Disklamerz: Howwwdy! Niise ov ya'll ta joyn in the fuun. Ah hope yur injoyin the stary so fahr. Itz bin intrestin whritin it. Hokay....heer goz . Thems not mahn. Zena, Gab, Efiny, Jan and Mal longs to the gyz wit all da munies. Thurs sum vilince butt itz Zena aftur ahll. Secks is ahl gud wit the wimmym fok. Wahl, it iz gud in dis stoory. Ifn dis iz rong whar u iz at, don reed it. Ar if u iz knot ahld inuf, goway. U wont wanna reed dis if u hasnt sean seezun 1,2,3,or 4 or 5. Speshly seezun 4. K?. Ifn u neads to rite mi I iz UgoXena@aol.com I liik leturz. And fonetix. Call 1-800-abcdefg. Haw kin I cal if I caint reed? Humm. Jist thinkin. Bi naw! (If 'Southern Phonetics' offends you...Oh well!)
PS Warning: As Gina Dartt would say, "This is a "Wonder Wand™" warning." (If you haven't read her Janeway/7 Just Between series yet you should!) If you don't like the idea of...uuuum 'toys' and girls, skip the first part of this installment. Consider yourselves warned!
©2000 kglasgow
Convergence
Part 3
The wood's calm quiet was broken gently by impassioned moaning sounds wafting from the small green clearing. A small tight blonde undulated easily above her strong dark counter part. Full breasts were swaying temptingly above sparkling blue eyes. Xena would reach out and touch them but her hands were intimately entwined with her lover's, stretched out above her head. She intently watched the play of passion and emotion cross Gabrielle's face as she moved rhythmically and seductively above her. If there were any sight in the world more enticing, she was unaware of it. Xena glanced down at the connection between them reacting with a renewed rush of desire. Watching the phallus disappear deep within the recesses of her lover only to re-emerge glistening with the liquid fire produced by their passion gave her a deep sense of the union they shared in soul as well as body. Her lover's arms dripped sweat between the folds of their hands and shining droplets of perspiration trailed between pert breasts made a gleaming trail down through curled hairs.
"Gods. Xena. Mmmm. That is sooo...ah ha....good." Gabrielle's head dipped and her eyes closed. She concentrated on the radiating heat forcing itself from her center. She wasn't going to be able to hold back much longer. She felt so full and so loved it was impossible to ignore. If she looked into the eyes of her warrior she would be lost again.
"Gabrielle. Look at me. I want to see you."
Xena's deep seductive voice rumbled to Gabrielle's very soul. Half lidded emerald eyes opened and a small grin placed itself on the soft lips of the bard. She leaned closer to the naked warrior causing her tight nipples to trace an erotic path back and forth across Xena's heated skin. She leaned closer and sweetly kissed the lips that beckoned her. The electricity of the touch shot through her. She sat up sharply pushing the shaft deeper inside, causing it to caress her in just the right spot. With little warning, ripples of pleasure crept up her legs and the familiar tingling of impending delight caused her to give a voice to her enjoyment.
"Oh yessss. Push Xe. One more.....time....Ahhhhhh. Yeah" Moans of satisfaction were all that were falling from her throat. Making love to her warrior gave her pleasure beyond understanding and this time was no different. She felt the pulsing of her center push hard against the leather stretching the very core of her. The skill of her partner and the slow stroking of the phallus deepened the sensation of fullness and she came forcefully. Little ripples of heat skipped through her body marking her soul. And then time shifted and she felt herself begin to come again. All the heat and passion filled her again in the very same way. She tried to make sense of what was happening to her but the feeling was wonderfully overwhelming. She just let it flow. She would think about it later. Right now all that mattered was her, her warrior and their love.
Xena felt the shift as well but was watching her bard too intently to give much heed. Her eyes were filled with the pleasure dancing across her lover's face and the rippling of her muscles as she let go not once but twice. It was double the impact.
Gabrielle laid her head on the strong shoulder of the tall warrior beneath her, catching her breath. Xena's hands were rubbing small circles along the small of her back softly bringing her back to herself. "Mmmm. You feel so goooood." She shifted up allowing the leather member to slip from her. She lay back down letting her entire body absorb the feeling of Xena's skin against her. The strong heart of her partner beat in rhythm with her own.
"You are so beautiful when you look like that." The thought gave the tall woman chills up her spine that traveled to other spots causing her to push her hips into the small package lounging across her tall frame.
"And that makes you.....amorous?" Gabrielle smiled into Xena's neck.
Xena's felt the smile and grinned herself. "You make me amorous. Watching you makes me horny."
"I see. I think we can take care of that." The bard took a small nip at soft skin. She was thoughtful for a short time and then asked, "Uh Xena, did you....notice anything odd there at the end?"
Xena sighed and pulled her wife close to her. "I don't know if I it bothered me, but yeah I noticed."
Gabrielle blushed, "I should hope it didn't bother you. Gods! If we could make that happen every time.......oh man. We would never get anything done. Whooo!" She laughed softly and Xena fell in love with her all over again.
*I love that sound.* "I love you, my Bard. Do you have any idea what you do to me?" The warrior was constantly amazed by the depth of her emotion for the small woman in her arms.
"If it's half as good as what you do to me, we are a lost cause." She giggled again at the thought.
"Well I am lost.....in you." Her voice was serious and filled with ardor.
Gabrielle pulled herself up to peer into the blue eyes that caressed her with unending love. Her small fingers pushed the hair away from those eyes and then trailed down the high cheekbone of her wife. "I love you, Xena. Always." She bent and kissed the lips the begged her attention. They were soon lost in one another again.
=/~~~~~~~~~~~>
"Xena?"
Xena smiled at the soft voice coming from behind her. "Mmmm?"
"That thing this afternoon, what do you suppose it was?"
Xena smiled evilly and let her mind wander.
Gabrielle couldn't see Xena's face but knew her so very well. "Is that all you think about, Warrior?"
"What?" The innocence pose was never a trick she could get away with.
"You know what. That is not the 'thing' I was referring, and you know it." She poked the taller woman in the side. She put her chin on Xena's shoulder and watched the countryside float by. She didn't often ride with Xena any longer but today she had a lethargy that was easily explained and felt the need to let Xena do all the work. Bard followed closely behind tethered to her mother. Things always seemed to float when she was on Argo. The steed was so tall it seemed to the bard as if they were flying. *Hum. Wonder if that flying parchment thing of Xena's could be made big enough to hold people. Just think of the places we could go. Wow.*
"Can I help it if you inspire my imagination?"
"Humm. Yes well....anyway! You're getting me off the subject! It happened, right? It happened twice, right? I didn't imagine it"
"Yes Gabrielle. IT happened twice. I don't know how or why, but it did. I honestly don't know. One for the Gods I suppose." She let the subject drop. If this had to do with the Gods she wanted NOTHING to do with it in any way, shape or form.
Gabrielle continued to muse on the happening trying to come up with scenarios that might fit the parameters of the occurrence. Not one thing came to mind. Something happened in time, but it didn't seem to effect anything so all was well. Right?
All the thinking and the warm weather lulled the blonde to an easy doze against the back of her lover. She was pulled out of it when Xena's voice broke the quiet.
"What do you think?"
"Huh? Think about what?" Gabrielle wiped the tiny trail of drool from her lip and slowly and very reluctantly opened her eyes.
"Sleeping, huh? Sorry to wake you, love. I was wondering if you wanted to stop by the inn. We're close. We can be there by sundown. What do you say?"
