FIGHTING AN HONEST TRUTH DEEP WITH IN YOUR HEART

Gabrielle walked up the dusty path that lead to her home, she'd never liked Cleytus. May be it was his bed side manner but he'd never appealed to her, not even as a child. He was a nice man but he'd never been any good when it came to her problems unlike her sister who had always gotten on so well with him. She carried on walking what he'd said was not true though and nothing would ever make it so. Her chances of getting pregnant were zero and nothing would ever change that! It was the one thing she couldn't have and a part of her had recently come to accept it despite that it made her feel sad deep down in the pit of her stomach.

She also hadn't said much about it because she highly doubted that Xena would want to start a family with her. Why would she want to anyway? All they both had was very bad memories from the previous time line of how things had gone wrong with their children. Her demonic daughter Hope had killed Xena's son Solan. Xena's second child Eve had been hunted down by the Greek gods and had been a killer before she'd been reformed by the teachings of Eli. She'd vanished with the changing time line. She still had no idea even today as to why Xena had never confronted her about that, maybe she was just waiting for her to do so since she had in essence stolen her daughter away in time along with Lila's.

She was certain that some of Lila's coldness towards was due to that, since the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl had shown Lila what had been. The Aztec war god Huitzilopochtli had now dethroned him and taken his place as king of the Aztec gods of Mexica but by that point her sister had seen too much of the past life that she'd wiped away by asking the elder god C'thulon to take back time for her. She also doubted that any of Xena's feelings regarding children had changed ether despite being in a different time line. Why would it? For both of them there was nothing but bad memories. Xena had changed so much since Mexica and she'd become a very open with her about everything, she also helped to guide her because even now she had days when she doubted her self.

She had died in Mexica at the top of Tezcatlipoca's temple trying to save Xena who had been rescued by her loyal friend and eagle warrior Itzli. It had not ended there though something had happened Huitzilopochtli had turned her in to one of his humming bird warriors and told her that he was her lover and she'd slept with him not knowing any better because he'd wiped her memories. Xena had fought against the Aztec sun god and resurrected her with the help of the other Aztec gods. She remembered nothing even now, only sleeping with Huitzilopochtli. She sometime had very jumbled dreams sometimes with Aztec imagery but none of it she could piece together it was always far too volatile and random.

She'd struggled with making love so much at first with Xena after their return from Mexica, her mind and her body just weren't up to it. They'd kissed and then they'd cuddled and everything else but it wasn't until eight weeks ago that she'd been able to give herself fully. The surprise to her was that Xena had been nothing but understanding through out this issue and so patient with her, despite how frustrating it must have been for her. At the last festival her body had finally managed to give in and they had found themselves going back to the empty house hold just to release the building passion which had been so great for both of them. It was the first time in a long time that they'd made love more than once on the same night.

It had been so much easier after that, as the mental images in her mind drifted away forgotten as fresh ones took their place permanently. She breathed in she wasn't going to say anything about what the healer had said to her, he was a fool. He didn't know her the way Xena did and she trusted Xena's word over his. She adjusted her sheep skin coat with its thick woollen collar which kept the cold out. True it wasn't that cold yet, but the morning chill was still in the air. She normally avoided it because she liked to sleep in if possible. The truth was that she wanted to get this over with so she'd gotten up before Xena leaving her lover to carry on sleeping while she'd gone to the healers.

Frankly thinking about it now she wished she'd stayed in bed with her, anything would have been better than having to listen to this. She walked towards the door she'd be happy to get back where it was warm and peaceful. Then may be she could set about doing her chores along with everyone else. Ophelia turned hearing the door open she eased up the mug of warm green tea which Hecuba had given her. "Well sounds like some ones home." She had been looking forward so much to this the last time she'd had seen Gabrielle and Lila they'd both been children playing in Herodotus's back yard.

Herodotus watched as Gabrielle hung her coat up the look of annoyance was clear in her face and it was obvious that she had her mind else where. "How did your trip to the healer go?" Gabrielle sneered inwardly not bothering to turn around as she pulled up her boot adjusting her sai blade holder on one side as she closed the door. "He didn't know what was wrong with me." She turned around walking towards the front room only to stop sharply as she caught sight of two women seated on one of the long chairs in the front room. Herodotus smiled looking up at his eldest daughter. "Gabrielle I'd like to introduce you to Ophelia." He paused eyeing the other woman. "This is her partner Lysandra."

