Chapter 10

Gabrielle and Xena looked at their surroundings. Their packs of supplies were near the door, and were again filled to the brim. They were in a small cabin, with a fireplace, table with chairs, large bed, and a small room in the back with a bath. Xena walked over to the window to look outside and noticed a small fenced off area, which included a well, and a stable that looked like it could hold two horses. Xena turned towards Gabrielle to see her confusion mirrored in her bard's green eyes.

"What's going on here? Aren't we supposed to be back at the campsite?" Gabrielle asked.

"I don't know. We also appear to be missing a couple of Gods."

Gabrielle took another look around the room, and noticed a small scroll sitting on the pillows on the bed, "Xena. There's a note on the bed." and she went over to the bed to retrieve it.

"It says: 'Congrats my little love birds. You are likely wondering about the cabin. Well, there are two reasons for it. The first is that a couple of Ares' warlords are in need of his attention for a day or so, and I felt bad about leaving you in a campsite without human comforts, so I created this cabin. Secondly, the hunting task is next, so I will have Argo and another horse sent to you. I know we said we would let you choose your tasks, but there is unfortunately a time limit on the beast we need hunted, so it will have to be next, particularly since Ares needs a couple days to fix some damage. So, enjoy the cabin and your time together. Your fabulously fantastic love Goddess, Aph.' "

Gabrielle looked over at Xena and they both smiled.

"Looks like we get a little breather." said Xena.

"Yeah. I guess for once Ares' idiotic warlords did us a favour." Gabrielle laughed.

Xena laughed too, "Well, since we're here, why don't I go grab some water to heat up for the bath, as well as some rabbit or something, and you can get started on the dinner?"

"Sounds like a good plan. Hurry though. I am starving."

"My dear, when are you not hungry?" Xena grinned as she walked over to her bard to poke her in the ribs.

"Have I mentioned that you're funny, warrior?" Gabrielle said, poking Xena back.

Xena leaned down for a kiss, then said, "I will be back shortly," and proceeded outside.

Gabrielle went over to grab their packs and started to unload them. She noticed several extra items that Aphrodite provided them too, such as candles, scented oils and rope. Gabrielle decided to leave that pack undisturbed for now and unpack it later as a surprise for Xena. She grabbed the flint and some of the smaller wood beside the fireplace and started a fire. She then started to chop up some vegetables, mixed in some herbs, and set the pan near the fire with some cooking oil in it to heat it up. She decided to also grab one of the scented oils and put it in the bathing room, so that when they bathed it would be more relaxing. Xena came back with a couple of rabbits, then went back and forth from the well to fill the cauldron over the fire as well as half of the bath. She then took the rabbits, skinned them, then handed them over to Gabrielle to start cooking. While the food was cooking, Gabrielle and Xena lifted the cauldron of boiling water off the fire, took it to the bathing room, and poured it into the tub, so that it had time to cool down a bit before they used it. Gabrielle poured some of the scented oil in to the tub as well, so that when they returned the room would be filled with the aroma. They returned to the main room and while Gabrielle tended to the food, Xena removed her weapons, armour and boots and sat down to relax. Gabrielle set the table, then brought the food over and started portioning it out. When all was ready, Gabrielle removed her weapons and boots as well, and sat down across from Xena.

"This smells and looks fantastic, as always Gabrielle. Thank you." said Xena with a big grin on her face.

"You're welcome. I am glad we get to eat at the comfort of a table, instead of up against a rock or log. I haven't actually done this since before we reached Jappa." said Gabrielle.

"I remember. That little town on the border of Chin. With that horrible stew." Xena chuckled at the memory.

"Oh yeah, and those wannabe warlords who kept trying to get into your leathers." Gabrielle joined in the laughter.

"Thanks for reminding me," Xena said with a grimace on her face, "At least they were drunk enough I was able to hold them off without resorting to hurting them. Much."

"Well, when we re-open your mother's inn, we'll just have to make sure that everyone is fully aware you are taken, and perhaps have people leave weapons at the door."

"That's a really good idea. I can't wait to get home and get our lives started." Xena sighed, then continued eating her meal in a thoughtful silence.

