Penname: WarriorKym
E-Mail: WarriorKym@Hotmail.com

     " Xena? Xena! Where are you?!" Gabrielle screamed. " Ok, breathe,... just breathe, I'm sure she's all right." she told herself. She was walking through a huge cave full of tunnels. " This is so strange." she thought. I don't remember coming to any caves...or anywhere near caves. Something is very wrong here. Something should be jumping out at me...or someone attacking me. Otherwise, Xena would be he-AHH!" she screamed as a hand curled around her arm.

     " Time to get up Gabrielle." Xena called and shook her. Gabrielle and sat up. " ugh, I just had the weirdest dream." she groaned and stretched. Around her everything was normal. The fire was going, Argo was munching her oats, Xena was getting dressed, the...hmmm, Xena was getting dressed. Gabrielle smiled and walked over to her.

     " Morning Xena, What are we doing today?" she inquired and started doing up the ties on Xena's leathers without being asked. She could feel Xena jump at her touch, but said nothing.

     " Didn't you want to go to that Dionysian Festival?" Xena asked. " We'll need to start today to get there in time. Thanks." She said as she turned to face Gabrielle. " We can grab some breakfast there."

     "Sounds like a plan. " Gabrielle said, not relinquishing her hold on Xena's arms.

     " So...we could probably go a lot faster if you let go of my arms." Xena smirked. " Seriously though. I have a friend in the next town who needs something and we need to hurry." Xena gave Gabrielle a light peck on her forehead, removed herself from her arms, and began rolling up the bedrolls. Gabrielle sighed to herself, not quite sure how to push this, then started to help. Within a few minutes they were on the road again.

     " How long do you think it will take us to get there?" Gabrielle asked.

     " About two and a half days."

     " Of course, knowing us, we'll be led into some kind of great battle or have to save someone and we'll never get there." Gabrielle said pessimistically.

     " Tell you what, if that happens, I'll try to hurry it along ok?" Xena said sweetly.

     " You think I'm going to take that as joke, don't you? But you remember you said that because I'll hold you to it."

     The day passed much like that the whole time. Gentle bickering made them both feel comfortable. Xena's friend in town turned out to be more a friend of Cyrene's and just wanted to give them a parcel to deliver to her the next time they saw her. Xena was forced to stay and listen to the town's gossip for a bit while Gabrielle shopped, but she managed to get away after a few candlemarks because of the rapidly approaching darkness.

     " You could have tried to help." Xena reproached Gabrielle as they met up later.

     " What did you want me to do? Set myself on fire as a diversionary tactic?" Gabrielle laughed. Xena shrugged and looked thoughtful, causing Gabrielle to laugh harder.

     " This looks good. " Xena said as she choose a campsite.

     " FINALLY!" Gabrielle groaned and flopped down. " You're too much of a perfectionist Xena. We passed plenty of perfectly good campsites." Sensing Xena was ignoring her, Gabrielle whistled happily and began to unload Argo. Before she was half finished, wonderful smells began to drift over. " Umn! What smells so great?" She asked, sniffing appreciatively.

     " Hannah (Cyrene's friend) gave us some food. Did I forget to mention that?" Xena asked innocently.

     Gabrielle squinted in mock anger at her, then sat down, Hannah was a excellent cook. She'd given them fresh rolls and bread for days, about ten roasted and flavored potatoes, fresh sausage, dried venison and lots of fruit. They tasted everything, but were careful to leave some of the delicacies for later consumption.

     The fire died down and both sat comfortably in front of it with a clean camp and full stomachs. Xena's rhythmic sharpening of her sword corresponded perfectly with the scratching of Gabrielle's quill.

     " Remind me to get more ink tomorrow." Gabrielle said after a bit and began to put away her things. Xena saw that as a signal it was time for bed and began putting her own things away. Warm hands on her shoulders startled her and she dropped her sword with a clatter, causing Gabrielle to giggle.

     " Calm down Xena. I was just going to unfasten your armor. You forgot to take it off earlier."

     Xena smiled self-consciously and picked up her sword while Gabrielle undid the complicated clasps. She pulled it off and began kneading Xena's shoulders. Xena felt her muscles relax and a warm glow start to spread through her. The alarm spread through her as Gabrielle slipped further and further down her back.

     " I need to ask her." she thought. " I need to stop this while I still can..um, that really feels good...maybe just a few more minutes more..." Gabrielle's hands suddenly moved back up to her neck removing her reason for concern...for a bit. One hand moved around front and started to trace her collarbone while the other stroked her cheek. Xena could feel her temperature rising and then felt her face turned back to meet Gabrielle's. " Dang it kiss her!" every portion of her screamed. She could feel Gabrielle lean closer and closer until she could feel her breath on her lips. " Ahem." Xena cleared her throat and quickly stood up almost making Gabrielle fall forward.

