The Dreams of Children

Written by TZ
Edited by PD Wonder

Part Six
Copyright December 3, 1998

See Part One for Disclaimers

After chastising Hope and straightening her laces, Xena quietly tread down the hallway to stand at the top of the stairs. In the common room below, she saw her mother and the triplets standing at one end of the bar and two men conversing at the other end. The innkeeper was watching the men with suspicion and the girls were whispering excitedly among themselves while glancing at the taller man.

At first, she did not recognize the two men, but when the smaller blonde one turned to smile at Cyrene, the warrior's eyes lit with recognition. Her annoyance at the untimely interruption was temporary although she still felt the fire of Gabrielle's touch coursing through her blood. She remembered better times when she still believed that becoming a warrior was still a sacred quest, before she altered the course of her life with one desperate decision.

Xena grinned wide as she dismounted the stairs quickly. She approached the men and her eyes took stock of the smaller one that seemed the same as she had last seen him. "Iolaus! What in Tartarus are you doing here?"

When the smaller man turned in her direction, he returned her smile and took her arm in greeting. "Xena...long time, no see."

The woman warrior smirked. "Be glad for it," she said seriously. "Who's your friend and what brings you to Amphipolis?" she asked as she moved around the bar and poured the three of them drinks.

Iolaus accepted a tankard with a nod before consuming half of it. "My friend here is Hercules...."

"No harpy shit," Xena joked with a wicked glint in her eyes; she leaned her forearms on the bar. Her fingers played distractedly with her mug. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her mother's disapproving frown for the foul language. She watched the innkeeper guide the triplets back into the kitchen. A moment later, the warrior's eyes softened when Hope bounded down the stairs to join her friends.

The smaller man simply shrugged and licked the ale from his top lip. "Heh, go figure."

Behind Iolaus, Hercules scowled as he laid his hand on the smaller man's shoulder, effectively ending the thread of conversation. "Iolaus," the demi-god's deep voice rumbled, "we're here for a reason."

Xena narrowed her eyes at the foreboding tone of Hercules' voice; she stepped out from behind the bar with her tankard in her hand. "Why don't we all have a seat and you can tell me why you're here," she suggested as she waved the two men towards a corner table.

Hercules nodded and took a seat where the woman warrior indicated. His glance turned sharply to see a small blonde woman with disheveled hair join them. His eyebrow arched in surprise when the small blonde woman leaned down to kiss Xena with passion-swollen lips.

Iolaus smirked when the smaller woman sat close to Xena. He leered knowingly at his old comrade and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Did we come at a bad time?"

The warrior remained silent as she draped an arm around Gabrielle's waist and pulled the bard even closer. She leaned back and let her fingers roam restlessly against Gabrielle's hip. Her right eyebrow twitched for a moment before she turned to Hercules. "So, this reason you mentioned...."

The demi-god cleared his throat and looked at Iolaus. "We were in Therma when we heard that Ares was amassing an army near here," he said. "We thought that we'd better help out."

Xena ignored Gabrielle's sidelong glance; she nodded at Hercules before taking a long drink of ale. "You're late," she remarked casually. "His army was defeated a few days ago."

Hercules could not stop from raising his brow in surprise. "By whom?"

"Xena," Gabrielle replied proudly, "and the Amphipolis militia."

"Looks like we aren't needed here," Iolaus remarked as he smirked into his mug. "Is there anywhere else you think a hero and his sidekick are needed?" he asked Hercules.

Hercules ignored Iolaus' question. Instead, he posed one to the woman across the table. "You defeated Ares' army?" the demi-god asked as he leaned forward into his chair.

"Are you kidding me?" Gabrielle asked. "Not only did she send those guys running, but she fought and beat Ares himself!" The bard glowed as she privately relived the now infamous battle. She felt a familiar fire begin to glow within as she thought about how magnificent Xena had looked in battle. "And that was after she rode a hundred miles and fought fifty of his fiercest soldiers," she added as she gazed lovingly into Xena's eyes.

The warrior fidgeted a moment in embarrassed discomfort before sighing. "You are exaggerating again," she gently reprimanded as her hand squeezed the bard's hip. Turning her attention to the men across the table, Xena explained, "She's a bard."

Iolaus and Hercules nodded as if they understood. They looked at each other, however, and shrugged their shoulders slightly.

"So everything is all right here?" Hercules asked, wanting to make sure that the army was no longer a threat.

"Now that Xena's back, nothing can go wrong," Gabrielle confirmed with a slow smile.

Xena rolled her eyes and kicked Iolaus under the table when he began to chuckle. "Actually," the warrior said with a frown, "there's still the matter of the army's commander."

"Where's he?"

Lowering her eyes to study the grain pattern of wooden table, Xena scowled. "In our local jail."

Iolaus lowered his mug and asked, "Do you know who he is?"

For a desperate moment, Xena felt as if she were flailing again through her father's betrayal; a strong, warm hand squeezing her knee calmed her. Reaching under the table, she returned the pressure in gratitude and revealed, "He's my father."

The blonde man squirmed under the warrior's intense gaze as he digested the information. "Why would Ares enlist your father to sack his own village?"

"Revenge, I suppose," Xena guessed dryly.

"For what?"

Xena arched a brow and glanced at Gabrielle; the young bard was staring at the men as if they were born yesterday. Returning her attention to her old comrade, the warrior asked, "Iolaus, where have you been?"

"Why? Did I miss something while I was gone? And where were you, by the way. I always thought that you would get the call. You were the best warrior in Lao Tsu's camp."

"What call?"

"The call to arms. Master Lao finally launched an offensive against Ming Tien in Chin. It was a long, bloody war, but we won," Iolaus replied as he reflexively closed both of his fists.

The warrior's eyes narrowed for a moment as she recalled events in the war camp long ago; Iolaus had been long gone from the camp when Cortese arrived. "You really don't know, do you?"

"Xena, don't," Gabrielle said in a firm whisper. "That's in the past."

Ignoring her lover's advice, Xena raised her chin and stared past the two men to the tavern door. Her life as a warlord flashed before her eyes. Her heart plummeted with each kill re-lived; her soul became heavy with guilt for being too cowardly to face death in the first place. "Ares wanted to get revenge on me because I turned my back on him."

Gabrielle's hand clamped tighter on Xena's knee. She raised her expressive green eyes to her lover and sent a message of love and support that gave Xena the strength to straighten her shoulders.

The warrior's blue-gray eyes turned bright once more.

"You mean he wanted you to command his army?" Hercules asked as he again studied the lithe warrior. There was nothing obvious about the woman's abilities. She did not seem to be overly powerful - her body was toned but not bulky with muscle. There were no weapons to show what skills she possessed. Her eyes, however, conveyed what attracted the war god. They were sharp with cunning, determination, and a bit of ruthlessness. They were cold with focus.

"No, because I did command his army. I was a warlord for seven years. I got tired of it and walked away," Xena replied. Her eyes became even colder as she considered Ares' refusal to release her. A sudden spark of fury melted that ice in her eyes; they became like blue fire instead. Mentally, she cursed herself for letting the god play with her life. She vowed to find a way to make him forget about her.

"Ares wanted revenge and Xena's father wanted her dead," Gabrielle continued gravely. "Neither of them realized that the Warrior Princess is a true hero. Now, Atrius is safe behind bars and Ares has sworn to never return to the valley."

Hercules glanced at Iolaus; the smaller man shrugged without a clue. The demi-god looked again at Gabrielle; his brows furrowed in confusion. "Who's the Warrior Princess?"

"Who?" The bard sighed dramatically. "Were you in Chin, too?"

"Actually…yeah. I had a debt to repay to an old friend. That's when I met Iolaus."

Gabrielle grinned for a moment and inhaled deeply. "Well, I suppose it's up to me to tell you about the courage that would change the world."

Xena shook her head and lowered it into the palm of her hand. All of her previous thoughts about Ares disappeared when she saw the glow overcome her lover - the one that she associated with a long tale of romantic heroes and gallant courage. "Gabrielle," Xena warned with a low growl. "Not now."

Looking around the empty tavern, the bard frowned until an idea struck her. "You're right," she agreed.

Quietly sighing, Xena's eyes narrowed, for she could almost see the plan forming in her companion's mind.

Gabrielle smiled engagingly at the two men. "Would you two like to stay for dinner? We're having a great mutton special this evening…with bread and a glass of fine ale for only three dinars."

"Food sounds great," Iolaus said as he absently began to rub his stomach.

"Great!" the bard exclaimed. "Just for you, we'll include entertainment."

Unease settled over Xena's features when the bard's plan became clear to her. "May I have a word with you?" she asked as she stood and grasped Gabrielle's arm.

The bard gasped as she was pulled from her chair and towards the bar. She refused to back down from Xena's disgruntlement. "Yes?" she asked calmly.

"Gabrielle," the warrior began, "I don't like stories about the Warrior Princess," she explained. "I don't even like the title."

"Sorry, Xena," Gabrielle replied with a negative shake of her head, "but it's who I think you are. I think the entire world should know about you."

"I am a warrior with a dark and bloody past," Xena said. "This Warrior Princess isn't stained with that horror even though I really am."

Gabrielle stepped closer to the warrior; she raised her hands to her lover's shoulders and gripped them firmly. "You're wrong, you know. The Warrior Princess does have a past, but she fought to escape that and she fights now to make the world a better place."

"All I've done is help a few villages," Xena pointed out. "Anyone would have done it. It was nothing special."

"Please stop belittling yourself, Xena," the bard pleaded softly. "You are special…to those you have helped and to me. No one else has your courage, strength, and knowledge. People like you are needed to make a difference in this world."

Xena turned her back to Gabrielle and laid a supporting hand upon the lip of the bar. Her body was tense and her knuckles turned white.

"Xena?" When the warrior did not answer Gabrielle's call, the bard walked around the taller woman so that she could see her face. "Have I done something wrong? If you really don't want me to tell the story tonight, I won't."

Opening eyes that had been shut tight against tears, Xena smiled tenderly. "Most of the time," she whispered, "I feel like I'm trapped in some dream that is going to end and I will wake up back in my army's camp," she whispered. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

The bard's fingertips reached out to caress the warrior's cheek as her mouth quirked to one side in sudden humor. "You let me be one of your soldiers," she said, recalling a fond childhood memory. "Remember that day when there was only you, Ly, and me? Together, we knocked down Toris' castle."

"That was so long ago," Xena remembered with a faint nod.

"That was the best day of my life," Gabrielle said. "Well…at least it was until you came back and told me that you loved me. And of course, there's bound to be another once we get more than a few moments alone without interruption."

Xena stilled her lover's response with a soft kiss. "You are beautiful, Gabrielle," she stated with awe, "inside and out."

The bard grinned widely and rocked on the balls of her feet. "So does that mean that I can tell the story tonight?"

"Oh, Hades…yes," the warrior consented with a wry grin. "But try not to exaggerate what has already been blown out of proportion."

Gabrielle jumped once before pulling her lover into a powerful embrace. "I love you, Xena," she whispered before rejoining the men at the table.

"Everything all right?" Iolaus asked.

"Oh, yeah," Gabrielle beamed. "Do you two plan on staying on for a few days?" she asked. "If so, I'm sure that we can offer you a discounted rate."

Iolaus shook his head in amusement and elbowed Hercules. "Doesn't she sound like that fellow we met on the way here?"

"The one with the beard and fake salesman smile?" Hercules asked.

"Yeah."

Hercules studied the blonde woman with a critical eye. His gaze became more familiar until he saw the warning fire spark in Xena's eyes. Clearing his throat, the demi-god shook his head. "Nope."

That evening, Xena was only able to make it halfway through Gabrielle's story before she had to leave the table. Although she truly did enjoy the bard's gift, the warrior became restive. Hercules and Iolaus continually stared at her and the story unfolded into something that she was reluctant to believe.

With each dramatic pause from the bard, the two men would look at each other and then to Xena; their eyes were wide with surprise. They studied her with intense scrutiny as if they were picturing her doing all of the fantastic deeds of the Warrior Princess.

Xena had enough of it, for it made her uneasy with her own denial. She knew what she had done in Carinoc, but she had never attached any heroic significance to her actions. She had done what was necessary to help Thesia and Beta.

Hearing it from Gabrielle, though, she almost began to believe that she was indeed a warrior born to smite evil and protect the defenseless. Her hope and her guilt fought against each other and she began to move uneasily in her seat. She knew that she had to get out of the tavern before the mental conflict drove her insane. She needed some place quiet where she could examine her own reaction to the story away from curious eyes.

Xena looked up and found Gabrielle's eyes locked intimately on her.

For a long moment, they simply looked at each other; the bard continued effortlessly with her tale.

Xena felt her chest constrict with a fierce love. Her warrior senses, nonetheless, detected that the other patrons were also looking at her.

Gabrielle broke the spell when she looked away; Xena's skin prickled with unease.

When the bard's gaze returned to her, she smiled apologetically to her lover; the tall warrior rose and escaped casually to the kitchen. She was about to breathe a sigh of relief to be free of curious study until she discovered that her haven was already occupied.

Xena stopped just inside the door and stood uncertain. She was caught between the common room full of admirers and one woman with her child.

Estepani was sitting at the eating table in the kitchen; she was rocking Lyceus gently in her arms. She looked up at once when Xena entered, gave her a withering glare, and then lowered her eyes once more. The younger woman shook her head and her lips moved silently as she spoke to herself.

Xena could feel the tension radiating off the young widow. She forgot about the story of the Warrior Princess. It was overshadowed by the renewed guilt she felt every time she saw Estepani with Lyceus. "I'm sorry," she said contritely, not sure if she was asking forgiveness for the past or for intruding on a quiet moment. "I didn't know you were here. I'll leave."

The widow's head rose quickly. Her eyes flashed with determination as Xena walked past her. Gathering her courage, Estepani cried, "Wait!"

The warrior stopped in her path to the door that led outside. She slowly looked over her shoulder to see what the younger woman wanted.

Estepani's fist clenched tighter over an object that she held in her hand. She had been out in the common room when Gabrielle began the story about the rescue of Carinoc; she could not endure another rendition of the heroic Xena. She wanted to remember the Xena to whom Lyceus had run - the warlord without a heart or soul. Without that tragic memory, she had no reason to carry her hate in her breast; she was afraid that without the hate, she would feel nothing.

The young widow cleared her throat and held her fist out. When she opened it, a medallion fell to hang from its chain looped around her finger. Estepani studied the gold token for a moment as she remembered a conversation she had with her dead husband.

The young woman blushed at the complement and snuggled into the arms of her husband.

Estepani studied the token for a moment longer; she swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. Focusing her attention to the present, she was aware that Xena had turned to face her. Finding the words that were sour upon her lips, she whispered, "He wanted you to have this." She extended her arm as far as she could. Her body was rigid as she was resolved to stay as far away from Xena as possible.

The well-polished Barilis token reflected the firelight in the room. It was a flash of light in an otherwise dark atmosphere.

Xena took a slow step forward; she was reluctant to take the medallion from the widow. She could see the obvious pain in Estepani's eyes as the younger woman thought of her dead husband. Xena's reflected the same as she remembered her little brother. "Why? It should be passed on to your son."

Shaking her head sadly, Estepani snorted derisively. "That's what I told him, but he said that you deserved it before him in the first place."

A million memories and thoughts ran through Xena's mind. Lyceus used to always tell her that it was not right that he received the token. Her younger brother always believed that it was meant for her. Xena, however, declined to share that belief.

She would not accept the token from Lyceus then, and now after all that happened in her life, she felt unworthy of the gift.

The warrior's brow furrowed when she saw her nephew's arm jerk in sleep. All of the insecurities that still lurked in the shadows of her soul mocked her changed fate. Even though she found her way out of the darkness, there were still people out there hurting because of things she had done. Just because she changed and found a bit of peace in her own soul did not mean that others were as lucky.