Still a little groggy, Gabrielle took a moment to let the words settle into her conscious mind. "The inn. Yeah, that's good." She returned her head to its previous resting-place and promptly fell back asleep.
"I must have really taken it out of you, huh?" Xena said to no one in particular. She snickered and felt a small rush of pride at the thought of wearing out the insatiable bard. *Yeah. I got it. But she's got me more. Ohboy.*
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Skye watched Terra as the taller girl stepped into the bright sunlight and ventured down the steps into the grass that surrounded the inn. It amazed her that nothing bad was happening to Terra. She looked to be breathing quite well, her eyes were still in their sockets and she wasn't blue. *Creighton, it's green out there!* She continued to stand in the doorway, hesitant to venture out. She had never dreamed that she would ever go 'outside'. Terra seemed to be enjoying it but she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Outside meant death and she really didn't know if she wanted any part of that.
Terra turned and smiled sweetly at the blonde girl in the doorway. Skye smiled back at her and Terra thought her heart would explode. *Ah, Skye. If you only knew what I feel for you, you'd hate me for sure.* She walked back up the stairs to stand just outside the doorway. She held out a strong hand to the girl, waiting for Skye to accept it. Hesitantly, Skye put her smaller hand in her companion and she took a very deep breath.
"C'mon, Skye. I won't let anything happen to you."
"Are ya sure, Ter?"
"Yeah." She looked back to the nature around her and smiled. Since her early childhood, Terra had dreamt of lands like this but had never hoped to see them. Where they were from, this didn't exist and it never would. Sure, there were hydroponics domes and some terra forming, but they were not as beautiful as this, plus slaves were never allowed inside those areas. She had been fearful and more than skeptical when Candace and Taylor had taken her out the first time. But when she had taken her first deep breath of fresh air she knew she was finally home. The overwhelming variety of plants and seeing her first animal, a ground squirrel that had literally scared the pee out of her, fascinated and thrilled her. Well, except for the squirrel. She had thought that Taylor and Candace were going to die laughing at her unfortunate introduction to nature. *It wasn't that funny.* She had set her hat down on the table out front. The next thing she saw was a skittering furry thing running across her foot and then back in the opposite direction with her hat in tow. She screamed and ran the other direction losing control of her bladder at the same time. Taylor had run to her side thinking Death himself had attacked her. When the firefighter saw her point at the silver cap scampering away under the control of a fluff tailed rodent; she had burst out laughing and called to Candace. When the shorter woman turned to see the sight her reaction had been the same. Terra had faced slavers and starvation in her time, but she didn't think she had ever been as startled or as frightened in her life. How was she to know the creature was harmless? 'Thieving demon' is what she really thought, but she would never tell anyone except maybe Skye. And that was doubtful. But, she had learned much after her initiation into the great outdoors and now it was Skye's turn.
"Alright Ter, but if I die you'll be sorry."
"I won't let anything hurt you and if a little furry creature runs at you, don't be afraid."
"I don't think I like the sound of that." Skye frowned seriously at her friend.
"Come on." Terra gave a gentle squeeze to the small hand.
"OK." Skye took a very deep breath and stepped out into the sunlight. She squinted at the brightness and started to look up.
"Don't look at the sun. It'll hurt your eyes."
"Well then why do they put it out here if it's going to hurt me?" She was not happy already.
"I don't think they put it there. It's for light, so we can see." She knew some science.
"That's gotta be a huge generator. It's so different than anything I've ever seen."
"It's not powered by a generator, Skye. It's real. It's the sun."
"Creighton! That's amazing. It doesn't look like that on Mars." Her eyes were wide with wonder,
"I asked Miss Taylor about that yesterday, she said we're closer, so it seems bigger."
"Yes, that makes sense. I hadn't thought of that. Ter? Do you really think we're on Earth?"
"Yeah. Seems like a big story, but they have animals here. I've seen them. Come on! I want to show you the horses." Terra dragged Skye behind her.
They approached the corral where Candace and Taylor were going over the finer points of dressage.
"Give him a little more right leg, Tay. He's just being stubborn." Candace watched from the top rung of the fence as her lover guide the horse sideways and then forward. The perky blonde grinned widely, "Perfect. Now, if he would just do that all the time without you having to bribe him first." Candace heard footsteps behind her and turned to find the girls approaching haltingly. It seemed that Skye was trying to take in all of nature in one shot. She smiled at the sight and waved her arm in invitation. "Hey, guys! Skye, so nice to see you could join us."
"Yes Miss Cand....." The girls stopped and stared at the sight before her. Taylor, who had ridden up to the fence, was sitting on top of a very large brown animal. "What is that!? And why is Miss Taylor on it? Is she in trouble?"
"That, My dear Skye, is a horse. Taylor is riding it and no, she is not in trouble.....yet." Candace grinned knowingly at her partner who returned the lustful gaze.
"Why is she riding it? It's soooo big. Aren't you scared Miss Taylor?"
"I am riding because I like to. It's the way we travel here and, no, I am not scared at all. Mug here is a very nice guy. Huh, Mug? You're a good boy." She gave him a pat on the neck for measure. The tall horse sputtered a horsey answer to her that she was stating the obvious.
"When will you eat him?" Skye thought it a shame that they would soon make dinner out of such a good and helpful creature.
Candace wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. She looked at Skye very seriously, "Skye, we don't eat horses."
"We don't." She could see that this was going to be another one of those confusing things about this place she just didn't get.
"No sweetheart. They are 'helper' animals. Plus we like them. They are good companions." She hoped she could explain this causing little damage as possible.
"Companions? But they can't talk......can they?" Skye was learning that anything was possible in this odd place, why not talking animals
"Not usually, no. But they have emotions and communicate on a different level."
"Like telepathy?" This was so strange.
"No, not exactly. They show us their feelings by the way they act. Come up here." She motioned for the girl to sit with her on the railing. Skye climbed up and Terra leaned next to them. "Give me your hand."
Skye put her hand toward Candace. The older blonde tenderly held her wrist and moved her hand toward Mug's soft snout. The young woman leaned into Terra instinctively; trepidation causing the need to feel protected by her strong companion. Terra put a calming arm around her and Skye forgot her fear along with the fact that they weren't supposed to be touching. The soft breath of the beast on her hand fascinated her. Mug sniffed at her hand and then pushed at it with his nose. Skye looked at Candace with green eyes filled with the awe and wonder of a child making a new discovery.
Candace grinned. "Here, pet his nose."
Candace placed Skye's hand on the soft part of the horse's nose and let go. Mug nudged at her hand with a docile move. Skye laughed at the gesture and took her hand away. Mug took another step towards her taking the girl's scent into his nostrils. He nudged at her again begging her undivided attention. She extended her hand again to his nose and rubbed it slowly. Mug nickered softly at her and the vibration tickled her hand. She grinned and petted the animal with more authority. In return Mug poked at her chest with his nose almost pushing her off the railing. Terra caught her but she wasn't afraid, she had a feeling he would never hurt her.
"Woah! Careful there, handsome." Taylor backed him off a bit. "I think he likes you, Skye."
"Yes, Miss Taylor. May I ride him?" She shocked herself with the words that came spewing out of her mouth. Asking Owners for anything was grounds for severe punishment. *Why do I do that?*
Taylor saw the look of fear cross the blondes face and spoke quickly to dispel her panic, "Sure! Why not?"
"Really?" The blonde was amazed once again at the kindness of these women.
