Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Rob Tapert and Co. No copyright infringement was intended. This story also contains mild scenes of love between two consenting females. If this offends you etc, please find something else to read.

Dedication: For Lindsey, a new friend of mine who has been really kind and sweet. This is for you, Honey.

Bard’s Note: Where this came from, I have no idea. Lol! And I can’t even admit to being drunk when I wrote this, ‘cos I was totally sober! SCARY!

Gabrielle shook her head in disappointment.

"That’s it?"

"WHAT?"

"That’s all there is?"

"Gabrielle!"

"Xena, I expected it to be earth shattering, powerful and totally destroying. I expected to feel it rip through me and echo through my body."

"Gabrielle, I only used a tiny bit."

"Oh."

The bard looked closely at the vial of black powder in her best friend’s hand and shook her head, her short, blonde hair falling gently into her eyes.

"So where do we get more?" she asked with a grin and Xena returned it.

"We’re going to have to make it, Gabrielle.

"But… how?"

"I’m not exactly sure…" Xena scratched her neck and looked away guiltily. "But I know someone who might be able to work it out. I’ve heard he’s very good with spices."

Gabrielle gritted her teeth and shook her finger at her friend.

"No, Xena. You can’t mean…"

"GABBY!"

The bard spun, planting a strained grin on her face.

"JOXER! It’s great to see you. Isn’t it, Xena?" She turned back to Xena and frowned. "I’m going to kill you," she mouthed and then faced the warrior wannabe. "What brings you here?"

Joxer the Mighty puffed out his chest and assumed a stoic warrior voice.

"Sometimes, a warrior needs a stronger, braver warrior’s help, Gabrielle. Xena sent for me."

The bard glared at her partner but Xena smiled weakly and shrugged.

"I needed a… " She paused to swallow hard, trying desperately not to smirk sarcastically. "…a stronger and braver warrior’s help."

Gabrielle took a step closer to her.

"Xena, I don’t think…"

She was cut off when Joxer spun her around, threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly. The bard chuckled and patted him on the back, trying to break loose from his death grip.

"I missed you, Gabby," he whispered.

"That's… uh… sweet," she replied, grimacing as his sword hilt poked her in the stomach… at least she REALLY hoped it was his sword. Ever since he’d confessed his love to her, she had been very uncomfortable around him. She thought that Xena knew that and she was angry with her friend for getting Joxer involved in their plan. Finally, the inept warrior let her go and Gabrielle backed away with a relieved smile.

"Uh… Xena? Can I talk to you for a minute?" She looked at Joxer as he began to follow. "ALONE?"

"Yep, sure," Xena replied and she followed her friend. Once they were out of Joxer’s view, Gabrielle spun to face her partner and glared up at her, her hands perched on her slender hips.

"How could you do this to me?" she said in a frustrated tone. Xena held out a hand.

"Gabrielle, calm down." She rested her hands on her best friend’s shoulders and squeezed gently. "Joxer is an important part of this plan."

"And what plan is that, Xena? Let me guess, the one where you try to drive me INSANE?!"

"No, the one I made up to help you to deal with the fact that Joxer is in love with you."

Xena respected her soulmate too much to lie to her and her quiet, honest words shocked Gabrielle into silence. The bard looked down to study her hands.

"I don’t know what to do," she said softly. "Xena, I don’t love him but I really don’t want to hurt him."

"I know," Xena replied and pulled her gently into her arms for a hug, kissing her on the crown of her head. "Gabrielle, you have to talk to him."

"I can’t. Xena, I really can’t. I don’t know what to say to him."

She felt the warrior chuckle and looked up at her. Xena’s piercing blue eyes were shining in the bright evening sunshine and they captured her best friend’s heart once again. "What’s so funny?" the bard asked softly.

"I remember, Gabrielle, a long time ago, you said to me that you do the sensitive chats," Xena replied with a knowing smile. Gabrielle opened her mouth to make a catty remark but she clamped it closed again and sighed.

"Ok," she said. "I’ll try… but I don’t know how he’s going to react."

She walked away, leaving Xena watching her.

"I do," the warrior whispered and prepared herself for the task of comforting a very love struck and devastated man.

Gabrielle approached her friend slowly, desperately trying to come up with something to say.

"Joxer, can I talk to you?" The young warrior nodded and scooted over to let the bard sit beside him.

"What is it, Gabrielle."

