ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Somewhere In Time by Friction

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Xena:  Warrior Princess, Gabrielle and all other characters that have appeared in the syndicated series are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures.  No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction.  This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way.  Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

LOVE/SEX WARNING DISCLAIMER: For some, Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship has transcended sex.  Frankly, if I began subscribing to that notion, my partner would check me for a pulse;-) For better or worse, my fantasies have not evolved beyond the romantic level, so you’re in for a fair amount of explicit sex between two consenting women.  If you're under 18, live someplace where this is illegal, or it’s not your thing please look elsewhere.  There is a lot of wonderful fan fiction of every variety to choose from.

GENRE: This story doesn’t fit anywhere neatly.   It’s semi-hurt/comfort and semi-uberxena.  Think romance.

SPECIAL WARNING: Some may find this a bit of a rocky road.   Hang in there.  I promise I’ll bring you home safely;-)

THANKS TO: (and they really deserve it.)
Many, many thanks to my three incredible proof readers/moral supporters: B L Miller, Lunacy and my partner, Pam.  This story simply would not have happened without them.  Their input made an incredible difference. 

The brightness blinded her.  She was falling, spiraling out of control.  A clap of thunder sounded with a deafening crack.  The muscles of her legs strained as her feet made hard contact with a solid surface. 

Immediately, the stench of rotting food assaulted her senses.  The air felt thick, unclean.   In the distance, she could hear loud noises and rushing sounds.  At first she was certain she had stepped into a war zone, but soon the blaring horns faded into the distance, leaving only a general din that made the warrior feel very uneasy.

As her eyes adjusted, she saw a smooth stone corridor lined with large metal bins.  They appeared to be overflowing with garbage.   Slowly she made her way toward the light at the opposite end.  Suddenly she froze.   A rustling sound caught her attention and she spun, ready to defend herself.  

An elderly woman stepped from behind one of the bins. 

Xena eyed her cautiously. 

The bag lady stepped back, startled to see a naked woman standing in her alley.  Wary and streetwise, her attitude changed almost instantly from surprise to suspicion.  While sizing up the dark-haired stranger, she spoke up sternly.  "This is my alley."

Her language was unusual but the warrior instinctively understood her words.  Certain the goddess was responsible, she silently thanked her.  As she opened her mouth to speak, she was interrupted by a loud noise blaring at the end of the alley.  She jumped protectively to the old woman’s side as a large metal machine rushed past the entrance.

Concerned by her over-reaction to the traffic, the bag lady eyed her cautiously.  "You one of those psycho-killers?"  She asked, backing up nervously.

Realizing that the old woman wasn't a threat, Xena relaxed and slumped against the cool metal container, her body drained from coming through the tear.  "No, I..." She stopped, not certain how to explain.

The shift in the naked stranger’s body language seemed to put the bag lady at ease.  She looked curiously at the tall dark-haired woman before her.  "You aren’t going to hurt old Gert, are you?"

Xena shook her head. 

The simple reassurance seemed to satisfy the woman.  "Where are your clothes, girl?  They’re sure to lock you up, wandering around that way."  Gert rummaged through her cart, tossing her a tattered sweater.  The soiled material was coarse and sour smelling but Xena slipped it on gratefully.  Finding an old pair of men’s work pants, the old woman handed them to her. 

Thanking her new friend, she quickly slid them on.  The tattered pants were a little long, but fit well enough when she rolled up the cuffs.   The warrior buttoned the top and looked puzzled at the large opening below it.

Gert continued to look her over curiously.  "What’s your name?"

"Xena."

"Xena?  That’s an odd one.  You’re not from around here are you?"

The warrior smiled.  "No."

"You best zip your fly."

"My fly?"

"Yeah, pull up your zipper."

"Zipper?"

The old woman frowned, quickly losing patience.  "Yeah zipper, the metal thing that closes your pants."  Seeing the confusion on the stranger’s face, she softened her expression.  Sure that the young woman's mind was addled, she looked at her sympathetically 

Once again, Xena looked down to the opening of her pants. 

"Pull up on that metal tab there," the old woman instructed.

The warrior slid it up and down several times, studying the device with great interest.

Gert couldn’t help grinning.  "There, you should fit right in now.  Pants are a little baggy but hell, that’s the way they all wear 'um."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome honey.  Where you headed?"

"I’m not sure.  I’m looking for a friend... a young blonde woman."

"Unless she lives on the streets I wouldn’t know her.   What’s her name?"

"Gabrielle."

"Nope I don’t know any Gabrielle's.  But I can ask around."  She looked down sadly at Xena’s bare feet.   "It’s pretty cold to go without shoes."  Giving her cart one more go through, she looked up frowning.    "Nothing.   Let’s check out the dumpsters; maybe we’ll get lucky."  She motioned to the metal boxes across the way.  "You look through the ones on the end." 

Xena followed her instructions and began searching though the rather disgusting bins.  She was confused by their many odd and unrecognizable contents.

Gert worked diligently across the way.  After a short time, she pulled a pink high-top sneaker from the trash and smiled triumphantly.  Laying it carefully on top of her cart, she quickly rummaged for its mate.  In moments she had located the other shoe and was about to call out when three dark figures appeared.  She looked fearfully in Xena’s direction. 

A short stalky man stepped out of the shadows and glared at her evilly. "You have a hearing problem, you old witch?  We told you to stop stinking up our alley."  He took a step toward her, smiling at his two friends when she cowered. 

Gert glanced nervously toward the end of the alley.

"If you don’t leave, we’ll take care of you the way we do the rest of the garbage."   He held up a lighter and flicked it menacingly.

She grabbed her cart and tried to run, but the tallest of the men yanked it from her grasp, dumping some of the contents.   Gert let out a horrified cry.  Instantly Xena was beside her.

"Hey, look what we have here."  The leader hooked his fingers in his belt, leering at her. 

Xena carefully sized them up.  The thugs looked fairly ordinary and although she was confident she could handle them, she didn’t want any trouble.  Her goal was to find Gabrielle. 

The bag lady cast Xena a worried glance.  She knew first hand what these men were capable of.

The leader took a step toward the dark-haired woman.  "You’re not bad looking for a bum."

Gert took Xena’s hand protectively.  "Please...  We’ll leave."  She tugged at the tall woman's arm.  The warrior stood fast, never taking her eyes from the men.

"Ah, not so fast old woman.  I kinda like this one."  He smiled and reached out to touch Xena’s face. 

The coldness in her eyes sent a chill through him.   He had seen enough of street life to recognize trouble when he saw it.  He let his hand drop and sneered.  "You still smell like a bum though."  He laughed with his buddies.  "Leave this junk and get out of here before we torch you both."

"I... I can’t leave my things," Gert replied nervously, her body trembling.

"They worth your miserable lives?" he said in a threatening tone.  

Xena watched as he slowly pulled an unusual object from his jacket.  He grinned as a blade sprang from the handle, glimmering ominously in the faint light. 

In a flash, the warrior grabbed his wrist and brought it down hard on her raised knee.  The knife clattered to the ground.  He cried out in pain as she twisted his arm behind him and shoved him forward into his friend.  The third man turned to her, pointing a short silver object in her direction.

There was a deafening noise.   Xena felt a searing pain tear through her side as the force of the shot pushed her back, throwing her off balance.  The last thing she heard before her head struck the pavement was Gert's scream. 

Everything went black.

*****

Blinding light shone above her.  She assumed immediately that she had died and wondered if the eerie illumination surrounding her was from the fires of Tartarus.  Her limbs felt numb.   She tried to move but couldn’t.  Her arms were bound and she briefly wondered if she was tied to a cross.  Blinking, she struggled to get her bearings.  Flames blurred confusingly in a diffuse light, robbing the warrior of all sense of direction and balance.

She felt drained, her limbs weighted down, heavy as if she'd been drugged.  A relentless drowsiness tugged at her. The temptation to let it take her was strong.  It would be so easy to drift into unconsciousness.  Disoriented and confused, one thought remained constant: Gabrielle.   She had to make it back to the bard.

Her wrists burned as she struggled desperately to raise her arms.  She fought the weariness by focusing on the painful tearing of her skin.  A cool sensation trailed down her fingers that she knew was her own blood.

Suddenly, something snapped, freeing an arm.  Loud voices cried out around her and strong hands tried to pin her down.  Confused, Xena swung wildly to fend off her attackers and felt the crunch of bone as her fist made contact.  There were people everywhere clutching at her, pulling her down. Disoriented by the strange light and the heaviness in her limbs, she was unable to keep her attackers at bay.  Something sharp bit into her skin, robbing her of what little strength remained.   Her eyes fluttered shut and darkness beckoned as the voices around her faded away.

"Jesus Christ!  Is she out?  Get her secured!"

A man was screaming in the background.  "Ahhhh, my arm!"

"Get him next door, stat!"  

"Is she under?" Something penetrated her skin and she weakly tried to fight it off.

"Damn, she’s still struggling!  Up the dosage." Another prick of the skin, another burning sensation and her body went limp.

"Get that arm in restraints, now!" 

As a numbing coldness spread throughout her body, her last thought was of Gabrielle.

*****

The young blonde doctor got off the elevator at the surgical ward and hurried around the corner to the nurses' station. 

Looking down at her watch, the curly haired nurse shook her head in disapproval.  "Late again.  I swear you’re gonna to miss your own funeral."

"Sorry, I got held up with a patient," the young woman explained

"You’ll never change.  When are you going to learn to say no?"

The blonde smiled.  "I’m working on it, Ellie."

"Hmmm, we’ll see."  The nurse looked at her skeptically, then released a heavy sigh.  "Come on, I’m hungry.   Let’s get some lunch and you can..." An alarm over the intercom cut her off.  It was a security breech on her wing.  

"Code C, Room 311."   Ellie motioned down the hall and took off running.  The young doctor followed close behind. 

A tall dark-haired woman turned the corner in front of them holding a metal bed rail in one hand; her wrist still attached to it with a restraint.  She swung it wildly as if clearing the path in front of her. 

A broken IV line hung from her arm and the left side of her hospital gown was soaked with blood.  As she made her way down the hall, she teetered precariously, bumping into walls.  Her hair hung wildly about her face and her eyes darted about frantically, giving her an almost feral appearance.

She took a swing toward the figures looming before her.  The rail struck the nurse in the hip.  Ellie cried out in pain and fell to the floor. 

The young woman rushed to place herself between the crazed patient and her injured friend, holding out her hands protectively.  "Stop!  She’s hurt."  

Xena froze in place. Eyes blurry, her head snapped in the direction of the voice.  All strength leaving her, she released the rail.  It clattered to the floor and hung limply at her side.  She stared in the blonde’s direction, struggling to bring her in focus.  Her chest heaved, her breath labored and raspy.    

The doctor noticed her pupils were fully dilated, a sign that she was heavily drugged.  The woman staggered, barely managing to stay on her feet.  She tried to take a step forward and lost her balance, dropping to her knees.  Her hands reached out desperately, the rail scraping the floor beside her. 

The young blonde's attention was fully focused on the crazed patient. The haunted look on her face was mesmerizing, her features striking.  She was the most beautiful woman the doctor had ever seen.

From behind her, three security guards slowly closed in.  Xena sensed their approach and spun to face them.  Snarling like a trapped animal, she held the rail in front of her as weapon.  She had heard the voice of her beloved and no one was going to keep her from her.

Silently motioning them back, the blonde spoke softly to the distressed woman.  "Easy, it’s going to be okay." 

Immediately, Xena turned to face her, arms outstretched.  It felt like the ground beneath her was rolling.   Her vision was hazy.   She tried to focus on the familiar voice, inch her way toward it, but her hand clutched at empty air.  A frustrated groan tore from her lungs. 

The doctor reached out and lightly grasped the outstretched hand in her own.  

A soft moan escaped the dark-haired woman’s lips and she tightened her hold, trembling at the contact.  Her blue eyes filled with tears as she pulled the blonde's hand to her.  Pressing the warm flesh to her lips, she inhaled her scent and nearly swooned, falling forward against the young woman.  On contact, the tension drained from her body and she melted into the smaller woman.  Safe at last, her body went limp.  

The doctor instinctively wrapped her arms around the patient, comforting her.  One hand traced slow circles over her back, rubbing gently.  "It’s going to be okay." 

Xena lifted her head and brushed her lips against the smaller woman’s neck.  The blonde felt a rush of heat as the warm breath caressed her skin.  "Gabrielle."

A shiver passed through the doctor as the woman whispered her name.  Her voice was utterly compelling, stirring something deep inside.  Confused, she pulled back, trying to concentrate on the situation at hand.  With alarm, she noticed that the stain on the hospital gown had grown and quickly examined the woman's injuries.   "You're hurt.  I have to get you to a room." 

Reaching down, Gabrielle untied the rail from the patient's arm, letting it slide to the floor.  Her fingers trailed lightly over the bruised wrist assessing the damage. Gently placing her hands under the woman’s arms, she helped her to her feet.  

Xena rested against her, breathing more easily now.  Although unsteady on her feet, with the doctor’s arm around her waist she managed to stay upright.  She pressed gratefully into the warm body beside her.

