Love’s Plan by Cheeya

"Alalalalalalalalala! Cheeeeyyaaaaa!"

Xena leapt off a roof and somersaulted twice before landing and rolling into the midst of the attacking soldiers. She was on her feet and had her sword drawn in a split second.

"Hi Boys," she said with a sweet smile that didn’t reach her piercing blue eyes. The six-foot tall Warrior Princess spun her sword in a vicious arc in her hand as she watched the men move closer to her. They laughed at her and made lewd comments.

"Severely shaggable ain’t she boys?" said one man.

"Ker-shwa!" said another and grabbed his crotch, thrusting his hips in her direction.

"Very nice but didn’t your mothers ever tell you not to keep a lady waiting?" she growled giving them her best cold warlord stare and then ducking as the first soldier swung his sword at her head. She crouched and spun, shooting out her leg and knocking his out from under him before spinning her sword in a half arc in her hand and plunging it into his chest.

"Come on you bastards," she snarled and moved quickly through the group, punching, kicking and cutting down each man as he attacked her. She glanced to her right and grinned as she saw her best friend, making short work of the rest, her sais a blur in her hands as she fought.

"Come on Girl!" Xena yelled and Gabrielle grinned at her before ducking to avoid the sword headed right for her head. She spun and dropped the last soldier with a spinning heel kick and then looked around her for more enemies, her adrenaline pumping and every muscle in her body tense. Having seen none, Gabrielle slid her sais back into the holders on her boots and wiped her sweaty palms on her short skirt.

"Gods, it’s hot," she said as she felt a trickle of sweat run between her shoulder blades. The bard was wearing a sleeveless leather bustier top, fringed above her midriff, which showed off her taught stomach muscles. She was small and slim with muscular shoulders and arms and a very beautiful face. She ran her hand through her short blonde hair and sighed wearily.

"Xena, three attacks in the one day… and in this heat. What in Hades is Draco thinking?"

The raven-haired warrior scowled and turned to walk away but Gabrielle caught her by the shoulder.

"What’s wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"This is getting to be… annoying," said Xena with a frown.

"What’s getting to be annoying?"

"Draco… this obsession he has with you… this godsbedamned heat… everything about this pitiful excuse for a town…" Xena hissed out between gritted teeth.

"Ok, ok, I get the idea. You’re pissed off with the whole Draco in love with me thing huh?"

Xena almost laughed at the bard’s statement.

"Of course I am! He was trying to kill you in Melodia because he couldn’t have you, you know and in case you hadn’t noticed, he almost succeeded!"

"Look Xena, he doesn’t love me. It’s Bliss’ spell. It’ll wear off eventually. I’ll just have to keep out of his way."

"You think I don't know that!" Xena snapped and then her face softened. She took a deep breath. "I’m sorry Gabrielle. I shouldn’t have jumped at you like that."

"It’s ok. I know you’re frustrated. I am too but we can’t leave here until we know the town is safe," said Gabrielle. She massaged her suddenly throbbing temples with her fingers and sat down on a fallen tree.

"Are you ok?" asked the tall warrior and the bard could hear the concern in her voice.

She glanced up and shot Xena a quick reassuring smile.

"Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping that well," she admitted.

"I know," said Xena gently, arching her trademark eyebrow. "You’ve been having nightmares haven’t you?"

Gabrielle stood up suddenly, trying to hide the tears in her eyes by looking out towards the horizon.

"No, I’m fine," she lied.

She jumped slightly as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Gabrielle, it’s not good to bottle it up. It’ll just eat away at you until you go crazy," said Xena.

"I’m hanging onto my sanity by a thread Xena. I can’t let my walls down because I’ll just fall apart."

The Warrior Princess walked around her and lifted her face to look into her eyes. She saw deep pain there, a pain that had not lessened once since they returned from death.

"I’ll catch you…" she whispered and gently pulled the bard into her arms, holding her tightly.

At first there was silence but then Gabrielle began to tremble as she tried to keep the emotion she had been denying for so long buried inside her but the pain was just too much and her chest heaved as sobs wracked her slender frame. Her arms tightened around the warrior’s slender waist and she held on as if her life depended on it. Xena held her close, whispering reassuring words in her ear and stroking her hair until the shuddering subsided and the young woman was calmer. Gabrielle stepped back, wiping her face and looked up at her best friend with a watery, but sheepish smile.

"I’m sorry…" she began but the tall warrior shook her head.

"You needed it Gabrielle. I should have done that a long time ago instead of letting you crumble in on yourself. Believe me Gabrielle, I know all about the crumbling part but you were there for me and now I’m here for you… always… my friend."

Fresh tears sprang into the bard’s eyes as she heard her best friend’s kind words.

"I love you Xena," she whispered.

"And I you," said the raven-haired warrior, kissing her lightly on the forehead.

"Xena! Gabrielle!"

The two women broke their gaze and turned to see the town blacksmith running toward them.

"Hi Gabrielle," he said with a lovestruck smile and Xena rolled her eyes while the bard tried to keep her face straight.

"Hi Mycus. Um… what’s up?"

Mycus tore his eyes away from Gabrielle’s cleavage before continuing.

"I just wanted to let you know that the meal is ready. Um Gabrielle, would you like to sit with me tonight? I’d like to get to know you better."

Gabrielle glanced at her best friend who was glaring at the blacksmith.

If looks could kill… Gabrielle thought to herself.

"Well, I always eat with Xena…"

"No it’s ok Gabrielle. I can survive without you tonight. You heard the man, he wants to get to know you better…"

Gabrielle could see a hundred scenarios running through the Warrior Princess’ mind as she spoke and she felt a bit annoyed at her. It’s not as if I’m a kid anymore, she thought.

