AN: a bit slower than usual, but good enough to sit through lol. Enjoy :)

Chapter 14

Xena watched Borias as he gawked at her guests within the large room. Nobody seemed to notice that he was there, it was almost as if he was a fly on the wall, just lurking about. She did not know his plans nor did she want to, although she was rather curious as to why he had magically appeared inside of her home especially tonight. How dare he show up here? I ought to go over there and give him the what for, but no I cannot. Her eyes turned to Solan and he seemed to be enjoying himself as he sipped his wine while he stood next to Gabrielle. Gabrielle, what an interesting character. The world seemed to drain of color when Gabrielle stepped into Xena's world. It was as if she were acting as her conscious, a really annoying conscious at that. Xena brushed her thoughts aside and focused her attention back at Borias, who was still leaning against the wall admiring the ridiculous impromptu party.

Quickening her decision to head over in his direction she slowly stepped away from Solan and Gabrielle, disappearing without a word. Slinking over to Borias she smiled at her guests as they passed her, one of the girls spilled some wine on Xena's gown and she frowned. The girl didn't notice as she kept walking with a rather slim irritating man, who was awfully loud. Too loud, Xena gathered.

Stupid drunkards, she proceeded onward and brushed her fingers against her now-stained gown. Smiling she approached him standing very close to him. The aroma of lavender hit her nose the moment she stepped into his personal bubble. A rather musty lavender, interesting choice of scent.

"Walk with me, will you?" Xena's grin tightened and she pulled his arm forcing him to come along.

Very persuasive Xena, "this is a nice place you have here." The white marble columns, the extravagant Persian rugs, comfortable lounge couches really added a nice touch. It's what could have been between them, if only you weren't so power hungry.

Xena's eyes darted side to side as she kept an eye on her guests. Hands immediately becoming damp with angst and perhaps apprehension? What was he doing here, he wasn't supposed to be here, although he was here, standing in front of her. The thoughts of their past together suddenly came rushing back, once again ruining her focus and attentiveness. How could she have all the people from her past in one room, all at once? Her head turned slightly over her shoulder to peer at her son, their son. Soon she forgot that Borias was speaking to her. A slight shiver came to her as his voice traveled through the air. It was as if they were in their own room, completely blocking out the evident festivities surrounding them.

It's not like you to be distracted, he frowned now stopping Xena in her tracks. His abrupt halt brought Xena back from her bemusement. He could see the frustration in her blue eyes. "Something on your mind?" He smiled.

Blinking rapidly she was trying to come up with a proper response, but thinking straight proved to be a difficult task as of late. "yes...why are you here?" You're obviously not here to see me, or are you? Xena eyed him carefully, watching the fidgetiness of his fingers, his rings clinging against one another as he stared directly into her eyes. I have you now, Borias.

Borias's smile widened as he nervously let out a chuckle. Enjoying every moment of her beauty, he took it all in. Occasionally his eyes darted to the party behind her but it was easier said than done to steer clear of her icy glare, it always was. "I was just in the area, you know...passing by," his fingers grazed Xena's arm.

Shivers went up her spine as his fingers touched her arm. Hairs stood up on the back of her neck, suddenly reminiscing the past between them. Their last encounter had not been so subtle and certainly not a meeting of the minds. Xena looked to Borias and she noticed that her reaction was apparent and from the look in his eyes he seemed thrilled by this, which annoyed her. I'm supposed to be the tease, not you.

Refocusing herself she began to walk ahead and he followed behind her. "Nobody just passes by in my empire, Borias, I don't care if you're the king of Spain," she smiled.

"Maybe you should invest in better border control," his voice inviting a challenge to the conqueror.

Oh, you sly dog, you, "is that so?" her smile was enticing and she saw him fumble in his words as he tried to respond back to her. "No matter, just tell me why you're here. It is clear you're not here to enjoy my party. You have no business being in my empire, or do you?" her last words provoked a whole slew of trouble, which Xena was sure he was expecting, or perhaps not? I'm not letting you off this easily.

