Disclaimer:   Xena, Gabrielle, Argo and other characters from 
Xena: Warrior Princess are owned by others.  I only borrowed them 
for a little while.  No copyright infringement was intended.  

Sex Disclaimer:   This story depicts a loving, occasionally 
sexually graphic relationship between two mature, adult women.  



Decisions
by Watcher

     "Beautiful day." Gabrielle cast an appreciative eye at the 
crystal clear sky.  Not a hint of white marred the sparkling blue.  
Breathing deeply, the bard tried to inhale the freshness of the 
late afternoon breeze that contained just a hint of sweetness.

     "Its ok, I suppose."  Xena pretended to notice the beautiful 
day for the first time, finally answering in a teasing tone,  
swinging their entwined hands as they slowly walked along the 
deserted old road.

     "Warriors."  The bard grumbled, shooting a mock irritated 
glare at her innocently smiling companion.  She couldn't maintain 
her look however, when Argo playfully nipped at Xena's jet black 
hair then firmly pushed the warrior forward.  Laughing delightedly 
at this relatively new side of her warrior, one that the bard had 
only been allowed to see since they became intimate, Gabrielle
grinned at Xena's exasperated look.   "I think Argo's wanting to 
pick up the pace.  We must be boring her." 

     "She's just clowning around."  Xena flashed an irritated 
glare at her war horse, smirking at Argo's sudden inattention.   
"I wonder were she picked that up.  Any ideas bard?"  

     "I have no idea!"  Gabrielle shot her own innocent look at 
the warrior.  Which changed from innocent to playful to love as 
the bard became lost in the depths of Xena's eyes.  "I'm glad we 
took this road."  Gabrielle whispered huskily, once her brain 
kicked in.  "Its been a nice change of pace."

     "Me too.  And yes it has been."  Xena replied, dropping 
Argo's reins to trace the delicate features on her bard's 
beautiful face.  "After this party that I'm sure Lucky's planning, 
want to visit the Amazons?  We've been really busy lately."

     "I'd like that."  Gabrielle tenderly kissed the wandering 
fingers. "Why don't we ride awhile?"  Argo snickered softly in 
agreement.  

     "In a hurry my bard?"  Xena teased, mounting Argo.  Reaching 
a hand down, she pulled the bard up behind her.  "Hang on now," 
her voice broke as Gabrielle's arms snugly encircled her waist.  
Shivering with the thrill of warm skin touching warm skin, the 
warrior relaxed for a moment, drinking in the indescribable joy 
and pleasure of being securely held in her bard's arms.

     "You're awfully quiet."  Xena commented about a candlemark 
later. Gabrielle had been uncharacteristically quiet since they'd 
started riding.

     "Just thinking."  Gabrielle squeezed Xena tightly, sighing in 
contentment when a large hand dropped to caress her thigh. 

     "About?"  The warrior prompted when nothing else was 
forthcoming.  

     "Nothing in particular.  Mostly about us."  Gabrielle 
admitted and dropped her hand to the warrior's, lacing their 
fingers together.  "If you don't stop that, we'll be stopping soon 
for the night."  The bard grinned widely, not moving her head from 
its comfortable resting place when she felt the warrior glance 
reflexively at the late afternoon sun, imagining the thinking 
scowl that surely replaced the small smile.  Sometimes Xena was so 
predictable.  

     "Its kind of early yet, my bard."  Xena was scowling at the 
late afternoon sun.  "Unless you really want to stop, that is."

     "No, no.  Lets continue for awhile longer."  The bard thought 
a second, then voiced her appreciation for the offer.  "Thanks for 
offering, though." 

     "Nothing to thank me for.  We're partners, remember?"  The 
warrior slowed their pace, leaning back into the bard for a long 
moment.  A soft smile replaced her scowl as Gabrielle leaned 
forward into her.  

     "I remember."  The bard answered quietly, gently squeezing 
Xena's fingers.  "So Lucky's planning a party?"  Asked when the 
warrior straightened and increased their pace again.

     "I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised."  Xena fell 
silent, considering the implications of a public party.

     "Are you ok with that?"  Gabrielle asked calmly, knowing how 
her lover reacted to crowds.  Not to mention how hard they'd found 
it to control themselves in public recently.

     "How do you do that?  Know what I'm thinking?"  Xena sighed.  
"I'll be fine as long as you don't tempt me too much."  An evil 
thought occurred.  "Of course, I could tempt you.  I could get 
something new to wear...maybe a warrior's leathers?"  Her current 
leathers and armor were conservative in comparison to an amazon 
warrior's leathers.  

     "You'd do that for me?"  Gabrielle tried to keep the 
amazement out of her voice for the totally unexpected offer.

     "Do what?  Oh."  Xena realized what she'd offered.  Wearing  
amazon leathers would make quite a statement.  One she suddenly 
decided she was ready to make.  "Yeah, I would."  Said softly 
without any hesitation.

     "Can I pick them out for you?"  Gabrielle was very serious.  
This was something she had wanted for a very long time.  During 
their last visit with the amazons, the young queen had ordered two 
pairs of leathers made for her warrior.  Ones that showed her rank 
in amazon society as an honored warrior and her place as the 
queen's champion.   Then a thought occurred.  Xena in tight, 
revealing leathers that highlighted and emphasized her strength 
and natural beauty. The bard definitely did not want Xena wearing 
them outside of Amazon territory.  The Amazons knew to stay back, 
the warrior was taken.

     "If you like," Xena said somewhat shyly, trying to picture 
what Gabrielle would choose.

     "Oh, I'd really like."  Gabrielle sat up and kissed her 
warrior's neck.   "If you're gonna wear amazon leathers, I guess I 
should wear mine too."  Said knowing the reaction this would 
generate from the warrior.

     "You win.  Only with the Amazons."  Xena did not want 
Gabrielle wearing her own leathers.  The warrior would be fighting 
off every available man in site.  "And Gabrielle?"  The warrior 
waited for the bard to respond.  "Thanks."  Very aware of the 
reason the bard offered to wear her own leathers. 

     "Anytime, warrior of my heart."  Gabrielle snuggled closer, 
instinctively sensing her warrior's need for a little emotional 
distance.  That surprising offer had almost shocked the bard into 
joyous silence, she knew how much it took for the warrior to make 
that offer.  "Wake me when we stop."  

     "Ok, my..."  Xena broke off, sitting up straight as her 
senses came alive.  "A lone horse, coming fast."  The warrior 
answered Gabrielle's unasked question.  Gently she lowered 
Gabrielle to the ground before joining the bard and handing her 
her staff.

     "Maybe he's not looking for you."  Gabrielle spoke hopefully,
unsuccessfully hiding her sigh.  It wasn't likely.  "Can't even 
take a deserted road," the bard mumbled under her breath.  "So 
much for our peaceful walk."

     "You mean 'us', Gabrielle."  Xena hid her own sigh, knowing 
the bard was most likely correct.  The unexpected words settled 
heavily on her.  The last couple of moons, since their last visit 
with the Amazons and the warriors' ceremony, although extremely 
busy, had been some of the happiest in the warrior's life.  Didn't 
the bard feel the same?  Sighing again, Xena loosened her sword, 
watching the approaching horse, thinking.

     They had successfully dealt with three minor warlords, a band 
of roving young bandits and helped a small village plagued with 
sickness with its harvest.  All in all, pretty normal stuff for 
the warrior and bard.  Recalling an earlier promise, the warrior 
consciously worked at sharing the decision making, striving to 
find a level of equality in all aspects of their relationship.  
Working together, they combined their unique experiences, 
strengths and personalities, arriving at some creative, non 
violent solutions to complex problems.  "That's one way to put 
it."  Xena laughed silently, eyes flickering over the horizon, 
remembering Gabrielle's solution to the bandit problem.  To the 
warrior's great surprise, the bard's seemingly farfetched idea of 
joining the wild young men with that village of mostly women and 
children worked beautifully.  "Let someone know that they are 
useful, necessary, vital and more often than not, they will rise 
to the occasion...even me."  Xena turned and shot a happy smile at 
her bard, briefly making eye contact before forcing herself to 
turn around.  

     "Its not like we didn't fight."  Xena grinned ruefully this 
time, returning her concerned gaze to the approaching rider.  "Far 
from it!"  A silent laugh as several loud, spectacular fights came 
immediately to mind.  Another grin, much softer as scenes of their 
passionate makeups flooded her senses, starting a warm feeling of 
desire rising in her blood.  "And never once," Xena realized, 
somewhat amazed at her radical change.  One brought on by her 
belief of her bard's acceptance of her.  One that allowed her to 
make her earlier offer.  "Did I worry about breaking up.  Or how 
Gabrielle would react to my temper....Not that her's is much 
better."  

     The warrior visually slumped, hearing the barely audible 
words spoken just moments ago by the bard.  Thinking the worst, 
Xena jumped when Gabrielle invaded her space, something the bard 
had learned the hard way NOT to do in certain situations.  

     "Its not what you think, love."  Gabrielle caressed her back 
briefly, relaxing slightly when some of the tension fled the 
warrior's back.  "I just need to be with you..."  The bard stopped 
when the lathered horse came to a shaky stop several paces in 
front of them.  Silently she resumed her previous place out
of the way, somewhat surprised at how natural that action had 
become.  Stepping back and out of the immediate path of danger was 
a recent concession to her warrior's worries and fears.  Something 
the warrior never ceased to thank her for.  And something she 
ended as soon as she was convinced no immediate danger would 
befall the bard if she stood by the warrior's side.

     "I'm glad I found you."  The young man panted, sliding down 
from his exhausted horse, careful to keep his hands away from his 
sword.  "Lucky said I'd meet up with you on this road!"  The 
relief on his face was evident.  "Oh."  He blushed slightly.  "I'm 
Bodan."  The young man extended a hand, then let it fall limply to 
his side when the warrior refused it.  "Uhh...You are Xena and 
Gabrielle, right?  You look just like Lucky described."

     "Why are you looking for us?"  Xena answered warily.  The 
warrior had too many enemies to casually believe everyone that 
said they knew them.

     "My village needs help.  Lucky said you'd be cautious and to 
remind you of the broom incident."  The young man didn't 
understand, but by the blush on the warrior's companion's face, he 
knew she did.

     "He knows of you, bard."  Xena teased, reaching back 
unerringly to take the bard's hand.  Giving a meaningful tug, she 
pulled her bard to her side, wrapping an arm unthinkingly around 
her shoulders.  "Bodan, why are you looking for us?"

     "There is trouble at my village."  Bodan ran a weary hand 
through his sweat soaked hair.  "Ptan is a hard four day ride to 
the west of Colophon. Lucky is a friend of my parents.  The last 
time she visited she said if we ever needed help we should find 
the you."

     "Hold on a moment, Bodan."  The bard held up a hand stopping 
the exhausted young man from continuing.  "Its getting late.  Why 
don't we stop for the night.  You can take care of your horse and 
then tell us the problem over dinner."  Gabrielle shot a look at 
Xena, getting the expected approving look.

     "Gabrielle's right.  There is nothing we could do tonight 
anyway."  The warrior grabbed Argo's reins in one hand and 
maintained her hold on the bard with the other.  "There is a 
stream through those trees."  She gestured with her head.  "We can 
stop there for the night."

     "Dinner's ready."  Gabrielle announced a couple of 
candlemarks later.  "So tell us your problem."  The bard waited 
until he had rapidly consumed half of his stew before asking.  

     "This is good.  Thanks."  Bodan indicated his bowl with a 
smile.  "A couple of moons ago, our village was attacked by 
raiders.  It was funny though.  They only took a small amount of 
food and a few horses.  We figured we got off easy."  Bodan stared 
angrily at the ground, speaking faster as his anger grew. "Exactly 
fifteen days later they showed up again.  This time they burned 
the town's public stables.  Fifteen days later, a different group 
showed up.  This time they killed several animals.  The next time 
they showed up, they killed a couple of farmers in their fields."  
Now Bodan was breathing harshly.  "Five days from today the next 
fifteen day period is up.  Who knows what they'll do this time."

     "What can you tell us about the raiders?"  Xena split her 
attention between Gabrielle and Bodan.   There wasn't any question 
that they would help Bodan.  But unfortunately the warrior didn't 
see any way for Gabrielle to accompany her this time.  Ptan was a 
hard three and a half day ride from their present location.  Argo 
couldn't make the trip carrying double in the time remaining 
before the next attack.

     "They come in groups of ten and are well armed and mounted.  
They ride through the village's watch like it was non existent.  
They just sweep in and out before we can put up much resistance."  
Bodan stared at his hands.  "We've tried to fight them, but we're 
no match for them on horseback."

     "Are the raiders the same every time?"  Gabrielle asked 
calmly, ignoring her rapidly beating heart.  The bard knew there 
wasn't time for her to accompany them.  She ruthlessly shoved 
aside her own emotions, forcing herself to concentrate on the 
problem.

     "Not always, but they all wear red and black headbands."  
Bodan thought a moment.  "After the first raid, they haven't 
spoken a word.   Just ride in, destroy some part of our village, 
then ride out.  Never takes more than half a candlemark at most."

     "What did they say the first time?"  Gabrielle was hoping to 
pick up some clue as to the raiders' motives.

     "They told us to fill the items on the list or we'd be 
sorry."  Bodan dug in his pack and pulled out the note.  "Here.  
The village elders decided it was safer to meet their demands 
instead of fight."

     Gabrielle took the note, unconsciously leaning into Xena.  
Quickly she scanned the note.  "Looks pretty normal to me."  The 
bard looked questioningly at the warrior who had read it at the 
same time.  "They didn't want too much.  Just some dried meat, 
vegetables, medicinal herbs and six horses.  Wonder why they 
didn't want any dinars."  Gabrielle turned back to Bodan.  "What 
did they do while you met their demands?"

     "They rode in, gave us the list, then came back in a 
candlemark. Some of us followed them to the edge of town, but our 
elders forbid us to follow.  They just disappeared into the 
forest."  Bodan sighed tiredly, stifling a yawn.

     Seeing that Bodan was close to shutting down from exhaustion, 
Xena spoke for the first time.  The warrior had remained quiet 
during the bard's questioning of Bodan, more comfortable with 
allowing the bard to draw the information out of him, something 
she routinely did.  Talking was one of Gabrielle's skills.  "We'll 
leave first thing in the morning.  We can discuss this again on 
the way.  Why don't you go get cleaned up."  The warrior met and 
held the young man's eye, then sighed softly when he nodded and 
did as instructed. "Gabrielle, I..."  The warrior said softly, 
regretfully, turning to watch her bard.

     "I know.  Argo can't carry both of us that distance in the 
remaining time."  Gabrielle got up as she spoke, fussing with the 
dishes, trying to ignore the pain slowly spreading throughout her 
body.  "Damn I hate separations."  The bard muttered lowly, almost 
to herself.

     "I do too."  Xena wrapped her arms around her bard, pulling 
her tightly against her larger frame.  "There just isn't time."  
The warrior buried her nose in the sweet smelling strawberry blond 
hair   "I'm really gonna miss you, my bard."  Xena whispered in 
her ear.

     "Me too."  Gabrielle blinked back a tear and began to figure, 
the trip itself would take seven days.  "How long to fix things?"

