Disclaimer:
The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Solari and Epinon are copyright © MCA, Universal Pictures and Renaissance Pictures. Use of these characters in this fiction is not intended to infringe upon said copyright.

Content Warning:
Angst and the inhuman spirit. This story contains adult themes, so if you are under the age 18, you already know the rules. Get out!

Note:
Sometimes evil must take a bow for its unyielding, retributive vengeance, and does so ever so gracefully.

Spoiler Warning:
Maternal Instincts.

Part II of IV in the series The Quadratic Equation. Began with Widows and Orphans

For good or for ill, life and nature are governed by laws we cant change. Epictetus

Here I sit, just as I have for the past three lunar cycles. High atop the tangled branches of the Eucalyptus trees I watch the village and wait...and wait...only to wait in vain. I have not seen her today, nor the day before. In fact, I havent seen her in days and I wonder what business keeps her away from the royal chamber--even at night. In a flash, a familiar twinge tightens by stomach; I violently push it away before it finds home in my heart. Considering my crime, I have no right to any feelings of jealousy. But the thought of Gabrielle...with another... I want to wretch but that would alert the Amazons to my presence. Glancing around I notice the watch is about to change so I slowly move amongst the upper branches of the trees. The Amazons dont climb to these heights, it would prevent them from scanning the ground for trouble. I dont think it has ever occurred to them that an entire army, properly trained, could vanquish them just by climbing higher int! o the trees. I make a mental note of that--just in case...

Where am I? My body aches as I try to lift myself from...from where? It is then that my senses ever so slowly come alive, alerting me that I am laying in a creek. My body is trembling with the flow of the cool water over my skin. I reach up shaky hands to my head; there is dried blood just above my left temple. I slowly open my eyes but realize this is a mistake; even this simple act hurts my already aching head. Having put aside that idea I mentally scan my body to search for other injuries. My right foot is twisted between two rocks in the stream bed. My inner senses also tell me that I am slightly twisted at my waist, both of my legs are in the water--which is why m freezing--and my upper body is laying on the muddy bank. My right arm hurts but I know it isnt broken, I must have used it to somehow break my fall. Gathering up more energy this time I manage to keep my eyes open and, turning my head slightly, see the reason for my current state. A rather th! ick stump of a small tree , covered in my blood is to my right. Now it makes sense to me. When I was crossing the stream my foot must have caught in the rocks and I fell only to hit my head on the stump. That must be what happened. But, why? Why am I here and where is Gabrielle?

I reach the end of the Amazon territory and slowly make my way back to the ground. The woodlands open to a small sloping ridge. Just beyond the ridge I can see where the grasses slowly recede to the sand that leads to the shore. I inhale deeply; the smell of the salt water soothing to my senses. A stab of intense pain in my head forces me to gasp and then it is gone. Its a constant reminder to me, maybe by Artemis herself, that my head wound is not completely healed--and there is a deeper wound still that needs amelioration. Sighing I turn westward and follow the line of trees; the grass is receding and is replaced by small dunes of sand. Once again, I spot my current home. Some time ago the ocean must have reached this point in the land because the ground gives way to a sudden erosion of the tree line. Slowly making my way down an ancient path I find the caves; the caves that still have seashells in them and clam shells remain embedded in the rock walls. I push! the bushes aside that conceal the entrance. I enter to find my oil lamp still burning dimly but I need to rekindle the fire to alleviate the dampness. Once this is done, I fall to my bedroll, using Gabrielles as a blanket over me. ve been tempted, oh yes many times, to open her leather bag of scrolls and loose myself in our past. How many times have I reached for the bag only to stop as the pain hits me again--not from my head but from my heart. It was eight weeks ago that I awoke to find my body twisted and in a stream. I only took an hour to get my memories back, revealing to me the savage brutality with which I raped my beloved, took away her innocence, and robbed of her of her dignity. Any residual anger left in me died at that moment, slinking away into my inner darkness, crushed by my own guilt. My own horror at the deed must have brought every bit of food ve ever eaten up to my throat; I wretched at the stream for three days, mindless of my own injuries.

****

What?!

The Queen rose from the throne and descended the marble steps. Looking at the Regent, she tilted her head slightly. You heard what I said, Ephiny. I want to lead a party of Amazons to find Xena.