"I wanted to… um… talk to you about what you told me when Xena and I came back from death… about your being in love with me." She saw him look down in embarrassment. "Joxer, you’re a sweet man and you’ve been a great friend to Xena and I but… I’m sorry, Joxer, I don’t love you like that. I know you said no strings but I can’t leave you hanging. You and I can never be together."

She watched as Joxer nodded slowly.

"It’s Perdicus, isn’t it?" he said in a low voice.

"What?"

"Gabrielle, I know you love him… but he’s gone now. Don’t you think it’s time you moved on?"

The bard shook her head.

"Joxer, this has nothing to do with Perdicus. Yes, I loved him and I always will but… it’s not Perdicus who owns my heart."

"Then who?" he asked as he felt his own heart break.

Gabrielle looked down again and sighed, feeling a pang of pain at his question.

"That’s not important right now. Joxer, it’s you who needs to move on. I want you to be happy. I want you to meet someone and get married. I want you to live out your life with someone who can love you in return. I can’t give you that."

"But why?"

The bard stood slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Because I love…"

"Cheeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyya!"

Gabrielle paused as she heard Xena’s trilling war cry and wondered what she was up to. She shook her head.

"Anyway," she went on. "Joxer, we’re not meant to be together," she replied simply and then left him alone.

Joxer stood slowly and walked along the main street of Alekta. He kicked now and again at a stray stone and shook his head as he thought about what Gabrielle had said. He was so lost in thought that he walked straight into a market stall. The stall owner grabbed him by the front of his makeshift armour and pointed at a bottle that lay smashed on the ground.

"You clumsy idiot!" he yelled. "You’ll have to pay for that potion!"

The young warrior shook his head.

"I’m sorry. How much do I owe you?"

"That potion costs five dinars."

"FIVE dinars? Gods, for that price I hope it heals every sickness known to man."

The stall owner frowned as he accepted the money.

"It’s not a healing potion. It’s a love potion. Whomsoever drinks it, falls in love with the next man… or woman… they see."

Joxer shook his head and grinned stupidly.

"That’s a bunch of…" he began but he trailed off as he suddenly thought of Gabrielle. A large smile spread across his face. "It really works, huh? Do you have any more?"

"You’re lucky, My Friend, I have enough left for two doses."

"I’ll only need one," Joxer replied and handed the man another dinar. He took the tiny vial and held it close to his chest as he walked away. "If Gabrielle can’t love me on her own, I’ll just have to give her a little help," he muttered.

"How did it go?" Xena asked as her friend flopped into a wooden chair beside her. Gabrielle picked up the mug of port Xena had waiting for her and took a sip.

"Better than I thought," she replied, tossing her hair out of her eyes with a flick of her head. "He took it well enough. Well, he didn’t cry anyway."

Just then, the topic of their conversation entered the tavern and looked around for them. Joxer spotted them and made his way through the crowded room.

"Xena, Gabby, mind if I join you?" he asked. Xena waved her hand at the empty seat beside Gabrielle and the inept warrior sat down. It was getting late. The sun had already set and Gabrielle was exhausted. She leaned back in her chair and sighed. Joxer clasped the tiny vile of potion in his hand and waited for his chance. Xena and Gabrielle were deep in conversation when he suddenly half stood up and pointed.

"Hey, is that Hercules?" he asked and as the warrior and bard turned to look, he quickly emptied the mixture into Gabrielle’s drink.

"No, it’s not," Xena replied. "How could you think that was Hercules? That man is about four feet tall!"

"Whoops, my mistake," Joxer replied, a grin of satisfaction settling on his face. Gabrielle yawned and stood up.

"Well, I’m tired. I’m off to bed. Coming, Xena?"

The warrior reached over and took her cup.

"Can’t let good port go to waste…" She knocked the contents back in three swallows and then patted Joxer on the shoulder with a smile. "Can we, Jox…"

She trailed off and a look of confusion came to her face. She shuddered slightly.

"Whoa, someone must have leaned over my sarcophagus," she said shakily and then stood up. "Guess I’m more tired than I thought. ‘Night Joxer."

The bumbling warrior’s eyes moved from Xena, to the mug, to Gabrielle and back to Xena. His mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. He was so shocked, he could hardly breathe.

"Joxer, are you alright?" Gabrielle asked, waving her hand in front of his wide-open, staring eyes.

"Y… yeah… I’m… I’m… fine," he finally stammered. "G’night."

