If the thought of two beautiful women in love offends you please reconsider your position. OR….you can leave now. If you are under age comeback when you are older. If this is illegal in your area, I pity you. MOVE.

There is no violence in the final entry. There is lovemaking all over everywhere. After all our girls have been through I think it's time!

Enjoy! Send comments to UgoXena@aol.com.

©kandis glasgow 1998 do not use or other wise copy any part of this text without the consent of the author. Hugs and kisses though!

As she awoke, the pain in the back of her head was the first thing that proved she wasn't dead. The next was the light that was attacking her senses. Xena pried open one eye to survey her surroundings. They did not look familiar. She heard a slight whimper and felt a shift in the covers next to her. Slowly she turned her head and looked over in dread at the woman sleeping naked next to her. She had done it again. Wandered into another village had gotten drunk and slept with the first man or woman she found to her liking. She hoped that she had not gotten into any fights or injured anyone. That unfortunate occurrence had happened more than she cared or even dared to remember. She groaned aloud, "What in the name of Zeus am I doing?" She held her head in her hands and tears threatened to fall. "I can't keep doing this." She whispered out the grief that was in her heart, "Gabrielle, I need you. You are the source that keeps me from killing myself. Please, Gabrielle let me come home." But she knew that Gabrielle didn't want to ever see her again. She couldn't go on like this. She rose silently from the bed and dressed. She now had a purpose and she moved with intent.

Focused, she saddled Argo and mounted up. She rode until she came to the place she had seen the day before. She dismounted and removed her armor. Standing on the edge she felt her skin crawling. "Damn it! NOT NOW!"

"So, Xena, here you are again. Edge of the cliff ready to end it all. Is she really worth all this emotion? Come on! She's just a little kid. Granted I did like her for almost a minute when I had no power over it. But still..."

"Ares, get away from me. I don't need this right now." Xena was spitting out the words in anger.

"Oh, that's right. Poor Xena. Leave her alone, she feels bad. There is nothing in life worth living for anymore. Well, how about this, a challenge. You want a real challenge Xena? Face your self. Here you are "The Mighty Xena" afraid to face reality. All your life you have made things workout. Cheated death and then laughed in Her face. But this was something you could do nothing about. You had no control."

"What do you know about any of this, Ares? Xena spoke with venom. "You weren't there. You have no idea what you are talking about."

"I know more than you think I do. I know that you weren't there when Gabrielle needed you. You couldn't stop her anger with you and with herself. Even after you killed Cortindan it didn't make things any better did it? You don't have the courage it takes to confront that kind of failure. Face it, Xena, you lost. But you need to realize this is only the first round. To win the war you MUST fight the battles one at a time. If you give up now you will die never knowing the sweetest victory of all: to conquer your own demons and not those that are of another's making. Hey! Pretty insightful for a God like me, don't ya think?" The God paused for a moment to let the words sink in. "Go back to Gabrielle, Xena. She needs you, you need her, and I need you." He hated that he had to try to convince the warrior to return the side of the irritating blonde, but if he didn't he'd lose the warrior all together. *Besides without you, she'll die and she still owes me. I certainly don't want to lose out on that.* With a sparkle and a smirk Ares was gone and Xena was alone again with her thoughts.

Gabrielle had called her a coward. The comment had cut to the very heart of her. No one had ever dared call her that. As she thought she began to recall the warrior training she had received. "Courage is not being without fear. No, true courage is to acknowledge fear and acting in spite of it." True courage. There was no doubt, in her mind at least, that Xena was a living example of how courage didn't work. She had been a ruthless warlord and had killed hundreds maybe thousands, but killing was easy. Living seemed to be the hard part. Living with fear seemed to be impossible. She had never known fear in a real sense so she had never learned to live with it. What was she afraid of?

"Why am I running?" Xena knew the answer. *Gabrielle.*

"So big bad warrior woman is afraid of a little girl." *No, you are afraid of how you feel about that "little girl".* "She's a beautiful woman now, ya know." *Yeah, I know.* "So……..you are waiting for what exactly? A sign from the Gods? I think you had that."

"I have to go back. Damn it, Gabrielle! Why did you do this to me?"

Xena put on her armor once again, whistled for Argo and headed back to the woman that held the warrior's life in her gentle hands.

Artie climbed the familiar path to Gabrielle's room. She didn't knock as she entered and there she found the truth of Gabrielle's heart.

The small woman was sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chin. She hugged those knees so tightly that it seemed she was trying to find a way to not fall from the world itself. Her green eyes were red and swollen from hours of crying and the circles under them told a tale of many sleepless nights.

"Gabrielle?"

There was no answer. The bard was in her own tormented world and did not hear the healer enter the room.

