Title: The
Play
Author:
CN Winters
Fandom:
Xena Fanfiction, Xena fanfic, Xena fan fiction, Xena and
Gabrielle fanfiction, Xena fiction
Rating:
Disclaimers:
Xena, Gabby, Sal and the others mentioned do not belong to me. They belong to MCA. I’m just writing a simple story about love. Love between two adult woman. Deep, passionate, affectionate
love... (Sorry I got carried away). If you’re too young (or too old) please don’t read it. If they don’t like these stories where you live, move. And if it offends you, open your mind a little more and come back when you’ve matured. ‘Nuff said. Now on to the story.
Author
Note: I fell in love with Salmoneus when I saw him in
'Here She Comes... ' and figured I'd do a story that includes
him.
Synopsis: Salmoneus
agrees to put on a play for a ruthless king and when he loses
his leads he calls Xena and Gabrielle for help.
Feedback:
Drop me a line at cnwinters71@yahoo.com.
The Play
Act One: The
Casting Call
"You send
urgent word for us to see a play!"
Xena’s temper was
getting the better of her as she paced in front of Salmoneus.
"No. Not SEE a
play. Be IN a play. There’s a bit of difference," he
corrected her.
Gabrielle sat on
the stage, legs crossed at the ankles, watching Xena move
swiftly back and forth. The bard stayed out of this one.
Xena had a choice
of coming to the island to meet Salmoneus or a chariot race in
Athens. The dinars the bard brought in for her stories
weren’t enough for the supplies they would soon be needing,
like a new saddle for Argo. The chariot race, however, offered
500 dinars to the winner, which could keep them set for
months. Xena shook her head again as she thought of her
misfortune.
"Don’t you
have anything to add?" Xena asked, stopping in front of
Gabrielle, now directing her anger toward her friend. She
simply shook her head, trying to avoid this debate.
"Look,"
Salmoneus offered, "if it’s any consolation you still
may be able to make Athens before the race. That is if you
leave now. I wouldn’t be troubled... Of course I might
also be dead... But think nothing of it," he said
as he began to shuffle away.
"Stop right
there!" Xena protested. "What do you mean
dead?"
"Well,"
Salmoneus began as he turned around. "There’s the king
see? And he paid me a lot of dinars, a whole lot of dinars, to
organize this production for his wedding anniversary. It was
going to be a lovely affair, wine, food, song-."
Xena rolled her
eyes along with her shoulders and he could see her irritation
rising.
"Anyway,"
he continued quickly, "This king is known to have a very
bad temper. I heard that once he got his supper cold, and the
next day, he had his chef for dinner. This man is not someone
to be tangled with. Hence, if I fail to get this production of
the ground, I could be Fillet of Salmoneus!"
Xena slumped her
shoulders in defeat. She wasn’t about to let that happen and
she knew Salmoneus wasn’t joking. She’d heard about this
ruler long before his cannibalism speech.
"What do you
need?" she asked, running her fingers through her hair in
frustration.
He smiled broadly.
"You mean you’ll stay?!" he asked.
"Yeah."
Xena replied to the point. "But on three conditions. One
- you split half your earnings with us. Two - you never have
anymore dealings with this man, no matter how much he offers.
And three - you never, ever tell a single soul about
this."
"Not even
Hercules," Salmoneus pushed.
"Especially
Hercules," Xena insisted. "Do you agree?"
"Half,
huh?" he said mulling it over in his mind.
Xena shot Gabrielle
an incredulous look and said, "I don’t believe this
man."
"Okay.
Okay," he said throwing his arms up in the air. "I
was only kidding. Yes, I agree."
Xena nodded.
"Fine... You’ve got your two leads... Who’s who and
what’s the production?"
Salmoneus clapped
his hands once before rubbing them together.
"Miss Sunshine
will be the fair maid, Celestes, while you warrior princess
will be the dashing, Darvin."
Automatically and
without conscious thought Xena was soon shaking her
head.
"Waitaminute.
Waitaminute," she spouted. "You mean to tell me the
production you’re doing is Forever’s Legacy."
"So you’re
up on popular cultural arts? I’m impressed Xena,"
Salmoneus complimented. "It’s a big hit in Athens right
now. Is that where you saw it?"
The bard, who had
been untypically silent, finally began to make her presence
known with a laugh.
"What’s so
funny?" Xena asked getting annoyed.
"We’re
really in deep this time," she giggled. "Besides,
how are you going to convince the audience she’s a man? Look
at her," Gabrielle said pointing to Xena’s breasts.
"I’d like to see you try to hide these." Her laugh
grew harder and Salmoneus found himself beginning to laugh.
Xena was another story.
"Ha.Ha.Ha.
Very funny," the warrior replied. "But tell me
Gabrielle, how comfortable are you with that scene in the end
of act two? You know the one where Celestes is laying on the
bed, stark naked, waiting for Darvin’s arrival?" The
bards’ eyes grew wide with the knowledge. "That’s
what I thought," Xena added victoriously.
"Xena’s
right," Gabrielle said jumping from the stage. "We
can’t convince anyone. So we’ll be going now."