"’Night," the bard replied and walked away, followed by her best friend. They climbed the stairs and Xena laughed as Gabrielle yawned and stretched.

"You’ll sleep well tonight," she said.

"Yeah. Dealing with Joxer always exhausts me. I think it’s the holding myself back from killing him," she joked but her smile dropped as she saw the angry look on Xena’s face.

"Don’t talk about Joxer like that," the warrior growled. "He’s a brave and noble man… dashing and handsome…"

Gabrielle chuckled nervously.

"For a second there, Xena, I thought you said that Joxer was dashing and handsome. I think I’ve finally lost my mind."

"Yeah, you must have," the warrior replied, her face back to its original smile. "Come on, let’s get some sleep."

They settled down in their beds and Xena was soon asleep but Gabrielle lay awake wondering what her friend had meant by what she’d said. Finally, her exhaustion took over and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Gabrielle jerked awake as a loud bang sounded on their door.

"Rise and shine, Ladies. Rise and shine!" came a voice she knew and she sat up slowly, rolling her stiff shoulders.

"We’re awake, Joxer," she called and looked over at her friend, who was climbing sleepily out of bed.

"My head is pounding. I feel like I’ve been hit with a ton of rocks," Xena groaned, pressing her hand against her forehead.

"You couldn’t be hung over. You only had two mugs," Gabrielle replied as she padded to the basin to wash.

"I know," the warrior replied with a grimace. "Your one tasted a bit funny though."

"It tasted alright to me," Gabrielle pointed out and Xena shook her head.

"I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. The headache will pass."

She stood and pulled on her armour and boots. Then she clipped her sword to her back and settled her chakram at her hip, bouncing a little on her toes to settle them.

"You want me to mix you some herbs?" Gabrielle asked as she dried her arms and hands.

"No thanks. I’ll be ok," Xena replied and picked up her saddlebag and pack. "Ready to go?"

"Just about," Gabrielle replied as she bent to retrieve her sais and bag. She slid the weapons into the holders on her boots and was just about to sling her saddlebag over her shoulder when Xena glared at her.

"Hurry up, Gabrielle. We can’t keep Joxer waiting. A warrior of his calibre has better things to do than wait around for us."

"A warrior of his calibre? Xena, you’re joking, right?" Gabrielle said as she chuckled.

"No, I’m deadly serious." The warrior shook her head and her voice lowered with awe. "I still can’t believe how lucky we are that he was able to come to help us. I really needed him. Once again, he’s going to come through for me."

Gabrielle shook her head in disbelief and walked to her friend, reaching out a hand to feel her forehead and then her cheek.

"Xena, are you sick? Maybe you should go back to bed. You’re not hot but… you’re obviously delirious."

The warrior slapped her friend’s hand away and scowled at her.

"Gabrielle, I’m fine. Come on. Joxer’s waiting for me."

Xena strode out of the room, followed by a very dazed and worried bard.

Gabrielle shook her head and muttered under her breath as Xena touched Joxer’s arm for the fourth time in as many minutes. The Warrior Princess laughed lightly at something he said and then gazed at him, an adoring expression on her face.

"What the Hades is going on?" the bard wondered as Xena leaned forward to whisper something in the inept warrior’s ear.

"Xena!" Joxer replied, chuckling softly. "Heh!"

"Oh come on. Just for a few minutes?" she pleaded and the warrior wannabe puffed out his chest proudly.

"Well, ok," he replied and took a deep breath.

Gabrielle almost screamed with frustration as he launched into a rendition of his Joxer the Mighty song. Xena grinned in delight and hummed along with him.

"Joxer!" the bard yelled and stepped in between them. "Stop it, right now!"

"Hey! I was doing it for Xena," he replied indignantly and the warrior nodded profusely.

"Yeah, he was doing it for me," she agreed firmly.

"Xena, stay out of this. You don’t know what you’re doing," Gabrielle snapped and turned to push Joxer away from her friend but before her hands could connect with his chest, Xena’s hand was around her throat, squeezing hard and lifting her off the ground.

"Don’t… touch… him," she growled menacingly.

Gabrielle eyes grew wide with shock and she pulled at the warrior’s hand as her feet dangled above the ground.

"Xena," she choked out. "Let… go. I… can’t… breathe…"

"You should have thought about that before you tried to hurt the man I love," the Warrior Princess replied, her voice cold and low. Even Joxer’s eyes grew wide at that.

