The Offering

© Dark Angel.  

Part Four: Surrender.

(See part one for disclaimers and warnings.)

From shadows cast by a thin stream of moonlight along the cabin's exterior, Artemis watched intently as the two women embarked on the long journey of rediscovering themselves and each other.

She had remained in the general vicinity of the deserted structures, invisible and undetectable even to the keen senses of the warrior princess herself long after she had witnessed Xena return safely inside. She had stayed more to assure herself, she realized, than any further debt she owed them. Assurance that to reveal herself as she had and to disclose the full implication of Gabrielle's dreams was the right decision to make. For with her knowledge, she knew undoubtedly the warrior had no reason not to act. Xena would expel the battle lust that coursed through her veins as needful as her own life blood and Gabrielle as her chosen would indeed face her Warlord again.

The Goddess suppressed an inward shudder, needing again to remind herself that truly there was no other way.

For a long time she listened as the younger woman, true to her title, eloquently lay out her case for the still hesitant, though barely controlled warrior. Xena, in turn, sat speechless and spellbound as the slow seductive dance, meant only for her eyes, followed. Gabrielle had knelt before her when she was done, proud in her nakedness, one hand stretched out perfectly offering up symbols of her subservience to her lover. The exchange between them after that had been too softly spoken for even the Goddess' ears and she had to be content of either staying outside and presuming their dialogue or entering the confines of the cabin under the veil of invisibility and risk being 'felt' by the warrior.

Artemis shifted cautiously, feeling the light touch of another being moving in close behind her. Momentarily startled until she recognized the owner of the familiar fragrance and heavenly choice of 'night' wear being intentionally pressed lovingly into her back.

"I suspected I'd still find you here," the feminine arrival whispered.

Artemis nodded, forcing a half smile at the predictability of her movements. But she didn't, couldn't bring herself to shift her gaze from the small portal that allowed view of the two mortals. The two celestial beings stood comfortably silent for a time watching as the women rose from their original positions, the bard searching for something then guiding her lover to take up a commanding presence in front of the hearth.

"You can't change it," the voice told her. "You couldn't change it then and you can't change it now."

"I know," she breathed, glancing back at her companion. "I just want to stay a little longer, to see that..."

The pressure on her shoulder intensified, relaying an intimate assurance as well as a hint of resistance. "She will be all right," the voice stressed. "You don't need to be here to know that the warrior will not do any more than is necessary. She loves Gabrielle, I feel it with all my heart." The other goddess cast her eyes upward for a moment, allowing her omnipotent vision to cut through the dense night sky. Dawn was still a considerable way off and, though she had no need of replenishment of her physical form like mortals, her body ached for the touch of her own warrior. They had exhausted themselves over the last few seasons, leaving little time for their own cherished union. She chanced her own look past Artemis, watching as the ex-warlord was slowly being transformed in front of their eyes.

Xena stood squared shouldered in front of the hearth, jaw and eyes fixed as she held herself steady, inwardly shivering with each new sensation generated by her lover's touch. How she was managing to contain her need under such attention was beyond her.

Gabrielle's hands remained graceful, even at their most aroused state she kept them focused as she worked to secure the last piece of her warrior's reselected attire. Though smaller and more slender than Xena's hands, they were powerful intoxicants in their own right, moving with an aura of eroticism that eventually would become a ritualistic prelude to this new dance they performed. With each layer of clothing being removed and replaced, Gabrielle allowed her hands to stroke the two lover's shared desire. Xena's standard battle leathers replaced were with britches; tight and form fitting against the perfectly sculptured shape of her thighs and crotch. A sleeved shirt made of silk and billowing long on her, tucked but left gaping, hiding none of her own womanhood. Accessories too; bracers, stays and wrist guards, all kept separate and hidden until now. All it seemed laying in wait for this moment of renewal.

Almost complete in her task, Gabrielle secured the end of a tight plait she had modeled Xena's usually free flowing mane into and moved back around to face her.

