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 2

Section 2

~*Part 4*~

Slowly consciousness hit the small female, her shoulder aching with intense pain, her eyes were closed daring herself to look around. The female kept them closed then began to take in her surroundings by physical means.

Touch, she is on a soft bad.

Smell, she is surrounded by the scent of balsam, a strong salve.

Sound, she heard two men, their voices in an argument.

The two men bickered and complained about how to fix the young woman's arm. One suggested to take a hot poker to the wound, the female squirmed when she heard that idea. The two men took to the notice of her being awake. One quickly reached for something and before she knew what happened next, her right arm felt something sharp prick her. The woman's world went dark again, her body relaxed and her breathing slowed up as she fell into a long slumber.

A large hand moved from the tall woman's side to rest on her forehead, her brow hot, a fever. Her entire left side was in immense pain, it didn't matter. The warrior then let her memories sink in for a few moments, the last events coming back. She quickly remembered and sat up swiftly her hands behind her, propping her up as she called out.

"Gabrielle?" She gazed around to see a fire about twenty paces away, Joxer kneeling in front of it with a stick, poking at it. He turned around to spot Xena sitting up, he dropped the stick and briskly walked over to the tall female, bending down beside her.

"Xena you feel alright?" Xena's confused eyes turned on him, she stared at him briefly, her mind still swimming some. She then leaned forward, one hand in her lap the other rubbing her forehead.

"Yeah I think so" She pause, dropped her hand and looked to the man. "Where's Gabrielle?" Joxer dropped his eyes to ground for a moment then looked back to the leather-clad female.

"I don't know, I thought you might have known where Gabby is" The warrior closed her eyes, it all did happen, no dream. She opened them again and brought her hands to the ground and began to try and stand up. Pain quickly shot through her body, she felt weak, whatever was left in her stomach was about to come back up, and she still fought it all. Xena then felt a warm gently hand fall on her right shoulder and press her down, she looked to her friend. "Xena you can't move in this condition. You have wounds on your sides and a fever to boot" The ex-warlord gritted her teeth and let her body sink back down on top of the bedroll, for now. "I may not be good at fighting, but I do know how to treat some injuries" He was right, Xena looked to where the arrows had made their mark from the attack that night. Two were wrapped up, the third that had hit her waist and torn through her leathers was nicely stitched with a scab producing over it. The warrior looked from her wounds to the skinny man.

"Thanks Joxer, but I have to find Gabrielle" Joxer still had his hand on her shoulder, he squeezed for a moment then released her shoulder.

"Xena, you're not going to help Gabrielle at all with your body being in a bad state" The warrior shook her head and then began to stand up, ignoring her body's protest. Once on her feet she felt a wave of dizziness take over, she stood still closing her eyes feeling it pass with in a heartbeat or two. Blue eyes opened again and looked around at everything. She was still in the patch of trees, the sun was directly above her, and she'd slept to late. To her right was the mare, munching on grass, tack and saddlebags on the ground beside the golden horse. Then directly beside the bags are Xena's sword, chakram, and brass armor along with the bard's staff. Joxer had stood back up and was moving to the saddlebags, forgetting his argument with the stubborn warrior. The man picked up the saddlebag and walked back to Xena, dropping the bag to the ground, his face serious. "Well if you're going to be so stubborn, at least take care of your waist wound"

One of the Warrior Princess dark eye brows went up as she watched the man leave, squatting in front of the fire to poke at it again. She couldn't believe the change of attitude in the younger man, he'd never acted this serious nor like he knew what he was doing. Xena then bent down on her knees to open the saddlebag, sifting through it she found her medical supplies quickly. She removed some salve, another wrap and some wine with a clean rag. Quickly large hands worked to take care of the wounds. First, she unwrapped the two wounds, dabbing wine over them to use the alcohol to clean out any dirt, it stung incredible. She sucked in her breath at the sharp pain then re-wrapped it and unwrapping her shoulder wound. The wine-covered rag was placed over the stitched wound, pain coming again. After re-wrapping the shoulder wound she investigated her waist wound, cleaning it as well, then placed some ointment to keep it clean, finally she wrapped the injury to protect it.

Xena then bent down, tossing all the supplies back into the bag and dug out a needle and strong thread she used to make repairs on her leathers. She efficiently sewed her rip in her leathers, dropping her head she tore the thread between her teeth and then placed her sewing kit into the saddlebag. The last thing the warrior looked for was some powder, she spotted the dull yellow powder a strong-grounded herb in a small leather bag. She grabbed a small cup and water skin, filling the cup with the water then put two pinches of the pale yellow powder in the mug. The warrior stirred it in with her index finger then drank the herbed water, her body almost convulsed over the foul taste. Xena closed her eyes for a few brief moments feeling the medicine begin to take affect, the pain in her body becoming forgotten about.

She looked to her horse, picked up the saddlebag and briskly walked over to her mare. She tossed the saddlebag on the horse's rump, followed by the saddle on the back and the tightening of the girdle. Then she placed the bit into Argo's mouth, tightens the crown and nosepieces and threw the reins over the mare's head. She grabbed the stirrups and pulled them down from the saddle, she then turned around to grab her soulmate's scroll satchel and staff, hooking them to the rucksacks. Xena then looked to where she believed the warrior had rode off towards, she spotted the horse's hooves and two pairs of foot tracks. Her jaw tightened, they wanted her to follow them, follow them towards the northwest. The Warrior Princess's eyes narrowed in suspicion, she looked back to ground and retrieved her brass armor, swiftly putting it on and tightening the straps. She then turned to her soulmate's satchel and removed a quill and a scroll.

"I owe you a new scroll love" Xena turned around and walked towards the wannabe warrior. He looked up as the tall form neared him. Xena sat down on the ground beside him her face cold and eyes serious. "Joxer I need you to do me a favor. Can you?" The small man nodded his head, while a very small smile crossed Xena's lips. The warrior looked down at the scroll as she began to write something out with in a minute, she then signed it and rolled the parchment back up. She handed it to Joxer while he looked to the female warrior. "Take that to the Amazons, I know you haven't been there, but tell them you wish to speak to regent Ephiny. Make sure you tell them you're a friend of Gabrielle's and I sent you" The tall female then raised her hands over her head in an almost seeming "A" symbol and then dropped her arms. "Make sure you do that symbol over your head, it represents peace. Stay with the Amazons till you hear from Gabrielle and or I. You got that?" Joxer nodded and then furrowed his brows together.

"What are you going to do?" The tall woman stood back up and stared down at the smaller man her face still stoic.

"I am going to get Gabrielle. You know how to get to the Amazon Nation?" Joxer didn't respond right away and thought about it then looked up to the warrior.

"Yeah, head northeast and then there will be the Amazonian mountains and beyond them is the Nation" Xena nodded and reached down to squeeze his shoulder.

"Thanks Joxer, be careful, I think there is a lot more trouble brewing then we think" The small man nodded his head as he watched the older woman jog over to her mare, placing the quill back into the bard's satchel. She hefted herself up onto Argo, grasping the reins in her hands and looked to the wannabe warrior.

"Take care Xena, find Gabrielle" Xena nodded her head once more and kicked the war-horse, sending Argo into a gallop and disappeared into the woods, heading northwest following the tracks.

The warrior shut her eyes, feeling the pain starting to seep back into her body, the one problem with anesthetics, they wear off to fast. She kept a tight handle on the reins, staring down at the ground, catching sight of the horse hooves she is following. She looked up again to watch where the mare went through the trees, not in the way of anything, she trusted Argo. Xena looked to the sky briefly seeing the sun was sinking low, it would be half a candlemark till sunset. She was beginning to wonder if she'd ever make it to the end of the trail. Her mind was working in numerous directions and possibilities as to why the three warriors kidnapped her soulmate. But she knew that they wanted her to follow them into some sort of trap that she would willing take if it meant getting to her soulmate. The warrior would deal with the other problems as soon as she found Gabrielle.

The Warrior Princess continued at a fast gallop, never stopping since she first left the camp during noon. She dropped one hand from the reins, her large hand gripping the saddle horn. Shots of pain ripped through her side, it was getting worse, her knuckles white. Xena pulled back on the reins and Argo slowed up and then took a few more paces and stopped. The warrior released the reins and saddle horn, pulled her feet out of the stirrups. She then swung one leg over the saddle and fell to ground literally, her body weak from the ride, wounds, lack of food and sleep, and pain. The tall female rose up from her knees with a grimace, she bit down on her lower lip. Lifting her right hand she felt her forehead, she was burning up. Xena knew her body is reacting to the wounds and poison still in her system, but she had no time to attend to that.

She decided to break for awhile, she kept one hand on the mare's rump as she took some deep breaths, her body catching up. Xena turned to the mare and pulled off the saddlebag and walked over to a near by log, dropping the bag beside the log. She straightened up and took a moment to decide on her options. She struggled with her emotions and her logic, she had to get to her bard. There was no stopping that. She also knew her body needed rest, but knew she wouldn't sleep without knowing if Gabrielle was safe. So sleep was out of the question. But the warrior knew she could take a break, she gazed around in the dusk sun light. The tall female straightened up and began collecting firewood and piling it on the ground close by the log. She quickly lit it and had water warming over it while she sat on the log.

