Circle of Life

By Melissa Good

Contact: merwolf@worldnet.att.net

 

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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 that trait 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.

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