Looking at her nephew, she saw what Estepani saw - a little boy without his father because a warlord lusted for power and respect. Even after those ruthless days were behind her, she was still witnessing the results of her past. "What about the baby, 'Stepi?" she finally asked; a pain ripped through her chest and she raised her hand reflexively to rub it away. "What will his legacy be?"

The widow shrugged her shoulders and looked down at her sleeping son. "He has his father's eyes," she said before sobbing uncontrollably. Her arm fell and she cradled her face in her free hand. Tears slipped through the crevices of her fingers. They ran their slow course down the heavy links of the chain and marred the shiny surface of the token.

Xena was caught between the desire to flee and the urge to beg forgiveness. She took a few wavering steps and sat on the chair next to the widow. Reaching out, she laid a comforting hand on Estepani's shoulder. Awkwardly, she began to stroke the other woman's shoulder with small movements.

Estepani cried for what seemed like forever to Xena. Finally, the widow's sobs began to wind down. The warrior's soothing hand stilled to lie on a trembling shoulder. "If I take the token, 'Stepi, I'll only give it to the baby," she said when the other woman quieted. "So why don't you just keep it for him."

"I told him I would give it to you," Estepani managed to reply before she hiccuped. "I promised Lyceus that I would do this. Even though I never believed anything would ever happen to him," she murmured disconsolately, "even though I think you are the most terrible person in the world."

Xena's face creased with deep lines of grief and regret. She thought of her brother and the role she played in his death. Her soul cried out for Gabrielle to rescue her. Without the bard, however, she knew that she had to deal with this on her own. A moment passed as Xena gathered her courage to face her past and to atone for its results. Sure in her decision, she addressed Estepani firmly. "You did give it to me, 'Stepi…and I'm giving it to your son." Carefully, Xena squeezed the widow's shoulder in consolation.

Estepani realized then that Xena was comforting her. She felt the callused hand on her shoulder and shrugged it off. She tried to be harsh about it, but she was too weary to muster the anger any more. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, she sniffled once and raised tear-stained eyes to the warrior. "You want to give this to Lyceus?" she asked.

"It's all that I can give him," the warrior said as she stood and gazed upon her nephew with remorse and sorrow. Bowing her head, Xena went outside and made her way to the barn where she could be alone to fight the battle within her soul.

When Gabrielle finished telling her story of the Warrior Princess, she descended from the stage and walked over to the table where Iolaus and Hercules were eating. "Did Xena mention where she was going when she left?"

Iolaus smiled toothily and replied, "I think she mumbled something about getting some salt."

"Thanks," Gabrielle said sincerely as she turned to join Xena in the kitchen.

"By the way," Iolaus called out, "that was a great story! Is Xena really like that?" The blonde man blushed as he amended, "What I mean is, did she really do that?"

"Yes, she is and she did. Xena is one of the greatest heroes I know," she said with a rueful shrug to Hercules. "She faces so much and yet, she always comes out of it stronger. I don't know how she does it," the bard sighed. "There are times when I wish I was more like her."

"Don't we all," Hercules remarked guilelessly. "I agree with Iolaus…she is an incredible woman and you tell a wonderful story."

The bard bowed her head in meek gratitude and continued on her way. When she entered the kitchen, she found Estepani sitting quietly at the table.

The young widow was cradling her sleeping infant; she was fingering Lyceus' old Barilis token thoughtfully. Occasionally, she would sniffle or wipe the back of her hand across her face.

Quickly looking behind the worktable and back into the shadows of the far corners, Gabrielle searched for Xena. If the warrior had gone to the kitchen to avoid attention, she was no longer there. The bard panicked, thinking that perhaps Xena and Estepani might have had a confrontation.

Her eyes narrowed for a coming confrontation; she was tired of Estepani's biting comments and spiteful attitude towards the warrior. The other woman's attitude was driving her to the brink of her tolerance. It seemed as though Estepani accusing the warrior of killing her own beloved brother countered every step that she made with Xena towards a more peaceful future. Taking a step forward, Gabrielle was ready to tear into the unforgiving widow.

When Estepani looked up, however, Gabrielle's mounting fear for Xena's well being dissipated in the wake of warm compassion.

The other woman's eyes were bloodshot and swollen; the pain of her aching heart was evident in every vulnerable line of her face.

After pausing to adjust to her change of emotions, Gabrielle moved to stand before Estepani. She cocked her head as she studied the widow; she glanced down and smiled sadly at the sleeping child in her arms.

"If you're looking for Xena," Estepani said as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand once more, "I think she went out to the barn."

Gabrielle knelt before Estepani and laid a sympathetic hand on the grieving woman's knee. "You have to believe that the pain will pass, 'Stepi. If you don't believe that it will, you won't allow yourself to feel anything else." Squeezing Estepani's knee in support, the bard rose and then bent down to kiss her friend on the brow "Just let go of the hate and the pain will follow." With an encouraging smile for the widow, the bard left the kitchen in search of her warrior.

Stepping out into the night, Gabrielle wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed away the goosebumps that rose on her skin. Compared to the warm and inviting tavern, the air outside was chilly. Hoping to find some warmth in the barn and in Xena's arms, the bard quickened her pace.

Before she reached the doors, Gabrielle stopped for a moment to observe the evening sky. The heavens were clear of clouds and its majesty was inspiring. Twilight was settling over the land; Gabrielle was enchanted by the wash of blue and gold that painted a spectacular sunset. Taking a deep breath, she wrapped her arms around herself tighter and entered the barn's open door.

Quickly scanning the dark interior of the neat structure, the bard searched for her lover. She approached Argo and scratched the warhorse's nose, looking into the mare's stall for any sign of its owner. "Xena? Are you in here?" she called loud enough to make Argo back up uneasily.

Gabrielle lowered her hand and offered the warhorse a look of apology. The bard strained to hear anything besides the soft nickers of the stalled animals. There was nothing that indicated that Xena was in the barn, so Gabrielle turned to leave. Disappointment was vivid on her expressive face. She wanted to make sure that the warrior was all right and not being able to find the older woman was adding to her renewed fear that something was wrong.

The bard was about to leave when a general sense of connection stilled her retreat. It was all that she needed to push her towards the loft. Climbing the ladder, she picked her way through bales of hay to find Xena staring out the window. A wave of relief coursed through Gabrielle. She thanked the Fates that she would not have to go searching for her elusive lover. "I called to you," she said in mild admonition as she approached and stood beside the warrior.

"I'm sorry, Gabrielle," Xena replied as she bowed her head. Resting her forearms on her thighs, the warrior cradled her forehead in her hands. She had heard Gabrielle calling to her. In fact, she knew the exact moment that the young woman had walked into the barn. Xena was not sure that she was strong enough to reveal her weakness in front of the woman that held her in such high regard. She spoke tonelessly; her weariness and fear led to her blurted reply. "I just need to be alone."

"Oh," the bard whispered, "all right then." A pain gripped Gabrielle's chest. She stepped back a few paces and then turned around. All she wanted to do was spend time with Xena. It seemed that the warrior, however, was bothered by something and was reluctant to share it with her. Just then, the bard thought that all of the steps they had taken forward in their relationship were destroyed. Her anger towards Estepani, despite the earlier compassion, flared anew. She wanted to curse the widow, but a calm, rational voice inside debated such callousness.

Frustrated between compassion, anger, love, and helplessness, Gabrielle did the only thing she could think of. She granted her lover's request. The bales of hay began to blur in her vision as she fought to control her tears. Her shoulders slumped and she walked away.

As Gabrielle stumbled through the stacks of hay, her hands reached out to steady herself. She wanted to run away somewhere and shed her tears in private - like she always did. Before she could reach the ladder, though, strong arms grabbed her from behind. She stiffened slightly before Xena's choked words melted her heart and pain of exclusion.

"I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I don't know why I said that to you. I don't want to be alone. I want to be with you." Fearful of losing the one person that had always believed in her as well as the woman that she loved with all her soul, Xena sought to atone for her earlier coldness. She swallowed hard and hoped that Gabrielle would forgive her. She sighed in relief when the bard sagged against her body and relaxed in her arms.

Gabrielle closed her eyes tight as her body absorbed the heat of the woman behind her. Her emotions changed and shifted. Anger for Estepani turned to desire for her lover. Doubt and insecurity dissolved under the concern she had been carrying since her search for the warrior began. "Xena did 'Stepi say something that hurt you?" Gabrielle asked as she wiped fallen tears from her face.

"No, not really," the warrior replied exhaustedly. "I'm just having trouble with some things." Xena bowed her head until her nose was nestled in fine blonde hair. "I didn't mean to take it out on you."

The bard turned in her lover's arms and looked up into the taller woman's eyes. When she saw the pain and confusion that clouded their pale blue sharpness, her brow furrowed. She smiled slightly when she thought of something that might help. "Do you remember," she began, "when we were younger and we got into trouble with our parents?"

"You mean when you got into trouble with yours," the warrior replied with a slight smirk.

"Yeah, well…." Raising her arms to encircle Xena's neck, Gabrielle stood on her toes and kissed the warrior's lips fleetingly. "Do you remember what we used to do?"

Xena closed her eyes briefly as a flood of warm desire coursed through her body. "We'd go down into the valley and sleep out under the stars," she replied. She looked down at the bard and waited for the other woman to continue.

Gabrielle smiled in approval and nodded. "Do you still have your bedroll?"

"Of course I do, Gabrielle. I've been living on the road for a long time."

"Is it big enough for two?" the bard asked as her fingers began to play with the fine hairs on the back of Xena's neck.

Xena's brow rose; she chuckled when the bard blushed at her own suggestive tone of voice. "I think we can manage," the warrior replied huskily. "But what happened to yours?"

The bard snorted in derision. "Moths," she muttered. "I pulled it out of my old trunk last summer when Hope wanted to sleep out in the back yard. There were so many holes in it that it wasn't even good for rags."

"Poor thing," Xena whispered as she bent to steal another, longer kiss. "So what did you do?"

"About what?" Gabrielle asked; her previous thoughts fled before the heat that began to sweep through her body.

"Sleeping out."

"Oh, we used our blankets," the young blonde answered.

Xena winced in reaction. "I bet Mother wasn't too happy."

"Nope, she wasn't." Gabrielle thought back to that time last summer and grinned wryly. "In all the time we were growing up, how come you never told me how good your mom was at punishing?"

Xena chuckled as she released Gabrielle from her arms and helped her to the ladder. "You got chamber pot duty," she guessed.

"Yeah," Gabrielle replied with a shudder as she carefully made her way down. "It was disgusting Xena. Mom served her bean casserole as a special the next afternoon. By night, all the inn's guests were…well, you know. I've never been so grossed out."

Laughing aloud, Xena realized that the shadow that hung over her before disappeared. "She got me with that one, too."

"When," Gabrielle asked as she watched her lover gather the things they would need for the night. "That time that I put that dead rat on Agate's porch."

Gabrielle's face contorted with pain as memories of past pranks were relived. "Oh, Xena, we were so mean to that old woman. Why do you think so?" she asked as she leaned against a wide support beam. "Did you know that she didn't have any family? All she had was that little dog that we tortured so terribly."

Xena shrugged before shouldering her bags and hooking her fingers through her bedroll. "We were kids, Gabrielle. Sometimes we did things without thinking through the consequences."

"When she died, she had no sarcophagus. The townspeople were just going to bury her in the lot behind the mausoleums." Gabrielle took the bedroll from Xena's hand and cradled it under her arm. "Mom wasn't too happy about that. I guess she knew Agate since she was a little girl. She remembers what the old woman was like when she was happy with her family."

"Your mother or mine?"

"Huh?" Gabrielle's brow furrowed as she tried to comprehend Xena's question. "My mother?" she asked; her mouth opened roundly when she understood, "Ooh!" The bard chuckled softly. "I'm sorry. It was your mom. I guess I've been at the inn so long that I can't remember ever having another family. I've always felt like I belonged in yours more than mine."

Xena snorted as she led the smaller woman out of the barn. "That's only because my mother would bake you all sorts of treats."

"Well…." Gabrielle smiled with countless memories spent in Cyrene's kitchen. "I kinda liked being with you, too."

"You did, huh?"

"Mmm hmm." Gabrielle's knees nearly collapsed when Xena surprised her with another kiss.

Unaware of the storm brewing in her lover, Xena asked offhandedly, "So whatever happened to Agate?"

Gabrielle sucked in a long breath and held it until her pulse slowed. When she found her voice once more, she replied, "Mom paid for a sarcophagus to be made for her. We put her in the family tomb."

Xena nodded and exited the barn. "Sounds like Mother," she said. "I wondered whose sarcophagus that was when I went up there to see Ly." Xena set her things outside of the kitchen door and decided, "We should tell Mother where we'll be."

"I need to say good night to Hope, too," Gabrielle said as she grinned in agreement. She dropped the bedroll next to the bags. "Then, we get the entire valley and a sky full of stars to ourselves."

After saying goodnight to their family, Xena and Gabrielle set an easy pace towards the valley. Along the way, they were comfortable in their silence and each other's presence as the song of night insects lulled them.

Gabrielle shifted Xena's cloak over her shoulders; the warrior had given it to her to ward off the night's chill. She smiled when her lover draped a long, strong arm down along her back and a powerful hand rested familiarly along the curve of her side.

When they reached the last rise before descending into the valley, they looked over the expanse of peaceful land. The valley was falling under the seductive spell of the night. An owl hooted in the distance and a small herd of deer searched the far crest for a nourishing meal.

"It's hard to believe that just a week ago there was an army camped here," the bard whispered as her eyes searched for signs of tents and wagons. "It's so quiet now."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Xena replied as she looked over her shoulder towards the woods that were to their right. "We should collect some wood now before we find a spot to camp."

Gabrielle nodded as she looped the bedroll's strap over her shoulder. When the warrior began to walk towards the dark forest, the bard followed closely.

Within half an hour, the young blonde's arms were full of wood; she held the top pieces in place with her chin. "Do you plan on lighting the entire valley?" she asked dryly as she shifted her shoulder to keep the bedroll from falling.

"No, but now that we have enough wood," Xena said as she draped her bags over her strong shoulder, "I can take some of that off your hands."

"If you want, you can take it all," Gabrielle said pointedly.

"You always did hate wood duty," Xena deadpanned as she took most of her lover's burden.

"You could never cook, so I always thought we were even," Gabrielle responded with an impish grin.

Xena shook her head and returned the smile. "Come on, Gabrielle," she urged as she shook her face free of a stray lock of hair. "Be careful that you don't step in any animal burrows."

"Once, Xena…I fell once," Gabrielle replied as she kept her eyes on the ground although she wanted to sneak a look at the tall warrior by her side. "You can't tell me that you never fell in all your life."

"Oh, I fell all right." Xena slowly scanned the valley for a suitable spot.

"When?" the bard asked incredulously. "I never saw you fall now that I think about it."

Smiling intimately, Xena shook her head and replied, "I don't know when, but I know I did."

Not seeing the warrior's face, Gabrielle snorted in disbelief. "Would you mind doing it again so I can witness this anomaly?"

Xena chuckled and shifted the wood in her arms. "Gabrielle, all you have to do is smile at me and I'll grant your wish every day of my life."

The bard blinked her eyes against the deepening dark. Xena's words tumbled through her mind and she gasped when their meaning registered. "Sometimes, Xena," she said with wonder, "the things that you say just turn me into a puddle."

"Well, don't go liquid on me yet, my bard," the warrior warned. "I'd rather set up camp first."

The couple continued their descent into the valley. By the time that Xena came to a halt, the last of twilight had slipped far over the ridges. The night's sky was dark as pitch and the stars were bright pinpoints of light.

"There," Xena said as she nodded her head, "about forty feet to the right."

Gabrielle looked intently through the darkness and saw a relatively flat area that was free of the small boulders that dotted the valley. Grateful that their search was at an end, she hastened to follow her tall lover to the site.

