The Pendants by Cheeya

Comments/Constructive criticism to [email protected]

"How many times have you done this before?"

Xena grinned widely.

"Oh, a few times Gabrielle," the tall warrior replied, flicking her raven black hair away from her eyes.

"Really? I never figured you for the type. You’re a regular Senticles"

The Warrior Princess arched her trademark eyebrow.

"I have many skills," she purred and Gabrielle rolled her eyes in despair.

"You’re getting worse!" she said.

"I don’t know what you mean," Xena retorted, shooting her best friend an innocent look.

"Don’t act all innocent with me," the bard replied, shaking her head and tousling her short blonde hair in the cute way that Xena loved. The stoic warrior found herself reaching over to brush an errant lock of hair away from the bard’s forehead and pulled her hand away quickly. She caught the curious look on Gabrielle’s face and blushed slightly.

"Sorry, I just… I didn’t want you to feel as if I was mothering you. I know you’re not a kid anymore."

The bard smiled.

"I appreciate that Xena, but it’s ok. I just find it a bit… um… unusual. You’re not one for touching much."

"I’m getting soft in my old age," Xena replied with a quirky grin and Gabrielle chuckled.

"Tell that to the twelve thugs you beat up yesterday," she teased.

Xena hefted her bag higher up on her back.

"Yeah well… they were mean," she said in a sarcastic voice and the bard laughed out loud.

"You’re right and I have proof," Gabrielle replied, pointing at the gash on her upper arm that Xena had stitched. "I’m starting to feel like a pin cushion," she joked.

"Sorry about that," said Xena seriously. "I didn’t see him coming or you know I would have…"

"Hey," Gabrielle cut her off. "You can’t be everywhere or see everything. Xena, as much as you hate to believe it, you’re mortal. You don’t have all seeing all knowing powers and believe me, I’d be dead a hundred times over if it wasn’t for you coming to my rescue. Our first year together, I was held at knifepoint every other day!"

Xena chuckled and this time, she allowed her hand to brush away the lock of hair.

"Well, you’ve changed a lot since then," she replied. "Now you’re the one protecting me when I’m down."

"You can bet your horse on it Xena. I’ll always be there."

"Bet Argo? No way!"

"I knew it! You like her more than you like me don’t you!" Gabrielle said with a teasing grin.

"Well…"

The warrior received a light punch on her shoulder and pretended to be injured before cracking a grin.

"You’re… everything… to me. You know that don’t you?" she said awkwardly.

Her face had turned serious and her piercing blue eyes sparkled as she searched Gabrielle’s emerald green.

"Yeah, I know My Friend. And you to me."

Xena nodded, satisfied at the reply.

"Good. Now let’s get a move on. We have to get these to the orphanage in time for Solstice."

They picked up their pace and arrived at the orphanage that afternoon. Xena spoke to the woman in charge and left the bags of food and toys with her. She touched the warrior gently on the arm and as Gabrielle watched, she saw something pass between them. She tilted her head in surprise and crinkled her forehead. Xena smiled at the woman and touched her in return before returning to the bard.

"What?" she inquired at Gabrielle’s questioning look.

"Nothing. Never mind," said Gabrielle and Xena shrugged. They went to the tavern for a meal and Gabrielle was very quiet as she ran the scene back through her mind.

"So I thought we could head to the next village. We’re not going to make it back to either Amphipolis or Potedaea and they have a great festival… Gabrielle are you listening to me? Gabrielle? GABRIELLE!"

The bard jerked back to reality and stared at her best friend.

"What?"

"You haven’t heard a word I’ve said. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I’m ok. I was just thinking."

Xena grinned.

"I always get worried when you say that."

The bard just stared at her and Xena knew there was something wrong. Gabrielle always took teasing well.

"Hey, what’s wrong. What is it?"

"Xena, who was that woman. The one at the orphanage?"

She saw the warrior’s eyes become suddenly guarded.

"She’s just someone I know from a long time ago," she replied carefully.

"I thought we said no secrets," said Gabrielle and stood up quickly.

"Gabrielle, wait," said Xena, catching the bard as she went to leave. "I’m sorry. It’s just… it’s very personal."

She saw her friend’s eyes soften and Gabrielle nodded.

"Alright. I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me."

Xena shook her head and waved her hand at the bard’s empty seat.

"Please sit down. I want to tell you but I don’t know what you’re going to think when I’ve finished. I owe it to you to be honest though."