"I think that would be fun." Taylor shuffled Mug sideways to the fence, "Candace, give her a hand."
Skye felt excitement leap through her limbs as Candace helped to guided her up behind the muscular firefighter. Mug shifted under the new weight and Skye made an instinctive grasp for the waist of the woman in front. "Woah!" A small sweat broke out on her upper lip as she tamped the fear she felt rising down where it belonged.
"Get a good grip on me, Skye. Here, both hands." Skye wrapped both arms around Taylor's slim waist. "Good. If you would feel better, clasp them together like this. Right. OK?"
"Uh huh." She was wide eyed but determined to experience this. She felt Taylor's legs tense and squeeze and the horse began to walk slowly around the corral. Skye was quickly adapting to the rhythm of the movements under her seat. "This is great fun Miss Taylor. Thank you for allowing me this honor."
"The honor is mine, Miss Skye." Taylor decided that two could play this game. "Carrying beautiful blonde women around on horse back has a slightly romantic notion to it, don't you think?"
Skye was more than speechless. "You shouldn't address me in that way Miss Taylor. I am not an Owner. And beautiful, I think not."
"Are you giving me instructions, Miss Skye?" Taylor teased.
"No ma'am. I was merely pointing.........yes ma'am. It seems I was. I apologize. What are you going to do to me?" She hoped it was nothing drastic. Maybe she would only reprimand her. *Yeah. If I am the luckiest slave born in the galaxy.* She rolled her eyes at the notion. Slaves were never lucky.
"Why Miss Skye, I am going to make you ride with me until you don't want to any more. Oh and Skye? You are beautiful. And if you don't believe me ask your friend over there. I am sure she would agree."
Skye grinned. She was the luckiest. No doubt about it.
"Hey, honey?"
Candace looked up to her lover who was still atop the brown mount with the blonde bombshell in tow. "Yeeees?"
"What say we get a basket and go up to the lake? All of us. I'll haul little Miss Equestrian here and you and Terra can ride Crysa. What do you say?"
"I say two things. First we need to get these guys out of the sun for a while before they turn crispy. And two, I think that sounds great." Candace jumped down from the railing and headed indoors.
Terra followed close behind her. "Uh, Miss Candace?"
"Yeah, Ter." Candace felt the questions coming a mile away.
"What does it mean for one to turn 'crispy'?" She squinched up her face and the corners of her blue eyes crinkled.
Candace smiled at the familiar sight. "If you stay out too long in the sun you will get what is called a sunburn. It stings just like a regular burn but it happens everywhere your skin is exposed. It can be nasty stuff. After a while you get tan an the threat of burning is lessened."
"A tan? What's a tan."
"Without getting too technical, it's when your skin changes color and becomes darker." Candace put her arm up next to Terra's, "See the difference between your skin and mine?" The dark head nodded. "That's a tan."
"Huh. Things sure are different here. I mean look at these clothes. What did you call this material here?" She pointed to the light colored pants she had on.
"That's leather. Kid leather to be exact. Are they comfortable?" She observed that the young woman did indeed look very nice in them. *I'm not dead. Right? And she looks sooo much like Taylor......and Xena. Jeez! It's like freakin' smorgasbord I can't eat from. Well, I'll have a plate of that firefighter right there, please.* She sniffed at her own joke and almost choked on the next question.
"Yes. A little hot, but I'll live. What is it made of?" Curious innocence shot across her chiseled features.
"Uh.......if I tell you deer are you going to freak out on me?" She cringed at the tirade she thought might come her way.
"Freak out? You mean like what Skye did?" Candace nodded. "Nah. I guess if we eat them we should wear them as well." Terra smiled at her with white perfect teeth. The smile lit up the tall young woman's face.
"Terra you should smile more often. You're gorgeous!" Candace patted her on the back and led her into the inn. Terra just blushed and followed.
=/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
Three content figures leaned back on the blanket and admired the athletic moves of one grand firefighter. Taylor's long powerful limbs pulled her swiftly through the water with little effort. While lunch had fill Candace, Terra and Skye to the point of lethargy, Taylor felt the need to work off the food she had eaten too much of.
Terra frowned in concentration for about the one hundredth time today. Candace smiled at the look on her face and realized that she had the same intelligence and desire for knowledge as Xena and Taylor. This whole situation was a study in the various personalities that developed in separate lives but the traits that they all shared. Terra, like her counter parts, wanted to figure everything out. Details, details, detail. How this works, why this does that. How do I do that? Why do you do that? Life to her was a learning experience, something to be figured out and conquered. Skye, like Gabrielle and herself was definitely intelligent, but her desire was to learn so that she could understand her surroundings and change things for the better. Life was to be cherished and lived with in the context of a flow. While Terra was busy 'figuring things out', Skye was absorbing them.
Terra was willing to eat animals because it made sense to her. Skye didn't want to because to her it made no sense to take a life just to sustain her own. They were opposites for sure, but the connection they shared would always overcome their differences.
"Miss Candace?" Terra's voice was full of her inquisitive nature.
"Yes, Miss Terra." She and Taylor had discussed a way to break the habit of title giving.
Skye raised her eyebrows at the way her friend was being addressed. What was up with these two?
Terra shared a shocked look with her companion and frowned a little deeper and squinted at Candace. "Why are you calling me that? I am not an owner."
"Well, neither am I but you insist on it so I figure we should all go by the same title."
"But..... you don't.....we.... OK." She sighed and realized that she couldn't argue with her. "Candace?"
"Yes, Terra." That was better.
"Why does ..Taylor, what did she call it?.....uh swim., yes, why does she swim?"
"Because it's fun."
"Ah." Her mind worked some more on the idea. "It's...wet."
Candace laughed softly, "That true. I guess you don't swim on Mars."
"No ma'am. Water is scarce. And limited. If any water escapes the DOMES it is lost forever. Some water can be replicated, but it's a very limited resource. What extra there is goes to terra forming projects."
It was a long explanation to a short question, but Candace was getting used to it. "Would you like to try?"
The adventurer in her screamed, "Yes!" but the anxious slave in her was not so sure. "Could I just go in a little?"
"Sure we can wade. Come on. Skye you wanna give it a shot?" She stood to her feet followed closely by Terra. Candace peered back at the blonde woman.
"Do I have to?" She was so tired she didn't think she could walk to the shore.
Candace nodded with understanding, "Of course not. You look like you could use a nap. Why don't you lay down and rest a bit. It's been a long day! "C'mon Ter." The two women turned away leaving the small blonde to her thoughts.
Terra stripped off her clothes and ran to the water's edge. Candace smiled sweetly at the young girl. Obviously she had inherited the 'Modest? What's modest?' gene. Typical for Taylor and Xena had been shy for all of ten minutes. She wasn't going to force Terra to taking her clothes off if she felt uncomfortable but it was now a non question.
Skye watched the woman walk away then smiling sleepily she laid back on the soft blanket. She let her thoughts wander to points earlier in the day. Riding the horse was such a wondrous experience. She didn't think she would ever forget the feeling of the large beast shifting beneath her. The latent power of the horse and Taylor herself had caused an unexplainable shot of power to course through her members. She was literally shaking by the time she decided that she had had enough. Sensory overload. She thought about the horse and then her mind wandered to the tall dark woman. The tight hold she had gripped the woman with had given her closer prolonged contact with a human than she was used to. She tried to ignore the feelings that had run through her, but with her sensitive breasts rubbing across the strong back of the lead rider it had been a tough challenge. She didn't full understand the feelings. She just knew they were pleasant if not dangerous. Terra would be so disappointed in her, but for Creighton's sake! She just couldn't help it.
