A/N: This is the second of pair of stories I wrote a good fifteen years ago. It takes place immediately after the first and is primarily concerned with their reactions to the change in their relationship. This one is a bit lighter than the first. I've cleaned up some formatting issues and hopefully haven't missed anything that makes the story difficult to read. Feedback is appreciated. I do not anticipate revisiting Xena fanfic.

By Any Other Name

"Wake up, Gabrielle." Gabrielle felt hands, Xena's hands, sliding slowly up and down her arm. A lover's touch, not the usual prod in the shoulder.

"Mmm," Gabrielle sighed. She slowly woke, realizing that Xena was crouched beside her, dressed in her armor. She savored her last memory from the previous night, the feeling of Xena's body pressed against hers. "Did you get any sleep?" Xena rarely slept more than a few hours a night, Gabrielle knew. As soon as the nightmares started, she woke, and that was that for the night.

"Yes, surprisingly enough. I slept until dawn."

"See? I was what you needed all along. Wild, passionate sex, and you're out like a light."

Xena laughed and bent down to kiss her cheek. "C'mon, lazybones. Time to get moving." She grabbed Gabrielle's outstretched hand and pulled her to her feet. As the blankets fell, Xena saw that Gabrielle was nude. "Oh, my!"

"Don't even think about it," Gabrielle said, teeth starting to chatter. "It's cold."

"You'll be a whole lot warmer in that outfit you insist on wearing, too," Xena shot back.

"Hey," Gabrielle exclaimed, eyes wide with innocence, "I worked hard for these abs and these legs." Gabrielle ran her hand slowly across her abdomen and down her thigh. "I deserve to show them off, don't you think?"

"I thought you were too cold for any more of that."

Gabrielle moved and ran her hands over Xena's leather breastplate. "I'm warming up."

"Mmm, I'll bet you are." Xena allowed herself to spend a few moments running her hands over her lover's nude body, sighing as Gabrielle explored her clothed one. She was, she had to admit, relieved that Gabrielle had obviously not had a change of heart.

"C'mon," Xena said, reluctantly disengaging, "we'd better go. This isn't the world's safest place. Two of those bandits didn't die."

Gabrielle shuddered, then turned to gather up her clothes. "Yeah, let's move on along."

"Are you ready to stop for lunch, yet?" Xena usually wasn't the one to suggest a lunch break, but anything to distract Gabrielle. Sure, the girl was a bard, but who'd have thought anyone could talk so much for so long, and still say nothing? Well, that wasn't really fair, Xena knew. The small redhead was simply excited, delighted with their change in status. And talking about it, constantly.

"Okay! Wow, is it already time for lunch? This day is just flying by!" Gabrielle skipped, skipped for Zeus' sake, over to a clearing near the road. Xena just shook her head and followed.

"Gabrielle, there's a stream just past those trees. Get some water, will you?" Gabrielle grabbed an empty waterskin and, gods, skipped off.

Bread and jerky for lunch, Xena decided. She can't talk while she's chewing. Xena directed Argo to a nice, lush patch of grass, then set out their lunch on a blanket. "Hurry up, Gabrielle," she called. Xena grabbed a chunk of bread and began to eat. Realizing that she hadn't heard a response from Gabrielle, Xena yelled, "Gabrielle? Gabrielle!"

Still no response. Xena, starting to worry, got up and moved stealthily in the direction Gabrielle had taken, sword drawn. She crept from tree to tree, silent and unseen. Ahead, she could hear the stream. It was just ahead, over those bushes.

Gabrielle shrieked in surprise as Xena landed on the edge of the stream, sword waving, eyes darting around.

Xena lowered her sword at the sight of Gabrielle, nude, standing in a pool of shoulder-high water. She sheathed her sword and, hands on hips, said, "What are you doing? Why didn't you answer me?"

"Um, I wanted to surprise you," Gabrielle said meekly. "Not a good idea?"

"You might try 'Hey, Xena, come over here' next time."

