Subtext ~ Isn't subtext here, it's the real thing here. All maintext. If you can't handle that sorta thing, I feel sorry for you. Just go check out another one of them stories that's general.

Emotional ~ I'll tell y'all this is planned to be emotional. Don't think it'll be like Titanic thing, but it's doing the whole emotional thing.

Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Dahak, Hope, Joxer, Ephiny, Amarice other Amazons. But I own Masika, Gabrielle's horse Torqueo, Teresa, Aster, Logos, and Rodhiya. So don't take my characters or story line, otherwise you'll have a life worth of bad luck.

Note ~ This is fast forward in the seasons compare to the rest of my stories. I think everybody can figure out relatively where I set it. The only thing is, there's two… three differences to the season I'm on. I think you'll be able to figure them out too, real fast.

Started: March 12th 2000 on Sunday

Series: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Seven

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

redhope@redhope.net

Part 3

Section 3

~*Part 7*~

Gabrielle grasped at the door to the hut, she quickly swung it open. It was still raining out and she wanted to get the mud off her body. Torqueo and Argo had been settled up into their stalls again. Grateful for the dryness of the stable.

The small warrior now stepped into the hut, Xena came in behind her and closed the door. As soon as the Amazon Queen heard the door shut, she turned around. Gabrielle quickly wrapped her arms around Xena.

The warrior was stunned for a moment. She then tightly enveloped Gabrielle and dropped her head onto Gabrielle's.

They stood like that for a time. Taking in each other, taking in the feelings and emotions they hadn't had for two years. They were the feelings and emotions they would die for.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"We should get a bath before you get a cold in these wet leathers."

Gabrielle grinned to herself. She then lifted her head, she patted her Soulmate's stomach a little. "Can't let you get a cold either. You hate them so much."

The warrior shook her head a little. "Damn things are annoying, you have to admit."

The smaller woman chuckled. "Yup." Releasing Xena, Gabrielle made her way into the wash room.

There inside was a huge tub off to the left. They'd just have to fill it. So they did in no time at all. Afterwards, they began to peel off their boots, armor, and leathers.

After getting everything off, the small warrior climbed into the steaming tub. Her body flinched a little to the warm water, she then settled into it comfortable. Lifting her eyes to Xena, she watched the nude warrior place their leathers up to dry.

She hung them in the sun light from the eastern sun. Xena looked out the window from which the sun came streaming in from. She found it odd, rather odd. The sun shined brightly yet it still rained. Not a hard rain but a very soft, gentle, and quiet rain. Either way though, it didn't matter to Xena. She went to the tub and climbed in beside Gabrielle.

The small warrior had watched her the whole time. She'd watched the warrior's muscles shifted from all the movements. She'd missed watching Xena.

"Hey come here."

Gabrielle smiled and moved in the water to lean against Xena. The warrior leaning against the side of the tub. Xena encircled her partner with her arms.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"We are going to take things slow?"

The older woman smiled to herself at that. She brought up her right hand from under the water. Xena began to let her hands run through Gabrielle's wet short hair. "Yeah, be careful this time."

Gabrielle nodded her head with a smile. She dropped her head back against the warrior's chest. "Gods, it feels good to finally be home again."

"Yeah." Xena leaned her head in some to place a warm kiss to Gabrielle's neck. She then brought her head back up again. Her right hand went back down under the water to snake around Gabrielle's waist.

"I feel like I've lost all this weight off my shoulders Xena."

"I know, I feel really…"

"Tired?"

"Yeah, that was a hard war."

The Amazon Queen chuckled. "Warriors, I swear."

"Don't like them?"

Gabrielle grinned devilishly. She turned around in Xena's arms. "Oh no. Not my warrior." She then leaned in to kiss Xena. And they kept kissing.

The warrior liked being claimed by Gabrielle again, she'd missed that. Xena finally stopped the kissing with a grin. "We better take this bath before the water cools off."

The small warrior nodded with a grin. "I wouldn't be to sure of that."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, with your warm body."

"And like yours isn't?"

"I didn't say that Xena."

The warrior chuckled, she leaned in to kiss Gabrielle on the forehead. The pair then began their bath. Xena then quickly found out just how much entertainment she could get out of Gabrielle's short hair. Especially when Gabrielle went to dry her hair with the towel. The small warrior's hair a complete mess.

"Where's the brush?"

The warrior grinned. "In the saddlebags."

"Good." Gabrielle quickly made her way to the saddlebags with her towel wrapped around her body. She pulled it out and brushed back her hair and behind her ears. That's when Xena came up to her and began to brush Gabrielle's hair this way or that way with her long fingers.

"Thanks."

Xena grinned. "No problem."

Gabrielle sighed then. "Fascination with my hair now?"

The warrior nodded her head. "Considering I haven't been able to run my fingers through it since you got it short, yes."

The younger woman smirked. "Good reason."

The warrior chuckled. "I thought so too." Xena then brushed a little of the bangs forward to fall onto Gabrielle's forehead. "There." She then left Gabrielle's side, she went to the saddlebags with the brush.

The Amazon Queen watched her. Xena dropped the brush in and milled around in the saddlebags. She pulled out two shifts and came back to Gabrielle.

"I haven't worn one of your shifts in forever."

"I know." Xena then handed the white shift to Gabrielle. She herself took off her towel and began to slip into her other shift, the smaller woman doing the same. The warrior then looked to Gabrielle. "That looks better on you." Her eyes widen a little. "Not that the leathers don't look good on you, its just…" Xena stopped herself.

Gabrielle came up against her, her small hands going to the warrior's waist. "I know what you meant." A pause. "More relaxing."

Xena sighed. "Right." She took a deep breath. "Thanks."

The small warrior smiled. "It's okay Xena."

The Warrior Princess nodded her head, she then brought her head down to Gabrielle's. She lightly kissed Gabrielle. "Let's do some relaxing huh?"

"Oh I was planning on it."

Xena chuckled. "Good."

The smaller woman grinned. "Feel like tea?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Great."

They released each other. The warrior went to the fireplace, she packed it with wood. Gabrielle went to the saddlebags, she pulled out a small pot, went into the washroom and filled it. Xena lit the fire as Gabrielle came out of the washroom with the pot. Gabrielle handed to her Soulmate the pot of water, Xena hung it over the growing fire. Xena went to sit down on the floor, her back going against the foot of the bed, she propped her legs up.

The small warrior though went to the saddlebags again, she removed two mugs, flavored tea, and honey. She made her way back to the fireplace, settling the items there. Turning back around she locked eyes with Xena. She slowly walked over to Xena. Bending down to one knee between the warrior's leg, she brought one hand up to the warrior's left cheek. Leaning in, she captured Xena's lips.

The warrior moaned and brought up her right hand behind Gabrielle's head. The kiss deepening now. As soon as the kiss ended, another started.

Gabrielle broke the kiss and smiled to her Soulmate. "I've missed you Xena."

Xena smiled back up to her. "I've missed you too."

They leaned into each other and started kissing again. Then somebody at the door knocked.

Gabrielle groaned, she talked between the kisses. "You've got to be kidding me."

The older woman chuckled but kept kissing, replying in between. "We should answer it."

"No." The small woman's lips went down to Xena's neck. The warrior sucked in a deep breath. "They'll leave."

"Gabrielle." The small warrior's name coming out deep from Xena's throat. "It's probably Ephiny." Another knock at the door.

"I don't care." Gabrielle then brought her lips back up to kiss Xena more. "She'll leave." A third knock.