     " Heh, sorry." She apologized and paced back and forth. " Gabrielle," She started, not quite sure how to ask, " Would you like to go and see a play with me tomorrow night?" she blurted out, not looking at the bard's face. Gabrielle looked stunned and confused for a minute, then started laughing.

     " Xena?" she giggled. " Are you, are you courting me?"

     Xena stood awkwardly in front of her and hem-hawed for a minute. " Maybe I am." She said defensively.

     Gabrielle realized she was serious and forced herself to stop laughing. She walked over to where Xena was meticulously laying out her sword next to their rolls and took her hands. " Xena, that is so cute! I would be honored to go with you." She finished.

     Xena looked at her happily, then put her warrior mask back on. " Good, well, that's settled. Let's get some sleep." she said, talking a little fast.

     Later, lying back to back with a sleeping Xena, Gabrielle couldn't make her mind stop turning long enough to get any rest of her own. " I can't believe this!" she thought. " Xena is courting me! This is too good. It's so sweet and...unexpected...and so...Xenaish. I should've expected something like this from her. This is fabulous!" Gabrielle though happily and finally fell asleep thanking Aphrodite and wondering what their first date (Gods, she loved how that sounded!!!) would be like.

     " Oh come on Xena. Just for a few candlemarks. We'll make up for the time on the road." Gabrielle wheedled. " You need new stuff anyway. And besides, with all the dinars we've got stacked up, poor Argo is probably exhausted from the weight so we might as well-" Gabrielle stopped as Xena held up a hand.

     " Finished?" Xena asked.

     " Are we shopping?" Gabrielle asked back

     " We're shopping." Xena groaned.

     " Then I'm finished!" Gabrielle smiled, very pleased with herself. The next few candle marks were filled by her browsing and arguing with salespeople, while Xena walked behind her, uninterestedly, with her lips pursed in indulgence.

     " This is pretty huh Xena? " Gabrielle asked, trying to draw her into the spirit of things. They didn't shop very often.

     " Okay." Was Xena's non-committal response.

     Gabrielle sighed and put it down. " We gotta start doing this more often." She thought. " Then maybe she'll relax...right, Xena relax?" Gabrielle mocked herself with a snort. Catching Xena staring at her with confusion, she started talking out loud. " So, what do you need?"

     " Nothin'"

     " Oh, you do so!" Gabrielle said flustered. " Here, what 'bout this?" she asked holding up a hairclip. " It'll replace that ugly thing you wear now." She pushed.

     " My hairclip is *not* a priority Gabrielle." Xena stated, but her mind wandered slightly. " She notices my hairclip? This could be bad...what am I supposed to wear tonight? XENA!" she quickly reprimanded herself. " You'll wear just what you always wear! it's not a big deal! Just a town play, nothing big or fancy. You'll wear what you always wear and she'll wear what she always wears." Xena grinned and looked at Gabrielle who was going through clothes. " Speaking of which, when did she start wearing that brown thing? Right..." She thought as her memory caught up with her eyes. " That was Teresa's. In the Amazons." She looked at the brown skirt and shirt combo with approval. " Definitely better than that blue thing." Xena smirked.

     " If you're done staring into space," Gabrielle's voice broke through, " We should start for the play soon."

     Xena looked at the sky quickly. " Hades! How long have I been thinking?" She asked herself. " It's almost dark!"

     Gabrielle laughed at her, earning a dirty look for her trouble. " Whasamatter? Lose track of time? See? I told you we'd have fun!"

     Xena ignored her and untethered Argo. " Let's move." She said dryly while Gabrielle loaded her purchases into the saddle bags. " For Mt. Olympus' sake Gabrielle," She commented, " Did you leave the shopkeepers anything?!"

     " Ok, here we are." Xena said, trying to hide the rapid beating of her heart. She looked down at the small crowd gathering inside the playhouse. " Maybe we shouldn't do this." She said, turning to leave.

     " Chicken." Gabrielle responded and took her hand firmly in hers. " Now, are you going to be a gentleman and open the door for me, or am I going to be the gentleman tonight?" she teased.

     Xena looked sheepish and stretched out an arm to keep the heavy oak door open while Gabrielle walked saucily through it. She remained standing politely until Gabrielle found her seat, and only once she was settled did she take her own. Gabrielle immediately took her hand again and Xena was thinking she was enjoying this far too much when the bard interrupted.

     " So, what are we seeing?"

     " Antigone." Xena responded. "One of my favorites." she added

     " But Xena, it's a tragedy!"

