Part 18:
Xena gazed at her friends wearily as they all looked at her expectantly. She sighed, hid a yawn behind her hand, and drummed her fingers on the table briefly before leaning back in her seat. She opened her mouth to say something when Adora slowly rose to her feet.
"Dorie, are you all right?" Gabrielle asked, her features etched in concern.
"I'm all right, Mom," Adora said with a weak smile of reassurance before turning to Xena, who looked up at her curiously. "I need to show all of you something before you begin," she said quietly, turning to face the others. "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Gabrielle replied.
Adora left the room briefly, heading for her bedroom. Joxer turned towards Eve. "Do you have any idea what it could be, Evie?" he asked.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Joxer. I have no idea," Eve replied, shaking her head. "The only thing I know is that something's been bugging her for a few months. Not too long after you left, Mom," she elaborated, turning towards Xena for a moment before turning back to look at her uncle. "I've asked her a couple of times, but she said it was nothing. I didn't believe her, but I didn't want to force her to talk either. I figured that she'd tell me when she wanted to." She slumped down in her seat and put her elbows on the table, cupping her face in her hands. "Maybe I should've anyway," she mumbled unhappily.
Joxer shook his head in disagreement. "You did the right thing, Evie, in not pushing her to talk about whatever is bothering her," he said. "She'd only resent you if you did."
Gabrielle nodded. "Joxer's right, Evie."
Eve looked at her mother, who nodded in agreement, and gave them a wan smile in response. "Thanks."
The group fell into an uneasy silence and waited until Adora reappeared a few minutes later with a scroll tightly clutched in her right hand. "Sorry I took so long, but it's kind of..." she trailed off as she sat down between her parents.
Xena and Gabrielle exchanged sheepish glances. "Yeah, we did end up trashing your room a bit, huh?" the taller woman admitted.
"More like a lot, Aunt Xena."
"ADORA!"
"Sorry, Papa."
"Hey! Calm down, Joxer!" Gabrielle exclaimed with a scowl and a sharp poke to his arm.
Joxer passed a hand over his eyes, trying to rub the weariness away from them. "It's okay, Dorie. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get upset with you. I guess all of our nerves are pretty raw at the moment," he admitted with a crooked smile, reaching out to pat her shoulder affectionately.
Adora returned the crooked smile, but it quickly disappeared. Her hands clutched the scroll so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "A little while after Aunt Xena left for Chin, I began having these terrible dreams," she said slowly. "At first, it didn't really bother me that much because we all have bad dreams once in a while, but they kept coming - and they kept getting worse." She paused, still looking down at the scroll she held in her hands. "I didn't want to tell anybody because they're only dreams, but they really scared me, too," she whispered.
Xena leaned forward, her beautiful face impassive as she stared at the visibly upset teenager. "What were they about, Dorie?" she asked quietly.
Adora raised her head and gazed at everyone in the room, biting her bottom lip nervously. "Maybe it's easier just to show you," she murmured. With shaking hands, she carefully unrolled the scroll and laid it out across the table with Gabrielle and Joxer's help.
The others rose to their feet and gathered behind Joxer, Gabrielle, and Adora to look at what the teen had drawn in perfect, portrait-like detail. Nobody said anything for a long time as they stared down at the parchment.
"Oh Gods..." Melody said in a choked voice, finally breaking the silence. Jett put his hand on her shoulder and sighed as he gazed down at the drawing.
"This has something to do with the two of us, doesn't it, Mom?" Eve asked, her eyes wide with disbelief as she continued staring down at the drawing. She looked up at her mother for confirmation and was surprised to see the worried expression on her face.
"Yes, Evie. It does," Xena replied with a single nod, her eyebrows furrowed together in concern as she gazed at her daughter. "Let's all sit down," she suggested. Her eyes caught Adora's and she smiled very slightly. "It's time the two of you got the whole truth - at least all that we know, at any rate."
Everyone returned to their seats and looked towards Xena again. She took a drink from her mug of water before she said, "I obviously don't have to explain the circumstances about how you were born," she said to Eve and Adora, who both nodded.
Xena's eyes caught Joxer's and he inclined his head forward. "What you don't know is why the two of you were born," she continued softly. She then turned her attention back to the two girls, who were staring at her intently.
"Shortly before Joxer and Gabrielle got married, a Goddess - your immortal grandmother, Dorie - appeared and told us that eventually there will be a war between the Gods of Greece and the Gods of Gaul. She also told us that Eve is the person who would stop the war and there would be peace between the Gods, but she wouldn't bring that peace through killing. Apparently, the time for that war has come," she told them.
