Disclaimers: The characters of Xena: Warrior Princess and all other associated with the television series of the same name are owned by MCA/ Universal Pictures. This is a work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.

Subtext: I guess with my writing so far we'll just quit calling it subtext and call it maintext. Yes they are in love with each other.

Sex: Oh yeah just a little…<GBG>

Violence: None

Language: None

By T.Novan

Xena sat stretched out under the shade of the apple tree, her back resting against its thick trunk, legs lazily crossed at the ankles as she peeled away the rind of an apple with her boot dagger. She cut thin slices of the fruit, placing them between her lips and chewing contentedly as she took a deep breath.

It was a beautiful day, warm but not too hot with the most gentle of breezes blowing through the grove. From her perch on top of the hill, she could see into the valley that the bard called home.

Poteidaia, the warrior considered, had to be the most Gods awful boring place in the known world. The bard had said once, that for fun they would listen to the wool grow on the sheep. Now as she watched the sleepy little village the warrior wondered if it wasn’t true.

This was the main reason she had begged off when the bard said she might like to go home for a visit. She had no desire to face Gabrielle’s parents again and the thought of listening to wool grow gave her several moments of contemplating throwing herself on her sword.

She had told the bard she would backtrack, go home to see her own mother and that they would meet up in four days. Gabrielle reluctantly agreed and with a soft kiss on the warrior’s cheek, she headed for home. Xena simply climbed the hill that over looked the valley, found the spot under the apple tree and stayed there. Watching the village and staying close ‘just in case’.

Now however, it was time for the bard to come back and Xena knew she should get back to the main road to meet her. She tossed the apple core behind her and wiped off her knife, tucking it back in her boot before starting to stand.

"Where’s mine?" A soft familiar voice said from behind her.

As she got up, Xena turned to find the bard leaning on her staff with one hand and holding the discarded apple core in the other. Xena smiled and just pointed up into the tree with her index finger as she arched a brow at the bard.

"Oh gee, thanks a lot. I trudge all the way up this hill to meet you and you won’t even pick me an apple." Gabrielle teased as she tossed the core away once again and brushed her hands together.

Without a single word, but with a loud yell Xena sprang from the ground straight into the tree, landing on a branch about half way up. She placed her feet very carefully and grabbed two long branches, shaking them furiously, dropping several of the red fruits on the bard’s head.

Gabrielle covered her head with her arms, running from under the tree. "You are such a brat!" She yelled as she picked up an apple and threw it into the tree at the warrior. Xena just caught the round projectile neatly in one hand and brought it to her mouth taking a large bite before dropping back to the ground and grinning at the bard.

"Miss me?’ She chuckled as she continued to chew on the apple.

"I did until a few moments ago." She rubbed the top of her head where an apple had made solid contact. "You are really rotten, you know that?"

"Hmm, " The warrior hummed as she moved forward and wrapped a strong arm around the blonde’s waist. "So I’ve been told." She held up the apple offering it to her partner. Gabrielle took a bite of the fruit as Xena placed a soft kiss on the spot the apple had hit. "How was home?"

"Boring as ever." The bard offered as she swallowed the bite of apple. "But it was good to see Mother and Lila again."

"And your father?"

The bard just looked up and rolled her eyes.

"Forget I asked." The warrior grinned as she took another bite of the apple.

"So my dear warrior." Gabrielle traced the outline of Xena’s breastplate as she looked up once again with mischief in her eyes. "How’s your mother?"

"Umm…fine…" The warrior lied.

"Un-huh. You know I’ll bet you could be a lot more convincing with that answer if you had actually gone to see her." The bard poked a finger in the tall woman’s chest to accent her point.

Xena grinned down at her partner and shrugged. "Decided I didn’t feel like it."

"So you spent four days up on this hill watching the village?"

"Something like that."

"Something like that indeed. That’s exactly what you did and you and I both know it." She laid her hands on her partner’s shoulders, placing a little kiss on her neck.

"Nah…actually I spent some time looking around too." Xena replied as she leaned her neck into the lips of the bard.

"Find anything interesting?" Gabrielle asked, as her mouth remained firmly attached to a pulse point.

"Well actually yes."

The bard moved back with a little look of amazement on her face. "Around here? You must be kidding."

"No there’s this really neat little cave not far from here."

"Oh another cave…yippee! Hold me back."

Xena laughed at her partner’s response. It was true they had spent their share of time in caves all over the known world and they had all pretty much been the same, dark and damp. "Yeah Gabrielle I know, but this one really is kinda neat."