     "Depends on what I find.  Probably no more than three days."  
Xena urged Gabrielle to turn around.  Lightly she kissed the bard, 
her heart breaking at the restrained tears in those lovely green 
eyes.

     "So you'll be gone ten days?"  Gabrielle's heart fell.  Ten 
days was a long time to be apart, especially since the last few 
days were the first time they'd been alone, really alone,  in more 
than a moon.

     "Better make that eleven.  It takes longer to get to Colophon 
than here. Gabrielle, "the warrior pulled back and stared 
seriously into the bard's eyes. "Promise me you won't come looking 
for me for at least twelve days."  That really wasn't what the 
warrior wanted to ask, but Xena knew how Gabrielle would respond 
to a plea to not follow.

     "I could borrow a horse from Lucky and follow you."  
Gabrielle stared right back at the warrior.  "But," the bard 
sighed loudly, seeing the barely restrained worry and longing in 
the warrior's eyes.  Xena didn't want this any more than she did.  
That made it mentally easier for the bard to agree, her heart was 
another matter.  "I know you'd worry more about me than taking 
care of yourself.  Then you might get hurt." "Oh Gods," she 
thought despairingly.  "Almost half a moon."

     "Promise me you'll wait for twelve full days."  Xena brushed 
her fingers down the bard's smooth cheek.      

     "Sunrise on the thirteenth I'm coming after you."  Gabrielle 
gave into the warrior, thinking.  "Damn!  I really hate this!"  
Then gave her word.  "I promise."

     "No need, I'll be there my bard."  Xena started to say more, 
but stopped. "Bodan's coming back."    She released the bard and 
moved to pick up Gabrielle's staff as Bodan returned to the fire. 
"We'll be back in awhile.  Get some sleep."  Xena spared a glance 
for the yawing man.

     "Goodnight Bodan."  Gabrielle took her staff from Xena and 
followed her into the night.

     Gabrielle kept pace with her silent warrior, darting 
concerned glances at Xena.  The bard reached for the warrior's 
hand, lacing their fingers together.  Smiling when her fingers 
were squeezed in return, Gabrielle slowed down, wanting to talk.

     "Gabrielle."  "Xena."  Said at the same time.

     "Go ahead Xena."  Gabrielle smiled at her warrior, loving the 
way the bright moonlight reflected on her hair.

     "Be careful tomorrow, please.  You should reach Lucky's by 
mid afternoon."  Xena took the staff from Gabrielle and leaned it 
against a tree.  Taking both small hands into her own, the warrior 
brought them to her mouth, lightly kissing each finger.  

     "I will be, I promise."  Gabrielle lost her battle with 
tears.  "Gods I'm gonna miss you.  You promise to be careful 
yourself.  I need..."

     "Shh...shh."  Xena soothed her bard, molding their bodies as 
close as her armor would allow.   "I have to go, but you know I 
don't want to leave you behind, right?"  The warrior didn't 
continue until Gabrielle nodded in agreement. "I promise I'll be 
careful too.  I love you Gabrielle."

     "I love you too."  Gabrielle's voice wavered.  "Sorry about 
the tears."  She hiccupped at the end, earning a small smile from 
the warrior.

     "Don't apologize."  Xena kissed away the tears.  "Gabrielle," 
the warrior's voice was low and sincere.  "I will be back."  
Slowly, deliberately, Xena leaned forward, gently pressing their 
lips together, exchanging promises and love.

     "I want to..."  Gabrielle breathed when their lips parted.

     "I know, but we can't."  Xena sighed disappointedly, resting 
her forehead against Gabrielle's.  "Gods I hope this doesn't take 
the full twelve days.  I'm missing you already."   Gabrielle's 
only response was labored breathing.  "Come on.  We better get 
back."

     Xena stopped Gabrielle from laying down.  The bard had fallen 
into the habit of laying their bedrolls close, but not touching 
whenever they had a friendly visitor for the evening.   After a 
series of conversations, Gabrielle came up with this compromise.  
"With me."  Xena extended a hand and pulled the surprised bard 
down with her, drawing the blanket up over them both.  

     "Thanks."  Gabrielle whispered, snuggling up close to Xena.  
"I need this.  Need you."  

     "Me too."  Xena kissed the top of Gabrielle's head.  
"Goodnight my bard.  I love you."

     "Goodnight Xena.  I love you."  Gabrielle replied, kissing 
the smooth skin of the shoulder she was laying on.  

     Morning came all to quickly for the bard.  "Hey, morning."  
She mumbled, stretching against the warrior's body.  "Thanks for 
being here when I woke up."

     "Morning my bard."  Xena squeezed Gabrielle, lifting her up 
so she laid on top of her more fully.  "I don't want to be 
anywhere else."  The warrior fell silent, re-memorizing the feel 
of her bard's soft skin on her own.  "Damn," she finally 
complained when the sun broke the horizon.  "I guess its time."

     "Not so fast."  Gabrielle didn't need to look over at Bodan 
to see that he was still asleep.  Slowly the bard traced a finger 
down the smooth, tanned cheek of her warrior.  "I love you," the 
bard whispered before her lips found the warrior's.  Gently 
Gabrielle outlined the warrior's lips with her tongue.  Softly
she sucked on Xena's lower lip, teeth lightly nipping the 
sensitive flesh when the warrior couldn't suppress a low groan.

     Growling passionately, Xena flipped them over, shivering when 
her breasts pressed into the bard's.  Swiftly the warrior's tongue 
plunged deeply into her love's warm mouth.  

     Gabrielle couldn't contain her own moan of pleasure as she 
returned her warrior's kiss.  Time and time again their lips and 
tongues met, each trying to consume the other.  

     Argo's snicker stopped the warrior's wandering hands from 
untying the final lace on Gabrielle's top.  "Damn," she cursed 
when she realized exactly what they were doing and that they would 
have to stop.  

     "Sorry.  Know better."  Gabrielle breathed raggedly into 
Xena's neck.  

     "Me too."  Xena forced herself to breath deeply, waiting for 
her heart to return to normal.  "I'm really gonna miss you 
Gabrielle."  Blue eyes lovingly caressed green.  

     "I'll miss you too, warrior."  Gabrielle pushed at her 
shoulder.  "If you don't get up you won't be going anywhere 
anytime soon."  Shivering as the cool morning air hit her heated 
skin, reluctantly pulling on her boots.  The bard quashed her 
disappointment at having to stop and the upcoming separation, not 
realizing how sad her expressive face became.

     Xena felt her heart list painfully at the sad look on her 
lover's face.  Clipping the last buckle on her armor, the warrior 
extended a hand to the kneeling bard.  "I'll hurry as fast as I 
can."

     "I know you will."  Gabrielle forced a smile on her face.  
The bard knew this was one of the drawbacks to loving the Warrior 
Princess.   People needed the warrior.  As much as the bard wanted 
to protest, the separation and the feeling of coming in second, 
she knew she couldn't.  "Be honest with yourself, Gabrielle."  
Thought to herself as she packed up their belongings.  "You don't
want her to change.  You love helping them too."  Her musing 
continued, nodding distractedly to Bodan when he finished saddling 
his horse and left to clean up, totally unaware of how she was 
affecting her lover.

     "Gabrielle?"  Xena couldn't stand the silence any longer.  
"What are you thinking about?"  The warrior tightened the last 
strap on Argo's saddle.

     "What else?  You."  Gabrielle laughed at the warrior's 
exasperated expression.  

     "I figured that.  What about me?"  Xena took her bedroll from 
the bard and fastened it in its place, feeling its single weight 
dejectedly.  "Damn I hate sleeping without her."

     "That I love you."  Gabrielle hugged the warrior.  "That I'm 
gonna miss you."  She stepped back.  "That I'm gonna get you for 
making me suffer through Lucky's party alone."  Grinning at the 
raised eyebrow of the warrior, the bard added smartly.  "Who knows 
how much trouble I can get into in Colophon? With Phocis and 
Lucky, not to mention maybe Darius, I should be able to get
some really good stories."  She chuckled evilly, enjoying the 
frustrated look on the warrior's face.

     "Turnabout's fair play."  Xena loomed closer, threateningly.  
"We can always visit your parents."  And was unprepared as the 
bard blanched and spun around, shoulders shaking.  "Gabrielle?"  
No answer as Xena moved closer.  "Hey, my bard.  I was only 
teasing."  Still nothing.  The warrior rubbed her bard's tense 
shoulders, concerned.  The warrior quickly extended her senses, 
determining that Bodan was still at the stream.  "Gabrielle?  Talk 
to me."

     "Sorry."  Gabrielle concentrated on making her voice even.  
"Caught me by surprise, that's all."  The bard debated with 
herself before deciding this conversation could definitely wait.  
"You need to eat something before you take off."  

     "Don't change the subject, Gabrielle."  Xena stepped in front 
of the bard and gently raised her head so their eyes met.  "I 
would never tell them anything that you didn't want me too."  The 
warrior read the confusion and fear in those dull green eyes.  
That made her mind up.  They had decided, well Gabrielle had 
decided, it wasn't the right time to tell her parents about them.  
It pained the warrior that the thought of telling her parents 
scared the bard.  However, the warrior admitted to herself, the 
bard did know her own parents.  "Just wanted some stories of you 
growing up.  They can't be that bad!"

     Gabrielle rolled her eyes, grateful for the reprieve.  "Well, 
I was a, how do I put this?"  The bard closed her eyes briefly, 
silently thanking her partner.  "I was rather obnoxious.  Asking 
questions all the time."

     "Oh!"  Xena snorted playfully, tickling the bard's side.  
"Nothing like now, right?"  Gabrielle collapsed against her, 
giggling.  "Its ok Bodan."  The warrior addressed the seemingly 
empty woods.  "We need to eat and then get going."  The warrior 
shot a look at the now visible sun, stepping away from her 
tempting bard.

     "Be careful."  Gabrielle determinedly straightened Xena's 
shoulder armor, struggling not to cry.  Bodan had stepped off into 
the woods one final time, giving the warrior and bard a moment of 
privacy to say goodbye.  

     "I will be."  Xena caught the nervous fingers, gently 
squeezing them.  "You too."

     "I will."  Gabrielle promised, then made the mistake of 
glancing at the warrior.  "Hades, this never gets any easier, does 
it?"  Gabrielle withdrew her hands from the warrior, then threw 
her arms around Xena.  "I love you," the bard whispered 
emotionally.

     "I love you too."  Xena returned the embrace then permitted 
herself one final kiss.  Lovingly she brushed her lips against the 
bard's.  "I'll meet you as soon as I can, I promise."

     "See you at Lucky's."  Gabrielle forced her arms to release 
the warrior.  Taking a step back and a deep breath, the bard 
smiled.  Patting Argo, Gabrielle whispered in her ear.  "Take care 
of her girl."  Argo snickered in agreement.

     "See you, my bard."  Xena jumped on Argo, motioning for the 
just returned Bodan to mount as well.

     "See you, Warrior Princess."  Gabrielle waved at Xena when 
she turned in the saddle one final time, grinning back.  "Well," 
the bard talked to herself watching her warrior race across the 
country, unconsciously grinning at the picture her racing warrior 
made.  "Colophon is not getting any closer.  Better get going."  
Sighing heavily, Gabrielle gathered her things and resumed her 
trek for Colophon.   

***************

     "Gods, I can't believe its been only ten days."  Gabrielle 
grumbled, glaring out the window at the midmorning sun.  "Guess I 
should go practice."  The bard grabbed her staff and headed 
downstairs, dismissing her fatigue with a newfound sense of ease.  

     "Morning Gabrielle."  Lucky called out worriedly across the 
inn.  "Want some breakfast?"  The bard thought she had been hiding 
her depression well, but the innkeeper read the fatigue and worry 
on her friend's face.

     "Maybe a little."  Gabrielle changed directions, attempting a 
smile for her friend.  "I'm not very hungry today."  The bard sat 
at the bar, grinning for real when Lucky pulled up her stool and 
sat across from her.  "What's up?"  Asked innocently, although 
Gabrielle was aware that her recent behavior wouldn't go 
unchallenged for long.

     "Things sure have been busy lately."  Lucky began, sliding a 
mug of tea to the bard.  "I don't think I've told you how much I 
appreciate you telling stories every evening.  We've been a lot 
busier than normal."

     "My pleasure, Lucky.  I enjoy telling them."  That was true, 
reflected the bard while she watched the server bring them both 
some breakfast.  She actually missed the warrior less when she 
told them.  It made her feel closer to her missing warrior.  

     "Want to talk about it?"  Lucky watched Gabrielle carefully, 
not wanting to offend this surprisingly private person.  Over the 
past days, she'd learned the hard way that certain subjects were 
firmly off limits.  She'd come across the bard crying in the barn 
the day after she'd arrived.  Being concerned, the innkeeper had 
pushed the bard to tell her what was wrong.  She was thanked for 
her concern and was promptly told to mind her own business.  Lucky 
shivered slightly, remembering the icy look she'd received.   
Clearly the bard had picked up some of her partner's intimidating 
looks and mannerisms.  The next time, Gabrielle had stated 
quietly, in a deadly serious voice, that her personal relationship 
with Xena was off limits.   And asked her to leave it alone.  

     "Its nothing that a certain six foot tall, black haired 
warrior princess won't cure."  Gabrielle admitted, flashing a 
warning glare at the innkeeper to drop the subject.  "But," she 
relented.  Lucky was both of their friends.  "Thanks for asking.  
Its too hard to talk about it."  

     "What are you going to do today?  More practice?"  Lucky 
changed the subject, nodding at the bard to keep eating.   

     "Yeah, gotta keep up with it."  Gabrielle mumbled around a 
mouthful. "I've been practicing with Phocis and his visiting 
sister-in-law."  The bard grinned at Lucky's knowing grin.  "Not 
that its any news to you.  Is there anything that goes on in this 
town that you don't know about?"

     "Nope."  Lucky wagged a finger at the bard.  "Shame on you 
for trying! What would Xena say?"  "Damn!"  She cursed herself 
silently as the smile fell from the bard's face.  "Watch what 
you're saying old woman."

     "Well," Gabrielle hid behind her tea mug, rapidly thinking.  
"She wouldn't care as long as we're careful."  The bard couldn't 
bring herself to say her warrior's name in this friendly 
conversation.  She feared she'd loose it and burst out crying.  
"And we are being careful."

     "Why don't you take a break tonight?  You've been working 
hard every night you've been here.  I don't want your friend to be 
mad at me for wearing you out!"  Lucky was relieved to see the 
smile return to the bard's tired face.

     "We'll see."  Gabrielle had started to reply that she wasn't 
tired, but the aching soreness in her abused muscles and her weary 
brain convinced her to temper her reply.  Between telling stories 
until the wee hours of the morning, helping out at Phocis's and 
sparing for candlemarks on end, the bard was near the point of 
exhaustion.  She was running at full speed to try and avoid 
thinking and worrying about her missing warrior.  So far it wasn't 
working.  Every time she'd fall asleep, she'd dream.  And then 
she'd wake up missing the warrior even more.  "Shut up!" she told 
herself sternly, rising smoothly to her feet, ignoring her 
protesting body.  "I better get going.  They're waiting for me."

