~ Just for a Day ~
by Red Hope

Disclaimers: Copyright: Xena, Gabrielle, and Argo are owned by Universal, not like nobody knew that. ;-) The story line on the other hand is mine. Just one of the many story lines of mine. ;-)

Subtext/Sex: It'll have subtext that becomes maintext. Sex… mmm kinda sorta, it's actually casual.

Violence: Yes there will be but nothing that will make you toss your cookies.

Time Frame: Somewhere in the fifth season period but when Xena is not pregnant and in her leathers.

Note: Just a quick fun story that came to my mind on the way home from Cherry Hill convention. Thought it would be entertaining. ;-)

If you have any sort of sexual writing advice *laugh* email me... did that sound wrong? Mmm, anyway we'll stay to questions and comments at redhope@redhope.net

Started: Started: October 13th 2000 Friday

Started: August 26th 2000 on Saturday
Finished: August 29th 2000 on Tuesday

Series Three: Putting the Puzzle Together Story: Twelve

Section 1

~*Part 1*~

Gabrielle turned her head to the left a little to the young woman around her age. She began to glance up and down the length of the woman passing by her in the village.

The warrior saw out of the corner of her eye, her partner checking out the young villager. She bit her tongue from saying anything. She just held tightly to Argo's reins and kept walking out of the village.

The warrior-bard sighed and looked ahead when the villager was out of her sight. Soon her hair was brushed back by her hand. She noticed she was just out of the village and back on the main road headed south.

Xena started to pick up the pace wanting to get some distance now from the village.

The smaller woman was looking anywhere but at her partner right now. In her head she kept flashing images of that young female villager she'd seen. Her mind going over the woman's beautiful face, large breasts, and jet black hair. She suddenly growled and glanced up to Xena. "Xena?"

"Mmm?" The warrior peered down as if she didn't know what was going on.

The young warrior didn't respond immediately but looked ahead again. "You've must have been in a relationship with… a woman before right?" She turned her head to Xena again.

Very slowly the tall woman corked an eyebrow. "Not quite a… relationship but if you're talking about sex, yes."

Gradually the warrior-bard nodded. She breathed deeply and slowly released it. "It's different huh?"

The warrior dropped her grin as she noticed the route of this now serious conversation. She slightly nodded. "Yes, in comparison to a man." She paused. "Why you ask?"

"I don't know really." The bard lowered her eyes to the road and kicked at the rock in the gravel.

The rock went flying up the road.

"I guess I'm just questioning myself." Gabrielle shrugged as her eyes lifted to the quiet road. "Questioning whether I like women more or men."

Xena's back straightened up at the information but she chuckled a little. "It just comes down to whatever turns you on Gabrielle."

The short woman laughed and teased back. "And that comes from the Queen of Sex herself."

The Warrior Princess laughed hard however calmed back down to whisper, "The Queen of Sex is a little dry."

Gabrielle snickered. "You ain't the only one." She sighed slowly. She spotted the same rock she'd kicked earlier and kicked it again.

The small rock went reeling ahead to settle on the road once more.

"I swear Xena." The bard took a deep breath. "I think sometimes I'm suppose to like women over men." She whined a little. "I mean, look at the way I dress now." She stopped and held her hands out to herself. "I look butch."

The warrior stopped walking and faced her partner. "You look feminine with a little masculine too." She shrugged. "So do I."

"No, no, nothing like I do." Gabrielle put her hands to her hips. "The short hair and the top do it."

Xena shrugged and started walking. "I like it… you look good."

The small woman began walking again.

The older woman glanced to her partner then away. "So you've been with a man naturally."

Gabrielle's right hand raised palm up. "Yes." She dropped her hand.

"Perdicus?" Xena asked.

The bard slowly nodded. "And… Joxer."

"What?!" roared the warrior. She stopped dead in her tracks and faced her friend. "Joxer?!"

The young woman was serious for two seconds but broke down laughing. "Hades no!" Her right hand came forward to grasp Xena's arm as she bent forward still laughing. "Oh god… the look."

The tall woman sighed dramatically. "Hardy har har Gabrielle." She shook her head. "That's like me telling I had sex with Joxer."

Gabrielle's head whipped up suddenly with a serious look. "You have?"

"Are you crazy?" The Warrior Princess started strolling along the road. "I don't care if he was the last man on this gods forsaken earth."

The Amazon Queen snickered and power walked to catch up with her friend. "Yeah, you couldn't pay me. I'd rather be horny for the rest of my life."

Xena pointed a finger at the other woman. "That… was to much information." Her hand lowered.

Gabrielle laughed and gazed forward. A sad sigh left her lips as she saw that rock once more. She kicked it.

The little rock went rolling across the road to stop onward.

"Okay, so back to the topic." Xena took a deep breath. "So one man really…" She gazed to her partner for conformation.

The warrior-bard nodded.

"Any woman before?" The warrior shrugged. "Ephiny?"

"Ephiny?" The young woman peered up. "Ephiny?"

"Yesss, the Amazon you made your regent… that Ephiny." The warrior smirked.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "I know. But why would you think Ephiny?"

The dark woman shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe because I was dead at one point and I did not know what was going on with you and Ephiny."

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes. "I was mourning your death… I wasn't rolling around in a rump of rice with Ephiny," she smugly said.

Xena quietly laughed. "Solari?"

"No!" Gabrielle chuckled however pointed a finger now at her partner. "And don't even say Najara. That is a huge no."

"Well, I knew that."

The bard sighed in relief and kicked at her friendly little rock and watched it fly ahead again. "No women."

"None?" The warrior had furrowed eyebrows. "Not even experimenting?" She watched Gabrielle shook her head and this had made Xena's expression drop to sympathetic sadness. "You're the Queen of the Amazons and you've never-"

"Xena," growled the bard.

The older woman chuckled a little and went serious. "Ssso, that doesn't leave us with much."

"Just one man and no women." Gabrielle sighed. "Sad huh?" She peered up.

"Nah." Xena's lips creased into a smile. "You're just… picky." A small chuckle went from her lips.

"Right," was the sarcastic response. "And tell me why we're discussing my sex life?"

