DISCLAIMER:
Xena and Gabrielle belong to MCA/Universal/Studios USA and Renaissance Pictures. This story is not for profit, and belongs to me.

WARNING:
This story depicts two consenting women engaging in sexual acts. Consider yourself warned.

You can find more stories by Joe at Katrina's Wildside Corner.

Send feedback to Joe at joeythemighty@hotmail.com

***********
The Surrogate
By Joe Murphy

Xena entered the bar first, which was usual. She had a huge smile on her face, which was not. Scanning the tables and counter swiftly, habitually, she smiled even broader. Nearly empty, good. She can't get into trouble in here. Gabrielle entered on the warrior's heels, grinning and bouncing happily. She pushed Xena through the door and towards a table in the center of the room.

"Gods, I'm moving!" the warrior gulped as she wiggled away from the hands that guided her along.

Gabrielle looked around the bar. Two tired looking farmers were chatting in the corner table, and a redheaded woman tended bar. Other than that, the place was empty. Jumping off her chair and trotting up to the counter, she waited. The redhead came over to her, smiling at the bard's mood.

As the barkeep turned to walk over, Gabrielle thought her eyes would pop out of her head. This woman was curvy, very busty, and her neckline was unbelievable low. And the dress was just a little two tight around her generous breasts. Keeping her eyes up, she smiled at the woman.

"Hi, I'm Gabrielle."

"Hello, Gabrielle, my name is Anna. What can I get you?"

"Two mugs of your best wine, and two plates of venison and some vegetables." Then thinking. "Do you have any pie?"

"We have strawberry pie."

"Perfect!"

The barmaid giggled. She rarely had such cheerful customers. "That's quite a bit of food there. Are you celebrating something?"

"Yes! We have money, for a change!" the young woman beamed.

"Well, I suppose that's as good a reason as any," the woman laughed. "Sit back down, and I'll have my daughter bring out your wine."

"Thank you." Gabrielle skipped back to the table and plopped down next to Xena, who couldn't suppress her amusement at her friend's giddiness.

"You know, Xena, I'm going have to write this whole thing down. It's a good story in and of itself."

Xena wrinkled her nose. "You think so? A story about how you made a ton of money in a fair by telling other stories? I'm not sure."

Gabrielle slumped back in her chair, her hand over her chest. Clearly overacting her surprise, she let her mouth gape open, then sighed melodramatically. "Well, I am! It will be my greatest story ever. Maybe an epic." Lurching forward, her hands moving with the words, she continued. "The tale of how we were destitute, desperate..."

"Well, that second one's right."

"...after days without food or water...I plead to the Muses, who take pity on me, and..."

"Your wine, ladies."

Gabrielle turned to see redhead number two, tray in hand. Though not quite as voluptuous as her mother, she had her share of curves as well, and a matching neckline. Though not much different in age than herself, she looked a little too old to be Anna's. The barkeep must have been very young when she got pregnant, Gabrielle decided.

Taking her wine with a "thank you," Gabrielle turned to Xena as the waitress left.

"Where was I?"

"You were at 'incredibly silly,' and about to leap into 'absolutely ridiculous.'"

"Right, the Muses. So, they take pity on me, and..."

The two women laughed, ate, and drank for a couple of hours. There was never anymore than four or five other patrons in the bar besides them, and the mother and daughter were more than gracious to the strangers. Finally, the merriment took its toll on the pair, and they decided to call it a night.

"Anna?" Gabrielle called as she approached the counter.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Do you have a room my friend and I could stay in for the night?"

"Sure. It's three dinars for one room. For one more, I'll throw in a hot bath and breakfast for the both of you."

"Hey, how am I supposed to haggle that? Done! One room is fine, can we have the bath tonight?"

"No problem, dear. Ruth!"

The redheaded waitress came from a back room, toweling her hands dry. "Yes?"

"The ladies will be staying the night, they need a bath drawn."

The young woman smiled politely and nodded at Gabrielle. "It will be ready in about half an hour. You can stay in the third room on the left. The bathing room is at the end of the hall." She pointed at a doorway that had steps coming right down to its edge.

Gabrielle nodded, "fine." With that taken care of, she went back to the table and lead Xena upstairs.

Gods, this feels so good, Gabrielle thought to herself as Xena's hand slid up and down her back. The water was deliciously hot, and the two women crammed themselves into one tub, to the surprise of Ruth, who came in periodically to see if they needed anything. Gabrielle let herself enjoy her friend's body pressed against her own. She could feel Xena's nether hair under the water tickle her backside as they shifted their weight occasionally in the cramped tub. She inhaled audibly as Xena's cloth covered hand stroked her shoulder.

