Disclaimer: Xena and Gabrielle belong to Renaissance/Universal/MCA Pics, not me. No copyright infringement as intended. This story is based on the love between two consenting adults of the same gender so you know the rules. Don’t read on if you’re too young, if it’s illegal where you are or if it might offend you.

Dedication : For my dear friend Isabel. The giver of great advice and the maker of excellent pasta dishes!

Bard’s Note : This is a very short story. Hope you enjoy reading it ‘cos I enjoyed writing it!

The warrior jumped to her feet as her friend’s voice rang out around the forest.

"Jeez Gabrielle, tell everyone we’re here, why don’t ya," she muttered as she stomped back to camp.

"Where have you been?" the bard asked angrily.

"Scouting," Xena replied gruffly as she flopped down on her bedroll. She was in a bad mood and wasn’t willing to take a scolding from her friend. Gabrielle perched her hands on her hips and scowled.

"Scouting? SCOUTING?" She threw her hands dramatically into the air. "I’m here slaving over a hot fire and you’re scouting?"

"Well sorreeeee, would you prefer that I didn’t scout and that we got murdered in our bedrolls?"

"Don’t be ridiculous. You know, it would be nice if you told me where you’re going for a change."

"Oh, so now I’m ridiculous? That’s perfect!"

She got up and squared up to her friend, looking down at her indignantly. Gabrielle stood her ground, keeping her eyes locked on the warrior’s piercing blue, despite the fact that she was starting to get a creak in her neck.

"I never said you were ridiculous. I said you were being ridiculous."

"Same thing!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"It sooo isn’t!"

"Oh stop this. You sound like a foolish child!"

Gabrielle shook her head hard.

"So now I’m a kid. I knew this would come up sooner or later. Just because you’re a few years older than me!"

"I never said you’re a kid!"

"Yes, you did."

"I don’t think you’re a kid, Gabrielle!"

"Prove it!"

"How?"

"You’re the problem solver, Xena. Come up with something!"

Gabrielle whipped Xena with her wet cloth and turned away but the warrior grabbed her by the arms and spun her around.

"If I thought you were a kid, would I do this?"

She leaned in and kissed Gabrielle soundly on the lips, touching them with her tongue until they parted to grant her access. She felt the bard respond and soon they were wrapped around each other, kissing passionately. Finally, Xena broke the kiss and released her friend. They stood looking at each other for a long moment and then Xena looked down.

"I’m sorry," she said softly, all anger gone from her tone.

"So am I," the bard replied.

"You are?"

"You mean about yelling?"

"No, I mean about the kiss."

"No, I’m not sorry."

"You’re not?"

"No."

"Then neither am I."

"You’re not?"

"No, I love you."

Gabrielle’s breath caught in her throat as the warrior’s words caught her totally off guard.

"You… you love me?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Gabrielle, I know this is sudden and I didn’t mean it to happen like this but I don’t regret you knowing. I’ve loved you for a long time." The warrior paused to take a nervous breath. "I don’t know how you feel about me but if you’re not sorry about the kiss, then I can still have hope."

Gabrielle silenced her with a raised hand and took a step closer to her.

"Xena?"

"Hmmm?

"Prove to me again that you don’t think I’m a kid."

"What?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Oh… right."

The End

No arguments were harmed during the writing of this story. However, Xena’s left thigh was hurting for days after being whipped with Gabrielle’s wet cloth.