"Because you asked." The warrior arched an eyebrow. "I'm just trying to… help." She shrugged. "But if you don't want my help that's fine." She gazed away.

The small warrior sighed. "No… no I wanna figure this one out." She folded her arms. "It bothers me."

"Alright." The tall woman thought for a moment. "There's basically one physical difference."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Oh?"

"Uh huh." Xena smirked while saying, "Either the dick or the breasts." She shrugged. "Select one." She chuckled. "Then mentally is if you want to deal more with emotions or less emotions."

The young woman slowly nodded. "Women are definitely more emotional." She chuckled while grinning to her friend. "But then there are… exceptions."

The older woman narrowed her eyes yet grinned too. "Ha ha." She looked away.

"You know…" The bard stopped for a second trying to put together her words right. "I wish I could… test it out."

"What you mean?" The warrior was intrigued about this one.

The Amazon Queen took a deep breath before explaining. "Well like… have a relationship with another woman for just a little while to see if I liked it or not."

Xena slowly began to move her head in agreement. "Why not?"

"Why not?" Gabrielle laughed then raised an eyebrow. "Xena, I'm in the middle of nowhere. Who could I have a relationship with…. Argo?"

The mare suddenly whined and looked to Gabrielle with wide eyes.

The young warrior held up a hand towards the war-horse. "Sorry Argo… totally inappropriate."

Argo nodded her head in acceptance to the apology and turned her head away.

"Come on Gabrielle." The warrior had an upset look.

Gabrielle peered up to her friend and understood. "Ooooh no, I don't think so." She stopped traveling. "There's nnnno wwway I'm going to do a relationship with you."

"Why not?" Xena put her hands on her hips. "I don't bite… not unless you want me too." She evilly grinned.

"That's not funny!" Gabrielle laughed though. "I'm serious… you're my best friend… it'd-"

"Be perfect." The Warrior Princess shrugged.

"N-n-no." The bard shook her head. "What if it went wrong and messed up our friendship? It really could."

Xena sighed as she dropped her hands. "Gabrielle, first we both know each other well. Second, if it messes us up then it was a never a good friendship to begin with." She saw her partner lift an eyebrow at that and it made her chuckle a little. "Basically it comes down to that I won't let you try it with… a stranger. Call it my protectiveness."

"Hades." The short warrior snapped a finger then grinned. "I was gonna grab the next barmaid we run into."

The warrior quietly laughed however went serious again.

"Look Xena…" Gabrielle sighed as she stopped for a moment. "I really don't want this to mess our friendship up." She shook her head. "It happened already."

"I know." The tall woman's hand came up to grasp her best friend's shoulder. "But it'll be like… well a favor." She stopped trying to word it right. "What we do would be out of love." She lowered her hand. "Seriously think about it." Slowly a grin began to crease her lips. "We could do it for twenty-four candlemarks and I'll show you everything and anything. Then you'll have your answers."

"And you'll get what out of this?" The bard corked an eyebrow.

The warrior went serious. "Physical satisfaction." She grinned evilly and released her partner to start trekking with her mare. "Just tell me your answer by tonight."

Gabrielle blinked and whispered, "Physical satisfaction?" She shook her head while quietly laughing. She looked up to her friend walking on. "Tonight?"

"Uh huh."

The Amazon Queen nodded and jogged up to come by Xena. "I'll consider it."

The tall woman grinned at her partner. "Good."

~*~*~*~

The bard stood back up after lighting the fire, she'd finally learned how to start a campfire. She turned around to see Xena by Argo's side. "What we doing for dinner?"

Xena turned around holding the saddlebags, she shrugged. "I don't know." She sighed a little. "Feel like soup, meat, or fish?"

The small warrior really considered. "How about some quail?" She grinned. "I'm in for some sweet chicken."

The tall woman laughed while strolling up to her partner. "I can do that." She handed the saddlebag over. "You finish up with camp and I'll go get some quail." She turned around on her heels to come at the edge of the clearing. "How many quail?"

"You better get four."

"No problem, be back." And with that the older woman disappeared into the forest.

Gabrielle sighed and looked down at the saddlebag as the buckles reflected the red sun in the western sky. "What am I gonna do?" With a groan she stepped away from the campfire to settle the bag down beside a rock. She bent down to start taking the cooking supplies out. "To relationship or not to relationship?" She quietly laughed but sadly let her breath out. Now she began to rack her mind with the idea.

Within a quarter of a candlemark Xena popped back into the camp with the quail. Some things in their partnership just never changed.

Gabrielle soon was going into chef mode and cooking the quail over the fire with a little thyme on the small birds to flavor them. By the time she got around to this it was dark and she stood in front of the fire staring into it.

The warrior turned around from finishing with untacking Argo. She studied her friend's back and took a deep breath. Slowly she came up behind the other woman. Her hands gently rested on Gabrielle's shoulders. She lowered her head. "Your answer."

The bard continued staring into the fire as she felt her breathing went faintly faster at the decision in her hands. Slowly she tilted her head back and asked, "For twenty-four candlmarks?"

Xena slowly nodded with her trusting look. "Just for a day."

The young woman glanced back to the fire. Slowly a smile eased along her lips. "Let's do it."

"Great." The tall woman lowered her head close to Gabrielle's head. "You'll enjoy it." A small chuckle left her as she squeezed her friend's shoulders.

The small woman grinned a little. "I better." She snickered. "So this time tomorrow night we stop and go back to our friendship?"

"Exactly." The Warrior Princess shrugged. "Shouldn't be to hard… right?" She grinned and walked off.

Gabrielle shivered as the coolness met her shoulders and slowly tingles developed on her shoulders. "Sure," she whispered to herself.

~*~*~*~

Xena stared at the bone remains of her two quail. She was sitting beside her friend on the ground. Her fingers came down to pick at the small little bit of meat on one leg of the quail. She plucked it off and peered over to her friend.

The bard glanced over with a corked eyebrow, she'd finished her quail.

Slowly the warrior grinned and raised the bit of meat to the other woman's lips.

At first Gabrielle was hesitant but slowly spread open her lips and felt warm fingertips slip the meat between her lips.