     "See you later then."  Lucky bit off a compassionate reply, 
knowing how poorly the bard would react to her concern.  It was 
clear to the older woman that her friend was walking an emotional 
tight rope.  "Hades," she swore when the bard left.  "Xena is 
gonna kill me if that woman doesn't get any rest before she gets 
back."  Knowing there was nothing she could do outside of putting 
a sleeping potion in the bard's drink, Lucky returned to her work.  
"Neither one of them would speak to me then."  

     Sighing lonely, Gabrielle ignored the sights and sounds that 
had so tempted her to tease Xena on her first visit to Colophon 
and headed slowly to the weapon's shop.  "Glad that weapons 
shipment arrived late yesterday.  At least it will help keep my 
mind off Xena."  The bard threaded her way through the crowded 
marketplace, careful to keep a firm grip on her staff and a 
watchful eye on the surrounding people.  

     "Sorry I'm late."  Gabrielle called out entering the back 
room of the weapons shop.  

     "Morning Gabrielle."  Phocis's sister-in-law, Meredith 
answered cheerfully.  "Phocis will be back in a few minutes.  Like 
my new outfit?"  The young woman twirled around, causing her short 
skirt to flair slightly.

     "That color certainly looks good on you."  Gabrielle eyed the 
young woman, hiding her exasperation.  It became clear very early 
on that she had a crush on the bard.  "I'm sure Xena will agree.  
Plus its more practical than your previous outfit."  Gabrielle 
felt compelled to mention her warrior's name as often as possible 
in her presence, reminding her often of her commitment.

     "If the fashion critique is over ladies, we have some weapons 
to check out."  Phocis winked at Gabrielle, applauding her 
restraint when dealing with his wife's little sister.   

     "Well, that was fun."  Gabrielle grumbled to Phocis when 
Meredith went to get some lunch for them.  "I now know why Xena 
dislikes doing this."  She glanced ruefully at the large man.  
"Did she help often?"

     "Sometimes, but not often.  Usually only on the first dealing 
with a new merchant or if there were interesting, unusual weapons.  
Oh I could tell you stories."  Phocis handed one waterskin to 
Gabrielle, then took a long drink from the wine one.  "But we both 
know how a certain warrior would react and I'm rather fond of my 
head."  He changed the subject, not wanting to argue. "You're 
handling Meredith just fine.  What?"  He added at the bard's look.  
"I know she's been bothering you incessantly.  Sooner or later 
she'll realize she doesn't have a chance."  Privately he hoped it 
was sooner.  He liked the girl, but the bard's chosen partner 
would put a halt immediately, probably painfully, to the girl's 
crush.

     "I hope so too."  The bard understood what wasn't spoken and 
agreed with Phocis.  Her warrior's methods for dealing with 
certain situations were direct and blunt.  "Remember Howar?"  She 
laughed silently at that thought. "After lunch," she laughed as he 
looked pointedly at the late afternoon sun.  "We'll spar a little, 
then I promised Lucky I'd take it easy for the rest of the 
night.."

     "Only if you want.  I have several errands to run now that 
we're finished with the weapons."  He looked meaningfully at 
Gabrielle.  "If you don't want to deal with it, call it a day."

     "We'll be fine, Phocis."  Gabrielle grinned at the man's 
protective instincts.  "Well," she admitted to herself.  "He's 
less protective of me than he is terrified that Xena will kill him 
if something happens to me while I'm here."  That thought made her 
chuckle.  "Here comes Meredith."  The bard heard her coming.

     "You ladies be careful!"  Phocis shot a glance at Meredith.  
"Your sister is expecting you home for dinner.  Don't forget."  
"See you later Gabrielle."

     "Bye!"  Gabrielle shooed him away.  "Now if I remember 
correctly, we were going over front sweeps yesterday.  But first 
we stretch," she reminded the impatient young woman.   "And work 
off a little of this tension," she added to herself.  The bard 
lost herself in her exercises, smoothing changing from easy
stretches to full force sparing.  Working through her routines, 
the bard pushed herself almost to her limits, holding a little 
back for teaching Meredith.  She did not want to take the girl's 
head off because her control slipped.  Bringing her exercises to a 
spinning flourish, Gabrielle mentally sighed at the young lady's 
dreamy expression.

     "Tired of practicing?"  Gabrielle breathed deeply, wiping the 
sweat from her face and arms with a cloth, ignoring the slight 
tremors that ran through her muscles protesting the abuse.   "No?  
Well, lets go then."  Forcefully she snapped the staff out of 
Meredith's hands.  "You have to concentrate."  A groan and a smile 
were her reply.

     A short time later, Meredith tripped, slamming into the 
ground painfully. "You ok?"  Gabrielle offered her hand to the 
young woman, assisting her to her feet.  And caught her as she 
stumbled.  "Lets set you down for a bit."  Gabrielle sat beside 
her, studying her intently for injuries.  

     "Thanks Gabrielle."  Meredith finally whispered, leaning 
closer to the bard, trying to slide next to her.  "I'm glad you're 
here."

     "Whoa!  Hold it right there."  Gabrielle got up quickly.  
"I've told you several times that I'm in love, deeply, 
passionately, with someone else.  I would never do anything to 
betray Xena or our love."  The bard spoke briskly, fighting to 
regain her temper.  But mentally she wasn't up to the task.  "Look 
at me."  Gabrielle shook with restrained anger, speaking bitingly.  
"I love Xena.  I don't love or even want you."  She held up a hand 
to stop Meredith from responding.  "You are a nice person, but 
there will never be anything more than friendship between us.  
And," she added darkly, relentlessly.  "There might not even be 
that if you keep this up."  The bard spun on her heel, leaving the 
stunned young woman sitting there with her mouth open.

     And promptly ran into two mothers with young children who had 
been unwilling observers to her 'conversation' with Meredith.  Her 
temper at peak levels, Gabrielle muttered "excuse me" and tried to 
move around them.  One of the mother's comments stopped her.  

     "What do you expect from her kind but rudeness?  She doesn't 
even know her place."  The woman looked judgmentally at Gabrielle.

     "What?"  Gabrielle wasn't sure she heard correctly, absently 
changing the grip on her staff, moving it away from the children.  
Eyes snapping angrily, she added.  "You just didn't say what I 
think you did, did you?"

     "Now she's trying to pick a fight with us."  The other 
snottily replied, pulling her children away from the bard.  
"You're not fit to be around decent folks.  Let alone little 
children.  Your poor parents!  What they must think of you.  
You're not natural!"

     Gabrielle stared at them in shock, opening her mouth and 
snapping it shut when words failed her momentarily.  "What?  The 
fact that I'm a bard?  Or an Amazon?"   The bard managed to find 
her voice, curbing her desire to belt the women.

     "Come on children."  The first stared haughtily at the bard.  
"You don't need to be exposed to her."  

     "I'll have you know that my parents are proud of me!"  
Gabrielle muttered to their receding backs.  Her last visit home 
her father stated how proud he and her mother were of her.  A 
quick look over her shoulder reveled a equally stunned Meredith.  
Not trusting herself to do more than shrug her shoulders, 
Gabrielle stalked away.
      
     Gabrielle rushed through the market, heading for the wooded 
glen a short distance behind Lucky's inn.  As soon as she cleared 
the inn, she broke into a light run, reaching the glen breathless.  
For once, the peaceful surroundings didn't sooth her.  Slamming 
around noisily, Gabrielle spit out her thoughts.  "Nothing wrong 
with being a bard!"  She paced fiercely.  "Nothing wrong with 
being an Amazon!"  Her steps grew quieter.  "Nothing wrong with 
loving Xena."

     Pictures of her lover slowly filtered through the bard's 
mind, calming her racing temper and soothing her nerves.  
Gabrielle sat, closing her eyes.  Seeing Xena standing tall and 
proud, armor sparkling in counterpoint to her expressive eyes.  
Sword slashing at invisible attackers, practicing in the soft 
moonlight.  The sleepy, soft expression that graced her features 
when woken up when they were safe and alone.  Breathing deeply, 
the bard imagined her warrior wrapping her in her strong arms and 
stronger love.  Slowly the bard's temper receded in the
presence of such strong emotions, sinking into a light haze of 
pleasurable memories and feelings.  Unconsciously the bard stood 
and moved, slipping into an unusual pattern, letting her feelings 
guide her movements.

     Finally calm once again, Gabrielle opened her eyes, drinking 
in the peacefulness of the glen at dusk.  "What did those women 
mean?"  The bard thought aloud, eyes drifting unseeingly in the 
twilight, sitting again.

     "I know women bards are uncommon, but not unheard of."  
Gabrielle sighed, remembering her brief time at the academy in 
Athens.  A few young women auditioned when she did.  Plus one of 
the best known bards of all times, Sappho, was female.  Laughing 
softly, she let her mind drift, filtering pleasant memories of her 
time there and the reason she ultimately decided it wasn't the
right place for her.  

     After much thought, Gabrielle decided that being a female 
bard couldn't have been what the rude women were talking about.  
"Well," the bard groaned, stretching her back as she rose to 
slowly pace in the steadily growing moonlight.  "Maybe they'd 
never seen a staff wielding Amazon before."  Gabrielle continued 
to pace, breathing deeply, thinking.

     After numerous trips around the glen, the bard flopped back 
down beside the gurgling stream, ignoring the dancing highlights 
the flickering moonlight created on its moving surface.  "Colophon 
isn't that far from Amazon territory."  Gabrielle absently played 
with the decorative band on her staff that marked her status in 
the Amazon Nation.  "I know Amazons occasionally conduct business 
in town.  And they never travel without weapons."   

     A hooting owl interrupted the bard's musings, an unusual 
sound from the normal noises she'd come to associate with the 
glen.  With a start, Gabrielle noted how late it was.  "I better 
get back."  Exhaling noisily, the bard grabbed her staff, slowly 
heading towards the inn.  "Don't want Lucky sending someone out 
after me.  Now that would be embarrassing!"  Gabrielle had no 
doubt that the innkeeper would do just that if she didn't return 
soon to the inn.  "I can just imagine what Xena would say!"  With 
that thought, Gabrielle increased her pace.  Deciding to figure 
out what those women meant tomorrow, she firmly pushed her 
uneasiness and residual anger down, locking it away for another 
time.

     "I bet she's not back yet."  Gabrielle brooded, detouring by 
the stables, frowning when her wayward heart (which refused to not 
hope) thudded in disappointment at not finding Argo.  "No Argo, no 
Warrior Princess."  The bard sighed, dismissing the questioning 
look of the stable boy.  

     Cautiously she entered the inn, trying to sneak past Lucky 
and her well meaning questions.  She paused a moment to give one 
of the passing barmaids a message for Lucky, telling her she would 
see her in the morning.  Staying to the back of the crowd, 
Gabrielle engaged her stealth abilities and put on her most
intimidating look, clearing sending out the message she wanted to 
be left alone.  Sliding unchallenged through the loud crowd, the 
bard almost made it.  She was just slipping up the stairs to go to 
her room, when Lucky's clear, low voice stopped her.

     "Just where do you think you're sneaking off to?"  Lucky 
hadn't seen the bard, but had seen the crowd part in several 
places.  Knowing something was up, she headed towards the stairs, 
surprised and relieved when she saw the bard.  "I was worried when 
you didn't come back from Phocis's this afternoon!" Unconsciously 
the innkeeper had taken the pose and tone of a worrying mother
with her hands on her hips and her legs spread slightly apart.  
She totally forgot that earlier she had reminded herself yet once 
again, to not push the bard on personal matters.

     It was enough to unlock Gabrielle's fragile hold on her 
emotions.  "If its any of your business, I was heading up to my 
room.  I wasn't aware that I needed your permission to come and 
go!"  The last was barely audible, but the anger was undeniable.  
"You aren't my mother or my lover!"  Gabrielle spat out hotly, 
spinning on her heal, prepared to complete her journey.  The sound 
of a swiftly drawn breath, almost in pain stopped her.  Turning 
around slowly, Gabrielle swallowed when she saw the hurt on her 
friend's face.  "Oh Lucky," Gabrielle gulped.  "I'm so sorry!  I 
didn't mean that."  Carefully she stepped down to stand beside the 
still silent innkeeper.  "I didn't mean to take it out on you.  I 
really am sorry!"  The bard slapped herself mentally.  The last 
thing she wanted to do was hurt her friend.

     "No apologies are necessary.  I was treating you like..."  
Lucky sounded unsure and couldn't meet the bard's apologetic eyes 
or continue her statement.  

     The bard laid a tentative hand on the innkeeper's arm.  "Yes 
they are!  I am sorry Lucky.  You didn't deserve to be on the 
receiving end of my temper."  Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle was 
relieved to see the hurt start to fade in her friend's face.  "And 
I'm sorry for worrying you earlier.  I just needed some time by 
myself to think."

     "Are you hungry?"  Lucky asked hesitantly, not wanting to 
assume anything with her emotional friend.  Knowing in part it was 
her fault for pressing the bard when she had clearly defined a 
line not to cross several times in the past ten days.  Phocis had 
briefly told her about the confrontation earlier, wanting to make 
sure the bard was ok.  

     "I guess I could eat."  Gabrielle really wasn't hungry, but 
she didn't want to offend or worry her friend any farther.  

     "Come on then.  The cook made nutbread this afternoon."  
Lucky linked arms with the bard and lead her to the bar.  Lucky 
chatted away, trying to put her nervous friend at ease.

     "Thanks Lucky.  I was hungry."  Gabrielle leaned back and 
grinned ruefully.  "I am sorry about earlier."

     "Apology accepted Gabrielle.  I was out of line."  Lucky 
waved her into silence.  "If you want to talk about what's 
troubling you, please know that I'm always willing to listen.  I'm 
not just Xena's friend you know."

     "I do know Lucky."  Gabrielle sighed mentally, not ready to 
talk about this with anyone outside of Xena.  "Thanks for the 
offer.  I'll remember."  The bard rose and grimaced, stretching 
her abused muscles.  "I think I better turn in.  I'm pretty 
tired."

     "Goodnight Gabrielle.  Rest well."  Lucky smile faded as soon 
as the bard was upstairs.  Grabbing two full mugs of port, she 
hurried over to join Phocis and find out more about what happened 
earlier.  The bard's actions and comments were totally out of 
character and Lucky wanted to know if her meddling would help or 
hurt things.  

     "Gods I miss you my warrior."  Gabrielle cried softly, pacing 
quietly in her room.  "I wish you were here.  I really need you 
right now."  About a candlemark later, the bard's legs were 
shaking in exhaustion from extended use after several days of  
abuse.  "I need to sleep."  The bard trembled, tired muscles 
announcing themselves painfully.  "Don't have a choice," she 
mumbled, crossing to her small medical kit after putting some 
water on to boil.  "Xena would kill me if she knew I was thinking 
about this."  Carefully she measured out the herbs that would 
knock her out for several hours into her cup, along with a hint of
mint.  "Of course I wouldn't need this if you were here, Warrior 
Princess."  Gabrielle continued to debate with herself the wisdom 
of taking the herbs as they steeped, knowing how Xena felt about 
using them unless it was an emergency.  It was too easy to become 
dependent on them.  