She kneeled down between immodestly parted legs to finish lacing her boots back up, her own needs barely held at bay. She had made the process of redressing her warrior slow and sensual, allowing herself to touch the revealed skin liberally as she moved, knowing soon her hands would not be permitted such freedom. From her position, she realized the level of arousal Xena was feeling must have been agony. Her lover's scent sung from its cave, a rich heady odor, overpowering as its warmth permeated the senses and extinguished all else. Finally, certain everything including the object not utilized since that fateful night was neatly secured under the warrior's britches, Gabrielle stood back up keeping her eyes lowered to the hint of cleavage at Xena's chest. She felt the stronger hand stroke her cheek, tilting her head back before the approaching warmth of Xena's lips tested her desire. Gabrielle opened her mouth and the kiss intensified, Xena's tongue probing deeper as the hand firmed about Gabrielle's jaw. She let her teeth graze along the outside of her mouth, her cheeks, until she was biting roughly, trying to devour the fire emanating from her lover's tender skin.

"How much of what I was like do you remember?" Xena asked, breaking off.

The memories and sensations of being ripped open and violated for the first time by a warlord's fist swept through the bard's consciousness. Other thoughts of being dragged from a bed stained with her own blood and essence to the floor, of being beaten till she couldn't stand or cry anymore enveloped her, leaving her caught between a dream and waking state.

"Everything." Gabrielle whispered succinctly and she shivered. "I remember everything, Xena."

The fingers around her jaw released, falling the short distance to her throat, grasping it firmly.

"Then I don't need to remind you how I like it?" she questioned and Gabrielle shook her head.

"No, you don't," Gabrielle answered. A wave of dizziness threatened to overcome her as the true power of Xena's desire drew strength. She watched as a raw energy rose from nowhere, curling around her warrior, watched as Xena breathed it to life and set it free. She pulled her near again but this time her furor drove her beyond control and she growled, clutching at her, marking her skin. Gabrielle moaned loudly into Xena’s mouth, squirming, needing, accepting the sweet torture and where ever it would lead. Moments became an eternity and she let herself fall into the place she needed to be to receive it.

Xena tore the ravenous lips away, pushing her downward. Gabrielle crashed to the floor between her legs.

"Serve me, Gabrielle." Xena ordered, her voice heavy with arousal.

Another memory swept over her - trousers down around those same thighs, of harsh hands guiding her. Gabrielle moved herself from her crumpled position, instinctively leaning forward, fingers working nervously to accomplish what was required. Pulling and tugging, she worked to reveal Xena's device. When it was finally free, she leaned in to kiss the length's tip, moistening her own lips to soften the leather. Xena drew back, watching her. The bard had swept her hair aside giving full view to how her mouth and hands were moving. A silent message making itself clear to Xena -what she did, she did for both of them. What was happening was what she wanted to happen.

Artemis' words to Xena of taking what she needed, knowing Gabrielle would be equally rewarded for her part coursed through the warrior's brain. 'Do it, take her,' her mind shouted.

Xena stepped wider, allowing back muscles to slacken, to accept the right. She thrust forward, feeling her lover's mouth widening to accommodate more of what she drove. The woman in her so wanted to reach down and stroke the golden locks below, to tell Gabrielle wordlessly that what she was doing would slowly and assuredly send her insane. But an insanity she would welcome, dying blissfully from the honesty. However, the warlord remained firm. This was an act of subservience, a sign of consent. Rewarding, encouraging through weak gestures was not what either needed or wanted, not this time.

The bard maintained her gentle stroking, fingers tracing up and down the shaft as her mouth moved sensually on the leather. With her other hand, she trailed along the warrior's inner thigh. Xena stood stoic, jaw slightly jutting as she allowed even more of the battle lust to surface. Heat and scent rose as her body wavered.

Gabrielle paused briefly, she looked upward to the sight of her lover, so proud, so magnificent above her. "Allow me the pleasure of your need," she whispered, a final signal for Xena to let go, to take what was hers.

