*I hope this finds you all safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty. Thank you for reading and I appreciate those of you who bought or read my book Chrome Painted Heart on Kindle Unlimited. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I am working hard to complete my next original as well as keeping up with the fanfics. Please take care and thanks again for reading.
16
"I'll do it." Epinon crossed her arms and nodded emphatically.
"I haven't even asked you anything yet." Gabrielle crossed her arms as well and eyed Epinon with suspicion. She knew her friend was loyal, but to agree to something blindly seemed like an unwise decision to her.
"Okay then, ask…" Epinon sighed impatiently. She didn't care what Gabrielle wanted from her, whatever it was… she'd do it.
"You've spoken to Varia, haven't you?" The temper Gabrielle had been struggling with lately flared and she frowned at her friend.
"No, I haven't." Epinon tilted her head to regard the young woman before her. Even though they were the same age, Gabrielle still looked as if she was still in her 20's. "Now, do you want to fill me in on whatever this is that has you so hot under the collar before I agree?"
"Do I even need to ask?" Gabrielle waved her hands around before allowing them to come to rest on her hips.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Epinon shrugged her shoulder's nonchalantly causing Gabrielle to huff again as she ran her finger's through her short blonde hair.
"Fine." Gabrielle shook her head and rolled her eyes in exaggeration. "Will you come with me on a diplomatic mission to unite the Southern Amazons and the Northern Amazons against Ares?" Epinon was quiet for a minute as if she was mulling over her options. After a moment of silence, Gabrielle waved her hands impatiently. "Well?"
"I'll do it…" Epinon said and reached out to put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "You're gonna need someone with a little more experience than that youngster you've taken a liking too."
"Who, what… I don't know what you're talking about." Gabrielle's cheeks turned red as she tried to fight back the blush that burned her face. She knew exactly who Epinon was referring to but for some reason, she couldn't admit it to her friend because everyone still saw a young, inexperienced woman instead of the warrior that Gabrielle saw when she looked at Leia. "What I could use is less sass." She growled under her breath but then began to fidget under Epinon's intense gaze. Unspoken questions could be seen in the depths of dark brown eyes, but Gabrielle didn't see any judgment either. A wave of relief washed over her when she realized that her friend wasn't going to push her to reveal what she wasn't ready to.
"I've got your back, I always have." Epinon pulled Gabrielle into a hug. "And when the time comes for you to move on, I'll support whatever you decide to do."
"I'm not moving on…" Gabrielle hesitated at the thought of her and Xena's fight earlier. "Not really…" she let out a heavy sigh. Having to grapple with the reality that her beloved Amazon's were at risk and the fact that Xena was literally fighting her way back into her life was almost too much for Gabrielle to bare but she knew it was something she would have to do alone. That thought should have overwhelmed her but instead, it made her resolve stronger. Of course, the offer made by Ares tugged at the back of her mind and made her angry.
"When do we leave?" Epinon asked even though she wanted to ask why Gabrielle was frowning at her. She could see the young woman struggling with something, something she wasn't willing to share just yet. It worried her that Gabrielle took the weight of the world on her shoulders and now that Xena was gone, she was truly alone in her quest for the greater good.
"Soon. I have a meeting with council later today to hopefully get their support in this endeavor but I'm worried that they think of me as a liability." Gabrielle's let out a heavy, tired sigh. She suddenly missed Xena's presence and wanted her to make everything alright, but she knew it was up to her now.
"Well, for what it's worth… you are and always will be my Queen, Gabrielle." Epinon said with a conviction Gabrielle wished she felt as well.
"You know how I feel about that, Epinon… but thanks for your support and friendship. I don't think I could do this without you." Gabrielle pushed her blonde bangs away from her eyes and tried to smile.
Movement over Gabrielle's shoulder caught Epinon's attention and for a moment she thought she saw Xena walking their way. Her dark eyes widened with surprise and then she squinted to see better because it surely couldn't be Xena. As the lone figure came closer, she could see the long, confident strides she had come to associate with the Warrior Princess causing her to blink her eyes rapidly to bring the figure into better focus. And just as she on the verge of convincing herself she was seeing the ghost of her friend; Leia came into view and she shook her head as if it might make the image of Xena reappear. But it wasn't Xena and it never would be and the sadness that cascaded over her took her by surprise.
