I remember getting lost so many times when I first started out after Xena. I hadn't left home only a handful of times. Each time that I had, Father had always been with me. There was no one to guide me in my search of my destiny. I often wonder what would have happened if I'd taken a left instead of a right. Would I have met Xena, just at a later time?

I know my soulmate has similar questions. What if she hadn't gone through that village on her way to Amphipolis? What if that boy hadn't been there and once again she had been reminded of her despicable acts? What if the baby had not been there to begin her path down the road to redemption?

There was one time in particular that reminded us both of how one decision can change one's very soul. I didn't get a chance to meet Marcus on that particular occasion. Xena was still protecting me from the evils of the world. Of course, she could not protect me from my good intentions. That's how I had ended up in prison. And nearly executed.

Do I wonder what would have happened if Marcus had not sacrificed himself that day? I could say, as I've said so many times already in these scrolls, that I'm getting ahead of myself. And in a way, I am.

It's just one of those painful reminders. We both had a past. In my case, not so much of lovers but potential ones. But Xena, her reputation was not only to her acts of violence. It was also of her sexual appetite. And I knew, even if she didn't tell me, there were only a select few that had touched her in some way.

Marcus was one of them. In fact, he was unique as he had actually known Xena. They had grown up near one another and spent summers together. I've never had the nerve to ask and I may never. But what if? What if she and Marcus had taken different paths? Would I be sitting here writing with Xena out catching whatever for our evening meal? Or would I be alone? Or worse? Here's to one particular path that was taken. And where it led us in the end.

The Path Not Taken

To Gabrielle, adventure was what made life worth living. Did Xena make life too adventurous? It was possible. And yet, the young bard had never felt more alive. In a way, the meal she was craving wasn't food of any kind, though her stomach was grumbling.

No, the meal she was so desperate for, in so many ways, was love. It was also the most adventurous thing she could think of. After their latest talk and adventure, the picture of the figure in her dreams was becoming clearer. It wasn't just the darkness and light, along with the leather, that had Gabrielle thinking of a certain person.

It was the fact the figure she saw was clearly female. While it wasn't what she had necessarily dreamed of, Gabrielle knew one thing. Whatever shape or form her true soulmate was to take, she would love them. She would never take them for granted. And she would love them for eternity and beyond.

Hmm. Xena was already recognizing something she would say. Gabrielle wondered if that was a good thing or not. Because it could be considered predictable. And that was the last thing the bard wanted to be was predictable. Xena could become bored too easily.

Gabrielle knew something had happened. Xena wouldn't normally whistle at her. She would if she needed something. But it was degrading. And there were better ways of gaining her attention. As usual, the bard was oblivious to what had happened and merely followed her stomach, knowing that if it was important Xena would tell her exactly what had happened.

As Gabrielle rambled on about their latest adventure, she had a feeling something was happening. When she turned around, it was merely Xena standing there appearing more annoyed than usual. At least a table had opened up. But then since joining Xena, that hadn't been much of a problem. And the way Xena acted as if nothing ever happened…

Gabrielle felt a little, ok quite a bit, embarrassed that she had read into what the stranger had implied. While she had been treated rather…poorly…in other establishments, it didn't mean she should expect everyone to think that way. And there was the fact the young man was dressed far superior to anyone she had come across in a tavern.

How quickly Gabrielle's embarrassment transformed into curiosity. Even more than curious, it turned into the romantic side. So the young man was engaged. And he wanted his true love back. Even better, their marriage would hopefully help keep the peace between two kingdoms. They definitely had to help the young man.

And a weapons dealer who Xena knew. How shocking her traveling companion would know of someone who dealt in weapons. After all, Xena was once one of the most powerful warlords. Even now, she was one of the greatest warriors who ever graced the known world.

Not seeking a reward. Xena was truly an amazing woman on the path of redemption. Helping those less fortunate happened in so many ways. Fighting was one of them. Another was having those that could afford it take care of them. And once again, Xena wouldn't allow Gabrielle's curiosity to get the better of her.

And the plan was what? For Xena to merely go as herself to a place where evil cutthroats thrived? A place, where not that long ago, Xena would thrive? Could so easily fall back into the darkness that at one time had enveloped her like a sand storm blinds you to where you are attempting to travel and need guidance to make it back to safety.