Artie made the journey across the room. She sat slowly down on the bed and reached out to touch Gabrielle's arm. She flinched at the contact. Her eyes flew to see who had summoned her from her suffering.

"Artie." She tried to hide her face from the older woman. "Don't you believe in knocking?"

"Not when I fear for the well-being of a guest in my establishment."

"I'm FINE!"

"Is that why you haven't eaten in days and why you haven't been down to share yarns with the guests?"

"Ya know, I just need my space right now, O.K.? Just leave me alone. I have a few things I need to think out and I don't need you nosing around!" Gabrielle was regretful the minute the words were spoken.

Artie took no offense at the words that came from Gabrielle's mouth. She knew the young woman well enough to know that she had not even the tiniest of mean streaks. In fact, she knew that the storyteller had a heart that was more pure, honest and full of love than any she had ever encountered. And now that gentle heart was breaking.

"Gabrielle, you know that I would not pry into your personal affairs unless I felt the need. I feel the need now. What is wrong, my sweet child?" She reached out a gentle hand and stroked the head of the fair-haired one. She waited patiently for the answer.

Gabrielle sighed heavily and tried to speak but the words felt too heavy to come out. She closed her mouth and looked into eyes that were the same color as her own. Tears slowly began to trail down her sunken cheeks. Finally with trust in her heart she spoke.

"Artie, I am pregnant."

"Well, little one, I knew that, and so did you. You have known for a while now."

"How did y….?"

"Gabrielle, I watch and see things. You haven't been acting yourself. It started before this not eating and crying phase you're going through now. So, what is the real trouble here?"

"That's it. That's all! Isn't that enough?"

"The problem goes deeper and you know it. You may be too stubborn to see it but, to me, it's as plain as the nose on Xena's face."

Gabrielle's head snapped at the mention of the name. Her eyes filled with fire.

"What has SHE got to do with this!"

"You know the answer to that as well as I, but I'll tell you what she has to do with this. You want your warrior at your side for this. You don't want to face it alone."

"I don't need her! She left when I needed her the most and I got through that, I can get through this!"

"Yes, you survived. But are you through? Is your soul healed? You know you can't heal your soul without the other half; the half that belongs to Your Warrior."

"Stop calling her "My Warrior"! She's not mine, not anymore."

"Oh, but you are wrong Gabrielle. She belongs to you even more than she belongs to herself. Without you in her life she will become an empty shell. She will go back to being the person she was before she found a haven in your heart. Get her back Gabrielle, or I am afraid you will suffer the same fate."

Artie left the room to let Gabrielle think that one through. Some truths are hard to bare and this one was going to be a toughie.

Gabrielle began to go over in her mind the things that Artie had just said to her. "Xena? Belong to me? I don't think so. Xena doesn't belong to anyone." Even as she spoke these words she began to be plunged headlong into memories that had been submerged for what seemed like a lifetime. She recalled all of the touches. Every time that Xena had touched her, the message had been conveyed but she hadn't listened. Xena had said the words, but she didn't think…well she just didn't think. What shocked her like cold water on a steamy day were the looks. Every time she had looked into those crystal eyes they had said, "I love you." and she had been blind.

"I've been both stupid and blind. I can't ask her to come back. Not after the things I said to her and now look at me. She won't want to be tied down to a child."

Her conscience began to attack her, "You'll never know unless you ask her to come back. What if I don't want her to come back?" *Oh yeah, I don't want her to come back. Sure. Uh Huh. Are you nuts? Look at you*. You'll die a slow death if she doesn't.* "I hate when this happens!"

"FINE! Damn it, Xena. Why did you do this to me!"

As she sat down to write no words would come that would convey all of the feelings that were raging in her mind.

Gabrielle lifted her head and thought, "What can I possibly say that would let her forgive me and come back? I after what I said I'm sure she doesn't want too ever see me again. Maybe Artie was right. Then again maybe not."

As she let these many thoughts have reign in her head an almost imperceptible change occurred in the room. She knew that feeling. She then felt the presence of someone standing in the doorway. She was hoping and fearing at the same time. With her heart pounding out of her chest she spoke without turning from the table, "Xena? Is that you?"

There was a long pause as the query hung in the air. Xena was afraid to speak and more afraid not to.

"Yes, Gabrielle, it's me.

Gabrielle couldn't believe her own ears. She spun in her chair began to ask questions before she even thought. "Why are you here? Why did you come back? Did Artie send for you?" The questions sounded like accusations.

Xena felt all of the pain in her heart at that one moment. She knew this would happen, the inquisition and then the rejection. She crossed the thresh hold and strode into the room. "Gabrielle, please, don't be angry with me. I had to come back. I need to tell you something and after I'm done, I'll go."

