Scary Monsters

I don't own Xena or Fiona Apple

My Internet has crashed so my online time is limited. This is internet nightmare day 7 in my battle to restore my internet.

Gabrielle slept in, which is something that she had not planned on doing. Waking up with a jolt she went down stairs to cook the morning breakfast. A little fire and some eggs, perfect for breakfast for her kids.

As she went down stairs she heard talking. She turned toward the talking and entered Xena's room. Gabrielle couldn't help but smile as she saw Xena talking to Lyceus and Ephinia.

Xena said, "I was in the farmhouse when all of a sudden the monster showed up." Xena altered the pitch of her voice to something more rough as she made a quick monster gesture aimed at scaring the kids. The kids jumped slightly startled but then laughed because they enjoyed the scare.

Ephinia asked, "Did you save mommy?"

Xena said, "No, your mother saved me, she came up behind the monster and preten….." Xena caught the look on Gabrielle's face. Clearly no mention of anything to close the events surrounded Hope should be mentioned. "Pretended to be an even bigger monster and scared it away."

Lyceus turned to Gabrielle, "Mom, did you really scare away the monster?"

Gabrielle lied, "Yes I scared him away." She could not bare to tell them about their sister, Hope. She had pretended to be Hope, the mother of the monster and that's how she really saved Xena.

Gabrielle said, "Kids I need you go play outside, so Xena and I can talk ok." The kids nodded and ran outside. Xena then said with some regret "Sorry Gabrielle, I didn't think."

Gabrielle said "It's ok, I'm waiting until they are older so they can understand it. I don't think they'll quite understand 'mommy poisoned your sister because she was evil'. Xena said "No they won't" She couldn't help but notice a single tear.

Xena never admitted it since the 'monster' killed her son, but she was impressed that the love of Gabrielle was so strong that she could love her daughter Hope despite the fact that she would have killed everyone on the planet, and even more impressed that she still worked to destroy her. No mother should ever have do what Gabrielle tried to do.

Gabrielle said, "I visit her grave sometimes, it's not marked to keep any left over Dahak worshippers from finding it and trying to turn into a temple or something, but I still visit it. But enough of that. I'm going to cook breakfast. Do you think your up to eggs?"

Xena replied sarcastically, "As long as their not black."

Gabrielle said, "Ha ha, remember you're the one who can't cook?"

Xena then said, "How do you know I didn't just fake it so I didn't have to do all the work?" Gabrielle looked at Xena smiling, then she turned and headed for the kitchen to cook some food.

Sometime later Gabrielle brought her a plate as Xena propped herself up to eat. Xena said, "I was starting to think you forgot me."

Gabrielle smiled and said, "I could never forget you." Xena's face took a more serious note.

Xena said, "There is something you need to know Gabrielle."

Gabrielle looked at Xena saying, "Yes?"

Xena said, "All these people that escaped Japans hell are looking for me. One in particular is important for you. Nigatama Sakaii was a serial killer. His specialty was killing children. I'm sorry I brought this to your family. But you need to be on guard while I'm here."

This only added to Gabrielle's worries. Already they were in danger. Xena then said "When I'm well enough, I'll leave so that I can draw them away." Gabrielle nodded her head worriedly. Xena waited for it. Waited. Then when Gabrielle said nothing Xena said not reassured "Well, lets eat."

Xena didn't say it but she was hurt. She figured that Gabrielle would try to talk her out of leaving. She wasn't going to stay and put Gabrielle and her family in danger but still she hoped her friend would try to convince her to stay.

Gabrielle didn't want to say it but she was glad Xena was going to leave. Not because she didn't love, which she did love her. But the idea of her children in danger made her queasy and full of worry.

Gabrielle then said, "I'm sorry Xena, I just don't feel hungry. I'll talk to you later."

Xena said hiding her real feelings in a jest, "Well leave you food, I haven't had a good meal, much less a meal in seven years." Gabrielle sat down the plate and walked out of the room.

Xena marveled. Gabrielle has truly settled down. She had figured that it would be a long time before she would settle down. Figuring instead fighting the good fight, making mad, the Gods the world over.

Gabrielle entered the living room as Ephinia ran in screaming. Gabrielle turned to see what was the matter. Lyceus was behind her with a small snake in his hand. Gabrielle quick thinking in that mother sort of way ran, grabbed the snake and threw it out the window as far as she could. She picked Lyceus up and smacked him once hard on the bottom.

Gabrielle demanded, "Lyceus! What were you thinking. What if you or Ephinia got bit?"

Lyceus with tears in his eyes said, "Sorry mommy, I won't do it again."

Gabrielle hugged him tightly, "Don't do it again. Don't even touch them." She let him go and went to serve them their eggs. Even as she watched them eat, she was worried. Xena in her life again, and bad people looking for her. Not the life a child should live.