How long have we even been gone? I can't begin to fathom. Xena sent a messenger ahead of us with word that we are still alive, and we're heading to Amphipolis.

I still can't help feeling this distance between me and Xena. It's my own reservations and insecurities, but they are so valid. For now I can only focus on getting home to my son.

Xena must feel the indecisiveness, she's even more stoic than usual. When it becomes almost unbearable between us, Xena suggests we both ride Argo. As I sit behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist brings a familiar comfort I can't help but sink into. Her unique smell of leather, sweat and spice permeates my nostrils.

I think back to the days before everything became so complicated. The days before Cle was born, when we traveled as best friends who would do anything for each other. I'm such a different person though. So many things have happened in such a short amount of time. I'm not the nieve person I used to be.

Riding Argo cuts our trip in half. As we reach Cyrene's tavern I'm off the horse before she's even come to a stop. Running full speed I burst through the doors of the near full room. Everyone stops to look at me and the place goes silent.

Not bothering to stop, I push my way through the crowd of patrons until I reach the kitchen.

Breathe.

I mentally calm myself before pushing through the door. Cyrene's back is to me as she stirs a pot over her fire.

'Where is he?' She visibly startles, but I can't help my need to see my son.

'Oh Gabrielle..'

'Where is he?' I cut her off, trying to keep myself from becoming frantic.

'He's sleeping in my room.' She points, worry and confusion written all over her face.

Making my way to her room, I continue to calm myself. If he senses my anxiety it will only cause him confusion and he'll begin to cry. The room is filled with sounds of him babbling to himself. Instantly it's as if a weight has been lifted.

Reaching into the cradle, I pull him against my chest. His little fingers play with his mouth as he babbles away. Tears begin to fall. If something were to happen to him, I don't what I'd do. I begin to shower him with kisses, causing him to giggle.

'Did I ever tell you, being a mother looks good on you?' Xena's presence makes all this feel complete.

'No.'

'How is he?' She moves up behind me, nearly against my back.

'He's perfect.' Xena reaches around, letting Cle grasp onto her finger. I take a little step back, eating up the space between us. Her other arm wraps around my waist as she leans over my shoulder.

'Well he did come from you.' Xena starts making little baby noises at him, tickling his belly. These moments have been missing from our lives.

'No one would believe the Warrior Princess is a big ol softy.' I laugh as her eyebrow cocks up but she continues to baby talk.

'Well I'm not a softy, am I?' She talks to Cle. 'No I'm not, no I'm not.' Xena devolves back into babbling with Cle. He giggles and babbles right back. 'Let's go home.' Her eyes shift towards mine. 'I can explain everything to my mom in the morning. Right now I just want……' She breaks of, as if searching for the right word. 'I want to be with my family, just us.'

'Yes.' I kiss her cheek. 'Please.' It takes Xena few minutes to give her mom a brief explanation and to let her know we'd talk to her again. Cyrene was completely understanding, making me love her all the more. And soon enough we are at the doorstep.

Our home feels cold and abandoned, despite an obvious attempt to clean it up. The door has been fixed and fresh hewn wood sits by the hearth. Still, the memory hits me hard. Roman's breaking down my door, and me helpless to do a thing.

'It's ok.' Xena's hand slides to the small of my back.

'I know.' My eyes scan every nook and cranny, verifying nothing is hiding in the shadows. I suppose I'll be on my guard for a while, hold my son a little closer.

'We can make it ours again.' When she says ours, I just want to melt. To think this once conqueror has made a family with a bard.

'Will it ever be a sanctuary?' I'm desperate for the answer to be yes. Xena sighs as she walks further into the house. Her jaw clenches and hands form into fists as her entire body tenses.

'I could leave right now and never come back.' I think I see guilt in her unyielding gaze. 'And still, you would be a target.' Her hand rakes through her smooth raven hair. 'The moment you came into my life, there was never going to be sanctuary. And do you know why?'

'I..' Xena doesn't let me answer, I was never meant to.

'Because you are my only weakness. Everyone saw that from the beginning. You had my heart before I even knew I gave it to you. If anything happens to you, nothing will stand in my way to get you back.' The utter devotion and love she is exuding as she speaks this, coats my every sense. 'I'm sorry I can't give that to you.' A tear slides down her cheek, and if not for Cle being in my arms, I would kiss her like there is no tomorrow. Maybe it's not the house I need, maybe it's just Xena. Something that has been in short supply.

'Xena, you are all the sanctuary I need.'