Eve sat back in her seat and stared at her mother. "But you and Aunt Gabrielle taught me how to fight!" she sputtered after a few moments of shocked silence.
"Yes, we taught you how to fight - but just to defend yourself, not to kill." Xena's attention then focused solely on Adora. "You were born to protect Eve from her enemies, Dorie."
"But..." Adora turned in Eve's direction, but Eve was staring at her mother in shocked disbelief. She struggled with finding the right words to say. "Is that why my powers came back?" she asked finally.
Xena nodded. "Yes. That's exactly why they returned." She stared at Adora intently. "But how you use those powers can make all the difference between complete chaos or peace, Dorie - especially when it comes to a life and death situation."
"But I can't even control them!" Adora exclaimed. "What makes you think that I'll be able to protect Eve if someone goes after her - and what if they go out of control again?" Her eyes grew wide with fright. "Eve almost died today! What makes you think that I might not have an accident?"
"Dorie, honey. It wasn't you. Remember that I know every time you use them," Joxer broke in.
"I know all too well, Papa." Adora frowned then. "Then who was trying to make it look like I had tried to hurt Eve?" she asked.
"I don't know, but I don't think that it's any of the Gods we know," Gabrielle said. "Unless Strife's somehow been brought back to life."
Xena shook her head. "I don't think that it's him. Strife just liked to cause mischief for the most part. Whoever's been causing this mess is much more malicious in nature," she said. She looked at Adora, who appeared very troubled by what had been said. "I think that when the time comes, you'll be able to control them - and that you'll be able to make the right decision on how you use them. You have to have faith in yourself," she concluded. Joxer and Gabrielle nodded in agreement.
Adora shook her head, trying to take everything in. Her eyes met Eve's but all she could do was shrug her shoulders helplessly. "This is crazy," she murmured as she reached over to hug Joxer.
"It'll be all right, Dorie," Joxer said as he returned the embrace.
"How can it be?"
"It will be. I promise."
"We should get away from here," Jace said, looking around at the others.
"And where would we go?" Jett asked.
"I don't know, but... We can't stay here."
Pierre placed his arms around Jace. "Jett's right, my love. Where would we go? If the Gods are out to get us, they'll find us wherever we try to hide."
Xena let out a sigh. "No one is going anywhere. If we have to, we'll make our stand here. Nobody - God or mortal - is going to harm our children," she said, turning to Melody, Joxer, and Gabrielle. They nodded fiercely. She then turned to Jett. "I want you and Autolycus to go and bring back your mother, my mother, and Gabrielle's family first thing in the morning. I think that we all need to be together."
Gabrielle tapped Xena's shoulder. "My father won't come. You know how stubborn he can be - plus it's just before the harvest."
"Don't worry, Gabrielle! With my skills and Auto's charm, how can he refuse?" Jett replied.
Joxer rolled his eyes. "Jett, just tell him that his oldest granddaughter wants to see him."
Gabrielle gave a faint smile. "I should've thought of that. Joxer, you can be so smart when you want to be... Not that you're not smart most of the time," she quickly added in.
"I understand what you're trying to say, Gabrielle," Joxer replied, returning her smile with one of his own. He leaned over and kissed her affectionately. "So, what's the plan?" he asked, turning back to Xena.
"The only plan I have right now is to do what he's doing," Xena replied as she rose to her feet, pointing at the still-sleeping Andy. "Seriously though," she said over the soft laughter, "we'll need all the rest we can get." She smiled when Eve rose to her feet and walked over to her. "We've got a lot to do tomorrow. It's a good thing that the two of you don't have school." She frowned at the troubled expression on her daughter's face. "Are you all right?"
Eve put her arm around her mother's waist and leaned her head against Xena's shoulder. "Uh huh. It's just a lot to take in, that's all."
Xena kissed Eve's forehead. "I know, Evie. I know." She squeezed her daughter to her. "Go get some sleep, huh? I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay," Eve replied softly, returning the squeeze. "Goodnight," she said to everyone.
"Goodnight," the others said and Eve walked back to her bedroom. Adora kissed her parents goodnight and followed behind her friend.
"Well, might as well try to catch some Z's then," Autolycus said, yawning as he stretched. "See you in the morning."
"Night, Auto," everyone said as he walked out the door.
Jett - still carrying Andy in his arms, Melody, Jace, and Pierre followed him, leaving Xena, Gabrielle, and Joxer standing in the middle of the room with grim expressions on their faces.
"I always hoped that this wouldn't happen," Joxer said softly.
