Sex/Subtext ~ No doubt, nothing but the best. Sex though? well we all will find out huh? Sex just happens sometimes eh? *laugh* And I only know? casual sex? whatever that is.

Copyright ~ And as we all know Universal and MCA always own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Cyrene and Aphrodite. However, Torqueo, Saada, Ferus, Michael, Potestas, and the story line are definitely mine.

Started: July 18th 2000 on Tuesday

Series One-The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story-Nine

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

redhope@redhope.net

Part 1

Section 1

~*Part 1*~

"This is disgusting Xena!"

The warrior slowly lifted her head towards Gabrielle at hearing her raving. "We'll be there soon."

"I don't care." Gabrielle was ahead of her Soulmate and she sloshed around to face her partner. "My idea of a vacation doesn't mean trekking through ankle deep mud."

Xena bit back a huge grin. "Sorry." She let that grin come free now. "But we did have a nice day yesterday."

"That was yesterday." The Queen grumbled and shifted her attention to her stallion beside her. "This is nasty huh Torqueo?"

The stallion nickered and bobbed his head up and down.

The warrior came up beside her partner with Argo on her right. "Well? at least when we make it to mother's we'll get a nice bath."

"If we make it to Amphipolis." The small warrior splattered the mud everywhere with a hard stomp of her foot. "With this mud we're labile to get stuck in it."

Xena quietly laughed and kept walking along hearing the sucking sound following her. The sucking directly coming from her boots pulling out of the mud and back in. "I can't control the weather love."

The warrior-bard grinned. "Why not? You can do everything else."

The Warrior Princess laughed and stopped walking again. "If I could we'd be in paradise now." She gave a wink.

Gabrielle came up to her partner and stood in the brown almost black mud. "Thanks." Her right hand rested on her sai that was in her belt now. She'd moved them from her boots to her belts to keep the mud from them. She leaned up and kissed her Soulmate and went back to trekking through the slosh mud in hopes to survive it. "Egypt? gotta remember that. I'll be in Egypt soon." She gave a dragged out sigh. "Wishful thinking."

The warrior faced her mare. "We need to lighten her up huh?"

The war-horse nodded in complete agreement.

"Yeah I agree?. Now I just need a?" Xena's eyes averted to her partner's back then lowered to the nasty mud. "Plllan." The evilest of grins took the warrior's lips, she slowly bent down after releasing Argo's rein. "Better get out of the way girl? this will be crazy."

Argo quickly obeyed and suctioned in the mud out her way from her owner when she straightened back up.

Gabrielle kept taking huge steps through the ugly mud.

"Gabrielle!"

"Yeah?" The young warrior turned around quickly. But she regretted it even quicker as mud came flying at her and stuck to her face.

Xena had a cat grin on her lips, as she stood with her hands all muddy. She bent down to pick up more mud and stand up with her hands going behind her back.

The Amazon Queen's head moved up and down as she released her reins. "Torqueo, get out of the way."

Torqueo quickly trotted through the mud to get out of the battle zone.

Gabrielle reached up to her face slowly wiping the mud off while walking up to her Soulmate. "You know Xena? I trust you to watch my back." Her head was still bobbing up and down while she smeared the mud over her face. "But no, instead you're throwing mad at me from behind." She came right up to Xena, her face smeared with the mud.

Xena bit her lower lip from laughing and she mumbled out, "Sorry slip of the hand? you know." Her hands were still behind her back

Gabrielle put her hands on her hips. "Right." She gave a loud laugh. She slowly leaned down to lift up a handful of mud. "You know since we're Soulmates?." Gabrielle raised herself back up. "You should join me." The small woman quickly smeared all the mud into her partner's face and let her hand slide down to Xena's neck.

The warrior's tongue ran across her molars as bits of mud fell off her face. "Right." She suddenly brought both hands from behind her back and rubbed mud into her best friend's hair.

"Xena!"

Xena eyes widen and she laughed as she broke out running from her Soulmate. She wasn't going very fast either.

Gabrielle came running up from behind while shaking the mud from her hair. "You are going to be covered in mud when you get you warrior!"

"That is if you can get me!"

The warrior-bard poured everything into her run and she was catching up easily. That was due to the fact she was smaller and lighter so she could move through the mud faster unlike her Soulmate. Now she found herself right on Xena's heels and she took a deep breath to send herself flying through the air. Gabrielle caught a hold of her partner's legs and sent them both crashing into the mud.

Xena laughed and rolled onto her back.

Gabrielle quickly jumped on top of her warrior and pinned her as best as possible. "Don't start something you can't finish Xena."

"Oh I am not worried about that." The warrior's eyes twinkled and she suddenly rolled them both so that she was on top of Gabrielle.

The warrior-bard broke out laughing at seeing her partner's body cover in mud. She'd begun laughing so hard her stomach hurt and she tried to curl up yet couldn't with Xena's hold.

Xena kept a tight grasp on Gabrielle's wrists and weight on her legs. She let a grin slip into place and she lowered her head down close to Gabrielle's.

Gabrielle only broke out laughing more, her eyes watering. "Oh gods, you look so funny."

The Warrior Princess sighed and let go of the other woman. Then she decided to end the laughing with a strong kiss to Gabrielle's lips.

The Queen moaned in the kiss and then felt cold mud being spread over her stomach. "Xena," was mumbled out of her mouth.

Xena lifted her head back up with her twinkling eyes. "Join me? my Soulmate." Without further warning the warrior was smearing mud all over Gabrielle's body and leaping off the small form.

Gabrielle flipped onto her feet and glared at her smirking Soulmate. "Oh you're so toast warrior." She bent down and started throwing mud at Xena.

The warrior tried ducking out of the way but was finding no success in doing so. Taking an alternate route, she did a back flip to land behind her partner. Xena scooped Gabrielle up and held her tightly. "We're having to much fun."

The warrior-bard laughed at her brown-faced warrior. "I like mud? now."

"Good."

The Queen nuzzled her muddy face against Xena's muddy neck. She really didn't care at this point since they both were caked in mud. "Now I know why pigs wallow in mud."

Xena snickered and released the smaller woman to the mud ground. "Well? now where were we?"

"Heading to Amphipolis before this mud war."

"Right." Xena gazed down to the two horses that just stared at the pair with just dumb-founded looks.

Both Soulmates suddenly broke out laughing at their horses.

Torqueo looked to Argo.

Argo looked to Torqueo.

The stallion huffed and threw his head up.

Argo shrugged her shoulders and started trudging through the mud to her owner.

Torqueo whined in a laugh and started trotting along to go to his owner. When he came up to Gabrielle he sniffed her and went into a fit of whining laughter.

The Queen put her hands her hips and stared at her stallion. "Laugh it up Torqueo? see if you get any feed tonight."

Torqueo suddenly stopped laughing and straightened his posture out into seriousness.

Xena snickered and took her mare's reins. "Don't you even think about it girl."

Argo batted her eyes and started walking beside her owner.

Gabrielle sighed while walking along beside Xena? well more like trudging along side Xena.

Cyrene heard a small boom from her stables outside, so she went around the bar and briskly walked outside into the cool day. She walked out onto the porch and gazed over to her stables glancing in for the reason of the boom. She didn't see anything and began to climb down the steps and once on the ground two people came trundling out of the stable like they owned it. Cyrene stared at them totally baffled. Baffled because it was certainly two women but covered in dried mud yet quickly she figured out who it was and her face brightened up. "Xena? Gabrielle what in Hades happened to you both?" Her hands went to her hips.

