ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Blind

by Sarah Miller

Violence: There isn't any violence. Just the results of it.

Sex/Subtext: This story involves these two women in love. Funny how they are the only ones that don't know.

Part 1

Gabrielle gave a long sigh as she looked out the window. She squinted against the darkness but couldn't see a thing. The moon was hidden behind the clouds and
the storm had blew out all the lights to the town. She groaned and turned from the window, back to her room.  She sat on a chair by the window and sighed once again.

She and Xena had came to the town this morning and she was told to get a room while Xena took care of Argo in the stables. She agreed and waited for Xena in the
tavern. Once she saw her walk in, she stood and motioned her over. When she came and sat down, she relaxed. Until she saw the look on Xena's face.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I just talked to a man outside. He had a message for me." She didn't say anymore.

"And? What did it say, Xena?"

"I need to go for awhile." She turned to Gabrielle.  "Can you wait here for me? I won't be gone long."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know the name of the town. But I do know the location. Few miles south from here, maybe more. I can't say for sure." She took a breath. "Will you wait for me here?"

"I want to go with you."

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"It's too....."

"Don't you dare say too dangerous. I think I've proven to you that I'm able to handle myself."

"You have. That's why I'm asking you to stay here."

Gabrielle looked away.

Xena placed a hand on the young woman's arm gently.  "Gabrielle."

Gabrielle closed her eyes. "I will." Defeated, she sat back against the chair and slouched.

Xena smiled and patted her arm. "I'm leaving right away." She pulled her bag of coins out and dumped half out onto the table. "That should be enough for a few days, even more. Will you be all right?"

"Yes." She watched Xena stand and walk out. "Will you ever think of me as more than a thing, to be left behind on a whim?" She whispered to herself. She realized that she wasn't hungry and decided to head on up to her room and go to sleep.

And now here she was, up late, and not one bit tired.  She peered out the window for the hundredth time and stood, walking to the bed. She laid down and pulled a pillow to her. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

It was of no use. She tossed and turned all night.  Waking up again she stood and walked downstairs.

There was a group of people downstairs, heavy in discussion. She walked closer and took a seat at the bar. Not even trying she overheard their conversation.  She didn't pay attention until one thing made her raise her head and turn to them.

"I saw it myself."

"You old man, didn't you tire of tricking us long ago with your wild tales?"

"I tell you it's not a tale. I'm telling you the truth."

"You saw a creature was it?"

"Not just a creature. A monster. At least thirty feet high, maybe more."

The men walked away, leaving the old man to his ramblings.

"What did you see?" asked a sweet voice from behind him.

He turned and saw a young woman, green eyes welcoming him to sit. He took a seat next to her. "I tell you, I wasn't imagining things."

"Shh, just tell me what you saw."

He searched her face and saw that she cared. "A horrible beast, fangs dripping with blood, claws stretched high to strike me down."

"What kind of beast was it?"

"I don't know. It had the look of a dragon.." He stopped to take a breath and looked away. "...but it wasn't a dragon, it was worse. A thing that rose from the depths of Tartaurus I assure you." He turned back to her. "I'm telling the truth. They think I'm drunk, but I'm not. I haven't had a drink for weeks."

"I believe you. Tell me where you saw this beast."

"A few miles from here. A dark forest. My horse had gone lame and I needed some water for both of us. I entered the woods and found a stream. I heard a low growl and looked up to see the thing. It was just staring at me, waiting for me to move. I couldn't. I was scared stiff. It came close and smelled me. The stench of it was enough to knock me over, but I stayed still. It moved back and snarled as it opened it's claws and swiped at me. It missed and I fell backwards. I could see the blood dripping off of its teeth."

"What did you do?"

"What anybody sane would do. I ran. Fast as I could, out of there. I got back to the road and saw that my horse was gone. It was the beast I tell you. He's the one who took it."

"It was a he?"

"I couldn't tell. Could of been female." He gave her a questioning look. "Does it matter what it was?"

"No, I was just wondering. You see I'm a bard and I like detail."

"Well, miss, I'm sure you ain't never heard of this animal."

"No I haven't."

"Its not the first time anyone has seen it."

"Who else has?"

"Lots, no one will admit it anymore. They had all tried like me and no one would believe them either. I thought that they were all crazy too. But that was until I saw it myself. And I tell you this...." He shook his head. "....it's no joke."

