Disclaimers, Warnings and stuff you need to know: I don't own any of this, except Zoe, she's mine, I had this idea and I've got to perfect it. Which is why I keep editing, and reposting. Sometimes the deleting part really is an accident I really am damn close to computer illiterate, Also I think the reason I keep editing and re-editing thus deleting the already published work is because when I can't write I rewrite, and I feel guilty about not being able to post new chapters. So don't expect updates once a week, or anything. If I tell you that upfront maybe I won't panic this time around, and go on an editing binge. Now then Zoe's concept is this. 1. Xena and Gabrielle had truly existed and Hollywood got a hold of the scrolls they would have taken a lot of liberties 2. Any Modern 21st century child loose in Ancient Greece would be in for some major culture shock and would have trouble adjusting but her ideas and beliefs might just help her and others, 3. Well I always liked the whole super powered child thing mixed with social awkwardness, and 4. Xena and Gabrielle are Soul Mates but are Hamstrung by convention and routine and all the crap that's happened so nothing's happened, yet. Of course a little girl with a vested interest in them being together from the 21st century who's seen both Parent Traps and that nightmarish Olsen Twins Movie with Kirstie Alley and has many Goddess and Fate given powers might just help them along. I've made the story as historically accurate as I could give the circumstances there's also a good dose of Xenaverse in there, a little Greek and Roman Mythology and just enough my old weird style for flavoring. For instance Corporal punishment while not a major theme will make an appearance, adulthood and marriageable age while not the historically accurate 12 or 13, was placed at 16 (I don't want nightmares), and 20 among Amazons, and even though milk was not actually drunk in Ancient Greece they considered it barbaric, but an 8 year old finding out firsthand the difference between whole warm fresh out of the animal goat milk, as opposed to refrigerated Pasteurized and Homogenized 2% with added Vitamin A and D cow milk, is just too funny not to include, they'll be a few of those. I know in ancient Greece, they used a water jug with a hole to mark the passage of time, and later sundials, but I'm choosing to use the Candle clock method, because it's common in Xena Flics.

Chapter 1

Xena's POV

It seemed like we had been traveling non-stop for years or decades, but I was really only 4 months, We'd been traveling together for over 6 years, nearly 7, and that blonde little naïve Sheepherder's daughter who was about to start her 16 Summer, had been slowly replaced by a strong confident young woman, Amazon Queen, Bard, Warrior, and the person I've come to respect, rely on and care about more than any other. 5 months ago had been hard, I don't dispute that, are only now dealing with the loss of our children. We're back to we were before it all happened, but neither one of us risk talking about the series of events that ended their lives and temporarily ended our friendship. It was the end of summer, the Equinox was coming in just a few short days, and Harvest festivals and feasts honoring Demeter were everywhere. No one was happy with the approaching Autumn and winter which caused the goddess to go insane with grief at the temporary loss of her daughter, but they also wanted to appease her, they felt it made her less likely to cause damage to them, none of them realized it didn't matter Demeter went on a rampage every year, some were better than others of course, and none were as bad as the winter that happened before the deal was struck but she still had little or no regard for anyone as she raged in pain against the world. This is why I can't stand most Gods, the mortals had absolutely nothing to do with any of this, and yet they were the ones that suffered and I have on good authority if you call Hercules Good, that Persephone wasn't kidnapped like most mortals believe, well she was, but she and Hades had been lovers long before that, he had proposed marriage, and he just got tired of her dragging her heels and refusing to tell her mother the truth. Not that I blame either of them, Demeter is scary and your lover refusing to publically admit you're anything to you has to hurt. We weren't far outside my home village, I'm sure mother would appreciate the help, there are only two Inns in Amphipolis and when a festival such as this comes a long, they're both packed and people also renting out or allowing friends to use, barns, spare beds, pallets, anything really. Amphipolis itself had at least a dozen families living outside the city that came in for supplies and were considered a part of the community. They'd need places to stay the night before the festival and night of. Since the celebration began at daybreak and ended well past midnight. Well depending on your age, most children were sent to bed at their usual bedtime regardless of the celebration around them. I looked down at Gabrielle who was walking next to Argo and cheerfully, telling a story about her first harvest festival, when she was a little girl. We'd been through much, and I loved more than anyone, My Confident, companion, best friend best student. As much as I blamed Gabrielle, Sloan's death was my fault, if I had kept closer eye on her, or insisted she stay with the Amazons when Melosa kindly requested it, Hope never would have existed, at least not through her, they would have found someone else to use, she wouldn't have been involved, and whatever came out would not focus on me, or my son, and Solan would still be alive.