The warrior watched with her grin as her friend took the meat carefully from her. "Just relax and enjoy this." She smiled warmly. "It's for fun." She now found Gabrielle enjoying it for the bard's tongue came out slightly to lick the juices off. "There you go." She chuckled. Slowly her hand moved to rest against Gabrielle's right cheek and her smile stayed.

Gabrielle looked down with a shy smile. She wasn't sure about this with her best friend.

Xena leaned towards her friend and ushered, "Trust me, you're safe." She leaned back with her loving smile and stood up. She faced her friend.

"I trust you." The Amazon Queen looked up with those trusting green eyes.

"Good." The older woman ran her hand through her friend's hair. "Let's go for a swim."

"This late?" The small warrior's eyes widen.

Xena nodded. "Sure." She leaned down to press her lips against her partner's forehead. "You'll like moonlighting skinny dipping."

The short woman laughed and stood up. "Lead the way."

The dark female held her hand out in offer. She peered down at the other woman.

Gabrielle gazed up to study warm blue eyes and it made her smile. She took the hand. "You're going to milk it for all it's worth."

The Warrior Princess laughed. "Definitely." She started walking out of the camp with Gabrielle.

Soon the pair came to moonlit lake that glistened in the silver light.

The bard stared over it with a huge smile. "That's beautiful."

Xena slowly nodded and turned her head to her friend. "Come on." She released the small hand and began to remove her clothes.

The warrior-bard followed suit and watched Xena dive into the water. She did next to slip into under the cool water and slowly rise up in front of Xena. She shook her head to get the water out. "That's invigorating."

The warrior quietly laughed. "Feels good." She slowly raised an eyebrow. "Now let's begin." She had a serious look despite her eyes twinkled.

Gabrielle chuckled but went stoic too. "Okay, you're the teacher of this women stuff." She saw her companion grin for a moment but return to her sternness.

"First, have you ever kissed another woman?"

"Kinda sorta." The bard chuckled but had a sad look. "I had an old friend of mine that I really loved and we kissed. But we were kids and it was more out of friendship then… well lust." She shrugged. "And that was also because she was dying." Her eyes became fixed on the metallic water. "I think I was about… seven then." She peered up after shrugging.

Xena slowly nodded and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright… she was pretty sick from the disease you know." Gabrielle started to smile now. "Ssso, wanna explain a woman's kiss?" She laughed lightly.

The warrior grinned for a moment. "Alright… a kiss with a man can be more…"

"Needy?" suggested the bard. "Lacking emotions."

"Exactly." The tall woman's right hand came up from the water and began to graze over the water. "They normally don't hold quite as much emotions although some can."

"And a kiss a woman can huh?"

"Yes." Xena grinned. "And you're receiving the emotions while the man rather take them." She shrugged. "Normally saying." She went serious. "So first there's the gently kiss." Slowly she leaned into to press her lips against Gabrielle's and she knew her friend stiffened up out of shock. But as the light kiss continued she noticed her friend relaxing into it. Xena then pulled back with a warm smile.

Gabrielle was suddenly a little red with her body warming. "Okay… not bad."

The warrior quietly laughed.

"So the passionate kiss next?" The bard perked an eyebrow.

"Mmm, a lot more emotions." The older woman shifted closer and leaned in again. As her lips met Gabrielle's, her hands came down to grasp warm sides.

The small warrior's right hand went to Xena's shoulder while her other hand went behind the warrior's head.

Xena kept to her promise and began to bring her emotions into the kiss. Soon she'd slipped her tongue into her friend's mouth. Then she found Gabrielle's own tongue sliding into her mouth. Without much expectancy she had the bard pressing her body into her.

The Amazon Queen pulled back and was taking deep breaths. "Well… that was… real good." She shook her head while chuckling.

"Good." The warrior released one side and brushed back some of Gabrielle's hair. Her hand came back down to Gabrielle's side.

The young woman smiled warmly while saying, "One thing is for sure, I'll know if I like women or not considering you're the most beautiful woman ever."

The dark woman smiled as she leaned towards her friend. Her lips coming next to her partner's ear and she whispered, "Thank you." Lifting her head she had a grin. "Trying words of endearment huh?"

Gabrielle laughed. "Maybe or just telling it how it is." She raised an eyebrow.

"Ah." Xena nodded slowly. "But see I'm only second, in beauty, to you."

The bard looked away as she felt the words take her. She faced Xena again with hidden sadness deep in her eyes.

Oh Xena certainly saw it but she certainly acted like she didn't notice such things. She just made a mental note of it and a reminder to correct that sadness. So now she smiled warmly. "You trust me?"

"Yeah."

"Good." The warrior released her partner's sides and took a small step back in the white water. She held her hands up out of the water.

Gabrielle carefully took them and kept her eyes locked with Xena's.

The tall woman corked an eyebrow as she lowered their hands into the water. "Have you ever touched yourself?"

The young warrior laughed quietly and looked away. A blush started to creep up her neck. "A little," she said quietly. Glancing back she had a serious look.

Gradually Xena nodded with a stoic expression. "That's a start… we'll do this together." She adjusted her hands to lay over top of Gabrielle's hands. Slowly under the water she guided her friend's hands to her breasts.

The bard sucked in a breath as her palms covered over her partner's breasts. Her eyes had narrowed a little as she tried to calm down.

The warrior grinned at the other female's reaction. Now there was no room for words, only show. This in turn led her to help shift Gabrielle's hands over her breasts.

Slowly Gabrielle started to pick it up on her own. Her hands gliding down under to cup Xena's breasts. She still felt the warrior's warm hands covering hers. She glanced up to see the warrior's eyes closed now. A small grin creased the bard's lips. Together with Xena's thumb, they passed over the nipples.

The Warrior Princess took a shaky breath and pulled her friend's hands away under the cool water. She collected Gabrielle's hands while she kept her eyes closed to relax her body.

The younger woman watched with an interest. When she saw Xena open her eyes she smiled warmly. "What's next?"

Xena grinned as she shifted her hands over top of Gabrielle's again. She took a step closer to Gabrielle again and lowered Gabrielle's hand under the water. She directed her friend's hands right to her center. "This."

