This story is dedicated to MY Warrior, you know who you are. You are my inspiration, well, along with Xena and Gabrielle, of course. :-)
e-mail: Bard68@webtv.net
Xena lay on her back, looking up at the sky. "By the god's what have I done", she said out loud. She could barely see the star's for the tears in her eyes. She quickly tried to shake herself, " I did the right thing ", she thought, " it's because I love her, and do not want anything to happen to her, because of me". Even though she tried to convince herself of this, Xena could still see Gabrielle's face, the pain and shock, the words, she could hear the bards voice in her head.
"Xena, please, don't do this ", the bard had ask in a tearful tone. The tears, " god's the tears", xena thought. She hated to hurt Gabrielle even if it was for safety reasons. She just could not take a chance of the bard getting killed! She knew she could never make it, or live with herself, if something happen to the young woman she loved more than her own life. So she had left her in Poteidia, with her family. "It was for the best", Xena told herself again.
Xena was so caught up in her own thoughts she didn't hear anyone enter the campsite. It wasn't until. she felt a presence close to her side that she opened her eyes. " Gabrielle, what are you doing here, and sneaking up on me at that"? The warrior ask in a startled voice.
"Xena, please, don't send me away, I want to be with you, regardless of any visions or prophecy's, or whatever", the bard exclaimed
"Gabrielle ", the warrior tried to speak but was quickly cut off by the bard.
"Xena no, now you listen to me, if you don't want me fine, but, if it is just out of fear......well, then don't ", Gabrielle said with tears in her eyes!
Xena didn't say a word, she only stared at the beautiful woman before her. Her mind raced at the memories of her and the bard, at the feelings she had deep down for the woman she had spent her best and worse moments in life with. Xena's heart ached, she longed to tell the bard how she felt, how much she loved and wanted her, " god's " she thought, " she is so beautiful" . She was thinking how mch she wanted to hold Gabrielle, and,.........her thoughts were cut short by the bards voice.
"Xena, is that it, you want me to leave, but, don't know how to tell me? Fine, then I will go "! the bard exclaimed in tears, turning to leave.
"Gabrielle, wait ", Xena said grabbing the bards arm. " No.....I mean.......it's dark, you shouldn't be walking around these parts at night, alone ". Xena tried not to sound so anxious, she didn't want the bard to see right through her. What she would see was Xena's heart, and that scared the warrior. " We can discuss this in the morning ", Xena said letting go of the bards arm.
"Fine ", Gabrielle replied " But, I have no bedroll Xena, now what "? she asked
"Here " , Xena said, getting up from her bedroll, " you can use mine ".
"And then where will you sleep "? the bard ask in a sarcastic tone."
"I will sleep closer to the fire, I don't need a bedroll ", the warrior replied.
"Oh no Xena ", the bard said, " I am not going to listen to you in the morning, when you are cranky, because you froze all night ". " It is cold, and besides, we have slept together before ", Gabrielle said, in hopes that Xena would agree.
God's if she only knew, the bard thought, that I long to be with her all the time, she would surely hate me, and make me leave for sure. Xena's mind raced, as well as her heart, " sweet Athena", she thought, "how can I be so close to her, and her not know something is up " The thought of Gabrielle lying next to her made her shiver with desire.
"Xena "? the bard ask, "you ok"?
"Huh"?........."yeah...umm fine" the warrior stumbled for words. "Busted", she thought. "Ok, fine", Xena said picking up a log and throwing it on the fire. Xena piddled with the fire a little more, before turning back to the bedroll. "Zues, god's help me", she thought, as she looked at Gabrielle already nestled under the blanket's. " She is so beautiful..........and stubborn", Xena thought, as she chuckled to herself.
Xena crossed to the bedroll nervously, " get a grip warrior", she thought to herself, " just lay down on your side with your back to her, you will be fine, as long as you can't see her". The warrior climbed in the bedroll next to the bard, but, before she could turn over, Gabrielle raised up enough to lay her head on the warrior's shoulder. " It is so cold Xena" , the bard said, " do you mind if I lay like this" ? , as she nestled her head just under the warriors chin, and her arm across Xena's waist.
"Umm..........I..........no", Xena said, "of course not", The warrior tried to say calmly, all the while her blood was rushing to her head.
"By the god's Gabrielle, you are cold as ice", Xena said as the bard got comfortable. " I'm sorry Xena, you are so warm", the bard replied with a yawn..
