[bold]Amazon Warrior Princess
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except for the few that I have made up.
Author's Note: This story takes place during Season 3, pretending that Gabrielle never got pregnant with Hope.
Subtext: Yes
Graphic Subtext: No[/bold]
Chapter One
The thunder roared through the heavens and the rain showered the land with a new flood of water. The rivers rose quickly and the banks flooded and washed away the sand. Lightning brightened the sky ever few moments and the sound of hooves beating the ground with fury echoed through the wind.
Xena rode furiously atop her trusty Argo and Gabrielle held on tightly to her friend as they rode. The storm was harsh and the gods were really mixing the elements together.
Lightening struck a nearby tree and a fire started. Argo snorted as she ran and toward the darkness of a thick forest.
"Whoa, Argo!" Xena exclaimed, realizing that her horse was heading for trees in the middle of the storm. She redirected the mare and they continued their journey for shelter.
"Xena!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "We have to get to shelter now!" Xena nodded quickly as the storm sent a fresh new heavy wind from the direction the small company was heading. Argo ran quickly and Xena spotted a cave nearby that looked like it'd be safe from the storm. She started the horse in that direction and they were soon surrounded by darkness so silent that they could hear the mice walking around on the cave floor.
Xena quickly felt around for a place to start a fire. She got a small one started by cracking two stones together and letting the spark hit some twigs. The light was enough to let the warrior princess and the amazon queen/bard see their way.
Xena tethered Argo to a protruding rock and she unsaddled her. The horse snorted appreciation and Xena patted her. Gabrielle ran her fingers through her long blonde hair and Xena looked over at her.
"It's going to take forever to get these tangles out," Gabrielle grumbled. She continued her work as Xena sat the bedrolls over some boulders to dry.
"By the Gods, it's a cold one tonight," Xena stated.
"Tell me about it. It's going to be impossible to stay warm tonight," Gabrielle scowled.
"Hey," Xena said with a smile. "Don't think like that. We've got each other to stay warm."
"Yeah," Gabrielle said, her expression softening. "I know. I just wish we weren't stuck in the middle of no where with a storm passing by us.
"The Gods are probably just quarreling and trying to show off their talents to each other. It'll pass," Xena assured the bard.
"I hope so. I want to get some sleep in a nice, dry bedroll," Gabrielle replied. Xena smiled.
"Come here," she said as she put her arm around the rain soaked bard. She pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Gabrielle sighed.
"This is nice," she said softly. "I just wish we could do this more often."
"We can, Gabrielle," Xena said. "We're just busy all of the time."
"I know," the bard replied.
"I love the quiet we have when we're alone," Xena said with a grin.
"I hope that's not all you love," replied Gabrielle with a devilish grin.
"Of course not," Xena said as she placed a kiss on her lover's cheek. Gabrielle leaned closer into Xena and soon, their playful kisses turned into a romantic rendezvous by the fire.
*~*
Up on Olympus, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love stormed into her chambers. She was so angry with her family. They said she was nothing but a bimbo who flaunted her stuff around the all of the men in the world.
"That is so not true!" Aphrodite exclaimed. She scowled. "Doesn't anybody respect me anymore?" She sighed and decided to look in on all of the lovers of the world. She knew she was spying, but it encouraged her that she was doing a great job in keeping love in the world.
As the goddess looked, she saw Xena and Gabrielle together. She smiled and watched, her face actually flushing, knowing that her two friends were happy and in love and definitely proving that to each other. She smiled and decided to do something to make them very happy. She knew that it was against all of the rules of nature, but she didn't care. She wanted her friends to be happy. She grinned and giggled.
"Oh, I am so good!" she exclaimed. With one last giggle, she disappeared into a shower of hearts and glitter.
*~*
Back in the cave, a flash of bright light, mistaken by the two lovers as lightning, spread through the cave and disappeared as quickly as it had came. The chuckle of the goddess was heard and the lovers finished their lovemaking.
Just minutes later, Xena laid sprawled out across the bard. She smiled at her and they laughed happily.
"I love you Xena," Gabrielle said with a pleased smile on her face.
"I love you too, my bard," Xena replied. She kissed her atop the head and moved over, wrapping her arms around her.
Chapter Two
In the morning, the warrior princess, the amazon queen, and the horse were facing the drizzly day and they were all in glum moods.