Carefully, Xena dropped the wood she was carrying and eased her bags off her shoulder. She flexed her arms for a moment before taking her bedroll from the bard. Untying the heavy fur, the warrior knelt and laid it out on the ground. "Let's get the fire pit ready," she said as she smoothed the bedding, making sure that there were no uncomfortable lumps underneath. When Gabrielle failed to answer her, she turned to find the bard gone. "Gabrielle?" she called as her worried gaze pierced the dusky night. The warrior breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the younger woman was gathering stones for the pit.

"What?" the small blonde asked as she came back to camp; she carefully juggled several large stones in her arms and hands.

Xena shrugged when her lover looked at her quizzically. "I didn't hear you leave," Xena said as she stood and relieved the bard of her burdens.

"I still have it after all these years," Gabrielle replied with a small amount of pride.

"When did you ever have time to practice your stealth?"

Gabrielle knelt and began to tear clumps of long grass from a small area a short distance from the bedroll. "Hide and Go Seek," she grunted as she struggled with one patch of grass that was stubborn about being uprooted. She fought to keep her body from falling backwards when she finally won the battle.

Xena laid a steadying hand on the bard's back. "Pardon me?"

"It's a game that I play with Hope and her friends. I hide and they have to find me…only after they've gone off to look for me, I sneak back through their lines and go home." Gabrielle grinned as she began to arrange the stones in a circle around the patch of bare earth.

Xena smirked as she began to stack the wood within the circle. "Haven't they figured that out yet?"

"Oh, sure they have, but the fun is trying to catch me as I'm sneaking past," Gabrielle explained as she finished with the stones and wiped her hands on her short skirt.

"Then it shouldn't be called 'Hide and Go Seek,'" Xena replied. "Not if they always know where to find you."

Gabrielle crawled over to and flopped down onto the bedroll. She growled and squirmed around a bit. With a grimace, she rolled over and reached under the bedroll. After an exclamation of victory, she revealed a pebble that she freed from the dirt. The bard threw it off to the side; she lay down once more and wiggled around some more.

"Are you finished yet?" Xena asked with a knowing grin.

"I think so…no, wait," Gabrielle replied. She repeated her actions and tossed another pebble. She rolled around again when she was finished just to make sure that she got all of the stones from under the bedroll. "Ah, there we go," she sighed as she propped herself up on her elbows to watch Xena.

A spark briefly illuminated the warrior's hands as she struck her flint to light the fire. Another spark lit with the sound of stone hitting stone. The tinder caught and the fire began to grow steadily.

When there was enough light to see by, Gabrielle's breath caught in her throat.

Illuminated by the dancing flames that caught and burned higher, Xena's face was a breathtaking display of noble lines and curves. The warrior's eyes were almost translucent in their pale brightness. Dark, silky lashes rested on flawless skin when the tall woman lowered her eyes from Gabrielle's frank scrutiny.

The bard could not remember ever having been affected by the sight of her lover so profoundly. Pushing herself up onto her hands, she sat forward and reached out to trace the line of the warrior's cheek.

Xena's eyes flew open and widened at the innocent gesture so full of wonder and love. Her lips parted as she took a slow breath. Clasping the bard's caressing hand in her own, she raised it to her mouth and kissed it with undying commitment. "I'm glad you suggested this, Gabrielle," she said as she moved closer and joined the smaller woman on the bedroll. "This is exactly what I needed."

When the warrior lay down on her back to look at the stars, Gabrielle followed suit and asked, "Do you want to talk about it now?" Although her body was clamoring for attention, the bard wanted to give Xena the opportunity to cleanse the pain from her soul.

As she settled her shoulders to get comfortable, Xena folded her hands over her abdomen. "'Stepi gave me Lyceus' Barilis token," she revealed; her voice cracked slightly with grief.

"I thought you told him that you would never accept it?"

"I did tell him that," the warrior replied as she struggled to control her sorrow, "but she wouldn't let me refuse."

Gabrielle's hand searched for and found the warrior's. She conveyed all the strength she could through that bond. "What did you do?"

"I gave it to the baby."

"Is 'Stepi still angry with you?"

Xena sighed and turned her head to look over at her lover; the smaller woman was chewing her lip in the hope that things were resolved. "Gabrielle, I don't ever expect her to NOT be mad at me. She loved Ly a lot."

Gabrielle clasped Xena's hand even tighter. "I know that, Xena," the bard said. "I just can't stand the thought of someone hating you for something that happened out of your control," she explained with a small, angry pout.

"I was there," the warrior whispered in an attempt to soothe her lover's animosity towards Estepani. "It did happen." Raising the bard's hand and kissing the knuckles, Xena reminded her, "You can't keep everyone from hating me, Gabrielle. I did things that were senseless and unforgivable."

"I know," the bard replied disconsolately. "I just wish they knew you like I do. I wish they knew that the part of you that did those things is so much smaller compared to the part that is good and full of love."

Words became choked in Xena's throat as she tried to speak. The warrior closed her eyes and then opened them to see the encouraging stars. Clearing her throat, she reached under Gabrielle and pulled the smaller woman into the hollow of her shoulder. "After I left Ares, I was lost and confused. I wasn't sure which way to turn or if I would even be able to find my way home again," she whispered. "Then one night, I looked up at the stars and I thought about you. I remembered that thing you used to do when we slept out long ago."

Gabrielle's brow arched as she craned her head to see Xena's expression. "What made you think of that?"

Xena shrugged and pulled Gabrielle closer for a long moment. "I wanted to believe that the change I wanted was possible."

The bard turned her head and rubbed her cheek against Xena's arm. "Did it work?"

Xena bent her head and kissed the blonde's head. "Yes, it did," she replied.

Wordlessly, Gabrielle moved out of Xena's embrace and took the warrior's strong hand in her own. Lying back down, she raised her own arms and the one she held. Closing her eyes, she reached and strained as far as she could in an effort to pull down the heavens. By her side, she could feel the muscles in Xena's arm aiding her. In her heart, she fervently wished that Xena would find love instead of hate.

Together, the two women opened their eyes. They looked at each other and smiled.

"It does work, doesn't it?" Gabrielle asked as she pulled Xena's arm around her shoulders and settled in once more. "The stars do seem closer."

A fierce wave of love poured through Xena's heart and soul. Desire and devotion mixed in response to Gabrielle's honest wonderment. Realizing that she never wanted to be alone again, the warrior raised up to her elbow and leaned down towards her best friend and lover. Slowly, with no pretense as to what she was intending she lowered her mouth towards Gabrielle's. "That's only because they want to be near you, my love," she replied.

The warrior and bard's lips made contact and the stars swelled with a sigh. The tender kiss lengthened; the fire continued to cast dancing shadows across the camp. When Gabrielle parted her lips in a shy invitation, Xena accepted. Their tongues entwined and moved slowly across one another. When they moaned in unison, the heavens complied and fell to embrace them.

Gabrielle's hands slipped up around Xena's neck; she buried her fingers deep into the warrior's thick hair. Her body arched upwards in an effort to be closer to the woman she loved.

Obliging the bard's silent request, Xena lowered her body's weight gingerly. When Gabrielle hissed in surprise, the warrior sat up in an instant. She licked her lips that were burning from the passionate kiss. "What?" she asked; her breath was short.

"Cold," Gabrielle replied with amusement as she rubbed her bare abdomen. "Your armor is cold."

Xena blushed slightly and quickly removed her armor, bracers, and armbands. "Better?" she asked when she lowered her body again.

Gabrielle reached up to cup the warrior's waist. Tugging gently, she closed her eyes and hummed. "Much," she answered. The bard reveled in the feel of Xena's strength and weight along the length of her own body. She believed that she already found her ecstasy and anything more would surely send her to an exquisite death. A sultry smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she contemplated what more there was left to do.

Noticing the erotic curl to her lover's mouth, Xena's gaze began to darken with passion. She ran a thumb across the bard's brow, down her cheek, and across her lips. "Open your eyes, Gabrielle," Xena commanded softly. "I need to see how you see me."

The bard did as was asked. Her expression was one of absolute love; the tender emotion was laced with fervent desire. "We're alone," she whispered with need, pointing out the obvious and conveying her body's rising need.

"No, Gabrielle," the warrior said, "we're together." Xena understood what Gabrielle meant, but she wanted her lover to know that they would be making love together as two souls bonded into one. After saying the words, she demonstrated with actions.

Gabrielle groaned when Xena claimed her mouth once more. A fire raced through her body and consumed her soul. She no longer felt the chill that blanketed the valley; she had her own heat source that was devouring her inside and out.

Minutes passed by slowly as opposed to the lovers' heartbeats. Their exclamations of passion were muted as each woman's lips sought to wrest every flavor from the other's mouth. Their bodies pressed tightly together and began to rock against each other.

Needing more, the bard raised a hand to grip Xena's chin; she guided the warrior's mouth up and away from her own. Exposing her lover's neck, Gabrielle began to lick and nibble the tendons that stood out in relief. "I love you so much, Xena," she declared intensely as her lips followed an unmarked trail down to the warrior's chest. "I can't believe that this is finally happening."

"Gabrielle," Xena moaned when the bard began to slip the straps of her leather battle dress down over her shoulders. She gasped when Gabrielle's mouth explored the flesh that the bard was revealing as she pulled the leather down the warrior's torso.

Gabrielle shifted her weight for leverage and pushed Xena onto her back. "Gods, yes," she whispered reverently when the warrior pushed her battle dress the rest of the way down her hips and legs. With her eyes, the bard devoured her lover's body clad only in dark breeches.

The firelight blessed Xena's body with a bronze cast. In her heightened arousal, the warrior was breathing heavily; her breasts quivered slightly with each labored inhale. Shadows cast by the flames highlighted valleys, dips, and curves. The warriors' subtle strength became obvious in the primal tension that thrummed through her body.

The bard was mesmerized by the power beneath her. Her hands itched to draw from its source; her mouth watered at the thought of sampling its ambrosial musk. Sweeping her hands up the warrior's ribs, Gabrielle cupped Xena's full breasts. Her hands trembled; for the soft, warm skin amazed her. She squeezed gently and then with increasing pressure as Xena's noises of pleasure rose in volume. Desperate to know every inch of the warrior's body, the bard straddled the taller woman's hips.

Although innocent in the ways of making love, Gabrielle picked up enough at the tavern to have a general idea of how to please a woman. Drunken soldiers often spoke with loose tongues when they discussed their sexual conquests.

Gabrielle realized, though, that Xena was no conquest. She considered the warrior to be the other half of her being. And despite the fact that her body burned hot with need, her hands froze and a great fear of being unable to please Xena gnawed at her heart. The bard became afraid that she would fail the woman she cherished; she doubted that she would be able to please the other woman. The indecision was written clearly on her troubled face.

Xena opened her eyes to find Gabrielle staring blankly at her breasts. The warrior became alarmed by the lack of emotion on the younger woman's face. Her mind raced through the possible causes of her lover's frozen state. Suddenly, Xena's gasped silently with concern. "Gabrielle?" she called softly, "what is it?"

Images of Perdicus raping the young bard flashed through the warrior's mind. A momentary rage sparked before her anxiety for Gabrielle snuffed it out. She prayed that the young woman was not reliving that fateful day.

The bard raised her liquid green eyes to the warrior's. Her tongue was heavy with doubt and indecision. "I'm not sure how to do this, Xena," she admitted. "I'm not sure I'll do this right so that you'll know how much I love you. I want to give you pleasure."

The warrior mentally sighed in relief. She raised a hand and soothed the frown lines that creased the bard's forehead. Smiling considerately with understanding, Xena asked, "Do you love me, Gabrielle?"

"Of course," the bard replied unthinkingly. Releasing Xena's breasts, the bard sat back on her heels. "I love you more than anything."

Xena searched for the words that would comfort her young lover. "If you touch me and have love in your heart, I will be pleased." The warrior took Gabrielle's hand in her own and covered a breast. "Your touch IS love, Gabrielle. That's all I want."

Xena reached up and caressed the bard's head; she tucked a stray braid behind the blonde woman's ear. Smiling, she exerted a subtle pressure to pull Gabrielle closer. Xena smiled as she said, "Don't worry about pleasing me. All I want is to be with you."

When the bard seemed unconvinced, she sighed. "Look, Gabrielle, I'm as afraid as you are," she revealed. "I'm new to this, too. I've never done this with someone I love."

The bard's eyes studied Xena's face. She knew that the warrior had some sexual experience; her skills in that certain area were as well known as the rest of her past. Needing confirmation, Gabrielle asked, "Never?"

The warrior's face was open and honest. Her heart spoke the words that Gabrielle longed to hear. "I've never loved anyone besides you."

"Oh, Xena," the bard whispered as she lowered her body to cover the warrior's. She began to kiss her lover slowly and tenderly, but her own need to make love to the other woman was heightened by the feel of the breast she still covered with her hand. The kiss became passionate; the bard stopped to catch her breath and moaned against the warrior's lips, "You feel so good."

Xena's words were a purr that vibrated against the bard's mouth. "Make love to me, Gabrielle. I need to feel you…I need to feel."

In response to her lover's heartfelt plea, Gabrielle resumed the attentions that had been interrupted by her own self-doubt. Sliding down Xena's flushed body, she studied the mound of flesh that she was holding. She felt an overwhelming urge to feast upon it as she had Xena's neck.

The warrior's body arched in anticipation when Gabrielle's mouth lowered to a tight nipple; she moaned when a wet heat surrounded and suckled the sensitive point. She succumbed to her lover's passion; her fingers wove deep into golden tresses.

Gabrielle's fear of failure fled when Xena's hands wrapped firmly into her hair. When her face was pulled closer to the breast she was loving, her cry of victory was muffled. When the warrior's hips began to grind against her abdomen, her overwhelming passion was unleashed. The fire that burned in her soul consumed her doubt.

The bard growled softly; she bit down lightly and raked her teeth along the nipple's length. Her hands began to roam across the warrior's skin. Gabrielle lost herself in the tastes and textures of her warrior.

They were nothing like she had imagined. She had fantasized about this moment from the time that she was old enough to understand and feel sexual desire. At one dark time in her life, she believed that it would never be possible to know it in reality. But now, with Xena's body writhing under her hands and mouth, she knew that her childish fantasies paled in comparison to the goddess of her heart that was flesh and blood.

Xena knew the moment that Gabrielle's insecurities fled. The bard began to devour her body in a way she had never imagined. Not even Ares had made her feel so out of control. All of the images of the god seducing and manipulating her perished and were replaced by the present inferno caused by Gabrielle's hunger. In every touch and sound that the bard made, Xena could feel the Gabrielle's unparalleled love. The knowledge and sensation of being loved so fully and unconditionally was profound for her; it sent her even higher into a whirlwind of ecstatic absolution.

The warrior surrendered to the fire. Before Gabrielle even had the chance to switch her attentions to Xena's other breast, the taller woman gasped and cried out as her body was launched over the precipice of passion.

Moments later when she became aware of her surroundings once more, Xena opened her eyes and found Gabrielle looking at her with a mixture of devotion and confusion. The warrior chuckled and then broke down in joyous laughter. Exuberantly, she clasped Gabrielle by the face and leaned up to kiss the smaller woman fully and jubilantly upon the lips. "Thank you," she cried as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Thank you," she repeated in a lower tone, as their kiss became more intimate.

Gabrielle blinked as she was deftly rolled onto her back. Her brow furrowed in thought and she asked, "What did I do?"

The warrior reached down and brushed the hair off Gabrielle's forehead with her fingertips; she tucked an errant braid behind the bard's ear. For a brief moment, her touch lingered to trace the sensitive shell before coming to rest on the younger woman's shoulder. Her eyes misted as she looked deep into her lover's and saw a pure soul that would help to redeem her own.

