Nuptials Part 5

Nuptials Part 5

Written by Virginia Leonard

Copyright 1997

     Gabrielle was glad to be back on solid

ground.  It did not matter how many times she set foot

on a ship, her stomach would never get used to it, and

it would always take several days for that same

stomach to fully forgive her.

     "You feeling any better?"  Xena lifted the

cool cloth away from her bard's eyes and replaced it

with another one.  "You're still a little green around

the gills," she chuckled.  "Have you been able to

keep anything down?"

     Gabrielle peeled back the corner of the new

cloth, opened one eye and glared at the jolly warrior.

     "Ok, I'll take that as a no.  Here, Alcinda says

this stuff'll have you feeling better in no time."

     Just as the white-lipped patient swallowed

the last of the concoction, the doors to the guests'

suite swung open and in strode Alcinda and  Athena,

followed closely by several lady servants as well as a

seamstress and an armorer.

     "Alright Xena, let's have a look at you,"

Alcinda said as she and Athena sat down in their

velvet covered lounging chairs.  "Ladies, my Second

needs help dressing...," she said, motioning for the

entourage to begin its appointed duty.

     Xena leaned over, kissed Gabrielle on the

cheek and whispered, "I'd rather be sick."

     Gabrielle laughed, "I know..."

     As soon as the warrior straightened up, she

was set upon by six sets of hands, unbuttoning and

buttoning, removing and replacing.  The seamstress

marked new seams and began her alterations while the

armorer worked her magic on the ceremonial

breastplate.

     "She's stunning, Athena.  Gabrielle, how do

you stand it?  I'd never get anything done."

     "You should see her in the mornings.  Kinda

balances everything out."  Gabrielle grunted when one

of Xena's jambeaus hit her in the chest.  She again

raised the corner of the cloth, "See what I mean?"

     Xena glared at the laughing women.  "So,

why does Hermes want to get his hands on this

island?"

     Alcinda gestured, as if waving away a fly,

"Hermes has no interest in this island..."

     "That's not true, he visits quite often,"

Athena interrupted.

     "Ok, so he visits in order to satisfy certain

um, desires...no, no...that won't do.  Fasten the cape

out further on the shoulders.  I want her to look bigger,

not that she isn't a brute now, but..."

     "But what a specimen of a brute," Athena

added while looking at Xena as if she were a marble

carved statue.

     Gabrielle peeled the cloth away from her face

and eyed her warrior appreciatively.  "She does have

her good qualities, doesn't she?"

     "HEY!  Do you mind?  Can we get back to

Hermes?"  Xena exploded.

     Alcinda held her silver challis out to be

refilled.  "Thank you.  As I was saying, Hermes has no

interest in this island as a possession.  I suspect the

true culprit is Anais.  He's a member of a secret

society that has had its collective eye on this place for

years; in fact they've tried several times to buy it out

from under me."  She laughed and took a drink of her

chilled wine.  "They've tried various forms of

sabotage and subterfuge but I've always been prepared

for them."

     "How?"  Gabrielle asked.

     "Their first mistake is their opinions and

beliefs about women.  They've underestimated me on

any number of occasions because of it."

     Athena noticed the confused look on

Gabrielle's face and interrupted her friend's

commentary.  "They believe that women are these

vapid creatures, incapable of rational thought, who

should be kept in sealed rooms with caretakers to

provide for their every need and who should never be

involved in any decision-making processes...."

     "And pleasure seeking by a female is

absolutely unheard of," Alcinda interrupted.  "If a

woman is caught involved in anything remotely

resembling fun... they are taken back to the compound

and severely beaten."  Her voice dropped, taking on a

very ominous tone.  "And after tomorrow, I plan to

change that."

     Xena looked up, surprised at the intensity in

the always spirited but usually lighthearted woman.

"What, exactly, do you have planned?"

     "Anias has run spies through here for years

and I've always managed to know who they are.  It

worked out pretty well, actually, I was able to feed

tidbits of information, or misinformation as the case

may be, and I usually managed to keep him off

balance.  That is until about six months ago."

     "What changed?"  Gabrielle asked, sitting up

straighter and removing the cloth from over her eyes.

     "Somehow, a new spy was smuggled in and I

don't know his or her identity.  That makes me

nervous for two reasons.  One, it means my network in

his organization is coming apart, and two, I don't

know what he or she knows so I don't know what

Anais knows."

