Disclaimer: The Xenaverse characters don't belong to me. I just borrowed them and no copyright infringement was intended. The uber characters are mine, so ha ha!

Sex/Love: Yes - graphic and between two consenting adults of the same gender. If you don't like it, if it's illegal where you are or if you're too young to read it... Seeya!

Language: Contains expletives but nothing you haven't heard before. This story also contains scenes of drug abuse and rehabilitation but it’s not graphic.

Archiving: Go ahead, just drop me a line to let me know.

Comments/Constructive Criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com

Bard's Note: I've been writing uber for a while now and I've been writing Xena fan fic for ages, so I decided to mix the two!!!

Dedication: For my beautiful girlfriend. I love you, Sweetheart... and for Sham, the great creator of such works of art as fig 1.0 and fig 1.1 [Dylan hopping (while mad) wearing custom-made thong] lol! Thanks, Hon!

You can find more of my fic/poetry at http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000

The Beginning

It's funny. I never considered myself to be lonely. I was happy living alone. I kept telling myself that it was better that I didn't have to compromise... that I didn't have to worry about cleaning up after other people, or learning to work out a roster for bathroom time. I was happy... or so I thought. I know differently now. My life hadn't been easy. For a long time, I spent my days in a drug-induced haze, living a nightmare that I couldn't escape. So many times, I looked in the mirror and thought that the woman looking back at me was worthless, stupid, undeserving. I thought Jamie Evans was nothing... but then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

It was Thanksgiving and I'd gone home for the weekend. Somehow, I always managed to end up squashed between my cigar puffing Uncle John and beer swilling Uncle Martin. I think my mother put me there so she wouldn't have to make conversation with them and the truth was, she wasn't very fond of my father's family. More than once, during the pre-dinner drinks, I caught a friend of my father's staring at me. My mother always told me I was beautiful... I inherited her blonde hair, green eyes and petite frame but I knew that the drugs were slowly destroying that. However, James Masterson obviously thought I was at least worth screwing so he attempted to make a pass at me as I left to go to the bathroom. He intercepted me in the hall, pushing me up against the wall as his hands cupped my breasts through my silk blouse. He was drunk and his whisky-laden breath made me gag as I tried to push him away. I told him to stop, told him I wasn't interested but it made him all the more determined as his hand slid up my inner thigh under my skirt and then between my legs. And then it happened...

"Get your hands off her, you bastard!"

I heard a low, angry growl echo around the hall and a hand shot out, grabbing Masterson by the collar of his shirt and effortlessly pulling him off me. I was shaking hard, my breath coming in shallow gasps and I bent over, wrapping my arms around my middle as I fought the urge to throw up. Vaguely, I heard the sound of a scuffle and then heard a short, sharp cry but then there was silence. Tears streamed down my face and I sank to the floor, my legs no longer able to hold me up. Then I heard that voice again, only this time, it was softer and laced with concern.

"Hey, are you ok?"

I looked up then and my heart stopped beating as I looked into the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. They were almost translucent in the dim light of the hall and they seemed to glow with a radiant light that touched me deep down... as if I had the barest memory of seeing them before. The eyes were set in a beautiful, olive skinned face framed by long, dark hair and I had to stop myself from moving closer to that concerned expression. I nodded dumbly, still in shock about both Masterson's pass and the fact that this woman had come to my aid. It was only then that I noticed she was bleeding.

"You're hurt!" I exclaimed and shook myself out of my fear enough to kneel up and gently take her hand. I looked into cool, blue eyes as the dark head slowly shook.

"It's just a scratch," she replied her voice soft, low and warm, yet slightly husky. I examined her palm, careful not to hurt her and finally stood to lead her to the kitchen.

"Let me help you," I said softly. "It's the least I can do."

She looked at me for a moment but then nodded almost imperceptibly so I took her uninjured hand and pulled her into the kitchen where I retrieved a first aid kit. She stood at the sink as I gently cleaned the nasty slice and then applied butterfly stitches and a bandage. She looked disinterested, almost bored and the only indication of the pain she was feeling was the slightest of flinches as I applied antiseptic to the cut. I'd completed my task after only a few moments and smiled as I patted her hand.

"Finished?" she asked as she glanced almost nervously at the door and, as I followed her gaze, a man entered, his eyes narrowing as he saw us standing there. He was an older man with thinning grey hair and a beak-like nose. His eyes were dark and cold and I found several thoughts rising to my mind, most of which involved him needing to either lighten up or possibly get laid.

"Lopez! What the hell do you think you're doing?" he yelled angrily. "I pay you to serve the food, not hang around in the kitchen slacking off!" I looked up at my dark-haired warrior, expecting her to explode into anger but instead, she just nodded slowly and mumbled an apology. Then she smiled at me and tried to pick up another platter of entrees. "Hurry up with that!" he snapped. I'd had enough of this little man at this stage, plus I had missed a hit and was beginning to feel a little edgy so I stomped up to him, looked up into his cold eyes and bared my teeth as I growled at him.