"Too hot?"

"No, it just startled me, that's all."

"Oh."

A few minutes later, Gabrielle saw the rag as Xena held it in front of her, and scowled. She had to wash the front of her body herself, of course, but didn't really want to.

Trying to pass it off as a joke, Gabrielle said, matter-of-factly, "you can do it, if you want."

"Ooh," Xena said, teasingly, "I think you'd like that too much." With a giggle, she let the cloth drop and splash the bard in the face. Not letting the dejection show on her face, she picked up the rag and washed herself quickly.

The wine taking its hold on her, Xena fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed. Gabrielle lay awake, looking at her companion when she heard "it". Getting up, she walked over and put her ear to the wall. She had seen Ruth go in the room a little earlier. Gabrielle didn't notice anybody with her, but there was no mistaking that sound. Looking back at her bed, she let her head lower a little, when an especially loud moan came from the other room.

This is going to be a long night, she realized hopelessly.

Shake. Nothing. Shake, shake. Moan. Shake, shake, shake, "Gabrielle, wake up."

"Oh, Mom, I don't want to..." Black hair, blue eyes. Not Mom. Gods, those eyes!

"Wake up, sleepyhead, breakfast is waiting."

The bard wandered down to the bar, stumbling a little on the last step. Rubbing her eyes, the image of an overfilled tavern grew in clarity until she not only saw the men, she smelled them as well. Anna and Ruth ran back and forth handing out drinks and food, collecting the money, then running back to get more food.

Xena walked up to her, pulling her out of the stairwell. "The rain is slowing the work," she said as she pointed to a window, and Gabrielle watched the slanted rainfall hitting the sill against the darkened sky. Xena lead the bard to their breakfast, and the younger woman tore into the fruit as if last nights feast never happened.

"Unbelievable." The warrior muttered, sipping her wine.

As Gabrielle finished, Xena leaned over the table to be heard over the crowd. "Are you ready to go?"

Stopping mid-bite, the storyteller looked at her comrade, disbelief obvious on her face. "In this weather? Are you kidding?"

"No. There is a village about half a day's ride from here with a dragon problem, somebody was telling me about it earlier this morning."

"Oh, Xena, I was hoping we could take a few days off, and I could write up this story!"

"You can write it when we're done with the dragon."

Childishly, Gabrielle pouted. Looking around the bar, an idea struck. Scanning the floor, she saw the elder barkeep swipe some farmer's hand off her butt.

"Anna! Got a minute?" she called.

Xena watched, confused, as the woman separated herself from the lovestruck workers and made her way to their table.

"For you, dear, anything," the woman smiled.

"Could you use some short help?"

The woman squinted, looking the bard up and down. A small grin curled up at the corner of her mouth. "What kind of help, how long, and how much?"

Gabrielle took on a mock air of seriousness. "Waitressing, and storytelling at night. Four days. Half my room cost plus tips."

The woman chuckled, "ooh, you drive a hard bargain, but I think I can swing it. Now, those gentlemen over their are waiting on some ale."

As Anna walked away, Xena finally found words. "You are actually telling me you don't want to come along?"

"Hey, I can't get too predictable. Now, I have to get to work, I'll see you in four days."

Anna looked at the people on the floor in disbelief. Gabrielle had every ear, every eye focused on her as if these people's lives depended on every word that came from her. "And, as they raced along the shore, Callisto pulled her chariot into Xena's, the blades mangling the Warrior Princess' wheels..."

Every mouth was silent, every eye fixated on the young, animated bard as she brought the battle at the sandpit to life. As Callisto dies, the crowd of men and scattered women jump to their feet, cheering the horrible demise of the warrior's nemesis. As she went to the counter to get a drink, coins were falling into her hands. She had to stop to let everybody donate something.

Smiling, she called out, "Thank you! If you stick around for an hour or so, I'll tell you the story of how Xena defeated the Titans."

Anna watched as two men who were on their way to the door stopped, turned, and sat back down at the bard's announcement. As she made her way up to the counter, Gabrielle ordered a cider from Ruth.

"Gabrielle, you are something," Anna beamed. "You are good for keeping the business here, and for keeping them out of trouble. You sure you don't want to stay here full time?"

Blushing, Gabrielle opened her mouth to respond, when she felt a hand press against her butt. Spinning, her arm pushed the offending hand aside. "Do you mind?"

The young owner of the hand smiled. "You tell good stories."

"Thank you, but don't do that again." Gabrielle warned as she turned back towards the counter.