"Fine then. I’ll join you for dinner then Mycus. See you later Xena."

"Humph," Xena grunted and walked away towards the tavern.

Mycus held out his arm and Gabrielle took it, allowing him to lead her toward the tavern. In truth she was flattered by his attention. She hadn’t been with anyone in a long time, not since her husband had been murdered…

"So Gabrielle, how long have you and Xena been…"

"Friends?" she finished for him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah," he said and she saw him relax considerably.

Gabrielle cringed inwardly. Great, another town which had obviously heard the stories about Xena and her ‘woman’.

"We’ve been travelling together for over five years now. She’s my best friend," she explained simply.

"She’s… great," he said uncertainly.

"I know she can seem kinda scary but that’s not the Xena I know. She’s kind, loving and strong. She’s saved my life many times," said Gabrielle, a solid grin lighting up her face as a wave of love for her best friend warmed her heart.

"Um… yeah… well… let’s eat!"

They entered the tavern and he led her to a table at the back in the corner. Gabrielle automatically scanned the room for danger as she sat down, a habit learned from a certain Warrior Princess who didn’t go anywhere without her weapons. Mycus chatted amiably to her for the evening and Gabrielle actually found him to be very nice and certainly interesting. Not bad looking either, she thought to herself. Xena watched them from her spot on the other side of the tavern. She saw Gabrielle laughing lightly at something he had said and then saw his hand move to squeeze her forearm. The Warrior Princess slowly unhooked her chakram, making the necessary calculations which would allow her to lob his head off but she scowled and replaced it as she realised there was too great a danger of her hitting Gabrielle.

For the gods’ sakes Xena, she’s a grown woman. She can take care of herself.

But even the mental slap she gave herself didn’t take away the feelings of apprehension… and jealousy… that made her chest hurt. Finally, she got up and strolled casually out the door into the cooler evening sun. Once outside, she ran to the edge of the forest and practised her drills, taking out her frustration on a poor unsuspecting tree.

"Come on Xena. Get a grip," she said through gritted teeth as she smacked herself upside the head when she lost her concentration. The ex-Destroyer of Nations fell to her knees.

"Ok, whoever you are, stop doing this to me! You know I’m in love with her and you keep putting more and more barriers between us. I’m sick of it!"

Xena sat on the ground and hugged her knees as she willed herself not to cry. After a long moment she got up and wiped her wet face, cursing herself for being so weak but suddenly, she heard her best friend’s words in her head.

‘Sometimes it’s good for the soul to be soft…’

"Gabrielle…" she whispered and started back to the town but she found herself moving in a wide circle around it, postponing going back for as long as she could. It was dark by the time she entered the room she was sharing with the blonde bard. Her heart sank when she saw that her friend was not there. Visions of Gabrielle and Mycus making love flooded into her mind and she felt physically sick at the thought of the woman she loved bedding one of the locals. Xena shook her head and took off her brass armour and leathers, laying her weapons carefully beside the bed before climbing wearily into it. She knew she wouldn’t sleep and an hour later, when Gabrielle sneaked into the room she was still awake.

"You ok?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, I’m great," said the bard with a grin and stripped off her clothes, donning her short sleeping shift. She got into her own bed and snuggled into the soft blankets as her body sang in the aftermath of the pleasure Mycus had given her. Xena lay there quietly as her heart shattered into tiny pieces that she knew she would never be able to repair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Xena, you’re being more monosyllabic than usual," said Gabrielle teasingly.

"Huh," the warrior grunted in reply. She just couldn’t bring herself to speak to her friend.

"See what I mean? Xena, you haven’t spoken two words to me all day. What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?"

Xena sighed.

"No, I’m not mad at you Gabrielle. It’s not you… it’s me."

The friends were sitting outside the tavern, a jug of port on the table in front of them, as they took the opportunity to rest between Draco’s attacks.

"Xena, tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help you if you don't talk to me."

The Warrior Princess clamped her mouth shut and shook her head.

"Xena, please. Come on. Trust me."

Suddenly, Xena’s resolve disintegrated.

"You had sex with him didn’t you!" she said in an accusing tone.

Gabrielle was surprised for a second.

"Um… you’re upset because I slept with Mycus?"

"No… yes… gods Gabrielle. What were you thinking?!" she snarled.

The bard felt her anger rise.

"Xena, I don’t think this is any of your business. We may travel together and we may be best friends but I would like to maintain a certain amount of privacy for myself. I’m not a kid anymore. So what if I slept with him. I had fun and… Xena!"

Gabrielle watched open-mouthed as her friend stalked away from her, her shoulders squared and her head held high and proud even though she was dying inside.

Xena made it her business to avoid Gabrielle for the rest of the day. Even during the afternoon attack, after she had stopped a soldier from stabbing the bard, she just walked away without a word. Gabrielle had tried to thank her and was hurt when Xena ignored her and disappeared again.

"Damn that woman and her stubbornness!" she said and stalked off in the opposite direction.

Two days later, Xena was still ignoring her and Gabrielle was really upset. She just couldn’t understand why the warrior was being so hard on her. I’m twenty-three years old. I don't need to be looked after anymore.

She went looking for the tall warrior and found her in the tavern, staring into her mug of port.

"Xena, we have to talk."

"No we don’t," the warrior replied coldly.

"What is your problem?!" the bard yelled in frustration and the room fell silent.

Xena got up and walked quickly out into the dusty street followed closely by Gabrielle.

"DON’T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME YOU COWARD!"

Suddenly Xena stopped and slowly turned. Gabrielle didn’t know what to expect and she certainly wasn’t prepared for the mixed look of fear and self-loathing on the warrior’s face.

