It was early in the morning as Xena began to stir. She almost always awoke as the sun was raising and finished her typical morning routine before even attempting to wake Gabrielle. Though these days Xena would let Gabrielle sleep longer due to her needing to recover. So after finishing her regular routine, Xena took care of Aurora and brought the baby with her as she headed to the mess hall to get some food for both herself and Gabrielle. As she was getting the food Fauna spotted her and walked over.
FAUNA
Good morning Xena.
XENA
Oh hey Fauna.
Fauna looked at the baby and food items in Xena's arms.
FAUNA
Looks like you've got you're hands full. You need some help?
Xena looked at the squirming baby as she sighed.
XENA
Sure. Here, you can take her.
Fauna took Aurora from Xena as she greeted to little girl with some baby talk. She then followed Xena back to their house. As Xena fixed Gabrielle's breakfast Fauna offered to put Aurora in her crib, which Xena told her to go ahead. So Fauna headed upstairs to put the baby down. And since Aurora slept in Xena and Gabrielle's room, Fauna figured she'd see how Gabrielle was doing and say hi. As Fauna entered the room it seemed as though Gabrielle was still asleep. So she made sure to stay quiet as she placed Aurora in her crib.
FAUNA
(Whisper) There you go little princess.
GABRIELLE
(Mumbling) Xena...
Hearing Gabrielle's voice Fauna turned around.
FAUNA
Sorry didn't mean to wake you. Xena's down stairs, she'll be right up.
GABRIELLE
(Mumbling) Xena...
Fauna walked over to the bed and saw that Gabrielle's eyes were barely open.
FAUNA
Gabrielle did you need something?
Gabrielle didn't say anything as she layed there. As Fauna took a better look at Gabrielle she noticed that she seemed kind of pale.
FAUNA
Hey are you okay?
Fauna reached out a placed her hand on Gabrielle's forehead.
FAUNA
Sweet Artemis you're burning up.
GABRIELLE
(Mumbling) Xena...
FAUNA
Hold on I'll go get her.
Fauna hurried to the hallway and stood halfway down the stairs.
FAUNA
Xena!
XENA
I'm coming, I'm coming.
Xena walked out of the kitchen with a tray of food for Gabrielle. She stopped when she saw the worried look on Fauna's face.
XENA
What'?
FAUNA
I'm not sure but I think something's wrong with Gabrielle.
Xena put the tray on the table next to her as she moved past Fauna and rushed back upstairs with Fauna following. Xena entered the bedroom and went to Gabrielle's side of the bed.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle just muttered Xena's name again but didn't seem to register that Xena was right next to her.
FAUNA
It seems like she's got a fever.
Hearing the information, Xena placed her hand on Gabrielle's forehead, a felt just how warm she was. Confirming that she was indeed running a pretty high fever. As she looked Gabrielle over, Xena also noticed that she was pale, covered in sweat and had a foggy look in her eyes. She could also tell that her breathing was slightly labored.
GABRIELLE
...Xena
XENA
Shhh it's okay Gabrielle I'm right here.
Xena brushed Gabrielle's bangs off her forehead as Gabrielle finally seemed to register that Xena was there.
GABRIELLE
I'm cold, could you get me another blanket?
Fauna walked over and spoke to Xena.
FAUNA
Did she just say she was cold?
XENA
Yeah it sometimes happens when a person's running a high fever. Their body will be overheating but they'll still feel as though they're cold.
Xena sighed.
XENA
Fauna you think could watch Aurora for a bit while I bring Gabrielle to the healers. It'll be easier then going there myself and bringing back stuff.
FAUNA
That's no problem.
XENA
Thanks.
With that Xena pulled the blanket off Gabrielle a felt how damp the blanket was from Gabrielle's sweat and silently cursed herself for not noticing the state Gabrielle was in sooner.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) How could I have missed this. There's no way this could've happened in only the time since I left. Damn it.
Xena picked Gabrielle up and felt her shivering.
GABRIELLE
So cold.
XENA
I know. I'm gonna fix that soon, I promise.
Xena turned and carried Gabrielle down stairs and outside. As she walked towards the healers building a number of villagers saw her and became concerned.
AMARICE
Was that Xena carrying Gabrielle to the healers?
CORA
I think so.
AMARICE
I hope she's okay.
WILLOW
I'm gonna go see what's going on. Maybe I can help.
Willow jogged off to the healers. Inside Xena already had Gabrielle laying on a bed and giving orders for various things so she could bring Gabrielle's fever down and figure out what was wrong with her. As Xena began working she heard Willow's voice behind her.
WILLOW
I have some medical knowledge if there's anything you need me to do.
Xena glanced back for a moment before returning her attention to Gabrielle.
XENA
Get me some cold water so I can get this fever down.
Willow did just that and helped Xena run cool cloths over Gabrielle's body who shivered more as she felt the cold water hit her skin. After somewhat reducing Gabrielle's fever, Xena began examining her to find the source of the problem. Though she already had an idea. Fevers were the bodies natural response to fighting off foreign threats such as colds or infections. Which was why one of the first things Xena checked was where Gabrielle was stabbed by Celine. As she looked at the wound, Xena saw that it appeared to be healing and didn't see any redness or any other signs that the wound itself had gotten infected. Though it still didn't rule out infection as a problem completely. Or anything else that might be the cause of Gabrielle's symptoms. All while Xena and Willow worked, Gabrielle continued to mumble for a bit. Finally after some time Gabrielle went quiet and her fever appeared to be going down. Xena felt a bit of relief but knew that Gabrielle wasn't out of trouble just yet. She would have to wait and see if they had fixed the problem by giving Gabrielle some herbal remedies for fighting infection. And hoped that would solve the issue. So after Gabrielle fell asleep Xena carried her back home an put her to bed after putting clean, dry blankets down. Then after thanking Fauna for watching Aurora, the Amazon left and let Xena tend to Gabrielle. After a few hours Gabrielle woke up and saw Xena sitting in bed nest to her.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Xena?
Hearing Gabrielle's voice Xena looked at her.
XENA
Hey. How you feeling?
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Tired.
XENA
Then you just keep resting.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) What happened?
XENA
You had a fever caused by an infection. But I'm pretty sure we took care of that. You should be just fine now.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Okay.
XENA
You need anything?
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Just you.
Xena smiled as she put her arm around Gabrielle and felt Gabrielle lay her head on her chest.
XENA
Better?
Gabrielle nodded. It wasn't long until Gabrielle fell back to sleep as Xena held her. Unaware that the days events were merely a foreshadow of what was to soon come.
TO BE CONTINUED...