This story will contain the following: two women as life partners and mothers, spankings to minor children, and anyone else whom the author deems needs it.

The rights of Xena, Gabrielle, Cyrene, Argo, etc. belong to REN pics and whomever else makes a profit from using them. I own nothing.

All that said, enjoy.

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

Chapter 50

I was sitting in the crook of the tree branch watching the waves on the lake. The tree was old and weathered, a perfect climbing tree hidden among a small grove of trees by the lake. As I watched the water I wondered how today had gone so wrong and knew that Mama would probably be looking for me at some point. Then again, maybe she would wait for me to come back on my own. Something that would not happen this time.

We had been in Kerkini two days and Mama was finally getting the local magistrate and his government to start working with the invading locals. A truce of sorts was being reached and I once more wondered why I was so adamant about coming on this trip. Daria and I had yet to make up. She didn't seem to understand just how much her not defending me with the older girls had hurt. Not to mention the fact that she had basically agreed with them.

Inheriting Mama's hearing was painful in many ways, the main one being hearing how the girls felt I was given special treatment just because of who my parents were and that I wasn't a true Amazon despite what I'd shown and what I could do. They implied that the gods gave me an edge and I wouldn't be such a good fighter or negotiator if not for that. When I had once again heard Daria let it slip with no protest, my mood had soured even more.

The day had come to a head when Camilla had begun to taunt me as we went to the open aired market the city had to offer. Mama had tasked us with buying supplies and had told me to be sure to get some special herbs that she knew would be available. I had automatically taken over the bartering knowing that the other girls wouldn't be able to get the deals that I could, and they had quickly turned resentful.

Reaching the herb dealer, I managed to procure the right herbs and a few others that I thought might come in handy for a good price. Heading back to the inn Camilla had stopped me in a large, open area. "So, why did you get to handle the money and do all the bartering? Mommy doesn't trust us?"

"My mother knew that I was best suited for the bartering. Everyone in the nation knows our queen and her abilities of making deals when shopping. It's something I can do as well, as you saw today."

"Right," Camilla huffed. "And the fact that we're older than you and should rightfully be the ones doing this job is simply because you're better than us at bargaining."

Trying to ignore her I turned to continue walking when her hand fell on my shoulder, "Don't turn your back on me, little girl."

Squaring my shoulders I broke loose from her grip and looked up at her. Camilla was a typical Amazon, almost as tall as Mama and sturdy. She also possessed the overconfidence of many Amazons of her age. She had recently celebrated her twentieth year and knew that she would be part of Eponin's warriors when she'd had a little more training.

"Leave me alone, Camilla." I was feeling a familiar friend with the confrontation and began to welcome the anger and the focus it brought.

"No mommies here to protect you know, Sammy-baby," she smirked. "You have no excuse not to fight unless you're scared of your mommy warming your tail feathers."

"Name your weapon," I responded coolly.

"Bare-hand combat."

Smirking I shook my head, "Why is it nobody can ever do things the easy way?" I asked to myself as she took the first swing.

Ducking, I managed to avoid the punch and countered with a side kick of my own. Kicking her in the ribs I smiled as she doubled over and then moved back as she came at me once again. Releasing the anger fully, I entered into the fight without thought and did not stop until Camilla was on the ground unable to rise again.

Wiping the blood from my lip I faced the group. "I'm done with your teasing and taunts. We do not have to be friends, but we will accomplish nothing as Amazon sisters if we are constantly at each other's throats. It ends here. Whether you like me or not, I am heir to the throne and you best remember that."

"Sam," Daria stepped forward and I shoved past her.

"Save it, Daria," I replied in English knowing she understood me before striding towards the lake to rinse off my wounds before taking to the trees.

Feeling the familiar tingle I sighed heavily, "What do you want, Ares?" I asked as he materialized on the branch slightly above the one I was perched on.

"I just wanted to tell you that you showed some serious skills, little warrior." He smiled at me and winked. "I was very impressed by the little speech too."

"Since when do you care about Amazon spats, Ares?"

"Since I haven't felt anger like that come from someone in a long time." He stared at me and smiled once more. "It felt good, didn't it? Making her pay for all that teasing and taunting you never tell your mommies about. Showing her that you are the best my sister has to offer among her future warriors."