Would Gabrielle be enough? She knew Xena would want to make it back to her. Her friend would always think of her. And in a way, she would always be a beacon. But the pull the darkness must still have over Xena terrified the bard beyond words.

Why did Xena saying she was getting the girl evoke something in Gabrielle? It should just be because Xena's intentions were true. But there was something more to the bard's reaction. She just couldn't place it. Yet. Until then, she would entertain herself and Agranon with a few tales.

But the tales she regaled her new friend with were nothing compared to the story of his own love story. Merely taking a drink from a fountain and one meets their destiny. While she would place a twist on it, Gabrielle knew the real version was how it should be.

In some ways, it reminded Gabrielle of how she had met her traveling companion. Only it was the warrior rescuing the damsel in distress. Only Gabrielle had been fighting back. For a moment, she realized what she had thought.

Xena could very well be the figure from her dreams. There was the dark past, but the light surrounding her now. And the leather…Xena would forever be associated with leather. It was part of her natural scent.

As Gabrielle assured Agranon that she could easily talk her way into a meeting with the king, her mind was beginning to race. It wasn't exactly that she hadn't ever thought of Xena in that way. It was only that it had taken so long for Xena to accept her as a traveling companion and now best friend.

And timing was everything. It was as if the fates or one of the gods was watching over them. Gabrielle knew it was a sign that they had come across the guards who could take them to the king. Only problem? They didn't want to listen.

Would Xena laugh at the predicament Gabrielle now found herself in? The bard sighed as she attempted to move her hands so that she could scratch her nose. There had been a definite miscommunication. Or was it those that were heartbroken who could not truly hear what was being said.

Look at King Gregor. He had been so heartbroken over the loss of his son and wife that he had, at first, not wanted to listen. But he was indeed a good man and had realized the truth, even though he grieved heavily for a family torn from him. This was surely the case now. Or she would have to hope Xena had her normal impeccable timing.

After all, they were just informed they were indeed to see the king. It was at the execution. Their execution. Gabrielle knew her helpful streak, as well as her nativity would continue to cause trouble. If not for herself, surely it would cause trouble for others. And the need for Xena to continue to rescue her. It was something she would have to work on.

Somehow, Xena did it as usual. But this time, there had been a high price to pay. While Marcus had willingly sacrificed himself so that Jana was saved, it had been unnecessary. Except possibly as his act of redemption. Hopefully it would help him when it came to being judged. And in the next life.

Friend. It was the best way to be remembered. For if one had even one friend, they were rich beyond compare. Gabrielle knew the only thing even greater to be remembered for would be as the soulmate of a person. Would that happen? Would she be known as someone's soulmate?

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Life was an adventure? At times, Xena had had enough adventure. Other times, like when she was in the company of her bard, she wanted to live it to the fullest. There was the fact she still wanted to make amends to her mother and make Lyceus proud. But it was Gabrielle who inspired her.

In more ways than Xena could even count. The warrior shook her head at the thought. It was stray thoughts such as that one which could get her into trouble. There was no way she could do that to her friend. But it was easy to encourage her to be a bard. So even if Gabrielle hadn't been the one to say it, it would hopefully make her want to continue to be creative.

There was one thing Xena knew she would have to teach her young companion. Sometimes Gabrielle wasn't aware of her surroundings. This time it had been something somewhat innocent. She and Argo had easily taken care of the situation. But what if Gabrielle continued to be so careless, especially when Xena left her to fend for herself?

It was reinforced with how Gabrielle hadn't notice why they always seem to have ease in gaining a table. True, Xena's reputation preceded her. It wasn't a mystery to the former warlord. And it shouldn't be to Gabrielle, either. It would have to change.

With the way the guy was looking at them, it might be sooner than Xena thought. He was definitely not a warlord. And he didn't seem the mercenary type. Yet, Xena wasn't the kind to hire out. And yet, if what someone was asking for was deemed for the greater good, she would do what she could.

For love was not necessarily the greater good. Xena knew love had its place in the known world; it just wasn't always worthy of her time. Now stopping a war and weapons dealer, that was worthy of her time. More than worthy.

