Domestic Bliss by Cheeya.

Bard's Note : This is part 13 of the 'A Life Worth Living' series. This is the superstitious one! lol! The entire series can be found at www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000

Comments/Constructive Criticism to [email protected]

"Oh no you don’t!"

Gabrielle scooped her daughter into her arms as the baby made a grab at Xena’s hand.

"Mama’s trying to sleep, Gabby."

Xena chuckled and opened her arms.

"Give her over here."

Gabrielle frowned as she handed the baby over.

"Honey, you’ve been up for three days straight. You need to get some sleep."

"I will, I promise. Let me tire her out and then she can sleep with me."

Xena lay back on the bed and lifted her daughter above her, swooping her back and forward and causing the little girl to giggle.

"Look at you, Gabby! Just like my flying parchment!" she said.

"Kite," Gabrielle pointed out and the warrior laughed.

"Sorry, kite. Where did you get that word?"

"It just came to me. I don’t know where it came from," Gabrielle replied thoughtfully.

Xena tossed her daughter into the air and caught her, shaking her gently and then tickling her.

"You’re a good girl, aren’t you?" she said and kissed the baby on the cheek.

Gabrielle smiled as she watched her lifebond play with her daughter and sat on the edge of the bed beside them.

"It’s hard to believe that she’s over a year old isn’t it?" she said, stroking her hand over Gabby’s hair.

"Yeah, it is," Xena replied. She sighed and looked at her partner, seeing that gentle look in her eyes that she loved so much. She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to curl up with Gabrielle and go to sleep. The previous three days had been difficult. Xena had gone to negotiate a trade agreement with another village but had run into trouble with a petty warlord. She had rallied the village’s defences and turned his small army away but she had been hurt in the process. The bandage around the deep gash on her arm was a testament to that. Gabrielle had been less than pleased when she had returned and when Xena had explained what happened, they had had a heated argument. The warrior had eventually been able to make peace with her though and now she just wanted to sleep, her pain and fatigue catching up on her.

"Gabrielle, I’m wiped. I’m going to get some sleep. Care to join me?"

The bard shook her head and stood up.

"Sorry, Honey, I can’t. I have things I have to do before the Amazons get here tomorrow. I want to make sure the inventories are done so I know what to ask them for."

Xena closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

"Hades, I forgot they were coming. Soli is going to want to spar with me. Damn her, she always has to try to prove herself against me."

"Xena, you’re hurt. I’m not letting her near you. You’re staying in bed. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it."

Xena laid Gabby down in the bed beside her and then snuggled into her blankets, smiling as her daughter sucked on her tiny fingers. Gabrielle kissed her on the cheek and then left the room, heading over to the inn to speak to Cyrene. Xena was asleep five minutes later, her hand curled protectively around her daughter.

Gabrielle woke up slowly and opened her eyes, recognising the warm familiarity of her home. Xena had finished the building work a few months earlier and they were now putting the finishing touches on the inside of the house. Bright coloured tapestries lined the walls and soft rugs lay on the floor, bringing a feeling of home to the wooden structure. The bard sighed and pulled back her side of the blanket, slipping quietly out of the bed and trying not to disturb the still sleeping warrior. She knew the Amazons would be arriving early and as Queen, it was her responsibility to meet them. She took a quick bath and then slipped into her Amazon leathers, chuckling as the feathers tickled her. Then she regarded herself carefully in the mirror. She had been keeping in shape by both sparring with Xena and helping with the building work and she was pleased that her body was still slender and muscular. She slipped her upper arm bracers into position and then clasped her gauntlets around her wrists. After one last glance in the mirror, she slicked back her wet hair and then shook her head, tossing her short blonde locks.

"Yep, still prefer the tousled look," she muttered.

"Me too," came a silky voice from across the room and Gabrielle turned to find a pair of piercing blue eyes regarding her carefully.

"Morning," she said softly. "Don’t you even think of getting out of bed today."

"Yes, My Queen," Xena replied with a grin. "Believe me, Gabrielle, I’m staying here. I feel like Monday morning in Tartarus."

Gabrielle got worried and walked to the bed to feel her soulmate’s forehead as she noticed the flushed tinge to her cheeks.

"Xena, you’re hot," she said. "Let me take a look at that wound." The warrior nodded and lifted her arm painfully out from under the blanket. Gabrielle removed the bandage and winced at the wound’s angry, red appearance. "Xena, this is infected."

"Thought as much. I feel sick to my stomach too. It’s full of poison, Gabrielle. You’re going to have to lance it."

"I hate this part," Gabrielle said under her breath as she went to get Xena’s healer bag. She had done this many times for her partner for many different injuries but it didn’t get any easier. She lit a candle and carried it to the side of the bed before retrieving the supplies she needed.

"Do you want something to bite down on?" she asked and Xena nodded.

"There’s a strip of leather in the bag. That will do. I don’t want to wake Gabby up."

The bard placed the leather between the warrior’s teeth and then sucked in a long breath.