"She just got hurt saving me from some rat bastard who was trying to get under my skirt. Give. Her. A. Break!" I punctuated each word by poking him in the chest and his eyes grew wide with a mixture of shock and anger. He spluttered helplessly for a moment and then pointed at me.

"Who are you?!" he demanded. My face settled into a borderline shit-eating grin as I winked at him.

"I'm the one who's paying your bill, Asshole! Now, I think an hour long break with full pay will be beneficial to Ms Lopez." I didn't wait for a reply but instead, I took my saviour's hand in my smaller one, pulled her out the back door and into the garden. I was trembling by that stage and found that I didn't want to let go but I did anyway. "I think I may have got you fired," I admitted in a small voice, cursing my temper as I once again looked up into those piercing blue orbs.

"Nah," she replied with a slight smile. "I can charm my way back in if I really need to."

They were the most words she'd spoken in a row since I'd first met her and I found myself returning her smile.

"What's your name?" I asked softly.

"Lopez," she replied.

"I got that much. What's your first name?"

"Um..." A slight smile. "Katarina, but I always go by Kat."

I was delighted when the smile broadened, which showed me just how beautiful she really was. Once again, my breathing briefly stopped.

"Well, Kat." I stuck out my hand. "Thank you for helping me tonight and I'm so sorry you got hurt."

She shrugged casually and then shook my hand.

"Like I said, it's only a scratch." She paused uncertainly and I lifted my eyebrow in question. "What's your name?" she asked.

"Jamie," I replied softly. "Jamie Evans. This is my parents' house."

"It's a beautiful house," she said, looking down and I suddenly wanted to wrap her up in a big hug and make her pain go away. "I... um... I should get back to work." She chucked a thumb toward the door and I recognised that she was retreating. I cursed inwardly, not understanding why she was leaving but I just nodded and smiled my thanks once again.

"Ok... but come see me before you leave?"

I didn't exactly know why, but I had this inexplicable urge to grab her and beg her not to leave me. Instead, I smiled as she nodded slowly.

"Ok... Jamie," she said as she headed back to the kitchen with me in tow.

"See you later then, Kat."

She ducked her head in agreement and then disappeared out the swing-door of the kitchen, another large silver platter in hand.

*~*~*~*~*

I pressed my forehead against the white tiled wall of the bathroom and smiled as the familiar wave of disorientation and pleasure crashed over me.

"That's much better," I whispered to no one in particular and then straightened up. Smoothing out my short skirt as I walked, I made my way back to the dinner table and my mother gave me a look, silently asking where I had been. I returned the look, thinking to myself that she was probably pissed because she'd had to speak to John and Martin after all but I found that I pretty much didn't give a fuck. I was too high to care. I staggered slightly as I reached my chair but I felt a hand take my elbow as my chair was pulled out for me and when I looked around, Kat was there, making sure I was ok. I winked at her and chuckled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Madam" she replied coolly and I looked at her in surprise but she just pretty much ignored me. After another hour listening to my uncles droning on about the family business, I finally had enough and excused myself, heading for my bedroom. This time though, my warrior was in the hall. I smiled at her but she just winced as I lost my balance and leaned heavily against the wall.

"I'm a little drunk," I giggled as I tried to straighten myself up.

"No, you're a little high," she replied seriously. I recognised the disapproving tone and rolled my eyes.

"You're not my fucking mother!" I accused, taking a few steps toward her to poke her in the chest but she gently caught my hand and held it.

"No," she replied softly. "But I know what you're going through."

"How the hell do you know what I'm going through?" I demanded, but my anger drained away when I saw the sincerity in her eyes.

"Because..." The blue eyes looked away and then back to me. "I was there once. I lost... a lot... but only you can stop this." I pulled away from her and turned my back on her but I stopped when I felt a gentle hand rest on my shoulder. "Jamie?" I said nothing and she stepped around me, raising my chin to look into my eyes. "You can do it."

"What do you care if I get wasted?" I demanded cruelly, daring her to defy my self-pity but she just smiled.

"Believe me, I care."

I was momentarily shocked but then the room began to spin and I felt my knees turn to jelly...

*~*~*~*~*

"Jamie, wake up, Honey."

The voice sounded hazy in my mind and I forced my eyes open, wincing in the light of the room. I saw my mother and a doctor but I sensed someone else was there too.

"Kat," I whispered and a hand rested on my own but it was my mother's not my warrior's.

"Take it easy, Jamie," she said softly. "You passed out."