"I'm sorry, I just thought."

Ruth came up right then, wedging her body between the two of them and faced the boy. "Linus, are you bothering this girl?"

"I just..." the boy stammered.

"It's alright, come with me."

Gabrielle felt relief as Ruth lead the boy off to the side of the bar to set him right. Taking another sip of her cider, she paused as she felt the hot liquid flow down inside her chest. Turning to look for Anna, she spotted Ruth again. The boy dropped some coins into her hand. She pecked him on the cheek. Gabrielle spied as Ruth walked over to Anna, whispered something in her ear, and walked back to Linus. Taking him by the hand, she lead him to the small open doorway and up the stairs.

Oh.....my.......Gods!

"Gabrielle?"

After swallowing her heart back down into her chest, she turned to look at Anna. "Umm, yes."

"Those men over there need some port and meat, would you get it for them, love?"

"Sure."

The money she collected after the second story, which she called Clash of the Titans, wasn't quite as good as the one before, but it still was a respectable amount. She had more than made up the cost of her stay after the first story alone, and smiled at the thought of leaving with more money than when she arrived. Come on rain, give 'em your worst, she prayed.

Setting her earnings under her bed, the exhausted storyteller pulled herself out of her clothes and rolled over onto the mat, letting out what Xena called her "old person moan." She closed her eyes, and opened them again like a shot.

Not again!

Linus had left hours ago, Gabrielle remembered. Another one? I need to sleep!

Covering her ears, the bard rolled over onto her side, coming eye to eye with Xena, and jumped back.

"Gabrielle, are you alright?"

Nod. Squint. How do I phrase this? "Xena, what the Tartarus are you doing here?"

The warrior smiled. "Killed it already, little dragon."

"Oh." Gabrielle looked at her friend, who was as naked as she was. Ok, this is a first.

"Well, good night, Xena. Tell me about it in the morning." Gabrielle closed her eyes. The moans from the other room grew louder. She flinched as she felt Xena's hand come to rest on her hip. In the blink of an eye, Gabrielle's eyes were back open.

"Xena?"

"Relax," the sex goddess purred as she placed her mouth on her bard's, just before she disappeared without a trace.

"Shut up!" the bard cried out at the other room, throwing a pillow against the wall. Great! I'll never get back to sleep at this rate!

After the lunch time rush, the bar quieted down enough for Gabrielle to hide in a corner table and begin her writing. She wanted to get as much written as she could before the dinner crowd came back. Between waiting tables and telling stories, she knew she wouldn't have a free moment to put anything down. Without her asking, Ruth refilled her mug of cider.

"Is that a new story?"

After jumping almost completely out of her chair, the bard and waitress laughed as she struggled to regain her composure.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright, have a seat."

As Ruth started to pull the chair out, the two women heard the front door open. A thin, well muscled man entered, surveyed the floor, and smiled when his eyes came to the figure of Ruth. She turned to the sitting bard.

"Mmmmmm. I gotta take care of something right now. Later?"

Trying her best not to break out laughing, the bard nodded, her face turning flush.

Gabrielle wrote.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, she saw the man walking across the door, smiling. As the door closed behind him, the woman bent over double with laughter. After about half an hour's time, Ruth came down, her hair still wet from the bath. She smiled at the bard as she poured herself some wine and went back upstairs.

Knock, knock.

"Who's there?"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Coming." Ruth walked over to her door, opening it to find Gabrielle.

"Hey, Gabrielle! Come on in."

Slowly, unsurely, the young woman pushed herself into the room. The blood was draining from her face, and she thought she was going to faint, or throw up.

"Gabrielle? Are you alright? What is it?"

The bard held up her hand, palm down, her fingertips meeting, and looked at the waitress. Confused, she held her hand palm up underneath Gabrielle's and several coins fell into it.

Dumbfounded, she looked at the storyteller, and could see the tears welling up, her bottom lip trembling. The bard threw her arms around the woman and sobbed. She wrapped her arms around the crying woman, unsure what to do, when she felt the lightest of kisses on her collar, and again. The bard's face rose, and another kiss was placed on her neck.

"Gabrielle, I..."

Ruth felt a hand at the back of her head, pulling her head down. She pulled back.

Gabrielle froze, sniffling. "What's wrong?"

I can't believe I'm doing this! "That costs extra."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Ok."

Ruth let the bard lower her head, until their lips met. The bard pushed hard, her pent up frustration taking over. Ruth had to pull hard to release herself.

"I'm sorry, Ruth, I..."

Ruth dove onto Gabrielle's neck, kissing, nibbling. The bard froze, her arms slowly wrapping themselves around the woman.

