”Now that you’ve got me armless … what’re you gonna do? So many options – not enough time …”

Darting a large step closer, Gabrielle ventured to touch her fingers to Xena’s midsection, proud that she’d done so, and surprised at the feeling it gave her. She was so distracted she didn’t notice the look on Xena’s face.

Instead of allowing her desire to distract her, Xena pushed it away. ”That’s how you attack a person?” The same devilish grin was tugging at her lips again. ”A little soft, don’t you think?”

”Just testing your reflexes!” Gabrielle chuckled, taking a cautious pace to each side. ”Not too good, if I may say so …”

”You may not,” Xena teased, licking her lips subconsciously. ”Come at me with something.”

It was then that Gabrielle stopped. ”Xena … I can’t really come at you with something. Look at you – you’ve got no hands. What if I hurt you?”

”You won’t. Try it, Gabrielle.”

”But-”

”I said TRY,” Xena persuaded at last, being gentle with her insistence, because she knew how sensitive her little bard could be. ”Come on.”

Boldly, Gabrielle lifted the heavy sword that had been dropped not too far from their pacing. She looked at it, and then into Xena’s expressive eyes. Her friend was clearly thoroughly impressed.

”Very gutsy, seeing as that’s mine, and I’m best with my sword. Are you gonna just give it to me, or what?”

Gabrielle laughed, despite herself. ”On your back!” she laughed, holding the weapon up as threateningly as she could – as if she were a menacing pirate, commanding her to walk the plank. ”I’ve got a sword – you do as I say.”

The display was so sloppy it was endearing. Xena bit her cheek again at the knowingly grin that just nearly slipped out, adoring Gabrielle’s attempt as fierceness. ”Not how it works. Sorry. I don’t give up.”

”I know. But it’s ME, so I figured I’d give it a try.”

Suddenly, Xena was overcome with emotion. She thought of how quickly she would give up if ever Gabrielle demanded it of her – Gods help the good people of the land if Gabrielle should ever turn from angel to villain.

”Smart. You know my weakness.”