"I'm not joining you, Ares."

"I didn't ask, did I?" He snapped his fingers and we were on the ground. "I came to compliment you, little warrior. I really am impressed."

"So you came just to give me a compliment?" I asked in disbelief.

Ares nodded and stroked his beard, "That and to offer you a piece of free advice."

"Oh, now I'm curious," I responded. "So what did you want to tell me?"

Ares sighed, "You know, I'm trying to be nice, have a genuine moment with my little warrior and you give me nothing but Xena's attitude."

"Well I am my mother's daughter," I replied with a smirk.

"Yeah, you are." Ares stepped forward and took my chin in his hand. Looking into my eyes he finally spoke. "Follow your heart, little warrior. Challenges are coming your way and you'll need your anger as much as your words."

"Follow my heart? This coming from the god of war?"

He let go of my chin and smirked, "If you ever tell my sister I said that, I will deny it in full force." Snapping his fingers, he was gone once more and I was again left to ponder a cryptic message given to me by a god.

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

Entering the inn, I headed to the kitchen ignoring the patrons and the table full of my supposedly fellow sisters. Mama had never come for me and I wondered if this was one of her lessons about growing up. The reasons didn't really matter to me; I only saw her as not bothering with me and was now angry with her as well.

Glad I'd made friends with the cook I quickly got a plate and sat at the table in the kitchen to eat. Finishing up, I made a decision and headed back to the room.

"Where have you been, Samina?" Mama's deep voice welcomed me as I entered the room.

"Thinking." Pulling off my boots I tossed them into a corner before grabbing a linen towel and heading to the attached bathing room.

Pulling the right chain warm water flowed into the tub and I quickly stripped and slid into it. "I know you're not happy right now," I looked at Mama as she followed me, "but neither am I."

"What happened, little one?" Mama's voice was a bit gentler as she knelt by the tub and took up a washcloth in her hand.

"I want to go home," I said, avoiding the question.

"We won't be leaving for another few days, Sam. Now what happened?"

"I'm going to ask Auntie to send me back to the village. I never should have come on this trip."

"Samina!" Mama's voice was sharp as her hands were gentle as she washed my back. "What is going on with you?"

"I don't want to play nice anymore." I looked into Mama's face. "How do you turn off the bionic hearing? I don't like knowing some of the things I'm listening to."

Mama sighed and brushed a piece of hair back from my face. "Daria says Camilla was taunting you because I had you take point at the market."

"You mean she bothered saying something in my defense?" I spat. "I didn't know she cared anymore."

"Sam?"

"They think the gods have given me an edge, that I'm not capable of anything on my own. That the only reason I'm on this trip is because of who my parents are. They think I'm given special treatment all the time," I sighed. "They don't get that you're harder on me than anyone else because of who my parents are."

I fell silent as Mama washed my hair. "I am sorry, little one. I know hearing those things are hard but you also know there is some truth in them. You are twelve, Sam and were allowed to come on this trip with me at that age because you are my daughter."

"I know."

"And you do get special treatment in a way because of who your parents are, of who you are. You are the future leader of the nation and we are that much harder on your because of your birthright."

I shrugged and stood wrapping the towel Mama offered around me, "I know, Mama, and it's not that they think those things that hurts so much. It's that Daria hasn't said anything in my defense. She hears them and yet stays with them as they talk and even laughs about it. That hurts more than their words."

Moving from the bathing room I found my satchel and dressed quickly. Feeling a hand on my shoulder I sat crossed legged on my bed and enjoyed Mama brushed out my wet hair before braiding it.

"I know I'm in trouble for everything that happened today, Mama," I began. "But I want to go home tonight. Please?"

"I thought we were past you running, little one." Mama pulled me into her lap and I began to fight the tears. "I don't like the idea of you getting Aphrodite to send you back to the village, Sam."

"I know, but I don't want to stay here. I can't. Please, let her send me and Mavri home. You can write a note to Mom and start my punishment, I don't care. I just need to do this."

Mama shifted a bit and looked into my face, "I want an answer to something before I make a decision. Why did it take you so long to come back?"

