"But mom, they're mortals!"

     "Cupid sweetheart, I swear I have tried everything in my power to try and get these two together. I just don't get it. They love each other so much that it's driving them crazy. Yet they fight me every step of the way!"

     "What if I gave it a try?"

     "You? Don't make me laugh." Aphrodite laughed heartily at the young God of love.

     "What the Hades is so funny?!" Cupid tried to sound angry but his eyes betrayed his wounded pride. His mother gave him a hug.

     "I'm sorry hon. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that if I can't do it, what makes you think that you could. I mean, I've been at this love stuff a lot longer than you have, darling."

     "I still think I could do it."

     "Sweetie, I just don't want to see you get hurt by failing. You have to start out easier. These two are toughies."

     "Mom?"

     "Yes hon?"

     "You said I could have dad's bow when I was old enough right?"

     "Yes hon, why?"

     "I make you a little wager. If I get these two together I get the bow. If not, then I wait till you decide to give it to me."

     "My little boy. You sure are growing up fast. Just a hundred and fifty years old and already trying to make bets with other gods. You make me so proud. But you aren't exactly there yet honey. If you lose, you don't get the bow at all. And, you have twenty-four candlemarks."

     "Aw, come on mom, you said these two are hard!"

     "Cupid, if you want to play with the big Gods, then you have to learn that you will never get anywhere if you are not prepared to lose something you want in order to gain something. If you want to try and prove yourself to me, then you take a chance on losing the bow. I'd reconsider this if I were you son."

     He looked so cute as he was considering whether or not his pride was worth losing his most cherished possession before he even received it. If he really wanted to go through with this, which she figured he would, she would give him the bow for his three hundredth birthday like she had planned. He would understand everything by then. He brought her out from her thoughts with three little words.

     "It's a bet."

     "O.k son, but remember. I warned you. You have twenty-four candlemarks."

     He disappeared in a golden glow and she silently wished him luck. She knew he had no chance in Tartarus.???????????????????????????????????????

     "And the two lovers came together in a fierce embrace proclaiming their love?."

     "Gabrielle, I'm sorry, but could you finish that story another time. I have one Hades of a headache all of a sudden."

     Gabrielle was a little hurt at the abrupt tone Xena used with her but decided to dismiss it because the warrior never seemed to get headaches. Something must be wrong. "Sure Xena. Do you want to stop for a while?"

     "No that's o.k. It seems to be getting a little better. Come on, I just want to get to the inn and have a nice hot bath and something to eat."

     She rode ahead and Gabrielle followed behind discouraged once again. She had hoped that the story she was telling Xena might stir something inside the stoic woman. Something that has been stirring within the bard for quite some time.

     Xena rode on noticing that as the seconds went by her headache lessened. That was strange. It came out of nowhere and was disappearing the same way. It had to be the sun or something. She would be fine after a hot bath.

     Cupid watched the scene from a distance. He smiled at the women and thought this was going to be easier than he had first expected, "Don't worry princess, you'll get your bath. And it will be hot!"

     They got to the inn and Gabrielle went to get the room as Xena went to stable Argo. She ordered two bath tubs sent to the room and a hot meal to follow later. She went up to the room and waited for Xena to come back. She came in shortly and fell into the bed next to Gabrielle.

     "How's your headache?"

     "Oh, much better, thank you."

     "The baths should be here any minute."

     "Thank the Gods."

     There was a knock at the door and Gabrielle got up to answer it. It was two young men carrying a very large tub. They placed it down where she told them and began to bring in armloads of wood and stoked the fire. They returned a moment later with two large buckets of water in each hand and put them on the fire. Then they left to get the other tub. While they were gone, Xena's thoughts drifted to the size of the tub.

     The two of them could fit very comfortably in one of them. Then she thought about Gabrielle's naked wet body so close to her and the next thing she knew the headache was back with a vengeance. She dropped to her knees and Gabrielle was there in a flash.

     "Xena what happened are you o.k.?"

     "Yes it's going away again. I don't understand it. Bring me my herb pouch please?"

     "Sure, just one second."

     She got the pouch for her just as there was another knock. It was the same two men, but without another tub.

     "I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm afraid that we dropped the other tub when we were bringing it to you. It now has a very large crack in it and won't hold water. And the water vat sprung a leak and there is no more water. We are very sorry ma'am and Throbias told us to tell you that there will be no charge for the one bath and your meals due to the inconvenience."

     Cupid stood behind Gabrielle loving every minute. "Gee, I wonder how that happened." He laughed to himself again and sat in a chair in the room.