And if starving people could gain some relief by having the young man share the ransom with them, it definitely would be worth it. Yet she knew Gabrielle would want her to do it for the romantic side. And it truly was the deciding factor. What Gabrielle wanted, she was to receive. With perhaps the exception of one thing.

Tracus and Menzentius. A place she had hoped she'd long ago left behind. And a person who needed to be dealt with. On a rather permanent basis. While she had already decided because of Gabrielle's interest she would do as asked, knowing it involved the arms dealer was more than enough incentive.

Gabrielle always wanted to see and touch everything. Xena, at times, was exasperated with how easily the young woman could be so tempted with the unknown. While Pandora's Box had turned out for the positive, what if one day it wouldn't? Yes, it was an emblem so that the princess would believe her. That wasn't the point.

It was sweet and dismaying Gabrielle was worried about her returning to Tracus. And there was no need of a disguise. After all, Xena's reputation was still of a warlord. True, she had begun to slowly make amends for her past and because of Gabrielle those tales were becoming known, she could trade on her past to fool the men she needed to.

Her friend's worry over the pull of the dark side as she returned to her past was sadly a valid one. Xena hadn't truly been around any of her old cohorts since she had run the gauntlet. Yes, she had nightmares about them. There were a select few who she wouldn't mind seeing once again. Would the pull be too great, even with Gabrielle waiting for her?

It was just like old times. And explaining away her good deeds had been easier than Xena had thought. That was the problem of most who spent a great deal of time at a place like this. They were on the lower rung of things. It was the likes of Mezentius who had vision and cunning that one had to worry about.

And one of those from her past had to show up just when she had the crowd won over. At least Marcus had somewhat played along with her. He had been one of the better men she had associated with. At one time, he had been friends with Cyrene. It had been genuine his asking how she was.

It was easy passing off Lerna and the rescue of a child as something more. Not many had heard the true story. Again, Gabrielle had made certain to write in her newly found scrolls about the tale and had even spoke of it in a couple of the taverns they had come across. Her way of making money and contributing to their travel expenses.

The only difficult part was the notoriety part. At one time, Xena wanted her named screamed from the lips of her dying enemies. She wanted her name to instill fear in everyone who crossed her path. It had made fighting that much easier at times having that bad reputation. But it also still made her a target for those wanting to prove themselves.

Had Marcus truly thought of their times as good? Xena, in a way, had been using him. If only he knew her preference was for women…Yet, she had truly cared for him. At that moment in time, it was the most dangerous thing she could do. Caring about anyone but herself was nearly suicidal.

So, this was Mezentius. He didn't look like much, at least as some would say. But Xena knew from the past that looks could be deceiving. Even though she was nearly six feet tall and imposing, because she was a woman she was nothing. They would not take her as a serious threat.

Mezentius was intelligent. He was allowing his man enough rope to hang himself by. Of course what Mezentius truly hoped was his former man would reveal who was working with him. For some reason, Xena had a feeling in her gut she already knew who was the silent partner.

Talking Marcus into setting up a meeting with his boss had been easier than she had anticipated. In some ways, it was just like old times. Xena could trick Marcus into doing anything she wanted to. And it was old times as her reputation had informed Mezentius what she was truly capable of.

Luckily, Mezentius knew exactly who she was and her kind. And her kind were the ones who made him a wealthy man. Once again, it was her reputation that would, at least, get her foot in the door. It was up to Xena to make certain the door opened all the way. She just hoped Gabrielle was staying out of trouble.

The compound was impressive, especially the hot spring. It could come in handy. Probably as handy as how Marcus so easily trusted Xena. And the fact he still seemed to have some kind of infatuation with her. She only hoped he wasn't still in love with her.

And hope she could talk Mezentius out of doing anything stupid, such as deflowering the princess. Even in her day, Xena would be tempted. But she never allowed herself to partake in pleasure of someone she held for ransom. Threaten them, but never actually rape them.

It was another one of those lines Xena had never crossed. And yet, she had killed nearly without thought. But there were those tiny lines that even she couldn't cross. The one which had led her on the path she was now on.

Xena's first attempt failed. It wasn't miserably. Mezentius didn't share her vision. A vision that frightened her slightly. She could see why Gabrielle had been concerned with her return here. With her nearness to her old cohorts.

And how easily Xena's plan changed. While in their adventures together, plans changing in the blink of an eye already was necessary, she didn't like how it had been so easy to think along her old warlord ways.