Gabrielle's POV

I worry about Xena and My relationship it's so fragile, well maybe it is, and maybe it isn't, but it certainly feels fragile. I love her so much, she's the dearest friend I've ever known, my companion, confidant, mentor, protector, So much of who I am is what I've learned from her or with her. I blame myself for Hope, both for not being able to protect her, and from not being able to protect others from her. I know that's irrational, that she was never really my child, just a demon, a parasite who used my Body, stole my looks, and murdered innocent people including those I loved, but I still can't help thinking of her as my child, and feeling as if I'd failed her. Even though I know none of that is true. We've been traveling none-stop since a month after everything, and now we are stopping in Amphipolis to visit Cyrene for several days, maybe a week enjoy the harvest festival before moving on to see the Amazons. My sister Lila is there now, training along with another girl to become the Village Healer and midwife, she would train alone but being next in line for the throne, despite her refusal to accept the honor, made the elders nervous and insisted on training two girls. Her sister was hardly an adult, only 16, by Greek standards of course she was an adult, but my Amazon she still had four years of training, before she'd be considered one. I wasn't even considered one when I took the throne, Ephiny would have been my regent regardless if I decided to continue traveling with Xena. Villisca was old enough to rule on her own, but Melosa had been clear I was her heir apparent not Villisca, even a blind man could see the writing on her wall, and no one in the tribe, was the least bit surprised by her actions after that, or by the outcome.

Xena's POV

We have been traveling most of the day, and are almost to my mother's inn. We'll arrive if we continue at this speed, about a candle mark before sundown A Large purple puddle appeared in the sky extending from the ground, to two thirds the height of the oak tree next to us, it began rippling like a pond after a stone's been thrown into it. A small girl riding a large well-muscled black horse, came flying out of the puddle, the girl was dressed strangely in Black Boots, a Pair of thick blue pants and matching Jacket, underneath the jacket was an usually looking dark blue Shirt with a hood. She was wearing an bright blue Hat with letters I didn't recognize. The horse had saddle bags, a staff, and a bedroll. The horses stops, she looks around, yells at the sky in a language I don't recognize. Gabrielle approaches first she's on foot and it's easier to close the gap. And I dismounted but stayed by Argo, the girl may not know who I am, or even heard of me, but I am wearing several weapons, and that might frighten her.

Zoe's POV

OMG, am I dead, I think I might be dead, where the hell am I. I can't hear anything, but a babbling brook, some birds, and the footsteps of a 20 something blonde woman with Sparkling emerald eyes that I'd seen more than once in the mirror, She was about 5'4, dressed in a mix of soft red leathers and a colorful red and blue died wool, She was carrying a staff. There was something so familiar about her, could she be my Mother? Was I finally sent home, was Diana right all these years? Suddenly, I'm having trouble breathing, I know I'm having a panic attack, I've only had a handful in my life, but I know what one feels like. If I don't stop it, I'm either going to get sick and puke all over Kari. Kari hates it when I throw up on her, maybe I'll just pass out. That won't be so bad, I'll fall off and hit the ground. As long as I don't hit my head, I should be fine.

The noticed the Raven haired one, she was wearing Dark leather battle gear and an assortment of shiny sharp weapons, she dismounted, and spoke. "Gabrielle, she's panicking if she doesn't stop, she's going to get sick or pass out. She's needs to calm down…"

It wasn't English I knew that, it sounded like Greek. My thoughts founded more mature, and smarter, and I could understand Greek. I don't speak or understand Greek at all, but I understood that. I understand what she said. The blonde one picked me up off, Kari, and carried me to a boulder, she sat down, held me in her arms, tightly, I could feel her heart beating, she rocked me, she hummed a tune I didn't know but felt familiar to me. And kept quietly encouraging me to breath, they looked familiar both of them but I couldn't figure out from where, I eventually calmed done I'm not sure how long after we sat down because I wasn't paying attention. Gabrielle sat me down on the boulder next to her. I could feel it, she was my mother, and I could feel it. Like Magnets. Diana slipped once and said mothers instead of parents, maybe the Raven haired one was too, they are together, she admitted the truth after she slipped and told me a little bit about them, but not much she said she couldn't. "Sweet girl, my name is Gabrielle, and this is Xena, can you understand us?"