"You… you… love me, Xena?" he stammered.

Xena’s eyes misted with emotion and she dropped Gabrielle so she could run her fingers through his hair. She pulled him close and kissed him passionately.

"Yes, Joxer, My Love, My Light, My Life. I love you!" she exclaimed. Gabrielle couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She rubbed her sore neck and shook her head.

"Xena, are you out of your mind?" she demanded. Joxer looked hurt.

"You can’t stand it, can you?" he said. "You don’t love me but you don’t want anyone else to love me either. I thought you were my friend."

Xena ran her hand down his arm, squeezing his bicep gently and trying to comfort him by blowing in his ear.

"Joxer," Gabrielle replied, "You are my friend and I want you to be happy but can’t you see what’s happening here? Xena has to be under some sort of enchantment or the influence of some drug. Joxer, she didn’t love you yesterday." He looked down and Gabrielle recognised the guilty look on his face. "Joxer, did you do something to her?"

At first he looked as if he was going to deny everything but then his shoulders slumped and he nodded slowly.

"Gabby, I’m sorry. I put a love potion in your drink last night but I swear, I never meant for this to happen. Xena wasn’t supposed to drink it." He looked down again. "I just wanted you to love me."

Gabrielle felt a mixture of sympathy and anger for the young warrior and she forced herself to take a deep breath.

"Alright, now we know the how and the why, we need to find out how to fix this."

"Gabrielle," Xena began but the bard shook her head.

"Xena, be quiet," she snapped as she thought carefully about their problem. "We have to find out how to reverse the spell. Joxer, where did you get this potion?"

When she didn’t get a reply, she looked up to find her best friend kissing the Hades out of the inept warrior.

"Xena!" She dragged the warrior away. "Stop that, right now!"

"But Gabrielle…" Xena whined.

"No! No kissing!"

Gabrielle almost laughed as Xena folded her arms across her breastplate and sulked.

"You’d swear you were my mother," she said with a pout and Gabrielle thought she looked so cute that she almost hugged her.

"Keep your hands and lips to yourself, Xena," she retorted firmly. She suddenly remembered the day they were all enchanted by Aphrodite’s obsession spell. She nodded slowly. "This has got to be one of ‘Dite’s specialities." She frowned thoughtfully. "Joxer," she said, slapping her friend’s hand back as she tried to reach out to touch his hair. "Where did you get the potion?"

"Back in Alekta. I got it from a market stall," he replied, smiling as Xena blew kisses at him.

"Fine. We’re going back to Alekta."

She turned to walk away but as she glanced back she skidded to a halt and ran back to grab her friend who was, once again, kissing the Hades out of Joxer.

"Xena! Hands off! Come on! For the Gods’ sakes! Xena!"

She pried their lips apart and pulled Xena over to walk beside her, tightly holding her hand. Joxer trailed along behind and Gabrielle yanked Xena’s hand every now and again as the tall warrior turned to smile seductively at him. "Oh gods, this is a nightmare," she whispered.

"Gabrielle, I’m getting sick of this. If you weren’t my best friend, I’d knock you on your butt right now."

"I know that, Xena but I’m trying to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your entire life." She tested the ropes tying Xena to the bed to make sure they weren’t too tight and then stood back, her hands perched on her hips. "You trust me, Xena, don’t you?"

For a split second she thought she saw the glazed look fall away from her friend’s eyes and Xena nodded sincerely.

"Of course I do, Gabrielle. I trust you with my life." She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, the glazed look had returned. "But I trust only Joxer with my heart," she went on in a dreamy voice. Gabrielle closed her eyes as a sudden pain gripped her heart and she let out a long breath. That was definitely not what she wanted to hear.

"Just relax, Xena. I’ll be back soon," she said and left the room to look for the merchant who had sold Joxer the potion.

"That’s him," Joxer said, pointing at the tall, dark haired man who was arranging bottles on his stall.

"Stay here," Gabrielle warned and walked slowly toward the merchant, a sweet smile on her face. "Hello," she said as she neared him.

"Good Evening, Miss. What is your pleasure this evening?" he replied with a smarmy smile. Gabrielle shuddered inwardly at his open leer.

"I’m looking for something special," she replied. "I’m looking for…" She made a show of looking around her and lowered her voice to conspiratorial tone. "A love potion," she finished quietly.

