Pieces 7

'I'm nervous.' I whisper in her ear as the farm comes into view. She gives my shoulder a small squeeze.

'Don't let them sense your fear.' Despite the serious look she gives me, she still laughs.

'Xena, my family isn't a pack of wolves.' I nudge her with my elbow as I smile. My tension eases for a moment, but rushes back as soon as we reach the door. I somehow manage to knock feebly, part of me wishing that maybe they've gone somewhere. I can hear the voices within, laughing and talking animatedly. Taking a deep breath, I knock again. The voices halt before I hear footsteps approaching the front door.

'Yes, who…. Oh my God's.' Lila gasps, her hands coming up to her mouth in shock. 'Gabrielle?' Her eyes scan up and down my body, unsure if I could really be her sister. Tentatively she reaches out, touching my arm softly as if to see that I'm real.

'Yes.' I nod enthusiastically, tears stinging my eyes.

'Mother! Mother come quick!' Lila yells back into the house before wrapping me in a big hug.

'Who is it dear?' Mother's eyes go wide with shock, but she's quicker to recover than my sister. 'By the God's; look at you.' Lila releases me so now Mother can smother me in a hug. Neither of them seem to give notice to Xena as I get ushered into the house.

Looking back at the warrior, she gives me a nod towards the barn letting me know she's going to be taking care of Argo.

'Gabrielle, are you…?' My mother's voice is filled with both awe and fear.

'Yes. And It's Perdicus'.' They both visibly relax, I'm sure thinking that my pregnancy was the result of something horrid. But suddenly, a myriad of emotions crossed my mother's face. She reaches out as if to touch me, but quickly pulls her hand back.

'Do you know how surprised we were to find out that you were married and widowed in the span of a day? Why didn't you come home then? And what did you do to your hair?' She eases herself into a chair.

'I'm sorry mom, I know I should have told you in person, but I couldn't do it. You deserve better than a scroll, so did his parents.' Guilt surges through me, but I try to push it away.

'So have you come home for good?' There's a hopeful eagerness in her voice.

'No.'

'But surely you can't possibly stay with Xena?' Lila interjects with a little too much force.

'I'm going to stay in Amphipolis, with Xena.' I try to look them both in the eyes with as much confidence as I can muster.

'You're kidding right?' Lila scoffs. Mother sits a hand on my sister's arm to quiet her.

'But Gabrielle, you should be with your family!' Mother stands again, the shock evident in her face.

'Xena is my family.'

'Gabrielle, you should be with your real family. I know she's your friend, but surely she wants the best for you?' Breathing in deep, I manage to control my anger.

'Xena is my family.' I try to emphasize one more time, but they just look at me in confusion.

Sigh.

'Mother, Xena is more than just my friend. She's been there for me in ways no one else can.' My mother rolls her eyes, making a small snort in disbelief.

'Your father will be home from the fields soon. We can discuss it then.' She looks me up and down. 'She's not staying here is she?'

'Yes, mother, she is. And she is sleeping in the house, or I am sleeping in the barn with her.' I narrow my eyes in defiance. Mother throws her hands in the air, completely put out by this fact.

'Fine. She can have Lila's bed.'

'Wait where am I gonna sleep?' Lila suddenly realized what mother said.

'You can sleep out here.'

'But mooom?'

'No, that's enough.' She glares at my sister before retreating to the kitchen. 'Help me finish with the food.' Lila snarls at me before dutifully following behind.

I find Xena in the barn, brushing Argo down and murmuring in her ear. She often treats that horse like a real person, sometimes worried about Argo more than me. I'm not saying I'm jealous, just stating a fact.

'So, are they locking you in your room for the rest of your life?' Xena turns, smirking at me.

'Not yet, but father isn't home soo…'

'Well you know, I can always just eat out here. No need to complicate things even more.' I rush up to her and grab her by the arms.

'Xena, you may be the only one who will keep me sane. And besides, I already made mother let you sleep in the house.' I smile, but shock is all that crosses Xena's face.

'What? Gabrielle, surely it would be better for everyone if I stayed out here?'

'No, Xena. Either you sleep in the house, or I sleep out here with you.' My voice is firm but calm. I don't really want to argue about this. She studies me, but relents for the moment.

'Ok.' She shrugs before bending down and grabbing the saddle bags. 'Let's get this over with.' I grin at her; she looks as if she's about to go into battle. Xena automatically turns into the warrior. Her movements become more purposeful, her face a stoic mask of determination, head up and shoulders back. I place my hand on the small of her back as we walk.

