Standard Disclaimer: All the characters in this story belong to Ren Pic, USA Studios, Oxygen, Universal, and whoever else still owns some monetary interest in Xena: Warrior Princess. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not intend to gain any profit this story so please don't sue me, this is written purely for is and Uber Fic originally written for the Bard's Challenge No. 19 for the Academy of Bards and therefore was developed to adhere to the rules therein. NOTE: I am not an expert in the chosen fields of these characters so please forgive me for any errors or inconsistencies. And thank you to my Beta reader – Editor Minucita she rocks!!! And also Bug, for her bluntness which helped finalize this piece.

SEX: Not everything is about sex … got it?

This story contains a love relationship between two adult women. Don't like it, don't read it!

Violence/Language: Well, it's pretty gen I think some cursing but nothing else.

Don't Forget to R&R

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By V

Chapter 1 The dare

It was a typical Sunday morning much like any other; the day was cool but sunny. On the roof, top deck was a shaded table set for two and sitting in one of the chairs was a blonde with curly hair and brown eyes with some toast in her hand and the folded newspaper in the other, reading the personal ads.

"Oh, this is good, just my type," Kelly laughed as she took a sip from her cup of steaming mint tea, which her best friend loved so much and who thought was very invigorating.

"What?" asked the 5'4" strawberry blonde with short blonde hair. She came from the kitchen carrying a tray with omelets and fresh fruit. She set it on the table then leaned against her friends back and rested against her shoulder with her face next to hers.

"Oh? Personal ads Kelly? Are you by chance bored or something?" She read one aloud.

Packing Mate

Rugged outdoorsy-type seeks companion for hiking, kayaking and possibly more.

She straightened up and sat in her chair. Kelly stared at her intently a little miffed by her friends' apparent disdain in regards to the personal ads. Even though it might be true that it could be a double-edged sword or something worse, and even then, it didn't mean that you should make any less of or belittle the ones who did. She'd heard the stories from people who had found if not the love of their lives then at least good friends to go out with and have a good time.

Lilith continued eating her fruit and omelet without paying attention to the look that her friend was sending her way. "I've always thought that it's stupid that anyone could get to know anyone else through personal ads, I mean, for Pete's sake Kelly. You need personal interaction, the first meeting is primary to establish the connection, and you can't do that with an ad!

Kelly just stared at her for several moments with that same expression making Lilith feel uncomfortable, she was about to say something when Kelly interrupted.

"You'd be surprised at all the things you can learn from a person by the way they write just a few lines Lil." She said with a certain tone of voice that made Lilith's eyes narrow in doubt.

"And have you met 'Miss Perfect' in one of those? I seriously doubt it because you're still single, just like me Kel; anyway, you're only interested in sitting behind that little monitor of yours.

Kelly wasn't sure just what bothered her most from her friend the self-righteous tone or the condescending one. An idea began to form in her head and with an evil smile, which she managed to hide before her friend suspected anything and stared at her.

"Well sure anyone can do it of course, but they're probably a bunch of weirdo's or something even worse, but ok, besides even if you did it, which I doubt because then if you did you would probably chicken out and leave them all dressed up with nowhere to go…" She paused as if to take a drink from her cup while she glanced over the edge to see Lil was turning slightly red.

"I do not…" Lil began, but was interrupted by Kelly

"My theory is that like a photo is worth a thousand words, the words also create images, and don't tell me they don't. You should know that after all you're the expert on the written word, isn't that right?"

"I'm not going to deny that and yes there is certain logic to your words, but…" Lil didn't see any point in continuing to discuss the issue; it just wasn't a subject that she was interested in.

"Although, Hahahahaha. Oh No!" Kelly sarcastically exclaimed. "No, no, no, hahahahaha, never in your life Lilith, nope. Definitely not that particular one. I mean it would be like oil and water, worse like calling Santa a Muslim, no, no, no."

"What the devil are you talking about?" Lilith stared at her not knowing what the hell she was laughing at, but she was certain about something, it was about her, not with her.

Kelly couldn't speak and continued to laugh so hysterically that she fell from her chair and even then continued laughing harder. For several moments, Kelly lay on the floor cackling until Lil threw a glass of water on her in frustration.

"Heeey, that's cold Lil, why'd you do that!!!!" She indignantly exclaimed from the floor.

"Well it looked like you needed it." She said petulantly. "Can you please explain to me why in the hell you were dying of laughter?"

"It's just that," she continued hiccupping, and took a couple of deep breaths before speaking, "I remembered the personal ad you read aloud and well Lil, you are a lot of things, but not a backpacker, never in all the nevers could I ever imagine you doing something like that! It's very unlikely; it's like expecting water in the middle of Goby Desert! And I think it's funny because it's the first one you read." She said as she got back in her chair.