     "All right. Don't worry about it. Those things are heavy and the water leak was not your fault. The Throbias thank you and this is for you."

     She gave each one a dinar and they thanked her and left. Xena heard the whole story and groaned into her pillow. Only one bath and Gabrielle hated cold water. Hades! She was really looking forward to a hot bath.

     Gabrielle took the water off the fire and filled the tub. She then went over to Xena and began unbuckling her armor. After it was off, and Xena changed into her sleeping shift, she climbed into the bed.

     "Just let me know when the food gets here, ok?"

     "Hey wait a minute, what about your bath? It's ready."

     "You take it, I know how much you hate cold water. Enjoy it."

     "No Xena, you have been waiting for this for a while."

     "You have no idea how long she's been waiting little girl." Cupid said with a smile.

     "It's o.k Gabrielle, I can wait."

     "Yeah right, warrior. Keep this up and you'll still be waiting for her in Tartarus." Cupid sneered.

     "Xena this is silly, why don't we just bathe together?"

     "Xena stiffened involuntarily at the question. They had done just that many times, but never in such close quarters. She had no real answer to get out of it, so she realized that she was going to have to do it. Not that she didn't want to, It's just being that close to her, in that

     situation?the headache rocked her with such fury that she grasped her head and fell off the bed.

     Gabrielle ran to her and helped her up.

     "Xena, are you o.k? Let me help you get into the tub."

     Xena nodded and allowed herself to be led to the tub. Gabrielle slipped Xena's shift over her head and the warrior shuddered in arousal. The bard mistook it for a chill and helped her into the tub. Gabrielle went to get soap and towels and the warrior sat in the soothing water but felt anything but relaxed. She almost thought for a second that she figured out where the headaches were coming from. It seemed that every time she thought about Gabrielle sexually the pain came. But nothing happened when she became aroused when Gabrielle undressed her.

     "You got it princess. When your mind reacts to the bard the pain comes, but not your body. Figure it out princess. All you have to do is tell her you love her." Cupid stated from his chair.

     Gabrielle returned with the soap and threw the towels on the chair unknowingly hitting Cupid in the face. He grimaced for a second and then remembered that they can't see him. She got in the tub behind Xena so she could massage her temples. Xena tried hard to concentrate on keeping her emotions in check but it was getting very difficult with the soft hands skillfully caressing her. Her mind drifted once again to those hands somewhere else and the pain returned.

     She bolted to a sitting position and splashed water everywhere. Gabrielle tried to comfort her, but was inadvertently making the pain worse. Xena knew that was what was making it worse, but couldn't tell Gabrielle without explaining what was causing the pain in the first place. She concentrated hard on the last battle she fought. Remembering every detail made the pain dissipate.She washed herself quickly and got out of the tub. She got dressed and grabbed her sword and chakram.

     "I'm going to check on Argo. I think I need some air. I'll be back in a little while."

     "Are you sure you don't want me to with you? What if the pain comes back. You might need me."

     "Thanks Gabrielle, but I'll be fine. Enjoy the bath, I'll be back before you know it."

     She walked out the door leaving Gabrielle discouraged once again. She walked to the stable and patted her loyal mare.

     "I figured it out girl. Some God is punishing me again. If I think about her that way, I get an excruciating headache. Yet my body is allowed to re-act. If they really wanted to torture me, they hit it right on the head."

     Argo whinnied her sympathy to the warrior while Cupid jumped up and down in exasperation.

     "No! That's not it you fool. Aw ,Hades. Well, I guess I can see where you would draw that conclusion. I see where my mistake was. I shouldn't have given you pain. I'll have to try something else, and quick. I'm running out of time. Think Cupid, think." A wide smile spread across his face. "I got it. If you don't figure it out now princess, then you are truly hopeless."

     Xena went back to the room to find Gabrielle in her shift sitting at the table with two large plates of food.

     "Oh good, you're back. I was thinking about going after you before things got cold."

     "Thanks. I'm glad it's still hot, I'm starving."

     They chatted while they ate and then Gabrielle said something that made Xena sit straight up.

     "You feel like hearing the rest of my story now?"

     "Uh? sure. Go ahead I'd love to."

     She was trapped and she knew it. If she said no, she would hurt the bard's feelings and by saying yes, she was asking for another headache. She began to tune out the bard, yet looked straight at her to act like she was listening.

     Gabrielle resumed her story and after a few minutes realized that Xena was not listening to her. She continued on anyway deciding to call the warrior on it.

     "So after many hours of making love, the two lovers began to stand on their heads and

     make faces at each other until Aphrodite showed up and turned one into a donkey and baked a loaf of nut bread for the other one. So what did you think?"

