A/N: This one was fun to write.

(I)

Xena eyed the tribal leader carefully; she slowly paced around him as he stood perfectly still. She opened her mouth to speak, "I know you understand me well enough to admit that you've stolen something from us, and I'm giving you once chance to give it back."

"Xena, maybe he didn't take it." Gabrielle objected. This had gone on for quite a while now and to no avail. "There are other tribes."

"We've never met any other tribe." Xena snarled, "And even if it was a different tribe, how would they have known where we were stocking our supplies? Why would they bother to take them, but nothing else?"

"Well, why would he?" Alix shrugged and nodded her head towards the solemn chief.

"Coin." Xena easily replied. "He wants us to buy our supplies back from him, so he can make a profit. Greedy bastard."

"Xena!" Gabrielle scolded. "Look, this isn't getting us anywhere. He isn't going to talk to you as long as you keep threatening him."

"We'll see about that…." Xena raised her first two fingers on each hand and lunged towards the chief.

"Hey!" Gabrielle quickly jumped in front of the vengeful warrior, "No! No pinch."

Xena reluctantly lowered her hands, "Fine… You talk to him." She folded her arms.

Gabrielle exhaled and quickly turned to face the chief. She smiled widely, and gently took a step towards him, "Hi." She greeted by briefly raising a hand. "I'm sorry about my friend, here, she has a bit of an anger problem."

The chief's eyes glanced over to Xena and then back to Gabrielle, "Jeevoo a'lero."

"Uhh… I'm sorry… " Gabrielle's smile faded and she shook her head to signal she did not understand.

"Jeevoo a'lero…." The chief repeated slowly, "Warrior woman."

"Oh!" Gabrielle's eyes opened broadly in surprise, "Yes…. Yes…. Xena is a warrior woman." Her smile returned. She glanced over her shoulder, "And so is Alix." She turned back to the chief, "So, listen, if you did take our supplies, or know who did, we'd really like to get them back."

"No supplies." The chief slowly shook his head.

"Okay…" Gabrielle paused for a moment while she quickly tried to think of another alternative. "Umm, could we perhaps buy supplies from you?"

"Gabrielle…" Xena's tone was forewarning.

The chief was hesitant to reply, but finally nodded his head in compliance. "Nekino." He motioned for the women to follow him as he began walking back towards his camp.

Gabrielle turned to Xena and Alix who were both returning questionable looks, and signaled for them to come along. After a long sigh and a few choice words mumbled under her breath, Xena hoped atop Argo and began following the chief.

Alix and Gabrielle traveled on foot a few paces behind Xena. Alix leaned in closer to the bard as they walked, "We're really going to follow him all the way back to his village just to buyback the supplies he stole from us?"

"We don't know for sure that he took them. But if he did, Xena can pinch the entire tribe if she wants to."

"And I had such a relaxing day planned." Alix sighed.

"Oh, really?" Gabrielle teased, "A full day of lounging by the fire and snoozing?"

"And a few other ideas… some reading…. writing." Alix smirked, "It's almost winter solstice. I'd like to begin work on a couple gifts."

"Gifts? You intend on writing something as a gift this winter?" Gabrielle's intrigue rose. "Poetry?"

"Poetry… music… short stories… maybe your very own fairy tale." Alix's hand slid into Gabrielle's, "Or would you prefer a play?"

"Only if you're planning to act in it as well." Gabrielle returned, "That would be a gift all its own." She gently squeezed Alix's hand and then released it. Though it was comforting to know Alix held affection for the bard, Gabrielle felt it best to never let things go too far, especially in front of Xena.

"A one woman show wouldn't be much fun." Alix admitted, "But perhaps when we return to the Empire, I can hire a few poor actors to put it on for you."

"Return to the Empire…." Gabrielle glanced down at the ground as she continued to walk, "Can we even do that?"

"Sure." Alix's head tilted as she attempted to make eye contact with Gabrielle. "Why would you question it?"

"Caesar isn't one to forget." Gabrielle swallowed, "It may not be safe as long as he's in power."

A disapproving grunt exited Alix's mouth, "If Caesar knows what's best for him, he will keep away. I have too many reasons to end his life."

"So does Xena…. But it's never happened."

"Yeah, well, I'm not Xena." Alix glanced up at the woman who was trotting atop her horse, "She tries not to kill. That gets in the way of giving Caesar what he deserves."

