LET ME SLEEP WITH YOU I WILL NEVER CARE FOR ANYTHING MORE

Xena felt something small rubbing against her neck, which caused her blissful sleep to end. Although she drifted out of her dreams effortlessly something which she'd had trouble doing in the past few days. She felt her eyes open slowly soft light filled everything around her for an instant before things slowly came back in to focus. She blinked before looking around her she was back in the fertility goddess's temple once more she recognised the floor along with the pottery. The small room was opposite the main keeps throne room it was dimly lit and empty. She eased herself up slightly feeling the fur skin under her body and the one on top of her. She had once again been stripped down to no more than her underwear.

The difference this time was that her whole body smelt and clean and her hair had been washed from what she could tell. Her clothes were lying close by in a neat pile. All of her leathers had been cleaned of blood along with her weapons gauntlets and boots. She didn't care that some one had cleaned her it just felt so good to be clean. She'd done nothing but taste her own blood, sweat and tears and pain and none of it she wanted to think about at this moment in time. She felt something small and furry brush against her arm causing her to snap out of her thoughts. She looked down seeing the sight of orange fur of it sped past.

She slowly leaned over as it ran past her arm again she eyed she looked up realising what it actually was. It was the little dog that Gabrielle's angelic side had, had. She watched as it came forward nudging her arm before running back and yipping loudly, she could see that it just wanted to play. She wasn't going to bother asking how it had got here the changes were that one of the gods had brought it back and if not them then Itzli. She wrapped the fur skin around herself as she sat up gently picking the dog up and ticked its stomach watching as it started to yip sharply enjoying the attention. "Hello there."

She smiled as she put the little dog down it was a cute little thing which was so much Gabrielle's taste. Her lover had always liked cute animals, right from the beginning. She could remember walking through the market with her when she'd been young it had been so problematic because, she loved to look at the animals for sale. Her favourite things being small dogs, cats and little parakeets which traders brought in from different lands. She could remember it all so clearly her wearing her first clothing with the red material top with its blue and white collar and knee high red skirt. She smiled inwardly the younger woman would look at them her green eyes wide.

She had been so annoyed with her and she'd ended up having to pry her away from the stalls by appealing to her weakness which was food. She felt her smile fade as she looked around her where was her lover? She could feel her lover's presence once more but she just couldn't see her, she looked up sharply as three servant women walked in to the room carrying someone in. They carefully placed the person on a fur skin which had been laid out close by. One of them was carrying a large bowl of water which she placed next to the fur skin. The second girl looked at the third, who was placing the saddle bags down carefully, her nervous voice hit the air. "She is fully unconscious right now I mean she's not going to wake up is she?"

The first girl turned to her as she kneeled down carefully pulling the person's blood stained hand which she could tell was Gabrielle's even in the dim light. She recognized the light leather brown gauntlet on her lover's wrist with its weaving wood land patterns. The young girl looked at the unmoving bloody hand. "She's out cold she hasn't moved since the goddess of fire brought her back here." She looked up slightly. "There's no chance that she's going to wake up, she had her soul torn in two remember and now its one soul in one body. People don't get up and walk around after that kind of thing." The second girl looked up. "Good, because I don't like the idea of her waking up, she might be dangerous."

The first girl shook her head in annoyance. "She's not dangerous she's out cold." The second girl folded her arms. "If a jaguar was lying on the forest floor out cold, would you go up and poke it?" The first girl eased up the blood hand fully by the leather gauntlet. "Look Blood Jaguar's hand." She shook it slightly. "See no movement, not awake, not dangerous." Her eyes moved down. "You weren't like this about the Warrior Princess and she looks much bigger and stronger physically." The second girl folded her arms as she looked down. "The Warrior Princess isn't the Blood Jaguar." The third girl turned meeting Xena's gaze she quickly turned back. "She's also very much awake and we should all be grateful."