"I have been a coward Gabrielle," she said quietly. "But no more. I’m leaving here tomorrow. Alone."

That one small word brought the bard’s world crashing to the ground.

"Alone? You’re leaving me? You’re leaving us?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, I can’t do this anymore Gabrielle. You’ll be fine without me. As you said, you’re not a kid anymore. You don’t need me."

"But… I… I can’t believe this," the bard stammered. "You’re my best friend and you’re just walking away from me after all we’ve been through."

Xena shook her head sadly.

"Gabrielle, I can’t…" she started but her throat was so tight that she couldn’t continue and she just lowered her head and fixed her eyes on the ground.

"How can you think that I don't need you? Xena, I… I love you. I don't think I can live without you. Please don't leave me."

The young blonde woman was crying at this stage and she put her hand over her mouth. The warrior looked at her.

"When you say you love me Gabrielle, it crushes my heart because I know you don't really mean it. How can I go on being with you… loving you… when I know you can’t return my feelings."

"I don’t understand Xena. I do love you. I thought you knew that."

"I’m not talking about friendship Gabrielle. I’m talking about more than that. I’m talking about the fact that I’m so in love with you that I can hardly breathe when you smile at me. When you touch me, I can barely stop myself from grabbing you and kissing you. I can’t do it anymore. I just can’t do it."

She started to walk away but Gabrielle grabbed her arm and spun her around, a huge grin lighting her face.

"Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? I was starting to give up on you. I resigned myself to having you as my best friend. Now you tell me you’ve loved me all along. By the gods Xena! How ironic is this!"

"So… you’re telling me that you do love me?" asked Xena, confusedly.

"Of course I do. Come here!"

Gabrielle wrapped her arms around the tall warrior’s waist and buried her face in her chest. Xena held her tightly, her heart soaring.

"I love you, Gabrielle," she said.

Gabrielle grinned and looked up, a retort on the tip of her tongue but before she could say anything, Xena captured her lips for a lingering kiss laced with barely restrained passion. She ran her fingers through the bard’s short locks as she tipped her tongue against her lips. Gabrielle mouth opened and she groaned as Xena slid her tongue gently inside to parry teasingly. The bard increased the pressure of her arms and stroked Xena’s back under her scabbard. A small moan escaped her as the warrior pulled her even closer, crushing their bodies together. Xena smiled as they came up for air and she rested her forehead against Gabrielle’s.

"You are my heart, my soul and my life," she whispered.

She led Gabrielle into the tavern and up to their room by the hand. The bard was trembling as Xena closed and locked the door behind them.

"Nervous?" the warrior asked.

"A little," Gabrielle admitted and blushed slightly.

"We don't have to do this My Love. I can wait if you’re not ready," said Xena lovingly.

Gabrielle looked up at her gratefully.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. I want what makes you happy Gabrielle. I really love you and I’m willing to wait for you forever."

The bard sat down on the edge of the bed and bit her bottom lip as she tried to hold back her tears.

"You’re so good to me Xena. I don't know why you ever let me stay with you in the first place. Sometimes I feel as if I’ve been nothing but a burden to you."

She lowered her head to study her boots as she absently played with the leather strips on her skirt. Xena sat down beside her and lifted the bard’s face with her fingers.

"You have never been a burden to me Gabrielle. You’ve kept me from sinking back into the darkness in which I once lived. More than once you’ve brought me back from the edge of evil. Don't you know that you’ve been my saviour? I told you during the battle for heaven that our love transcends good or evil. It’s an end unto itself. Do you remember that?"

Gabrielle shook her head slowly.

"I’m sorry. I don't remember much about that time," she said sadly.

"Neither do I Gabrielle but I remember the fact that I nearly brought you to hell with me and I’m really…" Xena’s voice broke as the emotion overcame her. She took Gabrielle’s hand and squeezed it tightly. "I’m really sorry. I almost condemned you to an eternity of torture."

Gabrielle pulled the warrior into a tight embrace allowing her the time to compose herself.

"Xena, I remember that but I don't care," said the bard softly.

"You don’t?" asked the warrior in surprise, pulling back to look the bard in the eye.

"Of course not. I love you," said Gabrielle with a shrug. "And you’re right. Our love is an end unto itself. Naima told us that our destinies are intertwined. We’re like lines in the mendi, separate but forever connected."

Xena was crying at this stage and her piercing blue eyes were dancing with love and desire for this beautiful woman who, she now realised, returned her love.

"You have no idea how much I want to make love to you right now Gabrielle," she said, her voice low and husky.

The bard kissed her gently.

"I think I do…" she whispered and then kissed the warrior passionately, touching her, caressing her, making every nerve in her body burst into flames. Xena returned the actions, inducing low moans from the bard as she caressed her breasts through her leather top, gasping with awe as she felt her nipples harden. They stripped each other with a lustful urgency and made love, bringing each other to violent orgasms, crying out and clutching at each other as if their lives depended on it. When it was over, they lay in each other’s arms and Xena stroked Gabrielle’s hair, placing delicate kisses on her face and neck.

"Why have we never done that before?" asked the bard, tracing small circles on Xena’s stomach with her fingertips.

"I’m not sure. I guess I was scared."

"Scared? You never seem to be scared of anything," said Gabrielle with surprise.

"Gabrielle, I’m scared of everything when it comes to you. I’m so afraid that I’ll lose you," the stoic warrior admitted.

"Nothing will ever come between us. We’ve been through more pain together than I ever thought we could survive, but we did and we still love each other. That’s something you’ll just have to accept because, like it or not, you’re stuck with me!"

"I love you Gabrielle," Xena replied in an emotion choked voice and held her love tighter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is getting beyond annoying!"