"Now what are you going to do oh mighty warrior princess", Xena thought to herself, what now??? Gabrielle was already asleep, before Xena could think of moving a little. " How does she do that"? the warrior wondered with a chuckle. Xena could never understand how the bard could fall asleep so quick, or eat so much. Xena sighed softly with a smile, "just a few more things I love about her I guess"
Part 2
Xena had fallen asleep rather quickly, not giving her time to ponder on the thoughts of her desire and feelings for the young bard in her arm's. It wasn't until the bard started talking in her sleep, that Xena awoke.
"Xena.........no...........please Xena.......don't leave me", the bard cried, "Oh Xena.....please......you are my best friend......family..........Xena I love you??"
Xena wasn't sure what the young woman was dreaming about exactly, but, she knew she could not stand to hear the fear, hurt, and tear's that were evident in Gabrielle's voice. "Gabrielle.....Gabrielle.....wake up Gabrielle, it is just a dream", the warrior coaxed.
The bard continued to cry, "Xena I love you", she repeated several times. Xena wrapped her arms around the bard tightly, still trying to wake her, "Gabrielle......it's ok I'm here", she said in a tender voice. It was Gabrielle's next sleep filled words that caused the warrior's heart to skip.
"Xena......I am in love with you, please don't do this", the bard said as she wept uncontrolably.
Xena felt her head begin to spin, her heart and mind raced, "By the god's", she thought, "this is how she really feels, Zues, what have I done! Xena exclaimed to herself. "I've broken her heart, but...........I .....I didn't know.......I just...." Flashes from Alti's vision of Gabrielle and Xena being crucified began to fill the warrior's mind. Xena cringed at the thought, "I want lose her", Xena screamed inside, "you here me............ whatever god's may be listening...............I won't lose Gabrielle"! Xena shook her head in an act of shaking off the thought's and vision. She then continued to wake the still sobbing bard. "Gabrielle....please....wake up, I've gottcha, it's just a dream", Xena said, knowing in her heart this dream was all too real. She had in fact left the young woman crying, in Poteidia, saying almost the exact same words, as she rode off.
Xena couldn't help but know, that Gabrielle had said the last part as well, that she was in love with her, Xena felt sure no oe else had heard it, but that the bard had said it. They say true feelings, and secret's come from your heart, and often are revealed, during your sleep, the warrior thought.
By this time Xena had managed to stir the bard from her dream, all the while reassuring her that she was safe. "Hey...you okay"? Xena ask, when she saw the bards eyes open. "Yeah.......I mean........I think so", the bard replied. "Good.. you had me worried for a second", the warrior tried to joke, unsure of what to do or say. Considering the fact that, Gabrielle was acting as if she wasn't sure what had exactly happened.
Xena began to stroke the bards hair as she still held her tight, "Some dream huh", Xena said in a question. "Ye..........yeah", the bard tried to say, unsure what else to offer. "Wanna talk about it"? Xena asked
"Oh well...............I don't ............ummm.......I don't really remember that mu.......much", Gabrielle said, knowing that she did remember it ALL. But how can I tell her, that I am in love with her, the bard thought, she would hate me, the young woman closed her eyes and took in a deep breath as she squeezed Xena's waist.
"Hey....it's ok Gabrielle",Xena said in a soothing tone. " I am here if you want to talk about it, ok"? Gabrielle continued to hold Xena as tightly as she could, half n fear if she let go, Xena would be gone, and half in fear that Xena would see right through her. Xena had begun rocking the bard, like a mother would a child, and it wasn't long before Gabrielle could feel herself begining to doze off. She couldn't help but relax, with Xena's arm's around her, rocking her, and whispering word's of comfort in her ear's, the bard thought for sure she was in Elysia.
Xena smiled at the sight of the bard fighting sleep, she knew they should lay down, but, she hated to break the contact. Xena finally gave in, and shifted the bard in her arm's. She then leaned back taking the bard with her. "I think we should lay back down", Xena said. "Here, lay your head on me", Xena replied as she guided the bards head to her shoulder, "How's that"?
"Good thanx", the bard replied sleepily.
Xena pulled the blanket over them, and lay staring at the stars once more, this time though, with different thoughts on her mind.
Xena couldn't help but think of what had just happened. How could she think of anything else? She had been in love with Gabrielle, since, well, what seem like forever!
She's in love with me? Xena said to herself with a smile. Xena glanced down at the young woman in her arm's, she gently kissed the top of the bard's head and whispered, " Goodnight Gabrielle...........I am in love with you too, but,...........how do I tell you"? Xena asked quietly, thinking the bard was asleep.
