Being Her Mothers' Daughter

by Kikilia14

As Sam navigates her teenage years, the fate of Olympus is once more in her hands. Sam, always her own person, decides once more to do things her way with just a little help from her friends in solving the newest problem laid out for her. Third story in the "Mothers' Daughter" series.

26. Chapter 26

6Usual disclaimers apply.

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Chapter 26

Walking into their hut Xena and Gabrielle moved to Eve's bedroom. Finding it empty, they moved to Sam's and then quietly backed away closing the door finding their girls napping. Eve was curled into her big sister, her fingers still in her mouth, and her scarf under her chin. Sam, for her part, had her arms wrapped protectively wrapped around her little sister.

"It reminds me of when Sam had to protect Eve when we were running from the gods," Xena commented as they moved to the living area to sit down.

"Or the first time we visited my parents and Sam felt the need to protect Eve from my mother."

Xena chuckled, "Yeah." Sighing happily when Gabrielle removed her boots for her Xena leaned her head on her wife's shoulder. "Eve chose Sam over us, Gabrielle."

"I know," Gabrielle sighed as well. "I know Eve hurt you, Xena. We need to figure out what's going on with our middle child."

"We do," Xena sat up and looked at her wife. "How about I take Eve out for an overnight camping trip? It will give us time to connect and maybe I can get into her head."

"The way you do with Sam?"

Xena shrugged, "It seems to work with Sam. Why not Trouble?"

"It won't hurt," Gabrielle agreed. "In fact, it might do her some good. She's growing up and I think having a few growing pains the way Sam sometimes does."

"Yeah," Xena moved slightly and placed her head in Gabrielle's lap bringing her feet to rest on the end of the couch. "How are we going to do it, Gabrielle? Four little girls and the fifth on the way. We're already outnumbered. You know?"

Running her fingers through Xena's dark locks Gabrielle chuckled, "Oh yeah, I know. We'll do just like we always do, Xena. We'll find a way to make everything work."

"I guess we will," Xena agreed. "We always do."

"Yep." The women sat in silence for a long while. "Sometimes I wish we were back in the future, Xena. I wonder if the girls would be happier there."

"They might be happier in certain things," Xena replied. "But we'd still have problems there. It wasn't perfect there, either."

"I know," Gabrielle continued to move her fingers through her wife's hair. "I just wish things could be different for our younger girls sometimes."

"I understand," Xena closed her eyes and yawned deeply. "I wish it could be different sometimes too, Gabrielle. But we're here now and I don't think we're going anyplace." Xena yawned again. "So what are we going to do with our girls?"

"Talk to them for starters, and go from there." Gabrielle leaned down and kissed her wife's forehead. "Come on, you, nap time."

"I don't need a nap," Xena protested through another yawn.

"Uh-huh," Gabrielle chuckled. "Come on, I'll lie down with you and after a nice rest we can deal with the girls."

"Alright," Xena slowly sat up. "But only because you're going to keep me company."

Gabrielle stood up and held out her hand smiling when Xena took it. Walking softly they made their way to their bedroom and a well-deserved rest.

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Waking up I slowly rubbed Eve's back before focusing on the figure sitting in the rocking chair across from my bed. The chair was a new addition to my room and I had found it a great place to curl up and read.

"Mama?"

"Hey little one," she smiled at me. "Have a nice nap?"

"I guess I did," I looked at my sister still curled into me. "Is Mom with the twins?"

"No, Kassandra has them for the afternoon."

I smiled, "Kassandra will love that. They enjoy her a lot."

Mama nodded and then looked at Eve, "How is she, Sam?"

"She's so lost, Mama," I began. "She wants to know why you didn't tell her what a good job she did defeating Daphne. And she's really feeling insecure about the new baby. I tried to explain to her about the sparring but she just doesn't understand."

"She said I'm not fun anymore," Mama looked at Eve softly.

"Yeah," I slowly sat up and adjusted Eve so she wouldn't wake. "She just meant that you can't do a lot of the things you used to with her because you're pregnant. And like I said, she's also confused by your reaction to her sparring this afternoon."

Mama nodded, "I was thinking of taking her on an overnight camping trip."

"I think she'd like that," I smiled at Mama. "I know I've loved our camping trips since we started taking them. The ones where we go alone are always the best," I finally admitted. "It's nice to learn things from you and just talk."

