I wake up in a dream that doesn"t seem to want to stop. Should I pinch myself, so I wake up back in my bed on the farm? Floating here in these smooth, cool sheets, the temptation to believe this is all a figment of my imagination is all too real. Finally I let my eyes open, hoping the fantastic is actual.

The sun is filtering through a small window by the ceiling, dust floating in its rays. My tunic from last night is still draped over the chair in the corner. Possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever worn in my life. My travel bag sits atop a chest of drawers, already filled with my meager possessions. I want to linger here longer, but Xena's words from last night slowly come back to me.

So far I have seen three sides to her. I wonder when she'll stop giving me specific versions of herself, and let the real person emerge. Maybe I really am as naive as people claim I am, maybe she just wants to use me. The thing is, there's nothing in it for her. Well maybe now with my title as Amazon Princess, but I don't see myself as a ruler and that time is far off. I hold no influence over Queen Melosa, or anyone. What can a poor farm girl from Potidea really do for her?

Rolling, my feet hit the cool floor as I stretch and yawn. Searching through the drawers, I find my Amazon garb. The amount of skin it shows is still slightly unnerving to me. My clothes have always hidden me, have always been sensible and good for the farm work. Now, as I pull on the animal skin top and bottom, I can't disappear anymore.

I lace my boots up and grab my staff. As I stand at the door I take a deep breath, steadying myself for what's to come.. Pulling open the heavy wood, I step out on the second story veranda. The smell of herbs and flowers float all about me. Looking over the railing, I see an herb garden with insects buzzing all around, darting to and fro.

"Lady Gabriel from. The voice nearly causes me to fall over. Turning, I find Alexius standing there, stiff as a board.

"Oh! You scared me. And please, call me Gabrielle." He simply nods.

"The Lord Conqueror is waiting for you on her private terrace." Without waiting for a response, he turns to lead me away. For a second, I'm stuck as my brain catches up, then I have to take off in a jog after him.

As we reach the top of the stairs that lead directly to the terrace, I see another version of Xena. Alexius leaves me to announce myself, and I suddenly find my mouth dry. She's leaning against a far wall, dark hair billowing in the wind. Today she's wearing a black leather bodice, covered in shining intricate armor that swirls about, black leather flaps hang down like a skirt, and silver metal greaves and arm braces. She looks every bit the warrior, the Lord Conqueror in soldier gear. I can't take my eyes off the imposing figure before me. She lifts a piece of fruit to her lips, biting into it, the juices going down her chin. I think my mouth is hanging open.

"Are you going stand there all day?" Xena asks without taking her eyes off the horizon.

"Sorry." I stumble towards the table, making myself look like an idiot. Xena finally turns, looking at me. Something flickers across her features, but I can't pin down what it means, it's s gone as soon as it appeared.

"Think you're ready for some real training?" She grins almost evilly.

"Do you plan on killing me today?" I try to laugh off the nerves.

"Close enough." Her eyebrow raises and her eyes narrow.

"Well I asked for it." I concede though I really don't think I'm prepared for this at all.

"You might want to get some food in your stomach." She nods to the table, then moves close to me in smooth, sure steps. Reaching out, she feels my top between her fingertips. "I"ll have someone make you something a little lighter, and if you get good enough, maybe something battle ready." Her eyes gleam at me as she waits for a response.

"Oh yes, I would love that." I grab a bunch of deep red grapes, tossing one into my mouth. As I bite down, sweetness fills my mouth, and I can't help the slight moan I make.

"Good?" Xena asks me with a grin. I can feel my entire body turning red.

"Umm, we don't get fruit often at home." I try not to make eye contact. Her fingers find my chin, gently guiding my face back to look into her eyes.

"We'll just have to make sure you get more then." For a moment I can't move, I think the entirety of my body has stopped working. Her eyes glow with an energy I've never seen in anyone else, and it holds me trapped. A callused thumb slowly glides across my lips. I've stopped breathing.

"Come on, let's get to work." She nearly whispers, but seems to have no intention of moving. "You might want to breathe Gabrielle." Forcing my lungs to work again is a monumental task. She winks at me and walks away. Hades, what's wrong with me?