"Hey, Xena," Gabrielle laughed, "come over here." She moved seductively in the water, which was clear enough to afford a good view. Gabrielle had realized that Xena liked, really liked to look at her body. She enjoyed the feeling of power as Xena swallowed and took an involuntary step forward.

"No, we can't," Xena said, stopping. "Argo and our supplies are within view of the road. "Come on, let's get back." Gabrielle pouted, not moving. "Gabrielle, come on. I'm hungry."

"So am I," Gabrielle leered. "Move Argo over here and join me."

Xena thought about it for a moment, then, surprised and slightly disgusted at herself for being so easily distracted, narrowed her eyes and said, voice low, "Gabrielle, come out of there right now. I mean it."

Gabrielle sighed and climbed out. Xena, not trusting herself in the presence of Gabrielle's wet, nude body, tossed Gabrielle's clothes to her and started back to Argo and lunch.

Gabrielle sat down on the blanket beside Xena with a dramatic sigh. "I'm sorry for trying to trick you. I just thought you'd want to, you know.."

Xena's eyes softened. "Gabrielle, I do want to." Xena ran her eyes over Gabrielle's body. "Oh, yeah, I want to. But," Xena added, eyes back on the redhead's radiant face, "I also want you, us, to be safe. I don't want to be ambushed while my face is buried in-"

"Okay, okay! I get the point," Gabrielle interjected. She took note of the food spread before them. There were cups, but no waterskin. "What do you want to drink with this?"

"Gabrielle," Xena asked, voice deceptively light, "where's the water you went to get?"

Eyes wide, Gabrielle squeaked, "Oh, I completely forgot!" She started to stand, but Xena put her hand on her shoulder.

"We'll get it after lunch. I'll get the other waterskin from the pack. Eat." Xena was concerned by Gabrielle's inattention, but not enough to make an issue of it. Yet.

They finished eating and Gabrielle leaned back on her elbows and sighed. "It's such a beautiful day, don't you think?"

"Yes, and we're wasting it here. Come on, let's get moving."

"Not just yet," Gabrielle smiled playfully. "Kiss me first."

Xena blinked a few times and thought, I made a conscious choice to start sleeping with her. I should have thought ahead. Nonetheless, Xena leaned over and kissed her lightly, on the lips. Gabrielle quickly reached out and put her arms around Xena, pulling her into a tight embrace. Xena's resolve vanished, and she began to kiss Gabrielle with abandon. They rolled around in the grass, hands everywhere.

Argo snorted and stomped around a bit. The women looked up at her. Then they looked back at each other and started to laugh. "I guess," Gabrielle said, "Argo isn't much of a voyeur." They kissed once muiore and stood. They spent a minute readjusting and refastening their attire.

"I'll go get the waterskin," Xena said. "if you'll pack up the lunch things." She jogged off toward the stream. Gabrielle watched her run, very much enjoying the view.

They got back to the road and Xena climbed gracefully, effortlessly onto Argo. She looked down at Gabrielle and said, "I'd like to make up for lost time." She held her hand down for Gabrielle, who swarmed up behind Xena. A twitch of the reins, and Argo started off at a fast walk.

Gabrielle put her arms around Xena's waist and leaned into her back with a contented sigh. Xena leaned back into her, enjoying the feel of Gabrielle's breasts against her back, the well-muscled thighs pressed against her. She moved her hands down to rest lightly on top of Gabrielle's. Any reservations Xena had about the change in their relationship melted away. They rode for awhile, both uninterested in changing their positions.

At the first signs of civilization, Xena straightened. "As I recall," she said, "there's a village not far ahead. We'll be there a couple of hours before nightfall." She turned to look back at Gabrielle. "I'm not saying anything about your cooking, which is wonderful, by the way, but you deserve a night off. Want to have dinner in the village?"

"Hey, yeah! Do they have an inn?"

"Yes, but I'd rather eat, then get out of town and make camp."

"Why?! They have beds in inns!"

"You make a lot of noise." Xena grinned as Gabrielle blushed furiously. "I don't really think anyone else needs to hear. Unless," she added, eyes twinkling, "you just want to sleep."