Gabrielle hung on, allowing the grounding motion Xena made to smother her mouth and nose. But the warrior's hips pushed harder until Gabrielle was forced back into a hold half lying and half kneeling beneath the crouched figure. Her Xena disappeared before her eyes. In her place, the animal stretching and clamoring to the surface and the woman was gone. She pushed Gabrielle the remaining distance till the younger woman lay completely on her back, shoulders bumping against the coarseness of the floorboards, her legs caught up uncomfortably behind her. The bard tried unsuccessfully to pull them free, to reposition herself to cope better with the sudden change in tempo.

But it was too late, her hands were pulled high above her head. Xena was claiming the hunger within her with piston like thrusts. Gabrielle closed her eyes succumbing to the sensations of being a willing recipient. With her free hand, Xena reached behind them, finding the bard's honey curls, twisting and pulling until she was entering her. She dug at the slickness, continuing to force Gabrielle to widen her legs even though there was little the bard could do to assist.

"Are you denying me?" She flared, using the hopelessness of the bard's trapped position against her. Fingers refused access to the tight opening continued to twist the thick auburn bush. Gabrielle struggled to shift both their weight enough to provide access to her groin. But the mass of her lover and the clear resistance Xena showed from pulling away from her quest of raping her mouth made it impossible. She could not speak even to attempt to convince her that she was not withholding anything. She would not be so foolish, now of all times, to resist or deny her a thing. The warrior's movements convulsed as she rose a little higher off her chest. Shouting down at her all her anger, all her resentments.

"You lied to me all our marriage."

Gabrielle lay pinned, unable to answer. She forced her back muscles harder, allowing the oral intrusion to continue unobstructed. Yes, she had lied through omission to her mate for reasons she believed worthy at the time. How was she to know that this dream, this fantasy would ever breathe a life of its own. How could she have told her that she loved the cruelty as much as her courage, her force as much as her uncertainty.

Xena held on, her voice forced down into a throaty sigh, thighs clamped tight around Gabrielle's head until she let the world around her splinter. Then, finally she was pulling the phallus out of her mouth, just enough to tilt the straps to allow Gabrielle to experience her release. Xena's free hand clamped around her throat forcing her reflexes to swallow the hot heady stream pouring into her mouth.

Xena stayed across the trapped shoulders willing her head to clear just a margin. Her fingers remaining rigid inside of Gabrielle. Even though it was entirely possible for the bard to come and though she desperately needed to, she held back, knowing not to give herself the pleasure of climaxing this way. Xena would expect her to wait, to go completely without if need be. The anger had risen so easily, the fire blazing in her eyes with the certainty that this needed to be more than a simple rejoining. She knew in this role the warlord would need to punish as well as reclaim.

The first strike to her head shocked her, but only momentarily. The following, just as harsh, rocked her sideways. Her ears burned and her mouth bled but she lay passive.. The sight was beautiful and welcome. The fingers bore deeper into her and she tried to widen her legs.

"Whore," Xena called and struck her again.

Gabrielle cried out, not loudly but did not attempt to stifle it or stop the flow of tears. Xena continued to rage.

"You want to feel me in you, don't you? Fucking you, hurting you?"

"Yes," Gabrielle whimpered, unashamed.

"Well, it won't be like this," Xena spat, tearing her fingers from the honey forest. She dragged Gabrielle along, pulling her to her feet by her hair. Gabrielle stood trembling in awe of the sight of Xena in full warlord haze. "Not so easy. Do you think I'd let you cum like this, squirming under a warlord's touch? You don't even deserve to be my whore."

Xena hit her again. "Not till I've taught you a lesson." The strength of the blow sent Gabrielle off to the side, barely missing a chair. Gabrielle knelt beside it, wiping her mouth free of another droplet of blood. Her head throbbed as she eyed her lover warily. 'You wanted this. You wanted her to take you this way' she reminded herself as she knelt, retrieving the fallen items of clothing and climbing as quickly as possible to her feet. Xena strode over to her, wrenching her up till her feet dangled in mid air.

