Disclaimer

Violence ~ No violence, it can happen.

~*Part 1*~

The small woman lifted her hands over her head as her older friend followed the same example. The pair had heard a bird call high in the trees and knew what that meant. So in turn the two women had stopped walking and did a peace signal.

Then came out of the trees to the ground were three Amazons. One of them stepped forward as they pushed their mask back, the other two doing the same.

"Ep."

The weapons master smiled. "Its good to see you my Queen." Immediately the Amazon was pulled into a hug by the small woman, she chuckled. "How are you Gabrielle?"

The bard pulled back. "I'm doing well." She then turned her head back to the warrior with serious eyes.

Xena nodded grudgingly and took a step up beside her partner, her mare in tow. "How are you Epinion?"

The weapons master turned her attention to the warrior. "I'm good. Yourself?"

"Not to bad."

Epinion nodded with a smile. "Good to hear." She looked back to Gabrielle. "So what brings you both here?"

"We were just passing through the area so we thought we'd come in for a visit."

The weapons master grinned. "Glad you decided to grace your nation with your presence."

The bard chuckled. "Anytime."

"Well, would you like an escort into the village? My guess is no."

Gabrielle shook her head. "No thank you Ep."

"As you wish." The Amazon took a step back. "Then I believe we'll head back on patrol. I'll see you in the village later Gabrielle."

"See you then Ep." Gabrielle then watched her Amazon friend leap into the trees followed by the other two Amazons. She then sighed and leaned against her staff for a moment.

Xena looked to her friend. "You okay?"

The bard nodded. "Yup, let's go." She then began to walk with her staff and rather quickly.

The warrior watched her go for a moment then she began to walk herself with Argo following.

~*Part 2*~

Gabrielle flopped down in the wood chair and raised her head to look to her friend.

"Things aren't going well huh?"

The bard shook her head. "They aren't Eph." She sighed and leaned back in the chair.

Slowly the regent walked over to her desk and sat down in a chair to face her friend. "What's been happening?"

The bard took a long breath then replied. "Well we just had a fight before coming here."

Ephiny furrowed her eyebrows. "Over what?"

"Xena didn't want to come here but I kept insisting."

"So how'd you win her out?"

Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "I just told her I'd be angry for a real long time otherwise." She crossed her legs at the ankle. "I don't know why she didn't want to come here."

The regent leaned back in her seat. "Well we both know she's never really liked the Amazons."

"Ephiny, she doesn't at least mind them." She turned her eyes to the door then back to her friend. "Besides she told me we could come here for a visit anytime." A pause. "Xena just has a sword stuck up her ass." That had came out in a low mumble.

Ephiny though, she'd heard it and started to chuckle and then went serious. "Well did you two go through a rough spot?"

Gabrielle's gaze went to the floor as she reflected, then she looked back up. "She must still be upset about the fight with the Horde."

The regent furrowed her eyebrows. "The Horde, you two fought the Horde?"

"Well sort of." The small bard sighed and shifted in the seat. "You see, we ran into the Athenian Army and they asked for Xena's help. So she… well she really got dark."

"You mean into her warlord set of mind?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes, it was something. After the battle with the Horde she's hardly been talking to me."

The regent crossed her arms against her chest. "Did you ask her why?"

The Queen arched an eyebrow. "Are you crazy? This is the same Xena we're talking about right?"

Ephiny grinned. "True." Seriousness again. "Maybe try to talk to her?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No." A sigh. "She'll come around on her own. I just hope it doesn't take long." Because I can't take much more of the silence and fighting.

The regent nodded. "Well, stay here for awhile and relax. Maybe Xena will get out of her funk."

"Or get worse."

The Amazon shrugged her shoulders. "Hopefully she won't." She then stood up. "Glad you came though. It's real good to see you."

Gabrielle now stood up. "Thanks Eph. I've missed talking to you." She smiled warmly.

The regent smiled right back and took a step forward, she hugged her friendly tightly. "She'll talk to you."

Slowly the Queen pulled back with a sad smile. "I know. It's just a question of how long?"

"Well your Amazons will keep you busy till then." Ephiny still had her hands on the other woman's shoulders.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Good. Party tonight?" She grinned.

"Definitely, our Queen is back."

"Any excuse, I swear." The bard still had her grin.

The regent laughed. "Sshhh, don't give away our secret." She then leaned in to place a kiss to Gabrielle's cheek. "I'll see you later." Ephiny now released Gabrielle's shoulders.

"Bye Eph and thanks." She shifted to the door of the hut.

"See you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle opened the door to the hut and stepped out, closing the door behind. After she closed the door, she brought her right hand up to her cheek where Ephiny had kissed her. The bard could still feel her cheek flushing in reaction. She grinned. "Hmmm." A shake of the head and Gabrielle walked off to find her best friend.

~*Part 3*~

The small bard walked into the dinning hut, she gazed around for either Xena or Ephiny. As she looked to her right she saw Ephiny waving to her. Gabrielle grinned and walked over to her friend. She sat down beside her. "What's up?"

Ephiny leaned to her left close to Gabrielle. "Right after dinner starts the party." She settled back into her original spot.

"Oh gods, this will be bad." She grinned and then went stern. "Have you seen Xena?"

The regent nodded. "I did, she was talking to Solari earlier." She lifted her mug of ale to drink from.

"Where?"

Ephiny lowered her mug to respond. "Over on the other side of the hut. She might still be there."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thanks, I think I'll see if I can find her and get something to eat." She turned her sights back to her Amazon friend. "Need anything while I'm up?"

The regent shook her head. "No I ate, thanks though."

