As Gabrielle entered the Inn, she knew there was something different about it from the others that she had visited. The music was soft and soothing other than loud and obnoxious, and looking toward a corner she could see a woman playing the harp. The place was lavish, and had a rich aroma of herbs.

But these things didn't catch her attention. It was the fact that there wasn't a single man to be seen. The room was covered in women.

Long couches with velvet cushions lined the walls, and round tables centered the room. Her brows raised when she saw two women caressing each other. Her curiosity held her to the them, when she saw one slide her hand up the others thigh. She had seen two women together as a pair, but she had never witnesses such a display. It showed her just how naive she really was. Looking around the room she found that this wasn't the only pair being so open.

Feeling a light touch to her shoulder, she turned her head to see another women. Her hair was dark blonde and her eyes were a pale almond. She was a head taller than Gabrielle and her eyes seemed to look into her.

"I've never seen you here before?" Her smile was genuine.

Gabrielle opened her mouth to say something but stopped.

"I'm Cloe." She grabbed Gabrielle's hand and kissed the top gently. She smiled. "Do you have a name?" Her head tilted slightly.

"Uh...Gabrielle."

"Well Gabrielle. Are you staying long?"

"No, I..uh...I was just leaving."

"Oh, pity. I could show you around if you'd like." She hadn't let go of Gabrielle's hand and slowly ran her thumb over her wrist.

"I should go."

"What's the hurry?" She dropped Gabrielle's hand.

"I'm not letting you leave until you have a drink with me."

"I'm not much of a drinker."

"Just one." Her lips turned into a pout.

"Please."

"I'm supposed to meet someone."

"They can wait a few minutes, can't they? Come on." She grabbed Gabrielle's arm and led her to a table.

A dark skinned woman came to the table.

"Two wines. White."

The woman nodded and left.

Gabrielle looked around her. "I don't drink wine."

"Ah, one glass won't hurt you."

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

"So, who are you meeting? Friend, lover?" She leaned closer.

"A friend."

"Good." She leaned back.

The serving girl returned with their drinks and left just as quietly.

Cloe raised her glass. "To fun."

Gabrielle raised hers and hesitated before meeting Cloe's. "To fun."

Setting down her glass, her eyes met Gabrielle's.

"So, do you have anyone of interest in your life?"

Gabrielle looked away. "That's personal."

"Don't know the word." She smiled again. "You can tell me."

"There's no one."

"Then it isn't personal." She took another drink.

"So tell me Gabrielle, what's a good girl like you doing in a place like this?"

"Exploring the town."

"Ah. And what have you found?"

"First place I came to was here."

"Welcome to Paradise Gabrielle."

"It's a strange name."

"Yes, I agree but it fits."

Gabrielle turned her eyes down to the table.

"So tell me about this friend of yours."

"What do you want to know?"

"Anything. Name for instance."

"Her name's Xena."

"Xena? As in the warrior princess? Interesting."  She leaned once more on the table. "How did you meet her?"

"Long story."

"I have plenty of time."

Gabrielle looked up. "I'd rather not."

"Oh, sorry." She smiled. "Then what would you like to talk about?"

Gabrielle rose. "I should be going."

"What's your rush. You just got here." She stood and moved towards Gabrielle. "Don't be so nervous, Gabrielle."

"I'm not nervous."

Cloe smiled. "I can see it in your eyes."

Gabrielle took a step back. "I need to go." She turned and headed for the door, but was stopped and gently pushed back against a wall.

"Are you sure you want to go?" She leaned down, her mouth inches from Gabrielle's. "I think you might want to stay longer." Her tongue slipped out to caress Gabrielle's top lip. Seeing her eyes close she pressed her lips against Gabrielle's and felt a slight twitch.

"I need to go." She moved around Cloe and once again headed towards the door. She felt arms slide around her waist and closed her eyes when she was pulled back. 

Cloe smiled as she lightly kissed Gabrielle's neck. "You smell so good, I bet you taste even better."

Gabrielle's eyes opened and she pulled away.

"You've never been with a woman have you?"

Gabrielle stopped walking and turned. "Of course not."

"There's no need to be scared, Gabrielle. We can be very gentle." She was once again in front of Gabrielle. Tilting Gabrielle's chin up she brought her lips to her own and slowly took possession of this blonde beauty.