"Ok, here we go," she whispered and grasped a sharp knife in her hand. She ran it through the candle flame a number of times and then pressed it against the scab over the wound. Xena bit down hard but made no sound as the scab broke open and began to ooze a mixture of poison and blood. Gabrielle placed a clean cloth pad over the wound and went to get some water to wash it out. When she returned, Xena’s face was pale and covered in a thin film of sweat. Her fever was getting worse and her body was trembling as cold chills ran up and down her spine. Gabrielle washed the wound clean and then sewed it up, using tiny stitches and tying each one off carefully before proceeding to the next.

"How are you doing?" she asked as she wrapped a fresh bandage around her lifebond’s arm and Xena removed the leather from between her teeth, blowing out the breath she had unconsciously been holding. She had almost completely bitten through it.

"Fine, thanks," she said softly. Gabrielle dampened another clean cloth and gently wiped the sweat away from her face and chest.

"No you’re not but you will be soon, Honey. Just relax and get some sleep. I have to meet the Amazons but I’ll be back to check on you later, ok?"

"Ok," Xena replied and watched as her soulmate left the room. Once she was out of sight, Xena collapsed back in total exhaustion. The pain had been excruciating and she could feel the fever eating away at her strength with each passing chill. "Damn," she cursed softly, "Not now."

Gabrielle adjusted her gauntlet and waited for the first glimpse of the Amazons. She didn’t have to wait long and she walked out to meet them. They knelt before her and she greeted them in the traditional Amazon way.

"Arise and greet your Queen," she said and they all got up. "I hate that line," she stated and they chuckled. It was a small party, only six Amazons in total, including Solari, Eponin and a young warrior named Mara, whom Gabrielle had met at her and Xena’s joining ceremony. She didn’t recognise the others so Solari introduced them one by one. Once the formalities were over with, they walked slowly through Amphipolis to the inn.

"So, how have things been since we were last at the village," the bard asked and Solari frowned.

"Same old, same old," she replied. "Boring as usual. Haven’t been in a good fight in ages. I’ve been looking forward to sparring with Xena. Where is the old warhorse anyway?"

Gabrielle shook her head and sighed.

"She’s very sick, Solari. She took a wound in the arm and it got infected. She has a bad fever."

The dark Amazon could see the worry in the bard’s eyes and she wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"She’ll be fine. She’s a tough woman," she said softly.

"Solari’s right," Eponin agreed. "She’ll be back scowling at us and dumping us on our butts in no time."

"You’re right, of course," Gabrielle replied with a smile. "I’ve seen Xena fight twenty soldiers with a high fever."

She glanced at their house as she passed and Eponin chuckled.

"Go check on her, Gabrielle. We’ll wait here."

"I’ll be right back," the bard said and ran to the house. When she got there, Xena wasn’t in bed. Gabrielle frowned and walked to the door of the bathroom.

"Xena, you could have waited for me to help you. I told you I’d be…" She trailed off as she saw the warrior lying face down on the floor. "Xena?" she said and knelt down beside her lifebond’s prostrate form. She rolled her over and was terrified when she saw the sweat covering the warrior’s entire body. Her shift was soaked through and her skin was burning.

"Solari! Eponin!" she yelled and she heard pounding boot steps as the Amazons entered the house at a run. Gabby started to cry but Gabrielle couldn’t leave Xena. Mara picked up the baby and carried her outside.

"Gabrielle?"

"In here!"

The two women dropped to the floor beside her and Solari felt Xena's forehead.

"She’s burning up. Help me get her back into bed."

They lifted the warrior between them and returned her to the bed. Gabrielle pulled the blanket up over her but Eponin shook her head.

"No, we need to cool her down. Gabrielle, get as much cold water as you can and a load of cloths. I think she’s been poisoned. We have to bring her body temperature down."

Gabrielle grabbed a bucket from beside the door and ran to the well. She quickly filled it and ran back to the house. Solari had found an old sheet and she was tearing it into strips.

"Help me get her shift off," Eponin said and lifted Xena so Gabrielle could pull the garment off over her head. Solari threw the strips of cloth into the bucket and then wrung them out, handing them one by one to Gabrielle and Eponin.

"Lay them over her body, Gabrielle," Poni said and they quickly covered Xena with the cool cloths.

The warrior began to stir and she opened tired blue eyes to gaze at her soulmate.

"I’m sorry," she croaked.

"For what, Xena?"

"I wasn't expecting it to be this bad."

Gabrielle’s eyes widened with shock.

"You knew?" she said incredulously.

"I suspected. I had double vision on the way back here. Gabrielle, it’s going to get worse before it gets better."

"I can’t believe you didn’t tell me," the bard whispered. "Xena, I’m your wife. You should have told me."

"Didn’t want to worry you in case it wasn't bad," Xena replied and then closed her weary eyes and fell into unconsciousness.

Gabrielle pushed the warrior’s sweat soaked bangs away from her face and shook her head.

"You stubborn, silly woman," she said softly. "You should have told me."