Her thoughts began to journey, as they will just before sleep, and she saw in her minds eye Terra riding with her instead. She had her arms wrapped sweetly around her friends waist and her head leaning on broad shoulders. She sighed heavily in her daydream and smiled at the contact that was warming her heart. Without warning the heat in her heart traveled of its own accord to points south. She experienced that heat between her legs and she saw her hands begin to move on Terra's body. Her small hands ran across the tops of leather clad thighs, feeling tight muscles jump under her touch when she gave a gentle squeeze a little higher up than was proper. The errant hand voyaged to the apex of the long legs and caressed the mound placed there for her enjoyment. Of that she was quite certain. She watched disconnected as her hands moved slowly up a flat stomach to full glorious breasts. She cupped them with reverence, and placed a kiss in the middle of her now naked companions back. To her surprise and delight she was naked as well. The sun felt warm on her skin and the breeze was intoxicating. She pushed her soft body close to her dream lover. The sensation of her naked nipples stroking the broad toned back, shot power between her thighs. The spark of the sensation yanked her quickly from her dream state with her heart threatening to pound out onto the blanket. Her body flew into an upright position and her eyes tried to focus on anything familiar. Unfortunately for her it was the naked form of Terra gazing at her intently with bright blue eyes. Water sluiced down her sensuous curves and Skye was suddenly wishing she were every drop of water in the lake; made only for that very moment in time to flow and glide down and across every square centimeter of that alluring skin. To invade every crevice and claim it as her own. Her wakeful state was not helping the feeling that was rushing over and through her. Her groin was throbbing with desperate need and she wasn't sure what to do about it, so she massaged it through her breeches and sent herself over an edge she didn't know existed. She laid back on the blanket confused and quite happy when suddenly she was upright and gazing at Terra's naked form once again with the same sensations coursing through her limbs. Unsure of what was happening but unable to change her passion, she touched herself again and experienced anew the result of that passion. Relaxing once again on the soft blanket she tried to ponder all that had just occurred, but there was too much for her to grasp.
Terra, concerned due to the look on her friends face, raced to her side. She was aware as well of the time shift but at that moment was more concerned about Skye. "Skye! Are you OK?"
Skye didn't open her eyes knowing full well that Terra had not a stitch of clothing with in a hundred meters of her. A satisfied grin had taken up permanent residence on her face and she was hard pressed to answer her companion. "Yeah, Ter. I'm good. Why?" She was soooo much more than good, but she was keeping this little secret to herself for now. *I gotta ask Miss Candace about this.*
"I dunno. You looked strange there for a minute. Bad dream?" Terra frowned. Bad dreams were frequent with slaves. She had been hoping that the new surroundings would relieve some of them.
"Ohhh no." Her voice was dreamy and that stupid grin widened into a broad smile.
Terra's brows drew in tighter but decided to let it go. "Hey, ya want to swim with us? This is great! I mean I can't really swim yet but I get the idea. Creighton, this is the best!"
Skye squinted one eye open a crack and perused the naked form above her. *Oh GOD no! That would kill me. But what a way to die.* She closed her eye and grinned again. *Is this going to go away soon?* "I don't think so Ter. I am......umm....enjoying just relaxing."
"Uhh.OK. Did you notice that thing a minute ago? That time jump thing?"
"Yep. Sure did. Fun, huh?" *Creighton, this grin is hurting my face.*
"OOOOK. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Couldn't be better." *Owwww!* "Go swim, will ya." Skye did a little flicky thing with her hands and Terra looked at her as if she were an alien. She didn't see the face but Skye knew what that look was. Terra had a hard enough time figuring her out as it was and this was a wrench in the turbine. Poor thing.
=/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
The three water bunnies wore themselves out and dried off in the sun. Candace tried to remind Terra to get out of the sun before she burned horribly. Terra swore that she wouldn't be that bad. Taylor asked Candace if the inn carried aloe vera 'just in case'. Terra was gonna be fried.
After dressing and packing the foursome saddled up and headed back to the inn tired but rested and all were a bit more educated than they wished to be. Terra had learned to swim sort of. Well, she hadn't drowned. Candace and Taylor heard more about water conservation on a barren planet than they had ever thought about. Which had been not at all. And Skye? Well, Skye had learned that to dream was not always a bad thing. No siree. Dreaming could be interesting and educational. It could teach you things you never imagined.
Candace was in the lead when she spotted a familiar sight. A very large golden mare stood proudly by the post in front of the inn. She slowed her steed and waited for her lover and Terra to come up close beside them.
"Um....honey?"
Taylor raised both eyebrows at the tone of voice. "Yeah?" she spoke softly.
"Promise me that you will try to behave?" Candace knew that Xena would show up eventually, but this was a little sooner than she had anticipated.
"What does that mean?"
"That means that Xena and Gabrielle are here and I don't want trouble."
Taylor was scorched by the comment. "You don't have much faith in me do you?"
Candace looked into the pained eyes. She reached out a hand to Taylor's cheek. Taylor turned her blue eyes away and cast her gaze to the ground. The blonde in her wisdom pulled Taylor's eyes up to meet hers. She leaned in and kissed her lover solidly.
"My apologies. Perhaps it's me that is the problem here. I love you Miss Taylor. Don't forget it!" She smiled, "I really want you to meet them!"
"Well, I want to meet the woman that tamed you in the first place!" Taylor smiled and tamped down the jealousy that was threatening.
Skye spoke from behind Candace. "I get to meet Gabrielle? THE Gabrielle?"
"Uh huh. The one you have dreams about."
Skye blushed deeply. Had it not been for the color she already had on her face she would have given herself away for sure. She cleared her throat, "Ummm..good. I will be glad to see her!"
Candace took a deep breath. For Xena it had been five years for her it had been hardly a year. Was she ready to see her wife again? Was she still her wife? They hadn't been divorced and she wasn't really dead. *Oh Lord! OK girl, suck it up. You love Taylor and it's a good and strong love let that support you. Leaning on her won't hurt either.* "Let's go."
Taylor took the same deep breath Candace had taken second earlier. She loved Candace more than anything in the world and meeting her wife was not a thing she had ever thought she would have to do. She wasn't jealous. She was scared. *What if Candace wants to be with Xena? Humm? What about that? Xena's with Gabrielle. They're married. Do people have multiple spouses here? OH that's real good. Think the worst go ahead. That'll make you feel better. Shit!* "Right behind ya."
The group unloaded and carried everything to the porch when two women stepped out of the door into the twilight. The one that caught all eyes first was a tall woman with raven black hair and piercing blue eyes. Her commanding presence was palpable. The four women could feel the danger flowing from her presence.
Candace thought her heart would pound out of her chest. *Same Xena. Why couldn't she have changed?*
"Wow." Terra whispered to herself.
Skye just stood there. She didn't have any words in her vocabulary to describe her thoughts about the mighty warrior.
All eyes simultaneously turned to the shorter of the two. Taylor stared without meaning to. Gabrielle was stunning. There was no ignoring the fact and she definitely had a thing for short blondes. She felt a light elbow to her ribs and she looked down into smiling green eyes. "Sorry."
"Don't be. Gab's hot." Her voice was a whisper. She looked back to the women who stared back at them.
They weren't expecting this and Toris hadn't said a word.
Candace spoke first, "Hi guys. How's it goin'?