Gabrielle's head was spinning. Not once had she felt this. Her eyes closed as she felt her body surrender. Her lips parted and she drew Cloe's tongue into her mouth and gently twirled it with her own.

Cloe pulled away and opened her eyes. "Told you I could be gentle." She brought a hand up to stroke Gabrielle's cheek. Her thumb ran over her lips as she leaned down once more to again sample the fruits of this incredible creature.

Gabrielle pulled back and took a step away. "I can't." She took a deep breath.

"I understand."

"No, I don't think you do."

Cloe smiled. "You're a virgin."

Gabrielle stopped breathing for an instant.

Cloe smiled. "It's easy to tell."

"But I..."

"I don't mind, Gabrielle." She pulled Gabrielle to her. "I relish the idea."

Gabrielle pulled her arms away and turned around. "I have to go." She walked towards the door and this time wasn't stopped.

Cloe tilted her head. "I'll see you again sweetest Gabrielle."

___________

The stables were practically empty and she was about to leave when she spotted a familiar mare.

"Argo."

"Find an Inn?"

She spun to be meet blue eyes. "I..I uh went to one but came back to see if you made it yet."

Xena nodded. "Okay, lets go find one then." She laid the saddle over the rail and walked to the door. Turning her head back she saw that Gabrielle hadn't moved. "Coming?"

Gabrielle raised her head and nodded then followed Xena out the door.

Xena looked around the town, reading the sign on the shop while she was also watching the people moving past her.

Gabrielle stopped to stare at the small Inn she could see across from her. She prayed that Xena would not want to go in there. Turning to her, she saw Xena's eyes reading over the sign. "Let's try over there, Xena."

Xena turned to her. "Let's start here" She walked forward and entered.

Gabrielle leaned against the stable door and sighed. "I'm not going in there I can't." She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

"Gabrielle."

She sighed once more and slowly headed towards the Inn.

Entering, she could see the same people sitting around with a few changes. The woman was still caressing the other woman's thigh but they had moved to a couch. Her eyes scanned the place till they landed on the dark blonde. Walking around her she headed towards Xena.

"Gabrielle."

She froze and turned.

Cloe stood and walked towards her. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again." She smiled, her eyes turning to the bar. "Did you find your friend?"

"Yes."

"And where is she?"

Gabrielle looked around the room and spotted Xena at the bar. "I think you've already found her."

"That's Xena?" Her eyes drank in her form as her mouth hung open. "Very nice. I can see why you travel with her."

"It's not like that."

Cloe's eyes returned to Gabrielle. "But you'd like it to be?"

"No."

"You can't lie to me, Gabrielle."

"It's not that kind of friendship."

Cloe almost laughed. "You can't tell me she isn't gorgeous."

"Well...."

"Look at her, she's practically dripping with sensuality." She took in a breath.

Gabrielle turned to Xena. She had never really looked at her and had to admit that she was beautiful. "Yeah I guess."

Cloe snickered. "Well if you don't want her, I'll gladly....give her a ride." She walked past Gabrielle and sat down on a stool besides Xena. "Hi."

Xena turned to her and smiled, before taking a drink.

"I'm Cloe."

Xena didn't say a word or look at her as she held her glass.

Cloe moved closer, raising a hand to run it down Xena's arm. She watched as Xena removed it.

"Not interested."

"Sure?"

Xena turned to meet her gaze. "Pretty sure."

"I thought Xena was known for a variety of tastes."

Silence.

"Then perhaps I should try out your friend."

"Leave Gabrielle alone."

"Are you sure that's what she wants?"

Xena turned to her. "What are you talking about?"

"Tell me Xena, do you ever wonder how soft her lips are. How her mouth tastes." She saw Xena's eyes thin. "She smells as good as she tastes."

"How would you know?"

Cloe smiled.

"Leave me."

Cloe stood leaned forward to gently blow onto Xena's neck.

"Are you deaf?"

"No." She pushed herself in between Xena and the bar. "I just want you to make sure you know what you are passing up?" Her knee slid against Xena's. Her eyes met Xena's and she could see she was wanted no matter what Xena said. She parted her legs and moved to sit on Xena's lap, scooting forward till there wasn't enough room for air to pass between them.

