Disclaimers: This is a first time story, (so late in the season? how many can there be?)therefore, you know what that means...
FIN has already happened, but I didn't go into the how she came back. You can use any of the methods used by the many wonderful bards out there.
So... another foe defeated, another come-back-to-life notch for the warrior princess, Gabrielle sadly thought as she shook her head softly. It was a small wonder to her how just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, they always did. This time, things had gotten so out of hand, she'd almost been certain she had lost her best friend, permanently.
Gabrielle surreptiously looked over to her walking partner, just to kinda reassure herself that yes, indeed, her friend was back with her. Though, that she was afraid of getting caught, was a new to her. The marvel and wonder of the beautiful and, most importantly, alive sight was almost too much to bear so she had to look back down, losing herself in the swirl of dust her boots kicked up. Xena...she mentally sighed.
The rolling dust made her realize how calming it was to just be walking back on home dirt, on a nice and sunny day, as if the land was welcoming them back from their travels. Things always got extra hair-raising whenever they left Greek soil to other distant lands. She wondered what it would take to get Xena to stay in the general vicinity for a while, not like settling down, but just keeping heroism on home turf. Remarkably, neither of them had died in Egypt, but she didn't want to take any chances, at least not for a long time, a very long time, like never if she could help it.
Her musings were pleasantly startled when she felt a comforting warmth envelop her hand. Curiously she looked down to see her hand dwarfed by Xena's much larger one.
She looked up to her companion, already a full blown smile emerging as she did. She felt her world move when she saw blue eyes and an incredible answering smile facing her way.
Xena's words couldn't help but echo around her head. 'If I only had 30 seconds to live...'
Sigh. Due to everything that had happened during that time, she hadn't really had the time to fully take in or ask what the sentiment behind those words meant. But now it'd been several weeks later, and her mind was starting to see things differently, pleasantly different.
Yet here was Xena, who calmly looked away and kept on walking as if holding Gabrielle's hand was a normal everyday occurance. It wasn't. It was a first actually, but Gabrielle took her cue from the warrior and continued walking, relishing the contact and its possibilities.
But what were the possibilities? Gabrielle once again turned her head to look at her partner. Was there a possibility that they could be together as more than just friends? That perhaps, there was something there, unseen and unacknowledged before, until it took the thought of losing each other forever to bring it to the surface?
Gabrielle studied the feelings the hand holding hers invoked. Would it be possible to feel aroused by the same hands that had cared for her for years in friendship? She'd never consciously thought to look at Xena through lover's eyes, yet she had to admit, she was quick with the propietary and even jealous feelings whenever she felt someone was getting too close to Xena. Discouraging anyone she thought was invading her what she considered hers.
By the gods, a same sudden thought rocked her! What about when she wasn't around to chase away the predators? Did Xena take on secret lovers? She must have! There's no way she could have been going around all these years without ...it. No way!
She was instantly inflamed. How dare Xena go out on clandestine meetings just to get her jollys! What about love!
Gabrielle faltered in her steps as another realization came flying right smack into her.
She herself too had gone without, so why couldn't Xena? Gabrielle noticed her slight stumble brought on a questioning glance her way. But she chose to ignore it 'cause she didn't think she was ready to face her...not with her anger still bubbling, so she threw a shrug to Xena, not ready to voice anything yet.
No way. She knew, she just knew! Considering all of the lovers that she knew about, and only imagining the scores of others that she didn't, that there was no way Xena could have been celibate all this time.
Gabrielle decided she didn't want to be touched by those 'roaming' hands and abruptly let go of the stong hand holding hers, walking much faster to distance herself from Xena.
"Gabrielle, is something wrong?" Sounding concerned, Xena knew that holding the bard's hand would cause a reaction. However, she was unprepared for the one she got. At least, so long after the initial contact.
"Wrong? Tell me Xena, how can you have sex with someone you don't love or while you're in love with someone else. Tell me!" Gabrielle practically screamed. In love? Did she really think a simple holding of hands meant love? What if it was only love now, and not before. What right did she have to have that questioned answered?
Xena stood stunned, wondering where in tartarus that question had come from. She didn't want to make the obviously fuming bard worse so rather than question it, she just answered.