"I… I don't think so."

That's definitely when the door to the hut swung open. The regent certainly stepped in, closing the door behind. Ephiny pushed her wet hood of her cloak off from her head. Her hands went to her hips as she stared down at her Queen kissing her Consort. "So I see you two are unquestionably together again."

Gabrielle dropped her head against Xena's chest, she began to blush deeply.

The warrior grinned, and kissed her Soulmate on top of her head. She looked up to the regent. "We are."

The Amazon nodded her head with a warm smile. She stepped closer to the pair. Dropping her hands from her hips she replied. "I could kind of tell."

The Queen now looked up to the regent. Her face was still a deep red. "You just had to come in Eph."

The regent chuckled and crossed her arms against her chest. "Well, you both disappeared before the sun even rose up. I was kind of worried."

Gabrielle looked to Xena with an arched eyebrow. The warrior looking to Gabrielle with a raised eyebrow as well. They seemed to have read each other's mind, both saying it aloud. "Mother hen."

The Amazon Queen broke out laughing, her body falling into Xena's. The warrior wrapping her arms around Gabrielle as she laughed.

The warrior grinned and looked back up to Ephiny. "Well we found each other out there Eph."

The regent smiled warmly. "I'm really glad. I was worried about you two."

Gabrielle had stopped laughing, she then stood up from Xena and looked to the regent. "Thanks Eph."

The Amazon looked to Gabrielle. "Anytime my Queen." She then shifted to Gabrielle. She pulled in the smaller woman for a tight hug. Once they pulled back, Ephiny placed a light kiss to Gabrielle's forehead. The regent then turned to the warrior. She leaned down and hugged Xena, then also placed a light kiss to her forehead as well. Straightening back up, the Amazon looked to the both of them. "You both better not do this again."

Gabrielle chuckled. "We aren't planning on it Eph."

The regent nodded seriously. "Good." She then sighed. "But you'll both will have to convince the village."

The Queen looked down to Xena, the warrior looked up. Something passed between the two women.

Gabrielle looked back to Ephiny. "We can handle that."

Ephiny chuckled. "I have no doubts Gabrielle."

The Queen grinned. "Neither do I." She then looked down to her Soulmate, smiling. Xena smiled back.

"I think I'm going to head out. I can't believe the rain too."

The small warrior looked to Ephiny. "I know, it's sort of weird. Its sunny but it's raining."

The regent shrugged her shoulders. "I agree, I don't mind it."

Xena then cut in. "I actually really like it."

Gabrielle looked down to her with a smile. "I was going to say the samething."

Ephiny laughed a little. "That doesn't surprise me." The regent then looked to Gabrielle. "Why don't the both of you take the morning off."

The Queen grinned a little. "I have my regent's approval?"

The Amazon grinned. "Yes of course." Gabrielle chuckled but Ephiny went serious. "Just come by my hut this afternoon sometime. We'll finish up the scroll for the challenge letters."

Gabrielle nodded her head. "That sounds good. We'll get them out tomorrow?"

Ephiny shook her head. "Probably tonight would be better. We need to get this stuff done and fast. We can't have this going while winter sets in."

"Gods I almost forgot." Gabrielle then ran her hand through her partially wet hair. "Okay, I'll come by early this afternoon."

The regent nodded her head. "Good. I'll catch you both later."

Both Soulmates smiled and replied simultaneously. "Bye Ephiny."

The Amazon smiled to them and opened the door. She stepped through after putting her hood back over her head. "Bye." She closed the door behind.

Gabrielle then looked to the fireplace, the water was definitely boiling. "Hades." She rushed over to the fireplace, going down on her knees. The pot was taken from over the fire and settled to the ground. Gabrielle then placed the tea into the mug and then lifted the pot again, pouring the hot water in. Then the mugs were stirred till the tea mixed perfectly with the hot water.

When that was done with, she walked to Xena. The warrior took her mug and Gabrielle settled down onto the floor, snuggling into her Soulmate.

The warrior wrapped one arm around her partner. Her right hand lifted the mug, she took a small sip, knowing it was still hot. That's when the flavor shot through her mouth and settled there while the warm tea flowed down into her stomach to warm her. "Cinnamon?"

Gabrielle grinned as she took a sip of hers. "You like it?"

Xena chuckled. "How couldn't I?" The warrior still had her legs propped up from earlier.

"Glad you like it."

The warrior smiled, her head bending forward as she placed a few light kisses to Gabrielle's neck. After bringing her head up, she felt her partner shiver in her arms.

"Gods how do you do that to me?"

The older woman smiled. "The same way you do it to me."

Gabrielle smiled, she pressed her back more into Xena. She lifted her mug again and drank from it. Once the mug was settled back onto the floor, she brought her hands to rest on the warrior's hand on her own stomach. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"Is…" She sighed and took a deep breath. "Is it okay… if we talk about things?"

"Yeah." The warrior released her mug, her right arm circling Gabrielle again in comfort. "Where you want to start?"

"I don't know." She took a deep breath. "From the beginning maybe." She then lowered her head. "If I could figure out when it was."

The warrior felt a lump enter her throat. Oh gods how she hated talking about these things. But she'd do it for Gabrielle, knowing it would help her heal. Knowing also it would help herself heal. She took a deep breath then responded. "I think the beginning was in Britannia."

The small warrior nodded her head. She reached for her mug, drinking from it. Once it was back on the floor, she leaned back into Xena. She felt protected. "Yeah but that's never bothered me as much."

Xena had been drinking her tea, she'd almost choked on it. She swallowed down the flavored tea then replied back. "Gabrielle… how… how can you say that? After what you went through with Dahak." Her mug went back to the floor

Gabrielle sighed. "I know how that sounded. Xena anymore I don't care what happens to me. I care about what happens to you."

The warrior tightened her arms more around Gabrielle. "I know." She'd quietly whispered that.

"Xena, what really bugs me. Is I feel like I've wasted these past two years."

Xena nodded her head, she chewed on that idea. As she thought she took a sip of the cinnamon tea, Gabrielle doing the same. As the mug came back down on the floor, she responded. "I don't think so Gabrielle."

The younger woman just froze in her position for a moment. She then began to breathe again. Gabrielle turned around in Xena's arm. Her knees on the floor. "You don't think so?"

Xena shook her head. "No." She paused then explained. "I've learned a lot Gabrielle. About you, myself, and us. I've seen so many changes for good or worse. It's also made me even love you more deeply then before. I knew I had a need for you before but now… I can't quite explain it."

Gabrielle nodded her head. "Its just not a need or desire anymore. Its more like a way… a way of life." Her eyes were locked to Xena's. Her words coming from some where deep in herself. "A way to live and survive time and the world."

Xena nodded her head. "Exactly."

The small warrior smiled. "I'm still not describing it right totally. And I'm the one who was a bard."

The larger warrior chuckled. "Nobody could Gabrielle because its deals with the soul."

"And you can't describe anything that deals with the soul."

The older woman nodded in agreement. Silence then began to invade. Xena kept her eyes locked with Gabrielle's. She noticed deep in her Soulmate's eyes they still contained sorrow. Xena didn't understand why either. That's when she knew not everything was okay. She was missing a small yet important piece of the puzzle. In time though, she knew she'd find out. For now though, she'd have to do some digging.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"What… what would you have done if I did end up drinking the water from Mnemosyne?" Gabrielle had been looking away, she looked up to Xena now. "If I had destroyed my memory?"

