The Xena and Gabrielle XXX Scrolls is a series of ALTERNATE writings which cover the same issues from both the Warrior Princess and her Bard's point of view. Each part is a story unto itself, and some will follow along with various episodes of the series, while others may not. Most, if not all, of the scrolls will feature explicit sex, and each will contain its own specific disclaimer. Enjoy!

And please, send feedback to the deuce92@gibsoncounty.net. We are really curious as to how our readers feel about our
interpretations.

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle, Cyrene, Athena, Ares, Eve, Alanus, Argo, and any villagers of Amphipolis do not belong to us.
We are just borrowing them for a while, and return them all unharmed, although Xena and Gabrielle will be a lot happier.

Violence: Just a tad...nothing gruesome.

Language: English...oh, uh, I mean nothing coarse or offensive

Sex: Uh...yep! Fairly explicit too. You know the rhetoric, if females having sex with other females offends you, OR if you are
under the age of 18, best be moseying along. There's a small amount of male/female sex as well.

Spoilers: Amphipolis Under Siege, Eternal Bonds, and Seeds of Faith.

Author's Notes: There are two scrolls for each part of the series. One is from Xena's point of view, the other is from Gabrielle's point of view. One of the authors believes Xena and Gabrielle were lovers on the show. The other doesn't, but has a healthy imagination. Can you figure out which is which?
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After almost a year of wearing leather trousers and the heavy shirt, it feels great to be dressed in my leathers again. More than
ever, it makes me appreciate the freedom of movement the battle skirt allows me. I asked Gabrielle to watch Eve just so I
could take a run and stretch my muscles…I have completely recovered from Eve's delivery and am ready to take on just about
anything.

I had no sooner said something to that effect to Gabrielle, than trouble began brewing. We learned travelers on the road to
Amphipolis, were having difficulty getting to the town, my hometown. No one could say who was causing the trouble, but I
figured it wouldn't take long for us to get to the bottom of things.

Now that we have a baby to protect, Gabrielle and I have had to adjust our fighting styles. We could have hidden Eve, and
checked out the situation together, but something smelled of a trap to me, so I asked Gabrielle to keep an eye on Eve while I
looked in to the situation. There was no one else I would trust my baby's life to.

At first, I suspected Ares. He has been nothing but persistent lately, after his visit with me in Tartarus. I still haven't found the
right words to tell Gabrielle about what happened there…I just don't know how to do it. Ares is lying, manipulative, and
deceptive, but at the same time, there's something in his attitude as of late that leads me to believe he really is making an effort
to change. His trying to seduce Gabrielle into accepting godhood is still a bitter recent memory, however, and not one that's
bound to go away any time soon. I know how Gabrielle would respond if I told her how persistent Ares has been. He's
claiming he loves me, and we have had so many trials lately, I don't want to upset her further. The series of dreams I had while
Gabrielle was helping Joxer get an antidote for the poison he had gotten from one of Apollo's priests…well, it will be a LONG
time before I can discuss that with her. Looking back at it, I know Ares was just playing mind games with me, but the truth is,
the dreams weren't unpleasant at all; in fact, they were just the opposite, and that disturbs me perhaps more than anything. The
Ares in the dreams was loving, attentive, and warm…and very much to my liking. I dunno, I think my emotions are all out of
whack from Eve's birth. There's no way I could feel any genuine feelings for him, is there?

But enough about that. The road in question was owned by: Prince Dameron, and it was a toll road. Toll roads were rare in
these parts, but not one grumbled about the half-dinar price Dameron demanded. He was a fair king, and used most of the
money to take care of the poor…a tradition following Princess Diana's footsteps, I might add.

I was still some distance away when I spotted the trouble. The men working the toll road were under attack. At least one of the men was already injured, and as I drew nearer, I'm sure I chuckled under my breath. The attackers were women, dressed in the most atrocious silver gods-be-damned outfits I have ever seen. I lost my humor immediately, and flipped to a defensive
position in front of the men. I used my chakram to deflect the immediate arrow barrage. Not surprisingly, all the arrows were
aimed at me.

It soon became evident that these women were fairly well trained, and although one of them appeared to be the troop leader, I
still sensed that she worked for another. I drew my sword and squared off with her. She wasn't bad, but it wasn't long before I
had sliced a gash across her face. Her look of astonishment would have been funny, if it weren't for the situation I was in. The
woman signaled a retreat.