"I think we all hoped that in the back of our minds," Xena replied. She searched his weary face carefully. "How are you holding up? You never used to be so affected when Dorie used her powers before."
"I'm okay," he said. "I'm tired more than anything else."
Gabrielle shook her head. "Xena's right. You never got like this before," she said to her husband before turning towards her friend. "Could it be because Dorie hasn't used her powers in so long that whenever she tries to use them that it overloads the connection they have?" she asked curiously.
Xena shrugged her shoulders. "I'm no expert in something like this, but it's possible." She rubbed the back of her neck. "In the meantime, let's get some sleep," she murmured. "I'm beat."
Gabrielle hid a yawn behind her hand. "Best idea I've heard all night," she agreed. "Night, Xena."
"Goodnight, you two," Xena replied as she walked to the second spare bedroom to get some much-needed rest.
Joxer quietly put out the fire in the fireplace while Gabrielle blew out the candles. They walked into their bedroom and quickly got ready for bed. After they settled under the bedcovers, the couple snuggled in each other's arms.
Joxer let out a long sigh as Gabrielle gently pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked, allowing her hand to slide down his cheek and come to a stop there.
Joxer didn't answer her right away, but simply gazed at her for a few moments before replying. "I'm okay. I'm just worried - and a little scared," he admitted.
"We all are, Joxer. We all are, but it'll be fine," Gabrielle murmured reassuringly, but what she felt inside was anything but reassured.
"I sure hope so, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle smiled as she kissed her husband. "I know," she replied as she put her head on his chest. "Night, Pookie."
"Night, Gabrielle," Joxer whispered. "Love you."
"Love you too."
Joxer gazed out the open window for a while in silent thought before he finally fell asleep too, cradling Gabrielle in his arms.
Morning came, and feeling much better, Melody was fixing breakfast.
Andy sat at the table watching his mother. "Mama?"
Melody looked up from slicing the warm flatbread she had just finished baking a short while ago. "Yes, Andy?"
"Is Dad going away again?"
"Yes, Andy, but he'll only be gone for a short time. He and Uncle Autolycus are going to go and get your grandmother, Gabrielle's family, and Xena's mother." She finished cutting up the flatbread into portions and then walked over to the pantry to get a round of cheese covered in cloth.
"But why, Mama?"
Melody turned around and put the cheese on the table. "Don't you want to see them again?" she asked, her eyes twinkling as she gazed at her son.
"Yes, Mama. I do. Will Lennox be with them?"
Melody smiled. "Of course he will, honey."
"Yay! I can't wait to see him!" Andy suddenly got off his chair and ran towards his parents' room. Melody shook her head and smiled indulgently as she watched him leave with a loud clatter.
Andy ran into the bedroom and saw that Jett was just pulling on his boots. "Dad, may I go with you?" he asked breathlessly.
Jett looked up at his son. "Go where?"
"With you and Uncle Autolycus to get everyone! I want to see Lennox."
"Don't you want to see your cousins Sarah and Aimee as well?" Jett asked as he finished pulling on his boots.
Andy made a face that Joxer used to make when he didn't like something when they were kids and he tried not to laugh. "I see enough girls! Please? Can I come?" the little boy begged.
Jett stood up and picked up his son in his arms. "Not this time, son. We'll be back soon, though."
Andy said nothing. Jett knew his son was disappointed. "Hey, cheer up! Think of all the fun you and your cousins are going to have."
"Okay, but just Lennox - not Sarah or Aimee," the boy said stubbornly.
Jett gazed at his son sternly. "Andreas, there is nothing wrong with Sarah or Aimee," he said quietly.
Andy knew that his father was not pleased with the way he was acting and he lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry. Didn't mean it."
Jett sighed and ruffled his son's blond hair affectionately. "I know that it's kind of tough not having too many boys your age to play with around here, Andy, but that's no reason not to be nice to Sarah and Aimee, either."
"I know. I like them - most of the time, 'cept when they want to play house. Yuck!" Andy made another face.
This time, Jett couldn't hold back his laughter. "Do you want to have some breakfast?" he asked.
Andy's face lit up at the question. "Yeah! I'm real hungry."
"Me too. Let's go eat." With those words, Jett carried his son into the kitchen. "Hey Mel, you've got two hungry men here."
Melody laughed. "Well, my two hungry men, breakfast is ready."
After eating his breakfast and saying goodbye Jett saddled up Red Fox and went to find Autolycus. "Hey Automan! Are you ready?" he called out cheerfully as he spotted Autolycus just finishing saddling up his gray stallion.
