Title:
Dueling Cousins
Author:
CN Winters
Fandom:
Xena Fanfiction, Xena fanfic, Xena fan fiction, Xena and
Gabrielle fanfiction, Xena fiction
Rating:
PG-13
Disclaimers:
This story is about two women in love. If this offends you, please go elsewhere. If you’re too young read this, please leave. If this isn’t a problem please
continue. Are these characters mine? HECK NO!! They belong to the wonderful folks at MCA/Universal/NBC
and who knows who else...oh, and Mr. Lucy Lawless too I
believe.
Author
Note: I was inspired to write this after the hoopla regarding the spoilers of Season Four and recent comments the stars and the powers that be (TPTB) made in regard to subtext. They were going to do a Sappho ep but they didn't know how to keep the subtext
'sub' but I had an idea. However, but this is not that idea.
:) I ended up penning this story instead. Maybe someday I'll
write that story because it's still in my head. BTW, I’ve also included some ‘fragments’ of Sappho’s work in here as well.
Synopsis:
Xena needs the help from another 'look-a-like', her cousin
Sappho, but she ends up getting more than she bargained for
when Sappho falls for Gabby.
Feedback:
Please send constructive comments to cnwinters71@yahoo.com. Thanks, as always, for reading.
Dueling Cousins
CHAPTER I
"You’re not really
calling me a fool," Xena said looming over her
‘twin’. "Are you, Meg?"
Meg released her nervous
giggle. "Of course not. Not in the sense that you’re an
idiot or anything. I’m just saying. . ."
"Saying what,
Meg?" Xena insisted, moving closer still.
Meg shifted uncomfortably
from foot to foot. Oh Tartarus. She knew she had to say
something. "I just think that if Gabrielle was my
‘traveling companion’ and I wanted to keep traveling with
her..."
"Yes?"
"I’d be downstairs
right now finding out what’s going on. I mean... you know
your cousins’ reputation. She brags about how she can have
any woman she wants – any woman! And right now the one
she’s got her sights on is Gabby!"
Xena backed away and moved
to her chair without comment. She slowly digested Meg’s
words.
"Gabrielle is a grown
woman. She’s free to make her own choices. Who am I to stand
in her way?"
"At this point you’re
just her friend," Meg observed. "But maybe there’s
more there. Something between the lines you’re not
reading... Maybe it’s something that ‘that woman’ will
tap into. Maybe Gabrielle really wants you, but she’s afraid
of what the reaction will be so she can play with your cousin
instead."
Xena still didn't say
anything so Meg went on and said, "I mean she looked a
lot like you before, but now? With the dyed hair, the battle
dress... She is you. You. Coming on to Gabby.
Whispering all the words ANY woman would love to hear...
That’s all I’m sayin'. I mean how long are you willin' to
wait, Xena?"
Xena knew it was a
rhetorical question and she watched Meg as she turned around
and quietly left the room. Xena’s fingers strummed the arms
of the large chair. Nervously, her foot began to tap; her boot
clicking at every impact. The noise was becoming maddening.
"That’s long
enough," Xena decided aloud, bolting from the room. As
she passed swiftly through the corridor to the grand room
downstairs, Meg watched from the shadows. That was quicker
than I thought, she grinned wickedly.
When Xena arrived
downstairs, she found her cousin sitting with her arm draped
around the bard – a glass of wine in her hand as she read
over Gabrielle’s shoulder. Xena was never one to eavesdrop
unless it was a matter of survival. But the more she thought
about it, this was a matter of survival. Xena didn’t know if
she could go on without Gabrielle at this point.
Sure, Gabrielle had left in
the past – the academy, back to her family, her marriage to
Perdicus. All these things, in one way or another, offered
something the warrior never could. Xena wasn’t a scholar.
She wasn’t her sister. She wasn’t a man. But this woman
– this poet – well, this was different. She listened
carefully to the pair, huddled together on the bear skin rug
in front of the roaring fireplace.
"Go ahead," the
woman insisted. "Read this one next."
Gabrielle smiled that warm
smile that could thaw (and did thaw) the iciest of hearts.
Xena ached when she saw it. Perhaps Meg was right. Perhaps the
‘grown woman’ known as Gabrielle had made up her mind.
