~ Yours, Mine, and Ours ~
by Red Hope


Disclaimers: Violence ~ Won't have violence in this section but probably in the latter part of the story.

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 5

Section 5

~*Part 11*~

The sun had disappeared by Ra's command. The night was left lit by a half moon, bright stars, and the wavering light of the Pharaoh's Lighthouse. The singular great river of Egypt twinkled the world around as it carried a large golden barge up its lengths. The barge itself contained numerous people of Egypt including the Queen herself. The barge also held the Soulmates of Time.

Gabrielle reached down to lift up a vine that held very small grapes. "What are these?" She peered up to her lover. "I know they're to small for grapes."

Xena grinned faintly. "They're called Champaign grapes. Very sweet."

"Really?" The small warrior lowered her eyes to the bowl of grapes. "Interesting."

The warrior reached across her partner to lift up a handful of cherries.

The air around the barge was lively and held soothing music along with people chatting away.

Gabrielle had let go of the grapes and plucked up an orange from a basket at the wood table.

Together the pair walked along the barge, taking things in. They'd already drunk two goblets of wine each on a fairly empty stomach. Soon they would receive dinner on that same table, which would be laid out. The Soulmates now had taken a bench that lined along part of the barge.

The small warrior slowly began to peel her orange.

The older woman however rested back in the bench eating each cherry slowly and one at a time. Her eyes flickered across the people trying to take them all in.

The short warrior shook her head feeling a little out of it from the wine.

Xena glanced down to her partner. "Feel the wine?" She grinned while holding the cherry near her lips.

Gabrielle slowly gazed up to her lover. "Yeah." A grin crept along her lips. "How about you?"

"Oh yeah." The warrior's eyes twinkled now as she brought the cherry partially into her mouth to suck on it.

Slowly the Amazon Queen's eyes narrowed with hints of darkness coming on. "You're going to cause trouble."

"Oh?" Xena's tongue darted out over the cherry to pull it fully in her mouth. She plucked it off the stem and began to slowly chew. "But that's the plan… right?"

"Yess." Gabrielle's hands were finishing with peeling the orange. "But is it our plan in public?"

Slowly the taller woman let an evil smile come on. "Definitely."

That evil smile found it's way onto the warrior-bard's lips as she glanced away to finish peeling her orange. The skin found its way into the river as small hands began to work on the remains of the orange.

It was time for the Soulmates to play.

Gabrielle slid the slice of orange into her mouth slowly. After she finished it she pulled another slice of orange apart and studied it. "Xen, when was the last time you had an orange?"

"It's been a few." Xena's right hand still held three cherries and she propped her elbows up on the rail of the barge.

"Mmm, feel like a slice?" Gabrielle wasn't glancing up to her lover.

A grin crept along the warrior's lips. "Would love one."

Slowly the younger woman shifted her body to turn in the warrior's direction more. She lifted the orange slice in her left hand to her lover's lips. She let the orange glide into Xena's mouth slowly.

The dark warrior's eyes drifted shut as she let the soft fingertips brush her lips. She began to eat the orange slice with ease. Her dark eyes drifted open again.

Gabrielle grinned while her hand came down to rest on her lover's thigh. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

The small warrior's hand pressed against the warm skin. "We're in real trouble."

"Uh huh." Xena winked while lifting her eyes to see Cleopatra and Torrid talking. She nodded her head at the pair.

Gradually the young woman turned her head to study the minister and queen talking. She couldn't hear them talking at all, only see their lips move. "I wonder what's that about."

The Warrior Princess lifted a cherry near her mouth while saying, "They're talking about affairs… not us."

"You can hear them from here?"

The older woman chuckled while opening her mouth with the cherry still near her lips. "No, I can read their lips." The cherry went into her mouth.

"Really?" The small warrior chuckled while lifting her attention to Xena again. "You can read their lips from here?"

Xena simply nodded. She brought her hand to Gabrielle's side and leaned down towards her.

Gabrielle forgot the previous conversation and closed her eyes when warm lips took hers. She moaned quietly then leaned into her lover's body. With surprise, she found a round object being inserted into her mouth and she knew it was a cherry.

Torrid nodded a few times and pivoted on his right foot to stand beside the queen now. "I do hope things turn out for the better my queen."

"I do too Ra." Cleopatra sighed deeply while lifting her wine to drink. She lowered it while saying. "Let's not talk anymore of the affairs." Her eyes became fixed on the two Soulmates pulling away from a kiss.

"They seem to have a rather… close relationship my queen." The minister turned his head to the Queen of Egypt with a hidden grin.

"Quite." Cleopatra chuckled while swirling her wine in her glass. "When I was in Greece they were not together."

"Really?" Torrid sized up his queen then turned his attention to the Soulmates that were kissing again. "I can't imagine them apart."

"Neither could I." The queen shook her head. "But they certainly were when I was in Greece last year."

The Egyptian man shook his head. "I can't imagine a wedge between them… other then you my queen." He was grinning at Cleopatra again.

The queen chuckled while drinking a little wine. When she lowered the cup she said, "Not even I could wedge between them Ra."

"But my queen, you're the most powerful-"

"Not when it comes to this pair." Cleopatra turned her head to the man in the firelight. "I would not dare toy with them unless I was asking for my death." She grinned a little. "Not even the power of Egypt can tear them apart."

Torrid's expression was a little shock. "My queen how can-"

"I've seen the world Ra, you have not." Cleopatra stopped while studying the Soulmates. She lifted her right hand with the glass to point at the Soulmates. "That is the strongest power in the known world. I find it frightening that only those two women hold that great power."

The minister folded his arms. "What power might that be?" He tilted his head in examining the Soulmates.

"Love."

Gabrielle pulled away from her partner with a grin. "I'm going to get some more wine. Want some?"

"Yeah." Xena began to move. "I'll come."

"Thanks." The Amazon Queen stood. "You help keep the conversationalists away."

The warrior laughed while standing beside her lover. "I don't understand that. You'd think I didn't like talking or something."

The small warrior snickered while ambling across the barge with her friend. She made her way to the table that held rows of wine filled glasses. "What I want? Red or white?"

"Mmm… red." Xena lifted up to golden goblets of red wine. She handed one to her Soulmate and kept the other.

Gabrielle took the goblet and held it by the brim. She leaned up to kiss her warrior.

The warrior kissed back just as warmly but eventually pulled back with a grin. She lifted her wineglass to drink.

The small warrior laughed. "You realize how drunk we're going to be?" She began to drink some of her wine. She started walking with her warrior.

The tall woman chuckled while lowering the goblet. "Very."

"We're going to get silly." Gabrielle took a heavy drink and swallowed it then glanced around the barge at the people. "We're going to get silly and you're going to get chatty."

Xena laughed and lowered her eyes to Gabrielle. "Is that such a bad thing?"

"Oh no." The Queen smirked up to her lover. She glanced ahead to see Cleopatra and Torrid. "Ra… Queen Cleopatra."

The minister bowed his head with a warm smile. "Gabrielle." His eyes lifted to Xena. "Xena."

