Subtext: Loving relationship/intimacy between two consenting adult women. Nothing graphic, just a lot of mushy stuff. If this is offensive to you, or you are under age, don't read any further.

Author's Notes: To my lifetime companion and big snuggle warrior who puts up with me and my Xena obsession.

Feedback (or if you just want to bitch at me) always welcome: cjamazon@yahoo.com

The sun was beginning to rise on Amazon Village. Sparrows chirped. A crow perched itself on a nearby olive branch. A ray of light pierced through a tiny window on the east side of the small Amazon guest hut, temporarily blinding one of its inhabitants. A blond head poking out from under a wool blanket squinted her eyes to adjust to the new day. Gabrielle lay on the pallet staring up at the ceiling and listening to her dark haired companion snore ever so softly.

She just loved it when she awoke before Xena. It did not happen often. Xena's instincts had always taken over when the two companions settled down for a night's sleep. Xena would be sleeping, but was always aware of her surroundings. Protecting Gabrielle was Xena's main objective ever since she met the little blond many moons ago. As for Gabrielle, the minute she laid her head down, she was sound asleep.

Gabrielle shifted on the pallet to lay on her left side. She propped her head up with her hand and leaned on her elbow. Intense green eyes stared at their sleeping companion. Gabrielle loved to watch Xena sleep. The ever stoic warrior now portrayed a peaceful and content look on her face. Gabrielle had always loved Xena since she could remember. It wasn't just hero worship, a kid crush, or the nutbread. Her feelings for Xena were deeper than that. For a long time she hid her feelings from Xena fearing that Xena didn't feel the same way and would send her away for good. Gabrielle couldn't bear the thougth of losing her best friend and remained content with keeping silent just to be around Xena. That fear was short lived because one day while Xena and Gabrielle were visiting the Amazons, some moons ago, it all began...

Xena was sparring one morning with some of the young Amazons, as Gabrielle and Queen Ephiny watched.

"With Xena training them, we'll have some fine warriors, uh, Eph," Gabrielle said enthusiastically as she watched Xena intently. How that sweat shines on her body, those long legs, those blue eyes,

those, those...damn girl, shake it off.

Queen Ephiny nodded and then elbowed Gabrielle.

"Are you ever going to tell her Gabrielle?"

"Tell who what?"

"You know what, Gabrielle," Ephiny said slyly and then continued in a flat tone. "The entire Amazon nation knows that you and Xena are in love with each other. And as your queen, I am interfering by having both of you dine alone in my quarters tonight."

"Back up, Eph. Xena's in love with me? I didn't know."

"Yes, Gabrielle. For a long time now. I can't believe you don't know that by now."

Gabrielle wanted to jump up and down she was so happy. The warrior princess, in love with me. I can't believe all those nights I said I was cold and she really wanted to keep me warm. Gabrielle was shaken out of her revelry by a sweaty warrior princess standing in front of her and smiling.

"You okay, Gabrielle?" Xena asked breathing heavily from sparring.

Gabrielle's throat went dry and she could only nod.

Xena put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. Gabrielle thought she would melt where she stood.

"Want to spar with us, Gabrielle?" Xena asked as she wiped sweat off her upper lip. "We could use the staffs or do hand to hand combat."

Yeah, I'd like to do hand to hand combat with a certain warrior princess. Gabrielle thought mischievously.

"Um, no thanks, Xena. I'm gonna sit this one out and sort through my scrolls," Gabrielle said dryly, feeling a bit flushed.

"Suit yourself," Xena replied flatly and shrugged.

As Gabrielle headed for the guest hut, Xena nudged Ephiny.

"How'd I do, Eph?" Xena asked with a big grin on her face.

"I never thought sparring could be romantic, Xena. You are a warrior," Ephiny laughed.

That evening, just as planned, dinner was waiting for Xena and Gabrielle in the queen's quarters. It took no coaxing to get them out. They both knew they wanted to be together. A small table for two was romantically set up against a wall. Food of every kind presented itself to a very hungry Gabrielle. Xena looked at Gabrielle and smiled when she heard the noise in her belly. How I love that noise, Xena thought.

Xena grabbed Gabrielle's hand tentatively, and they both turned to face each other. Intense blue eyes glared into intense green ones.

"We both know why we're here, Gabrielle," Xena said softly.