Xena smiled as they all turned to look at her, she wrapped the fur skin tighter around herself as she got to her feet watching as the little dog bounded around her feet. She took in a deep breath as she eyed them. "I would like to wash and clean Gabrielle." The kneeling girl slowly stood up looking at the others for a moment before turning back. "Of course what ever you wish." She looked down slowly. "We brought in her bags and yours and the water is fresh." She didn't think as she grabbed the other two girls pulling them up towards the door. "We'll leave you to it." Xena watched as all three of them vanished as they went through the door way closing its curtain behind them.

She sighed as she dropped the fur skin while grabbing hold of her leathers and easing them on, so they covered her naked body and shoulders. She adjusted her shoulder straps slightly as she moved forward coming to a stand next her lover. She slowly kneeled down be side her staring at her for a long moment. Gabrielle was lying on her side, her beautiful long blonde hair flaying outwards while body small body was completely motionless in its red clothing. The same clothing she'd being wearing when she'd died although it didn't have all its Aztec pieces. The younger woman's face was so peacefully as if she was sleeping and dreaming a blissful dream.

She could now see why the servant girls had been rather scared her lover was covered in blood, all of it from the pool of creation. It wasn't dry blood ether. All of this blood was caking all over her body the greatest amount being on her hair, bodice and boots which had the sai blades strapped to them. She eased the water bowl over looking at the fat sponge in it before easing it out of the warm water. She moved slowly to the younger woman's face watching as the blood disappeared as she used it. She carried on with her task not caring about time as it passed by her as she careful cleaned the blood off from her lover's skin and hair.

She could feel the soft skin under her finger tips as she ran the sponge across her lover's arms and chest while feeling carefully for any broken bones. She didn't think as she pulled the thread free easing the leather bodice off she didn't think as she threw it to one side not caring where it landed. She wasn't going to put it back on her lover's body, she moved to the belt undoing it while easing up the younger woman's body so she could pull it off. She threw it over next to other clothing then worked on pulling the velvet skirt free throwing it to one side, her gaze shirted as she freed her lover's underwear, which would need to be cleaned.

She lowered her lover's naked body back on to the fur skin then moved to the boot laces pulling them loose as she eased the boots off. She eased the sai blades and their leather holders off placing them by her side as she threw both dark brown boots aside. The last thing to come off was the light brown gauntlets which she careful placed next to the sai blades. She eased up each item carefully cleaning one after the other before placing them next to the fur skin. She eased up the sponge up again cleaning the rest of the smaller woman's body. She leaned over her lover's bag pulling out the green halter top and brown skirt followed by the brown belt and side lacing boots.

She eased out new underwear carefully putting it back on Gabrielle's body. She tied it catching sight of a very faint scar on her lover's waist which was new. She eased up her fingers running them across it before going back to her task. She knew it was the scar that Akemi had been boasting about at Tezcatlipoca's keep. She felt her anger burn for a moment then felt it dissipate as she picked up the sponge again and carried on cleaning away the blood while rolling the smaller woman carefully on to her back. She took in a deep breath as she tossed the sponge back in to water bowl seeing her lovers clean skin and damp golden hair in front of her. The younger woman hadn't moved once. The only thing that said that she was alive was the rising and falling of her chest and the very slight movement of her throat.

She found herself going still as she stared at her at her lover's naked body. She eased up her hand running it gently down the younger woman's face then slowly down her throat. Her hand carried on travelling slowly moving in between her lover's breasts and down her lower rib cage. It moved further still stopping at the younger woman's lower stomach as she laid her fingers flat. She looked up hoping for a glimpse of movement only to see none, her gaze drifted to the little dog who was sitting close by just watching her with interest. She breathed in deeply putting her other hand carefully on to the younger woman's smaller motionless one, as she leaned forward gently kissing her lips.

