8

Xena breathed out deeply she stank of alcohol yet she wasn’t drunk if she had been drunk she wouldn’t have bothered to go to the tavern room. She didn’t want to face Gabrielle when she wasn’t sober she knew that she would make an utter fool of herself or worse play out her desperate needs and ruin their friendship forever. There was no going back when you’ve kissed someone or told them the truth about your feelings and Gabrielle didn’t deserve to hear hers. She knew that she’d sound like some weak desperate love sick puppy. The younger woman deserved better than her she deserved to love someone who didn’t hurt her in the way she had come to almost constantly.

She fumbled with the key Joxer had brought a room at the Old Oak, she breathed in deeply finally getting the key in the lock. Why had she picked this place for them it was awful? Oh that’s right because she was cheap, Gabrielle didn’t deserve this. She shoved the door open with her shoulder feeling it budge instantly. She turned quickly forcing it shut locking it the room was pitch black she could see the night sky in the window. She moved over closing the blinds quickly. Her gaze fell on Gabrielle sleeping form the young woman was still dressed and had the cover over her self she looked over catching sight of the younger woman’s staff on the floor.

She picked it up propping it against her friend’s side of the bed she turned sitting on the other side of the bed pulling of boots followed by her armour and weapons. She carefully placed the Chakram next to as she lay back on the bed, her gaze wandered over the younger woman who moved slightly. She was awake she could feel that now but she had no idea what to say to her or even how to begin. Gabrielle moved she’d heard the taller women come in she felt her voice hit the air filling the silent room, which felt like a chasm between them. “What did Seleukos mean when he called you a sapphist?”

Xena breathed in deeply somehow she was glad that it had been Gabrielle who spoke first. Even if the question was not one she really wanted to answer. She took another deep breath there wasn’t any point in mincing her words she laid back on the pillow. “It mean’s I’m a woman who sleeps with other women. The smelly bastard thinks that I’m sleeping with you.” Gabrielle lowered her gaze slightly she couldn’t bring herself to meet the other woman’s gaze because she knew her eyes alone would say far too much. “Imagine that.” Xena lowered her gaze sadly trying to keep the sad emotion from breaking through in her voice. “Yes imagine that.” Gabrielle pulled the cover up slightly. “I’m sorry I ruined your plan.”