     "How many spies do you have in his

service?"  Xena asked.

     "About 30.  I can tell you what he goes to

sleep in every night and I can also tell you that he has

no business trying to shut down what goes on here.

He has some bizarre sexual appetites of his own, the

hypocrite."

     "So, what's the connection between he and

Hermes?"  Gabrielle chimed in.

     "I don't know."  Athena fielded this question.

"It may truly be a coincidence, which is what Alcinda

believes, but then again it may not.  I mean he went

out of his way to set up our little wager."

     "Ares?"

     "I don't think so, Xena.  This isn't Ares'

style.  He prefers open confrontation to political

intrigue.  Anias' group looks to all the gods and

goddesses for inspiration, they aren't picky and it

could be that Hermes thought he could somehow use

this situation to his advantage.  What that is, I have no

idea."  Alcinda took another long drink, then lay her

head back and closed her eyes.  "The island is in a

good position logistically.  Whoever controls it could

conceivably control trade between several large

countries."

     "You don't."

     "Gabrielle, dear, just running my little

enterprise is enough work for me.  I certainly don't

need the money and I don't want the headache.  The

traders and I have reached a very comfortable working

relationship.  They don't gouge me and I provide

plenty of entertainment at an equally suitable cost.

Makes everybody happy all the way around."  Alcinda

smiled a very wicked, knowing sort of smile.

     "So, from this place, Anias could become

very powerful and spread his message throughout two

countries."  Xena thought about her statement, trying

to come to terms with the implications of it.

     "Yes'em, he could.  The message part

doesn't worry me.  Zealots never last long anyway, but

the power part makes me very nervous."  Athena

added softly.

     "So, what about tomorrow?  What do we

do?"  Gabrielle finally asked.

     "It's Xena's job to occupy Anais long enough

for us to ferret out the unknown spy.  Soon as they're

in custody, I will have the others seized and brought to

the great hall.  They'll be formally expelled and Anais

will be given fair warning to keep his people off my

island because the next time I catch one of them here,

they go home in parts."

     A chill ran up Gabrielle's spine.  How could

such a beautiful, dainty appearing woman order such

brutal things to happen?  Women would never cease to

amaze her.  "How will you find this unknown spy?"

     Alcinda smiled, still not opening her eyes, "I

won't.  You and Dresden will."

     "Where is Dresden, by the way?"  Xena

asked, suddenly aware that Gabrielle's constant

companion was nowhere to be seen.

     Alcinda waved it off.  "Taking care of last

minute details no doubt.  Gabrielle, you and Dresden

will be combing the palace looking for stragglers.

Anyone that Dresden doesn't recognize will be hauled

to a holding area, then at the right moment, they'll be

escorted to the arena and I'll pull the rug out from

under Anias."

     "How?"

     "I dunno, Xena, I'm making this up as I go."

Alcinda replied, not a hint of worry in her voice.

                                @@@

     The seamstress and the armorer did not finish

their work until moments before Xena was to make

her entrance.  Both Alcinda and Athena had a

particular flare for the dramatic and while Xena would

have preferred to just walk in dressed in her regular

clothing, accept the challenge in the name of Alcinda

and get on with it, the goddess and the mistress had

other plans.

     The silver buckles sparkled, polished to a

mirror finish.  They captured and reflected the firelight

from the torches, giving her armor the  eerie

appearance of being on fire.  The breast plate had been

re-worked to better fit Xena's form and the armorer

could be proud, for her work did a great deal to

enhance an already fine specimen.  Adjustments had

been made in the greaves as well as the bracers and

they now fit like a second skin.  Xena's sword rested in

its familiar place across her back, giving the uncomfortable

warrior a sense of security, of calm and reassurance. 

   Gabrielle walked up to her lover, running her hands

around the woman's waist locking them  behind her back

and rested her head against the cold hard metal of Xena's

armor.

     Xena began to run her fingers through the

soft red hair, taking in every sensation that her senses

could detect.  "Just another day at the office," Xena

joked.

     Gabrielle chuckled in spite of herself.

"Right.  Be careful."

     Xena tilted her bard's face up towards hers

and looked into those intense eyes.  "I'm always

careful, especially now that I have a reason to be."

She leaned down and gently pressed her lips to

Gabrielle's, always surprised by their softness.

