FINDING YOUR FEET IN THE STRANGEST BLISS

Demetrius walked up the corridor watching as Thaleia followed him she had a smile on her face as she kept her hand on his. They'd had a quite night together in her room they'd slept together on top of the bed fully clothed in each others arms. He had to say that he had truly enjoyed it as he felt so at peace in her presence. It had been so long since he'd been in the arms of another who loved him and though it felt strange he wouldn't deny that this time it felt right. It had made him realize what he had been missing out on through his years of solitude and loneliness after the Spartan uprising. He realized also that despite his feelings for Thaleia he would still have to ask for her mother's approval and if her father had still been alive he'd be asking his as well. He knew that this was deemed as slightly old fashioned but he had never asked before now and he felt it only right in this instance. As he knew this was a serious and he didn't want her mother to think for a second that it wasn't serious. He knew that though he had, had many relationships she was very new to all this and he wanted to take it slow with her so that she was comfortable and didn't feel pressured in to anything.

He stopped in the hall turning to her, he knew that she was late for her duties but considering that Gabrielle hadn't been in her room he was sure no one would notice. At least he hoped they wouldn't and if they did he would take the blame for it, he didn't mind as he was sure that the Empress would let him off once she realized the nature of the situation. He eased up his hand running it gently down her face. "I'm sorry I've kept you from your duties." Thaleia felt her smile widen. "Don't worry about it, I am sure Gabrielle won't mind we are family after all." Demetrius smiled. "I guess you are but I hope I don't have to answer to her, I feel that she might be very protective of you." Thaleia put a hand on his. "Oh believe me I don't think she'll mind." Demetrius leaned forward he felt it only right to give her a real kiss now, he met her lips not wanting to hide his feeling this time making his desire clear feeling her instantly respond.

"Excuse me."

He stopped feeling the annoyance take over as he left her lips turning slowly catching sight of Iona who was standing behind him a wide smile on her face. He breathed in keeping his hand on Thaleia's. "No offence but I'm a little busy now Iona." Iona felt her smile widen as she winked at Thaleia who looked away trying to hide the flush of embarrassment which was lighting up her cheeks. "I'm very sorry I wouldn't bother you at all Demetrius but others have been bothering me today over a certain question and they really need an answer to it." She paused. "It's about the Empress and the Gabrielle." She eased up her hands pushing them together unsure of how to phase her next words. "Did they, you know connect last night." She looked up. "I wouldn't ask but the rumour is that they did but Ceto's not talking and people are dying to know." Demetrius looked up slightly. "Well I wouldn't know the answer to that Iona." Iona raised an eyebrow. "No I think you do your just not telling me but my question was in fact to Thaleia."

Thaleia blinked in surprise. "You know I can't answer that." Iona breathed in moving closer to her lowering her voice. "Please you have to tell me something, do you have any idea how many people have bothered me this morning? I've had Chara, Phrixus and Evadine oh and Phantasos, Faolan, and Tiara and they all want an answer." Thaleia breathed in deeply. "You know I can't." Iona folded her arms. "Okay fine just tell me if they got past the kissing and caressing part?" Thaleia eyed her for a very long moment she knew this was in part a lie but she wouldn't tell her that. "I wouldn't know I wasn't in the room at the time and part of my duties mean that if it gets that heated, I have to disappear." Iona breathed in, in frustration as she raised her hand. "I know that you know, you're just not telling me." Thaleia breathed in as a though crossed her mind. "How far do you think they got?" Iona looked up in surprise. "I think they went all they way, why?" Thaleia moved a step closer to her. "Wasn't it you who said two years in a pit, does nothing for your sex drive?"

Iona blinked as she looked at her for a long moment. "Yes I did say that." Thaleia looked up slightly. "Well then maybe you have the answer to your own question." Iona felt a wide smile form as it suddenly hit her as to what the younger woman was getting at. Clearly she was very bright she was giving an answer and no answer at all. "So if I wanted to say they did, it would be my opinion?" Thaleia felt a smile form. "Yes it would, you know how palace gossip is in every whisper there's a sliver of truth that's open to interpretation but as I say it's not my place to tell you." Iona put a hand gently on her shoulder. "You're a clever girl, thank you for telling me this I'll now go and tell everyone just what they are so desperate to hear." She felt her smile widen. "I'll also you say that it's open to interruption." She paused looking at them both. "Then I'll go and relax." She paused raising her hand. "I'll let you two get back to what you were doing."

She turned walking away from them only to stop as a thought crossed her mind she turned meeting Demetrius gaze. She couldn't resist this comment even though she knew it was wrong to say it in Thaleia's presence. "I'd take good care of her Demetrius because if you don't I'm sure Gabrielle won't be happy and I'd hate to make her mad." Demetrius eyed her for a long moment. "Go away Iona." Thaleia watched as the other woman vanished from site. She turned slowly to Demetrius she didn't understand these comments about Gabrielle's temper she'd seen her angry but she had never seen her loose it. She wasn't like that at least not to her or to the Empress but she knew it was something she'd have to bring up soon with the Empress. The last thing she wanted was another sour rumour about Gabrielle spreading all over the palace, the first time had been bad enough.

