?"

The bard looked up, a blush very evident on her fair skin. "No.. Xena’s… um… no, there wasn’t anyone else."

The innkeeper’s brows knit in dire confusion. "I don’t get it… you’re saying you don’t think Toris is the father, but you say there hasn’t been anyone else… exactly who fathered this child, then, Gabrielle?" She put a hand on the bard’s arm. "Honey, it’s welcome in any case, don’t get me wrong, but.. I mean.. who?" She paused. "If it’s someone here, you’ll have to tell Josclyn… even if Xena’s going to formally adopt her."

Mist green eyes lifted and fastened on Xena, a helpless look of consternation crossing the bard’s face. "It’s.. kind of hard to explain." Gabrielle ventured. "We’re not really, truly sure of what happened, but…um.. "

Xena sighed, then knelt on the other side of her partner and gently unfolded the linen tucked around the infant, exposing her small back. "This look familiar to you?"

Cyrene stared at it, then looked up at Xena. "Oh my." She sat down abruptly, startling Ares, who scuttled in back of Gabrielle’s chair, and peeked out at her. "Oh my. That was a surprise." She chewed on her lip for a moment, regarding the two silent women pensively. She knew the birthmark all right, but how… Cyrene studied her daughter, whose face bore a mixture of wonder and utter consternation.

"It’s.. kind of a little strange to think about, I know." Gabrielle finally said, tucking the blanket back around the baby, and curling her fingers around Xena’s hand which was resting on her thigh. "It’s been kinda weird for us, too."

"I’m…" Cyrene exhaled, perplexed. "I’m not sure what to say…on one hand, it seems impossible, but on the other.. " She gave Xena a wry look. "I’ve learned over the years that impossible, and you don’t often collide."

"Yeah… well… " The warrior picked up a tiny foot, and examined it. "Gabrielle has a theory that the love we have is strong enough to do anything… " She looked up. "I don’t know.. maybe it just is."

The infant opened her eyes and studied Xena solemnly, tugging her foot free when the warrior started tickling it. A tiny scowl formed, and the warrior grinned, giving her soulmate a wry look. "She’s ticklish."

"Oh.. and that’s supposed to be from me?" The bard raised her eyebrows. "I don’t think so, O Warrior Princess of a Thousand Ticklish spots." She reached over and demonstrated by catching the warrior on the back of her arm, making her squirm. "See?"

A frustrated yell broke the silence again, and Cyrene glanced over her shoulder. "I’d better go see what’s going on.. " She turned back to them. "Should I wait for the morning to break the news? You both look pretty tired."

"Good idea." Gabrielle said, with a sigh. "There’ll be enough excitement tonight." Her eyes drifted over. "And that bed does look really good right now."

"Come and get me if there’s trouble." Xena told her mother seriously. "If Renas needs any help, okay?"

Cyrene nodded. "I will… don’t worry." She touched the baby’s fist, and smiled. "And we’ll get to know you better in the morning too, sweetie pie."

The baby poked her tongue out, then hiccupped, and closed her eyes, her fingers grasping Gabrielle’s thumb. "Say good night to Grandma, Dori." Gabrielle smiled.

The innkeeper stood up, and brushed herself off. "Get some sleep, you two.. I have a feeling tomorrow’s going to be a busy one." She gave them both fond smiles, then she left, closing the door softly behind her.

Gabrielle stifled a yawn, as she idly played with Dori’s fingers. "Think Gran’s gonna be okay?" She looked up at the warrior. "Sounds like she’s having a rough time."

Xena curled an arm around her shoulders, and let her head rest against the bard’s arm, as she, too, gazed at the dozing infant. "With that many people in there? She’ll either be fine, or she’ll end up taking a few heads off." She murmured. "You ready for bed?"

The bard rolled her head to one side, and gently kissed her partner. "Yes…I might actually be able to sleep for more than a quarter candlemark, too." Sleeping the last few weeks had been uncomfortable, to say the least. She bent over and put the infant in her cradle, then hesitated. "Do you think we should bring her over there?"

Xena nodded immediately. "Yeah.. so we can be near in case she wakes up.. or she’s hungry.. or wet.. or.. "

"Mm..’" Gabrielle considered this. "We’re not going to get much sleep for a while, huh?" She eyed her partner, who woke at the slightest sound.

"Tell you what.. you have to do the feedings." Xena traced a gentle finger along one swollen breast. "So I’ll do the messy parts, how’s that?"

"Oo… you mean I get the sweet part of this deal?" Gabrielle grinned. "Oh boy… let me tell you, I am going to be the envy of the sewing circle, that’s for sure." She kissed Xena again, the jolt of reaction chasing back the weariness almost without effort. "C’mon… I haven’t been able to snuggle with you for months… I’m gonna enjoy this."

Xena grinned happily, then she scooped up her soulmate and carried her to the bed, gently depositing her. "Be right back." She retrieved the cradle, and set it by the bed, then stripped off her clothing, and donned a shift, turning to find twinkling green eyes watching her appreciatively. "Something wrong?" She lifted an eyebrow in question.

"Nothing at all." The bard assured her, with a cheeky grin as she held a hand out. "C’mere."

The warrior slid into bed beside her, and wrapped Gabrielle up in a big hug, smiling as she felt the bard practically crawl all over her, finally settling in a half hug, half sprawl that hit warm, familiar spots. "Happy now?" She asked, with a chuckle, sliding her hands up and down the bard’s sides, feeling her ribs expand and contract as she took in and released a huge breath.

"Ooohhhhhhhhhhh….." The bard burrowed into the warm skin under her joyfully . "I have so missed doing this." She could feel the wonderful warmth as their bodies pressed against each other, and she was able to relax fully for the first time in months. Her fingers roamed over the warrior’s ribcage, as she stifled a yawn. "Xe… can I ask you something?"

One blue eye opened, and regarded the ceiling with trepidation. "Sure."

