IN THE TIME AND PLACE WE LONG TO TRULY BE
Herodotus watched as the newly fitted grinding wheel in the barn carried on turning. He looked at it for a moment before turning away walking towards the barns entrance looking out in to the bright day light. He breathed in leaning against the newly fitted wood. A part of him was very surprised. No that was the wrong word a part of him was stunned, he put his hand on the strange pendent around his neck with its odd symbol of a walking wolf with stag horns for a moment. His eldest daughter had some very loyal friends who were asked for nothing in return for helping him with his problems.
He'd sent a scroll to Demetrius and his wife Alexia in Messene asking for help to fix his broken mill wheel. Everyone in town was far to busy to help him since Potidaea it was the height of the bread making season. With in two days, three people had arrived, a retired captain called Bastiaan and a black smith named Karsten as well as a woman called Adrienne. They had done more than just fix his mill wheel they'd replaced it with a new one and had helped him and Lector to fit it. Since it was no easy task it took about five people to pull it up and lift it in to place. After helping him with this they'd fixed the milling barn and then they'd put new bigger sails on the mills front which they said would work better with the new grinder.
Then they'd asked if he wanted a house extension which had thought had been a bad joke, since no one ever did things like that with out a price. He had wanted one for years but he had never had the time or the money to do it. It was true that the gold Xena had given them would cover it and he had a first assumed that, that was why she'd given it to him. The problem was that he couldn't have been any more wrong, he said to them that he wanted to give Gabrielle her own room so Lila could have her own area with Lector who was still having to sleep in Gabrielle's bed but he couldn't sleep in it while Xena was around. Then he had found himself watching in utter shock as they'd started building on to his homes structure.
They'd dug the foundations and built out the new side creating two new rooms one which they'd said could be used for storage of his grain and bread while the other could be Gabrielle's new room. They'd also taken both his daughters beds and extended the frame work turning them in to double beds with out being asked then they'd lengthened the mattress's to fit them. They'd even brought in new pillows and sheets and moved Gabrielle's things in to the new room while keeping Lila's in the old bedroom. Lector had moved his things in along with hers so that they could now share. They were incredibly skilled builders who worked very fast, faster than most normal people and they did beautiful work.
He'd asked them why they were doing this since he was just a simple farmer their replies had all been the same. They had said that there loyalty was to his eldest daughter and any thing they could do to help her family or Xena's they'd do with out question because they'd given their cities freedom from oppression. They'd said that once they'd completed their work they would then head to Amphipolis to help Xena's mother at her tavern before heading home. He put a hand on his chin he had no idea that his eldest daughter could command such loyalty from others that they would do things for her with out wanting anything in return.
He picked up his wooden goblet from the stand close by drinking the weak cider in it, all three of them had left the day ago heading towards Amphipolis. He lowered his gaze he had, had a lot of time to think about things as late, things which he hadn't thought about or considered up until this point because he just had been so blind to everything. The truth was that he didn't know his eldest daughter the way he should because he had spent the last few years giving Xena Tartarus over the fact that she was her lover. As a result of his actions his daughter had become distant and angry towards him. He had promised her before she left that he would make things better.
Until now though he hadn't known where to start all he'd known was that he had to give her the same respect as he gave to Lila. A part of him was starting to feel that, that wasn't enough. He realized that maybe the fact that she was never home much if ever was because she was avoiding her own family and not just because of his venom towards her lover but because she felt unwelcome. With in the very place that she grown up as a child she didn't feel that she was accepted for who she was. What terrified him about that was that he knew from his own experiences with his own father that there would come a point where she wouldn't return at all and he'd never get to see her again and if she adopted children with Xena he would never see them ether.
He shook his head finishing his goblet both his daughters should have that acceptance and both should be have their partners brought in to the family and treated equally. He looked up gods he just wanted them all to come home, because right now the house echoed with a loneliness and dread which he couldn't measure. He saw it every day in both Hecuba and Lectors eyes that fear that they had all died and they wouldn't be coming back ever. Like him they were all putting a brave face but he knew with every passing day that it things were becoming more tense. This long endless waiting with no word of whether Gabrielle had rescued Lila was agonising painful.