"Yeah," peeped the bard.

The warrior chuckled a little. "First there's the folds."

The water wavered from movement under the surface.

"Yeah… so I feel."

The tall woman laughed halfway but her jaw was clamped down. "Now you can do this to… build up your partner's climax."

The ripples were more and faster in the water as the arms moved back and forth in the water.

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle felt her body's temperature picking up. "I could have imagined just fine."

The ripples in the water stopped.

"Yyyeah," the warrior just rasped. "But there's a difference between imagining and the real thing."

The water had a small wave reappear.

The bard's eyes widen yet a huge grin creased her lips. "Now things are really warm."

Xena closed her eyes again. "Now you'd move her fingers to take the person."

"Like this?"

The water jounced a little while ripples appeared once more.

"Exxactly." The warrior gritted her teeth. "I think you know… a little more…"

The ripples stopped.

"Then you say." Xena was heavily breathing as her eyes slid open.

"Maybe." Gabrielle lifted her hands out of the water and put them to Xena's shoulders. "Ssso, could I add more fingers?"

"Uh huh." The tall woman's right hand came up to brush back a piece of blond stray hair. "Some people do fisting."

The bard's eyes widen. "That's crazy." She shook her head as her imagination worked with that. "Ouch."

"That's what I say." The warrior's chest rose at a more normal pace. "You'd be sore for a month."

"Try the rest of my life, gods." The Amazon Queen shook her head with a still amazed expression. "Not on my list."

"Mine neither." The tall woman leaned into place one of those gentle kisses to Gabrielle's forehead. "See you in the camp." She started walking towards shallower waters.

The short warrior blinked and watched her partner go to the shore and collect her things. She kept watching and saw Xena just disappeared towards the camp without putting her clothes on. "I think I know what's the next lesson." She grinned while making her way to the shore.

Xena turned around after depositing her stuff on the ground. She saw her partner come into the camp slowly.

The Amazon Queen had a grin as she came up beside her partner. She dropped her stuff beside Xena's.

They both stood next to each other in the nude with wet bodies from the 'swim'.

The older woman faced her friend and took two steps back. She kept her back straight while gazing up and down her friend's small body.

Gabrielle did the same with her partner. As she did, she felt her body filling with warmth from her partner's gaze. It felt strangely odd yet at the same time she felt as if she'd been yearning it since the day she met Xena. Either way, it left her feeling on fire and seeking for a release.

Xena easily saw this and felt it in herself. So this led her to take a step forward and put her hands to Gabrielle's sides. She lowered her head close. "Next lesson, great sex."

The bard laughed for a moment but stop as she came very serious into her passionate emotions. Her right hand came behind the warrior's head.

The tall woman finished the distance and took her friend's lips into a deep hot kiss.

The pair eventually pulled away with course breathing, dark eyes, and a roaring passion. And it certainly only led to that great sex for release and more answers and more questions.

~*~*~*~

The small warrior rolled to her right to let her left arm rest over top of Xena's warm breasts. She tucked her head under Xena's chin and closed her eyes. "Well… that should keep us both happy for awhile."

"Uh huh." The warrior's left hand came over to her companion's shoulder to caress there. "So what you think now?"

Gabrielle didn't respond quite fast. She pondered over the last few candlemarks, debating. "I'm not sure… yet." She took a deep breath. "It's definitely different," and a small chuckle followed.

"Good or bad difference?"

"Definitely good." The warrior-bard then snickered. "Then again it could just be because it was you."

"Oooh?" The warrior's lips spread into a grin. Her eyes were closed.

"Yeah… well." The Amazon Queen was grinning to herself. "You know the best sex, I couldn't find anything better."

Xena laughed for a few moments but settled back down. "Right," mumbled she.

"Hey I do know I could have definitely done worse… like Minya."

"Oh Gabrielle, don't do that." The warrior cringed for a moment. "Even bothers me."

The small warrior quietly laughed. "See?" She took a deep breath. "This wasn't a bad idea. Glad you suggested it." She squeezed her lover.

The older woman sighed contently. "Oh yeah." She breathed deeply. "I think my urges will be satisfied for a little while."

"Ah gee, I must have done bad."

Xena laughed. "Hardly." She kept moving her fingertips of her lover's shoulder blade. "That imagination does come in… handy."

Gabrielle grinned to herself but slowly lost it as she began to think.

The warrior noticed the silence and had to wonder what brought it on. "What you thinking 'bout?"

Slowly the young woman took a long breath. "Just about all of this." She paused in thought for a second. "You know what would be interesting?"

"Mmm?"

"That we could well… I don't know how to explain it exactly." Gabrielle stopped for a moment. "Well if we could keep our friendship right? But then whenever we needed to… satisfy those needs we could sleep together. Yet we wouldn't be together just friends."

"Gabrielle, you're basically saying we'd use each other."

The bard shrugged a little. "Sort of, depends on how you looked at it." She considered then went on to say, "We'd have sex to show love and to help each other." She chuckled. "As odd as the idea is."

"Okay, so say if we did this." Xena took a deep breath and continued. "What happens if I wanted to sleep with some guy? You know how I get soft around bad boys."

"Hmmm." The small warrior's lips pressed together as she thought.

"Gabrielle," the warrior started to whisper. "You can't tell me you'd simply agree or that you wouldn't get jealous." She started to grin. "Nor if you did the same could I say I wouldn't get jealous." That grin started to get larger. "We both know how possessive we are of each other in just our friendship. How you think it's going to be in a love relationship?"

The Amazon Queen started drumming her fingers against her lover's sides. "Okay, maybe you have a point." Her fingers stopped tapping. "Then what about saying neither of us could sleep with anybody? It would be just us."

"But Gabrielle…" Xena opened her warm eyes. "That would be crossing the line."

Gabrielle lifted her head to lock eyes with her partner. She knew exactly what line Xena spoke of. Being together and not being together. That was the line being spoken of and it was the line that Gabrielle was unsure of. Slowly she lowered her head down onto her lover's chest. "Silly idea," she mumbled out.