     " So? The message is clear, don't you like this play?"

     " Yeah, I do. It just disturbs me to know your favorite play is a total tragedy." Gabrielle answered.

     " Which play isn't?" Xena laughed. " Besides, I didn't say it was my favorite. I also enjoy Oedipus Rex." She grinned to Gabrielle's annoyance.

     " Be quiet, it's starting." Gabrielle reprimanded. She was a little surprised Xena knew so much about plays and the like. Xena never ceased to amaze her. Was there nothing this woman couldn't do?!

     "That was one of the best productions of Antigone I've ever seen! That cave death scene was so real!" Gabrielle commented excitedly while they made camp. They'd eaten in a restaurant type thing in town, but Xena had refused to stay there. " Too many towns lately." She'd explained in her own way.

     Gabrielle talked happily as things stared to lay out like magic. Before she'd even finished her review of the play, she found herself sitting in front of a roaring fire with camp completely constructed. The two women sat together leaning against a large log with Xena tending the fire and sharpening her sword. When Gabrielle finally finished her synopsis, Xena smiled and out away the sword, ready for bed. Shopping had a tendency to wear her out.

     " Great, so you liked it?" she said simply and started to lower the fire.

     " Yeah, a lot Xena. Thanks for taking me." Gabrielle said happily. Xena was bent over the fire, moving unburnt logs away from the flames. " Here, let me help." Gabrielle offered and leaned down by Xena, accidentally of course, rubbing her arms against hers. Xena's arms were warm and soft against her own and they finished far too fast for Gabrielle's taste. Xena leaned back and stretched with a groan. Immediately, she felt hands on her shoulder muscles gently kneading.

     " Xena! you're all knots and lumps. Been stressed lately?" Gabrielle asked from her position behind her.

     " Uh, yeah. I've had a bit on my mind." Xena stammered.

     " Such as...?" Gabrielle encouraged, rubbing up and down Xena's spine and relaxing the stubborn muscles.

     Xena flinched slightly. " I knew she was going to ask that!" She thought.

     " Sorry!" Gabrielle said quickly kissing her neck. " Did I hurt you?" She really was concerned, but when her lips met Xena's skin, the thoughts fled. She kissed again, softly and heard Xena sigh slightly. " Aha!" Gabrielle thought and kissed along the base of her neck. She knew she heard Xena sigh again and gasp when she worked her way across hers shoulders, even though most people probably couldn't have.

     " Too much...too much." Xena's brain screamed at her, but her heart and body were ignoring it. " It feels so...right!" she thought as soft lips brushed against her neck again. She forced herself to stand up and reach a hand down for Gabrielle. " Thanks." She said roughly.

     " No problem." Gabrielle responded, seeing right through the gruff demeanor. " What>" she teased. " No good-night kiss? My parents are already asleep."

     Xena grinned and choose the safe way out. " You know, that's right! I didn't get asked in by your father and given the interrogation speech! This wasn't a proper d-date at all." she stumbled slightly over the last words, realizing what she'd said. " I mean-uh-uh-"

     Gabrielle grinned, stood up, and saved Xena from digging the hole any deeper. " That's okay. My dad doesn't interrogate until at least the third date." She took Xena's hand and kissed it lightly, then crawled into her bedroll. " We'll go at her own pace. No pushing now I've just got her." she thought.

     Xena sighed with relief and organized a few things that didn't need organizing before crawling in her roll close to Gabrielle. " She's so thoughtful and understanding! I don't deserve this." She thought. " But yet..." She casually draped her arm around the sleepy bard's waist and felt a warm hand cover her own, " Here it is!..."

     The firelight danced in Xena's dark hair making glossy pools of obsidian. The shadows cast on her face only served to deepen the thoughtful look it held. Gabrielle looked at every curve, every line, every color, memorizing it and holding it like a precious stone. A slight breeze had picked up and stray bits of hair blew into her face, causing her impatient hand to toss it away. Again and again it blew until Gabrielle was about ready to find Zeus and pummel him for distracting her from Xena's beauty.

     " Tie it up." A low voice commanded suddenly. Gabrielle jumped at the sudden silence breaker. She hadn't even thought Xena was looking at her, but if she knew her hair was blowing...." Ut-oh. I hope she didn't catch me staring at her!" Gabrielle thought in alarm.

     " Here, I'll do it." Xena offered, ceasing her mediations into the fire. She picked up a leather thong and strode over to where Gabrielle sat on the ground and kneeled behind her. " Gods her hair is soft tonight!" Xena noticed vaguely as she scooped it together. indulging herself just a bit, she allowed her fingers to trail lightly across the back of Gabrielle's neck as she gathered the hair.

