The first Bard of the Week for 2018 is Della Street! Awarded several Xippy Awards over the years. I love Della's storytelling and I'm sure you will discover that she can spin a great story. I've borrowed the awesome Lunacy's reviews for links to all of Della's work. You're going to have so much fun reading these stories. Della Street is a LEGEND in Xena FanFic.
**BARGAIN HUNTING by Della Street -- [Alt]
With a sense of humor all her own, Della's stories NEVER fail to delight. In this new offering, Xena goes to see a slaver about a new girl he has for sale - a little spitfire with red-gold hair who hails from the land of Potidaea. Get your funny bone ready for this one! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 8 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/bargainhunting.htm
**BACK TROUBLE by Della Street -- [Alt]
One of our fanfic legends returns with a new series called THE TIMEWASTERS and I must say - these tales are a DELIGHTFUL way to...er waste some time ;-) This first one features a very frustrated Warrior Princess out of commission with back trouble desperately trying to entice a certain bard into breaking healer's orders. Renown for her sense of humor, Della never fails with these spicy little pieces that while amusing also show a wonderfully passionate relationship between her leads. Not to be missed, this one comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 6 pgs., 1/26/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/backtrouble.htm
BEYOND SEX by Della Street -- [Alt]
This little entry in Della's TIMEWASTERS SERIES attempts to explain just what TPTB mean when they claim that Xena and Gab's relationship has gone beyond sex. That grin is gonna be plastered on your face for a while after this one ;-) DO NOT MISS! - 2 pgs., 1/26/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/beyondsex.htm
**ASSASSINS by Della Street -- [Alt]
When assassins stalking Xena and Gabrielle are successful in staging a surprise attack, the Warrior Princess suddenly finds herself questioning the wisdom of the life she has begun to lead with her bard - a life which makes her very happy but could get them both killed. Great depiction of the relationship - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 23 pgs., 5/1/97
http://www.obsession14.com/XenaRotica/Della/1assassin.htm
CHICKEN AND THE EGG (THE): or THE FOWL CASE OF THE PURLOINED CHICKEN JOKE by Della Street -- [Alt]
An amusing little vignette based on an old joke. It may take you a while to figure this one out but just think about it - eventually it will come to you ;-) - 2 pgs., 5/5/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/chicken.htm
**COMPANIONS by Della Street -- [Alt]
Some FUNNY misunderstandings in this well-orchestrated little tale have Xena suddenly feeling very jealous, forcing issues to the surface that neither she nor Gabrielle can continue avoiding. Featuring Della's incomparable characterizations this one is a MUST READ! DO NOT MISS!! - 12 pgs., 5/1/97 (originally written 7/24/96)
http://www.ralst.com/Companions.HTM
**CROSSING OVER by Della Street -- [Alt]
The incomparable Della is back - this time with some pieces she wrote during the Golden Age of XWP (seasons 1-2 ;-). This first one is classic Della Street - a heartwarming, subtle, thoroughly satisfying piece that has Xena and Gabrielle joining Hercules and Iolus on a mission to try to destroy a deadly monster. It is a mission Hercules thinks should have no "civilians" along but which the bard insists on participating in regardless. In the ensuing days, as the demi-god grows increasingly wary of Gabrielle's presence he tries to reason with Xena but unbeknownst to him those efforts are backfiring juuuuuust a bit ;-) Della's characterization of Xena as a tough warrior of few words with a decidedly sharp mind and a profound weakness in the heart for her little bard is one of my favorites in fanfic. I also love the gentle heroism with which she has always portrayed Gabrielle. DO NOT MISS this early effort by one of our finest talents. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 17 pgs., 5/31/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/crossingover.htm
DAMAGE CONTROL by Della Street -- [Alt]
Set after the death of Perdicus this story has Xena returning Gabrielle to Poteidaia, convinced that the bard will be better off without her...but two souls meant to be together are not so easily parted. This is a sweet, nicely written story. - 13 pgs., 5/1/97 (originally written 11/4/96)
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/damagecontrol.htm
DELICACY by Della Street -- [Alt]
Gabrielle shows just what a dedicated partner she is as she goes out of her way to make sure her warrior is properly taken care of after a battle ;-) Another fun entry in the TIMEWASTERS SERIES. - 3 pgs., 1/26/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/delicacy.htm
