Chapter 7

As they made their way to the center of the Amazon village, Leia drifted away from Gabrielle and Ainia. Gabrielle noticed but didn't say anything. She could still feel the presence of the tall young woman as she lingered just far enough away to not be a nuisance but still close enough to protect if she needed to. The feeling that washed over Gabrielle was one of being protected and she couldn't help but compare Leia's intentions to the memories of Xena and the protective stance she maintained around the woman she loved.

The fact that Ainia kept glancing over her shoulder didn't bother Gabrielle but the contemptuous glare she shot at Leia did. It didn't help that the younger woman would duck her head to avoid making eye contact. With each step they took, Gabrielle found herself missing those penetrating blue eyes that reminded her so much of Xena's. The similarity was uncanny and one that Gabrielle recognized hadn't been left up to mere chance.

When they came upon the center of the village, the first Gabrielle noticed was that Ainia stood taller with her shoulders squared. The contemptuous glares stopped and Ainia's full attention was on the figure that stood off in the distance.

That figure was Eve and Gabrielle's breath caught in her chest causing her to stop. She planted both feet firmly on the ground beneath her as if it might disappear if she were to move another step. Ainia didn't notice, but Leia did as she moved to stand behind Gabrielle. She didn't get too close, but close enough to see that Gabrielle was struggling to catch her breath. With a measured eye, she peered over Gabrielle's shoulder to find a tall, slender, dark haired woman watching them with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.

For reasons beyond Leia's comprehension, she had the sudden urge to gather both Gabrielle and the dark haired woman into her arms, but instead she moved closer to Gabrielle. She placed a shaky hand against the small of Gabrielle's back and hoped it would somehow comfort the older woman.

At the first touch of Leia's hand, Gabrielle stiffened but then something warm and familiar traveled throughout her body. It wasn't Leia offering her comfort and strength in that quiet gesture but Xena. The realization caused Gabrielle to shiver but not before a small smile moved across her lips.

"Are you alright?" The soft whisper carried to her on a slightly hoarse breath.

"I shouldn't have waited so long to see her…" Gabrielle said as she continued to stand frozen where she was.

"Is that…?" Leia paused as she tried to recall the name that Gabrielle had said earlier. "Eve?" She asked when the name came to her.

"Yes…that is Xe…um…" Gabrielle paused before she could finish. "Um…yes, that is Eve…my daughter." She finally said, knowing that it was the first time she had ever said it out loud to someone other than Aphrodite. When she looked over her shoulder, she was greeted with a shy, crooked grin. "Come on…let me introduce you." Reaching behind her, she took Leia's hand in her own. She wanted to regret it the moment she did it, but she couldn't. A warm tingling sensation moved up her arm, originating where their skin touched and it was something she hadn't expected because she had only ever experienced it with Xena before. In that moment, a feeling of hopefulness washed over Gabrielle, surprising her. Even though she knew it was Xena by her side, her heart still struggled to reconcile this young woman with the imposing figure that was her warrior. It wasn't until she felt the gentle pressure of Leia's hand within her own that she felt, without a doubt that everything was going to be okay.

Together they made their way closer to where Eve stood and when they finally arrived to stand face to face, Eve had an unreadable expression on her face. Sudden realization of what it may look like to Eve to see Gabrielle holding hands with the young Amazon caused Gabrielle to quickly let go. The move did not go unnoticed by Eve who quirked an eyebrow in question at Gabrielle. It was something that Xena had done many times and seeing it again but coming from Eve caused a slight ache in Gabrielle's chest. Opening her arms, she smiled at Eve expecting her to step forward into a hug but instead the younger woman closed the space between them by launching herself into Gabrielle. It surprised Gabrielle but not as much as the tears and quiet sobbing that followed.

"I've missed you so much…" Eve pressed her cheek against Gabrielle's soft, blonde hair.

"I've missed you too sweetheart…" Gabrielle tightened her hold on the trembling body in her arms.

"Really?" Eve pulled back so she could look down into Gabrielle's watery eyes. "I was afraid I reminded you too much of my mother…" She started to say but hesitated.

