"I have no choice. So yes, I can live
with it."

"Artemis?"

"I guess so. However as my chosen
one…"

"I know. But make sure that they are
emergencies, okay?"

Xena came running through the front door. The
three relatives looked on in astonishment, wondering what was going
on. Xena gathered her thoughts together. "Um, Artemis
disappeared and I thought that there might be trouble in here. Is
everything okay?"

Gabrielle, Apollo and Artemis looked at one
another. "They will be Xena," the bard stated, "they
will be."

Fall had turned to winter and winter into
spring. The Amazon Queen and Warrior Princess packed their saddle
bags onto their horses.

After making sure everything was secured, they
turned to say their good-byes to their family. Hecuba handed the
bard a bag full of food. "Are you sure you won't stay? You
two really need to think about settli…"

"Mother, don't." Gabrielle gave
her a hug. "Besides, Xena and I are going stir crazy around
here. This is the longest we ever been in one place."

"You be careful out there, and do not get
into too much trouble." Hecuba pulled her eldest into a big
hug. Hecuba then turned her attention to Xena. "And you, you
better make sure that the both of you come back safe and sound for
your bonding ceremony."

Xena smiled at the older woman. "Nothing
could stop us from showing up. Goodbye Hecuba." Hecuba pulled
Xena into a similar hug.

"Better not," Lila chimed,
"I've spent too much time planning this event
out."

"Be quiet Lila." Sophia turned her
attention to her favorite couple. Once again she had to say
good-bye. "Hey you two, don't be such strangers,
okay?" She grabbed her guardian pendant. "Aphrodite knows
where to find me, so just call her."

Xena chuckled. "So she took you back I
see."

"Yes, but she said this better be the
last time I quit. But she said I could take more
vacations."

Gabrielle hugged her childhood friend.
"Thanks again Sophia. Always watching over me huh?"

Sophia squeezed harder. "Always."
She then released Gabrielle as she gazed at Xena. Unspoken words
passed between the two friends. Sophia grabbed Xena's forearm,
but Xena wasn't having any of it, and grabbed the guardian into
a bear hug. "Thanks."

Sophia nodded. "You know what I'm
going to say."

Xena smiled. "And you know how I'm
going to respond."

Sophia blinked back the tears that threatened
to fall. "You two take care of each other."

Gabrielle and Xena walked over to their horses
and hopped on, riding out of Amazonia territory. As soon as they
crossed the border, Gabrielle exclaimed, "Alone at
last!"

Xena snickered. "Yes, but for how
long?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, remember when you told me that
Apollo was allowed to visit on special occasions. My dear that
includes holidays as well. Do you realize how many Amazonian
holidays there are?"

"And that is the reason why we are
leaving Amazonia. They celebrate those holidays there, we don't
have too."

"Yes, but you are forgetting one
important fact." The Warrior Princess pointed to her lover.
"You are Amazon Queen no matter where you are, and you carry
those traditions with you no matter where you go, so technically,
Apollo can pop in on us."

"He wouldn't."

"He would."

"Couldn't."

"Could."

"Can't.

"Can."

"Won't."

"Will."

"Xena, this isn't about clouds or
stars, but Apollo."

Xena smiled. "Yep."

The bard pulled back on Horse as she realized
that Xena was right. "Oh no."

Xena looked back at her future wife.
"Told you so."

THE END

Yes, this is the end of "Sins of the
Father" series (Thank God). I hoped that you have enjoyed the
ride. If you have, let me know. If you haven't, let me know. In
other words, e-mail me. Thanks to

all the folks at Ex-Guards for helping me out
on this one.

PSS– This is only the beginning folks.Sophia,
Xena, Gabrielle and the rest of the gang are just getting warmed
up.A new series (called “Beginning Again”) is on its
way.

Written and ©Copyrighted by: Paully
Adams

September 5, 2001