Standard Disclaimer: The character of Xena doesn't belong to me, never did, never will. Rob Tapert and Reanaissance pictures owns her, I'm just borrowing her for this story.

Violence: Not any more than on the show Xena Warrior Princess.

Sex/Language: Yes indeedy. Not in part one, but the ground work is being laid. This story will contain a loving relationship between two women. They will act on certain urges, perhaps frequently, but certainly graphically. If you have a problem with this kind of thing, don't read my stories. If you are not 21, don't read my stories. If you live in a state or province where this sort of material is illegal, don't read my stories.

Hurt/Comfort: Not in part one, but there might be a few speed bumps in the road of life for our gals in subsequent parts. Be warned; knowing me, you better keep a box of hankies close by just in case.

This story has sprung from a story I just posted called 'Daydreams'. If you don't read it this story won't make a lot of sense. There is a good deal of brackground info you'll need. One of my readers, whose judgement I take very seriously and appreciatively, suggested I write a sequel to tie up some loose ends. So here it is. I think I'll call the series 'Real Dreams'. What do ya think? The addy is as always: fantasysrealm@jccomp.com I encourage constructive criticism at all times, so feed the bard here. Thanks. Fantasy

From Dreams

To Reality

Part I

by

Fantasy

November 5, 2000

Chapter 1: Starting Over

The Horizon Air jet made its approach to the Calgary International Airport. I glanced at my watch and noted the time: 12:15pm. I hadn't been to Calgary since I was in high school some eighteen years earlier. My dad and I had come up to visit his brother and take in the Calgary Stampede. Calgary certainly has changed. The last time I was here, it wasn't much more than a 'cowtown', but now Calgary was a bustling metropolis of nearly 900,000 people. Industry moved in, technological companies, the arts and symphony were world renowned. The 1988 Winter Olympics where held here, and the resulting construction associated with the world event was a boon to the city and surrounding area. Yes sir, Calgary wasn't just 'a cowtown' any longer, although the 'Stampede' was still held here and it too had become one of the premiere rodeo events in the world. I couldn't help but wonder how I would find Unc. It'd been so long since I'd seen him. He was a pall barer at dad's funeral ten years previously. At the time, the sixty year old man was still in robust health. He was certainly a man no one would want to anger, not if they could help it.

Uncle John, or Doan, as everybody called him had a ranch near a small town, about thirty-five miles south of Calgary, called High River. He is my favorite uncle, and dad's favorite brother. The two were some years apart; Unc, as I call him, was thirteen years dad's junior. Now at seventy, he was starting to think about retirement, and had been after me for some time to come up and take over the ranch. After the disastrous turn of events at the hospital, and the severe case of burn-out I had been suffering, I decided to take Unc up on his offer and move north. I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of Canadian winters, but I needed a change, and I hoped this would be just the ticket for improving my state of mind for the better.

The plane touched down smoothly, and I waited patiently for the passengers ahead of me to deplane before I moved into the isle. I reached up to the overhead compartment and grabbed my duffel bag and headed toward the exit. The stewardess thanked me for flying Horizon, and bade me goodbye and extended her warmest regards. I was beginning to wonder if my lifestyle was imprinted on my forehead the way the woman had been acting toward me. She was almost too solicitous if you want my opinion. God I don't need this. Fortunately, I would never see the woman again. I shouldered my bag and headed for the baggage claim. God this place was huge; I hate airports. The whole business of travel was a pain in the ass. I made myself a solemn promise, just as the hundredth person rammed into me or literally ran over the top of me, that this was the last move I'd make. After what seemed like an eternity, I found the appropriate claim area and got hold of my bags. Luckily I managed to retrieve both of my bags and left the area with myself and belongings relatively in tact.

I found the concourse that would take me to the main entrance where hopefully Unc would be waiting for me. I started to move in the direction where I thought the front entrance would be when I heard the familiar gravely voice I hadn't realized I'd missed.

"Hey there little girl. Get yourself over here and give your old Unc a big hug and kiss!"

"Unc!" I flew into my uncle's arms and let the big man's loving arms encircled me. God I'd missed this. Uncle Doan held me at arms length and gave me a good once over.

"Look at you baby girl! You been taking proper care of yourself? You look all tuckered out." He didn't miss very much eighteen years ago, and it was obvious his sharp powers of perception hadn't changed at all.

"Aahh I don't know Unc, I'm just damn tired. But you know what would help?" The tall rancher shook his head. "Another hug from you." Again two strong arms pulled me close to a broad burley chest.