"Oh God...I did, didn't I?" I groaned, embarrassed as the details began to come back to me. I heard a slight chuckle and turned my head to find Kat leaning casually against the doorframe. "I'm glad you find this funny," I snapped and she held up her hands in mock surrender, a quirky grin on her lips.

"Jamie, be nice," my mother scolded in her best parental tone. "Ms. Lopez carried you up here."

My cheeks burned with mortification and I covered my face with my hands, willing them to stop shaking. I needed another hit and fast.

"How long was I out?" I asked, my voice muffled by my own palms.

"About four hours," the doctor replied. He snorted disgustedly. "I suppose you're ready for your next hit, huh?"

Then my warrior's demeanour suddenly changed. She stormed across the room to tower over the pig-like man and leaned in close to him.

"She doesn't need that," she growled. "She needs someone to help her through this, not to judge her."

"Kat!" I exclaimed and when she looked over at me, I shook my head and held out my hand to her. Her expression immediately softened and she sighed before coming to the bed to take my hand. "He's not worth it. He's not going to change anymore than your boss will," I told her softly and she nodded her understanding as her jaw clenched in anger. I had a sudden urge to touch her face, to ease those tight muscles, but I pushed the feeling down and squeezed her hand instead. "Thank you for everything and I'm sorry for what I said."

"What did you say?" my mother asked but I just kept my eyes locked on Kat's piercing blue.

"Nothing I haven't forgiven her for," my warrior replied after a moment and then we smiled at each other, understanding passing between us. "That offer of help still stands," she continued. "If you want it." I knew this was the turning point in my life... the point whether I chose to either be alone or to accept help from someone I barely knew but who seemed to understand me. I nodded.

"I want it."

She smiled knowingly.

"You've just taken the first step."

*~*~*~*~*

I screamed. I raged. I kicked and punched the door until my knuckles bled.

"Kat! Please! I need a hit! Just one hit! Just one fucking hit!"

I hid from monsters that existed only in my own mind. I sweated what seemed like buckets of perspiration. I couldn't eat. I could barely drink. I threw up and I lay staring blankly at the ceiling. But all the time, I could sense her there... cleaning me up, talking softly to me when I needed to hear some sense. Hell, she even slapped me when I tried to hold my breath until I turned blue but she also held me while I cried out every once of pain and fear I was feeling. She spoke softly and slowly, making sure that I understood and, six days after deciding to let her help me, I was sitting at my kitchen table trying to eat some chicken soup with a spoon clasped in my shaking hand.

"How are you feeling," she asked as she pushed her long, dark hair back over her shoulders.

"Oh just dandy," I replied sarcastically but I sighed then and shook my head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't take it out on you, Kat. I feel like shit actually."

She smiled and my heart stopped beating.

"It'll take a few days for you to begin to feel better."

"Kat?"

"Hmmm?"

"What did you lose? I mean, when you were on drugs."

A pause and then tears suddenly welled in those beautiful blue eyes. They came so fast that I don't think she would have been able to stop them if she'd wanted to. A single tear spilled over and she wiped it away quickly.

"I... um..."

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I didn't mean to upset you. You don't need to..." I didn't even finish my apology because her finger was suddenly pressed against my lips.

"It's ok," she said, her voice husky with emotion. "I..." She swallowed deeply. "I lost my job, my home, my friends..." She trailed off and I found myself reaching out to her, wanting to ease her pain. I pulled her into my arms and held her but I felt the embrace returned in kind so I rested my head on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck slightly and not really knowing why. I just knew that I loved the smell of her skin and hair and the way she made me feel safe... as if nothing could touch me. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a lesbian. I'd never been attracted to a woman and the emotions running though me served to confuse me even more. In her presence, I felt like I owned the world. I felt like I was important. I felt like I was worth something.

"You are worth something," she chuckled and I looked at her in surprise.

"You read minds too?" I asked, only half-jokingly.

"Nope. I just know what you're feeling." She stroked my hair and then gently eased my head back onto her shoulder.

"I feel ugly and stupid," I replied as I sniffled a bit.

"You're not stupid," she replied firmly. "And you're certainly not ugly. My God, Jamie, you're so beautiful." She shook her head then and smiled. "Let's get you back into bed, huh?" I nodded, suddenly feeling very tired and she took my hand, leading me to my room and helping me into bed. She was dressed in sweats and a T-shirt but I still thought she looked beautiful. Her silver eyebrow piercing glinted in the light from the bedside lamp and I could have sworn I saw a similar twinkle in her eyes. Kat tucked me in in silence, smoothing the blankets around my petite body and making sure I was comfortable.

"Ok?" she asked and I nodded quickly but when she tried to leave, I grabbed her hand on impulse and held her in place.

