Subtext: For sure! There is love between two couples, women. If this offends you then don't read this story. But there is no sex contained in this story.

Started: August 27, 1999

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

redhope@redhope.netm

Part 1

Section 1

~*Part 1*~

With startle a tall form woke up in the wide bed, feeling another form in her arms begin to shake, uncontrollably. The woman looked down at the other figure to see them shaking, tears streaming down their cheeks and they continued to scream the tall woman's name out in agony. The tall woman quickly realized what was happening to the small form. Briskly, she grasped the smaller woman's shoulders and gently shook them while calling their name.

"Gabrielle...Gabrielle wake up" The bard shook her head still crying as her hands were tightly clenched to the bed sheets. She continued to cry while shaking her head and screaming out.

"Xena! No Xena, come back! I love you! Gods no, Xena!" The warrior could feel tears weld up into her eyes as she tried to waken her soulmate. Xena continued to shake Gabrielle as she spoke but now in a more demanding tone.

"Come on Gabrielle, wake up!" The bards breathing continued heavily as she fought her fears from within. Within the nightmare, the small blond rested her head on top of Xena's lifeless body, back in Niklio's hut. She kept crying the pain within her heart and soul, too much for her to control. Gabrielle continued to yell out to Xena's soul as it left her body, demanding her to come back to life. As the Amazon Princess laid her head on the still warm body, she whispered words of pain. Now within the dream the blond could hear Xena's voice calling out to her, clear and strong.

All of a sudden Gabrielle shot up from the bed, to be met by a pair of strong worried blue eyes. The bard's eyes were wide open and contain only pain and fear. Finally the blond realized that it was only a nightmare and that Xena was still alive before her. Xena continued to grasp her soulmate's shoulders tightly, letting the bard come around, let reality sink in. With a shaky hand the younger woman caressed the warrior's cheek, making sure she was real. She knew her lover was real and began to cry again from the pain she went through and almost had to live with for life. Reaching out Gabrielle wrapped her small arms around the tall woman's body tightly. Xena immediately enveloped her arms around the bard, hugging her tightly, hoping to drive away the younger woman's nightmares. Gabrielle buried her face into Xena's breasts, smelling the strong leather as she cried her body still shaking and her breathing still heavy. The warrior whispered words of love and protection to her bard, letting her know it wasn't real.

"Hey its okay Gabrielle, I've got ya, it was just a dream" After a few heartbeats of crying, the bard finally started to calm down. Slowly the ex-warlord pulled away, but still kept her arms tightly around the bard. Gabrielle's eyes were pure red, her cheeks still wet from the crying. Her breathing had calmed and she had better control of her body and emotions. Reaching up, the warrior wiped away the tears still slightly trickling down the flushed cheeks, the bard faintly smiling. "You okay now?" The Amazon Queen lightly nodded as she noticed her lover had been crying some as well. Xena leaned forward and placed a kiss to her soulmate's forehead and began to lay back down on the bed. Once the tall form was lying back down, the bard was quick to follow. She turned to her stoic lover and felt protective arms pull her in. Gabrielle easily rested her head on top of Xena's shoulder as she buried her head into the warrior's neck. The Warrior Princess rested her chin on top of the strawberry-blond, while taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. The bard herself took a few deep breaths, finally feeling control once more. The warrior moved her one arm up more and began to run a hand through the other woman's hair slowly and lovingly as she spoke quietly.

"Go back to sleep Gabrielle" The blond nodded as her eyes began to feel heavy once more, but before she let herself drift off, she spoke to Xena in a low voice.

"Thank you Xena, I love you" Xena let a small smile ease onto her lips as she let the words warm her heart. She continued to run her hands lightly through the bard's hair, knowing it would send her to sleep faster.

"I am always here for you, now go to sleep" Now a smile etched on the bard's lips, then she heard the warrior whisper into her ear. "I love you my bard" Those were the last words the young woman heard as sleep over took her. Xena for her part lay awake for awhile longer; wondering what she could do to rid her soulmate of her nightmares. There were just to many, one's between Xena's death, Poteidaia's destruction, and her family's death. They all plagued her and Xena knew it even though she hadn't sat down and talked to Gabrielle about them. The warrior then decided when she got the first chance, she would sit down with her lover and get her to talk about the nightmares. The ex-warlord knew that would be the first step to begin the healing process and rid the nightmares. Slowly the warrior fell back into a light sleep, knowing dawn would come soon.

Green eyes casually opened up, staring up at a wood ceiling with small rays of light filtering through, dawn. The bard could feel a strong form beside her that had protective arms wrapped around her snug. Now the bard began to grin to herself as she turned her head to her right to gaze at the older woman. Gabrielle couldn't believe that she was awake before her lover, defiantly rare. Now that grin enlarged as the realization came over her, she continued to gaze at the beautiful and peaceful face. As she watched slowly a grin began to form on the taller woman's lips and the bard's eyes widen. Now the ex-warlord began to deeply chuckle and felt her soulmate reach over and grasp her ribs, trying to tickle her. Xena tried to hold back her laughs between her trick and the tickling, but she couldn't help them when her bard spoke to her.

"I can't believe you were awake the whole time. You are so mean Xena" Finally the Warrior Princess opened her blue eyes and quickly grasped small wrists. She then rolled on top of the small woman, straddling her knees on the bed as she pinned the Amazon Queen's hands behind her head. Gabrielle quickly stopped struggling knowing it was no use against the large and stronger woman. Instead she gazed up into loving blue eyes that she adored so much. Xena melted to the look and eyes and she slowly leaned in, lightly kissing her soulmate. After the warrior brought her head back up, the bard could still feel the heat on her lips from the gentle kiss and the tingling through her body. Slowly Xena moved her hands to the bard's sides, grasping them tightly. With ease the tall woman rolled back into her spot, bringing the bard with her. Now Gabrielle laid on top of Xena's leather clad stomach while Xena brought her arms around, resting on top of the other woman's back. The blond smiled to her soulmate and then rested her head on top of Xena's chest, listening to the slow rhythm of the heartbeat.

"So how did you sleep Gabrielle?" The bard's body tingled over the deep voice as she spoke back in a more soothing voice.

"After the nightmare, really well" Gabrielle then brought her head up, resting her chin on top of the warrior's chest, now she stared into blue eyes. "How did you sleep?" The tall woman faintly shrugged her shoulders as she let a small smile creep onto her lips. The warrior's eyes contained a small twinkle to them as she began to run her fingers up down the bard's tunic covered back, Gabrielle moaning in response.

"Not to bad" The bard just slightly nodded as her emerald eyes drifted shut, taking in her soulmate's touch on her back. Gabrielle just responded with a purr.

"Mmmm good" Xena grinned to herself as she watched her bard drown into the feelings coursing through her body. Now the warrior's mind slowly began to come up with a plan of attack, Gabrielle waiting for it. As the perfect idea came the older woman, a knock came at the door, making Xena growl in response. The warrior stopped her assault while Gabrielle opened her eyes once more and listened as another knock came to the door. The bard then called out in aloud, commanding, and some what angered tone to the person at the entrance of the hut.

"Come in" Slowly the door creaked open, and a curly blond peaked her head into the room. Quickly she spotted her two friends, one lying on top of the other, Xena wearing her leathers and the Queen in her white tunic. The Amazon sighed in relief at the site, she didn't bother them too much. Carefully the curly blond made her way to the table close by the bed on the two lover's side of the bed. She then sat down, resting her right arm on the table that contained the Warrior Princess's sword, chakram and brass armor. Looking up, she caught a pair of blue and green eyes gazing back at her, the bard smiling. "What is up Ephiny?" The Regent sighed as she brushed some hair out of her face and leaned back in the chair.

"It seems we have a small problem with Lysia" The bard raised an eyebrow at that, while Xena only kept her stoic form on.

"You mean the Amazon that just came from a northern village...looks just like Xena?" The warrior grunted at the end remark, making the bard turn her head to look down at her lover. "Well she did Xena you have to admit. She was a bit shorter, brown hair, and had hazel eyes" The warrior grinned and then slightly nodded her head in agreement as the Amazon Queen looked back at the woman in the chair. "So what is she doing?"

"Lysia has been stirring up a little trouble, going around saying you are weak and aren't worthy to be Queen" Again the Regent sighed as she lower her eyes to the floor momentarily then looked back up. "A few of the newer Amazons seem to be agreeing with her" The bard could feel her soulmate's body automatically tense up in response, Xena didn't like this as much as the bard didn't. Does this mean another civil war? Gabrielle sighed as she thought about that, she could feel the comforting large hand rubbing her small back. Xena had a plan, but she rather give her bard a chance to settle it herself, knowing it was her soulmate's responsibility. Slowly a plan came to the blond's mind letting a small grin settle onto her lips.

"What is she schedule to do today?" Ephiny looked up at the ceiling as she thought about it and finally it came to the woman, she looked back to green eyes.

"She is suppose to be doing sparing practice" Now the blond's grin increased as it dawned on the Regent what she was planning to do. "Gabrielle, I don't think its safe. She is a very skilled warrior" Before the small woman could respond the silent warrior spoke up in a deep rich tone.

"I think its perfect Ephiny, Gabrielle is skilled with her staff, Lysia will never expect it" Gabrielle felt herself go warm over the compliment and that her soulmate defended her. The Regent then looked to the dark-haired warrior with a serious face.

"What if she challenges Gabrielle?" The blond bard grinned devilishly as did her warrior. Gabrielle was the one to speak what was mentally shared between her and her warrior.

"Well we all know who is my champion" The curly blond slightly chuckled at that as she let a small smile ease on her face.

"Okay, its your decision my Queen" The bard smiled sweetly to Ephiny as she watched her gather herself up from the seat and head out the door. Gabrielle then called out to her friend before she headed out the door.

"Thanks Ephiny" The Amazon's smile increased some at the thank you and called back.

"You're welcome my Queen" Now the door quietly closed as two pairs of intense eyes met once more. Quickly a large hand reaches behind strawberry-blond hair, pulling the bard's head down, to passionately kiss the younger woman.