GRAPE Della Street -- [Alt]
This story is guaranteed to put a grin on your face. Xena and Gabby help yet another town conquer a nearby menace while enjoying a few grapes... - 8 pgs., 5/1/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/grape.htm
GUESSING GAMES by Della Street -- [Alt]
The Warrior Princess is surprisingly successful when she decides to apply the power of suggestion to a little game of pantomime her partner insists on playing. Very cute! Fourth tale in the TIMEWASTERS SERIES. - 3 pgs., 1/26/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/guessinggames.htm
**HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Della Street -- [Alt]
Oh GODS! If you're drinking something while reading this STAY AWAY from the keyboard because it will likely get drenched when you break out in fits of laughter! Xena and Gabby have finally done the deed! They have MARRIED...Hercules and Iolus. The couples are very happy only the boys can't quite understand why JUST as they're returning from some LONG mission that turned out to be a false alarm, their wives are then called on a LONG mission of their own - and to places like Niagarus NO LESS! Only a brilliant, wicked mind could have come up with this jewel! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 26 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/happilyeverafter.htm
**HER GABRIELLE by Della Street -- [Alt]
Set around the events in the episode REMEMBER NOTHING, this extremely moving what-if story is based on the premise that Xena never did return to the regular timeline and is now trying to help Gabrielle recover from years of slavery. Considering how special this episode is to many a Xenite, I suspect this story will be touching the hearts of many. The episode AND this story are personal favorites.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 9 pgs., 5/1/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/hergabrielle.htm
**INSIDE JOB by Della Street - [Alt]
This is my personal favorite Della story and that's saying A LOT since I find all her fiction OUTSTANDING! The combination of humor, suspense, romance and passion in this results in a story guaranteed to touch your heart. With Xena acting the part of the ruthless warlord and Gabrielle masquerading as her slave, the two infiltrate the castle of a ruthless king to search for an elusive peace treaty. Unbeknownst to them, their role-playing is going to reveal feelings they can no longer deny, turning friends into much more and risking both their mission and their lives. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! - 16 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.obsession14.com/XenaRotica/Della/1inside.htm
**LYSISTRATA REVISITED by Della Street -- [Alt]
One of the FUNNIEST XWP alt. fan fic stories I've ever read. Based on the Greek classic, this little tale has Gabby plotting a way to get Xena to do what she wants. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 7 pgs., 1/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/lysistratarevisited.htm
MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Della Street -- [Alt]
Another early piece from Della - this one a vignette about a bar, a bard, old acquaintances and a slight misunderstanding ;-) Cute. - 2 pgs., 5/31/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/mistaken.htm
**RESISTANCE by Della Street -- [Alt]
One of my all-time favorite Xenite bards returns with a novel you WONT be able to put down!! Don't even try - resistance in this case is most definitely futile :) Set in the alternate world introduced by the two-part Hercules episode ARMAGEDDON NOW, this story puts a slightly different spin on things as it begins with Xena the Conqueror meeting with one of the dissenters recently captured by her soldiers - a seemingly harmless slip of a girl who despite her fear of the imposing ruler does not hesitate to spar verbally with her. It is a first meeting that leaves Gabrielle perplexed when the Conqueror doesn't immediately kill her, and leaves the Warrior Princess strangely intrigued by the beautiful little traitor. Unable to fight against the connection neither quite understands in the weeks to come the feared tyrant finds herself doing more and more to try to put a smile on Gabrielle's face, while the rebellious young agitator finds herself incredibly, against all logic, opening her heart to the very same warlord who once decimated her life. With elements of such classic romances like WEST SIDE STORY and THE KING AND I, this is a tale of two women from very different worlds who suddenly find themselves having to struggle against what others expect and demand when they can no longer deny