Same disclaimers apply from chapter one.

Chapter 9

Putting the packages on the kitchen table Cyrene motioned for the girls to stand in front of her. "I'm very disappointed in you. Xena taking Gabrielle there after I told you not to go, I jus…"

"Mom, wait!" Gabrielle protested. "It wasn't Xena."

"Excuse me, I know you like to protect her but…"

"No Mom, it was me. I mislead you in the clothing shop. I did need new parchment and ink but I also knew we were going to stop by Tharin's before coming home. It was my idea, not Xena's."

"Xena, is this true?"

Xena nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, it was her idea to go buy the parchment first, but we both wanted to go to Tharin's. I didn't stop her."

"I was going with or without you Xena, I needed that staff."

Sitting down Cyrene looked at the girls. "Xena go to your room please and take these packages with you." She looked pointedly at the girl. "You are still grounded you know, so I'll let you know when lunch is ready."

Grabbing the packages Xena walked slowly to the bedroom and shut the door hard.

Gabrielle began to shift in front of Cyrene. "Cyrene?" she asked quietly.

"I told you last time you were here, young lady, that it's mom from now on. Why would that change now?"

The girl shrugged and Cyrene pulled her in for a hug before pushing her back and holding her by the shoulders. "I am very disappointed in you, Gabrielle. You lied to me and chose to disobey me by going to Tharin's. Not to mention that you hid in his shop and were handling weapons without an adult around."

"I'm sorry," the girl whispered.

"I know you are, dear heart. The question is, what do I do with you now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well you obviously broke the rules and disobeyed me. So what should I do about it?"

"Take my word that it will never happen again?" the bard answered hopefully.

Cyrene smiled gently at the girl. "Oh I know you believe that Gabrielle. The problem is, sometimes we can't fulfill our promises, especially when we're little."

"Oh." Gabrielle stared intently at her toes as Cyrene finally made a decision and stood up.

Looking down at the girl Cyrene softened her voice. "You are to stay in your room the rest of today, the same conditions Xena has apply to you. Next time I won't be so nice. Now, go to your room," she finished turning the bard and giving her a gentle swat to her backside to get her moving.

**XENA****BARD***XENA*****BARD*****XENA*****BARD****

Entering the bedroom Gabrielle was almost knocked over by Xena. "So what'd she do?"

"I'm grounded for the rest of today," Gabrielle replied sitting on the floor and taking off her boots before lying on the bed.

"That's it?" Xena threw herself on the bed with a flop. "She would have tanned my hide."

"Well," Gabrielle drew out as she sat up and looked at Xena. "She implied that's what would happen to me if there was a next time."

"Oh." Xena stood up and rummaged through the toy box Cyrene had placed in her room the previous day. "I guess a warning is fair. Wanna play?" She held up some wooden blocks and figures. "We can build a castle and have fun storming it."

Gabrielle grinned. "Sure, but let's make sure that we're only storming the castle to stop the evil king from forcing his daughter to marry when she wants to become an Amazon instead."

Hearing a knock at the window the girls looked up and smiled. Opening it they grinned. "Hey Tharin. Why are you using the window?"

"I wanted to give you these," he said handing two sweet rolls through the open window. "I didn't think Cyrene would approve."

"Probably not," they agreed in unison, before giggling as they started to enjoy the rolls.

"So why are you here, the staff done already?" Xena asked.

"No, just wanted to make sure we're still friends, little warrior."

Xena smiled. "Of course, we put you in a tight spot today, I'm sorry."

"So am I, Tharin," Gabrielle agreed. "Can I pay you for the staff now though?"

The man shook his head. "Consider it a gift to the Amazon Queen. Okay, I'll see you for dinner tonight. Bye girls."

Finishing their sweet rolls, the girls returned to their game. "What did he mean that he'll see us for dinner?" Gabrielle asked.

"Oh, Mom invited him over tonight for dinner when he delivers your staff," Xena answered before picking up a wooden soldier on a horse. "Come on and flank the rear, the Amazons are gaining ground," she announced as Gabrielle lay down on the floor next to her and led the Amazon figures to victory.

***XENA****BARD****XENA****BARD***XENA*****BARD***XENA

Xena was quietly eating her lunch as she watched Gabrielle eat and talk her mother's ear off at the same time. Smiling Xena was glad to know, that no matter what, some things would not change.