"Hey now darlin', don't you worry, with a few days rest and some good old Canadian fresh air, and you'll be just fine. Not to mention Maggie's cookin'. That'd fix anybody up. C'mon let's go home."

Home, after all this time, could I actually be coming home? Dad and Unc had taken over the ranch, after their father died, when they were both young men. Dad was the organizer, Unc was the brawn. The two brothers were partners in the cattle ranch until their mother remarried. Dad moved to the States to live with his mother and stepfather. Dad made a life for himself in Missoula, Montana, and Unc kept the family ranch. The two never lost touch with each other and remained close over the years. Mother divorce dad when I was quite young, and then dad took me back to live with him. Dad had a small horse farm outside Missoula and we raised nationally known cutting horses. I learned to ride almost before I could walk. I particularly enjoyed our vacations to Calgary for the Stampede every July. I loved the ranching life and during the summers, while I was attending the University of Montana, I came to work for Unc. Dad encouraged the summer work. He figured I could learn a lot about ranching from Unc, more than I could learn on our smaller operation.

After I graduated with a Masters Degree in Nursing with a specialty in operating room procedures, I took a position as an OR nurse at Harbour View Medical Center in Seattle. My life took a definitely downward spiral from there. I suffered through several unsuccessful relationships, but the last one was especially disasterous. I came home from a 36 hour stretch in the OR to find my partner is bed with another woman. Thart really made my day. I kicked the two whoring bitches out of my bed and out of my house on the spot. I opted for celibacy from then on. This coupled with the stress of working with pompous, uncaring surgeons caused me to suffer a mid-life crisis of sorts. The final straw was when I lost my cookies completely, and told one of the the top surgeons that essentially I thought he was an ass. Needless to say I was fired. Later it was learned the bumb was taking kickbacks from drug companies and then he was fired. The hospital Chief of Staff asked me to come back and run the OR for him again, but by then I could see the handwriting on the wall and after some bizzare dreams, decided my mental and physical well being was more important than a job. I declined his offer and called Unc, and here I am.

These were the thoughts that dominated my mind as we pulled out onto the highway leading south out of Calgary for the 40 mile trip to High River a small town on the Highwood River. The population of the prairie community was roughly 8000 people predominately making their living in either farming or ranching. The small size of the community and slower pace of living appealed to me at this piont in my life. Unc was always reminding me life was a circle and eventually we all end up where we started out, and in my case anyway, that was true. Unc was a little concerned about my prolonged silence.

"You okay there short stuff?"

"I'm not short, I'm vertically challenged." Unc rolled his eyes and sighed audibly.

"Let's get one thing straight there kid, we're aren't gonna have any of that 'politally correct' bull around here!"

"Yes sir."

"Now what's bothering you?" I shook my head.

"Nothing really. I was just thinking about what you told me once about life coming 'round full circle. I guess mine has." Unc reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Hey those things happen all right." I felt I owed Unc an explanation about a thing or two.

"Uh Unc? I think I should tell you I have had some bad relationships recently." Unc snorted.

"Ya wanna talk about bad relationships. Hell the one's I've had over the years would make yours look like children's stories." I wasn't so sure.

"Well that may be, but I...well...I have had some different relationships." Unc's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me, you got too friendly with your horse?" Unc was really proud of himself for that and snorted hysterically.

"No Unc, not hardly. But I...I'm a lesbian. I love women." Unc shook his head. Oh God here it comes.

"Shit, is that all? Hell I've know that for years. I'm not stupid ya know. Your dad and I had a long talk about you not long before he died. He was worried you'd end up getting hurt and people would make life tough for you. Hell I told him you were tough as nails and would just tell them intolerant folks to go to hell." Damn I wish I'd have talk to him about it. I figured he'd freak; now it's too late.

"He wasn't mad?" Unc just shook his head in disbelief.

"My God Cody, your dad thought the sun rose and set on you. There wasn't anything you could have done that would've made him love you less. Didn't you ever know that." I shook my head.

"No we never talked about it, I wish now we had." I sighed, suddenly regretting all the missed opportunities my father and I had to clear the air over a lot of things.

"Hey don't fret now. There's nothing that can be done about it now, just know your ol' man loved you very much, and he's looking down on ya now a very proud father indeed."

Chapter 2: Coming Home

The remainder of the drive passed in relative quiet. I reveled in the sights and sounds of the prairie. Hereford and Black Angus covered the vast expanse of green as far as the eye could see. Periodically oil pumping stations dotted the landscape, and tall windmills whirred rapidly bringing up thousands of gallons of water for the stock. Until my eyes beheld these familiar sights, I hadn't realized just how much I had missed the ranching life I had left behind all those years ago. Now I wondered if I had been living a lie all those years. No I suppose not. Sometimes you have to go far away and nearly get lost to find yourself.

