Chapter 4: Tracking the Early Riser

Xena had Eve settled in her arms and some of her supplies in her bag. She never left her medicinal items behind in case they were needed. The last villager she had talked to had seen the warrior woman with the sais heading to the other side of the town.

"She's probably hitting the market for things she forgot to buy yesterday," she stated more to herself than to Eve. She had a few more strides before she was at the beginning of where the market was. In the distance she saw Gabrielle talking to the oaf that bothered her the other day in the Tavern. Her brow arched at the sight because Gabrielle was uproariously laughing at something the oaf had just said. Intrigued by the seeming happiness, Xena soon paused.

"Dear Gods don't tell me she's falling for that doofus" Now that they had just decided on retiring from the hero business, Xena wondered if this doofus could be someone Gabrielle might be interested in. She sure hoped not. Xena did not think that Gabrielle fell for many boorish oafs. Most of the men that appealed to Gabrielle in the past were more intelligent and honorable.

"Only one way to find out," Xena shrugged and resumed out of her hiding place behind a stall and back towards Gabrielle.

Eve babbled loudly making the appearance of the two known to Gabrielle.

"Morning Xena, I was just talking to Phaon about umm..." Gabrielle struggled to think of something to say to prevent the revelation that she was spying on Xena's activities yesterday. "..about the great oatmeal at that tavern you went to yesterday." she added.

Phaon sported a confused look and backed himself into the crowd at the sight of the dark warrior. He did not want to tempt fate twice this week. Xena squinted in a less than convinced look.

"What are you doing up so early?" she quickly asked Gabrielle.

"Oh just wanted to grab some things from the Market before we moved on to wherever it is we are moving on to." Gabrielle stated as innocently as she could.

"Uhuh," Xena responded nonplussed.

"Where exactly are we heading Xena?" Gabrielle asked, to try to throw Xena off the curious scent. Xena's look of confusion faded and a lightened manner soon replaced it.

"Well I think it would be a great time to visit our Parents... and Amphipolis and Potadeia seem like a good start..." Xena droned as Gabrielle's mind soon started drifting. Gabrielle could not believe what Phaon had said to Xena to put her in such a bad mood. To think people thought Xena and her had sexual relations was quite a funny thought. She snickered slightly at how much it probably bothered Xena.

"Then at the end of the season we can see what we want to do." Xena finished her take on the strategy of settling down.

"Sounds good Xena," Gabrielle agreed despite the fact that she had heard none of what had just been said.

"Lets settle up our bill at the inn and head on our way to 'retirement'," Gabrielle remarked as she darted towards the other side of the village, leaving Xena in her dust.

"Meet you there!," she relayed from a distance.

"Something is up don't you think Evie? Gabrielle seems to be preoccupied and mischievious." Xena whispered. Eve resumed her wide-eyed investigation of the marketplace cacophony.

Gabrielle, in truth, wanted to put distance between them in order to think through what she had discovered from Phaon.

"Why would Phaon think we have anything more than friendship." she mumbled to herself. She tapped her chin in thought. She began to remember many a foe commenting in a tone reserved for innuendo about Xena's blond girlfriend.

"We travel together, we raise a child together, and we protect and would die for each other." she thought.

"Our love and friendship goes beyond any of the traditional best friend bounds. Maybe thats why they think there is something more. That's probably what it is." she decided.

"I guess people don't see as much dedication and extent of love we have in other relationships, and see ours as being similar to those who are married." Then it dawned on her, "If people see us that way, maybe that is why Xena was so upset. If Xena wanted to meet someone, they'd probably assume we were together, which would limit her chances." Gabrielle resolved to talk to Xena about how people perceived them when Xena arrived.