ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Consummated by Julia Ford

Disclaimers: The characters Xena, Gabrielle, and company are owned by MCA/Universal/Renaissance Pictures/Studios USA, and are used here without permission but with many thanks.  Ba’al is a god of the ancient Semites.  If there are any ancient Semites who are upset with my treatment of Ba’al, please accept my apologies.  The other characters are my creation and are not intended to resemble anyone else living or dead.  My apologies if they accidentally do so!

Subtext:  Ok, I’ve really crossed the line from "subtext" to  "text" in this "first time" story.  If you object to consensual, sexual intimate relationships between two women or if it is illegal where you live or for your age, do not read any further.

Violence:  Not too much but this is Xena.  What more can I say.

Homophobia: All of us have heard the homophobic lines of the religious right before, but they still hurt sometimes.  Use your judgment.

Spoilers: From episodes up to and including "Heart of Darkness" and "Legacy"

A suggestion: This story is part of a trilogy. "Finding Our Way" and "Lessons of Love" are the first two stories in the set.  You might want to read them first, but you can start here if you want. 

Cover by ForevaXena

(Click photo for larger image)

Although it was well past dawn Xena was still quite happily in bed.  Lying on her back she looked tenderly down on Gabrielle’s soundly sleeping form draped over her body.   Gabrielle’s skin was warm against Xena’s and Xena loved the feel of it.  The warrior’s left arm was wrapped around the bard’s shoulders and Xena was smiling in complete contentment.  On Xena’s left wrist shone the gold bracelet that had been given to her by Aphrodite.

It had only been three days since Xena woke up in the cave on Mt. Eligal after her journey through Aphrodite’s "lessons of love" school of hard knocks, and they had been the best days of her life.  Xena had finally told Gabrielle that she loved her not just as a friend and soul mate, but as a lover.  Words fail to describe how Xena felt when she discovered that Gabrielle wanted Xena as a lover too.  Yet the warrior and her bard had not consummated this new aspect of their relationship - yet.  They were waiting for Xena’s strength to return.  It had almost blown Xena away to discover that Gabrielle had fantasized about Xena using her power and strength when making love to her.  Needless to say, Xena had been doing everything she could to recover quickly.

"Soon Gabrielle," Xena thought to herself, "soon I will be able to make love to you in the way you want."

They had made their way back from the cave on Mt. Eligal to Celica’s town of Acropolis in easy stages, allowing plenty of time for rest.  In some ways they had been tempted to stay in the cave where Xena’s "lessons of love" journey started.  Certainly, given the sumptuous redecorating Aphrodite had done, they would’ve been really comfortable even though Xena wasn’t a big fan of the color pink.  But, they were low on supplies and they knew Celica had sent a message to Eve.  Their daughter would worry if they weren’t in Acropolis to meet her, so they packed up and headed out.  They would go back to the cave Aphrodite gave them another time. 

After they arrived in Acropolis, they went to the inn where the innkeeper smiled at them and gave them the best room -- gratis.  He was still exceptionally grateful for how they, along with Gaia, saved the village from destruction at Philip’s hand.  Eve hadn’t yet arrived, so Xena and Gabrielle had dinner and retired to their room to hit the sack early. 

Xena smiled as she remembered how Gabrielle had insisted last night that they not wear their sleep shirts.  "Listen Xena, even if you are not strong enough for me to feel you the way I really  want, at least let me be close with nothing between us," Gabrielle had said.  Xena didn’t really need much persuading and happily crawled into bed with nothing on.  They had spent the night cuddled in each other’s arms. 

Xena now kissed the top of the blonde head nestled into her shoulder.  Gabrielle responded by snuggling even closer to her warrior.  Then Xena heard a gentle knock on their door.

"Yes?"

"Mother?"

"Hang on a second."  Xena made sure the blanket was covering them, then grabbed her chakram with her right hand and gave it a gentle flip up against the deadbolt securing the door.

"Come in, Eve."

Eve gently opened the door, slipped in, and locked the door behind her.  Smiling, she walked over the bed and bent down to give her mother a kiss.

"I got here late last night and didn’t want to disturb you, but when you two weren’t down for breakfast...well, that’s not like you.  You seem to be rather trapped at the moment mother."  Eve smiled softly down at Gabrielle.

"Sit down," said Xena, "I’d rather let her wake up on her own.  She’s had a really tough time looking after me."

"So I gathered from Celica’s message.  What’s been happening?"

Xena smiled down at the love of her life, then looked up at her daughter and told her all about Theron, the oracle, Aphrodite’s bracelet, and the journey she went on to learn about love.  When she got to the part about waking up in the cave after her journey, Xena hesitated.  She wanted to tell Eve of the desire she and Gabrielle had expressed for one another, but was uncertain of how Eve, the Messenger of Eli would react to the news.  Certainly Eli had blessed their friendship and had even called their faith in one another a miracle, but what would he have thought about them being lovers?

Gabrielle felt Xena’s anxiety even in her sleep and woke abruptly, fearful that something was wrong.  As she opened her eyes she saw Eve smiling at her and felt Xena’s arm around her.

"Xena?"

"It’s ok...I was just telling Eve about our adventures."

"How far did you get?"

"I was just about to tell her about our conversation after I woke up in the cave."

Then Gabrielle knew the source of Xena’s anxiety.  How would their daughter react? 

"Then I’m glad I woke up.  Go ahead, I’m right here," said Gabrielle as she stayed snuggled into Xena’s side.

"Eve...I...we...Gabrielle and I..." Xena started but was unsure of the words to use.  She paused and then took a breath and simply said, "I love her."

Eve smiled at Xena and said, "Are you happy?"

Xena nodded.

"Gabrielle?"

"Eve, I love your mother very much."

"Then let me be the first to congratulate you.  After all these years I was afraid you two wouldn’t realize there was something missing from your relationship," said Eve as she kissed each of them.

"You knew?" asked Xena.

"Anybody with eyes could see how much you two love each other.  Especially if they watched your dance at the farewell party for Lucifer...or so I am told."

"Yeah, that was quite the dance," said Gabrielle as she blushed at bit at the memory.

Xena smiled as she thought about the dance and then said "Gabrielle, we’ll have to continue that dance sometime.  You were really hot."  She kissed the top of Gabrielle’s head and then looked up at Eve.

Just then one of the memories from her "lessons of love" journey flooded back into Xena’s mind.  She shuddered a bit as she thought about what Darphus had said about her men thinking she was a pervert because she could be more aroused by women than by men. 

Gabrielle, whose head was still resting on Xena’s shoulder, could hear the increase in the warrior’s heart rate.  With the arm that was wrapped around Xena’s waist she gave her warrior a little squeeze of reassurance.

Looking straight into her daughter’s eyes and at the same time grasping Gabrielle closely, Xena asked "Eve, does our love and desire for each other bother you?"

"Mother, I love you both.  You are my parents.  Why would I mind?" asked Eve rather surprised at the question.

"Eve, some think that two women should not be lovers."  Xena prayed that Eve didn’t share that belief. 

"Mother!  I am the Messenger of Eli whose message is one of love.  Unconditional, no strings attached, love.  If the love is true, then it is blessed.  Gender doesn’t come into it.  By the way, if you think Eli didn’t see your love then you’re kidding yourselves." 

Tears glistened in the eyes of both Xena and Gabrielle.

"Thank you daughter," said Xena.

"Yes, thank you Eve," echoed Gabrielle who felt the tension leaving Xena’s body.

Just then Gabrielle’s stomach started to rumble, causing all three women to laugh.

"Mothers, how about I go downstairs and get us a table?  Then you two can join me and tell me all about your plans for a ceremony and your honeymoon."  With that Eve stood up, smiled at them and left the room.

Once she was gone, Gabrielle pulled herself up and gave Xena a gentle kiss on the lips and said, "Well lover, have you given any thought to either a ceremony or the honeymoon?"

Xena kissed her back and replied, "I’ve been thinking about nothing else other than the honeymoon.  Can’t say I’ve really thought much about a ceremony..."

"Well, Xena, great minds think alike."

A few kisses later they got up, washed, dressed, and headed down to meet Eve.

**

The tavern was quiet as it was mid-morning and most people were out and about doing their daily tasks.  Gabrielle and Xena came down the stairs from their room and joined Eve at her table.

"Mother, your leathers are just hanging off you!  You’ve lost so much weight!"  Eve was distressed at how frail Xena looked in her too large leathers.

Before Xena or Gabrielle could respond, the innkeeper’s wife placed a huge platter of food in front of them and said, "Don’t you worry about them.  I’ll fatten them up.  Eat up now dearies.  Call if you need more."  Then she waddled off into the kitchen.

"Goodness," said Eve looking at the huge platter, "there’s enough here to feed the five thousand!"

"Or at least one really hungry Amazon Queen and her family," joked Xena as she heaped food on a plate for Gabrielle and then served Eve and herself.

