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 2

Section 2

~*Part 3*~

Cyrene lifted her head up to notice the newcomer in the tavern, a smile eased across her lips. "Morning."

"Good Morning Cyrene." The man tipped his head then strolled up to the bar to sit on a stool. "How are you Cyrene?"

"Quite well Ferus, yourself?" The innkeeper smiled while placing her hands on the table with a warm smile.

The constable chuckled and rested his hands in his lap. "Very good. Last night was rather lovely."

"It was." Cyrene chuckled.

"How are your helpers from last night recovering?"

The tavern owner sighed however quietly laughed with a grin. "Still recovering. I think my little ones won't be running the tavern again."

The man laughed and replied, "Ashame."

"It is." Cyrene grinned but went a bit serious. "Speaking of which, I think I may go check on them. My daughter said she wanted to get off a little early."

"Really?" Ferus arched an eyebrow. "Where they headed too?"

"To Potidaea for a couple of days."

"Potidaea?" The constable furrowed his eyebrows. "The same town that was southwest of here that was burned down mysteriously?"

"The same." Cyrene nodded. "Gabrielle is from Potidaea."

"Gods, I never knew this." Ferus shook his head. "I take it she's returning for mourning?"

The innkeeper nodded but said, "Partially… Xena and Gabrielle both met rather close there."

Ferus's head bobbed up and down. "I see."

"Well excuse me Ferus, I'll be right back. Just want to check on my little ones." Cyrene smiled and went to the stairs to climb up them silently. She came to the door to the Soulmates' room, which she quietly opened and peered in. Her eyes widen a little at the sight but a happy smile tugged at her lips at the scene.

And there was Gabrielle with the side of her head on her partner's right shoulder and her left arm draped over Xena's breasts. Her body was half on top of Xena's body and her left leg between Xena's legs.

Xena on the other hand had her head turned and resting against her partner's. Then her right arm was pressed against the small woman's arm as her hand rested on Gabrielle's shoulder. Her left arm was under Gabrielle but her hand was partially tucked under the warrior-bard's belt of her skirt.

Both Xena and the small warrior were dressed in their clothes, well except Xena didn't were her armor only her leathers. And they both were certainly conked out hard.

Cyrene studied the pair for another moment while she held the door. Thank the gods they're together again. She closed her eyes and inwardly prayed, Aphrodite please watch over them. Silently the innkeeper closed the door and walked back down to the bar.

"Were they up?"

The tavern owner shook her head and grinned. "Dead asleep. I think they may have gone to bed rather late last night."

"Ah, better if they get their sleep."

Cyrene nodded in agreement. "Yes it would be." She chuckled lightly. "I believe they stayed up all night cleaning dishes."

Ferus chuckled and smiled warmly. "As big of a crowd that was last night it wouldn't surprise me."

"I know." The innkeeper chuckled and leaned against her bar.

"Did they just stop in to visit with you?"

"Yes." Cyrene nodded. "They plan on heading to Egypt soon then come back here."

"Egypt really?" Ferus chuckled with a smile. "I hear they travel all over."

"Oh they certainly do." Cyrene grinned. "I've heard stories from Gabrielle of their adventures."

"Really? Mind sharing?" The constable sat back a little. "This sounds interesting."

Gabrielle moaned lightly and tucked her head under Xena's more. "What time is it?"

"Late." Xena's eyes gradually opened while she turned her head to the right towards the window. "Hades, real late."

The warrior-bard lifted her head and looked out the window. "Oh no, there goes our plans."

"Nah… we just will have a late start." The warrior turned her head back and closed her eyes. "Not a big deal."

"I don't even remember when we got to bed last night."

Xena chuckled lightly but replied, "To late. Let's just say the moon was gone before we were."

"That's bad." Gabrielle groaned then brought her right arm over her head. "Didn't you carry me up the stairs?"

"Yup." The older woman grinned.

The Amazon Queen chuckled. "That was the best part of the whole night."

"Really?" Xena evilly grinned. "You mean the water war wasn't fun too?"

"Welll, that was too." Gabrielle's head popped up. "You know, you're in for it. First the mud war then the water war. What's next on your agenda?"

The Warrior Princess evilly snickered. "You'll just have to wait and find out."

The small woman groaned again and dropped her head. "Great." She sighed contently. "We're really tangled up here."

"Mmm yeah." Xena's eyes closed. "That's why we slept so long."

"Oh, is that why?" The younger woman chuckled. "Thought it was the late night."

"Nah, I was to tangled up to get up."

"Ha ha warrior." Gabrielle sighed and kissed her partner's shoulder. "I guess we should move huh?"

"If we get untangled first."

"Hold on." The smaller warrior began to shift and was on top of her Soulmate. "Better?"

The warrior opened her eyes as a grin creased her lips. "Oh yeah, perfect kissing position."

"Mmm, I know." Gabrielle lowered her head to take her partner's lips in a warm kiss. She slowly lifted her head back up after the kiss. "Do we go or not?"

"We go." Xena lifted herself up with her lover still on her. Once she sat up she wrapped her arms around her partner.

The small woman encircled her Soulmate then lowered the side of her head against the warrior's chest. "I love you."

The older woman kissed Gabrielle's temple and whispered, "I love you too."

Gabrielle kissed her partner lightly, next she popped out of her arms onto the floor. "Let's go."

Xena laughed and shook her head. "The energy is back."

The small woman whirled around on her heels and gave a puzzled looked to Xena. "Where are my boots?"

"Right over there." The warrior pointed to near the fireplace.

Gabrielle turned her head that way and saw them with her sais. "Hades forgot." She snapped her fingers and strolled over to her boots.

The warrior chuckled then shook her head. She rolled out of bed and scanned around for her own boots. "Where are my boots?"

"Right over there." The small warrior pointed near the wall.

Xena turned her head that way and saw them with her armor. "Hades forgot." She snapped her fingers and was about to move but stopped in mid action. Her eyes went over to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle was staring at her with a surprised look.

The pair both said in unison "Soulmates," then started laughing hard together.

The Amazon Queen breathed deeply and said, "That was scary."

"Uh huh." Xena walked over to collect her boots.

The small woman slipped her feet into her boots and walked over to the bed to tie them on there. "And why do we know where each other's boots are and not our own?"

"Just don't ask Gabrielle, we'll never understand."

The short warrior whirled around with her boots on and tied. "Just is."

"Exactly." Xena stood up with her armor after tying her boots on. She put her armor on then began to buckle it into place.

Gabrielle strolled up to her partner and helped buckle the armor on. "How long do you think it'll take to make it to Potidaea?"

"Depends, walk or ride?"

"Mmm… ride." The warrior-bard finished with the buckles.

So Xena faced her, asked "Gallop?" and folded her arms over her chest.

"I could go for that." Gabrielle grinned and chuckled. "Torqueo could use it."

"So could Argo." The warrior grinned. "So, we'll get there this afternoon I'd say if we leave now."

The Amazon Queen arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "We're having breakfast. I am not bobbing up and down-"

"I know." The tall woman chuckled. "I was planning on your stomach."

"Right." Gabrielle chuckled. "I'll take our stuff down to the horses."

Xena nodded. "We'll meet downstairs."

The smaller woman moved to the saddlebags to lift them both. "Sounds like a plan." She walked over to the door. "Xena?"

The warrior quietly laughed while moving to the door to open it up. "Sorry."

"No problem, thanks." Gabrielle went out the door then down the steps.

"Morning sweety."

"Morning mom." The warrior-bard smiled. "Good morning Ferus."

The constable smiled warmly. "Good to see you again Gabrielle."

"The feeling is mutual but I need to go see the horses." The Amazon Queen walked over to the doors with the saddlebags.

"Are you both leaving sweety?"

"Yeah mom." Gabrielle glanced back. "As soon as we get breakfast we're heading out."

Cyrene chuckled. "That's my cue." Her voice was louder now. "I'll get something cooked up for you both."

The small warrior opened the door with her foot. "Thanks mom." She went outside to the stables and saddled up the horses. When she came back in she saw her Soulmate sitting at the bar next to Ferus. "Hey." She smiled up to her partner.

Xena glanced down with a warm smile. She patted the stool beside her. "Mother is almost done with breakfast."

"Fabulous, I'm starved." Gabrielle sat on the stool then glanced down to the constable. "So, what brings you here this morning constable?"

Ferus smiled while gazing down at the small woman. "Cyrene, came by for a visit."

"Another one?" The young warrior grinned. "I can't believe it," she said innocently.

The constable laughed. "Uh huh, both you ladies are quite big instigators."

Xena shook her head with a hidden grin. "Gabrielle and I never do such things."

The man corked an eyebrow. "I'll remember that for the future the next time you both ask for favors."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Welll, maybe Xena and I do a little instigating here and there."

"I know you both do." Ferus smiled warmly then turned his head to the right to see Cyrene come out with two plates of hot food.

After that breakfast the Soulmates were out of the tavern with their horses. Cyrene was lecturing them on being safe. She also gave them food to take with them. Both lovers groaning because they knew how much weight they were going to put on by the end of this.

Soon the Soulmates disappeared into the late morning sun to head southwest at a gallop. With the wind whipping by as fast as the world, the pair made their destination for Potidaea by mid-afternoon.

Gabrielle brought in a shaky breath as the cool breeze brushed her hair back. She slowly bent down to one knee while her right hand came forward.

Carefully and slowly the three red roses were placed on the partially grass covered land.

The small warrior gradually stood back up then dropped her head back a little. Her eyes closed from studying the blue sky. Three tears trickled down her cheeks. She felt warm arms circle around her waist to draw her in safely.

"I got you." Xena held her Soulmate tightly.

Gabrielle's eyes opened again to lower to the still faintly charred land. She stared at the area that once was Potidaea. That once was her hometown, born, raised, and loved. "I miss them, Xena."

"I know." The warrior kissed the side of her partner's temple. "I know." She breathed in heavily. "It's not easy losing family."

The small woman nodded and dropped her head against her Soulmate's chest. "Much less to a crazed god like Velasca." She felt a spark of anger rise up in her however she dowsed it with her forgiveness.