Her body was hot from the fever considering the cool temperature setting in for the night to come. Her body was a bit shaky from lack of food mostly. Large hands pulled the saddlebag in front of her, she pulled out some trail bars and a fresh orange originally from the Amazons. Xena peeled the fruit, her eyes watching the water being heated. Her thoughts consisted of her soulmate and as to what was happening, a variety of ideas coming to mind. After eating the juicy orange she took the boiling water and poured it into a mug then dug out some tea, mixing the two in the mug. She then shifted some on the log, her body screaming out in pain over the wrong movement. The warrior winced and reached into her medicines and extracted her small pouch of Coca, anesthetic, to help stop the pain. She put two pinches into the brew of tea and began to sip on it, losing the taste of the medicine.

Within a candlemark the warrior's body felt somewhat in better condition. Her fever was a little more under control due to the snakeroot she added into her second mug of tea. She hated the idea of letting her body become dependent on the medicines, but it had to do for now. After sunset, Xena doused the fire and put the saddlebag back onto Argo, she hopped back up on the mare. She could only hope that the trail was only headed northwest, she assumed it. Her body was too weak to walk on the ground, so she decided to go at a trot, thankful for the quarter moon illuminating the forest. The Warrior Princess could only pray that her body had enough reserves to get her through this and that her body is at its peak at being able to heal.

By late sunrise Xena had gone the whole night non-stop, some where around sunrise she had hopped off Argo and walked beside the mare. She stopped by the time it was light enough, she kneeled down beside the hoof prints and footprints. She lightly touched them, the back hoof marks were made deep into the ground compared to the front ones. It was defiantly the horse that carried her soulmate, one pair of foot prints were pressed deeply then the other were, a smaller set, the archer. The warrior stood back up, her side shoots with pain from the movement, and she just ignored it. The tall female also noticed that the prints were more recent, lessen worn by nature, she is close. Not only did that tell her she was getting close, but something deep within her began to grow stronger, the part of her that is her soulmate.

A strong hand reached into the saddlebag and pulled out an apple, she munched on it as she kept moving, taking notice to the area for future reference. Her body ached from the long riding, the pain in her left side and shoulder had returned but she didn't have time to put together more medicine, nor did she want to risk to becoming addicted to the anesthetic.

After a half of a candlemark of walking Xena began to see the beginning of a large gray wall, her eyes narrowed. From her guess she figured it to be a large city, as to what one, she couldn't be sure. The tall female knew that Thessaloniki was about two days ride southwest. The only town she could think of that was in this region was Cirra. That memory sent a shiver down the normally stoic warrior's back, she forced the memories out of her mind and kept her thoughts in the present. Xena neared the large city, so she stopped walking and hopped back up onto Argo's back, her back straight.

She went at a trot towards the gray walls, she knew that they were waiting for her. There was no need for her to come rampaging in there only to get herself killed along with Gabrielle. Once close enough, she spotted sentries on top of the walls keeping watch, then three guards at the entrance. Xena knew then that there was an army located within, she didn't like this one bit. The warrior squared her shoulders, her back straight as she let her emotions disappear, her eyes cold with anger hidden behind them. Xena carried herself as if she were back in her warlord days, the possibilities of wounds never seeming to affect her, only her soulmate would have been able to notice the pain she was in. Now she slowed downed to a walk and coming to stop once in earshot of the three guards at the entrance. The one in the middle kept a stern face on, he look a little older then Xena, not by much, he stepped up to the war-horse.

"You are Xena I presume?" Xena's ice cold eyes drifted down to him, as if to regard him for the first time, her voice came out cold.

"I am Xena, I am here to speak to whom ever is in charge" The tall older man nodded his head as his brought up one hand, the two guards behind moved to the side of the entrance.

"We've been expecting you to arrive sooner or later" He then stepped out of the way. The warrior took to notice to how well dressed the guards were as well as the sentries on the wall. She then lightly kicked the mare and they made their way through the gate and into the center of the city, defiantly an army. Xena took to notice of the large armory to her left, two guards in front of it. The wall completely encircled the city reminding her of Troy. The lead guard from the gate had walked inside, behind her and watched as the tall female dropped to the ground on her feet. Her posture never flinched, only power incased her. The only thing that made her look possible mortal were to two wounds noticeable, one on her left arm and the other on her left upper leg. The lead guard had been reminded of the warrior's fighting skills and her dangerous mind, nothing to toy with. He took a deep breath and stepped up beside her followed by two other soldiers behind him that are at his command. "Your horse will be attended to while we'll take your weapons" Steel cobalt eyes turned to him and stared at him. He held his ground while he saw the mare being led to the stables by one of the young stable men. Xena then brought her hand up slowly to unclip her sword and sheath, one soldier stepping up to take it, followed by the round chakram. "Follow me" The female nodded and stepped into pace behind the older man, the other guard had fallen into step behind the Warrior Princess.

The three-some walked through the center of town and to the far wall of the city where there is a building attached to that part of the wall. They came to a set of steps and began to climb them and once they reached the top, they took a right. Xena gazed across the balcony walkway to gaze across the small fortress of a city, mostly built to be a fortress. It completely remind her of Troy, that burned deep in her mind, Troy was of Rome, that idea didn't settle well in her mind. The group walked for a few more paces and came to an entrance to their left, they walked in, an office.

In the center of the room laid a desk, a blond haired man in his mid thirties sat behind it. His eyes gazed down at some map or another. Behind him was a tapestry, a symbol Xena didn't recognize, but took it as his symbol. The walls along the sides were lined with different types of swords, small ones, long ones, thick and thin, some old others newer, all used. Once all three people stepped up closer to the desk did the man's eyes lift up from the map to take in the new comers. A small grin crossed his full lips as he distinguished the female warrior.

"Welcome Xena to my fortress" The two guards had moved to lean against the wall sides, ready to move any second. The ex-warlord crossed her arms against her chest as she stared down at the man with hostile eyes.

"Who are you?" The man let an evil smile play on his lips as he sat back in his seat and folded his hands over his lap.

"I am the warlord Okeanos. I highly doubt you have heard of me, I am new to the game of being a warlord" Xena smiled down at him, her own smile showed only that of strength.

"That's great" The man kept a smile on his face as he sat back up in his seat, resting his hands on his desk.

" Yes it is as a matter of fact" Blue eyes narrowed at him, the warrior uncrossed her arms and placed them on the desk as well.

"So where do I come in?" Now Okeanos smile turned more into a grin as he crossed his arms on top of the desk.

"You come into the part of training my troops. They're pretty green, only have a few good soldiers here and there, the rest need help. You have a great reputation for training good warriors" The tall female grinned down at the man as she leaned down closer to the warlord and replied in the coldest and deepest voice ever.

"No" The warlord stared into the warrior's eyes, seeing the darkness that was her lurking behind strong walls, he was amazed. He sat back in his chair once more and moved his hands to the arms of the large wooden chair.

"You will or your friend will be dead. And I hear you are shall we say…attached to your little blond" Xena's jaw tightened at the words and commands. She then leaned in closer, locking eyes with the blond haired warlord, only inches from his face.

"What makes you think I won't take over your army?" Okeanos kept his annoying smile as he heard the snarled question.

"Because I offer them something you can't, money and plenty of it" Slowly the ex-warlord straightened back up her arms crossing against her chest again. Now the warlord stood, his height stopped at Xena's shoulders, she liked that small factor. "Now then, I am sure you would like to see your friend. She has been attended to for the past two days, her arrow wound taken care of efficiently" The blond man walked around the desk, the two guards moving next to the warrior. He stepped in front of Xena, signaling for them to all follow the warlord and they did. Xena directly behind him followed by the two guards at either side of her. "Xena, you will have between seven days to nine to prepare my men. You have a day to rest, recover from those arrow wounds and any poison still in your system as I am sure there is some from three arrows" They walked in silence for a few more paces as they made their way down the balcony walkway after having taken a left from the office room. Okeanos then went on with his orders. "Tomorrow, my captain who is to your right will come to retrieve you from your quarters in the morning. You will refer to him as Captain Mene. You and Captain Mene will then work from sun up to sun down on training my troops" They began to near the end of the high walkway and wooden door to the left of them guarded by three other soldiers. The warlord stopped and opened the door, he walked through followed by the tall warrior and the two escorting guards stay relatively close by the entrance to the room.

Once Xena stepped in, she took to notice of a small blond sleeping on her back in a large bed to her right against the wall, a wall that had a window with thick bars. Xena could also hear the faint sound of fire crackling, she look to the opposite wall to see a fire burning in a large fireplace. The tall female looked to Okeanos with stoic eyes.

"Is that all?" Okeanos brought his hands up to rest on his hips, his face now serious.

"Not quite everything Xena. That one single window over there is not only has the bars, but there will always be two archers on guard to make sure neither of you try to escape. Finally, I heard your friend is rather good with the staff, she too will help out in the training. She will help train the new fighters in the basics of staff work and then will assist you and Captain Mene in any way possible. When she isn't needed she'll be up here, the both of you as a matter of fact. This room will be guarded at all times by three guards" He paused and let a smile form on his lips. "I hope you enjoy your time here" He then walked out of the dark room and the door was closed behind him by a guard then the sound of the door being locked could be hear, a bolt.

Xena turned to look at her soulmate on the bed, the bard's chest rose up and fell slowly. Gabrielle still wore her green halter-top and brown skirt, her boots removed. The warrior smiled as she let her guard finally fall down, she quickly crossed the floor over to the bed. She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, close to Gabrielle's stomach. A strong hand moved to carefully brush blond bangs from the Amazon Queen's face, slowly green eyes began to open, her eyes unfocussed. Gabrielle's eyes were half-open as she stared up at the other person, their touch familiar to her. Slowly a smile creased the bard's lips as her eyes focussed on the person, Xena still lightly stroking the side of her face.