His eyes darted to Solan who had a grand smile and was being approached by many of the young girls at the party. The blushing of his cheeks was evident even glancing from afar. He saw Xena smile and turned her head to where his eyes were fixated on Solan. She turned around now with clear understanding, but yet, he knew she did not understand everything at hand, which only made this game of dancing around words more complicated and quite a bore.

"Have you come to play the savior, is that it?" Xena's icy glare stabbed Borias directly in his heart. He had seen this stare before, the consequences proved to be different every time. She was very unpredictable, but yet also predictable. This predictably of Xena allowed him to play at her emotions just as she had done to him countless times in the past.

"And what is your role in all of this?" he questioned, allowing his words to flow freely, not afraid of her retorts. "Parties, guests..." he smiled and touched her shoulder gently with the backside of his hand. His knuckles grazed her perfect unscarred skin that longed for caressing. How long has it been since you've loved, Xena? "Wine," he saluted her and drank from his glass, obviously trying to get a rise out of her. He saw her eyebrows crease in irritation. "I saw you over there next to Solan. You were acting like a mother hen, yet...he knows nothing," his smile growing as her impatience arose.

Exasperated, Xena pulled him aside with a forceful grip. They were both now many feet away from the party guests and standing outside by themselves. The air was quiet, the birds chirping in the atrium and a gentle breeze blew by them. They stared at one another intently for a few long moments. Moments that seemed like an eternity until Xena broke the ice.

"Solan's visit was very..unexpected to say the least. And of course he knows nothing, at it should remain," she blinked, slightly blushing at her last remark. Remembering the conversation between Solan and herself when they were upstairs in that room Xena started to go off into one of her dazes completely ignoring her surroundings. His voice echoed in her mind as he spoke of Athens and what a great city it was, the marvelous Navy that it has and fabulous schools that students longed for. Yes, what a great city, a city run by me. A tyrant. A murderer. Your mother to whom you shall never know, Solan.

Her eyes became clouded with tears. Borias rested a hand on her shoulder bringing her back from her recent memories. That's all they were, just memories. Suddenly, feeling breathless she let out a loud gasp of surprise as she was actually startled by Borias's touch. His hand slid down to her arm then her hand, he held her delicate hand in his rough hand. His thumb slowly caressing her knuckles as if to relieve tension, but that only made Xena angry.

Getting distracted like that was not a weakness, it was a curse. She had never felt so out of control of her emotions in her life. First this Gabrielle girl comes into her life, trying to preach her philosophical bullshit as Xena called it, then Solan pops into her life unexpectedly and repeatedly only to remind her of what a horrible person she really was. Now Borias randomly appears not once, but twice in her life. It had been a long fifteen years since they had seen each other but their meetings only brought out the worst in Xena and her haunting memories.

Is she crying? He laughed at her sudden emotional state. Although he was not laughing to mock her, but out of shock. He wondered if he had ever seen her cry, cry tears of sadness, no, cry tears of joy, definitely not, to cry at all was not in Xena's nature.

She folded her arms and rubbed her hand underneath her nose, sniffing, trying to hide her wet eyes. She did not wish to sob in front of Borias of all people.

"I did not come here to upset you, Xena," he cleared his throat now feeling that his laughter had not only upset Xena, but to see her actually affected by something truly disturbed him.

"then why did you come here? Do you like to torture me, is that it?" Xena was now becoming irate and angry. The longer he stood there the more anger seemed to boil within her.

This surprised Borias, now he was completely taken aback by her words. He took a gracious step back from her, puzzled at her behavior. "you're crazy, Xena. Something is wrong with you and I don't know what it is, but..." his words trailed off. He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. Rubbing his hand over his face he began massaging his chin as if in deep thought of what to say next.

Oh very good Borias, very good. "Just tell me why you're here and then I will leave you alive in one piece."

Gabrielle's eyes surveyed the room as the guests were starting to become a bit belligerent and a bit out of control. She looked over to the wall that the strange man was leaning against earlier and there was no sign of Xena or the man. She had realized that she left them awhile ago, but wishing to keep her distance and maintain a professional relationship with Xena she did not say a word or try to stop her from leaving. What kind of relationship do we have anyway? Now becoming worried her eyes scanned the room to find Xena, but she was nowhere in sight and neither was that assassin looking man. Solan was now sitting with some girls who were gladly attending to his every whim, not that he minded the attention but he was rather shy around these women.