Xena's callused thumb began to draw idle circles on the satiny flesh of the bard's shoulder as the warrior contemplated an answer. With solemn certitude, she replied, "You unchained my heart." Lowering her head, the warrior laid her cheek over the bard's. Her mouth was a mere breath away from the younger woman's ear. "Let me love you, Gabrielle. Let me show you what our bodies can do together."

The bard's skin erupted in goosebumps. She moaned when Xena's hand moved lower and a thumb brushed over an erect nipple. "Please," she consented on a strangled whisper. "Show me."

Raising her mouth to kiss her lover's temple, Xena sighed. "My love," she whispered as she raised her head and lost herself in the bard's emerald gaze.

Although her hands were trembling in anticipation, Xena managed to find and undo the laces of Gabrielle's top. The warrior's eyes narrowed in sultry promise as she studied the young woman's pale flesh. Outlined by the dark cloak that had fallen off her shoulders, Gabrielle's breasts were full and heavy; they begged for the attention only Xena would ever give.

Xena bowed her head and kissed the spot of flesh over the bard's heart. Venturing lower, her mouth caressed the valley between her lover's breasts and she whispered, "I love you," before moving to the peak that demanded her attention.

Words of gratitude were lost amid the deep groan that slipped slowly past Gabrielle's lips.

The warrior braced herself on her left elbow; the fingers of her left hand lingered over the drumming pulse at Gabrielle's neck. Her right hand slipped down to burn a trail of caresses up and down the bard's leg. With each pass, the hand explored higher until callused fingers were tracing the outline of soft linen breeches.

Gabrielle was lost in a world of carnal sensation. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, surrendering to the feel of her warrior's love.

Her breasts swelled and leapt with every touch of Xena's mouth. Exquisite daggers of pleasure stabbed into her gut when the warrior's fingers repeatedly found sensitive areas along the border that hid a molten promise of oblivion. Desperately needing more, Gabrielle rolled and leaned into her lover until she could feel Xena's aroused nipples and hot skin pressed deeply into her own.

Answering the bard's need for more contact, Xena pushed the smaller woman back down to the bedroll and rose above her. Carefully, she lowered her body and moaned when the bard spread her legs to accompany the joining. Unwilling to give up the satiny flesh she was exploring, the warrior's hand became trapped between their bodies.

"Oh, gods," Gabrielle rasped when Xena's weight settled onto her heated body. The bard bucked her hips slightly and was rewarded when the warrior's thumb finally slipped under her breeches.

Xena's mouth stilled; her lips were slack over a rigid nipple. Realizing that her right thumb had just found a realm she had never discovered previously, she concentrated on the texture of silky curls that were becoming moist with sweat and need.

Gabrielle's hips lurched forward once more and fell quickly. In the brief moment that their loins were separated, the warrior's touch slipped even closer to the treasures that begged to be claimed. The bard's body began to quake with desire and anticipation. She spread her legs even further and dug her heels into the solid ground, seeking some sort of anchor in the maelstrom that was stealing her composure.

Her body began a rhythm of lifting and falling; Xena's thumb came closer and finally sank into a wet heat.

The warrior lifted her lower body for a moment so that she could bury her entire hand between cloth and flesh. She threaded her fingers through damp curls as her thumb slid over slick folds.

"Xena," Gabrielle cried as her control began to evaporate; her body was writhing with unbridled need. "Xena, take them off…my clothes."

Eagerly, the warrior moved to comply. She rose to her knees and studied the belt that held Gabrielle's skirt in place. Xena's eyes were wild with anticipation as she slid her long fingers under the leather and undid the clasp that held it closed. Her hands shook as she removed the belt and peeled the skirt from her lover's body. She unconsciously licked her lips when the bard's breeches were revealed. She became lost to the present as she the imagined bounty still hidden from her eyes. A slight movement of Gabrielle's hips focused her attention once more.

"Hurry," the bard pleaded; she trapped her bottom lip tightly between her teeth when Xena's fingers slipped under the waistband of her breeches.

Savoring the sensation of baby-soft skin against the backs of her hands, Xena was lost again in the feel of her lover. With tiny movements, she caressed Gabrielle's lower abdomen until her fingertips met the bard's nest of curls. Suddenly, she needed to see everything. She wanted to know what color those curls were; she had to witness with her eyes the evidence of Gabrielle's love for her.

Sensing Xena's impatience that was as desperate as her own, Gabrielle lifted her hips. She opened her eyes and raised her head to see the warrior's face darken with passion. The bard shifted quickly when the breeches would go no lower, and pulled her knee high, slipping one leg out of the hindering garment. Gabrielle's sex blossomed open with an abundance of moisture. She gasped when a breeze multiplied the effects of the exposure. She did not notice when her lover removed the breeches from her other leg.

Xena continued to kneel between Gabrielle's legs. Her hands settled on the bard's splayed thighs and began to knead the firm flesh, careful of the wound that was still healing. She tempted herself, wondering how her lover would taste on the back of her tongue. She raised her eyes and impaled the younger woman with a look of pure lust. Smiling wickedly, the warrior held the bard's eyes as she scooted down the bedroll to lay between the other woman's legs.

Gabrielle pushed herself up to her elbows to watch Xena's face. The warrior's visage was a contrast of shadow and light. Her intentions were clear when the firelight caught the moisture of her tongue as it reached out to sample the honeyed musk of the bard's love.

Fighting the urge to close her eyes at the first explosive contact, Gabrielle ground her teeth and forced her eyes to remain open. She wanted to see as well as feel what the warrior was doing to her.

Xena's ardor leapt straight to her own loins. The warrior burned, knowing that she was being watched. Her right hand abandoned the thigh it was caressing to slide down under her own body. It found a target that was once more eager for attention.

Again, her tongue sampled her lover's sweetness; her hips bucked against her own hand. The guttural moan that passed her lips vibrated against the bard's sex and Gabrielle reached down to bury a hand in the warrior's raven tresses. When the bard pulled her face deep into her undulating loins, Xena lost what control she possessed.

She began to devour Gabrielle intimately. Her tongue, teeth, and lips were merciless as they plundered through priceless treasures. Her covered rump moved in time to the bard's passion. She did not hear Gabrielle's command for her to stop. The blood of her own ecstasy was pounding fiercely in her ears. She did not become aware of anything but the slick bounty under her mouth until she felt the sharp pain at the back of her scalp.

Looking up, her face was a mixture of fear and disgruntlement. She was afraid that she was being too wild for her innocent lover; she was disappointed that the pleasure had been interrupted. "What is it?" she asked hoarsely as her fingers stilled between her own legs.

Gabrielle licked her lips and threw her head back. It was a short moment before she could catch her breath well enough to speak. "Please, Xena," she begged, "I want to do that, too."

Confusion clouded the warrior's smoldering eyes. Absently, she raked her teeth over her lips to savor the essence that lingered there.

"I want to taste you," Gabrielle clarified with a blush and a nod towards Xena's hips.

Seeing the sincere plea in the younger woman's eyes, Xena disregarded any more words. Quickly, she stood and abandoned her own breeches. As she lowered herself to her knees, she pulled to bard to hers. Gabrielle's bright eyes were full of desperate need; they were a reflection of her own. The warrior moaned as she leaned in for a leisurely kiss that was more torture for them both as they shared the bard's carnal flavor. Xena's face was soft with love when she pulled back. "I love you," she whispered as she lay down on her back and scooted up between Gabrielle's knees.

The bard fell forward without the guiding pressure of Xena's hand on her back. She nudged the warrior's legs apart with her elbows. Her fingers trembled as they converged on the mysterious cleft hidden by thick raven curls. Tentatively, the younger woman drew her fingers along the moist crevice; she was rewarded when they glided through to separate dewy lips swollen with passion.

Xena's eyes were closed; she bit her bottom lip with a resolution for patience. She waited while her young lover became acquainted with the new experience of giving oral pleasure to a woman. She could feel Gabrielle's shy fingers skimming over her heated, exposed flesh. Her breathing became labored as the bard studied and then began to experiment.

Gabrielle was pleased to discover that in their current position, the fire provided ample light to see by. Awestruck by how wet the warrior was, the bard could not resist touching and then caressing each unique region. She was most captivated by the flooded ring of muscles and nerves that was the entrance to even more delights and the warrior's rigid clitoris that stood proudly free of its protective hood.

Gasping for breath, Xena clenched her fists as the bard dragged an abundance of moisture from one area to heavily coat the other. She grit her teeth in an effort of control when the curious bard began to caress and pinch the bundle of nerves that grew even harder and larger under the erotic stimulation. When the bard lowered her head to add her tongue to the fray, the warrior lost all control. She grabbed the bard by the hips; as her hands pulled the smaller woman closer, her face met the golden-curled mound halfway.

Biting down harder than she meant to at the unexpected action, Gabrielle immediately offered apologies by bathing her new plaything with delicate wipes of her tongue. She focused a moment on what Xena was doing to her and then she began to repeat the actions.

Within moments, both women were squirming against each other. The warrior and the bard sought desperately to send her lover over the edge and then to join her there.

When Xena entered Gabrielle with two fingers for the first time, the warrior knew that she would die simply from the searing heat that enveloped her fingers. When Gabrielle repeated the same to her, she knew it would not be long.

A furious rhythm was established; the women's sweat-slicked bodies began to rock in unison. The once serene valley was punctuated by sounds of passion that rumbled through the crisp air. Even the owl that had been hunting her nightly meal stopped to rest on a branch until the storm passed.

They came together, taking that step beyond the mortal endurance for pleasure. The owl that had been observing their lovemaking disappeared in a flurry of feathers when Xena howled in completion.

Gabrielle collapsed onto her lover and fought valiantly to catch her breath. Her limp body was grasped and hauled back around to receive a kiss of absolute consecration. She allowed her body to be arranged comfortably; she sagged once more into the equally satiated warrior.

Xena pulled the farthest edge of the bedroll over to cover their damp bodies; she nuzzled the bard's fragrant hair. "You complete me," she whispered reverently.

Blinking her eyes sleepily, Gabrielle smiled sensuously. "I never imagined that it could be like that," she replied as she burrowed her face into Xena's neck. "I always knew that you were my destiny. I just never realized how lost I was without you. I never want to be without you again, Xena." Gabrielle mustered her strength to squeeze the warrior tight one more time.

"I don't plan on leaving you any time soon," Xena replied as she held the bard snugly and laid her cheek on the smaller woman's head. "Go to sleep now, my little bard," she softly commanded, "and I'll meet you in our dreams."

The next morning, Gabrielle awoke to the feeling of being watched. Befuddled, she swiveled her head in an attempt to find the observer. In her efforts, she managed to get a mouthful of hair. She sputtered as her hand rose uncoordinatedly to swipe the offending tendrils away from her face. When she heard the low chuckle that vibrated and sent a flurry of tingles throughout her body, she blinked her eyes and slowly grinned.

"Good morning, Xena," she purred; her voice was still heavy with sleep and a lingering satisfaction from the night before. Like a small cat, she stretched and arched her body.

Xena chuckled once more at her lover's pleasant disposition and pulled the younger woman tightly to her own body. "Good morning to you, too," she replied before kissing the bard tenderly. "Did you sleep well?"

Gabrielle sighed and pushed herself to her elbow so that she was leaning over the warrior and sighed, "Wonderfully."

Smoothing the bard's mussed hair; Xena turned her head to see the sun peeking over the ridge. "I must be losing my touch," she mused aloud. "You're awake with the dawn."

Leaning down to kiss the birthmark over the warrior's right breast, Gabrielle snorted. "Please, don't beat yourself up about it," she remarked, "I've been living with Mom for over seven years now. If you aren't up at dawn, you miss breakfast."

"So that's all it took to get your lazy bones out of bed, huh?" Xena asked with a twinkle in her clear, blue eyes.

"Hmm," the bard replied as she raised her head to nip at her lover's chin, "I think I'll add you to that very short list now."

Xena pulled the smaller woman atop her and laced her fingers across the bard's back. "I'm privileged," she smirked with a teasing grin. "Unfortunately," she sighed, "I did not bring any food and Mother will be expecting us back soon."

"Do you really think so," Gabrielle asked as she folded her arms across Xena's chest and propped her chin on them. "When we told her we were coming here, I think she got the idea that we might take our time getting back."

Xena reached under her head and bunched the bedroll so that she could see her lover's eyes. "Did I miss something?"

"Well, it might have been the advice she gave me."

"Which was…?"

"Take your time, have fun, and don't be afraid," the bard replied, counting off on her fingers.

"My mother said all of that, huh?" Xena glanced at the sun once more. "She's a smart woman."

Noticing the warrior's preoccupation with the time of day, Gabrielle's brow furrowed. "What is it?" she asked. "Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

Xena sighed and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I would love nothing more than to stay here forever, but the trial is supposed to start today after lunch and I want to be ready."

"The trial?" Gabrielle's eyes suddenly lit with understanding and then worry. "Are you sure that you even want to go, Xena?"

The warrior closed her eyes for a moment and cleared her throat. "I have to," she replied. "I've got this part of me inside that has to see an end to this." She looked at the bard intently as her hand rose to caress the younger woman's cheek. "If I don't, I'll be haunted by him for the rest of my life."

"You aren't like him, you know," Gabrielle whispered as she turned her face to kiss Xena's palm. "He might be a part of you, but he isn't all of it. There is so much more to you than what you wanted to be for your father, Xena. You are a warrior…and you have a bad past. But that's all it is - passed. If you want some closure, use me. I'll chase him out of you. I'll fill that void that is left behind."

"You are so precious to me," Xena said softly as she raised her head for a kiss. "I wish it was that easy, my bard," she lamented, "but I have to see this through. I have to say goodbye to…."

"Your dream," Gabrielle finished with insight. "I'm so sorry, Xena," she said as a tear fell from her pale lashes.

"Pleasing my father wasn't everything I dreamed about," the warrior replied as she rubbed the tear from Gabrielle's cheek. "And there is still the chance that I can realize a few others. So," she considered philosophically, "there's no reason to cry."

The bard shyly lowered her eyes and asked, "Was I ever a dream for you?"

Xena caught the younger woman's chin between her thumb and forefinger. She raised hopeful eyes to her own so that the bard could see the truth. "No, Gabrielle," she replied with conviction, "you are my fantasy come true."

"I am?"

"When I was gone," the warrior began with a sad look in her eyes, "I would think of you when I thought that my soul was dying. I felt guilty for betraying you and your vision of me. I never considered the thought that I would return home to this," she said with a slight grin as she lowered her hands to cradle the bard's behind. "With your heart and your body, you have helped me to start cleansing that hurt away."

"If you really need to go to the trial today," Gabrielle said with conviction after a moment's reflection, "I'll be there with you. If you need to hold my hand, it's yours. If you need a shoulder to cry on, it's yours. If you just need to know that someone loves you, look into my eyes and I'll give you my heart that beats just for you."

"My sweet, little poet," Xena sighed as she closed her eyes and pulled Gabrielle close. "I love you."

The bard unfolded her arms and wrapped them up around Xena's head. "You better," she warned playfully in an attempt to lighten the mood.

When the bard's stomach rumbled in hunger a moment later, the warrior laughed aloud. "I swear, I do," Xena laughed as she rolled the bard to her side and sat up. "Just don't set that thing loose on me."

A delicate brow rose in frank appreciation when Xena stood to gather their clothes. "Now I can see what I missed last night," the bard murmured. "Very nice."

"You're not too bad yourself, my little bard," the warrior returned with a quirky grin, "and as much as I would love to look at your beautiful body all day, I don't want to have to fight my kinsmen for the boon." With a flick of her wrist, Xena tossed Gabrielle her clothes. "Get dressed. If we're lucky, we'll make it back to the inn before mother scraps breakfast."

Cyrene looked up when gentle laughter heralded the return of her daughters. The innkeeper's smile matched those of Xena and Gabrielle as the two women entered the kitchen. "Just in time," she said cheerily as she filled two bowls with hot cereal.

"Now I know why she ran half the way here," Xena said as she took the bowls from her mother.

