Chapter Six

Tending to the Queen
 

As Gabrielle slept, Xena began a thorough examination of the room, looking for secret doors, loose stones in the walls, testing the locks and hinges. To her satisfaction, all was secure.

As night fell, Xena let the room darken, leaving the candles unlit. Standing at the window and looking out over the city, Xena thought about the odd turn of events of the day.  "A half a day ago, had I been standing in this very spot, I would have been out of this window and over the city walls before anyone missed me," she thought.

Then she turned to look at the darkened form that was Gabrielle. "But now, I wouldn’t leave, I couldn’t leave, if my life was to end tomorrow morning, not even if I was to be flogged. How strange that things should turn out like they have."

Walking slowly to the bed Xena lay down next to Gabrielle, sleeping on her side. Xena curled up her body to match Gabrielle’s, put her arm over her, gingerly placing her hand on her queen's belly. Then unexpectedly, and still sleeping, Gab took Xena's hand and placed it over her own breast with a slight sigh and held it there with her hand.

Xena was paralyzed, even though her heart was suddenly racing so fast she could here it in her ears. She knew Gabrielle was asleep, but did she think it was the king who was lying so close to her? Xena dared not move, afraid if she did, Gabrielle would awaken and realize it was Xena's hand cupping her breast.

As she lay there, frozen, Xena flashbacked to those many days in her cell when Gabrielle would apply the healing liquid to her wounds. Never had she felt hands so soft on her body. Over the years, only the hands of her current lover had touched her — hands that were hard, and calloused, and always dirty.

She recalled that, even though the medicine stung during those first few days as it was applied to her, she couldn't help but marvel at Gabrielle's gentle touch as she covered her back with the healing medicine. She remembered her hands as they seemed to caress her back and buttocks. And she realized she savored the feeling as Gabrielle tenderly rubbed the oily liquid over her belly and her breasts where the tip of the whip had left its marks. She now realized that it was the gentle touch of Gabrielle's hands that caused her nipples to harden, and not the sting of the medication.