I turned to the injured guard, who was already telling me he didn't know who the women were. Judging from the gaudy design
of their outfits, I suspected involvement by the God of War.

I had barely spoken his name when he appeared before me. He didn't stay long…just long enough to tell me it wasn't his
doings, and to reiterate the vow he had already made to me. Whether or not I wanted Gabrielle to know was now beside the
point; she was standing right next to me and had heard everything.

Ares could be a manipulative scheming bastard, but rarely would he come out with a bold-faced lie. I pulled the arrow from the injured man, and examined it. It was a design I had only seen on temples before, but suddenly, everything made perfect sense to me. Only Athena would have the nerve to dress her warriors in such ridiculous outfits. I had long ago chosen the design of my own leathers, and had opted for a short skirt rather than breeches. It left my legs free for kicks and flips, but a tiny part of me was also aware that my long thighs would serve as a distraction to some opponents. It worked. And Athena's army seemed dressed solely to serve as a similar distraction. If the glint off the silver material didn't serve to blind the enemy first.

After sewing up the injured man, I strapped Eve on my back, and Gabrielle and I made our way toward Amphipolis. It was
only about a half-hour's ride. I could have guessed what the main topic of conversation was going to be.

"Ares just won't give up, will he?" Gabrielle asked. To others, it might seem non-challant. But I knew what she was driving at.

I snapped back that she knew he was, and then told her I wasn't worried about him. It was Athena that we had to worry
about.

I can't blame her for asking though. And she knew when I snapped, it wasn't because I was angry with her. Thank the gods this little bard accepts me the way I am! I had railed for so long about not giving my love to anyone again, that is was my first
instinct to protect my heart, even after all Gabrielle and I had shared. Gabrielle knows my heart lies with hers though, but I am
too much a warrior not to avoid those issues that make me speak what I feel deep down. I try and try to let her know my love
is for her alone, and trust she knows me well enough to believe me.

Gabrielle asked if I had ever met Athena. I hadn't, but that always kind of surprised me, since I had been a warrior for so long.
When I was starting down that path though, Ares had been after me since day one, and I guess that's why Athena never got
involved with my career, if you can call it that. I was a good tactician, but in my younger days, I wasn't exactly known for my
wisdom, so I don't think I was ever her type.

Gabrielle was eyeballing me funny, picking up on my double meaning. She let it go though, instead asking me if it was true that I was named after Athena. It wasn't…it was just coincidence that our names rhymed. Eve started to fret then, and I began to
hum, knowing that and Argo's steady gait would lull her to sleep. Gabrielle knew I was done talking for now, and mercifully, let
the conversation drop.

Perhaps it wasn't so merciful though, because I felt the old doubts begin to cloud my mind. I should be focused on the job at
hand, but I wondered now what Gabrielle was thinking about me. I glanced over at her, and sure enough, her huge green eyes
were studying me. She caught my look, and raised her eyebrows in a questioning gesture, as though she knew she had been
caught staring, and then broke into that nose wrinkling grin that can melt me every time. She is so precious to me! And, by the
gods, what a beauty! She is constantly telling me how beautiful I am, but I'm used to my looks…I can never get used to
hers…she takes my breath away regularly. That golden light hair, the sparkling emerald eyes, that clear, perfect skin, that firm,
compact little body…Gods, I need Gabrielle's help in describing her own magnificence. She'd get a kick out of that!

Amphipolis certainly wasn't on the alert when we arrived a while later. My last few visits there have been calm and restorative
to the relationship between the villagers and myself. Therefore, I wasn't surprised when a murmur went up as we approached
my mother's tavern.

She must have heard the crowd too, for she was meeting us while we were still a few houses away. Gabrielle unstrapped Eve
from my back, and mom latched on to her in no time. A bunch of thoughts were rushing through my head…I wanted to
treasure this first meeting of Grandmother and Granddaughter…But the people of Amphipolis were in imminent danger…and
still, I couldn't help but think what a wonderfully willing babysitter Mom would be, and it would allow Gabrielle some much
needed time alone. I put the more pleasant thoughts aside, however, and focused on the task at hand, namely, getting
Amphipolis ready for what was to come.