She slowly pulled away a part of her was begging to see the other woman's eyes move, yet there was no movement. She put a hand on her lover's face. A part of her just wanted the younger woman to wake up like she had after she'd kissed her after jumping though the wall of fire created by Brunnhilda which had put the younger woman in to an enchanted sleep. She could remember looking at her through those flames. She hadn't even known who her lover was only that her name was Gabrielle. Yet she'd just stared at this younger woman though the flames captured by her spell. Her price for putting the Rheingold ring on had been her memories and Beowulf was the one who had, had tell her that she was the Xena Warrior Princess, something which she hadn't wanted to believe. Yet in that strange moment despite all her memories loss she could remember the sleeping woman's face on the other side of the flames.

From what she'd seen the angelic side of Gabrielle had looked at her in just the same way. She looked at the still form again moving her hands carefully up to her lover's face using one of her fingers to gently open one of her eyes only to see the white. She felt a deep pain go through her chest as she closed it again she just wanted her to wake up. She wanted to see her green eyes and listen to her voice again a part of her could just look at her lover's naked body in this firelight forever. If for no more reason than to watch the flames as they flickered, casting shadows over every curve, muscle line and scar. That wasn't fair though not at this moment in time as the night air was chilling.

She moved her hand taking hold of the green halter top putting it on the smaller woman's body. She moved carefully tying up the front so it was slightly loose. She eased on the brown skirt followed next by the brown leather belt with its Amazon patterns. She eased up her lover's hands carefully sliding back on the cleaned gauntlets then gently eased her back on to her side. She moved her hand running it through the long blonde hair feeling it spill through her fingers. Gods she'd missed this so much, she felt her eyes dart as moved her fingers up easing her lover's lower lip back catching sight of the glinting gold back tooth. She eased her hands away before pulling herself to her feet grabbing hold of the fur skin and placing it down next to lovers.

She eased the other fur skin over the younger woman while pulling up her own as she lay down next to her, so she was facing her. She shuffled slightly getting more comfortable. She moved her arm so it was around the other woman's waist she'd just have to wait for her to wake up she leaned over gently kissing the younger woman's head. She turned feeling the little dog make its way up the fur skin coming to a stop next her arm before sitting down. She moved her hand down stroking its head feeling it lick her fingers. She smiled at it before turned slowly to look at her lover again she put her hand back on the other woman's waist as she closed her eyes feeling the blissful dreams as they took over once more.

8

Tlaloc looked up slowly watching the moon as it rose higher in the sky, it had been a painfully quite day. The city bellow had gone in to silence ever since Quetzalcoatl's return with the other god both were still sleeping which wasn't surprising. He could already see the blood being laid out in large bowls on the altar for Quetzalcoatl to drink. He folded his arms as he moved away walking down the keep steps he caught sight of Amoxtli. He hadn't been able to speak to her because he'd been forced to do his duties. This meant spending time on the battle field with un-dead warriors like him and living warriors and nether of them he wanted be around.

Something had changed with in him and he knew it, he didn't want to laugh along with their cruel jokes anymore. They were so dishonourable and disgusting on just about every level. They had so much pride, yet what pride was there in killing helpless children and taking men and women against their will? What was nice about setting fire to some ones house or smashing up their lively hood because their tribute was poor? No the truth was that he had, had become like them giving up and giving in and forgetting what these warriors were. They were vile bitches and bastards who had no honour and no pride and they didn't deserve to live.

To think that he'd given in to them he'd never have let these people do what they did under Huitzilopochtli. Hell he'd sent men and women like these to there to their deaths for crimes! He'd been killing scum bags like them for daring to even step in to his gods region for years. He eased up his hand looking at the fake flesh on it, to think that he'd joined them in their disgusting acts! He felt his teeth grind together somehow he was feeling his emotions at this moment so clearly it was as if he remembered them. He felt the anger fade away as he closed his hand. He may not have any real emotions or be able to feel anything but he'd once had honour. It was just that he'd become so emotionless that he'd forgotten it.

He watched as Amoxtli turned looking at him from her position on the pillows, he breathed in deeply watching as Lila came in to view. She was fast asleep on the pillows close by. He slowly sat himself down next to the Amoxtli whose sad gaze met his. "How is she doing?" Amoxtli turned looking at Lila for a long moment. "She's doing as well as she can, despite the situation." Tlaloc eyed the pool where his god and Manaia were still sleeping he turned to meet her white gaze. "How are you doing?" Amoxtli looked up sharply feeling her gaze dart that was the first time he'd ever asked her that. She smiled as best she looked up. "I'm fine." She raised her hands moving her fingers. "Nothing hurts anymore."