"At least you didn't lose them sooner… if that helps," whispered Xena.

The Amazon Queen's throat tightened. "It does and helps I didn't lose all of my family." She glanced up to Xena with a sad smile.

The warrior sadly smiled back. "I'll always be by your side." She brushed some of Gabrielle's hair back. "Go ahead, I'll be right here."

The small woman nodded and turned her head away. She closed her eyes while resting her head against Xena's chest again. Her thoughts took her to her mother, father, Lila, and then eventually to the people of Potidaea. How she tried so hard to apologize to them for bringing Velasca on them. And how she tried so hard to express her deepest love for her family despite her leaving them. This wasn't the way it was suppose to happen.

Within a half of a candlemark Gabrielle whispered that she was ready. So the warrior called the horses over. The pair took their horse's reins and walked away from the area that was Potidaea. They went into the surrounding forest and searched out the grove. The Soulmates walked side by side with their horses behind.

Once they came to the grove Gabrielle stopped dead in her tracks and reached over to take her Soulmate's hand.

Xena intertwined their hands and smiled while studying the grove.

That same smiled etched its way on Gabrielle's lips.

The Soulmates remained standing there together and relived the first day their paths crossed. Realizing everything changed from that point on. And realizing they could have just missed each other by mere seconds and only ended up worlds away from each other. But it didn't happen like that, it happened the way it should had happened.

Gabrielle squeezed her Soulmate's hand. "I can still see it all."

The warrior chuckled lightly. "Me too."

The small woman shifted to Torqueo and put the reins on her horse. "Stay here boy."

Torqueo moved his head in answer.

Xena laughed lightly with excitement and moved to her mare. She put the reins on Argo and said, "Stay here girl."

Argo nodded with a whine.

Torqueo quietly shifted closer to Argo. He moved his gaze away from his owner to the mare. He whined quietly in seeming question over what was important about this lonely grove.

Argo turned her head to the stallion in seeming to answer.

Gabrielle looked down at the ground and gazed over to her warrior. "It was right here."

Xena laughed quietly then took three steps to the left. "I was right here."

"Uh huh." The small warrior nodded with a smile. "And I remember you coming up to save us."

"There's no 'us' Gabrielle." Xena grinned. "I was planning to save you. The other woman just because they were there."

The Amazon Queen laughed while shaking her head. "You're bad."

"At least I don't lie." The warrior grinned. "But… you did have longer hair then." She arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah well you had a different chakram then. So?" A grin masked Gabrielle's lips.

Xena chuckled with a grin. "So let's see if we remember this all right."

"Okay." Gabrielle jogged her memory. "You were over there sitting right?"

"Yeah, after I'd buried my weapons near there." The warrior folded her arms against her chest. "You tried to spare your village from slavery."

"Hold on, who was that man?" Gabrielle had a confused look. "You know, the one that was Draco's second in command?"

The older woman thought for a moment. "Hector was his name, real idiot." She snickered.

The warrior-bard chuckled but kept her gaze across the grove to her lover. "Okay, so I tried to save my village, typical young me." She grinned. "And you came into the scene right?"

"Yeah." Xena nodded and walked over to her partner. "Of course I was just in my shift then."

"Yeah why was that?" The small woman arched an eyebrow at her best friend. "You never told me but I figured you were giving up the warrior life."

The tall woman sighed as she stood off to the side of her Soulmate. "I gave up on my life."

It dawned on Gabrielle. "You were… going to… commit suicide?"

Xena sighed. "Basically."

The small warrior's eyes widen. "You're telling me that I could have lost you on that day if… if…"

"If Draco hadn't decided to enslave Potidaea… yeah."

"Or if you hadn't decided to come near this area I could have lost you." Gabrielle shook her head. "That's crazy." She shifted closer to her partner. "Why… wha… you could have… I might have… give up… how come… suicide… I didn't… You didn't tell… by the gods… if-if… I could have lost you before I had you Xena!"

Xena only had a huge grin on her lips.

Gabrielle tightly grasped her Soulmate's arms. "Xena, it's not funny."

"I know." The warrior leaned forward and kissed her partner lightly. "I couldn't because I saw you, I almost killed myself because I hated myself, no I really didn't kill myself, you didn't lose me, I won't ever give up, like I said I couldn't because I saw you, suicide is nasty, no you didn't know, I just told you, it wasn't the gods, no if's, and you have me Gabrielle."

Gabrielle blinked up at her Soulmate. She opened her mouth to say something, anything but nothing came. She just pulled her Soulmate in tightly to hold her.

Xena smiled warmly and dropped her head down on Gabrielle's while wrapping her arms around her partner. "Hey it's okay."

The younger woman nodded as she tightly held her warrior as if the past was coming back to take her Soulmate away. She breathed with shakiness. "That is ssso scary Xena."

"I know." The warrior sighed faintly. "But isn't every adventure in our lives?"

"There's a difference there." The warrior-bard raised her head up. "That's a 'our lives' and not a 'your life' Xena. That was before I knew you, that's really scary."

"Ssh." Xena smile warmly as she leaned her forehead against Gabrielle's. "It didn't happen, it wasn't my destiny. You're my destiny that's why I'm still alive here to tell you about what could have happened."

Ever so slowly that same smile creased onto Gabrielle's lips. "Yeah. Thank… our destinies for that."

The older woman chuckled a little. "It's just you and me love."

Gabrielle shifted her head to kiss her partner warmly. "Gods, that's a close one."

"Worse then all of our life threatening adventures huh?"

The small woman chuckled. "Yeah it is." She gradually released her warrior. "Okay, so where were we?"

"I was in my shift."

"Right." The young warrior took a few steps back. "And I was still here and caught sight of you."

Xena shrugged her shoulders with a small grin. "Wouldn't know, I was to busy getting knocked onto my face."

"What?" Gabrielle straightened up with her hands on her hips. "You weren't knocked down."

"Yes I was." The warrior shook her head. "Square on my face, where were you?"

The warrior-bard evilly grinned. "Me? I was to busy thinking how incredibly hot and sexy my savior was. I seriously didn't see you get knocked over." She still had that evil grin. "Besides, I was in idolize mode so I wasn't suppose to see you get knocked over."

Xena gave a quiet laugh. "How hot and sexy I was?"

"Yesss." Gabrielle chuckled. "Come on, how couldn't I notice?"

"Gabrielle, I was in my shift looking like crap. How could you even think I was hot or sexy?"

The Amazon Queen shrugged her shoulders. "How couldn't I?"

The warrior opened her mouth to retort but nothing came.

"Why'd you even get knocked over in the first place? That's not like you."

Xena's right hand came up behind her neck. "Uhh because I saw you."

"Woo woo Xena." The small woman chuckled. "This is to good." She put her hands on her hips. "So you're asking me why I would be thinking you were hot and sexy at that time when you get knocked over because you saw me. Oh, oh you've got nothing on me." Gabrielle chuckled. "You have no room to talk Xen." She snickered. "I had every right to stand here dreaming about how hot and sexy you were if you were getting knocked down because you saw me."

The warrior laughed then sighed contently. "You've got a point." Her hand fell from her neck.

"Sso, let's see. You were busy knocking Hector around." Gabrielle chuckled. "I kinda remember what he said… this village makes tough woman… or something."

The tall woman shook her head. "I don't remember totally, just plain dumb. That's when he tried to use the whip."

"Yeah, that's right." The young warrior smiled. "Then you went into action taking everybody down."

"Yup." Xena glanced to her left and pointed to a spot on the ground. "Right around there I had my weapons buried with my armor and leathers."

The Amazon Queen nodded. "Gods, seems like so long ago."

"It does." The older woman sighed a bit sadly. "Miss it?" She turned her head back to Gabrielle.

"Certain things I think." Gabrielle turned her serious facial expression to Xena.

"Mmm like what?" Xena took a few steps closer to her Soulmate.

The young woman breathed in for a long time. "I don't know." Her hands went to her hips. "Each year something was a little different and I'd miss something from the previous year. Yet the new difference I really loved you know?"

The Warrior Princess slowly began to move her head in agreement. "The protection?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle had a sad expression. "I really miss feeling so well look after." She grinned up to Xena. "Not that I am not now."

"Just you didn't know how to fight then, relied on me huh?" Xena grinned a little.

The small warrior nodded. "Yeah, that was so interesting. I didn't know a thing about a weapon then there was you that knew everything." She chuckled. "Such a contrast."

"Makes you wonder how we got along." The older woman laughed.

Gabrielle quietly laughed and sighed contently. "It's because I'm so easy to get along with."

The tall woman huffed at that.

"I am." The Amazon Queen put her hands on her hips. "Well, easier to get along then what you were at the time."

"Ha ha warrior." Xena had a smug look.

Gabrielle corked an eyebrow. "That's my line."

The Warrior Princess evilly grinned. "Since you're a warrior I can use it too."

The small woman's mouth dropped. "Fine, I'll just call you Warrior Princess for now on."

"You do that Amazon Queen."

"That's it, you're in for it now."

Xena crossed her arms against her chest. "Oh yeah? What you gonna do? Poke me with your sais?"

"Oh oh that's real rich Warrior Princess." Gabrielle stomped up to her partner. "You wanna know what I'm gonna do?"

The tall woman leaned towards her partner with narrowed eyes. "Yesss."

"This." Gabrielle quickly moved to hug her partner with all her strength.

The warrior felt her ribs being squeezed in. She started to cough and drastically try to breathe. She rasped out, "Okay Gabrielle… Gab… I can't… breathe." The squeeze went a little tighter. "I… love you." The hug suddenly went very gentle. Xena coughed and sucked in a deep breath. "Wellll… that was… a life threatening hug."

The younger warrior chuckled while still holding her partner. She dropped her head against the other woman's chest. "Servers you right."

"Last time I ask for a hug." The dark woman started to feel her partner's arms tighten again. "Not that I don't lllove your hugs."

The warrior-bard snickered and loosened her hold again. "Thought so."

Xena smiled warmly and quickly shifted her hands to lift Gabrielle up into her arms. "Gotcha."