Gabrielle could not reply. She was so full of love and adoration for her warrior, she could only lean in and hug Xena. Xena returned the embrace with such love, Gabrielle felt it all the way down to her toes. Xena then pulled away and looked intently at Gabrielle. A large hand reached up and a calloused thumb caressed Gabrielle's lips and cheek.

"You are so beautiful, Gabrielle," Xena spoke with love. "I love you with all my being."

Gabrielle started to say something, but was silenced by two long fingers pressing against her lips.

"Let me finish this, Gabrielle. You know I'm not fancy with words like you are." Xena took a deep breath as stray tears began to run down her cheeks.

"Since I met you, I knew you were the other half of my soul. My light. I've always felt so natural and comfortable around you. I love you Gabrielle."

"I love you, Xena," Gabrielle said trying to choke back her own tears.

Xena and Gabrielle embraced again, and all thoughts of food were forgotten.

Gabrielle was jolted back to the present when she heard the sounds of the restless warrior.

Cobalt eyes tried to adjust to their surroundings. A tongue reached out to moisten dry lips. Xena shifted slightly, trying to regain the feeling in her limbs after sleeping on a hard pallet all night. The ground never gives me a backache this bad, Xena thought.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Gabrielle said softly.

Xena turned to look at Gabrielle and smiled.

"Hey, sweetheart," Xena replied with half opened eyes.

A large, bronzed hand reached over to caress her partner's face. Xena was always amazed at how much she loved this little blond spitfire. They smiled at each other. Gabrielle leaned forward and kissed Xena on the lips.

"About last night..." Gabrielle started to say softly but was silenced when Xena deepened the kiss.

After a few minutes, Xena pulled away from lack of air and stared into the most precious green eyes she'd ever seen.

"I love you," Xena said softly.

Gabrielle smiled and blushed, and then embraced Xena with all the strength she had.

Xena hugged back as she silently thanked the gods responsible for sending her such a precious gift. She loved this woman more than anything in the world and the entire Amazon nation knew it. That's why Xena never minded staying with the Amazons. She could show her affections toward Gabrielle and still remain a warrior.

"How 'bout breakfast, little one? That thing in your belly has been noisy for a while now," Xena chuckled.

"Ah!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "I didn't hear any complaints last night about the noise."

"That's because it wasn't that noise. It was you and I growling all night," Xena grinned wickedly and moved her mouth close to Gabrielle's ear, and growled.

Gabrielle practically fell off the pallet. She loved it when Xena growled at her and was glad she only did it when they were alone.

"Stop that," Gabrielle said. "We're never getting out of bed if you keep doing that."

"Ah, come on, honey. Let's stay in bed all day and snuggle," Xena pouted and then reached for Gabrielle.

"Snuggle? I thought warriors didn't snuggle. Besides, you promised to help spar with some of the Amazons today," Gabrielle said and started to get out of bed.

"Gabrielle, if all the warriors had someone like you around, there'd be no fighting. They'd all be at home, snuggling," Xena rolled over on her left side and faced away from Gabrielle.

"Oh no you don't, my warrior of the intimate kind," Gabrielle said, slightly perturbed.

"Okay, okay," Xena said defeatedly.

Xena slowly got off the pallet and stretched to her full height-- back slightly arched and chest pointed toward the sky. Gabrielle couldn't help staring. Yep, Gabrielle thought to herself. She is definitely the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And she's all mine.

Gabrielle shook her thoughts away and continued to dress as usual. By the time Gabrielle finished dressing, Xena was in her full leathers and waiting for Gabrielle at the door.

"How do you do that?" Gabrielle asked questioningly.

"I have many skills," the warrior replied with a wink.

"Yeah, and I think I discovered most of them last night," Gabrielle smiled wickedly.

A dark eyebrow inched its way up into dark bangs. Gabrielle laughed.

"I didn't hear any complaints."

"Never, Xena, because I love you so much," Gabrielle reached up and kissed Xena on the cheek.

"Come on, Xena. Let's go eat." And with that, Gabrielle grabbed Xena's hand and together they walked out the door towards the Amazon dining hut.

After breakfast, Xena talked to some of the younger Amazons about the 'ways of a warrior.' The young ones listened intently, but Gabrielle couldn't be sure if it was what Xena was saying or that they all had a crush on her.

