Home
by
Disclaimer - Story mine. Characters not mine. Right after Season Three.
Picture # 9
*
Gabrielle dreams of going home.
Not for family, but for her feet to touch upon familiar ground. She wants to walk the paths of her youth, to smell the smoke of Kalamos pines being burned and to pull down a sweet pear, hanging heavy from the boughs.
But the dream always ends, not with the opening of her eyes, but with the arm about her waist.
Perhaps, in some other life, Gabrielle could take Xena's hand and tug the woman along, showing off the secret places of her childhood. She could take a knife and slice the fruit, placing it to Xena's lips.
She could sit by the fire and lean against Xena's legs, drifting in and out of thought.
That is when it becomes clear.
Clear that Gabrielle dreams not of going home, but of building a home… with Xena.
Just for them, no past and no future. A hideaway where all the armor comes off and they can just be.
Xena has the road, all its bumps and curves. She has the sea and the caves and the woods.
Holding all things at arm's length, Xena runs from Amphipolis, even after making amends.
For what is lost can never be found again. A painful lesson that Xena had to learn, over and over.
Xena dreams of running forever.
Her booted feet barely touching the soft ground, the horizon always drawing closer to view and the faces are never the same.
But the dream always ends, not with the approaching dawn, but with the hand upon her wrist.
Perhaps, in some other life, Xena could make the journey much lighter and watch the laughter bubble up on Gabrielle's face. She could reach out and gather Gabrielle close as they watch the snow fall from the sky. She could sit back and listen as Gabrielle reads from a scroll by the firelight, letting blue eyes shut in reverie.
That is when it becomes clear.
Clear that Xena dreams not of running forever, but of finding forever… with Gabrielle.
Just for them, no past and no future. A hideaway where all the armor comes off and they can just be.
END
Story by: SPHEERIS1
Have you thanked your Bard today? Please Feed The Bard.