"Did you really just… think something was up here? I mean… I know how our thing usually works.. but I was fine.. or, anyway, I thought I was so… " The bard asked, sleepily.

Dead silence for a moment. "Um… " Xena swallowed. "Not exact… well, I’d made camp, see…and I’d started a fire.. I was in a nice little cave… and I was passing some time by reading the poems thing you gave me for Solstice."

"Uh huh." Gabrielle nodded. "And?"

Another silence. "And I got to the page where you’d written one after the night we… well, that time up in my old tree fort, remember?" She could feel the sudden movement as Gabrielle smiled against her chest.

"I remember." The bard stated quietly.

"So.. I was just reading that… I really liked it, and I noticed you’d dated it." Xena concluded, as though that explained everything.

"And?" Gabrielle persisted.

"I counted." The warrior finally muttered. "And give or take a day, it was.. um.. I mean the timing was pretty much there, and then with the storm.. that tends to trigger stuff… so I figured I’d better just get back here." A pause. "Just in case."

Gabrielle’s turn to reflect in silence. "So you believed it all along, didn’t you?" She asked, gently, feeling the motion as her partner swallowed.

"I wanted to." Came the short reply. "You don’t know how much I wanted to."

"About as much as I did." The bard gently kissed her collarbone. "I’m glad." She snuggled closer, and let her eyes shut in utter contentment.

Blue eyes misty with tears gazed up at the sturdy roof beams. "Me too." Xena whispered, as she felt the bard’s body relax completely against hers. She stroked the warm back rhythmically, as their connection laid a blanket of peace over them, and she turned her head, to watch the wooden cradle and its miraculous contents.

She had no intention of sleeping, not with all this to savor. Not when every breath she took was one more breath in a moment of her life that nothing could ever match. In this one moment, for this one breath, she had everything she could have ever dreamed of. She extended an arm, and touched the small hand resting in its nest of linen, charmed when the baby instinctively closed her fingers around Xena’s much larger one.

It was so sweet, she could hardly bear to think about it, lest it disappear like a soap bubble in the wind. So she simply opened her heart to it, and soaked in the impossibility of it all, letting it fill her with the knowledge that nothing and no one could ever take this moment from her.

This one, perfect moment.

Deserved or not, it was hers.

The first restless stirring brought Xena out of the half asleep, half awake, extremely pleasant dreamy state she’d been drifting in for about a candlemark. All sorts of things had been going through her mind, and she’d been enjoying the slightly giddy feeling very much. Gently, she slid out from under Gabrielle’s deeply asleep hold, and rolled onto her side, peering down into the crib.

To see round, wide eyes peering back at her. "Hey there." The warrior rumbled softly, and seeing the beginnings of a pout. She reached down and checked, then grinned. "You ready for a change, huh?"

A tiny tongue poked out at her.

"Okay… let’s go." She slipped out of bed and collected Dori, padding into the washing area and quickly cleaning and changing the baby’s linen wrappings. "You hungry again?" She tickled the baby’s tummy, and Dori kicked her legs out, scowling at her. "Ooo.. that’s the same face your mommy makes when I do that." She leaned on her elbows, studying her daughter in the low light from the candles they’d left burning. "And you’re gonna be feisty and stubborn just like her, huh?"

Dori pouted, her eyes watching Xena’s face intently, and she gurgled in apparent fascination. The warrior gently touched the tip of one finger to the tiny snub nose, and Dori scowled, making an uncoordinated clutch at the warrior’s hand. "You’re a real cute one, you are." Xena smiled.

The infant returned the smile, her eyes going round in delight, then she wriggled impatiently, her tiny brows contracting.

"One track mind, huh?" Xena laughed softly, then scooped the restless infant up and carried her back to the bed.

Gabrielle was half awake, hitched up on one elbow and peering into the dim candlelight. "Hey.. where’d you two disappear to?"

"Fulfilling my end of the bargain." Xena slid back into bed, and cuddled closer to the bard. "Now it’s your turn."

"Hello, sweetie." Gabrielle greeted her daughter, who was grasping for her with tiny hands. "Oh yeah.. you know where breakfast is, doncha.. what a smart girl.. yeeooww." The bard almost sneezed from the unexpected jolt of sensation as the baby took hold of her nipple, and started drinking enthusiastically. "Hades… listen, Xena.. I don’t suppose your many skills would include…um.. "

The warrior laughed gently. "Sorry… " She tucked the softly quilted covers up around them both and settled down, circling the bard’s shoulders with one arm. "You certainly meet with her approval, though."

"Yah… not like she has a choice." Gabrielle half laughed, half winced. "Take it easy there, Dori… I’m not going anywhere." She glanced up at the twinkling blue eyes above her. "And if you make one comment about her getting my appetite, I’m going to tickle you until you fall off the bed."

Xena bit her lip. "I wasn’t going to say a word." She shook her head. "Honestly."

"Mm… you were thinking about it." The bard replied, in a half growl, half murmur. "Did you get much sleep?"

Xena rested her head against the bard’s and sighed happily. "Nope… you?"

Gabrielle eyed her. "Slept like a…um.. ." She glanced down. "Like a baby… are you feeling okay?"

"I feel great." The warrior murmured in reply. "I felt too good just to go to sleep….I wanted to stay up and enjoy the feeling." She reached over and traced a tiny, perfect ear. "They look just like yours."

"Do they?" Gabrielle watched her partner’s face, fascinated by the sparkling joy in her eyes.

"Uh huh… see this little bump here? And the lobes are exactly the same shape as yours." Xena replied, tugging on the bard’s ear. "And the way she smiles.. look.. there… see the way her eyes crinkle up? Reminds me of you."

"Yeah." Gabrielle heard the faint sound of surprise in her own voice. "But those are your cheekbones.. no doubt about it." She smoothed her thumb over one. "I’m glad.. when I was a kid, I was pretty chubby… and I got called Gabby the Squirrel a lot." The bard smiled ruefully. "I’m willing to bet you didn’t have that problem." She reached up and stroked the angular planes of Xena’s face.