Gabrielle took her seat again and watched as Xena took a long swallow of her port. She cleared her throat and leaned toward her friend.

"Mara is a very old friend of mine from Amphipolis. We didn’t talk for a long time because her brother joined my army and I led him to die. She was devastated and blamed me for his death."

She paused for a second, her eyes far away and then she visibly shook herself.

"Well anyway, remember the time you went home to think during our first year together?"

"Yes," Gabrielle replied with a nod.

"Well, I went to see her. I needed to clear the air between us and I… I guess I missed you so much, I broke down and told her how much she had meant to me. We ended up in bed together and… it was a mistake Gabrielle, but it would be a lie if I said I regretted it. She gave me something I needed."

She lowered her eyes, waiting from the emotional rebuttal from her friend.

"Do you love her?" came the quiet question.

"Um… I… No, I don’t love her Gabrielle," came the honest reply and the bard raised her friend’s chin to look into her eyes.

"Xena, do you think a lot about her? I need to know."

"No, I don’t think about her. I can’t… I’ve dedicated my life to you."

The bard held her friend’s eyes.

"But we’re not lovers Xena. I don’t know if I could give you that."

Xena raised her hand and stroked her best friend’s cheek.

"I don’t expect you to my friend. I love you and I’d never leave you, regardless of what happened or didn’t happen between us. Do you understand? I cherish our friendship more than anything in the world."

"So do I Xena. I know that I love you as my best friend but I don’t know if we could ever become lovers. The truth is, I’m scared. I’m scared of what I feel when I look at you. I’m scared when you touch me because I don’t know how to react to you. I’m scared of falling in love with you and then losing you."

"You could fall in love with me?" asked Xena, almost like a frightened child.

"I think that I may already have but I’m not sure. Xena, I need time to sort out my feelings about you, Marcus, Perdicus…"

"Marcus?"

"Yeah, I know you were together. I woke up and saw you. I was happy for you both but it also hurt me. I closed my eyes and just wished I wasn’t there."

Xena couldn’t meet her friend’s eyes.

"I’m sorry Gabrielle. I thought you were asleep. I didn’t mean for you to see that."

"No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. Besides, it was none of my business."

"Gabrielle, I accepted a long time ago that any decisions I made would affect you too and I’ve tried to make good ones. I haven’t always succeeded, I know that, but I’ve really tried."

"I know you have. Now I think it’s time we went to bed. I’m exhausted."

"I’ll get us two rooms," said Xena but Gabrielle stopped her.

"You don’t have to do that. Nothing has changed between us and we can only afford one room anyway."

Xena grinned and nodded.

"I thought you might feel more comfortable away from me."

"Never Xena. Like I said, just give me time."

The friends left their table and went to get a room and lay side by side in the small bed. Xena took Gabrielle’s hand and propped herself up on one elbow to kiss her on the forehead.

"You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Just remember that."

"I will and believe me, you’ve changed my life for the better. I’ll always be grateful for that Xena."

They fell asleep together and dawn came all too soon.

The next morning, Xena woke to find her friend curled up against her. The warrior spent a few precious minutes watching her sleep. She had told the bard that she could wait but she wasn’t sure anymore. Her love for Gabrielle was so strong that she just wanted to hold her, touch her, make love to her. But no. She would wait until Gabrielle knew what her feelings were. Xena would never force her friend to make a decision. She was terrified that it would drive her away and losing her would be unthinkable. The warrior closed her eyes and smiled as she felt Gabrielle stir against her. Two emerald green eyes popped open and Gabrielle smiled happily.

"Happy Solstice Xena," she said. "And Happy Birthday."

Xena was momentarily surprised. She had forgotten that it was her birthday.

Gods, how old am I today? Thirty three? I feel old.

"Thanks Gabrielle."

The bard pulled back the blanket and jumped out of bed.

"Stay here," she said with a grin and disappeared into the tiny bathroom. She returned moments later with a small parcel.

"Gabrielle? When did you do this?" Xena asked with a smile.

"Let’s just say it’s been done in stages," the bard replied. "You’re a tough woman to get rid of!"

The Warrior Princess chuckled as she opened the parcel. She ran her hand over the knife and smiled.

"What’s this?" she asked as she examined the seal at the base of the blade.

"It’s your chakram with my sais crossed behind it," said Gabrielle. She padded over to her bag and pulled out an identical knife. I had two made… one each. It means that my sais will always be there behind you to watch your back."