"That’s right.  Lean on me."  Leading her to the closest room, she carefully maneuvered her to the bed.  Gingerly sitting her down, she shifted the patient back and smoothed the damp bangs out of her eyes.  "There, now just relax." 

Xena clung to the young woman's hand as if it were her only connection to life.  Exhausted, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep her eyes open.  She tried to speak but her words came out in a soft whisper. 

Gabrielle bent close to hear but ‘you’ was the only word she was able to make out before the patient drifted off. 

Even in sleep, the dark-haired woman maintained a firm grip on the blonde's hand.  The desperate way she held fast tugged at the doctor's heart.  As her hold gradually relaxed, Gabrielle slid her hand free.   Quietly taking a seat beside her, the doctor examined her chart.  She looked up as Ellie slowly approached, clutching her hip.  "Are you okay?"  Concerned, she began to stand. 

The nurse laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sit still.  I’m fine, but I think I’m going to have one hell of a bruise tomorrow."  The blonde grimaced in sympathy and called to a second nurse.  "Can you bring me a suture kit?  She’s torn some stitches."  Wasting no time, the young doctor immediately set to work cleaning the wound and expertly re-stitching the incision. 

Once she had finished, she turned to Ellie.  "What do you know about this patient?"

"They brought her in last night with a gunshot wound.  She came awake in the OR and went berserk.  Broke Dr. Mercer’s arm and injured a number of staff.  It took seven people to restrain her.  After surgery they brought her up here and put her in restraints with orders to keep her heavily sedated.  Somehow she came out of it and you saw the rest.  Can you believe it?  She tore the rail right off the bed."

"Was she high on something?"

"Nothing the blood work showed.  The sedation alone should have kept her out.  Makes you wonder what demons she's fighting."  She shook her head in astonishment. 

"Mmm," the doctor mumbled, her eyes taking in what little information the chart had to tell her.

"It was amazing how she responded to you, Gab.   Do you know her?"

"If I met her, I can’t remember.  She said my name but maybe she heard someone else use it."  What puzzled the young doctor most was how easily her name flowed from the drugged woman's lips, as if it had been said a thousand times before.

Gabrielle glanced again at the chart.  There’s no name listed here."

"No.  She came in without ID.  Looks like an indigent."

Dr. Coleson rounded the corner.  He greeted Gabrielle and looked sternly at the nurses.  "This patient should be in restraints."

"That was my call."  Gabrielle interceded.   "She’s resting comfortably now."

"Do you know how many people she’s injured since she got here?"  He turned to the guard.  "I want her in restraints.  Now!"  The guard quickly complied.  Coleson motioned to the nurse.  "Get her set up on a new IV and start the sedation as ordered." 

Gabrielle took his arm.   "Dennis, can I see you outside for a moment?"  He nodded and walked with her into the hallway.

"What’s this about Gab, I thought you were on vacation?"

She smiled.  "Today’s my last day.  A few weeks to prepare for the wedding, then we’re off to Tortola."

"For once take my advice.  The last thing you want to do is get yourself involved in this. The woman’s trouble."

"Look, I don’t mean to intrude on your case but she responded well to me.  I’d like to help."

"You always were a sucker for the hard cases."  He shook his head in frustration.  "Do what you want.  Hell, I’d just as soon have her off my hands.  Just be careful.  I don’t want Peter coming after me if she puts you in traction before the wedding."

Gabrielle laughed.  "She’s not going to hurt me." It never even occurred to her to question why she believed that to be true.  She just knew it.

"Right, famous last words.  Just ask Dr. Mercer.  She broke his arm last night."

"I heard."  Gabrielle winced. 

"She's a violent one."

"Dennis, I think she’s having a bad reaction to the sedative.  I want to ease her off.  I’d like to have her conscious, see what she can tell us."

Doctor Coleson hesitated for a minute, then shook his head certain he would regret his decision. "Your instincts are good.  You take the lead on this one.   But keep the restraints, huh?"

"Okay. Thanks Dennis." 

"Sure."  He gave her a worried glance.  She hadn’t been herself the past few weeks.  Maybe it was the stress of planning the wedding.  He missed her energy and bubbly enthusiasm.  He laid a hand on her shoulder.  "Gab, try to spend some of your vacation having fun.  Don’t let this patient take up all your time.  You need a break."

"Yeah, hopefully things will quiet down after the wedding.  Are you going to be able to make it?"

"Are you kidding?  We wouldn’t miss it."  He smiled and headed down the corridor.  She watched him go then returned to the woman’s bedside.

Ellie’s curiosity got the best of her.  "What’s up?"

"Put me on her chart as the doctor on record." 

Ellie rolled her eyes.  "I suppose it won’t do me any good to argue with you." 

Gabrielle smiled.  "No, I’m afraid not."

"I figured as much.  So what’s the game plan, Doc?"

"I’m going to ease her off the sedatives.  Then we’ll see."  She glanced at the woman bound helplessly to the bed.  Even asleep there was an edge to her.  Gabrielle watched her hands twitch beneath the restraints. 

Inadvertently, the doctor’s fingers grazed the bronzed skin of the woman’s arm.  It felt cool to the touch.  She pulled the covers up and tucked them lightly around her.  The woman’s eyes moved beneath the lids in deep REM sleep. 

Assuming her patient would not be conscious for quite a while, she decided to use the time to her best advantage.  "I’m going to finish my rounds and bring some case files back here to work on.  If there’s any change, beep me." 

Ellie nodded. 

"Hey, sorry about lunch.  I promise we’ll get together before Peter and I leave.  Maybe you and Sonja could come over for dinner."

"Are you sure Peter won’t mind?"

Gabrielle shrugged.  "Of course not."

"It’s just... you know Sonja, she doesn’t pull any punches about being a lesbian.  He’s okay with that?"

"Yes, why wouldn’t he be?"

"Whatever you say kiddo," she replied skeptically.  Ellie was not nearly as confident about Peter's open-mindedness as Gabrielle.   "Hey, try to catch a bite to eat when you can.  You skip too many meals."

"Yeah, but when I do eat, I more than make up for it."  She smiled.  "Get some ice on that hip.  I gotta run."

*****

The young woman's green eyes sparkled hypnotically.   She couldn’t look away; she had no desire to.  They stood close... close enough that the warrior could see her chest rise and fall with each breath. 

Her hands timid at first, settled on the blonde’s waist.  With increasing confidence her fingers gripped more firmly, urging her forward.  Their lips met in a rush of heat, bodies pressed tightly together.  She felt Gabrielle’s heart beat strong and rhythmic against her. 

Xena moaned.  Her fingers coming alive as she stroked the smooth flesh beneath them.  It felt wonderful but it wasn't enough... not nearly enough.  She needed more.  She desperately needed to be inside.  Instinctively, her fingers sought the source of the younger woman’s heat, parting her delicate folds.

Their hearts were racing now, beating as one.  Her fingers moved like liquid fire.  With a single thrust, she was in.  It was all she had dreamed, silky, soft and wet, so very wet.  The moisture poured over her fingers like a river, hot... thick... slippery.  She was nearly delirious with pleasure

A thrill coursed through her as she slowly penetrated and retreated, over and over.  She felt her lover respond, the young woman’s excitement matching her own.  It was ecstasy. 

She so was lost in sensation that it took several moments for her to notice that her lover had stilled, her breathing suddenly shallow.  Slowly, she eased out and stared in horror at the blood covering her fingers.  Her panic escalated as she realized the bard’s heart had stopped.  Her beautiful green eyes stared ahead, unmoving.  A scream tore from her throat.  "NOOOOO!!!"  She tried to move, to give the young woman aid but some unseen force held her arms.

Ellie quickly paged Gabrielle, while another nurse alerted security.   Xena, eyes still closed, was struggling wildly.  The bed shook as she struggled with nearly superhuman strength.  The right restraint to gave way with an ominous rip. 

Hand stretched out, the warrior tried desperately to reach the one person she couldn't. 

The burly orderly who lifted weights as a hobby found himself hard pressed to keep the woman's arm still.  It took the help of two security guards to apply a new restraint.  As Xena writhed against her bonds an animalistic growl that emanated from deep in her chest so intimidating that it forced the guards back.

Hearing the alarm sound, Dr. Coleson rounded the corner at a run. 

In the midst of all the commotion, the phone rang at the nurse's station.  It was Gabrielle responding to Ellie’s page. 

"What’s up? 

"Gab, she's gone crazy again!"

"I’m on my way."  Dropping the phone in the receiver, the young doctor raced to the stairs.  She burst through the third floor door and rushed down the hall.  As she approached, she could see the woman twisting in bed like a creature possessed. 

Dr. Coleson stood next to the bed preparing a sedative.

"What happened?" she asked breathlessly.

"She went berserk.  Busted through the restraints again.  I need to sedate her."  Quickly eyeing the dosage in the syringe, he reached for into the IV tubing.

"Wait.  Dennis, don’t do that."  She pushed him aside.  "Please, move out of my way."  

Gabrielle checked her pupils then flashed Ellie a concerned look.  "What triggered this?"

"I... I’m not sure.  It looked like she might be having a nightmare."

"I think she's having some kind of hallucination.  Don’t give her any more sedation."

Gabrielle ran her hand over the woman’s sweaty brow.  She was burning up, but not from fever.  The adrenaline surging through her veins had her body in overdrive.   "Easy... easy.   It’s just a dream," the doctor assured.  Instantly, the dark-haired woman stilled, instinctively turning her head to better hear the soothingly voice.   The blonde turned to the nurse. "Get me a cool compress."

Dr. Coleson shook his head skeptically and turned to go.  "Call, if you need me."

Nodding, her attention returned to the tortured soul on the bed.  "Easy now...it's all right." 

Gabrielle took the compress from Ellie.  Speaking softly

, she held the cool cloth to the patient's forehead.  "Everything's going to be okay."  Although the dark-haired woman mumbled continuously, young doctor couldn’t make out the words. 

Xena moaned devastated by her grief.

Blood... it was everywhere.  Her hands were covered in it.  She tried desperately to wipe away the stains.  "Ares, help her!  Please... I’ll do anything."

His deep sultry voice taunted her.  "What good is a warrior who’s afraid of a little blood?"

Xena looked down helplessly at the lifeless form of her young lover, motionless in death.   "Please...!!"

"Why?  Because you want it?"  He smirked.  "What would I gain?  You’re no good to me now.  A broken warrior is a useless thing."

She groaned and clumsily lunged at him.  He easily stepped aside, laughing.

Xena fell to her knees beside her friend.  "Gabrielle... please don’t leave me."  She tried to raise her arms... tried to hold her beloved.   It was impossible.  She cried out, consumed with grief.

Then, as if in answer to her prayers, she felt her bard’s soothing touch upon her skin.

The doctor laid her cool hands on her patient's straining arms, lightly stroking them. She knew her touch and voice provided some semblance of comfort to the troubled woman.  Every time she stopped, the patient writhed in the restrains, begging her not to leave.   "I’m here.  I won’t leave you.  It’s going to be okay."

After more than a half hour of reassuring touches and gentle words, the dark-haired woman finally quieted.  Gabrielle sat in the chair next to the bed, emotionally exhausted.

Ellie handed her a cup of coffee. 

"Thanks." She looked up at her friend and smiled weakly. 

"You did it again," the nurse declared.  "Managed to calm the storm."

"You were right.  I think she was in some kind of trance, or maybe having hallucinations." Gabrielle shook her head sadly.   "Imagine a nightmare you couldn’t wake up from."

"Yeah, she's sure had a rough time of it, but at least her vitals look good.  She has one hell of a constitution, I’ll say that for her." A discreet beep alerted Ellie that she was needed elsewhere.  "I gotta go but I'll come back and check on you later."

The doctor nodded in appreciation and opened a case file.  A low, pitiful moan drew her attention back to her patient.  The bound arms began to jerk lightly.  The blonde slid her chair closer and took the distraught woman's hand softly rubbing the palm with her thumb.  This time, she responded more quickly, her entire body relaxing.

Gabrielle maintained contact as she read through her files, occasionally making notes in the margins. Every few minutes she'd look up and gaze at the sleeping woman.  The young doctor’s heart went out to her.  The patient’s deep emotional pain was obvious.  Her eyes continued to dart about restlessly under closed lids while she mumbled unintelligibly.

Ellie laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, interrupting her thoughts. "I’m going off shift.  Is there anything I can get you before I leave?"

"No, thanks.  I’m fine."

"You headed home soon?"

"I think I’m going to hang around awhile."

The nurse smiled in understanding.  "Well, try to get some rest.  There’s a cot in the nursing office."

Gabrielle yawned.  "Okay.   Have a nice evening." 

Mid-way through the night, Xena stirred.  She tried to open her eyes but the lids seemed unbearably heavy.  Panic began to rise until she felt a familiar warmth against her skin.  Memories of the bard snuggled against her in their small bed filled the dark-haired woman's mind.  Slowly, she gave into the weariness and fell back into a drugged sleep.

Exhausted the young doctor had finally drifted off, her head resting against her patient's arm.

