What The?

We got to Atlantica in the late afternoon just before twilight. The city took my breath away The cliffs of Atlantica overlooked the ocean and as the sun set in the distance the sky and the water were colored in brilliant oranges, purples and blues. "Beautiful isn't it?" Gabrielle whispered wistfully standing next to me.

"breath taking." I said and turned to face her, "He's getting married Gabrielle."

"yeah," Gabrielle said as we started toward the village. Iolaus had gone ahead to tell Hercules we were here so it was just us. "Maybe we'll like her."

I shrugged and looked down at my shoes. "There goes my life plan," I said with a smirk.

Gabrielle laughed and wrapped an arm around my waist. I draped my arm over her shoulder as we headed for the stables.

Gabrielle took the burdens off of Argo and headed towards the door, "I'm gonna get us settled in a room while you do this."

I nodded, and continued to tend to my horse. Minutes later I hear a movement behind me, I tensed up and listened as the person moved closer and relaxed when I caught a familiar scent. He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed, "Why was I not invited to this Hercules?"

"I didn't want either of you to be uncomfortable," he answered his hot breath tickling my ear. "she's the jealous type."

"So am I," I said turning to face him, "Did Amphipolis mean absolutely nothing to you?" I remembered the Dosha incident well. I had been turned into an infant and forced to relieve my childhood. He had been there for me, and Hercules had taken my virginity then.

"I'm sorry." Hercules said, "Amphipolis meant a lot to me, but Andromeda, has captured my heart like none other."

"Well." I said seeing the look of adoration in his eyes. "I guess I couldn't really expect you to wait for when I was ready to settle." I said smiling and hugging him.

"Come meet Romy" Hercules said pulling me by the hand.

Romy? What kind of stupid nickname is that? "I've got to finish with Argo here."

"Don't worry the stable keeper is phenomenal, he'll take good care of her. Come on she is dying to meet you." Hercules said pulling me with him.

We walked past the inn through the town to where the houses were. He took me to the biggest house of them all. It towered over the city and overlooked the ocean on a cliff. It had a breathtaking view of the ocean from the courtyard.

There in the courtyard there was a woman she was so gorgeous and innocent looking at the same time. She had long dark hair and blazing green eyes. Her skin was flawless without the scars that my body seemed to feature. She turned to us and smiled "Hi!" she said enthusiastically, "You must be Xena."

I held my hand out to shake hers, but she threw her arms around me in a hug. "Y-yep that would be me." I answered uncomfortably

"Now that you are here, You must be part of my wedding." She said pulling me along with her, "Excuse us Honey, I think I've found, Adecea's replacement."

"Oh Romy that is a wonderful idea." Hercules said, "I'll see you two later, I've got to meet with your father."

"Herc?" I growled as I was pulled away, he waved goodbye to me. I followed Andromeda in a sort of trance, "Who's Adecea?" I asked

"That is my best friend, she won't be able to make it in time, as she and her husband have just had a baby. She was going to be my maid of Honor." Andromeda replied as she brought me into a room in the mansion that she called a home, where her dress hung beautifully on a mannequin.

My eyes widened at the realization of what she just said. "Oh no... nonono." I said taking my hand from hers and backing out of the room. "isn't there anyone else that could take her place? A sister, or cousin or something?"

"My cousin Nikki could do it, but lets face it she is a harlot and I will not be having that at my wedding." she answered, "You will do just fine, we could do something about those shoulders and that hair, but other than that.."

What did she just say? "What's wrong with my shoulders?" I asked indignantly.

"They are a little masculine." She said to me, "They will never do in this dress." she pulled out an obnoxious dress with a tremendous amount of material and lace. The best thing about the dress was the color. It was blue like the sky.

"I never said I would do this." I said looking at the dress with disgust, seeing more than a few possible alterations.

"Oh please you must!" she said, "I thought you were his friend."

"I am, it's just that..." I started.

"Great!" she said, "Did you bring a date? That way he can escort you down the isle." she said shoving the dress at me and pulling me by the hand out onto the courtyard. "What am I saying? Of course you don't, who would be with such a woman."

I stopped short and looked at her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, what you do isn't really conducive to a romantic life." Andromeda said.

"I do so have someone." I said indignantly.

She smiled brilliantly, "You do?" She promptly jumped into my arms, "I'm so happy for you! What's his name? Is he here?"

I was flustered and stepped away from her. Just then Gabrielle walked into the courtyard. "Gabrielle! Honey, thank goodness, here take this dress."

"Hey, " Gabrielle raised a brow at the word honey. She took the dress and looked at it. "What the f.."

I covered her mouth, "I'm her maid of honor." I explained and her lips formed an o under my hand. I let her go and turned to a confused Andromeda.

"Andromeda, This is Gabrielle, my... other." I said, "Gabrielle honey this is Hercules' promised."

"Oh..."Andromeda said looking a whole lot more comfortable to have me there.

"Well Romy, I think we will be going now, it's been a long day, and we could both use some... release." I said wrapping an arm around Gabrielle.

"I'll meet you here bright and early." Andromeda shouted behind us as we rushed out of the courtyard and towards the Inn.