"Did the two of you have a nice night?" Cyrene asked with a knowing grin.

Gabrielle blushed and busied herself with spooning honey into her cereal.

Smirking, the warrior answered the question, "Yes, it was very peaceful."

"Well, then," Cyrene said as she poured two mugs of milk, "that's good." The innkeeper set the mugs on the table where Xena and Gabrielle were eating; she took a seat and gazed sadly into the warrior's eyes. "Xena, Auto was here already this morning. He wanted to know if you thought that there should be any special security measures in place for Atrius' trial."

"Are you sure you want to have it here?" the woman asked her mother.

"Yes. I've talked it over with Meleager. Since the entire village will probably attend, it would be best. If we take the tables out back and just leave the benches, there should be just enough room."

Xena nodded in understanding; her brow darkened in thought. "I'll go over and see him after breakfast," she replied.

"Do you want me to come along?" Gabrielle asked hesitantly.

The warrior regarded her lover for a moment with hooded eyes. "If you want."

Desperate to lift the solemn atmosphere around the table, Gabrielle asked Cyrene, "Where's Hope this morning? I figured she would be helping you."

Cyrene's eyes flickered to the back door; she rubbed her chin with a work-callused hand. "She is. She's out gathering the eggs."

Gabrielle nodded and returned her attention to her cereal. After a moment's silence she looked at Xena and frowned. "Are you sure you want to do this today?"

The warrior's brow was heavy with brooding thought; she blinked when the bard laid a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry, Gabrielle," Xena said quietly, "Did I miss something?"

Repeating her question, the bard asked, "Are you sure…."

"Yes, I'm sure," the warrior insisted. "Don't worry about me."

"I can't help it," Gabrielle replied. She meant to say more, but the hen house that was next to the barn erupted with the loud cackling protests of indignant chickens. "Oh, Hades," the bard cursed under her breath. "I should have known that something was up."

Xena stilled Gabrielle's attempts to rise and investigate the matter. "What are you talking about?" The warrior's eyes glanced out the door; she cocked her head trying to determine the cause of the ruckus.

The bard's russet eyebrow arched. "Xena, Hope hates gathering eggs."

"So?"

Turning to Cyrene, Gabrielle asked, "Did she go out there alone?"

"No," the innkeeper answered as her eyes widened in trepidation, "she took Hercules and Iolaus with her."

"No," Gabrielle said lowly as she shook her head in denial, "please tell me…she wouldn't."

Xena rose believing that there was some kind of danger. Before she could take more than two steps towards the door, however, Cyrene reached out to stop her. "What?" Xena asked in confusion. "Is she in trouble or not?"

"Chances are that she will be," the bard remarked as she stood and walked past her lover to the door. Despite the bard's reproach, she had to fight a smirk of mischief.

"I tried to warn them," Cyrene explained with a sigh, "but she played them like a lyre…pretending to be the damsel in distress in need of a couple of heroes."

"What is going on?" Xena repeated with frustration as she approached the door and stood at Gabrielle's back.

Gabrielle looked over her shoulder at her lover. "Hope has taken it upon herself to initiate Hercules and Iolaus into the family." Turning towards the back yard once more, the bard shook her head. "You'd think she'd learn after what she did to Ephiny and Solari."

"Gabrielle, you'd better explain what's going on before I go out there and…."

Before Gabrielle could respond, three figures emerged from the hen house; two of them looked like they had lost a fight with a giant fowl.

Xena's eyes widened in surprise while Gabrielle and Cyrene fought to hide their amusement; her concern of earlier fled in the wake of the chuckles that she fought to conceal.

The three women rushed back to sit at the table as if they had not witnessed the incident.

Hercules and Iolaus entered the kitchen; their faces were drawn tight as egg whites and yolks began to dry upon their skin. Feathers stuck to every surface coated with the sticky mixture.

The innkeeper bit back a laugh; her voice was choked when she asked her granddaughter, "So, how many did you get this morning?"

The little girl shrugged innocently. "Just two," she replied as she walked over to Gabrielle and gave her mother a kiss.

Xena was taken aback when Hope then approached her and crawled into her lap to hug her.

"Did Mama show you stars?" the little girl asked the warrior.

"Hope," Gabrielle drawled; her tone spoke of a punishment to come.

Lowering her head, the little girl grimaced and asked, "Yes, Mama?"

Gabrielle won the battle to remain stern with her prankster child when she stated, "I believe you owe our guests apologies."

Hope nodded faintly before mumbling, "Sorry, guys."

"Look them in the face," the bard ordered firmly.

The little girl obeyed and repeated her apology.

Satisfied at her daughter's remorse, the bard cleared her throat and smiled. "Hope, honey, why don't you show Hercules and Iolaus where they can wash up. And after you do that, you can go out and get the eggs that Gramma needs."

Hope sighed, knowing that the chore was her punishment for playing the practical joke on the two men. "All right, Mama," she drawled with a slight pout as she scooted off Xena's lap. "Come on guys," she said to her speechless victims, "you can use the bathing room."

"I'd better go check on Meleager and Eresthenes," Cyrene said as she untied her apron. "They're probably done with their breakfasts."

After the four disappeared, Xena rested her chin in her hand and grinned. "You told Hope the story about how we did that to Toris, didn't you?"

The bard snorted with a nod. "I've told her every story I could think of about when we grew up. The chicken joke seems to be her favorite, though. She got Ephiny and Solari real good the last time they visited."

"Ouch, I bet that hurt their warrior pride."

"Hope still got the worst of it. Ephiny made her practice a new drill three times a day the entire time they were here."

Xena began eating her breakfast again. In between bites she commented, "She's pretty good with that staff of hers. I bet she wouldn't have any problem with the rites of passage after some tutoring in Amazon history and philosophy."

Maternal pride lit Gabrielle's eyes. "You think so?"

"Definitely," the warrior continued. "She picked up those moves I taught her really quick. She's a smart kid just like her mom."

Gabrielle tapped her fingers on the table in thought; her cereal was forgotten. "Ephiny gave me some scrolls for her to study when she was ready. I just never thought that it would be so soon."

"If she were Spartan, she'd be training already," Xena pointed out.

"If we were Spartans, we'd be barbarians," the bard joked.

"You're so Greek," Xena snorted. After taking a long drink of milk, the warrior grinned. "I know you wanted to do the exact same thing when you were her age."

Gabrielle reached over and wiped the traces of milk from her lover's upper lip. "I wanted to be an Amazon because you were always talking about warriors. I wanted to prove to you that I could be a warrior, too. "

The older woman's face drained of humor. She became serious and took her lover's hand. "Gabrielle, you are the strongest warrior I know. You win victories where I could only hope to follow in your shadow." Xena squeezed the bard's hand and smiled. "You are a warrior of the heart and I am so happy that I finally have you with me. I needed you for the longest, darkest time."

Tears swelled in Gabrielle's eyes; she raised her hand to stifle a gasp of surprise. Slowly, she reached over and caught Xena's by the neck. With her eyes locked on the woman she loved, she pulled Xena in for a deep kiss. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," she explained a breathless moment later. Releasing the warrior from her hold, she reached up and wiped at her eyes.

"You need to hear nice things more often," Xena purred as she moved in for another taste. Before the warrior could make contact, however, Toris walked into the kitchen.

"Whoa," he cried, "sorry…did not mean to disturb you two," he said with all honesty. "Mom said you were in here and I thought that you would want to know that the tavern's going to be closed for lunch so that we can move the tables out back. You are, of course, encouraged to participate in the manual labor."

"I'll help," Gabrielle replied.

"No you won't," Xena said lowly. "Those tables are too big for you to even think of moving them. You can arrange the benches as we take them out."

"Yes, boss," the bard mumbled with a pout.

"Oh, by the way," Toris said as he turned to leave, "Auto was here this morning. Did you talk to him yet?"

Realizing how late it was getting, Xena sighed. "No, not yet. I'll finish up here and do that right away."

Toris nodded and promised as he departed, "I'll see you before lunch."

Xena made quick work of her breakfast. All of her humor and gentle passions were eclipsed by her desire to survive her next test emotionally intact. She was not eager to deal with her father's trial, but she knew that there was no avoiding it. She had to get through this because resolving one more issue from her past would make her future with Gabrielle much more promising. When she finally emptied her bowl, she looked up to find her lover watching her intently.

"Are you ready to go?" Gabrielle asked with concern clouding her eyes. Hope's practical joke was forgotten; the brief interlude of play was past. The bard could feel the tension emanating from her lover.

"Let's do it," the warrior replied tonelessly. "The sooner it's done, the sooner we can move on."

When Xena and Gabrielle arrived at the jail, Autolycus was talking to Joxer.

The smithy set a heavy pair of manacles on the magistrate's desk and nodded his head. He handed over the key and turned to leave. When he saw the two women, he smiled gravely and said, "Hey Gabrielle, Xena…are you two going to the trial?"

The bard answered for them both by nodding; her eyes remained fixed on Xena's back as the warrior stepped around the smithy to speak with Autolycus. "Yeah, we'll be there Joxer."

"If you want, Callisto offered to keep an eye on Hope. Unless you want her at the trial."

"No, I don't think she should go. Tell Calli I said thanks. I really appreciate it." The blonde patted Joxer's arm and sighed. "It was nice seeing you, Joxer. I'll drop Hope off before the proceedings."

"All right. I'll go over and tell Callisto."

Gabrielle was barely aware of the smithy leaving the jail. She was more concerned with her lover and the hard set to the warrior's features. Walking over to the couple speaking in low tones, she just caught the end of the conversation.

"I want a seat behind him just in case he tries anything," the warrior said menacingly, "and I want a few others there for security in case it gets ugly."

"I can give you special dispensation to bring your weapons into the tavern then," Autolycus replied as he raised a hand to trace his mustache. His mouth thinned into a concerned line. "Are you absolutely sure that you want to do this?"

Xena did not answer but her eyes blazed with determination.

"All right, then," he said, understanding her silent answer.

The warrior nodded; her gaze flickered to the door that separated the office from the holding cell. "I'll go help mother ready the tavern," she murmured as she turned around, "then I'll be back to escort the prisoner."

Gabrielle offered a brief nod of gratitude to the magistrate before hurrying to follow her lover from the jail. She had to work her legs fast to keep up with Xena's long, agitated stride. When the warrior made a detour for the forest, the bard began to run. "Where are we going?" she asked as she turned to see Xena's face.

"There's enough time for me to work out before we have to help mother," the warrior replied. "Besides, breakfast is still being served. We can't do anything any way."

"All right," the bard said to herself, instantly regretting that she left her staff back at the inn. When they reached a large clearing, the young woman collapsed onto a stump and began to gently rub the wound on her thigh. Her gaze was focused on the warrior who launched into a drilling routine without preamble.

The bard's eyes widened in astonishment at the frustrated fury that was unleashed. She could not fathom how Xena's mood had changed so drastically from this morning to now. But then Xena slowed enough for Gabrielle to see her eyes; they were filled with pain and uncertainty. Raising a hand to still her trembling lips, the bard fought tears that came to her own eyes. She understood, after one look into Xena's tortured eyes, the truth of her lover's struggle with the past.

Xena was scared and she did not handle that emotion very well when she was about to be faced with an adversary that she used to worship.

For half an hour, Gabrielle watched the warrior exorcise her demons. When Xena finally fell to her knees and buried the point of her sword into the dirt, the bard rose and went to her.

Looking up into the compassionate green eyes of her best friend and her future, Xena's breath caught in her throat. The sun framed the bard's golden hair; her face glowed with love and acceptance. The warrior closed her eyes when a delicate hand reached out to push sweat-dampened hair off her forehead. She leaned into the pressure of a hand cupping the side of her face. Dropping her sword, Xena reached out blindly and caught Gabrielle in her arms.

The bard held the warrior kneeling at her feet for a timeless moment. There were no words shared or any other affections exchanged. They were just there in the clearing together, drawing from one another the strength that would be needed to face the trial.

Xena closed her eyes and concentrated on the warm skin under her cheek. Her harsh breathing calmed and her furious pulse slowed. When she was in control of herself once more, she looked up and smiled sadly. "I don't want to ever imagine a life without you," she whispered.

Gabrielle bent slightly so that she could kiss the warrior's moist forehead. "Never without me, Xena. You'll never be without me," she promised solemnly.

Burying her face into the bard's midsection again, Xena took a deep breath and gathered her composure. When she finally stood once more, she was in control of her emotions; her eyes were hard with resolve. "Let's get back so we can help Mother."

Xena, Toris, Hercules and Iolaus made quick work of moving the tables to the back yard. Cyrene, Gabrielle and Hope arranged the remaining benches so that the villagers would be able to sit and watch the proceedings.

When they were finished, Xena wiped her face free of sweat and her eyes free of emotion. Straightening her shoulders and adjusting her weapons and armor, the warrior strode out of the tavern. The crowd that had already gathered outside brought her up short. Their faces were masks of morbid fervor. Smothering a grimace of distaste, she stepped from the porch; the crowd parted voluntarily before her icy demeanor.

Hercules and Iolaus stepped out onto the porch after her; the demi-god scowled when he realized that the people of Amphipolis were thirsty for blood. Flashing a look of unease to his partner, the taller man addressed the crowd. "You may go in and find a seat now," he announced. "There will be no pushing, fighting, or yelling while this trial is taking place," he ordered. "If anyone has a problem with that, he or she can take it up with me." Crossing his arms, he waited a moment for his warning to sink into the mob's mentality. At a nod from Iolaus, he stepped back and held open the door.

When Xena arrived at the jail, Autolycus was fixing the collar on his magistrate's robe. She stood stiffly, waiting for him to finish. When he finally smoothed the heavy, dark wool over his chest and retrieved the manacles, she stepped forward to follow him.

Atrius was lounging negligently on his cot when they entered the cell area. The warlord smirked malevolently when Xena took the manacles from the magistrate's hands. "I must really be something to rank you for a guard," he drawled lazily.

"I volunteered," Xena returned tightly as she backed up to allow Autolycus to unlock the cell door.

"I'm honored," Atrius replied with a jeer and a mocking bow.

"Just put your hands out," Xena commanded brusquely.

The warlord did as he was told; his eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion when the heavy iron snapped closed with an audible click.

After double-checking the security of the restraints, Xena walked around until she stood behind her father. With a quick prod, she urged him to walk out of the cell.

When they emerged from the jail, there were only a few villagers lining the path to the tavern; most were inside already fidgeting in their seats. Xena squinted up at the sun and mentally gauged the time of day. She nodded to herself in satisfaction that they were on schedule.

The warrior's mind focused on the practical and necessary in an attempt to avoid the pain she was feeling. Ten years ago, she wanted nothing more than to be like her father. Now, she only wanted to shed her disillusionment.

She was stoically reserved as the warlord preceded her into the tavern; she was detached as she led her father to his seat in front of the platform upon which Autolycus was seated. Taking a seat behind him, the warrior glanced to either side of the stage where Hercules and Iolaus were standing.

Between them, at a table that was set up for his use, the magistrate finished writing on a scroll. Looking up to make sure that everyone was ready, Autolycus stood straight and addressed the crowd. "This proceeding will determine the guilt and punishment of Atrius of Amphipolis in the matter of the recent attack against the village. I will accept no outcry from the witnesses unless you are called upon," he stressed as he leaned forward and braced his weight on the table.

Turning his attention to the defendant, the magistrate spoke formally. "Atrius of Amphipolis have you anything to say before this judgement begins?"

Atrius cocked his head back slightly in an arrogant manner despite the fact that he was below the eye level of Autolycus. "I want an advocate," he responded, drawing gasps of surprise from the crowd.

Autolycus raised his hand for silence and nodded. "Do you wish this court to assign one or do you choose?"

"I choose," the warlord paused as his lips curled in menace, "Gabrielle."

Xena stood as fast as lightning; her stoicism was replaced by outrage.