For the next while not much was heard from the table as the women dug into the excellent food.  Xena and Gabrielle were astounded at how hungry they were.  Little was left when the three women downed forks with sighs of contentment.

"Excellent food, thank you," said Gabrielle as the innkeeper’s wife came to clear the table.

"Would you like more, dearies?"

"Not now thanks," said Gabrielle.

Their hunger for food satisfied, the two women and their daughter shared the news of the events in their lives.  Eve had been visiting groups of the follower’s of Eli and had discovered that, rather than hiding her identity as Livia, telling of the miracle that occurred just as she was going to kill Xena and of her baptism were the most powerful messages she could give.  People were realizing that if there was enough love for the conversion of Livia, there was hope for them too.

"So, as much as I would’ve wanted you two to have raised me and kept me from my evil path, I’m not sure that I could’ve been Eli’s Messenger if you had," concluded Eve.

"It’s funny how life works out sometimes," said Gabrielle. 

"I know how hard it is to talk about one’s dark side.  You’re very brave," said Xena as she put a hand over Eve’s that were clasped together on the table.  As Xena did so, something on the bracelet caught Eve’s eye.

Eve peered closely at the bracelet and smiled as she confirmed what she had seen.

"Look here, on the clasp, it is the symbol that the followers of Eli use.  Perhaps Aphrodite and Eli have more in common than I’d thought," said Eve.

"Wow Xena, she’s right," said Gabrielle after she looked closely.

Xena looked as well and just smiled.

"So mothers, do tell me about your plans for a ceremony and honeymoon," said Eve.

Gabrielle blushed and Xena looked very intently at a spot on the table.  Neither of them wanted to admit they hadn’t given any thought to having a ceremony, being as they were totally preoccupied with the thoughts of activities more suited to the honeymoon.

Eve laughed at them saying, "I think I am looking at two love struck birds who don’t want to admit what’s been keeping their thoughts occupied.  Don’t worry, if you want to do the honeymoon first, I understand."

"Really?" asked Gabrielle shyly.

"Yes really!  So where are you going to go?" asked Eve.

Xena looked up and smiled at her daughter, and then reaching for Gabrielle’s hand said, "Anyplace where Gabrielle can be happy."

"What about it Gabrielle?  Egypt, Athens, where would you be happy?" asked Eve.

Gabrielle thought carefully for a minute then said, "I picture us camped out beside a beautiful lake, good for swimming and full of fish.  I picture us surrounded by a lush green forest with nobody to bother us for miles and miles.  Eve, over the years with your mother some of my happiest times have been as we camped out looking up at the stars with the campfire crackling nearby.  What about it Xena?"

"If you’re there with me it sounds like paradise," said Xena.  "Eve, do you know of anyplace that matches the description?"

"Mothers, I think I know the perfect place for you to go.  It’s not far from where I am headed next."

"Where’s that Eve?" asked Xena

"About four days travel north of here there is land that was once inhabited by a group who believed in one God.  Nobody’s quite sure what happened to the group.  Rumor has it that the leader of the group lives the life of a hermit in a cave near where their settlement used to be.  I want to meet the hermit.  Anyway, I understand there is a beautiful lake with great fishing and a wonderful waterfall.  Nearby there is a forest which opens up to meadows that leads up to a mountain top."  Eve paused as she saw looks of recognition in Gabrielle and Xena’s eyes.

"What’s the name of the leader?" asked Xena.

"It’s Icus or something like that," replied Eve.

Gabrielle laughed when she heard his name.  "Gods Xena, do you remember just how stoned I was on henbane?"

"Remember, how could I forget?  What I want to know is how do you remember anything about it?" asked Xena, tapping Gabrielle on the head.

"Actually, other than saving Icus by the pool...do you remember the look on that guy’s face when you walked out of the water with nothing on...all I really remember is the headache!" laughed Gabrielle.

"Have you forgotten important details like your friends in the cave.  Do you suppose the altos are still singing flat?" teased Xena.

"Likely.  Xena, look at the look on Eve’s face.  You’d better tell her the story," said Gabrielle as she smiled at Eve while laying her hand on Xena’s thigh under the table.  Somehow Gabrielle needed to touch Xena, and the warrior had no objections.

Eve thoroughly enjoyed the tale that Xena recounted and laughed heartily at the antics of the stoned Gabrielle.  The ending where Xena and Gabrielle could not account for the voice they had heard telling Anteus to hold his blow caused Eve to shiver and say, "It seems that the one God touched you even before you met Eli."

"Eve, I know you can cast out demons in the name of Eli and all the powers of heaven...I felt your power when you cleansed me of Mephistopheles...but do you really believe in one God?" asked Gabrielle, suddenly very serious.

"Yes I do.  I believe there is One Supreme Being who is different from all the lesser gods that we know.  You see the lesser gods are not all powerful, there is always someway to kill them.  They just look after their own interests.  They don’t believe that we humans can seek our own destiny, rather they have to do it for us which usually means using us for their own purposes.  The one God is different in that God shows us the path to travel through the prophets, through speaking to some of the chosen such as Anteus and Eli, but gives us the freedom to choose our own path.  A path of evil, or the path of the greater good." 

Eve looked at her parents worried that this one God talk might be too over the top for them, but she needn’t have been concerned.  Both Gabrielle and Xena were nodding their heads, if not in agreement with the concept of one God, at least in appreciation for the concept of being allowed to create one’s own destiny.

"Xena?"

"Yes, Gabrielle?"

"I bet Icus is in the cave with my choir if he’s living as a hermit."

"Likely. Do you want to...."  Xena left her question unfinished.  Perhaps Gabrielle wanted to travel without the company of Eve.

Gabrielle smiled at Xena and gave her thigh a gentle squeeze, appreciative of the implied offer to travel with her alone.

"Xena, yes, let’s travel with Eve and show her the cave.  Then we can go and camp alone by that lake where we first met Icus.  Let’s have our honeymoon there.  I have good memories from that place."  Gabrielle moved closer to Xena and whispered "That guy on the shore was not the only one looking at you with an open mouth.  I thought you were so hot looking.  It’ll be a great place for my warrior to ravish her bard."

"Gabrielle!"

"Well it’s true!"

"Mother," asked Eve, "why are you blushing?"

The rest of the day was spent gathering provisions, meeting with Eve’s other traveling companions, and enjoying more of the innkeeper’s great food.  The next morning they left to find Icus.

**

The trip to the cave where they thought Icus might have been staying was remarkable in its un-remarkableness.  They had good weather, no bandits trying to rob them, and Xena’s strength had returned along with some of the weight she had lost. Nothing at all worth mentioning happened to them.  Well, perhaps to say nothing happened was not exactly true, for the sexual tension between Xena and Gabrielle was growing every step of the way.

As they neared the cave they tethered the horses and continued on foot.

"Let me go first."  Xena lit a torch and cautiously entered the cave with sword drawn while the others waited by the entrance.

"Icus?  Are you in here?" Xena called out after taking only a couple of steps.  She wasn’t really expecting a response and was surprised to hear a man’s voice responding.

"Who is it that seeks me?" asked Icus as he came into sight.

"Xena, Gabrielle and a few others." Xena waved the others to come in and stand just behind her.

Icus walked up to them.  He was now a forty-year-old man and, except for his eyes, did not bear much of a resemblance to the young boy they remembered.  If he was surprised to see them, he gave no sign of it.  He smiled slightly and said,

"Xena, Gabrielle it has been many years hasn’t it?  It seems that you’ve managed to find the fountain of youth.  I’m glad you’re well.  Welcome.  Your friends are welcome too.  Come."

Icus turned and led the group into the cave.  He stopped in the section where he had once waited with Gabrielle while Xena went to visit his father who was bent on sacrificing his son Icus to the one God. 

Xena leaned over to Gabrielle and whispered, "Your choir is still here."  The only response she got was an elbow in the ribs.

Once they sat down, Xena asked Icus to tell them what had happened to him and his father’s people.

"It’s a pretty long story," said Icus, "but the short of it is that my father died when I was 17 years old and I became the leader of the people.  As is human nature, some of the people did not want to follow such a young man and chose to leave for other pastures.  I bid them farewell and asked the God of my father to bless them.  For maybe 10 years all was well.  We were happy, content and blessed by God.  But then something strange started happening.  Villagers would go to bed at night and the next morning there was no trace of them.  My mother was one of the first taken.  There were even cases when husbands and wives fell asleep together only to wake up to see their spouses disappear from their arms.  We looked far and wide yet did not find any of them.  Finally I was the only person left in the village.  I thought that eventually I’d be taken as well, but I never was.  I called upon the God of my father for help to find my people.  The only response I got to my pleas was that I would have to wait for the Messenger to come.  I left the village because I couldn’t stand being alone there with all the empty buildings.  Xena, I remembered your cave and came here to live my solitary life while I wait for the Messenger."

Xena stood up and walked over to Eve and held her hand down to her daughter.  Eve grabbed it and allowed herself to be pulled up by her mother.  Then Xena brought Eve over to Icus and sat her down in front of him.