"Xena, why does this weather have to continue? I want sunshine and happiness," the bard declared.
"Well, hey, not everything is bad. Last night wasn't," Xena grinned.
"Well, everything I do with you like that is amazing," Gabrielle replied. "I just hate this weather!"
"Hey, whatever keeps us close and keeps us warming each other up," Xena said softly. "But I hope it ends soon because mother is expecting us in a couple of days. I don't want to show up late and wet with rain."
"Well, maybe not with rain," Gabrielle started.
"Gabrielle!" Xena exclaimed with a laugh. "What's gotten into you?"
"You," Gabrielle said with a smile. Xena grinned and kissed her gently. "Maybe we can get Aphrodite to pop us into Amphipolis when it's time to be there. That way we can relax and have some fun until then."
"I'm sure Aphrodite has better things to do than help us out," Xena explained.
"Owie!" the goddess exclaimed as she appeared.
"Of course I have time for you two lovebirds," she said with a smile.
"You know about that?" Gabrielle asked.
"Of course! I am the goddess of love, you know," Aphrodite replied. "And, I'll be happy to pop you to Amphipolis in a couple of days."
"Why are you being so nice?" Xena asked with a glare.
"Hey, I'm doing everything I can to help you two out. There's just so much love in this relationship and it gets me so emotional!" Xena and Gabrielle looked at Aphrodite and then at each other and then back to the goddess.
"So we'll see you in two days?" Xena asked. Aphrodite nodded.
"Go have fun ladies," she said with a grin. She winked and snapped herself into invisibility. Xena looked at Gabrielle.
"Well, let's do what the goddess says," Gabrielle said with a small growl. "Let's go have some fun."
*~*
An hour later, Xena and Gabrielle were taking a relaxing swim in the lake nearby. Xena was doing flips and dives into the water and Gabrielle was floating around, feeling too tired to do anything. She was worn out from the past couple of days and she wasn't looking forward to going to Amphipolis. She liked Xena's mom, but she wanted extra private time with Xena.
The sky was overcast and the dreariness made Gabrielle heave a heavy sigh. Gods she was so relaxed yet so tired of the clouds. She couldn't wait to feel the sun's warmth on her face and see Xena's dark hair shine in the sunlight.
Xena noticed the weakness in her bard's sigh.
"Gabrielle, are you okay?" she asked. Gabrielle looked over at her friend, her love, who was swimming closer to her.
"I'm fine," Gabrielle said with a smile. "I just can't wait to see you shine in the sun."
"That's beautiful," Xena grinned. "Write that down sometime."
"I'll put it in a scroll," Gabrielle said with a chuckle. Gabrielle paused for a moment and dunked her head under the water to wet her hair. She then popped up out of the water and flipped her hair back and looked at Xena.
"Are you sure everything is okay?" Xena asked. Gabrielle nodded slowly.
"It's just that," Gabrielle began. "All of my life, I've dreamed of having a family. I've had a lover and a child. I know that you've got Solan, but I mean I couldn't be a parent to him. He's nearly grown."
"I think I know what you're getting at," Xena replied.
"You do?" Gabrielle asked with relief.
"Mhmm," Xena drawled out. "You want a baby." Gabrielle grinned and saw to her lover. She smiled at Xena and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"You can always read my mind," she said softly as she pressed her lips against the warrior princess'. Xena chuckled.
"Gabrielle, I wish I could give you what you want," Xena said as she pulled away and swam backward a bit. "But, you know that it's just not in my power."
"I know," Gabrielle said quietly. "I just wish that the gods would give us a sign that one day a child will come into our lives." It wasn't even a moment later that the clouds parted for a moment and a ray of sunshine shined down onto the land. Gabrielle and Xena's eyes went wide as the clouds closed back up. The companions looked at each other and a giggle escaped Gabrielle's throat.
"I think that was a good sign," Xena said with a gleam in her eyes. Gabrielle smiled playfully and headed toward her partner once again.
Chapter Three
The afternoon passed and Xena and Gabrielle killed the time by lying in each other's arms and talking about the future. They both agreed that if a child ever came into their lives, they'd take all the precautions to ensure a safe life for a child.