     "Just a reminder."

     The double doors swung open and a young

boy entered, announcing that it was time to begin.

Gabrielle squeezed the warrior's hand then followed

Dresden through a rear doorway and down a hallway.

Xena turned toward Alcinda, waiting for her signal.

     "You ready?"

     "As I'll ever be.  I'm getting too old for this

foolishness, Alcinda."

     "Hardly," she looked her Second over,

scanning from head to toe and back again, quite

pleased with what she saw.  "I'd say you're just hitting

your stride.  Put your helmet on and remember to walk

behind and slightly to my right."

     "Where's Athena?"  Xena stood patiently

while Alcinda made some last minute adjustments to

her armor.

     "She's already in there, sitting in the balcony

with Hermes.  Custom.  There, that's much better.

Shall we?"

     As if on cue, the double doors swung open

and Alcinda, with Xena one step behind, started down

the steps and walked with a purpose towards the

enclosed arena.

     It was circular, about 30 feet in diameter and

enclosed by a wall standing waist high with raised

platforms on opposite sides of the enclosed area.

Anias was already standing on one of the platforms,

impatient,  watching the two women approaching with

a very  cautious eye.

     When they had taken their place on the other,

Alcinda's personal aide stepped to the center of the

circle and began the tedious task of formalizing this

event.  Xena tuned everything out and focused on

Anias.  His every movement was exaggerated, almost

effeminate, and his expression went from one of

extreme boredom, to one of irritation, but mainly one

of uncertainty.  It was becoming more and more

obvious that he was not looking forward to this

confrontation.

     It was not any one thing she could point to,

but Xena was beginning to get the feeling that this

man was being forced to do this.  He was obviously

not a fighter.  He handled his sword as if it were alive

and about to strike.

     The sound of Alcinda's voice broke Xena's

reverie.  "...and I have accepted this challenge in the

name of Athena, proud that I may do her bidding."

     An unnamed court functionary responded, "And as is

your right, you may choose to take up arms yourself

or you may pick one to stand in your place. 

What say you?"

     "While I would love nothing better than to

pluck this man's eyes out personally, I am intelligent

enough to admit that I am less suited for this game..."

     Xena whispered, "Just had to throw in some

insults to stir him up didn't you."

     Alcinda never missed a beat and continued,

"...therefore, I choose Xena, also known as the Warrior

Princess, to carry my honor into this challenge."

     "And does Xena, Warrior Princess, freely

accept?"

     "What?  Oh, sure." 

     "Very well.  Let each combatant meet, face to

face, here in the center."

     Alcinda turned to face Xena and began to

remove the cape along with any other purely

ceremonial accouterment.  "He's not a fighter," Xena

said.  "Something isn't right here."

     "What?"

     "Alcinda, something doesn't add up here.

Why didn't Anias call a second?  He knows he can't

win here."

     "He couldn't.  Remember, he's standing in

for Hermes."

     "I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

                                @@@

     Gabrielle and Dresden roamed the deserted

hallways and so far they had only encountered two

people, both of which Dresden knew.  They poked

their heads in every nook and cranny in the building,

opened every door and entered every room.  Nothing

went unchecked.

     They had finished the first floor and were on

their way up to the second when Gabrielle heard a

noise coming from behind what appeared to be a solid

wall.  Gabrielle stretched out her arm, blocking

Dresden's path.  "You hear that?"

     Dresden listened.  "No."

     "There, I heard it again.  Someone's behind

that wall."  Gabrielle began to run her hands over the

wall looking for a seam or a latch that would trigger a

hidden door to open.

     Dresden put her hand on the bard's shoulder

and pulled her around.  "There's nothing back there."

     Gabrielle tried to pull away but the grip held

firm.

     "Gabrielle, please," Dresden pleaded, "don't

do this.  Don't push it."

     The amazon princess started to question

Dresden's motives and then, suddenly, it dawned on

her.  "You're the unknown spy," she whispered.

     Dresden massaged her temples with her

fingers as if trying to rid herself of a blinding

headache.  Why did it have to be Gabrielle?  She had

made plans for the redhead, comforting her after the

untimely death of that irritating lover of hers,

exploiting her grief to get close, insinuating herself

into the enchanting bard's life and beginning to make

plans for a life of their own.   "Why can't you just do

as you're told?  Now, you force me to do something I

didn't want to."