*****

The smell of fish assaulted her senses.  She tried to move and couldn’t.  Her arms were bound to her sides. Cautiously, Xena opened her eyes and looked around.  The bright light shining overhead confused her: she wasn’t outside and couldn’t detect the scent of burning candles. 

As she slowly shifted her view, her breath caught.   Gabrielle was sitting at her bedside.  At first the warrior hoped her friend's death had been a nightmare, but as she glanced at the unfamiliar surroundings Xena realized she was far from the world she knew.

In spite of that, her spirits rose as she gazed at the young woman beside her.  She had found Gabrielle.  The sight of her companion alive and well triggered waves of joy and relief.  Artemis had been right.  The bard's very essence had passed down through the ages.

Her eyes followed the young woman's every movement.  Her friend was eating, chewing vigorously as she scrawled notes.   The scene was achingly familiar; her mannerisms exactly as the warrior remember them.   The sight was so welcomed Xena could have cried.  Silently, she prayed that the connection between them had survived time.

Feeling the weight of her patient's stare, Gabrielle looked up and quickly put down her papers.  "You're awake.  How are you feeling?"

Xena shrugged, her throat too dry from the drugs to talk.  She couldn't take her eyes from the young blonde... her bard, come back to life.  She watched in fascination as the young woman pressed cool fingertips to her inner wrist.  The touch caused a wave of heat to rush through her.

"Your pulse is good."  Gabrielle said, making an entry on the chart.  "You were brought in with a gunshot wound.  They had to operate, but you’re stable."  She smiled gently.  "You seem to be a quick healer."

Xena looked anxiously at her arms bound securely to the bed.  "They put you in restraints," the doctor explained.  "You injured some of the people that were trying to care for you.  We just want to be sure you don’t hurt anyone else.  It’s only temporary.  I promise."  Her expression was so hauntingly reminiscent that it made the warrior's heart ache.  "Can you understand me?"  Xena nodded and stretched her neck swallowing hard.

"Would you like some water?"  The warrior's head bobbed eagerly.  Gabrielle raised a straw to her mouth.  Xena looked at it curiously but parted her lips and drew on the hollow tubing.  The cool water felt wonderful on her throat.   She drank more, amazed at how cold it was even though the room itself was perfectly warm. 

She glanced at Gabrielle’s sandwich and suddenly felt ravenous.

"Are you hungry?  I could call Food Services."  Noting the woman's interest in her plate, Gabrielle picked up the uneaten half of her sandwich.  "I’m having tuna.  Would you like some?"

Xena nodded.   The doctor put the plate down and stood next to the bed.

"I’m going to raise you up so you can eat more comfortably."  She pressed a button on the remote.

The dark-haired woman jumped, obviously alarmed by the bed's sudden movement.

The patient's odd reaction, coupled with her unusual behavior made the doctor wonder if she might have sustained a head injury.  She made a mental note to order a CT scan.  "It’s okay." The blonde reassured, releasing the control.  "These beds are a little noisy, that's all."   Noting the woman's puzzled expression, she explained further.  "The controller makes the bed go up and down."  Gabrielle repositioned it in her hand so the patient could see.   "This button raises your head and this one your feet."  The doctor pressed the button again, finishing her task.  

Once again she picked up the sandwich.  "Ready?" 

The woman nodded and bent forward.  The smell was familiar yet different.  She sniffed it, then took a small bite, chewing tentatively.  It was good.

"More?"

"Please."  She whispered. 

The voice sent a tingling sensation down the doctor’s spine.  "You can speak after all."  Gabrielle replied, sweetly. 

Xena nodded.  "I can feed myself too if you untie me." 

The young woman cast her a hesitant look.  It was the same questioning expression Xena had seen her use so many times in the past. 

The warrior smiled innocently.  "I’ll be good.  I promise."  She raised her brow playfully and Gabrielle couldn’t help but laugh.

"Maybe we should wait until the drugs have worn off completely, just to be safe."

"I would never hurt you."  Xena said seriously. 

The doctor’s instincts told her that was true.   "I’m sure you wouldn’t.  It’s the rest of the staff I’m worried about.  You injured about half a dozen people who were trying to help you the other night."

"I don’t remember," she said honestly.   "I think someone drugged me."

"What can you remember?"

"Three men attacked me.  One of them had an odd weapon.  I think he stabbed me.  I never saw it coming.  She shifted, unconsciously straining at the restraints.

The doctor noted her discomfort.  "Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"

"Yeah, take these off.  I want to get up." 

"All the more reason to hold you down."  Gabrielle smiled.  "You need to get some rest.  If you're still feeling okay tomorrow, I’ll see what I can do."

Xena leaned back, resigned for the moment to her temporary imprisonment.  She had found Gabrielle.  That was the most important thing.

"Still hungry?" 

"Mhmm." 

Watching her with great interest, Gabrielle fed her until the last of the sandwich was gone.  "What’s your name?"

"Xena."

The doctor's pulse quickened.  "I...  ah... that’s rather unusual.  What about a last name?" 

The warrior shrugged.

"A family member I could contact?" 

"No."

"Do you live around here?" 

Xena thought carefully before answering.   "I don’t think so."

She leaned over to examine the patient’s head, her fingers gently probing though the dark hair, feeling for bruises. 

The warrior’s face was only inches from Gabrielle's chest.  She inhaled deeply, the familiar scent making her heart race. 

The doctor stepped back.  "You have quite a bump on the back of your head.  That might account for the memory loss."  Xena felt a pang of guilt.  She hated misleading her friend, but didn’t see a way around it. 

"But, all things considered, you seem to be doing much better."  She smiled and walked to the end of the bed.   "I’m going to finish my rounds and head home.  Let you get some rest."

"Please don’t go.  I... I..."

Seeing the patient's apprehension, she tried to calm her.  "It’s okay.  There's nothing to worry about.  I’m leaving you in good hands."  She smiled and turned to go.

"Wait!   Where can I find you?"

"Usually I’d say right here at the hospital, but I’m officially on vacation."

The warrior pulled hard against the restraints.  "Please.  When will I see you again?"  

The doctor watched in disbelief as the restraints nearly yielded once again to the woman's incredible strength.  Hurrying to her side, she examined the torn and bruised skin on the patient's wrists.  "This has got to stop!" she demanded firmly.  "You're hurting yourself."

Seeing the blonde's agitation, the warrior eased the pressure on her bonds.  "You... you are coming back?" she asked anxiously.

The fear in the dark-haired woman's eyes tugged at the doctor's heart.  Her expression softened.  "I promise I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you."

Xena relaxed, releasing a heavy breath. 

"Your body needs rest.  I want you to try to sleep while I’m gone...  okay?"

The warrior nodded, her eyes following the blonde until she had disappeared out of sight.

*****

Ellie was the first person she saw the next morning.  As the woman limped toward her, Xena noted the misgiving in her eyes and sensed that the nurse understood all to well the violence she was capable of.  It was the same wary expression the warrior had seen on the faces of countless strangers over the years.  Even in this new age, Xena's reputation haunted her.

"It’s good to see you’ve calmed down a bit," Ellie said cautiously.

"I don’t remember much of what happened.   I’m sorry I hurt you."  She looked away, saddened to have caused the kind woman pain.

Ellie saw her remorse and smiled softly.   "It’s just a bruise.  I’ll be fine.  What about you?  How are you feeling today?"

"Better."

Xena watched the nurse wrap a wide band around her upper arm.  She squirmed as the pressure around her biceps increased. 

"What are you doing?"  The warrior asked nervously.

"We use this cuff to measure the efficiency of your heart."

"And this?"  Xena looked down at the tubing taped to her other arm.

"That line is used to give you fluids, nutrition and various medications."  The nurse’s explanation did little to comfort her.  

"Where’s Gabrielle?" she asked anxiously.

"Gab went home to get caught up on her sleep.  She stayed with you 'round the clock until she was sure you were stable.  You had us very worried."

"Was I sick?"

"I think you were hallucinating.  Don’t you remember?"

"No." 

The nurse noticed her fidget restlessly against the restraints and tried to think of a way to calm her.  "Would like to watch a little TV?  It might help keep you entertained." 

Xena looked at her blankly, not having the slightest idea what she was talking about.  

Ellie pressed a button on the rail of her bed.  The warrior jumped as sounds and images appeared in a box on the wall.   It was as if she was looking through a window to another world.  After giving her a quick lesson in the use of the remote, the nurse went back to her duties.  Xena attention remained riveted to the television.  She was fascinated.  In a matter of hours she had learned about everything from toilet bowls to firearms.  

Although the TV was a diversion, her thoughts always returned to Gabrielle.  She smiled.  By some miracle, her friend was alive again, her appearance unchanged.  And even though the young woman didn’t seem to remember her, the warrior could sense a connection between them.  Xena hoped that in time she could somehow trigger her friend’s memories.  She had already wasted days convalescing.  And although she was much more alert today, she still felt drugged and sluggish.  The warrior laid back and tried to relax.   If she had any hope of getting them home, she had to get well.   To do that, she needed rest.

*****

She awoke to the sound of soft footfalls.  When she looked up, Gabrielle was at the foot of her bed, smiling.  Her heart leapt at the beautiful sight 

"I heard you’ve been quiet today. You look much better."

Xena rolled her stiff shoulders.  "I’d feel better if you would untie me." 

"I’ll tell you what: I’m willing to give it a try."   She smiled sweetly, causing the warrior's pulse to race.  "Besides, you’re costing the hospital a fortune in restraints.   You must work out.   I’ve never seen anyone break them like you have!"  The doctor unfastened the right wrist. 

Xena winced as she flexed and stretched her stiff muscles.  When both arms were free, she sat up and surprised Gabrielle by immediately pulling back the bandage to examine her wound.  "Is this your work?"

"Well... yes, I re-stitched what you tore out."

"Nice job.  Shouldn’t leave much of a scar," she commented, pressing the bandage back into place.

Gabrielle laughed lightly.   "I’m a surgeon.  That’s what I do."

"Yeah, Ellie told me.  Why a surgeon?"  Xena asked with interest.

The blonde shrugged.  "I wanted to help people."

"Ellie says you’re very good."

The doctor smiled.   "Well, you shouldn’t believe everything Ellie tells you.  She's a little biased."

Suddenly, a shadow appeared in the doorway.  When the man entered, Xena went white.

It was Perdicus.  "Gab, you just about ready?"

"Yeah," She turned to face him, then back to her patient.  "This is my fiancée, Peter."  The young woman looked at Xena with concern.  "You look a little pale.  You feeling okay?"

"Fine," the warrior managed. 

Gabrielle took her pulse.  It was a little elevated but nothing to worry about.  She stepped away from the bed.  "I have to go now.  Peter’s taking me out to dinner."

The dark-haired woman struggled to hide her distress.

"I’ll see you in the morning.  Stay in bed and try to be good." She smiled sweetly.  "Remember, you promised."

Peter put his arm around Gabrielle’s shoulder and guided her out of the room.

Xena released a heavy breath.   The fates were cruel.

*****

Once again, Ellie was working the morning shift.  As she approached, Xena noticed she was still limping, favoring her right side by leaning to her left.

"A free woman I see," the nurse commented.  Her smile was warm and friendly despite her obvious discomfort.

‘If you can call this free."  The dark-haired woman motioned to the bed as if it was a cage holding her prisoner.

"Just like my kids, wanting to run before you can walk."

"Can I get up for just a minute?  I really need to stretch."

"Okay, but let me give you some support."  Ellie put her arm around the tall woman’s waist protectively as she stood. 

It felt wonderful to be upright.  Xena took a few steps without any problem.

As Ellie turned to lead Xena back to bed, she winced in pain.  In a fluid movement, the warrior stepped behind the nurse and wrapped her arms firmly around her waist.  With a quick jerk, she lifted the petite woman off her feet.  Ellie let out a startled yelp.  Her back cracked loudly.

Xena eased her down.  "Better?"

Ellie looked stunned.  She slowly twisted at the waist and smiled.  "Yes.  How’d you do that?"

"Just something I picked up.  Bend down like you were going to touch your toes."  Ellie gave her a quizzical look but did as she asked.

She gently ran her fingers along the woman’s spine.  "You need another small adjustment."  Again she wrapped her arms around her. 

"Take a deep breath," Xena instructed.  As she did, the warrior lifted her, making her back crack in several more places.  She held her momentarily suspended, using the weight of the woman's legs to help stretch out the spine.

"Ellie!"  Gabrielle stood in the doorway frozen in horror.

The warrior lowered the nurse to the ground as Gabrielle ran toward them.  "Let go of her!"  Xena obeyed, quickly releasing her.

"It’s okay Gab.  She was just fixing my back."  Ellie tested it by turning from side to side.  "It feels great. Your patient is a miracle worker."

The blonde released an anxious breath.  The exasperated expression on the young woman's face was so familiar and heart-warming that it made the warrior smile.  "I was being good, like I promised," she said innocently.

Gabrielle turned to her, obviously extremely irritated.  "Then why are you out of bed?  Lay down.   I need to check your stitches.  You could have torn them, trying a stunt like that."