Xena had suggested that they find a place to call their home and they could go there often to give the child a sense of a secure home. She wanted the child to be safe and loved and never worry about anything.
"Xena," Gabrielle started. "We don't have a child. We shouldn't be getting ahead of ourselves." Gabrielle was packing her saddlebags on Argo and making sure they were fastened well.
"Well, just in case we come across a kid," Xena said with a laugh. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and walked around the horse before finally walking back over to Xena.
"Well, I'll pray every night that the gods bless us with a child," Gabrielle said softly.
"Yeah, like they'll bless us," Xena said with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey!" came a voice. Aphrodite appeared. "After all I've done! You gals are so ungrateful!"
"What?" Gabrielle asked. "Aphrodite?"
"You have no idea how much I've blessed the two of you!" the goddess raged with a bit of annoyance.
"What are you talking about?" Xena asked with narrowed eyes. "What have you done, Aphrodite?"
"Oh, now it's something bad!" she exclaimed.
"No!" Gabrielle exclaimed as she saw the goddess start to walk toward Xena. She stepped between the two. "Aphrodite, what are you talking about?"
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," the goddess said with a softening expression. "But, I guess the two of you just won't be able to wait!"
"Well?" Xena asked impatiently.
"Well," Aphrodite mimicked. "One of the two of you is pregnant. I'm not saying whom, but while you two were doing your thing last night, I blessed you with a child. Now, you'll have to wait to find out who is carrying it."
"By the gods!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "Thank you Aphrodite!"
"My pleasure Gabby!" Aphrodite replied. Xena was looking at the goddess with surprise.
"You mean, Gabrielle and I are having a baby? Together?" Xena asked. Aphrodite giggled with delight and disappeared with a snap of her fingers. Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other for a long moment and then pulled each other into a loving embrace.
"I can't believe this is happening!" Gabrielle said with excitement in her voice. "I love you Xena."
"I love you too, Gabrielle," Xena declared as she kissed her bard's cheek.
Chapter Four
For the next day, Xena and Gabrielle treated each other with caution and worry, neither knowing which was the one carrying the child. Xena had a good feeling that it was Gabrielle, but Gabrielle wasn't so sure.
Xena watched Gabrielle like a hawk and made her eat healthy and Gabrielle did the same with Xena. They were both tolerating each other's behaviors for the sake of the unborn child that one of them carried.
The unmistakable stress in the air was shown when Aphrodite popped Xena and Gabrielle into Amphipolis. As soon as they got to the town, Xena made sure Gabrielle was fine and Gabrielle did the same with Xena.
"I'm fine, Xena," Gabrielle assured her. "Don't worry about me. You're probably the pregnant one."
"I don't think so, Gabrielle. I bet Aphrodite gave you the baby because I've already given birth once. You haven't," Xena explained.
"So," Gabrielle said with a laugh. She walked beside her companion as they headed for Cyrene's tavern. "That doesn't mean a thing. You're the strong, careful warrior. The baby would be much better protected if you were pregnant."
"Well, I don't know," Xena replied. "I still think you're pregnant." Gabrielle laughed and put her arm around Xena's waist.
"I'll tell you one thing," Gabrielle declared. "I want this child to be an Amazon Princess."
"An Amazon Warrior Princess," Xena corrected.
"Yes," Gabrielle said with a smile.
"Wait a minute. What if it's a boy?" Xena asked cautiously.
"I'm sure it's a girl," Gabrielle offered. "I mean, Aphrodite gave us this gift. I'm sure this child is a girl."
"Well, let's hope this is a girl for the child's sake. We don't want the poor boy to be an Amazon Warrior Princess," Xena laughed. Gabrielle giggled and beamed with pride. "So, are you ready to tell your mother the news?" Xena nodded slowly as she and Gabrielle stepped into the tavern.
The tavern was scented with the smell of candles burning and the occasional release of gas from a customer. Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other and then turned their attention back to the people in the tavern.
Cyrene was sitting at the counter, counting dinars and sipping a glass of mead. She looked up from her task and saw her daughter and her daughter's partner. She smiled. She walked over and hugged them both.
"It's good to see you two again," she said with a grin. "I was thinking you'd never get here."