Xena smiled brightly.

Gabrielle however gave a very sheepish smile. "Long story Cyrene." Her head lifted to her Soulmate. "But your daughter had a big hand in it."

"Me?" Xena lowered her attention to Gabrielle. "You were the one complaining about the mud? I just decided to do something about it."

The bard laughed and shook her head. "Right? keeping saying that? you owe me."

The warrior gave a wink. "I think I can get you to? forgive me."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow but quickly face Cyrene again. "How you been Cyrene?"

"Quite well little one. You? You look well these days."

The Queen nodded with a sigh. "Definitely."

"Good." Cyrene smiled and glimpsed up to her daughter. "Dear how are you?"

"I'm wonderful mother." Xena crossed her arms against her muddy chest. "Mind if Gabrielle and I stay for a while?"

"Not at all." The innkeeper gave a small grin. "I'd hug you both? but?"

"Understandable." Gabrielle laughed and faced her Soulmate. "Get our stuff?"

"I'll take care of it. Get a bath ready."

The Queen groaned. "More like ten of them." She went her way.

Xena went her way back into the stable to collect their things.

Cyrene led the small warrior into the inn. "How have you and Xena been?"

"We're doing well Cyrene."

The tavern owner rapidly stopped walking when she came to the steps and she turned to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, please call me mom? anything other then Cyrene." She gave a sad smile. "You're my daughter."

The warrior-bard dropped her eyes. "Thank you." Her eyes came back up. "Wasn't sure if I still was allowed too."

"Of course you are." Cyrene started climbing the steps with Gabrielle behind. "Just because you caked my daughter in mud doesn't mean you can't call me mom."

Gabrielle's mouth dropped. "Me cake Xena in mud!" A laugh escaped her from her lips. "She started the mud war."

"My daughter? never." The innkeeper gave a huge grin while walking down the hall. "Don't worry sweety, I'll help you get even with her."

"I was counting on that." The Queen snickered as she came to Xena's old room. She went in first.

Xena's mother walked over to the washroom and began to deal with filling the tub. "How long are you and Xena planing to stay?"

"We're not sure yet." Gabrielle began to help Cyrene. "We're planing to leave for Egypt for vacation but we wanted to visit with you first."

The tavern owner smiled to the bard. "Thank you."

The young warrior's lips masked into a warm smile. "Anytime mom? I know we haven't visit in a long time."

"No? it's been lonely here."

"Toris hasn't come by?"

Both Cyrene and Gabrielle turned their heads to see Xena in the room.

"No dear." The mother shook her head. "He hasn't been by in three months I'd say."

The warrior dropped the saddlebags on the beds. "No word from him?"

"Afraid not." The innkeeper poured the last bucket of hot water in. "I'm a bit worried."

"Knowing Toris I am sure he's fine." Gabrielle studied Cyrene first then gazed over to her Soulmate for conformation but received non. "Then again? he is Xena's brother and could get into-"

"Gabrielle." The warrior had growled out her friend's name in warning.

Cyrene quietly laughed and glanced over to her daughter's best friend. "I'm sure you're right sweety."

"I'm sure he'll come around for Solstice mother? he always does."

The innkeeper glanced over to her daughter. "I hope so dear."

Xena took a few steps into the washroom. "Mother, if he doesn't show soon or we don't hear from him soon Gabrielle and I will find him."

The older woman smiled up to her daughter. "Thank you." She then let a grin take her lips. "Well, I'll let you both bathe because I won't be able to take you both seriously any longer." She quickly powered walked over to the door.

Gabrielle lifted her eyes up to her partner. "Is she trying to say something?"

Xena shrugged her shoulders.

Cyrene broke out laughing and left the room in a flash while quietly closing the door. Her laughter could be heard all the way down the hall.

The Queen grinned to her Soulmate. "We must look real funny."

"Well? you do anyway."

"Oh oh?" Gabrielle paced up to her warrior. "Well, take a good look in the mirror yourself beautiful."

The Warrior Princess slowly raised a high eyebrow. "I only look as beautiful as you."

"Right." The warrior-bard ambled over to the tub. "So? how are we going to do this?" Her hands were on her hips. "I mean our clothes are covered in mud too."

"Well?" The tall woman came up behind her young warrior and put her hands to Gabrielle's hips as well. "We need to clean our clothes too." She lifted the small woman up.

"Xena!" Gabrielle tried to struggle out of Soulmate's hands but was instead dunked into the tub with clothes and all. She popped back up out of the water with the mud running down her face and chest into the water.

The warrior smirked at her Soulmate.

"Thanks? now you owe me twice."

"If I join you I won't?"

Gabrielle thought about that for a moment. "Nope."

"Good." The warrior quickly climbed into the tub with all of her clothes, boots, and weapons.

The warrior-bard's mouth hung open. "I can't believe it? the Warrior Princess isn't worried about rusting her weapons out."

"A good warrior only buys non-rusting weapons Gabrielle." The warrior grinned to her partner.

"Very true." The warrior-bard reached to her sides in the water to flip out her sais. She gazed at them to see the mud gone now then she placed them on the floor. Standing up Gabrielle felt the dirt mud roll down her body and into the water to make it brown. She lifted her right boot to untie it.

Xena did the same, standing, and untying her boots. Taking them both she dunked them into the murky water and rubbed them with her hands to clean them.

The Amazon Queen followed her Soulmate's example to rid herself of the mud in the small spots of her boots. After that she tossed them to the floor and slipped down into the murky water again.

The warrior remained standing and took her chakram off while cleaning the mud off. After gently placing the new chakram to the floor she cleaned her sword with its sheath. It shortly was resting on top of the chakram near the boots. Xena then began to unbuckle her brass armor.

Gabrielle rapidly stood up in the water letting the beads of dark water roll over her body. "Here."

Xena smiled and turned her back to her Soulmate. Carefully she felt small hands work her brass armor off.

"Tomorrow are we going to send a message to Cleopatra?"

"Yes." The tall woman slipped out of her armor and placed it into the water.

Gabrielle helped cleaned the brass breastplates. "It'll be beautiful to go down the Nile."

The older female smiled to herself. "It will be." She brought the brass armor out of the warm water and put it on the floor. Next her bracers and gauntlets were coming off to be cleaned and placed with her armor. She only was left with her wet brown leathers that she couldn't be sure where was the mud. "Egypt is mystifying."

The warrior-bard quietly laughed while sitting back into the tub to let the mud soak off her leathers. "I can imagine. And romantic I hear."

Xena's eyes began to twinkle. "We'll be lucky to make it through a night without? possessing each other physically."

Gabrielle corked an eyebrow as she moved through the tub to press against Xena. "Why don't you just say it?"

The older woman laughed low and smirked. "We won't make it through a night in Egypt without having sex."

"Mmm much better." The younger warrior leaned in to capture her Soulmate's lips. She slowly pulled back with an evil grin. "But what makes you think we can't get through the nights here in Greece without sex?"

A grin tugged at Xena's lips. "True? especially after yesterday in the forest."

"I told you Xen, it was a bad urge."

"So was mine." The warrior's lips were in a full grin as her hands rose out of the water to Gabrielle's shoulders. "Let's get these leathers off." Her voice was serious.