"To feel special?"

I nodded and blushed. "Yeah, to feel special. It's like if you believe in us, then how can we not do something? I mean you're Xena, and if you say we can do it, then we can."

"You think that much of my opinion?" Mama's eyes caught mine and I smiled shyly at her.

"How could you not know, Mama?" I asked. "You and Mom are the most important women in our lives. We have a lot to live up to just being your daughters. When you tell us we can do something, then we're going to do it because you believe in us even when we don't believe in ourselves. Why do you think it hurts so much when we disappoint you or why we try so hard to prove ourselves?"

"I never thought of it like that," Mama admitted. "She's only six, Sam. What does she have to prove?"

"That she's as good as her big sister and her mothers." I rubbed Eve's back once more. "She told me she has to be as good as me at everything because everyone expects it. She's so little and already has a weight on her shoulders. She's starting to understand Mom's lessons about Eli a little more and that bothers her sometimes too. She told me she doesn't want to stop being an Amazon. She's afraid that Eli means she can't be a princess anymore."

Mama shook her head, "I didn't even know she understood that much about all of it."

I shrugged, "Of course she does Eve is her mothers' daughter as well."

I felt Eve shift and gently shook her, "Hey little bit, you ready to get up?"

"No," she yawned and finally opened one eye. "Do I have to wake up?"

"You do," Mama answered for me and Eve sat up slowly but stayed in my lap.

"Where's Mommy?"

"In the kitchens," Mama smiled at Eve. "She's packing us some food."

"Why?" Eve's fingers returned to her mouth and her scarf remained tucked under her chin.

"Because you and I are going on our first official camping trip, Trouble."

"We are? Like the ones you and Sam go on, Mama?"

"Exactly like the ones Sam and I go on," Mama confirmed. "Do you think you can handle it?"

Eve nodded happily. "Just you and me? Nobody else?"

"Just us," Mama smiled. "And Argo of course, she'd be pretty upset if I left her here while I took you camping."

Eve looked up at me with a huge grin, "Did you hear that Sam? I get to go camping with Mama just like you do!"

"I heard little bit," I smiled at her. "I think you'd better go get some things out that you'd like to take with you. Mama will help you choose what to take."

"Okay," scrambling off my lap Eve made a beeline for Mama and hugged her tightly. "I'm gonna be in my room, come help me pack." She directed before running as fast as she could from my room and towards hers.

"I think that was a hit, Mama," I teased as Mama stood.

"I think you're right."

Sliding from my bed I picked up Eve's boots and handed them to Mama, "Don't forget these." Allowing Mama to take them I then wrapped my arms around her as much as I was able. "I can't say I'm not a little jealous, but have fun with her. She's turning into quite the kid."

"Well, she's had a good role model," Mama replied kissing the top of my head as she hugged me back. "Remember that I love you, little one."

"I love you too, Mama." Hearing Eve hollering from her bedroom for Mama made us both chuckle and Mama gave me a final kiss before slowly making her way to my younger sister's bedroom.

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"Are the twins down for the night?" I asked as Mom joined me on the couch.

"They are," She pulled me into a hug with one arm and kissed my temple. "I'm not sure exactly what they did with Kassandra today, but it has them down for the count."

"Probably has Kassandra down for the count too," I quipped as Nasa moved to his favorite spot in front of the fireplace. He helped tuck the twins in every night and I figured they'd finally fallen asleep since he decided to join us.

"What are you reading?" Mom asked looking at the book in my hands.

"Sins of the Past."

"Again?"

I shrugged, "It's my favorite. I wish I could have brought all of your books with me, Mom. I miss them."

"You have my scrolls."

"It's not the same thing," I sighed and leaned into her. "I miss watching you write and being the first to hear your stories. Well, after Mama of course," I amended.

"I miss it to," Mom admitted. "Curling up in that wonderful leather chair with you and reading to you was one of my favorite things."

"Mine too," I handed Mom her book. "Just because we're here doesn't mean you can't read to me anymore." Leaning into her I began to trace a pattern on her leg. "You're reminding me more of her," I began. "The Gabrielle I knew before coming here. You're not quite there yet, but there's more of her in you. It's nice."

