Note: I'm attempting to focus on one story at a time so that hopefully I can achieve a better product.

Leaning up against the wall, I pull the blanket up around me as I wait for Xena to return. I barely leave the confines of this hut, unable to move beyond a few shuffling steps in any direction. My eyes are just starting to drift closed when Xena comes in carrying a large platter of food. I can't help but smirk and raise my eyebrow in question.

'You said you could eat a horse.' She cocks her eyebrow up at me.

'So, are you going to tell me now?' She sighs, but sits the platter on the bed in front of me. Pulling a chair close, she sits down with a look of sadness.

'You did, nearly lose until….. They basically were an assassination squad.' Her face turns grim. I try to bite my tongue to keep from asking questions. 'There's a faction of Amazons that want you dead. They basically worship Valaska and they want true royal blood in power.'

'Valaska?' I gasp. 'She's not back?' I've lost my appetite now.

'No. But her sister has decided to follow in her footsteps.'

'She had a sister?'

'Yes, apparently she's just a minor person in the tribe but has been garnering the support of some of the younger Amazons.'

Sigh.

'So, what do we do now?'

'Well, you get to stay Queen.' She smiles. 'And I will be your champion for any other challenges.' Her eyes turn dark. 'I will not let this happen a second time.'

'What happened to the warriors who challenged me?'

'Dead.' I shouldn't be shocked, but somehow I am.

'Xena?'

'I only killed the one that stabbed you.' She snarls at the memory. 'The other two slit their own throats. This group is serious Gabrielle.' She looks at me with such fear and worry. She's not afraid of them, she is only afraid of what they might do to me.

'I can't leave.' I say softly. Her head falls as she sighs in frustration.

'I know. I was hoping…..but I know.' She's looking down at her hands; I think I can see a tear slide down her cheek.

'Xena, you should take Eve and go somewhere safe.' Her head snaps up, eyes flashing with anger.

'I will not leave you here.' She growls, tears still silently falling down her cheek.

'But Eve could be a target. We don't know what they will do.' These woman have a twisted sense of honor, God's know what they are capable of.

'If I can't keep her safe here, I can't keep her safe anywhere.' She clenches her jaw causing the muscles to stand out. I want to fight her more on this, but I simply don't have the strength right now. My job is not only to keep my people safe, but I have to protect Xena and Eve; no matter how much she might hate it.

Xena sits back in her chair, closing her eyes. She's trying to calm the raging anger that's inside, keep herself from reaching that dark part that lies dormant. When her eyes open again, she's calm and her emotions have been hidden somewhere down deep inside her.

'I thought you were hungry?' Her voice has become soft, but there's still an edge of anger.

'I'm too tired.' She cocks her head, looking at me questioningly.

'Just a little then.' Reaching over to the platter, she grabs a piece of dried meat and hands it to me. 'If you don't eat you'll recover slower.' I put the meat in my mouth, chewing slowly, not really enjoying it. I hate when she changes like this; becomes the hard stoic warrior that has no emotions.

'Xena, don't do this to yourself.' She refuses to make eye contact with me as she continues to put food in my hands. 'Please.' She ignores me, grabbing the tray and carrying it to a table. Turning, she looks at me with a fake smile.

'I have to go check up on Eve. You get some rest.' She walks out before I can even protest. Even with everything we've been through, she can still shut down and lock me out. Every time she does it, it hurts; but I know that is her coping mechanism, it's how she's survived. I eat what's left in my hand then ease myself onto my back.

My wound hurts with every movement, even with just breathing. I'm not sure how I survived it, I should be dead right now. I shudder at the thought. It's not a struggle for me to get to sleep, the exhaustion is my aid with this at least.

My eyes open to the sound of Eve crying. With much effort, I push myself up into a sitting position and gaze about me. Xena is sitting by the fire in the center of the yurt bouncing Eve on her knee. The baby seems inconsolable as her face screws up more and her face turns red.

'Let me hold her.' I watch Xena's shoulders tense for a moment as she considers. Then, wordlessly, she stands carrying the crying baby in her arms.

'If she stops crying….' Xena grumbles to herself as she sits Eve down in the crook of my arm. It takes merely a minute of me cooing at her for the tears to stop. Xena throws her arms up in exasperation, and I can't help but giggle. Pulling her shamaness skins off, she throws a shift on and climbs into the bed next to me.

'You look tired.' I say, as she lays her head in my lap. She just yawns in response, Eve following suite. Soon both are asleep, breathing slow and even. My fingers tangle in Xena's dark hair, playing with the strands and letting them flow off my hand like water.

I wonder if maybe I should just leave now, before anyone else gets hurt. I know it's a stupid idea as soon as I think it. Leaving will not solve the problem; it will only become a burden for the next person. These women are depending on me to lead them in the right direction, to keep the Amazon Nation alive. But our numbers dwindle every year, not matter how many girls are born unto us, they can't seem to make up for the sisters that are lost.

What is the solution here? I have to find out what their true purpose is and maybe I can….I dunno, maybe I can come to a compromise. I'm sure Xena and any other Amazon, believe we should just cast them out. That won't stop them from coming back for my blood, or the blood of their sisters.