It was a warm spring night and all the stars seemed to shine brighter than ever Gabrielle thought to herself. Xena and Gabrielle had decided to turn in for bed early that night so they could reach the Amazon Village early the next morning to surprise Ephiny on her birthday. The cool breeze blowing off the nearby lake had woken Gabrielle and now she sat on her bedroll watching Xena sleep. The fire had almost gone out and Gabrielle and Xena had their bedrolls on opposite sides of the campfire.

'Gods, even in her sleep I can't get enough of her,' Gabrielle whispered to Argo who was standing nearby. With her admittance of her feelings towards Xena, tears began to fill the young bards eyes. 'Why do I feel like this? It's not normal. She's my best friend, and I am no more in her eyes.' Gabrielle knew, for quite some time now that she loved Xena with all her heart. Sure, she knew Xena loved her back, but it was a different love. A sisterly, or just best friend kind of love. It was these nights, when she would wake up and watch the warrior sleep that those feelings got the best of her.

Gabrielle could no longer control the tears that began to spill from her beautiful sea green eyes. She couldn't take it anymore; she had to be closer to Xena, even if only for this short moment while she was sleeping. She found herself walking towards the warrior and sat down next to her on her bedroll, stroking the raven black hair of her companion. Xena sighed softly in her sleep and Gabrielle just couldn't contain herself any longer. This couldn't continue. She is so close to Xena physically, but she wanted to be that close to Xena emotionally.

Gabrielle realized no matter how much holding her feelings in hurt; she would never be able to tell Xena how she felt. She couldn't pretend not to care anymore. It was harder every passing day. Sometimes, she thought she had Xena look at her in that special way but as soon as that thought went into her head she dismissed it. 'I must be more tired than I thought,' Gabrielle said to herself reasoning that the lack of sleep she had been getting was making her delusional or something. She knew she had to tell Xena but she just couldn't do it. At least not face to face. She reached for one of her scrolls and began to write a letter to Xena:

Dear Xena,

By now you are probably wondering where I am and if I am okay. I am on my way to the Amazon Village without you because, well after you read this you will understand. So yes I am unharmed, but no I am not okay. There is something that

I need to tell you but cannot stand to do in person. I love you.

And yes I know you love me too, but I love you not just as a friend, or in a sisterly way. I am in love with you. I could not bear to spend another day with you as just my friend. This agony I know must be stopped before I go mad. I am sure you, by now are thoroughly disgusted, but please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you that is why I have left to stay with the Amazons I will miss you very much, but if we aren't together as lovers, I cannot stay. I'm so sorry.

Love always,

Gabrielle

Gabrielle reenrolled the scroll and placed it by Xena's head where she was sure to notice it. She quickly placed a soft kiss on Xena's lips and began on her journey to the Amazon Village that was just a few hours away. She looked back one last time as tears filled her eyes once more. 'I love you Xena, I always will.' This way Gabrielle reasoned, ' I wont have to face her when she finds out, and if by any chance she feels the same, she will come after. Please, let her come after me,' Gabrielle kind of prayed to any God that may have been listening at the time.

That had been several hours ago and the sun had just begun to rise over the lake. As the sun started to shine on Xena she slowly woke up. Immediately she saw the scroll and she panicked as she realized the bard was nowhere to be found. This was highly unlikely for the young bard. "Gabrielle never wakes up before me," Xena said to herself trying to gather her thoughts.

" Gabrielle! Gabrielle!" Xena shrieked as loud as she could. Nothing. Just silence. Please let her be okay, she has to be. I would have noticed if there was an attack or something. Just calm down before you freak out,' she thought to herself. She finally decided to find out why there was a scroll lying beside her when she woke up.

Some time had passed and Xena was still unable to keep her thoughts in tact from what she had read. ' Why would she ever think I would be mad from that? If only I had told her sooner how I felt.' Xena felt so guilty and any reluctance she had to love the bard slipped away. Before, all she could think was that telling the bard how she felt would only place her in more danger and hurt her more. Finally after reading the scroll she realized Gabrielle had known the same pain as herself. She decided it was time to find her dearest love and confess her undying love. Xena then chuckled to herself think how stubborn the both of them had been to admit their feelings.

Meanwhile Gabrielle had just reached Amazon territory as Xena began her quest. As soon as she entered the Amazon land two sentries on duty spotted her and followed her into the village. They noticed for one thing, she was without Xena. If this wasn't odd enough she was still crying. The sentries didn't want to bother their Queen so they decided to stay hidden and see that she made it to the village unharmed.

As soon as she reached the village, she pulled herself together and made her entrance. Gabrielle was immediately spotted by her two best Amazon friends Ephiny and Solari.

"Gabrielle! What on earth are you doing here?" Ephiny said giving Gabrielle a hug.

