Ares! I don't think we would ever have realized it was Ares who had darkened my heart. It made perfect sense. With future events to come and the way he wanted Xena by his side. Using me would have been perfect.

And perhaps it was Ares' way of paving a road to tempt me to his way of thinking. There was a brief moment when I could see it. But something thankfully brought me back to the path I've always meant to be on.

That's a story for another time. If Ares is extremely intelligent, he will not show his face around us until after both of us have processed the information. Xena may have lost the ability to kill gods, she can still find ways to torture them. And in this case, I'd join in.

Thankfully, our next adventure had a touch of comedy to it. Partially it was because Joxer was involved. Especially in our early years, it seemed he always tried so hard that it led to some of the funnier or annoying moments.

The other thing that made it so comical was meeting Meg for the first time. She is so different than Diana or the priestess or my warrior princess it was easy to see the differences.

The only thing neither Xena nor I could ever wrap our minds around was how much Meg was attracted to Joxer. It made for some interesting moments during this distraction to help King Lias and his daughter once again.

I'm grateful I can reflect on this moment in time as more darkness looms. It had more to do with Callisto. And the way Ares interfered once again. It's what made the thought he was interfering with the last time we faced Callisto make so much sense. Will we ever know for certain?

Until then, I'll share with you the first meeting of the second of my soulmate's doppelgangers. This one the polar opposite of the princess, yet there are characteristics she shares with Xena. Something I may regret writing in these chronicles.

WARRIOR…PRINCESS…TRAMP

Plans had changed. It would have been wonderful had Gabrielle had time to heal alongside her soulmate in Amphipolis. Instead, the bard found herself traveling alone.

And arguing with Joxer of all people. He claimed he'd spoken to Xena when the warrior princess herself had been asked to help an old friend in Thebes. Something not adventurous so Gabrielle had chosen to ride ahead and wait for her so they could both help King Lias.

An hour ago? Gabrielle knew Xena moved fast, but it was miraculous if the warrior princess had arrived ahead of her. Still, she'd witnessed her soulmate do impossible things so it wasn't out of the question.

What was out of the question was how Joxer implied he and Xena had become quite intimate. If the bumbling warrior continued with his lies, he would be harmed by the bard's staff. There was only one for the warrior princess and vice versa. That had now been settled. Permanently.

It took a little while for Gabrielle to make it to the castle. By that time, the princess was already explaining the situation to Xena. Rooms were prepared and the warrior princess' word was to be treated as the princess'.

Gabrielle made certain Xena knew they had to communicate a little better. Not just about the little things, but everything. She wasn't certain if her message was clear. Especially about what to say or not say to Joxer.

Big mouthed idiot? Before Gabrielle could react, she found herself being thrown in the cell. What was Xena's endgame? Hadn't she just said they need to communicate? Did it hurt for Xena to reveal even a minuscule of her plan?

It seemed like forever before Xena came to see her in the cell. It was all part of what plan? Too dangerous for Gabrielle to know. Since when? Hadn't they been through enough? Hadn't they declared their love? Hadn't they made love sealing the fact they were soulmates?

What did having burning splinters being shoved under her fingernails have to do with the price of parchment in Athens? No matter if Gabrielle knew or not, she could still be tortured. None of this was making sense.

While it felt as if Xena was treating her like a child, there was something more. Something wasn't right with the warrior princess.

While the leatherclad woman appeared to be her soulmate, there was something not right. Gabrielle wished she had Xena's innate senses so that she could discover what it was that was off in the woman posing as the warrior princess.

The more time Gabrielle had to sit in the cell, the more time she had to think. Something was telling her this person was not her soulmate.

When Joxer was flung into the cell with her, Gabrielle had to agree that Xena was becoming more and more unpredictable. Which was nothing like the warrior princess the bard knew and loved.

It took a few moments for Gabrielle to explain how the princess and Xena were twins, at least in appearance. The fact Joxer still insisted the warrior princess had flirted with him was nearly too much for the bard.

Joxer was definitely not Xena's type. Even in the past had the warrior princess been in the market, it wouldn't have been for a wannabe warrior. And now, there was only the bard for Xena.

Do the honorable thing? Gabrielle really needed to escape from the cell once Joxer was going on about being her father and raising her like his own nearly had the bard strangling the bumbling warrior.