     Gabrielle shivered when she felt Xena's finger's touch her. She'd spent almost a candlemark brushing her hair while Xena argued with the merchant, until it was as soft as new wool. " What a day!" she thought happily. Waking up with Xena's arm around her, perfect weather, good food, no riding, and a whole afternoon of browsing through ancient stories. Xena'd casually mentioned the archive in town and the fact they'd made wonderful time that day. " Thinks she's so sly." Gabrielle grinned at the memory. She had become much more sure of herself when Xena had stayed to help her translate and find just what she wanted. " I wonder if that counted as a second date ?" she mused. Xena sure was...attentive. " I could get used to this!" she thought. " if this is how it's going to-" she gasped slightly as she felt lips trail slightly down her spine. She turned and faced Xena who was looking surprised at herself for doing it. Gabrielle reached out and cupped Xena's cheek gently and stared into her eyes deeply. Leaning forward, she began to pull Xena towards her until she could feel Xena's breath on her lips.

     " Can't! No, Too much!" the suddenly disappeared Xena's voice said. Gabrielle breathed slightly shocked at the warm presence that had just...evaporated suddenly. She scanned the area and found Xena desperately trying to undo the buckles on her breastplate over by Argo. Walking softly, Gabrielle wordlessly undid the straps and helped remove the stubborn armor. She placed it carefully on the ground, and waiting for just the right moment, caught Xena up in her arms.

     " Xena." she said softly, trying to catch the averting gaze. " This is your call." The eyes focused on hers. " Your pace. No rush, no pressure. " She informed gently. Xena's eyes softened and held her gaze.

     " Thank-you." She said simply, but whole-heartedly.

     " No problem. Tomorrow's the festival. Ready to go to bed?" Gabrielle asked gently, trying to relax Xena. The warrior smiled lopsidedly agreeing and allowed herself to be pulled to the bedrolls.

     Gabrielle experimentally leaned up against her when they laid down and felt Xena's arm drape over her. " You're ok!" she informed her thumping heart. " it's only been three days! it is important to let Xena take this at her own speed. Even if her very presence drives you batty. Very new for you both, especially her. She needs time...she's trying very hard, you know that!" Gabrielle reprimanded herself. " It's just gonna take time...loosen the walls first, don't just hammer at them." She relaxed her weigh comfortably into Xena. " Besides, this is very good in itself!"

     It was a few candlemarks before noon as the women walked through the crowded city streets. Bright flags and banners hung everywhere, colored cloth covered everything and already a few drunks were staggering about. Gabrielle flittered from one stall to the next excitedly. All still had their normal wares, but now festival trinkets and souveniers littered the edges of their stands.

     " Gabrielle, I'm going to get a room and setttle Argo." Xena called as her friend skipped off to yet another stall. Gabrielle nodded and waved distractedly as she browsed more. Xena shook her head, wondering of she'd even heard her. Normally she would have stayed to make sure she was ok, but Xena didn't know just how much more bargaining she could take. She searched for a minute, trying to remember exactly where she'd left the Inn. Once she found it, she tethered Argo outside and walked solidly in. The inside was bustling and every table was filled. Picking the barkeep from among the crowd, she marched over.

      " Dantus! Hey, Dantus!" she yelled over the noise.

     " No room, no room." he yelled feeling a tug on his arm on his sleeve while he busily tried to balance a stack of dishes. Someone stepped drunkenly in front of him and he fell forward. He screwed up his face, ready to hit floor, but it never came. Instead a strong pair of arms held him and steadied the dishes he still carried at the same time. He quickly opened his eyes to find twinkling blue ones laughing at him.

     " Xena!" he said in surprise, then began to laugh. " Thank-you child. I was starting to think you weren't coming. Come, come in the back child." he chattered while she took half the dishes and followed him through the masses.

     " There now, much better. Sorry about the clutter, busy s-"

     " Busy season, I know." Xena finished with him and set down the dishes next to the piles of the same on the counter.

     " Ah, thank-you again child. Where's your friend? The one with all the stories?" he asked turning his attention to filling clean bowls with the stew that was bubbling on the fire.

     " Gabrielle. She's shopping." Xena answered, stepping back as a waitress rushed in and out, relaying orders and snatching up food trays. Two cooks were frantically trying to keep up and Dantus just seemed to be getting in the way. " Which room is ours?" she asked, trying to distract him away from the busy cooks. They shot her grateful looks as he bustled off to the front counter. Xena chuckled and followed the large man.

     " Here child, second door on the left of the stairs. I believe you've had it before? I made sure I kept it special for you." He smiled and handed her a large ornamental key. He leaned up against the counter, ready to talk, but screams of " BARKEEP" stopped him. " We'll talk later, yes little one? When all this craziness-" he gestured wildly, then stepped away. " -has ceased." he then ran off in the direction of the beckoning.

