?
Gabrielle? Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
Huh.
Gabrielle looked at Ephiny who was seated against a tree after hearing the Amazon calling her name.
GABRIELLE
Sorry Ephiny. Are the pains getting worse? Is there something I can do?
EPHINY
No. It's about the same as it's been.
Ephiny took a breath as she got through another contraction and shifted slightly to try and get a little more comfortable where she was sitting, as she and Gabrielle waited for Xena to return from scouting out the wartorn area that the trio had unfortunately wandered into at the wrong time.
EPHINY
But maybe that's a question I should be asking you.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean?
EPHINY
Come on Gabrielle, I know we don't see each other often but I can still tell when you're not acting like yourself. So, do you wanna talk about what's on your mind?
GABRIELLE
I don't know what to say.
Gabrielle sighed as she walked over and sat beside the Amazon.
GABRIELLE
It's Xena. She. I mean I...
The young woman paused not knowing what to say as she leaned back as she looked up at the sky leaving Ephiny to try and piece together what she was trying to say.
EPHINY
I wouldn't worry too much Gabrielle. I know she's your friend but this is Xena we're talking about here. I'm sure she'll be fine.
Gabrielle shook her head slightly.
GABRIELLE
It's not that I'm worried.
Gabrielle returned her eyes toward Ephiny who she could tell didn't believe her.
GABRIELLE
Okay, maybe I am a little. But that's not anything different from normal.
EPHINY
Then what? Are things not going well between you two?
GABRIELLE
What? No. Things have been great.
Gabrielle smiled softly as she looked down at her foot.
GABRIELLE
Even if I did injure my ankle not too long ago.
Finding herself confused by Gabrielle's expression as the younger woman talked about getting hurt, Ephiny quietly waited a moment for Gabrielle to continue.
GABRIELLE
But you should've seen how Xena took care of me when I got hurt. She didn't even think twice before she was doing everything she could to make sure I was comfortable.
The young woman chuckled slightly.
GABRIELLE
She actually does stuff like that all the time. She always seems more than willing to do things just to make me happy. Even if it sometimes means she has to go out of her way. Xena's just so caring and thoughtful like that. And that's on top of everything else she does with helping all the other people we inevitably come across. You know Xena really is amazing. I'm lucky to be her friend.
Ephiny watched as Gabrielle finished speaking and her smile faded and she began to have suspicions as to what might be bothering the young woman.
EPHINY
But you wish you were something more.
Gabrielle nodded slightly.
EPHINY
I'm guessing you haven't told Xena how you feel.
GABRIELLE
No.
EPHINY
Why not? I never would've taken you to be shy about anything.
GABRIELLE
I'm not. I just... I'm worried that if I do tell her, everything between us will change and if she doesn't feel the same...
Gabrielle paused, not wanting to finish the thought.
EPHINY
You don't wanna risk losing her as a friend.
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
Ephiny winced as she felt another contraction and Gabrielle's focus shifted back to making sure her friend was okay, as she looked out for any sign of Xena so they could get Ephiny somewhere safe.
GABRIELLE
But that's not important right now. Just hang in there a little longer Ephiny. Hopefully Xena will be back soon and we can get you and your baby somewhere safe.
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GABRIELLE
You don't think they'll attack a temple do you?
XENA
That's the hope.
Both Xena and Gabrielle helped Ephiny down from Argo's saddle where she had been riding, after Xena came to get her and Gabrielle once she had finished her analysis of the situation surrounding the war.
GABRIELLE
And what about him?
Gabrielle nodded toward the injured high ranking soldier that Xena had come back with.
XENA
Don't worry about that, I'll deal with him later.
Xena glanced over at the captive and got a scowl from the man in return as he tried to hide the pain from the stab wound in his shoulder that he received from the warrior woman.
XENA
First let's get Ephiny inside.
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Inside of the temple, Gabrielle helped Ephiny into a bed as Xena attempted to drag the captured soldier in behind her until he pulled away.
XENA
Oh no, Marmax, you're not going anywhere.
The warrior swiftly grabbed his armor and shoved him ahead.
XENA
(Stern tone) You stand there and don't even think about trying anything.
MARMAX
Are you insane?! I'm a Mitoan! This is a Thessalian healing temple.
XENA
Well, you need to be healed, don't you? So you're going in.
MARMAX
You obviously know nothing of war. The Thessalians are the enemy of the Mitoans. They'll kill me on sight!
XENA
Don't be ridiculous, these people won't kill you.
The dark-haired woman gripped Marmax's shoulder and moved forward. Forcibly pushing him further into the temple.
XENA
(Dry tone) You're good slave material.