Xena looked up at the bard with a shimmering blue gaze.

"I don’t know what to say Gabrielle," she whispered. "Thank you."

"We’ve been through so much Xena and we’ve never had anything we could truly call our own. I have something else for you."

Gabrielle opened her hand and a tear ran slowly down Xena’s cheek when she saw the two pendants the bard was holding. They were two halves of the seal, hanging from silver chains. Xena ran her finger over the pendants and then lifted her hair to allow her best friend to fasten the chain around her neck. Then she gently turned Gabrielle and fastened her chain on her neck. Gabrielle faced the warrior and pulled her into a hug.

"I hope you like them," she whispered.

"No Gabrielle. I love them. They’re the most precious gifts I have ever received."

Her voice cracked with emotion and she held Gabrielle tightly against her allowing her love to warm her heart. Then she pulled back and lifted each chain, fitting the halves together.

"I promise you this Gabrielle. I will never take this pendant off. It will be a sign of our eternal friendship."

"And love," the bard whispered.

Xena’s eyes snapped up to capture Gabrielle’s and the bard smiled.

"I thought very carefully about what you said Xena and I made a decision last night. I love you and I want us to be together."

"Gabrielle, are you sure?" the raven-haired warrior replied.

"I’ve never been more sure of anything Xena."

Xena gazed at the woman she loved, unable to move or speak. She was lost in the beautiful green of her eyes and couldn’t have looked away, even if she had wanted to. Gabrielle leaned toward her and placed the lightest of kisses on her lips but then wrapped her hand around the warrior’s neck and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She felt Xena’s body tremble and pulled away slightly.

"It’s ok," she whispered. "You’ve done this before."

"I've never done this with you, Gabrielle," the warrior replied, trying in vain to keep her voice from wavering.

"Just relax."

Gabrielle pushed her gently back onto the bed and kissed her passionately, sliding her tongue into her willing mouth. Their tongues duelled furiously as their passion escalated. Gabrielle slipped the straps on Xena’s shift down and pulled the material down, exposing the warrior’s full, tanned breasts. She ran her hands over them, feeling the nipples harden instantly and a low groan, almost like a purr, came from Xena’s throat. Gabrielle’s eyes darkened with desire and she leaned forward, sucking a nipple into her mouth and nibbling gently on it. She felt Xena’s fingers run through her hair and hold her head in place as she arched her back, encouraging her lover to take more of her. Gabrielle looked up to find Xena’s eyes almost closed with desire and felt her own passion jump notches. She kissed every inch of Xena’s body, running her tongue over her stomach and dipping it into her navel.

"Gods Gabrielle!" Xena cried and suddenly pulled the bard up to her, kissing her with a lustful urgency, tasting the sweetness of her love’s mouth. She pulled her shift off and discarded her own with it and paused to drink in the sight of the bard’s young, beautiful body.

"I’ve waited so long for this," she whispered.

"I know. I’ve been a fool," the bard replied.

"No. No Gabrielle. I would have waited for you forever. I love you."

"I love you too Xena," said Gabrielle tenderly and they renewed their kissing.

Xena’s hands ran down the bard’s back and she felt her shiver at the touch. She rolled them over slowly and covered Gabrielle’s body with her own. The Warrior Princess kissed her way down to perfect breasts and she paused to nip and suck on the nipples, bringing them quickly to attention.

"You’re so beautiful," she said, almost in awe and moved lower, running her hand over taut stomach muscles and following with feather light kisses. Gabrielle’s hips started to move and Xena knew she wouldn’t last much longer. She settled herself between her lover’s thighs and parted the folds of her womanhood.

"Xena… please…" Gabrielle’s gasped, sweat beading her forehead.

"I know my Love," the warrior replied and dipped her tongue into the bard’s pleasure centre, concentrating on her swollen clit. She drove the bard wild with every upward stroke of her tongue and Gabrielle moans came faster and louder as her tempo increased. Xena slid two fingers inside her and reached up with her free hand to pinch her nipples firmly. She felt Gabrielle stiffen and then the bard released with a cry that echoed around the room. She shuddered as wave after wave of pleasure thundered through her and then it was over and Gabrielle fell back onto the bed, trembling violently. Xena gathered her into her arms, holding her tightly and stroking her sweat soaked hair away from her eyes. Slowly, Gabrielle came back to her senses and Xena felt muscular arms wrap around her.