The warrior closed her eyes for a moment. "I was willing to take that risk." She opened her eyes again. "Either way Gabrielle, you would have come out of it healed. If you had drunk the water then you'd finally be rid of me. If you hadn't and came out, you'd lost most of the pain." She dropped her eyes as she finished in a low whispered. "You'd been saved either way."

Gabrielle searched Xena's face and eyes. "Like I said to you before Xena. I couldn't have done it. I would have lost all my good memories as well. Forget my family, my childhood. The first time we ever kissed, were together, and married. I just… just couldn't have thrown those things away like they were nothing. I've done that one to many times."

The warrior smiled, she brought up her right hand to run it through Gabrielle's hair, then her hand came down to cup the other woman's cheek. "I know, that's why I took the risk."

A few tears escaped down Gabrielle's cheek. "I never thanked you for that Xena. That… that journey did help me heal."

"I'm just glad it had." Xena then reached for her Soulmate, she pulled her in.

Gabrielle leaned into Xena's body on her left side. Her left arm wrapping behind the warrior's back while her right hand went the other way so she hug Xena. The older woman wrapped her arms around Gabrielle waist. Their legs were stretched out and tangled together.

The Warrior Princess lowered her head some and kissed her partner on the top of her head. "Go to sleep huh?"

Gabrielle nodded her head. She shifted her arms around Xena so that they tightened. The warrior smiled and placed her head down gently on top of Gabrielle's. Soon the pair both fell asleep.

Gabrielle looked around, she was hovering up in clouds. She did a hundred-sixty-degree turn where she stood. Once she stopped turning, did she feel a weight in her right hand. She looked down to see a new sword in her hand. Then she felt weight on her body, she had on armor and wings. That's when she knew she was back in Heaven.

Once she looked up she saw Xena materialize in front of her. Xena stared at her for a second, then she leaned forward as she formed into a demon angel. Gabrielle's emerald eyes widen.

The demon angel looked back up to Gabrielle with burning red eyes. "Looks like I'm finally in Heaven. How nice."

"What's going on Xena?"

The demon angel smiled evilly and took a step closer to Gabrielle. "You tell me. I'm not suppose to be in Heaven."

"What?" Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't understand."

"What's there to understand Gabrielle? I'm suppose to be in Hell while you live it up in Heaven as an archangel. Its that simple."

Gabrielle shook her head again. "No… no… this isn't right."

"The Hell it isn't Gabrielle!" The demon angel came closer to Gabrielle.

Xena narrowed her eyes, she quickly realized she is floating in clouds. She looked up and down, left and right trying to figure things out.

"Xena, it wasn't like that. I swear!"

Xena quickly turned around at hearing her name and Gabrielle's voice. As soon as she did, she spotted herself already standing in front of Gabrielle, but as one of the demon angel.

"Then enlighten me Gabrielle! I seem to have gotten everything screw up then. I must be wrong huh?"

"No, Xena you weren't wrong. I… I don't know what happened."

The demon angel came right up to Gabrielle. "Oh I do know what happened Gabrielle."

Xena narrowed her eyes, her anger was taking control. She broke out running towards the demon angel, ready to take it out. Once she came near, something out of no where hit her and knocked her to the ground. Xena got back up, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Gods no Xena!" Gabrielle started to cry. "I didn't mean for any of it to happen."

Xena growled. "No!" She came at the pair again, but something invisible stopped her. She hit it again. Xena noticed Gabrielle nor the demon angel heard her. Xena began to hit the invisible wall. "Gabrielle I'm right here, don't listen to that demon!"

The demon angel nodded a few times. She then began to circle around Gabrielle. "Then what did you intend to do? You tried to fight me Gabrielle! Stop me from taking over Heaven."

Gabrielle looked up. "Xena you knew I would have tried to stop you."

Xena's eyes were wide in horror. She tried again to beat through the invisible wall. "Gabrielle! Don't you hear me? I'm right here!" Xena growled and punched at the invisible wall, she was getting no where. "Gods no! Come on!"

The demon angel stopped circling Gabrielle and came to face her. "Why Gabrielle? Why did you try to stop me? I ask you this in your defense."

Gabrielle dropped her head as she shook it. She could hardly reply. "I don't know Xena. I just couldn't let you."

The demon angel laughed evilly. She began to circle Gabrielle again. "Maybe because you're a heartless bitch Gabrielle. Maybe because you're the most selfish bitch there ever was or is! I can't believe I loved you. I must have been hit over the head one to many times."

Xena kept pushing against the invisible wall. "No! That's not true Gabrielle! Don't listen to her!"

The demon angel stopped walking right behind Gabrielle. "You know what Gabrielle? You were never my soulmate! How could somebody like you ever by my soulmate? I'd rather be dead before being your soulmate."

Gabrielle closed her eyes. She dropped the sword from her hand, it fell through the sky, down and down and down. Next Gabrielle fell down to the invisible ground, she pulled her legs up and hugged herself.

Xena was shaking her head as she stood there shocked. "No…. no. Gabrielle! Gods, please hear me Gabrielle! Gabrielle… Gabrielle…" Tears began to fill Xena's eyes. She took a deep breath. "There's gotta be another way." Xena then looked to her Soulmate. She reached forward to the invisible wall, her hands pressing against it. Her sapphire eyes closed and she began to talk to Gabrielle through her mind.

The demon angel walked around to the front of Gabrielle. She looked down at Gabrielle. "Do you know how much I hate you for killing my own son Gabrielle."

Gabrielle didn't respond she kept her head tucked down in between her legs, she cried as her heart raced.

The demon angel smiled at the lack of response. "Well let me tell you then."

Xena took a deep breath and quietly whispered to herself. "Come on Gabrielle, let me in." Gabrielle, listen to me. Don't believe that demon angel, that's not me. I am your Soulmate, please believe me Gabrielle. I wanted you to fight against me when I was a demon angel. That wasn't even truly me.

Gabrielle lifted her head. "Xena?" She'd quietly whispered the name.

Xena opened her eyes again and looked to her Soulmate. "You can hear my thoughts." She smiled to herself.

The demon angel looked down to Gabrielle. "You want something?"

Gabrielle looked up to the demon angel. "You're not Xena."

The demon angel narrowed her eyes to Gabrielle. "I am Xena, the one you've betrayed three times now!"

Xena closed her eyes and concentrated again. Gabrielle don't believe her. You've never betrayed me. You've never left me then you've never betrayed me. Believe me Gabrielle. I love you!

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes to the demon angel. "You're not Xena. She wouldn't say those things."

The demon angel grinned as she kneeled down in front of Gabrielle. "If I'm not Xena, then who am I?"

"You're my guilty conscious, not Xena."

Xena opened her eyes again and smiled at her Soulmate's words. "That's it Gabrielle."

The demon angel laughed. "What difference would it make anyway Gabrielle? Either way, you're haunted."

"The difference is, I can destroy you."

The demon angel's eyes widen. "No… no you can't."

Xena grinned at the switch of power she saw. "Perfect."

Gabrielle grinned. "Oh I can, I control you. I'm already doing it. Besides that, I know the truth. You don't."

The demon angel rose up. She took steps back away from Gabrielle. "No… no… no" The demon angel then faded away, its last word still, "No."

Gabrielle sighed in relief she still hugged herself. "Oh gods that was horrible."

Xena then felt the invisible wall disappeared, she rushed over to Gabrielle. She came down on her knees. Gabrielle had definitely taken notice to her. They both pulled each other in for a hug.