She nodded. His eyes told him the truth, but could it be. A monster. Could that of been the reason Xena had to leave and didn't want to tell her? She didn't know.  All she knew is that this man was surely shaken up by something.

"You're safe now. Maybe you should get some rest.  You'll feel better in the morning."

"You don't believe me."

"I do, trust me. I've had to deal with strange occurrences before. You see, I have a friend that I travel with and she gets into lots of trouble with creatures or people. Both are about the same."

"And who is your friend?"

"Xena."

"Xena?"

"You've never heard of her?"

"No, is she famous or something?"

"Well, yeah. She's a great warrior. Fights for the good of the people."

"She does huh. Maybe she could help me."

"I'm sorry, but she left earlier today, or last night. I don't know what time it is." She looked around.

"Oh, then I guess I'm on my own." He stood and walked out the door before Gabrielle could say anymore to him.

She turned back around and tried to put together what he had told her. "Monster? Horrible beast?" She sighed and stood, walking toward the stairs.

+++

She opened her eyes to the first rays of light.  Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she sat up. Looking out the window, she could see that the storm from last night had long gone. The gentle song of the morning bird was heard outside her window. She stood and reached for her clothes, and then walked to the window. She could see a few groups of people walking about here and there. The shops were open so she decided that that was her first destination. She needed some more bath oils, and could use some more leather patches. Her scrolls were all used up, so she figured more was needed.

There was a lot of commotion heard, as she came downstairs. She looked around and sat on some steps to watch till the fight was done. It didn't end. She sighed and grabbed her staff. Heading toward the group, she inched her way past and walked outside. No fights for her today. She didn't really feel like explaining to Xena how she had a black eye or two. She would go after the man responsible, if she knew her better. Whether it was his fault or hers, she knew that Xena would make him regret it. She sighed again and headed toward a booth, filled with an assorted arrangement of fruit. Some she had never seen before.  She smiled and walked to the next booth.

This one was filled with tons of scrolls. Grabbing one, she unrolled it and started reading. She laughed and looked up at the woman. "I like this one."

"Which one is that?"

"Morpheous and the maiden."

"Oh, yes that was a favorite of several. Three dinars."

"Three, come on."

"Okay, for you, one." She took the coin offered and smiled back at the woman. She picked up another one and tapped Gabrielle on the shoulder. "Perhaps this might get your interests up." She smiled warmly.

"What is it?"

"A little wisdom from someone who's been there before."

"What?"

The woman placed the scroll in the young woman's hands and walked away.

Gabrielle stood looking at the scroll for a few minutes before sliding it into her pouch. "I'll read it later." She moved to another booth. This one held her curiosity. Strange bottle filled with liquid of all colors. She saw a man walk to her and smiled.  "What is all this?"

"Different potions and medicines. Are you in need of any?"

"No, I'm not." She picked up a bright red tube. "What is this?"

"Ah, that's a...." He stopped and peered into the woman's eyes. "Cure for headaches."

"Oh, well then I'll take it. We need this." She looked around. "Well, it couldn't hurt anyway right."

"Right. One dinar."

She handed him the coin and stuffed the tube into her pouch. "Thanks." She moved off again. She came to a booth and stopped. "Wow."

The man came closer and smiled at her. "What can I do for you?"

"I uh..well. Wow." She picked up a small, sugar covered roll. "What flavor?"

"Vanilla."

She took a bite. "Mmm. That's delicious. How much."

"Two dinars a bag."

"How many in a bag?"

"Six."

"Deal." She took the bag from him and looked up.  "Where can I get something to drink?"

"Over there." He pointed behind her and she thanked him before running off.

+++

She collapsed on the bed with a loud exhale and sat up to look at her new collections. She pulled out the tube and laid it aside. The bag of pastries was laid down also. She pulled out the flask of wine and laid it down. She pulled out a small bag of leather scraps and saw a scroll fall out. She picked it up and smiled. "The scroll from the woman." She unrolled it and started reading. "What the...?"

She dropped the scroll and felt the heat run to her face. "I bought this." She started laughing again and picked up the scroll to start reading again. "Hmm."

She finished reading and looked around. "What did she say about the scroll?" She thought hard. "Ah, now I remember. She said a little wisdom from someone who's
been there before. What does that mean? This scroll is about...well...very detailed in.." She blushed again.  "Could she know?"

She laid down and felt herself drifting off.

