Subtext: Oh yes!

Violence: Always when Xena is around

She heard the shouts long before the blonde haired regent stormed into her hut. Pulling back the covers, she jumped up, running a hand through her hair. Grabbing a shift, she threw it over her head as she ran to the door.

The village was running wild. "What happened?"

"She was found near our northern borders."

"She." Realization dawned in her eyes. "Oh she."  Her eyes turned to see a group of Amazon huddled together. She ran over and pushed her way through to see a dark figure on a carrier. Reaching out, she brushed back the hair from the pale face.  "This is the conqueror?"

Ephiny nodded.

Gabrielle heard her breath catch. "She's beautiful."

"Don't let that fool you."

Gabrielle stared down again at the raven head.  "What happened?"

"Don't know. They found her like this."

"Alone?"

"Yes."

Gabrielle took in the multiple bruises and gashes. "Stop messing around and get this woman to the healer. Conqueror or not." And with that she stormed off.

Ephiny watched her retreat and looked up at the sky. "Don't even think about it."

==============
Gabrielle slowly entered the dark room. The only light came from the small candle she held in her hand. Setting it down on the table next to the bed, she took a seat and stared at the woman.  "Why are you here? What happened? And why can't I stop thinking about you?"

It had been a week since she was brought in and the warrior hadn't woken up since. Gabrielle occasionally would stop and visit her but never when someone was present. She knew that her visits didn't go unnoticed but right now she couldn't care less.

Standing up, she leaned over the woman and ran a hand down a cheek, feeling the soft skin. "How can something so beautiful have done so many awful things?" She shook her head. "What happened to you?" Her finger ran along a bandage along her upper arm. "Who did this to you?"

She sighed as she grabbed the candle.

The dark form on the pallet stirred and opened an eye, looking around until it rested on the small blonde. Opening the other, she licked her lips with a dry tongue, and tried to utter a sound that didn't come.

Gabrielle turned and smiled. "Don't talk. Rest."

Xena watched her, not wanting to take her eyes off of her. She had no idea who this woman was and more importantly she had no idea where she was. "Where?" Her throat stopped any more words.

"You're in a Amazon village. You were found unconscious and you have been lying here for about a week."

Xena nodded and looked down at her arm, studying the stitches. "Who?"

"Our healer stitched you up. You were in pretty bad shape." She grabbed a pitcher and filled a glass full of water, walking to Xena. "Here sit up a bit." She helped her take a few drinks and then set the cup on the table. "How do you feel?"

"Fine." She grabbed her head feeling the impending headache. Sitting up, she winced when she felt the muscles of her abdomen pull
slightly.

"Hey, you should lay down."

"Leave me alone. I don't need your help."

"Well you could have fooled me."

Xena shot her a glance. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"I do."

"Then you know that it's not wise to tell me what to do."

"I don't care."

"Who are you?"

"Gabrielle."

"Where are my clothes?"

"Your clothes were ruined with whatever put you in this mess. I'll get you some more tomorrow, but now you should rest."

"I heal fast." She swung her legs over the side of the bed and closed her eyes at the burning sensation in her thigh. Looking down she saw a bandage. She shook her head and stood up, aware of the dizzy feeling, but soon feeling it pass.  Steadying herself against the table, she waited till her head had cleared before standing up straight.

Gabrielle watched as this woman stood to tower over her. She had always known that she was short, but this woman had to be at least six feet tall.

"I suggest you move aside Amazon." The last word said through clenched teeth.

"I don't take orders from you."

"Oh really." She pushed her aside and headed towards the door. As she reached forward, her head started to pound and the world went black.

==============
Opening her eyes, she saw that she was once again lying on the soft pallet. Turning to her left, she saw another blonde woman.

The woman turned to her and frowned. "Stubborn."  She shook her head and picked up a bowel. She saw Xena flinch as she reached forward and smiled.  "I'm not going to hurt you. You need some salve on that wound. Plus you've torn the thread" She pointed to her stomach.

Xena looked down to see a long gash surrounded by a nasty looking bruise.

The woman handed the bowel to Xena who took it slowly. "I'm Anna, the healer."

Xena smelled the contents of the bowel and let out a breath, she recognized most of the active ingredients.

