How We Work 4
'I'm Joxer the Mighty….' His voice trails off to our left and I can't help but sigh in relief. There is only so much of him I can stand. I love the guy, but he is overwhelming sometimes. Xena and I are walking in silence now. We never hold hands but we are always close enough that our hands and arms brush. Occasionally, if I'm lucky, Xena will link one of her fingers with mine; but she has to be in a really good mood to do this, which was once. Even if there isn't a soul around for miles no one can see her do this, I guess a rabbit could see her being affectionate walking down the road and it'd have to die.
'Mother should be happy to see us.'
'I'll be happy to eat her food.' I rub my stomach for effect as Xena grins. We're silent again for a minute.
'You know.' Xena scratches her head and looks everywhere but at me. 'We can share a bed if you want.' She's rubbing her neck in embarrassment. While outside we may sleep next to each other, we have never shared a bed.
'I'd like that.' I nod my head looking at her, but she still refuses to make eye contact. I thought I would be the awkward one. We've not gone far in our relationship, if you can call it that. Too many things have happened, have kept us from moving forward. We operate nearly the same as always, though Xena seems slightly more protective now. I wonder, given time to grow, how will that affect us?
I decide to try and break the silence by telling her a story. Something I only recently came up with. She's obviously relieved by the change in subject and can seem to look me in the eye again. I'm surprised that she actually seems to be listening to me too. The time passes with relative ease and we reach Amphipolis in no time.
'Stable Argo, I'll go find Mother.' Xena jogs off towards the tavern without even waiting for a reply. Once I get Argo settled I have a hard time carrying all our bags in. I make three attempts to carry them all, but I don't make it very far. A young man jogs over to me smiling.
'Here let me help you.' Who am I to argue. He grabs all of the bags, tossing them over his shoulders. 'Where to?' I just nod towards the tavern and he jovially walks with me.
'Thank you. I was having a really hard time.'
'Oh no problem.' I think he is puffing his chest out. I hold open the tavern door for him and he sits everything on a table. 'So ummm would you mind some company for dinner.' He's so sweet.
'I'm sorry, I already have some.' I can feel Xena's glares from across the room. I begin to reach for a dinar but he puts his hand over mine.
'No it was my pleasure to help such a beautiful lady.' He lifts my hand to his lips kissing it, then stumbles back out of the tavern. I can't help but be flattered. Of course when I look over at Xena I have to pretend I'm horrified. She does not look at all happy.
I walk up to the bar where she leans, and sit on a stool. She's just glaring at me, and it's beginning to make me squirm.
'He was helping me. I couldn't carry them all.' I laugh nervously. I clear my throat and try to change the subject. 'So where's your mom?'
'Kitchen.'
'Hey I can't help it if I'm beautiful and attract men like flies.' Xena snorts, a grin finally forming on her face.
'Oh Gabrielle, there you are.' Cyrene comes out of the kitchen, arms already wide for a hug. I meet her halfway and she engulfs me in a tight embrace. 'You look good.' She pulls away inspecting me. I blush a little. She's always so nice to me. She moves away, back to the other side of the bar. 'So how long are you guys going to stay?' Xena shrugs.
'Haven't decided. We were hoping for a break.' Cyrene turns to me again.
'Are you going to visit your family sweetheart?'
'Umm no.' Her face falls.
'Why not?'
'They don't really like Xena.'
'Well she can stay here.' She's looking back and forth between us.
'I'd rather not.' The wheels are turning in her head, trying to figure out why. She just nods slowly.
'Ok hun, whatever you want. Xena, your rooms is always ready. Go ahead and take your things up. Dinner won't be for a while so take a nap.' She smiles at us before turning and disappearing back into her kitchen. Xena looks at me with her eyebrow cocked up.
'What?' I didn't do anything.
'Come on.' We grab the saddle bags and journey upstairs. Xena's room actually has a big bed and a little cot. Cyrene had put it in there for me after my second visit and I've used it ever since. This time that is where we dump our bags. I flop onto my stomach on the bigger bed. I watch as Xena takes off her various bits of armor pieces.
'You know, I think I'm so tired I might skip supper.' Xena mocks amazement at me.
'You? Not eating?' She's looking at me as if shocked. I just slap her arm.
'Don't be a brat.' She chuckles and lays down, fingers laced behind her head. I move myself so I'm cuddled against her, head on her chest, leg wrapped around hers.
'Don't drool, you'll ruin the leather.' She whispers down at me.
'Xena, shut up.' My eyes refuse to stay open a second longer.