Gabrielle tried to
leave, but Xena grabbed her by the back of her tunic.
"Where you think you’re goin’? We made a promise.
Remember?"
Gabrielle hung her
head and stopped fighting Xena’s restraint.
"Look,"
Salmoneus offered, "We’ll have to change some of the
scenes. For example, no shirtless scenes for Darvin... I’m
sure we can tone this down just a bit... So for now, quite
worrying. And start memorizing those lines. You’ve only got
three days to open/closing night."
Salmoneus shooed
them away with his hands, toward the back of the stage. Once
they were behind the curtain, Salmoneus raised his head and
his hands in prayer. "Please Zeus help us!"
Act Two: The
Rehearsal
"... And
Darvin kisses Celestes passionately," Salmoneus coached.
Xena pulls
Gabrielle by the waist and plants a friendly, almost cautious
kiss on Gabrielle’s lips.
"Oh
yeah," Gabrielle teased, with her voice void of emotion.
"I’m excited now."
"Hey, I’m
the one doing all the work!" Xena complained. "Maybe
if it didn’t feel like I was kissing a tree trunk I’d be
more inspired."
"A tree
trunk?!" What does that mean?"
"It means you
could do something more than just stand there, rooted
perfectly still!"
The other
performers were concerned that the argument would escalate
uncontrollably, but Salmoneus saw it as the perfect
opportunity. Both ‘actress’ stood inches apart, their
breath raged, their eyes flaring as they still squabbled.
"Kiss
her!" Salmoneus insisted. "Kiss her now!"
Xena shot a quick
look to Salmoneus then to Gabrielle. She grabbed Gabrielle
forcefully, letting one arm encompass her waist, pulling her
until there wasn’t an inch between them. Xena’s lips found
Gabrielle’s swiftly and Gabrielle hands reached up pulling
Xena’s head closer. Xena pulled back slightly, tilting her
head in the opposite direction before reclaiming the bards’
lips yet again. When Gabrielle’s leg reflexively wrapped
around the warriors' strong thigh, Xena’s tongue puncture
through Gabrielle’s closed lips. But soon enough the
bard’s lips opened and accepted the foreign presence,
matching it stroke for stroke.
"Beautiful!"
Salmoneus shouted. He waited a few seconds, but the scene
wasn’t ending. In fact, it became more heated. Xena reaching
down to support Gabrielle’s leg as she softly stroked it,
causing the bard to moan loudly. "You can stop now,"
Salmoneus cued. "... Oh, ladies?...Cut!..." When
that still didn't work he cried out, " Xena!"
Xena’s head
whipped to meet Salmoneus’ voice.
"Is that what
you’re looking for?" she asked, trying desperately to
hide her labored breathing. Gabrielle was still in her arms.
The bard’s eyes finally opened and her leg went back to the
floor as Xena finished her sentence.
"Yes! That was
wonderful!" Salmoneus shouted. "All we have to do is
start a fight before the scene and we’ll be all set."
The other performers clapped their approval as Salmoneus
spoke. The sound brought Gabrielle back closer to reality --
the reality that she had kissed Xena. Kissed her passionately.
Kissed her as her tongue played tango with Xena’s. Suddenly,
she felt discomfort in the warriors’ arms and slipped away.
Xena opened her
mouth to speak to Gabrielle’s turned back, but decided
against it. Salmoneus watched the display as Xena shrugged.
"Let’s take
ten minutes everyone. You’ve been doing great today!"
Xena started to
walk to Gabrielle until he spoke. "You’re a real
natural, Xena. You could have had a profitable life as a
performer."
"Thanks
Salmoneus. I just hope things go alright for the performance
tomorrow... I’m going to find Gabrielle. Did you need
anything backstage?"
"No," he
replied. "I have my wine flask here. Who could ask for
more?"
With a nod, Xena
walked behind the curtain to find Gabrielle looking at the
wardrobe closet.
"Find anything
of interest for opening night?" Xena asked casually.
Gabrielle turned when she heard Xena’s voice, but quickly
brought her head around to the closet.
When she didn’t
answer Xena walked over and placed her hand on Gabrielle’s
shoulder. "Hey," she said softly, feeling Gabrielle
flinch at the contact. Xena quickly removed her hand.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I’m just
nervous. I can’t imagine going out there in front of all
those people."
"Are you
kidding? I’ve seen you speak to audiences twice the size of
that room."
"That was
different," Gabrielle insisted. "I could make it up
as I went along. They were my words not someone
else’s."
"Look,"
Xena said turning Gabrielle around, ignoring her discomfort at
their contact. She kept her hands firm on Gabrielle’s arms
this time. "You’re going to do wonderful. Just forget
about those people sitting out there and pretend it’s
us."
Gabrielle looked
away, refusing eye contact. Xena realized her mistake and
tried to make up for it. "I mean, think of it as reading
one of your story together at a campsite. But instead of just
reading, we’re acting it out with Argo as our only
audience."
Gabrielle chuckled,
making Xena grin as well.