Gabrielle didn't need to turn around to know who was approaching. She could feel it in her soul… strength, love, and… uncertainty. It was reaching out to embrace her in that protective way she had come to associate with Xena. And all she wanted to do was allow the love they shared to shield her away from the things that weighed heavily on her mind. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to go back to the days when she was a naïve young woman whose only worry was to keep up with Xena. Regret and shame from their early morning fight rushed over her and tinged her cheeks pink, and all she wanted to do was turn and run so she could be alone with her thoughts. The pain of loss was just too real for her and even though Xena was back, she still felt alone. The feeling of Epinon's hand on her shoulder again brought her from her thoughts and she gave a weak, yet genuine smile at the concern she saw staring back at her.
"I think your shadow is here." Epinon tried to sound lighthearted even though it hurt her to acknowledge that someone other than Xena was now seeking Gabrielle's company.
"It's complicated…" Gabrielle pushed her fear and uncertainty down, forcing herself to turn around and face Xena. She had expected to find a confident, somewhat arrogant smirk directed her way but instead, she was met with something that almost took her breath away… regret. "Hey…" her voice cracked as Xena stopped a few feet away from her as if she was afraid to come any closer. Crystal blue eyes watched her intently before flicking to Epinon and then back again.
"Epinon…" Xena said on a drawl that caused Epinon to raise an eyebrow.
"Leia…" Epinon crossed her arms as she watched the young woman, feeling something very familiar in the way her name was said. She wasn't sure why, but she felt as if she was in the presence of an old friend. "I have agreed to help Gabrielle… and whoever else she asks." She added that last thought because she wasn't sure how to show her support for what was evident between Gabrielle and Leia. Relief washed over Leia's features and her dark eyes softened and again Epinon felt a familiarity she hadn't felt since… since Xena.
"Good." Xena took a step closer to Gabrielle but stopped just beyond arms reach. "I'm here to help in any way I can." She looked Gabrielle in the eyes and tried to silently convey everything she couldn't say.
They continued to stare at each other with an intensity that caused Epinon to clear her throat nervously. The interruption caused Gabrielle to blink rapidly as she fought back the emotion she was trying to hide. Having Xena look at her with so much uncertainty and regret was almost too much for her to bare. "I have to talk to Elle." She said as she ran her fingers through her hair trying to distract herself.
"If it's okay, I'd like to come with you." Xena tilted her head to capture Gabrielle's gaze again, begging her not to turn her away. When Gabrielle nodded her head, she gave a small smile in return and then looked to Epinon. "Will you be joining us?"
For a moment, Epinon was quiet as she tried to gauge what was happening between Gabrielle and Leia. She wasn't sure what was transpiring between the two women, but she was astute enough to know they didn't need her tagging along. "No, I think I'll go spend some time with Nia." She wasn't sure but she thought that maybe Gabrielle looked unsure of what to do next, while Leia looked relieved. "I'll see you at the Council meeting."
"Thanks." Gabrielle sighed as she watched Epinon walk away. When she found herself alone with Xena, the sad look in crystal blue eyes caused her to sigh even deeper.
"I'm sorry about this morning." Xena apologized. "I didn't mean to push you. I know you need time to process everything."
"What I need is you, but I don't' know how to I can trust that you'll be here at the end of the day." Gabrielle huffed impatiently.
"You know I'll always be with you. No matter what… I'll always be right here." Xena stepped closer, reached out, and placed her palm to Gabrielle's heart.
Gabrielle placed her hand over Xena's and gave a gentle squeeze. "I've carried you here for so long that I'm not sure I know any other way. It's hard for me to accept that you're here… standing right in front of me. Sometimes I'm sure that it's all a dream and I'll wake up alone again."
"Even if you wake up alone tomorrow, I'll always find my way back to you. Do you believe that?"
Biting down on her bottom lip, Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't know." She sighed heavily. "I don't know if I could live another day without you."
"Promise me, Gabrielle… no matter what tomorrow brings, trust that I will always come back to you. No matter what happens… I won't leave you again." There was an urgent plea in Xena's words that caused Gabrielle to tilt her head and regard her love with suspicion.
"I want to believe it, I really do… but sometimes… I don't know."
"I won't leave you. Never again will I allow the greater good to take precedence over our love, I promise." Xena grabbed Gabrielle's hand and held it tightly in her own.
"Please don't make promises you can't keep." Gabrielle looked away.
"You have to trust me. We'll get through this, but you can't give up." Xena reached out with her other hand and guided Gabrielle's gaze back to her own. "I know things will be hard, and tomorrow might be harder than today… but it will all be worth it."
With a reluctant nod, Gabrielle allowed herself to look Xena in the eyes again. She knew Xena was hiding something, but she was also asking that Gabrielle trust her. It was something she would have done without thought, but that was before. Now, all she could do was nod weakly and hope whatever came next wouldn't shatter her. "I need to find Elle…"
"Okay…" Xena sighed sadly. She knew Gabrielle could sense something was wrong. It wasn't a surprise that Gabrielle knew her so well, but it was a surprise that there were no questions. She could feel the sadness radiating off her young bard and all she could do was hope she was making the right decision by leaving in the dead of night with Aphrodite by her side. It had to be the right decision because she couldn't live with herself if she left Gabrielle broken and unable to forgive her.
