~ Back in Our Teens ~
by Red Hope

Disclaimers: Violence: None whatsoever for once.

Subtext: Of course, probably always will be… but odder things have been known to happen!

Foul Language: We have a little bit of that too.

Copyright: I don't own XG but I do own the story line along with the rest of the characters.

Warning: This relies on a bit of imagination. Xena and Gabrielle are in their youth as teenagers. So try hard imagining them as a pair of wild young teenagers. ,laugh

Started: January 18th 2001, Thursday

Ended: January 20th 2001, Saturday

Series: Other

If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:

redhope@redhope.net

Section One

~*Part 1*~

Gabrielle slightly bent her knees, and lifted her heels up. She watched intently as the ball continued up the indoor soccer field. She grinned when she saw her best friend, Xena, steal the ball from an opponent. She spotted an opponent coming up behind her friend. "Man on! Man on!" she yelled down the field.

Xena just heard the audible voice from the other end of the field. She quickly stopped the ball as the other player flew past her. She smirked and bolted off with the soccer ball again. She gave a hard kicked and sent the ball flying off the wall.

Gabrielle chuckled. She knew how good Xena was as a soccer player. Xena was the best midfielder on the team or any other team for that matter. While Gabrielle was the best goalie in their league too. The pair had made a great combination during games.

Xena suddenly sprinted forward, and she took the open ball that had been rolling by. She swept past two opposing defensive players. She set the ball up, took a glance at the other team's goalie, lined up, and she kicked hard.

The ball screamed through the air towards the small goal. The goalie leapt for the ball but missed and the ball slammed into the net- it hit the wall behind and caused a loud boom.

"Wahoo! Go Xena!" yelled Gabrielle from the goal.

Xena sprinted back towards the center of the small indoor field. She flashed a bright smile to her best friend. She then was crowded by her other team members, getting highfives and pats on the back.

Gabrielle, the goalie, peered up at the scoreboard. It was five to two- Gabrielle's team was winning. She adjusted her gloves for a moment, bent her knees more, and lifted her hands.

The opposing team started by kicking the ball back to their midfielder. Then that midfielder kicked it to a forward. The forward raced down the field towards Gabrielle.

Gabrielle lined herself up while she kept tabs on her defense. She pointed at the center, in front of her. "Center, center! Who's got center?"

One of her defense players leapt into the center while the other defense player took on the opponent with the ball.

"You got it! You got it, Megan," encouraged Gabrielle to the defense player after the ball.

The opponent, with the ball, slammed it hard against the wall.

The ball flew off the white wall and landed into the center where there was an opposing player waiting- the cherry pick.

Gabrielle quickly moved as that ball was shot at her goal. She growled and leaped; her arms outstretched. Her hands wrapped around the ball, just mere inches from the goal, and she crashed to the ground.

Two opposing players rushed in, still intent on getting the ball in.

Gabrielle pulled the ball into her body.

The referee called, "Keeper, keeper!"

The small goalie rose up to her feet, studied her options of where to throw the ball as she tucked the ball into her right arm. She spotted one of the players she wanted to throw the ball to. She took steps.

"One... two...," hollered the referee as Gabrielle took her three steps. "Three!"

Gabrielle hurled the ball hard.

Xena turned into a bolt of lightening, as she sprinted after the ball thrown to her. She caught the ball on her knee, juggled it between her knees, and settled it to the ground.

"Man behind you!" screamed a team member.

Xena did a quick fake and the player coming up from behind zipped past her. She took the ball and kicked it at the wall in means to pass it to another teammate.

Well, the rest of the game was not that much of a challenge. Xena and Gabrielle's team won easily with a finishing score of seven to three. The team only needed to win another two games then they would begin their tournament soon.

At the end of the game, the team, with their coach, all sat down outside of the team booth. The team settled down on the concrete floor in a circle- they listened to the coach speak.

Gabrielle took off her colorful goalie shirt and tucked it away in her sports bag with the gloves.

Xena, who sat beside her best friend, lifted her legs up and continued listening to her coach. She was still breathing faintly heavy with sweat rolling down her body.

The goalie too was sweating from the extreme intense game. She always had a larger mental game than the rest of the players. That was part of the deal with being a goalie; playing a mental game.

Xena glanced at her best friend.

The goalie peered up and smiled before she placed her focus back on the coach.

"We have two games left... both next week, ladies," stated the coach. "We have to work hard Monday and Tuesday before the games." She scanned all her players; all eleven players. "This was a beautiful game today lets do this again on Wednesday and Thursday... our last games."

"We will," stated Gabrielle with a grin.

Everybody on the team chuckled and nodded.

"As long as you don't get hurt," teased Megan from across the circle.

"More like as long as Xena doesn't get hurt," joked the goalie as she bumped her shoulder with Xena's.

The taller young woman grinned at Gabrielle and said, "I think its best none of us get hurt."

The team laughed quietly but they had to agree.

"You're definitely right, Xena." The coach raised one of her eyebrows at the team members. "That also includes staying out of trouble over this weekend."

"Oh Hell," grumbled Megan, "I was gonna-"

"I don't... I don't want to hear it," cut off the coach as she smirked.

The team laughed.

"Alright ladies, let's get back to school. Get in the van."

The entire soccer team gingerly got up to their feet, got their things, the balls, and headed outside for the van.

The two best friends silently walked along side each other.

"Nice game," mentioned the goalie to her best friend.

Xena smiled softly and replied, "You didn't do bad yourself."

Gabrielle chuckled and whispered, "Thought I was gonna miss a few balls."

"Nah, not our goalie." The tall woman winked and went outside, only to get smacked with the cold air. "You had a lot of saves."

The goalie nodded while she adjusted the strap, of her sports bag, across her chest. "This has been a good team this season."

The older teenager nodded as she neared the van. "It has."

"And you know why?" teased the smaller, young woman.

"Hmmm?"

"'Cuz you're the middy."

Xena huffed. "I just do what I have to do."

"And you do a damn good job at it." Gabrielle shot a grin at her friend before she climbed into the van.

The midfielder grumbled and got into the van after her teammate. She took her sports bag off, and she threw it into the seat with Gabrielle.

The goalie took the bag, along with her own, and placed them down on the floor.

Xena flopped down in the seat beside the goalie. She relaxed back in the seat with a sigh, her body finally cooling off.

The coach was in last. She started the van and drove out of the indoor soccer ring parking lot. She aimed for the ramp to get on the highway.

Gabrielle slumped down in her seat and dropped her head against the seat. She closed her eyes since there wasn't much to see out the window but the dark night.

The taller teenager glanced at her friend. "Tired?" she asked quietly.

The goalie nodded faintly. "Been a long week."

"It has. Thankfully its Friday," whispered Xena. "Think you'll make it to the movies tonight?"

The younger teenager sighed and shrugged. "Yeah, sure." She grinned faintly.

"Get some sleep." Xena patted her friend's thigh. "It is a forty-five minute drive back to school."

"Yeah," muttered the small teenager.

"Come here." Xena sighed with a grin as she scooted down the long van seat to the edge.

Gabrielle chuckled, lifted her feet on the seat, then she laid on her back. Her head rested in her friend's warm lap. "Thanks," she uttered.

"Go to sleep," ordered the older teenager.

"Oooh, is somebody worn out?" taunted a player from behind in the van.

"Be quiet," growled back Gabrielle. "I worked my butt off in the goal, Sophie." Her voice was light and teasing.

Sophie laughed from behind. "Alright, I'll be nice." She kept quiet now.

"Thanks," deadpanned the goalie as she closed her eyes and tried to fall to sleep.

Xena brushed back her friend's short blond hair with a warm smile. She stared down at the younger female's soft features that glowed from the lights of the passing cars. After a sigh, she peered up and stared out the front window; her thoughts consumed her.

Xena was a Senior at the all girls, boarding, high school while Gabrielle was a Junior. Well, Gabrielle was suppose to be a sophomore but she was told she was too bright to remain in the tenth grade. So Gabrielle had been bumped up a year.

And Xena, she had been offered the same option but never took it. Technically, she should be a sophomore in college from what her SAT's said but she refused. The reason why? The reason why was falling asleep in her lap right now.

She'd met Gabrielle in her junior year when Gabrielle came in as a freshman. They'd been roommates, Xena had not at all been happy about it when it first happened. Gabrielle had been too talkative and asked one too many questions. After the first month, it almost drove Xena crazy, and she'd been prepared to get a new roommate. The only thing that stopped her was when Gabrielle had started crying- upset about being 'annoying,' as Xena had put it.