"You’re
really the greatest friend I’ve ever had," Gabrielle
whispered. The bard’s grin began to melt away as she spoke
the words. Xena was unsure why such a compliment spoken caused
such sorrow in the young woman’s eyes.
"Are you sure
that’s all that’s bothering you?" Xena prodded.
Gabrielle didn’t
reply instantly. She was weighing how much to reveal
carefully. She spent many nights wondering how it would feel
to kiss Xena the way she did minutes earlier. Now she knew.
Instead of having the fascination pass, she felt more
intrigued than ever before. The love scene in act two was
going to be a real bitch.
She decided to hold
her tongue for now. She didn’t want them to be the king’s
breakfast because the performance was so lousy. She didn’t
think either one of them would be able to remember one damn
line if she let her truth be known.
"I’m fine,
Xena." Gabrielle smiled again. "Thank you for
worrying about me. I know it will all be over in less than
twenty four candlemarks."
Xena nodded.
"Okay. Well, we better get back. Act two is up
next."
Gabrielle watched
as Xena walked out onto the stage. Oh Gods! Act Two!
Act Three:
The Performance
"Pull
tighter!" Xena insisted.
"I don’t
want to hurt you," Gabrielle explained as she tugged on
the bandage.
"How’s it
going?" Salmoneus asked, peeking his head into the
dressing room.
"Salmoneus get
in here!" Xena ordered. "Let him do it!"
Gabrielle let go of
the bandage and Xena lost her balance, stumbling forward into
Salmoneus arms. "Here!" she said handing him the
bandage that covered her breasts. "Pull as hard as you
can."
"Are you
sure?" he asked.
"Do you want
to be on the menu tomorrow?" Xena asked.
Salmoneus tugged
with all his strength and Gabrielle watched as Xena’s eyes
popped open wide.
"How’s
that?" he asked cautiously, his voice rising an octave.
He knew the warrior had to be in pain from the pressure and he
wasn’t sure if he was the next to experience anguish as a
result.
"Just
wonderful," Xena replied, her voice much deeper than
usual.
"Hear
that?" Salmoneus and Gabrielle said in harmony.
"What?"
Xena replied taking short even breaths.
"Your
voice," Gabrielle explained. "Your voice dropped.
You’re an alto."
"Let’s go
for baritone," Salmoneus said, reaching for the bandage
again.
"Let’s
not," Xena said, taking his hand and grasping it with
such force it brought tears to the man’s eyes.
"Okay,
Xena," he complied in a whimper. Quickly, she let him go.
"Let’s get that shirt on," he added as he held his
sore knuckles.
Once everyone was
dressed, they took their places. Salmoneus made a small
statement and a moment later the curtain opened. Xena winked
at Gabrielle from off stage and the bard gave a small grin as
she delivered the first line.
Act one progressed
rather nicely. The king smiled at the jokes, remained watchful
at the drama and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Xena herself had to admit that she was having a good time.
Gabrielle’s nerves quit racing and she settled into a
comfortable rhythm. At least, until the curtain closed. That
meant act two was moments away.
"I can’t
breathe," the bard confessed to the warrior as the sets
moved around them.
"You
can’t breathe?" Xena countered. "Think about how I
feel. I literally can’t breathe."
Gabrielle smiled.
"Yeah. The things we do for friendship."
"All I know is
Salmoneus owes us big time if we pull this off," Xena
replied.
The kissing scene
and the love scene refused to leave Gabrielle’s mind. They
hadn’t rehearsed or spoken of the scene since the afternoon
before. Xena could feel a certain apprehension in
Gabrielle.
Why is she so
uncomfortable with this act? Xena wondered. I thought
it was pretty wonderful. Suddenly a realization hit Xena. Maybe
she’s uncomfortable because she thought it was pretty
wonderful too.
"You’ll do
fine Gabrielle," Xena reassured. "Besides, you’re
a wonderful kisser."
That caught
Gabrielle’s attention.
"You think
so?" the bard asked, swallowing nervously.
Xena looked deep
into Gabrielle’s eyes. It was a big chance. But she was used
to taking chances. With the bard at her side, she felt
invincible. She licked her lips subconsciously.
"Absolutely,"
she whispered seductively.
Gabrielle was on
the verge of throwing her arms around her ‘leading man’,
showing all the passion and love she’d been suppressing for
months; years. She would have if a voice from behind hadn’t
startled her.
"Take your
place Gabrielle," the stagehand directed, giving her a
little push.
Before her brain
could compute what was happening, she was center stage again.
She was Celestes waiting for her one true love Darvin to
arrive. Gabrielle thought about how the script played out.
Darvin, after
having been banished from the kingdom, returns to Celestes
bedroom, where they share their first passionate kiss. Darvin
leaves with the promise he will return by nightfall so they
can flee together. When Darvin returns, he finds Celestes
waiting for him, naked in her bed, begging to ‘become one
with him’.
Once the curtain
opened, Gabrielle somehow felt more at ease. She couldn’t
explain it but everything felt ‘right’. She knew as she
watch Xena’s pride filled eyes watching her, that everything
fit perfectly. She was Celestes and Xena was her Darvin. And
like Celestes, she waited for the arrival as the act began to
come to a close.
