Bloodlines 2

Xena's head is on my lap as I lean against the headboard, my fingers are combing through her hair. Her nausea has calmed down for the moment; she just wants to sleep through the night. I'm trying to figure this all out. Apparently it's like getting hit by an ox cart. You don't see it coming, but when it does hit it's devastating. Eve has few details for us, though I feel she knows more than she's letting on. I could get pregnant in months or years, there's no way of knowing. Our children could be called upon at any time, age five or fifty five. I'm not entirely sure if that is a good thing or bad. When the time comes, I'm sure it will be bad though. Why the cryptic mystery?

'We'll figure something out.' Xena mumbles, her eyes are still closed. I lean down placing a soft kiss on her forehead. My fingers sweep her bangs back as she looks up at me. I give her a small reassuring smile.

'Feel better?'

'I am now.' Her eyes sparkle as she smiles at me.

'Do you really think there's a solution to this?'

'Do you really want to give up your only child?' My head falls back against the headboard. I feel like crying. Yet another child by unnatural means. Xena sits up and takes my face in her hands.

'Gabrielle, sweetheart, look at me.' My eyes flick towards hers, my pain is reflected there. ' We will figure something out. We always do. I promise.' Her thumbs rub my cheeks softly. A few tears streak down my face.

'I don't understand why we can't raise our own children.' I fall forward, my head against her shoulder. Her arms wrap around my back.

'You don't know that we won't be able too.'

'I have a feeling they won't be with us long.' I look up at her, this tiny bit of hoping flaring inside. She tries to wipe the tears away.

'I'm sure it's not that simple, but we'll find out.' She pulls me into a hug and lays us down. I curl into her, relinquishing myself into her arms. This is how I fall asleep, but nightmares plague me the whole night long. I wake up sweating more than once and as morning rolls around I'm more tired then when I went to bed.

'Gabrielle are you ok?' Eve asks as we all sit eating breakfast. Well I'm pushing my porridge back and forth in my bowl. Xena is going back and forth between hunger and nausea.

'Not really.' I scratch the back of my head and keep studying my food.

'What's wrong?' She reaches out to try and grasp my hand but I pull away.

'What happens if we keep our children, when they are 'called' for?' I manage to look at her, but I can't stop the glare I give.

'You don't want to do that.' She begins to fidget and look uncomfortable.

'Does Eli tell you everything?'

'No of course not.' She stills. Xena is just watching.

'But you have complete trust?'

'Yes of course.' She looks at me earnestly.

'You would give up your only child if he asked you to, with no explanation whatsoever.' There's the slightest hesitation.

'Yes. I would.' I scoff at her. I know she wouldn't by that fraction of a second hesitation.

'Do you understand what he's asking me… asking us to do?' She begins to fidget again, uncomfortable.

'Yes.' Her voice has lost some of that conviction. It's pointless arguing with her, but I can't stop myself.

'You have no idea!' My hand slams against the table. Xena reaches over, her hand firmly clasps over mine but she doesn't say anything. I try to calm myself back down by taking a deep breath. 'I can't do it. I can't do what he's asking. No he's not asking he's telling us.' I pull my hand from Xena and walk out. I can't look at Eve right now. She stands as a symbol for Eli and I can't take one more minute of it. I walk outside into the cool morning air. I know I shouldn't get angry with her, but this is too overwhelming.

Xena's arm encircles my chest; her chin rests on the top of my head. 'I'm sorry Xena.'

'Don't be.'

'I didn't mean to get so angry.'

'She didn't take it personally.'

'I was naive enough to think all this was behind us.'

'I know, me too.'

'Do we need to go by the tavern today?'

'No. Don't change the subject.' I turn in her arms, my fingers play with the front of her dress.

'Xena, I'm going to do what I have to do.' I watch my fingers, refusing to look up.

'Hey, I'm the one who's having the kid first.' There's mirth in her voice and I can't help smiling. 'We'll get through this come Haedes or high water.' I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a hug as she kisses the top of my head.

Xena spends the day at home with me, though she usually is out hunting for food for the tavern or riding Argo II. Today her nausea doesn't seem as bad, but she is a bit miserable. I can't bring myself to ask Eve more questions, but Xena spends her time catching up with her daughter. So I go about getting the chores done, trying to keep my mind off our current problem for just a few moments. The subject isn't brought up again till we are gathered around the table for dinner.

'Gabrielle, I'm sorry about all this.' I look at her, trying to give a reassuring smile.

'It's not your fault Eve. I'm sorry I yelled earlier.'

'I'll get answers, I promise.' I smile at her and pat her hand.

'It's ok Eve, really.' This isn't her problem to deal with, I know that. She nods, but she is too much like her mother. I know she'll not let this drop here. We're quiet but the tension has eased again between us. I don't know what we're going to do but I can't spend the whole time angry, I have to let that go at least.

The rest of the night is uneventful and it's as if we are a family that has never separated. Eve and Xena sit in front of the fire playing a game of strategy. They laugh and joke and look so comfortable together. I'm trying to repair some of Xena's winter clothes before it hits full on. We're going to have to buy something for when she expands outward. We have no idea how harsh this winter may or may not be so we need to be prepared to be stuck here for weeks at a time with Xena pregnant. I'm pretty sure that would be a thousand times better than when she was pregnant with Eve though.

I get caught up in my own thoughts and don't notice Eve has left and the fire doused until Xena's hand is on my shoulder. She pulls me up, leading me back to our room in total darkness. I light the candles as she lights the fire. We meet in the middle of the room, fingers intertwine.

'How do you feel?' I smile mischievously at her.

'Never better.' She leans down and her lips brush against mine.