The older teenager, after having saw Gabrielle break down crying, instantly felt bad and promised not to get a new roommate. So the pair had decided to talk more often when either of them got on each other's nerves. That was also the point when the smaller blond teen begun changing herself, which had only made Xena surprised. The two teenagers eventually came to an understanding as roommates and friends, so the result was them becoming best friends. Since then, they hadn't gotten new roommates and they've been rooming ever since.

The pair now were 'inseparable' and were seen as one of the best friends 'couple' among the campus. There were always little, best friend couples around the school. The two friends that roomed together, ate together, went to classes together, and did everything together during the weekends. Xena and Gabrielle fit exactly under that status in the school.

Slowly, the van rolled into the small, boarding school and went to the parking lot.

"Gabrielle," whispered Xena, "Time to getup."

The other team members started piling out of the car.

"God she really fell asleep?" inquired Sophie.

"Yes I did," replied the goalie as her eyes opened.

Sophie laughed softly before she hopped out of the red van.

Gabrielle sat up and collected her sports bag.

The older teenager got her bag as well and got out of the van.

Next the goalie got out- the last person.

"Sleep well?" Xena slammed the doors shut.

"Yeah." The small teenager stretched her arms over her head while she walked away from the van with her friend.

"Sounded like you did," taunted Xena.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Gabrielle studied her friend and dropped her arms.

The taller teenager slowly raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no," grumbled the goalie, "I was a little noisy huh?" She shook her head as a laugh escaped her. She peered across the parking lot at her dorm.

"You snore quietly," teased the older girl.

"Rrright." The Junior grinned as they came to their dorm. "How much time do we have before the movie trip?"

"Uuuh..." Xena glanced at her watch under the floodlight. "About... thirty minutes."

"Shit," muttered the goalie. "Think that's enough time for those showers?"

"For me, yeah." The taller teenager opened the door. "For you, no."

Gabrielle went after she flashed a glare at her roommate. "I don't take that long."

"Huh." Xena strolled down the hall towards their room. "Last time I checked, you like to take laps during your showers."

The smaller girl instantly pushed her friend away. "Don't talk to me." She reached into her bag, she extracted her room key.

"I can do that," joked Xena lightly.

Gabrielle growled quietly at the joke and decided on a small revenge. So she leaped into the room before her friend could, slammed the door shut behind herself, and relocked it.

"Gabrielle," snarled Xena. "I wouldn't mind getting in my room."

The goalie smirked and leaned against the door. "Use your key." She took her bag off and tossed it beside her desk. She strolled over to her closet.

"I don't have my key," replied the older teenager hotly.

"Not my problem then," Gabrielle called back. She'd taken off her clothes and wrapped a towel around her body.

"Do you want me going to the movies with you all sweaty?" yelled Xena.

"Oh definitely," mocked the smaller girl. She came back to the door with her shampoo, soap, and a brush in her arms. She opened the door and smirked at her best friend. "All hot, sweaty, and sexy," she whispered sensually while just standing in only her towel.

Xena groaned and rolled her eyes. That was one thing about an all girls, boarding school... nobody was modest. And all the girls played off of being lesbians as jokes since there were no guys in the school. "Go get your shower," she ordered.

Gabrielle snickered while slipping past her roommate. "I'm going to go take my swim, excuse me."

"Don't drown!" called the Senior.

"I may just so you'll come save me," teased the smaller girl from down the hall.

Xena chuckled and went into the room. She hastily got out of her soccer uniform and wrapped herself up in a towel. She grabbed her shower supplies, closed the door behind, and went down to the large bathroom of the dorm. She heard about three other showers running, knowing that other students were preparing for the Friday night. She hopped into the last open shower.

Within ten or so minutes both roommates were out of the shower and heading back to the room. They'd changed quickly in silence.

Gabrielle pulled on her loose fitting jeans then slipped into a black tank top. She then pulled on a loose but short cut dark green, blue, sweater. She adjusted the sleeves before putting on her belt. "Think we'll have enough time for dinner?"

The Senior turned around from her closet. She stood in her jeans and had a white bra on. "Don't think so." She continued putting her small, silver hoop earrings. "We'll eat at the mall next door."

"Better than school food," murmured the smaller teen. She flopped down on her bed, which was against her roommate's bed. She put on her socks then slipped on her indoor soccer shoes. She quickly tied them.

Xena reached into her closet and pulled out a tight, low V-neck, maroon shirt. "Yeah, I've noticed you've lost a lot of weight this year," she mentioned before putting the soft shirt on.

"Yeah," grumbled the Junior. She finished tying her last shoe. "I think I've lost twenty pounds." She shook her head and stood up. "I am not the one to bitch about food... but damn." She sighed in frustration and turned to the mirror in her closet. She played with her hair. "Food sucks here."

"Uh huh." The older teenager started putting on her sneakers. "It use to be good in my freshman year."

"Why'd it get worse?" Gabrielle closed up her closet and faced her friend, whom was on the bed.

The Senior shrugged and stood up after she tied her shoes. "Change in management." She turned to her desk and pulled out her wallet. "Ready?"

"Just about..." The small girl grabbed her black, leather blazer; she slipped it on. Then once she had her purse, she brought the strap across her chest. "You ready?"

"Yyyyeah..." Xena snatched up her large black coat and headed to the door. "We need to go check in."

"Fun, fun," mocked the Junior as she left. She stopped right when she got out the door.

"What?" inquired the older teenager.

"Room keys," responded Gabrielle.

"Damn." Xena turned around and jumped over to her desk. She snatched up her key then got her friend's key. "Catch." She tossed the key.

The small girl caught her key, tucked it away, and headed into the dorm hall.

The Senior came out and closed the door after she locked it. "Let's go." She briskly walked out of the dorm and headed for the dining hall.

The pair went into the dining room and check in with the teacher on duty. Afterwards, they raced back down stairs to the lobby, they had to sign out before ever going off campus. It was just the way the school's protective system worked- they hated it.

Xena and Gabrielle then migrated to the bus for the movies and climbed in.

Gabrielle was first on and grabbed a pair of lone seats. She slipped in and sat down beside the window.

The Senior sat down next to her roommate and settled in. She watched other students come onto the bus.

"Yo Gabrielle, what's poppin'?" teased one of the African American girls.

"Hey Jesus," taunted back Gabrielle. "How's it gone?" She grinned at her friend in the aisle.

The African American, Jassie, just smirked. "Its cool, real cool." She chuckled and held her hand up. "Yo, you have to go see The Last Dance."

"I think that's what we're gonna go see," replied Gabrielle. She peered at her roommate for confirmation.

Xena grinned then looked up at Jassie. "You going to go see it, Jassie?"

"Hell yea," answered Jassie, "that movie is tight." She chuckled and added, "The guy in there is da' bomb."

"Hey Jassie, you wanna keep moving your black ass down the aisle?" teased another African American.

"Man yo." Jassie gave a drop-dead look to her friend behind her. "Whatever yo... I'm movin'." She continued down the aisle to get a seat.

Gabrielle chuckled and settled back into her seat.

"Where you wanna eat?" asked the older teen.

The small girl shrugged. "How about that Friendly's?"

"Sure." Xena sat back in her seat and relaxed with a sigh.

Soon the chaperone teacher of the movie trip came around the bus; she handed out money to each student for the movies. Afterwards, the white bus started up and roared off the campus.

"I hate this bus," muttered Xena.

Gabrielle grinned evilly at her best friend. "Why? Because its called the tampon?" she teased lightly.

"Part of it," replied the Senior. "Just because of how dirty and old it is," she complained.

"Tell me about it." The younger teenager sighed sadly and leaned her head against the window.

Xena studied her roommate for a moment. "You okay?" she whispered.

"Yeah." Gabrielle's response was a weak one.

The Senior sighed inwardly because things had been getting shaky between her and Gabrielle lately. "You sure?" she asked again; she'd been worried.

"Yes," replied the smaller girl. She lifted her head off the window and scooted closer to her best friend. She slipped her right arm through Xena's arm and gave a squeeze. She revealed a warm smile.

Xena smiled back softly but she saw the sadness deep in fragile, green eyes. She ruffled her roommate's damp, short blond hair. "Better be," she stated.

Gabrielle chuckled and rested her head on her friend's shoulder.

That was another thing about a girls, boarding school- the girls were a lot more 'touchy feely' as Xena put it. The girls entirely about hugging, sitting in each other's laps, and spending every second together. At first, Xena hated it and got very angry anytime somebody just randomly hugged her. But now, she 'd grown quite accustom to it, almost expected it and especially from her roommate. Since Gabrielle was a person that showed her emotions very physically. So whenever Gabrielle wasn't being 'touchy feely' with Xena, Xena then knew her roommate was angry or upset with somebody or something.