Her eyes darted to Solan, who was lounging comfortably between two ordinary, but pretty, young girls not much older than he. "I'm going to find Xena, are you going to be alright by yourself?" Gabrielle asked unsure if she should leave his side. Xena did not verbally tell her to keep an eye on him, but she figured that her words spoke more in action than by mouth.

Solan smiled, "You're not my babysitter, Gabrielle. Go do what you want, find the conqueror boss of yours," he leaned back letting out a sigh of contentment.

Gluttony is a horrid sin, and I'm not a babysitter."Don't drink too much of that, okay?" Gabrielle revealed a nervous smile as she left his side. Walking about in the room she dodged a broken glass and spilt wine on the marble floor. Hopefully someone will clean that. She continued onward as her eyes looked around to find Xena and she was noticing that the guests were definitely enjoying themselves and the host was missing in action. Immediately she saw Octavius, not in his right mind, Xena, what are you doing?

Suddenly she heard two people talking or rather bickering outside in the atrium. Gabrielle slowed her pace and clung to the wall allowing her presence to remain unknown. Blocking out the background noise of the blasphemous acts behind her, she was able to channel the faint voices. She heard Xena and a male voice combating her in an equally firm but hushed tone. Gabrielle didn't want to barge in as the conversation appeared to be more private than Xena's normal conversations. If it wasn't private she'd gladly have it inside of the house, but then again Gabrielle was just figuring out Xena and she was a tough nut to crack. She always had something new to bring to the table.

Creeping up as close as she could Gabrielle listened to the conversation. Should I be doing this? Xena's voice became louder as it appeared she was upset about something or upset with someone. This is definitely an invasion of privacy, Gabrielle. She was pacing back and forth mentally deciding if she should retreat or listen. She felt like a little girl listening to two parents arguing and she was supposed to be in her room not eavesdropping like a good little girl.

"He's my son too, you know," Borias said and Xena folded her arms in frustration.

She sighed, "I'm aware, I was there for his conception," her sarcastic tone was not helping the situation at all. She noticed Borias becoming frustrated with her mannerisms and this neither pleased her or displeased her. "How do you know that Octavius wants a war with Cleopatra?" He knows far too much and how come I am just finding this out a few days ago?

He scoffed, "I live in Rome Xena, things...get around," he cleared his throat. Is she really this dense?

Xena tapped her foot rapidly trying to figure out what was happening here. This explanation of Borias coming to her home in Athens did not prove a mere coincidence that Octavius was here at the same time. Something was wrong and something was going to happen. But there is a small question at hand, how did Solan come into this mixture of chaos?

"so," she began quietly, "what is this sudden curiosity you have with Solan and why come all the way from Rome to see him?" Or to see me?

Borias shook his head, "Xena I don't think you understand. Octavius wants Solan to be his potential successor." Now there was an explosion he was waiting for but all he saw was Xena's stone cold face and unreadable expression which only made the situation heighten.

I'm going to kill Octavius. "absolutely not, he cannot be...be," she kicked a vase filled with a large eucalyptus plant and knocked it over. The vase shattered in many pieces treating it as if it was Octavius himself. "He cannot be an emperor of...Rome," she spat in disgust at this. The thought of it made her sick to her stomach.

He slightly chuckled at her demise and put his hands in the air with his glass, "and what are you going to do about it? Save the day? Come on Xena," he shook his head.

"you think this is funny?" Xena came within inches of Borias's face and he swallowed a large sum of wine before pushing her back gently with his hand. She grabbed his wrist tightly and pressed her thumb into the soft spot of his wrist. Borias winced as the pain traveled up his arm creating a numbing effect. Xena smiled at his pain, yes you like that don't you?