Xena took command
of the stage as soon as she walked on it. And like the
audience, Gabrielle was helpless in being drawn to her
presence. Gabrielle could barely remember saying the dialog as
she chased after the exiting Darvin/Xena.
"Wait my love!
Promise you’ll return for me. Let me hear your promise one
last time and give me hope of your safe return. My heart beats
for you and you alone."
"As does mine,
my dear. Your words inspire. Your love astounds me. I promise
after meeting with my family one last time, we ride together,
never to be separated again. I promise."
Gabrielle felt the
air escape her lungs as Xena pulled her close. Before she had
the chance to consider, the words escaped Gabrielle’s mouth,
"Kiss me."
That’s not in
the script. Xena smirked inside. Ad-libbing now my
bard. Okay. Two can play this game. The warrior caressed
Gabrielle’s face lovingly with the back of her hand.
"With pleasure
my sweet," the warrior said with a grin.
Salmoneus eyes
widened and he started thumbing through his script looking for
the added dialog, but the action on stage stopped his efforts.
Xena’s lips
claimed Gabrielle’s with such force it caused the bard to
moan. Her hand grasped Xena’s neck pulling her tighter. Xena
was now the one moaning as Gabrielle’s other hand worked its
way to Xena’s backside, kneading the flesh with her
fingertips.
Reluctantly, Xena
pulled away to make her exit off stage left. But suddenly, she
felt herself being tugged around again. Gabrielle’s
lips recaptured Xena’s and their tongues began to struggle
for control in each other’s mouths. Xena felt a river
beginning between her legs. She knew if she didn’t get out
of there quick, she’d end up destroying the plot line and
end up taking Gabrielle on the mock bed, right there with a
room full of people.
Xena broke away,
taking Gabrielle’s hands. "I promise I’ll return my
love. I promise."
Without looking
back, she finally completed her journey across the stage. Once
in the shadows, away from the audience, did Xena turn around.
The look in Gabrielle’s eyes was pure desire.
I love you,
Xena mouthed silently across the stage to her beautiful
strawberry blonde. Gabrielle smiled before she began her
soliloquy. Xena contently strolled to the changing corner. Out
in the theater, Salmoneus eyes widened as he watched
Gabrielle. He had to get backstage fast.
Xena began her
costume change as Salmoneus rushed to met her.
"What the
Tartarus was that?" he whispered angrily. "That
wasn’t in the script."
"Are you
knocking my performance?" Xena demanded.
"No, not at
all. It was very convincing. However, in the interest of my
life expectancy, could you please keep me informed of any
changes? My heart’s about to attack me!"
"Xena,
you’re up," the stagehand whispered, interrupting
Salmoneus. Finishing the last buckle, she began to make her
way on stage.
Suddenly, Salmoneus
remembered the real reason for his trip back stage.
"Xena, there’s something you should know!" he
whispered excitedly.
"It’ll
keep," she whispered as she slipped from behind the
curtain stage.
The sight that met
her froze her. Gabrielle was lying on the bed... naked. Xena
tried to get her bearings, but she couldn’t remember her
line.
Gods is she
beautiful Xena thought as she gave up hope of remembering
it.
Gabrielle waited a
few heartbeats to see if Xena was going to remember. The bard
was going to have to go for the save.
"You’ve
returned my love. Just as you said you would. I’ve waited
for you."
Once Gabrielle
spoke, it helped break the spell and Xena dove into her
dialog. It didn’t help, however, when Gabrielle rose from
the bed, and walked seductively toward the warrior. Xena
couldn’t take her eyes off Gabrielle’s beauty. Her tongue
felt tied. And she tried to take a deep breath to steady her
nerves. No such luck - the tight bandage prevented it.
Not like any
more air would help anyway, Xena resolved.
Once the lines were
spoken, Xena picked Gabrielle up, into her arms carrying her
to the bed. She rested her gentle down and soon followed. She
lightly caressed Gabrielle’s neck with kisses, making her
way to her ear. She whispered, close to Gabrielle’s ear so
only she could hear.
"You’re so
beautiful Gabrielle. I’ve wanted you for so
long."
The voice was
husky, filled with her raging passion. Her strong hands,
caressed Gabrielle’s breast and the bard arched her back to
meet it.
Gabrielle
positioned Xena’s head to face the audience so her own lips
couldn’t be seen.
"You do have
many skills," Gabrielle complimented. "Please tell
me you’ll show me a few in greater detail tonight."
Xena couldn’t
contain the moan and she settled her thigh higher to connect
with Gabrielle’s center. The bard was now making sounds of
her own. Xena bent down and captured Gabrielle’s nipple with
her lips letting her tongue swirl around until it was taunt
and beet red.
Salmoneus shock
wore off for a brief moment. "Close the curtain! Close
the curtain!" he whispered frantically, while he still
had control of his vocal cords. The curtain closed, but the
scene, once again, didn’t stop. Gabrielle was trying to pull
Xena’s shirt over her head as Xena began working her way
southward with tender kisses across the bard’s firm stomach.
