Letting go of her silent heart, the warrior stepped blindly into the void, whispering, "I love you." She
glanced down and took the young woman's hands, willing her own to not shake. She didn't quite succeed.
Lifting her gaze to the bard's, she added, "Gabrielle, I'm in love with you."
Gabrielle's mouth fell open slightly as she leaned back. Breathing hesitantly, she quietly studied the azure
orbs that no longer hid their emotions. "You're in love with me?"
Xena dipped her head in a small nod. She felt like she was falling down a bottomless abyss. "I have been
for a long time," she admitted.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Why indeed? Dark eyes darted around, searching the floor for an answer. Stammering, the warrior found
one, "I...I didn't know how you felt,...and...I...didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
Gabrielle stood quietly, and Xena knew she was waiting to hear the real answer...the core of truth from
which all other explanations stemmed. Caught in the candlelit gaze, her breath rushed out of her body. "I
wanted to many times," she sighed, "but I never had the courage."
"Yet you found it today." The bard's voice still gave Xena no clue of how she felt.
"I wasn't going to say anything....but when he...." Xena angled her head in the priest's direction. "Gabrielle,
I just couldn't stay silent. I had to let you know how I feel...to find out if...." She licked her lips and looked
down at their clasped hands, "I had to make sure you knew all of your choices."
The silence stretched between both women as Xena's heart pounded in her throat. Finally, Gabrielle broke
the quiet, "What if I choose to marry Perdicas?"
Her gut twisting, Xena looked up. "What I said to you yesterday is still true.... I want you to be happy.
Listen to your heart, Gabrielle...and if it tells you that Perdicas is the one who will make you happy....you
have my blessing."
Gabrielle glanced at their hands and then looked out to the main chamber of the temple. "We have to get
back. They're waiting for us." With those words, Xena's fall came to an abrupt end; her hopes crashing
down, broken. Her hands grew cold, and she drew them away from the bard's. When Gabrielle next
spoke, her words were filled with sorrow, "Oh Xena, what do I say?"
"You don't have to say anything. I underst...." The protest died in her throat when she felt small, warm
fingers on her hand. She looked up to see Gabrielle gazing into her eyes.
"How do I tell Perdicas that I can't marry him?"
"What?" Xena held her breath, not daring to hope again.
"I'm in love with you, too."
Xena was on the verge of tears, and her chin quivered. With a smile, she whispered the bard's name and
moved to wrap her in a hug. But Gabrielle forestalled her with a quickly raised hand, "No, Xena. I have to
tell Perdicas first. Please?"
The tall woman nodded and blinked back her tears. She reached out to stroke Gabrielle's face with her
knuckles, stopping when she felt the air warm from the smaller one's body heat. She paused, then pulled
her hand away without touching the bard. They both took a deep breath and walked towards their waiting
friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xena walked a step behind Gabrielle as they approached the three men waiting expectantly in the front of
the temple. She was elated beyond words, but it didn't show for she was also worried for her friend. She
knew how hard it was going to be for Gabrielle to break the news to Perdicas. She glanced at the bard
and saw the slight shoulders stiffened with tension.
When the two women reached the others, Perdicas stepped forward with a tight smile on his face. "Honey,
can we get this finished now?"
Gabrielle flinched and spoke quietly, "Perdicas, come with me. We need to talk."
The brown eyes flickered as his smile faded. "What is it?"
"Not here."
Small hands took the young man's and tugged, but he didn't budge. "No, Gabrielle. Whatever it is, you can
tell me right here."
"Don't do this...."
Shaking his head, the would-be groom said firmly, "If you've got something to say, then just say it."
Gabrielle bent her head quickly. When she lifted it, tears were sliding down her face. "I'm sorry, Perdicas,
but I can't marry you."
He stood in shock, "What?" Then Perdicas' brow furrowed and his face darkened. He glared at Xena,
"This is your fault! What did you say to my fiancee?" Xena held his gaze but didn't answer. He moved up
to the warrior and yelled in her face, "What did you say?"
Calmly, Xena answered him, "I told Gabrielle that I love her."
Perdicas spun around and saw Joxer's jaw laying on the floor. While Joxer tried to recover, Gabrielle's
eyes were caught by the groom's. "What about you?"
