Title: NEARER THE GODS
Author: longbeachtrekstar ( longbeachtrekstar@yahoo.com )
Series: TNG x XWP
Code: C, Y, Xena, Gabrielle
Rating: NC-17 for lesbian sex (natch), also includes some Hollywood violence (blood, but no death)
Summary: Crusher and Yar must travel to Xena's universe to retrieve an important artifact. Adventure and conflict ensue.
Background: In the TNG episode "Contagion," Starfleet discovers a machine on Iconia which can open doorways to other parts of the galaxy. In the FFF story "Iconian Rendezvous," Darklord wrote of a second machine which could open portals to other realities. Crusher was transported to Xena's world, where they had a brief encounter.
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. Renaissance owns Xena. I'm just writing this for fun. No profit was made. Inspired by a story from Darklord. Let's see, I quote Socrates and Euripides. I borrow a line from Star Wars. I quote Sophocles, as well as reference some of his characters. There are even a few lines of my own in here.
Beta: Special thanks to Lyrastarwatcher, not only for help with this story, but for great writing advice in general
Archiving: FFF, ASCEM, others please ask
Feedback: Yes please, to my email or the FFF site
Note: Written for Round XI of the Femme Fuh-q Fest -- http://www.oocities.org/femme_fuhq_fest/
by longbeachtrekstar, July 2003
Prolog *****
"Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods."
- Socrates
The Enterprise responded when the Iconian site was attacked and looted by Ferengi raiders. Starfleet archeologists were injured, and much equipment was stolen or destroyed. In the confusion, one significant artifact was accidentally cast through the portal, which at the time was open to the alternate universe where Xena lived. A power-controlling crystal, it was a key component to running the apparatus. Properly used, the crystal regulates the space-time fabric when a portal is opened -- the way carbon rods regulate nuclear reactors, or dilithium regulates warp fields. Mishandled, however, it can rip that same fabric apart, so it must be retrieved. Since the archeologists were injured, and Dr. Crusher had prior interaction with Xena's world, she and Lt. Yar were chosen to conduct the retrieval mission.
1 *****
"Chief Medical Officer's log, stardate... shit!... oh, uh, pause recording." Dr. Crusher let her hand holding the tricorder drop to her lap. "What am I supposed to use for a stardate?"
Lt. Yar smiled, amused by the doctor's frustration at such a minor issue. She handed her a canteen. "Have some water. And S.O.P. for an Away Mission is to reference the stardate when we left the ship."
Crusher took a drink and wiped her chin with the back of her hand. Nodding her head, she picked up the tricorder again. "Restart entry. Chief Medical Officer's log, stardate 43852.6. It's been almost a day since Lt. Yar and I passed through the Iconian portal into this universe. According to the Starfleet exo-archeologists who have been cataloging the worlds that the portal can access, the one we are in is similar to ancient Greece of old Earth mythology. They speculate that periodic, naturally-occurring portals may have allowed people to pass between the two realities in the past, helping to create the basis for Greek mythology in the first place. The missing artifact was nowhere to be found when we arrived, but we recently acquired a lead which is taking us to a nearby city... End log."
Lt. Yar took a drink for herself and capped the canteen. "So tell me, I know we both listened to the same mission briefing, but do you really understand how all this space-time stuff works?"
"Well, from what I gather, when we retrieve the crystal and pass back through the portal, it will immediately repair any damage that was done, possibly altering what we remember to have happened."
"You mean the world we return to may not be the same one we left?"
"Exactly."
"How different could it be? I mean, could I be a doctor and you be a security officer?" Yar smiled.
"Ugh. I hope not. I look awful in gold." Crusher put the tricorder back in its pouch and let Yar help her to her feet.
Yar put her arm around Crusher and playfully slapped her on the butt, gesturing at the trail before them. "Shall we get this show on the road?" Before they separated, Beverly placed her forehead against Tasha's. It was a curious thing she did when she felt intimate. Tasha'd seen her do it often with Wes. Then a smile, a peck on the lips, and they were off.
They were traveling a gravelly path through the woods and over a hilltop. Reaching the summit, they paused to survey the leeward side of the ridge. They'd started their journey in a forested area, and as they traveled east, the terrain was growing more and more arid. The wide valley before them had more scrub brush and open sand than the path behind them. The sun was hot in the sky.
In the distance, another ridge rose up, with forest glades scattered about its windward side. Tasha pointed. "We should be able to make it there by nightfall. There should be some water, and Thebes is just on the other side."
"That's where we'll find the crystal?"
"According to that merchant we talked to. He didn't actually see it, but he heard about it. The city's Protector, or Patron, or whatever, is offering it as a prize in some sort of contest."
As they moved down into the valley, they commented variously on the flora and fauna, Iconian technology, and ancient Greek civilization. Finally, Tasha couldn't control her curiosity any more. "So tell me about this 'prior interaction' you've had here. You mentioned someone named Zeena?"
Beverly couldn't help but smile on hearing the name. A little blush even colored her cheeks. "Oh, Xena... she was... someone I met..."
Tasha pulled alongside and elbowed the doctor in the ribs. "Out with it. Just how friendly are they around here?"
"Judging by the sword she waved in my face when we first met, I wouldn't exactly say 'friendly.' 'Passionate' might be more accurate. She was in that thermal pool in the cave we came through when we first got here."
"She had a sword?"
"A sword and nothing else!" Beverly fairly leered. "Well, we made friends and she invited me into the water. God, she was gorgeous. Long dark hair, beautiful body."
Tasha's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Tell me more!"
"That was it. Right about then is when I was 'rescued.' But I wouldn't have minded being lost for just a little longer."
2 *****
They reached the wooded area as night fell, just as Tasha had predicted. Finding a decent rest area near a river, they made camp, refilled their water, and started a campfire, setting the tricorder on "security mode" to guard against anyone approaching unseen.
Tasha slipped the satchel she was carrying off her shoulder and onto the ground. She looked dejectedly at the "local indigenous clothing" the Enterprise computer had issued to each of them. Made of a canvass-like material, it consisted of simple pants and a utility jacket over a sleeveless top. She turned to Beverly to find her lying on the ground, eyes closed, exhausted. "I'm going down to the river to wash up. Wanna come?" Beverly shook her head, eyes still closed, half asleep, so Tasha set off on her own.
Beverly dozed off, so she didn't know how late it was that she heard Tasha coming back through the woods. She knew it was Tasha, though, or the tricorder alarm would have sounded. It was completely dark, except for the crackling fire and the moon and stars. She looked up to see Tasha emerge from the brush. She was topless -- naked, in fact, except for a thin pair of pink panties. Her wet clothing was slung over her arm. As she stepped into the clearing, the firelight caught her form, flashing from hundreds of water droplets sliding down her shoulders, her chest, her powerful thighs. Her short blonde hair was slicked back and dark with wet from the river.
"I decided to take a dip, and also wash some of the sweat and dust out of my clothes."
Beverly watched as she crossed behind the campfire, noticing how the back of her panties rode high between her firm cheeks. She began stretching her clothes over a bush to dry. She turned around and smiled at Beverly over the fire as she stood with her feet slightly apart and her arms raised, palms toward the flames, to dry herself.
Beverly sat up, crossing her legs in front of her and brushing off the odd bit of grass and dirt caught by her blouse. "A dip, huh? Sounds nice." She looked at Tasha warmly.
They'd been assigned together for a bit over two years. She'd liked Tasha since the first time they met, but it was over a year until their first intimate encounter -- and they had never become exclusive. Beverly had had a number of relationships since Jack, and was open to the possibility of settling down again, but she knew it would not be with Tasha. She loved her, but Tasha was still trying to figure out what she wanted in life, and to ask more of her than she was ready to give would be unfair.