"Don't leave me!" I begged and then blushed profusely but she just nodded and lay down beside me, wrapping me up in a gentle and warm embrace. I sighed happily as she kissed the top of my hair and resituated myself with my head resting on her shoulder and my arm thrown over her waist. She didn't seem to mind so I slid my leg over her thigh and leaned more fully on her, smiling as she echoed my sigh, adding an almost sensual moan as I moved my hand to rest it between her breasts.

"Um... Jamie?" she whispered.

"Hmmm?" I replied, already almost asleep.

"There's something you should know."

"Shoot."

"I'm gay, Jamie."

A whisper of a smile crossed my lips.

"I know."

*~*~*~*~*

I sprang forward, my breathing laboured and my body covered in a light film of sweat. Pressing my hand over my heart, I felt it's frantic thumping and looked at the sleeping figure beside me. We'd shared my bed for the past three nights and my dreams were beginning to reflect that. I was confused and a little scared. My dreams were becoming erotic, explicit and very detailed and I was beginning to find it difficult to look Kat in the eye without blushing. If she noticed, she didn't say anything and I had no intention of asking her to leave at night so I chose to push the dream into the deep recesses of my mind and try to get some sleep. However, after an hour of staring at the ceiling, I realised that that wasn't going to happen, so I rolled onto my side to study my sleeping warrior's face. Her beauty was staggering. Chiselled features resided under lightly tanned, olive skin and even though her eyes were closed, I could see their azure beauty in my mind's eye. My eyes roamed over her face and then lower, following the swell of her breasts to nipples visible through her light vest top. The blanket stopped at her waist and her top had risen slightly to reveal a flat, tanned stomach with tight bands of muscle. I swallowed deeply when I realised I was thinking that her navel was cute. Cute? Where did that come from? Jesus, Jamie. You're not gay! Where are all these feeling coming from? My alternate voice spoke up then. It's only gratitude. You're indebted to her for all the help she's given you. She's been there through the worst time of your life. It's natural that you should bond with her on a profound level. Little Voice One got worried. But what if it's not. Are you really capable of having a relationship with her right now... that's if she even wants one with you? Little Voice Two snorted in disgust. If it's more than gratitude you're in big trouble, Jamie. What are Mommy and Daddy going to say about you screwing a woman, huh? Little Voice One shook its head sadly. Don't you think you're a little old to be worrying about what your parents think? Fuck it, Jamie. If you like her, tell her. I reached out my hand and traced her face with my fingertips, relishing the feeling of her skin as I reached those expressive eyebrows. I was smiling when one slowly inched up and her lips quirked.

"Enjoying yourself?"

I pulled my hand back like I'd been burned and shook my head, stammering an apology.

"You looked so... so... um... and I thought that... I..." Finally I just said I was sorry and clamped my mouth shut. She chuckled softly. I think I must have had a look of total guilt and embarrassment on my face because she touched it the way I'd touched hers and smiled tenderly.

"I don't mind, Jamie, honestly. If you need physical contact, go ahead. Besides, who am I to turn down a beautiful woman?" She waggled her eyebrows and I couldn't help but laugh. Then she pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me close. She kissed my hair and I kissed her cheek in return.

"You are something else, Katarina Lopez," I whispered, looking up into those beautiful, blue eyes.

"Ditto," she whispered in reply and then snuggled me closer. I fell asleep listening to the steady reassuring beat of her heart.

*~*~*~*~*

Kat watched me from the doorway, a look of mild irritation on her face. She was wearing a white, loose fitting shirt with black trousers and her dark hair was braided back from her face.

"Jamie, you know I have to go. I can't lose this job or I'll have no money. I'm already late with my rent."

I knew I was being unreasonable but for some reason, I didn't care. I wanted her with me and I wasn't about to let her walk out the door without a fight. I set my jaw and shook my head.

"They can't fire you if you call in sick," I protested. She sighed as she crossed the room to sit beside me on the couch.

"Jamie," she said softly. "I can't be here twenty-four hours a day."

"But you said you'd help me. Now you're running out on me!" I yelled, my temper snapping. Then my anger drained away to be replaced with horror as I saw the look of profound hurt on her face. I stood up and knelt in front of her on the floor, taking her hands between my own. "Oh Kat, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that," I whispered, keeping my eyes locked on hers. "I owe you everything. I just... I'm scared. I'm scared that if you leave, I won't be able to... um... resist."

She smiled then and raised our joined hands to her mouth to kiss my fingers.

"I believe in you," she replied reassuringly. "And I'll be back by midnight. Besides, there are no drugs in the house, Honey."

Honey??? My mind screamed. She just called you Honey!

"Um..." I was momentarily speechless and I just stared at her but I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to... to...

