The room became silent and all heads turned to Gabrielle.
Xena's eye widened and she rushed to Gabrielle's side. She looked down and saw the evidence for herself.
"It's too soon, Xena," whispered Gabrielle anguished.
"You'll be fine, my dear. It's a family tradition. Lila was two weeks early and you were a whole month early." Hecuba spoke cheerfully but wore a forced smile.
Xena flashed Hecuba a smile of gratitude. "We'd better get Piri," said Xena as she helped Gabrielle to the bed.
"Where's this Piri person? I'll get her," said Herodotus.
Xena looked at him quickly then turned her attention back to Gabrielle. "Just ask the guards outside, they'll get her. Herodotus, Joxer, Hercules and Iolaus are still around. If you want some male company."
Gabrielle's father thought for a moment. "Thank you," he said gruffly and turned and walked out.
Xena was putting the pillows behind Gabrielle. She heard a moan and saw the bard's face contorted in pain. "Hold on," she said gently. She felt her hand squeezed and then the contraction passed and Gabrielle let go.
"It's too early," said Gabrielle looking at Xena with tears in her eyes. "The baby, it'll be-"
"Hey," said Xena gently. "As long as I am around the baby will have me fighting for it. OK?"
Gabrielle nodded and lent her head on Xena's shoulders.
They remained like that for several moments oblivious to the presence of their Mothers in the room. They drew apart as they heard a knock. Xena looked at Cyrene who went to the door.
Piri came bustling in. Xena noticed that she looked refreshed and brighter since she last saw her.
"Let's take a look at you," she said gently.
The mothers stood back, but Xena remained on the bed with Gabrielle. Piri felt around her stomach, causing Gabrielle to wince.
"The backache and upset stomach was you starting," said Xena quietly. She kissed Gabrielle on the top of the head.
Piri nodded. "You've definitely started my Queen. I'll pop back shortly with my things and Clonie."
"Can we do anything?" asked Hecuba pressing her hands together.
"The old faithful cooled boiled water, lots of towels and blankets, food and drink for Xena. Gabrielle may need something too." The healer chuckled at her own joke.
"Coming right up," said Cyrene and tugged at Hecuba's arm. They left the hut.
"Try and relax as much as you can," said Piri taking in the anxious faces of the pair. "I won't be long."
"We're not going anywhere," said Xena. Piri walked out the hut.
"Finally got to bed," said Xena, trying to ease the tension. Gabrielle hid her face in her chest, and Xena tightened her grip.
"Sshh, it'll be OK. This baby will be fine, I know it," she said soothingly.
Xena stood next to Gabrielle and squeezed her hand harder. The bard cried out for several seconds and then groaned and released the pressure on Xena's hand. Suddenly Xena had a feeling of Déjà vu and she remembered the scene that Alti had shown her. "We'll see this through too you mad witch," she muttered under her breath and then turned to Gabrielle.
"More water?" she asked.
"No, yes, no. Yes I will." Said Gabrielle.
Cyrene handed Xena a mug of water and Xena supported Gabrielle and let her take a long drink. Within moments Gabrielle had dropped the mug and was crying again. Xena carried on squeezing her hand and feeling absolutely powerless.
Within moments the contractions had passed and Gabrielle had closed her eyes and was breathing heavily. Piri stood by the bed and smiled. "Gabrielle, I just need to borrow Xena for a moment."
Gabrielle opened her eyes and looked at Xena anxiously but nodded. Xena went to the corner of the room with Piri, and Cyrene sat next Gabrielle and put a cool towel on the red faced bard's forehead.
"What is it?" asked Xena sharply.
"The labour is quicker and harder than I'd expect. She's six weeks early. I'm concerned about the health of the baby." Piri spoke in whispers.
Xena inhaled deeply. "It will be alright won't it?"
"I don't know," whispered Piri honestly. "At this rate it will arrive within the hour." She looked at Xena's shocked face. "We can't even give her the flower from the santra bush."
There was a pause. "Xena I could do with your help with the child." Xena's looked into the healer's eyes and saw fear. She nodded.
"Clonie can deal with Gabrielle. We'll take the baby to the table and check on it. I'll make sure the table is covered with blankets and has plenty of clean water."
Xena nodded wordlessly. Piri put her hand on the warrior's arm. "Be strong for her."
Xena swallowed deeply, and took several moments to compose herself. She then put on a smile and turned around.
"Hey Bri," she said.
"What is it?" said Gabrielle.
"I get the best job in the world. I'm going to bring the baby into the world," said Xena and stroked Gabrielle's hair.
Gabrielle scanned Xena's face. "Xe," she said her face crumbling.
"It'll be fine," she said quietly and held her tight as she felt Gabrielle stiffen as another contraction hit.
"Push, push," said Piri.
"I am," said Gabrielle through gritted teeth.
She fell back onto the pillows and Cyrene dabbed her forehead with a cloth while Hecuba held her hand.
