ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

A Holiday To Remember

by ForevaXena

Disclaimer:  Xena, Gabrielle and the gang belong to Ren Pics and MCA/Universal.  I would never try to take that from them, but I thank them for allowing me the indulgence to play with their children in manners much more appealing than we usually get to witness on the telly!  This work is strictly for entertainment purposes and not for profit.  Although, profit is good cause it helps me buy more Xena merchandise! <VBG>

Copyright © 1999/2000: No part of this story may be reproduced without the author's expressed consent, but I'd be happy to approve any such requests.

Timeline:  This story takes place in the 2nd Season right after "Lost Mariner". (SPOILER ALERT)  This is my take on when I think our grrls first "got it together".

Violence disclaimer: None here!

Love/Sex warning: Oh yeah, there will be some of that....<BEG> And it will be GRAPHIC!  So if you can't stand the thought of 2 women having passionate sex, what the Hell are you doing on my site!! Of course, if you are underage, please read the general stuff until you hit the big 1 - 8!  And ,if you live in a place where this type of love is still considered illegal, for Gods' sakes, get a U-Haul and MOVE!!  Everybody else, I hope you'll enjoy the story!  The pool is now open....

Rating:  NC - 17

Dedication:  This is dedicated to my love, my soulmate and partner of almost 11 years, Sandra.  You complete what I start....thanks for loving me like you do.  I know it's not an easy job! <G>

Thanks:  A very special "Thank You" to Diamonddog for giving me the courage to post my 1st FanFic attempt.  And to think that I started out as her beta-reader!! <LOL>  Thanks for your support and encouragement DD,  I probably wouldn't have done it without you :o)  And a second huge "Thank You" to Jordan Falconer who, along with Diamonddog, has provided me more support and encouragement than I could have ever expected to receive.  Thanks ladies, you are the perfect balance of exactly what I needed to kick-start my muse and keep her engine running!

Notes:  I started this piece over a year ago and never quite finished it.  I actually have quite a bit more completed, but I am re-shaping it and therefore making it an ongoing series for now.

I'd love to hear what you think, this is one budding bard that could use the feedback!  ForevaXena@forevaxena.zzn.com  Do be kind, this IS my first attempt at FanFic <G>

Cover by ForevaXena

(Click photo for larger image)

The image before Xena’s eyes was so beautiful she felt as if her heart would explode from the sight.  Her sweet Gabrielle stood before her, slowly undressing herself.  "Xena, by the Gods, I’ve waited so long for this moment.  Please take me now and make me yours, my love," the bard pleaded.  Xena felt her heart skip a beat in its quest to completely leave her body. 

How had they made it to this point?  It was not that long ago that Gabrielle had married Perdicus, confirming the warrior’s worst fear that she would never have her in the way she wanted.  Although they shared a very special bond, Gabrielle obviously wanted and needed a man to give her life’s true pleasure.  Xena was devastated but would only think of her bard’s happiness.  The warrior would keep a stiff upper lip and get on with her life, but Gods help Perdicus if he ever betrayed Gabrielle’s love.  

When did Gabrielle start to bring out these feelings in her?  She had not trusted anyone since childhood, and she certainly never let anyone control her very being in this way before.  For all the love she felt for Marcus, it was never even close to this.  Then, as suddenly as the loneliness began to sink in, her Gabrielle was returned to her by the thrust of Callisto’s sword.  For a brief second in time, Xena’s feelings had actually turned to gratitude for her nemesis.

Now the warrior was snapped back into reality at the vision of Gabrielle’s naked body.  The bard spoke sweetly, in a new, unfamiliar tone, "Xena I’m yours, now and forever.  Please make love to me."  It was the sound of unfulfilled lust, yet there was so much love in it that Xena began to cry as she enveloped her sweetheart in her strong arms.

********************************************************************

"Xena, *shake* Xena, wake up."  The words snapped the warrior awake with a violent, dizzying jolt.  "You were dreaming," Gabrielle explained with a look of concern.  "What were you dreaming about?" she asked, unaccustomed to seeing the warrior so emotionally shaken.

As Xena tried to focus her eyes on Gabrielle, she cursed the Gods for tormenting her like this.  "Ah, n-n-nothing important," she stammered.  Pulling herself together she stood up, "I’m going for a walk to clear my head.  Go back to sleep Gabrielle, I’m fine.  Just some old memories from the past sneaking up on me again.  With that, Xena stepped into the darkness and the tears flowed freely, her sobs becoming uncontrollable.