Xena regretted her action.  The last thing she wanted was to upset her friend.  She sat down and swung her long legs on the bed. 

"Lie on your side."  Gabrielle opened the gown and carefully examined the incision.

The dark-haired woman immediately apologized.  "I’m sorry.  I... I could see she was in pain.  I... I didn’t think.  I’m not used to being so careful."

The doctor turned and walked out of the room.  

Xena lowered her head sadly.  Ellie rested a hand on her shoulder sympathetically.  "She has a temper, that one.  But don’t worry, she gets over things quickly."

Before more could be said, Gabrielle rounded the corner pushing a wheelchair.  "If you’re feeling that much better, I think it’s time you got out of bed.  Hop in."  The dark-haired woman was so grateful that her friend was no longer angry that she obeyed without question. 

"How about a quick tour?"  

The warrior nodded eagerly.

The blonde knelt down to face her.  "I didn’t mean to be so stern.  But, it’s my job to look after you."

Xena merely nodded the relief she felt was immeasurable. 

"The stitches look great.  I’ve never seen anyone heal so quickly.  You’re remarkable."

"Must be the excellent care." 

Gabrielle's eyes brightened happily pleased by her remark. 

Ellie stood quietly by watching the two women interact.  There was and ease in the way they conversed... a reserved but genuine affection between them.  The ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts.  She went to the nurses' station to answer it.  "3C, Ellie speaking."

"Hi, it’s Peter.  Gab forgot to turn her beeper on.  Is she there?"  

Ellie glanced over at her friend.   The blonde looked relaxed and happy for the first time in a long while.  In fact, the young woman hadn't been herself since she announced her engagement.  This brief glimpse of the old Gabrielle made her smile.  "No, sorry.   She hasn’t been in, but I'd be glad to tell her that you called when I see her."  The nurse rolled her eyes and hung up the receiver.

The blonde wheeled the chair past the desk.  "We’ll be back in a few minutes."

Ellie winked and gave her a nod of approval. "Take your time."

*****

Gabrielle took the woman on a leisurely tour.  As they passed the nursery, she stopped and pointed out the newborns behind the glass wall.

"Where are their mothers?" Xena asked puzzled.

"In their rooms.  The infants sleep here so the nurses can watch over them," she explained.

"Are the babies ill?"

"No, it's just a precaution."  She looked at the dark-haired woman curiously. "Do you have any children?"

The warrior froze, not knowing how to reply she simply shrugged.

Gabrielle pointed to a fair-haired child in the front row.  "Isn’t she adorable?"

Noting the young woman’s obvious excitement, Xena watched her with interest.  "What about you?  Do you have any children?"

"No, but I’d like to... someday."  The blonde cast a wistful glance at the infant behind the glass.  "I’d love a little girl like this one."  She paused thoughtfully turning to Xena.  "But with dark hair... like yours."

The warrior’s breath caught. 

The doctor shrugged.  "My fiancée has darker coloring."  Glancing down at her watch, she was unaware of the pain her remark had brought to the woman beside her.  "I guess it’s time we headed back." 

As they exited the elevator on the third floor and turned the corner, the blonde suddenly brought the wheelchair to a dead stop.   In the room to their right a man stood holding a gun on the charge nurse.  Pale and sweaty, he was obviously in need of a fix.  "Unlock the drug closet.  Now!"   

Before Gabrielle could react, the robber spotted her.   He grabbed the nurse around the neck and leveled the weapon at the young doctor, his gun hand trembling violently.

Instantly, the warrior jumped to her feet putting herself between Gabrielle and the gun.  She swung her arm wide slamming his hand against the wall.  As the gun clattered to the ground her fist struck him squarely in the throat.  He staggered backward, gasping for breath.  With one swift kick, she sent him crashing to the floor.  Without hesitation, she bent to retrieve the gun and handed it to the nurse, who looked at her in disbelief.  "You have someone who can take care of this guy?" the warrior questioned.

"Yes, I’ll call security...  Thanks." 

Concerned that her friend would be upset with her again, she quickly sat back in the wheelchair.

Gabrielle quietly steered her to a small waiting room.  She took a seat in a chair facing her and regarded the warrior with awe.  "That was... incredible."

Xena shrugged.  "Nah, he was easy.  I’ve been dealing with people like him my whole life."

"How did you learn to do that?  Were you in the service?"

"The service?"  She asked, a puzzled expression on her face.

"Yeah, the army, navy, air force... you know."

"I... I spent some time with an army."

Gabrielle laughed.   "It shows.  God, you were great!" The young woman was suddenly full of energy, almost breathless with excitement.

Xena was happy to have at last done something that pleased her.  The blonde's exuberate smile warmed her to the core.

"Peter, my fiancée is a police officer.   He has to deal with situations like that all the time." 

The warrior found herself wondering if Perdicus was as mediocre a fighter in this age as he had been in hers.

Gabrielle continued.  "I think that’s what first attracted me to him.   I know it’s dangerous, but there’s something..." She let her words trail off.

 "I could show you some moves, if you like."  Xena offered.

"That would be great!  I’ve always wanted to take a self-defense class.  I just haven’t had the time." 

The dark-haired woman casually reached over her shoulder to scratch her back.  As she brought her hand back into view, Gabrielle’s mind flashed to an image of her patient with a sword.  She stared ahead mutely.

Xena laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.  "Hey, you okay?"

Shaking her head to erase the vision, she smiled.  "Yeah, I better take you back.  I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day."  Gabrielle remained was quiet as they made their way down the hall, her thoughts preoccupied by the image of the warrior woman.  The doctor was so distracted she never saw Xena pull a flower from a bouquet on a passing cart.  "Here you are," she said, wheeling her alongside the bed.

The dark-haired woman flashed a quirky smile, looking past Gabrielle. 

"What is it?"  She turned her head to see what had drawn Xena's attention.

"Come here."  The warrior coaxed.   "You have something in your hair."

The young woman stepped forward. 

With a quick motion, Xena ran her hand behind the doctor’s right ear, then brought it forward, displaying a daisy. 

The young woman beamed as Xena handed her the flower.  "A magician too.  Thanks.  It’s pretty."  For the first time, Gabrielle was near enough to fully appreciate her patient’s blue eyes.  They were dazzling.  Something in the deep recesses of her mind gripped her and she knew that if she didn’t look away soon, she never would.

"I should be thanking you," the dark-haired woman said gratefully.  "It was nice to get out of bed for a little while." 

"bed..." Gabrielle sighed, still lost in the endless blue before her.  Xena's gentle smile drew her eyes, breaking the trance.  She stepped back shyly.  "I... I mean... yes, it was nice. Well...  ah, I'd better be going.  I’ll ah... I'll leave the wheelchair for you. Just try not to overdue.  I... I’ll see you tomorrow."

Once out of the room the young doctor leaned against the wall in the hallway and brought the flower to her lips.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling its fragrance.   She felt warm all over. 

Ellie stood in the doorway watching.  She had never seen her friend so radiant.  The young woman practically glowed.  The nurse softly cleared her throat. 

The blonde turned to face her, blushing.  "I... I..."

Ellie smiled.  "She can be very charming when she’s not trying to kill someone."

Gabrielle laughed.  "Yeah, quite a combination." 

"I wanted to let you know that your beeper is off."

"Damn."  She reached down and slid the button up.  "Thanks."

"And Peter called."

"Oh."

"Gab, we never did have a chance to talk over lunch.  Is everything okay?  I mean the wedding and all.  Things seem to be moving pretty fast."

She shrugged.  "Peter thought it was time.   He’s probably right." 

Ellie looked at her sadly.  "As long as you're okay with it.  Remember, you can always slow things down if you need to."

Gabrielle nodded.  "I... I’ve got to go."  She gave her a quick hug, walked a few steps, and turned. "Take good care of my patient, huh."  She smiled, twirling the flower in her fingers.

*****

As the days passed, Xena graduated from the wheelchair to walking on her own.  Even though she was healing nicely, she was frustrated.  Looking out the window of her room, she felt stir crazy, closed in.  This was the longest period of time she had ever spent indoors.   She missed the wide-open spaces and fresh air more than she ever could have imagined. 

Hearing footsteps, she turned and smiled as Ellie entered her room.  

Xena had grown quite fond of the nurse and Ellie of her.  Over the past week they had spent a lot of time together and it quickly had become obvious to the nurse that the dark-haired woman lived for the moments Gabrielle stopped by.  Sympathetic to her patient's plight, she decided a change of scenery might be a good idea. "I’m about ready to go to the cafeteria for lunch.  You want to come?"

The warrior's face lit up.  "Yeah, thanks."

They found a table by a window and Xena looked out longingly, barely touching her sandwich.

"You shouldn’t have to stay much longer."  Ellie offered.

"Oh?"

"You’re doing so well.  I’m sure Gab will discharge you tomorrow or the next day."

"I see," she said, her mind already working on the problem of how she would keep in contact with Gabrielle once she left the hospital.

Ellie noticed her concern and spoke up.  "Do you have a place to go when you leave here?"

Xena shook her head.

"Well, if you'd like, you can come and stay with my partner and I until you get your feet back on the ground.  I have to warn you though, I have three teenage girls who are hell on wheels."

The warrior smiled gratefully.  "That’s nice of you.  I..."

Ellie patted her hand.  "You don’t have to decide anything now.  Think about it."

"Do you live near Gabrielle?"  Xena asked.

Ellie couldn’t hold back a smile.  "Gab lives on the other side of town I’m afraid.  Bet you're going to miss her."

She shrugged and looked up from her sandwich.  "Did she mention when she’d be in tomorrow?"

"No, she didn’t say.   Wait... tomorrow’s Thursday.  In the morning she stops on the children’s ward to tell them stories.  It's her way of making their hospital stay a little easier."  Seeing she had captured Xena’s undivided attention, she added... "You could stop by there, catch her in action.  She’s really quite good."

"Thanks.  I will."   She paused. "Ellie, I was wondering..."

"Yeah?"

"Ah... about Gabrielle... have you known her long?"

"A while.  She did her internship here and has been on staff about a year.  They’re lucky to have her.  She’s a very good surgeon and has a wonderful rapport with her patients.  They all love her."

"I can see why they would."  Xena ate a bite of her sandwich, trying to appear casual.  "Has she been engaged to this guy long?" 

"That news came as quiet a shock.  Their engagement was rather sudden.  To be honest, I wondered if she might be pregnant.  I couldn’t think of another reason for the rush.  I guess that’s not the case though."

Xena looked down sadly at her sandwich. 

Ellie continued.  "He’s the one pushing it.  Can’t say that I blame him.   She’s a wonderful person."

The dark-haired woman looked up to meet her eyes.  "Is... is he good for her?"

"I think he treats her well enough.  But, I’m not sure that’s the same thing.  Know what I mean?"  The dark-haired woman nodded.  "I’ll tell you one thing, I’ve never seen her happier than the last few days.  She’s been telling the story of how you handled the guy with the gun all around the hospital."

 Xena smiled.  It felt like old times, the bard telling about their adventures.  "It was nothing."

"It sounded pretty impressive to me."

"Gabrielle has a way of exaggerating sometimes." 

"Does she?"  Ellie looked at her suspiciously, puzzled by her comment.

"Ah... I mean..."

"Xena, did you know Gab before you came to the hospital?"

The warrior avoided her eyes.  "Sometimes it feels like it."

Ellie squeezed her shoulder.  "Life’s funny that way.  Some paths seem destined to cross."

*****

Gabrielle stood in the center of a large circle of children.  They sat, attention rapt as she told a story of super heroes with extraordinary powers.  Moving her hands in sweeping gestures, she made her tale come to life, vivid in every detail.

Xena leaned against the doorway, watching. It filled her with joy to see her friend so happy.  Clearly in her element, it was obvious that she loved performing. 

When she finished, the children erupted in cheers.   "Tell us another story!  Please..."

"Sorry guys. I don’t have time today.   I have to see a patient.  I’m late already."

"Pleeease..." the entire group urged.

"Well, I..."

Xena stepped from the background, catching Gabrielle’s eye.  "I’m sure your patient won’t mind.  Let’s hear that story."  Settling between two of the children, she watched intently.

The blonde flashed her a smile.  "Okay what kind of story do you want me to tell?"

A child in a wheelchair was the first to speak up.  "A funny one."

"A funny one, huh?  Okay, let me see."  She paused for a moment.  "When I was about your age, I lived on a farm where we raised all kind of animals.   My favorite was a pig my sister and I named Pinky." Gabrielle gave a mischievous smile.  The children's eyes followed her as she walked among them.  

"Well, we were kind of poor and one day father told us that he needed to sell her.  My sister Lilly and I were really sad.  We decided to hide Pinky so that our father wouldn’t be able to sell her.  That night we snuck outside and lead our pig into the neighbor's barn.  We planned to put her in a spot no one would ever look, 20 feet above the ground in the loft."  She gestured the great distance with her arms.

"We tied a rope around a large wooden crate and led her into it.  The other end of the rope was threaded through a pulley in the ceiling.  Now, Pinky was very heavy, even for a pig, but with a great deal of effort my sister and I hoisted her up level with the loft."  Gabrielle grimaced as she pretended to tug an imaginary line, lifting the pig into the air.   