Gabrielle grunted as her opponent punched her in the face. She staggered back a few paces and then bent her knees into a defensive crouch, raising her sais for the next round. She felt a trickle of blood run from her throbbing nose as she blocked the soldier’s next punch. She jumped, spun and kicked him, sending him flying back into a nearby wall. She looked over at Xena who was busy against eight opponents. She grinned momentarily as she watched the Warrior Princess toying with them, but suddenly, a soldier came up behind her and grabbed her in a headlock.

"Son of a Bacchae!" she cursed as she struggled against him but he was too strong and she couldn’t break free. She grimaced as she felt his hand slide under her skirt to cup her groin.

"Get off me you Bastard!"

The bard reached back and grabbed his manhood, digging her fingers in as hard as she could. He cried out in pain, letting her go and she spun, cracking her fist across his jaw. He dropped like a sack of oats and she held him down with a boot against his throat.

"Boys have more to grab!" she exclaimed and pressed harder with her boot, choking him slowly. The bard was furious and she was on the verge of choking him to death when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Gabrielle…"

The bard half turned and saw the look of fear in Xena’s eyes.

"He touched me Xena…" she snarled and pressed harder. The soldier was on the verge of passing out and he clawed desperately at her boot.

"Gabrielle, don’t do it," Xena said but she didn’t make any effort to pull her away. She knew that this had to be the bard’s decision. Gabrielle suddenly released him and stepped back, her chest heaving as she tried to control her fury.

"Get out of here," she said coldly to the soldier and he got up and staggered away as quickly as he could. Gabrielle turned and walked away, punching another soldier when he tried to grab her as she walked past. Xena grinned despite herself at the bard’s casual blow and then went after her.

"Hey, you ok?" the warrior asked.

"Yeah, I’m fine," Gabrielle replied, wiping away the trickle of blood with the back of her hand.

"Let me look at that," said Xena and Gabrielle stopped, allowing the warrior to examine her nose.

"I don't think it’s broken, but it’s going to hurt like Hades for the next couple of days."

"Yeah, I know. I’m fine though."

They went back to the tavern and Gabrielle sat down at their usual table while Xena went inside to get them something to drink. When she came back outside she found the bard in deep thought and sat down beside her.

"Are you sure you’re ok?" asked the warrior, stroking Gabrielle’s cheek. The bard leaned into Xena’s hand and sighed.

"I’m sure. I guess I’m still tired. It’s been a long week."

The Warrior Princess grinned.

"Well, I guess I didn’t help last night. I didn’t let you get much sleep huh?"

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow seductively.

"I wouldn’t apologise for that. It was the most amazing night of my life. I was very impressed."

"Amazing huh? I was going for incredible but amazing is good," Xena replied with a sly smile.

"Amazing is better than incredible," said the bard, slowly running her fingers along Xena’s thigh.

"Hey, stop that. I can’t think straight when you do that!"

"Do what?" asked the bard innocently, moving her hand to the warrior’s inner thigh.

"That…" said Xena in a passion-choked voice.

"Come on," said Gabrielle, taking the warrior’s hand and leading her to their bedchamber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle took a bow and slowly made her way to the bar. She took a long drink of cider and looked around her. She was worried. Xena had been gone since early that morning and hadn’t yet returned even though she said she’d only be a few hours. The bard had spent her day training the villagers in hand to hand combat and basic staff skills and her evening telling stories in the tavern.

I have many skills… she thought to herself with a grin.

She saw Mycus enter and sit down at a table nearby. He smiled at her and called her over.

"Oh Hades, I forgot about him," she said under her breath as she walked over to him.

"Hi Gabrielle. How are you doing?"

"Um… I’m fine, thanks. Listen Mycus. Remember you asked me how long Xena and I have been friends?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, Xena and I are… um… well… we’re more than friends now and I’m sorry for misleading you. I’ve loved her for a long time you see and…"

She stopped as she saw the disappointed look on his face.

"Please don’t hate me Mycus."

"I don’t hate you Gabrielle. To be honest, I was wondering because the way she looks at you…" He smiled knowingly. "I thought you were a bit blind."

Gabrielle sighed.

"I don’t know Mycus. She’s very good at hiding her emotions. I don’t think she ever looked at me that way to my face."

"She probably didn’t but I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve it. You and Xena have done so much good in this town."

"Thank you and we’re glad we could help."

Just then she felt a presence behind her and turned, giving a full smile to the woman she loved.

"Thank the gods you’re back. I was worried about you," she said and got up to hug the tall warrior. "I was just telling Mycus that we’re glad we could help here."

"Gabrielle is right. It’s a good opportunity to get rid of Draco for good," said Xena with a grin. "Um, would you excuse us? I need to speak to Gabrielle."

"Sure," said Mycus and went to the bar to get a drink. Xena led Gabrielle back to their room and hugged her tightly.

"First of all, I missed you. Second of all, we have a problem."

"What’s wrong?"

"Draco has allied himself with another warlord called Brassius. They have united their men and I don't know if the town is going to stand up to an attack."

Gabrielle moved to the window and bit her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"This is really bad," she said.

"Well, it ain’t good," Xena replied "but I have a plan."

The bard smiled.

"Why am I not surprised? Tell me."

Xena went through her plan step by step as Gabrielle listened carefully.

"I don't like it" she said when Xena was finished.

"Me neither but we have limited resources here and the people in this town aren’t even near ready to take on an army of eighty men. I have no choice in this."

The bard frowned.

"When will you begin?"

"Tomorrow. I need to get started as soon as possible."

"Ok, but please be careful."

Xena shot the bard a crooked grin.

