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She’s laying there, eyes darting back and forth under her eyelids.  Even now, with a life inside of her, the nightmares come in the night.  I lay my hand on her swollen stomach.  Every time I do this, it reminds me of my own child. But I also think of this unborn baby.  I feel it’s a part of me too, I love it just as if it were mine.  Our family is growing, its nothing we had planned on.
 

Her pulse is becoming quicker. Leaning close to her ear I whisper.
 

‘Shhh, everything is ok.  I’m here Xena. ”
 

She doesn’t know how often I do this for her. Her pulse begins to slow.  The nightmares are fading again; she’ll be able to sleep a little longer.  She mumbles, too low for me to hear.  I settle down on my side, facing her.  The fire light makes her skin sparkle and dance.  She’s only become more beautiful in these passing months, and her skin so much softer. I brush the hair back from her forehead, kissing the exposed skin. She tastes of salt.
 

‘Gabrielle.’  Xena mumbles, beginning to stir.
 

“Shh.  You don’t have to get up yet Xena.’  My fingers trace across her jawline.
 

“Mmm.” Is her only response.
 

‘You know Xena, we should head to the hot springs. It could really relax you.”
 

‘Mmm, sounds like a plan, but only if you give me a massage.’  She smirks, never opening her eyes.
 

‘Promise.’
 

‘You know what I could really use right now?’ She looks at me grinning.
 

‘A large animal cooking over the fire?’
 

‘Well yes that does sound good, but no.’
 

‘What then?’ Even though I’m sure I get what she’s trying to say, I ask anyway;  I just to like hear her to say it.
 

‘Hmm, you.’ Her smile turns mischievous.
 

‘I’m right here.’ I say, sweeping my arm out as if to prove that.
 

‘Did I ever tell you how much I love your hair?’
 

‘Flattery will get you anywhere you want.’ We grin at each other as I lean towards her lips. I just lightly kiss her, knowing this will frustrate the Hades out of her. Then I jump up and stretch. ‘Come on Xena, we should get moving.’ I smile as I hear the grumblings and mumblings she begins to emit.
 

‘Ok, maybe we can rest one more day.’ I drop back down next to her, a wicked grin on my face.  She attempts to scowl but is having a hard time fighting her own smile.
 

‘You’re mean. Teasing a pregnant woman.’ Her lips purse, eyebrow cocks up. I find that so cute. I shrug at her.
 

‘Do you think she can hear us?’ I caress her stomach again. I’m just mesmerized, knowing there’s a life in there.
 

‘I hope not.’ Her face scrunches up at the thought.
 

‘What, something she shouldn’t hear?’ I laugh. Xena looks at me surprised.
 

‘That time you wanted to be the slaver and me the slave.’ She looks down rubbing her belly. ‘I’m not sure that’s something I want my baby to hear.’ I can’t help it, I fall over giggling uncontrollably.
 

‘If I remember, that was your idea.’ Xena just scowls at me. I do my best serious face. ‘Yes of course, very bad.’ I nod my head fervently.
 

‘Don’t mock me.’ She’s still scowling.
 

‘Aww is my warrior princess upset.’ I tickle her belly, but she swipes my hands away.
 

‘Yes.’ She says this with a completely straight face, eyebrow cocked up.
 

‘Im sorry.’ I kiss her cheek. A smile spreads across her face. ‘You know you’re beautiful.’ I say softly, kissing her cheek again.
 

‘I’m fat.’ She grumbles.
 

‘You’re beautiful.’ I insist. I try to tell her this every day. She may be a warrior but she is still a woman. A woman with ever changing hormones; sometimes its scary. Finally she smiles at me.
 

‘Now about that animal?’

 

 

​

She’s sitting on the furs, just the barest of undergarments on, sighing and rubbing her stomach. Her skin is still glistening with water.  I can’t help but hesitate a moment and just look at her. Then she burps rather loudly and I’m not quite as mesmerized as I was. With a flask of oil in my hand, I kneel down behind her.
 