"I love you Gabrielle," she whispered and when the bard looked up, she saw that her face was wet with tears.

"Xena, you’re crying. Are you ok?"

The warrior nodded and forced her voice past the lump in her throat.

"I never thought I would be able to hold you in my arms like this Gabrielle. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for so long. I just need to hold you so I know it’s real and not one of those dreams."

Gabrielle reached up and wiped the tears from the warrior’s face.

"It’s real Xena. It’s real," she said softly and then kissed her tenderly. The kiss became impassioned and Gabrielle ran her hands over the warrior’s body, reigniting the flames that had burned so brightly moments before. She slid her hand between Xena’s legs and entered her swiftly but gently. She thrust her fingers slowly, wanting her lover to feel every minuscule advance and retreat as her thumb ran rhythmically over the warrior’s clit. Xena felt the pleasure build in her groin and moved her hips against the bard’s fingers, silently urging her to thrust faster. Gabrielle complied and as she sucked on the warrior’s nipples, Xena arched her back and came violently, screaming her lover’s name and clutching her to her chest. After long moments, she caught her breath and she looked deeply into her lover’s eyes.

"Thank you," she said hoarsely and Gabrielle almost drowned in the heightened emotion evident in eyes more vibrant than the bluest summer sky.

"You’re welcome," she replied and Xena chuckled low in her throat. "Come here," she growled and kissed the bard deeply. Then Gabrielle laid her head on Xena’s strong shoulder and they fell into an exhausted sleep.

Next morning the two women rode out of the town to go to the festival in the next village. They stopped at midday for a quick lunch and entered the village that afternoon. Gabrielle smiled at the decorations and cooed at the children playing in the streets. Xena leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips.

"If you want children Gabrielle, I’ll find a way to give you one," she said.

"Well, that would be a miracle for Eli’s God," Gabrielle replied with a grin, but she was touched by the warrior’s words.

Xena grinned and dismounted in a single fluid motion. Gabrielle swung her leg over her horse’s back and then hopped to the ground, she felt Xena catch her by the hips and turned to give her love a full smile.

"Thanks."

"Don’t mention it."

They hitched their horses to a post and went to the inn to get a room for the night. Xena haggled for a room the size of a closet, the only one left, and finally handed over the dinars with a sigh.

"Let’s get something to eat," she said and after fixing her most menacing stare on the innkeeper, she led the bard out into the street. They walked to the nearest tavern and got a large plate of lamb stew each. Xena scanned the room for any possible danger and then moved her sword slightly so she could lean back comfortably against the wall behind her. She saw two men enter the tavern and filed them away in her memory under possible threat. The men were heavily armed and she caught them leering at Gabrielle more than once.

"Filthy animals," Xena spat under her breath but Gabrielle grinned.

"Don’t worry. I can take care of myself when it comes to men," she replied. "Yeah, I just set you on them," she deadpanned and Xena had to laugh, despite her disgust.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?" Xena asked conversationally.

"How about eat, drink, dance and then back to the inn for dessert?" Gabrielle said with a seductive smile.

"Hmmmm… sounds like fun," said Xena, arching her eyebrow and nodding. She looked back to where the two men had been and realised that they were gone. She shrugged and went back to her meal, washing it down with a mug of cider. When they were finished dinner, they took a walk through the village, stopping to examine the wares on the market stalls. Gabrielle stopped suddenly when she almost fell over a small child balanced precariously on wobbling legs.

"Oh Xena look!" she cried and crouched low, opening her arms to the baby. "Come on Little One. You can do it," she encouraged gently and the little boy took a shaky step toward her… and then another… and another until Gabrielle scooped him up into her arms.

"Good Boy!" she said and kissed him on the cheek. A woman approached her and smiled.

"He wouldn’t take any steps for me. Thank you," she said and Gabrielle handed the baby over to her.

"Do you have any children of your own?" the woman asked. Xena looked at Gabrielle but the bard shook her head.

"No," she said quietly and then after a quick goodbye to the child and his mother, she walked away. Xena ran to catch her up.

"Gabrielle, I’m sorry," she said and the bard sighed.

"It’s easier to say no than to have to explain," the blonde woman replied sadly.

"I know, Love."

They continued on and Gabrielle cheered up considerably when she saw the sign in the tavern window.

