Gabrielle smiled, but curiously so, before letting out an animated cackle. ”Just do as I say!” And she wielded the sword so quickly over to Xena that she surprised herself, and stopped just as Xena leapt back.

Xena smiled at her inner dialogue: whoa, she means business. ”Alright, alright.”

But deep inside, secretly, she was dying to get on her back to see what Gabrielle would demand of her then. Truthfully, many of Xena’s fantasies had begun just that way. Others just the opposite …

As Gabrielle stepped a little closer, and Xena dropped to her knees, there was an air created between them. There was an intensity circulating, even within the realm of their game.

”Are you sure you want me on my back?” Xena asked, unable to help the sensuality from slipping into her tone. However, she knew that Gabrielle would be seriously at a disadvantage if they were to wrestle on the ground, so she’d subtly warned her.

”Yes. And hurry,” Gabrielle insisted with a sharp smile, aiming the sword down to Xena’s neck – far enough away to keep from scratching her. ”I’d like to win this sooner rather than later.”

What was motivating Gabrielle to do all of this? To be so bold? Inside, the bard was panicking, but she remained calm and collected, much to her own surprise. She wasn’t used to making such quick and powerful decisions, but something in her was pushing on. Something was begging her to go just a little bit further. She just needed to pin Xena to the ground. In some way, she felt that would be fun for them both. But what kind of fun? She wasn’t sure, but her adrenaline was racing, and that flush was back to her cheeks – only this time, she didn’t shy away.

It was hot, even in the cool of the night, but Xena knew why HER skin was burning. It was her own excitement. Why was Gabrielle so flush?

”I’d move a little faster if I were you, Warrior.”

Xena felt her body’s reaction to the way Gabrielle was speaking to her, but the reaction was filling her with embarrassment, so she quickly fell sideways onto her hip, and then laid on her back. Every muscle still at the ready, she tried to rid herself of those distracting thoughts so she could at least attempt to wrestle with her beautiful bard. Wait – hers?