"What if the person you're in love with, is not in love with you? What if you've kissed this person and you're going insane because you don't know whether you want to erase the taste of their lips on yours or hope to gods you never forget. What if you are trying to lose yourself and your thoughts of this person in the heat of passion with a stranger? What if, Gabrille." Xena finished softly.
Gabrielle was floored. Her views on what sex should be had never included the possibilities that there could be legitimate reasons for anything other than love. Forgetting yourself in the arms of someone? Hadn't she done that her first night of marriage? When she realized she'd never be with Xena again. Never to hold her, or even wish her a good night?
"I don't know where this question came from, Gabrielle. But if you haven't judged me on all the numerous crimes I've committed, then you certainly shouldn't judge me on who I've slept with or why." And without another word, Xena continued walking, figuring Gabrielle would come to terms with whatever she had been thinking about.
Feeling ashamed, enlightened, and with new thoughts to ponder, Gabrielle quietly followed behind. She couldn't help but notice how the warmth from the warrior she had been feeling as they walked side by side, was gone. All she could feel was the anger and disappointment, like a wall she kept bumping into. Unconsciously, she touched her lips. She could almost still feel the tingling sensation from when their lips had touched. What that what Xena was talking about? Could she be still tasting her just like she could still imagine the taste of Xena's lips?
Xena herself was confused. Confused about her feelings for the bard and confused about Gabrielle's questioning. Her emotions seemed like they were all over the map. Though she felt like she had been attracted to a couple of women in her life, she had never actually dared to take it to the next physical step. But with Gabrielle, things continually kept getting more and more complicated. More intense.
And to make matters worse, she honestly believed Gabrielle didn't feel the same way. Sure there were times when she acted jealous, or showed actions that sometimes seemed like they were meant for a lover not a friend. But, in all honesty, she had never seen Gabrielle look even remotely interested in her or in any other woman. No sly looks, no not so innocent touches, no nothing. If anything, Xena felt like she now was the one constantly hugging the bard, putting an arm around her or caressing a cheek. Accepting the same actions from the bard that would have gotten anyone else killed. She felt it was now her the one that craved the constant touches from the bard.
Xena vaguely heard muttering going on behind her. Was Gabrielle now actually thinking about her differently? After all, now that she's come back several times declaring it was for her, that surely must be telling Gabrielle something. But what? Could she be wondering... but wondering what? The warrior shook her head. She didn't understand her own thoughts let alone those of someone as complicated as the bard. Yet, her questions had once again been that of a lover's concern.
Though Xena had snuck around from time to time, she knew she'd been discreet, but she figured Gabrielle must be logically thinking that she would have had to have been with people during their years together.
Had Gabrielle? Well, based on her questions, she obviously equated sex with love, so the answer was probably no. At least, she never heard of her saying she loved anyone before except Perdicus. But...if she was thinking these kinds of questions, that brought on a whole new set for Xena. Did this mean that she was ready to look at a woman intimately, ...at her?
Was she?
So lost in thought were the women, they never noticed the time passing or how dark it had steadily gotten. It almost seemed like roaming bandits and other undesirables had given the women time and space to think things out.
"Gabrielle, I think we should stop for the evening, that ok with you," asked Xena as she turned around to face the bard for the first since early that day. Gabrielle had kept her distance for quite some time and she didn't know what to expect now that they had to face each other.
Xena's question stopped the bard like she had just walked into a tree. Did Xena just ask her if it was alright with her to stop? Since when does she need my approval? The image of Xena holding her hand came to mind and the question no longer seemed as strange. The image caused the warm glow inside of her to return and the sudden need to be close to Xena made Gabrielle walk right up to her without any further thought. Closer than was necessry, close enough to smell the scents that uniquely meant Xena to her.
Gabrielle tentatively reached out a hand and gently wrapped it around the warrior's arm. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered. Standing so close, and looking up into Xena's eyes made speaking suddenly difficult. They were so blue! Unknowingly, she reached up with her right hand and placed it on a smooth cheek.
The two women just stood there, trapped in their own thoughts and emotions.
Xena reached up to take the small hand and brought it around to her lips and placed a kiss on the palm of Gabrielle's hand.