Gabrielle nodded in agreement and moved her hands to grasp the bottom of her leather top under the water. She saw Xena remove her leather straps and Gabrielle lifted her leather top off and tossed it to the chair near the entrance to the washroom. Next she stood in the water to slowly pull off her red-orange skirt and throw it over to her top. "Your turn."

The Warrior Princess nodded and stood up with the beads of the brown water falling off her body.

Gabrielle stepped closer and pressed her warm body against Xena's and pushed the leather straps off Xena's shoulders.

Xena efficiently slipped out of her leathers to hurl them over onto the same chair. She faced her Soulmate again and leaned down to capture Gabrielle's lips.

The Amazon Queen moaned in the kiss and put her hands to Xena's hips. She could, however, still feel the fine grit of the mud in her warrior's skin. She thought that was something rather different.

The tall woman lifted her head back up and smiled warmly. "How about you pull out some clean clothes for us while I take care of the tub."

"Sure." The young warrior kissed Xena's cheek and hopped out of the tub. She gathered first the weapons and armor to carry them near the window and spread them out on the floor there in the late afternoon sun's light. Going back into the washroom she saw her Soulmate emptying the tub. She took her and Xena's leathers into the bedroom to let them rest on the chairs to dry, hopefully by tomorrow. Gabrielle ambled over to the saddlebags and pulled out a set of older leathers for Xena and she pulled out her red silk pajamas she'd recently bought.

Gabrielle began to stroll into the washroom but stopped and turned her head to the dresser. There on the top of the dresser were two dolls. Her eyes shut at the sight of the two little dolls while a sad smile creased her lips. Slowly her eyes opened again and she studied the two dolls on the top of the dresser.

The dolls had never moved from so many years back during Xena and Gabrielle's days last here. The doll with long black hair still held the other blond haired doll's hand.

The small woman slowly walked up to the two dolls on the top of the dresser with her sad smile. She released her left hand and kissed the tips of her fingers. Her fingertips came up to the black haired doll's chest to press there for a moment. "I love you Xena? for eternity," she quietly whispered. Gabrielle turned away and padded into the washroom with the clothes.

Xena glanced up at seeing the clothes as she dropped the last bucket of warm water in. "It's ready."

The young warrior nodded and placed the clean clothes down on the wood chair. Next she found Xena's arms circling around her and the warrior looking down with a worried look for Gabrielle still must have had that sad smile.

"You okay?" The warrior reached up and brushed some of Gabrielle's wet hair back.

"Yeah." The Amazon Queen lifted her eyes up. "Just saw? the dolls on the dresser. Brought back old memories." Her sad smile stayed covering her lips.

That sad smiled mirrored onto Xena's lips. "I know." She kissed the top of her Soulmate's forehead. "They won't ever budge from that position." Xena's face brightened with a loving smile.

"I know." Gabrielle had a warm smile sweep across her lips. "Come on." She walked over to the bathtub with her partner.

The two women climbed in to finally clean the last bits of mud from their bodies and hair.

Gabrielle stretched her legs out under the table and lifted her attention back up to her Soulmate and Cyrene's conversation.

They'd just finished with a warm dinner in the cool night. Luckily the tavern owner decided to have the tavern closed for the night so she could spend time with her daughters. So here was Xena sitting at the table in her old leathers with Gabrielle beside her whom was warm in her red pajamas, which she loved. Cyrene was on the other side of the table talking for the most part. And they listened to the faint sounds of the crackling fire in the background and nibbled on the small remains of the dinner.

"I can't believe that sweety? you're the Queen of all the Amazons now?"

Gabrielle gave a nod. "I am now."

"That's wonderful." Cyrene leaned forward after having heard from her daughter about Gabrielle's new reign. "How'd you manage this?"

The warrior-bard smiled and sat up in her seat more. "Well, I ordered challenges between all the queens. So we went through all these challenges and by the end I managed to be on the top."

The innkeeper quietly laughed. "I hope you didn't get hurt either sweety."

Gabrielle's eyes flickered up to Xena.

The warrior knew and spoke coolly. "Gabrielle was injured by two of the queens but manage to pull through fine."

The mother glanced between the two women but left her attention on Gabrielle. "What happened sweety?"

The Amazon Queen sighed and gave a brief explanation. "I was hit hard to many times in my lower abdomen but thankfully my stomach healed over quickly."

Xena still internally cringed at the memory of her Soulmate's injury that could have been a lot worse off.

"That's scary Gabrielle. Glad you're alright now."

The young warrior gave a nod. "Me too. Was a good scare for Xena and I."

"I'm sure." Cyrene glanced up to her daughter. "But if I know my child, she took good care of you."

The warrior had a stoic expression over her face.

Gabrielle quietly laughed. "Definitely." She took a deep breath and now dropped her head against Xena's left arm.

The warrior glanced down to her partner and lifted that arm to encircle Gabrielle's shoulders. "Tired?"

"Mmm a little." The warrior-bard peered up. "After trekking through the mud today."

The Warrior Princess gave a small smug look. "That was my intent."

Gabrielle laughed. "I'd believe it."

Cyrene now stood up and collected the plates. "I think I may go to bed myself." She stood with the plates in arms. "We can all talk tomorrow. Sleep well." She studied the two women still trying to figure out their relationship. To whether her daughter and Gabrielle had repaired their friendship let alone love relationship. She could only hope so because soon she'd be probing for answers.

"We will mother. Thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome dear."

"Night mom." Gabrielle smiled and curled more up against her Soulmate. "Sleep well yourself."

"I will little one. Goodnight." Cyrene strolled over to the kitchen door to go in and rid herself of the dishes.

"Ready for bed?" Xena had her gaze down on Gabrielle.

"Mmm." The warrior-bard thought for a moment. "I think I may try to write some tonight."

The warrior's lips spread into a smile. "Yeah?"

"I think so." Gabrielle glanced up. "At least try? it's been awhile."

"I know." Xena lifted her eyes up at seeing her mother come out of the kitchen and head to the stairs. She flashed a smile to her mother and lowered her attention to Gabrielle again. "Give it time, it'll come back."

"I hope so." The Amazon Queen sighed and moved her head to kiss her Soulmate's shoulder. "What you going to do?"

"I think I'll work on my leathers, they need a little attention." Xena kissed the top of her partner's head.

"You don't mind if I work on my scrolls down here Xen?" Gabrielle took a deep breath. "I have a feeling I am going to need a lot of pacing room."

Gabrielle sighed and balled up the parchment then tossed it to the floor below her.

The balled up parchment hit the other ones on the floor and rolled off them to hit the warm stone floor.

The bard shifted a little as she tried to come up with a new opening line for her story. Her quill went down to touch the new sheet of parchment but stopped. With a sigh Gabrielle's eyes turned to the fire next to her. She sat on the ledge of the fireplace that kept her warm. Her attention though went back to her writing. "You can do this Gabrielle." She took a frustrated breath. "Just put the quill to the parchment and let it flow from your mind like it use to."

The quill came back down to start creating words on the paper.

The young warrior stopped writing and glanced back at her opening line. "Now the Warrior Princess had become less aggressive, her mind coming to a mellow? state? these days?" Gabrielle shook her head. "What am I writing?" A growl escaped her lips and she wadded up the parchment to let it crash on the ground with the others. "Xena hasn't mellowed out? warriors don't mellow out." Her right hand went through her short hair. "Why am I bothering to write?" She shook her head and stared across the tavern. "I've lost it."

"You ssso haven't babes."