Sappho handed the bard her glass of wine. She watched as
Gabrielle’s lips closed around the wine glass as she
unrolled the scroll .
The poets' free hand, had
now moved, coming to rest on the bards' lower thighs, near her
knee. Xena could feel her lips twitch nervously as the
woman’s digits covered Gabrielle’s muscled flesh.
Gabrielle cleared her throat
and began.
"On the throne of many
hues, Immortal Aphrodite,
child of Zeus, weaving
wiles--I beg you
not to subdue my spirit,
Queen,
with pain or sorrow
but come--if ever before
having heard my voice from
far away
you listened, and leaving
your father's
golden home you came
in your chariot yoked with
swift, lovely
sparrows bringing you over
the dark earth
thick-feathered wings
swirling down
from the sky through mid-air
arriving quickly--you,
Blessed One,
with a smile on your unaging
face
asking again what have I
suffered
and why am I calling again
and in my wild heart what
did I most wish
to happen to me: "Again
whom must I persuade
back into the harness of
your love?
Sappho, who wrongs you?
For if she flees, soon
she'll pursue,
she doesn't accept gifts,
but she'll give,
if not now loving, soon
she'll love
even against her will."
Come to me now again,
release me from
this pain, everything my
spirit longs
to have fulfilled, fulfill,
and you
be my ally."
Upon finishing, Gabrielle
paused and neither woman said a word. Finally, Gabrielle
whispered, "That’s beautiful."
"That’s you,"
Sappho whispered back. "Even when I glimpse you for a
moment my tongue is stilled as speech deserts me; while a
delicate fire is beneath my skin-my eyes cannot see, then,
when I hear only a whirling sound as I shivering, sweat,
because all of me trembles; I become paler than drought-grass
and nearer to death..."
Gabrielle felt the lump rise
in her throat. "Thank you," she said having it come
out more like a croak than a comment. "No one's ever felt
that way about me. I don’t know what to say."
"Say you’ll stay with
me... I could teach you so much about poetry and the arts...
and love... and desire... You are a natural storyteller,
Gabrielle. With the right training – training I could
provide – you could be the greatest bard in all of Greece,
if not the known world."
Gabrielle’s tongue felt
tied; her palms sweating; her head spinning. Did the tenth
muse really just offer to train me? she asked herself. Of
course she did. She wants me for more than just my bardic
talents too. Gabrielle still hadn’t replied so Sappho
continued.
"Just think about
it," Sappho urged. "You don’t have to answer
immediately. Take your time... I’m sure Xena would stand
behind you... and since you’re not lovers... I don’t
foresee a problem. If need be, I’ll keep dying this blonde
mane of mine so you don’t miss her too much," the poet
teased.
The comment inspired a
giggle from both of them. Sappho, after a few moments however,
turned serious again. "... Just promise me you’ll think
it over?"
"But why?"
Gabrielle asked. "Why me?"
"Why?!... Once again,
desire-that looser of limbs and bitterly sweet. It makes me
tremble because you are irresistible... so please... consider
it?"
As Sappho made her request,
her fingers hooked under the bards' chin so she could look
directly into her green eyes. Slowly, Gabrielle nodded.
"I will," she whispered sincerely.
Xena cursed her super
sensitive hearing. That was something she never wanted to
hear. It was official now. Gabrielle wanted the poet. She was
going to leave. Her light was gone, stolen by some over
educated, pompous, egocentric –
Xena’s mind of rambling
insults came to a stand still as she watched the poet, bend
down and place the most delicate of kisses on the bards' lips.
Slowly, the poet stood up and walked away from the amazon.
Xena had seen enough.
Despondent and heartbroken, she made her way back to her room.
She’s not sure how, but as she climbed into bed, she noticed
her boots where gone and she now donned a sleeping shift.
Somewhere in the course of her growing depression, she had
changed for bed.
It frightened the warrior
and it was a reminder of why she never let herself fall in
love. It blinds the senses, makes one a fool. Not her. No way.
She would never fall in love... but she realized as she pulled
the covers up to her neck... She had fallen... and it was the
worst spill she’d ever taken. Xena prayed for Morpheus to
claim her mind, but the only thing she felt approaching were
the tears in the wells of her eyes and the sound of the bards'
footsteps outside the door.