"Does this mean that yes, it does meet your approval?" She asked, delighting in the blush that was forming on the fair skin of her friend.
Gabrielle giggled as Xena's moving lips tickled her hand. "The queen approves!" The bard answered in a haughty yet soft tone.
They both laughed nervously, realizing the tension was still there, the humor doing nothing for it.
"Are you still mad at me?" Came a low soft question.
Gabrielle shyly looked at the hand that had somehow landed on Xena's chest. "I bet you're wondering where that came from, huh?"
"I'd like to know. I always want to know what's on your mind, Gabrielle, specially if you're unhappy with me."
Slightly disturbed and confused with so many thoughts flying around in her mind, and unsure of what to voice, afraid of saying the wrong thing, Gabrielle smiled brightly and stepped away without answering, intent on setting up camp. She hoped the smile was enough of an answer for now.
Unsure of what was going on but encouraged by the friendly banter and the smile, Xena went on with her duties, knowing that her own out burst and uncharacteristic behavior had probably caused even more questions.
Gabrielle suddenly stopped in her tracks and gasped as she remembered more of their earlier conversation. Did Xena mention the word love! Did that mean she loved whomever she'd been with and was going to leave her? For how long had she been in love? No, it couldn't be. Was it with her? Was that why the warrior had suddenly become more affectionate? Did her almost permanent death make her realize that she shouldn't put off her feelings any longer?
"You're in love?" Gabrielle whispered, knowing Xena would hear her. She watched as the warrior faced her. And then she asked an even more frightening question. "Are you going to leave me?" What if it was only wishful thinking on her part that it was her and not someone else? She had to know, even if the answer hurt.
Gabrielle broke Xena's heart. Why did things always have to get out of hand with them. She took long strides and heartily embraced the bard. She closed her eyes, carefully examining her own feelings, soaking in everything around her, relishing the moment. The smell of of the trees, the sound of the river, the way the gentle wind softly rustled her hair. And most importantly, how her body responded to the bard's.
Gabrielle lost herself in the arms of the warrior. They felt warm and comforting, full of passion and .... She realized that she loved the feeling! Funny how you never think of a person one way until the strangest idea gets planted. Now that she was looking at Xena through different eyes, she realized that her heart had known for a while what her mind didn't. Xena was everything to her. Everything.
"Gabrielle, this is all very new to me." Xena stumbled through. "I'm confused about a lot of things, feelings that are foreign, thoughts that are new yet feel... " She pulled back to look at green eyes and sighed. "I feel like I've always known but was blind to them."
"I think I know what you mean. Why do you think we did that?" Gabrielle asked softly, emotions getting the best of her.
"Cause if I'm not mistaken, I don't think either one of us have gone down this path before."
Xena's light tone made Gabrielle look up. The adorable smirk said it all.
Did she mean love or something else? "You mean you haven't been... been with... " She wanted to say women, but the bard stammered, she was so embarrassed. "But you've been... "
"Yes, I know. Sometimes my reputation... well anyway, it's not like I haven't thought about it. As you already know, I've had special relationships with various different people in my life, men and... women, but for one reason or another, with women, it just never went that far."
Gabrielle looked up once more and leaned into the warrior. 'I'd be her first just like she'd be mine', she thought. She reached up to cup the warrior's face and felt Xena's hold on her tighten. Feeling excited about the thought, she stretched up and placed a small yet lingering kiss.
Xena was floored. She had not expected the power or the intensity of the kiss. She had not expected to be as affected as she was. It terrified her. It was exillerating, it made her feel alive and human. Then it dawned on her, she was capable of emotions and...love. This was definitely love that she felt.
The intensity from just a simple kiss was almost too much and they both separated and smiled, each noting how out of breath the other was. The next step no longer seemed like such an impossibility.
They hugged once more.
"Look, this is new and we're not used to this, how about I go get us some dinner." Xena said as she lovingly ran her fingers through golden hair. She was pleased when Gabrielle closed her eyes and nodded. It seemed like they were going to be alright.
"Sounds good. This love stuff has made me very hungry."