The warrior nodded then took a drink.

Gabrielle glanced over to the other queen. "Exactly when will we arrive back into Alexandria?"

Cleopatra's lips shifted into a grin. "A little after the moon sets."

The warrior-bard's eyes widen but she grinned. "Not bad."

"I thought so myself." The Egyptian queen bowed her head and lifted it again with darkness in them. "I assume you both are starting to enjoy the cruise?"

"Yes." Gabrielle nodded. Her hand shifted on the wineglass to hold it by the brim again.

"Wonderful." Cleopatra chuckled while saying, "It will only get better." She glanced up to the bow of the barge. "I highly recommend going to the front of the barge. It's a beautiful view. And very… romantic."

The Soulmates chuckled together, they were doing romantic.

"Oh we will." The Warrior Princess grinned yet went serious again. "I assume the other guests aboard are… important to Egypt's government."

"Yes." The queen nodded her head. "Rather loyal and powerful allies in the Egyptian world." She smiled warmly. "Some are my officers, advisors, and some are just politicians of the sorts."

Xena's head moved up and down a few times. "Interesting."

Cleopatra stepped off to her right and held out her hand to the bow of the barge.

Gabrielle glanced up to her partner with a raised eyebrow.

The warrior grinned and started walking.

The smaller warrior followed along side.

Torrid chuckled while watching the warriors go. "It is definitely love."

Cleopatra straightened up with a grin. "It is… even I would bow."

The tall woman placed her wineglass down on the rail. She reached over to take her lover's and place it down as well. Her left hand came up to Gabrielle's back to give her a command.

The Amazon Queen followed the command to stand in front of her Soulmate. She leaned into Xena when she was drawn in.

The pair was silent for a little while. They stared across the smooth river's waters. The only thing seen were small ripples brushing across the water by the breeze. The moon and her stars reflected off the black water.

Gabrielle took a long breath. "Remember way back when I asked you about us taking our relationship public?"

"Yeah." Xena lowered her head closer to Gabrielle's. "And I said we'd figure it out together."

"Uh huh." The small woman chuckled a little. "I'd say we did decide."

The warrior grinned. "Didn't we a while back?"

"Yesss." Gabrielle dropped her head back with a smile. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

A small hand came up to caress the taller woman's cheek. "You're are beautiful."

The older warrior quietly laughed with an amused smile. "You told me that over four years ago."

The Queen's eyes furrowed as she thought, her hand lowering to Xena's on her waist. Then her expression brightened up with realization. "You're not going to let me forget the henbane are you?"

Xena laughed while reaching over to take a mug. "I told you…" She grinned while bring the glass close to her lips. "It's one of my favorite memories." She began to drink.

Gabrielle grinned then when her partner was done with the wine she took the goblet. "What other memories are your favorite?" She began to drink some of the wine herself.

"Oh gods." Xena chuckled. "The time with the Titans… or the time when we had to stop Aphrodite's thugs. Then she put us under those spells."

The small warrior laughed after she placed the goblet back on the rail. "Oh gods, when I was high on myself."

A strong chuckle escaped the warrior. "Oh it was cute to watch." She furrowed her eyebrows for a second in thought. Then a grin took her lips as she said in a sing song voice, "Well listen to m'story 'bout Gabrielle, cute little gal that's looking pretty swell, perfect hair, such-" She was cut off by the hand over her mouth.

"Don't even." Gabrielle laughed with sparkling eyes. She lowered her hand.

Xena started to laugh. "But it was such a great song."

"Yeah but as I remember you were worried the fish would be… armed," she growled.

The warrior evilly grinned. "They were."

"Hardy har har Warrior Princess." The small woman grinned while turning in her lover's arms to face her. "At least I wasn't obsessed with fish."

"Hey, a good day of fishing can do wonders." A grin was creeping along the tall woman's lips.

"Uh huh and I'm not your Soulmate." Gabrielle grinned but lost it a little. "What other memories?"

The dark female took a deep breath while an amused smile played on her lips. "Well, on that same adventure… I loved it when I unsheathed my sword and you grabbed the blade to look at yourself."

"Ooooh yeah, looken good." The small warrior laughed hard as she remembered saying that so long ago.

Xena shook her head with a huge grin. "Gods, how'd I get you?" She lifted her right hand to brush back Gabrielle's hair. "I don't understand how I got this lucky." She lowered her head to lean against Gabrielle's. "You're beautiful, talented, intelligent, a perfect warrior and bard, a perfect friend, a perfect partner, a perfect Queen, a perfect lover, a perfect Soulmate, and I've got you. How is that?" Her right hand came down to caress Gabrielle's neck to her upper chest. "It took me so long to understand why you accepted all of me. When I understood it was the love… I couldn't understand why you loved me. Then I eventually understood because I reversed perspectives." Xena's hand went across the valley of her lover's breasts while she lifted her head up.

Gabrielle's eyes closed while she listened to her lover.

A loving smile formed on the warrior's lips. "Now you want my dark side to come out again." The smile went sad. "As crazy as it is, I will do it." She lowered her head close to Gabrielle's as the breeze slipped around them. "I love you more every step we take together." Her head came lower, which let their air combine. Her hand came down to slip down between Gabrielle's belt. "Why?" she asked in a whisper with her lips brushing over the warrior-bard's cheek.

"Because we are Soulmates," was the whispered response. Gabrielle's left hand came up to the back of Xena's head. "It answers everything between us." She sealed her lips over Xena's in a warm tender kiss. Her right arm slipped around the warrior's waist as her side stayed pressing into Xena's body.

The taller woman kept her lover in tightly against her body while still kissing her deeply. When they did pull away from the kiss she was nuzzling her Soulmate's neck. " You're beautiful."

Gabrielle smiled to herself then started to giggle a little.

The Warrior Princess kissed her partner's neck. "Mmm?"

The small warrior grinned while closing her eyes and dropping her head to the left some. "You're getting chatty."

"I know," growled the warrior. She had better access to her lover's neck. "And you're getting quiet."

"I know," growled the smaller warrior. A small moaned escaped her lips. "Alright, we better calm down." She could feel her breathing picking up.

Xena didn't calm down immediately and brought her lips traveling down to the top of her lover's chest.

Instantly a shiver rippled up and down Gabrielle's body. "Xena?" Her voice was in a plea.

The older woman brought her head back up and kissed her partner gently. When she finished the kiss, she pulled back with her eyes slowly opening. A grin tweaked her lips.

Gabrielle's chest was rising fast. "Okay…" she whispered while taking a deep breath. Her eyes finally opened to study twinkling navy eyes. "What other memories did you like?"

The tall woman laughed while pulling her Soulmate's back into her stomach. "Mmm a lot." She reached over to pick up one of the goblets. "The bunny." The goblet's brim went to her lips to drink from.

"Oh no." The small warrior shook her head. "Like I said, that rabbit was mean."

"Right," drawled out the warrior. "You show me this mean rabbit one day." She lowered the goblet.