CHAPTER II
Quickly, Xena reached over
and turned down the lantern. She couldn’t face Gabrielle –
not like this.
Gabrielle crept inside,
thinking Xena was fast asleep. As quietly as possible in the
near-darkness, the bard changed for bed. She gently eased
beside Xena as not to wake her with the shift of the feather
bed.
After a few moments of lying
there, Gabrielle noticed something. Xena didn’t roll over
and pull her closer.
The first time it happened
Gabrielle didn’t quite know what to make of it. Xena often
went to bed before her. Gabrielle used that time to chronicle
their journeys as the warrior slept. Writing, however,
wasn’t the only thing Gabrielle did. Sometimes she would
just watch the warrior sleep, soaking up the expressions that
crossed Xena’s face.
In the campfire light with
her deep in slumber, Xena looked her age – a young woman
only a few summers older than Gabrielle. And in that
firelight, Gabrielle wondered if Xena would ever need her,
desire her, as a woman.
Often Gabrielle’s
wondering lead to fantasy. And fantasy lead to
self-exploration. She loved to climax watching Xena’s
beautiful face. Once her task was complete, only then would
Gabrielle take her place next to Xena and she knew before
Morpheus claimed her, Gabrielle would feel the warriors'
strong arm surround her.
But tonight... tonight was
different. The warrior didn’t reach out and the longer she
waited, the more she wondered if Xena was asleep.
"Xena?" Gabrielle
whispered.
Xena was undecided. Should
she roll over and act as if she’s deep in slumber or should
she roll over and ask the bard about her evening? Without any
further thought, Xena rolled over.
"Are you going to
accept her offer?" Xena asked. The words weren’t what
the warrior expected. She was going to play it cool and let
Gabrielle make the confession, but something forced the
jealous words out before she could even control them.
"What do you
mean?" Gabrielle said nervously.
Xena sat up and Gabrielle
followed suit. "Sappho asked you to stay with her
tonight. Are you going to stay?"
"You were spying on
me?" Gabrielle asked a bit miffed. "I don’t
believe it," she added in astonishment; more to herself
than to her best friend.
"Well, are you?"
Xena said, not giving up.
Gabrielle put her hands up
to halt the conversation’s course.
"Hold on just one Hades
minute here... I can’t believe you were spying on me,"
Gabrielle egged the warrior.
"I wasn’t
spying," Xena insisted. "I... I came downstairs
to... talk to you... But I saw the two of you snuggling on the
floor, so I decided against it. I just ‘overheard’ you
Gabrielle. Not spying."
"Okay," Gabrielle
said giving up the fight for now. "You say
‘overheard’ I say ‘spying’. What’s the
difference?... We’ll I’m here now... Tell me what was so
important that you had to lurk in the shadows
‘overhearing’ my conversation."
Xena closed her eyes and
shook her head. The bard was good. She could make her point in
the most unappealing and frustrating of ways. This time was no
different. Xena shook off the comment and pressed on.
"You still didn’t
answer my question. Are you going to stay with that...
woman?"
Gabrielle grinned. It
wasn’t a grin of joy. It was open season on the warrior
princess and Xena knew the look well. Granted, if it came to a
battle of blows, Xena would triumph. But with words... with
words Gabrielle was the more ‘deadly’ of the two. And
sometimes her words could cut more deeply than Xena’s
chakram ever could.
Not that Gabrielle was cruel
to Xena. Far from it. Xena had witness this ‘fury’ the
bard had on other unsuspecting and, yes, stupid fools who
tried to challenge her.
"What’s wrong if I
spend my life with a woman?" Gabrielle said offended.
"I know you may be a bit foreign to the fact that woman
can love each other, but I’m well aware of what it
entails."
"What makes you think I
don’t?" Xena challenge. "I’ve had many female
lovers over the years. . ." Xena didn’t mean to make
that confession. She and the bard rarely discussed sex. And
Xena realized this was exactly why. Sex discussion leads to
sex questions which could lead to questions about them; which
could lead to... ‘Oh Tartarus,’ the warrior cursed
silently.
"You have?"
Uh oh, Xena thought
frantically. There’s the first question and it’s gonna
get rougher from here.
