Xena blocked an incoming punch as she knocked the Amazon she was sparing with to the ground.
SKYLA
(Joking tone) And down goes another one.
IRIS
Wow Xena sure didn't waste any time getting back into the swing of things has she?
SKYLA
No kidding. Hey Clover why don't you get in there next?
Clover leaned up against the fence as she, Skyla, Iris and a number of others watched the sparing matches that Xena was leading.
CLOVER
And have Xena kick my ass next? No thank you. I've already spared and seen her fight enough to know that I don't have a choice in Tartarus of beating her.
EPHINY
No one does. I don't know why people keep trying.
IRIS
Ephiny didn't you just go up against her last time?
EPHINY
Yeah well I uh…
Ephiny looked away as she tried to come up with something, but got nothing causing the group to laugh.
SKYLA
(Joking tone) I suppose a woman can dream.
The playful banter was interrupted when Clover heard Gabrielle's voice yelling for Xena and looked over to see her running towards them. Clover was just about to call for Xena, when she saw Xena quickly leap over the fence and met Gabrielle when she was almost to the practice field having obviously heard Gabrielle calling her.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Xena could see a look of panic in Gabrielle's eyes as Gabrielle ran into her arms.
GABRIELLE
I don't know what happened. I was only gone for a few minutes. Oh god's Xena I don't know what to do.
Gabrielle began to cry as a very confused and concerned Xena held her while trying to comfort her enough to get Gabrielle to calm down a little so xena could make sense of what she was trying to tell her.
XENA
It's alright Gabrielle. I'm here.
During this time the others that were gathered for the matches looked on as they wondered why was going on. After a couple moments Gabrielle managed to calm down enough to actually speak coherently again and stepped back from Xena's embrace.
XENA
Okay now tell me what could've happened to suddenly drive you to hysterics like that. What's wrong?
GABRIELLE
She's gone. I went outside for a few minutes and then…
Gabrielle couldn't finish as she began to break down again. Xena held her once more as she tried to get what information she could from the sobbing Gabrielle. Knowing that whatever happened it must've been very serious to have gotten her this badly upset. Finally Gabrielle stopped crying as she forced herself to control her emotions. Knowing that she had to be strong to do what needed to be done.
XENA
You good now?
GABRIELLE
I think so.
XENA
Okay. Now can you tell me what's going on?
Gabrielle nodded. Then she explained that she had left Aurora with Celine while she went to check on something. But as she was on her way back home, Celine had run up to her and told her that Aurora was missing.
GABRIELLE
And when we got back to the house we found this note.
Gabrielle gave Xena the now crumpled piece of paper that she had inadvertently been tightly clenching. After straightening it out enough to see the words written, Xena silently read the note to herself.
NOTE
Gabrielle,
We have your child and if you want any hopes of seeing her again you will comply with the following instructions. You are to leave the village and meet us at the location that is provided below. Where you will exchange yourself for the child. You may bring one other person with you to bring your child back. However this second person can NOT be Xena. Under no circumstances is she to accompany you to the exchange location. Or you will never see the child again. And just to be clear your child's life rests soley on the decisions you make after reading this letter. You have two weeks to comply.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Anonymous
Xena finished reading and glanced over and looked for Celine who had gotten there just after Gabrielle.
XENA
(Angry tone) How could you let this happen?
Xena let Gabrielle go as she turned and stormed up to Celine.
CELINE
I never meant it to I swear.
Xena grabbed Celine by her top as she pulled Celine in close enough she practically feel the anger radiating off of Xena.
XENA
(Angry tone) Gabrielle said that you had agreed to watch Aurora. So what the fuck were you doing that gave someone enough time to get into our house and kidnap our child.
CELINE
I'm sorry. I thought I heard something outside. I didn't want to run the risk of some vicious creature getting inside, so after I made sure the baby was okay, I went outside to check it out. I swear Aurora was safely laying in her basket when I left. I'm so sorry I never thought something like this would happen. I who here would kidnap your baby?
XENA
(Angry tone) Well clearly they're not here anymore are they?
GABRIELLE
Xena stop. This isn't her fault.
XENA
(Angry tone) Isn't it though. If she hadn't left the house when she said she'd watch Aurora this wouldn't have happened.
EPHINY
Maybe so, but beating Celine to a bloody pulp isn't going to help you get Aurora back any faster.
Xena glanced over at Ephiny along with several others who had been listening in to the conversation. Then she felt Gabrielle's hand on her arm and looked at her.
GABRIELLE
Please.
Xena sighed as she glanced back at Celine for a moment before letting her go.
XENA
Sorry, being afraid for Aurora and not knowing who's behind this, I guess I just wanted someone easy to blame.
Celine straightened out her top.
CELINE
I understand. I don't have any children of my own yet so I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now.
The rest of the group gathered around as they tried to give what comfort and support they could to the two terrified mothers.
SKYLA
So what do you do now?
XENA
We get our daughter back.
GABRIELLE
Whatever it takes.
TO BE CONTINUED…