"Ah… no." Xena agreed. "I got called a lot of things, most of them unrepeatable, but Squirrel wasn’t one of them." The baby stopped sucking and looked up at her, blinked, then started in again, with a little gurgle of contentment.

Gabrielle gave her soulmate a dire look, and held up a warning finger, feeling the silent laughter that shook Xena’s frame. "I wonder how Gran is doing?" She murmured, after a moment.

Xena cocked her head. "Want me to go find out?" She inquired. "It’s been four more candlemarks.. if she hasn’t delivered by now.." As if on cue, a low, muted howl rose, making Ares lift his head, his ruff standing on end. "Uh oh."

"I’m surprised they didn’t come for you." Gabrielle murmured, glancing down as Dori burped, then hiccupped. "Oh.. had enough, huh?" She smiled as the baby blew a milky bubble at her. "Gods, she’s so cute."

Xena gently kissed her partner’s head. "Just like her mother." She eased off the bed and stretched. "I’ll go check things out…it’s almost dawn anyway.. and I’ll bring some breakfast back, how’s that?" She paused. "You feeling okay? A little stiff, I bet."

Gabrielle shifted, tensing her thigh muscles, and rotating her shoulders a little. "Not too bad, actually… I’m really sore where the baby came out, but otherwise I feel pretty good… a lot better than I expected to, really.. given some of the stories I heard."

The warrior slipped into a heavy wool shirt, and leggings, as she nodded approvingly. "That’s because we took good care of you and did things the right way." Her eyebrows twitched. "As annoying as I know I was, I think it paid off." She indicated the contented infant. "Believe me, I wish I’d known better when I went through it… damn, was I ever young and stupid."

"Well… " The bard gave her a grateful look. "I’m glad I benefited from all your experience…I remember Aileen’s confinement, and that wasn’t a whole lot of fun, if I recall." She gave Dori a finger to hold, and the baby grasped it fuzzily. "Thank the gods you were here for me… I don’t know what I would have done without you." She glanced up as she said it, as a vision of a waterfall’s rocky edge flashed into her memory. "Thank you for making sure that didn’t happen.. I know it’s been tough for you."

Xena fastened her cloak, and paused, leaning against the door. "It hasn’t been tough at all, Gabrielle." She admitted quietly. "Every day I don’t touch that sword.. every day I don’t draw blood… I feel that darkness sliding further from me." Her eyes rested on the baby. "I can’t ever erase what I’ve done… but maybe I can find a way to be at peace with who I am." She ran her fingers through her hair, then put her hand on the doorlatch. "I’ll give Gran your regards."

"Thanks." Gabrielle replied quietly, as she watched the door close behind her soulmate. "Oh.. Dori… " She breathed, gazing down at her infant daughter. "If there’s anything I could ever hope for you.. it would be that the only way you know what she was, is by hearing old stories about it when you’re all grown up."

"Bck." Dori smacked her lips and blew another bubble.

"Oh really?" Gabrielle laughed, delighted when that brought a happy smile to the baby’s face. She studied the infant intently, picking up her arms and legs, and rocking her a little. Dori smiled again. "Hm.. you know, I think Xena’s right… that does kinda remind me of myself." She informed her daughter. She’d wanted the baby to look like her partner, but the thought of Dori being a mixture of the two of them was suddenly very, very appealing to her.

A soft knock on the door made her look up in surprise. "Come in." She watched as the wood eased inward, and a big, furry head poked itself in. "Jess! Get over here…."

The forest dweller grinned his toothy grin, and ambled over, closing the door carefully behind him. He crouched down at the bedside, and peered at Dori. "Hi there bittyboo."

The baby’s eyes widened, and she waved a tiny fist and gurgled.

Jessan obligingly lifted a hand and offered a clawed finger, which the baby grasped reflexively. "Oo… check that grip out." He glanced up at Gabrielle. "She’s a cutie.. even without fur."

The bard laughed gently. "Glad you think so… " She watched the baby yawn, and close her eyes, curling up against Gabrielle’s chest with a tiny burp of contentment. "I still can’t believe it."

"She’s beautiful." Jess gazed at the child. "How did Xena react?" His liquid, golden eyes lifted to Gabrielle’s in smiling question. "Bet she went nuts, huh?"

"Oh… gods." The bard bit her lip. "I think she’s totally enchanted… her face lights up every time she looks at the baby."

A little silence fell, then Gabrielle looked up. "I guess that’s natural…it’s her daughter too, after all…" She watched the forest dweller’s face for any hint of surprise and didn’t see any. "You knew that, right?"

Jessan glanced up from where he was examining the tiny toes. "Of course." He answered, with a grin. "We always knew…I mean, it’s so obvious to us." He moved his jaw reflectively. "We just knew it would freak you humans out, so we kind of shut up about it… but you knew, didn’t you?"

Gabrielle nodded. "I… well, I mean, at the beginning, I didn’t really think a whole lot about it, because after all, I was trying to get pregnant, you know?" She made a wry face. "So ending up that way wasn’t a total surprise… but then after I started thinking about it, the timing just wasn’t right." She paused. "And I knew there really was only one other possibility…but it was really scary to think about, considering what happened the last time."

Jessan nodded soberly. "I know.. that’s the other reason we didn’t say anything." He put a hand on Gabrielle’s arm and gazed at her. "But we always, and always, ever sensed nothing but good around this child, Gabrielle.. I want you to know that, sincerely, from my heart."

The bard felt a lump in her throat. "Would you have said something otherwise?" She asked, honestly.

The forest dweller looked down at the bed coverings. "Yes, I would have." He lifted his head and gazed at her. "As much as it would have hurt me to do that to both of you."

They just gazed quietly at each other for a few moments, while Dori dozed peacefully in Gabrielle’s arms. "I’m glad you didn’t have to." The bard finally said, very softly.

