When it comes to my Xena, she is one of a kind. Yet, there were three women who shared her face. Yet those three women couldn't be less alike.

Xena grunts. See what I mean? The Princess Diana would never grunt. Neither would Priestess Leah. Meg would when she was drunk off her…

Anyways it was always interesting to meet one of Xena's doubles. But this one was even more interesting. Someone who didn't believe in sex? Come on.

My soulmate whispers in my ear and reminds me of the farmgirl that I used to be. The innocent virgin that I used to be. The one that made love to my soulmate the first time and since has never gotten enough of her. While I blush at what she whispers, it's true. I love my wife and I can't get enough of her.

Anyways, again, it was something to have to deal with the three Xenas. One who was so innocent of the world. One who was too knowledgeable of the world. And one who fought for the greater good for them both.

It was good to see that Meg, while abandoning a good job, had taken on what she thought was a worthy cause while owning a tavern. It was too bad she was being used.

The same could be said for Priestess Leah. She was doing what she thought was her calling when she was to be burned at the stake in my soulmate's outfit. They didn't count on my coming along.

Perhaps it was Hesita's will that I be there at that moment so I could save her. Of course, I'd made love to my wife the night before so not sure how that worked out.

There was also Joxer. That man was always bumbling, but he had a heart of gold. When he thought Meg was in trouble, he went charging in.

However it worked out, it was another adventure that was more comical than anything else. It was an adventure where I saw others wearing my soulmate's face and realized just how lucky I was to have the real deal.

WARROR…PRIESTRESS…TRAMP

Gabrielle had been doing some shopping when she came across something she never thought she would see. Xena was willingly allowing herself to be burned at the stake.

What really had Gabrielle wondering was the fact that it was Hestia's will. What the Hades did that have to do with the price of grapes in Carthage?

Hestia was Xena's salvation? She did as she ordains? Since when? Gabrielle was becoming irritated and concerned about her soulmate.

And then Gabrielle understood. It was about the bard taking on more responsibility. It was about her learning to do for herself. And it was learning to rescue without Xena's help.

Gabrielle had to dodge the men attempting to burn Xena at the stake. Finally, the bard managed to get a plank under a barrel of water but could not get it to budge. Not until she saw the man that had a little weight on him. That was all it took to put out the flames.

It took Gabrielle pushing and shoving Xena to get her moving. For some reason the warrior princess wasn't moving away from the crowd that wanted to kill her.

A mission? What kind of mission could Xena possibly be on that would have her allow herself to be burned at the stake? It was a little over the top.

And to top it off, Xena had left her chakram at the square. There was no way that she was going to get it. Why should she?

Troubled was not the polite word for what Gabrielle was. The first thought was somehow Callisto had come back to drive her insane. Next, she thought Princess Diana was the one she was manhandling. There was the third possibility that it was Meg. But yet again that was incorrect.

Leah? Head priestess of the temple of Hestia. A virgin? Were there any other kinds of Hestians? This was going to be too good when she found the real Xena.

Gabrielle teased Xena by saying she had run into someone in town. Someone really interesting. She had to ask her soulmate to act like she was interested.

The bard enjoyed a great deal how Xena guessed wrong just as she had. The joy left her as Leah began dancing and saying 'Pwaise Hestia Pwaise Hestia'.

Once settled, they learned of the Hestian stones the head priestess had rolled informed her to confront Dexon. The outfit was found in her closet that was why she was found dressed that way.

Dress like a warrior to confront a warrior. Gabrielle knew the innocence of someone like Leah could not prepare her for the outside world or its reactions.

A nonbeliever was one way to describe Gabrielle. While she knew the gods were real, she was with Xena. Believing in one's self was the key. So what if she was taking a speeding chariot straight to Tartarus. She'd be going with her soulmate.

Just because Gabrielle and her soulmate weren't virgins, they were heathens and infidels. What was wrong with showing your love physically?

As Xena said, something was wrong. Gabrielle knew it as well. It was more important than defending herself, but she just couldn't help it.

They did need to take Leah back to where she belonged. Gabrielle wasn't certain she could take more of the innuendo of being a bad person just for loving Xena physically.

When they got to the temple, a bald priest said virgins only. Gabrielle wondered if she had it written on her forehead. She did travel with Xena, but still.

It was surprising to Gabrielle when she was informed that Leah was at the altar. After hearing the ditty and how the imposter wanted a pair of sevens, the bard knew it was Meg. As Xena said, it certainly wasn't a virgin.

