Warning: It'll get a tiny bit raunchy between Xena and Gabrielle on this one, so if you don't like it, click away now! lol

Chapter 8: Breaking through defenses

Gabrielle moved one step away from Xena. "Ready?" she asked.

"Yes," Xena said despite being afraid of what Gabrielle had planned.

Gabrielle instructed, "Remember your promise, don't hold back. We'll just test if you are attracted to me."

Xena relaxed. "Sounds like a logical test." Xena admitted as she began inspecting and observing Gabrielle head to toe in a no nonsense manner. When she returned to look at Gabrielle's face, she found she was caught in a stare.

Gabrielle looked longingly into Xena's eyes. Her eyes were demanding eye contact. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but she needed to help Xena determine if she was attracted to her and she wasn't about to make it easy for Xena to dismiss her. Slowly and silently Gabrielle lifted her hand to her own face and languidly traced her skin with her finger tips. They trailed painfully and seductively slow, down to her chin, her neck, and to the crest of her right breast. Raising tiny hairs and goosebumps in its wake.

Xena looked on in anticipation, her heart rate started racing. She started to calm herself and remembered her promise to let her body take over.

Gabrielle's eyes and head rolled back in pleasure of the sensation. She used both hands to unlace her top in a teasing seductive manner. Halfway unlaced, she opened her palm and slowly caressed one of her breasts. She softly clutched and released, presenting the flesh in an exposed and flattering manner. She commenced rubbing them in a circular ministrations. Her nipples began to harden and goose-flesh littered her exposed skin. Her other hand began the same circular caress over her taut abdominals.

Xena's breath began to shorten. Listening, she realized Gabrielle's breaths shortening in tandem. Xena's body was thrumming and she could hear the blood rushing through in her ears. Her skin began to sweat in nervousness of what was occurring in front of her.

Gabrielle's eyelids closed, lost in the sensations of her self manipulation.

Goose-bumps soon appeared on Xena's own skin. Her fingers, she found, were itching to touch Gabrielle. A tingling overtook Xena's body, as if she were in a severe chill, and an all too familiar ache appeared. A tickling sensation in her abdomen accompanied the ache. She swallowed, for she found her mouth watering uncontrollably.

Suddenly Xena realized why she had often been in a state of arousal in their travels despite never running into anyone. If she felt this way just unabashedly watching Gabrielle, she couldn't even fathom how amazing it would feel if she herself were doing the touching. For that matter, if Gabrielle were to touch her in that manner.

"Stop." Xena whispered huskily.

Gabrielle, unaware of the sensations that Xena had undergone, immediately felt the pang of rejection and was shocked out of her lustful reverie. 'Wow she didn't let me get too far, I guess I was wrong.' she thought. Embarrassed and afraid to look at Xena, Gabrielle dropped her hands and turned to lace her top. "I'm sorry Xena, I understand." she let the word tumble out slowly and timidly.

Xena, enthusiastic to clear up the misunderstanding, closed the gap between them and proceeded to plant demanding kisses and sucks onto an unsuspecting bard's neck from behind her.

"Oh gods." Gabrielle exclaimed in heated arousal as Xena's hands assumed the ministrations that Gabrielle's hands had traveled just moments before.

"I said stop because I want you to let me do the touching." Xena breathlessly revealed.

Between her caresses and skillful touches, she turned Gabrielle to face her. Not surprisingly, she had an intense desire to kiss Gabrielle. She reached her hand to caress her cheek and pulled her in for a passion filled kiss. Gabrielle's lips were soft and full and her breath was sweet. She could feel the intensity of desire increase as their breath and tongues intermingled in mutual admiration.

Xena moaned and then whispered, "You were right! Let's get married!"

However, planning the ceremony and its logistics were the last thing on either of their minds.

[CUE FADE OUT]

Candle marks later, Xena and Gabrielle are lying side by side in utter relaxation on their bed rolls. Heads touching. Holding hands.

"Yep. It definitely looks like a fish. But which one's the North Star?" Gabrielle asked.

"The big one." Xena responded.

"It's a good thing that you got that diamond back in the sky." Gabrielle stated.

"I couldn't have done it without you. The only reason I do any good at all in this world is because I do it with you." Xena reminded.

In the background of the forest they could hear Joxer yelling, "Oh! Ah! Oh! Oh! Oh! Uh! Oh!"

"I think you still need to do something about Joxer." Gabrielle chuckled.

"Tomorrow..." Xena chuckled and turned to Gabrielle, to steal a kiss. She grinned and raised her brow up and down in a suggestive manner and added, "or maybe next month."

Gabrielle lifted their joined hands and kissed Xena's hand lovingly. "Yeah, maybe next month." Gabrielle agreed as she turned to Xena and dipped in for another profound kiss.

THE END

**Author's note: Hope it wasn't too crappy. Feel free to tell me if it was, and I might fix it. Also if you think I should fill in the [FADE OUT] scene *giggles* shoot me a message or leave it in the reviews and I'll fill it in. Thanks for reading! - ideasofmany"