The Queen nodded and stood up, she padded over to the other side of the huge hut. She quickly spot Xena, the warrior standing out like a black dot on a white paper. Gabrielle made a beeline to the warrior to stand beside the sitting warrior. "Hey."

The Warrior Princess looked up, her face expressionless. "Hey. How are you?"

"Good. What you up to?"

Xena shrugged her shoulders. "Just hanging around. I assume there's going to be a party."

"Oh yeah, you know Eph." Gabrielle grinned but didn't get one back from Xena. "Um, anyway, just came over to say hi."

"Thanks." Xena nodded slightly.

Gabrielle nodded. "Well, I'll catch you later in the hut." She then walked off heading to the table with the food.

The warrior watched her friend walk to the food table then she turned her attention back to the Amazons at her table.

The bard though didn't walk over to the food table, more like stomped. She'd never been so brushed off by her best friend then she has these past couple of days. Each time only raised Gabrielle's temper and upset. But right now she wanted to enjoy herself, she's here with a bunch of her friends and planned to take advantage of that.

So that led her back to the table with her regent, she sat beside Ephiny. Gabrielle quickly ate and drank a few mugs of wine, it seemed to relax her. Every now and again she would looked across the hut to Xena. She could tell Xena was trying to ignore her but could feel the warrior's piercing blue eyes on her. Then again, right now it didn't matter to Gabrielle she is to angry with her best friend.

After most of the Amazons in the dinning hut ate, they went outside. That's where the party began. A large fire had been made and Amazons were playing music as they danced. Others sat around and told jokes and funny stories as they drank wine or ale. More of a bash then a party to say the least.

After awhile the Queen lost track of Xena or rather gave up on keeping track. She was to busy enjoying herself with her regent.

Gabrielle broke out laughing as she heard a story from Solari. She leaned forward, feeling her stomach ache from the laughing. Beside her sat Ephiny whom was also laughing hard along with all the other Amazons in the group.

The bard took a deep breath and looked to her left at Ephiny. "I can't believe that happened."

The regent grinned. "Oh trust me it did, I was there." She turned her head to look at Epinion across the group who was blushing deeply. The weapons master had been just made the butt end of an embarrassing story.

Epinion took a deep breath to stop the blushing. "I'll admit it happened." She then turned her head to the second in command. "I'll get you for that Solari."

Solari grinned. "Right Ep. We'll see."

Gabrielle chuckled at the scene. She felt relaxed and that made her smile.

Ephiny looked to Gabrielle and saw how relaxed she was and that made her smile too. "Relaxed much?"

The bard grinned. "Oh yeah."

The regent grinned. "Good." She then brought her right arm back around the Queen's shoulders.

Gabrielle's smile only got warmer and she shifted closer to her friend and dropped her head against Ephiny's shoulder. Her left arm then came around Ephiny's mid back.

All the Amazons in the group just grinned at this as they traded glances.

The regent looked away from Gabrielle to Solari. "Any other stories you have about Epinion?"

The second in command turned her head to the weapons master with a grin.

Epinion narrowed her eyes. "Don't even Solari."

Solari chuckled and averted her attention back to Ephiny. "Oh yeah. Where would you like to begin?"

All the Amazons in the group chuckled and responded.

~*~*~*~

Most of the night had passed on. The party though never seemed to end. Xena was around in the party, she never was to far from her best friend but yet out of sight. She'd seen the way Gabrielle wrapped her arm around Ephiny's back and leaning against her. That only made the warrior's eyes narrow and her upper lip twitch. She'd sighed then looked away back to the fire with the dancing Amazons. What could she do or say anyway? Not your place Xena. Xena had actually felt a deep sadness fill her after that thought.

Ephiny looked to her right at Gabrielle. "Hey, you wanna dance?"

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow. "You're kidding right? After the last time I danced here."

The regent chuckled. "I remember that quite well."

"Oh gods." The bard groaned and closed her eyes.

The Amazon smiled. "Don't worry, I won't let it happen to you again."

The smaller woman opened her eyes and looked up into gleaming amber eyes. "Really?"

Ephiny smiled even more. "Promise." She released the other woman and stood up facing her and holding her hands out to her. "Come on."

The Queen grinned and took the regent's hands and was pulled up to her feet. She felt her head spin for a moment from the wine then it calmed back down.

The regent grinned and turned around to face the fire with the dancing Amazons, she still held Gabrielle's hands behind her back. She carefully guided the other woman through all the Amazons to edge of the area made for the dancing. Ephiny then turned around to face her friend. "Ready?"

Gabrielle grinned. "I think so. You lead." She took a step closer to the regent but only held one of the Amazon's hands.

"Here we go." Ephiny grinned and the two women walked into the space for dancing.

They quickly mixed in with the other Amazons and danced side by side. It was a fast beat and so they moved quickly with it together. The entire time Ephiny was smiling warmly and Gabrielle right back. Here and there the Queen would laugh at herself and keep dancing. After a quarter of a candlemark the beat slowed to a very fine rhythm.

Gabrielle had raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember this the last time."

The regent grinned. "No we don't do this till midway through the party." She then smiled. "So wanna keep dancing?"

The smaller woman gazed around at the other Amazons dancing, they were in pairs and holding each other. They then moved slowly to the beat. Gabrielle looked back to Ephiny. She then figured why not? "Love to."

"Great. Come here." Ephiny stepped up to her friend.

Gabrielle placed her right hand on her friend's hip and her left hand on Ephiny's upper side. Ephiny though, she placed on arm around Gabrielle's upper back and the other around the bard's lower back. They then gracefully glided along with the other dancers.