Beverly allowed her eyes to wander up and down Tasha's form. Having her wet hair pushed back only helped accentuate how beautiful her face was. In the glow of the fire, she was absolutely radiant. Her breasts were rather petite but more than enough for a playful squeeze, as Beverly liked to demonstrate whenever she could. A smooth, taut belly led to what the good doctor knew was a neatly trimmed patch above delicately soft lips. Both were presently covered -- just barely -- by her sheer panties, which had now dried and therefore transmuted from a dark to a lighter shade of pink.
Tasha blushed knowingly under Beverly's admiring stare, but the panty-matching pink that rose in her cheeks was disguised by the glow of the fire. Feeling more or less dry, she moved a little closer to Beverly and sat down on the ground, her knees up and her bare feet flat on the dirt. Being in bare feet always appealed to Tasha -- something about being able to squeeze and paw at the ground with her toes.
Beverly stretched out on her belly and watched the fire dance in Tasha's eyes, but she couldn't keep her gaze from the delightfully girlish pink panties. At the moment, they were stretched tightly across Tasha's mound.
Tasha acknowledged Beverly's longing stare, letting one of her hands slide down her chest and over a breast. She circled a nipple, pinching and playfully tugging it. Both nipples, so recently stimulated by the cold river water, now sprang to attention again -- one by direct contact, the other in sympathetic reflex. Her hand continued its journey as Beverly watched, enthralled. Taking hold of the top of her panties, she tugged on them and the crotch disappeared into her pussy. She then pulled it out, smoothed the material over her mound, and smiled at her audience.
Beverly returned the smile and rose up onto her knees and elbows, crawling across the intervening ground to reach Tasha. Leaning forward, she pressed her mouth against the panties. As if a pressure valve had suddenly been released, Tasha let out a pleasurable, "Hmmm."
While she pushed her tongue against the material, Beverly breathed in strongly through her nose, pleasuring in the aroma of her friend's arousal. She pulled back and noted her handiwork with satisfaction: a dark circle of saliva-moistened fabric on Tasha's crotch contained a smaller, even darker circle where Tasha herself was soaking through from the opposite side. Tasha's head was back and her eyes were closed. "Don't stop."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Beverly resumed her efforts, causing Tasha's muscles to stiffen and her hips to rise from the ground. Beverly knelt before the object of her affection and took the crotch of Tasha's panties in her fist. She was tempted to rip them open but decided that it might not be a good idea in the middle of an isolated away mission. Instead, she simply pulled them aside, exposing the soft, rounded petals of Tasha's sex.
With a finger of her other hand, she gently stroked the lips up and down. She pulled one aside and let a drop of collected fluid flow out, catching moonlight and firelight in reflected silver and gold. Beverly then slid the panties completely off and, grasping Tasha from underneath with both hands, leaned in again to press her Scottish mouth against Tasha in a very French way. She sucked so deeply that Tasha swore she could feel the blood drain from her fingers and toes.
Bev could tell Tasha was close. Pulling her tongue from deep inside, she lashed at her fully exposed clit. Tasha's every muscle stiffened, and she sucked in a deep breath as she rose to the crest of an orgasmic wave. Then, when Beverly ever so gently closed her teeth on the super-sensitive nub, the wave came crashing down, swallowing her whole. At this point, Beverly hands were supporting Tasha's weight, and she loved the feel of Tasha's muscles flexing and twisting beneath her fingers.
Finally, Beverly withdrew her hands, and Tasha settled her bare ass to the ground. Her thickly glazed eyes shined brightly but saw nothing. Blinking back into focus, she smiled dreamily at Beverly. "Hmmm, that was... nice." Words were inadequate, so she stopped trying. She wiped beads of sweat from her forehead and upper lip. Beverly crawled up to lay beside her, and they snuggled together. Bev leaned close, and their lips met in a warm kiss. Tasting herself on Bev's lips, Tasha let her tongue travel down to her chin and lick it clean.
A moisture pocket in one of the fire logs suddenly popped, creating a loud noise and a small shower of sparks. They both flinched in surprise, then laughed. Tasha slid a hand up inside Beverly's blouse, taking gentle hold of one of her breasts. She kneaded first one, then the other, circling and gently tweaking each nipple, causing them to show themselves through the material.
She slid her hands down and into Beverly's pants and could feel her arousal. She withdrew her wet hand and wiped it over Beverly's chin, cheeks, nose, forehead -- massaging it in like a fine oil. Beverly sat up and quickly undressed. Lying back on the ground, she let out a moan as Tasha leaned between her legs. She then grabbed hold of Tasha's thighs and pulled her over to complete the sixty-nine. Tasha sat up and pulled her butt forward, rubbing her hot mound over Beverly's bosom.
Suddenly, Beverly slapped Tasha's ass. The physical sensation, combined with the unexpectedness of it, sent tingles through Tasha's body. Tasha slipped two fingers inside Beverly while she got up on her knees to grant easier access to her behind. Taking the cue, Beverly continued spanking, while likewise sticking her fingers inside Tasha. Both girls feverishly worked each other -- Tasha alternately rubbing and licking Beverly, while Bev spanked Tasha's ass with ever-increasing speed and intensity.
"Harder, harder!" Tasha growled.
Beverly smacked Tasha's now glowing red ass. Spider webs of bright red, inflamed capillaries formed on each cheek. Both of them felt the familiar sensation within, rising to the point beyond which it could not be stopped. Again, waves of pleasure washed over Tasha, this time shared by Beverly, whom she collapsed upon. Both of them -- completely spent -- lay together, arms and legs entwined.
Finally, as the chill of the night set in, they stoked the fire and lie down close to it under a blanket, in each other's arms until morning.
3 *****
The next morning, they were on their way early. It didn't take them long to get over the ridge and catch their first glimpse of Thebes, shimmering in the distant, early-morning heat. As they got closer to the city, the road they traveled grew wider and firmer. At one point, they approached a rise in the road, and they could hear a commotion on the other side. Reaching the top of the rise, they saw a fight going on. It was rather evident that five bandits had set upon two females. It was equally evident that the females were proving to be a far more difficult mark than the thieves had expected.
"Xena!" cried Beverly.
"That's Xena?" Tasha asked, admiring the skill -- not to mention the ferocity -- of the dark-haired fighter before her.
"Yes, it is. I don't know who the other one is."
Along with Xena's physical technique, Tasha also noticed her appearance. Most noticeable was a solid breastplate, protecting a substantial bosom. The rest of her outfit was predominantly leather: a corset-like garment below the breastplate, gauntlets around her wrists, boots over the knees, and a short skirt with a layer of thick leather pleats. She was armed with a large sword, which she wielded with the skill of a master. She also fought with incredible strength and speed, as likely to use a kick or a punch as the sword.
Skillfully covering her back was a smaller-framed but no less accomplished partner. Dressed primarily in red, she worn less leather than Xena, but sported a bare midriff. Her bosom was rakishly pushed forward by her top, and Tasha couldn't help but try to peek beneath her miniskirt every time she laid out one of her attackers with a kick.
Like Tasha, she had short blonde hair, though it was a bit longer, extending almost to her shoulders. It was just long enough to catch the air and swirl gracefully as she moved from a tuck-and-roll into a high spin-kick. Like Xena, she had weapons at the ready -- two sai, one for each hand -- but seemed to prefer hand-to-hand. Tasha wondered whether it was an attempt to spare her opponents serious injury or just because she enjoyed it more.
Tasha's immediate impulse was to leap into the fray. Even though the two women were obviously far more skilled than their assailants, she feared they might be overwhelmed by sheer numbers, or that one of the bad guys might simply land a lucky punch. Mostly, it just went against Tasha's nature to stand by without helping. With a yell, the young security officer leaped forward.