"I'm always careful!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At first light the next morning, Xena mounted Argo and rode out of town. Gabrielle felt a knot of worry in her stomach and took a deep breath as she went to lead the townsfolk in their daily staff drills. She was pleased with their progress but with only a week of training, Xena was right, they weren’t ready to face Draco’s army. She immersed herself in the drills, taking each man and woman on one by one. They were really no test for her and she found herself going through the motions easily, allowing her to think about Xena’s mission.

Please be careful… she thought.

"Draco, there’s a rider approaching."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"It’s a woman. She’s riding a gold horse and she’s armed with a sword and some sort of a round killing thing."

"Hmm, what’s Xena doing coming here?" he asked himself. "That’ll be all. Let her into the camp and bring her to me."

"Yes Boss," said the soldier and retreated out of the tent. A slow smile spread over the warlord’s face.

"This ought to be interesting,"

Ten minutes later Xena strode into Draco’s tent. She folded her arms across her breastplate and smirked at the warlord.

"Hello Draco."

"Xena, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Look Draco, let’s cut the crap. You told me before that you wanted me to ride with you. Well here I am."

At first the warlord was surprised but then Xena saw the mistrust in his eyes.

"Why? Get fed up with your little friend?"

"As a matter of fact I did. I now know why you call her the annoying blonde. She was nagging the Hades outta me. ‘Xena, don't kill. Xena, don’t leave me. Blah, blah, blah’ I’ve had enough. I can’t believe I’ve gone through these past five years listening to her whining. I’ve just had enough!"

The Warrior Princess sat down on a bench and put her boot on the table. "So here I am. I figure I might as well join someone who wants me rather than build up my own army again."

Draco started to laugh.

"You expect me to believe that? I’m not as gullible as you obviously think I am!"

Xena scowled at him and got up.

"Fine, I’ll just go find someone else to join… or maybe I will rebuild my army, but I promise you, either way you’ll be sorry you let me go."

She turned to leave but Draco caught her by the arm and spun her around. It took every ounce of willpower the warrior had to stop herself from punching him. Instead, she smiled sweetly and leaned into the hand that was stroking her cheek.

"Prove it to me Xena. Prove that you really want to join me," he growled in her ear.

"Sorry Draco, you only get me as a warrior," she said and made a great show of reluctantly tearing herself away from him. In truth, she wanted to have a bath to wash away his touch. "Besides I thought you loved Gabrielle?"

"I got over that. Ok Xena. Join me then but if I even get a whiff of a trick, I promise you, I’ll make you and the annoying blonde very, very sorry."

"Don't worry Draco, I’m finished with her."

The warlord called one of his soldiers.

"Hector, arrange for Xena to get her own tent and stable her horse."

Xena gave the man a cold stare.

"Look after my baby well or I’ll rearrange your teeth. Got it?"

Hector nodded nervously and practically ran out of the tent. Draco picked up a jug of strong port and poured two mugs. He handed one to Xena and then raised his own.

"Here’s to a long and fruitful relationship," he said and Xena smiled coldly at him before taking a long swallow. She fought the urge to cough.

Gods, this is strong stuff… she thought. Gabrielle would be on the floor after one drink!

She stifled a smile as she thought about her love. Please give me the strength to go through with this…

Xena was apprehensive that night as she lay in her tent. She lay with her dagger in her hand, not trusting Draco and she smirked as the thought occurred to her that Draco was probably doing the same. She let herself drift into a light sleep but her sleeping ear was fully alert.

Gabrielle woke up after a night of fitful sleep. Five years with Xena had trained her to wake up at first light and was the only thing that bothered her about their life together. She never lets me sleep in, she thought with a smile but got up anyway. After a quick breakfast, she went to the area where she held her training sessions. She practised with her sais for about an hour and found that she had drawn quite a crowd by the time she had finished. Some of her students had been arriving early to watch her for the previous few days and they applauded her. The bard grinned and waved them off.

"Ok, let’s get started," she said and lined them up in their defensive positions. "Now, I want three volunteers."

She picked the three biggest men from the group. She wanted a bit of exercise and knew they would give her more of a test. Of course they would never live up to her usual training partner.

"Ok, the three of you attack me together. I’m going to use my sais today. I think you’re ready for more than a staff. The only rule is that once you’ve been disarmed, you’re out."

The three men nodded and circled her as she took her defensive stance. They were fully aware of her skill and were a bit scared. She spun her weapons in her hands so that the hilts were under her fingers. She didn’t want to hurt them.

"Come on!" she cried and leapt into the air as the first man swung at her legs. She side stepped another man and kicked him in the rump as he stumbled past her. He fell on his face but quickly got up. The third man chose his moment well and swung at her head. She barely blocked the swing and nodded at him.

"That was good. I want you to test me. Don't be afraid to hurt me. I can take it," she said with a grin.

The first man brought his staff down, meaning to hit her over the head but she raised her sais and caught the staff between them. Her strong shoulders took the impact easily and she spun, sending the staff flying across the arena. He grinned and sat down at the edge of the circle. The bard faced the second man and he feinted left before swinging from the right. He caught her on the shoulder and she grimaced a bit from the pain before spinning and kicking the staff out of his hands. It flew into the air and she caught it in one hand before throwing it out of the circle as the second man walked sulkily to the first man. The bard had the strongest of the three to face last. She smiled sweetly at him and spun her weapons skilfully in her hands as she watched his smile fade. He had realised that he was alone.

"Ready?" asked Gabrielle and he nodded.