The bard smiled. "This isn't to bad."

Ephiny chuckled. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Definitely." Gabrielle sighed. "Thanks Eph."

"No problem." The regent then brought her right hand up brushed back some of the bard's hair behind her ear. She then wrapped her arm back around the Queen's back.

Gabrielle closed her eyes then opened them again. "You're bad."

Ephiny grinned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

The bard chuckled. "Uh huh."

The regent shifted past two pairs of Amazons and she turned her attention back to her friend. "Well… surprised Xena hasn't done anything."

"Hades, Xena probably isn't even here."

Ephiny chuckled and shook her head as she kept dancing. "That's not what I meant."

The small woman arched an eyebrow. "Then what you mean?"

The regent looked away then back to Gabrielle. "I'm saying I can't believe Xena hasn't made a move on you."

Gabrielle's eyes widen for a moment. "You mean?"

Ephiny nodded with a grin. "Yes, that's what I mean."

The bard chuckled. "No she wouldn't." She'd said that with sadness.

That's when the regent knew Gabrielle had deeper emotions for the warrior then she cared to admit. Either Xena knew, didn't know, or just didn't care to confront it all. In turn that angered Ephiny that somebody could just sidestep her friend.

"Well Gabrielle, I don't know how she could pass you up."

The Queen smiled as she felt a bit of a blush take over. "Thanks Eph."

Ephiny grinned. "Uh huh." She then lifted her right hand up to the back of Gabrielle's head and pushed the bard's head against her shoulder.

Gabrielle went with it and laid her head on the Amazon's shoulder and closed her eyes. She sensed Ephiny's arm going to her back again. The bard just let her friend guide her in the dance.

Xena narrowed her eyes at the scene. She took a deep breath and tried to relax but couldn't. A shake of her head and the warrior uncrossed her arms from her chest. She walked off into the shadows, heading to her hut she shared with Gabrielle. As she walked to the hut she wondered if she'd see Gabrielle tonight in the hut later. Or will the bard spend the night in Ephiny's hut? Xena couldn't help but wonder.

The warrior went inside of the hut and closed the door quietly. She then removed her weapons and began to take her armor and boots off. After she'd done that, Xena took her whetstone out and sat on the end of the bed, sharpening her sword. Her thoughts filled her head.

The stone stopped in the middle of the blade, the warrior lifted her head to stare at the door for a moment. Her expression is blank then it fills with pain and Xena closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and lowers her head, opens her eyes and continues with her sharpening of her sword.

~*~*~*~

Solari stood up from her seat with a smile. "Well I'm going to bed everybody."

Gabrielle looked up to the Amazon. "Goodnight Solari."

"Night Gabrielle." The second in command then looked to the regent. "Night Eph." She grinned more to Ephiny.

The regent grinned back. "See you tomorrow Solari. Sleep well."

"I will. Bye." Solari then walked off in the direction of her hut.

Ephiny watched her go, she turned to look to the bard. "Sleepy?" It was mainly Gabrielle and Ephiny outside, most the Amazons had left to retire for the night. Only a few here and there were still partying on their own.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah. I just hope I can make it to the hut after all the wine I drank."

The Amazon chuckled, she then squeezed her right hand that is holding Gabrielle's. "I'll escort you my Queen."

The bard grinned. "Good. Couldn't make it otherwise." Carefully she stood up with Ephiny. She felt her head swim and she closed her eyes.

The regent quickly grasped the other woman's shoulder with her free left hand. "Tipsy, not so bad."

The Queen opened her eyes slowly. "Right." She grinned.

Ephiny grinned. "Come on." She started walking with Gabrielle right beside her.

Along the walk they were both quiet but still held hands. Neither really saying anything about that, it just sort of happened. Neither seemed to mind or mention it, so both Ephiny and Gabrielle went with it. They came up to the Queen's hut and stopped near the hut.

The bard looked to the Amazon. "Thanks Eph."

"I wish I had a dinar for each time you thanked me."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Okay, I won't thank you anymore."

The regent grinned. "There you go." She then leaned in to place a gentle kiss to Gabrielle's right cheek. "Get some sleep, you'll have a nice headache tomorrow."

"So will you." The Queen grinned. "Have any remedies?"

"Oh yeah, come by my hut and I'll help you out."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Be prepared at sunrise for me to come by whining."

Ephiny grinned. "You're on."

The bard squeezed the other female's hand then released Ephiny's hand. "See you then." She shifted to the door and opened it quietly.

"Goodnight Gabrielle."

"Night Eph. Sleep well." Gabrielle then quietly slipped into her hut and closed the door after seeing Ephiny walk off. The bard then turned around in the fairly dark hut to see her best friend sleeping on the bed on the left side. She sighed and shifted the table, taking her boots off. Then quietly and carefully she slipped into the bed beside Xena and let the night's entertainment take its toll.

~*Part 4*~

The sun shined right on the bard's face, she groaned and rolled to her left to the edge of the bed. She slowly opened her eyes and quickly regretted it. Her eyes quickly shut again and she could feel her head pounding. Oh yeah, Ephiny was right. She chuckled at that thought. Carefully she opened her eyes again to look out the window and see it was dawn. She'd said she would go to Ephiny's hut. Why not?

Slowly Gabrielle got out of the bed and went over to her boots, she slipped into them but didn't tie them. She looked over to the warrior to see her sleeping. That's at least what she figured but it didn't matter right now. So she turned to the door and went outside in the brisk morning. The Queen made her way to the regent's hut, didn't knock, and just went in.

"Ephiny?"