Gabrielle was dismayed. "You came here to tell me something and then leave. Why did you even bother coming back then!" She was beginning to feel the anger all over again. *How dare She play with me like this!* Her thoughts were raging.

Xena became the cold warrior she was. She steeled her emotions from the verbal onslaught. "I came because this is something I can't have someone else tell you. I couldn't just send word!"

Gabrielle calmed down and prepared her self to hear what she was sure was bad news.

"I'm sorry, I don't like to think that you came here just to leave again." The disappointment was heavy in her voice. It was then that she decided she might as well get it all out if Xena was just going to leave anyway.

"I have something I need to tell you, too, and I think you will want to leave after I tell you anyway, so, let me go first and then you can decide if what you have to say even needs to be said."

Xena nodded in concession. She was pleased that Gabrielle was upset that she might leave, but she didn't think she wanted to hear the rest of what she had to say.

"I really have no way to say this other than to just say it." There was a long uncomfortable silence and then Gabrielle cleared her throat and spoke. "Xena, I'm pregnant."

Xena sat stunned and not a little nauseous. She had to think. Staring off into space she began the to process this new information. The only real question in the midst of all of these thoughts was, "But do I still love her?" Xena knew the answer before the question finished forming in her head.

"Xena? Did you hear me?"

She shook her head and answered, "Yeah, yeah, I heard you. I had to let it sink in. Who's the father?" She wished the moment it came out that she hadn't said it. The thought of Gabrielle with someone else made her sick and the thought of Gabrielle pregnant by Coirtindan was just as bad. *Now, that is selfish. It's no wonder she can't stand you.* She beat her self up in her own mind.

The hurt registered on Gabrielle's face. In dismay she replied, "Do you really need to ask? What kind of person do you think I am?" Gabrielle now thought she knew what Xena really did think of her and that was not much.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Forgive me. I was being selfish again."

Gabrielle looked at her confused and thought, *What in Hades did that mean?* She wanted to ask but Xena began to speak.

"Gabrielle let me say what I have to say before I explode."

"O.K." Gabrielle turned to fully face Xena. She wanted to see the expression on the warrior's face when what ever she had to tell her came out.

Xena bowed her head and began to speak; "I left here expecting never to return. I knew you didn't want me around because I was a reminder of what happened. I know you blamed me for leaving you and not being where you needed me to be." Gabrielle wanted to speak but Xena continued, "I also left because I was so full of guilt and anger and I was taking it out on you. Every time I looked at you I knew that I had let you down and that broke my heart. I know that you wanted me to go but I was already on my way long before you spoke the words. Don't ask me what I did while I was gone. I'll never tell you. I will tell you that I almost died and my soul died a thousand times over. I had to come back to you Gabrielle because..." She paused and took a deep breath. Her hands began to sweat and her heart was at full gallop in her chest.

Gabrielle looked at her in expectancy and said, "Becaaaausse…..?"

"Because, I'm in love with you." She looked up quickly expecting something but not sure what. She didn't expect what she saw.

Tears began to form in Gabrielle's eyes and slowly started to run down her cheeks.

"What!?? You're in love with me?!! Are you crazy? Xena, how can you possibly love me? I am not even worthy to be seen by you let alone be loved by you. I am filthy and vile and pregnant on top of that!!" She was almost hysterical now.

Xena went to her and pulled her up into her arms and held her.

"No Gabrielle! You are beautiful and kind and innocent! And I don't care if you're pregnant! You are who you are and I love you no matter what!"

Gabrielle drew back in a jerk from her and looked at her in confused disbelief, "Innocent? Have you been living in a cave?"

"Let me finish!" Xena interrupted "Don't you understand that this is no one's fault. I'm not to blame and neither are you! I left here taking all of that blame with me and it got too heavy to carry. I had to let it go or let it kill me. It's time for you to put it down too. You are such a wonderful person! You saved me from myself now let me try to do the same for you. Gabrielle, you don't know how precious you are to me. Your innocence can never be taken by force. You have to give that part of yourself up willingly, and I won't let you do it!"

Gabrielle was crying cleansing tears now. All the agony of the past few months was coming to the surface and she was letting it come. She was so tired of holding in all of the rage and anger. She was wracked with pain to her very core. She continued to sob angry tears into Xena's neck as the strong warrior held her. After a time the tears began to subside and calm began to take over. Xena had Gabrielle sit back down as she went to the night table and got Gabrielle a cup of water and a cool damp towel. She handed the cup to younger woman and then knelt down next to the chair. With the most tender touch she could use she began to wipe swollen eyes and face with the cloth.

