Millbrook Dream Scape
por ReallettyC
Section 2
Part 1
The Cabin
They had arrived at the cabin in Millbrook, it was beautiful and cosy, exactly as Gabrielle had planned. Xena had been surprised—she hadn’t expected such thoughtfulness, though she should have known better by now. Gabrielle always had a knack for creating warmth and comfort wherever they went, even in the simplest of places. The air outside carried the crisp scent of pine, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. The cabin, nestled between towering evergreens, looked like it belonged to another time—quaint, with weathered wooden beams and a stone chimney that promised a roaring fire within.
“Not bad, right?”
(Xena smirked)…”Not bad at all. I just didn’t think you’d go to so much trouble. This place feels… peaceful.”
” that’s the point , I want you to relax at least for those 3 days…you work a lot Xena and sometimes the body demand rest”
(Xena chuckled, the sound deep and low, as she leaned against the sturdy wooden railing of the cabin’s porch) “Rest? Gabrielle, you know I don’t do ‘rest’ very well.”
“I’m aware. That’s why I had to practically trick you into coming here…come on, let me show you what else we have”
Xena followed, her boots crunching softly against the gravel path. Inside, the cabin was even more inviting than it had looked from the outside. A roaring fire already danced in the stone hearth, casting golden light over the rustic furnishings. A soft, woven rug spread across the wooden floor, and the scent of fresh pine mingled with something sweeter, lavender, maybe? Gabrielle had truly outdone herself.
“Okay….this might be the coziest place I’ve ever set foot in.”
“That’s the idea. I even stocked up on everything we’ll need—fresh bread, cheese, some smoked meat, and plenty of that spiced cider you like.”
“You’ve been paying attention huh?” (Xena raised an eyebrow)
“I am very observant person (chuckle)”
“I see”
“Now, no complaints. For the next three days, it’s just us, no responsibilities, no payrolls, no running. Just… peace.”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“”Completely”
“Fine….but don’t expect me to be good at this relaxing thing.”
“Oh, I don’t expect anything. Just… give it a chance, okay?”
“”For you, I’ll try.”
“for…me?”
“yes, for you….”
“Xena (holding her hand)…I want that you do it for yourself, you need to learn how to relax”
“i need somebody to teach me…will you? (flirting)
“Oh, I thought you’d never ask….Relaxation lesson number one: no flirting until you’ve mastered the art of doing absolutely nothing.”
“That might be harder than it sounds.”
“Good thing I’m a patient teacher.(Gabrielle teasing)…First, sit down. Yes, Xena, sit. That’s an order.”
“an order huh?”
“yes an order…(chuckle)
Xena smirked, her trademark confidence flashing briefly before she relented. She dropped into the nearest armchair with exaggerated reluctance, sprawling back as though the act of sitting were some great concession.
“What’s next? Do I meditate? Chant something? Close my eyes and think of work strategies?”
“”No work strategies….And no scheming. Lesson number one: you don’t have to do anything. That’s the whole point.”
“So I just… sit here?”
“Exactly”.
“that’s ridiculous…”
“Is it? Try it. Let the fire warm you. Listen to the crackle of the logs. Smell the pine in the air. Just… exist.”
“I’m not sure I’m built for this…( muttered, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest)”
“You are. You just don’t know it yet.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?”
“I do…I know how much you deserve to let it all go, even just for a little while.”
“Alright….I’ll try.”
“Good. Now, lean back. Close your eyes if it helps. And I swear, if you start overthinking this, I’ll make you do relaxation drills.”
“Drills?….You’ve got drills for everything, don’t you?”
“Just sit…one step at time”
The room seemed to exhale with Xena’s quiet surrender. Gabrielle watched her friend’s shoulders finally relax, the sharp lines of tension melting into something softer. She didn’t say anything for a while, letting the crackling fire and the stillness speak for her. Xena had always been a warrior, a force of nature, but here, in this moment, she was simply human. Gabrielle felt a warmth in her chest—not just from the fire, but from seeing this rare vulnerability.
Night had fallen and it was chilly as they were in a cabin in the mountains, it was small but very cozy, there was only one bed, one bed for the two of them, at bedtime, Gabrielle lay down, Xena stayed in the chair, Gabrielle looks at her, Gabrielle shifted under the thick quilt, the rustic charm of the cabin contrasting with the weight of the silence between them. The firelight danced on Xena’s face, highlighting the lines etched by years.
