AUTHOR'S NOTE: Again this story is extremely subtext-friendly. If two women showing their love for one another is not your cup of tea, please find another story you'd like to read. This story will be submitted in several parts and is based off the series, yet the "history" has been changed somewhat to suit the purposes of this story. Not all the parts of this story will contain erotic sex scenes as there is a plot.

Also, I'd like to note that I do not own Xena: Warrior Princess, the series, or the characters and I will not be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

~X~X~

Nearly a month had passed since that fateful night Xena had given Borias the tea. Thankfully, he had been busy with training their warriors, so therefore he had no idea that Xena was carrying his child. Xena's stomach had began to swell. She covered the small bump with her thick furs, praying no one notice. And to keep Borias from bedding Gabrielle again, Xena warned him that the young slave was timid and still quite traumatized by his first painful invasion. "You made her incredibly sore... and she's not yet ready for a repeat," Xena had warned him.

Borias was disappointed as he wanted another passionate encounter with Gabrielle and Xena hadn't been putting out either. Xena seemed entirely caught up in Gabrielle. Since acquiring her new slave, Xena spent every night in Gabrielle's arms. Borias found himself becoming jealous and moody. He was a man who demanded and needed satisfaction. He began turning to Satrina for his needs.

Since Satrina had been with him before during threesomes with Xena, Satrina was compliant whenever he told her to drop to her knees and pleasure him. Since the only other woman in the camp was young Lila, Satrina wanted to protect Gabrielle's innocent sister.

~X~X~

One day Borias was training the men and Xena went to speak to Gabrielle who was sitting just outside of Xena's tent. "It's time you announced your pregnancy," Xena said to her beautiful slave. "Let's go have a talk with the father..."

Gabrielle nodded as she stood up carefully. What do you think he will do?" she asked quietly.

"He'll be surprised and shocked... but don't worry, I'll handle everything," Xena promised Gabrielle. "He has another child in the village where I found him. A little boy."

"His name is Belach... and Borias chose to leave him behind," said Xena, sadness expressed in her sapphire eyes. "He left his wife... and his own little boy. For me."

"I think he regrets it now. He never says. But I know deep down, he loved his son." Taking Gabrielle's hand, Xena began walking to her out to the meadow, where the men were practicing with their swords. Borias was barking orders, perspiration glistening upon his muscled skin.

He looked up, surprised to see Xena there at practice, and even more surprised to see Gabrielle standing nearby as well. Xena had been distant lately, hardly ever training at his side. Borias had thought it was due to her fascination with Gabrielle, but little did he know that Xena was pregnant and trying to protect the unborn life she carried within her womb.

Borias smiled when he saw his lover, going over to speak with her. "Hello, Xena. You look as beautiful as ever... as do you, Gabrielle. What do I owe this unexpected visit from the two of you? Did you both finally come out of the tent for some fresh air?" Borias's voice held humor, but also slight sarcasm as deep down he was rather jealous because Xena seemed to have forgotten all about what they once had now that she had Gabrielle.

Xena laughed throatily, giving Borias a sexy grin. "Gabrielle and I HAVE been rather busy, but we needed to talk to you about something..." Xena began to explain. "It's very important."

Xena then turned her gaze onto Gabrielle. "Tell him, Little One. Tell him what you just told me this morning," Xena prompted her litttle slave.

Borias frowned slighly, confused as he looked at Gabrielle, too. "What is this about?" he asked the small young woman who stood at Xena's side.

Gabrielle felt her heart hammering in her chest as she said shyly, "I...Ummmmm...after that night... I've come to uhhhhh...I'm with child." She didn't want to attract any unwanted attention as she just needed Borias and Xena to hear her.

Borias didn't say anything at first. He just stood there, staring at Gabrielle, looking at her as though she had just punched him squarely in the jaw instead of announcing she was with child. Xena finally spoke. "Aren't you going to say anything, Borias? She's carrying YOUR child," said Xena as she got his attention.

"I already have a child," he said as he gazed at Xena.

"Yes, and you are about to have another," said Xena.

Borias looked away, staring at the horizon. His thoughts were on Belach, his little son, and the wife he had left behind. "I never intended for this to happen..." he said softly.

"I'm sure Gabrielle never intended for this to happen either. She had no choice at all in this, Borias. No choice at all. WE did this... you and I. WE took her that night. WE are responsible for the child she carries within her," spoke Xena. "And we are going to take care of her, you and I. She and the baby will be cared for... and the baby, it will be your child... your son or daughter. Promise me that Gabrielle will be safe and protected by you. Promise me that the child will be safe and cared for as well."

"She's safe as is the child," Borias promised. He then turned his attention onto Gabrielle.

"I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I never thought this would happen," he said softly. "I will provide for your child. Do not worry, all will be well."

Xena put a protective arm around Gabrielle, pulling her in close. "And one more thing, Borias. You won't touch her again. EVER..." Xena said insistently. "She never wanted this pregnancy... and you will not compromise the child by taking her against her will. Do you understand?"

"Xena..." Borias began, but she waved away his words.

"No, Borias... she's mine. MINE. She does not want you. And the baby, it's more important than your needs ... or your desires. If you touch her again, you'll answer to me."

"What about you, Xena?" Borias said angrily. "You haven't been in my bed once since SHE came on the scene."

"Keep your voice down," Xena warned in a hiss. "I know what you have been doing with Satrina. Isn't one woman enough for you? Why must you always have MORE THAN ONE?"

Borias grumbled, but did as Xena said and lowered his voice. "We'll talk more on this later, Xena. You have my word. I will not touch her again. But as for you... well, all that remains to be seen," he said before storming off to return to the men he had been training.

"Well, that went well," Xena said sarcastically as she took Gabrielle's hand into hers and walked with her back to the tent they had been sharing. As they entered the tent, Xena spoke again. "Actually, it went better than I expected.
He believes it is YOU who is pregnant... and he promised to protect both you and the baby. And he's not going to touch you again... so all that went well," said Xena as she sat down close to the fire. "But I don't want him touching me either. If he does, he's going to know your pregnancy is nothing but a lie."

Xena tugged Gabrielle pretty much down into her lap. She then took Gabrielle's hand, tucking it into her furs so it lay upon the "growing bump" which was the baby. "The baby is growing..." Xena said with a slight smile. "I think it will be a son."

"And in a couple of weeks, we must start padding your tummy. And hopefully, no one will become suspicious...or you and I might just have to go away for awhile on some sort of adventure," said Xena.

"We'll make this work," Gabrielle promised.

Just then, Satrina entered the tent, carrying a tray of food. She walked in and saw Xena and Gabrielle sharing a tender moment with Gabrielle's hand on Xena's swelling tummy. She didn't say anything, but Xena saw the look on her face. "Satrina, I am with child... but Borias must never know," Xena spoke. "He must think it is Gabrielle who carries his baby. Promise me you will not tell. And promise me you will help when the baby comes... Please..."

Satrina was taken aback. She had never heard Xena beg before. Was it the pregnancy... or Gabrielle that was making her appear soft and vulnerable? Xena seemed to be changing. She was less harsh. And she spent a great deal of her time alone with Gabrielle. If Satrina didn't know better, she would think Xena was infatuated with her new little slave.

"I won't tell," Satrina promised. "And I will help when the baby comes."

"Thank you, Satrina. That means a great deal to me," said Xena. Xena then reached for the tray of food, setting it down between she and Gabrielle. Since she had became pregnant, she was always hungry.

Satrina nodded, then left the tent. After they were alone again, Xena began playfully feeding Gabrielle some of the food. "Eat up, Little One," Xena said teasingly. "Remember, you are eating for two."