Gabrielle smiled at the touch. With more love than she realized was in her heart she said. "I have missed you so." She reached out a hand and placed it softly on Xena's face.

Xena's azure eyes gazed into the translucent green of Gabrielle's and she thought she saw forever there. She stood up and bent down to Gabrielle. She then swept her off of the chair up into her arms cradling her there.

Gabrielle's legs dangled as her arms wrapped around "her warrior's" neck. She was in a place she never dreamt she would be.

Xena leaned in and placed her lips within mere millimeters of Gabrielle's.

Gabrielle could feel Xena's breath tickling her lips and she closed the gap between them. Their lips brushed softly across each other and then met fully. Gabrielle's tongue slid slowly across Xena's lips and they parted as if Gab had the only key to opening them. It was a perfect fit.

The kiss deepened and Xena pulled Gabrielle closer to her and she was shocked at the size of her companion. She was so small and frail. She was afraid to hold her too tight for fear of breaking her. She felt as if she were carrying a doll instead of a well-toned athlete. She knew by the feel of Gabrielle that any amorous ideas she may have would have to wait until Gabrielle was stronger physically as well as emotionally.

Gabrielle broke the kiss with a start. "Oh Xena!" The cry was one of pain not pleasure. Xena was immediately concerned. She carried Gabrielle over to the bed and laid her there.

"What's wrong, Gabrielle?"

"I hurt in my stomach. It feels like a knife running through me. Ahhh!" She doubled over in pain.

Xena ran out the door yelling Artie's name.

Artie heard her name and almost ran into the warrior half way up the stairs "Xena! What are you doing here?" She was surprised but very pleased to see the stunning woman once again. "Thank the God's. They both may have a chance now." It was her silent prayer.

"There is no time to go into that. Gabrielle is having pains! Bad ones!"

The two women rushed back into the room. Gabrielle was balled up in agony. Artie rushed to her side and gently touched the small woman's forehead. She cried out again and Artie knew what the problem was.

"She's losing the baby." There was great concern in the eyes of the healer.

"What do we do?"

"YOU can put water on to boil and bring me cup and the bottle with the goldenseal in it and then you can leave the room."

"I'm staying!"

"NO, you're not! Now go!"

Xena started to argue when Gabrielle screamed in pain again. As the bard turned over to stop the two from arguing the blood on the sheets told the story. It would be another long night for the three women joined by the pain of one.

It was almost dawn when the small redhead with the green eyes stepped through the doorway.

"Can I go in now?" Her eyes, filled with concern, plead with the healer to let her enter. Xena had come close to wearing a hole in the floorboards outside the doorway.

"Yes, Xena. You may go in." She placed a hand on the strong woman's arm. "She had a tough fight and lost a lot of blood. She is very weak. I want you to know all of the truth."

Xena dropped her head. She didn't want to hear the healers next words.

"Xena look at me."

The warrior raised her head to look Artie in the eyes.

"She is a very strong woman but she has put her self through so much torment and now this. If she is going to survive you will be the key."

"ME? What have I to do with her recovery?"

"Do I have to spell everything out for you two? Look, I am tired and don't want to seem cranky, but you two are blind as newborn kittens. I know you love her and wouldn't be here if you didn't. She loves you, too. She'd die without you and I mean that literally. She needs your strength to be hers right now. Go in there and be with her and don't you dare leave her side. Those are doctor's orders. You are the best medicine I have for her right now but I don't think you would fit in one of those little bottles," with a small smirk she added, "but I bet you would make a great tea. I'm going to bed. Call me if there are any changes."

Amused, Xena watched the compact woman traverse the stairs and realized what it was about her that she had been so comfortable with in their first meeting. She had Gabrielle's eyes. They were eyes she had learned to trust with the very life that was within her. Now it was time for her to win back the trust of the bard.

Xena entered the room in silence. Gabrielle was asleep. For this Xena was grateful. It gave her the chance to gaze at the beautiful woman who had gone through so much tragedy.

The great warrior crossed the room and lay down next to the friend who was the very soul of her. She reached out to stroke the golden hair of the sleeping woman. In a whisper she spoke. "My sweet Gabrielle, I am so sorry for abandoning you. I never meant you harm. I thought I was leaving for your good. Please believe that I could never do anything I felt would injure you. At least I never thought I could. Please, forgive me." Tears were falling in a gentle stream down the mighty warrior's cheeks.

As those tears began to fall, Gabrielle, awakened when the warrior lay down, whispered weakly to her, "I can only forgive you if you forgive me also."

"But you……" Xena tried to answer, to explain, to dispute.

"Shhh. Don't argue with a sick woman." The bard gave her friend a weak smile.