"And I suppose you want to show it to me."

"Well if you don’t want to see it, I’m not gonna force you." She grinned as she finished off the apple and pitched the core.

"Why don’t you tell me what makes this particular cave so special and I’ll decide from there."

"Nope." The warrior grinned as she let go of the bard and began to walk away.

"Whaddya mean nope?" The bard asked as she watched her partner move away from her.

"Just like I said. Nope. You’re either gonna have to trust me on this one and let me show you or forget the whole thing and we’ll get going." Xena whistled for Argo.

The mare lifted her head and perked her ears as she munched on an apple of her own. Another whistle and she trotted to her mistress, waiting patiently for the two women she traveled with.

"Okay, okay." The bard relented as she moved to Xena. "Show me your neat little cave."

Xena mounted Argo then extended her hand to the bard. "Come on ride with me."

Gabrielle took the warrior’s hand and was pulled up behind her. She secured her staff and wrapped her arms around the leather-clad waist. "I really did miss you." She whispered as she placed a kiss on a tanned shoulder blade.

"Missed you too my bard." Xena nudged Argo. They began their decent down the hill away from Poteidaia but toward Xena’s neat little cave.

The ride wasn’t a long one, for which the bard was eternally grateful. Not that she minded too much. Lazing against Xena was a definite perk to riding, but over all it just was not one of her favorite things to do. The warrior slipped out of the saddle then helped Gabrielle down to solid ground.

"I’m not surprised no one knows about this, it’s really well hidden." Xena said as she took the bard’s hand, leading her toward an outcropping of rocks.

"Figures you would find it then." The bard giggled as she allowed herself to be led. "If you want something found, just try to hide it from the Warrior Princess."

Xena ignored the comment and continued toward the rocks. "It’s kind of a tight fit but if I can make it I know you can." She slid sideways between two rocks pulling the bard with her.

The bard could feel herself becoming slightly panicked as she slid between the rocks. "You weren’t just kidding." She said as her palms slid along the narrow passage. "How much further?"

"Nearly there."

Suddenly Gabrielle felt the pressure around her release and she stood in the middle of, and she hated to admit it, the neatest little cave she had ever seen. In the back, there was a small pool of water, which by the sound of the trickling water was fed by a natural spring, but the most amazing thing was the wall of crystal.

One wall of the cave was solid crystal. It allowed the natural light of the sun to filter in causing the most breathtaking rainbow effect she had ever seen. The entire room seemed to shimmer with the warmth of being at the end of a rainbow.

"Xena it’s truly beautiful." She turned around in small circles as she took it in. "Oh I think this one is going to actually go into a scroll."

"Told ya." The warrior smirked as she headed back to the spring. She knelt down and dipped her hand in. "Hmm verryy nice." She turned to the bard and smiled. "It’s…ah...apparently fed by a warm spring."

"Oh how very convenient." Gabrielle chuckled as she noticed the camp that had been set up here. A thick bed of furs had been made against the crystal wall and other supplies were laid out precisely around the cave. "Planning on spending some time here?" The bard grinned as she made her way to the pool, kneeling down testing the water for herself."

"Well actually," The warrior leaned over, placing a soft kiss on the bard’s lips. "Yes. I thought maybe a couple of days here could be good."

"Oh you did, did you?" The bard teased as she drew her tongue across her lips savoring the kiss. "And what makes you think I want to spend a couple of days in this cave with you?"

"Just a feeling. It has been four days Gabrielle." She raised a dark brow as she grinned.

"Oooo all of four days warrior? What’s the matter don’t you have any self control?" She splashed a little water onto the edge of the stone floor near her partner.

"Don’t start bard." Xena warned with a grin.

"Start what?" She asked innocently as she splashed a little more water out of the pool.

"Oh you’re in so much trouble." The warrior lunged, grabbing the bard around the waist and sending them both into the water.

To Gabrielle’s surprise the water was extremely warm and not very deep. Her feet hit bottom. She stood to find that the water only came to her underarms. She pushed her hair back and watched as Xena surfaced next to her.

"I can’t believe you did that." She squealed as the warrior drew her into her arms.

"I warned you." Xena dipped her head and caught the bard in a kiss that was designed to leave her breathless and wanting more.

Gabrielle pulled back and grinned. "Yes…yes you did."

"Umm Gabrielle?"

"Yeah."