She ran towards him and he back peddled a bit before stopping and swinging his staff. She ducked and then jumped as he swung again. Gabrielle lashed out at him and jabbed him in the stomach. He doubled over, wheezing and Gabrielle was about to apologise when he straightened and swung his staff catching her full force across the head. She fell to her knees as she tried to stay conscious but the ringing in her head increased and she blacked out. She was only out for a few seconds though and she groaned as she came to. She saw the concerned faces of her students looking down at her.

"I’m so sorry! Are you ok?" asked the third man.

Gabrielle put her hand against her head and felt a large bump.

"Yeah, I’m ok," she said, blinking to try to rid herself of double vision.

The man who had hit her helped her to her feet and she felt her head clear instantly.

"Are you sure you’re ok?" he asked again.

"Yes, I’m fine. That was a good blow. You caught me off guard," she said with a smile.

"No, it was a sneaky trick," he replied sadly.

Gabrielle laughed and held out her hand.

"It’s one I’ve used many times in various fights," she said as he shook her hand. He looked surprised for a minute.

"You used to fight with a staff?" he asked.

"Yes. It was my weapon of choice for four years and I’ve only been using these sais since I lost the staff that my Amazon regent gave me. Look it’s a long story. Let’s leave it there."

"Ok, but one thing. Amazon Regent?"

"Yes, I’m an Amazon Queen. I don’t rule them though. A Regent rules in my place."

"This is too much. You’re a warrior, a bard and an Amazon Queen," he said in awe.

Gabrielle grinned again and used Xena’s favourite phrase.

"I have many skills! Now, I’m going to take it easy for a while. Go through the drills and I’ll be back later."

She went back to the tavern and sat down with a cup of cool cider, trying to ignore the little man pounding the giant hammer in her head. She thought about Xena and felt the knot of worry return. She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a shout coming from the edge of the small town.

"Gabrielle, it’s Xena!"

She ran to the woman and saw a group of about forty men riding towards them. She gasped when she saw Xena riding at the head. It was a scary sight, even if she knew it was part of Xena’s plan. She pulled her sais out of the holders on her boots and took her defensive stance as her students lined up behind her. Xena halted Argo right in front of Gabrielle and shot her a loving look before replacing it with her hard warlord mask. She swung casually down from her horse and stood in front of the bard.

"Xena, what the Hades are you doing?" Gabrielle demanded. "You just up and leave in the middle of the night and then you turn up with these idiots!"

Xena curled her lip in disdain.

"Sorry Gabrielle, I got sick of your constant whining. We’re finished now so I advise you to get your little friends out of my way. Don't think that because you used to be my friend that I’m going to go any easier on you."

Gabrielle gave her a cold look.

"Well Xena, if we’re no longer friends, then I guess it’s time for me to do something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time."

Gabrielle swung her fist and punched Xena hard in the jaw. The warrior’s head snapped back to look at the bard and saw the apologetic look in her eyes.

"Two can play that game," she growled and punched Gabrielle right back. Colours swam in front of the bard’s eyes as she tried to steady herself. Her head was already aching from the blow from the staff and she was seeing three of Xena. She shook her head and her vision cleared but Xena could see that she was hurt. She wanted so much to hold Gabrielle but she maintained her distance and shouted out into the crowd.

"There’s no way you can defeat me. I’ll be back tomorrow morning and I strongly suggest that you have eight wagons full of supplies for Draco’s army or else I’ll make you very sorry that you haven’t!"

She turned and swung back onto Argo and the army rode away. Gabrielle felt really dizzy. Gods, can she punch, she thought to herself before her knees gave out. She woke up in her own bed and Xena was sitting on the edge, a look of total worry on her face. Gabrielle threw herself into the warrior’s strong tanned arms.

"Xena? How did you get back here?" she asked.

"Sshh, it’s ok. I sneaked out after dark and came back. I saw you were hurt and I had to make sure you were ok. I’m so sorry I hit you." She held Gabrielle close, kissing the top of her head.

"It wasn’t your punch that hurt me. I took a staff across the head during training today and I just wasn’t at my peak performance. Your punch wasn’t that hard," she said reassuringly.

"Yours was good," said Xena with a grin as she rubbed her sore jaw.

"Yeah, sorry. I wanted to make it look convincing," the bard replied with a sheepish grin.

"It worked. Draco is convinced that I’ve joined him for good. The stupid toady to a third rate god!"

Gabrielle laughed and hugged Xena again.

"How long can you stay?"

"I really should go now. I’ll barely make it back before I have to leave to come here again."

Gabrielle kissed her passionately.

"Let me just apologise for what I’m going to do tomorrow. We’re going to end up fighting each other, you know that don’t you?"

"Yeah," Xena replied with a sigh. "Just go easy on me ok?"

"I’ll try but no promises," said Gabrielle and kissed her again.

After a few minutes, Xena left and the knot returned to Gabrielle’s stomach. She eventually fell asleep and dawn came all too soon. Gabrielle jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. She splashed some water on her face and brushed her hair before sliding her sais into the holders on her boots. Her headache had decreased dramatically and she found that she was full of energy, anticipating a good fight with Xena. Just like sparring practice… she thought. She had a quick breakfast of bread and cheese and then went to find the town mayor. She was surprised to see eight wagons of supplies lined up along the main street.

"Martus? What are you doing?"

"We’re getting the wagons ready. We can’t beat Xena in a battle. She’s too strong."

Gabrielle’s mouth opened in shock.

"Martus, Xena hasn’t joined Draco. It’s part of her plan. How could you think that… Look, I’m sorry. I should have told you but we needed this to look as real as possible. Spread the word that no one is to touch Xena except me ok? Now, move those wagons out of the street. I need an excuse to fight Xena."

