Disclaimer : Xena and Gabrielle belong to Renaissance/Univeral Pics. No copyright infringement was intended. This story contains quite graphic scenes of a sexual nature between two consenting females so if this offends you etc, please don’t read on.

Dedication: For Renee and Steve. Congratulations. You’re having a baby!

Gabrielle spun, swung her staff and took her attacker’s legs out from under him, dumping him on his butt. She held the end of her weapon against his throat and pressed down. "When I say no, I mean no," she growled in a low voice.

"Stupid slag," he muttered as she pulled back her weapon and leaned on it.

"What did you say?" Gabrielle asked, cupping her ear with her hand.

"Nothing, I said nothing," he quickly replied.

"I thought so," the bard replied and walked away to sit beside her friend. "Thanks for the help, Xena" she said in an annoyed tone but the Warrior Princess just raised an eyebrow at her.

"You had everything under control," she replied. She knew her friend was annoyed because she was a week late meeting her and reached out her hand to gently squeeze her shoulder. "I’m sorry I was so long. I ran into trouble near Carthage," she explained, a sincerely regretful look on her face.

"You’re not hurt, are you?" Gabrielle asked worriedly as her eyes moved over the warrior’s body.

"No, I’m fine," Xena lied and forced a smile but the bard knew something was wrong by the set of the warrior’s shoulders.

"Nice try. Now tell me the truth," she said softly.

Xena grinned, knowing she was busted but she was certainly not going to admit that she had been laid up in the Carthage Hospice for almost a week.

"It’s nothing, just a scratch," she replied.

"How many stitches?"

"Gabrielle, It doesn’t…" The warrior trailed off as she saw the look on her soulmate’s face and looked down sheepishly. "Twenty-four."

"Twenty-four. Ok, where?"

"My back… at my shoulder. Sword wound."

"Hmmm… Xena, drink up and then I’m going to take a look."

"Gabrielle, don’t fuss," Xena replied, slightly irritated, but the bard wasn't taking no for an answer.

"No, Xena. You’re going to do what you’re told for once, ok?"

They glared at each other for a long moment and then Xena sighed and gave in.

"Alright," she said softly and knocked back her mug of port. She got slowly to her feet but swayed as her legs protested. She gripped the table to hold herself upright and Gabrielle was suddenly at her side, supporting her weight.

"Just a scratch, huh?" she said as she wondered how she had missed the exhaustion in her best friend’s eyes. "C’mon, Xena."

They slowly walked across the tavern and up the stairs to the room that Gabrielle had earlier procured. Once inside, Xena felt her knees buckle and almost took Gabrielle down too but the bard’s powerful legs and strong arms managed to hold them both up until she was able to stand again. Then she helped her to the bed to sit down. Xena expelled a long pained breath and Gabrielle began to remove her armour, boots and knee guards.

"Tell me what happened," she said, looking the warrior in the eye and Xena wondered when her best friend had become so focussed.

"Ran into a bunch of thugs trying to rob a caravan of traders. There were about twenty of them." She paused as she saw Gabrielle’s raised eyebrow. "Alright, there were about forty of them," she amended. "The traders had no weapons or capable fighters so…" She shrugged slightly.

"So you decided to take them all on alone," Gabrielle finished for her. She shook her head disapprovingly and Xena began to feel like a child getting a scolding. Gabrielle leaned in close to the warrior to examine the wound on the back of her shoulder. As she moved, her long blonde hair fell across Xena's chest, tickling her gently and the warrior placed her hands on her friend’s slender hips, gently pushing her back.

"It’s really not that bad," she said softly.

"Let me be the judge of that," the bard replied and leaned forward again.

"Gabrielle?"

The young woman pulled back to look at her friend.

"Hmmm?"

"Um… my back hurts… I think I pulled something. Would you… uh… rub it for me? I can’t reach." She smiled. "Do you mind?"

"Of course not. Lie down," Gabrielle replied mirroring her friend’s smile. The warrior lay back and then rolled onto her stomach, gritting her teeth against the pain.

"Just relax," said the bard and began to unlace her partner’s leathers. She pulled them open and then slid them down her body, leaving her dressed only in her shift. Then she moved the straps from Xena’s shoulders and pulled the shift down to her waist. Gabrielle paused for a moment as she saw the scars on her friend’s back. She traced them slowly with her finger, feeling Xena tense under her touch.

"Forty lashes," the dark haired warrior said softly and Gabrielle closed her eyes, trying to imagine the pain her best friend had suffered.

