Note: Trying to work on all my stories. Slow going as I've got stuff going on. Sorry. :{

Pieces Together 8

Caesar is standing in front of me with his smug look, casually biting into an apple. He's asking me something but I can't hear the words. I respond, but I can't understand what I'm saying. It's bad, I know it's bad whatever it is; I shouldn't be saying it.

'Gabrielle!' Xena is screaming my name and shaking me violently awake.

'What?' I'm groggy and confused by her panic.

'What did you tell him?'

'Who?' What's going on, I was just sleeping wasn't I?

'Caesar. What did you tell Caesar!?' Her grip on my arms is digging deep into my skin.

'Nothing. I can't remember. I don't know.' So much of the time was spent in some sort of delusional state. Xena growls, practically throwing me back onto the bed. 'What?!'

'You told him!' She's accusing me.

'Told him what?'

'You told him about Solan!' She's screaming in my face now.

'What?'

'You talk in your sleep!' Xena begins pulling her leathers on.

'Wait Xena..'

'No, shut up!' She stuns me into silence; my eyes immediately sting with tears. It takes seconds for her to gather her gear and run out of the room; and seconds for me to break down into sobs. Minutes later Cyrene comes running into the room, clearly confused as she doesn't even know who Solan is.

'Gabrielle?' She's rubbing my back, trying to calm me enough so I can speak. It's an impossible task as I can barely even breath. I didn't even know I had told him anything. I wouldn't have told him but I was delirious from a lack of water. I was weak and he took full advantage of it. Xena has every right to hate me; and if anything happens to Solan… Even if nothing happens to him, I don't blame Xena if I never see her again.

Eventually I fall into a fitful sleep plagued with nightmares. I wake up sweating, my body aching even more than before. Cyrene is still by my side so I don't think I've been asleep long.

'Here, drink this.' She hands me some tea.

'Cleon?'

'I've given him some goats milk, he's sleeping.' I sigh, awkwardly getting off the bed to transfer into a chair. 'Are you ready to tell me why my daughter ran out of here like Hades was on her heels?' I nod slowly, not sure if I should really tell her.

'When I was captured, I told Caesar something I shouldn't have.' I sip the bitter liquid, trying to keep myself from crying.

'But surely Xena doesn't blame you for anything?' She looks shocked and confused.

'I told him about Xena's son Solan.'

'What?' Her voice is a trembling whisper.

'She had a child when she was still a warlord. She gave him up so he could have a normal life.' Cyrene has gone silent, a first for her. 'Xena's never going to forgive me.'

'She has a son?' She's looking somewhere else, I can only imagine what she's thinking. 'And she never told me?' That's it, she gets up and leaves with a flourish; leaving me alone once more. Well if Xena didn't hate me before, she definitely does now.

The days go by so slowly. I'm not even sure how many pass before I finally see Xena and Hercules sauntering back slowly down the road. One thing I don't see is Solan; but I'm hoping it's because he's safe somewhere else.

My hopes are dashed as I see Xena's face; grim and angry and avoiding my eyes. Hercules gives me a small smile and a hug as he dismounts, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and leading me back toward the house.

'We were too late.' His deep voice is just above a whisper. I can't contain the gasp that bursts forth. He's shaking his head at me, not letting me look back at Xena. 'This isn't your fault Gabrielle, but she is angry.'

'This is all my fault.' My hands clasp over my mouth. We should leave, she's not going to want to see us ever again. I want to hold her and comfort her, but I know she hates me. 'I should leave.' I try to pull away from his grasp.

'No, I wont let you. That's not going to solve anything.'

'But if I don't, she will. It's better if she stays.' If Xena leaves she'll only get herself killed.

'I won't let her leave either. Don't worry.' He gives me a small reassuring smile.

I'm not so sure as I watch Xena, silent and brooding, lead the horses into the small stable. Her posture is telling everyone to stay away; I don't even think she'd want to touch Cle at the moment, he'd probably remind Xena of her own son. It might be best for me to just stay out of her way, no matter how much I want to invade her space and pull her into my arms.

'No.' Is all I say to Cyrene, shaking my head sadly as I walk by the small kitchen. I pick Cle up off the floor and retreat back to a small bedroom in the very back corner. We had been sleeping in a bigger room, but somehow this feels more appropriate. I'm still trying to recover from my ordeal, my body is refusing to heal very quickly.

Laying Cle next to me on the tiny bed, I curl my body around his and close my eyes. I'm not going to sleep but my head is aching and this relieves it somewhat. I want to cry, but I wont let myself, not yet. Cle is fussing beside me, but only because he needs a nap. When will things be normal? Will they ever?

'Why are you in here?' Her voice is soft but full of pain. My head pop up, I can't contain the surprise that she's standing there.

'I didn't think you'd want to see me.' My words are somewhat stuttered and I almost don't get them out.' She's looking at me, nearly unreadable but her eyes scream sadness.

'Why?'

'It's my fault.' Her head drops and I see a tear fall to the floor. Then she moves, squeezing in against me on the tiny bed, her body molding against mine as her arm wraps around my waist. She buries her head in the back of my neck and I can feel the hot tears stinging my skin. 'I'm sorry.' I whisper. But she can't talk right now; all she can do is mourn.