"I wouldn't dream of it." She placed a small kiss on the forehead of the strawberry blonde and lay down next to her. As she held the frail woman in her strong arms, she wasn't sure of the future but she was sure of her heart and where it belonged.

The evening was still early and the sun was warm shining through the window in Gabrielle and Xena's shared room. The time had gone by so quickly. It seemed that it was just yesterday that Xena had returned to Gabrielle and yet it had been three full moons. The healing of her body had taken a relatively short amount of time. Her soul had been a different story. She found that with the passing of time and the patience of Xena she was able to put most of the painful memories behind her. Gabrielle stared off into space as she had thoughts of the passage of time. She and Xena had spent countless hours talking and laughing. She was pleasantly surprised at the depth of thought evident in the less than talkative woman. Xena had never opened up to her in the manner she did now. Gabrielle found her to be most romantic. She was privy to quite a different view of the warrior than most people would ever see. Xena had lavished attention on her by taking her for moonlit walks by the ocean and picnics by the stream that ran not to far from the village. Holding hands they would talk and laugh and play. Xena would pick wild flowers and present them to Gabrielle with a slight blush on her cheeks. She decided though that the most endearing thing that Xena had done for her was to never make her feel uncomfortable. She knew the feelings that Xena had for her ran deep as did hers for the warrior. But not once had Xena forced the issue. She would have waited until the next lifetime for Gabrielle had the bard desired it. But desire it she did not. She had a desire of a different sort and the time had come to voice it.

Gabrielle's daydreaming ended and she began puttering and fidgeting with this and that, picking things up, moving them around the room. Placing scrolls in her pack, folding clothes, anything she could find to do.

Xena was lost in thought as she sharpened and polished her sword.

Gab stopped what she was doing and watched her intently. Her heart was pounding almost out of her chest as she mumbled to herself, "What am I doing! Just walk over there and…and…and what? This is so confusing. O.K. Hey! Xena! Babe. Wink, wink. Oh yeah, that's rich." Gab rolled hey eyes at her own thoughts. "OK here goes."

She cleared her throat and tried to speak. "Xen…." Her voice was lost in a choke. There was no reaction that Xena had even heard her. She cleared her throat and tried again, "Xena?"

"Um?" Xena answered in a far away response.

Gabrielle, frustrated, strode over to where Xena was sitting. She reached out and delicately grasped the hand that held the sharpening stone. Xena stopped and looked up at her. She was about to feign being annoyed but saw the seriousness in Gabrielle's eyes.

"Gabrielle, is something wrong?"

"No, not wrong. I just want to talk to you." Her voice was sturdy and belied the anxiety she was feeling.

"Oh. All right, you talk. I'll listen." Gabrielle talked a lot and Xena had learned to listen and work at the same time. She went back to sharpening her sword.

This time Gabrielle stopped her and coaxed the stone out of her hand. She then persuaded Xena to hand the sword over also. Gabrielle then turned and placed both of them on the table beside her. She turned back to the warrior and sat on Xena's lap facing her. It was now Xena's turn to be nervous.

"Xena. I need to talk."

For once Xena didn't know what to say. She had some ideas on what to do, but words had no part of that.

"I want you to know that I have been feeling much better lately…."

It was all Xena could do to restrain herself from throwing Gab over her shoulder and carrying her to the bed. But if anything were going to happen Gabrielle would have to initiate it. This was at the bard's pace. After that……

Xena interrupted Gabrielle's thought, "Yes. You are looking much better. Your color is good and you look fit. You also…." Gabrielle placed two fingers over her mouth silencing her.

"No, Xena. I mean my heart feels better. You have helped to heal a part of me I thought had died in that clearing. I love you for that and I can't begin to tell you what that means to me."

That said Gabrielle wrapped both of her arms around Xena's head and pulled her close. As their lips touched Xena let out an audible moan. Her hands came up and gently followed the natural path of Gabrielle's body up from her knees to her thighs and shapely posterior then up her back. The kiss deepened and their tongues flicked gently across each other. Xena's hands ventured under the shift the Gabrielle was wearing. Her hands touched the softness of Gabrielle's skin and panic set in. Xena pulled her hands away and broke the kiss. Gab looked at her with questioning in her eyes.

"Hang on, Gabrielle. Can you be sure your ready for this? Do you know what you're doing?"

"Well…yes..er..no. Well, not really, but I think I can make my way through. I mean, I am a woman after all and I'm sure…."

It was Xena's turn to quiet Gabrielle.

"No, Gabrielle." She smiled in spite of the seriousness of her feelings. "Do you know what this means? Do you know how it will effect you and your life? Is this what you want? Is your heart ready?"