"Hold," the magistrate ordered the warrior. "May I ask your reasons for requesting the town bard as your advocate?" he directed to the defendant.

"She has a way with words," the warlord sneered, "and a cute ass."

"You bastard!" Xena hissed as she grabbed her father by the back of the neck. "I won't let you use her like that."

Autolycus slammed his gavel on the table and shot a reprimanding glare to the warrior. "Xena, stand down now!"

Xena ground her teeth in frustration but obeyed. She released her grip and stepped back a pace. Her eyes, however, were burning holes in the back of the warlord's head.

When it seemed as if the warrior was in control of her temper, the magistrate found Gabrielle standing against the right wall. "Gabrielle, would you please step forward?"

In the brief moment that the blonde woman hesitated, an internal debate ensued.

The young bard trembled slightly as she stepped away from the wall. With each step she took, though, she became calmer with resolve. By the time that she stood in front of the magistrate, she knew her decision.

Autolycus' face was lined with concern for the young woman's well being when he asked, "Will you argue on the defendant's behalf?"

Gabrielle opened her mouth to reply but words melted under the intense scrutiny of her kinsman that were behind her. The bard chanced a look to her lover; Xena's mouth was tight with anger but her eyes offered support. Clearing her throat, Gabrielle looked at Atrius and answered, "Yes, I will."

The tavern erupted into a flurry of protests; the magistrate had to yell at the top of his lungs to get everyone's attention. "I warned you about making a disturbance," he reminded them. "If there is one more interruption, this hearing will be closed to the public."

The villagers shifted uneasily as the magistrate fixed each one with a baleful stare. When his gaze returned to the bard, Autolycus smiled. "Do you need some time to talk to the defendant?" he asked.

Looking to Atrius once more, Gabrielle nodded slowly. "Yes, please."

"Granted," he announced with a strike of his gavel. "You have ten minutes."

Taking a deep breath, the bard approached the warlord. Her eyes flickered to the tense warrior that still stood behind him. Reaching out, she touched Xena's arm briefly and offered an apology with her pleading eyes. When the warrior nodded curtly and resumed her seat, the bard sat next to Atrius.

"I'm surprised you accepted," he muttered. "I didn't think you would." Atrius' confusion was evident in the deep lines of his face. He never believed that anyone in his home village would actually care enough to go against the general opinion. The fact that the young bard accepted threw off his composure. It left him unsure; a spark of foreign hope flared in his chest. "Why?" he asked, needing to know why Gabrielle cared.

"I believe that everyone deserves a second chance," the bard explained in a hushed voice. "Do you want to tell me why you chose me in the first place?"

"Does it matter?" he asked with just a slight hint of petulance.

"I'd like to understand," the bard replied; her emerald eyes were naked with honesty.

"I wanted to make Xena angry enough to just kill me," he replied after a moment's hesitation. The warlord bowed his head and studied the manacles that were heavy on his wrists. "Do you think for even a minute that I will be found not guilty here?" he asked harshly. "I will not be executed," he vowed. "If I die, I want it to be at the end of a blade…the way all warriors are supposed to die."

"Who says that you have to die at all?" Gabrielle asked with a frown. "They could just banish you or send you to the mines."

"Of all the people, I would think that you would understand," Atrius said as he looked Gabrielle in the eyes for the first time. "I am a warrior. I could not live doing anything else. I'd rather just die here and now…preferably on my own sword."

"I don't understand," Gabrielle whispered as she shook her head, "I thought you wanted to die on Xena's blade…not your own."

"Gabrielle, they are the same thing. That sword that she carries is the first one that my father gave me when I announced my intentions to follow in his footsteps. Instead of becoming a great military officer, I ended up here…a failure."

Gabrielle wanted to reach out and offer physical comfort to the warlord but she was very aware of Xena's penetrating gaze on the two of them. Instead, the bard searched for another way to get through to her lover's father. "There was once two armies," she began as her voice lowered and she slipped into her storytelling mode, "that fought at Thermopylae. One was Persian, the fiercest army to ever have marched the earth and the other was Spartan, the proudest force of the Peloponnese. For weeks, the two armies fought for control of the pass until finally, the Persian army broke through the Spartan defenses. The Spartans, even though they were overcome with exhaustion and hunger, continued to fight until the last man standing died fighting the enemy."

"Nice story…I think I told that one to my kids," Atrius commented, "but what's that got to do with me?"

"Many people consider Spartans to be model soldiers. That day at Thermopylae, there was not a single coward among them. And you," Gabrielle said with barely masked disapproval, "are being a coward. Tell them you're sorry and I'll figure out a way to keep you alive."

The warlord looked at his advocate incredulously. "Are you really that foolish?" he asked. "Do you think that I'll get out of here without at the very least, a stoning?"

"I believe that a person can do anything if she puts her mind to it," the bard replied with conviction, thinking of the woman behind them.

Atrius wavered under the bard's fierce determination. "If they still decide to execute me," he said at last, "I want to die by the sword."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," she whispered more to herself than to the warlord. Gabrielle stifled a shudder as she thought of how much it would mentally damage Xena if the warrior had to kill her father in that manner.

Looking up at Autolycus, the bard nodded to indicate that she was ready. The young woman looked over her shoulder at her lover, looking for support. When the warrior's hard features softened a bit Gabrielle mentally sighed. She returned a small nod and straightened her shoulders before turning to face forwards.

Autolycus made a mark on his scroll before pounding his gavel twice. "This hearing will continue," he announced. Looking over to the defendant, the magistrate read the charge. "Atrius of Amphipolis you are accused of treason for leading a raid against this village. How do you plead?"

Gabrielle looked at Atrius for confirmation before standing. "He pleads guilty to the charge," she replied on his behalf.

"So noted," the magistrate said as he marked his scroll. Looking up once more, his eyes scanned the crowd. "In regards to the punishment, is there anyone that wishes to speak for the defendant?"

When no one else stepped forward to speak, the bard raised her hand. "I do," she replied.

Before the villagers could respond, Autolycus raised his hands in warning. When he saw that they were compliant, he nodded towards the bard. "You shall speak."

Gabrielle wrung her hands as she stepped away from the bench and turned towards the villagers. Her mind frantically formulated the right words to use. "Before the recent raid on Amphipolis," she began, "Atrius was remembered as a brave soldier and a courageous hero." The bard swallowed a small lump of distaste when she remembered Xena crying on her lap because her father had tried to kill her as a child. "Never did he act against any of you out of malice or greed."

The bard lowered her head and closed her eyes as she remembered Xena as a carefree child eager to please her absent father. She blinked rapidly to keep her tears at bay; she prayed that Xena would forgive her for the words that only a few knew to be a lie.

"He came to this village under the influence of a jealous god that wanted to see us suffer because one of our own was searching for a path to truth. If that god had never recruited Atrius, he would never have become the warlord that sits before you today."

Gabrielle looked at her lover and saw the haunting memories of eight years of rage in the service of Ares. The bard took a deep breath and spread her arms wide. "Yes, Atrius did lead the attack on Amphipolis, but his only crime was making a bad judgement. Despite his mistake, I urge you and the court to consider his character beforehand. This is not an evil person," she proclaimed. "He is a soldier and a hero that lost his way. I say that we show him the forgiveness that he needs to find his way once more. I say he deserves a second chance."

The bard bowed slightly as she finished. She had the distinct impression that she had just given one of the most important performances of her life. Without looking at her kinsmen, the young woman took her seat next to the defendant.

"The advocate for the defendant has spoken," Autolycus said as he laid his quill on the table. "Is there anything else to be added?" When no others spoke out, the magistrate looked at his papers. After some consideration, he looked at Atrius.

The warlord was staring at Gabrielle in disbelief; the deep lines of his face were softened by shock.

Absently stroking his mustache, Autolycus considered the bard's plea. He looked to the villagers and saw some confusion mixed with waning vengeance. The magistrate pounded his gavel and rose. "This trial will break while I consider my decision."

Autolycus paced the room Cyrene had given him for privacy. The magistrate considered himself to be a fair man as well as one that was able to think independently from the mob consensus. He wanted to believe Gabrielle's moving words, but he was afraid that Atrius would eventually fall back into his new profession.

The magistrate's steps halted when there was a knock at the door. "Enter," he called.

Hercules opened the door and then closed it after he stepped inside the room. "Cyrene thought that you could use this," the demi-god explained as he handed the mug of light ale to the other man.

"She knows me well," Autolycus responded with a tight smile. "How's it going out there?"

"Everything's in hand," the other man replied.

After taking a deep drink, the magistrate narrowed his eyes and looked at the taller man. "Tell me something, Hercules," he began, "you've been around…met all kinds of people. Do you believe in second chances?"

The demi-god studied a picture on the wall before turning to Autolycus. "I've seen people change after they realize that what they do is hurting others. I've seen some change simply because someone else believed in them."

"Yeah," the magistrate pondered aloud, "Xena's a good example of that."

Clearing his throat, Hercules shrugged. "I don't know her all that well like you do," he said, "but Iolaus has told me about the person she used to be and I've heard the stories about how she fights for good now. I don't know what happened in between, but if she wasn't given the opportunity to prove herself…would she have changed?"

Autolycus nodded as he considered the demi-god's words. "If I set Atrius free, would you be willing to escort him to another chance?"

"If that is your decision, consider it done."

"Thank you, Hercules," the magistrate said as he raised his mug. "I shouldn't be much longer."

Hercules nodded and left the room.

When Autolycus strode with purpose into the common room, the villagers' conversations ended. They waited expectantly for the magistrate to render punishment. Many were on the edges of their seats, holding their breath.

Autolycus laced his fingers together and studied the men and women gathered in the tavern. He sent a silent prayer to Athena that he was making the right decision. Clearing his throat, the magistrate stood.

"I have taken into consideration the circumstances of this crime as well as the defendant's past character." Like a showman, the magistrate paused a long moment. "It is my decision that Atrius of Amphipolis shall be banned from this village and surrounding area. Should he ever be seen here again, his life will be forfeit."

Upon hearing the sentence, the crowd erupted into shouts and calls for justice. Autolycus waited until the furor died down before he spoke once more. Turning to Atrius, he advised, "You are a lucky man to have someone that believes in you. I suggest that you take your life and find redemption."

Atrius was stunned; he could barely nod in agreement. He turned to his advocate and stuttered, "I…I don't know what to say."

"Say that you'll do nothing but good," Gabrielle replied with a smile. Gathering her courage, she reached over and slid her hand into the warlord's.

"I'm not sure if I remember what that is," Atrius replied as he bowed his head to study the smaller hand in his own.

"Just think back to the dreams you had when you first took up the sword," she said as she turned her gaze to Xena. "You'll find it there."

Atrius nodded; for a moment, his eyes were as bright as his daughter's was. "Thank you," he said and stood when Hercules tugged on the manacles. When the demi-god unlocked the restraints, the ex-warlord rubbed his wrists.

"We'd better get out of here while we can," the demi-god advised.

Deferring to the younger man's judgement, Atrius agreed with a tight smile; he could almost feel the residual anger directed towards him. Together, he and Hercules made their way to the front door. They paused a moment, waiting for Iolaus to join them with the belongings that had been left in their room. During that brief moment, Atrius dared to steal a glance at his daughter.

Xena stood when her father was led away. Her thoughts and feelings were confused but an overlaying sense of relief flooded her soul. As angry as she was for everything that he had ever done, she knew that she did not have the heart to see him killed. Silently, she thanked Gabrielle for preserving his life and offering him the same chance that she herself had been given.

Atrius realized that Xena was staring blindly at him, as if she were thinking intently. Looking past her, he saw his wife and Meleager.

The ex-warlord nodded slightly to his wife. Silently, he bade her and Meleager well.

Finding Toris leaning against the wall, Atrius remembered the time that he had given his son his first ride on a horse.

In his heart, Atrius said goodbye to his family. He was not sure what the future held for him. He mentally debated the options he had. The world was a vast arena and he was sober enough for the first time in twenty years to appreciate it. His family would do better without him he figured, and he would be better off discovering who he used to be.

Taking a deep breath, the ex-warlord turned common warrior closed the door to his past.

When Hercules and Iolaus made their way out of the village with Atrius, the villagers turned their anger towards Gabrielle.

"How could you?" one angry woman asked from the back. "He tried to kill your family!"

"What kind of woman are you?" a man asked as he stepped forward. "He is a murderer and you got him off with your fancy words!"

Gabrielle's eyes widened in fear; she raised her hands as if to ward off the verbal attacks. Keeping her eyes on the advancing villagers, she backed towards the door. Her hand fumbled for the handle; her heart began to pound thunderously. Tears welled in her eyes and she struggled to see through them.

Suddenly, several shapes detached themselves from the body of the crowd. Believing that she was in danger, the bard flung open the door and ran as fast as she could towards the forest.

Xena growled as she unsheathed her sword and faced off against her kinsmen. Her lips curled into a mockery of a smile. "If you even think of touching her," the warrior warned venomously, "you will regret it."

Glancing to either side, the warrior saw that Joxer and Toris were standing with her facing the now wary crowd. "Do me a favor," she said to them, "hold them off until they cool down. I've got to go find her."

"We've got it covered," the innkeeper replied.

Xena nodded curtly before spinning and rushing out into the afternoon sun, desperate to find her lover.

When Xena caught up to Gabrielle, the younger woman had stopped just inside the forest to cry. The young bard that was sobbing piteously did not hear the warrior's approach. She jumped and spun when Xena laid a hand on her shoulder; fear was written in the watery depths of her green eyes.

"Shh," Xena said as she pulled the smaller woman into her arms. "There's nothing to cry about."

Gabrielle hesitated before clinging fiercely to the taller woman until the tears began to subside. When she quieted, she could hear the warrior crooning soothing words of comfort into her hair. Looking up at her lover, the bard's eyes were wide with confusion. "Don't you hate me like they do?" she asked.

"Gabrielle," the warrior said with a crooked smile, "I could never hate you for being yourself."

"But Xena, I persuaded Autolycus to let your father go."

Xena looked up into the trees and shrugged. "You did what you thought was right. You were only being yourself."

"I'm sorry," the bard said as she buried her face into the warrior's chest. "I'm so sorry." Gabrielle began to cry again.

Leading the bard to a flat rock, Xena sat and pulled the other woman into her lap. She rocked Gabrielle until the bard's tears dried. "Gabrielle," she said solemnly when it was quiet again, "I want you to listen to me." When the younger woman looked up and sniffled, Xena continued. "You have something that I wish I did. You have an undefeatable belief that there is good in everyone. It is just one of the things that I love about you…and I don't ever want you to be sorry for that," she stressed, narrowing her eyes."

"What about everyone else? They don't think like that."

"I don't care what anyone else thinks and neither should you," Xena said as she captured Gabrielle's chin and raised her face. "You followed your conscience," the warrior said and then paused for a moment, "I wish I was as strong as you."

Gabrielle was surprised by her lover's admission. "But I lied, Xena. I told them that he was a good soldier and a hero…but he tried to kill you!" she cried. "Gods, what have I done?" she asked as she buried her face in her hands.

"Gabrielle, my father was not himself that night, all right? I'm not sure if he had started drinking back then or if Ares did something to him, but the father that I remember would not have killed me."

Opening her eyes, the bard looked up and gazed deep into Xena's confident eyes; she began to feel better as she lost herself in the warrior's blue eyes filled with love. "Do you think everyone will stop being mad at me?" she asked softly.

"If they don't," Xena answered with a crooked grin, "I'll beat it out of 'em."

"Xena," the bard chided with a chuckle, "you can't do that."

The warrior shrugged and then squeezed her lover tight. "To tell you the truth," she admitted, "I didn't want to see him dead."

Becoming serious once more, Gabrielle chewed her bottom lip. "Xena, can I ask you something personal?"

"If you can't, then who can?"

The bard grinned thinly in reaction to her lover's words. She took a deep breath and absently studied the patterns of Xena's breast armor. "When everything was going on, what were you really thinking?"