"Yes," she said
softly. "I have... so it’s not that foreign to
me."
So, Gabrielle thought
silently. She’s been with women. Desired women. But
she’s never mentioned it. She’s never... wanted me.
The bards' quietness worried
the warrior.
"What are you thinking
Gabrielle?" Xena asked when she could stand the stillness
no longer.
"Who?" the bard
asked, pushing her rejected feeling aside.
"It was years ago,
Gabrielle," Xena said climbing out of bed.
Gabrielle wasn’t going to
give up. Xena knew upon hearing the bard inhale deeply. She
knew her bard – now Sappho’s bard – so well and it
pained her heart. She took a drink from the wineskin on their
dresser, trying to collect herself for the inquisition that
was about to begin.
"LaMao?" Gabrielle
asked.
Xena nodded briefly.
"She’s one," Xena answered without further
explanation.
"Bodieca?" the
bard questioned next.
"No," Xena replied
with a dismal grin. "Her hatred of me had nothing to do
with love of the heart – love of country, yes. I betrayed
her and her people, but... she and I were never physically
intimate."
"What about –?"
"Gabrielle," Xena
spoke up, drawing out the syllables. Gabrielle always loved
the way her name sounded when Xena said it. But tonight, for
some reason, it had lost its appeal.
"I’m not going to sit
here and run down the list of who you’ve met and who I’ve
loved – who I’ve slept with, I should say... It’s
pointless."
Gabrielle realized what Xena
said was true. Perhaps her questioning steamed from the fact
she didn’t want to face THEIR relationship. And the fact
that Gabrielle wanted Xena, but Xena had no interest in her as
a lover made the bard’s entire being ache.
Gabrielle realized at that
point she had nothing to lose. And she just had to know.
"If you... desire
women... why have you never made advances toward me?"
Xena lightly chuckled,
"And do what? Ruin the best relationship I’ve ever had
in my life? What I have with you is more profound than sex. I
can get physical gratification from anyone, Gabrielle. To have
someone touch your heart; someone to feel your soul –
that’s rare. And that’s what you do for me..."
Gabrielle’s warm grin
returned and Xena realized that she wasn’t about to let
Sappho take that grin. Xena took a deep breath trying to keep
her growing anger at bay.
"So that’s why I’m
not going to let Sappho keep you here. You may think you love
her. You may think you desire her. But I know deep down, it
will pass. You’re relationship with her is built on passion.
Passion doesn’t last."
Gabrielle lost her grin as
she stood up. She walked over and took the wineskin from Xena,
getting a drink for herself.
"I’m a grown
woman," Gabrielle said, handing it back to Xena.
"I’m free to make my own choices. You can’t keep me
if I don’t want to stay."
Xena could feel her bottom
lip start to quiver and her eyes get watery. Gabrielle was
correct. Xena couldn’t make Gabrielle love her no matter how
much she tried.
The bard saw the unshed
tears in Xena’s eyes and she instantly regretted her choice
of words. She raised her palm and cupped Xena’s cheek.
"Hey," Gabrielle
whispered, drawing the warrior close, resting her head on
Xena’s bosom. The warrior, wrapped her strong arms around
the bard, resting her chin on top of the bards' head. At that
moment, sobs began to rack through Xena’s body. The bard
felt the vibrations and tightened her hold.
"I-I.... don’t want
to lose you," Xena stuttered.
"I don’t want to lose
you either," Gabrielle replied. "But I need more...
no matter how ‘profound’ our relationship is... I need
more... Sappho is offering me more."
Xena pulled away quickly and
walked toward the window. She couldn’t help, but think what
an awful twist of fate had taken place because of this
mission.
It started so simple. Three
warlords wanted to converge on the small valley. She would
‘threaten’ one warlord. Meg would ‘threaten’ the
other. With a little hair dye the ‘tenth muse’ would
‘threaten’ the last. With a little coloring and a wardrobe
change – Sappho became ‘the Warrior Princess’.
The mission was successful.
It bought Xena enough time to defeat each army one by one. But
as she sat looking out at the sea from Sappho’s estate on
Lesbos, she realized this mission had cost her the ultimate
price.