'You know Xena, we aren't fighting an army.'

'Might as well be.' She grumbles before giving me a tiny grin. When we walk in, mother and Lila are still in the kitchen, murmuring quietly to each other. We throw the saddlebags down on Lila's bed and I steel myself for my father's arrival. Xena pulls me into her arms for a hug, which I gladly accept.

'Remember, they only want the best for me…..I think.' I mumble into her chest.

'Don't worry, I'll keep the damage to a minimum.' We both laugh, but stop abruptly when we hear my father coming through the front door. Xena gives me an extra squeeze before we walk out.

'Hi dad.' I give him a little wave and a smile. He looks grumpy as can be and can't seem to return the sentiment.

'What's she doing here?' His head flicks towards Xena.

'I have some news for you.' It takes a moment before his eyes catch up to his brain. He lets out an audible gasp, his face turning to one of confusion.

'How?' He can't seem to get any more words out.

'Perdicus.' I hate having to rehash this every time someone wants to know. He blinks a few times before coming out of his stupor.

'Well I'm sure we can find you a nice young man that won't mind raising another man's child.' He rubs his chin thoughtfully.

'I don't need one.' His eyes flare with anger.

'You most certainly do. If you think I'm going to let you go traipsing around the country with my grandchild and ….that woman, you're wrong.' Mother and Lila have come out of the kitchen, standing silently in its doorway.

'Father, I'm staying in Amphipolis.' I brace myself for the coming explosion.

'What?!' His eyes jump to Xena who is standing tall behind me. 'What kind of spell have you put my daughter under? We are her blood, and that's where she will stay!'

'Father…'

'No!' He interjects, spittle flying from his mouth. 'I've had enough of your disrespect. You didn't even have the decency to come home after he died.' I cringe and I can feel Xena tensing up behind me.

'I know, I'm sorry…'

'Quiet.' He growls. 'We'll talk of this no more. You can leave in the morning.' He gives a final glare to Xena. 'Now I'm going to eat, then I am going to bed.' He falls into a chair at the table and just sits there waiting for the food to be served to him. Grabbing Xena's hand, I pull her back into the room, closing the door behind us. The tears I've been holding back, finally spill over. Xena wraps her arms around me, rubbing my back softly.

'I'm sorry.' She whispers.

'No, I'm sorry. I knew he'd react like that, but it's still hard to take.'

'Are you sure I should sleep in here tonight?'

'I'm pretty sure you can stop him if he attempts to kill you in your sleep.' I chuckle a little, just wanting all this frustration and pain to go away.

'Really Gabrielle. I don't want to make things worse for you.' She whispers in my ear.

'It would be worse if you didn't stay.' I give her a small squeeze before pulling away. 'I don't want to admit to this, but I really don't want to sit out there with that man.'

'And you're hungry?' She grins at me.

'A tiny bit.' I wrinkle my nose up, feeling slightly embarrassed.

'I'm sure your mother doesn't want you to starve. I'll go get some food and we can eat it in here, ok?' I nod in affirmation. Again, Xena turns from sweet mush, to a strong stoic warrior as she walks out the door. My father's voice begins to boom, yelling at my mother for letting Xena even come in the house. Try as she might, my mother can say nothing to calm her enraged husband.

After a few minutes, Xena returns with a tray laden with food. Her eyes sparkle as she smiles at me.

'You're mother had already started to get some food ready.' She places the tray on my dresser as I light a few candles. 'She doesn't seem quite as upset as your father.'

'So she didn't try to poison you?' I smile as we continue to hear my father raging on the other side of the door.

'I get the feeling he doesn't like me.' She says with a wry grin. 'I'd say that we should stay in the barn, but I don't want you getting sick or anything. And your mother insisted.'

'She did?' I reach out, grabbing an olive and popping it into my mouth.

'Yes, but I only think because she knew you would follow me and she's worried about your health.' She leans down, giving me a kiss on my forehead.

'I'm as strong as a bull.' I look at her indignantly. 'I'm only this fat because people keep pushing food at me.' She chuckles.

'You're not fat, I'm sure no one would know if you didn't tell them.'

'Is this you courting me?' I narrow my eyes at her, trying not to smile.

'I think even I can do better than this. Now, let's feed you and that baby.'