Carefully the short bard crawled off her lover's nude body and stood up on the wood floor. Gabrielle stretched her own nude body as she gazed out the window, seeing the sun was still fairly low in the eastern sky. She then turned around to face a grinning warrior, making the bard chuckle deeply. Slowly the bard began to lean down, capturing her warrior's eyes with her own intense green eyes. Gentle the Amazon Queen kissed the taller woman's stomach to feel the muscles ripple underneath in reaction. Gabrielle straightens back up and devilishly grinned down at her soulmate as she spoke in a low husky voice.

"I love it that I can do that to you with the smallest of touches" Briefly Xena closed her eyes to the words and tone and opened once more to show nothing but pure love contained in them. The bard's heart melt at the site as she smiled to her lover. She then padded over to where she left her cloths last night, first picking up her green halter-top. As she gazed at it, a tall warm presence came up behind the young woman followed by strong arms wrapping around her muscular stomach. The bard sighed as she felt the warrior's breath comes down to her neck and the tall woman's voice came out low and rich, bare skin against bare warm skin.

"Wear your Amazon cloths" The small blond grinned at that, she would do anything to please Xena, even the smallest of things. Slowly she placed the green top down, feeling her warrior release her and move to the saddlebags. Quickly the ex-warlord found the Amazon garb and padded back over to the blond handing them to her. Gabrielle gratefully accepted them and began to put them on as she saw her partner head over to her leathers. Second to last to putting on her garbs, she began to place her single earring into her ear. The small woman reached for the feather necklace to see a large hand pick it up before her. The bard smiled inwardly and reached back, lifting her hair up. Carefully she felt cold metal fall onto her chest and warm hands touch the back of her neck as they tied the bronze necklace on. Dropping her hair back down, Gabrielle grasped the second necklace that was silver and on it contained the charm of Xena's chakram, her staff and a deep sapphire in the center. Lifting it up, the blond placed the charm on top of the bronze feathers, letting all know that her soulmate was first. Xena had watched with intent, smiling at the site, her heart warming at it. Smiling, the Amazon Queen turned around to completely face the warrior, standing tall for her soulmate. The tall woman took one step back and took in the full view of her companion. Xena then realized this was the first true time she had a good look at her soulmate in her Amazon garb, she never taken the time before to closely look at it.

The Warrior Princess gazed at Gabrielle with curious face as she looked at the bard with the sun from the window cascading over her. Strawberry-blond hair glowing, green eyes sparkling with her tan heighten her body's beauty. The tight leather brought out the bard's muscles more and reflected her blond hair more strongly. To Xena her soulmate looked like a goddess as well as a strong warrior, perfection to the warrior's eyes. Looking back up, the warrior met emerald eyes that showed love, confidence, loyalty, strength, and power, it made a shiver rush down the tall woman's back. She finally truly realized her bard had grown dramatically since they first met in that grove with Draco's men. The ex-warlord knew this wasn't just a young naive girl following her in hero worship, but a strong woman that has seen death and life and has gain much power in her time. Xena felt a sense of pride fill her over her soulmate's accomplishments through the short almost two years now.

The bard could see respect consume her lover's eyes, warming the young woman's very soul. Slowly Gabrielle closed in the distance and stood up tall, and two pair of warm lips met, expressing the love they held for one another. Reluctantly they broke the kiss, knowing they had to get on with the day's plans. The bard knowing she was the talker decided to break the comforting silence between them.

"Come on lets go get something to eat, I am a bit on the hungry side" The tall warrior followed the Amazon Queen out of the door while chuckling to herself over the bard's words.

"Yeah I am rather hungry too, think it was all that working out this morning" The bard felt herself go a tint of red at the statement as she headed towards the food hut. Gabrielle then realized that Xena wasn't walking right beside her, making her frown in response. She then stopped walking and waited for the tall woman to step up beside her, whom did and she continued to walk with her warrior beside her.

"That's better" Xena's face turned a bit confused by the words and looked to her soulmate, Gabrielle knowing what the look was about. "Don't like you walking behind me, I like you by my side" The Warrior Princess then understood what Gabrielle meant by that, Xena made a mental note of that to herself. She then looked down at Gabrielle with a bit of a small grin but serious blue eyes that spoke volumes.

"I always stay by your side" The bard looked up into warm eyes and became lost into them as she heard the noise of the food hut.

The red head Amazon looked up into confident brown eyes that bored into her making her feel rather nervous. Now she felt the rough cold tip of the Amazon staff move away from her neck, calming the red head's mind. She then reached up to accept a hand that the small red headed Amazon quickly accepted and was hauled to her feet. The other Amazon then handed the small one her staff back, talking to her with a proud voice.

"You have improved much since last" The red head smiled to the weapons master as she heard the words.

"Thank you Eponin" The mentor Amazon smiled in return and suggested her advice to the young woman.

"Keep practicing your parries and you should get it rather fast" The red head nodded then stepped out of the sparring circle. Eponin then looked around at her students just outside the practicing circle. "Who is next?" Now a rather tall brown haired Amazon stepped into the circle walking over to the weapons master. As she stepped up to Eponin, the Amazon grinned to the tall new comer to the village. "Ah Lysia, I don't think we have sparred yet" The tall Amazon shook her head in a no response as she noticed a smaller woman with a staff walking up behind Eponin.

"And I am afraid you wont get the chance to this time Eponin" The weapons master turned her head to her right to look into green eyes that were serious. She then bowed her head to the bard and looked back to her with a smile.

"My Queen, you wish to spar with Lysia?" The Amazon Queen nodded her answer and watched as Eponin walked off the practice area over to where Solari stood. The Amazon looked to Solari with a questioning face, but the brown haired Amazon just shrugged her shoulders in response. Then both Solari and Eponin noticed that a rather large crowd of other Amazons began to circle around the sparring circle, realizing who was practicing against whom. Solari crossed her arms against her chest and looked behind herself briefly to catch a rather tall dark haired woman dressed in brown leathers standing with the Queen Regent.

She then looked back to the center of the circle to watch Gabrielle and Lysia begin to circle one another, in fighting stance with their staffs.

"I am honored to be practicing with the Queen" The bard's upper lips twitched at the remark from the Xena look alike. For a second the blond had forgotten this wasn't Xena, thinking she was practicing with her warrior.

"Are you going to stand here and praise or fight?" The tall Amazon's anger shot up at the comment and she quickly lunged forward, bring her staff down hard and fast. Gabrielle easily saw this, she quickly brought her staff above her parrying it with ease. She then quickly brought her staff back down and swung one end making contact with the brown haired Amazon's staff. Lysia then shot her staff end out making contact with the bard's left side, Gabrielle grimace in pain as she brought herself together. The Amazon Queen looked up into dangerous hazel eyes and an evil smile as they circled one another once more. The bard shook her head for a second, letting herself realize that she wasn't fighting Xena. Now the bard grinned, worrying the tall Amazon. With grace, the blond swung her staff low, Lysia jumping just in time, but then she felt pain come to her left shoulder as the end of Gabrielle's staff hit her. Stepping back Lysia came at the bard's side again, the small blond stopping it quickly, not letting the Amazon get the best of her again. As the bard stopped it she used a new move that her lover taught her, bringing her right leg up to hit Lysia's stomach hard. The brown hair Amazon bent over in pain, anger surging through her, as she brought her staff over head, stopping the bard's staff from hitting her. Standing tall once more, Lysia used her height to her advantage, but Gabrielle all to prepared for it. The Amazon swung, just missing the bard's head as she brought the top end into the tall Amazon's stomach using all her strength, hitting her hard. Lysia felt her stomach ache in pain as she fell to the ground, with a wood staff coming to her neck hard. Now it was Lysia's turn to look up into strong, confident, and dangerous pair of emerald eyes glowering down at her. Gabrielle's breathing was heavy, but she kept herself tall and proud as she stared down the Amazon. Now she removed the staff from the brown hair woman's throat letting her stand back up once more with staff in hand. Gabrielle stepped back her staff by her side as she took deep breaths to calm her senses. Lysia though was rather anger with herself, still confidant that she could beat this little Queen, but on her terms.

"My Queen is rather good with her staff. But I am afraid I am not much good with the staff" Lysia then began to grin to the smaller woman as she took a step closer and spoke in a loud tone silencing the crowd with her words. "I challenge the Queen to a dual, I select weapons. Do you accept Queen Gabrielle?" Expecting this the Amazon Queen nodded her agreement then voice it in a loud commanding tone to all.

"Yes I accept the challenge" The tall Amazon's eyes glinted as she continued to evilly grinned. Within the crowd, a tall leather clad dark woman pushed her way through the people with a curly blond behind her. Xena stared into the ring with Ephiny beside her, as they stood at the edge of the circle, the warrior prepared to fight.

"I select the sword as my weapon, my Queen, you have the choice between the staff or sword" The bard's eyes slightly widen to this, she hadn't expected this. Gabrielle was sure Lysia would challenge her with only being able to use the sword, knowing she couldn't use it what so ever. Now the bard felt confidence wash over her, she wanted to fight now, a chance. Knowing it wasn't fully her decision, Gabrielle looked behind Lysia spotting her soulmate.

Xena sighed, knowing what her lover was asking through her eyes and their connection. The warrior was rather confident that her bard could handle this challenge and if she couldn't, Xena would take care of it. The ex-warlord continued to stare straight at her bard with answering eyes as she nodded her agreement. The Amazon Queen tore her gaze from her partner and grinned wickedly at the brown hair Amazon.

"The staff" The tall Amazon nodded as she threw her staff into the crowd knowing somebody would easily catch it. Reaching behind the only sound that was heard was the unsheathing of Lysia's sword. Once more the two women circled each other, knowing the high stakes of losing. The on lookers watched with intent to see their Queen in action, learning of her abilities. Xena stood tense, her sense at their peak, ready to move with in a heartbeat at the sign of danger. Ephiny just stared, not believing Gabrielle had decided to fight against Lysia herself and not Xena. Looking to her left the curly blond spotted Solari and Eponin making their way to Xena's side and stood beside them. Solari was the only one to say anything.