     "Oh shut up Gabrielle.  Drink the herbs.  You need the 
sleep."  Sipping the hot liquid periodically, the bard gingerly 
stretched her abused muscles until the mixture was cool enough to 
drink.  "Gross!"  Gabrielle mumbled, taking a long drink of water 
after she finished the herbs.  "Don't see how anyone could get 
addicted to that!"  Deciding to sponge off before bed, the 
bard quickly rinsed herself with the cool water, sighing 
appreciatively when clean.  Changing into her sleeping shift, she 
crawled into bed, yawning.  "Night my love.  Sleep well."  
Gabrielle mumbled sleepily, the herbs already kicking in.  
Gratefully the bard drifted off to sleep, mind silent.

     Sometime around dawn, the effect of the herbs diminished, 
allowing Gabrielle to dream.  Unlike the dreams that had been 
haunting her for the last nine nights, these weren't centered 
around the warrior and her fear that something would happen to 
Xena.  Gabrielle dreamed of images and feelings.  Of hate and 
anger.  Of laughing, mocking crowds.  Of being disappointed and 
disappointing.  Of family turning away.  Of love, as she and her 
warrior stood wrapped around each other, buffeted by external 
forces trying to tear them apart.

     Gabrielle sat up with a start, blinking sleepily in the late 
morning sun. Stretching slowly, the bard worked the aching cramps 
out of her muscles. "Gods," she moaned leaning to the right.  "I 
can't believe I slept so long."  Yawning, Gabrielle grabbed a mug 
of water, drinking it in several swallows.    

     Standing in the bright light of the morning sun, Gabrielle 
flinched as her dreams returned in full force.  "Oh Gods," the 
bard turned away from the sun, hiding her face in her hands, re-
living the horror of her nightmares.  "Never again," Gabrielle 
vowed to herself, planning on staying away from the sleeping 
herbs.  Although her body felt slightly more rested, her mind was 
in greater turmoil.   "Pull yourself together bard!"  She 
admonished herself, stumbling and falling on the bed.  "You have 
things to do!"  A few moments later, Gabrielle forced herself to 
sit then stand up.  Grabbing her bathing supplies and clothes, she 
forced herself to go take a bath.

     "That was easy."  Gabrielle sighed in relief as she closed 
the inn's door, grateful that Lucky was out shopping.  After 
leaving a note for Lucky so she wouldn't worry, the bard swung by 
the kitchen and got a picnic lunch out of the cook.  Gabrielle 
concentrated on her surroundings, walking slowly to the wooded 
glen.

     "What a pretty day."  Gabrielle grinned in reflex.  "Guess I 
should loosen up before sitting."  Her muscles were still sore 
after the night's rest.  After stretching about a candlemark, 
Gabrielle sat, ready to focus on yesterday's disturbing 
conversation.

     Absentmindedly Gabrielle assembled a sandwich and started to 
eat, thinking.  "So what did those women mean?"  The bard stared 
moodily at her sandwich.  "Its not the fact that I'm a bard or an 
Amazon.  So what is it?  Why would my parents be ashamed of me?"  
The bard sat still, contemplating the question, ignoring the 
passing of time.  Finally she spoke again.  "Guess I can't avoid 
the obvious any longer.  You know what they were talking about
Gabrielle."  

     Groaning loudly, Gabrielle leaned back against the tree she 
was sitting in front of.  "Its not like it hasn't happened before.  
It didn't really bother me then."  The first time someone had 
seriously confronted the bard about her relationship with the 
Warrior Princess, Gabrielle had been shocked by the outspokenness 
of the person.  "But it bothered Xena more than me."  Gabrielle 
laughed softly, remembering how Xena had wanted to go back to the 
town they'd left candlemarks before and beat the merchant 
senseless. That was why the bard had waited until after making 
camp to tell Xena about the obnoxious man and his crude comments.

     "I don't really mind when it happens."  Gabrielle admitted, 
grinning at how indignant Xena always got when their relationship 
was criticized.  Although, the bard had to admit, not many were 
foolish enough to actually say anything to the warrior's face.  
Anyway, it was so much fun to try and take the warrior's mind off 
the harsh words and bitter feelings.   Plus the warrior had
made it quiet clear that some people would have problems with 
their relationship and not just because she was an ex-warlord.  
"Xena said we'd invite criticism and ridicule if we became more 
affectionate in public.  Not," Gabrielle grinned wryly.  "Like I 
had much choice.  Can't seem to keep my hands to myself when we're 
not working."  

     "Of course, it was funny the first time it happened to Xena!"  
The bard laughed loudly, delighting in that wonderful memory. 

     They traveled six days after leaving Amazon territory, after 
the warrior's ceremony,  before reaching a village with a suitable 
inn.  Gabrielle had made the usual arrangements with the owners, 
lodging and meals for all three of them in exchange for an evening 
of stories.  Eating in their room, the warrior hadn't even 
bothered to try and curb her desire to touch or be touched by the 
bard.  The loud noises filtered up to their room, compelling the 
warrior to accompany and stay with the bard during her 
performance.  Feeling still giddy from their heated touches, Xena 
approached the bard from behind during her break, sliding both 
arms around her middle, pulling the bard back against her 
sensually.  A momentary lull in the noisy room interrupted the 
warrior, causing her to actually realize what she'd done.  Cursing 
under her breath, Xena turned a light shade of pink, but refused 
to leave the room or loosen her hold on the bard.

     "Then she did it again when we went upstairs!"  Gabrielle 
grinned, loving the fact that Xena had as much trouble as she did 
keeping her hands to herself.  The bard sank into the pleasant 
memories, purposefully ignoring why she was thinking.

     "Stop avoiding it Gabrielle!"  The bard chastised herself 
some time later.  "You know why those comments bothered you!  Just 
admit it."  Gabrielle forced herself to look deep into her heart.  
"You are afraid of telling your parents!"  The bard finally 
managed to whisper.  Getting to her feet, she started to pace, 
thinking quietly.

     "They were so shocked by the stories I told last time I 
visited.  How are they gonna react to this?   The fact that their 
oldest daughter is in love with a woman.  A woman who just happens 
to be a former cold-blooded warlord!"  A thought occurred.

     "Does it really matter how they react?  It won't change how I 
feel."  This new thought bolstered the bard's courage.  "I am NOT 
going to stop loving Xena.  And I won't leave her, no matter 
what...So what's the problem?"  The bard knelt by the stream, 
splashing the soothing liquid on her overheated face.

     The true meaning of the women's words finally registered and 
knocked Gabrielle on her behind.  "They deserve to hear it from 
me, no matter what our relationship is.  Not some traveling bard 
or merchant."  She was very aware of how quickly news traveled 
about the Warrior Princess and her traveling companion.  "I guess 
we'll be stopping by Poteidaia after the Amazons.  I want them to 
know about us."  The bard felt immensely better, having decided to 
deal with the problem first hand.   She refused to think about 
exactly what she would say.  

     "Wonder what Xena will think?"  Gabrielle muttered, gathering 
her things, ready to head back to Lucky's.  "I think she'll 
approve," thinking about her warrior's reaction to her withdrawal 
before they split up.  Feeling better than she had in days, the 
bard fairly skipped out of the glen.

     And abruptly crashed, after wandering through the stables.  
"Gods!"  The bard moaned silently, entering the inn.  "Today is 
only the eleventh day!  I can't believe she made me promise to 
wait until the thirteenth."  Unfortunately the bard could believe 
it, her warrior wanted her out of danger's path.

     "Hi Gabrielle."  Lucky waved from the bar, titling her head 
questioning.

     "Just water Lucky."  Gabrielle perched on the indicated 
stool.  "Not to busy tonight."  The bard glanced curiously around 
the mostly empty room.

     "Its still early."  The requested drink was set in front of 
the bard.  "I think tonight will be slow.  It’s too nice to stay 
cooped up inside.  These warm evenings won't last much longer.  
Want some dinner?"  

     "That would be nice.  Not much though, I'm not really 
hungry."  Gabrielle emptied her glass, nodding her thanks when it 
was refilled.  "I know, don't say it."  She held up a hand in 
warning.  "I know I'm tired and should eat.  And I know," 
Gabrielle grinned lopsidedly.  "Xena will be upset if I don't get 
some rest before she gets back.  That is why after I eat, I'm 
going to try and get some sleep."

     "Sounds like a good plan."  Lucky moved to let the barmaid 
serve Gabrielle.  "Now eat up.  Did I ever tell you the time Xena 
learned how to make warrior's brew?"

     "That is so funny!  I'll have to remember to ask for one next 
time she's getting the drinks!"  Gabrielle laughed, smothering a 
yawn, standing up.  "On that note, I think I'll turn in.  
Goodnight Lucky.  Thanks for the story."

     "You're welcome Gabrielle.  Goodnight."  Lucky smiled, 
watching the bard sleepily head up stairs, glad for the sparkling 
light that returned to the bard's eyes.  Silently she sent a 
message to the warrior, urging her a safe and speedy return.

     Gabrielle sleepily changed, sliding into bed.  Sighing 
heavily, the bard closed her eyes, planning.  Tomorrow was day 
twelve.  "That means I need to get a more detailed description 
from Phocis about the road to Ptan.  And then some supplies.  
Gotta get some more....."  The bard fell asleep, plotting.

***************  

     Tiredly Xena glanced at the early night moon, patting Argo's 
sweating neck.  "Almost there girl.  We can rest a bit by the 
stream."  Xena dismounted, pulling out a cloth to wipe the light 
sheen of sweat from her horse.  "There you go.  Don't drink to 
fast."  She let Argo drink a moment, taking some soap and a clean 
cloth from the saddlebag.  While Argo grazed, the warrior quickly 
stripped and washed in the stream, wanting nothing more than to 
crawl into bed beside the bard when she reached Lucky's.  "C'mon 
girl.  We've got a bard to meet."  Xena mounted, urging Argo into 
a gallop.  

     "Gods I missed her!"  The warrior found herself once again 
speaking to Argo.  "I hope everything is ok with her.  It better 
be."  Xena split her attention between the surrounding countryside 
and her thoughts, allowing her mind to partially drift, memories 
of her smiling bard flashing brightly.  

     A long candlemark later, Xena wearily pushed open the door to 
the inn, carrying her saddlebags in one hand.  She stopped 
surprised, her bard wasn't telling stories.  Worried eyes quickly 
scanned the interior, latching onto Lucky.  Long hurried strides 
took her to her old friend's side, interrupting her conversation.  
"Where is she?  What's wrong?" 

     "Xena!"  Lucky jumped up, scanning a concerned eye over the 
warrior's exhausted form.  Excusing herself, she led the 
increasingly worried and impatient warrior away from the evening 
crowd.  "Calm down!  She's upstairs sleeping.  You don't look any 
better that she does!"

     "What's that supposed to mean?"  Xena ran a tired hand 
through her wind blown hair.  "Thanks," added when Lucky handed 
her a mug of port.

     "You two certainly are a pair.  Don't either of you take care 
of yourselves when you're not together?"  Lucky barreled forward, 
not giving the warrior a chance to answer.  "Do you want some 
dinner?  It figures.  Just like the stubborn bard."  Added at the 
warrior's nod.   "Gabrielle's in the same room as last time.  Go 
on," Lucky pushed the warrior gently towards the stairs.  "I don't 
want to see either of you until late tomorrow!"  Lucky smiled.  
The bard would be fine now that Xena was here.

     Silently Xena entered Gabrielle's room, pausing to drop her 
saddlebags before moving to the bed, lighting a candle on the way.   
Sitting gingerly beside the bard, Xena drew a deep breath after 
getting a good look at her lover.  "Hades, Gabrielle!  What did 
you do to yourself?"  Xena lightly ran a finger down her love's 
cheek, frowning at the dark circles under the bard's eyes and the
heavy lines of tension and worry etched on her face.  Without 
taking her eyes from Gabrielle, the warrior removed her armor and 
leathers then blew out the candle.  Lifting the light sheet 
covering the bard, she slid in beside her.  Talking softly, the 
warrior eased Gabrielle into her usual sleeping position, sighing 
contentedly as the bard unconsciously snuggled close.

     Warmth and security permeated the bard's senses.  Slowly 
Gabrielle became aware of her surroundings.  And that strong, 
familiar arms were holding her, cradling her.  "Hey!"  Gabrielle 
mumbled sleepily, glancing up to meet the concerned gaze of her 
warrior.  "Xena!"  Gabrielle wrapped herself more fully
around Xena.  "Gods I missed you!"

     "I missed you too."  Xena tightened her hold on the bard.  "I 
love you."

     "Love you too!"  Gabrielle pulled back and kissed the warrior 
deeply, fighting to hide a yawn when their lips parted.

     "Get rid of this."  Xena tugged on the bard's sleep shirt.  
"I need to feel you."  She helped the bard remove her shirt, then 
settle back down.  "Goodnight my bard.  We can talk in the 
morning."

     "I'm not tired!"  Gabrielle protested.  But it didn't carry 
much strength, since a yawned punctuated her complaint.

     "Right!"  Xena snorted, fighting her own yawn.  "I am.   In 
the morning, please?"

     "Alright.  The morning it is."  The bard snuggled closer, 
sighing contentedly.  "Love you, my warrior."

     "Love you too, my bard."  Xena kissed the strawberry blond 
hair, exhaling softly as Gabrielle returned the kiss.  "Go to 
sleep, bard."  Came a low growl as small, unusually rough hands 
gently began exploring the warrior's tired body.  "I mean it!"  
Xena caught the wandering hands, one at a time, placing them back 
in their normal positions.

     You're serious?"  Gabrielle couldn't believe what she heard.  
Raising up to meet her warrior's brilliant blue eyes, she groaned 
loudly, seeing Xena's fatigue for the first time.  "Sorry.  I'll 
behave."  Gabrielle said softly, trying to mask her 
disappointment, surprised when Xena's eyes closed and the 
warrior fell asleep immediately.  

     Instantly Gabrielle started to worry.  "Just how hard did you 
ride to get here?  What did you do to yourself?"  She tenderly 
brushed the windblown black hair off the warrior's forehead, 
sighing quietly.  "Gods I love you."  A sudden thought occurred.  
"You aren't hurt are you?"  Gabrielle shifted to the side, 
frowning in concern when the warrior didn't even move.  Slowly she 
pulled the sheet down, examining the warrior's body for injury.  
"Lucky for you you're ok!"  She tugged the blanket back up, 
tucking it around the warrior's side before laying her head down 
on the warrior's shoulder.  "In the morning, then."  Sleepily the 
bard closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, missing Xena open 
her eyes and chuckling slightly.

     "You need your sleep too, my bard.  Sleep well."  Xena kissed 
her forehead, then joined the bard in her dreams.

     Gradually Gabrielle became aware of the world around her.  Of 
the soft warmth of the morning sun streaming in the window.  Of 
the delicate music of morning birds greeting the arrival of a new 
day.  Of the strong, firm, comfortable body beneath her.  Of the 
smooth, silky satin that quivered with her touch.  Drawing in a 
deep, satisfied breath, Gabrielle opened her eyes, smiling gently 
at her sleeping lover.

     Carefully, possessively, lovingly, the bard studied her 
warrior, much as she had done the night before.   Sparkling green 
eyes drank in the sorely missed features from the wild untamed jet 
black hair to the tiny lines of fatigue around her eyes to the 
contented quirk of full lips to the graceful curves hinting at the 
warrior's beauty beneath the blanket.  