"Oh, honey…you do, but that is a good thing. You have so much of her in you…but…" Gabrielle brought her hands up to place on either side of Eve's face to hold her there so they could continue to look into each other's eyes. "I've come to realize that you have a little bit of me in you as well." The sheepish smile caused her nose to crinkle up and her eyes to light up.

Leia stood back and watched the interaction between Gabrielle and Eve. She felt the loss of Gabrielle's hand when she let go, but then a warmth washed over her as she saw them hug. It wasn't until Gabrielle pulled back and smiled up at Eve that Leia felt an unfamiliar flutter in the pit of her stomach. The feeling made her want to bolt, but she knew it would only draw unwanted attention and questions if she did. She also noticed the way that Ainia was watching Eve with a light in her eyes that could be described as young love. She couldn't explain it but for some reason she didn't feel like a stranger during this heartfelt reunion.

"I'd say she has more than a little bit of you in her Gabrielle." Varia appeared, a huge smile on her face. "I've heard she has diplomatic skills to rival yours."

"Rival is a strong word Varia…" Eve couldn't hide the blush that was now spreading over her face at the compliment. "Let's just say that I've learned from the best."

"You give me too much credit my dear. Your mother was a master at diplomacy." Gabrielle gave a light chuckle. When she noticed that everyones eyes filled with uncertainty she couldn't help but laugh again. "It's okay to talk about her…" She said as she reached up to pull Eve into another hug. "Just because we can't see her, it doesn't mean she isn't here with us…" There was a slight hesitation before Gabrielle's eyes met Leia's over Eve's shoulder. "I know for a fact that she is here with us in spirit." She gave Leia a reassuring smile and was pleasantly surprised when she got one back in return.

Varia watched the silent exchange between Gabrielle and Leia. She had been surprised to find Leia present at the reunion with Eve but as she watched the way that Leia's eyes softened when she looked at Gabrielle she couldn't help but wonder what might be happening between the two women. It wouldn't be a bad thing for Gabrielle to fall in love again, but she wasn't sure if that someone should be the volatile Leia.

"I'd ask if you've been taking care of yourself but from what I can tell…" Eve pulled back and gave Gabrielle's shoulders a gentle squeeze. "You're too skinny…"

"I could say the same about you…" Gabrielle started to say before Eve interrupted.

"I'm just naturally tall and lean…" Eve tried to joke but stopped when she got a stern look in return. "Okay…but I promise to do better if you promise too."

"It's a deal. Anyways, I've got to bulk up if I'm to keep up the youngster's here…like Leia." Gabrielle waved her hand towards Leia. The move drew a frown from Ainia who wanted to be the next person to greet Eve.

When Leia didn't move right away, Gabrielle reached out to take her hand again. Reluctantly and shyly, Leia took the hand in her own and allowed Gabrielle to gently pull her closer so she could be introduced. The feeling of Gabrielle's hand in her own and the gentle encouraging squeeze she got gave her the fortitude not to run away.

"I'd like you to meet Leia, she's a…student of mine." Gabrielle said. She was slightly distracted by the faint tremble in Leia's hand but when she gave a gentle squeeze and got one in return she couldn't help but smile.

The first thing Eve noticed was the way the younger woman held tight to Gabrielle's hand as if it were her lifeline. The second thing she noticed were the bright blue eye's that held her in a penetrating gaze, a gaze so like her mother's it caused her to take a sharp breath.

Gabrielle saw the flicker of recognition in Eve's eyes and knew without a doubt that what they both felt wasn't a fluke. Even though Eve saw something familiar in Leia's eyes, Gabrielle knew she wouldn't be able to place exactly what that something familiar was.

"Um…hi." Leia looked down at her feet and shifted herself weight under the attention she was getting.

Varia and Ainia watched in wonder as the usually confident and somewhat cocky Leia seemed to lose all of her bravado as Eve studied her with curiosity. Varia had noticed Eve's reaction and she decided to save her questions until later.

"It's nice to meet you Leia." Eve said as she held out her hand for Leia to shake.