The Dodge extended cab turned into the lane which led to the ranch house. Sparkling white Centaur fence lined either side of the road. Tall fir trees, planted every twenty feet or so, also bordered the fence on each side and acted as a wind break all the way to the end of the lane, a distance of one mile. The sign that bridged the entrance held the name of the ranch, Dusty Rose Appaloosa Ranch and Cattle Co. The registered brand was a rose bud and stem with a leaf on either side. All the stock, both horses and cattle bore the brand proudly on their left hip. At the corner of the lane was a beautiful brick wall. The mail box and round paper box were actually cemented into the brick work. Under the mailbox was a fifty gallon metal barrel which was also mortared into the brick work to hold large packages. The twenty-five foot poles that held the sign suspended over the drive were imbedded in cement and the first five feet were covered with the brick wall as well. The gate, which was set 100 feet down the lane, was an ingenious affair as well. The gate was remote controlled and just in front on the inside was a cattle gaurd to keep any wayward horses or cattle from getting out onto the highway if the gate was inadvertently left open. A one lane wooden bridge spanned the creek that ran through the property another quarter of a mile past the gate.

Once inside the ranch proper the barn, and other outbuildings were located to the left of the drive, the four bedroom log ranch house was located to the right. I had forgotten how beautiful the place was. Tall Ponderosa Pines surrounded the house sheltering the sturdy structure from the harsh winter winds and the hot late July and August days. The porch was actually a large redwood deck which wrapped around the entire front and ended in the back. Rough hewn logs comprised the two story structure, large front room windows let the natural sunlight flood the interior of the home. Unc pulled the truck up to the front door and a middle-aged slightly graying amply endowed woman rushed out of the door. She opened her arms in a welcoming embrace.

"Cody Fleming, you get yourself up here this instant and give old Maggie a big hug." The rotund woman engulfed me in her strong embrace, almost suffocating me in her bosom. Mercifully she pushed me away and I could take a deep breath. "Let me get a good look at you. Why your skinny as a rail. What do they feed you south of the border. Doan did you get look at the condition your niece is in? Well we'll just have to get some meat on your bones. You're as bad as Dee; what's the matter with young people today I'd like to know?" As we walked into the house I asked the obvious.

"Who's De?"

"Dena Lassiter. She's my new trainer, she's been here about six months. She damn good with the colts. She starts 'em and gets 'em ready for Luke to show in the cuttin' pen. She had been working all the ranch working stock, but Stan got all buggered up at a rodeo last month, so now she's doing double duty. Maggie's worried she'll blow away in the first good strong wind we get if she don't start eating. After you get settled in, I'll take ya down and introduce you to her. You two outta get along real good; you're both about half anti-social." Hardy har har.

"You're a real comedian Unc, maybe you missed your calling."

I'll never get used to seeing this place. At the entry way, a hallway leads left and right. To the left is the formal dining room with the kitchen beyond. At the end of the hall is a door leading out to the garage. The right hallway leads to three bedrooms and a bathroom. Straight ahead is the living room. The main centerpiece of the room is the huge rock fireplace. The valted ceiling gives the room and enormous feeling. The wall to the left is lined floor to the cross support beams with bookshelves, with a recliner on either end. A small table sits to the left of each chair. Track lighting provides the soft light to read by. Unc is an advid reader, and can be found in his favorite recliner, reading late into the night. On the right wall is an entertainment center featuring a twenty-seven inch big screen TV. A large satelite dish sits just outside the french doors next to the patio. Unc is sports fan all the way: hockey, football, basketball, rodeo, baseball, golf. You name; if it's sports related, Unc will watch. In addition to the TV, a CD stereo unit with surround sound takes up the remainder of the entertainment center. Unc likes music too. Anything from Waylon Jennings to Pavarotti and everyone in between. A deep, soft fluffy couch sits opposite the fireplace and TV. A staircase leads up to a loft bedroom with a private bath and its own fireplace. This is my room.

"You go on up and get your things put away, and if you want you have time to freshen up and go down to the barn before supper. We'll eat promptly at six. If you aren't here, you're outta luck," Maggie warned. Yeah right. She'd hold dinner until hell 'id freeze over if she thought someone might miss a meal.

"Sure thing Mag's, I know better than to be late for dinner," I teased.

I carried my bags upstairs and let the pleasant memories wash over me. I touched every piece of furniture reverently as if I were entering a shrine. Nothing had changed: the same four poster kingsized bed, the handmade western style dresser, the desk, everything was the same. Well almost everything. There under the window was a new state of the art computer with laser printer, scanner and fax machine. Whoa Unc what's the deal? I heard a throat clearing behind me near the door.

