Subtext: Yes, most definitely.

Plot: I'm not even going to dignify this with a response.

Please feel free to let me know what you think: bardkelly@hotmail.com

"Making love is the answer, who cares what the question is?"

Gabrielle watched as Xena dispatched the last of the bandits who had suddenly come upon them. In an attempt to get closer to a tavern where a warlord and his men were causing trouble without being detected, they had been lurking in a dark, narrow alley. Two women slinking around on a dark night in a seedier section of the village must have appeared to be easy prey.

Xena watched as the last of their would-be muggers ran off into the night. She turned back to the bard expecting to bask in the glory of the smaller woman's admiration. "Took care of those guys without making a sound," she hissed with satisfaction.

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes at the warrior. Looking exactly as any irritated Amazon Queen would look, dangerous. Xena noted the bard's tightened jaw and the whites of her knuckles as they clasped her staff. The dark passage seemed to light up with the angry flash of her green eyes. She recognized that look and it didn't bode well. 'Uh, Oh,' she thought. 'My bard is very, very angry. At me!' Even before she considered finding out how she had so displeased the bard, she began to examine the possible ways in which she might be appeased.

Xena approached her warily. "Gabrielle?"

"I counted twelve," the bard said in a low, hurt voice. "Twelve," she stated again more firmly. Her blazing, green gaze pinned Xena where she stood. The warrior marveled that the look the bard leveled at her hadn't knocked her off her feet. 'A little more force behind it, and you could have a lethal weapon there, my bard,' she thought wryly. However, as the bard stepped closer, any amusement at the situation fled. Xena took a step backwards; thinking a tactical retreat might be appropriate.

"I did manage to knock one of them over the head before you horned in." Gabrielle continued to close the distance between them.

"I was only trying to protect you," Xena said confused. 'Why in the world was the woman so angry,' she wondered. She reached out to take the bard into her arms. 'Perhaps, the sudden attack had frightened her. I need to hold her, comfort her.' Xena smiled. 'Of course,' she thought silently, 'isn't Gabrielle always complaining about my not touching her enough?'

It was Gabrielle's turn to step away. "Not this time, Xena. We're going to settle this-once and for all. Right now."

Xena glanced down the dark passageway. "But the warlord and his men?"

Gabrielle interrupted. "What's more important right now, another fight or this relationship?"

The warrior's face paled. This time, she did manage to pull the bard into her embrace. She held her tightly as she answered. "You." she said solemnly, "You?our love, is more important than anything."

All of the bard's indignation fled at Xena's reaction. Laying her head against the warrior's shoulder, she looked up into somber blue eyes. "Oh, Xena. I didn't mean that as an ultimatum. You know I'm totally devoted to you." She kissed the soft flesh of the warrior's shoulder. "I could never leave you. It's just that I get so tired of you treating me as if I can't take care of myself. I'm not a child, Xena."

"I know. But, I was only trying to protect you." Xena brushed golden tendrils away from the bard's forehead.

Gabrielle sighed. "There's a difference between protecting me and smothering me." She reached up to place a soft kiss on Xena's lips. "I want a partner, not a mother."

Emulating Gabrielle's earlier action, the warrior sighed. "Some of the people we come up against all seem so much stronger than you. I get worried, and before I realize what I'm doing, I've stepped between you and anything that looks even remotely dangerous."

"I don't need superior strength. Even you have to admit, as a warrior, I have skill. My intelligence will even the odds. Remember how I defeated those who wanted me to lose my blood innocence and become the bride of Morpheus?"

Xena looked down at the bard dubiously. "But that was in the dream passages, Gabrielle. I don't?"

Exasperated, the bard pulled away and cut her off. "What if I proved it to you," she said passionately.

"I'm listening, Gabrielle. What are you suggesting?"

"A contest," the bard replied.

Xena frowned. "What kind of contest?"

"You give me a candle mark. If I can bring you down to your knees, using whatever means that I choose, then you admit that I can hold my own against an opponent."

Xena caught her chin between forefinger and thumb, looking at the bard consideringly. "Weapons?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "Hand to hand, you have to remain standing in one spot, defensive posture only." She was careful not to smile. The warrior had played right into her hands. "That is, IF you think you can handle it," she added as a clencher.

Xena nodded. "Alright, let's talk terms. What do I get?"

Now the bard was in her element. Even Xena couldn't boast at being a better bargainer. "If I fail, you'll never hear me complain about this again. If I succeed, it's equal shares in everything."

Xena smiled. "Meaning, I have to let you fight."

"Meaning, equal shares in EVERYTHING, " the bard said with emphasis, "fighting and chores? including the cooking." Gabrielle held out her hand, raising an eyebrow. "Deal?"

"With one concession," the warrior said shrewdly, "you never complain AND I never have to cook again."

"Done." Gabrielle glanced around. "Let's get out of this alley. We'll do this in our room." Gabrielle turned and began making her way back toward the tavern where they had reserved a room. Xena followed silently. 'This is going to be a piece of cake,' she thought. 'Now, what

should I request for dinner first?'

