Chapter Nine

"I thought you said we'd catch up." Solan said. He hadn't said anything about Xena being his mother and Xena hadn't said anything thinking he was just processing the fact that he was wrong. At least he was being a lot more civilized towards her.

"So did I, but Hades didn't drop us off where I thought he would, but don't worry we're only a week or so travel behind them and I know a few short cuts."

"I like short cuts."

"Its not always good to take short cuts." Xena said. They said nothing more as they continued on. They stopped at sunset and Xena set up camp quickly. Soon Solan was resting his bedroll with his leg proped up properly. Xena got a fire started before she went in search of food.

"I don't wanna any fish unless we absolutely have to eat it." Solan said. Xena didn't say anything as she left. Solan frowned and he supposed he deserved it after the things he had said to his own mother.

"She probably hates me now." Solan said in a low voice to himself. It was the last thing he wanted. Xena returned as Solan was putting more wood on the fire. It had been harder to hunt in the dark than she had anticipated.

"Stop let me do that I told you not to move." Xena said putting the deer meat she had carved in a safe place. She added the wood before checking his leg and sighed.

"What?" Solan asked.

"We'll have to wait at least a day if we're to ensure that your leg isn't messed up for the rest of your life." Xena said. Solan goaned for him that meant not moving for an entire day. Xena went back over to the fire and prepared the meat, some she cooked while the rest she stored for another day, it would save time. She cooked some mushrooms to go with it. It took nearly all her concentration to make sure she did at least an ok job.

"How is it?" Xena asked. She personally didn't like it, but that could have been, because she hated mushrooms and preferred not to eat deermeat.

"Great best cooking I ever had." Solan lied. He desperately wanted her to love him again.

"Lier, I'm one of the worse cooks on the planet, I may have actually tried, so it wouldn't be great." Solan sighed.

"Ok, ok its actually really bad, I hate deer meat and mushrooms are vegetables, so I definately hate that." Solan admitted. Xena laughed a little and he looked at her quesitoningly.

"I hate deermeat too, I only eat it if I can't find anything else, and who doesn't hate mushrooms." Solan laughed too and they discard their food into the fire and ate some fruit instead. They star gazed a bit.

"Is it really possible to navigate your way by the stars?" Solan asked.

"Yes, its how most people travel by night, so they aren't completely lost when they lose their way."

"Will you teach me?" Solan asked.

"I suppose so, Gabrielle and I have been talking about your lessons and we're going to split them between us."

"Cool I get to learn the art of war." said Solan. Xena frowned as she sat up.

"No, you will not be learning the art of war, there is nothing cool about it, war kills and it never leaves anybody feeling pleasant afterwards, is that clear?" Solan was silent for a moment.

"Yes, ma'am." Solan said.

"Good." Xena said. They were silent as they looked up into the sky.

"Why don't you love me?" Solan asked after Xena had announced it was time for them to get some sleep. Xena rolled over so she was facing him after a moment.

"What made you think I didn't love you?" Xena asked.

"Its just you don't act like a mother, you don't worry, you don't kiss me all the time, you don't hug me, you don't even talk to me, and you don't sing to me." Solan was afriad she'd get mad, but she didn't. Her features softened considerably.

"I'm sorry, but trust me I worry about you every moment of everyday except when I'm right beside you and I'm not much of a talker though I'll try to be more talkative for you." Xena said. He was her son and she'd do anything for him even if it meant actually having a conversation.

"What about kissing me and hugging me and singing to me?"

"I wasn't sure how you felt about me being your mother, so I thought I'd wait until we really talked again."

"That's my fault I pushed you away." Solan said.

"Trust me you could never push me away I am now and forever the monkey on your back that will never go away." Solan laughed at the comparison.

"So you'll never leave me like everyone else." Xena shook her head no as she sat up.

"I'm here to stay." Xena replied. That made Solan very happy.

"I do love you, and I'm sorry for all the things I said to you, your last person in the world I would ever hurt." Solan said hugging her and she could feel the tears fall out his eyes.

"I'm sorry for leaving you and I've always loved you nothing you do could ever make me stop loving you." Xena said as her own tears came out her eyes.

"Promise?" Solan asked.

"I swear to you that no matter what happens I will always love you." Xena said.

"Than I swear that I'll always love you no matter what, mommy." Solan said. It felt so good to be able to call someone by that name, and not just anyone his real mother. Xena's heart rejoiced more than she thought possible and she heard him call her mommy. She never would have believed it possible until now.

"I can call you mommy right."

"Yes, you can." Xena said. They really spent that night getting to know each other and the next day before they headed off for Amphipolis again.