"That wasn’t here before! Look Xena, a bard contest! The winner will receive three hundred dinars!"

Xena nodded.

"Piece of cake for you Gabrielle. Might as well spend the money now."

The bard smiled at the warrior’s confidence in her.

"Thanks, but seriously, I think I’ll enter."

"You should. You can teach these other bards a thing or two about storytelling."

Gabrielle signed up for the competition and then the two women spent the rest of the evening together, sharing a few intimate minutes before the contest began. Gabrielle was last up and she captivated the audience with the story of Xena defeating Bacchus and his deadly Bacchae. As she brought her tale to a close, the audience gave her a standing ovation and she was named winner of the contest. She glanced over at her friend and Xena smiled and nodded, pride evident in her eyes. After spending the rest of the evening drinking and laughing, Xena and Gabrielle headed back to their inn. They were walking hand in hand but Gabrielle noticed that Xena’s eyes were darting from side to side, trying to find the danger she sensed. The bard bent and pulled her sais out of the holders on her boots and Xena drew her sword, the metal scraping softly against it’s leather sheath. She turned slowly in a circle but she still couldn’t pinpoint the danger.

"Gabrielle, get ready."

Xena spun, dropped suddenly to one knee and caught an arrow that had been headed for her back. She threw it to the ground and faced one of the men that had been in the tavern earlier that day. She took a step back and spun her sword in her hand. A feral grin rose to her lips and she shook her head.

"I wouldn’t do this if I were you," she growled but the man lunged at her. She danced out of the way and leapt into the air, somersaulting and trilling her war cry.

"Alalalalalalalalalalalala! Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyaaa!"

Xena landed behind him and felled him with a spinning heel kick to his jaw as he turned in confusion. The warrior looked over at Gabrielle who was handling the other man easily and pushed him back to her as he stumbled away.

"Thanks Xena," the bard cried, saluting her with her sais. She didn’t hear the third man sneaking up behind her and a cry died in Xena’s throat as she saw him knock the younger woman out from behind.

"Gabrielle!"

She tried to get to her friend but a net was thrown over her. Xena struggled with all her strength but she was picked up and thrown into a water trough. She held her breath and tried to stay calm, using her sword to cut away the rope and finally freeing herself. She sat forward and sucked in some much-needed air before jumping out of the trough. Her heart was pounding with fear and she couldn’t find Gabrielle anywhere.

"GABRIELLE!!" she yelled but there was no answer. "I swear if they hurt her…"

Xena ran back to the inn and collected their belongings. She saddled their horses, loaded the supplies and rode out into the darkness to find Gabrielle.

"You idiot! We can’t kill her! She’s worth more alive than dead!"

The soldier shrugged and dumped another bucket of water onto the woman lying unconscious in the cage in front of him. Gabrielle came around quickly and turned her head away as the water threatened to enter her lungs. She coughed hard and then sucked in a ragged breath. The cough sent pain lancing through her head and she pressed her hand against the consistent, dull ache. She lifted her head to look around her but lowered it again quickly as a wave of dizziness almost made her vomit.

"Oh gods," she groaned.

"Good to see you’re awake my Dear," said a grating male voice and Gabrielle turned her head slowly to look at the man on the other side of the bars.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"You’re in my castle," he replied, running his eyes over her body.

"How did I get here?"

"My men brought you here to serve as a little insurance. We want Xena and we’re going to use you to lure her here."

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

"Xena? Who’s Xena? And who am I?"

The warlord threw back his head and laughed.

"Oh this is just too much! The little bard has lost her memory! Can I be this lucky? Now I get to watch as Xena realises that her best friend doesn’t know who she is!"

"Who are you?" Gabrielle demanded angrily.

"My name is Gregorius and I owe Xena a whole lot of pain. That bitch killed my family!"

Xena stopped for the twentieth time that night and searched the ground for tracks. She found them a few minutes later and climbed wearily back onto her horse.

"She’s going to be alright Argo," she said and patted the mare’s neck with a shaking hand.

Xena knew that the tracks were a trap. No self-respecting warrior would ever leave such obvious tracks and judging by the way the men had fought, they were well trained and would have known how to avoid leaving a trail. However, the only thought going through Xena’s mind was that she had to find her love.

"We didn’t go through everything to lose each other now," she murmured and kicked her horse gently.