"I was waiting for you to come after me," I said quietly moving off her lap and grabbing my satchel.

"Little one…"

"Auntie!" I cut Mama off quickly not wanting to hear her reasoning for disappointing me again. "Auntie, a favor please!"

Smelling roses I smiled as she materialized in front of me, "You called?"

Hugging her I nodded, "Will you send Mavri and me back to the village?"

"And this is okay with you, my warrior babe?"

Mama sighed, "Not really, but I'll discuss things with Sam later."

"Well, then, if you're going to let me, I'd be happy to zap you back to your blonde mommy."

"Thanks." Sighing in relief I looked at Mama once more. "Did you want to send a note or anything to Mom?"

Mama shook her head, "No. You talk to her and tell her we'll be home soon."

"Okay, I love you, Mama." I nodded at Auntie and the smell of roses engulfed me disappearing only when Mavri and I emerged in the stables in the village.

Looking around I noticed Mavri's tack in his usual spots and a bag of feed and a bucket of water ready for him. Sitting on a bale of hay next to his stall I sighed deeply. I couldn't believe that Mama had really allowed Auntie to send me to the village. She hadn't even tried to stop her. My insecurities once again confirmed I grabbed my satchel and headed to our hut.

"Sam!" Turning I smiled and waved at Zivah as she came running across the village towards me. "When did you get back?"

"Just now, I had Auntie send me home."

"How come?"

I shrugged, "I got tired of being just another Amazon and nobody else seemed to see it."

My focus went past Zivah's shoulder to the goat pen which now had a six foot fence with two locks at the top. "What did Eve do with the goat this time?" I asked changing the subject.

Zivah chuckled and linking arms with me began to tell me what my little sister had been up to in my absence as she walked home with me.

"Want me to come in with you?" We had reached my family hut and I shook my head.

"Nah, Mom is going to be upset enough as it is, and you don't need to see that." I grinned. "Besides, I'm not sure how much I want to tell her."

"You ever going to tell me?" Zivah asked.

I hugged Zivah and smiled down at her, "Yeah, cousin, I will. Just give me tonight and we'll talk tomorrow."

"We'd better," Zivah returned as she took off for her own home at a fast clip.

Pushing the door open I noticed Eve playing quietly on the floor, Nasa lying next to her, and the twins in their playpen. "Hey, little bit." I whispered.

"Sam!" Eve flew at me and I caught her just in time. "I missed you! Where's Mama?"

"Mama is still in Kerkini." I gave Eve a kiss to the cheek. "I had Auntie send me home because I missed you too."

"You did?"

I nodded, "I sure did, little bit." Hugging her once more I looked around the room. "Where's Mom?"

"Her room," Eve shrugged. "She needs to rest."

"Why does she need to rest, Eve?"

Eve giggled. "Ducks don't make good house pets."

Holding my smirk I shook my head at her, "Nope, they do not make good house pets especially when you have a dog."

Eve nodded. "That's what Mommy says. But I like the ducks and just wanted them to play with me."

"Well, ducks are wild animals and aren't used to playing indoors, little bit." I left my satchel where I had dropped it and walked with Eve to the couch. "Next time, just watch them play when they're on the lake."

"Okay, Sam." Eve sighed and leaned against me. "I'm glad you're home."

"I am too," I admitted. "I don't think I'll go on anymore Amazon road trips for a while."

"Why not, Sammy?"

Mom's voice caused me to look at her and I shrugged glad when she sat next to me and allowed me to move close to her. "Well, I still don't like traveling here very much and it's not what I thought it would be."

Eve began to squirm and I put her on the floor, "Why don't you make me something with your blocks, little bit?"

"Okay, Sam." She grinned at me and I put my head on Mom's shoulder.

"What happened, Sammy?" Mom asked as she put her arm around me and gave me a kiss to the top of the head.

"It was just time for me to come home, so I had Auntie send me home."

"And your mother let her do this?" I stiffened and then shrugged.

"Well, it's not like she tried to stop her," I snapped. "I'm here, right?" Holding back the tears of how my once perfect parent had disappointed me yet again I sighed instead.

"And what happened to make you want to come home early?"

