Once it was tugged down, Xena’s hand slipped over Gabrielle’s warm, wet flesh. She looked into her eyes and breathed onto her lips.

Gabrielle looked to see all the questions reflected in Xena’s eyes. Are you sure you want this? Are you sure you want me to be the one to give it to you? What if I hurt you? ”It will hurt for a minute …”

But Gabrielle was confident, breathing as calmly as her body would allow as Xena’s fingers hovered.

Xena’s eyes locked with hers, consumed with the ever-important fact that was transmitted through her expression – a way they often spoke with one another: You won’t be a virgin anymore.

But Gabrielle held Xena’s face in her hands, conveying her answer: I don’t want to be a virgin anymore.

It’ll be me who does it … I’ll always be the one …

You always were.

With the certainty of that last expression from her delicate and wanton bard, Xena pushed, and Gabrielle screamed. It was only for a moment, but it hurt. As much as Gabrielle had expected it, she didn’t know the pain would pierce so unforgivably, and she let a number of embarrassing tears well up in her eyes as Xena leaned over her and watched her.

”I love you, Xena … It hurts.”

”I love you too … and I know. It’ll feel better again, I promise.”

”It will?” Gabrielle whispered, shaky again as she moved to try and look between her legs.

Xena smiled to reassure her, wanting to touch and lick her, but wanting to comfort her even more. ”I’m not done with you yet, Gabrielle. You can watch me once we travel down to the river.”

”No,” Gabrielle giggled for a moment, the pain already fading to her desire. Holding onto her strong warrior with both hands and a new, surging passion within her. ”I don’t wanna move.”

”We’ll have to … we’re making a mess,” Xena admitted, not wanting Gabrielle to see until she explained. ”It’s … well, you remember the bleeding we talked about? I just don’t wanna scare you.”

”Is it really horrifying?”

Gabrielle had asked in such a panic that Xena had to physically push the woman’s shoulders back to the ground with her arm. ”You’re gonna thank me for all this later, I’m sure.”