Gabrielle was quiet and pensive as they approached the training grounds. Xena kept trying to steal glances at her but something about the silence between them indicated she shouldn't be the one to break it first. It had to be up to Gabrielle to dispel the cloud of uncertainty that settled over them. It wasn't uncomfortable but Xena could feel the tension build the closer they got to Elle and she couldn't help but wonder if Gabrielle had some hint of an idea of what was to come. She knew she would have to leave and that it was imperative for her to succeed but at what cost to the relationship she and Gabrielle had started to rebuild. Would they survive? She shook her head to disperse the darkening thoughts that threatened to take her down a road she wasn't willing to venture. Not now, not ever, she told herself. She would leave and be back as quickly as she could, returning to Gabrielle whole and together they would put an end to the torment forced upon them by the ever-present meddling of the Gods, one God in particular. It had to work; it was Xena's only chance to fix the things she had broken between them. Never again would she choose the greater good over her love for Gabrielle… no matter what, she would commit to their love and their eternity together. It was no longer a choice, she needed Gabrielle just as much as she needed air to breathe.
"I can sense something happening in that head of yours, but I also know you well enough to not ask what it is… yet." Gabrielle finally spoke, breaking the silence that had settled between them.
"Can I ask you something?" Xena stopped, causing Gabrielle to stop as well.
"Of course." Gabrielle tilted her head in question as she watched the uncertainty radiate off Xena in a way that was unfamiliar to her.
"You trust me, don't you?" Gabrielle hesitated while Xena waited for an answer on bated breath. "No matter what happens Gabrielle, please tell me that you trust me." The plea in her voice was urgent as she continued to wait.
Gabrielle held the words back for a moment as she thought long and hard about her answer. She did trust Xena, but not blindly… not anymore. "I…" she hesitated again as she brought her hand to rub her forehead. The headache from earlier was returning and she needed to fight it back if she was going to make it through the day. "You know I do."
"Really?" Xena shook her head. "I'm not so sure anymore."
"I trust you… with all of my being… I trust you." Gabrielle said with more confidence this time. Reaching out, she placed a hand on Xena's forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I do… I trust you."
A small, almost shy smile twitched at Xena's lips as she dropped her gaze from Gabrielle's intense one. "No matter what happens tomorrow, remember that." She couldn't bring her eyes up to meet Gabrielle's because she knew all the things she was trying to hide would shine through. And as they continued to stand there, she thought maybe Gabrielle would understand what she had to do and accept it with no argument but then she thought better of it. She knew her bard well enough to know she wouldn't let her go alone.
Tilting her head, Gabrielle peered at Xena with a curious expression on her face. "You keep saying that. Is there something you need to tell me?" She asked, suddenly afraid that there was indeed something that Xena needed to tell her.
"We'll talk later." Xena sighed when she saw that Elle had noticed them, as well as a handful of young women who would love to get a few minutes alone with Gabrielle.
"I'm going to hold you to that..." Gabrielle said, giving Xena a stern look before softening her expression as Elle approached.
"Gabrielle…" Elle said as she approached. "Varia said you 'd be coming by to talk." Her eyes dropped to Gabrielle's hand on Leia's arm and she cleared her throat nervously. "Leia…" she nodded in Leia's direction.
Looking behind her, Xena wondered who Elle was talking to and then it hit her that Elle was talking to her. She quickly nodded back as she shuffled her feet nervously under Elle's curious gaze. "Um… Elle…" Xena coughed nervously.
"I need to ask you something." Gabrielle glanced at Xena and then turned her attention to Elle who waited patiently. "You know I have the council meeting tonight and what I'd like to propose is a diplomatic mission to unite all of the Amazon's under one banner against Ares. And, I'd like you to come with me."
Elle tilted her head to regard Gabrielle with a serious expression on her face. "I'll need to talk to Varia about this?" Her voice held a touch of uncertainty.
"I completely understand." Gabrielle tried to smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"When would we leave?" Elle shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Well, I think…" Gabrielle hesitated for a minute as she thought about a timeline. "I think maybe in four or five days… that is if the Council agrees to it."
