Xena and Gabrielle had finally went back to camp after the dead were burned. Gabrielle had hardly said a word since the war ended. Xena had figured it best if they go back to camp because she

felt Gabrielle needed privacy to deal with everything. So now sitting around the campfire, Xena waited for her lover to begin talking but the bard just stared in silence.

" Gabrielle sweetheart, I'm so sorry about today. I had no idea it would be like that. I was most shocked by Varia's actions. Talk to me please."

Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle spoke softly.

" I don't know what to say about this Xena."

While Xena understood her lover's shock, she still knew this was something that Gabrielle had to come to terms with.

" When we were in the water, what were you thinking Gabrielle ?"

" That my tribe would die an even worse death than the ones already dead on the beach."

" Were you afraid of dying ?"

" Not so much that. Just the thought of being attacked by a shark."

" Gabrielle, I wasn't gonna let that happen. You're the most important person in my life. By Amazon law, my wife."

" All those young Amazons that were no older than sixteen summers got hurt or died. That's what bothered me most."

" You feel guilty Gabrielle ?"

" Yeah. They were just kids. I done wrong Xena."

" No ! You done what you had to Gabrielle. It's part of being an Amazon. They knew that sweetheart."

" How do you know that ?"

" I could see it in their eyes. They had a fighting spirit."

" They were scared, and I didn't tell them they didn't have to fight. I should have."

" They already knew that. But Gabrielle, this kind of guilt isn't healthy. Not once have I seen you show any true emotion about all this."

" That's because I'm numb. My soul is just numb."

" I may be able to help you. Let me make love to you. I love you so much."

Gabrielle looks up sadly and allows Xena to gently lay her down. Her azure eyes speaking in volumes. She caresses Gabrielle's face and gently sucks on her neck.

Her hands caress Gabrielle's legs and her lips make their way to her hers. The kiss is warm and full of love. Then Xena's lips make their way to Gabrielle's stomach,

cause Gabrielle to feel her stomach muscles twitch. Xena's lips kiss Gabrielle's thighs and Gabrielle stop her loud moan. Then slowly, Xena slides Gabrielle's shorts

off noticing how wet she is.

" Oh yes Gabrielle, I'm gonna love you tonight like never before. I will make your heart soar."

At this, Gabrielle guided Xena's lips to her wet center. Xena's expert tongue slides over the pink flesh. Gabrielle's back arches in pleasure. Xena starts gently sucking her clit,

Then inserts a finger and Gabrielle lets out a shaky breath at the sensation. Smiling, Xena starts moving her finger at a steady speed. It doesn't take long for her soul mate to

cum and Xena licks up her sweet juices. Gabrielle starts to cry and Xena is relieved. She moves up and holds Gabrielle letting her cry.

" Shhhh, yeah sweetheart let it out. Just cry, I'm here for you."

Gabrielle's body shakes with force of cries. For a whole candlemark, she cries then falls asleep in Xena's arms. Xena looks up at the starry sky.

" Thank you to who ever up there brought her out of that shell."

Xena soon falls asleep as well.