"Hello my Queen," Solari greeted the bard.

"Why do you guys insist on calling me that?"

"You are our Queen." Ephiny remarked.

"Yeah, but you'd be a much better one Eph. Well anyways, your in a good mood.." the bard started "oh, and happy birthday Eph."

"You remembered? I can't believe it."

"Don't look so shocked Eph, you are one of my best friends. What kind of person would I be if I forgot?"

"Sorry to interrupt you two, but umm.. Where's Xena?" Solari questioned.

"Long story, I'll tell you two later. But now.. Now it's time for celebrating Ephinys birthday." Gabrielle poured her best smile into it to try and hide the hurt she was feeling from being reminded of Xena. "So Eph, did you get anything special yet today?"

"Oh yes," Ephiny replied wrapping her arms around Solaris waist. "Solari finally confessed her love to me this morning so we are and item, I guess you'd say now."

"It's about damn time too, don't you think Gabrielle?" Solari added. "Now all we need is for you and Xena to stop being so stubborn and finally admit what's in both of your hearts."

With that tears began to spill from Gabrielle's eyes once more. There was no holding back now.

"As if that'll ever happen. She doesn't feel the way that I do. That's obvious, and kind of why I left without her. I wrote it all down last night on one of my scrolls and left it for her to read this morning. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to get away if I couldn't be with her," Gabrielle stammered as tears continued to pour her eyes.

Ephiny rushed to her side and embraced her as she explained that Gabrielle had nothing to worry about. "Okay love, I don't mean to seem insensitive while you are falling apart over here, but have you seen the way she looks at you? Hell-o she's got it bad trust me. You'll see I'm sure she'll be here for you before sunset. Please cheer up my Queen." Ephiny then released her hold on the bard and walked over to Solari. She then gave her a quick, yet loving kiss, as kind of a silent reminder that she felt just as deeply for Solari as they both knew Xena and Gabrielle did for each other.

"Once again, I'm sorry to interrupt but.. Shouldn't we tell the others that their Queen is here?" Solari once again broke in.

"Solari, my love remind me to talk to you about your timing sometime tonight okay?" Ephiny broke out laughing as Solari got a very defensive look on her face and pushed Ephiny away.

"You sure didn't mind my timing this morning now did you? I mean if you want me to take back what I said.."

"Yeah right. It's to late for that. You can never take it back now." Ephiny stated mater-of-factly taking Solari's hand in her own and leading her and Gabrielle to the dining hall where most of the Amazons were eating breakfast. Neither Ephiny, nor Solari had failed to here the loud rumble in Gabrielle's stomach while they were teasing each other.

Xena was just on the outskirts of the village when some man from a town not to far off came to her. "Xena, Xena please stop, need.....help.." he said gasping for breath. It was very obvious the man was not in shape at all. He was a short, heavyset man. Not attractive at all. He was on of those types though that thought he was God's gift to women. It was obvious in the way he carried himself. Xena just shrugged and dismounted off of Argo.

Once the man finally caught his breath he explained that Draco had promised to attack them in the morning and they desperately needed her help. 'Damn you Ares," Xena thought to herself knowing that somehow he knew he was keeping her from something important.

"Of course I will help you. Just lead me there and I promise nothing will happen."

"Thank you Xena. We will repay you somehow," the husky man said. He could tell she was slightly annoyed but didn't say anymore as to be sure not to piss off the warrior princess.

Once she reached the town that was not far off she recognized it remembering the time her and Gabrielle had stayed there at an inn. Her eyes glazed over as she thought about that night. It was one of their normal nights where Gabrielle had told one of her stories about Xena to the patrons at the inn. After that her and Gabrielle had shared a bath, Gods how she loved taking baths with the bard. It was torture yet at the same time one of the things she loved most in all the world. It did take all her will power not to reach out and touch Gabrielle how she pleased though. The only thing she loved more than bathing and swimming together with the bard was when they shared the same bed at the inns they stopped at. Gabrielle always found a way in her sleep to roll onto Xena and there would never be anything she loved more than holding Gabrielle in her arms.

"Hello, earth to Xena, are you there" the man said waving his hand in front of her face. It was unlikely for the legendary Xena to no be paying attention. He figured he could have gotten behind her and drove a sword through her back and killed her without her even noticing. Yes, Gabrielle was defiantly her biggest weakness.. "You are Xena right?" he asked trying to figure out what was going on in her head.

"Yes, I'm Xena," she hissed at the man and he stumbled backwards not wanting to get to close to her as she was obviously in a bad mood. Xena took a deep breath and calmly talked to the man about what was going on.

Apparently Draco said he was going to attack their town because they would not let him pass through it or something stupid. Xena didn't really care. All she thought about was how crushed Gabrielle must be thinking Xena wasn't coming after her.