His gaze slowly drifted up as he watched Hecuba walk out of the house towards him it was a slow tired walk he could see it even from here. She was smiling but even he could see that it was a sad smile which was hiding her pain. It was the pain and uncertainty of not knowing, if both her daughters were safe and away from harm. She came forward putting her hand on his arm her gentle voice hitting the air. "What are you thinking about?" Herodotus shook his head. "I am just thinking about our children." He put a hand on hers. "Just thinking that things really need to change, that's all." Hecuba looked up slightly. "You have changed things you showed great change before Gabrielle left you let Xena stay in her room."
Herodotus shook his head. "That is not enough, though is it?" Hecuba looked at him for a long moment. "What do you mean?" Herodotus looked at his goblet. "I have pushed my eldest daughter away these past few years, I have come realize that I don't know her like I used to. I believe the reason that I hardly ever see her is because she does not want to be here with us." Hecuba shook her head. "No that's not true she loves us." Herodotus moved his free hand up running it through her long blonde hair. "Yes she loves us but in her eyes this isn't her home, I think she believes that she's not welcome here." He paused for a moment before speaking again. "I think she feels this way not only because I rejected Xena as her lover but because I have never accepted her for whom she is."
He shook his head sadly. "My eldest daughter feels like an outcast in her own family and it's all my fault. I think now off all the times when she visited and I could see that she wanted my approval and I never gave it to her. Instead I gave it to Lila I graced my youngest child with everything she wanted and gave my eldest nothing." He let his gaze drift over the floor. "My eldest daughter is a hero and I have never told her so even though she's as brave as any warrior I know." He felt his teeth grind together as the pain hit home. "No wonder she has never stayed more than a night here it must hurt to know that her father would never give her his approval."
Hecuba looked up sharply. "I think you are being too hard on your self." Herodotus smiled but it was a sad smile. "No I don't believe I am, you have said so may times that I should be kinder to Gabrielle and not be so hard on her. Yet I didn't listen to you when you were trying to help me see what a fool I was being." He looked up meeting her green gaze. "You don't have to defend my past actions one of the reasons I love you is that unlike most women you have told when I am wrong, even if it's just a whisper in my ear it's always guided me well." He patted her hand. "I believe that I am seeing things much more clearly now and I have made up my mind about something very important."
He took in a deep breath. "Both our children should be treated as equals, both should have my approval if they want their lovers in the same room in the same bed then they should have it. They should be in our house hold because it's a place they call home and even if someday in the future they come to have homes of their own, they should want to come here a visit us because they want to bring their children here to stay." Hecuba blinked. "Xena can not father children though and I know that, that has always made you sad." Herodotus turned sharply. "I don't believe that should be seen as an issue anymore they can adopt. Also ether of them could sleep with a man who's willing and have a child that way. Gods know it never stopped your cousin and she is with another woman.
Hecuba felt her gaze dart. "Oh yes my cousin that is true they both have a child." She narrowed her gaze. "I am sorry that you and her have never seen eye to eye." Herodotus shook his head. "I have realized something else which I am not proud off as late Hecuba. I treated your cousin and Gabrielle badly because off my fathers disgust over those types of relationships." He sneered slightly. "The cruel bastard told me that they were wrong and I listened like a fool despite that I know better. As relationships like that are common place here in Greece, I let that prejudice blind me to that truth. It shouldn't matter to me if Gabrielle loves another woman if that woman love her and makes her happy then that should be all that matters and I shouldn't think any less of her choice. The same goes for your cousin."
He shook his head. "I have a lot to answer for and I have a lot to put right Hecuba, its not going to easy but no god is going to stop me. I will put things right in this family and it will be what it should be not this shadow which it is now. I don't want to wake up a lonely old man because I treated both my daughters badly and they won't speak to me anymore." Hecuba breathed in deeply as she gathered her thoughts a part of her was very proud of her husbands words. In all their tragedy in all their suffering something so great was coming out of this. Herodotus wanted to change to become even greater than the man he already was for the good of both their children.
She wasn't going to lie, she had felt that things needed to change but she had always found it difficult and she'd had found herself playing peace maker these past few years as the tension had mounted between her husband and Xena. Before Gabrielle had left for Mexica she had just been happy that he had finally called a truce with Xena. She had not expected him to say any off this though the things he was talking about would change the very fabric of the family for years to come. It wasn't some thing she'd envisioned happening but a part of her was glad that it was going to happen. She moved her hand up running it through his beard which he'd been growing. "I don't think you would ever end up alone I think your daughters will always love you."