Which included near extortion. Xena was surprised that her foe had given in so easily. She knew she would have to watch her back. Mezentius would use her and then discard her like he had so many others. Like she had so many others.

The girl had fight. Xena liked that about Jana. For now, it was time to prove her worth. How exactly? By gaining her trust and protecting their so called investment. If it hadn't been for the emblem, Jana might never have believed she had been sent by her fiancé.

Protected his property? It was men like Mezentius that made Xena's blood boil. Even when she was a warlord, she hated the thought of women being slaves. True, there had been those she abused badly. And she hated the thought of the likes of Satrina who had delivered her son.

And insulting? Xena hadn't even begun to be insulting to the man. He was only lucky she was still attempting to save Jana and end a war before it began. Otherwise, she would have done more than merely insult the so called man.

Checking out the weapons had nearly been a mistake. Marcus following her nearly had caused everything to fall apart. Luckily, Xena allowed Mezentius' own ego to get the better of him. And to allow him to think he was still in charge and calling all the shots.

And for Marcus to merely think she was stealing. Xena's gut had been correct when she thought her old friend was behind the theft of weapons. It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but it did complicate matters. If Mezentius were to discover the truth…

And when Marcus began talking about changing…And how it hadn't worked…It made Xena think of Gabrielle. Not that her young bard was ever far from her thoughts. After all, it was now Gabrielle who she did the greater good for. True, it was for herself and her mother. But mostly, it was for Gabrielle.

Changed? Could Marcus sense she had changed so easily? If anyone from her past who was still alive could tell she had changed, it was he. There was one other she was uncertain if was alive or not. If only she could tell Marcus what she knew. What made her change and what now continued her on the path she was on.

Fast talking once again. Xena knew she was running out of time and excuses. Either Marcus or Mezentius would realize she was here for Jana. That she would help the princess escape. No matter the cost. After all, there were far too many lives at stake if she didn't somehow succeed.

Companion? When Xena had heard the prince had been captured, it had made her heart leap. When she had heard they had both been captured and were scheduled to be executed, it terrified her beyond words. Luckily, she was capable of hiding her emotions. Even from the one who was evoking them so strongly.

So, somehow Marcus knew. Somehow he was threatening to kill the princess. Hadn't he expressed wanting to change? Hadn't he tried it once before? Perhaps it had been too much his failing. Or perhaps he was fighting to finally make that step. The one she had to take, not that long ago.

Had she known how much Marcus had cared? Yes, Xena had. Why had she kept him in the dark? Trust. That was a huge part of it. But the bigger part? There was now someone else. As much as Marcus would always have a place in her heart, she could never be with another. And if she was, it was to protect Gabrielle.

What Xena had said was true. Do that one right thing, even if you didn't know why. For her, it was saving the baby. For Marcus, it had been saving the innocent child. But for Marcus, it hadn't been enough. He'd questioned why. One had to fight for right and not worry about what others thought and did.

Still, Marcus threatened Jana. Still, he couldn't do what was right. After all, the princess was as innocent as the young child. How could he not see that? And at the last minute, he had. But didn't Marcus know she could save them all? It was what Xena did?

Instead, Xena was standing beside Marcus' funeral pyre. If only he had believed in her. If only he had taken a different path. If only Xena had taken a different path. But then, she wouldn't have someone to stand by her as she grieved for her friend. She wouldn't continue down the path of greater good, with Gabrielle by her side.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The breeze was gentle upon Gabrielle's skin as she and Jana walked through the garden. It wasn't often the young bard was invited to a royal wedding. In fact, she'd never been invited. While it was assumed that Pandora and King Gregors married, they had not been invited.

But both Jana and Agranon had insisted the bard and Xena remain. Of course, the warrior princess had not been too keen on the idea. It had taken some fast talking on Gabrielle's part for Xena to agree to remain. Although, she wouldn't stay in the castle. They would camp outside, but would take part of whatever festivities during the day.

"I can't believe in the morning I'll be married." Jana brought the freshly picked bouquet of flowers to her nose. The smell was intoxicating. "If I hadn't believed Xena or she hadn't chosen to believe Agranaon, there might very well be a war being fought instead of a wedding."