"Me too." Jessan replied. "You know.. there is a legend in our traditions, that tells of a lifebond who was trapped under a cart, and badly hurt, so that he couldn’t move any longer. That’s very bad for one of my kind.. and he wanted the release of death, but his partner was devastated. She begged him to live for her, and told him she would take care of him, for all his days.

He paused, and Gabrielle reflected soberly. "I don’t know what I’d do in that case… " She murmured. "I love her more than life, and it would kill me to lose her, but I know if she had to live like that, she’d be dying inside anyway." She took a shaky breath. "I’m not sure what would hurt worse."

"It’s the hardest thing." Jessan agreed quietly. "And she knew that.. but they loved each other so much it was too hard for them to let go." He paused. "Finally, his body failed him, but as he died, he gave her a gift of the spirit, and she found herself pregnant." He glanced at Gabrielle. "I had thought it was only a legend…but then I remembered, that all legends have at their heart, a kernel of truth." He propped his jaw up on one fist. "My mother’s going to be fascinated."

"Not pissed off?" The bard asked wryly, still thinking about the story.

Jessan sighed. "She’s given that up." He replied. "Well, I should let you two get some rest… I know Xena went over to join the birthing crowd.. man, that woman’s having the toughest time.. you humans shouldn’t have multiples if you’re not built for it."

Gabrielle gave him a worried look. "Jessan, it’s not like she asked for it, you know?" She glanced at the door. "I hope she’s okay." A hurried knock startled them both. "Come in."

The door burst open, revealing Posi, one of the Amazons currently living in Amphipolis. "I need Xena’s armor kni…" The woman stopped, and stared at Gabrielle. " Great Artemis.. that’s a baby!"

"The armor knife?" Gabrielle answered sharply. "It’s on the table, but.. what’s going on?"

The woman went and picked the item up, then paused to gaze at Dori. "What a beautiful little Amazon princess… " She murmured. "Granella’s not delivering… Xena’s going to cut her open and take the babies out."

Jessan’s eyes bugged out. "What????"

"Oh." Gabrielle nodded. "Like she did with Ephiny… wow… you better get back there."

The woman nodded, taking one last look at the infant, and smiling, then she dashed out.

The bard drummed her fingers on the quilt, and gave Jessan a look.

"Get the Hades out of here, or I’m gonna kill all of you!"

Xena heard the bellow while she was still well clear of the cabin. "Ho boy." She quickened her pace, and trotted up the two short steps to her brother’s home, hearing a low murmur of voices and a lot of activity behind the door. One hand reached out and pulled the latch, and she cautiously poked her head in.

"I’m not gonna push one more gods be damned centaurs’ asses second, and not one of you damned pieces of sheep dung is gonna make me!" Granella was yelling, a look of frustrated exhaustion on her sweat covered face. She swung a fist and bapped Toris on the shoulder. "And it’s your fault, you god damned… "

"Hi." Xena cleared her throat.

Heads turned and looks of relief spread across the cabin. Xena took that as an invitation to enter, and she did, stepping past the six Amazons, two healers, a forest dweller and the members of her immediate family to get to the bed, kneeling at the side and resting a hand on her knee. "Having a rough time?"

Granella’s eyes popped out. "Rough time? I’ll give you a rough time, lady… and as for blame… this is *your * fault too!!" She swung a wild fist at Xena, who caught it, and held it.

"Granella." The pale blue eyes turned quietly serious. "Watch who you’re swinging on."

The woman panted. "After what I’ve been through tonight.. you think YOU scare me?"

The warrior leaned over, and pinned her with a direct gaze. "You can shut up, and let me help you, or I’ll leave. Your choice."

Pale gray eyes searched her face for a long moment, then dropped. "Sorry." The Amazon sighed. "The pain’s getting to me."

Xena released her hand, then ruffled her damp hair. "Yeah, I know… hang on, and let me see where we’re at." She gently probed the very pregnant woman’s belly. "One’s breech." She turned and looked at Renas and Elaini, who nodded confirmation.

"They’re both still hanging in there." Elaini stated without prompting.

"I’ve tried everything…" Renas sighed. "I tried manipulation internal and external, all the herbs I had… I don’t know where to go next, Xena… I’d just asked your mother to go get you." He sighed. "I’d have sent earlier, but I knew you’d just gotten home."

"Mm." The warrior straightened, and stood, unhooking her cloak and tossing it in a corner. "We’re going to have to take them out." She glanced at Granella. "I’ll need boiled water, all the cleansing herbs you’ve got, gut, a needle, and if someone can go get my armor knife.. it’s the sharpest I know of." She gave one of the Amazons a nod, and they ran off towards her cabin. Guess I should have told her they have a new Amazon Princess, eh.. oh well.

"Ttttake them?" Toris stuttered, blinking at his sister.

"What… exactly.. do you mean by that, Xena?" Granella asked faintly.

"Means you’re gonna have a scar that matches the one Eph has." The warrior told her. "Relax."

"Oh gods." Granella’s eyes fluttered, then closed, and she slumped against the bed sheets, out cold.

"You’re going to cut her open?" Renas asked, his eyes bugging out. "Great Hera… that’s insane!"

"No.." Solari edged her way forward, and gave Xena a tight smile. "Xena did it to our regent…it saved her life, and the baby’s." She glanced at the bed. "That’s what we’re talking about here, right?"

Xena nodded grimly. "They have to come out.. and with one breech, and her so small anyway, it’s the only way I know of." She glanced at her mother, who was setting a bucket of water on the fire. "It can be done.. we’ve just got to be really careful to sew her up good."

"Gods." The healer scrubbed his face, then turned to Solari. "I remember that scar Ephiny has.. was hers a breech also?"

"No. It was a centaur." Solari answered absently, her attention on Granella. She turned on hearing a thud, and spotted Renas passed out on the floor. "Damn."

Elaini dragged him out of the way, and joined Xena at the bedside. "How does it feel?" The forest dweller murmured in her ear.

"How does what feel?" Xena replied, perplexed.

"Parenthood." Elaini’s eyes twinkled. "You’re practically glowing."