Her next words were cut off as Lector ran around the corner almost stumbling as he ran towards them. She turned watching as he came to a stop in front of them trying to catch his breath. She could see the shock in his eyes as well as the confusion. "What is it what wrongs Lector?" Lector leaned over trying to catch his breath. "Portal!" He pulled himself ignoring the burning of his lungs. "There's a portal! It's opened up in the grain field next to the house and it's huge!" Herodotus didn't think, he didn't need to he felt his feet slam in to the ground as he burst in a run. His gaze darted as he watched Hecuba and Lector run with him towards the field which wasn't far from the house.
He watched as it came in to view burning with silver light as it lit up the field its wide portal stretching outwards as gold showers of light floated outwards lighting everything beautifully all around it. He stepped forward feeling his heart race gods it had to be them, please let it be so! Let him have his daughters back! He would ask for nothing more the mill could fall down and the sky could burn if only to have his children home once more. He moved forward only to feel Hecuba stop him the uncertainty and fear in her eyes as she spoke. "Don't you don't know what it is." Herodotus breathed in feeling his courage take over. "I know what it is, it's my children."
Lector looked at him sharply. "You think it's them?" Herodotus looked at him. "Yes I do because sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and as a young man I once saw a portal similar to this one. One day I will tell you all about it when the time is right." He turned back looking in to the shining light feeling the world slow down as he waited for the moment to come. He looked up sharply just in time to watch as a golden winged mare leapt through the light coming down hard on its front hooves. He watched as the wings began to designate away sending feathers outwards in shower on ether side as the horse stopped some way from him. He could now see Xena clearly and his youngest daughter who was sitting in the saddle behind her.
He was about to say something as Xena turned her horse to meet his gaze only to stop as a black stallion sudden came flying out of the light it's huge black wings opened wide as it smashed in to the ground instantly turning in a different direction to avoid Xena's horse which was standing still opposite. The black horse stopped only to rear up on to its hind legs as its feathers wings designated away in an instant sending black feathers everywhere as it nay of confusion hit the air. He watched his eldest daughter grabbed the reins tighter with her only free hand because her other was holding something tightly.
She pulled the reins hard causing the dark stallion front hooves to slam the ground as it came to a standstill in the field of gold in front them. Gabrielle breathed in deeply as she leaned over with her free hand patting her horse's neck speaking in a gentle tone. "Easy now..." She heard her horse snort as started to calm down. She would have to work on this in the future as her horse wasn't quite as well trained as Argo. He'd need to learn how to get over his fear of things changing close to him now that he was living again. She looked up eyeing her horses side the wings had gone and so had Argo's she turned sharply watching as the portals light shot outwards creating silver patterns before it faded away in to no more than gold and silver dust.
She closed her eyes for a long moment feeling her dog shift in her other arm gods they'd made it. They were finally home she could smell the wheat field and the cool summer air which she'd missed so much in Mexica. Her gaze drifted only to stop as she caught sight of her parents and Lector who were watching them close by the joy in their eyes. Xena shifted in her saddle, she could see Gabrielle's parents standing close by. This was her moment the one she longed for, for so many years. She turned Argo slowly moving her towards them, every slow step of horse's hooves felt like an eternity in her mind. She'd finally get to be seen as a hero to them and not an ex warlord.
She had brought Lila back from Tartarus and they'd finally see that she was true to her words and worthy enough to be Gabrielle's lover and in doing so prove her self truly worth of Herodotus's respect. That was all she'd wanted for long but she had never had the opportunity because of how things had gone so badly in the other lifetime. She pulled Argo to a stop opposite them feeling a smile form on her lips as she watched Lila turn wanting to get out of the saddle in an instant. She looked up watching as Gabrielle carefully brought her horse up along side of her own. Her lover gave her knowing smile of understanding over the situation.
Lila didn't think she didn't need to she could see her parents and Lector she leapt out of the saddle not caring about the wheat under her feet as she ran in to her mothers arms feeling her embrace her instantly. Hecuba held her daughter tighter she wanted to cry she had missed her so much. "My little girl I'm so glad you are back." Herodotus leaned over hugging his youngest daughter. "We missed you so much we thought we'd never see you again." Lector moved forward feeling his heart race gods she was back. The woman he loved so much had finally returned to him he wanted to cry out to Olympus but he was too caught up in the moment to do so.