Salmoneus rushed
out onto the stage. "Enough!" he whispered as he
pulled Xena by the shirt, trying to bring her to her feet. She
glared at him. And he giggled nervously. "Please?"
he asked meekly.
Xena growled at him
and turned back to Gabrielle, who shrugged her shoulder. Her
scowl melted away when she saw the beautiful, naked woman
under her.
"Come
on," Gabrielle replied, sliding out from under Xena so
she could stand. "We’ve got one more act and we’re
out of here."
Xena’s eyebrow
arched. "I like the sound of that," she replied
playfully. They began to walk to the changing corner until
they noticed Salmoneus hadn’t moved. He turned to face them.
"Have I lost
all control of this production?" he asked pointedly.
Xena walked over,
taking him gently by the arm, leading him off stage.
"Yes,"
Xena replied dryly. "Yes, you have."
The
Reviews Are In
"Where is
he?!" The King boasted in the banquet hall, as he
approached Salmoneus and Gabrielle. "Where’s that
strapping, handsome man that played Darvin?"
"He wants to
send his apologies for not attending the feast, your
majesty," Gabrielle offered. "He’s very ill. It
took all he had to get through tonight’s performance... He
said perhaps the next time he visits your kingdom you would be
gracious enough to give him an audience with you."
"Of
course!" the King proclaimed. "I’d be honored to
met such a talented young man. And you my dear, I must admit,
are the most beautiful woman to grace this kingdom – with
the exception of my queen and the princess, of course,"
he added as he gestured to his wife.
"Of
course." Gabrielle nodded graciously.
Salmoneus and
Gabrielle both released a sigh as the king moved on, caught up
socializing with the others. But their comfort didn’t last
long when they were approached by a Duke and Duchess.
"It was a
wonderful performance," the duchess commended.
"Yes,"
the duke added. "We saw the play in Athens, but
tonight’s performance was exceptional. We both agree it was
the most passionate production to date. Where is that young
‘suitor’ of yours anyway? We wanted to offer our good
wishes."
Gabrielle went
through her spiel again. Then again. Then again. It was
getting old as countless numbers inquired about her
‘suitor’, her ‘lover’, her ‘soulmate’. After an
hour and a half of well wishers, Gabrielle now she felt like
she was the one truly nauseated. She had told the tale so much
that she herself began to believe her ‘better half’ really
was ill.
But ‘he’s’
not, Gabrielle told herself, slyly. Perfect health.
Perfect body. All just waiting for my arrival. The thought
made her grin broader. Now she’s the one waiting for me.
Maybe I will have one more glass of wine.
Feeling no pain,
but still having enough sense to continue the charade, she
decided to make her way upstairs. Everyone seemed to love the
play; everyone seemed fooled. Slowly, she tried to open the
door to the bed chamber, but it was locked.
"Who is
it?" she heard a deep voice ask.
"Gabrielle,"
she answered. She heard the door unlatch and looked around to
be sure no one would show up unexpectedly. Only then did she
enter.
Xena was reclined
on the bed. Her costume long gone. Her face paint, with the
artificial cleft in the chin, erased. Her hair, which once
held the Draco style ponytail, hung loosely around her
feminine face.
Gabrielle was taken
aback for a moment, but quickly closed the door, locking it
behind her. Xena rose from the bed, letting her aqua, silk
robe fall open.
"You’ve
returned, My Love. Just as you said you would. I’ve been
waiting for you."
Gabrielle took a
moment to admire Xena’s beauty. She floated in the words
that showed Xena’s growing desire.
"Why didn’t
it sound that good when I said it?" Gabrielle asked out
loud, surprised she had the ability to speak.
Xena cradled the
bard’s face in her hands.
"Because...
" Xena offered seductively. "We’re no longer in a
room filled with other people... It’s just you ... and I ...
alone."
Gabrielle never
thought such a sad word as ‘alone’ could call forth such
desire. But it did... Her heart was racing; her breathe more
strained. Gods how I want this woman Gabrielle thought
as she soaked up all of Xena’s features. Her crystal blue
eyes, her firm, round breast, her black, coarse triangle of
hair, all the way down to her overgrown toenails. Nothing
evaded Gabrielle’s eyes. And Xena hid nothing.
Desire, mixed with
her nervousness crept out and Gabrielle began to giggle.
Slowly, at first, then with more heart. Xena smiled warmly.
"Do I look
amusing Gabrielle?" Xena offered, stroking the woman’s
cheek. Soon the bard’s desire took precedence with the way
the warrior dragged out her name.
"No. I was
thinking I didn't expect the day to end this way,"
Gabrielle replied growing serious. "You... you look
delectable."
The sentence came
out deep and husky. Gabrielle never thought she would describe
herself as a wanton woman, but that’s exactly what she was
now. And with that thought, she found herself leaning against
the door for support, with her eyes closed.
"Gods,
you’re so beautiful," Xena whispered into her ear,
lightly licking the lobe as she spoke.