The warrior grinned briefly at her, then turned as the door swung open and the Amazon returned, her eyes alight. "Guess the secret’s out, huh?" She remarked, taking the knife from the woman.

"She’s so cute!" The Amazon enthused. "What an adorable little nose… and those pink ears!"

Solari stared at her, then grabbed her arm. "Whadda ya think you’re doing, talking about the Queen like that… " She hissed furiously. "You drunk?"

Xena muffled a laugh, as she held the knife in the candle flame. "Soli, I think she’s talking about our daughter. " The warrior stated casually. "Or… at least, I hope so." This with a mock stern look over one shoulder. "Not that I disagree with either of those statements if you’re not."

"Your what?" A chorus of voices answered her.

"It seems that Gabrielle decided this was as good a night as any." Cyrene explained calmly, as she and Renas took the hot water off the fire, and offered it to the busy Xena. "She gave birth about five candlemarks ago."

Everyone stared at Xena who ignored them. "All right.. " She knelt beside the unconscious Granella. "I need someone to thread the gut on the needle for me, and someone else to get some blankets ready. " She washed the huge belly, and lined up her knife carefully, aware of Renas and Elaini flanking her, the forest dweller kneeling down and spreading her arms with clean, soft cloths. "Weren’t you saying something about not having to birth human babies the first time I saw you?" Xena asked, as she prepared to make her cut.

Elaini laughed softly. "Yeah.. that was right before you knocked me on my fuzzy butt."

The knife slipped through the skin, separating it quickly. Xena was peripherally aware of a heavy body hitting the floor, and she guessed someone had passed out. Then two more thuds followed. "At least it’s gonna be quieter." She muttered, as she cut through the next layer, then put her knife down as a squirming form moved under her hand. "Okay.. " She gently lifted the first baby out and handed it to Elaini, then reached in for the second, having to twist it around to pull it clear. "That was the problem." She murmured, as she gave the second baby over to Renas, then made sure she had the birth sac as well. "Gimme the gut."

It took a long time, and she had to put a pressure point on Granella when she started coming around partway through the process. The babies were cleaned, and swaddled, as everyone kept a silent vigil, some voluntary, others involuntary due to unconsciousness. "I think that’s got it." Xena finally said, examining her work.

"Xena, that was amazing." Renas murmured. "I’ve never seen anything like that before."

The warrior regarded him. "Yeah.. well.. be glad. I learned these techniques on the battlefield." Her voice was grim with memory.

"Really." The healer sat back, cradling the second tiny infant, who was gasping a little. "I didn’t know women giving birth were a common battlefield problem."

Xena just looked at him, as she dusted Granella’s incision with herbal powder, and put a light bandage over it. Then she lifted what was left of the water, now cooled, and tossed it onto her brother’s face. "Hey!!!"

Toris spluttered to life, rolling over onto one elbow and coughing. "What in… Hades’ Seven Levels, sis… what was that for?"

"Thought you might want to meet your sons." Xena commented, lifting a fist. "If not, I can put you back out.

Toris sat up, and blinked. "My what? His eyes went from Elaini to Renas, who were holding up two tiny wrapped bundles. "Oh.." He promptly passed out again.

Xena shook her head. "Must be a family trait I never knew about." She muttered softly, checking her work, then releasing the pressure points. "Okay… done."

Granella stirred, then moaned, reaching for her stomach. Xena caught her hands. "Gran…." She was aware of Solari moving closer, and she gave her a quick look. "She’s gonna be okay."

Solari rubbed her head. "Yeah… can you look at my skull next? I think I cracked it on that chair." She put a hand on Xena’s arm. "Did I hear right? Gabrielle had her baby?" She gave Xena a poke in the shoulder. "You centaur’s puss… how come you didn’t tell us?"

Xena gave her a look. "It was Gabrielle’s decision." She answered. "You know she hates fusses…besides, you all were busy." She patted Granella’s cheek. "Gran.. c’mon…"

Slowly the gray eyes fluttered open. "Oh…gods… " The dark haired Amazon whispered. "Wh…" She reached for her stomach again, but Xena stopped her. "What hap…wh… "

"Hey.. it’s okay." The warrior motioned Elaini forward. "Look… see what we found?"

Granella’s eyes slowly focused on the squirming bundle. "Oh…is…where.. "

Renas moved without prompting, handing over the second infant. "Here you go… son number two." He settled the tiny baby in her arms and sat back, sighing with relief. "They’re small, but they’re healthy."

"Oh… " Granella’s exhausted face creased into a weary smile, as the baby made a small noise, and pawed at her face with one hand. "I can’t believe it… " She looked up at Xena. "Scar like Eph’s, huh?" She laughed weakly. "Thanks, Xena.. sorry I gave you such a hard time." Her eyes wandered. "Everyone.. such a hard time." A pause. "Speaking of which.. where’s Tor?"

"Here." The dark haired man pushed himself to a sitting position, startled when Elaini deposited his son in his arms. "Oh…gosh… " The baby kicked, and squalled as he juggled it, then settled down. "Wow." He looked up at his sister. "It’s a boy."

Xena peered at the child. "Oh yeah." She agreed, then pointed. "So’s that one." Then she smiled. "And they’ve got a little girl cousin they can play with soon… Gabrielle delivered a few candlemarks ago."

"What?" Toris stared at her.

"That little sneak!" Granella tickled her son’s chin. "She did it early just to spite me… so I wouldn’t be able to tease her that I was done, and she was still suffering." Her eyes flicked to Xena’s face. "She doing okay?"

Xena put away the drugs and supplies, then settled back on her heels. "She’s doing fine… and the baby’s very healthy."

"Well.. it’s been quite a night, then." Renas broke the silence. "I’ll go take a look at Gabrielle, though if you were with her, Xena, I know there’s no need for me do to it other than as a friend." He stood, and brushed his hands off. "It’s a girl?"

