The boat docked once again on Grecian shores after what seemed like an eternity on the water. Things had changed very much in the last few weeks and Gabrielle was still trying to get a grasp of the situation. She's gone. My whole world. My Life. Gone. Gabrielle packed up her things, gave a long sigh, and departed on her way to Amphipolis and take Xena's ashes back to be buried next to Lycaeus. She was not looking forward to this trip but she knew it had to be done.

Once on solid ground, Gabrielle walked over and purchased a horse for the long trip home. Her mind wandered over the events that took place in Japa and, even now, tears threatened to spill from her eyes and cloud her vision of the road ahead. She wished that she could just get away for a while. Which by rights she could but she felt a duty to have Xena's remains buried properly. Maybe that way, she could finally allow herself to grieve the way she so desperately needed to.

As Gabrielle considered going home to Potedeia, but it was no longer the home she remembered. All of that had changed years ago. Even the thought of going home to Lila and Sarah seemed out of the question. For now, it seemed that Gabrielle would be destined to travel alone. She shook her head in wonder and laughed mirthlessly to herself. From Irritating Blonde to Battling Bard of Potedeia. How the times have changed. She glanced at the noonday sky and noticed the clouds moving overhead. Guess I should find us a dry space to stay huh girl. She petted her horse and then steered it in the direction of a cave placed out of the way and behind the brush. She had just enough time to gather wood for a fire and fix herself a meal before the storm hit.

Gabrielle laid out her bedroll and lie down on top. It was the first night that she'd been alone since Xena made her final decision and she was having trouble relaxing. She felt the tears threatening to break, but for a reason she herself could not quite understand, she could not let them fall.

Suddenly, Gabrielle sat up and grabbed the Chakram making ready to throw it, when she caught a whiff of a dizzying perfumed fragrance. Gabrielle relaxed only slightly as Aphrodite materialized into full view. Gabrielle sighed deeply and smiled at the friend she hadn't seen in what seemed like a lifetime.

"Hi Gab. Where's tall, dark and deadly?" Aphrodite asked the question innocently enough and after she greeted Gabrielle warmly. Aphrodite took a step back and looked into Gabrielle's eyes. What she saw broke her heart. Gabrielle who had been smiling just a moment ago, stood stark still. Her brows knitted together and her body shook visibly as if being struck by a sudden chill. After a moment of staring blankly into Aphrodite's eyes, a single tear fell and rolled down her cheek. Without warning, Gabrielle's knees buckled and she fell the ground, holding her head as he body racked with sobs. Aphrodite ran over to Gabrielle's side and held her.
"Gabrielle, what happened? Where's Xena?" Aphrodite asked with trepidation. She held Gabrielle, rocking her in her arms until Gabrielle calmed down enough to explain what happened.

Aphrodite listened without interruption. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Xena. Dead. By choice. Aphrodite had always known that Xena fought to redeem herself for her past sins. What she never guessed was that Xena's need for redemption would cause her to pull away from the woman she loved most. Gabrielle. Now, as she sat with Gabrielle's head in her lap, her heart broke for her favorite bard.

"?and do you know what? I could hate her, I should hater her, for leaving me. Akemi lied to her, told Xena half-truths and sends Xena to sacrifice her life to pay for sins well past and gone. I don't understand how she could so much of a hold over Xena, that it would cause Xena to put our relationship aside. How could she do this to me? Aphrodite how?"

Aphrodite wept as quietly as she could as she listened to Gabrielle's heartache and pain. What could she say that would make Gabrielle feel better? What could she do? She cupped her soft hands around Gabrielle's face and spoke to her softly.

"Gabrielle. I don't understand why what happened took place. I would be a fool to try and rationalize Xena's actions. But there is one thing that I do know, without a doubt. She loved you Gabrielle, with everything that she was. Honey, she loved you greater than anything I could ever have conjured. Gabrielle, you and Xena shared a bond that even death, on several occasions, could not sever. I believe, in my heart, that if she allowed this, then it was because she felt that she was doing the right thing. And if that's how she felt, and this is going to hurt when you hear it, then she did it because of her love for you."

Gabrielle shot up, her body filled with ire. However, as the words of Aphrodite sunk in, she realized that it was the truth; everything that she and Xena had gone through over the past few years. The heartache, the pain, loves gained and lost, joys and triumphs. The fighting for 'greater good'. It was a bittersweet realization that the one thing they'd fought for side by side all along, would lead to her earthly separation from Xena.