Slowly, the bus rolled in front of the movie theater and mall. It parked along side the walkway.

Immediately the students all jumped out of their seats and started filing out of the bus. Everybody went their separate ways with their click of friends.

"Friendly's?" asked Xena.

"Yup." Gabrielle briskly walked towards the mall with her friend, she wanted to get out of the cold night.

"Hmmm, I bet you already know what you want." Xena shot a smug look at her best friend.

Gabrielle stuck her tongue out before she flung open the large glass door. "You're just jealous." She went into the mall.

"About what?" The Senior strolled along side her friend. "That you have the Friendly's menu memorized and I don't?" That comment received her a slap on the stomach.

"Very funny." Gabrielle stepped into the entrance of the Friendly's. She waited at the hostess desk. "It only took me all this year to do it," she mocked.

"Oh, and I thought they bumped you up a year because of your intelligence," teased the older teenager; she stood behind Gabrielle.

"No they did because I memorized the menu," joked back Gabrielle. "And as I recall, you had a chance to be pushed up two years."

Xena laughed softly and grasped her friend's shoulders. "I did but I decided I wanted to finish my high school career off."

"Oh, is that why?" The Junior scanned in the inside of the restaurant for the host or hostess.

The hostess came up. "Two?"

"Yes," replied Gabrielle, "Non-smoking."

"Not really," whispered the older teenager, "I wanted to spend the last two years with you."

The smaller girl peered up at her best friend and deadpanned, "Ah gee thanks." She walked off, following the hostess.

Xena arched an eyebrow with a sigh but she followed far behind. She came to sit down in the chair across the tiny table with her friend.

The hostess handed out menus before she said, "Your server will be with you both in a moment." She strolled back to her desk.

The Senior opened her menu without looking at her friend. She quietly whispered, "Maybe I should have gone to college instead of finishing my two years here."

Gabrielle peered up from her menu. "What's that suppose to mean?"

Xena's ice blue eyes locked on Gabrielle. "What I am saying is..." She put her menu down and leaned towards her best friend. "You do not seem quite appreciative of me staying back these two years." She said nothing else and kept her eyes pinned on her friend.

"What?" asked Gabrielle hotly. She put her menu down now and narrowed her eyes. "That's bullshit."

"Oh Christ, I just, just told you why I decided to stay back." Xena shook her head. "And what response do I get? 'Ah gee thanks?' What the Hell is that?" Her voice was low and full of anger.

The smaller teen looked away and slumped back in her seat. "Sorry," she whispered and stared down at the table. "I'm just pissed," she muttered.

"About what?" asked the Senior in a worried voice.

"Nothing." Gabrielle shook her head and peered up right when the waiter came over.

"What can I get you two to drink?"

"Ice tea," replied Gabrielle.

"The same for me," answered Xena and she watched the man leave. She glanced back at her roommate. "Its not a nothing Gabrielle, if you're getting this upset."

"It is nothing... will be," said Gabrielle. She grabbed her menu. "Just drop it huh? Not worth it."

Xena sighed inwardly but didn't carry on the conversation. She lifted her menu and debated on a meal.

The smaller teen selected what she wanted, slowly closed up the menu, and placed it on the table. She sat up in her seat and removed her purse and leather jacket. She put them on the back of her chair before she folded her arms and relaxed back in her seat. She watched the waiters and waitresses milling around.

The Senior had picked out what she wanted and closed up the menu. After the menu was back on the table, she studied her best friend. "Next weekend I have to go visit my college," she mentioned.

"Yup." Gabrielle nodded and focused her attention on Xena. "When you planning to leave?"

"Probably next Friday... fly back on Monday."

The younger student nodded once more and shifted in her seat faintly. "California is nice."

Xena laced her hands together, her elbows on the table, and she lowered her chin onto her hands. "It is," she whispered. "Maryland is a little nicer though."

The Junior shrugged. "I guess." She looked away from Xena as their server came up.

"Ready, ladies?"

"Yeah," replied Gabrielle.

The two teenagers gave their orders then the waiter left with the menus. They silently sat for a few moments before anybody decided on a new conversation.

Xena lowered her eyes to her silverware. She picked up the fork and fiddled with it while she said, "You'll be looking for a college next year."

"Yeah."

The Senior lowered the fork back down and glimpsed at her friend. "Any ideas?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "Whatever college has a nice English program."

"Princeton." Xena tilted her head. "Its in New Jersey... not too far."

The younger teenager shook her head. "I am not smart enough for Princeton."

The tall girl arched a dark eyebrow as she sat back in her seat. "Oh no... you were only pushed up a grade because you're too bright." She folded her arms while a grin creased her lips. "And you're only in all A.P. classes."

"Except for one," countered Gabrielle.

"Astronomy?" Xena chuckled and smiled warmly. "You and I both." She tilted her head. "Actually Princeton may be too easy for you."

Gabrielle huffed and peeked up at her roommate. "Really?" A tiny grin tweaked her lips.

"Definitely," stated Xena confidently. "Go to... Davidson or Bard."

"Bard is in New York?"

The older teen nodded. "Yeah, right along the Hudson."

Gabrielle shrugged. "Doesn't really matter right now. Don't have to worry about colleges."

"Hmmm, it'll come faster than you think."

The Junior just simply nodded with no other response because college was never her topic of choice. It just wasn't a topic she enjoyed talking about whatsoever.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle stepped into the dorm first- she was in a bad mood.

Xena followed in as the door behind her slammed shut loudly. She cringed inwardly but staggered behind her best friend towards the room.

"Hey Gabrielle!" called a girl from the lobby.

The Junior stopped in her tracks and went into the lobby. "Hey Megan, what's up?"

"Notten much, girl." Megan spotted Xena behind Gabrielle. "Why don't you both sit down." She was already sprawled out on one of the sofas.

"Waiting for a phone call?" inquired the smaller girl as she sat down.

"Yup."

The tall Senior sat down in a couch across from Gabrielle, she kept silent.

"You two just get back from the movie trip?" asked Megan.

"Yeah, we saw Save the Last Dance."

"Really." Megan perked up. "Was it any good?"

Gabrielle nodded and slumped down in her seat. "It was, I mean you could tell what was going to happen."

"Oh man yo, I hate those kind of movies." Megan shook her head. "Dumb shit when you can figure out the plot."

The Junior dropped her head back into the sofa's headrest. "But it was still good."

"Yo, if you wanna go waste eight bucks to see a movie that you can basically guess what's gonna happen next. Then knock yourself out. I ain't neva like that shit."

Gabrielle laughed softly. "Meg, the guys were pretty hot in it."

Megan raised an eyebrow and crossed one ankle over the other. "Yeah ain't they got that dude… ah crap I can't remember his name."

"Short black guy with a real square like face?" questioned the smaller girl.

"Yeah, that be him." Megan laughed while a grin shaped her lips. "Damn, I'll admit he's pretty tight."

Gabrielle grinned evilly. "Depends on what kinda tight you're talking about, Meg."

Megan started laughing hard and she closed her eyes.

Xena watched the exchange and the way her best friend was ignoring her. She laced her hands together in her lap and kept watching.

"Yo, that was some funny shit." Megan settled back down and grinned at Gabrielle. "Amanda shoulda' neva said that around you."

The Junior laughed softly and nodded a few times. "Well, I knew tight meant like cool but not…"

"Not like tight ass or sexy huh?" Megan chuckled before she sighed contently. "Amanda jus' doesn't use her damn head."

"But that's Amanda for you," countered Gabrielle.

"For real," agreed Megan.

Xena glanced over at her roommate. "I'm gonna go head to bed."

Slowly, Gabrielle turned her attention to Xena as if she'd noticed Xena there for the first time. "Alright."

The Senior got up and quietly left without another word.

Megan looked away from Xena's back when she left. She gave a confused expression to Gabrielle. "What's up with her?"

"Nothing."

"Nothin'?" Megan shook her head. "Yo, that wasn't no nothin'." She smirked. "Somebody ram a stick up her ass or somethin'?"

"Somethin' like that, Meg." The small girl sighed while she slumped more into her seat.

"Yo, go get some sleep too." Megan lifted her watch up. "It's almost midnight anyways. I know you're damn tired after the game today."

"Nah, I'll be alright." Gabrielle spread her legs out and slipped her hands into her leather jacket's pockets. "I'll wait till your boyfriend calls."

"You sure?"

The shorthaired blond shrugged. "Hell why not?" She laughed quietly.

Megan shot a grin back and rolled onto her side on the sofa. She rested her head on her arm.

"So tell me what's been happening with you and your boyfriend."

