A Bedtime Treat by Caoillainn De Bhulbh

Gabrielle was exhausted. The day had been one of the longest in her young life; the terrain had become hilly, each hill higher and steeper than the one before. Xena halted on the trail and pointed to a small cave next to a swift running stream. "We'll stop here for the night, okay?"

Gabrielle only nodded as she went inside and dropped her pack on the floor. She started to leave, but Xena stopped her.

"I'll get the wood."

It took a moment for the words to register.

"Go sit down, you look tired."

"You have no idea," Gabby murmured as Xena turned away. She half sat, half fell to the floor and leaned against the rough wall. The warrior returned shortly and started the fire before leaving again to hunt dinner. After what seemed hours spent in a daze the Warrior returned with a rabbit which she had thoughtfully skinned and gutted. Gabrielle intercepted before she could begin cooking. She was starving and wanted something edible.

When the rabbit was cooked an eternity later she attempted to carve it but wound up awkwardly hacking it apart at the seams. Xena gently took the knife away from her before she cut herself and did it instead. She ate and drank mechanically, only peripherally aware of the taste and Xena's eyes on her. She was too tired to think. Xena wouldn't let her do the dishes afterwards, either.

Full and sleepy, she spread the blankets and lay down, even though the sun had barely set. But she couldn't sleep; she was too exhausted, so she tossed and turned while Xena sat close by cleaning her weapons.

"What's the matter?" Xena asked. Normally the bard was out like a light after a hard day such as this.

"I don't know; I'm totally exhausted, yet I can't get to sleep. It's like I'm wound up or something."

Xena gave her chakram one last wipe and set it down. "How about a back rub?"
Gabrielle turned over to face her. "That sounds absolutely divine."

Xena flashed one of her devastating smiles and Gabby's insides lurched. Unfortunately the spark of arousal was drowned by fatigue; she was very much in the mood but she didn't have the energy. Xena kneeled next to her, as she lay on her stomach, and pulled her hair aside.

A pair of strong hands closed over her neck and began kneading the tense muscles before moving down to her deltoids. The inner spark smouldered higher along with a growing sense of frustration. Xena ran light fingers along the sides of her breasts and she gasped, but didn't move.

"How about it, Gabrielle?" Xena whispered seductively, moving her hands to the bard's back, digging her fingers into the taut firmness beneath them.

"I'd love to, but I just don't have the energy. But go ahead if you want to. Just don't feel insulted if I fall asleep somewhere along the line."

"I won't be insulted. I'm surprised you're still awake after that trek today. I'll go slower tomorrow, I promise."

An "Mmmm" was all Gabrielle could say in reply.

Xena massaged every part of her friend before rolling her over gently onto her back. "Still with me?" she asked, and got a faint smile. She continued the massage, working the tight muscles until they relaxed. When Gabrielle was suitably floppy, she brushed her bangs aside and kissed her forehead, then continued in a circle around her face before landing a light one on her lips.

Gabrielle's barely moved in response, but she didn't let that deter her in the least. She kissed her a bit more passionately and slid a hand over her breast, squeezing the soft flesh gently until the nipple popped under her palm. Gabby stirred but didn't open her eyes. It felt delicious; she wanted to move, but couldn't. She tried to put her hands over Xena's head and arch into her mouth, but didn't quite succeed. Xena smiled and began on her other breast, provoking a soft grunt.

Still kissing her, she ran one hand down Gabby's stomach and played with her belly button
before continuing down to the golden curls. She twined her fingers in them and rubbed up and down a few times until the bard made a small, guttural noise and spread her legs. Having been invited, she slipped a finger in and felt the warm, slick flesh.

Gabrielle was quite aroused, but not all the way. Xena kissed her way down to a nipple and sucked it into her mouth, swirling her tongue over it until Gabrielle shifted beneath her and spread her legs wider. She kept licking and sucking the nipple, then switched to the other, all the time softly stroking the firm nub now slippery with juices. After a few moments, Gabrielle pushed her head lower. Taking the not so subtle hint, she kissed her way down the firm abdomen, pausing to dig her tongue into the cute little belly button before scooting down and lowering herself between the bard's outstretched thighs.

First she stroked the sensitive skin on both legs simultaneously until Gabrielle began
rocking her hips and she decided to take pity on the poor girl. Grasping the firm cheeks,
she slid her face into the scented flesh and began licking softly, pausing now and again to
swirl her tongue in slow circles.

Gabby was now fully erect, her clit standing firm and tall like a little mountain. The sight, feel, and scent of it drove Xena wild and she added a little more pressure until Gabby was making continual noises and thrusting into her face. She felt a pair of hands twine themselves in her hair and pull her forward. Gabrielle was close to orgasm; she could feel it, she sucked the nub between her lips and flicked it with the tip of her tongue. The hands in her hair tightened for a moment, then suddenly Gabrielle spasmed, grunting with each thrust. She moved with her, gradually lessening the contact so the jolts would be pleasurable, not painful, but she drew out Gabby's orgasm as long as she could. Finally the bard slumped still, and she moved up to lay down beside her as she panted, eyes still closed.

"Gabrielle?"

"Mmmmm." The bard's face was utterly calm. The deep breathing dwindled to her normal rate.

"Gabrielle?"

No reply, Gabrielle was sound asleep. Xena grinned, pulled the blanket over both of them and took her beloved soul mate into her arms. "Guess what? I'm letting you sleep late tomorrow."

The End