A Time In The Life

Xena knew that it was Gabrielle's curiosity that was keeping her partner quiet. Coming out of the clearing they were riding through, she found what she was looking for. She heard the bard gasp. It looked just like it did 5 seasons ago. The golden colored castle stood majestically, as if it were waiting just for them.

"Xena, is that where we're going?" Gabrielle asked. Her voice full of awe.

Xena only laughed and urged Argo into a full run towards the beautiful structure.

Once there, she led Argo to the stables while Gabrielle stood looking at the castle with bright eyes. Walking back, she stopped to watch Gabrielle. She was looking at everygthing with such childlike wonder! She walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around her. "I take it you like it so far?"

"Gods, this place is incredible. Who lives here? How do you know it? Can we go inside?"

Xena laughed. Leave it to her bard to come up with multiple questions in the blink of an eye. "Close your eyes." She took a small hand and guided her inside. "Go ahead."

Gabrielle squealed a cry of joy. She quickly ran around, room to room, trying to take everything in all at once. "Who lives here! This place is beautiful!"

Sunlight streaked in everywhere, casting the large hall in a golden light as if the walls were made of gold. Bright tapestries were hung every where and various sorts of weaponry decorated the walls. The floor had decorative swirls that matched everthing else in the hall. A huge water basin stood in the middle of the hall, surrounded by candles of various colors. Plush skins covering the steps that led to the edge, was also lined with candles.

"Do you like it?" Xena suddenly purred in Gabrielle's ear.

Gabrielle turned around and responded with a passionate kiss.

"Mmmm, I'll take that as a yes." Xena licked her lips, loving the bard's taste.

Gabrielle hugged her tighter. "Come on, Xena. Spill it." she said all bubbly.

"Would you believe me if I told you it was mine?"

"Come on, Xena. Tell me the truth!

"I am." A smile lit up the older woman's face.

"But how, this place looks immaculate! And I know you haven't been here for at least the 3 seasons that I've known you."

"It's enchanted. It was given to me many years ago by a sorcerer was in love with me. He tried everything except magic to get me to fall in love with him too, but...I cared for him alot, but I just couldn't. Back then, I didn't even think I had a heart to give. He was a very dear friend even through my dark days." Xena sighed as she took in the place. "He brought me here one day and told me this was mine, that he had made it just for me, because he loved me. And even though he knew I could never love him back, he wanted to give me something that expressed what I meant to him. Xena finally looked back at Gabrielle and saw tears in her eyes. "Gabrielle, what's wrong!" She said full of concern.

"Oh Xena. That is the most romantic story I've ever heard. What happened to him?"

"I have no idea. He told me to look around and enjoy. When I came out, he was gone. I never saw him again.

"I'm so sorry." Gabrielle said quietly.

"I missed him terribly. He was a good friend." Xena took a quick glance all around. "But enough of that. How about I show you around and then we can go outside and have our picnic?"

Gabrielle's stomach chose that moment to make itself heard. "Good, glad you agree with me. Let's get some stuff settled and then we're off to feed the beast."

They both laughed. Xena took Gabrielle's hand and led the way.

Gabrielle flung herself onto the oversized bed. "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a bed this big!" She bounced around a couple of times. She stood up abruptly and started exploring the large room, picking up little trinkets to see them up close or running her hands over the tapestries that hung around the room. She then walked over to the bath, smelling the various scented soaps and oils that were placed within reach. She turned to Xena, whooped enthusiastically and jumped right into her arms.

Xena caught her effortlessly and laughed with her. "Are you ready for some food?" The warrior asked. Once again, a stomach rumbling was the answer. "Well, you should have said something sooner." She spoke, looking at the bard's belly. "Come on. Help me take my armor off and let's go."

The relaxed women spent a very pleasant day outside. They ate slowly and talked about silly things. Xena enjoyed listening to Gabrielle talk about her childhood, or her latest ideas for stories or anything in particular. At one point, Xena was laying on the ground while Gabrielle playfully fed her grapes.

"Gabrielle, you're going to spoil me and my image."

"Oh, I have every intention of doing just that, warrior. So you just better get used to it." Was said with a lot of conviction.

"I will, as long as you get used to this." Xena said seductively as she drew Gabrielle's head down for a long sweet kiss.

"Gods, I don't think I'll ever get used to what your kisses do to me, Xena." Gabrielle breathed out.

After the picnic was over, they spent some time walking around the castle, admiring the garden filled with colorful flowers and intricate pathways. They went to the stables and Gabrielle kept up the easy chatter while Xena spent some time with Argo. Soon, evening was approaching and they decided it was time to go and do some exploring inside.