"Xena?" The tall warrior smiled down at her soulmate.

"Yeah its me" The bard's smile brightened as she sat up quickly, she flinched for a moment from the pain in her left shoulder. She wrapped her arms around the tall woman, Xena doing the same, pulling the bard close to her own body. They held each other tightly for a long time, happy to feel the other's touch, feeling the small darkness inside themselves disappear. They then released their hold, Xena moving her hands to the bard's small waist, Gabrielle's own hands rested on the warrior's left thigh. The blond crossed her legs together as she sat in the bed, the warrior still on the edge.

"How did you get here?" The tall female shrugged her shoulders for a moment, then moved her hands from the bard's waist to rest on small ankles.

"They left a nice trail behind for me to follow" The bard nodded her head in understanding and her small hands creeped over to rest on top of Xena's.

"So exactly what's going on? Obviously they took me to get you to come here" The warrior took a deep breath as she stared at the stone floor for a moment then met green eyes again.

"They want us to train the troops here, you're their liability to keeping me here" Gabrielle furrowed her brow at that.

"There's got to be more to this then just training troops for some warlord" Xena's eyes widen as she bobbed her head up and down in agreement. "So what's this guys name?"

" Okeanos, never heard of the warlord either, I think he is new at this, he's to cocky as well" Gabrielle's gaze dropped to study the bed's detailed design on the blanket. She kept her eyes down as she replied.

"There is no easy way out of this is there?" After asking the blond looked up to her soulmate, Xena sighed.

"No, we're in the middle of an army and we're well guarded and I have no idea how large this army is. Besides I am not sure I want to leave right away. There's more here going on then Okeanos is telling" Gabrielle nodded her head again and then she looked close at Xena's face, she quickly took to notice of certain things.

First, the warrior was tired by the way she slouched, dark circles under her eyes.

Second, she hadn't eaten much considering her leathers look a tint loose on her.

Third, Xena is defiantly wounded by the wraps on her left shoulder and across her left thigh.

Fourth, the tall woman looked sick, her forehead showed small trickles of sweat considering it was cool in the room.

Gabrielle brought one of her hands up to move on top of the warrior's forehead, she could feel the heat radiating off her head before even touching Xena's brow. Xena closed her eyes to her soulmate's touch and opened them again as Gabrielle dropped her hand.

"Xena you didn't?" That was the tall woman's cue, she stood up from the bed and was about to retort when the bolt of the door was undone. A guard stepped in with two saddlebags and a satchel on his shoulder, he kept an eye on the two women, two sets of eyes were on him. He placed the saddlebags on the ground beside a desk, then brought the satchel over his head and placed it beside he bags. The guard then left, no words passed, only looks. The door bolted closed and the two soulmates looked back to each other. "Xena?" The warrior kept a stubborn look directed at her soulmate.

"Gabrielle I had to, I wouldn't have been able to rest without knowing if you were safe" The bard sighed and stood up from the bed and walked over to her lover, her bare feet feeling the coolness of the stone floor.

"Okay" They stood only a breath away, eyes locked. "But promise me next time if there ever is, gods for bid, that you take better care of yourself…for me" Xena sighed as her gaze went over to the door, she hated fighting with her soulmate, she couldn't win. The tall female looked back to the small woman.

"Only for you" The bard smiled and she closed in the distance, wrapping small hands around a leather waist, larger hands encircling her.

"Thank you" The warrior smiled and leaned down, two pairs of lips meeting half way. They kept the kiss light but long, enjoying the feeling. They broke the kiss after a few heartbeats, the blond resting her head against the tall woman's chest feeling the protection. Xena rested her chin on top of the bard's head, smelling the honey sent that was of her lover. She closed her sky blue eyes, Gabrielle then took to note how the warrior seemed to favor leaning on her right side, the pain was bad, that much was evident. The bard pulled away and looked up to the warrior. "Go sit down on the bed and I'll take care of your wounds, my guess is you haven't changed the wraps since you first put them on" Xena grinned down at her soulmate's words, Gabrielle knew she was right then. The older woman released the blond and moved near the bed and sat down, unlacing her boots. Gabrielle then made her way over to the fireplace, hooking a filled pot of water over the fire in the fireplace. She ambled over to the saddlebags, carefully rooting through the medicines and foods. She removed some tea, honey, two mugs, spoons and some bleach white powder contained in a small leather pouch. The bard placed them all beside the fireplace as she went back to the medicine bag, she then removed some wraps and salve. Gabrielle turned around and caught sight of her soulmate sitting on the bed, only in her white shift, the bard smiled and got one in return. She slowly walked over and sat on the bed, one leg hanging off the bed while Xena sat crossed legged on the large soft bed, her left side to the bard as she looked out the barred window. Gabrielle carefully unwrapped the upper shoulder, finding the wound somewhat red, but well stitched. "You stitched this?" Xena looked at it for a moment in question as well then looked to her soulmate.

"No actually Joxer did" The bard's eyes widen for a moment then she replied.

"Really? That's pretty amazing" Xena nodded, not saying much as her gaze went back to the window. Gabrielle quickly became aware of this. She's more tired than I thought. The bard bit down on her lower lip as she began to apply the salve gently, Xena never flinching. After attending to the shoulder wound, Gabrielle patted the warrior's left leg, Xena understanding the physical command. The tall woman lay down on her right side, giving her soulmate easier access to the leg wound. "So where's Joxer now?" The Warrior Princess had her eyes closed as she responded, Gabrielle undoing the wrap.

"I sent him to the Amazon's with a note" The bard nodded in approval over the idea.

"It'll be interesting to see how Joxer handles all those women. What did you write in the note?"

"It was for Ephiny mainly to let her know what was going on. I have my suspicions that this warlord might be headed towards the Amazons. So I told Ephiny that she should wait for word from either you or I about the situation and for them to take care of Joxer till then" Gabrielle nodded again as she began to place a new wrap over the leg wound.

"Why you think Okeanos might be headed for the Amazons?" The older woman shrugged her shoulders for a moment then responded.

"Not sure yet, instincts tell me right now" The bard grinned as she finished the wrapped and squeezed the strong thigh.

"And your instincts are always right" Xena grinned as she sat back up, Gabrielle hopping off the bed to check the water. "Take your shift off while I get our tea" The older woman chuckled to herself over her lover's control, she watched the bard for a few seconds. Gabrielle pulled the pot over from the fire and placed it on the floor beside the fireplace. She filled the two mugs up with hot water and brewed the tea in, then added in some honey stirring it in. Finally the Amazon Queen put two pinches of the white powder in one mug then two in the other, knowing the Opium Poppy will take the pain away from Xena's side and the bard's own shoulder that still immensely ached. She also knew it would calm the warrior's fever and make them both sleep so their bodies could repair the wounds. She gave the two mugs one last stir and then stood up carrying them over to her soulmate. The warrior sat on the bed crossed legged again, her shift removed leaving her completely naked. Gabrielle handed Xena her mug with the double thing of morphine, the older woman took the mug from small hands and began to sip on it.

"Thanks" The bard smiled at the word and got up on the bed to Xena's left side and placed her mug carefully on the bed then picked up the salve again. She looked at the waist wound, the wrapped remove by Xena earlier, the wound a bit irritated from being cleaned a little to late. The blond sighed and applied the salve. "I love how you add the honey to the tea" Green eyes lifted up from the wound to look into loving blue eyes.

"Well you do have a sweet tooth even if you don't care to admit to it" The dark-haired female chuckled at that and took a sip, feeling the warm fluid go down her throat and warm her insides.

"Yeah, it's my weakness" Blue eye twinkled as they looked to green ones. Then Gabrielle looked back to the waist injury and began to wrap it. "Course we know what yours is" The bard chuckled at that.

"And I could really go for some nutbread too" Xena grinned at that and brought the mug to her lips again.

"We'll both sleep well with this Opium Poppy you added to the tea" The bard nodded as she finished the last of her wrapping.

"Yeah" The bard looked up. "We both could use the rest, especially you" The warrior let a half grin, half smirk crease her lips. She then let the smirk go into a smile as she leaned over to kiss the bard on the forehead. Gabrielle smiled back and placed the container of salve in front of her and retrieved her mug and began drinking it. The bard then raised a brown eyebrow at her soulmate. "You going to just stay like that?" Xena looked to her partner with a confused expression then she realized what she meant.

"Actually I was thinking about it, I am still burning up" Gabrielle reached over, feeling Xena's forehead still hot.

"You're still defiantly running a high fever" The warrior nodded her head in agreement as the small hand dropped from her head. The small hand then moved to touch the warrior's forearm, finding it cold, Gabrielle looked to her soulmate and one of her brown eyebrows went up. Xena grinned for a moment and handed her partner the mug of tea then reached to her right retrieving her white shift and slipped it on. Xena then pushed herself to the head of the bed, and let her back rest on the headboard. The Amazon Queen caught the intentions immediately and hopped off the bed and placed the two mugs of warm tea on the nightstand beside the bed. The bard then grabbed the container of slave and used wraps, placing them on the small table as well, out of the way. She then got back on the bed and sat on her tall soulmate's lap, her legs becoming tangle with larger ones. Xena then wrapped her left arm around the small form and her other hand went to the small table retrieving the bard's mug and handing it to her. She then retrieved her own mug of honey tea, taking a sip and feeling it travel through her system. "Xena?" The warrior placed her mug on top of her own thigh as she responded.

"Hmmm?"