"Oh?" Mom moved me until my head was in her lap and her fingers were gently running through my hair.

"Yeah," I relaxed into the familiar ritual. "You aren't so quick to anger anymore, or beat things up without a reason." I chuckled. "It may be different here, but you're still turning into you. I like it."

"I'm glad I can accommodate you," Mom quipped.

"Me too," I closed my eyes for a few moments and then opened them again. "I was afraid I'd lost my Gabrielle forever," I finally admitted. "I'm glad I was wrong." Yawning I closed my eyes once more. "Read to me, Mommy?"

"Of course," Mom's gentle voice began on the first page of Chapter One and I was soon lost in the story just as I had been the first time she'd read it to me so many years ago.

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"I didn't know you could cook!" Eve's voice was full of awe as she watched her warrior mother cook the fish in the only frying pan Gabrielle would allow her to use.

"Of course I can cook," Xena replied. "It may not be as good as your mother's cooking, but I did have to cook for myself long before I met her."

Eve nodded and took a bite of the apple in her hand. "I guess that makes sense. This sure is a good apple, Mama. I didn't know heating them up made them taste so good."

"It's something I learned a long time ago," Xena informed her daughter. "And I think the fish is done." Sliding one fish on her plate and the smaller fish onto Eve's plate Xena added a hunk of bread to each plate as well. "Enjoy, Trouble."

Watching Eve's face as she tasted the fish Xena chuckled. "Any good?"

Eve nodded, "Yeah, I can't believe it, but it's really good." Eve replied taking another bite. "This is great, Mama. You and me camping. I never thought I'd be old enough to do this with you."

"I guess six is just the right age," Xena replied reaching out to tug one of her daughter's braids. "I think we'll have a good time. What do you think?"

"I think I'm glad I didn't get my ass warmed for sparring with Daphne," Eve replied causing her mother to almost choke on her bite of fish.

"Eve," Xena finally managed to speak. "You are not old enough to talk like that."

"Sorry," Eve gave her mother a sheepish grin. "I forgot."

"Well you'd best remember," Xena warned. "Do you know why you weren't spanked for sparring?"

"Nope." Eve shoved another bite of fish into her mouth. "But I'm glad."

Xena put her plate down and looked at her daughter. The girl was eating like she hadn't had a decent meal in weeks and it was all Xena could do not to chuckle. Eve had so much of Gabrielle in her that sometimes she forgot Eve wasn't biologically Gabrielle's daughter as well. "Eve, look at me please."

Shoving the last bit of fish in her mouth Eve looked at her mother in confusion, "Do I have something on my face?" she mumbled around her food.

"Just like your mother," Xena shook her head and wiped the girl's face. "Not any more, Trouble. I just want to talk to you about today."

"What about today?" Eve asked eyeing the food basket. "Do we have any cake in that basket?"

"In a minute, Eve," Xena moved the basket away from Eve's reach and finally managed to get her attention again. "Why do you think we were so upset about you sparring with Daphne today?"

Eve shrugged, "I really don't know, Mama. All I did was show her how good I was with a staff. Addy and Mavis are really good too cause I've been teaching them everything Sam teaches me."

"I guess you've been practicing a lot then."

"Yep." Eve gave her mother a toothy grin. "We like to practice. It's fun. So why was everyone upset about the sparring?"

"It's because you didn't follow the rules, Eve." Xena pulled Eve onto her lap. "You need to go about sparring matches a certain way and those rules weren't followed."

"Oh," Eve leaned into Xena as much as she could. "I guess that's kinda what Sam said. She said we didn't do it right. Is that what she meant?"

"It is," Xena kissed the top of Eve's head. "If you want to spar that's okay, but you have to do it the right way. Just because you're the princess doesn't mean you can do it the way you want."

"So I should have made sure it was okay to spar with Daphne first?"

"Yes."

"But Sam said it was okay," Eve protested. "Isn't that enough? I mean she's older than me and has Mommy's right of caste. If she knows that I'm sparring that should be enough. And Daria and Zivah were there and they're in the advanced group now. Don't they count?"

"Usually I'd agree with you about listening to Sam. She is the next best thing to your mother and me when we aren't around. However, when it comes to something like sparring you need to double check with your mother or me first. Okay?"

"How come?"

