Part 8

Candace smiled on her waking recalling the feel of the long strong body next to her that had pleasured her most of the night and would be at her beck and call most of this day if she so desired. Something about the fresh air and the ambiance of the Amazon village just begged for sensual and sexual release. Candace had taken Gabrielle's advice about what it would take to bring Taylor back to the living world from which she had been torn and that was through the love that they made. She wanted to make sure that her firefighter was made whole again in heart and spirit. She felt inspired by the love they shared, and the fact that you could hear the passionate lovemaking of the younger women throughout most of the camp during the better part of the sleeping hours. The tension in the air had sent the entire camp into a frenzy of sorts, not to mention a twentieth century firefighter and her sign interpreter girlfriend. She was very happy that the two younger women had found such passion and pleasure in each other, and that they had consummated the relationship they felt had been so forbidden. It was destiny.

Taylor felt Candace slide her naked skin up against her back and a shudder went through her. The power this small woman had to wield when it came to her was nothing short of amazing. Candace had brought her to herself again and for that she was grateful. A small prompting hand reached over her and ran smoothly across her stomach. Her body gave away her need as it quivered beneath the soft touch.

Candace felt the reaction to her touch and was very pleased. "Ooh! That was nice. Good morning my love. Sleep well?" The words were sweet, but the tone was seductive and the fact the small blonde had ground into her from behind at the same time sent 'good morning' messages you wouldn't believe.

Taylor pushed back and reached a long arm behind her to pull Candace closer if that were possible.

"MmmmmHmmmm. Very well. And you?"

Candace's arm curled under Taylor's arm and around a very strong shoulder. She squeezed and kissed a tender earlobe. "Never better. But I think I need a little 'pick me up', ya know...to get the blood flowing."

"A pick you up, huh? What does that entail, exactly." She had no idea what she was in for.

Candace giggled at her warrior. She wanted details; she would give her details. "Well you see, first I work my hand all across your abdomen like this." Candace returned her hand to the long firm muscles of Taylor's stomach. Taylor's muscles contracted from the soft seductive contact.

"I see." She closed her eyes. Now she didn't see but she felt.

"Uh huh. And I pull my hand over and touch your side and maybe scratch you ever so slightly with my nails." She drew a path up the long side of her companion. Taylor's muscles contracted under her touch and she bent sideways ever so slightly.

"Oh." It was a soft whisper.

Candace was now right in her ear whispering her next step. "Then I reach under your arm and barely scratch the tip of your nipple just like...this. All of my fingers one by one, playing across the very tip. Then I bite your shoulder." Her teeth grazed the flesh so lightly, the soft skin of a peach wouldn't break under the pressure. "Then I lick the back of your neck. Right on the hairline."

"Oh God."

"No, but you can call me "Your Highness" if you like." She smiled and Taylor tried to. "Then, I cup your breast in the palm of my hand, weighing its potential." She moved her small hand with the large breast secured in her tender grasp. The reaction was splendid. Taylor's large nipple perked at the movement. "Seems positively ripe. Perfect for the picking." She grasped the engorged nipple in her thumb and forefinger, and with a little tug got the reaction she was looking for. Taylor moaned for her-deep and resonant. It made her very wet knowing the effect she was having on her firefighter.

"Oh yeah! That's it my big...tug...strong...squeeze...lover." She whispered hotly to Taylor. "I am going to make you scream so loud the Amazons in the north will know what you are letting me do to you. Do you understand?"

"Um hum."

"And what do we say?" Candace licked the hairline again.

Taylor frowned. *What do we say? What is my regent girlf...ah.* Understanding hit.

"We say, ‘Please’ Your Highness."

"You are so good." She bit the tender skin under her mouth. "Now lay on your back."

Taylor went to turn over but was stopped by gentle persuasion. Taylor drew her brows together in question.

"What do we say?" Emerald eyes implored her suggestively.

Taylor smiled. "Yes, Your Highness." She turned her long frame so that her shoulders were square under her.

Candace scooted next to her lover and examined her subject. "Very nice. You appear to be in good health, but before I make any deals concerning your ownership, it is necessary that all of my potential servants endure a thorough exam. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your...Highness. But I can assure you that I am most worthy to serve you in any capacity." She didn't reach to touch her but blue eyes raked over royal skin in heated possession.

"I see. If I seek to be fed, will you feed me?" It was a simple enough question. Candace gazed at her in curiosity.

"Of course, Your Highness. I was raised very well. My mother taught me the art of fixin' 'southern fried chicken' and collard greens. You will never go hungry."

"Not bad. And if I need relaxation?" One eyebrow shot up waiting for the answer.

"My hands are skilled in the art of Swedish Massage. I will rub your body with scented oils to alleviate the tensions of your day." She lay still under the scrutiny of her lover but her body gave away her desire.

Candace waited to ask the next question. "Taylor, can you serve as my Champion?" Green eyes expected hesitation. She did not get any.

In her battle the day before, and the reconciliation of her soul during the night, left no questions in Taylor's mind or in her heart. "Your Highness, I am a fierce warrior and for you I would lay down my life. My sword is yours." Blue eyes were as steel in their conviction.