Megan shut her eyes as the groan escaped her lips. "Yo, you don't wanna get into this stupid topic."

"Come on," Gabrielle persisted.

Megan laughed at her friend. "Alright yo, if you wanna put up with it."

"I can handle it," stated the Junior.

~*~*~*~

Xena glanced at her clock on her night stand- its was one thirty in the morning. She sighed and turned her head on the pillow, she watched more of the show on her television. Gabrielle hadn't come into the room yet, which surprised her considering how tired her friend was earlier.

The tall teen rolled out of her bed and shifted to the television. After the television was off, she quickly changed into her sleeping attire, which consisted of a tee-shirt and soft sports pants. She ran her fingers through her hair; she debated on whether to go to bed or go get her roommate. Almost ready to crawl into the bed, she thought different.

Xena left the room and strolled down to the lobby of the dorm. She peeked in.

Megan was talking on the phone while Gabrielle was sound asleep in the other sofa.

Megan noted Xena and said, "Yo, hold on for a minute." She pulled the phone away and covered the speaker. "She fell asleep about half an hour ago."

The tall Senior strolled over to her best friend. "You talked her ear off," she teased quietly.

Megan laughed faintly. "Yo, she was tired. Wake her up and get her to bed."

"I am not about to wake her." Xena bent forward and slipped her arms under her roommate. Once she straightened up, she pulled Gabrielle in close to her own body.

Megan gaped. "Yo, how can you…" she trailed off while Xena walked out of the lobby.

"Goodnight, Meg."

"Yeah, goodnight, Xena." Megan shook her head and lifted the phone back up. "Yo, you shoulda' just seen this shit. This real tall girl from my soccer team just picked up her best friend." She shook her head. "No yo, I ain't shittin' ya."

Gabrielle moaned softly and opened her eyes. She quickly realized she was 'up in the air' and panicked. "What?"

"Sssh, relax." Xena smiled warmly at her best friend. She lifted her head and saw the open door to their room.

The smaller girl was rather sleepy and just tucked her head into her friend's body.

The older teenager carried her roommate over to her bed and carefully deposited her into the bed. She then carefully lifted her friend up and removed the leather purse and jacket.

Gabrielle opened her eyes faintly again and helped her best friend take off the jacket.

Xena slung the coat over one arm and shifted to the foot of the bed. She slowly slipped off her friend's black boots and put all the articles on Gabrielle's desk chair. Once back at the bedside, she pulled the covers over Gabrielle.

The younger teen smiled softly. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Welcome." The Senior reflected the smile and brushed her friend's hair aside. "Get some sleep." She was about to move but her roommate's voice stopped her.

"Xena, I'm sorry about tonight."

The tall girl turned back around as her expression increasingly softened. "Its alright… I knew you didn't mean it."

Gabrielle grasped the other girl's larger hand. "I did, in a small way." She sighed and squeezed her friend's hand. "I just wish you could be here another year."

Xena sighed deeply and knelt down. "Me too but I gotta move on." She rested her chin on the bed while she stared into sleepy, green eyes. "But that's why I stayed the extra two years," she whispered.

The small girl bobbed her head; she creased her lips with a smile. "I'm really happy you have… I do appreciate it," she whispered.

"I know." Xena squeezed the small hand. "Get some sleep huh?"

"Yea."

The tall girl rose up while she released the small hand. She noted her friend instantly going back to sleep and it made her chuckle. She went around to the bed and made her way near the door. She flicked the light switched out, closed the door, strolled over to her bed, and sat down. Once the alarm clock was in her hands, she started setting the time for twelve o'clock. Afterwards, Xena tucked herself into her bed. And that was when she fell to sleep of thoughts of Gabrielle and her relationship with Gabrielle.

~*Part 2*~

Gabrielle strolled into the room with her hands over her head- she was stretching. She flopped down on her made bed. "Breakfast wasn't too bad," she mentioned plus dropped her arms.

Xena closed the door behind. "For once," she joked. She sighed and sat down in her desk chair; she faced her best friend. "What you gonna do this afternoon?"

"I think I may go to the fitness room down in the gym," answered the Junior. "You got that huge paper to write huh?"

The tall girl sighed dramatically and slumped in her seat. "Yeah… I need to work on it some." She stretched her legs out under the desk. "You're not going out tonight?"

"Nah, amazingly." The younger teen grinned because Saturday nights were normally when she liked to go out. "I'll just spend the night with you."

"Oh yippee," whined Xena. "Let me just tell you how… thrilled I am." She revealed a smug expression.

"Good to hear," retorted the tiny girl. "We'll have some major bonding time," she taunted.

"Damn, do I have enough Advil?" muttered the Senior. "Otherwise I may not make it through tonight."

"That's it," growled Gabrielle. She jumped off her bed and plunged forward into her friend.

"Oh shit!" hollered Xena as she went tumbling out of her seat and onto the floor, her friend on top of her. She gave her friend a smirk. "So, what you planning on doing now?" she inquired.

"The only tactic I know of for revenge." Gabrielle's hands instantly went to her friend's sides; she tickled the older teen.

"Gabrielle," growled the Senior before the laughter over came her. She wrapped her arms over her stomach, trying to pry her roommate's hands away. "Stop… stop," she moaned and closed her eyes.

"No way, no how until you apologize." The shorthaired blond continued her tickling revenge.

"Alright… alright." She felt her small friend ease up on the tickling, and she whispered, "I will thoroughly enjoy tonight with my special roommate." She just held back her snicker and evil look.

"Much better." The Junior patted the other girl's stomach then got off her.

Xena grinned and slipped her hands under her head- she stayed on the floor. "Going to go work out?"

"Yeah, I think so." The small girl made her way to her closet. "Go pump some muscles."

"How about I come by after a few and get you?"

Gabrielle turned her head sidelong to Xena. "For what?"

The older teen shrugged. "We could go for a walk." She sighed and added, "Its fairly warm out."

"Sure, sounds good to me." Gabrielle still wore her clothes from last night so she changed out of them and put on her sports clothes. "You're going to work on your paper?"

"Yeah," grumbled the Senior. She stood up and knelt down beside her desk. She pulled out her laptop from it's case. Getting her English book, she hopped into her bed with the laptop and book.

The shorthaired blond pulled on her smurf blue sports pants and grabbed a black tank top. She tossed her shirt on the bed and sat down. Her shoes reappeared from under the bed, and she put them on. "Think you'll need any help with it?"

Xena shook her head while she crossed her legs. She booted up her laptop and positioned it in front of her. "I'll be alright."

Gabrielle stood up, grabbed her tank top from the bed and strolled in front of her friend's bed. "You sure?" She shrugged as she fiddled with her shirt. "I can proof read it for you."

The Senior peered up from the laptop's screen and found her friend was just standing in sports pants and a bra on. "Um…" She instantly lowered her eyes to keep herself from staring at her friend's muscular stomach. "Maybe you should, Grammar Queen." She licked her lips and kept her focus on the screen.

Okay, that was odd. When hasn't Xena seen me like this? Gabrielle put on her tank top; she felt partially subconscious now. "Alright." She strolled over to the door. "You'll come by?"

"Yup." Xena lifted her attention to her best friend. "Take your fleece coat," she ordered with a warning look.

Gabrielle groaned and walked backwards to her closet. She reached in a pulled out her forest green fleece. "Happy?"

"Only if you take your room key."

The small girl grabbed her purse off her desk seat and sifted through it. She pulled out her keys and put them into her fleece coat. "There, I'm out of here." She grinned at her roommate as she went to the door.

The older teen chuckled and said, "Bye."

"See ya." Gabrielle exited out of the room and headed for the fitness room.

~*~*~*~

Xena tucked her hands into her coat pockets. She entered the small fitness room and spotted her roommate jogging on one of the treadmills. The small white radio over in the corner was blasting with alternative music. Quietly, she strolled over to her friend and smiled up at her. "Running so much and getting no where fast."

Gabrielle casted a glare for the comment.

The taller girl chuckled and asked, "Ready to break?"

For an answer, the small girl hit the stop button on the tread and hopped off. She'd moved too quickly since her body was still on the treadmill. She stumbled a little.

Xena wrapped her arm around her friend's waist and steadied.

The Junior chuckled and sighed. "I hate that about treadmills." She grinned up. "Feel like I am still on the thing."

"That's why I'd actually rather run than treadmill the distance."

"Don't blame you," she mumbled while she leaned against Xena. "How is the paper going?"

"Its going," muttered the Senior. "Definitely time for a break."

"Alright, alright." Gabrielle released her best friend, turned off the radio, and picked up her fleece jacket from the chair against the wall. "Ready?"

