Disclaimer:
Xena and Gabrielle belong to MCA….yada yada…. we all know who they belong to, and just like to borrow them! This story is discussing a new way of resolving the warrior's bloodlust, and is not for the feint of heart. It is rather graphic in nature. (Occasionally a darkness takes my soul...and the area it goes is not for the feint of heart!!)

I am following the small hips down the dusty road toward the next village. We are making little progress today and seem to be spending more time aggravating each other as we travel. For no apparent reason other then we want to. She was not easy to wake up this morning and her mood hasn't changed much since. Even after I found the fresh berries for lunch. I say a small prayer to the Goddess of patience to help me get through today.

I pause in step. Turning my head slightly and smelling the sweetness in the air. I chuckle to myself, knowing the reason for her behavior today. I should have realized it sooner. Striding up behind her quickly, I take the smaller body in my arms hugging her close my lips just above her ear.

"Why didn't you tell me? We could have stayed at camp….taken it easy today."

She struggled a little before leaning against me to relax. "You seemed to want to get to the village."

I notice her voice cracking, her resolve giving. "Come on." I pull her toward Argo and lift her into the saddle. I mount behind her, pushing her forward with my body as I settle in. She leans against me as I knee Argo toward the village. My only thoughts of making my bard as comfortable as possible. My hand finds its way to her lower back where I caress it gently trying to relieve some of her pain.

Near nightfall we enter the small village. Smoke tendrils from small fires lazily lift toward the sky in the pale purple of the drawing evening. I start to slide from the saddle.

"Please stay here with me." She pleads softly.

I silently agree and head Argo toward the small inn of the village. Arriving in front of the small rock and clay building I help Gabrielle down from the saddle. Her body sliding down mine. I can feel her heat, smell her sweetness, almost taste her skin. I fight to control my desires. For some reason when she cycles, I become uncontrollable.

"Thank you, Xena." Gabrielle whispers against me chest.

I ask her to stay here as I lead Argo to the stable behind the building. "I will be back later to groom you." I scratch her ears before carrying the saddle and bags back to my waiting bard.

Throwing the bags over my shoulder, I open the door to the inn. The smell of warm food and a wood fire greet me. There are very few people in the room as I step over the threshold, followed closely by my bard. I stop at the counter to ask for a room and dinner.

The innkeeper offers, "8 dinars."

I know it is an outrageous price, but I am not in the mood to haggle. "Throw in a hot bath?"

"Agreed!" He smiles as he gives me the key.

I make my way to the back table Gabrielle is at. She is sitting on the bench, her legs stretched out to rest on the other bench as she leans against the wall. I can tell by her face that she is uncomfortable and tired. Setting the saddle down next to the table I slide next to her.

The innkeeper approaches quickly with two plates of stew, bread, and two mugs of port.

"I know you don't like port, Gabrielle, but please drink some it will help."

She smiles weakly as she eats her supper.

With the meal complete, I walk up to the bar to order two more ports. When I turn back around, a drunk has taken my spot on the bench. Shaking my head I carry the two mugs back. Someone should have warned him not to mess with the bard.

Before I can cover the small space between the bar and the table, the drunk is laying of the floor clutching between his legs. Setting down the mugs, I grab his collar and lift him to his feet. Escorting him to the door, I growl in his ear, "Your lucky she got you first, she left it still attached."

Returning to the table I ask her if she is ready to go to the room.

Slowly nodding she stands and follows me down the hall. I open the door and look around. Though the room is small, it is well lit by candles. Two windows are open to allow the small evening breeze to cool the room. A fireplace is along the wall but not lit. In the center of the room a tub sits full of hot water.

Setting down the saddle and bags, I quickly begin adjusting the room for my purposes. I pull the pallet coverings from the bed to lay them in front of the fireplace, leaving the windows open I start a small fire to warm the area near the blankets, and then step over to help my bard out of her clothes.

"Xena, what are you doing, I can't take a bath now." She bats my hands away.

"Yes you can. Please don't make me throw you in there clothes and all." I smile cruelly.

"You wouldn't?" She looks at me questioningly. "Yes you would."

I leave her to undress while I remove my armor and boots. She is standing next to the tub when I finish.

"You are going to join me?" Her face questioning again.

It's at times like this that I wish she has experienced more in life, but I love her the way she is. "Yes, my bard."

She looks at me as she steps into the tub. Glancing down at her thigh I notice something, but say nothing as I fight to control my own desire. Stepping in behind her, I sit down and pull her down into my lap. We settle in the hot water and enjoy the closeness as I whisper words of love in her ear. My hands caressing her body, lightly washing the road grime from her. My thoughts far away on the lust and desire I try and control.

After a short bath with more cuddling then washing we step from the tub. I run the drying cloth over her body, enjoying the feel and response. As I am drying myself off, I turn to see her looking for her breeches.