The Amazon sat up in her bed and looked to her door to see Gabrielle standing in front of it. She grinned. "Thought you would come."

"So where's this remedy of yours?"

Ephiny chuckled and carefully rolled out of bed. "I got it prepared last night, well part of it." She walked over to her desk and as she walked she could feel herself swaying. Her head was pounding as well. "Come here."

Gabrielle walked over to the Amazon's side next to the desk. There on the desk were two mugs filled with something sort of dark and brownish liquid. "Ephiny?"

"Drink one." The regent lifted them both and handed one to her friend.

The bard took it and stared at the contents. "This is safe?"

"Yes." She sighed. "Okay, on the count of three we'll drink it at the same time."

Gabrielle sighed. "Alright."

"One… Two… Three."

Both women drank from the mugs and could feel the liquid seep down their throats and into their stomachs.

"Oh gods, Ephiny that was foul." Gabrielle started to cough.

"Well I never said it would taste like honey." Ephiny took the mug from her friend's hands and placed both mugs on her desk again. She'd gotten rather use to the taste herself.

"You said that was part of your magical remedy?"

The regent nodded. "Yeah."

"What's the other part? I'm sort of worried though." Gabrielle looked up.

Ephiny grinned. "Sleep." She looked to her bed then back to her friend. "Come on."

The bard grinned. "Sounds good to me." She then walked over to the regent's bed and climbed into it.

The regent watched and chuckled. She padded over to the foot of the bed. "Forgot the boots huh?"

Gabrielle looked down to her boots. "Hades." She began to shift.

"I got it." Ephiny leaned forward and pulled off the other woman's boots and dropped them to the floor. She then crawled into the bed and came up beside the Queen. Then she carefully pulled Gabrielle in against her body and wrapped her arms around Gabrielle's waist. "There's the other half."

Gabrielle smiled. "I like this half better."

A chuckle from Ephiny. "That's what I figured." She then smiled. "Go back to sleep." Her eyes closed.

"Sounds like a plan." Gabrielle closed her eyes and snuggled her back more into the regent's body and sighed happily. Soon the pair were asleep quickly.

~*~*~*~

The bard slowly opened her eyes, she smiled to herself. She could still feel Ephiny's around her waist securely. Now they tightened and that made Gabrielle grin. She rolled to her right to look to her friend.

"Sleep well?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Definitely." She then did a physical check of herself, no headache, her eyes didn't hurt, and she didn't feel nasty. "Good remedy."

The Amazon chuckled. "Works huh?"

"Amazingly yes."

"Funny." Ephiny grinned.

"So what was in that mug I drank from?" Gabrielle arched an eyebrow also.

"You don't wanna know."

The Queen nodded. "You're right, I don't." She grinned and then buried her head underneath the other woman's chin. A sigh escaped her lips.

"Feel okay?"

"Yeah this is just real comfortable."

Ephiny smiled. "Good." She then sighed herself. "But I need to go see if the other Amazons are up."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Probably not."

"Maybe I'll be lucky."

The bard lifted her head up. "I think I'm gonna go to my hut."

"How about I come by later on so we can get lunch?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Sounds good to me. Gonna wake up and work on my scrolls."

Ephiny smiled. "Okay, I'll be over there." She then released her friend.

They both rolled out of bed. Ephiny dressed while Gabrielle slowly put her boots on.

Gabrielle shifted to the door and looked back to her friend. "See you Eph."

The regent hooked her sword on her back and turned to Gabrielle. "Bye Gabrielle."

The small woman went through the door and closed it quietly. She walked to her hut and went inside. Inside she didn't find Xena, which made her sigh. Gabrielle padded over to her scroll bag and pulled out her quill and new scroll. She hopped on the bed and crossed her legs and unrolled the scroll, she began to write.

~*~*~*~

Xena patted her mare on the side. "Bye girl."

Argo nickered and dropped her head over the stall door with sad eyes.

The warrior chuckled and walked out of the stable. She sighed and made her way through the village, heading to her hut. The ride with Argo had been stress relieving but didn't get rid of her stress. Xena came to the door of her hut and went inside to find Gabrielle there writing.

Gabrielle looked up with a smile. "Morning."

The warrior nodded. "Morning."

The bard lowered her quill and scroll in her lap. "How'd you sleep?"

Xena walked over to the table and sat in one of the chairs facing her friend. "Alright. I assumed you slept well."

The younger woman nodded. "Yeah pretty much." She paused. "So where'd you go?"

"Took Argo for a ride."

Gabrielle knew that meant thinking time for Xena. She just wondered if it was good or bad thinking time. "Nice ride?"

"Could have been better." Xena sighed afterwards and leaned back in the chair. "So you enjoying your time here?"

"Yeah, it's relaxing."

"So I've noticed."

The bard sighed. "Xena… if you want to leave. Then we can, I won't stay here if you don't want too."

The warrior shook her head. "No I'm fine. Nor would I want to ruin your time here."

Gabrielle turned her gaze away then back, she could feel frustration coming on. "What's eating at you Xena?"

Xena's eyes narrowed a little. "I'm fine. I just want to make sure you're enjoying it here."

"I am."

"Yes well I'd say you are with Ephiny."

The bard groaned. "What? Can't I spend time with Ephiny?"

The Warrior Princess shrugged her shoulders. "Why couldn't you?"

"That's what I want to know. You sure act like I shouldn't be."

"I didn't say that."

Gabrielle shook her head. "No you didn't but you act it."

Xena stood up from the chair. "Well I don't control which… friends you spend time with."