Xena set down her drink and grabbed Cloe's ass, pushing her against her body. "Fine." Her mouth decended on Cloe's and she preceded to take possession of the blonde. Cloe's legs wrapped around Xena's waist and she trailed a hand up to a soft and waiting breast, rubbing it through the leather.

Xena pulled back and smiled. "Got a room?"

"Upstairs." She was pushed off Xena's lap and her arm was grabbed as she was led upstairs.

Gabrielle's mouth stood agape as she watched them leave. She had no idea what she had witnessed and couldn't get her eyes to move from the bar. Her eyes closed as she took a seat at the nearest table. She knew that Xena had taken many to her bed, both men and women alike, but she had never seen her with anyone. Something about the whole scene seemed to warm her up.

She stood and left the Inn.

_______

Morning found her eating at another Inn. The food was terrible but at least the place wasn't crowded. There was hardly anyone there. Paying her bill, she left and glanced around, perhaps hoping to see Xena but knew she probably wouldn't.

Walking towards the stables she saw Cloe heading her way. Rolling her eyes, she walked past her.

"Hey."

"What?"

Cloe smiled. "Aren't we grouchy today?"

"You could say that."

"What's the problem?"

"Nothing." She moved on.

"Have you seen Xena?"

"No."

Cloe laughed. "She's probably still sleeping."

Gabrielle stopped. "What do you want?"

"Conversation."

"Forget it."

"Why are you so mad at me?"

Gabrielle turned but was confused. "I don't know."

"Could it be that someone is jealous?"

"No." She kept walking.

"Then why are you angry?"

She slammed the stable doors and leaned against them. "I don't know." She checked to see that Argo had fresh hay and water, then left, nearly colliding with Xena.

"Whoa."

Her anger returned.

"I've been looking for you."

"Sure you have." She moved past her and walked away.

"Hey, wait up." No response. "What is wrong with you?"

Gabrielle stopped. "Did you have fun last night?"

Xena smiled.

"Don't answer, I know what you're going to say."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

Xena grabbed her arm. "Will you stop."

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You're angry at me. Why?"

Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "No reason. It shouldn't matter what you do."

"Are you angry at me for last night?"

"Maybe."

"Why?"

"I don't know." She closed her eyes. "I guess it suprised me."

"You know I've bedded women."

"I know its just...."

"Just what?"

"I don't know. Just grouchy today, I guess."

Xena nodded. "Near your cycle."

"Maybe."

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Yeah."

"I'm going to take Argo for a ride. Meet me back at the stables in a few hours."

"Okay."

Xena nodded and headed for the stables.

Gabrielle took in a breath and let it out slowly. "Why am I mad at her?"

____________

It was turning dark when Xena returned. After putting Argo away, she went to find Gabrielle but didn't have to go far when she saw her sitting on a bench not but a few feet away.

"How was your ride?"

"Great."

"You said a few hours."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Gabrielle stood. "Lets go get something to eat, huh."

"Sounds great." She followed.

Gabrielle took a seat near the back while Xena walked to the bar to ordered their food and drinks.

Gabrielle looked up to see her return and grabbed a glass. "Thanks." Taking a sip she set it down.

A woman came with their food.

Gabrielle looked up at her. "Bring me a port."

The woman nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait." Xena held up a hand. "No port."

The woman turned to leave again.

"Wait." Gabrielle glared at Xena. "I can have a port if I wish."

"Gabrielle you know you can't handle it."

"I want a port." She turned to the woman. "Now."

The woman left quickly.

Gabrielle sat back in her chair. "Why did you do that?"

"What?"

"Order me around. If I want a port I will get one."

"I just said that you know how you get."

"I do, and its my decision."

"Fine, but don't come crying to me when you have too many and are kicking yourself in the morning."

Gabrielle leaned forward. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Treat me like a child."

"Cause that's how you act sometimes."

"Why? Because I wanted a port. I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions. You always do this."

Xena slammed down her drink. "Start acting like an adult and I'll treat you like one."

Gabrielle knocked her cider to the floor and stood up. "I've had enough." She walked out.

Xena closed her eyes and shook her head.

Her head was pounding and her anger was rising.  How dare Xena treat her like this. After all they've been through you think she'd change.

Looking up she saw the familiar building. Walking in, she spotted Cloe towards the back. "Cloe."