"I'll see you later. I'm running late. I have to go." She planted a tender kiss on my forehead, grabbed up her leather jacket from the easy chair and strode out the door, leaving me both speechless from the endearment and breathless from the torrid swirl of emotion I was feeling. Finally, I just slumped back in my chair and plonked my feet up on the coffee table. Little Voice One tutted. You blew it. You should have just... Little Voice Two interrupted. I refuse to have this conversation. You are not gay! Little Voice One just smirked. Then why were you just about to lean forward and kiss her? Little Voice Two rolled its eyes, threw up its hands in disgust and decided to go home. I just closed my eyes and groaned.

*~*~*~*~*

It was a little after two when I awoke. I was momentarily disorientated but I smiled as I felt a comforting presence at my back. I was in bed with Kat, our bodies spooned tightly together and her arms around my waist. She sighed and nuzzled my neck in her sleep and I pressed back even more against her, feeling her arms tighten around me. I couldn't explain it, but right at that moment, I felt peaceful... as if I'd finally come home. Next morning, when I awoke, I was sprawled half on top of her and she was holding me tightly. My head was tucked under her chin and my arms were around her. I felt her breathing change and kissed her shoulder before sliding off her.

"Good morning," she growled, her voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, rubbing my eyes and then yawning. I stretched my petite frame fully but started to laugh when her long fingers ran up and down my ribs, tickling me unmercifully. "Hey! No fair!" We wrestled for a while, both of us laughing so much that we could barely hold each other but Kat finally got the advantage and flipped us over, holding me down and grinning triumphantly.

"Now!" she stated. "Try getting out of this one!"

I looked up at her and my breath caught. She looked so beautiful in the early morning light streaming in the window. The smile dropped from my face to be replaced by an expression of utter awe.

"I don't think I want to," I whispered. "The view is pretty damn good from down here."

She released my hands then with a smile.

"Flattery will get you..." she began but she was too late. My fingers were already threaded through her hair and I was lifting myself up to meet her lips. The kiss was brief but gentle and I smiled as I opened my eyes. She looked perplexed for a moment but then she returned my smile. "Everywhere," she stated and I was momentarily confused until I realised she was finishing what she had tried to say earlier.

"It will, huh?" I replied playfully. "So what would I get if I told you that you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen?"

"You'd get this," she whispered and suddenly our lips were locked together in a kiss of pure passion. Our mouths opened and we each moaned as our tongues met and caressed. I felt as if I couldn't breathe, my desire was so strong and, as the kiss turned hungry, I felt her demand more. I gladly gave in and broke the kiss with a gasp as I felt her hands slide under my top to graze my painfully hard nipples. "Jesus, Jamie," she groaned. "I want this so much."

"Yessss," I replied, throwing my head back and arching my spine as her lips latched on to my breast and she sucked on my nipple while pinching the other with her fingers. I immediately felt a flood of liquid between my legs and I moaned as an urgent throbbing began there. "Kat," I whispered. "Please, make love to me." Within moments, our clothes were discarded and our damp bodies were moving as one. I cried out as her long fingers slipped inside me, loving every slow stroke of her thumb as it slid over my clit again and again. I held her tightly, pulling her hips closer to me and I felt her shift slightly to straddle my thigh, not even pausing in her pleasuring of my body. She rocked against me in time with my movements, her dark hair spilling over her chest and her eyes fluttering shut. She looked so beautiful and I raised myself to suck her hard, dusky nipple into my mouth. She gasped and increased her pace and I fell back onto the bed as the pleasure took me higher and higher. My breathing was coming in shallow gasps, my body was glistening with sweat and my moans came louder and faster but then it happened. It was so sudden that it was all I could do to stop myself from passing out. My orgasm ripped through me with an intensity I'd never felt before. It made my muscles lock and my body shudder as her name left my lips on a loud cry that eventually quieted to gentle sobs. I looked up at her then and saw her release on her face and in her eyes. She exhaled deeply, holding me tightly and whispering my name over and over until she finally collapsed, breathing heavily and burying her face in my neck. I stroked her hair as I wiped my tears away and smiled. That feeling of peace stole over me again and as I held her, I knew she was mine. I knew that I loved her. I know that I'd been waiting all my life... for her. I kissed her temple and pushed her hair back from her ear.

"I love you, Kat," I whispered.

"Love you too," came the tired mumble and I just held her as we fell back asleep.

I didn't dream.

*~*~*~*~*

"Honey, you have to see her sometime. It might as well be now." I winced both outwardly and inwardly as Kat hugged me from behind.

"Yeah, but I don't think she's forgiven me for throwing her out of here a few weeks back," I replied and my lover offered me a weak smile.

"Think of it this way," she suggested. "It's a good opportunity to get back in her good books."

"I guess," I sighed dejectedly. "You're coming with me, aren't you?"

I turned on the puppy dog eyes and, of course, got my way. Kat can't resist puppy dog eyes.