Gabrielle thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Xena, all I know is I love you. Gods know I've always loved you. I'm IN love with you. I know that now and I feel the time has come to deepen the bonds of this relationship. I don't want to ever be away from your side. Please, take me with you, always." Gabrielle knew the words were not the best of prose, bards didn't always have just the right words, but the intent held with in them was priceless.

Her voice was so soft and sincere it brought tears to the eyes of the once hardened and callous warrior. It took her some time to gather the thoughts that had been raging through her head for months. She said the only words she could out of all the millions she had thought.

"Gabrielle, I know now that I could never live without you. I don't ever want to try again. I will take you with me if you promise you'll stay always."

Gabrielle nodded in agreement.

Xena smiled and said, "Now, if you don't mind I will do some of that taking right NOW!" With that she hoisted Gabrielle up over her shoulder. Gabrielle let out a delighted scream and feigned anger.

"Xena! Put me down!"

"Oh. I'll put you down alright!" And Xena carried Gabrielle over to the bed, discarded her there and turned to walk away.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"To bolt the door. We can't have people running in and out ya know. Speaking of in and out, where was I?'

"Come here," teased Gabrielle "I'll show you."

Xena crossed the room and knelt next to the bed. She leaned in and brushed the strawberry golden hair away from Gabrielle's eyes with her fingertips. As their eyes met she wanted to speak but here were no words that could convey her thoughts. Xena pressed her lips to Gabrielle's and kissed her with the all of the passion that she had holding back for so long. With their lips still entwined, she climbed into the bed next to her bard. She let her free hand slide down Gab's side to the rise of her hips and the fullness of her tight ass. Her hands rose back up and slid under the blonde's shift. She didn't stop this time. She unlaced the ties that were securing Gabrielle's top and removed it from her. Without hesitation she continued her exploration. Her hand brushed against the side of Gabrielle's breast and the smaller woman let out an involuntary shiver. This pleased Xena to no end. She opened her hand flat and rubbed ever so lightly bringing the nipple to tautness. She took the whole breast in her hand and cupped it as if weighing the possibilities. Firmly, but not hard enough to cause pain, only pleasure, she grasped the erect nipple between her thumb and forefinger and began twisting it gently back and forth. Gabrielle was squirming with pleasure.

Their mouths parted company and Xena traveled with the very tip of her tongue drawing a line from the corner of Gabrielle's lips to her earlobe. Xena paused to delight in the very feel of this one small part of her lover in her mouth. As she sucked slowly and deliberately she whispered to her new lover, "Use your imagination. What do I have in my mouth?" Gabrielle tried to speak. "Don't answer. Just think."

As Xena continued, the bard's very vivid imagination began to wander to every part of her body, imagining what that persistent oral fondling would feel like. Her mind touched places that filled her with wanton desire. Xena left her ear to capture the hollow of her throat. She began to place soft and gentle kisses that were soon replace by a hungry devouring. Her own passion was rising to ecstasy. She wanted Gabrielle so badly it was beginning to ache.

Gabrielle was so fully aroused that it was all she could do to refrain from screaming for Xena to "take me now!" She was thoroughly enjoying the lovemaking at which the warrior was obviously skilled. She didn't care. She was the beneficiary of that experience.

When Xena's mouth enveloped her breast, Gabrielle moaned loudly in obvious delight. She couldn't believe that a thing so simple could feel so incredible.

Xena reached down and with her finger traced a line up from Gabrielle's knee to the inside of her thigh. She came in contact with Gabrielle's skirt and decided that it had to go. With one swift movement the vision of beauty was naked before the great warrior. Xena was in awe of what she saw. Gabrielle was so well muscled and defined and Xena couldn't help but reach out and run her hand along the whole side of her body. Her blue eyes sparkled with desire.

"Unreal! You are so beautiful! I swear I'm dreaming." She spoke aloud without meaning to.

This made Gabrielle smile. She had been worried that Xena would not be pleased with what she saw. Obviously her worry had been misplaced.

Xena slid her hand down Gabrielle's stomach to the very edge of the hair that surrounded the pleasure that awaited her. Taking her finger she began to slowly outline the entire area. She drew a line down the crease between the thigh and Gabrielle's outer lips. Her finger continued down to her knee. She slowly retraced her artwork and Gabrielle opened her legs slightly in invitation. This caused a smile to creep across the face of the mighty woman. She knew now that Gabrielle did want her to make love to her completely. "Very well."

Xena captured Gabrielle's mouth once again and entwined it with her own. Their tongues were dancing across each other with fury. Her hand traveled one more time. This time she touched the softness of Gabs lips and felt the abundance of wetness that was begging to be played in. The feel of Gabrielle's wetness on her finger made her moan involuntarily.