The room twinkled with pink dust and there appeared Aphrodite in her normal skimpy pink clothes.

Gabrielle furrowed her eyebrows at the goddess of love. "Aphrodite?"

"The one and only girl, duh." She strolled up to the bard. "So how's it shaking sweet cheeks?"

"Not so good." The short warrior shook her head. "What you doing here anyway?"

The goddess of love gave one of her beaming smiles. "To check up on my chosen and favorite bard."

The small woman huffed. "Bard? hardly."

"Haven a bad? writer's block babes?" Aphrodite glanced over the other woman's shoulders down at the parchment. She read the single line and crinkled her nose. "Oh yeah you are babes."

"I know!" The warrior fell onto her back along the ledge of the fireplace, her hands covering her face with the quill. The parchments all fell off the small lap to the floor on top of the pile of balled up paper. "I can't write worth centaur poop."

"Girl, which you need is a little loven from Dity." The goddess snapped her fingers.

Gabrielle now was in a long sofa with Aphrodite sitting in a big couch next to her with glasses on. "What you call this?" They were still in the tavern however.

"A little break for the bard." The goddess sat back in the seat and lifted her left arm to the sofa's arm. She rested it there with her chin going into the palm of her hand. "Ssso, tell me why you can not find an assuagement in writing?"

Gabrielle gave a short laugh at the goddess's word. "Assuagement? Dity you keep surprising me."

The goddess of love gave a faint grin. "Well a girl can't just look good with her body. She's gotta know her stuff with the way she talks." She sighed. "Besides I think it's way cool to keep everybody thinking I am on a low level when I am way better with words then they think." She faintly shook her head. "But back to the bard."

"Right." The small warrior thought for a moment and considered. "I'm a warrior Dity, that's all there is to it. I lost the bard."

"Well babes with my introspective I'd say you haven't defunct your bard thing." The goddess shrugged her shoulders a little. "Just take a good look inside babes, it's still there? waiting."

"Dity, I don't have it in me anymore."

"Oh sure you do Gab." The goddess sat up in her seat and cross her legs. "We both know that writing still elates you. You just gotta get back into the groove of things. Dig?"

The bard chuckled at her friend's words she was using. "Maybe." She gave a brief sigh.

"In the name of me." The goddess sighed and straightened up. "Take a little beladour from your way cool goddess." She gave a warm smile. "Just remember what it was like writing and well? you know go back to those days as just the bard."

Gabrielle glanced up with a sad expression. "You really think so huh?"

"Oh yes miss thing." Aphrodite snapped her fingers.

Gabrielle's quill reappeared in her hand and a new piece of parchment in her lap. She instinctively lifted her knees up so she could write on the parchment.

"Here's the plan Stan." Aphrodite had an excited look. "I'll read that horrific line that you wrote earlier because that was coming from the warrior side and not the bard." She took a deep breath. "So broach into your bard side babes."

Gabrielle took a deep breath. "If you say so Dity."

"Good." The goddess closed her eyes. "Now the Warrior Princess had become less aggressive, her mind coming to a mellow state these days." Her eyes opened again. "Think Gabrielle, how would have you written that better back a few years ago?"

The small woman sighed and stared at the parchment. She lifted the quill to chew on the tip. "Aggressive? dumb word right along with mellow." She shut her eyes and searched inside of herself.

Aphrodite relaxed back into her comfy sofa chair and coached on her friend. "Something more passionate to that Gabrielle. Let the old bard loose babes."

Gabrielle opened her eyes and put the quill's tip to the parchment and that old grin spread across her lips. The quill began to glide across the parchment with a new opening line for Gabrielle's story in mind. "There."

The goddess stood up and came to her friend's side to peer down at the parchment. She smiled as she read it aloud. "The Warrior Princess today has become less primal and let her passionate emotions rise from below to create yet a whole new form of a warrior." She took a deep breath. "Fabulous babes, that's beautiful."

The bard quietly laughed and rolled up the scroll. "It may be but it wore me out." She grinned up to the immortal woman.

Aphrodite shrugged her shoulders and sat back down. "But see, told you. You still have that bard stuff in you girl."

The young warrior quietly laughed and lay back down on the sofa. "So there has to be another reason why the goddess of love came down to visit her chosen."

The goddess took a deep breath and reached up to remove the glasses, she twirled them in her fingertips. "Just popped in to check on you? and the relationship."

"Uh huh." Gabrielle's lips creased with a grin. "The truth comes out."

Aphrodite quietly laughed. "Babes, I did come help with the bard blocking? just thought it would be a way perfect time to check on the relationship thing too." She gave a smug grin. "You two are my Soulmates of Time."

"Oh?" The small woman crossed her arms over her stomach. "I thought Xena and I were Artemis's Soulmates of Time."

"Well Art's too but I lay claims to creating you and Xena."

"Gee thanks." Gabrielle had an angry expression.

"Wait Gabrielle I didn't mean to make you irate by that uncool sassy comment." The goddess sighed at seeing her chosen's expression calm. "It's just I helped set things up." She shook her head. "If your souls kept going at the rate they were going you two would have never met until thousands of years later."

"Really?" The warrior-bard was now intrigued. "How's that?"

The goddess of love went very serious with no kidding held in her tone. "Both your spilt soul would have kept missing each other through the time frame until it finally met up way far in the future to bind together." She shook her head with blond locks moving in reaction. "See, now that your soul is bonded then both you and Xena will spend the rest of eternity together." She gave a warm smile. "Your soul that you share with Xena will be reborn over and over in the future together." Relaxing back in the seat. "Trust me babes, you'd be in major depression if I hadn't intervened."

"How could you Dity? I thought only the Fates could do something like that."

Aphrodite crossed her legs again. "Babes, remember whom you're speaking too. I am the goddess of love the most powerful emotion and power in the known world."

Gabrielle chuckled. "I'm glad I am on your good side."

"Of course babes." The goddess winked and gave an evil grin. "Ssso, tell me? what's she like in bed?"

Gabrielle's eyes bugged out. "You're kidding!"

"I'd hope so myself."

Both Aphrodite and Gabrielle looked up to the stairs to see the dark warrior staring down at them with an evil smug look.

"Hi Xen."

Xena's eyes warmed to her Soulmate as she walked down the steps and came around. "Ssso, did you help my Soulmate with her writer's block Aphrodite?" She coolly turned her head to the goddess. "Sure doesn't sound like it."

Aphrodite quietly laughed. "We worked through the writer's block." She then gave an innocent look. "But we decided to move onto? girl talk."

"Really?" The warrior walked over to her Soulmate and saw Gabrielle sat up. Xena sat down and pulled Gabrielle's head back down into her lap. "I think I'll join? since I am girl." She had a smug look.

"You're just no fun are you?" The goddess chuckled and crossed her hands in her lap with the glasses.

"I'm no fun?" The Warrior Princess glanced down to her partner.

The smaller warrior shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know where she gets that idea."

Aphrodite shook her head while narrowing her eyes. "You're just not the reticent warrior you use to be." She'd said that with a grin.

Xena lifted up an eyebrow. "No, my chatty Soulmate changed that of me." Her eyes lowered to Gabrielle. "Didn't think the goddess of love knew such big words."

Gabrielle evilly snickered.

The goddess sighed. "Not only has the Warrior Babe become talkative but she cracks jokes."

The warrior's hooded eyes raised the immortal woman. "Funny how that works huh?" She gave a sigh and reached down with her left hand to collect Gabrielle's warm hands. "So why the visit?"

