Romani 2

I'm in the hole again; thirsty, hungry, the stench of decay surrounding me. Then the bellowing rage of that thing, that God of a monster, makes the earth shake. Bits of dirt and rock rain down upon me as it draws closer. There's nowhere for me to go; I can only wait for deaths icy grip to take hold.

Darkness.

It takes a minute or two for me to realize where I am; the tent…somewhere. Xena? Sitting up, I look around the small space. She's not here, but I can hear her voice. Crawling over to the tent flap, I look out the small space between the fabric. There, at the campfire, sits Xena and a few of the men. They're drinking and smoking, no doubt telling tall tales of adventures they never had.

A few minutes later, Xena eases herself into the tent. She groans as she sits down next to me. I wait for her to say something, but she doesn't speak. Sitting up, I turn to look at her and find she's staring at me. What exactly did they talk about?

'What is it?' Her face is stoic and calm, and she takes a minute to answer.

'I can get them to take you home. You don't need to stay.'

'What's going on? What did they say?'

'They didn't say anything. The other night…' Finally her eyes falter, she looks away.

'What?'

'I don't want anything to happen to you, that's all.' I bring my hand to her leg. Her muscles twitch but she doesn't move. 'I don't think you should do that.' Her eyes blaze as she turns to look at me.

'Do what?' She narrows her eyes at me, not believing. Then her hands grab each side of my head and she pulls me roughly to her lips. It's needy, desperate, longing, and it only lasts a few moments. She pulls my face back from her, looking into my eyes with such intensity. I'm too stunned to speak, gasping for air like she knocked the breath out of me.

'Is that what you really want?' She asks; voice lower than usual. But she's nothing but calm and determined. I manage to nod my head slightly. The other night she was all too willing to kiss me; why the sudden change?

'Is it what you want?' I finally manage to get some words out. Her hands fall, letting me go from her grasp.

'I don't think it's a good idea.' Her voice has softened.

'That's not what I asked.'

'You have no idea how long I've wanted it.' Her eyes finally shift away. She looks ashamed for wanting anything at all. I'm still in an awkward lean towards her, not ready to move.

'You were half dead and still you came to get me. I would have done the same for you.' I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I let the words spill from my lips as they come. 'We live and we die for each other and I think I've loved you since that first moment I saw you. I want to be with you always and forever. We're soul mates; you know that.' Her head swings back toward me with a snap.

'You love me?' I didn't realize I had confessed this until it was too late.

'…..Yes…' Different emotions flash through her eyes, though her face remains stoic.

'No. I mean serious love.' She looks at me in complete disbelief. We've said I love you before, but I guess she never thought I was saying it as anything more than a friend.

'Yes…..' I'm scared.

'Do you realize what you're saying?'

'I'm not as naive as I used to be.' The fear is turning to anger. I'm not a child anymore, and I wish she wouldn't think of me as one. 'I. Love. You.' I enunciate each word as I look her directly in the eyes.

'Gabrielle.' Her eyes are watering, but she is refusing to cry. 'You shouldn't.'

'Oh Xena.' A surge of courage courses through me. I lean in to meet her lips with mine. 'We've been through so much.' Again I kiss her softly. 'Give in to this one thing for me.' I refuse to wait for a response; I'm not giving her a way out.

'Is this the time, or the place?' She finally manages words past my lips, but doesn't push me away.

'Yes.' This is the only time, the only place for this to happen. She gives in slowly, arms surrounding me, pulling me in closer. Her lips part, tongue urging mine to do the same. I let her tongue delve into my mouth as my heart begins to pound in my chest.

This is not just a kiss, this is a life affirming event. I may be getting ahead of myself. Stop thinking, let it go.

I feel myself melt into her arms as the kiss deepens. We make a slow descent to down to the furs; legs wrapping, bodies gluing together. Her hands begin to explore causing an electrical sensation to shoot through my veins. I'm ready for this, I've been ready for a long time.

Xena rolls us so she's above me, a hand on either side of my head propping her up. By all rights she shouldn't be able to put weight on her arm, but it doesn't seem to stop her. The tip of her nose lingers near mine, her hair falling about her face like a waterfall. She scans my face as her lips lower down to mine. It's deep; her tongue scorching mine as they clash together. God's I never thought one kiss could be so amazing.