Xena was fending off two foes, and the Blonde was engaged with one. Two others who had just been knocked to the ground were getting up and advancing on the Blonde from behind. Tasha karate-kicked one in the gut. He doubled over, and his helmet went flying. She grabbed him by his hair and, pulling his head down sharply, introduced his nose to her knee. Her knee won; his nose gave way with a sickening crunch and a gush of blood. Although not truly a serious wound, the broken nose was enough to drain the last bit of fight from the hood, who was now only seeking escape.
Tasha turned to see the second one still advancing on the Blonde, a dagger in his fist. Tasha yelled, and the Blonde turned around to see the blade bearing down on her. With the speed of thought, she drew her sai -- a stabbing weapon with a short handle and a long center spike flanked by two short spikes. She raised it and caught the stabbing dagger in the crook of her own weapon. At that moment Tasha appeared, landing a right cross on the scoundrel's glass jaw and sending him to the ground -- out cold.
The Blonde looked at Tasha and smiled broadly. "Thanks!"
Tasha returned the smile. "Y'welcome."
It was suddenly quiet. Looking around, they realized the only things left moving were a dust cloud settling to the ground and three out-of-breath, heaving female chests. Three of the thieves had already run off, and the other two lay unconscious at their feet.
"Xena!" Beverly came running. "Are you all right?"
Xena looked at Beverly, confused at first. Then recognition dawned on her. "Beverly! Great Zeus! What are you doing here?"
Beverly approached Xena. She wanted to throw her arms around her in a big hug, but was put off by Xena's hard attire. Xena stepped forward and wrapped her up in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground. "Oh!" was all Beverly could say as her breasts were pushed against the outside of Xena's armor.
"I never expected to see you again!" exclaimed Xena.
"Nor I you," Beverly replied. "It was so difficult just to find our way back to your... world... I thought actually finding you would be too much to hope for."
"The gods meant for it to be. We should pick up where we left off. When's the last time you had a hot bath, eh?"
Beverly blushed. "I wish this was just a pleasure trip. We need your help."
"We?"
Just then, Tasha and the Blonde stepped up. For the first time after all the commotion, Xena really looked at Tasha.
"Yes," said Beverly. "This is my partner, Tasha Yar."
"Tasha. I see you've already met Gabrielle."
Gabrielle spoke first. "We hadn't actually introduced ourselves yet, but -- Tasha, is it? -- helped me deal with a few of those scumbags." She contemptuously kicked a bit of dirt toward the unconscious thieves.
"We were on our way to the city," offered Xena. "If you'd care to travel with us, you can tell us what kind of help you're looking for."
4 *****
Beverly didn't know how to explain the situation. There had been much left unsaid after their first meeting. Besides the Prime Directive, she didn't know how she could explain Starfleet, Iconia, or space-time without sounding crazy. Of course, if they have gods and magic here, maybe whatever she said wouldn't sound so strange after all.
"It's a crystal, about the size of a golf ball... uh, if you know what that is. We heard it was found and brought to Thebes."
"You seek the Aegis?" Xena asked excitedly.
"The what?"
"The Aegis of Athena. It came down from Mount Olympus and can grant great power to its possessor."
"The Aegis?" Beverly's knowledge of Greek mythology was severely limited. "Does it look like what I described?"
"The Aegis can appear in many forms," offered Gabrielle. "Sometimes a shield, sometimes a cloud, sometimes a cloak."
"Sometimes a golf ball?" Tasha was incredulous.
"I don't think..." began Beverly.
"I'm sorry, Beverly, dear, but you may have made a trip for nothing. The Aegis already belongs to me, and I'm afraid I can't give it up."
Beverly and Tasha looked at each other. "What do you mean?" asked Beverly. "You have it?"
"Well, I don't actually have it yet, but it's promised to me. I've won it."
"Won it? The contest?" asked Tasha.
"The Challenge, yes. So you know?"
"Not really," said Beverly. "Could you explain it?"
"The Challenge is the backbone of Thebean life. It's a sport, a test. It settles legal disputes and grudges."
"It's physical? A fight of some kind? Like Roman gladiators."
"Romans!" Xena spat the word. "With their shields and helmets, nets and chains. By Zeus, they've got lions and tigers running around! What is it, a circus? No, the Challenge of Thebes pits two people against each other with only a sword."
They reached the last rise in the road before the main entrance to the city. Heavy traffic now filled the area, and they stepped to the side, out of the way of horses and wagons. "There it is," said Gabrielle. "The great city of Thebes. At least it was great. I suppose it still is now, but not nearly as much as it once was. My Uncle Ben always says, 'You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.'"
"Why are things so bad now?" asked Tasha.
"The gods are punishing them," answered Xena. "Thebes used to be the gem of Macedonia... of all Greece! Prosperous, powerful. Even more so when Cadmus became King -- then his son, Oedipus. Then, some terrible scandal destroyed the family."
Gabrielle continued, "Oedipus disappeared, leaving his lands to his two sons, Polynices and Eteocles. But Eteocles wanted to rule by himself. They fought, and Polynices was banished." She paused. "That's when the gods turned against them. Crops dried up, livestock died. The very land is turning into a desert. The city survives, it looks busy, but they're all trading on the last scraps of their lives. That's why lately the Challenge has become so popular. Anything for a distraction."
"Enough of this," said Xena. "Let's get inside."
They arrived at the gate and passed into the city. It was primitive, with a wooden stockade around it, dirt streets, and ramshackle buildings. Horses, dogs, and chickens wandered everywhere. Orphans picked pockets, and hucksters pitched their wares, as did ladies of the evening -- even though it was only afternoon. Despite its deteriorated condition, it was the hub of the area, full of hustle and bustle. The din of commerce was everywhere.
Xena led them straight to the stadium at the town center. It was a large, roughly circular, wooden structure. They could hear the roar of the crowd inside, as one of the Challenges was underway. They pushed and shoved their way inside and found bench seats on the raised platforms that circled a dirty arena about two or three hundred feet in diameter. Only a short railing separated the spectators from the action, but on the other side it was a ten-foot drop to ground level.
The fight currently underway was nearing its conclusion. Two less-than-glamorous females hacked away at each other artlessly. It was a one-sided battle, and in no time the smaller of the two fell to the ground bleeding and writhing in pain. The larger of the women pumped her arms in the air in triumph, as the crowd roared its approval. She strutted around her opponent, flexing and posing, arrogantly taunting her victim. Suddenly, she straddled her victim, standing over her, shaking her sword menacingly.
Beverly shrank back into her seat, fearing she was about to witness a brutal execution. Instead, the fighter squatted over her victim. Raising her skirt, a pale yellow fluid flowed from between her legs. The crowd laughed and whistled as the defeated woman twisted beneath the wet insult. Despite herself, a small laugh even escaped Beverly's lips, although in her case it was pure relief that the victim had been spared a vicious death.
The fight being over, the crowd quickly got to their feet and began moving toward the exits. Gabrielle motioned for Tasha and Bev to follow her and Xena. "We've got a cottage on the edge of town that we stay in when we're here."
The "cottage" was a well-maintained house in the foothills surrounding the city. It was clean and had a well-stocked pantry. Beverly didn't know what kind of princess Xena was, but it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to think that she had a number of safe-houses maintained for her throughout the region. The house was a bit small, but certainly not uncomfortable. A large central living area had a suitably large hearth opposite the front door. Two bedrooms branched off the main room on either side of the hearth, each of which also had a smaller fireplace of its own.
A bit later, night was falling and Gabrielle stoked a fire in the hearth. It was amazing how warm it was during the day, and yet how cold it got in the evening. They cooked up a simple but filling meal and relaxed with some large mugs of mead. Beverly did not want to bring up what needed to be said, but she had to try to resolve the issue. "I know you've worked hard -- fought hard -- to win the Aegis, but you have to realize, we must return with it. We have to."
