Author's Notes: I own nothing!
Author's Notes A: Re-posting, the format was all kinds of messed up. Thank you for the reviews!
Chapter 3
Xena and Ephiny walk with the litters carrying Sam and Gabrielle, Xena stepping into the wagon, sitting between both her lover and daughter, reaching out and grabbing their hands.
"Mother"
"Yes sweetie" leaning down and kissing her forehead
"Is the Que, Mom alright?"
"She will be honey, she is resting now, she has a few injuries, but they will heal. Sweetie, I noticed you have been calling her mom a bit, I take something good happened out there."
Wiping a tear from her eyes, "I guess, I mean sort of, I mean yes. But I doubt all that will change. She is going to be disappointed in me, I let myself be captured. I was tied up and couldn't even help her, not that she needed my help, she was amazing to watch take them out. Then she made sure they didn't hurt me. She provoke them to keep the focus on her, she endured quite the beating trying to protect me, I mean it's my duty to protect her and I failed. She will probably disown me, revoke my chance at being Queen." Sam lowers her head, trying to keep her tears from falling.
"Oh Sammy, don't you know it is a mothers duty to protect her children" both woman turn towards Gabrielle who is trying to sit up, she struggles to sit up but manages to place herself in a position that she can see both her loves "I would endure this a thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe, I am the one who is sorry for not doing a better job of protecting you. You should be disappointed in me for not being a better protector or better Queen."
Sam pushes herself with her good arm to sit up, climbs over her Xena and looking Gabrielle in the eyes
"Mom, you protected me, you kept me safe, you stopped them for torturing me, I am barely injured, you endured so much pain for me." Inching herself closer as she continues to speak to Gabrielle. "You, know your stories do not do you justice, I knew you were a skilled warrior, but I had no idea you were that good."
"I tell her that all the time."
"Mom, forgive me for not protecting you" Sam is almost sobbing in Gabrielle's arms
"Honey, there is nothing to forgive, you did everything I asked of you. You didn't try to fight back, you didn't reveal anything to them."
"And you protected the Queen when she needed it. Gabrielle, we found Sam standing guard over you. She was so set on making sure no one hurt you, she attacked Sarah, Ephiny, and myself."
Gabrielle places both hands on Sam's face, "Sam, see you did protect me." Hugging Sam tight "I am so very proud of you. I just hope you forgive me."
"Mom, there is nothing to forgive, I owe you for keeping me safe. This is nothing, I will be back to normal in no time. Besides, mother always says chicks dig scars!" All three Amazons laugh
"Mom, can I stay here." Sam says as she settles into Gabrielle, asleep before Gabrielle has a chance to answer. Gabrielle looks down at her daughter, nestled into her side, she is over the moon at Sam's decision to draw comfort from her, but can't help wincing as she tries to ease the paid her current position is imposing upon her battered body.
"Bri, let me move her, that can't be comfortable for you."
"Xena, don't you dare, I can't remember the last time she let me do this. Just help me lay flat"
Xena does one better, she slides next to Gabrielle so she can keep watch over the both of them.
"Xi, what happened after the attack started? We were still engaged with the scout team when the attacked started."
"I know, we began the assault and our scouts relayed you both were still there, we couldn't stop, so we tried to use the fire balls to give you a chance to get out of there, the scout said she saw you all running, but lost you after one of the fire balls landed short. Bri, we had no idea if we hit you or what happened. I didn't know what happened to either of you, none of the scouts could locate you. I charged the grove of trees, there weren't many soldiers left, so I made my way to the where the rest of the Army was approaching. We charged full force, attacking them from the trees and the ground. As we engaged, the group of Amazons approached from the west, we forced them back and over the gorge. I am not sure if the battle last a full candle mark. We know there was a reserve group of forces coming in, but between the air assault and what they saw of their main force, they scattered. Ephiny sent a group out in search of anyone who decided to tempt the Gods and follow orders, but we don't believe anyone will stick around. We did capture one person, he says his name is Dasani." At this, Gabrielle stiffens, she works to control her breathing at the sound of that man's name. "Xe, he is their commander." Quickly changing the subject, "I had taken care of a few of their men after the first air strike hit, grabbed Sam and we were on our way to you. We were almost clear when that landed not far from us, it sent both of us airborne. I only remember holding onto Sam as tightly as I could and turned us at the last second so I hit the wall, then I woke up in a panic " she pauses "not being able to find Sam. Xe, I think I need to rest now, but I don't want be carried into the village, you all thought I didn't make it, I need to show everyone I am fine."
"No you don't!" softening her tone "Bri, please you can barely sit up. How do you think you will be able to walk into the village? Please" Xena was practically begging Gabrielle "I almost lost you both, you are severely injured, our daughter" Gabrielle cuts Xena off
"Our daughter needs to see that her mother is okay, she needs to know that her Queen is okay. You need to know that I am okay" looking down, slightly above a whisper "I need to know that I am okay" Gabrielle takes a deep breath, "Xe, I didn't know if I was going to be able to get both of us out, please" she practically whines. "Then I promise to be the best patient. But right now I still need to be the Queen, still need to prove, show everyone I am okay."
"Okay" Xena said as she kissed the top of Gabrielle's head "rest now, you are going to need it."