The warrior nodded. "Yep… sure is." She looked up, and caught her mother gazing at her. Cyrene pursed her lips, then followed Renas outside. Xena watched them go, then turned her eyes back to Granella. "We named her Doriana." She glanced at Toris, then at Granella. "You guys pick names yet?"

Toris was sitting, spellbound, as his son reached a fist up blindly and caught his beard. "What?" He blinked at his sister. "Oh… um… "

"We have a short list." Granella said softly, running a hand over the wisps of pale hair on her son’s head. Her face tensed. "Any chance of something for that little nick you gave me?" She looked up as the pale morning sun entered the window.

"Yeah." Xena mixed a cup for her. "Don’t try to move around, Gran… you can have a cup of this twice, maybe three times a day… and it’ll take a few days until it starts healing up."

The Amazon let her head drop back on the pillow. "Don’t worry.. I’m not going anywhere." She said quietly. "Congratulate Gabrielle for me, would you?"

Xena was about to answer, but a familiar presence made itself known at her back, and she let out a long sigh. "Tell her yourself." The warrior shook her head, as the door opened, and a familiar pale head poked itself inside.

"Hey." Gabrielle edged inside. "How are you doing?" She pushed her hood back and walked slowly over to where Xena was kneeling, resting a hand on her shoulder for balance. "I was worried about you Gran… Renas said Xena had to… " Her eyes drifted to the two little babies. "I guess it worked out." She smiled at the infants, then at her soulmate. "I should have known it would."

"You’re supposed to be resting." The warrior glared at her.

Gabrielle delivered an affectionate kiss to the top of her dark head. "Renas and Grandma wanted a few minutes with Dori.. and I needed a little fresh air." She looked around at the watching Amazons. "I bet Granella could use some breakfast." She told them pointedly.

Boots scuffled as they exited. Elaini stood and stretched. "I’m going to let Jess in on the news… he was so excited. He loves babies."

Gabrielle chuckled. "He was just by, as a matter of fact…I think Dori spotted him as a large, talking toy." Her eyes met Elaini’s. "He wanted to congratulate us." She put the faintest hint of stress on the us, and saw the sweet smile crease Elaini’s muzzle. "Thank you."

The forest dweller winked at her then rolled her eyes. "Like I said, he loves babies.. Not that we don’t have enough of them… and you all will do me a favor, okay? If he mentions wanting more of his own, kick him." She winked at Gabrielle on the way out. "And I have to go see your little pup." The forest dweller exited, leaving the four of them alone.

Toris stood, balancing carefully, and walked to Granella’s side, seating himself on a small stool and rocking his son gently. "This is amazing."

Granella sighed. "Glad you think so ." She looked up wryly at Gabrielle. "Let me guess… you had an easy time of it."

Gabrielle gave her a direct look, and settled her hands on her hips. "Given what happened last time, I think I was due." She told Granella bluntly, getting a mildly startled look from her soulmate. "I don’t mean to be rude or anything… but I’m getting a little tired of apologizing for that."

The Amazon dropped her gaze. "Yeah, I guess you are…sorry." She gave the bard an apologetic look. "Little girl, huh?" She indicated her son, and his twin. "Gave her some playmates."

The atmosphere relaxed, and Gabrielle eased forward, kneeling carefully and taking a tiny fist in her hands. "Oh… they’re adorable."

"Xena… we wanted to talk guys to you before we… " Toris hesitated and looked at Granella, then cleared his throat. "We were talking… about names and stuff. And we’d like to name one of these little guys after Ly."

The warrior glanced puzzledly at him. "You don’t need to ask me about that, Toris.. I think it’s a great idea."

"No.. I know, but.. " He looked at Granella. "I mean, since you guys had a girl and all.. "

Granella hitched herself up a little. "What he’s dancing around is that if it’s okay with you, we’d like to name the other one Solon."

Gabrielle instinctively reached behind her, and captured Xena’s hand, feeling the gentle tremor in it. Their eyes met, and without any speech, understanding was passed effortlessly. "That’s a really beautiful, generous thought." The bard said softly.

"I’d like that very much." Xena added just as quietly. So it comes full circle. I guess that’s fitting.

Toris smiled, and settled his son on his knees. "With Jessan settling here… can you imagine what it’s going to be like when all these tykes start running around? " He chuckled, obviously pleased by his sister’s agreement. "We’re gonna have to give his two nicknames."

"Well… at least all the birthdays fall at once." Gabrielle commented, with a grin. "We can do one mass party." She leaned back, and exhaled as Xena’s arms circled her. "And with Ephiny permanently stationing a rotating group of Amazons here… we’ve got an endless supply of babysitters." She grinned. "Neat, huh?"

Gran cocked her head. "Hmm…. I didn’t think of that…good point." She paused. "Though.. I dunno.. Pony babysitting.. that’s pretty damn scary." Her voice took on a hint of amusement. " You know she and Eph are headed up here, doncha?"

"Aunt Ephiny, three times over." Gabrielle grinned. "And Aunt Pony… they’re going to go nuts." Then she turned to Xena. "Hey.. maybe they’ll bring Paladia along.. and I can have her do a sketch of Dori. " She paused. "And you."

"Gabrielle… you’ve got enough sketches of me." Xena gave her soulmate a dour look. "That kid’s got some kind of imagination."

The bard ruffled her hair affectionately. "She just draws what she sees, Xena… and those pictures match what I remember… especially that one of you leaning against that tree in that Amazon outfit." Gabrielle waggled her eyebrows. "I like that one… I can’t understand why you won’t let me hang it over the mantle."

"Gabrielle." Xena sighed.

"I haven’t seen that one." Granella’s voice took on a more interested tone. "Next time you wander over, bring it, willya?"

Yells sounded outside, and Xena’s head lifted, as alerts came in from the outposts around the village. She sighed. "Never a damn dull moment…" Her eyes fell on her soulmate. "Stay here." A pause. "Please?"

Gabrielle let her wonder for a second, then she grinned. "Okay… be careful." She held out her hands as Toris also rose, and took the other twin. "Maybe you should stay here too, Toris… last time you almost broke your leg."

