Usual disclaimers apply.

Chapter 25

The horses were saddled and packed with all of our things for travel. She and Mom were already on their horses and Eve was waving to me and clapping from her spot in the baby pack from Mama's back.

I hugged Yaya one last time. "Bye Yaya. I love you." I whispered willing the tears not to fall. Once again, I was being forced to say goodbye to someone I might not see again for a very long time.

She handed me a cloth wrapped item and smiled. "Something for the trip. Don't open it until you stop for the night."

I nodded.

She leaned over and hugged me. "Be good Sam and give your moms time. I love you." She stepped back and watched as I put the package in my saddle bag before mounting. Waving to her, I slowly followed my parents as we headed out of Alexandria and on our journey to change history.

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"Are we almost there?" I whined. I was tired of traveling. It was only our first day and already I was bored. There was only so much fun to be had on the back of horse, traveling down a dirt road into semi-arid conditions.

Mama pulled Argo to a stop and turned to face me. "Samina that is enough. We still have quite a ways to go until we break for lunch. No more whining."

I scowled at her as we continued on our way. Suddenly the quiet was replaced with a loud scream. Eve had been clapping, but I hadn't been able to respond due to the fact that we were riding. I had talked to her a bit, but she suddenly decided to get mad at the fact she couldn't reach me.

I quickly pulled up alongside Mama. "Hey Evie, it's okay, I'm right here." I tried as her screams quieted when she saw me. Clapping again, she scowled and let out another blood curdling yell when I couldn't reach over to tickle her.

I winced at the scream and tried again as we pulled the horses to a stop. "Come on Evie, it's okay. I'll play with you later."

She calmed as I spoke, but when she once again realized I wasn't going to tickle her she screamed once more and then burst into deep sobs.

I looked helplessly at Mom who was looking at Mama. Mama sighed and took the pack off, pulling Eve to her front. It helped a bit, but Eve kept clapping through her tears. Finally, I slid off Mavri and walked to Argo.

"Hey Evie." I said reaching up to her. She lunged for me and slid out of Mama's grasp. I caught her and her tears dried up as I began to bounce her and talk to her in English.

I looked up at Mama. "She can ride with me for a while. I don't mind." I offered.

Mama shook her head. "It's too dangerous. We can take a break here, but then she has to ride with me or Gabrielle."

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Eve had finally cried herself to sleep while riding with Mama. She hadn't been happy when she realized she couldn't get to me or Mom when she wanted to and spent most of the day crying her eyes out.

"Xena, we have to figure something out. We can't have Eve crying this whole trip. It's not good for her."

"I know that Gabrielle, but what can we do? It's not safe for her to ride with Sam. She was only pacified briefly when riding with you, and she screams bloody murder when riding with me. I don't see we have much choice except to let her learn this is how it is. She'll stop eventually."

"Meanie." I muttered under my breath.

"Did you say something Sam?" Mama asked looking at me hard.

"Nothing you want to hear." I mumbled moving Mavri to be riding next to Mom instead of Mama.

"Samina," Mama's tone was low but I pretended I hadn't heard.

"I still don't see why Eve can't ride with me if it will keep her from crying like that." I pouted.

"It's too dangerous Sam." Mom said. "She'll get used to being on the road again. The crying won't last forever."

"Whatever you say," I grumbled riding on ahead a few paces. I was angry at both my moms right now. How could it be too dangerous to ride with me? It was better than letting her cry herself to sleep all the time I thought. Getting ready to give Mavri his lead and gallop ahead, I was stopped when Mama and Mom flanked either side of me.

"Don't even think about it, young lady." Mama intoned.

I scowled some more, but decided to follow her directions this time.

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We had finally stopped traveling for the day. Camp had been set up, Mama had found us ample food to cook and Eve and I were happily sitting on my bedrolls playing our clapping game. I had decided to only speak to her in English and was happy that she seemed to understand me.

"Sam, come over here and help me." Mom called as she stirred the stew over the fire.

"I'm busy." I replied in English before returning my attention to Eve.
"Sam," she looked at me and I sighed.

"I said I was busy." I answered in English once again.

I gulped and looked up as I felt her presence above me. Picking up Eve, she gave her to Xena before returning to me. "Sam, no more English. I need to understand you when you're talking to me. I need help getting dinner ready, so come help me." Her tone left no room for argument.