It took Xena three days to finally rid the town completely of Draco's men. The sun had just begun to set and Xena was on her way to Amazon territory. She had not far to go and figured if she pushed Argo she could be there by nightfall. As she was on her way she noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. 'Great, now Gabrielle has got me to be emotional. I can't believe I'm crying she will still love me when I get there, she will understand why it took me so long to her. She has to,' Xena told herself trying to stop crying before she was spotted by the Amazon sentries on duty. But she was to late. Eponin was already following her and she knew it.

"Alright, I know someone is there following me." Xena called out as she clasped her hands above her head in case the Amazon following her didn't recognize her, which was highly unlikely.

"Xena," Eponin said as she came down from the trees overhead where she was following Xena. The two of them locked arms as warriors do when the greet each other. "The whole village is waiting for you, glad you are finally here."

"Goddess does every one know about what happened? Well I guess that's what I get for loving a bard huh?"

Eponin laughed and noticed Xena's tear streaked face. "Hey are you alright? I was wondering what took you so long to notice I was following you."

"Well I had a lot on my mind. And you have definatly improved on your skills. I better watch out before you get to be better at following people than me."

"Yeah, well I doubt that will happen but thanks for the compliment. You better hurry up and get to the Queen before she loses all her hope. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone that the mighty warrior princess was crying."

"Thanks Eponin you're a good friend," Xena said as she wrapped her arms and crushed Eponin to her. She then took off on Argo and was out of sight in a second.

"Man what has gotten into her? Gabrielle has her whipped already and they aren't even together yet. Not like I couldn't get used to this chatty, friendly new warrior." Eponin talked aloud to no one and took off into the trees again to return to duty.

By now Gabrielle had given up all hope of the warrior coming for her and reassuring her that everything was going to be all right.

Taking Solaris advice Gabrielle went into the Queens hut and decided to get some rest since she hadn't been able to sleep the last three nights. The second her head hit the pillow she started crying again and finally cried herself to sleep. Just as she dozed of into Morpheous' realm Xena finally reached her destination.

"Xena, what the hell took you so long? Gabrielle had been driving herself mad. She thinks you hate her. Your lucky I know better than that," Ephiny scolded Xena causing the smile to leave her face.

"Gee, thanks for the warm welcome Eph," Xena teased.

"Well that's what you get. The whole village is talking about this. We were worried if you didn't come for our Queen and make her happy we'd have to hunt you down and kill you for that." Ephiny said half joking and half sternly. "So where the hell have you been?"

"Sorry, Draco was going to take over a village. I had a job to get done first. You know how it is. I have the whole 'Warrior Princess' image to uphold. Trust me I have wanted nothing more than to be here with her. I'm sure you know that. Where is she anyways? I've got a lot to do."

"I'm sure you do, amongst other things," Ephiny said with a devilish grin. She's sleeping in the Queens hut. I do suggest you let her sleep a bit though. She hasn't gotten any sleep since that one night."

"Thanks Eph'. I owe you. You know I didn't mean to keep her waiting right?" Xena gave her a hug and started to take off without even giving Ephiny a chance to answer her question. "Oh happy really late birthday," Xena shouted back as she disappeared around the corner.

As Xena got to the Queens hut, she gave the guards the day off explaining that Gabrielle would be plenty safe with her there. Once Xena entered the hut and saw her soon to be lover, she lost her breath. Tears filled her eyes as the realization that Gabrielle was going to be hers and only hers from now until forever came to her. She stood at the entrance, unable to move or even think properly for several moments. ' How could it be that someone so amazing could have an unconditional love for someone like me?' Xena asked herself, as she was able to speak again.

As quiet as possible she walked over to the bed where the Amazon lay sleeping. She stroked Gabrielle's hair and muttered a thanks to the Gods. Gabrielle, her angel, her light, heart and soul were finally hers. She made a vow to herself to never keep her feelings inside and be completely open with the bard from now one. The last three days were more straining on her than any three days she spent as a warlord.

She sat beside Gabrielle's sleeping body and decided to join her in bed. She got up and removed her armor, then leathers and climbed into the bed with the love of her life, her Gabrielle. She quickly decided she liked that term, 'my Gabrielle' she repeated to herself several times, her smile getting bigger with each time. "What would I ever have done without you love?" she quietly asked Gabrielle not like the bard who slept through everything would here.

Once Xena got into the bed, without even waking up, Gabrielle unconsciously positioned herself in her loves arms. Xena placed a few soft kisses on Gabrielle's forehead and just watched her sleep until finally, a few hours later Gabrielle woke up. Xena hadn't slept at all. How could she, she was so scared if she were to fall asleep everything would be gone when she woke up. Instead, she enjoyed the feeling of Gabrielle in her arms, in her head, and most of all in her heart.

