Remember these take place as soon as an episode ends. This is post Dirty Half Dozen where they had been walking away talking about if Xena and Gabrielle had influenced each other's lives
"What'd you mean not as well?"
"Well Xena you did have a few close calls, you know like this!" with that Gabrielle pushed Xena who ended up in the lake. She surfaced, eyes were like ice. Gabrielle knew right away that she was in trouble. She took a few quick steps back from the shore and hid behind a small tree.
"Come on Xena, I didn't think you'd actually fall in. You have the reflexes of the gods I thought you'd be able to catch yourself."
Xena lifted herself out of the water and strode toward Gabrielle with an impassive face. Gabrielle debated running for a moment but then thought better of it. Xena reached her and without a word grabbed Gabrielle and threw her over her shoulder. She turned around and threw her in the lake. When Gabrielle came sputtering and protesting Xena finally let a smirk reach the corners of her lips.
"Fair is fair right Gabrielle?" She crossed her arms over her chest and chuckled for a moment at Gabrielle attempting to climb up the steep incline from the pond. After a few moments of watching the bard struggle Xena reached her hand down and helped pull Gabrielle from the water. "Sorry, I didn't realise you'd be so impeded by your height."
This time Xena saw Gabrielle coming and as she began to fall back into the water she held on tight to Gabrielle's strong arm, pulling her in with her. They came up laughing and holding on to one another. Xena ran her hands lovingly through Gabrielle golden hair. It had been redder when they started out but the sun had faded it to a much paler colour.
"Oh Gabrielle, you've gotten us all wet." Her eyes raked over Gabrielle's firm body. Her breathing began to deepen which she hoped she could play off as losing her breath in the colder water.
"Oh you wish Warrior Princess! I'm freezing now."
"I could warm you up." She wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and laid her lips against her forehead. "It's one of my many skills."
Gabrielle reluctantly pushed her away. "What if Glaphyra or Darnelle hear? They've only been gone for a few minutes and with Darnelle's leg they couldn't have gotten far."
"I think they know," Xena said with a sigh making her way to the bank. Once she had pulled herself out she pulled Gabrielle out too. "Didn't you hear that comment 'pretending she's your friend'? I picked all those people because they were perceptive and smart. I'm pretty sure they all caught on pretty quick."
"Are we that obvious?"
"Does it matter?" Xena had stripped out of her leather and armour and was rifling through the saddle bags for a dry shift. She found an extra shirt for Gabrielle and tossed it to her and went back to searching. "Do you care if people know?"
"Not really. But Xena, I figured you would. You have that whole mysterious warrior thing going. I don't want this to hurt that reputation."
"I don't plan to sing it from the mountain tops Gabrielle and I'm not too big on the whole PDA thing but if someone comes to the conclusion on their own I'm not going to lie and I hope you don't feel the need to either." They had both changed at this point and Xena was putting her armour back on. Gabrielle stepped up to help, fastening the buckle on the side. "Besides, people have made assumptions about us from the very beginning."
"Can you promise me one thing?" Gabrielle stepped in front of Xena taking Xena's hands in hers. "We won't be obvious in front of my parents, especially my father."
Xena leaned down and kissed the bard softly. She wanted it to progress but she knew they had to get moving. They had taken several to deal with Agathon, and Xena had hoped they would be well on the way to Celtae by now. "Of course. Whenever you're ready if you ever are."
They started walking down the road. Their wet clothes were spread over Argo's saddle though with the clouds coming in it looked like they weren't going to dry anytime soon. They were making good time walking in relative silence. Gabrielle was tense though. Xena could see her steps were quick but short. She was absent-mindedly picking at the wrappings on her staff.
"Everything ok Gabrielle?"
"Yea, yea I'm good."
"Beautiful day isn't?" The clouds had really moved in and it had just started misting.
"Yea it's nice."
"Gabrielle, I'm pregnant and Ares is the father."
"Good for you Xena."
Xena reached out and pulling Gabrielle in front of her. "Ok Gabrielle what is the matter. You just said you were happy I'm carrying Ares baby."
"What? Xena that's horrible. We have to appeal to Zeus or maybe Aphrodite I'm sure..."
"Gabrielle I'm not really pregnant. I was just seeing if you were paying attention. I'm worried. You can't be this much off your game. Where we're going there's a lot of robbers. The Romans built the road but don't patrol it. It's full of warlords looking to pick travellers clean and I need you to have my back."
"I'm sorry. I do, you know I do." She hesitated. "I've just been thinking about what we were saying about telling people, my parents specifically. I love them Xena but I just wish they were more like your mother. She just knew and didn't care, she loved you anyway. My sister would understand and I think my mother would come around eventually but my father, Xena my father would try to kill you."
"Gabrielle, I behaved myself for two years. I can be good while at your parents' house."
"That's not the point Xena." Gabrielle pulled away angrily. A tear started to form in the corner of her eye.
Xena took a deep breath. "Then tell me Gabrielle."
"I don't want to have to hide us from my parents. I should feel as comfortable to be with you at my home as I am when we're at your mother's tavern."