"Don't worry mom, we wouldn't miss coming by here for the world," Xena replied. She smiled and looked at Gabrielle momentarily.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Cyrene asked. "Well, I mean, besides the fact that you two are lovers?" Gabrielle stifled a smile for a moment and Cyrene chuckled.
"Well, as a matter of fact, there is," Gabrielle answered. She put her arm around Xena's waist and grinned widely. "We're having a baby!" Cyrene looked from Gabrielle to Xena and then crinkled her brow.
"But that's impossible," Cyrene said slowly and carefully, thinking about the ways of nature.
"Well, not when the gods are involved," declared the warrior princess. "Aphrodite blessed Gabrielle and I with a child and she hasn't told us which of us is carrying it."
"Well, I just don't know what to say," Cyrene said with surprise.
"How about congratulations?" Gabrielle asked. Cyrene nodded.
"Congratulations," answered the stunned tavern keeper.
"Don't worry, we'll bring your grandchild over as much as we can. We just have to make sure that this child is safe. If it's a girl, we're going to make her and Amazon Warrior Princess and she'll spend time with the amazons," explained the warrior.
"But, if it's a boy?" Cyrene asked.
"We'll probably take him to spend time with his brother and the centaurs," Xena declared.
"Yes, I think you should bring my grandson to see me soon," Cyrene said with a smile. "I've heard so much about him from the scrolls you've written to me. I just wish I could see his face."
"Don't worry mom," Xena assured. "You'll see him soon."
*~*
About an hour later, Xena and Gabrielle were eating a small lunch of trout and perch. The fish was cooked wonderfully by Cyrene and was made as clean and healthy as possible. Xena and Gabrielle were still debating over who was the pregnant one, but it wasn't getting anywhere. Neither could be sure for quite awhile.
"Xena," Gabrielle started. "I think that we should go to a healer." Xena gave her a teasingly angry look.
"Gabrielle, I'm a healer," Xena said. "And I don't feel pregnant at all. I really think you're having the baby."
"Xena," Gabrielle said harshly. "These are not birthing hips. I just don't think that I could have a child."
"Gabrielle, your body changes during pregnancy and believe me, you'll be able to have the baby," Xena replied.
"I give up," Gabrielle said under her breath. She went back to eating her lunch and the rest of the meal was quiet.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except for the few that I have made up.
Author's Note: This story takes place during Season 3, pretending that Gabrielle never got pregnant with Hope.
Subtext: Yes
Graphic Subtext: No[/bold]
Chapter One
The thunder roared through the heavens and the rain showered the land with a new flood of water. The rivers rose quickly and the banks flooded and washed away the sand. Lightning brightened the sky ever few moments and the sound of hooves beating the ground with fury echoed through the wind.
Xena rode furiously atop her trusty Argo and Gabrielle held on tightly to her friend as they rode. The storm was harsh and the gods were really mixing the elements together.
Lightening struck a nearby tree and a fire started. Argo snorted as she ran and toward the darkness of a thick forest.
"Whoa, Argo!" Xena exclaimed, realizing that her horse was heading for trees in the middle of the storm. She redirected the mare and they continued their journey for shelter.
"Xena!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "We have to get to shelter now!" Xena nodded quickly as the storm sent a fresh new heavy wind from the direction the small company was heading. Argo ran quickly and Xena spotted a cave nearby that looked like it'd be safe from the storm. She started the horse in that direction and they were soon surrounded by darkness so silent that they could hear the mice walking around on the cave floor.
Xena quickly felt around for a place to start a fire. She got a small one started by cracking two stones together and letting the spark hit some twigs. The light was enough to let the warrior princess and the amazon queen/bard see their way.
Xena tethered Argo to a protruding rock and she unsaddled her. The horse snorted appreciation and Xena patted her. Gabrielle ran her fingers through her long blonde hair and Xena looked over at her.
"It's going to take forever to get these tangles out," Gabrielle grumbled. She continued her work as Xena sat the bedrolls over some boulders to dry.
"By the Gods, it's a cold one tonight," Xena stated.
"Tell me about it. It's going to be impossible to stay warm tonight," Gabrielle scowled.
"Hey," Xena said with a smile. "Don't think like that. We've got each other to stay warm."
"Yeah," Gabrielle said, her expression softening. "I know. I just wish we weren't stuck in the middle of no where with a storm passing by us.