"May I continue?" She grabbed the bowel and dipped in a finger, applying it gently to the angry wound. "We know who you are Conqueror, so don't expect to be taken lightly."

Xena shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll be out of here soon."

Anna chuckled. "Try to remember that we're human shall we." She shook her head and smiled. "You passed out when you tried to get out of here. Not smart." She set the bowel down on the table.  "Would you like some water?"

Xena nodded and gratefully accepted the glass and Anna's help.

"Do you want to tell me how you got here and what happened to you?"

Xena shook her head. "I can't."

"Why?"

"I don't know." She looked down. "I can't remember."

"Do you remember coming here?"

"Well with my injuries I find that hard to believe that I walked here."

"If you didn't bring yourself here, then who did." She took a deep breath. "Well you'll be here for awhile." She stood and headed toward the
door. "We have guards watching you, so don't get any ideas." She walked out.

Xena laid her head back down on the pillow and stared upwards. Hearing someone enter, she raised her head to see the small blonde again.

"I heard you were feeling better." She took a seat once more at the small chair.

Xena sighed. "Why do you care?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "I honestly don't know." She stood up and moved closer to Xena.  "Just something about you."

Xena closed her eyes. "I'm not to be trusted."  Her mouth held a slight sneer. She felt a hand at her forehead and flinched.

"Easy." She moved the bangs out of her face and trailed the hand down to her jaw line.

"That's not safe."

"Why not?" She jumped when Xena raised up and grabbed her hand.

"Just isn't." She dropped the hand and reached forward, grabbing the front of Gabrielle's top, pulling her forward. "Safer outside of this hut."

"You don't scare me."

Xena shook her head. "Get out of here before the Queen has to explain the loss of another Amazon."  She let her go.

"For one, you wouldn't hurt me."

"Oh yeah."

"If you were going to you would have done it already."

"Not myself today."

"And for another I don't think the Queen would care."

"How do you know that?"

"Because that's me."

Xena eyed her. "You lie."

"Why would I lie about that?"

"Don't know." Her eyes took in Gabrielle's form as if for the first time. The small brown top that hid nothing and left nothing to the
imagination, to the short skirt that hugged those small hips.

Gabrielle stepped back and watched as Xena lay back down. "Anna told me what happened?"

"So?"

Gabrielle let out a breath. "I am here to help, remember that."

"I'll remember when I'm gone." She sat up and swung her legs out over the pallet.

"Remember what happened last time?"

Xena rolled her eyes. "Leave me alone."

"Fine." She stepped back and leaned against the wall. "Kill yourself for all we care." She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled.

Xena stood and though a bit shaky, her legs held her weight. Taking things slower than last time, she leaned her weight against the table.

Gabrielle reached forward and pushed her slightly, smiling when the warrior fell backwards onto the bed. "Oh yeah, I can see why they made you conqueror. Love that stamina." She chuckled.

Xena glared at her and stood up again, making her way towards the blonde.

Gabrielle kept her back to the wall.

Xena inched forward till she was nose to nose with the Queen of the Amazons. "You are very brave."

"Not really. You're in no condition to fight.  Even I could take you." She smiled but soon lost it when her body was pulled roughly against the dark woman.

"Looks can be deceiving." Her mouth was so close to Gabrielle's, that she could feel the woman's breath against her lips. Xena lowered her hands and grabbed onto Gabrielle's hips. "You seem to have forgotten just who you were dealing with."  Her eyes held a hint of danger to them.

Gabrielle swallowed nervously. "Let me go."

"No."

Gabrielle brought her hands up to push against Xena's chest. Bare chest. As her hands closed around two firm breasts, she felt a blush cover her face. Instantly dropping them, she walked backwards, relieved that Xena let her go.

Xena tilted her head and closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness passed over her. Feeling Gabrielle's hands try to steady her, she pushed
them away. "I don't need your help." She stepped back against the bed and lay down. Like it or not there was no way she was getting out of here for a while. Her body was just refusing to cooperate.  Looking at Gabrielle, she shook her head. "This all must be very humorous to you. Seeing the mighty warrior unable to stand on her own for but a moment." She looked away disgusted with herself.

Gabrielle found the use of her voice and cleared her throat. "You don't have a choice but to stay here so I suggest you stop acting so tough and lay back down." She reached forward and brought the blanket up over Xena's naked form. Stepping back, she refilled the water glass and walked out of the hut, aware that a pair of blue eyes watched her every move.