Gabrielle smiled at the thought. She too wondered where she would be if she had snuck off like she had planned that fateful morning. Would she have met Xena sooner? Would their meeting have had the impact on both of them? After all, it was the bard standing up for the others which made Xena take notice.

And what if she had become lost? Gabrielle decided to play bard. She decided to play with one of the what ifs. "I can relate to that. I was nearly kidnapped by slavers the day I met Xena. In fact, she was the one who saved me and the others. I often wonder what would have happened if I had been taken."

The princess stopped in her tracks. It wasn't so much the idea of being kidnapped, as she had just lived through that. It was the fact there was the what if playing out before her very eyes. It could have meant Jana's death. It could have meant being violated in a heinous way. And it could have meant war.

"Why don't we find somewhere to sit while I tell you a story." Gabrielle and the princess made their way to the clearing Jana and her prince had been enjoying when the princess had been kidnapped. It indeed was a beautiful place.

The pair sat beside one another. Gabrielle was staring out into the woods. It wasn't because she feared trouble, though she knew trouble was around every corner. It was as if she could sense something. Or was it she could sense someone?

If she knew Xena, which she was beginning to, the warrior princess wasn't far away. After all, Xena had proven to be a protector. Would Gabrielle have it any other way? Another smile graced her features as she thought of her best friend and began to tell her tale. Deep down, she hoped Xena was out there and listening.

"There once was a warrior. She was unlike all the other warriors. It wasn't because she was female. It wasn't because she was tall or strong. It was because she was more intelligent and cunning than most gods, let alone mortals." Gabrielle hoped her friend wouldn't mind the last part.

While she had yet to see Xena fight any on Mount Olympus, she had heard the tale of her facing down Hercules who was a demigod. "Something in her past had caused her to sway from the greater good. She was truly on her way to being the conqueror of all nations."

Gabrielle could have sworn she heard a deep sigh. Was Xena around? Was she afraid of where this story was heading? "But in this version, the ruthless warrior wasn't persuaded to do good. She wasn't determined to make things up to her mother. Instead, she found a new crew of men and women to do her bidding. Worse, she became what she had hated about the man who had created her. She had destroyed a village merely because it was there."

"And from this village, this ruthless warrior took a prize." Jana was now leaning towards the bard. Gabrielle was still new to storytelling but knew when her audience was becoming a part of the story. "It wasn't a piece of jewelry or dinars. It wasn't a priceless painting."

"It was a young peasant girl." Now, there was more than a sigh Gabrielle could have sworn she heard. It was almost as if she could hear someone's heart breaking. "This young peasant girl had hoped one day to travel the world. To see what she'd heard about from bards and from scrolls she kept hidden from her family."

It was closer to home than Gabrielle cared to admit. And yet, this was one of those what ifs that haunted her. And yet, she had begun writing it down in a scroll of her own. Would she ever share it with anyone else? Specifically, a tall, dark-haired warrior who seemed to be a very part of her soul?

"At first, it was clear who was mistress and who was slave. While never actually physically beating the young woman, the ruthless warlord made certain she behaved as her property." Gabrielle wanted to say something more, if only because now she was certain Xena was listening to her tale.

But Gabrielle knew, as did her best friend, that things could very easily have happened this way. If something had not touched Xena's soul that day, she could have remained with Draco. She could have struck out and become the greatest evil the known world had ever experienced.

That was the scariest part for both Xena and Gabrielle. As horrible as the acts Xena had committed, there were far worse atrocities she could have unleashed upon the known world. If it hadn't been for a baby. If it hadn't been for Hercules. If it hadn't been for Gabrielle…

"One day, when the evil warlord had met her match, the young peasant girl did something neither of them would have ever expected." Gabrielle took a breath. Partly, it was to pause and allow Jana to wonder what it was. Partly, it was to allow her own mind to process the possibility.

"The girl chose to cover the warlord's body when she would have been punished." Gabrielle shivered. It was as if she had experienced something before. Or she would experience it in the future. It was odd how she was becoming so a part of her own story.

"Because of the act, the ruthless warlord was able to free herself. But not before the young peasant was horribly scarred. Both her back and face received lashes from a barbed whip." Gabrielle could almost feel the stinging herself. Could this have truly happened in another time, another place?

