SUBTEXT ALERT: YES, there is subtext in them thar words! Action nothing more than PG, but still this story implies that Xena and Gabrielle love each other in more than just a "friendship" kinda way. So if u just ain't into that, or it's like ILLEGAL where u live...either MOVE or hit the back button on your browser now please :)     Thank u! On with the story my friends.......

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     "Gabrielle......Gabrielle!"

     She reigned Argo in and fairly flew off the horse's back in her hurry to reach her bard.

     "Gabrielle! Thank the gods you are alright! I was so worried something happened!" she cried as she crossed the distance between her and the blonde in 3 steps.

     "Xena!" Gabrielle threw her arms around the warrior's neck pulled her lips down to meet her own.

     After a moment, the bard pulled back to gaze into her lovers' eyes, the eyes that held so much love and concern for her now.

     "I'm fine...." she said to Xena. "Everything is ok! Oh Xena....don't cry, I'm here, it's alright honey!" She reached up to wipe away the tear that had fallen to the warrior's cheek, then rested her head upon the warrior's shoulder, hugging fiercely.

     "I...I know, I can see that now, but gods i was so scared she hurt you. Even though Callisto seemed sincere, you just never know with her." she whispered into the bards' ear. "I don't trust her as far as I can spit."

     "Hmmm..." replied Gabrielle...."You can spit pretty far there Xena..better rethink that cliche." She felt the warrior begin to relax her tense body...then she felt a chuckle.

     Xena looked down to meet the eyes of her soulmate, and smiled into them. "You know, I think you may have a point there." she said. "But then again Gabrielle, you *always* have a point don't you darling?" She grinned, and brought her lips down to meet the bards' once again, immersing herself in the soft, sensuous feeling of them. 'This must be Olympus' she thought as her love for this woman flowed through her very soul.

     When they finally broke for air, Xena stepped back (not letting the bards' hand go, mind you) and drew her lover to sit down by the fire. They plopped down on a log, and the warrior looked questioningly into the bards' eyes again. Gabrielle knew it was explaining time. Xena wanted answers, and the she knew she had to give them to her.

     "Gabrielle...i know you have a way with words, but WHAT did you say to Callisto??"

     "Now now love, don't get your breeches in a bind!" She giggled...what a visual that was! "The herbs you gave her put her out, and then she seemed to be having a nightmare. I guess i just wanted to make her feel better Xena, I really didn't know i was doing it until she woke up and tried to get away from me." Her eyes took on a compassionate look as she remembered the moment. "I gave her something to eat, and then we just started talking."

     "Talking? Since when does Callisto *talk*?" This was a statement from the warrior, moreso than a question. "How did she get loose? I thought i told you not to let her go no matter what?"

     "I know Xena...I know. But you had to be there i guess." said Gabrielle. "Callisto started telling me all about her childhood....about what happened after you...ummm....did what you did." The warrior frowned, and Gabrielle noticed the change in her demeanor. "Honey, don't fret about it...it's alright now. The wheels have begun to turn in the right direction finally, and there is no need to relive the past anymore. It's over and done with." She pulled her warrior closer into a tight embrace.

     Xena sighed...."I know Gabrielle. She found me....we talked some. She seems to understand that it can't go on like this anymore. Honestly? I guess I can see it now too....I thought i saw it before, but i was fooling myself. Now i know it to be the only way. But Gab, i still will worry about the future....i mean, come on, how can she just swap sides so easily? After what she's done!"

     "Darling...." Gabrielle smiled her most beautiful smile as she remembered the day she met her Xena. "Look at yourself and then ask that question again."

     Caught! 'Damn this bard!' (a smirk) 'How does she always know just how to make me see things i don't want to?' thought Xena. "Point taken my love. I guess the next step is to find someplace for her."

     "I've already been thinking about that Xena." stated Gabrielle. "I want to take her to the Amazons..." Xena started to giggle, which became a chuckle, which became all out laughter within the span of a short moment. "Xena? Why are you laughing?"

     "Oh...no reason Gabrielle, except that i was thinking the same thing." She laughed a bit more. "I don't know whether I was thinking your thoughts, or you mine! Anyways..." she calmed herself..."I think it's a great idea. We both know she doesn't have to stay here at all, but in a way i think she really wants to. Besides, she likes the gods about as much as i do. I know this will cause a stir in the village Gab, but i have faith that you can smooth things over." She smiled again.

     "I'm not too worried about that, not with your dark and foreboding presence standing next to me." She laughed now too. "Face it Xena, you radiate compliance!" she grinned.

     "Oh is that it? I always thought it was just my winning personality." Xena replied with a raise of her eyebrow.

     "Yes yes, of course that's it." said Gabrielle teasingly, running a finger along the smooth length of Xena's jawline, caressing the full lips, and tracing the slope of her throat down to where the warrior's heart was now beating wildly..."But we can't just throw aside your 'many skills' either."

     "Gabrielle...." Xena croaked out..."Are you flirting with me?

     "Mmmmmm, maybe." replied the bard. "Question is, what are you going to do about it?"

     "I can think of a few things." said Xena, with a playful glint in her eyes.

     "Really now...hmmm." replied the bard as she stood, and held out her hand to her lover. "I think i wouldn't mind finding out what those things are." The passion in her eyes now unmistakable.

     Xena took the proffered hand and allowed herself to be led over to where their bedrolls were laid out, where they fell into each other with a reckless abandon that would have made even Aphrodite blush.

     "Xena, where is Callisto?" asked the bard.

     "Don't worry my love, she will be back in the morning."

     "Oh....OH my!" The bard's thoughts were cut short by the lips on her throat, and the feelings they were evoking from her. "Gods Xena, did anyone ever tell you you are soooo good at this?"

     Xena stopped what she was doing, raised her eyes to meet the bards, and replied...."Yes Gabrielle, but not anyone i cared to hear them from before."

     It was a simple statement, but one of complete truth, and Gabrielle surrendered herself to her warrior.....lost forever in the love and commitment now freely offered from her soulmate.