"Don't fuck with me Gabrielle," Xena shouted into her lover's face. "You know you deserve it, deserve and want everything you are about to receive."

With unprecedented fury, Xena drew the slighter woman backward to the table, depositing her on top with an ungracious thud.

"Now, where were we?" She growled dangerously. Gabrielle lay passive trying to keep her wits about her. She raised her eyes enough to look directly into her lover's. slowly settling on the rich color and full lips twitching in the total persona of her darker self.

"I was preparing to give you what you need, my Lord?" Gabrielle whispered in a mixture of seduction and fear. Goading the potential danger to flourish.

Xena's teeth shown brilliant white. "What I need?" she snarled fully immersed. What do you know of my need? You haven't even learned the most basic requirements!"

And Gabrielle realized her cue. Nodding a silent understanding.

"Obedience." She answered evenly. "No, you're right, Lord. I need to learn that first."

Xena glared approvingly. Then without interest in anything other than teaching that requirement she shunted the full mass of wood and body forward, sliding them both until it impacted the closest wall.

Gabrielle gulped feeling the cease of motion. The thought of her lover raping her with the stiff leather was expected. Xena was in the grips of no less a fury than that generated by the most recent of her kills, her apparent loss to the fiery depth of Dahak's temple. All brought about because the bard had lied to her last year. Gabrielle wiggled forward till her feet touched the floorboards. Then as expected she widened her legs, positioning them to rest either side of the V shaped edge, allowing the coolness of the night to kiss along her upturned breasts and sex. Xena moved closer casting a shadow between the fire place and the bard's prostrate form. Gabrielle heard the distinctive sound of her whip dragging along behind her and tried to calm herself.

Xena stood between the bard's open legs, inspecting her center as the property that it was. Gabrielle's hips pushed up undulating against the coarse hand promising passage. Xena held back another snarl. She was teasing, ensuring the bard was as ready as she was but she had no intention of filling her lover's particular ache quite yet. The moistened hand pulled away and roamed across her bare skin, needing to feel every inch of heat from her lower regions. She cast her vision upward eyeing the quick rise and fall of her Gabrielle's breast and the stiff darker shape of nipples inflamed.

"When I'm ready. Not before," the warrior whispered gruffly and she stepped back, disappearing into a dark space. The bard's heart rate doubled, fearful. The night was suddenly very still, allowing each shift of her lover's weight to provide signals of her intent. For the first time since Xena's rampage on her had started, she fought the urge to beg for an end to it all. Xena had been successful in creating just the right balance of arousal and fear but right at that moment she was testing Gabrielle's limits. Gabrielle heard the light shuffle of silk sliding across leather, a hand raised and the quick snap of it being released fully with expert skill.

The sound of flying leather cut through, quick, light to start, hardly touching strokes alternating either side of the bard's inner thighs. Gabrielle clamped her buttocks against the wooden surface. She exhaled quietly, knowing the licks against her, almost caresses really, would not last long. Trust was being taught with each carefully delivered strike and once it was assured, a sign given, the real assault would begin. Another dozen blows, barely coloring her inner thighs and belly descended until Xena could see her shoulders relax fully, easing down.

It was time.

The next blow was hard, the warrior's full weight behind it; cutting her flesh like a knife. Gabrielle cried out, hips trying to pull back again, away from the pain. Knees instinctively wanting to be raised to block the weapon.

It didn't help.

Xena's movements bore down. Blow after blow, her whip arm becoming weightless as she succumbed to the rhythm, her mind focusing, heat of her exertions and excitement forcing sweat to shimmer off her brow. She heard nothing but the whistle of leather releasing into the air and the crack as it impacted on the reddened flesh of her lover.

She shifted her weight on the floor, boots stepping a margin wider as she watched. Gabrielle was hurting; her body shuddering, fighting reflexive attempts to raise her legs. Her skin was striped, pulsating. But somehow body and mind held on, expecting more, not much, perhaps just one more strike placed in the right place. The warrior smiled. Narrowing her sight she drew back, waiting but a breath mid air, then flicking the full length to the place she had purposely avoided.