Xena couldn't help herself. "Imagine how hungry you'll be after we've..." She leaned in close to a small ear, "Mmm", she moaned. Xena smiled, feeling Gabrielle's body tremble slightly. Pleased with the effect of her words, she left without saying anything else.
Gabrielle felt every hair on her body stand as she watched the warrior walk away. Oh boy, her body was definitely telling her that she could see Xena as more than just a friend. This was love. More than that, she was in love with her soulmate.
Xena stealthly walked through the woods, smiling absentmindedly when she realized that dinner would be quick tonight. She couldn't stop thinking how though Gabrielle's kiss had been simple, it had rattled her entire being.
She raised her dagger and let loose, catching the animal just as it stepped out into view.
So what happens now? She was so out of her league, she wasn't sure where to go. Could she just go back there and take the bard? Take the bard where, though. 'I know the basics, maybe I can just wing it.' She suddenly stopped her preperation of the animal. I can't just make love to her out here. First, it'd be suicide. Mindlessly, she let her hands continue with her task. The timing had to be right. This was something new for both of them and she didn't think they should just jump right in and do the deed.
The skinning all done, she started walking back towards camp. So what do we do?
As soon as Xena entered the campsite and saw Gabrielle, she knew things had changed forever. It was almost like a physical assault to her senses as she took in the fluid movements of the bard, the moving shadows the fire caused over her body, the strength of shifting muscles. She felt desire run through her body, and it was because of her friend!
Gabrielle moved about the campsite, gathering stuff and preparing camp for when Xena brought back dinner, when she felt a whisper of a touch. She gasped when she turned around and she took in the smoldering look Xena was giving her. She trembled and her skin broke out in goosebumps as if those eyes were physically touching her. How quickly things change when the truth comes out. The feelings felt almost wanton.
Xena shook off the ensnaring effects of the bard and silently handed over her catch, noticing that whatever was affecting her, was also affecting Gabrielle.
Gabrielle, however, couldn't let it go and she reached out for the warrior. With a courage she didn't know she had, and a desire she couldn't control, she brought Xena down to her lips.
The explosion of the kiss unerved them all over again, but control was now out of their hands as mouths opened automatically.
The kiss was passionate, sensual, and loving. Gabrielle noticed everything. The softness of her lips, the taste of her kiss, every motion Xena's tongue did. She couldn't believe she was kissing Xena!
Xena pulled back and leaned her forehead against Gabrielle's. They were both breathing somewhat heavily and she floated in the magic of it all. Her first time kissing a woman and it was a doozy. It just felt so right! Was it because it was Gabrielle?
"Gab... are you all right?" She kinda gasped out. Though she could sense Gabrielle's enthusiasm, she wanted to make sure the bard was fine with the changes. It didn't matter that the changes had started happening ever since she'd come back from the dead or that the kiss had been initiated by the bard.
"If you mean all right as in I'm fine with what's happening, then the answer is yes." She pulled back to stare at the blue eyes so close to her. "If you mean do I feel like my legs are going to give out and I'm about to scream because I'm so overwhelmed with happiness, then the answer is no. But it's a good no." She smiled her answer.
Gabrielle took the kill and placed it aside. Then she grabbed Xena's hand and sat her on a nearby log she'd found for them for the night. "Xena... " She hesitated, trying to make sense from the thousands of thoughts in her head. "We've been together for six years, why... " She shook her head. "I'm happy with the new way we're going. I already knew I was spending the rest of my life with you, we're soulmates." Gabrielle inched closer. "But why now?" She whispered, grabbing a large strong hand and bringing up to her face.
Xena took a deep sigh, trying to formulate an answer that would satisfy them both. Because if she was honest with herself, she knew there really wasn't a ready answer.
"Gabrielle, when I knew what I had to do, I showed you my last trick, my last gift to you before I left your side for what I thought would be forever. Up until that time, my only regret was that it took my final moments for me to choose to give that to you." Xena stole a quick but passion filled kiss.
"When the sun finally went down and I was left on my own, I couldn't help myself, I went back to those last moments of my life and I realized... " Xena turned away, feeling her eyes become watery. "I realized I had never uttered truer words before. I wanted my last sight on this world to be filled of you."