"That's one dangerous and confident Queen out there" The tall warrior looked down at the brown haired Amazon and smiled then turned her eyes back to her soulmate.

The bard was the first to make her move bring her staff down low to the brown hair Amazon's knees. Lysia easily stepped back out of the way, and then thrusted her sword forward at the bard. Gabrielle easily deflected it and stepped back, with Lysia advancing on her as she grinned at the blond. Quickly the tall Amazon brought her sword down on Gabrielle, the bard stopping it. Again Lysia brought it down in a fast rapid movement, stroke after stroke above the bard's head. Gabrielle continued to hold the staff above her head blocking the sword as she took single steps backwards. Xena watched, biting her lower lip, knowing this was trapping her bard and meant to distract and tire her down. Lysia took her opening and continued to bring her sword down, and then once more this time she did a high kick, slamming the bard hard in her stomach. The bard bent over, but managed to keep her staff above to stop the sword coming down. She then quickly brought the end of her staff around, hitting Lysia on the side of her ribs.

The tall Amazon stepped back and flicked her wrist making her sword spin around. She then slashed her sword out at the Amazon Queen, Gabrielle bring her staff vertical to stop the sword. The bard then took a step back, giving herself a quick second to come up with a plan. The Amazon shook her head at the blond and grimace stepping up to the bard, not expecting anything. Once close enough, Gabrielle dropped herself to the ground holding her staff out and swiped it in front of her at the Amazon's feet. Lysia's feet were taken out from under her, she landed hard on her butt and she quickly recoiled herself, jumping back up on her feet. The brown-haired Amazon growled in frustration, and quickly lunged forward with her sword bring it down over the bard. Gabrielle brought her staff up quickly but the Amazon didn't release and used her height to pressure down on the blond.

The Amazon Queen used her strength against the other woman pressing down on her. She then decided to pay back to Lysia from earlier and kicked high up, hitting the Amazon in the chest. The woman released her sword's hold taking a step back to breathe as she glared at the bard. Gabrielle smirked as she stood in front of her with her staff in fighting stance, angering the Amazon. Lysia then ran up to the bard, jumping up into the air and then kicking, doing a perfect scissor kick. The brown hair Amazon managed to nock the bard's staff out of her hands, flying high into the air landing off to left of the bard. Lysia evilly grinned and kicking hard at Gabrielle in the stomach, knocking the bard to the ground on her back.

Xena's eyes widen at the site, she quickly moved her hand down to her chakram as she watched Lysia's bring her sword up to strike down at the bard's chest. The warrior then saw Gabrielle bring her right elbow up on the ground, knowing what the bard planned. As the tall Amazon brought her sword down, the bard rolled off to her left towards her staff, while the sword crashed into the ground. Lysia stared for a second shocked, then realized as to what happened and looked to her right, but was to late. Gabrielle was on her knees with her staff making contact with Lysia's face, then brought her staff around to hit the Amazon's feet. The tall Amazon hit the ground, while Gabrielle spun in 180-degree circle coming back around standing tall then kicking the Amazon's sword across the sparring circle. The bard glared down as she jabbed her staff into Lysia's throat once more, anger and power coursing through her. Then the Queen of the Amazons said in a loud, intimidating voice she learned to use from her soulmate.

"Do you yield?" The Amazon tried to speak, but couldn't with the staff pressed so hard against her throat, so she just nodded in answer. The bard then removed her staff and watched as the Amazon began to stand. But instead Lysia stayed on her knees before Gabrielle, her head hung down as she spoke in her best voice.

"I bow and yield before Queen Gabrielle. I surrender my life to her, my life is no longer to be commanded by Queen Hippolyte, but by my new Queen Gabrielle" The bard looked down a bit stunned at the words. Queen Hippolyte, the strongest and mightiest Amazon Queen ever? Gabrielle felt herself go a somewhat weak, not believe she just had one of Hippolyte's mighty warriors hand their life over to her to command, let alone fight them. Now Lysia stood back up, with a small smile on her lips and a new found respect in her eyes for the young Queen. The bard raked a hand through her hair, watching the Amazon warrior make her way through the crowd in the sparring circle. Now Gabrielle felt the presence of her soulmate coming up behind her, powerful hands clasping the blond's shoulders. The small woman smiled to herself and turned around to face her tall lover, whom smiled down to her with pride held in sky blue eyes. Gabrielle then could feel herself begin to slightly shake at the realization she had almost lost her life. Xena caught this and quickly wrapped her arms around her partner pulling her in tight. The bard trembled a few times letting the little fear run its small course. The warrior had then lowered her head to the bard's ear, whispering to her.

"You okay love?" The blond nodded against the tall woman's chest and listened as her soulmate spoke to her again in a quiet voice. "Lets go back to the hut so you can catch your breath" Gabrielle nodded once more and felt the ex-warlord drop her arms, then reaching to her leather clad side. Xena easily unhooked a water skin from her left side and handed ir to her partner, who took it gratefully. The bard hadn't realized till now just how dry her mouth was from all the fighting. Taking a few gulps, the small woman let herself be led through the Amazons towards their hut. The warrior opened the door and let her soulmate walk through, closing it behind herself. Xena leaned against the door as she watched her lover walk over to the bed dropping her staff and water skin on top. She then sighed and sat down on the bed as well, raking her small hands through her hair once more. Gabrielle fell back, legs hanging off the bedside as she let her body slowly relax from earlier. The tall woman grinned at the site as she padded over, sitting on the bed beside her companion. The bard had her hands resting over her eyes as she tried to mentally calm her senses that were still jumping. Xena reach down and grasped the small hands and moved them, placing the bard's hands on her stomach, the warrior leaving her hand on top of Gabrielle's. "That was impressive Gabrielle" The blond didn't respond right away, but stared up at the warrior as she let the words soak in. Now a smile formed on the bard's lips as she spoke in normal tone.

"Thanks Xena" The warrior grinned as she leaned down and kissed the bard gentle, still leaving the bard faintly breathless. Once Xena brought her head back up, the small woman dropped her gaze sighing, then she felt the warm hand tighten on her's in response. The Amazon Queen looked back up into blue eyes, making her smile. "Xena you think we could possibly get out of here this afternoon?" The warrior gazed down into serious eyes as she considered the idea and shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't see why not. Did you have a certain place you wanted to head for?" The bard then let a smirk form on her warm lips, a small sparkle coming to her eyes.

"Well I thought we could kind of stick to our original plans, head to Amphipolis. I wouldn't mind taking some time off, just you and I. What you think?" A pause as Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "Been a few since we have had a vacation" The older woman smiled warmly at the small woman.

"Sounds like a great idea" The warrior then paused as she thought for a moment. "I do want to stop at a village once we get through the mountains. I need to get a new sharpening stone" The bard nodded and then rose her head up for a moment to look across the room to her satchel with her scrolls. She dropped her head back down on the bed and looked back to her soulmate.

"I need to get some more scrolls while we are there. So you think we'll make it to Amphipolis by tomorrow afternoon?" The tall woman nodded her answer as she chewed on that question.

"Yeah we should, no later then dusk. Come on lets go get something to eat, find Ephiny, and get out of here. I am kind of ready to get back on the road" The bard chuckled to herself as she sat back up and grabbed her staff and heading out of her quarters with her soulmate. Gabrielle was more then ready to leave the village, find time to rest her mind. The bard knew things would be calm for awhile, the Nation was well on its way to being repaired from Velasca's attack.

Xena pulled the leather strap taut as she listened to her lover and friend talk back and forth gossipy. The warrior shook her head as she finished up saddling Argo and then turning back around to her partner and the Regent.

"We are ready" Gabrielle stopped talking looked to her soulmate as she stepped up beside her, the warhorse's reins in hand. The bard turned back to the curly-blond and leaned in, hugging her tightly. Ephiny hugged her friend back in equal force, pulling back while smiling. She then looked to the tall leather-clad woman, who grinned back and handed the reins to Gabrielle. Xena took a step forward and hugged the Regent tightly, Ephiny almost getting the wind knocked out of her. Releasing the smaller woman, the warrior stepped back as the Amazon coughed for a moment and looked back to the two females.

"You two be careful, was great seeing you. And for once, please visit under better circumstances next time" The blond chuckled while the stoic warrior grinned to the other woman. The bard was the one to respond in a sweet voice, happy to be off traveling again.

"You take care of yourself too Ephiny. Keep Solari out of trouble will you" The Regent nodded as she chuckled at the request and watched as the two women began to head out of the barn towards the gates. Ephiny then yelled to the small bard before she couldn't hear her.

"Great staff work today Queen Gabrielle" The bard looked back and smiled as she waved and yelled back.

"Thanks Ephiny, see you soon" The Regent grinned to herself as she waved to her friends, both women waving back before going through the gates. The Amazon smiled as she watched her friends disappear behind the gate into the world.

A small figure stood at the top of the hill as they looked down at the village far below. Beside the small form was a large war-horse, a strong dark figure sat up high in the saddle, gazing down at the town. Now the tall female on the war-horse brought her feet out of the stirrups and neatly landed onto the ground beside the small blond. The tall warrior then looked up into the sky to see the sun just beginning it's decent, more then half of the day had gone by. She then looked back to her smaller partner who continued to gaze down at the village, wind brushing her bangs back.

"Looks pretty busy Xena" The Warrior Princess nodded as the bard looked up to her soulmate with a serious face. Sky blue eyes then looked down to meet a pair of loving emerald eyes, making Xena grin.

"Come on, lets get down there before it gets any busier" A small smile twitched on the bard's lips as the two women began to make their way down the hill side into town. Once the pair made their way into the village they quickly caught sight of a barn to leave Argo within. The two females easily made their way to the barn through the rather large crowd. Ducking under the over hang the warrior straighten back up to see a small boy looking back up at her.

Xena looked directly at him, using her height and strength to intimidate him as she talked in a stern voice. "You taking care of the stables?" The small boy nodded his head as he gazed into strong intense blue eyes. "Can you take care of my horse for a candle marks or two?" Once again the small boy nodded his head as the warrior handed him Argo's reins. Then the tall woman moved back to her saddlebag's to retrieve a small pouch along with the bard's scroll satchel. She withdrew two dinars handing them to the small boy, whom nodded with a small smile and led Argo back into the building. The leather-clad woman then walked back out with her lover right beside her. Xena walked over to the side of the stables and turned to her smaller companion, handing the bard her satchel.