Once again, something was off. This time the princess was showing up at the cell informing them she knew Xena's plan and that Joxer was to be told the plan. Gabrielle didn't know what was happening, but knew something was extremely off. She couldn't wait for the truth to be revealed.

Finally, Xena arrived and allowed her release. But this was a different warrior princess. Darker. Monosyllabic. And stronger. Strength was radiating from her.

The explanation made perfect sense. If there was another lookalike, it would explain the confusion. Why Gabrielle sensed something wasn't right.

Just looking into cobalt eyes, Gabrielle knew this was her warrior princess. Still, she had to be certain. The chakram being caught at the last second was the answer to her prayers.

Once they had been reunited, they needed to find out where everyone was. Making Gabrielle the prisoner was an easy way to find where they had taken the princess prisoner. The bard was impressed by just how well her warrior princess could act like Meg.

As soon as the bard made certain the princess was all right and not dying from a cold bottom, the warrior princess made the transformation. She lured them to where Gabrielle and the princess were.

Just like that, Xena was doing what she did best as Gabrielle made certain Diana was safe. She was impressed when the princess punched the bad guy.

As they made it to the castle, the worst thing that could have happened did. Diana's baby was missing. The princess showed them to a chamber that was only known to the royal family. Hopefully they would be safe while Xena did her thing and Gabrielle sought out Meg and kept her in one place.

Gabrielle found the imposter attempting to make adjustments to the royal gown. It was laughable when Meg threatened the bard.

It was a fight unlike Gabrielle had ever been a part of. She now understood the term cat fight as Meg clawed and pulled her hair.

Somehow, Gabrielle managed the upper hand and was straddling the lookalike. If this was Xena beneath her…The bard had to stop herself from thoughts like that. She had to find a way to keep Meg from causing any more trouble.

There was a part of Gabrielle that wanted to hate Meg. But there was something about the imposter. She sensed the truth was finally being revealed.

Meg had been threatened and she hadn't lived the life the bard had. As much as Gabrielle hated living on a farm and knew she was destined for more, she at least had a family and friends to care for her while growing up.

The story unfolded from Meg's father dying in childbirth to being alone at ten and before that having one of her mother's boyfriends like her too much.

It explained so much, yet there had to be a better way. Gabrielle wanted to help Meg as much as she wanted to hate her. Partly it was because of how much she resembled her soulmate. But there she was hiding her emotions. It was so much like Xena it was uncanny.

Luckily, Gabrielle was able to convince Meg to come with her. It turned out to be a good thing as they came across King Lias and he was not doing well at all.

The bard watched as Meg attempted to give the king comfort. She was as uncomfortable as Xena would be if she attempted to make someone comfortable.

Meg was doing a pretty decent job until the bad guy told her to kill the king. It was something she couldn't do. Gabrielle was seeing more and more there was more to the eye then one saw with Meg.

Things got out of hand. Yet in the end, Meg made certain the king was safe. The baby was saved and there were three lookalikes.

Being called a softy when Gabrielle suggested giving Meg a second chance actually caused her to smile. Yes, the bard was a softy. But she could see the good in the self titled tramp.

Gabrielle wasn't the only one who thought Meg could use a second chance. The king made her his cook. Good thing King Lias liked things spicy.

Would they hear from Meg? She couldn't read or write, but for some reason Gabrielle was certain they hadn't seen or heard the last of the spicy lookalike.

It was adorable how as they walked away Joxer made it sound like he wanted to join them. Both of them saw through him. It was Xena who told him Meg wouldn't wait forever.

It was now how both liked it. Gabrielle and Xena traveling alone. And now, hopefully, they could make their way to Amphipolis like they had been in the first place. It was a wonderful place to heal. Too bad they still needed to heal, at least emotionally, so badly

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

Being separated from Gabrielle when they needed one another the most was the most difficult thing in the world. But the current situation could be handled singlehandedly. Hopefully it would allow for her bard to grieve.

As Xena maintained a quick pace upon Argo after having thwarted an unprovoked attack, she hoped Gabrielle was grieving for Perdicas. Though they were never lovers, they had been close at one time. And it was because of the connection to the warrior princess that the young man was dead.

Perhaps it was Xena who needed to grieve. She had to accept she wasn't the cause of Perdicas' death. While if not for her, it was Callisto's choice.

As was it Xena's choice not to save Callisto. Xena shook her head as she kneed Argo into an even faster pace. She'd been away from her bard long enough. Besides, King Lias had sent for her. It was urgent.