"It isn't killing that makes someone stronger than someone else, it's being able to resist those urges that show one's true strength."

Alix nodded, "Normally, I would agree with you, but Caesar is different. He's inflicted too much hurt and too much sadness into the lives of so many. To let a man like that live is a far greater transgression than dealing with any guilt of taking human life."

"But that's just it, Alix. He is still a human and to kill him is take a human life… why would we ever consider ourselves worthy of deciding who lives and who dies? It makes us no better than Caesar."

"What is one life compared to thousands?" Alix retorted, her cool demeanor fading into aggravation. "By allowing Caesar to live, you're condoning the deaths of his victims."

"We cannot control what Caesar does with his life."

"We can if it effects our own. "Alix defended. "You'd rather him take the life of an innocent? Of thousands of innocents?"

"Of course not…." Gabrielle's toned hardened, "And I would do everything to stop him."

"Except kill him." Alix scoffed.

"Are you saying that you'll kill Caesar if you ever see him again?"

"I'm not saying that I won't." Alix's eyes shot up when heard the clamor of village life. "We're here… that was faster than I imagined."

Gabrielle glanced up as well; she too was surprised the trip to the village did not take longer. As they walked closer to the huts, the tribe people seemingly stopped what they were doing and devoted all of their attention onto the strange new visitors.

"Hasn't anyone ever told them that it's rude to stare?" Alix asked in a low whisper.

"Just don't return the rude gesture." Gabrielle suggested. She tugged on Alix's sleeve and they moved closer towards Xena, who was now also traveling on foot.

"They aren't used to foreigners…." Xena noted.

"Obviously." Gabrielle replied. "Let's just look at the supplies and get out of here as quickly as possible."

"If he has our supplies, I'm not leaving without them… and I do not intend to pay for them a second time."

"Just stay calm until we figure out for sure what's going on." Gabrielle reminded. "There's no reason to jump to any conclusions until we actually see…" Gabrielle's words drifted away as her eyes landed upon her cooking pot, sitting proudly out in front of one of the merchant's shops. "My cooking pot!"

Xena's eyes darted towards the pot, a feeling of anger rushed over her. "I should have known better to not lock up our supplies."

"Over there are our extra furs." Alix pointed to a smaller shop, "I would know because I sowed the corners with a particular pattern."

"All right… all right…. Let's speak with the chief again and show him that we recognize our own supplies." Gabrielle held out her hands in front of her, "I'm sure that once he realizes we're aware of what's he done, he'll not want any problems…"

"I'm finished with talking." Xena replied as she reached for her sword. "Hey chief!" she shouted, causing the older man to turn around and face her. "Some of your wares are looking a little too familiar." Xena picked up the pot with her spare hand and held it up for him to see.

"Healia a'pololo ha wan je'polin sa'haa denna ronoso." The chief followed up with a mischievous grin.

"What?" Xena demanded, not finding the chief's disposition amusing.

"He said, anyone who is ignorant enough to leave supplies unguarded deserves to have them taken away."

Xena, Alix, and Gabrielle all turned at the same time to see who had translated the statement. A young, dark haired woman, with pale skin stepped forth. She didn't look like the rest of the tribal people, she appeared much softer and more cultured, but she was dressed as they were and clearly could translate their language. She wasn't unattractive, in fact she had gorgeous features, but there was something about her that appeared standoffish.

"Who are you?" Xena asked, her grip on her sword tightening.

"That is not important. What is important is that you are threatening the chief in front of his entire village… in front of all his people… put down your sword."

"No." Xena returned, her eyes piercing. "Tell them to give us back our supplies."

"You will not get them back, unless you purchase them." The woman replied as she stepped closer to Xena. "You made an error, you must pay the consequence for it."

"If anyone has made an error here, it's him." Xena raised her sword higher, "Either he hands over our supplies, or I'll go through each shop until I've recollected them all."

"If you use violence, you'll only be killed." The woman glanced over at the chief, "Ya'no, fonhu lo je'polin?"

"No." The chief replied hatefully. "Je'polin ge unpalo. He'shovu je'polin la tando."

"I asked him if he would sell the supplies at a discount. He said no, but he would trade for the supplies. You must take his daughter if you want your supplies."

"How is that a trade?" Alix asked in amusement. "He'll only return our supplies if we take his daughter as well?"