"Why don't we split up. I think we'll get out of here quicker, this crowd is getting thicker" The bard nodded as she watched the warrior dig through the pouch and pulled out ten dinars, giving them to Gabrielle. She then looked back up to the dark warrior with a small smile.

"Where do you want to meet up?" Xena began to grin at the question as she looked into serious eyes.

"Let's meet here within a candlemark. You think that is enough time to find some scrolls?" The bard nodded in answer as she felt the warrior step closer. Xena then leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the bard's lips and straightened back up with a stern face. "Be careful love, and if you are not back here on the dot, I'll tear up this town looking for you" The Amazon Queen chuckled as she reached up, squeezing the warrior's arm briefly.

"Don't worry I will be, don't start up any fights...without me" The tall woman rolled her eyes as she turned to head off into the crowd. Gabrielle followed the tall woman with her eyes, watching her slowly disappear within the people. Turning around, Gabrielle took a deep breath and began her own journey within the town. Slowly she weaved in and out of the people, making her way to the market she had spotted earlier while on top of the hill. After taking a few more paces, the bard came across the market and spotted the stands in front of her. She quickly padded over to them, searching them with her eyes looking for a scroll stand. Passing five stands, the blond spotted the one she had been hoping for. Gabrielle walked over to the left through the crowd and stepped up to the stand. She gazed down at the table containing different items of writing products. There were variety of things; scrolls, quills, ink, ink wells, stamps with wax, tubes for the scrolls, leather casing, everything a bard could want or need. The small woman sighed wishing she could have one of everything on the table, but knew she couldn't with the small amount of money between her and Xena. Reaching down, the bard picked up a scroll feeling its familiar texture.

"Ah yes the parchments are rather popular, especially with the bard's around here" Green eyes looked up to meet a pair of amber eyes gazing back at her.

"Well I need to get about five scrolls, do you have enough?" The merchant grinned slightly and nodded his large head.

"I believe I might just have enough, but there is a heavy price on this merchandise" The bard began to grin to herself, feeling her negotiation side coming to life, a good haggle.

"Well...it's pricey huh? Hmmm I saw another stand a little ways back with lower prices" The man's brown eye brows shot up at that statement and he began to hassle talk.

"Um, well maybe I can make a deal with you young one" Then there was a pause as he gazed at his own products on the stand table. "I'll give you the five scrolls for ten dinars" The blond's eyes slightly widen at that price, she then sighed dramatically.

"I don't know I think that other stand was selling five parchments for five dinars. Maybe I'll head down to that one, thanks any way" As Gabrielle turned around, a large hand grasped her wrist quickly.

"Wait little one, I'll give you the five parchments for...eight dinars" The Amazon Queen turned around to face the man with a skeptical look as he released her wrist.

"Hmmm how about five dinars?" The brown haired man frowned at that price and looked down at the scroll on the wood table.

"Seven dinars?" Gabrielle looked at the amber eyes then back at the table, her eyes going to the ink in the small bottle. Slowly a grin formed on her lips.

"I'll pay six dinars for the five scrolls and bottle of ink" The large man sighed as he brought up his right hand, rubbing his chin as he thought about it. He then looked to the blond and smiled some.

"All right deal" Gabrielle smiled sweetly as she collected six dinars from a small pouch she had placed them in earlier. Handing them to the merchant, Gabrielle retrieved the five scrolls and ink from the man's hands then placed them within her satchel with the pouch of four dinars. The bard nodded to the man as he smiled to her, she quickly turned around and made her way through market to gaze at other stands. Spotting a piece of something gold, the blond strolled over to the item across the market place. Gazing down at the small item that had caught her eye, a medium size pure gold band. The bard grinned to herself realizing what the ring was meant for. Looking back up from the jewelry stand, Gabrielle turned around to face the direction she had came from. After completely turning around, two tall men stepped up in front of the young woman. Gabrielle stared up at them as she leaned against her staff, her satchel hanging on her other side. The two men began to slightly grin at the bard as they took notice to her. The bard studied them for a second, warriors, leather clad, and swords hanging from their right side. The one to her right looked stronger as well as older, his brown hair short and hazel eyes gleaming. The second one was no more then a few years old then Gabrielle, with his blond hair oily and hands covered in grime and brown eyes undressing the bard. The blond sighed realizing the situation, time to talk her way out of this one then fight last.

"So where you headed to little one?" Gabrielle turned her head a little to her right to stare at the old warrior. His smirk more evident on his face as he talked with a sarcastic voice.

Gabrielle grinned as she spoke in a mocking tone.

"Not any where with you boys" The younger warrior's lip twitched a little and then let a grin form on his lips. Next he reached out, grasping the small woman's mid left arm tightly. Gabrielle looked at his hand briefly then shrugged it off, only making the two men laugh in amusement. The bard tried her best to act calm and stoic, but she couldn't deny her pounding heart with in her chest and her sweating palms. "Look boys I am not in the mood to deal with you" Again the two men laughed at the small woman, enjoying her feistiness. Now it was the older warrior that reach out grasping the bard's shoulders tightly and then pulling her in close to him. The blond growled some in annoyance and brought her staff down on his hands, making him release her. Gabrielle then stepped back away from them, her staff at the ready. The older warrior rubbed his arms as he glared at the bard, hazel eyes flashing with anger. He then reached to his side unsheathing his sword waiting for his friend to do the same. The bard's heart had picked up it's pace as she mentally prepared to fight two warriors larger then her.

As they stepped up close to her, Gabrielle could feel something calm her sense all of a sudden. Warmth spread through her and her heart immediately answered the question her mind asked to why her senses relaxed. The two men glared at her as the younger one stepped more to her left the other her right. The bard dropped her fighting stance and just smirked at the warriors, causing them to stop and look at each other in question.

Then both men looked back to the bard and saw as to why the young woman had relaxed. Gabrielle leaned back some into something strong and warm, while still grinning to the men. Now a strong threatening voice rang through the air, sending chills down the two warrior's spines.

"You mess with the bard, you mess with me" The young warrior and older warrior looked up into cold blue eyes that held an unspeakable amount of strength and anger. Both men straightened up and easily sheathed their swords taking steps backwards as they began to turn around and disappeared into the crowd. Steel cold blue eyes watched them as they went into the crowd, losing them after awhile. Gabrielle sighed a shaky breath in reaction to them leaving and the close call again. Then she felt to warm hands clasp onto her shoulders, squeaking briefly then relaxing once more. The bard dropped her head back into cold bronze metal and looked up into clear eyes that warmed to her. She smiled some.

"Thanks, how did you find me?" A small grinned formed on the tall woman's lips as she looked down.

"I followed my heart" The bard continued to stare up with a confused look masking her features, the warrior understanding it. "I knew you were in trouble and I followed my heart to bring me to you" The bard's eyes went unfocused as she looked beyond the tall woman as she took in the words. Looking back, the blond smiled to her soulmate her understanding.

"I think I know what you mean. Like a connection between us?" A slight grin etched onto the warrior's lips as she nodded.

"Yeah exactly" Gabrielle's smile broadens as she straightens back up then reached into her satchel, extracting her four leftover dinars. Turning around, the bard handed the coins to the older female. Now the Amazon Queen finally took notice to the small leather bag hanging from her lover's left side. As Xena took the dinars from her soulmate, she lifted an eyebrow in question over the other woman's expression. Following the bard's gaze, the warrior chuckled as she looked at the bag to her side then back to Gabrielle. The smaller woman then looked back up to an amused face.

"What do you have stashed away in there?" Now the warrior began to grin down at her friend as she tried to hide her secret.

"Nothing you won't find out about soon" The woman paused as she looked up to see that the amount of people had picked up within the town. "Come on we need to get out of this place before we get stuck here" Gabrielle broke her gaze from the tall woman to see the people flooding into the village. She shook her head at the site, not believing the small town could hold this many people. The warrior reached into her brown bag to her side opening it then dropping the four coins within. She then grasped the smaller woman's shoulders directing her into the main part of the street. As they made their way into the swarm of people, the raven-haired beauty kept her hands on top of the blond's shoulders to keep better control of the situation.

The warrior continually was bumped into, firing her anger up. Her soulmate was having a worse time, getting knocked off to the side or out of the way, angering the warrior even more. Xena a number of times stood up tall as she could to better see where she was headed through the people, but even she was having a hard time looking over. Feeling the frustration consume her, the warrior took a deep breath as she led her soulmate off to the side of the street.

"Xena, we are going to never make it to the stables with all these people" The Warrior Princess looked from the rush of humanity to her lover.

"Yeah I know" Xena began to look around at her surroundings as an idea came to mind, looking beyond the bard. The warrior grinned as she found what she needed and walked over to it with Gabrielle behind her. Standing in front of the wooden fence that held a few horses within, the older woman turned back to her lover with a small grin. "Give me your staff and satchel Gabrielle" The bard arched an eyebrow at the request as she moved closer to the fence and handed the warrior her wooden staff. Then she pulled the strap of the satchel over her head, also handing it to her soulmate. She watched as the warrior hooked the bard's staff to her right side. Looking back to the smaller woman, Xena took the leather bag and brought it over her head, letting it hang below the small bag on her left side. "Now climb to the top of the fence" Now the blond's eyes widen as she realized what her soulmate planned to do.

"Xena you know I hate heights" The warrior sighed as she stepped up closer to her lover with blue eyes going serious.

"Trust me Gabrielle, I won't let anything happen" The bard grinned some as she turned around to climb the wooden fence, up three poles. As she climbed, the small woman whispered something back to the warrior.