Gabrielle had been through to much to have to endure anything like this over again and as far as she was concerned Gabrielle only serious rage had happened after that night with the royals and she hadn't seen anything like it since. She looked up as she spoke. "Ignore her Gabrielle would do nothing off the sort she's my family and she does not go around hurting people." Demetrius turned to her putting his arms around her waist sadly he knew Iona was right about this. Gabrielle did have problems with her temper but Thaleia had never seen it up close and personal. He knew that Gabrielle could kill people, she had wanted to kill Kalika and her threats to Mavican had been very close to the mark. Thaleia had been witness to her depression and her sadness but never her intense rage. Though he didn't blame Gabrielle for having these moments of anger as she had, had a terrible life he wouldn't deny that, this intense rage did worry him at times.

More because Gabrielle couldn't still it the way the Empress did, she did not have a sense of peace with in her self. She couldn't walk away or turn around she had to break something and it took her a long time to calm down even from a heated argument with the Empress. He just hoped that Thaleia was never a witness to one of her truly rage filled angers because despite that Gabrielle never harmed others her rage could be terrifying. He didn't want Thaleia to be faced with it because he knew it would terrify her and it was clear that she thought the world of Gabrielle. She was like a sister to her and he didn't want her to loose faith in the woman who was her closest friend. He shook the thoughts from his mind as he turned to her. "Where were we?" Thaleia felt her smile widen. "You were giving me a kiss." Demetrius leaned closer to her. "Yes I was wasn't I?"

8

I've had such a wonderful day I have not felt this happy in years, I woke up with Gabrielle in my arms this morning. We had a warm bath together which lasted quite a while. I washed her with soap and cleaned her hair, then she did the same in return and then we just lay in each others arms enjoying the quite and silence. We only got out because the water was cooling apparently not only does Gabrielle have a very high tolerance to hot water but she loathes it once it gets cold. I assume this is a werewolf thing though I'm only guessing but I think this high tolerance to heat maybe due to her transformations. I've noticed that when she does change form her body becomes really hot just before the bones start to shift so the water being red hot does not seem to really bother her, though I confess I like it hot but maybe not as hot as she likes it.

We've spent most of the day in my room just enjoying each others company okay I confess most of its been kissing and cuddling but I think its been so long for both of us that we both just need to feel these sensations again. Ceto brought our breakfast which we ate out on the balcony looking at the sun. I think I finally understand Gabrielle's love of birds because you get a sense of relaxation as you watch them fly in and eat from the feeders on her balcony. It's strange that such a simple thing can bring about such light emotions with in me. I have never cared for nature in this way but I am leaning that so many things that I have over looked can bring about great joy. I would normally feel bad for not leaving my room for the whole day but today I didn't care.

I have enjoyed every moment of being with Gabrielle and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Its dusk now and the sun is setting in the far of distance and I have two trays in my hand filled with food which I got from the kitchen and I'm now taking it back to my room. My room that does not sound right it feels like our room now, I know soon enough that we are going to have to discus this as we both have personal maids but it can wait, I'm in no hurry and I don't think Gabrielle is ether. Well I might be wrong but now isn't really the time to bring it up, I just want to enjoy the happiness and quite that we are having now. It's been so long since ether of us has experienced it and I think it should be treasured. Gods I just hope I don't drop these trays I'll give it to Ceto this is much harder than it looks.

Xena pushed the double doors open with her boot she walked through closing them with her heal. She blinked in surprise catching sight of Gabrielle who was lying on her back in werewolf form. She had her clawed hand open and sitting in it was her Collar dove, she had raised her other clawed hand and was stroking the bird with one clawed finger which had been raised so that the claw wasn't touching it only the pad of the finger. She breathed in deeply watching her, the whole thing was deeply tender. The dove was small in her hand and her claws were raised around it but not touching it, it seemed perfectly happy, it even had its eyes closed it wasn't afraid at all of its owner even in this form. Even though she knew that Gabrielle could shatter things in a heart beat yet this showed the deepness of her sensitivity, as she treated things which were not as strong as her with a deep tenderness and compassion.

She breathed in as she spoke. "Was he lonely?" Gabrielle snapped out of her thoughts as she turned realizing that the other woman was standing close by. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in, I'll get up." Xena raised her hand. "No please you don't have to move, I'll come to you." She took hold of the trays putting them carefully down on the floor then sat down opposite her. "I brought some food." Gabrielle stroked her dove's neck again. "Yes he was lonely he kept making noises." Xena eyed the small dove feeling a smile form as she leaned against the other woman's body enjoying the warmth of her fur. "You can keep him in here tonight, if you want." Gabrielle lowered her hand very carefully. "Only if you don't mind, I don't want to trouble you" Xena looked at the small dove. "No I don't mind at all." She moved her hand towards the small bird. "Where do I stroke him?"