"To say the least." Gabrielle lifted her head up to kiss her warrior. "I miss this."

The tall woman nuzzled her partner's cheek. "Me carrying you?"

"Yeah." The warrior-bard rested her head against her Soulmate's shoulder. "Despite the fact I'm suppose to be a warrior now."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anybody I carry you." Xena grinned while starting to walk back to the horses.

"Good, don't want to ruin my reputation."

The older woman laughed as she continued to slowly walk.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"Think we can do some reminiscing tonight?"

The Warrior Princess's lips tugged into a smile. "Definitely." She came up to the horses then carefully slipped her partner out of her arms.

Gabrielle bounced up onto her feet and came over to Torqueo. "Okay boy, let's get you untacked."

Torqueo nodded in utter agreement with a whine.

The small woman grinned and began to untack her horse.

Xena did the same with Argo.

And within a candlemark the pair had their horses untacked, a fire going in a camp in the grove, dinner cooking, and reminiscing in high gear.

Gabrielle bellowed out laughing as she fell to her side. "Xena, you're never going to let that go."

The warrior snicker. "Gabrielle, it's one of my favorite memories of you." She stretched her legs out.

The small woman sat back up. "Oh gods, that nutbread was good though."

"Mmm, that was only because of the henbane in it." Xena evilly grinned to her Soulmate sitting beside her.

The partners were sitting directly beside each other as if they were only friends. They gazed over the grove where they first met. The fire was burning beside them with two medium size steaks cooking that Cyrene gave them. It was early evening still.

"No, nutbread is good." Gabrielle chuckled. "And I'm ssso excited your mom gave us some."

The warrior grinned in the fire lit camp. "I better test it to make sure no henbane is in it."

"Yeah you better." The young warrior sighed happily then turned her head to Xena. "Remember the time with Cycnus the warlord?"

"Oh yeah." Xena nodded. "When I got that arrow in my side and stayed with Darius."

The small warrior turned her head to her lover. "Darius tried to get you to stay with him huh? Settle down with him."

"Yes but I was still a little to wild for settling down." The warrior grinned at Gabrielle. "Besides, I had a wild partner to keep up with."

"Right." Gabrielle laughed. "Did I tell you how I met Cycnus son Sphaerus?"

The older woman arched an eyebrow. "All I know is we met up with them in that stream and you said that was the man you wanted to twine your branches with. Then I told we needed to have a discussion about choosing men."

The warrior-bard laughed. "Yeah that's right. We never had that discussion. But I met him… in the tavern."

"The one I left you in?"

"Yup." Gabrielle nodded. "Some drunk guy was hitting on me." She started to grin at her Soulmate. "So I kept trying to get him to leave me alone."

"No can do huh?"

"Oh no, this drunk guy stuck to me like fly to shit." The Amazon Queen sighed. "Then I saw Sphaerus just resting back in a seat and I told this drunk guy that he was my boyfriend and he'd just got done polishing his huge lethal sword collection."

Xena started to laugh at the mental image.

Gabrielle continued with her story. "Of course this guy didn't believe me whatsoever. I said fine and walked over to Sphaerus, sat in his lap, and kissed him."

"What?" The older woman laughed. "Sphaerus just went with it?"

"Oh yeah." The young warrior chuckled. "He liked it."

"I figured that, you're a great kisser."

Gabrielle blushed faintly. "He thought so too." She sighed. "After that the drunk guy left me alone."

The warrior chuckled. "This was happening while I was off with Darius?"

"Uh huh." The small woman arched an eyebrow. "Anything happen between you and Darius?"

"Gabrielle." The older woman shook her head. "No." Her gazed turned away. "Darius and I just pulled the arrow out of my side and I got to know his kids."

"Yeah." The Amazon Queen sighed. "His kids were so cute. Ashame they lost their mother."

"It really was." Xena sighed. "I wonder how they are."

Gabrielle glanced to her Soulmate. "I'm sure there happy. I know his daughter Sarita started to talk after we left."

The warrior smiled. "Cutest little thing. So were the sons." She sighed with a bit of sadness. "Like I said to Darius, I never thought about having any of those things until then."

Emerald eyes averted to her lover. "Children, a home, and a husband?" She chuckled. "Or a wife."

The tall woman grinned for a moment yet went serious again. "No, never thought about them till then."

"Yeah." Gabrielle nodded sadly and lowered her eyes to the grass. "I've always wanted kids." She chuckled. "Would be so interesting to be able to make life like that then care for it."

Xena smiled warmly. "Have little Gabrielles running around."

The Amazon Queen laughed. "Little Xenas?" She evilly grinned at her Soulmate.

The warrior sighed dramatically with wide eyes. "Gabrielle, do you know how wild those kids would be?"

The warrior-bard laughed and shook her head. "They would be wild ones wouldn't they?" She grinned at her partner. "Between your… energy and mine, double the stubbornness and temper along with the intelligence."

"Don't forget the imagination."

Gabrielle groaned. "Oh gods, we'd have an interesting child… or children." She sighed sadly. "If only."

The older woman also sadly sighed. "Hey you never know." She glanced over to her Soulmate.

"Xena." The young warrior grinned. "We're two females, it ain't happening." She grinned.

Xena laughed then shrugged her shoulders while looking away. "I'm just saying… you never know between us." She glanced back. "We are Soulmates."

Gabrielle reached over to grasp her partner's hand. "I have to wonder the same thing myself." She took a deep breath. "Remember what Artemis told us?"

"Yeah, whatever we desire together will be ours."

The younger woman nodded a few times. "It has to make me wonder some times." She smiled warmly. "The great part would be knowing we created the child and not the gods. Considering it would be coming from our soul." She ran her right hand through her hair. "That's just wild you know? The possibility that we could basically make one of us pregnant because our soul is bonded so strongly is so amazing Xena."

"The idea is powerful Gabrielle."

Gabrielle nodded. "It is powerful, amazing, and beautiful." Her lips creased with a warm smile. "Think we could find out some time?"

Xena chuckled and squeezed her partner's hand. "Not now."

"Yeah I know." The small woman sighed. "Our life is still way to chaotic. We'll have to settle down first too."

"Have you ever thought about that?" The warrior raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah sure, had two ideas." Gabrielle released her partner's hand. "I better check those steaks." She walked over to the fire.

"What your two ideas?" Xena asked.

The warrior-bard bent in front of the fire to find the steaks ready. "Well my first one was that we could find an area near the sea shore. It would be beautiful." She pulled the steaks away from the fire and placed them on two plates.

"What's the other?"

Gabrielle reached into the bowl next to the plates and put two pinches of herbs on the steaks. "The Amazons."

"Gabrielle, I am not living with the Amazons."

The Amazon Queen laughed. "Neither am I." She lifted the plates then carried them over to her partner. "What I'm thinking is we could live somewhere in the territory away from them." She handed her Soulmate a plate. "Hold on, I'll get the knifes and forks."

Xena took both plates actually and placed one in her lap then the other on the ground. "That's not a bad idea."

"Yeah, that's what I thought." The small woman went to the saddlebags, opened one, and pulled out a cloth that held their utensils. "We'd be close to the Amazons incase they needed us and then we'd be in a protected area. But we won't be living directly with the Amazons." She walked back over with two forks and two knives. "I think it may work well." She sat as she handed her best friend a fork and knife.

The warrior took them and replied, "Maybe we'll get the best of both worlds."

Gabrielle lifted her plate into her lap. "What you mean?"

The older woman grinned. "Well think about it. Your southern tribes are along the coast down there on the Aegean Sea."

The Queen suddenly realized her partner's idea. "You're right, we may be able to find some open land there in a southern tribe. And being the Chosen we'll get first dibs on any land." She pressed her fork into the steak while she saw her lover start to cut up her steak. "You know that may work." She chuckled. "I mean I want to bring all the lands together and make one huge Nation." She laughed with a smile. "I really like that idea Xen."

The warrior grinned while lifting her piece of meat. "I can tell… but that's a ways ahead."

"True… besides we're suppose to be reminiscing on our past. Not making plans for our future."

"Exactly." Xena winked and ate her the piece of steak.

Xena shifted her hands under her head. She kept her eyes pinned on the stars above. "Gabrielle, it was nasty."

"Oh come on Xena." The small woman chuckled. "A duplicate of you can't be ugly."

The warrior turned her head to her partner beside her. "Oh yes it can be when my duplicate has black eyes."

Gabrielle cringed. "Black as pearls?"

"Uh huh." Blue eyes flickered to the sky again. "Ugly."

The small woman chuckled. "You never told me you fought yourself when you tried to get to my dreamscape."

"I did." A grin tugged at the corner of Xena's mouth. "I still remember you in that dress."

The younger warrior groaned. "I can remember it too."

"You didn't look bad in it."

"Xena, that's not my sort of thing."

Xena chuckled. "Well, they were planning to only kill you for Morpheus."

"Yeah you know… only." The young woman grinned. "Get that all the time. You'd think bad guys would do something different instead of trying to kill me."

The tall woman laughed.

"Hey Xena, you never gave me back my dagger."

The Warrior Princess suddenly went silent. "I called it payment."

"What?!" Gabrielle turned her head to her partner. "I paid for that thing."

"Yeah well, I had to deal with a chatty kid then." Xena suddenly got a hit on her stomach. "Oh, watch it. My food may come back up."

The short warrior quietly laughed. "Come on now, my breasts are big enough now for that dagger."

The warrior suddenly went in a roll of laughter of her partner's words and her memory of Gabrielle with the breast daggers.

Gabrielle sighed dramatically. "Like I said before," she began to mumble, "you're breasts are dangerous enough."

"Oh yeah?" Xena calmed and rolled to her right towards her partner. "Are they really?"

The Amazon Queen's eyes lowered to her Soulmate's breasts. "Mmm, a lot more these days."

The warrior chuckled lightly and leaned towards her best friend to kiss her gently. She pulled back with her left hand on Gabrielle's cheek.

"Xena?"

"Yeah?" The warrior's eyes were twinkling warmly.