"Help me out of my armor. I’m feeling a little water logged here and a tad heavy." She began removing her bracers and armbands as the bard began working the buckles on the breastplate. With a little effort all the armor was removed then grieves and boots, which landed at the edge of the pool with a soggy thump. The warrior turned her back to Gabrielle offering her the laces of her leathers. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all." The bard slipped her fingers under the leather ties, slowly undoing the laces. She then began peeling the straps off the bronze shoulders, peppering them with soft kisses as she worked the leathers down her warrior’s body.

"Hmm that’s niiiice." Xena hummed contentedly as she leaned back into the bard.

The leather battle dress soon found its way to the edge of the pool with a lot of effort on the bard’s part. "You know that thing is really heavy when it gets wet."

Xena turned around and eyed her partner. "No? Really? Do tell." She smirked as she began unlacing the top that currently covered her bard. "You should try wearing it when it’s like that."

"No thanks I’ll pass." Gabrielle felt the top slip from her shoulders as Xena pressed their bodies together and began working the belt of her skirt. With a resounding thud the bard’s clothes soon joined the warrior’s on the edge. "Ah Xena?"

"Hmm?" Xena was far too busy exploring a shapely neck with her mouth to give too much consideration to the bard’s words.

"My boots…"

Xena looked up, grinning. "Be right back." She said before disappearing under the water.

Gabrielle could feel a soft tickle as Xena used one hand to anchor herself to the bottom by holding onto a very firm calf while the other hand undid the laces on leather boots. The bard felt her boots being tugged from her feet then the warrior resurfaced.

"All better?" The warrior inquired as her mouth once again found that neck she was so fond of.

"Much thank you. Xena?"

Xena looked back at her bard with just a hint of mock annoyance. "Whaaat?"

"Where are my boots?"

"On the bottom. I’ll get them later."

"On the bottom? Xena why did you leave my boots on the bottom?"

"What difference does it make Gabrielle, they’re already wet."

"True." The bard conceded as she wrapped her arms around a strong back and tilted her head just slightly to one side allowing the warrior more room to explore to her hearts content. "Hmm that is nice." She sighed as a warm tongue traced up and down her neck. Her own hands began to move over the firm, strong body of her lover as Xena continued her assault of the bard’s neck and shoulders. Gabrielle felt the passion rising in her body. "Yeah…four days…way too long…" She murmured as the warrior began a slow decent toward the water, kissing every spot of flesh she could find. "Lower." The bard moaned.

Xena didn’t mean for it to happen but she laughed out loud, which totally shattered the mood. The bard pulled her back by the hair and glowered. "I’d drown." Xena grinned.

"Oooo you!" Gabrielle slapped the water sending it straight into her lover’s face.

The warrior laughed and wrapped her arms around the bard, lifting her out of the water to sit on the edge of the pool with her legs dangling in the water. "Now," Xena spread the bard’s legs and slipped between them placing a soft kiss on a firm thigh. "However, I’m sure," Another kiss, just a little higher. "I’ll be fine now." She placed her hands on the bard’s backside and pulled her slightly forward.

Gabrielle slipped her fingers in Xena’s dark hair and massaged her head as the warrior began a slow and torturous exploration between her legs. "Xena please."

"Please what?" The warrior teased as she sucked gently on the flesh of an inner thigh.

"I am going to drown you if you don’t just get to the point."

"Hmm is my little bard feeling a tad horny?"

"Like a unicorn." She pulled the dark head closer to her center. "Tell me you can’t tell? Go on tell me."

Xena smiled as she took a deep breath and held it as if it was the last she would ever draw. That did it, the warrior caved and began giving the bard what she wanted. Her mouth moved to the bard’s center. She barely grazed the fine hair with her lips, bringing another groan from the bard. She slowly extended her tongue, sliding into the depths of her young lover with firm and strong intentions.

The bard tightened her hands in the dark hair as her back arched and her head fell back. "Oh Gods yesss…"

The warrior wrapped her arms around the bard’s thighs as she pushed further into her young lover. Her own satisfied moans coming in regular bursts as she devoured all that Gabrielle could give. She felt her own desire growing and the sound of the bard moaning, along with the feel of her hands in her hair only made her more determined to satisfy the bard.

Hips rocking slightly now, Gabrielle closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride as she bit her lip through a long deep moan. "Oh Xena…by the Gods…Ohhhh…I…" All coherent thought was lost as the bard’s world shattered into a brilliant flash of light. She gripped harder and leaned forward over Xena’s head as she felt a second wave coming on. A wave she wanted to ride for as long as possible. "Ohh yes, yes, you…" She gasped as the second wave passed and she fell back, resting on her palms. "You are soooo good, oh yes." She looked down at the warrior who peered up, grinning. The bard lifted one very shaky hand, running fingertips through dark, damp bangs. "You really do know what I like don’t you?"

