Title: Returning Queen

Rating: M

Author: Ellixer

Pairing: X/G

Disclaimer: Characters and show are owned by Universal and others. The story is mine. I make nothing.

Note: I have no idea what this story is about. As with most stories I just make it up as I go along. Premise is Gabrielle has no choice but to stay and be Queen after yet another Amazon battle.

The funeral pyres light up the night, the shadows of their spirits dancing in the flickering flames. Xena's hand is on my shoulder, giving a little squeeze to show her empathy. Every visit here seems to be a bad one, someone is always dying and a fight for the survival of the Amazons is required. Once again I stand here as a Queen, stoic and strong for my Amazon sisters. I'll stay here in this spot till the fires burn down to embers.

Slowly, one by one, the weary Amazons disperse back to their huts. I wonder if I do any good when we come here, or maybe the problem is with me leaving. They don't need me coming in and out of their lives. Xena won't stay here, not even for me, we've established that.

'You can go sleep Xena.' I put my hand over hers.

'You know I won't.' Her voice is gentle.

'I know.' Her body moves closer to mine, nearly touching me but not quite. 'Xena, I feel torn.' I turn, facing her.

'Torn?' Confusion ripples across her face.

'I know I can never stop being the Queen, but I can't just keep coming and going. They need somebody to lead them.' Her face turns stoic, I know what's going on in her mind. 'I know, you can never live here, but I still have a responsibility.' I can't look at her, I remember how she looked the last time I said this. Though this time it's less about settling down and more about keeping the Amazon Nation alive, I don't think that will make a difference with her. Her finger hooks under my cheek forcing me to look at her. Her eyes are watery, but she doesn't look angry or disappointed.

'Gabrielle.' She sighs. 'If this is something you need to do, then I'll stand by you.' Now I'm confused.

'But you..'

'I know, I know.' She cuts me off, shaking her head. 'I was being selfish, I wasn't even thinking of you.'

'No, I know you can't live like this.' I look around us. 'I understand if you….' I don't even want to finish my thought. Her hand comes up, cupping my cheek. I watch as a tear slowly descends from her eye.

'You have done so much for me. This time I can do something for you.'

'But.'

'No, I mean it.' She wraps her arms around me, pulling me against her body.

'I'm not saying I want to be here forever, but I need to stay and groom someone to rule.'

'We'll stay as long as you need.' I'm afraid she won't be able to last longer than a month. At some point I am going to lose her to the pull of the road and adventure. I promise myself I won't hate her for it either.

I stand, embraced in her arms half the night till the fires burn down to almost nothing. Slowly we make our way to the Queens hut in the thick darkness. The exhaustion of the past few days is weighing heavily on me, causing my legs to move as if in quicksand. Xena dismisses the Amazon watching Eve as we enter the hut. I can hear her soft breathing as I stop at her crib; she looks so peaceful, so innocent.

'I think they'll understand if you sleep in.' Xena's pressed against my back, looking over my shoulder at her daughter. The sun is only a few hours from rising, signaling a new day. I can neither argue nor agree with her at this moment, as I don't know what I want to do yet. Turning I face her, wrapping my arms around her neck. Her hands move to my hips, resting there gently.

'Thank you.' She shakes her head at me. 'No Xena I mean it, I know you don't want to stay here.' Her head cocks slightly to the side as she gives me a small smile.

'I want to be wherever you are.' Her eyes are gazing back at me with such love and sincerity. 'Come on, you need to sleep.' She pulls me toward a pile of pillows and furs. I had refused to sleep alone since we got here, and there are only two small beds. I know that every Amazon knows about our relationship, so I can't help but wonder why they refuse to give me a bigger bed. I am the Queen after all.

The Amazons aren't necessarily into women only relationships. While it's true they seek comfort and warmth in each other's arms, most only see that as a way to keep the moral up and to bond. Very few Amazons actually chose a female as their one sole lover. Most in fact preferred to seek out a man to sate any lustful urges they may have.

I stop Xena before she begins to lie down. She's looking at me curious. We're both in our deer skin outfits, and that's just not what I want to feel against me right now. I help her out of her clothes, then she helps me out of mine. We get under the furs, her warm skin pressed against mine as her arms encircle me. I rest my head on her chest, not sure if I can really sleep. As Xena's hand strokes through my hair my eyes begin to become heavy. Just being here in her arms I feel so safe and loved that I manage to let go of my worries for a moment, making sleep within easy reach.

I wake to the sun streaming in through the opened vent slats in the roof. It seems to be afternoon, and I'm surprised I slept this long. But Xena is still here, arms wrapped around me as she sleeps. I can't believe Eve hasn't woken up yet. A sudden fear hits me and I jump up to check on her. Her little bed is empty and there is no sign of her anywhere.

'Don't worry, there's a gaggle of Amazons fighting to play with her.' I turn at Xena's calm voice. My heart rate begins to slow back down.

'You've been up already?' I get back under the furs, cuddling up against her.

'Yeah, Eve was crying.'

'I didn't even hear.' I can't believe I slept so deeply.

'You have a lot to deal with.' Her voice is low and soft.

'You weren't walking around out there with no clothes on?' Not that any Amazon would be bothered by the site of a naked Xena. She chuckles though.

'No, don't worry I didn't scar any of your people.'

'Hmm I don't think scarred is the right word.' I shift my head till my lips meet her neck. There's this smell about her that I can never place, but it always seems to draw me in.

'Don't start anything you can't finish.' Her hand is running up and down my back in slow flowing movements.

'Have I ever?'

'Yes.' She chuckles and shifts till we're facing each other. Her hand strokes my cheek as if in amazement. When she looks at me like this, I know that no one could ever love me as much as she does.

'You know Xena, there are days where I feel like I'm just your sidekick, then there are days like this where I feel like I'm the only person you see.'

'You are the only person I see.' She kisses my nose. I giggle a little. My hand strokes her hair, the strands flowing through my fingers.

'What am I going to do?'

'It's only something you can figure out, you are their Queen.' I give her an annoyed look. I hate when she says that.

'Am I the best person for the job?'

'You may be the only one.' She kisses my forehead. 'Come on, your Amazons can only wait so long.' I sigh as she pulls me up. I'm pretty sure we could have stayed a bit longer.