Hecuba glanced at Gabrielle and saw a smirk.
It was not much, but it was enough. * Maybe there is hope for us
after all.*

Lila glanced between her mother and sister.
Inside, she smiled as she noticed Gabrielle's smirk and the
light in Hecuba's eyes. "Ha-ha. Just deal the
cards."

Lila convalesced in the bed, milking it for
all it was worth. She had Hecuba and Gabrielle at her beckon call
for the past five days; playing games and chit-chatting about the
village activities.

Xena and Sophia watched with smiles on their
faces. "You know what is interesting Sophia?"

"What?"

Xena glanced over at the Amazon princess.
"Lila wouldn't had received the injuries that she did
unless she completely dropped her guard. She may not be the best
staff fighter, but she's too good to have done that."

"You think?" Sophia grin became a
full smile. "She's a cunning one, isn't she?"

"You think we should tell those
two?"

"And ruin all of Lila's hard work at
getting them back together?" She watched as Gabrielle stuffed
a piece of nutbread into Lila's mouth, causing Hecuba to laugh
out loud. "No way."

"I'm glad we agree."

"Well, one parent down, one to
go."

Xena eyed Sophia and motioned the former
guardian to follow her outside. "Okay Sophia, what did you
mean by that?"

"I know how you feel about the gods, but
Apollo is Gabrielle's father, and whether you like it or not
she will need him in her life."

"Why?"

"Sooner or later, her powers are going to
fully manifest themselves. And only Apollo or Artemis will be able
to help her."

"Not all half-mortals have powers
Sophia."

"Herodotus' beating were successful
in one way, they stop Gabrielle from developing her powers. But the
longer she stayed away from Poteidaea, the more her powers started
to show. Can you explain how she managed to get back from the
Elysian Fields after she had died? No one gets out of there without
Hades' permission. But Gabrielle died, talked to a number of
friends and relatives, and managed to get out again. Then she
survived the fall into a lava pit, and doesn't remember how she
did it. If that is not enough, how about the way she learn weapons
with ease, especially the bow? And of course there is Horse. She
calmed a wild steed with the sound of her voice and manages to ride
him without having to break him first. Sounds kind of extraordinary
don't you think?"