+++

When she opened her eyes, she saw that it was completely dark in the room. She sat up but couldn't see a thing. She reached for the dresser and moved along the wall, till she came to the door. When she opened it, the light from downstairs, came into the room. She moved to the table again and grabbed the candle. She set it next to the door, so she would be able to find it later, and walked downstairs.

It was as noisy as it had been earlier that day. She looked around but didn't see her warrior anywhere. She moved to a back table and sat down. She ordered some food and a drink, without thinking and waited for it to return. She ate in silence, except from the loud, drunk men making conversations. She finished her meal and leaned back against the wall.

The door flew open in a thump, and a man stood in the doorway. He looked badly beaten.  He walked a few feet, then dropped to the ground.

A man walked to him and helped him further into the tavern. "What is it? Who has done this to you?"

"There was a battle, over the hill a few miles. I barely managed to get away. If it wasn't for this strong woman, I would have been killed. She threw a round metal object at my attackers and saved me."

Gabrielle ran to him. "Was she tall, with dark hair, blue eyes?"

The man looked up at her strangely. "Yes."

Gabrielle smiled. "Where is she?"

He again looked at her strangely. "She...I mean...the men saw what happened and they...."

Gabrielle's heart dropped. "Was she killed?"

"Yes."

"You saw it."

"With my own eyes."

She felt the tears fall down her cheeks.

"You must have known her."

"I did. She was my best friend." She looked away.

"Well, she saved my life."

Gabrielle nodded and patted his arm. "Is the army gone?"

"She fought off most of them. Only a dozen were left.  Their leader had been killed and they started to pull back, but some took off and attacked her." He was helped towards the back.

Gabrielle stood on shaky legs and tried to catch her breath. "No, couldn't be. Must of been some other woman." With this information in mind, she walked back upstairs and closed the door after her. She peered through the darkness and slumped to the ground. She didn't want to believe the words the man had said, but how could she not. A woman who attacked with a silver round disk, dark hair, blue eyes, who else would fit this description.

She took a few deep breaths and walked to the bed. She lit the candle and looked around for her things. She couldn't stay here. She packed up her things and headed out into the night, with no idea where she would go. She was too far from home, and too far from Amphipolis. She headed left and kept walking till daylight.

+++

Utterly exhausted, she dropped and pulled herself into some trees to sleep. She had just closed her eyes, when she heard a some thump of horse hooves. She
opened her eyes and looked around. No horse. She raised herself up and looked again. She widened her eyes. Xena! She tried to pull herself up but her muscles wouldn't budge. She could see Xena leading Argo down the path. She tried to call out, but her voice wouldn't work. She couldn't utter a sound. She tried and tried to either stand or shout out, but nothing came out.

+++

Gabrielle screamed Xena's name as she woke up. She looked around and saw that she was in the forest. When had she stopped. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and laid back down. What a dream. She rose up again and headed out. She wished that she knew the name of the village Xena had gone too. She knew the direction, but not the location. She sighed as she tightened her grip on her staff.

A small village came into view in the next hour or more. She looked around and saw the deep thick forest around her. As she moved close to the town, she heard a deep, dark growl coming from the forest. She turned and could see two red eyes, glaring at her from the green leaves. She turned and ran, feeling every minute that the beast was on her heels. She turned back and was pushed to the ground.

+++

She woke with a scream. She looked around and tried to figure what had just happened. A dream in a dream?  Couldn't' t be, but here she was again. She pinched herself to make sure she was awake and called out with the pain. She stood up and walked to find some water source.

A few minutes had passed until she spotted a small pond, hidden in thick trees. She laid down her bag and staff, and undress, then jumped into the water. She sighed as the cool water surrounded her whole body, cooling it down, erasing the last few days from her muscles. She laid back and let her body float on the water, thinking of nothing but the gentle breeze or the loud chirp from a nearby bird.

She finished with her swim and headed out again. She couldn't stop anymore. She needed to get as far away from that town as she could. She needed to find out what had happened to Xena. It couldn't be true that she was gone. The gods couldn't be so cruel. She shook her thoughts and continued walking.

+++

The night came quickly and she found herself tiring.  She didn't stop, even though her body screamed for her to do so. She couldn't. She closed her eyes, and felt her body drop to the ground. Still.

+++

As the night bird called loud to the forest, a dark figure rode into view. Stopping at the object at the ground, they saw that it was a woman. She picked her up and hauled her over the saddle, then moved on.

