The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Xex alert: very gentle, not too much, but why the heck not, they've got the time.The warrior princess snuck into Gabrielle's room after lunch. They had a couple of hours before the judges would decide it was cool enough to start the final race. And a couple of hours spent in her bard's arms would be precious indeed. She hid very carefully, squeezing her body into a small area, but not uncomfortably so. She wasn't really trying to hide from Gabrielle, just her Amazon guard.
The red head entered the room by backing into it. She was talking animatedly with Roen about her favorite subject, Xena. The object of her affections waited patiently and put her time to good use by practicing a simple meditative technique. It was one of the methods she used that allowed her to function on less sleep than most and it had come in handy when she'd had to deal nightmares, before Gabrielle that is. Now the bard *was* her meditation. Xena let Gabrielle's voice smooth right over her body, enjoying the sound and letting the words float in her consciousness. She caught a name, "Meg." Ah, that explained that. Meg must be one of the cooks. She heard her name several times. Oh the difference it made to have someone say one's name with love. So different from hearing it said in anger or hate. She let go of the trail her thoughts were taking and listened to the voice that soothed her nights. A little more discussion, this time about how early the Queen must arrive for the second half of the competition, then a whisper of noise as the door shut and a final click.
Xena smiled, opened her eyes and stepped out. She silently made her way behind the bard and wrapped long arms around a lovely Queen's waist. Gabrielle turned in her arms and she was treated to an enchanting smile. "Sometimes, my love," Xena whispered, "you are just too beautiful." Gabrielle grinned.
"Did you like breakfast?"
Xena smiled softly, "Oh it was good. Very good." Her eyes lowered to the red head's lips, "Quite tasty actually." She began pushing the bard backwards towards the bed, using her body as a the means for steering. "It reminded me of something I want very much."
"Oh?" Gabrielle did her own version of the eyebrow thing.
Xena did it better, "Yes. Something better than ambrosia."
"Better than ambrosia?"
"Mmhmm." Xena's hum rippled through Gabrielle's body pleasantly.
"Xena can I ask you something?" Xena quit nuzzling Gabrielle's ear so she could focus. At least, that was how Gabrielle interpreted her actions.
"How do you keep this up?"
Xena laughed, "*You* are asking *me* this question? I could ask the same of you I think." She bounced a little and licked her lips. Her eyes were merry. "You keep me on my toes little one." A hand smoothed down to Gabrielle's backside and squeezed gently." She smiled at her love. "Are you trying to tell me something?"
Gabrielle looked down, feeling a little embarrassed. This was so rarely a problem for her. But, best to suck it up, "Honey, the truth."
"Yes," Xena led.
"The truth is I'm kinda tired. I was up a little early and," she gazed up at understanding pale blue eyes. She hadn't really slept all that well, though it had been better than the night before.
"Ah. I see." Xena stopped their backward momentum. She smiled down at her sweetheart and caressed a lovely cheek. Then she moved swiftly, eliciting a gasp from Gabrielle, and swung the bard into her arms. She strode to the bed and laid the bard gently down. Her blue eyes strayed appreciatively down the bard's body then moved back up to meet the loving gaze of the Queen. She kissed Gabrielle quick and hard, then lay on her back to Gabrielle's side.
Gabrielle snuggled up against the warrior princess and sighed, almost in relief. Her voice was soft. "I've missed this."
She got a squeeze for that. "Me too." Meaning, it was hard to sleep without each other now. They could do it, but it wasn't as easy.
Gabrielle's hand drifted to the flat of Xena's abdomen. "Xena?"
"mm?" Xena was deliberately slowing her breathing. Her eyes were already closed.
"Did you have fun this morning?"
Xena smiled. She'd grinned all day practically, her cheeks were a little sore. "You could say that. I enjoyed the challenge."
"Mm. Do you like this outfit?"
Xena's eyebrows lifted at the question, but her eyes remained closed. She felt Gabrielle's hand moving in intricate patterns on her bare skin, some coming perilously close to the top of her loincloth. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I like it." Xena heard a but.
"But?"
"I like your leathers better."
"Oh." Xena smiled, "Why is that?"
"They're more exciting to take off." Xena didn't laugh, though her smile broadened. Gabrielle continued, the motions of her hand becoming more distracting by the second. "And I have a problem with this outfit."
"Oh?"
"I can't seem to stop touching you." Gabrielle's voice was breathless. "I mean, if you wore this all the time we'd never get anywhere at all. I'd never make it past any soft green spot. We'd be the slowest travelers in the world. We'd never get around to rescuing anyone because we'd be too busy," Gabrielle was chattering now. Xena recognized the signs.
"Gabrielle?"
"Yes?"
"Do you still want that nap?"
The bard's hand continued its tingling motions as tender lips pressed softly against Xena's parted mouth.
Xena grinned against the kiss, "I'll take that as a no." She pulled the red head on top of her and let her long fingers do the talking. Not too long after, but definitely not too soon, Gabrielle lay snoozing in Xena's arms and the warrior princess, after setting her internal clock, took a well earned deep restful nap.