Out for a ride

Tassa had gotten Xena to go take a nighttime horse ride with her to scout the terrain ahead. The two rode not too far from camp (but far enough to not hear the noises being made there) and crested a small hill just outside of the woods they were traveling in.

Glancing down, the road winded along the valley below and up to some mountains. It was still dark out, though a full moon shone done.

"Athens should be just over that mountain range," Xena informed her traveling companion. "It should be less than a week's travel from there."

"Then, we can board our ship toward the island," Tassa said, staring out across the valley.

"Yes," Xena noted. She shifted a bit in her saddle and thought for a moment. "I must admit, I didn't think things would go so easy during this trip. But, so far, nothing amiss has come up we couldn' t handle."

"You were amazing against those bandits that tried to ambush us earlier today," Tassa said, turning her head toward Xena. For some reason, that got the Warrior Princess blushing.

"It's just what I've been trained to do," Xena said. She paused for a moment. "You know, Tassa, you've been spending a lot of time with me and Gabrielle has been spending a lot of time with your sister. I thought you would keep to your kin."

Tassa grew a little nervous about this. Xena was starting to ask questions about the arrangement of things. "I enjoy talking with you, Xena," the small redhead offered. "I've never met someone quite like you. You are a powerful fighter, and you project an aura of confidence and intensity the likes which I've never seen. Yet, I sense you do have a soft side to you."

Xena actually blushed at this. She slipped down off Argo and Tassa did likewise off her horse. They let the horse wander a short ways away to graze and sat on the slope. Xena spoke up again, "I don't quite get what soft side you're getting at. I'm a warrior who fights and kills. There is no soft side to that."

"But, you do. It's in the way you treat Gabrielle. You're sensitive toward her needs. You try to do good wherever you go. I think that is wonderful."

This conversation was actually starting to embarress Xena. She had begun it to probe into what Gabrielle was doing, but now she was on the defensive. "Well, thank you for that compliment. I guess I have to say it was pleasure to meet you, though I haven't had much of a chance to talk with your sister."

Xena had hoped to see what reaction about the mention of Hermallia got, but she was disappointed. Instead, Tassa talked of something else. "Why, I am glad to have met you too, Xena. It has been a marvel to watch you approach life."

"Um, Tassa," Xena said. "You don't have to be so syrupy. I really am trying to do the best I can. And we're only going to be around each other for a few more days."

"Which is why I must speak my mind," Tassa said. She turned toward Xena and actually moved closer. This was starting to alarm Xena. "Xena, I believe that I have fallen in love with you."

Xena practically gagged and stared at the smaller woman. But, she could tell Tassa was playing no games. There was softness and even a look of lust in her eyes. She was looking at the Warrior Princess, awaiting her reply.