The small woman took a deep breath. "Why did you have to fight your double in the dreamscape?"

The Warrior Princess let her breath out slowly while her fingertips came to brush over her partner's smooth lips. "She was the 'key' to making it into Morpheus's castle and she was basically my dark side. My dark side that I conjured up in my mind, emotions, and dreams."

Gabrielle nodded faintly, she reached up to take her lover's hand. "You want to hear something weird?"

"What's that?" Xena gazed intently into Gabrielle's eyes.

The younger woman's eyes lowered. "I miss… your dark side." She glanced back up. "I know, I know… it's crazy."

The tall woman studied her partner's eyes before asking, "Why?"

"I'm not sure." Gabrielle sighed. "I know my first few years I kept preaching to you to not give into the darkness. But since the past year or so I've began to understand it better because I've experience it." She sighed. "I liked how protective it could be… loved it." She shifted her eyes back up to her Soulmate. "I know that doesn't make sense."

"No it does." Xena paused for a moment. "My dark side did get out of hand."

"Yeah it did," the small woman emphasized. "But you have such a great control over it now."

"I do." Xena nodded with a small smile. "I've learned to over time and thanks to your help. You were right then to tell me to not give in considering I couldn't control it then."

"Now you can."

"Gabrielle." The warrior grin. "Just say it."

The Amazon Queen chuckled while she breathed deeply. "Well… is it possible… to let it loose more Xena?" She raised an eyebrow. "I mean you have control of it, it's not like it could get out of hand. And you've learned to reroute it to use in your own means. We both seen it and it's amazing."

Xena grinned a little while her eyes searched her partner's eyes. "You're serious huh?"

"Yes." Gabrielle smiled warmly. "I miss it for some reason."

"What you miss about it?"

"I don't know exactly." The small woman glanced down to their hands. Her thumb began to rub against Xena's hand. "Maybe it's because I enjoyed watching you work like that." Her eyes lifted. "I think I found a sort of… comfort knowing you had that darkness. It was like I know nothing could stop you when you become dark and powerful." She grinned a little. "I love seeing you become powerful like that, it's a thrill."

Xena chuckled at her best friend. "So, after all this time you're asking me to go back to it?"

"Not exactly that." The warrior-bard paused for a moment. "More like let it out at when we can use it."

"And you're not scared it may take me over like it could Gabrielle?"

"No." The young woman held conviction in her eyes. "I know it won't because even if it controls you, I control you and in turn control the darkness."

The warrior held worry in her eyes and her voice as she spoke. "But I do not want that darkness to control you too Gabrielle. It may be able to since we're Soulmates."

"Xena, between you and I we're the balance of light and dark. We balance each other." Gabrielle shook her head. "Besides, if it takes you then I want to go with you Xena."

"I know, you'd come right behind me because-"

"Because where you go I go." Gabrielle grinned and squeezed her partner's hands. "You control it, I control it, and our love controls it. It won't take you, me, or us. The darkness would be helpful in protecting us both Xena." Her eyes went very serious with her expression. "And that darkness is apart of who you are and I want you to be who you are. If that includes the darkness then please let it be." She smiled warmly. "I want you, all of you."

Xena rapidly leaned down to passionately kiss her Soulmate. When she pulled back her cheek pressed against Gabrielle's. "Gods, I love you Gabrielle." Her eyes shut. "Thank you."

"Hey come here." The small warrior pulled her partner into her arms and held her. "I love you."

"I love you too." The warrior grinned and rested her head on Gabrielle's chest. She twined their legs together while bring one arm over her partner's stomach. She chuckled a little. "Never thought you'd ask me."

The Amazon Queen grinned while she brought her right arm over to her partner's body. Her right hand lay resting on Xena's back. "Why?"

"Because you did always want me not to give into the darkness." The Warrior Princess took a deep breath. "But, I did needed to learn how to control it at that stage." She closed her eyes slowly.

"You have learned." Gabrielle smiled warmly. "I do miss it." A small grin played on her lips. "And I know how you'll love to release it again."

"Mmm, definitely." Xena's lips shaped into an evil grin. "I miss it myself."

The smaller warrior chuckled, she lifted her head up and kissed Xena's head. "I already have pity for our enemies. They're in for it now."

The warrior's eyes twinkled when they opened. "They're problem."

Gabrielle snickered and tightened her arms around her warrior. "Very true, servers them right." She yawned a little.

"Go to sleep."

"Only if you get your weapons off." Gabrielle reached to the sword. "Got the sword." She unclipped it and placed it to closer to her partner.

Xena rolled to her left on to the ground on her back. She grasped her chakram and placed it with her sword. She sat up next and took her armor off and tossed it out of the way. Reaching to her left she grabbed a fur and rolled back to her Soulmate. Her body was half on Gabrielle's. With her left arm over Gabrielle's breasts, her head on Gabrielle's chest, and her legs twined with Gabrielle's.

Gabrielle brought her right arm around her warrior's waist while her right hand went back to Xena's back. "Wasn't this my position last night?"

"Mmm, my turn now." Xena tugged the fur over both their bodies. "Comfortable?"

"Yeah." The small woman chuckled. "The lack of armor makes a huge difference."

"It really does." The warrior brought her right hand up and grasped her small warrior's closes arm. "Nice and tangled." She closed her eyes.

"Gods, we're getting up late tomorrow." Gabrielle shut her eyes.

The older woman quietly laughed. "Go to sleep."

"Cranky." The small woman huffed.

Xena grinned, lifted her head, and kissed her Soulmate gently. "Sleep well huh?"

"You know I will." Gabrielle smiled and pressed her partner's head back down on her chest. "See you in our dreamscape."

"I'll race you." Xena closed her eyes.

The warrior-bard closed her eyes and replied, "You're on."

Soon both Soulmates were asleep and arrived in their dreamscape at the same exact time.

~*Part 4*~

Xena shifted in her saddle as she kept her eyes pinned on the old area of Potidaea.

Gabrielle ran her right hand through her hair. She took a deep breath then pulled on Torqueo's right rein to turn him away. "I love you mother, father, and Lila," was whispered from her lips.

The warrior sighed sadly and turned Argo away as well. "Ready?"

"Just go." The warrior-bard gave hints of a grin.

The tall woman nodded. "We'll make it back to Amphipolis by the afternoon."

The Amazon Queen moved her head in understanding. She shifted her eyes to her Soulmate and she grinned. "Let's see who makes it there first." She kicked Torqueo into a gallop. "See you Xena!"

The Warrior Princess sighed, shook her head, and spurred Argo into a gallop. "I'm coming after you Gabrielle."

The small woman glanced back. "You better catch up or you getting to old?"

Xena narrowed her eyes. "Ha ha Amazon Queen."

"That's 'my Queen' Consort." Gabrielle laughed and gazed ahead again.

The older woman chuckled and spurred her mare to go faster.

The Soulmates pulled their horses to a walk as they entered the village together.

"At least you caught up."

Xena huffed at her partner's words. "Gee thanks."

Argo huffed right in agreement.

Gabrielle chuckled while gazing back ahead. "I'm beat."

"Yeah." The warrior sighed as she swayed in the saddle.

Without warning the small warrior started to giggle uncontrollably. "Oh gods, Xena." She fell forward in her saddle and pointed to her left.

The older woman glanced that way and started to laugh.

There off to the left of the Soulmates was a fenced in area and a family of pigs. Two particular pigs were rolling around in the mud.

The pair was breathing deeply and began to straighten up in the saddles.

"Oh gods…" Gabrielle chuckled. "That was just funny."

"Uh huh." Xena grinned while she gazed ahead to see the tavern.

The warrior-bard's lips spread into a smile when she saw an older woman walk out onto the porch of the tavern with her hands on her hips.

"Gotta love mother."

"Patiently waiting for her daughter." The Amazon Queen grinned.

Xena chuckled. "You mean both."

Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "Now that's incest Xena."

The tall woman groaned and shook her head.

The young warrior chuckled at her warrior.

The two lovers dismounted and walked into the stables. As they untacked their horses they talked to Cyrene. The small group headed inside of the tavern and sat around to talk.

The innkeeper sat back in her seat while her expression was serious. "Mind if I ask you both something?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No mom, ask away."

The older woman smiled warmly but lost it to her seriousness again. "Are you both together again?"

A warm smile creased Xena's lips.

The Amazon Queen smile a little more bashfully. "Yes we are mom."

Cyrene took a deep breath then contently let it out. "Thank the gods." She smiled at the pair. "The other day I came up to check on you both and saw you sleeping in each other's arms. Had to wonder."

Gabrielle was a little red but replied, "Sorry about that mom."

"Sweety, you know I don't mind that at all." The tavern owner chuckled. "Love is love."

The small warrior smiled warmly and glanced up to her partner.

Xena peered down at her Soulmate and flashed a smile. Her eyes lifted to her mother. "Sorry for all the confusion mother… things have been rough."

Cyrene nodded. "I can only imagine." She sighed sadly then crossed her legs. "I can still recall the way you both were when you walked in here after stopping Hope out there in the barn." She shook her head. "Knew something terrible wrong had happened between you both."

The younger warrior's head bobbed while she gazed at Cyrene. "Hope… had a lot to do with the separation."

Xena's right hand came up on the table and grasped Gabrielle's.

The warrior-bard glimpsed up to her lover to see the loving smile on her lips. She mirrored the smile then glanced back to the innkeeper. "Xena and I just got back together actually."

Cyrene furrowed her eyebrows. "When was that exactly?"

"While Gabriele and I were with the Amazons doing the challenges," Xena said coolly.

"That was rather recent." The innkeeper sighed. "How long was the separation?"

"Oh gods." The Amazon Queen gazed up to her partner. "Two years?"

The Warrior Princess's attention went to Gabrielle. "A little under two years." She sighed. "One year, ten months, and twenty-three days."

Gabrielle studied her Soulmate's eyes as she took that in and it made her squeeze Xena's hand so tightly.

The warrior smiled confidently however she gazed over to her mother. "To long."

The smaller warrior faced her mother-in-law.