"The Gods are probably just quarreling and trying to show off their talents to each other. It'll pass," Xena assured the bard.
"I hope so. I want to get some sleep in a nice, dry bedroll," Gabrielle replied. Xena smiled.
"Come here," she said as she put her arm around the rain soaked bard. She pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Gabrielle sighed.
"This is nice," she said softly. "I just wish we could do this more often."
"We can, Gabrielle," Xena said. "We're just busy all of the time."
"I know," the bard replied.
"I love the quiet we have when we're alone," Xena said with a grin.
"I hope that's not all you love," replied Gabrielle with a devilish grin.
"Of course not," Xena said as she placed a kiss on her lover's cheek. Gabrielle leaned closer into Xena and soon, their playful kisses turned into a romantic rendezvous by the fire.
*~*
Up on Olympus, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love stormed into her chambers. She was so angry with her family. They said she was nothing but a bimbo who flaunted her stuff around the all of the men in the world.
"That is so not true!" Aphrodite exclaimed. She scowled. "Doesn't anybody respect me anymore?" She sighed and decided to look in on all of the lovers of the world. She knew she was spying, but it encouraged her that she was doing a great job in keeping love in the world.
As the goddess looked, she saw Xena and Gabrielle together. She smiled and watched, her face actually flushing, knowing that her two friends were happy and in love and definitely proving that to each other. She smiled and decided to do something to make them very happy. She knew that it was against all of the rules of nature, but she didn't care. She wanted her friends to be happy. She grinned and giggled.
"Oh, I am so good!" she exclaimed. With one last giggle, she disappeared into a shower of hearts and glitter.
*~*
Back in the cave, a flash of bright light, mistaken by the two lovers as lightning, spread through the cave and disappeared as quickly as it had came. The chuckle of the goddess was heard and the lovers finished their lovemaking.
Just minutes later, Xena laid sprawled out across the bard. She smiled at her and they laughed happily.
"I love you Xena," Gabrielle said with a pleased smile on her face.
"I love you too, my bard," Xena replied. She kissed her atop the head and moved over, wrapping her arms around her.
Chapter Two
In the morning, the warrior princess, the amazon queen, and the horse were facing the drizzly day and they were all in glum moods.
"Xena, why does this weather have to continue? I want sunshine and happiness," the bard declared.
"Well, hey, not everything is bad. Last night wasn't," Xena grinned.
"Well, everything I do with you like that is amazing," Gabrielle replied. "I just hate this weather!"
"Hey, whatever keeps us close and keeps us warming each other up," Xena said softly. "But I hope it ends soon because mother is expecting us in a couple of days. I don't want to show up late and wet with rain."
"Well, maybe not with rain," Gabrielle started.
"Gabrielle!" Xena exclaimed with a laugh. "What's gotten into you?"
"You," Gabrielle said with a smile. Xena grinned and kissed her gently. "Maybe we can get Aphrodite to pop us into Amphipolis when it's time to be there. That way we can relax and have some fun until then."
"I'm sure Aphrodite has better things to do than help us out," Xena explained.
"Owie!" the goddess exclaimed as she appeared.
"Of course I have time for you two lovebirds," she said with a smile.
"You know about that?" Gabrielle asked.
"Of course! I am the goddess of love, you know," Aphrodite replied. "And, I'll be happy to pop you to Amphipolis in a couple of days."
"Why are you being so nice?" Xena asked with a glare.
"Hey, I'm doing everything I can to help you two out. There's just so much love in this relationship and it gets me so emotional!" Xena and Gabrielle looked at Aphrodite and then at each other and then back to the goddess.
"So we'll see you in two days?" Xena asked. Aphrodite nodded.
"Go have fun ladies," she said with a grin. She winked and snapped herself into invisibility. Xena looked at Gabrielle.
"Well, let's do what the goddess says," Gabrielle said with a small growl. "Let's go have some fun."
*~*
An hour later, Xena and Gabrielle were taking a relaxing swim in the lake nearby. Xena was doing flips and dives into the water and Gabrielle was floating around, feeling too tired to do anything. She was worn out from the past couple of days and she wasn't looking forward to going to Amphipolis. She liked Xena's mom, but she wanted extra private time with Xena.
