Chapter 37 – A Moment – A Fate
This chapter takes place after "The Last of the Centaurs" and before "When Fates Collide"
"Gabrielle!" Xena's voice bellowed through the trees.
Gabrielle ran down the hill toward the stream where Xena had gone to fish.
"What? What in Tartarus is wrong?"
Xena had a disconcerting look on her face as Gabrielle edged toward the water's edge.
"Xena? What are you doing?"
Xena looked at Gabrielle seeming a bit embarrassed.
"I'm stuck."
Gabrielle did her best to hide her amusement. "I'm sorry? ...You're stuck? How are you stuck?"
"Gabrielle, will you just come here and help me," Xena asked as Gabrielle snickered, "Gabrielle!"
"All right. All right…..I'm sorry…" Gabrielle waded into the water. "What are you stuck on?"
Xena shrugged.
"I told you that all this fishing with your hands and feet would get you in trouble someday…"
"Yeah yeah… right… can you just get my foot free please?"
Gabrielle stopped in front of the warrior and bit her lip attempting to suppress her smile. She lifted her hand to cover her mouth slightly as her eyes beamed at the frustration that showed so clearly on Xena's face. She felt with her own foot to see if she could tell what had Xena's foot pinned; a branch, rock – trying to determine the culprit before diving in, and if she were to be honest completely relishing the warrior's current helpless state.
"Gabrielle….please."
Gabrielle smiled and put her hand on the warrior's cheek. "It's okay, Xena…. I have you…." She winked.
Xena rolled her eyes. She was fully aware that her bard was enjoying this moment.
Gabrielle dove under and shifted a rock that had become somehow entangled with a large log and dug Xena's foot free. She rose back up to the surface and rubbed the water from her face, pulling her hair back.
Xena shook her foot loose fully.
"Better?" Gabrielle gloated.
"Mmmm."
"You're welcome…" the bard said playfully.
Xena cocked her smile sideways and let out a small sigh of reluctant admission, "Thank you…"
Gabrielle smiled and turned back toward the stream's edge. In an instant she found herself being pulled backward and slightly under.
"Xena… I have to go and…"
"And what? Have another warrior to save, do you?" Xena raised an eyebrow.
"No. One is my quota for the day," the bard quipped.
"I see," the warrior answered. She took Gabrielle in her arms and looked into her eyes.
Gabrielle could not stop smiling. The last few days had been some of the best she and Xena had spent together; perhaps ever. Having the chance to see Ephiny, even for a moment had warmed the bard's heart. It was a goodbye she had not been ready for. And, for Xena, meeting Borias's son had helped her to close a painful chapter in her life. They had sat and talked about Solon and Eve and laughed. Laughed at Solon's pension for tree climbing and Eve's obsession with spiders. They talked about happy time, memories that each held dear. It was as if sadness had vanished; at least for now. They both felt lighter somehow. There was just a sense of possibility in the air.
Xena wiped water droplets from Gabrielle's face gently. "You are beautiful," she said to the bard.
Gabrielle looked into the warrior's eyes and searched the contentment in her eyes. "Did you get stuck on purpose?" Gabrielle narrowed her gaze.
"Gabrielle….. How would I get stuck on purpose?" The warrior rolled her eyes unconvincingly.
"Uh huh…" the bard pressed her tongue against her cheek. "You are impossible…"
Xena couldn't contain the grin that seemed to be determined to make itself known.
"Complaining?" she inquired.
Gabrielle looked at her pretending to consider the question very carefully.
"Yes?' The warrior asked again.
Gabrielle moved in close to Xena and looked up into her steel blue eyes as if she were ready to confide some wonderful secret. "Xena," she whispered seductively.
Xena swallowed heard and took a deep breath anticipating the bard's next move.
"I just want you to know…." The bard continued….
"GABRIELLE!" Xena cried with just an ounce of real pain. The bard had masterfully disarmed the warrior and managed to get a good pinch on her backside.
Gabrielle gloated… "Hummm….you're not the only one with a few tricks up her sleeve…."
Xena nodded her understanding with a lighthearted shake of her head. At this moment the warrior could not be certain that she had ever felt so at peace. She took the bard back into her arms and kissed her slowly.
"Xena," Gabrielle said slightly breathless.
"Mmmm?"
"I could stay here forever…"
Xena smiled knowing that forever might only be the next five minutes, but she agreed. 'If forever could be one moment," she thought to herself as she kissed Gabrielle again, 'this would be my fate, forever.'