He would have to wait his turn in holding her which was getting harder and harder by the moment. Hecuba looked up as she let go of Lila allowing her to embrace Herodotus fully. She turned watching as Xena slowly eased herself off her horse so she standing opposite, she moved forward embracing the taller woman before she could react. "Thank you so much for bringing Lila home." Xena looked at her for a long moment feeling slightly out of her depth this was first time Hecuba had ever hugged her. She smiled slowly putting her arms around the older woman. "You're welcome." Hecuba blinked she didn't know that Xena could be warm to others she has assumed that it was only towards her eldest daughter.
She pulled away giving the taller woman room to breath before putting a hand on her arm. "We are so happy that you both came back unhurt, we were so worried about you." Xena put her hand on the older woman's. "I am just happy be back here." Hecuba gave her a wide smile. "Well we are both just happy to have you back." Herodotus let go of Lila as he turned to the Warrior Princess who was talking with his wife. He took in a deep breath now was the moment he had been unsure about but he knew he had to do it no matter what. Xena had kept her promise both his daughters had been returned to him and she had nothing but true to her word.
Lector moved forward grabbing hold of Lila instantly pulling her in to his arms feeling her grip around him tighten. He leaned over before she could speak meeting her lips in a warm kiss which filled his senses with joy. Lila felt his lips move before pulling away she couldn't stop her tears as they started to fall as she ran her hands through his hair. "I missed you so much." Lector pulled her back in to his arms. "I know I missed you to I prayed to the gods for your safe return." He held her tighter breathing the smell of her hair gods he had missed her so much. "I thought that I might not ever see you again after that serpent took you." He breathed in painfully. "I am so sorry that I wasn't able to save you."
Lila eased her head away from his shoulder. "There was nothing you could have done he was a god." Lector took in another deep breath as he wiped away her tears with his free hand. "Did he hurt you?" Lila shook her head. "I really don't want to talk about it right now." Lector looked up seeing the pain her eyes. She had suffered that was obvious but she wasn't ready to speak about but that okay they could get through it what ever it was. He pulled her back in to his arms. "Its okay we'll talk about it another time when you're ready." He looked up giving Xena a nod of respect watching as she calmly nodded back in his direction.
He'd take her out for a drink when the time was right and give his thanks which he couldn't do right now. He needed to stay with Lila at this moment that was all he could think about and he was sure that she would understand that. He held Lila tighter he had missed this so much he just hadn't realized how much until this moment. Herodotus moved closer to Xena watching as her light blue eyes met his, he took in a deep breath. He swung his arms around her. "Thank you for bringing both my daughters home." Xena blinked slowly putting her arms around him trying to contain her shock as she patted his back. "I would never break my word to you."
She pulled away meeting his sea blue gaze. "I promised you both your daughters would be returned to you." Herodotus lowered his gaze. "Yes you did I am sorry that I doubted you I hope you can forgive me for that, I have been very foolish at late." Xena looked at him for a long moment feeling unsure as to what to say, was he apologizing to her? She took in a deep breath. "I think we have both been foolish in our own way." Herodotus stroked his beard feeling that she was on his wave length. A part of him felt much more at ease that she was being so calm and relaxed one of his fears about having this conversation was that she would use this moment to tear in to him over their past issues.
She had every right to though he had treated her so badly he had denied her as part of the family and been cruel to her over a past history which she could not change. Not that this history should have mattered it was clear to him now that she was not that person anymore. Her actions and the way she walked and talked proved that she had become noble, honest and kind. She was the image of Gabrielle's ideals, he could see that so clearly now his daughter had moulder her in to something so good and he was a fool for not seeing it. He nodded his head. "Yes I think we both have and I hope that I can make up for my foolishness in time." Xena lowered her gaze. "All I want is your acceptance."
Herodotus raised his eyebrow he knew what she was referring to she wanted to be accepted as Gabrielle's lover. He looked up slightly. "I think you have more than gained that acceptance." He turned seeing this as the right moment to put his proposal forward. "I would like it very much if you would both stay for a while." He raised his hand ignoring Gabrielle's surprise over his words. "As you can see we have had some work done on the house, there are two new rooms which have been built on. One of them is yours and Gabrielle's it has a double bed which you can both sleep in." Xena blinked staring back at him. She raised her hands hearing the uncertainty in her own words. "You are allowing me to sleep in the same bed as Gabrielle?"