Gabrielle
couldn’t suppress the moan. In truth, she didn’t want to.
She wanted Xena to see and hear the affects of having her this
close did. Her desire was raging and her joy was overwhelming.
She wondered if she wasn’t dreaming. She had to find out.
"Is this
real?" she asked Xena, her eyes searching. "Am I
going to wake up yet again to find you on the other side of
the fire?"
Xena’s heart
melted at the honest. "I take it you’ve wanted this for
a long time?" she replied, leading her newfound lover to
the bed by the hand.
"Yes,"
Gabrielle replied with a shuttered.
"I see,"
Xena replied, casually dragging out the conversation, tracing
the young woman’s neck line with her finger after they sat
on the edge of the bed.
Gabrielle knew the
warrior was playing with her. The warrior never wanted to
‘talk’. At times it had been a sore spot for the bard
since she loved language so much. Her desire to touch Xena
now, without words was overwhelming, perhaps even a bit
unsettling, given her nature. But at second thought, Gabrielle
didn’t mind.
The waiting to feel
Xena was like torture one moment and Elysium the next. It made
her blood race frantically through her veins, unsure of what
location to attend to – her mind or her loins. She was
loving every moment.
"You
see?" the bard managed to ask.
"Oh yes
Gabrielle," the warrior replied. The bard tried hard to
stay focused in the conversation. The fact that Xena’s
fingertips had moved from her neck to her thighs didn’t
help. "I’ve wanted you for so long... I brought you out
into the world, away from Poteidaia. But Ephiny and the
amazons – they turned you into a woman. They gave you the
skills and the confidence you truly needed-."
"That’s not
true!" Gabrielle argued. "Xena, don’t you see the
love I have for you - the desire to be one with you - that
made me mature. You could never find a ‘girl’ sexy or
desirable. I realized I had to be become a woman for you to
notice me."
"Oh
really?" Xena prodded in the spirit of fun. "Just
when do you think I ‘noticed’ you?"
"You tell
me," Gabrielle countered.
Xena considered
retreating, but she promised herself as she waited for
Gabrielle that things would be different. She would open up
and show her heart, no matter what the consequence may be
someday.
"Okay,"
the warrior began getting herself in check. "It was the
day with Draco. I saw your spirit. And I felt inspired... Why
do you think I didn’t pack you off and send you back home? I
may not have realized it then, but I knew at that moment... I
loved you."
Gabrielle smiled.
Not so much at the confession of love but at the point she was
about to make. "Yes, Xena, but when did you realize you
wanted me?"
Xena watched
helplessly as Gabrielle stood and removed her dress off her
shoulders. Xena watched it fall into a puddle before her eyes
traveled up the bard’s lovely naked body. Xena sat still as
Gabrielle lowered herself onto her lap to face her.
"When
Xena?" Gabrielle whispered, kissing Xena’s neck.
"When did you know you enjoyed watching me bathe?"
The kisses worked their way around to the opposite side.
"When did you realized you enjoyed watched my mid-drift
when we practiced my staff?" Her hands, lightly skimmed
across Xena’s erect nipples. "When did you realized you
wanted to hear my cry of ecstasy?"
Xena moaned as
Gabrielle continued, the physical and verbal assault.
"When
Xena?" Gabrielle provoked. "When did you realized
you wanted to taste my mouth," the bard asked, tracing
the warrior’s lips. "...my skin," she continued,
stroking the length of Xena’s body. "...my
wetness," she asked as she plunged two finger deep inside
of herself getting them slick. "... When Xena?" she
asked yet again as she brought those fingers to the blue eyed
beauty’s mouth. " ...When?"
Xena closed her
eyes and sucked greedily on the bard’s fingers. The feel of
Xena’s wet tongue rolling around her digits and the
satisfied moans of her lover caused Gabrielle to whimper.
Xena had enough.
She pulled the woman down, capturing her lips, plunging her
tongue deep inside. Gabrielle enjoyed the taste of herself in
Xena’s mouth, making her grow wetter than before. Xena too
could feel the wetness, trickling to her thigh. The sensation
unleashed the warriors’ deep passion and she found herself
suddenly over Gabrielle, with the bard’s back on the bed.
Gabrielle herself was unsure of just how she got into this
position, but she loved the feel of Xena’s weight above her.
Xena paused a
moment to gaze into the beautiful eyes that captured her
heart. Gabrielles’ desire played across her face as well as
her own desire reflected back at her.
Gabrielle brushed
Xena’s long tresses behind one ear before caressing the
warrior’s face.
"Take
me," she pleaded softly. Xena was all but helpless to
comply.
Her lips dove into
Gabrielle’s neck with a hungry groan. Her teeth plucked at
the flesh lightly, bringing goosebumps on the bard’s body.
The feel of Gabrielle’s petite hands caressing her back set
Xena ablaze. Xena’s mouth worked down swiftly, catching
Gabrielle’s nipple in her mouth, kneading it with her tongue
and lips.
Gabrielle’s hips
rose, at the contact and Xena could feel how excited the bard
truly was getting. She had to feel the dampness of
Gabrielle’s desire with her fingertips. So continuing to
administer affection with her lips, Xena’s hand slowly crept
down.