"Lilly and I held the rope steady and waited for her to step into the loft, but Pinky clearly wasn't keen on the idea.  She stood fast, refusing to step out of the crate.  It became obvious that one of us was going to have to coax her into the loft.  Lilly quickly agreed and without thinking released the rope."  Gabrielle cast a smile at Xena and the warrior rolled her eyes in understanding. 

"Well... I weighed a lot less than our pig so as soon as Lilly let go, Pinky quickly started down and I started up.  As we passed at about the half way mark I could see Pinky wasn’t any happier than I was.  She let out a little grunt as I sped past her."  Gabrielle snorted through her nose, mimicking the pig.  Xena laughed out loud as she visualized the scene. 

"Just as I thought I might shoot straight through the roof, poor Pinky landed with a thud in the hay stack below, bring me to an immediate stop.   Dangling 30 feet above the ground, I hung on for dear life, hollering for all I was worth."   Gabrielle flailed her legs in demonstration.  The children giggled.

"Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, Pinky hopped out of the crate."  Xena winced.

"Now, without her weight to hold me up I began to fall... very fast.  This time passing only the empty crate on the way down.  I landed flat on my back in the hay, the air leaving my lungs in one great whoosh."  Gabrielle's eyes bugged out as she exhaled hard. Xena smiled and shook her head.  She knew what was coming.

"Stunned, I let go of rope...   I heard Lilly scream and I looked up to see the empty crate growing larger and larger as it fell toward me.  I barely managed to roll out of its path before it hit the ground, splintering into pieces." 

"By now, our screams had alerted our parents and drawn a small crowd.  Well... Pinky had had enough of our antics.  She let out a squeal and took off running, knocking my father into the watering trough and drenching half our neighbors."  

"Needless to say, my sister and I were grounded for a month.  But father never did sell Pinky.  He said he couldn’t part with an animal that had more sense than his daughters."

Xena's heart swelled with emotion as she watched the bard finish her tale.   She knew that no matter what the outcome of her journey here, it had been worth it.  This was the Gabrielle she knew so very well.   She was as captivating as ever.

*****

After Gabrielle finished saying goodbye to the children, she joined Xena.

"You’re very good."

"Thanks, it’s a hobby of mine: storytelling."  She gave her patient a puzzled look.   "How did you know where to find me?"

"Ellie told me.  She said you usually stop here on Thursdays, so I decided to come."

Gabrielle smiled.  "It seems that she’s been talking about me quite a bit lately.  What else has she been telling you?"

Xena shrugged.  "Not much.  She said you might let me leave soon.  Is that true?"

"Yeah."  She had already kept the dark-haired woman in the hospital longer than was customary for her condition.  Her reluctance to discharge Xena confused her.  She told herself that it wasn’t safe to let her patient leave with no place to go and no one to look after her, but they were just excuses.  The simple truth was she didn’t want to lose track of her.  She was drawn to the dark-haired woman and enjoyed being around her.  "Do you think you’re ready to leave?" she asked.

Also reluctant, Xena hesitated.  "Will I see you again... after I leave?"

"Generally, I would schedule a follow-up appointment at my office but..." She hesitated.  "I’ll be away on my honeymoon.   Of course, I’ll arrange for one of my colleagues to follow up with you." 

Xena could barely mask her disappointment. 

Before Gabrielle could say anything more she was interrupted by one of the nurses.  "Ellie just called down.  There’s some homeless woman in the main lobby that wants to see one of your patients."

"So what’s the problem?"

"Well, it seems she refuses to leave her shopping cart."

Xena’s face lit up.  "Gert!"

"You know her?"

"Yeah."

Gabrielle turned to the nurse.  "Tell security to send her up.  Shopping cart and all." 

The dark-haired woman smiled.

*****

Gert entered Xena’s room escorted by security.  She cried out with delight when she saw the warrior.  "I thought you were dead, laying there in all that blood."

"I’m fine," Xena assured her.  Glad to see that you weren’t hurt."

"Nah, those cowards took off running.  I went to a phone as quick as I could to call an ambulance, but I never thought you’d last until they got there."  She looked at Xena with relief.   "I would’a come sooner but I had trouble finding you."

"Have a seat."  Xena motioned to the chair beside the bed. 

The old woman pulled a rolled up grocery bag from her cart.  "I almost forgot.  I brought you a present."

"A present?"

"Yeah." She handed her the bag.

Xena unrolled the top and looked inside.  A broad smile swept across her face.  "You found some shoes for me!" she exclaimed pulling the pink high tops from the bag. The old woman’s kindness warmed her heart. "Thanks, Gert."

"Why don’t you try’um on for size?" 

Slipping the sneakers on, she quickly laced them up. She held her legs out admiring the hot pink shoes.   They were a little too large, but Xena never let on.  "They’re perfect."

The old woman beamed.

Not wanting to intrude, Gabrielle listened from a distance.  Finally, her irrepressible curiosity got the best of her and she joined them.  "Nice sneaks."

Gert glanced in the doctor's direction, immediately noticing her blonde hair.  "Hey, is this the friend you were looking for?  That Gabrielle woman." 

The young doctor looked up in surprise.  Did Xena know her from somewhere after all?  Is that why she reacted the way she did when they first met?

Not sure how she could explain, the warrior ignored the old woman's question and quickly changed the subject. "Gert, can you tell me where I was when I got shot?  I need to get back there."

"Sure.  It’s a little alley right across from Maple Grove Park off North Street."

"Is it far from here?" 

"'Bout a forty-minute walk is all."  The old woman smiled happily.  "It looks like things are working out for you, kid.  I’m glad."  She stood awkwardly.  "I guess I should go.  I wanna be back before dark or someone will take my spot.  It’s a nice one, outta the rain and over a heating grate." She paused.  "If I know when you're getting out, I’ll save you a space."

"Thanks Gert.  I appreciate that."

Gabrielle turned to homeless woman. "What about the shelters?  Isn’t there some place you could go?

The independent bag lady shrugged. "I guess, but they’re pretty crowded and I kinda like my spot."   She grinned proudly.   "It was a great find."

The doctor made her way back to the desk.  She pretended to look at the chart but was lost in her thoughts.  Hard as she tried, she couldn’t get the image of Xena sleeping over a heating vent out of her head.

Abruptly, Ellie spoke up.  "You discharging her tomorrow?"

"Yeah... I think so."  She dropped the chart on the counter.   "Damn, I hate to think of her on the street."  As she turned to the nurse in frustration, an idea sparked in her mind.  "El, any chance you could take her in?"

Suddenly Ellie had an idea of her own.  She decided not to tell her friend that she had already offered Xena her home.  "With the three girls, we’re really short on space." 

The young woman frowned and nodded in understanding.

"What about you?"  Ellie questioned.   "You’ve got lots of room in that huge condo of yours." 

It wasn't as if the thought hadn't occurred to her many times.  The problem was she didn’t know how she’d explain it to Peter.  "I... I'm not sure I...

Ellie interrupted her by reaching for her bag.  "Well Doc, I’m off shift.  I think I’ll give Gert a ride, I think I can fit the cart in the back of the van."  Lost in her thoughts, the blonde hadn’t heard her.  Ellie lightly grazed her arm to get her attention.  "I think you should ask her."  She smiled.  "I know you want too."

Xena was standing at the window when Gabrielle entered.

"Pretty night."  The young doctor offered.

"Yeah, I miss laying out under the stars," the warrior said wistfully. 

"About that... I ah... I don’t want to over step my bounds here... but I..." She took a deep breath and forged ahead.   "Ellie told me that you don’t have a home to go to and I thought that, well...  I mean...  I have an extra room at my place if you’d like to stay for a while... until you get ... well, as long as you need to."  She stopped and anxiously waited for Xena to reply.

The warrior took a relieved breath.  There was still a chance.  "I... Yes, I’d like that.  Thanks."

The young woman smiled nervously.   "Great, then I’ll see you tomorrow morning.  I’ll be in around ten to discharge you."  She turned and quickly exited the room.  Her heart was pumping double time.

*****

Gabrielle was there the next morning promptly at ten.  As she approached Xena's door, she was a bit surprised to find it closed.  Curiously, she pushed it open and stepped inside.  The sight before her made her stop in her tracks.  Xena was standing by the bed naked, except for a pair of white bikini underpants.  Gabrielle stood, mouth agape, unable to look away.

Xena smiled.  "Come in and shut the door."

The young doctor blushed and glanced away in embarrassment.  "I’m sorry.  I... I should have knocked."

"Ellie brought in some of her daughter's stuff for me to try."   She pointed to the pile of clothes stacked on the bed.   "I didn’t want to leave the hospital in this gown and robe." 

Gabrielle’s eyes wandered nervously from the clothing to Xena’s semi-naked form. She was struck suddenly by the woman's height.  During most of their interactions her patient had been either lying down or sitting.  Standing before her now, she was nothing short of majestic.  Her lean muscular legs seemed to go on forever. 

Xena was both surprised and pleased by the young woman’s unmistakable reaction to her body.  Always the strategist, she decided to use it to her advantage and held up the two tops.  "Which do you think I should wear?"

The young woman’s eyes were hypnotically drawn to the sensual swell of Xena’s breasts, soft and perfectly formed.  Her rose colored nipples were small and noticeably erect.  Gabrielle could feel her body temperature rising and shifted anxiously.

"So, what do you think?"  Xena repeated.

The young doctor snapped out of her haze and struggled to speak.   "Ah... I think... I... ah.... I like them... both."  Gabrielle dropped her glance shyly and found she was now focused on the dark shadow beneath the thin fabric of Xena’s sheer underwear.   Her pulse quickened.

In a fluid motion, the tall woman slipped the thin black sweater over her head. The tight fitting garment left very little to the imagination.  Gabrielle had no trouble envisioning what lay beneath.

The warrior smiled inwardly as she assessed the young woman’s interest.  "Could you help me fasten the back?" 

The blonde took a breath and walked toward her.  Xena turned gracefully, offering her back.  Lifting the dark silky hair, Gabrielle draped it over her shoulder.  The long raven tresses felt unbelievably soft against her skin.  It was only with great effort that she was able to keep her fingers from gliding through it.  Her hands trembled as she reached for the zipper but amazing, she somehow managed to complete the task.

The warrior turned to face her, leaving very little space between them.  "Thanks." 

Gabrielle’s heart raced. "Sure.  I’m... ah... I’ve got to fill out your discharge papers."  Taking a few awkward steps backward, she hurried from the room.

Ellie watched the young doctor stand at the desk staring at the paperwork in front of her.  "Are you okay?  You look a little flushed."

Gabrielle wiped at her brow.  "It’s hot in here.  Don’t you think? 

Ellie tried not to smile.  "Xena told me you were taking her in for a while."

"Yeah, I..." She stopped mid-sentence.

Ellie looked up to see what had interrupted the doctor and was amazed by what she saw.  The dark-haired woman stood regally before them.  She could have been a fashion model.  The snug fitting sweater and jeans suited her well.  Even the pink sneakers looked good on her.  "Wow!  You look terrific!  Doesn’t she, Gab?"

The young woman was too shaken to speak.  She couldn’t take her eyes from Xena.  Ellie was right.  She was incredibly beautiful, naked or clothed. 

The warrior stood casually with her hands in her pockets.  "What do you think?"

Gabrielle took a deep breath before answering.  "A definite improvement over the gown."

******

Part IV

******

As soon as she stepped through the hospital doors and into the bright sunlight, the tall woman stopped dead. 

Gabrielle watched in rapt fascination as Xena closed her eyes and tilted her head to the sky.  The soft breeze caused wisps of dark hair to dance around her face.  She spread her arms and slowly turned, enjoying the feel of the air around her. 

The moment was magical.

It wasn’t until that instant that Gabrielle understood the extent of the mysterious woman's beauty.  She was like some exotic flower opening to the rays of the sun.  Xena turned and gave her a breathtaking smile.  Her glance was penetrating, the blue eyes seeming to touch her very soul. 

The blonde felt light-headed.  Struggling to regain control, she pointed across the lot.  "My car’s over here."

Out in the open, the warrior felt free and alive for the first time since she'd stepped through the portal.  She turned hesitantly. "Is it far to your home?  Could we walk?" 

Gabrielle wanted nothing more than to take off with Xena.  She found the idea of sharing the sights of the city with this intriguing woman very appealing but she had promised to meet Peter for lunch and had just barely enough time to take her friend home.  A wave of resentment washed over her, rapidly followed by guilt.  "I wish I could but... I have to meet Peter for lunch."  It pained her to see Xena's smile fade.  Immediately she wanted to make it up to her.  "I'd rather we weren't rushed.  Maybe some other time."

"I’d like that." 

Gabrielle walked reluctantly to the beige BMW convertible and opened the door. 

The tall woman followed, settling into the passenger seat.  The smell of the leather interior was comforting, reminding her fleetingly of home.  She stared in fascination at the numerous lights, buttons and knobs that adorned the dash.  It was a truly amazing machine.  As they pulled out on the highway and began to pick up speed the warrior felt an incredible rush.  She put her hands on the top edge of the windshield and pulled herself up.  The wind whipped through her long, raven hair. 

