“Because…” the captain’s voice came out in a slight rasping sound, “it has been a long time since I’ve been with a woman.”
“This isn’t a good idea then, I should just go to my cabin.” Gabrielle’s voice was filled with concern as she began to move.
“Nonsense,” was all the Moroccan could say while wrapping her arms around the smaller body. At her words and actions, the
blonde settled down and nuzzled against the captain’s neck, her soft breath brushed over the taller woman’s sensitive flesh. The
deep sigh caught Gabrielle’s attention and she looked at Zara with a silent question.
“I was simply thinking that perhaps it is better this way,” the captain’s voice was light and filled with humor. At Gabrielle’s
unspoken question, the tall woman shrugged as she relaxed into their contact. “I doubt that I am completely healed down there to be
able to enjoy myself,” she lightly chuckled. At her words, Gabrielle frowned as she glanced slightly down toward the tall woman’s
lower body.
“Oh, I forgot about that,” the storyteller winced as the memory of where she had kicked Zara returned. “I… hope I didn’t hurt
you,” her voice was light and soothing.
“Mostly my pride,” the Moroccan sighed as she glanced down at the smaller woman. “But then again, under the circumstances, I
would have kicked you in the same place had you acted as I did,” her words brought an easy smile to Gabrielle.
“Well, let’s not replay that one again, all right?” Gabrielle asked.
Remembering the extreme pain that was once between her legs, Zara grimaced, then smiled at the blonde. “No, that is not a moment
I wish to ever relive!” she assured as she held the smaller woman close.
“Funny, that’s exactly what Xena said when it happened to her,” Gabrielle muttered as she relaxed against the warm body. She
nuzzled close to the tall woman, allowing Zara’s arms to wrap around her protectively.
They remained silent, each in their own thoughts until Gabrielle was the first to break the stillness. “You don’t think I’m c-crazy…
do you?” Gabrielle asked.
“Of course not,” the captain assured as she lightly kissed the crown of the blonde woman’s head. “And, for fear of sounding as if I
am from a, as you say, crazy family, I have a few relatives who are able to communicate with spirits.”
“You do?” the Greek seemed genuinely surprised.
“Yes, I do,” Zara affirmed. “And, I have heard of many couples like you and your warrior.”
“What have you heard?” the small woman glanced up at her.
“I have a good friend who believes that there are individuals who are born with a connection to another. He has told me that these
two souls will search for each other throughout all eternity, each time they will always unite. Once they find their other half, it is
inevitable that they always be close to one another. He describes it like the moon and earth; where neither one can exist without the
other and each will always be close to the other,” she explained as she felt Gabrielle fully relax into slumber. At her slight, easy
breathing, Zara sighed as she closed her eyes and held the sleeping woman close.
Although the evening had not gone as planned, Zara allowed herself the luxury of enjoying the closeness of the smaller woman. As
was her habit, the captain began to contemplate the blonde’s words. Her mind attempted to find a solution. When one wasn’t
found, she closed her eyes as she drifted into sleep. Sometime during the night, they had shifted their positions in the bed and their
bodies lay facing each other. Like a light suddenly shinning in the darkness, a solution appeared within the Moroccan’s dream filled
mind.
The captain noted the time by the single candle that still burned. In the diffused light, she watched the sleeping woman. Gabrielle’s
eyes moved rapidly under closed lids. Her breathing remained light and easy. In a tender manner, the taller woman reached out and
brushed away a strand of short blonde hair from her face. At this move, she felt the slight pain in her palm, but ignored the
discomfort as she lay her hand over the woman’s back. In what seemed an eternity, the captain continued to watch the sleeping
woman. When the smaller woman’s eyes fluttered open, the Moroccan smiled as she waited for her to wake fully.
Glancing at her, the blonde yawned as she looked around the cabin. “What time is it?” Gabrielle asked as the chill of the room
greeted her. Feeling it, she quickly crawled deeper under the covers.
“It is still early,” the captain smiled as she offered her shoulder to the woman. As she snuggled close, Zara sighed, then explained
the solution that she contemplated concealing, “Gabrielle, I think I know someone who can help you.”
“With… Xena, you mean?”
“Yes. She was a lover of mine, now a High Priestess at the temple of Isis. She is living on the island of Philae. Once a year, before
the rising of Al-Bahr, the Nile river, they grant a few requests from the masses. I think she could be of some assistance to you.”
Zara’s words were soft and controlled.
“You mean, she can help me release Xena’s spirit?”
“No,” the captain brushed her lips over the woman’s forehead. “She might be able to help you bring back your spirit mate,” the dark
haired woman offered. “I have never personally witnessed her abilities, however, I have heard from others that she has the power to
bring the dead, even their ashes, back to life.” At Gabrielle’s continued silence, Zara rubbed her hand over the smooth, white
shoulders.
“Gabrielle… would you like me to take you to her… to see if she might be able to help you?” she asked as she inwardly cringed.
Part of her did not want to help, to assist this woman in reuniting with her true love. But, despite Zara’s inward desires, a part of
her mind knew that this pair would never voluntarily part from the other.
“You would do that for us?” Gabrielle seemed surprised as she leaned up on an elbow and looked down at her.
Sensing the probing eyes, Zara gazed into Gabrielle’s green pools and nodded assent. “Yes, Gabrielle, I would,” was all she
answered.
The storyteller’s features broke into a smile as she resettled herself against the captain. “That would be wonderful!” The blonde’s
whisper was filled with hope. The captain noticed that the Greek seemed peaceful and content as she snuggled in the captain’s
embrace. After a slight sigh, Gabrielle’s arm draped over Zara’s mid-section as she relaxed against the Moroccan’s side.
As if a thought crossed her mind, the smaller woman leaned up and looked down at her. “She was one your lovers?”
Gabrielle asked as she began to wonder if the rumor about ship captains was true.
“Yes.”
“How many did you have? How many do you still have?” her brow creased into a frown, which brought out a slight chuckle
from the captain.
“I have more of both categories than I care to mention at the moment,” Zara laughed as she pulled the smaller woman into her
arms. “Do not worry, your virtue is safe with me. I would never do anything that you do not want to do,” she explained, then
glanced down at the blonde woman. “Would you want to…?” she asked hopefully.
Gabrielle slightly chuckled. In answer to her question, she chuckled softly before settling back into her arms, and snuggling
into the soft mattress.
“Why is this bed so soft?” Gabrielle asked after a moment of silence.
“It is made of feathers,” Zara answered as her eyes slowly closed.
Gabrielle seemed to think over her response, then shook her head slightly. “No, I mean, why is this particular bed so soft?”
she asked again, hoping that her question was clearer.
The seafarer thought over her query, then, as she understood Gabrielle’s question, she smiled as she lightly patted Gabrielle’s
back. “Because,” she kept her voice filled with authority, “I am the Captain.” At Zara’s answer, the Greek woman snorted
in a mocking laugh before falling into a deep and peaceful sleep. Inwardly laughing, the captain allowed her senses to fade as
she was pulled into the darkness of dreams.
~~~~~~
Xena kept her distance, as promised. She was not happy about it, but she managed to refrain from any curiosity she might