"Icus, I would like you to meet our daughter.  She is the Messenger."

Tears formed in Icus’ eyes and slowly trickled down his face. 

"I have waited so long..."

Eve reached up and brushed the tears from his face. 

"I’m here now.  I’d like you to meet several other followers of Eli." 

"I don’t know the name Eli, but welcome," said Icus standing and holding his hands out to them.

"Eve," said Xena.

"Yes mother?"

"I think it’s time Gabrielle and I headed off and let you spend time with Icus.  You and he have much to talk about between Eli and the God of his father.  We’ll be close by and we’ll keep an eye out for Icus’s people.  How about we meet at the lake in a week?" asked Xena, who was feeling much stronger and really wanted to leave so she could spend time alone with her bard.  She had plans that she didn’t want to delay any longer.

Eve turned and smiled at both of her mothers.  Then she hugged them and whispered, "Enjoy your honeymoon."  In a louder voice Eve said, "We’ll meet you in a week."

With that Xena and Gabrielle, filled with longing and anticipation, said their good-byes to Icus and the followers of Eli and headed to the lake.

**

It was late afternoon when they rode into sight of the lake and waterfall.  All was as beautiful as they remembered.  On the path down to the lake they passed a statue that struck Gabrielle as cute although it was obviously intended to be male given the generous proportions of one specific piece of anatomy.  Passing the statue by, they trotted down the last stretch of the path.  Then they went about their usual routine of setting up camp, collecting firewood, tending the horses, catching fish for dinner...all the regular stuff.

But while all of their actions were the same ones they had done together for years, there was newness about them.  Both the warrior and the bard were feeling the excitement of anticipation, knowing that before the sun rose on the new day they would consummate their relationship as lovers.

Sitting by the fire after dinner they were again doing normal things.  Xena was sharpening her sword and Gabrielle was writing on a scroll.  Here are the words Gabrielle wrote.

I feel so excited.  Tonight I will know what I have yearned to know for so long.  I will know Xena.  I will feel her touch, her weight on top of me, and her lips on mine....  Oh Eli, thank you.  Oh Aphrodite, thank you.  I will also know what it is to feel her inside...

Gabrielle realized that Xena was no longer sharpening her sword so she put down her quill in mid-sentence, looked up and saw Xena looking at her from across the fire.  The bard thought she had never seen anyone so beautiful as Xena by firelight. 

Xena stood and with a heart of lightness beckoned Gabrielle to join her as she did during the "farewell party" for Lucifer.  Gabrielle walked over with her hand extended.  As their hands touched they both felt the shock of desire.  Gabrielle’s hand slid up Xena’s arm to Xena’s shoulder.  Xena drew her close, caressed Gabrielle’s face and turned it to hers.    This time there was no one to interrupt them.  Their dance became more and more sensual.  Swaying together, touching yet not kissing.  Their hearts beating more and more rapidly, their desire increasing, their ache to make love with one another becoming overwhelming.

"What do you want Gabrielle?" asked Xena in a low, husky voice.

"I want you, all of you," breathed Gabrielle.

"I’m yours."  Xena picked Gabrielle up, carried her to their bedroll, and set her down as if she weighed nothing.  Then Xena slowly removed the bard’s clothes and kissed her lover’s skin as it was revealed.   Gabrielle tried to remove Xena’s clothes, but the warrior placed one hand in the center of her chest and pushed her back down on the bedroll.

"Just watch," purred Xena.

Then Xena slowly, erotically removed her leathers, her shift and undergarments until she stood before Gabrielle naked except for the gold bracelet on her wrist. 

Now Gabrielle had seen Xena naked any number of times, but never had Xena stood before her, filled with sexual power, offering herself to Gabrielle as she was now.  Gabrielle gasped at the sight of Xena’s powerful body in the light of the campfire.

Xena slowly lay down on top of Gabrielle, letting the bard feel her weight.  Then she spread Gabrielle’s legs wide with her legs and held the Gabrielle’s arms over the bard’s head.  Slowly Xena allowed herself to kiss the softness of Gabrielle’s lips.  The warrior’s tongue sought entrance and was not denied.  Both women could feel the pain of desire in the center of their beings.  They each ached to feel the other.  Coming up for air, Xena looked into Gabrielle’s eyes with a passion and desire Gabrielle had never seen before.

"Gabrielle?"

"Don’t hold back Xena."

That was all the encouragement Xena needed.  She dropped down for another passionate kiss and then let go of Gabrielle’s arms.  Kneeling over the naked Gabrielle, Xena offered her a breast.  They both groaned with pleasure as Gabrielle kissed and nibbled on it.  Slowly Xena pulled that breast away and placed the other over Gabrielle’s mouth.  The sensation of Gabrielle grasping the second breast made Xena weak in the knees, but the feeling was momentary as Xena’s passion made her strong.  Slowly she lay down on her bard, forced her hip between Gabrielle’s legs and captured the bard’s mouth between her lips.  Grinding against Gabrielle’s core, Xena could feel her bard’s breaths coming more quickly and could feel Gabrielle’s wetness on her hip.  Continuing to grind, Xena moved her mouth down to Gabrielle’s breasts.

"Oh gods Xena, what you’re doing to me!" cried Gabrielle as Xena’s teeth raked her breast. 

Gabrielle’s breathing was becoming more and more labored and Xena knew Gabrielle was close to climaxing.  Xena stopped all her movements.

"Xena don’t stop.  Please don’t stop.  I need to feel you in me.  Xena, do it!"  Gabrielle pleaded with Xena in desperation, causing the ache between Xena’s legs to become almost unbearable.

Swiftly Xena complied with Gabrielle’s demands.  She grasped Gabrielle’s hands in her left hand, held them above her bard’s head, took one of Gabrielle’s breasts in her mouth, then with her right hand she plunged a finger into Gabrielle’s soaking wet center and thrust her thumb against Gabrielle’s nub.  The bard cried out in ecstasy.  Xena had expected Gabrielle to climax as soon as she entered the bard’s core, and was surprised that the bard was still begging for more.  Xena added another finger and started to drive them in and out of Gabrielle with considerable force.

"Xena...."  Gabrielle’s scream echoed across the lake and through the night as she arced into the pressure that the warrior was applying and reached her climax.

Gabrielle collapsed into a shuddering mass after experiencing an orgasm more powerful than any she had ever even imagined possible.  Gently Xena cradled Gabrielle in her arms and held her close as Gabrielle recovered.

"Never.  Never have I felt like that," whispered Gabrielle as she started to cry.

"Why the tears my love?" asked a confused and concerned Xena.

‘They’re tears of relief.  After all these years I was afraid we’d never take this step.  Afraid that I’d never know how it feels to have you make love to me.  It’s better than I ever imagined."  Gabrielle reached up and gently, but passionately, kissed her warrior.  "Thank you Xena."

As Gabrielle recovered, Xena planted gentle kisses on her head and held her tight.

"Xena?"

"Yeah?"

"I can imagine there is something you need.  Am I wrong?" asked Gabrielle in a sultry, sexy voice.

"You’re not wrong." Xena’s voice was low and, well, almost desperate sounding.

Gabrielle turned and looked at Xena and whispered, "I want to hear you tell me what you need."

"Gabrielle, I need you.  I need to feel you fill me.  I need you to take me.  I’ve never given myself fully to another.  I never have allowed myself to be conquered.  I need you to conquer me.  Take me.  Take me now.  Please."  Xena’s desperation could now be heard plainly in her voice.  Never in her life had she ever needed anything as much as she needed Gabrielle to make love to her.  She needed her bard to quench the ache of desire that consumed her core.

Gabrielle did not hesitate to give Xena what she needed.  With a passion that surprised Xena, Gabrielle brought her to a screaming climax and then held the spent warrior close to her heart.

Once started, Xena and Gabrielle were intent on giving each other as much pleasure as the other could stand.  As both of them could stand quite a bit, it was very late that night before they slept.  

**

It was the darkness just before dawn and Xena was awake watching, listening and feeling.  Watching over the sleeping Gabrielle, listening to the bard’s steady breathing, and feeling Gabrielle’s body on top of her own as the bard’s head rested between the warrior’s breasts. 

Xena was thinking about how her bard had taken her places last night that she had never been to before.  Previously Xena always had to have control and with that control came diminished sensations.  Nothing was diminished last night as she gave herself fully and completely to Gabrielle.  Now she had felt the truth about what happens when love allows its self to be vulnerable.

Gabrielle started to move under Xena’s arms as if she were dreaming.  The dream didn’t seem to be a pleasant one.  The bard started to talk in her sleep.

"No, no, stay away from me.  I’m not going with you!" mumbled Gabrielle.

Xena held her tighter and said, "Gabrielle, its ok.  It’s only a dream.  I’m here."

But it wasn’t ok.  Gabrielle started to struggle and yelled, "Ba’al stay away from me.  I will not worship you!  Xena help!"

