Title: Confession

Rating: K

Author: Ellixer

Pairing: X/G

Disclaimer: Characters and show are owned by Universal and others. The story is mine. I make nothing.

Note: Those moments after Xena reveals she's pregnant. Little tiny short.

Everyone has run off to their tasks, preparing for whatever fight Darkon might bring. But me….I'm sitting on this bench still trying to come to terms with Xena's little surprise. We're in our room overlooking the street below. Xena is moving about gathering things, but she is trying to avoid talking to me.

'Xena.' She acts as if she doesn't hear. Not only is she pregnant she has also gone deaf.

'Xena.' My voice is firmer this time. She freezes, back still to me. 'We need to talk about this.' Her shoulders visibly slump as she turns to face me. She's waiting for me to talk but my question is obvious.

'I told you I don't know. And now is not a good time.'

'Now is the only time. Is there something you want to tell me?' I'm trying to go back and think of all the people we've come across lately. There's been a lot.

'No. I'm just as confused as you are.' She sits in the chair across from me, leaning forward she puts her hands over mine. 'I have no idea how this happened.'

'But Xena, the only way is if you…' I really don't want to say it.

'I know, I know. But I swear I haven't.' She pauses. 'At least I don't think so.'

'What do you mean you don't think so? Either you know or you don't.' What if she's been with so many men she doesn't know who it could be?

'Gabrielle don't freak out.' Her voice is soft, she's trying to keep me calm. It's difficult.

'So…..I'm supposed to believe that this was….. I don't know, completely spontaneous?' I'm doing my best not to get excited. She just gives me this little nod and shrug. 'I learned as a child that a man is needed in order to have a baby. Unless I missed something?' Crazier things have happened.

'Do you trust me?' She gives me this pleading look. Am I supposed to feel guilty now?

'Of course I do, but Xena…' I trail off. I can't wrap my mind around the logistics.

'Then trust me when I say I don't know.' I give her a fake smile.

'Ok.' Oh, I'm not letting this drop. Way too many scenarios are running through my head for me to just forget it.

'Now we need to get ready.' She gets back up, securing her chakram to her side. Hmmm, now when was she away from me long enough too… Well there was that one time. But no, couldn't have been. Hmm what about that time in….. No.

We're heading out of Spamona, and I'm trying to get used to my new horse. He wants to buck and jump a little, but settles after a few minutes. Xena is trying not to make eye contact with me, hoping that I've dropped the whole baby subject. Oh, I've been thinking a lot.

'So it wasn't Ares, and it wasn't any man….that you'll tell me about. How'd it happen?' Xena pulls up on Argo's reigns, bringing her to a stop.

'I've been thinking. When Eli brought us back,' The mention of our death and resurrection causes images to assault my senses. I swallow them back down. 'I felt something that I couldn't explain.' Her hand absently travels to her stomach.

'Can Archangels get someone pregnant?' This is meant mostly as a joke.

'Gabrielle!' Xena did not find it funny. I should probably keep the other comments I have, to myself.