"I’m sorry," she whispered.

"It’s alright, Gabrielle. It was a long time ago. I was just a kid. They don’t hurt anymore."

The bard sniffed back her emotion and began to rub her friend’s back. She kneaded her muscles slowly, feeling them unravel under her fingers.

"Oh yeah, that’s great," Xena sighed. The bard climbed up on the bed and knelt, straddling the warrior’s hips so she could press harder. She was rewarded with a low moan from her friend. "A little lower," Xena said, her voice husky. Gabrielle couldn’t believe how soft the warrior’s skin was, despite her scars. She ran her fingers up and down her back with a languid tempo, enjoying giving the massage as much as Xena was enjoying receiving it. Before she even realised what she was doing, Gabrielle leaned in and kissed her shoulder softly. Once again, the warrior tensed but the bard felt her relax again just as quickly. Xena turned over to face her friend, a smile on her face and the bard’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes moved over the warrior’s breasts. She had seen her naked many times, but she never ceased to be amazed by Xena's beauty. Her eyes slowly moved to meet tender blue.

"You ok?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"I am now. Thanks. You give great backrubs."

Gabrielle cleared her throat self-consciously and climbed off her friend. She sat on the edge of the bed as Xena pulled her shift back up and replaced the straps.

"Gods, I’m tired," she admitted and pulled back the blankets. "Let’s get some sleep." She slid under the covers and Gabrielle stood to remove her clothes and boots and change into her shift before snuggling up to her friend’s back.

"’Night, Xena," she whispered.

"’Night, Gabrielle." There was silence for a few moments and then the warrior reached back to stroke her friend’s face gently. "I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too. I was worried."

"I’m sorry.

"It’s ok. Goodnight."

Next morning, Gabrielle slowly woke to bright sunshine. She felt comfortable warmth at her back and realised that both she and Xena had turned over during the night and the warrior’s arm was around her waist, holding her tightly against her. She sighed softly and closed her eyes, relishing the feeling of Xena’s hand against her midriff. The hand wandered across her taut stomach muscles as Xena moaned softly and pulled her even closer.

"Gabrielle," she whispered and then her hand moved to the young woman’s breast, making the bard gasp as a wave of arousal moved through her. Her nipples hardened quickly and she released a soft sound of pleasure as Xena’s sword callused fingers moved over her cloth-covered flesh. She pressed her hand over Xena’s, encouraging her to squeeze harder but she felt the hand drop away suddenly.

"Xena?" she said and turned her head to look into the wide, horrified eyes of her friend. "What’s wrong?" she asked.

"I… I was dreaming… I… did I… Gabrielle… did I try to…?"

Gabrielle rolled over and held the warrior’s face in her hands.

"No, you didn’t," she said. "You were just touching me but it’s ok, Xena."

"I’m so sorry," the warrior replied, unable to meet the bard’s eyes.

"I’m not," Gabrielle said. "It felt… wonderful."

Xena tentatively raised her eyes to meet gentle emerald green.

"Gabrielle, we can’t," she said, seeing the desire there.

"Why?" the bard whispered as she ran her thumb over her friend’s lips. Xena took her hand and held it tightly.

"Because it would change everything. I don’t want our friendship to change. It’s the most important thing in my life."

"Xena, I know you want me. You were dreaming about making love to me, weren’t you?"

"Yes, but dreams are very different to real life. We have to face it, Gabrielle. If we were to further our relationship… What if something happened to me? It would leave you alone and hurting. You should be with someone who can take care of you and keep you safe."

Gabrielle stroked the warrior’s cheek tenderly. "I am with that person. Xena, I could never be with anyone else, whether we were lovers or not. I love you. I don’t want anyone else." Her fingers moved down Xena throat and she sighed softly. "I’m so in love with you."

Xena was torn. Yes, she wanted this beautiful woman but could she let herself take her? The decision was taken out of her hands when Gabrielle’s hand trailed down her body to slide between her legs and stroke lightly.

"Let me show you how much I want you," the bard whispered. She took Xena’s hand and placed it against her own groin and Xena closed her eyes at the warm wetness she felt against her fingers. "Do you feel it? Xena, I need you so much." She began a slow movement of her fingers against the warrior’s throbbing pleasure centre and Xena returned the action, making her growl deep in her throat. Their lips met for the first time, fuelling their passion and soon their tongues were erotically dancing together. Gabrielle opened her thighs further to increase the sensations and pressed harder against her lover at the same time. Xena’s free hand came up to caress her breast through her shift but Gabrielle needed more.

