Now

Cool wind brushes against my skin, causing goosebumps to populate my body. I don't know how long I've been walking, but it seems never-ending. Trees rustle and sway in a loud cacophony of noise. My legs start to give out under me, causing me to stumble and fall to knees. I push everything I have into standing back upright. Blood still oozes from several wounds, the pain from my battered body nearly overwhelming. I have one goal that keeps pushing me, doesn't allow me to give in to my injuries. I shouldn't have left. I shouldn't have chased him off the battlefield and left. I had to though, right?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Then

'Xena, do we have too?' The question is not because she is tired of the fighting, but because she doesn't always like how deep I sink into my role in it. She's right though, it is easy and it's comfortable.

'They'll get slaughtered. This warlord Cassander is ruthless, and will do anything to make people bow before him like a God. If we don't get a militia together, no one's going to stop him.' Gabrielle sighs in resignation, looking off at nothing particular. The firelight dances across her skin, giving her a golden hue. My heart burns in my chest whenever I look at her. Now that she's become a formidable warrior, my pride is endless. When she fights by my side, It feels so natural. Trying to snap myself out of my thoughts, I continue sharpening my sword. The movement hypnotic and soothing. I can feel her eyes on me, but don't look up.

'How are we going to get enough men?' Gabrielle caves too easily these days. She loves me, I know, but I often wonder what I've cost her.

'We recruit from the neighboring towns. Once I convince them it's in their best interest, it should give us enough to stand with Cassander's soldiers.' Gabrielle's eyes are glowing in the flickering light when I look up. She nods her head.

'And you're sure you can convince them?' She asks this all the while believing I can do anything. Gabrielle questions in strategic fashion, trying to get me to say the things that I just don't say.

'Unless they want to be the next to fall to him, they'll fight.' Sheathing my sword, I focus fully on Gabrielle. What I thought was love before, is nothing compared to what I feel for her. I know I don't say it enough, but she is everything to me. Gabrielle blunts my sharp edges, controlling the darkness inside in ways I never could seem to do. We seem to be caught in a trance as our eyes stay locked together. I watch the minute changes on her face reflecting her emotions. She's never been able to hide anything, but im not sure she's ever tried. Gabrielle's not like me, her heart is open and free from chains.

'What?' She asks but already knows the answer. I'm not sure I can find the words. Gabrielle stands, walking over to where I sit with my back against a tree. As she stands over me, her hand reaches out. Grasping it, I pull her down till she sits, straddling my lap. She gives me a small smile, which quickly dissolves into something else. Her fingers push hair behind my ear, then they continue to trail down my neck. 'You know I'd follow you anywhere, right?'

'I know.' She has since the first time she saw me. Fingers trail back up my neck until her palm rests on my cheek. I lean into the warmth, my heart hurting in the most mysterious way. Soft lips touch mine for the briefest of kisses. Looking into her eyes, so full of love for me, I can't help but question why I deserve this. My hands trail up her back causing her whole body to tremble.

'Do you know how much I love you?' She whispers, lips hovering near mine. Sometimes when she looks at me, I forget to breathe.

'Yes.' There are nights like these when I embrace the connection between us with gentle hands. The softness of it can be just as intoxicating as any other.

'Xena.' Her breath is hot against my lips.

'Gabrielle.' I grasp the back of her neck, ready to pull her in closer.

'If only i could just…' Her lips graze mine again.

'What?'

'I don't even know the words.' She kisses the corner of my mouth. I almost can't hold myself back.

'Maybe there aren't any.' Words always fail me.

'It's so overwhelming.' I've hurt her too many times, and yet she expresses this so often.

'Show me.' She lets out a shuddering breath. Our lips touch in the sweetest of kisses, delicate and light. Her eyes search my face with a hint of desperation. I look back and wonder if she knows the depth of my love. She grasps my face with both hands, leaning her whole body in as she finally fully kisses me. Energy courses through my body as our tongues touch. The need, the hunger in which she kisses me is bruising my lips.

Everything melts away around us, my focus is only on her. Just by this kiss, I'm drawn into her desperation. I want so badly to just make her a part of me, to be merged in a way that defies all logic. So I pull her as close to me as possible, eager to fulfill my needs as I begin to fill with a passionate energy that jumps under my skin. I need more than just this kiss. I need a convergence of souls.

Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling at my scalp in a sweet sort of pain. Our tongues tangle as we cling together. My chest aches. One thing I can never seem to express truly, is how she is the breath that gives me life.

'Xena.' She manages to whisper. I lay her down on the fur in front of me, propping myself over her smaller frame. My tongue trails down her neck. She tastes like honey and salt. A noise interrupts this intense moment. We look at each other, knowing that our night is about to be interrupted by unwanted guests. Giving her one last kiss, I spring to my feet, grabbing my weapons as I go. Gabrielle stands next to me, sais at the ready. Five soldiers step out of the trees.

'There better be a good reason you're stomping into our camp.' One man sneers.

'We do it because we can.' The leader smirks as he steps forward.

'I'm going to give you a chance to leave.' These men are too stupid to understand the danger they're in

'Or what?' The leader asks, laughing as he looks back at his men.

'Or you might not walk out of here alive.' Gabrielle tenses, ready to spring forward. The soldiers just laugh uproariously.

'We'll just see about that.' They pull their weapons and advance forward. Well, he asked for it. With a war cry I flip up into the air, landing on the head of the last soldier in the group. The man standing in front of him whips around. Our swords clash briefly before I kick him in the chest, sending him flying back. Gabrielle has already take one soldier, and now fights the last two. She wields her weapons expertly, dealing blows to the men's bodies with efficient strikes. The soldier I had kicked is back on his feet and is charging straight for me. I block each strike of his sword with ease. These men are not well trained. He thrusts at me, but I quickly side step, grabbing his sword arm as I do. Slamming my fist upward under his elbow, I hear an audible crack as his bone breaks. The soldier crumples to the ground in agony. Soon the soldiers are crawling and scrambling away in defeat.

'Who were they?' Gabrielle asks as she runs up to my side, panting.

'Advance scouts for Cassander.' I scowl at the trouble this egotistical bastard is causing.

'We need to move faster.'

'Let's break camp, we leave now.' I walk away to grab my armor. Advance scouts means the army is only days away. We need to push, or there won't be any town to defend.