Xena was immovable. "Beverly, do you realize what it is? The Aegis is all-powerful. I can do anything with it. Rescue Thebes. Help those I've hurt. Maybe even bring back the innocents I've killed."
Tasha could no longer contain herself. "For crying out loud! It's not a fucking 'Aegis'! It's an Iconian crystal." Beverly put her hand on Tasha's shoulder, trying to calm her, but Tasha waved her away. "It's not going to help you raise the dead, but it will help us prevent a tragedy that could destroy this world and many others." The more she talked, the angrier she got. "I can't believe we're even having this discussion."
Xena tossed her mug aside and stood up to Tasha. "Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do? This whole story of yours sounds like a load of crap. If you're looking to push someone around, you've come to the wrong place."
Beverly stood up between them, wanting to defuse the situation. "Ladies, please." Gabrielle stood between them as well, silently condoning Beverly's wish. "We've got to work something out."
"What's to work out?" asked Tasha. "She has the crystal and we need it. We can't split it in half. Do you want us to buy it?"
"It's priceless," responded Xena. "Besides, at this point, I wouldn't give you the satisfaction. If you want it so bad, why don't you offer a Challenge? You think you could stand up to me in the arena?"
"Consider it done! If I do this Challenge thing -- if I win -- you give us the crystal."
"Fine. It's your funeral. I'll be sure they give you full honors." Xena turned toward the door. "I'll go to town now and inform the Judge. Tomorrow at noon, we'll settle this once and for all." Then she was gone. The only sound in the room was the crackle of the fire.
5 *****
The remaining three women tried to carry on for a time as if there hadn't just been a big blowout. Gabrielle finally rose and said, "Let me show you where you can sleep." She walked into one of the bedrooms. Beverly remained by the fire, a mug of mead between her hands, but Tasha followed unenthusiastically. In the next room, Gabrielle was starting a fire in the secondary hearth.
"Don't worry about that," offered Tasha, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Oh, believe me, later tonight you'll be glad it's here."
"So how long have you been with her?"
"Xena? Oh, quite a while. I met her back in her wild years."
"You mean she's not wild now?"
"Oh no, not like she once was." She paused, as if remembering. "Of course, she can still be a handful," she added, smiling.
"Tell me about it! Why do you stay with her?"
"I don't know. Why does anybody stay with anybody? It just feels right, I guess. There!" She stood up from the hearth, wiping her hands together.
Tasha looked into the small flames, just beginning to spread. "Looks good."
"Thanks." Gabrielle sat down on the bed next to Tasha. "How long have you and Beverly been together?"
"Just a couple years. It's funny. I never would have thought of us as compatible, but we really get along. Who'd've thought?"
"Oh, I would. I can tell. You may not be alike, but you're complimentary. You each have what the other lacks."
"How poetic," replied Tasha, the slightest edge of sarcasm sneaking into her voice.
"No, really, I mean it. Y'know..." Gabrielle looked sideways at Tasha with a smirk, "you're really an awful lot like Xena."
"Oh, please!" Tasha gave Gabrielle a playful shove. "I'm nothing like that... that..." She looked at Gabrielle, who was waiting to hear Tasha's next choice of words. Tasha decided to bite her tongue. She continued. "Well if she and I are alike, and you compliment her, then you must compliment me as well."
"I think I could." Gabrielle leaned in to complete the kiss they'd both been expecting. Like an electric charge between two objects, the meeting of their lips released the pent-up romantic energy that had been building between them. Tasha slid her hands down Gabrielle's back as she kissed her way down her neck. Gabrielle tossed her head back, her mouth open in a silent moan, as Tasha breathed hotly on her nape. Tasha pulled back and ran a couple fingers over Gabby's bosom straining to escape the top of her bustier.
Tasha wanted to rip the top off or, at the very least, free her of her confinement. But to her frustration, she found the garment's material too resilient to rip, and its construction too sturdy to easily give up its contents. Gabrielle was a warrior, after all, and it just wouldn't do to have her bouncing out all the time.
"This is a nice top," said Tasha.
"Thank you."
"Take it off!"
Gabrielle giggled as she happily complied. Undoing its laces, she lowered the garment and tossed it aside. She smiled as she arched her back and threw her shoulders back for Tasha's inspection. She even shimmied just a bit, giving a gentle sway to her bodaciously exposed breasts. Tasha took hold of them rather gruffly, pushing them together, watching with pleasure as her nipples stiffened in response. Gabrielle fell backward on the bed. Tasha crawled on top of her and, straddling her waist, leaned down to flick her tongue across her chest. Gabrielle mewed and cooed in response. It was all a bit too mellow for Tasha -- after her heated encounter with Xena, she needed something a bit more intense. She lowered her hips onto Gabby's and started gyrating against her. Gabrielle's little-girl mewing became a much more guttural moan.
"What's this still doing here?" she teased, pulling off Tasha's blouse. She then grabbed two handfuls of Tasha's hair and pulled her back down on top of her. "Keep licking."
Tasha did so, and soon Gabrielle's breasts were covered with a thin sheen of saliva. Tasha pushed her own newly exposed breasts against Gabby's. As they slid around together, their nipples fencing with each other, Tasha slid a hand inside Gabby's panties. She felt her heat, her wet, her wooly soft curls. She grasped a handful of it and tugged. "Is this the golden fleece that Jason sought?"
"Maybe. But tonight it's all yours."
Not possessing the self-restraint Beverly displayed the night before, Tasha took hold of the panties and tore them away, leaving her boldly exposed. Gabrielle's lips were actually quite small and narrow, but full of potential. Tasha immediately reached deep inside with her warm, wet tongue. It did not take her long to bring Gabrielle off in what she hoped was only her first orgasm of the evening. Gabby struggled to remove Tasha's pants.
Exposed to the sudden sensation of skin-on-skin, they both renewed their gyrations. Short blonde hairs intertwined with each other, and warm juices flowed together. Gabrielle threw her arms around Tasha and wrapped her legs around her hips. "Fuck me! Fuck me, damn it!"
Tasha bucked mightily against the palomino beneath her. Gabrielle held onto the sheet beneath her in fists that squeezed her fingers white. She held her eyes closed tightly and bit her bottom lip, feeling that she might fly completely apart if she relaxed for even a moment. For her part, Tasha felt as if they were melting together. Like pools of molten metal, she feared that if they cooled off, they'd be fused together.
Gabrielle could hold out no longer. She released her bottom lip and cried out as another climax seized her. Like an electric surge, her energy flowed through her and into Tasha. They convulsed together in simultaneous bliss and collapsed together against the mattress, lying there in a puddle of sweat and other fluids.
Nearby, the fledgling fire Gabrielle had started not long ago was a roaring furnace. Tasha had been right -- they didn't need it.
6 *****
In the next room, Beverly sat in a chair, both feet up against the fireplace mortar, one of her hands down the front of her pants. It was, after all, a rather small house, and the sounds coming from the next room had been unmistakable. So lost was she in her actions that she did not hear Xena return. So it was in that position that Xena found her when she came through the door.
"Oh!" Beverly pulled her hand out and sat up straight.
"Don't stop on my account," responded Xena, sidling up next to her.
"I was just..." What was the use? It was obvious what she was just... Maybe an explanation would be better than an excuse. "Tasha and Gabrielle are in the next room. They were... I could hear them... That is, I was just..."
"You said that already." Xena picked up the hand Beverly had been using. "You're cute when you're embarrassed." She slowly licked one of her moist fingers. "Haven't we been through enough already not to be embarrassed?" She licked another finger. Beverly closed her eyes and breathed in unsteadily. Xena leaned forward, but Beverly stood up quickly and stepped by her.
"So you've arranged things for your... Challenge... tomorrow?"