She only needed Sappho’s
help for a few moments. Now, upon seeing Sappho home safely,
she was losing the bard. For the briefest of moments, the
strong, undefeatable warrior wished she were dead.
"Go to her," Xena
said softly; despondently. "You’re right, ya know? She
can give you so much more... She could make you a poet. Train
you so you know just which words to use... How to captivate an
audience even more than you do now... I can’t give you any
of those things..."
Gabrielle tilted her head
and studied the warrior.
"Xena," the bard
began, "when I said Sappho offered more, I wasn’t
talking about poetry... I love fighting for the greater good.
I like having a different place to tell my stories each
week...I love... you."
Xena turned to the bard,
searching Gabrielle’s face in an unasked question.
"Then what's she-?"
"What she offers is
physical comfort... sexual release... and... by the gods, if I
can’t have you, I can have someone who looks like you...well
except for the green eyes, but still... With that dark hair;
those cheekbones – she’s you. The ‘you’ I waited years
for. The ‘you’ who desires me."
Xena still didn’t know
quite how to reply, but a grin began to subconsciously form on
her lips as Gabrielle continued.
"Is my desire for
Sappho an exploitation? Perhaps. But I do have feelings for
her. I do share common interests with her. And given time,
I’m sure I could fall very deeply in love with her... But
right now... well, right now the only person I want doesn’t
desire me... So where does that leave me?"
Gabrielle began to cry. She
wasn’t sure why. Was it the confession that did her in? Was
it the fact that Xena was going to once more tell her to go
back to Sappho? She didn’t know. What she did know was that
Xena was now holding her and comforting her with hushes and
soft spoken ‘It’s alright’s’.
Gabrielle pulled away from
Xena’s grip and wiped her eyes. "I don’t want your
pity," Gabrielle said clearing her throat, raising her
head high. "You can’t give me what I need. I’ve
accepted that –."
"Gabrielle–."
"No Xena," the
bard said, cutting her off. "I don’t want false
promises. I don’t want you forced into a change in our
relationship... That WOULD ruin everything."
"Gabrielle-."
"No. Xena I know what
I’m talking about. I-
"GABRIELLE!"
The bard stopped talking and
waited for the warrior to speak.
"Is it safe for me to
continue?" Xena asked, waiting for an interruption. When
Gabrielle nodded, the warrior took a deep breath.
"I never said I
didn’t want you. I only said I didn’t want to lose you. I
can’t give you a ‘palace’ like this. I can’t give you
tips on your scrolls. All I have to offer you is a battered
heart and battered body to go with it. For a young beautiful
woman like you... I always thought you deserve so much more...
but if you’re sure, really sure, I’m what you want well...
who am I to argue?"
As Xena finished, her sly
smirk fell into place.
"Xena?" Gabrielle
began hesitantly. "Let me see if I understand-."
"I want – no – I
need... to be your lover," Xena explained. " I never
thought you would want me the way that I want you... Guess you
and I have more in common with each other than we realized,
huh?"
All Gabrielle could do at
first was nod in agreement. But the longer she paused, the
more Xena’s words took hold of her. She wants me? Gabrielle’s
mind raced. She really does want me, doesn’t she? Gods
yes!
Gabrielle’s mind shut down
and her body took over. She dashed toward Xena. Her left hand
captured the back of Xena’s head, demanding that their lips
meet.
The first connection of
their bodies stunned the warrior. She let the bard lead - her
lips surprisingly seized while her eyes stayed wide open in
shock. The bard looked enthralled by contrast – her lips
searching, her eyes closed shut trying to heighten the
physical sensation.
At that moment, Xena relaxed
and let herself fall into the kiss, closing her eyes as well;
her tongue puncturing through the storytellers mouth.
Gabrielle groaned at the
contact. That’s all it took. Xena could feel her wetness
settling at the apex of her legs. Legs, which as the kisses
increased, became wobblier.
Xena scooped the bard into
her arms, afraid to let the connection go for fear of losing
the bard. As she walked to the bed, indecision struck. Yes,
Gabrielle wanted her, but how bad? And yes, Gabrielle wanted
to love her, but just how much? Reluctantly, Xena pulled back
as she settled her amorous cargo on the mattress.