==============
It was another couple of weeks before Xena's body regained its strength enough so that she could stand on her own without falling down.

She walked outside, aware that several eyes watched her move. Turning around, she could see Gabrielle sitting at a table, her eyes cast down at the scroll in front of her, scribbling around with her quill. Heading towards her, she saw the guards raise their weapons. Okay not that direction. Taking a moment to study the small blonde, she began to wonder what was going on in that mind as she watched Gabrielle's lips twitch as she wrote.

Gabrielle chose that moment to look up. She all but smiled, seeing Xena watching her. A look of confusion crossed her features before she looked back down at the scroll.

Xena shook her head and walked to a tree where she sat down, out of the sun. Sighing as she rested her body, she heard someone coming up on her right. Opening her eyes, she looked up to see Ephiny. "What?"

"Don't get too comfortable here. Soon as you're better, you're out of here."

Xena smiled and arched a brow. "Good afternoon to you too, thanks for asking." She chuckled and watched as the Amazon knelt.

"You're not fooling me." Her eyes turned to look over at Gabrielle. "You stay away from her."

"Is that a dare or a double dare?" She grinned.

Ephiny glared and stood up. "Your choice."

Xena watched her walk away and sighed to herself.  She definitely liked the spunk of these Amazons.  Too bad they hated her. She could really use them in her army. Leaning her head back against the tree, she closed her eyes once more.

==============
Gabrielle rushed toward the messenger and shook her head. "What news, please be good?"

The small Amazon shook her head. "Bad my Queen.  He's heading this way."

Gabrielle bit her lip and turned to her regent.  Smiling she turned back to the Amazon. "Go tell him that his decision may not be wise. Tell him he faces death if he continues on this....stupid...." She stopped. "Tell him." She smiled. "That we have the Warrior Princess on our
side and he risks his life trying to take over this land."

The Amazon's brow rose up under her bangs. "My Queen?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Go." She watched as the confused warrior rode off.

Ephiny leaned down to an ear. "Okay how do you plan on backing this up?"

Gabrielle turned and smiled, before patting her on the cheek. "Easy. I'll make Xena my champion."

Ephiny laughed then stopped. "You're serious."

"Yes."

"And how do you plan on getting that murderer to.....how do you plan on trusting her?"

"Trust me." She walked off leaving a very confused Amazon shaking her head.

==============
Gabrielle entered the hut and stopped dead in her tracks. The warrior was bent over, drying her hair with not a bit of clothing on. Only
admitting to herself, she realized how beautiful she really was.

Xena turned her head and rolled her eyes. "What?"

"I have to talk to you."

"Yeah, sure. No problem." She shook her head and wrapped a towel around her body, before taking a seat in the far corner.

Gabrielle took a seat. "We have a warlord riding this way."

"So?" She shook her head.

"His army is great and he....well we're not sure we can take him on."

"Who is he?"

"Andreas."

Xena raised a brow.

"You've heard of him?"

She nodded. "Heard a few accounts of his recent battles."

"Well his battles take him toward Amazonia."

"And so what does this have to do with me?"

"We need your help."

Xena waited. "And what do you want me to do, not that I'll help you."

"If he thinks you've joined with us, it may give him reason to back off."

Xena shook her head.

"I'm quiet sure."

"Okay so how do you plan on doing this?"

"You are going to become my champion."

Xena stood up and laughed. "Right, good one. But really."

"Really."

Xena rolled her eyes. "What makes you think you can trust me?"

"Right now we are out of options." She looked up hopeful.

Xena shook her head. "You want me to become your champion?"

"Yes."

"And that would mean...."

"That you'd be my mate...." She held up a hand.  "Only in name." She looked down.

"And you think this will scare him off once he realizes that the Amazons have me."

"You're more ruthless than you realize."

She turned to Gabrielle. "I know exactly how I am." She chuckled. "What makes you think I'd help you?" She sat down.

Gabrielle hung her head and shrugged. "Hadn't gotten that far."

Xena shook her head and grabbed a shift, sliding it over her head. Running fingers through her wet, hair, she walked to Gabrielle. "Stand up."

Gabrielle looked up and tilted her head.

"If you want my help, do as I say."