"Candace." It was a whisper. Seems that most of the group had lost their ability to speak audibly. Xena just stood there. It took a great deal to shock her and this was doing just that. Her wife..um..ex? wife? Was standing not three meters from her. She looked down at Gabrielle who was smiling sweetly at her.
"Xe, why don't you say hi?"
"Uh, Right. Hi." She tried to smile but it came off as more of a grimace.
Gabrielle patted Xena's arm and shook her head. "That's good honey." The blonde walked to her friend with arms wide. "Candace!" She threw those arms around Candace and engulfed her.
Candace smiled and at last got to see the woman with whom she had shared a life. She returned the hug with vengeance. "Candace! I can't believe this! Why on earth are you here?" The two walked a short distance away to talk.
Taylor and Xena looked uneasily at each other. Their respective partners seemed to be OK with the situation. They should be, too. Right?
"You must be Taylor." Xena's voice was low and sure. She held out her hand.
Taylor was a bit taken back but accepted the welcome, "How do you know my name?"
"Trust me kid, I know alot about you. Let's just say a little goddess told me." Xena smiled. "Is this as awkward for you as it is for me?" The tall woman rocked back and forth on her heels.
"I'm sure it's a close race. Different sides of the same coin, I suppose."
"That's one way to look at it I guess." Xena's gaze turned to the young women staring in her direction. One brow arched high onto her forehead. "This is interesting. Who are they."
"A puzzle piece." Taylor looked at the girls and smiled.
Xena laughed. It was a great sound and Taylor suddenly didn't feel as nervous. *So this is her. I can see why Candace had an...attraction to her. OKOKOK it was luuuuv. Bleeeeah. Whatever.* Sarcasm in ones own mind was really just torture.
"What kind of puzzle?"
"The kind that always ends up with someone, injured, dead, or angry." Taylor felt she was being honest in her interpretation of the Gods and their practices.
"Ah. The best kind. Huh. Do they have names?" She looked back to them and couldn't help but notice the look on the blonde girl's face. *Oh no. Maybe not. Can't be. Yep WPH. Warrior Princess Haze. I'll let Gab talk to her.*
"Come on. I'll introduce you." She walked the short distance to them with Xena close behind. Taylor put her hand out to the taller of the two, "This is Terra. Terra meet Xena."
"Hey there Terra. How's it hangin?" Xena grinned with her broad smile. All she got in return was a look of total confusion. "Can she talk?" She spoke out of the side of her mouth.
"Not sure, Xena." Taylor knew the teasing would bring the girl out of her state.
"You know I can, Miss Taylor. I am not sure what she is asking me. How is 'what' hanging. Is there something here that hangs that I should know about? I can't answer the question if I don't know what it is that hangs." Her voice was totally perplexed.
Xena stifled the laughter that was multiplying in her belly. She placed a hand over her mouth and coughed to collect herself. She cleared her throat and spoke to Terra, "It's just a figure of speech, Terra. It means how are you doing."
"I see. Well, Miss Xena I seem to have a sunburn on my ass. But other than that I am well."
Taylor's eyes grew wide and she looked at an equally surprised Xena. The warrior collected herself again and said, "Sorry to hear about the sunburn thing. A little aloe ointment should take care of it. Glad to hear you are well. However, why are you addressing me as if you were a slave? Are you?"
"Yes. Well, no. I..we....I don't know."
Taylor put a hand on her arm, "Terra, you are not."
"Right. No, I am not." She bowed slightly.
Xena gave the 'what's going on' look to Taylor who replied, "It's a long story."
"I can't wait. And who is this lovely creature." Xena turned her thousand-watt smile to the blonde who about passed out.
"This is Skye. Skye this is Xena."
"How do you do Skye. It's a pleasure to meet you." Xena took the blondes petite hand in her own and placed a small peck on the back of it.
Sky blushed furiously and dropped her eyes to the ground. There was no way she could look this strong woman in the eyes. No way! "The pleasure is mine Miss Xena."
Xena looked at Taylor again and the firefighter shrugged.
Terra frowned at the action but said nothing. She wasn't very pleased with the liberties this woman was taking with her friend. It wasn't proper unless she were an.......Owner. *Oh no! This is our new owner. I understand now.*
"Excuse me Miss Xena." She bowed her head and waited to be recognized.
Xena cringed. She knew that tone of voice because she had heard it many times from her own slaves. The sound brought old painful memories rushing back to her. This was not good.
"Terra, don't call me that. What do you wish?"
"When are we to leave?"
"Leave? Are we going somewhere?"
"As our new Owner I thought........never mind. I know it is not my place to think anything. My apologies." The past two days had gotten her close to being used to thinking for herself. Bad habit that. She bowed her head and gazed over at Skye who was beginning to realize what Terra thought. She took a sharp breath and bowed her head in submission as well.
"New owner? ME? Your new owner? No. I am not anyone's "owner". If anything I belong to the gorgeous blonde there." She smiled at Gabrielle who was talking with Candace a gesturing in the direction of Skye and Terra. Blue eyes caught the gaze of her wife and was rewarded with a magnificent smile. *Oh yeah. That's mine.*
"You're NOT our new owner?"
"Not even close. I don't believe in slavery."
"Really? Wow." The commanding presence and charisma of Xena pointed to her being the quintessential Owner.
"Does that surprise you, Terra?"
"Honestly?" Xena nodded. "Yes."
Honest she said honest she got. "Well trust me, I don't. I have learned that you can get more from a person with love."
Candace and Gabrielle broke their little huddle to join the little group. Candace snuck under Taylor's arm gripped her waist. Taylor smiled at the contact and the display of affection. She had been a little nervous, OK alot nervous, but with one small act the singer was making her feel much more calm. She sighed relief and kissed the top of a golden head. A softly whispered 'I love you.' made the blonde smile.
Gabrielle, standing next to her wife, smiled sweetly at the two new additions to their close albeit bizarre family, "I guess I have some new friends to meet. Xena would you care to make the introductions?"
"Of course, your Highness. May I present Terra."
"How do you do, Terra?" Gabrielle nodded at the young Xena look-alike. Terra nodded back noting the similarities in all three blondes.
"...and this is Skye." Skye just stared at Gabrielle like she was seeing a ghost.
"Is she alright?" Gabrielle was concerned with her new acquaintance.
"She's fine. It's a long story," Candace explained.
"Seems we have a lot to talk about." Xena tried not to be sarcastic but it didn't work.
"Forgive me. It's nice to meet you, Miss Gabrielle."
"AH HA. She speaks!" The laugh that came from the Regent was lilting and full of true joy.
Skye grinned shyly, "Yes, ma'am. Are you our new Owner?"
"New owner? Taylor, what's she talking about?"
The firefighter was surprised that Gabrielle had addressed her and she was slightly flustered. She knew there was an answer in there somewhere it was just stuck.
"Can she speak, Candace?" Gabrielle giggled.
"It's long story. Honey, are you OK up there?" Candace bumped Taylor with her hip to make contact.
"I'm here. Sorry. It's just that you........it's um.....never mind." Taylor blushed hard Gabrielle smiled at her.
The bard stepped to Taylor and put a hand on her forearm. "It's fine Taylor. This whole thing has got to be a little disconcerting."
"Miss Gabrielle, 'a little' is a HUGE understatement." She flashed her trademark winning smile and Gabrielle was shocked at the resemblance of the two dark-haired women.
Leah, Diana and, Meg all look like Xena but none of them had the same electric presence as her warrior. Taylor was close. Granted Xena was the original, but the strong person she looked at now was packed with power. She was a bit taken back by her reaction to her. She wouldn't call it attraction, but it was something.
