Xena and Gabrielle walked into the mess hall on a sunny morning. They both went and grabbed their breakfast. Xena went right to the usual table with their friends. As Gabrielle stepped and talked with a few villagers for a couple minutes before joining Xena and the others. The group chatted about their plans for the day and other mundane conversation topics. As they talked and ate one of the village cooks came over to the table.
AMAZON COOK
Oh Xena, just the woman I was looking for.
Xena stuffed her last big bite into her mouth as she looked at the cook.
XENA
Mm? Whaffs up?
Gabrielle nudged her for talking with her mouth full.
GABRIELLE
Chew your food first.
Xena rolled her eyes at Gabrielle scolding her like an ill mannered child. Skyla giggled.
SKYLA
Don't worry Gabrielle, Clover does the same thing.
Clover looked up from her plate with her mouth full.
CLOVER
Mou me miet.
As Clover proved Skyla's point, she and Gabrielle looked at each other as they smirked.
GABRIELLE/ SKYLA
Warriors.
Clover ignored them and went back to eating as Xena returned her attention to the cook as she took a drink and swallowed her food.
XENA
So what can I do for ya?
COOK
I'm gonna be busy today so I was wondering if you're not doing anything already if you might help with getting some more fish for dinner tonight.
Xena shrugged.
XENA
Sure.
Xena looked at Gabrielle.
XENA
You didn't have any plans for us today did you?
GABRIELLE
No. You go enjoy some alone time. It'll give me some time to get some writing done and deal with some queen stuff I've been meaning to get to.
XENA
(Joking) You make it sound like my being around is a distraction.
Gabrielle smirked.
GABRIELLE
Aren't you though.
Xena raised an eyebrow at the comment but chose not to respond.
COOK
Eh hem.
Xena looked back at the cook and Gabrielle suddenly found something very interesting about the table as she looked down to try and hide her smirk. The other's at the table chuckled as Xena rolled her eyes again.
XENA
Sure I can help you out today.
The Amazon cook shook her head at the two and turned to walk back into the kitchen.
COOK
Great thanks. Just stop by the kitchen when you're done.
Everyone finished eating and went their separate ways. Xena and Gabrielle walked back to their house and Xena got what she needed for her day of fishing. As she headed out the door Gabrielle tossed her a small sack she had put together for Xena to eat during the day. Xena smiled.
XENA
See ya later.
GABRIELLE
Stay out of trouble.
XENA
(Joking) Never get to have any fun.
Gabrielle smiled as Xena walked out of the house, shutting the door behind her. Now alone, Gabrielle looked around the living room and let out a content sigh.
GABRIELLE
Guess I should get to work.
Gabrielle walked over to a shelf that had a bunch of scrolls and picked up a few. She started walking to the couch and stopped when she suddenly felt a quick jolt of pain in her stomach. I only lasted for a moment so Gabrielle didn't think nothing of it. She continued to the couch and sat down as she placed the scrolls next to her and begin reading. She continued through the scrolls when she felt another sharp pain rip through her midsection. It too subsided after a few seconds. Leaving Gabrielle to wonder if something she ate didn't agree with her. Not thinking much more of it, she returned to reading. But as she did the pain continued as it became more frequent and intense. It soon became impossible for Gabrielle to force on anything. She put down what she was reading as she stood up to go upstairs and lay down. Gabrielle walked towards the stairs but was brought to her knees as the severe pain ripped through her. She wrapped her arms around her stomach as she leaned forward.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Something's wrong. I should get to the village healers.
Gabrielle struggled to get back up and turned to make her way outside. She grabbed hold of various pieces of furniture as she slowly made her way to the front door. The pain seemed to be getting worse as another jolt shot through her. Gabrielle yelled in pain as she dropped to the floor.
XENA
Oh ho you're a big one.
Xena held up a large fish, fresh out of the water. She got the hook out of the fish's mouth and tossed it in the basket of caught fish next to her. After looking at the nearly full basket Xena stood up and stretched as she looked up at the sky. She saw that the sun was going to be setting soon and figured she should get back home before she ended up in trouble when Gabrielle came looking for her. So she gathered up her fishing stuff and the full basket and headed to the mess hall to drop off her catch. She ran into Ephiny on her way out of the mess hall.
EPHINY
Hey Xena. You see Gabrielle around?
XENA
I've been fishing all day. Last I knew she said she was catching up on some queen stuff or something. Why did you need her for anything?
EPHINY
No just thought it seemed a bit odd that I haven't seen her since this morning. Actually no one has. She must be really into work today.
XENA
Yeah she sometimes does that with her writing too. She'll just get completely lost in what she's doing.
Ephiny smiled as she thought of her friend and queen and how dedicated she could be to anything she was passionate about.
EPHINY
That sort of dedication is just the kind of thing that makes Gabrielle a good queen.
XENA
Amung other things.
EPHINY
True. Well I wont keep you. Tell Gabrielle not to work too hard.
XENA
See ya.
Ephiny walked off as Xena headed home. Xena walked by some flowers and smiled as she grabbed some thinking it would be a nice little surprise for Gabrielle since she had apparently been working hard all day. She smiled as she walked up the steps to their home and put the hand full of flowers behind her back as she quietly opened the front door. Not wanting Gabrielle to hear her come in so she could surprise her.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Xena lost her smile as she stepped inside and found Gabrielle curled up on the floor whimpering.
XENA
Gabrielle?!
Xena quickly rushed over to her and crouched down next to her.
XENA
Gabrielle what's wrong?
Gabrielle yelled out as another sharp jolt of pain shot through her stomach.
GABRIELLE
Oh... God's it hurts.
XENA
What happened?
Gabrielle's only response was a loud cry as she felt more pain shoot through her midsection. Her body shook from the agony she had been experiencing for some time now as she whimpered as momentary break between rounds of pain gave her time to catch her breath. Her eyes finally seemed to register that Xena was there with her.
GABRIELLE
Xena please I... GAH!
Gabrielle jerked as another sharp pain hit her. She curled up tighter as she cried. Xena looked at the state Gabrielle was in and knew that something was obviously very wrong. She carefully picked her up and hurried out the front door and towards the village infermery. All the while Gabrielle whimpering as she leaned her head into Xena as more waves of pain hit her. Seeing Gabrielle like this tore at Xena's heart as she raced through the village. She knew that whatever it was causing this level of pain must be serious. Xena needed to find out exactly what was wrong with Gabrielle. And she had a strong feeling that she needed to do it soon.
TO BE CONTINUED...