Slowly the tall woman wrapped her arms around her partner's warm body. Her eyes gradually closed with a sigh.

"So this will be over by tomorrow at sunset?"

"Yesss." The Warrior Princess's breathing stopped for a second. "As we agreed." She held tightly to her friend in a hidden apology.

"Good." The bard felt the shiver of fear that wanted to vibrate through her body. But it never came due to her lover's arms around her body. That and the fact something else told her not to be fearful right now.

"Go to sleep huh?" Xena got no response but knew her companion had fallen asleep. But she could not for her mind was shaken by her friend's words. Her emotions pricked by the cold words she just received, which it pretty much ruined the entire night and almost made it worthless. Yet one thing her friend taught her was to never give up or stop believing and that was the point where she stood.

Tomorrow was another with more time to conceive and plot.

~*Part 2*~

"You ready to move?" Xena turned around after finishing with tacking Argo. She held the reins in her right hand.

"Yup." Gabrielle rose up after releasing the handles of her sais. "You?"

"Uh huh." The warrior held her hand out.

Slowly the Amazon Queen strolled up to take the larger hand. She smiled and started walking with her partner.

The pair walked hand in hand up to the road. They'd fallen silent the entire way as they made their way through the forest to the road. They came to the road, trekking it in silence.

Gabrielle peered down at her hand clasped with Xena's. She studied for a few moments then peered up to her partner's stoic profile. She kept walking while studying her best friend that she'd known for five years and just had sex with. It was an odd feeling that she rather enjoyed. "Xena?"

"Yeah?" was the warrior's quiet response.

The bard noticed the hints of sadness in her friend's voice and it made her look away. "I'm sorry about last night." She glanced back up with an apologetic expression. "I know I was pretty bitchy."

"It's alright." The warrior finally faced her friend.

The younger warrior took a deep breath. "I really didn't mean anything against you." She paused. "I shouldn't have been like that… you're doing me a favor right now." Her free hand went through her hair. "And I know it isn't easy for you to hand yourself over." She gazed back up to her friend. "I'm really sorry Xena."

Xena smiled warmly and squeezed the small hand she held. "Thank you."

The small woman nodded faintly. "I'm just a little scared, I think." She gazed away with confused eyes. "This is just really new and when I think about having a relationship with the same sex I get a little weirded out." She chuckled partially. "That's why I got defensive like that." She peeked up but looked away as she shrugged. "It wasn't you."

The dark female slowly nodded and carefully asked, "What scares you about having a same sex relationship?"

"I don't know." Gabrielle sighed in a little of frustration. "Maybe the public." She shook her head. "You know how society would say… it's just not normal for two women yadda yadda."

"Yeah." The warrior slowly nodded. "That is if you pay attention to society."

"What you mean?" The bard glanced up.

Slowly the Warrior Princess started to grin. "And I thought you had followed the way of love."

The young warrior corked an eyebrow slowly in question. She didn't get an explanation from her lover but quickly she figured it out. "Oooh, now I see." She head bobbed while glancing ahead. "That's true too." She grinned a little. "It's just about love and not about the body huh?" she questioned her friend.

"Yup." The older woman smiled warmly. "That's exactly what I'm saying." She shrugged a little. "But it depends on the person and their morals." She turned her attention to Gabrielle. "And that's something you have to figure out for yourself."

"Yeah." The Amazon Queen chuckled while sighing. "Whether I give a centaur crap about society's opinion or not." She chewed a little at her lower lip. "We'll see I guess." She decided to flip topics. "Are we hitting a village today?"

"We caaan." Xena peered over to her friend. "Need something?"

Gabrielle shrugged and shook her head. "Nah, not really." She grinned to Xena. "I was thinking more on the lines of lunch."

"Oh… oh I see." The warrior chuckled. "Maybe… depends."

"On what?"

The tall woman evilly grinned to Gabrielle. "That you don't run off with the barmaid."

The short warrior's eyes widen as she started to laugh.

~*~*~*~

The warrior steered Argo into one of the last stalls.

Gabrielle followed into the stall and watched her partner untack the mare. She patted the war-horse and smiled when Argo turned her head to her.

Argo whine happily then looked away.

Xena turned her head to Gabrielle then back to the saddlebag she laid on the saddle stand. She slowly walked over to the other side of the stall where her friend stood.

The bard's eyes widen when she saw the dark eyes rest on her. "Xena?"

"Have I explained the advantages that two females have?" The Warrior Princess lifted and eyebrow as she kept moving closer to her lover.

"I believe you have told me most of them." The warrior-bard took steps back till her back pressed into the stall's wall. "Maybe you can tell me the rest at a more… private time," she growled.

"No." The warrior came up and stared down with twinkling navy eyes. "This is the perfect time… and spot." Her left hand came up to press against the wall right next to the bard's head.

"What can I say?" Gabrielle sheepishly grinned. "I'm a stickler for your lessons."

Xena laughed for second then grinned. "Just trust me." She leaned in to press her body against Gabrielle's as her right hand came up her friend's thigh. "You see, the advantage of two females is this."

Gabrielle's eyes widen but slowly closed and her jaw clamped down. "Oh nice advantage." She grasped her lover's sides tightly. "Don't even have… to worry about the… ccclothes," she rasped.

The warrior quietly laughed. "No, you can take your partner just about anytime and anyplace."

"Oh perfect." The small warrior's hips were rocking as her body was covering with a thin layer of sweat. Her head dropped against the stall.

There was a loud boom of a stall door closing in the very back of the stable. The stable filled with the sound of boots tapping on the boards headed towards the pair of women.

"Hades," whispered the warrior.

"Xena, please don't… remove your fingers."

Xena grinned at hearing the boot steps coming closer to their stall. "Don't worry." She shifted a little to her left so her body hid the view of the location of her right hand. Slowly she leaned in to gently take Gabrielle's lips to hide the low moans.

The man walked past the stall, threw a quick glance to see two women kissing. He huffed, not thinking much of it, and kept walking to leave the stable.

The warrior lifted her head back up to see Gabrielle dying for air. "Come here." She slipped her left arm around her friend's waist to support her.