Xena's warming eyes iced over just a bit. "Yes. I spoke to the Judge. If your Tasha Yar wants to challenge me for the Aegis, then she can meet me at the arena tomorrow. The word's gone out already. If she doesn't show, there's going to be an awful lot of disappointed spectators."
"Then disappoint them, for the love of God!"
"You don't know me after all, do you? I haven't always been 'good.' I'm barely a good person now, but before... If I could undo just a bit of what I've done, it'd be worth my life to try."
"If it's so powerful, why would the King even give it up?"
"Not everyone believes it's the Aegis. Eteocles thinks it's just another pretty jewel -- he's got enough of them already. But I know better. That's why it's even more important that I get a hold of it as soon as possible. Before they figure out what they've really got."
"But I know what you've got! I know that if I don't return it, all this," she gestured around her, "could come crashing down... like it never existed... like we never..." She bit on one of her knuckles, stifling a sob. She closed her eyes, and a tear ran down her cheek.
Xena approached her and kissed the tear away. "And if I told you that I still intend to keep it, would you refuse me tonight?"
"I could never refuse you." Beverly leaned forward, and they met in a kiss -- a passionate kiss that she'd been dreaming of ever since their first meeting. She'd wanted this so badly that, now that it was within her reach, she couldn't refuse it. Time enough to set things straight tomorrow. Tonight, she was ready to surrender.
In each other's arms, they lowered themselves to the floor before the fire. Their kisses were as hot as any flames in the hearth. They wrestled each other out of their clothes. Beverly's came off rather easily, while Xena's battle garb was a bit more awkward. Soon, they were both naked, encircled by discarded clothing, grinning at each other like schoolgirls.
Xena ran her hands over Beverly's body. "You are as beautiful as I remember, Doctor." She ran a finger over Bev's moist pussy, and her eyes sparkled as an idea came to her. She leaned back. "Play with yourself... like you were doing when I came in." The doctor blushed. "Beverly, 'haven't we been through enough already not to be embarrassed'?"
Beverly smiled and spread her legs wide, displaying herself before Xena. She reached down between her legs and began stroking herself, alternating between closing her eyes in concentration and opening them to gaze lustily at Xena. She stroked faster, faster. She continued fingering herself as the waves of her climax crested, then faded away.
Recovered, Beverly turned her attention to Xena, who leaned over her, resting her hands on the fireplace mantle. Bev raised one of her slick fingers to Xena's pussy and slipped it effortlessly inside while her tongue explored the surface. So powerful was the effect she had on her partner that Xena's legs soon began to weaken, and she settled onto the floor. Xena felt as if she were melting, her essence running across the floorboards and dripping through the cracks.
"Please, Beverly. Don't stop licking." Withdrawing her finger, Bev continued to lick Xena's beautiful sex. Xena took Beverly's hand and placed it on her pussy. "I'm so close, Beverly. Fuck me. Please fuck me!" She obliged, quickly burying two fingers inside, creating lewd sounds as she moved in and out. Placing her thumb on Xena's clit noticeably increased the warrior's breathing. Beverly felt suddenly empowered, raising Xena up to the brink of ecstasy, then lowering her back down.
"Gods, Beverly! I can't stand it anymore. I can't..." Her words stopped as she lost control of her own breathing. Beverly watched with satisfaction as Xena underwent the immortal transformation -- shaking as if in rage, writhing as if in pain, shivering as if in fear. Beverly lapped up her lover's sweet nectar. Were she able to, she'd bottle it like fine wine, to be enjoyed for years to come. But the coming was just for tonight.
7 *****
They were all up early the next morning, moving silently and uneasily about each other. Beverly and Gabrielle exchanged rueful looks, neither of them able to dissuade their friends from their chosen path. Xena turned to Beverly and with a curt, "See you at the arena -- noon!" she and Gabrielle were out the door.
Beverly thought she might try one more time with Tasha. "This is crazy. We've got to figure out something else."
"We've tried Bev, but your Neanderthal friend won't budge. What else would you have us do? We can't leave without the crystal. We can't! You know as well as I do how much is riding on this. How everyone back home is counting on us."
Beverly could offer no counter-argument. Tasha was right. They both knew going into this mission that they might have to put their lives on the line. It was just that Beverly thought they'd be up against forces of nature or evil dictators, not someone she felt in her heart was actually a friend. If there was any good to come out of this, however, it was getting to see Tasha with fresh eyes. She always knew how fiercely loyal and devoted Tasha was to Starfleet. But she also always held a sneaking suspicion that it might be more a sense of gratitude than true devotion. Gratitude at giving her a chance, a way out of the hell she was raised in. But now she felt Tasha was acting according to her own beliefs. Beliefs nurtured by Starfleet, but not controlled by it. She was figuring out what she wanted in life after all.
They arrived at the stadium to find it filling with a boisterous crowd -- even more so than usual. Word of the Challenge had spread quickly. Overnight, people were coming from all around to see what everyone expected to be an exciting event. Xena was quite popular in the area. She was known to be a fierce and skillful warrior, and the city was abuzz with rumors about her mysterious blonde challenger. Some speculated she was royalty, even a god! Some said Athena, come to reclaim her property, or Ares, disguised as a woman! Most, however, assumed she was just an arrogant amateur, and they didn't want to miss her bloody demise.
No one hid their stares as Tasha and Beverly entered the stadium -- all eyes followed their every move. They made their way to an anteroom beneath the stands, where they caught up with Xena and Gabrielle. Xena was looking through the iron bars of a gate that led to the arena. Gabrielle filled them in.
"When the gate opens, you both advance to the center and stand next to the markers out there -- they're about fifty feet apart. The Judge will say a few words, you'll be presented with a sword, and then the Judge will signal the fighting to begin."
Tasha nodded silently. Beverly placed her hands on Tasha's shoulders and looked at her. A weak smile was all she could manage. "Good luck. Be careful." She glanced at Xena, wanting to say the same to her, then quickly turned and left with Gabrielle. They ascended the stairs to the seating area, found a vantage point, and took their seats.
Beverly surveyed the crowd, which was waving and cheering madly. She could almost imagine she was at a Parrises Squares or Anbo-Jyutsu tournament, or even a football match back in Scotland. But of course she wasn't. Suddenly, the constant din erupted even louder. Beverly saw the iron gate swing open. The Judge -- a bearded, balding man in a long robe -- emerged, flanked by two servants in short tunics, each with a sword and scabbard. Then Xena and Tasha emerged, and the sound level increased still further. Tasha was in her sleeveless top, having left her jacket behind. Xena had been told by the Judge to remove her breastplate; he deemed its armor an unfair advantage. She now wore only her leather bodice on top, but the rest of her outfit remained the same. They took their marks, facing each other with the Judge between them. Slowly, the noise of the crowd started to ebb. When it reached a point where he could be heard, the Judge spoke.
"By order of His Majesty the King, the Challenge is hereby convened. The victor of this contest will be declared the sole and rightful possessor of the gemstone known to some as the Aegis of Athena. As the contest is prepared to commence, we call upon the gods of Olympus to look favorably upon us once again as we..."
And on, and on. Tasha wondered how long he would ramble with his pseudo-religious blather. She raised her hand to shade her eyes and looked up toward the sun. She figured it was about thirty degrees centigrade, and the day wasn't even at its hottest yet. She then looked down at the arena floor, knocking some dirt around with the toe of her boot. For decades, perhaps hundreds of years, these fights had pounded and ground away at the surface until the dirt was now the consistency of fine talc. The slightest disturbance raised a cloud which hung heavily in the thick, humid air. A change in the Judge's tone drew her attention back to him.
"Receive now your weapon for the Challenge." On that cue, the two servants approached each of the women, drew the sword they each carried, and with a lunge forward, ceremoniously drove them into the ground at the women's feet. As they stepped back, the blades vibrated like tuning forks. Each servant then exited the arena. With a nod from the Judge, each of the women picked up their weapon. Tasha hefted it into the air and took a few practice swings, feeling its weight and balance. Xena was doing her best to intimidate before the battle even began. She twirled the blade in her hand and cut figure-eight's in the air in front of her.