Mom took Eve into the house, leaving Gabrielle and I some time to check out the situation. Within half a day, Athena' s troops,
which, of course, included the silver-plaited archers, as well as the Athenian Elite Forces, would be close enough to Amphipolis to attack. By the time the sun set tonight, my hometown could be decimated, or at the very least, under siege, unless I could think of a solution.

I called for an impromptu town meeting, wanting to alert the villagers as to what may lie ahead. I'm used to public speaking; I've probably done more of it than even my Gabrielle, but the type I'm used to is inciting my troops into a frenzy; preparing them for conquering the next village. I shudder when I think of the speeches I made…the promises I made that I always kept. I find myself speechless when Gabrielle, then my mother speaks up on my behalf. Before, I felt so alone, and I preferred it that way. But now, having Gabrielle and Mom echoing my thoughts is far more fulfilling. It was THEIR words that brought the village together…I was just there to add a little visual reinforcement.

The village was behind us…once again Amphipolis was putting itself in my hands to save them from the villains. But we weren't
going up against Cortese this time…we were going up against one of the Greek gods who was holding them hostage because
of MY, no make that OUR baby. Incredible! And I chalk that up to the magic of Gabrielle. I know it's her innocent presence
that convinced the people that what I was asking for was for the greater good. They loved Gabrielle as if she were a native; and her standing beside me was the only thing that allowed them to put their trust in me.

I had to think quickly. There were many plans to make. I knew how I wished the scenario would go, but was hesitant to bring it up to my love. Not surprisingly, she embraced my plans willingly and convinced me she thought it was for the best. She would lead the troops on the battlefield, while I took a few men and worked my way through the tunnels of Amphipolis, hoping to incite an appearance by Athena, or at the least, her silver-clad second in command.

It worked, far better than I had ever envisioned, no doubt thanks to my golden bard. My thoughts were on the battle overhead, but Alanis, as I learned her name was, made the appearance I was hoping for, and it was easy enough for me to trick her into collapsing the tunnels Athena's troops could have used to infiltrate the city. When Athena figures out what happened, I wonder how she'd feel about her second? The second the tunnels were shut down, I rushed to the battlefield. I hadn't counted on that explosion being so powerful, but there was Gabrielle, uninjured, grinning proudly at me. It was time to set phase two into motion, so I asked her to come back to the tavern with me, so I could discuss with her what I was envisioning.

Zeus, that girl is distracting! I can't blame her though; we had so little private time lately. She settled herself in my lap and gave
me a kiss I felt to the point of my toes. More than anything, I wanted to roll her over on her cute little backside and ease my
fears between her thighs, but I couldn't. She knew that, and contented herself with just kissing me, not stroking the places she
knew would cause me to take control. But now, even her kisses were hazing my brain. She has no idea what she does to me!

I told her what I had to do…and it hurt her, like I knew it would. She cried a little, and the ache in my heart was nearly my
undoing. I had to be a consummate actress during my work with Ares, and now, all I wanted to do was lay here and convince
Gabrielle over and over again that my love was for her, and no one else. I asked the question again, how could she continue to
trust me after all we've been through? But she just snuggled me and told me she knew I loved her. And that she loved
me…regardless.

The plans were made, and this time I kissed her, letting her know with my mouth and eyes that her trust in me was well
founded. Tears were stinging my own eyes as I left her there, to move on to the next step.

Ares temple…a place I tried to avoid at all costs. Yet here I was, steeling myself, trying to rein my passion for Gabrielle as I
switched gears. I had to weave my web carefully, as Ares knew me very well. I took a deep breath and called his name, and
he was there instantly.

That man should have been the god of lust. I suppose war is lust, but he does things to my lower body that I'm ashamed to
admit. I didn't lie to Gabrielle when I said I felt something. I ALWAYS felt something when Ares was that close to me, his hot
breath in my hair, his lips in turn compliant and demanding against mine. I was shocked when he stepped back suddenly, telling
me he wasn't falling for it. He saw the shock in my eyes, and his curiosity kicked in. Now was Gabrielle's turn to complete the
deception…and there was no one else I had more faith in.

She must have been even more convincing than I dreamed. I had barely had time to get my clothes off and he was back in the
temple, slamming his hands into a table as he tried to sort out what he had just learned. Oh, how I would have liked to have
heard what Gabrielle had said to him! I smiled a secret smile, and then reveled in his capture in my seduction. Despite the
widespread tales, I had never disrobed just for him before. And this was a battlefield I had never lost on.

