Slip of the Tongue

Gabrielle trips over herself. She has never felt this way... at least, not about a woman. I've been in love before, though... Right? Gabrielle is not too sure now. What is it about Xena? Her eyes... her hair... her strength... her heart? Probably all of the above.

And when Xena touches her, oh dear Gods... Gabrielle feels this hot sensation go all over her body, turning certain areas into infernos. Warm, wet infernos...

Her words become flustered and her face is a study in lust. Xena is, of course, clueless. The warrior princess is not much for emotional awareness. A flying arrow? Sure! A hidden attacker? Not a problem! A very aroused, very confused and now very accident prone bard? Not so much.

All I know is that no more bathing together... that one is a killer! I mean, seeing her naked... I almost passed out the last time. Then again, Gabrielle loses sight of that noble goal once the lake appears. Xena is already undressed and calling Gabrielle to join her. Xena slicks her hair back and then shakes her head, whipping gorgeous black strands around. Then she slowly comes out of the water, drops of cool liquid sliding off her...Gabrielle can't help but to moan at the scene...

"Gabrielle... Gabrielle, are you okay?"

The first thing Gabrielle sees is blue eyes, the corners drawn in obvious concern. Then the rest of Xena's face comes together... Gabrielle, still hazy with sleep, reaches out and cups Xena's cheek. The warrior princess smiles at her in response.

"You dried off quickly, Xena..." Gabrielle murmurs, starting to smile herself. She does not see Xena's eyebrows raise and the questioning look on her face.

"Dried off...?"

"Mmmhmm...I didn't get to join you, which is too bad... much too bad..."

"Really?" Xena asks with a grin, wondering where Gabrielle's still asleep mind is going.

"Yes... I didn't get to stare at you long enough."

Gabrielle says this last bit in such a teasing manner that it jars her to the land of the living. And she takes in the scene before her, like putting a puzzle together.

Hmmm, my hand is on Xena's face. And she is looking at me in an odd way... I've seen that look before, whenever she is up to something... What did I just say?

And then, realization strikes. Gabrielle swallows hard and chuckles, albeit a nervous chuckle. Xena keeps on watching her, the glint of enjoyment in her eyes.

"So... what a strange dream I had..."

Xena nods at her serenely. Gabrielle sits up and pulls her hand away from Xena's cheek.

"I was... fighting a giant and you pushed him into... a lake, you see, a lake... And I didn't get to watch you do this, which was too bad... Because I'd like to be able to push a giant into a lake!"

Hey, that was pretty good! Especially in a tight spot like this one... I can't tell if she buys this or not...

"That's some dream, Gabrielle."

"I know!"

"And here I thought you were just dreaming about me being wet."

Gabrielle coughs loudly at this comment and, once again, chuckles uneasily. After that, Xena gets up and starts preparing for another day.

Gabrielle, however, can only sit there... The morning light creeping upward, her stomach rumbling, her eyes on a whistling Xena...

Oh damn... She'll never let me live this down...