Candace accepted the profession with gratitude. "Well said, Warrior." Her seriousness then turned playful. "Taylor, if I should I need release, what will you do then?"

"I will make love to you until you are sated and then I shall love you again." She smiled sweetly and received a look so full of love for her it pained in her chest. "I love you, my Queen. I swear to serve you well and I will give anything that is within my power to give even if it is the life breath within me."

"Taylor, the only thing I need is you by my side always." Candace sealed her profession with a kiss and many candle marks of lovemaking.

=/~~~~~~~~~~~~>

Candace woke much later to the sound of Amazon drums signaling the mid-day beginning of the Champion's funeral. She realized that Taylor was no longer in their bed and she sat up. Sleepy eyes perused the room and found it empty of habitation. She scratched her head and flopped her hands down between her legs. Her very weak satisfied legs. She smirked. Her lover was something else.

Her thoughts turned to her tall gorgeous lover who was in a very trying position. She was dealing with Candace's feelings for another woman, and that woman's feelings for her. It really wasn't an important issue anymore. Xena loved and respected Taylor, and had told her as much after the bout with Creighton's men yesterday. The chemistry between all of them was something the blonde was having an interesting time observing, especially between the four of them. There was an unexplainable connection that no one could ignore. Gab loves Xena who loves Candace who loves Taylor who loves Gab who...it was getting confusing in her head. A piece of each of them belonged to the other. There was no other way to explain it. But Xena felt all of the connections the deepest and though she didn't know why this was, the regent felt this was extremely difficult on the warrior. She had to be going nuts feeling the emotional connection to all three of them. How Candace knew these things was a mystery to her, but she was certain of her conclusions after all the observations she had made. The thing she did know was that she loved her firefighter more than she had ever loved Xena, and that was a gift she would never soil in anyway. She also took solace in the fact that the Mighty Warrior loved and adored her Bard. *Weird. That's all it is, is weird.*

"Breakfast, Your Highness?" Taylor waited for a moment with no luck in getting a response. "Candace? Hellooooo. Sweetheart?" She put the food tray down on the table and walked to the bed. She sat next to her lover who jumped in response.

"AH! Geez Tay! You shouldn't sneak up on people like that! Gimme a freakin' heart attack." She swatted the firefighter on the arm and put her head in her hands to calm her racing heart.

Taylor laughed and feigned hurt. "Sweetheart, I didn't sneak up on you. You were on Mars with Terra and Skye, I think. I brought you breakfast and I'm having the small tub filled for you."

"I'm sorry." She was properly repentant. "What's for breakfast...and why is your hair wet?"

Taylor rose and retrieved the food tray. "For your royal breakfast, fruit with goat’s milk and sweet bread. I brought you butter too. What else? Um. Let's see hot tea compliments of Xena. And my hair is wet because I went for a bath with Xena, Gab, Mel and Jan. I was going to get you but you were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you."

"You saw all of them naked?" She was trying to be jealous but it just wasn't working.

"Bathing does require that one take their clothes off." She pecked her on the nose. "That Gab! Whoo, she's got it goin' on." She grinned teasingly.

"Uh huh. Ya know Xe is stacked." She could dish as well.

Taylor laughed. "Well, I do take after her you know." She looked down her nose at her munching wife.

"Yeah, I know. So you're telling me that they saw you naked, too?" Her green eyes looked almost troubled at that thought.

"Well...yeah. But with Xena there it took all the focus off of me. Girlfriend IS stacked and buff, man. I always thought I was pretty ripped. She puts me to shame big time. I can see why the attraction, Cand." She shook her head seeing the tall lean body in her mind’s eye.

"You know, Tay. I've been thinking about that. Not me specifically, but all of us. Now, it's not like we all want to get naked and have a massive orgy, but there is an energy there. Have you noticed it?"

"You have to think we are all of the same spiritual stuff. It shouldn't be surprising. We are all bound by a soul connection, so though ours, yours and mine, is an exact match there has to be some draw. I have a massive attraction to Xena, but not in a sexual way. I love her more than I could love a sister. I think that is because she is me, and that is difficult to ignore. Same with you and Gabrielle, except you two were one person for a time."

"You have been thinking about this. I suppose it's not that important, but it's so interesting. OK smarty, answer this, why is Xena feeling all this more than the rest of us?"

"I don't think she is, it's different because of her involvement. Her feelings for you are obvious for a good reason. You were married, and on top of that this soul connection thing we all have. It's hard on her for that reason. Xena loves Gabrielle, and you, and me. Poor thing." She huffed a laugh and popped a grape in her mouth.

Candace bit down on some sweetbread and thought about the reasoning. "Yeah, I guess you're right. And my Gabrielle…what about her? No, wait. I know I miss her, it's gotta be the same thing. And you little firefighter girl, how do you feel about Gabrielle?"

Taylor smirked in a shy kind of way.

"You like her! Ah! I spend hours and hours giving you my all, and my body, and you like another woman!" She was smiling and teasing her lover.

"It's not the same. She looks like you! What do you think?"

