As promised, here is the new chapter. I hope you'll like it! Let me know what you think, comment or pvt me!

Love,

Diana

24-

The days that followed the gruesome murder of Licinia were filled with tension and anxiety. Gabrielle and Naevia were afraid to even breathe.

Xena found the training of the following days almost exhausting. She kept thinking that something terrible might happen to Gabrielle…or Naevia. She couldn't sleep, busy as she was in trying to find a way out. And she refused to eat because of the hot weather. She tried to stay focused, but Doctore noticed her changed behavior and asked Batiatus to let Xena and Gabrielle spend some time together.

Batiatus entered his wife's boudoir rubbing his head, knowing that she wouldn't like what he was going to say. "Lucretia, I spoke to Oenomaus… We have a problem with Xena. Jupiter's cock! I should have known better! You women are too moody, even when you fight like men!"

The woman left her eyebrow, curling her lips "Tell me something I don't know. What's the problem with the bitch?"

"Doctore says she seems…. Absent. She can't stay focused and, indeed, I noticed too many bruises on her body and it's unlikely of her. I don't know how, but she is one of the few gladiators who never gets bruised while training" he rested his index finger and thumb at the corners of his mouth, thinking. Doctore said we should grant her permission to see her little friend" he furrowed his brows, his whole forehead curled upwards in a series of little bumps. "and I know I need her. She may even take Spartacus' place. She can be a champion. And the last time she fought in the arena, the crowd was in awe. She made us earn a lot of money"

"I know that. But I don't like her being near her lover. I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. She makes me nervous, not to mention that her little blonde girlfriend has probably already found a way to sneak downstairs and tell her about Licinia" she smiled, looking pensively in the mirror

Batiatus sat next to his wife on the triclinium, took her hand and said "I know, Lucretia. I don't trust her one bit. But we need her money"

"I know, but I trust you" Lucretia took his hands, kissing them "…Naevia?!" the woman called for her slave "tell Ashur to bring Xena here" the slave nodded and left the room, silently. Let's see how stoic you can be, warlord.

"Gabrielle?!" she yelled at her new slave who immediately entered the room, bowing her head.

"Yes, Domina" Gabrielle had been scared of that woman and her schemes from the day of the deed. At first, she thought that Lucretia was just a greed-driven woman striving for a child that the gods seemed unwilling to give her. But then, she realized how evil and scheming she could be in order to get what she wanted. But that likeness.

"Gabrielle, dear. You look like you're wearing a funeral mask! And I thought you would have been happy to be near your…. Lover. Maybe you should be sent elsewhere if that's not what you want… "

"Domina, I…. No. I… like being here. Near Xena." Talk your way out "it's just that I… I miss writing. I used to write before, when I was a free woman. I was a bard. I think I could tell stories for you and your guests. I can keep you entertained, you know" Gabrielle thought that, if she could convince her masters to give her pen and paper she could write secret messages for Xena that she could hide inside a crevice near the door to her cell. Here nobody could speak Greek, besides the two of them and Spartacus.

Lucretia smiled, raising an eyebrow "I know. Life is a bitch, isn't it? But you are a slave, and my own mind, and my own ideas keep me entertained. And Ilithyia keeps me entertained, as well" her smile widened, showing her perfect pearly-white teeth "Quintus, leave us. Little Gabrielle and I need to talk…Woman to woman". And I need to break her. The man grinned, got up, briefly turning around to wink at his wife before leaving the room.

"Gabrielle, dear. I've been sensing some hostility on your part recently, am I wrong?" Gabrielle was just opening her mouth to answer when her mistress shrieked "Speak! You stupid cunt! Have you told your companion of our little secret? Have you?" Lucretia got up from her triclinium and went straight to her, grabbing her by the hair, pulling her locks fiercely. "you'd best speak!"

"No! No! I haven't, domina" said the girl, putting her hands on that of the taller woman, trying to ease the pain "I swear, I haven't. She knows nothing" Lucretia loosened her grip on the blond tresses, smiling maliciously.

"Undress" she ordered, returning to her triclinium. She sat down ever so slowly, wearing a smile on her face similar to Callisto's psycho smiles: Lucretia's mouth was partially open and her tongue touched her upper front teeth, the corners of her lips curled upward. A happy psycho's face, indeed. "I said undress! Proceed!"

Gabrielle started to unfasten her blue cotton dress just as slowly. It was not unusual for her and Xena to bathe naked in streams and lakes, but this was on a whole new level: she was not going to have a bath, and the woman before her was no Xena. She could feel her anger rising from her chest to her face, a warm, red wave which made all her disapproval visible through the green pools in her eyes. What would Xena do? She wouldn't care of being naked, Gabrielle. It's nothing, this woman is just trying to manipulate and disrespect you. She wants to have you on your knees. Be strong and get over it.

Gabrielle could suddenly hear steps in the corridor, together with the rustling of chains. She swallowed the huge lump of saliva that had formed in her mouth despite the fact that she felt completely dehydrated. Her mouth was dry, her ears rang, she was sweating. The steps and rumbling became clearer and clearer. And then, Ashur appeared in the doorway, with one of the sickest grins on his face. He pulled a chain and Xena was pulled towards him, her neck collar bound to the chain he was holding in his hands, like a dog's leash. Gabrielle was petrified, but just the fact that Xena was there made her feel safe.

Lucretia shot a mischievous look to the two figures and signaled Ashur to come in. He left the doorway and approached, Xena followed with pure rage in her eyes. There had been times before, where Gabrielle had seen that look, it was her typical you-are-pissing-me-off-now look. A facial expression she shared with her domina. Gabrielle found herself thinking about how much she loved those fierce looks on her lover's face. Probably because the first time she saw Xena, the warrior kept giving her that kind of looks. Gabrielle smiled inwardly at the memories.