He approached meaningfully. He believed me now, and wanted to take me before he fulfilled his part of the deal. He stepped
so close I could feel his maleness against my thigh. He was too distracting…the throb between my legs was urging me to give in already, and I couldn't do that. I turned the tables.

I felt his frustration as I stalled him once, twice, three times. I had to stretch this out as Gabrielle had been so convincing it took
far less time than intended to arrive at this point. On a whim, I thought I'd show him a little bit of my own personal power, so
after making him swear to protect Eve, I grabbed him and threw him on the nearby divan. Before he had a chance to recover, I pounced on him.

Gods, breastfeeding Eve has done incredible things to my breasts. My throbbing nipples rasped through his coarse chest hair
and my resistance was slipping already. I pulled up a bit, and then arched my back to bend down and inflame his nipple a little
with my teeth. There, that ought to show him.

I figured Gabrielle wouldn't object to my kissing him, as long as there was no more, and I wanted to be true to her, so that's
what I limited myself to. That didn't stop his hands from roaming freely over my body, but I focused on his delicious lips, and
continued to stall with interruptions until the appointed explosion blew out the side of the temple wall. Perfect timing by my bard too, as that firm erection pressed against my stomach was looming more and more in my imagination.

Getting through those moments with Ares was the toughest part of the whole plan for me. The rest was easy…I was far more
adept on the real battlefield. I didn't want to have to kill Alanis; above all else she was courageous and totally devoted to
Athena. And Athena loved her, there was no doubt. But there was no other way. I would go to any lengths to protect my own
love, and knowing Eve was safe with Mom, did nothing to allay my fear for Gabrielle's well being. We won. Athena lost.
Ares…well, he knew I had deceived him, but he wasn't surprised. Our history is full of deception, trickery, and moments of
sincerity. We'd see him again, of that there was no doubt.

Amphipolis wanted to hold a celebration in our honor, but I wasn't in the mood for a public spectacle. We settled for a
home-cooked meal, and a little quiet time with Mom. Mom has never come right out and spoken of the relationship of Gabrielle and myself, but I wasn't surprised when she asked if she could take Eve for the night. I didn't have to look at Gabrielle to know how her face would express her thoughts, but I did anyway, just because I enjoy it so. I heard her soft gasp, and knew my own expression was one that always made her respond. I croaked out some response to Mom, and tried to finish the meal casually I doubt if I fooled anyone.

I certainly didn't fool Eve, who did her best not to fall asleep, as I rocked her. She loved Gabrielle as her own mommy, but
whenever she felt the two of us were neglecting her for our own time together, she often protested. I whispered to her as
Gabrielle helped Mom clean up. I told her of my love for both of my girls and how she'd grow up with the love of two
mommies, and what a lucky little girl she was. After a while, her eyelids grew heavy and I felt I had won another battle.

I stood in the doorway watching Gabrielle and Mom for a moment. Gabrielle was more comfortable around my mother than I
was. But when I asked Gabrielle if she was ready to go up, I could see her mind was lying elsewhere. It was time to go
upstairs.

It was these times when I knew I had really changed. Before, a battle served to turn my blood to fire, and create in me an
insatiability that caused me to conquer whomever was in my bed. Not so with my little bard. She returned whatever I gave with a perfectly matched fire of her own, but I found I usually didn't want to make her scream for release. No, a soft sigh of my
name from her lips was my goal.

I took a moment to just look at her, sorting my feelings in my head and drinking in the exquisiteness that was my Gabrielle. I
had teased her a bit about my time alone with Ares. But she knew it was teasing and that I hadn't been unfaithful to her. Now, I would prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. I would lay myself in her hands, and prove to her that she was the only one in
my heart.

Standing above her, I silently thanked the gods who made her once again. She was so perfectly sized, compact and lithe. I
quivered as I finally leaned in and claimed her lips. They were so sweet, so soft beneath mine, and fluttered open naturally, so I
could delve into the depths of her mouth even as my mind was falling into the depths of her eyes. I wanted desperately to
please her, to give myself completely to her and show her how much I loved her for trusting me. I reined in my passion and
concentrated on the kiss, our mouths working together, speaking volumes, without uttering more than soft little moans.