"Aaaaah," said Gabrielle and Cyrene and Hecuba held her tighter.
"The head. I can see the head," said Xena excitedly. She looked up from the end of the bed. "You're doing brilliantly," she said.
Gabrielle smiled and then her face was contorted in pain again.
"Relax, relax," said Piri.
"I'm trying," shouted Gabrielle as she sat up.
"Gabrielle it's coming, it's blonde like you," said Xena.
She looked at Piri who was kneeling on the floor. The healer looked anxious. "Ready with the blankets?"
Xena nodded.
"Aaahhhh," cried Gabrielle.
"There's the head, Bri, and the body. Oh it's a boy," said Xena as the baby slid into her waiting hands.
Gabrielle fell back into the pillows breathing heavily. "Is he-"
Her question was answered by a lusty cry from the baby.
"I'll just cut the cord," said Piri. She watched as Xena held him close despite his ear splitting cries.
Xena wrapped the crying baby in a blanket and brought it over to Gabrielle. "He's beautiful," said Xena. She kissed the bard who was crying tears of joy. "We'll clean him up for you and I'll bring him right back," said Xena, and brought the baby to the table where Piri was waiting. She unwrapped the blankets.
Piri gently felt over the baby's body. "Well?" said Xena.
"He looks fine," said Piri. She put her finger in his mouth and he started to suckle.
"Looking for food. Definitely your child," shouted Xena.
"He's a good size, bigger than I expected, strong cry, nice pink colour, ten fingers, ten toes," Piri gave Xena a wondrous smile of relief. "He looks absolutely fine, thank all the Gods. Lets get him cleaned up and over to-"
There were two cries simultaneously.
"PIRI!" called Clonie.
"GABRIELLE." Cried Hecuba.
Xena spun around and her eyes widened in horror as she watched Clonie trying to stem a flow of blood from Gabrielle. Piri had also turned and was holding the baby. "Cyrene," she called. "Take the baby and Hecuba." Cyrene looked from Gabrielle to the healer and nodded. She took the baby in one arm and with the other tugged at Hecuba.
"Hecuba, leave them, they'll be fine."
Gabrielle's mother stood frozen to the spot staring at her daughter.
"Hecuba, let them do their work. Lets fuss over our grandson," said Cyrene with a hint of desperation."
Hecuba gave Gabrielle a lingering look and turned around and walked out with Cyrene, sobbing.
Xena had raced over to Gabrielle. She saw the white waxy face and laid a hand on the bard's cool cheek. "Gabrielle," she said.
She watched the bard blink as if it was slow motion. She appeared oblivious of Xena's presence. Then her eyes shut. "Gabrielle," said Xena in a more panicked tone. Her eyes didn't open.
Her eyes didn't open!
Xena went back to the foot of the bed where Piri and Clonie were desperately trying to stem the flow of blood.
"Pressure points," whispered Xena and pushed down hard on Gabrielle's stomach. The blow flow reduced. Piri looked at Xena.
"I'll have to release it shortly, but I can put it on again," said in reply to the questioning look.
"Alright. Let's removing the packing and give me a look," said Piri. Clonie and she desperately took away the blood soaked bandages. Piri examined Gabrielle closer.
"Piri, I need to release it," said Xena. Clonie and Piri put clean packing in Gabrielle and Xena pressed again on Gabrielle's stomach. Almost instantly the bandages were turned red. Piri looked at Xena again with sorrowful eyes. Xena repeated the procedure and then turned to Gabrielle's face. The tears were running down her face. "Come on Bri, come on. I'm not losing you," she said in a determined tone.
"OK Xena," said Piri, and Xena pressed again on Gabrielle's stomach. This time the bandages took longer to become soaked. Xena looked at Piri. "It's slowing."
"One more time, Xena, "said the healer calmly, and Xena repeated the procedure while Clonie and Piri removed the linen again. Piri replaced the bandages and nodded to Xena, who released the pressure point again. This time the linen remained dry. The three women breathed a sigh of relief. Piri turned to Clonie and spoke quietly to her and the assistant healer left the hut.
Piri washed her hands in a basin and dried them on a towel. She went to Xena's side. Xena was stroking Gabrielle's hair. Piri picked up one of the bard's hands and felt for her pulse. She then felt her forehead and took in the shallow breathing and pale skin.
"Will she survive?" asked Xena shakily, shocked at the unexpected turn of events. An hour ago they were concerned about the baby, but it was Gabrielle that was fighting for her life. The healer put her hand on the warrior princess' shoulder. Xena turned around to look at her.
"Xena I don't know. The next few hours will be crucial."
Xena's face crumbled and Piri took the warrior princess in her arms and the taller woman laid her head on the healer's shoulder.
At that moment Ephiny came rushing in and took in the scene of the two women embracing. "Clonie told me…no…no" said the regent and looked at Gabrielle.
"She's alive," said Piri, and broke away from Xena. She went to Ephiny. "She's lost a lot of blood."