Martus nodded and did as Gabrielle said. An hour later, Draco’s army appeared over the nearby hill, with Draco, Brassius and Xena at the head. They stopped about a hundred yards away and Xena approached alone. She got down off Argo and waved her arms around, pretending to have a fight with Gabrielle as they spoke.

"Is everything ready?" the warrior asked.

"Yeah, just tell them I’ve made the challenge. Draco won’t refuse an opportunity to see us fight or to fight me himself."

"Good, I’ll look after Brassius and then the villagers can help out with the rest of the men. Gabrielle, if anything happens to me, I just want you to know that I love you and I really want to kiss you right now but that would sort of defeat the purpose of all my arm waving wouldn’t it?"

Gabrielle stifled the grin that was threatening to blow their charade.

"I love you too Xena. Now go on and I’ll see you on the battle field."

Xena spun and walked back to Argo. She swung up onto the warhorse and rode back to where Draco and Brassius were waiting.

"You’re not going to believe this! The bitch has made two challenges. She wants to fight me and if she beats me, she wants to fight you Draco. If she loses, well then we get the wagons. Otherwise, we get out of here and leave the town alone. She must be still pissed over the whole Melodia thing huh?"

Draco laughed.

"Fine, if she wants a fight, let’s give her a fight. Xena would you please kill her!"

The warrior smiled coldly.

"My pleasure," she growled and rode back to where Gabrielle was standing. Draco and Brassius were watching from the hill and they saw Gabrielle and Xena facing off. They saw the bard lunge at Xena, who parried the blow with her sword.

"How long do we have to do this for?" asked Gabrielle, panting slightly from the exertion.

"Only a few more minutes," Xena replied as she pushed Gabrielle back.

"How do you want to go out? I was thinking that I disarm you, grab your sword and pierce your heart, killing you instantly. Of course then there’s the whole ‘stab you in the stomach and wait for you to bleed slowly to death in agony’ thing."

"That’s an attractive picture Gabrielle, thank you," said Xena and grunted as she found herself dumped on the ground. She flipped back into standing. "I think I’ll stick with the heart thing. Plunge the sword under my left armpit and then order a couple of villagers to take me away. I’ll circle around while you’re fighting Draco and take out Brassius and as many of the men as I can. When you see me up on the hill, send up the villagers and then I think we’ll be done. Oh, one more thing, try not to kill Draco."

Gabrielle punched Xena’s breastplate and then smiled.

"I’ll try," she replied and then swung her sais up, catching Xena’s sword and flipping it out of her hand. She shot out her leg and spun, taking Xena’s legs out from under her before catching the sword as it fell. She spun the deadly weapon in a half arc in her hand and yelled as she plunged it down hard… into the dirt under Xena’s left armpit.

"Aaaaagggggghhhhhhhh!"

She stepped back and gave Draco and Brassius ‘the finger’ before telling a couple of men to carry Xena to the healer’s hut. The two men complied and soon Xena was lying on a low pallet. She opened one blue eye and then the other, making sure she was alone. Then she got up and sheathed her sword, thanking the gods that Gabrielle had had the good sense to place it on her ‘body’ as she was carried away. Xena peaked out the door of the hut and slipped out running in a half-circle to come up behind Brassius and his men.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle waved at Draco and beckoned for him to come to her. He was really angry that she had killed Xena and spurred his horse forward, galloping toward her. The bard smiled sweetly as he approached her. He leapt off his horse and drew his sword.

"How in the name of all the gods did I ever love you?" he snarled.

"I’m a loveable gal!" she teased, serving only to infuriate him further.

"Actually, you’re just an overachieving sidekick. No wonder Xena got fed up with you!"

Gabrielle frowned.

"She said that huh?"

"Yep!" said Draco, thinking he was one up on the bard.

Gabrielle grinned.

"Well it’s a good thing I killed her then!" she cried and ran at Draco, catching him in the stomach with her boot. He doubled over and she brought the hilt of her sai down on the top of his head. He fell to the ground dazed but rolled out of the way when she tried to stamp on his chest. She kept an eye on the men on the hill, waiting for Xena’s signal. She couldn’t see the warrior and focused back on Draco. He was climbing to his feet and she waited for him, trying to draw out the fight and give Xena as much time as possible. He lunged at her but she flipped to the side crying out in pain as his sword raked against her bare midriff, leaving a wide gash just blow her breasts. She could feel the blood running down her stomach and knew it was bad but she put her hand against the wound and pushed the pain aside to concentrate on the warlord. He ran at her again but she shot out her leg and knocked him down again giving her enough time to glance at the hill. She sighed with relief when she saw the warrior creeping up behind the men.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xena crawled forward soundlessly on her stomach. The men were all watching the fight at the edge of the town and weren’t expecting to see the now dead Warrior Princess jump up as if from nowhere and grab Brassius, pulling him down off his horse. She slit his throat before he even realised what happened and then dropped him. He fell forward, making gurgling sounds and clutching at his severed windpipe. Xena yelled and waved her arms.

"Gabrielle! Now!"

She didn’t wait to see the bard order the villagers into position but she drew her sword and backed up a few paces, waiting for the soldiers to attack. She slashed, kicked and punched her way through them and was pleased to hear pounding footsteps behind her as the villagers attacked, their staves quickly taking down the rest of the soldiers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle looked up realising that Xena was waving at her.

"Now! Gabrielle!" she heard and yelled at the villagers to go help Xena.

They took off and left Gabrielle squaring up once more to the tall warlord.

"You bitch! You and Xena set me up!" he yelled in fury.

"That’s right Draco. Annoyed?" the bard replied with a grin.