"I think it's one big bizarre, soul connection thing that is beyond explanation. Not to change the subject, but have we seen the new lovers this morning?"

Taylor laughed out loud. "Oh yeah! Terra has a huge bite mark on her neck. Not to mention perma-grin Skye shared with us some of the details until Mel asked her to stop. Mel, she's a work of art. She's like everyone's mom in a Xena shell. She took Skye aside for a long talk about appropriate and inappropriate breakfast conversation topics. It was great."

"Sounds like I need to get up earlier if I don't want to miss things."

"Don't feel bad. Gabrielle and Jan were still sleeping at the time, too."

Candace took the last bite of bread she had and gave it to the tall dark woman. Taylor took it from her and her lips brushed Candace's fingertips. Candace's insides lurched and she couldn't believe herself. She shook her head and Taylor smiled at her. The tall blue eyed firefighter leaned in for a sweet kiss.

"Mmmm. If I didn't need to get up I would...."

At just that moment there was a knock at the door. Taylor extricated herself from the bed, and let the small stream of Amazons bearing water into the hut. "You bathe Your Highness. I will be at the training rings with Xena. She's giving Terra and me sword drills."

"Taylor, please be careful." Candace looked at her with very concerned eyes.

"You think Xena's gonna let me get hurt?" Taylor crossed the room again and sat on the bed. "Honey, I have to know how to use a sword properly. I know I have had plenty of lessons from Master Lee, but I need practical application. I have never gone against anyone for real, and Xe's the best there is. Plus these swords are heavier and more bulky than I am used to. They move differently."

"Yeah, I know. And No, Xena would never hurt you. Just don't go against the other Amazons. Some of them would just as soon kick your uppity butt as look at you. Trust me on that one. Waltz in here as Escort to the Regent and you're not even an Amazon, ya know. One of them could petition for my hand and there would be nothing you could do about it."

"Let 'em try it. I'll give 'em a taste of what uppity women from the twenty-first century are capable of. By the way, Skye wants to talk to you about the quilt in the VIP hut. She wouldn't tell me why."

"Bet I can guess. It's probably the one Amira made as a wedding gift for Xena and me. She must have asked someone about it and they told her."

"Ah. Well, love I am off. Good thing I cleaned up before I did this. Wouldn't want to get all grimy without being squeaky clean first. We really only have a short time before the funeral officially begins. I don't know how they preserve the body for this long, but they are preparing it with the ceremonial oils now, and then the procession from the ancient Temple of Artemis to the pyre. You and I are walking, as well as, Gabrielle and Xena. We're royalty you know."

Candace waited for the last of the Amazons to exit the hut before she stood from the bed and stretched her naked body in front of her lover. *I am such a Tease* "Uh huh, that we are. I wish you could have known Senar. She was a lot like Xena. Strong, kind and one of the fiercest warriors I have ever seen. Wow! Plus, she loved Ephiny and their daughters with all that she had. It's such a shame. All that love just...gone. I am sure that Krista and Lineah are crushed. I need to go talk to them. I'll meet you at the rings after I see them. Kiss me."

Taylor stood and took her naked lover gently into her arms then placed a long soft kiss on her lips. She whispered in her ear just as soft as the kiss. "I love you." She looked deeply into the green eyes that held her captive. From her pocket she pulled a small rectangle box. "I was going to wait until later, but I never want to lose you to another, and it would pain me for you to never know how very much you mean to me." She bent on one knee before the naked regent. "Candace, I meant every word I said to you this morning. I would give my life for you, and so I offer my life to you." She opened the box that contained the most exquisite gold chain Candace had ever seen. "Will you marry me?" She was silent and shaking. Her blue eyes never wavered and moisture was beginning to form in the corners.

Candace was stunned. She stared for a long moment at the box and then into the most sincere blue heaven she had ever seen. Tears formed in her eyes. "Yes, Taylor. It would be an honor to be your wife."

Taylor flew to her feet and captured her intended in her strong arms and kissed her soundly. Their foreheads met and they kissed again. "I love you, Your Highness."

"And I love you as well. One thing though. Where did you get the necklace?" Curiosity was her middle name.

Taylor opened the box in her hand and removed the necklace. She placed it on Candace's neck and then kissed her. It looked good on the small blonde. "Xena. I asked her what I could give you as a token, and she gave me this. She told me she had gotten it as a wedding gift for you, but never got the chance to give it to you. I thought it appropriate. You don't mind do you?"

"No. I think it's perfect. I love you, Taylor. Now go get sweaty, and don't tell anyone! Let's surprise them." She smiled in all her naked glory.

"As you wish, Your Highness. I'll see you soon." Taylor kissed her, gave her butt a possessive squeeze, and headed out the door with a very light step.

"Oh my GOD! I'm getting married again!" She grinned hugely and placed her compact frame in the tub. "I just love baths!

=/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

Candace dried and dressed in all her royal garb. Her personal escort had brought her all that she would need for the day by way of royal accessories. She had so many feathers on she felt like a chicken. Her royal escort refused to let her walk alone, so she allowed the annoying girl to follow her everywhere including the bathroom. She really hated it, but it was the price one paid for being uppity. She walked to the Princess’ chambers not sure of what she would say to the daughters of Senar and Ephiny, but she would think of something. She instructed her escort to remain outside. She knocked lightly on the door and was granted admittance. She stepped into the chamber and nodded at the guard.