She cleared her throat and held back a blush as best she could. With the darkness falling it was easy to do. *What was that?* "Yes, well. About this 'owner' thing."
"These ladies think that at some point we are going to sell them. Terra seems to think Xena looks like a slaver. Must be the armor."
"Xena? A slaver. She's too much of a lover to be a slaver! Right, Candace?" She started laughing.
Candace tried not to laugh at the reaction Xena was having but it wasn't happening. "You got that right!"
"You two are going to ruin my reputation, aren't you?" Xena looked pleadingly at Taylor as if the firefighter had any pull at all with the blondes. Taylor shrugged and looked helpless.
The two troublemakers looked at each other and answered simultaneously, "Oh Yeah!"
"Great. I love you, too." Xena was defeated.
"Seems we have a ton to talk about, Cand."
"OH. You have no idea!"
"Well, come on!"
Candace released her friend and dragged Gabrielle over to a nearby table. They sat close and Candace began the questions again even before they had gotten to the seat.
"How are things in the village? How's your mother? You look fabulous and that hair, WOW! What is going on with Jules and Mik? Have you heard how her sign language is going?"
"So many questions! I can't wait to tell you. Let's see......Well, as you know Cyrene and Delmar got married. You should have seen their ceremony. It was fabulous! First they had these tall staffs with ribbon......"
Candace and Gabrielle sat at the table nearby and were soon engulfed deep in conversation, with Skye intrigued by all the details. This was fun.
"Hello?..... Ladies?... "Scuse me." Taylor tried to intervene but was having no luck. Getting a word in edgewise with these two could prove a task above and beyond the abilities of warrior and firefighter.
"How do we turn them off? There is a switch isn't there? There has to be." Taylor looked to her counterpart.
"A switch? Why would we want to spank them?" A lascivious grin crossed her countenance. Xena didn't think that that would shut them up at all, if anything it would make matters worse.
Taylor looked to Xena guilty yet intrigued and not just a little amused. Mischievous blue eyes met in a moment of understanding. "Because they......." Taylor's comment was cut short.
Gabrielle having heard the remark turned and pointed an adamant finger at her lover. "Not a word from you warrior!"
Xena's blue eyes flickered with impostured innocence, hands to chest, "Me? But....."
"Yes you. Mouth shut."
"That goes for you as well, Taylor." Fiery green eyes sent warning darts at the firefighter.
"But, I didn't say anything." Her eyes were wide with feigned hurt.
"You didn't have to." Candace folded her arms and one accusatory eyebrow shot up.
"But....but.. She said it." Taylor pointed at Xena whose eyes screamed, "Tattle tale!"
"Tay, please! "Hello Kettle? Yes this is Pot. You're black." You two! Are we going to have to put up with this behavior for long?" Candace threw up her hands in frustration.
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Taylor snickered and Xena shook her head in warning. *Don't go there, Tay. They'll tear us apart.*
"Taylor." Candace growled.
"It was just.....I.......OK."
"You three run along. Find some warrior like thing to do. We'll be right here when you need us."
Xena noted the 'when' and not 'if' you need us, from her spouse. It figured.
"Now where were we?" She turned back to Gabrielle and the two blondes continued with the conversation not having lost a beat.
Skye thought the entire exchange odd to say the least but was enjoying the banter of the old friends. She sat quietly and shyly glanced back at the tall warrior who smiled at her sweetly.
"How do they do that?" Taylor looked at the warrior thinking maybe she had some insight of which she was unaware.
"They just do." That was it.
"Ah." Taylor sighed. Only one thing left to do. She turned to her twin, "Wanna get a beer?" It seemed warrior like to her.
"Beer?"
"Yeah, ale. Drink?"
"Ohhhh yeah. I could use a drink right about now. Come on. I'm buyin'"
"Good thing too as we have no money. Come on Terra you might as well join us. I can promise you that those three will be at it late into the night. Candace and the Regent have lots to catch up on. "
"I don't know Miss Taylor. I think I want to keep an eye out for Skye."
Xena put an understanding arm around the younger girl. "She'll be fine. Both Candace and Gabrielle are warriors." She pulled Terra along with her stride while the girl tried to keep an eye on her partner causing her to glance over Xena's shoulder. "Terra. She's fine. Relax."
"They won't hurt her?" Concern dripped from her voice.
"Of course not. I didn't give them permission." *How mean was that? I just hate when I'm honery. Good thing Gabrielle and Candace didn't hear me. I'd never hear the end of it.*
Terra turned sharply on Xena and pointed her finger. "YOU SAID...!"
"I know what I said! And you're not listening! If you want to treat me like a slaver, expect me to treat you as a slave." The hurt look in the girls eyes showed that this wasn't going well. The warrior shook her head and tried to find the right words to shake this poor creature out of her fear. "Terra look, I have had slaves before, you need to know that before someone else tells you. But, I changed. As a matter of fact I saved Gabrielle from slavers. It's my job now to keep her safe. I'd give my life to be sure all of you are kept safe. As far as I am concerned you are all my responsibility not my property. Nothing will happen to Skye. I promise."
"Of course. Thank you Miss Xena. I am sorry for insulting you." This whole situation was difficult for her to grasp but she would try! By Creighton, she would try!
"Apology accepted. And stop with the 'Miss' thing will ya. It's gettin' on my nerves." Terra grinned a little and nodded.
"Uh, Xena?"
"Yes, Taylor." She knew what was coming. *Damn that pride. Must be hereditary.*
"We are not all your responsibility, ya know. I can take care of myself." 'Big strong firefighter girl' had lots to learn.
Xena stopped and gathered her patience. She was frustrated but not to the point of action. Serious blue eyes lasered into matching blue, "Taylor, you don't have a clue as to the dangers you face here." Taylor tried to interrupt but Xena's hand stopped her. "This isn't a pissing contest, Taylor. If I were in your world you would say the same things to me. I know every pitfall, every warlord and every traitor between here and Athens. On top of that I know how to protect you and Candace and the rest of our group from them. And whether you want to hear this or not is of no consequence to me, but I knew and loved Candace long before you did. I still love her very much, that kind of thing doesn't just stop. I would die to protect her and because she loves you I would die to protect you as well. Its called honor." Seeing the look of jealousy on Taylor's sculptured face softened Xena's resolve slightly. "Don't worry. I have the love of my soulmate and she is all I need. You have the love of yours. Remember that. Taylor, take my advice, be sure your pride doesn't get you killed. I would hate for Candace to have to live without you." She left unspoken the knowledge of where Candace would end up should anything happen to Taylor. Xena had had both women before and having more than one wife was not unheard of.
Taylor stood toe to toe with the Warrior Princess for a long moment. The words angered her but she knew the truth of them. If they were to survive the tests before them, they would need a leader and as much as she hated to admit it that leader was Xena. Her answer was laced with icicles but it wasn't deadly, "Fine. Let's get a beer."
Xena swept her hand in front of her instructing Taylor to lead the way. The three sauntered slowly and very quietly inside the tavern.
Terra had watched the exchange not understanding all of the details. She did know that Xena was now head of this group and Taylor had just found that out. The former slave liked Taylor a lot but she wasn't sure about this Xena. She was strong that much was obvious but she reminded Terra of all the owners she had had in the past. She trusted what Gabrielle and Candace had said of the woman but she had yet to see proof of this loving manor. And what did it mean that Xena had loved Candace Before Taylor? Now there was a mystery. Terra had figured the way those two looked at each other that there had never been another for either of them. Interesting.
