Chapter Twelve

To Keep Her Safe

Gabrielle looked up at Xena from the bed she was lying on.

“Feeling any better?” Xena asked her.

Gabrielle smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

“I guess you know what happened.”

Gabrielle nodded again, then said, barely above a whisper, “I lost my baby.”

“It must have been the fall.”

“I know. I hit the ground pretty hard. But if Perdicus hadn’t….”

And then the memory and the cause of Perdicus’ death came back to her. As she began to cry, Xena sat on the edge of the bed and lifted Gabrielle up to be held and consoled. When the tears ran out, Xena slowly and gently lowered Gabrielle back down and caressing her cheek.

“Try to get some sleep,” she suggested.

Gabrielle closed her eyes, squeezing out a few more tears, then opened her eyes in alarm. “You’re not leaving are you?”

“No. I want to check on the wounded. Some of them are hurt pretty badly. Lila will stay near. If you need anything, just tell her. She’ll find me.”

Xena didn’t return to Herodotus’ house until after dark. Gabrielle was sitting at the table eating soup. When Hecuba offered Xena supper, Xena looked quickly at Herodotus, but he was occupied repairing a broken chair. After the meal, Xena was telling them about the wounded, and the town Elders’ plans for rebuilding the damaged market, and how to better protect the people of Poteidaia.

When it was time to turn in for the night Herodotus surprised them all when he suggested Xena make a pallet next to the fireplace. Everyone expected she would have to leave. Gabrielle slept with Lila. The next morning Gabrielle and Lila were allowed to sleep late while Xena and Herodotus talked.

“I suppose we all owe you a debt of gratitude,” he told her. “But on the other hand, the only reason that woman came here at all was because of you. And Perdicus wouldn’t have had to die. And our grandchild would not have been lost.”

Xena decided not to respond. His attitude wasn’t anything new. So she sat, letting him say what he needed to.