"Camp it is!" Gabrielle paused a moment, then said, "do I really make a lot of noise?"

Xena laughed. "You were fairly loud, yes." In a soft, husky voice she added, "I like that."

The women dismounted as they entered the village. It was small, with only one public tavern which also served as the village inn. They tied Argo near the door and walked inside.

The tavern was dark and smelled of stale beer. This early, they were the only customers besides a couple of obvious drunks nursing blackjacks of ale. Xena motioned Gabrielle to a table in the back, then went to the bar to order dinner. She returned with two glasses, which, to Gabrielle's surprise, were full of wine.

"I'm not too sure about the water around here," Xena explained. "The wine is safer by far. Just be careful," she added, not quite succeeding in keeping a straight face, "not to drink too much. You're a little, uh, silly when you're drunk."

Gabrielle refused to rise to the bait. With a haughty expression, she said, "perhaps you ought to try it yourself. Being silly, I mean."

"You're silly enough for the both of us," Xena retorted with a playful grin.

Before Gabrielle could fire the next round, the serving girl brought their plates. The food was hot and filling, but not much more. They ate quickly, the food being no reason to linger. Xena took a few sips from her glass, while Gabrielle drained hers. Xena noticed that the tavern was about half filled now, and the occupants well on their way to dissolution.

"Let's go," Xena said, rising.

"Hold up there, pretty things," a large bearded man said. He was obviously quite drunk. He ambled over to Xena, looked at the sword on her back, then lurched on to Gabrielle. "Wanna dance?"

"There's no music," Gabrielle said, unobtrusively shifting her grip on her quarterstaff. "Excuse me," she said, and started to walk past the bearded man. Xena crossed her arms and cocked her head to one side, a faint smile on her lips.

"Wait a minute," he complained, reaching for her arm. Gabrielle spun, ducked low, and smashed her staff across outstretched arm, then over and down on this head. The man fell to the floor, clutching his arm and moaning.

"I said," Gabrielle commented, stepping around the man, "excuse me." She looked over to Xena, quite satisfied with herself. Her eyes widened as she saw another man, not quite as drunk and very angry, reaching out for Xena from behind.

Xena rolled her eyes, and then snapped her head back, smashing the attacker on his nose. She spun, kicked him in the breadbasket, the head, a knee, then let her momentum take her back around to face Gabrielle. Calm and unruffled, she said, "Ready?"

They moved toward the exit. Another drunken troublemaker moved menacingly toward them. Xena walked calmly to him, stopping inches from his face. "Boo!" she growled. The man cringed and hurried away. The women left without further incident.

"Nice place," Xena drawled, untying Argo's reins. "Let's get out of here and make camp. It'll be dark before long."

"Okay," Gabrielle said, still elated. They moved back on the road, heading out of town at a brisk pace.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes, Xena?"

"Don't skip."

The last signs of the village behind them and dusk nearing, Xena started to look for a suitable place to camp for the night. "Gabrielle, do you care if we camp near a stream tonight?"

"What ever you want, honey."

"What?"

"What what?"

"What did you call me?"

"Uh, honey?"

"Don't. Please, don't."

"Sweetie?"

"No!"

"But I have to call you something."

"How about 'Xena'?"

Gabrielle snorted. "No, a term of endearment, silly! You know, 'dear,' 'darling,' 'pookie'.."

"'Pookie'? You must be kidding. Anyway, I already have a perfectly good name."

"But sweetheart-"

"No!"

"I have to be able to express how I feel about you, baby."

"'Pookie' expresses how you feel about me?"

"Well, you know, it's cute and all."

"I," Xena snarled, "hate 'cute'. Just 'Xena', please."

Gabrielle sidled up against her and whispered, "How about 'Xena, Warrior Babe'?"

Xena glared down at her, then looked up, shaking her head. Like a child with a new toy, she thought. "Gabrielle, didn't I tell you to be careful with that wine?"

"Oh, I can't even feel it anymore," Gabrielle said. And what about me?"

"What about you?"

"What are you going to call me?"