For a brief instant Gabrielle was awake.  She looked at Xena and cried out, "It’s Ba’al.  Xena help us.  I love y..." just before she disappeared into thin air before Xena’s eyes.

"Gabrielle!" screamed Xena.  Her voice carried far in the early dawn, but no one answered.  The bard had vanished and was nowhere to be found.

**

Gabrielle was groggily aware that she had been torn from Xena’s arms and that she was lying on damp stone with the sound of rushing water nearby.  As her head cleared she also realized that she was stark naked.

"Great, here we go again.  First Illusia and now wherever this is.  Why is it that I always end up in strange places with nothing on?" thought Gabrielle as she picked herself up and looked around.

The dampness she had felt on the rocks was from the spray of the waterfall that was just beside her.  Oddly, it seemed that she was looking at the waterfall from the backside somehow.  As Gabrielle stood there looking at the water rushing down, she started to remember the dream she was having just before she woke up here.  There was this god, he said his name was Ba’al, and that she was his.  She was to worship him with soul and body...particularly body.

"Who goes there?" Gabrielle’s memories of her dream were broken by the sound of a rock being kicked behind her.  Even naked and unarmed Gabrielle was looking every inch the Amazon Queen that she was.  As she turned, prepared for the worst, she was surprised to be confronted by a familiar looking woman who stood there with a blanket in her arms.

"Here, you look as if you could use this," said the woman as she offered Gabrielle the blanket.  As she passed the blanket over, she asked, "Do I know you?  You look familiar."

"Thanks for the blanket.  My name is Gabrielle," said the bard as she covered up in the, thankfully, dry blanket.

"Gabrielle, Gabrielle...yes...I remember now.  There was a Gabrielle who was with Xena when she tried to save Icus.  You look like her, although your hair is shorter.  You don’t seem as strange as the Gabrielle I remember."

"Why, you must be Zora, Icus’s mother.  I’m the same Gabrielle, although not currently stoned on henbane," said Gabrielle as she extended her arm in greeting and then asked, "Where are we?"

"I’m afraid you’ve been taken by the god of Fertility -- Ba’al.  He takes people and they always arrive here first.  I try to greet anyone who arrives in the hopes that one day he will bring Icus to me," said Zora.

"Zora, Icus is well," said Gabrielle knowing that she could bring some good news to the woman.

"Thanks be," said Zora as she started to cry tears of relief.

"Zora, how do I get out of here?" asked Gabrielle as she heard the sounds of a couple of people approaching.

"I don’t know.  None of us knows.  Most have given up trying to find a way out and it seems that almost everyone is resigned to participating in Ba’al’s rituals.  They actually seem to enjoy the rituals," said Zora.

"What are these rituals about?"

"Fertility.  Oh may the God of my husband hear my prayers and protect you," cried Zora dropping to her knees.

"Protect me?  Protect me from what?"

"From Ba’al.  He will want to have you.  Run, run, find a way out if you can!" 

Hearing the near panic in Zora’s voice, Gabrielle started to run but she got no more than ten paces before a net dropped down on her and, struggling, she was carried away.

**

Argo’s hooves sounded like thunder as Xena raced back to the cave where she had left Eve with Icus.

"Eve, Eve, where are you Eve?" Xena cried out as she swung down from the saddle.

Eve heard her mother’s voice and ran to her.  "Mother, what’s wrong?  Where’s Gabrielle?  Did you have a fight?  What is it?"

"Eve, she disappeared early this morning.  She was lying in my arms and vanished.  I have to get her back!"  Xena was frantically pacing around her daughter as Icus caught up with them.

"Icus, what do you know about Ba’al?  Gabrielle said he was taking her just before she vanished," said Xena as she walked towards him.

"Xena, Ba’al is a god that is worshiped by people to the east of here.  He is the god of fertility."

"What type of fertility?" asked Xena.

"It started out as agricultural fertility, then expanded to animal husbandry, and then lately the worshippers of Ba’al have been taking part in rituals around human fertility," said Icus.

"What type of rituals?" snarled Xena as fear for Gabrielle tightened around her chest.

Icus shuffled a bit under Xena’s intense gaze before he answered, "The rituals are essentially orgies.  I understand that the priests initiate the new members by laying with them."

"Go on, tell me more," said Xena as her blue eyes bore into Icus’s.

"Unlike the God of my father, Ba’al does not seem to talk to any of his worshippers.  They choose instead to make graven idols that they pray to when they are not copulating.  The idols are usually sort of dumpy little statues..."

Xena interrupted him.  "Let me guess, they are very well endowed dumpy little statues."

"Yes they are, as you say, well endowed," replied Icus, "but I’ve never really thought there was anything behind the statues except misguided humans."

"When I am done with Ba’al that’ll be true, and I have an idea how to get his attention," said Xena.

"How?" asked both Eve and Icus.

"I think I will hunt out those dumpy little statues in the area and cut them down to size, if you know what I mean.  A bunch of statues missing their ‘important bits’ ought to hit the god of fertility right where it matters.  Hopefully he’ll be stupid enough to bring me into his fold!"  Xena clenched her jaw and had started to walk back towards Argo when Eve put her hand on her mother’s arm.

"Mother, you know Icus and I will do what we can through prayer?"

"Yes Eve, I know," replied Xena.

"Mother, before you go.  Was everything ok last night before Gabrielle disappeared?"

"You know Eve, I’m not really sure you should be asking your mother about her sex life...but it was wonderful."  With that Xena swung onto Argo’s back and headed out on her seek and castrate mission.

**

Gabrielle found herself in a large, well appointed room with no obvious way of escape.  The men who had captured her had been relatively gentle as they brought her here.  There was a large four-poster bed in the room and on it she found clothes in her size to wear. 

"Well, at least I get to be dressed in front of the god of Fertility," muttered Gabrielle as she dressed.  "Too bad there are no weapons in sight."

Exploring, Gabrielle found that the drawers all contained clothing except for one large drawer that contained what looked like tethers.  Gabrielle had the creepy crawly feeling that they were used to tie people down to the four-poster bed.  "Oh Xena, please get here before anything like that happens," said Gabrielle as she stared at the tethers.

Hearing someone approach, Gabrielle closed the drawer, moved away from it and waited.

In walked a tall, strong, good-looking man who was hugely endowed.  He walked all around Gabrielle and sized her up and down.

"I hope you have felt comfortable so far?" he asked Gabrielle.

"It’s been ok, but where am I and why am I here?" asked Gabrielle.

"You are in the palace of Ba’al, my palace.  I’m the God of Fertility and you are here so I can teach you the error of your ways," said the god as he looked at Gabrielle appreciatively.

"The error of my ways?" asked Gabrielle not having a good feeling about what his answer might be.

"Yes, you see, you have made love with another woman.  That violates the laws of fertility.  A man and a woman were created to come together for the sole purpose of procreation.  Any other coupling is a sinful perversion.  You have one day to ponder on your sins.  I expect you to ask me to cleanse you tomorrow evening when we meet.  Once you have screamed out my name, all will be well for you," said Ba’al as he walked to the door.

"What happens if I decide I haven’t done anything wrong and don’t require cleansing?" ask Gabrielle as she warily moved to stay out of the god’s reach.

"You will be cleansed in any case.  It will just take more effort on my part," said Ba’al who looked as if the thought of the extra effort was an exciting prospect.  "Until tomorrow then," said the god as he left.

Gabrielle walked in circles around the room muttering to herself,  "Come on Gabrielle, there has to be a way out of this.  I hate to even think about what that god has planned when he talks about "cleansing" me.  I bet those tethers I found have something to do with what he referred to as "extra effort".  Dahok raped me and I don’t want it to happen again.  Ba’al is so well endowed that if he has his way with me it would hurt like hell.  Oh Eli, I know that you don’t think Xena and I are perverted.  Please help me find a way out of this.  Oh Xena, where are you?  I love you and I need you."

Gabrielle walked over to the barred window and looked out into the courtyard.  It was dotted with statues like the one she and Xena saw on the path down to the lake.  The statues no longer looked cute to Gabrielle.  Discouraged she put her head down on the bars and tears seeped from her eyes.  To comfort herself Gabrielle turned her thoughts to Xena and the night that they shared together.

The noise of the door opening brought Gabrielle abruptly out of her daydream and she turned to see a tray of food and drink being slid into the room.  The door was only open for a moment, but it gave Gabrielle hope...hope that she could be ready next time it opened and then she could escape.  With her mind now turned to planning an escape, Gabrielle absently mindedly picked up the tray of food and took a drink from the cup.

**

It was late afternoon when Xena and Argo rode back into camp.  Since Xena left Eve and Icus she had ridden far and wide emasculating every graven image of Ba’al she could get her sword on.  In a pouch on her hip Xena now had a goodly sized collection of stone male private parts.  Dismounting, Xena thought to her self, "Surely the pride of the god of fertility is trashed enough that he’ll want to get a piece of me.  All I have to do now is wait."