     Xena smiled to herself and tucked the key into her breastpiece. She untethered Argo and lead her into the stable. It had been a while since she had been able to properly groom her, so it was several candlemarks later before she began to put away the equipment. Unrecognized footsteps brought her attention to a peak. Her eyes scanned the room and settled on a man who was bringing in his horse.

     He seemed vaguely familiar and something tickled in the back of her brain telling her she knew him. She fastened the feedbag on Argo's head and gathered up the saddlebags and bedrolls, etc. while the horse ate. She heard him coming while she undid the feedbag and prepared herself for a fight.

     " Xena? Is that you?" A slightly familiar voice asked. She turned, still on her guard, to face a tall man with light hair. " It's me, Ranti!"

     " Ranti?" her wariness vanished like a puff of smoke. " By the Gods, how long has it been?" she asked happily.

     " Too long, much too long. Have lunch with me and we'll talk." he offered and held out his arm. She laughed and took it, and they headed for the Inn.

     Gabrielle walked into Dantus'' Inn. Xena hadn't said exactly where they were staying, but this was a good bet. Her eyes searched the room until they rested on a very plump red-faced man dealing out drinks in the back of the room. He saw her coming and she watched recognition pass over his large features. He headed towards her and she could hear his deep voice clearly from where she stood waiting.

     " Gabrielle! I'm coming! Hello, Hello!" He greeted her, taking both her hands in his and pumping them up and down.

     " Hey, hi." she answered and managed to pull her arms out of his grip. " Have you seen Xena?"

     " Oh yes child. She came for the room key, then she and a large man ate lunch over there." he pointed to a table now occupied by two women. " They just left. You barely missed them. " He said happily. " I'm sure they'll be back soon enou- oh look! There they are now!" he finished as the pair walked in through the open door.

     Xena raised a hand in acknowledgment that she saw Gabrielle winding her way over.

     " Hey, had enough shopping for a bit?" Xena teased as the bard arrived, slightly out of breath from forcing her way through the crowd. Gabrielle smiled sarcastically and smiled at the man standing beside Xena. " Hi, I'm Gabrielle." She said pleasantly holding out her arm to him and carefully hiding her suspicion of this new person with her warrior.

     " Ranti." He returned and took her arm. " Xena and I are old friends. We served in the same army for a time." he offered in explanation sensing the suspicion behind her words.

     " Rant and I were just going out to enjoy the festival. You coming?" Xena asked.

     " Sure." Gabrielle agreed, not mentioning she'd been looking forward to a day with Xena. *Just* Xena.

     The three went out to experience the festival, which was now in full swing. Jugglers and balancers stood on every corner, their bright balls shining in the sun. Storytellers sat with huge circles of people around them everywhere. Singers stood on boxstands, belting out for they were worth. Almost every street had a band in it filling the air with sound. The orators with their epics shouted above them, while children screamed and chased each other through the people. Everything was a bright swirling collage of sights, sounds, smells, people, and happiness. And in every hand was a drink.

     A brief incident occurred about half a candlemark after they got there. Gabrielle was talking to Ranti and deciding maybe he wasn't so bad while Xena discussed technique with a fire juggler. Gabrielle turned to ask Xena a question and saw her engaged so she headed towards her. Xena looked up at her approach and a smile started, then Gabrielle watched something pass through Xena's eyes she'd never seen there before. Fear. Pure fear. Gabrielle turned terrified to see what Xena was looking at. If Xena was scared like that, it must be a ......clown? Gabrielle turned back, but Xena had disappeared. She quickly shooed the clown away and Xena walked nonchalantly back. Xena never said a word, but Gabrielle noticed her fingers moving rapidly almost to her self.

     The trio wandered through listening to the stories, playing the games, eating, laughing, drinking and enjoying. It was long after dinnertime when they got back to the Inn, but it was still churning with life and sound. At Xena and Ranti's encouragement, Gabrielle seated herself at the front and started to talk. Amazingly, the room became silent and the drunken patrons listened attentively as she reeled off some of her favorites. Xena and Ranti sat at the bar where they could still hear her, but talk between themselves also. Dantus joined in when he could, but he was kept very busy filling drinks and plates. Xena was on about her fourth port and Ranti was pulling about the same by the time Dantus came again. They were talking animatedly about a joke they'd played on their Captain and although it didn't seem like the funniest thing to Dantus, they were nearly bent in two laughing.