"Yes, I'll come with you," she replied with a roll of her eyes but I suspected she knew my tactic and wasn't really all that annoyed at all. She smiled then. "Do you want to go shopping on Saturday and get her a gift. If we're going to her fiftieth birthday party, we should really get her a gift." She paused. "How old are you by the way?"

I grinned.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I want to know how much of an age gap there really is between us," Kat replied seriously.

"I'm thirty," I replied but she tilted her head, shooting me a raised-eyebrowed look. "Ok, I'm twenty-eight." She sighed.

"Twenty-eight. I guess it's not that bad," she mused.

"How old are you?" I asked, mentally placing her at about thirty.

"I'll be thirty five next birthday," she replied and I turned in her arms, looking up into her beautiful face.

"Seven years ain't that bad." I stood on my toes to kiss her on the lips. "Is it?"

"Nope, I guess not," she chuckled. "So, we on for shopping this Saturday? I was also thinking that, if you feel up to it, we could try to get you a job somewhere."

"Sure," I shrugged. "I feel ok but..." I trailed off uncertainly and averted my eyes but she lifted my chin to look into them.

"What is it?" she asked softly, her gaze full of understanding. "Tell me, Jamie."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to reintegrate into society," I began. "There are always guys out there with drugs in their pockets to sell you at a moment's notice. What if I..."

I found myself wrapped up in a very big and reassuring hug.

"You won't," my lover told me confidently. "You're clean, Jamie and you've been through hell to get here. You and I are beginning a new relationship and I know you're not going to throw that away. I love you, you know and I'm gonna do everything I can to help you to stay clean and happy. Understood?"

"Yes, My Warrior," I replied. "And I love you too, Kat."

She nodded happily.

"Good."

*~*~*~*~*

I sighed heavily and leaned slightly against my tall, dark and beautiful partner. She leaned down for me to whisper in my ear.

"I think this would be boring, even if I was stoned," I pointed out and Kat burst out laughing. She immediately clamped her hand over her mouth and shot me a dirty look to which I offered a sweet smile. She shook her head in exasperation and plucked another glass of white whine off a tray. I sipped my chilled orange juice and glanced around the room. I knew almost everyone there. They were all friends of my family and I really didn't want to be in their company. Brown nosing was their favourite pastime and I wasn't into that at all. Kat looked about as impressed as the lone goldfish swimming around in the aquarium by the external french doors. I sighed heavily again and attempted to mingle. That was when I ran into my mother. She'd been doing her best to avoid me all evening but I cornered her after she'd finish her conversation with Colonel Stewart, my father's friend and the man I was convinced my mother was having an affair with.

"Good evening, Jamie," she said, somewhat coldly as I took a seat beside her.

"Mother," I replied. "I want to apologise. I was pretty much out of it when you came to see me that day. Kat told me the things I said and all I can say is that I'm very sorry." She didn't say anything for a moment so I crashed onward. "Kat has been so great. I'm totally clean, Mom and I'm in love. I feel great for the first time in years." Finally, my mother nodded.

"I'm so glad," she said softly and then pulled me into a hug, which I returned with as much force. "Now, tell me about the new man in your life." I scratched my cheek uncomfortably.

"Um... well... there's someone knew in my life but... it's not a man. Mom, I've fallen in love with Kat."

I think at that moment, I could have knocked my mother over with a feather... literally... but she just swallowed and nodded.

"That... um... nice, Dear," she replied and then proceeded to knock back three glasses of white wine one after the other. I thought it best to leave her to think and strolled back across the room to where Kat was standing alone.

"I told her."

My lover nearly spat her wine halfway across the room.

"You what?" she asked, a slightly panicked look on her face... ok, very panicked.

"I told my mother that I'm in love with you. I think she took it quite well actually." I was really rather proud of my mother's openness and when I glanced in her direction, she smiled at me and offered me a wink while blowing a kiss at me. Sure, she was drunk but she was happy. What more could a 'didn't know I was a lesbian until I slept with the woman I fell in love with' type gal want in her life? I wrapped my arms around my warrior, not caring who was watching us and she smiled down at me.

"Well, she seems to be ok with it," she admitted and I nodded quickly.

"Yep but you realise that this will be all over the society section of the papers soon? My folks are quite... um... affluent... and this will no doubt make quite a bit of gossip. I just want you to be prepared in case someone asks you about it."

Kat looked uncertain and she held me closer, oblivious of the stares we were getting.

"This could be bad for your family. I mean, I'm an orphan. I don't have money and..."

I silenced her by placing my finger against her lips and shaking my head.

"None of that matters to me, Kat. I love you."

"And I love you too, Sweetheart but I don't want to cause any trouble in your family."

I chuckled at the irony of that statement.