"'Gabrielle.'"

"Oh, come on!"

"Okay, 'Hey you.'"

"Be serious! I want a nickname. You could call me 'Gab' or 'Relly' or 'pun'kin'.."

"Not 'pookie'?"

"Okay, if you want!"

"I like 'Gabrielle' best," Xena said with a warm smile as she put her arm around the smiling redhead's shoulders.

"'Gabby'?"

Xena just sighed and gave her a squeeze.

They continued on. As the sun started to sink, Xena pointed out a likely campsite. A short investigation confirmed her suspicion. They gathered wood, then Gabrielle saw to the campfire while Xena groomed and fed Argo. Duties finished, they sat together beside the fire.

"Okay," Gabrielle said, "no nicknames. I can handle that."

"Good," Xena said, voice low and even.

"I don't see why you're so opposed to a little verbal show of affection, but if that's how you feel, I guess I can't change your mind."

"Gabrielle, don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't play with me. You know by now how I am." Gabrielle raised her eyebrows. "Okay, well, now you do. What I mean is," Xena continued, reaching over to stroke Gabrielle's hair, "I'm just not the expressive type."

"You've been expressing yourself fairly well of late," Gabrielle commented. She grinned at the rare sight of a blush rising in Xena's cheeks. "I just want to hear you say it."

"I love you," Xena murmured, then leaned over and kissed her.

"Mmm," Gabrielle said, "I like the sound of that." She moved to sit behind the tall warrior. "Let me rub your shoulders. You're always so tense." The redhead moved Xena's dark hair to the side and began to massage her neck and shoulders.

"That feels good," Xena sighed. As Gabrielle's strong hands found and worked out the knots, Xena sighed in pleasure. Gabrielle move to Xena's upper arms, kissing her exposed neck while she kneaded. Xena seemed almost in a trance. Gabrielle nipped at her ear and whispered, "I love you." Xena smiled, her eyes closed. Gabrielle smoothly changed from massaging to rubbing. She ran her hands over Xena's armor, under the edges. Deftly, she unfastened the buckles and ties. "Lie down," she whispered.

Xena felt her armor fall and Gabrielle's hands sensuously rub her as she peeled the chemise off. Xena turned her body and reached for Gabrielle. Their mouths met in long, deep kisses. Xena pulled Gabrielle toward the blankets behind them, her hands tugging at Gabrielle's top.

"No," Gabrielle whispered, pushing Xena's hands down. Xena pulled her head back and looked into her eyes, clearly confused. "Let me," Gabrielle said, running her hands and eyes up and down Xena's body. She gently pushed Xena toward the blankets.

As she moved to join Xena, Gabrielle shed her clothing. "Lie down, on your stomach," she said, softly but firmly. Xena shrugged and complied. Gabrielle positioned herself astride Xena's extreme upper legs and began to massage her back, slowly, sensuously. Xena closed her eyes and made soft, contented noises. When Gabrielle was convinced that Xena was as relaxed as she was ever going to be, she slid off and said, "roll over."

Xena turned on her side, lifting herself up to take Gabrielle in her arms. She was stopped by Gabrielle's hand on her chest. Puzzled, she looked at Gabrielle. "What are you doing?"

"I'm in charge tonight," Gabrielle smiled. She slowly, firmly pushed Xena down. "You did most of the work last night. Now it's my turn."

Xena felt a wave of uncertainty. She was the aggressor, not little Gabrielle. "Mmm," she sighed, as Gabrielle lay on top of her, leg pressed against Xena in an unexpectedly delightful manner. Not so little Gabrielle, Xena thought, embracing her. Xena was aroused to the point of urgency. She started to roll over, to get Gabrielle underneath her.

Gabrielle, showing unexpected strength, pinned Xena on her back. "I like it here," she grinned. "Just relax." She began to kiss Xena's neck, throat, breasts.

Xena moaned and thrashed, wanting so much to give herself completely over to Gabrielle, but unable to give up that last bit of control, even when she wanted to.