"Colah sin a lo wan digeran. Osha sune fren he'shovu, je'olo canindosa je'polin."

"He does not have time to explain. You must take his daughter if you want the supplies."

"Marriage?" Xena asked. "Is that what he means?"

"He realizes that marriage is not convenient, he only asks that you care for her and that you will protect her from harm. You must take her with you, wherever you go."

"So she is bound to us?" Xena inquired.

"To one of you, yes."

"That sounds like marriage." Alix concluded, a hint of a smile creeping onto her lips. "I'll be damned, the tribal people of Germania are conducting female to female marriages… now, isn't that progressive." Alix laughed, "You know, Xena, I rather like this village. Perhaps we should take them up on their offer. Maybe even stay here for a while. Say, how much to rent a hut in the village?" she teasingly asked the woman.

"Fine then… Alix will take her." Xena extended her hand to the chief so that they could shake upon their arrangement."

"Whoa, wait a minute." Alix interjected. "I'm not interested in a wife." Alix laughed, "Xena, I think you'd be a better match."

"It's not an actual marriage, Alix. You just have to be her hero if she gets in trouble… I think you can you handle that." Xena shook the chief's hand. "Have our supplies and your daughter ready soon, we need to get back to our camp before dark." The dark haired woman translated, and the chief nodded his head in agreement.

"He will meet you at the bridge in one candle mark." The woman replied. "Please wait for him there." With that, the woman turned towards the chief, and together they walked away towards the chieftain hut.

"Well, at least she didn't pinch anyone." Gabrielle sighed.

"Yeah, instead we get to have a wild little tribal woman running around after us." Alix joked.

"You mean after you." Gabrielle clarified. "And from the sound of it, she'll be following you around for quite a while."

Alix's cheerful expression faded, "So, I'll teach her our language, buy her a change of wardrobe, and find her a nice farm somewhere in the Empire."

"Abandon her?" Gabrielle questioned.

Alix was hesitant to reply, "Well, Gabbie, I don't really know what else to do with her. She'll be fine in the Empire. We'll even find her a husband… or a partner… whatever she likes. I'm sure she'll be happy, eh? And then we'll have a new friend to visit." She patted Gabrielle on the back, "Come on, off to the bridge then."

As they waited by the bridge, Xena's patience began to wear thin. It had been half a candle mark already and she had seen no sign of anyone gathering their supplies in the village. Her mind wandered onto the topic of whether or not it could be a trick.

"So, that woman…" Gabrielle began thinking aloud, catching the attention of both Alix and Xena, "What do you think she's doing here? She's obviously not a part of their tribe."

"I'd say she is a part of the tribe, just not a part of their people." Alix added.

"Clearly, she is a different race." Xena cleared her throat; "She's most likely a go between for the tribe. She helps them communicate with other people when necessary."

"Well, isn't that an extravagant commodity for such a small village." Alix replied.

"Perhaps she is there against her will. Perhaps kidnapped." Xena explained, "Most likely, she's been there since she was a child."

Gabrielle's curiosity rose, "Where do you suppose she is from?"

"Judging by her pale skin tone, she was probably born not too far from here. Towards Gaul, perhaps." Alix pondered the thought, "I didn't recognize her dialect, but I'm not familiar with all dialects of Gaul, and if she's been staying with the tribe for many years, then her dialect is most likely contaminated anyway."

"She does look western." Gabrielle added. "The fair skin, I mean. Sort of like…" Gabrielle paused.

"Like Adalei…" Alix completed. "Alix hinted at a smile. "She is fair like Adalei, yes, but looks nothing like her. You don't have such a dark complexion yourself, you know."

"Ah, that's because my father's family migrated to Greece from the west many generations ago. But we've all maintained the same characteristics… except Lila… she took more after my mother's side, which explains her darker hair."

"You never told me that." Xena remarked, finding the news a bit interesting.

"There was never really a reason to say anything about it. It was so many years ago, that we're not even sure from which part of the west we came from. It doesn't matter, we're fully Grecian now." Gabrielle smiled, "But still, it's exciting to sometimes think that my ancestors are from a different land."

"Maybe you're from Gaul as well… You'd be considered quite the beauty there." A large smile streaked across Alix's face. "You'd have your hands full…"

Gabrielle blushed, but it quickly faded, "It doesn't matter; we're all linked together in one way or another. We all have a common thread."

