As she gazed at her, Xena’s eyes began to moisten, such was her love for Gabrielle.

Despite herself, Xena began to gently caress Gabrielle’s smooth and supple skin. Letting her fingertips softly follow every curve and depression, down one side of her body  to the insides of her thighs, and then back up again to her face; criss-crossing from side to side, making sure she touched every bit of skin.

Gabrielle  breathed deeply as she began to wake up. Both arms went over her head a she stretched. And when she opened her eyes, she was looking into the face of her beloved Xena.

“Wake up, Sleepyhead.” Xena whispered. “It’s your birthday.”

Gabrielle frowned, not quite awake yet.

“My birthday? Really?”

Xena smiled. “I don’t know, but it’s close enough.”

Gabrielle was now more awake.

“What? No surprise water in my face?”

“I did that last year. It’s no surprise if you’re expecting it.”

Gabrielle was now fully awake.

“So I guess there’s no birthday present, either?”

“No, not in the strictest sense of the word. This year I want you to give me something.”

Gabrielle’s hand went to her pendant. “You want my necklace?”

“No. I want you to read your scrolls to me. I was going to read them when I got here.”

“Then why don't you? You don't need me to read them to you.”

“Because I want to hear them from you. You’re the storyteller. I want to hear the passion in your voice, and watch the expressions on your face, and see the excitement in your eyes. I want to know what you felt when you were writing them.”

Now it was Gabrielle’s eyes that began to moisten.

“Have I told you how much I love you?” Gabrielle asked.

“Not this morning, you haven’t.”

Gabrielle pulled Xena’s face down to hers as they shared the first kiss of the day.

“I love you, my Warrior Princess.”

“You know,” Xena murmured. “There is one thing I want to give you.”

And as she began nuzzling Gabrielle’s neck, Gabrielle lay back, her arms over her head, eyes closed as she passively let Xena work her magic on her, knowing how proficient she was when it came to sending her into indescribable rapture.

In the next room, Lila was awaked by the very sounds of lovemaking she had fallen asleep to, as the caresses and nibbles and the flicks of Xen
a’s tongue evoked moans and whimpers of  pleasure in Gabrielle.

‘Surely they haven’t been doing that all night,’ Lila thought with a smlie as she quietly got out of bed. Silently she dressed, went through the kitchen, grabbing a piece of cheese for breakfast, and went outside to begin her chores.

She had a feeling it would be well past mid-morning before they made an appearance.

(never)
The End