The sun was low when the newly revived Xena brought Argo to a stop in front of a small inn within the nearest town she could find, after she and Gabrielle had parted ways with Autolycus and the Amazons.
GABRIELLE
It's a good way from that cave. I can't believe you actually walked all the way here.
The raven-haired warrior shrugged nonchalantly.
XENA
I guess, after being dead for a bit I figured I could use the exercise.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly angry tone) You know, you're unbelievable, Xena.
Hearing the sudden change in the blonde's tone, Xena turned around to look at the woman that was still seated on the horse behind her.
XENA
What?
GABRIELLE
How can you be so casual about dying? You could've been gone forever and you're standing here making jokes about it.
Hearing the hurt in Gabrielle's voice, the warrior moved to stand beside her.
XENA
I'm sorry, Gabrielle.
Xena put her hand on Gabrielle's knee as she looked up into a pair of saddened green eyes.
XENA
I didn't mean to make light of everything. I know it's been hard for you. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere.
Xena patted the other woman's leg before holding out her hand and giving her best comforting smile.
XENA
Now come on. Let's get you down from there so I can get Argo settled in the stable while you see about getting us a room.
Managing a small smile in response, Gabrielle let Xena help her down from the mare and was then handed a few coins, before the warrior began leading Argo toward the stable.
XENA
See about ordering some dinner too, and I'll meet you in our room in a little bit.
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Gabrielle walked into the small room she had gotten for her and Xena, putting her bag on the floor by the door, before moving further inside to light a candle that sat on the nightstand to see better.
GABRIELLE
That's better.
The young woman then returned to where she had left her things, and brought them over to the bed and got out a fresh scroll along with her quill and ink, realizing that with everything that had happened between Xena dying, things with the Amazons and racing against time to bring Xena back, it had been a while since she'd written anything. So Gabrielle figured now that things finally seemed to be returning back to normal, it might be a good time to write about those latest events, and sat down on the bed to do just that.
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XENA
Sorry I took so long.
Hearing Xena's voice, Gabrielle looked up from her paper and smiled, as she saw the warrior standing in the doorway, holding a tray of food.
XENA
Hungry?
GABRIELLE
Starving.
Xena walked over and placed the tray on the bed, and went back to shut the door to their room as Gabrielle put her writing supplies away.
GABRIELLE
Sorry, the only room they had open only had one bed.
Xena shrugged as she walked back over and sat on the foot of the aforementioned bed to take off her boots.
XENA
No big deal. I can just sleep on the floor.
GABRIELLE
Don't be silly Xena, the bed's plenty big enough for both of us.
The bard walked over to where Xena was still working on her boots.
GABRIELLE
And besides, in the time you've been gone, I've missed waking up to see you next to me.
The raven-haired warrior looked up at Gabrielle and smiled softly.
XENA
I've missed that too.
GABRIELLE
You know it's funny how you don't notice a lot of those little things until you don't have 'em anymore
Hearing those words brought a heavy feeling to Xena's heart as she felt for what Gabrielle must've been going through in the days since the warrior had died. Her own mind going back to the temple where she nearly lost Gabrielle and everything she felt while doing whatever she could to save the young woman.
XENA
Yeah. I can imagine that must've been hard.
Xena returned to pulling off her boots only to hear Gabrielle ask her something she had anticipated was coming but still had no answer to.
GABRIELLE
Why'd you leave like that, Xena? I've seen you take far worse and walk away relatively fine before, so why? Why'd you just give up?
Xena sighed as she got her second boot off and sat up straight to see the other woman standing right in front of her.
XENA
I don't know. I guess after seeing Cira, while I was unconscious my mind went to a dark place. Back to what I used to be. I think a part of me just figured I'd never be able to make up for everything so...
GABRIELLE
You left me because of your guilt.
Xena sighed as she tried to better explain herself.
XENA
Gabrielle. Iit's not like that. I wasn't leaving you.
GABRIELLE
But you did, Xena. You left, and I didn't know what to do.
The younger woman fought to maintain her composure, but Xena could see Gabrielle fighting to hold back the tears from the pain that still remained surrounding the warrior's death.
XENA
Gabrielle, come here.
The dark-haired woman took Gabrielle's hand and had her sit on the bed next to her as she turned to face the blonde.
XENA
I never wanted to leave you. I...
Xena paused for a moment, uncertain of how she wanted to continue. But then gathered her thoughts and resumed speaking.
XENA
It was never my intention to hurt you. But I'm so sorry I did. You are so important and dear to me.
As she spoke, Xena reached up and softly cupped Gabrielle's cheek.
XENA
And if you don't know that, I suppose that's just one more thing that I have to make up for.
Seeing the warmth and sincerity on the warrior's face, Gabrielle couldn't help but think back to when she first discovered Xena's spirit was in Autolycus, and what had happened between them. Something that if Gabrielle was being honest, had been replaying in the back of her mind. And now she was afraid to know if it had meant the same to Xena as it did her.
GABRIELLE
Xena, can I ask you something?
Xena lowered her hand to hold Gabrielle's, that rested on her lap.
XENA
Always.
GABRIELLE
While you were in Autolycus' body, what happened between us? I mean, it felt like you were telling me something and...
Suddenly, despite having wished for Xena to see her as more than a friend for a good while now, Gabrielle began to feel uncertain if she should bring up the subject. After all, what if the kiss they shared didn't actually mean anything other than a way for Xena to prove it was really her? So feeling embarrassed for even bringing the subject up, Gabrielle looked away as she tried to play the whole situation off.