"You may step out." She waited for the woman to obey her, but she did not move.

"Warrior, do you have a problem?" Candace was getting hot.

"No, Your Highness."

"But I still see you in here."

"I am here under orders of the queen. I cannot leave." The guard stood her place next to the door.

"Let's see...Article 17, paragraph 4 'Times of mourning'. ‘If the Champion or spouse of a reigning queen is killed in battle, the queen is given to a period of mourning at which time the duties of her office are transferred to the Regent or Regent pro-temp.’ Now what do I look like to you?"

"Your Highness, you are the co-regent." Her snide reaction showed that she didn't put much credence in her rank.

Candace advanced quickly on the woman and stood squarely in her face. "Listen Sister, I am not here to play games with you! Get your happy ass outside, or you will be on all night patrol until they put a man on the moon. And trust me, that's a long fucking time!" Her green eyes burned with fire and the air in the room sparked with power. If the warrior thought she could get away with anything she had been sadly mistaken. That seemed to be happening a lot as of late, and this should nip that in the bud just fine. She hoped.

The woman was shocked and suddenly realized that she perhaps made a huge mistake. She bowed and begged her apology. "Your Highness, my sincere apologies. It will not happen again."

"You bet your ass it won't. Get out of here."

The guard quickly left the chamber and took her guard outside. Candace was shocked to hear clapping coming from the door of the sleeping area. She turned to find two very tall, very beautiful young women looking at her and smiling.

"Your Majesties, forgive my barging in like this." She bowed slightly in honor of their rank.

A tall blonde girl spoke kindly to her. "Aunt Candace, it really is you. And stop with the bowing crap. That was awesome! I have been trying to get her out of here forever. She has been here since...since Mom's death." Tears formed and she tried to hold them back. The gravity of the day was not sitting well with her.

"Krista, I am so sorry. Come here. Lineah."

The two girls approached their smaller aunt and the three embraced. A good cry was had by all involved. The princesses gathered their royalty about them and stepped back.

"My goodness look at you two. Krista, your what? Eighteen now? And my baby Lineah, a beautiful Princess and sweet sixteen. God I missed you." She started to cry again. This time for all the time she had lost with so many of her friends and family.

"Your Highness, it's good to have you back." Krista motioned for the three of them to sit.

"I wish it had been under better circumstances, but it's nice to be here. So, nosy me I gotta know...are you seeing any one? You know it's almost time for you to get hitched."

"I am...involved. I doubt that marriage is in the scene yet." The tall girl smiled at her aunt. Even at thirteen she had tried to set her up.

"And you Lineah. What about you?"

"If you are asking if I am seeing anyone, no. I am so busy I don't have time for anyone or anything. Mom has me studying sign language and protocol at the same time. Add to that weapons, strategy, politics, and the green phases of the moon, and well..." The curly blonde shrugged and threw up her hands.

"Green phases of the moon, huh? Sorry to hear all of that, but it will lighten up in a couple of years. Besides you are too young to get tied down. Live a little. Party!"

Krista looked at her aunt and noticed the necklace adorning her neck. There was only one reason for such a piece of jewelry. "Who is the lucky woman, Aunt Candace? That is a lovely necklace."

Candace blushed and touched her neck and the piece of gold jewelry that committed her to a wonderful woman. "Taylor. Her name is Taylor."

"And is she beautiful?" Lineah smiled at the blush on the regent's cheeks. *Must be more than just beautiful.*

"She is gorgeous. She looks a little like Xena." Candace blushed again. "She asked me this morning to join with her. I never thought I would find love again, and look at me…engaged."

"Best wishes to you, Candace." Krista patted the small regent's leg.

"How formal are you? I love you girls. Don't ever forget that. I never got to tell you the last time, and I don't want to be gone and not have you know that. If you need anything I can give, just ask me. If you just need someone to listen, talk."

Krista stood to her feet and paced the floor. Then she began to speak. With the guard being with them constantly, they had not felt it proper to voice their emotions. Candace rid them of that burden and she wanted to speak. And speak she did. "I miss my mother. I am so angry that she is gone! I want to kill the bastard that did this to my family…to my mom! Do you know what she is going through? How is she doing?"

"How is she doing? Don't you know?"

Lineah answered for her older sister. "They have separated us. We don't know."

"THEY WHAT? Oh! I don't think so. Come on." Candace stood to her feet. "Hang on a second." She walked to the door and mumbled words floated across the room. The two girls looked at each other and smiled. This woman would stand up for them.

Within minutes five bodies popped through the door. Xena first followed by Gabrielle, Terra, Taylor, and Skye.

"Hi guys. I have a job for you. You are now appointed royal escort. Regent in favor?"

Gabrielle wasn't sure what was going on but she trusted Candace. "Aye."

"Excellent. Seems the princesses here have been separated from their mother when they need each other the most."

"You're kidding?" Gabrielle was incredulous.

