********

"She didn’t believe me. I should of known better." Xena embraced Gabrielle as she looked out of the window of their room.

"There was no way you could have known. You did what you had to do; now it is up to them. There is nothing more you can do." Xena continued to hold Gabrielle. "Come on. You need your rest. Let’s get to bed."

"No. Please, let’s just stay up for a little while longer."

"Whatever you want. I’m here."

"Just hold me tighter."

Xena made her embrace stronger as Gabrielle leaned back against her chest. They stood like that for two candlemarks until Morpheus extended his mercy and placed Gabrielle into a gentle but sound sleep.

 ********

"Mom, we need to talk about it."

"There is nothing to talk about Lila. She’s wrong. Your father…"

"My father would do something like that. And it is about time we face that bit of truth."

"Lila, how can you say that? Your father has shown nothing but love towards you."

"Yeah, thanks to Gabrielle and Sophia. Mom, I remember those beatings. Gabrielle couldn’t leave the house for days, sometime weeks. And I remember what Gabrielle was like when she came back; first from that fishing trip and then from that trip to the show." Lila stood up from her seat. "You can turn your head and look in the other direction, but I can’t. Tomorrow, I’m going to town, and tell Gabrielle that I know she told the truth. I hope you will be by my side."

"I can’t."

"Then Mom, you will lose two daughters." Hecuba eyes questioned Lila. "Yes, Mother. I said two. I know the truth, and I can’t pretend like everything is all right. I can’t live here and act like we are a happy and normal family." She paused and took a deep breath, gathering all her courage. "I’m going to Amazonia. With or without you."

"You can’t leave me here by myself."

"Why not? Are you willing to stay here after what you have heard? Is the opinion of your neighbors more important than your daughters? You want to stay, fine. But I’m leaving. Goodnight, Mother." Lila left her mother and went to her room.

Hecuba tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She stood and walked to the window. She looked out and sighed before she closed the shutters, trying to keep out the night air. She did not notice the figure that hunched below the window, listening to every word that had been said between Lila and herself.