1 The Colosseum - Butches Babes and Bards

“Of course you should. You’ve proved that you’re a warrior, and a warriorneeds a weapon.”“What will you do when you’re back in Greece?”“I don’t know. I think the question is more, what will we do when we get backto Greece? And for all the time after that. Unless of course you want…”“What?”“I don’t know.” Xena was unpractised in the art of small-talk. “You tell mewhat you want.”Gabrielle said, simply, “To be with you.”“Good.” Xena managed to hide the blinding relief she felt at the reply. Rathergruffly she added, “We’d better get out of here.” As they walked away fromthe Colosseum, Xena put a hesitant arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders, thenrelaxed as the bard leaned into the embrace.When Gabrielle took a last look at the wreckage of the Colosseum next day,before they set off for Greece, she saw at the foot of one of the broken pillars asand-coloured cat, suckling her sand-coloured kittens. Gabrielle smiled, thenturned away, and went back to her place at Xena’s side, the long journey homeand whatever came next.© Jaye MorganAll characters borrowed.18