"And just what does having read that ad have anything to do with what you were telling me Kelly? Just because I happened to glance at it and happened to read the first one that caught my eye does not mean that it interests me in the least."

"Hahahahaha, truly it would be completely ridiculous, because seriously you aren't any of those things! Hahaha, nope, not even in your dreams." She shook her head several times to reaffirm her opinion on the subject and reclined against the chair trying not to laugh since her stomach was already hurting from the last time.

Lil gave her a killer look, did not say anything, clinched her jaw and began to pick up the breakfast dishes and put them on the tray, shaking her head, Kelly picked up a small napkin to try to dry herself.

"You don't have to get mad about it Lil." She said in a conciliatory tone. "I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, it's just that it's true, you're a librarian who likes to spend her free time with her nose in a book and the most exotic thing you have ever done is ride your bike from home to work when most people would rather drive a car."

Lilith continued in silence, she finished picking up the breakfast dishes and carried the tray downstairs to her apartment. Kelly followed carrying a couple of other things in her hand.

In the kitchen Lilith put the dirty plates in the sink, put away some things in the frig and began to fill the sink with soap and water, she put on some rubber gloves and without a word Kelly stood by her side so that she could dry as her friend washed. There weren't many so in less than 10 minutes everything was washed, dried and in its place. It was then that Lilith turned to look at her friend Kelly directly in the eyes and in a frozen tone declared…

"Just because I'm a librarian and book lover, does not mean that I am incapable of enjoying such activities, it's only that the opportunity hasn't presented itself. You aren't exactly Ms. Davey Crockett and none of my other friends are either, therefore, we don't know if I would or would not be capable."

"Lil if you liked doing said activities, even though none of your close friends did, you would still do it for yourself without waiting for anyone else to do it. Take me for example, I like to play pool and I have friends with whom I play when I go out occasionally and I do it because I like it. If I had to wait for you to go with me I'd get old waiting for you." She said logically.

"Are you saying that I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself or even do any of those outdoor activities and not only that but that I'd be incapable of seeing it through?" She asked with a narrowed malevolent look.

"Well yes to be honest with you. I don't think you'll like it and even less that you could do it. I mean, let's be honest Lil, you aren't the type of woman that likes physical activity, and that requires a lot of physical activity and stamina. Things that you are not accustomed to doing. For Pete's sake Lil, if you even see a spider you scream hysterically." She pronounced. Besides you're a bit clumsy she thought to herself but I'm not crazy enough to say it aloud, she had already pushed her sufficiently and anymore, and her friend would kick her out of the place and not only that, she probably wouldn't talk to her for over a month. If Lil was anything, she was stubborn and if she decided to punish her with the whip of contempt even if she were dying with need to talk with her she wouldn't do it even if it meant having Kelly over for a home cooked meal, well not quite but…

"Very well, I'm going to show you that not only am I capable of doing those "activities" as you call them, but also enjoy doing them!" With a decided step, she moved passed her friend taking the newspaper that was on top of the table and going directly to her computer so that she could respond to the personal ad for Packing Mate.

Kelly stared at her with a look between shock and incredulity, she had been planning to bug her friend, but she never imagined that her friend would take it so seriously that she would answer the ad

While she waited for her pc to boot up, Lilith reread the ad, she had never backed down from a dare and this was exactly what Kelly was doing, daring her to do something that she thought she was incapable of. You'll see Kelly O'Conner. I'm going to show you how wrong you are.

Once the pc was initiated and she was connected to the internet, she opened up her email program and began to write.

Hi RunRivergrrrl,

I am a Librarian in St. Paul, when I read your ad a friend of mine laughed at me, saying that I would never in my life be able to do any such thing. That since I'm a library mouse in the purist sense of the word I wouldn't have anything in common with someone like you. But you know what? I'm convinced that's not true. I would like to meet you and learn to do some of the lovely things that you do. Someone that likes the outdoors must be very nice and fun. I also like to see the birds and take walks in the park.

Could I meet you?

Little Dreamer

She read it a couple of times just ignoring her friend who once she read what she had written released a breath that clearly was an attempt to keep from laughing. Satisfied she hit the send button. She confirmed the delivery and smiled to herself, convinced that she would receive a nice response.

"Done." She turned towards Kelly who was still trying not to laugh at her friend's attempt at writing to the backpacker whose nick was RunRivvergrrl she could just imagine the woman's face when she read it. Oh well they just would have to wait and see.