"That's right you don't Xena." Gabrielle narrowed her eyes. "Nor do you control my relationships with them. So back off."

The older woman walked up to the bed, she leaned forward so that her hands touched the bed. "I definitely will." Xena stood back up and walked to the door of the hut, she opened the door and turned around to look at Gabrielle. "I wouldn't want to intrude on your friendship with your regent." The warrior walked through the door and closed it behind roughly.

Gabrielle sighed, she dropped her head forward into her hands. "Gods."

~*~*~*~

Ephiny nodded to Solari. "Good, get a few Amazons together and start patrol."

"Okay." The second in command then walked off.

The regent turned to her right and walked off. She was heading in the direction of Gabrielle's hut. She then saw Xena coming towards her, she felt her back stiffened up. As she approached the warrior she could see the warrior's eyes dark and flashing. Xena came right to Ephiny with narrowed eyes and she wasn't sure what to do. "Hey Xena."

"Excuse me Ephiny." The warrior said that bitterly and brushed past the regent.

Ephiny turned around and watched her friend keep walking on like she hadn't been there. The regent shook her head. "What in gods' names?" Her expression dropped then. "Hades, Gabrielle." She turned around and broke off running to the bard's hut.

The Amazon went right inside the hut without knocking. She found her friend on the bed with her eyes closed breathing heavy. "Gabrielle?"

The Queen opened her eyes, they were red. "Eph."

The regent smiled sadly. "Hey." She walked over to the bed and took the scroll, rolled it and set it aside with the quill. "What happened?"

"She got really angry." Gabrielle ran her right hand through her bangs. "Gods Eph I don't know what to do." Burning tears began to come down her cheeks.

"Hey it'll be okay." The regent then pulled the smaller woman into her arms.

The bard tucked herself up into the regent's lap and buried her head between the Amazon's breast. She only cried a little but she felt herself shaking out of fear. Fear of not knowing what to do.

"We'll figure it out Gabrielle. Xena can't stay that angry." Ephiny dropped her head on top of the bard's head. She held her smaller friend tight.

Gabrielle nodded her head. "I hope so Eph." She lifted her head up and stared into bright amber eyes.

The regent smiled sadly. "She will. Promise."

The bard smiled warmly and nuzzled her cheek against the Amazon's and then lowered her head down against Ephiny's neck.

"Hey?" The regent lifted her friend's head with her right hand under Gabrielle's chin. "I'll try and help."

"I know Eph."

"Good." Ephiny smiled very warmly.

Gabrielle smiled back just as warmly as she felt herself calm down. Ephiny then brought her right hand up to caress the smaller woman's cheek. She then slowly leaned in and carefully captured Gabrielle's lips in a kiss. The bard had closed her eyes and kissed back just as gentle, almost scared.

Gradually the regent pulled back with a smile. Gabrielle chuckled and leaned back in to kiss the Amazon again. Ephiny pressed the kiss deeper and the bard met the demand. Once they pulled back, Ephiny ducked her head down to place light kisses to the Queen's neck. Gabrielle moaned and closed her eyes. Then it hit Gabrielle.

"Ephiny wait?"

The Amazon placed one more kiss then stopped, leaning her head against Gabrielle's neck. "I know Gabrielle."

The bard still had her eyes closed with her chin resting on top of her friend's head. "Thank you." It was sincere.

Ephiny brought head back up. "I know you're in-love with her." She smiled now. "I'm here for you though okay?"

"I know, thanks." Gabrielle leaned in to place a kiss to her regent's lips again. When she pulled back, she grinned. "Romantic friendship."

The Amazon chuckled. "Understatement." She returned the small kiss from earlier. "Come here." Ephiny shifted so that Gabrielle could lean her back into the Amazon's body.

Gabrielle did just that and felt her regent wrap her arms around her stomach. She leaned back into her friend's body and closed her eyes. And the pair stayed like that for half a candlemark, Gabrielle thinking while the regent kept her safe from the world around.

Once that time passed, the two women eventually left the hut. Ephiny had recommended to her Queen that she should do some sparring. That the sparring would help rid some of the stress and frustration… well the anger too. So that's where they ended up, on the sparring fields together.

The regent thrusts forward at the bard and cleanly misses her. Gabrielle reacted and did a thrust herself with the butt end of her staff and she just missed.

Ephiny jumped back and grinned. "Almost."

The Queen twirled her staff. "Almost isn't good enough." She smirked and swung her staff at her friend.

The Amazon stopped the swing with her sword, parrying it away. She then did several offensive attacks with her sword but every time Gabrielle stopped her attacks.

The bard took a step back with her staff up in defense, she narrowed her eyes at the regent.

Ephiny arched an eyebrow. "Backing off my Queen?" She grinned devilishly.

"No just distracting you." That's when Gabrielle raced forward, slammed the butt end of her staff into the ground while her hands grasped hard the top of the staff. Her feet came out in front of her as she jumped up aiming at the other woman's stomach area.

The regent had been surprised, totally caught off guard. And she paid for it because now she went flying through the air and landed hard on her back. Ephiny rolled to her right side and started to cough as she stared at her sword.

The Amazon Queen smiled evilly and stood there gazing down at her friend while leaning against her staff. "Well, that was a nice practice."

Ephiny stared up with a small glare. "Right." She coughed again but then a grin spread across her lips. She straightened her legs out and swiped them towards Gabrielle's. She hit the bard's legs and swiped Gabrielle's feet from under her.

The bard went toppling forward onto Ephiny while the staff fell to the ground and rolled away. Gabrielle stared down into the regent's gleaming amber eyes, she grinned.