The Judge spoke again. "If both be ready, let the Challenge begin!" He waved his arm with a flourish and stepped back. He would not leave the arena, only stand aside during the combat, out of harm's way.
With a cry, Xena stepped up quickly and took a powerful, two-handed swing. Tasha raised her sword defensively and succeeded in deflecting the deadly blow. But in so doing, her arms were knocked wide, leaving her front exposed and defenseless. Xena stepped in and elbowed her hard in the chin. Blood shot from Tasha's mouth, and she staggered a few steps backward. Xena came at her with another swing, but this time Tasha was able to deflect it downward, where it bit into the ground.
They centered on each other again, staring. Blood ran from the corner of Tasha's mouth. She spit a bloody glob into the dust. The crowd cheered, and Xena smiled at having drawn first blood. Xena was obviously a crowd favorite -- Tasha wondered how often she'd fought here before. Tasha wanted to go on the offensive, but needed a few more breaths before she could properly defend herself. She didn't get them.
Xena came at her. With both hands on her sword, she unleashed a series of forehanded and backhanded swings which Tasha needed all her strength to parry. On Xena's last swing, Tasha met the tip of Xena's blade with the tip of her own. Edge slid along edge until the hilts clashed together. Xena and Tasha, arms locked above their heads, found themselves standing face-to-face. Xena's breasts pushed into Tasha's chest. A split second paused for an eternity as Tasha's furrowed concentration met Xena's steely determination in a cold stare.
Suddenly, Tasha couldn't breathe. Xena'd brought her knee up into Tasha's gut, and it suddenly felt as if she was in the void of space itself. There was no air in her lungs, and she couldn't seem to bring herself to breathe in more. Xena stepped backward, giving room to Tasha as she doubled over. Raising both hands above her head, Xena brought the hilt of her sword down hard between Tasha's shoulder blades. Tasha's legs buckled and she tumbled to the dust like a sand castle into the ocean. Despite her predicament, Tasha realized how lucky she was. If a blow of that force had been more precisely aimed at the base of her skull, this fight would be over.
The crowd roared in anticipation of a death-blow from Xena, but before she could follow through, Tasha was rolling and scrambling away. It was not her most graceful moment, but at least she was able to regain her feet. The crowd cheered its approval. Xena may be the hometown favorite, but they didn't want this spectacle to end too soon. What they wanted most of all was a good show. With her pride hurt as much as her body, Tasha was determined to give them just that.
8 *****
Tasha now moved to take the offensive. Their weapons clashed together repeatedly. Then, with Xena holding her blade horizontally in front of her in a defensive posture, Tasha brought her own weapon down as hard as she could. When her edge struck Xena's at right angles, several blue-white sparks flew, and there was a mighty cracking sound. Both blades had shattered! The top half of Tasha's sword flew down and struck Xena on the right shoulder, opening a six-inch wound. The lower half of Tasha's weapon was wrenched from her hand by the impact and went spinning off in the opposite direction, as did the top half of Xena's weapon.
Xena was stunned by her wound, but Tasha noticed she held on to the broken base of her sword -- still a potentially deadly weapon. Tasha planted her right foot and, rotating her body, knocked the hilt from Xena's hand with her left foot. The graceful move by the beautiful warrior elicited a gasp from the crowd. For a group more used to seeing untrained barbarians claw away at each other clumsily, Tasha and Xena's violent ballet was an unexpected treat.
Xena's broken sword went spinning away from her, and she pulled her now-stinging hand in close to her body. Tasha now planted her left foot and rotated her body in the opposite direction, using her right foot in a roundhouse swing. This time she caught Xena center-high on her chest and sent her sprawling backward onto the ground. Her ample bosom, usually secured behind a solid breastplate, splashed and rolled around on top of her chest, and she came to rest quite awkwardly, her legs akimbo. The masses voiced their approval.
Tasha pounced on her prey, pinning Xena's arms under her knees as she came to rest on Xena's stomach. More cheers, and she smiled to herself as she felt the crowd's approval lean her way. Reveling for the moment in her superior position, she leaned tauntingly close to Xena's face. "Don't worry. At your funeral, 'I'll be sure they give you full honors.'"
At that moment, if Xena could've spit poison, she would have. "Bitch! I'll rip you apart!"
"I'll show you 'Bitch'!" Tasha got off one powerful blow against Xena, adding a bloody nose to her bleeding shoulder. Then Xena's undeniable strength asserted itself again. She broke Tasha's hold and threw her completely off.
Smugness and arrogance had smoldered in Xena's heart at the start of the battle. But now, heated by the purifying fire of pride and anger, the pure metal of vengeance rose to the surface and spilled across the arena floor. As her blonde challenger rolled away, Xena charged after her. Xena leaped, and Tasha caught her in the gut with both feet, using Xena's own momentum to flipped her up and over. Landing on her back, Xena attempted to rise to her knees, clutching her previously injured shoulder. Tasha grabbed her from behind, struggling to get a hold on her.
Xena struggled to lower one of her arms to the ground. Reaching it, she closed her fingers around a handful of dirt and flung it over her shoulder, striking Tasha squarely in the face. Again Xena escaped Tasha's grip, as the Starfleet officer fell prey to desperate tactics. Tasha staggered backward, clutching her eyes. When she lowered her hands, the dust and sweat left a raccoon's mask across her face.
Dirt-streaked face, blood-caked jaw, she was quite a sight as she stood there, hands on knees trying to catch her breath. No worse than Xena, who was only now struggling to her feet. Her wounded shoulder bled down her arm. Most of the blood dripped from her elbow, but a few crimson strands snaked all the way down to her fingers. As a result, a thick layer of dust and dirt from the arena floor also coated her arm. Blood dripped from her nose. She unconsciously ran her tongue across her upper lip when drops collected there, so now, when she flashed an evil smile at Tasha, her teeth were sinisterly lined with the residue.
"Is that all you're good for?" Tasha called out. "Dirty tricks!"
"I told you. I intend to win this, no matter what. And I will!"
Too tired to even continue talking, Tasha's only response was to spit another bloody wad onto the ground. The crowd wondered if they had the strength to continue the fight; hisses and catcalls started rising up from the stands. They circled each other, lunging forward in various attempts to get a hold of the other, each attempt being fended off. Stepping sideways, Xena felt cold metal under her foot. Looking down, she found her broken sword. Snatching it up, she waved it menacingly before her. Tasha looked around, but the other sword was nowhere near.
Xena rotated the handle within her grip. "I'm gonna slice you open from your throat to your damned cunt." She lunged and swung at Tasha. She failed to fully connect, but the jagged tip of the blade did just catch Tasha and managed to cut a shallow gash on her right breast.
Xena's back-swing missed entirely, and before she could recover, Tasha closed the distance and seized her sword arm. Throwing her back against the warrior, Tasha flipped her over her back, landing her in a cloud of dust. In the same motion, she wrenched the sword from Xena's hand. Tasha now stood atop Xena -- her left hand holding Xena's wrist, her left foot pinning her wounded shoulder to the ground. With her right hand, Tasha pushed the broken sword against Xena's neck.
The crowd gasped, waiting for the final moment, but Tasha paused at the very limit of Xena's flesh. "Yield, damn it!" Tasha snarled. "I've won! The crystal is mine! Say it! Or I'll run you through!"
"Burn in Hades, you bitch!"
"No! Wait!" Tasha turned to see Gabrielle and Beverly dropping over the railing into the arena. They were immediately seized by two guards. Gabrielle struggled against them, calling out to her two friends. "Stop! Both of you, please, stop!"