Xena found the silence and emptiness of the camp almost unbearable as she rubbed down Argo and then set about making herself a bite of supper.  "Where is Gabrielle?  Is she ok?  How could things have changed so drastically so quickly?  Will the bliss I experienced with Gabrielle be the final time as well as the first?"  Xena’s mind swam with questions, but found no answers. 

"Gods, I need to keep myself busy or I will go mad," the warrior muttered as she retrieved her sharpening stone from the saddlebag and settled down beside the fire to work on her sword.  The sword kept her busy for quite a while, as it had been used all day to hack private parts off graven images of Ba’al.  Finally satisfied with her work, Xena sheathed her sword and looked into the fire.  In the flames Xena imagined that she was watching Gabrielle dancing with her, touching her, kissing her....  As she watched, Xena found herself aching with desire for her bard. 

"Gabrielle..." Xena’s cry this night was one of agony instead of ecstasy.  Before her voice stopped echoing across the lake, the warrior had put her head down on her arms and started sobbing.

It was a friendly nose poked in the crook of the warrior’s arm that eventually stopped Xena’s outpouring of grief and fear. 

"Argo... there, there girl.  I know you miss her too.  But, I’m going to find her.  I just have to."  Xena stood up and put her head against her horse’s cheek.  "You’re right Argo.  I’ve got to get a grip on myself.  Thanks for reminding me."  With that she gave Argo a hug and a pat and headed down to the lake.

Stripping and throwing her self into the cool water, Xena’s mind returned to her plan.  Climbing out, she dried off and put her leathers and armour back on.  No sleep shirt for Xena tonight.  If all went as planned, Ba’al would take her to wherever he had taken Gabrielle and Xena wanted to show up fully dressed.  Back to the camp, Xena checked her sword, hooked her chakram on one hip and on the other side hooked on her bags of trophies collected from the graven idols and lay down on her bedroll.  The warrior’s last waking thoughts were "Well Ba’al, here I am, come and get me."

**

"Yes, my Lord?" the servant stood in front of Ba’al waiting for his instructions.

"Has the blonde had any of the food and drink you took her?"

"She drank almost all the contents of the flagon although she has not eaten much."

"No matter about the food.  All that’s important is that she drank," muttered the god to himself as much as to the servant.

"Go and unlock Gabrielle’s room.  Give her a staff.  She may need it to defend herself from any perverts who may come calling."

"Yes, my lord Ba’al.  It will be done."  With that the servant turned to carry out his orders.

"Wait," Ba’al commanded.

The servant turned and waited.

"I will be bringing Xena to us soon."

"My lord, do you want us to capture her and bring her to you?" asked the servant.

"No.  Let her find her own way here and to Gabrielle.  She’s in for a shock when she finds her "lover".  Please tell Gabrielle that the cleansing will be tomorrow at dusk in the main temple.  That will be all."

"Yes, my lord."  The servant left.

Ba’al turned and looked out the window to watch the orgy taking place in the courtyard below him.  He was expecting that tomorrow night he would get to cleanse both Gabrielle and Xena.  "Well, I guess it is time to invite the dyke with the sword.  I’ll make her pay for disfiguring my statues.  Actually, Gabrielle will make her pay."  The god smiled, waved his arms, and then went back to watching the men and women copulating in the courtyard.

**

Xena was dreaming, but somehow she knew she was dreaming.  A man was trying to force her on her knees to worship in front of a fully endowed graven idol.  "Never," growled Xena as she reached for her sword to cut off the male portion of the idol.  Before she had the chance to strike to blow she woke enough to realize her camp was fading away, replaced by rocks and the sound of a pounding waterfall.  Grasping her sword tightly so as to not lose it in the transition, Xena let herself be taken.

"Xena?" asked Zora peering at the body that had just materialized.

Xena rolled over, sword in hand ready to attack.  As she looked up, Xena recognized the woman, and her scowl turned to a smile.

"Zora.  Good to see you," said Xena as she reached out to greet the woman.  "Have you seen Gabrielle?"

"Yes they took her."  Zora looked distressed.

"Where did they take her?" asked Xena as she looked around at the waterfall and wondered if it was the backside of the waterfall that could be seen from where she and Gabrielle had been camping.

"The took her to Ba’al’s palace.  I’m so sorry." 

"Why sorry?  What will Ba’al do to Gabrielle?" asked Xena fearing the answer.

"She is young and fertile and Ba’al will want to "cleanse" her by defiling her.  Gabrielle will want it because everyone who is taken to his palace ends up wanting to be taken by him.  She will want him to use her body.  She will want to stay there forever."  Zora backed up from Xena who was getting fiercer looking by the moment.

"If he so much as touches her I’ll..."

"Xena, what can you do, he’s a god," interrupted Icus’ mother.

"Oh you would be surprised.  Did you ever want to be "cleansed" by Ba’al?" asked the warrior.

Zora looked as if she was going to be ill, but managed to reply in a small voice, "Yes."

"Zora, do you still want it?"

"No.   I kept coming back here.  Back to the place I woke up.  I discovered that if I stayed here I could greet the new people.  I kept hoping to see my boy again.  Somehow, the more time I spend here the less Ba’al influences me.  He’s has pretty well ignored me.  I guess I’m too old to excite him."

"Do you have a spare water skin?" asked Xena.

"No, but take mine.  I know where to get another," said Zora as she handed the water skin over to Xena.

"Thanks."  Xena filled the skin with water from the waterfall and then asked, "Now, which way do I go to find Gabrielle?"

"That way.  Good luck, Xena."

"Thanks," said Xena as she started jogging down the path that Zora pointed out.

**

Gabrielle was sitting by the window looking out on the orgy in the courtyard.  She could see and hear everything and she could see Ba’al looking out at the orgy from his windows.  The thought of being cleansed by Ba’al was starting to excite her. 

Then the servant of Ba’al opened the door to Gabrielle’s room.  Gabrielle looked up and said, "Hello, I’m Gabrielle."

"Hi, I’m Arlo.  How are you feeling?" asked the servant as he placed the staff that he was carrying in the corner of the room near the door.

"I’m a little bored.  When do I see Ba’al again?  When am I to be cleansed?" asked Gabrielle as she walked over and picked up the staff.

It was odd that with a staff in hand and an open door that Gabrielle had chosen to do nothing to attempt to escape, but she hadn’t.  She just stood there and twirled the staff in her hand.  She nodded in approval at its construction and balance.

Arlo looked over and said, "Your cleansing will be tomorrow at dusk in the temple.  It’s a great honor to be cleansed there.  Most cleansings occur here in the palace.  Please feel free to go and check out the temple.  It is the domed building across the courtyard.  Do you like the staff?" he asked as he filled up the flagon from the jug he brought with him.

"Yes, but why did you bring it to me?"

"Ba’al is bringing your warrior friend and he was worried she would try and force you into something you didn’t want to do.  He wanted you to be able to protect yourself."

"Xena’s coming?  Thank Ba’al for me," said Gabrielle as she poured herself another drink from the flagon and raised the cup to her lips.

The servant unlocked the window in the room, smiled at the bard and left.

**

The trip to Ba’al’s castle was short and Xena senses were on full warrior alert.  She was paying attention to everything around her...the layout, the people, the feel of the place.  Everyone seemed content, but they also seemed vaguely out of it.  Their eyes seemed to be vacant and had some sort of film over them. 

Xena wanted to figure out how to free Icus’s people as well as Gabrielle, but Gabrielle was definitely her first priority.  No matter what, Xena had to stop Ba’al from raping Gabrielle. "Oh Eli, I pray Gabrielle hasn’t been raped yet," thought Xena as she trotted towards what was obviously the palace.

Unchallenged, despite having her sword drawn, Xena went through the main gates of the palace. 

"You there," Xena called out to a woman standing near the gates of the palace.

"Yes?" The woman looked over at Xena.  Her expression was friendly enough, but the film covering her eyes was obvious to Xena.

"I’m looking for two individuals, Ba’al and my friend Gabrielle.  Can you tell me where to find them?"

"If you go up the stairs and to the left you will find Ba’al’s chambers.  If you turn to the right instead, you will reach Gabrielle’s room," replied the woman.

"Is Gabrielle ok?" Xena needed to know if she were too late to save Gabrielle from defilement at Ba’al’s hands.

"Well, her cleansing is scheduled for tonight at dusk in the temple.  She will be fine after that is complete."

"Thanks."  Xena nodded to the woman and bounded up the stairs.  At the top she hesitated briefly.  If Gabrielle was to be cleansed in the evening, Xena was betting that she would be safe until then.   Deciding that Ba’al would be her first stop, Xena turned to the left and walked down the hall.

At the door to the god’s chambers, two men were stationed.  As Xena walked towards them she was mentally prepared for a fight, but she was surprised when they opened the door, motioned her to go in and closed the door softly behind her.

Finding Ba’al alone in his chamber, Xena walked up to him and pulled the bag of trophies that she had chopped off the graven idols from her hip.  "I believe these are yours," said the warrior as she unceremoniously dumped the contents on the floor.

