IF ONLY ONE REQUEST IS GRANTED THEN LET IT BE MY LOVE

He moved his hands slowly undoing the material ties that held her shirt together as he leaned forward kissing her again feeling her instantly respond. "Anything you want shall be yours…." Gabrielle breathed in feeling the heat all too suddenly as his legs locked her in to place and he eased one of her hands over her head. "Anything, My Lord?" Her own voice sounded small even to her own ears she knew she was loosing the battle to concentrate. The feelings were so intense and so new and she wanted more. Almost like a spoilt child who wanted more than one bar of chocolate, she couldn't help herself. She needed to remember! She had to remember it all and this was the only thing she could think off.

She wasn't even sure if it was right, all she knew was that her feelings were guiding her and she couldn't stop them. She felt her kisses becoming more wanting and needing. He moved his hand through her hair as he put his full weight on top of her as he opened her shirt fully. "Anything and everything you desire Gabrielle…." She felt her heart begin to beat faster as his began to kiss a trail down her neck. The beautifies in her stomach seemed to swarm all at once as he as he moved his hands slowly over her breasts as he kissed her lips again. Every time he touched her skin every nerve ending in her body seemed to fire off all at once and she wanted more.

There were so many sensations so many emotions she could spend forever trying to analyze them all but right now she didn't care. This felt so good. Her body was starting to take control moving under his and she was powerless to stop it, she wanted to feel what making love was like she wanted to remember. Gabrielle felt her eyes snap open in an instant as her dream faded away she blinked looking around her trying to ignore the disorientation she was feeling. She felt her eyes dart why in Tartarus was she dreaming a dream like that? There was something really familiar about it, yet at the same time very unfamiliar as if it hadn't been her in her dream.

She didn't recognise the setting and in the dream she hadn't seen the man's face at all. It also felt like she'd been on outside looking in at it. She breathed in deeply it felt like almost a life time since she'd had dreams about making love to men. She'd used to have them a lot during her mid adolescence. She looked down slightly then somewhere down the line she'd never really known when they become about making love to Xena. Those dreams had been a pleasure and a torment at the same time. Because every time she grasped the moment or their love making or it was about to meet its final faze she'd wake up.

She'd found it utterly frustrating and she'd woken up moody and unable to ease the sexual frustration which made her day even worse. She hadn't been very good with her emotions back then and little things had just set her off. She also didn't know how to meditate so she couldn't focus her self. It had been such a tense time between her and Xena who she had found out later had been struggling with her unresolved emotions as well. At the time a part of her had started to wish that she was someone else and not in Xena's shadow. She'd started to think that she was useless and no longer needed, if only she'd seen how far from the truth that was and how much Xena loved her.

She felt all her thoughts melt away as her lovers hand ran through her hair in a very gently motion. She turned over noticing that nothing was hurting anymore and for the first time in years she was filled with a sense of calm which mirrored what which she'd felt in her youth. There was a profound difference though she didn't feel weak inside she felt strong, stronger than she'd ever felt in her life. She eased up her hand moving her fingers one after the other very slowly it was such an odd feeling and so new and strange to her. She felt herself come out of her daze as a larger hand took hold off her own. She turned meeting Xena's light blue gaze which was looking at her curiously. "Hey."

Xena eased herself up in to a sitting position, helping the younger woman do the same. "Hey." She smiled as she leaned forward putting a hand under her lovers chin as she leaned forward looking at her face. "You look a lot better, how do you feel?" Gabrielle looked up slightly putting a hand on her lovers. "I feel much better." She put a hand through the taller woman's dark hair. "Your head massage always helps." She stopped as she looked down feeling her gaze dart, she couldn't stop her next question it just came out in a rush. "How long have I been dead?" Xena moved her hand through the long blonde hair, trying once more to keep her emotions inside her.

She was fighting a loosing battle once more and she knew it, maybe a part of her just wasn't ready to let go. She didn't think as she pulled the younger woman towards her sitting her on her lap before she could stop her self. She felt her lovers head as it rested on her shoulder and the arms moved around her waist, she felt her grip tighten as she swallowed. Gabrielle blinked for a moment she could feel the painfully tension in the other woman's body. She felt her eyes dart, as she tightened her grip around the leather clan waist. She suddenly felt very unsure about what was going on. "Xena, how long was I dead?" Xena closed her eyes feeling the soft skin under her finger tips as her voice broke. "You were dead for a few days."