“You’re not going to sleep there all night, are you?”
“The chair is ok Gabrielle”
“No, is not Xena…you will woke up sore and cranky…(Gabrielle sighed, pulling the quilt aside) There’s plenty of room here. You don’t have to play the martyr tonight.”
“Gabrielle, you don’t have to….(Xena turned to face her, her expression softening)”
“Xena…Just come here. Please (Gabrielle interrupted, her voice carrying a note of finality)
For a moment, Xena hesitated,vulnerability wasn’t something she surrendered easily. But the quiet plea in Gabrielle’s eyes, the unspoken promise of comfort, unraveled her defenses.With a small nod, Xena stood, her movements deliberate. She approached the bed and eased down on the edge, her muscles tensing as if bracing for something unfamiliar. Gabrielle watched her with a gentle smile, pulling the quilt over both of them.
“See? Not so bad (Gabrielle murmured as she lay back down)”
“Thank you Gabrielle”
The stillness of the night deepened, and the fire’s glow began to fade into embers. Gabrielle shifted slightly, her head resting on the pillow as she turned to face Xena more fully. The weight of the moment, the rare closeness, felt delicate—like holding a fragile piece of glass.
“Xena?”
“Umm?”
“Are you sleeping?”
“No I don’t…”
“You’re not used to this, are you?”
“What? Sleeping in a bed? Or sharing it?”
“(Gabrielle rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her affection)…Letting someone take care of you.”
“I guess I’m not (looking up the ceiling)…It’s easier to… keep moving. Stay busy. Don’t stop long enough to think.”
Gabrielle watched her carefully, her heart racing as she caressing Xena’s cheek and her fingers brushing against Xena’s hand where it rested between them. It was a tentative touch, one meant to reassure, not press.
“You don’t always have to carry it alone, you know, not today, not anymore, Im here with you”
Xena didn’t pull away from the touch, though she didn’t respond right away. Her fingers slowly curled, almost instinctively, around Gabrielle’s hand. When she finally turned to meet her gaze, there was a rawness in her eyes that Gabrielle rarely saw, She felt a connection, Xena kissed Gabrielle’s forehead, at that moment an image came to her, where a blonde woman caressed her face, she closed her eyes and let herself go, but she remained silent, she looked into Gabrielle’s eyes and smiled sideways.
“I know….”
“Xena, ever since I met you I’ve felt a very strong connection. I’ve had visions of a warrior, dark hair, very similar to you…and sometimes I wonder if that warrior, dressed in leather, black hair…is you”
“is weird, I know I said to you I didn’t believe on nonsense like that, but it happens the same to me, I’ve had visions ,It’s like…flashes of another life. with battlefield, fire, pain. And then there’s someone who feels like you. I can’t explain it.:”
Gabrielle thought for a moment, she didn’t take her eyes off Xena, that woman who was at her side, had a very similar resemblance to the warrior she had been seeing in those flashes, in a careless moment, they began to kiss, Xena’s heart raced as their lips met, the warmth of Gabrielle’s mouth igniting something deep within her that she had long buried beneath layers of guilt and sorrow. The kiss was tentative at first, a gentle exploration of this new territory they found themselves in, but it quickly deepened as the flood of emotions they had kept bottled up surged to the surface….Gabrielle’s hands found their way to Xena’s face, fingers tangling in her dark brown hair as she pulled her closer. Xena could feel the electricity crackle between them, a fierce energy that threatened to consume them both. For a moment, all the fears and doubts Xena had held onto faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in a blissful bubble.
“It feels weird but GOOD at the same time…( said Xena,excited)”
“We’re not just connected in this life, are we? It’s like our souls have been intertwined for ages. Whatever happened in those visions, whatever battles we fought together, it’s still a part of us.”
“I’ve always believed in choices—when fate leads you down a path, it’s your decisions that define you. But… if what we have seen is true, then it may just reveal deeper connections than we could have ever understood. (said Xena wise)”
“It’s more than just memories, Xena. It’s like… pieces of a puzzle I never knew I was missing. And now, with you here, it all feels complete. I don’t think this is chance—it’s something more profound, something we’re meant to understand together.”
“Maybe this is why I’ve always felt a void I couldn’t name, Gabrielle. Meeting you—it’s like a thread I’ve been following finally led me to where I was supposed to be.”