"Fine." I grumbled in Greek standing up. Heading to the fire, I followed her directions as I helped her finish the rest of the meal preparations. "Can I go sit down now?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes, but lose the attitude Sam."

I bristled. One day on the road and I was already ready to scream. I hated traveling like this just as much as I thought I would. Walking to my bedroll, I threw myself down and once again wished the Fates had left me alone.

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Waking up the next morning, I returned from my trip to the bushes still in a bad mood. I wasn't sure why, but all I wanted to do was lash out at my moms. Figuring it would be even less fun to ride with a sore backside, I kept my mouth shut during breakfast and as we broke camp. Mounting Mavri again I sighed as Eve's cries began almost immediately and showed no signs of stopping any time soon.

Finally not able to stand Eve's crying any longer I began to sing to her in English. I started with a familiar lullaby Mama sang to me and moved into some of the more popular songs the longer I sang. The songs finally had the desired effect and as long as I sang, Eve remained happy.

Eve finally fell asleep and I took a long drink of water from my water skin.

"You have a lovely voice, Sam." Mom complimented me. "What were you singing to Eve?"

I hung the water skin back over Mavri's saddle horn. "A few lullabies, some popular songs of my time."

"What did the words say?" Mama asked.

I blushed slightly. The lullabies were easy to translate. But I wasn't sure if Madonna's Like a Virgin would be in my best interest to share. I wasn't sure exactly what it meant, but I knew Mom and Mama never really wanted me to listen to it when it came on the radio.

"Sam?" Mama asked again.

I shared the words for Brahms' lullaby and the others I had sung hoping that would be enough.

"What about the one that went like this?" Mama asked beginning to hum the tune to the Madonna song.

I gulped and blushed again. I knew I couldn't lie to them, they'd see right through me. I thought perhaps I could make words up, but I knew that I couldn't do that quickly. Wondering if I could not say the dreaded chorus, I gulped again. "Oh you know it's about a girl and her first boyfriend. I think."

"What do you mean you think?" Mom asked.

I shrugged. "It's just a catchy tune, I don't understand all of the words." I explained.

"Well, maybe we could explain it to you." Mama offered. "Tell us the words."

I shook my head, "Nah, that's okay. I'll probably understand it when I'm older."

I noticed Mom give Mama a look and knew I was officially dead.

"Sam, what are the words?" Mama's tone was dangerous and I started to sing what I could remember. I stopped before getting to the chorus.

"And what about the part you kept repeating?" Mama pushed.

I gulped, "I don't know some of the words in Greek." I said.

Mom and Mama once again glanced at each other before pulling their horses to a stop. I did the same and waited.

"Sam, if you don't know the words in Greek, then we don't want you saying or singing them in English." Mom explained.

I let out the breath I was holding. "Okay Mom." I agreed quickly. Anything to keep my backside safe was worth the little white lie I'd just told. I might know how to say the chorus in Greek, I just didn't know what it meant and it could stay that way.

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We had been on the road four days and my mood had steadily gotten worse. Eve was finally adjusting, just like Mama said, but still needed to be sung to on occasion. It still had to be in English and by me though. I didn't let on, but I loved that I was the only one who could calm her down like that. It made me feel like she really needed me.

Eve had just fallen asleep for her afternoon nap and I was yet again bored. I hated feeling like this. Nothing was helping, not even Mom's stories. Deciding I needed to just be alone for a while, I fell back and let Mama and Mom get farther ahead. I could still see them, but I couldn't hear them.

Looking in front of me, I wondered how long it would take them to realize I wasn't right behind them. Pulling Mavri back even more, I began to have him walk in a circle and then a figure eight before allowing him to go forward. By the time I had finished, my moms were nowhere in sight.

Sighing, I urged Mavri forward until I caught sight of them again. They had stopped in the middle of the road and Mama did not look happy. Mom also looked a bit worried and I decided to use that to my advantage.

Riding up to them I took a deep breath. "Sorry about that, I was daydreaming, and didn't realize I was so far behind. It won't happen again."

Mama said nothing, but led Argo toward me. "Give me your reins."

"What?" Mom!" I protested as I sought support from my fairer-haired parent. Part of me wondered if I'd get it. Back home, they always backed each other up, but here… Well, they weren't the same here as back home. I'd learned a lot about them in the last few weeks, and after observing how they'd been with each other, I figured I might get Mom to take my side.