"We need to finalise this trade agreement, Gabrielle. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can start moving supplies. Amphipolis still needs those supplies, doesn’t it?"

The bard paced back and forth, chewing her bottom lip.

"Yeah, we need all the help we can get," she replied, glancing at Mara and then back to Solari. "Xena’s nearly finished co-ordinating the rebuilding and when she’s well again, we can organise to ship whatever we need from the village."

"How is she doing?" asked Mara.

"She’s getting better. She’s remembering more and more every day."

"That’s good news," Eponin said with a smile. "She’s going to be fine. I know it."

"Of course she is. I’m gonna have her look at the plans for the new blacksmith’s shop. We’ve had a request from a man in another village to let him build one here. He wants to expand his business. It’ll be good for Amphipolis."

"Fine. Gabrielle, if you need us we can stay for a while. Actually we could get some more Amazons to come here to assist."

"Thanks," Gabrielle replied. "I might take you up on that offer. Why don’t you send one of the other sisters back to let Chilapa know what’s going on. I’ll sign this agreement and she can take it back with her."

Solari got up and stood on her toes to stretch.

"Good idea. I think we’re done."

Gabrielle nodded and smiled at her Amazons.

"You’ve been so good to us. Amphipolis thanks you and so do I."

"You’re welcome, My Queen," said Mara and got up. "I’ll go back to the village with the agreement. I want to check on my kid anyway."

The bard smiled and squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Tell her Gabrielle said hi, ok?"

"I will," the Amazon replied and picked up the scroll. "I’ll be back in a couple of weeks."

She set off straight away and Gabrielle waved to her before going to check on Xena. Gabby had been staying with Cyrene while the warrior was incapacitated and Xena was starting to grow tired of being alone. She was still missing pieces of her life because of the fever and while her body was healing, her frustration was growing.

"Hi, Honey," said Gabrielle as she closed the door behind her. Xena smiled and opened her arms.

"C’mere!" Gabrielle went to the bed and lay down beside her soulmate, snuggling up to her. "I missed you," the warrior said, nuzzling her ear. "Hey, guess what, I remembered something this morning. I was thinking about the Amazons and I remembered the fight I got in with Queen Melosa. Chobos, wasn't it?"

"That’s right," the bard replied. "You fought as my champion. Wait a minute. I have an idea. Xena, you should read my scrolls. They’re in order of what has happened to us over the years. If that doesn’t jog your memory, nothing will!"

"Your scrolls?" Xena asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Yeah, I’m a bard, remember?"

"Right," Xena nodded, cursing herself for not remembering. Gabrielle went to her scroll bag and picked out ten scrolls from their first year together.

"Try these ones. I have to go, Honey. I want to make sure Gabby isn’t causing too much chaos over at Cyrene’s."

Xena nodded and then sighed.

"Tell her I love her," she said quietly.

"I will. I love you, Xena."

"Me too. See you later."

Gabrielle left for the inn and Xena unrolled the first scroll.

"Sins of the Past," she read out loud. "I sing of a warrior, more brave than Hercules, more skilled than Ares and more beautiful than Helen of Troy. She saved my life and became my friend…" She smirked and then grinned. "Hmmm… More beautiful than Helen, huh?" she muttered and then read on.

Gabrielle walked slowly toward the inn. She was tired, more tired than she had been in a long time. When Xena had got sick, she had taken over most of her responsibilities and now she was wondering how the warrior had done it all. She went over a mental checklist of everything she had to do later in the day but for the moment, she just wanted to hold her daughter. Xena still couldn’t remember exactly what happened at the other village where she had been poisoned and Gabrielle was still angry with her for not telling her in the first place. She knew that very soon, they were going to have to have a long talk, the main topic being the way Xena tried to protect her all the time.

"Dammit, I’m not a kid," she muttered and quickened her pace, trying to calm herself before she saw her daughter. She wasn’t prepared for the rush of emotion that hit her when she entered the inn and her little girl toddled to her. Gabby held up her arms and giggled.

"Mama, up!" she commanded and Gabrielle scooped her up into her arms.

"Hello, Cutie," she whispered and hugged her tightly, sniffing back the tears that threatened to fall. "How are you?"

"Xe?"

"No, Sweetie, Xena’s not here. She’s still not well but she said to tell you that she loves you."

"Xe," Gabby stated and pointed at the door, bouncing eagerly in her mother’s arms.

"Later, Gabby, I promise. Where’s Grandma?"

She looked around the room and saw Cyrene at a table arguing with a small group of men. They had tried to leave without paying for their meal and Cyrene wasn't having any of it. Gabrielle walked to the table and stood beside her mother-in-law.

"Is there a problem here, Cyrene?" she asked.

"I don’t know," the older woman replied. "Is there a problem here, Gentlemen?"

One of the men got up slowly and shook his head.

"No. No problem here. My men and I are going to leave and you’re going to be quiet about it, right?"