"you know what? This is all your fault, Borias! You gave Solan away to the Romans and now...now he is a Roman!" she gritted her teeth as she became angrier as she spoke to him. Borias grabbed Xena's wrist with his opposite arm. His grip remained firm as did hers. They danced around who had the stronger hold but Borias had a disadvantage as Xena knew every pressure point in the human body.

Borias began to sweat as Xena did not let up on her grip and the numbness in his arm was beginning to travel to his collar bone and right side of his neck. "I didn't have a choice, I thought we've been through this already," he managed to say in a stressed tone.

He groaned and finally slithered his way out of her hold by pushing her aside and she fumbled backwards in shock that he even touched her in such a way. He rolled his shoulder trying to get rid of the numbness and stretched his fingers. "We both know he couldn't stay with you. You can't undo the past Xena. What would have happened if you raised him, eh?" he shook his head. "He would've been just like you."

His words cut into Xena's skin like a knife. She felt like she had been stabbed not once but two or maybe three times tonight. First Octavius arrives and offers her a deal regarding Antony and his whore of a woman, Queen Cleopatra then Solan arrives unexpectedly. Then Borias and now he just back handedly insulted her. She stood staring at him off in deep thought completely unaware that he was scowling at her. Xena was not going to let her emotions rev her up anymore, not this evening. She remained calm and was brought back from her deep inner thoughts and blinked at Borias.

She stated coldly, "are we finished here?"

Borias smiled and sneered, "I don't know, are we?" this woman is going to be the death of me.

Xena didn't wait for a reply and she exited the atrium retreating back into the villa where all her guests were ransacking the place. She didn't even take notice of them, they were mere trinkets or distractions in her life. This was all a facade, she was not known for parties, that was a Roman quality. I'm a Thracian.

As she entered the room she ran into Gabrielle who was off hiding behind a wall close to the atrium and she looked to Borias who was still readjusting his arm and then back to Gabrielle. "How much of that did you hear?" she questioned in a soft menacing tone. She saw Gabrielle's eyes widen with actual fear. Something that she longed for. She almost wanted to smile at the girl's fearful state, but she was too livid.

Enough, I know enough. Gabrielle didn't feel like talking with Xena about this right now. She knew that she should have retreated when she heard the bickering but her curiosity got the best of her.

"I see," Xena nudged the inside of her cheek with her tongue and nodded her head.

"I ought to kill you for what you know. You know too much about me." She smiled, "you know," she laughed, "suddenly you appear as if it is some kind of sick game the gods are torturing me with. Oh and then you try to consult me about my past as if you know every little thing about me," she came closer to Gabrielle and watched as the blonde backed up slowly now against the wall. She brought her hand to Gabrielle's shoulder and her other hand against the wall trapping her within inches of her body and face. "You're about this close," she made a hand gesture indicating she meant 'a little bit' and smiled, "to dying, my dear."

Gabrielle gulped and stared directly into Xena's eyes. "I won't tell anybody about...that," she indicated the conversation between her and Borias earlier.

"Oh I'll make sure of that," Xena smiled and then pulled away from Gabrielle. She grabbed her wrist and walked briskly towards Octavius who was enjoying the women around him and his wine. "Octavius," she smiled.

The drunken emperor grinned at the conqueror, "ah Xena...where have you been? You're missing the party." He sipped more of his wine.

Xena nodded, "I've been around," she eyed Gabrielle. "How would you like some entertainment? Courtesy of me." She pushed Gabrielle towards the emperor. The blonde looked back to her with wide eyes and mouth agape. That will teach you to eavesdrop, little one.

Octavius laughed as Gabrielle stood there looking rather shy and her cheeks filled red. "You're scribe is going to entertain me? What is she going to do, recite poetry?" he continued to laugh along with the girls next to him.

Xena smiled, "she's a woman of many skills, dancing perhaps?" she eyed Gabrielle who was now becoming irritated. She was tempted to roll her eyes but she suddenly realized that all eyes were on her now.

Really, dancing? "Dance for me then, scribe," Octavius lifted his glass as the room quieted down.

"Yes go on dance for him Gabrielle. I'm sure we'd love to see," Xena sat down and Racha handed her a glass of wine which she gladly took, although she did not drink from it, as she too wanted to be entertained. Let us see what you can do, Gabrielle.