"I said I was sorry." I tried again not willing to hand over my reins without a fight.

"Xena, it was just a case of daydreaming. Do you really thinking taking her reins for the afternoon is necessary?" Mom asked.

Mama shook her head. "Nope. They're mine the rest of today, and tomorrow," she added. She then leaned over and took them from my hands. "You can't afford to not pay attention out here, Sam."

Holding onto my saddle horn, I scowled at Mama as she slipped Mavri's reigns over her own.

"This is totally unfair," I pouted. I crossed my arms as Mavri fell behind Argo and a little to her side. Eve was still sleeping and I sighed heavily. Noticing that Mama and Mom had turned their attention back toward the road, I decided to make my own fun. I started by sticking my tongue out at Mama's back. When that went unnoticed, I began to make other faces whenever I felt I could get away with it. I even threw in few rude hand gestures for fun.

I smirked to myself. Now this was having fun. Making another face, I heard Eve squeal and clap her hand. She'd woken up and had apparently found my faces as amusing as I did. Looking over at her I waved, as she squealed again and kicked her legs excitingly. Laughing, I crossed my eyes and heard her giggle.

Mom turned around and smiled at me. I rolled my eyes at her, making no secret of my displeasure, and then glared at her until she once again turned back to the road. Satisfied, I resumed making faces, this time at both of my parents. I stuck my tongue out and wiggled it. Eve laughed and then tried to copy me, and I couldn't help but echo her laughter.

My laughter was cut short however as I heard Mom ask, "Samina, what are you doing?"

I glared at her. "Making Evie laugh, what does it look like I'm doing?"

Mom stared at me and I shifted a bit in the saddle. "It looks as if you were making faces at your mother," she said calmly. She exchanged a glace with Mama, and then as if she'd made up her mind, stopped her horse. Argo and Mavri followed suit.

"Come here," she instructed.

I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"

"Sam, do what your mom says," Mama's voice commanded in that tone that left no room for disagreement.

Grumbling I slid off Mavri and headed to Mom. She put her arm down and I grabbed it reluctantly. I found myself in the saddle in front of her, my scowl bigger than ever.

As we started to walk again, I could no longer see Eve, and it didn't take long for Eve to realize she could no longer see me. She decided to make her displeasure known throughout the known world. Wincing, I figured that her scream was probably heard all the way back in Alexandria.

I smirked as I let her cry for a little while, knowing that her screams were irritating my moms much more than they were me. Finally, Mom suggested that I to try to sing to her. I shrugged, but smiled as an idea suddenly surfaced. I started to sing, and Eve calmed for a few minutes before clapping. Figuring she'd had enough, I then stopped.

Eve's screeching resumed immediately. This time I didn't start to sing again, even when Mom again asked me to. After all she couldn't make me, and it was fun allowing my little sis to throw the tantrum I wish I could. Both of my moms groaned as Eve upped the ante and pulled out her big guns. Heart wrenching sobs echoed as we walked. I knew I was being difficult, but I didn't care. As the screams progressed, she eventually made herself sick, vomiting all over Mama's back. I was then glad that I was sitting in front of Mom, as neither of my parents could see my grin.

I have to admit thought, that my Mama is nothing if not stubborn. Even all gross and yucky, she refused to stop until we came to a secure area. Luckily for everyone, that didn't take too much longer as we were fortunate to find a suitable camp site pretty quick. It was a little early to make camp, but considering everyone's nerves were frazzled, Mama and Eve needed to clean up, and I hadn't been happier in the last four days, we made camp anyway.

Mom took Eve and started to clean her up, as she and Mama headed over to the small stream at the edge of camp. I took my time laying out my bedrolls, and then decided the rest of my camp chores could wait.

It didn't take long before Mom had finished with Eve. She placed her placed her with me on my bedrolls, telling me to stay put and to keep an eye on Eve while she went to go help Mama.

I nodded and watched as she headed back toward the stream. Turning my attention to Eve, I smiled at her. "Good girl, Evie," I quipped in English. "Getting sick all over Mama like that. You made your big sister proud. I am so glad that English is still just a sister thing, aren't you?"

Eve grinned and clapped. I responded in the expected manner and she giggled in delight. Sticking out my tongue, I taught her the finer arts of blowing a raspberry, and couldn't help but laugh as she sported her new trick for our moms as they returned to camp.