Gabrielle watched in wonder.  There was something wild and untamed about this fascinating woman that excited her more than she dared to admit.

Xena dropped back into the seat, laughing.  "Now this, I like!" 

The young woman smiled, happily.  "Your first time in a convertible, huh?" 

She nodded and raised her arms above her head to experience the full force of the air around her.  "It’s a lot faster than horseback riding."

Gabrielle laughed.  "Yeah, and a lot closer to the ground."

*****

The doctor pulled into the lot of the restaurant about thirty-five minutes late.  After dropping Xena off at her house, she had gotten caught in traffic.  For the first time in a long while, she hadn’t minded the delay.  It gave her time to think about her alluring patient.  Gabrielle still couldn’t get the image of Xena's half-naked body out of her head.  The vision was so erotic, that she found herself both highly aroused and extremely frustrated.  Pushing the image from her mind, she hurried across the lot to the entrance.

Peter was waiting for her outside and leaned in to give her a perfunctory kiss.  Her fevered mind flashed to Xena and her hands immediately tightened around his hips.  Deepening the kiss, she leaned hard against him. Her body tingled with excitement as she envisioned the dark-haired woman in her arms.  

Peter pushed her away.  "Gab, what’s up with you?  We’re right out in public, for crying out loud."

She looked at him in shock, embarrassed by her lapse into fantasy.  "I’m sorry Peter, I... I..." He shook his head impatiently and ushered her inside.

Unable to keep her mind off Xena, Gabrielle found Peter's anecdotes from work incredibly dull.  

Finally, after she'd lost the thread of the conversation for the third time, Peter became annoyed. 

"What’s up?  You haven’t heard one thing I’ve said."

"I’m sorry... I’ve been thinking about one of my patients."

"I thought you were supposed to be on vacation!"

She dismissed his comment.  "Do you remember the woman I told you about with the gunshot wound?"

He nodded.  "The crazy one who nearly killed Mercer."

"She’s not crazy and it was only a broken arm."

"So?  What about her?"

"I discharged her today."

"That’s great.  One less headache."

"Peter, I..." She took a breath and continued.  "She’s staying at my house."

"What?!!  Some psycho you know nothing about?!!"  He looked at her incredulously.

"She’s not a psycho.  Remember the guy with the gun?  She practically saved my life."

"She feels like trouble."

"Not to me.  I... I like her." 

"I think you should ask her to leave."

Gabrielle took a frustrated breath.  "She doesn’t have any place else to go."

"There are shelters for people like that."

"Maybe so, but I told her she could stay with me.  It's already settled."  She spoke with a rare air of authority.  

He threw down his napkin and stood.  "All right, don’t listen to me.  I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately.   When you come to your senses, call me."  He tossed money on the table to cover the bill and left in a huff.

As she watched him go, she wondered if he was right.  Was she losing her senses?

*****

Gabrielle awoke early.  She had dreamed of Xena again, odd dreams, disjointed and unorganized, a slide show of unrelated images, many hauntingly erotic.  There was something compelling about the mysterious woman that she couldn't escape even in her sleep. 

Their first few days living together went very well.  In fact, she had never felt so comfortable with anyone.

With Peter working through the end of the week, they were able to spend a lot of time alone.   Gabrielle felt happy and relaxed for the first time in a long while.  It was as if they’d been friends for years.  They took long walks and had fascinating conversations.  She found the older woman extremely easy to talk to.  Their personalities seemed to balance one another.  Being together felt natural, right.   

Across the hall Xena was awake too.   For the first time in weeks, her first thoughts upon rising were not a recollection of Gabrielle’s death, but a realization that she was alive and nearby.  The warrior’s heart felt light.  She was truly happy.  How could she not be?   It was wonderful being with the bard again.   Gabrielle’s life experiences were different but she had not changed.   She was the same wonderful person the warrior had fallen in love with.  And even though the bard had no memory of their past, Xena could still feel the chemistry between them.  There were times when she sensed the young woman's attraction to her, like the energy in the air before a rain.  She felt certain that given time Gabrielle would regain her memories.  Unfortunately, she couldn’t wait for the bard to remember on her own.  Somehow she had to find a way to tell her friend... everything.  And it had to be soon.

Xena got up quietly and went to the laundry room to get her clothes.  Her few belongings lay neatly folded on the table where Gabrielle had left them for her.  She glanced at the doctor's white lab coat hanging beside them.  In a moment of weakness, she pressed it to her face, inhaling deeply.  Hidden beneath the sweet perfume of the soap was her bard’s scent, exactly as she had remembered it.

Hearing a noise behind her, she turned quickly.  Gabrielle was standing in the doorway smiling.   "Good morning."

"I just came in to get my clothes."   Xena offered awkwardly, unsure if the young woman had seen her.

"I brought you a cup of coffee."  She handed her the steaming mug.  "You up for some breakfast?  I could cook some eggs."

The warrior shook her head.  "Not this time... It’s my turn to cook for you."

Gabrielle sat at the table while Xena rummaged through the refrigerator.  The tall woman wore one of the blonde's oversized T-shirts as a nightgown.  As she bent to collect food from the refrigerator, the short top barely covered her.  Unable to resist Gabrielle let her eyes run the length of the warrior’s muscled legs all the way to her firm rounded bottom.  It struck her that Xena's body was as beautifully sculpted any goddess.

Unaware, the dark-haired woman vigorously stirred a collection of ingredients in a large mixing bowl, her breasts swaying gently with her effort. As hard as the doctor tried she couldn’t bring herself to look away.  Suddenly, the warrior turned.  "Do you like tomatoes?"

The blonde face flushed hot, sure she had been caught.  "Ah... yeah.  That's fine.

The warrior eyed her curiously. 

Gabrielle started conversing in an attempt to get her mind off Xena’s body.  "How would you feel about going downtown today?  We could go shopping.  You really need some clothes."

The warrior hesitated.  "I was wondering if there was someplace we could go with fewer people.  I’d really like to get away from the crowds and noise."  Are there any woods near here?"

"Sure, there is a beautiful state park a couple of hours away, with a nice lake."

Xena brightened.  "That sounds great."

"Okay we’ll leave after..." Gabrielle stopped mid-sentence.  "Oh damn, I forgot... Peter and I are having dinner with Ellie and her partner Sonja.  We’d never make it back in time." 

"Maybe another day," the warrior said, trying to hide her disappointment.  She desperately needed time alone with the bard to talk and soon. 

Gabrielle hesitated only a moment.  She knew Peter would be angry but she couldn’t help herself.  She didn’t want to spend the evening without her friend.  "Would you like to join us for dinner?" 

Xena nodded.  "Sure, it'll be good to see Ellie."

*****

They sat at a large wooden table in a dimly lit pub, finishing dinner.   The atmosphere reminded Xena of the taverns at home.  She found it very pleasant.  As she watched Gabrielle finish her last chicken wing, she smiled.  The young woman had a way of making eating an almost sensual experience.  Xena loved to watch her.  

The doctor turned to her fiancée and smiled.  "They have the best wings here, don't they Peter?" 

He shrugged her remark off as if food was the farthest thing from his mind and looked across the table at Sonja.  "Gabrielle tells me you like to play pool." 

"Yeah, I used to," Sonja admitted.

"How about a game?"

"Well okay, but you’ll have to go easy on me." 

He smiled.  "Sure, just a friendly game."

The three of them walked over to the pool table, leaving Gabrielle and Xena alone.

"Peter loves pool."  The blonde said rolling her eyes.  "Have you ever played?"

The warrior didn't respond to her question.  She was focused on a small spot of barbecue sauce near the corner of the young woman’s mouth.  Gabrielle waved her hand to get her attention. 

"I'm sorry.'  Xena said, leaning in.  "You have a little sauce right here."  The dark-haired woman carefully wiped it away with her index finger. 

The brief contact sent a shiver across the doctor's skin.  "I... I've always been a messy eater," she replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Xena smiled and licked the sauce from her finger.  "I like that."  She winked.  "And, no I've never played.  What about you?"  Gabrielle's eyes were fixed on the dark-haired woman’s lips as her tongue ran lazily over their surface. 

It was Xena’s turn to wave her hand and break her friend's gaze.

The blonde felt a subtle warmth spread through her abdomen.   She laughed nervously to cover her arousal.   "No, I'd like to play.  I mean I..." She glanced up anxiously.  "He, loses patience with me.  I'm afraid I'm not very good."   Suddenly uncomfortable, she stood up.  "Let's go watch."

*****

Peter cleared the table triumphantly, winning the rather close game. 

"Gab wasn’t kidding, you’re pretty good."  He smiled.

"Thanks."   Sonja replied.  "I haven’t played in years."  She handed her pool stick to the blonde.  "What about you?  You want to try?   Maybe you can do better against him."  

"She can’t play well enough to beat me."  Peter said matter of factly. 

"He’s right."  Gabrielle shrugged.

The warrior caught the edge to her friend’s voice and came to her defense.  "Looks like a silly game to me." 

"Maybe to people who don’t have the skill to play."  He said brusquely.

Ellie spoke up.  "That sounds like a challenge to me, Xena."

"Yeah, how about it?"  Peter smiled.

"She doesn't play," Gabrielle said, upset with his rude behavior.

"Oh, I think I've got the general idea," the dark-haired woman said confidently. 

Peter's smile broadened.  "I’ll even let you break."  His tone was patronizing.   "And remember, you don’t want to sink the white one."

The doctor looked uneasy.  Ellie laid a hand on her arm and cast her a supportive glance.

Xena studied the table layout momentarily before taking aim.  Her shot was forceful, knocking three balls into various pockets.

"Wow!"  Gabrielle exclaimed. 

Sonja grinned at Ellie.  "Peter, you may have met your match."

He shrugged.  "Beginner’s luck."

Xena ignored him and walked to the far side of the table to take her next shot.  Gabrielle stood at the opposite end holding a cue stick.  The warrior froze at the sight.  She had seen her countless times, standing in the exact same way holding her staff.  Her concentration gone, she missed the shot.

Now, confident he would win, Peter laughed and walked to the table.  Gabrielle gave him a stern glance.  He smiled back at her and began showing off, shooting behind his back.  Before long he missed a difficult shot, trying to bank it. 

Xena stepped up to take her turn.   She excelled at anything that required dexterity and logic so it didn’t take her long to hit her stride.  Soon only one ball remained on the table.  She sunk it effortlessly, winning the game. 

The three women cheered.  Gabrielle smiled with unmasked admiration.  "You were incredible."

Peter cast Xena a cynical glance.  No one made shot that good without training.  She had to be lying.

"Hard to believe you’ve never played before," he quipped.

Xena simply ignored him.  She was far more interested in watching the bard’s fingers lightly caress the smooth cue she was holding, than listening to anything he had to say.

Embarrassed by his poor sportsmanship, Gabrielle turned to give her friend further praise.  "Really, you were wonderful!"

"You could do it too.  Here, let me show you."   The warrior took the cue stick from her and held it horizontally in her hands.  "Try to think of it as an extension of your body."  She tipped it back and forth, gauging the balance, then tossed it back.  The bard caught it easily.  Xena smiled.  She knew if Gabrielle allowed her instincts to take over she would be a natural. 

Peter couldn’t hide his agitation as he watched them.  Ellie and Sonja took in the scene in awkward silence.

"Close your eyes."  Xena instructed.  The blonde did as she asked. 

"Feel the smoothness of the wood."  She watched as the bard’s hands gently caressed the cue.

"Something comforting about holding it, isn’t there?"

Gabrielle opened her eyes, surprised by her comment, mainly because it was true.  She did enjoy the feel of the wood, the way it fit in her hands.  It made her feel safe, in control. 

"Let yourself get a sense of the weight."  The bard rocked the cue back and forth. 

Xena held her arms out fully extended to her sides.  "Now thrust out lightly with your right arm and tap my palm with the end of the cue."  Gabrielle did so easily.  "Good, now the left...  very good.  Now alternate back forth between them."  Soon she had picked up a good pace.

"This is supposed to help her play?"  Peter asked skeptically.

Xena didn’t respond.  Her eyes remained on the bard.  "Pick up the pace a little."  Gabrielle didn’t understand why, but the exercise felt wonderful.  Soon, she was moving very rapidly. 

"Now that you have a feel for the stick, let’s give it a try."  Xena racked the balls.  "I want you to hit this spot."  She placed her finger near the ball in question.  "Keep your eye on the ball.  Think of the stick as an extension of your body and let it flow."

Gabrielle focused her attention and let her stroke follow through naturally.  The break was a good one.  She sunk two balls and beamed with excitement.

"See?   Nothing to it."  The warrior smiled.

Peter wasn't sure which disturbed him more: the way Xena was looking at his fiancée or the way Gabrielle was looking at her.   He motioned the waitress over to their table.  "How about a drink?  I’m buying."  Without waiting for replies he ordered five shots of Southern Comfort.