Xena is a masterful, if not extremely patient teacher. I've hit the hard ground, no less than five times. Now, as I lean against my staff, I fight to control my breathing.

"Not bad." She comments. "I expected a lot worse."

"Well thanks for the confidence." I grumble at her.

"No problem." She grins. "Why don't you go take a bath, it's not heated yet, the cool water will feel good."

"Are you going to come?" Don't ask me why these words came out of my mouth, I honestly don't know. She regards me for a moment, then shrugs.

"I could use the wash." There seems to be something else on her mind, but she is so good at concealing her emotions, I can't decipher what it is. As we reach the bathhouse, she instructs a servant to bring us both clean clothes.

Throwing my clothes off, I walk into the water. The cool against my hot skin is a Godsend. As I turn I see Xena slink her way into the bath. She dunks her head under the surface, and when she rises again I swear I'm looking at a Goddess. Her confidence rolls off in waves, making my own body tingle. Her hand runs at her shoulder in obvious discomfort.

"Here, let me help you." Xena's eyebrow hitches up as I move behind her. As soon as I touch her skin I almost forget what I'm doing.

"Right here." She points to the sore spot, so I begin to press my palm into her stiff muscle. "Yeah, that's it." Her voice is almost nearly a groan. Hades, what am I doing?

"So what do you discuss with your generals?" I think I'm making a valiant effort to focus on something else.

"Tactics, the soldiers, the gossip."

"Gossip?"

"They"ve been garrisoned strategically. They keep their ears to the ground for anything that might be a threat."

"Why are tactics important." I'm pretty sure I know, again I just need distraction. She turns towards me, and suddenly a wall of water comes crashing at me. I can't help the Yelp that escapes.

"I made the first move, now what do you do?" Her face is completely blank. The only logical response I have is to splash as much water as I can at her. I grin, somewhat satisfied. She licks her lips, wiping water from her eyes.

"Now you've used most of your men and I'm still standing." She slaps some water at me, not nearly the same amount as before but I close my eyes at the assault. When I open my eyes again, Xena is gone. I'm about to yell out for her when I'm yanked beneath the water. I'm so surprised I probably swallow a gallon. Frantically I shoot back for the surface. Xena's in front of me again with a smug look on her face.

"What the f…." Her laugh cuts me off.

"Diversionary tactics." She grins. "A few were sacrificed to allow a bigger force from behind." Yeah, I'll give you a bigger force. She turns to walk out of the bath and I pounce. Landing fully on her back, I use all my weight to push her under. Also, being the smart girl I am, I make a hasty retreat to the steps. Xena launches from the water like a mad woman, grabbing my wrist and pulling me backwards. She then unceriousmonally dunks my head under the water. I come back to the surface choking and sputtering, and to the sound of her laughter.

"I had you." I yell back at her. At this point we devolve into a splashing fight, neither of us win this one.

Once again, I'm treated to a meal on Xena's private terrace. Sitting on the bench, my eyes closed as I wait for her arrival. The cool breeze washes over me, charging my body with fresh energy.

"Maybe we should eat all our meals out here." Her voice startles me, nearly causing me to fall over.

"It's just so….." I don't know the words to describe it.

"If you want to be a bard you might want to work on your descriptions." She reaches a hand out to me that I gladly accept.

"I promise to work on it." I'm pulled to my feet, my body almost touching hers. "It's like a dream here." I look into her eyes. The clarity of the blue I see there is astonishing.

"Do you always get beat with a staff in your dreams?" The chuckle that emanates from her is a beautiful sound.

"Maybe not that part." I admit, returning her smile. Our hands are still clasped together. "But the rest...Xena…..I never truly thought I'd meet someone like you."

"Someone like me?" She questions suspiciously.

"The person of my dreams." The words almost don't come out, my throat having suddenly gone dry. "I'm sorry." I look down at my feet. "Thoughts come to my head and go straight out my mouth."

"It makes you endearing and annoying all at the same time."

"Is that a compliment?" With a huge amount of will, I look back up at her. The softest of smiles plays on her lips.

"Yes, it is." We go silent, though it's not awkward in the least. There seems to be a rock in my throat, and I'm having a hard time swallowing around it. She brings her fingertips to my cheek, tracing against my skin. Of course, this is when the food arrives, effectively killing the moment.