As Xena finished, and the Amazons began to disperse, Gabrielle snuck up behind Xena and stood as quietly as possible.

"Hello Gabrielle," Xena said coldly, but inwardly smiling.

"Do you have eyes in the back of your head?" an annoyed Gabrielle asked as she stared at the ground and kicked the dirt.

Xena laughed. "No Gabrielle. I can always feel your presence. And then there's your smell."

"I prefer 'scent'."

"You're the bard, Gabrielle. I'm just your big snuggle warrior," Xena joked.

"Well, my big snuggle warrior, how 'bout a hug?"

The soulmates embraced and kissed. The kiss was about to deepen when they were interrupted by a young Amazon giggling.

Xena gave the Amazon a cold, steely glare. "Are you suicidal?" Xena asked through clenched teeth. Gabrielle quietly told Xena to be nice as she buried her head in Xena's shoulder, trying not to laugh.

The Amazon stuttered something about Xena promising them she would spar with them after breakfast. Xena muttered she'd be there soon and to start without her. The Amazon fled as quickly as she could.

Xena settled her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders, kissed her cheek, and whispered softly in her ear. "We will finish this later, love. Think of me when I'm sparring." Xena turned and ran off to the practice field.

Gabrielle smiled as she watched her love run off and silently thanked whichever gods were responsible for sending her a warrior of many skills. Gabrielle laughed out loud and headed back to the guest hut to tend to her scrolls.

Xena sparred with the Amazons until early evening. But her mind wasn't on sparring all day, it was on Gabrielle. She had never loved anyone so much as she did her little bard, and it sometimes scared her. Today was different for Xena, feelings and emotions overwhelmed her all day. She didn't know what or why, just a sense of something not completely right. She quietly opened the door to the guest hut her and Gabrielle shared and peeked in. Gabrielle leaned on a table with both hands, head down. She was staring intently at her scrolls. Xena quietly walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around the woman she loved more than life itself.

"Oh no you don't, my warrior of many smells," Gabrielle joked and laughed. She actually loved Xena's scent, but this was >b>too overwhelming.

"Ah, come on, honey. Just one kiss and then I'll take a bath," Xena pleaded as she laughed inwardly.

Gabrielle turned around to face Xena making sure that Xena didn't let go of her. Xena smiled at the woman she loved and leaned in for a kiss. The two soulmates mutually broke the kiss after a few minutes.

Xena got ready for her bath as Gabrielle went to finish writing in her scrolls. About an hour later, Xena was finished with her bath and had washed her hair. She leaned back in the tub and relaxed with her eyes closed. She began to daydream about the only thing that mattered in her life-- that one person that readily accepted her, past and all. Xena shuddered as she thought about her life without Gabrielle and how sad it would be.

"Mmmm. You smell good, warrior," Gabrielle said in a soft, pleasing tone.

Xena jumped a bit when she heard Gabrielle's voice. She was surprised when she saw Gabrielle sitting on a chair next to the tub and leering at her.

"Daydreaming again, huh, warrior?" Gabrielle laughed and handed Xena a mug of port.

Xena gratefully accepted the port and took a healthy swig.

"Thanks, babe. You sure know the way to a warrior's heart," Xena said with a smirk. She then reached out to caress Gabrielle's cheek as she stared into bright green eyes. The warrior's blue eyes began to mist as she thought about how much she loved this bard, her bard.

"Do you know how special you are to me, little one?" Xena asked earnestly.

"Yes, but you can show me again later," Gabrielle replied with a sly smile.

Gabrielle leaned forward and kissed Xena until familiar rumblings began to stir in her stomach. The noises did not go unnoticed by Xena and she reluctantly pulled away from the kiss, then laughed. "I'll get dressed, Gabrielle, so we can go feed your belly."

An hour later, Xena and Gabrielle headed toward the Amazon dining hut walking hand in hand. They ate heartily and conversed with Ephiny and some of the other Amazons until late evening. Making conversation, Queen Ephiny mentioned a trip that six of the Amazons were taking in the morning to the nearby Centaur village to purchase a foal. Gabrielle's eyes lit up like fireflies.

"Is there room for one more, Eph?" Gabrielle asked with hope in her voice.

"Why do you want to go, Gabrielle?" Xena asked out of curiousity.