“Maybe…(smile softly)”
“Let’s sleep…(yawn)”
Gabrielle smiled softly, her fingers brushing Xena’s cheek one last time before she settled back against the makeshift bedding. She watched Xena’s face, now softened by the dim firelight, her warrior’s mask briefly replaced by a serene vulnerability. It was a side of Xena that few, if any, had ever seen, and Gabrielle felt honored to be among them.
Xena lay back as well, her body still humming from the moment they had shared. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling within her, Gabrielle still can’t sleep but she saw Xena drifted off already, she saw her and smile softly, She caressed her cheek, making Xena shift a little but keep sleeping, she laid back and stared at the ceiling, wondering if she and Xena knew each other in another life, a past life “could it be that we were more than friends?” She stared at the glass ceiling of the cabin, the autumn leaves fell until her eyes closed without her realising it, she moved from one side to the other but the only comfortable position was hugging Xena, when she felt the warmth of the woman who was by her side, she felt calm and protected and make her fall sleep more deep.
The next day, Xena woke up early with pain in her sides, when she felt it was Gabrielle sleeping almost on top of her, she tried to move with a frown on her face, when she was able to turn around she found Gabrielle’s face sleeping quietly this made her soften her frown, and she smiled sweetly, trying not to wake her, as she got out of bed with her hands on her hips rubbing themselves since they were hurting, she took a deep breath and headed to the small kitchen to make coffee, while she watched as Gabrielle slept peacefully, Xena stared at the windows and the beautiful landscape of autumn in the mountains was breathtaking, she was sipping on her coffee, she decide to call Eve to see how is everything goes in the office.
“Good morning Cyber mind solution, Eve speaks”
“Hey Eve!”
“Miss.Hearts, glad to heard you”
“thank you Eve….how is everything in the company?”
“Everything is under control, nothing to worry about it”
“Something happened?”
“No, everything is in order….and what about you? How your mini vacation goes?”
“It’s good….didn’t do anything much here, just relaxing with… a very nice companion (sight, look at Gabrielle who is still asleep)
“Miss. Hearts, I never heard you talking that way”
“(Xena chuckle)….please keep me update of everything in the office, you can send me an email alright Eve”
“Alright Miss. Hearts…but everything is good, I have everything under control”
“I know you have the potential….i will see you next Tuesday ok?”
“Sure…enjoy Miss. hearts, you deserve”
“Thank you sweetheart…will talk later okay”
“No a problem”
Xena ended the call with a soft smile, feeling reassured that everything was fine at work. She placed her phone on the counter and took another sip of her coffee, the warmth spreading through her. Turning her attention back to the view outside the window, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the autumn foliage. The golden leaves shimmered in the morning light, contrasting with the deep green of the pines. For a moment, the world felt serene—like time had slowed down.
She glanced over her shoulder to check on Gabrielle. The smaller woman was still curled up in bed, her face peaceful and her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Xena chuckled softly. Gabrielle’s presence was a new experience for her, one that brought an unfamiliar warmth to her usually guarded heart.
The quiet morning was interrupted by a faint creak as Gabrielle stirred, shifting slightly under the covers. Xena set her mug down and walked back toward the bedroom. Gabrielle blinked a few times before her green eyes focused on Xena, a sleepy smile spreading across her face.
“Morning…(Gabrielle mumbled with still a raspy voice)”
“Morning (Xena replied, leaning against the door frame)”…Did you sleep well?”
“I did, like a rock for sure…Though I think I might be squeeze you last night…sorry for that”
“you did, my sides are still sore but I guess I’ll forgive you (Xena smirked and crossed arms)
“(Gabrielle laughter lightly and sat up, the blanket slipping out her shoulders)…Coffee?”
“already made…come on, I’ll pour you a cup”
“Thanks Xena…I really appreciated”
“Then, what is the plan for today? You brought me here, I suppose you have a plan.”
I’m unsure… but we can take a walk in the meantime.
“I hope you’re ready to hunt bears, (Xena laughs naughtily)”
“Bear?….where did you heard that?. There is not bear here (Laugh)”
(Xena chuckled, her arms still crossed as she leaned casually against the doorframe)…You never know, Gabrielle. The woods hold their secrets. Maybe I heard a bear last night, or maybe…” she paused, her smirk widening, “…it was just you snoring.”