"Oh gods Xena." The bard was breathing raggedly. "Faster," she whispered in a plea.

"Sssh." Xena leaned in to gently kiss her lover. She sound found her leathers sticking to her body as she felt her friend's hips rocking fast as her hand was working.

Gabrielle suddenly shut her eyes tightly and clamped her mouth shut. She fell into her lover and held tightly.

"Come here." The warrior lifted the other warrior's head to kiss her. Quickly she found her own name filling her mouth.

The Amazon Queen closed her eyes after lowering her head to her companion's chest again. She thought, I love you Xena, however the words never passed her lips. She stayed silently resting in the warrior's arms.

The tall woman lowered her head onto Gabrielle's head. "How was that lesson?"

The younger warrior's frame shook from the small laugh. "Very nice, thank you."

"Mmm, thank you." The Warrior Princess kissed the other woman's forehead and straightened up. "How you feel?"

"I think I can walk." The bard peered up with a grin. "Like I said, I got the best for a day."

Xena grinned as she lowered her head down some. "Yup… just for a day." She was about to lean in for a kiss but saw the harsh sadness enter in her friend's eyes.

"Yeah, just for a day." Gabrielle patted her partner's chest and warmly kissed Xena. "Let's get some food, I'm really hungry now."

The older woman quietly laughed but it didn't make her smile considering she worried over the sadness in her friend. She followed out of the stall.

~*~*~*~

The tall woman stretched out her long legs while glancing down. She looked up after settling her boots to the floor again. She smiled at her partner.

Gabrielle lowered her mug of water back to the table in the tavern. "So, how many women have you been with?"

Xena's hands settled onto the table as the thought. "Don't know." She grinned for a moment. "I lost count." She shrugged as the grin disappeared. "To many… right along with the men."

The bard sighed with sadness and nodded a little. "Always a tool huh?"

"Yeah." The warrior crossed her arms on the table.

The small warrior closed her eyes as a thought hit her hard and from a blind spot. "Like now," she whispered.

"What?" asked the warrior with a deep but quiet voice. "I am not," she stressed. "Using my body as a tool with you right now." She shook her head. "I'm helping you. You got me?" She smiled a little. "I did agree."

"I know." Gabrielle's eyes lowered to the mug as she fiddled with it. "I do feel like I'm using you in a way."

"And I know that." Xena grinned a little. "And thank you." She chuckled. "Feels real good to be used."

The younger woman snickered. "You're bad." She peered up to see the barmaid come up to them with their food.

The barmaid, after placing food down, glanced between the women asking, "Is there anything else you need?"

The young warrior smiled very warmly to the barmaid. "Not right now."

The barmaid smiled back to Gabrielle. "Well let me know if you need anything else."

"Oh I know I will." The bard winked at the barmaid.

Xena sat silent as her tongue grazed over her molars. She peered up to the barmaid. "Trust me, I might need your… help later." An evil cat grin spread over her lips.

The barmaid flushed a little. "Oh course… it would be no problem." She strolled off.

Gabrielle glared over to her partner. "That was ssso wrong."

"Ha." The warrior narrowed her eyes. "You were asking for it."

"Hey I was just expanding my horizons."

"So was I." The older woman leaned towards her friend. "But you only are with one person for now."

"Ooooh?" Gabrielle had a smug look as she tilted her head. "Is this part of the relationship that has ownership?"

"Yes," growled the warrior but she smiled.

The short warrior quietly laughed and lifted up her fork. "I like it."

"Good."

The pair went about eating their lunch. Afterwards they simply left the tavern and went to the market place. They only glanced around checking things out but not in much interest of buying.

Xena glanced to her right to see a tall dark man with short black hair. He was certainly a warrior by his black leathers and sword at his side. She saw him grin at her across the street as he leaned against a building. His right hand grazed between his legs and up to his hips. The warrior smirked for a second.

"Xena?"

"Yeah?" The warrior quickly glanced to her friend.

The bard peered up to see small hinted passion in her friend's expression. She became suspicious instantly. "Do we need to pick up anything while we're here?" She asked while standing in the busy market place.

"No… no." Xena shook her head while folding her arms. "We're fine."

Gabrielle slowly nodded and glanced away. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her partner look in another direction. Gradually the young woman followed Xena's gaze and it led her right to see that dark male warrior. She immediately narrowed her eyes as a red streak went through her. "I don't think so," she whispered to herself. Slowly she shifted around to face her lover. "Like the scenery over there?"

The warrior glanced down. "It's-"

"A bad boy huh?" The small warrior grinned slowly.

"Yeah," whispered the warrior as she narrowed her eyes at the male warrior.

"Mmm, let me make property claims." The Amazon Queen took a step forward to pull Xena's head down and kiss her soundly.

The warrior moaned into the long sensual kiss in the middle of the crowd. She drew Gabrielle in slowly. After the kiss she lowered her head down close to her friend's. "Now how you like laying claims?"

"It's very nice."

Xena grinned very evilly. "But it's just for a day." She turned around and strolled off.

The bard sighed at that and glanced to her right to see that male warrior gone now. A smug expression covered her features at her easy win. She turned her head to glance at Xena, whom now disappeared into the crowd. She sighed and started making her way after her partner.

The Warrior Princess kept walking along but her pace slowed then it suddenly stopped as she heard a third sound of a scrape. She whirled around on her heels with cold eyes.

Gabrielle saw her friend with the threatening eyes and knew something was happening.

Xena's eyes widen when she spotted the three men coming up behind Gabrielle in the crowd with drawn swords. "Gabrielle!" She reached behind to unsheathe her sword.

The small warrior's eyes widen and she dropped as a sword breezed over her head. She jumped up and away as the sword brushed past her legs. She instantly was pulled into Xena's body.

The warrior narrowed her eyes while pointing her sword at the three men. Her right arm stayed around her partner's waist. "You don't wanna start this." She noticed one of the warriors was the same guy from earlier and she'd easily figured he was after Gabrielle for earlier.

The same man stepped forward. "Oh I do." His sword pointed at the small warrior. "Don't you fuck with me little girl."

