Everything xena-related once again belongs to Robert Tapert.

I woke up in a feeling of contented calm. I opened my eyes and looked down. Gabrielle had one arm wrapped around me and her head was lying on my chest. I smiled and didn't move, for fear of dissolving the moment. Gabrielle had always found this her preferable way of sleeping. At first she had been embarrassed of her cuddling with me, but it was now second nature to her. Neither of us could remember what prompted us to put our bedrolls together, but once we did we could never sleep apart again. I for one didn't mind one bit. Looking outside I could see the sky lightening with the oncoming dawn and knew it was time for us to get up but I really didn't want to move from the comfortable position I was in. Her deeply asleep body was free of worry and she seemed completely content.

It was, I decided much nicer to simply lay still and just watch her sleep and relax. I moved a tiny bit, and she frowned. I stopped moving and folded my fingers over hers. I smiled as her grip tightened instinctively even though she was still fast asleep. I began singing a song that has kept repeating over and over again in my head since the rift in my and Gabrielle's past. Softly and quietly I sang:

I can't imagine any greater fear
Than waking up without you here
And though the sun would still shine on
My whole world would all be gone
But not for long...

If I had to run
If I had to crawl
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place that far
I need you that much
There's no place that far

"Xena, I need you too." Gabrielle's small voice said. I looked down embarrassed that she had heard me. Much to my relief, her eyes were still closed but a smile now came across her face. I sighed and again wished I could tell her everything. Even though I didn't write the sing, it really explained the way I feel. I just wish Gabrielle knew how much she really did mean to me. Well, maybe one day she will. But today is not the day. "Gabrielle. Hey sleepyhead, you need to get up if we want to make it to Amazonia by nightfall." I said gently shaking Gabrielle. She groaned and mumbled "Thank you my love, you are my hero" and grabbed my shoulders and pulled her self face to face with me, her hands of both sides of my face. I flushed red…It was becoming very hard to concentrate. "Uh…Gabrielle wake up" Gabrielle's green eyes slowly opened. "mmmm…" she said staring at me. I gulped audibly. "XENA!" she yelled and released me, blushing furiously.

Play it cool Xena, don't embarrass her more. "Hey, it's about time my friend. Let's go." I said standing up and saddling Argo. "Xena…I…I didn't…" she trailed off when she grabbed her staff and our saddle bags. She handed them to me. "Thanks Gabrielle, and hey don't worry about it ok?" She nodded but didn't say anything. Sigh, I guess we really will have to talk and soon. "Come on, let's go. I bet you can't wait to see Ephiny, so let's get a move on." Again, all she did was nod. Ok, something was seriously wrong with Gabrielle and I need to find out what. Sighing, I put my arm around her shoulders. "Come on, let's go." And so we walked into the rising sun.

-
Gods, how embarrassing. I couldn't believe I did that. Xena must think I'm such a dofus. Argh. I chanced a glance over at her. She was walking and talking in a cooing voice to Argo. Well, at least in Amazonia Eponin will be there to distract her while I try and figure out what's wrong with not only me but her. Xena never had explained what she meant the other day. Sigh, I really wish I knew what she was thinking. Xena and I continued to walk in silence for the next 3 candlemarks. Finally, as the sun was setting, I could see the familiar forests of Amazonia. "Stop, who goes there?" A young voice called from above. I stepped forward as Xena and I both formed the Amazon sign of peace and said "It is I, Queen Gabrielle and my champion Xena." A gasp could be heard and two young warriors leapt down from the trees. One was a fiery redhead and the other had a head full of familiar bouncy blonde curls.

The blonde was the first to bow, and quickly pulled her companion down with her when she hesitated. "Rise my sisters" I said. The redhead looked at me. "Are you really Queen Gabrielle? The same Amazon who tried to save our royal sister Terreis all those years ago?" Xena stepped forward, her blue eyes sparkling and put a hand on my shoulder. "Yes, she is. And she looks pretty damn good for coming back 25 years later huh?" I blushed furiously. The blonde giggled and said "Please excuse Terreis for her forwardness. She can be a bit mistrusting at times." Terries? Talk about a namesake. Wow. "Terries, it's a pleasure and yes it was I who inherited your predecessor's rite of caste. I was wondering if you and your friend would take us to the regent's tent to see Ephiny." The blonde ran forward and grabbed my hand. "C'mon, Terries and I would love to take you to see mother." MOTHER? I should have known especially with that hair of hers. Haha. Oh…Ephiny has quite a story to tell I am sure. With the blonde pulling on my hand urgently she half ran us into the village.

Walking down the main road, sister amazons were bowing to me left and right. Flustered, I smiled and beckoned them to get up. Finally, we neared Ephiny's tent. Two older amazons were posted at the entrance to the tent. One I didn't recognize and the other was Eponin. Both warriors stepped forward, staffs raised. "Calm down, Ep. It's just me Xena, escorting your Queen." Both amazons knelt before me. "Oh Eponin! How I've missed you." I said stepping forward and throwing my arms around her neck. Eponin awkwardly hugged me back and as I was pulling away I saw her giving Xena a frightened look. Xena strode forward and clasped Eponin's forearm in the warrior's embrace.
"Ephiny's inside, you can go on in." Eponin said. "No, not you two. Let Xena and Queen Gabrielle talk to her alone" she said crossly to the two younger amazons. They looked crestfallen, until Terries suddenly got a big smile on her face. She bent down and whispered something in the blonde's ear who giggled and nodded her head. The two rand off and left Eponin shaking her head. "Those two are quite a handful. But anyways, you two go on inside. Ephiny will be pleased to see you."

note- No Place that Far originally sung by Sarah Evans

Thats it for now..reviews are welcome