     "Huh, oh good Gabrielle. I especially liked the ending."

     "Yeah it's seems a little familiar though. One who likes nut bread and the other turned into an ass?"

     "What?

     Then the part of Xena's mind that had been listening registered the double meaning.

     "O.k. you got me. Good one Gabrielle."

     "If you didn't want to hear it, why didn't you just say so."

     She was a little hurt by Xena's lack of interest, but pleased at herself for nailing Xena the way she did. And doubly pleased at Xena's compliment .

     "I'm sorry. I'm just tired and I didn't want to hurt your feelings. Forgive me?"

     She gave Gabrielle a little grin that the bard could resist no more than well..a loaf of nut bread. She smiled back at the warrior and gestured towards the bed.

     "Of course I forgive you. And it is getting late. That bed looks pretty comfortable. What do you say we go try it out?"

     The bard's voice had a huskiness to it that Xena had never heard before. She couldn't help but think about how she would really like to try out that bed. She thought about Gabrielle underneath her ready and willing and then waited for the pain. But it didn't come. Maybe the God was done with her and was allowing her to have her thoughts again.

     Gabrielle got up and walked to the bed and got in as Xena all of a sudden gasped and

     grabbed the table edge. She sat in the chair breathing heavily and Gabrielle bolted over to her.

     "Xena! What happened? Is it the headache again?"

     Cupid laughed hard and Xena's face turned to a deep crimson. She had to think quickly because there was no way in Tartarus that she was going to tell Gabrielle what had just happened to her. With nothing coming to her brain because of the aftershocks she was still experiencing, she opted for the headache.

     "Uh, y..yes,yes that's it. Oh yesss th..th..that's exactly it. Th?the headache. Zues, but that was an intense one. I'm o.k. now. Let's go to bed."

     The other meaning of her words hit her instantly along with another explosion, just as intense as the first one, and enough to get the bard's attention. Gabrielle was really getting worried now and led her to the bed. She climbed in beside her and put her arm around the warrior. Xena squeezed her eyes tightly to try and shut out the feelings. Cupid read her thoughts and became enraged again.

     "All right princess, you want to play rough. What am I missing here?"

     He looked at the scene before him and it suddenly occurred to him. He was forgetting all about the other one. He put the same spell on Gabrielle and smiled as he waited.

     Gabrielle lay there with her arm around the warrior suddenly realizing how close her hand was to Xena's breast. She began to imagine what it would feel like to touch the warrior in such an intimate way. The next thing she knew, her body began to shudder and certain muscles began to clench and she let out a cry that could have been heard all the way to the Elysian Fields. Her breath came in gasps and Xena was instantly holding her.

     "Gabrielle! What happened?"

     Xena had a strong suspicion as to what had just occurred, but wanted to see what

     Gabrielle would say. Now it was Gabrielle's turn to blush.

     "I uh..well..I'm..not t..t..to sure exactly. I uh.. Xena can you just dr?drop it p?p..please."

     Whatever God was playing with her, was now playing with Gabrielle. She decided to test out her new theory. At the same time Gabrielle had figured out what happened and tested herself as well. They both began thinking about making love to each other when at the same time, the two of them had mind shattering releases. When their breathing returned to normal, Xena spoke.

     "Gabrielle, were you thinking what I was thinking?"

     "I think so."

     Xena rolled over and took the bard in her arms. Her mouth was inches away.

     "I love you. I think someone was trying to tell me that it was all right for me to tell you."

     "I love you too. And I think you are right."

     Xena closed the meager distance between them and their lips met. It had to be the sweetest feeling in the entire world. Xena's hand slid up to caress her face as her tongue asked Gabrielle's mouth for permission to enter. It was willingly granted, and Xena began to explore.

     Cupid decided this would be a good time to make his exit and go claim his bow and bragging rites.

     Xena rolled Gabrielle onto her back and started to remove her shift, but stopped when she reached her abdomen.

     "I love you so much and I can't even begin to tell you how much I want this. But I just need to know. Are you sure this is what you want?"

     Gabrielle looked at her and saw the love shining back at her from those beautiful blue eyes. She also knew that the same love was reflected in her own. She pulled Xena towards her and confirmed it with a kiss that held the answers to all of Xena's questions. Xena knew it was all right, but wanted to hear the bard say it. She continued to slide the shift up.

     "Tell me Gabrielle."

     "Gods, Xena. I love you."

     She was getting lost in the sensations of the warrior's hand sliding over her breasts.