"With my life" Xena grinned at the statement as she saw Gabrielle reach the final wooden horizontal pole and walked up to the bard. Turning around the leather-clad woman felt small warm hands fall onto her shoulders, pushing down lightly. Following the physical command, the tall woman bent her legs and came down to the ground on her one knee. Now she felt weight come down on both shoulders, warm soft legs draping over her shoulders and chest. Gabrielle's small hands began to wrap around Xena's neck as the bard leaned forward, while strong hands reached up to grasped the blond's leather cover ankles. Slowly the tall woman rose back up to her full height, the bard taking a deep breath in response. Then the warrior spoke up to her lover in a soothing yet concern manner.

"You okay Gabrielle?" The bard nodded as she spoke in small voice.

"Yeah, can see everything from up here though" The warrior chuckled as she began to walk into the crowd with stoic and strong expression covering her appearance.

"Yup, do you see the stables? You're the navigator" The bard didn't respond right away, but began to look around. She saw small houses, taverns, and a number of people's heads. Continuing to scan the town, the Amazon Queen finally spotted a small dark brown stable where Argo was patiently waiting.

"Found it" The tall woman nodded some as she continued to weave in and out of the people. Xena kept a steady pace, glaring at the occasion persons who looked at the dual with odd or disgusted looks. She then responded to her small friend resting on her shoulders.

"Tell me when we start getting close" The small woman nodded as she continued to scan the crowd, catching site of all the different kinds of people. The bard took a deep breath and slowly released it, then she felt a squeeze at her ankles then the warm hands loosen on her ankles. "Why do you think all these people are here?" Xena stepped to her right, dodging two running children as they made their way through the mass of people.

"They're having a festival in honor of Dionysus, heard a two men talking about it when I went to buy my whet stone" Now the small blond chuckled, the warrior wondering as to why.

"Then we better get out of here?for your sake" The tall warrior chuckled as she kept an eye on the people around her. Slowly she let a grin tug at her lips, remembering her and her soulmate's last encounter at a Dionysus festival. Xena had thought she'd seen ever side to her lover until that night on the festival. She began to lose herself in the memory as she sidestepped extensive amounts of people and continued to make her way down the overran main street to the stables. "Xena?" The Warrior Princess slightly shook her head, Gabrielle feeling the movement.

"Yeah?" The bard faintly grinned to herself.

"So you bought a whet stone? Funny, the last time I checked the saddle bags there were two whet stones inside" The dark-haired woman bit her lower lip as she walked, angered with herself for not remembering that she already had plenty of sharpening stones and that her bard would have checked. The warrior's mind worked quickly to try to think of an easy way around the conversation at hand.

"Well I wanted to get a third spare" A skeptical look covered the bard's features as she realized her soulmate was trying to hide something.

"Uh huh" The tall female felt the back of her mouth to her molars as she came up with a response. A small smirk formed at the warrior's lips as she talked to her partner in a playful tone.

"So its okay for you to have three quills and seven blank scrolls at a time, but not all right for me to have three sharpening stones at a time?" The Amazon Queen chuckled as she gazed around at the town, spotting the barn once more. She mentally began to calculate how much longer it would take for them to make it the stalls while she replied to her soulmate.

"Hmmm yes actually" Xena chuckled some at her soulmate's words, then she felt the intake of breath, knowing her bard was going to continue. "But I suppose I can understand what you are saying"

"Thanks" The younger woman grinned to herself as she spotted two people she recognized within the crowd, she then leaned down to closer to her companion's right ear. She then quietly whispered something to lover.

"There's our two favorite boys over there to the left by the entrance to that tavern" The warrior nodded her understanding, spotting the two male warriors earlier. They leaned against a post to the entranceway, watching people come and go by the tavern and in and out. Xena kept her stoic mask on, watching them from the corner of her eyes. Gabrielle by then had straightened back up and took one last glance at the two men the looked back to the stables. "We're almost to the stables" Xena looked around, starting to quickly recognize the area and buildings around her. She began to swiftly recall her way back to the barn from here.

"You know Gabrielle, you did a beautiful job today with handling Lysia" The bard's face turned a bit stunned by the random comment from her normally stoic warrior. Now she wondered as to why her partner just brought that up out of the blue. The bard fidgeted for a second by readjusting her hands around the tall woman's neck, then replied.

"Thanks" A pause. "What did Eph say about it?" Suddenly the warrior chuckled as she commemorated what had happened after the challenge between the bard and Amazon warrior.

"Its more like what she didn't say" Now the warrior paused for a second as she stopped herself from running into three chattering women. Watching them pass by, the tall woman began to amble back towards the stables. "Ephiny was rather stunned as well as dumb founded that her Queen had so much talent. She hasn't seen you really work with your staff since you first became the Amazon Princess" The blond chuckled as she remembered the entire challenge and how much her heart pounded from the intensity and thrill of the fight.

"Hmm that should keep those Amazons talking for awhile" A ping of pride coursed through the warrior as she thought of the Amazons talking about her soulmate's amazing staff work.

"I am sure they will be. Ep said she hasn't seen that brilliant amount of staff work in a long time since she has been weapons master. Solari just stared at you and kept a large smirk on her face" The bard chuckled again as she saw the stables become large then retorted back to her partner.

"Good, that should keep them all from wondering in the future" The older woman grinned while she spotted the stables about nine hundred paces away from her.

"I think you got their leathers all wadded up" Now the bard bursts into a fit of giggles as she mentally imagined the picture. The warrior as well laughed some while keeping a tight grip on her soulmate's ankles, supporting her. Taking a few more large steps the warrior made her way next to the barn as she felt Gabrielle finally settle down and control her laughter. The bard coughed, clearing her throat and took notice to finally being at the stable. The warrior stepped closer to the over hang of the stable, then the bard felt the warrior's hands leave her ankles.

"Hold on" Without anymore notice to Gabrielle, Xena reached up, grasping the bard's sides and lifted her up over her head, the younger woman squealing for a moment in reaction. Gently the tall female settled the Amazon Queen back down on the ground, with the blond's small back to her. Gabrielle turned around and watched her partner remove her satchel from her leather-clad side then handed it to the bard. The small woman gratefully took it, settling it over her left shoulder and watching the warrior unhook the bard's staff. Xena handed her friend the Amazon staff then instinctively adjusted the sword on her back. The warrior then nodded her head to her right, directing for the bard to head into the stables. The smaller woman stepped inside first, with the warrior right behind, who walked upped beside her. The warrior's eyes scanned the inside looking for the small boy, seeing him quickly make his way out of a stall at the far end. The young boy closed the stall door, then jogged up to the pair. He looked up into blue eyes, not saying anything and blinked twice. "I'd like my horse back now" The child faintly nodded then scurried off into the back of the barn once more. Soon to follow was the sound of hoof beats as the young man reappeared, reins in hand and a large mare in tow. The warrior was handed the reins whom took them with ease as she smiled to the boy while she slipped him an extra two dinars. The young boy smiled back up at her then quickly vanished back into the stalls. With grace the warrior stepped outside with Argo behind, the bard walking next to her. Once they made their way back out into the busy streets Xena headed directly for the way they entered the village earlier. Argo made it easier for the bard and Warrior Princess to get through the people, considering the mare took up a lot of space. Xena stopped as she reached the out skirts of the busy village and turned to the bard.

"Here let me put that back up" Gabrielle knew what she meant and removed her scroll bag from her side, handing it to the tall female. Xena slung it on the back of the saddlebag, stowed away safely. Giving the satchel one last pat, the warrior walked in front of the mare, reins in hand, the bard right beside her, staff in hand.

"I saw that" The warrior looked to her soulmate with a raised eyebrow and spoke with a deep tone.

"Saw what?" The bard chuckled as she placed her free hand on Xena's upper arm then dropped it.

"Saw you give the boy two extra dinars" Slowly a grin creased the tall form's lips as she gazed down at the bard.

"Yeah well?you know how it is" Gabrielle looked back ahead as they neared the dirt path from earlier. She figured that they would end up sleeping on the road tonight and reach Amphipolis by tomorrow afternoon.

"I think I do" A pause. "You think we'll make Amphipolis by tomorrow?" Xena caught the direction the conversation was headed while she climbed the remainder of the small hillside.

"Yyesss, we should be there by then. Why?" The bard pushed herself up onto the dirt path, hearing Argo do the same by the clank of the hoofs. The blond took a deep breath and raised her free hand up making a jester towards the road.

"Oh just wondering, no reason" Her arm fell back by her side as she walked with a quick gate to match her soulmates. The tall warrior nodded her head then for a moment, suspicion still evident in her blue eyes. Xena then turned her eyes to the war-horse beside her, she slowed her pace down. Argo moved a little head of it's keeper, then she felt weight come onto her back. The dark haired warrior had jumped up onto the mare's back, reins in hand, back straight, sitting tall. The bard looked up briefly and grinned to see the warrior's stoic form masking her features. She looked back down the road as she posed a question for her tall partner.

"Xena?" Xena kept her sights ahead, watching all her surroundings in normal habit.

"Yesss?" A small smirked creeped onto the blond's lips at her lover's tone, she loved it. Then Gabrielle retorted, but hastily, her words jumbled together.

"I was kinda wondering if we should consider, well this is if you only want, 'cause I know how you are and?" The Amazon Queen was cut of by the impatient warrior whom talked in a low hard tone, but kept a grin playing on her lips.

"Gggabrieeelle, just spit it out" Gabrielle chuckled for a second, took a deep breath as she brought her free hand up to rub the back of her neck. She looked up to meet blue eyes, then she turned her head to look at the road again, dropping her hand and finally responding.

"I just wanted to see if you've considered whether you wanted to show?affection in public or not" Xena smiled to herself as she kept herself still in the saddle, considering the statement. Slowly the warrior's smile dropped over the realization of something. Xena didn't like the fact Gabrielle thought the warrior was in charge of the relationship. The Warrior Princess then felt guilt wash over her, knowing it had always been her that made the final dissuasions in the partnership. The warrior mentally cursed herself and made her last dissuasion on her own to make sure that her bard had as much control over their relationship as she did.

For awhile the bard thought her soulmate wouldn't answer. Then she saw the mare stop walking, so Gabrielle did and looked to her soulmate. Blue and green eyes locked for a brief moment, the bard knew what she said had trigged something deep inside of her soulmate.