Xena placed her hands on other side of the bard’s legs and pulled herself out of the water. She held her weight on her arms as she leaned in to kiss the blonde. "I try."

"You succeed, boy do you succeed." Slowly the bard lay back as the warrior came the rest of the way out of the water, covering her body. She found herself being kissed quite thoroughly and enjoying every delicious moment of it, as she tasted her own essence on Xena’s lips and tongue. She stroked her hands over Xena’s back as they moaned into each other’s mouths.

The warrior’s probing tongue was becoming more insistent as the fire in her own body began burning out of control. "Gabrielle please I need you…" She whispered into the bard’s ear when the kiss was broken. "I need to feel you touching me, loving me…"

Xena didn’t beg often and then it was reserved for moments like this. "Let’s move to the bed my warrior and I’ll love you like you have never been loved before."

Before she knew it Gabrielle found herself in Xena’s arms, they were crossing the floor of the cave rather quickly. The bard smiled as she traced a finger across her lover’s collarbone. She felt the fur on her bare backside as she came to rest on the bed. Xena remained above her supporting herself again with her arms.

"Tell me what you want my love. How can I please my warrior today?" She smiled as she wrapped her arms around the warrior’s neck and pulled her down. "Tell me Xena…"

"Ohh…Gabrielle…" Small, strong hands roamed over her body, stroking, massaging and caressing. "Gods Gabrielle…"

Their mouths met in another warm, wet kiss. Tongues swept each other uniting two bodies into one soul.

"Love you Gabrielle…" She whispered as their bodies melded together.

The bard watched Xena’s face in this moment of passion. The rainbow effect in the cave cascaded over her features. The light danced in her eyes, reflecting off the azure, making them appear to change color. "So beautiful…" Gabrielle murmured as her fingertips traced across strong cheekbones, down the determined jaw. "Very beautiful." She pulled her into another kiss as her hands began another slow dalliance down her lover’s sinewy body. "I want you Xena." She husked as she rolled the warrior over, placing her body on the slick form below her.

She knew the moisture she felt all over that strong body was a combination of water from the pool and the natural moisture Xena would exude whenever they made love. The blonde loved to watch the beads of dampness appear on her lover’s forehead. She didn’t understand why it happened, all she knew was she loved every moment of it. She would always make sure to take the time to plant small soft kisses right behind Xena’s ear. The warrior moaned at the kiss and the bard loved the salty taste captured on her tongue and lips. "Love you Warrior…"

"Ohhh…please…" The plea emanated from lips dry from heavy breathing through the mouth as her head fell back and her eyes closed. "Please…"

Gabrielle couldn’t deny her lover the pleasure she wanted any longer. She slid her hand down a firm, taught stomach into the dark patch of soft hair. Strong legs weak from anticipation, parted slowly allowing the bard’s soft touch. She slowly slid her fingers into the warmth she knew awaited her. Xena arched into her touch, a loud moan escaped from deep in her chest.

Xena’s hand came to rest on the bard’s back, massaging solid muscles and stroking gently up and down as her other hand grasped the bed. The bard leaned over her, letting her mouth play across damp, aroused nipples. "Gab..ri…elle…"

The bard continued to manipulate her lover, causing the body of the warrior to move under her. "Hmm yes Princess…I love it when you do that. Love it when I control you."

"Yesss…oh yes…yours…all…yours…" Xena could feel herself being pushed to the edge by the masterful touch of her young lover. When the bard entered her depths, it was over for her quickly. "Gods!" She gripped the bed and flattened her hand against the bard’s back as her body shook and then exploded with the intensity of her climax. She held the bard on top of her until she stopped shaking. She wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and held her close as her regained control of her breath.

The bard lay still, her head rested on her warrior’s chest listening to the strong, rapid heartbeat. "Hmm that’s nice." She gave her love a gentle kiss on the chest.

"Yes," The warrior smiled as she ran her hands over the young woman’s body. "Yes it was."

Gabrielle looked up and grinned. "No I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the sound of your heart beating."

"Like that do you?" The warrior kissed an equally damp forehead.

"Oh yeah." She replaced her ear. "It makes me feel safe and loved."

"Glad to hear it because you know you are, right?"

"Oh yeah no doubt in my mind."

"Good." The warrior moved slowly, rolling next to the bard then curled up next to her, holding her close.

The partners fell into a deep and peaceful sleep, blissfully happy and safe and sound in the neat little cave.

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