The Regent turned from her and paced the throne room; the guards at the entrance shifted uneasily at Gabrielles announcement. Weeks ago their familiar queen had temporarily transferred the mask to the true queen and the village was practically factionalized on who would be obeyed. Ephiny knew this and did not want to make the problem worse, but her anger at Xena--no it was more than anger, it was hatred--threatened her friendship with the younger woman. She stopped her pacing and turned to Gabrielle.

My Queen, I know youre progressing well, the healer has assured me of your health... But you want to go look for Xena! Every Amazon in this city would kill her in an instant!

But I want a fair trial for her.

I would personally see to it that would never happen!

Gabrielle stepped down to face her Regent. I am the leader of these Amazons! Dont you ever forget that!

Your Majesty?

Both women turned to the sound coming from the main door. Yes? They responded.

Yes, what is it? Gabrielle sternly glanced at Ephiny.

The physician requests you return to the infirmary, my Queen.

****

I watch as Gabrielle walks across the square and enters the infirmary. It was six days from my last observation of the bard. A certain restlessness had invaded my senses since then and now the only word I can claim to define it is ‘ contact. I want my bard back; my Gabrielle. They have no claim to her, they did not rape her, I did; and its my responsibility. She belongs to me. Figuring the details, considering the extra guard posted at the royal chambers, is causing agitatation within myself. Some part of me, probably the warlord, wants to show up at the main gates of the city in my leathers and claim Gabrielle for myself. But the deep part of me, the well of my own guilt, keeps my body from moving. I offended, yes, but I am tired of feeling guilty for my sins--past and present. Havent I done enough to appease the Gods? How much of my own blood must be shed to cleanse the world of my memory and squalidness? That darkness still slumbers within; I can feel its rumblings every now and then. Like a dormant volcano that steams for decades and suddenly erupts, this is my legacy. I am darker and more lascivious than anything this world has ever seen.

My heart races as I feel her pressed against that tree. Hatred, bitterness and any other disreputable emotion is ignited within and all I want to do is hurt her. I want to hurt her for the death of my son. How could she possibly believe in that evil bitch, Hope. Why didnt she listen to me. Believe in my knowledge and instincts. I am slamming her against the tree and she dares to cry? This infuriates me beyond credence so I shove her to the ground and move on top of her. Ha! Our first time is not going to be as you wanted, Gabrielle. I tear and clothing ; the sound of ripping material causes me to flood. I never experience this sort of rush before; before I know it three of my fingers are mercilessly pumping into her without her permission. Fuck permission! She lost that privilege when Hope killed Solan!

I am sweating now, my fingers continue to rape her and the look in her eyes builds my excitement. Huh...you feel so good, Gabrielle. My nub, the source of my pleasure, is hard and stiff. I feel it grow longer the more I fuck the traitor beneath me. Oh, fucking gods, its about the length of my little finger ! I need to hump the bitch. I remove my fingers and push her legs open wider, suppressing my need to moan. I loose the control on my emotions as I grind my hips, feeling the small token of my pleasure move in and out of her. Bless you, Ares, I never thought d thank you for being my father. She is weeping and I dont think she realizes I am truly raping her with my sex...

****

A very stunned Gabrielle walked out of the infirmary and walked to the royal chambers. She did not hear the calls of the small party of Amazons that were following her.

****

My eyes are closed but I know she is watching me , I feel her humiliation and I harden my heart. Images of my son flit through my mind and I fill with new rage. My pumping increases and I can feel myself reaching the edge.

****

Ephiny, Solari and Epinon watched helplessly as their Queen entered her bed chamber and just stood there. Her eyes were glassy as if she were drugged and this worried Ephiny. She moved to step in front of the young woman.

Gabrielle? Are you all right? What happened?

Solari frowned. Did the healer give her any sedatives?

Epinon glanced at Ephiny before moving to stand beside Gabrielle. No. Why would she? The Queen hasnt taken them in weeks.

****

Oh, Gods... m coming, AHHHH...NOW!

****

Gabrielle turned to see her three best friends looking at her with worried expressions on their faces. She spoke but did not answer their questions. m pregnant.

****

Oh, Gods, what have I done? Gabrielle!!!!!!

The End