As Xena spread Gabrielle's lips to enter her, the Amazon Queen had a death grip on Xena's shoulders. The absolute delight Xena took in this was overwhelming her. Xena's fingers came to rest on the entrance to sheer joy. Gabrielle was shaking in anticipation. Xena was about to be lost inside of the woman she loved more than life itself. Finally, she entered and joined herself with Gabrielle's softness and moist warmth.

Gabrielle moaned into Xena's mouth and her hips began to move in rhythm with the thrusts of Xena's fingers.

Xena was slow and methodical. She wanted to feel every fold and curve that made up this creature that had so captured her heart.

Gabrielle felt herself going over the edge to ecstasy. Before she could, Xena withdrew her fingers. Gabrielle groaned in disappointment.

"Don't worry, my love, I won't leave you in need of release. Be patient." Xena reassured her. This was NOT going to be one of those times when she was quickly finished with and then discarded the other. No, Gabrielle was worth all that she could give and more.

Xena rose to her knees and straddled Gabrielle. She reached over her head and removed her tunic. Her long raven hair fell in a cascade over her shoulders and breasts.

The exposed delicate skin beckoned and Gabrielle couldn't resist. She tentatively reached out with her hands and placed them on Xena's hips. Xena placed her own hands over Gabrielle's and drew them slowly up her body.

Gabrielle had known that Xena was wonderful to hold but touching her in this way was nothing short of magical.

Xena let her hands fall to her side and the bard's hands continued to rise up until they met the fullness of Xena's breasts. She knew in that instant that she had to relish in the taste of those fantastic orbs. Without hesitation she sat up and placed one of Xena's hardened nipples in her mouth. Reveling in the taste and the feel of it, her head rushed to dizziness. Not wanting to ignore the other she reach over and ensnared the right nipple in her fingers.

Xena entwined her fingers in golden locks with both hands. She was flying. She wanted desperately for Gabrielle to make love to her as well, but not yet. She gently pulled Gabrielle's mouth away from her breasts and held her face in her hands. She took in every line and freckle that was her precious Gabrielle. Their eyes fell into each other. Their mouths met so softly that lips melted into one another and tongues touched without resistance. They lay back down and their lips parted.

Xena began a journey that in the end would bring their lives up from the depths of the hell to which they had traveled and into the heavens themselves. She kissed and tasted every inch of Gabrielle that she could find on her way down. When she reach that most intimate part she inhaled deeply the sweet aroma that was Gabrielle.

"Now that is truly "nectar of the Gods"." She whispered.

The bard was not quite sure where Xena was going with this. Fortunately she had read the Amazon scrolls about love making between two women. It had been an....educational experience. She had spent the better part of two moons with her hands pleasuring herself after having read them. Now she was in the midst of the reality and was aching for the warrior to share with her the pleasures she had only read about. She was soon to find out.

Xena ever so lightly licked the moist outer lips from bottom to top. She tasted with her mouth the wetness of the promise that lay within. She allowed her tongue to probe deeper into the folds exploring every minute detail with great pleasure. She let her tongue flick across Gabrielle's clit causing the latter to jump.

Gabrielle began to squirm in expectancy. She placed one hand on the back of Xena's head and the other was drawn to her own nipple. She arched her back and shivered with hunger. This was more than she had ever fantasized about. Much more!

Xena's excitement rose watching the young woman touch herself in pleasure. Xena's long fingers spread back the folds of Gabrielle's lips to uncover the treasure within. The moment was now. She submerged her tongue deep inside of her precious love. When she did, Gabrielle cried out in utter joy and gratification. Xena continued to probe in and out with her tongue meeting the rhythm of Gabrielle's movement. She brought her hand up and with her thumb began to massage Gabrielle's very swollen clitoris

Gabrielle's breathing was becoming shallow and her body was beginning to tense. Her head thrashed from side to side. "Oh! By the Gods'. Don't.... you........dare..... stop. umuuuumm."

The great Warrior Princess had no such ideas.

Gabrielle shuddered and was over taken by the magnitude of her orgasm. The waves of pleasure broke over her like a tsunami. She had never felt anything as intense in her life and she screamed out her lover's name with pleasure. " Oh yeah! OhYEESSS! GODS! XEEENAAA! AAAH!!

Xena could feel the pulsating deluge of pleasure overtake Gabrielle. She couldn't help but feel satisfaction and passion at the same moment. She rode the tide out with her lover and rose up her body to enjoy the trembling thrill of Gabrielle in her arms. As the feeling passed from ecstasy to calm, Xena wrapped herself around Gabrielle and held her while she recovered.

When she could breath again she looked into the depths of Xena's vivid blue eyes.

"I never knew it could be like this. I never dreamt of love so indescribable. I love you."