"Xena?"

They pulled back and Gabrielle's wings and armor disappear. She now wore her normal leather attire.

Xena smiled and brushed back Gabrielle's hair. "It's real me."

"But… but how? I thought I was dreaming."

"You are, we both are."

Gabrielle's eyes widen. "Then I really did hear you in my head. Gods I thought…"

Xena shook her head. "It wasn't your imagination."

Gabrielle smiled. Then she started to cry a little.

Xena pulled her in to hold her. "I'm here Gabrielle."

Gabrielle hugged Xena tightly. She released and looked back to her Soulmate. "When you say you're not leaving me, you really mean it."

Xena chuckled. "Not even in your dreams."

Gabrielle smiled. She leaned up a little and captured Xena's lips. They both closed their eyes in the deep kiss.

They broke away from the kiss, Gabrielle first to open her eyes. She looked around and quickly noticed she was back in the hut. She looked up to Xena. The warrior was looking around with her eyes wide. She looked back down to Gabrielle.

The younger woman shook her head. "Xena… are our dreams reality or is our reality dreams?"

The warrior shook her head. "I don't know anymore Gabrielle."

Gabrielle huffed and looked down at their bodies. They were still in the same position as when they first fell asleep. She looked back up to Xena with a smile. "I'm not going to complain though."

The warrior grinned. "No?"

The Amazon Queen shook her head. "No, considering the fact I only get more time with you."

Xena laughed a little. "I have to agree love." She suddenly went serious. She'd just called Gabrielle by a name she hadn't done in ages. Gabrielle had her eyes locked with Xena's. And Xena didn't know what reaction to expect from Gabrielle.

Gabrielle smiled. "I've missed that."

The warrior sighed, she lowered her head closer to her partner's. "I've missed saying it."

The smaller warrior brought up her head to close in the distance, she whispered back. "I love you Xena." She finished the distance and kissed Xena. They both were quite involved and didn't hear the knock at the door. As they kept kissing a harder knock came, Xena heard it.

"Somebody is at the door."

The small warrior groan, she stopped kissing her Soulmate. Gabrielle then moved her head away from Xena's. She repositioned herself to sit back on the warrior's lap, her back into Xena's body. Looking up to the door Gabrielle sighed. "Come in!"

Slowly the door creaked open, a curly red-head Amazon poked her head in. "Um hi." Amarice then stepped in and took notice to things. "I just came by for… for a visit. Am I… interrupting something?"

The warrior grinned while the Queen just chuckled. She stopped and replied back. "No it's okay Amarice. Come in."

The Amazon nodded and closed the door behind herself. Amarice then shifted more into the hut.

"You can sit down Amarice."

Amarice looked to Xena with a confused look, then she nodded her understanding. "Right." Turning around, she found a wood chair and moved it to sit down in. She looked back to the Soulmates. "So I take it I'm missing something huh?"

Gabrielle nodded her head as she felt Xena tighten her arms around her waist. "Yeah just a little of it Amarice."

The Amazon chuckled. "Well I sort of… got that impression while I was travelling with you both."

The Amazon Queen nodded her head. "Sorry Amarice. Xena and I… we weren't doing to well to talk about anything then."

"But you both are okay now… right?"

"Right."

Amarice nodded her head at Xena's answer. "So… so what happened?"

Gabrielle sighed. She looked to the floor then up to the Amazon again. "Xena and I were together over two years ago. Then…" She looked sidelong to Xena.

Xena looked to her partner then to Amarice. "We separate because of somethings that happened. When we met you Amarice, Gabrielle and I were just getting through the rough part of it."

Amarice nodded her head. She gazed at the Soulmates, she could see them glowing, could feel a certain intensity coming from them. How she'd never felt something like that, something that powerful. Then she noticed the necklaces and the rings on their hands. "You both got married." It was a statement.

The Amazon Queen nodded her head. "We did through Amphipolis and the Amazons."

The Amazon smiled warmly. "I didn't hear anything about that. I mean…" She sighed. "Well you see, my sister was telling me these rumors that have been going on. But I didn't hear anything about… well about how you both came together."

"It figures." That had came from Gabrielle, in a low menacing voice. Amarice hadn't heard it, but Xena certainly had. It had actually struck a small cord of fear in the warrior. "Amarice?" The Amazon looked to Gabrielle, she continued on. "I'm asking you not to tell anybody in the village. Please. Xena and I need to work things out still."

The Amazon smiled. "I understand, don't worry. Good to see you both together. Gods, I mean I didn't know before I met you both. But I could tell neither of you were… well happy. Heart wrenching I guess."

Gabrielle's head bobbed up and down a few times. "Thanks Amarice."

"No problem." She then smiled again.

Xena then took this moment to lighten things up. "How's your sister?"

"She's good." Amarice looked to the warrior. "It's been awhile since I've seen her."

"You never told us you had a sister Amarice."

The Amazon grinned at Gabrielle's words. She relaxed back more into the chair. "We used to not get along. Competitive."

Xena chuckled and shook her head. "That's not surprising."

Amarice grinned. "Hey, somebody has to do it. I always made the excuse its our red hair."

Gabrielle started to laugh. She took a deep breath and replied. "Amarice, I don't think that's it."

The Amazon chuckled. "What you don't like my hair? I think it says I'm dangerous."

Both the Soulmates started to laugh. The small warrior was the first to settle down, then Xena did.

Gabrielle looked to her partner. "You agree?"

The warrior grinned. "Definitely."

"Me too."

They both then looked back to Amarice.

The Amazon smiled. "Thanks." She reached up and brushed her hair back some. "Always like my hair red."

The Queen shook her head. "So when did your sister get here?"

"Um… Rodhiya said she got here about ten days ago."

Gabrielle nodded her head. "She came from the same southern village as you?"

Amarice nodded. "Yeah, that's one of the reasons I left. We couldn't get along."

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

The Amazon looked to Xena. "Its true. No offense or anything. But when I was traveling with you both I started to really miss her."

Gabrielle was silent. Xena picked up on this. Oh gods, not over what I said? Hades. Xena tightened her arms more around her Soulmate's stomach to comfort her. She then looked up to Amarice again. "She knew you came to this village?"

"Yeah, I told her before I left. But she didn't know I left with you guys till she got here."

"Amarice?" The Amazon looked down to Gabrielle. "Are you both planning to stay here?"

Amarice nodded her head. "I think so. She likes it here."

Gabrielle smiled. "That's good to hear."

The Amazon chuckled. "Besides, how could I leave you both?"

The Queen grinned. "I'd hope not."

A shake of the head. "Nope." Amarice took a deep breath. "I think I'm going to go. I'm on patrol duty soon." She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Who's shift are you on?"

Amarice grinned. "Solari's."

Xena chuckled. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Amarice stood up. "I'll talk to you both later." She went to the door opening it.

"Bye Amarice." Gabrielle then smiled.

"See you Amarice."

Amarice looked back and smiled as well. "Bye." She stepped through the door, closed it behind and went off.

Gabrielle sighed. "I better go catch up with Eph."

The warrior nodded. "Want me to come?"

Thinking for a moment, Gabrielle then responded. "Can you?"

Xena smiled. "Love to."

The smaller woman smiled. "I think we'll need your help with these challenges."

"I know."

Gabrielle nodded and she began to stand, the warrior releasing her. Xena then got up. The pair then began to change quickly into their normal attire. The smaller warrior once changed looked to Xena with a raised eyebrow as she stood in front of the door.

