Usual disclaimers apply.

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Chapter 16

Walking to the nursery school Gabrielle tried not to laugh at the reaction her return was garnering in the village. It was obvious that the members of her village were glad she was home.

Eve skipped happily alongside her blonde mother as they headed to the school. Suddenly remembering something Eve stopped cold. "Mommy, I forgot my staff. I need to go and get it."

"Where did you leave it?"

"In the barn," Eve sighed. "I can't ride bareback and carry my staff."

"Thank the gods," Gabrielle kneeled in front of her daughter. "Your staff can stay in the barn right now. I'm sure if Sam sees it she'll take it home for you."

"Damn."

"Eve, no cursing."

"Fine." A loud huff followed Eve's reply and Gabrielle stood and took the girl's hand once more.

"Let's go find your mama." Finally entering the nursery school Gabrielle followed the voices to the main classroom for the three year olds.

"Mommy!" Zoe and Emily broke free from their warrior mother's hands and ran to the bard. "We missed you."

Hugging the twins Gabrielle kneeled and looked over their heads up at her wife. "I missed all of you too. Now what is going on in here? I hear the two of you practiced camouflaging yourselves on the nature hike."

Emily bobbed her head, "We did and we were so good that they couldn't find us. It was great."

"And guess what, Mommy?" Zoe interrupted. "The only reason they found us is because Mama is such a good tracker."

"I see," Gabrielle hugged her daughters once more and smiled gently at her wife. Biting her cheek to hold her chuckle Gabrielle made her way across the classroom slowly.

Xena's hair was in a loose braid most of it having fallen out. Her long tunic now showed a pronounced baby bump along with numerous muddy handprints. The boots she wore were tied loosely, and her black leggings were also covered in handprints, it was however the streak of mud over Xena's forehead that Gabrielle tried not to focus on because she was afraid she would laugh.

"The gods I missed you," Xena pulled her bard into a hug and bent to kiss her heavily.

"Ewww, small children present," Eve's voice rang out throughout the classroom. "Nobody needs to see that."

"We have got to talk to Sam about what she says in front of them," Xena muttered.

"And what stories she tells them," Gabrielle agreed moving in for a lighter kiss before breaking apart once more. "I missed you too."

A young Amazon cleared her throat and made herself known, "It is so nice to have you back, Queen Gabrielle."

"Thank you, Bae. It's good to be home." Gabrielle looked around the room and saw a row of sleeping three year olds being watched by another young girl. "Where is Nona?"

"In the bath." Bae rubbed the back of her neck. "She fell into a mud hole trying to find the girls. Selina is just filling in until Nona gets back."

Gabrielle nodded, "We'll take the twins with us then. Have a good afternoon."

"You too." Bae smiled and waved to the three little girls now yawning sleepily themselves.

"Come on, Xena, let's get these three home and cleaned up before we talk."

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Rory and I led the horses to the barn and made quick work of getting them turned out to pasture. It was obvious that our horses were happy to be home and even Argo came to greet them.

Seeing Eve's staff leaning against Haven's stall I picked it up and grinned at Rory. "I guess little bit can't ride bareback and hold onto her staff. We'll have to work on that."

"Yeah 'cause your ass isn't going to be sore enough after Aunt Xena gets done with you for calling out Ares."

"You took way to much joy in reminding me of that, Rory."

Rory chuckled and I tossed her Eve's staff, "Will you please make sure Eve gets that back, I'm going to go see Daria."

"If she's home," Rory batted her eyes at me. "I mean lover girl might be out learning warrior skills or something."

"Guess I'll find out." I winked at Rory and took off running before she could tease me any more about Daria.

I had missed Daria more than I thought I would and a part of me began to understand why Mom ran away from home to follow Mama. There was something about being near to someone you felt instantly connected to and I was thankful that I wasn't being forced to follow some ex-warlord around Greece while she tried to redeem herself.

Heading towards the practice fields, I smiled seeing Daria sparring with another junior warrior in training. She was still a natural with the chobos and thanks to Mama and Eponin's tutelage had turned into one of the best in the village to use the chobos. Ephiny once said that Daria would have given Melosa a run for her dinar with the chobos.

I stopped at the edge of the practice field and watched until Daria defeated her opponent. Looking to the Amazon in charge I nodded towards Daria and received a nod in return. Running onto the field I made sure I had my staff gripped tightly before tapping Daria on the shoulder with it.

"Can anyone spar with you or just those who can take you?" I asked as she turned around.

Smiling broadly Daria took a step back, "Bring it on, Sam."

We began our sparring match turning what should have been a good natured practice session into a fight to the death. By the time we were done I know I'd picked up at least three bruises and figured Daria had received the same. The instructor finally stopped our endeavors when she realized we weren't anywhere close to stopping.

Looking at us closely the instructor shook her head. "Go get cleaned up the both of you and Sam," she pointed a finger at me. "When you get up to this training level remind me never to pair you with Daria again unless we're betting."

Laughing I nodded, "Will do Milla."

Daria and I took off towards the lake on foot and managed to turn that into a competition as well seeing who would get to the lake first. Panting I slid under the tree and laughed as Daria collapsed next to me. "The gods, Sam. Do you have to compete with me for everything?"

"Yup." I laughed and bent my head to her lips as she put her head in my lap. Breaking free I grinned at her dopey look, "I missed you, Daria. A lot."

"Did you now?" Daria sat up and brought her lips to mine this time. Breaking free for air I smirked. "Yeah, I guess you did."

Laughing at me Daria sat next to me and pulled me into a side hug. Placing my head on her shoulder we sat in wonderful silence watching the lake. "So I'm going to get my ass busted by Mama for calling Ares out." I said conversationally as we enjoyed the quiet.