"You are too smart Evie," I told her in English. "How did you know I wanted you to do that?" I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her cheek. "You are making your big sister very proud tonight."

Mama looked around the camp and then to me. "Sam, where's the kindling for the fire?"

I shrugged. "I'd imagine it's still out there somewhere," I said, still in English, pointing to the scrub bushes around us.

Mama raised an eyebrow as she looked at me. "I asked you a question, Sam."

"And I answered it. Not my fault you can't understand me." Speaking in English was great, I decided. I could say almost anything as long as I watched my tone and facial movements, Mama and Mom would have no idea what I was doing.

Mama gave me a look, but before I could have second thoughts, Mom's voice interrupted us both. She'd pulled her soup pot from her bag, and called me, instructing, "Sam, go fill this with water."

"Do it yourself bard," I said with a smile before turning my back on them both. Moving Eve to sit in front of me, I began to play patty-cake with her. She didn't really play yet, but it was fun to watch her try.

I guess I pushed my luck once too far, however, when Mama suddenly ended my fun. She lifted me up by the tunic and landed three hard swats to my backside.

"Go and do what your Mom asked, then come back and collect the kindling." Her eyes held mine for a few moments. "And do not answer us in English anymore."

Her tone was dangerous, and I blinked back the tears, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Deciding to take the safest route, I didn't dare answer as I turned, grabbed the pot, and headed to the stream. Hearing Eve scream as I walked away, I once again smirked. I knew they wouldn't be able to settle her, and that little bit almost made it worth it.

Getting a glare from Mama as I returned to camp, I quickly did the rest of my camp chores, but made sure to show my displeasure at every opportunity. I even ate my dinner in silence, denying every attempt from either the warrior princess or the Amazon queen to engage me. Finally, they stopped trying. Part of me was relieved, but part of me was also disappointed. I knew that my moms back home would have never allowed me to get away with acting this way.

Finishing my food, I cleaned up my plate and headed to my bedrolls without a backwards glance. My anger was now being joined by frustration and I wasn't sure what to do with it.

Lying down on my bedrolls I looked at the stars above me. The constellations were familiar, but off. Two thousand years off. It was just enough, combined with the change in latitude, to make them feel alien. Suddenly, a wave of sadness came over me. I had always loved to watch the stars at home. Mom and Mama and I would play games and debate over what the constellations looked like, or would make up new pictures in the sky. Sometimes, when we went camping, I would pretend to see an animal or something in the patterns, and then Mom would make up a story about it. It was one of my favorite memories, and the thought of it was making me homesick.

"Wanna talk about it, Sam?" Mom's voice suddenly pulled me from my thoughts.

I felt her sit down next to me, but I brushed her off as I turned on my side, and away from her. "Go away," I said in English.

She then put a hand on my arm, gently forcing me to turn back over. "Sammy, how can I help you if I can't understand you?"

I blinked back the tears. "Like you even care," I muttered, once again using English.

Mom sighed and stroked my hair. I wanted to pull away, but I didn't. "Something tells me that your moms wouldn't have let you close yourself off like this, and neither will I."

I couldn't help as my tears turn angry, and my temper rose. "Why do you care? You're not my mom!" This time she understood me.

"Samina!" Her voice was as harsh as mine had been. It made me wince, but only helped to remind me more of my mom. Her voice then softened. "I know this is hard for you, but I am your mom."

"You may look like her, but you're not her," I argued back.

She sighed, and I could tell by her expression that she was as frustrated as I was. "You know, I may be a little younger, and a little less experienced, but I don't love you any less, Sammy. And while I may not have her memories, I'm trying here. So, I'm sorry if you're not happy with me right now, but you will treat both me and Xena with respect. I won't tolerate any less from you. Do I make myself clear?"

I sniffed before I nodded. I had to admit that I felt a bit in awe, as Gabrielle in that moment, transformed herself into my mom at least for the moment.

Mom smiled gently at me. "Good. Now I think that you and I need to talk."

She tapped me on my hip and then helped me to sit up next to her. "How about we start with the attitude. Why, all of a sudden are you being so stubborn? What on earth happened to cause this?"

I looked down at my hands, not sure if I knew how to respond or even wanted to respond. She put her hand on my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes. I sighed. "It's bad enough that we're on the road again, and then Mama had to take Mavri's reins away from me. It made me feel like she doesn't trust me."