Ephiny looked from the healer to Xena who now stood aimlessly in the middle of the room.
She went to Gabrielle and leant over her, giving the colourless lips a kiss. "Come on my Queen. Come back to us." She then stood up and turned around trying to act more confident than she felt. "Gabrielle's parents and your mother are looking after the child."
"A boy," said Piri.
"A boy," repeated Ephiny. "Xenon will be delighted. Piri do you need anything?"
"I need to get some supplies from my hut," said Piri. She motioned with her head at Xena.
"I'll come, I need to-"Ephiny's voice wavered as she looked at Gabrielle. She patted Xena's arm, which Xena acknowledged.
Xena heard them leave the hut and she sat down on a chair next to Gabrielle. She took one of the bard's hands. "Hey. Don't leave me to do all the talking again," she said. Her eyes were full of tears. "Come back, please. I need you." She stroked Gabrielle's pale face. "Your son needs you," she said croakily and put her head on the covers and sobbed.
"So what's the news?" said Aella. She pushed herself up the bed and grimaced as she put weight on her arm.
"Careful," replied Ephiny. She sat on the bed and leant over and gave Aella a kiss.
"Have Gabrielle's parents really turned up?"
Ephiny nodded.
"Wow. And I've missed all the action. So tell me."
Aella watched as Ephiny looked away with tears in her eyes.
"Eph what is it?" she said gently.
Ephiny turned to face her. "Gabrielle went into labour."
"Gods, no," said Aella. "The baby?"
"A boy, he's fine," said Ephiny with a little smile.
"Then what is it?"
Ephiny looked uncomfortable. "It's Gabrielle isn't it?" said Aella quietly.
Ephiny nodded and tears ran down her face. "She's sick. She's lost a lot of blood."
"Eph, you can share this with me, you know?" Aella took her hand. "I know how much Gabrielle means to you. Don't feel guilty for caring."
Ephiny smiled through her tears. "Thank you. How have I managed without you?"
"You don't have to any more. We're sharing the load together. Next time you see her, I'll come too. Now come here."
Ephiny wrapped her arms around Aella and held her tight.
Hercules and Iolaus entered the quiet room. Piri was sitting at the desk writing and she looked up and smiled in acknowledgement of their presence. The only sounds were the occupants breathing and click, click of Cyrene's knitting needles. Iolaus lowered himself onto a chair, while Hercules walked up to the bed. Xena was gently stroking Gabrielle's hair. Hercules placed his hand on her shoulder. Xena didn't turn around.
Hercules sat on the chair by the bed. "How's she doing?" he asked quietly.
Xena shrugged her shoulders and Hercules exchanged a worried look with Cyrene.
"Why don't you take a break, stretch your legs?" he carried on.
"No, thanks," Xena's tone was neutral.
Hercules rubbed his face with his hand and looked at Cyrene again. "Is that for the baby?" he asked.
"Now we know it's a boy, I'm knitting a blue blanket," said Cyrene proudly.
"I saw the baby, he's gorgeous," said Hercules. He turned back to Xena. "Why not go-"
"I don't want to," she snapped and turned to look at Hercules. Despite her eyes being dry now, the red rimmed eyes showed signs that she had been crying. Now the eyes blazed with anger. "I want to be here with my partner while I still can."
"She's strong, she'll be ok," said Iolaus.
"You know that do you?" Xena shouted. "How much can she take? I mean wouldn't it be the God's joke to have her die in childbirth and leave me with that bastard's son to raise."
"Xena," said Cyrene warily.
"The Gods," said Xena, and stood up. "Athena, I ask for your presence. Your daughter asks for your presence."
Piri and Iolaus looked shocked. With a flash Athena arrived. She looked at Xena and then at Gabrielle lying still in the bed.
"Please, please. I'll do anything, anything you ask. Whatever it takes. Just make her well."
Athena looked at the bard with anguished eyes and then turned to Xena. "You know I can't."
"Can't or won't?" screamed Xena. The helplessness and frustration of the situation coupled with tiredness was causing her anger to build up.
"Xena I can't heal Gabrielle, no God can," replied Athena. "You know that."
"Some parent you are," said Xena bitterly.
"Xena!" exclaimed Cyrene.
"It was a God that caused this in the first place," said Xena pacing up and down. "Typical Ares having the last laugh. He's getting his wish. She'll be out of my life thanks to Lindos. What do you Gods ever do for us but cause us heartache. You're all the same."
"Xena, you haven't slept for two nights. It's been a draining couple of days as it is. Get some rest. I'll stay with Gabrielle," said Cyrene, sternly.
Xena breathed heavily and her face snarled with anger she was at last releasing. She then heard a noise thanks to her uncanny hearing ability. She looked around the hut and strode out.
Hercules frowned and then heard the baby cry.
"The baby," he said.
Piri and Cyrene jumped up and followed Xena out of the door.