Unsure of whether or not I could speak Greek, I just nodded. Gabrielle smiled. "Can you tell us your name?"

With no other choice but to try. I said my name specifically trying for Greek. "Zoe, Wow, huh, I…I didn't know I could speak Greek, this is Greek isn't it?"

"It is." Xena said. "What do you mean you didn't know you could speak Greek, you're speaking it perfectly, you have an accent, but it's clear enough that it's as if you've been speaking it almost your whole life….."

"I haven't…..I've barely ever heard it spoken…..We speak English where I come from."

"Never heard of it."

"You said your names are Xena and Gabrielle…."

"That's right….." Gabrielle answered.

"The warrior Princess and the battling of Bard, Xena of Amphipolis and Gabrielle of Potidaea, and Telaquire Amazon tribe?"

"That's right." Xena asked with a freaky raised eyebrow.

"Okay, last time I checked you'd been dead for like 2,000 years give or take a century."

"That's a problem."

"Uh-huh. So let's see what we got here, I'm speaking a language I don't speak, I'm 2,000 plus years in the past, on the other side of the world, with my horse…..Damn it Diana!"

"Who's Diana?" Gabrielle asked.

"Why?" Xena asked, at the same time Gabrielle asked her question.

"Diana is my Guardian, she's raised me since I was a baby, since always I think, Diana always said we were just borrowing each other and that one day I would go home to my parents, well sometimes she said parents sometimes she said mothers, that I really belonged to them, that they were my home, and I was meant to do great things…..I really don't know what to believe or think except maybe she was right, and maybe I'm here for a reason…..she said parents until I was five, then she slipped and said mothers, she pretty much didn't anything else about it until pumped her for information when I was six, and found out a few things about them, not much…..I get my green eyes, Silver tongue and Big Heart from one mother, Raven black hair, reasoning skills, and ability to tell when someone's lying from the other….."

Gabrielle's face did this weird thing, I call it the light bulb moment cause in cartoons that's exactly what it is. "Xena….."

"Do you think we're your parents?" Xena straightened out.

I thought for a minute. "I don't know….maybe, maybe not." Looking at Gabrielle. "I do have your eyes…..and I'd be lying if I say I hadn't thought about it, but we don't have time to sit around talking about it….."

"She's right….we need to keep going…"

"What about….." Gabrielle said.

"I am going with you, right?" I said, as if it was obvious.

"Of course." Xena said.

"If we're all on horseback, we'll get their faster…..If it helps, Gabrielle can even hold Kari's Reins, she'll need to make friends with her though, you have to use your nails, scratch her nose, with your right hand, while humming and keeping time with your left, I'll have to teach you the tune or it won't work."

"I'll walk."

"No, you'll teach her." So, I taught Gabrielle how to home and keep time to girls just want to have fun, it would have been easier to do if I busted out my iPad Mini and played it for her but I didn't want to freak her out. We got on Kari and rode away.

Gabrielle's POV

We had been on the road for half a candle mark or so, the little girl was in front of me playing some metal instrument. I asked. "What is that?"

"It's a Harmonica, this is A 18-97, I also have a Big six, Chromatic Harp, the marine band Crossover, and a Melody Maker, different keys. I don't know how to say the keys here though because we use our Alphabet in music and you have a different alphabet."

"I'm not exactly sure what you just said….." Xena said quietly.

"I think I can explain later when we get to Xena's Mother's Inn and I can show you all my harmonics, and play them, and explain the history behind each one, and the keys and everything…."

"You do that."

"So you're really into playing the Harmonica…." I said.

"A Little bit…..we have a house band that plays at my Diana's Spa, and one of the band members, taught me to play...it thought of as a man's instrument but Ella doesn't believe that she was named after a famous woman singer and believes with all her heart that women should be able to play anything….and she doesn't even just play the harmonica, she also plays the drums, and the piano, and the guitar, and you don't know what any of those things are."

"We know what a drum is." Xena said. "So, "Diana owns this Spa?"