Xena sighed, "Because Daria, Zivah, and Sam aren't yet seen as adults in the eyes of the tribe. Just trust me on this one, okay, Eve?" Xena moved Eve so she could see her face. "Do you understand?"

"I think so, Mama. No fun sparring unless I want to get my tail feathers warmed. Got it." Eve smiled at her mother, "So, is there any cake in that basket?" she asked again.

Knowing Eve's attention was lost for the moment Xena smirked at Eve, "I believe there just might be cake in the basket. How about you help me look?"

"Great!" Eve scrambled off of Xena's lap and moved the basket as quickly as she could. "You know, Mama," she began turning to look at her mother, "if there's no cake in here we can always call Aunt Hessie and ask her to give us some cake."

Laughing Xena merely shook her head and moved to help her daughter find the cake before Eve made good on her idea.

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Slowly opening her eyes Eve sat up and yawned. The sun was barely up and she looked around camp to see the fire going but her Mama gone. "She must be doing her primate run checking stuff," Eve mumbled to herself remembering her mother's words before falling asleep.

Standing up Eve yawned again and looked around. "Well, Mama said not to leave camp, but I gotta use the bushes. I guess that would be okay." Grabbing her staff she took off barefoot towards the bushes they'd used last night hoping that her mama would be back soon. She was hungry and didn't know if her mother would get upset if she ate all the cake for breakfast.

Coming back from her perimeter check Xena walked into the empty camp. Tossing the dressed rabbit in the stew pot over the fire she shook her head at the boots near Eve's bedroll. "At least she's not naked," she muttered following the footprints towards the bushes. Not hearing anything Xena yelled for Eve and getting no response continued to follow her daughter's tracks. "Damn." The small prints were headed the opposite direction from camp and Xena figured that Eve had simply gotten turned around.

Having no trouble Xena followed the prints without too much concern until she heard a scream followed by Eve yelling for her. Starting to run Xena headed towards her daughter's yells hoping that Eve wasn't in too much trouble.

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Eve sniffed as she kept walking. She knew camp wasn't this far away but so far she hadn't found it and she was tired and hungry and she couldn't find her mama. Hearing voices she relaxed a bit hoping that maybe the voices could help her find Xena.

Coming out of the brush Eve stopped short and sniffled again. The men in front of her were dirty and had a half butchered deer on the ground in front of them. They weren't the Amazon hunting party Eve had been expecting. Deciding that she needed to tell them that they were trespassing Eve pulled herself up to her full height and cleared her throat.

Not getting an answer Eve tried again, "I said," clearing her throat louder this time Eve finally got the men to look at her.

"Well looky here, boys. We got a little girl wanting our attention." The scruffiest of the lot turned his attention to Eve while his three friends merely smirked. "What do you want, little girl?"

"You're on Amazon land," Eve announced. "So that deer isn't yours, it's ours and you need to leave."

"Oh we do, huh?" the man asked.

"Yes, you do." Eve held her staff tightly. "My mama isn't going to like you being on our lands without permission so you'd better leave before she gets here."

"Well we aren't done dressing this deer," the man replied. "So we aren't going anywhere."

"You need to leave," Eve said once more.

"And you need to shut your trap," the man advanced on Eve only to yelp when her small staff met his kneecap.

"Leave me alone and get out of here," Eve demanded. "You aren't allowed on Amazon land."

"You little brat," the man headed for Eve once more and despite her hitting him rather successfully with her staff, managed to backhand the girl across the face.

Picking herself up off the ground Eve did the only thing she could think of, "Mama!" Hearing hoof beats, Eve relaxed a bit, screaming when the man came at her again. "Mama!" was called again and a loud whinny was heard along with the golden horse whom it belonged to. "Argo, where's Mama?"

"This is your Mama?" the man who had hit Eve began to laugh but quickly screamed himself when the horse reared and came down hard on him. Seeing this, the other three men tried to advance only to be kicked at by the horse.

"Mama!" Eve cried one more time before finally hearing the sound of her mother's war cry echo from the brush.

"Eve get on Argo!" Xena commanded giving a whistle. Argo kneeled and Eve scrambled to hold onto the horses main. Giving another whistle Argo stood upright and Eve held on tightly seating herself on the horse's bare back.