"Well like I told your other half there? dropped in to check on you two."

Xena's head bobbed up and down a few times. "We're fine." She took a long breath. "And thanks for your help."

The goddess raised an eyebrow. "We ain't on the same wave length Xena."

The dark woman's lips formed into a grin. "Illusia."

Aphrodite quietly laughed. "That was way back warrior babe."

"I know." Xena rubbed her thumb against her quiet Soulmate's hands. "But I never thanked you for that."

"How'd you know?"

"Somebody had to help Solan with creating Illusia Dity." Gabrielle smiled to her goddess. "Thank you."

"You got me girls." Aphrodite smiled warmly. "Was worth it." But her smile went warmer. "And Art told me about your ceremony in the Amazon village."

"Really?" Gabrielle brightened up. "What'd she say?"

"That you both finally finished binding your soul." Aphrodite began to twirl the glasses again in her fingers. "Congratulations? there's no other Soulmates like you. You are the masterpiece for time without time."

"We had help." Xena gave an appreciative smile.

"Non the less Xena, you both would have totally bond your soul together. Either this time or way later but it's fabulous that you did it now." Aphrodite sighed sadly. "I just made sure it was now before my time ran out."

"What you mean?" Gabrielle furrowed her eyebrows.

The goddess shook her head. "The Greek gods will fade away in time."

"I highly doubt the goddess of love will." Xena had a serious look.

"No I will not." Aphrodite gave a grin. "But there will come a time I will need to hide in the shadows but I will still watch over your soul."

Gabrielle sighed. "Why do all gods speak in riddles?"

The goddess of love laughed and grinned. "Because you mortals don't like to." She then sadly smiled. "Well I think I'll jet."

"Thank you Dity for your help." Gabrielle smiled warmly as she sat up and got to her feet.

"No problemo babes." A warm smile was on Aphrodite's lips. "Take care of yourself girls."

Xena gradually stood up beside her partner. "You too Aphrodite."

"Thanks warrior bade." The goddess peered up to her chosen. "And not more separations huh? I'm way way to old for those separations, they're uncool."

Gabrielle laughed. "We'll try not too."

"Glorious." The goddess of love winked. "Night Soulmates, I am outty five thousand." She disappeared along with the fancy furniture.

The bard peered up to her partner. "That was interesting." She still held her quill and scroll.

"It was." Xena held back a yawn now. "Ready for bed, I am."

"Yeah." Gabrielle wrapped an arm around her Soulmate's waist. "Let's go."

The warrior draped an arm over her best friend's shoulders.

Together the pair ascended the steps to their room. They were crawling into the bed first then into each other's arms. Sleep came and warped them to their dream together.

~*Part 2*~

The warrior was first into the small house, her partner came in right after. Xena went up to the long wood counter noticing nobody around.

Gabrielle came up along her soulmate's side and leaned against the wood counter. "Nobody home?"

A young man came ambling out of a doorway behind the counter and walked up to the two women. "How can I help you both?"

The warrior-bard's face brightened. "Michael?"

The young man's eyes widen. "Gabrielle?"

"That's me." Gabrielle straightened up with a warm smile. "Been awhile since I saw you last."

Michael quietly laughed. "Yes since you sent that message out to the Amazons that was over?"

"Three years."

The man shook his head. "Yes quite a while. I was thankful for Ephiny giving me a ride back in the dead of winter."

The Amazon Queen nodded with her arms going against her chest. "That's my regent for you." She then glanced up to Xena. "Michael I'd like for you to meet my Soulmate, Xena."

Michael smiled up to the taller woman and he held out his arm. "Nice to meet you Xena."

The warrior took the man's arm in a tight shake. "Good to meet you too Michael."

"Please just Mike is fine." He released the warrior's arms and her eyes flickered to Gabrielle and back to Xena. "However Gabrielle prefers to call me Michael."

The smaller warrior chuckled. "Mike is just to generic."

"Right." Michael grinned and peered up to the Warrior Princess again. "If I am right, your mother is Cyrene?"

"Yes." The warrior was very much in stoic form.

Michael's face now brightened up. "Gods, I almost forgot." He laughed and continued with, "You both were married that winter." He shook his head while resting his hands on the wood counter. "I completely forgot." He smiled up to Xena. "Now you received your citizenship back right?"

Xena nodded. "Yes I did."

"That's wonderful." Michael took a deep breath and gazed at both women. "So, what can I do for you ladies? What message do you need sent?"

Gabrielle's lips shaped into a grin. "Feel like traveling to Egypt?"

Michael's eyebrows shot up.

The warrior-bard was breathing in with depth. "Gods, I can wait."

The warrior smiled then grasped Gabrielle's hand. "It'll be great." She turned her smile to Gabrielle. "You'll love Egypt."

The pair was walking back to the tavern at a slow pace. It was rather cool outside being mid-fall so this lead to the Soulmates wearing their cloaks.

"How long you think we'll stay?" Gabrielle glanced up.

Xena shrugged. "However long you want to stay." She smiled. "But we do have to be back here on Solstice."

The smaller woman smiled warmly. "I don't care if we have to swim back. We'll be here for our anniversary."

"We'll be here." A confident smile tugged at Xena's lips. "Then where too?"

The Amazon Queen sighed. "Back to my feathers." She peered up to Xena. "I need to go over all those scrolls and get prepared to build the new Nation."

The Warrior Princess nodded. "You are?"

Gabrielle quickly glanced up. "No, I was hoping my partner would help out."

Xena squeezed her smaller warrior's hand. "Definitely." She smiled down at Gabrielle. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

The short warrior laughed and shook her head.

The pair entered into the tavern to find Cyrene was busy preparing a huge meal for her patrons tonight.

"Hey mom, want some help?"

Cyrene glimpsed over to Gabrielle. "No sweety, I'm fine." She smiled warmly. "Saada will come by soon to help out."

"Excepting a lot tonight mother?" Xena leaned against the cooking counter.

"Yes probably dear." The innkeeper went back to cutting carrots in the pot. "I hope you both will be here."

"Of course mom." Gabrielle smiled. "What time is the food feast starting?"

The older woman laughed. "Right at sunset sweety."

"Great, I'll be there with an appetite."

Xena mumbled, "Don't I know." Then she received a small jab to her stomach.

"I think Xena and I will leave you alone."

Cyrene sighed. "Sorry I am not talkative. Just busy getting this stuff ready."

"We know mother." Xena smiled. "We'll catch you later." She headed out of the kitchen with her partner.

Gabrielle came out and sadly sighed.

"What's the sigh?"

The small woman shook her head. "I hate seeing your mom alone."

Xena nodded. "Me too."

"You think there's anything we? could do?"

The warrior evilly grinned. "Yeah, come on."

The Soulmates strolled out of the tavern again and soon found themselves in the Constable of Amphipolis's office.

"You have to Ferus." Gabrielle's hands went to the desk. "Cyrene would love to see you."

The constable sighed and sat back in his seat. "Gabrielle, I have a lot of paper work that can't wait."

Xena crossed her arms against her chest. "Ferus."

Ferus lifted his eyes to Xena.

"My mother could really use some company. You've lived here as long as she has. You both have lost spouses and it might be good to? talk." The warrior shrugged her shoulders. "What you got to loose?"

The constable rested back in her seat with sigh. Slowly a smile etched across his lips. "Alright ladies, I'll be there but not to long. I have a lot of work to do these days."

