CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR

pt.64

Light flickered across the room from the lit candles as Xena stood leaning over her desk. Her eyes studying the large map spread out before her when a knock on the door broke her intense concentration.

XENA
Enter.

The Conqueror's eyes glanced up as the door opened and Leonidas entered the room.

LEONIDAS
You're up late my lord.

Xena looked back down at the map as her lieutenant shut the door behind him and walked up to her desk.

XENA
I could say the same for you.

LEONIDAS
Fair enough.

XENA
So what brings you up here at this hour anyway. I would think that wife of yours would be missing you. .

LEONIDAS
I told Sarah I would be joining her shortly after I told her I wanted to come check on how the little one is doing. You have told her about her sister, haven't you?

Xena let out a small saddened sigh as she sat in the chair behind her.

XENA
Yeah, I told her.

LEONIDAS
How is she?

XENA
She took the news about as well as you could imagine someone learning that someone they love has been made to suffer so horribly.

Xena shook her head disapprovingly as she clenched her fists that rested on the arms of her chair.

XENA
I could've gone the rest of my life without seeing the devastated look I saw in Gabrielle's eyes when I had to tell her about her sister. And what I wouldn't do to ensure that I never do again.

A moment of silence fell over the room as even in the dim light, Leonidas could see a tired and saddened look that was painted over Xena's face.

LEONIDAS
I have no doubt that you'll get the little one's family back safely and at long last bring an end to this conflict between Draco and yourself for good. But you mustn't push yourself too hard my lord. It's been a long day, and you look exhausted, I don't think there's much more you can do about Draco tonight. Perhaps you should call it a night.

Xena smirked.

XENA
(Joking tone) What are you, my mother?

LEONIDAS
(Joking tone) No, but I could go get her and have her tell you the same thing herself if you'd like.

XENA
(Joking tone) You know this smart ass side of yours that's come out around me over the past few months isn't something that until not long ago I would've tolerated at all.

The Conqueror's lieutenant chuckled.

LEONIDAS
Well, I suppose I should count myself lucky that's no longer an issue then shouldn't I?

Xena smirked as she shook her head and stood as she gathered the map she had been looking at and rolled it up as she walked out from behind her desk.

XENA
Well unfortunately for you no one said that still couldn't be the case. So here you go smart ass.

With a small chuckle, Xena walked past her lieutenant as she playfully shoved the map she had against his chest forcing him to take the paper as she let go of it and kept walking toward her bedroom.