Borias entered the villa and pulled his hood over his head carefully leaving the area. He eyed Xena who definitely took notice of him leaving. She neither smiled nor frowned at his leave of absence. His eyes then went to Solan who was sitting with two young women who seemed enthralled to be sitting next to him. They grabbed his attention or perhaps it was he who grabbed theirs. He sauntered over and walked passed him. The teen didn't notice him walk by, but he hadn't been able to get close to him, not like Xena nor would he ever but he figured that Xena might come after him later so he'd better leave. He gave her some potent information and that's all he came here for. Perhaps he felt guilty for giving their son to the Romans, but what was he to do? He was without Xena, without a permenant home. Solan needed a home and he had one, a very good one. Borias was sure that Xena would hate him to his grave, but he didn't care about that. It was almost as if this was his redeeming deed to repay Xena for what he had done. It's finished now, Xena. He left the villa and exited the palace passing the guards on his way out to retreat back to Rome. Although since he told Xena of Octavius's plans he was soon to find a new home, somewhere far from Rome and somewhere far from Xena and Solan.

Xena allowed her musicians to guide Gabrielle and they played slow but sensual music. One man played the oud, while the others played two types of flutes from the land of the Arabs. Gabrielle stripped herself of her first layer of clothing and unlaced her sandals off of her feet. She watched as Gabrielle gently swayed her hips to the flow of the music. Her eyes traveled to Octavius who was enjoying her sudden entertainment. Xena was full of surprises tonight.

Gabrielle bent over backward as her knees were firmly planted on the floor now. She eyed Xena and even staring at her upside down proved to be just as frightening as right side up. Her life was yet saved again, for now, she thought. She leaned straight up again and smiled at the Roman emperor coming closer to him slowly enticing him with her fingers trailing his bare legs. She felt his reaction from her sensual touch and she didn't know whether to feel disgusted or enthralled that he was at least mildly entertained. She looked back at Xena who had a grand smile and watched her every move.

Deciding to make a gutsy move Gabrielle meandered over towards Xena and slowly pranced around her, circling her like the 'dancer' she suddenly was. Xena eyed the woman and became instantly mystified at what she was doing. Very interesting, Gabrielle, very interesting. Gabrielle grazed her fingertips along Xena's upper arm and saw the conqueror woman not frown but she lost her smile. Her eyes were lost in her dance. Her seductiveness enticed Xena allowing her body to respond in a way that she had not felt in a long time. Perhaps never. It was not a sexual feeling but envious. She was suddenly jealous that Gabrielle focused her attention on Octavius and not her. Xena was feeling angry at herself for allowing her mind to betray her once again. Moments earlier she hated Gabrielle for listening to her conversation, but she couldn't hate her after all. For the short time she knew Gabrielle, which had been a few weeks now, she felt like she knew her for most of her life.

The music stopped as Gabrielle quit dancing and was breathing heavily as she stood in the middle of the room. Everyone clapped and she smiled as everyone seemed to enjoy her little dance. She didn't think she would be good, but apparently she was good enough to shock Xena. Her eyes turned towards the raven haired empress and she still was a bit awe struck although she tried to hide it graciously.

Octavius clapped slowly and smiled, "Fabulous. Your scribe has many skills, Xena," he sipped more of his wine.

Xena tapped her fingers against her knee and stared at Gabrielle who was staring directly back at her. "Indeed she does," she said icily.

After a few hours the night carried on for quite some time and some guests left the palace while others were passed out inside the villa, on the floor, the couches and chairs. Some of them passed out leaning against the fountain close to the atrium as well. Gabrielle excused herself to go get changed and maybe get some sleep. Although she felt sleep would not come to her especially after what happened. Even after the dance Xena kept a close eye on her the rest of the evening. She made sure not to get too close to her during the remainder of the party.