“Oh, come on! I don’t snore. (Throw a pillow to Xena’s direction)”
“(Xena stepped closer, picking up the pillow and tossing it back onto the bed) …If you say so”
Gabrielle had been getting to know a part of Xena, which Xena rarely shows in her company, she felt so confident, as if they knew each other for years, Xena had been showing that she is a charismatic person, flirtatious, and the most beautiful thing with a heart that not all had…they still didn’t know who they were and they didn’t know why those flashes appeared to them, but what they did know is that the connection they have goes beyond that life, something inexplicable, that they hope everything will be clear in some moment of their life, that morning they went to hike, Xena had a secret that had not yet revealed and is that she knew that place as the palm of her hand, since for several occasions she had some connections with that place, when she was a child until her teenage age, she used to explore those areas, that always called her attention without knowing why.
The Hike
As they laced up their boots and prepared for the hike, the morning sun spilled golden light over the dense woods surrounding the cabin. Gabrielle adjusted her scarf, glancing at Xena with a curious smile, Xena wanted to take Gabrielle to a place where there were some old rocks with several old writings, which she had discovered when she was 10 years old, Gabrielle was curious to see Xena with that agility and with that firmness walking down the mountains.
“You seem unusually quiet this morning. Something on your mind (said Gabrielle with a hint of curiosity)”
“Not really… just memories. This place—these woods—they have a way of stirring things up…(Xena hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning the treetops as if searching for the right words)”
“”Memories, huh? Care to share, or are you going to keep me guessing all day?”
“(A playful smirk crept onto Xena’s lips)….That’s depends. Can you handle a little mystery, or would you prefer I spill all my secrets now?”
“Oh, I can handle mystery, but you should know by now that I’ll keep poking until I get answers (Gabrielle Laugh softly)”
“Fair enough. Let’s just say I spent a lot of time here when I was younger. Exploring, climbing trees, getting into trouble… It’s strange coming back. Feels like the woods remember me.”
“Why did you stop coming here? (Gabrielle’s curiosity deepened)
“Life happened. Responsibilities. Choices. The kind that take you far from the places you love.”
There was a wistfulness in Xena’s voice that made Gabrielle want to reach out, but she sensed this was a moment best left unbroken by questions. As they continued walking, the forest came alive with the sounds of birdsong and the crunch of leaves beneath their boots. Gabrielle marveled at how effortlessly Xena navigated the terrain, her steps confident, her eyes scanning the landscape with a familiarity that went beyond memory.
“Xena…I think there’s more to this place than you’re letting on… It’s not just nostalgia, is it?”
“You’re sharper than you look (Xena glanced over her shoulder, her smirk returning)”
“Hey! (Gabrielle protested but the smile betrayed her)”
“Alright….There’s a reason I brought you here. Something I’ve been meaning to show you.”
“What is this?”
“When I was a kid, I found this spot. I didn’t know what these symbols meant, but I felt… connected to them. Like they were waiting for me.”
“And now you think they’re waiting for us?”
“I don’t know why, but I feel it. There’s something here—something bigger than us. I thought maybe together, we could figure it out.”
Gabrielle studied the carvings intently, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of a spiraled rune that seemed to glow faintly under the dappled sunlight.
“You said you found this as a kid…Did you ever try to figure out what these meant back then?”
“”I did. Tried asking around, but no one seemed to know—or care, for that matter. To most people, it was just graffiti on some rocks. But to me…It always felt like a message. Something meant for someone who’d understand.”
“And you think that someone is us?”
“Well, you’re here, aren’t you? That’s gotta mean something.”
“Alright, let’s not get too cryptic yet. If we’re solving this mystery, we need to start with the basics. Symbols, patterns—anything that connects them.”
As they worked together, Gabrielle’s methodical nature balanced Xena’s instinctive approach. They cleared debris from the rocks, revealing more carvings that wove a complex tapestry of interconnected shapes and lines. A few looked like constellations, others resembled animals or elements of nature.
“Look at this, This feels familiar somehow. Like I’ve seen it before.”
“It’s not just you. That one… it’s been in my dreams. For years.”
“Dreams? You never mentioned that.”
“It didn’t seem important. Dreams are just dreams, right?”