"Mama says they'll be leaving Kerkini in about three days or so," I replied trying to avoid the question. "They should be home shortly thereafter providing nothing else gets in their way."

"Sam, I want to know what happened that caused Xena to let you come back here via Aphrodite without so much as a note to me." Mom's voice was firm and I wished that I could crawl into her lap.

"I'm just another Amazon okay?" I finally said. "Apparently I'm too young for the trip and I won't make the mistake of being treated like one of the sisters ever again when they don't believe it's happening." Moving from the couch I ran to my bedroom and slammed the door behind me.

Throwing myself on my bed I pulled off my boots and threw them as hard as I could against the wall before flopping back and allowing my music player to materialize. Putting in my ear buds I turned it on and tried to forget that my mama didn't exist in my world anymore.

Opening the door to the hut Gabrielle was glad of the guards for a change. "Lanie, please go and get Regent Ephiny and tell her to come here at once. I then need you to do the same thing with Cora and Helen."

"Yes, my queen," the tall woman responded before taking off at a full run to do her queen's bidding.

Moving back into the hut Gabrielle smiled at Eve, now asleep on the floor surrounded by her blocks. The twins were also asleep in their playpen curled in each other's arms and the blonde smiled at the vision of her children.

Covering Eve with a blanket, she left the girl on the floor and headed to her bedroom. Pulling out a bag, she stuffed it with necessary items and then took it to the main room where she did the same thing, making sure her quills and some blank scrolls were packed.

"Aphrodite!" she called.

Seeing the spark of golden hearts and smelling roses the bard smiled as the blonde goddess suddenly stood before her, "You called, sweet pea?"

Gabrielle nodded, "I need you to send Sam and me back to Xena along with our horses."

"But I already sent Sam back here, almost broke a nail doing it to," the goddess protested.

"And I appreciate that you helped her out, but she won't tell me why she left so early and I have a feeling we need to work this out with Xena sooner rather than later."

"What about the cuties?"

"I'm going to ask Cora and Helen to stay with the twins since Cyrene is visiting Toris. I was wondering if you'd ask Aunt Hestia if she'd like to take Nasa and Eve for a few days. I think she's the only one that can handle our little trouble maker with Xena and I both gone from the village."

Smirking, Aphrodite nodded, "That is so true, my sweet pea. That little girl has both her mommies' smarts and her warrior mommy's joking side with your penchant for getting into trouble. I'll be right back." The goddess disappeared before Gabrielle could retort and the blonde queen finally shook her head and was glad of the knock at the door.

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

My ear buds were taken from my ears none to gently and I sat up and glowered at Mom. "Put the music player away and get your boots on," she directed throwing my satchel at me. "We're going to Kerkini."

"Enjoy yourself," I responded trying to lay back down on my bed again.

The tug to my ear caused me to stand and I looked into fiery green eyes, "Put your boots on and get ready to leave. Do not argue with me, young lady."

Gulping at Mom's disposition, I did as she asked and was then tugged into the living area. Auntie was waiting by the fireplace and the place was too quiet. "Where are the girls?"

"Evie and Nasa are staying with Aunt Hestia and the twins are being walked around the village by Cora and Helen." Mom put up her hand. "They will be taking care of them until we get back."

Turning to Auntie, Mom sighed. "Alright, Aphrodite, just zap Sam and me and our horses to where Xena is please."

"Do you want the horses inside or outside?" Auntie asked.

"Use your best judgment," Mom replied as Auntie nodded and waved her hand.

Smelling the water I looked around and finally saw Mama sitting at the water's edge on a fallen log throwing stones into the lake. Mavri's reins were in my hand and Mom led her horse behind her. Sighing, I followed her towards Mama wondering what she planning to accomplish by forcing me back into a situation I only wanted to avoid.

"Xena!" Mom called to Mama before we had taken more than a few steps.

Looking up, Mama wiped the tears from her eyes and stood, "Gabrielle? Sam?"

"Care to tell me what in hell is going on, Xena? You let Aphrodite zap Sam back to the village without so much as a note and it's obvious that something happened here, but I don't know what it was."

"You didn't tell your mother why you wanted to go home?"