"Take it off," she whispered.

The warrior smiled and pulled back a little. She took the shift off over the bard’s head and then removed her own and, when they came together again, they moaned simultaneously as their soft skin met. They returned to their stroking but this time, Gabrielle took Xena's nipple into her mouth, sucking and nipping it with the same tempo as her hand.

"Oh gods!" the warrior cried out and then clamped her mouth shut on a whimper.

"It’s ok, Xena," Gabrielle said huskily. "I want to hear you. I need to hear you."

Their sounds increased as they brought each other higher and closer to their releases. Gabrielle suddenly arched her back and screamed with pleasure as her orgasm stormed through her. Her body shook and lurched as wave after wave of ecstasy moved through her and as the feelings abated, she collapsed back onto the bed, breathing heavily. Once she could think clearly again, she returned to her task and Xena slid on top of her. She pressed her sex and Gabrielle hand down on the bard’s thigh, encouraging her to stroke harder so Gabrielle increased her pace. The warrior’s face flushed and her hips began to move against her lover but she gritted her teeth in frustration. She couldn’t just let go. Letting go would mean that she would be surrendering everything to the woman making love to her. The truth was, she was scared. Did Gabrielle really love her? She was just about to roll off her lover when her soft voice washed over her.

"Xena, look at me." The warrior opened her eyes and looked into emerald green pools full of devotion… devotion to her. "Honey, I love you so much. I want to be with you for eternity." Xena shook her head but Gabrielle raised her thigh even higher pressing harder against her. She touched the warrior’s cheek with her fingertips.

"Xena, I love you. Let go," she whispered. The tender words from the woman she loved finally melted Xena’s resolve and she released, crying Gabrielle’s name with a passion that took the bard’s breath away. Gabrielle held her tightly, riding out the pleasure with her and then, as Xena collapsed onto her, she touched her hair gently and lovingly nuzzled her ear.

"I’ve got you, My Love. I’ve got you," she whispered as Xena trembled against her and held on to her. "We’re going to be together forever."

"Gabrielle, I love you," came the whispered reply and the bard’s heart soared like a bird. Finally, Xena rolled off her younger lover, gathering her into her arms and kissing the crown of her head. "I’m sorry," she said in a tiny voice.

"It’s ok, My Love. I know it was difficult for you to just let go like that but you did it. You trusted me."

"I trust you with my life," Xena replied softly.

"I know but, Xena, you trusted me with your heart. That means more to me than anything in this world…" She grinned. "Apart from you of course."

The warrior chuckled and held her tighter.

"Rest now," she said and Gabrielle snuggled into her before falling into a contented sleep. Xena joined her minutes later.

It was late in the afternoon before they woke. Gabrielle’s stomach growled, making the warrior chuckle.

"Guess it’s time for breakfast," she said, her eyebrow raised in amusement.

"I think you mean dinner. We’ve slept practically all day."

"Yeah, let’s go downstairs. I’ve heard there’s a bard competition on."

Gabrielle’s face lit up.

"A bard competition? Xena, why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

A smile tugged at the corner of the warrior’s mouth and she shook her head.

"Well, I had planned on telling you this morning but we kinda got… sidetracked."

The bard laughed helplessly.

"Ok, yeah, good point."

She got out of bed and padded to the basin to wash. Xena walked to her and took the sponge from her, running it slowly over her body but Gabrielle took the sponge back.

"Honey, if you do that, I’m going to want to drag you back to bed," she pointed out and Xena grinned.

"Alright, you do it yourself. I’ll just watch."

"Xena!"

"Awww," the warrior replied, faking a wounded look but then she grinned and picked up another sponge. "I’ll race ya!"

They washed quickly and then got dressed to go downstairs for dinner but before Xena could open the door, Gabrielle stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Xena, can we be seen to be together in public?"

It obviously hadn’t crossed the warrior’s mind but she gave it serious thought.

"Maybe we shouldn’t be too obvious about it. I mean, you’re a target enough already without everyone knowing that we’re lovers too. However, I wouldn’t object if you wanted to sit beside me or anything."

A quirky smile rose to her face and Gabrielle stood on her toes to kiss her.

"Great. Now, what story should I tell?"

"I don’t mind… as long as it’s not about me."

"Awww, Xena! All my best stories are about you."

The warrior reconsidered when she saw the disappointed look on her soulmate’s face.

"Alright, Gabrielle, as long as it’s not an embarrassing one about me," she amended.

"Thanks."

"Don’t mention it."