"Oh, Zzz..."

Kissing the bard's mouth, the woman's hands unlaced the green top, dropping it to the floor. Without letting up, she cupped the pale breasts in her hands and kneaded them gently.

"Zzenn.."

The bard was pulled to the bed. Her skirt came off, as well as her undergarment. Ruth separated the bard's legs with her knee, and rubbed her upper thigh against Gabrielle's sex. Lowering herself onto the bard, she took a breast into her mouth and sucked, flicking the tip of her tongue over the hard nipple.

"Oh, sweet Jesus!"

Ruth paused. "Who?"

"I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to say."

"Oh, okay."

The wetness between Gabrielle's legs grew as the rubbing increased in intensity.

"Zee...mmmm"

Ruth smiled. "It's alright, Gabrielle, say it. I won't be hurt."

The woman began to squirm under the attention. She felt a hand slide down her tummy and pinch her hair.

"Say it, Gabrielle, please."

"Zee..."

The woman moved her knee aside, and slipped her fingers in between Gabrielle's folds.

"Oh, gods! Xena!!"

She rocked on the bed as the tight circular motion against her clit took over her body.

"Do you love me, Gabrielle?"

"Yes."

"Say it, out loud."

"I love you, Xena."

Taking Gabrielle's wrist in her free hand, Ruth lead it to her breast, and squeezed. Gabrielle's other hand followed suit, and she massaged both breasts on her own.

Ruth put two fingers in her mouth, wetting them, then at Gabrielle's opening. "Do you want me?" She slowly pushed into the woman, a little surprised to find out that she wasn't a virgin.

"OOOoooohhh. Yes, Xena, I want you so much!"

Ruth reached up with her free hand again and twisted one of Gabrielle's nipples. Her fingers were slick as she slid them in and out of her client. Gabrielle's breaths were coming in short pants.

"Do you love me, Gabrielle?"

"Yes." Her body tensed.

"Say it."

"I love you more than anything." She could almost feel it.

Bringing her mouth to the bard's ear, Ruth spoke barely over a whisper.

"Gabrielle?"

"Hmm?"

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes."

"I love you."

The orgasm ripped its way through Gabrielle. Her muscles clamped down on the fingers inside her. Her breath stopped. Ruth waited patiently as she finally relaxed. She could hear the bard crying.

"Shh. It's okay," she said as she pulled the bard to her shoulder.

Ruth made an excuse for Gabrielle to her mother, and the bard slept the rest of the day and all night without waking up. As she came down for the breakfast shift, she noticed that the bar was only half full.

"Stopped raining," Anna said as she poured a cider and handed it to Gabrielle. "Tomorrow, there will be even fewer customers.

Gabrielle nodded absently as the barkeep busied herself with her patrons' orders. She kept a low profile during the morning and barely gave Ruth any notice. After lunch she went back to writing.

"You really should tell her how you feel."

Gabrielle didn't look up, but pointed to a seat, and finally made eye contact as the young waitress sat down.

"I feel like an idiot."

Ruth chuckled softly. "Come on, it's not that bad."

"How would you know? I feel so stupid! I came to you, paid you, and pretended you were somebody else. I'm so pathetic!"

"Hey, there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel good every once in a while. There's nothing wrong with wanting to feel loved, either."

"Is that why I went to a hooker last night, for love?" As soon as she said it, she wished she could take it back. Ruth stood, her lip trembling.

"Last night you came to me for acknowledgement, and I gave it to you. If you're so scared that you won't ask it of the only person who matters to you, then you really are pathetic."

Ruth didn't say a word to her again. About a half hour before the dinner rush was on, the door of the bar opened.

"Xena, what are you doing back so soon?" Gabrielle asked, leaving the rag on the table she was cleaning.

Xena rolled her eyes. "The fire-breathing dragon turned out to be two kids who liked to play with flints and stones." Xena sat down. She watched as Gabrielle ran up the stairwell. A few minutes later, she came back down, staff in hand.

"You ready to go, Xena?"

"Well, I thought I'd have some dinner first, if that's alright."

Gabrielle could feel the anxiousness fill her. "Xena, I really want to go. Please. I have more money, and we can stay somewhere else."

Xena eyed the bard. "Are you alright?"

"No. Can we please just go?"

"What about your bill?"

"It's paid. Let's go."

"Gabrielle, what happened?"

"Nothing, I just don't like this place. I want to get out of here."

"Ok, let's go."

Xena heard Gabrielle's sigh of relief as she followed the bard out the door.

The End

This story © 6-22-97 by Joe Murphy