She wiped at her tears and relaxed her demeanor. "Aphrodite, Xena wanted to be buried next to her brother. I was on my way, but I don't want to go alone. Will you go with me? Please."

Aphrodite walked over and placed her hand on Gabrielle's arm. "Sure short stuff, I'd be glad to. But we can't stay here this place is kind of stinky." Gabrielle laughed lightly, reached out and gave Aphrodite a hug.

"Hold on babe." Aphrodite raised her hand in the air and snapped her fingers. Instantly, they were in Aphrodite's temple lying on sumptuous pink cushions stuffed with goose feathers; the aroma of soft floral perfume in the air. The banquet lie out before Gabrielle caused her stomach to growl excitedly.

"I guess what I had wasn't enough huh?" Gabrielle stated with a little embarrassment.

"I guess so. Come on let's eat." Aphrodite took Gabrielle by the hand pulled her over to the table.

They ate and Gabrielle laughed more that night than she had in the weeks since she'd left Japa. When Gabrielle first arrived back in Greece she felt tired and drained, now she was restless and surprisingly upbeat. She looked over at Aphrodite who was laid down next to her and smiling gently.

Gabrielle's face became serious as she looked at her. Her jade green eyes, deepening even more as she struggled to find the words to express how she felt. She raised an eyebrow and formed her lips to speak, but no words came out. Aphrodite, noticing the change was about to say something when Gabrielle got up and walked a few steps away from the couch.

"Aphrodite, I wanted?. I wanted to say thank you. For everything. I wish I had better words to express to you how much I appreciate you being here with me. Right now. I?"

Gabrielle didn't get a chance to finish. She felt Aphrodite's hands on her shoulder and felt herself being turned around to look into blue eyes full of passion, desire and warmth.

"Gabrielle, you don't have to thank me. What I do for you I do out of love. And as much as, even I know I could never replace Xena, I'm asking you, please, to let me, for one night, help you ease the pain you feel. No promises, no regrets. Just a friend comforting another friend. Will you Gabrielle? Will you let me be your friend?"

At first, Gabrielle thought she misunderstood but then she felt herself moving towards Aphrodite. She reached up and ran her fingertips across her cheeks and then traced them against Aphrodite's soft lips. With her other hand she reached around Aphrodite's waist and pulled her closer. The two stood not, even a breath apart. Gabrielle looked into Aphrodite's eyes and hesitated for only a moment before moving her lips towards Aphrodite's in a soft and gentle kiss. The kiss started out slowly as the two explored each other tenderly. Gabrielle ran her hands up and over Aphrodite's back and let her short nails scratch lightly against, Aphrodite's neck causing it to send a chill up Aphrodite's spine. She them moved her fingers into Aphrodite's hair and pulled her closer, causing Aphrodite's mouth to open wider as Gabrielle's tongue moved deeper inside.

Aphrodite pulled Gabrielle closer; moving her hands down and around to cup the bard's ass. She broke the kiss for a moment and moved to taste Gabrielle's neck. Her tongue slid across the nape of Gabrielle's neck and then she began to suck lightly. Gabrielle threw her head back in a low throaty moan and hissed softly. Aphrodite began to kiss her way down Gabrielle's breast and moved her top to the side so that she could taste the hard nub underneath. Aphrodite moaned, as she tasted the salty sweetness of Gabrielle's skin. She arched her back in rapture as she felt Gabrielle's fingernails leave a trail of scratch marks down her back. Aphrodite paused her ministrations just long enough to move Gabrielle to her bed. Once there, she stripped off Gabrielle's boots and skirt, tossing them to the side.

Gabrielle looked down at Aphrodite, lost in the moment. She felt nothing but sheer bliss at this moment, for which she was grateful. She lie back on the bed and at Aphrodite's urging spread her legs apart slowly. She felt Aphrodite blow a soft, cool breath against her the center of her womanhood and whimpered shamelessly. Her eyes closed as she readied her body for Aphrodite's next move. Suddenly, she felt Aphrodite's tongue against the folds of her slit, licking at a maddeningly slow pace. Gabrielle started bucking her hips against Aphrodite's seething hot tongue, silently wishing for her to hurry and give her relief.