Tlaloc felt his smile widen as she went silent again, he sat back slightly. "I have a question." Amoxtli shuffled on the pillows. "Go ahead." Tlaloc took in a deep breath trying to think of the best way to pose his next question. "When you were alive were you ever going to be wed?" Amoxtli lowered her gaze. "Yes." Tlaloc looked up seeing the painfully sadness in her face. "What happened?" Amoxtli looked at her hands. "I got eaten alive." She sneered slightly. "Safe to say he didn't want me after I was brought back from the dead. He went off found some one else, married them and then punched out a couple of children."

Tlaloc leaned over putting his hand on hers. "I'm sorry." He felt his eyes dart as he looked up. "That's not fair." Amoxtli carried on looking down. "Life isn't fair and I'm used to being on the retrieving end of unfair." Tlaloc put a hand on his chest. "I think he was stupid to let you go." Amoxtli eyed him for a long moment before looking away. "Well you're only useful if you can have children, which I couldn't." She eased up her hand looking at it. "I doubt he would have liked my real face or the fact that I wouldn't have felt anything during sex." Tlaloc leaned over slightly. "Can skeleton warriors sleep with each other?" Amoxtli sat up slightly feeling her self blink as she turned to him. "I don't know, no ones ever mentioned it to me."

Tlaloc felt himself smirk he could just for an instant feel the emotion that went with it once again. "You know maybe they don't talk about it because no ones ever done it." Amoxtli eyed him suddenly feeling herself grin before she could stop herself. "You might be right in that, maybe it's because of that." She leaned back on the pillows. "Are you saying you want to try it something?" Tlaloc leaned back so he was next to her. "No I was just curious you know it just seems like such a shame to have the equipment and have no use for it." He moved a little closer to her. "Even if it isn't real skin I just wondered if it works differently with us."

Amoxtli moved getting more comfortable. "Who knows?" Tlaloc looked at her it was nice to see her smile she hadn't smiled once since their gods return. He felt a smile as it started to form he wasn't used it but he was getting better at it. "You know I thought the after life was nasty but I get the feeling that it's not so bad when you have some one to speak to." Amoxtli looked down slightly. "Are you saying you like my company after all?" Tlaloc didn't think as he raised her hand, kissing it gently without really thinking about what he was doing or who was watching. "I like more than just your company." He put her hand down ignoring her shocked looked. "I like everything about you."

He lay back keeping hold of her hand he knew he shouldn't have said that but a part of him no longer cared. He was un-dead and lonely, she was no different, and he liked her company and awful lot. He felt her move slightly closer in truth it was the first time that she'd been this close, in all their time together as warriors. He felt her move even closer so she pressing against him, he could see her uncertainty as she tightened her grip on his hand. It didn't surprise him. she was a very lonely woman who had spent almost all of her un-dead life ether being beaten, bullied or rebuffed by everyone around her. He doubted that in all that time that she'd had, had anyone say the genuinely wanted her company.

He held her hand tighter saying nothing he could see that she was struggling with this the uncertain expression in her eyes was a clear as day. He had not been un-dead long. She had seen seasons pass her by, she'd been living out one long dark nightmare that most people wouldn't have coped with that well and despite this, she liked to reach out and grab for a moment of freedom. He eyed her again, things had changed between them of that he was sure and somehow he didn't mind. He breathed in deeply watching as the shadows moved all around them all caused by the fire torches. Nothing really mattered at this moment in time but being here together in each others company.