"Nope. And we're gonna fix that right now." She turned to Krista and Lineah. "Your Majesties, follow Xena. Taylor and Terra take the shoulder. Skye you have the post. Gab and I will follow up. If anyone tries to stop us, look threatening first, no violence. Got it?"

"Miss Candace, if they try to block our path, what then?" Skye wanted exact instructions so no one would get hurt needlessly

"Let Gabrielle handle it." She deferred all authority to the more senior of the two. Gabrielle nodded in acknowledgement.

"Yes ma'am." Skye looked at Candace and nodded as well

"We really shouldn't run into trouble, but with Amazons and protocol you never know. I don't recall any Articles regarding separating families during mourning, do you Gab?" Candace was still thinking.

"No. The queen is to be sequestered to the queen's hut, only to be visited by dignitaries and royalty. Last time I checked, a princess is royalty. Let's go."

The group exited the hut and was immediately challenged by one of the women standing guard. There was a slight commotion, and several women turned in curiosity. Jules was standing across the courtyard with Giva discussing the funeral duty roster, when her attention was also caught by the sound of arguing coming from the direction of the princess’ hut. She couldn't see what was going on, but it sounded serious. When she approached the group and saw who was involved, she was shocked that anyone would challenge them in any way, for whatever reason. You let royalty do, and ask questions or take it to the council later.

"Excuse me." She stepped up face to face with the warrior in question. Her voice was steady and threatening. "Reanna, are you stupid or just acting that way? Do you know who you are arguing with? Just because Candace and Gabrielle don't live in this village, doesn't mean that their rank is nullified! Stand aside and let them pass." The guard stepped aside and stood at attention. "You're going to spend the next two quarter cycles with Kimi studying protocol, and then after that you will spend three full cycles on night patrol, and then you will pull KP until I decide otherwise. Have I made myself clear? You're lucky I don't send your sorry ass to the brig. Get to your quarters and prepare for the funeral. Dismissed." She turned to the group who was watching her intently. "Your Highnesses, forgive my soldier. She seems to have lost her mind."

"Thank you Jules. You are commended. I will see to it that the queen is notified." Gabrielle nodded her head curtly at the commander.

"Thank you. May I ask where you are going? Just out of curiosity. I mean no offense." She knew these women were acting officially, or the tone of her interaction with them would be much different.

"We are taking them to see their mother." Xena's steady blue gaze told of the seriousness of their task.

Jules smiled. "'Bout damn time." She turned and walked away.

There were no more delays, and the guards at the door to the hut pulled the curtain back to allow the girls entrance without question. The six women followed and stood in the entryway. Ephiny turned quickly to see who had entered. When she saw her daughters, she cried aloud in shock and covered her mouth with her hands. "How did you...?" She looked to the door and saw her friends watching her with great love. She ran to her children, embracing them fiercely. The family grasped one another in tears of joy and grief. They were together, and it was the only ray of hope that any of them could see. Ephiny looked at the group that had done this for them. "Thank you. By the Gods, thank you." She turned back to her children to let them all begin to heal.

Tears sprung to the eyes of most of the group. Terra and Skye looked to each other. They now understood family, and this was a precious moment that they had witnessed.

Xena nodded them out. They filed out into the bright sunlight. Gabrielle turned to the Queen's Guard. "Thank you, for your duty without question. You are well appointed to your post. I'll see that Jules knows. Have a great day."

The warrior puffed up visibly and nodded her respect. "Thank you Your Highness. And may I say that what you did was a wonderful thing."

"It was Candace's idea. But, I thank you for her. Right?"

The blonde nodded. She was suddenly distracted by a group of women moving their hands about rather quickly. In the midst of the group she saw her favorite girl next to Taylor. Mikaya was signing away with her friends and didn't even notice the regent watching her.

"Cand, I know a lot of sign. Mostly from you, and what they're doing doesn't look very familiar to me." Taylor had been studying sign for almost a year, and was excelling in it, but she was confused by what she was seeing.

"Well, it has been five years. The language has grown ahead of what little I taught them. They have their own signs and ways of using context. I don't even get some of it, and I taught them. Very cool. Excuse me, Tay? You and Xena need baths and to dress for the procession. I'll meet up with you at the dining hall."

"Are you saying we stink?" Taylor raised an eyebrow.

"Uh huh." She smiled sweetly and Gabrielle held her nose.

"Nice necklace." Xena smirked and the two tall women walked away with Terra in tow.

"Nice necklace? What does that mean?" Skye looked at Candace and noticed that indeed she was wearing a beautiful golden work of art around her neck.

Gabrielle smiled. "I know that necklace. Did Xena finally give it to you?" She knew the story behind the chain, and never really wondered why Xena never got rid of it. She just couldn't let go of that regret of never having presented it to her. And now here it was; around the neck of the one for whom it was intended

"No, Gab. She gave it to Taylor who in turn gave it to me...when she asked me to marry her." Candace smiled broadly.

"She did? When? How? Oh my gosh! Xena knows doesn't she? That sneak!" Gabrielle grinned as well and hugged her friend.