"Yes I can see that. So what do you want to do today?" She asked changing the topic. "Its past ll a.m., whataya say we go to the flea market, I'm sure we'll find something interesting. It's been ages since we've gone to look around. The last time we went, you found those scrolls to write in.

"Oh!" Lil's eyes brightened at the thought of those scrolls. They weren't exactly old per se, it was most likely they had been made to look that way, but they smelled and looked as if they had been created in the middle ages or even before. Just the thought of them made her feel something, almost as if at some time in another life she would have written in those scrolls. "Absolutely, perhaps I'll find an old diary or something like that, mine is almost full.

"Great, let's go then." She jumped of the sofa where she had been sitting while she watched Lil write the email.

"Let me just get a jacket and I'll be ready." Lil was nearly always cold, so she usually took a light jacket with her even during the summer because of either the breeze or the A/C that was always on at work. They took the elevator and were soon on the street, in front, Lil immediately saw her friends SUV.

Kelly had parked the gray RAV 4 in the space designated for her car, which was hers if she had one, which wasn't the case, but she liked having it assigned to her anyway. Kelly spent more time at her place, that she practically lived there with her, 'practically' was the operative word. Kelly loved her independence but hated cooking so she would eat dinner at her place almost every evening. They would shop together for that very reason. Kelly only had the basics in her apartment such as coffee, cereal, milk, beer, etc. and during the winter, it was Kelly who took her and picked her up from work. It could be said that they were practically sisters; they had known each other since they were both in diapers. Both only children, they become inseparable friends as if it was the most natural thing in the world given that they lived on the same street, went to the same schools since kindergarten all the way through college. Definitely if Kelly hadn't been part of her life, she wasn't sure how'd she live given her tendency to get lost in her books, certainly she'd be lonelier.

They had a good time at the flea market. Lil loved to go, she always found something that even though she didn't buy she usually liked. She liked to look around at the things they had to offer and on occasion, she would find little things like paperweights or book bags, two things she liked to collect. There was also a small shop where they sold used and antique books. The owner was an agreeable older man by the name of Mr. Mills. He knew her, knew of her secret passion for old diaries, and always put them away when he got a hold of them, preferably unused.

Kelly was at her side looking about curiously as well, she was looking for something different; she had a passion for video games. Moreover, for what seemed forever she had been collecting consoles like Atari and Nintendo and whenever she found a game would buy it. Lil only rolled her eyes on the occasion she would find one, jumping up and down in joy like some small child when they discovered something new.

Later in the afternoon when they stopped for a late lunch in a small Italian restaurant, they both decided to do the shopping for the week. After a couple of hours in the super market, where Kelly was the designated cart pusher, they returned to Lil's where they put everything away and prepared something light for dinner. Once they were done, they got comfortable on the sofa and watched an old black and white movie, which they loved to do. It was well past 10 p.m. when Kelly decided it was time to go.

"Aren't you going to check your email inbox before you go to bed?" She asked as she stood to leave. Truthfully, she was dying of curiosity to see if RunRivergrrrl had answered her friend.

"Well I checked my inbox this morning, but since it's obvious that you're dying of curiosity to see if RunRivergrrrl answered, I'll check again." She answered smiling at the barely contained curiosity from her friend.

"What? Don't tell me you're not curious?" She asked a bit surprised. She knew that if anyone always had a need to know it was Lil.

"Well yes I have to admit, but I'm not dying to know." She outright lied. Truthfully, she wanted to know just as much, but she also wanted to tease Kelly. Therefore, with deliberate slowness she stood and headed for the computer.

"Oh come on already." Kelly said impatiently.

"Have you thought any about the fact that if she likes to go hiking and all that, that she might like to spend her weekends out? She probably hasn't even checked her email." She said.

"It's possible, but it can't hurt for you to check just in case." Kelly insisted.

Finally, the computer booted up. Once Lil was settled, she opened her inbox and just as she had suspected there were no new messages. At least none from RunRivergrrrl. She turned towards Kelly with an 'I told you so,' smile. Kelly just stuck her tongue out in response.

"Well, I'm going home, we'll see you tomorrow Lil, sleep tight." Kelly gave her a quick hug goodbye.

"See you tomorrow Kel."

Lilith walked her to the door so she could lock it, returned to her computer, opened up an email from her boss who was letting her know there was a new consignment of books that needed to be logged in and coded for next week. Fantastic, new books she thought happily. Lil loved to code the new books in the consignments. Alter sending off a response to her boss she shut down her PC and headed to her bedroom to get ready for bed. Just before falling asleep, her last thought was to wonder if RunRivergrrrl would respond the next day.