"Hmmm, I think you have a fixation warrior.  I guess you’re just not getting enough.  Your little girlfriend just can’t get it up?" 

Xena was livid, but forced herself not to respond.  Instead she just stood there waiting.

Ba’al walked around the broken bits on the floor and toward Xena.  "Your lover will be asking me to cleanse her this evening.  When I do she’ll forget all about you.  How about we do a joint cleansing with you and the blonde?  It could be quite enjoyable, don’t you think?"

Xena smiled and then, in the sexiest voice she could muster given what she really wanted to do was to chop off Ba’al’s privates, said "Yes, I’d like that.  I think you could get it up and make us forget each other, couldn’t you big boy?"

"Oh yes.  You will both know the god of fertility by the end of this evening, and you will cease your perverted coupling," said the god.

"Well, I think I need to get changed into something more comfortable.  May I join Gabrielle to prepare?" asked Xena as she moved closer to Ba’al and stroked his face.

Ba’al smiled, called to the men waiting outside the door and had them escort Xena to Gabrielle’s room.  As the warrior left, the god stroked his chin thoughtfully.  He had not expected Xena to be so cooperative.  It didn’t matter what she had planned, as he was sure of his prowess.  Smiling he rubbed his hands in glee as he looked forward to the evenings sport and wondered how Xena would react to the reception she was going to get from Gabrielle.

**

Xena’s escort left her outside the open door to Gabrielle’s room.  Xena was confused.  "Why," thought Xena, "hasn’t Gabrielle escaped if she is not locked up?"  Putting her confusion aside Xena strode into the bard’s room.  Seeing Gabrielle standing by the window, Xena ran towards her and picked her up in a big hug and tried to kiss her.

"Xena, put me down!" Gabrielle’s voice was cold and commanding.

 "Gabrielle, what’s wrong?" asked Xena as she put her lover down and took a step back.

"You’re what’s wrong.  You led me to sin and perversion by seducing me.  Didn’t you know that our sexuality is only to be used for procreation?  Don’t you know it’s supposed to be men and women that lay together, not two women?  Stay back! Don’t you touch me!"  Gabrielle turned from Xena and looked as if she was going to be physically ill as she clutched the windowsill.

Gabrielle was shaking and many things were flooding her brain, "That bitch.  She perverted me by seducing me.  She’s the reason why I need to be cleansed by the right man...or god in this case.  She’ll try to seduce me again I know she will.  I’ll need this staff."

Xena was stunned.  How could the woman who had loved her so passionately a day ago feel this way about her now?  How could Gabrielle call their love a perversion?  Ignoring Gabrielle’s warning not to touch her, Xena placed her hands on Gabrielle’s shoulders intending to turn her around so that she could look into the bard’s eyes. 

As soon as the warrior made contact with Gabrielle, the bard turned on her and yelled, "I told you not to touch me!"  Then with a quick kick to the gut Gabrielle knocked Xena off balance.  As the shocked Xena regained her balance Gabrielle grabbed her staff and made a vicious overhead swing at Xena’s head.

As quick as Gabrielle was, Xena raised her left arm up to block the blow and used her right hand grab the staff, yank it out of Gabrielle’s hands and send it clattering across the room.

But, Xena hadn’t managed to disarm Gabrielle before the bard’s blow hit Xena’s left arm with a resounding crack.  Xena knew from the instant the staff made contact that her arm was broken.  But it wasn’t as broken as her heart.  As she knelt on the floor holding her arm, Xena couldn’t bring herself to look at Gabrielle.  She heard Gabrielle move towards the staff lying on the floor, but didn’t move.  Death at Gabrielle’s hand seemed a better option than living knowing the bard hated her for their night of lovemaking.

"Stand up Xena," said Gabrielle who changed her mind about retrieving the staff.

Xena slowly stood as she held her arm.  Still she didn’t look at the bard.

Gabrielle led Xena to a chair, helped her to sit down and put a splint on the warrior’s arm.   As she did so, she paused several times to take a sip from the goblet on the table.

Xena looked up at Gabrielle as she worked on her arm, but said nothing.  Xena’s brow furrowed as she noticed the look in Gabrielle’s eyes.  It was like the woman she had talked to downstairs.  Gabrielle had the same film-covered, vacant look in her eyes. Xena wondered what was in the goblet and whether or not the contents were the cause of Gabrielle’s hurtful behavior.  Whatever the cause, Xena had to save Gabrielle from this threat, even against the bard’s will...just like she’d saved Gabrielle in the desert after she had killed that boy.  Gabrielle hadn’t wanted to be saved then either.

"Gabrielle, you seem to be really thirsty," said Xena wondering if perhaps the contents of the cup Gabrielle was drinking from had been drugged.

"Yeah, it must be really dry in here.  There, the splint should help your arm," said Gabrielle.

"Here’s some fresh water.  You know water always does a better job of quenching your thirst."  Xena handed over the water skin filled with the water from the waterfall.

Gabrielle took a long drink from the skin.  "Thanks, that was refreshing."

Xena looked at her bard closely, but was disappointed to find Gabrielle still had that vacant look in her eyes.  "Perhaps," thought Xena "it takes some time to counteract whatever has Gabrielle in its grasp."

"Xena, you need to be cleansed so we can be friends again.  If you aren’t cleansed I can’t stay with you.  I can’t have you wanting me in a way that is forbidden."

Xena’s heart was tearing in two at Gabrielle’s words, but she managed to say, "Gabrielle, I understand.  Really I do, and tonight we are to be cleansed together by Ba’al.  It will rid us of our sin."  Xena almost choked on the word ‘sin’ but she had to get Gabrielle to trust her enough to drink the water.

Gabrielle turned to Xena and looked at her closely.  "You’re not just saying that are you?"

"Nope, you can ask Ba’al himself.  I was just with him and he sent me here to get more appropriately dressed for the occasion.  Where can I find some clothes so I can ditch my leathers and armour?"  As Xena finished speaking she again offered Gabrielle the water skin.  The bard took it and had a long drink.

Gabrielle set the skin down after taking yet another drink and walked over and opened one of the drawers.  After rummaging around she hauled out some clothes and tossed them at Xena.  "Here, these should fit."

Xena was stalling for time until the water could clean Gabrielle’s system of whatever drug she had ingested, so the warrior caught the clothes with her good arm and slowly started to change.   Xena winced as she moved her broken arm getting into the shirt.

"These are pretty nice, Gabrielle," said Xena.

"Yeah, silk I think," Gabrielle paused for a second before continuing, "and they look really good on you."

Xena took it as a good sign that Gabrielle was admiring how she looked, but the film still covered the bard’s eyes.

"Gabrielle?"

"Xena?"

"I need to explore a bit.  Will you stay here?"

"Xena, you’ve got to promise me that you won’t kill Ba’al or anyone else while you explore.  You also have to promise to come back to be cleansed."

"Ok Gabrielle.  I won’t kill anyone before I get back...and I will be back before dusk, but you have to promise me that you’ll stay here and only drink water when you get thirsty. Ok?"

"Ok."

The fact that Gabrielle didn’t insist that she come with Xena was another sign that the bard wasn’t herself.  Xena hoped that the water would clean out Gabrielle’s system by the time she got back.

"I’ll be back," said Xena as she hooked her chakram on her hip and left.

**

"My lord," said the servant as he walked into Ba’al’s chambers.

"Yes?" Ba’al turned to face his servant.

"The wine steward is requesting your presence so that you can bless the latest vintage before it is put into casks."

"Very well, tell him I will be right over.  You may go."  Ba’al turned for a moment to look out the window.  Seeing all was quiet, he headed out towards the winery.

Xena was perched in the rafters of the winery watching the comings and goings.  She was sure that the control Ba’al had over Gabrielle and the others had to be some sort of drug in the wine.  If she could figure out what it was, perhaps she could find the antidote.  As she watched, Ba’al arrived.

"Well my wine steward, I understand that you have a fresh batch to be blessed," said the god as he walked around the great vat filled with new wine.

"Yes my lord," said the steward.  "We are almost out so if you will bless this lot I can get it into casks and ready for when it’s needed."

"Very well.  Leave me," said Ba’al.

The steward nodded and left.  Xena, of course, stayed right where she was.

Ba’al walked one full circle around the vat and then put a finger into the vat.  Pulling it out he tasted the wine and muttered, "Pretty good.  Just missing my special ingredient."

Xena’s sharp ears picked up Ba’al’s mutterings and she thought to herself, "Here we go...come on god...show me your special ingredient."

Ba’al was standing facing the vat with his back to where Xena was perched in the rafters.  At first Ba’al didn’t seem to be move nor did he make any noise that Xena could hear.  Then Xena’s keen hearing picked up the sound of rubbing and she saw that the god’s hands were in front of him.  Soon Xena heard a low moan from the god and she realized that he was pleasuring himself.  Revolted, Xena watched as the god caught his life seed in his hand and then swirled his hand in the vat of wine.  As the seed was dispersed in the wine, a blue light shimmered over the top of the vat.  Ba’al watched for a moment or two, stowed his privates, dried his hands and then called the wine steward in to the room.