Xena took Gabrielle into her arms. There really wasn't much she could say. Gabrielle held back from crying and after a few short breaths calmed down. "I just want them to be happy I found someone that I care so much about not the fact that that someone happens to be a woman."
"I don't know what to tell you Gabrielle. All I can do as try to be a nice and charming as possible, and hopefully they'll start to like me so much they won't care if I'm a girl. If not there's nothing we can do to change that. If there was I would. But remember Gabrielle you do have a family you can always turn to. You have my mother, my brother and me. There will always be people who care about you."
"Thank you Xena." Gabrielle stood on her toes to kiss Xena. She slipped her hands into Xena's and started pulling her down the road. Xena could still see the pain behind her eyes but all she could do now was be there for Gabrielle. Hopefully with time the pain would fade. She could tell it had helped though because Gabrielle had started to talk about a new story she had dreamt of the lovers Pyramus and Thisbe.
"What do you say we hop up on Argo and get a few extra miles in today? We still have that money my mother snuck into our bags and there is a town up ahead with a great inn. They even have rooms with baths in the rooms."
"You sound awfully excited about that Xena. Fond memories?" She winked with a huge smile. Xena felt lucky that Gabrielle knew of her... former exploits and that it didn't bother her. In this case though there would have been nothing to be jealous of.
"Very fond. It was the first bath I had been able to take in weeks the last time I passed through. Probably the most satisfying bath I've ever had."
"We can change that." Xena took this to mean that Gabrielle was up for it and hopped up onto Argo. She offered a hand down Gabrielle and pulled her up into the saddle behind her and soon they were off at a gallop.
They arrived at the inn just after the sun had set. Luckily it was almost winter and tourist season had ended. Xena was able to get one of the rooms with a tub without spending all of their dinars. In fact, if they would have enough to stay in inns almost all the way. She wanted to surprise Gabrielle. She was taking her far to the north western corner of Celtae where the cliffs turned the colour of snow. If there were no problems and she could find a boat she may even take her to Britannia through the Alps. It was cutting a little close to Roman holdings but there were valleys that were so beautiful they had taken Xena's breath away when she had been a warlord. She knew that Gabrielle would love them. She was mentally planning their route when she heard her name. Looking around she saw Gabrielle smiling at her and pointing to the waitress who had come to take their orders.
"Oh sorry. Ummm I'll take an ale and whatever you have for a lamb plate."
The waiter nodded and went off to get their orders. She felt Gabrielle's hand on her knee under the table. "Are you alright Xena? You're not usually one to drift off. In fact by now you've usually knocked a few heads to keep guys from getting the wrong idea, speaking of..."
Gabrielle's hand slipped out of her lap and an extremely drunk man sauntered over. He tried to force himself between Gabrielle and Xena on the bench but was too drunk to get through. Finally he walked around to the other side of the table and flopped down into the seat, barely managing to sit on the bench.
"Hello there beautiful ladies can I buy you a drink?" Xena shot one of her death glares at him but he was either un-intimidated or extremely drunk. Xena was going with the second one. She casually stretched out until her foot was on the opposite bench and then kicked, flipping the bench over and tossing the man, rather gently for Xena, to the ground. He wasn't dissuaded though. Instead he managed to pull himself up and walk back around the table. By this time a few other men were watching with interest hoping to pick up whichever woman was left behind.
Xena looked over at Gabrielle with her best annoyed face and Gabrielle just smiled and shrugged. "I told you it's the leather."
"I heard you ladies only got one room. Well I'd be happy to share mine with one of ya so you don't get cramped." He threw his arm around Gabrielle and Xena's eyes started to burn. "Or both of ya. Wouldn't want you to get lonely all by yourself." He threw his other arm around Xena. She stood up grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt and dragged him to the stairs throwing him up them.
"Go sleep it off buddy, you're not her type."
She went and sat back down. Their food had just arrived but to shock Gabrielle hadn't started devouring it yet. She was simply staring at Xena with a look of amazement. "What?"
"He still has all his limbs and teeth. Xena you're getting soft."
"He was drunk Gabrielle. I'm sure he's a perfect gentleman when sober." Under her breath she added, "plus the bar owners tough. Any fight for any reason and he kicks you out. I am not losing this room for one pathetic drunk. And Gabrielle," her hand reached under the table and Gabrielle's skirt. She pinched the inside of her thigh causing Gabrielle to moan, "When we get upstairs I'll show you just how soft I can be."
Then she turned to her plate like nothing had happened. "This lamb is really good Gabrielle, you wanna try a bite." The bard was still staring at her eyes wide. She leaned in and nipped her earlobe whispering, "eat up, you're going to need the energy," before once again continuing her meal.
The two ate quickly and Xena sent Gabrielle up to the room ahead of her with their things. She went to the bar and asked for a skin of wine to take upstairs with them. When she entered the room the bath was still steaming and Gabrielle had just dumped all their belongs, along with her clothes on the chest at the end of the bed. She was walking around the room, completely naked lighting the candles. Xena froze but then quickly realising the door was still wide open stepped inside and shut it gently.