     " So are you two children going to explain just how you made his chair stick to him?" Dantus asked, leaning over the bar. ( he hated not getting a joke)

     Xena giggled and nodded while Ranti pushed their empty cups towards Dantus. He glanced at them, wondering just how many times his waitress had already filled those cups. " Don't you think you've had enough child?" he asked Xena gently.

     " Oh come on Dantus! It *is* Dionysus' festival" She implored with a definite blur to her words.

     " Still little one. I think you're done." he answered. She was about to argue again, but Ranti shushed her. Calls from the room for refills pulled Dantus away, but he left definite instructions with his employees not to give them anymore. His mind turned completely to the task at hand and listening to Gabrielle's stories. A hand on his shoulder started him, and he jumped to find Gabrielle standing behind him.

     " Sorry" she smiled.

     " It's all right child. You just startled me. Loved your tales tonight. You get better with each one." He praised.

     "Thank-you. I try. Where are Xena and Ranti?"

     " Right over there at the bar." He answered, leaning over to fill more cups.

     " I don't see them."

     He straightened and began to point. " Right th- Well. They were right there. Maybe they...ut-oh." he finished looking at the empty seats.

     " ut-oh?" Gabrielle asked confused.

     "Hmm, you might want to find your friend child. She's already had too much to drink , and if my guess is right, the man she was with has taken her to get more." he explained.

     " Oh, well. No big deal. It is a Dionysian Festival after all." Gabrielle laughed. " She'll meet up with me here later." She started to walk way, but a concerned hand on her arm stopped her.

     " Child," He said, his brow wrinkled in concern. " Xena has a tendency to...well...lose track of herself when she drinks." He looked into her eyes, hoping she understood. Finding she didn't, he continued his muddled explanation. " I don't know how close you two are, but...uh.." He cleared his throat, then went on, even as realization started to pass through Gabrielle. " Some people hold their drink well, some don't. Xena is one of those who don't child."

     " I'm getting it. Thanks Dantus, I'll find her." Gabrielle stated much to his relief and left.

     " Good girl!" he called after her. " Probably nothing wrong." He muttered to himself. " Hope there's nothing wrong..."

     Gabrielle picked up her staff from the doorway and walked outside. The festival was still flowing strong as she stepped out into it. She wandered in and out of taverns and bars, searching for the missing pair. She found them in the Lamb's Arms Bar. They were dancing very close to the music of one of the band's that had moved inside and Gabrielle noticed with annoyance Ranti's hand was way too far down. They didn't see her and sat back down as soon as the song finished. Xena picked up her mug and was taking yet another swig when she saw Gabrielle walking over. She smiled and stood up clumsily when she approached.

     " Hi Gabby!" she called a little too loudly and stumbled over to her. At the last minute, she tripped and landed in Gabrielle's arms. " I'm drunk." She stated matter-of-factly grinning up at her.

     " So you are." Gabrielle said, grinning in spite of herself. " Come one, let's get you to bed." she said wrapping Xena's left arm around her neck and her own around the warrior's waist then started supporting Xena to the door.

     " No wait! You wanna see somfin really great?" Xena asked, pulling herself away and heading back for her seat. " Commere!"

     " Ok, what." Gabrielle said impatiently. More than half the men at the bar were leering at Xena and she wanted to get her out of there quickly.

     " Oh, you don't even care." Xena pouted, sticking her lip out.

     " If only she didn't look so adorable when she did that." Gabrielle thought. " No I really do. Show me Xena." she patronized

     " oo-kkay." Xena said and picked up her port from in front of her. " Lookee! If ya look through it," She held it up her eye, " lookee how funny eveything looks!"

     " Yeah, um, that's really great Xena." Gabrielle indulged." let's go now ok? I think you're finished here." Gabrielle crooned and again started to lead Xena to the exit.

     " Hey Xena!" A voice called sluggishly. " Where ya goin'?" Ranti asked coming over clumsily. " I thinked you promised me another danse!" he slurred.

     Xena giggled and looked at Gabrielle. " I forgot!" she confessed with a silly smile and started to head for Ranti.

     " Xena, I think you can dance another time. We need to get back to Dantus right now." Gabrielle cooed, chasing after her and leading her out.

     " Ok" Xena slurred and leaned heavily in Gabrielle.

     "Gabrielle! Where ya takin' my girl?" Ranti asked, trying to follow them. Xena giggled again and poked Gabrielle's side. " I'm too old to be a girl! but him said girl!" she collapsed into a chair laughing.

     " Oh boy." Gabrielle groaned and helped the still laughing Xena up again. This time they actually made it out the door and into the street with Ranti staring stupidly after them. The street bands were playing and Xena was determined to dance to the music, but Gabrielle held her hands firmly and pulled her behind her. They reached the Inn and Gabrielle wondered if she was going to have to get their things from the stable or not.