"Fine, don't believe me." Gabrielle shrugged as a grin creased her lips. "Wait till you get a killer bunny on your hands." She was give the wineglass and easily took it.

"I'll just have you come kill it for me." Xena rubbed her thumb against her lover's stomach. "Since you have experience with them."

"Pffft." The small warrior placed the cup of wine back on the railing after drinking. "It'd kick my butt again."

"Maybe both of us could kill it."

Gabrielle giggled. "Maybe." She shrugged. "Maybe not."

Xena chuckled and glanced over the river.

The short woman herself was staring over the majestic silver river. "I think when we get back to Greece I'm going to get a new outfit."

"What?" The older woman shook her head. "You just got this one." She grinned while continuing. "You need more leathers?"

"I don't think so." The warrior-bard evilly grinned. "I was thinking velvet."

"Velvet… keep going."

The Amazon Queen grinned at the interest. "Red soft velvet."

"Uh huh… halter-top and skirt?" A grin was peaking along the warrior's lips.

"Oh definitely." The young warrior's tongue ran across her teeth. "Short skirt too with a black belt and jewels on it." She felt her warrior's arms tighten around her body.

"We'll see." Xena lowered her head down a little.

Gabrielle evilly grinned because she knew she'd getting a new outfit soon. She reached over to grab a goblet to drink from with her Soulmate.

~*~*~*~

Xena stumbled a little down the torch lit corridor.

Gabrielle laughed a little and caught her Soulmate. "You're losing it."

"Nope." The warrior kissed her lover. "I'm getting it real soon."

The corridor in the palace was empty.

"Mmm if you can make it to the room." The small warrior started walking again. "If you do, you'll get a lot of it."

"Mmm." The tall woman started walking again with a grin. "No problem."

The younger female continued her walk. In only the instantly that she glanced away she found herself pushed against a wall. Her lover's warm and strong body was over hers. Then without a word strong lips took hers.

The warrior grinned into the kiss and started anew when the first kiss ended. Her hands were pressing Gabrielle's body against the cool wall.

It was late at night, almost five candlemarks till dawn and they'd just returned from the cruise.

The small warrior slipped out of the embrace easily. She started down the hall but turned around to grin at her lover. "Coming?"

Xena said nothing as she started power walking towards her lover. Her eyes were rich and twinkling.

The younger woman saw the intensity of this and knew there would be little sleep tonight if any. She kept walking backwards but glancing here and there to her right for their room. "Xena I am all yours."

"I know," the warrior purred. She kept her pace at a certain speed so she stayed a certain distance from Gabrielle. She spotted the double doors to their room and automatically picked up her pace.

The small warrior soon found herself rammed up against the door. Her head fell against the door and she opened her eyes to peer up into her lover's eyes. "Made it to the love room."

Xena laughed a little and lowered her head down to Gabrielle's. "Mmm, as I call it the lovenasium."

The Queen started to laugh hard. "Oh gods," she whispered. She soon stopped as Xena's body shifted against hers.

The warrior placed both her hands above Gabrielle's head. Her hips pressed into her lover's body as she peered down with passion written into her expression.

The small warrior looked up with a loving smile and grasped Xena's hips. She rocked her hips into Xena's while having Xena kiss her.

~*Part 12*~

The Soulmate had finally made use of the twenty odd some pillows after their two candlemarks of sleep.

Gabrielle had her back propped up on them. She was still nude since last night.

The warrior herself was nude and laying in her lover's body and arms. She sat between Gabrielle's legs with her back pressed into the small warm stomach. Her head lay resting on the small warrior's chest with her eyes closed.

The small woman had wrapped her legs a little around her lover's waist. Her head resting into the pillows in the middle of the bed. Her hands however were busy relaxing the warrior.

Xena was done in by the small hands massaging her breasts gently. The small warm hands gently massaging her breasts without ever threatening to turn on her passion. That was one thing that amazed her. How Gabrielle could touch her anywhere with a specific touch to bring out certain feelings. And now her lover's touch was soothing over her breasts and not lustful.

"Mmm bath?" questioned the small warrior.

"Soon," whispered the older woman.

"Don't fall asleep on me." Gabrielle began to grin.

"Trying not to." Xena felt the need to press her body into Gabrielle's. So she turned in the embrace and snuggled her head into her lover's breasts. "God's I'm tired," she whined.

The younger woman laughed because she hardly ever got to hear her Soulmate whine. "Dido." She wrapped her arms around Xena tightly. She kissed her warrior's forehead. "We should really move."

The Warrior Princess sighed dramatically. "Soon as my headache leaves."

"Here." The warrior-bard lifted her hands to the warrior's temples. She began to massage them gently. She kept at it while asking, "How's that feel?"

"Mmm, better." The Warrior Princess kissed her lover's chest. "Was worth it."

"The headache?" Gabrielle nodded in agreement. "Definitely." She grinned while ushering, "Thank you for last night."

The tall woman chuckled a little. "Thank you." She sighed softly. "Let's do it again sometime."

The Queen moved her fingertips a little to massage. "Sometime soon." She chuckled with a smile and lowered her hands to her lover's back. "How's that?"

"A lot better." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Let's get that bath."

"In that swimming pool?"

A small laugh left the warrior. "Yeah." She sat up out of her partner's arms and rolled out of bed.

Gabrielle followed and stood up with a small groan. Her headache jumped in intensity from the quick movement. Her right hand went to her forehead with her eyes closing.

"Hey come here." Xena moved to her friend and put her hands on Gabrielle's forehead. She did the samething to Gabrielle's temple.

The young warrior moaned softly and leaned into her warrior. "Thanks, that was bad."

"I know." The tall woman continued massaging. "So, a hot bath with bubbles?"

The Amazon Queen chuckled with a grin. "The Warrior Princess in bubbles?"

"Just don't tell anybody huh?"

"It's our secret." Gabrielle grinned while peering up into warm blue eyes. She smiled then closed her eyes again.

The smile formed onto the warrior's lips. She finished the massage and leaned down to kiss her warmly. "Come on."

Soon the pair had figured a way to fill the huge bathing tub with warm water. Afterwards they went in to relax and sooth their bodies from last night. It was late morning in Egypt. After the bath they were out of the tub, dried, Gabrielle on the bed writing, and Xena on the couch yet to dress.

Slowly the small warrior put her quill down. She was still nude. She lay back and raised the scroll up to start reading it. She stopped for a moment and glanced over to her lover. Her right hand patted her stomach faintly.

Xena chuckled a little and hopped off the couch. She sauntered over and crawled onto the bed. She lay on her side with her right arm slipping under Gabrielle, her head on the warrior-bard's stomach and her left arm over the warm stomach. She closed her eyes with a content sigh.

The small woman went back to reading her scroll while her right hand was running through dark hair.

The Soulmates stayed in this position until the Amazon Queen finished reading over her scroll.

Gabrielle read the last bit of it and dropped the scroll to the bed. "Xen?"

"Mmm?"

"Who was Queen Caitriona's second in command?"

