Disclaimers: The usual - these characters aren’t mine but MCA/Universal. I write alt fiction so that means two women will be in love and expressing that love in a physical way. If this offends you or you’re too young please depart now.
Authors note: This story takes place around the Season Four episode Daughter of Palarma.
Feel free to compliment, grip or chat with me at cnwinters@hotmail.com
A Conversation by Campfire
Episode Four
by CN Winters
cnwinters@hotmail.com
Xena looked stoic as ever has she sat running the whetstone the length of her blade - cool, calculated, even strokes moving up and down. Gabrielle never seemed to tire while watching the warrior perform her nightly ritual. Even if her sword didn’t see any action, the warrior made it part of her evening routine.
The warrior looked up from her task when she heard the heavy sigh of her companion. Gabrielle casually tossed the scroll to the side, giving a yawn. She wiped her eyes as if to will herself to stay awake.
"You look tired Gabrielle," the warrior commented. "Why don’t cha get some sleep?"
"I do feel a little bit worn down but it’s more than that," Gabrielle answered as she rolled up the parchment.
"What’s wrong? Still worried about the incident with your family?" Xena replied, putting aside her sharpening duty to move closer to the bard. Gabrielle loved her parents. But their less than civil response when they learned of the growing love affair between her and the warrior saddened and infuriated her all at once. The reactions she got crept into both of their thoughts from time to time. Xena never wanted to come between Gabrielle and her kin but as sure as she breathed she didn’t want to part with the bard because of them.
"Actually no," Gabrielle answered breaking into Xena’s rambling thoughts, "I haven’t thought about that all day."
Xena crunched her eyebrows. "Well, what is it then sweetheart? You can tell me."
Gabrielle considered the question. She closed the inkbottle and put the quill aside. "I can’t seem to write Xena. I haven’t ever since . . ."
The far off look in Gabrielle’s eyes worried Xena. "Since when?" the warrior asked impatiently.
Gabrielle carefully packed her belongs in the saddlebag. "Since Hope," she answered in a whispered voice. She wasn’t sure why but she felt ashamed by her answer.
Xena for her part felt angry - not at the bard but at the child of Dayhak. How much more conflict and pain was that ‘child’ going to inflict on the bard? She was gone - Xena was certain - but her time on earth left Gabrielle, perhaps both of them, scarred for the rest of their lives. Xena was unsure of how to reply to the confession.
"You will write again Gabrielle. I know it. With all you’ve been through . . . it just takes time," Xena answered trying to comfort the bard.
"I’m not sure Xena," the bard protested softly. "The stories are there but they seem trapped - hindered in some way . . . I’m so LOST sometimes like I’m just going through the ‘motions’. Days pass - time moves on. But I don’t feel anything changing for me."
Xena sighed the bard’s name - part in frustration for being unable to help - and in anger. They had stopped Dayhak’s arrive into the world . . . but at what cost? The warrior stroked the bard’s smooth cheeks, struggling for a starting place.
"What can I do to help?" Xena asked.
Gabrielle grinned. Xena was so sweet, so caring. It was a side to her that not many people, if anyone, had ever truly seen. She felt proud that she could bring this wonderful side out in the warrior.
"I wish I knew," she said sincerely. Both women paused for a moment until Gabrielle cleared her throat. "I was considering perhaps traveling with you."
"Don’t we already travel together?" Xena grinned.
"Yes but what I had in mind would take us far from Greece. Back at the village a man talked of India. He said it’s a wonderful place to find your soul. I think that’s what I need because some days Xena . . . it feels like I’ve lost mine."
Xena thought her heart might break. "Oh Gabrielle, please don’t doubt that you have a soul. You have one of the most caring, pure souls I’ve ever known."
Gabrielle chuckled at the way Xena would put her on a pedestal. "Perhaps. But all I know is that something is missing. I’m at a place in my life where I always wanted to be. I’m on the verge of being your lover. People recognize me as ‘the warrior bard’ in taverns. I have every thing I ever wanted - everything I ever dreamed of as a child - but there’s a part of me that feels so empty."
"Then India it is," Xena said without hesitation.
Gabrielle chuckled again, "Just like that - we’re off to India?"
"Why not?" Xena replied. "You want to find yourself. And if you think this will help you do that you have my full support. You’ve spent all these years following me while I searched for my place in the world. Perhaps it’s time that you lead us for awhile."
Gabrielle considered what the warrior was offering and she had to smile.
"Come on," the warrior said, taking off her boots, "Let’s get some rest okay?"
Gabrielle yawned her consent and once Xena was safely nuzzled in the bedrolls did she join her. Gabrielle let out a long sigh, after snuggling in next to the warrior, that didn’t go unnoticed.
"Relax sweetheart," Xena coaxed the bard. "Everything will work out. You’ll see. I promise."
Gabrielle moved her head just a slight bit and kissed Xena’s collarbone affectionately. Xena released a sigh of her own as a result. One of contentment and arousal.
Soon Gabrielle felt the need to add another kiss and then another. Xena shifted herself down so she could be face to face. It seemed like hours as they silently looked into each other’s eyes although in truth it was just a matter of seconds.
"I love you so much Gabrielle," the warrior said stroking the bard’s cheek. "I’d give you the world if I could."
"All I need is you," the bard answered. "You are my world."
The admission unleashed Xena’s long held passion and she kissed the bard for all she was worth. Gabrielle returned in spirit all the desire that Xena was showing. And the way Xena was sucking her tongue as they kissed made her lightheaded. She had experienced passion with Najara but the feeling was nothing like this.