"Good thing too." Daria looked at me and wagged her finger. "Otherwise I'd be busting your ass for doing something so stupid and dangerous."

Raising an eyebrow at her I cocked my head to the side, "Really? You think you could bust my tail feathers?"

"Oh I know I could bust your tail feathers." Daria grinned. "And don't tell me that your blonde mommy doesn't bust your warrior mommy's ass every now and again."

Closing my eyes I took a deep breath, "Please, don't remind me. I still can't believe I forgot to knock."

"Don't you ever change, Sam. I love you just the way you are." Daria hugged me tighter. "I heard about the attack and everything. Any idea who's behind it?"

I shook my head, "Not yet." Moving a bit I stared at Daria. "How did you hear about the attack and me calling Ares out?"

"You think you're the only one who can sneak around the village at night and listen in at the emergency council meeting?"

"And don't you ever change, Daria. I love you just the way you are." Moving my head back to her shoulder I snuggled against her once more.

Daria's finger began to trace a large bruise on my forearm. "Sorry about that."

"No you aren't," I volleyed back. "But I have a feeling that's not the worst one."

"Oh?" Daria kissed me again and smirked. "And where would the worst bruise be, Sam?"

Licking my lips I grinned at her, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Daria nodded happily and leaned me back into the grass straddling my hips. "So how much did you miss me on this trip?" she teased.

"More than I thought possible." I reached up and stroked her face gently. "I thought of you every night and even talked to you in my journal."

"You did?"

I nodded shyly. "I didn't want to show everyone just how lovesick I was you know. Can you imagine the teasing Zivah and Rory would have given me not to mention Aunt Eponin and Solari?"

Leaning down Daria kissed me slowly and moved to my collarbone. "Oh the teasing would have been awful," she confirmed.

A chill went through me and I relaxed completely figuring it was time to get a bit more touchy feely with Daria. "Yeah, awful." I whispered as we gave up talking for other pursuits that would make my goddess mother very happy.

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Rushing into the dining hut I tried to catch my breath before heading to our family table. Daria and I had made out and explored each other fully and I was just going to make the time limit imposed upon me by Mom.

Sliding into my seat I made eye contact with Rory and stuck my tongue out at her as she grinned at me. "Forgot your watch, Sam?"

"We don't have watches here remember?" I retorted eyeing Mama warily. "Hi Mama."

"Hello little one," Mama replied quietly motioning me with her finger to come to her.

Standing I hesitated before moving towards her slowly. Finally within arms-reach I was no longer able to stand it and moved to her without further hesitation. Hugging her tightly and felt her pull me into her lap. "I missed you, Mama," I whispered.

"I missed you too, little one." She tugged my braid and grinned at me. "We'll talk later."

I nodded, "I know."

"Awwww," Rory and Zivah teased as Mama kissed my temple.

Turning around I stuck my tongue out at them before standing and then heading back to my seat. "What's the hold up, I'm hungry."

"It seems that the twins needed to and make a few apologies before dinner," Mama explained.

"And Aunt Ephiny?" I asked pretending not to notice when Eve and Addy snagged a piece of bread from the basket on the table.

"Still hasn't been released from the kitchens by your yaya," Eponin informed me.

"Poor thing," I helped Eve liberate a piece of cheese from the platter as Rory did the same for Addy. "Yaya must really be putting her through her paces.

"She is," Mama's eyebrow rose as Eve stood on her chair and tried to pull the covered bowl of stew towards her. "Sit down, Trouble."

"But I'm starving," Eve whined. "And you made me wear clothes and I wanna eat."

"Me too, Mama." Addy began to whine as well. "We're hungry."

"So are we," I winked at Rory and picked up my spoon. Following my lead Rory picked hers up as well and we began to bang the handles of them on the table eagerly followed by Zivah, Addy, and Eve.

"Hungry," I whispered in English.

"Hungry, hungry, hungry." The chanting grew louder until I felt a swat to the back of my head.

"Enough, Sam." Yaya's voice was holding a laugh. "Just like your mother."

As Yaya and Ephiny joined us with another loaf of bread and a bowl of cooked carrots Eve's eyes lit up. "Egypt carrots!"

Yaya nodded, "The purple ones finally came in enough," she explained. "At least for the family. I'm not sure the rest of the tribe would be up to eating them. And Gabrielle sent word that she'd be here in a few minutes with the girls and for us to go ahead and start serving." Yaya explained as she began to dish out our dinner and pass plates.

"Yummy." Eve's face showed pure bliss. "These carrots are so good, Yaya and the stew is perfect."

Mama chuckled as Eve scooped up a large bite of stew with her piece of bread and shoved it into her mouth. "Just like her mother," Mama shook her head and I saw her face break into a smile just as I heard Mom's footfalls.

Turning I had just enough time to kneel and brace myself before the twins attacked me. Giving them kisses I put them in their chairs before returning to my own and tugging Eve's braid. "Remind me to tell you a new story later, little bit," I whispered to her.

"Okay," she finally responded after managing to swallow. Holding up her plate she gave me a wide smile. "More please, I am totally starving."

"You've been hanging out with Auntie too much," I teased.

"There is never too much pizza, Sam." Eve shoved another piece of carrot into her mouth chewing and swallowing it quickly. "Or pancakes. Let's not forget the pancakes."

Yaya broke into laughter as the table turned to look at Mom, "What?" Mom asked as she took her plate after making sure Emily and Zoe were happily eating.

"Nothing," Yaya grinned. "Just like her mother that one." She commented once more as the table broke into laughter.

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