"Oooh Xena. There's a marketplace a few miles from there with the most beautiful colored fabric I've ever seen," Gabrielle said excitedly and then added a little more seriously with hands on hips.

"Don't you think I could use a new shift, Xena?"

Xena Laughed out loud. "You'd look lovely in anything you wear, Gabrielle." There's only one suit I want you in later tonight, my bard, Xena thought to herself wickedly.

Gabrielle glared at Xena as she noticed the leering glint in Xena's eyes accompanied by a dark raised eyebrow.

"What time do we leave tomorrow, Eph?"

"Before dawn. The trip should only take a day, there and back."

"Is it okay, Xena?" Asked Gabrielle.

"Sure love, I can stay here with Ephiny and do some more training with the new warriors."

Gabrielle leaned over to kiss Xena on the cheek and green eyes met blue knowing what the other ones wanted. They excused themselves and headed back towards their hut hand in hand. At the entrance of the doorway, Xena turned Gabrielle towards her and kissed her passionately. Large bronzed hands held two smaller ones as the warrior led her bard into their hut. The soulmates made love for hours. And Xena finally knew how it felt to be loved completely and honestly. They fell asleep entwined in each other's arms and legs, and all was right with the world.

Before dawn, Gabrielle was up and ready to start her trip with some of the Amazon warriors. She walked outside with Xena and they greeted Ephiny and the others. Xena turned to Gabrielle and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll miss you, love," Xena said quietly.

"Xena, I'll only be gone for a day."

"I know, but I get awfully lonely when your not around."

Gabrielle smiled and hugged Xena. "I love you, Xena."

Xena hugged back with incredible strength and love.

"Uh, Xe, I can't...breath," Gabrielle said in a muffled voice.

Xena pulled back and smiled at her love. "I love you," Xena whispered.

Having made their purchases, Gabrielle and the Amazons headed back to the village. They were a few miles from Amazon territory when they encountered a band of Spartan raiders. Wanting no trouble, the Amazons stepped aside so the raiders could pass easily. Protecting their princess, two Amazon warriors stationed themselves on either side of Gabrielle. As they were passing each other, one raider began making lewd comments towards the Amazons. The Amazon to Gabrielle's right noticed how angry the princess was getting. Gabrielle clenched her staff, as well as her teeth.

"Let it go," the Amazon warrior whispered in Gabrielle's ear. "We don't want any trouble."

Gabrielle suddenly looked up into the black eyes of a scraggly, bearded raider. His eyes widened at her and a toothless grin appeared on his face.

"Hey boys, it's Xena's little bi..." BAM!

The raider never knew what hit him when Gabrielle slammed her staff into the backs of his knees. He went down on his back, hard. A battle ensued as Amazons and raiders wielded their weapons. Gabrielle ran toward a warrior to knock her down when she saw a raider ready his crossbow. She had her back to the raider when she reached for the Amazon to drag her down, then she heard the 'snap' of the bow. The bard felt a sharp sting on her right shoulder blade. Then the burning feeling began.

Gabrielle staggered and then landed on the ground, face first. She layed on her stomach; her glazed eyes staring at the onslaught. Her sisters were going down, and she could not help them. A paralyzing, cold sensation enveloped Gabrielle's body and she felt herself losing control of all her senses. She could hear the battle around her, but the sounds were growing dimmer. A trickle of blood flowed down Gabrielle's shoulder and dripped to the ground; she saw the droplets. Now aware of what was happening, Gabrielle silently screamed for her warriors.

The young Amazons watched intently as the warrior princess drew her sword and cautiously approached an imaginary enemy. She unleashed a series of thrusts and parries on the 'enemy' as she growled and grunted at each move.

"Watch your opponent's eyes," Xena instructed her wide eyed audience. "That's how you'll know what their next move is."

Xena then made a few more turns and grunts, got down on one knee, and thrust her sword behind her in a back handed move that would be the envy of all warriors. The warrior students applauded the actions of their teacher and Xena began to blush. Xena sheathed her sword and turned to the warriors.

"Okay, okay," she said laughing out loud. "Warrior sword training is over," Xena smiled at her bright, attentive students. She continued their training with hand to hand combat techniques.

