“c3″> 

"I
know love, you can’t help remembering. Whatever one can say
to try to explain why this woman and others of her kind did what
she did, their reasons or explanations aren’t important.
What’s important is that it’s wrong, and that they have
to be stopped. I’m sorry you had to live through this
nightmare, love, and I know it hurts badly and it will for a long
time to come. But I also know that you’re strong, love. I
know you can do it. Try to think of something nice when the
memories get too much for you. I know you’ll be fine,
Gabrielle. I just wish you wouldn’t have to go through all of
this without me. I wish I could spend my days talking to you and
looking in your enticing eyes. I wish I could spend my nights
easing your pain. I’m sorry that I can’t be there for
you all the time."

“c3″> 

"I
love you, Xena. You know, Queen Melosa and I, we talk, a lot. I can
ask her to let you stay in here. I’m
sure…."

“c3″> 

A long finger
immediately was on her lips. "Please don’t, Gab. The
Queen’s already more than bending the rules on my behalf, by
letting me be here with you at all, giving me the freedom to come
and go. When the trial begins she will have to answer the jury
about my “c7″>behaviour. I don’t
want to make this any harder on her than it already is. I’ll
be all right, love."

“c3″> 

“c3″> 

“c3″>-x-x-x-x-

“c3″> 

“c3″> 

Xena
was about to leave the infirmary when she heard the faint sound of
a blanket being slowly pulled away and in her peripheral vision she
saw Thania trying to get out of bed. She turned around and cast her
an inquisitive glance.

“c3″> 

“c3″>"Thania, do you need something? Can I help
you?"

“c3″> 

The
girl looked at her and then sighed. "I don’t want to be
a burden. Your mate is suffering because of me. I’m not worth
suffering for. I’ll go back to my
Mistress."

“c3″> 

“c3″>"You’re wrong, Thania." The blonde woman
answered. "What you’re trying to do right now proves
that you would be worth suffering for. But you didn’t cause
my pain. My heart is bleeding for what was done to you and this is
reawakening some really bad memories. It’s not your fault.
It’s nobodies fault, really."

“c3″> 

The
young Amazon tentatively smiled at her while Xena once again tucked
her in. "Najara left the village, Thania, didn’t the
Queen tell you? She won’t hurt you ever again. She’s
gone."