I heard her whisper for me to make love to her. Oh yes, I planned on doing that and much more. I picked her up and she
sighed a little, her head snuggling against the skin of my neck. She loved it when I used my strength like this, and so did I. I
carried her to the bed and began the pleasurable task of undressing her. I caressed each expanse of skin as I bared it. Her skin
was so perfect, not riddled in the scars I carried. And the color, it shone in the candlelight! My mouth watered to rub itself
along her soft contours. Gods, she was perfect!

I had removed my armor earlier, before dinner, but now didn't find myself wanting to finish undressing. I wanted to feel my bard against my own bare skin, but the scent wafting toward me suddenly made me famished again. But she had different plans, and as I joined her on the bed, I felt her eager little hands skillfully removing my clothes. I gave her a few seconds to do
that…sometimes we are far more leisurely with our stripping, but tonight, there was too much urgency.

I had to touch her…had to. But she was so tense, and I knew the events of the harrowing day and her unanswered questions
were tightening up her body. "Let me massage your back," I said, and I did so, as sensuously as I could. She was writhing on
the bed, and for a moment, I ground against her, trying to ease that itch that had settled at my core. I would have been content
to continue like this, just imagining the expressions of joy on her face, but she turned over, and I knew what she wanted. I
pressed my body into hers, my hips cradled between her luscious thighs and our mouths met again.

I was spiraling so fast, and she was willing to let me do what I wanted. A joke we often shared involved who got to reach their
peak first, and which was best. Truth is, I found my climaxes far more satisfying when I knew my bard had already reached her pinnacle at least once…and she didn't seem to mind. She wanted me to make love to her, and letting her know I was ready to do so, I slid my hands lower.

Gods, she didn't know her hands were nearly changing my plans entirely. They found my engorged breasts, and began rubbing
my nipples which sent answering tugs to my sopping center. I had to pull away from those devious digits, and whispered I
wanted to taste her, knowing that promise would cause her to release me so I could move between her thighs. It worked,
thankfully, or my whole plan would have to be changed.

I have tasted many heavenly things…ambrosia, honey-dripped strawberries, the lips of a god…but nothing compares to the
taste of my bard's arousal. Salty and sweet, musky and rich, her juices filled my mouth and ran over my chin. She was so
responsive to my tongue, and her breath caught in seconds. I wonder if she knows that her nose wrinkles when she reaches her fulfillment? Gods, I love her! I pulled myself back up, knowing that was far too brief, but we had a whole night ahead of us. I could feel her wetness meeting my own, and pressed my ache tighter to her, catching her clitoris on my pubic bone. As she
tasted herself on my mouth, she wriggled beneath me and came again, sending her to a higher peak. I heard my name, just the
way I wanted to.

As much as I love her covering my body with her own when she loves me, I find something very erotic about her pleasuring me
from below. She could feel my arousal pouring out against her, and she urged me on my hands and knees above her. She gave
me freedom of movement as she pressed her face to my center. Her hands were doing amazing things to my backside and
legs…how far she has come! I thought I was a master at controlling my body, but the bard did things to me that took me
beyond control. Her tempestuous little tongue, those devious little hands, she teased me until I thought my heart had stopped.

And then she continued, causing my climax to thunder out of me before I was deterred again. She drank all I had to give, her
mouth making little contented noises against me. I felt my legs and arms going rubbery, any feelings I might have felt for Ares
were long forgotten, as long as my bard was holding me.

I collapsed on her, and would have been content to stay that way forever. She felt so good under me, but she had other
plans…she knew I was hers…forever…but I guess she wanted to make me reaffirm the fact. I don't blame her…we all need a
little reassurance now and then.

She pushed me to the back and began touching me, the whole time her eyes locked with mine. Much has been made of my
blue eyes, but how can I begin to describe the emotions her green eyes showed? The depths of her passion, the depths of her
trust, the depths of her love all washed over me in those seconds that her hands made love to me. Her fingers lingered between
my thighs, and she pleasured my clitoris until there was no doubt who the master was here. Her mouth pleasured my breasts,
then pressed to mine once more. I came again, this time moaning out HER name, and I felt her satisfaction in knowing I was
hers. She laid her body on mine, and let me recover; whispering over and over again that she loved me. I wish I was better with words…but that is one of HER many, many skills. All I could say, over and over, was "I'll love you for eternity."