GABRIELLE
You know what, never mind. It doesn't matter. I'm probably reading too much into it.
Wanting to move on, the young woman began to stand, but was stopped when Xena didn't let go of her hand.
XENA
Gabrielle, wait.
The blonde looked back at the woman who was still seated on the bed, looking up at her.
XENA
You're right. There was more I wanted to tell you.
Not letting the other woman go, Xena rose from her spot on the bed to stand in front of the blonde.
XENA
Something I wish I had said back in that temple after I thought I'd lost you.
The warrior moved in close to Gabrielle so there was barely an inch between them, and gently lifted Gabrielle's chin to look her in the eye.
XENA
I love you, Gabrielle.
Lowering her head slightly, Xena placed a light kiss on the bard's lips. And was repaid with Gabrielle closing her eyes and pressing deeper into the kiss as she wrapped her arms around the warrior's waist. After standing there for a long moment, Xena finally pulled her head back a little as she matched Gabrielle's embrace and the bard laid her head against the taller woman's chest.
GABRIELLE
I love you, Xena. And the truth is, I have for a long time. I was just too afraid to say anything. You're my best friend and I didn't wanna ruin that. But then when you died, I regretted not telling you how I felt so much.
XENA
I'm sorry. If I had told you how I felt sooner, you wouldn't have had to carry that guilt.
Xena chuckled.
XENA
Though, I guess we really are two very different people.
The blonde raised her head to look at the warrior.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean?
XENA
I realize I have feelings for you after almost losing you and decide I'm better off keeping it to myself. Then I die, and you regret not saying anything.
GABRIELLE
(Joking) If this is what it takes for us to just be honest with ourselves, I'm starting to think there's something wrong with us.
Xena smiled.
XENA
(Half joking) Come on Gabrielle, you already know there's plenty wrong with me. Which begs the question of what you could possibly see that made you feel the way you do?
The younger woman pulled back from the warrior with a slightly unhappy look on her face.
GABRIELLE
That's not true, Xena. You know I don't like it when you talk about yourself like that. You're a good person. I don't care about what you've done in the past. You've put that life behind you. The Xena I see standing here in front of me is nothing like the woman you've told me you once were. And this Xena, that's right here, with me, right now, is the only one I care about.
Gabrielle raised up to her tiptoes to capture the warrior's lips with hers once again. The kiss continued for another long moment before becoming more impassioned when without thinking, Xena let her tongue pass into Gabrielle's mouth and began to dance with other woman's. The room fell silent except for the small audible moans that managed to escape the women's otherwise busy mouths, until the need for air forced the pair to separate for air, their hearts beating rapidly as they tried to catch their breath. And Gabrielle laid her head back against the warrior's chest as another thought came to her mind.
GABRIELLE
Hey, can I ask you something else about what happened with you in Autolycus' body?
XENA
Mmm?
GABRIELLE
That wasn't Autolycus that put his hand on my butt, was it?
XENA
Oh, you remember that?
Having not expected Gabrielle to bring that particular part of that interaction, Xena found herself feeling somewhat flustered for what she should say as she pulled back to look at the other woman.
XENA
Sorry, I just got lost in the moment there. Not that it makes it okay.
Gabrielle couldn't help but let out a small giggle at how uncharacteristically uncomfortable Xena seemed from her bringing up the subject. But then decided she couldn't just leave the woman to worry that she had crossed a boundary she shouldn't have.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry Xena, I'm not upset.
XENA
You're not?
GABRIELLE
Well admittedly, I was a bit annoyed with Autolycus when I thought he was just trying to take advantage of an opportunity. But then I thought about it later, I kinda figured out it was you when nothing happened to Autolycus afterwards.
The dark-haired warrior raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the comment.
XENA
So, just to get this straight, you were upset when you thought it was Autolycus that grabbed you, but you're okay with me doing it.
Gabrielle smiled bashfully, feeling her face becoming hot as she looked down, trying to keep the blush from showing on her face.
GABRIELLE
And what would happen if I was?
The younger woman felt Xena's hand touch her cheek as the warrior gently lifted her face back to look at her.
XENA
What would you like to happen?
GABRIELLE
I don't know. I mean I've thought about it. About us being together like that I mean. Well kind of. But I never... you know, with anyone before, so I guess I didn't really have much to go on. Especially since you're another woman, and until you came along I never really thought about women that way. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just always figured when it did happen iIt'd be different and...
XENA
Gabrielle, Gabrielle relax.
Xena placed her hand on the woman's knee to get her attention and try to calm her nervous rambling.
XENA
Nothing's gonna happen between us, unless you want it to.
Gabrielle put her hand over Xena's as she took a moment to gather her racing thoughts, before speaking again.
GABRIELLE
It's not that I don't. I do, actually. I guess, I'm just a little nervous about whether I'll do things right or not.
Xena gave the woman a small, reassuring smile.
XENA
That's understandable. Most everyone feels that way about their first time. But trust me, you have nothing to worry about.
Xena placed a light kiss on Gabrielle's lips.
XENA
So if you're sure you wanna do this, we'll take it as slow as you want.
Gabrielle smiled as she could feel herself stirring with desire as she looked into the ocean of blue eyes of the woman she loved. Who she had dreamt of being in this moment with for too long. And knew without that the answer she was about to give would start her and Xena down a new road in their relationship. A road that Gabrielle had been dreaming of walking down with the warrior, and wasn't about to turn away from now as she kissed the dark-haired warrior and gave her reply.
GABRIELLE
I'm sure.
TO BE CONTINUED…