"It was Liz." Xena shifted a little. "Why?"

The small warrior-bard shrugged. "Just couldn't remember her name."

The warrior nodded a little. "She was a little tough and not talkative."

"Strong silent type, I'm good with those." Gabrielle evilly grinned.

"So I've noticed." The warrior chuckled while smiling.

The Amazon Queen went a little serious. "I think Caitriona was the only one I trusted… other then Yakut."

The older woman sighed a little. "Let's hope we never have to test that trust."

"Yeah really." The Queen shut her eyes. "I was considering sometime this winter letting you be Queen for a week or so."

Xena's eyes flew open. "What?"

"Make you Queen for a week."

"I got that." The Warrior Princess had a serious look. "But… why?"

"Because it'd be good for you and the rest of the Nation." Gabrielle's hands rested on her lover's shoulder. "It'd be like running an army."

The dark woman lifted her head to gaze into open green eyes. "There's a huge difference."

"Then more the reason why you should do it." The small warrior corked an eyebrow in suggestion. She sighed and lost the look. "Xena, I'm just saying there may be a day when I'm not around and you need to be acting Queen." She shrugged. "A little practice would be good 'cause you have a different system of running things that the Amazons need to learn." She smiled a faintly. "And you'd learn a little bit yourself."

The warrior sighed dramatically and lowered her head onto her partner's stomach. "And Ephiny?"

"Can deal." Gabrielle chuckled. "I set up rank, she's after us."

"Alright." The warrior kissed her lover's stomach. "I'll try it this winter."

"Thank you." The short woman hugged her Soulmate tightly. "Feel like a walk along the beach?"

The warrior lifted her head with a smile. "Sure. Let's go."

~*~*~*~

Torrid came into the bathing room with his hands behind his back. He bowed his head to the queen. "My queen."

Cleopatra nodded her head. "Speak."

The second minister lifted his head. "Queen Cleopatra, Rome is on the brink of an all out civil war." He sighed at the affairs.

The Egyptian queen raised an eyebrow while studying the warm water. "And why should that interrupt my bath?"

The minister sighed a little. "As you said my queen, you command the greatest navy in the world- the strategic price if your name happens to be Brutus or Antony. Whichever one of them gets control of your navy will rule the empire." He bowed his head in apology.

The queen sighed while resting back against the tub. "Well, sounds like they'll both be courting me then doesn't it?"

Torrid lifted his head with worried eyes. "Or trying to eliminate you."

Cleopatra looked away.

The minister dropped his head again. "There are those that say with you out of the way, the Egyptian navy will go the highest bidder." His eye drifted shut.

"You worry to much Ra. I have always known how to protect Egypt… my people… and myself. I will keep the Romans at bay." She snaps her fingers and one of her servant comes over with a scrolls and quill. She begins to write while speaking to Torrid. "See that see that my Chief Admiral receives these orders Ra." She lifted her eyes to the minister while rolling the scroll up. "

Torrid nodded while walking around the tub to his queen. "As you command." He bowed his head while taking the scroll. "Anything else my queen?"

"Take care of yourself Ra." The queen sadly smiled. "You've been of great services." She saw the confused look on Torrid's face. "Now go."

The minister said nothing. But straightened up and briskly left the room.

Cleopatra glances up to one of her servants. "Hmm… is it just me, Shiana or do crises only happen when I'm naked?"

Shiana chuckled a little. She looked up to see a messenger come into the room. She strolled over there to take the scroll. "Cleopatra… an urgent message from Rome." She looks up from the scroll then walks back to her mistress.

The Egyptian Queen takes the scroll while unrolling it. Once she unrolled it a long black item fell from the scroll and into the water. While caught in the middle of her reading, she felt a strong sting came to her in the chest. "Shiana…" Her breathing caught. "Another scroll and quill." She sucked in her breath as her heart rate began to slow.

The black snake disappears under the water.

The servant hastily kneeled down to her queen. "My Queen?" She handed the objects over with a concern expression.

Cleoptra finishes writing as her breathing went shallow. "Shiana … take this to our guests." She handed over the scroll while closing her eyes.

Shiana now knew what happened as she saw the head of the snake reappear in the water. "I will my Queen," she whispered. Her eyes stung from the tears that wanted to form. "Egypt is in safe hands my queen." She quickly stood up and looked to the other servants. "Take her to rest in her room."

The other servants nodded and moved to lift the shallow breathing queen out of the tub.

Cleopatra died the moment she was placed in her bed.

~*~*~*~

"Xena, Gabrielle!" The servant yelled while running down the beach.

The Soulmates stopped walking and turned around to see the small dark haired woman running after them with a scroll.

Shiana came up to the pair. She started breathing heavily. She bent forward while handing the scroll over.

Xena took it and unrolled it. She silently read it with her Soulmate.

The small warrior finished and peeked up to her lover. "Are we really going to do this?"

The Warrior Princess went stoic while rolling the scroll up. "Yes, we're really going to do this."

The Amazon Queen felt her defenses come to life. "Do you have a plan?"

Shiana looked up at hearing the question.

The warrior turned her head to her partner. She grinned. "First we become Egypt… and then we take on Rome."

~*~*~*~

"Are we in order?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Everything is set." She kneeled down to close the golden cuff on each of her Soulmate's ankles. She stood back up while lifting the golden chains. "Xena, I don't-"

"I know Gabrielle." The warrior was nude just outside of the palace entrance. "Tell me if you don't want to do this. We'll drop it and leave." She grasped her partner's shoulders.

Four Egyptian guards and a rug surrounded the Soulmates on the ground. Gabrielle still wore her regular maroon leathers but Xena had put on a wig of short black hair.

The small warrior locked eyes. "This is a dark adventure."

"Yes." The tall woman nodded briskly. "I will get dark and gods' only know what I will do."

Not to mention Egypt's power over you, Gabrielle thought. "No, we need to do this." She smiled confidently. "Bring back the darkness." She leaned in to kiss her warrior as she locked the band around her lover's neck. She pulled back. "Be careful Xena."

"Always love." The warrior smiled warmly but dropped it. "The key."

Gabrielle moved her head in understanding. She reached between her breasts, slipped the key into her mouth, and moved in to kiss her again.

Xena felt the warm key pass into her mouth.

The Amazon Queen pulled back and nodded to Xena.

The Warrior Princess winked and walked over to the rug. She lay down and crossed her arms against her chest. She locked eyes with Gabrielle to show her love.

Two guards shifted and started to roll her up in the rug.

Gabrielle looked up to the four guards. "Deliverer her to Mark Anthony and await for her return outside of the perimeters. Understood?"

The four Egyptian guards nodded.

"Good, now go." The small warrior folded her arms and watched the four guards lift the rug together and march out of the entrance and down the road in the night towards Mark Anthony's camp. She sighed and walked into the place to find herself a disguise.

~*~*~*~

Mark Anthony looked up as one of his soldiers entered.

"Sir, Queen Cleopatra bids you welcome and has sent you a gift."