Gabrielle ate what was left of her meal, then waited for the warrior to finish. She gathered up the dishes and washed them in the remaining water bucket, then left them out to dry. She then walked over to her warrior and grabbed her hands, pulling her up.

"Let's get out of these clothes and go freshen up in that tub." the bard said, and pulled Xena into the bathing room.

They stripped off their clothes and both sank into the tub, enjoying the feel of the warm water and the scents surrounding them. Xena motioned for Gabrielle to come sit in front of her, and Gabrielle complied, leaning back into the warrior as Xena wrapped her arms around the bard, leaning back as well. They sat there for awhile, taking in the comfort of each other and the warmth of the water. Eventually as the water started to cool off, Xena grabbed the soap and started to wash Gabrielle's hair and back, then taking in turn to be washed by the bard. When they were rinsed off, they stepped out of the tub, and Xena felt a shimmer in the air outside cabin. She went out to the window to see Argo and another horse grazing out in the yard.

"Gabrielle! Argo is here," Xena said, clearly excited about seeing her horse again, "Would you object if I went out there and spent a little time with her?"

"I understand Xena. Go ahead and say hi for me as well. I will get our stuff settled in here. Don't be long though." Gabrielle said the last part in a deep, sultry whisper.

"With motivation like that, Argo is definitely only getting a quick rub down." Xena said as she leaned down to Gabrielle for a kiss. Gabrielle tangled her hands into the warrior's hair, deepening the kiss, before releasing the warrior from her grasp.

"You better get a move on then Xena." she said, turning away from her to continue drying off and getting their bed items ready.

"Tease." said Xena as she pulled on her shift and headed outside.

Gabrielle got dressed and took the opportunity to more thoroughly examine the extra items Aphrodite had packed for them. She pulled the rope out and attached it to the headboard in the way she liked. She took out a couple of the candles and lit them, setting them on the bedside table. Then she pulled out the scented oils and dripped a few drops of them onto the candles, noting that one was her favourite scent of Jasmine. She inhaled the scent for a little bit before continuing to unload the bag. She then found a soft leather flogger, which appeared to have been worn in a little already. Gabrielle giggled as she realized that it was likely that the Goddess was the one who would have worked it in. The last thing she pulled out of the bag was a harness, complete with a smooth, phallic-shaped Jade stone. This caused Gabrielle to grin and she could also feel the heat rise in her cheeks, assuring her she was blushing. She prepared these items as well on the bedside table, then went to go brush out her hair and prepare herself for when Xena returned.

Meanwhile outside, Xena was slowly approaching Argo. She knew the horse was likely mad at her, so she was taking it slow. Argo whinnied at her, then stomped the ground, indicating that she was upset with the warrior.

"Shh. I am sorry girl. I know I left without saying good-bye. I am sorry. You and Gabrielle are very important to me. You know that," Xena smiled as the horse moved her head towards the warrior's hand, "And I am glad I was able to count on you to take care of Gabrielle in my absence. Just so you know, I never plan on leaving either of you again."

Argo neighed at the warrior and allowed Xena to grab her tack and brush her down, both content in the fact they were reunited. Xena also took her time to care for the second horse, which seemed to have a calmer temperament than Argo. 'Good thing too. I don't think we have ever found a suitable replacement for Gabrielle's horse. She's not a fan of riding and a calmer horse helped her, even if it took a bit to get that first horse to be calm.'

She finished brushing down the horses, she took the bag of nearby oats and poured them into the trough so the horses could eat at their leisure. She stepped over to Argo to pat her forehead one more time before heading back into the cabin, not wanting to leave her bard waiting much longer.

When she opened the door, she gasped audibly at what she saw. There was Gabrielle, completely naked, lying seductively on the bed. She also noted the flogger, harness and phallus on the bedside table, and the rope attached to the headboard. She moaned as she turned to close and lock the door, and move slowly to the bed, removing her shift as she did so. She leaned down to the bard and gave her a passionate kiss.

"You sure Gabrielle? It has been a long time since we have indulged in this particular fantasy." Xena asked her bard.

"I am yours, my warrior. I love you. Do as you wish." Gabrielle said in a whisper, dripping with desire.