She leaned in and kissed Xena tasting herself there for the first time and knew it was not to be the last. The taste drove her to an insane desire for her warrior. She brought her knee up between Xena's thigh. Xena's reaction was to grind her now slick, cotton covered, mound into the firmness of Gabrielle. Their kissing and Xena's grinding became more desperate with the passing moments. Gabrielle was now in charge of this situation and she knew it. If there was one thing that the one of many skills had taught her was to take advantage of every situation and she was going to do just that. She drew her leg away from Xena, untangled herself from the raven-haired woman's embrace and sat up.

"I think the breeches need to go." This was her first directive. Xena complied with help from Gabrielle. Now it was Gabrielle's turn to be in awe. The soft curls of her pubis served to enhance Xena's long limbs and dark skin. She was truly gorgeous.

She didn't let her awe stand in the way of her action if anything the beauty she beheld made her more desirous to possess completely the woman before her.

She moved to straddle Xena. She grabbed her wrists, held them down and kissed her hard. She ended the kiss and whispered, "Tell me what you want." She ground her wetness into Xena's stomach. Xena reached her head up to kiss Gabrielle again but Gab avoided her.

"Ah, ah, ah. Tell me what you want."

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yeah, I really do."

"Come here."

Gabrielle leaned in close and Xena whispered in her ear. Gabrielle was delighted at the idea and slid her body sensuously and very slowly up deep olive skin until blonde curls were with in centimeters of Xena's smiling face.

Xena once again delved into the young temptress wetness. She reached up with both of her hands and seized Gabrielle's pert breasts. She was lost in wild abandon.

Gabrielle, not wanting to lose control, eased away from Xena and slid back down her body.

Xena protested the movement but relented in the end.

Gabrielle paused long enough to kiss Xena once on the lips and then covered her neck in more of the same. She bit and nibbled her way down Xena's neck and chest to those stunning breasts. Not wanting to miss any part of her warrior's body she sucked one breast deeply into her mouth while one hand roamed free. It was free but not for long. She discovered a wetness that held her fascinated. She was the cause of this arousal and was amazed that she could have such an effect on this very adept lover she had found. She longed to be inside of the warmth this moisture. She ran her finger up and down the length of Xena's vaginal lips. Xena moved in sync with Gabrielle's fingers. Then Gab immersed her two middle fingers into Xena's wetness.

Xena let out with a soft cry at Gabrielle's entrance to her. Nothing had ever felt so right, and with the felling of this one final barrier, they both knew they were no longer two people but one heart, one soul. Inseparable.

Gabrielle was so intrigued with the feeling she had to get closer. She moved to put her head between Xena's legs and watched in fascination as her fingers disappeared inside of this amazing woman. With a tentative slowness she let her tongue slide along the small hooded bundle of nerves. She had never experienced such softness. Xena pushed into her instantly and Gabrielle took the hint. She enveloped Xena's clit with her mouth and continued to probe deeper and harder with her fingers. She sucked on the bulging bundle of nerves from root to tip and back again in rhythm to her strokes.

As she began to feel her orgasm overtake her, Xena grabbed Gabrielle's blonde head and pushed into her mouth. She cried out "OH YES! Gabrielle!" And she exploded in unexplainable ecstasy. She felt as if Gabrielle had lit her heart on fire and placed it between her legs. The sexual pleasure and the total love combined made this a new and wonderful experience for the woman who, in a time not so long ago, thought there was nothing more to feel in this life. She was glad to be alive and finally in the arms and heart of her Gabrielle.

Epilogue:

Artie heard the sounds of passion wafting down to the room just below the one shared by the warrior and the bard. She smiled. "Thank you Fates! Destiny is back on course!"

A shimmering light filled the room and a dark haired, leather clad man stood before the innkeeper.

"Artie, Don't you ever get tired of protecting those two?"

"Now Ares, you know the warrior is not mine. The bard is my chosen, Xena just happens to come with her." She smiled at the thought and at the pun. With Gabrielle protected by her, Ares really had no way to claim Xena anytime soon.

The fates had played an awful trick on the God of war, and he was none too happy about it.

Another glimmer of light shone in the room and a flaxen haired beauty stood in the midst of the two.

"Oh, Lighten up Ares. What's one little warrior? Yeah, yeah she a hotty, but come on! Cupid got all this started and it's just a bitchin' love story! I couldn't have done better myself!"

"Thanks mom!" A head appeared in the room and Cupid smiled.

"Did I invite you all to a party of some sort?" There was an edge to the voice. Artemis was beginning to feel slightly invaded.

The others looked at each other and then back to Artemis and with the same shimmer with which they had appeared they were gone.

"That's better." And the guardian of the Amazons felt the world fall back into place.

THE END