"Where have you heard such philosophy?" Alix questioned with interest.

"A lot of new printings are suggesting this idea of commonality between all people… some even suggest there truly is only one god."

"You're speaking of the works of Micah."

"Yes, but his writings are a reflection of his studies of Ezekiel. Many new authors do draw their inspiration from Micah and others like him. I'm impressed that you've heard of the works" Gabrielle's eyes brightened, "Do you read it as well?"

"No…" Alix quickly replied. "I have only heard it in passing. His views were not favored among my people. We do not wish for our gods to be demised."

"Neither do l. I enjoy the peacefulness it preaches."

"Then why serve a god at all?" Xena interjected. "In the east, there is the Buddha..."

"Xena, not this again. Please." Gabrielle objected, "I've told you several times that those ideas are wonderful, and very peaceful, but I find the lack of a god unsettling." Xena's mouth tightened as it shut.

"This is hardly a time to get into a religious discussion." Alix stepped forward, "I didn't mean to raise a debate."

Xena's attention shifted as she saw the chief and the dark haired woman approaching the bridge, with supplies in tow. "About time." She murmured as she moved around Gabrielle to greet the chief. "I trust everything is here?" She asked as she took two of the sacks. "I'd hate to return to my hut and realize something is missing…"

The chief handed the furs to Alix, "Nehavah."

The woman translated, "That means he has given his oath. It's his way of saying that he is a man of his word."

"Good." Xena agreed.

"Where's the daughter?" Alix asked as she took the remaining two supply sacks, "We need to get going… And I have a lot to teach her."

"What can you teach her, that she doesn't already know?" the woman asked.

"Well, our language… our customs, our ways… she can't very well function in the Empire without knowing how." Alix tossed the sacks to Xena, who loaded them upon Argo.

"I think I'm well aware of your language and ways." The woman quipped. "Perhaps, it is you that has a lot to learn."

Alix's eyes squinted, then quickly widened, "You're the…" she promptly glanced over at the chief, "Wait a minute…. You're not the chief's daughter. We saw the chief's daughter the first day we were here and she was… Well, she was not you."

"And the chief cannot have more than one daughter?"

"Look, cut the jokes, all right… You're clearly not one of the tribal people."

"You are only referring to blood." The woman answered, "There are hundreds of other ways to be connected to someone other than blood."

"I don't care if you're his daughter or not, if you want to come along, come now… if not, stay here. It doesn't matter to me." Xena climbed atop Argo. "Alix, from now she's your responsibility." She glanced down at Gabrielle and offered her hand, "Want a ride?" Gabrielle accepted the offer and took her familiar place behind Xena. "We'll see you at camp."

Alix sighed heavily, "Shall we?" She extended her arm to the woman. "It's either leave now or walk half of the way in the dark."

The woman turned and gently placed a kiss upon the chief's cheek, "A'lon."

"A'lon." The chief repeated. He gave one final look at Alix before turning and walking back towards the village.

"Don't be so sad." Alix replied, noticing the somber expression on the woman's face, "We're not leaving the borderlands for a while. You'll get to see him several more times before we leave."

"Do not tell me how to feel." The woman snapped in return. "My emotions are not your concern." She stamped off down the trail in the direction of Xena.

Appreciating her feisty response, Alix scrambled up beside her, "Hey now, we're married… you can't speak to me that way." She teased.

"Oh, you believe that marriage is power? How wonderful. You must consider yourself the husband?"

Alix cracked a grin and laughed lightly at the remark, "Well, I am supposed to protect you."

"So that gives you power?" Alix did not reply. She simply allowed her smile to fade. "I cannot deny that you are stronger than I am… a better fighter… a better hunter… I am sure you can provide excellent protection… my father is pleased with this opportunity, but do not think that I am to be a slave or beneath you…. I am not."

Alix's mouth opened and shut several times as she tried to think of a proper response, "I.. I… I'm sorry… I would never… I don't believe in slavery… I don't…"

"There's no need to stumble all over your words." The woman replied. However, Alix could tell she was satisfied with her response.

The two continued walking down the path. After a few minutes Alix spoke up again, "So, are you going to tell your name, or do I get to rename you know that you're my wife?"

A tinge of a smile flashed upon the woman's lips, "Is a name that important to you, that you cannot spend a moment with me until you know it? By knowing my name will you somehow know who I am more than you do now?