These dreams would never be reality; being close to Gabrielle day in and day out was going to drive her insane, she thought, but yet she knew she’d die if the bard left her side again.  Still, something had to be done.  How could she call herself a warrior yet be so afraid that admitting her true feelings would drive her best friend away?  THAT was it, wasn’t it?  Gabrielle had said, ‘I love you,’ many times, yet Xena assumed that what she was referring to was the love for a friend.  Xena was attracted to Gabrielle from the moment she saw her bravely fighting off slavers in defense of her village, Poteidaia, yet she had never desired her as intensely as she did now.  What had changed so much that she would almost swear Gabrielle had the same yearnings?  Was she reading too much into the bard’s words, and was she willing to risk losing her and her friendship if she was wrong?  NO!  She couldn’t be wrong.  Xena’s mind snapped to the clearest picture she’d had in days.  It was last week on Cecrop’s ship when Gabrielle had run into her arms and said, ‘I love you.’  She had just jumped onto the ship of the damned to be with her Gabrielle because nothing else mattered, it hadn’t for a very long time.  Gabrielle practically attacked her as she climbed down the ship’s mast.  It HAD been different this time, Xena knew it deep in her heart. 

**********************************************************************

It was as if Gabrielle knew that they would surely be together forever because Xena had knowingly boarded a cursed ship to be with her.  The feeling when Gabrielle held her champion, in that instant, was very new, and her professed words of love had matched her feelings to perfection.  But their being together forever on this ship was not to be.  Still, the feelings were strong.  "Why hasn’t Xena brought up the subject?" Gabrielle thought as she sat in the dark camp worried about what was troubling her warrior enough to bring tears to her dreams.  Why would her troubled past suddenly be bothering her so much?  That just couldn’t be the problem.  What was she hiding; didn’t she know she could trust Gabrielle with anything?  "Oh Gods", thought the bard, "maybe the problem is ME!  Maybe she felt what I felt on that ship and she doesn’t want it.  How could I think she would feel the same way.  We’re best friends, that’s ALL.  Xena’s had so many men in her life, what would make me think she’d ever want to be with me like that?"  Gabrielle suddenly realized that the love and total adoration she’d felt so long for Xena would probably never be returned in the same way, and she began to cry uncontrollably. 

***********************************************************************

Making her way slowly back into the thick line of trees encircling their campsite, Xena heard Gabrielle’s mournful sobs.  The warrior burst into a sprint and was at the bard’s side in seconds.  Kneeling down she cradled Gabrielle in her arms. "Gabrielle, what happened, what’s wrong?"

Stunned that Xena had caught her in this state, Gabrielle choked out the words, "I_g-g-guess_it’s_a___night for bad_d-dreams."

"Shhhh," cooed Xena, "It’s all right now, I’m here."  Gabrielle fought desperately to fight the tears; just being in Xena’s arms felt wonderful, even if it wasn’t how she wanted it to be. 

Xena knew she had to do something, she had obviously scarred Gabrielle with the talk of her past haunting her dreams.  She knew the bard was afraid that the evil warlord Xena had once been would resurface.  The thought of this frightened the warrior herself as she gently rocked Gabrielle in her arms.  If she was going to make up stories to cover her true feelings, she had better come up with less frightening ones.  One thing was sure, they both needed some time to unwind from recent events.

As Gabrielle relaxed in Xena’s arms, an idea struck, "Gabrielle, what do you think of us taking a holiday?"  The bard looked quizzically into Xena’s beautiful blue eyes, which were accented in the moonlight.  "We have some extra dinars right now and I know you have been wanting to go to Calorphius, so why not now?  We can set out at morning’s light and be there by supper," Xena said as she flashed the smile that only she could.

Gabrielle’s heart missed a beat, but she recovered quickly, "Well, only if you promise that when we get to the lake you will finally teach me how to catch a fish!" Gabrielle chuckled as she felt her tension slip away.

"Deal!" replied Xena.  Somewhere in the back of her soul, the ache was persistent.  As they both fell back into a deep, restful sleep in each other’s arms, the warrior’s last coherent thought was, "You’ve already caught a big one!" and inside she smiled with thoughts of what the future would hold.

Part 2

Back to FanFic Index