Gabrielle, sensing Xena's struggle, moved back to her face and whispered, "It's okay, Xena. I can take care of you once in awhile. Relax." She kissed Xena's eyes closed, then kissed her lips, softly, tenderly. "I love you, Xena." Gabrielle moved down, kissing Xena's stomach, lower. Xena gasped, moaned, and finally, all doubts and fears gone, gave herself over completely.

"Wake up, Darling." Xena's voice was a whisper in her ear. Gabrielle smiled in her sleep. "Wake up." Slowly waking, she became aware of Xena's body against her back and her strong arms holding holding her. Her eyes fluttered open. She noticed that it was the middled of the night. Suddenly, she wondered if something were wrong and jerked, startled. Xena's arms held her, urged her back down. "It's okay, it's okay. You were snoring, and it woke me. That's all."

"Whazzit?" Gabrielle gathered her scrambled thoughts and tried again. "What are you talking about? I don't snore."

"Oh, yes you do," Xena chuckled. "Usually, I'm far enough away for you to wake me, or I'm already up. But you do," she continued, stroking Gabrielle's body, "snore."

"Oh, wonderful," Gabrielle groused, "I'm loud and I snore. Thanks for sharing."

Xena grinned and nuzzled Gabrielle's neck. "I can live with it. I'm used to you making a lot of noise."

"Yeah, well, you're not the most quiet person in the world yourself, y'know," Gabrielle retorted. "I couldn't possibly be any louder than you."

"I am not loud!"

"Hah!" Gabrielle snorted, then launched in to an overly-dramatic imitation of ecstatic moans.

"I do not sound like that," Xena huffed, scowling. "There is no way I could ever sound like.. that?" Gabrielle laughed and rolled over to face Xena, a truly evil grin on her face.

"I know you're kidding me, Gabrielle," Xena said in a low voice. Gabrielle just giggled. Xena, eyes narrowed to mere slits, growled, "I do not."

"Sure, Xena, sure," Gabrielle grinned. Whatever you say." Xena rolled her eyes and gave up. Gabrielle snuggled up closer and kissed Xena, her devious grin transformed to a contented smile. Gabrielle stared into Xena's eyes, losing herself in their crystal blue depths. They lay wrapped in each other's arms, not speaking.

Eventually, Xena flashed a grin and said, "Hey, you'd better get back to sleep. You're grumpy when you don't get enough sleep."

Gabrielle blinked a few times and said, "Why did you really wake me up, Xena?"

"I told you, you snore." Seeing the look of determination spring into Gabrielle's eyes, Xena added, "Um, well, I just wanted to, well, be with you."

"I'm right here, Xena," Gabrielle murmured.

"You know what I mean. Not just stare at you sleeping, but hold you and look into your eyes."

"To be held by me?"

"Yes," Xena said, feeling distress growing and not understanding why.

"Are you so afraid of needing me?"

Xena blushed and cleared her throat. "Well, I'm kind of new at this, feeling like this, and I just sort of got.."

"Scared? Lonely?" Xena nodded almost imperceptibly. "Xena, just as you would never hurt me, I will never hurt you. I will always be here for you and I will always love you. I know," Gabrielle continued, "that you like to think of yourself as invincible, needing nothing and no one, but I know the truth."

Xena started to protest, but Gabrielle hurried on, knowing full well Xena's reticence to reveal her emotions, even to herself. "Xena, I love you. I am deeply, thoroughly, passionately in love with you, and I have been for a long time. I think," she added, "that the same is true for you." Xena blushed and nodded. "So," Gabrielle continued, "It's no wonder that we both want some reassurance now that we've admitted how we feel. So if you want a hug during the night, or any time else, that's okay. I, "Gabrielle concluded, "will need plenty myself, starting now."

Xena, eyes glistening, held Gabrielle tight. "How," she whispered, "did you get so wise?"

"Not from hanging around you," Gabrielle laughed. They kissed, long, slow kisses, then drifted off toward sleep.

"I'm not loud," Xena whispered, eyes closed.

"Are too."

"Am not!"

'What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet." - Romeo and Juliet