Gabrielle stood and watched as Xena moved in front of her.

Raising a hand to Gabrielle's cheek, she trailed it down to her neck, feeling the soft pulse under her hand begin to beat faster. Looking into the woman's eyes, she leaned forward to brush her lips against the blonde's but stopped. Pulling back, she sighed. "Fine, I'll help."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thank you." She moved past Xena but was pulled back against her body.  Feeling warm breath touch her ear, she shivered.

"Don't think me yet. After this is all over, presuming that it works...." She nipped gently at an earlobe. "I'll want something in return."

"And that is?" She felt hands wrap around her waist to rise up, stopping at her ribs.

"I'm sure you know what I want." Her hands covered soft breasts as her eyes closed. Feeling the hardened nipples press into her palms, she smiled. "I always get what I want." She pushed Gabrielle away and walked into the other room.

Gabrielle swallowed a few times, trying to get her breathing back to normal. "Okay. You help us and you'll get what you want."

Xena turned and smiled. "What we both want." Her brow rose.

Gabrielle shook her head and walked out.

==============
She felt someone nudging her side. Opening an eye, she glanced up at Ephiny before she let out a groan. "Go away."

"Come on Gabrielle. We need to get this over with."

Gabrielle rolled over and sat up.

"So how did it go with her?" She took a seat at her desk.

"It went well I think." She shook her head.

"Sure?"

"Yes."

Ephiny shook her head. "There's something you're not telling me."

"She agreed to help us what more do you need?"  She stood up and grabbed a shift.

"Tell me." She laid a hand on Gabrielle's arm.

"She agreed to help me if I……well we wanted something so she'd help me if I'd give her something."

"And what was that?"

"You don't want to know." She slid the shift over her head.

"I'm waiting."

"She'd help us if I'd sleep with her." There she had said it.

"What?" Ephiny rose and paced the room. "Of all the nerve. Who does she think she is?"

"Ephiny stop it. Now we need her and you know
it."

"Yes but surely there could have been something else that she wanted."

Gabrielle shook her head. "That's what she requested."

"And when do you do this? Before or after she helps us?"

"After." She stood. "Look, she's an honest woman."

"Right." She shook her head.

"Yeah well that's not the problem."

"Oh yeah and what is?"

Gabrielle turned to look Ephiny in the eye. "The problem is that I couldn't find a good argument against the idea."

==============
Xena raised her head when she heard footsteps coming to her hut. Ephiny entered and threw a leather tunic and some armor onto the bed.

"Weapons?"

A sword was thrown down as well as her chakram.  "A horse came into our village carrying these.  I'm assuming that they're yours."

Xena nodded. "Well if you'll leave me, I'll get ready."

She left.

Xena slid her shift over her head and replaced it with her leather tunic. Fastening the ties in the back, she buckled her armor and sheathed her sword, attaching the chakram to her hip.

Hearing someone else enter, she smiled. "What now?"

Silence.

Looking up, she saw Gabrielle and her lips curled into a smile. "Well hello there." She walked forward and pulled Gabrielle to her.

Gabrielle pushed her away and took a step back.  "You can't have me until after this is taken care of."

"Very well. I can handle that." She walked around Gabrielle but stopped and pulled her against her anyway. "Nothing says that I can't touch you until then." Her lips sampled the soft skin of Gabrielle's neck. "You smell so good." She nipped at a delectable earlobe.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  "Xena let me go." She was relieved when those strong arms released her.

"Having a change of mind?" She took a seat on the bed.

Gabrielle didn't answer, just took a step back.  "Like it matters either way."

Xena tilted her head. "It matters to me."

"Why?"

"I'm not one to force my attentions on someone."

"Really?"

"Yes." She stood. "But remember I am helping you out here. You and all those Amazons." She was right in front of Gabrielle now. "Don't forget that."

Gabrielle moved past her and turned to look at the circle at her hip. "I've heard of this weapon." Her finger traced the fine markings.

Xena grabbed her arm. Hooking a finger under Gabrielle's chin, she turned her head up to look her in the eye. "You fear me yet here you are. I just don't understand you."

"Me either." Gabrielle walked towards the door but turned. "Xena."

"What?"

"Promise me that you won't betray us."

"I promise. My word is my oath. The only thing I have anymore."

"You have your kingdom."