"You owe me ten dinars for you and your men," Cyrene replied, leaning forward on the table to stare at him.

"I suggest you pay up and get lost," Gabrielle said.

"And who might you be, Gorgeous?" he replied, reaching out to cup her face in a dirty paw.

"Get your hand off me," Gabrielle replied, narrowing her eyes in anger and jerking her face away.

"Who’s gonna make me? You?" he asked, looking at his men and they all started to laugh. Gabrielle handed Gabby to Cyrene and smiled.

"It’s ok, just stay back, Cyrene."

"Gabrielle, be careful," the older woman whispered and the bard nodded. She turned to face the man again.

"As a matter of fact I am. I’m also going to take those ten dinars you owe my mother-in-law."

Gabrielle was hoping that he would back down and pay up but she was sorely disappointed.

"And how are you going to do that, Little Girl?" he asked with a grin.

"Why don’t you come outside and I’ll show you," Gabrielle retorted.

"My pleasure and when I’m finished with you, you’re gonna wish you’d left well enough alone and that's before I have my way with you."

He strode out of the tavern and Gabrielle followed. Once outside, she stood with her hands perched on her hips, the cool breeze gently tousling her hair.

"I think it would be only fair to give you another chance to pay up and forget this," she pointed out to him.

"What’s wrong, Little Girl? Scared?" he said, leering at her body. She shuddered involuntarily and shook her head.

"Nope, but I don’t think you realise who you’re facing here. I just wanted to give you a chance to save yourself. Oh and by the way, I’m NOT a little girl!"

He laughed maniacally and drew his sword and Gabrielle bent to whip her sais out of her boots. She spun them in her hands and took her fighting stance.

"I’m gonna teach ya a lesson," he growled and lunged at her but she flipped to the side out of his way.

"Whoops, missed," she teased and put a finger to her mouth like a innocent child but her face turned stern as she concentrated on his next move. He circled her warily and her emerald green eyes tracked him carefully watching for the tiniest twitch to indicate what he was going to do next. She suddenly tensed and spun, dropping to one knee and catching an arrow in her left hand. The man who had fired it shook his head as his mouth dropped open in surprise.

"You’re Xena?" he asked, slightly in awe but the bard laughed.

"No, I’m not Xena."

"But I am!" came a shout from behind them and Gabrielle heard the familiar sound of Xena’s chakram heading for her. She stood still and the weapon split into two halves, which flew by either side of her head and then joined again to slice through the archer’s throat. Then Gabrielle ducked as the weapon flew back to Xena’s outstretched hand. The Warrior Princess waved and then sat down in a chair on their porch to watch the rest of the fight.

The man Gabrielle was facing seemed to have second thoughts and he held up his hands.

"Look, you never said I was facing Xena," he said, glancing nervously at the casually sprawled warrior.

"You’re not," Gabrielle replied. "You’re facing me. Xena was just evening the odds."

He stood staring at her and she grew impatient.

"Come on. Are we going to fight or talk all day?"

He shook his head and sheathed his sword. Then he pulled out a pouch and took out ten dinars.

"I’m not fighting," he replied and held out the coins in a grubby hand. Gabrielle stepped forward but Xena jumped up and leaned against the porch rail.

"No, Gabrielle," she whispered and then vaulted over the rail as the man suddenly pulled a dagger and tried to stab the bard in the chest. Little did he know that Gabrielle had expected this and before he even realised what had happened, he fell to the ground dead, the bard’s sai sticking out of his stomach. She shook her head and took the coins.

"Stupid," she muttered and grinned as Xena skidded to a halt next to her. "Feeling better I see," she continued with a raised eyebrow. She bent to pull her sai from the body at her feet and wiped it on the man’s shirt. Xena chuckled and perched her hands on her leather-clad hips.

"I thought you were dropping your guard," she said.

"No, really?" Gabrielle teased. "Come on, Xena. I’ve been doing this too long to make a mistake like that."

"I know. I’m sorry," the warrior replied. "I was being over-protective again, wasn't I?"

"Yep. You know, Warrior Princess, you and I are going to have to have a talk about your protective streak. It’s starting to get on my nerves."

She poked Xena gently in the ribs and then took her hand.

"Gabby wants to see you," she said softly and led her lifebond back into the tavern. Cyrene was standing just inside the door with a worried look on her face. She was holding Gabby but as soon as the baby saw her parents, she reached out to them.

"Xe!" she cried and the warrior took her gently into her arms.

"Hello, Honey," she said softly. "Did you miss me?"

Gabby gurgled and chewed on her fingers, gazing at her mother with shining, green eyes. Xena could see Gabrielle in her and hugged her close.

"She missed you both," Cyrene replied and then smiled as Gabrielle handed her ten dinars.

"Thank you. Did he just hand it over?"

Gabrielle grimaced slightly and looked at Xena.

"In a sense, yes," she said but didn’t elaborate further. The warrior shrugged and then sat down at a large wooden table. She sat Gabby on her knee and bounced her up and down making horse sounds. The little girl giggled and Gabrielle grinned.