Three hours later, Xena was sitting in a tree, watching the guards pace back and forth along the walls of the stronghold. A plan was formulating in her mind and she climbed soundlessly down the tree and crept forward, heading for the gap she had spotted in the guards’ defence. She climbed the wall quickly and hoisted herself over the top, climbing onto the roof of a turret. A guard passed by just below her and she jumped onto his back, stifling his cry with her hand as she broke his neck. After a quick check to see if she’d been heard or spotted, she dragged his body into the turret and hid it behind the door. Then she crept deeper into the castle, her every muscle coiled and reflex sharp. She passed through a huge hall, keeping her back to the wall as she skirted the room and headed for a smaller anteroom. She checked each door and paused as she heard a whimper behind the second last door of the chamber.

"Gabrielle?" she whispered.

She opened the door slowly, wincing at the squeak it made and crept into the dimly lit room. Her eyes adjusted quickly and she gasped as she saw Gabrielle lying face down in a cage, her back covered in bruises. Xena ran to the cage and reached into her love, brushing her bruised shoulder with her hand. Gabrielle immediately flinched and pulled away.

"No!" she cried and Xena shook her head.

"Sshh Gabrielle. I’m going to get you out of here!" she whispered.

Who are you?" asked the bard and Xena could see the fear in her eyes.

"Gabrielle, it’s me. Xena."

"You’re Xena? Gregorius wants to capture you. You have to leave here now. I don’t know who you are Xena but I won’t help him capture you."

The Warrior Princess shook her head in disbelief.

"You don’t know who I am?"

"No, I don’t. Now please leave here or he’ll kill you. He thinks you killed his family. He’s insane!"

Xena reached into the cage again.

"Gabrielle, I’m not leaving without you. Do you hear me?"

The bard nodded slowly and reached out a trembling hand to the warrior.

"Are we friends?" she asked in a low voice.

Xena felt a lump rise in her throat and swallowed deeply.

"We’re best friends Gabrielle," she replied in a voice that sounded strangled to her own ears. She took her new dagger out of her boot and picked the lock on the door of the cage and then she helped Gabrielle out, half carrying her to the door. Her mind was racing with fear. How was she going to get Gabrielle out? She couldn’t climb down the wall in her injured state. The warrior looked around and suddenly an idea came to her. She gathered the rope pulls on the lavish curtains and tied them together to form a long rope. Then she helped Gabrielle to the window and tied the rope around her waist.

"I’m going to lower you down Gabrielle. When you reach the bottom, head for those trees and wait for me there ok?"

The bard nodded and sat on the edge of the windowsill. Xena lowered her down slowly and then saw her best friend creeping silently through the bushes to hide in the trees. Xena climbed hand over hand down the rope and then joined her friend in the trees.

"Piece of cake," she whispered and helped Gabrielle back to her horse.

They rode away from the castle until Gabrielle couldn’t ride anymore.

"Xena… I can’t…" she said and almost fell off the horse but the warrior was there to help her down. The bard’s back was aching and her ribs were screaming blue murder. She was shivering and Xena was worried when she felt the heat radiating from her face.

"Gabrielle, you have a fever. I need to get you to shelter."

The bard looked up at her and smiled through chattering teeth.

"Whoever you are, thank you."

Tears sprang to Xena’s eyes and she blinked them away knowing she had to be strong for her love. She hugged the bard close and felt the hug being returned. Then she got up and lifted Gabrielle gently into her arms and carried her to a cave that the warrior knew was nearby.

A few hours later, the cave was warm and cosy from their campfire and Xena had tended to Gabrielle’s injuries. She gave her a healing tea to help with the fever and then let her sleep. Xena sat cross-legged in front of the campfire, staring into the flames. Her mind was racing. How was she going to help the bard regain her memory? Gabrielle had no recollection of her life at all and any question Xena had asked her had been answered with a shrug or a confused, frustrated look. At one stage Gabrielle had burst into tears and Xena had held her tenderly, rocking her slowly and humming to her until she fell into an exhausted sleep. Now, as Xena sat staring into the crackling flames, she let the tears come and cursed the gods. She had waited so long for their love to grow and now she had lost it but apart from that, she could have lost her best friend too.

"Xena?"

The Warrior Princess quickly wiped her face and sniffed.

"Yes Gabrielle?" she replied in a voice that almost betrayed her emotion.

"How long have we been friends?"

"Five years Gabrielle. Five wonderful and not so wonderful years."