     " Xena, hey Xena." she said trying to catch the swaying warrior's attention. " Xena look at me." She held Xena's face with her hand. " Where are our saddlebags and equipment?"

     Xena stared at her uncomprehendingly for a minute, then wrinkled her forehead thinking hard. She stayed in that position for a few minutes, then announced loudly, " I don'ts know."

     Gabrielle groaned and decided it might it might be easier to get her in the room first, then try to find out what Xena had done with their things. She led her inside and to the stairs only to realize, she had no idea which room was theirs. Spying Dantus, she dragged Xena over to him.

     " Oh wonderful child! You found her!"

     " Hi!!" Xena told him loudly.

     " Ut-oh," He laughed. " Hi yourself Xena. Had enough to drink?"

     Gabrielle interrupted. " Dantus, which room is ours?"

     " Yeah!" Xena mimicked. " Which room is ours?!"

     Dantus tried hard to keep a straight face, especially after Gabrielle's icy stare at him. " Second door to the left at the top of the stairs. You'll need the key!" he added as they started to leave.

     " Where is it?" Gabrielle said turning around and trying to keep her voice patient.

     " Guess who has it." he grinned. They both turned to look at Xena who was staring fascinated at the chandelier. Feeling their eyes, she looked down. " Wha''?" she asked.

     " Xena, where is the room key?"

     " I dunno." Xena responded in a sing-song voice as she rocked back and forth on her heels. Gabrielle sighed and thrust Xena's hands into Dantus'. " Watch her." She instructed." I'm going to check the stables."

     They both watched her go, then Dantus led the staggering Xena to a seat behind the bar. " Keep an eye on her." he told his daughter who was back there. She did for awhile, but her boyfriend came to get her, so she turned, looked at her twenty-eight year old brother, and gave him the same line. " Keep an eye on her."

     " Sure" he said, not listening. He turned after a minute of refilling cups to see a gorgeous woman sitting in the chair and watching him intently.

     " Hello." He said smiling and walking over to her.

     " Great, just great. It's not here!" Gabrielle muttered. She'd looked through all their bags and through all the straw on the floor. Picking up their stuff she headed back for the Inn. " You better not have eaten it!" She threatened Argo with a raised finger as she left. She walked back into the main room and looked around for Dantus.

     " DANTUS! Where's Xena? I asked you to watch her!" She yelled upon finding him alone.

     " She's behind the counter child. Sweet Zeus, relax! What could possibly be wrong?"

     Gabrielle raised an unconvinced eyebrow at him, then headed in the direction he had pointed. " Hey!" she yelled at the sight of Dantus' son kissing Xena. He didn't hear her, but Xena did. " Hi!" she called moving her head to peer around him then went back to kissing him.

     " Excuse you." Gabrielle said pushing him aside and pulling Xena after her.

     " Hi Gabby." Xena greeted her again as she stumbled behind her.

     " Hi." She said curtly, pulling her up the stairs. She got to the door and suddenly remembered, no key! " Ugh," She thought and banged her head on the door, then stood there, leaning up against it thinking.

     " Hey Gabby. Guess what." Xena slurred at her.

     " What?!" Gabrielle said very annoyed with the image of Xena kissing that- her attention was readily gotten when Xena leaned up against her, right into her face. The close proximity was enough to make Gabrielle warm, and when Xena suddenly reached down her front, she thought she was going to faint.

     " Here. Lookee what Thad found." Xena said, pulling out a large key and handing it to Gabrielle.

     " That's great! Now we can-...wait, who? Thad? you mean that guy downstairs? Why were his hands down your front?!" she yelled as she unlocked the door. She stormed in and tossed their things onto one of the beds angrily. Turning to find Xena, she noticed she wasn't in the room. Walking back into the hall, she found her leaning up against the wall.

     " Suddenly," she acknowledged, " I don't feel so great."

     " Come on." Gabrielle grinned and half-carried her into their room. " There you go., lay down" She said pushing Xena back onto the bed and beginning to unlace her boots. She noted a thin silver bracelet on her ankle. She'd noticed it many times before, Xena never took it off, but she'd never actually looked closely at it and now was her first chance. Pulling her attention away, she pulled the other boot off and unbuckled Xena's armor. As she undid the armbands, gauntlets, and breastplate, she got the funniest feeling she was being watched. Looking up into Xena's face, she found she was indeed.

     " I thought you were asleep." She said, working on untying something. Xena's hands started to get in the way. " You're not helping Xena." She said and pushed them away. Instead the hands found her own clothes.