"Yup." The older teen migrated out of the fitness room, went up stairs, then outside.

Gabrielle came up along side her friend while she put on her fleece jacket in the chilly day. "Where to?"

"I think we can make it down to the bike trail and back before dinner," decided the Senior.

"Sounds good." The shorthaired blond tucked her hands into her pockets and lifted her left arm up.

The older girl simply slipped her arm through her friend's and together they climbed the steps to the campus loop-road.

The pair strolled down towards the hall where they had to sign out. Once inside the building, they went to the small binder book and both signed out. After they linked their arms once more, they headed off campus and down the windy road that led to and fro their school.

"Xena…" She peeked up with soft green eyes. "Do you really have to go all the way out to California for college?"

The Senior breathed strongly and released her breath at a slow rate while she considered. "Probably."

The smaller girl shook her head and stared down the long road. "You did apply to that Gettysburg College didn't you?"

"Yesss." Xena gave her friend a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine without my next year." She grinned and tugged her roommate closer. "You'll be a big Senior."

"I wouldn't count on that," the blond murmured lowly but Xena had heard her.

"Its not like we won't see each other again," stated the older teen. "I will be there for your graduation."

Gabrielle sighed and dropped her head. "Call me a little attached but damn next year will suck without you around."

"You'll be fine without me," promised the older one.

"You cannot go to Gettysburg?"

"Gabrielle… I haven't even gotten an acceptance letter back."

The smaller roommate was silent, she listened to their shoes pounding lightly on the paved road. "If you get accepted… would you go there instead?"

"Gettysburg isn't challenging enough for me," replied Xena. "It's just my backup."

Gabrielle stopped her attempts at changing things. She just stared down the road while she walked along with her friend.

"Let's walk down the bike trail a little ways," suggested the older teen.

The Junior nodded and turned down the bike trail.

Xena sighed at the rupturing silence between her and her best friend, whom she loved so dearly. She stopped, pulled her arm free, and faced her friend. "What is it, Gabrielle?" She grasped the younger teen's arms, the desperation clear in her sky swirling eyes. "What's got you so scared?"

Gabrielle dropped her head and stared mindlessly at the ground. "Its nothing."

The Senior delicately placed her fingertips under her roommates soft chin. She raised Gabrielle's head and examined fearful green eyes. "Please… tell me."

"Its-"

"A big something," cut off Xena. "Don't lie to me, please."

"I just… I just…" Gabrielle shook her head as her body trembled. "I can't lose you." That fear screamed through her body and mind, so she moved in to hold onto her best friend.

The Senior pulled her roommate in very tightly while she swayed their bodies. "You're not going to lose me," she whispered.

"Yes I will." The short teen quivered and buried her head into her friend's chest. "You going to be across the country- busy as Hell." She lifted her head. "You'll probably find a better best friend." A few diamonds trickled down her flushed cheeks. "I will lose you," she whimpered.

"You will not," countered Xena. "You know I'll keep in touch and come visit." The palm of her hand touched Gabrielle's face and she wiped away the tears with her thumb. "I'll never find a better best friend than you." Even she was feeling that dropping feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was as if California meant Gabrielle's death.

"God please Xena don't go," begged Gabrielle. Her tears matched her bitter fear. "Please… please."

"Sssh." The older woman's eyes were wide in pure worry of what to do. She grasped her friend's hips and knelt down so she had become eye level. "What is it?" she asked carefully. "We're just… friends." She tilted her head as the misunderstanding flashed in her eyes.

Gabrielle combed her hair back- the nervousness flared up inside. "I don't… I don't know."

"Yes you do." The Senior released her roommate's hips and took her smaller hands. "Why makes you think you need me? You're a big girl," she teased in hopes of relaxing her friend.

The younger teen chuckled nervously and looked everywhere but at Xena.

"Come on, this is your best friend."

The Junior focused her eyes onto the other teenager. "I… I…" She shook her head; her confidence not strong enough to let her express herself.

"Please Gabrielle, you may not get a second chance to tell me." Xena pinned her friend's eyes on her. She gave a strong squeeze to her best friend's hands. "I… care about you, help me out."

Gabrielle breathed steadily and quietly whispered, "I… I…" She closed her eyes, relaxed her mind and body, and sucked in a deep breath. This is no way to tell her. She incased herself in that thought, reopened new confident eyes, and she steadied her breathing. "Xena, I think… well I pretty sure." She stopped and laughed nervously. "I think I am in love with you," she whispered so slowly that the world had to stop right along with Xena's breathing.

Xena laced her hands through her friend's and laughed nervously now. "Can… can you repeat that?" she questioned softly.

The Junior relaxed in a deep breath and repeated what she'd meant. "I'm in love with you." Her voice came out stronger and true.

A profound smile gradually bloomed onto Xena's lips as she rose up to her full height. She released her friend's hands and grasped Gabrielle's hip while her other hand gently caressed Gabrielle's cheek.

"Xena?" Gabrielle searched her roommate's eyes in hopes to find a response to her confession.

Xena gave the comfort in her eyes as her fingers combed through short blond hair. She left her hand behind her friend's head. She lowered her head some but stopped.

The smaller teenager encircled her friend's hips in hopes it would settle her fears.

The Senior felt love wash over her stronger than ever before. She carefully finished the distance and pressed her lips into smooth, warm lips. That was about all she could do before she pulled back her head some.

Both friends smiled then laughed nervously.

Gabrielle reached behind and tangled her fingers into panther black hair and pulled her friend's head back down. She touched her lips against Xena's intoxicating lips for a second before she built up the confidence to further the kiss. She opened her mouth for the invite.

Xena glided her tongue into her friend's warm mouth. Her own tongue brushing over Gabrielle's as they tasted each other.

Gabrielle moaned in between kiss and clung onto Xena for support. The tingling in her stomach exploded and vibrated up and down her body.

Gradually, Xena brought her tongue back into her mouth but not without inviting her friend into her own mouth.

Gabrielle slipped her tongue into the older one's hot mouth. She teased Xena with her tongue.

Xena whimpered softly.

Gabrielle lightened the kiss and started pulling away.

The older teen sighed softly and left her forehead pressing against Gabrielle's. She tried controlling her breathing.

Well, Gabrielle was doing the samething- never expecting the kiss to be that intense. "Okay… wow," she uttered and broke the silence.

"Uh huh… wow is right," agreed the Senior.

The shorthaired blond lifted her head up and asked gently, "So it's a good thing that you kissed me?"

Xena chuckled and smiled happily. "Oh yeah." She lowered her head once more. "I love you too." She halted for a moment then added, "I cannot control my emotions for you." She searched her friend's eyes as she whispered, "I fell in love with you awhile back."

"Yeah? Before or after I was annoying?" taunted the smaller roommate.

The tall girl laughed and shook her head. "After," she teased back.

"Ah! I see." Gabrielle gave a hard pat to her friend's stomach but went serious. "What's this mean huh?"

Xena was about to reply but noted the wintry sun low in the west. "Damn," she grumbled, "we need to head back for dinner."

The younger teen glanced at her watch. "Oooh yeah, you're right."

"Come on, let's walk and talk." The Senior released her friend and slipped her hands into her pockets. She lifted her left arm.

Gabrielle slipped her arm through her friend's and started strolling back down the empty bike trail. "I feel like five sometimes with this check in crap at school."

Xena shrugged. "Just the way the school keeps tabs on us."

"Yeah, I feel like five," complained the shorter girl.

The older teen laughed quietly. "Well, after being here for four years it's gotten on my nerves. You'll have to put up with it for three."

"Three is bad enough," grumbled the small female as she walked onto the paved road. "Don't know how you stand it."

"A lot of patients," mentioned the Senior.

Gabrielle laughed some while she went up the incline of the road. "Okay… so what are we doing?"

Xena sighed from her thoughts as she considered. "We have three options the way I see it." She cut herself short when she heard a car coming around the bend. "Get over."

The Junior instantly shifted into the grassy side of the road with her best friend.

The older roommate flashed a smile to the car's driver passing by.

"Who was that?"

"The coach," replied the Senior. "Okay let's go." She started back on the trek towards school. "Like I was saying, we have three options. Either we can be… girlfriends while we're here. We could just wait until after graduation since-"

"Since the school rules out intimate relationships on campus," finished Gabrielle before she groaned at that factor. "What's the third?"

"Third is we could do… nothing."

"That's an option?" asked the smaller female hotly.

Xena laughed hard and replied, "Maybe it isn't now."

"Good response," stated Gabrielle.

"So that leaves us with option A or option B," concluded the older teenager.

"Option A," Gabrielle decided.

