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Chapter One: An Ordinary Morning

Our story begins in a small clearing, where Xena and Gabrielle are both still encompassed by Morpheus's cocoon of sleep. Xena (as usual) is the first to stir into wakefulness and finds herself in a very content and happy mood. Clear and crisp the air surrounds her, sitting up she greets the morning with these happy thoughts…

Mmmm its days like this that make me happy to be alive. Even the birds seem to know, with their spontaneous lighthearted tune filtering in and out from the trees above.

Pushing the covers back, Xena leisurely stretches her arms high above her head to work the small kinks from her back. A sigh of contentment leaves her lips as she finishes and looks around the little camp. She smiles at what this simple everyday sight brings to mind…

I feel genuinely lucky to have met Gabrielle when I did. Gabrielle, just saying her name can make a smile appear on my face. Thinking back to my life before I met her, I was evil pure and simple. Death was my friend and vengeance my guide. I conquered people and land alike without a care or remorse for that matter.

Still I was tired of fighting, sick of the death. I wanted to bury my sword and forget all the bloody memories that it held. I had no real plan, perhaps drink my way into oblivion, who knows. But then I heard her voice, she is the reason I picked up my sword again. Draco and his men had chosen that day and that village to attack. I as a former warlord would normally want nothing to do with another warlord's conquest, unless I could get something out of it of course.

The bitter monologue purses Xena's lips into a tight line before easing into a slight smirk at her next ironic thought.

Turns out I did get something out of it. I was unaware of it at the time but the moment and place were set, as if our meeting was per-written by destiny. She was fiery and selfless, standing there ready to sacrifice herself in order to save the other people from her village. I could not ignore the rush of protectiveness I felt for this girl. A stranger yet there was something familiar about her. She held a light of gentle goodness that radiated from her almost like a beacon to my dark soul. My breath held and my heart stumbled, I would never be the same. After that I had a drive, a path again. The difference a day makes is remarkable.

It is with this thought that Xena turns to give a good morning kiss to the light of her life.

"Good morn... "

The carefree greeting dies upon the warrior's lips as she's met by a blanketed form instead of Gabrielle's sleeping face. "Gabrielle...you okay?" Shaking what she assumes is her shoulder does nothing.

Concerned Xena pulls the blanket off Gabrielle's head instantly regretting this decision when she receives a sharp reprimand from the once sleeping bard.

"XENA IT'S FREEZZING, LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Snatching the covers from Xena's hand, Gabrielle hunkers back under with an audible huff. The tranquility restored Xena's brow twist in obvious confusion at this very irritable little development.

What's gotten into her? I know she's not a morning person but she doesn't normally bite my head off either...well unless you use her frying pan in a fight, but I only did that once!

Drawing her knee up to rest an elbow, the warrior begins to replay the last few days over in her mind hoping to throw light on this mysterious mood her little partners in.

Hmm let's see we did laundry yesterday but I helped so that can't be it.

Xena sits rubbing at her chin deep in thought. After a few more moments of concentration she gives up figuring her companion's bad mood is nothing more than her needing a bit more sleep. With this as a satisfactory explanation and being a very wise person she decides to let the sleeping bard lie. Slowly extracting herself from the bedroll Xena go's in search of breakfast.

"I'm sure she'll be hungry when she does finally decide to get up!" Xena mumbles to know one in particular as she wonders off toward the nearby stream.

A short time later…

The fires delicate spirals sporadically dance beneath the cast iron pan. Xena has naturally managed to catch two nice size fish, which are now contentedly sizzling, filling the air with their fragrant aroma.

Watching the fish spit and sizzle is almost mesmerizing but Argo's distinctive call turns Xena's eyes in her direction.

A fond smile "Hey girl" flipping the fish over once more, satisfied they'll be okay for a few minutes. She walks over to the other important girl in her life. Giving Argo a gentle pat on the neck Xena speaks to her in low soothing tones.

"Have a good rest?"

Argo's answering snort confirms a yes. "Good" Xena's fingers trace a pattern along Argo's snout as she looks back to the bedrolls.

"Guess it's about time to wake up sleeping beauty."

Argo upon hearing this announcement pulls back and starts to back away.

Xena's hands move to her hips as she calls after her. "Thanks I'll remember this next time you need moral support." An indignant whinny is her response. Shaking her head at the horses retreating rear she turns and walks the short distance between the fire and said beauty.

Gently Xena begins to shake Gabrielle awake.

"Gabrielle..." Then shaking a little harder "Gabrielle... " harder still…

By the gods this girl can sleep. "Gabrielle...come on get up breakfast is ready." She says as Gabrielle begins to wiggle under the covers, dislodging Xena's irritating hand in the process.

A very grumpy and groggy reply emerges. "I'm not hungry!"

Now the warrior is beginning to worry, resting her hand on Gabrielle's hip, she asks.

"You feel alright?"

"Yes, now please let me sleep till we have to leave!" Gabrielle snaps.

Disgruntled, Xena sits heavily down by the fire, crossing her arms over her ample chest. She spends the next several minutes absently flipping the fish, attempting to get an answer for this behavior.

It can't be just sleep she needs, maybe she coming down with a cold or something. Gabrielle has seemed tired lately almost drained, now that I think about it. And she did take the offer of a ride again yesterday, promptly falling asleep against my back. Not that I don't enjoy the feeling of her arms around me but it's not like her to do that three days in a row! Why didn't I put this together earlier? Damn and her appetite has been off, she's barely touched her food of late, very unlike her. Her excuse of indigestion did seem a little odd. What is it with her?

Suddenly a scary possibility crosses Xena's mind making her eyes go wide.

PREGNANT! Could she be pregnant? Wait...what? That's absurd...she can't be pregnant...that's not possible...right?

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