"Uh-huh," Mom returned. "And the faces, you were just entertaining Eve, right?"

It wasn't really a question, but I looked down and shook my head anyways.

"Thank you for being honest with me, Sammy." Mom took my chin and once again made me look at her. "But you have to look at it from our point of view too. We wouldn't be very responsible parents if we let you wander off while we're out in the middle of nowhere."

"I didn't wander off. I just got a little sidetracked," I protested.

"Well, we can't have you getting sidetracked anymore now can we?"

"I guess not," I returned with a shrug.

"As for the faces, I wouldn't be a very good mom if I let you to continue to disrespect Xena like that would I?"

I shrugged again.

"Sam, did it ever occur to you that Xena was doing you a favor by keeping you safe, but still allowing you to ride Mavri."

"Some favor," I whined. "Being led around like a baby."

Mom narrowed her eyes. "Would you rather we let you do whatever you wanted when we were on the road? Maybe we should let you get kidnapped or attacked by a wild animal."

"Mom, please." I rolled my eyes. "Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit? It's not like I was in any danger or trouble."

"Do you know that for certain Sam?" She looked at me hard. "I don't know what kind of dangers there were in your world, Sam, but I know the dangers in this one. There are people here that would kill you the same as look at you. Not to mention the wild animals that would love to make a snack out of you and Mavri."

"I know, I know," I said frustrated. "We covered all this before I left home."

"Then apparently your mama and I didn't do a very good job because you're still doing things that are dangerous."

I huffed as she continued.

"What if you had been stung by a scorpion or bitten by a snake? You were out of eyesight, Sam. We wouldn't have known what had happened to you and we may not have learned about it until it was too late. I am not going to lose another child, Samina, simply because you want to have your own way."

Bristling at her words, I came back with the only defense I had at the moment: self-righteous anger. "I was not trying to get my own way," I argued. "I was just trying to stop from being so bored." Angry tears came to my eyes, but I blinked them back. "We've only been out here four days and I'm already sick of it. I hate the heat, and the scenery, and the fact that there's nothing to do! All I want to do is be at home with my moms!" I finished in a rush.

Mom looked at me evenly and I gulped. I'd seen that look before and I began trying to back away from her. "Well Samina, you are here, with your moms, on the road." She calmly reached out and took my arm. "And this mom feels the need to reinforce the lesson on staying safe and obeying your parents on the road."

I gulped, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you'll be with me riding again tomorrow. Maybe another day of not riding alone will help remind you to do what you are told."

"And maybe pigs will fly in Tartarus someday." I mumbled.

I heard a snort come from the area of the fire.

"Xena, you're not helping," Mom scolded.

Rising, Mama came to join us. I looked up at her as she towered over us both. That iconic eyebrow rose as she warned, "You, little girl, are on very thin ice."

"Well maybe I'll get lucky and fall through." I mumbled in English.

Mom's emerald eyes flashed. "Alright, that's enough Samina! Your mama and I are going to talk about what to do about your disrespect, and you are going to bed now."

"Whatever," I muttered again in English, as she got up, and then oversaw me as I changed into my pajamas. Snuggling under my furs, I once again turned away from them and fought another round of angry tears.

Xena's azure eyes watched as her eldest daughter tossed and turned on her bedrolls. "What are we going to do about her my bard?" She asked quietly as her eyes flicked to her second daughter who was sleeping peacefully between them.

"I'm not sure," Gabrielle admitted. "I wish your mother was here right now."

"My mother?"

Gabrielle nodded, "Her advice has really helped, besides, she raised you." The bard chuckled, "I bet she'd have a great idea about Sam's behavior."

"She probably would," Xena admitted. "Though I think Sam is pushing us now just to see what we will do."

"And what are we going to do?"

"I think tomorrow our oldest will ride with me," Xena supplied.

"You really think that will help?"

"I think it will put her off balance a bit and maybe I can get into that head of hers."

"I guess it won't hurt to try. I just wish she'd talk to us about whatever is bothering her instead of reverting to speaking in a language we don't understand."

"Gabrielle?"

"Hm?"

"Do you buy for one minute that she didn't know the words to that one song in Greek?"

Laughing softly, Gabrielle turned on her side and stared at Xena. "Not for one minute."

"Me either, but I guess we can let her think she's gotten away with it."

"Just this once," Gabrielle agreed. "Just this once."

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