Upon entering their room, Gabrielle moved to set up the candle. She glanced back at Xena, pointedly eyeing her sword and chakram, before turning back to remover her daggers. She heard the thud of heavy objects connecting with wood as scabbard, sword, chakram, and various knives were placed on a stand near the door. Xena stepped into the middle of the room, taking a defensive stance, legs spread apart and knees slightly bent. She asked the bard, "Ready?"

Gabrielle severed the candle so that it would burn out in one candle mark and lit the wick. Then, turning toward the warrior, she smiled slyly. "Time's started. No moving from this point on or you forfeit."

Xena nodded, awaiting the bard's first assault. She was somewhat confused when the bard picked up a piece of fruit and moved to sit on the bed.

Xena glanced towards the flickering candle; it alone provided illumination for the room. "The tallow's burning, Gabrielle."

"I think it's time you had a lesson in tactics, Xena," Gabrielle said in a sultry voice. Making sure that the warrior was looking, she brought the fruit to her lips. She nipped the skin and began to flick her tongue at the exposed flesh. "Mmmm," the bard moaned sensuously. She brought her heated gaze up to meet the warrior's eyes. "So sweet and wet."

Xena's mouth went dry and she warily observed the bard.

'You're cheating, Gabrielle."

The bard smiled wickedly. "Any means that I choose, remember?"

As she watched the bard slurp at the fruit, making erotic sounds deep in the back of her throat, Xena began to worry. At this instant, she realized that she might have acted a little rashly when she agreed to what she had considered such an easy contest. Obviously, the bard had tricked her.

Setting the fruit aside, Gabrielle reached behind her back, unlaced her leather top, and let it drop to the floor at her feet. 'When had Gabrielle removed her boots,' the warrior mused absently. However, all of her attention was soon forced back to what the bard was doing on the bed. Raising her arms and arching her back, the bard thrust her breast out, stretching. Her movements were graceful, almost feline. Like a lioness sunning herself on a rock. 'And judging by that look in her eye, I'm the prey,' Xena thought.

Xena brought her tongue out to lick dry lips, her gaze resting on the puckered flesh of the bard's nipples. Gabrielle slowly rose from the bed. Her lust-filled eyes never once left the warrior. In exact imitation of the Warrior Princess she mimicked "Article of Engagement number one, find your opponent's weakest point," the bard murmured sensuously, intentionally using the military-assault jargon that Xena had been drilling her on earlier that week. She loosened the clasp and let her skirt and breeches slip over her hips, dropping to join her top on the floor. Stepping over them without a glance, she moved to stand before the warrior.

To Xena, she had never looked more beautiful, or dangerous, than she did at this moment. The bard looked luminous; her sun-kissed skin positively glowed in the candlelight. Xena felt her heart begin to race and her mouth begin to water at the sight. What had seemed an effortless test of her physical prowess, was becoming a contest of wills. She raked her gaze over the nude body before her. Wondering now, just who was going to win.

Gabrielle placed a gentle hand on the leather covering the warrior's abdomen. Stepping around behind the warrior, she pressed herself against Xena's back. Making sure that her bare flesh connected with the stretch of exposed skin between the tops of Xena's boots and the hem of her battle-dress, she ran her hands over Xena's midriff as she stood on tiptoe to whisper huskily into the warrior's ear. "Article of Engagement number two, execute a quick and unexpected strike to demonstrate your superior force," she mouthed, eliciting a shiver from the warrior. She slid her hands up to cup the intricate metal design on the armor covering Xena's breasts. Slowly, she began to grind her hips against the warrior's firm backside. She couldn't help smiling as she heard Xena's labored breathing. She quickly released the buckles that held the warrior's armor in place. Xena gulped audibly as it thudded to the floor. With nimble fingers, she began to divest Xena of clothing.

Xena unexpectedly found herself standing there wearing only her boots. She shuddered at feeling so exposed?so vulnerable; yet, so very aroused.

Gabrielle moved around the warrior to fondle her breasts, teasing her mercilessly. Then, she moved to sit on the bed. "Article of Engagement number three, offer a diplomatic resolution to the conflict." Reclining back on her elbows, she spread her legs wide to show the warrior all that she had to offer. "Come to me and we can end this now, Xena. Surely, we can both have what we desire."

Xena was sorely tempted, but resolutely remained where she stood.

Gabrielle nodded at the defiant look in her lover's eyes. "Very well, Article of Engagement four, advance before a proper defense can be mounted." Slowly, she ran her hands along her thighs and up to cup her own most intimate parts. Xena stared at the bard as she began to pleasure herself. She was definitely beginning to worry about her own sanity. 'The woman is trying to drive me insane,' the warrior thought in a panic, still unable to pull her gaze away.

Gabrielle threw her head back, the tendons standing out on her neck, as she moaned in her pleasure. Xena fervently wished that it were her own fingers that rubbed along the sensitive nub and down to dip into that warm, wet passage. She clamped her eyes shut as she felt herself waver. 'Not good enough,' she realized as she listened to the gasps and moans drifting to her from the direction of the bed. The vision of the bard's nude form writhing in pleasure was already imprinted on the inside of her eyelids and those sounds? Oh, they were making her so hot. 'Think defensive maneuvers, Xena,' she admonished herself. She brought her hands up to cover her ears, but couldn't block out the bard's cry as she climaxed. Gabrielle gave herself only a few seconds to recover, then moved to stand before the warrior. She knew that conquest would depend upon whether or not she could maintain a continuous assault on the warrior. 'And I AM going to win this,' the bard thought determinedly.