"Now I think I’ve domesticated her," she muttered but one look into her partner’s eyes told her she was wrong. Her fire and strength was still there, combined with the darkness that lay dormant in her soul. Gabby was keeping that darkness well away but Gabrielle knew that it wouldn’t take much for the lion to awaken and rear its head once again.

That night, Xena and Gabrielle went to bed early. The warrior was rocking Gabby’s crib with one arm and had the other around her soulmate.

"Ok, so talk," Xena said softly. "I know you have a bone to pick with me."

"Xena, I feel like you keep things from me. I’m your partner but yet, I don’t…" she trailed off as she tried to put her feelings into words. "I feel as if I’m pushing you to tell me important things all the time. Xena, what if I hadn’t come back to check on you that day. That fever could have killed you. I don’t want to be a widow at twenty-five years old. I’ve been through that before and I can’t do it again. I can’t lose you."

Xena was very quiet for a long moment and Gabrielle looked up at her to find the saddest look on her face.

"Xena? What are you thinking? Please tell me."

"I… I’m always messing up. I never meant to make you feel that way. I never meant to hurt you."

Gabrielle stroked her cheek and smiled.

"I know you didn’t, Xena. All I want is for you to tell me when you’re hurt, or if something happens to you. Being lifebonds means that we share things and while I don’t expect you to tell me everything. I do expect you to tell me things that affect us as a couple, ok? Oh and one other thing. When I’m in a fight, don’t worry about me. I can take good care of myself. Don’t feel that you have to jump in."

"Ok," Xena agreed and smiled at her soulmate. Then she ran her hand down her naked body. "Gabrielle?" she said, dropping little kisses on her neck and shoulder.

"MmmHmm?" the bard replied, enjoying every second of her lover’s advances.

"I have something to tell you."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. It’s something that going to affect us for a very long time."

"What is it?" asked Gabrielle, slightly nervous.

"Weeeellll," Xena said with an evil grin. "I’m going to reduce you to a quivering heap of flesh and you’re not going to be able to move for a very… -kiss-… long… -kiss-… time."

"Oh goodie," the bard replied huskily and surrendered totally to her partner, body mind and soul.

The rooster crowed at dawn in the town of Amphipolis but Xena and Gabrielle were already up. The Warrior Princess was full of energy, even after their hours of lovemaking and she felt invigorated. She had taken Gabby for a walk and bought some nutbread for Gabrielle and when she got back just before dawn, she found her soulmate up and tidying the house.

"Gabrielle, let me help," Xena said and took a cloth from her. "You spend some time with Gabby and I’ll finish off the chores."

"Ok, thanks," the bard replied and sat down in a large chair to tell her daughter a story. Xena moved about the house, straightening cushions and dusting and as she glanced at her partner, she saw the huge grin on her face.

"What’s so funny?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You are. Xena, look at you. You’re doing housework!"

She collapsed into a fit of laughter and Xena scowled at her.

"Hang on a second here. Who was the one who did the camp chores?"

"I collected firewood and I did all the cooking!"

"Nonononono, answer the question, Gabrielle. Who dragged a log into a clearing every night for you to sit on? Who dug the fire pit? Who built the fire? Who buried the remains of the meal? Who washed the dishes?"

"Ok, you did but…"

"Ah, ah! Thank you. That’s all I wanted to know. I rest my case."

Xena smirked and then went back to her dusting. There was quiet for a few minutes and then Xena turned to her partner.

"Do you really think I’m more beautiful than Helen of Troy?" she asked.

Xena sighed as she finished reading the last of Gabrielle’s scrolls. Most of the pieces of her life had fallen back into place and she was feeling much better. She felt for the first time in weeks that she was back to herself but unfortunately that was causing a problem. She had to admit to herself that she missed being on the road. They had been in Amphipolis for over a year now and Xena found herself thinking more and more of doing some travelling. That night over dinner, she brought up the subject.

"Gabrielle, how would you feel if we were to do some travelling for a while?"

"I was wondering when this would come up," the bard replied with a smile. "Itchy feet?"

"A little," the warrior admitted. "I’d like to go somewhere different for a few weeks. Not too far but just away for a while. Like a vacation."

"Just the three of us?" Gabrielle asked.

"Yep, you, me and Gabby."

"Where do you want to go?"

Xena thought about this for a few seconds and then smiled.

"We could find a nice spot by a lake. Do some fishing and swimming. It would be fun!"

Gabrielle studied her fork thoughtfully and then looked back to her lifebond.

"Ok, let’s do it. How about that lake where you caught Solaris? It was lovely there. Great spot for stargazing."

"I don’t remember… where was that again?" Xena asked.

Gabrielle took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"You caught Solaris for Lyceus, remember? It was after we were enchanted by Aphrodite."

"Oh yeah, I remember now," Xena replied and then laughed. "That was a crazy day. Yeah, let’s go back there."