Xena looked up to her after tying her last boot on. She walked over to Gabrielle.

Once she came near, the small warrior grasped the warrior's large left hand, she turned the palm up. There she spotted the cut. "How's it feel?"

The older woman sighed. "Its fine. It'll heal over fast."

"Let me-"

"Gabrielle." Xena took a deep breath. "It'll be fine."

The Queen looked up to Xena with a serious face. "Humor me?"

The warrior sighed. "You win."

Gabrielle grinned. "Thank you." She walked over to the saddlebags, she retrieved out of the medical kit some balm. She came back over, took Xena's hand again and began to rub the balm in. As soon as she was done, the small container of balm was back in its home. Gabrielle came up to Xena's side near the door.

"Thanks."

Gabrielle nodded with a smile. "Anytime."

Silence and no movement.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

The older woman took a deep breath. She tried to figure out the best way to phrase it, then just went with her instincts. "Sorry about that earlier."

The smaller woman furrowed her brows. "About what Xena?"

"For what I said to Amarice about distance making the heart grow fonder."

Gabrielle looked to the floor for a moment, then back up to Xena. "No it's okay. It just… it had me thinking. It's a true statement."

Xena smiled a little. "Yeah."

The smaller warrior mirrored that smile. "Come on." She turned to the door.

"Mmm, one second." Xena then went to the table where their cloaks were. She grabbed them and threw Gabrielle's to her. They both put them on. The warrior then walked back to Gabrielle. "And this to."

Xena grinned and leaned down. She captured her partner's lips in a loving kiss. Gabrielle's lips formed into a smile as she kissed. Once she pulled back, Gabrielle's hands went to press against Xena's leather clad stomach. She leaned into Xena as the warrior leaned back down. They kissed yet again.

Once they broke it the older woman chuckled. "We better go."

Gabrielle nodded. "Right." She moved her hands off her Soulmate's stomach and opened the door. The pair left and went into the brisk outdoors. The rain had stopped, the sunshine brightly in the cloudless brilliant blue sky.

~*Part 8*~

Gabrielle and her Soulmate came into Ephiny's hut after being allowed in. The regent sat at her desk as the pair came in. The Queen walked in first, Xena right behind.

Gabrielle came up to the Amazon. "Hey Eph."

The regent looked up with a smile. "Glad you made it."

The Queen chuckled. "Thought it might be a good idea."

Ephiny nodded with a smile. "Definitely." She went serious. "Here's the rough copy for the challenge letters." She pointed to the scroll on her desk. "You both should read it."

Xena shifted from behind Gabrielle to be to her right side. Ephiny was on the left sitting. Both Soulmates looked down to the scroll and began to read.

Queen Name and Nation Name

This letter is being sent to your Nation as well as all of the other Amazon Nations. Queen Gabrielle and her Nation have decided to make an official challenge to your Nation as well as all of the others.

Gabrielle stopped reading for a moment. She moved closer to Xena, wrapping her right arm around the warrior's waist. Xena in turn had stopped reading and brought her left arm to come around her small Soulmate's back. They then both went back to reading the scroll.

The challenge is expected to take place as soon as all the Nations arrive in Queen Gabrielle's Nation. We will be hosting the challenges for however long they will take.

The challenges themselves will be between each Nation's Queen. The challenges can also be considered a contest. There will be a few rules destroy or added as necessary to the normal traditional challenges. This will be further discussed upon your arrival at our Nation. Whomever so wins all the challenges, contest, or fights then will become the Queen of all of the Amazons.

This Nation because of the observance of all the Nations quarreling amongst themselves has issued these challenges. Between Queen Gabrielle and her council it has been official recognized if these begins of quarrellings among the Nations continue so will the begins of battles. These as we all know, will only further the destruction of the once great Amazon Nation. So it has been decided to put an end to all between the separation and lack of power, and quarreling by issuing these challenges. The end result will hopefully in turn bring about a new single Queen, a new single Nation, and ultimately the survival of the Amazons through time.

More of the future and set rules will be created through the course of time. It is assure that no creation of the New Nation has been made considering there is no single one Queen. That all will be set once the Nations go through the challenges.

Queen Gabrielle, her council, and her Nation would like for you to come to our lands as soon as you receive this message. We would like for Queen Name, and most of her Amazons to come to the challenge. We will provide space for the Queen and her Amazons to settle down in for the time period that you will be here in our Nation. Our Nation will provide all food and any other necessities. Be prepared to be in our Nation for an extended period of time. We do believe these challenges will take an extensive amount of time along with the creation of the New Nation.

Please recognize this is an Official Challenge made to Queen Name and her Nation. Recognize the fact that if the challenge is ignored that your Nation will be refusing a traditional challenge. And there for you will be disbanded as an Amazon Nation.

Queen Gabrielle, her council, and her Nation has high hopes in bringing all the Nations together. This is the main intent of these challenges. Please recognize that factor. This is not about fighting because of quarreling. These challenges are about bringing the Nations together and establishing a Nation to survive the test of time. Please have a safe journey to our lands. We will be preparing till your arrival.

Sincerely,

Queen, Regent, Consort, Head Council Member

Both the Soulmates looked up from the letter.

Gabrielle looked to Ephiny. "It looks good. Reads well and truthfully."

The regent nodded her head. "I'd figured you'd want it straight forward."

The Queen nodded. "That's important."

Xena looked back to the scroll, she studied it. Then something caught her eye. She pointed down to a certain spot on the scroll. "You might want to add something here that's important."

Both Gabrielle and Ephiny looked to the spot the warrior pointed at.

"We would like for Queen Name, and most of her Amazons to come to the challenge." Xena took a deep breath. "It really should read; 'We would like for Queen Name, her council, and most of her Amazons to come to the challenge.' We should have the councils all here."

Gabrielle nodded her head a few times. "You're right, that's important."

The Amazon grasped her quill off her desk and reached to the scroll. "I'll add that in." She scratched the words in near the spot to insert in the final copies. "Anything else?"

"Yeah. Can I see your quill for a second Eph?"

"Sure." The regent handed her Queen the quill.

Gabrielle released Xena, stepped closer to the desk, and took the quill. She leaned forward. She drew a line from the third paragraph to above the second paragraph. "Switch these paragraphs Eph. Its better to explain the reason for the challenges first then to explain the challenges themselves."

Ephiny nodded as she received back her quill.

Gabrielle took a step back only to find Xena behind her now. The warrior smiled to herself as she dropped her hands onto Gabrielle's waist. The Amazon Queen smiled to herself.

Xena looked to the regent. "I think we should add in Solari's signature."

The regent furrowed her eyebrows together. "Why?"

Gabrielle though had caught Xena's intent by that, so she answered. "It'll look better. Show that even our second in command agrees."

Ephiny nodded. "We'll do that." She then chuckled. "You just want to add in everybody's signature?"

"Very funny Eph."

The regent grinned up to Gabrielle. "Couldn't help it."

"Uh huh." Gabrielle then looked back to the scroll. "Looks good otherwise Eph."

"Great. I'll get the finals made up. Once their done I'll let you both know so you can sign them."

The Queen nodded her head. "Then I'll take them off your hands to get them signed."

"Only if you let me get them to the messengers?"

Gabrielle looked back to Ephiny with a grin. "Alright, deal."

The Amazon smiled. "Okay, well either we'll get them out tonight or tomorrow morning."