Xena's eyes flew open as she felt the bard's body press against her bare torso and, in a moment of weakness, allowed the bard to pull her hands away from her ears. "Interesting tactics, Xena," she replied. She reached up to gently nip the warrior's neck with her teeth. "Article of Engagement five, counter attack-stamping out any resistance." She placed the warrior's hands over her breasts, pressing hardened nipples into the Xena's palms. Slipping a thigh between the warrior's legs, she lifted it to rub against dark, wet curls. "Mmmm, you're so wet for me, my love," the bard whispered huskily. Xena couldn't bring herself to withdraw her hands. She began to knead the firm flesh beneath her palms as her traitorous hips began to thrust against the thigh that rubbed so intimately against her.

The warrior felt bereft for a moment as Gabrielle pulled away to kneel before her on the floor. Then her knees went weak as the bard reached up to spread her nether lips. Gabrielle began flicking her tongue around the sensitive bundle of nerves that she had found there. The warrior threw her head back, groaning in pleasure. Xena laced her fingers in the short silken locks of Gabrielle's hair, pressing the bard closer as she began to climb to heights where only Gabrielle could take her.

Gabrielle slipped a finger inside the warrior as she matched the thrust of the warrior's hips with her tongue. She allowed herself to suckle at the sweet nectar of her warrior's passion for several moments. However, the bard soon forced herself to pull away, sensing that the warrior was nearing the pinnacle of her pleasure. Breathing hard, she looked up to assess how well her warrior had withstood the barrage.

At the moment, the warrior was groaning her distress at the abrupt halt. She tugged gently on the short locks between her fingers, attempting to pull the bard's mouth back into contact with her aching core. Gabrielle resisted, shaking her head. Reaching up, she slipped shaky fingers into the tops of Xena's boots and pulled gently, silently asking the warrior to join her on the floor.

Xena glanced at the candle. There was still half a candle mark to go? She knew that she could never endure that long. Looking down at the bard, she was lost for a moment in the depths of her emerald gaze. Frowning, she husked out between ragged breaths, "You forgot Article of Engagement number six."

Gabrielle gazed up her questioningly. She hadn't realized that there was a number six.

Smiling as she read her bard's expression, she continued, "When outflanked and totally rousted, surrender the field to the victor." With that, she dropped to her knees before the bard. Xena was immediately lost again in the liquid green pools before her. Bending, she placed gentle kisses on Gabrielle's eyelids. Feathering kisses along her temple, over the line of her jaw and down the column of her neck, the warrior began to nip at a soft puckered nipple, lavishing it with her tongue before moving to attend its twin. The soft moans emanating from the bard only heightening her own pleasure. Reluctantly, she pulled away to remove her boots; Gabrielle waited, watching her with burning eyes. Xena shivered at that look of hungry desire.

Growling, Gabrielle pushed the warrior to the floor. The lioness had finally snared her prey. She met Xena's lips with her own and pushed her tongue in to taste the spoils of her victory. The passion and fury of the kiss eliminated what little control she had retained over her desire. She pulled away and swung around to straddle Xena's waist. All fury and abandon, she lowered her mouth to explore the core of Xena's passion. Dropping her chin, she rubbed it against the warrior in an effort to stimulate her sensitive nub as she drove her tongue into the silken folds of Xena's center. She was instantly rewarded for her thoroughness as she heard the warrior cry out at the sensations suddenly rocketing through her.

Xena gazed up at the flower of her bard's sex, which had inadvertently been laid open to her view. She knew that she would die if she didn't taste the dew of passion that had settled there. Curling her body up and grasping the bard's hips, she began to stroke the bard with her own tongue, attempting to echo Gabrielle's sensual movements. They lay sprawled there, straining against one another for several moments, tangled in the most intimate of embraces. Careening towards the edge of euphoria, they flew together into that wondrous chasm of sexual fulfillment accompanied by muffled cries of ecstasy. Time and space seemed to fold in on itself and fragment into a world of boundless sensation. In that brief moment, they were truly one.

Xena's limp form lay half under the bard for many moments. She drifted in the aftermath of Gabrielle's fierce loving, attempting to catch her breath. When she had recovered sufficiently, she stood and lifted the bard in her arms, carrying her to the bed.

"What about the warlord," the bard queried, content in Xena's arms.

"That can wait until tomorrow."

They tumbled onto thick, soft blankets as the candle burned out, shrouding the room with a sudden absence of light.

"Since you're going to be using them a lot more, I think we should review those Articles of Engagement again," the warrior murmured into the darkness.

Many thanks to my adopted Beta reader. I'm probably killing her with these love scenes-she deserves, and has, all of my sincerest gratitude? So, what do you think? Feedback is much appreciated.