Suddenly, Gabrielle
gripped her hand. For a brief moment Xena thought she had gone
too far to fast. That was until Gabrielle forced Xena’s
fingers inside of her, bucking her hips to begin a sensuous
rhythm. Xena couldn’t believe all the nectar she found
there.
"Oh
Gabrielle," Xena said pumping harder and faster into the
gorgeous bard.
Gabrielle was pure
lust, striving for all the pleasure Xena’s skillful hands
could bring. Xena watched her lover. The look in Gabrielle’s
eyes, the desperate want that showed on her young face,
captured Xena and refused to let go.
"You feel so
warm, so wet," the warrior complimented.
"Oh yes,"
Gabrielle whispered. "For you," she struggled with
her words. "For you."
Gabrielle had to
know. She wanted to feel Xena, to taste her. She ripped
Xena’s hand away and threw the warrior on her back. Xena’s
passion dropped slightly from the surprise. It quickly
returned when she felt Gabrielle’s moist lips, laying claim
to her center.
No lingering kisses
on her thighs, no light fondling on her labia. Gabrielle was
quick and to the point. I like that, Xena thought as
she lay helpless in Gabrielle’s lips. The bard was greedily
sucking and licking at Xena’s juices. Watching Gabrielle
between her thighs, moaning in pleasure, devouring her body,
did as much for Xena as the actual contact. Soon Gabrielle’s
efforts focused solely on the warrior’s large clit. I
really like that. Xena smirked, releasing a lingering
moan.
"Like that do
you?" Gabrielle teased. It was uncanny the way the petite
woman could almost always read the warriors' thoughts.
"Very
much," Xena answered in a throaty voice.
Slowly, Gabrielle
inserted two fingers. Once slick, she began moving quicker in
and out. "And that? Do you like that, Xena?"
Xena’s head began
to thrash back and forth her dark mane spreading over the
pillow. "Oh Gods. Yes," Xena answered obediently,
working her hips to meet the bards’ hand.
Gabrielle added a
third finger. She didn’t have to ask this time. Xena already
began to answer. "Yes, Gabrielle," she whispered,
moving even faster, lifting her back from the bed. "Yes!
Don’t stop. Don’t stop," she pleaded.
Gabrielle smiled.
The mighty warrior princess begging her, the little
bard from Poteidaia. It was quite a sight. Gabrielle wanted
and needed Xena’s release as much as the warrior did, if not
more. Witnessing Xena’s desire climb higher and higher,
ignited the bards own passion and her lips and tongue went
back to reclaim the warrior’s nub.
Xena’s hips
slowed down, savoring the feel of Gabrielle’s mouth on her
once more as her fingers plunged and recoiled.
Gabrielle could
feel Xena’s muscles tense; then relax. Then tense again. She
was close.
"Oh Xena.
Please. Please come for me. Come for me. I need to taste your
love for me." The bard now found herself begging, totally
captivated by the raven-haired woman’s movements and sounds.
"Come,"
she order seductively. "Come."
That voice,
Xena thought. That beautiful voice. Yes love. I’ll come
for you. I’ll come for you. Xena wanted to tell her so
much but she couldn’t vocalize it. Instead she found herself
exclaiming only the bards' name as she reached her climax.
"Gabri...
elllllle!"
Xena’s body shook
with her overwhelming satisfaction. Gabrielle pulled away from
her duties to admire Xena’s convulsing body. In a moment,
however the bards’ head shot back down and she gathered the
nectar that trickled out of her beautiful love, lapping it up
devotedly.
Xena’s muscle
control returned and she had only one thing on her mind. She
pulled Gabrielle onto her knees and quickly ducked her head
between them. The bard seemed even wetter than before. And her
taste was incredible.
"So
sweet," Xena mumbled against Gabrielle’s slick skin.
"So delicious... ummmm."
The sound of
approval vibrated against the bard, making her gasp. "Oh
by the Gods, Xena... What are you doing to me?" the bard
pleaded.
"What am I
doing?!" Xena teased. "I’m going to make you
come," she added alluringly. Gabrielle knew that wicked
smile was on Xena’s face even though she couldn’t see it.
"I’m going to make you come," the warrior went on.
"... all over my face."
Gabrielle’s groan
came from deep within her. And Xena knew just what place.
This opening up and talking more might not be that bad,
Xena amused. Gods, listen to the sounds she’s making.
Xena was taken aback. She never realized Gabrielle could be so...
animalistic. So lustful. It didn’t fit her picture of her
adorable bard. But that’s not to say she didn’t like it.
Maybe Gabrielle had a dark side too. Raw and assertive. The
thought made the warrior work harder; faster.
"Yes,
Xena," Gabrielle coached. "Just like that. Do it
like that. I’m goin’ do it Xena. I’m goin’ come all
over your face... That’s what you want huh?" she asked
rhetorically, as she pitched her own nipples; playing with her
breasts.