GUARD
Hault.
Hearing the voice, the small group stopped as Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny and Martax looked to see a large armored man approach them.
GUARD
This is a place of worship, what brings you here?
XENA
We have an injured man and a pregnant woman who need assistance.
The guard looked at the group and then behind him at the large room that was already full of injured people who had been displaced by the ongoing conflict before returning his attention to Xena.
GUARD
Well as you can see we have a lot on our hands here already and we're running short on people able to do anything.
GABRIELLE
Well ,two of us here don't need any medical attention. So we caould help.
The guard studied Gabrielle then Xena for a moment, as he weighed his opinions before deciding and turning around.
GUARD
This way.
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Inside the temple was a chaotic scene as Xena and Gabrielle checked on Ephiny's condition.
XENA
Here. How're you holding up?
Xena eased the Amazon down to the bed.
EPHINY
Not good. I'm so tired and my soul feels like it's been sliced by a razor.
XENA
I'm sorry Ephiny, I know Phantes is gone, but what you and he created is within you, ready to come
out into the world. You have to go on.
GABRIELLE
Don't forget you're not alone. Your friends and your family are right here with you.
EPHINY
My Family?
GABRIELLE
Hey, I'm you sister Amazon, remember?
A small smile managed to work its way onto Ephiny's face
GABRIELLE
You have nothing to worry about Ephiny. Xena and I will take care of you.
Though feeling a bit of relief that Ephiny was safe for the time being, the comforting moment was quickly interrupted when a painful cry rang through the temple, which caught Xena and Gabrielle's attention, causing the pair to finally take in just how dire the situation within the crowded safe haven was as Gabrielle looked around at the numerous injured people that were occupying the beds, chairs and even places on the floor.
XENA
Gabrielle, stay with Ephiny, I'm gonna go see what I can do.
Xena moved through the chaotic scene looking for whoever needed to be tended to first when a man's painful cry caught her attention, and she hurried over to where a priest that was trying to move an injured man.
XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) Put him down! Can't you see he's in terrible pain?
The priest looked at Xena.
?
But we need to move him to the altar so the gods can heal him.
Xena sighed in annoyance of how many people put what she believed to be far too much faith in the gods for anything. Especially since in her own personal experience the gods in general were always more of a hindrance than anything. And that was if they even bothered with humanity at all.
XENA
What's your name?
HIPPOCRATES
I'm Hippocrates.
XENA
Well, Hippocrates, a man with a wound like this shouldn't be moved.
HIPPOCRATES
But Aesclepius, the God of Medicine, has to grant Galen with the knowledge and Medicine on the ltar! So we have to move him, it's Galen's orders
Xena looked over to see another man dressed in priest robes standing near the altar.
XENA
Is that Galen?
HIPPOCRATES
Yes.
The raven-haired woman swiftly marched over to the priest.
XENA
That injured man you ordered to be placed on the altar can't be moved.
The priest looked at the woman confused.
GALEN
And who are you?
XENA
Someone who's spent a lot of time healing on the battlefield. And you could help a lot more people if you spent more time with them and less with your god.
Galen scoffed.
GALEN
Am I supposed to believe some random harlot knows more about healing than the priests of Aesclepius?
Xena scowled at the man's pompous attitude.
XENA
(Irritated tone) This one does.
More shouting broke the tense moment between them as Xena's attention was pulled to a man with an arrow lodged in his throat and quickly moved to try and save him as she called over Gabrielle to help. As the day continued on Xena took over giving instructions to the priests and any other able-bodied people in an effort to help as many people as they could. Even if it weighed heavily on some when there were some patients who were too bad of shape to be saved.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
GALEN
(Angry tone) You vile woman! What have you done to my temple?!
XENA
Is there a problem?
Xena looked up from the injured woman she was working on as the enraged priest stormed up to her.
GALEN
(Angry tone) You have a Mitoan on our altar! And you're murdering our soldiers!
Galen looked to the soldiers he brought over.
GALEN
(Angry tone) She must be stopped!
Pointing at Xena, the priest ordered the soldiers to force her out of the temple. Ready to defend herself, Xena reached over her shoulder for her sword but when she didn't find it there she was reminded that she had used it to brace a broken leg, earlier and was forced to duck out of the way of one of the soldiers swings as she shifted to taking down the soldiers unarmed. A punch to the face of one and a knee to the stomach followed by an elbow to the back of another man's neck after he was forced to bend forward, she easily dropped two of her attackers. Another soldier charged her, and Xena stopped his attack with one hand and grabbed a handful of his hair with the other before forcing his head down as she swiftly raised her knee and drove it straight into the center of his face breaking his nose and knocking him to the floor. Then standing there amongst the crumpled soldiers, Xena set her sights on the priest who had sicked them on her.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) If you want me out of here Galen, you're gonna have to do better than that. Or do you like seeing people die?