"Believe me, I've caused enough trouble in this family to last a number of generations. People will just say... 'Oh well, another Jamie Evans story'. They won't even care."

Kat blew out a long breath and nodded.

"Ok," she replied. "I believe you."

"Good." I stood on my toes to kiss her gently on the lips and then smiled. "Come and meet someone?"

"Sure."

I led my lover across the room, giving and receiving various greetings and we finally came to a young woman sitting on a small sofa. She looked about as bored as we were feeling.

"Suzi?" I took a seat beside her. "You ok?"

My sister was younger... and taller... than me but we shared our blonde hair and green eyes. She sighed and then smiled.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking. Where you been, Jay? I haven't heard from you in a few weeks." I immediately felt guilty and winced as I looked up at my tall, dark lover. She smiled sympathetically.

"I've been kicking my habit," I replied softly. "I'm clean, Suzi." She hugged me then and I breathed a sigh of relief. "I love you, Kid," I whispered and she giggled softly.

"Hey! Less of the 'Kid' please. I'm only two years younger than you, you know." She wagged her finger indignantly, instantly reminding me of our mother.

"Sorry," I replied, looking suitable scolded and then I reached up to take Kat's hand. "Suzi, I'd like you to meet someone. Katarina Lopez, meet Suzanne Evans, my baby sister. Suzi, Kat is my partner."

My sister smiled and stood to shake my warrior's hand.

"It's nice to meet you," she said softly, obviously taken with my lover's beauty. "You have a beautiful name."

"Thanks," Kat replied, returning the smile. "You look like your sister."

"I know. We're always being mistaken for each other... by the way, Jay, Charlie says hi. He wanted to meet you for a drink..." She paused as she winked. "But I guess you're not available anymore."

Kat cleared her throat meaningfully, her perfect, dark eyebrow inching up as she shot me a look.

"No, I'm not available," I laughed and then rubbed my lover's back. "Down Girl. Charlie's a old friend from university."

"An old boyfriend?" she asked, the eyebrow inching impossibly higher.

"What... are you jealous?" I retorted, gazing into her beautiful blue eyes. They were flashing with both jealousy and desire and I felt the temperature in the room rise very suddenly.

"No," she growled. "I'm curious." She held my gaze and I couldn't help myself. I stood and kissed her... to the shock of my sister who politely averted her eyes. I'd never done anything like that in public before and when we finally parted, I blushed profusely. Kat ran her finger down my rosy cheeks and smiled. "You're cute when you blush."

"Yes, he was an old boyfriend but I am soooo over him. He was a prick. And I am NOT cute!"

Kat laughed and then excused herself to go to the bathroom so I sat back down beside my sister. She fanned herself with her napkin and grinned.

"Phewww!!! Things were getting a little hot there, Sis."

"I can't help myself," I confided. "I can't keep my hands off her, Suzi. We make love every night and most mornings. I don't know what's happening to me."

She smiled knowingly.

"You've fallen in lust with her," she chuckled but I shook my head.

"No, Suzi. I've fallen in love with her."

Stunned silence then.

"You're kidding," my sister accused.

"Nope. I can feel it, Suzanne. I love her so much that I ache when she's not around. I can feel her when she's coming back to me."

Suzi shook her head, her expression shifting to one of awe.

"My God, Jamie. You've just told me that you've found your soulmate." My mouth opened, closed, opened... and stayed open. I was shocked but her words made sense to me and I knew it was true. Katarina Lopez was my soulmate. "Speak of the devil," my sister chuckled but I already knew that Kat was only a few feet from me and turned to smile at her.

"We need to talk," I said and led her away. We climbed the stairs and walked hand in hand along the landing to my old bedroom. I locked the door behind us and sat down on the bed, patting the space beside me. She sat down.

"What is it, Gab... um... I mean, Jamie?" I was surprised by the slip of my name. "Sorry, I was just talking to someone called Gabrielle. I guess I have the name on my brain." The explanation was reasonable so I smiled.

"No problem. Um... what I wanted to talk to you about... is... do you believe in soulmates, Kat?"

"Yes. Yes, I do," she replied, so quickly that I barely registered it before she was taking my hand. "What are you feeling, Jamie?" Her blue eyes searched my green.

"I feel like I've known you forever," I replied softly. "And I want to be with you for eternity."

There was a profound silence between us and a single tear crept down my warrior's cheek.

"I've found you," she whispered. "I've found you, my Love."

I was confused and I wiped the tear away, tilting my head in question.

"Found me how? I don't understand," I replied.

She looked down and sucked in a deep breath before looking me right in the eye.