Aphrodite looked up for a moment and gazed into Gabrielle's eyes. The passion she saw in Gabrielle's eyes made her own heart skip a beat. It also kicked her sex into overdrive as she fought to prolong this moment for them both. Aphrodite bent her head and took Gabrielle's clit into her mouth. She pulled it deeply into her mouth while swirling her tongue around it slowly. Then with the speed of a god, she flicked her tongue over it back and forth just barely touching it, sending Gabrielle's body into overdrive. Then Aphrodite pulled her tongue out and drove it as deep as possible into Gabrielle's wet pussy. She thrust in and out, over and over going as deep as possible; causing Gabrielle's hips to jump off the bed; her body producing sheen a sweat that Aphrodite found intoxicating. Aphrodite then pulled her tongue out and looked up, causing Gabrielle to open her eyes and find out what happened. Once eye contact was made, Aphrodite held her gaze and inserted two fingers into Gabrielle's hot, slick center. Aphrodite's fingers moved deep inside Gabrielle until they found the nub they had been looking for. She stroked them up and down, and then made a circle pressing harder and harder against her spot.

Gabrielle's release overcame her sharply and quickly. Her head slammed back against the pillows and she cried out Aphrodite's name. She had the hardest time catching her breath and she reached down grabbed Aphrodite by the hair, pulling her up and laying a searing hot kiss on her lips; tasting herself on Aphrodite's soft lips.

"Turn over" Gabrielle commanded through her teeth. Aphrodite, spurned by the command of Gabrielle's voice, turned over quickly. Gabrielle quickly straddled Aphrodite's hips and ripped her tunic down the middle. Aphrodite gasped sharply in surprise, but felt her pussy respond immediately. Within moments, Gabrielle had placed her hot lips around Aphrodite's nipples and was sucking feverishly. With her free hand, she massaged, pulled, pinched, and teased Aphrodite's other nipple until it hardened almost painfully. She then moved swiftly and placed her mouth around it; her tongue sending a cooling relief while keeping the nipple erect and firm. She alternated back and forth teasing Aphrodite's nipples as Aphrodite's hips writhed against her own.

Aphrodite was in a bliss she thought impossible. She could feel Gabrielle grinding her hips against her and she couldn't' wait to feel more. Aphrodite brought her hands up to Gabrielle's waist in an effort to speed her release, but Gabrielle stopped moving altogether and looked Aphrodite in the eye. Aphrodite was helpless as she watched her slide down her body. Gabrielle ran her tongue down Aphrodite's stomach and trace a circle around her navel before running her tongue in and out, slowly.

Gabrielle tried to hold out longer but she could smell the sweetness of Aphrodite and wanted to taste. So she ran her tongue down further and took one long swipe. At the same time, both released a sigh of joy but Gabrielle committed herself to licking Aphrodite's nectar slowly, from the clit to the opening of her anus, causing Aphrodite to call out.

"Please?Gabrielle. Don't tease me. Please!" Gabrielle lit up. She sucked Aphrodite's clit into her mouth and sucked hard and fast. She pulled Aphrodite's nub in deeper and deeper into her hot wet mouth. Just as Aphrodite was getting ready to come, she slid two fingers into her hot wet pussy, hard and fast; twisting them around slowly and curving them up to stroke her most sensitive spot.

Aphrodite cried out as her body shook with wave after wave of quivers that caused her to rise quickly off the bed. She slammed back down into the pillows and continued to shudder as Gabrielle licked the creamy nectar that flowed to Aphrodite's thighs. She motioned for Gabrielle to climb up beside her and the two slept dreamlessly until well in the morning.

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The road to Amphipolis had been quiet but amiable. Both women lost in their own individual thoughts as Gabrielle made the return trip to Xena's home.

Gabrielle entered Lycaeus' tomb alone, carrying Xena's urn. She looked down at it and squeezed it gently in her hands. Placing it next to her brother's tomb she spoke these words.

"Xena. What words can I say that you don't already know already? You will be forever in my heart, forever by my side. There will never come a time when a thought of you or mention of your name will fail to make me smile. You were my world Xena. You always will be. And though death has separated us this moment, know that even it will not keep me away from you. We will meet again on the other side."

Gabrielle tears shed softly, as she turned her back to walk away. She stopped and looked up, then closed her eyes and listened.

I love you Gabrielle.

I love you too Xena. Always, no matter what.

For more fiction by A. Hawk and other bards, visit the www.thesandbox101.com.