My first ever story! :) Please be gentle lol.
Disclaimer: Xena Warrior Princess and its characters all belong to the show and RENPICs and do not belong to me.
Sex: No
Subtext: Yes
Summary: After Eve is born, Xena decides its time to retire.
Timeline: After Eve's birth, no twilight of gods looming.
Chapter 1: It's All So Clear
Xena closed her eyes and struggled to slow the frustration that was bubbling up inside her. On two occasions today, boorish warriors insinuated what she and Gabrielle did after accomplishing a mission. This current one was more irritating than the other. He sat there before her, arching his eyebrow in a whimsical manner.
"Come on warrior, stop acting like you don't have urges, that blond you travel with has quite a body" he intoned while elbowing her in the side.
She turned and growled. The overgrown oaf suddenly gained an understanding of how close his life came to ending, and he slowly backed away.
"Why can't two people just travel together, why does there have to be some kind of thing going between them. We're best friends." She said aloud to the room and herself.
She rolled her eyes and walked out of the tavern towards the market.
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath.
The chaos and sounds of the market overtook the noises in her head. Above the random haggling of the crowd's voices, her ears focused on a familiar voice.
"Throw in those scroll cases and you've got yourself a deal!" Gabrielle harumphed at the scribe supply tent's owner. Xena's mood upturned and a happiness bubbled up inside.
"At least I don't have to be at the receiving end of Gabrielle's haggling skills." She reached her hand and tapped Gabrielle on the shoulder.
"Oh hi Xena," Gabrielle startled, "be with you in a minute."
She turned back around and completed the transaction for the scroll supplies. Gabrielle knew it wasn't long before she would get what she wanted. It probably helped that there was a intimidating six foot warrior standing behind her.
Xena reached for Eve, who snoozed comfortably in her carrier on Gabrielle's back. Eve loved Gabrielle as much as a baby of 6 months could. Xena never hesitated to entrust Eve with her friend. It soothed Xena's heart to know that with all the family and friends she had lost, she still had Gabrielle. Now she had Eve as well, she couldn't feel happier. It was such an opposite emotion than what she just had a few minutes ago in the tavern while having lunch.
"Hi Evie my love", she hugged and cradled the plump bundle to her. The smell of her baby melted her heart. She resolved that this time, she would do right by her child, no matter what the cost.
An idea appeared in her mind. "Hmmm maybe its time for Mommy to settle down, isn't it Evie?"
Gabrielle, who had felt the burden on her back significantly lighter, caught the end of the statement. Her eyes bulged and she turned and stared at her friend.
"What did you just say?" Gabrielle questioned as she put away the goods she just purchased.
"Did you just mention something about settling down? Xena I know its only been six months since Eve was born, are you sure hormones aren't driving what you just said?" she finished.
"Gabrielle, it just hit me all of a sudden. It makes perfect sense. Eve is my priority, I owe it to myself, you, Solan, and even Hope to raise her and put her first." she demanded. Xena knew mentioning Hope would demonstrate to Gabrielle how inspired and serious she was about what she had just stated.
"Its perfect, we could go live with my mom, or even with the Amazons" Xena softly suggested. Gabrielle, whose mind was still on her lost opportunity with Hope, had no idea what to think. An ache in her heart quieted her. Looking at Xena and Eve, she now knew that Xena meant what she said.
"You're right Xena," she acquiesced. Subdued, but with a lighter heart, she was seeing all the potential of what Xena had just suggested. Xena had a second chance to make right by her child. Gabrielle couldn't blame her, if put in Xena's place, she'd probably do the same thing.