"Gabrielle?" The warrior didn't know how to phrase it all, her words confused. She closed her mouth briefly to organize her thoughts, then was about ready to say something when she heard the sounds of somebody walking down the road towards them. The warrior cursed under her breath in another language the bard didn't catch. They both looked to the person walking down the road with a noisy and loud gate. The two soulmates felt their happiness drop over the person coming down the road.

Joxer

Gabrielle sighed, it had to be him. Xena looked from the skinny man to her bard with serious blue eyes. "We'll talk about this later, promise" Gabrielle smiled up at the warrior and nodded as she heard her name, well rather her nickname called out to her.

"Gabby!" The warrior wannabe quickly jogged the rest of the distance and came up to the pair, he patted the bard on the shoulder and smiled to her. Gabrielle smiled back, still a bit angry over his timing. He then looked up to lock eyes with the stoic warrior, he slightly smiled up to her, still not use to her strength.

"Hi Joxer" The man's smile turned a bit brighter at the acknowledgment, he then looked back to Gabrielle with the same smile.

"So exactly where are my two chums headed too?" Gabrielle huffed for a moment and made Xena grin to herself, the bard answered the question with a light voice.

"We are headed towards Amphipolis" Joxer's eyes widen in happiness.

"Really? Well great I'll come with you guys, was headed in that direction any way" The warrior raised an eyebrow behind his back, the bard voiced what Xena was thinking.

"Joxer, you were coming from the direction of Amphipolis" The wannabe warrior's eyebrow's lifted up a little ways, then he smiled to the blond.

"Oh I know Gabby, but I saw you and Xena and thought I should escort you two there" The Amazon Queen shook her head and then looked down to the ground, turning her head some to look up to her partner. The warrior smirked to her soulmate and shrugged her shoulders, then Gabrielle looked back to her friend.

"Come on"

All three friends set out on their journey south towards Amphipolis. The bard was more than excited to have a break soon, she mentally needed one. After her third bad encounter with Velasca she wasn't sure she could handle much more fighting. Gabrielle knew her soulmate knew this as well, she never up forward expressed it to Xena. The warrior could see right threw the Amazon Queen, it always astounded Gabrielle. But Gabrielle could always see right through her soulmate as well, it was equal. The bard knew her soulmate was itching to sit down with her privately and talk to her about what's been going through Gabrielle's mind.

Xena had taken notice to the fact the bard wasn't writing any scrolls ever since she died. She was happy though with the fact that her soulmate had bought scrolls in the market, but wasn't completely content. The warrior knew the dreams as well haunted her soulmate every night. She hoped that the well-earned time in Amphipolis with relaxation will help the bard heal. Xena had two burning questions to ask her soulmate that were inside her that could greatly affect everything that she had. But she had to wait, wait for the right place, the right time, for the right reasons.

The group at first didn't talk much, everybody lost in their own thoughts. Then the smaller female struck up a conversation with Joxer about his recent travels. Then the man asked the bard about her recent adventures. That's when Gabrielle had lost her smile and grim facial expression took over, Joxer immediately regretting it and apologized. The blond had brushed off the apology then went into bardic mode, telling the earliest stories Joxer hadn't heard. She easily left out the more recent tales, this not going unnoticed.

By late afternoon Xena had announced that she was going to ride ahead some and give Argo a workout. Gabrielle had looked up into the warrior's eyes with a smile. The bard's mind was sent into wonderment over the fact her soulmate had that certain twinkle to her blue eyes. What is that warrior up to now? Gabrielle mentally huffed to herself as she watched the warrior and mare disappear ahead into a gallop. For a half of a candlemark Joxer and the young female didn't say anything as the walked along the dusty road. No sight of the warrior either. Eventually the bard's pace had slowed up some, Joxer walking ahead of Gabrielle, the day was wearing on the bard quickly. The small female raked her hands through bangs as she looked around, hoping Xena would just show up any heartbeat. Having no luck, the bard kept trudging on, Joxer moving a little more ahead and not taking much notice to things around him.

Then there was a small rustled in the woods that lined the road, rather close to the bard. Gabrielle looked to where she heard the sound, not seeing anything, she dismissed it as an animal. With no warning, a form came out of the woods, wrapped an arm around her waist and a hand over her mouth. The bard couldn't move, her staff pinned against her body along with her arms. Gabrielle was towed into the woods with hardly any sounds made, a very faint muffled sound was made by the bard's mouth and was heard. Joxer turned around to where he figured his friend to be.

"Gabby?" Getting no response, he shrugged his shoulders and mumbled to himself. "Musta gone to relieve herself or something" Joxer started walking again down the long road, not taking much thought of what happened.

The bard stayed very still as she felt the large form stop moving and wait for Joxer to keep moving. Gabrielle then began to take realization physically of this person. They were tall, strong, had leather on, very warm, soft skin, and smelled just like her soulmate. A large grin formed on the bard's lips, the tall person knew the bard had taken notice by feeling her lips form into a grin. Slowly the large hand over Gabrielle's mouth dropped and moved to her waist, the bard leaned back into the tall form, her staff resting against her right shoulder. They waited till Joxer was far enough so they could talk. The blond straightened back up and turned in the warrior's embrace and grinned up at the twinkling blue eyes.

"Sneaky" Xena chuckled as she let a grin form on her lips as well, she turned her head to left to look over at the road, not spotting anybody. She looked back to the bard as she brought one hand up, idly running her large hand up and down the bard's back. "Where's Argo?" The tall female nodded her head to her right, behind the bard. Gabrielle turned in the warrior's arms to her left. Right beside them stood Argo, head down on the forest floor, nuzzling through leaves looking for grass. The bard giggled at herself and brought her hand up to cover her own mouth. She dropped it and turned back to the warrior. "Okay I am not with it, I am very tired" Again the warrior chuckled at the bard's words as she dropped her head down some and placed a kiss on her partner's forehead.

"Kind of thought you were tired of walking?and Joxer" The blond rolled her eyes briefly and brought her free hand up to rest on the warrior's hips.

"He's a nice guy and all, just bad timing" The warrior snorted in agreement then she stopped her back rubbing to bring her hand up to the bard's face. Xena brushed back a small piece of stray strawberry-blond hair behind Gabrielle's ear as she smiled. The Amazon Queen leaned into the touch, then sighed in contentment, glad to have her soulmate around again.

"I found a great camping spot for the night. I wouldn't mind getting there a candle mark or so ahead of Joxer. Want to teach you a new move" The younger woman arched a brown eyebrow at her soulmate at the last bit of information.

"A new move?" The ex-warlord grinned as she rested both of her large hands on the small form's waist.

"Well a move we both can do" The bard grinned as well as she stood up on tiptoe, placing a light kiss to her warrior's lips.

"This sounds like fun" Xena chuckled deeply as she dropped her hands from the bard's body. Both soulmates made their way over to Argo, hopping up onto the mare and galloping along distance ahead of Joxer.

~*Part 2*~

The golden war-horse nickered some as she dropped her head back down into the patch of thick green grass. She ripped some grass from the ground and chopped down on the food. The horse listened to sounds of two women talking back and forth, one voice a bit skeptical the other had certainty.

"Gabrielle this will work I promise" The bard huffed out a large amount of air. Beside the two women laid the warrior's chakram and the bard's staff. Gabrielle looked skeptically into her soulmate's eyes.

"You sure?" The warrior's shoulders slouched for a moment then went up again.

"Yes, you just have to hold on tight" A pause. "Have I ever failed you before?" The Amazon Queen chuckled and smiled to her soulmate.

"Okay okay, what do I have to do?" Xena grinned as she worked out the idea in her head from memory.

"First you run a little in the circle, then you leap up as best as possible. With your momentum I'll be able to spin us around in a circle" Gabrielle nodded as she reached out, Xena clasped the bard's small forearm, the blond tightly holding the warrior's forearm. The warrior had found the perfect spot for this move, they were centered in the middle of a plethora of trees. Gabrielle took a deep breath and looked up into protective blue eyes, she knew she was in the safest spot in the world. Her nervousness calmed completely down, butterflies disappearing just from a set of strong blue eyes. "Okay ready?" The bard nodded. "On the count of three, One, Two Three!" The small female began to sprint in a circle, building up speed, then Xena nodded to her as the warrior stayed in one place turning with the blond. Gabrielle leaped up, body sprawling then everything began to go faster. The ex-warlord kept a tight hold on her partner as she spun the bard around in a circle, Gabrielle perfect for this. "Now keep your eyes lock with mine, unless you want to become really dizzy" The Amazon Queen grinned some as her emerald green eyes met sapphire ones, not leaving them. Both the women could feel the strain begin in their arms from all the energy being used in the spin. "Can you feel your feet walking on the trees?" Gabrielle just faintly nodded. "Pretend their people's heads, give them a kick" The small female then used her imagination and began to picture the trees as people and began to kick at them a certain way. They went into two more complete circles, the warrior letting the bard practice with the spin more and the kicking. By the end of the second Xena slowed up the circling and then the bard dropped to her feet neatly. Neither female dropped their hold on each other's arms, Gabrielle letting her body settle down for a moment. She then smiled and looked up to her partner.

"So how many guys can we take out with that move?" Xena shrugged her shoulders for a moment then responded.

"Well to make the spin worth our while, at least five people close by us" The bard nodded and dropped her gaze, both women releasing their hold on each other. Gabrielle then looked back up, no expression.

"Think we should head back into the camp?" The warrior sighed as she moved to her chakram and the bard's staff still on the ground.

"Yup, I am sure Joxer will be showing up soon" Xena handed her soulmate her wooden staff, both woman slowly turned towards where their camp lay. They both walked in silence for a couple of paces, the bard then let a grin form on her lips.

"Xena?" The warrior responded in her deep tone that the bard loved so much.

"Yesss?"

"I love you" The Warrior Princess's heart stopped, her body still moving but no sense of direction. The next thing to happen to the warrior was feeling herself slam into a hard rough tree. Xena stumbled back two steps and brought her right hand up to rub her forehead for a moment, completely caught by surprise. She had her head down some as she rubbed her brow, hearing a few muffled giggles close by. The tall female dropped her hand and looked over to Gabrielle a small grin playing on her lips. The bard had the tips of her fingers covered over her mouth, a grin somewhat noticeable. She dropped her hand from her mouth, her expression taking on a pleading look. "Sorry" Xena kept her grin and walked closer to her soulmate, very little spaced left between them.