And I will.

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I hold our child and feel complete. I call her ours, because Xena is the other half of my soul. My heart has never been so full,
because Xena and Eve are the most important things in the world to me.

Watching her fight still gives me a rush-her warrior skills and instincts are unbelievable at times. I trust her with all that I am. She is my protector, my provider, and my teacher. She is, without a doubt, the love of my life. I can't imagine feeling this way about anyone else, ever. That's how I know that this love we share is true, and right. When I married Perdicus, I didn't realize the depth of all things. I loved him, but not to this extent. I wasn't yet capable, and possibly may have never been. That is something I will never know for sure, but I'm confident that I could never love anyone the way I love her.

It seems that Athena's archers have initiated the attack today. They are no match for my Warrior. Still, I wonder what, or who,
is behind it all? There is always that little bit of fear when we encounter an enemy, especially since Eve's arrival. Hopefully when we get to Amphipolis and settle whatever conflict we are about to discover, Xena and I will be able to have at least one
evening alone. It's been too long since I've had the chance to cater to her needs, and if Cyrene will watch Eve for us, I'll be able to do just that.

Damn it! Ares is appearing way too often for my comfort these days. I can't help but think that Ares has some sort of affect on
Xena. He is, after all, very handsome and quite charming when he wants to be. I feel a bit jealous, but I know that her heart is
true. Even if he tempts her, I don't think she'd betray our love. If so, she would tell me. As much as it would hurt, I'd rather
know than find out later.

"What did he say to you?" I asked as we rode along on horseback to Amphipolis. "Ares is still making the offer concerning
giving him a child. But you know I'd never do that." "Yeah, I know, but Xena, you can't even let him think for one minute that
you would be willing to ever be on his side. Promise me that no matter what happens, you will always do what's good and
what's right." Looking at me with those clear, blue eyes, she melted my heart and put to rest the insecurity rising within me.
"Gabrielle, you are my only love. You and Eve are all I ever need. But Ares is the only help we have against the other Olympian Gods who want Eve dead. Try not to worry…I'll think of something."

I tried shifting my focus to the beautiful day and my beautiful warrior, thinking of how I wanted to make love to her when we
finally got the chance to be alone. By the Gods, I love her more than I can say. My quill falls short in telling how I feel about this woman. Making the decision to leave Potadeia was the best thing I ever did. My parents must know that something has to
motivate my drive to put my life in constant jeopardy…they don't understand why I'm not content to stay with them and settle
down to a "normal" life, but the thrill of being with her, fighting with her, and loving her is not able to be compared with what
they choose for me. I could never be happy there, especially without Xena. I'd rather choose Death than live without her a
single day.

Riding into Amphipolis awakened me from my daydreaming. I could tell that Xena has been concentrating on the tasks ahead
and how she will maneuver against Athena's strategies. She's got to keep Ares on her side, but without crossing the line of
what's true in her own heart. Considering that the life of her child is on the line, I can accept anything that she has to do. What
could be more important?.

"It's about time I met my beautiful new granddaughter", Cyrene said with the biggest smile I've ever seen on her face. She is
always welcoming us with open arms whenever we arrive, and that is so refreshing to see and feel. Xena tells her that everyone
is in danger and I can see the great concern on her face.

Meeting with the townsfolk proved to be a positive thing, even after Athena herself appeared and demanded that Xena hand
over Eve. We split up-with me leading the men in battle against Athena's army and Xena traveled underground to sneak behind
Athena's forces. Xena realized that she would have to agree to deal with Ares. When she told me that Alanis, Athena's chief
archer, had cut them off in the tunnels below the city, I knew she'd be forced to bargain with Ares for contingency plans.

We had quickly moved our things to one of the rooms in her mother's tavern before the town meeting. I begged her for just a
little time before we started another attack. She agreed, and I knew I only had moments to remind her that I would be waiting
for her when she got back. Shutting the door behind us, I led her to the bed and motioned for her to sit down. "Gabrielle, this is not the time…" Stopping her speech with my mouth, I softly covered her lips with mine and we immediately were lost to the
world. I had missed her this afternoon, and climbing upon her, I sat across her lap and simply relished her warm mouth in mine,
feeling her tongue interlace with mine. She softly moaned and I immediately became wet from the passion we shared. It was
much more than physical, this passion I write of. It's the passion of souls, being knit together more closely every day.