The woman stopped at a suitable place to make camp and laid out everything.

Laying the woman down on some blankets, she started to make a fire. Making sure everything was well, and that the young woman was breathing, the woman headed off into the trees.

+++

Gabrielle opened her eyes and looked around. She expected to be on the path still, but found that she was deep in the forest, at someone's camp. She sat up quickly and looked around. She couldn't see anyone in the camp and stood. Spotting a dark horse, she once again looked around the camp. Getting very nervous and a bit scared, she called out. "Hello. Anyone here?  Please answer me."

A woman came into view. "What's the matter?"

Gabrielle saw her. She had short blonde hair and had on robe. "I..um..who are you?"

"I think the question is, who are you."

"I'm Gabrielle."

"Now then, that's better. I'm Katrina."

"How did I get here?"

"I found you lying down on the path and I didn't want to leave you."

"Thank you."

"It was no problem." She sat down. "Where were you headed?"

"Don't know."

The woman looked up and gave Gabrielle a questioning stare. "How can it be that you have no idea where you were heading?"

"Because I don't. I was just walking."

The woman could see some kind of sadness in the young woman's eyes. "Something is troubling you, I see."

"No, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, thanks."

The woman nodded and handed Gabrielle something to eat.

+++

The sun rose high in the sky, noon was approaching.  They two women parted their separate ways and Gabrielle continued on.

It wasn't long till, she reached a small cabin. It was a strange thing that it would be out here in the middle of no where but she walked to it anyway.

Opening the door, she peered into the darkness and looked around. She couldn't see anything but heard very faint breathing. She walked further into the room and saw a bed to one side of the wall. Turning to the other one, she saw that there was one there as well.  "Must be a healers hut."

She walked into another room and looked around. This one was much darker than the first. She squinted to get a better view but still couldn't see a thing.  "Hello. Anyone here?"

She heard the deep breathing again and moved closer to the sound. She reached out and felt warm flesh.  Running her hands down an arm, she came to a hand. She picked it up and felt for a pulse. It was dull, but there. She ran her hand up the arm to the shoulder and hair. Whoever it was had long hair. Had to be a woman, the arms were too small to be a man. She ran a hand over the face and froze. She knew this face. She moved away and pulled a candle out from her bag. Lightening it she set it on a table and looked back at the figure. She gasped.

"Xena." She knelt down next to her and gently shook her.

No response.

She saw that she was running a fever and guessed that she had been here for a while. She had a deep gash in her side that had cut a large hole in her leathers.  She had some blood running down her neck.

Gabrielle moved to her head and saw she had a deep cut in the side of her neck as well. She kissed her on the forehead and sat down. "You're alive. I knew it."

She stood and looked around. Perhaps if Xena was here, then so was her stuff. She smiled as she saw her armor, greaves, and boots, but most of all, a bag. She opened it and pulled out the medicines, and thread.  She searched for a needle and found one.

After stitching Xena back up, she sat back and waited.  Applying some water to a rag, she placed it on her forehead and waited. Every now and then, she would apply more water to the rag and reply it to her head.  She checked the stitching to see if there was any problems. There wasn't. She had got them in time.  There wouldn't be any infection.

All of the sudden she felt exhausted and sat down on one of the beds. Taking another look at Xena, she laid down and closed her eyes.

+++

She opened them to see the rays of the light coming in through a window. She stretched and looked over at Xena. She was still asleep. The blanket she had put on her had not moved. Her guess was that Xena hadn't moved either. She rose and moved towards her. She felt her pulse and smiled as it seemed stronger today.

"Come on Xena. You can make it."

She left to go to the bathroom.

+++

When she returned, she saw that there was still no change in Xena. She stayed with her the rest of the day and night, and on to the next morning.

As she started to wake up, she heard a soft whisper.  She opened her eyes and looked up. "Xena."

Xena let out a small cough and held her side. She turned and looked at Gabrielle. "When did you...?"

"Not long. How do you feel?"

"Horrible. But I'll live." She cracked a smile and laid her head back down. She felt Gabrielle smooth the hair from her face and opened her eyes. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking care of me."

"You don't need to thank me, Xena. I'll always be around to help you."

Xena pulled herself up to a sitting position. She saw Gabrielle's reaction and held out her arm. "I can do it." Pulling herself up the rest of the way, she waited till she caught her breath again. She looked down at her side and smiled. "Good job."