She kissed the side of other woman's face. "I brought you back." Gabrielle moved her hand slowly up and through the long dark hair. "I wasn't sure that you'd be able to save me, everything I wrote in my letter to you was true." She breathed in sharply. "You did get my letter?" Xena felt her grip tighten. "Yes I got your letter." She breathed in trying harder to control her emotions she was going to crack she could no longer stop herself. "I couldn't stand the thought of living with out you." She couldn't stop the tears as they came all at once. "I never truly understood how you felt after Japan I never knew what if felt like for you. I left you on your own to suffer and I never thought about what it could be like to feel that alone."

Gabrielle didn't get a chance to think she could feel the taller woman crying against her shoulder. She'd seen Xena cry many times before but never like this, never with so much emotion. On top of that the taller woman had started to say her feelings something which she did quite often but this was so different. The words were being spoken in such a profound manner and with so much open conviction. It was as if every barrier her lover had ever put up had just shattered in this shocking moment. She realized that in this instant she felt completely out of her depth and all she could do was hold the taller woman as she cried harder against her shoulder as she rubbed her leather back.

Xena breathed in painfully as she spoke she knew she was repeating what she'd said before but she didn't care. "You always put up with me even when I was being cruel and unkind to you, you hardly ever complained did you? I would just push you around and even then you never said a thing, even though you never deserved it." She was past the point of no return regarding her emotions and it didn't bother her, all that mattered was saying and doing what she felt. "I made your life intolerable sometimes and you never walked away from me, you stayed with me." She kissed the other woman's lips gently enjoying the sensation which she had missed so much.

She pulled away ignoring the surprise in her lovers face which turned to uncertainty. It was true that Gabrielle was no doubt feeling out of her depth at this moment but that felt right in her eyes. She moved her hand running it down the younger woman's face. "I never tell you how beautiful you are do I?" She smiled sadly. "I never told you that I could sit and watch you all day, I love looking into your eyes and I love the feel of your skin when I touch it. I love listening to you speak. I like it when you talk in your normal voice and I'd rather you speak in that way than in that other voice that you use, when you think that no ones paying attention to you, or taking you seriously, because they are."

She watched as the green eyes darted she was sure that her lover was stunned right now and she didn't seem to know what to do or say. She was mesmerized and hanging on every word. Once again that was felt right, she should be doing that because right now she wanted her lover's full attention in every respect. She wiped away her tears as she smiled. "You write wonderful scrolls no one can write like you. No one can get a crowd to hang on their every word like you." She paused gods why hadn't she told the younger woman all this before? It was so easy just to say it, she looked down slightly she knew why because she'd never wanted to let go, she'd always been afraid. She'd always run away fearing the worst. It was completely foolish of her what could worse than never letting her lover know this?

She'd lost her more than once and she'd never said these words, but this time had just opened her eyes. The agony and pain of not having her had been unbearable and almost soul destroying. She had put this younger woman on a pedestal for to long, she'd come to forget that Gabrielle was only human and that she could be just as cruel as any one else. Her lover's angry outbursts and violent behaviour were her way of dealing with depression and fear when her world was falling down all around her. She was also very vulnerable and emotional and she hid things out fear of looking weak when they were together. It was so sad to think that the younger woman had hid these feelings from her all this time and she'd never noticed it, even though it was staring her in face.

Gabrielle had just bottled it all up and tried her best to just muddle through but there was only so much anyone could handle and her lover had finally reached her limit causing the walls to finally break she could see that now so clearly. Mexica was only half the issue most of these problems were long standing and unresolved and now they were all starting to spill out. She looked up moving her fingers gently through the long blonde hair again as she leaned forward. "I think you're incredibly brave, noble and honourable. You never give up you never turn away from anything or anyone you carry on fighting even if it means giving up your life. There's nothing that you can't accomplish, no mountain you can't climb."

She looked down sadly. "I'm so sorry that I never told you this before now, I should have told you all this a long time ago." She looked up slowly meeting her lover's wide gaze. "I'm sorry that it's taken me more than a life time, to tell you." She didn't think as she took hold of the younger woman pulling her close. She felt her grip tighten even more feeling the desperation in her voice as it hit the air. "Please don't ever leave me like that again I can't stand the thought of being with out you." She could feel the tears as they started to steam down her face as she held her tighter no longer caring how desperate she sounded. "I love you so much Gabrielle, more than you'll ever know."

Gabrielle felt her lover's lips as they met hers a part of hers it felt like her emotions were being pulled in so many different directions. Xena had never ever talked like this she was never been so emotional ether. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest a part of her stunned by the taller woman's every word while the other part of her was terrified. Had something awful happened to her that she couldn't remember? She blinked feeling her thoughts leave her as her lovers kiss intensified wanting her to respond. All she could do was give in and enjoying the sensations which was completely overwhelming. Xena pulled away meeting the other woman's shocked eyes again.