Leather snapped and fell.

Gabrielle's upper body flew upwards, legs separating even wider as she wrestled the impending peak, hands shot between the burning to lift her further, digging down into wood as her eyes strapped her lover, demanding audience. Her mouth gaped, her cry projected, savage and raw along a invisible ribbon, sending the surge electrically through Xena's own body.

A fallen hand released the whip at the warrior's feet as she watched Gabrielle's bliss, entranced. She had dreamed of this moment, had lain awake listening to the bard slumber, wrapped in private agony.....She had whispered her name into the ears of whores, had moaned it under her own hand. Paying homage to the vision before her, the warrior ran her hand down her own front, over soaked silk and erect nipples, willing it hard against the junction of her trousers. Her breathing came rapidly, spawned by both the exertions of the flogging and her own need. Even through the fabric of her clothing, the touch of her fingers was tantalizing, pressing, squeezing.

She was close again.

Gabrielle sat perched before her, wide-eyed and panting . Xena wrestled the impending flood back in her self allowing them both time to appreciate the gift a few seconds longer. Then, stepping forward she grabbed a fistful of sweat drenched hair and jerked her forward, feasting a little on the mouth that still hung open, salivating.

"My turn," Xena informed her, bringing Gabrielle toppling down from the table. Then thrust her back again, eyeing her impatiently as the bard knowingly turned away.

"Bend over!"

Gabrielle leaned forward still trembling from the aftershocks of climax, stretching out until her upper body lay pressed against the flat surface again. She parted her thighs to the exact measurement bringing them in line and gaining support from the two sturdier table legs. Then pushing back just a little, she arched her back and thrust her buttocks, tensing as the memory of herself, kneeling and splayed for the first time struck hard. Instead of retreating from it as she usually did, she allowed it life, remembering the stab of her 'Lord's' tool owning her time and time again. The bard bit down on the fear. It always would be her most vivid memory, her most painful yet exhilarating secret from their first night. A secret she had mourned for in its absence, laying dormant and unused like the piece of her it had invaded so long ago. The room somehow shrank in around them and Gabrielle smothered a gasp feeling Xena press closer.

Xena looked down at her, handling her length expectantly. She would fill her with it, pierce the emptiness, leaving no space untouched. She would give to her the pain she needed, she would revel in it and she would feed them both.

Slowly Xena traced the outline of Gabrielle's upturned body, steadying her position at the opening.

"Mine?" She said coolly.

"....Yes."

"Mine to use?"

"Oh yes."

"And do you welcome that use?"

"Yes," the bard whispered, barely audible. It was almost but not quite shame. She knew she was producing copious amounts of fluid from her orgasm and the continued pressure being applied to the welts along her front. She imagined Xena's steel blue inspection following the trail of substance escaping from her with satisfaction. In her mind she could see the firm hand wrapped about the phallus, massaging it and drawing her own pleasure out.

"Then ask," Xena said evenly, managing to maintain perfect control even now.

Gabrielle turned her head breathing deep.

"Please," she murmured trying to make eye contact.

Xena leaned forward just enough for Gabrielle to feel the phallus graze her rear entrance and slide easily along her cleft. She moaned quietly realizing just how ready her lover was again, how close she herself was.

"Not good enough, whore." Xena breathed, dragging the torment out a little more."Ask nicely," she coaxed, prodding harder along the bard's sex.

Gabrielle bit her lip, remembering the words from long ago when she had been instructed how to visually display what was on offer. Knowingly she focused her attention straight ahead, squaring her own shoulders and allowing her weight to rest on her stomach. Then she reached back sliding splayed fingers along spine and buttocks till she had covered the two perfect shapes with each hand. With little hesitation she sunk short nails into the duel fullness and pulled up on each cheek, forcing herself gaping as her final gift.

"It's yours, master. Please, I beg you, use it as you wish." 