Xena trained the future warriors until early evening. She looked up into the sky. Gabrielle will be home soon, Xena mused. She then lifted her arm, turned her head, and sniffed. Oooh, but she won't want to be wrapped in your arms tonight if you smell like this, warrior woman.

Xena went back to the hut that her and Gabrielle shared. She removed her armor, stripped off her leathers and stepped into a hot, steaming bath. She slid back and relaxed. Mmmm, my bard would have brought me a nice mug of port by now. Xena pictured her blond bard's beautiful face. So sweet.

All that mattered was her bard. And the warrior princess smiled as she closed her eyes and dozed off.

Queen Ephiny stood in the center of Amazon Village with a group of her best warriors. The regent positioned herself next to the queen. They had been in the dining hut when they heard a series of low pitched Amazon distress calls. Ephiny and the Amazons knew that these particular calls meant some of them were hurt. The queen became concerned and ordered the warriors to go in search of their sisters. As the calls sounded closer and became more frequent, Ephiny began to panic slightly and gestured for her regent.

"Yes, my queen," The regent replied.

"Get the healer. Have her make sure everything is ready when our sisters return. It's going to be a long night."

As the regent left to carry out the queen's orders, the search party, along with the wounded Amazons, made its way into Amazon village.

Xena was at Gabrielle's side the minute they brought her languid body into the village. Although Xena's heart was breaking for her Gabrielle, she remained as always, the stoic warrior. Xena gently lifted Gabrielle from the makeshift stretcher and carried her into the healer's hut. She felt Gabrielle shiver from being cold, and being in shock. The warrior clutched her bundle closer to her chest and the bard began to relax slightly. Xena gently laid Gabrielle on a pallet and placed several wool blankets on her now still body. The warrior placed the bard's hands in hers and whispered to her reassuring words to let her know she was there. Xena felt one of the bard's hands squeeze her own. Xena smiled slightly and kissed Gabrielle on the cheek. Although she never opened them, Gabrielle's eyes began to tear, and Xena sensed it was from the pain. The healer tended to Gabrielle's wound as Xena placed some healing herbs onto her index finger. Xena gently opened Gabrielle's mouth and began rubbing the herbs into her gums. The herbs would take most of the pain away and help fight infection. After the healer finished cleaning and bandaging Gabrielle's wound, she left to help the others, knowing that Gabrielle was in good hands. Xena held Gabrielle's hand as she whispered 'I love you's' in her ear. She leaned down and touched Gabrielle's forehead with her own. The bard had a fever, but seemed to be resting comfortably.

"Sleep now, my love," the warrior whispered to her bard. "I'm going to go help the others."

Sad, blue eyes turned away for a moment so no one could see their tears.

Xena walked over to the other side of the hut to see if she could be of assistance to the others. Right now, she needed to keep her mind off Gabrielle. And Gabrielle needed to rest. She recognized one of the Amazon warriors who originally went on the trip with Gabrielle. They struck up a conversation and the Amazon immediately began to tell her story. The Amazon warrior spoke of a courageous bard who stood up to Spartan raiders. She told Xena how she removed the arrow from the bard's shoulder blade, and wrapped it in cloth. Then the Amazon gave it to the healer when they arrived in the village. Xena remembered the last time when a certain bard and arrow met. She decided not to think about it. With the Amazons taken care of, and Gabrielle resting, Xena ran into the woods as fast and as far as her legs would take her. Now out of breath and angry, Xena stopped at the edge of a cliff near the sea. Hunched over with hands on her knees, she began to cry. Tears flowed from her eyes as she cursed out loud the same gods she thanked for her 'gift'. Xena stood to her full height and let out an agonizing wail that could be heard throughout Amazon Village.

The healer knocked on the queen's door and requested to speak to her. She told Ephiny the condition of the wounded Amazons, including their princess. After further investigating the events of the attack, the healer decided to check the arrow given to her by a wounded Amazon. There was then no doubt in the healer's mind that it was a poisonous arrow. The smell confirmed that fact. For which, the healer told Ephiny, there was no cure. The only thing to do now was make Gabrielle comfortable, and wait. But, for the sake of the Amazon nation [and especially Xena], she would do everything necessary to find an antidote.