Gabrielle suddenly jerked forward with flashing eyes.

Xena held her back with her arm.

"Come on you bastard." Gabrielle had bent down to unsheathe her sais. "If you want her you have to kill this little girl."

The crowd had backed away and left the three male warriors and two female warriors all in a huge open circle.

"Gabrielle," growled the warrior. She glanced over to the three men. "Look, we're not in the mood. Just back off."

"Oh no." The dark warrior spun his sword. "She's dead," he said while pointing at Gabrielle.

The Warrior Princess took a deep breath and glanced down to her partner. "You take him and I'll take care of the other two."

The Amazon Queen evilly grinned. "No problem." She flipped the blades of her sais under her wrists. She bounded forward to throw a punch to the man's head. She then stepped back slowly while holding her hands out to the dark male warrior. "Come and get me."

He growled after adjusting his jaw. He flew past Xena and came after Gabrielle.

Xena chuckled a little and coolly turned her head to the other two warriors. "Boys, let's dance." She spun her sword and stepped up to them.

~*~*~*~

"Hey, he deserved it." Gabrielle shrugged and kept walking down the road.

"Yeah well you didn't need this," Xena said poking at the cut on her friend's right shoulder.

The bard swatted away her lover's hand. "It was worth it for you." She lifted her right arm to glance at the cut on her upper arm. "It'll heal."

"Uh huh." The warrior tugged Argo's rein a little. She glanced back to her companion. "So, when are you going to let me put some salve on it?"

The small woman sighed deeply. "It's fine."

The older woman corked an eyebrow. "You're starting to sound like me."

The short warrior snickered. "I guess you got inside of me." An evil smile crossed her lips.

"Oooh." Xena gave a grin while shaking her head. "I'd say so." Now she went serious. "Let me clean it huh? I feel bad about it."

"How's that?"

The older woman sighed deeply. "I got that fight started."

"Nnno, that guy did." The Amazon Queen shrugged.

"Uh huh and I was the one gloating over him."

Gabrielle grinned. "Maybe then this will teach you to gloat at bad boys."

Xena laughed then slowly nodded. "Yup."

"So you feel real guilty now?"

The warrior broke down. "Yeah really bad." She pouted.

"Okay okay." Gabrielle chuckled and stopped walking. "You can put some salve on it."

"Good." The now healer stopped her mare and pulled out the medical kit. "Let's get off the road." She towed Argo off the road.

The small warrior followed and was directed to sit on a rock.

Xena kneeled down in front of her partner's right arm. She glanced down into the thing of salve. She put some of the cream on two of her fingers and reached up to begin to rub it gently into the wound.

Gabrielle took a deep breath as the sting came. "Thank you."

"Mmm thank you for letting me put it on finally." Xena grinned for a moment.

The bard chuckled a little but sighed contently. "He really was a jerk off."

The warrior had a stoic expression while saying, "He wanted to jerk off."

Gabrielle gaped at her friend's words. "That! I did not want to hear." She groaned and looked away.

The dark woman quietly laughed and stood up. She put the salve away and went over to Argo to slip the medical kit back into the saddlebag. Turning back around she came up to her partner. "How's that feel?"

"Better." The short warrior peered at her shoulder and saw the reddening already calming.

"Good." The warrior turned back around. "Let's go."

The young woman instantly sprung up to wrap her arms around her lover's waist. "Hold on."

Xena stopped moving and leaned back into Gabrielle. "Mmm?"

"It's your turn," ushered the bard. Her fingertips glided over Xena's legs to her inner thighs.

"Gabrielle," warned the warrior. "Now?"

"Only fair." Gabrielle's fingertips passed through warm folds. "Just relax huh?"

The warrior simply nodded with a small moan.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle slowly lifted her eyes to the west sky to see the sun kissing the horizon. She sighed so sadly it touched her soul powerfully. She'd tore her eyes away from the horizon and glanced back to the stream. She'd been sitting here for awhile alone while her partner was catching rabbit for the dinner. Suddenly she glanced up to see Xena reappear out of the evening woods. She smiled faintly.

The warrior smiled back a little and came up to her companion. "The rabbit is in the camp ready to be cooked.

"Alright." The young woman looked away to stare at the flowing stream.

Xena glanced over to the western horizon to see the setting sun. "Mmm, sunset." She sighed while switching her attention to the stream too. She then studied her partner's profile with such pain. Slowly she stepped in front of Gabrielle. Her right hand came under the bard's chin and lifted her head. She smiled warmly. "For what its worth…" She paused. "That was the best relationship I've had even it was just for a day."

The younger woman smiled back with love. "Thank you Xena for everything. I owe you." She chuckled a little but went serious. "My best relationship yet too… even if it was just for a day."

Xena grinned for a second then leaned down. "You don't owe me." She finished the distance and sealed her lips with Gabrielle's in a long loving kiss.

The sun sunk below the horizon to leave the stars and moon to light the night.

The warrior slowly pulled back and whispered, "I hope you found your answers." She brushed her fingertips across her best friend's soft warm lips then strolled away to leave Gabrielle.

The small warrior remained on the rock staring into the stream. "I found a lot of answers." She closed her eyes while letting the tingle on her lips course through her body to warm her heart and leave her soul aching for the strongest need ever known. She remained sitting and thinking.

~*~*~*~

They'd been silent all evening. Everything had reverted back to their friendship but with more silence. Both figuring it would take a little time before they could feel completely comfortable with each other.

Gabrielle had sat near the fire actually trying to write again. Slowly her writing was coming back to her and bringing back bits of her happiness.

Xena did her normal habit of sharpening of her sword. Afterwards she stood and sheathed her sword. "Going to check things out."

The bard peered up and stretched her legs out while speaking. "Alright, be careful."

"Right." The warrior smiled after dropping her whetstone into the saddlebag. She disappeared in the black of the world.

The young woman sat there staring at the spot and filled her lungs. Slowly she glanced back to her scroll. Yes her writing was coming back to her but not tonight. She stared at the scroll that held around five sentences. "Just great." She now groaned and dropped her head into her hands.

Argo whined and glanced over to the woman.