     "I call myself a bard!"  Gabrielle thought, gazing adoringly, 
yet frustrated at her Warrior Princess.  "No matter how many times 
I see you...fall into you...touch you...I just can't find the 
words to do you justice."  The bard sighed, hiding a groan.  "You 
are so beautiful," her touch like a feather, caressing.   "I look 
at you in awe.  Not only are you breathtakingly beautiful," 
Gabrielle shifted, frowning when Xena didn't wake up.  Normally 
the warrior was a light sleeper, constantly attuned to her 
surroundings.  The fact that she had not waken up yet worried the 
bard.  "But," more pleasant thoughts returned, unable to stop the 
grin from beginning, then spreading as her lover reacted to her 
touch in her sleep.  "You are a beautiful person inside.  Your 
courage, your honor, your loyalty, your love...shine from within."

     Gabrielle winced, trying to ignore the growing twinges of 
pain in her legs.  Holding still to not disturb her love was 
quickly becoming an impossible task.  Forcefully the bard told 
herself to move, commanding her limbs to slowly, evenly release 
the warrior so she wouldn't be woken by the trembling in her legs.  
Somewhat amazed she was successful, Gabrielle hobbled to her feet, 
painfully stretching muscles not used to such a long period of 
inactivity.

     "What's wrong?"  Concerned blue eyes snapped open as the 
warrior sensed her bard's attention elsewhere.  Xena had been 
awake for some time, enjoying the loving looks she was receiving, 
delighting in holding the bard.

     "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."  Gabrielle glanced 
apologetically at Xena, grinning in spite of her sore muscles when 
that eyebrow climbed the warrior's forehead.  "Watch out!"  The 
bard gave a fairly good imitation of the warrior's battle cry and 
launched herself at the warrior, fingers tickling before she even 
landed.

     "Gabrielle!"  Xena laughed and squirmed, fighting back.  "Now 
what are you gonna do, huh?"  The warrior raised an eyebrow, 
indicating the delicate position the bard had allowed herself to 
get in.  Her fingers wiggled suggestively, strongly hinting more 
was to come if the bard continued to fight.  The long fingers 
instantly stilled when tears began silently running down 
the bard's face.  "Gabrielle?"  Xena propped herself up on her 
elbow, gently wiping the tears from the bard's wet cheeks.  "Are 
you alright?"

     "Fine."  Gabrielle hiccupped, battling her tears of joy.  
Sometimes the bard really hated how easily and often she cried.  
"Really I am."  She added at her warrior's unbelieving look.  "I'm 
glad you're back."  The bard leaned forward, pressing against the 
warrior's fingers.   Seeing she wasn't going to be able to avoid 
the warrior's earlier question, Gabrielle reached up and entwined 
their fingers.  "I just over did it a little," the bard admitted, 
hoping Xena would let it drop.

     "How much is a little?"  Even after a full night's sleep, the 
exhaustion on Gabrielle's face was evident.  Xena narrowed her 
eyes, waiting expectantly.

     "I practiced every day."  Gabrielle tried to avoid the 
specifics, knowing how her warrior was going to react.

     "How long and with who?"  Xena asked, smiling encouragingly, 
hiding her exasperation and concern.  The limited stretching 
Gabrielle had done convinced the warrior of just how much pain the 
bard was in.

     "With Phocis and his sister-in-law, Meredith."  Gabrielle 
gave in, a quirky grin on her face.  "And myself.  I'm not sure 
how long."  She thought a moment, then confessed.  "I guess 
several candlemarks each day."   Xena remained silent.  "Ok.  Ok!"  
Gabrielle sighed, never able to tell only part of the truth when 
the warrior looked at her with those eyes.  "Damn!"  She sighed 
silently.  "She's gonna be mad!"  "I practiced if I wasn't helping 
either Lucky or Phocis."

     "Why, beloved?"  Xena tugged the bard forward with their 
entwined hands and moved so Gabrielle landed on her chest.  "I 
wasn't gone that long!"

     "Seemed like it to me!"  Gabrielle muttered, nuzzling the 
soft skin above the warrior's breast.  "At least you had something 
to do to keep your mind off of missing me.  Hey!"  The bard 
realized she had not asked how Xena handled the raiders.  "How did 
it go?"

     The weird look in Gabrielle's eye finally registered in the 
warrior's brain. "Meredith?"  Xena frowned when the bard squirmed, 
seeming to avoid the question.  "Gabrielle?"

     "Be nice if you see her, please?  I think I scared her enough 
the last time."  Gabrielle absently played with the warrior's 
hair, running her fingers through it.  "She saw Phocis and me 
trying out some of his new staff shipment and wanted lessons.  It 
was something to do."

     "You scared her, my fierce Amazon Queen?"  Xena stared 
lovingly, yet suspiciously at said queen.  It was clear she was 
avoiding something.

     "Seems Meredith has, uhh, I mean...she's.."  Gabrielle 
stumbled painfully along, not able to say 'she's attracted to me.'

     "You mean she's got a crush on you?"  Xena teased, finally 
secure in the bard's feelings for her.  "Well, you are pretty 
cute.  Especially when you're blushing.  I don't blame her one 
bit."  The bard turned a deeper shade of red.

     "What happened with Bodan and those raiders?"  Gabrielle 
wanted to concentrate on something other than her red face.  

     "You aren't gonna believe this."  Xena shifted, running a 
hand down the bard's arm.  "But the bad guys were using Ptan as 
sort of a training ground for new recruits.  If they kept their 
cool and remained calm during the raids, they made it into the 
group.  That is why the situation and demands changed every time.  
It depended on what type of recruit they were looking for.  And 
why the demands were rather modest.  They didn't want to 'overuse' 
their training grounds.  It was just a simple matter of stopping 
the next group from doing any damage without alerting them to my 
presence and following them back to their home base.  Then of 
course stopping them from doing it again."  Xena shrugged 
slightly.  "The hardest part of the trip was that you weren't 
there with me."

     "You make it sound so easy."  Gabrielle patted her modest 
warrior.  "Wish I could have seen it, though.  That is a new one, 
we haven't seen that before.  Would have made a great story.  
What," delicately the bard traced the lines of exhaustion around 
the warrior's eyes.  "Are these for?  How long did it take you to 
make it back?"

     "Took longer than three days to stop the raiders.  I wanted 
to get back so you'd stop worrying."  The warrior nipped at 
Gabrielle's fingers.  "Don't say you weren't, my bard."  The 
warrior was successful in her battle, capturing a wandering 
finger, lightly sucking on its tip.  "Didn't you get any rest the 
whole time I was gone?  You look exhausted, love."

     "It was hard to sleep without you."  Gabrielle shrugged, not 
bothering to deny being worried.  "Didn't feel like writing, with 
telling stories all night long.  Mind needed a break."  She tapped 
the object in question then quipped.  "Didn't want to over task 
it.  So," the bard yawned, rolling her eyes when her stomach 
announced itself.  "I had to do something to keep busy.  Now," she 
untangled herself from the warrior.  "I think I better get 
something to eat.  I'll be right back."  The bard started to reach 
for her clothes but was stopped by the warrior. "What?"

     "Good morning my bard."  Xena leaned forward, teasing the 
bard's lips with her tongue before plunging deeply into 
Gabrielle's warm mouth.  Both women groaned as their tongues 
sought and claimed the other.  Time and time again their lips and 
tongues met, happily reunited again.

     "Good morning to you, my warrior."  Gabrielle whispered once 
they separated.  She looked longingly at her relaxed, sexy 
warrior, but forced herself to back away from the bed.  They both 
needed to eat before rediscovering each other.  I'll be right 
back."  Gabrielle fled the room before her resolve weakened.

     Xena's eyes followed the determined, but slow moving bard.   
"What aren't you telling me?  You weren't just trying to keep 
busy."  The warrior bounced out of bed, tired but ecstatic to be 
back with her bard.  Busily she fluffed the bedding, straightening 
it from their playing.  Quickly the contents of the saddlebags 
were spread out, separated, then partially re-packed.  Intending 
to spend the day indoors, Xena closed the interior shutters.  
Hearing Gabrielle talking, the warrior rapidly splashed some water 
on her face then dashed to open the door for the bard.

     "Morning Lucky."  Xena stepped back, letting both women 
enter.  "How have you been?  Sorry it took us so long to get back 
here."

     "Good morning Xena.  I'm glad to see you're feeling better.  
Gabrielle explained the delay.  You've been busy."  Lucky studied 
the warrior's face after setting a fresh pitcher of water on the 
table.  "I'll see you ladies later...much later.  Both of you need 
to go back to bed."  Grinning wickedly, she stared at the blushing 
bard and then the amused warrior, chuckling as she shut the door 
on the way out.  

     "Never a dull moment with Lucky around."  Xena joked, 
covertly watching the bard as she joined her at the table.  "What 
did she want us for?"  The warrior asked, hoping the bard would 
give a long explanation, having missed her bard's voice terribly.  

     "You've gotta try this bread.  Its fantastic!"  Gabrielle 
offered it to the warrior, then started eating.  Food tasted good 
again.  "Seems that she missed you, warrior of my heart.  I think 
something happened that reminded her of the past and she needed to 
reassure herself that things were different now.  Lucky didn't 
tell me what happened..  But she was disappointed that you weren't 
with me at first.  At least," Gabrielle grinned at Xena.  "Until I 
told her I would tell as many warrior princess stories as I could.  
She knew she wouldn't get that if you were around.  Those seemed 
to help."

     "I'll see if she'll talk later."  Xena sat back, impressed 
with how much the bard was eating (more than her normal huge 
amounts), soothed by her voice. "You gonna tell me what else has 
been bothering you?"  Tenderly Xena reached over and brushed the 
hair away from the bard's face.  "I know you missed me, but 
normally you don't work yourself into an exhausted state."

     The bard thought rapidly, reviewing her conversation from the 
previous night on her way back to the inn.  "Just what can and do 
I tell Xena?  I will kill her if she knows how much this 
separation hurt.  It won't happen again.  And as much as I want 
that to happen, I want it for other reasons.  Not because she's 
afraid to leave me, but because she doesn't want to!"  Then... "I 
refuse to make her choose between helping others and me.  I won't 
do that."  Seeing that her silence was causing her lover distress, 
Gabrielle reached across the table and took the warrior's hand.  
"I need to stop by my parent's after we visit the Amazons."  The 
bard decided to deal with what was currently troubling her, not 
sure exactly how she was going to tell the warrior about the rest 
of the problem.

     "We can do that."  Xena breathed a sigh of relief before 
realizing that Gabrielle wouldn't have been worried about telling 
her she wanted to visit.  "Are your parents ok?  We can go their 
first if you want."

     "As far as I know, they're fine."  Gabrielle exhaled 
relieved.  "If you don't have any objections, I would like to tell 
them about us.  They deserve to hear it from me, not some passing 
stranger."  The bard listened to her words, amazed.  Two days of 
agonizing came out so simply, so straightforwardly...so 
painlessly.

     "I'll be right there holding your hand, if you want."  Xena 
openly studied her bard, not convinced she was telling her the 
whole story.  "We can leave in a couple of days, once we've both 
had a chance to rest."  The warrior knew better to say the bard 
alone needed rest.  "Besides, I promised Argo she wouldn't have to 
go anywhere for a couple of days.  She's pretty tired too."

     "How long did it take you to get here from Ptan?"  From the 
fatigue very evident in the warrior's rigid posture, Gabrielle was 
betting on three long days instead of the normal four.

     Xena briefly thought about avoiding the question, then 
decided against it. She wanted Gabrielle to know how desperately 
she wanted to rejoin her.  "About two and a half days."  Xena met 
Gabrielle's startled stare unwaveringly.  "I wanted to get back to 
you.  C'mere."  The warrior rose, taking the bard with her through 
their linked hands.  Wrapping her bard firmly in her arms, Xena
rested her cheek on strawberry blond hair.  "I need to be with 
you."  Said straightforwardly, right from the heart.

     "I need you."  Gabrielle pulled back, gazing sincerely into 
open, emotional blue eyes.  "C'mere."  The bard drew her 
cooperating warrior to the bed.

     The faint noises of a growing crowd roused the warrior from 
her slumber.  An amazed, emotional smile graced her face as she 
studied her lover.  "You look much better now."  Xena whispered, 
confident the bard wouldn't waken.  After the afternoon they just 
had, it would take a herd of charging centaurs to wake Gabrielle.  
"Seems you only needed me to make you feel better."  Although the 
bard still looked tired, she appeared much more rested and 
peaceful.  A brief internal look confirmed the warrior was also 
quite content.  Allowing herself to drift, Xena closed her eyes, 
savoring holding her bard.  Still somewhat surprised at how 
content and complete she felt with the bard in her arms.  And how 
strongly the bard needed her.

     The slamming of a door down the hall ended the lazy, happy 
daze the warrior was indulging in.  Tracing the gentle curves of 
the bard's body put a soft, wondering smile on Xena's face.  "I 
still can't believe you choose to be with me.  I never thought I'd 
feel this way about another person...never thought I want another 
person as much as I want you...never love nor be loved like this."  
The bard stretched, interrupting the warrior's thoughts.  "Hey," 
Xena said softly, smiling in delight at the total look of love on 
her bard's face.

     "Hey yourself."  Gabrielle stretched, then stopped surprised.  
"Hey!  My muscles feel a lot better."  She smirked at the self 
satisfied grin on her warrior's face.  "Guess I'll know what to do 
next time they hurt."

     "Guess so."  Xena agreed, flashing her best innocent look at 
the bard.  "I'm always willing to help, if I can."

     "Xena!"  Gabrielle giggled, impishly licking the warm flesh 
under her.

     "Gabrielle!"  Xena snickered, leaning into the caress.  
"Getting hungry my bard?  I believe it’s my turn to get dinner, 
unless you want to go downstairs?"

     "Nah, I'd rather stay up here with you.  Bring some wine 
please?"  Gabrielle watched Xena dress, loving the way her muscles 
moved beneath the skin.  "How do you do that?"  She asked, 
clamping down on her rising desire.  "Make dressing look so sexy?"  
Added when the warrior turned a questioning eyebrow on her.

     "Don't know."  Xena's pulse increased, seeing the masked 
desire and passion burning in her bard's eyes.  "Probably the same 
way you do."

     "Not!"

     "Gabrielle."  Xena exclaimed, glimpsing the bard's disbelief.  
"Don't you realize," Xena sat beside her on the bed, taking her 
hand in her own.  "How sexy you are?  When you look at me like 
that," blue eyes reflected barely restrained want and need.  "Its 
all I can do to not crawl back in there and show you exactly how," 
Xena brushed her lips on the back of Gabrielle's hand.  "How I 
desire," warm lips inched their way up the bard's quivering arm.  
"How I crave," the warrior teasingly nipped the sensitive earlobe 
before sucking on it lightly.  "How I thirst," her tongue licking 
the bard's bottom lip tantalizingly, then passionately kissing her 
lover.  "How I want," the other earlobe was treated to the same
loving attention.  "How I need," the warrior rubbed suggestively 
against the bard.  "...you?"  Xena finished breathlessly, staring 
hotly at her trembling Gabrielle.  