"Oh Miss Candace, that is wonderful. I would love to marry Terra. How romantic." She beamed at the thought.

"Isn't it? OK. Let's see... She asked me this morning right before she and Xe went to play Mighty She-Ra..... She got down on one knee and offered me her life, and Xena didn't know until she saw it just now. I guess she and Taylor talked about it at some point, and Tay wanted something to give me as a token. Xena gave her this. I think it's perfect. Funny how things work out."

"Yeah, funny." Gabrielle smiled a secretive but affected smile.

"Hey. Are you alright?" Candace was concerned for her friend.

"I wish I knew." She sighed.

"What's wrong? I mean besides that we have to release one of our best friends today." She sighed recalling Senar and her family.

"It's that. What if we can't figure this out? What happens?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good. That's not what's bothering you is it?" Candace knew Gabrielle like she knew herself.

"You know it would be easier to keep secrets if you weren't around." She laughed. "It's Xe. She is feeling guilt and pressure that's not there. When we made love last night, it was like she was a little distracted. I'm scared. There is something in her that is pulling on her, drawing her. I feel it, too. It's like being pulled somewhere and not being sure where. Bad thing is neither of us know what to do about it."

"Gab, I promise we will find answers to these things. Taylor and I talked about this exact same thing just this morning. Watch this." She turned to the young blonde.

"Hey, Skye?" The girl had been watching the preparations for the funeral with great interest.

"Yes, Miss Candace?" She turned to face her friend.

"How do you feel about Xena?" It was an innocent enough question.

The blonde girl blushed deeply and turned away. Gabrielle's brows crawled as far into her head as they could go. *What is up with these women and my wife.*

"See? Let me ask you. How do you feel about Taylor?" This might be interesting.

"Well, I...she's...uh…" Gabrielle blushed without meaning to.

"I prove my point. You love Xena with a perfect love. I love Taylor that very same way, and as proof positive, our little love muffins last night. They love with the same connection, but there is a pull to the others as well. It's not as strong as our relationships, but it's there. Go with it. Don't try to fight your feelings. Let them wash over you. It's like liquid love surrounding you. There is an answer to this, so stop worrying. We will find them...then again maybe not, but who cares. It's not like we're all going to run around trying to bed the others. Skye you wouldn't sleep with anyone but Terra, right?"

"Oh no, Miss Candace. Miss Xena and Miss Taylor are both beautiful women but Terra is.... she's...wow!" The girl was remembering the events from the night before and blushing crimson.

The older women smiled. They understood 'wow'.

"You're right. I feel unfaithful though." She stared into the air not seeing anything.

"I can't help you there. Do you want to sleep with my fiancée?" She was not worried about it.

"Gods NO!" The bard was hurt by the statement.

"Terra?"

"No." Now she got it.

"Mel?"

"No." She laughed. Not that she wouldn't consider it but for some reason Jan seemed more her speed.

"Me?" She was teasing to get the point across.

"Well, maybe you." She cracked up. "Just kidding. No."

"Alright then. Get over it and it'll just be one big love fest!" She slapped Gabrielle on the back and grinned.

"Love fest, got it. You are so twisted."

"But you love me for it." She squeezed her friend

"Whatever. Go talk to Mik. We'll see you in a bit."

Candace walked toward the group of girls and signed her hellos. Mik's eyes lit up on seeing her former mentor. Suddenly Candace was inundated with a white furball that leapt into her arms. Lyceius tried to lick every spot on her body that wasn't covered with leather or feathers. His tail just about beat her to death.

"Slow down, Lyce! Stop." He was not being obedient in any fashion. She thought for all of three seconds when she looked at him sternly and signed to him <NO!> He looked at her and then calmed noticeably. Candace placed him on the ground and he immediately sat at his new master's right side. Candace was impressed.

Mik nodded her approval. And praised him. <Good dog.> When Gabrielle and Xena had left the village, they just didn't have the heart to take him away from the young girl. Mik had been thrilled at the gift, and took great care to make him a helper to her. Sometimes he didn't responded as well to verbal commands, but to see Candace was an exciting moment for him.

<Candace! Nice to see you!> She grabbed Candace before the blonde had a chance to respond and hugged her tightly. Mik had grown considerably and despite her age, was larger by far than Candace.

<Good to see you as well. I see that you tamed the little rascal. Finally!> The signer grinned and the old friends caught up on old times and new friends were made.

Gabrielle watched Candace and wondered at the woman. They were way too much alike. She grabbed Skye by the hand and led her on the path to the library, where they were sure to fine the rest of this odd menagerie.

"Where are we going Miss Gabrielle?" The small blonde was being dragged all over today and all she wanted to do was go back to bed with Terra. She needed a nap and she was horny.

"We are going to find Jan and Mel." Gabrielle didn't know why but the older women seemed to have a calming effect on the rest of the group, and she felt like she was going to explode from the pressure. With this thing about Xena, the funeral, time travel, hourglasses, and women from Mars, she was going slightly nuts.

"But...but..." Skye looked into Gabrielle's troubled eyes. "Miss Gabrielle, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

The regent saw the sincerity in matching green eyes and sighed. "It feels better just to know you care, sweetie." Gabrielle put an arm around her younger relative and Skye returned the gesture. They walked and talked as they went.