Gabrielle pushed hers aside.  She didn't like where this was leading. 

Xena turned to her.  "You don't want any?"

Peter huffed, answering for her.  "She gets drunk just sniffing the cap." 

The bard glanced away shyly.  "I’ve never been much of a drinker," she replied apologetically.

Xena downed hers in one quick gulp and slowly ran her tongue over her lips.  She turned to the blonde and gave her a reassuring wink.  

The sight made Gabrielle's skin tingle. 

"This is very good."  She commented.

Peter got a wicked glint in his eye.  "You up to another?"

Xena sensed the challenge in his voice. "If you are." 

Peter grinned and looked at Sonja and Ellie who both declined.  He turned to face Xena.  "Here’s a game for you.  We rack the balls.  After every ball you sink, you drink a shot.  The first one to miss loses.  You up to it?"

The thinly veiled competition angered Gabrielle.  Peter was being a bad loser.  "This is silly."

"This is between her and me."  He turned back to the warrior.  "If you’re not up to the challenge..."

Xena was annoyed.  She didn’t like the way he was treating her friend.  The prospect of humiliating him was suddenly very appealing.   "You’re on."

Peter ordered a bottle and two shot glasses.  He racked the balls and smiled.  "You want me to break?"  Remember for every ball you sink, you down a shot."

The tall woman stepped up to the table.  "I think I can handle it," she replied evenly.  With a concentrated effort she sank one ball.  She downed a shot and handed the cue to Peter.

They continued until they were more than three-quarters of the way through the bottle.  As Peter walked to the other side of the table, the warrior saw him stumble.  She smiled.

Gabrielle watched anxiously, her discomfort increasing with each round. 

Noticing how unhappy her young friend was, Xena decided to end the game.  She took aim and purposely missed.  Peter cheered.  "I won!"  Grabbing his fiancée, he kissed her sloppily. 

The blonde pulled away, her agitation clearly evident.  "I think we’d better call it a night."

*****

Gabrielle was quiet on the way back to the car, keeping her distance from Peter.  She made no effort to mask her anger and wisely Peter stayed back.  

Xena remained silent, cautiously eyeing a large group of teens sitting on the stoop of an apartment building.   

One of the young men whistled and called out lewdly to Gabrielle.  "Oye mami, que tetas ricas tu tienes."

The warrior turned in his direction, looking him over.  Sensing no threat, she let his comment pass.    Gabrielle glanced at her, sensing that she had understood.  "Do you speak Spanish?"

Xena nodded.

"What did he say?"

The tall woman hesitated. 

"Something about me?"

Peter, although quite intoxicated, looked on with interest.

The warrior carefully rephrased the young man’s crass remark.  "Yeah, he said you had...  err...  nice...  breasts."  Gabrielle blushed.  But the teens comment wasn't the cause.  It was hearing the dark-haired woman speak it.

Peter cast an angry glance at the kid and started to walk toward him.  Gabrielle laid her hand on his shoulder to stop him.  "Don’t.   They’re just kids."

"I can’t just let them get away with that."  He said indignantly.

"Why not?" the warrior shrugged.  "What he said is true."

Xena's reply took the young woman by surprise.  She laughed out loud. 

Peter, now incensed, headed toward the boys.

Gabrielle tried once again to stop him.  "Please, you’re drunk."

"The hell I am."  He brushed passed her and stepped up to the cocky teen.   "I think you owe my fiancée an apology."  The kids ignored him, making him angrier still.  He grabbed the offender by the front of his shirt.  The group reacted instantly, pulling out weapons.

Gabrielle spoke nervously.  "Peter, please... let it go."

Releasing the kid, Peter reached for his pocket to pull out his badge.  "I’m a pol...."

The teen punched him hard in the stomach.  He dropped like a rock to the pavement, struggling to recapture his breath.

 The blonde ran to his side.  The leader of the group smiled and started toward her.   "How ‘bout you and me..."

Before he could finish, Xena somersaulted over several of the kids and landed protectively in front of her friend.  She smiled playfully, shaking her head.  "Not tonight."

The leader looked at her with interest.  "How’d you do that?"

Xena sized him up physically.  He appeared fairly agile.  Stepping forward, she proceeded to demonstrate. 

He watched her movements carefully. 

"Take a few steps and spring off your lead in foot.  If you have enough height, tuck and follow through."  She motioned him forward.  "Give it a try.   I’ll spot you."  The whole group stood watching.  Running toward her, he sprang and leapt into the air.  The warrior gave him a boost upward and gently guided his landing.  His friends cheered.  "A little more practice and you’ll have it down."  He smiled proudly and began showing off to his friends. 

Xena went over to Peter who was groaning and rubbing his stomach.  Gabrielle looked up at her gratefully.  "He’s okay. Can you help me move him?"

The warrior grabbed his arm.  Hefting him over her shoulder, she walked toward the car.   The blonde opened the door and helped lay him in the back.  He let out one small grunt before passing out cold.

Taking the driver's seat, Gabrielle turned to the woman beside her.  "That was great... the way you handled them."

"They're just kids."

"Still, we could have been hurt.  Peter really made them angry."

"Nah, I never would have let them hurt..." She stopped.  "They didn’t want any trouble."

Gabrielle started the car and headed for home.  After a long while, she broke the silence.  "You missed on purpose." 

Xena looked at her uncertainly.

"When you were playing pool.  You threw the game, didn’t you?"

The dark-haired woman nodded.

"Why?  You could have won."

"I could see how uncomfortable you were.  I never should have agreed to do it."

"Thanks."  The blonde glanced regretfully in the rearview mirror.  "I’m sorry for how Peter behaved tonight.  It’s really out of character for him."

"It’s not a problem," she assured her.  "I had a good time."

To her surprise, in spite of everything Gabrielle had too.

*****

Hearing an insistent knock at the door, Xena went to answer. 

Peter stood outside, obviously irritated to find her there. "Isn't Gabby home?"  He stepped past her into the room.

 "She went to the hospital.  I'm expecting her any time."  Noting the pallid color of his skin, she barely repressed a smirk.  It was clear he was still suffering the aftereffects of their drinking contest.  "Are you feeling all right after the other night?"

"I’m fine," he said not bothering to hide his irritation.  "And you’re obviously fully recovered from the gunshot wound.  Healthy enough to get back to your life and let Gabby get back to hers."

"I wouldn’t be here if Gabrielle didn’t want me to stay."

"Look.  Gabby may be a little naïve, but I see right through you."

The warrior couldn’t hide her amusement at his obvious discomfort.  "Oh?  And what exactly do you see?"

"I've seen the way you look at her.  I know what you are." Xena didn’t waste her breath denying his accusation.  There was no point.  She smiled lightly. 

Her assured manner unnerved him.  "Gabby's not like that.  You're wasting your time." 

"If you're right, then you have nothing to fear from me," she replied matter of factly.

"What do you mean ‘if’ I'm right?  I'd know if she was that way."  Xena merely lifted a doubting brow.

"Look, Gabby’s the type of woman who knows what she wants and... that’s me.  She’s in love with me.  We’re getting married in a week."

"A lot can happen in 7 days," she replied, giving him a sly wink.

"Listen, I want you out of here.   I've got guys at the station checking on you.  If they even find a traffic violation, you’ll wish...." The sound of the key turning interrupted him. 

Gabrielle entered and Xena met her at the door to help with the bags she was carrying.  "I got some great stuff. I thought I'd cook for you tonight.  After all that hospital food, it's about time you had a good home cooked dinner."

Suddenly Peter stepped into Gabrielle’s line of vision, surprising her.

"Hi, Peter."  She leaned in and lightly kissed him on the cheek.  He took her in his arms and kissed her firmly for Xena’s benefit.

She pulled away awkwardly.  "How are you feeling?"

"Great!  How about coming over to my place tonight?  You can cook dinner for me.  It's been awhile since we've been alone."  Peering over her shoulder for Xena's reaction, he let his hands slide over her hips and squeezed her butt suggestively.  Gabrielle squirmed uncomfortably from his grasp, backing out of his embrace. 

The warrior turned away and walked into the kitchen.  Placing the groceries on the table, she listened to their conversation.

"I’ve been at the hospital most of the day.  One of my patients took a turn for the worse.   I was looking forward to relaxing at home this evening." 

"You work too hard.  Christ, you’re supposed to be on vacation.  After we’re married you should take that leave we talked about."  She ran her hands nervously through her hair and walked toward the bar to pour herself a drink. 

"If you’re feeling tired, you shouldn’t drink."

Gabrielle released a heavy sigh and turned to face him.  "I’m fine.  I just want to unwind a little."

"It doesn’t take much and you start to feel it," he insisted. 

Xena watched from across the room.  The young woman’s energy seemed to fade as if she was fighting a losing battle.  She leaned against the couch, the empty glass dangling loosely in her hand.  Like the other times the warrior had seen them together, Gabrielle seemed to surrender to his will.  It made her ashamed of the times she had treated her friend like a child.  Walking past them, she went to the bar and smiled.  "A drink sounds like a great idea."  She took Gabrielle’s glass and poured them each a bourbon. 

Casting her friend a grateful glance, the blonde took a long sip and spoke with an authority she didn’t feel.  "Peter, I want to stay home tonight."

Xena raised her glass.  "To women who know what they want." She let a quirky smile draw up the corners of her mouth.  Peter glared at her.

"Look Gab, we haven’t spent anytime alone together since..." He left the sentence unfinished.  They all knew it was since Xena had come into their lives.  He sputtered in frustration  "I... I feel like I have to make an appointment to see you anymore."

Gabrielle took another sip of her drink.  "I know I’ve been busy.  Maybe we can get together tomorrow for..."

He cut her off.  "I’m working late tomorrow, remember?  I had to change with Roy to get the next few weeks off."

"I’m sorry, I forgot."  Gabrielle realized suddenly how little she’d thought about Peter lately.

"Too bad."  Xena said, catching his eye.  "I guess it will be just the two of us alone again."  She couldn’t contain a mischievous smile as she watched the muscles tighten in his jaw.

He turned angrily and closed the door a little to loudly behind him.

Gabrielle let out a heavy breath and leaned against the couch.

"You okay?" the warrior asked.

"Yeah, but suddenly I have a headache."  She set her unfinished drink on the table.

"I know I’ve intruded on your life," Xena said softly.   "If it’s a problem, I can leave."

"No, I like having you near... err here.   I mean...  I don’t want you to go."

The warrior took a relieved breath.  "Then, why don’t you let me cook dinner?" 

Gabrielle stood up.  "No, it’s okay.  Cooking relaxes me.  But I could use some help.  How are you at chopping vegetables?"

***** 

The feel of the knife in her hands was oddly comforting.  In a world filled with things that were alien to her, this was familiar.  She set to her task with vigor, slicing the vegetables with amazing speed.   Task completed, she handed the chopping board to Gabrielle.

"That was quick."  As the bard began to toss them in the wok, she noticed the precision of the slices.

"These are all the same size."  Gabrielle picked up two pieces of carrot comparing them closely.  "They’re exactly the same."

The warrior shrugged.

"Are you a cook?"

Xena laughed.  "Definitely not."   She poised the tip of the knife on the end the circular slice of carrot and pressed down.  As it flipped in the air she caught it in her mouth.

Gabrielle smiled.  "Pretty impressive.   But can you do this?"  She grabbed a cherry from the bowl on the counter and used one hand to tie the stem into a perfect surgical knot.  A mischievous grin lit up her face as she held it up for her friend to view.

"Not bad." Xena admitted.  She picked up a cherry and popped it into her mouth.  Moments later she pulled out the stem, having neatly tied it with her tongue.  She handed it triumphantly to the young woman.

Gabrielle laughed.  "A tad competitive, I see!" 

Xena barely heard her words.   She was hypnotized by her friend’s playful expression.  It was achingly reminiscent of their interactions in the past.

"Well, I can’t beat that," the blonde smiled. "But I’m willing to bet that I can eat more than you.  Loser does dishes."  Xena suddenly didn’t care about competing.  She was too busy hoping Gabrielle’s appetite had not changed, hoping the bard would win.

"You’re on."

*****

The meal finished, Gabrielle got up to pour coffee.  She was dressed in khaki colored shorts that showed off her well-defined muscles, something Xena had missed being able to see.   Slipping off her shoes, the blonde padded through the kitchen in her bare feet. 

The warrior loved the casualness of it.  She followed and began to do the dishes.  As suspected, she had lost the eating contest.  It hadn’t even been close.  She smiled just thinking about it.

Gabrielle helped by retrieving their dirty glasses from the living room.  As she turned the corner, she watched the dark-haired woman rinse a plate and move to set it in the dishwasher.  A wave of dizziness washed over her.  As she closed her eyes, her mind flashed to a vivid image of Xena in a leather dress with a circular object outstretched in her hand.  Instantly, the vision was gone.  In its place, she saw the dark-haired woman watching her with concern.

She reached out to hand her the glass.  "This needs to go in, too."  Still feeling dizzy, she released the glass too quickly.  It hit the floor and shattered. 