"The wine is blessed for all to drink," said the god as he took one last look.

"Thank you my lord."

Ba’al smiled and left.

Xena’s head hung down as she sat in the rafters thinking.  She had no idea what could possibly be the antidote for god of fertility sperm.  If that amount could drug those who drank the wine, what would it do to a person to be impregnated with the stuff?  A tear ran down her face as she thought about the possibility of losing Gabrielle forever.   As she sat thinking, Xena heard the wine steward muttering that he would cask the wine later and then heard she the sound of the door to the winery shutting.

"Well, I didn’t promise Gabrielle that I wouldn’t destroy any batches of wine," said Xena under her breath.  Remaining in the rafters Xena took her chakram and hurled it at the vat.  In seconds the vat was leaking from numerous places.  Xena caught the returning chakram and hung it on her hip.  Then, as she moved carefully to avoid contact with the wine, Xena flipped herself to the ground and left for the waterfall before returning to Gabrielle.

**

Gabrielle was having a tough time.  As she stood and looked out the window and across the courtyard at the temple where she was to be cleansed at dusk, her feelings were in conflict.  She was still sure in principle that sex with a woman was an evil perversion just as Ba’al had told her, yet when she thought about Xena she was not so sure.

As Xena walked in, Gabrielle was just finishing the last of the water Xena had left with her. 

"Hi Xena," said Gabrielle as she drained the water skin and moved to pour herself a cup of wine from the flagon.

"Here’s some more water if you’re still thirsty," said Xena as she tossed a full skin to her bard.

"Thanks."  Gabrielle raised the skin to her mouth and took another long drink.

Xena looked and it appeared to her that Gabrielle’s eyes, although still film covered, were not as vacant looking as they had been.  "Maybe there’s hope she’ll recover before Ba’al tries to rape her," thought Xena.

The warrior stood close to Gabrielle, but made absolutely sure not to touch her.  Together they watched the sun set in the western sky.

"It’s time!"  Ba’al’s servant came into the room and led them to the temple.  They followed him quietly, although Xena checked to make sure her chakram was still in place and handed Gabrielle her staff as they left the room.

**

The temple was ornately decorated with gold leaf and brightly colored murals depicting various aspects of copulation between men and women.  A very few frescoes showed children...the desired outcome for the fertility god. 

"It’s odd," thought Xena as she looked around, "that the act to produce offspring seems to be much more important than the results.  I think we have an oversexed god just playing an angle to get lots of action."

When Xena brought her attention away from the walls, she saw that Ba’al had all the sex toys she could imagine, and Xena could imagine plenty.  Tethers, whips, chains, strap-ons, and much, much more.  Xena walked up to one of the tables and picked up one of the strap-ons. 

"Well, well warrior.  Do you find that interesting?" asked Ba’al as he walked in and saw Xena holding the device.

"Yeah.  I was wondering what the god of fertility needs with a toy like this," said Xena as she checked out the sex toy.  "Nope, as I thought, not a seed to be found in here.  Ba’al, did you know that you need seed to make babies?"

"Yes, Xena...I do know about the birds and bees.  I’m the god of fertility, remember."  Ba’al turned from Xena to face Gabrielle.

"Well Gabrielle, are you ready to be cleansed?"

Gabrielle hesitated slightly before answering, "Yes my lord."  She licked her lips and then pulled out the water skin and started to take a drink.

Ba’al roared at her, "What do you think you are drinking!  Why have you forsaken the sacred wine?"

Gabrielle started to back up as she responded, "I like water better?"

Ba’al reached for the water skin and grabbed it.  As he did a stream of water came out of the skin, splashing directly into Gabrielle’s eyes. 

Gabrielle screamed as the water touched her eyes and fell facing away from Ba’al with her hands covering her eyes.  Xena quickly knelt in front of her bard, still taking care that she didn’t touch Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle?"

"Xena, where are we?" whispered the bard as she wiped her eyes and looked at Xena.  "And, what happened to your arm?" Gabrielle reached out to gently touch the splint on the warrior’s arm.

Xena was very relieved to see that the film that had been clouding Gabrielle’s eyes was gone.  "Don’t worry about my arm.  We’re in the temple of Ba’al.  He is standing behind you."

"Waiting to rape us?"

"Yep.  Gabrielle, answer me a question..."

"Anything."

"Do you believe our love is perverted..." tears started to roll down Xena’s face.

Gabrielle was startled by the question.  She wiped away a tear that was rolling down Xena’s face and said, "No Xena, our love is pure."

"Even the physical part?"

"Oh yes, the physical part too!"

"Gabrielle lets go kick some Ba’al butt!"

"You’re on.  But Xena, aim for the front!"

Xena stood and with her good arm reached down to help Gabrielle up.  Stomping on the staff Xena flipped it up and over to her bard.  They turned to face the god who had been pacing behind Gabrielle.

"You are out of time Gabrielle.  Time to be cleansed."  Ba’al moved to grab the bard only to find a staff in his face.

"Arrgh," cried the god.  "You can’t stop me with a silly staff."  With a wave of Ba’al’s hand the staff was flying through the air away from the bard.  Then Ba’al waved the other arm and Gabrielle found herself lying on the altar, spread eagle, and tied down. 

"Xena!" cried Gabrielle as she found herself unable to move.

"Ah yes, Xena.  I’ll deal with you Gabrielle after you’ve watched me cleanse the great Warrior Princess," said Ba’al as he turned to face Xena who had her chakram in her good hand and was looking fiercely at the god.  Raising his hand Ba’al tossed a bolt at Xena, only to have it deflected by the chakram.

"Very good warrior, but how long can you evade me with a busted arm?" asked Ba’al.

Xena did a sideways flip to avoid the next bolt hurtling towards her.  Then she flipped over Ba’al and landed near a pile of chains.  Wasting no time, Xena swung the chain rapidly overhead and then released it.  The chain coiled itself around Ba’al and momentarily his arms were pinned.  Xena took the moment to launch her chakram at the chains that bound Gabrielle.

"Grab the water skin and get behind something, Gabrielle!" screamed Xena as she dodged another bolt from the now free Ba’al.

Diving behind a throne made of stone Gabrielle discovered a sword.  She grabbed it and tossed it to Xena.

"Thanks Gabrielle," yelled Xena as she hooked the chakram on her belt and grabbed the sword in her good hand.

"Yi-yi-yi," cried the warrior as she flipped to face Ba’al and jabbed at him with her sword.

"Give it up Xena, I’m immortal.  You can’t defeat me." Ba’al struck a blow to Xena’s left side, which sent Xena flying across the room with a groan as she felt the bones in her broken arm shift.

Xena picked herself up and yelled at the god, "You haven’t been getting out much have you?  I don’t give a pig’s whistle that you’re immortal!  You’re just an oversexed homophobic bastard of a god who’s ripe to be taken down!"  With that Xena launched herself at Ba’al feet first.  The contact caused the god to stagger backwards against a wall.  Reaching upwards Ba’al grabbed a whip off the wall and snapped it at Xena in an attempt to wrap it around Xena’s sword and haul it out of her hands.  The whip did snare the sword, but instead of tearing the sword out of Xena’s hand, Ba’al found himself being yanked off his feet, landing face down.  Ba’al quickly rolled over in an attempt to get up, but it was not to be.  Xena’s sword came down in the middle of his chest before he had a chance to regain his footing.  It was over.

Xena let go of the sword and fell to her knees, cradling her shattered arm.

"Xena, Xena let me look at that," cried Gabrielle as she ran to the warrior and kissed her cheek.  Then the bard carefully removed the splint and gently felt the bones in Xena’s arm. 

"Xena, I have to set your arm.  This may hurt.  Can you put the pinch on yourself?"

"Just do it," growled Xena as she braced herself for the wave of pain she knew was coming.

Gabrielle, with skill acquired over the years she had spent with Xena, quickly and efficiently pulled the bones into place and put the splint back on.  After it was over she wrapped her arms around Xena and said, "Thanks for coming to save me again."

"I’ll always come.  You know that don’t you?" asked Xena as she relaxed into to the bard’s hug.

"Yes, I know," replied Gabrielle.

A short time passed before Xena spoke up.

"Gabrielle, we need a plan to save Icus’s people.  I think the first thing is to try to get water from the waterfall in everyone’s eyes.  It seemed to work to free you from Ba’al’s grasp.  Any ideas?"

"Sure, let’s have an orgy by the waterfall," said Gabrielle half-joking.

"Great idea!  Let’s get out of here."

Xena and Gabrielle left the temple pretending that they had been cleansed and started to spread the word that Ba’al wanted all the people to attend a special rite by the waterfall once the moon rose in the eastern sky.  As soon as the word had been spread, they collected Xena’s leathers and sword and headed to the falls where they enlisted Zora’s help and rigged a way to divert water from the falls to form a huge shower.  Soon it was time and they heard people arriving.