They spent the following week tying up loose ends and soon they were ready to go. They stopped by the inn on the way out of town and Cyrene was pleased that they were going to spend alone together.

"Relax and enjoy yourselves for a while," she said with a smile. "You both deserve it after what you’ve done for this town."

Xena shook her head slowly.

"I owed it to them," she replied. "It’s one more thing from my past that I’m trying to make up for."

"As far as the people of Amphipolis are concerned, you have," Cyrene replied tenderly and hugged her daughter.

"Thanks, Mom. We’ll see you in a few weeks, ok?"

"Ok."

Cyrene kissed Gabrielle and Gabby goodbye and they set back out on the road. The days passed slowly and they didn’t push themselves. They stopped by the edge of the road for lunch one day and Xena slid Gabby out of her chair on the warrior’s saddle. She sat her on the ground and played with her while Gabrielle prepared the lunch. The bard reached over to smooth the baby’s hair away from her forehead and looked at Xena in surprise.

"Does she feel a bit hot to you?" she asked.

Xena felt the Gabby’s forehead and nodded slowly.

"Yeah, she does. I’ll give her some water. Maybe she’s just hot from the sun."

The warrior poured some water into a tiny cup and gave it to her daughter to drink. Gabby waved the cup around spilling half the contents and Xena grinned.

"Hey, I have to walk for ages to get that water, you know!" she said, tickling the little girl. Gabby nodded seriously and then chewed on her hands. Xena suddenly realised what was wrong. She slid her finger into Gabby’s mouth and felt her gums.

"Uhuh," she stated.

"What?" asked Gabrielle worriedly.

"She’s hot because she’s getting another tooth. I can feel it," Xena replied.

"Oh. Well, that’s great," the bard said with a smile.

"Sure is. You’re such a good girl," said Xena and kissed her daughter. Gabrielle hugged her and Xena threw her arms around both of them. They were both so happy and proud of their daughter.

"Oh, look at the happy scene. You two make me want to puke!" said a voice behind them.

Xena and Gabrielle whirled around to find Ares standing behind them. The bard sneered at him.

"What in Hades to you want?" she said, a look of disdain on her face.

"Funny you should ask that, Gabrielle. I have been considering whom to pick as Xena’s heir. You see I’ve given up on ever getting you back, Xena, so I guess it’s about time that I put you behind me. I have someone in mind but the only way I’ll know is if she can defeat her enemies in battle. Let’s face it. The God of War can’t have a weak female at his side can he?"

"Guess not," Xena replied, through gritted teeth.

Ares took a step forward.

"Are you willing to do this to get me off your back once and for all?"

"I’ll do anything to get you off my back. Who am I going to fight anyway?"

"Well, that’s the thing," said Ares. "There will be three tests each. You’re going too, Gabrielle"

"Me?" Gabrielle asked in shock.

Xena snarled.

"No way. There’s no way I’m risking Gabrielle. You had you chance with her and she defeated you. There’s no way I’m letting her come with me."

Ares smiled wickedly.

"Well, I’ll just have to change your mind. Either you and Gabrielle fight or you never see your daughter again."

He pointed at Gabby and she disappeared. Xena completely lost it.

"Give me back my child!" she yelled and ran at Ares. He held up his hand and Xena ran into an invisible wall, knocking her back onto the ground. She jumped up and narrowed her eyes at him, almost growling.

"I hate that!"

"Xena, Xena, Xena," he said smiling. "Don’t worry, she’s in a safe place… for now, but if you don’t fight with Gabrielle, you’ll never see her again. You have an hour to make up your mind."

He disappeared in a flash of blue light. Xena lifted her head and screamed.

"Areeees!!!!"

Then she dropped to her knees. Gabrielle knelt down beside her and put her arms around her.

"We have to do it, Xena," she said, tears running down her face.

"I won’t do it. I’ll go to the ends of the earth to find our child, but I can’t risk losing you."

"Look, we have to do this. We could never find Gabby, Xena. Ares would make sure of that. We have no choice."

Xena looked into her lover’s eyes and pulled her to her tightly.

"No matter what happens, remember that I love you, Gabrielle. You are the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I love you, Xena."

They stood up and the warrior closed her eyes.

"Ares," she whispered and the God appeared before her.

"That didn’t take long," he said.

"What do we have to do?" asked Gabrielle.

"The rules are simple. Gabrielle, you have to kill whoever’s waiting for you, if you don’t you’ll die. Xena, if you kill who’s waiting for you, you get Gabby back. If you don’t you’ll die. If you both win you get Gabby back and I leave, forever. And to make it more interesting, you have to do it all on your own," said Ares. He disappeared in a flash of blue light and suddenly Xena and Gabrielle found themselves in a large but dimly lit room. They were in two separate cells and, as they looked out into the room, they saw a door at the far end.

Ares separated us so we couldn’t help each other," said Xena, putting her hand through the bars into Gabrielle’s cell. The blonde woman grasped Xena’s hand.

"We’re going to be ok," she said and smiled.

"I know," Gabrielle replied tenderly.