"Exactly how I am going to be training these men?" The older woman tightened her left arm that was around the small waist then answered.

"Okeanos wants you to train the new one's in the basics of using a staff and then help me if I need any" By the way Xena said it, Gabrielle knew her soulmate didn't like the idea what so ever. The blond's free hand moved up from her own lap to gently caress the large arm wrapped around her mid-section.

"I can handle that" The ex-warlord took a deep breath, her jaw tightening for a brief moment then loosening.

"I know you can, but…" The bard's hand stopped moving for a moment as she thought of it. The positives came to mind instantly.

"You know it'll be good for me"

"Gabrielle…"

"No seriously Xena, hear me out" The bard paused as she took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts. "I haven't been getting much staff work in lately, so this will give me the chance. Also I haven't had a chance to train anybody before and I think I need to learn considering the fact I am the Queen of the Amazons. And I won't have to worry about really holding back, give them all a few good bloody noses" The tall warrior chuckled at the last reason, actually liking it. But she had to agree with the bard in she could use the practice and training skills. She just didn't like the small factor her bard would be training future killers. The tall female sighed, and let her fingers move up and down the bard's bare torso. Her mug of tea rested on the edge of the bed in her hands. She then figured it be safer for her partner to be closer to her, keep a close eye on her smaller soulmate.

"Yeah I suppose you're right"

"You just don't like me being involved in creating killers huh?" Xena blinked twice, did the bard just read her mind or was it her? She faintly shook her head then replied.

"No I don't like you being apart of this at all" Gabrielle nodded as she took a swallow of some tea then placing the mug back down to the bed, Xena now taking a drink.

"Well we're partners right?" The tall female grinned to herself.

"You know it"

"Then I am staying beside you even if it means teaching a bunch of half wits on how to use a staff. I'm not staying cooped up here for Zeus knows how long, I'd rather be down there with you" The warrior's stoic features slowly went turned into a loving expression, she leaned down and quietly whispered back.

"Thank you, that means a lot" Gabrielle smiled inwardly and looked into her mug seeing it empty and knew her soulmate's to be empty as well. She placed her mug on the nightstand and turned in her warrior's arms, then encircled the large waist with her arms. Xena wrapped her left arm around the bard's back as she leaned down kissing strawberry-blond hair. She then placed her own mug on the stand beside her and wrapped her other arm around the bard. Xena then sunk down onto the bed bring the blond with her then she felt the smaller form adjusts comfortable into her strong arms. They two women began to feel the affects of the light morphine taking over their bodies, the pain in Xena's side disappearing, the bard's shoulder relaxing. They both then fell into a deep sleep giving their bodies' ample time and conditions to repair the wounds and stop the warrior's fever.

~*Part 5*~

Blue eyes stared into the slowly dying fire. Her mind wondering off, becoming lost in ideas. Casually cobalt eyes looked down to see the small form tightly nestled in her arms, a grin formed on the warrior's lips. It was dusk almost, Xena still felt somewhat groggy from the morphine, she knew her soulmate was still feeling the effects by the way she slept soundly. She turned her gaze back to the fire, thinking about their situation that they are stuck in. She didn't like any of these, not the city, not the warlord, not the way her skin crawled and her every instincts told her to get her soulmate out of here. The Warrior Princess though knew she couldn't leave, her bard wouldn't allow her to leave no matter the size of problem nor the consequences. Xena sighed, at least her fever was gone and the pain in her left side is dissipating now. She figured by tomorrow it would be gone and only healing wounds would be left behind. The tall female then looked back down at her soulmate, releasing one hand and brings it up to lightly caress smooth skin. Emerald eyes fluttered open and tiredly stared up to the warrior, Xena smiled down at the blond.

"Hey" The bard smiled as she sat up more in Xena's arms.

"Hey to you too. What time is it Xena?"

"It's around dusk right now. Figured Okeanos will want us up and about for dinner" The bard nodded for a moment then buried her head into Xena's breasts. Then she muffled back something.

"Idon'twanttuhgo" A dark eyebrow went up.

"Neither do I" A muffled reply back.

"Thenwewontgo"

"We have too"

"Nowedon't, youcanjustkicktheirbutts" Xena laughed some, wishing she could just do that.

"Come on love" The warrior began to move, but small arms tightened around her waist, Xena grinned. It was tempting to just stay in bed with her soulmate, but she had to move before any of the guards entered. She didn't need Okeanos finding out that they are lovers, would make things even worse. The warrior then reached down with her right hand, bring up the bard's face. Emerald eyes locked with brilliant sky blue eyes. Xena lowered her head and two pairs of lips met, the kiss strong and consuming. The bard loosened her hold on Xena some, both becoming lost in the kiss. Slowly the older female pulled away, green eyes slowly opening back up to peer at her tall soulmate. Xena then felt the smaller woman begin to sit up, the tall female getting off the bed with Gabrielle following her. They both dressed quickly, Gabrielle only having to put her boots on, Xena though had to put her leathers, boots and armor on. Xena sat on the bed, as small fingers worked her buckles from behind. She felt one strap go taut on her right side, then the other on her left side. The warrior then stood up, Gabrielle hopping off the bed as Xena made her way over to the desk slipping on her two armbands then reached for her wrist guards. That's when a knock came at the door, Xena turned her head, as did the bard whom stood beside the bed. Two guards entered and then Mene came in, his eyes went first to the bard then to the taller woman. Xena slipped her two wrist guards on and then stepped up to the Captain.

"Okeanos requests both of your presence at dinner" Xena nodded her head, her partner stepping up beside her. Mene turned around and walked out, followed by the two females, then the guards. Once walking through the door was shut and they all followed behind Mene. They were lead off the balcony and down to the ground and then headed towards the left quadrant of the fortress. The Amazon Queen took in the city-fortress, finding it interesting. She hadn't been out of the room since she first got here, never seeing the fortress let alone the men that were walking around. They finally arrived at the other side of the fortress, the sound of some talking could be heard, then bellowing laughs. Mene stepped through the large entrance into a huge high room, a large wooden long table center in the room. Okeanos sat at the head of it, his sites turn from the man at his right to see who had entered the dinning hall. He grin slipped onto his lips as he stood up.

"Glad you could join us Xena and Queen Gabrielle" The bard looked to her soulmate for a moment, Xena didn't look back, her ice blue eyes on the warlord. "I keep up on my news Queen Gabrielle, I've heard you recently became the Queen of the Amazons after Melosa" Green eyes stared at him, Gabrielle didn't know to take that as a good thing or bad, overall to her it was bad news. She could tell Xena didn't like it either by the way the warrior had one hand fisted up. "Any way, please both of you join us and sit" Mene stood beside the female warrior, he looked to Xena, she then began to move towards the table followed by the bard. The ex-warlord sat at the second to last seat of the end of the table, Gabrielle to her right at the end. They were as far away from Okeanos as possible, beside Xena on her left was seated Mene. The two guards from earlier now stood at the entranceway of the dinning hall, leaning against the wall. There was a plethora of food contained on the long wooden table. Chicken then dates, some vegetables, goblets of wine with olives near by, and a little Chinese white rice. The ex-warlord was rather impressed by the extent of food, she knew Okeanos had a plentiful amount of money, but how is what she'd like to know. Behind the warrior and bard two young small servant girls came up with plates, utensils, and goblets. Gabrielle looked to the two young girls, her eyes narrowed for a moment, they are about the bard's age. Xena knew her soulmate had noticed it too, but held her tongue from saying anything right now. She knew that to be the way of the world for slaves, the younger the better.

The remainder of the dinner was quiet, little talk, mostly Okeanos boasting about his future plans and some of his head commanders laughing with him. Neither Xena nor the bard said anything, the warrior collecting as much information about the warlord as possible. Once the servants began to collect the dirty plates did a guard from outside come in, two scrolls contained in his hands. The tall guard briskly walked over to the warlord handing them to him. Okeanos took the two scrolls and nodded to the guard, the guard saluted him then quickly walked back out of the dinning hall. Everybody was silent as Okeanos unrolled one scroll and began to read it, after doing so he looked up to everybody at the table.

"Seems like we'll have a chance in eight days to test out your training techniques Xena" Cold blue eyes stared back at him as did his five other commanders. "One of my scouts reports that an old friend of mine is headed this way" A pause as a grin slipped on the warlord's lips. "He still carries a bit of a grudge from me killing his lover not to long ago, the damn pervert" The warlord reached out in front of himself to grasp his goblet of wine, he took a long sip, then placed it back on the table.

"Exactly where is he heading from Lord Okeanos?" The blond haired warlord looked up to Mene, he looked back down at the scroll then back to Mene.

"He's heading right for us from the south out of Pydmon area" Mene nodded his head as he thought about that.

"Did the scout report how large his men are?" Okeanos took another gulp of his wine then placed the mug back on the table and stood up, his cape following underneath him.

"No he didn't, but it won't matter, I know Lykus thinks" He then looked to the warrior and the small blond. "Well perhaps you and Queen Gabrielle should be escorted back up to your room for the night, the next seven days will be busy" On cue the two guards walked over to the table, Xena slowly rose up from the seat then the bard did. The leather-clad female didn't move from around the chair like the bard did, she stared hard at Okeanos, and then she looked to the second scroll in his hand that had a distinguishable seal to it. Blue eyes slowly rose up from the scroll to meet amber ones that stared hard back at her. Xena turned her back on him and moved next to her smaller partner who had a confused look. The two women were accompanied out of the dinning hall and up to their room, it was dark out, the walls lined with torches all lit.