The bard looked Xena straight in the eye and asked the question that Xena had hoped wouldn’t come until she was more in control of her emotions.

"How long have we been lovers?"

"We can talk about that later," the warrior replied.

"No Xena. We should talk now. I can see that this is hurting you deeply. I don’t know how but I can feel it."

"I know how," Xena replied carefully.

"Oh?"

"Yes, we’re soulmates Gabrielle. I can feel… things… about you and you can feel things about me. It’s been getting steadily stronger especially since yesterday."

"What happened yesterday?"

Xena closed her eyes and swallowed deeply.

"We made love for the first time."

She looked at Gabrielle but the bard shook her head.

"I’m so sorry Xena. I don’t remember."

The warrior couldn’t stop the fresh flow of tears so she just let them fall. She lowered her head and trembled as she felt her heart break, but suddenly a pair of muscular arms wrapped around her. She looked into the eyes she knew so well and a tiny smile rose to her lips.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Gabrielle leaned into her and kissed her gently but Xena pulled back in surprise.

"Wh… what are you doing?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"I’m kissing you," Gabrielle replied and she ran her nails down the warrior’s throat.

"But… I thought you didn’t remember…"

"It doesn’t matter. I’m very attracted to you and you need this. I can feel it and it’s exhilarating. You need to feel me against you… I know you want me. I can see it in your eyes."

Xena started to argue but a deep, passionate kiss stole any words that were in her mind.

"Take me," Gabrielle whispered and any resolve Xena had left, crumbled. She quickly removed the bard’s clothes, being careful of her injuries and they made love to each slowly and tenderly until their simultaneous cries of release rang out around the cave.

As the warrior held her sleeping lover, she felt a gnawing sense of guilt. Had she done the right thing letting Gabrielle make love to her? The bard had been right. She had needed her touch but she felt as if she had taken advantage of her.

"A dinar for them…"

Xena smiled at the younger woman.

"They’re not worth that," she replied and then looked away.

"Hey, you’re not… regretting this are you?"

"No… not really."

Gabrielle sat up in anger.

"Not really? Xena, I did this for you because you saved me and you say not really?"

The Warrior Princess thought her heart would crack open at her friend’s words.

"You did this as payment," she said flatly. "I can’t believe it."

Xena pulled her shift on over her head and then got up, moving to retrieve her leathers and boots.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded," said Gabrielle, shaking her head.

"Yes you did," Xena replied and pulled on her armour, settling her sword on her back and her chakram at her hip. "Stay here. I’m going to get us something to eat," she said gruffly.

"You’re coming back?"

Xena turned to face the woman she loved, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I promised you that I would never leave you despite what happened or didn’t happen between us and I won’t break that promise to you…" She paused and shook her head. "To my Gabrielle," she amended and then disappeared out of the cave.

The young woman shook her head slowly.

"Gods help me. I have to remember," she whispered.

Gabrielle got up and went to their saddlebags. She knelt down and opened the first, surprised to find a bundle of neatly tied scrolls. She untied the binding and unrolled the first one.

"The Return of Callisto," she read out loud. "I sing of the wrath of Callisto, the pain of Gabrielle and the courage of Xena and the ineffable mystery of a friendship as immortal as the gods…"

Gabrielle carried the scrolls back to her bedroll and sat down. She started reading and minutes soon turned into two hours. She finished the last one and sat silently crying as she realised what she had done to Gabrielle’s…her… best friend.

Xena crept soundlessly through the forest, her senses high and her chakram in her hand. She heard a rustling beside her and she let the weapon fly, beheading a rabbit. The chakram returned to her hand and she hooked it back at her hip before going to retrieve her kill. Without thinking, she started to prepare the rabbit but soon her mind drifted back to the young woman waiting for her back at the cave. This woman was not her Gabrielle.

She may never regain her memory. What am I going to do? Dammit all to Hades! I won’t leave her, no matter what happens. I promised her and she needs me now more than ever.

The warrior wiped the tears away from her cheeks and sat on the ground hugging her knees to her chest.

"Think Xena," she told herself aloud. Her hand moved to finger the pendant around her neck and suddenly an idea came to her. She climbed to her feet with renewed hope and drew her sword. She knelt down on one knee and leaned on the sword, bowing her head.

"Aphrodite. I know you can hear me. I’m not one for praying but I need your help."

There was utter stillness in the darkness of the forest but then a soft red glow signalled the appearance of the Goddess of Love.