"Jamie, what I'm going to tell you is going to sound incredible but I promise you it's the truth." I nodded slowly, suddenly afraid of what my warrior was going to tell me. She smiled and stroked my cheek reassuringly. "My name isn't really Katarina Lopez... well... it's on my fake birth certificate and my driver's licence but that's not who I really am." I opened my mouth to say something but she silenced me. "Please. Just hear me out." I nodded again. "My name is Xena and I was born in Greece about two thousand years ago." I couldn't help myself. I started to laugh hysterically, covering my face with my hands.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed but my hands were pulled away from my face. Kat was deadly serious.

"No, I'm not. Jamie, I'm telling you the truth. I'm immortal." I just stared at her so she pulled the bandage off her hand to show me her palm. "Jamie, I've kept a bandage on this hand for the past three weeks but it's been healed since about two minutes after you originally put it on." I just kept staring but I flinched when she pulled a knife out of her trouser pocket. "I'll prove it to you." I was about to protest when she grasped the blade and pulled the knife back, gritting her teeth as it sliced into her palm.

"Kat!" I exclaimed and grabbed her hand but she shook her head.

"Wait," she asked and she held her palm out for my inspection. Right before my eyes, the wound began to close and moments later, it was as if it had never been there at all. I blinked in amazement, rubbed my eyes and took her hand in my own, running my fingers over the fully healed palm. I looked up at her and she smiled at me. "I can't be hurt." She shrugged. "I can never die."

"Jesus Christ," I whispered. "You're really telling me the truth aren't you? Your name is really Xena?"

"Yeah," she replied softly. "Why don't we go home. We have a lot to talk about and I have the most incredible story to tell you."

I simply nodded and followed her, knowing that no matter who she was or where she was from I'd follow her anyway...

*~*~*~*~*

I traced the bands of muscle under the soft skin of my lover's stomach and snuggled deeper into her.

"You know," I chuckled. "You look great for someone aged two thousand years."

We'd made love when we got home. I think Kat... Xena... knew that I needed to reaffirm our love after this huge revelation. She kissed my hair and held me tighter and I knew she was about to tell me the story of a lifetime. Little did I know just how many lifetimes the story spanned.

"I was born in a small village in Greece called Amphipolis. It doesn't exist anymore but it was a famous town for many years. It was the birthplace of the Legendary Warrior Princess. For ten years, from when I was sixteen until twenty-six, I was a feared warlord. I had an army and I conquered much of the known world but then something happened that changed my life. I realised, with the help of a demi-god named Hercules, that I was on the wrong path and then I met you... or I should say your ancestor. Her name was Gabrielle and she was the love of my life. She was a simple bard from a village called Poteidaia and she was eighteen when I met her. I saved her and some other women from the village from some slavers and intended to move right on, but she followed me and saved my life when my kinsmen tried to kill me. At first our friendship was tentative but I knew after a short time that I'd do anything for her... that we'd do anything for each other because we'd fallen deeply in love. For a long time, we called each other best friend, but we both knew it was more than that. We were soulmates. We lived and died together. We came back and lived again. Jamie, Gabrielle's soul is inside you and I know that we've found each other again after all this time. I've been searching for you, My Love. I found you about three hundred years ago but you were killed in an accident. I almost gave up then but I realised that living without searching for you would be torture so I kept going." My lover paused and swallowed, as if trying to decide where to go from there.

"Did you and Gabrielle every get together?" I asked softly as I kissed her chest.

"Yes, we did." She smiled at the memory. "We finally admitted our love and we were married under Amazon law in Gabrielle's tribe."

"Gabrielle was an Amazon?" I said in surprise. My lover nodded proudly.

"Gabrielle was Queen of the Amazons for many years. She was killed when she led them into battle against a warlord who was trying to take their lands. I tried to save her but..." The pain in Xena's heart, even after all this time, was obvious. "I couldn't reach her in time. She died in my arms. After that, I went a little bit crazy. I went out on my own in search of some way to ease the pain in my soul. I never found it so I decided that I wanted to search for her reincarnated soul. I went to Valhalla, to Odin, the King of the Norse Gods and stole one of the golden apples. I became a goddess but I've spent the last two thousand years searching for the other half of my soul... you, Jamie."

"And now, you've finally found me. Kat, were you really a drug addict?"

She nodded slowly.

"I've made a lot of mistakes over the years but I've turned it around each time."

"I'm proud of you," I whispered.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," I replied as her fingertips trailed down my back, gently tickling me. "Xena?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you and I'll always be here."

"That's what I told Gabrielle a long time ago. I guess I get to keep my promise, huh?"

"My Warrior," I whispered and then closed my eyes to travel back in time to a place where I slept under the stars and wrote stories about the love of my life.

Once again, I came home...

The End

No warriors, bards, drug addicts, Samaritans or families were harmed during the writing of this story, however, Jamie's father was conspicuously absent... possibly to allow for a sequel?... and Masterson was never seen again.