"Now for most of her kind, it would mean throwing the young girl away." Gabrielle swallowed. She could see the trepidation written across Jana's face. The girl might be a princess, but this was the first time she'd heard a story like this.

"The act changed the warrior. Or was it reminded her of what she could have been without the ugliness that had tainted her soul?" Now Gabrielle smiled sadly as she knew how closely this hit home for her warrior princess.

"Instead of using the peasant girl as a slave, and worse, the ruthless warlord slowly began to make her an equal." Now the story was blurring with reality. Gabrielle knew this, as did Xena. "They shared every meal together. They were very seldom separated. The warrior even began to show the young peasant how to fight. It started with defending herself, but grew into more."

"In exchange, the young peasant taught the warlord how to read and write. She taught the older woman how to charm people. The warlord had known how to read people. It was part of how she had become so powerful. And the young peasant became a storyteller. Giving the warlord something she never had. It was what was stolen when her youth was stolen."

Jana now sat back. Gabrielle knew it wasn't because she was any less engrossed in the story. In fact, it was because she was contemplating exactly what it was the warlord had stolen from her. And in a way making her the woman she was.

"It was the ability to play, of all things. To use her wild imagination for things other than battle strategy. So listening to the young peasant's stories were a reminder of a youth that ended far too soon." Gabrielle had to pause once again. How much further to take this?

"And because of the ability to be a youth once again and use her imagination, the ruthless warlord began to do good. She began to see the young peasant differently. As the beauty she had always been and was beneath the scars."

"It wasn't long before they were traveling across the known world fighting for the greater good. And while doing so, the pair fell in love. They lived a long and happy life together." Gabrielle now wondered if this was more about what she wished than what her imagination could make come to life.

"That was an awesome story. You must tell it at the wedding reception tomorrow." Both noticed how the sun had nearly set. Time had gotten away from them both. "Speaking of receptions, it's time for the wedding dinner. You and Xena will attend, won't you?"

There was a noise. Gabrielle knew it was intentional. As perceptive as she was when it came to Xena, even she couldn't hear her unless the warrior princess wanted her to. "I'll try to convince her to come, but she doesn't care for crowds or celebrations."

Gabrielle wanted to say especially after losing a friend so recently. Xena had so few friends in her life, especially since her dark warlord days. To lose one cut her at the very soul. It was something the bard had yet to experience. And hoped never to in the near future.

The bard was surprised when Jana wasn't more persistent. Instead, she smiled as if she realized something Gabrielle had yet to realize. In fact, the princess winked before she took her leave of the wonderful place and the memories it contained within.

"I know you're out there." Gabrielle had waited what seemed like a lifetime to allow Xena to show herself. When her best friend chose not to, the bard knew it was because of the story she had told. "I want you to know something. It doesn't matter how we met or when we met."

The bard was now standing, staring at the moon that was rising as the sun was setting. It was a perfect analogy for life in a way. For one aspect of life was emerging, while another was sinking. There were always changes in one's life. One had to merely adjust to them. In some cases, embrace them. In others, attempt to change.

"And I would have been like the peasant girl. If you were dark, I would have been your light. If you would have been on the path of light, I would have illuminated it more. And if you were never dark, but always of light, we would have merged our lights to lead the way."

In her way, Gabrielle was attempting to tell herself and Xena something. Without actually saying the words. It wasn't easy. For neither was ready for the full impact the revelation could make. So for now, it had to be vague. But in the end, it meant the same thing.

In this life, and every life, Xena and Gabrielle would meet. Sometimes they would be of the light. Sometimes they would be of the dark. Sometimes they would be a mixture of the two. But in the end, they would both balance one another. They would become what each needed to survive.

Xena emerged from the shadows. She never said a word. Instead, the warrior princess offered her bard an arm. Gabrielle knew what it meant. Xena was to escort her to the current festivities and the wedding the next day. What did it mean? For now, it was about two best friends sharing this particular path.

But it could be soon, there would be a fork in the road. It would mean one, if not both, would finally have to admit what they were feeling. There was this connection between them. There was something woven throughout the very fabric of time.

And just like in Gabrielle's story, no matter the path each had chosen, all roads led to one another. It was now only a matter of time when their paths merged completely. And two soulmates would finally be one in this particular time.