Gabrielle had fled out to a courtyard garden of the temple. The whole garden was set up with a small
series of meandering pathways traveling to secluded gazebos or glens. Nothing in the complex was
overdone; even the most manmade looking of the gazebos. Each separate area had a water source and a
statue of lovers. But where Aphrodite's temples often depicted erotic scenes, the statues in Cupid's temple
were all romantic.
Xena found Gabrielle in the spot farthest away from the temple proper. It was also easily the most
naturally landscaped area. A brook chuckled through the corner of the small glade. Instead of a stone
statue, two trees grew together, an oak and a maroon-leafed prune tree. Their trunks and branches were
so entwined that they seemed to become one...a tree with both red and green leaves.
Gabrielle sat against a moss covered stone, her knees wrapped in her arms. Her chin rested on her knees,
and the wreath from her hair lay on the ground at her feet. Xena rubbed the back of her neck, softly
approaching the bard from around the rock. She called out quietly to the woman.
"Go away," came the hurt response.
Taking a steadying breath, the warrior knelt down beside her friend. "Hey, this is me remember? I'm not
the enemy here." Her hand touched Gabrielle's shoulder, rubbing it with her thumb.
The bard looked over into concerned blue eyes. Her face was set in anger mixed with sadness. After a
very long moment, her expression softened and she whispered, "I'm sorry, Xena. I shouldn't be taking this
out on you."
One shoulder shrugged up, "That's ok. I'm just glad you're not mad at me."
"No." Gabrielle rubbed her cheek against the hand on her shoulder. "I'm not." She shook her head,
muttering, "I am so mad at them for doing this."
Xena hoped her bard would keep an open mind about the next thing she said. She cleared her throat, "I'm
not."
Green eyes stared at her incredulously, "You're kidding, right?"
"Aphrodite said something in there...and she had a point."
"You're joking...." Xena gave the small woman a "be nice" look. "Tsk, I didn't mean it like that."
The dark head nodded in acceptance. "She reminded me that if it hadn't been for them, we'd still be
wondering how the other felt. She's right, you know."
Gabrielle furrowed her brow, thinking about what had just been said. Then she made a face, "I hate it
when they're right."
"Tell me about it."
They both grinned, and Gabrielle moved into Xena's arms for a hug. The warrior settled down as she
pulled her love close. For the first time, she let herself openly enjoy the feeling of the other woman
snuggled against her. Suddenly, Gabrielle pulled out of the embrace. Xena didn't know if she had done
something wrong. "Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle rose to her knees with her fists on her hips. Xena swallowed hard at the accusatory look she was
getting. The bard poked her in the arm. "It sure took you long enough to say something, warrior!" she
growled.
"Me?" Xena's jaw fell open, pointing at her own chest. Then her eyes narrowed, "Well I didn't hear you
professing undying love, bard." The voice held a hint of mischief.
Their gazes dueled fiercely then Gabrielle burst into laughter. "Ok, so we're both pathetic." She looked
down at Xena and sobered, "Do you realize how terrible it could have been if you didn't speak up?
Perdicas and I both married to people we didn't love...."
Xena nodded, "Or what about if Callisto really had gotten out? No telling what she would have done."
Gabrielle rested her forearms on Xena's shoulders. Gazing deeply into the loving face of her warrior, she
whispered, "I'm really glad you spoke up."
"Yeah?" Xena was lost in the jade pools so close to her.
"Uh-huh," the bard nodded. "There's something I've wanted to do for a long time."
"What's that?" Xena's heart hammered in her chest.
"This...." Gabrielle leaned in and pressed her mouth against the soft lips of the warrior. Xena gasped at the
electric feeling the contact brought. They kissed softly for a time until the bard's tongue flickered against
Xena's lower lip, asking for more. The request was readily granted, and the two explored each other's
mouths.
The two entwined themselves like the trees nearby. Their hands roamed over skin and clothing, eliciting
soft moans and gasps. Silently, they agreed to go only so far, backing off to stare into each other's eyes
when the passions rose too high. They didn't want to be embarrassed by an unexpected interruption.
Besides, they were rather enjoying their state of half-arousal.
After an endless length of time, Gabrielle twined her fingers in the dark locks and stilled her advances.
"Xena?"
A hand brushed back a cascade of honey hair. "Yes, my love?"
The bard shifted nervously, "I umm...I know this is pretty quick and all....unless you consider that we've
been traveling together for so long." She bit her lip and ducked her head. The hand on Gabrielle's waist
squeezed her encouragingly, and Xena tilted the small head up a bit. She gave the bard a small smile.
Seeing this, Gabrielle took another breath. "I was wondering...ummm...could we go and...finish the
ceremony?" The last bit was a bare whisper.