Xena was still wide awake and she had a lot to do today, the sun would be rising in a few hours and she did not desire sleep. She was still upset about the earlier conversation with Borias and that wretched Gabrielle. She looked around the room as she stepped over some of the slumbering guests. She found Solan passed out in a large chair with the empty wine glass still in his hand. She took the glass out of his hand and set it on a table. She called over one of the guards and he came as quickly as possible. "take him to the room next to mine." He nodded and lifted the boy up in his arms effortlessly. He carried Solan up the stairs and Xena followed behind eager to change out of this wine stained gown to lay down for awhile. Sleep was not her friend as of late and this time would be no different.

The guard went into the according room and set Solan down on the bed. He was still passed out and did not even stir at all. He bowed to Xena then left the room to go back to his post. She came close to him and sat on the bed. Her hand reached for his cheek but she pulled it away, as if his face were forbidden to touch. His mouth was slightly ajar and he breathed in slowly and exhaled equally. Xena took the blanket at the foot of the bed and covered him with it and left the room closing the door behind her.

The sun rose bright and early and Xena was laying in her large bed, alone and awake. She had not slept but only stared at the ceiling. Wishing to no longer stay in bed she got up and wrapped her robe around her body waltzing over to her pet spider, Zoe. She opened the cage and allowed the spider to crawl onto her hand and travel up her arm. Zoe really liked Xena and she wondered if Zoe was her only friend these days. A spider couldn't talk back to her that was for sure. She stared out at the empty fields surrounding her palace. She was far from the common people, but today she wanted to go out into the nearby villages to see what conditions they lived in. she was rather curious. She put Zoe back inside of her cage and began dressing herself not even waiting for Racha to come in to help her.

As soon as she was finished dressing herself in a more subtle attire. She didn't want to seem imposing to her people so she dressed like them, wearing a dress and cloak clasped around her neck. She opened the door to the room where Solan was and she looked inside. She saw Solan was still sleeping and she closed the door then locked it and slid the key into her cloak's pocket.

She came down the stairs and saw Octavius was still sleeping, not a surprise. She told her guards to make sure that Octavius was not to leave until she returned from some business. Xena trailed down long hallways until she found herself standing outside of Gabrielle's room. Her fist came to rap on the door but she suddenly lowered her hand. Guilt is a terrible thing, Xena. Finally getting up the nerve she didn't even knock but opened the door and saw Gabrielle was not asleep but writing at her desk on a parchment.

Gabrielle turned around and saw Xena standing in the doorway with a strange expression on her face. Xena pulled the hood of the cloak over her head, covering two thirds of her face. "You're coming with me." This was not a suggestion but an order. Gabrielle grabbed her cloak and quickly put on her boots and followed Xena out of the palace. She mounted her black horse and Gabrielle did not have a horse so she walked alongside Xena. She didn't dare ask Xena where they were going, but she was sure that she hadn't forgotten about last night. What a night that was.

Half a candle mark later Xena looked down to Gabrielle who was walking by her horse trying not to make eye contact with her. She had her arms folded and their journey together was awkward and silent most of the way. "Do you know where we're going?" she asked.

Gabrielle looked up to Xena and shook her head.

"We're going to the villages nearby. I promised myself to see to this 'problem' you have brought up many times," she stressed her last words as if trying to scare Gabrielle into speaking back to her but alas the blonde scribe said nothing. She continued on walking and Xena frowned. Do I actually miss her annoying voice talking back to me?

So we're not going to discuss what happened last night? Gabrielle's initial thoughts were to talk about it, but she didn't want to disrupt the quietness. She kicked a few rocks in her path with her boot as she walked beside Xena's black horse. She admired Xena for being strong willed, but she was a mess. Her life was not perfect, although hers wasn't either. Xena was right, she knew too much about her but there were a lot of missing gaps. Gaps that just didn't make sense. Last night Gabrielle found out that Solan was Xena's son and this seemed to be off the radar as Xena completely ignored talking about it or even bringing it up. Gabrielle didn't want to be the one to bring it up, she had done enough already. She looked up to Xena who was staring at the trail ahead. She was sure that Xena noticed this, but at this point she didn't really care. As she said to herself many times before, I should be dead.