Queen Ephiny couldn't believe what she had just been told. Her knees began to weaken and she quickly sat down. Tears formed in her eyes as she thought about Gabrielle and how she genuinely cared for her. She thanked the healer and told her no one was to know about this. The queen herself would speak to Xena. She got up, took a deep breath, and went in search of the leather clad warrior.

Xena went to the healer's hut to check on Gabrielle. She sat down beside her sleeping bard and kissed her cheek. Gabrielle stirred as she felt the warrior's presence. A large, bronze hand settled on Gabrielle's forehead. She was still warm, but breathing a bit more evenly. Wanting Gabrielle to be more comfortable, Xena decided to take her back to their hut.

With one swift, gentle motion, Xena easily picked up Gabrielle and carried her to the guest hut they shared since their arrival at the village. Xena kicked open the door and entered their small dwelling. She laid Gabrielle on a bed of furs she had prepared earlier. Gabrielle began to snuggle back into the furs, and Xena smiled. Xena placed a wool blanket over Gabrielle's shivering body. The warrior princess stood to her full height and began removing her weapons and leathers, leaving only her shift on. She quietly crawled in with Gabrielle, wrapped a loving arm around her bard, and snuggled closer for added warmth. Blue eyes filled with tears as Xena whispered 'I love you' to Gabrielle. Xena lay with her bard as she cried herself into a deep sleep.

The next morning Xena awoke with her arms wrapped around her lover. Her face snuggled into the back of Gabrielle's neck. Xena then felt something wet and uncomfortable. She got up and looked at Gabrielle; the bard was soaking wet from night sweats. Xena removed the blankets, cleaned up Gabrielle, and put a clean shift on her. Xena then began preparing the supplies she would need for the rest of the day.

The queen stood at the door, afraid to knock. How could she tell Xena that the woman she loved more than life itself, was dying. The three of them had been friends for many years now. And Ephiny owed it to Xena to tell her. She was about to knock when a somber warrior princess opened the door. Xena raised a dark eyebrow at Ephiny and then motioned for her to come in. Xena resumed her position at the bard's side.

"The healer said there's no cure for the poison. I'm sorry, Xena," Queen Ephiny said softly, trying to keep her voice from shaking. She knew that she must be strong not only for Xena and Gabrielle, but the entire Amazon nation. Queen Ephiny looked at Xena and could see the hurt in her blue eyes. She then looked over to Gabrielle who was lying on the pallet-- breathing unevenly. Ephiny reached over to Xena and put a gentle hand on her arm. Words were of no use now. She just bit her bottom lip and hung her head.

After hearing Ephiny's words, tears began falling freely from Xena's eyes, but her face remained

expressionless. She had sensed the arrow was poisonous, but somehow this was becoming all too real. For Xena, the only thing that mattered right now was Gabrielle. And she needed to be with her.

"How she moves me. She always has. We've been lovers for over ten years now, Eph. And I still see that light in her eyes," Xena said with tears in her eyes. "I will not leave her side."

Ephiny placed her hands on Xena's shoulders. "Be strong, warrior," the queen said as tears began falling from her eyes. Knowing that warrior needed to be with bard, Queen Ephiny left the warrior's hut.

Xena looked at Gabrielle with sad, tearing blue eyes and began to talk softly to her soulmate.

"You have been my dream Gabrielle, my desire, and my life. You showed me a pathway to love and I never looked back. I remember the day you captured my heart back in Poteidaia. You bravely stood up to those slavers by trying to defend the village girls by sacrificing yourself. My, but you were a fiesty one. Still are my love, even now."

Xena reached over to a table beside the pallet. There was a bowl of cool, clean water with a clean cloth draped over the side. On the other side of the bowl lay Xena's sword, chakram, and breast

dagger. Xena glared at her sword for a second before picking up the clean cloth. She dipped the cloth into the water and placed it on Gabrielle's sweat soaked forehead. Gabrielle flinched a bit.

"This will make you feel better, my love."

Gabrielle briefly opened her swollen green eyes to see loving blue eyes staring back at her. She mouthed the words 'I love you' before slipping back into unconsciousness.

A lone tear escaped Xena's right eye and slid down her cheek.

"After all we've been through Gabrielle, you still love me unconditionally. Oh my love, whatever made you think that you could stand up to a band of raiders from Sparta? Still being fiesty in your old age, eh?" Xena chuckled softly to herself.