Xena moaned again, "Okay. Remember to call out truce if it becomes too much for you."

"We have never needed that word before except in tickle fights, mistress." Gabrielle said the last word with her head lowered, as if waiting for a command.

Xena did not need more motivation than that. "Bard, stand up and attach the harness to me."

"Yes, mistress." Gabrielle said as she grabbed the harness and slowly fastened it to the warrior, talking her time to feel the soft skin a little first. She then lowered her head again, waiting the next command.

Xena noticed the scented oils and candles, and decided to start slowly with a massage and gradually work up to the more intense pleasures.

"Lie down on your stomach, Bard." She commanded of her lover.

"Yes, mistress." replied Gabrielle, who proceeded to lie down on the bed as instructed.

Xena grabbed the jasmine-scented oil, and rather than warming it up in her hands first, she dropped some of it directly onto the bard's back, causing her to gasp. Xena smirked to herself, then placed her hands onto Gabrielle's back and started to work out the tight muscles. Gabrielle moaned as she felt the hands slowly work her body, then sighed as the hands moved down to massage her butt. Xena left one hand working her lover, she grabbed one of the candles and started to drip the hot wax onto Gabrielle's back, causing the bard to moan in both pain and pleasure. Xena notice the tattoo start to glow as it heated up again and felt her own warmth rise. When she was done with the candle torture, she pulled Gabrielle's hands up and used the already in place rope to bind her hands over her head. She grabbed a nearby cloth and tied it around Gabrielle's eyes. She then leaned over her lover's head and whisper into the bard's ears.

"On your hands and knees."

"Yes, mistress." Gabrielle's voice was hoarse with desire and anticipation as she raised herself onto her knees, using her arms and elbows to prop up her front since her hands were tied.

Xena went in behind Gabrielle and grabbed her thighs, spreading out the bard's legs a little more. When Gabrielle was positioned exactly as Xena wanted her, she grabbed the flogger and lightly started gliding it over the bard's back, down her firm ass and back again, causing Gabrielle to moan in pleasure. When she was certain her little one was relaxing into the sensations, Xena took the flogger and started to smack it against the firm ass in front of her, slowly increasing her speed and strength until she was going at a strong, fast rhythm. Gabrielle moaned and bucked in both pain and pleasure as she felt the soft leather working over her. She could feel the wetness building between her legs, enjoying every minute of the exquisite torture. Xena saw that her lover's ass was getting nicely red and decided to slow down her attack, eventually bringing it to a halt. She lightly pulled the flogger over her bard again, allowing gentle sensations to replace the harsh ones once again.

Gabrielle's senses were on overload. She wanted the pleasure to continue, "Please mistress."

"Please what?" Xena replied, putting the flogger down and reaching for the phallus and attaching it to the harness, knowing it was what the bard was going to ask for, but wanted to hear her beg anyways.

"Please, take me. Pleasure me, mistress."

"Your wish, my command." Xena stated.

She reached over to her lover and slowly started to caress her body, starting with her shoulders, then reaching underneath and started to massage the beautiful breasts underneath. Gabrielle whimpered, but didn't dare speak again, knowing it would be an act of defiance and would cause the warrior to stop what she was doing. Xena smirked, then slowly moved her hands down over the bard's hips and down her thighs, repeating the process over and over until the body under her was quivering with anticipation. She then reached between her lover's legs, and slowly started rubbing the heated center she found there, her hand getting covered in wetness.

"Gods Gabrielle, you are so beautifully wet." Xena commented, her voice dripping with the desire she felt.

Gabrielle whimpered again, but chose to remain silent, other than the moans the light touches were bringing to her. Xena then pulled her hand out and positioned herself behind her lover, the phallus touching but not entering the bard.

"Would you like me to enter you, little one?" Xena asked, her hands positioning themselves on Gabrielle's hips, waiting for the invitation.

"Yes, mistress." Gabrielle had to use all her will power to not force herself down onto the phallus.

"With pleasure, my love." Xena said, then slowly started to enter the bard, using her hands to guide Gabrielle's hips where she wanted them.