"Nothin to be sorry about, I just didn't expect that" The Amazon Queen stood on tiptoe and kissed the warrior's slightly red forehead. She then fell back down on her heals and smiled up at her tall partner

"By the way, how are we going to work things with Joxer around?" Xena didn't say anything at first thinking. Her blue eyes refocused as she crossed her arms against her chest.

"Well what would you like to do?" One of the blond's brown eyebrows went up in suspicion. The warrior uncrossed her arms and placed her hands on her lover's upper arms. "Really Gabrielle, what do you feel comfortable with?" Gabrielle's eyes dropped to the ground, her eyes studying a green leaf on the forest floor. Her mind sped in different directions on how to handle everything, it wore her mind out all to fast. Right now the bard knew she had too much on her plate and didn't think she could handle another problem to sort out, explain. The small woman took a deep breath and very slowly released it, the warrior never relinquished her hold. She looked back up into patient blue eyes, waiting for her response.

"I really?don't want him to know right now. Keep things simple right now" Xena nodded as she kept her face serious.

"I agree, you've been through enough right now, don't need this hanging over your head as well" The bard smiled up at her soulmate, feeling the warrior tighten her grip briefly then drop her arms back against her side.

"Thank you Xena" A small smile crossed the ex-warlord's lips as she brought one hand up to Gabrielle's back as they continued their short trek the camp.

"That's what friends do" The bard chuckled, remembering her own words from what seemed like so long ago. Gabrielle wrapped one arm around Xena's waist and hugged her tightly, the warrior returning the hug across the bard's shoulders. They released their hold on each other as they stepped into the set up camp, the warrior wannabe already there sitting on a log off to one side. He looked up as the pair walked in, his face brightened up.

"There you two are" He hopped up off the log and stalked over to the two women. The dusk sun reflected off his metal across his chest and helmet. "I was wondering what happened to you Gabby back on the road. I kind of thought Xena found you" The bard just smiled to the man as she wrapped her free arm around her middle.

"Yeah Xena found me and gave me a ride" Joxer smiled at that.

"I figured and I knew I'd find your guy's camp without any problem, you know me" Xena sighed making the bard grin inwardly knowing as to why. Then the skinny man reached out, grasping the short necklace on the blond's neck. "Wow that's a really cute necklace. Its got Xena's chakram and your staff" He released it and looked up to the warrior to see one just like it around Xena's neck. "You both have one, but different stones in them. Ha that's really cute, friendship thing huh" Now the leather-clad female began to smirk, Gabrielle's free hand moved from her stomach to scratch under her chin for a moment. She dropped her hand back to her side while a humored smile crossed her lips towards the wannabe warrior.

"Yup friendship thing" He nodded his stupid smile still plastered on his lips.

"That's really great, you two keep getting closer as friends" Gabrielle nodded and Joxer turned around and padded back over to the log, sitting down on it. He looked across to the two women. "What is for dinner tonight?" The blond arched an eyebrow and turned around to face her tall partner, sapphire eyes moving down to look at her. The warrior answered the question that is on her bard's mind.

"I'll go hunt something down" Gabrielle smiled as she made her way over to Joxer, sitting beside him and placing her staff on the ground beside her. Xena on the other hand walked with a strong gate relatively close to where Argo is munching on grass. The warrior unhooked the small pouch from her side that she from earlier today, she dropped it in a saddle bag on the ground that lay beside the horse's tack. The tall female stood back up and took one last glance at her partner, Gabrielle looking at her. Xena winked at her, then turned to disappear into the woods in search of food.

The blond gave Joxer a pat on his leg and stood up, and started walking towards the woods as well, opposite direction as the warrior. The man looked up with a curious face.

"I'm going to go find some fire wood, be back soon Joxer" The man nodded as the small female became lost in the woods during the early night. The bard was the first to return, an armload of logs as she trekked into the center of the camp. Gabrielle dropped the wood to one side of herself and bent down on her knees and began to organize the wood accordingly, just able to see with very little day light left. She efficiently placed all the woods as she needed and then she brought a small piece of wood and twig just under the wood then placed a few dried leaves beside the wood. She began to rub the twig in her palm on top of the small piece of wood. Within a few moments a small amount of smoke began to rise from the heat being produced, but no sparks coming. Frustration began to build as she continued to rub the twig in her palm, faster and faster she went, getting no fire but plenty of smoke. Gabrielle growled lowly and dropped the twig from her hands and sat down on the ground, calming her mood. She glared at the wood, and took deep breaths.

Then out of no where a large form bent down beside her, Gabrielle looked to them and smiled. Xena handed her partner three long sturdy branches that each has two skinned quail skewered on each branch. The bard held them as the warrior's large hands went to pick up the twig, rubbing the twig in her palm vigorously. Again smoke built up and then small sparks began to jump and onto the dried leaves catching them on fire. Quickly the wood began to burn as soon as the leaves caught on fire. The two women stood up and back away, watching the fire slowly begin to burn, bring a source of light to the camp. Gabrielle looked up to her tall partner. "How do you do that?" The tall warrior smirked down at her companion.

"I have many skills" The blond rolled her eyes then chuckled at her soulmate. The dark haired warrior then looked to her partner in the dark a small twinkle to her blue eyes. "Um hold on to those for a second, be right back" The bard raised an eyebrow as Xena briskly walked over to the saddlebags. She scrounged around inside of the bag, looking for something and found it, pulling it out. Joxer had been watching the whole transition, thinking he saw something a bit different about the two women, but he just brushed it off. He watched as the tall female crossed the camp again to stand beside the short blond. "Here I'll trade you" The warrior took the quail as Gabrielle took the item from large hands, her lips forming into a smile. The bard stared at it in the firelight, a dark leather bound book. She tilted the book some better to see an impression made on the leather, a quill was impressed into the leather cover. She opened it up to see numerous blank pages, her smile grew brighter at the realization of the article, a diary. Emerald eyes looked up to meet loving sky blue eyes, Gabrielle threw her arms around Xena's neck as the warrior held her one hand out of the way with the quail.

"Thank you Xena" They both hugged tightly, wishing they didn't have to release but knew to keep things low key. Releasing their hold, the bard rocked back onto her heals as she continued to smile up at the warrior.

"I know you don't have a diary and thought you could use one" The younger woman looked down at the book, running a small hand over the leather bound book.

"Yeah I've been meaning to get one" She looked up. "I write stories, but I wanted to have something personal to get my feelings out on and other moments" Xena kept her loving smile as she responded.

"That's what I thought too" Gabrielle turned her head to her right as Joxer walked up beside her to look at the book. The warrior turned towards the fire, moving rather close to it and sat down on the ground. Xena propped the three branches up over the fire to let the quail cook, a small smile still on her lips.

The warrior wannabe look at the book, and took it from the bard's hands carefully to study it, he then handed it back to the Amazon Queen.

"That's really neat" The blond nodded with a smile, she then walked over to the saddlebags and where her scroll satchel rested. Joxer though made his way over to the dark haired warrior, sitting down on the ground beside her. Xena looked to him, smiling lightly and mirrored back the smile and looked to the fire. Within a few heartbeats the blond sat on the other side of Xena after placing the dark leather diary into her satchel. Once she sat down, Gabrielle placed her staff beside her on the ground, she then reached for one of the sticks. Xena grasped the other two as both females turned the skewers, switching the top of the quail with the bottom.

Gabrielle sat on the log, right beside her was the leather-clad warrior on the ground, her back against a large random rock. The bard chewed on her quill as she tried to organize her thoughts before writing them in the leather bound book. She listened to the sound of a whetstone being stroked down the ex-warlord's sword. Her green eyes looked up from the diary towards the fire, in front of it lay the wannabe warrior. His chest was rising and falling slowly, his eyes closed and body well relaxed and covered. The Amazon Queen stopped sucking on the tip of her quill and continued on with her thoughts.

It was getting late now, everybody's stomachs were full from the small birds. The blond took a deep breath very slowly releasing it, in reaction a set of blue eyes looked up to her. Gabrielle looked to her soulmate with a loving smile.

Xena's idea had worked in more then one way. The warrior's top idea to getting her bard the diary was to mostly make her happy. But another main reason was for a way to get her lover to get some of her recent emotions out, it was working. The Warrior Princess didn't know if the bard knew she planned that or not, it didn't matter in the end. Xena did know it was important to her soulmate to get her emotions out, and she knew that she wasn't always the best person to tell emotions too. But the tall warrior was working at it, for herself, for her soulmate.

The tall female dropped the sharpening stone onto her lap as she gazed up at her lover. The bard closed the diary up and stood, raking her small hands through dark hair then took the whet stone from large hands and slowly walked over to her satchel. She slipped her book into the satchel and then swayed to her right to place the stone into the saddlebag pocket. The small woman walked back to where her partner sat, the warrior's sword sheathed, her long legs propped up but slightly opened. The bard looked to Joxer to see him sleeping hard. She then looked back to Xena, she walked closer to her soulmate's legs in front of her. Gabrielle then bent down onto her knees, her body going between the warrior's legs. Small hands fell onto the warrior's large thighs, Xena smiled to the younger woman. The Amazon Queen leaned in lightly kissing her warrior on the lips, the kiss became more intense than they should have dared it. Gabrielle found Xena's hands grasping her side, pulling her in, the bard's own hands gliding down strong thighs. They both quickly realized as to where this was going and backed off, both breathing breathlessly. Gabrielle let her head rest against the warrior's forehead as she let her body calm down, both their bodies calm. The smaller woman then brought her head back up to peer into Xena's eyes.

"We better get to sleep huh" The warrior grin as she kept her hands on Gabrielle's side, but a much lighter touch.