Herodotus smiled inwardly a part of him was enjoying this moment he had never seen Xena look out of her depth before. "Yes you see I have come to a rather serious conclusion, that what you have should be no different to what Lector has. Your role is the same as his, so there should be no reason as to why you shouldn't have what he has." He folded his arms. "I have been incredibly unfair at late and I have denied you so much, you have even been denied as part of my family. I see now that, that was in error and that you should have a place here. You will have to forgive me for not seeing this sooner as I feel that I have been very short sighted and I want to start over."
He turned back to her. "If you would like that, that is?" Xena looked at him for a long moment she had not expected this at all. Maybe this was the pay off for all both herself and Gabrielle had suffered in Mexica to finally have Herodotus's acceptance as a couple. It seemed unimaginable to her but it was happening and all she could do was go with it. She looked up slightly. "Yes I would like that." Herodotus gave her a smile. "I am glad to hear that as soon as Lector has put away your horses I will show you both to your new room." Lila moved away from Lector. "What's happening with our rooms?" Herodotus turned smiling at her. "You and Lector will now share a double bed in your bedroom and Gabrielle and Xena will have the new room to themselves."
Lila blinked. "We don't have a spare room though, I don't understand." Herodotus turned to the house looking at the new mills sails and the new house area. He watched as her eyes followed his. "We do now and it's all due to some of your sister loyal friends from Messene they came here refitted the grinding wheel, the sails and built on a new area to our home." He looked at the white sails. "As you can see they did a very beautiful job on everything." Gabrielle eyed the house which was bigger now for a moment before eyeing the sails she suddenly felt out of her depth and unsure of herself as she stepped away from her horse. "I will thank who ever did this I had no idea that they would do this."
Herodotus moved towards her seeing that now was the right moment. "Your have some very loyal friends Gabrielle, their loyalty to you is absolute they asked for nothing in return for doing this. What ever you did for them it must have been a great thing." Gabrielle shifted her feet feeling slightly nervous she looked at Xena for a moment before meeting his gaze. "We just helped them." Herodotus put a hand on his beard. "I see." He felt a smile form. "That is what you both do isn't it, you travel and help those who need you." Gabrielle looked at him for a long moment. "Yes we try to." Herodotus moved closer taking hold off her hand seeing the uncertainty play out in her eyes. "You are both very brave to do something like that."
Gabrielle lowered her gaze, she really wasn't sure what was going on right now and all she could really do was go with it. Herodotus looked up slightly. "I am very proud of you Gabrielle." Gabrielle looked up sharply she had heard those words right hadn't she? She slowly put her dog down at her feet watching as it rubbed against her boot. He had just said that he was proud of her he had not said that in a very long time. Herodotus shook his head. "I don't think I have told you that enough if at all in these past few years. I think I have been looking at things in a very negative way and I had very much lost sight of what is important." He breathed in deeply. "I have not treated you very well these past few years Gabrielle, I have made you feel unwelcome and unaccepted."
He breathed out painfully seeing the shock as it appeared in his daughter's eyes. "I have even condemned you for loving Xena which wasn't fair in any way and I treated you as second best, not giving you what you deserved." He smiled sadly. "As a child I taught you that those you love should never be second best and I feel that I have ignored my own words when it comes to you." He eyed the house before turning back to her. "I promised you that I would make things better for you and your time away gave me a lot of time to think about my past actions." He didn't think as he put his arms around her pulling her close. "I just want you to know that I love you and that in my eyes you are a hero and a good one. I am sorry that I never told you this sooner, my pride blinded me what was important."
Gabrielle shifted feeling his embrace tighten she felt completely out of her depth that she wasn't sure where to start. She found herself gripping her father tighter feeling the tears. She tried to blink them away but it was impossible and she was fighting a loosing the battle. She hadn't had her father's approval in so long yet a part of her had wanted it as much as she'd wanted Xena's. She breathed in deeply finally finding the words. "Thank you." Herodotus breathed in deeply he knew she was crying something about that saddened him. She had, had so little from him, it was little wonder that this was bringing out this kind of emotion in her. It should never have gotten to this point to start with.
