They are not locked in my closet Nor chained to my bed.

They belong to Mr. Tapert.

Also Eve does too.

Sex between women: YES.

Sorry ladies, nothing to graphic, but go easy if you all liked this story That might be in a bit longer one.

So there is just a little bit this time.

It's a first for me.

Concact: Let me know!! Feedback, good or bad is great.

Illusia19@aol.com Instant Messages welcome also.

On with the show?

The firelight only illuminated a small portion of the camp, but that was all that Xena Needed to see.

She watched the Bard sleep; it'd been so long since any of them had Slept.

Eve was camped a short distance away at her own small fire.

She let out a Small sigh, it wasn't supposed to be this way.

Eve was supposed to be a baby, or a Toddler curled up between her and her lover.

Her lover.

What had happened between The warrior and her bard that the couple hardly spoke anymore? Time.

Time happens to everyone, but Somehow she felt as if all the time in the world had been ripped from her arms.

The Raven haired warrior stood and moved to the Bard's side of the fire and gently rested a Hand on the smaller woman's' shoulder.

"Gabrielle?" She spoke her name softly, as if It might break her to say it louder then that.

Gabrielle stirred at the touch "Gabrielle" and the voice Was a bit more firm, more insistent.

"What?" One green eye opened and saw Xena sitting next to her.

Blue eyes studied green silently, as the other opened.

Then Xena spoke Again, softer this time.

"Do you know how long its been?" she trailed off, as the Smaller woman's fingertips trailed lightly across the warrior's forearm, and up across Her shoulder "I know.

.

that in my mind its been more then a few moons, but in reality its been almost 25 years Xena.

.

" A light shudder was sent through the warrior's very core.

"I know.

.

it wasn't supposed to happen this way.

" Was all that Xena could? Manage as she quickly grabbed her bedrolls and brought them next to Gabrielle's, so She could slip under the covers with her lover.

"So much has happened Xena.

" was Whispered as Gabrielle moved now, to straddle the older woman.

"I want you to know That with all this change, I have never stopped wanting?never stopped needing you.

" It was all that Xena needed in confirmation before she pulled the Bard?now Warrior, Down for a kiss, one reaffirmed everything between them.

This elicited a faint moan From Gabrielle, whom responded with another, deeper kiss.

The two made love into the wee hours of the night before finally resting, the warrior Curled around her bard as it has always been.

Doubts all now severed and everything was as it should be.