The Senior curved up an eyebrow. "You're willing to take that risk?" She shook her head. "Possibly get yourself kicked out of school?"

"They wouldn't kick us out," whispered Gabrielle, "they'd separate us." She peered up at her best friend as the look of desperation swept across her face. "Xena, resisting to touch you would be like trying to stop the sun from rising each day." She glimpsed back down the road. "Besides… as you said, its now or never."

Xena considered her roommate's words.

The younger female peered up at her best friend and asked, "What do you want?"

"You," stated the Senior.

"Screw the risk then." Gabrielle shrugged. "Besides we're one of the best friend couples." She chuckled and explained, "Not like it would look out of place, we'll just keep the intimate things behind closed doors."

"Lets just hope the walls won't be listening," mentioned the older teen.

The younger roommate shrugged. "When don't they? Jus' gossip." She smiled at the dark beauty beside her. "We'll just be careful. But I am not doing this without you being comfortable with it."

"I'm past comfortable," replied Xena. "I'm just more concerned about your high school carrier here since you have another year to go."

Gabrielle huffed. "It'll be fine." She tugged her friend closer with their linked arms. "I wanna spend as much time with you as I can."

Xena grinned down at her friend. "Alright then." She glowed now with a bright smile. "Girlfriends."

The Junior suddenly stopped walking and shook her head. "Girlfriends huh?" She grinned.

"Oh yeah," teased the older girl. "Can you handle the pressure."

"Pffft, I don't know what you're talkin' about." Gabrielle sauntered along down the road with her friend. "Me and pressure are butt buddies."

"I did not want to know that," retorted Xena. "Maybe I need to rethink this dating thing."

"Sorry, you already signed on."

"Damn it," muttered the Senior.

Gabrielle snickered and glimpsed up at her… girlfriend. "This is too weird."

"How's that?" inquired Xena as she noticed the school coming into view.

"Never dated anybody… let alone another female."

Xena instantly looked down at her girlfriend. "You're serious?"

"About which part?"

"The part about never dating anybody?"

"Yeah well…" The short teenager rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm picky."

"Oh boy," murmured the Senior. "This isn't going to be easy, I can see it now."

"Hey, hey give me some credit."

The tall female laughed gently as she went into the entrance of the school. "Alright… you make my bed perfectly."

Gabrielle glared at her friend. "That's it, don't walk with me." She started removing her arm.

"Don't think so." Xena pressed her arm into her side and locked her girlfriend's arm against her side.

"Awe nuts," muttered the smaller roommate so instead she walked closer to her friend again and Xena loosened her grip. "Hey, when's midwinter break?"

The Senior ran through her mental calendar and answered, "Two weeks." She lifted an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Don't know." Gabrielle shrugged but her lips were covered in a grin.

"Why are you scheming, Gabrielle?" growled the tall female.

The Junior chuckled and asked, "Think we can spend midwinter break together?"

"Where?"

"Maybe at your mother's?"

Xena huffed and replied, "Well definitely not at my father's."

Gabrielle sighed sadly and rubbed her girlfriend's arm. She knew Xena's father would always be a bitter topic ever since the divorce between Xena's parents. "Ya know, sometimes I wanna tell you you're lucky to have your father at all but…" She shook her head. "When you tell me the things he's done, I wish he was dead like my father," she whispered.

The Senior stopped walking and faced her friend after she released the small arm. "I was lucky for a time when I was a child." She grasped her friend's shoulders. "But when things got out of control between my parents… I wasn't so lucky anymore."

"I know." The younger female nodded slowly and studied rich blue eyes. "Stuff like that shouldn't happen."

"I agree but it does." Xena shrugged. "Just have to go with it, accept it sometimes." She peered deep into sadden forest eyes. "Have you yet accepted his death?"

Gabrielle turned her head away as her tears rolled down her cheeks. "Xena, he died when I was so young." She looked back up at her best friend. "It was like somebody just came down and swept him away. And he was doing… doing so well in the hospital after the accident," she rasped between her heavy breathing.

Xena carefully reached out and wiped her friend's tears away.

"You know what the worst part is?" Gabrielle shook her head while more crystals formed and a lump reappeared in her throat. "I got him killed… we were in the car together. And… and I kept distracting him from his driving." She closed her eyes as the scenes of the car accident flashed before her. She folded her arms against her stomach and shivered while the tears flowed from her stinging eyes. "I got my father killed," she whispered coarsely and the intense pain of several years erupted inside of her.

Xena stepped closer and pulled her friend in. She'd never known how Gabrielle's father died until now. It explained why Gabrielle was always tense when going into cars and stayed very quiet. She also understood why Gabrielle was one of the few rare people that took a longer glance at a car accident along side a road. As if she were sending out a pray to the people in the accident… or even waiting to see her father reappear from an accident.

"Gabrielle, its not your fault." Xena rubbed her girlfriend's back. "As much as you try to blame it on yourself, its not your fault. It was just the way it happened."

"But if I hadn't distracted-"

"He still would have gotten in the accident," finished the older teenager. "That was fate talking, Gabrielle." She paused and peered down into red-green eyes. "Besides, parents know when they're being distracted and know to tell their kids to be quiet." She made her voice lighter and lopsidedly grinned.

The smaller girl did reveal a faint grin but lost it. "I wish I could change it," she whispered as she wiped the remaining wetness away.

"But you can't just like I can't." Xena squeezed the small shoulders under her hands. "You'll see him again."

"Yeah." The Junior started walking again with her friend up the steep road towards the dining hall. "I guess we both should be thankful we have our mothers."

The older friend nodded and rubbed her girlfriend's upper back. "And each other," she whispered with a brilliant smile.

Gabrielle mirrored the smile as she strolled into the dining hall building.

~*~*~*~

Xena went into her room first and removed her jacket as Gabrielle stepped in last with her taking off her fleece as well.

"Oh god, what happened in here?" asked the Junior. There were papers scattered all about Xena's bed and Xena's laptop still up and running. "Did you win?" questioned Gabrielle softly.

The Senior mock glared at her girlfriend. "No," she grumbled and climbed onto her bed. She picked up her twenty or so papers and put them back in order.

"Did you finished the paper at all?"

"No, I didn't get it done," replied the older teenager.

"Finish," corrected Gabrielle with a smug look. "Only turkey is done, not an English paper."

The tall female laughed softly and glimpsed up at her roommate. "Like I said, Grammar Queen."

"I need to be if I plan on being a writer," mumbled the shorthaired blond. She hopped onto the foot of her bed and took off her shoes. "For once, dinner wasn't too bad."

"Mmm, mark the calendars," joked Xena. She'd finished putting her papers away and currently fiddling on her laptop. "Gabrielle, come here. Can you fix this?"

"What's that?" Gabrielle rolled over onto her roommate's bed and stared at the laptop screen.

Xena sat up on the edge of the bed; she untied her shoes. "Every time I start up my laptop, the stupid email starts up."

"Oh yeah, sure." The small teenager settled onto her stomach and opened up the laptop's Microsoft inbox. "Mine on my laptop use to do that too."

The Senior laid back down her stomach after getting her shoes off. She watched her friend turn off the email's option box for automatic start up when the laptop started up. "Where was that under?"

"Its actually kinda buried." Gabrielle okayed the option and showed her best friend how to turn on and off the option. "Got it?"

"Yeah." Xena sighed and grumbled, "I hate Toshiba."

"Me too." The small blond shut down the email and added, "Toshiba is rather crappy. The school shoulda' used Dell."

"I think they got sucked into some kinda contract with Toshiba," stated Xena. She noted her girlfriend was playing with the Solitaire. "That goes there." She pointed at the red five and the black six.

"Hey, I know how to play Solitaire," teased Gabrielle.

"If you say so." Xena bit her lower lip from laughing. "Why don't you go play Solitaire on your laptop huh?"

"Because I like playing Solitaire on your older, slower laptop," taunted the Junior.

The older teenager glared and suddenly pushed her friend by the side hard.

Gabrielle couldn't do much but just rolled onto her back in the middle of the beds. "I was jus' kiddin'." She snickered. "Sorta."

"Got a problem with my older laptop?" questioned the Senior as she shut the computer down. "At least its simpler than yours."

"Sure." Gabrielle put her hands under her head and stared up at the ceiling. She heard her friend get off the bed, put the papers and laptop away. She lifted her head faintly and saw Xena putting the shades down. "Getting sunny in here?" she joked. It was dark out.

"No," stated Xena. She walked back over to her bed and laid back down. She doubled up her pillow and grabbed her television remote.

"There isn't going to be anything good on," grumbled Gabrielle.

"Maybe we'll get lucky." The Senior turned on the television and started the old channel flipping between ten stations.