Azure eyes closed at the thought of Callisto. Helping others normally helped ease her mind. It never helped ease her soul. The warrior princess wouldn't allow for it.

Gabrielle. The thought of her bard was what kept Xena moving. It was what was keeping her from shedding tears. Maybe they were needed tears, but for now this was how it was to be.

Xena cursed. How she wished their plans of spending time with her mother had not been pushed off. It was amazing how rapidly the relationship between mother and daughter had healed. And how lucky the warrior princess was she had two strong women to help her heal.

The warrior princess was grateful when the familiar kingdom came into view. It would be interesting seeing her lookalike once again.

Slowing Argo to a walk, Xena sought out the tavern just outside the walls. It was where she was to meet Gabrielle. It couldn't be soon enough.

Xena was assaulted verbally the moment she entered the bar. It was more than that. These were the normal sweaty, disgusting warriors she used to travel with. Though under her army, they would have better hygiene then these men.

Ignoring the men as normal, Xena gained one bit of information. Gabrielle had been here and had already made her way to the castle. Why when she had asked her bard to meet her at the tavern.

Something strong to drink as the smelly warrior had suggested was not what Xena truly wanted. And these men were definitely not her type. She handled them in true warrior princess fashion.

Finally, Xena made it to the castle. There was a part of her that wanted to seek out her bard immediately. The warrior princess had to remind her there was danger for the king and his daughter.

Something was off once Xena met with Diana. It could be that her father was gravely ill. But there was more to it than that. The warrior princess' senses were off somehow.

Instead of speaking with the princess herself, Xena would seek out her husband. Hopefully Philemon could supply some much needed answers.

The surprise of discovering Joxer at the castle was immediately overcome with the need to hurt the bumbling warrior. First he insinuated Princess Diana wanted him. Then he attempts to say he and Xena can have something on the side.

Explanations, not groping. That's what Xena needed. Especially when she was supposedly the one who placed Gabrielle in the dungeon.

Xena had to fend off the smirk when she witnessed Gabrielle's ravings. More than that, she had to rein in her first instincts which were to hold her bard tightly. Even more, to kiss her soundly. These parting of the ways would have to be kept to a minimum in the future.

Between Joxer and Xena, they managed to decipher there were now two warrior princess lookalikes. It would explain nearly everything. It was quite easy to prove Xena was the real warrior princess with her trusty chakram.

In a way, Xena felt bad having to tell Joxer that anyone one who looked like her and even remotely shown attraction to him was the bad one.

It was time to find the princess, then they could see who was pretending to be both Diana and Xena. Was it the lookalike calling the shots or was there an unknown boss.

Using Gabrielle as a prisoner and Xena not using her finally honed skills was the perfect way to locate Diana. It was easier to impersonate Meg than it was the princess for the warrior princess.

Once they'd made it to where Diana was being held, Xena wanted to roll her eyes. The princess was under the impression she would die all from sitting on the cold stone floor.

Xena had to admit she was impressed when she witnessed the punch. There was hope for Diana after all. Not that she didn't think there always would be.

Once they'd made it back to the castle, a most unwanted discovery. Diana's baby was missing. They were taken to a chamber that was only known to the royal family. Hopefully Philemon and Diana would remain while they secured the king and the infant.

Instead of finding Meg or her cohorts, Xena came across Joxer once again. He was lucky not to have a black eye or worse once again.

A mental groan was experienced when Xena realized Joxer was falling for Meg. Not that it would be a horrible pairing, it just could get in the way as they were attempting to defeat Meg and her cohorts.

Having to use Joxer that way nearly made Xena ill. He was a decent enough guy, but never for her. There was only one person in the known world for the warrior princess.

Now that she had discovered the one behind everything, it was time to get to the bottom of this. Poison the king. Dangerous. But if Xena were to suggest something a little more lethal, it would still have the same results. And she could more easily prevent it. She hoped.

Just when things were about to playout the way Xena had planned, Joxer had to open his big mouth. He, at times, truly did live up to the nickname idiot.

Before Xena made it back to the chamber, she made her way to the king. She found Meg helping the man to safety. It showed a side to the misguided woman she might not even realize herself.

If Gabrielle were near, she would be giving Xena 'the eye'. In other words, the warrior princess needed to heed her own words. Let the past be in the past and do good. It made you the person you were today, not your past.