Xena's head lowered. "Yeah." Almost a whisper."

Gabrielle took this in with a touch of confusion but turned and walked out. She met Ephiny outside and shook her head as she held up a hand. "Before you begin, stop." She leaned her back against a nearby tree.

Ephiny sighed. "Do you really think we can trust her?"

"I don't know. But what choice have we got right now?" She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

Ephiny laid a hand on Gabrielle's arm. "Are you going to go through with this.....deal?"

"I don't have a choice in the matter do I? We need her help."

"Surely there is something else that she wants."

"I don't think so. She made it perfectly clear what she wanted."

"Yeah, I bet she did." The Amazon crossed her arms over her chest in anger.

"Ephiny stop it." She shook her head. "We should get going. We have a lot of things to do before we leave in the morning."

"You're going with us?"

"Yes."

"Gabrielle I don't think....."

Gabrielle held up a hand. "My decision is final."  She walked away leaving Ephiny sighing in defeat.

A dark head poked out of the hut and smiled before disappearing once again.

==============
The hut was dark and she could see nothing but a small light coming in through the small curtain that lead to the bath. Walking forward, she stopped at it and took a deep breath. "Xena."

"Hmm?"

She heard a splash and peeled back the cover to see Xena up to her shoulders in the warm water.  She stopped as if out of breath and shook herself mentally and walked forward. "We're heading out in the morning."

"I know." She continued to wash her arms. Looking up she smiled.

Gabrielle sat down on the edge of the bath and handed Xena a mug.

Xena took it and took a small sniff."

"I wouldn't poison you."

"Maybe not but I wouldn't put it past your Amazons." She took a drink.

"They wouldn't dare."

Xena moved toward Gabrielle and leaned her arms on the side of the tub. "Why have you come here tonight?"

Gabrielle looked away. "I don't know."

Xena nodded accepting the truth as it was.

Gabrielle was about to stand when she felt a wet hand on her arm. It sent shivers up her spine.  Turning to look into the blue eyes, she
straightened up. Her eyes questioned the touch.

Letting her hand drop back into the water, she lowered back into the water and leaned back against the tub. "Thanks for the wine." She
looked away as she continued to wash her body.

Gabrielle stood and walked into the other room.  Stopping, she closed her eyes to settle her breath and heard Xena rise from the tub. She felt her behind her and shivered.

Xena moved her mouth to the woman's ear and smiled. "You're still here."

"I was trying to remember something that I was supposed to tell you." She heard Xena chuckled behind her.

"Almost believable. Why don't you try telling me the truth?"

Gabrielle turned her head slightly. "I don't know why I'm still here. Don't really know why I came in the first place."

Xena grabbed a robe and wrapped it around her body before stepping to stand in front of Gabrielle. Raising a hand, she trailed it lightly
down the side of Gabrielle's cheek, feeling the soft skin at the back of her hand. Looking into those green pools proved too much for her and she looked away, dropping her hand. "You should get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." She turned and walked to the bed, peeling back the covers.

Gabrielle turned and walked out the door.

==============
She jumped as a hand shook her awake. She groaned. "Gods are you always going to wake me, Eph?" She hid her head underneath a pillow.

"Not always."

Gabrielle lifted her head and opened both eyes, instantly awake. "Xena?"

"Yes." She grabbed Gabrielle's clothes and threw them on the bed. "It's early. Better to get an early start."

Gabrielle sat up, keeping the blanket around her chest.

Xena chuckled amusedly. "No need to be modest, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle felt herself shiver at the way her name rolled off of those lips. "How did you find me?"

"Wasn't hard. Only tent where there are two guards close by."

Gabrielle nodded. "I guess everyone is more cautious right now."

"Because of me?"

"In a way, and that warlord." She saw Xena nod.  Pulling her top over her head, she laced the front and slid down the blanket. Seeing Xena's eyes looking away from her, she slid on her breeches, and skirt, then stood up. "Okay."

Xena turned and smiled. Watching Gabrielle walk to the table to wash her face, she had the strangest feeling. It was gone just as quickly as it had come, leaving her confused.

"Anyone else up?"

"A few."

Gabrielle lifted her window cover and looked out.  "Its still dark."

"A few hours before dawn."

"Do you usually wake up this early?"

"No."

"Good."