"Did I get them too far apart?"

"No, just right." She smiled. "How long have I been here?"

"Don't know. I got here night before last and you seemed to be here long before that. Your wound was covered with dried blood, so I would assume a day or so before I found you. How did you get here?"

"I don't remember. I must of just walked."

"Wouldn't doubt it."

Xena looked at Gabrielle's face and saw some dried tears. She grabbed Gabrielle's chin and pulled her up to face her. "What is it?"

"Hmm."

"You've been crying."

"No, I'm all right."

"Tell me."

Gabrielle lost herself in Xena's eyes and sighed.  "Couple days ago, a man came into the tavern and told of a brave warrior who had saved his life." She took a deep breath. "He also said that you had died trying to protect some innocent people."

"I was stabbed, but I didn't die. I remember falling and blacking out. My guess is that the men got scared at what they had done and ran off. Cowards."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. A bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."  She ran a hand down Gabrielle's cheeks. "We've been through worse before."

"I know but when he said that you had........were killed, I just......"

"I know." She pulled Gabrielle into a soft hug. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"I'm just so glad you're alive."

Xena smiled. "Me too." She laughed.

"You would joke at a time like this?"

"Of course."

Gabrielle nodded.

"You sure you're okay?"

"No, but I'll live." She smiled and moved away.

Xena watched her crawl away and sit down. She sighed to herself and looked down at her waist again. "Guess I'm going to have to get another suit."

"I got some patches, if you'd like."

"Yeah, thanks." She took them out of Gabrielle's hand and smiled. She slid the leather off of her shoulders and pulled it down. "Hey, can you help me. Just for a minute."

Gabrielle stood and helped her get out of the leather.  She Searched through Xena's pack and pulled out a shift. "Here."

Xena slid it over her head and started working on her leather.

"Xena."

"Hmm."

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I'm fine. This needs to get done."

"Oh."

Xena looked up. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing."

"Come on Gabrielle, I've known you for awhile now. If you need to say something then do so."

"I was just thinking about things."

"Like what?"

"You."

"What about me?"

"If you had died, of what I would do then."

"Probably keep telling your tales about me." She laughed. "Or fall in love with some good looking poet or something. Without me around, they wouldn't be afraid to approach you." She smiled and continued to work.

"Nah, I don't think so, but maybe. I don't think you frighten them, Xena. Its just that they are too busy flirting with you that they miss me."

"Are you kidding. I've seen the way they look at you, Gabrielle. Most of the men I knock unconscious have made a remark about you."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I don't think I'd want to settle down with some farm boy anyway."

Xena looked up.

"I'm much more into the fighting type. You know someone who can fight to protect me. Like you do. I would hate to be the one protecting them." She laughed. "I can see it now." She laughed some more.

"You'll make a man real happy some day Gabrielle."

"You think so?"

"I know so. You're strong and brave, caring and trusting. I would think they'd be blind not to want to be with you Gabrielle."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Xena."

"What?"

"Have you ever been with a woman?"

Xena looked up fast. "What?"

"I was thinking about the last time we had visited the Amazons. Ephiny had talked about Amazon love but I didn't know. Have you?"

"A few, why?"

"I was just wondering."

Xena heard the silence and figured that was the end of the discussion. She looked back down.

"I wonder how its done."

"How what's done?"

"How two women can be together in that way."

"Quite simple actually." She smiled. "Surely you can imagine."

"I am a bard after all. Of course I know its possible but I just don't understand that's all."

"You can ask me anything, that's what I'm here for."

"I heard that when you are in love and you give yourself to that person, body and soul, you know its right."

Xena looked up.

"With Perdicus, I felt.... I don't know. It just felt......wrong. Does that make sense?"

"Yes. You just weren't meant to be with him."

"Oh." She laid down. "Thanks."

"No problem." Xena watched Gabrielle till she had fallen asleep and then continued to sew her leathers together.

+++

The dawn approached but neither woman moved.

By midday, Xena had waken and sat up. She winced at the stiff muscles at her side, but pulled herself up anyway. She looked over at Gabrielle and saw that she wasn't there. She looked around the small cabin, but couldn't see her anywhere. "Gabrielle."

She walked outside and saw her rubbing down Argo's nose. "You found her."

"Yeah. I heard some noise and walked down by the stream. I found her."

Xena nodded and smiled at her mare, before losing balance and leaning forward.

