Gabrielle’s Gift by Cheeya

Gabrielle giggled into her fourth mug of port and raised her eyes to meet the laughing blue of her best friend’s.

"I can’t believe you did that!" she said and Xena flashed a brilliant smile at her.

"You didn’t want me to?" she asked.

"No, I never said that," Gabrielle replied. "It’s just that you’re normally so… so…" She waved her hands as she tried to come up with the word. "Reserved."

"Really?" Xena replied with an amused smile, crossing her arms over her armour and leaning back in her chair.

"Sometimes, you really surprise me, Xena."

She reached over, took one of the apples the warrior had been juggling and tossed it casually.

"Well, I have many skills," the Warrior Princess replied with her trademark arched eyebrow. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and then grinned at her friend.

"I never knew that juggling was one of them," she stated.

"Yeah, well, I have to keep you on your toes. It wouldn’t do for me to be boring now, would it?"

"Xena, you could sit still for a week and you still wouldn’t be boring," Gabrielle replied with a tender smile. They just looked at each other and then Xena stretched.

"Want another drink, Gabrielle?" she asked with a yawn.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" the bard retorted leaning forward in her chair.

"No, you’re already drunk. I just thought you might like another drink."

"As a matter of fact I would," the bard replied, very aware of the fact that the room was starting to spin but she wouldn’t admit it to her friend.

"Alright," Xena replied and crooked her finger at a passing barmaid. "Too more ports please," she said but the barmaid looked at Gabrielle with a sceptic smile. Xena felt her hackles rise and leaned forward menacingly.

"I said two more ports," she growled and the barmaid nodded and bustled away. Gabrielle tried to hide a grin behind her mug.

"I love when you do that," she said, slurring the words slightly.

"Do what, Gabrielle?"

"That growly voice. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up." She giggled again and then reached out to take her friend’s hand. "I’ve had a really good time tonight," she said softly, knowing that Xena would hear her even in the noise of the tavern.

"I’m glad," Xena replied, squeezing her hand gently. "I wanted you to have fun. Especially since it’s your birthday." She grinned at the shocked look on the younger woman’s face. "Thought I’d forgotten, huh?"

"I should have known you wouldn’t forget," Gabrielle replied.

"Listen, why don’t we drink up and go for a walk. I have something for you but I don’t want to give it to you here, ok?"

"Ok," Gabrielle assented and smiled at the barmaid as she brought their drinks. "Thank you," she said brightly and slipped a dinar into her hand.

"No, thank you, Miss," the woman replied and tucked the coin into her apron pocket.

Xena and Gabrielle finished their drinks and then the warrior led her friend outside. They walked in silence for a few minutes but Xena frowned as she saw Gabrielle shiver.

"Cold?" she asked and the bard nodded. Xena slipped her arm around her slender shoulders and pulled her close, hearing the soft sigh from her as the warmth crept back into her body. She smiled inwardly as the bard’s arm snaked around her leather-clad waist and they walked on, enjoying the closeness of their friendship.

"Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"Your sword is very annoying. Either leave it behind…" Gabrielle paused as she realised Xena would never do that. "Forget it, I’ll grow longer arms." Xena chuckled and tightened her grip on her slightly, placing a soft kiss on her temple.

"I’ll think about it, Gabrielle," she promised. They had reached a small clearing surrounded by tall trees and Xena knew it was the perfect spot to give her best friend her birthday present.

"Gabrielle…" she began but the bard was still thinking about the warrior’s weapons.

"I mean, you have your chakram, Xena. You don’t need your sword too. It’s safe around here and…" Xena placed gentle fingers over her lips and smiled tenderly. "Sorry, I’m babbling," the bard said sheepishly.

"It’s ok, you’re cute when you babble," Xena replied and the younger woman giggled. Xena led her by the hand to sit on a fallen tree and gazed into her emerald green eyes.

"Gabrielle, I have something for you that I hope you’ll like. I’ve wanted to give it to you for a while, but I’ve never found the right time until now." She reached into her bodice and pulled out a tiny leather pouch. "I hope you like it," she repeated nervously as she gave it to her friend. Gabrielle opened the drawstring of the bag and pulled out a small, gold bracelet. Her eyes grew wide as she examined it. It was engraved with three tiny words.

"Friends for eternity," she read softly and tears rose to her eyes. "Oh Xena, it’s beautiful."

Her hand moved to her mouth and a tiny sob escaped her. The warrior smiled and fastened the bracelet around her wrist before pulling her into a gentle hug.

"I’m really glad you like it," she whispered.

"I love it, Xena… and I love you. Thank you so much."

"Happy Birthday, Gabrielle," the warrior replied and leaned down slightly to brush her lips against the bard’s forehead. She got the shock of her life when her lips connected with Gabrielle’s. The kiss was brief, but sweet and Gabrielle smiled up at her, taking her breath away with the depth of devotion in her eyes. The bard reached out and stroked her friend’s cheek with a feather-light touch.

"This has been the best birthday ever, Xena," she said but the warrior’s throat was too dry to answer. She nodded slowly and felt herself moving toward her friend. She couldn’t stop it. It was as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Gabrielle fingers entwined in her hair and their lips met again. The kiss was tentative at first but it soon changed and grew and they moaned simultaneously as their tongues met for the first time. Passion took over and hands began to roam over soft, warm skin. They sank to the ground and desire surged over them like a tsunami. Their lovemaking was fiery and powerful and left them both spent and trembling.

"Xena, I love you," Gabrielle said, as she lay cradled in her lover’s strong arms.

"I love you too, Gabrielle," the warrior replied. She almost couldn’t believe what had happened between them but she found that her happiness outweighed her guilt by a thousand times. A small hand moved across her stomach and she felt a soft kiss on her chest.

"Thank you," Gabrielle said softly.

"For what?" the warrior enquired with a raised eyebrow.

"For making this the most amazing night of my life."

"Oh," Xena replied with a chuckle. "Well, I’m going to do my best to make every one as good as this one has been."

"I know you will. We have a lifetime, Xena. Let’s spend every night of it in each other’s arms."

"Oh, I fully intend to," the warrior growled and Gabrielle chuckled against her.

"I told you I loved that growly voice," she said.

"I can see that," the Xena replied and captured a hardened nipple between her lips.

"Oh gods," Gabrielle sighed and succumbed to the feelings of passion that made their way through her at her lover’s touch.

The End