Technically


"Wonder why he was so interested?"
"In what?"
"Well, about... you and I. Us. Us as a couple."
"Dunno."
"At least you told the truth."
"Yep."

Then silence as they both walk from the tavern, from the jubilant celebration of a world now filled up with love. Away from the odd devices that accompany Nigel and away from the intrusive questions, they walk to the outskirts of the village.
Even though there have been inns in the past, they both prefer the outdoors.
Neither one questions the other about it. It is habit now.
Much like Xena always grooms Argo Number Two, then feeds her and then works over her sword.
Much like Gabrielle starts the fire, eats her dinner and then lies back upon soft animal skins.


"If it had been the other way around, would you have still told the truth?"
"What?"
"With Nigel. If we were lovers, would you have said anything?"
"No."
"I thought not. Good. Privacy is good."

Then silence. Like usual. It is a habit now.
Much like Xena always ends up shifting her bedroll closer to the fire, which always puts her closer to Gabrielle.
Much like Gabrielle always ends up flinging an arm or a leg over the warrior in the middle of the night.
Then silence. But they are not asleep.


"Technically, no. But I wouldn't mind."
"Did you say something?"

Gabrielle thought she might have imagined it at first, a ghostly soft whisper reaching out from the night. But the movement of Xena's body near her own halts that prospect.
She can see Xena's eyes. She can feel heat radiating from Xena's body. She can feel Xena's arm resting comfortably against her hip.


"Neither would I."
"Neither would you... what?"
"I wouldn't mind."

Xena didn't think out the conversation or what she might say. She just opened her mouth and hoped for the best, like always. It's a habit now.
She likes to wing-it, even when it comes to love and desire and the heart.
And she wondered if Gabrielle would respond. Then she feels the feather-light touch of deft fingers along her skin, from wrist to elbow.
She feels Gabrielle draw closer. She feels the warm stream of Gabrielle's breath hitting her cheek.


"If you kiss me..."
"If I kiss you?"
"Then there is no going back."
"I know. I don't want to go back. I want you."

It wasn't that Nigel's question brought up something new. This inquiry has followed them for years, lurking underneath every suitor's anguish and every foes master-plan. Everyone wanted the answer.
And sometimes, Gabrielle did, too.
And sometimes, Xena did as well.
But habits are hard to break, so the answer always stayed in the shadows.
Until now, until the world got lost in an ocean of apathy. Until now, the relationship was a given.
And, suddenly, Nigel's quest for the truth opens up a real Pandora's Box.


"Good. Because I want you."
"That's very good."

They meet slowly, their lips coasting against each other. But then the faint spark is lit and it turns into kissing. Kissing with teeth and tongue, with moans and insistence. Kissing which leads to sure hands moving, untying and unlacing. Touching and feeling, sliding over hidden places that have been seen but never explored... not like this.
They fit well against each other, skin to skin, legs and arms overlapping. They become seamless, flowing in and out of one another, a maze of curves and dips.

A missing piece, held within Gabrielle's sex, unleashes all of Xena's furious lust.
A singular truth, deep inside of Xena's wetness, releases all of Gabrielle's raging need.

And if they were not before, then - technically - they are now.

END