     Dresden touched the back of her wide metal

bracelet to a non-descript indentation in the wall and a

door began to swing open.  Inside was a small room

with a long wooden table.  Two people were standing,

staring down at several maps laid out across the length

of it, talking quietly between themselves.  On the

opposite wall was a secretary with a scribe bent over

it, quill dancing across the pages of parchment.

     Dresden pushed a stunned Gabrielle inside

and closed the door.  "We have company.  She's not to

leave...under any circumstances."  Dresden turned to

face the bard.  "You understand what that means?

They'll kill you before they let you leave, so don't

try."

     A middle aged man looked up from his map,

"Does this change the plans?"

     "No.  We go ahead just as we discussed.

Where's Leona?"

     "Back there, getting ready.  She's only gonna

have two shots..."

     "Right.  Everything set up and ready in

here?"

     "We move in right after Xena and Alcinda go

down.  You order a search, Leona is brought to you,

unfortunately doesn't survive the questioning, and our

very own Dresden becomes ruler of this lovely little

island," he finished with a smile.

     "Good."

     Leona walked into the room carrying a long

bow and two arrows, stopping to look Gabrielle over.

"Who's she?"

     "Someone who has a hard time following

instructions.  Nothing you need to worry about.  You

concentrate on your targets."

     "Why are you doing this?" Gabrielle asked.

     "Alcinda doesn't appreciate what she's

sitting on here.  Whoever rules here has the potential

to control some of the most lucrative trade routes in

the area..."

     "And become wealthy," Gabrielle

interrupted.

     "Obscenely, but it's not just about

money...it's about power."  Dresden's voice dropped

to a near whisper.  "Power enough to control Kings

and Queens, to influence rulers all over the region."

     "What about Athena and Hermes?  You think

they'll just sit around and let you murder their

followers, especially Athena?  Alcinda is a favorite of

hers, you prepared to deal with her wrath?"

     A smile slowly spread across the usurpers

face.  "Hermes has already agreed to take care of

Athena.  It took some very creative persuasion, but he

eventually came around to my way of thinking.

Working here certainly came in handy.  I've learned

all sorts of interesting forms of entertainment."

     "What if something goes wrong?  What about

Anias?"  Gabrielle continued to push.

     "Anias is an idiot.  He can't see past his

obsession with purity.  Xena will take care of him for

us and not even know she's doing us the favor."

     "Xena's changed.  She may not kill him,

what happens then?  Have you thought of that?  What

will you do then?  Kill everybody, cover the floors

with blood?"

     Dresden was growing weary of Gabrielle's

relentless string of questions and finally snapped.

"Shut up.  Gag her, tie her hands and put her in that

corner out of the way.  We have too much work to do

to worry about a mouthy storyteller."

     Gabrielle landed against the wall with a thud

then crumpled to the floor.  As soon as she regained

her breath, she began to work at the leather thong

around her wrists.  She had no plan but knew that

somehow she had to stop this assassination attempt.

When she saw Leona disappear behind a heavy

tapestry, she doubled her efforts to break free, not

caring that the leather was biting into her skin and

drawing blood.

                                @@@

     Xena and Anias approached each other

cautiously.  It was almost comical, sad but comical.

Xena moved with the grace and poise of a stalking

lioness, with the confidence of and skill of the

well-trained warrior that she was.  In contrast, Anias

moved like a puppy, lots of bounce and energy but no

coordination, no skill and certainly no focus.  He

wasn't suited for this and he knew it.  That he was

even doing it didn't sit well with the warrior, causing

her intuition to scream alarms at her.

     She didn't have time to dwell on it since

Anias chose that moment to attack.  She blocked his

sword stroke, jabbing with her left hand and knocking

him backwards a few steps.  His hand flew to his nose

and he nearly fainted when he pulled it away covered

with blood.

     "Ahhh!  They told me I wouldn't get hurt.

That you would hold back," he wailed.

     "Who?  Who told you that?"

     But Anias was angry.  Angry that he had been

hit and was bleeding, angry that he now realized he

had been lied to, and angry that he now had a reason to

be frightened.

     "Hermes and his partner."  He pressed Xena

with a series of strokes that were meant to drive her

back but only served to irritate her.

     "They didn't tell you that this is to the death?"

     "No!"  Anias' voice was shrill, penetrating.

