Crazy 2

'Shhh.' She whispers and taps her ear. I take a deep breath and try to focus. It's barely audible, but I can hear slight movement in the leaves. I focus harder; it's to the left a few hundred yards. I step lightly avoiding anything that will cause noise, and creep close, watching as a rabbit nibbles on vegetation. My eyes focus as I bring my bow and arrow up. My mind clears, my breathe stops, my arm pulls back. The arrow looses, flying straight for its target. An hour of stalking through the trees, and seconds to kill.

'You're getting good.' She grins at me, pleased with herself. I just shake my head and grab the rabbit, thanking it for its life that it gave. It's big and fat, probably preparing for winter. We walk back down the game trail towards the yurt. I didn't want to stay in the actual town of Amphipolis, so I chose the outskirts hidden in the woods. No one bothers me, and there is no foot traffic.

We walk for half an hour, playing the game where I guess who she is. We used to do this all the time, helping the hours tick by faster. She always finds a way to cheat though. We step into the small clearing that I've acquired as my own. Eve is kneeling, eyes closed praying.

'Eve!' I wasn't expecting her. At least not this soon. Her eyes pop open and her head turns. She smiles as she gets up and comes running towards me. We embrace in a long hug.

'Where's mother.' Eve asks as she pulls away. She's smiling and I'm about to change that. Sighing I look away for a moment, trying to figure out how to say it.

'She didn't make it back from Japa.' Her face falls, a look of disbelief appears.

'What do you mean?' Out of the corner of my eye I see Xena move towards her daughter, wanting to comfort her but unable.

'She sacrificed herself for the greater good.' Tears begin to form in Eve's eyes. She looks so much like her mother. 'But her spirit is here.' Her face becomes serious as she closes her eyes, looking like she's concentrating.

'I can feel her.' Her eyes open as she begins to look around as if she'll see her mother.

'I can see her and talk to her.' A calmness overcomes Eve, and she reaches out grasping my hands in hers.

'That's a blessing.' She's beginning to smile again. 'I know she's happy then.' I don't know what to say, I'd rather have her here in body as well. I smile sadly, holding back my tears.

'She was the only family you had, I'm sorry.' Her faces twists in confusion.

'I still have you.' The tears come quickly, I put a hand up to my mouth to hold back the sobs.

'I've always loved you like a daughter. I didn't….I didn't think that…' Eve pulls me back into a hug. I can see Xena standing behind her, smiling and crying at the same time. We stand there a moment, caught in the emotional turbulence of the situation. Finally our tears slow, and we are calm enough to talk again. 'Come on, we have a lot to talk about.' I grab her hand and lead her to the yurt.

There is a stunned silence when I finish recalling the events of Japa to Eve. I know with her faith, she'll be able to see it as a good thing. I still can't, or maybe I just don't want to. Xena is sitting next to me, holding my hand but remaining quiet.

'So it's like she's really here, but only you can see her?' She's fascinated not appalled at my statements.

'Yes. I can feel her, I can hear her.' I smile a little looking over to Xena, her own sad smile gracing her face.

'So she never leaves you?' I shake my head.

'She told me she was given one request.' I shrug my shoulders. 'I don't understand it either.'

'No I get it.' Eve's eyes shine, her lips form a huge smile. 'I get it.' I don't know what she gets, but at least it makes her feel better. She stands up, looking down at me. 'I have some praying to do.' She smiles as she walks out.

'Well that went better than I thought it would.' I look to Xena and she squeezes my hand.

'I can hear her.' Xena smiles at me.

'What do you mean?'

'She's talking to me, in her prayers.' She cocks her head up, trying to concentrate.

'She has an infinite amount of faith.' I envy her sometimes. She has that which I had searched for, then lost. Xena looks at me.

'Eve's your daughter too.' She whispers. Sure I love her, but I never thought I meant more to her than a friend. 'She looks up to you.' I laugh a little.

'I'm not sure why she would.' She pulls my face in close, her lips graze mine. Our foreheads rest against one another.

'How could she not.' Her hand rubs my cheek, and it feels warm.

'I love you.' It hurts to say, but I mean it. She doesn't need to say it, she wouldn't be here if she didn't love me. 'Come on, I better cook that rabbit.' I take her hand pulling her up with me. 'Go, be by your daughter.' I slap her butt playfully. She hates when I do that. Her eyes narrow at me as she walks off. When she's gone, I let out the sigh I've been holding in. Gods I hope I'm not crazy.