The small warrior nodded her head. "Great." She then looked sidelong to Xena. "Xena, how long will it take Yakut to receive the message all the way in Chin?"

Xena reflected for a moment. "About three to four days ride."

"Mmm, that's a lot of time." Gabrielle looked back to the scroll. "Guess it'll have to do."

Ephiny dropped her quill and began to roll the scroll up. "I'll go get the finals made up."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thanks Eph."

"Welcome." Ephiny after rolling the scroll up looked back to the Soulmates. She'd noticed the entire time the way they stayed close to each other and touching constantly. "Mmm, I couldn't breath between you let alone get between."

Gabrielle started to laugh while the warrior grinned. The small warrior after calming replied. "Oh no Eph. No wedges this time."

The warrior grinned at that. She then bent her head down close to Gabrielle's left ear. "We should leave. Solari will be here soon to… visit Ephiny."

The regent's eyes widen at that. "Xena."

Gabrielle snickered as the Warrior Princess brought her head back up. "Was just stating the truth."

"Right Xena." Ephiny shook her head then looked back up to them. "You both move it out of here."

Gabrielle grinned. "What's the rush? Expecting somebody Eph?"

"Ha ha you two."

Xena chuckled. She squeezed Gabrielle's sides and released her. "Let's go."

The Queen nodded her head. The pair made their way to the door.

"Bye Eph. Tell Solari I said hi." Gabrielle then reached to the door's handle, opening it.

"Make sure the door doesn't hit you both in the ass on the way out!"

Both Soulmates started to laugh as they left the regent's hut. They closed the door behind, leaving a sighing Ephiny.

Once outside, Gabrielle looked up to her partner. "I think I'm going to go find some apples."

Xena grinned. "Torqueo?"

The small warrior grinned now. "Yup, after he beat your old warhorse."

The warrior sighed. "We'll see about that."

Gabrielle grinned. "I hope so." She then smiled. "Care to come with?"

Xena smiled warmly. "Definitely."

The Queen nodded with a smile. The pair then headed right for the food hut. Once inside they went into the kitchen. Gabrielle headed right to the same area as last time where she'd snagged some apples. Again she pulled out two apples. Xena then reached in and pulled out an apple. The Soulmates then mingled through the chef Amazons and went directly to the stables.

As soon as they entered Torqueo threw up his head and nickered. He took a step closer and dropped his head over the stall door.

Gabrielle came up to him and patted him on the head. She then leaned down and placed a kiss to the middle of his face.

The warrior saw this and grinned to herself. "I never thought I'd see you do that."

"Neither did I." Gabrielle then turned around to face her partner. "I can't help it though."

Xena grinned. "Trust me, I understand." She then went down another stall to Argo. The mare jumped a little in her stall in greeting. "Hey girl, its good to see you too." Reaching out she petted the mare.

Both the Soulmates then began to feed their horses. Gabrielle cutting her apples into slices, Xena's though in half. Oh how those two horses loved their owners for this.

After feeding her stallion, the small warrior rubbed behind his ears. She then reached to the bangs from his mane, straightening them out in front of his face. Torqueo snorted and Gabrielle chuckled. She then felt a warm presence behind her, strong arms circling around her.

Xena leaned her head down close to Gabrielle's. "Want to go for a ride?"

"Now?"

"Why not?" She nuzzled the smaller woman's neck. "We'll both be busy soon in a few days anyway, especially you."

Gabrielle sighed, she closed her eyes and leaned back into Xena. "So you're saying we won't have much time for play huh?"

Xena chuckled, she brought her head up a little. "Exactly."

Turning around, the Queen locked eyes with the warrior. "Why not?"

The Warrior Princess grinned. "Great."

They kept their eyes locked. Gabrielle studied her Soulmate's eyes. They were so intense, so filled with love, they almost seemed perfect to her. Almost. Why was there an almost? That almost was the small wall still hidden deep in those electric sapphire eyes. That is something Gabrielle would have to figure out and then destroy that little wall. For even the little walls hide the utmost important elements to a person.

But now, she brought up her small warm hand under her warrior's chin, she leaned up. The warrior leaned down. Their lips met halfway. The kiss at first was light, then it became a little more… involved. They did though break the kiss or rather the collection of small kisses.

"Gabrielle?"

The younger woman smiled and slowly opened her eyes. The warrior grinned a little and leaned in to place a light kiss to Gabrielle's forehead. The Amazon Queen smiled and brought her right hand from under her partner's chin to go on her shoulder.

"Want to ride bare back?"

The smaller woman arched an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Really." Xena then grinned.

"I don't know Xena."

The warrior brought her head down so that her forehead leaned against Gabrielle's. "You'll be fine. I promise you'll enjoy it."

Gabrielle sighed as she reflected. She then felt a nudge at her back from a warm nose. She then chuckled. "I think Torqueo wants me to."

Xena grinned. "Smart horse."

The Queen chuckled. "So it's fun huh?" Xena nodded. Gabrielle looked down, she looked back up. "Real fun?"

The warrior kept her grin. "Oh yeah. Promise."

Gabrielle grinned. "You're on then."

"Let's go." Xena released Gabrielle and went to her stall.

Gabrielle went to Torqueo's stall, opened the door and went in. "Hey Xena?"

"Yeah?"

"Do I want his face tack?"

"No."

Gabrielle's eyes widen. "You're kidding?"

Xena started to laugh to herself. "No, I'm not kidding. Trust me."

The small warrior looked up to Torqueo. She then quietly whispered to herself and the stallion. "Oh I do." She then focused her words to the stallion. "You ready? I'm sure not."

Torqueo threw up his head and looked back to Gabrielle. He nudged at her then stared at her.

Gabrielle smiled warmly. "Don't worry I trust you too." That's when she could have sworn her stallion smiled before he turned his head back to the stall door. She blinked as her mind processed that, shaking her head, Gabrielle opened the stall door. Slowly the stallion and his master exited out of the stall and outside of the stable. Once the small warrior came out of the stables, she looked up to the sky, it was clear. The air around is crisp yet not cold or brisk. There were no clouds to be found as if there was never a storm this morning.

Xena then came out with Argo beside her. The warrior came to the other side of her mare close to Gabrielle. "Can you get up on your own?"

The small warrior looked to Xena then back to the chestnut stallion. "I think so. We'll find out." She bent her knees a little, placed her hands on the horse's front back. Leaping and swinging her right leg over, Gabrielle made it on. A smile formed on her lips as she looked down to Xena. "How was that?"

Xena grinned. "Perfect." Turning back around, the warrior faced her own horse. She followed the same steps and was up on her mare. Looking to her right at Gabrielle. "Ready?"

"There is no ready with you Xena. I thought we established that."

The warrior laughed. "We did." A smile. "Come on." Clicking with her tongue and squeezing the mare's sides, Xena had Argo moving at a walk towards the gates of the village.

Gabrielle did the same. She kept her right hand on her leg while her left was forward holding some of the mane. Looking to the warrior, she grinned. "Xena?"

The warrior looked to Gabrielle. "Mmm?"

The Queen grinned. "Can you… post up and stay up without the saddle?"

Xena grinned devilishly. Looking around, she noticed a bunch of Amazons walking past. She crossed her arms against her chest then squeezed very tightly against Argo's sides. So tight that it looked as if her legs molded with the horse's sides. She then slowly lifted her body up from the horse's back so that from her knees and up she was straight lined. Earlier there was no strain on her muscles but as she kept herself up did her muscles begin to feel the strain on them.