Gabrielle propped herself up with her elbows and watched the television. She then decided to turn off the lights and hopped up. She flicked the light switch near the door. "Hold on, go back. What was that?"

Xena back up a station. It was Fresh Prince of Bellair. "Oh, I don't think so," declared Xena.

"Oh come on, this is a funny show." The small girl came over to her best friend. "Leave it."

The Senior peered up at girlfriend and grinned. "Alright." She scooted over on her bed in invitation.

The short blond crawled onto the bed and settled herself partially on Xena. She rested her head on her girlfriend's chest but her attention was down on the television. Her left arm rested across Xena's stomach while her legs entangled with Xena's.

Xena smiled softly and slowly ran her fingers through her roommate's gold hair.

Gabrielle chuckled at the show as she kept watching.

"I just don't see anything humorous about this show," mentioned the Senior. "And its sooo old."

The younger roommate laughed before she squeezed her girlfriend across the stomach. "At least we're not watching Family Matters or something that old."

"Hmmm Brady Bunch," joked the tall female.

"Yeah really."

A commercial came on.

Gabrielle shifted her left hand under her girlfriend's shirt and touched the smooth stomach.

Xena closed her eyes and stole herself into the sensation.

"Don't fall asleep on me," teased Gabrielle.

The Senior laughed lightly and whispered, "How can I?"

"Mmm, I wouldn't let you." The younger teenager turned her head and pressed her warm lips into her girlfriend's neck.

Xena sucked in her breath. "You're starting something here," she whispered in warning.

"Oh I know." The small blond trailed her lips across her friend's collarbone.

"Gabrielle, I'm serious," stated Xena with a strong tone. She pushed herself and pulled Gabrielle up with her.

"And I know," repeated Gabrielle. She kissed her girlfriend's forehead while she whispered, "I really want you." She pulled her head back.

"Gabrielle, you've never been in a relationship before. You've got to be careful."

"I know but I've known you for what? Two years now?" Gabrielle caressed her friend's face. "I think I definitely know you by now." She gave a grin but lost it. "Xena, I love you so much… I can't even describe how much." She shook her head. "I just can't… but I know you understand what I am feeling."

Xena sighed and pulled her best friend in close.

"Besides," Gabrielle teased, "we'll have to wait till next weekend when the dorm empties out again."

Xena laughed quietly and nuzzled Gabrielle's neck. "One problem," she mentioned.

"What's that?" inquired the short blond.

"We don't know sex between two women," stated the older roommate.

Gabrielle laughed and asked, "You can't tell me you've never experimented?"

The Senior didn't respond.

"Uh huh." The younger teen patted her girlfriend's stomach. "You know a few things don't you?" she teased.

"Hey, I am still a virgin," countered Xena.

"So am I but that doesn't mean you can't experiment," countered back Gabrielle.

The Senior lifted her head up and peered into moss green eyes. "True… so wanna tell me who?" She arched an eyebrow.

Gabrielle suddenly blushed profoundly. She dug her head under her girlfriend's chin. "Damn it," she muttered.

"I thought you said you never dated anybody."

"I haven't," mumbled the short blond. "I've kinda… kinda…"

"Kinda what?"

"Uuuh… goofed off before," said Gabrielle nonchalantly.

"Care to go into further detail?" Xena reached over and grabbed the television remote. She turned the television off. "This is interesting."

After her grumble, the younger roommate sat upright and fidgeted with her button up sports pants. "I was at a party and…"

Xena folded her arms, completely intrigued about finding more 'evil' things about her roommate. "And?"

"And well… you know how it goes. I got drunk and a few of us girls started messing around," explained Gabrielle in a small voice.

The Senior laughed quietly and said, "You sound like me."

"You've done the samething?"

"Basically, yeah." Xena sighed and laced her hands through her friend's. "You're sure?"

"Yes," stated Gabrielle in a strong voice. "I want it to be with you."

The older female smiled softly and kissed her girlfriend gently.

"Are there really no… people in the dorm?" asked Gabrielle between the kiss.

Xena pulled back with a chuckle. "We'll just have to keep it down." She slipped out of her roommate's embrace and crossed the room.

Gabrielle grinned as she rolled onto her back- she propped herself up with her elbows.

"We'll muffle out some of the… noise," teased the Senior and she turned on her stereo. She turned up the volume then she came towards the foot of the bed.

The short blond watched as her girlfriend took off her shirt with a toss then crawled onto the bed. She raised an eyebrow at seeing the amount of cleavage coming at her.

Xena smiled such as a cat would as she stalked forward; towards her girlfriend. Once close enough, she leaned in and tenderly kissed Gabrielle and her hands slipped under Gabrielle's tank top.

"Oh god," whimpered the younger teen after the kiss. "I'm nervous," she whispered fearfully.

"So am I," admitted the taller friend.

"You don't seem it."

"I am," whispered Xena, "but it makes it a lot easier knowing you love me."

Gabrielle smiled softly and kissed her girlfriend timidly at first.

But Xena pressed the kiss on and got a stronger response from Gabrielle.

Gabrielle laid back and pulled her girlfriend down with her.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle gently kissed Xena's chest and settled her head back down. She sighed contently while her body still cooled off.

Xena shifted a little under the covers, reached up, and grabbed her stereo remote. She turned down the music then slipped her hand back under the covers.

"What time is it?" asked the teenager quietly.

The Senior peered up at her digital alarm clock. "Ten minutes of midnight."

"Oh shit," whispered Gabrielle as her head whipped up. "The dorm parent will be coming around soon."

"Damn, that's right."

Gabrielle quickly sat up and straddled her hot body over top of her lover's.

"Gabrielle," growled Xena as she supported herself up on her elbows. She shivered at feeling her girlfriend's center pressed into her lower abdomen.

The younger roommate laughed quietly and leaned in. She kissed her friend tenderly before she got off Xena and stood up. "Alright, time to un-intimate ourselves," she rambled as she picked up their scattered clothes.

"Easier said than done," muttered the Senior as she rolled out of bed. She combed her fingers through her hair to neaten it out some.

"Come on, hurry up, sexy," teased Gabrielle across the room. She opened her dresser drawer pulling out clean clothes after ridding herself of the other ones.

Quickly the pair changed into their nightclothes. They grabbed their toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap as if they were preparing for bed, which they were planning. Once out of the room, the dorm parent strolled along.

"Hey, girls," greeted the dorm parent.

"Evening, Miss Fryman," answered back Gabrielle with a smile.

Miss Fryman smiled warmly at the Junior before gazing at Xena. "Are you on duty Sunday night?"

"If you need me to be, sure," replied Xena.

"It'd be nice." Miss Fryman grinned and added, "I have a hard time getting these girls to bed."

The Senior laughed faintly and nodded. "Yeah, I'll be on duty tomorrow night."

"Thank you." The dorm parent smiled at the pair. "Goodnight." She strolled back down the dorm hall.

"Goodnight," called back the roommates.

Gabrielle peered up at her lover. "How can you stand being the resident assistant?"

Xena grinned evilly. "It looks good for college. You should look into it for next year."

The shorthaired blond shook her head. "I still don't see the point."

"Well actually…" The Senior made her way down to the bathrooms with her best friend. "It all has to do with the fact I just love putting you to bed since you're an underclassman," she mocked in a deep voice.

"Very funny," growled the underclassman.

"Not that you ever do go to bed at eleven," stated Xena. "And I swear, you'll get me in trouble one night."

"Wouldn't be my fault huh?" Gabrielle smirked. "You are the R.A."

The Senior laughed and went into the bathroom. "You may have a point."

Gabrielle gave a smug look at her lover. "So does this mean when you tuck me into bed at night you'll also give me a kiss goodnight?"

Xena arched an eyebrow slowly at her girlfriend as she stood in front of a sink. "If you're nice," she taunted.

"Oh I see, I'll remember that."

The Senior laughed and held out her hand. "Toss the toothpaste."

Gabrielle did just that.

The pair got ready for bed and while in the bathroom they said goodnight to a few other students that came through. In their room again, they curled up into bed with the stereo playing music softly in the background.

The smaller teenager snuggled deep into her lover's stronger arms. "Thank you for tonight."

"Mmm thank you," whispered back Xena. She kissed the top of her girlfriend's head.

Gabrielle chuckled a little and said, "I felt a lot better that you took the lead." She blushed. "Didn't know what to do," she muttered.

Xena grinned and teased, "Next time, you're all on your own."

"Really? That's gonna be hard without you here," taunted back the smaller roommate.

"Smartass," grumbled the Senior.

The younger teenager snickered then sighed contently. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," uttered Xena before she kissed her lover tenderly on the lips.