     "Who is his partner?"  Xena asked her

question through clenched teeth.  She had a pretty

good idea who it was but before she could act on it,

she needed some kind of confirmation.

      "I don't know her name.  It was never

mentioned.  Hermes did all the talking."

      Anias started a downward stroke but was blocked

by Xena's hand closing around his wrist.  "Was she

older, gray hair..."

      He interrupted, "Yes, yes...that's her.  You're

hurting me."

      "Be happy you're alive, toad."

      Xena caught a flicker of light out of the

corner of her eye.  When she looked, she saw the

archer aiming her bow in the direction of Alcinda.

Xena pushed the sniveling Anias out of her way and

rushed towards the intended target, leaping for and

knocking her chair over at just the same instant the

arrow was released.

                                @@@

      Gabrielle worked on her bindings  unhindered.  No

one had remained in the hidden room  once Leona had

taken her place behind the tapestry because nobody

thought to take her skills seriously.  She thanked the

gods that this room had been made of stone because it

was against a rough edge that she had been able to

cut the leather thong.

      She raced towards the tapestry, flinging it aside

and caught the archer's arm just as she loosed  her last

arrow.  It flew wide, burying itself in Anias'

back instead of the intended victim.

      The element of surprise worked in Gabrielle's

favor, for she was able to land a blow to

the jaw that sent Leona to the floor unconscious.

      "Xena!"  Gabrielle called out, trying to get

the warrior's attention over the commotion down on

the level below.  At that same instant, Dresden and her

two co-conspirators burst through the double doors,

expecting to find Alcinda and Xena laid out on the

floor, dead.  They were not prepared for the scene that

actually greeted them.

      "Seal this room!"  Alcinda called out orders

to her personal guard.  "I want that one taken into

custody," she said while pointing towards Dresden.

"MOVE!"

      Athena was suddenly at Alcinda's side.  "I

like a take charge kind of woman," she said as she

helped Alcinda to a chair.

      "I know," Alcinda smiled.

                                @@@

Satisfied that all of her questions had been

 answered completely and truthfully, Alcinda

 dismissed her guard and watched them escort Dresden

 out of the room and back to her cell to await a formal

 trial.

      It was Xena who finally cleared her throat,

 the sound echoing throughout the otherwise silent

 room.  "Well, that was fun."

      "Such a way with words.  It's good that you

 aren't the bard," Alcinda laughed.  "I'm glad you

 enjoyed it."

      "Now what?"  Gabrielle asked.

      Athena stepped up to answer that question,

 trying to give her dear friend a reprieve.  "We've

 obtained the names of all the spies and they've been

 rounded up and exiled.  Dresden will stand trial, a

 formality really since the judicial council will look to

 Alcinda for direction anyway.  As for Anias' 

followers,  they've already begun to split up and move

on to their  next cause."

      "It's too bad he allowed himself to get caught

 up in this mess.  He might still be alive."  Gabrielle

 added, speaking almost to herself.

      "And giving me headaches.  I for one won't

 miss him," Alcinda answered.  "I don't know about

 you three, but I'm tired, dirty and hungry.  I say we go

 to our rooms, freshen up then meet in my dining room

 for dinner."

      "Sounds good."  Xena said as she took

 Gabrielle's hand and began to lead her to the door.

 "See you in a little while."

      The bard poked her head back inside the

 room.  "Don't wait dinner on us, we may be a little..."

      A hand reached through the doorway,

 grabbed Gabrielle by the front of her top and yanked

 her out of the room cutting off the last of her

sentence.

                                @@@

      As soon as the door closed behind them,

 Xena wrapped the redhead up in her arms and kissed

 her forcefully, all the while, edging closer to the bed.

      Gabrielle finally broke away and put her hand

 on Xena's chest, pushing the warrior back while she

 tried to catch her breath.  "Hang on, you."

      Xena was still dressed in her formal armor

 and began to unbuckle the various pieces that she

 could reach, tossing greaves and bracers over into the

 corner.  "It's been days.  I'm surrounded by every sort

 of pleasurable act you can imagine, we're finally

 alone, really alone and you expect me to wait?"  Xena

 said as she fumbled with the unfamiliar buckles on

 this breastplate.  "Huh, I don't think so.  Here, help me

 with this."