Realizing we had little time to devise a plan, I had to refrain myself from going any further. I took her face in my hands and
couldn't control the tears…"Please remember that I'll be right here waiting for you…whatever you have to do…I understand.
Just please come back to me." The look she gave me was worth more than anything she could have said. I knew without a
doubt that I was her soul mate, and the love we shared in that brief moment was more meaningful than a thousand orgasms. "I
will…I'll meet you back here and we will finish this…maybe we'll make our own baby tonight."

I had to concentrate on implementing our plan more than my emotions. I watched her go and tried to reassure myself that this
plan was going to work and we'd be in each other's arms again soon. Letting your lover go to possibly be with someone else,
even if for business purposes only and for the life of your child, is a hard thing to do. Still, it's the right thing-the greater
good-and I am so glad to know that she loves me just as much.

Finally, it was over. I regretted that any blood had to be shed, or even one life lost. True, that's the price of going into battle,
but I was just so happy that it was over. I didn't ask a lot of detail, because at the time I didn't really care. All that mattered to
me was having Xena back, and knowing that Eve was safe.

Cyrene was on her way to prepare dinner for us, and Xena decided to put Eve down for a nap. I went ahead to our room to
wash up so I could help with dinner. I had missed Xena terribly. Never being fully certain that she is going to return each time
she had to leave seemed to haunt my thoughts more often than not. I guess having a child who is completely dependent on you
changes the outlook of your daily life-and we never know when we are going to face life-threatening situations. In a way, it
made me sad that I lived with more fear than usual. Life used to be simpler, or maybe I have grown up. Probably a little of
both.

I didn't hear the door to our room shut. At the same time her scent filled the air, I felt those familiar long arms wrap around me
as she came to the water basin behind me. It felt so good for her to hold me. I knew this love was real, and it was forever. All
that mattered was having Xena's body next to mine at this very moment, and feeling her strength and her love made me feel safe and happy…how could I ever be whole without her? Hating to the break the moment, we decided to hurry and help Cyrene with the chores and to spend some time with Eve.

During dinner, I couldn't help but look at Xena and fall in love with her all over again. The light by the lanterns and candles
certainly gave her dark hair a shimmering glow, and her eyes were truly windows to her soul. I feasted more from her looks
than from the delicious meal her mother had made for us.

Cyrene broke the foreplay and asked, "Do you mind if Eve stays with me tonight? It's been too long since I've got to care for a
baby, and I'm sure you girls are exhausted from this very long day." It was all I could do to keep from taking Xena by the hand
and running upstairs…but I refrained and simply smiled and looked at Xena, asking without a word if it would be okay with
her. Xena looked at me with "that look", letting me know that it would be quite awhile before we went to sleep for the night.
"Sure, Mom. We would really appreciate it, and I'm sure Eve would love the company of her grandmother." Cyrene seemed
pleased, and I helped clear the dishes while Xena rocked Eve to sleep.

I rinsed and dried the dishes as Cyrene washed them. "You two certainly look very happy together," Cyrene said as she
handed me a plate. It caught me off guard, and I didn't really know how to reply. It was spoken with a certain gentleness and
even gratitude. "We are. Very happy."

"Gabrielle, are you ready for bed?" I heard my darling say from the doorway to the kitchen. "Yep, we're just finishing up…" my shaking voice replied. Cyrene looked at me with a certain little smile, and it was clear that she knew how we felt about one
another, yet without hostility or judgment. Gods, I don't think I had ever been more ready to be loved by my warrior princess.

Xena quietly closed the door and I knew that she was ready to let herself go…completely. It had been quite some time since
we had enjoyed this kind of luxury-the privacy of our own room, with a nice, soft bed. She stood with her long body alongside
me, my back against the wall and she looked down into my eyes, letting me know that the fire within her was ready to consume me. She began kissing me…first on my neck, softly whispering to me, "Baby, I've missed you so much." I thought my knees would fold from the emotion that raced through my body. Every day that I spent with her only made my love grow-and every time we made love melted my heart even more into hers. This union was the sweetest thing I had ever known, yet the most powerful. "Make love to me, Xena", I barely spoke. It seemed that my voice was submerged under the passion in my veins. She picked me up and carried me to bed, undressing me with great care. It was amazing how tender her strength could be, and that excited me beyond my control.

