Kindred Spirit Lodge Presents
God-Fearing Child:
The Missing Scene
by MerryAngel
2004
____****____
DISCLAIMERS: I just borrowed the characters of Xena and Gabrielle. They belong to Renaissance/MCA/Universal, and are used without permission. Bacchus has always belonged to himself and he owns the Bacchae, heart and soul. No copyright infringement is intended. The rest of the tale is mine with all copyrights thereto.
Subtext/Love Disclaimer: Yep. They are in love with each other.
Timeline: This takes place right after 'God-Fearing Child and before 'Eternal Bonds'.
You can e-mail me with your comments, questions, concerns, criticism, or whatever at: MeryAngel@aol.com
Synopsis: This scene came to me after watching
God-fearing Child: It's a bit of conversation I think Gabrielle and Hercules
had after the birth of Xena's baby...
GOD-FEARING CHILD:
THE MISSING SCENE...
By MerryAngel
___________________
"Her name is Eve," Xena informed them both while looking at her newly born daughter.
"You've already named her?" Gabrielle asked, surprised and a little hurt at not being included in the naming of their child. For Gabrielle truly did feel that this baby was hers and Xena's.
Xena nodded. "Solan did when we were in Tartarus."
Hercules watched the newly formed family curiously. He knew he should leave gracefully and give them a chance to bond, but he still needed to talk to someone about what happened. And who better than the bard he called friend.
Gabrielle had matured considerably since their very first meeting. He remembered the chatty youngster, fondly. She had so many questions... But he didn't like talking about himself. He'd rather face down a herd of cattle or bandits than talk about himself or his feelings. He had changed some since then, too.
He caught Gabrielle's eyes and signaled his request. She was reluctant to leave her family but knew her extended family need a serious talk.
They stood and walked down the path together, leaving mother and baby to get acquainted. They walked in silence for a bit before Gabrielle broke the still air. Hercules mused to himself that some things hadn't change, it was the bard who still broke the silences between them. "I'm really sorry about your father, Hercules," Gabrielle was saying, echoing Xena's earlier words.
He nodded. "I know. I know. Me, too," he haltingly stated. He looked up at the sky wondering if the gods had their own Elyisian Fields and Tartarus. He looked down again. He didn't think so. He didn't know where they went... 'Probably just stopped existing completely,' he thought to himself. 'That's probably why they gave themselves immortality and hoped no one tried to use the few existing methods to kill gods on them.'
He looked at Gabrielle who was surprisingly quiet through all his musings. "I really do wish there had been another way, too, Gabrielle. No matter his misdeeds, he was still my father and I loved him."
They fell silent again. With a sudden jerky motion Hercules stopped, coming to a definite revelation. "Gabrielle," he put his hand on her shoulders, stopping her, too. "I want you to know that I love her. I would do anything for her... to protect her and her baby..."
"Me, too, Hercules," Gabrielle agreed.
He paused a moment, "That goes for you, too. You're a part of my family now, too. I know you love Xena as much as, and maybe more than, I do..."
Gabrielle nodded, "Thank you Hercules. It means a lot to me."
"Take care of her. Love her and do all that you can to protect her..." Herc paused and put a large hand over her mouth when she tried to protest. "I know. Xena can take care of herself but remember, she's got a lot more on her mind these days and a bit more to distract her," he paused again this time for effect. "Not that you weren't enough of a distraction."
Gabrielle looked at him in surprise.
"You obviously don't see yourself when you're fighting. You were looking pretty sexy out there. It's a wonder Xena hasn't had her head cut off. But I guess years of being a warlord has taught her some things," he grinned at the blushing bard.
She soft punched him in the arm and grinned back. "Where are you off to now?" she asked.
He looked toward the setting sun. "I don't know... maybe home for a while, though there isn't much for me there. How about you and Xena?"
Gabrielle shrugged. "I'm sure we'll find some village or other in dire need of our help. But I have a feeling Xena's going to want to head home at some point. I don't think Cyrene will forgive either of us if we don't at least introduce her to her granddaughter."
They both chuckled at that. Herc had met Cyrene while on one of his many adventures and [assing through Amphipolis. It had so happened that Xena and Gabrielle were there, too, for some festival or other. He got the shock of his life when Xena had introduced the inn-and-tavernkeeper as her mother Cyrene was equally surprised to be introduced to the demi-god.
"Yeah, you're right," he said, coming out of his memory. "Who knew Xena had a mom almost as feisty as she was."
Gabrielle smiled at his accurate description of Cyrene. Hercules paused awkwardly, then hugged Gabrielle, whispering in her ear, "Take real good care of her, the baby, and yourself, okay? And if you or she needs anything, don't hesitate to send word to me."
Gabrielle nodded, too choked up with the emotions to say anything. As they parted and Herc started down the path alone, Gabrielle called out, "Take care of yourself, too, Herc!"
He waved as he walked on, not looking back for one moment, knowing that if he did, he'd never leave their sides again.
Gabrielle watched him fade against the orange hue, knowing his profound hurt and that there was nothing she could have done to stop the situation. Zeus was determined to kill her beloved's baby and neither one of them could have allowed much less survived that.
She walked back to her love's side. "Hercules go on all right?" Xena asked as she breast fed her daughter and curled her free arm around her partner.
Gabrielle snuggled into the embrace, nodding, "Yeah. I think he needs time alone to think about what happened and the consequences. But he'll be fine."
They smiled at each other. "You want to hold her?" Xena asked as the baby finished her first meal. Gabrielle took the baby into her arms and began her own bonding process.
____****____
The End - 'God-Fearing Child: The Missing Scene' - by MerryAngel