"Okay girls, time to finish up. I have some chores for you to help me with before dinner."

Nodding Xena finished everything but the mug of milk. Taking a good gulp, she hoped that it was enough to please her mother.

"Finish your milk Xena." Cyrene directed.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to give me something else to drink so we don't have to go through this every day?" Xena asked as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"It would be easier if you would just do as you were told," Cyrene answered.

"How about a compromise?" Two pairs of blue eyes started at Gabrielle. "Xena and I will drink milk for breakfast and lunch, but we get something else for dinner. Something we both like," she amended quickly.

Nodding slowly Cyrene smiled. "Alright, I think I can live with that."

"Good because we really don't like milk," Gabrielle answered finishing up her mug without mug fuss.

"Oh you," Cyrene laughed and tousled the bard's hair. "Help me get these dishes to the tub to wash and then I need you to sweep in the inn. I've decided to stay closed for a few days until we can figure something out."

"Can you afford to do that?" Xena asked taking her plate to the tub.

"Yes, these past weeks have been pretty good. Everyone loves to hear Gabrielle's stories and I've had a lot of extra business because of it."

Handing Gabrielle a broom she pointed to the front of the inn. "Go start out there dear heart, Xena will be helping me in here for a bit."

"Okay Mom."

Starting to pour the heated water onto the dishes Cyrene began to wash and gave Xena a clean towel. "You dry them little one."

"Okay." Taking her place on the same stool she use to when she was a child, Xena began to dry the dishes and stack them on the counter next to her.

"Xena, I want to talk to you about what happened today."

"Do we have to? I know we shouldn't have done that and I am sorry."

"I know you are little one, but you still disobeyed me."

"I know," Xena sighed. "I seem to do that a lot lately."

Cyrene smiled and handed Xena another dish to dry. "Well, try not to do it again too soon. I'd hate to see you not sit comfortably for the rest of this moon."

Looking up at her mother, Xena grinned and nodded. "Okay Mom, for you I'll try to behave."

"That's all I can ask Xena."

***XENA*****BARD*****XENA*****BARD******XENA******BARD*

Chores finished, Xena and Gabrielle were once again in their bedroom. Gabrielle was sitting at the desk working on a new scroll while Xena lay on her stomach on the bed, and sighed deeply.

"I'm bored, Gabrielle."

"I know, Xena."

"There's nothing to do."

"Well try and find something, I need to get this story down while I'm thinking of it."

"But I'm bored."

"I know."

"You want some parchment?" The bard offered without ever looking up from her scroll. "You could write or draw or something."

"Nah. Hey wait, yeah, maybe I do. Thanks." Xena said taking the parchment and quill offered and lying on the floor started to sketch out a plan for when she was no longer grounded.

****XENA*****BARD*****XENA*****BARD*****XENA*****

Hearing the knock at the door Xena ran and opened it before Cyrene could. "Hi Tharin," she greeted motioned the man into the kitchen.

"Mom Tharin's here," she announced.

"I can see that dear. I'm so glad you could make it," she greeted the man.

"Thanks for inviting me." He handed Cyrene a small bunch of flowers before handing Gabrielle her new staff.

Moving away from the furniture Gabrielle did a few simple moves with the staff. "It's perfect. Thanks so much Tharin."

"My pleasure, little queen," he answered.

"Gabrielle please put your staff in your room," Cyrene directed as she placed the flowers in a small ceramic vase and put them on the counter. "The flowers are lovely Tharin, thank you."

The man smiled and winked at Xena who merely nodded to the man.

"I'm starving," Gabrielle announced coming back into the room. "Mom is it time to eat yet?"

Shaking her head Cyrene chuckled. "Yes Gabrielle, it's time to eat." Removing the roast venison from the oven Cyrene was surprised to find Tharin next to her.

"Let me lift this for you, Cyrene." Tharin offered. "It's the least I can do since you made it, smells wonderful too," he added as Gabrielle and Xena took their seats at the kitchen table.

Dinner started out well, but quickly went downhill as it dragged on a little too long for Xena's taste. She had been quiet even for her watching the interactions of Tharin and her mother while Gabrielle told the story of how they had been turned little. Finally deciding to talk Xena took a drink of her apple juice. "So Tharin, tell us about yourself and family."

He smiled and took another helping of potatoes. "Not much to tell really. I have a younger sister and brother in law. They have a son and daughter."