Anthony nodded a little showing small interest. "Queen Cleopatra has sent me a gift… bring it in."

The soldier soluted. "Sir, yes, sir!" He glanced back out the tent flap. "Bring it in!" He watched the two men carry the rug in. He glanced to the Roman commander. "It's a carpet, sir."

The Roman commander nodded and watched his men place the rug down gently. "Dismissed." He watched the soldiers leave and he ambled over to the rug. He looked at it questionable then took the scroll off it. He read it aloud. "Will Rome enter Egypt?" He raised an eyebrow. In what way? He wondered while lighting pushed the carpet with his foot to unroll it.

Anthony watched a tall dark woman with short black hair roll out of the carpet and crouch before him. He saw dark blue eyes lift up to him. He saw a powerful seductive smile crease the woman's lips. The firelight in the tent reflected off her tan body and the golden chains. Her voice name came out in a deep purr.

"I am Cleopatra. Queen of Egypt. Slave of Rome."

~*~*~*~

"I must speak with Cleopatra at once!"

Shiana raised her hand. "Brutus, is she expecting you?"

"No, she is not. But I fear for her safety." Brutus took a menacing step but he stopped when another woman entered in.

"What does Cleopatra have to be afraid of, Brutus?"

Brutus did a double take. "Gabrielle?"

The small warrior smirked with her arms folding. She was in her Egyptian attire. "I'm alive." She turned her head to Shiana. "I'll hand this."

Shiana bowed her head and left the room.

Brutus faintly shook his head. "You survived the crucifixion?"

Slowly the Amazon Queen turned her head back to Brutus. "You should have been there." She walked over to a bowl of fruit on a table. She pulled out a few grapes.

"What are you doing here?" The Roman now crossed his arms.

The small woman ate the grapes slowly. "I'm paying a visit to an old friend." She shrugged while eating the last grape.

Brutus narrowed his eyes. "Where's Xena?"

"She's with Cleopatra." She began to speak louder in hopes to be heard by her partner.

"Well, then I'll see them both."

Gabrielle shook her head while folding her arms again. "It's not a good time Brutus." She smiled with fakeness. "But I'll relay your… concerns about her safety."

"I'd just as soon do that in person." The commander began to shift.

The small warrior narrowed her eyes and tried to stop him. "Brutus, stop."

The man kept walking towards the bedchambers and right in them.

Gabrielle sidestepped the man. "Stop," she growled. "Nobody is allowed to see Cleopatra."

"Gabrielle, this is ridiculous. I have information that could save Cleopatra's life!" Brutus narrowed his eyes in anger. "I insist on -"

The small woman quickly cut him off. "You're in no position to make demands!"

Brutus was about to yell back but stopped when he saw the tall dark Warrior Princess appeared.

"Ave Brutus." Xena stood back in her leathers and armor. "You know you're in the Queen's bedchamber."

The Roman commander sighed deeply. "I have come to warn Cleopatra there are people plotting against her. Under no circumstances should she trust either Antony or Octavius. They both want her dead."

The warrior raised an eyebrow. "Octavius… Ceasar's adopted son?"

The man nodded quickly. "He claims to be the rightful heir of Rome. He's just a murdering opportunist."

Takes one to know one, doesn't it Brutus? Xena smirked at the thought. "Well then, I'll be sure to tell her. I know she'll appreciate your concern." She started to turn away.

"I would like to see her myself," yelled Brutus.

Slowly the warrior turned back around. "She's busy." She put her hands on her hips.

Brutus looked between the two female warriors. "I'm glad you and Gabrielle are well…" He turned quickly and left at a power walk.

Gabrielle watched him go and whispered, "Good timing."

Xena nodded and peered down at her partner. "Thanks for yelling."

The younger woman nodded. "Figured you would hear me." She grinned a little. "Between that and my franticness that you felt, I'm sure you'd know."

The tall woman chuckled a little.

"What's the next step?" The warrior-bard folded her arms.

"We wait for Octavius to show." Then an evil grin creased the warrior's lips. "And keep Antony busy."

~*~*~*~

Xena relaxed in the warm water. She felt her Soulmate's hands on her chest rubbing there. She dropped her head back at the soothing touch.

The door to the bathing room opened and in stepped Anthony with three Roman guards.

Slowly the warrior-bard lifted her eyes and raised her hands out of the water to the ledge. She was on her knees.

"Welcome, Antony." Xena smiled and held her hand out to Gabrielle. "This is my companion… Iris."

Anthony raised an eyebrow at Gabrielle and looked up and down her length. Slowly a grin creased his lips. "If I were in your hands, Iris, I would be fortunate indeed."

The warrior felt anger come alive in her. She narrowed her eyes. "Leave us."

The small warrior began to stand but soon found her Soulmate's hand grasping hers. She understood the signal and sat back down.

"No, I have business to attend to. Besides, I have supped full of pleasures this night … perhaps by morning we can put this issue of trust behind us, and move on." He put his hands to his hips while watching the servants return to their former duties.

The Warrior Princess bowed her head slightly. "Then continue with your business."

Mark Anthony bowed his head and turned towards the door. "Goodnight Cleopatra."

Xena watched with intent as the man left.

Gabrielle shook her head while glancing down to her lover. "God, Xena. I thought he was going to accept your invitation. How did you know he wouldn't?"

"I didn't."

The small warrior clamped her jaw down from saying more.

~*Part 13*~

The small cloaked form entered into Cleopatra's bedchamber by way of the balcony.

Xena was lying in the bed by herself and instantly heard the movement. She leered out of the bed and saw the figure.

"Are you Cleopatra?"

The Warrior Princess narrowed her eyes. "Are you my assassin?"

The small man shook his head. "No!" He raised his hands to show no weapons. "I was coming to see you."

"Really?" The warrior raised her hands with a grin. "We have a front door for that."

"But his was the only way… believe me." The man stepped back but regretted it as an oil pot on fire landed by him. Soon more were flying in to the bedchamber and a fire began.

Xena grabbed the man and ran out of the bedchamber in time to see Anthony coming with guards.

"Cleopatra!"

The young cloaked man tried to sneak away.

The warrior quickly moved to grab him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Away from him. He wants me dead. Those assassins were after me." The small man nodded his head towards the Roman commander.

"Oh, aren't you the center of attention. Isn't it more likely they were after me?" Xena spotted her Soulmate come around the corner with a few Egyptian guards to help put the fire out.

The young man frantically shook his head with the hood down. "That's why we must ally. They want us both dead."

"And who are you?" growled the dark woman.

Anthony took a step closer to intervene. "Octavius." He turned his head to Xena. "Queen Cleopatra, may I introduce to you the grand-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar … and a traitor."

Octavius narrowed his eyes at the commander. "I'm a traitor? What would Julius Caesar think of his closest friend denying me his throne?"

"Uncle Julius was too busy to realize how ill-equipped you are. It's not that I love Caesar less, I love Rome more."

"Antony …" The Warrior Princess slowly turned her head to the man with a grin.

