The ship rocks and sways gently along with the waves but to me it feels like we're in the eye of a hurricane. I've never been out on the sea before and after we reach land I don't want to be ever again. The sparkling expanse of blue before us is beyond beautiful, but I can't enjoy this journey between having my head stuck in a bucket half the time and trying to keep my eye on Ulysses.

Xena has always been a brilliant judge of character. She can take one look into someone's eyes and instantly know their true intentions, hopes, and fears. There's just something about Ulysses that has me on edge. I keep telling myself that it's only nerves over facing Poseidon but I know it's more than that.

I see the way he looks at Xena, like she's some sort of unbelievable goddess sent to him straight from the heavens, like she's the most incredible creature to ever grace the earth. It's the same way I look at her. But Ulysses is arrogant. He acts like he already has some sort of claim to my warrior princess just because they are similar. Sure I can't wield a sword, command an army, or sail a boat like they do but Xena I have more than that. We share two halves of the same soul.

I guess I can't help but feel threatened. What if Xena reciprocates his feelings? Oh gods, I don't know if I could handle that.

"How are you feeling?" Xena comes up beside me, startling me with her presence. I wonder how long she's been standing there watching me while I've been lost in thought.

I force a smile even though I know she'll see right through it. "You know me, always the happy camper!" I can't prevent the grimace that covers my face as a particularly rough wave tosses the ship and my stomach.

Chuckling, Xena wraps her arms around my shoulders. "We're almost there Gabrielle; just one more night. Why don't you go down below and try to get some rest?" Before I can reply Ulysses calls for the warrior to help with the sails and her attention goes straight to him. "See you in the morning little bard." With a fleeting glance in my direction Xena takes off, leaving me to make my own way into the hull.

Little bard… Any other time those words would have warmed me but now they just taste bitter. I wish my stomach could handle this trip better, then I could actually be of some help instead of the temporarily useless little bard.

I flop down onto a pile of straw anything but gracefully. Who knows, maybe after tomorrow we'll leave Ulysses in Ithica and it'll be just me and Xena again, defeating evil and having adventures.

The sound of two sets of heavy footsteps coming down the stairs makes me quickly throw a blanket over myself and close my eyes. I don't want to get in the way any more than I already have.

For a while they talk tactics, the best way to pass the sirens, how to outsmart the god of the ocean, battle stuff like that. I listen to their voices and marvel at how passionate Xena gets when discussing strategy. But then their conversation takes a more personal turn. They share stories of former conquests and villains they've thwarted, lands they've seen and previous romances. My stomach churns now but not from the rocky waves.

"Xena, can I be frank with you?" there's a brief pause and my heart jumps wildly in my chest. He's gonna say it, I know he is! "I've never met a woman like you before. I mean is there anything you can't do?"

"Cook for starters." Xena replies in her normal casual yet cocky tone. Anyone else would have missed it but I can hear the nerves and uncertainty behind her words.

Ulysses simply laughs. "That doesn't bother me; I have a great cook back in Ithica… Even though we've only known each other for a sort time it feels like I've known you forever. I'm inexplicably drawn to you. Have you ever heard the story of soulmates? How everyone is really just one part of a whole destined to search for their missing half?" Of course she has, I told it to her! "Well I believe that everyone has their one, true soulmate and I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'm falling in love with you Xena."

Ulysses used the L word, the word I've felt in my soul for so long but never had the courage to say. My only solace is that Xena didn't say it back. How could this happen? It's obvious that Xena has feelings for this man but to what extent I'm not sure.

When I know that they're both on deck again out of earshot, I let myself cry.

XG XG XG

We're finally back on land but even with both my feet safely on the ground the turmoil in my stomach hasn't eased. I hate lying, I've never been good at it either and I don't have much of a poker face. Well technically what I told Xena only hours ago wasn't a lie; I do want her to be happy, but more than anything I want to be the cause of that happiness. Standing here now, pretending that I'm fine with all of this, definitely feels like lying.

Still for Xena's sake I have to put on a brave face. She supported me with Perdicus and I'll support her now. I shouldn't even be thinking about this right now anyway, I should be focused on the plan. The sooner Ulysses is named king the sooner Xena and I can go home.

The pirates all around us in the hall of the palace make the air smell like rum and salt. They grumble and neat under their breath as whom they assume to be a commoner steps up to attempt to string the great bow of Ulysses. A year ago I would have been terrified to face them but now I grip my staff tightly, ready to strike at Xena's signal.

I pay close attention as she stealthily slides under the table. Ulysses is having trouble with the bow but he can't fail, this is our one chance to convince everyone of the truth. Thankfully I'm the only one who notices a certain warrior assisting from under the banquet table.

Everyone in the room gasps in astonishment. "Impossible! It can't be! Only Ulysses himself can string that bow!"

"I am Ulysses." Even I have to admit I'm impressed with this whole display.

"You're alive?" the look of surprise and joy in Penelope's eyes is genuinely touching. Unfortunately their reunion is cut short by the distinct ring of swords being unsheathed.

"Yeyeyeye!" Xena springs to action with Ulysses and I quickly following suit. The end of my staff connects with a pirate's nose and then knee cap to easily knock him to the ground. More and more swarm the palace but it's nothing we haven't faced before. With a battle cry of my own I run at the enemy, dealing harsh blows to render them unconscious. Xena taught me well.

Ulysses fires his bow taking out three pirates at once. A filthy looking man with a gold tooth thinks he has the drop on Xena but at just the right time she sends her chakram flying to knock out him and bring three others to their knees. A well placed whack of my staff sends the very last assailant down. At last the three of us stand victorious.

The crowd erupts into wild applause as Ulysses steps up besides Penelope. "It is good to be home!" As much as I try to dislike him I can't help but smile and clap along with the crowd.

I expect Xena's eyes to be on the king but they're locked on mine holding a strange expression that I can not read. She quickly shakes it off and grins before wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Good job Gabrielle." She leads me away from the palace crowd into the town square. Shops of all kinds line the streets selling everything from exotic spices to scrolls and intricately woven tapestries. The sight is quite breath taking, but not as much so as the beautiful warrior next to me. "We'll leave for Greece in the morning but tonight, let's celebrate!"

I can tell she was a bit shaken up from seeing Ulysses and Penelope's reunion but in typical Xena fashion she doesn't say anything. "Okay warrior princess, let's go."

Xena easily finds the closest tavern and inn. It'll be a nice change from sleeping on our bedrolls and a bath sounds beyond wonderful.

"You go get us some seats. I'll get the food and wine."

"Wine, feeling fancy tonight huh?"

Xena only shakes her head and laughs before disappearing into the crowd. I find us a nice table off to the side. It's nice to be around the hustle and bustle of the tavern but not right in the middle of it. It doesn't take long for Xena to join me, arms full of fruit, honey, cheese, and two goblets filled to the brim with wine.

We eat for a little while without talking, both completely famished and simply relieved to be in one another's presence. The music fills the silence between us. I notice the way Xena keep glancing at me in between bites and her gaze makes my cheeks flush.

Maybe it's the way she's looking at me, maybe it's the stress from these last few days, or maybe it's the wine but every cell in my body is screaming to touch Xena.

"Dance with me."