Gabrielle turned around from the barred window and leaned against it as she looked to her tall soulmate. Xena was tossing in a few logs from where a pile of wood sat on one side of the fireplace. She stood back up and looked to the bard.

"I recognized that seal on the second parchment" One of Amazon Queen's eyebrows went up at that, she had to wonder.

"From where?" Xena shook her head as she brought up one hand to her temple, she dropped her hand on her side again. She then moved over to the side of the bed, sitting on the edge.

"I can't completely remember, its on the tip of my tongue" Blue eyes looked up to meet emerald ones.

"Another warlord?"

"No, it's a seal not an emblem"

"There's a difference?" Xena grinned some at her soulmate.

"In the world of politics yeah. Seals represent more power, normally a country" A pause. "Emblems are a symbol for a small army or warlord, they're not as detailed as seals nor widely known" The small bard nodded a few times as she had to agree with that theory.

"So you recognized that one, but can't remember who's seal it is?"

"No, I didn't get a close enough look at it, if I could just get a hold…" Xena looked up to her bard from the floor, her train of thought was stopped while a certain twinkle entered the warrior's eyes and a dark eyebrow was up. Gabrielle's eyes widen for a moment as she began to wander what her partner had in mind.

"What do you have in mind Xena?" The tall female chuckled for a moment then let a devilish grin slip onto her lips.

"How do you feel about getting drunk tomorrow night?"

"What?!"

Slowly the tall female padded out of the washroom, linen in her hands drying off her face, she still wore her leathers but had removed her armor and boots earlier. Gabrielle looked up as she tossed her second boot beside the other one at the foot of the bed on the floor. Xena dropped the linen towel onto a chair relatively close to the small entrance way to the washroom.

"So did they take all your weapons?" The warrior looked from the linen to her lover, a small grin playing on her red lips.

"Nope"

"Really?"

"Really" That's when Xena reached between her breasts and pulled out a small dagger, holding it in the palm of her right hand. "One spot they didn't check" The bard giggled some, between the memory and her soulmate's words.

"I knew that thing would be handy…some day" Both the warrior's eyebrows went up briefly, as she retorted.

"If I remember correctly you couldn't quite keep it that…handy in place" The bard rolled her eyes as Xena stepped up to the foot of the bed, sapphire eyes gazed down at her.

"Ha ha, I was young then, what did you expect?" Xena still held the breast dagger in hand, but her hands were down beside her.

"Hmmm, I wasn't expecting a breast dagger of all things" The warrior kept her eyes locked with the small woman's as she leaned down, her free hand resting on the wood frame to support her. "And I wasn't expecting to fall in-love with you at the time" The bard smiled and got one in return, but much more sexier, Gabrielle could feel her heart racing. They could still always manage to do that to each other with the littlest of touches, looks, and words.

"Well yeah I never…um expected to fall in love with some warrior" Xena chuckled some as she leaned in even more, noses touching.

"Some warrior huh?"

"Some sexy hot warrior" A sly grin slipped into place on the warrior's lips at those words.

"Some sexy hot warrior eh?"

"Well more like some sexy hot exquisite leather-clad powerful warrior" Xena chuckled some as she leaned down to let her lips brush against the bard's own.

"Hmm is that it?" The warrior could hear a small moan escape the bard's mouth.

"A warrior that likes to drive me insane" That's when the older woman sealed her lips with the Amazon Queen's. The kiss was strong, devouring. Xena broke the kiss first, her blue eyes were dark and deep, Gabrielle felt a shiver ripple down her back. The warrior turned her head towards the chair by the washroom and lifted the dagger up and threw it hard. It flew through the air and sunk deep into the arm of the chair. She then turned back around to face her small partner, claiming her lips again. As they kissed, the tall woman pushed down on the bard, Gabrielle soon found herself lying down on the foot of the bed, legs still hanging on the side of the bed. Xena was on top of her, her weight shifted comfortable not to bother the bard. Xena's hands then began to move down to the blond's sides, at first they were moving along her stomach and sides sensually. Then a fit of giggles erupted in the bard, as large hands began to tickle her with no merci. Small hands tried to grab a hold of large wrists with no luck, the kissed had ended as soon as the giggling began. Gabrielle rolled on to her side trying to protect much of her body as she could from her attacker. She eventually rolled onto her back, only protecting her stomach, then a plan came to mind to stop the attack. The small female quickly flipped back onto her back and she leaned up, her lips locked with another pair. Xena's hands stopped tickling and just held the bard around the waist, Gabrielle's hands went to the warrior's shoulders. Small hands began to move the leather straps down off broad shoulders as they kissed. The bard's hands then moved down to leather sides, Gabrielle pulling at the waist. Xena followed the command as they moved more into the center of the bed. They broke the long kiss, the blond lying back down on the bed, Xena's lips moving to a soft neck, her hands to the green halter-top.

Emerald eyes moved from the window where the moon's light cascaded into the room. They moved to look at the fire that warmed the large room. The bard was tightly snuggled into a warm body, Xena leaning against the headboard once again. Neither really talked as they soaked in the closes and their every last part of their bodies touching. The bed covers had been pulled up over the bard to keep her warm, while strong hands rested on her stomach. Both had been careful earlier to keep things quiet as possible, considering it would be extremely hard, but they managed. One of the bard's hands caressed a strong thigh, while the other rested on top of the two strong hands on her stomach. Gabrielle squeezed the warrior's hands for a moment while Xena hugged her then loosened her hold.

"You know I always did want a warrior" Xena's chin lifted up off the bard's shoulder as she retorted.

"Yeah?"

"Uh huh, I use to lay in bed when I was young, dreaming about a warrior to come and save me"

"From what?" The small blond shrugged her shoulders as she replied.

"Just from my family, from my set future" A pause. "Always believed that if I kept wishing hard enough, someday it would happen" Another pause as the bard took a deep breath. "Then as I got older I just fell out of that dream, never expecting it to come true. You know just one of those silly ideas kind of thing. Then one day a warrior came in the grove to stop the slavers. My entire child hood dreams came back and I desperately had to make them come true" The tall female grinned to herself.

"Yeah I know what you mean"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I remember when I was young I'd always wished for somebody to save me from my village life"

"But you ended up saving yourself" The warrior shrugged her shoulders some.

"Yes and no, I lean more to no" A pause. "Either way, I wouldn't have fit in with the village" The bard chuckled at that.

"Yeah I know what you mean. I was constantly getting into trouble when I was young, always trying to rebel in my quiet ways. Eventually I was shunned so much that I stopped and just tried to act like all the other girls in the village, normal"

"What were you rebelling about?"

"Anything really, I mostly tried to tell stories, always to my friends. But they talked about me telling my stories then eventually my father found out, he forced me to stop" One of the warrior's dark eyebrows went up.

"Forced you, how?"

"Dad had his ways, wasn't anybody's place to say no"

"Gabrielle?" The small blond sighed as she dropped her head against Xena's chest.

"He occasionally beat me, wasn't bad, doesn't matter now"

"Why?"

"Well you know how I have my bad temper, got it from him. My father would once in a while became very frustrated with life and take it out on me. Once in a while he'd try to on Lila or mother, but I'd always get in the middle and get him to take it out on me" The bard could feel her soulmate was stiff behind her, Gabrielle knew her partner would find out about this sooner or later, and knew it wouldn't go over well. The blond turned her head some to gaze side long at her soulmate. "Xena, times were hard then you know that better then any one. It can change people or force them to do things they normal don't. My father was a good man till depression hit and he became a bit of an alcoholic. I know he never meant any of it" Cobalt eyes slowly softened some.

"Still no excuse to beat his own child" The bard's eyes dropped over how cold the words came out.

"Maybe"

"How can you think that Gabrielle?" The Amazon Queen shrugged her shoulders as she stared at the floor thinking.

"I forgave him when I left home back a year and half ago" A deep breath. "Its just what's worse Xena? A father that lives with you and beats you, or a father that you've never met before?" The bard felt her soulmate go still and suck in her breathe, then she slowly began to breathe again.

"Really I don't know" Gabrielle turned her head to look at her soulmate sidelong.

"Either way its in the past Xena, I've learned from it myself" The warrior slightly grinned inwardly.

"Me too" The bard smiled to herself and brought her head to rest back against Xena's chest. The bard stiffened a yawn as it rose up. The older woman chuckled to herself and then moved her arms from the blond's waist to the bed. Gabrielle lifted herself up off the warrior's nude body and onto the soft bed, then Xena laid back down on the bed, beside her small soulmate. The warrior turned on her side and the smaller woman turn her back to the warrior and snuggled into her. Xena wrapped one arm around the Amazon Queen while the bard's head rested on the large shoulder, their legs intertwined under the covers.

"Goodnight Xena" Xena nuzzled the back of Gabrielle's neck and whispered back.

"Sleep well love" The bard grinned and let Morpheus take control of her. Her body relaxed, her mind began to conjure up dreams, while her breathing slowed. Soon to follow the small female was her stoic soulmate.

Green eyes shot open to stare across to the large bolted wooden door. The bard's breathing was ragged as she tried to calm herself. She lifted one hand up to her eyes wiping away any wetness, her eyes still stung. She felt against her back the strong warrior's body, her breathing slow. Gabrielle lay there trying to think and calm back down. Heartbeatss passed and the only thing that came to mind was the horrid nightmare. She finally gave up and very carefully extracted herself from the warrior's arms and rolled out of bed. The small woman quietly padded over to the saddlebags and slipped on one of her soulmate's large shifts. The scent of spice and leather enveloped the bard, making her grin to herself. She then leaned back down to extract a quill and her diary from her scroll satchel. The woman then walked to her left to the fireplace and grabbed a large log and placed it into the fire. She then sat down on the warm floor by the fire and opened her diary. She turned to a new page and stared at it blankly for a moment, then she decided where to begin the whole diary's basis. Gabrielle wrote.