Cyrene sighed. "It should have never happened." She frowned and asked, "What happened?" She paused. "If I may ask."

"A lot happened." The warrior-bard shifted a little in her seat. "It started when we went to Britannia mom. We went there to stop Caesar while Xena fought Caesar I was with a cult." She paused. "This cult believed in a one-god so we took this temple and the cult decided to do a sacrifice." Her eyes went shadowy while she continued her story. "I stepped in the middle of the sacrifice and only killed a young woman. After that Xena came in to save me but the cult's main leader transformed into this… monster name the Deliverer." Gabrielle took a deep breath. "While Xena fought him I was taken by this one-god named Dahak and infected with a baby."

Cyrene quickly cut in. "You were raped sweety?"

"Basically yes mother." Xena ran her right hand through her hair. "But I made it to Gabrielle to late. After that we were getting ready to leave Britannia but Gabrielle became pregnant in about a week's span." She paused to breathe. "So we fled into a forest so Gabrielle could have the child away from the villagers who knew the evil. We happened upon a castle and there Gabrielle had the child."

The innkeeper sat up in her seat. "What happened to the child?"

Xena's eyes lowered but came back up. "I tried to kill Hope but Gabrielle took Hope and tried to run from me."

Gabrielle shifted in her seat while holding her Soulmate's hand tightly. "I sent Hope down a river in a basket right before Xena caught up to me. I told Xena that I killed Hope myself and after that we returned back to Greece." Her freehand went through her hair. "Xena next got caught up in an old promise to a woman in Chin. So she carried it out and I became angry because I thought Xena was betraying herself and Ares sent me to Chin. I tried to stop Xena from carrying out her promise and in turn I was actually betraying her."

The warrior's thumbed rubbed against her partner's hand. "After Chin we came back to Greece and I wanted to visit Solan."

"Solan?" Cyrene had a confused look but she gazed directly at her daughter. "A son?"

Xena nodded. "I never told you mother. I had Solan about thirteen years ago and I didn't tell anybody about him."

"Because you didn't want to risk his life dear?"

"No." The Warrior Princess shook her head. "It was to risky and after his birth I gave Solan to a centaur named Kaleipus. Kaleipus raised Solan as his own for me." She heavily breathed. "So, Gabrielle and I decided to visit Solan."

"Now did Solan know you are his mother Xena?" The tavern owner had a worried look.

"No he didn't." Gabrielle shook her head. "He does know now." She had a sad smile but continued. "While Xena and I visit him, Hope showed up and released Callisto. Hope was already at the age of around five. Callisto kept Xena and I busy while Hope took the chance to kill both Kaleipus and Solan. Xena stopped Callisto and I stopped Hope. Then Xena and I separated for awhile before we were sent to a land of illusions where we healed partially."

"Not fully." Xena glanced to her lover then back to her mother. "After Illusia Gabrielle and I stayed together as just partners. A little later into the year Hope returned with the help of Callisto and Ares. Hope was reborn and she looked exactly like Gabrielle so there was a little confusion there. Eventually we made it to Hope's castle to try and stop her from releasing Dahak. Now I'd planned to use a dagger with hind's blood to kill Hope but Gabrielle jumped in and threw herself with Hope down a pit."

Cyrene nodded a few times and gazed at the smaller warrior. "That's when you came back right sweety?"

"Yeah mom." Gabrielle let her breath. "I made it out of the pit as did Hope and you know the rest of the story."

"Yes." Cyrene nodded. "I can still remember when she came here." Her eyes narrowed. "I knew that wasn't you sweety."

"I'm just happy nothing happened to you mom." Gabrielle shook her head. "Hope was angry about everything. When I found out she was here I was scared she might try to kill you."

The innkeeper chuckled. "No sweety, I played dumb and acted as if she were you." She gave a warm smile while reaching forward with her right hand. Her hand fell on top of the Soulmates' hands and squeezed. "I'm glad you both are together again." She shook her head. "I feared for your soul." She grinned a little. "Don't do it again please, I've got enough gray hairs." She released the hands.

The Soulmates chuckled together.

"I'm serious." Cyrene grinned while grabbing a lock of gray hair in the front. "You see, this is from your separation." She released her hair at hearing the laughs.

"We'll try not to mother." Xena grinned with a deep breath. "I couldn't handle another."

Gabrielle groaned. "Dido."

"Well, that's good." The innkeeper stood. "But I better get back to my cooking. You both did enjoy your trip?"

"Oh yes." Gabrielle smiled. "Was nice to reminisce about our first day we met."

The tall warrior sighed dramatically. "Yes when I first met that annoying blond."

"Hey!" The young warrior mock glared at her partner. "You know you loved that annoying blond."

"Maybe."

"Pfffft, you got knocked over." The Amazon Queen smirked.

"Yeah well we won't say what you were thinking when I came into the scene to save you from Draco's men."

"I do believe this is my cue." Cyrene chuckled with Xena and Gabrielle. "Both be here promptly for dinner." She walked towards the kitchen door. "Because you're both waitresses tonight."

Both Soulmates' heads instantly turned to the innkeeper with wide eyes.

The tavern owner chuckled.

"Mom, Xena and I won't make it." Gabrielle gave a pout.

Cyrene grinned. "I was fooling." She winked as she turned to the door. "But if you want to let me know."

"Hey mom." The Amazon Queen evilly grinned. "Can Xena and I work the bar?"

The innkeeper turned around while holding the door. "Sure if you really want to sweety. It'll give me extra time to cook."

The small woman glanced to her Soulmate. "What you say Xena?"

The warrior grinned and lifted her eyes to her mother. "We'll be here mother."

The older woman smiled warmly. "Wonderful." She went into the kitchen.

Gabrielle laughed with excitement. "This is going to be fun."

"How you figure?"

"Oh come on Xen." The young warrior glanced to the older warrior. "We can toss those mugs every which way, throw the liquor around, and sail the mugs down the bar to the customers."

Xena laughed. "Great, we'll have more port on the floor then in the customers' stomachs."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Are you saying we're not coordinated enough to do that?" She arched an eyebrow.

"Nnnow that you say that, we'd be perfect."

The smaller female grinned and leaned over to kiss her lover lightly. "Let's go upstairs."

The tall woman stood up and peered down at her partner. "We're also perfect for-"

"Snuggling, I agree."

Xena grinned a little. "You call it that and I won't do it."

Gabrielle's nose crinkled together. "You've got a point there. Warriors don't snuggle together."

"No." The older woman leaned forward and lifted her Soulmate up into her arms.

"Wahoo." The short warrior wrapped her arms around her partner. "Take me upstairs Jeeves."

The warrior had a coolly look as she said, "Gabrielle, do you want to get a good look at this floor?"

"Oh no." Gabrielle frantically worked to wrap her legs around her Soulmate and arms around the warrior's shoulders. "Ha, try to drop me now."

Xena chuckled and kissed the top of her partner's forehead. "I wouldn't. Ssso, I'm your slave now huh?"

The small woman meekly smiled. "Welll… how does love-slave sound?"

"Ooooh really good." The warrior's arms shifted a little to hold Gabrielle better. Then an evil grin crossed her lips. "Ssso we still snuggling?" She began to move her arms to try and carry her partner again.

Gabrielle went with the flow and rested back in her lover's arms. She dropped her head against Xena's shoulder. "Nnno, thought we could… cuddle."

"Gabrielle." The warrior warned as she started to climb the steps. "Warriors don't-"

"Cuddle… yeah yeah." The warrior-bard chuckled. "Okay what about… nuzzling?"

Xena huffed. "Try again." She came up to the hall.

"Oh oh I got it now!" Gabrielle laughed. "We'll nestle together."

"Gabrielle!"

"Mmm, this is nice… sitting here nestling together."

"Gabrielle," the warrior growled. "I told you, birds nestle… warriors don't."

"Okay okay." Gabrielle continued running her right hand through her warrior's hair. "How about we go from the lover's perspective."

Xena glanced up to her partner. "If you go by that perspective there is no… nestling it's all sex." She had her head laying in Gabrielle's lap.

The small warrior laughed. "True…" She wrinkled her nose. "Or fondling." She sat back a little into the headboard of the bed. "How about the… partner's perspective?"

The pair was sitting in the middle of the bed with their weapons gone. Gabrielle resting into the headboard with Xena's head in her lap. Her right hand was running through Xena's hair while her left hand rested on the warrior's leather clad stomach.

The warrior however had her right hand grazing up and down her Soulmate's leg. Her other hand on top of Gabrielle's hand on her stomach. "Partner's perspective… mmm only strictly business, no nestling."

"That's true. How about friends?"

"Only in times of pain to comfort." Xena chuckled. "There's only one left."

"Strangers?" Gabrielle suggested.

The older woman squeezed her lover's leg. "Ha ha my Queen."

"Oh that's better." The Queen grinned. "Ssso, what other then strangers?" She had an innocent look.

Xena chuckled. "Soulmates."

"Oh yeah." The small woman evilly grinned. "Completely forgot."

"Right." The Warrior Princess's hand started to glide up and down her Soulmate's leg again.

"Well… since we've done the nestling like Soulmates." The young woman now rapidly moved to press her body against Xena's. "Let's try the lovers aspect."

Xena's eyes went a little dark while her arms went around her partner's waist. "Gabrielle, we only have about twenty or so minutes before we need to work the bar."

The small woman lay resting on top of Xena. "Leaves me plenty of time to take care of you." She sat up with her legs straddling Xena's hips. Her right hand slipped between her lover's leather skirt. "I always take care of my lover's needs."

"Gabrielle," growled the warrior.

Gabrielle grinned and leaned down to her partner. She whispered into Xena's ear, "Do you really want me to stop?"

The warrior closed her eyes and ushered back, "No." She arched her back a little. "I always need your touch."

"I know." The warrior-bard kissed her Soulmate deeply. "You're mine." She sat back up while pressing her hips against Xena's. Her fingertips came up her partner's legs more and slipped between warm folds.

Xena kept her eyes closed and grasped Gabrielle's hips. "Gabrielle." Her voice held a deep plea.

