Chapter Two: Home Again

Along a silent barren road way, dust swirls lazily under foot as Gabrielle walks along toward Potidaea.

Thank the Gods Potidaea! Either I'm getting older or Potidaea moved a day further than last time. Three days! I did it last time in two; of course Xena was with me that time and I did sleep till noon today! However that is my little secret, she doesn't need to know that. I would only get a lecture on how much of a fine day I had wasted! It's not my fault that I hate the sunrise and she's in love with it! By the gods Xena would have saved a village stopped a war and solved world hunger by the time I had gotten up. Haha I could just see her face at that!

Gabrielle is so into her internal musing that she almost misses the stone archway of Potidaea, she stops to take in the small town's atmosphere.

The town hasn't changed at all. The shops are the same; trees seem taller and a bit more weathered as are some of the people…

Looking about Gabrielle is surprised to see a familiar face so soon after entering town."Katharine, Hello!" The dark haired girl spins on her heels at the sound of her name. "Gabrielle! What are you doing here? I thought you were off fighting some warlord with Xena! Where is she? How have you been? How long will you be in town? You must come to my home we have so much to catch up on! I'll cook you dinner or something!"

Something's never change and Xena thinks I'm a whirl-wind talker "Family, Was, Hurt, she'll live! I'm great. A week, love too, what time?" I can still hold my own with my cousin Katharine.

After a few more minutes of chit chat, and with a promise to say hello to the rest of the family, Katharine gives Gabrielle an extremely tight hug, before continuing on down the town square. A she walks; she passes her favorite place in Potidea. A little bookshop where she learned so much of the outside world it is also the place she discovered her passion for words of any kind. It is just as she remembered. That light scent of ink mixing with stale air, walls covered in books from ceiling to floor, a paradise for any true book lover.

"Uncle Darius" She calls out in a sing song voice. The sound of papers rustling abruptly stops, accompanied by a loud thud before a man not much taller than Gabrielle pops out form the backroom.

"Bless Homer if it's not my little Gabrielle!"

For the second time in five minutes the air is forced from Gabrielle's lungs as her uncle greets her, making Gabrielle question her choice of wardrobe.

Oh gods maybe I really should dress in armor like Xena.

Once released from his death grip she smiles warmly at her uncle. "Uncle Darius, it's good to see you. How have you been?"

"I'm very well child. It must be close to a year since I've seen you last!"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I've been very busy."

"No need to be sorry. I have no doubt of it. I must say you do look well."

"Thank you." Gabrielle returns sweetly as her uncle takes her elbow to guide her further into the store.

"I have a few new books I know you will love! Let me fetch them for you than I'll start some tea so you can tell me of your adventures. I am certain you have a few?"

"That I do and tea would be lovely." Gabrielle watches him scuttle out the back door to set the tea.

Uncle Darius is still the odd duck around town; he never wanted to be a farmer. For as long as I can remember he always had his nose in a book just like me. I guess it runs in the family.

TIME PASSES Quickly as Gabrielle become entangled in the retelling of Xena's battle with the great god Poseidon. Uncle Darius is enraptured so by the heroic tale, he jots small notes to retell the encounter to the youngsters at story time later. Afterward they discuss varying accounts of the town's gossip. Before they know it four candle marks have passed. Saying her goodbyes and thanks for the books Gabrielle starts her final trek to the farm.

TWILIGHT has only just begun to color the sky with vivid splashes of orange and pink as the farm finally comes into view. Exhausted feet carry her up the old steps to the door. Gabrielle stands before the door, as a funny feeling hits her.

I feel odd about knocking at my own house but mother doesn't know I'm coming and the last person who came into the house without knocking got a frying pan upside the head!

Straightening her little skirt and hair, she gently knocks.

Hinges creek as her sister Lila opens the door, the shock evident on her face. "Gabrielle? Gabrielle!" A joyful shriek and hug comes next as she grabs Gabrielle for an overdue hug.

"Lila can't breathe"

"Oh right sorry." She says in a rush, as she releases Gabrielle, allowing her to catch her breath before hollering far too close to Gabrielle's ear, making her wince. "MOTHER, GABRIELLE'S HOME!"

The rustling of Hecuba's skirts is silenced as she greets her daughter with delight. "Gabrielle this is a surprise! Thank the gods you are home and safe." Looking past Gabrielle for her darker companion, she asks with hesitation. "Is Xena not with you?"