Cloe looked up and smiled. "Gabrielle." She walked to her. "How are you?"

Gabrielle tensed. What was she thinking? She couldn't do this could she? If she was going to prove to Xena that she was an adult she was going to start acting like it. The warrior's exact words. Fine.

Cloe licked her lips. "How may I help you?"

Gabrielle moved forward and molded her body against Cloe's. This woman was with Xena. Intimately. Knew all the warrior princess's wants and needs.

Cloe was enjoying the play. She'd wanted this little beauty from second one. Her hand raised her run up Gabrielle's sides, over her ribs, to mold a breast. "Soft." Her mouth lowered to Gabrielle's and she knew she'd have fun tonight. Pulling away, she grabbed Gabrielle's hand and led her towards the stairs.

Gabrielle's mind was on overload. She knew what she was about to do but still couldn't believe she was doing it.

They stopped in front of a door and Gabrielle waited as Cloe opened it and led her inside. She took a good look around. There was two large windows, the fireplace had a long, white fur rug in front of it. The bed was huge, it could fit at least five people. At the foot were two ropes hooked to the cieling.

"What's your pleasure?"

"Um.." Her eyes took in everything.

Cloe smiled. "I'll surprise you." She led Gabrielle to the ropes and stopped. "You sure?"

Gabrielle nodded.

Cloe smiled again and started to unlace Gabrielle's shirt, sliding it to the ground. Her hands quickly rid her of her skirt as well.

Gabrielle's body shook as she watched Cloe walk to a dresser and pull out a long scarf. As she neared she saw that it wasn't a scarf. It was a blindfold. "Wait I.."

"Trust me." She slid it around Gabrielle's face and tied it in place.

Gabrielle couldn't see a thing. She heard a knock on the door and heard Cloe walk over and open it.

A few minutes passed and she heard the door close and Cloe walk back to her. Gabrielle heard her pause in front of her and then heard her walk closer to grab a wrist, raising it to tie it to the rope. The other one was tied and she was helpless to do anything. She couldn't move and she couldn't see.

"Who was it?"

Silence.

Panic started to set in and she felt the lightest of touches on the back of her shoulder. It took her a few seconds to realize it was lips. Cloe was lightly kissing her way down her spine and it sent sparks down to her toes.

She felt nails scraping gently down her back and over her buttocks. Her head tilted up as warm waves of pleasure ran down to her stomach. She felt Cloe suck at her neck and gasped as hands moved around her sides to her stomach and up to her breasts. The hands grasped and kneaded her breasts and she let out a low moan deep in her throat.

She felt Cloe move around to her front and tensed when she felt a tongue circle around her naval.  "Oh gods." The tongue moved up and Cloe lightly nipped at her ribs as she worked her way up. When she felt the warm mouth close in on a nipple she arched her back and cried out. Teeth scraped the nipple before the lips closed around it to take it in deep. Her toes curled as she pulled at the ropes holding her. Any reason for backing out she might have had was erased from her mind.

Nails ran down her sides, and hands grabbed a cheek, pulling her forward as the mouth worked its way around her naval once more.

Gabrielle knew she was wet, could feel it running down her legs and something told her that Cloe hadn't even started yet.

She could feel her legs being pushed apart and Cloe kissing her inner thigh down to her knee. Her tongue slid out to tease the soft skin behind, before her lips sucked it in. Gabrielle felt the pause and wondered where Cloe had gone to. When she felt the lips return to lightly bite her hip, she opened her mouth yet no sound came out. Cloe moved down and kissed her way to Gabrielle's inner thigh once more. She could hear her take in a deep breath before letting it out. Gabrielle gasped when she felt the hot breath between her legs.

Without wasting time, Cloe moved up to sample the nectar and parted Gabrielle's lips to run her tongue around the prize.

Gabrielle gasped as she shouted out. Nothing had ever felt this good. If she wasn't held up, she would have collapsed. She felt Cloe move away and groaned. "No. Don't stop."

She felt the ropes being untied and as she reached up to remove the blindfold, hands stopped her. "You want me to leave it on." A hand stroked her cheek. She felt herself being lifted into strong arms and moved around. Her hand raised to find a hand holding her leg, and she felt around, coming to a stop when she felt a small bracelet. Her fingers rolled around the small shapes linked to the chain. It was like a charm bracelet, yet she had never heard it make a sound.