Xena took a long swallow from her mug of port and watched as Gabrielle walked to the raised platform that was serving as a stage. The warrior smiled as she noticed the bard’s hips swaying provocatively and she knew that Gabrielle was aware of her eyes on her.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Gabrielle and I’m a bard from the village of Potedaea. This evening, I’m going to tell you a tale about the beginning of an unbreakable friendship between the two most different women you can imagine… a warrior and a young innocent village girl."

Gabrielle paused and began to pace the platform, her eyes bright as she gazed around the room, holding the attention of every person there.

"I sing of a warrior, more brave than Hercules, more skilled than Ares and more beautiful than Helen of Troy. She saved the life of a young village girl and taught her that she could be whoever she wanted and this is how it happened."

Xena leaned back in her chair and listened as her lover wove the story of how they had met. She chuckled as she thought back to that day and shook her head as she remembered fighting Draco’s men in nothing but her shift and boots.

"… The young woman begged the warrior to take her away from the life she hated so much but the warrior declined, warning her not to follow."

Gabrielle fixed her eyes on Xena as she went on.

"She felt utter despair as she watched the warrior walk out of her life but she had been taken by the strength and power of the Warrior Pr… uh… woman and knew that she was destined to be with her. So that night, she packed a few belongings and left to follow her destiny."

Xena had leaned forward in her chair at the bard’s words. She hadn’t realised the extent of Gabrielle’s unhappiness at home. The bard smiled slightly at her and then fixed her attention back on her audience.

"She travelled for many days in the direction her warrior had gone and finally came upon her in her hometown. The warrior had returned to make peace with her people after a long time away but the townsfolk were less than friendly. As the girl entered a tavern, she saw that the warrior was about to be stoned. She couldn’t let that happen to the woman who had captured her h… curiosity so she stepped in. She finally managed to talk the villagers out of the punishment of their kinswoman and the warrior went on to save them from a ruthless warlord who was attacking their peaceful village."

Gabrielle looked back to her lover and saw that her piercing blue eyes were riveted on her. She softened her tone and smiled at her audience.

"After the battle, the warrior acknowledged that the young girl had helped her and allowed her to travel with her, experiencing life and adventure to the full. The young woman was so happy with the warrior that she swore she’d never leave her, despite everything they went through. They had become best friends and will be friends until their last breath leaves their bodies. And so ends my tale of the unlikeliest of friendships, a warrior looking for redemption for her sins of the past and a young village maiden, craving the adventure and life that only the warrior could give her. I thank you for your kind attention."

Gabrielle bowed to loud applause and stepped down from the platform to sit next to her warrior.

"Not too embarrassing, I hope," she said with a smile.

"No, it was perfect, Gabrielle," Xena replied. "You have it in the bag."

A look of confusion came to the bard’s face.

"Have what in the bag?"

"The competition, Gabrielle. You were much better than all those other bards."

Gabrielle realised what the warrior was saying and grinned.

"Thanks but that’s not why I did it," she explained.

"Oh? Why then?" Xena asked with a raised eyebrow.

"After what happened between us this morning, I wanted to tell you that I’ve cared about you since the first day we met. I remember the first time I laid eyes on you in that clearing back in Potedaia. You were dressed only in your shift but you were so strong and graceful… and goddess beautiful. You know, one look at you took my breath away and even though I didn’t realise it for a long time afterwards, I fell in love with you at that moment." She looked down sheepishly. "I guess that sounds silly, thinking back to the kid I was then."

Xena took her hand gently and shook her head.

"No, Gabrielle, it doesn’t, not at all. One of the reasons I let you come with me in the beginning was that you touched my heart. I remember that day too. I remember you offering yourself to the slavers to save your sister and friends. My life had been so empty up to that time and that one selfless act touched me deeply. You haven’t changed much, Gabrielle. You’re still that unselfish person, except now, you’re not that kid anymore."

"Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you, Xena. I’d be a slave in some war camp or castle, probably with a number of illegitimate children and a lot of whip marks on my back."

Xena blew out a long breath.

"No, you wouldn’t," she replied softly. "Because you and I were destined to be together."

Gabrielle reached out her hand to touch her lover but she pulled back quickly, looking around to see if anyone had noticed. Xena smiled and slid her hand to the bard’s thigh under the table.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too."

They gazed at each other but Xena looked away.

"I think they’re ready to give the winner," she said. Gabrielle blinked a couple of times and then fixed her attention on the innkeeper who was standing on the platform.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our winner. Gabrielle, Bard of Potedaia."