"Miss Gabrielle, I know this is all hard on you. You may think that we don't understand much, but we have been watching. Can you tell me when Candace and Xena were married?" She squinted in the bright sun as she looked at her friend.

"You know about that, huh? It's such a long story. I'll see if I can condense it for you. Several years ago I died."

"You died? What do you mean you died? You're not dead, are you?" It was as confusing to her as eating animals. Thank goodness the Amazons had vegetables.

"Well, I feel like it sometimes, but no I am not dead. I traveled through time and found Candace. She agreed to join with my soul, my soul shared her body. Understand?"

Skye nodded. "I understand now why you are in love with her."

The use of the words exasperated her this time. "Skye, I am not in love with her. I love her very much, but not in the way you love Terra. Do you see?"

"Miss Gabrielle, you are, but it is much deeper. You just don't see it as I see it." Her tone was not hostile or provoking. She only knew what she knew.

"Oh? And just how do you see it?" She was a little more smug in her reply than she wanted to be.

"I can't explain it. I can only feel it." The small masseuse shrugged her shoulders

"You feel this, too?" She wasn't surprised.

"I feel everything." It was said without pretense or pride. To Skye it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Everything? What do you mean by everything?" The bard in Gabrielle made it impossible not to get every detail.

"I mean I feel everything. Unless I close things out, I feel all of it. You, Xena, Candace and Taylor, Ephiny...."

Gabrielle stopped walking and turned the girl to face her. "Ephiny? Are you telling me you can feel everything everything. Like everything?" The gravity of what Skye was telling her was overwhelming.

"Well, yes, unless I choose not to or if I am surprised by something."

"So you mean to tell me you could feel everything that Terra was going through when she was being tortured?" How horrid that must have been.

"No. I couldn't feel Terra. I don't understand it, but she is the only one I didn't feel. Well, not until last night. Now I can't stop feeling her. Everything she feels, I feel. Like right now, she is embarrassed but in a good way. Xena misses you. Taylor is nervous. No, she's excited nervous. Huh. Wonder why?

"She's getting married. Skye how do I feel? Because, to be honest, I don't even know."

"Gabrielle, I can't tell you. I think you are not yet ready to understand those revelations about yourself. One day you will understand, and you will be glad that I didn't share them with you. I will tell you this, Mel and Jan are not who they appear to be."

"They're what? You mean like they're lying to us? Being dishonest in some way?" She didn't want to sound suspicious.

"No…nothing bad. They don't even know, and I am not sure what that means. They appear to us as one thing but they are another. There is nothing to fear. I suppose that all of these puzzles will be answered soon enough." She resumed walking and Gabrielle followed walking beside her.

"Does Terra know about this? I mean that you're an empath."

"No. You are the only one I have told. It is a little scary to tell people you know what they are feeling. I usually close myself off, as I don't wish to intrude on people's lives. Enough about this. Can we go back to why Candace married Xena?"

"Oh yeah. Let's see… we shared a body, came here. Candace and Xena had to fall in love to prove that we, she and I, belonged together, I know it sounds strange, they did, got married, consummated their union, and poof here I am and back she went."

"Back she went? You mean she fell in love with Xena and they got married and then she was just gone? How very sad." She caught herself quickly feeling the immediate sorrow in Gabrielle's heart. "I mean good for you, but Miss Candace...she lost. And you lost half of you and Xena lost her wife, but you got to be back together. Wow! It's no wonder you three have such a deep connection."

"Uh huh." It was all she could say.

"Don't worry Miss Gabrielle. I know how Xena feels. You own her heart." Skye smiled and for the first time Gabrielle's face lit up.

Some of the uneasiness she had been feeling left her. "Good thing, too. Cause girlfriend sure has mine."

The two older women were deep in scrolls when the two younger blondes walked through the door.

"Well, lookie what we have here, her Highness and the nymph...OH! Ow, Mel. Damn, I wish you wouldn't do that." Jan rubbed her shin.

"I'm sorry dear. My foot slipped." She smiled sweetly at her lover who glared at her.

"Uh huh. And I'm Tiger Woods."

Mel kissed her cheek and whispered an "I'm sorry" and something about the real kind of tiger she was and Jan forgave her rather quickly and growled. Having tamed her wild beast once again, she stood from the worktable and addressed their guests. "Hello beautiful ladies. How ah we this fine aftanoon?" Mel smiled brightly at the blondes and they both felt calm and ease wash over them.

Gabrielle put her arms around Mel's waist and pulled the tall woman to her. Mel laid her cheek on the golden locks and hugged Gabrielle tightly. She wasn't surprised that the bard needed a motherly embrace. She was attending the funeral of a dear friend today. It had to hurt no matter the circumstances.

"There there, deah. It's all going to be OK. You have to believe that."

"But, you don't even know what the problem is." Gabrielle squeezed her once for emphasis.

"It doesn't really mattah, does it? It will all work out for the best. It always does."

"I suppose you're right. At the time it just doesn't seem that way." She sighed again and wondered when her world was going to set itself right again.

