Xena’s
and Gabrielle’s Threads
When
her eyes finally opened they rested upon the sight that she had missed in the
last two days. It was dark and by the window, bathed in moonlight stood the
Warrior Princess. Xena had not sensed that Gabrielle had awoken, her gaze was so
intent on the starlit sky. It was rare that Gabrielle could ever watch her
friend unobserved so she took advantage of the opportunity. Ultimately her
desire got the better of her and she knew she had to reach out and touch the
warrior.
Xena
could sense the approach behind her, the nearness of her friend. She had
experienced a number of emotions in the last couple of days that she was not
used to feeling: loss, pain, grief, confusion. A new emotion had arisen in the
last few hours, one she had not admitted to feeling for a long time, but she did
now - she was afraid. Afraid of shattering a dream.
“You
were right, it does look like a dipper.” Gabrielle said as she followed
Xena’s gaze into the stars.
“No
you were right, it’s definitely a bear.” An age old argument between the
two, but something solid.
They
both laughed for a moment but Gabrielle spoke, “Look at me.”
“I
can’t.” Xena’s voice wavered slightly.
“Why
not?” Gabrielle tried to keep the worry out of her words.
“I’m
afraid.” Xena admitted.
“Of
what?” She felt on the verge of breaking, but she wanted to stay strong for
Xena’s sake.
“I’ve
sat and watched you sleep for hours, too afraid to look away and then I did. Now
I’m afraid to look back in case you’re not there, that this is not real.”
Xena knew how stupid the words sounded, she was having a conversation with
Gabrielle, but after the last few days she did not think she could trust her
mind.
“Does
this feel real?” Gabrielle stepped closer and encircled the taller woman’s
waist with her arms, pressing her body to Xena’s back, “Does it?” Her lips
brushed Xena’s exposed shoulder.
Xena
shuddered at the contact. That did it, this was real. Xena broke into a fit of
sobs, wondering if she would ever have the strength to stop crying again. She
turned in Gabrielle’s grasp and wrapped her arms around the young woman.
“Don’t leave me. I don’t ever want to be without you.”
“Never....”
Gabrielle smiled against Xena’s neck as she whispered.
The
word echoed....
The End
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Well
there we have it. Hope you enjoyed it. Now reply to it.
The poem entitled ‘Soul Mates’, supposedly written by Gabrielle for Xena
was, of course, written by me.