The warrior-bard smiled warmly. "Thanks Ferus. It'd be nice to see Cyrene have some company."

"I can understand that." The man shook his head. "A little lonely around my shack." He chuckled. "Okay, I better get back to my work."

"Bye Constable Ferus." Xena flashed a smile and walked over to the door.

Gabrielle followed and called back. "Thank you Ferus."

"You're welcome Gabrielle." Ferus glanced up to see the Soulmates leave the office. He sighed and chuckled. "Matchmakers."

"So what's the plan?" Gabrielle shrugged out of her cloak.

Xena took her partner's cloak and placed bother their cloaks on the chairs. "Well, when Ferus comes we'll take mother's job. You can do the cooking and I'll-"

"Xena, you're not going to waitress." The warrior-bard chuckled. "You're liable to scary all your mother's customers away."

The warrior put her hands to her hips. "I can do it fine. What you think I am? A ruthless warlord?"

The smaller woman started to laugh and grinned up to her lover. "No it's just? you don't strike me as a barmaid."

"Welllll, I'm not going to have you do it."

"Why not?" The shorter warrior arched perked up an eyebrow while her hands went to her hips.

"First because I can't cook." Xena now grinned. "And second, I'm not having those? customers touching you."

"You've got a point there." The Amazon Queen's hands dropped. "And I know they won't touch you."

"Exactly." The Warrior Princess stepped closer to her Soulmate and circled the other woman's waist with her arms. "You're mine."

Gabrielle grinned. "All of me." Her grin went to a smile.

"Mmm, I know." Xena leaned down to take her partner's lips in a strong kiss. When she lifted her head back up, she had a grin. "Haven't forgiven me for that mud war?"

The smaller woman knew she'd never got angry to begin with but she also knew that her Soulmate wanted her to say no. "Not one bit, you still owe me? big."

"Good." The warrior's lip brushed over her bard's collarbone. "That's the right answer."

"Uh huh, it's trouble." Gabrielle chuckled.

The taller woman had an evil smile with twinkling eyes. "Have we played the quiet game yet?"

The warrior-bard arched an eyebrow. "Nnnno." She had a curious look.

Xena quietly laughed. "It's simple."

"Just be quiet huh?"

"Yup." The warrior leaned down to passionately kiss her warrior.

They hadn't gotten far in anyway in the later afternoon. Well they'd gotten far, just not in the way of going anywhere but into ecstasy. And they were still playing the quiet game.

Gabrielle's head dropped back while her eyes closed.

Xena's hand shifted a little on her lover's stomach. She was down on her knees.

The smaller warrior had her left foot on the bed, propped up. She still wore all her clothes and even her sais.

The older woman herself was still fully dressed, chakram and sword even. But right now she was under Gabrielle rather? occupied.

The warrior-bard was trying her damn hardest to not make any noise while her Soulmate's tongue controlled her. She'd opened her eyes again and glanced down at her warrior underneath. She clamped her jaw tight as a shockwave of passion ripped through her body.

Xena grinned knowing the effect she was having on her partner. Her tongue stopped going between the folds and directly went inside Gabrielle. Her mouth went more over her Soulmate's mound so she could thrust her tongue in and out.

That's the point Gabrielle started her small climax. She knew this was the small warm up her partner was giving her before the grand finale. And what a warm up that was becoming. Now, the small woman began to rock her hips down against Xena's touch hoping to increase the power of the climax. She liked a good warm up.

The warrior kept her tongue thrusting in and out of Gabrielle. Slowly her hands shifted to her partner's hips. She'd begun to help her lover rock against her.

The Amazon Queen's right hand came down to Xena's head. How she wanted to whisper a few words but planned to stick to their quiet game. She'd have to speak with her body, which she'd find the greatest enjoyment in doing. Quickly both hands went to the bed's post beam, her knuckles were white and yellow.

Xena moved her tongue a little faster and made her grip around Gabrielle's waist to help support her soon.

Gabrielle felt it, the small passion tore through her body and she dropped her head down onto her arms. She closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth to hold back the cry of passion.

The tall woman moved instantly, her tongue came out and she stood up with her right hand lifting Gabrielle's head. She saw the passion on Gabrielle's face that needed escape. She sealed her lips with Gabrielle's hot lips. Instantly her own name filled her mouth in her Soulmate's voice. Xena slowly pulled back with a satisfied smile.

The small woman lifted her head and grinned. Her chest was rising quickly but she was ready for the rest. She leaned in to kiss the warrior with need. Her left boot came back down to the floor.

The older woman understood what her partner needed. Her hands went from Gabrielle's waist to her top. Her fingertips grazed over the tops of her Soulmate's breast in the leather maroon top.

The Amazon Queen pulled back from the kiss with a deep need. Her hands released the pole and she easily took her top off. Her leather top went to the bed.

The Warrior Princess grinned and kneeled then leaned in.

Gabrielle's eyes closed when her Soulmate's invigorating lips took her right breast. She could feel the moan almost escaped her lips but she held back. Her hand searched out Xena's right hand. She lifted her lover's hand to her free breast to start kneading it.

Xena helped her Soulmate knead one breast while she sucked on the other. She sensed Gabrielle's other hand on the back of her head urging her on. So she slipped out her tongue to swirl it around the warrior-bard's nipple. Then her teeth closed over the nipple and she heard her small warrior suck in a breath. She loved that effect. She now decided to affect the other breast more.

The Amazon Queen's skirt she found sticking to her body from the sweat. She also found her bangs wet as her center. Her center ached with the need that it anticipated soon to come.

The warrior dropped her hand from the left breast now that her lips controlled it. Her right hand found Gabrielle's other hand to squeeze and press the free right breast. A breast may not be left alone. Xena now released the breast after working Gabrielle up the climax. She slowly trailed her tongue and lips down her Soulmate's stomach. She made sure to hold both the smaller woman's hands in control.

Gabrielle soon felt a warm press against her stomach. It sent desires roaring through her body to heat her more. She sucked in a breath while opening her eyes. She held back the deep groan.

Xena's right hand shifted to hold Gabrielle's hand by the top. She slowly brought Gabrielle's hand under her skirt and to feel her between her folds.

The small warrior whimpered so faintly. She shut her eyes and held her breath to feel her and Xena's index fingers enter inside. Gabrielle instantly laced her other hand with Xena's and she held tightly. Her breathing picked up.

The warrior slowly brought her finger and Gabrielle's in and out. She brought their other hands to her mouth and kissed her Soulmate's hand. She saw how white her partner's knuckles were. She grinned knowing she'd never done this with Gabrielle. She'd never asked Gabrielle to help climax herself.

The younger woman felt an extra thrill at climaxing herself with Xena. She'd sensed her Soulmate slipping in their middle fingers with a faster pace. Gabrielle added on her rocking of her hips.

Xena's inhaling and exhaling took a dramatic rise at knowing Gabrielle was climaxing. Her breathing and her own desires ran strong. Her eyes closed as her body started to fall into the Gabrielle's climax. That's one of many things she absolutely loved about being Gabrielle's Soulmate.

Gabrielle's heart pounded, their four fingers moved rapidly, the water moved quickly down her body, and Xena's breathing sped up the process. She arched her back out, her eyes tightened, and her mouth clamped so tightly.

Xena had given a hard thrust and held their fingers high up as she felt her Soulmate's body convulsed and fell into perfection. Xena's body convulsed as well on the same scale. Her eyes shut and she gritted her teeth to stay silent.