"Gabrielle, are you depressed? I Swear to God, I never thought the Bard of Potedaia would be one to get PMS."

"PMS? You think I'm hormonal, Jan? Hum?" Even thousands of years in the past it was a sensitive subject. "I'll have you know that one of my best friends is dead, my wife's ex-wife appears out of nowhere, and we have been invaded by little green men. I DO NOT HAVE PMS!" She huffed and folded her arms across her chest, tapping her dainty royal foot, daring Janice to respond.

The rest of the women raised eyebrows and looked at each other and then shook their head in unison.

"Whatever, Your Highness." Jan flicked her hands and sat at the table with another scroll in hand.

"JAN. You are not helping." Mel loved Janice but she was a handful.

"I didn't know I was supposed to." She looked at Mel innocently.

"You're not deah, but makin' things worse is not what you should be doin' eithah. Come on girls and sit. We have found some more information...."

Her thoughts were interrupted by the blast of a staccato horn.

"I hate to do this to you ladies, but it is time for me to go. I have to meet Xena, Taylor and Candace, so we can get to the temple. Skye do you want to stay here or...."

"I need to...talk to Terra." She tried to use the same innocent look Jan had used just seconds before, but failed just as badly.

The three older women laughed softly. "Allllright. Jan, Mel, I will see you after the ritual. There is a celebration of life after and I am ordering you both to be there and get out of this library for a while."

"Ordering us? We aren't Amazons. What makes you think we'll listen?"

"While in the domain of Amazonia, all people, members or not, are subject to the sovereign rule of the queen and her court. I am a member of that court. You are here. ~~>X See the little arrow? Thus you are subject to imprisonment if you disobey the direct order of a member of royalty so long as The Law is not broken. You are ordered to the party...or else." Gabrielle took a deep breath and waited.

Jan shrugged. "Been in jail enough in my life. We'll be there, Blondie. Run along now and do your royal thing!"

"Skye are you with me, or do you want to stay here for a bit."

"I think I'll stay for a minute. I'll see you at the pyre. And don't worry Miss Candace. It will all turn out for the best. Terra said so."

"Terra said so. I guess we have to trust Terra." She smiled at the naïveté of her companion.

"She's always been right in the past." Luminescent green eyes sparkled at her.

"In the past." Here we go again.

Skye shook her head almost violently. "If Terra says something is going to happen it always does. She dreams about it and poof."

"Poof. Are you telling me she's a prophet?" She should be getting used to this.

"Prophet?" Skye didn't understand.

Mel and Jan watched and listened to the scenario unfold with rapt attention. This was getting interesting.

"Seer. Psychic...someone who can see the future."

"Yes, but not everything. Only some things, and then sometimes only pictures that show up later. She doesn't always know what they mean."

"Let me see if I have this straight. You're an empath, and your girlfriend is a psychic. This is getting deep." Gabrielle grabbed the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. She wondered if the nagging little headache she had would ever go away.

Jan's eyes widened. They had just been reading something about this. "Hang on there girls. Gab you need to go. You can sort this all out later. We need to talk to Skye, right now." Skye looked at her and then relaxed. They meant no harm. "It's important."

"Yeah. Skye when you first met Candace and Taylor, you were afraid of them. Why didn't you just let down your guard and feel them to see they were being honest with you?"

"Because hate can kill me if I let it in. I didn't know them well enough to want to feel them. When I was with the Owners I tried to never feel anything. When I did it made me very sick. Here," She spread her arms as if embracing the entire land, "here I feel alive and fresh. They violated my body. I tried not to let them violate my mind. Do you understand?"

Gabrielle was in awe of what this girl was telling her. They had to talk more later. "Of course I do. In my own limited ‘I'm not an empath or a psychic’ kind of way, but I understand."

"Gabrielle, have you forgotten your gift? You ah a prophetess. You have just chosen to forget." Mel looked at her kindly. "Run along my child before they try to arrest us for kidnappin' you."

"Right. Bye." She turned and sped out the door.

"WAIT!" Jan rushed to catch her. "I almost forgot. Take this and place it on the altar in the Temple." She handed Gabrielle a small box.

"What is it?"

"An offering of sorts. Just do it OK?"

"Sure Jan. I'll do it."

"Thanks. See you in a bit. And Gab?" Green eyes met hers. "No matter how I may seem or act, I love you. I always have. You never were the worthless sidekick. Don't you forget it."

"Jan? I don't understand."

"I'll tell you later, now run!" The older woman directed the regent away with the flick of her hand.

Gabrielle frowned and turned away. Women were so strange to her lately.

Jan walked back in the room silently. Melinda looked up at her knowingly.

"Did you tell her?"

"Yeah. And I gave her the chalice."

"Perfect. Now as for you little Miss Skye," Melinda turned her gaze on the younger woman. "Care to tell us your story?"

"You already know, Miss Melinda."

"Yes we do, but would you care to elaborate?"

"I don't know that much, but I'll tell you what I know."

And Skye proceeded to tell them the mysteries they had already discovered.

=/~~~~~~~~~~~>

Continued in Part 9.