The warlord’s lip curled in disdain and he lunged at her again, knocking her backward. She cracked her head off the ground and once again, her vision swam. She saw the blurred outline of Draco standing over her and, as her vision cleared, she realised that he had his sword raised above his head. She tried to move but the pain in both her head and her stomach made her feel like she was encased in mud. Draco’s arms lowered in what seemed like slow motion and the bard said a silent farewell to her love. I’ll see you on the other side Xena. I love you. Gabrielle steeled herself for the pain she knew was coming and the sword had almost reached her chest when she heard a high pitched whine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xena looked down at the fight at the edge of the village. She saw Gabrielle and Draco facing each other and started running in their direction as fast as she could. She saw the warlord yelling at the bard and Gabrielle just grinning back at him. The warrior gasped as she saw Draco lunge at Gabrielle and saw the bard fall backward and lie there unmoving for a couple of seconds. Xena saw the warlord raise his sword above his head and prepare to plunge it into her love’s chest. With a scream of rage, Xena unhooked her chakram and hurled it as hard as she could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle thought she heard someone screaming but it was drowned out by the high pitched whine that was getting louder by the second. She felt the rush of air as Xena’s chakram bounced off Draco’s sword, knocking it out of his hands and halfway across the field they were in. She heard the resounding sound of a ricochet and suddenly, Draco was lying half on top of her, the blood from his severed throat pooling on the ground beside her. Gabrielle sighed with relief and found herself sinking into the comforting blackness of unconsciousness. My head just can’t take anymore of this…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xena reached Gabrielle and dropped to her knees, rolling the dead Draco off of her.

"Gabrielle? Gabrielle can you hear me? Gabrielle!"

The warrior felt panic rise in her and she put her ear against the bard’s chest, relieved to find that she was breathing. Xena put her hand over the wound across Gabrielle’s stomach trying to stop the flow of blood.

"Come on Gabrielle wake up! Wake up and look at me!" she cried. She slapped her hard across the face and Gabrielle started to come around. She moaned and her hand moved to her stomach.

"Xena?" she whispered.

She felt really weak and she realised that she had lost a lot of blood. Her head was pounding and for the first time in her life, she knew that she wasn’t going to live.

"I’m here Gabrielle. Just hold on!"

Xena picked the bard up in her arms and carried her to the healer’s hut. She lay her on the pallet as gently as possible but the young woman cried out in pain. Xena grabbed some bandages and pressed hard on the wound, knowing that if she didn’t stop the flow, Gabrielle wasn't going to make it.

"Xena, it hurts. It hurts so much," she said through gritted teeth.

"I know My Love but you’re going to be ok. I’m here now and I’m not going to let anything happen to you."

She kissed the bard’s forehead and then wrapped her free arm around her, pulling her tightly against her chest.

"I’m sorry Gabrielle. I’m so sorry."

"No Xena. This wasn’t your fault. I… love… you…"

Tears ran down Xena’s face as her love slipped away from her.

"No! No Gabrielle! Don't you dare leave me! Don't you dare leave me! I can’t live without you! Gabrielle! Gabrielle!"

Xena laid the bard back down and blew into her mouth, watching her chest rise and then fall. She repeated this over and over, willing Gabrielle to take a breath. Suddenly, her anger overcame her and she brought her fist down hard on the bard’s chest, right over her heart. Gabrielle just as suddenly took a breath on her own and sprang forward. Xena held her rocking her gently.

"Please don't ever do that again… never do that again…" she said gently as she rocked her love.

"Xena, I saw the Elysian Fields," said the bard in a small voice.

"No, don't speak now. Just rest while I take care of this wound."

The warrior retrieved a needle and thick thread and sewed up the wound. She spread a herbal salve over it to fight infection and then bandaged it tightly. Gabrielle had slipped into a deep sleep and Xena lay down beside her, holding her in her arms and listening to the sound of her soft breathing. As her exhaustion overcame her, the Warrior Princess vowed that she would never leave her love alone again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first thing Gabrielle noticed when she woke up was the little man once again pounding the big drum in her head. She moved her head slowly and realised that she was wrapped in Xena’s arms. She felt safe and loved and she placed a soft kiss on the warrior’s chest.

"So you’re awake then," Xena growled, making her jump slightly.

"Yeah, are you ok?"

"I am now. How do you feel?"

"I feel like I’ve been run over by twenty speeding chariots, but apart from that, I’m fine."

Gabrielle grinned and then grimaced in pain as she felt Xena’s low chuckle reverberate through her body.

"Oww," she groaned.

"What? What is it?" asked the warrior worriedly.

"You moved," said Gabrielle with a little laugh. "I think every muscle in my body is clenched."

Xena placed a kiss on her forehead and then buried her face in the bard’s short blonde locks.

"I was so scared Gabrielle," she admitted in an emotion filled voice. "I thought I had lost you."

"Xena, you had but you brought me back. I was looking into the Elysian Fields. I could have reached in and touched the grass or the trees but then I heard you calling me. You were calling my name, telling me you couldn’t live without me so I ran, I ran as fast as I could to you and suddenly I was looking up into your face and I knew that I needed you. I love you Xena and I’m never letting you go."

"Me neither. Gabrielle, I want us to be together forever. I want you to be my bondmate. Gabrielle, will you marry me?"

The bard struggled to sit up and Xena helped her, holding her around the shoulders as she got down on one knee in front of her.

"Gabrielle marry me… please."

Tears were flowing down both women’s faces and Gabrielle felt like her heart was going to burst.

"Yes Xena, I’ll marry you. I love you so much."

Xena couldn’t speak. Xena couldn’t think. She could only feel the love she had for this beautiful, kind, generous woman… the saviour of her soul.

"I love you Gabrielle," she whispered and kissed her gently on the lips, melding their hearts and souls for all eternity.

The End