YOU CAN NEVER GO HOME

 
“Well, I have got to sit down after that.” panted Gabrielle, pulling them both down onto a log.
“I thought you were in good shape.” Dantien teased, trying in vain to pull back her long hair from her damp face with her left hand. She gave up and left it sticking to her cheeks.
“Good shape has nothing to do with the fact that my legs are shorter than yours. I told you to slow down!” Gabrielle bent over and massaged her leg with her free hand, grimacing. “Ugh. Now I’ve got a cramp.”
“I’m sorry. It just felt so good to run.”
“I distinctly remember saying this was supposed to be a walk.” Gabrielle admonished.
An unapologetic “Hmmph!” was her only response.
“Excuse me. My hand is sweaty.” Gabrielle let go of Dantien’s hand, wiping her own hand on her skirt.
“Mine too. Good idea.” Dantien also wiped her hand on Gabrielle’s skirt. Gabrielle shot her a look and she laughed, then swung her head so her hair caught Gabrielle’s face.
“Hey!” was all Gabrielle could get out before they both fell backwards off the log. An impromptu tickle fight ensued, albeit awkwardly. While Gabrielle was stronger, Dantien was quicker.
“Give!”
“No!”
“No kicking!”
“No biting!”
“Hey!”
“Ow!
“Draw! Draw!”
“Draw!”
They both rolled to their backs, giggling and coughing. Gabrielle rubbed her nose. Dantien lifted up one leg, then another, and rested her feet on the log. Gabrielle followed suit.
“I haven’t done that since I was a child.” Dantien gasped out, while crossing her legs and settling them more comfortably on the log.
“I haven’t done that since…” Gabrielle suddenly fell quiet. The only sound was their heavy breathing, which gradually slowed. They both stared up through the trees at the passing clouds. Dantien wrapped her hand around Gabrielle’s, then entwined their fingers together.
“Gabrielle, what’s in that urn?”
Another short silence, followed by a deep sigh.
“Who.”
“Who, then.”
“Who gave you those bruises?”
“You go first.”
“No, Dantien, you started this, you go first.”
Dantien drew in a measured breath, then exhaled slowly.
“My brother.”
Gabrielle kicked the log so hard it actually moved.
“It’s over, Gabrielle. Over and done with.”
“Bastard.” Gabrielle muttered. “Gareth was right.”
“Right?”
“Gareth calls him a bastard- pretty much any chance he gets.”
“Gareth’s too kind. He’s worse. But enough. You’ve got your answer.” She rolled to her side and looked down at Gabrielle expectantly. “Your turn.”
She had practiced the standard answer. This time it wouldn’t do.
“Xena.”
“Xena?” Dantien knitted her brows together, looking suspiciously at Gabrielle. Gabrielle heaved a sigh.
“Xena….the warrior princess. Surely-” her arm was nearly yanked from its socket as Dantien bolted upright, the forest echoing with her voice.
“XENA THE WARRIOR PRINCESS?”
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