The Hunter

Startled by the feelings, Gabrielle keeps silent. A fixed point in the surrounding night, that is how she sees herself. Still and quiet, letting the emotions flow over her body.

Gratefulness, wonder and love... All these things combine, creating a new spot in Gabrielle's heart. A place as open and as wide as the Earth, ready for Xena to take her place there... Ready for Xena to claim that which she owns.

Xena... It rolls off Gabrielle's tongue before her teeth can clamp down. Blue eyes find the bard in the darkness, a hand reaches out to slide over Gabrielle's stomach.

A touch that has happened often, so innocent at first and now so tender, so full of affection it almost makes Gabrielle tremble. Xena always moves closer.

She aligns her body with Gabrielle's. A strong thigh, warm and sure... Arms about her, dependable and comforting... It always goes this way. They get closer and closer, sharing the air between them.

And Xena falls asleep that way, always. So close and yet... Gabrielle wills herself to be calm, to not want so much so soon. With Xena, it will be the ability to be patient. Like a hunter, Gabrielle must flush out her quarry at just the right moment. She must convince her wild raven that to be caught is not a prison... and to love, to really love, is not a trap.