Gabrielle watched and shook her head with a smile. She then leaned a little to her left towards Xena. "Show off." Leaning back onto Torqueo's back, Gabrielle's smile formed more into respect.

The warrior nodded with a smile, she then slowly eased herself back onto Argo's back. Once she was sitting back down, her muscles calmed. Although she kept her arms crossed against her chest.

"Xena?"

"Yeah?" The warrior looked to her Soulmate.

"How long have you been riding for?"

"Oh gods." Xena looked back ahead as she thought. They were almost to the gates. She looked back to her partner. "Since I was probably five. Been around them all my life."

Gabrielle nodded her head. "Figures."

The older woman grinned. She then looked back ahead.

They came to the gates and noticed an Amazon there looking up smiling. "You two headed out?"

"Yup." Xena looked down to the Amazon.

"And Ep, I've never ridden bare back."

The weapons master chuckled. "Good time to learn Gabrielle."

The Queen chuckled. "Thanks Ep."

Epinion grinned. "Quite welcome." She then smiled. "Have a good ride. By careful too, the ground is still muddy of course. Can get slippery."

Xena nodded her head. "Thanks Ep."

The Amazon nodded her head. "I'll see you both later."

"Bye Ep." Gabrielle then smiled.

Xena nodded. "Bye Ep."

The Soulmates kicked their horses again and headed out of the village. They waited till they came into the woods to change speeds.

"Start with a trot first Gabrielle."

The small warrior nodded, she took a deep breath. She squeezed Torqueo's sides again, he went into a trot. In turn she grasped mane in her right hand as well as her left.

Xena sent Argo into a trot as well. She kept close to her Soulmate and her stallion. Her gaze stayed to ahead watching their paths.

"Isn't too bad."

Xena looked to her partner. "No?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No… well not yet." She grinned.

The warrior mirrored the grin back. "Just wait."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

The taller woman chuckled and looked back ahead. "Ready for a canter?" She then looked back to her partner.

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow in answer.

A laugh escaped Xena's lips. "Right, there's no ready. Let's try it then."

Gabrielle nodded her head. She did two clicks while squeezing the stallion's sides. He burst into a canter. Gabrielle's heartbeat seemed to also pick up into a canter. "Oh Gods!"

The warrior was cantering right beside her. "Try to relax."

The small warrior nodded her head. She took deep breaths. She leaned forward some to feel more comfortable, she gathered more mane into her hands.

"And try to stay away from the fallen trees Gabrielle."

The Amazon Queen chuckled and looked to her best friend. "Don't worry."

Xena shook her head with a smile, she looked back ahead.

They kept at that pace for awhile. Gabrielle then began to enjoy the speed, enjoy the ride. Her confidence then built, she took a deep breath along with a small little risk. She squeezed Torqueo's side again, he immediately went into a gallop. "I'm okay… I'm okay. It's just bare back, not a big deal. Gods!"

Xena chuckles to herself, Argo is also in a gallop now. She kept equal with Gabrielle. Looking to her right to her Soulmate she smiled. "You're doing good Gabrielle!"

Gabrielle looked to Xena, throwing her a look as if she were insane. She looked back ahead.

The warrior laughed to herself. "Trust me!"

The Amazon Queen looked to Xena again with a warm smile. "With my Soul." It wasn't a yell yet it wasn't quiet either.

Xena smiled back warmly. She then looked back ahead. Gabrielle herself looked back ahead. She began to feel more use to the bare back feeling. It actually was nice instead of having the hard saddle. It was more… well more natural. That is something Gabrielle had always enjoyed, nature at it's best.

The warrior looked to Gabrielle, she noticed the smile on her small Soulmate's lips. It didn't seem to leave either. That's when Xena knew Gabrielle was enjoying it, if not loving it. Xena pressed her left leg harder against the mare's side. Argo followed the signal and turn to the right some, she came closer to Torqueo.

Gabrielle looked to Xena now to find her close, rather close. She looked ahead for a second then back to the warrior with an arched eyebrow.

Xena winked and signaled Argo to get a little closer. Without forewarning, the warrior leaped off Argo's back and onto Torqueo's. She sat behind Gabrielle, her arms quickly locking around the small female's waist, her legs locking around the stallion's stomach.

"Xena?"

"Yes?" She leaned forward some.

"What… what?"

The warrior laughed. "Thought I'd come over and visit."

Gabrielle chuckled and shook her head. She looked to Argo whom had shifted away again, she still galloped. "What about Argo?" Her eyes drifted back ahead.

"She'll be fine and stay with us." She then tightened her arms a little. "This is nice."

The small warrior laughed. "A free ride? Yeah I should know."

Xena then began to caress her Soulmate's bare stomach with her thumbs. "I don't know why you didn't take advantage of this spot earlier Gabrielle."

The Amazon Queen shook her head. "Maybe because I was little naive huh?"

The warrior grinned. She brought her head more forward, her lips close to Gabrielle's left ear. "I don't believe that."

Gabrielle could feel her body go warm. She could feel herself become distracted then, she tried to stay focused on everything. "Why not?"

"Mmm." Xena brought her lips down to lightly touch Gabrielle's neck. "Because you have an imagination."

The younger woman closed her eyes then quickly remembers what she is doing. Her emerald eyes quickly opened again. She grasped the mane tightly to force herself to concentrate. "Xena?"

"Yeah?" She kept her light kisses but now added in her hands moving up and down Gabrielle's stomach to caress her. Oh and she knew exactly what this was doing to her Soulmate. It just had to make her grin, her original intent since she first got on this horse.

Gabrielle sighed, her body leaning back into Xena more. "Oh gods." Her eyes almost closed again but she stopped herself. "Hades." She forced herself to think. Thinking though, that just wasn't happening. "That's it!" Torqueo came to a quick halt by Gabrielle's demand, Argo had also stopped galloping. The small warrior then in a flash turned herself around on the horse's back to now face Xena. "You're evil."

Xena grinned. "So I've been told."

Gabrielle's eyes began to sparkle. "And I love it." She then leaned in to capture her Soulmate's lips. It was a strong, demanding kiss, Xena not really expecting it.

Xena brought up her right hand to her partner's cheek. She moaned in between the kiss. Gabrielle's left hand came up behind the warrior's head. She deepened the kiss even further. Her right hand though went down to Xena's thigh.

Gabrielle ended the kiss then brought her lips down to Xena's neck.

"Oh gods… Gabrielle." It was a low whisper that escaped Xena's lips. Her hand had moved to the smaller woman's sides. Her eyes closed while she dropped her head back a little. "Gabrielle… this… this just isn't…"

A grin had formed on Gabrielle's lips. She stopped placing the kisses to Xena's neck she lifted her head back up to be eye level with Xena. "There's just a sentence there dying to get out."

The warrior arched an eyebrow as she took a few deep breaths. "You're gonna kill me."

The small female grinned. "You're the one to talk."

They both could feel their bodies reacting to everything. The pulses were certainly not slowing since they only lay a breath away from each other.

Gabrielle herself was also breathing heavy right with her partner. "Okay distance."

The warrior agreed to that one quickly. She hopped off Torqueo, she almost covered up the fact she'd almost fell.

The Amazon Queen got off herself, once she hit the ground she grinned to her friend. "Bit shaky there Xena."

Xena grinned to her. "Pay backs are a bitch."

Gabrielle smirked. "Don't distract me next time."

The warrior grinned, she began to move. She came to stand next to Gabrielle. "On the contrary, I'm planing to due it more often." She began to walk away to a tree.