The short warrior looked over to the mare. "I think I have a hang up on your owner Argo."

The mare shook her mane and lowered her head to eat some grass.

"That's what I say… I'm in trouble." She gave up on the writing idea and rolled up her scroll and put her stuff away. Next she came over to her bedroll besides Xena's. She lay down on her back and put her hands on her stomach to stare at the stars high above. She heard her partner come back in.

"Tired?" The warrior lowered her head to glance down at her best friend.

"Yeah, after the fight." Gabrielle gave a small grin.

Xena quietly laughed. "Uh huh." She stepped back and began to take her armor off.

"Xena, where we headed anyway?" The small warrior turned her head to the left to see her friend stripping out of her armor.

"Athens."

"Hold on, you mean Greece's Athens… Athens right?"

"Yesss." The warrior took her boots off and collected her weapons. "Is that alright?"

"Yeah but…" The bard narrowed her eyes in skepticism. "You hate Athens and crowds."

Xena shrugged while placing her weapons by her bedroll. She laid down with her hands under her head. "Thought you would like to go there for a little while."

"You know I would."

"That's what I figured."

Gabrielle slowly began to grin. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"What side of the bedroll did you wake up on this morning?" The Amazon Queen quietly laughed. "I wouldn't mind knowing so I could get you to wake up on that side more often."

"That's real rich." The warrior shrugged. "Fine, if you don't want to go to Athens then we won't."

"Hey hey, I never said anything about not going to Athens. Just wanted to know which side of the bedroll for future use." Gabrielle snickered.

"Uh huh." Xena rolled to her right to put her back to Gabrielle.

The younger warrior saw this and knew her partner had easily slipped back into her strong warrior mode since sunset. "Come on." She reached over to pull at her friend's arm.

"Go to sleep huh?" The warrior closed her eyes slowly.

"It's to early." The small woman still held the arm. "Watch the stars with me… we hardly do it."

The tall woman grumbled and rolled onto her back. "Happy?"

"Yeah." The Amazon Queen released her friend and placed her hand on her stomach again. She lay there amazed how they'd managed to switch back to just their friendship. But since they had she was left with such darkness and misunderstanding. She was missing apart of herself.

Xena noted the quietness and needed to break it. "Thought we'd stay four or so days in Athens."

"Sounds good." Gabrielle smiled briefly but lost it as her vision became filled with the sparkling and twinkling stars. "So why Athens?"

"Just figured you'd like it."

"Yeah but we hardly ever go there."

The tall woman shrugged. "Good change of scenery huh?"

The young warrior quietly laughed. "And a lot of noise."

Xena nudged her partner. "And barmaids."

"Ha ha." Gabrielle sighed dramatically. "I really couldn't do that."

"Oh why not? You would have fun."

The small woman turned her head to Xena with an amazed expression. "Do you still know me or not?" She had wide eyes. "'Cause if you do then you'd know I wouldn't."

The warrior laughed then grinned a little. "I also know your impulses now sssso… it wouldn't surprise me." She rolled onto her left side to glance down at Gabrielle.

"Great… great now I feel loved." The bard sighed dramatically.

Xena smiled warmly as her right hand came down to brush back short blond bangs. She watched her friend close her eyes and her hand went to Gabrielle's cheek. She felt the bard lean into her touch and it made her smile sadly. "We better get some sleep." She removed her hand.

"Yeah." The small woman's eyes fluttered open. "Sleep well huh?"

"Of course." The warrior smiled and rolled onto her back. "Goodnight Gabrielle."

"Night Xena." The warrior-bard closed her eyes to try to shift into a deep sleep. It hardly came and when it did it wasn't long enough.

For Xena, she to found that same problem for she was missing something in her arms, heart, and soul.

~*Part 3*~

By that morning the pair were up and about. They'd packed and were ready to go.

The warrior saw her partner coming back from the stream with a worn sad look. She sighed and released Argo's reins. She came up to Gabrielle.

The bard peered up to see her friend coming. She had Xena standing tall in front of her with a serious look.

"Gabrielle." The warrior sighed and put her hands on the small woman's shoulders. "I was worried this might happen… but don't get yourself so attached to me." She squeezed the shoulders a little. "You may have some answers you wanted and you may have more questions now. But either way you need to go farther to get those answers." She paused for a moment. "Try some other relationships out with other women. Variety is good." She chuckled a little. She leaned down to place a gentle kiss to her best friend's forehead. Walking over to Argo, Xena took the reins and started walking again.

The young woman stood there staring at the warrior's back as she thought. She thought about those answers, new questions, and about finding more questions. She lifted her eyes to the receding woman. "Hey Xena, you're right. I need to go father… dig deeper."

Xena stopped walking and slowly turned around.

Gabrielle stared into the very sadden blue eyes. "But do you know what my new questions are?"

"My guess, on your preference still." The warrior shrugged as she started to shift.

"No actually." The small woman shrugged. "I knew my preference awhile ago." She started walking towards the warrior.

The older woman glanced back with a corked eyebrow. "And?"

"And." Gabrielle came right up to the warrior. "My questions are about us now." She tilted her head a little while putting her hands on her hips. She stood tall in front of the dark woman. Slowly a huge grin spread across her lips. "I have a lot of questions there but the biggest one is, why in Hades did we only make it just for a day?"

Xena's eyebrow slowly rose higher. "Wasn't good enough?"

"Definitely not." The Amazon Queen smiled warmly now as she put her hands on the warrior's hips.

The warrior dropped the reins and lowered her lips close to her partner's ear. "How about just for an eternity?"

"Oh perfect." Gabrielle put her hand behind Xena's head and brought their lips together.

The kiss was long and loving. It left them leaning foreheads together and breathing coarsely.

"Xena?" The small warrior caressed her partner's cheek. "Gods, I love you so much." She tenderly kissed her warrior.

Xena smiled so profoundly as she whispered back, "I love you too Gabrielle." She nuzzled her bard's cheek. "I can't live without you." She pulled her lover in a strong embrace.

Gabrielle held tightly as she felt her partner glide her into a passionate kiss.

And that's where we leave the soulmates for it is a happily ever after.

The End