Tasha held tight to her opponent, but her attention was focused on Gabrielle and her pleas. Xena was not so distracted and used the moment to strike out. She raised her leg in a powerful kick which struck the side of Tasha's head -- knocking her cold. The sword dropped from her hand, and she crumpled to the ground beside Xena.
Gabrielle and Beverly ceased their struggles and stood staring, dumbfounded. Xena staggered to her feet and, raising her fists above her head, let out a triumphant yell. The jubilant crowd echoed her call a thousand fold, and applause filled the arena. The Judge approached Xena, raised her fist once again, and officially but quite unnecessarily declared her the winner.
As Xena began exiting the arena, the guards released Gabrielle and Beverly. Beverly immediately ran to Tasha's side. Gabrielle took a few steps toward her, then turned toward Xena, her loyalty torn. As Xena disappeared through the gate, Gabrielle returned to Tasha and Beverly.
"How is she?" she asked.
Beverly cradled Tasha in her arms. "She's alive. I don't think any of her wounds are serious. Can you help me get her back to the house?"
"Yes, of course. Then I have to go after Xena."
9 *****
Once again, Beverly was alone in front of the fire, a cup of tea in her hands long since gone cold. This time there were no happy sounds coming from the next room; Tasha was in there alone, sleeping off an exhausting day. Sleep was beyond Beverly's capacity at the moment. Her mind was spinning, as it had been almost since this mission had started. What to do now? She had to confront Xena again, but how? Reasoning didn't seem to work. Further combat was unfathomable. She was at a loss.
Suddenly she heard the pounding of hoof beats outside -- someone arriving on horseback. Moments later, Xena threw open the door.
"Xena! Where have you been? It's dark out already! Where's Gabrielle?"
"We parted back in the city; I'm sure she'll be along soon. I had... an errand to take care of. Where's Tasha?"
"Asleep in the next room."
Xena crossed the floor and took hold of Beverly's shoulders with a sense of urgency. "Gabrielle asked me consult with the Oracle of Delphi. It's not far from here by horseback. It confirmed what you've been telling me all along." She stepped back and threw her hands up in frustration. "Hera curse me for a fool, I was so stupid! I should have done that before -- before putting us through all this.
"Actually, we were both right. It is the Aegis -- the Oracle told me that. But it is also what you seek. I don't pretend to understand it, but you must return with it, or somehow we will all suffer -- your world especially. It's yours now. I'm sorry." She reached into her satchel and pulled something out. Opening her hand before Beverly, a pinkish, spherical crystal caught the firelight and sat there -- dazzling -- before Beverly's eyes.
Beverly stared at it a moment, before reaching out and gingerly taking it in her own hand. She held it up again before the light, marveling at its beauty, then turned and rummaged through her own belongings. She took out her tricorder and ran some scans. Xena watched, expectantly but uncomprehendingly. Suddenly, Beverly shrieked, dropping the tricorder and hugging the crystal to herself. She jumped up and hugged Xena too. "This is it! It's it! It's it! Oh, we should tell Tasha!"
Xena's features suddenly darkened. "Beverly, the Oracle told me something else, too... about Tasha..."
10 *****
Xena looked into the room and saw Tasha lying on the bed, her eyes closed, a forearm across her face. She was covered by a bearskin blanket, but a bare shoulder here and an exposed leg there told Xena that she was probably naked underneath. Xena walked quietly into the room, past a warm fire glowing in the hearth. As she approached the bed, Tasha opened her eyes. "I'm sorry," said Xena. "I didn't mean to disturb you." Not entirely the truth. She undid her sword and scabbard and shed her harder garments, standing before Tasha in an undershirt and panties.
Tasha raised herself up on one elbow. "I guess you have everything you need now."
Xena expected harsh words, but there was no malice in Tasha's voice. "I have more than I really wanted. More than I ever had a right to expect."
"You won, didn't you? It was a Challenge, and you beat me."
"Not fairly. I cheated!"
Tasha smiled elfishly. "Of course you did. That was the only way you could beat me." Xena smiled in return. "Still, no matter how you won, it's my own fault. I should have been ready for anything."
"No matter. I was just with Beverly. I gave her the Aegis. I now know that it rightfully belongs with you. I should have remembered King Oedipus. Even he said, 'The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.' He also said, 'One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love.'"
She paused, and then tried to continue. "As for what's happened between us... I hope we don't... I mean, I just want to..." Tasha smiled and raised the blanket. It was meant as an invitation, but it also served to confirm Xena's suspicion about her state of attire.
Xena gazed at Tasha. She now saw her in an entirely different light -- and not just the warm fire as opposed to the harsh sun. It was as the warm consoler as opposed to the harsh opponent. Tasha had apparently mastered something Xena never could -- the ability to so readily and completely forgive. To be fierce in battle but magnanimous in peace. Xena returned the smile and pulled off her remaining clothes, revealing her own naked form, battle wounds and all. She climbed into the bed next to Tasha, who brought the blanket down around her and simultaneously wrapped her up in a big hug.
Of course, Xena had no idea of Tasha's dark and difficult past. How much more she would have admired her if she'd known of the terrible trials she'd overcome.
The two of them lie silently for a moment, looking into each other's eyes. Then Xena focused on a long, ugly patch of purple flesh along Tasha's left jaw. She raised a hand and lightly, delicately, ran a finger along the bruise. "Oh, dear. Did I do this?" She licked her thumb and smudged away a fleck of dried blood at the corner of Tasha's mouth. "I'm sorry."
Tasha closed her own fingers around Xena's hand and pulled it against her chest. "It's okay." She then likewise traced the edge of Xena's shoulder wound, which Beverly had only just closed with old-fashioned sutures. "I wish we'd brought a dermal regenerator. You wouldn't have to put up with this."
"Don't worry, I've had worse."
Tasha's words were a whisper now, spoken mostly to herself: "I don't doubt it." Tasha leaned forward. Xena reciprocated, and they met in a warm kiss. Xena pulled Tasha close and pressed hard into the her. Tasha winced and pulled back. "Ow!"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Again, she cradled Tasha's chin in her hand. "Did you lose a tooth?"
"Uh-uh." Tasha hooked a finger in her open mouth and pulled her cheek aside to show her. "Shee? Ish jush a widdle woos." They both giggled, and Xena placed another kiss squarely on Tasha's lips -- before she could even pull out her finger. Xena hooked her tongue around the finger and pulled it back into her own mouth. Then Tasha withdrew her digit and began searching Xena's body for other moist areas to explore.
She slid her hand across Xena's flat belly, through her tangled jungle, to what lie just beyond. She circled Xena's pussy, at first without touching it, then teasingly wiggled inside. Xena moaned and started gyrating her hips as she kissed her way down to Tasha's breasts. They were smaller and perkier than her own, or Gabrielle's, and she loved nibbling on the firm yet sensitive nipples. Thusly stimulated, they stood up like berries, ripe to be picked. Xena nibbled and licked the resilient nubs, eyes looking up at Tasha's face to enjoy her reaction. She turned her mouth to the side and placed a nip between two molars, clamping down.
"Ow!" Tasha's every muscle tensed and her body tingled. Xena released the nip and inspected it, admiring the teeth marks she'd left behind. "One thing's for sure, Xena," said Tasha. "Fighting you or sexing you, you are one intense bitch!"
"I guess that's because I enjoy doing both so much!"
Tasha rubbed her bruised jaw, then her aching nipple. "I can tell. So..." She reached across the bed and down to Xena's gear lying on the floor. She slowly withdrew the sword from the scabbard; the sharp sound of metal sliding against metal sliced the air. She held it before Xena. "Do you ever like to mix the two?"