"Aahhhh, I have just the thing for you," the merchant replied with a knowing smile.

"You do?"

"Of course. This potion is guaranteed to make any man fall in love with you. All you have to do is let him drink it and then look at you and he will be yours forever."

"Oh my," Gabrielle breathed, faking awe. "And is there a way to reverse this spell?" she continued. "You know, in case I get bored with him?"

"That is a little more difficult. To reverse the enchantment, he must admit his true feelings to the one he really loves."

Gabrielle felt her stomach drop. Xena loved Marcus and he was in the Elysian Fields. She started to walk away but the merchant called to her.

"Don’t you want it?"

She narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head.

"No," she growled, "And if I were you, I’d get rid of it before my friend Xena, the Warrior Princess finds out that you sold it to her friend without explaining the danger to him."

She nodded in satisfaction at the suddenly frightened look on his face and strode away.

Gabrielle paced up and down the room she was sharing with her best friend. Xena was lying patiently on the bed, watching her pace.

"Gabrielle?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you think I could get up now? I really want to see Joxer. Pleeaasseee??"

Gabrielle couldn’t believe her friend’s mood swings. One minute she was trying with all her strength to break the bonds, the next she was yelling and cursing and the next, she was pleading with tears in her eyes. It hurt Gabrielle to see her like that and she made a decision that she knew would change her life forever but she had to take the risk to help her friend… she had to finally know if her suspicions were right. The bard sat on the edge of the bed and tenderly stroked Xena’s hair away from her eyes.

"Xena, I know this is hard but please, just wait a little longer. I promise you I’ll fix all this."

"Gabrielle, what’s happening to me?" the warrior whispered as her normal self reasserted itself.

"You’re under a spell, My Love, but everything’s going to be ok. I promise. Xena, I love you. Remember that."

"But where’s Joxer?" Xena asked, the enchantment taking over again. Gabrielle shook her head and smiled.

"Joxer’s gone, Honey."

"No!" the warrior wailed and tears ran down her cheeks.

Gabrielle took a deep breath to gather her courage and then leaned in to lightly kiss the tears away.

"He had to go, Xena but that’s not important anymore. We’re here, together, just you and me. Xena, I need you to know. I love you so much." She placed a delicate kiss on the warrior’s lips. "I’m in love with you. I need you."

"No. NO! You can’t love me. I don’t want you to. I want Joxer!"

Gabrielle shook her head and kissed her again.

"No, Xena. You don’t want him. You want me. Tell me. Tell me that you want to make love to me and be with me for the rest of your life."

"I… I… can’t, Gabrielle."

"Sshhhh, yes, you can."

Gabrielle leaned in again and this time she let the kiss linger, tugging lightly on the warrior’s lower lip. At first, Xena resisted her but very slowly, Gabrielle felt her begin to respond. She ran her tongue lightly over the warrior’s upper lip and the lips parted to allow her access. She slid her tongue inside and began a slow exploration of Xena’s mouth as she entwined her finger in her raven-black hair. The kiss lasted a long passionate moment and then she pulled back to gaze into the glazed blue eyes of her best friend, her love.

"I love you. You own my heart," she whispered.

There was silence between them for a heart stopping moment and then Xena smiled.

"And you own mine. I love you too, Gabrielle."

The Warrior Princess inhaled sharply and closed her eyes against the sudden ache in her head but when she opened them again they were bright and dancing.

"Gabrielle? What are we doing here? Why am I tied to this bed?"

The bard nodded and grinned.

"Welcome back," she said tenderly.

"Back? I didn’t go anywhere."

Gabrielle quickly untied her and the warrior stood up, stretching her aching back.

"Where’s Joxer?" she asked and for one terrifying moment, Gabrielle thought she had failed. "I want to tell him to get lost. I made a big mistake bringing him here. I should have been more careful about your feelings. I’m sorry, Gabrielle."

"Don’t be sorry, Xena. You did make me face my feelings. Thank you."

The bard’s heart sank as she realised that Xena didn’t remember anything of what had just happened between them but she managed to smile. At least she knew for certain how Xena felt about her. The beautiful Warrior Princess loved her and it made her happier than she had even dreamed. She knew they were going to have to talk but not at that moment. She needed to find her balance again before telling Xena for real about how she felt. The first thing she had to do, though, was to get rid of Joxer.

It was easier than she thought.