"Backus!" Xena yelled for the bar keep.
From directly behind the tall warrior a shaken voice answered, "Hades, Xe. Ya ain't gots ta yell. I heard ya."
"Sorry I didn't see ya there. We need three ales please. We'll be over there." She pointed to a table in the far corner of the room next to the fireplace.
"Right. You guys want food?"
"Anyone here hungry?"
Terra looked at the ground and scuffed her foot. She was hungry; she just wasn't used to this asking thing. She was used to being fed when she was told to eat. The young woman took a deep breath but nothing came out.
Taylor looked at her young companion, "Ter? You hungry?"
"Yes, Miss Taylor." There she said it. Shew!
Taylor shook her head at the title but said nothing. If Terra insisted on calling her that she would make an effort to get used to it. "I'm a little on the famished side myself. Hey, Xena. Why don't we have some dinner sent out to our..uh..the...um....girls?...while we're at it. "
"Bring us three plates of whatever you have back there and send three out to the table on the corner. Shall we ladies?" The three made their way to the table and Backus was right behind with their drinks.
"Think that would piss 'em off to hear? That I called them girls I mean."
"Piss them off?" Xena frowned.
"Yeah, You know. Tick 'em off royal."
"Well they are royalty. But tick 'em off?" She knew this must be some of the strange language Candace had indoctrinated them all with the last time she was here.
"Yeah. Make them angry. Piss them off." She was not having success here.
More new vocabulary compliments of the 21st century. Xena shook her head. "Ah. Calling them 'girls' might have an adverse effect I imagine. Let's do it and see what they say." A sly grin crossed her face at just the thought.
"I will but you first!" Taylor busted up. The older women took hearty drinks of their ale after they toasted themselves on their good humor.
The two had a good laugh as Terra watched and wondered at them. What was so funny she had no clue, but then she felt as if she didn't really have a clue to very much in this strange world. She would never dream of calling Skye a girl again. She would take her head off. Terra didn't get it. *She was a girl, wasn't she?* She took a swig of the strong smelling liquid and frowned at the taste. The minute the fire hit her belly she knew this was a taste she would enjoy.
Taylor saw the play of emotions criss-crossing the tall girl's face. "Terra? What's on your mind?"
"Well, Miss Taylor. I don't understand. I mean Skye's a girl right?"
"Well, I don't have first hand knowledge, but closest I can tell she is a female." Taylor and Xena exchanged knowing looks. If Skye was anything at all like her counter-parts this was a gimme.
"So, why is it that she gets so angry with me when I call her one?"
Taylor was taking a drink and almost spewed it across the room. She turned her head and stared at the girl with disbelief painted in her eyes.
"You mean you called her a girl.... to her face?" Xena wanted to laugh out loud but held it in check.
"Yes, ma'am. Is that wrong?" Terra really didn't understand and the confusion showed on her face.
"Oh Terra! You have no idea." Taylor slapped her hand to her forehead.
"BUT WHY?"
Xena stepped in. "She takes it as an insult, Terra. Being called a girl insinuates that she is weak."
"But, Skye is one of the strongest women I know. Did you see her muscles?"
"Not that kind of strength. Well, yes that, but calling her that makes her feel as if you think she can't do things for herself, by herself."
"But she needs me."
"As Candace needs Taylor and Gabrielle needs me. They just don't want us to think we think they need us."
"Huh?"
Taylor tried her hand at explaining women, "Look, they can all take very good care of themselves. They can even take good care of us, but they need us. Right? They do need us don't they?"
"No." Xena was right to the point. "If anything we need them."
"I hate when that happens." Taylor knew her friend was right.
"Get used to it."
"Mm."
"Excuse me Miss Xena. Why don't they need us?"
"Because, they just....don't." There was no way to explain this to the young woman. She would have to learn it on her own.
"But they are weak in other ways, right?" Terra was becoming more and more confused.
"Oh no no my friend. They are far from weak. They are the ones that keep us from getting ourselves killed most of the time." Xena thought back to times when she had not taken the risks because Gabrielle was in her heart.
"And keep us sane when we think we can't hold it together any longer."
"I know that much is true. There were times when I wanted to die for having to do the things I did. I don't like the killing. But I guess you get used to it after a while. Skye would tell me that I was still good, no matter what I had done."
Taylor's eyebrows pulled in tightly and she looked at Xena who was just as serious. Taylor spoke first, "Terra, why would you kill anyone?"
"I was trained to kill, Miss Taylor."
"Trained? But why?" Taylor beat Xena to the question.
"Eliminating other owners gave all the others higher status in the system. I carried out the 'elimination's' for my owners. It is what I specialized in."
"You are an assassin?" Taylor couldn't believe what she was hearing. She turned her eyes to Xena who was having the same trouble with this information.
"Yes. Skye is a pleasure slave, I am an....assassin. Although, Skye can kill if necessary. Her knowledge of the human anatomy gives her skill to kill with a touch, but she never did. She gives the best massages though....according to our owner. I am not surprised." The woman grinned at the thought of her friend.
Xena and Taylor were not as pleased with the conversation. It was disconcerting to know that the women they thought to be complete innocents were trained killers. Not a bad thing. Just unsettling.
"How did you......eliminate people? What methods did you use?" Xena wanted to know what they were dealing with here.
"Many ways, Miss Xena. Gun, knife, electrocution, hands, feet. I am able to make weapons from just about anything and I can make use of any weapon you see fit to put in my hands." Terra seemed a little uncomfortable talking about her work.
She didn't know what electrocution was but she didn't like the sound of it. "Can you protect yourself?"
"Of course. I am trained in several forms of martial arts. I also served as a body guard."
The food came to the table and the three hungry women began to eat in silence. Terra glanced up at the concerned look on the faces of the warrior and the firefighter.
"Have I made you angry?" She looked at both of her companions.
"No, Terra. It's just....well we thought...uh...we. Ooh boy." Taylor couldn't collect her thoughts enough to explain them.
Xena tried again, "We didn't realize you were so.... capable of defending you honor." There that sounded good.
"My honor?" Terra shook her head in the negative.
"That's kind of abstract. We just didn't think you knew anything about violence."
"I am a slave Miss Xena. I know first hand about violence."
"Yes, I suppose you do. I guess what I mean is that we are finding out new things about you all the time."
"And that's bad."
"No. Just new." The warrior wasn't having any luck explaining her thoughts to Terra any more than she was having trying to understand them.
The three women ate and drank their dinner and drinks in relative silence allowing all of the days events coalesce. It had been emotional to say the least and it was about to become more so. Three sets of blue eyes glanced up at a sudden noise coming from the front door of the inn. Three blonde heads entered and were followed closely by four large Amazon warriors. Gabrielle's eyes searched until they found those of her warrior. Xena was shocked at the grief she saw seated in the depths of emerald. Candace was struck by sorrow as well and had tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Taylor leapt to her feet and rushed to the entrance right behind Xena. Terra went to Skye and escorted her to one side not understanding what was going on.
"Gabrielle? What's wrong? Why are these warrior's here? Is it Mother?" Xena's concern shown in her eyes
"No, love. Your mother is fine. It's....it's....oh gods....." She began to cry again and threw herself into Xena's arms. Xena looked at Candace. "What's going on?"
The blonde unburied herself from Taylor's chest. "It's Senar. She was killed in battle four days ago."