"What's all this?" Unc shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"Well it's a computer. What's it look like?"

"If I remember right, someone said hell 'id freeze over before I start using a computer in the ranchin' business."

"And that's the truth! I don't use them damn things, but you and De do, so I asked her what she thought you'd need and she went out and got everything and set it up for ya. She says it's networked to the one at the office in the barn too. Whatever the hell that means." I walked over to Unc, patted his firm belly, and kissed his cheek affectionately.

"This De sounds like a damn smart woman; why don't we go down to the barn so I can meet her, humm?"

Chapter 3: The Goddess

Unc led me down to the barn and into the ranch office. There behind the desk sat a dark haired woman, the oversized leather chair turned away from the door. The woman was engaged in a one sided conversation. The low menacing contralto voice, while quite intimidating, sounded quite sexy as well. Oh puleeessee, don't start that! You never even met the women. My thoughts were brutally interrupted when the receiver slammed back down in its craddle. The woman sprung from the chair and spun around sending the heavy chair chrashing to the floor as if it were nothing. The obvious rage covering the tall, very tall, very gorgeous, very angry gorgeous goddess's face was more than intimidating, it was frightening. But strangely enough, I felt drawn to the women without even knowing or caring why. The raven haired beauty's peircing blue eyes stabbed mine pinning me in my place. At that very moment, I knew without a doubt, I would never be the same again. The woman looked quickly away as if she feared she showed me too much in the azure pools. Luckily, Unc was able to speak, because I lost that ability the moment I laid eyes on the sexy beauty.

"What was that all about De?" De took several calming breathes obviously trying to get her rage under control.

"That son of a bitch Dan Haskel. He won't budge on the oil deal. He claims we don't have a right to keep him from opening the well on the Blackfoot Reservation. I'd like to go down there and drag his balls up through his nose." I couldn't help but chuckle at that visual. Unc remembered I was here.

"Oh, I'm sorry. De this is my niece Cody Fleming, Cody meet Dena Lassiter. Dena has been working with the Blackfoot to keep an oil company owned by Dan Haskel from moving in and taking over their oil rights. He claims the well ain't on their land. There was an 1850 treaty that deeded the land to the Blackfoot in perpa...perp. Oh hell, forever. Haskel claims a later treaty superceded that one, and that section of land don't belong to the Indians." Haskel, Haskel.

"Why does that name sound so familiar?"

"Because when you was kids you routinely beat the crap out of him for picking on Dale Half Moon," Unc explained. Blue eyes lit up, absolute joy filling the lapis pools.

"Heh, heh, yeah that's right; I'd forgotten all about him. Is he still as nerdy looking now as he was then?" Unc nodded. De interjected.

"You got it." There was a slight pause as hazel met blue and held there. "I think I like you already. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression of me, but it's just that money hungry bastard is trying to steal what rightly belongs to the Blackfoot, and it's just not right."

"Hey don't think anything of it. If old Dan is handy, I could always knock him on his ass again for old times sake. Or I could hold him down for ya while you pull his balls out through his nose. I'd kinda like to see how you'd go about doing that." Peels of laughter filled the office as another head poked its way into the room.

"Cody, you lil' bugger you. I thought that was your voice. Doan why didn't you tell me she was coming ta visit." Suddenly I was swallowed up by two burley arms. Hank Goslin had been the ranch farrier for as long as I could remember. He must be pushing sixty, but was still the same tobacco spitting, hard drinking, womanizing, reprobate I had always known. Unc interrupted our reunion.

"For God sake Hank put the woman down before you crush her ribs. And she ain't here for a vist, I told you that, ya damn old fool, she's staying permanently." A dark eyebrow belonging to my new friend arched pointedly and disappeared into dark bangs.

"Is that right? Well I'll be damned. That's the best news I heard in a month. Does that mean you're gonna start training the colts gain?" Suddenly a blurr of black and blue rushed past us and out of the of the office. "What the hell was that all about? What'd I say?" Unc rubbed the back of his neck while looking down at the floor. Suddenly I felt like I was intruding where I didn't belong.

"What's going on Unc. Why did De storm outta here like that? What aren't you telling me here?"

"Well it's my fault. I was going to talk to you both tonight at supper about what your duties would be. I'm sure De thinks she's being replaced. I'll go talk to her." Unc climbed the steps to the loft aprtment over the barn De called home. He knocked softly on the door, then entered carefully when he got no response from his knock. He found De shoving clothes and other gear into a duffel bag. "De just what the hell do you think you're doing?" De glared at the older man.