"Yeah before we devour each other" The bard chuckled as she stood up, grabbed her staff off the ground by the log and held her hand down to the warrior. Xena took a hold of the small hand and was helped being hauled to her feet, they kept their hands together as they walked the short distance to the bedrolls. Their bedrolls weren't together, there was about a shoulders length apart, both soulmates finding even that to far away. Gabrielle settled her staff beside her bedroll once she was sitting on the furs. Xena unhooked her sword and chakram placing them close by her bedroll as well, chakram on top of her sword. She then undid her buckles to her armor and placed them down beside her weapons. The warrior laid down on the bedroll, pulling her furs over herself. She gazed over to her partner, green eyes already looked her way, Xena smiled and received one back. "Good night" The smaller woman kept her smile as she replied back.

"Sleep well Xena" The warrior nodded, her blue eyes closing, Gabrielle rolling onto her back to peer up at the sky. She watched what little amount of stars she could through the thin clouds.

~*Part 3*~

The young woman tossed and turned under her furs, her body feeling tired, but her mind filled with thoughts. She stared into the dying fire hoping it would make her sleepy, but having no luck. She took deep breaths to relax herself, finding it increasingly hard to sleep. Gabrielle couldn't figure out why she couldn't sleep, unless she was afraid of what nightmares would come to her. She then rolled over to now face her soulmate, she stared at her lover's soft high cheek plane. Inside she was dying to go cuddle up beside the taller female, but knew with her luck, Joxer would wake up.

The bard continued to gaze across to her partner, then slowly blue eyes opened up to look back at her. A very small smile formed on Xena's lips, trying to comfort her bard. Gabrielle dropped her eye contact for a moment, her eyes were becoming a little darker underneath each day. The blond looked back to the warrior, Xena seeing the sadness in them and deep in them a hidden fear. That's when the Warrior Princess didn't care any more. She lift up her part of the fur blanket, Gabrielle smiled and looked to Joxer, seeing him sleeping hard as normally and some snoring. The blond came out from under her covers and crawled a little and slipped under the inviting furs.

The bard's head rested in the crook of Xena's shoulder, her back against the tall warrior's leather clad stomach. The warrior wrapped one arm around the blond's muscular stomach, Gabrielle's stomach tingling from the closeness.

That's when Joxer's snoring stopped and he rolled over to now to face in the direction of the soulmates, his eyes still closed. His breathing had picked up a little, worrying the bard. Gabrielle turned her head to look to her friend with concern evident in her eyse. She quietly then whispered up to her warrior.

"Can we go for a walk or something?" Xena's eyes drifted to the man across from them, she then looked to her lover and nodded. The warrior released Gabrielle and they both stood up quietly. They slowly made their way out of the camp without making any noise. They walked for a ways in silence till they came to a large patch of trees. Xena leaned up against one of the smoother trees, Gabrielle paced back and forth in front of her, her small hand in blond hair. The bard stopped her pacing and looked to her serious soulmate, her eyes filled with sadness.

"Xena I don't know how to deal with all this" The warrior's eyes dropped to the ground, her arms crossing against her chest, knowing this was coming. She looked back up to her soulmate, locking eyes with her.

"Tell me what you're thinking, feeling. Please get those emotions out Gabrielle" The bard dropped her own eye contact and started pacing again, her hands on her hips now. She brought one hand up to go into her blond hair again. Tears started to slowly trickle down her cheeks.

"I just never imagined that my family would be taking away from me all at once, so soon" The small woman stopped pacing and turned to her warrior, her head down staring at the ground. Xena listened, her body wanting to hold the bard, but knew not to?yet. "I just feel so much hatred towards Velasca" The small female paused for a moment then quietly whispered, even Xena had to strain to hear "Hate myself" Gabrielle looked up into blue eyes, pain evident in her emerald eyes. Xena uncrossed her arms and then quietly replied with a question.

"Why?" Now it was the younger female whom crossed her arms against her chest.

"I hate myself for leaving them, if I never had it wouldn't have ever happened" The warrior felt a lump come to her throat as she nodded. Those words stung the warrior like a million arrows, her guilt coming to life.

"How can you be sure of that Gabrielle? For all you know a warlord could have came along and wiped out your village and you would have been there too" The bard's eyes dropped to the ground again, she briefly close her eyes, her body starting to quiver from the strong emotions.

"At least I wouldn't have all this anger and hatred inside of me" The tall females fingers began to curl up into a fist, her knuckles going white over her own anger towards Velasca for doing this to her soulmate. Xena had that same burning desire inside herself to try and kill Velasca as her bard did.

"Gabrielle there was nothing that you could have done about it, don't play what ifs games with yourself. It'll never help you in the long run" Slowly tears began to fall down the bard's flushed cheeks, Xena's own eyes filling with unshed tears.

"I want to kill her so bad Xena, so badly. I still see her in my dreams, hear her cynical laugh, her voice calling my name, see her cold white glossed eyes. Gods I want to kill the murdering bitch" The warrior kept her eyes lock with the sea green ones before her, she replied but her voice was becoming shaky.

"I know you Gabrielle, you can make it through this. I remember once a wise friend told me that the cycle of hatred has to end and the only way to do that is through love and forgiveness. Please don't give up that fight" The bard nodded some, a very faint smile to her lips.

"Only if you're beside me Xena. I can't do it without my soulmate" The tall warrior let her tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. Gabrielle threw herself into Xena's arms, the ex-warlords arms immediately wrapping around her tightly.

"I'll never leave your side my bard" That's when Gabrielle of Poteidaia let all her emotions surge to the top. She began to cry so hard that her body was racked with strong sobs. Xena feeling her own emotions over the situation come crashing out, her soul link to the bard's feeling the pain, they shared the pain. Both women cried as they hugged one another tightly, the younger female's legs began to buckle, no longer able to stand up. Xena slid down the side of the tree with her soulmate till they both were sitting on the ground. The warrior rocked back and forth some as they both cried, letting the emotions run their course. After a good quarter of a candlemark or longer the smaller female began to slow up some. She still could feel some of the pain inside, but had no more tears to shed, her body convulsed a few more times. Xena never relinquished her hold on her bard, her own tears stopping, she continued to rock Gabrielle and herself back in forth in a soothing rhythm. Being able to speak again the warrior whispered soothing sounds to her soulmate to calm her.

After a half a candlemark completely passed, Gabrielle was calmer, just sniffling. Her eyes were pure red, face tear stricken as she took some deep breaths. The Warrior Princess loosened her hold some, the blond sat back some to look into red blue eyes of the warrior. Xena just smiled and in heartbeat Gabrielle smiled back faintly, the tall female leaned in to kiss the bard on the forehead. She then freed her right hand from the bard's back and placed it behind Gabrielle's head. She pushed the Amazon Queen's head, the bard following the physical command and nuzzled her face between Xena's breasts. The leather-clad female rocked for a few more heartbeats while raking a hand through strawberry-blond hair, letting Gabrielle mentally pull herself together. Again the tall female loosened her hold and the bard stared into her lover's red eyes. "You okay?" The blond nodded as she released one arm from around the stronger woman, she wiped at her eyes clearing them better.

"Thanks Xena" The Warrior Princess smiled a little and kissed her bard on the forehead again then responded.

"I love you" A bright smile formed on Gabrielle's face as she hugged the older woman one last time and then they broke their hold on each other. They both stood up and stretched their legs out.

The bard then saw her soulmate stiffen, her blue eyes going cold. Gabrielle froze as well and looked around and listened to figure out what her soulmate was hearing, seeing and or sensing.

There, a twig being broken.

To their right.

Thirty or more paces into the woods.

Gabrielle kept her attention on that, little attention to everything else around her. Then a whistle sound was heard as an arrow came flying through the air towards the bard. Before it could find it's target it was pluck out of the mid-air by the warrior's fast moving hand. Then a second whistle as another arrow made it's way to Xena's side, her other hand just stopping it. Before she could rid the arrows in her hand another came from the side, it sunk deep into the bard's left shoulder. Gabrielle grimaced and brought her hand up quickly regretting the action by the pain it caused. The next thing to happen was the blond's world spinning then she blacked out, her body crashing to the ground. The ex-warlord frantically looked around for the attackers, not seeing them in the darkness. Xena saw what happened to her soulmate, poisoned arrows, she shifted to stand over the bard's body in protection. She felt literally nude without her armor or weapons, she cursed herself mentally for leaving them back in the camp. Xena yelled out in a strong tone.

"Show yourselves cowards!" To her right the one man reappeared from the woods, a sword in hand, he twirled it as he grinned to the warrior. Then in a blink of an eye another fighter appeared out of no where from above. The large man came crashing done on to Xena, taking her down to the ground. The Warrior Princess and thug rolled on the ground a few times, farther away from the bard. The thug from earlier had briskly ran over to the lying bard, picking her up and hoisting her up onto his shoulders. Then he whistled and a horse galloped in, the thug jogged over to the horse and threw the bard up into the font of the saddle. He looked back to the fight, his best fighter was standing between him and the Warrior Princess. The lead thug then turned back to his horse and hopped up and caught site of his man getting kick around by Xena. The leader looked up to the trees then back to the fight.

The expert archer perched in the trees high above as he began to line up his three arrows all at once at the female warrior, waiting for the perfect moment. The large fighter was hit in the knee then in the stomach, Xena's anger flying high. She kicked up high sending the large man sprawling to the ground, blue eyes watched then felt confident he wouldn't move. The leader looked back at the female warrior across the horse's rump. His eyes locked with the most dangers ice-cold blue eyes ever, his skin crawled. Then she was sprinting towards him, he waited counting his luck. Xena closed in and leaped into mid-air, which is when three arrows came hurdling through the air at her. They all made their mark, one into her left shoulder, another in her hip and the third just making it into her upper leg. It faltered her, her flip went chaotic and she landed on the ground on her side with no arrows. Her vision began to spin as she rolled onto her stomach to look up at the horse with rider. He stared back down at her, a small grin formed on his lips at her vulnerability. The rider then kicked his black horse, turned around and galloped off into the woods. Xena's world was still spinning out of control her resistance slowly giving up, she watched the horse disappear into the darkness with her soulmate. Then her body went limp, everything was black.

Continued in Part 2.