Gabrielle had finished with the candles that now flickered from every surface in the room, they were even lined around the tub. The shadows shifted across Gabrielle's body and Xena found herself once again memorised. Gabrielle walked over and started to help Xena out of her armour and leathers which she placed at the end of the bed with everything else. She was so gentle and moved so slowly it was almost like a dream. When Xena was finally naked as Gabrielle, the bard led her warrior to the bath and lowered herself in.
Xena was expecting a soft tender touch but instead Gabrielle's fingers wrapped themselves up in Xena's hair pulling her head back. It stung and Xena's mouth opened to release a sound of surprise but it was caught by Gabrielle's mouth. Faster than Xena had known Gabrielle was capable of moving, she had captured Xena's mouth with her own, her tongue sparing with Xena's before the Warrior Princess even knew what was happening. She loved when Gabrielle was like this. This fire only came out when she was fighting or when she was with Xena. It might end up hurting later but gods dam it, it felt good now.
Gabrielle pushed her whole body into Xena forcing her against the side of the tub. Her back scratched against the rough stone as one of Gabrielle's legs came up between hers, grinding against her. She pulled harder on Xena's hair causing her head to fall back and Gabrielle immediately moved from her mouth to her neck. She swore muscles was running down the side of her neck and shoulder was connected directly to her clit because every time Gabrielle's teeth brushed over it, it was a though she had been stroking her between the legs which was of course a job also being performed by Gabrielle's talented leg.
Her nails dug into Gabrielle's back as Xena attempted to pull her closer, which really was impossible. She doubted that the water was able to get between them. She was so focused on Gabrielle's mouth working its way down her chest that when the hot wax hit her shoulder she actually screamed. Gabrielle pulled back quickly looking concerned. Once Xena realised what Gabrielle had done the fire deep inside of her impossibly burned hotter. Her eyes were almost black with lust and she was completely unable to catch her breath.
"If you...stop...again with...out me saying...so I will never... speak to you... again." She was astounded that had come out as clearly as it had. Gabrielle smiled and moved back still holding the candle.
"Tilt your head back." Xena obliged, resting her head on the side of the tub, trying to steady her breathing. She was afraid that she would pass out if oxygen didn't get to her brain soon. Before she had a chance though she felt the now familiar burn over her collarbone followed instantly by Gabrielle blowing over it gently. The change in temperature sent shivers up and down Xena's spine. Soon her chest was cover in wax. By the time Gabrielle's fingers found their way to her clit she was ready. In just a few stroke Xena's back arched and she yelled out Gabrielle's name, but her bard didn't stop. She brought her right back up and then plunged two fingers into her. After a few furious minutes she came again and the world went black.
As she started to come to she realised that she was still in the tub. Gabrielle was tenderly peeling the wax away from her skin. Xena just sat back and watched. Once she was done she had soaped a cloth and began to washed Xena tenderly, she was especially gentle of where the red welts still stood scattered over her chest and shoulders. Once she was done she took a separate cloth and rubbed it over the welts. Xena sighed. The cloth was the softest linens she had ever felt soaking in aloe. Oh yes, Gabrielle was a gifted healer. Gabrielle finished and began to wash herself off.
"Where did you learn to do that Gabrielle? I've never even thought of wax."
Gabrielle blushed looking down into the water. "I bought the wrong scroll once when I was little. It was supposed to be one of Aesop's fables but apparently the merchant had let something else fall into the kids' pile."
"Any chance I can read this scroll?"
"Oh sure," Gabrielle's tone was sarcastic, "you'll read that one, but not one of mine." She shot a smile over to make sure Xena knew she was kidding. Besides even if I did still have it, which I don't, I wouldn't show it to you anyway. I'm not giving away my secret weapon."
"Want me to get your back?" Xena, decided not to push the point and glided over behind her pulling her hair away and laying a soft kiss on the back of her neck. Gabrielle moaned slightly and leaned back into Xena. She passed the cloth over her shoulder.
"Yes please. But use the one with the aloe after." Xena looked down and saw deep scratches in the bards back. On one spot she had even drawn blood.
"Gabrielle I'm sorry. I didn't realise what I was doing I..."
"I didn't realise till after either Xena. Don't go soft on me now." Her voice was taunting. "Besides, I kinda liked it." With that Xena spun the bard and again captured her lips with her own.
When they finally made their way downstairs the next morning it was long past dawn. The looks drawn from other customers let them know that they had in fact been as loud as thought they had. Gabrielle blushed slightly, keeping her eyes to the floor but Xena grinned meeting the eye of every person in the room.
They travelled that way for weeks. No real disasters as they made their way through the mountains. The one exciting day was when Xena got to break up a robbery in progress. She had been right too about Gabrielle being moved by the mountains. Xena was beginning to worry they hadn't brought enough scrolls. Gabrielle was filling almost a full one a night, she said that she had never been so inspired. In fact it had brought all sorts of new ideas to the bard. They had finally left the mountains behind and were walking along a flat plane where Gabrielle was trying to convince Xena that everything was made up of something basic, something so small that they couldn't even see it.
"Take for example a mountain," she began.