"Well Xena, asking the gods for help? That’s one for the scrolls."

Xena chuckled and nodded.

"You’re right but I know you wouldn’t want one of your friends to suffer. Aphrodite, Gabrielle has lost her memory. She’s going through torment because she can’t remember anything about her life."

The goddess held up her hand.

"Hang on Warrior-Babe, you can’t tell me that you’re not doing this as much for yourself as for Gabrielle."

The warrior looked angry for a second but then she sighed defeatedly.

"You’re right. I love her Aphrodite. I love her as I have never loved another. I need her… but she needs me too. We’ve spent the last five years of our lives together. We’ve been through Tartarus, Heaven and Hell together and I won’t lose her now."

Xena’s voice had trailed off to an angry growl. "Will you help me?"

Aphrodite nodded and then smiled.

"Alright Xena, but I will give Gabrielle the choice of whether she wants to continue her life with you. Artemis wants her to rule the Amazons but she insists on staying with you. I want her to be with you but I owe Arty a favour."

The goddess paused to role her eyes in exasperation. Then she stepped forward and touched Xena’s pendant.

"She must voluntarily join your pendants to regain her memory."

"Thank you," said Xena sincerely and then got up.

"Be good, Xena," said Aphrodite and vanished with a wave of her hand.

The Warrior Princess walked back to the cave, pausing at the entrance to gather the courage to face her love. She strolled in and dropped the rabbit on the ring of stones around the fire. Gabrielle was sitting with her back to her, her head bowed.

"How are you feeling Gabrielle?" asked Xena in a low voice.

"I’m sorry," the bard replied, looking around. The warrior saw the tears glistening on her face and moved to sit beside her.

"I am too. I was too hard on you. I know you don’t remember anything that happened over the past five years and I promise I’ll be patient with you."

"No, that’s not what I mean. Xena, I read my scrolls. I’m sorry I treated you with so little respect. You’ve saved my life more times that I can name and I treated you like you were some… some…"

"Sshh. It’s ok. Forget it. Let’s start over. You know we’ve just met and I think we need to get to know each other again."

Gabrielle’s face lit up in a bright smile.

"You’re right. I want to get to know you. You seem like a really nice woman."

"Nah, I’m just a badass, butt-kicking warrior," Xena replied with a quirky grin and Gabrielle laughed.

"I’ll bet. Now tell me about the way you freed Celeste from King Sisyphus."

"Alright, but remember, you’re the bard of this team so go easy on me!"

Xena started into the story and one tale turned into five… ten… until it was nearly morning. She had cooked the rabbit in the middle of the story of the battle between the Mitoans and Thessilians and told the tale of killing the giant, Gareth, between mouthfuls of meat. She described how Gabrielle had been obsessed with herself after Aphrodite had put the spell on them and how she had held Xena’s flying parchment while she tried to catch Solarus, the fish. Gabrielle laughed until her sides hurt at the warrior’s description of Joxer swinging through the trees in her pink nighshift and she rested her head against Xena’s shoulder.

"Gods, we’ve had some adventures, haven’t we?" she said, still chuckling.

"That we have Love," Xena replied. "Oh, sorry… I didn’t mean…"

"It’s ok. Xena, I’m really sorry about all this. I wish I could remember."

"So do I Gabrielle, but you will."

Suddenly Gabrielle sat up. She touched the pendant hanging from her neck.

"You have one too," she said.

"Yes, you gave it to me for my birthday a couple of days ago. They’re two halves of our seal, my chakram with your sais behind it. You told me that…"

"It means that my sais will always be behind you, watching your back," Gabrielle finished breathlessly as the memory surfaced. Xena took her by the shoulders.

"You remember that?" she asked.

"Yes, I remember. You promised me that you’d never take it off. That it would be the symbol of our eternal friendship…"

"And love," Xena whispered.

"I… I remember. I told you that I wanted to be with you. We made love. Gods I remember."

Gabrielle lifted Xena’s pendant and joined it with her own. There was a sudden flash of white light and Xena looked deeply into the bard’s emerald green eyes.

"I love you Gabrielle," she whispered and the bard pulled her into an embrace.

"I love you too Xena."

The two women cried together and then Gabrielle pulled away a bit.

"I remember everything."

Xena pulled her close again and whispered a silent thanks to Aphrodite, the goddess who had returned to her the other half of her soul.

The End