ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

With Just A Look

by Sarah Miller

Disclaimers: I don't own them, I'm just borrowing them for a bit. I'll return them shortly unharmed and undamaged. *G*

Subtext: Yes its there sorry no sex in this one but its worth the read none the less. If you're in the mood for a short romantic tale, this is it.

Violence: Sorry too short for that. For once neither the warrior or bard, especially the bard, got into trouble.

Enough of this right?  On with the story!

I watch her now without her knowing it. A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I realize that I'm always watching her. Does she ever watch me? I will never know the answer to that. She looks up for a moment, our eyes meeting for just a second, but its enough to send my heart pounding.

Gabrielle sets down her scroll, turning to look at the warrior again before crawling to the fire, grabbing another leg. Her eyes close as she bites into the soft warm meat. She must have voiced her pleasure because when she looked up, Xena's eyes were on her. "What?"

Xena just shook her head and turned back down to her sword.

Gabrielle moved back to her bedroll and opened her bag, gently shoving in her scroll. "Hey Xe."

"Hmm?"

Gabrielle looked up at her. "Do you think we could go to the summer festival."

Xena smiled. "Maybe."

"It would be great to see your mother again."

"Yes."

"Xena."

"What?" She looked up.

"You're more quiet than usual."

"Sorry, just trying to concentrate."

"Since when do you need to concentrate on your blade." She tilted her head a big goofy grin on her face.

Xena slid her wetstone into a bag and laid her sword to the side, within arms reach. "Want dessert?"

"Dessert."

Xena grabbed a wrapped item out of the bag and handed it to Gabrielle.

"What is it?"

"Just open it."

Peeling back the cover, her eyes instantly widened. "Oh my god Xena." Picking up one of the reddened fruit, she slowly brought it to her
mouth and closed her eyes as she bit into the soft skin, feeling the juice burst into her mouth along with the flavor. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." Bearly a whisper.

"How did you get them?"

"Secret."

"I know I know. Many skills."

"Right." She watched Gabrielle slid yet another one into her mouth.

"Want one?"

"No."

"Come on." She crawled toward Xena, stopping in between her legs. "Have at least one." She raised one to Xena's mouth, running it over the
warrior's lips. "You know you want it."

Xena chuckled, taking the fruit into her mouth.  Closing her eyes, she nodded.

"See."

"Yes. Thank you."

Gabrielle scrunched up her nose and smiled. "Knew you'd like it." She turned her back to the warrior and leaned back against her chest,
raising her arms to lay them on Xena's thighs.

"Comfortable?"

"Mmm. You make a great pillow."

"Oh thanks." She tapped the top of Gabrielle's head with her chin. "You are great for my self esteem."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Like you need anyone for that."

"What's that mean?"

Gabrielle shook her head.

"Come on, tell me."

"Well for one, you can have any man we come across and usually do."

"Oh ow, another notch in my esteem."

"I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, you think I'm easy." She smiled.

"No, you just don't have a problem with your sexuality."

"You're not helping."

Gabrielle turned. "I'm just saying that you're beautiful and you know it." She ran a hand gently along Xena's jaw line, instantly pulling it back.
Her eyes dropped and she turned back around.

Xena moved her mouth to Gabrielle's ear. "I'm not the one who's beautiful."

Gabrielle turned, her nose bumping Xena's. Pulling away, she smiled, not knowing what to say. "I didn't mean to hurt your self esteem."

"I know." She turned Gabrielle's head back around and slid her arms around the clothed stomach, wishing she hadn't slipped on the shift, it kept her from touching soft skin.

"Xena."

"Hmm." Her eyes closed as she relaxed.

"Nevermind."

Her eyes opened. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She turned Gabrielle's head toward her. "Tell me." Her eyes held nothing but warmth.

Gabrielle felt herself began to melt. "Just getting a headache is all."

"Want me to help you get rid of it?

"That would be great." She scooted forward a few inches and felt her hair being moved off her shoulder and when warm hands massaged her neck, she couldn't help her eyes from closing. "You are good at that."

Xena smiled. "Don't get too used to it. I'll be calling in the favor when I have a headache."

"You got it." Her head dropped, giving Xena access to her shoulders.

The skin felt soft under her fingertips. Closing her eyes, she loosened the stiff muscles, resisting the urge to lean forward and sample
that delectable flesh.

Gabrielle opened her eyes and rolled her shoulders. "Thank you." Pulling away, she turned to see Xena's eyes closed. Raising a hand to a
cheek she ran a thumb along a soft cheek.  Watching her eyes open, she smiled. The urge to just lean forward and..... Stop it Gabrielle. "You okay?"