Gabrielle moaned, enjoying the feeling of the phallus slowly going in and out of her wet tunnel. Xena picked up momentum, thrusting in and out of Gabrielle at an increasing speed. Gabrielle's moans and cries became more pronounced as Xena continued her rhythm against the bard.

"XEEENNNAAA!" Gabrielle screamed into the night as wave upon wave of pleasure rolled over her.

Xena continued her thrusting, slowing down as she rode the wave of orgasm with Gabrielle. She remained inside the bard until she heard the bard's breathing return to normal. She then pulled out and put the tip of the phallus against Gabrielle's ass.

"Do you want me to pleasure you here?" She whispered.

"Please..." was all Gabrielle was able to manage.

Xena smiled and slowly started to enter Gabrielle's tight ass. The bard gasped in pain, only to be replaced with a moan of pleasure. Xena went slow at first, allowing Gabrielle to set the rhythm. When Gabrielle's hips began moving harder onto the phallus, Xena started to thrust harder, as well as reached around to Gabrielle's front and started to massage her hardened clit. It didn't take long for Gabrielle to reach the second orgasm, screaming and moaning, eventually collapsing onto the bed, breathing heavily. Xena pulled out, then reached up to untie the bard's hands. She took the harness off and then came to lie down beside her lover, an arm draped across her back while she waited for her to come back to her.

"Xena...That was amazing. Thank you. I love you." Gabrielle said, turning her head to face her warrior.

"I love you too, and you are most welcome." Xena said, reaching up to caress Gabrielle's face, pulling her down for a gentle kiss.

Gabrielle reached up behind the warrior's head, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. As she did so, she moved over to the warrior and rolled her onto her back, so that Gabrielle was mostly on top of her, with her leg between Xena's. Xena moaned into Gabrielle's mouth, as the bard's tongue danced with her own. Gabrielle broke the kiss and started to kiss her warrior's jaw line, moving her lips to her neck where she remained to nibble and lick for a little bit, enticing some wonderful sounds from Xena. She then slowly blazed a trail of kisses down the warrior's chest, stopping just short of the nipples. She started with slow kissing of the breasts, slowly circling her way to the center. She then pulled the nipple into her mouth, lightly nibbling on the tip, causing the warrior to arch her back in pleasure.

"Gabrielle..." Xena whispered, before moaning again, losing her ability to form coherent words.

Gabrielle smirked before moving to the other breast, repeating the same slow torture. She then started to slowly lick, nibble and kiss her way down Xena's abdomen, making her way very slowly to her ultimate destination. With her hands she pushed the warrior's legs further apart, then started to slowly run her hand from knee of one leg, across Xena's warm center, then back down the other leg, repeating the process. Xena's hips moved with the hand, trying to prolong the point when the hand was in the place she wanted it most. Gabrielle started to follow her hand down Xena's thigh with her lips, kissing her way down. She lightly spread the warrior's lips and started to lick up and down the full length of her.

"Please...more..." Xena whimpered, wanting to feel her bard inside her.

Gabrielle continued the slow torture of Xena, eventually leaving her mouth and tongue on the hardened clit. She put two fingers up to the warrior's wet opening, but only entered slightly before pulling out again. She heard Xena whimper and moan, the sounds music to her ears. She continued to use her tongue and mouth to work the nub, using her fingers to tease the warrior's wetness. She suddenly sucked hard on Xena's clit while plunging her fingers deep inside, causing the warrior to gasp and buck at the sudden attack. Gabrielle's fingers moved hard and fast inside of Xena, her tongue increasing pressure on the hard clit. Xena could feel herself letting go.

"GABBRRRIIIIEEELLLLEEE." the warrior screamed as her orgasm gripped her, waves of pleasure washing over her.

Gabrielle continued to make love to Xena until she felt her warrior slow down. She pulled out of her warrior and moved up to nestle herself into the crook of Xena's neck, waiting for the warrior to compose herself.

"Gabrielle. You give me so much, and I will never take advantage of the fact you are here again. I love you." Xena said, tears rolling down her cheek.

"I love you too, my warrior." Gabrielle said, reaching up and wiping away the tears. She then snuggled closer to Xena, feeling powerful arms wrap themselves around her as the both fell asleep, contentment, love and happiness washing over them.