"The Luna Springs Spa and Resort, yeah, the town of Luna Springs, Connecticut is built around it and the Luna Hot Springs…"

"Was Connecticut the nation you lived in?"

"No, it was the state, but not a city-state like Athens…..The United States of America was is a Country made of 50 states, a capital city, and a few territories, it started off with 13 colonies, Connecticut was one of them but we fought a war for independence about 240 years ago, you see before we fought for independence we were a colony that belonged to England is the country that Britannia became…..and then we became the 13 colonies and then we decided we needed to become more we started expanding, first through the Louisiana Purchase which we bought land which another country had conquered, than after we started conquering, tricking, and slaughtering, buying to get land, I don't know how we got Hawaii, I don't know if we ever actually legally got it, we didn't conquer anyone, or buy anything I know that, I think we just moved in one day and said finders keepers…."

"Diana teach you that?"

"Some of it, the rest I learned in school, she believes in supplementing the basics, I learn there….."

"You go to school?" I asked, surprised, most girls outside of Amazon villages don't, for that matter only boys who are wealthy or of noble blood go to school, the rest of us got taught by either our parents, or an aging learned but drunken local farmer like Lila and I did. I do miss Makis, he died the year after I ran away. When I married Perdicas he agreed if we had a boy to name him Makis. He had learned as much from him as I had, and had convinced him to leave and join the Athenian Army.

"In America, you have to it's the law, I'm pretty sure you can test when your older, and you can be homeschooled if you want, or your parents or guardian can pay for you to go a private school to teach you special things but Public school is paid for with taxes. Diana could probably afford that if she wanted to, if she scrimped and saved, but she said she rather me learn the extra stuff from her, and the basic stuff from the school, because she's paying for that anyway and paying for a private school to teach me extra stuff when they don't know what they were talking about would be a waste of money, and she doesn't have the time, patience sanity or need to teach me everything herself."

"It sounds like I'd like your Diana." Xena said softly.

Xena POV:

Zoe talked non-stop almost the entire ride to Amphiphipolis, she did remind me of Gabrielle the way she spoke, so brightly, so passionately about a variety of subjects, how she never seemed to breath, the way she moved her arms, the way her face and eyes seemed to light up as she spoke. I'm not saying she is our child, but part of me could definitely see that theory having merit. I also noticed when she smiled how similar it was to my brother Lyceaus' smile, and when she laughed how similar it was to my mother's laugh, of course I could be grasping at straws and these things could only be in my imagination, because, the more time I spend with Zoe the more I want her to be my child, well part of me does, and part of me is absolutely terrified of the thought that I will get her killed too. If she is my child I have a feeling that Diana might actually be a Goddess, particularly Artemis. Especially when she mentioned that her Soft ball whatever that is, team is named the Amazons, or explained the Girl scout law to us, or that Diana takes her camping and taught her how to hunt and make her own bow and arrows, or that Diana told her that some Gods lose most of their powers the less people believe in them, but not immortality. So once they lose their powers they are doomed to the mortal world but are never truly a part of it. Once we got back to Mother's Inn, it was about the time Mother was preparing supper. I noticed Melaney, the daughter of my childhood friend Damia being harassed by a couple of neighborhood boys, I hadn't seen her since I first came back 6 years earlier and she wasn't older than 12. She wasn't doing anything to encourage it, but if she was anything like Damia she was going to fight back soon. I ran to deal with it.

Gabrielle's POV

"Xena going to knock some sense into those boys?" Zoe asked.

"She would never hurt a child, scare them sure, but she wouldn't hurt them, they really only need to be scolded a little." I said. Look over, and Xena's hands are on their shoulders but other than that. She doesn't lay a hand on them. She's talking menacingly I could tell. And a few times her hand leaves a shoulder to touch her Chakram or her whip. Her eyebrow is raised. They both look very pale, they then run off. Xena escorts the girl, Melaney I think her name is to the bakery two buildings down and then comes back out. She walks over, and we go to the barn and stable the horses, we stable them far enough apart so that, Zoe won't break Xena's double pace rule if she wants to spend time with Kari. Xena understands the bond between a Horse and their rider and would never come between that, or put her in a position where she would have to break the rule. We took off their saddles and saddle bags, watered, fed, and brushed them, then went into the inn.

"Mother!" Xena said.