"I usually wake up sooner."

"Why?"

"To practice."

"But..."

"Don't try to understand, just go with it."

"You know the more I'm around you, the more of a mystery you're becoming."

"Oh."

"Yeah, you are not what I've heard."

"What have you heard?"

"You don't seem as heartless and cruel as they make you out to be."

"Wait a while."

"Seriously."

"Don't presume to know too much about me Gabrielle. I may end up disappointing you."

"Oh I hope not." She took a drink of water.

Xena shook her head and headed for the door.  "Wake Ephiny, we need to go." She walked out.

Gabrielle turned to the door and smiled. "You're not as bad as you seem, Xena."

==============
The early morning was calm and quiet as over a hundred Amazons left the village, Xena at the lead.

She turned to look behind her, smiling at the sight. Wouldn't it be great if she did lead them.  She didn't but she knew who did. Her eyes glanced over at Gabrielle, who seemed rather uncomfortable on her tall mare. Shaking her head,  she moved her horse closer to Gabrielle's. "Want to ride with me?"

Gabrielle looked up and then back to her horse.  "Do you think it would give the wrong look?"

"No."

Gabrielle nodded. "Then I agree. I hate these things." She reached forward and was pulled over onto the golden mare. As she felt Xena's arms wrap around her waist, she couldn't help but close her eyes at the delicious feeling it produced. Taking a big breath, she leaned her
head back and tried to relax.

Ephiny glared at Xena when their eyes met. She moved closer, when she was sure her Queen was fast asleep. "I know what you're doing and I won't let you."

"Oh, what am I doing?"

"You're trying to get to Gabrielle. Get her on your side. The Amazons will never be at your call." She moved away.

Xena shook her head. "Amazons." Looking down at the small bundle in her arms, she felt herself warming up to the woman and shook it off. These feelings would just not do. The Conqueror didn't fall in....... She stopped herself. "Fall in love." Her eyes closed and she sighed.

==============
They entered the valley by midnight and stopped to make camp without fires.

Xena stalked off from the camps and headed toward the main war camp.

Gabrielle watched her leave and followed.

Xena stopped just past the trees and turned around. "What do you think you are doing?" She turned.

"I was coming along. Might be helpful to have the Queen with you."

"No, it just gives them reason to try and capture you."

"I think I should go along."

Xena shook her head. "You don't trust me do you."  She walked toward Gabrielle.

"I didn't say that."

"That is what you were thinking. I can see it in your eyes."

"Oh and what else do you see in my eyes?"

Xena looked away. "Something dangerous."

"Nothing dangerous here, Xena."

"You should get back. Go. I'll handle this." She headed off and stopped. "Trust me." And she was gone in the darkness.

Gabrielle bit her lip. All her instincts were telling her to go along but she did trust Xena so she stayed right there at the edge of the valley.

Xena walked right up to the gate and smiled as the soldiers let her pass. "Where is Andreas?"

"Who are you?"

"Xena."

The soldier straightened up. "Wait here."

A few minutes later a large man entered the firelight. "Xena." He reached forward, clasping arms in a friendly greeting. "What brings you
here?"

"You actually."

"Me? I haven't stepped foot on your lands."

"Not mine yet. The Amazons. Back off."

He chuckled. "Not a chance. That land is very valuable and those women will make great slaves."

"Is this about the land or the women?" She smiled.

"Both. Like I said. Why do you want it?"

"I've acquired the Amazons to my service. So you mess with them, you mess with me."

He scratched his chin thinking about her army. It was a great risk. His army was no where near as powerful as hers and with the Amazons to boot.  "What do I get out of this deal?"

She smiled and walked forward, stopping just barely touching him. "You get to stay alive."

He reached forward and ran a hand along a soft cheek, his eyes scanning up and down her body.  "Living does have its advantages." He nodded.  "Deal. If you'll grant me the use of your army and........leadership for a time later."

"Long as you leave my Amazons alone, you've got a deal." She locked arms with him in agreement and turned around only to be pulled back against his body. "I'll be seeing you again." His hand reached for her breast only to have it gripped in hers. He winced in pain.

"Don't ever touch me, you got that."

"Understood." He pulled back his hand and rubbed it.

"Next time I'll break it." She turned and walked out of his camp.

==============
Gabrielle saw a dark figure coming toward her.  "Xena."