Xena brought the rest of their stuff into the room with the large bed. When she turned around, she stood mesmerized by the sight before her. Gabriellle was standing by the window looking out. The fading sun's rays were casting a soft glow that made her look absolutely breathtaking. With barly another thought, she quickly crossed the room. She leaned up against the wall, hesitant to break the spell and openly stared at the bard, afraid that it was all an illusion.

Gabrielle turned and smiled a heartstopping smile.

"You are so beautiful." Xena said reverently.

Gabrielle stepped up to her and put her arms around her. They stared into each others eyes. Each giving and receiving the love they saw in each others eyes. Xena turned her head in time to see the last bit of the sun disappear. Turning back to Gabrielle with a wide smile, she said "Candles." Immediately, all the candles around the room magically turned on.

Gabrielle's eyes got wide. "How did you do that?"

Xena laughed with her secret knowledge. "I have many skills." And quickly stopped Gabrielle from saying anything more by kissing Gabrielle with a gentle passion. She felt Gabrielle responding in kind and her heart leapt for joy once more. No amount of magic could ever come close to that wonderful feeling.

Xena's hands softly traveled up and down the sides of the body pressed up against hers. She felt Gabrielle press her body closer still, heard her breathing change, go ragged. Then she felt Gabrielle's hands as they started to work her leathers off, sending shivers all over her.

"This feels right, Xe." Gabrielle whispered. "I don't want to wait."

Xena hesitated briefly and then started unlacing Gabrielle's top. Once done, she moved down to her skirt. Feeling the bard's hands on her body, removing her clothes, was making her dizzy. She was having a hard time accepting what Gabrielle offered.

They both stood naked, slightly apart. An intensity being shared as they looked into each others eyes. They came together as one and did nothing but hug for long blissful moments, letting the exquisite touch and the incredible sensation forever burn in their hearts. Xena captured Gabrielle's lips once again. This time, the passion was hotter, stronger. She reached down and picked up Gabrielle. Gabrielle moaned.

"It is such a turn on for me when you casually display your strength, Xena." she said huskily.

"Let's see what else I can do to turn you on." Xena said with wicked grin.

Gabrielle shuddered in anticipation.

She gently placed Gabrielle on the bed and lowered herself on top. Gabrielle's hands immediately entangled themselves in her hair and drew her down. Their kisses now were even more heated. Xena's lips traveled down a smooth neck and she heard Gabrielle begin to moan. The sound rumbled through her body. She felt her body responding, pulsing, throbbing. She ran a trembling hand over the smooth skin on the smaller body, enjoying the goosebumps she left in her wake.

"Oh Xena." She heard whispered. She looked up at Gabrielle. Her eyes were shut and her head was slightly turned. She could think of no better sight in the world.

As if Gabrielle wanted more, she reached down and brought the dark head back up and turned it. Xena felt Gabrielle lightly nip her ear lobe and then her lips as she sucked on it gently. The feeling was indescribable. "Gods, I love what you're doing to me." Xena whispered, rapidly forgeting who she was.

Growling, she kissed Gabrielle forcefully and brought her hand up to play with a breast. Gabrielle arched against her as her moan was stifled by Xena's mouth.

Xena moved downed to the other breast and softly sucked on it. then she gently blew air on the wet skin. Gabrielle's hand on her hair clenched tighter. She took back the nipple, this time sucking harder and raking her teeth agains the tip.

Gabrielled gasped loudly. She felt like she was on fire! How could they not have done this sooner. There wasn't anywhere on her body that she didn't feel like it wasn't on fire. Xena's scent was overwhelming her, she just wanted to breath deeper and deeper, trying to permanently etch the sense into her body. She felt like she couldn't get enough.

Xena felt herself being pulled up again. Gabrielle claimed her lips ardently and she felt the bard open her legs, an invitation for her. She pressed forward with her leg and Gabrielle came up to meet her. Gabrielle, her hands still in her hair, then moved her head down and claimed her neck. She let out a loud moan when she felt teeth come down hard on her neck. Who would have thought Gabrielle had so much passion!

Their lower bodies had developed a rhythm on their own. Each taking and giving what they needed.

Gabrielle pulled Xena up further still and latched on to her nipple. She was determined to taste as much as possible. She felt like she had an insatiable hunger for the warrior.

"You are making me feel so good!" Xena screamed out. Her answer was a loud followed by a long moan. Xena felt herself falling into oblivion. She let herself get lost in a world that consisted of nothing but her bard. She held nothing back.