"What does it look like I'm doing. I'm packing; I'll be outta your hair within the hour. You can send what I got coming to my place on the reservation." De started for the door but couldn't pass Unc, and then I filled the doorway anyway.

"Now just hold on. I ain't firing you. Your the best hand with horses I've ever seen. Maybe even better than the squirt here, and she's damn good. You've been working double duty lately with Stan all buggered up, and now with this business with Haskel, I figured you could use some help. I called Cody and asked her if she'd be interested in helpin' run the ranch. And another thing. I wasn't gonna tell you this now, but this seems like as good a time as any. When I die, I'm leaving the ranch to both of ya, so ya better figure out how to get along between now and then." With that announcement, Unc turned on his heel and left the room.

"Well I'll be damned," we both said simultaneously.

"I suppose now I'll be taken orders from you too," De said sarcastically.

"Ouch! Look I don't know what your problem is, but I'll tell you something. I'm very talented. I guess you could say I have many skills. One one them is mindin' my own business. Another is my ability to listen. So I guess whenever you're ready to talk about what's eatin' at you, I'll be around." I turned and walked out the door.

Unc and I finished dinner in relative silence, and then he turned in to his room. I went into the living room and laid down on the couch, listening to some soft rock on the stereo. A soft Canadian summer evening breeze wafted gently through the open French doors leading out to the patio. I got up and stood my the doors. Out back was the north pasture. In the growing dark, the moonlight reflected off the small lake where the stock came in to water. I walked out to the fence and leaned on the top rail breathing in the heady aroma of freshly mowed hay. A young weanling came over to the fence to investigate the newcomer. He certainly wasn't the least bit spooky. He nuzzled my hand, his soft muzzle tickling my palm. I slowly reached up to pet the side of his face. I kept my movements slow and deliberate so I wouldn't startle him.

"Hey bud, how ya doin. I don't have anything to give you...wait, yeah I do." I walked over to the table and retrieved and apple. I reached into my pocket and withdrew my pocket knife, and sliced the apple into quarters. The colt never once took his eyes off me, but he wasn't pushy. He waited patiently for me to extend a piece of the apple for him to eat from my hand. "There ya go bud. Now chew it up good." He reached forward for another piece, which I handed to him. God I'd missed this, and until this very moment, I hadn't realized just how much. For better or for worse, no matter what happened in the future, I was home, and home was safe, home was warm fuzzy feelings. Home was family. The colt and I repeated the procedure until the apple was gone, then with a pat and a scratch from me, he trotted off to join his herdmates. I heard soft footsteps behind me, and instantly sensed the owner of the feet making the near silent steps.

"Ray Half Moon must have taught you that. I know his work. He taught me." A tall imposing form moved up along side of me and leaned on the fence.

"That's very good. Most folks can't hear me til I'm up on them. When did you detect me?"

"I could sense your presence when you moved through the trees by the hay shed." The tall goddess was impressed.

"That's over two hundred yards. Very good. But you said you sensed me, you mean you didn't hear me?"

"Nope, I just had the feeling someone was there, and then when you moved, I knew it was you. Don't ask me how, I just knew. Uh was there something you needed, or are you just out for a walk?" The words came out harsher than I intended, and instantly I regretted that. If De took offense, she never gave any indication.

"I...uh...well...um...I wanted to apo...apol..." I sense this woman was not used to saying she was sorry for anything to anyone. "I wanted to say I was sorry for being such an ass today." Mmm, nothing wrong with that, I happen to think you have a nice ass. "I jumped to the wrong conclusion, and took it out on you. Doan is right. I could use some help, and I'd be glad to have you take off some of the load around here. 'Sides, I saw the way you worked with that colt just now. It was amazing; I been trying to get close to that colt for a month. How'd ya do that?"

"I didn't do anything, I just let him come to me. I represented no threat to him and he sensed that." An eyebrow arched instantly. "Oh I...I...I wasn't suggesting you were a threat at all, what I meant was..." A large hand with long slender fingers touched my lips halting my ramblings. At the gentle touch I felt a jolt of electricity shoot straight to my center. De removed her fingers like she'd been scorched, but I knew she felt the same sensation too. Our eyes met and held, and in that moment, I knew we were destined to be together.

"I..uh...I know what you meant. Ya know, I think we could make a really good team. How 'bout we call a truce, start over, and begin again. What do you say?" De extended her hand to me. "To new beginnings?" I took her hand in mine, reveling in the connection.

"Yeah, to new beginnings."

End of Part I. Let me know what you think.

Continued in Part 2...