Xena could feel her spirits lift at Gabrielle's words. Four days would be plenty of time for her to return from Japa, with the help of Aphrodite… of course. A small, knowing smile curled her lips and drew the attention of Gabrielle who looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
Elle noticed the silent interaction between the two women and couldn't help but ask the next question that came to her mind. "Will Leia be joining us?" She asked with a slight frown on her face. A mixture of happiness and sadness washed over her as she realized that something was going on between Gabrielle and the young Amazon she had come to associate with defiance and difficulties. On one hand, she was happy to see Gabrielle moving on but on the other… she couldn't imagine Gabrielle with anyone other than Xena. The few times she had seen them together, she could see the love and adoration they had for each other and seeing Gabrielle with someone else would be difficult.
"Um… yes… will that be a problem?" Gabrielle asked, a challenge in her tone.
Glancing from Gabrielle to Leia, Elle shook her head. "No, but…" she said on a sigh. "It's just…" a pause was followed by Elle nervously running her fingers through her hair. "She's a bit inexperienced and lacks discipline. I don't want her to become a liability."
"Okay…" Gabrielle started to say but was interrupted when Xena stepped forward with a hard expression on her face… a defiant one.
"What will it take for you to trust me?" Xena crossed her arms and glared at Elle. Even though she fully understood Elle's concern, her stubborn streak was still strong and ready to show itself in her stance.
Elle looked Leia up and down and then tilted her head towards the sparing ring. "Five minutes in the ring. If you can handle the pressure in there…" she paused before glancing at Gabrielle, the memory of Leia's attitude the day they spared at the forefront of her mind.
"Who will I spar with?" Xena asked as she eyed Elle suspiciously.
"Me…" Gabrielle said before Elle could answer.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Elle looked at Gabrielle with concern. "The last time you spared with Leia… well…" she didn't finish.
"I am well aware of what happened last time." Gabrielle looked at Xena with a small, cocky smile on her face. For some reason, she felt the need to get physical with her warrior princess but in a way that wouldn't lead to the one thing she wasn't ready for. It would also give her the chance to show Xena just how good she had gotten without her.
Xena watched Gabrielle with curiosity. She could see something in her eyes that resembled excitement, something that indicated this would be more than just a sparring match. "Okay…" she nodded her consent.
"I don't know about this." Elle sighed heavily but then relented when Gabrielle gave her a look that brokered no argument. Even though Varia was their Queen, Gabrielle had earned the respect afforded to any Queen, past or present. "Okay, I'll allow it. But promise me that you won't hold back." She looked at Gabrielle who nodded her understanding as her eyes stayed glued to Xena's.
Something about the way Elle had spoken to Gabrielle about not holding back had offended Xena and she ground her teeth, hardening her expression at the same time. She knew she was strong and more experienced than Gabrielle but in her present form, maybe she was at a disadvantage. Gabrielle's small frame was packed with muscle, something she hadn't really noticed until that moment. Her gaze moved over strong shoulders and down bulging biceps as Gabrielle moved towards the ring, flexing her hands as she went. Why hadn't she noticed how much Gabrielle's body had changed? The softness of Gabrielle's curves she had craved so much were now hard and well-defined. It wasn't that it bothered her, in fact, she looked forward to seeing what skills Gabrielle had acquired since their last physical contact. With a smirk of her own, she watched as Gabrielle grabbed two wooden staffs.
"Here…" Gabrielle said as she tossed a staff to Xena. "You know your way around one these as well as I do."
"I wouldn't say that." Xena tried to argue even though the stiff wood against the palm of her hand felt familiar. "I much prefer my sword… and, well… my chakram. Speaking of my sword, where is it?" She asked quietly so only Gabrielle could hear as she squared her shoulders.
"Varia has it for safekeeping." Gabrielle shifted her weight from her front foot to her back as she positioned herself. The sounds around her began to quiet as the other young women noticed their presence and a crowd began to gather around them. She could see the worried look on Elle's face and the regret at having suggested this in the first place, so she gave her a small, reassuring smile. This was something she wanted to do, something she thought might help elevate Leia's status among the Amazon's and perhaps bring an end to the question as to whether she was trustworthy or not. It wasn't something she questioned though because she already knew the answer to that. She hoped that it might help everyone accept the fact that they were in a relationship even though she knew it was Xena, no one else did.
"So, what are the rules? Do I win if I pin you?" There was a playful twinkle in Xena's sky blue eyes that caused Gabrielle to shiver.
"If you think you can?" Gabrielle jibbed back as she began to move around in a circle, forcing Xena to do the same.
"Oh, I know I can. Besides, I'm trying to gain Elle's trust."
"Well, you can do that by not acting like a spoiled brat if I pin you first. It's your temper that's gotten you in trouble here." Gabrielle said.