She gently ran her hands slowly down the younger woman's face it wasn't often that her lover was completely speechless like she was at this moment and it was very charming to witness. Gabrielle blinked finally feeling coming out of the trance she was in, it felt like an eternity had just passed her by and she hadn't even realized it. She looked down swallowing trying to find the right words none of which seemed right or even fitting. What words would fit those spoken by the woman in front of her? Every time words came to mind they didn't fit or they just weren't good enough. She swallowed feeling the rush of overwhelming emotions which caused tears to come to her eyes before she could stop them.

She couldn't put in to words what she felt the only way to describe it was a sense of overwhelming euphoria. She'd never heard her lover say these things and she'd never expected her to hear them. A part of her had sometimes thought about her lover saying them, but these thoughts had always passed her by as she'd come to believe that she wasn't good enough to hear them. She felt her lovers arms tighten around her waist as she started to cry harder in to her shoulder. She breathed in feeling the only words come to her lips that she could say. "I love you Xena, I don't know what to say…" Xena held the smaller woman tighter feeling her self smile as she closed her eyes. "You don't have to say a word Gabrielle."

8

Ehecatl carried on moving through the deep jungle, nothing had really changed in this time. Same jungle, same streams the only difference was the fallen trees littering the ground. From the tracks he'd worked out that these men from the future were half a day ahead of them but they were about to catch up on them. He carried on walking through the steam not really caring that it made his feet wet, he looked around him again. There was another big difference in this time he hadn't seen any small villages so far. Not that he really cared after you'd seen one village they all seemed the same. He looked up watching as Akemi moved in front of him following the trail.

He wished he could smile because right now but as it was he couldn't. He had gotten under her skin fully it had been just for an instant but it was enough to know that she had been enjoying his touch. It brought a thought to his mind which he knew was wrong but he couldn't stop it. She was a person with needs and perhaps these needs were her weakness. It wasn't like she had real sex with anyone in ages and the truth was as much as women liked to say that they didn't have the sexual nature of men it was all to clear that some did despite their denying it. He felt his gaze drift as he moved forward, maybe he could use that to win her over by giving her what she wanted in bed. He eased up his skeleton hand, all he needed was to wear the other copy of the pendent and he could regain his true appearance and give her everything she desired. He felt his thoughts stop in an instant as he heard the sound of twigs breaking. He eyed Akemi who had stopped still as she eased out one of her long blades.

"Make another step and I will kill you both!"

Akemi turned hearing the heavy butch voice cut through the jungle. How perfect her plan had worked this was just what she wanted. She knew Cortez would realize he was being followed and that he might double back to head her off. She eyed her appearance which was still her true one and not her Aztec one. Not that it mattered the bastard wouldn't know any different, he was still on the mainland. She stood still as Cortez appeared his long musket held up high as his men appeared surrounding them their muskets also held high. She could already tell that they had plunder she could see the gold around their necks. She found her smile widening as she eyed the chain around Cortez's neck she wanted to laugh at the irony.

It was her chain alright merged with its counterpart and looking older and slightly worn. The fourteen hadn't sent her to the day she'd seen they'd sent her to a time where she could get just what she wanted. Whether that was before or after what she'd seen she had no idea but what did it matter any? She laughed aloud enjoying the sound how fantastic and amusing she stopped seeing the looks on the other men faces turn to fear as they eyed Ehecatl. Obviously despite their great weapons they weren't used to seeing skeleton warriors. No doubt if these pathetic fools feared them, then they'd be terrified of the seventh hell.

Cortez raised his musket higher pointing it at the woman who was dressed like the warriors he'd fought in the last village which he'd had his men pillage and plunder and then burn to the ground. Her skin was so much lighter though she didn't look like she was one of them. She also had a satanic monster following her, he felt his teeth grind as he eased the musket closer to her face. "Why are you following us, you and your satanic devil?" Akemi folded her arms he was scared, oh he was hiding it well though. She smirked as she put a finger on his musket pushing it a side as her eyes wandered over it in fascination. "Satanic what does that mean exactly?" Cortez pulled the musket back in place. "How is it you speak our language girl, you are not from Spain?!"