     "Say it Gabrielle."

     "I want you Xena. Please, take me Xena. We've waited way too long for this."

     "I agree. But I want to make this special for you."

     Xena leaned over and lit the two candles on either side of the bed. She removed the shift from Gabrielle and then her own. She delighted in the bard's reaction to seeing her body. Her nipples hardened and she gasped at the sight of Xena in the candlelight. She rolled Gabrielle onto her stomach and began to massage her everywhere. She started with her legs and worked her way up slowly. Gabrielle moaned under the caresses and Xena didn't know how much longer she could hold out. She wanted this special for Gabrielle, but she also wanted her so badly. She finished her massage and rolled her over again. She started an all out assault on this side too, but this time with her mouth instead of her hands.

     She kissed her al over her face, then to her ears, then to her neck, which she discovered that Gabrielle seemed to enjoy very much. She spent extra time around her neck which drove the bard wild. She finally reached up and guided Xena's head lower. Xena took her cue and started to kiss her breast deliberately avoiding her nipple. Gabrielle couldn't take any more of the teasing.

     "Xena?please."

     Xena complied by wrapping her lips around the swollen bud causing the bard to jump and grab her head urging her on. She brought a hand up to the other breast and rubbed her palm over the nipple in circles. Gabrielle was moaning loudly now. She was getting close. Xena slid her hand down across her stomach slowly until she reached her destination. She slid her fingers across the bard's opening and was amazed.

     "Umm.you are soo wet."

     Gabrielle could no longer form a coherent thought much less speak. She groaned and raised her hips slightly when Xena entered her. She pulled Xen's head up and kissed her deeply while the warrior's finger slid in and out of her. Her hips found the rhythm and Xena increased the speed of her thrusts slightly. Gabrielle caught up to her. Xena could feel the muscles telling her that Gabrielle was getting really close now. She broke the kiss and moved down Gabrielle's body. Gabrielle almost released in anticipation. Xena wrapped Gabrielle's thighs over her shoulders and sought her prize. Gabrielle shuddered slightly at the first stroke of the warrior's tongue. She raised herself off the bed to get closer to Xena. Out of instinct, she began to run her fingers through Xena's hair and then just held onto her head. This drove Xena wild and she increased her speed and reinserted her finger. She needed to hear Gabrielle cry out her name and she needed it now. She got her wish within seconds. Gabrielle's grip on her head tightened and her body went rigid. Xena could feel the muscles squeezing her finger, and squeezing it hard.

     "OH..GODS?YES..YESSS..XE..XE?XEEENAAA!"

     Xena crawled up to the bard's lips and kissed her with every ounce of love she possessed for the little blonde. Gabrielle felt it and responded. Xena was ready but se could see that Gabrielle needed to rest. She straddled her leg.

     "Raise your knee for me."

     Gabrielle complied, but when she realized why Xena had asked her that she decided that she would be having none of that. She used her raised leg to flip Xena over, much to the surprise of the warrior.

     "Gods, Gabrielle. Where did you learn that?"

     "I might have a skill or two, Xena."

     "I bet you do, and I think I'm going to like finding out what they are."

     "I'm sure you will."

     Gabrielle wasted no time in her quest to display her skills to Xena. She started sucking on her nipple, while her hand traveled downward. When she found what she was looking for, she too marveled at the wetness she encountered. She inserted a finger and started to kiss her way down. When she came to the little bundle of nerves that she was searching for she began to feast on it with abandon. The warrior was loving the sensation and rapidly losing the war with her body to hold on. She clamped on to Gabrielle's head and proceeded to ride out the sweetest climax she has ever experienced.

     "YES..YES..HARDER..JUST LIKE THAT..GODS..YES..OH..OH..GABRIELLLLE!"

     Gabrielle joined her at the top of the bed and they shared an incredible kiss. The depth of both of their loves displayed so evidently it brought both of them to tears.

     "I love you."

     "I love you too Xena, I always have and I always will."

     They lay their just holding each other until they both drifted into a beautiful sleep. Meanwhile back at Mount Olympus, Cupid was excitedly trying out his new bow. After each arrow hit it's mark on the target he would give his mother a little dig. Aphrodite just glared at him. Her pride was deeply wounded that he succeeded where she had failed so many times, but at the same time, she was extremely proud of him. So she let him have his spotlight

     "Why would you think you could do it if I couldn't do it?"

     Thunk

     "After all, I've been doing this love thing for a lot longer than you have."

     Thunk.

     "I'd reconsider if I were you."

     Thunk.

     "If you wanna play with the big Gods??.." THE END