"Gabrielle, you wont need those."

"Yes I will to help catch the…." Her eyes lower to the floor.

"Come here, Gabrielle." My voice commanding but not harshly.

She slowly approaches me, her head down.

"Gabrielle, I want you. I need you. Tonight will be no different then any other." I speak softly into her hair.

"But…. Xena." Her voice falters

Lifting her head with my finger I begin softly kissing her, as it turns more passionate and longer, she responds with a moan and leans into my body. Her response and the sweet smell from her body cause my knees to go weak. Picking her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I make my way to the blankets in front of the fire.

Kneeling with her, I slowly lean forward pressing her into the blankets. "By the Gods, you are beautiful!" I whisper in her ear as I settle my body between her legs and against her wet center. I can feel the warmth of her center knowing it is more than just her excitement. I lift slightly to look down at my lower stomach to see the small pinkish wetness coating my body. I close my eyes taking a deep breath to control my needs and remember to please her first.

"Xena, what about the pain?" She questions as her fingers caress my cheek.

"This will help it, the warmth of the fire and my body. You will see." I say as I begin to kiss her neck and shoulder.

Her body responds to my touch as I continue to kiss and caress her. My hands kneading her backside as I pull her into my body. Her thighs wrapping around my hips and settling across my own backside. I continue to grind against her feeling her wetness growing as it floods from her body. Slowly sliding down I press my stomach against her center and begin to run my tongue across one breast and then the other. I can feel their hardness, I know they are sensitive so I try and use the gentlest of caresses. Her hips begin to grind against me as her own excitement grows.

Releasing a nipple, I lean up to kiss her again. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No." She purrs as our eyes met.

"Gabrielle tell me now, before I do something you may regret." I look at her questioning.

She brushes my dark hair from my face, her eyes telling me before her words. "Xena, I trust you. I love you. I want…. no, I need this. You can't stop now. Please?!"

I smile at her before kissing her again. My desire now blazing out of control as her nails dig into my back. I slowly begin licking down her body. I pause for a few minutes to lick her nipples again. Causing her to arch into my body and her nails to sink into my shoulders. Licking my way lower I pause to lick around her belly button, tasting her on my tongue as I lick at the pinkish stickiness I find there. Kneeling above her I taste her sweetness, smell it. Thinking, 'Gods she drives me crazy with need.'

I run my hand along my own stomach and pause as I rub across the gooey wetness and growl as my own needs continue to grow. I need to taste her. My head begins to lower toward her center, as she suddenly sits up and pulls my head up my hair to meet her eyes. My lips pull back in a feral grin, a low growl in my throat. I enjoy the pain, and try to pull away to reach my goal. Her hands hold me firmly from my goal. My eyebrow raises as I meet her stare with one of my own. I try again to lower my head to her sweet smelling center.

"Xena?" Her voice calls to me.

I lift my eyes to meet hers again, glancing down at her open thighs, the wetness and blood so close. Her hand holds me firmly in place, unable to reach my goal, my own hand close to my center to pleasure myself should I get to taste her. My glare turns soft as I look into her glazed green eyes. "Gabrielle, please?" I beg.

A soft smile curves her full lips; "You will turn around warrior. I will not allow you to pleasure yourself. Only I can release you from your needs."

Her command sinks in. I realize what she wants. She needs to taste me as much as I need to taste her. Using my hands I press her down again and quickly change positions, kneeling above her face. My face inches from its goal. Her sweet smell assaulting my senses again.

Growling my head lowers to lick across her wetness. The sweet and irony taste causes me to growl again as I slip my tongue into her darkness and taste my bard. My body responding to her taste, my own wetness begins to slide down my thigh. I feel a warm tongue begin to slowly lick it off. Her breath hot against my center.

Our carnal pleasure sedated quickly as we release each other into the bliss. I continue to lap at her juices, needing and wanting more, long after she has stopped sucking on me. My own pleasure derived from the squirming of my bard beneath my tongue. I change my position to kneel between her legs as I continue to taste her sweetness. Enjoy the taste of blood in my mouth.

Finally, after many of her own releases, she pushes my head away from her body. "Xena, no more…. Please, stop."

Looking at my hands, I am glad her eyes are still closed while she tries to catch her breath. I quickly move to the side of the tub to wash my hands and face before returning to her side and holding her. She throws her arm and leg over me in her normal sleeping position when I return to her side as she drifts quickly off into the arms of Morpheus, she whispers, "Thank you, it does feel better."

Kissing the top of her head, I let her slip away, enjoying the taste that still lingers in my mouth and the stickiness that still covers my stomach. I slip a finger between her open thighs and withdraw it to slip into my mouth. 'Bloodlust can only be controlled so long…..and now it will be easier with my bard so near.'