The Amazon chuckled, she released her sword and brought both her hands onto the Queen's sides. "New move."

Gabrielle chuckled "Not so bad of a move." She grinned.

"I agree." Ephiny then leaned up to capture the other woman's lips in a gentle kiss that lasted for a number of seconds.

As they kissed a shadow fell over them and the owner of the shadow spoke with a hard tone. "Interesting." And there was certainly anger in that one word.

The bard closed her eyes at her best friend's voice. Ephiny though had pulled back from the kiss at the voice and she had also closed her eyes.

The shadow then left and footsteps could be heard walking off the sparring field and into the village.

"I'm sorry Gabrielle." Ephiny slowly opened her eyes.

The small woman opened her emerald eyes now. "No, it's Xena who should be apologizing." She slowly let her breath out and lowered her head into Ephiny's right shoulder. "Hades."

The regent wrapped her arms around her friend. "She has timing."

The bard chuckled. "Tell me about it." A sigh. "Ephiny, can I stay in your hut tonight?"

"You sure that is a good idea Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle raised her head up to glimpse into the regent's eyes. "Yes. I can't sleep in that hut with Xena."

Ephiny took a long breath with a slow release. "Okay." She smiled and brought one hand up to brush back some of her friend's hair. "But we'll be careful."

The Queen grinned. "Of course." She chuckled then dropped her head down to place a quick kiss to the regent's lips. "Let's go back."

The Amazon nodded and released the other female and stood up as Gabrielle stood up. They both then collected their weapons and started walking into the village.

~*Part 5*~

The rest of the day passed rather quietly, thankfully. At dinner Gabrielle sat with her regent, she was quiet. And Ephiny didn't like this at all. She knew the bard could be quiet now and again but nothing like this.

Gabrielle stood up with her empty plate, at least she could eat. She slowly walked to the other side of the food hunt and disposed of her dish and utensils. And as she turned around, strolling to her table, she tried to find her best friend. She couldn't and that made her sigh as her eyes settled on Ephiny.

The regent smiled.

The bard smiled back faintly and came to the table, she sat down beside her friend.

"How you doing?"

The Queen turned her head to Ephiny. "Okay." Nothing else said.

The Amazon's head bobbed up and down. "Want to leave?"

Gabrielle's gaze fell to the wood table, she studied the cracks in the smooth wood. "Yeah." A quiet whispered answer.

Ephiny nodded then looked to her friends at the table. "I think Gabrielle and I are going to head out."

Solari and Epinion both nodded in answer, then the second in command responded. "See you later Eph and Gabrielle."

The regent smiled. "Night Solari." She stood up and smiled to Epinion. "Ep, be good tonight."

The weapons master chuckled. "Always."

Ephiny shifted away from the table but wait for her Queen.

Gabrielle smiled lightly to both Amazons. "Goodnight Solari and Ep."

Both Amazons responded together. "Night Gabrielle." They chuckled with smiles.

The Queen grinned for a brief moment then turned to the regent. Both Gabrielle and Ephiny strolled out of the food hut and directly to the regent's hut. They stepped inside and the bard sat down on the bed with a long sigh.

Ephiny walked over to her friend and peered down at her. "You're to quiet."

Gabrielle looked up. "Sorry."

"Not a thing to be sorry about. It just worries me Gabrielle." The regent brought her right hand up to cares her friend's cheek. "You sure you'll be okay?"

The bard nodded and leaned her head into the other woman's hands. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Want to go to sleep now?" The regent then gradually brought her fingers to glide across the Queen's lips.

Gabrielle sighed. "Yeah." She lifted her left hand to grasp the Amazon's. She smiled warmly to the regent. "Thanks for everything Eph."

The Amazon nodded. "Anytime." She bent down to place a kiss to the other female's forehead. "Come on get some sleep."

Gabrielle released her friend's hand and brought up one leg at time to untie her boots. "You going to bed now?"

The regent shook her head the stepped away to move to her desk. "No, I need to do a few things. I will in half a candlemark or so."

The bard nodded as she took her boots off and crawled into the bed. "Okay, night Eph."

"Night Gabrielle, sleep well." The regent walked over to the walls to blow out the candles and leave the three candles to glow on her desk. She strolled back to her desk and sat down and began to do some work.

After Ephiny did finish her work, she took her sword off her back and any armor. She climbed into the bed to pull Gabrielle into her arms. That's when the regent quickly found out her friend had been awake the entire time.

~*~*~*~

The morning had come to the regent and Queen. Gabrielle slowly rolled out of bed followed by Ephiny. The bard went about putting her boots on while her friend put her attire on. They'd quickly and quietly done so.

Gabrielle lowered her foot to the floor and turned to Ephiny. "Breakfast?"

The Amazon turned her gaze to the other woman. "I was thinking the samething."

The bard grinned for a brief moment then shifted to the door. Ephiny came up beside her and grasped the door handle.

"Eph?"

The regent turned her head to face her friend in question.

Gabrielle grinned and leaned in to kiss the regent lightly. "Morning."

Ephiny blinked. "Morning." She chuckled and opened the door and walked through.

The two females headed to the food hut, they ate breakfast and sat together. By the ended they slowly strolled out of the food hut.

Gabrielle stopped right outside of the food hut. "Eph, I think I'm going to go for a walk."

The Amazon nodded. "Do you want me to come?"

"No." The Queen turned to her Amazon. "I want to be alone, thank you though." She smiled.

"No problem, I need to do some things anyway." She took a step to her friend and gave her a hug. "Be careful huh?"

"I will." The bard pulled back from the hug. "I'll see you later."