"Don't worry." Gabrielle rubbed her thumb down between the folds as she watched Xena's breathing rapidly pick up. "Gods, everything about you is amazing Xena." She slipped two fingers in Xena's center.

"Oh gods." The warrior arched her back.

The young warrior's eyes were sparkling and she began to draw her fingers in and out of her lover. Her left hand went to Xena's stomach and pressed down there. She loved to talk to Xena at these points to make her climax faster. She knew her words and voice held power over Xena. "Can you feel me inside of you Xena?"

"Yess." Xena clenched her teeth and opened her cobalt eyes.

Gabrielle smiled with love while saying, "I'll take you higher and higher."

The warrior's eyes slammed shut when she felt two more fingers come inside of her. The tempo picked up leaving her dying for air. She held Gabrielle's waist tightly and felt the fire flame up from her center, to her chest, to her arms and legs, to her head, and it took her over. Her body went over the edge and she dropped her back on the bed.

The small warrior grinned with satisfaction. She carefully pulled her fingers out then rapidly leaned down to kiss her lover. Her named was passed into her mouth.

Xena breathed heavily once her partner ended the kiss. "That was… nice."

Gabrielle chuckled and dropped her head into Xena's neck. She spread her legs out to rest on Xena's. "Feel good huh?"

"I always do." The warrior grinned. "Since I met you." She wrapped her arms around the lower half of her best friend's waist. Her chest still rose up and down quickly.

"Feeling is definitely mutual." The warrior-bard chuckled. "Guess we better head down huh?"

"Mmm yeah." Xena's eyes opened with a twinkle as she lifted her lips close to Gabrielle's ear. She whispered in a deep voice, "But I take care of my lover's needs too."

Gabrielle's eyes shut instantly when two fingers entered inside of her. "Oh gods Xena." She buried her head down into her partner's neck. Her legs came back up to clamp on Xena's sides. "Xena please."

The warrior wasn't moving her fingers instead she kept them idle. "Do you want me to stop… want me to remove my fingers?"

"Gods no." The small warrior's arms tightened around her lover.

"Want me to move my fingers in and out? Then add more?"

The Amazon Queen nuzzled her warrior's neck. "Yes."

Xena grinned while she slid her two left fingers in and out. Her right arm was still around Gabrielle's back holding her down.

"Xena… gods I love you."

The warrior's grin shifted into a smile. She continued moving her fingers at a moderate pace. She pressed her lips against her partner's temple. "I love you too." Xena could feel her partner's body breaking out into a sweat with her coarse breathing. "I still remember seeing you in the grove. You were so gorgeous then and you keep looking more beautiful each day."

Gabrielle whimpered and clung tightly to her Soulmate. She hadn't felt this vulnerable in so long but she loved it in Xena's arms and touch.

Xena smiled knowing what her Soulmate was feeling. "You're the most precious thing to me." She carefully slipped in a third finger but kept the same pace. "I'd do anything to have you Gabrielle." Her left hand was gliding up and down her partner's hot back. She then started to feel her Soulmate's tears on her neck. She kissed Gabrielle's temple again. "Do you like this?"

The small woman simply nodded for that was all she could manage between the powerful emotions bubbling up and physical feelings.

"Me too." Xena now slipped a fourth finger in while feeling Gabrielle's center begin to tighten. "I love having you feel vulnerable only to me. But you feel protected too huh?"

Again Gabrielle only could nod yet she did faintly kiss Xena's neck. She still was crying.

"I love you." The warrior held Gabrielle again with her left arm. "I'm going to take you." She moved her fingers fast as she felt her Soulmate's head bury more into her neck. She felt her partner after a number of thrusts suck in a deep breath and go very still. Xena closed her eyes at feeling her lover's center tighten over her fingers.

The warrior-bard's chest rose high and stopped as her jaw clamped down.

The older woman cautiously brought her fingers out of Gabrielle. Her left hand came under her friend's chin to lift her head and claim her lips.

The Amazon Queen filled her lover's mouth with her warrior's name in a scream. After the kiss she dropped her head back into Xena's neck while she tried to breathe.

Xena wrapped both her arms around Gabrielle while waiting for her Soulmate to come back. "I've got you." She shifted her left hand back up to lift her partner's head. "Okay?" She smiled warmly. She then saw the look on Gabrielle's face and it sent her into a frantic worry. "Gabrielle?"

"Xena, please don't ever leave me again." Gabrielle went into tears. Her voice was shaky as her body and emotions. She spoke frantically. "I don't want to separate from you again. I wouldn't make it." She was shaking her head. "Gods please don't leave me again. I don't want to lose you. Gods please Xena. I hate separations. I'm sorry for everything. Please Xena, don't leave me again. Please-"

"Sssh, it's okay." Xena's eyes were wide with fear and she tightly held her partner with protection. In frenzy she pushed Gabrielle's head down into her neck. "I won't leave you." She started to cry and her voice started to shake now. "I promise, never." She felt her Soulmate clung to her tightly, shaking, and crying hard. "I won't Gabrielle, I swear. I'm yours forever." She dug her head into Gabrielle's. "Forever."

The Soulmates remained grasping onto each other in sheer desperation of love as if death was coming to take the other away. As if something was coming to separate them again. However in those minutes the Soulmates didn't only find a physical release by a soul one.

"Are you both okay?" Cyrene stepped up to the two Soulmates after noticing their red eyes.

"We're fine mom." Gabrielle smiled in reassurance. "Xena and I just had a… good cry."

The innkeeper put her hands on her hips. "After what we talked about?"

"No." Xena shook her head. "Something else mother." She'd noticed the customers already coming into the tavern. "Hey, you don't mind if Gabrielle and I go into the kitchen for a second before taking over the bar?"

"Sure dear." Cyrene smiled but her eyes held worry. "There's nobody in there, take your time."

"Thanks." The warrior walked into the kitchen with her Soulmate. When they came in, she bent down to be eye level with Gabrielle. She lifted her right hand to brush back Gabrielle's faintly wet bangs. "You'll be okay?"

"Yeah." The small warrior smiled and leaned into her partner's hand. "You'll be okay?"

Xena smiled with love. "Yeah." Gabrielle took her hand.

"Just need to relax."

The tall woman chuckled. "And enjoy the night."

"Thank you." The Amazon Queen breathed in deeply. "I feel better."

"Me too." The older woman held her partner's hand tightly. "Forever." She stood back up with her smile. "Come on, let's go toss some port around."

The small woman snickered and walked out the door with a new strength. "We have the c-c-c-courage."

Xena followed behind with the same new strength filling her too. "Hades yes."

The pair came outside and took over the bar. Cyrene went inside to start cooking up orders and Saada went around the tavern taking orders and handing food out.

"Two mugs Gabrielle."

The small warrior grinned, reached to her left, turned towards Xena, and tossed to the two mugs to her Soulmate.

Xena caught them by the handles and whirl around on her heels to the two barrels of port.

Gabrielle took a step, reached out and slammed down the taps for the barrels. She saw the mugs fill up and she rammed the taps back up.

The warrior spun around then stepped up to the bar. "Look out." She put the two mugs on the bar and slid them down.

The customers all rapidly lifted their mugs out of the way and put them back down after the mugs went by.

"Wahoo." The two men reached out to grab their mugs. "Thanks Xena and Gabrielle." They'd held their mugs up in jester and drank.

The small warrior grabbed another mug. "Vintage wine."

"Got it." Xena leaned back to reach under the bar. She pulled out a skin of wine then turned towards her partner.

Gabrielle tipped the mug as she saw her warrior pour the wine in.

The warrior lifted the skin up and down but stopped the flow once the mug was full.

"Be back." The warrior-bard strolled from behind the bar to go to a patron at a table.

Xena corked the skin and placed it under the bar again.

"Can I get some more port?"

The Warrior Princess grinned. "Toss it to me." She caught the mug thrown to her. She whirled around to fill the mug up, after that she slid the mug down the bar back to the person.

"Thanks." The customer smiled and drank his port.

"Hey Xena, can I get that wineskin?"

"Sure." The dark woman reached under the bar to get the skin. She lifted it up. "Catch Gabrielle." She threw it towards her Soulmate across the tavern.

All the customers watched the skin fly over their heads.

Gabrielle simply snatched it out of midair. "Thanks." She uncorked the top and poured it into the mug she held. Once the mug was full she placed it on the table in front of the man whom ordered it.

"Hey can I get some of that wine?"

Xena glanced away from the woman that asked at the bar. "Hey Gabrielle, done?"

"Yup, coming at you." The Amazon Queen corked the top and threw it back. She grinned at seeing her Soulmate catch it.

The Warrior Princess uncorked the skin as she poured it into the mug the woman held towards her. She was grinning from ear to ear.

Gabrielle started walking back towards the bar.

"Excuse me miss, can I get some more ale?"

Gabrielle stopped in mid-step and backed up. "Sure thing." She took the mug. "Hey Xena, got a mug coming at you."

The warrior laughed with a smile. "Gotcha covered, send it."

The warrior-bard thew the mug across the tavern and chuckled.

"What you need Gabrielle?" Xena caught the mug.

"Ale." The small warrior glanced down to the man. "Full… half?"

"Half a mug would be great," the man answered.

The small woman lifted her head and started walking again. "Half a mug Xena."

"Grab it at the end of the bar Gabrielle." The warrior called off and she turned to the bar. She slid the mug down the bar as all the mugs lifted.

Gabrielle came up to the end of the bar with a grin. She reached out and caught the mug by the handle and spun on her heels. "Thanks partner."

"No problem." Xena chuckled.

The younger warrior strolled across the tavern back to the same man.

"Can I get some peanuts down here." The younger man waved at the end of the bar.

"Right, sorry about that one." Xena reached under the bar to pop up a bowl of peanuts. "Watch out, coming through." She slid the bowl down.

The people at the bar simultaneously lifted their mugs to drink and let the bowl fly by.

"Hey Xena, can I get a towel over here?" Gabrielle looked up from the table that was dirty and empty with a plate.