The small female watched her go with a grin. "We're gonna kill each other." She chuckled and began to walk slowly up to Xena. She stopped walking and stood beside Xena.

They just stared at the trees around and the autumn leaves. The ground around was masked with either fallen leaves or lush green moss. It was quite gorgeous.

"This is pretty."

Xena nodded her head in agreement. "It is." She then looked to Gabrielle. "But, it doesn't compare to you."

She just always has her way of saying things on the side, only making it better. Gabrielle's thoughts stopped as she looked to her Soulmate. "Thanks." She smiled lovingly.

"Truth that's it." The warrior smiled back. She looked back to the scenery.

Gabrielle felt a certain special warmness fill her body, it then flowed into her heart and soul. She reached over with her left hand and grasped her partner's hand.

The warrior grinned at her partner's physical love. How she'd missed it. She never knew what a torture was till she separated from Gabrielle.

Some would say they were in heaven when they fall in-love. For both our Soulmates it isn't heaven, it something so much more grand, more significant. So much more grand, strong and incredible that it can't not be described. Only felt, only recognized as a burning desire, only a need, and to only know one will die in every sense of the word without their other half of mind, heart, soul, and life. Die without their everything. Oh how these two Soulmates knew this, felt this, breathed this, yearn this, and thrived from this. It's rare, so rare that they'd do anything to stay together.

There was a point in time they separated. A separation, what really is a separation? Well for the Soulmates, it was torture for their soul. It was something that each day hacked away at their soul, wore them down, cut them down, and almost killed them to the bitter end. They didn't know which killed them more. The separation or all the love they held for the other and having to hold it in, bottle it up. Which do you think is worse? We can only wonder which was worse for the Soulmates.

Now though, now they were together, as one again. Not to say they never were separated by soul. They were only separated by the physical and the partial mental. For only Soulmates could ever come back together and survive time's trials. So as one again, they finally can release their love to each other. During the time it was all bottled up, it grew stronger. Now it is back out in the open, stronger, more intense, and forever connecting. From here, there can be no separation of these Soulmates.

They both knew that, felt that, and lived by that. So much so, that Xena must looked to her Soulmate and smile. Smile so warmly that it makes a sunset look like nothing. It centers right to Gabrielle's heart and warms everything that is her. Yet Gabrielle can not but help mirroring that same smile. Because she too knows what is ahead. Knows there is no ending now.

That smile sweeps through Xena's soul, so much that she lifts her interlocked hand. She then must pull her interlocked hand to her right. Gabrielle then must follow the physical command and move to stand in front of Xena. Xena then has the need to grasp her Soulmate's other hand with her free hand. Gabrielle's need takes her to lean back into her Soulmate' s body as Xena brings her two interlocked hands forward. Both the Soulmate's interlace hands come to rest on Gabrielle's stomach, Xena's arms encircling Gabrielle. That's the need, to feel as one.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?" The warrior dropped her chin down onto her partner's head as she waits for Gabrielle's words.

"There's no going back." Statement, no questioning that.

Xena didn't respond, she thought. She felt that statement. She then smiled and replied. "No going back, never."

Gabrielle smiled contently, she closed her eyes. "Perfect."

"Forever." Xena then tightened her arms a little more. She then sighed happily. Her eyes then closed.

They molded their bodies against each other again. They took in the feelings again. They let their love flow from their bodies again. They lived again.

Time passed on from this scene. The measurement of the time can not be known. For it is a specific time, so specific that its capture in time's perfection's. Time's perfection's are the unmeasured, the unforgotten, and what creates time's one rare and singular powerful love. That's why it's time's perfection.

The Soulmates then don't hear one of the horses nicker. Then another horse snorted. The horses seemed to look to each other, seeming as if they passed something between each other. The stallion nickered to the mare, he then took steps forward to come near the pair. He then nudged at his owner with a cold nose. He got no response. So he tried again then snorted at the end. Now he got a response, a chuckled from his owner.

Gabrielle opened her eyes slowly. "I think somebody wants to leave Xena."

"They'll survive."

Again the small warrior chuckled. "You never know, that pair might leave without us."

Xena grinned as she opened her eyes. "They just might."

They both heard a snort from Torqueo.

Gabrielle looked to her right at her stallion. He had his head down low with his eyes looking up sadly. "Oh gods, Xena look."

The warrior looked to the horse, she chuckled. "He's getting to you Gabrielle."

"I know, he's good to."

Torqueo lifted his head again. His green eyes sparkled to his owner. He then nudged both the Soulmates. Looking back, Torqueo nickered at Argo.

The mare lifted her head from the grass and walked up to be beside Torqueo. Argo looked to her own owner with a pout look.

"Oh gods."

Gabrielle broke out laughing at Xena's words and Argo's look. "And you talk about me Xena."

The warrior grinned. "Argo is good with her pouts."

"Now Xena, you have to be firm with your horse."

Xena chuckled. "Right." She then leaned her head forward some. "We better really go."

Gabrielle sighed. "Yeah. Fates only know what issue might be happening with the Amazons now."

"Mmm, maybe we shouldn't go. Their feathers ruffle to easy."

The Amazon Queen chuckled. "Very true."

Xena slowly released her Soulmate. The pair then turned to their horses. The warrior went to Argo's left, Gabrielle to Torqueo's left. Both Soulmates bent their knees, then leaped onto the horse's back.

The small warrior then realized how close she was to Xena, her knee almost brushing against Xena's. So she leaned to her left close to Xena, her eyes looking up to Xena. "Xena, come here."

The warrior arched an eyebrow, but she leaned to her right close to Gabrielle. "Need something?" She grinned.

"Definitely." Reaching out with her right hand, she brought her hand under her partner's chin. She pulled in Xena's lips and kissed her.

Xena grinned in the kiss. She had her eyes closed once those warm soft lips took hers. Opening her eyes some in the middle of the kiss, she spotted something. Looked in front of her, her eyes widen. "Gabrielle." The name barely came out in the middle of the kiss.

"Yeah?"

"Look."

Gabrielle stopped the kiss and followed her warrior's gaze. She groaned then.

Xena grinned and looked to her Soulmate. "We're a bad influence."

"Their horses." The small warrior looked to Xena. "That's insane."

The warrior chuckled. "Monkey see, monkey do."

Gabrielle brought up an eyebrow. "Xena that's our horses kissing up there."

Both the stallion and mare both seemed to hear that. They stopped… horse kissing and looked back at their owners. Torqueo nickered.

Gabrielle looked to him. "Your bad."

Torqueo snorted. He then brought his head back far to nudge at Gabrielle's foot.

The Amazon Queen rolled her eyes. She straightened back into her spot on her horse, Xena did the same. "Isn't Argo a little old for you Torqueo?"

"Gabrielle?"

"Mmm?" She looked to Xena.

"Argo isn't that much older, by two years or so."

Gabrielle grinned. "That's old."

A snort from Argo.

Gabrielle looked to the warhorse. "I was just kidding."

Argo nickered and threw up her head.

"Xena, this is getting really bad. I'm starting to talk to horses like their people."

The warrior grinned. "It's normal."

"Right, thanks for that."

"No problem." Xena then chuckled with a smile.

Gabrielle sighed and shook her head with a grin. She reached down to Torqueo's mane and signaled for the stallion to turn around. Argo had done the samething from her master's signals. The horses then broke out into a full-fledged gallop towards the Amazon village.