"I suppose that's true, but I still don't think you can do it." Xena took a step forward, bringing the staff up and connecting it to Gabrielle's. It didn't yield as she expected it to, and she realized Gabrielle was stronger than she thought or remembered.
For a moment they went back and forth with defensive moves meeting with offensive ones. Each time Xena swung and hit Gabrielle's staff, it was countered with one stronger and more skilled. She took a deep breath and planted her feet to find a more balanced stance. The sting in her hands was beginning to tire her and sweat rolled down her forehead into her eyes. There was a knowing smirk on Gabrielle's face, one she recognized… one that was reserved only for her. She was being toyed with at this point and there wasn't anything she could do but try not to look outmatched. The crowd that was now gathered around them had picked sides and was now chanting their champion's name. Gabrielle's supporters outnumbered Xena's, or Leia's in this instance, but that was to be expected since Gabrielle was a former Queen.
As they continued to trade hits, high and low but never too hard, Gabrielle jumped and then spun around bringing her staff down in a sword-like move, catching Xena off guard. It caused Xena to stumble back, giving Gabrielle the upper hand and she took advantage of it with a sweep of the feet causing Xena to land on her back with a look of shock on her face. Everyone gasped and waited for the explosive temper they associated with Leia to show up, but instead of the expected stream of swear words, silence followed. As she laid on her back, she could see the dark blue-sky hovering above her through the treetops and when the blue sky was replaced by green eyes with a playful twinkle, all she could feel was tranquility even though she had been beaten.
Gabrielle moved to stand over Xena's prone body with a smug smile on her face. "I've gotten better at this." She reached out a hand to help pull Xena.
"That you have and you're stronger than before..." Xena winced slightly at the strength of Gabrielle's grip as she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet but was surprised when she found herself pulled into Gabrielle's strong arms.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Gabrielle whispered into Xena's ear.
"Not a chance, my love." Xena forgot herself and placed a quick kiss on Gabrielle's cheek. This time the collective gasp was followed by ooh's and ah's and she could feel her cheeks burn with a blush at having been caught.
Gabrielle laughed and nodded her head. "I win." She said as she pulled Xena closer, ignoring the captive audience rapt with attention. "That means I get to keep you." Her sigh was feather-light against Xena's cheek, and she fought the desire to kiss her on the lips.
"Oh, honey… I'll always belong to you." Xena sensed that Gabrielle was fighting her need to feel closer, so she leaned in until their foreheads touched. "I always have and always will belong to you… forever and ever. I promise."
Gabrielle pulled back, a sad look on her face. "Don't make promises you can't keep." The statement was quickly becoming her mantra.
"I won't break this one. Never again…" Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and hugged her tight. All she wanted to do was take her back to her quarters and hold her close until she had to leave. But they still had to finish up with Elle and then talk to Eve… and then there was the Council meeting. Letting go, she smiled that trademark grin that she knew Gabrielle found irresistible.
Running her fingers through her hair, Gabrielle smiled. "I'm sorry I took you down so quickly. I hope I didn't bruise your ego."
"Nah, my backside maybe, but not my ego. I'm proud of you. You've come a long way on the road to becoming a warrior in your own right." Xena reached out to touch Gabrielle on the cheek with her fingers. "Besides, it just means we'll get done with all of this sooner and then we can finally have some time alone…" she hesitated when she saw Gabrielle swallow hard. "To talk… you know… about things."
Gabrielle nodded and accepted what Xena said at face value. Feeling Xena's touch stirred way too many emotions inside of her, emotions she wasn't ready to deal with. So, she quickly pulled away and turned to Elle who was now standing right behind her with a look of surprise on her face.
The second Gabrielle pulled away, Xena felt alone and scared. They had shared a moment, a deep connection or at least she thought they had. Gabrielle had gotten good at burying her feelings down deep where no one could see, but Xena could. And today was no different. She had seen a mixture of desire, want, and uncertainty mixed with fear in those green eyes she had come to love so much, and it saddened her greatly that she was the one who was the cause of such things. The hot and cold temperament Gabrielle seemed to be struggling with was enough to make Xena go mad. But that would soon change because, with Aphrodite's help, she would finally have her body back. With that hurdle cleared, she and Gabrielle would finally be able to be together and she would finally see the light return to Gabrielle's eyes again.
"I guess you've proved yourself, even if you were bested by Gabrielle." Elle acknowledged Leia with an appreciative nod. She could see that something had transpired between the two women and she had to accept that Gabrielle knew what she was getting herself into.
"I'm glad you think so." Xena tried not to laugh at the smirk returning to Gabrielle's face. She had to remind herself that even though she felt like herself, she was far from the bigger than life Warrior Princess everyone had come to know and love. In fact, she was much smaller in height and stature because she was still in Leia's physical body. "She got lucky…" it was an excuse but one Xena felt was as valid as any.