"Coming at you." The warrior balled up the towel and threw it.

The small warrior whipped it out of midair and started cleaning the table. "Hey Xena, can you handle a plate?"

"Sure, dirty?"

"Yup." Gabrielle straightened up with the plate. She laughed. "Ready?"

The warrior looked up. "Throw it to me."

"Here it comes." The warrior-bard threw the plate across the tavern like a disc.

The plate spun past the people and one woman ducked.

The Amazon Queen cringed. "Sorry about that one ma'am."

"S'alright." The woman smiled and went back to eating.

The warrior caught the plate and walked into the kitchen. "Cover the bar for me Gabrielle."

"Gotcha covered." The small warrior went power walking behind the bar. "Anybody need anything?" She slung the towel over her shoulder.

"Yup, can you get me some water to wash these peanuts down with?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "You got it." She grabbed a mug and flipped it in midair to catch.

The Warrior Princess came out of the kitchen with Saada behind her. She came over to her Soulmate's side and slammed down the tab for the water barrel.

The small woman grinned as she let the mug fill up. "Thanks."

Xena winked and flipped the tab up when the mug was full. "No problem."

An older woman came up to the bar. "Can I pay my tab?" She smiled warmly.

Xena came up to her behind the bar. "Sure, what'd you get?"

"Two wines and two specials."

The warrior nodded. "Six dinars."

Gabrielle wiped her hands on her the towel over her shoulder.

The older woman fished out eight dinars. "Thanks Xena, keep the change."

"Thanks, have a goodnight."

"You too." The older woman smiled then headed out of the tavern.

Xena turned to her partner. "Money coming at you."

The small warrior stepped back five steps to the jar, which held the money for the tavern, she held her hands out. "Lay it on me."

The tall woman laughed and tossed two coins at a time.

Gabrielle caught them while reaching back to deposit them into the jar with a huge grin.

"How about some port over here?" asked a younger man from across the tavern.

The Amazon Queen turned her head. "Coming up!"

And that was how the entire night went for the Soulmates. The air in the tavern that night light with the Soulmates laughing and chuckling over their style of bartending.

"Thank you both, you were a great help."

Xena grinned. "Didn't think bartending could be so fun." She kicked back in her seat.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Yeah mom, we'll do it again anytime."

Cyrene chuckled. "Great sweety, I could always use the help. Saada and I are grateful." She smiled while sighing contently. "I had a number of people thank me tonight."

The Amazon Queen corked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Oh yes, they said how great you both were."

The small warrior glanced up to her partner. "I think we've been in the wrong business all these years."

The older woman chuckled. "Should have been doing bartending instead of fighting huh?"

A quiet laugh came from the warrior-bard and she gazed back to innkeeper. "It was fun mom." She held back a yawn. "And it wore me out."

"I am sure, between the travelling and bartending tonight." The mother smiled. "Why don't you both get some sleep."

"Sounds like a plan." Xena's chair came back down onto the floor. "Sound good to you?" She peered down at her partner.

Gabrielle glanced up. "Yup." She stood up slowly. "Goodnight mom."

The tavern owner stood up herself and came over to hug the small warrior. "Goodnight sweety and thank you."

"Anytime." The young woman smiled warmly then stepped out of the way.

Cyrene moved to hug her daughter. "Thank you too Xena."

"As Gabrielle said, anytime." Xena chuckled and released her mother. "We'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes of course." The innkeeper stepped aside. "You both sleep well."

"We will mom." Gabrielle sluggishly made her way towards the steps. "Sleep well yourself mom."

"I will sweety." Cyrene folded her arms against her chest watching the Soulmates slowly head to the steps. She walked over to the kitchen door and peered up the steps to see Xena and Gabrielle slowly ascending them.

"Do I need to carry you up?" A tease tone.

A laugh came from Gabrielle. "Yeah."

The innkeeper chuckled quietly at seeing her daughter lift the other woman then carry her up the stairs. She lowered her head and went into the kitchen.

The short warrior ran her hand through her hair as she walked into the washroom. "That was a blast Xen."

The warrior chuckled. "Wasn't bad."

Gabrielle came back out of the washroom in a few seconds after washing her face. "If we retire from fighting we should do some bartending."

Xena laughed and shook her head. "One thing at time huh?"

"Yeah." The small woman smiled but lost it. "Xena, I'm sorry about early when I broke down like that."

The Warrior Princess moved to sit on the end of the bed. "Come here."

The Amazon Queen slowly walked over with her head a bit low. She moved to sit in Xena's lap then wrap her legs around her warrior's waist and hands holding Xena's sides.

Xena didn't say anything right away, she just brought her right hand up to brush back her lover's hair. Her other arm was supporting Gabrielle from behind. "I'm sorry too." She breathed deeply. "I should have known you were still hurting from that."

"Xena, I should have been over it."

"Who says?" The warrior shrugged her shoulders. "I wasn't either." She paused. "Thank you, you're the one that had the… c-c-courage to say something."

Gabrielle chuckled yet went stern again. "I don't know what happened." She sighed. "I don't know if it was your words, your slow touch, your body, the conversation with Cyrene, or just me… maybe everything" She shook her head. "It just all came at once and took me. I kept thinking how I couldn't loose you." Her eyes were stinging as she brought her right hand up to pull her bangs back and she held them there. "If we separated again I would die Xena."

"It's not going to happen." Xena smiled with conviction and she saw her Soulmate drop her hand back down. "I promise you won't loose me ever." She smiled warmly. "Soulmates right? Only Soulmates could do what we do."

The warrior-bard grinned. "Definitely."

The warrior sighed happily. "I love you." She leaned in and kissed her partner tenderly. "I'm not going anywhere but inside of you."

"Dido." Gabrielle grinned and leaned her forehead against Xena's. "You know what?"

"Mmm?"

"Separations suck."

Xena laughed and drew her partner in. "Gods they do."

The young warrior held her lover tightly. "You know what else?"

"Mmm?"

"I love you."

The older woman grinned and kissed Gabrielle's shoulder. "I know." She then lifted her boots up to the bed and pushed herself into the bed more. Then she began to lie down.

Gabrielle unwrapped her legs and tangled them with Xena's as she rested her head on her warrior's chest. "Hey Xena?"

"Yeah?"

"You're getting real good at these sensitive chats."

A grin tugged at the warrior's lips. "Do I have the Sensitive Chat Queen's stamp of approval?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "I don't know because you're getting better at them then I am."

"Oh?" Xena's arms tightened a little more. "Wonder why?"

"It's the Soulmate thing." The small warrior grinned. "Would explain a lot of things."

"True." The Warrior Princess sighed contently. "Like the part of why you're such a good fighter?"

The small woman lifted her head. "You make me sound like a Warrior Princess here."

The older woman smiled with appreciation in her eyes. "Gabrielle, you are good."

The Queen stared into her lover's eyes. "You never hand out compliments lightly."

"No I don't, so that says a lot right there Gabrielle."

Slowly a smile eased across Gabrielle's lips. "Thanks… I try to match up to you."

Xena quietly laughed. "You do a real good job." She saw her partner's head come back down.

"Yeah I know," a teasing voice.

The dark woman smiled warmly. "Let's get some sleep huh?"

"Sounds good… let's get out of our clothes huh?"

"Yeah." Xena sat up with her partner.

The pair was soon undressed then crawling into the bed and each other's arms. They went on their journey to their dreamscape only to see each other there. They never wanted to leave each other's presence in any world.

~*Part 5*~

Xena jumped back and twirled her sword. "Alright, let's try something really different. Up for the challenge?"

Gabrielle pointed her sai at her Soulmate. "You do realize who you're talking to right?" She grinned. "Bring it on."

The Warrior Princess laughed, tossed her sword in the air, caught it by the blade, and held the hilt to Gabrielle. "Switch weapons."

The Amazon Queen corked an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Are you up for the challenge?" The tall woman evilly grinned. "Can you handle it?"

Gabrielle placed her right sai with left hand. She grasped the hilt of her partner's sword. "The real question here is, can you handle it?" She took the sword and tossed her sais at her lover.

The warrior caught the hilts of the sais and spun them. "Haven't used sais in ages." She flipped them out and in from under her wrists. She took a step back, held the sais out, and bent her knees. "Ready?"

The smaller warrior spun the sword trying to get use to the heavy weight. She stanced herself accordingly and her special grin creased her lips. "No, just go."

Xena quickly moved to go on attack.

"Excuse, Cyrene?"

The innkeeper looked up after fixing the chair under the table. "Yes young lady, how can I help you?" Her eyebrows creased together. "Wait a moment, I know you."

The woman chuckled. "It's… been a while since I was last here." She smiled warmly.

Cyrene put her hands on her hips. "You're that Amazon friend of Gabrielle's…. Ephiny correct?"

"That's me." The regent smiled and chuckled. "Myself and a few friends of Gabrielle's rode here."

The tavern owner moved away from the table. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh no, not at all." Ephiny chuckled. "We just came by for a visit to see her and Xena."

The older woman smiled very warmly. "I'm sure they'd be happy to see you." She stepped up to the Amazon. "Are you here for just the day?"

"Probably."

It was late afternoon.

Cyrene shook her head. "Now wait one moment." She grinned. "You and your friends can stay here for the night." She shook her head. "There's no need for you all to go tromping around in the night back to your Nation." A smile took her lips. "Besides, Xena and Gabrielle would like for you all to stay longer."

The regent quietly laughed then smiled warmly. "Thank you but there is five of us total."

"Oh no problem Ephiny. I can handle five of you." Cyrene chuckled. "And Xena and Gabrielle are off in the woods sparring."

The Amazon shook her head. "What is it with them? That's the second time I've come here and they're sparring. Are they always sparring?"

The innkeeper grinned. "No, first time actually."

Ephiny shook her head. "Thank you, we'll go find them."

"You're welcome. You can stable up your horses and I'll have some rooms waiting. How many?"

"Um three would be fine."

Cyrene nodded. "I can do that."

"Thank you again Cyrene." Ephiny smiled and headed to the door. She walked down the steps and saw the other Amazons all standing around.