He looked down slightly. "I am so glad that your home, I was really worried about you and your sister." Gabrielle swallowed trying to recompose her self. "I said I'd bring her back, Mexica or not." Herodotus smiled feeling that now was the time to change the subject. "I think you are going to like your new room, I had a desk put in there so you can write and weapon hooks so you and Xena can put your weapons up." He felt a smile form as he stroked her hair. "Because we wouldn't want those lying around now would we?" Gabrielle laughed feeling her self finally gain control of her emotions. "No I guess they wouldn't look nice just thrown in the corner." Herodotus pulled back watching as she wiped away her tears. "I hope that you'll stay a while, because I would really like to get to know you and Xena the way I should."
Gabrielle nodded watching as her mother came forward. "I would like that." Hecuba smiled putting her arms around her eldest daughter. "We are very happy to hear that. I think you need time to rest you look tired and you need to eat something. I don't think you ever eat enough on the road." She carried on hugging giving her daughter a light kiss on the cheek. "I am so happy that you are back, you had us so worried." She pulled away looking at her daughter. "Now let's get you all in side." Lector moved away from Lila taking hold of the horse's reins he could see that the black horse no longer looked un-dead but perfectly normal. He smiled as he led them both towards the barn. "I'll put these two in the barn and bring back in your bags."
Hecuba looked down watching as Gabrielle picked up the small animal next to her feet. "Is that a fox?" Gabrielle looked at her little dog for a moment before looking up. "No he's a dog he was a gift from a friend in Mexica." Her mother leaned over stroking the little dogs head. "Well isn't he just adorable does he have a name?" Gabrielle looked at her pet. "Not yet." Hecuba looked up slightly. "Well we'll have to think of one, plus it'll be nice for Sagittarius to have a friend to play with." She paused for a long moment before looking up. "Can I hold him?" Gabrielle carefully handing the small dog to her mother watching as it yipped playful. "He's friendly."
She looked up seeing that Lector was coming back with the bags but by the look on his face he was feeling the weight of one which had to be Lila's. He looked up as he came towards them. "I have tied up your horses would you please tell me what you have got in here? Because it as heavy as Tartarus." Lila took hold of his arm pulling her bag free ignoring the weight as she swung it over her shoulder. "That's nothing I'll show it to you all later." Lector raised his eyebrow. "What have you got in there?" Lila breathed in as she moved forward. "Oh you will see lets just say that Mexica like to compensate well." Gabrielle eased her bags out of Lector hands she watched as Xena did the same.
Herodotus turned to them. "Follow me all off you I believe you will like the house improvements." He watched as everyone followed him he smiled as he opened the door to the house which led to the kitchen. "All this is still the same as is the front room." He carried on moving he was enjoying every moment of this. He moved forward seeing the new narrow corridor in which two people could walk through. "This is all new." He opened the first door to Lila and Gabrielle's old room watching as Sagittarius looked up from his dog basket next to the double bed. He turned to Lila watching as she stepped in to the room which had a tub in it. "As you can see this will be your room and Lectors."
He smiled pointing to the desk and mirror. "Everything here is both yours to share Lectors had his things put in here while you were gone, but I am sure you can work things out how ever you want. The beds been adjusted to fit you both on it and I am sure that it's comfortable." He smiled stepping back to let Lector through. He took in a deep breath. "I'll let you two settle in as soon as your ready you can get some lunch." Gabrielle smiled seeing her sister's enjoyment before her father closed the door. Herodotus turned to her looking at the other door opposite. "Our room has not changed and neither has the far end wash room."
He pointed to the open room at the end. "You don't need to worry about that though." He turned to the two new rooms opposite with brand new doors. "The room on the right is for storage." He smiled opening the other door. "This is your new room." He stepped back allowing both Xena and Gabrielle to enter. "As you can see it has a bed a tub and a mirror just like theirs." He moved his hand patting the wall opposite the door with its weapon hooks. "This is for all your weapons as I said." He moved in side putting his hand on the desk. "This is for your scroll and any writing you want to do." He moved his hand up. "It very much identical to your sisters and it has a window to."