Octavius saw the look and began to protest. "Cleopatra, please! He'll kill me."

Xena studied the young man's eyes. She turned her head to Gabrielle. "Take him away! I'll deal with him later."

Gabrielle briskly nodded and looked to two guards. "Take him."

The two guards moved and arrested the man. They hauled him off.

"How do I know you weren't somehow involved in this?" The warrior peered at Anthony with interest.

"I came here to put out the fire." Mark Anthony raised an eyebrow with gleaming eyes "We have unfinished business, you and I." He whirled around to leave with his guards now that the fire was gone.

Gabrielle watched him go. She turned her head back to her Soulmate to study her dark profile. "Xena?"

"Yes?" The warrior didn't look at her lover.

Gabrielle walked up to her partner's side. "I'm losing sight of your plan, Xena. Are you trying to flirt him to death?" She crossed her arms.

The Warrior Princess turned her head to her friend. "I'm getting him to trust me so I can do what I want with him."

The small woman's head bobbed. "Be careful," she whispered, "He's your type."

The older woman quickly looked back to her lover. "You think?"

"Yes." The small warrior looked away as she felt the jealousy coming back to life. "What's this 'unfinished business'?"

"He's going to try to seduce me into letting him use Cleopatra's navy."

The small woman slowly began to nod. "And then?"

"And then I'll have him on his knees." Xena gazed down at her lover with dark expression. "Figuratively speaking, of course."

Gabrielle laughed halfheartedly with a smirk "Of course." She turned to start walking away.

The warrior moved quickly to grasp her partner around the waist. "I won't sleep with him."

The small woman looked up with worried eyes. "I can't trust that."

"Why?" Xena had a confused look. "Because you don't trust me to control my dark side?"

"No, because I don't trust Egypt." Gabrielle pulled out of her lover's arms and walked off. "We have work to do."

The Warrior Princess watched her Soulmate disappear around the corner. She ran her right hand through her bangs and walked off.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes as she watched her Soulmate lean in to kiss Anthony deeply. She clamped her jaw down tightly and fisted her hands up.

Shiana glimpsed to Gabrielle then back to the warrior and Anthony. "She's good," she whispered.

"To good," was the warrior-bard's quiet response. She watched the kiss become deeper between her Soulmate and the Roman commander. She saw Mark Anthony's hand come to her warrior's shoulder and push her back. Gabrielle was instantly moving. She'd been watching this seduction game to long. She came right up to the pair and cleared her through. "Erhem… Queen Cleopatra, don't forget your meeting with your advisors."

The warrior slowly pulled back from the warm kiss with annoyance. "Ah, my advisors. Yes, they're such busy bodies."

Anthony smiled while caressing the woman's cheek. "Rome wasn't built in a day." He stood up with a warm smile and left.

The Warrior Princess watched him go then shifted her eyes to Gabrielle. "What do you think you were doing? I was in complete control."

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes at her Soulmate. "How far were you going to let that go, Xena?" She leaned in a little. "And with me here?"

Xena's tongue ran across her molars. "Until he begged for my navel."

"Your navy?" Better suggested the small warrior. She raised an eyebrow in proof to Xena's lost of control.

The tall woman looked away. "I know what I'm doing."

"Xena, what happens if he's the one who killed Cleopatra?" She reached out to grasp her partner's hand.

The warrior looked back to her lover while thinking. "He's the one I'll kill if I have to. I have no real feelings for him, Gabrielle, believe me."

Gabrielle was about to reply except Shiana came up and bent forward between them with a flower. "This is from Antony."

Xena took the orchid while studying it. "Really."

The servant slowly nodded. "He invites you to meet him tomorrow night under the pyramid."

Slowly a grin covered the warrior's lips. "Tell him I'll be there … got him right where I want him."

"I bet." Gabrielle stood up and walked off.

"Hades." The dark woman stood up to turn in Gabrielle's direction but she was gone. "What's happening?" she whispered to nobody but herself.

Shiana furrowed her eyebrows. "Xena?"

The warrior looked to the servant. "Sorry, we have plans to carry out."

"As you wish." Shiana smiled warmly. "What do you need?"

"Bring Ra to me."

The servant bowed her head and left to seek out the second minister.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle slammed the door shut. She started pacing back and forth in the room.

It was the same room Xena and her had shared when they first came. But now Gabrielle only slept in it while her Soulmate slept in Cleopatra's bedchamber. She hated it.

She stopped in the middle of her pacing. Her hand went through her short hair as she stared at the ceiling. "What's happening?" Her eyes closed. "I want what's mine," she growled as a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Then take what's yours babes."

Gabrielle opened her eyes at the familiar voice. She sadly smiled at Aphrodite. "Dite?"

"Hey sweet cheeks." The goddess folded her arms against her chest. "How's it hanging?"

"Not good." The small warrior turned away and walked over to the balcony to lean against the railing. "Something has Xena."

The goddess came out onto the balcony with her friend. "I've heard."

The Amazon Queen looked up quickly. "You've been watching?"

"Yes." She slowly nodded. "Cyrene asked me to watch over you both babes." She sadly smiled with a shrug. "Couldn't refuse that offer."

Gabrielle knew now what Cyrene's worried look had been about. Cyrene knew. She looked back over the scene of Alexandria. "Dite, do you know what's going on?"

Aphrodite took a deep breath. "Gabrielle, she's being controlled by the mysterious of Egypt." She had sad look with a serious voice. Her surfing accent dropped. "She wasn't lying about what she said on the way over here."

The warrior-bard glanced up then away. "I know," she whispered.

"Then you also know babes that you can easily get her back." Aphrodite shrugged. "She's always yours… just grab her."

"That simple?"

Aphrodite grinned. "That simple babes, she wants you too." Aphrodite disappeared with her voice in an echo. "Soulmates, it answers everything."

Gabrielle's eyes drifted shut as her mind began to toy with ideas. And as she did a grin slowly crept along her lips.

~*~*~*~

"Ra?" The small warrior walked into the center of the palace's main hall.

Torrid glanced up with a concerned look. "Gabrielle." He bowed his head.

"Has Xena left?" Gabrielle was back in her regular attire.

"Yes." Torrid lifted his head. "She left soon as the sunset came."

The Amazon Queen began to walk down the hall with her friend. "Then about five minutes ago correct?"

"Yes." The minister walked along side. "Xena requested that I… stay beside you."

"Really?" Gabrielle turned her head to minister. "Any certain reason?"

"None that she said of."

The small woman slowly grinned. "Any certain reason you know of?"

"My reason is she would not like for you to not be around her and Anthony tonight."

"Ah." Gabrielle nodded as she came to the doorway of the entrance to the palace. "My assumption is the same." She walked into the entrance room.

"Gabrielle, you are not going to the pyramid are you?" Torrid had a worried look.

"Mmm, I don't need to." The small woman grinned while she walked out of the entrance room and to the steps of the palace outside.

The minister stopped in his tracks thinking about that. He shook his head and jogged to catch up. "Gabrielle, wait."

Gabrielle stopped midway down the steps and glanced back up.