      Gabrielle smiled, not really wanting to but

 she could not help herself.  She walked around behind

 Xena, swatting away her hands and began to unfasten

 the silver studded armor.  Next, the leather skirt hit

the  floor, leaving only the sleeveless linen undershirt

 which served as protection and padding for the heavy

 armor.

      Gabrielle admired the tight rear end then

 playfully pushed Xena, face forward, down on the bed

 and immediately hopped on top of her, straddling her

 hips.  The bard leaned over, stretching her short body

 out over her beloved warrior's and began to kiss and

 nibble at the tender flesh on the back of Xena's neck.

      Just as Xena was beginning to relax,

 Gabrielle began to tickle the warrior unmercifully.

 "I'm warning you," Xena laughed, gasping for air.

 "You're about to get in trouble."

      "Oh, please, by who?"  Gabrielle teased,

 relentless in her attack on the warrior's ribs.  "I don't

 see anyone big enough to make me stop."

      "That did it..."  Xena bucked, sending the

 redhead tumbling over her head, landing on her rump

 on the floor.

      She immediately rolled to her feet.  "You'll

 have to catch me," she goaded, backing away from the

 bed.

      Xena smiled, rising to her feet.  "Such a fresh

 mouth on such a young woman."

      "Well, you would know."

      Xena's smile grew larger.  "I think I've

 forgotten.  Remind me."  Xena made a grab for the

 bard.

      Gabrielle jumped nimbly out of the way,

 familiar enough with the warrior's tactics, that she

 could anticipate what the next move would be.

 "You're slowing down.  Must be age," she taunted,

 still backing away, vaguely aware of her surroundings.

      "Watch out behind you," Xena warned

 blandly.

      Gabrielle laughed.  "Right.  That's one of

 your oldest tricks."

      "Not kidding."

      "Sure."  Gabrielle stepped off the edge and

 fell into the pool of warm water, clothing and all.

      Xena wasted no time, jumping in right

 behind the bard who burst to the surface sputtering for

 air.  "I tried to warn you but no, you had to have the

 hard head."

      Gabrielle jumped up, wrapping her arms

 around Xena's neck and locking her legs around the

 warrior's waist.  Caught off guard, Xena lost her

 balance and they both went down, only to resurface a

 moment later with Gabrielle's lips pressed against her

 lover's in a fierce kiss.

      The skirt came off then the green top, both

 landing with a wet thwap against the stone floor.

 Xena fell upon those perfect breasts with an

 intensity born of deprivation and expectation.

     Gabrielle was just as eager, arching her back, pushing

 them against Xena's mouth and hand, feeling herself

 becoming excited, insistent.  Familiarity made the

 anticipation that much more exquisite.   She knew

 what Xena was capable of doing to her and she

wanted  it right then.

      Xena's hands touched her everywhere at

 once, or so it seemed, leaving Gabrielle's skin

 burning, tingling.  The contrast between hot and cold

 when Xena's tongue skipped across her hard nipples

 made Gabrielle gasp, made her more aware of the

 growing ache between her legs.

      She lost herself in the cacophony of

 sensations, aware of everything and nothing and just

 when she thought she could not wait any longer,

 Xena's fingers were there, filling her, pressing against

 sensitive flesh, pushing past contracting muscles,

deep  inside Gabrielle, very nearly touching her heart.

      A second hand joined the first, spreading

 swollen lips, allowing Xena's fingers, strong insistent

 fingers, to fondle and  orchestrate the orgasm that

almost claimed the bard's  consciousness.

      She clung to the broad shoulders, hanging on

 while the spasms eased in intensity and the muscles

 began to relax.  She did not know how long she

 hovered in that state of nothingness between

 consciousness and unconsciousness; she did not care.

      "Honey?"  Xena whispered.

      "Hmmm."

      "You're biting my shoulder."

      Gabrielle's head popped up, her hand

 immediately beginning to massage away the

 indentations.  "Sorry," she smiled.  "I guess I got a

 little carried away.  How can I make it up to you?"

      Xena's tone took on a mock haughtiness to it.

 "Oh, I don't think you can."

      Gabrielle chuckled, a deep rich chuckle.

 "Bet I can."

      "Doubtful."

      "Is it?"  Gabrielle's hand disappeared below

 the surface..

      Xena gasped.  Gabrielle smiled, kissed her

 lover and held her breath as they both slid below the

 water.