Alix shook her head in response, "I just want to know what to call you… you know, in case of an emergency… like if there was an avalanche or something… I may need to shout 'Get out of the way!'" Alix mocked by placing her hands around her mouth, "but I wouldn't know what name to yell." She ended. "How am I supposed to protect you, if I do not even know your name?"

"Eden."

"Eden…" Alix repeated the name several times, "Eden… Eden… It suits you." She concluded.

"Oh? Wonderful. You're approval was essential in the matter."

"Not much for compliments, are you?"

"You're not very well at giving them." Eden returned.

Alix let the conversation drop as they continued to hurry down the path towards camp.

(II)

At camp that night, Xena and Gabrielle took the opportunity to catch up on some friendly conversation, without the storm cloud of a romantic relationship hanging over their heads. They sat outside by a well-built fire, while Eden worked silently at stitching together some extra furs for herself.

"Do you think they'll try to steal our supplies again?" Gabrielle asked in a low voice, as not to have Eden overhear.

"Why? Do you think he wants to trade off more of his daughters?" Xena replied jokingly.

"I wonder why it was important to him? I feel like he took our supplies on purpose, just so he could make the offer."

"I agree with you."

"She clearly isn't his natural born daughter. Why do you think he wanted to make sure she had a protector?"

"I'd say she's the best person to ask that question."

Gabrielle chuckled, "She's not the talkative type."

"It's really none of our business. She belongs to Alix." Xena's tone gave away her amusement at the situation.

"You get a kick out of that don't you?" Gabrielle remarked. "You cherish the thought that Alix has, by lack of a better word, a wife."

"Oh, come on, Gabrielle. You know as well as I do that she'll drop Eden off in the first city we come to once we return to the Empire. Clearly, the chief wants her out of the village and somewhere he feels is safer."

"I don't know if it's that simple, Xena. He said that she would be bound to Alix."

"For a while… not forever."

"He didn't exactly mention a time frame."

"So, then why do you assume it's for more than a few months?"

"Because it's been compared to a marriage." Gabrielle's voice rose, giving away her concern over the matter. "Marriages are meant to be long lasting…"

"Gabrielle, it isn't a marriage or anything like a marriage… If it were, there would have been some type of joining ceremony." Xena assured.

"Then why didn't you agree to the arrangement? Why did you suggest Alix?"

"It's a good job for Alix. She's a natural at the protector role… she's the best suited for it."

"And you don't think it may interfere with other plans she may have?" Gabrielle frowned.

"You mean plans with you?" The lack of a response from Gabrielle confirmed Xena's question. "I guess I wasn't really thinking about that when I made the arrangement."

"What were you thinking, Xena?"

"I don't know… I'm just so used it to it be the two of us… you and I… not you and someone else…" Xena glanced away for a moment, "If I knew it was going to bother you…"

"I don't want to argue about it." Gabrielle quickly interjected. She had no desire to stir up a hateful or bitter conversation. "Alix and I are not… it's not like that… at least, it isn't for now. We'll adjust."

"Do you want to be …" Xena hesitated, "I mean, do you see yourself and Alix taking that direction? At some point…"

Gabrielle allowed herself to consider the thought, "Honestly? I only really think about being with her, when I think about not being with you." Gabrielle lowered her head, "I hate to say that… to make her sound like she is second best."

"Do you care for her?"

"Yes…" Gabrielle whispered.

"Romantically?" Xena asked calmly.

"I thought you did not wish to know our details?" Gabrielle's head lifted.

"Perhaps I should know them a bit better… so that I don't accidentally attach wives to someone that you care for." Xena swallowed heavily. "I have seen no change in your relationship towards her."

"I try not to show anything in front of you… it feels wrong." Gabrielle admitted. "Not that there has been too much to hide."

"Romantically it is then…" Xena concluded. "Of course…"

"Would I sound foolish if said that I think she loves me?" Gabrielle asked earnestly.

Xena felt a painful sting in her heart, "No, you would not sound foolish."

"She hasn't said so… with words anyway… but her actions…" Gabrielle trailed off, "I can't say that I don't appreciate her presence. I do."

"You should." Xena agreed, "If she loves you, completely, then don't deny yourself the opportunity to love her in return… believe me, that is something you do not ever want to do." Xena's voice cracked and she immediately cleared her throat, "I'll make sure that Eden realizes there's been a change of plans… I'll be her protector until we make it back to the Empire. From then on, she's on her own."

