She moved silently through the tavern, the only sound was the slight clink of her armor as she sank into the tall backed wooden chair. The slightly built blond that followed her was not quite as graceful as she attempted to dodge the drunken barbarians that swarmed the room.
The raven haired warrior sat and watched her friend with a slight grin on her face. Once her young partner finally arrived at the table, she ordered a mug of port for herself and some milk for the girl.
"Xena, why do you always order milk for me? I'm not a baby, you know." The young blond wined.
Xena just smiled to herself and thought, Yes Gabrielle, I know. You are quite the woman now.
As the drinks were brought to the table, Xena handed the bar-maiden a few dinars which were prompted returned to the warrior as she was told that anything the two of them wanted was on the house. She then offered the ladies a couple of rooms and baths for the night.
Xena quickly replied, "No...we couldn't." But Gabrielle began to fuss about how nice it would be to sleep on a real bed and how great a hot bath would feel.
Soon Xena gave in and agreed, but insisted on only having one room. Gabrielle turned away as a smile crept across her face from the small victory she had just won.
Gaby began to drift off into her own world of stories, contemplating which exciting tale to tell Xena tonight after their bath when she suddenly got jolted back to reality by a loud thump on the table in front of her. As she opened her eyes she saw a large hand spread out on the wood. Her eyes slowly moved up the arm into the face of a rather large, not to mention quite pungent, man.
"Yes?" she almost whispered.
"I said come dance with me!" The smell of port on his breath was enough to make her feel sick.
"No thank you." she said, and looked longingly at Xena, her eyes begging for her to step in.
Just as the large hand was about to come down around Gabrielle's delicate shoulder, Xena stood up and with one quick movement knocked the barbarian off his feet.
"Come on Gaby, it's time for bed." The warrior stated with a wink. Gabrielle smiled as she stepped over the fallen brute to follow after Xena. After requesting their room at the bar, the ladies finally headed toward the warm bath they both knew awaited them.
Xena pulled on the latch that would open their room and motioned for the petite blond to go in ahead of her, patting her gently on the rear as she passed.
Before Xena had even finished closing the heavy wooden door behind them, Gabrielle was wondering around the room pointing out all the wonderful sight and smells. The down bed with exquisite dark purple linens on it made her gasp. The lavender scented bath that was already drawn for them; steaming hot, with large soft drying cloths waiting near the edge. Candles scattered the room, scented with vanilla and honey.
No sooner than Xena had put down her bags, Gaby rushed into her arms and nestled her head in the warrior's neck.
Even though the woman longed for her touch and for the feeling of her skin on her own as she held her in her arms, she knew that they both needed to take their bath before the water cooled.
"Come on Gaby, I'll help you out of your things. We need to get going before the water cools."
"Fine." the young woman sighed as she turned her back to Xena; a clear sign for the warrior to begin to untie the lacing on the back of her top.
Instead, Xena moved toward her, placing her hands on the slight hips that always seemed like a perfect fit in her hands and kissed the back of her neck. She whispered into her ear, "Now don't pout." She could feel Gabrielle shiver against her. She kissed her neck again before she moved away to remove her own armor. With a clink it fell to the floor and she stood in her leather under-suit waiting for Gaby to turn around.