I glared at Mama. "Why bother, not like she'd have come after me either," I snapped. "I sure as hell didn't want to come back here, but wasn't given much of a choice so don't expect a thing out this Amazon, warrior princess."

"Samina Ephiny Bardos," Mama's voice was a low growl. "That is enough."

"Oh, now you decide to say something?" I huffed. "Why don't you two go do your bard and warrior thing while I sit here and stare at the water?"

"Samina." Mom's voice was like ice and I squealed as my ear was almost tugged from my head for the second time in a day. "I don't want another word from you until I talk Xena. Then you are going to discuss this with us, if it kills us all."

Glaring at her as she released my ear I began to rub the now throbbing lobe before sitting down on a large rock and turning my back to them focusing instead on the trees in the distance.

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

"Gabrielle, what are you doing here?" Xena asked as the blonde rounded on her.

"What am I doing here?" Gabrielle asked waving her hands. "How can I not be here? You just let Aphrodite send our daughter back to the village with no note or word of any kind. You didn't try to stop her? What happened that you'd just let her come home like that?"

Xena sat back down on the log and waited for Gabrielle to join her before she spoke. "Sam got into a fight with Camille," holding up her hand to stop the questions Xena continued. "Sam's hearing is starting to become more like mine and she overheard how they truly feel about her. What bothered her most was that Daria didn't stick up for her and let them keep talking.

"Anyway, I sent them to the market to get a few items we needed as well as some herbs that I knew Sam would recognize. I let Sam control the money purse because I knew she'd be able to handle the bartering the best. Camilla began to taunt her about that, about only being given that job because she was our daughter. How she was given special treatment…."

"So Sam started a fight with her?"

"According to Daria Sam reminded them that she's been treated just as they have on this trip and that I'm harder on her than I have been on them, but Camilla kept at her, and when Camilla grabbed her and wouldn't let go, that's when Sam hit her."

"How is Camilla?"

"Almost recovered. She'll be ready to ride in another day or so." Xena sighed.

"She was so determined to leave, Gabrielle, I didn't know what else to do."

"How about stopping her?" Gabrielle's voice was gentle but low. "Why did you let her think you didn't care?"

"She told you that?" Xena's watery blue eyes held Gabrielle's gaze.

"She told me that you hadn't even tried to stop Aphrodite from sending her back to the village. You know what that means to Sam."

Xena sighed, "This trip has been nothing but a struggle for Sam and me, Gabrielle. I think she was expecting it to be more of a time to be with me, like we used to do in the future."

"And instead, you treat her like just another Amazon on her first scouting mission and the other girls still see her as receiving special treatment." Gabrielle put her head on Xena's shoulder. "And Sam knows she's not receiving any special treatment so when she's teased about it…"

"She let them know exactly how many skills she currently has," Xena finished. "I keep letting her down, Gabrielle. It seems nothing that I do is right anymore."

"You need to talk to her, Xena. And more than that, you need to show her that she's still your little one because I have a feeling she thinks her mama, the mama that she wants, isn't here anymore."

"Sometimes that's how I feel," Xena admitted. "I love Eve and the twins, and wouldn't trade them for anything, but I would be lying if I said I don't miss being able to focus on Sam without all the pressure we have here." The warrior wiped her eyes again. "I miss our early morning rides, the sparring after school, putting down toasters when you were on your book tours. I miss just being with her, Gabrielle. She's growing up so fast and I want her to feel independent, but she told me she still wants to do things like we used to do. To just be together."

"Then we need to figure out a way to do that, Xena. For both of you," Gabrielle held her wife's hand gently. "You are both hurting and you need each other."

Xena nodded slowly, "I know and we'll figure something out."

"What about the other girls?" Gabrielle finally asked.

Xena gave the bard a wry smile. "I have an idea about that and I think it might help Sam as well as open the other girls' eyes."

"Am I going to like this plan, Xena?"

"I think you will," the warrior confirmed. "Now, let's go talk to our daughter before we finalize our plans for the trip home."

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

To those still reading Sam, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's a bit longer than usual (even for me) so thanks for hanging in there.

Also, The Art of Discipline is now available on Blushing Books and a positive review there would be appreciated as well.

Kik