He stepped back watching as Hecuba gave her daughter back the little dog. "Oh and as soon as I can I'll get your dog a basket a small one." Gabrielle looked around the room putting her bags down as she turned to her father. "Thank you so much not just for this but for everything else." Herodotus felt a smile creep over his lips. "You are very welcome." He lowered his gaze ignoring his fears he was going to do this next thing no matter what. He had to do if he didn't he would never feel better in himself. "I'll leave you two alone to look around, as soon as you're ready to eat just come through to the kitchen." He watched as Xena nodded while Gabrielle gave him a smile, he carefully closed their door feeling the weight finally lift from his shoulders.
Gabrielle looked around the room for a long moment she watched as Xena looked around her. She walked up to the bed sitting herself down on it letting her dog go watching as it walked across the bed sniffing it curiosity. She watched as her lover walked up to the bed seating herself down next to her. "Did this just happen?" She looked at the double bed. "My father has just allowed us to be in the same room and bed I'm not dreaming, am I?" Xena leaned over picking up the little dog stroking its head as she shifted closer to her. "No you aren't dreaming Gabrielle I think you're father really wants to do what's right for the both of us."
Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "It's so sudden I never thought it would like this." Xena felt the little dog lick her fingers. "Nether did I, maybe this is C'thulon's way of giving you something special though it may have not been intentional. This was what we both wanted before we left maybe when Akemi went back in time to hurt your mother she made this happen by accident." She stroked the dogs head again. "Ether way it's happened and I don't want to change it." Gabrielle looked at her hands. "He said he was proud of me, I can't remember the last time he ever said that." Xena moved closer putting a hand on her knee. "I think he's always been proud of you he just had too many things have gotten in the way and he's never found the right moment to say it."
She looked down for a moment before looking up. "I think he loves you and making things right for us is all that matters to him now." She looked around the room. "Because of him we now have a nice room to ourselves and we should thank your friends in Messene for that." Gabrielle looked around the room. "Yes it is a very nice room." She patted the sheets pulling her self up so she leaning against the pillows as she swung her legs around. "The bed's nice as well." Xena put the dog down she moved up the bed was in front of Gabrielle watching as the younger woman looked up. "It's a very nice bed." She shifted position as she straddled the other woman. "It's nice having a bed for two."
Gabrielle met her lovers light blue gaze. "Xena are you sure this is a good idea I mean my father he's in the next room and what if he, you know because, that would be very bad." She stopped feeling her eyes dart gods she was rambling again. She took in a deep breath trying to recompose herself as she looked up at her lover. Xena raised an eyebrow pulling her sword free along with her Chakram placing them on the side table in a swift motion. "Don't worry Gabrielle, I think when he said sleep together he meant that we could be affectionate." She slowly leaned forward meeting the younger woman's lips in a gentle kiss before pulling away. "I think he wants us to be what we are, a couple."
Gabrielle shook her head. "This is going to take so much getting used to." Xena moved her hand running it through the long blonde hair. "Yes it will, but in time I'm sure we will." She eased her hands down further freeing the sai blades from her lover's boots then put them on the side table. Gabrielle eased the pan flute off putting it with her weapons. She smiled easing up her hands putting them around her lover's neck. "Then I guess we'll just have to get used it, I mean it can't be that hard." Xena leaned forward. "No it can't." She met her lips again enjoying the warm sensation, oh gods this was just bliss. She knew that they couldn't make love here she had a feeling that, that would be breaking the rules but she didn't mind this was enough.
Now was not the time or the place anyway they had a lot to work though and Gabrielle needed to be comfortable again before they crossed that road and she was fine with that. They both still had a lot of healing to do as did Lila and it would take time. She didn't think as she carried on kissing the younger woman getting lost in the sensation which in made her life worth living. She just wanted to be here right now and loose herself in the moment. They had come so far and it had been so awful at some points but it was over, the difference was that now they had grown so much closer and a lot of old fears had come to an end. She pulled away meeting her lovers forest green eyes. "I love you Gabrielle." Gabrielle gave her a smile. "Love you to Xena." She met her lips again enjoying the moment her body was tired as was her mind but she wanted to stay awake as long as possible to enjoy this. She ran her hand through the taller woman's dark hair feeling her self getting lost in the sensation which was all encompassing.
End of part 129
Silvermoonlight
This is not quite the end there are two chapters left a new one was added just to tie up the last few loose ends.