     "I...I..."  Gabrielle stuttered then gave up.  Shaking arms 
pulled the warrior against her throbbing body.  "I believe you."  
The bard finally managed to gasp into her warrior's ear.  "You 
know its mutual, right?" Dropping the warrior between her parted 
legs, Gabrielle wrapped them around the warrior's.  "Still 
interested in eating?"  The bard slid her hands under her 
warrior's skirt, kneading and pressing the warrior against her at 
the same time.  Unfortunately at that moment, her stomach chose to 
loudly announce itself.

     "We both need food."  Xena couldn't stop herself from 
pressing against the bard.  "Really."  The warrior's voice 
wavered, acutely aware of the sexual energy permeating the air.  
"Never mind," Xena growled, thrusting against the bard once, 
losing her leathers an instant later.  Sinking back down into the 
bard, she groaned loudly, feeling her bard's need.  A searing kiss 
left them both breathless, hips grinding together.

     "Gods!"  Gabrielle gasped, teeth grazing her warrior's 
shoulder.    "Love you," the bard cried, tightening her hold on 
the warrior, feeling herself floating in a sea of pleasure.

     "Mine." Xena growled possessively, increasing the pace of 
their passion.  Not understanding where it was coming from, the 
warrior snarled again.  "Mine...all mine."       

     "Your's."  Gabrielle shuddered, instinctively answering her 
warrior's plea.  "Forever."  Bathed in the burning liquid of their 
desire, Gabrielle felt compelled to add her own possessive growl.  
"Mine," fearlessly claiming the warrior princess for her own.

     "Your's."  Spoken softly, directly into the bard's ear.  
"Forever," echoing Gabrielle's promise.  Together they exploded, 
collapsing into each other.

     "Incredible," Xena purred, rubbing against the still shaking 
bard. Surprisingly the warrior found her voice first.  "I love 
you, my Gabrielle."  

     "I love you Xena."  Gabrielle avowed, watching her warrior 
closely.  "Hold me?"  Suddenly the bard needed to feel the safety 
and security found only in her warrior's arms.

     For an answer, Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and 
turned them over, pulling the bard on top of her.  "Better?"  She 
smiled at Gabrielle's happy sigh.  "I missed this...missed you.  A 
lot."  Meaning the closeness they now shared.

     "Me too."  Gabrielle confessed, snuggling closer.  "More than 
a lot."    A few moments later, she pulled back, needing to see 
Xena's expressive face.  When the warrior allowed it, she had the 
most expressive face the bard had ever seen.  "You don't mind 
going to Poteidaia first?"

     "No, I don't mind.  And don't even think that you're going to 
do this alone.  We're," Xena stressed that.  "We're telling them 
about us.  I won't let you do that by yourself."

     "Thanks.  I know how uncomfortable my family makes you feel."  
Gabrielle saw nothing but love in Xena's eyes.  "I wish my family 
treated you like yours does me."  

     "Doesn't matter.  I'll be right there by your side."  Xena 
shrugged, making sure her eyes reflected nothing but love.  
Certainly not the uneasiness she felt, convinced the bard's family 
would react poorly to the news.  "I'm proud of you for wanting to 
do this."  Her eyes were alight with pleasure.  "I'm glad that you 
want to tell them."  Xena confessed, heart swelling with love and 
pride.  "I wondered why you didn't want to."  Despite all they had 
been through together, the warrior wondered and worried in a small 
part of her mind that the bard was ashamed to tell her family 
about them.  Still feeling unworthy of the bard or her love.

     Gabrielle heard the unasked question.   Swallowing painfully, 
she stroked the warrior's cheek before answering.  "Not that!  I 
am not, nor ever have been, ashamed to be in love with you!"  
Gabrielle shook her warrior.  "How could you ever think that?"

     "Because I know I'm not the best choice for you.  I'm not 
safe to be with.  I've hurt too many people, got too many enemies.  
And I know,"  Xena met the bard's gaze unflinchingly.  "That 
people talk and you get hurt.  All because you love me, the 
dreaded Destroyer of Nations.  But," the warrior smiled softly, 
tightening her hold on the bard.  "I could no sooner stop needing 
you, loving you, than I could breath."

     "Remember that it works both ways."  Gabrielle kissed Xena, 
pouring all of her love and devotion to the warrior into the kiss.  
"I am proud of you.  Proud to know you, proud to call you friend, 
proud to call you love."  The bard gazed emotionally at the 
warrior, wanting no misunderstandings between them.  Not about 
this.  "The person you are today, the one that rode off to help a 
stranger and his village, the one who rescues countless people..."  
Gabrielle placed a hand over the warrior's heart.   "The one who 
never left my side when I needed her, the one who holds me when 
I'm scared, the one who helps me when I'm hurt, the one who 
protects me from harm..."  The bard flashed a loving smile at 
Xena, holding her eyes intently.   "That's also the woman I love.  
I am honored," Gabrielle replaced her hand with her lips.  "To 
call the Warrior Princess, former Destroyer of Nations, defender 
of the underdog, my partner, my love."  The bard raised her head 
to gauge the warrior's reaction.

     "C'mere."  Xena pulled the bard up, then flipped them over.  
Burying her face in the bard's neck, the warrior melded their 
entwined bodies together.  The warrior's mind raced, mulling over 
the bard's heartfelt words.  She knew, without a shadow of a 
doubt, that she would never find a more loving, caring person in 
her life.  The warrior wasn't sure how, but her bard's words had 
soothed her fears and calmed her anxiety.  

     "Xena?  You ok?"  Gabrielle asked a little later.  The bard 
was ecstatic that her warrior seemed to find as much comfort and 
security in her arms as the bard did in the warrior's but the 
uncharacteristic behavior caused a prick of concern.

     "I'm great."  Xena nipped the sensitive flesh before pulling 
back to meet the bard's concerned gaze.   And promptly laughed 
when their stomachs rumbled in unison.  "I think we both need to 
get some dinner now.   Still want to eat up here?"

     "Yeah I do."  Gabrielle released her hold on the warrior, 
grinning naughtily when she saw the warrior's leathers where 
they'd been tossed carelessly earlier...across the room.  "Get a 
little excited earlier, Xena?"  She teased, trying to look 
innocent.

     "Watch it!"  Xena growled, raising an expressive eyebrow at 
the bard.  The warrior stopped to run a damp cloth over her body 
and comb her hair before getting dressed.  Purposefully Xena 
played the vamp, moving suggestively, making small noises that 
drove the bard wild.  When she finally did look over at the bard, 
it was almost her undoing.   The heated, passionate glaze in the 
bard's eyes set her pulse to racing.  Swallowing convulsively, 
Xena backed to the door, unable to pull her eyes away from 
Gabrielle.  "I'll be right back."  The warrior finally managed to 
utter.  Opening the door, she left the room, fanning herself
distractedly.

     A thorough scan of the busy room didn't reveal Lucky, but it 
did Phocis.  Xena silently approached from behind, spooking him 
when the warrior dropped a hand on the unsuspecting man's 
shoulder.  "Phocis!"  The warrior grinned mentally, pleased her 
former soldier didn't need his deadly skills anymore.

     "Yikes, Xena!"  Phocis jumped to his feet, startled.  "Trying 
to scare me to death?"  He pounded his old commander on the back 
in greeting.  "Sit down."  A server hurried to bring another round 
of drinks at his insistence.  "What can I do for you?"  Inside he 
grimaced, figuring Xena was after information about the bard and 
his sister-in-law.

     "So you've been corrupting my partner, drafting her for 
work?"  Xena glared intimidatingly at Phocis.  The warrior wanted 
some details about Gabrielle's behavior and state of mind and 
Phocis was a good place to start since Lucky wasn't available.

     "Gabrielle volunteered Xena."  Phocis drained his drink.  "I 
didn't even ask.  On her first day in town, she showed up and sked 
if there was anything she could do to help.  Said Lucky would only 
let her tell stories in the evenings and she needed something to 
do."

     "How's Meredith?"  The warrior abruptly changed the focus of 
the conversation, watching his reaction closely.  Gabrielle had 
laughed off the young woman's attraction, but something about it 
struck the warrior as odd.

     "Meredith?  She's fine.  Pretty impressed with Gabrielle, 
both her skill with the staff and control of her emotions.  What?"   
Phocis jumped and swallowed convulsively at the look he was 
receiving.  He hadn't seen that look, the one that was pinning him 
in place, in years.

     "What aren't you telling me Phocis?"  Xena's eyes narrowed, 
summing her warrior princess persona, not allowing her ex-soldier 
to see her amusement as he shifted uncomfortably under her stare.

     "Oh Hades," Phocis sighed mentally.  He had been hoping to 
avoid this.  "A couple of days ago, after Meredith's staff lesson, 
a couple of villagers told Gabrielle what they thought of her.  I 
don't know exactly what was said, but these women pulled their 
children away from the bard, telling her she was a bad influence 
and that they were sorry for her parents."

     "What did Gabrielle do?"  Outwardly the warrior appeared 
calm, inside she was seething, her protective instincts at 
maximum.  

     "She was polite and courteous, even moved her staff away from 
the children.  According to Meredith, the only indication 
Gabrielle was upset was her tight grip on her staff."  Phocis 
breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that went rather well.  Xena 
was still sitting calmly.

     "Before this," Xena absorbed the information without blinking 
an eye.  "Was Gabrielle ok?"

     "Sure.  She was tired, but said it was because she was 
practicing more.  Something about trying to get a couple of new 
moves down."  Phocis didn't understand the concern Lucky had shown 
earlier when he came to check on the bard.  He'd attributed the 
bard's mood to his pesky sister-in-law's behavior.

     "Thanks for the information and the drink."  Xena rose, 
extending her arm.  "Take care of yourself Phocis."

     "You too Xena."  Phocis exhaled slowly, watching the warrior 
make her way to the bar.

     "Hey Lucky."  Xena sat in front of the newly returned 
innkeeper.  "Is it too late to get something to eat?"

     "Not for my favorite customers.  Be right back."  Lucky ran 
into the kitchen for a moment.  "The cook's fixing a tray right 
now.  Everything ok? You and Phocis were having a serious 
conversation."

     "Just asking a couple of questions.  Something wrong?"  Xena 
stared at the suddenly busy innkeeper.

     "Fine, why do you ask?"  Lucky polished the clean counter, 
not looking at the warrior.

     "So why won't you look at me then?  Is that why you wanted us 
to come visit?"  Xena took a shot and missed the mark.
 
     "Good heavens no!  I told Gabrielle nothing was wrong.  I 
just wanted to see my friends, hear of their adventures.  Got a 
problem with that?"  Lucky didn't admit how scared she had been, 
hearing some of the recent tales told by traveling bards.

     Xena could easily read the hesitation in her old friend's 
face, but granted her the privacy she desired.  "Tell me about my 
bard.  Why is she so exhausted? That didn't happen over the last 
couple of days."

     "Ever since Gabrielle arrived, she seemed on edge.  The girl 
couldn't sit still, unless she was telling stories.  And she had 
no appetite."  Lucky wavered for a moment, then decided to tell 
Xena her own perceptions.  "I think she worked herself to the 
point where her mind shut down, just so she could sleep.  But that 
didn't work, because she spent part of every night pacing.  I 
tried to get her to confide in me, but she kept insisting nothing 
was wrong.  Just like a certain warrior I could mention, but 
won't."  Lucky waited for the silent warrior to nod before 
continuing.  "Its my opinion that she was trying to forget how
worried she was, how much she missed you by working until she 
couldn't think straight."

     "Thanks Lucky.  I needed to know and that's something 
Gabrielle would never tell me."  Xena started to rise, mind 
already considering the implications of Lucky's comments, seeing 
the kitchen worker bringing a tray over.

     "Wait."  Lucky laid a restraining hand on the warrior's arm.  
Nodding her thanks for the tray, Lucky waited until the girl 
returned to the kitchen to continue.  "I meant what I said last 
night!  You two both need to take better care of yourself when 
you're apart.  Frankly dear," the innkeeper blithely ignored the 
warrior's exasperated glare.  "You look like you spent a moon  in 
Tartarus too!"

     "You have no idea how hard it was to leave Gabrielle on the 
road."  Xena stopped, refusing to have this conversation with 
Lucky.  The one she needed to have it with was upstairs, waiting.  
"Thanks for the food."

     "Night Xena.  Sleep well."  The innkeeper watched her friend 
navigate the crowd and stairs with ease, not spilling a drop from 
the full tray.

     "You've been busy, my bard."  Xena whispered, setting the 
full tray down on the table.  Amused, touched blue eyes traveled 
the room, noting the freshly made bed, the flickering candles, the 
clean towels and full buckets of water.  Sniffing appreciatively, 
Xena walked to the open window, catching the hint of flowers and 
spices in the breeze.  The sound of the opening door drew the 
warrior out of her light trance.

     "You're back."  Gabrielle entered the room empty handed and
approached her warrior who was lounging by the window.  "Anything
interesting?"  The bard peered around her shoulder, wondering what 
had captured the warrior's attention.

     "Just you."  Xena wrapped an arm around the bard's shoulders, 
steering her towards the table.  "Lets eat."  "And talk," she 
silently added.  "Gabrielle," the warrior waited until the bard 
had filled her plate and started to eat.  "Why did you decide to 
tell your parents about us now?  Are you sure nothing else is 
wrong?"  Xena wanted Gabrielle to tell her about the conversation 
with the town's women and what was troubling her.

     "Busted again."  Gabrielle exhaled noisily, absently twirling 
her wine.  The bard knew that avoiding the questions would hurt 
Xena.  "Start with the easier one first, Gabrielle."  She told 
herself, looking up into the caring, concerned gaze of her 
warrior.  

     "Two days ago, a couple of women said something," the bard 
hesitated briefly, choosing her words carefully and decided to 
change tracks slightly.  There wasn't any reason for Xena to know 
the specifics of the conversation, it would just upset her.  "Said 
something that made me realize that I needed to be the one to tell 
my parents.  They deserve to hear it from me."  Gabrielle smiled 
and took Xena's hand, lacing their fingers together.  Seeing that 
the warrior wasn't totally convinced, Gabrielle continued, green 
eyes locked on blue.

     "I won't lie.  What they said upset me," Gabrielle knew if 
Lucky hadn't said anything yet, she would soon.   "And in typical 
fashion, I talked it to death before admitting to myself why their 
comments bothered me and what I had to do about it.  You are ok 
with this, right?"  The bard's eyes never strayed from Xena's,  
needing to know this was what she wanted too.  "Because we can 
wait, if..."

     "Gabrielle," Xena interrupted her.  "I told you before I 
think it's a good idea.  We'll do it together."  Xena bit her lip, 
wondering if now was the time to tell the bard how much she missed 
her.  The warrior fretted, irrationally nervous.  "Can I tell you 
something?"

     "Anything, you know that."  Gabrielle squeezed Xena's hands, 
silently encouraging her to continue.  

     "You do know how hard it was for me to leave you on the road, 
right?  Know that I didn't want to go without you?"  Xena took a 
deep breath, battling with herself, fighting her still natural 
instinct to keep her thoughts and feelings locked deep inside.  
Another deep breath, aided by the unconditional love and support 
in the bard's eyes, and she was ready to continue.  "I don't want 
to do that again...I don't know if I can.  I need this," her eyes 
drifted to their linked hands then returned to her lover's.  