Everything was dead silent as these two Soulmates held back the loudest cries. They didn't move, no breath made, and not a heart pound. Silence and stillness for a few seconds as they entered their world of passion.

The warrior came to and slipped their fingers out of Gabrielle.

The warrior-bard sucked her breath. Her jaw was still tightly closed. Her eyes swirled dark with passion.

Xena worked frantically and stood up to take Gabrielle's lips. Her hands grasped Gabrielle's waist.

Their names passed between each other's lips in the kiss.

The older woman moved to sit on the bed for her strength went right at that moment.

The small warrior followed and fell into Xena once the kiss broke.

The warrior pulled her lover into her lap and held her tightly. She felt Gabrielle buried her head into her breasts. Xena kissed the top of her partner's head and rested her head against Gabrielle's.

Gabrielle lifted her head slowly and kissed Xena lightly.

"You can talk now." The warrior smiled lovingly.

The Amazon Queen just nodded and dropped her head onto Xena's lap while lifting her legs onto the bed. Her calves dangled off the side of the bed. Her eyes closed.

"Did I wear you out?"

Gabrielle chuckled and quietly responded, "Yeah? still trying to catch my breath." Her breathing was slowly calming and she was on her side. She brought her arms around her warrior's waist and pressed her breasts against Xena's stomach.

Xena leaned forward to press her lips against her lover's temple. She then whispered, "I love you."

The small warrior smiled. "I love you too Xena."

A smile creased Xena's lips and she sat up.

The Amazon Queen now rolled onto her back to expose her breasts.

Xena hand right hand was resting on Gabrielle's stomach however it came up between her small warrior's breasts. Her hand went to her Soulmate's right breast and lightly brushed over the hard nipple.

Gabrielle grinned and opened her eyes. Her hand came up to grasp Xena's hand. "You're going to kill me." She coughed faintly to help her slightly ragged breathing.

"Right." The tall woman squeezed her partner's hand. "Your beauty is killing me." But she went a bit serious after hearing her partner's cough. "You okay?"

"Yeah." The warrior-bard was breathing heavy still. "Just the cool air? and I'm getting old."

Xena shook her head with a grin. "You're making me feel real old."

"Nah." Her thumb rubbed against Xena's hand. "I'm still trying to keep up with you." She furrowed her eyebrows while pressing her head back more. "Where'd my top go? I can't even remember." Her back was arching up.

"Gabrielle." The warrior's voice was warning.

"Oh right." The Amazon Queen quietly laughed and dropped her back down realizing it was only tantalizing Xena. "Sorry."

"No, I love a nice view of your breasts." Xena evilly grinned but looked up for her partner's top. She reached over with her left hand to grab the top. "Here sit up."

Slowly the younger woman sat up and dropped her hand with Xena's to her lap.

Xena released her hand to only pull the top over Gabrielle.

Gabrielle easily slipped back into her leather top and fell back into Xena's lap.

The Warrior Princess's warm eyes lowered to her Soulmate. "Like that?"

"My own fingers? Yeah." The small woman slightly blushed. "Never done that."

"I know, wish I had." Xena sighed sadly.

"Better later then never." Gabrielle grinned and searched out Xena's hand to hold again.

The tall woman's other hand went up to Gabrielle's head to brush back her still wet bangs. "Glad you liked it."

"Mmm." Gabrielle evilly grinned. "I can't wait to have you do it to yourself."

Xena chuckled. "Gotta get me first."

"Oh don't worry about that Xena." The warrior-bard's eyes picked up pieces of darkness. "Worry about when it happens." She evilly grinned.

"I'll be enjoying the waiting period." Xena grinned right back at her best friend.

"Good." Gabrielle's grin wasn't as powerful once she sighed. "How much longer is it till sunset?"

"We've got about a candlemark."

"Perfect." The small warrior turned to her sides and shifted closer to Xena. "I'm feeling-"

"Vulnerable?"

"Very." The younger woman looked up with her trusting green eyes. "Xena?"

The warrior smiled and bent forward to kiss Gabrielle's cheek. "Sssh, come on." She pulled her Soulmate into her arms while laying back and pushing up into the bed more.

Gabrielle followed and crawled into her warrior's stronger arms. Her head lay resting on the larger woman's chest. Her breath was faintly shaky. She quietly chuckled. "Finally am a warrior and still get soft."

Xena chuckled and smiled closed her eyes. "You're not the only one."

The small warrior-bard lifted her head and kissed Xena strongly. When she pulled back Xena's blue eyes opened with warmth. "How'd we get so lucky?"

"I don't know." The warrior smiled and tightened her arms a little more. "But I'm not taking it for granted anymore."

"I know." Gabrielle smiled and lowered her head in addition to closing her eyes.

Xena contently sighed and closed her eyes.

"Xen, can we go on a small day trip tomorrow or the next day?"

The older woman's lips shifted into a knowing smile. "To the grove where we first met huh?"

"Yeah."

Xena's lips pressed together. "You're ready to go back to Potidaea?"

"Yes, I haven't been there since it was burned."

The warrior faintly nodded and relaxed. "Let's go then."

Gabrielle smiled warmly. "Thanks."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yeah." The young woman moved her in agreement. "One day or two? I guess that depends on if we want to rush it or not."

"We're definitely not rushing it."

Gabrielle quietly laughed and smiled. "I agree."

"We'll tell mother tonight." Xena wrapped her legs with Gabrielle's.

"Great." The Amazon Queen let her breath out very slowly with a smile.

Xena did the exact same thing with the same smile.

"Gods, where is he?" Gabrielle fell back into her seat with a huff.

"He'll come." Xena shot a confident smile to her partner. "Just relax."

The warrior-bard chuckled and nodded. "Your mom is a great cook."

"Mmm, nothing like mother's cooking," the warrior agreed. She pushed her empty plate a little more on the table.

Around in the tavern were plenty of customers. Saada and Cyrene were busy cooking food and filling orders.

The small woman relaxed back in her seat. "What time you think we should leave tomorrow?"

The older female shrugged her shoulders. "Not to late in the morning." She paused while thinking. "I'd say we'd make it to Potidaea by late afternoon?. maybe mid-afternoon if we go at a fast pace."

Gabrielle moved her head in understanding. "You wake me up and I'll go."

Xena chuckled. "Right, you make me sleep in anymore."

The younger warrior arched and eyebrow while sitting up in the seat. "And you make me wake up early anymore." She smirked.

"Good, then you can wake me up." The older warrior had a smug look.

The Amazon Queen groaned and rolled her eyes. "We'll get each other up."

"Exactly." Xena smiled warmly and crossed her arms in her lap. She'd decided to look a little less? threatening tonight by not carrying her weapons. However she still wore her leathers and brass armor and oh yes her dagger was still wedged between her breasts.

Gabrielle herself left her sais back up in the room deciding she wouldn't need them to cook. Yet being Xena's Soulmate, she carried her small ivy design dagger. It was tied around her right ankle. "How long you think it'll take Michael to send that message?"

The warrior thought for a moment. "Seven days, give or take a day." She sighed contently. "Depends on the weather really but he said he'd take a fast ship."

"Good." Gabrielle nodded. "I wanna get down there."

"If we get invited."

"Xena." The warrior-bard chuckled. "We will, I can still remember the way Cleopatra? treated you."