Grasping Eve's forearm against her own, Leia gave a hardy shake and relaxed. She had heard many stories about Eve, but the stories she had heard about Livia didn't mesh with the woman she was now shaking hands with. It had been said that Livia was a ruthless warrior but that had changed when Xena and Gabrielle came back into her life. Now she lived under her birth name, Eve and spent her days preaching the word of Eli with her many disciples in tow. It had been something that Leia hadn't quite understood but now she could as she watched the dark blue eyes soften as they continued to study her with curiosity.

For an instant, Eve thought she saw a flicker of recognition pass over Leia's face but all she could do was attribute it to the legend of Livia. She hoped that it wouldn't impede her attempt to get to know this young woman who was apparently someone important to Gabrielle but how important she had yet to figure out.

"Likewise…I'm sure." Leia reluctantly released Eve's arm. She had felt something strange when they touched. A protective feeling washed over her and it was foreign to anything she had every experienced before. Her eye's met Gabrielle's over Eve's shoulder and a silent understanding was conveyed. It brought a smile to her face, one she couldn't hold back.

Eve tilted her head as she studied Leia before her eyes drifted to Gabrielle who was smiling warmly at the young amazon warrior. It was a smile she had only ever seen directed towards her mother. Knowing how much Gabrielle had suffered after losing the love of her life, Eve had prayed that she would one day find peace and love again but she wasn't sure how she felt as she watched the silent conversation going on between the woman she had come to know as one of her mother's and someone…else.

Gabrielle sensed the shift in Eve's mood and it prompted her to wrap an arm around Eve's shoulder and direct her attention to a very nervous and fidgeting Ainia who was waiting for her turn to greet Eve.

"I think someone's excited to see you." Gabrielle whispered into Eve's ear.

"Ania…" Eve's greeting was warm and welcoming as she reached out to enfold Ania in a hug. "It's been a while." She couldn't stop herself from glancing over towards Leia who was watching with a pensive expression on her face and she hadn't missed the slight glare that Ainia had given the other woman. The question was why.

"It's so good to see you again." Ainia allowed herself to be pulled into Eve's arms doing her best to ignore the one person she hadn't expected to be present at their reunion but she couldn't help the annoyed scowl that crossed her lips. The feeling of Eve's slight frame had her pulling away with a frown on her face. "Queen Gabrielle is right; you've gotten too skinny." She gave Eve a gentle squeeze as he hands found purchase on thin shoulders.

"Ainia…what have I told you about calling me queen?" Gabrielle nervously cleared her throat as she tried not to sound admonishing.

The younger woman nodded her head as her cheeks colored at the light reprimand. "I'm sorry…" She dropped her gaze down to her feet, unsure of whether she could bring herself to address her hero by her first name only.

"Ainia?" Gabrielle's voice was soft and filled with understanding. "Please…call me Gabrielle." She reached out to touch Aina on the arm in a gesture of comfort.

When she could finally bring herself to look up, Ainia was surprised to see a gentle smile and green eyes twinkling playfully at her. Letting out a breath of relief, she smiled back. The natural way that Gabrielle had of putting someone at ease with a mere smile caused Ainia's heart to swell with admiration.

"How about we take Eve to see Camilla? I am sure she is preparing a feast fit for a…" Gabrielle hesitated slightly before continuing. "Well…fit for an Amazon Princess…" A smile filled her face again as she linked her arm with Eve's and waited for Ainia to follow. In her effort to ease Ainia, she had all but forgotten about Leia who watched with a mixture of wonder and sadness as Gabrielle walked away.

Varia couldn't help but notice the flicker of emotions crossing over Leia's face and it prompted her to move to stand next to her. She could sense a change in the younger woman the further away that Gabrielle got from them. The calm that had seemed to fill the light blue eyes had dimmed and now a darkness shadowed them. It was the volatile emotions that she could see raging just under the surface that had her tilting her head to regard Leia with silent curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe she was reading too much in the way that Leia's eyes followed Gabrielle's every move and it wasn't until she saw a sad, almost forlorn expression appear on Leia's face when Gabrielle started to walk away that she realized she had been right. Before she could say or do anything, Leia dropped her shoulders in a defeated way and turned to leave but not before taking one last wistful glance over her shoulder. As the air stilled around her, Varia came to the conclusion that Leia was falling in love and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.