Cath, Bard

OWNERSHIP DISCLAIMER

The characters of Xena and Gabrielle and others belong in their entirety to Universal/MCA, Renaissance Pictures, and all the other powers that be. No copyright infringement is intended. I wrote this story at the urging of my muse; it should never be used for profit. Please do not copy or cite elsewhere without express permission of the author.

VIOLENCE

None in this tale – just an aftermath.

LOVE/SEX WARNING/DISCLAIMER:

This story depicts a loving friendship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something other than this story.

THANKS

To the readers at the Tavern Wall.

SPOILER ALERT

This irreverent PWP contains spoilers for series’ finale of Xena: Warrior Princess. It served as therapy. If I can’t laugh, I just know I’ll cry.

From the Scrolls of Gabrielle, Bard of Potidaea

"C'mon, Gabrielle -- just once around for old time's sake?"

"No, Xena. Don't ask me again."

I observe the beautiful Warrior sitting, cross-legged, just a few feet in front of me. Xena looks pretty good for a dead woman.

The object of our attention rests on the deck between us. She stares down at it expectantly, then up at me. How can I resist those eyes?

"Pleaassssse?????"

Her tone alternates between a demand and a child-like whine. I remember the day that voice convinced me to part with a lock of my hair - so she could bait a hook and catch a fish! Its seems so long ago, and yet just as real as yesterday. If only there hadn't been a real yesterday…

Looking at her, you'd never guess what happened; never know the horror or the heroism. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want her to give her life for the 40,000 souls of Higuchi. I never wanted Xena to sacrifice herself for a peasant girl from Potidaea; I wanted her to live with me, not die for me. But this is my soulmate's way and somehow I'll learn to accept it.

Xena adopts a persuasive pout and speaks again.

"Do it for me. You know how I love when you lose a turn - the way your muscles ripple as you take it off, and your blush. Do you know what that did to me? What it still does to me?"

She pauses and licks her lips. My body starts to respond.

"And the way your breasts…"

I interrupt her reverie before I am completely lost.

"Not today, OK? The crew already thinks I'm crazy, sitting here talking to myself."

"Well, we could wait until this evening and…"

"Not on your life, Warrior Princess."

The painful thought slips out. I cover my mouth with my hand, willing the words frozen, unspoken, unheard.

She gazes at me, then smiles forgivingly.

"Don't worry about that. You'll get used to it."

"I suppose," I reply, holding back the tears that always threaten.

"But, Xena?"

"Yes, Gabrielle?"

"I'll be damned if I'm gonna play ‘spin the flask’ with a ghost!"

The End (but not really)