the calling of their souls. It is also a story about a ruler imprisoned by trappings of her own making who finds in the love of a former enemy the strength to finally break the chains around her heart. With generous helpings of romance and the disarming humor that tends to add so much spice to Della's characterizations of the warrior and bard, this is a beautifully crafted, incredibly sweet, passionate tale that will have you breathing one heck of contented sigh when you're finished! Then if you haven't yet, go read Della's other stories for more of some of the best fiction the Xenaverse has to offer. RESISTANCE is OUTSTANDING folks! It receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!! - 72 pgs., 4/8/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/resistance1.htm
**SACRED GROUND by Della Street -- [Alt]
Gabrielle tries to convince Xena to help a group of pacifists who refuse to fight the raiders intent on enslaving them all. One major problem is that the Warrior Princess doesn't have much patience with people who refuse to help themselves. Well-thought out story with some very passionate scenes and a very appealing, possessive depiction of the Xena/Gab relationship. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 23 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/Sacred1.htm
**SACRIFICE by Della Street -- [Alt]
In a departure from the lighter stories she has become such a master at, Della brings us here a very dark, emotional piece that has a devastated Gabrielle having to deal with a terrible choice Xena has made - a choice the bard refuses to accept but which she'll soon come to understand when she is forced to make a terrible decision of her own. Very well-written, gripping drama. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 16 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/sacrifice.htm
**SCIENTIFIC METHOD by Della Street -- [Alt]
After reading this third new one from Della you're gonna be so glad this bard decided to open up that hard drive, dust off these early gems and share them with us :) SCIENTIFIC METHOD has a very curious and very devious Gabrielle conducting a little experiment as she and Xena arrive at a village right in the midst of a festival - an experiment which if all goes right should prove just how well the little bard knows her warrior ;-) You're gonna have a HUGE grin plastered on your face throughout this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 6 pgs., 5/31/98
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/scientific.htm
SENSE OF HUMOR by Della Street -- [Alt]
Xena shows a little sense of humor when a comedian gets a tad too friendly with her bard. Fun characterization of the warrior in full possessive mode. Part of the TIMEWASTERS SERIES. - 2 pgs., 1/26/99
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/senseofhumor.htm
**TOWARD THE SUNSET by Della Street -- [Alt]
A new story from a favorite bard of mine who comes through BIG TIME with this WONDERFUL Uber-Xena tale set in the American West of the nineteenth century and featuring a couple of descendants of the Warrior Princess and her bard - Jess Chambers, a dangerous gunslinger with a bad reputation and Mattie Brunson, a gentle school teacher with a penchant for adventure and a liking for dark, outlaw-types ;-) Intrigued by the secretive outlaw, Mattie soon finds herself as inexplicably drawn to Jess Chambers as the outlaw is to her - only Mattie is used to listening to her heart while the gunslinger has hidden hers behind a wall the little school teacher may never be able to breach. Very well-written, this story offers us fully developed characters that although similar to Xena and Gabrielle, stand on their own merits. The depiction of the Old West is very well done with some recognizable elements thrown in from the Xena/Gab story to make it familiar. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! - 85 pgs., 8/10/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/towardsunset1.htm
**TROUBLE by Della Street -- [Alt]
Dare I say it - but YES! - Another winner for Della! Excellent story that has Gabby going back home when she learns her mother is ill. While in Potidaea she discovers that an old nemesis of Xena and hers is back and plotting to join forces with another warlord to attack King Gregor, the monarch who adopted the baby in the episode CRADLE OF HOPE. The Warrior Princess and bard then set in motion a plan to try to stop the warlords - all the while trying to deal with the resentment Gabrielle's father feels for Xena and the frustration at not being able to openly show what they feel for one another. Sweet tale with lots of emotion. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 21 pgs., 5/24/97
http://www.altfic.com/subtextfic/Xena/della/trouble.htm