In the last several hours Xander and Cordelia had done everything Xena asked of them. There were no complaints from either of them. Even when she barked orders. The woman sure knew how to command. But she also knew how to heal and slowly the wounded were being treated.

"You're a soldier." The man Xander now knew was the Motian, General Marmax said. "Why are you treating the enemy soldiers?"

"They're not my enemy, they're yours."

"They're killing us! They're trying to force us to worship their gods!"

"It may have started out that way, but it stopped being that a long time ago."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about hate. You see that woman laboring to have a baby over there? She and her husband were innocent bystanders, just passing through. Mitoan soldiers captured them. They let their dogs tear him apart in front of her and left her. A pregnant woman, in labor, alone near the body of her dead husband. They laughed at her, at him. They've gone beyond wanting freedom. Now they want blood and pain. You taught them that."

"No, that's not true. I just want peace!"

"You want these wounded soldiers to die because they're not your people. Your men are following your example."

Leaving the General to think about he said, Xander returned to helping Xena. She was trying to be everywhere at once. Having two extra sets of hands was helpful. Then he heard Xena and Marmax talking.

"Since when are you concerned with people's welfare?" Xena asked.

"That's exactly what I'm fighting for - the welfare of people!"

"And what about the Thessalians' young people?"

"You don't understand. Thessalians try to take away our right to worship our gods! They tortured our people to submit to their religion!"

"So the total annihilation of Thessaly is the only solution?"

"We're securing our freedom from these butchers!"

"You're beyond securing your freedom. You crossed that line when this became a bloodbath. We passed a Thessalian village on our way here."

"It was a supply base for their army. It was necessary to neutralize it!"

"Neutralize it? There wasn't a living thing in sight- not man, nor woman, nor child. Who's the butcher now, Marmax?"

"Can you help me?" A man asked Xander.

"I can try, what's wrong?"

"My son is out there. He was hiding when they took me away." Xander remembered this from the show, this was where Gabrielle was wounded on the show. But in this real life version, she'd been injured earlier. The little boy was out there and needed help. "Where is he?

"Hiding in a stand of trees near the river."

"Where's the river?"

"Not far, on the other side of the grove."

"I'll get him."

Cordelia was helping Xena when she over heard the General talking to Ephiny.

"Is it true, Mitoan soldiers killed your husband?"

"Yes, they laughed while their dogs tore him apart."

"Why are you here?"

"Phantes and I were on our way to Athens. We wanted the baby to be born there, they're more tolerant. Phantes was once my sworn enemy, then I learned forgiveness and from that I learned love. I just hope my child grows up to live in a world free from your blind hatred."

"You despise me for this."

"I don't despise you. But you've got to think of the children. Is bloodshed all you want them to know? Ohhh!" Ephiny cried as another labor pain shook her.

Then Xander came in carrying a little boy and dragging a man by his shirt collar behind him.

"That's one of my men!" Marmax exclaimed.

"He tried to kill me. Don't worry, he'll live. I've killed enough people today." Xander said shortly. "I was just trying to help the kid. The soldier certainly didn't care about him. He attacked without provocation, simply because I'm not Mitoan. We're not supposed to be fighting each other, you know. There are more then enough monsters in the world that we don't need to become monsters ourselves. He's just unconscious. A little bump on the head." Xander dropped the man in the corner where other Mitoans were hanging out and took the boy to his father. He smiled when he saw the two joyfully hug each other.

That's when Gabrielle started thrashing around. Gods, it was happening just like on the show, even though Gabrielle had been hurt at a different time.

When Ephiny screamed Xander turned toward Xena. "Xena, it's time, you're the only one who can save that baby."

Xena's eyes jerked back and forth, help her friend or save the baby. Xena reluctantly let go of Gabrielle and moved towards Ephiny. After touching Ephiny's belly, she realized Xander was right, the baby was too big and was turned wrong. She could feel a hoof down low. She hypnotized Ephiny and began a caesarian. And then Gabrielle stopped breathing.

"She's not breathing!" One of the priests yelled. Xander began CPR.

"What are you doing?" Marmax exclaimed. "She's dead, let her cross over!"

"Her soul hasn't left her body yet. There's a chance, I've done it before!"

"Xander, it's not going to work!" Cordelia said suddenly. "Things are different! A different solution is needed!"

"You let her die and I'll kill you myself!" Xena warned.

A different solution. Xander remembered a medical drama he'd seen, shocking the heart. A shock from a Tesla had stopped his heart. A shock could restart Gabrielle's. A shock, how? He stopped CPR and reached into the dimensional pocket where his Hammer was. He had to control it. Just a small shock, a small lightening bolt. Was it even possible? He steadied himself and called the lightening. A small bolt struck Gabrielle. Nothing. He tried again. She sucked in a deep breath. "Oh, thank you Thor, it worked!"

A/N The website The Naked Scientist says it's theoretically possible for lightening to start a heart. If the lightening bolt hits it in the right way and in the right manner. Theoretically. It's never happened in real life, as far as I know.