The sky was overcast and the dreariness made Gabrielle heave a heavy sigh. Gods she was so relaxed yet so tired of the clouds. She couldn't wait to feel the sun's warmth on her face and see Xena's dark hair shine in the sunlight.
Xena noticed the weakness in her bard's sigh.
"Gabrielle, are you okay?" she asked. Gabrielle looked over at her friend, her love, who was swimming closer to her.
"I'm fine," Gabrielle said with a smile. "I just can't wait to see you shine in the sun."
"That's beautiful," Xena grinned. "Write that down sometime."
"I'll put it in a scroll," Gabrielle said with a chuckle. Gabrielle paused for a moment and dunked her head under the water to wet her hair. She then popped up out of the water and flipped her hair back and looked at Xena.
"Are you sure everything is okay?" Xena asked. Gabrielle nodded slowly.
"It's just that," Gabrielle began. "All of my life, I've dreamed of having a family. I've had a lover and a child. I know that you've got Solan, but I mean I couldn't be a parent to him. He's nearly grown."
"I think I know what you're getting at," Xena replied.
"You do?" Gabrielle asked with relief.
"Mhmm," Xena drawled out. "You want a baby." Gabrielle grinned and saw to her lover. She smiled at Xena and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"You can always read my mind," she said softly as she pressed her lips against the warrior princess'. Xena chuckled.
"Gabrielle, I wish I could give you what you want," Xena said as she pulled away and swam backward a bit. "But, you know that it's just not in my power."
"I know," Gabrielle said quietly. "I just wish that the gods would give us a sign that one day a child will come into our lives." It wasn't even a moment later that the clouds parted for a moment and a ray of sunshine shined down onto the land. Gabrielle and Xena's eyes went wide as the clouds closed back up. The companions looked at each other and a giggle escaped Gabrielle's throat.
"I think that was a good sign," Xena said with a gleam in her eyes. Gabrielle smiled playfully and headed toward her partner once again.
Chapter Three
The afternoon passed and Xena and Gabrielle killed the time by lying in each other's arms and talking about the future. They both agreed that if a child ever came into their lives, they'd take all the precautions to ensure a safe life for a child.
Xena had suggested that they find a place to call their home and they could go there often to give the child a sense of a secure home. She wanted the child to be safe and loved and never worry about anything.
"Xena," Gabrielle started. "We don't have a child. We shouldn't be getting ahead of ourselves." Gabrielle was packing her saddlebags on Argo and making sure they were fastened well.
"Well, just in case we come across a kid," Xena said with a laugh. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and walked around the horse before finally walking back over to Xena.
"Well, I'll pray every night that the gods bless us with a child," Gabrielle said softly.
"Yeah, like they'll bless us," Xena said with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey!" came a voice. Aphrodite appeared. "After all I've done! You gals are so ungrateful!"
"What?" Gabrielle asked. "Aphrodite?"
"You have no idea how much I've blessed the two of you!" the goddess raged with a bit of annoyance.
"What are you talking about?" Xena asked with narrowed eyes. "What have you done, Aphrodite?"
"Oh, now it's something bad!" she exclaimed.
"No!" Gabrielle exclaimed as she saw the goddess start to walk toward Xena. She stepped between the two. "Aphrodite, what are you talking about?"
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," the goddess said with a softening expression. "But, I guess the two of you just won't be able to wait!"
"Well?" Xena asked impatiently.
"Well," Aphrodite mimicked. "One of the two of you is pregnant. I'm not saying whom, but while you two were doing your thing last night, I blessed you with a child. Now, you'll have to wait to find out who is carrying it."
"By the gods!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "Thank you Aphrodite!"
"My pleasure Gabby!" Aphrodite replied. Xena was looking at the goddess with surprise.
"You mean, Gabrielle and I are having a baby? Together?" Xena asked. Aphrodite giggled with delight and disappeared with a snap of her fingers. Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other for a long moment and then pulled each other into a loving embrace.
"I can't believe this is happening!" Gabrielle said with excitement in her voice. "I love you Xena."
"I love you too, Gabrielle," Xena declared as she kissed her bard's cheek.
Chapter Four
For the next day, Xena and Gabrielle treated each other with caution and worry, neither knowing which was the one carrying the child. Xena had a good feeling that it was Gabrielle, but Gabrielle wasn't so sure.