He gave her a wry look, then followed his sister out the door.

Gabrielle cradled the tiny infant, amazed at how much smaller he was than Dori. He had a thin cap of sandy pale hair and little, wizened face. She cooed at him, then looked up at Granella. "That stuff kicking in yet?"

The Amazon nodded, exhaling and regarding her ruefully. "I’ve been acting like an ass, haven’t I?"

"Um…. " The bard tried to find tact somewhere.

"Yes, I have…especially to you, lately." Granella told her. "You didn’t deserve that, and it sucks, Gabrielle.. not just because you’re my queen, and my sister in law, but because I regard you as a friend." She paused awkwardly. "I’m sorry."

The bard shifted a little wincing. "Xena says that happens sometimes when you’re pregnant… it’s like your brain enters a different realm or something.. and you just react because you’re so uncomfortable, and so freaked out… we had to deal with that too." She hesitated. "Only with us, it’s always more complicated, because there’s so much between us already, we had to stop and sit back, and say ‘wait a minute, this is not us, this is the baby’ a few times."

Granella sighed, easing her newborn to one side. "It was like I was a different person." She admitted. "Everything bothered me… and I guess I was really jealous of you… I mean, we basically got pregnant about the same time, and it was like it didn’t even affect you until the last few months."

Gabrielle nodded reflectively. "Planning." She replied simply. "And besides.. I… well, for one thing, I had one Hades of an example to live up to… Xena’s respect means a lot to me, and she kept fighting in the field, leading an army until right before she gave birth to Solon… and even if she sat there and told me six hundred times consecutively that she didn’t expect me to follow that example, I…" She sighed. "I don’t think I’ll ever get over needing her approval in some things." A long pause. "Or of wanting her to be proud of me."

The Amazon swallowed. "Gabrielle, I don’t think there’s one bit of doubt about that…you just gotta look at her when she looks at you." She told the bard awkwardly. "You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone anymore."

"I know." Gabrielle stated quietly. ‘But it’s been a long road…. And we’re still traveling it." She changed the subject. "By the way… thank you for being so thoughtful with the names…that was great of you."

Granella smiled sleepily. "No problem… I liked both names, and it made Tor happy… damn… I think there was something in that stuff that’s putting me out."

Gabrielle gently placed one baby in the cradle, then slowly straightened up and retrieved his brother, settling them down side by side in the large, ornate wooden bed the Amazons had gifted them with. "Knowing Xena? Probably… get some rest.. these guys will probably be hungry real soon." She put a hand on the dark haired woman’s forehead, and smoothed the sweat-dampened hair back. "Sleep tight."

"Where ya goin?" Granella responded blearily. "Y’told Xena you’d stay here."

The bard grinned. "Yeah, but I didn’t tell her how long I’d stay here." She tucked the covers around Granella’s body. "See you later."

Xena stood and walked to the door, pushing it open with Toris right behind her, and moving out into the dawn light as she heard the rapid drumming of incoming hoofbeats. She looked around, seeing the militia already assembling, staves ready as the rider thundered in, pulling up and looking around. His eyes fell on Xena and he lifted a hand, acknowledging her unspoken leadership. "There’s a group of refugees heading in… being chased by some soldiers.. not sure who they are. I didn’t recognize the banner."

Xena nodded. "Right.. okay, you know the drill." She watched the militia separate and head for the inbound road, moving to either side of it and standing ready. She picked up an unused staff and joined the group, listening for the first sound of cartwheels. "Okay… here they come. " She yelled, and saw hands grip staffs in anticipation. About a half dozen of the best of her students were at the front, their eyes flicking down the road nervously.

The carts, three of them loaded heavily with people came in, passing the outer guard and hurtling into the central part of the village. As their pursuers followed, a strong, fierce yell rang out from the militia, and they ran to intercept, dodging the startled horsemen’s battle maces and getting in hard blows from the much longer staffs.

Xena ducked a spear thrust, and took a horseman out of his saddle with a sweep, then worked her way towards the refugees, putting herself between them and the raiders. She mostly did mop up, the last defense against the men who got through the militia’s lines, an end of the line where they stopped, or retreated, or got dumped from their saddles by the powerful sweeps of the dark haired woman blocking their way.

This is how it should have been. Xena decided. Me, just one of many, taking part in a common defense of my home, and my family. No different than anyone else.

That’s how it was now. She stood, and took out another rider, dumping him in the dirt and sending his horse bolting with a slap on the behind. She was just another village defender. No different than any of the men or women down the road.

A larger horse broke through, and thundered towards her, the rider evidently identifying her as a logjam. He leveled a spear and sat low in his saddle, presenting only a tiny target for her staff.

Just another defender.

Xena waited until he was committed, then she bolted towards him, picking up speed with every stride, then taking two last powerful steps and launching up into the air, sailing right over his lance and hitting him solidly in the chest with both boots, kicking out wards and sending him flying right into the side of the barn. She flipped in mid air, then landed neatly and bounced twice.

Well, maybe not JUST another defender, she wryly acknowledged.

"Nice one, Xena!" Blond Orrin yelled, shaking his staff at her. She waved back, then watched the raiders ride off, bloodied and shaken, carrying off stories of the defenders of Amphipolis. Xena twirled her staff with a satisfied flourish, then turned to see what the Hades the raiders were chasing.

And found herself looking at the remnants of Isaac’s people. Damn. Four families, she reckoned, as a tall spindly man she remembered from the village stumbled forward towards her. "What happened?"

"We… tried to find land." The man told her, nervously. "It… wherever we went, there was only anger, and hatred… many died." He glanced behind him. "We’re all that’s left… my wife and I, two other men and their families, and a few children whose parents were killed." He paused, and half turned, and she saw Rebekah’s pale, sad face peering out from behind one of the wagons. "She had directions here." He looked at Xena. "I don’t know if you’re an angel or a devil, but you can fight those people, and we can’t."