“Not always….Maybe it’s more than that. Maybe this is why you were drawn here, why we were both drawn here.”
“Maybe.”
“Alright…If these symbols are part of a map or a message, we need to figure out where they lead or what they mean.”
“Agreed. But we might need more than just our wits…I remembered an old man who used to live near here, a kind of local historian. If anyone knows about this place, it’s him.”
“A historian in the middle of the woods? This just keeps getting better.”
“But i don’t know if he still alive, has been years”
“We don’t lose nothing if we ask, someone there”
“Come on. Let’s pay him a visit. He’s not far, and I’m betting he’s got stories to tell….and I can guess you love stories right?”
“I do?….How did you know that?”
“I just know…”
“I don’t even know if I love stories”
“You do, you just don’t know it yet (Xena Smirk)”
The two set off, the forest around them shifting in mood as the late afternoon sunlight filtered through the dense canopy. Gabrielle trailed slightly behind Xena, her fingers brushing against the bark of trees and leaves as if trying to draw energy from the earth itself.
“You really think this old man is still alive?”
“I hope so, as a said it was long time ego I was like 10 years maybe but if he isn’t, maybe someone in the area knows what happened to him. Either way, it’s a lead.”
“You’ve been here before, haven’t you? (Gabrielle asked, breaking the quiet)”
“A long time ago…I don’t remember much, but this place… it feels the same. Like it’s waiting.”
The two women walked through the town of Willbrook, they walked for about 45 minutes, when they arrived, Xena didn’t recognize much, everything had changed, the house that belonged to the local historian was no longer there, they went without results, they went back to the cabin where they were staying, it was cold because night was falling, when they arrived, Xena threw herself on the bed, Gabrielle went to the small kitchen to prepare some chamomile tea, Xena sighed deeply, Gabrielle approached her.
“Are you okay?”
“Umhu…just tired”
“I’m sorry we didn’t find what you wanted”
‘Don’t worry, it’s okay (smirk)…”
“(leaning on her elbow)…you know, someday everything will be clear, we’ll know who we are..but for now let just embrace this moment and relaxing”
“Thank you for the tea”
“Always Xena (said Gabrielle softly)”
Gabrielle stumbled out of bed, her heart racing as if she had just run miles. The images from her dream lingered, vivid and haunting. The way the two women fought—fluid, seamless, their movements perfectly in sync—was mesmerizing. And the kiss… It was raw, intense, and deeply intimate. It felt as if she had been the one kissed, and the sensation still burned on her lips. She splashed cold water onto her face once she reached the bathroom, trying to shake off the feeling. Her reflection stared back at her, cheeks flushed and eyes wide. She pressed her fingers to her lips, trembling slightly.
“What is happening to me?” (she whispered to herself)
‘Gabrielle? (Xena called her out loud)”
“I will be in a minute…..(Trying to calm herself down)”
Xena stood there leaned in the frame door.
“couldn’t sleep?”
“I…I had a strange dream or flash”
“stange how?”
“”It felt real…There were two women fighting… side by side. One had dark hair, the one with dark hair the warrior feels like you and The other was blonde, I felt myself on her…(She paused, her cheeks heating)…then they kissed.
Xena’s expression shifted, her body tensing just slightly.
“Go on”…..
“It was… intense. I felt it, Xena. Like it was me in that moment…(She met Xena’s gaze, her eyes pleading for understanding) now I can’t shake it off”
Xena approached her and gently caressed her shoulder, then caressed her cheek, meeting Gabrielle’s eyes with hers, full of confusion Gabrielle let herself be carried away by Xena’s caresses and sighed deeply in the moment the both woman kissed againg, Gabrielle was paralised by a moment, then Xena throw Gabrielle in the bed, and followed her down, their bodies falling together with a soft thud on the mattress. The air in the room felt charged, alive with unspoken words and raw emotions. Gabrielle blinked, momentarily dazed, her heart racing as she found herself staring up at Xena, whose expression was a mix of passion and vulnerability.
“Wait…….(said Gabrielle stood up faster)”
“(Xena, leaned in her elbows)…What’s wrong?”
“I just…I don’t feel comfortable doing this (kind of shy)”
“Why not?”