"Lucky, huh?" Gabrielle crossed her arms and did her best to glare at Xena even though she really meant no harm. She felt the same way but wasn't ready to admit it to Xena or the large group that had gathered around them.
"Okay, maybe lucky is the wrong word…" Xena started to say then tapped her forehead as if she was trying to think of a better word. "No, lucky is the right word." She grinned playfully at Gabrielle.
"So, I see the temper has been replaced with a sense of humor." Elle interrupted what could only be described as flirtatious banter.
A crooked grin replaced the playful one as Xena ducked her head to avoid looking at Gabrielle. "Are we good?" She asked Elle who rocked back on her heels as if to get a better look at the woman standing in front of her. The feeling of being scrutinized was familiar but in her current state, unwelcomed, so she tried to wait patiently as she was being sized up.
"Yeah, if Gabrielle trusts you then who am I to argue." Elle crossed her arms in a guarded gesture but smiled non-the-less.
Looking around, Gabrielle turned to Elle with a questioning look on her face. "Have you seen Eve?" She asked.
"Um… I saw her in the mess hall earlier, why?" Elle suddenly seemed fidgety.
"I need to talk to her about coming with us." Gabrielle put her hands on her hips and regarded Elle with a slightly irritated expression. "And since when do I need a reason to seek out my daughter?" The anger that seemed to accompany her everywhere was starting to surface.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything. It's just… well… she was feeling sick this morning." Elle looked everywhere but at Gabrielle as she continued to fidget nervously.
"Sick?" Xena asked, concern lacing her voice.
For a moment that seemed like forever, Gabrielle studied Elle and the nervous energy that radiated off her with a keen eye. Something was going on and she needed to get to the bottom of it, obviously without Elle's help. "You…" she pointed at Elle who jumped in surprise at her raised voice. "Go talk to Varia because I'm going to need you on this mission. And you…" she then pointed at Xena. "Follow me, we need to find Eve." Without waiting for an answer, she spun on her heel and headed towards the mess hall to find out what was going on.
Elle and Xena gave each other curt nods as they retreated to their respective corners, so to speak. Glancing over her shoulder as she followed Gabrielle, Xena could see a troubled expression on Elle's face. She wasn't sure it was because of Eve or the impending mission that had Elle on edge, but they would soon find out. "Hey, wait up." Calling to Gabrielle, she trotted up alongside her, slightly breathless.
"We need to find Eve and make sure she's okay." The look on Gabrielle's face had hardened and the playfulness replaced with urgency.
"Okay." Xena didn't say anything else. She could see Gabrielle was already preparing herself for the worst, but she didn't feel the same fear that seemed to radiate off Gabrielle at the moment. So instead of trying to reassure Gabrielle that everything was alright, she followed along quietly until they reached the mess hall.
Gabrielle climbed the steps to the mess hall with one purpose in mind, to find Eve and make sure she was alright. She hadn't said a word to Xena as they crossed the village in search of answers, and she was grateful that Xena hadn't tried to talk or reassure her that everything was okay. The looks of concern directed her way as they silently marched on did little to alleviate the anxious feeling that had settled in the pit of her stomach and it was still there as they entered the mess hall to find it half empty. Looking around, she couldn't find Eve or Ainia and anxiety welled up in her chest. But then she saw Camilla and relief rushed over her.
"Gabrielle?" Camilla's eyes widened in concern as Gabrielle approached her. The pale skin and look of panic on Gabrielle's face caused her to reach out to take a shaky hand in her own. "What's wrong?"
"Is Eve here? Elle said she was sick this morning…" Gabrielle's voice was breathless as she continued to look around, hoping to find her daughter.
"No, I sent her to the healer." Camilla gave Gabrielle's hand a gentle squeeze to get her attention. "She was feeling nauseous so I thought it would be best. I think she's in her quarters resting now."
"Um, okay…" Gabrielle mumbled as she started to turn and leave but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Eve is alright…" Camilla held Gabrielle in place and glanced at the tall, lean blonde who had become her shadow as of late. "Will you make sure she finds Eve." She implored the younger woman who nodded in the affirmative.
"I will." Xena steadied herself as she took Gabrielle's hand to lead her to their daughter to make sure everything was alright but before she moved, Camilla stopped her and leaned close so only she could hear as she whispered in her ear. A wide smile spread across her face at what Camilla said but she quickly schooled her features so Gabrielle couldn't see. She needed to get Gabrielle to Eve as quickly as possible so she could see everything was okay, in fact, everything was wonderful. "I've got this." She gave Camilla a quick wink and pulled a silent and brooding Gabrielle along with her.