Gabrielle hugged the warrior's hand to herself, but said nothing. She couldn't.
"When we were finally reunited, I knew there was some force greater than the gods, that was keeping us together, and I let myself be filled with it." Xena faced Gabrielle again, letting all her emotions, the pain, the confusion, and the love, come through. "I knew it was all right to love you. I knew it was meant to be. We, Gabrielle, are meant to be. It's the way it's always been and the way it will always be."
Gabrielle launched herself, unable to keep away any longer. She needed to feel her warrior close. Who would have thought Xena could be so eloquent when it came to matters of the heart.
She felt her trembling like a leaf and knew there'd be more time for answers later. It was time to lighten the intensity up. After hugging her hard enough to break some ribs, she moved away, suddenly feeling a bit shy.
"Do you know what else will always be true?" Gabrielle asked with a smirk.
Xena knew what she was trying to do, and smirked right back, wondering what was causing it on her partner. "Please tell me, I'm dying to know." She singsonged.
"Although we haven't...you know..." She blushed a deep red just at the thought of making love to the warrior. "I'm starving! So I'm going to have to push you aside for a bit so I can get our dinner started."
"Ooh I'm so hurt. I spill my guts out and get pushed to the side in favor of a meal."
They both laughed.
Gabrielle got up and walked to dinner. Stopping suddenly, she turned slightly to the warrior and mumbled, knowing Xena would hear her perfectly. "I certainly won't push you aside when you become...my meal."
Xena gasped out loud, the comment causing all kinds of reactions in her body. Well, seems like her bard was definitely ready for her, she thought heatedly.
xxx
Going to bed had a whole new meaning that night. Suddenly lying next to each other and cuddling took on a different perspective. They both sat on their rolls, but each had to yet make the decisive move to lay down.
"We're acting kinda silly, aren't we." Gabrielle finally found the courage to speak. Gabrielle melted at the adorable look on the warrior. Not that she'd ever tell.
Xena sighed and made the first move. Without saying anything, she grabbed the bard to her and laid down, placing Gabrielle in her usual spot. "As much as I want to try us out", she finally said as she placed a kiss on the fair head laying on her. "I think we should wait until I can lose myself in your arms without having to worry about not hearing or sensing danger."
Gabrielle climbed up and gave Xena a kiss that made every nerve ending stand on end. "You're a closet poet Xena." Gabrielle whispered into an ear. "When we finally get together, I want to have a bed underneath my bare butt and all your hearing and senses selfishly tuned in to me and only me. Is that understood, warrior?" She moved her lips back and planted another hair raising kiss on the warrior. "Goodnight, Xena." And moved back to her usual spot.
Xena was left speechless by the whole event as she tried to process everything that seemed to be going out of control. It never ceased to amaze her how, after all these years of traveling with the bard, she could still discover new and different aspects that made up the blond. Here she was, sailing in unchartered waters yet taking things by the helm. Tomorrow and everyday after that would definitely be interesting from now on. Of course, not that it already wasn't.
***
Morning brought an unspoken mission: to find a "love nest" as quickly as possible. The thought was, where? Though they ate and drank quite often in establishments, they usually preferred being out in the open when it came to sleeping. Yet that option was out of the question. At least for the time being since they both wanted the first time to be at least a little special not a quick shindig while Xena held a sword in one hand.
Xena wished they could go back home. That would have been an ideal place to spend some time to nurture what was growing between them. But Amphipolis, and all of their old haunts were kinda out of the picture and they had nowhere they felt they belonged. The amazons were the closest thing they had, and even that was not a comfortable place anymore.
Leaving Greece was out of the question. That was just an invitation for trouble. So the question was, where could they go to spend some time without fearing for their lives? Unfortunately, it seemed their only choice was the local inn in the next town. Xena started packing up their stuff.
Gabrielle's thoughts were almost identical to the warrior's as she gathered her things. Except, her concern was making it as romantic as possible considering their current circumstances.
As if guided by the same light, they both had a thought simultaneously. Aphrodite!
"Xena."
"Gabrielle."
They both laughed at the sudden outburst.
"You first, Xena." Gabrielle said as she walked up to the warrior.