"Xena? Is that really you? Am I still dreaming," Gabrielle questioned as her hand softly stroked Xenas face.

"No my love, I am here. The only place I want to be. With you. I love you so much. I'm sorry it took so long to get here. I ran into a bit of trouble on the way. But I promise to never keep you waiting again. I can't imagine how you must have felt. And I'm sorry I never said anything earlier about us."

Tears filled both of their eyes once more and Xena started laughing. "What on earth is so funny might I ask," Gabrielle said with a hint of hurt in her voice.

" Oh love, it's not you I'm laughing at. I was just thinking about these last few days."

"I know that for once you want to talk, and as amazed I am about that we can do that in a minute, but just shut up... Just kiss me, please? I need to know this is real, that you really love me like I love you."

"My pleasure, my bard," Xena said as she lifted Gabrielle's face to meet hers and as slow as can be their lips finally met. Time seemed to stand still for both of them. That kiss was the only thing either of them had thought about for the last few years. And in the years to come, it would be all either needed to know just how meant for each other they really were. Never again would either have to question the depth of the others love.

"Wow," Gabrielle said as they finally pulled apart and rested her head back on Xena's shoulder. "So now, what were you going to say? You better not be lying about laughing me or I'll have you thrown in jail."

"Well, remind me never to piss you off again. Well I was laughing at myself actually."

"The warrior princess laughing at herself? Come on you gotta do better than that. You can't possibly expect me to believe that."

"No, I'm serious. See, it all started that morning when you left, and I'm still mad about that by the way. Well, when I was on my way here, this man, Chester from that small farmers town not to far away came to me asking for help." Xena started laughing again as she thought about that man. "Gods, I feel so sorry for him, he's worse than Joxer with all that false bravado, and who on earth would name a poor kid Chester. I mean come on.." she said unable to finish as she was thinking about that. She had to hold her sides and her cheeks were sore from smiling so hard. Finally she regained her composure.

"Anyways, well I had to save his town from some of Draco's men that were attacking them. But the whole time I was thinking about you and didn't really do much. That's why it took three days to get them to leave. I didn't have my warrior mentality with me. I mean to know that you were here, waiting for me probably thinking I wasn't going to come after you just tore at my heart. But finally we got all them bastards to leave the town alone and finally tonight I was on my way here. But the point is, of why I am laughing at myself is because you have caused me to finally open up, and feel again. I mean in the last few days I have felt more emotions run through me than I have in my entire life. I have laughed more, cried more, and been more friendly to people than ever. I even was caught crying by Eponin. It's just, I don't know what I have done to deserve this but you made me complete. You made me human again. Before now I only allowed you to know me, all of me and be open to you but I feel so different. I feel like I will never be hurt by anyone ever again now that I have you and I can open up not only to you but to all of my friends."

Xena stopped there wondering if Gabrielle was still listening, or even awake which she definatly was. Xena lifted her face up to see her and noticed the tears coming from those beautiful eyes she loves so much. She quickly kissed Gabrielle on the forehead and wiped her tears away. "I love you." Xena finally said. "I mean that. You are my life and I can't believe I went so long without telling you."

"I love you too Xena. You are my world my day and night, you are my life. I promise you now that I will never hurt you."

"Well it looks like you've managed to break down my last wall around my heart. What's your next challenge?" Xena asked as she pulled the bard closer to her kissing her on the top of her head inhaling the smell of her hair. She began to idlely begin stroking it as she waited for her bards answer. Deciding not to let her answer and get this one more thing out before her courage went away, she spoke again.

"Well, I don't think there is anything left that you can do. You got me all figured out now I guess, but there is one more thing I need to ask you." Xena continued gathering up all her courage.

"Well, what's that love?" came the soft reply from a very tired Amazon Queen.

"Well, umm...Will you join with me?" Xena asked so quickly it took the bard a few seconds to realize what she said, and then a few more for the words to sink in. Gabrielle rolled over so she was lying on top of the warrior and placed her mouth next to Xena's ear. "Yes, my love. Always. We will be together forever."

Gabrielle knew this was a big thing for the warrior and that she was still very scared still of being hurt so Gabrielle tried to make Xena believe her the best she could. She kissed Xena once more on the lips and snuggled back into her embrace. No more words had to be said after that. Both women were to lost in their own musings to speak anymore. They knew all they ever needed was to be exactly like they were now. Finally Xena noticed that Gabrielle had fallen asleep and fell asleep herself shortly after. There was still more to talk about, like how Gabrielle had managed to let the whole village know about what happened, but that wasn't important at the moment. All that mattered to her was right there, sleeping in her arms. Surely, this would always be a day to remember.

The End.