"Fine." Her hand raised to run down Gabrielle's arm, resting at her hand. Grasping it in her own, she held it as Gabrielle leaned forward, laying her head down under Xena's chin.

Gabrielle felt arms wrap around her and sighed as she closed her eyes. Things had changed so much in the last two years that she couldn't remember when she yearned to be close to the warrior.  Relaxing her body, she soon fell asleep.

Xena held her close and laid her chin down upon Gabrielle's head. Closing her eyes, she smiled. Hearing Gabrielle start to snore, she shook her head and raised up, lifting Gabrielle into the air, as she stood. Walking to her bedroll, she laid her down and pulled the covers up over her.  Smoothing the hair from her face, she kissed her gently on the top of the head. "Sleep well."

Walking to her sword, she sheathed it and bent to reach for Gabrielle's bag. Pulling it to her, to close it, a scroll fell out. She grabbed it to
put it back, when she noticed a few words.  Smiling to herself, she unrolled it more to read Gabrielle's new story. Sitting back against her
log, she started to read.

I watch her now without her knowing it. A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I realize that I'm always watching her. Does she
ever watch me? I will never know the answer to that. She looks up for a moment, our eyes meeting for just a second, but its enough to send my heart pounding.

Xena raised a brow and turned to look at Gabrielle's sleeping form. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she nods. Rolling it back
up, she slips it into the bag and closes it tight, laying it back near Gabrielle. So she watches me. She takes one more look at Gabrielle
before coming to a decision. "Okay then, little one." Crawling to the bedrolls, she lifts the covers and climbs in, smiling to herself when
Gabrielle instinctively grabs onto her, laying her head on a soft breast. Kissing her softly on the top of the head she smiles. "I love you,
Gabrielle."

* * *
It was still dark when Gabrielle began to stir.  Opening her eyes, she saw that it was still dark, probably hadn't slept that long. Quick look
around the camp told her that Xena wasn't in it.  Pulling the covers up to her face, she smiled as she breathed in the scent of her warrior.

As she sat up, she looked across the fire to see that Xena had left her weapons. That meant that either she left them on purpose or she was too occupied to remember them.

Pulling back the covers, she leaned forward to grab her staff and stood up, heading off to look for Xena.

She came to the lake and stopped, closing her eyes as the breeze blew across her face. Taking a deep breath, she sat down on the bank and looked out across the water, hypnotized by the soft waves moving across the surface. The moon was full and cast a soft glow on everything it fell down on. It didn't take her long to notice Xena sitting a few feet from her. "Peaceful night."  She turned her head to look at the dark beauty.

"Yes it is."

"You okay." She scooted closer.

"I'm fine."

"Sure?"

Xena turned to her and smiled. "Yeah."

Gabrielle felt her heart start to beat faster when Xena held out her arms for the small blonde to climb into. Resting her head on the soft skin
of Xena's shoulder, under her neck, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. It was like coming home but to no home she had ever imagined. "I love it when you hold me." It was out before she could stop it.

"I love to hold you."

Gabrielle sighed. Well that was out. She raised her head and looked up at the soft features of her warrior. "Been out here long?"

"No."

"You know you forgot your weapons."

She nodded. "And I see you brought yours."

"Better safe than sorry." She felt Xena wrap her arms around her and she smiled. "Xena."

"Hmm?"

"I have to tell you something." She raised her head to look into those blue eyes. "Suddenly the words have left me."

Xena smiled. "That doesn't happen often."

"Only when I'm with you."

Xena closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" She smiled.

"I read your scroll. I didn't mean to. I was......." Fingers over her mouth halted any more words.

"Its okay. I know you had a good reason." Her fingers dropped. "So?"

"I didn't know you watched me."

"Kinda hard not to." She traced along Xena's jaw bone. "You're exquisite."

Xena looked away. "Gabrielle.......I....." She closed her eyes, trying to find the courage.

"I know."

She opened them to look down at Gabrielle. "You know what?"

Gabrielle smiled. "That you love me."

"I do but it...." Again two fingers halted her words.

"I'm in love with you too, Xena."

Xena let out a breath.

Reading the confusion on her face, Gabrielle nodded. "I could see it in your eyes." Her fingers traced Xena's lips. "I never knew your lips were this soft." Without a thought, she replaced her fingers with her lips, instantly feeling the spark shook through her. Pulling back, she shyly bit her lip.

"Come here." She leaned down to seal her lips over Gabrielle's, her eyes closing at the delicious feeling it produced.

Gabrielle pulled back to look at Xena. "After four years, we've finally came to this." Her smile was full of love and as she leaned back down, she felt a soft kiss being placed on the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"With just a look you stole my heart."

Xena nodded. "But with just a look I was yours forever."

End

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