She began caressing my body, and kissing me all over. She had already taken off her armor, and I began undressing her as she
climbed onto the bed. I felt so small against her, but we fit perfectly together. She gives me such a feeling of freedom…making
me feel beautiful and sexy. I can always express myself when I'm with her, and there's great satisfaction in that alone. "Lie on
your stomach and let me massage your back," she said as she reached for some scented oil she found on the nightstand beside
our bed. Knowing how good her hands felt on my body, my wetness increased by the minute. She sat naked across my legs,
and as she rubbed my back so slowly, I could feel her wetness against me.

"Gabrielle, I've waited so long to be with you like this. I love you so much…" I couldn't stand it any longer. I turned over,
moving her long body between my legs, and pulling her mouth to mine. "You're all I ever think about, especially when we're
apart. I can't stand the thought of losing you, Xena." My eyes welled with tears from the intensity of emotions I was
experiencing. She kissed me like never before. It was one of the most exciting moments of passion, but it was also a moment of reassurance for me. Being inside her mouth was where I wanted to stay-I wanted the moment to last forever.

She began moving against me, knowing exactly how to make me want her. I could barely hold back the urge to roll her over
onto the bed, but tonight I wanted her to be in control. I wanted her to know for certain that I was hers, and she could do with
me and to me anything she pleased. I was her lover, her bard, and nobody in the entire world loved her like I did. I reached for her breasts as she moved on top of me, wanting to give her pleasure all the while she touched me. Her hands moved beneath me, down me, and inside me. "You're so wet…" was all she could say, and her breathing became harder by the moment. I didn't want to close my eyes, because her beauty was something I didn't want to miss-the look on her face and in her eyes-the look I had waited for all day was finally within my sight.

"Can I taste you?" she asked with that raspy voice that turns me on. How could I say no? Of course I wanted her mouth on
me, all over me, but I didn't want her leaving my sight. I didn't stop her from moving her mouth between my legs, and the point
of ecstasy she brought me to was absolutely explosive. As soon as I came, I wanted her on top of me, and brought her mouth
back to mine, and as she pressed herself hard against me, again I came again--with her name on my lips. I could have melted
into the bed, but I desperately wanted her…

I guided her to spread her legs and hover over me, perfectly aligned with my mouth. She was literally dripping-which I found so incredibly sexy. "Are you ready for me to taste you, Xena?" "Yes…please…now, baby", was what she managed to heavily
breathe. I tenderly rubbed her thighs, around to the back of her ass, and from behind, I touched her wetness with the tips of my fingers. Her tall body shuddered from the anticipation, and I lowered her while reaching her with my mouth. While sliding my tongue into the core of her juices, I remembered the taste that hooked me from day one. She was the most sensuous creature ever created, and this was my creature, my incredible lover.

I began moving my mouth and tongue very wildly, and then going to almost a standstill. She moaned with pleasure, not wanting
me to stop. I guided her hips very slightly, rocking them back and forth, while licking her and going inside her wetness in a
steady rhythm. She was so ready, and I brought her to a climax of sheer gratification. For once, the warrior's legs shook with
weakness, and I kissed her all over-her inner thighs, drinking her moisture, savoring every moment.

She lay back down on top of me, stretching her long body on top of mine. Our sweat mixed, our smells intertwined, and our
exhaustion overcame our passion, but only for a moment. I rolled her onto the bed, moved her long legs apart, and rested
myself between them. I pressed myself against her, and our obsession regained control again. I wanted her so desperately, like
it was the first time. She let me touch her, and by the gods, how I loved touching her. Moving my fingers in and out, rubbing her clit, sucking her breasts, kissing her mouth, and literally giving myself for this woman's ultimate desire became my mission for the moment. She gave herself to me completely, and in doing so, I brought her once again to an ultimate level of ecstasy, leaving nothing but my name on her lips in the end.

Lying in her arms, feeling her skin against mine, and knowing that forever we would be one left me to dream peaceful dreams
about the one I call my own. She is the love of my life, my ultimate desire, and the reason I live.

Coming Clean

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