Suddenly, there was a creaking noise and the door swung slowly open. Gabrielle gasped as she saw a woman with long blonde hair step into the room.

"Xena," said Gabrielle in a small voice, "It’s Hope. It’s my daughter."

The door to Gabrielle’s cell swung gently open and she stepped out into the room.

"Oh gods," said Xena, her hand moving to her mouth.

There was a knife on a table just outside Gabrielle’s cell and she picked it up. She squeezed the handle hard and walked slowly towards Hope.

"Hello, Mother," she said.

"Hope…" said Gabrielle. Her eyes filled with tears and she held out her arms to her daughter. Hope stepped into her and hugged her.

"I’m so sorry…" the bard whispered.

"I forgive you, Mother," she said.

"I’m so sorry you were ever born, I love you but I hate you for what you did."

Gabrielle plunged the knife into Hope’s back. Her daughter looked at her, her same green eyes fixed on her mother. Then she died. Gabrielle held her for a long minute, rocking her and then lowered her to the ground, kissing her forehead. The bard got up and walked back to her cell. She looked at Xena and then turned her back on her.

"Gabrielle," said Xena softly.

"No Xena, please don’t," she said.

Gabrielle sat on the ground and buried her face in her knees. Xena could see the sobs wracking her body and wanted to hold Gabrielle and tell her that everything would be ok. Just then, the door at the other end of the room opened again and a man entered the room. Xena shook her head in disbelief. It was Marcus, her dead lover. He shouted at her.

"Xena, you bitch. It was your fault I ended up the way I did and you compounded it by letting me die. I hate you!"

Xena shook her head again.

"I… I… tried to save you. I tried." she stammered, tears in her eyes.

She walked out of the cell. Her chakram was sitting on the table where Gabrielle’s knife had been. She picked it up and squeezed it in her hand until the sharp metal cut her and blood flowed from between her fingers. Her eyes were fixed on Marcus. He roared and charged at her.

"For Gabby!" she cried and hurled the chakram. It bounced off the wall to her right, shooting sparks and flew at Marcus. He stopped dead and looked down at the weapon protruding from his chest. Then he looked at the Warrior Princess, whose face was stricken, and then fell to the ground. Xena knew he was dead. She turned and went back into her cell, the door closing behind her. Ares voice suddenly echoed around the room.

"One down, two to go."

Xena sat down on the floor, hugging her knees. She was cold inside.

"Xena? Are you ok?"

"Yeah," she replied, leaning back against the wall.

"You’re bleeding."

"It’s nothing," Xena snapped and then she softened her voice. "It’s ok, it’s not bad."

"Why is Ares doing this?" asked Gabrielle.

Xena frowned.

"He’s testing you. He still wants to rule at his side but he’s also testing me."

"Testing you? Why?"

Xena stood up and went to Gabrielle, holding her hands through the bars.

"Ares has always had a thing for me. I knew that he was angry that I left him but I thought he was over that. If he wins, he’s gaining two things. Not only is he getting the woman he wants, he’s also getting back at the woman he used to want. I’m not letting you go. I’ll kill Ares first."

"I’m hoping that it won’t come to that. We just have to pass all these tests and cross the bridge when we come to it. I’m going to kill the next two people. I realised that they’re only illusions. Ares is choosing people from our pasts because he thinks that it’s going to be too hard to kill them. We just need to remember that they’re not real."

Xena nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, we can beat this."

Gabrielle kissed her just as the door opened again.

"Guess it’s my turn again," said bard but her face changed as she saw who was waiting for her. It was Perdicus. She took a deep breath and picked up her sais from the table. She ran at him and he drew his sword.

"You let me die! And then you didn’t even have the strength to avenge my death!" he shouted.

"I’m not listening!" said Gabrielle as she fought him. He punched her hard in the face and she fell to the ground, fighting to stay conscious. Xena reached out to her from her cell.

"Gabrielle, get up, you can do it!"

Gabrielle yelled and rolled. She knocked Perdicus’ legs out from under him and stood over him, weapon raised above her head.

"I loved you," she said. "I still do!"

She plunged the weapon into his heart and then stepped back. Gabrielle just stared at the body at her feet for a few seconds and then she ran a hand threw her hair. She walked back to Xena, breathing heavily.

"This is getting harder," she said.

Again the door swung open and this time an Amazon stepped into view. Xena didn’t recognise her but she stepped out and picked up her sword from the table. She twirled it in her hand and took her fighting stance.

"This one is going to be easy," she whispered.

Xena trilled her warrior cry and ran at the woman.

"Alalalalalalalalalalalalalala! Cheeeeeeeyyyaaaa!!!!"

Gabrielle winced as their swords met. Metal crashed against metal and the Amazon cried out as Xena punched her in the stomach.

"Mother, wait," she cried.

Xena almost froze but managed to keep her sword up.

"What did you call me?"

"Mother, it’s me, Gabby."

"What are you talking about?" said Xena through gritted teeth.

