The midday sun shone brightly down on her through the clearing, highlighting the natural beauty Xena was so fond of. Golden hair, fawless skin she was stunning. But Gabrielle always looked beautiful to her.

She watched her pause in thought, calculating her next set of words, before setting her quill back down against the scroll. Gabrielle was far too involved with the words before her to realize she had been looking over at her now for a good couple of minutes.

"Gabrielle." Blue eyes turned towards her in mild surprise.

"I'm going to go see if I can find us something to eat."

"Sure."

Gabrielle's attention immediately went right back to the parchment. She pouted.

She liked to think she was more important than a story.

"What are you writing about anyway?"

"Oh you know our adventures."

Gabrielle smilled down at her work and it sparked more of her interest.

"Why don't you read it to me?"

"What? Really?" Gabrielle set down her quill. She hadn't ever really expressed an interest in her stories mostly because they were all about her. She just wanted to know why she was smiling so much while she wrote.

"Yeah. I'd love to hear it."

"It's not finished though…"

"I love a good cliffhanger."

Gabrielle considered it but shook her head.

"I'll read it to you when I'm finished. Besides I'm hungry. I could really go for some Perch!"

"What no eel?"

"Not today warrior princess."

Gabrielle was smiling warmly at her and she realized just how special the sight was. It was a smile reserved only for her when they were teasing each other like this.

"Perch it is."

She pushed of the tree she'd been leaning against and went on her way .

"Better start cooking."

She dropped the two freshly caught perch on top of Gabrielle's lap.

"Xena!"

Gabrielle shot to her feet sending her scroll and the fish tumbling into the dirt.

"You could have caused me to mess up!"

"Sorry." She gave a small apologetic shrug of her shoulders but she wasn't really sorry.

"I can't believe you sometimes."

"Hey I just brought us dinner."

"But you didn't have to drop it on me!"

"It slipped?"

Gabrielle looked hurt and now she truly did regret it.

"Ok look I'm sorry you're right I saw you were still writing and i just wanted to get you're attention. It was a stupid idea." She bent down and picked up Gabrielles dropped scroll.

"Can you please cook us dinner now?"

Gabrielles gaze was sternly set but it quickly softened at the puppy eyes being sent her way. "All right…"

"Xena."

"Yes Gabrielle?"

She swallowed her mouth full of fish and looked over at her companion. The expression she saw there was almost heartbreaking.

"Today was my sister's birthday."

She didn't understand what that had to do with anything.

"It's the first one I've ever missed."

"Oh….I'm sure she understands."

Gabrielle's heart was kind and caring sometimes too much for her own good.

"I don't think she does though. I mean she doesn't understand why I left. Why I just ran away…. "

"Gabrielle you worry too much. They're your family they know you care about them. Next time we head towards Potidaea I'll make sure we visit and you can wish her happy birthday.

"Okay." Gabrielle nodded but she could still see the sadness lingering. It twisted her chest with sorrow.

"Did you finish that story?"

"Yes...but I don't know if I'm going to keep it. It's different than what I normally write."

"Let me hear it."

"I don't know Xena."

"Your usually begging me to hear your stories now you don't want to read it to me?"

"Just...don't laugh okay?"

"Laugh? Come on now. "

Gabrielle unraveled the scroll and begin to tell her tale.

"I sing of the tale of Gabrielle, the strength of love, and the ineffable mystery of a friendship as immortal as the gods..."

Her breath caught in her chest as she listened to Gabrielle's story, the words already hitting her in an unexpected way. It was true she had never felt a bond as strong as theirs with anyone.

She was certain it was more than friendship though. Soulmates. That's what they were she felt it with every part of her being.

"She hailed from the village Potidaea, a small farming village off the beaten path. It wasn't much but she called it home. Until one day it was attacked by a group of men. The brave and skillful warrior Xena saved her and her village. It was the start of their growing friendship. They traveled the world together and the two were inseparable. Gabrielle was the happiest when she was with Xena but…." Gabrielle paused and she could feel a longing in her voice.

"But?"

Gabrielle smiled over at her softly, her blue eyes shinning in the light of the fire. Whatever it was Gabrielle was finding it hard to summon up the courage to speak it.

She scooted closer to her and placed a reassuring hand across her thigh. Gabrielle picked it up and held it tightly.

"But she wanted more from the warrior…."

More? She had given her everything there wasn't much left but- oh! She felt her cheeks turning red with the realization. She never imagined innocent Gabrielle thinking about her in that way. Or wanting to move things in that direction.

"But she knew it was asking too much of Xena." Gabrielle released her hand.

"No. That's not true…."

Her voice trembled with emotion. "I love you Gabrielle. You deserve more . I just didn't think you'd ever want that with someone like me."

"Someone like you? Xena you're the best thing in my life right now….of course I'd want that…"

She pulled Gabrielle into her and embraced her. They had hugged dozens of times before but none of them ever had her heart brimming so much with love. She placed a kiss to the top of Gabrielle's head and the blondes arms tightened around her. It was a feeling she would never tire of.

"I love you Xena."

Gabrielle pulled away from her embrace to capture her lips with a kiss. She closed her eyes and returned it with affection. For far too long she had wanted this with Gabrielle. She needed to have not just her mind but her body as well.

"Xena."

Her name barely registered with the sensual fog clouding her mind. Gabrielle was soft and warm. Her lips inviting.

"Xena!"

She slowly caressed the bare skin of Gabrielle's lower back as she deepened their kiss always wanting to feel the skin there and never having the chance to do so.

"Xena. Come on."

The fog vanished. She opened her eyes and a wave of sadness hit her when she realized she wasn't holding Gabrielle.

"About time! Come on we've got to get going. I made you some breakfast."

She sat up and battled with the tears filling her eyes. This type of heartbreak hurt far worse than any battle injury.

"Xena what's wrong?"

Gabrielle put a hand on her shoulder as she knelt down beside her on the bedroll.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

She stood up and headed for her armor lying beside a nearby tree. Gabrielle would never love her that way. She fastened her armor tight. It was days like this she needed it the most.