Xena watched Gabrielle like a hawk and made her eat healthy and Gabrielle did the same with Xena. They were both tolerating each other's behaviors for the sake of the unborn child that one of them carried.
The unmistakable stress in the air was shown when Aphrodite popped Xena and Gabrielle into Amphipolis. As soon as they got to the town, Xena made sure Gabrielle was fine and Gabrielle did the same with Xena.
"I'm fine, Xena," Gabrielle assured her. "Don't worry about me. You're probably the pregnant one."
"I don't think so, Gabrielle. I bet Aphrodite gave you the baby because I've already given birth once. You haven't," Xena explained.
"So," Gabrielle said with a laugh. She walked beside her companion as they headed for Cyrene's tavern. "That doesn't mean a thing. You're the strong, careful warrior. The baby would be much better protected if you were pregnant."
"Well, I don't know," Xena replied. "I still think you're pregnant." Gabrielle laughed and put her arm around Xena's waist.
"I'll tell you one thing," Gabrielle declared. "I want this child to be an Amazon Princess."
"An Amazon Warrior Princess," Xena corrected.
"Yes," Gabrielle said with a smile.
"Wait a minute. What if it's a boy?" Xena asked cautiously.
"I'm sure it's a girl," Gabrielle offered. "I mean, Aphrodite gave us this gift. I'm sure this child is a girl."
"Well, let's hope this is a girl for the child's sake. We don't want the poor boy to be an Amazon Warrior Princess," Xena laughed. Gabrielle giggled and beamed with pride. "So, are you ready to tell your mother the news?" Xena nodded slowly as she and Gabrielle stepped into the tavern.
The tavern was scented with the smell of candles burning and the occasional release of gas from a customer. Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other and then turned their attention back to the people in the tavern.
Cyrene was sitting at the counter, counting dinars and sipping a glass of mead. She looked up from her task and saw her daughter and her daughter's partner. She smiled. She walked over and hugged them both.
"It's good to see you two again," she said with a grin. "I was thinking you'd never get here."
"Don't worry mom, we wouldn't miss coming by here for the world," Xena replied. She smiled and looked at Gabrielle momentarily.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Cyrene asked. "Well, I mean, besides the fact that you two are lovers?" Gabrielle stifled a smile for a moment and Cyrene chuckled.
"Well, as a matter of fact, there is," Gabrielle answered. She put her arm around Xena's waist and grinned widely. "We're having a baby!" Cyrene looked from Gabrielle to Xena and then crinkled her brow.
"But that's impossible," Cyrene said slowly and carefully, thinking about the ways of nature.
"Well, not when the gods are involved," declared the warrior princess. "Aphrodite blessed Gabrielle and I with a child and she hasn't told us which of us is carrying it."
"Well, I just don't know what to say," Cyrene said with surprise.
"How about congratulations?" Gabrielle asked. Cyrene nodded.
"Congratulations," answered the stunned tavern keeper.
"Don't worry, we'll bring your grandchild over as much as we can. We just have to make sure that this child is safe. If it's a girl, we're going to make her and Amazon Warrior Princess and she'll spend time with the amazons," explained the warrior.
"But, if it's a boy?" Cyrene asked.
"We'll probably take him to spend time with his brother and the centaurs," Xena declared.
"Yes, I think you should bring my grandson to see me soon," Cyrene said with a smile. "I've heard so much about him from the scrolls you've written to me. I just wish I could see his face."
"Don't worry mom," Xena assured. "You'll see him soon."
*~*
About an hour later, Xena and Gabrielle were eating a small lunch of trout and perch. The fish was cooked wonderfully by Cyrene and was made as clean and healthy as possible. Xena and Gabrielle were still debating over who was the pregnant one, but it wasn't getting anywhere. Neither could be sure for quite awhile.
"Xena," Gabrielle started. "I think that we should go to a healer." Xena gave her a teasingly angry look.
"Gabrielle, I'm a healer," Xena said. "And I don't feel pregnant at all. I really think you're having the baby."
"Xena," Gabrielle said harshly. "These are not birthing hips. I just don't think that I could have a child."
"Gabrielle, your body changes during pregnancy and believe me, you'll be able to have the baby," Xena replied.
"I give up," Gabrielle said under her breath. She went back to eating her lunch and the rest of the meal was quiet.