"Why are you trying to kill me? I thought you were a friend of the Amazons."

Xena looked at Gabrielle in confusion.

"I don’t understand…"

Gabby put her sword down and held up her hands.

"I’m not going to fight you Mother. Wait, you look so young. Did I travel back in time or something?"

Xena was completely confused at this point.

"Mother, you know who I am. I’m the Queen of the Amazons! Mom passed that to me before she died."

Gabrielle gasped at this and Gabby looked at her, blinking in shock.

"Mom?"

"It’s me."

"Oh Gods, you’re alive but you… you… died when I was seven."

"Seven?" said Gabrielle in shock.

Suddenly, Xena spoke.

"You are Gabby, aren’t you?" she said looking into the woman’s eyes. "You have green eyes, your mother’s eyes. Oh Gods."

Gabby moved to hug her mother, but Xena stepped back.

"Wait here," she said and walked back to Gabrielle.

"I don’t know what’s going on here Gabrielle, but that has to be Gabby. How am I going to kill her?"

"I don’t know Xena. I don’t know what to say," said Gabrielle, putting her hand on Xena’s shoulder.

"Wait, if I kill her, I’ll still get her back as a child."

"That’s true. She’s just an illusion."

Xena nodded and walked back to her daughter.

"This is what you told me about isn’t it?" Gabby asked.

"What?"

"You told me years ago that Ares made you kill me when he was testing Mom. This is it isn’t it?"

Xena looked down and nodded.

"You have to do it, Mother," she said harshly.

"How can I kill you?" asked Xena, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Let me make it easier for you," said Gabby looking into her mother’s eyes.

She stepped forward and pulled her to her. Xena’s sword pierced her stomach and she shook her head.

"No!" the warrior screamed, letting go of the sword.

Gabby smiled and took a step back. She coughed and blood ran from the corner of her mouth. She fell forward and Xena caught her.

"Oh gods, I’m sorry," said Xena, laying her daughter gently on the ground.

"Don’t be," said Gabby weakly. "You’ll see later why this had to happen. I love you, Mother."

Gabby’s eyes closed and she died in Xena’s arms. The warrior stroked her hair gently as she sang a song of mourning and then went back to Gabrielle, who was crying.

"Ares, I’ll never forgive you for this!" she shouted as she walked back into her cell. Again Ares’ voice echoed around the room.

"Two down, one to go!"

"Xena, did you hear what she said about me?"

Xena’s face softened.

"Gabrielle, do you trust me?"

"Of course I do!"

"We make our own fate. I don’t believe that you’re going to die in five years time. I’m not letting you die."

Gabrielle nodded and smiled.

"I believe you."

Soon, the door swung open again and Gabrielle grinned.

"We’re nearly there," she said.

To their mutual surprise, the door of both their cells opened. They were both shocked when they saw themselves walk through the door at the other end of the room. The other Gabrielle still had long hair and her eyes were black. So were the other Xena’s eyes. The other Gabrielle stepped forward.

"I hate you Xena. You brought me to Britannia and you left me to be violated by Dahok. Then you made me kill my only child. You destroyed my life and soul."

Suddenly, the other Xena stepped forward.

"Gabrielle, it’s your fault that my son died. His blood is on your hands. If you had just done what I said, none of this would ever have happened."

Xena looked at her Gabrielle.

"This is the easy part," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"We killed that hate a long time ago. We forgave each other. This is the perfect opportunity to bury it too."

Gabrielle nodded and hugged her Warrior Princess. They picked up their weapons and ran at their evil counterparts. They made short work of them and plunged their weapons into their hearts at the same time. Gabrielle screamed as she brought the sai down on the Evil Xena.

"AAAGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Xena smiled and pretended to rub her ears.

"Hey, nice war cry!"

"Thanks. I just don’t understand why that was so easy. I couldn’t easily beat you in combat."

"Gabrielle, they were our hate embodied. We have no hate, so they have no power over us."

Gabrielle threw her arms around Xena and kissed her passionately. When they opened their eyes, they were back at the edge of the road. Xena looked around for Gabby, but she wasn’t there.

"Ares!" she shouted.

The God of War appeared in front of them.

"Ok, ok. Have a little respect for me. You won already!"

"We both won," said Xena.

"Aw, give me a break!" said Ares, rolling his eyes.

He waved his hand and Gabby appeared back on the side of the road. Then he disappeared in a flash of blue light. Xena picked up her daughter and hugged her tightly. Gabrielle kissed the little girl on the cheek. Gabby smiled at her mothers and started waving her hands.

"Xe?" she said.

"Yes, Gabby?" the warrior replied.

"Mama!"

She pointed at Gabrielle and bounced in the warrior’s arms.

"That’s right, Sweetie," Gabrielle replied. She looked at Xena and smiled.

"I think we’re free at last," she said. "That’s if Ares keeps his word."

The Warrior Princess shook her head doubtfully.

"Somehow, I think we might be seeing him again," she replied and hugged her soulmate tightly.

The End