Gods it seems like so long ago that Xena and I confessed our love for each other. Yet I still feel the pain of when she died just only a few weeks ago. I thought my whole world was going to spin out of control if I didn't have her beside me. It almost did. I remember staring over the Amazon Queen throne at Xena's funeral pyre, watching it begin to burn, that's when I had given up any hope and realized I'd truly lost her. That's when I heard Xena's warcry, well more like man's version of it, the part of me that became empty when she died filled back up. Eventually Autolycus, Xena's soul, and I all retrieved some ambrosia to bring Xena back to life.

Some where a long our journey I'd met Xena in another world, a limbo between spiritual and mortal. I told her how much I needed her in my life and Xena promised me she would never leave me. We'd shared our first kiss then, it was light but filled with so much promise. Once Xena returned to her body we decided to leave the Amazon village for the night, just her and I. I can still remember it all so clearly, the night when everything came together and a soul became whole once more.

The two women sat on the log in the woods, the Amazons gone, as well as Autolycus. The bard looked to her friend with a bit amused face, but seriousness in her eyes. "Xena?" The warrior looked to the bard.

"Yeah?" The bard took a breath.

"Promise me you'll never die on me again?" The taller female smiled some as she replied.

"Oh I promise" Gabrielle was quiet for a moment then expressed something she thought was important, to her.

"You know for a few moments I knew what it was like to be you"

"And?" The warrior's voice was a bit tight. The bard smiled to herself as she replied her voice light.

"It was warm, friendly, loving…" Xena quickly cut her off with a hint of outrage to her voice.

"Gabrielle it was a fight" The bard sighed.

"I felt protected" A pause. "The world needs people like that…right?" Xena smiled to her friend brightly as she retorted with a calm loving tone.

"Right" Gabrielle smiled back in return as she dropped her head onto her best friend's shoulder. Emerald eyes closed for a while, the bard listening to the rhythmic sound of the whetstone being scraped down the hand crafted sword. She reopened her eyes and brought her head back up to look to the older woman.

"So you want to stay here for the night?" Sapphire eyes looked down to meet another pair of deep eyes, a grin formed on the tall woman's lips. Xena sheathed her sword and held the whetstone in her hand, tossing it back in forth between her hands.

"Not really, you?" The bard smiled up at her friend.

"Nah, I think the Amazons can make do without their Queen for one night" The warrior nodded her head, Gabrielle stood up followed by Xena. Xena's hand quickly shot up to her forehead as she closed her eyes for a moment, she felt small but strong hands grasp her waist. Slowly blue eyes opened again, hand dropping back to her leather side.

"Thanks" Gabrielle quickly dropped her hands from the warrior's side in somewhat fear.

"No problem. Guess you're still weak?" The tall warrior nodded some, Gabrielle knew that to be bad if her friend was admitting to that. "You sure you want to leave tonight? I mean it might…" Gabrielle was silenced quickly by two fingers covering her lips.

"Its okay, I'll be fine" A small grin formed on the ex-warlord's lips as she dropped her fingers from those red lips she ached to touch. "I want to spend time alone with you and not a bunch of feather heads" The bard chuckled and began to walk beside her friend towards the Amazon village, happy that it wasn't that far away. "So care to explain who Velasca was?" Green eyes looked up at the warrior then back to the trail in the woods.

"She was the Amazon Queen after Melosa, well I think more Regent then anything considering I am the next in line"

"Natural" A pause. "So she challenged you to the throne?" The bard shook her head as they continued to make there way through the lush green woods.

"No actually she just tried to manipulate me, she didn't get far. She did obviously challenge Melosa and killed Melosa in fair combat" A deep breath. "I think she planned to challenge me soon as I became Queen"

"Well we took care of that huh?" The bard didn't say anything, still remember the feeling of having the warrior's soul inside of her. All the power and protection from it she felt, it felt right to her, she felt like she belonged with the warrior more then ever. Gabrielle could still feel the rush she had from fighting Velasca on the ropes, she enjoyed it. The bard then felt a large hand fall to her shoulder, she looked up. "Thought I lost you there" The bard grinned some as she felt the large hand drop from her shoulder.

"No, just got lost in my thoughts"

"Yeah what were you thinking about?"

"Just…" The bard shook her head, not quite understanding it herself.

"You liked me being inside of you?" The bard's eyes dropped to the forest floor, staring at the rocks and grass as the walked. Then she quietly whispered back.

"Yeah" Xena looked down at her friend, a very small smile playing on her lips. She opened her mouth to respond, but then they heard somebody call out.

"Queen Gabrielle!" The blond looked up to see a medium heightened smiling Amazon walking towards them from a base of a tree.

" Hi Solari, Ephiny already stick you on patrol duty?" The brown haired Amazon huffed as she neared the two women.

"Yeah, she's pretty cruel" The bard raised one eyebrow at that as she kept a straight face.

"I'll remember to let her know that" The Amazon's eyes widen for a brief moment then she grinned.

"Maybe it'll do her some good to hear it from the Queen then" Gabrielle chuckled as she smiled. "So you and Xena headed back to the village?"

"Yeah we are then I think we are going to leave for the night" Solari nodded her head.

"Well then I hope you two both enjoy yourselves, I doubt I'll see you till tomorrow. You are going to be around tomorrow?" The bard nodded her head.

"Yup, not sure exactly what we are going to do, but we'll all find out" Solari smiled.

"Sounds great, I am gonna head back to patrol before Ephiny pops out of bush to yell at me" The Amazon Queen chuckled.

"Bye Solari" The Amazon nodded and walked back to the same tree from earlier.

"Bye my Queen" With those last words the Amazon jumped up high and disappeared among the trees. They two women still on the ground then began to walk towards the village again.

"You know I've got to get you to teach me that sometime Xena" The warrior looked down at her small partner.

"How to use the trees?"

"Yeah, I am the Queen of the Amazons, I need to learn"

"Maybe" The bard arched an eyebrow at her tall friend. Xena looked down at her and grinned. "Or I can just do it for you" Gabrielle smiled as she noticed the gates to the Nation. The bard never replied, but picked up her walk towards the gates. They entered quickly and made their way to the stables where Argo was stabled since earlier. Gabrielle waited at the entrance of the stall as the warrior checked all the tack and saddlebags, then they heard the sounds of somebody entering. The bard turned towards the entrance of the stable to see a curly blond enter in, walking towards them.

"Hey Ephiny" The curly blond smiled as she came near and replied.

"My Queen" She then looked to the tall female inside of the stall with the golden mare. "Xena" The ex-warlord smiled to Ephiny then nodded her head. The Amazon then looked back to the small woman. "So I hear that you and Xena are headed out of here for the night" The bard grinned some.

"Yes we are, we'll stay in Amazon territory. Xena and I just want to catch up" Ephiny nodded.

"That's what I figured"

"So you'll take care of everything for the night?"

"If the Queen would like me to, yes" Gabrielle smiled at the grinning Amazon.

"The Queen would love it" That's when the blond noticed Ephiny's expression went serious.

"So what exactly are the plans or don't we know yet?" Gabrielle turned her head to look to her friend whom was making their way out of the stall, Argo in tow. She then looked back to the Amazon.

"I don't know yet, Xena and I need to talk about that" Ephiny nodded her head in understanding.

"Well I hope you two enjoy your night" Gabrielle smiled and gave her Amazon friend a quick hug.

"Thanks Ephiny for all your help. Oh by the way, Solari is a bit…upset about being on patrol" The curly blond laughed some and grinned to the Queen.

"Well she was teasing me a bit earlier so I thought I'd tease her right back. She's not going to be on much longer" The bard nodded and all three women and mare walked out of the stables. "Have a good evening to the both of you"

"Thanks Eph" The bard waves as the Amazon watched the

two pair of women make their way out of the village. The second in command chuckled to herself and turned around to head to her hut. Gabrielle turned her head back to look to the woods that lay ahead of her. Neither woman said much, but kept walking, once far away the warrior stopped walking the bard following her lead. Gabrielle looked to her tall friend with a confused look.

"I need to ride" The Warrior Princess hopped up onto the war-horse and looked down to the smaller woman and brought one hand down. "Care to join me?" The younger woman grinned and grasped the large warm hand as she felt herself pulled up into the saddle in front of the warrior.

"This is a switch" The tall female chuckled to herself as she reached for the wood staff, Gabrielle giving it to her with ease. Xena turned back some and placed the Amazon staff in the saddle directly behind her. She then turned back around and slipped her arms between the bard's sides and arms on either side. A large hand grasped the reins while the other hand reached for the bard's hands. Xena placed the leather reins into the bard's small hands, Gabrielle feeling her heart rate pick up some. "Xena you know I hate…" The warrior cut her off.

"Gabrielle this is a good area to learn, we're in Amazon territory, nothing will happen" A pause as she still felt the small woman's body tense. "For me" The bard let out a ragged breath as she nodded her head. Xena squeezed the bard's hands briefly then released her small hands. She then moved her hands to rest lightly on the bard's waist. "Start out slow" Gabrielle nodded and squeezed the mare's sides and Argo went at a walk, a tighter squeeze and the mare went to a trot. They stayed like that for a while, going through the woods and making their way closes to the edge of the territory, farthest from the Nation. Gabrielle then began to build up confidence as she rode on.