"I’m not sure what
you want me to do," Xena whispered. The insecurity of
Xena’s voice made the bards' heart melt and the words she
spoke made other regions feel as if they were melting as well.
"Whatever you want will
feel wonderful," Gabrielle said pulling the warrior down
to her by her hands.
"No," Xena said
stopping. Gabrielle looked a bit concerned and Xena could see
the bard was holding her breath. "I mean... Oh gods... I
don’t want to rush you into anything."
"Do you want me?"
Gabrielle asked sincerely.
"Of course," Xena
said a bit unsettled by the question. Hadn’t the bard been
paying attention to their recent conversation? "Of course
I do."
"How much?"
Gabrielle grinned. "Be honest."
Xena smiled and blushed
slightly before staring intently into Gabrielle’s eyes.
"I want to kiss every inch of your body my bard. I want
to feel your hands buried in my hair... I want to hear my name
spoken as you explode with my mouth covering you – all of
you."
"Xena?"
The warrior thought she had
asked for too much. "Yes," she said nervously.
"I want the same
things... I want them now."
Gabrielle once more took the
lead pulling the warriors weight on top of her... and Xena was
helpless to follow.
CHAPTER III
Sunlight in Xena’s eyes
was the first sensation that hit the waking warrior. The next
was the firm, toned naked body that covered her own. Xena
smirked as her hand lazily ran the length of Gabrielle’s
back, over her buttock, and to her upper thigh.
She reminisced about the
hours before sleep finally claimed them. The bards' stamina
had astounded Xena but she didn’t want to let her surprise
show. She didn’t want Gabrielle thinking the bards desire
was a burden. Xena did have to admit, to herself, that she had
a hard time keeping up with her affectionate, young lover.
‘I’ll have to start working out even more’, the warrior
thought with a silent chuckle.
She always knew her bard was
passionate; creative. Last night, and many different positions
later, the warrior had her prove.. and in the most delightful
of ways.
Xena softly kissed Gabrielle
on top of her matted, once-sweat soaked, hair. Both women
would need to use the tub before starting the day Xena noted
mentally. But then again, being able to still smell
Gabrielle’s scent covering me has its advantages, she
considered with a wicked smile.
Gabrielle stirred slightly
and began to murmur sleepily. Xena smiled all over again.
"Xena?"
The warrior knew the bard
was still sound asleep, probably deep in dream state. Xena
decided to ‘play along’.
"Yes Gabrielle,"
she whispered in her ear.
"Let’s go
swimming."
The warrior tried not to
chuckle against the woman sleeping upon her. "Swimming,
huh? Where at Gabrielle?"
"Right there," the
bard said raising her hand that clung to the warriors shoulder
just a little bit.
"I’d rather make love
to you," Xena whispered. "Can I make love to
you?"
Gabrielle nodded as she
slumbered. "In the water... Let’s do it in the water,
Xena."
The wheels began to turn in
Xena’s mind. Perhaps she could use the bards
‘outspokenness’ to her advantage. She could give Gabrielle
a special day at the beach. Xena felt her eyebrow go up in
anticipation. Would it be considered being devious to play off
the bards dreamscape? Sure it was. But the rewards of doing so
could be very... fruitful.
Slowly and gently Xena shook
the bard. When that didn’t work she laid the bard on her
back and began to nibble on her neck. After a few moments,
Xena felt Gabrielle’s fingers work their way into her hair.
"Good morning,"
Xena said softly, not giving up on thoroughly kissing the
bards' neck. She had four more places to go yet.
"Good morning
indeed," Gabrielle giggled. "Hey! That
tickles!"
"Didn’t tickle last
night," Xena playfully bantered.
"Well, your hands were
also busy at the same time so I guess I didn’t notice as
much," the bard countered.
"I wasn’t the only
one with ‘busy hands’ you know?" Xena answered,
finally rising to meet the greenest, most beautiful eyes the
world would ever know.
"Can I help it that
you’re so ‘touchable’?" Gabrielle defended.
"Not at all," Xena
agreed. She kissed Gabrielle tenderly - almost chastely on the
cheek. "Good morning again," she whispered
sincerely.
Gabrielle pulled Xena down,
hugging her as tight as possible without hurting her. "I
love you Xena. I still don’t think I told you enough last
night."