A few minutes later Xena abruptly stopped and dismounted her horse and tied the reins to a large tree trunk. She eyed Gabrielle who looked very confused. "We walk the rest of the way," the blonde still looked bewildered at her odd behavior towards her. Xena understood this but she didn't want to talk about Solan or Borias or Octavius. She just wanted to do this, to prove to herself that she wasn't as horrible as Gabrielle said she was. "It looks less suspicious," she concluded.

Gabrielle wasn't following Xena's plan but she simply went along with her. She walked beside her at a very generous distance. There was a large gap between them and Xena looked over at the silent scribe and then forward once more.

"I know what you're thinking Aristotle," Xena teased. "We aren't going to discuss last night. It is in the past." This was the end of that thought, she hoped.

Gabrielle said nothing and continued walking.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Xena asked. Please, say something.

"I'd rather not, if you don't mind," Gabrielle said in a mumble, barely audible. She wasn't feeling very talkative right now.

Xena understood Gabrielle's reaction but in reality it was her who should be silent and quiet not Gabrielle. It was her life that was ousted to a stranger, not Gabrielle's.

Finally they walked into the closest village. It had taken most of the morning to reach here as Xena's palace was quite far from regular civilization. She knew that these people had no idea what she looked like and certainly wouldn't especially since she wasn't dressed in battle armor or fancy corsets donned with jewels and gorgeous capes and draperies on her stallion. No, she was walking in the village like a normal person with Gabrielle at her side. Xena's eyes surveyed the area and saw many small children no older than ten summers, some younger. Very few children had bright full cheeks, none of the children were fat, but rather thin.

Gabrielle ran her fingers through her short locks and looked at the children. A young girl played with her doll in the sand, completely content with her life. She wasn't dressed extravagantly, not like Xena or herself in recent times. She wondered what Xena was trying to gain from this. Was she trying to prove to herself that she was indeed a good person deep down or perhaps throw herself a pity party? No Xena wasn't know for pity, she barely showed mercy.

Xena walked through the sandy street and passed by many children and came across a young teenage girl with her young brother. They were selling fruits and had bright smiles on their faces. Xena pulled the hood off her head and looked at the fruit. Well at least the crops did not parish. She stopped at their fruit stand and picked up a pomegranate examining the fruit.

The young girl smiled at her, "we have more fruit in the back if you want," she said politely.

Xena looked at the girl, "no ah, this is fine. How much is this?"

The boy spoke up this time, "five dinars."

Her eyes widened and she looked at the fruit again. Is there gold inside of this? "Five dinars? Are you out of your mind?" her voice rose and the children's eyes widened at the tall woman's sudden irate reaction.

Gabrielle saw that Xena was giving the young children a hard time and she put her hand on top of Xena's which still held the pomegranate. She slowly lowered the fruit back onto the fruit stand. "Sorry, we're not from here," she eyed Xena and suddenly the empress was self aware of her irrational behavior. "Why is this fruit so expensive?" Gabrielle asked in a kind voice stepping in front of Xena.

"The conqueror raised prices of fruits and vegetables. We cannot make enough money to harvest our own so we..." the girl was hesitant to speak as Xena was glaring at her.

Gabrielle turned around and frowned at Xena. She looked into the girl's eyes and smiled "pay no attention to her, she's having a bad day. Go on," she prompted the girl.

The girl sighed and continued, "we have to ship our fruits and vegetables from cities outside of Athens."

"I see," Gabrielle nodded and turned to Xena who had her arms folded and looked enraged at this. She handed the girl the five dinars she originally asked for and then some. She took the pomegranate and smiled leaving the fruit stand. She continued to walk with Xena along the poor-stricken street.

"Five dinars for a piece of fruit? That's ridiculous." Xena scoffed.

Gabrielle used a knife that was in her boot and sliced open the pomegranate and handed one half to Xena while she kept the other half. Xena looked at the fruit and then took it. All she could think about was the amount Gabrielle paid for an adequate piece of fruit. It wasn't even that good by the look of the seeds.