Xena's face darkened for a moment before she considered her tumultuous thoughts during the trial. "When I first brought him to the tavern, I just wanted everything over and him gone. I guess it didn't matter how it happened. I just wanted him gone," she repeated, shaking her head. "Then when he chose you as his advocate and explained why," she growled between clenched teeth as she remembered her father's words, "I lost it…that fury that hides in my soul was unleashed and all I could think of was ending it myself. I wanted to kill him right then and there."

Closing her eyes and absorbing the warmth of the woman in her arms, Xena relaxed a bit. "I heard everything you told him before the sentencing," she admitted. "I thought back to the first time that I wanted to leave Ares and realized that he was lucky to have found you so soon after his service began. If we had been reunited during that time in my life, I probably would have found the courage to follow my own heart."

The warrior bowed her head until her dark hair mingled with Gabrielle's blonde. "And when that sentence came back…all I could think of was that you had to be a gift from the gods for him, for me, and for everyone else whose life you touch. And I thanked the gods then that you are in my life now," she whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "You saved a man that tried to kill me…you gave him the opportunity for a new life and I was proud to be your friend and your lover."

Gabrielle looked up and saw the warrior's tears. Offering a few uttered words of comfort, the bard wiped them from the other woman's cheeks. "I love you, Xena," she said tremulously. "If I had hurt you, I would never have forgiven myself."

Xena caught Gabrielle's hand and kissed it softly. "You didn't hurt me or anyone else," she replied. "You did a good thing, Gabrielle. You were true to yourself and that's more than I or most of the people in that tavern could say about themselves."

Gabrielle sighed and snuggled close. "I feel better now," she said. "I'm still worried about everyone else, though…especially Mom and Toris."

"Let me be your champion," Xena pleaded. "I'll be the one to protect and defend your honor." When Gabrielle nodded, the warrior smiled. "We'd better get back and let the family know that you're all right. I left Toris and Joxer back at the tavern to calm everyone down."

Pulling herself up and off the warrior's lap, Gabrielle shook her head. "I hope they're all right. Those people didn't look too friendly," she added with a shiver.

Xena wrapped an arm around the smaller woman and rubbed her hand up and down a firm arm. "I'm sure they're fine."

When Gabrielle slipped her arm around the taller woman's waist, her forearm brushed against the warrior's scabbard. Her brow wrinkled in thought; she glanced over Xena's shoulder to see that her lover was indeed still carrying her father's sword.

The walk back to the village was spent in silence. Xena was deep in thought about the recent events and Gabrielle was busy shaping an idea that would help her lover another step along in her quest to redemption.

When they got back to the village, the two women went straight to the tavern. There were only a few people left in the common room.

Toris and Cyrene looked up from their conversation; Cyrene paused as she was pouring herself a drink.

Xena met everyone's regard and dared them to speak against the young bard that was holding even tighter to her. When they only smiled in relief, the warrior's body relaxed and she returned their greeting. "Look who I found," she said as she guided Gabrielle towards the bar.

Cyrene gave the bard her tankard and poured another for Xena. The innkeeper studied her younger daughter with concern before sighing. "I think you surprised a lot of people today, Sunshine," she said as she reached out to clasp Gabrielle's hand.

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Gabrielle replied in a small voice after she took a small sip of ale. "I thought I was doing something right."

"You did," Xena repeated as she laid a warm hand on the bard's exposed back. "You did nothing wrong."

Gabrielle looked from Xena to Cyrene and then to Toris who approached her other side. She saw none of the hatred or anger she had seen from the other villagers after the trial. "I suppose this is what it feels like to be part of a family," she said. "Even when I do something that doesn't agree with what you wanted, you still love and support me."

"We understand," Toris said as he ruffled the bard's hair, "why you did what you did." Biting his lip a moment, he sighed and admitted, "I hated him because of what happened to Ere, but I can't hate you for doing what you thought was right. You're my little sister, any way. I think Mom has a rule against hard feelings in the family."

Cyrene snorted and smacked her son playfully on the arm. "I had one Tartarus of a time keeping the peace among you kids," she reminded him. "You guys were always fighting about one thing or another. You turned out good, though," she commented with pride.

"Speaking of kids," Gabrielle said as she set her tankard on the bar, "I'd better go get Hope."

Xena downed her drink and nodded. "I'll come with you."

When they arrived at Joxer's house, Callisto opened the door and smiled. "We were beginning to worry about you," the blonde woman said as she cradled her swollen belly with a hand. "Come on in. Hope's with Jett in the back room playing."

"I want to thank you for keeping an eye on her," Gabrielle said as she looked askance to the other blonde.

"Don't even think about it," Callisto warned cheerily. "Joxer told me what you did at the trial. I'm so glad," she admitted. "I really can't stand the thought of people dying. There's been enough of that around here lately. Just the thought of blood gives me the chills." With a shrug, she chuckled, "I guess since I've been carrying the baby, all I can think about is life and its possibilities."

Callisto opened a door on the far side of the common room and announced, "Here we are."

Entering the back room, Xena stared incredulously. There were easels with goatskin canvases stretched taut over them. In one corner, several framed pictures were stacked against one another. Hanging from pegs on the wall were several copper frames that were crafted with skill and attention to detail.

The room was empty of children, however.

"Huh," Callisto said as she looked behind her favorite chair, "Joxer must have taken them to the forge."

Gabrielle gasped as she saw the easel in the corner that faced the fireplace. She approached it slowly and studied it from varied angles. "Is this your new one?"

Callisto blushed and bowed her head. "Yes, it is."

Xena looked at the painting sideways and asked, "What is it?"

The bard snorted and apologized to Callisto, "She's more of the physical type than an art type."

"Oh, that's all right," the blonde artist said with a friendly grin. To Xena, she explained, "It's fire. I've found that painting helps me quell the desire to start them. This way," she commented with a wave of her hand towards the pieces in the corner, "I get to play with it and nothing gets burned down."

Xena chuckled and studied the painting once more. Bright pigments of red and orange danced furiously across the canvas. "It's very nice," she complimented, "in an abstract way."

"Thanks," Callisto replied with another blush. "Come on, I'll take you to the forge."

Xena and Gabrielle followed the pregnant woman to her husband's workshop. When they stepped inside of the warm forge, they were greeted with the shouts of children.

Callisto scooped up Cirra and drew Jett closer to her hip with a motherly hand. "Are you behaving for your papa?" she asked gently. The mother nuzzled her daughter's fine hair and chuckled when the little girl giggled.

Xena was looking at the weapons that were mounted upon the walls of the forge until Hope grasped her hand and pulled her to the other side of the room.

Gabrielle watched her daughter demonstrate to the warrior her knowledge of metalworking. Turning to Joxer, the young bard said, "I heard about what you did at the tavern after I left."

Joxer winked as he poured a bucket of water into a small tub near his largest anvil. "Wasn't anything," he replied. "What you did took a lot more courage than what I did. I don't think people will look at you the same way ever again."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Gabrielle sighed. "I suppose all sorts of nasty things were said about me."

"Actually, Auto talked to them a bit and sent them home. No one really said much once you ran out."

Gabrielle studied the long piece of metal that Joxer was getting ready to hammer into shape; she remembered the idea she had been working on earlier that day and queried, "How long would it take you to make a new sword for Xena?"

The smithy shrugged and opened his work callused hands. "It depends on a lot of things," he said. "There's the size, design, type, and detail," he replied as he counted off on his fingers.

"If I gave you a picture showing what I wanted, could you figure out how big it should be for her?"

Joxer studied the warrior; he closed his eyes to picture the sword she had drawn earlier at the trial. "Yeah, I could do that."

"Great," the bard whispered as Hope and Xena came closer. "Don't tell her about it, though. I want it to be a surprise."

"Are we going home now, Mama?" Hope asked when she finally guided Xena towards the bard.

"Yes, sweetheart, we are."

"All right, 'cause I gotta get my stuff from the house."

"I'll help you," the bard said as she gathered her daughter's hand. "Xena?"

The warrior paused a moment and then answered, "I'll be there in a moment."

When the other women and the children left the forge, Xena turned to Joxer. "Hey, Joxer, Hope said that you do jewelry as well as weapons."

The smithy grinned wide; his teeth were bright against the sweaty grime on his face. "She should know," he replied. "For a while there, she spent more time here than I did."

Xena laughed and nodded. "She did seem to know a lot about the trade."

"You know how kids are," he said as he donned his work gloves, "one minute, they want to be a smithy, the next, she's decided she wants to be an Amazon."

"She'll probably be both if she's anything like her mother," the warrior commented. "Speaking of which," she said, lowering her voice and looking over her shoulder, "I want to commission something for Gabrielle."

Joxer grinned; he kept his thoughts to himself, however. "Do you know what you'd like?"

When she heard Gabrielle and Hope returning from the house, the warrior quickly said, "I'll be back and give you the details." Looking over her shoulder again, she warned, "This stays between us."

"Of course," the tall man replied with a grave nod.

Gabrielle was carrying a bag full of parchment and quills as she and Hope returned to the forge. She smiled brightly when she saw her lover waiting expectantly for her. "Are we ready to go?" she asked.

"Let's go home," Xena said with a nod. Taking the bag from her lover, the warrior wrapped an arm around the bard. She grinned down at Hope when the little girl's fingers latched into the bracer on her other arm.

The air outside was cool in contrast to the forge; Gabrielle rubbed her arms absently as the fall air chilled her skin.

"Pretty soon, my bard, you're going to have to give up that Amazon outfit for something warmer."

Gabrielle squinted up at her lover and smirked. "Is that disappointment I hear in your voice, Xena?"

The warrior snorted as her hand wandered down to trace the bard's spine. "Heavier clothes won't make a difference to me."

On the way back to the inn, a young man crossed their path; he snubbed the warrior and bard with a cold look before continuing on his way.

Feeling the shudder that passed through the bard's small frame, Xena pulled her lover close and whispered, "Ignore him, Gabrielle. Ignore them all. They just need some time to deal with it."

The bard nodded before taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. "As long as I have you, I'll survive the wait."

That evening, the tavern was not as full as it usually was for dinner. Cyrene suspected that it had something to do with the trial earlier that day; Gabrielle apologized profusely no matter how many times the innkeeper assured her that it was not her fault.

Since it was such a light crowd, Hope asked and was allowed to help serve the customers. She went about her job with a bright smile on her face, greeting each familiar face with cheer.

There was one man, however, that was alone at a shadowy table.

Hope took his order and promised to return as soon as possible with his food and drink.

When she did deliver the man's meal, he took one bite and cursed at the little girl. "You daughter of a harpy, how long does it take to walk from the kitchen!" he bellowed. "This food is cold."

Hope opened her mouth to argue against the man's claims, especially when the steam that was still rising from the hearty stew proved his words false. She fell silent, however, when a callused hand fell upon her shoulder and drew her behind a leather-clad shield.

"Teranes," Xena greeted the man with a cool detachment, "is there a problem here?"

"My food is cold," he complained once more although his claim lacked the heat and conviction that he displayed earlier.

Xena arched a brow in disbelief. "Funny," she said as if to herself, "I've never seen cold food throw off steam like that."

Teranes' mouth gaped open like a landed fish; his lips smacked together a few times as he worked on a sarcastic reply of his own.

"Tell you what, Teranes," the warrior said with syrupy pleasantry, "if you sit and eat your dinner like a good boy, I just might let you walk out of here in one piece." Shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, the warrior bared her teeth in a feral grin. "Otherwise, I don't think my girl here will be able to hold me back."

"Your girl?" he asked incredulously as his eyes widened.

"Yeah…and if you talk to her like that again, I'll probably just knock out your teeth to count how many you have left." Leaning close, Xena asked menacingly, "Ya got me?"

Teranes nodded his head vigorously and bent to his stew.

Xena smirked when the man had to fan his mouth after burning it with the first bite. "Good boy," she muttered as she turned and guided Hope away.

When they reached the bar, Xena lifted Hope onto one of the stools and asked, "Are you all right there?"

The little girl darted a glance towards Teranes and nodded. "Yeah. He's just lucky I'm not allowed to have my staff inside. I would've put a knot on his head."

Fighting hard to control a grin, Xena deepened her voice and replied, "Wrongo, kid. When confronted, the first rule is always run and get help…at least until you've got your Amazon rank, understand?"

"But you said that you were gonna hit him. Why can't I? I could've taken him."

Xena sighed and sat on the stool next to the little girl. "Whether you can take him is not the issue. Fighting should always be your last choice." When Hope nodded forlornly, the warrior chuckled. "Trust me, ya don't wanna end up like me. I hardly ever get the chance to talk my way out of something because everyone wants to beat me up first. If you learn the skill to talk your way out first, you'll have to fight less."

"But I like to fight," Hope muttered.

"When you have to do it every day just to survive, it's not very likable," the warrior replied as she tilted Hope's face to meet hers. "Some days, I get real tired of it."

"Why?"

"Because," the warrior replied as she watched Gabrielle come out of the kitchen, "there are usually better things to be doing."

The bard approached her lover and daughter with a worried frown. "I heard shouting out here. Is everything all right?"

"Just fine," Xena replied with a wink to Hope.

"Yep. Xena told him to be quiet."

"Who?" Gabrielle asked as she studied each patron.

Xena sighed and motioned to Toris for a drink. "Teranes. I guess his food didn't agree with him at first."

"I put too much water in it…didn't I? The stock is too thin."

"Gabrielle, the stew is delicious. I had two bowls myself," the warrior attested as she patted her flat stomach. "Don't worry about Teranes. He just woke up on the wrong side of the pallet this morning."

Studying the man in the corner that was bent over his meal, Gabrielle chewed her lip for a moment; her brows drew together in thought. "All right, Xena," she finally said, accepting the warrior's explanation. She knew that her lover was hiding something, but since everyone seemed to be in one piece, she was not going to push the other woman for the truth. "I'm going to start cleaning up in the kitchen," she said over her shoulder, "and you have scrub duty."

Xena caught the towel that was tossed over Gabrielle's shoulder. She stuck her tongue out at the little girl that began to giggle. "Keep it up, Hope," Xena warned, "and I'll have you doing staff drills until your arms fall off…and then I'll feed them to the chickens."

The girl continued to laugh about the mock threat that was made even sillier when Xena crossed her eyes before leaving.

"I wouldn't tease her if I were you," Toris advised as he pushed a mug of juice towards his niece. "Do you know what a Scythian skin burn is?"

Hope took a sip of her juice and then shook her head.

"You keep it up, and that big girl you keep making fun of is going to show you."

"Did she show you?"

"Oh, yeah…plenty. And I ran home crying to my mother every time."

Despite the earlier confrontation, Xena was in high spirits. There was something about Hope that just made her want to smile and play. The warrior figured that it was because the little girl not only looked like her mother, but also acted like Gabrielle. They both had an impish spirit and a rebellious nature. Spending time with her was like reliving her childhood.

As such, when she entered the kitchen and found Gabrielle scrubbing the worktable with lye soap, the warrior smirked playfully. She twisted the towel she had in her hands and snapped it out at the rounded target the bard offered when the smaller woman leaned over the table to reach the opposite side.

Gabrielle squawked and jumped away from the worktable. She spun towards her attacker; her eyes widened and she backed up a step. "Xena," she warned as she raised her hands, "you really don't want to do that."

The warrior was pleased to see her lover's eyes brighten in challenge. Gone was the self-doubt of earlier. In response to Gabrielle's words, Xena snapped out again; the towel cracked the air just in front of the smaller woman's hands.

"You are going to regret that, Warrior Princess," Gabrielle vowed as she ducked behind the table and found a towel of her own. She was delighted to find that it was still damp from cleaning the stove. Spinning her own weapon, she ducked around the table in an attempt to catch Xena on her blind side.

The warrior, however, recognized the familiar tactic and caught the bard's towel with her own. With a flick of her wrist, Gabrielle was disarmed.