Gabrielle's eye's flew open! She had not been asleep at all, just merely taking advantage of the closeness to Xena. "Xena........what did you say"? the bard ask in a half gasp. Xena's eye's shot open as well, half wide in fear, half in shock. The warrior could hardly speak, "Ummm.......I.......I said goodnight", xena replied shakily, unsure what to do or say, she thought the bard was asleep! By the god's now what? Xena thought to herself, now what?
"No Xena, after that", the bard questioned. Hoping and praying to any god's who might be listening, that she had heard Xena right. Could it be? The bard thought, could Xena really be in love with me too. I mean she loves me I know, but, being in love with someone is totally different,.....I think, the bard thought to herself. Gabrielle was unsure of anything now, she had loved Xena for so long, she no longer thought of them as "just friends". Although they had never really explored their relationship further, Gabrielle, always knew in her heart and soul that she belonged to Xena.
Xena took a deep breath, god's here I go, she thought, what do I have to lose? "Gabrielle..........I umm........I am not sure how to begin........I mean, I don't know how much of that dream you remember, or if you do at all.........it's just......" Xena paused, as she felt the bard take her hand. "Xena, I remember.......all of it, and I know what I was saying in my dream, I just didn't know how to tell you.............I don't want you to hate me..........it's just" the bard stopped as she felt Xena raise up, liffting them both off the bedroll. "What, what is it? the bard ask, as Xena pulled her onto her lap. Taking Gabrielle's face in her hands, Xena looked into the young woman's beautiful blue green eyes.
Xena's heart raced, god's she has no idea what she does to me, the warrior thought. Thought's of the way she could love this woman physically, caused Xena's stomach to do back flips.
Still holding Gabrielle's face in her hand's, and looking deep into the bards eye's Xena took another breath, and then said, " I am in love with you too Gabrielle, I have loved you for so long, I have wanted you for so long, I......I just didn't know how to tell you. I was so afraid that you would leave me, or that I would lose you forever, that........well............if just being your best friend was all I could be, it would have to be enough.......I just..........", it was Gabrielle who interrupted this time.
With tears rolling down her face the bard fell into Xena's arm's " Oh Xena", she cried, "Thank the god's, I love you so much, I need you Xena, I want you"! Before the bard could continue, Xena pulled back so that she could look into the bards eye's once more. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me Gabrielle, I need and want you too................I couldn't bare to be without you............I just.......... just want you safe, you know"? Xena paused, trying to remember exactly why she had left the bard in Poteidia in the first place, she knew she couldn't live without this woman.She shook herself for the feelings of leaving Gabrielle and looked back at this goddess in front of her. Xena slowly leaned down, and captured the bards lip's with her's, both woman moaned at the contact. The kiss was tender and gentle, the warrior used her tongue to gain enrty into the bards mouth.
Xena broke the kiss when she felt the bards body begin to tremble. " I gottcha " the warrior said slightly out of breath, as she wrapped her arm's around the bard.
Gabrielle leaned into Xena, still shaky from the kiss. By the god's, she thought, this is Elysia! Before the bard could think, Xena gently lay the bard down on the bedroll, gently leaned over her and kissed her softly, as she spoke, "I love you Gabrielle"
By the god's, Gabrielle thought, this is bliss! She had always wondered what it would be like to kiss Xena, passionately, that is. But, her thoughts, and dreams could not compare to the actuality of it! Gabrielle's whole body and being, burned with every touch from the warrior.
"You ok"? Xena ask after breaking off the kiss.
"Yes", the bard replied. "I love you too Xena", she said out of breath "Wonderful, and you"?
"Never better" Xena replied, gently running her finger down the bards arm.
Gabrielle shuddered at the touch.
"Xena......... please" the bard said in a pleading voice. "Take me, make love to me, I want you so much".
"Are you sure this is what you want"? Xena asked. "Because, if you are not sure, maybe we should wait".
"Wait", the bard replied, "No Xena, I don't want to wait......I am in love with you, I have wanted you for so long...........unless, you are not sure", Gabrielle said, opening her eyes to look at the warrior.
Xena's mind raced, not sure, she thought, I have never been so sure of anything in all my life. Suddenly, her mind flashed back to the vision she had with Alti, she closed her eyes, as her breath caught in her throat.
"Xena, what is it", the bard ask uneasily.