Ophelia didn't think as she got up moving towards the young woman who was in her early twenties. She had long blonde hair which was well over her shoulders with out a style in it. Her skin was very fair and she could see the firm ripple of muscle all over her body as well as a few faint scars in places no doubt from battles. She had the same coloured eyes as Hecuba a lush forest green colour and she was a slender build and small in stature. She had a dark green halter top with weaving wooden land designs as well as a lighter green collar it was held together with a leather tie. The skirt she wore was light brown in colour and cut at the sides to allow leg movement it had a dark leather belt which was covered in multi coloured patterns.

On her wrists were dark brown leather gauntlets they had the same wood land designs as her top. Her side lacing boots were a dark brown in colour. Tied to them were thick dark brown weapon holders in which she had sharp sai blades on ether side. She felt her smile widen what a beautiful dish Gabrielle had grown up in to, it was little wonder that Xena was her lover she was attractive and stunning just like her mother. She smiled easing out her hands. "My, my you have grown in to a fine young woman your mother must be so proud of you. The last time I saw you, you were a little girl playing in the yard with your toys." Gabrielle looked at her for a long moment before feeling a smile form on her lips as a faint memory came back to her off that day when they'd last met.

She met Ophelia's gaze. "You asked me what I was playing." Ophelia smiled looking her over again. "Yes I did." Gabrielle lowered her gaze slightly. "I told you I was playing a hero rescuing the princess and you said I needed a toy monster to fight against." She paused. "You went and brought me one from the market the same day it was wooden toy of Cerberus." Ophelia put her hands together. "You remember?" Gabrielle nodded calmly. "I still have it, it's in my new room in my wooden chest it was one of my favourite toys." She looked up slightly. "It's so good to see you Ophelia." Ophelia smiled putting her arms around her. "It's good to see you again it's been far too long. Your father was just telling me all about your adventures its sounds like you've travelled a lot."

Gabrielle pulled away feeling her smile widen. "Here and there, yes." Ophelia put a hand on her face. "You're far too modest." She paused looking up watching as Lysandra walked up behind her. "I'm sure you remember Lysandra she was with me last time I was here." Gabrielle eyed the other woman instantly recognising the robes which had Aphrodite's symbols. "Yes I remember." Lysandra stepped forward as her lover stepped back allowing her to take the young woman's hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again you've grown up so much since I last saw you." She was about to say more only to stop as the door was half kicked open as a tall dark haired woman walked in carrying chopped wood in her arms she kicked it closed with the back of her foot.

She half mumbled something as she stepped in to the room her light blues eyes turning to meet Herodotus's. "Where do you want this fireplace or store room?" Herodotus smiled raising his hand. "Here's Xena, Gabrielle's partner." Ophelia moved forward staring at the warrior woman who was very tall in deed. "I heard she was beautiful but by the gods I had no idea she was so well built." Lysandra rolled her eyes just great she could see where this was going Ophelia just couldn't help herself sometimes she just spoke with out thinking. Xena blinked staring at the woman who was about Gabrielle height. "Who in Tartarus are you?" Herodotus stood up slowly. "Xena please meet Hecuba's cousin Ophelia." He raised his hand to the other woman. "This is her partner Lysandra they were meant to arrive last night."

Lysandra smiled inwardly the paintings she seen on vases made in Aphrodite's temple in their home city did nether Xena or Gabrielle any justice The Warrior Princess she was very tall woman with long dark hair which hung over her shoulders. Her eyes were an ice blue colour which caused them to stand out. Her skin was bronze tanned and her body was well muscled and she was medium build. She had a bronze woven breast plate and back plate as well as woven bronze shoulder guards. The leather bodice she wore was dark brown almost black in colour and had hanging tassels which acted like a skirt each had steel metal notches in them.

She wore woven bronze gauntlets and she also had upper arm guards woven with the same design. Her knee high black boots could be seen as well as her weapons she had a sword which was on her back with in grabbing reach and the legendary Chakram, which had a metal piece running through the middle were it could separate in two or so she'd heard. Gabrielle moved forward quickly taking the wood from her lover's hands. "Fire place?" Her father nodded she carefully put it down in the right place. Xena eyed the small flamboyantly dressed woman and her partner she cleared her throat realizing that her last remark was rude. She paused before speaking. "Pleased to meet you both."