Xena took the proffered weapon, smiling with just a hint of surprise at the suddenly kinky turn the evening was taking. She laid the cold flat of the blade against the outside of Tasha's calf, prompting a shiver. Slowly, she dragged it up to the inside of Tasha's thighs. With a contented moan, Tasha exhaled, lying back with her eyes closed and spreading her legs. As the metal warmed to Tasha's skin, Xena flipped the blade over, laying fresh cool steel against her warmest areas. Reversing the instrument, Xena placed the top of the handle against Tasha's clit. The momentary cold sent another shiver through her. Then, Xena slowly slid the harsh metal into Tasha, whose body swallowed it hungrily.
"Oh!" cried Tasha, sitting up a bit and flexing around the intruding device. Xena slid the cool metal even deeper. Soon, the entire length of the handle was buried inside Tasha. The handguard, which separated the handle from the blade, rubbed against Tasha's exposed, excited clit, stimulating the blonde even more. With the handle now completely swallowed up, Xena was forced to awkwardly hold the weapon by the blade. She continued to move the device in and out, occasionally twisting it when it was at the top of the stroke, thrilling Tasha's insides and swiping the handguard back and forth across Tasha's hot button. Tasha's mouth was closed tightly, teeth gritting. Her eyes were also shut tight against the impending eruption about to overtake her.
Up to this point, Xena had intended to devote her efforts to Tasha's pleasure, but she was surprised at how much Tasha's enthusiasm affected her. Unable to restrain herself, she continued working Tasha with one hand and reached down between her own legs with the other. She ran her fingers through the thick brunette curls, tugging on them this way and that, enjoying the resulting sensations deep in her loins. Finally, she could not help but slip two fingers inside.
Xena nearly lost herself in her own pleasure when Tasha let out a shriek. Its range covered the entire spectrum, starting out as a sub-vocal rumble, then a scream, before passing into the hypersonic range. When the thrashings of her climax subsided, she continued to bite on her bottom lip, stifling the sobs that continued. As she lie on her back, tears escaped from her closed eyes. This was not just an orgasm of sexual energy, but a catharsis of all the pent-up emotions of the last few days.
As Tasha was reaching the heights of her release, the tide of her sexual energy rose up and swept Xena away as well. Xena slid a third finger inside, but quickly found she needed all four to satisfy herself. She let go of the sword with her other hand in order to support herself. As soon as she did, Tasha's convulsing body expelled the weapon with such force that it clattered to the floor. Xena quickly followed Tasha, surrendering to wave after wave of bliss. Strength left her, and she collapsed beside Tasha. They were both completely spent, completely satisfied.
They lie there for what may have been a minute, or may have been twenty. Finally, awareness returned to them. Xena rolled onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow. She looked at Tasha with steel-blue eyes and found warm, brown eyes looking back. With her free hand, Xena reached out and stroked Tasha breast. Tasha leaned over and pushed her head against Xena's, like a pillow.
"Almost makes the whole thing worthwhile," Xena said with a coy smile.
"I hope we don't have to go through more of that for more of this," Tasha replied.
"Of course not. We've got all night... and the next if we want."
11 *****
Tasha emerged from her bedroom and stretched, lacing her fingers together and extending her arms above her head. She'd woken up to find herself alone and had lazily lain there a bit, listening to the others outside. Beverly was brewing some tea, but Tasha would have gone another round in the arena for a genuine cup of coffee.
"Morning, sleepy-head," called Beverly in a motherly tone. Tasha mumbled something in response, padded bare-foot over to the table, and sat down, wiping sleep from her eyes. She was still topless, having only slipped on her panties after crawling out from under the covers. She looked at Beverly, who was wearing some kind of short robe that she must have borrowed from Xena. Beverly smiled and placed a steaming cup of tea before her.
Tasha nodded and took a sip apathetically. "I suppose we need to think about getting back."
Beverly froze for a moment, then forced herself to answer. "Yes. All things considered, I think the sooner the better. But there is one more thing. Did Xena mention the Oracle to you?" She avoided eye contact as she spoke.
Tasha shook her head. "No, why?"
"She thinks we ought to stop there before we leave, and I agree. They've got horses for us, so traveling won't take long at all."
Just then, Gabrielle came in through the front door. "Look who's finally up," she gently chided, picking up a cup of tea for herself. "Why don't you come outside? It's a beautiful morning."
Bev and Tasha followed her outside for their first real look at the area. The hillside sloped away, opening up into a wide valley with beautiful vistas of the Grecian hills. The slopes were covered with a patchwork of grape and olive groves where peasants tried to coax a livelihood from the arid soil. Nearby, Xena gazed wistfully across the valley.
As Beverly approached her, she turned. "Do you have to leave so soon? It seems like we've barely spent any time together."
"I never expected to make it back here," said Beverly, "yet here I am. Perhaps I can return again some day. For now, I think we'd better be going."
It was late afternoon when they reached the cave from which Beverly and Tasha had begun their mission. As planned, they'd traveled first to Delphi to consult the Oracle. Its admonitions had stunned them all. Now they were at the portal. They dismounted and stepped inside the mouth of the cave. They all had somber faces, but none more so than Beverly. She turned to Tasha, eyes welling up.
"I can't believe you're not coming back."
Despite her best attempt to remain stoic, Tasha's emotions teetered on the brink as well. "It's not that I don't want to. You know that. But we all heard the Oracle. Both of us traveled here from an altered universe. When you return with the crystal, everything will be set straight... and I'll be dead. Apparently I died there over a year ago."
"That can't be right! How can that be right?"
"I don't know, but the Oracle's been right about everything else." Tasha gestured toward Beverly's tricorder, then the rock face. With a reluctant sigh, Beverly activated the device, sending out a signal to open the portal. The wall shimmered, as if a wave of heat had washed over it. Then it appeared as it had before, when in fact there was an open gateway, ready to receive whoever stepped through.
Tasha stepped closer to Beverly. "Remember me. Tell everyone back there how much I love them." They hugged. Beverly kissed Tasha on the lips, passionately, desperately. They hugged again, hot tears streaming down both their faces.
Xena and Gabrielle stood quietly, respectfully, off to the side. Beverly finally separated herself from Tasha, wiping the tears from her cheeks and managing the weakest of smiles. She turned to Xena. "I'm sorry, Xena. It seems I have to say good-bye again."
"It was so very good to see you again, Beverly." Another kiss, and a hug. Xena's armor still dug into Beverly's breasts, but she hugged her tightly nonetheless.
She then looked at Gabrielle. "It looks like it'll be up to you to keep these two out of trouble."
Gabrielle smiled through wet eyes. "I'll do my best."
Beverly turned toward the portal, but stepped over to Tasha one last time, taking her hands in her own. She leaned in, placing her forehead against Tasha's and whispering, "I will always love you." She kissed her softly on the cheek.
Stepping up to the portal, she took one last look back, and then stepped through.
Epilog *****
"When good men die their goodness does not perish, but lives though they are gone."
- Euripides
Beverly did remember Tasha. Back onboard Enterprise, she remembered Tasha being struck down over a year ago, on Vagra II. She remembered being powerless to help her, and saying good-bye on the holodeck. She couldn't remember being with her since then, because that was a past that no longer existed. But she did remember her last mission with Tasha -- in mythical Greece.
She took comfort in the thought that if she could remember it, then that timeline within that universe must still exist. So Tasha must still exist. Sometimes she could close her eyes and see her.
Mostly, however, she saw Tasha in her dreams. The dreams invaded her sleep most often in times of great stress and difficulty. She would drift away to a world where three warriors walked the land. A raven-haired princess flanked by two golden-haired companions. A trio that caused villains to quake in their shadow and the oppressed to rejoice in their arrival. A band of sisters cutting a swathe across the countryside, leaving a trail of broken bodies -- and broken hearts -- in their wake.
Sometimes Beverly remembered the dreams when she woke, sometimes she didn't. But when she dreamed these dreams, she always slept well.
End *****