‘That’s not the smelly stuff is it?’ She doesn’t like to smell ‘pretty.’
 

‘Don’t worry. Smell free.’ I pour a little in my hand, offering it to her to verify the non smelliness. She just nods approval. ‘You know Xena, it’s ok to smell good sometimes.’
 

‘Gives you away to the enemy.’ She grumbles. I just grin, rubbing the oil into her skin and massaging the knots that seem to populate her back.
 

‘You should really let me fight more.’
 

‘I’ve got a handle on it.’ She dismisses my statement in seconds.  I stop what I’m doing, standing up to look at her.
 

‘You don’t trust me?’ At what point will she have faith in my abilities?
 

‘It’s not that?’
 

‘Then what is it?’ She looks around as if physically looking for an answer.
 

‘I trust you, of course I do.’ It’s a lie and it’s obvious. I throw my hands up in exasperation.
 

‘Xena, am I a part of your family or not?’
 

‘Of course you are.’  She struggles up to her feet reaching out to me, but I keep my distance.
 

‘Then why do you still treat me like a sidekick?’ A simple question that should have a simple answer.
 

‘I don’t know.’ She practically whispers. Not the simple answer I was looking for. I sigh, might as well give up for now.   Why argue with a pregnant woman?
 

‘Gabrielle wait.’ There’s a pained look on her face. ‘I don’t rely on people, it’s not what I do.’
 

‘But Xena.’ She puts her hand up, stopping me mid sentence.
 

‘But you’re not just anybody.’ She looks away for a second. ‘I’m afraid for my baby, I’m afraid for you.’ Her eyes are beginning to water, a tear or two manages to fall. I give up my stubbornness moving towards her,  wiping the tears that are staining her cheeks.
 

‘Xena, it’s ok.’
 

‘No it’s not.’ She grasps my hand with both of hers. ‘You are my family, I love you. I should rely on you more than I do, but it takes time.’
 

‘Xena I just want to be able to protect you and the baby.’ I shake my head at her.
 

‘I know, and I love you for that.’ Her hand caresses my face and she looks intently at me. ‘I promise to try harder.’ I sigh and stare at her a moment.
 

‘Sit down so I can finish.’ She looks confused. ‘Come on, sit down.’ I smile and help her back down, then pour some more oil into my hands. ‘Now give me your arm.’ She holds it out to me. Starting from her shoulder I run my fingers down her arm, applying just enough pressure to relieve any tension. Her eyes close, a sigh parts her lips. ‘Good?’
 

‘Uh huh.’ Her head nods but her eyes remain closed.
 

Sometimes I wonder whenever Ares pops up;  will she accept his advances? Could I lose all this to the God of War? I trust her, I do, but sometimes she doesn’t seem so certain about him. I don’t really question it but, I still worry.  Maybe I’m just paranoid.
 

‘What?’  Xena’s voice brings me out of my thoughts.
 

‘Huh?’
 

‘Whats wrong?’ I contemplate whether or not I actually want to tell her. Avoiding her eyes I act focused on her arm.

​

‘Gabrielle?’ Her hand tilts my chin up to face her.
 

‘Xena, do you love Ares?’ She gasps and sputters, face widening with surprise.
 

‘What!?’
 

‘It’s just sometimes I don’t think you hate him as much as you say.’
 

‘Gabrielle that’s crazy, it’s Ares.’ Ares; that should be explanation enough shouldn’t it? I simply shrug. ‘He’s an ego-maniacal ass. Why, why, why.’  She’s sputtering, apparently unable to find the words to finish her statement.
 

‘Well I mean if you do..’  She grasps my shoulders, shaking me slightly.  Her grip is tight and a little painful.
 

‘Are you insane!? Did you eat something, are you sick?’ She looks me up and down with a crazed look in her eyes.
 

‘It’s just a question.’ I’m pretty sure if I try to move she’ll pull my arms off. I like my arms, they can be pretty useful. Confusion begins to replace the crazed look.
 

‘Gabrielle I..I..’ She looks up as if asking the Gods for help. ‘Everything we’ve been through, I could never..’ She trails off, looking slightly hurt.
 