Gabrielle shook her head and grinned.

"Told ya so," Xena said cheekily as the bard rose to walk to the stage. She bowed to a standing ovation and smiled.

"Thank you," she said. "Telling stories gives me more pleasure than I can express and I hope you enjoyed my tale this evening."

"Give us another!" came a voice from the back of the room and Gabrielle blushed as she realised that it had been Xena.

"Alright." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. "That’s my friend down there." Then she looked at the warrior. "I’ll slip you those ten dinars later," she called and Xena chuckled, as did the rest of the room. The bard began to pace again and captured the room once more.

"My second is a tale of the bravery of Xena, the Warrior Princess. Once a bloodthirsty and feared warlord, she changed her life and now fights in the name of good." She paused dramatically and then went on. "It all started when Xena and her partner stopped by the edge of the road so Gabrielle could practise some flips…"

She grinned at Xena and the warrior groaned as she realised that she wasn't getting away from this story. "Unfortunately, Gabrielle was less than skilled in that area and she managed to sprain her ankle badly, leaving her unable to walk. As Xena was treating the injury, they came across a soldier who told them of a huge army that had invaded the shores of Greece two days previously…"

Xena leaned forward in her chair again as she listened to Gabrielle’s enthralling prose. The bard was pacing back and forward, waving her arms as she told of the battle between the warrior and the Persian Advance Party. Xena’s eyes had involuntarily moistened as the bard told of how she had been shot with a poisoned arrow and how she lay dying in the loft of the barn while the Warrior Princess fought below.

"Xena pointed her sword at the retreating Persian soldiers, narrowed her eyes and growled. ‘Go home! There are thousands more like me!’ (Xena grinned at Gabrielle’s impression of her) The soldiers feared the retribution of the Warrior Princess and fled back to their horses, leaving Xena alone, tired and bloody. The warrior flipped up into the loft where her best friend lay dying and gently placed some of the antidote between her lips. The bard awoke and drank from the bottle of serum as her friend lay wearily down beside her. ‘I thought you said those guys were tough,’ she joked and Xena sighed heavily. ‘Must have caught them on an off day,’ she replied and closed her eyes against the exhaustion she was feeling. Gabrielle allowed her eyes to rest and as she began to drift off, she knew in her heart that her warrior had fought, not only for the sake of her country but also for the sake of a bond of friendship that would never die."

Gabrielle opened her eyes and wiped her face sheepishly. She hadn’t even realised that she had begun to cry and the room was silent around her. She smiled, cleared her throat and then spoke softly.

"That story is very personal to me. My best friend saved my life and I’ll be grateful to her forever."

She looked to the back of the room and saw Xena sitting with her face buried in her hands but as she looked up, Gabrielle saw the tears on her cheeks.

"Thank you," Gabrielle said and stepped down from the platform to go to her love but the innkeeper stopped her.

"Here’s your prize, Gabrielle. Fifty dinars."

"Thanks," she replied distractedly as she saw Xena get up and walk up the stairs to their room. "Uh… yeah… thank you." She took the bag of coins and ran after her partner. She pushed open the door of their room to find Xena standing at the window, gazing out over the village. Her long, muscular body was bathed in moonlight and once again, Gabrielle thought she was goddess beautiful. The bard walked to her and hugged her from behind, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

"I’m sorry," she said softly. "I didn’t mean to upset you like that."

Xena turned and hugged her tightly, stroking her hair.

"It’s ok. I guess, now that we’ve admitted our love for each other, things like that are even harder to think about. I almost lost you, Gabrielle."

"Xena, when I tell stories like that, it makes me thankful that I still have you. We’ve been through so much together over the past four years and we’ll probably face more before our lives are done. Let me say right now that I want us to see things through together."

"Together," Xena agreed firmly as she bent to kiss her lover passionately. Their tongues duelled fiercely and suddenly, Gabrielle was scooped into strong arms and deposited gently on the bed. Xena made love to her, slowly and tenderly and as the bard released, she felt her soul merge with her lover’s. They became two halves of a whole and as they lay in each other’s arms, Gabrielle whispered to her soulmate.

"We’re going to be together… forever."

"Yeah," came the emotion filled reply and they fell asleep, safe in the knowledge that their love was eternal.

Xena frowned and looked down as Gabrielle’s hand slipped into hers.

"It’s ok, we’re alone out here. We haven’t seen anyone for hours," the bard reassured and Xena sighed. "You’d think you were ashamed to be seen with me."

Xena’s head snapped around to look at her.