Before she could react, her friend gripped her waist and lifted her up, setting her on the counter.  Without conscious thought Xena's hands slid down the young woman’s thighs, calves, and feet, checking for cuts.  Gabrielle remained quiet as she watched her curious behavior.

Finding her unharmed, Xena lifted her hands from the blonde's legs and offered a nervous explanation.  "I... I thought you might have cut yourself.  I..."

"I’m fine.  But thanks."

Xena avoided her eyes by looking down at the broken glass.  "Stay there.  You don’t have shoes on.   I’ll take care of this."  Carefully, she began picking up the pieces.

"I'm not sure what happened.  Just before I handed you the glass, I had this vision of you in the oddest costume."  The blonde laughed lightly.  "Maybe I should have passed on that second helping of desert."

Xena's heart nearly stopped.  Without thinking, her grip on the broken glass tightened.

"You’re bleeding!"  The doctor was on her feet in an instant examining her hand. 

The tall woman pulled back.  "It’s nothing."

Ignoring her protests, Gabrielle took her by the wrist and led her toward the bathroom.  "I want to clean that out."

"Really, it’s not that deep."

"Who’s the doctor here anyway?  Indulge me."  Xena nearly melted at the familiar words.  Sheepishly, she offered her hand. 

"Can’t have you getting an infection."  She quickly swabbed the cut with Betadine and carefully bandaged it.  Although she'd always enjoyed caring for people, taking care of Xena felt like the most natural thing in the world.  Quickly examining her work, she noticed several scars on the older woman's arms.  She ran her finger over a particularly deep one on her forearm.  "What happened?"

The warrior pulled her arm back and shrugged.  "I’ve been in a lot of fights."

"I don’t understand. You seem so gentle."

"I... I wasn’t always.  I’ve changed."   As she spoke the words, she found she believed them, for the very first time.    She wasn't the same person she had been all those years ago.  Falling in love with Gabrielle had changed her.

*****

Dishes done, they sat side by side on the couch, letting the delicious meal settle.  The silence between them was comfortable.  When Xena closed her eyes, she could almost pretend they were lying by their campfire.

Gabrielle turned her head, taking in her friend's profile.  The dark-haired woman was incredibly beautiful.  Her mind went back to the incident at the hospital, when Xena stood before her in only underwear and a smile.  She closed her eyes and tried to visualize the tall woman’s naked body.  Her memory reproduced the image with surprising clarity and she felt her skin flush.  Suddenly, her stomach rumbled loudly.  Embarrassed, she laughed.

Xena looked at her playfully.  "I think it’s rebelling, and no wonder.  I’ve never seen anyone put away food like you do."

"Yeah, Peter says I’ll be fat before I’m forty."

"Hmmm, sweet," Xena murmured sarcastically.

Gabrielle laughed.  "Well, for what it’s worth he said he’d love me anyway."

"How romantic," the warrior replied dully.

"Actually, he can be romantic, in his own way."

"And what way is that?"

"In a practical, subtle, kind of way."

"Subtle?"  Xena questioned.

"Yeah, very.  Almost undetectable."  They both laughed.  "You don’t like him very much do you?"  Gabrielle asked seriously.

"I don’t know him."

"Actually, he has many good qualities," the doctor defended.

"I'm sure he must, for you to love him." 

Gabrielle paused and looked away shyly.  "Xena, have you ever been in love?"

The question caught the warrior off guard.  She paused only a moment before answering.  "Yes."  Her expression softened as she focused on Gabrielle.  "I fell in love a very long time ago."

"Do you remember what it felt like?"

Xena drew a deep breath.  "I could never forget.  There was a connection between us, like she was part of me.   When we touched it was..." She stopped suddenly overwhelmed by the memory. 

Gabrielle’s mind focused momentarily on her use of the feminine pronoun, her suspicions confirmed.  As she looked up, the depth of emotion in the dark-haired woman's eyes surprised her.   "What happened?  Why aren’t you together?" 

Xena looked away sadly.   "She died." 

Merely speaking the words caused a shudder to run through her.  "It was as if part of my soul had been torn from me.  Facing life without her seemed more than I could bear.  I thought it might kill me... for a while I wished it would." 

"But you survived."

"Because she asked me to... and there’s nothing I would deny her."

The desire to comfort Xena, to take her in her arms, was nearly impossible to repress.  "I’m sorry."

"Don’t be.  I have my memories of her.  I go on... hoping." Her voice faltered.  Meeting Gabrielle’s, she saw a sad longing there.

"I want that."  The young woman said softly.    "I want to love... that much."

"You don’t feel that with Peter?"

"No."  She glanced away shyly.    "I... I care deeply for him.  He’s dependable, a good family man... but I never felt that intensity."  She blushed.  "Not with him."  

Gabrielle released a heavy sigh.  "Maybe it’s better this way.  There's not nearly so much to lose."  She spoke as if she were trying to convince herself as much as Xena. 

The warrior put a gentle hand on her arm.  "Few things worthwhile come without risk.  But, believe me... true love is worth any price.  The joy... of being together...  I don’t regret a single moment of that.  I’ll never settle for less.   I’d give my life... to have her back, if only for an instant.  I..." Xena’s throat tightened, as a wave of emotion gripped her. The woman who was her world, her reason for being, sat before her completely unaware.

The sorrow in the warrior’s eyes was utterly compelling. Gabrielle felt it as if it was her own.  Without hesitation her arms encircled the older woman, holding her close.  Suddenly, it was as if the world came into alignment.  Their bodies fit perfectly, melding into one another. 

Xena moaned at the rightness of it.  "Gabrielle."  The word was uttered with such tenderness, that the blonde pulled back in confusion.  

A single tear rolled down the dark-haired woman's cheek.  As if in a trance, Gabrielle reached to wipe it away.  The contact sent a charge through her.  Her eyes fell to Xena’s lips, so close that she could sense their softness, nearly taste their sweetness.  She feared she would die from longing if she didn’t.   Her entire body screamed for it.  Gabrielle froze, astonished by the strength of her feelings. 

The moment was electric for them both. 

The warrior reached out.  She had to touch her; she needed to know she was real.  Her fingers tingled as they slid through the soft golden hair.  When she reached the base of her neck, she stopped, lightly resting her hand there.  Their eyes met and Gabrielle’s heart nearly stopped beating as she waited for Xena to continue, silently prayed for her to continue.

The shrill ring of the telephone stole the moment.  Shaking herself from her erotic haze, the blonde rose to answer it. Xena closed her eyes and tried to calm her racing heart. 

After a few minutes Gabrielle hung up and stood before her.  "My patient is worse.  I’ve got to go to the hospital.  I shouldn’t be long.  Will you be okay?"

The warrior nodded, but in truth she wasn’t at all sure.

Gabrielle backed up hesitantly and reached for her keys. 

Xena struggled to keep from begging her to stay.  Unable to watch her go, she turned, flinching as the door clicked closed, separating them once again.  She took a deep breath...  so close.  Had she imagined the desire she saw in Gabrielle’s eyes?  She wanted it to be real, needed it to be real and in her heart, she knew it was.  She had always known, from the very beginning.  In the past, fear had kept her from facing it.  But now, she could little afford to give in to her doubts.   Time was running out. 

*****

After hours of emergency surgery, Gabrielle climbed into the car and headed home.  The operation had gone badly.  She blinked her eyes and tried to put it out of her mind.  For the first time that evening, she allowed herself the luxury of thinking about the beautiful woman waiting for her. 

There was no denying that she was physically drawn to Xena.  Her body came alive with sensation whenever she was near.  If the phone had not interrupted them, if... 

The intensity of her feelings frightened her.  Gabrielle’s mind was filled with questions she had no answers to.  Had the desire she saw in the dark-haired woman’s eyes been for her or was she remembering her soulmate?  Was Xena just reacting to the love she had for another?  As she wondered about her friend’s feelings, she became anxious.  She couldn’t help thinking about what it would be like to kiss her. 

A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought of Peter.  The wedding was less than a week away and she had fallen in love with a patient, a female patient.  It was crazy.  She knew she should ignore the emotions raging inside her but couldn’t.  Nothing in her life had ever felt this right or this natural.  

Something was happening to her.  She wasn't sleeping well.  Her dreams were filled with images of people and places that seemed eerily real, yet completely foreign.  And lately, the visions were not isolated to her dreams.   Flashes came to her at odd moments throughout the course of the day.  Things were slowly coming unraveled.  She was losing control over her well-ordered life.

As she pulled into the garage, she was certain of only one thing: somehow she had to get her life back on track.

*****

Gabrielle quietly let herself in and sank down onto the couch.  She closed her eyes, trying to relax her tense muscles.   Exhaustion swept over her.  Her mind flashed to the warrior swinging her sword.   She opened her eyes to dispel the image and saw Xena standing over her.  She struggled momentarily to separate fantasy from reality.

The dark-haired woman watched her with concern.  "Are you feeling all right?" 

Gabrielle blinked and gave her friend a reassuring smile.  "I’m fine.  Did I wake you?"

"No.  I couldn’t sleep.  Did everything go okay at the hospital?"

Gabrielle looked away sadly.  She released a shuddering breath before speaking.  "I... I lost her.  Nothing worked." The weight of her emotions became too much.  She began to tremble.

Xena sat down beside her and laid her hand lightly on her arm.  "I’m sorry."

The warmth of her friend’s touch soothed her.  "I wish I could harden myself, distance myself emotionally.  I feel so helpless, sometimes."

"That’s human.  You do your best, that’s what counts."

Gabrielle shook her head doubtfully.  "Maybe I could do better by my patients if I were more emotionally detached."

"You’ve got it backwards.  It’s your empathy that makes you a good doctor."

"You think so?"

Xena nodded.   "Where would I be if you hadn’t taken time, if you hadn’t made the extra effort?"

"You would have been fine.   I’ve never seen anyone so determined to get well."

"I think I’d be drugged and bound in restraints still, if it hadn’t been for your caring."

"I don’t know," Gabrielle answered wearily.

"I do."  Xena laid her hands gently on the young woman’s shoulders and let her fingers slowly work the tight muscles in her neck. 

Gabrielle's body immediately began to relax.  "God, that feels good."

The dark-haired woman smiled as she felt the tension beneath her fingers gradually ease, succumbing to her gentle ministrations.  The blonde released a sigh of pleasure and closed her eyes.  Xena’s hands casually moved outward to her shoulders, continuing the tender massage.  The warrior was completely focused on her efforts.  As she slowly worked her way down the young woman’s arms, her thumbs brushed lightly over the outer curves of the blonde’s breasts. 

Gabrielle’s body trembled in response.   She opened her eyes, quickly glancing at Xena to see if she had noticed.

She had. 

If the warrior hadn’t felt Gabrielle’s body react, she could have easily read it in her expression. The need in the young woman’s eyes could not be mistaken.

Without words, they came together, their lips meeting.  A tingling sensation radiated through Gabrielle's entire being.  Her fingers tangled in Xena’s hair, as she pulled her in, deepening the kiss.  Her body surged with heat.  The young woman moaned as incredible sensations rushed through her.  She gasped, breathless, her heart racing and pulled back. 

The warrior sat spellbound.  The kiss had been everything she remembered and more.  She ached from the loss of contact.  Her very soul cried out for more.  She searched Gabrielle’s eyes for a sign.  They seemed to sparkle with passion.  Unsure but unable to resist, she bent forward, her lips lightly brushing the blonde's cheek with tender reverence.  

The young woman guided her once again to her lips, where they united in searing kiss.  Her body hummed with energy as Xena pressed against her, every nerve ending awakened.  The coarse material of her shirt rubbed against the tips of her nipples.  Gabrielle could feel them tighten, becoming hard and erect.  A groan escaped her lips as a charge shot to her center.   Her sex fluttered with pleasure as moisture gathered between her legs.  It was like nothing she had ever experienced, so very different from Peter.  Peter...  her mind reeled.   She gasped.   "Stop.  I can’t..."

"What’s wrong?"  Xena tried to calm her racing heart.

"I...  I..." Unable to trust her own body, Gabrielle held her hands up to put some space between them.  "I...  I can’t think.  It’s ...  it’s too strong, too much..." She stumbled to her feet.  "I... I can’t do this."  Her hands were shaking violently.  As she tried to still them, her eyes fell to her engagement ring.  She curled her fingers tightly, eyes welling with tears.  "I... I’m sorry... I... I’ve got to go."  She backed away quickly, nearly stumbling and rushed out the door without looking back. 

Xena’s hopes shattered. 

She had pushed too hard, gone too fast, and lost.   It felt like she was reliving her mistakes, choosing actions over words.  If only she had talked to Gabrielle, told her what was in her heart.  Now it was too late.  She feared that Gabrielle might not return before she had to leave.  The weight of her sorrow was unbearable.

Xena knew she should leave now, save her friend further discomfort, but she couldn’t.   The thought that she might never see her again was too painful to consider.   She bit back her anguish and walked to the window.  This was her last day in the future.  Tomorrow night the moon would be full.  She would have to return. 

The rushing cars on the streets below made her feel out of place and alone.   She desperately longed for the quiet stillness of the forest that waited thousands of years away.

Part 4