‘Sorry, it was just a question.’
 

‘A stupid question!’ She spits out. Xena struggles to her feet and begins to rummage for her clothes. I lean back on my elbows, just watching. I’m suddenly knocked over when a bundle hits my face.
 

‘Here.  It was going to be a surprise, but since I seem to hate you so much.’ She’s angrily pulling on her clothes, mumbling to herself. I’m a bit shocked but I untie the bundle. ‘I got it at the last town. I thought you might like it.’
 

‘Xena its beautiful.’ I stand, letting the dress unfurl from the bundle. Xena is still grumbling and mumbling. I try to touch her shoulder but she shrugs my hand off. Like I said, never argue with a pregnant woman.
 

‘Look Xena, I’m sorry.’ No response. ‘You’re my best friend first and foremost.  I just want to make sure your happy.’  Her jaw is clenching like crazy. ‘It’s beautiful, thank you.’ I can’t seem to get a truce called. She turns, an evil look spreading across her face.
 

Crap.
 

Xena suddenly advances on me, shoving me roughly against a tree.
 

‘Xena..’ I don’t get a chance to finish, her mouth crushes against mine. She bites my lip, thrusts her tongue in my mouth, and basically tries to suck the life from me. When I think I’m about to pass out she pulls away. My lips red and slightly sore.
 

‘Don’t ever ask me that again.’ Her eyes scan my body briefly before she stomps off.
 

‘So I’ll just cook something then.’ I call after her because that is the only thing that seems to come to my mind.

 

​

How does one say sorry to a very moody warrior? I might be able to get away with flowers, but only because she’s pregnant and not rational. Wait I know, find and kill the biggest game they have out here. She is always hungry.
I hear crashing and thrashing through the bushes. I know it’s Xena, but I don’t know if she’s going to kill me or not.  Just act cool. Stir the stew and act like I don’t hear her.
 

‘Gabrielle.’ Turning I see Xena standing with her sword out, chest heaving. She comes rushing over to me, crushing me in a hug. ‘I’m sorry.’
 

‘Umm.’
 

‘I’m sorry I shouldn’t have got so angry.’ Her hand is rubbing up and down the back of my head.
 

‘You don’t have to be sorry Xena, it’s my fault.’ I smile a little.
 

‘You’re always so forgiving.’ Well this mood swing is rather drastic.  She’s probably hungry.
 

‘Umm the food is done.’
 

‘Thank the Gods, I’m starving.’ She lets me go, rubbing her hands together and licking her lips. Note to self, keep Xena fed.
 

I grab a bowl, dishing a massive amount of stew into it. She snatches it out of my hands and begins shoveling it into her mouth.
 

‘Xena, you should slow down before you choke.’  Immediately she stops, looking at me embarrassed.  Slowly she lowers the bowl and makes exaggerated slow spoonful’s. I grab my forehead, wondering if she’s going to be a little more normal now. Either way I should probably apologize. I need some armor for this.
 

‘I’m sorry for asking you about Ares.’ Her eyes narrow but she keeps eating. ‘I know it’s crazy, I guess I just get a little insecure sometimes.’ She sighs, the movement of her spoon stops.
 

‘If I ever take you for granted, tell me.’ Her spoon resumes its up and down movement. I sit down next to her, laying my head on her shoulder. At least she seems calmer now.
 

As soon as she finishes, Xena lays down again. She’s asleep within seconds.  I’m pretty sure that baby is coming sooner rather than later, and I’m betting someone will be trying to kill us at that very moment too. If anything, this baby will not have a boring life, if we can manage to stay alive long enough.
 

I grab some parchment and my quill and begin to write, more for myself than anything else.
 

I wonder; is this the sort of adventure that people will tell? The one without the battles and death. Just two people living their life. Do people want to know the faults of their heroes? Find out these superhuman beings are just as fragile as everyone else? I could write about a hero that  never makes a mistake but that would be a lie. I’d rather write about the bond, the eternal trust and faith that two people can have.