The Warrior Princess chuckled. "She liked me huh?"

"Just a little." Gabrielle's protectiveness was flickering quietly in her eyes.

Xena evilly smiled and leaned forward. "Well, if she? hits on me while we're there you'll be the first to know."

"Oh, I know I will be." The small woman evilly grinned to her partner. "Either I'll see it or I'll feel it."

The warrior grinned. "I know, that's the fun part."

The Amazon Queen raised an eyebrow. "The part that I know what's happening to you without even being there?"

"Yeah." Xena sat back in her seat with a tugging smile. "I feel well? looked after."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Works both ways Xen." She smiled herself. "Have to keep tabs on what's mine."

The older woman grinned and lifted her head at hearing the door to the tavern open. "Show time love."

The small warrior glanced up to see the constable come in. "Let's go." She stood up.

Xena followed after her partner. "Constable Ferus."

Ferus turned his head to the right. "Hello again ladies, any exact spot you'd like for me to sit."

"Nope, anywhere is fine." Gabrielle smiled. "Xena and I will go get Cyrene."

"Thank you." The constable nodded and strolled through the fire lit tavern to find a table for two.

The Soulmates went into the kitchen right up to Cyrene.

"What are you two up too?" Cyrene put her hands on her hips. "I can tell its trouble."

Xena grinned and stepped closer to her mother. "You have a visitor mother."

"Who may that be?" The innkeeper arched an eyebrow.

"Constable Ferus wishes for your presence mom." Gabrielle smiled with encouragement.

"I'd love to go out there sweety." The innkeeper sighed. "But I need to keep up with the orders."

The small warrior grasped the tavern owner's arm to lead her out the door. "Don't worry, Xena and I have it all covered. We can handle it." She smiled. "Xena and I can do anything."

Cyrene arched an eyebrow. "I hope so sweety but I really should-"

"Don't worry about it mom. Go enjoy a visit with Ferus." The warrior-bard pointed to where the constable sat. "Go ahead."

The older woman sighed and shook her head. "Alright sweety, I can see I'm not going to win."

"Yup. Enjoy mom."

"Thanks sweety." Cyrene wiped her hands on her apron and strolled through the tavern.

Xena stepped out of the kitchen beside her Soulmate. Her eyes stayed pinned on her mother.

Gabrielle sighed contently as she saw Cyrene come up to Ferus and talk. "They'd be a perfect match."

"Definitely." Xena watched her mother sit down and start talking with the constable. Her eyes lowered to Gabrielle. "Come on, we better run this place."

The Amazon Queen chuckled. "Right, good luck Xen." Gabrielle grinned up to her partner and disappeared into the kitchen to start cooking.

"Now what's that suppose to mean?" Xena sighed and walked out to the tavern. "There can't be to much to this."

"I need more wine?"

Xena strolled up to the customer with stoic expression.

The man's eyes widen. "Xena?"

The warrior grinned. "How are you Potestas?"

The jeweler laughed and gave a warm smile. "Quite well. Retire from the warrior life?"

"Nope." The dark woman crossed her arms against her chest. "Just filling in for mother for the night."

"Now that is something else." Potestas chuckled. "How you been?"

"Well." Xena smiled warmly. "Yourself?"

"Very good." The man smiled and crossed his legs at the ankles. "How is Gabrielle? She's here I hope."

The warrior nodded. "She's certainly here. She's in the kitchen cooking."

"Ah, now I know where this fine meal came from." Potestas stood up with his mug. "I'll go get myself a drink and visit with Gabrielle." He chuckled. "I haven't seen that one for quite awhile since? you both were here to get married."

Xena sighed. "Yup, that was the last time we were here for a long time." She shifted to the table to grab the man's empty plate and used utensils.

"Now I heard from your mother, you and Gabrielle were here about a year ago or so briefly. Then you both went to India?" The jeweler started walking through the tavern with the warrior.

"Yeah, Gabrielle and I? explored India for a few months." The warrior directed the man towards the kitchen.

"How was it?" Potestas stopped walking as he came to the kitchen door. "I've heard it's another world."

"It is." Xena walked into the kitchen with the dishes and held the door with her boot to let the man in.

Potestas came in and spotted Gabrielle at the counter chopping up meat. "Gabrielle!"

The warrior-bard glanced up and smiled. "Potestas, how are you?"

The jeweler quickly came over and gave her a one armed hug. "Very good."

Xena dropped the dishes on another counter where there were stacks of dirty dishes. She groaned and mumbled, "I hate dirty dishes." She walked to the kitchen door then opened the door to see a load of people come in. "Gabrielle, you better step it up. About ten people just came in."

"Hades." The small woman glanced to her partner. "Get Saada in here will you, thanks."

"Sure." Xena walked out of the kitchen to get orders from the newcomers. She glanced to the bar to see Saada. "Hey Saada, Gabrielle needs your help in the kitchen."

The barmaid nodded and got another drink for a patron then briskly walked into the kitchen.

The warrior walked over to the area where the newcomers came in. She came to a table of four of them. "Gentlemen, what can I get you?"

The four men were all laughing about something and looked up to see the dark warrior.

One man coughed and asked. "You're the? barmaid tonight? What happened to Saada?"

"She's here." The warrior's lips shaped into an evil grin. "But, I'll be your? waitress tonight." She crossed her arms against her chest. "Ssso, what can I get you?"

Quickly the four men made their orders for their drinks.

Xena went away with a huge smirk on her lips. Nope, this waitressing stuff wasn't too bad.

Gabrielle fell into her seat.

The warrior flopped down into her seat and groaned. "Oh gods, that was worse then a battle."

"Tell me about it." The warrior-bard groaned. "And we still have to do the dishes." She put her arms on the table and dropped her head into her arms with a groan. "I couldn't believe it Xena."

"I know." Xena stretched her legs out under the table. "They all came at once."

Gabrielle lifted her head up with a tired look. "Twenty-five people at once came storming in here. Was it planned that way?"

The Warrior Princess laughed. "I think they knew we were working the tavern."

"They must of." The Amazon Queen huffed and dropped her head down into her arms again. "I do not know how your mother does it," she mumbled.

"Neither do I."

"Not only that." Gabrielle's head popped back up. "But Cyrene is our ages put together and she only has one person helping her." She sighed and dropped her head down.

Saada came strolling up to the two tuckered out women at the table in the empty tavern. "Well ladies, how'd you enjoy the night?"

"It was great," the warrior-bard mumbled.

"I thought so too." The barmaid chuckled. "Relaxing with the extra help. Well goodnight." She strolled away.

"Goodnight Saada and thank you." Xena listened to hear the barmaid leave with a smile.

"Okay, let's get these dishes done." Gabrielle stood up and sighed.

The warrior stood up with a seeming pain. "Come on." She brought her left arm around her Soulmate's shoulders.

The pair walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in their tracks at seeing the four stacks of dirty dishes.

The smaller warrior whined and wrapped both arms around her partner's waist. "Take me away from here Xena."

The older woman chuckled quietly. "Are we brave enough?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle straightened up and let go of Xena. "We have some c-c-c-courage." She ran her right hand through her hair. "Let's attack them."

"What you got?" Xena crossed her arms against her chest. "The water or the drying?"

"Drying? I know you like to play with the water."

The Warrior Princess laughed then sauntered up to the stacks of dishes.

The Amazon Queen came up with determination. "We're not going to bed till we clean all these."

"Then we're not going to bed."