"This is very important, Joxer. I need you to take this message to Potedaia for me. I was supposed to head there last week but Xena and I got sidetracked. My mother will be worried if I don’t show up." Joxer nodded slowly. "Can I count on you?"

"Of course you can, Gabrielle. I’ll go there straight away!"

He turned to walk away but he tripped over a basket and fell on his face. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and helped him up.

"Joxer, hurry, please."

She watched him scramble away and sighed with relief. Now all she had to do was gather enough courage to tell Xena how she felt about her. But first, she had to tell her what happened.

"I SAID WHAT?"

Xena almost dropped her drink with shock. She shook her head. "No, no, Gabrielle. I couldn’t have…"

The bard grinned.

"You kissed him too."

"And you just let me?" Xena accused.

"No, of course not, Xena, but you happen to be a head taller and a bit heavier than me. You weren’t easy to pull off him." Her smile widened. "Besides, you didn’t exactly want to go."

The Warrior Princess groaned and buried her face in her hands.

"If I ever get my hands on him… or that merchant… I’ll stick that bottle of potion up his…" she threatened, her voice muffled as she shook her head. There was silence for a minute and then she looked up at her friend. "How did you break the enchantment anyway?"

This took Gabrielle by surprise and her mind froze uncharacteristically as she tried to come up with an answer.

"I… uh… I found the merchant and… he… uh… told me what to do," she stammered but Xena shot her a disbelieving smirk.

"You’re a terrible liar, Gabrielle," she replied.

"No! That’s the truth! I did and it worked."

"What did you do?"

"You had to admit who you really love. I made you tell me your true feelings for m… uh… Marcus."

"Marcus? But… Marcus is dead, Gabrielle."

The bard smiled again.

"But that doesn’t mean that you stopped loving him," she replied softly. "I didn't stop loving Perdicus." Xena looked away, her eyes distant. "Hey, Xena?"

"Hmmm?"

"I’m sorry this happened to you. It was my fault. If only I hadn’t turned Joxer down…"

She stopped when she saw the look on Xena’s face.

"Gabrielle, you’ve been taking lessons from me, haven’t you?" the warrior asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Lessons in what?" the bard replied.

"Blaming yourself for things that you had no control over. Gabrielle, this was not your fault. It was mine. I should never have sent for him in the first place."

"You were trying to help me. I owe you my thanks."

"No ya don’t. I’m just glad that it all worked out in the end," Xena finished. Gabrielle smiled and looked away.

It’s not over quite yet, Xena, she thought as she finished her mug of cider.

Xena looked over at her friend from her perch atop her horse and raised an amused eyebrow.

"You sent Joxer to Potedaia? Gabrielle, that’s a five week journey!"

"I know. He deserved it after what he did, Xena."

"No argument there, My Bard. He’s lucky he’s still alive to get there."

Gabrielle had been quiet all day and every now and again, Xena studied her face carefully. It seemed that her friend had something big on her mind.

"Gabrielle?"

"Hmmm?"

"Is something wrong?"

The bard shook her head and smiled.

"No, nothing at all. I was just thinking. Actually, Xena, I’m really tired. Any chance we can find a nice secluded campsite away from the road? Oh, and a lake or hot spring would be nice too."

Xena frowned thoughtfully as she trawled through her considerable knowledge of campsites and came up with one she knew Gabrielle would like.

"Actually, there is one. It’s about another hour’s ride but we’ll make it there before dark."

"Thanks," Gabrielle replied with a smile and urged her horse into a canter.

Xena smiled as Gabrielle’s eyes widened at the beauty around her.

"By the gods," she breathed, "I’ve never seen anything like this before. That waterfall must be…"

"Seventy feet high," the warrior finished for her. "It’s really nice for swimming here. There’s a hot spring under there and if you can swim near it, the water is nice and warm."

"When did you find this place?" the bard asked.

"It’s about ten years ago now. I was travelling to Corinth and I came across it by accident. I was pregnant at the time and Borias said…" The smile dropped from her face as she trailed off and looked down. "Never mind."

Gabrielle placed a comforting hand on her forearm.

"What did Borias say?" she asked softly.

"He said that it’s beauty would never rival my own," the warrior replied, her voice husky with emotion. Gabrielle moved even closer to her and stroked her cheek.

"He was right," she whispered.

They locked eyes and Gabrielle was just about to stretch up to kiss her when Xena blinked and looked away.