"Xena, you don't have to do that… Alix and I will …"

"No." Xena interrupted. "No. I wont take this from you." She stood to her feet, "I've taken enough…"

Gabrielle watched as Xena slowly approached Eden and spoke with her about changing protectors. Eden seemed grateful for the change and showed her enthusiasm by placing her hand on Xena's arm and smiling warmly. An action Gabrielle perceived to be more than just friendly. She immediately scolded herself for the thought. Not every woman wants the company of another woman. She reminded herself. But how many would bend the rules for the chance to be with Xena? Again she reprimanded herself. She immediately shook off the concerns when she saw Alix approaching the campsite with extra firewood in her arms.

"Gabrielle, could you open the door to the hut for me? I'd like to go ahead and place this inside."

"Sure." Gabrielle stood to her feet, opened the door for Alix, and followed her inside, shutting the door behind them. "There's something you should know." She began.

Alix dropped the firewood into a wooden box by the chimney, and then dusted herself off. She rose to her feet and gave her attention to Gabrielle, "What's that?"

"Xena decided to remove you from the position of Eden's protector. She's going to take care of her until we get to the Empire."

A look of surprise streaked across Alix's face, "Was that her idea?"

"Yes…" Gabrielle replied, "And no…"

"You talked to her?"

"Briefly… I didn't even have it in mind to discuss with her, but she seemed happy to have burdened with you the task and I…" Gabrielle shook her head, "I expressed my displeasure with it, is all. I told her we would adjust, but she was intent on taking Eden. And Eden seems very taken by Xena." Gabrielle wittingly remarked.

"Ah, I imagine so. She wasn't very taken by me." Alix smiled. "Can't say I was smitten with her much either. In fact, I was dreading every moment of it… It simply never would have worked out. We were headed straight for divorce."

Gabrielle smirked, "Well, contrary to what Xena believes, I think she's better suited for the role than you. She could benefit from having Eden around."

"You mean to replace you?" Alix inquired.

"I just mean that having four instead of three will make things easier. Xena won't be alone and she'll have someone to look out for… a reason and purpose and duty…" Gabrielle slowly stepped towards Alix, "Wouldn't you agree that Xena has more time to devote to such a task?"

"Oh, I see…" Alix replied as she welcomed the bard closer by wrapping her into an embrace. "You were jealous of all the time I would have to spend with my fake wife."

"I wouldn't say jealous…" Gabrielle disputed. "Concerned would be more appropriate."

"Concerned." Alix laughed. She raised her hand to Gabrielle's cheek and gently brushed it with the backs of her fingers, "I never thought you'd ever be concerned over me." She whispered.

Gabrielle lifted her hand and took hold of Alix's, "What a silly thing to think…"

Alix slowly lowered her head until her lips met Gabrielle's. She felt a rush of energy explode through her body, but on the outside she appeared calm and steady. She pulled Gabrielle closer, and their kiss became more passionate. Gabrielle wrapped her hands around Alix's neck, and felt the taller woman lift her from the floor. Gabrielle pulled away and gasped for a breath, but could not resist smiled. Alix lowered them easily onto Gabrielle's bedroll and gently positioned herself on top of her. Again, their lips met and both women felt the intensity of the other's body.

"Alix…" Gabrielle managed to breath between kisses. "We have to stop…"

Alix groaned remorsefully and continued her kissing, but this time placing her lips upon Gabrielle's neck, ears, and chest. Gabrielle felt her muscles tighten at Alix's touch and it became increasingly obvious where Alix wanted to go. Gabrielle's mind raced to the thought of Xena and Eden, who were only a few feet away outside. There was certainly no privacy in the hut and one of them could decide to open the door at any second.

"Alix. No." Gabrielle gently pushed the woman off of her, but kept her close enough so that they were both laying on the bedroll, "This is not the time…"

Alix swallowed heavily, her eyes searching Gabrielle's wildly, "I find it hard to care." She replied; her voice drenched in desperation.

"Not now." Gabrielle reinforced. She leaned in quickly and placed a kiss upon Alix's lips. "It isn't right."

Alix exhaled deeply and regained control of herself. A trace of embarrassment lingered, but she let it go when she realized that Gabrielle was not judging her for her actions. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Be patient." Gabrielle smiled.