Somehow, she couldn’t say exactly HOW, Gabrielle ended up straddling the warrior’s waist. She leaned over Xena and the bard’s long hair tickled the warrior’s cleavage. Gabrielle watched the warrior lick her lips and swallow hard at the sight before her.
Xena had waited long enough.
She had waited long enough.
And with one quick tug Gabrielle pulled her tunic up and over her head.
All that remained was her bosom wrap and in a matter of moments Xena took the gift that was being offered and pulled the material down exposing the bard’s full breasts. The warrior rose taking a nipple in mouth, her lips and tongue and teeth teasing it to attention. When Xena was satisfied with the reaction she went to the other, giving it the same treatment.
Gabrielle’s fingers worked their way into Xena’s hair pulling her closer, fueling both their growing fires. The tugs to her nipples shot straight down to her sex and Gabrielle felt herself growing wetter by the moment. Finally she could take no more of the loving treatment. She pulled away and saw the hurt and confused look in Xena’s eyes. But soon enough Xena’s eyes lit up again as she watched Gabrielle discarding the wrap for good and going to work on her skirt. Once that task was finished, she went to her britches.
"No," Xena pleaded softly. "Leave them . . . For now."
With a coy grin, Gabrielle did as Xena requested. She watched as the warrior worked her way out of her leathers and her shift. Raising her hand, Xena brought the bard back down to the sleeping furs. Quickly Xena’s fingers slid through the sides of Gabrielle’s hair, bringing her face forward for a searing kiss. Gabrielle moaned at the intensity of it.
The amazon pulled back for a moment to catch her breath. "Gods I feel like I’m on fire," she muttered before going back for another melee of kisses. Her skin tingled at every light caress that Xena’s fingertips provided. All the years of waiting and wanting and hoping were coming together in this one moment. It was overpowering. So much so that the amazon began to cry.
Xena felt the sobs against her neck that Gabrielle had be skillfully kissing just a moment before.
"Shh," the warrior said stroking her hair. "It’s alright if you’re not ready," she offered.
Gabrielle raised her head to focus on Xena, her eyes still wet with unfallen tears. Gently she stroked the warrior’s face, soaking up the features she’d pined over for so long.
"It’s okay," Xena added when Gabrielle still hadn’t replied.
"I’m fine," Gabrielle answered after a few moments of silence. "I’m just a bit overwhelmed at the moment . . . I love you so much Xena . . . And the only thing that frightens me is doing something like I did in that village."
Xena distanced herself a bit from the bard, moving into a sitting position but staying connected by holding Gabrielle’s hands. "What are you talking about Gabrielle? We helped two set of people come together for the first time in history. What’s wrong with that?"
"Since you put it that way…. nothing," Gabrielle answered. "But I made two set of parents compete for a child’s love. I made a child chose whom she wanted to make her life with . . . it was an error in judgement that broke a lot of hearts. Can’t you see? I don’t want to make another error and break yours too . . . What if you decide we were better off as friends? What if I let you down again at time when you need me most?"
Xena grinned and shook her head. She pulled the bard close, kissing the top of her head affectionately. "Gabrielle," she whispered. "When you love and when you care . . . you always run the risk of getting hurt. I’m willing to take that chance because the pay-off in doing it is soooo great it outweighs everything else . . . And like I said . . . I didn’t see that child choosing. I saw two nations come together with a common link. She’ll have both parents - both nations that will love her . . . We did good sweetheart."
Gabrielle gave a small grin and nodded her head but she still didn’t make eye contact with the warrior. Not until Xena hooked her chin with gentle fingertips.
"I love you Gabrielle and I have faith . . . We’ll face difficult times but we’ll face them together and we’ll be stronger in the end. I promise."
Xena pulled Gabrielle into another embrace and carefully escorted her to the bedrolls. "Let’s just go to sleep tonight okay? We’ll let ‘nature take its course’ some other night. You’ve been through a lot lately and I don’t think we should add more to it at this point."
"I don’t want you to think I’m a tease," Gabrielle said sincerely.
Xena laughed out loud in response. At first the bard felt offended but had a grin soon enough upon realizing how ridiculous that statement sounded. Soon she too was chuckling. When Xena regained some composure she gave the bard a tight squeeze against her.
"Trust me," Xena replied. "You are far from a tease. A tease doesn’t enjoy my kisses as much as you do . . . It will happen Gabrielle. Let’s give it time."
Gabrielle sighed into the warrior’s shoulder. "Thank you," she said softly.
"For what?"
"For being you."
Xena could feel the bard’s smile upon her shoulder. "Thank you for loving ‘me’," the warrior answered.
"Well you are pretty wonderful," Gabrielle said playfully poking Xena side.
"We’ll see if you still feel that way after I spend my time take notes while you kick butt," she teased.
"You’re not really gonna hold me to that are you?" Gabrielle asked with mock concern.
"Ohhhh, you can count on it little bard. Or should I say…little warrior? After all, I’m trading my sword for a quill tomorrow."
That earned the warrior a poke to the ribs that made her chuckle.
Gabrielle chuckled as well, burying closer to the warrior. "I love you Xena."
Xena sighed in contentment. Her arousal had subsided and she was being overtaken by the glow of simply having the bard near her whispering endearments.
"I love you to Gabrielle."
Moments later both woman brought a long day to a close.
TBC