Gabrielle smiled at the end of the kiss.

"Let's get some sleep," ordered taller girl.

"Right." The Junior closed her eyes and relaxed.

Xena felt her lover quickly fade into the dream world and quickly followed after.

~*Part 3*~

Xena groaned and fell back horizontal across the two beds. "I hate this-"

"Its not crap," cut off Gabrielle. She sighed and kept reading her girlfriend's English paper on this Sunday morning.

"I don't understand how you enjoy English," muttered Xena as she covered her face with her hands.

"Its fun," replied the smaller girl. She reached to her left and patted her lover's stomach. "I cannot stand sciences but that's what you love."

"Hmmm, science is interesting."

"So is English," countered the Junior.

The older teenager laughed and sighed. "Alright, I don't mind English but…"

"But you can't stand grammar or proper mechanics huh?"

"Basically." Xena tucked her hands under her head and watched her lover continuing to read over her paper. "Interpreting stories and poetry is interesting, I'll say that."

"You know what is stupid though?" questioned Gabrielle.

"Math," said the two girls together before they laughed.

"You know what is pointless?" inquired Xena.

"Foreign language," they stated simultaneously before the laughter again.

"Yeah but you're good at Latin, Xena."

The older teenager shrugged. "Doesn't mean I like it." She grinned after she sat up. "Have to admit though with math; it is a universal language."

Gabrielle nodded. "True." She shifted her hands onto the keyboard of the laptop and retyped a few things.

Xena studied her lover and how she just wore her jeans and bra; having took off her shirt when they came back into the room after breakfast… lunch. It made her realize just how comfortable Gabrielle was with showing her body around her.

"Actually, your English has gotten a lot better over the last two years," mentioned the Junior. "Even your five paragraph essays are a lot more stronger and concise."

The taller female grinned and said, "You sound like my English teacher."

Gabrielle laughed and glanced at her lover. "Hey, I was just praising you," she teased while she focused her attention to the last bit of her girlfriend's paper. "Alright, let me show you here."

Xena shifted behind her lover and propped up her legs on either side of Gabrielle. She encircled her roommate's warm waist as she rested her chin on Gabrielle's shoulder.

Gabrielle leaned back into her girlfriend, pulled the laptop closer in, and adjusted the screen so that Xena could see it. "Okay." She scrolled the window back up to the top. "Here's a few things you need to watch out for. First…"

Within twenty minutes or so the pair finished going over the grueling English paper. Gabrielle having gone into great detail about some of the mechanics and Xena quickly picked up on the pointers.

"That's basically it," declared Gabrielle, and she shrugged.

"Thanks," replied Xena.

"No problem, sweetie." Gabrielle shutdown the laptop and got out of the bed. She put her lover's laptop back in its case and grabbed one of her tee-shirts to put on. She turned around and noted how Xena stared blankly at the wall. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked before she pulled on her shirt.

Xena peered up at her lover. "I guess your words from yesterday have me thinking."

"I said a lot yesterday," joked Gabrielle.

The Senior sighed and stared down at the bed.

Oh boy this is serious, realized Gabrielle and she got back on the bed. She sat crossed legged in front of her roommate. "Alright, spill it," she ordered then collected larger hands into her own.

Slowly water tinted eyes raised up to Gabrielle with such distraught in them. "I don't think I can survive the next year without you either," she confessed quietly.

The short blond's heart sunk down at hearing her girlfriend's words. She realized neither her nor Xena would survive the distance's separation next year. "Alright… we need to figure out a plan." She sighed and tried forming one.

"Maybe I will just go to Gettysburg," murmured the Senior.

"I'd like to see you get a good education," stated Gabrielle, "and you can't do that if the college isn't challenging enough."

Xena shook her head. "I'm not going out to California, I need you," she said in such a tone there was no changing it.

Gabrielle nodded but felt the comfort in her lover's words. "There's gotta be some way." She stared at their locked hands. "Does the college out in California have a good English program?" she asked and lifted her head up.

The Senior curved an eyebrow. "Yesss." She could see her lover's mind toying with an idea. "What you thinking?"

Gabrielle grinned devilishly. "Okay, what if… you go to Gettysburg for the first year. So then you'll at least be in school and near each other. I mean its what? A two hour drive difference."

"Yeah sure." Xena shrugged. "I can drive that, no problem."

"Okay, so when I am Senior I'll apply to that college out in California. At the end of your freshman year you can transfer over to that college." Gabrielle grinned. "It'd work perfectly… as long as I got accepted."

Xena chuckled and nodded. "You'd get accepted."

"Xena, it'll work. Don't you think?"

The Senior smiled and nodded slowly. "I think it would." She tilted her head. "Actually, I wouldn't mind deferring after my freshman year."

"Defer?"

The older teenager nodded and explained, "If you defer then you're taking a semester off. You should probably do the same… it'd be a nice break between high school and college."

Gabrielle thought about the idea and slowly a smile touched her expression. "What would we do over the six or so months?"

Xena shrugged. "Live on our own… maybe try doing some traveling around America."

"Ha… that would be wild." The small female smiled at her lover. "We should."

The Senior grinned. "Sounds good to me. See how much trouble we can get ourselves into."

"Oh god," muttered Gabrielle before she went serious. "What about your mother? Think she'll be okay with all of that?"

"Sure." Xena shrugged. "Mom is pretty easy going… so is your mom."

"Thank god too." The younger teen laced her hands through her girlfriend's. "And our mothers get along well, extra points."

"Too well, in my opinion," teased Xena.

Gabrielle laughed and nodded. "Yeah, it is a bit scary."

"Uh huh." The taller roommate released the small hands and grasped her girlfriend's sides. She laid down and brought Gabrielle with her.

Gabrielle pressed her back into Xena's body and sighed contently. "This is a lazy Sunday," she murmured.

"Uh huh." The Senior nuzzled her face into the back of Gabrielle's neck.

The smaller female chuckled quietly and smiled gently. "I love you," she whispered.

"Mmm, I love you, Gabrielle." The older teenager kissed Gabrielle's soft neck.

Gabrielle turned in her lover's arms and smiled at Xena. She leaned in and claimed her lover's lips in a long, loving kiss.

Time seems to pause for a moment then flickers back.

Gabrielle pulls back from the warm kiss. "God I can still remember it like it was yesterday… even though it seems like…"

"Along time ago," finishes Xena before she chuckles. "I know." She brushes her fingers through short blond hair. "I was amazed everything worked out."

Gabrielle laughs and she rolls on top of her lover. "You had doubt in my plans?" she teases.

"Nah." Xena grins at the smaller woman. "Had doubts in life agreeing with our plans."

"Yeah really." Gabrielle sighs while straddling her lover's hips. "What time is it?"

The older woman glances at the clock wall behind her girlfriend. Her eyes widen. "Oh shit, its almost ten."

"Oh damn." The short woman jumps off her lover. "We need to get to work… we can't be late," she practically yells.

"We are the owners," states Xena and rolls out of bed.

"Which is more the reason to get our butts to work!" calls Gabrielle from the bathroom in the small house. "Wouldn't look good if we were late."

Xena grumbles, "Damn, she's got a point."

"I don't got a point… I have a point," corrects the Grammar Queen from the bathroom.

Xena laughs while she strolls over to their closet and tries figuring out what they should wear to work. "Something tight or loose?" she mutters.

"I'm in a tight mode," teases the smaller woman when she comes out with her hair neat.

"Sounds good." The taller woman pulls out some 'tight' but nice work clothes. "Gabrielle, do you ever remember what I received on that English paper?"

"Hell if I recall, that was so many years ago." Gabrielle grins and comes up to her lover. She reaches up and brushes back dark chocolate bangs. "I know it was an A on the paper."

"Yeah, I probably did get an A on it after you cleaned it up." Xena chuckles and kisses her girlfriend's forehead. "Get changed." She makes her way into the bathroom.

The short woman laughs and turns to the clothes her lover picked out for her, which rest on the bed. She easily changes into them. Soon Xena came out and joins her in changing. The couple then race down stares in their home and grab a set of car keys.

"Who's driving?" inquires Gabrielle.

"Here." Xena catches the keys that her lover tosses to her. "Meet you in the car."

"Right." The shorthaired blond grabs both of their briefcases, grabs the house key, and goes out the front door. She locks up the house and goes down the steps quickly.

Xena backs the car out of the garage but waits for her girlfriend.

Gabrielle comes around the car and hops in. She settles the briefcases in the back seats.

"Ready?"

"Hold on, one more important thing," replies the shorter woman.

Gabrielle leans towards her soul mate and kisses her very tenderly.

The End