GALEN
(Angry tone) I am a priest of Aesclepius, I've devoted my life to stop human suffering. You're the one who stormed in here with your absurd ideas on healing and an appalling lack of respect for the gods!
XENA
(Angry tone) What you do isn't healing. All you do is sit and wait for some god to help out when he feels like it, while the sick and injured who come to you for help die.
The priest stood there in silence for a moment not knowing how to respond as Xena's attention was again drawn to a more pressing matter at hand when she heard someone else shouting.
GABRIELLE
I can't stop the bleeding!
The young woman began to panic as she pressed the cloth she held tighter against a man's deep wound as Xena moved to stand on the other side of the bed to help.
XENA
Tie it off and then get a bandage on it tight.
Gabrielle quickly did as Xena instructed, and then continued trying to stop the bleeding until she noticed that the man had stopped breathing.
GABRIELLE
No... Breathe. Come on... Breathe.
The young woman began shaking the still man as she continued to try to wake him.
GABRIELLE
Come on... Breathe. Breathe!
XENA
Gabrielle, stop.
Xena placed her hand over Gabrielle's and stopped her from continuing.
XENA
(Soft tone) Stop. It's over, you have to let him go.
The blonde lowered her head in defeat for a moment before raising her tearful eyes to look at the other woman.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) But why? We worked so hard. We did everything we could but why wasn't it still not enough?
XENA
It's not your fault Gabrielle. He lost too much blood. There wasn't anything that anyone could do
GALEN
See, I told you that only Aesclepius can choose who lives and dies. Maybe now you'll finally pay proper respect to his almighty power.
Xena scowled as the priest walked over to her.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Your god had nothing to do with it.
(Somber tone) He lost too much blood. It's as simple as that.
GALEN
And you can't heal that, now can you?
XENA
(Somber tone) No, I can't.
Satisfied that he had appeared to have proven his point, Galen walked off leaving Xen,a who pushed her own emotions about the situation aside, and instead turned her focus to Gabrielle who was just standing next to the man they couldn't save.
XENA
Come on.
Feeling Xena put a hand on her upper back, Gabrielle took her eyes off the body she'd been staring at to look at the warrior woman.
XENA
Let's go sit down. Things are running smoothly for the moment so I think we can take a break.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) I'm sorry Xena. I tried. I really did.
XENA
It wasn't your fault. Death's an inevitable part of this work. That's just something you're gonna have to get used to.
GABRIELLE
I know. Sometimes it's just hard to remember that. But I'm not gonna give up in trying to do whatever I can to help these people.
Giving Gabrielle's shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze, Xena smiled slightly as they spent the next few moments in silence before Xena realized she had been staring at the other woman, and moved her hand away.
XENA
I should get back to work. If you're up to it, why don't you go check on some of the people who've been worked on and see how they're doing.
GABRIELLE
Sure.
Xena watched Gabrielle stand up and walk away as the high ranking officer, Marmax, came over to where she still stood.
XENA
You know people like us can learn a lot from people like her.
MARMAX
Indeed. She's a lovely young woman.
Xena kept her eyes on Gabrielle for another few moments as the soldier stood next to her also watching the blonde.
XENA
Yes, she is.
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It was getting late in the day as Gabrielle made her way through a series of beds to check on people when she was stopped by a man who had grabbed her arm in obvious desperation
WOUNDED MAN
Miss, please. Someone has to go out there and get my little boy. Please. He wasn't brought in. He's still out there, alone. Someone has go get him.
GABRIELLE
Okay. Where is he?
WOUNDED MAN
He was by the stand of trees, near the river. I told him to hide there when I saw the enemy coming our way.
Gabrielle put her hand on the man's forearm to try and comfort him.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry, I'll find him.
HEAD WOUND MAN
Thank you.
And with that Gabrielle left the temple to search for the missing boy in the hopes that it wouldn't be too late.
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Unaware of Gabrielle leaving due to being kept busy taking care of a series of serious injuries that had recently been brought into the temple, Xena looked up from the patient she was just finishing working on when she heard a commotion and saw what she figured was yet another batch of injured people being brought in.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Is there no end to them?
Xena watched for a moment as more people filled in until she saw a man push through the crowd as he called for someone to help while carrying a battered, limp body in his arms that caused Xena's heart to sink when she saw who the man was holding in his arms.
XENA
Gabrielle.
TO BE CONTINUED...