     "Need us."  Xena whispered, not telling her best friend 
everything.  Without Gabrielle's calming presence, her dealings 
with the village elders had been strained.  That no one, outside 
of Bodan and his parents trusted her.  And how that realization 
had rocked her, having become so used to, so dependent on her 
bard's never wavering trust and support.    

     "Need you," added a moment later.  The warrior hadn't 
realized how much she'd come to depend on her friend and her 
abilities to make tough, tense situations bearable with her kind 
words and gentle wisdom.  And those fearful, restrained hated 
looks?  Xena certainly hadn't been greatly affected by them in
some time.  The warrior cleared her throat, her voice low and 
husky.  "I need my partner."

     "I need you too, warrior of my heart."  Gabrielle tugged Xena 
to her feet and wrapped herself around her lover.    "Where did 
all of that come from?  What happened that you're not telling me?  
I knew I should have followed you!  Hades, when am I gonna stop 
letting her talk me into staying behind?"  The bard battled with 
herself, unconsciously holding her warrior tighter with each 
thought.

     "Gabrielle?  We better eat before it gets cold."  Xena 
squeezed her bard tightly, then released her.   "I think we should 
stay here one more day then head for your parents.  Sound ok to 
you, partner?"  

     "Fine.  So what are you going to do tomorrow?"  Gabrielle 
smiled thinking of how she would like to fill the day.

     "Argo needs a thorough grooming and her saddle needs 
repaired.  I could use a couple more daggers.  Plus,"  Xena 
grinned wryly, scraping the gravy off her plate with a piece of 
soft bread.  "I really need to do some serious stretching."  The 
warrior paused a moment, gauging her friend's mood.  "You too."

     "Don't I know it."  Gabrielle stretched, shifting in her 
chair.  "There's a nice glen about half a candlemark's walk behind 
the inn.  Good, private place to practice.  How about we head 
there after you finish your chores?  I'll go shopping," the bard 
grinned widely.  "And restock our supplies.  Phocis set three boot 
and one thigh dagger aside for you."  Here she frowned, thinking 
she definitely did not want to have to work around a tartarus of a 
thigh dagger every time she wanted to touch the warrior.  "Why you 
would want a thigh dagger is beyond me!"  

     "Gabrielle!"  Xena blushed, easily interpreting her bard's 
objections.  She had never seen a frown look so lecherous.   
"They're worn on the outer thigh!"

     "Not this one."  Gabrielle wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

     "Behave!"  Xena crumbled up her napkin and belted her wayward 
bard in the chest.   "So no thigh daggers," the warrior sighed 
disappointedly.  "I was gonna let you  put it on and take it off.  
Oh well."  Another sigh as she started collecting the empty 
dishes.

     "Oh."  Gabrielle fell silent, contemplating the warm, smooth, 
silky flesh of Xena's inner thigh, getting up to stand behind the 
warrior.  "Get two of them," the bard whispered in her love's ear, 
sliding a hand up her tempting thigh. 

     "Nah, they're too uncomfortable.  Besides," Xena relaxed 
against Gabrielle.  "You don't need an excuse to touch me.  You 
know that."  Then "Tired my bard?"

     "Yeah," Gabrielle couldn't hide this yawn either.  "Here, 
I'll take that down to the kitchen."  She stepped away from Xena, 
reaching for the tray.  "I need to tell Lucky that I'll only tell 
a few stories tomorrow night."

     "Only if you want."  Xena knew better than to suggest the 
bard take a break.  "How about a massage when you get back?"

     "Sounds great!  I'll be right back."  Gabrielle grinned, 
closing the door behind her.  Quickly Gabrielle returned the tray 
to the kitchen and talked briefly with Lucky.  Not realizing it, 
the bard skipped back upstairs, anxious to rejoin her lover.  
Opening the door, she froze.

     "Oh how cute!"  Gabrielle whispered, quietly shutting the 
door.  Xena had fallen asleep, resting against the headboard, 
waiting for the bard to return.  "C'mon you.  Lets get you 
undressed and under the covers."  Carefully the bard
removed her boots and pulled Xena's head to her shoulder, 
efficiently unlacing her leathers.  "Hey, none of that now."  
Gabrielle whispered, skin tingling, when Xena nuzzled her neck in 
her sleep.  Talking quietly so the warrior would know she was 
safe, Gabrielle almost had the leathers completely off when Xena 
woke up.

     "Hey," Xena sleepily mumbled, blinking slowly.  "Sorry."

     "Hey yourself."  Gabrielle finished removing the leathers and 
pulled the light blanket up around Xena's shoulders.  "Lie down," 
the bard ordered, sliding into bed beside her warrior.

     "C'mere you."  Xena snaked an arm around her bard's 
shoulders, snuggling closer when Gabrielle wrapped an arm around 
her waist.  

     "Night Xena.  I love you."  Gabrielle shifted, sliding her 
leg over the warrior's.

     "Love you too."  Xena sighed contented, falling back asleep 
almost instantly.

***************  

     Xena shifted in the saddle, absently stroking the bard's arm 
that was wrapped securely around her middle.  Casting a knowing 
eye at the late afternoon sun then the road leading to Poteidaia , 
the warrior considered the stranglehold grip of her too quiet  
partner.  Making a decision, she guided Argo off the traveled path 
and headed into the woods.  Taking care to keep her breathing 
even, Xena silently reviewed the past several days.  

     After Gabrielle had announced her intentions, the bard had 
avoided Xena's attempts to talk about the upcoming visit with her 
parents.  Today had been filled with silence, Gabrielle only 
speaking when the warrior forced the point.  

     "Why does this scare you so?"  Xena fretted, carefully 
guiding Argo through the increasing rough terrain, conscious of 
the fact that Gabrielle hadn't even noticed their departure from 
the road.  The warrior's mind quickly reviewed everything she 
could remember about her bard's parents.  Yes, they were from a 
small, reclusive village.  They didn't see many visitors, just the 
usual assortment of traveling merchants and the occasional bard.  
From what Gabrielle had told her (along with Epinon), her parents 
were pleasantly surprised by their oldest daughter's life, the 
choices she'd made and the person she'd become.  Sighing softly, 
Xena glanced down, startled when Gabrielle absently stroked her 
stomach in a soothing gesture, not realizing how she tensed with 
each thought.    

     "You ok?"  Unknown to the warrior, Gabrielle had been aware 
when they'd left the road.  She'd simply preferred to remain deep 
in her thoughts, splitting her time between considering her 
parents and the warm presence of her lover,  trusting her warrior 
to keep her safe.

     "Yeah.  What about you?  You're awfully quiet Gabrielle."  
Xena relaxed slightly, leaning back into the bard.  

     "Sorry.  Just thinking."  Gabrielle swallowed, knowing her 
warrior deserved an answer to her unasked question.  "We're 
stopping kind of early aren't we?  After our late start this 
morning," Gabrielle couldn't help herself, one hand betraying her 
thoughts, caressing the warm, smooth flesh of Xena's thigh. 
"I thought we'd be stopping late tonight."

     Enjoying the tender, light touch of her bard, Xena waited a 
bit before answering.  Clearing her throat, Xena's low, silky 
voice flowed over the suddenly very alert, attentive bard.  "We're 
only a couple of candlemarks from Poteidaia.  I wanted a chance to 
spend some time with you.  Plus," the warrior glanced around, 
pleased with the small, empty clearing.  "We need to talk."

     "Yes we do.  You've been very patient and understanding. 
Thank you."  Gabrielle squeezed the warrior tightly, then slid 
down from Argo.  "How about you take care of Argo and I'll get 
some wood.  Then we can talk."

     "Sounds good, my bard."  Xena had dismounted when Gabrielle 
spoke.  A large hand stopped the bard from moving too far away 
from the warrior.  "It will work out.  I promise you."  Blue eyes 
stared sincerely into green, her emotions clearly visible.  

     Gabrielle read the promise in Xena's eyes, she would do 
anything to make this work out for the bard.  "Have I told you how 
much I love you?"

     "You can show me later," Xena ran a teasing finger across the 
bard's chest.  "Exactly how much," the finger dipped between her 
breasts, leaving a growing trail of fire.  "You love me," Xena 
finished, stepping back from the bard, not trusting herself to 
touch Gabrielle any more.

     "Ugg," Gabrielle groaned, closing her eyes briefly to try and 
regain control of her raging emotions.  Deciding turnabout was 
fair play, Gabrielle ruthlessly advanced on the careless warrior, 
who had negligently turned her back on the bard.  Slipping in 
behind Xena as she unbuckled Argo's saddle, Gabrielle lightly ran 
her fingers along the warrior's outer thighs and up under her 
leathers.  "You won't know what hit you," Gabrielle purred 
suggestively in Xena's ear, fingers stroking gently, then lightly 
bit the tender, sensitive lobe.  "That I promise you."

     "Get the wood Gabrielle," Xena's voice cracked, despite her 
best efforts.  Waiting until the bard left the little clearing, 
Xena breathed a deep sigh of relief, briefly resting her head on 
Argo's back.  "Gods, what she can do to me."  She sighed happily 
before efficiently stripping the war horse.  By the time Gabrielle 
had gathered sufficient wood for the evening, Xena had the rest of 
the camp set up and her armor off.

     "In a hurry for something Xena?"  Gabrielle teased, arranging 
the wood so all they would have to do later is light it.

     "Yes I am."  Gabrielle looked up at the very serious tone of 
the warrior.  "C'mere."  Xena patted their bedroll beside her, 
waiting for the bard to sit before continuing.  "How do you want 
to handle tomorrow?"  Xena was painfully aware that once again, 
her relationship with her bard was causing her lover problems. 

     "Together."  Gabrielle answered, reaching for the warrior's 
hands.  "I've been thinking about how to tell them, what to say, 
ever since we left Lucky's."  The bard smiled softly as Xena laced 
their fingers together, squeezing gently.  "I think it would be 
best to come right out and say it.  No beating around the bush."  
Gabrielle met Xena's loving gaze.  "My parents are direct people. 
They've always appreciated being told the truth, without any 
embellishment."

     "So we just ride in and tell them?"  It sounded to simple to 
the warrior.

     "Well," Gabrielle smiled widely, anticipating Xena's groan.  
"Not exactly.  They'll want to get caught up with the latest news 
first."  Xena groaned, unconsciously tickling the bard.  "Then I 
tell them."

     "We, Gabrielle.  We."  Xena sent the bard her most serious 
look.  This had been bothering her bard for days, and the warrior 
was damned if she'd let the bard do it on her own.

     "We."  Gabrielle confirmed, her heart suddenly much lighter.  
"I think they'll guess something is up anyway.  Seeing that I 
can't seem to keep my hands off of you."  Green eyes flickered 
over their entwined hands and their intimate spacing.  Clearly 
their physical closeness loudly announced they were more than
friends.
     
     "That works both ways, my bard."  Xena tugged on Gabrielle's 
hands, draping the bard across her lap.  "So," she released one of 
Gabrielle's hands to run her own through the soft strawberry blond 
locks spread lightly over her legs.  "What time do you want to 
arrive tomorrow?  It will take us a couple of candlemarks to get 
there.  We can hang around here, practicing,"  blue eyes twinkled 
merrily.  "Until after lunch if you want."

     "Let’s get there shortly after lunch."  Gabrielle had thought 
long and hard about that very question.  

     "Why so early?"  Xena asked curiously, gazing into hooded 
green eyes.  It wasn't like Gabrielle to pass up the chance to 
goof off for an entire morning Especially when she was avoiding 
something.

     "Because," Gabrielle sighed wearily, thinking of all the soul 
searching that had gone into that decision.  "I want to be able to 
leave if needed."  She didn't add the fact that if her parents 
rejected her chosen partner, she did not want to be anywhere near 
Poteidaia by nightfall.  

     "Gabrielle, it will be ok.  Don't worry so much."  Xena 
watched the conflicting emotions flow across the bard's expressive 
face.  "Gabrielle."  She waited a moment.  "Gabrielle."  Still 
nothing.   Xena felt her heart break, certain Gabrielle thought 
their relationship would cost her her family.  "Oh Gods, how can I 
ask her to give up her family for me?  She deserves so much more 
than I can ever give her."  The warrior blinked back her tears.  
"Get it together, Xena! She needs you to be strong now."  
Breathing deeply, the warrior brought her hand up to lightly 
caress Gabrielle's check.  Waiting until green eyes focused on 
her, Xena spoke husky, straight from her heart.  "I love you 
Gabrielle.  Are you ok with doing this?"

     "I don't know why this is bothering me so much."  Gabrielle 
confessed, bringing their still linked hands to her mouth, softly 
kissing Xena's knuckles.  "They are aware of Amazon customs, they 
aren't that sheltered."  The bard thought briefly about her own 
ignorance of such matters until one of the traveling bard's had 
shared Sappho's work with her a few winter's before meeting Xena.  

     "Are you worried because I'm the one you love?  Because of 
WHO I am?"  Xena held her breath, needing to hear Gabrielle's 
response, hoping beyond hope.

     "No!"  Gabrielle sat up abruptly, startling Xena.  "I told 
you before I am not ashamed of loving you!"  Gabrielle leaned 
forward, planting a searing kiss of ownership on the warrior.  
Then because it felt so good, she did it a second and third time, 
until both of them were gasping for breath.  "I," the bard 
breathlessly nipped her shaking warrior's lips.  " Love," she 
snaked out her tongue, licking the kiss bruised lips.  "You."  
Gabrielle finished, green eyes flickering between their close lips 
and the incredible blue eyes of her lover, before leaning forward
again, this time putting all of her love for the warrior in a 
tender kiss.  "Believe me?"  She added, pulling back slightly once 
their lips parted.

     Xena couldn't find her voice.  Wordlessly she wrapped her 
arms around Gabrielle and pulled her on to her lap.   Sighing 
happily when the bard wrapped her legs around her waist and 
pressed her check against the warrior's chest, Xena buried her 
face in Gabrielle's hair, inhaling deeply.  

     "You ok?"  Gabrielle mumbled against the warm skin, lightly 
kissing the tempting flesh.

     "Yeah."  Xena finally answered, gently squeezing the bard.  
"What do you want me to get for dinner?  Fish or rabbit?"  Asked 
when her acute hearing picked up the faint rumbling of her bard's 
stomach.

     "Hmmm," Gabrielle contemplated, torn between moving from her 
safe haven and food.  No contest.  "Neither.  Don't want to move."  
The bard snuggled even closer, tightening her grip on the warrior.

     "Ok," Xena smiled into Gabrielle's hair, happy to do as the 
bard requested.  "Hey, let go for a moment."  The warrior spoke 
several moments later, detaching herself from her clinging lover.  
Laying back, Xena extended her hand in invitation, tugging the 
unresisting bard against her larger form.  "Better?"

     "Much," Gabrielle exhaled happily, throwing an arm and leg 
over her warrior, effectively trapping her.  "Xena?"  The bard 
asked tentatively about a candlemark later, not wanting to spoil 
the sensual, comfortable mood.  But she was starting to get really 
hungry.

     "Yeah?"  Xena answered, rubbing her hand soothingly along 
Gabrielle's back.  Absently she noted the position of the sun, 
frowning with the realization that she would have to move soon.  