Xena could only
moan. This was her Gabrielle. The one she always knew was
there. She could always feel Gabrielle’s passion lingering
under the surface - when she told stories, when she faced down
foes. It had always been there but now it was finally being
released. To say that Xena totally enjoyed it was a gross
understatement.
Yes... Yes...
the warrior repeated over and over in her mind. Suddenly the
bard stiffened. And Xena knew. "Oh yeah," Xena
sneered. "Gabrielle do it... do it."
Gabrielle arched
her back as the waves overtook her. It felt like a river was
escaping as she cried.
"Oh Gods,
Xena." She struggled with the words as she started to
shake. "Yes! It feels like Elysian! Yes!"
Gabrielle
couldn’t support herself any long and started to tumble on
the bed but Xena caught her and rested her down gently. The
warrior lightly caressed the trembling woman allowing all her
love to seep from her fingertips. Once the bard’s breathing
was close to normal only then did the warrior kiss her
tenderly on the lips.
"Thank
you," Gabrielle whispered.
"Thank
YOU," Xena replied. "I’ve never been able to get
pleasure from giving pleasure."
"Never?"
Gabrielle asked.
"No.
Never," Xena grinned.
The bard looked
deep into Xena’s eyes. "Neither have I," she
confessed.
They both moved
forward for another kiss when they heard a knock at the door.
"Who is
it?" Xena asked in her ‘masculine’ voice.
"It’s
Salmoneus. Can I come in?"
Gabrielle’s eyes
got wide. And Xena released a small chuckle.
"Better cover
up your unmentionables," Xena whispered.
She rose and put
her robe back on, making sure it was tied this time as she
answered.
"What do you
want?" Xena asked harshly as she met him. It would have
come across more threatening if it weren’t for the small
grin on her lips Gabrielle had put there as a result of their
earlier activities.
"Your
share," he said holding a pouch. "Gabrielle said
you’d be getting an early start tomorrow to avoid the king.
I thought I’d bring it now before I retire for the
evening."
Xena grinned.
"Keep it. I can’t take your money... I think of you as
a friend Salmoneus. It wouldn’t be right."
Salmoneus now
grinned. "Are you sure? There’s a thousand dinars in
here. After the performance the king upped my commission as a
way of saying thanks."
Xena could hear
Gabrielle gasp in the background when he revealed the amount.
Xena seemed unsure. But Salmoneus handed her the bag.
"Here Xena. I
don’t have many friends... Consider it a gift... And perhaps
a down payment on a future favor." He winked.
She did need the
money - a new saddle for Argo, perhaps a few extra nights at
some village inns, new undergarments for Gabrielle, maybe some
thing in leather. Xena grinned at the thought.
"Okay,"
she agreed, taking the bag. "Just promise you’ll stay
out of trouble long enough for me to enjoy my honeymoon."
She replied pointing to the bard, wrapped up in the sheets.
Salmoneus stepped
more inside and shot a few glances back and forth between the
two women. He began to grin.
"Remember rule
three Salmoneus. Tell no one," she whispered. "Or I’ll cut of
the flow of blood to you brain so fast you’d wish you were
decapitated."
"Not even
Hercules," he teased.
Xena sneered.
"Okay! I get
the point," he whispered. "You’re a lucky lady,
you know that, Xena?"
Xena looked back at
Gabrielle, who was blushing. And it lightened her mood.
"Yes I know," she replied, turning to face him
again.
"I think
she’s pretty lucky too." He winked again and made his
way across the hall to his bed chamber. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight,"
she replied locking the door again.
"Honeymoon,
huh?" Gabrielle said as Xena took off her robe and
climbed into bed. "Don’t you have to be married to have
a honeymoon, Xena?"
"Yep,"
she replied casually. Gabrielle waited for the warrior to
continue. Xena realized that was her cue. "Oh, I though
the amazons would do us the honor... That is, of course, if
you feel I’m worthy enough to be the consort of the
queen."
Gabrielle
straightened herself to a sitting position. "And just
what makes you think I want to marry you?"
"You mean you
don’t?" Xena asked casually.
"I didn’t
say that." Gabrielle grinned.
"Good,"
Xena replied, bringing the bard to her chest, nestling into
the bed. "Then it’s settled."
Gabrielle smiled
against the warrior’s shoulder. "I love you Xena."
Xena reflected on
the words and their conversation earlier that got cut short by
their passion. "When I died," Xena whispered.
"What?"
"You had asked
when I first wanted you. It was when I died...
Everything you did to bring me back. Your loyalty. Your
devotion... Your maturity... I knew you were a
‘woman’, in every sense of the word."
Gabrielle placed
her head back down on Xena’s chest, snuggling closer.
"And Gabrielle, when you wake up you’ll be here in my
arms tomorrow... and every morning after. We’ll never sleep
on opposite sides of a camp again."
Gabrielle placed a
loving kiss on Xena’s neck. "One more thing," Xena
said reached over to extinguish the lantern. "...I love
you too."
Xena could feel
Gabrielle’s love and joy wash over her. Yeah, Xena
admitted freely. This talking stuff ain’t bad at all.
The End
|