Fingers poised at her opening but stopped.

"Please."

Silence.

She felt Cloe finger her clit and felt herself rapidly approaching something. "Oh please."  Her head tilted back and she felt every nerve in her body explode as her body arched.  The fingers pushed through and erased any trace of her virginity.  As they pumped inside, she felt the waves rush over her body.  Her head was tilted back as she mouth hung open and in an instant, she screamed, the pleasure was so intense.

The fingers never stopped and never left as she felt the waves. As her body lowered to the floor, they pulled out. One more spasm wracked her body and she felt arms encircle her as Cloe held her. 

"Thank you." She felt a hand stroking her hair and for the first time she felt at peace and totally protected.  Like with Xena.  She shook her head.  She wouldn't think about her now. She was still too mad.  She felt Cloe raise up and then she felt her body being raised as she was carried.  Her back hit the cool sheets and she knew she was in the bed.  She felt the covers being pulled up over her body and turning on her side, she fell fast asleep.

__________

"Morning."

Xena nodded and turned back to her work.

"When you're done, can we talk?"

"Yeah. It'll take a sec."

Gabrielle walked to a bench under a shaded tree.  Before she had a chance to think, she saw Xena walking towards her, and waited till she sat down before she said a word. "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I know I treat you like a child and I shouldn't. We've been through a lot and I need to learn how to....I'm sorry."

Gabrielle smiled. "Can we stay a few more days?"

Xena smiled. "Why. You have a hot date?"

"Xena be serious."

"I thought I was."

Gabrielle laughed. "I'm just....I'm not ready to go yet."

"We can stay longer if you want."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Gabrielle stood. "I'm going to go get something to eat." She started to walk and then stopped to turn around. "You wanna join me?"

"Love to."

_________

Gabrielle laid on her bed staring at the moving shadows.  She had walked around the whole village but couldn't find Cloe. She needed to thank her.  She sat up and lit a couple lamps, then started a fire.  She rolled her shoulders and winced.  She sat on the bed and reached forward to grab the saddlebags.  Flipping one side open, she searched for the oil, without finding it.  After looking on the other side, she stood and looked around the room.  She saw Xena's bag and walked to it, bringing it to the bed.  Opening it, she once again looked for the oil.  Her finger hit against something and she reached down to pull it out.  As she raised her hand, the firelight danced off of a golden bracelet.

Gabrielle gasped. "No." She closed her eyes and felt around the bracelet with her fingertips. It was the same. She opened her eyes once more and lowered the bracelet into the bag. Standing up she set the bag onto the dresser and moved back to sit down on the bed. It had to be a coincidence. It wasn't Xena. She knew she had gone into the room with Cloe. She closed her eyes. Someone had knocked on the door and Xena could have easily took Cloe's place. Gabrielle smiled.

She heard footsteps heading down the hall to stop at the door.

As Xena entered she saw Gabrielle sitting on the bed. "Hey."

Gabrielle raised her chin. "Xena." 

"Hmm?"  She turned to unhook her breastplate.  As she slid off her leathers and greaves, she felt hands slide around her waist. "Gabrielle?"  She turned around, still in Gabrielle's arms.  "What are you doing?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

Xena closed her eyes. "Look I..." She felt a finger over her lips.

"Don't apologize and don't explain. There's no need." She laid her head down on Xena's chest.

"In a way I'm glad."

"You are?"

"Yes." She pulled back to look up at Xena. "I'm in love with you."

Xena pulled away. "What?"

"You heard me." She watched Xena move around the room. "I just realized it today."

"No, you're not." She turned to face her.

"How would you know how I feel?" Her hands were at her hips.

"Gabrielle don't."

"Don't what?" She moved closer and saw Xena moving backwards till her back hit the wall. Gabrielle moved in and pressed her body against Xena's.  "You're incredible do you know that?  My body is still tingling."  She smiled and raised her hands to slide Xena's straps down.  As the shift pooled at her feet, she leaned closer to kiss along Xena's collarbone. Looking up she saw Xena's eyes were closed.  "Do you want me?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me."

"I want you."

"I couldn't hear you"

"I want you." Louder this time.