     "Guess we should think about moving, huh?  It’s getting 
late."  Reluctantly Gabrielle started to untangle herself from her 
lover.  "Thanks."

     The warrior froze at the soft, shy tone of her bard.  "For 
what?"  Xena stopped getting up and turned to fully face the 
sitting bard.  "For holding you?"  Gabrielle nodded.  "You don't 
have to thank me for that, Gabrielle.  That's one of the reasons 
you keep me around, remember?"  Xena teased, trying to lighten her 
lover's mood.  

     "Oh, that's right.  Sorry to have bothered you."  Gabrielle 
sassed, unable to keep the wide grin off her face.  Getting up she 
lit the fire and turned, surprised to see Xena sitting exactly 
where she left her, watching her with amused, smirking eyes.  
"What?"

     "Forgot something, didn't you?  What do you want for dinner?"  

     "Don't worry about it.  I've got it covered.  Go practice or 
something while I make dinner."  Gabrielle glared meaningfully at 
her warrior, warning her not to argue.  "We need more supplies 
anyway.  Might as well use the last of these before getting more 
tomorrow."

     "Alright."  Xena agreed gracefully, rising with her sword.  
It wasn't until she started stretching at the very edge of the 
clearing that she realized how quickly, how easily she gave in to 
her bard.  "Go figure," Xena thought wryly, beginning easy moves.  
"When did it happen?  When did I realize she had me wrapped around 
her little finger?  Me, the dreaded, feared Warrior Princess??" 
Picking up the pace, the warrior glided into more complicated 
patterns, employing a long ago learned skill of concentrating on 
her surrounding (including the now pacing bard), her exercises and 
her thoughts.  Unknown to the warrior, this was another skill 
shared with the bard.   

     Pausing in her own thoughts, Xena covertly concentrated on 
her bard, gauging her mood.  Satisfied, at least for the moment, 
that Gabrielle was composing, she returned to her contemplation of 
her bard.  "I don't understand," Xena thought, switching from 
defensive to offensive moves.  "How could they reject you?  You 
are..." here the warrior lingered, mind drifting lazily over 
pleasant memories.  Watching the bard tell her stories.  Hearing 
her calm, soothing voice defuse a tense situation.  Seeing her 
bravely fight, standing beside her partner.  Feeling the waves of 
emotions rolling off the amazons as Gabrielle skillfully, 
beautifully handled her first official warrior's ceremony.  
Tasting the sweetness of simply being in the bard's presence.  
Living with incredible joy, something the dark warrior thought 
impossible before meeting Gabrielle.  With a mental shake, she 
refocused.  "Everything to me."  

     Then her thoughts drifted darker, her feelings reflected in 
short, powerful moves.  "You won't loose your family over this, 
this I promise you."  Images flickered through Xena's mind, of 
ways in the past she had changed people's minds.  Another shake 
ended those thoughts.  The warrior could...would never use those 
means on the bard's family.  "I'll just have to figure something 
out if the need arises," Xena told herself sternly, refusing to 
drift farther into the darkness.  

     Jumping into rapid-fire kicks and blocks, Xena found herself 
watching the now practicing bard out of the corner of her eye.  
About a quarter of a candlemark later, Xena saw the opening she 
was looking for.  With a warning cry, she back flipped into her 
partner's space, switching gears once again.  "Wanna play?"  The 
warrior purred, easily blocking her bard's opening strike.

     Over locked weapons, green eyes bored into amused, playful 
blue.  "Sure you're up to it?"  Gabrielle taunted, flexing 
suggestively against the warrior, deciding now was the perfect 
time.  "You were breathing kind of hard.  Wouldn't want to hurt 
you, Princess.  After all, I am the Queen."

     "Oh yeah, Amazon Queen," Xena gently threw her back, grinning 
widely.  "I'm up for the challenge."  Faster than Gabrielle 
expected, Xena moved, breaching the bard's defenses and stole a 
searing kiss.  "Are you?"  She teasingly mocked, retreating.

     "Not if you keep that up."  Gabrielle admitted honestly, 
knowing it was useless to lie when her eyes and body betrayed her.  
Sternly she commanded her trembling limbs to behave.  She'd need 
every ounce of control and skill she possessed to carry this off.

     "I'll behave," Xena promised, not admitting her own weakness 
at the hot contact.  Bringing her sword up, she watched curiously 
when Gabrielle stepped back, changing their normal routine.  Blue 
eyes tracked the new moves, seeing the controlled power and 
elegant grace in each swing.  Rapidly searching her mind, Xena 
finally placed the private version of the amazon war dance, 
remembered the role of the chosen partner and mirrored the bard's 
moves, circling around Gabrielle.  Even though she recognized the 
routine, Xena was still surprised when Gabrielle actually engaged 
her.

     "Damn, you're good."  Xena broke the silence proudly when 
Gabrielle finished the last steps of the dance.  "When did you 
learn that?"  The warrior's expressive eyes conveyed her surprise, 
approval, admiration and love.  She never saw the young queen 
practice those moves.

     "Really?"  Gabrielle asked shyly, pleased she managed to make 
it through the complicated steps and moves without incident.

     "Really.  That was better," Xena corrected herself, stepping 
into the bard's space.  "You are better than when I saw Melosa's 
dance."  She ran a slightly trembling finger down her love's face.  

     "Thanks."  Gabrielle leaned into the touch.   "During our 
last visit with the Amazon's, I learned of the dance.  How much do 
you know about it?"  

     "Not much.  I was passing through the area and stumbled into 
the village right before Melosa began her dance."  Xena smiled and 
sniffed the air.  "That smells wonderful."

     "It should be ready.  Hungry?"  Gabrielle grabbed Xena's hand 
and led her back to the fire.  "Sit down, I'll get it."  Quickly 
she filled the bowls and sat beside Xena.

     "This is great.  Thanks.  Tell me about the dance."  Xena 
requested, once Gabrielle had eaten a little of the stew.  "And 
how you managed to practice it without me knowing about it."

     "Well," Gabrielle swallowed and took a drink.  "The dance is 
an expression of love, trust and commitment on the part of the one 
who initiates the dance.  Several of the steps and moves put the 
dancer in a dangerous position, should her partner choose to take 
advantage of them.  An amazon may dance several times in her life, 
or not at all.   All dances are a little different and reflect the 
reason for the dance.  They start with the same forms, but each 
dancer adds their own interpretations.  Warriors dance with big, 
powerful, bold moves.  Queens try to dance with subtle, restrained 
power, yet compassion and love.  Melosa danced twice in her life.  
Once was with Terrias after her warrior's ceremony."  Gabrielle 
thought a moment, staring into the fire, organizing her thoughts.  

     "What are you worried about, Gabrielle?"  She slapped herself 
mentally.  "Consider what you're doing tomorrow...You know how she 
feels."  The young queen admonished herself.  But this was 
different.  A grudging admission, knowing the motives and reasons 
behind WHY she decided to dance for Xena tonight.  "Just get on 
with it, Gabrielle."

     Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle turned and met Xena's openly 
curious, yet attentive gaze.  Drawing courage from her partner, 
the bard continued with her explanation.  "Melosa also danced for 
her partner, after their joining ceremony.  I hear that was 
something to see."  

     "It was," Xena confirmed, setting her bowl to the side and 
draped a long, muscled arm over her lover's shoulder.  "But you my 
love, your dance was more beautiful. Why did you dance for me, 
now?"  Xena needed to hear the words from her bard's mouth.  She 
held onto her heart with both hands, 
hoping she figured right.

     "Because I could."  Gabrielle answered ambiguously.  
"Because I wanted to....because I was ready to...because I love 
you."  She reached out and laced their fingers together.  "Because 
there is no place else I'd rather be."  A deep breath calmed her 
nerves.  "Because you mean everything to me.  The time was right.  
The scrolls say," the young queen kissed the back of Xena's hand.  
"That a person will know when the time is right.  That the 
feelings of love and trust one feels will dictate if and when the 
dance is performed.  Ever since I learned of the dance and its 
significance," Gabrielle looked shyly down.  "I knew I wanted to 
dance with and for you."  

     "Gabrielle," Xena placed a finger under her bard's chin and 
raised it until their eyes met.  "The feelings are very mutual.  
Thank you for this precious gift.  I love you."  Slowly Xena 
pulled her young love close, until their lips were just a breaths 
width apart.  Tenderly their lips met, exchanging promises of love 
and devotion.  "How did you learn that without me knowing?"  Xena 
was familiar with this custom, asking her guide several questions 
about the dance after witnessing Melosa's.  The dance was learned 
through instructional scrolls and general lessons.  The lessons 
only taught the basics, the rest came from the dancer's heart.  
The warrior had heard rumors that some Amazons practiced their own 
dance for years before publically displaying their talents.  
Because the Amazons had hoped to entice the Warrior Princess into 
joining with them, she had been given a few lessons during her 
short stay at the village.  Lessons she was very grateful for now.

     "I learned the basics at our last visit.  Then I practiced 
when you were off doing things that I couldn't help with."  
Gabrielle didn't mention that their recent separation provided the 
emotional motivation for perfecting her dance.  

     "Gabrielle would you do me a favor?"  Xena waited for 
Gabrielle's nod before continuing.  "Will you dance with me again?  
So I can fully appreciate the experience?"   

     "Anytime warrior.  Anytime."  Gabrielle jumped to her feet 
and extended a hand to the warrior.  "Ready?"

     "For you, always."  Xena took the hand and rose gracefully.  
Pausing to set their dishes to the side, Xena picked up her sword 
and followed the bard.  Closing her eyes, Xena shivered, feeling 
closer to Gabrielle at this moment than ever before.  Opening her 
eyes, Xena appreciatively watched the opening steps of the dance 
and fell into perfect rhythm with her young queen.

     Shaking her head, Xena knelt beside Gabrielle when she 
returned from the stream with the clean dishes and picked up her 
unresisting form.  "Fall asleep on me, will you?"  Xena whispered, 
crossing over to their bedroll and gently setting her down.  
Deciding to not undress her slumbering lover, Xena sank quietly 
into the blankets, pulling Gabrielle close.  "Good night my love.  
Thank you for trusting me."  The warrior kissed the top of 
Gabrielle's head before closing her eyes.

     Gabrielle awoke abruptly, blinking the sleep out of her eyes.  
A quick check revealed nothing out of the ordinary, except the 
warm head resting on her shoulder and the possessive hold of her 
warrior.  "Hmmm."  Gabrielle wondered out loud in the early dawn.  
"Guess it mattered to you, too."  She sighed, loving the utter 
feeling of completeness that holding the warrior invoked.  Soon,
holding her warrior wasn't enough.  Gabrielle traced light 
patterns on Xena's back, delighting in tactile sensations of warm 
skin and leather.  Slowly the wandering fingers loosened the 
leather ties, exposing more tantalizing flesh to feed the raging 
fire rapidly expanding beyond the bard's ability to control it.  
The slight shifting in the warrior's body alerted the bard to her 
growing awareness.

     "Morning."  Xena cast an eye at the sky, somewhat amazed that
Gabrielle was up already.  "You ok?  It’s early yet."

     "Good morning.   I was thinking," Gabrielle arched herself 
into her warrior, shivering when leather clad breasts firmly 
pushed into her's.  "Since I fell asleep last night and someone 
didn't wake me," the bard continued to stroke the warm skin of her 
lover's back.  "That we could..."

     Xena got the idea, kissing her bard, fanning her ballooning 
desires.  Warm lips and teasing tongue nipped and licked their way 
to the bard's ear while her hands teased the pliant flesh beneath 
them.  Growling lowly, Xena answered the bard's sighs of pleasure 
by sucking on her tender, sensitive ear lobe.      

     "That feels so good."  Gabrielle managed to gasp out as 
Xena's fingers moved in time with her mouth.  "I want to feel 
you."  Added as she tried to pull the leather's from her warrior's 
body.

     Sitting up, Xena shed the offending material, wanting nothing 
between her lover's flesh and her own.  Hooded blue eyes hungrily 
devoured the slowly exposed skin of the disrobing bard, heart 
thundering, blood furiously pumping.  The intense, erotic emotions 
Gabrielle's dance released last night suddenly returned in full 
force, sweeping through the warrior in hot waves.  Wanting fast 
and furious, Xena fell back upon her bard, crushing their mouths 
together with stunning force.  The warrior's tongue plunged into 
her lover's mouth, fighting with the bard's.  A heartfelt groan 
was torn from both of their mouths as the warrior's calloused hand 
slid between their bodies, roughly grasping Gabrielle's
sensitized breast.

     "Gods!"  Gabrielle though, arching her back, offering more 
needy flesh to her warrior's conquering hand.  Pulling her lips 
forcefully away, the bard angled her head, latching on to the 
warrior's tempting neck.  None to gently her teeth nipped, leaving 
little teeth marks. 

     "Yesss."  Xena hissed as Gabrielle found an extremely 
sensitive spot, blood coursing hotly, momentarily halting her 
advance on the bard.

     Seizing the opportunity, Gabrielle flipped them over and slid 
between her legs, attacking Xena's left breast.  Needing the same 
thing as her warrior, Gabrielle didn't tease, latching on to her 
desire hardened nipple, sucking forcefully.  

     "Gods!"  Xena moaned enthusiastically, sinking her hands into 
strawberry blond hair, holding Gabrielle firmly as she thrust her 
breast up for the bard's taking.

     The sudden flood of moisture soaking the bard caused her to 
groan Xena's name and lightly bite the tortured nipple in her 
mouth.  Switching breasts, Gabrielle inflicted the same sweet 
torture on it until the warrior was a quivering mass of flesh 
beneath her.

     "Please...Gabrielle..."  Xena ground out, hips thrusting 
lightly against the bard's leg.  "I need...I ...yesss...."  The 
bard slid two fingers deep into the warrior's scorching wetness 
while rubbing her throbbing nub with her thumb.  
   
     "Gods...Gabrielle..."  Xena hissed, seriously close to 
overloading on the intense, exquisite feelings coursing through 
her alive, vibrant body.  

     Gabrielle increased the speed and force of her thrusts, 
pushing her lover higher and higher.  Loving the utter look of 
desire and love on her warrior's face, Gabrielle picked up the 
pace again, adding a third finger to her assault.  Feeling the 
warrior tighten around her fingers, the bard leaned forward, 
giving up her view of the warrior's face, and nipped at her 
hardened nipples, pulling one forcefully into her mouth.

     Feeling herself start to climax, Xena groaned her lover's 
name, riding waves of pleasure to a shattering conclusion.  As the 
incredible sensations still throbbed deep within, Xena pulled 
Gabrielle up in her arms, kissing her deeply, momentarily unable 
to do more than rest comfortably in her lover's arms.  Enjoying 
the tender words of love whispered in her ear, Xena floated until 
her breathing calmed.

     In control of her body once more, Xena had one desire, one 
goal...to make Gabrielle scream her name in passion.   Rising to 
the challenge, the warrior growled lowly, rolling their entwined 
bodies over, attacking the bard's neck.

     Pausing a moment in her oral assault, Xena's hands picked up 
the pace, kneading Gabrielle's aching breasts.  "I want you."  The 
warrior snarled into t