"Yeah." She entered the light.

"How did it go?"

"Well, too well. He's more of a coward than I thought." She smiled. "You and your Amazons are safe. I told him you were working for me."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thank you."

"I'll be returning to my palace tomorrow."

"Oh."

"Yeah, I've been gone too long and need to make sure I still have a throne." She walked past Gabrielle but felt a hand on her arm. 

"I thought we had a deal."

Xena met her eyes. "Its not something you wanted so just call this a freebee." She pulled away but the hand didn't move.

"I don't want you to go."

Xena shook her head. "This would never work, and you know it." She lifted the hand off her arm and walked into the forest.

==============
Gabrielle heard the light breathing of Xena. She rolled over and crawled to Xena's bedroll.  Watching her eyes to make sure they stayed
closed, she sat down and reached forward to touch Xena's cheek, only to have her hand grabbed. She saw Xena's eyes open.

"What do you think you are doing? Don't ever sneak up on me when I'm sleeping. You could lose something." She dropped her hand and shook her head.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Gabrielle, you need to stop this."

"Stop what?" She laid down, her head resting under Xena's chin.

Xena closed her eyes and tried to reason with this woman. "Its not safe to stay with me."

Gabrielle raised up on her elbows to look down at Xena's face. "I can't help it." She reached forward, barely touching the corner of Xena's
lips with a finger. She tried to read Xena's face but it was impossible. "I thought you wanted me."

"I did, but like I said, I don't force my attentions on anyone."

"You're not."

Xena raised up and rolled on her side, resting her weight on an elbow. "As soon as I leave this will go away and you'll move on. I'm nothing but trouble for you and you know it."

Gabrielle turned her head and closed her eyes.  "All you had to say is that you don't want me."

"Trust me that's not the reason." She hooked a finger under Gabrielle's chin forcing her to turn around. "You have a duty and so do I." She tried to smile but it came out crooked. "Now go back to sleep."

Gabrielle nodded and moved to crawl back to her bedroll but turned. Lifting Xena's blanket, she crawled in and laid her head down on Xena's chest.

"That's not what I meant."

Gabrielle closed her eyes. 

"Go to sleep." 

She felt Xena chuckle.

==============
The sunlight poured down on her head, making her groan as it hit her closed eyes. Opening one, she looked up and sighed. Morning already. She rolled over and reached out a hand but felt nothing but fur. Opening her eyes again, she looked down at
the bedroll to see that it was empty. Sitting up, she looked around the camp. Spotting Ephiny, she smiled. "Hey Eph."

"What?"

"Where's Xena?"

"She went back."

"To the village?" Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as a feeling of dread filled her.

"No to her city. She said her job was done and she went back. 

You okay?" She bent down and placed a hand on Gabrielle's forehead. "You're flushed."

"No I'm fine." She pulled Ephiny's hand away.

Ephiny nodded. "So how did it go last night?"

"How did what go?"

"Come on I saw you two in bed together this morning."

"We didn't do anything?"

"Really?"

"No, she changed her mind."

"Then why.........."

"I wanted to be close." Her head lowered.

Ephiny laid a hand on Gabrielle's arm. "It's better this way, trust me."

They reached their village by the next day and everyone settled in their tasks and duties.

Gabrielle walked to her hut to take a nice warm bath. Maybe that would warm her up. She felt nothing but the cold and sighed to herself as she entered.

==============
The sun shone down on her skin, warming her on the outside. Dark clouds threatened this day but she didn't care. A little rain never hurt anyone.

Picking up her staff from against the wall, she headed off toward the field.

The spring came in quickly in these plains. The spring flowers covered every inch of the wide field, covering it in a widespread rainbow. She
smiled when a light rain started to fall but sighed, when it began to fall heavier and heavier. Shaking her head, she laid down on the
ground and closed her eyes, feeling the water wash over her.

Footsteps sounded over her head and she opened her eyes, looking around. No one was near.  Sitting up, she looked around but couldn't see anyone. She stood up and brushed the grass from her legs and grabbed her staff.

A slight tingle shot up her spine. Turning around, she saw Xena standing behind her. The warrior's eyes told her everything she needed to
know. Leaping forward, she wrapped her arms around the dark head and buried her face in the warm neck. "Don't ever do that to me again."