Xena reached out, one hand possessively clutching her lover by the waist, locking her in and molding the succulent and tender tissue as again she dragged the phallus back through Gabrielle's outer core. She soaked the leather and rubbed the plentiful juices about and up its shaft, watching as the body laying in wait, stayed stiff, holding.

With the other hand, Xena drew leather and body back to pause at the opening. And then inch by inch, she used it to fill, to claim. Ignoring suggestion of rejection or recourse, ignoring the sounds stumbling out that were without a doubt, pain - undisguised, unashamed pain.

Gabrielle's body arched as she thrust herself back fully against the warlord's penetration. Her back slammed into the slick, sweat covered frame, hard nipples scorching her back. The pain of strained flesh shot down the insides of her thighs and she welcomed the penance, feeling Xena's rigid power deep within her. Without thinking, her hands sought out the connection with her deliverer. She reached upward, wrapping her arms around the warlord's neck, fingers reaching up and threading through the tightly bound hair, leaning back to expose her neck to her. Xena let her hands hold her for longer than she would have thought. Both women joined by the phallus and the scorching fire that its mastery commanded. Slowly the warlord's hands slid up her belly, over firm pointed nipples, claiming and kneading them as her hips moved slowly back and forth. Gabrielle whimpered turning her head hoping for a taste of Xena's lips on her own. There was no kiss, only the briefest gesture of a released breast to allow salty fingers to be sucked into her waiting mouth. Then they were gone, pulled free of the tiny nips and tongue. Returning to squeeze the fullness of her mounds before unchaining them and tapering up to snare two slighter wrists. Pulling them away from the braid without struggle, wordlessly instructing them and their owner to return to their position of service.

Gabrielle settled herself, calming her breathing to a more manageable state. She bent forward, feeling the phallus start to withdraw. Xena pushed her the remaining distance, guiding the still trapped arms out to touch the edge of the table, till her nipples scraped along the wood and all but the very tip of her lover's length lay between them. True to her word, Xena was pacing herself, no pleasure would be taken that was not sanctioned, not even her own. Gabrielle tried to concentrate on the fullness threatening to pull completely from her.

Xena's hips ground deeper and the plunder resumed.

The bard's first orgasm took her so quickly that she barely had time to catch its wave. It washed over her in a blanket of primordial heat, leaving her legs weak and uncoordinated. Her entire body felt like water and she feared for a moment she would collapse in a fleshly puddle at the Warlord's feet. Xena's hand snaked around the width of her constricted abdominal muscles, lifting her easily back to the position her needs required. She held her lover's entire weight for a moment as the bard struggled to regain her composure and footing. Sweat beaded between purposely focused brows. Her breasts heaved. But the arm stayed there now, still for a time, nestling her body in an almost compassionate and protected manner. Then the shoulder muscles gripped tighter and the arm began a slow pattern of lifting and releasing the slighter frame against her along the generously coated phallus, using Gabrielle's own body weight to stroke it, to stoke the flame.

"Teach me," Gabrielle cried into the fire feeling her growing peak. "Teach me to serve your need."

"You are mine," Xena ordered almost hoarse, her entire weight slamming her member into her.

"Yes."

"Tell me," Xena demanded as the pounding continued.

"I am yours."

The trusts became short, harsh, stabbing. Fingers dug into the plentiful flesh, gouging at her and reveling in the newer marks left in their wake. A white fire engulfing them, burning flesh and leaving them bare to their need.

"No one else's. You've always been mine."

"Always and forever, only you."

The final bitterness being counted, questioned, paid for.

"You allowed Dahak to possess you, didn't you? You had him in you, allowed him here." She stabbed her again, a new jealous pain, unhidden, uncaring. Gabrielle screamed feeling her body and heart tear.

"No, Xena I didn't want to, I would never want anyone but you."

"You took it." She hammered.

"I couldn't stop it." Gabrielle managed through clenched teeth.

"And his child, the creature I pulled from your body. You lied and put it first, before me - before this."

The pounding continued, unmerciful, harder, faster. Holding Gabrielle wedged, letting her scream and cry and claw her own torment out as if it was death they were approaching.