Josclyn came up, wiping his hands. "Greetings to you." He gave them an a sympathetic look, then cocked an eyebrow at Xena. "Friends of yours?"

Xena sighed. "Something like that… they’re just people looking for a place to live… can you get them settled? They’ve got some children with them." She considered. "They’ve got different ways than us, but they’re hard workers."

Josc laughed. "Different ways, ye say? Get on with you, Xena… between the furries, and the Amazons, centaurs coming in and out of here, not to mention Hercules, that con artist, his buddy the thief… nothing seems different to me nowadays, not even if they were to have antlers and corkscrew tails.." He held a hand out . "M’name’s Josclyn.. I’m the reeve here."

"Stephen." The man took his hand gratefully. "Anything you could do would be appreciated… we’ve been running since sundown yesterday, trying to get away from those men."

"All right then… we’ve got a new stretch of land we just opened up… c’mon with me, let’s talk." The reeve took his elbow, and motioned several of the villagers to help with the wagons. Four lonely bedraggled sheep followed disconsolately behind as they moved off. Xena walked behind the carts, and caught up with the last one.

"Hello, Rebekah." She gave the girl a smile.

"Hello." Rebekah whispered. "Your friend told me how to get here."

The warrior nodded. "I know.. she told me… I’m glad you made it."

A sad nod. "I’m the only one left.. " The girl told her tonelessly. "They chased our wagon down, and abba tried to stop them, but they just kept hitting and hitting… " She looked off into the distance, and Xena’s chest hurt from the hopelessness she saw in her face. "They took Ruben and Jacob… I don’t know what happened to them. " She looked at Xena. "Ruben was crying…he’d just been telling me the story of when you saved him. " She looked down. "He loved telling everyone about it." Her eyes lifted to Xena’s again, and filled with tears. "Why did they do that?"

Xena had no answer for that, but a voice gently floated from behind her. "Because they can."

"Oh.. hello." Rebekah sniffled. "You’re not having a baby anymore? Did they come here and take it, too?"

"No." Gabrielle ignored the discomfort and walked slowly along. "Our baby’s here… and I’m sorry about what happened to your family." She gazed compassionately at the girl. "People do that because there’s no one to stop them.. no one to protect people, like there is here." She put a hand on Xena’s elbow. "But I’m glad you made it." She watched the cart rumble way, with that sad face looking back at them, until it went around the bend to the new west section of Amphipolis.

They stood by the corner of the inn, as a cold wind blew in, ruffling fair and dark hair in pensive silence. "That’s a damn shame." Xena stated, softly.

"Mm." Gabrielle agreed. "Those poor kids." A pause. "You think it was those guys?"

"Nah." Xena shook her head. "Those were just punks." Long fingers drummed on a muscular thigh. "Merchants might know if there were slavers buying around here."

"Yeah, they might." The bard remarked. "Poor Rebekah… I can’t imagine how I’d have felt if they’d taken Lila, and killed my parents, even after everything."

Silence descended, as the wind flicked a few leaves against their cloaks. A hawk circled overhead, letting out a lonely cry.

"Couldn’t hurt to ask around." Xena finally said, putting an arm around Gabrielle’s sturdy shoulders, surrendering to a newly burnished facet of her infinitely complicated nature.

"Nope." A gentle, inevitable smile spread across the bard’s face. "It would be nice to reunite them if we could." Reflecting that nobility carried its own, inimitable addiction, even for reluctantly heroic, retired ex warlords.

And bardically inclined Amazon Queens, for that matter.

Xena let her hand rest on the wooden railing. "Families should be together." She agreed, turning her head and meeting mist green eyes gazing at her in loving trust. "I thought I asked you to stay by Toris." A sardonic grin chased the comment.

"I did." The bard tucked a hand in her partner’s elbow. "And after all the yelling died down, I came out to make sure you didn’t get yourself in trouble. You’re really good at that." She started a slow amble towards their cabin, and their new daughter.

"I’m good at that?" Xena’s voice rose in astonishment. "*I* am? Gabrielle, I think you’ve got that a little backwards."

"Oh no.. that’s just this fallacy everyone has.. that I cause all the trouble.. well, let me tell you, Xena.. I never got into any trouble until I met you." Gabrielle insisted.

"Gabrielle, you may have forgotten this, but you were IN trouble when we met." The warrior countered wryly.

"Ah ah.. no no no… that was anticipatory trouble, because you were in the area." One slim finger wagged. "It’s an effect you have… I never got into trouble before that."

"That’s not what Lila says." A dark brow slid up mischievously.

Long pause. "What exactly did she say?" The bard asked, suspiciously.

"Heh." Xena grinned.

"She didn’t tell you about that pig, did she?"

"Heh."

"Gods.. I can’t believe she remembers that… it wasn’t really trouble, though.. I didn’t mean to spill olive oil all over it before they were supposed to judge it at the fair." The bard sighed. "I wonder if they ever did catch it." A sideways glance. "But that was it, really.. until I met you, and then.. forget it."

"Titans."

"I fixed that."

"Morpheus."

"Not my fault."

"Bacchus."

"I don’t remember much of that."

"Laced nutbread."

"You can’t blame that on me, Xena.. and besides, it’s given you the giggles for years thinking about me and those damn singing rocks."

"Cecrops."

"It was a shipwreck! Give me a break!"

"Amazon Princess."

"I didn’t ask for that.. and did we ever figure out if an Amazon Queen beats a Warrior Princess? Oh right.. the image.. I forgot.. nevermind that. What else you got?"

"You married me."

"Hmm." Long pause. "Okay.. you got me there.. I definitely got myself into that one."

Boots crunched on the gravel strewn ground. "Hey, Xena?"

"Mm?"

"I think we both attract trouble."

"Well, we attracted each other. "

"That’s what I meant… what if Dori inherits that from both of us?"

Silence.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"We could have a serious problem here."

"Yeah."

"Guess we’ll find out."

"I guess we will."

The End