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Why Me?
by Beckers
(This is a small segment of a larger fiction currently being produced, part 4 in the "Journey to Elysia" saga. If you
do not want to be spoiled in any way do not read this fan fiction. However, if you are just dying to see something new written about Iolaus and Gabrielle, go ahead! It works fine as a story all it's own ... for now *wink*. And, as always, let me know what you think! Beckers)
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Dazed, just awakening from a restful slumber, she could hear a fire in the hearth, its comforting crackle sweet music to her
ears. The memory of last night drifted through her mind and she smiled, her eyes remaining closed and her head laying securely against a human pillow. It hadn't been the first time she felt such bliss but, if she were to be honest with herself, she had never felt the desires they shared last evening with such intense pleasure.
The blanket which covered them was a gift from Xena's mother, such a sweet woman, and it felt lovely against her bare
back. So did the warm, smooth but firm flesh beneath her hands. Content, Gabrielle couldn't resist temptation. Gently, she traced her fingers upward, past a muscular chest, and felt soft shoulder length hair. She had explored that head of golden curls, Gabrielle recalled, only eight hours before. She had run her fingers through it, pushed her nose into it and smelled it's incredible aroma. At one point during the evening, when her will was not truly her own, she had actually considered getting lost in it ...
Gabrielle smiled and suppressed a giggle. She then breathed in, her eyes remaining closed, taking in the scent of her new
husband. Finally, she pulled herself up a bit, turned her head and planted a soft kiss right in the middle of his chest. She opened her eyes and looked at him, "Why me?" she whispered, not expecting him to answer.
"Because I love you." he responded softly, flickering open his eyes and unintentionally startling his bride.
Iolaus carefully wrapped his arms around her and pulled Gabrielle forward, meeting her lips with his own. He still marveled
at the nearly unbearable softness of her athletic body, at its deceptive delicacy. Not a weak form in any way, he knew. She was strong and passionate and their night together - their first as husband and wife - was incredible ... A true learning experience for he as well as Gabrielle. She had so much love to give and they had been so good together yet ....
"Why did you just ask me that?" he queried when, after another kiss, she stare down at him.
"Ask what?" she questioned in a whisper, appearing starry-eyed and touching his temple with amiable finger tips.
"You wanted to know 'why me?'. What did you mean?"
Gabrielle averted her eyes in regret, "I'm sorry. I just meant ... you've known so many women, Iolaus. You're far more
experienced with matters of the heart than I. All those women you have loved could offer you so much more than I ... so why me?"
"Not one of 'all those women' could offer me what you have." He lifted a hand and placed it on the side of her head,
touching her satiny hair, his thumb tracing a loving line across her cheek. "And how can you be so sure I have loved so many women?" he smiled when he saw her softly winced then blush, "To be honest, Gabrielle, I have loved only four women in my entire life. One was my wife, who died far too soon and the other two ..." He suddenly looked away from her, pain evident. "Well, they were not willing to give up ..." He paused, wondering if he should impart such information when he and Gabrielle's relationship was so fresh.
"Tell me." she urged, shifting her body slightly in the big bed and running her hands up his bare arms. "I want no secrets
between us."
Iolaus gently bit his lip. It was as if she could read his mind. "I have loved Queen Niobe of Attica and Nebula, pirate and
Queen of Sumeria. Both had responsibilities and could not leave their kingdoms for me. Yet, they wanted me to leave my life, traveling and partnering with Hercules, for them. To them my life as I lived it was insignificant compared to their own. They never said it but I felt it."
"They wanted you to be with them ... and live a lie?" she asked, "To be something you're not?"
"In a way, yes. I always felt if two people wanted to be together, were meant to be together, there would have to be
sacrifices but equal sacrifices. They would both have to give up something precious to be together -- but those losses wouldn't matter over their ultimate goal. Togetherness. Am I making sense?"
The Amazon-bard smiled. She had always thought there a hidden poet in Iolaus somewhere and now she knew it true. "In
me you found someone who was willing to give up what was most precious in her life ... and I found the same in you."
He might be older than she but Iolaus was still vulnerable and faced with the same concerns and dilemmas as his new wife.
They were so much alike and now, more than ever, Gabrielle knew she had found her true soulmate. Gabrielle loved Xena.
Iolaus loved Hercules. But they were both gone to them now. It had to happen sooner or later. Oh yes, of course they would see them again - both heroes together and separately - but it would never be the same as it was before. It couldn't be. And as much as they hated to admit it, the bonds they shared with their best friends were not meant to be forever. At least, not in this world.
Was it a wise sacrifice, leaving the two people who meant more to them than anything in the known world?
He pulled her up once again for a passionate kiss, which would eventually lead to far more.
Yes, Gabrielle considered without a doubt. There were no mistakes here.
"I love you, Gabrielle"
"I love you too, Iolaus."
Love and marriage. What a novel approach.
Outside the sun arose on a bright new day.
(To be continued ......)
THE END
(Written July 4, 2000)
The above was fan fiction and was not meant to infringe on the rights of Studios USA, Ren Rictures or any other copywrite
holders of "Xena, Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The legendary Journeys". |