"You need a plan." He came down a few steps. "I believe there may be a way." A warm smile took Torrid's lips. "I know what goes on between you and Xena."

"You're right." Gabrielle folded her arms. "Get me a cloak."

Torrid nodded and left to seek out a cloak.

The small warrior gazed over to the two guards by the entranceway. "Find me some of Brutus's soldiers."

The Egyptians guard nodded and walked down the steps briskly.

~*~*~*~

"Why have you hailed for Brutus's soldiers?" The Roman soldier took one step up the staircase to the palace.

Torrid bowed his head. "We only wish to help." He gazed up the stairs to see Gabrielle coming down the steps with a dark cloak on but the hood off.

Gabrielle came up beside Torrid and gazed at seven of Brutus's soldiers. "I wish to lead you to where Cleopatra and Mark Anthony are. They're alone and it would be the best time to take them." She grinned. "Is that worth the hailing for?"

The leader soldier quietly laughed. "Quite." He stepped back. "Lead the way."

The young warrior nodded. "Right this way." She pulled her hood over her head. She walked through the busy torch lit streets of Alexandria towards the pyramid. She weaved through the streets with the Roman soldiers behind her. She then came out of the streets and went directly to the pyramid. She stopped and raised her arm to point at the pyramid where there were two forms laying on each other.

The leader grinned and turned his head to the other soldiers. "Take them." He unsheathed his sword as the six men went racing towards Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. He followed behind.

Gabrielle folded her arms against her chest and watched with interest. She saw her Soulmate stand up quickly with Anthony to fight the soldiers. Slowly a grin creased her lips because she knew she'd just interrupted something.

Xena was forced out of her daze of passion as she started to fight the soldiers. She had to wonder how these soldiers had perfect timing on finding her and Anthony. And knew where to find her and Anthony.

After a few moments of fighting she had them taken out with Mark Anthony's help. Her eyes searched around and fell on a dark figure in the distance, a small dark figure that watch with interest. Slowly a grin creased her lips.

Mark Anthony glanced over to Xena. "One of Brutus'?"

The warrior quickly turned her head to Anthony walking over to a still living soldier. "No, wait, Antony." She looked to the spot where the dark figure was or rather had been, the figure gone. "He could be useful to us." She walked over to the hurt soldier and grinned. "Tell Brutus he missed. Tell him Antony and Cleopatra are alive, well, and together."

The soldier nodded and got up to hurry away.

The Warrior Princess watched him go and then turned her head to Anthony. "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow then." The Roman leaned in to kiss the warrior warmly.

Xena felt the shock wave of coldness rip through her body. She gave a fake smile to Mark Anthony when he left her side. Taking a heavy breath she headed for the palace. After going through the streets in the mid evening she came to the steps of the palace, she stopped dead. Her eyes became fixed on the small dark figure that sat on the stone rail to the left of the steps. She grinned while climbing the steps.

The figure never shifted, just stared at the warrior.

Xena came to the last step after making a beeline for the dark figure.

Slowly the figure lowered their head to push back the hood.

The Warrior Princess lips etched into a smile. "Thank you Gabrielle."

Dark green eyes peered up after pushing the hood back. "I figured you wanted a… distraction."

"I did." The warrior's eyes were twinkling. "It was to involved."

"So I noticed." Gabrielle stood up from the stone rail and took off her cloak. She put it in one arm. "Let me remind you who owns you." She took her Soulmate's hand. "Even your dark side." She turned to lead her lover through the entrance room, into the grand hall, and to their room. When she entered she tossed her cloak to the couch. Xena's wig followed behind.

Next the warrior found her lips taken into a passionate kiss. She took a step forward while pushing her sandals off. Small hands worked her clothes off during the kiss. After that kiss ended Xena started a second and while she did she pushed Gabrielle's top off. She pulled back and lifted the top over her lover's head.

Gabrielle felt her Soulmate's warm body press into hers. She ended the kiss rapidly as her body heated up. She kneeled down and untied her boots to toss them out of the way.

Xena lifted her partner back up to kiss her again. She was pushing her lover towards the bed while slipping her hands under the belt.

The warrior-bard helped push the skirt off. After that she climbed into the bed. "Come here." She held her hands out while lying on her back.

The taller woman crawled in and knew what her partner wanted. So she straddled her lover right at the neck.

The young woman pulled at Xena's thigh for her to scout up a little more.

Xena grinned and simply did that. Her right hand came down to spread open her folds. Her eyes closed when two warm hands went to her inner thighs. A soft moan escaped her lips when a hot tongue slipped between her folds. The fire had been sparked deep in her.

Gabrielle brought her mouth over the hot center to suck strongly. Her hands glided between her lover's thighs to her stomach.

The warrior felt intoxicated. She arched her hips out and into her Soulmate's mouth. She felt the small hands trail up her stomach to her breasts. The small hands began to knead her breasts. She moaned deeply. "Gabrielle," she ushered.

The young woman grinned while still sucking on her lover's center. Xena's essence filled her and she kept teasing her partner to heights.

The taller woman moaned while dropping her head back. Her free hand came down to grasp Gabrielle's shoulder. She began to grind her hips into her lover's touch.

The Amazon Queen dredged her tongue through the folds then eased her tongue inside.

"Gods," the warrior growled. She gritted her teeth and looked down to see her Soulmate immersed in her pleasing. She moaned deeply as her breathing. Her body was soaked in sweat now. Her hand was still grasping her lover's shoulder tightly. She sensed the small hands massaging her breasts stop and now go to hold her hips.

The warrior felt the small yet powerful climax dropped her into satisfaction. She groaned deeply while suddenly falling forward. Her hands came down to hold her up from hitting Gabrielle.

The small warrior grinned as she wrapped her arms around her lover. "I'm not done with you."

Xena slowly opened her eyes to gaze down into dark green eyes. "I know," she whispered faintly. She was still heavily breathing. She lowered her body onto Gabrielle's.

The short woman kissed her lover's temple and pushed her body up more onto the bed. Xena's hips were now over her stomach.

The tall woman slowly sat up with a grin. "Now, I do want what's mine as well."

"Oh." Gabrielle grabbed her partner's hands. "I'm not doing this alone." She evilly grinned as her right hand with Xena's went under the warrior's hips. "This body is yours as much as mine." One of her fingers with Xena's entered inside.

"Gabrielle," growled the older woman. Her other hand's grasp went strong. She began to rock her hips into the pumping fingers.

The small woman was breathing heavily as she felt her necklace tight around her throat. "It's both of us doing this to your body Xena," she whispered. "Gods it's perfect."

The Warrior Princess whimpered while dropping her head back. She felt the passion roar through her body and take her into a strong daze. "Please Gabrielle," she pleaded quietly.

The Queen smiled with perfection while letting herself and Xena slip another finger in each. "Faster?"

The older woman faintly nodded while holding Gabrielle's other hand in desperation to stay in reality a little longer.

Gabrielle twined that hand together in reassurance. Sometimes for either of them this could be overly powerful.