"He hit me, Mama!" Eve had begun to cry upon seeing her mother and wanted nothing more than to be held by her.

"Which one of you hit my daughter?" Xena demanded.

"What are you going to do about it?" one of the men demanded. "Not like you can do a lot to us in your condition."

"Oh you'd be surprised what I can do to you in my condition," Xena purred. "Now, which one of you hit my kid?"

"I did," the man who had hit Eve stood up and smirked. "Nice horse you have there. I imagine she'll fetch some good coin at an auction. Along with that little brat of yours."

"You should never have come onto Amazon lands," Xena stated.

"And why is that?" the man demanded.

"Because you may not be leaving," egging the man on with her hands Xena shook her head as he removed the sword from his back. Removing her own sword, Xena met the challenge and easily defeated the ragtag bunch of poachers. They weren't much of a challenge for the warrior, but she wanted to make sure that they'd never make the mistake of coming onto Amazon lands and poaching again.

Getting the man who hit Eve cornered, she quickly put the pinch on him and smiled as he dropped to his knees on the ground while his companions began to pull themselves up slowly from where they had landed.

Leaning down Xena whispered in his ear, "You will never come onto our lands again or next time you will not leave still breathing. Agreed?"

The man said nothing and Xena tutted. "So do we have a deal?" Xena whispered in his ear once more. She was behind him watching his nose bleed as he felt the effects of the pinch.

"Y, yes," he managed to gasp.

"Good," releasing the pinch Xena punched him for good measure and glowered at his friends. "Clean up the kill and get off our lands. If any Amazon ever catches you here again, I won't be so nice next time."

Scrambling to obey, the men quickly did as Xena told them and moved towards the border as quickly as they could. Making sure they were gone Xena finally turned her attention to her still crying daughter. Holding open her arms Xena wasn't surprised when Eve jumped into them.

"I was scared, Mama. I told them they couldn't be on Amazon land but they laughed at me. Then that one man hit me." Eve began to cry harder. "I hit him with my staff as hard as I could, but he still hit me."

Rocking Eve in her arms Xena allowed the girl to cry before finally getting her to calm down. "Let me see where he hit you."

Sniffing once more, Eve moved her face away from her mother's shoulder and looked at the woman. Seeing her mother's eyes cloud Eve buried her face once more. "It's okay, Trouble. I just don't like seeing you hurt," Xena soothed. "Come on, let's head towards camp. I think Argo deserves an apple or two for helping you out today."

"Me too," came the quiet reply. "And maybe some cake?"

"Well, maybe she wouldn't mind if she got the extra apple and we ate the cake."

"Could I have Argo's piece?" Eve whispered.

"I think that can be arranged," Xena replied kissing her daughter on the temple as they began the walk back to camp.

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Xena was holding Eve tightly around her waist as the girl napped on their ride back to the Amazon village. The cake had been a big hit with the little girl and had helped calm her down after Xena had taken care of the split lip and bruised face. Eve hadn't let go of Xena since being rescued and Xena only hoped that her spitfire of a daughter didn't stay scared too long.

Sighing as the village came into view, Xena slowed Argo and then stopped. Gabrielle was going to kill her when she got a look at Eve's face. Sam would probably congratulate her little sister on a job well done, and she imagined that Addy, Mavis, and the rest of Eve's age mates would find her a hero. Groaning as she noticed the dining hall Xena allowed Argo to walk slowly into the village. She only hoped that her own mother didn't feel the need to have a private talk with her over this. After all she was angry enough with herself for letting Eve alone at the campsite. She was never that careless and the one time she hadn't been thinking her daughter had paid the price.

"Mama!" Xena turned her head as Sam came running up to Argo. "We didn't expect you until dusk." Sam's smile faltered when she saw her sister's face. "What happened?"

Noticing Sam's immediate change in posture Xena sighed internally knowing her daughter was more like her than she had ever wanted. "She had a run in with some poachers. Hit the mess out of one with her staff, but he still managed to backhand her. Don't worry, they're gone."

"I know." Sam smiled up at her mother. "I'll let Mom know you'll meet her at home. Don't worry I won't tell her about Eve's face, but I can't wait to hear the story."