"I'd like to make our time together special, you know... without interruptions. I don't want to save a town or heal people, or reunite lost lovers... at least for a while. And... "
Gabrielle couldn't help but smile at how adorable Xena looked at that moment.
"Well, I was wondering if you could maybe call on your friend Aphrodite. Maybe she could whip us up something temporarily, you know, away from all of this."
Gabrielle couldn't help but laugh. "I knew we were thinking the same thing. I was just about to ask you if you'd mind if we enlisted the goddess' help for the occassion.
They laughed as they looked at each other and continued packing up.
"I just had a thought. You know what's wrong with that picture, Gabrielle?" The bard shook her head, knowing Xena was looking at her." Wouldn't that be too... I don't know, too cliche? I mean, it sounds like one of those romance scrolls from Athens.
"True, ... but ours would be real. I doubt all those people in those stories really know Aphrodite enough to ask special favors. However, before we go any further, I want to know how you know about those scrolls, warrior?
"I just know", Xena said with a smirk.
Gabrielle didn't buy it for a moment, but she let it slide. "So if you don't want to use 'dite, what do you suggest? I mean, you do realize that no matter where it happens, it's been done before and written about, right?"
"Of course I know that. I just wanted it to be somewhere a little bit different. Not doing it in the woods is different enough for me, but I just wanted something else.
All packed up, Xena chose to walk along side Gabrielle.
"How about the beach?" Voiced Gabrielle.
"You'll end up with sand in places you don't want to think about."
"How about a cave?"
"I thought you wanted a bed underneath your bare butt. Besides, your screams would echo outside and everyone would know what we are doing.
"My screams! Gabrielle was indignant. "What makes you so sure I'd be that loud or you're that good?"
Xena just laughed.
"Amazons?" It was Xena's turn.
"They'll want details."
"And what's wrong with that? Just tell them you can't help the screaming, and that I have many skills."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "By the gods, she's back with the screaming. Anyway, you sure you don't want to ask Aphrodite?"
"I got it, what about my old childhood farm, the little place we helped fix up for Ares? Be a shame to waste all that hard work for nothing. You can even wear that incredible blue and white outfit again and I wouldn't mind a bit."
Gabrielle laughed at Xena's train of thought. "You wouldn't mind, huh?"
After they had settled on where to go, they went on their way now that they had a direction to follow.
****
Xena tried to remain stoic with the new turn of events, but it was proving to be next to impossible. She was giddy, full of energy and feeling like a simple farm girl with her first crush. When she felt like doing something mushy, she tried to thwart it by thinking warlord thoughts. She was a warrior, damn it. She sliced people without any thought. Yet she couldn't seem to not want to slide her arms around Gabrielle and hold her tight. What was worse was that she thought Gabrielle knew it was all a show and she felt her feelings were blatantly exposed.
Even with Xena restraining her more carnal desires, their travels went slow. Both took every opportunity to move off the road on some insane pretext just to steal a kiss or a hug.
The biggest difference came when they reached the town located right before they got to the cabin. Rather than separating and doing their usual, one of them getting a drink and the other to shop for supplies and stuff, neither one wanted to leave each other's side. As if the minute they separated, they'd come back to each other to see that the feelings had lessend or worse, had been a figment of their imagination.
***
Xena and Gabrielle entered their room hand in hand, having just spent an incredible day around town together. Xena realized that Gabrielle could make anything fun, even shopping. Gabrielle learned that Xena could be charming and pleasant without the need to maim or kill anything for a several hours. But now, alone in their room, infused with the glow of love and the privacy of four walls, they were faced with more than just an innocent togetherness.
Gabrielle could hear Xena breathing behind her; afraid to turn around since she knew Xena could also hear her heavy breathing. She closed her eyes, reminding herself they had decided to wait, to make it special. But that sentiment alone was rather cliche in itself, funny how two warriors suddenly get sentimental over love.
Her heartbeat increased when she felt the warrior move close behind her. Just barely touching. Close enough to feel the heat.
She started wondering which one of her fantasies would come true. Would she get the gentle woman she knew Xena could be, or get a wild warrior, the one who knew how to touch her in just the right place, the right way.
"Gabrielle."