"So, where are they?" Amarice shifted her weight to her other foot.

"They're in the woods some where sparring."

Eponin chuckled. "Typical."

The second in command grinned. "Yeah really, those two can't sit still."

The regent huffed and came up to Teresa to take her horse's reins. "Thanks Teresa."

"No problem." The third in command arched an eyebrow. "Are we going to go see them?"

Ephiny nodded. "Yup, lets go untack our horses for the night first."

"For the night?" Amarice put her right hand on her hip. "I thought we were staying for a few candlemarks."

The regent grinned at Amarice. "Change of plans princess." She towed her horse towards the stables. "Come on you four."

Gabrielle jumped back, twirled her sword, then asked in a tease, "Come on Xena, I know you're better then that."

The warrior laughed then without warning she quickly did a roundhouse kick.

The small warrior simply ducked, rolled away, and popped back up with the sword. She went on attack trying to get an opening in her Soulmate's defenses.

Xena threw a punch at Gabrielle.

The Amazon Queen quickly brought up her left hand and caught the fist. She smirked. "Learned that one from you."

"Oh?" Xena disappeared to drop down and do a sweep.

Gabrielle fell onto her back plus got the wind knocked out of her. She quickly raised the sword to stop the sais coming at her. Lifting her feet she pushed Xena back by the stomach. Next the small warrior flipped onto her feet. She slashed at Xena's upper chest.

The Warrior Princess straightened up as the tip of the sword breezed past her breasts. "Thought you liked those?"

"Nah, love them." The warrior-bard grinned. "Xena, attack me."

The tall woman nodded knowing her Soulmate wanted to try something.

Gabrielle stepped back and lifted the sword. Her left hand grabbed the end of the blade. "Come on." She grinned.

The dark warrior came at her partner while flipping the sais' blades out. She lunged them forward trying to get Gabrielle.

Each time the younger warrior caught the forks of the sais along the blade. To adjust to the sais' attacks she would easily lowered the blade up or down to catch the sais between the forks.

Xena decided to plunge forward with all her strength with both sais.

The small woman caught both the sais' forks between the blade but she was stepping backwards due to Xena using her strength against her.

Gabrielle gritted her teeth and she jumped to give a kick.

The Warrior Princess went stumbling back from the connection to her stomach.

The small warrior took the second and swiped Xena's feet from under her.

The older woman crashed to her back in a sprawl with the sais still in her hands.

The Amazon Queen bent down to one knee and pressed the sword against her Soulmate's neck as she started to move. "Gotcha."

"Hold on." An evil grin spread across the warrior's lips. "Freeze… two things Gabrielle."

Gabrielle nodded. "Okay what?"

"First." Xena lifted her hands with the sais. "Stand-still." She grinned. "If your enemy is fast enough they could kill you before you could kill them." She paused. "Don't get so cocky without good reason first. If you'd knocked the sais out of my hands first then be damn cocky."

The small warrior nodded. "Second thing?"

"Know your enemies abilities." Xena dropped the sais on the grounds and lifted her finger tips to her partner's neck. "I could do pressure points on you."

"But more then likely my enemy won't know pressure points."

"True." The warrior lowered her hands. "But you can't be sure. You could have fought somebody like Lord Sinteres without knowing he knew pressure points."

Gabrielle shook her head. "Yeah but you knew he had pressure points and hardly anybody knows pressure points."

Xena chuckled. "True and true."

The small warrior grinned. "So basically I should have been weary with the sais."

"Yes definitely."

"Anything else?"

The Warrior Princess took a deep breath. "I'm bigger and stronger then you right?" She saw her lover nod. "Don't bend down near me at all because I may take a chance to try and snap your neck." She corked a grin. "Stay standing and keep the sword's tip against my throat " She sighed slightly. "Keep your body away from your enemy's area as much as you can. You endanger yourself if you're close to me like this."

"Okay." The small warrior nodded but asked, "What if I have my enemy scared like the dickens?"

"Then go ahead and bend down but not unless you're positive you have them fearing you. Got me?" Xena narrowed her eyes a little. "It's a mind game Gabrielle. Who controls the most power, strength, and fear. You could be Joxer, not know how to use a sword, but scary people and win fights." Her expression was serious. "Always think like your enemy. What would you do to take down this person. Alright?"

"Yeah, thanks Xen." Gabrielle smiled and moved the sword away to place it on the ground. "Always learning something from you."

The warrior chuckled but went serious again. "You know what else is dangerous?"

"What?" The small warrior raised an amused eyebrow.

"What's dangerous are our lips." Xena brought her hand behind the small woman's hand to kiss her deeply.

Gabrielle moaned in lover's mouth. She lifted her head back up then narrowed her eyes. "Five, by the clearing's edge behind us."

"That's what I got too." Xena grinned. "But they didn't draw swords."

"Yeah, I didn't hear them draw swords or anything either." A grin took the Amazon Queen's lips. "I have a feeling they're feathery friends."

The tall woman chuckled. "I think you're right."

"Mmm, they can wait a few seconds." Gabrielle put her right hand on her warrior's chest and leaned back down to kiss her.

Xena put her hand behind her Soulmate's head to deepen the kiss.

Their tongues grazed passed each other as they entered each other's mouths. And after those few second of kissing the pair stood up together with their weapons. They turned around to see five Amazons all smirking at them.

Gabrielle gazed up to her partner and grinned.

Xena chuckled as she handed her lover the sais back.

The small warrior took them and held the sword out to Xena.

The Warrior Princess took her sword to sheathe it behind.

Together they walked up to the five Amazons at the edge of the clearing.

The young warrior smiled warmly at her Amazons. "What are you five doing here?"

The Amazons chuckled together.

Ephiny took a step forward. "Came for a visit before you two shipped off to Egypt."

Gabrielle still was smiling warmly. "Thank you." She took a step towards her regent to hug her tightly.

That's when the Soulmates did their rounds of hugs to the five Amazons.

"Masika?!"

The five Amazons laughed together at their Queen's reaction.

Ephiny took a deep breath and smiled reassuringly to her friend. "I promise, Masika can handle it." She grinned. "As Masika said, she can handle all those young whipper snappers."

Gabrielle groaned and slumped in her seat in the middle of the tavern. "Masika, I can't believe it." She ran her right hand through her hair. "She's really running my Nation while you five are here?"

"Yeah." The regent nodded. "I tried to get Solari to stay."

"Hades no." The second in command folded her arms against her chest. "I wanted to see my friends before they leave."

Ephiny nodded. "That's why she isn't there. Then I wanted Amarice to stay to run the Nation."

The princess looked to Ephiny then her Queen. "There's no way." She shook her head. "I'm a loyal friend especially after traveling with you and Xena."

Gabrielle chuckled.

"Then there's Teresa," Ephiny said.

The third in command chuckled. "Can't miss out on seeing my friends since the whole Velasca episode."

"That was Teresa's reason." The regent grinned. "Then there was Ep I asked last."

The weapons master shook her head. "Known you both since Gabrielle's princess hood."

Ephiny shrugged her shoulders. "See, so that left me with Masika." She grinned. "Masika will run the Nation fine for a few days."

The Queen sighed again. "Ephiny… Masika?"

The regent reached out to pat her friend's hand. "Gabrielle, she's the oldest Amazon there, she knows how to run a nation, and she'll be strict with the Amazons. The Nation will be in once piece when we get back. Relax."

The small warrior chuckled. "Alright, you've got good points."

"Yup." Ephiny relaxed back in her seat. "Besides, you two have your five favorite feathery friends all right here at this table."

Xena chuckled. "Thanks for coming by."

Solari glanced up to the warrior. "You know, your mom is awesome." She grinned. "Good food, nice rooms, a stable… and great drinks." She chuckled. "You two have it made here."

The warrior laughed at the Amazon's words. "Yup, that's why Gabrielle and I run away to here."

"Yeah I can see why." Amarice grinned. "Why didn't you two bring me here on our travels?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "Because I wanted to keep you in shape when you came back to the Nation."

The princess huffed. "I have a high metabolism."

"Right." Gabrielle smirked at her princess.

Eponin cut in now. "So when are you both headed to Egypt?"

"We're not sure yet Ep." The Queen shrugged her shoulders. "We're still waiting for a message from Cleopatra."

The group was in the tavern having just finished dinner. Cyrene deciding to close for the night and spent her evening over at Ferus's house. So that left this group of women together in the tavern to yammer away.

Teresa had a confused look. "You're going to stay with Queen Cleopatra?"

The short warrior nodded. "Yeah, Xena knows her."

The Warrior Princess huffed. "Hardly."

Gabrielle glanced up to her partner. "Uh huh, right. I remember her 'thank you' she gave you."

"Ssso?" Xena raised an eyebrow.

The small woman chuckled and glanced back to her Amazons. "Xena and I sort of know her."

"Hey, can I go too?" Amarice perked up.

"Amarice," growled Ephiny. "Remember whose in training?"

The princess chuckled. "Yeah but don't I get a small vacation?"

"Afraid not Amarice." The Queen grinned. "Gotta get your regent's approval first."

"Wait." The princess blinked. "Why do I have to get Eph's approval and not yours? I'll never be able to go on vacation then."

The regent glanced over to Amarice. "After that comment, you're definitely not getting a vacation."

The princess's jaw dropped. "I'm hurt." She turned her head as she whined, "Gabrielle?"

The Queen grinned. "You better do some brown nosing princess."

"When you guys coming back?" The second in command sat back in her seat. "Before Solstice right?"

"Yeah." Xena nodded. "We'll come back here for Solstice then come to the Nation."

Teresa shook her head. "That's right, you're going to read all scrolls in the Nation huh?"

The warrior-bard groaned. "Yup."

"Good luck." Eponin grinned.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Thanks."

The conversation continued late into the night. Amarice and Teresa both telling a few exploits during their training that left the group laughing hard. After that late night the group went to bed with excited feelings about the visit.

The following day would mean the sixth day since the Soulmates went on vacation in Amphipolis. It would also mean the fifth day that the message had gone out to Egypt by Michael, the messenger.