"Gabrielle you’ve
been telling me and showing me that for years," the
warrior replied pulling back. "But it will always be
wonderful to hear because I love you too."
Gabrielle sat up and wiped
the sleep from her eyes. "That’s good to know,"
she answered with a yawn. "So are we heading out
today?"
"Yeah, but I think you
should talk to Sappho first," Xena offered. "But,
that decision is yours," Xena reconsidered. She didn’t
want Gabrielle thinking she was trying to run her life.
"I agree,"
Gabrielle said stretching as she got out of bed. She walked
around to put on her robe but stopped when she watched Xena
staring at her. "What’s wrong?" Gabrielle asked
looking over her body carefully.
"You’re absolutely
beautiful, Gabrielle," the warrior said softly. With the
sunlight playing to her long, blonde mane and the way it
showed her peaks and valleys – Xena felt in awe at the sight
of her lover.
Gabrielle politely smiled
and promptly blushed. "You’re not so bad
yourself," she said putting on her robe and grabbing a
towel. "I’m going to the wash room. Did you want to
join me?" she asked seductively.
"I would, but it would
kinda defeat the purpose, don’t cha think?" the warrior
asked.
Gabrielle considered
Xena’s statement. "Good point. We’d probably just end
up all sweaty again, huh?"
Xena smiled and simply
nodded. With a quick kiss, Gabrielle left with a promise to
return shortly. Moments after Gabrielle’s departure, Xena
heard a knock at the door. She didn’t bother to dress. Maybe
it was Sappho herself. She looked forward to the expression on
the poets' face to see her body littered with hickeys. No
sense in having them, Xena thought silently, with no
one to show them off too.
"Hi... Can I come in,
Xena?"
Xena left the door open and
walked to her robe. "Sure thing, Meg," she replied.
"Judging by the...
look... of things I’d say it was a good night."
Xena tried to remain the
stoic warrior she was, but she couldn’t contain her joy any
longer and she had to smile.
"What did you need
Meg?" Xena said avoid the conversation.
Meg returned the
smile.
"She any good?"
she asked, not backing down yet. She could tell the warrior
was just dying to say something to someone.
"Yeah. She is,"
Xena said dryly with a wily grin.
Meg clapped her hands
together excitedly as she took a seat on the bed. "This
is great. So what exactly happened?"
"I don’t kiss and
tell Meg," Xena said cheerfully yet letting Meg know that
she had no intention of discussing things further.
"Of course," Meg
said apologetically. "You two are... together...right? I
mean that's all that’s important...right?"
"Riiiight," Xena
drawled.
At that moment, Gabrielle
walked in from cleaning up, cloaked in her towel. She looked
at the bed and took a moment – her eyebrows crunched in
examination trying to figure out who had joined them. After
Meg wave, Gabrielle could tell immediately.
"Oh, hi Meg," she
replied casually as she began to brush her water soaked blond
locks.
"Hi Gabby," she
replied making her way from the door. "So anyway Xena,
we’re still leaving today as planned, right?"
"Yeah, after
breakfast," Xena nodded.
"Well, I’ll see you
two then," she said as she began to close the door.
"Hey Meg," Xena
called out. "Thanks, I, uh, I couldn’t have done it
without you."
Meg blushed. A compliment
from the warrior princess meant a lot to her.
"No problem Xena. You
guys believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m
always here to help."
With that, Meg shut the door
behind her.
"Okay," Gabrielle
said as she put on the last of her clothing. "It’s your
turn... I’m going to go downstairs and talk to Sappho while
you get cleaned up."
The bard tried to sound
carefree, but Xena could hear a worry in her voice.
"It'll be okay,"
Xena coaxed.
"I still have you,
right?" Gabrielle asked, nervously. "Nothing’s
changed?"
Xena chuckled, "Oh, a
lot has changed, but has my love and admiration diminished?
Not on your life," she said with a wicked grin. "I
have no regrets about us Gabrielle," Xena said turning
serious once more.
Gabrielle smiled and stroked
Xena’s cheek; the warrior leaned down and kissed Gabrielle
softly on the lips.
"Don’t forget to
brush your teeth either, Xena," she said slapping the
warriors arm playfully, slipping from the embrace.
"You don’t like my
morning breath?" Xena asked in mock offense.