"Come on Gabrielle.  Come on Zora," said Xena as she grabbed Gabrielle’s hand and started to dance under the water showering down.   Soon the people joined them and there were dancing bodies everywhere.  Xena flipped herself up to a ledge and called down to the people.  Her call had the desired effect as the people looked up at her and felt the water spray in their eyes.  Soon almost everyone was rubbing their eyes.  Some were crying out with pain, but the pain was short lived.

One man, still wiping his eyes, looked over at Zora and said, "Where are we?  The last thing I remember was going to bed with my wife!"

Soon there was a veritable chorus of questions being asked.  Xena was about to talk to everyone when she noticed that some of Ba’al’s palace servants had not been cured by the water.

"Get the perverts," cried out Ba’al’s wine steward as he led the charge to attack Xena and Gabrielle.

Even with only one good arm Xena was a formidable foe, and Gabrielle was just as effective.  The palace staff had no chance.  Soon they were either disabled or dead and there was nobody left to stop them from freeing Icus’s people.  As soon as the fight was over the din of questions swelled again.

"People, listen to me."  Xena’s voice could barely be heard over the noise.

"Listen to Xena," pleaded Zora.

Gradually the crowd settled down and heard from Xena how they had been captured by Ba’al, drugged and forced to participate in "fertility rites".  They stood in stunned silence and Zora realized that it would only be a moment before their shock was replaced by a totally justified indigent rage so she had Xena pull her up beside the warrior.

"People, Icus is not here but I know what he would want to say to you.  The one God that we worship is a powerful God and would want us to learn from this experience.  We were sent these two women who love each other greatly, a love which our God blesses.    Through Xena’s love for Gabrielle, she found a way to free us from Ba’al’s control.  Ba’al is dead.  They will find a way out for us, please believe our God blesses them and commands us follow them until we are re-united with Icus who waits for us.  Xena?"

"This waterfall is the key to returning to our own place.  Its water cleared our eyes.  Do not leave the area of the spray.  We’ll be back shortly with a way out," said the warrior.

Xena nodded to Gabrielle who fell in beside her as the warrior walked away from the crowd.

"Xena, do you know how to get out?" whispered Gabrielle.

"Yep, I figured it out earlier this afternoon," said Xena as she walked to point at which the water from the waterfall and the rock face met.

"Gabrielle, this is the backside of the waterfall that we saw from our campsite.  Close your eyes and imagine you are looking at it from the campsite.  What do you see?"

"Well, the lake, the water from the falls pounding down, the green grass on either side of the falls, a small brown line snaking up from the lake to the edge of the waterfall...."

"Bingo!"

"Huh?"

"Gabrielle, the brown line is a path.  It’s steep and ugly, but it will get us out of here."

"Xena, look at these cracks in the rock."

"That’s it Gabrielle...there’s a door here."  Xena pushed and the rocks moved.  "Go get everyone."

The trip through the door and down the spray dampened rocky path was a perilous one, but Xena led the way slowly and Gabrielle brought up the rear.  Hours later everyone was safely walking around the lake towards Xena and Gabrielle’s campsite.  As they drew closer, Xena could see her daughter standing beside Icus.

"Zora, look," said Xena as she directed the older woman’s attention towards the figures.

"Icus?"

"Yes Zora, it’s Icus."

"Xena, who is standing beside him?"

"That’s our daughter," said Xena.

Before Zora could say anything Icus was heading towards her at a dead run.

"Mother, oh mother," called out Icus, sounding just like he did as a young boy.  Icus picked Zora up and held her close to his heart.  Soon all the villagers who had been saved by Xena and Gabrielle surrounded them rejoicing.  Nobody noticed Xena’s pallor...nobody except Gabrielle, of course.

"Xena, sit down.  How bad is it?" asked Gabrielle as she gently guided her warrior away from the crowd and helped Xena to sit on a tree stump a little ways away from the reunion party.

Xena didn’t speak for a moment.  She just sat there swallowing and looking as if she were struggling not to be sick. 

"Xena?"

"Peachy, Gabrielle."

"Oh right, I’ve heard that line before.  Let me see your arm."

Xena meekly let Gabrielle unwrap the splint.  While the bard was working Xena felt Eve’s hand on her shoulder.

"Hi daughter."

"Hi mother.  Welcome back."

"Xena, the bones are out of place again, what happened?" asked Gabrielle.

Xena shrugged and said, "Nothing to speak of."

Just then a man’s voice spoke up. "I slipped as we climbed down the rock face.  She grabbed me with her bad arm and saved me."

Gabrielle gave Xena a gentle hug and kiss.  "That’s my warrior."

Xena was even paler, if that was possible, when Gabrielle and Eve finished re-setting the warrior’s arm. 

"Eve, please herd all these people back to the village and away from here.  We’ll be ok.  Xena really needs to rest."  Gabrielle’s voice was soft and pleading.

"No problem."  Eve kissed her mother’s cheek, gave Gabrielle a hug and said, "I’ll take care of all these folks.  You two look after yourselves...and each other."

Eve was good to her word and within a short period of time the lake campsite was quiet.

**

"Thanks, that was good Gabrielle.  I haven’t eaten much lately."

"I guessed as much Xena," said Gabrielle as she puttered around the campsite cleaning up after their meal.

"Gabrielle, I’m sorry our honeymoon didn’t quite work out as we planned."

"Its ok...we’ll make up for it later.  I just sort of wish we didn’t have to spend the night here.  I’m not sure if I’ll sleep for worrying that I’ll be kidnapped again."

No sooner were the words out of Gabrielle’s mouth than there was a flash of light and the goddess Aphrodite was standing there.

"Well little one, I owe you and tall, dark and deadly here for taking care of that pooper Ba’al for me.   He’s been so, like, yucky for years.  Although little one, it would have been better if you had busted Ba’al’s arm instead of Xena’s," said Aphrodite.

"Aphrodite...," growled Xena.

"Come on warrior babe, you’d have had to tell her sooner or later.  Gabrielle, you look better with your mouth closed."

Gabrielle closed her mouth and decided she would wait until after Aphrodite left to ask Xena about how her arm was broken.  But, she did have a question for the goddess.

"Aphrodite, why are you so glad we killed Ba’al?"

"Well, duh, I thought it would be, like, obvious.  He has taught that love is not the object, just those squalling baby things.  He’s taught that folks like you are to be despised as perverts because you don’t make babies together.  What poop!  Love is love and it’s good stuff!  That dude of a god is the reason why the silly humans who listen to him persecute folks like you.  Anyway, you two need another place to finish your honeymoon.  Travel courtesy of Aphrodite!"

Before either Xena or Gabrielle could protest they found themselves, their horses, and all their gear in the cave where Xena woke up from her "lessons of love" journey. 

"Well tootles!  A party calls.  Thanks babes..." With a quick kiss on the bard’s cheek and a smile at Xena, the goddess disappeared.

After looking around at the sumptuously decorated cave, Xena and Gabrielle made themselves comfortable on the bed with Xena leaning back against the bard whose arms were wrapped around her.

"Xena?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yeah?"

"How did I break your arm?" asked Gabrielle in a quiet voice.

"Do you have to know?"

"Yes, please tell me," pleaded the bard.

Xena sighed and told Gabrielle about their encounter in Ba’al’s palace.  How Gabrielle thought Xena was a pervert and how the bard attacked when Xena tried to place her hands on Gabrielle’s shoulder.

Gabrielle could feel Xena’s pain as she recounted what Gabrielle had said to her.

"You know that I don’t feel that way, don’t you?"

"Yeah," said Xena although she didn’t sound very convinced.

Gabrielle climbed out from behind Xena so she could look the warrior in the eyes.  "I love you.  You are my life and what we have is good and beautiful.  Here, let me show you."

With these words Gabrielle very carefully undressed Xena, shed her own clothes and slipped into bed beside her warrior.  With a gentle passion she kissed Xena.  It took a moment or two before Xena really believed what Gabrielle had said, got into the action and returned her kiss.  After they came up for air, Gabrielle kissed her warrior’s cheek, chin, collarbone, and then moved down to Xena’s chest. 

The warrior moaned as her bard took a nipple in her mouth and cupped the other with her hand.  As Gabrielle continued to suck and nip at the nipple in her mouth, Xena’s moans increased.  Then Gabrielle moved her hand down to the dark triangle and the delights hidden therein. 

"By the remaining gods you are so wet.  Xena I want you to feel me inside you so you will know how much you are loved," said Gabrielle as she switched breasts and then entered her warrior.

"Gabrielle...please...more...let me really feel you," cried Xena.

Xena’s partner did as asked and beyond.  Xena was carried on the wings of love and passion to an orgasm more intense then any she had ever felt before.

Spent, Xena lay in Gabrielle’s arms and slipped into a deep sleep.

The End