Akemi raised her eyebrow ignoring the big man's question. "What does satanic mean? It's not a word I've ever heard before." Cortez snarled as he pulled back the flint lock. "It means to have characteristics fitting to the devil Satan!" Akemi laughed slightly eyeing Ehecatl. "Oh I see, who is that your god?" Cortez pushed his musket closer. "No he's the root of all evil in the face of our Lord Almighty!" Akemi stepped sideways looking at his musket again. "Is this the name of one of your many gods?" Cortez felt his finger move towards the trigger. "No he is the one god who bore Christ you insolate savage! If you anger me anymore I will kill you just like your savage friends back in the village!"

Akemi laughed ignoring his surprise. "Oh aren't you the big man, I do hope your weapon isn't compensating for something which your lacking bellow the waist." She turned hearing the muffled laugher from his men who shut up as he looked at them his rage burning. She smirked as she tapped his musket. "Kill me if you want Cortez, but I feel it would be a big mistake on your part." She stepped back watching as his dark eyes followed her. "They call you the plunder of Mexica, yet I don't see any real plunder on any off you. A couple of gold necklaces are pitiful squander hardly worthy of you." Cortez lowered his weapon he wasn't stupid he knew where this was going it had also been a long time since he'd had anyone make a deal with him.

Despite his better judgement a sense of morbid curiosity was fuelling him to listen to this unholy bitch and her satanic devil. "You must be very brave to make a deal with me Mexican savage." Akemi turned feeling her gaze narrow as she eyed him in disgust. "If you had any idea who I am Cortez you wouldn't anger me, safe to say I have the power to wipe you from the face of existence!" Cortez eyed her something told him that her statement was truthful and she was bold for a woman but she was still a woman and women could be snakes and easily temped by the words of devils, her warrior was proof enough of that. Still he knew better than to scorn one, he felt a cold smile form as he put a hand on his chest. "Very well give me your offer I am a man who can listen."

Akemi snarled aloud she didn't truth nor like this man, she looked up slowly. "Who is the king of the Aztec gods right now?" Cortez eyed her for a long moment. "Quetzalcoatl rules over these lands, one of the reasons we are stuck here is because of him and his satanic armies!" He eased up his musket pointing it at the skeletal demon. "Their much like your demon." Akemi put her hands behind her back. "I see and what if I could tell you everything about Mexica, where every piece of gold is hidden. Where every weakness is in the Aztec gods walls are. You could have more plunder and gold than you can possibly imagine. I'll tell you how to burn Mexica to the ground and kill its people."

She eased up her hand looking at it. "Don't lie to me Cortez I know you're a man of power, if I was to tell you what I know you'd have the whole of Mexica at your feet and you'd be able to conquer it." Cortez eyed her for a long moment hearing his men whisper among them selves. "You are Mexican why would want me to destroy your people?" Akemi eyed him in disgust. "If it hasn't escaped your notice I'm not from Mexica I'm from a land far, to the east which I doubt you'll ever visit its called Japan!" She looked at her clothes. "Once up on a time in the distance past before you were an itch in your father's trousers I was born. I grew up and then ended up being cursed to remain in this land."

She felt her teeth grind together. "All thanks to someone called the Blood Jaguar or Eztli Ocelotl if you want the native language. My name is Citlalli Coyotl which mean's Star Coyote." Cortez blinked he had heard both of those names he turned as one his men eased up a scroll passing it him he grabbed it unravelling it. He eyed her for a long moment before looking up. "One of the savage priests gave me this parchment before I killed him." He turned it so she could see the images on it of the two warriors fighting. "He said that you would come to me it was for seen." He felt his smile widen. "He said that you would say things of wonder and give me all that I seek."

Akemi eyed the image which was a mirror of the one she'd see in the temple once again of her and Gabrielle fighting. Cortez narrowed his gaze. "He told me to send you a message though, which is that you will fail because you do not realize your true purpose." He shrugged slightly. "He also said that your rival will come back and this time you will not escape her." He turned tossing the parchment at her feet watching as the skeletal devil walked over picking it up. "Frankly I'm not a man who cares for destiny, but if you are going to give me all I desire then I will be happy to take it for your price." Akemi looked up slowly she didn't care for the words of one priest in this time. "I'll give all the information you want."

She breathed in deeply meeting the big man's tall dark gaze watching as all the muskets were lowered. "I want that chain around your neck Cortez and I want you to give me the weapon you call a musket pistol and teach me how it fires. Then give me enough shots that I can kill anyone I please." She folded her arms watching as Ehecatl came closer. Cortez stood still for a moment feeling a cold smile form he pulled the old pendent free of his neck looking at it. "Very well Star Coyote." He flicked his finger tossing it to her watching as she caught it. "I'll give everything that you desire and you will tell me how to crush this savage civilisation to dust!"

End of part 87

Silvermoonlight.