They passed by a poorer side of the village and a small boy with what appeared to be his little sister sitting in the street playing in the sand, drawing figures with a long narrow stick. Xena looked at the children and they seemed content with playing in the sand. Her eyes went to the fruit in her hand and she knelt down next to the children. Their eyes met hers and instantly became afraid of her, she seemed to have that effect on people. Gabrielle stopped and looked at Xena who was now at eye level with those kids. She smiled and folded her arms marveling at this sight.

Xena reached her hand out and the children backed away slowly unsure of what she was going to do. She handed them her half of the pomegranate. "I'm not going to hurt you," she pushed the fruit towards them but they just stared at her. "Take it," she said gently. The small brunette girl took the pomegranate apprehensively. The girl dug out the seeds with her tiny hands and stuffed them in her mouth, revealing an innocent smile. An innocent smile enough to make Xena smile in return. The young boy also grinned at the strange woman before him. She stood up and began to walk away. Gabrielle handed the children her half of the fruit and skipped along to catch up with Xena.

"That was nice of you," Gabrielle finally spoke to her.

Xena didn't say a word back as she had nothing to say. The longer they walked the more children she saw, with no parents around and they looked starving much like the children she gave the pomegranate to. The sad part was, this was all her fault. All my fault. They came to a halt when they arrived in the square of the village. She remembered this place, she built this village. A giant statue of an owl was in the middle which represented the Goddess Athena and her all mighty wisdom. The owl had been basically destroyed and the fountain surrounding it no longer in use and moss grew on the stone owl. Xena approached the statue touching it with her hands, it had been so long since she had shown her face in this village. Apparently all that had been here had been long gone, dead.

Gabrielle looked at the statue of the owl, it must have been over ten feet tall and once represented freedom and peace now represented death and destruction by Xena's hand.

All of the pomegranates in the world couldn't fix this problem. Xena turned and saw an older woman, finally an adult around here. She was cleaning her villa and watering her plants. She slowly approached the elderly woman with caution.

The woman saw Xena approaching her. Her clothes looked new and her face perfect, her skin unblemished and hair shiny glimmering in the sunlight. She was obviously not from here, perhaps a noble of some sort. The woman shook her head and she didn't wish to talk to any noble women right now. "What do you want?" she asked Xena and continued watering her plants.

Xena twiddled her thumbs and it was she who was afraid now. "What happened here...in this village?"

The woman looked at Xena as if she were crazy or gone mad. She started laughing, "you're really not from here are you?" her laughter came to a halt.

"Please," she pleaded, "I need to know." Xena's eyes were sincere and the woman sighed and set the water vase on the ground and rubbed her wet hands on her dress.

"the conqueror stopped our businesses. We used to have great craftsmen in this village. They made swords, any kind of weaponry you could dream of," she smiled off in the distance as the memories came flowing back to her. She sighed, "once we didn't have enough money to fund our businesses, they shut down. Most of the men left for Rome and Macedonia. Most of us are unable to leave, the children have nowhere to go. Sometimes their families send money to them, if they have families," she scoffed.

Xena wanted to feel angry but she didn't she felt sad for this woman, for these people especially the children. Children with no families. Oh it sounded so familiar to her. "You mean this conqueror...she is the cause of all this?" she gestured to the surrounding area.

The woman nodded, "that Thracian witch also taxes us and we are unable to pay them. So," she sighed, "well you know what happens to those who don't pay taxes."

Xena knew exactly what happened. She signed many papers for her men to punish and execute those who did not follow her orders. She never paid close attention to the crimes of her people. "Does this conqueror woman execute children as well?"

The woman eyed the raven haired beauty and laughed, "of course. Her heart is as black as Tartarus." She soon went back to watering her plants.

Gabrielle stood behind Xena a few feet away and heard everything. She felt bad for Xena, but at the same time she thought that she may have needed this dose of reality. Xena turned around and then walked away passing Gabrielle.

I do murder children. She wished to leave this place as the stench was enough to make her sick. It was bad enough that children died because of her, and villages destroyed because of her lack of kindness, but to execute those who had no money to spare? No, this cannot go on, not anymore.

"Gabrielle I want to leave this place," Xena said and Gabrielle followed beside her as they quickly exited the village.