     " You need to get undressed too." A husky voice informed her as a hand slipped up her thigh. Gabrielle gasped at the touch and groaned when Xena pulled her on top of her. She could feel Xena's lips making paths along her neck and down her collarbone while Xena's hands ran up and down her back. It felt so wonderful, what she'd been dreaming of for so long, but...

     " Xena, no." She whispered. " Not like this, you're drunk. It's not right." She pushed herself off and pulled Xena's leathers off at the same time, leaving only her light shift. " Oh don't do this!" Gabrielle begged when Xena slid her hand up her leg. " You have no idea how hard this is for me! I want to! SO much, but, I'd feel like I was taking advantage of you. Do you under- ...Xena?"

     Xena'd fallen fast asleep all curled up on her side.

     " Thank the gods!" Gabrielle thought and undressed, slipping her cool night shirt over her feverish body. All she could feel was Xena's hands on her, her lips touching her neck, her...

     " Ah! Snap out of it Gabrielle!" she commanded herself. " Gods' she is gorgeous." she thought, staring at Xena, who was sleeping drunkenly. She was so smashed her fingers weren't even moving like they usually did when she slept. " She's gonna feel good in the morning!" Gabrielle smirked and laid down on the *other* bed. She had some liquor in her own bloodstream and didn't trust herself to sleep next to Xena.

     Xena shifted as she felt the sunlight on her face and felt a horrible pain shoot through her when she did so. Groaning, she sat up to find herself in a bed in a room. The bed next to her had obviously been slept in, but now was empty. Her head was pounding and each time she moved her stomach threatened to let go of it's contents. The door opened while she sat rubbing her temples.

     " Good morning!" Gabrielle chirped.

     " SSHhh" Xena hissed, holding her head. She watched Gabrielle grin wickedly and ignored her.

     " Head hurt?" Gabrielle inquired, handing Xena a cup of tea. " Poor baby." She crooned. Xena tried, unsuccessfully, to give her 'the look' to silence her.

     " Wha' happened?" she asked after a minute.

     " You really don't remember? You drank about ten mugs of port last night with your buddy Ranti."

     Xena groaned and finished the last of her tea." Ten mugs? And I'm still alive?"

     Gabrielle smiled and started putting on her boots. She was already dressed and everything, minus Xena's immediate needs, was packed. Xena forced herself out of the bed and very very slowly began to get dressed. Her mind was spinning about the fact she was only in her shift, but surely she would have remembered that...!

     " You don't want breakfast right?" Gabrielle asked, as she helped her down the stairs. She got no reply, but it really didn't matter. She knew that answer, she was just enjoying bugging Xena.

     " Little one! Oh! You look horrible!" Dantus crooned at her, coming over. " here Gabrielle, I've got her." He said, supporting Xena over to the counter. She grinned slightly as she looked around at all his customers who were groaning and sleeping on the tables and in the same condition as she was.

     " Gabrielle," She whispered," Why is that man staring at me?"

     " Xena, half the men in this room are staring at you." Gabrielle said sarcastically, but with a touch of pride. " But if you mean him, " She pointed at Thad, " *He's* staring because last night you decided to-"

     " Stop! Nevermind." Xena silenced her. They said good-bye to Dantus and walked over to where Argo was saddled and ready. With an effort, Xena climbed up and Gabrielle sat behind her to steady her. Xena's memory was starting to come back in snatches now. Gabrielle was enjoying looking around at the entire town hung over. People were sprawled everywhere; a few of the more ambitious ones were trying to move, but overall, Xena, Gabrielle and Argo were the only things moving. Then a man walked over to them.

     " Xena, Gabrielle. I just wanted to apologize for my behavior last night." Ranti said. " What I remember of it anyway." he tried to smile and pushed his hair out of his face.

     " No worries." Xena comforted him. " We'll talk later though ok?" she said in a hushed voice. Her head was throbbing.

     " Feel as bad as I do?" he asked.

     " Much, much worse." she confirmed.

     " Next time, it'll be better. See you around?" She smiled as well as she could and very slowly took his arm. He walked unsteadily away and Xena tightened her knees to urge Argo forward.

     " If I die," She groaned with each bump, " You can have Argo."

     " Ha Ha, You're hilarious Xena." Gabrielle muttered. The bumps were driving her insane too. With each one, she rubbed up against Xena and she had to keep her arm around her anyway to keep from falling. Being that close to Xena, even a hung-over Xena, was unnerving. All she'd dreamt about last night was the tall warrior. It was all she could think about now. No matter how she chided herself, her mind kept wandering and all she could think was when? Another jolt from Argo shoved her against Xena and her hand slipped up Xena's chest a little. " Gods! " She thought, " Under any other circumstances this would be fun, not today...!"

Fin