TIMELINE: Season 6, this is meant to replace Friend In Need as the Series Finale. Xena and Gabrielle are back in Greece, headed to The Amazon Village when they meet a stranger.

DISCLAIMER: This is an ALT first time story. (The assumption that although deeply in love, our gals have never consummated their love...until now!) Rated M. This story depicts two women in love, and includes an explicit sex scene, not to mention TONS of angst! It is a very sweet story, but ultimately leads to our two heroines finally giving in to their desires.

Chapter 1

She felt the blade slice her from neck to opposite shoulder, and the shock sent her to her knees. She turned as if in slow motion to face her death. She had fought bravely, as well as she could considering the circumstances. The bandits had taken her by surprise, and all alone it was all she could do to stay alive. Until now. Now it seemed it was over.

As Alana turned to face her death blow, time seemed to slow down. She could smell the sour body odor as his arm raised, sword in tow. She could hear the yell escaping his throat as he prepared his fatal strike. She wanted to raise her arm up in self defense, knowing it would do no good. But she was proud. She looked her death in the eye and waited for the final blow to send her to the next world.

Suddenly a shriek seared its way into her ear drums. The sound jolted time back to regular speed and she expected death to come swift. But just as the arm descended, a whirling sound flew past her ear, and without warning, her attacker's arm was thrown in the opposite direction of the body, blood spurting over Alana's face. Confused, she looked to her right to find her salvation in two piercing blue eyes. She saw the warrior's eyes follow a bird's path behind her until suddenly a round orb was caught in the warriors grasp.

She was exquisite. She was impossibly tall, garbed in brown leather and golden armor. Her blue eyes were piercing and her grimace was fierce.

Alana's time slowed again as she took in the power in front of her eyes. She had heard about her in legend. She had only dreamt about meeting her. This had to be her. The hair, the eyes, the legendary chakram...this was the Warrior Princess herself. Saving her life.

A grunt off to her left jolted Alana back to reality, and she turned to see another savior sending the last bandit spinning into the air after a fierce attack. The short blonde hair was flowing like a top around the fair face as the green eyes glowed in battle haze. Alana had heard about her too. Gabrielle. She was remarkable, and had a beauty that made Alana flush. By the Gods. She had been saved by two legends.

Alana looked around and saw that she was safe. She sighed heavily in relief and tried to catch her breath. Suddenly she felt all her wounds as she knelt at the spot that only a few seconds ago she was sure she would die.

"Are you alright?" A voice above her sounded like molten silk.

Alana looked up, sunlight obscuring her view of the speaker. All she could see was a dark silhouette, arm extended to help her up. She squinted as she took a few more breaths, then gladly took the forearm offered to her.

"I am now. Thanks to you," Alana did all she could to breathe out these words. As she rose the sun allowed the darkness to fall down the body before her, revealing the most powerful figure she had ever encountered. "Xena, right?" She knew she couldn't hide the admiration in her eyes.

Xena couldn't help but smile, knowing her reputation had preceded her. She answered as her battling bard found her way to her side, unharmed. "That's right." She tossed her head slightly to the right, toward her companion. "Gabrielle. What's going on here?"

Alana nodded to Gabrielle as she continued to try and regain her composure. She found she needed to continue to hold onto Xena's grasp for support. "Yeah, I've heard of you. Both of you. I can't thank you enough. I'm not usually caught this much off guard. They must have seen me leave the village and followed me here. I'd be a goner if it wasn't for you. I owe you both my life," Alana was in sincere awe of the two warriors in front of her.

Xena and Gabrielle glanced at each other with a passing grin and looked back at their new friend. Gabrielle saw the girl's weakness and moved to support her under her arm. "You need to rest. Come on. We have a camp set up over there. I'll dress your wounds." Gabrielle sensed the adoring gaze on her from the woman and chose to ignore it. She eased her off the road and toward the awaiting stream. She looked back and shot a quick smile at Xena who followed them through the brush.