"Somethings wrong, I can feel it. How can you be so calm?" Gabrielle grumbled as they headed out of the mess hall. Glancing at Xena, she was irritated by the serene look and shoulder shrug she got in answer.
"Let's just find Eve and I'm sure everything will be fine." Xena kept her eyes forward, afraid if she looked at Gabrielle, she might give something away.
"Maybe it's food poisoning, or maybe Ares has done something…" Gabrielle could feel her chest tighten at the thought of Ares hurting Eve anymore than he already had.
"Come on Gabrielle, let's just find Eve before you jump to any more conclusions." Xena guided Gabrielle towards Eve's quarters. "Look, there's no black cloud hanging over her roof or anything. Let's go see what's going on." She continued to push Gabrielle towards the door but before they could knock, it opened suddenly to reveal a flush-faced Ainia who seemed to be in a hurry to go somewhere.
"Oh, Gabrielle…" Ainia stopped her forward momentum so as not to run into the two women standing in front of her. "Leia…" she half glared at the tall blonde who watched her with a small grin.
"Is Eve alright? Camilla said she was sick this morning." Gabrielle stood up on her toes so she could see over Ainia's broad shoulders.
"She's fine. It's not unusual in her condition…" Ainia started to say but was cut short when Xena gave Gabrielle a push, propelling her further into Eve's room.
"Condition?" Gabrielle's eyes widened as she looked around, her eyes falling on Xena, begging her to make things okay.
"Let's go talk to Eve." Xena shook her head and frowned at Ainia, nothing the words "no" as they moved past her. She was glad to see that Ainia realized what she was silently trying to convey when she got a quick nod in return.
"Eve?" Gabrielle called out as they moved further inside. She couldn't stop herself from reaching for Xena's hand, afraid of what she would find as they approached Eve who laid stretched out on her bed. But as they got closer, instead of the pale complexion and dark rings under blue eyes that Gabrielle expected to find, Eve looked up at her with a smile, her cheeks rosy and her eyes alight with excitement.
"Gabrielle…" Eve reached out, indicating she wanted to hug Gabrielle.
Allowing herself to be pulled into a hug, Gabrielle buried her face against the crook of Eve's neck and let out a relieved sigh. "Honey, what's wrong? Elle and Camilla said you were sick this morning. Was it something you ate?" She pulled back from their hug so she could touch Eve's forehead with the back of her hand to see if she was feverish.
"No…" Eve's eyes twinkled with anticipation as she pulled Gabrielle down to sit next to her on the bed. "I'm pregnant." She announced with a huge grin.
For a moment, time stood still as Gabrielle processed what Eve had said. She looked around the room at all the smiles directed her way, but she was having trouble grasping the implications of the words that had just fallen from Eve's lips. "What? I don't understand… how? Who?" The string of questions that flowed from Gabrielle on a stutter caused Xena to double over and laugh, causing her to glare at her with the intensity of the sun.
The look on Gabrielle's face caused Xena to laugh as the memory of her announcement that she was pregnant with Eve flashed through her mind. "You have the same look on your face when I told you I…" she started to say.
Holding up her hand, Gabrielle glared harder at Xena to cut her off before she could say the next few words. "Hold that thought until later…" she said quickly before Xena could finish. Turning back to Eve, she ran her fingers through her hair and smiled sheepishly. "Um… I know how, but… I didn't know you were with anyone… I mean…" she glanced over at Ainia who had a coy grin on her face.
"I'm good, but I'm not that good." Ainia offered a retort.
"Virgil…" Eve took Gabrielle's hand and held it tight. "I told you we were better friends than lovers… but we were… at one time… lovers…" her voice trailed off.
"So, you're going to have a baby?" Gabrielle smiled and this time it reached her green eyes causing them to crinkle at the edges and her nose to scrunch up.
"And you're going to a grandmother." Eve's grin grew wider.
But it wasn't just Gabrielle that was going to be a grandmother, it suddenly hit Xena that she was too. Excitement and fear rushed over her as she watched Eve and Gabrielle. She longed to pull them both into her arms to celebrate as well, but it would have to wait. And if all went to plan, it would be sooner, rather than later… at least that is what she hoped. The flutter of hope that began in the pit of her stomach moved up into her chest when Gabrielle looked at her with so much warmth and love that it almost took her breath away. With a quick wink, she silently conveyed her understanding and a promise that everything would be okay.
"I'm heading over to the healers to get some more tea for the morning sickness. Would you mind staying until I get back?" Ainia asked as she moved towards the door, not waiting for an answer because she knew Gabrielle wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.