Try as she might Gabrielle can't help her smile falters at hearing Xena's name. "No she's in Amphipolis. She broke her leg." At her mother's intake of breath Gabrielle adds quickly. "She's okay. It was just a small mishap. Her mother is taking care of her so I thought while I was close by I would come to see you!"

A relived smile is met with this news "I'm glad you did your father will be home soon he will be most pleased to see you daughter."

Taking Gabrielle's bag Lila curiosity gets the better of her. "Gabrielle?"

"Yes Lila?"

"How did Xena break her leg? I thought she always landed on her feet?"

"She um...well she fell from a hay loft in the barn."

"Oh" Lila nods her head with a slightly confused look but thankfully for Gabrielle she abandons the subject in favor of discussing Gabrielle's journey. The last thing Gabrielle would want is to try and explain to Lila what Xena and she were doing up in that hay loft!

AFTER a light supper the family settles around the hearth. They spend the next candle mark catching up on family life on the farm and of what Xena and she have been up to for the past year. Finally a comfortable silence descends which doesn't last long, Gabrielle's father pipes up with some unexpected but exciting news.

"Daughter, has Lila told you of the boy who has been courting her?"

"WHAT!" Gabrielle covers her mouth and turns to Lila. "How long has this been going on? Do I know him? Is he handsome? What's his name?

Lila's laugh is bright and cheery as she scrunches her nose. "His name is Leander, he is very handsome, tall, and oh so dashing."Lila smiles as she stares into the fire all starry eyed, describing her new love. The look on Lila's face makes Gabrielle think of Xena and how she still feels the exact same way about her own love. Shaking her dreamy thoughts away, Gabrielle asks another question. "Leander? Do I know him? The name sounds familiar."

Father speaks up again, with obvious joy at this match. "He's the blacksmiths son. Good boy, good family. He'll make a fine husband for your sister." Adjusting his pipe, Gabrielle's father states why he really brought up this topic. "Gabrielle you're the eldest. And as such, it's about time you came home. Find yourself another young boy and settle down. I know Perdicas death was hard on you and you have fun on your travels, but this has gone on long enough. It time to stop running off all over the world on crazy, foolish endeavors, pretending to be some kind of bard, with, with that, that un-natural woman!"

Stealing her nerves against her father harsh rebuke, Gabrielle mentally counts to ten before calmly replying. "Father I am grateful for your concern but I am very happy with my life, my place is with Xena."

Now Gabrielle remembers clearly why her father and she have never gotten along. Instead of trying to see her life as her own, her father only aim is to make it the cookie cutter life he has had. Add that to the fact that Gabrielle's father has always hated Xena and cannot give her a kind word, always makes for an easily sparked row between the two. Not wanting to start a war during her short visit, Gabrielle stretches loudly before standing, and ends any further dispute."My, it has been a long day. I think I will head to bed" At her announcements, her father's mouth closes around his pipe grumpily. Kissing her mother and saying goodnight to her father. Her eyes meet Lila's for a brief moment, telling her they will talk more. Turning she walks with measured steps to her old shared room.

Closing the door she leans heavily against it, as Perdicas face suddenly appears, shaking her head she dispels the depressing thought and prepares for bed.

Once changed, she slips under the cool sheets, as if the bed is magically connected to Xena, her mind rushes back to her love. A million worried thoughts begin to jump about. How is she? Has she been eating enough? I hope she's not doing too much!

"I should have stayed." Gabrielle says allowed to the thatched ceiling.

Gods how I already miss her, this bed is cold without her. I miss falling asleep to the sound of her heartbeat, so strong like everything else about her.

A few more equally depressing thoughts are contemplated before Lila opens the door. Gabrielle rolls to her side so Lila can change with a bit of privacy and to hide her saddened eyes.

As Lila slips into her own bed and Gabrielle tucked into hers, she can't help but think of how long it's been since they last shared a room, pushing her heart down from her throat; Gabrielle asks her some more about her new man. In a heartbeat it's just like when they were girls, laughing about boys and other such things that sisters find amusing to talk about late at night under warm bed covers.

The giggles slowly subside as Morpheus soon pulls both young women into their separate dreams. Lila's of a tall blacksmiths son and Gabrielle's of a tall, dark, blue eyed warrior.

Well? What do you think? Please review and thanks!