"You don't have any children?" Gabrielle asked.

He shook his head. "No, my wife and child were killed by a fever about 10 years ago."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Cyrene reached out to pat his hand.

"It's in the past no need to dwell besides I have wonderful company tonight." He turned to Gabrielle, "So all these wonderful stories that you tell about Xena, are they true?"

"Yes, every one of them," she bard answered proudly. "Of course there might be a little bardic license going on with them as well. Not that I have to embellish much. Xena is an amazing warrior."

"I bet she is." He turned his attention to Xena. "So how did the bow and arrows work out for you?"

"Fine. Managed to bag tonight's dinner with them," she answered dryly.

"Wonderful," Tharin smiled. "I'd love to go hunting with you sometime. I bet you could show me a lot."

Xena shrugged. "Maybe."

Turning back to Gabrielle Tharin smiled. "So tell me Gabrielle, how is it you became an Amazon Queen?"

"Oh, that's one of my favorites. You see, one day Xena and I were walking….." the bard started relating the story of her journey with the Amazons.

"Amazing," Tharin commented after Gabrielle had finished her story. Turning once again he addressed Xena. "You were really dead?"

"Yeah, it happens," she said shortly.

Noticing Xena's change in posture Gabrielle stood up, "Anybody else ready for dessert? Mom made this incredible fruit tart looking thing today and I can't wait to try it. Come on Xena help me clear the dishes." Gabrielle directed.

The girls quickly cleared the table and Gabrielle brought clean plates for dessert.

"Xena could you bring the fruit tart over please?" Cyrene asked.

"Sure mom." Gently picking up the tart Xena tripped right as she reached the table. The tart and its contents flew from her hands right onto Tharin's surprised face.

Seeing the smirk on Xena's face Gabrielle glared at her friend. Shrugging her shoulders Xena gave her most innocent look to the bard. "What, I tripped."

She then turned to Tharin muttering, "I'm sorry, Tharin."

Laughing, the man started wiping the fruit from his face. "That's quite alright, Xena. There are worse things that can be thrown on a man." Wiping the last of the tart from his face, he rose. "I'd better get going. Thanks so much for a lovely meal Cyrene and the wonderful company." "Night girls." He gave each girl a kiss on the top of the head before heading out the door toward home.

Waiting until Tharin turned Cyrene looked at Xena. "What was that about?"

"What? I tripped. It was an accident," she protested as her mother looked her up and down.

"Okay, I believe you. Go on to bed you two, I'll clean up here."

"Night, Mom," Xena called as she ran to the bedroom.

Stopping to give Cyrene a kiss on the cheek Gabrielle slowly left the kitchen wondering what in the name of the gods Xena was thinking when she dumped the tart on Tharin.

***XENA****BARD****XENA****BARD*****XENA****BARD****

"Care to tell me why you dumped a perfectly lovely fruit tart on a friend of ours Warrior Princess?" Gabrielle greeted as she started to get ready for bed.

"I tripped."

"Yeah, and I think Joxer is a great warrior. You're the great Warrior Princess, and you don't trip. Ever. Come on Xena, why on earth did you do that?"

Crawling onto the bed next to her friend Gabrielle waited while Xena sat quietly. "I'm not sure. All I know is I got this overwhelming urge to knock the stuffing out of him, but I dumped the tart on him instead."

"Guess you were a bit jealous."

"Maybe. I like Tharin, but tonight felt really strange."

"I think you were just looking out for your mom," Gabrielle stated as she swung her legs in front of her.

"I guess that could be it. Hope I don't do it again though, I was looking forward to that tart."

"You? I watched your mom make it and I'd been drooling over it all day. I didn't even get to lick the spoon. Next time, dump the milk warrior."

Xena rubbed her backside pointedly. "Nah, milk can be dangerous, besides you know me, I never like to do the same thing twice."

Hearing the door open the friends ducked under the covers and waited. Cyrene sat on the bed next to them and to their great surprise handed Gabrielle a stuffed lamb. "I figure if Xena has her centaur then you might need something too."

"Thanks Mom." Clutching the lamb Gabrielle suddenly felt very sleepy and content.

Brushing their hair back from their faces Cyrene kissed them both on the forehead before tucking them in and blowing out the lamp on the desk.

"Sleep well girls," she instructed before pulling the door shut behind her.

***XENA****BARD*****XENA****BARD******XENA****BARD***