So close, so soft, it seemed as if it had been whispered in her ear. She intentionally moved back a step to press her body tight again the warrior's and sighed in bliss. All the times her mind had conjured up herself in the throes of passion with a faceless lover, the lover had indeed had a face. She denied it to herself no more. She knew all along that it was Xena's face she'd shared her imaginary encounters with but had been unable to admit it for fear of what it meant.
She took a hand that was now wrapped tightly around her and slowly brought it up to her mouth. Following instinct and imagination, she slowly and lightly ran her teeth over a finger.
The act caused the body behind to start trembling, and she felt the quick puffs of air as Xena's breathing increased.
"Gabrielle!" Came out hoarse and strained.
She pushed backwards until they both slammed up against the door.
The mild violence was the trigger.
When Xena felt the hard wood behind her back, it seemed as if something had become unleashed. This was not the little girl that she knew, not the gentle soul she loved. She wanted to love the warrior that Gabrielle was.
She quickly turned around slammed them again, her hips surging against the firm ass she felt, lifting their arms up along their sides sliding them slowly up against the door.
Gabrielle broke loose and turned around. They both faced each other, panting heavily. Xena slid her hand around a smooth neck and brought her face down. This kiss was passionate but undemanding. Hands slowly teased, touching arms and sides but nothing else. It served to calm, excite, build trust.
She slowly backed them up until she felt the bed behind. An impish mental grin formed and she let herself fall backwards. She laughed at Gabrielle's indignant sqwak but quickly brought the bard's lips towards her own.
Gabrielle let herself get carried away as the hand that she felt she'd known all her life touched her intimately. Experiencing the wonder of hearing Xena being affected by her touch, of knowing Xena in a way she'd never dreamed of before. All these new scents and tastes! How she smelled as she nuzzled the warrior' neck, as she let her lips travel underneath her full breasts, as she kissed her way down a firm stomach and further below. The surprise that such a deadly person could be so soft and womanly, smell and taste so delicious was incredible.
The bard heard herself gasp sharply when she suddenly felt Xena inside of her. The friction was like nothing she'd ever felt and she moved along with her. Feeling her hips have a life of their own and she slowly moved up and down above Xena. She couldn't believe how good it felt.
"Xena, gods, that feels so good!" She couldn't help herself. She just had to tell the warrior.
The feelings intensifed when she felt Xena's pace increase and the arm around her tighten, hold her in place, inadverdently keeping her head close to lips that were moaning softly.
Feeling emboldened by everything going on, she struggled against the haze of ecstacy and brought a hand towards Xena. To feel the warrior coat her hand was like a sudden intense splash of pleasure, but to hear the loud hiss and then drawn out moan when she went inside was more than she could bear.
It was too much and she felt her body give, marveling at the convulsions that seem to go on forever. She wanted to drop lifelessly on top of her warrior but she hung on long enough to feel the warrior's body tremble beneath her and hear a prolonged intense groan.
It couldn't have been more special.
Gabrielle dropped off to sleep with a sated smile.
***
Xena woke up first and the memory of their all night activities brought an immediate smile. After Gabrielle's first nap, it had turned into a relentless pursuit of pleasure 'til they had dropped from exhaustion.
She shifted and felt the pleasant ache and soreness that comes from a night of too much indulgence. If she felt like that, she could only imagine how Gabrielle was going to feel.
So much for waiting to make things special. She couldn't believe her lack of control. After all this time, she'd have figured self control would have been as easy as breathing. But knowing Gabrielle wanted her, actually hearing the effect she had on the bard had made everything else irrevelant.
Gabrielle turned over to her and she took a sniff at the bard's sleepy smell. If anyone'd told her she'd be doing something as mushy as that, she'd have killed them before they'd uttered the last word.
"I don't supposed you're in the mood for another round, are you?" Came a sleepy barely heard mumble.
"Gods, Gabrielle, you never told me you were a nymphomaniac." Xena chuckled lightly.
"You never asked!"
Xena mentally did an exuberant war cry. The little bard was going to give her libido a run for her money. And she just couldn't wait. "C'mere you, let's see what else you've been keeping from me."
And the lovers spent many happy days from then on finding out.
End