Gabrielle was there in an instant to help her. "Hey, you shouldn't even be out of bed yet." She helped her back inside.

"Thanks."

Gabrielle nodded. "I'll go make sure Argo is taken care of. You just rest. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

"I know you will." She closed her eyes.

+++

Gabrielle sat down at the table watching Xena sleep.  She had no idea how long she had been doing this but couldn't seem to tear her gaze away from the sleeping warrior. She sighed and laid her head down. For a small nap perhaps.

When she opened her eyes again, she took a quick scan of the room and looked at Xena. Still asleep. She stretched and groaned as she pulled stiff muscles. She
rolled her shoulders and looked at Xena, to see her eyes open. "Do you need something?"

"No, I was just...." She stopped. "I'm fine."

"Okay." Gabrielle rose from the chair and walked over to Xena. "Hungry?"

"Yes."

Gabrielle handed her some cooked meat and a bowel of stew. "Afraid they got cold. The wind had picked up earlier and I couldn't keep a fire."

"Its okay." She started to eat.

+++

It had been five or six days that they had been in that small cabin. Xena was starting to get a bit of a temper at having to be in the same place for too long. Gabrielle was bored out of her mind.

Gabrielle walked into the cabin and saw Xena getting fitted back into her leathers. "Fit?"

"A bit snug, but they'll stretch out." She smiled.  "What?"

"Nothing."

"I was thinking. I'm feeling much better, why don't we head out tonight, or tomorrow."

"Good idea. I'm getting bored in here."

"Then its a deal." She sat down and moved her shoulders forward.

"Stiff?"

"A bit."

"Want me to rub your shoulders for you?"

"That would be great."

Gabrielle moved behind Xena and moved her hair out of the way. She started in slow circular strokes, increasing in pressure each time. She heard Xena moan and her head fall forward. "Am I hurting you?"

"No."

She kept going. She used her thumb to round the muscles in her neck and shoulder blades.

Soon the muscles were as loose as they would get.  "There you go."

"Thanks."

Gabrielle smiled. "Feel like talking?"

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

"I know that they....that the um.... Oh gods, this didn't seem so hard in my head."

Xena turned. "Just spit it out."

"I want to know something."

"What do you want to know?"

"Love."

"What about it?"

"How do you know when you're in love."

"Well, it can happen instantly or it can take time. I guess the most obvious sign would be the fact that you would do anything to see that person. I guess at first it feels too hard to control. You try to run from them, hold them away. Then one day you just find yourself attached."

"Attached?"

"You feel that no matter what you do, you seem to always end up wanting to be with that person. The love keeps building up and building up till one day, bam."

"Bam."

"You find yourself lost without them. Unable to stay away for too long. You'd give anything to hold or touch them but find they are....."

"Are what?"

"Are out of your grasp."

"Have you ever been in love Xena?"

"Yes."

"With who?"

"A woman, I met long ago."

"What was she like?"

"Warm, bright, funny, brave....all the things I wasn't. It drew me to her."

"Did you ever tell her?"

"No. I couldn't. I was afraid she wouldn't feel the same about me and I couldn't deal with that."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. I did absolutely nothing for three years. A touch here or a touch there but nothing solid. She didn't know how much I longed to hold her tight against me and feel her warmth. Wrap myself up in her love and never have her let me go."

"Xena? Why didn't you tell her? It's clear that you loved her."

"Love, Gabrielle. I love her still."

"Where is she now? Did she leave you and go on her own?"

"A long time ago. She parted from me a long time ago.  At first just a simple girl, then she grew into a woman." She turned around and faced Gabrielle. "A woman I've grown to love." Her eyes held nothing but the love she felt at the moment.

Gabrielle held her breath. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I love you, am in love with you, and even if you don't love me in return that's fine. I'm telling you this. No strings attached." She saw a tear fall down Gabrielle's cheek. "What is it?"

"I never thought you would ever think of me as anything but a annoying child. I've loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you and still, I did nothing. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not doing it sooner."

"Doing what?"

"This." She leaned forward and touched her lips against Xena's. She felt the shudder run through them both. Pulling back, she looked into the eyes of the woman she loved. "I love you."

"I love you too." She pulled Gabrielle into a tight hug and held her close.

"What happens now?"

"I guess we wait and find out. Whatever happens though, we'll see it through together." She gently rocked her back and forth.

Part 2

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