As they moved into the hall, Xena looked down to their clasped hands and smiled at Gabrielle. She swung their hands back and forth as they walked down the hall. She was excited to have her friend back. "Oh you know, I was practicing with my sword this morning. It's been a while since I used it. And then a girl, Katara, asked if I would teach her how to use a staff." She slid her blue eyes toward her friend, smirking slightly.
"I'm not a s good as you, of course, but I think I did alright." They walked over the rise and down to the pool area. She raised a brow at Gabrielle and chuckled lightly. "If you say so." She looked down as Gabrielle crouched and began to unlace her boots. She watched her curiously. She was acting a little strangely. But, strange was normal for Gabrielle.
She watched her then rise and massage her arms before removing her breast plate. Xena removed her gauntlets and arm bands herself. She dropped them on the growing pile. She furrowed her brows when Gabrielle insisted on removing her leathers as well. She chalked it up to her willingness to help her completely. She stepped out of the puddle of clothes around her feet and down the steps of the hot tub.
She sat down, groaning her pleasure as the hot water struck her muscles with a force she hadn't been prepared for. She closed her eyes, tipped her head back and sighed. She heard the splash of water as Gabrielle had apparently disrobed and stepped in after her. She cracked her eye open and smirked when Gabrielle spoke of dying and going to the Elysian Fields.
The bubbles surprised her a little, but it felt good and massaged her gently. But she wanted a real massage. Her back and arms needed it. She gave a half smile when she was ordered to go to Gabrielle. "Only if you give me one of those massages you're so great at." She dipped her head back in the water to wet it and turned her back to Gabrielle as she moved closer to her. She stopped when she came in contact with Gabrielle's thigh.
She leaned forward with expectation, tilting her head down and pulling her wet hair over her shoulder. She rested one of her elbows on the edge of the jacuzzi, her other hand sandwiched between the seat and her thigh.
"Do you know I was forced to cook a few days ago? Did I tell you that?" She couldn't remember if they'd talked about their forced activities yet.