“Xena, we just meet like 2 weeks ago, and then this things that we felt and dream about or memories, is just feel bigger than us”
“(Xena sigh deeply)…I’m sorry Gabrielle I didn’t meant too…but I do understand your point….I just thought that you ….well it doesn’t care anymore (Getting out of bed somewhat uncomfortable, she heads towards the door)
“where you going? (some worried)”
“nowhere I will be outside smoke a ciggarette (with the ciggarette in her hand)”
“Xena…please is late”
“I need to cool down myself..”
Gabrielle watched Xena leave, her footsteps heavy with unspoken frustration. The click of the door closing behind her echoed in the quiet room, leaving Gabrielle alone with her thoughts. She sat back down on the bed, running her fingers through her hair. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of everything—this overwhelming connection, the flashes of dreams, and memories that felt as if they were hers, yet not, She glanced at the small clock on the nightstand. 2:34 AM and though ….“Why did this feel so impossible and yet so inevitable?”
A gust of cool air drifted in from the cracked window. Gabrielle stood and walked toward it, her arms wrapping around herself. Peeking outside, she could see Xena leaning against the railing of the porch, the orange glow of her cigarette a faint beacon in the dark, Gabrielle hesitated, her hand on the window frame. Her heart ached, torn between the intensity of her feelings and the caution screaming at her to slow down. She took a deep breath, grabbed a blanket from the bed, and stepped out onto the porch.
“Hey…(drowsy-head, draping the blanket over Xena’s shoulders)”
“(Xena startled slightly, turning to face her)…You should be inside, Gabrielle. It’s cold”
“So should you…Look, I didn’t mean to shut you out. I’m just…confused”
“I get it. This is… a lot. More than either of us bargained for. I feel it too, you know—this thing between us. It’s like I’ve known you forever, and yet…”
“(Gabrielle nodded, wrapping her arms tighter around herself)…”It’s overwhelming, isn’t it? Like…pieces of a puzzle we don’t even remember starting to put together.”
“You always have a way with words, don’t you?”
“Always?”…..You keep saying things like that—like we’ve done this before. Like you know me better than I know myself.”
“Maybe I do Or maybe I just want to…(She took another drag from her cigarette, the ember glowing briefly before she flicked it into the yard)
“Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out…But you can’t just run every time things get too intense.”
“Run?…I never run, you was the one who runs, when I got…..”
“Intense?….(Gabrielle chuckle)”
“(Xena blushed)….I’m sorry. I’m just…not used to feeling this way lose myself…”
Gabrielle tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. The vulnerability in Xena’s voice wasn’t something she expected, and it stirred a strange mixture of comfort and sorrow in her chest. She took a step closer, the creak of the wooden porch beneath her feet echoing in the quiet night.
“I know what you mean…it’s scary let someone in like that right?…Feeling so much all at once.”
“You make me want to try….But I’ve never been good at…this.”
“At what?….let it someone care about you”
“Letting someone see me…(meet Gabrielle’s eyes)…The real me. The parts I’ve spent years hiding. I don’t know if I can do that without falling apart.”
Gabrielle’s chest tightened. She stepped closer still, the blanket slipping from Xena’s shoulders as she reached for her hands. They were cold, calloused, but they gripped hers as if she were the only anchor in a turbulent sea,
“”You don’t have to do it all at once (her thumbs brushing over Xena’s knuckles)…”You’re braver than you think, You’ve already let me see more of you than you realize.”
“(Xena let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh, her chin brushing the top of Gabrielle’s head)….And you’re far more stubborn than you look.”
“”I’ll take that as a compliment.””
“You would (smirked )”
The nights had passed slowly, Gabrielle and Xena lay down, but Xena stayed looking at the beautiful woman who was sleeping next to her, she saw each of her curves that were noticeable through the blanket, her face with those small expression lines but her defined face, she smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead, she close her eyes and felt asleep without realizing it, that attraction she was feeling towards Gabrielle, it was not just friendship, there was something more behind it, those memories that are like small fragments of a puzzle felt so real to the two of them, but they still have not been able to decipher it, And the magical weekend had passed, the hustle and bustle of the city and the chaos had arrived, it was a typical Tuesday, Xena in the office doing her meetings and Gabrielle in her photography studio, capturing moments of life through her lens. Gabrielle was immersed in her work, crouching low to frame the perfect shot of AI’s. The sunlight filtered through the buildings, creating a golden halo around her subject. Despite the liveliness of her surroundings, her mind wandered back to the weekend.