"I think that can be arranged." Xena crossed her arms and tried not to feel animosity towards the woman who didn't like her for reasons beyond her control. She could understand, but she didn't like it.
Nodding her understanding, Ainia stopped at the door and then turned back to Leia. "Thank you." She smiled a genuine and happy smile.
Dropping her arms to her sides, Xena blinked her surprise at the heartfelt thank you from Ainia and accepted it with grace. "You're welcome." It was a simple gesture between the two women but one that spoke volumes. In the back of her mind, Xena couldn't help but grumble that she was more than ready to be back in her body. Having everyone think she was someone else was hard enough but when she couldn't even wrap herself up in her own family, it was downright torture.
"Leia, come sit here next to Gabrielle." Eve patted a spot next to her. "Hurry back, sweetheart…" she called to Ainia whose cheeks turned bright red as she slipped out the door, closing it quickly behind her.
"Sweetheart?" Xena raised a questioning eyebrow and pursed her lips, not moving from where she stood.
"Ainia and I are to be joined." Eve looked at Gabrielle for her response.
"Is that what you want?" Gabrielle asked with a hint of uncertainty.
"It is…" Eve nodded.
"Seems a little fast, don't you think?" Xena asked, crossing her arms again but this time in judgment. She hadn't been a part of her daughters' life in a few years, but she was surprised by the sudden revelation that Eve was going to join with Ainia.
Eve looked at Xena with a mixture of surprise and irritation, lifting a dark eyebrow in question just as her mother used to and it caused Gabrielle to laugh. "You look just like your mother when you do that." She glanced at Xena with a smirk. "Eve and Ainia have known each other for years and if I'm correct…" she looked back at Eve. "They have been in a relationship on and off during that time."
Nodding, Eve agreed but couldn't help but glare at the tall blonde who had the nerve to question her. She knew this new chapter in Gabrielle's life would include someone other than her mother and it pained her to know that it was inevitable. She just wasn't sure if it should be with a woman who was younger than her, but that was a moot point… all that mattered was Gabrielle's happiness because the alternative was unacceptable.
"I didn't know." Xena relented with a slight pout.
"I didn't know either, until recently." Gabrielle sighed. "I guess we were… um… I was too busy running away from everyone to know what was happening with the people I love the most. But I'm happy for you." She gave Xena a knowing look that spoke of their time away from Eve, before and after Japa. The look that passed between them did not go unnoticed by Eve.
"She's the one. She always has been. No matter how much time we spend apart, when we come together again it's like coming…"
"Home…" Gabrielle said with a sad sigh, finishing Eve's sentence. She felt the same way about Xena.
"What about Virgil? Does he know?" Xena asked.
"It's something we talked about before. He knew how I felt about Ainia and was willing to step aside if…" Eve waved over herself with a flourish. "This happened. He will always be welcome to be a part of our lives, but he is doing so well with his storytelling…" her voice trailed off.
"And if it's a boy?" Xena pressed.
"Look, Leia, I'm not sure why you find it necessary to question me the way you are, but I don't answer to you." Eve couldn't help but glare.
"She's right though." Gabrielle parroted Xena's thought.
"If it's a boy, we'll continue to spread the word of Eli and travel… just like you and mom." Eve looked at Gabrielle for her approval. "If it's a girl, then we'll stay here."
"That didn't work out so well for us…" Xena sighed heavily.
"Excuse me, but what are you talking about…" Eve's anger flashed in her light blue eyes.
Both Gabrielle and Xena grimaced but then Ainia pushed open the door and interrupted the uncomfortable moment. Gabrielle gave Xena a warning look as she leaned close to Eve to hug her. "I'm going to leave you in the very capable hands of Ainia." She placed a kiss on Eve's forehead before standing up. "I love you, beautiful girl."
"I love you too." Eve's expression softened as she watched Gabrielle stand to leave. "Good luck with the Council meeting tonight."
"Thanks, I'm gonna need it..." Gabrielle said as she grabbed Xena's arm and pulled her towards the door. "I'll be by tomorrow to check on her." She told Ainia they passed each other. "But let me know if you need anything." Ainia nodded her understanding. "Take care of her."
"I will, I promise…" Ainia said with a crooked grin.
As they made their way to the door, Xena stayed silent, knowing her input wasn't necessary or wanted. It was killing her to keep her distance from Eve when all she wanted to do was hug her tight and congratulate her and despite her first impressions… Ainia. She was so ready to have her own body back that it was making her antsy. When Gabrielle took her hand and led her out the door, she smiled, knowing that all she had to do was get through the Council meeting and then she and Aphrodite could begin the quest to make her whole again.