"Can you stop this?" Xena drilled, grinding the column till it was pulling her open to one side.

"No!"

She twisted sharply in the other direction.

"Do you want to stop this?"

"NO!" Gabrielle sobbed.

Xena released it, one final tortuous stream, felt it burn her as it shot from her loins.

"All that I am......"the Warrior howled, mind and body blinding only to the particles of light lifting her through the invisible ceiling - higher and higher. Simultaneously and efficiently her free hand dove upon Gabrielle's swollen center, assaulting the erect nodule as she pierced her from behind. Feelings escalating as the bard stiffened, shuddering, her own explosion of molten flame suddenly spewing forth in torrential spurts, coating the hand that held her, spilling down their thighs to glisten at her ankles. If this was death, Gabrielle thought, then so be it. Let them go this way together. Let this be all and everything that would call her life complete. She could not, would not turn away from this - she would never go willing into the darkness alone again. If it was her destiny to be a willing companion of this the warrior's path than she would nail herself to any passing cross. Just let this feeling never end.

Just let them always have this.

"All that I have," Xena managed, gritting her teeth, "I give to you. Know me, Gabrielllllllllle...."

What sounds came then next held no shape, no substance. They were unintelligible, simply cries of her own arrival, as she came again and again.

Xena fought for air, releasing Gabrielle face down on the table surface, maintaining her grip until she was certain the younger woman wouldn't topple sideways or slink to the floor between her legs. Slowly Xena relaxed over her, spent but capable enough to continue to support the majority of their weight by spreading her arms and legs protectively about the fallen exhausted form. Their breathing continued in ragged pants, interspersed with the occasional still peaking sob. Hands, certain fully of their strength once more rose slowly to stroke mattered hair, to sooth prominent muscles along Gabrielle's spine. They stayed there for a long time, joined by the phallus and collection of pulsing limbs, neither yet willing to break the spell.

To the side, a low fire crackled, darkness about them slowly giving way to light. Xena frowned a little realizing that daylight waited for no one. The heart beat below her had returned to the rhythm of her bard in her most relaxed state, a sigh away from being wrapped comfortingly in Morpheus' embrace.

The stiffly held young companion who had accompanied her out of Poteidia was gone. Her lover had finally returned to her. She looked exquisite and Xena thought briefly of her Goddess and the words Gabrielle must have called out to bring the usually elusive Artemis to them that night. ''For loving her as much as I do, I thank you', Xena offered humbly to the Goddess.

But they couldn't stay sprawled across the table if they were truly going to rest. With effort after the drain from such a powerful release, Xena pulled back, moving away and drawing out of her beloved's body carefully. Her hand trailed reminiscently over the still open flesh. Without speaking she released the straps of her member, dropping the phallus where they stood. Her hands snaked around Gabrielle's collapsed form, checking again that none of the strikes she had delivered would leave permanent marks. Xena lifted her up and cradled her as she walked through the doorway to the waiting pallet. She kneeled, placing Gabrielle at the edge so she could pull down the covers and place Gabrielle's languid form in the center of the bed. With her remaining strength she stripped completely and joined her spouse, wrapping her larger frame, still slick with their loving around her.

Through the darkness Gabrielle reached behind her, guiding the warrior's arm around her waist and down to her center, still hot and pulsing from the brutal attention.

Xena leaned in closer, nuzzling her neck, "Is there still something I can do for you, my bard?" she asked a little disbelieving.

Gabrielle squirmed seductively but without any real intent, content to lay comfortably in the powerful arms.

"Just never take your hand away," she murmured.

Xena smiled. "I've missed you," she told her, kissing the perfect neck muscles.

"As I have missed you, my lord." Gabrielle whispered at sleep's doorway. "As I have missed you."

And as the two mortal women finally slept, safe and satiated in the comfort of each other's arms, free from dreams of any kind, two others turned silently away. Walking undetected toward the sun's approaching rays that promised to warm the earth a new.

 The End.