Ophelia eyed the tall woman again seeing the sword on her back and the gleaming Chakram at her side. "Well I can see why Gabrielle likes you, your strapping tall and beautiful on so many levels." Gabrielle folded her arms leaning against the fireplace as she tried to cover up her smirk as her lover blinked at the statement. Gabrielle watched as Xena looked up sharply eyeing her the slight confusion in her face, her lover wasn't used to remakes like this or being a thing of fascination for others. Normally people stared clear of her and weren't as up front as this because they were terrified of annoying her. Clearly Ophelia didn't care about that she was completely unfazed by it despite the fact that her lover could shatter the bones of grown men.

Ophelia took hold of the tall warrior woman's hand looking at it. "Look at the power in this, I bet when you break heads you really break heads." Gabrielle moved forward coming to stand in front of Ophelia she gently eased Xena's hand out of her grip. "I'm sure you can both discuss it some other time." Ophelia felt her smile widen. "Oh yes we'll have much to discuss." Xena put a hand through her hair oh this was just wonderful, this woman wanted to hear stories about her killing people. Most people tended never to ask about this subject, she put her arm around Gabrielle's waist in a gentle motion feeling her lover put her hand over hers.

Herodotus turned seeing the door open again he felt a smile form as Lila and Hector walked in. "Ah there you two are, please come in and meet our guests." Lila turned sharply. "We have guests?" She closed the door locking it watching as Lector put down the basket of goods which they'd brought from the market in the kitchen. Hecuba stood up slowly. "Lila please let me introduce you to Ophelia and her partner Lysandra." Lysandra eyed Lila she was a few years younger than Gabrielle but very different in appearance. She had long dark hair which was well over shoulder length just like her sisters. She was slim and about the same height.

She wore white and blue two piece dress which had woven patterns on the sleeves, the lower long dress its self was blue and she had brown boots for the colder weather. Her eyes were dark blue and her skin was very fair it was clear though by the way she held herself that she was a woman who made up her own mind about things. Hecuba paused turning slightly. "This is Lila's fiancé Lector." Lysandra's gaze drifted up to the taller man who about the same height as Xena he was in his earlier thirties like her and had short dark hair and light brown eyes. He was medium build and well muscled on his arms and chest, his skin was also tanned.

He wore a loose white shirt which had stitched golden patterns on the chest and arms. His trousers were dark brown in colour and he had knee high leather boots which looked very expensive, but given that his trade was that of a merchant it didn't surprise her. Merchants always liked to wear fine clothing it was all part of their image as sellers. Ophelia smiled as she put her hands on Lila's shoulders. "You've grown up so much as well and I heard from your father that you're going to be part of the council very soon." Lila gave the older woman a smile. "Well if I pass the final test that is." Ophelia put a hand on her face. "I'm sure you'll do just fine."

She turned eyeing the dark haired man who was about her age, not that it mattered in her mind love was a precious thing it went beyond age and gender. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lector." Lector smiled taking her hand. "As it is you, I have heard about you and it's nice to finally meet you Lysandra at long last." Ophelia gave him a smile before turning to Lila. "Well you certainty picked well, he's well dressed, handsome and polite." Lector turned watching as Xena raised an eyebrow in a silent commutation. He knew her quite well now and he knew when ever she did that it meant that she had, had the same treatment.

It was hardly surprising they were both the partners the sisters so it was clear that one would get the same treatment as the other. He breathed in deeply obviously this was going to be a long day. A long day of talking and cooking and family banter and they were both going to get caught up in it. Xena turned so she was standing in front of Gabrielle she leaned over whispering in her ear. "What did the healer say?" Gabrielle looked up slightly thinking very hard for a long moment about what to say. No part of her wanted to say the truth because it wasn't true it was a sick twisted joke on the healer's part.

She breathed in deeply. "He didn't know what the problem was." It wasn't a lie because what he'd said wasn't true so she didn't need to feel guilty. "It's was just like you said." Xena leaned over giving her a gentle kiss on the lips. "I'm sorry you had to go there I know you properly didn't enjoy it." Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "I didn't enjoy it, you know I don't like any one other than you taking care of me." She shook her head. "Also I never got on with our families healer anyway." She leaned up giving the other woman a gentle kiss in return. "I know you can fix what ever is wrong with me you just need a little more time to work it out."

End of part 7

Silvermoonlight