"Xena can I try Argo at a gallop?" The warrior grinned to herself.

"Well maybe a canter to start out with okay?" The bard nodded.

"Ready?" Xena wrapped her arms completely around the bard's waist.

"Yup" Gabrielle gave the mare a hard kick and clicked with her mouth, Argo went into a fast canter. Both women felt the wind whip by them as the horse went through the woods and between the trees, Gabrielle directing the horse. That's when it hit the tall warrior, her head began to feel light, a bit of dizziness taking over. She squeezed the bard's waist tightly, Gabrielle quickly knew something was wrong and slowed Argo down. The mare came to a stop but the warrior's hold was still strong on bard's waist.

"Xena you okay?" The leather-clad female released one hand bringing it up to her forehead while she closed her eyes, willing the feeling to stop. The bard didn't get and response from her friend, she turned in the saddle as much as possible, moving the reins to her left hand with her right hand she caressed the warrior's cheek. Slowly blue eyes opened again, a bit unfocused but a small smile played on the warrior's lips.

"Hey I am fine" The bard smiled some.

"Uh huh, you're a bad liar you know" The tall female chuckled and grasped the bard's hand, placing it back to the front.

"Keep a hold of the reins in both hands" The bard sighed as she turned back around, Xena wrapping her arm back around the small waist.

"Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"Why don't you go to sleep, might help" Gabrielle felt her friend's body go stiff at that suggestion, then she relaxed.

"I probably should huh?" The small female grinned to herself.

"Yeah, your body is still recovering" A pause. "I can take care of everything" The warrior grinned as well as she dropped her head against the small shoulder. Gabrielle feeling a victory over the stubborn warrior, she made a click and squeezed the mare lightly and went into a trot. Within a few minutes the older woman was asleep her arms had loosen some around the blond's waist, so Gabrielle compensated by placing one hand over the warrior's hands to hold her. They rode for another three fourths of a candle mark, coming near the mountains to where the border of the Nation lied. Gabrielle pulled back on the reins some, Argo slowing to a walk while the bard squeezed Xena's large hands.

"Xena" The blond felt her friend stir some. "Xena wake up" The warrior stir again and slowly raised her head, that's when Gabrielle realized exactly how much her friend's body need rest from the past accident and reawakening. Xena readjusted her hold on the blond as she gazed around, her mind coming back around.

"We're here huh" The bard smiled as she pulled the reins once again, the mare stopping in her tracks.

"Yup" The tall female nodded and released the bard, hopping off the mare. She looked to the mountains briefly to see the sun just beginning to sink beyond them. She then looked back to her friend still on the large horse, Gabrielle swung one leg over and hopped off, landing into waiting arms below. Xena smiled and got one in return, her hands lingering on the small waist. She released her small friend and moved to the saddlebags while the bard began to look around for wood.

By dusk the pair had camp set up, the sun almost gone from beyond the mountains. The warrior had caught a rabbit in her travels while Gabrielle pulled out some spices and herbs to cook it with, the rabbit over the spit. Xena went about sharpening her sword, the bard watched the food but noticed her friend never worked on her scrolls. The warrior made a mental note to ask her friend about that later on. Dinner as always was good and quiet, neither had anything to say, yet. By the end Xena went back to sharpening her sword, the bard cleaning up after the dinner. After she was done, Gabrielle sat in front of the fire staring into it. Her thoughts wondered to the past week, collecting all the memories and letting them sink in. Cobalt eyes lifted up from the sword to the bard, sharpening becoming forgotten about resting on the sword. Xena sheathed her sword quietly and stood up, and turned to her right and placed the whet stone into the saddlebag on the ground. She then turned towards her friend and quietly walked over to her and sat beside her. Gabrielle didn't say anything nor did she give Xena any acknowledgement. Xena looked to her friend for a moment then to the fire.

"So what's on your mind?" The younger female didn't say anything immediately as she gazed at the fire then responded after a few heartbeats.

"Just thinking about the past few days" Xena nodded her head.

"Was a hard one huh?"

"Yeah" Blue eyes turned towards the bard.

"But you made it through it…we did" Emerald eyes broke away from the fire to become locked with strong sapphire eyes she adored so much. Gabrielle smiled some as tears began to trickle down her cheek.

"We did" Xena reached over and grasped her friend, pulling her into her lap. The bard buried her face into the warrior's chest as she cried, getting the pain out from the warrior's death. The Amazon Queen took a shake breath and then brought her head back up to look into loving eyes. "Xena I didn't think…" For the third time of the day the warrior cut her off, her fingers going up to the bard's lips.

"Its okay Gabrielle, I know" Her fingers moved from the bard's lips to under her chin, the warrior's thumb running across ruby lips, tracing them. Gabrielle closed her eyes in response, then Xena's hand moved to the side of soft face. She lowered her lips, stopping as her lips brushed with her small friend's, giving her a chance to back away. The bard didn't, Xena sealed their lips in a strong kiss. The kiss was more intense then their first one, it held all their love, passion, desires, need, and soul in one. By the end they both were breathless, Gabrielle resting her head against the warrior's chest, Xena's chin on top of the bard's head. Gabrielle's eyes went up to her friend and whispered up to her.

"Xena I can't live without you, that's one thing I learned these few days" Blue eyes stared down at her, Gabrielle watched as all the anger, hatred, and darkness disappeared in them. They softened to a degree Gabrielle had never seen before, they only held love in them the kind a person knew to be an unstoppable love, the love that is centered in one's soul. Xena lowered her head, Gabrielle could smell her friend's spice scent mixed with leather that she loved.

"I love you more then anything in the world Gabrielle" Eyes locked in intensity. "I need you" The bard smiled as she brought one hand up to the back of the warrior's head, pulling her down. Their lips met again, the kiss intense with love, trying to ravish one another in the kiss. Both their worlds exploded in the moment, everything fitting, their lives gaining even more meaning then before. They needed each other, craved each other, linked to each other, they belong to each other. They slowly pulled away from the kiss they stared into each other's eyes not sure whether to fully believe this was happening. Gabrielle let a small smile crease her lips as her hand slid from the back of Xena's head to the warrior's cheek. Electric blue eyes drifted shut, Xena leaning into the touch her hand coming up to the bard's. Then blond scooted more into the warrior's lap, her legs wrapped around Xena's waist. Xena grinned as she went in for another kiss, her hands moving to the bard's green tops, the Amazon Queen's own hands to the straps of bronze armor. That's how it all began, within a candlemark two soulmate's owned one another, mind, soul, heart, and body.

Later into that night, the two lovers talked about the near future plans. Xena didn't want to stay with the Amazons, Gabrielle quickly agreeing even though she loved her Amazon's none the less. The bard as well as the warrior both still had to much energy in their spirits to settle down yet. Xena had easily suggested a problem to the Amazon Queen role, telling of how a regent could take the bard's place. The Amazon Queen automatically knew whom to leave as the regent and would probably be even better then her to rule. Once the fire began to grow weak, the two soulmates began to drift into sleep, their body's intertwined as much as their souls. Both their chests rose and fell together at the same slow pace, their dreams brought the promise of a perfect future soon to come together in a world with no end.

The bard looked up from her diary, the fire was slowly beginning to die in the fireplace. She took a deep breath and let it release at a slow pace. There was a rustle on the bed, Gabrielle figuring it was her soulmate shifting in her sleep. But it wasn't, a warm hand dropped to the bard's shoulder, she turned her head to look up into eyes with an endless depth. A small smile crossed the bard's lips, she received one in return.

Xena was dressed in her leathers that were thrown to the floor earlier. The tall female removed her hand and walked off to the side of the fireplace where the stack of wood rested. She threw in a large log into the fire and turned back to her soulmate. Bare feet padded back to the bard, then the tall sleek body bent down in front of the fire, indigo eyes locking with green.

"Couldn't sleep?" Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders once.

"Just a dream. Thought I'd try to write to get my mind off the dream" Xena nodded as she rose back up, she walked over to the barred window. Large hands went up to grip the bars, the knuckles going white, Xena rested her head against the barred window. She looked through them down to the ground to see two archers looking back at her, she narrowed her eyes then closed them. Gabrielle immediately knew something was up, she closed her diary and put it on the ground next to her, quill on top. She stood up and made her way close to her warrior, she walked to the wall next to the warrior, and Gabrielle rested her back against it, her head turning to the warrior. "Xena?" The tall female's head lifted up, her eyes still gazing out the window, her hands still gripping tightly at the bar's of the window.

"Gabrielle, I hate having you here" The Amazon Queen's eyes dropped to the stone floor of the room.

"I hate being here, can think of a lot of better places to be with my soulmate" A sarcastic laugh escaped Xena's lips.

"Same here" The bard's eyes moved back up, she brought her hands in front of herself to rest in lap, her fingers intertwined.

"Well where ever I am, I only want to be there with you" A very small smile creased the warrior's lips, her eyes softening just a hint. "And I don't like you here either" A pause. "But what I want to know Xena, is what's really eating at you?" The Warrior Princess turned her head to look to her small soulmate, Gabrielle staring across the room to the large wooden door. The blond gradually turned her head to look to her lover. Gabrielle held Xena's eyes strongly, she held understanding in her emerald eyes, the warrior reading into that making her give in willingly.