"Let’s just say
it’s worse than a centaur, but not as bad as a
Cyclops," the bard teased.
"Thanks a lot!"
Xena said throwing her hands up. Gabrielle giggled as she went
out the door. But suddenly, she popped her head back in.
"You know I’m only
teasin’, don’t you?" Gabrielle grinned. "I mean
about the Cyclops comment."
Xena grinned back.
"Yes. Gabrielle. I know how your mind works."
"No, Xena,"
Gabrielle replied. "I mean I was teasing about not being
as BAD as a Cyclops – because I think you are perhaps
WORSE."
Xena picked up a nearby
pillow, projecting at the bards visible head. "Missed
me," she heard the bard call as she walked downstairs.
Xena shook her head as she made her way to the wash room...
making sure to bring her toothbrush.
CHAPTER IV
Once Xena was clean, she
walked downstairs to the kitchen. Sappho and Gabrielle were
laughing at the breakfast table. The sound made Xena feel a
bit insecure. What if Gabrielle changed her mind? What if
she’s going to say last night was a mistake? What if...
Xena stopped her rambling insecurities as made her way over to
the bard.
"Ahhh, why if it
isn’t the warrior princess," Sappho said cheerfully.
"Please have a seat my dear cousin and do tell. How did
you managed to steal the heart of such a beautiful young
woman?" As Sappho finished she raised Gabrielle’s hand
to her lips and kissed the knuckles with great care.
"Get your lips off my
bard please." It wasn’t a request and Sappho promptly
obeyed. Xena smiled and she poured herself a cup of tea before
taking a spot next to Gabrielle. "Haven’t you fondled
her enough?" Xena teased.
"Say what you will, but
I’m not the one that put that passion mark on her
neck," Sappho teased back.
Self consciously, Gabrielle
pulled her hair over to one side concealing it again.
"That’s right Sappho.
You didn’t," Xena prodded. "And you never
will."
"Why do I suddenly feel
like first prize at a fishing derby?" Gabrielle
interrupted the cousins.
"Because you’re quite
a catch," Sappho winked. "And Xena has been
competing with me for years. And sadly, for me, it appears
she’s won the greatest prize of all."
Gabrielle blushed and Xena
couldn’t help, but smile in her victory.
"Let’s make a deal,
Xena," the poet continued. "I’ll give you my title
of Tenth Muse in exchange for Gabrielle. What do you
say?"
"See Sappho, that’s
where you’re wrong. Gabrielle isn’t a prize to be won. And
any title you have wouldn’t be worth giving up Gabrielle’s
hand. . .Nah Sappho, you can be the Tenth Muse. I’m happy
being Gabrielle’s champion."
As Xena finished, the bard
reached over and took Xena’s hand into hers. Sappho may have
all the fancy words but Xena’s words cut to the heart of the
matter. Xena wasn’t a poet, she was a warrior – HER
warrior, who could still show her heart when need be. As the
three of them sat there, Gabrielle knew she made the right
choice. She didn’t need a Tenth Muse... not when she had a
warrior princess.
CHAPTER V
"Come on
Gabrielle," Xena said waving from the lake. "The
waters wonderful."
Upon seeing Meg home, Xena
decided to make a sidetrip to Amphipolis. There was a private
spring not far from her mothers' inn. It was a perfect place
to make dreams come true.
Gabrielle quickly shed her
clothes and leaped head first, swimming strongly toward the
warrior. When she finally reached Xena she couldn’t get her
footing.
"The water’s too deep
here," Gabrielle said bobbing up and down.
"Nahhh...it’s just
perfect," Xena insisted. "Wrap your legs around
me," she instructed.
Gabrielle did as asked and
she felt Xena taking them toward the canyon ledge. It was a
smooth surface against her back – cold yet exciting. And
soon she felt herself trapped between a rock and a warrior
princess.
"Now what?"
Gabrielle grinned.
"Now," Xena
whispered, nibbling on the bards ear along the way. "I
make dreams come true."
And as the sun began to set
and their bodies gently rocked together, Xena made sure that
all of Gabrielle’s dreams would come true. She would try to
keep the demons at bay. And without a doubt, she would love
the little bard that completely owned her heart.
The End
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