Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Renaissance/Universal Pics. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is based on the love between two women. If this offends you etc, please don't read on.

Dedication: For Melissa, my friend. Thanks for the good times we've had lately.

Falling, falling, I can't touch the ground

Xena, I can't do this anymore. You've been pushing me away. I thought you loved me but I'm not sure anymore.

Falling, falling, our hearts beat as one

Gabrielle, you have to understand that I'm not the same woman I was when we first met. So many things have changed between us. I don't know what to do anymore.

Falling, falling, into the depths of despair

Why can't you talk to me? Why do you just sit there, looking at me as if your heart is breaking when all I want to do is hold you? Why won't you let me hold you?

I wish I had the strength to let you hold me. I need you so much but I can't trust myself. Being in your arms would be torture when all I want to do is hold you in return.

Xena, we've been through heaven and hell together. You tell me I'm your best friend but I need more than that from you now. I've never loved so hard or so deeply, not even with Perdicus. I drown in your eyes. Your voice calls to my heart every time you speak. Why can't you say the words I want to hear?

Gabrielle, your lips are so soft. The friendly kisses we shared before showed me that. I long to really taste from them, to feel passion between us. I long to touch you, caress your soft skin as I hold you in my arms. This silence is killing me. I long to speak my heart but I'm so afraid that you won't return my love.

Is that fear in your eyes, Xena? I don't know what you're scared of. Could it be me? Have I done something to make you fear me? You're the bravest woman I know, so strong, powerful and goddess beautiful but you hold me at arms length, never letting me completely in. Are you guarding your heart?

I want you to claim my heart, Gabrielle. It has always belonged to you. I want us to be together for eternity but why can I never find the words to tell you so?

All it takes is three tiny words, Xena. The hardest words to say. Do you really know their meaning? Have you ever loved someone as much as I love you?

I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, Gabrielle. Not even Marcus and I thought he was the one. I was very wrong. I thought that love had to be like that, fiery, fierce and hard but you've shown me another way. The tenderness I see in your eyes melts my heart. Is that tenderness for me?

I know that the tenderness I see in your eyes is reflected in my own but are you looking at me through the eyes of a lover or a best friend? Xena, I'm scared too. Don't you know that?

Do you ever feel fear, Gabrielle? Fear that the one you love will leave you? Fear that the one you love will pity you when you tell them how you feel and they can't return it? No, I don't think you do. You trust me completely and I love you all the more for it.

Do you ever feel fear, Xena? Fear that the one you love will leave you? Fear that the one you love will pity you when you tell them how you feel and they can't return it? No, I don't think you do. You're too strong for that and I love you all the more for it.

Gabrielle, tell me you love me.

Xena, tell me you love me.

Please.

The End