"Uh… we should get moving. It’ll be dark soon and we have to set up camp."

"What? RIGHT, you’re absolutely right," Gabrielle replied nervously and went to unsaddle her horse. She spread her bedroll on the ground and made a circle of stones to build a fire in.

"I’ll get some firewood and something for dinner," Xena said and disappeared off into the trees. She returned half an hour later with an armful of wood and two large fish.

"You got salmon?" Gabrielle asked, with a smile.

"Yeah, I know you like it," the warrior replied and as Gabrielle looked tenderly at her, she felt an uncharacteristic blush rise. She cleared her throat and pulled a knife out of her saddlebag so she could gut the fish. "So, anyway, does this place meet your approval?"

"Absolutely. Thanks, Xena."

"For what?"

"For being thoughtful."

"You’re welcome."

Xena laughed helplessly at her best friend.

"I can’t believe you did that! When was this?"

Gabrielle frowned thoughtfully.

"I guess it was last year sometime. I can’t remember exactly… oh wait… it was in India! That’s it! I was doing some yoga and he just came up and tried to… well, you know."

"So you hit him in the…"

"Yeah!"

"With your…"

"Yep!"

"Ouch!"

"Mmmhmm…"

The two women collapsed into laughter and Gabrielle leaned her head against her best friend’s shoulder.

"Thanks for tonight. I’ve had fun."

"You’ve been a little preoccupied all day. Are you ok?" Xena asked.

"I’ve been thinking about the way I reacted when you said you loved Joxer."

Xena’s eyes widened.

"Gabrielle, you’re not trying to tell me that you actually love him, are you?"

"NO! Gods, no!" the bard replied with a chuckle.

"Then what?"

"I don’t know. I felt scared I guess. You know Xena there may come a time when you meet someone and decide to settle down. Where would that leave us as a partnership?"

Xena moved closer to her friend and raised her face to look into her eyes.

"I don’t think that’s ever going to happen," she said softly.

"But, Xena, when Marcus came back and Ulysses…"

"Nothing changed," Xena cut in. "Gabrielle, you’re my best friend, my family. I’ll always be here."

The bard looked down.

"Best friend," she whispered and shook her head slowly. It was time to speak her heart. "Xena, that’s not enough for me anymore."

She looked up to find a pained look on the warrior’s face.

"Gabrielle, are you… are you… leaving me?"

"No, no of course not. That’s not what I meant. Dammit, this is not going the way I planned."

"Planned?"

"Well, what I mean is… Xena, when you were under that spell… I didn't exactly tell you the truth about how I broke it."

"I know."

"What?"

"Gabrielle, I know you well enough to know when you’re trying to come up with a quick answer. Tell me what happened."

The bard stood up and paced back and forward in front of Xena.

"When I found out what I had to do to break the enchantment, I didn't know how to do it. I thought you loved Marcus but he couldn’t be here to help so…"

She stopped and took a deep breath. "Xena, I had suspected for a while that your feelings for me were more than of just friendship, so I took a chance. I kissed you and told you that I loved you."

"And?" the warrior encouraged, her face calm and neutral.

"And you told me that you loved me too. That was how the spell was broken. You admitted your true feelings."

Xena looked down and there was an awkward silence between them for a moment.

"I wasn’t going to tell you," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. Gabrielle sat down beside her and took her hand.

"Why?"

"I didn't know if you felt that way about me so I decided to keep quiet. I learned to live with wanting you."

The bard smiled and squeezed her hand gently.

"So now that you know that I do love you, do you still want me?"

The warrior’s hand moved to cup her cheek.

"More than anything," she replied and Gabrielle turned her head slightly to place a gentle kiss in her palm.

"I don’t remember our first kiss," Xena said, a tinge of regret in her voice.

"Xena, that wasn't really us. This is our first kiss," Gabrielle replied and leaned in toward her. As their lips met, followed quickly by their tongues, they both moaned softly.

"Gods, I love you," Gabrielle whispered and Xena grinned and nuzzled her ear.

"I know the feeling," she replied and their lips met again.

As Gabrielle felt herself being lowered to the ground, she found herself thinking of Joxer.

"Xena?"

"Hmmm?"

"I think we owe Joxer our thanks."

"Yeah… Maybe we do."

The End

No warriors, bards or warrior wannabes were harmed during the writing of this story. However, Xena got her hands on the merchant afterwards and he was trying to get that bottle unstuck for days.