Gabrielle eased up her clawed fingers putting them on the other woman's hand guiding it gently towards Icos's chest. "Stroke his chest, he likes that." Xena eased her fingers up touching the little birds chest listening to the cooing sounds he made she felt a her smile widen. "He's a lovely little pet I can see why you like him." Gabrielle watched as her bird opened his eyes it flew away landing on the bed frame close by she breathed in deeply. "I'm sorry I hadn't trained him yet to fly back to me in this form, only in human form. It's more difficult in this form I can't make the command by whistling." Xena looked at her for a long moment. "What do you do instead?" Gabrielle slowly sat up watching as the other woman moved in front of her she opened her mouth shifting her tongue causing a clicking sound. She watched as Icos looked at her with uncertainty but didn't fly over she turned back to her lover. "As you can see it's a work in progress."

Xena eased up hand she could see the thickening fur which was on Gabrielle's shoulders and on her back it was growing down in a thick lair. She moved her fingers through it. She could feel the difference to her lover's normal fur though as it was just as soft but much thicker and deeper. "So this is your winter coat?" Gabrielle nodded. "Yes it's just started growing, it will grow for another two weeks and will cover the whole of my back, shoulders and my tail. I'll get extra fur on my feet and my wrists and a part of my chest, it's just to keep me warmer when the snow comes. Xena moved her fingers through the thick fur enjoying the feel only for a thought to cross her mind which she had been thinking about for some time. "How do werewolves kiss?" Gabrielle turned sharply meeting the other woman's gaze feeling the surprise hit home, she had not expected her to ask this. "They…"

She turned away. "They lick and use their teeth." Xena moved closer to the other woman who had now turned away from her. She eased up her hand using it to gently bring Gabrielle's head back around so the other woman was facing her. "Show me." Gabrielle looked down not wanting to meet the other woman's eyes. She knew if she did so she would give anything to her without thinking about it but another part of her was screaming at her strongly to say no, to this. Werewolves biting and licking was just part of the intimacy but to do to a human being made her feel like an animal. It wasn't like any human would ever enjoy that sort of sensation. She raised her clawed hand refusing to meet the other woman's gaze. "You wouldn't like it." Xena moved her hand down her snout she could see the conflict in the other woman's eyes. "How do I know that unless I try it?" She put her other hand on Gabrielle's snout moving her head up causing her eyes to meet her own. "Please."

Gabrielle breathed in deeply she was completely trapped now by the other woman's gaze she knew she could no longer refuse despite how she felt. She knew everything about this was wrong but if the other woman wanted it then she would give her, her desire. She didn't think as she took hold of her lovers arm guiding her around gently so she had her back to her then eased her body up against her own. She ignored her feelings of uncertainty as she brought her hand down putting it on her waist while keeping her other hand on her arm. She really didn't want her lover to be forced to look in to her open mouth from the front it would with out a doubt ruin the mood. She moved her nose so it was close to the other woman's neck as she opened her jaws carefully not wanting to cause her any harm. She carefully pulled out her tongue running it up the length of her neck.

Xena breathed in sharply as the tongue moved further up her neck, it wasn't like a dogs tongue at all. It wasn't wet or sticky it was very soft but slightly rough like a cats tongue which added to the pleasant sensation. She closed her eyes as Gabrielle did it for a second time. Her lover wasn't licking her in as straight line ether she was moving her tongue around the contours of her neck which added a strange feeling. She felt her stop as she closing her jaws then pushed her protruding canines against her skin moving them very gently along her neck line. The touch was incredibly light and enjoyable. Gabrielle eased her jaws away from the other woman's neck she knew what the reaction would be her lover would hate it. Who wouldn't? It wasn't like any human being would like being licked. She watched as the other woman opened her eyes, she looked down at the floor as she spoke in a half hearted tone. "I know not your thing right?"

Xena blinked catching the pain in the other woman's tone, she eased up her hand putting it against her head as she leaned up gently kissing her on her snout. "No I enjoyed it." Gabrielle blinked feeling the shock hit home. "You did, you really mean that, you're not just trying to make me feel better?" Xena looked at her for a long moment. "No Gabrielle I enjoyed it, what made you think that I'd hate it to start with?" Gabrielle breathed in deeply before looking up enjoying the sensation as the other woman's hand stroked her face. "Pets lick people I thought you might see it like that." Xena put her other hand over Gabrielle's clawed one which was resting against her waist. "I don't see you as a pet Gabrielle and anything you offer me no matter how different it is I would always try it. I want you to feel that you can do anything with me, just like you've done in the past. I don't want my being human to stop you, doing anything you like or enjoy."

She paused before speaking. "You being in this form shouldn't stop our intimacy." Gabrielle felt her grip around the other woman's waist tighten as she hugged her closer enjoying her soothing touch. Her words really made her feel better deep down in side she closed her eyes enjoying the sensation as her fingers stroked her snout. Xena eyed the food on the plates then turned to the other woman. "Are you hungry?" Gabrielle opened her eyes eyeing the food close by which she had completely forgotten about. Truth was that she was hungry but her hunger could wait a little longer as she was enjoying this far too much. "Yes but the food can wait." Xena felt a knowing smile form as she carried on stroking her face. "Yes I guess it can there's no hurry."

End of part 95

Silvermoonlight

Okay I know this last scene might be controversial to some readers, my view on this is if a none human being can talk, think and choose between good and evil then that does not make them an animal, it puts them on par with any normal human being.