Xena removed the cloth from Gabrielle's forehead and rinsed it in the cool water from the bowl. She saw her sword again and quickly shook the thought away. With large gentle hands, Xena placed the cloth back on Gabrielle's forehead and continued to talk to her soulmate softly and adoringly.

"And yes, you had a jealous streak, didn't ya, bard? I knew that after that episode with Ulysses. He was just a passing fancy, Gabrielle. Someone to fill the void in my life. Not knowing yet that that void was you," Xena reached over and held Gabrielle's hand, softly caressing it. "I let myself get attracted to his attraction for me. I never thought you could love me like you do, so I pushed the thought of you and I out of my head. Then you married Perdicus, and well I..."

Xena adjusted the cloth on Gabrielle's forehead and then gently caressed her cheek eyeing the sword once again.

"Hey love, remember when Aphrodite put that spell on you, me, and Joxer? You were really full of yourself that day," Xena chuckled. " I really thought you were going to tell me that time how you felt. I was a bit disappointed, but I knew you were under that spell and wasn't thinking clearly. After the spells were broken, I almost told you that night how I felt. But, it was a strange day and with Joxer still being monkey man and all, I was afraid to tell you. Yeah, don't laugh, the scary ex-warlord afraid of falling in love with a petite, beautiful blond who captured her heart. What would the good 'ol ex-warlord boys club think of that, uh babe? Uh, huh, that's right, the stoic Destroyer of Nations afraid of giving away her heart. That would have made me weak and vulnerable. Not a good thing for a warrior. But your love strengthened me Gabrielle."

Gabrielle began shifting slightly on the pallet and started whimpering. Xena removed the cloth from Gabrielle's forehead and threw it into the bowl.

Damn sword, Xena thought.

Xena looked at Gabrielle whose tears had begun to fall freely from shut, swollen eyes. Xena placed her powerful, yet gentle hands on Gabrielle's shoulders.

"It's okay love, it's okay."

"It's hurts, Xena," Gabrielle whispered in a weak voice.

"I know, Gabrielle."

Xena reached with her right hand toward the table and grabbed a mug of water. With her other hand, she cradled Gabrielle's neck to lift her head up a bit.

"Here, drink some of this. It'll make your throat feel better."

Gabrielle took a couple of sips, then began to choke.

"Easy love, I've got ya."

After Gabrielle began to relax, Xena laid the blond back on the pallet.

"Xena?"

"Yes Gabrielle?"

"Are the Amazons okay?"

"Yes."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Xena tried to fight back the tears. They both new it was a lie.

"Gabrielle, you should be resting, not talking."

"I'm not going to make it, am I?"

For the first time since the poison began to take effect, Xena felt her heart break. Even after what Ephiny told her, she believed Gabrielle would be walking around in a few days, sparring any Amazon with her staff who would take her up on the offer. But now...

"Gabrielle, the healer says there is no cure for this poison," Xena said with her voice trembling.

"I'm so sorry, my love."

Gabrielle reached for Xena and placed her hand gently on her warrior's forearm. "It's okay, Xena. I know."

"You and I, we've been through so much, haven't we Xena?"

Xena nodded, fighting back the tears.

A small thin hand reached up to caress Xena's cheek. Xena gently kissed her partner's palm.

"Xena?"

"Yes."

"Hold me." And Xena took Gabrielle into her arms and hugged her with all the love and courage she had.

"Thank you, Xena." Gabrielle said, her voice getting weaker.

"For what, love?" Xena asked, voice slightly trembling.

"You always took care of me, protected me, loved me. And I finally got you to read my scrolls."

A slight smile came to Gabrielle's lips.

Xena wiped the tears from her blue eyes and moved in closer so she could whisper to her bard.

"Gabrielle, I'll always be here for you. We are soulmates for eternity. And we'll always know that."

Gabrielle's breathing began to change and Xena gently laid her mate back on the pallet.

"I love you, Xena," Gabrielle whispered, her voice weakening even more.

"I love you, Gabrielle." Xena gently kissed Gabrielle on the forehead. Gabrielle closed her eyes as her breathing ceased.

"Wait for me, my love, you are the other half of my soul," Xena whispered as tears fell from her eyes. "It won't be long now."

And with that, Xena picked up the hilt of her sword with both hands, turned it around, and poised the blade at her heart.

The end...or is it?