"Oh no. Oh no." Xena swallowed hard and tears formed in her eyes. "Poor Ephiny." Xena looked to the warriors standing behind them. "What happened, Reece?"
A tall black haired woman with eyes as dark as midnight stepped forward. Her sharp features were deeply etched with pain. She bowed and then stood at attention while she addressed Xena, "Your Highness, there was a warlord name of Creighton who tried to take control of the northern territory. We sent out a small scouting party with Senar in the lead. We came in from the west to cover our approach. But........It was as if they knew we were coming. We were ambushed at the top of Creshe pass. Senar fought bravely but there were just too many of them. I don't understand how they knew. There is no way we were followed that pass is too narrow and the cover is heavy. I swear by Artemis they knew we were coming."
Xena thought back to the incident with Kayla. "Is it possible they were informed?"
"No. It was under wraps. Only the six of us and Ephiny knew. We have learned our lesson about security."
Candace turned to the warrior who stared at her in shock. They had been outside before and she hadn't seen the features of the woman before her. "Candace?" Realization hit her and she bowed again. "Your highness, I didn't realize it was you. Please forgive me. But, Gabrielle is.....and you are.....and. I think I am confused."
"You think?" Xena smirked in spite of the mood.
"No. I am pretty sure. But, she is royalty so I don't really care." Reece knew it didn't matter at this point.
"Oh. Good answer. You will make big points with that." Taylor knew her partner.
"Are you insinuating something?" Candace was no in the mood for jokes and the comment felt scathing though it was meant as a tease.
"No, love." Taylor became soft in her approach. "Sorry, I know this isn't the time for that." She pulled her lover closer to her side.
"Duh." Candace nudged her in forgiveness. "Reece, so what you are saying is that you think they knew you were coming you just don't know how they knew."
"In a nut shell, yes."
*In a nut shell?* Xena shook her head. They were all still living with the impact of Candace's previous visit, but the only time one realized it was when they were with the Amazons.
"Xe? Gabrielle? Could you guys..." She motioned them away from the group.
Terra and Skye stood silently and watched the proceeding. All the bowing and saluting and the standing at attention was confounding them. Who were these women that they should be treated with such respect? They both knew what the other was thinking. Everything they saw pointed to them being Owners but their actions were in complete contrast to that notion. They hoped that soon they would understand what and who these people were and thus know how to act.
The four women formed a small circle and three sets of eyes turned to Candace.
"OK. This is going to sound weird, but this is not right."
Gabrielle frowned at her twin, "It's not right that it's weird?"
"No no no. This whole thing isn't right." The short singer sighed heavily.
Xena wanted more of an explanation. "Not right how, exactly."
"For one thing we're here and the kids are here."
"Kids?" The green eyes of the bard seemed perplexed.
Candace pointed with the side of her head in the direction of Terra and Skye who smiled back at them. The four older women smiled and waved and the four Amazons looked around at each other trying to figure out if there was a twins convention going on.
"They're not really kids, Cand. They're almost 20." Taylor pointed out.
"I know, but they seem like children to me."
"Yeah. Children of the Corn maybe." It was meant as an aside comment but her lover heard it and gave her a strange look. "I'll tell ya later. Go on."
"I shouldn't tell you this, but since it's already a totally whacked out situation it shouldn't be that big of a deal. And on top of that it might or might not mess things up more. So I suppose I could just......"
"Candace!" Taylor and Xena bellowed in unison.
Candace winced and Gabrielle was thankful it wasn't her on the bad end of the warrior frustration stick.
"Geez! You don't need to raise your voice....es."
"Honey, the point?" Taylor calmly addressed her lover.
"OK. Look, I have been studying the scrolls with Dr. Jan and I don't think Senar is supposed to be dead."
"She's not?" Gabrielle was incredulous. "Well then why in the Gods names is she?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Candace stared at Gab.
"Rhetorical?" Gab stared back.
"Never mind. Look this is all wrong. We went to bed two days ago and woke up here," She moved her hands back and forth in front of her just in case someone didn't know exactly where here was. "Then we come down those stairs to find that not one but five years have passed and our younger but totally f'd up counterparts are here from a future further in the future than we are, with no clue at all. THEN Senar is dead, who isn't supposed to be. Not to mention that time thing Taylor, Skye and Terra and I all felt this afternoon."
"You FELT that?" Xena was shocked now. They had figured that they were the only ones that had noticed it.
Gabrielle blushed at the comment. She had certainly FELT it. She grinned. Xena looked to see where the added heat was coming from only to find that it was her lovers face warming her side.
Candace gave her friend a sideways glance but continued, "We were showing Terra and Skye the great outdoors, down by the lake, and time just kinda skipped a beat. Doubled up."
"Yeah, but I think it was more like a hiccup. A repeat." Taylor glanced at her lover who gave her an affirmative nod.
"Exactly! What an awesome thing that was!" Gabrielle grinned widely as the rest of the group stared at her with three arched eyebrows. One was more than slightly amused.
"What?"
"Nothing, Gab. We'll talk later." Candace grinned at her friend and vowed to get all the sordid details later.
"Did you ask anyone if they noticed that little 'hiccup'." Xena was working on a theory.
"I asked Toris, but he thought I was a nutcase."
"Not surprising, love." Taylor couldn't resist ribbing her lover just a little.
"Oh, ha ha. I think we were the only ones that noticed it. Or maaaybe we're the only ones it effected. That's why we're here and....and...well, I don't know what."
"Did you ask the girls if they noticed it?"
Taylor and Candace looked at each other and answered in unison, "No."
"Maybe we should. That way we know if it's just us four or what."
"Good idea, Xe." Candace turned to the young women and motioned for them to join the group.
The girls were happy to be finally included in the collection of women. Their grins stretched almost ear to ear.
Candace addressed the, "Did you guys notice any thing strange this afternoon?"
Skye came close to jumping out of her skin and a violent blush rush up her neck to her face. *How did they find out?* She tried to get the warmth running through her under control, but to no avail. A small whimper came from the blonde's throat.
The remainder of the group looked at her and Candace wasn't sure what the problem was but didn't think that whatever it was that was bothering her should be shared with the rest of the women.
"Excuse us for a second." She placed a comforting arm around the young woman and led her away a short distance. "Skye, would you like to talk about it?"
Tears started to stream down the young girls face. "Oh Miss Candace. I don't know if I can."
"Anything you have to say to me stays right here, with us. OK?"
"OK. This afternoon something strange did happen. I....I had this dream....and....I had these....feelings...."
*Ohhhh.* Candace smiled at Skye and hugged her. "That's enough, Skye. We can talk about this later when you're ready to talk about it. OK. What I meant about strange is that the rest of us felt a time jump. Like a hiccup. Understand?"
"Oh yes. I had just woken up from my.......nap. Terra was there and then she was there again."
"Yep. That's it." She led Skye back to the group who was milling around like lost sheep.
"Well, ladies we have something going on. Skye felt it."
"Terra, too. What is it?" Taylor sounded curious and a little worried.
"I don't know, sweetheart. Stands to reason that it has to do with us. But what it is....dunno."
The tall warrior didn't know 'what' either but she was determined to find out. "We need to go to the village no matter what we think is going on. Fact is Senar is dead now, right or wrong. Like it or not."
"Even if things aren't right, how do we know if they can be put that way?" Taylor was making the logical statement of the case. They had to go with how things were and not how Candace or anyone else thought they should be.
A quietness fell over the small gathering as the reality set in once again. They had a funeral to attend.
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Cont,........