"Gabrielle, that’s not…" she trailed off as she saw the cheeky grin on her lover’s face. "Alright, you got me," she admitted and Gabrielle laughed helplessly.

"Sometimes you’re such an easy mark, you know that?" she said, still chuckling.

Xena raised an eyebrow at her.

"An easy mark, huh?" she said in a low threatening voice and then her eyes moved slowly to the left. Gabrielle’s gaze followed and her eyes widened.

"No… Xena, please… NO!"

She took off at a run as Xena reached for her but the warrior ran after her.

"Come here, Gabrielle!" she called in a singsong voice.

"No! Give it up, Warrior Princess!" the bard replied tauntingly. She suddenly skidded to a halt and held out her hands as Xena flipped over her head and landed in front of her. "Hey! No faaaaiiiiiirrrrrrr!" Gabrielle was scooped up into strong arms and dumped unceremoniously into the nearby river. She surfaced, coughing and spluttering, to find Xena standing on the bank, her arms crossed over her breastplate as she laughed.

"Now am I an easy mark?" the warrior asked.

"Yes!" the bard retorted defiantly and swam away as Xena discarded her armour, weapons, boots and leathers and jumped into the water. The warrior caught up with her quickly and grabbed her, dunking her under the water. Gabrielle shot back up and splashed her lover hard. Xena retaliated and soon they were laughing helplessly as they splashed each other. Gabrielle dove forward and jumped on her partner but Xena caught her and held her gently around the waist as their eyes locked. The warrior smiled and then lowered her lips to claim the bard’s with barely restrained passion. They broke apart moments later and Gabrielle nuzzled the soft skin of her lover’s throat.

"I can’t remember the last time I was this happy," she said softly as she looked up to gaze into the piercing blue eyes she loved so much.

"Me neither," Xena admitted with a long sigh. "Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted… this." She waved her hand generally.

"What?" Gabrielle asked.

"Just to be here alone with you. To be able to kiss you openly without fearing that you’d be disgusted and leave me."

Gabrielle shook her head and chuckled.

"What’s so funny?" the warrior asked.

"I’m sorry. It’s just that I felt the exact same way. We’re a pair of idiots."

The bard rested her cheek against her love’s chest and sighed. "I love you so much, it almost scares me sometimes."

"How so?" Xena asked softly.

"Sometimes I look at you and completely lose myself in your eyes. I can feel myself drowning in them but the funny thing is, I never have any intension of swimming for the surface. I just let myself fall."

"Yeah, but I’ll always be here to catch you," the warrior replied with a smile. Ok, Xena, you can do this. "You’ve lit a brightly burning campfire in my heart, Gabrielle. I bask in it’s warmth and I’m led home by it’s light." Hmmm not too shabby for a monosyllabic warrior.

"Oh, Xena, that’s so beautiful," the bard sighed and Xena mentally patted herself on the back. Do I know my bard or what? My bard… gods, she’s mine. After all this time, she’s finally mine. A tear ran down her cheek and Gabrielle got worried.

"Xena, what is it? What’s wrong? Is it something I said?" she asked. The warrior sniffed back her emotion and a bright smile lit her face.

"No, of course not. I’m just… happy," she replied and heard her partner’s sigh of relief. "I love you, Gabrielle."

"I love you too. Let’s get out of this water and set up camp. We might as well stay here and dry off."

Gabrielle took her warrior’s hand and led her to the edge of the river. They climbed out and then moved deeper into the forest to find a secluded spot to make camp for the night.

"That was fun," Gabrielle said as she slipped out of her clothes.

"Yeah, it was," the warrior agreed as she wrung out her raven-black hair.

"Xena, I was thinking…" Gabrielle began but Xena assumed a terrified look.

"Uh oh!" she said, pretending to shake with fear.

"Ha ha," the bard stated flatly and the warrior grinned. "I was thinking about India. What do you think about us maybe going there for a while?"

"Why India?" Xena asked as she laid out her bedroll.

"I don’t know. I just… I’ve heard that India is a very spiritual land. Xena, if I’m looking to find my spiritual path, I might learn more there."

"Maybe," Xena replied but she looked sceptical.

"It can’t hurt, can it?" Gabrielle said with a smile.

"I guess not. Alright, Gabrielle, we’ll head to India."

"Have you ever been there before, Xena?"

"Nope, but I’m sure it’s going to be very interesting."

The End

No warriors or bards were harmed during the writing of this story, however Gabrielle had better duck in India if she wants to keep her hair on.