"You're not sure are you"? God's she isn't sure, Gabrielle thought, as her heart sank to her stomach.
"No"! Xena said, "thats not it Gabrielle.........I just........well............
"It's that damn vision again isn't it"? The bard ask.
"Yes", the warrior replied, opening her eyes to look at the bard. "Oh Gabrielle, I just don't ever want to lose you, thats all".
"And how will making love to me, cause you to lose me Xena"? the bard ask. "Even if it does come to pass, I would much rather die knowing that I had loved you in every way possible, than to die not ever loving you completely".
Xena smiled, as a tear escaped from her eye, "Oh Gabrielle, you are amazing, do you know that"? "I want you more than anything in this world".
Xena, gently lay down on the bard, careful not to put all her weight on the smaller woman. Blue met green as Xena took the bards lips with her own for another kiss. She then kissed her way to the bards ear, as she begin to unlace Gabrielle's top. "I want you forever my bard", she exclaimed while making a path down the bards neck.
"I want you.............for...........ever..ttt.to..", the bard tried to say, as her voice and breath caught in her throat. Unable to speak, as Xena tossed the blouse aside, and began to kiss the bards breast. Xena began to loosen the bards belt, and slowly slipped it off, never moving her lips from the bards skin.
"By the god's Gabrielle, you are more beautiful, than I had imagined", Xena said as she caressed the bards naked hips with her hand. "I have got to do this", the warrior said in a husky voice.
"Whats that"? The bard ask
"This", Xena said as she kissed the bards abdomen, and then rested her head for a moment. "Really"?, Gabrielle ask in surprise, as she gently stroked Xena's hair.
"Yes really", the warrior replied, kissing the bards stomach again and again.
"Stop", the bard said in a quiet tone.
"What"? Xena said, jerking her head up.
"It's ok love", the bard said, after seeing the hurt look in Xena's eye's. "I just want to see you too", she finished, as she begin to pull at the warrior's armor.
"Oh", Xena said with a smirk, "Ok". Xena raised up just enough to remove her clothing. "How's that"? she ask the bard, who was wide eyed.
"Mm....much better", she finally said, "By they god's Xena.........you are the one who is beautiful", Gabrielle gasp.
"Well.......they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder", Xena said with a chuckle.
"No Xena, you are", the bard tried to say, but, was cut off by a kiss from the warrior.
Both women moaned at the contact of their skin becoming one. "No turning back", Xena said looking deep into the bards eyes.
"I dont want to", the bard replied. "Only to my, no, our future", Gabrielle said, before taking Xena's mouth with her's.
"To our future",Xena tried to reply.
Xena begin to kiss the bard more passionately, as their desire for one another rose to greater heights. Xena then begin to caress the bards breast, kissing each one tenderly. She then moved down, kissing every inch of bare skin along the way. Xena paused, as a shudder ran through her, from the bards touch.
"Oh Gabrielle", Xena moaned, as the bard continued her assault on the warriors breast.
"Let's do this together", the bard said, never letting go of Xena. Xena spread the bards legs, so that she could place one leg on each side of the bards left leg.
She then lowered her head, and began to taste the bards sex. "Oh Xe.........nnnnaa", Gabrielle cried, as her body reacted to the touch.
"YES"!
"God's yes", she exclaimed.
Xena's passion grew stronger, each time the bard said her name, and she was sure they neither one could hold out much longer. Xena gently slid one finger, then two inside the bards opening. Gabrielle gasp with pleasure. "Oh Xena, please", the bard begged.
Never wanting to deny "her bard", Xena shifted so that Gabrielle's fingers could find their desired destination. Xena's body shook as Gabrielle inserted two, then three finger's into the warrior's own opening. "Gabri...........ielle", Xena moaned, as both women moved in and out of one another, slowly at first and then faster as they reached their peak. Both women screamed the other's name as they reached their climax.
Xena gently lay down next to the bard, pulling her into her arm's. "I love you", Xena said, out of breath. "Ummmm.......I love you too", the bard said with a smile, resting her head on the warriors shoulder. "You are wonderful, you know that", the bard said, as she traced a finger up and down Xena's belly.
"You are pretty amazing yourself", the warrior replied, placing a kiss on the bard's head.
It didn't take long for both women to fall asleep in each other's arm's. Xena pulled the blanket up over them, and they slept.
No thoughts, or vision's to worry about. Just peace, between two lover's, whose souls at last were one. No matter what the future would hold, "together", they would see it through.
The End