8

Chantico slowly sat down on Xochiquetzal's throne she was feeling tired again, her good eye shifted as a servant girl appeared carrying clean bowls of water from the throne room in to the small room opposite. She tapped her fingers looking at the young girl. "What are you doing?" The girl smiled as she raised her bowl. "I'm just changing the water for the Warrior Princess and the Blood Jaguar great fire goddess." She looked at the clean water bowl. "Is there something you need great goddess." Chantico sat back in her partner's throne. "No I don't need anything, carry on." She tapped her fingers she was bored, she had no where that she needed to be right now. It wasn't like Xena and Blood Jaguar were going to wake up any time soon.

She leaned over the throne picking up a large broken piece of gold and gemstone pottery. She eased up her other hand watching as it turned to dust pouring in to it. The gleaming sand slowly moved upwards in circles as parts of it lit up creating tiny sparkling pieces of gemstone and gold. She felt her smile widen as she these circles of gold and jade moved higher swirling like a mini tornado. Okay she was enjoying this far more than she thought she would. She eased out her hand watching as the colours started spinning, she moved her fingers up breaking them apart watching as the light flashed through them causing a sparkling effect that was as wonderful as starlight.

"What are you making?"

Chantico felt herself go ridged which caused the mini tornado to stop all its little pieces instantly freezing in mid air. She turned meeting Xochiquetzal's curious gaze which was filled with what could only be described as child like curiosity. She swallowed almost feeling like she'd been caught with her hand in the food bowl. She licked her upper canines nervously. "I was….well I was." Xochiquetzal leaned on her elbow enjoying the nervous look on the other woman's face. Chantico's pride meant that she wasn't that good at giving an answer, when she got caught playing around like a child. It was such a charming personality trait.

She looked at the floating pieces. "Were you playing?" Chantico swallowed again pulling a stupid grin before she could stop herself. "No." Xochiquetzal didn't think as she sat on the other woman's lap before she could protest. She ignored Chantico's shocked look as she eased up her finger moving it through the sparking pieces. "I see so what were you making?" Chantico didn't think as she took hold of the other woman's smaller hand moving it through the star light cloud watching as it began to move following her fingers. "What would you like?" Xochiquetzal smirked slightly as she moved on the others woman's lap trying to get more comfortable she lowered her voice as she spoke. "Why don't you surprise me? I really like surprises."

Chantico breathed in sharply trying to ignore the heat as it suddenly boiled up in her stomach and went down ward in a searing spike. It was enough to throw her concentration of which caused the shining cloud to drop downward. She didn't think as she used her other hand to bring it back up. She swallowed taking hold of the other woman's hand again trying to keep her concentration, this was like torture. Just not the kind she wanted to end, she watched as the gleaming cloud formed in to a small star light ring. She raised the other woman's hand only to feel her move her free hands fingers down her chest almost causing her to loose her concentration again.

She took in a deep breath watching as the cloud formed a golden and jade ring which sparkled in the firelight. She eased up the other woman's smaller hand watching as the ring floated on to it. She let go of her hand watching as the smaller woman looked at the gleaming gold. "If you don't like it I can make you something better, I know it's not my best work." Xochiquetzal turned to her. "I think it's beautiful it's also your best work." Chantico tapped her fingers it wasn't her best work the contours weren't quite right. Xochiquetzal eyed the ring for a long moment before leaning forward watching as the good green eye looked up. "I like it because it has imperfections that is makes it very special."

She eased up her finger running it down the long scar on the other woman's face. "They also make it very unique and very beautiful." Chantico didn't get a chance to say anything as the other woman's lips met her own causing a rush passion that she was powerless to do anything but respond to. Xochiquetzal pulled back leaving the other woman's lips the green eyes were looking at completely mesmerized. She leaned forward again. "Come to bed with me, we don't have to do anything, I just want to be with you right now." Chantico nodded only to feel herself be pulled off the throne towards the bedroom by the other woman. What ever she'd been thinking about she had forgotten about it now, no other god or goddess in Mexica could get her to do anything but this woman could she just had to ask it off her. She eased her headdress off as she carried on walking forward, she was completely at this woman's mercy and the truth of the matter was that she didn't care.

End of part 85

Silvermoonlight