Autolycus came over, scowling. "Yeah, I'm ready. Will you stop calling me that? Just because Andy couldn't say my name correctly when he was just beginning to talk doesn't give you license to do the same thing! Sheesh... It sounds like some kind of... Stupid hero's name..."
Jett grinned wickedly as he watched Autolycus mount his horse. "Whatever you say, Automan." He laughed at his friend's soft grumbling before sobering up. "Okay, I think we should go get Cyrene first because Amphipolis is closer, then off to Poteidaia for Gabrielle's family and then Mom on the way back home," he decided.
"What about Meg?"
Jett's eyebrows rose as he mounted Red Fox. "Meg... What about her?"
"Hey! She's a friend too, huh? I think we should bring her here as well," Autolycus said as he made a clicking noise. The gray stallion immediately began trotting down the road.
Jett had Red Fox follow Autolycus and he shook his head as they rode side by side down the road. "Xena never said a thing about her."
"Yeah, I know. Maybe it just slipped her mind, what with all the bad mojo that's been going down," Autolycus said.
"Yeah, I suppose so. Okay. We'll get her too."
"And her girls."
Jett sighed. "Yeah - and her girls, too. Boy, Mel's just going to love this."
The two men rode into Amphipolis and looked around. The normally bustling town center appeared to be deserted. Wind blew shutters open and slammed them shut, giving the place an eerie feeling.
"What do you think happened here?" Autolycus asked worriedly as he got off his horse and looked around.
Jett frowned as he dismounted Red Fox. "I'd say by the looks of it, everyone's just picked up and headed for the hills."
"Well, not everyone. Look." Autolycus pointed over towards Cyrene's tavern, which appeared to be open for business.
"Come on. Looks like she's still here," Jett replied.
Both men headed over to the tavern, tying their horses' reins to the nearby hitching post and went inside, where some patrons were sitting at tables, talking quietly amongst themselves as Cyrene served them. She looked up when she heard them come in. "Autolycus! Jett! What are you two doing here? Is Xena all right? How's Eve?" she asked anxiously as she walked over to them.
Autolycus went over to her and gave her a hug. "Everyone is fine. We came to get you."
"Get me?"
Jett nodded. "Yes. Xena sent us to get you. There's going to be a terrible war against the Gods of Greece and Gaul and she wants you safe."
Cyrene turned and looked at her patrons. "I can't just go up and leave! The few people who've stayed behind need me."
"You can't stay here because you're not safe if you do!" Jett said sharply.
Cyrene's blue eyes narrowed dangerously and she jabbed her finger into the middle of Jett's chest, surprising him. "Now you listen to me, Jett! I'm not leaving my friends behind. We all decided to stay and I'm not abandoning them to Gods knows what."
"Cyrene, it's not safe here. The only safe place is with Xena. Please come with us," said Autolycus.
"Not without my friends!" Cyrene said firmly.
"Now I know where Xena gets it from," muttered Jett as he rubbed over the spot where Cyrene had poked him. "All right! Everyone who wants to come can but hurry and get your stuff together. Only bring what you need, people! We don't have the time for you to pack up everything!"
"What about our children?"
"By the Gods, we're not telling you to leave the rug rats behind to fend for themselves, for crying out loud! Go get them, already!" Autolycus exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. "Make tracks, people!" he yelled as everyone departed the tavern.
Jett looked at Cyrene and Autolycus. "Can you two supervise these people and get them back home? I want to head to Poteidaia and get Gabrielle's family then get Mom."
Cyrene and Autolycus exchanged glances. "Yeah, but why?" Autolycus asked.
"Auto, we can't take all these people to Poteidaia with us, plus you know that I'm going to need some time to persuade Gabrielle's father to leave his home."
Cyrene rolled her eyes and nodded, knowing exactly just how stubborn Herodotus was going to be. "I'll just grab a few things. Be right back."
As Cyrene headed out back to pack up some essentials, Autolycus turned around to face Jett, who was heading out the door. "Okay, then. Jett, don't forget Meg!"
"I won't," Jett said. He paused for a moment in the doorway. "Be careful."
Autolycus gave him a crooked smile in response. "Aren't I always?" Jett gave him a look and he chuckled. "I will. You be careful, too."
"Thanks," Jett replied and walked outside as Cyrene came back into the tavern with a small pack in her hands. They watched in silence as Jett got on Red Fox then rode off in the direction of Poteidaia at full gallop.
"Let's get these people going," Cyrene said softly and the two exited the tavern to supervise the small group that had decided to stay behind.
By midday, everyone was packed and ready to go. Autolycus rode up in front of the small caravan and yelled, "Wagons ho!" He had his horse go into a fast trot and the group followed behind him.