Watching Sam head back into the village proper Xena guided Argo towards the barn. Finally reaching it she slowly dismounted. Handing Argo's reins to a young Amazon doing her barn chores, Xena gave the girl directions on how to take care of the former war horse before turning and heading towards home carrying her still sleeping child.

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Stepping into the hut Gabrielle frowned upon seeing her wife with her face buried in the top of their daughter's head. "Xena?"

Looking up watery blue eyes met green, "I'm so sorry."

Sitting next to Xena on the couch Gabrielle looked into her wife's face, "Xena, you're scaring me. What happened?"

"I was checking the perimeter this morning and left Eve asleep at camp. I knew I wasn't going to be gone long, but when I came back, she was gone. I followed her footprints towards the bushes and realized she must have gotten turned around trying to find her way back to camp. I was following her tracks when I heard her scream." Xena paused for a moment to gauge her wife's reaction.

"Go on," Gabrielle encouraged.

"When I got to her Argo was protecting her from some poachers who had come onto Amazon lands. They had been in the process of butchering a buck they took down when Eve told them to leave our lands."

"Sounds like her," Gabrielle smiled. "Then what happened?"

"I told her to get on Argo and took care of the men," Xena looked at her daughter for a moment. "I wasn't there soon enough, Gabrielle. She attacked one of them with her staff, but he managed to backhand her. She has a split lip and the side of her face is bruised and swollen. She got hurt because I left her alone at camp. I am so sorry. I know better."

"Sounds to me like you protected our child and took care of a problem today," Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her wife and child. "You couldn't know she'd get turned around, Xena. It was an accident."

"She could have been killed," Xena's voice was deep. "I never should have left her alone at camp."

"And it's always easy to look back and see how you could have done things differently." Gabrielle pulled back from her hug. "Look at your arms, Xena. You are holding our daughter and she is alright. She's here and she's going to be fine. We know she'll never be left alone at camp again until she's old enough to find her way back from the bushes. You need to forgive yourself. You saved her today, Xena. She trusted you to find her and you did."

"When I heard her yell for me my blood ran cold," Xena kissed the top of Eve's head. "I was so worried that whatever she'd gotten into I would be too late getting there. It's not like I'm moving as fast as I usually do."

Gabrielle sat back and put her head on Xena's shoulder, "I know. It's a good thing Argo followed her. How is it that happened?"

"I told Argo to keep an eye on Eve." Xena chuckled. "I never thought she'd take me literally."

"Smart horse," Gabrielle quipped. "Remind me to give her an extra treat next time I see her."

"Eve already gave her a couple of apples today," Xena smiled wryly. "And ate an extra piece of cake since Argo couldn't have it."

"I see, eating Argo's piece, very sneaky, this child." Gabrielle leaned over to kiss Eve on the head. "Did you really think I'd be angry with you, Xena?"

"How could you not be, I'm angry at myself."

"I would think you'd know me better than that by now," Gabrielle turned to look into her wife's eyes once more. "Do you remember the summer Sam was learning to ride a bike? You brought her home one day with a broken arm beating yourself up because you hadn't locked her bike away."

Xena smiled, "Yeah, and you asked me how I was supposed to know that Sam would sneak into the garage and take her bike for a spin without one of us present."

"Exactly, you couldn't know that Sam would take her bike and hit a tree with it any more than you could have predicted Eve would have gotten lost getting back to camp."

Xena's reply was cut off by a small child beginning to shift, followed by a yawn, "Mama?"

"I'm right here," Xena allowed Eve to sit up and then turned the girl so she could see Gabrielle. "And look who else is here."

"Mommy!" Eve's smile lit her face as her blonde mother pulled her into a big hug. "Did you see my ouchies?"

Gabrielle moved Eve back and studied the girl's face, "I did. Are you alright?"

Eve nodded, "I am now. Mama made them all better and I bet Sam will be impressed."

"I bet she will," Gabrielle agreed relishing the feel of simply holding her child on her lap. "Mama told me that you had quite the adventure today."

Eve nodded, "I did." Leaning into Gabrielle Eve's fingers found her mouth for a few moments before she sat up and looked into Gabrielle's face, "Mommy, would today been a good day to follow Rule One?"

"I think it would have been a perfect day to follow that rule," Gabrielle replied.

"Wish I would have remembered that before I hit him with my staff," Eve quipped before snuggling into her mother once more.

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