Before Xena could prepare herself, the fight was on. It was a comedy of errors with the baby perilously being tossed about. Even Meg appeared with her trusty shamrock. Luckily, the infant landed in the safety of its mother's arms.

Xena was the first to return to King Lias. While he didn't look so good, the healer in the warrior princess informed her that he would be all right. It would just take some care.

The perfect one for that care, besides his daughter, just could be Meg. Once again, someone with power was giving someone a second chance. Xena had no doubt Meg's cooking was spicy.

Goodbyes were not Xena's thing. She actually liked Meg, but had to make certain she didn't pose as the warrior princess too often.

The fact Meg wanted some alone time with Joxer worked out perfectly. Xena just had to nudge the bumbling warrior back toward her lookalike.

It left Xena how she liked it. She and Gabrielle were alone once again. They could resume their journey to Amphipolis.

While this adventure had distracted Xena from the hurt and pain, she could always use some alone time with her bard. Even better was spending time with her mother. Now that she could say she had a mother once again.

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

Another adventure had come to an end. It was one of their milder ones. And they had made a new friend. Both bard and warrior princess had a feeling they hadn't seen the last of Meg. Unfortunately they hadn't seen the last of Joxer, either.

For now, Xena and Gabrielle were alone. They were on their way to Amphipolis. Unfortunately, their alone time didn't last as word came to them that Theodorus was not far from the warrior princess' home village.

"Do you think Theodorus will want revenge?" Gabrielle was enjoying the walk. As much as she liked staying in the castle, this time had not been quite so comfy since she'd had to spend a majority of her time in the dungeon.

"I'm not certain if he's going after mother or if he's going after me." Xena decided she wanted to walk as she led Argo. Having been kept from Gabrielle as long as she had, she was craving the nearness.

"Or after me." Gabrielle hated the words she'd uttered the moment they had left her mouth. Not that they weren't true. Anyone close to or connected to Xena was a potential target.

After what had happened with Perdicas, Gabrielle should have been more careful with her words. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"Gabrielle, relax." Xena glanced at her bard before turning her gaze to where they were headed. The warrior princess' senses were on full alert. They needed to be if Theodorus' men were near.

"We'll both always regret what happened to Perdicas." Xena swallowed before continuing. "The moment you saved me in Amphipolis, you became a target. The longer you travel with me, the bigger target you will become."

The bard already knew this. Gabrielle just hated that she had once again verbalized it. Xena placed so much pressure upon herself. There was no need to add more.

"Yes, I will." Gabrielle halted her pace. The day was already threatening to come to an end. Soon, they would have to seek out a place to stay for the night. "But it doesn't mean I have to bring up what you worry about every second of every day."

Xena also halted. She extended her senses before she looked her bard fully in the eyes. "Even I can't always control my first instincts. So please stop punishing yourself for attempting to tease, yet uttering something so true."

A deep sigh escaped Gabrielle. "I know. It's just over our travels together, my not thinking first has gotten us both into trouble. More times than I'd like to count."

"And when I was a young warrior, I would do things brash and not even considered the full consequences." Xena placed a hand on her soulmate's shoulder.

"The point is we all do or say stupid things." Xena gave her bard a gentle squeeze. "It's the continual life lessons we have learn. If not…"

"If not, one of us could perish." Once again, Gabrielle hated that she had spoken. But it was true. Already both of them had faced death but had returned.

"Gabrielle, I love you. With everything I am." Xena smirked with the adorable blush gracing the bard's cheeks. "But you are being too hard on yourself."

"Maybe." Gabrielle placed her hand upon Xena's that had remained on her shoulder. "Or maybe I'm realizing each day that things are becoming even more perilous. Helping King Lias and Princess Diana was nearly simple compared to some of our adventures. Something tells me they will only be more complicated as time goes on."

"You are not wrong." Xena reluctantly removed her hand. The sun was setting faster than the warrior princess realized. Or was it just how much Gabrielle could distract the warrior princess.

That wasn't a positive when facing the likes of Theodorus. "As your stories become more and more famous, it means those out to get us know it's not that easy. I swear you make me sound like a demigoddess or something."

Gabrielle understood this for what it was. It was a subject change. "I can't help it if you make the impossible look like it's second nature."

Xena couldn't help smiling. "Let's keep moving. We can camp at the old miller's place." It meant the couple, if not unexpected visitors, could have some comfortable alone time.

Better would be when they were allowed some time in Amphipolis. Seeing mother again was the best gift either could ever ask for.