The four fingers began to slide in and out of the warrior's center at a rapid pace. "We're taking you Xena."

Xena couldn't respond to that for she was to busy grinding her hips, sweating, moving her fingers in and out, breathing heavily, grasping her lover's hand, and having heat flashes through her body.

The small woman smiled at seeing the lack of response. Then she felt her lover's fingers stop moving with her own. Nothing was heard for a brief instant.

Xena's eyes were closed with her head dropped back as, "Gabrielle," erupted from deep inside.

The small warrior slipped the fingers out as Xena's body went crashing into hers. She took the strong crash easily as she held her Soulmate tightly.

The warrior dug her head into Gabrielle's neck with closed eyes. She tried to come back to this world.

Gabrielle waited with a smile on her lips. She rocked she and Xena's body a little. She tried to calm her own passion as well.

The dark woman kissed her lover's neck and shivered a little.

"Hey, you okay?" The Amazon Queen rubbed her friend's hot back.

"Yeah," whispered the warrior. She lifted her head with a grin. "A little more intense."

"Mmm, because it was both of us." Gabrielle grinned. "Love it when that happens." She chuckled a little.

Xena grinned slowly while leaning down to kiss her lover gently. After the kiss she hopped out of the bed.

"Xena," growled the small warrior.

The older woman winked while strutting dramatically over to a sofa.

Gabrielle rolled out of the bed and came to stand in front of her Soulmate whom sat in the sofa. Her hands were on her hips with a huge smirk in her expression.

The dark woman chuckled and reached to grasp Gabrielle's hips. She pulled the small warrior onto her lap.

The Amazon Queen straddled her partner's legs.

Xena smiled and slowly lowered her eyes to scan her partner's strong body. "These past two days have been… out of hand." She peered up with hooded eyes.

"Xena-"

The warrior had leaned forward to kiss Gabrielle into silence. She sat back while spreading her legs open wide, which only caused the warrior-bard's legs open wide. "Just listen?" She looked up with a plea.

The small woman nodded knowing this would be a rare moment. Her held Xena's sides in support.

"Thank you," whispered the older woman. Her hands went to her lover's lower stomach. "Fast or slow?" she quietly asked as her fingertips went between the folds.

"Slow." Gabrielle grinned a little.

Xena smiled while two fingers gently slipped into her lover. "I love you Gabrielle." She looked up with a warm smile. "I'm sorry for the past days."

The small warrior opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself remembering her agreement. She felt the two fingers begin to slide in and out slowly. A moan left her lips.

"I should have been more careful."

Gabrielle pushed her hands against her lover's stomach. She just rasped, "Please don't say… this." She closed her eyes. "It's over," she whispered as the passion ripped through her body.

A sad smile crossed the older woman's lips. Her left hand came under her lover's ass to help her. "I need to. Please?"

The small warrior's hands shifted to press on the taller woman's strong thighs. Her head dropped forward as her chest raised quickly. She noticed her lover's skin go white around her hands from pressing down so hard. Slowly she nodded to answer from earlier.

"Thank you," ushered the warrior. Her fingers continued to slowly go in and out of her Soulmate's center. "Thank you for finding me." She leaned in to kiss Gabrielle gently. "I was looking the wrong way." She pulled back from the kiss to see she only stole breath from her lover.

Gabrielle whimpered and dropped her body into her lover's. She could feel the two fingers slowly raising her higher and higher.

Xena felt droplets of sweat roll of her Soulmate and onto her own legs. She breathed coarsely. "Gods, what would I do without you?"

The younger woman dug her face more into her lover's neck. She just faintly kissed Xena's neck.

The warrior continued moving her two finger slowly though her Soulmate's sex. Her left hand slowly began to move up and down Gabrielle's back in a soothing motion. "I'm so sorry," she whispered in her partner's ear.

The Amazon Queen lifted her head slowly and leaned in so she could warmly kiss Xena. When she pulled back she smiled briefly but the smile did so much because she saw her lover's eyes now twinkling. Knowing her accomplishment, she leaned back into Xena. Her hands went down to her warrior's thighs to press down hard.

The older woman had a loving smile on her lips. She carefully let a third finger glide in with the other two.

Gabrielle sucked in a breath. "Xena," she whispered.

"Faster?"

The warrior-bard shook her head. "Keep it… slow," she rasped. She leaned back into Xena's left arm.

The warrior leaned forward to suck on her lover's right breast.

The young woman closed her eyes as she passion shot around in her body. "I'm… gonna die," she ushered. She sensed her Soulmate's touch on her breast more gentle then anything. Then those warm lips were covering her other breast. Gabrielle lifted her hands to run through her partner's dark hair.

After several moments, Xena finished teasing the breasts and lifted her head back up. She kissed Gabrielle lightly while entering a fourth finger.

"Xena." The small woman's voice was in a feared plea.

"I got you." The Warrior Princess's left arm went around Gabrielle's waist to hold her. "Just enjoy."

"I… am." Gabrielle wanted to chuckle but this was definitely not the time for it. She grasped her lover's shoulders tightly. She leaned her head forward.

Xena did the same and let her forehead press against her lover's forehead.

The warrior-bard watched her Soulmate's fingers pump in and out of her sex. She growled a little and closed her eyes.

The older woman closed her eyes as well and sped things up. She tilted her head back a little to kiss Gabrielle.

Gabrielle was just able to respond. She ended the kiss fast and gritted her teeth. She could feel herself reaching the limits.

The warrior felt Gabrielle's hands grasp on her shoulders go incredibly strong.

The Amazon Queen threw her head back and arched her body out. "Xenaaa," exploded from her mouth in a long scream.

The dark warrior then caught her partner falling into her body. She waited for a minute or two to let her lover revive. She felt her warrior's chest rising rapidly with her body beginning to cool. She lifted Gabrielle up carefully and just made it to the bed.

The young warrior realized she was in the middle of the bed. She noticed her Soulmate's arms wrapping around her in protection. Taking a deep breath, she made the effort to wrap her arms and legs around Xena.

The warrior smiled and helped pull Gabrielle in close against her body.

"I like that slow stuff," ushered Gabrielle.

Xena chuckled a little. She pressed her lips against her lover's forehead. "Good." Her eyes drifted shut. "We'll try it again later."

"Mmm, I can't wait." The short warrior's eyes closed. "I love you so much Xen." Her grasp on Xena's body went tighter.

"Ssssh." The Warrior Princess rocked their bodies a little. "I know." She held tight to her Soulmate. "I love you Gabrielle. Don't leave me."

"Trust me, I won't."

The tall woman smiled while still rocking their bodies. "Go to sleep huh?"

"See you in our dreamscape."

"No, I'll see you there." Xena quietly laughed. "You're pokey."

"Whatever Warrior Princess." Gabrielle kissed her lover's neck. "I'll beat you this time."

"Then go to sleep and show me."

Gabrielle snickered. "You're on." Her breathing relaxed dramatically as much as Xena's did.

~*Continue to Section 6*~



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