"Bye Gabrielle." Ephiny smiled and started heading off towards her hut.

Gabrielle watched her go for a moment then sighed. She was about to head out of the village but then decided to go to her hut first. So that's the direction she headed in first. The door creaked open as she stepped in, as soon as she came in she spotted her best friend by the table. The bard's back stiffened up, she thought the warrior would have been gone. She took a deep breath to calm herself and walked into the hut closing the door behind.

Xena didn't say anything and she still went about tying her boots, she studied her partner for a moment then went back to her boots.

The bard padded over to the saddlebags on the other side of the hut. She leaned down and collected her scroll satchel that lay near. Hefting it over her head, she put the strap across her chest. Gabrielle turned around and studied the warrior. She sighed. "How are you?"

The Warrior Princess still tied her last boot as she responded. "Fine, you?"

"Okay." Gabrielle lifted her right hand up to grasp the strap across her chest. "Um, do you want to leave here soon?"

Xena dropped her foot down to the wood floor hard making a boom echo in the hut. "I was considering it."

"Well, when do you want to leave? I don't care when we leave."

The warrior stared at the other female. "I was thinking I would leave tomorrow or so." She'd emphasized the "I" part.

The Amazon Queen dropped her hand from the strap. "Hold on Xena, you're not leaving without me."

The older woman crossed her arms tightly against her chest. "And why not?" Her eyes went a cold now.

"Because…" Gabrielle trailed off trying to find the right words. She looked up from the floor. "Because I'm your partner and friend." She had her eyes locked with Xena's.

Xena didn't say anything at first. She then broke her eye contact. "Well I figured you wouldn't want to travel any longer. You seem pretty… settled here."

"Hades Xena." The bard walked closer to the warrior. "Stop assuming things for once and try asking me."

The tall woman uncrossed her arms, she narrowed her eyes. "I don't have to, you make it quite apparent." She padded over to the door but glanced back to Gabrielle. "Don't travel with me unless you want to. Don't humor me." The door swung open and Xena walked outside and kept going leaving the door wide open.

Gabrielle lifted her right hand up to pull back her bangs, holding them back. She watched Xena slowly recede away to nothing. Her sea green eyes then closed and she felt warm tears trail down her cheeks. Her eyes opened again. "I'm sorry Xena." It was a whisper. A deep breath and the Queen marched out of the hut closing the door behind. To the gates she headed and out into the vast woods to think.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle came to the lake's edge, she spotted a good size rock. She sauntered over to it and sat down on the cool rock. Her eyes were glued to the scene of the reflecting lake, it was gorgeous. With a sigh Gabrielle pulled out a new scroll and her quill, her satchel on the ground leaning against the rock.

Now she began to write in her scroll, letting her emotions and thoughts flow from her mind to her hand to the quill's tip and finally on the paper. But she only got so far before long, her emotions began to flood her mind making it hard to concentrate. So she closed her eyes so that her mind could control the chaotic thoughts.

Once she took control, she heard the wind whisper to her and ruffle the trees around. Gabrielle thought she heard somebody and turned around to where the imaginary sound was. "Xena?" Why'd she think it to be her best friend? She had no idea, all she knew was she was hoping it was the warrior.

Gabrielle misses Xena.

Slowly the bard turned her head to gaze over the lake again. For almost a week now she'd been near Xena but yet they were as close as Greece is to Chin. And why? Why? That's all Gabrielle could wonder. Why? Just why was this happening? She had no idea. She had her guesses but nothing to be sure about. Either way, it tore her up. All she wanted was Xena back. Fighting with her best friend just wasn't something she could take to much of. That's when she began to question how Xena felt about the entire ordeal.

Does Xena feel the same way? Feel like Gabrielle is in another world when she walks beside her? That's when the bard began to ask herself if she knew what Xena thought of her, felt for her. That's when Gabrielle realized she never really had any solid evidence from the warrior's own lips about what Xena thought of her. She had to wonder considering everything.

Question after question, can drive one nuts. So Gabrielle slammed all the thoughts away into a tight door till later. It was late afternoon and she wanted to head back. Hence she stood up from the rock placing her scroll and quill away. She began her trek back to the Amazon village.

~*Part 6*~

The Amazon Queen took a very long deep breath and released it so slow.

Ephiny had heard it and it led to the turning of her head to her friend. "Good walk?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Not to bad out. Great weather." She smiled.

The regent nodded. "It was a nice day." She lifted her mug of ale and drank from it. It had been a long day for her and now dinner was relaxing for her. Slowly the mug came down to the table.

"How was your day Eph?"

The Amazon sighed. "Tiring." She gazed at her friend. "I'll sleep good." She grinned.

"True." The bard grinned then removed her grin. "I think I might head out of here."

"Where to?"

"The sparring field for a moment, I want to see the stars." Gabrielle began to stand up.

"I'll come." Ephiny also sat up from the bench.

The two women walked out of the food hut. They migrated together through the village towards the sparring fields. Once they got there Gabrielle stared up to the night sky to see the stars greeting her back. She smiled at that and turned to Ephiny. "They're great huh?"

The regent smiled. "They are." She then stepped behind the Queen and wrapped her arms around her friend. "Get a lot of thinking done?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Yeah, just added some questions to my pile of confusion." Her hands came up to rest on the Amazon's hands. "Not a good thing."

"No." Ephiny sighed. "Wish I could be better help."

"No Eph you've been helping me a lot. Trust me."

A chuckle. "I'm sure." Ephiny dropped her chin onto her friend's right shoulder.

"Don't fall asleep."

The regent grinned. "I'll try not too." She nuzzled her cheek against the bard's cheek.

