The small head butted into the muscled shoulder, "I'll still miss you."
Gods, what do I say to that? The blue eyes gone violet in the firelight flickered down. She had plenty she
wanted to say, but nothing that she dared speak of. So Xena remained silent. After a few moments, she
jerked her head toward the bard. "G'wan, get to bed." The tone was final.
Xena could feel Gabrielle studying her. "Are you coming, too?"
Thankfully the fire burned low enough that Xena could risk turning to her friend. "In a little bit," she
reassured softly.
Gabrielle looked down for a moment. Glancing back up, she rose, "Don't be long." Xena nodded.
When the young woman left, she stared moodily into the campfire again. Her brow furrowing, Xena bit
lightly down on the flesh of her index finger. Shortly after she heard her friend settle down, Xena
surreptitiously wiped a tear off her cheek with a finger. She banked the fire, rose and turned around for
bed. Her heart immediately sank at the sight awaiting her. Xena had forgotten that Gabrielle had lent the
guys a set of their furs. She looked around for someplace else to go.
An exasperated sigh fell on the keen ears, "Xena, I won't bite. Get over here."
Looking up, Xena silently implored the gods for strength. She settled down under the furs, carefully
keeping space between her body and that which could never be hers. Azure eyes snapped open when she
felt the small form curl up against her side. Xena forced herself to lie still as she greedily, despairingly
soaked up the sensations of the light head pillowing on her shoulder while an arm snaked over leather-clad
ribs and a knee rested against her own. Gabrielle had never curled up to her like this before unless she was
in the midst of a nightmare when they happened to share a bed at an inn. Xena saw the honey-crowned
head turn to the sky for a moment. "It looks like a bear," came the wistful murmur.
The warrior shut her eyes tightly against the tears that threatened. This particular debate had become a
cherished ritual between them over the course of their travels. Every stargazing session ended with this
exchange; each trying to convince the other of the image painted in the sky. After a moment, she
whispered, "It's a dipper."
Xena felt a small smile form against her shoulder as the bard settled down into Morpheus' embrace.
Closing her eyes, Xena waited for sleep to claim her. She wished fiercely that, just this once, she could
have seen Gabrielle's bear up in the sky. A single tear slid down into the dark mane as she gave up her
heart. Sometimes things just weren't meant to be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time Xena woke up the next morning, she had resigned herself to fate. It was the best thing to do.
She spent the morning helping Gabrielle get ready to marry Perdicas. Now she stood next to her best
friend in the temple as the priest went through the ceremony.
"If anyone has a reason why this joining should not take place, speak now or remain forever silent." The
priest?s words hung heavy in the temple.
Joxer drew in a lungful of air. After a moment he quietly let it out, looking down with a sad frown pulling at
his mouth.
Xena stood in silence, a slight tremor running through her body. Her eyes were riveted to the profile of the
honey-blond before her. A cold wave of despair welled up in the warrior's gut, making her nauseous.
It seemed like an eternity, but only a small moment later, the priest once again spoke up, "Then...."
"Wait!"
Everyone turned sharply to the voice, no one in the room believing for a time what was actually happening.
Gabrielle's brow furrowed in confusion; her jade eyes darting slightly from side to side. "Xena?" she called
out with a soft, low voice.
Xena gazed at the bard intensely. Her heart pounded in her ears as her breathing suddenly came fast and
shallow. "Don't do this," she spoke up for the second time.
Gabrielle shook her head slightly, "Xena, what are you doing?"
The warrior took a small step forward, "You can't marry Perdicas."
Of course she can," said the man in question. He placed his fingers on Gabrielle's forearm. "Come on
honey, let's finish the ceremony."
Xena reached out, her hand drawing the small arm away from Perdicas with a tender firmness.
"Gabrielle...I need to talk to you." She nodded toward a small alcove, "Can we go over there?"
Right now?" Troubled green eyes saw the warrior nod slightly. She searched her friend's face, and never
breaking eye contact, turned halfway toward the others. She spoke slowly, "Excuse us for a moment."
The bard pulled the warrior into the semidarkness of the alcove. When they were out of sight, she spun
around on the tall woman. "Alright, what is going on with you, Xena?"
Xena studied the soft glow on the bard's face coming from the few candles nearby. She had lost her nerve
during the short walk to privacy, but seeing the shadows play over the beautiful features before her, she
rediscovered her resolve. Her heart would not be dictated to on this most important matter. Taking a
breath, she spoke, "Please, don't marry Perdicas."
Gabrielle looked at her friend as though she were touched in the head. "Why not?" she asked confusedly.
"Xena, just yesterday you were telling me to marry him. What could have changed in one day?" The green
eyes pled for an answer that would make her understand.
