A/N Umm...I got a sudden urge to write Xena fluff because there isn't enough of it... Also, I MET RENNE O'CONNOR AT THE CONVENTION AND GOT HER AUTOGRAPH! AND XENA AND GABBY GOT MARRIED!
That is all.
Disclaimer: Don't own.
When I first here of Gabrielle's dancing debut in the town square, it's from Joxer, and I don't quite believe him. I mean really, my Gabrielle dancing naked in the middle of the town square? It's impossible. "Joxer, don't be ridiculous," I tell him, thwapping him upside the head for good measure.
Gabrielle and I spend the night in Aphrodite's temple, since the sky has looked gray and cloudy all day, and neither of us want to risk travelling the 'morrow with soaking clothes and bedrolls. Plus, Gabrielle would never forgive me if her scrolls got wet. I look over at her, busy getting a fire started in the hearth. In a minute, she'll lay out the bedrolls, and I'll fetch us food, but for the moment I'm content looking out the doorway to where, sure enough, rain has begun to fall.
"And how are my favorite girls?" the high-pitched voice rings out.
"Aphrodite," Gabrielle says curtly. "So, now we're your favorite girls? Just two days ago you were charming my scrolls."
"Minor tiphies," Aphrodite chimes, waving her hand airily.
I chuckle, and take her by the arm. "Come on, Aphrodite. I think Gabby here needs a bit of time to stew." Gabrielle glares after me as I lead Aphrodite to a side room.
"I do not need stewing time!" she shouts after us.
"So," I say, "Gabby ain't too pleased with you currently, is she?"
"Oh she's just sour because my curse allowed Joxer the opportunity to get himself three naked Gabbies."
My jaw drops, and my first reaction is to burst out laughing. Which, of course, I do. Just my luck, Gabrielle has just wandered in, and she stands there, mouth slightly agape, horrified look in place. Her horror turns to embarrassment, and her eyes start to well up with tears. She turns, and runs from the room, and my spine immediately straightens. I dash after her, calling her name.
I search the entire temple, but my little bard is nowhere to be found. Finally, I resign myself to the fact that she must have gone outside, and I brace my shoulders for the coldness of the rain.
I find her standing beneath some trees, staring into the darkness. I rest my hand on her shoulder, and she starts slightly. She turns her head towards me, and I can see the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Hey, hey, come on. It's ok," I tell her, gently caressing her cheek. She looks away, sniffling. "Come on, let's go back inside. You'll catch your death out here. And my leathers definitely don't appreciate the damp," I said, with a slight smile.
This earned a choked laugh from Gabrielle. "I'd say it's a little more than damp." I take her hand, and lead her inside. With a bit of coaxing, I get her to change into one of my cloth shifts that I rarely wear, but that we keep around, just in case. The shirt is way too large for her, coming down almost to her knees. I take her hand in mine, and pull her over to the hearth, dragging her down with me so that she ends up sitting in my lap.