The Queen turned around in her friend's embrace. "Eph, go get some sleep huh?"

The regent sighed. "Yeah maybe I should."

"Go to bed." Gabrielle leaned in to place a kiss to the Amazon's forehead.

"Okay, okay." She released Gabrielle.

Gabrielle smiled. "I'll come by before I go to my hut."

Ephiny nodded. "Alright. See you then."

"Bye Eph." She watched the Amazon walk off. Gabrielle sighed and turned around to gaze up at the stars. They seem to calm her now. Stars always seem to have that magical power. Gabrielle all of sudden heard boot steps coming her way from behind. She turned around to see the warrior standing there staring at her.

Xena sighed a little and brought her arms up over her chest.

The bard closed her eyes then opened them again gradually. "Xena, please don't. I don't want to fight."

The warrior nodded and kept her head low as she stepped up to her friend. She then lifted her head to lock eyes with Gabrielle. "Neither do I." She smiled very finely.

Gabrielle smiled back because it was the first time she'd receive any form of smile from her best friend in days. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"The smile." Gabrielle's smile went sad now.

Xena dropped her head and took a step past Gabrielle and lifted her head towards the stars.

The bard stepped up beside her friend. "Xena?" It was a whisper for Gabrielle felt like she had little right to say the warrior's name.

"Yes?"

"What… what happened?"

Xena still had her arms against her chest and the question only caused her to tighten her arms against her chest. "I don't know." It was low.

"Neither do I. These days feel wasted." The small woman slowly let her breath out. "Xena… I'm not… I'm not doing anything with Ephiny."

The older woman turned her head to gaze down at her friend. "What's your definition of not doing anything?" The words didn't come out cold but more in misunderstanding.

"It means I haven't slept with her… if… well if that matters to you." Gabrielle then grasped carefully her friend's closes arm. "Believe me Xena."

Xena turned her attention back to the stars. She then pulled her right hand from under her left arm. Her hand carefully grasped Gabrielle's hand that is on her own arm. "I do." Xena squeezed her partner's hand for a second then removed her hand.

The Amazon Queen smiled then released the woman's arm. "Thank you." She then took a deep breath, preparing to ask an important question. "What happened to you after the Horde Xena?"

"Protection Gabrielle, protection."

"Protection for whom Xena and for what?"

Xena closed her eyes. "Protection for you against me." Her eyes opened again.

"Oh gods." The bard walked in front of Xena to look up to her. "Don't do that to me Xena."

"Why Gabrielle? You saw who I was with the Athenaeum Army."

"Yes I did get to see you Xena." She sighed. "Don't you understand that part Xena? I want to see you all of you. That… that dark side of you is a part of you. I accept that side of you."

The warrior stared away. "I'm not going to let you deal with it."

"So you're going to shut me out? Did you ask me first if I wanted to be shut out?"

The older woman quickly looked back to Gabrielle.

"Exactly Xena." Gabrielle lifted her right hand to the warrior's arm. "Don't block me out on something I don't want to be shut out from. Because if you do, I'll… I'll never make it."

Xena's dark blue eyes shut, she felt frustrated.

"Don't do this to me Xena. I miss you, I miss my best friend." Gabrielle squeezed her friend's arm tightly. "Please Xena." Tears flowed down the small woman's red cheeks.

The warrior took a shaky breath and let her eyes open again, they were warm now. The warmest they'd ever been. "I can't turn my back on you Gabrielle."

The bard closed her eyes and began to cry.

Xena smiled sadly and pulled the other woman into her arms. "I'm sorry Gabrielle."

Gabrielle kept her arms tightly wrapped around her friend. She let the tears do their job, relieve her of her pain and stress. Slowly she pulled back in the woman's arms peered up to Xena. "Can I ask you something and you answer me truthfully?"

The warrior swallowed hard and she slowly nodded. "Yeah."

The bard took a deep breath. "Why were you jealous of Ephiny?"

Xena closed her eyes in response.

"Xena?"

Xena slowly opened her eyes to look down at her best friend.

"Tell me the truth, tell me my guess is right."

The warrior smiled. "Because I'm in-love with you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle smiled warmly back. "I have been in-love with you since second one."

Xena lowered her head to let her forehead lean against Gabrielle's. "I know." She paused. "I know I need you Gabrielle."

"In ways neither of us can measure."

The warrior smiled at that. "Exactly."

Xena then began to lower her lips then. It seemed so slow and it made Gabrielle's heart pick up. Gabrielle's eyes closed as she felt Xena's soft lips lightly touch hers. Lightly as if making sure she was really there, as if this was real. Xena then let her lips seal with Gabrielle's and they both found themselves in a deep kiss. The kiss freeing their hidden love to be seen finally, their souls locking together finally. How the kiss made a warmth and tingles quickly spread through their bodies.

After the kiss ended Gabrielle placed her head against her warrior's chest. "I love you Xena."

The older woman smiled. She lifted her the bard's head with her right hand under Gabrielle's chin. "I love you too… my soulmate."

Gabrielle smiled back warmly as everything came to her. Everything because love is everything. She leaned up to kiss her soulmate in a long kiss. A kiss of love's perfection.

The soulmates told of their love and stopped detouring the truth. For in life the truth can only be detoured so many times for so long.

Life it has its backstage and its front stage. Yes the front stage where that beautiful perfect play is going on to keep its viewers watching without questioning. But then there's the backstage, dark and hidden from the watchers. It's a place completely different to the front stage, a world in itself. The backstage is where the props lay and the actors go to rest after their tiring act. Backstage, the truth of it all.

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