A short chase ensued; Xena began to chase the bard around the worktable. The bard tossed small objects at the faster woman in an effort to slow the warrior down. Xena, however, batted them away with negligent ease.

Their laughter carried out into the common room.

When Xena caught her lover, the younger woman was breathing heavily with excitement. The warrior was enchanted by the flush that glowed on the other woman's face. Purring deep in her throat, she backed Gabrielle against the kitchen table and bent her over it backwards. "Never try to beat a master at her own game," she said deeply before lowering her mouth to claim the bard's.

The blood began to pound loudly in Gabrielle's ears. She never heard the kitchen door open.

Xena looked up guiltily to find her mother and Hope watching them.

Cyrene shook her head and studied the mess that was left in the wake of the lovers' raucous play. "You two have been through this routine before," she said as she planted her fists on her hips. "No one leaves this room until it is cleaned up."

Xena cleared her throat and stood; she straightened her leathers and nodded. Gabrielle hurriedly did the same when she realized that she was still lying on the kitchen table.

"And the only activity I want going on in here is cleaning, understand?" Cyrene asked as she looked between the two women. "You can go play when you're finished."

Xena blushed when her mother arched a brow suggestively. "Now I'll be right next door, so I'll hear what's going on."

"I'll keep an eye on 'em, Gramma," Hope said as she pulled a chair out and sat, taking an observational pose.

With her granddaughter's assurance, the innkeeper left the kitchen with a nod.

Gabrielle sighed and blew a stray hair out of her eyes; she had to smother a laugh as it bubbled up through her chest. Leaning into Xena, she said, "Thank you."

Xena ran her hands up and down the bard's back. "For what?"

"For making me feel so good after what happened this afternoon."

The warrior chuckled throatily and tilted her lover's face up for another kiss. "My pleasure." After another brief but lingering exploration, Xena stepped back. "The sooner we clean up in here, the sooner we can go play."

Gabrielle exhaled slowly and fanned her face. "Right," she said to herself. She crouched and began to pick up the spice decanters that she had tossed at Xena. Her arms were full when Hope spoke; she nearly dropped her burden at her daughter's question.

"Are you sure that you two can't make babies?" she asked the two women. Her eyes were round and full of anticipation.

Gabrielle sputtered over an answer before Xena came to her rescue.

"I'm pretty sure that's one thing I can't do," the warrior replied with a lop-sided grin before she began to fill the sink with hot water.

"But I still don't understand," Hope continued; her brow creased with confusion. "When Jett's mama and papa make babies, they make a lot of noise like you two were before Gramma and me came in. And they kiss a lot, too, right before they go to their room and yell at each other. Just like you were kissing."

Gabrielle groaned when she realized that she would have to clear up a few things for her daughter. "Hope, sweetheart, Joxer and Calli are a papa and a mama...that's how they make babies. Xena and I can't because...."

"Because you're both mama's," the little girl finished. "I know. You told me that already, remember?" The little girl's shoulders slumped when she realized that she would not have a new brother or sister. She raised pleading eyes to Xena who was setting a stack of dishes in the sink. "Xena, are you sure you can't do it for my mama?"

Choking on a reply, Gabrielle cleared her throat. She began to wave frantically at her heated face again.

"You mean make a baby?" Xena asked.

"Uh, huh."

"I'm positive," she repeated tonelessly as she bent to her task of scrubbing the dishes; her shaking shoulders proved that her cool tone was a forced façade.

Gabrielle struggled to stand with the spice decanters she was holding. She shot a baleful glare to her lover's back and briefly thought about launching her gathered missiles once more.

"Oh, well," Hope sighed as she shrugged with a grin. "Mama, can you tell me a story while you work?"

Grateful that the subject was forgotten, the bard smiled in relief. She paused for a moment after setting the decanters on the worktable to think of a story that Xena would enjoy. "Did I ever tell you about the time that Xena caught her famous warhorse Argo and brought her home?"

"No," Hope lied, wanting to hear the story again.

"Well," Gabrielle began with a smile; "Xena was a young woman eager to learn the ways of the warrior. One day, as she was training, she realized that no warrior was complete without a warhorse." Knowing that both her listeners already knew how the story went, the bard continued to tell it with great exaggeration. She made comical faces and humorous sounds that had Xena and Hope laughing at her antics. By the time that the long tale was finished, the kitchen was almost clean.

Xena replaced the broom on the hook where it belonged; she wiped her hands off on her towel. "All finished," she said as she studied her wrinkled fingers. She showed them to Gabrielle and wiggled them slowly. "So, my bard, you wanna play with me?"

"Can I play, too?" Hope asked as she jumped off her chair to tug on Xena's leathers.

Xena knelt down and shook her head. "Not tonight, little one. It's almost time for you to go to bed. Tomorrow, I'll teach you a new staff maneuver. How's that sound?"

"Really?"

The warrior nodded solemnly. "Really, I promise."

"Can you tuck me in bed?"

"I'll tuck you in bed," Xena promised as she rose and took the little girl's hand.

"Can you horsey-carry me up to my room?"

Xena looked to Gabrielle for permission; she smiled when the bard nodded with approval. "All right," she replied as she knelt once more, "but you have to promise not to break my back…all right? I mean, you're getting to be a big girl," she continued and then grunted with a heave as she stood with Hope clinging to her back.

"This is so neat!" the little girl cried as Xena bounced on her toes. "Let's go, horsey!"

Gabrielle shook her head with amusement as she followed the duo up the stairs and to the room that Hope shared with Estepani.

When they entered the room, the widow looked up and held a finger to her lips for quiet.

The three of them nodded; Xena gently sat on the empty bed so that Hope could slide off her back.

Hope quickly readied herself for bed. When she was finished, she crawled under the blanket and held out her arms for evening hugs.

Gabrielle bent and wrapped her arms around the small girl; the bard breathed deep of her child's scent. "Good night, sweetheart," she said quietly as she pulled out of the embrace.

"Night, Mama." Again, Hope raised her arms until Xena sat on the bed and leaned close. Hope reached up and wound her arms around the warrior's neck; she squeezed tight and kissed Xena's cheek. "Night, Xena," she whispered. "I love you."

"Same here, kid," the warrior replied lowly into the child's ear. "Now you better go to sleep so I can teach you those moves tomorrow."

"All right," Hope said with an excited nod. She bade her aunt a soft goodnight and rolled over to her side.

Gabrielle took Xena's hand in her own and tugged the taller woman out of the room. Before closing the door behind them, the bard smiled and wished Estepani a good sleep.

When they reached their room, Xena picked Gabrielle up into her arms and carried the smaller woman to the bed. She kissed the bard quickly before she went around the room to light a few candles. Returning to the young woman, she showed her fingers to her lover once more. "I think just for that story down there, I should punish you," she said with a spark of wicked intention in her eyes.

The bard's eyes darkened and she licked her lips. "Just what did you have in mind?"

"Torture, my bard," Xena promised huskily. "Sweet, endless torture."

Gabrielle moaned when the warrior lowered her body to the bed. In her mind, she was already picturing the promise of love.

Hope fidgeted from one foot to the other as she waited for Xena in the back yard. Earlier that morning, the warrior had promised to show her the new staff maneuver after the little girl's chores were finished. Hope had finished her work without the usual dawdling, so she was waiting for Xena to return from her morning ride.

When the warrior finally rode into the back yard, the child's face glowed with adoration, love, and a great dose of hero-worship.

Xena grinned crookedly as she dismounted fluidly and led Argo by the bridle into the barn. "All finished?" she asked Hope who predictably followed her.

"Yep," the little girl replied with a quick nod. "I didn't waste any time at all just so I could come out here."

"All right, then. I just have to take care of Argo here and then we can begin," Xena said as she began to remove the warhorse's saddle.

Hope nodded and sat on a bale of hay in front of the stall; her eyes were wide as she observed and memorized every movement of Xena's hands. Entranced by the warrior's task, Hope was startled when the woman shook her shoulder gently.

"Hey, you in there?" Xena asked with a tinge of humor; she had seen Gabrielle drift off in that same way thousands of times as they were growing up. In fact, the bard had done it last night after they had made love.

Hope shook her head and grinned. "Yeah, sorry 'bout that, Xena. I was just wondering if maybe I should get a pony."

Xena nodded in understanding and said, "You'd probably want to wait until you start your warrior training. Then, you and your horse will be able to learn together. It'll create a stronger bond between you and your mount." The tall woman knelt and squeezed the little girl's leg. "You know of course, that most Amazons either fight on foot or from a chariot."

"Yeah, I know…but maybe they just need someone to tell them that it's all right to ride a horse. Maybe they don't like 'em." Hope cocked her head and asked, "I don't have to be like them in everything, do I? Can I be a little different?"

"As long as it doesn't break any laws, I'm sure you can be as different as you want. The Amazons are a fairly diverse group."

The little girl chewed her lips as she tried to remember the meaning of the word 'diverse.' She suddenly grinned and said, "You mean there's a whole buncha different types of people."

"Exactly," Xena replied as she ruffled the blonde's hair, "so being different isn't a bad thing."

"So if I wanted to ride a horse like Argo into battle, I could?"

"Unless it would be dangerous," Xena replied with a nod. "Sometimes, the Amazons fight in the forest where it's too close to go in on horses."

"That's when they use the trees," Hope finished with a grin. "I've been practicing in the trees," she whispered conspiratorially, "but don't tell Mama 'cause she's afraid of heights and she worries about me all the time."

Xena was uncomfortable for a moment as she thought of the dangers of keeping such a secret from her fiery-tempered lover. The warrior sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "That's really not a good idea, Hope…to go off into the woods by yourself. What would happen if you fell and got hurt?" When the little girl opened her mouth to rebuke the advice, Xena held up a hand. "From now on, I will help you with your tree skills, all right? That way, if your mother finds out, it won't be so bad because she knows that I won't let anything happen to you."

"Really?"

"You bet, kid. By the time you finally make it as an Amazon, you're gonna be as nimble as a squirrel." Xena stood and patted Argo on the nose one last time before grabbing a staff that was leaning in the corner of the stall; Gabrielle loaned it to her while the warrior was training Hope.

"Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever seen a 'nitiation ceremony?"

"No, I haven't, but when Ephiny still lived in the village, she told me about hers."

"Do you have to drink blood?"

"No…that's just a myth to make people not like the Amazons. If you study and practice your staff, you shouldn't have any problem."

"What will I have to do?"

"You'll be tested by the elders on matters of history and philosophy. You will be given endurance tests such as running a mile through the forest and sitting quietly in a tree for a few hours. The weapons master will test you for your arms skills. And then, after examining your performance, the Queen’s Council will determine if you can join the tribe."

"What happens if I mess up?"

"You won't, trust me."

"But what happens if I do?"

"Then you come home and study even harder until the following spring when you can apply once more."

"What about the girls that already live there? What if they don't pass the Amazon rites?"

"Then their mothers punish them for not paying attention," the warrior chuckled. "The tests really aren't that difficult if you have prepared yourself for them. And you, kid," Xena said with pride, "are half-way there. You're probably better with a staff than anyone your age and I've seen you run around with your friends; that one can barely keep up with you."

Hope snorted and grinned as she followed Xena out of the barn. "That's Diana…she doesn't like getting dirty and sweaty so she doesn't try too hard."

The warrior chuckled and asked, "Besides, you really want this, right?" When the little girl nodded, Xena smiled. "See…between me helping you with your physical skills and your mother helping you with the history and philosophy, you should breeze right through next spring."

"You mean Mama's gonna help me? She's finally gonna let me go to be an Amazon? For real? So soon? I thought I’d hafta wait until forever when I turned twelve."

"We spoke about it last night," Xena responded, trying to ignore the little bundle of energy that was bouncing at her side. Unable to stop herself, though, she cracked a grin. "We decided that we will help you prepare for the Initiation Rite this coming spring as long as you prove yourself to be responsible and ready to learn."

When the warrior's face became serious once more, Hope stood still and listened carefully.

"There won't be any complaining or crying. You will have to complete your chores every morning before your time with me. You'll have to help your grandmother with lunch. After lunch, your mother will help you study the scrolls that Ephiny left here for you. The time after dinner is yours to spend as you see fit, as well as every third day after lunch." Stopping, Xena turned and looked down at the little girl. "That is what your mother and I decided. If you want to join the Amazons, you will have to follow the rules. If you want to pull out at any time, just let us know."

The warrior laid a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder and squeezed slightly. "If at any time you have doubts about this, Hope, do not be afraid to speak up. If you find out that it's harder than you thought and you want to wait, we'll understand. We just don't want to push you into anything you don't want."

"But I do want it!" the little blonde cried as she dropped her staff with a dull thunk; she threw her arms around Xena’s hips and buried her face in the warrior’s stomach. "Thank you, Xena. Thank you," she whispered.

Xena stepped back from the embrace and caught Hope’s chin between her forefinger and thumb. Raising the child’s eyes to hers, the warrior shook her head and smiled. "I didn’t do anything. You should thank your mother, all right?" When the child nodded with a bright grin, the warrior bent to kiss her on the forehead. "Good girl," she murmured.

Clearing her throat, Xena stood and straightened her leathers unnecessarily. "Now," she said with more authority, "pick up your staff and follow my lead."

Gabrielle entered the kitchen from the common room. She hung the broom off its hook and crossed to the back door. The day was fairly pleasant and the heavy wood was propped open with a large rock. A pleasant wind blew into the room and as she approached the door; it lifted her hair from her shoulders.

She silently contemplated the woman and the child that were slowly going through the motions of a sparring match.

Xena and Hope - they were her past; they were her future. They were her family.

For the first time in her life, Gabrielle felt as though her dreams had come true, or at least, most of them. But as long as she and Xena were together, it did not matter if they stayed in Amphipolis instead of traveling the world like she once dreamed. It did not matter because she was complete, Xena was happy, and together, they were going to raise and train a fine Amazon daughter.

Studying Hope as the little girl listened soberly to her teacher’s instructions, Gabrielle realized that staying in the village to have and raise her child had been a good decision. The fact that her daughter was following in her footsteps, wanting to find adventure among the tribe of warrior women, made the bard sentimental. When she was a child, though, the only warrior she ever wanted was Xena.

Gabrielle’s lips curled seductively when she realized just how true that was now. Her body shivered as she remembered the warrior’s hands on her body; her breathing accelerated as she recalled the sensations of her lover’s lips paying homage to their commitment by worshipping her body.

The bard sighed deep in her throat; she concentrated her attention on her lover and daughter in the back yard. Gabrielle smiled secretly to herself when she saw the joy that lit Hope’s eyes. She knew that Xena had told the child that they were going to help her get ready for the Initiation Rites in the spring.

Part of Gabrielle worried that she was doing the wrong thing – that she was letting go of her daughter too soon. Another part envied the child’s luck in life to have Xena as an advocate, but then guilt pushed that voice to the recesses of the bard’s mind. And finally, a third part of Gabrielle was full of pride that Xena believed that Hope was ready for the Amazon ceremony.

Gabrielle had always been afraid to let her daughter participate in the Rites; she was afraid of being alone again. Xena however, convinced her that she was not losing a daughter; she was merely gaining another warrior in her life.

Gabrielle smiled knowing that Xena’s experience would not only help Hope through the initial Rites, but also through the training and life as a warrior in general.

Already, she could see the change. This morning after chores, Hope had announced that she was going to train instead of the usual whoop of glee that she was going to kick tail some day. If anyone could share the knowledge of the wrong way to use warrior skills with her daughter, it would be Xena.

The warrior needed to teach and understand her past; Hope needed to learn from someone that had done the worst and could steer her away from it.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Gabrielle squinted up at the sun that was high overhead. She realized that she would have to call her girls in soon for lunch. For the moment, though, she was content to watch them interact a little longer. Soon, winter would be upon them and time outside was to be cherished while it was still warm.

Concluded in Part Seven

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