"You've…you've been through enough as it is so far Gabrielle. I don't want to see anything else major happen to you" Xena took a deep breath. "I don't like that I have little control over the situation nor knowledge. It gives me less options to better protect you" Then the warrior growled some, her anger surging up as she pulled at the bar's hard. Her memories of how Gabrielle ended up here in the first place came rushing to Xena's mind, the warrior's fault. The shafts were feeling the strength of the pull and began to loosen, small grinds of stone began to fall to the floor. Gabrielle reached over with her right hand, placing it onto the taller woman's arm, her touch was warm and relaxing. The bard watched as the taut muscles began to relax, hands still grasping the rods firmly, teeth clenched together.

"Xena?" No response. So the blond moved her hand from the still tense arm to her soulmate's face, she placed her hand to the opposite side. She turned Xena's face to look to her, Xena's eyes held anger, not towards the bard but to herself. "Xena, we'll get out of this, we always do" A deep breath. "I can tell you think it's your fault for all this…"

"Gabrielle…"

"No listen to me Xena" Emerald eyes burrowed into Sapphire ones. "It wasn't your fault, it was mine as much. I forgot my staff just like you forgot your weapons, it happens. We were both weren't expecting it and we were in an…emotional moment. And if I know you, you'll get plenty of control over this situation, that's one of your many skills" Xena slightly grinned at the end remark, but let it slip as she went serious again.

"I feel like I just need to always"

"Protect me?" Cobalt eyes dropped.

"Yeah" A pause. "Even though I know you hate that"

"Xena" The warrior looked back up. "You know what?" A shake of the head. "I kind of like it" A dark eyebrow shot up, Gabrielle grinning. "Just as long as I don't feel like a kid. We bother protect each other…right?" Xena smiled to her soulmate as she replied in a low soothing voice.

"Right" Those white knuckles turned into faintly red ones, then finally normal tone of skin color. Large hands dropping and the tall body turning to face the bard, Gabrielle turning her own body to Xena. "Gabrielle?"

"Hmm?" The warrior closed her eyes for a moment then reopened them again.

"Say the word if you want to leave this one…or any other fight in the future" The small woman stood in shock for a moment. She wasn't sure if Xena offered to her what she thought.

"Xena, the greater good" The warrior shook her head as her voice went very serious.

"I don't care about the greater good when it comes to you" A pause. "We'll walk out of here one way or another if you want too" Gabrielle blinked twice, her stomach feeling butterflies over the power she realized she held over her soulmate. She knew Xena would be true to her word if it meant killing ever man here to do it and she knew the warrior could if set in the right frame of mind. The bard closed her eyes for a brief moment then opened them again to look up at her other half.

"Okay Xena" Gabrielle stepped closer. "I don't want to leave this one, nor probably any others later on. I couldn't…" The tall warrior nodded in understanding, knowing Gabrielle always had that side of her that felt she had to save the world. Make the world perfect for everybody. Some goal, one that could never be reached, but she'd go to the ends of the earth with her bard to try and do it. "But Xena?" The warrior came back to the present.

"Yes?"

"Just let me know if you ever want to walk away from any one of these adventures of ours. Alright?" Xena's eyes softened, no walls being shown within them, her vulnerability being shown for only Gabrielle to see.

"Okay…thank you" Gabrielle stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to the warrior's forehead. Xena then reached for the bard's hand, their fingers weaving together. They made their way over to the fireplace again, the bodies not yet tired. Xena figured it would be another five candlemarks till daylight, plenty of time in her mind. They both sat down on the cool stone floor, Gabrielle reaching for her diary with quill, placing them in her lap. "What were you writing about?"

"Um…what happened after you came back" Xena grinned knowing exactly what time frame her partner spoke of.

"May I see your diary for a moment?" The Amazon Queen arched an eyebrow and neatly handed the leather diary to the other woman.

"Didn't have to ask" Xena grinned as she opened the diary, flipping threw a number of pages to the end of the entry. The end of the entry was about one fourth of the way down on the left page, she placed the diary back in the bard's lap.

"I want you to do something for me" The blond looked to Xena and nodded with a smile. "Okay close your eyes" The bard raised an eyebrow at that, but did as she was told. "Now try to imagine the camp we were in that night" Xena silently stood up and then moved behind her soulmate, crouching behind the smaller woman. "All the trees, the camp fire, the Amazon mountains in the back ground" Xena's hand went to Gabrielle's lap where the quill rested. She picked it up carefully and reached for Gabrielle's right hand, she placed the quill in the small hand. Then wrapped her larger hand around the small one and squeezed some. "Every little detail, the way shadows fell on the ground, the sun's rays swept through the mountains" She leaned in closer to the bard's ear. "Remember us" A small shudder ran through Gabrielle, Xena backing up some and released Gabrielle's hand. "Lock that image in your head" A pause. "Open your eyes again with that image in your mind and try to draw it" Ever so slightly the bard's eyes reopened, she gazed down at the diary, the image still in her head clearly. She brought the quill to the blank area below the entry of the journal. Gabrielle then began to draw from her mind, remembering all the details from the exact time at dusk. Xena watched from behind as she grinned to herself, the bard's lines growing more distinct with each passing moment. Within a quarter of a candlemark a perfect image of that night was drawn in the diary, Gabrielle placed the quill in the middle of the book to gaze at it. She was astounded at how good the drawing is a perfect resemblance.

There in the diary, was a drawing of mountains in the background, the sun's light passing through, shadows cascading down the sides then not to far off to the left was a log, a saddlebag against it. In the foreground were two women. A taller one on the ground left of a fire, her dark hair blowing ever so slightly in the wind, her sword hilt glistening in the firelight. Beside her sat another woman of opposite looks, she had her hands in her lap, as she stared into the fire with her friend.

Xena smiled to herself at the drawing, she came back around to sit down on the floor beside her partner. Gabrielle still stared at the image, then she looked to her soulmate.

"Xena, how'd you know I might be able to draw?" The Warrior Princess shrugged her shoulders as she reached for the journal and quill, just enough ink left on it. Xena smiled at the drawing then flipped the pages till she was at the very front, happy to find the first page blank.

"Mind if I do something on this page?" Gabrielle shook her head. Xena looked to the page and closed her eyes, an image consumed her mind, and she looked to the page again. She brought the quill to the paper and let her mind draw the image. "I kind of figured you could. Most bard's are either excellent draws as well or really bad" The bard chuckled some.

"Really?" Xena nodded as her hand moved, slowly an image began to appear. First it was a large built figure, from the waist up.

"Yeah, bards as we both know…" A grin from both women. The large figure began to receive armor, a look of a female as breasts reappeared, a sword on her back. The head was tilted down, and now the mouth, it was slightly open, the eyes almost closed. "…have really good imaginations and detailed minds. So they're able to create such a perfect image in their minds then write about it. So why can't they draw it with lines as well as words?" She stopped talking and drawing for a moment as her eyes drift shut then quickly reopened as Xena moved the quill from the first figure. The first figure was distinctly the warrior, but yet with no arms. Xena began to draw a second figure, lighter hair, and breasts as well but with a halter-top on instead of leathers. She was smaller with her eyes shut. Xena continued. "The better bard's mostly likely can draw very well since their hand is as much as a part of their mind. One of the most key things to drawing" Gabrielle watched as the last of the drawing became finished. The smaller woman's head was tilted up, her lips almost touching the warrior's lips. Arms wrapped around one another as the perfect image covered the parchment in the leather bound journal. One last touch the warrior mused to herself.

My drawing to my soulmate, I am yours forever.

Love Xena

Xena smiled and then handed the open journal to the smaller woman and studied the bard as she stared at the drawing. A bright smile creased Gabrielle's lips as she ran a small hand down the drawing and then very carefully closed the diary. She then looked to Xena whom handed her the quill, Gabrielle took it with ease.

"Thank you Xena" The warrior smiled as she leaned over to kiss the bard on the forehead. "How long you been drawing for?" The older female looked to the fire as she retorted.

"Hmmm I probably did it till I was about…ten winters old or so, maybe a little older"

"What did you draw?"

"Oh a little this, a little of that" The bard arched a brown eyebrow at her, the warrior chuckled. "Normally the village from afar, then eventually I'd draw animals. Then right before I stopped I would draw people in the village, like in taverns. Always got better as I went along" The blond's head bobbed up and down a few times and looked to her friend again.

"Why did you stop? The fighting?" Xena nodded her head.

"Mostly, that and I thought it to be a talent of a weak person" A pause. "But I always did miss doing it" The warrior grinned to herself as she looked to her soulmate again. "I do remember when I was in meetings with my men or other warlords or what have you. I always had a scroll with me and a quill too. Sometimes those meetings got so boring I would start doodling on my scrolls with my notes" Gabrielle laughed some, just imagining her soulmate doing that with a bunch of filthy nasty men. "Now that I think about it, when I first became a pirate, I use to go to the bow of the boat and watch the dolphins and then draw them" Gabrielle smiled at that.

"You still have them?" The older woman looked back to the fire.

"No, burned them in time as I changed" The small woman looked to the fire as well, realizing she found another thing about her soulmate she never knew of. "We better get back to bed, going to be a long day"

"Yeah" The Amazon Queen rouse up then Xena did as well. Gabrielle walked over to her satchel and slipped in her quill and leather journal and made her way to the bed, Xena starting to crawl in. Gabrielle was quick to follow as she snuggled up against Xena. Not to long after they fell into a deep sleep with only four candlemarks till their day would begin along with their challenge together.

Continued in Part 3.