It was good information that Meg owned a tavern down the road, but Gabrielle wouldn't be working there. So no the man wouldn't be seeing her there.

What was Meg up to? Gabrielle was to take Leah to the tavern while her soulmate learned what the tavern owner was up to. This ought to be interesting to say the least.

It was time to make Leah appear as Meg. It took a little disrobing her and there. The priestess didn't think anyone would be fooled. Gabrielle was certain they would be.

While Leah thought that Gabrielle would have made an excellent Hestian, there was no way she would have. Even before making love to Xena, she had to take matters into her own hands.

Gabrielle knew the moment they stepped into the tavern that Leah was in over her head. So the bard took over as Meg's 'assistant'.

Once Gabrielle had things straightened, she realized Joxer was there. She didn't care why. She would rather not know why.

Now getting Joxer to understand she didn't work there and she was on a mission wasn't easy for Gabrielle. She didn't want to know how he defiled a Hestian virgin. She had a job for him to do.

Gabrielle found Leah wandering in the back part of the tavern. The part where the big business took place. It clearly had traumatized the priestess. The bard attempted to convince her it was the best place to do good.

The guards were coming. It meant the harlots would have to do their thing while Leah hid. Gabrielle had her settled when there she was again.

All Tartarus broke out and it left Gabrielle staring at three priestesses. It was easy to pick out each. She was grateful to finally be in the presence of her soulmate once again.

But there was a problem. The guards were being taken care of Meg's girls, so not a problem. Joxer was on his way to save Meg at the temple. Huge problem.

The plan didn't necessarily play out as planned but yet it went enough so that the virgins were saved. The fight for the greater good was always Gabrielle's favorite part of any plan.

Gabrielle knew that it was taking a great deal for Leah to say she had misjudged her. For someone who had lived a sheltered life herself, she understood. It's lessons we all have to learn. It's lessons we all have to put into practice.

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

Xena was sorry she hadn't met her bard in town. It meant less time spent together. Not that they didn't travel together all the time.

Her bard was acting a little funny. She ran into someone. Someone really interesting. Xena was supposed to play along. The suspense was killing her…

It was one of the lookalikes. It had to be Diana. No? Then the only one it could be would be Meg. To say Xena was surprised to discover she had yet another lookalike and one that was Hestian priestess was an understatement.

It was interesting how certain Leah was that these stones were the voice of the goddess. And the vile garment was in her closet so she took it as a sign that one had to dress as a warrior to confront a warrior.

Xena couldn't believe that someone would do something a god/goddess told them without thought. It was best if one had belief in themselves first.

A nonbeliever? Yes, Xena was a nonbeliever. While she knew gods existed, she didn't believe in them all powerful. It made her a heathen and an infidel.

Something was wrong. Someone was using Leah's blind faith and devotion to do her harm if not kill her. It was time to take her back where she belonged and see what was going on.

When they walked into the temple, it was shocking to see that 'Leah' was already giving the speech. But what she was giving was certainly nothing that the real Leah would give. It had to be Meg.

Luckily a man was free with information. Meg now owned a tavern. Xena figured it would be the perfect place to hide Leah. Gabrielle could go with her while she had a little talk with an old friend.

Xena found Meg easily. Look for the wine that was how to find her. So, someone told Meg that Leah had abandoned her flock. That was why she was dressing up as the priestess.

It would be easy to pose as Meg posing as Leah and look around. The only problem for Xena would be if Meg were to get bored and get into trouble.

The warrior princess found who she was looking for. And she found why this was happening. Balius was not a Hestian priest.

Just as Xena was afraid of…Meg was out and about because she was bored and thirsty. She informed Meg that Balius was a Deilian. That he hated all Hestians. That he set up Leah and had plans for all the Hestians.

As Xena was taking a look around, Hestians came up to her and informed her it was time for declarations. As they began, Thoracles attempted to kill her. Multitasking as usual, she gathered that men were sent to Meg's tavern. And that Balius planned on killing all the Hestians. To the Hestians, her advice was sometimes you had to take matters into your own hands.

Xena once again found Meg. She thinking the warrior princess was Leah not only apologized, she attempted to protect her from the guards which Xena easily defeated.

It was adorable watching Gabrielle struggle to see which one was which. But Xena knew she'd know her soulmate anywhere. And she was grateful everyone was all right. Except Joxer who went back to the temple to save Meg.

They took care of the guards thanks to Meg's girls. There was only one thing left to do. Xena wanted to expose Balius for the fraud that he was.

Part of the plan was for Xena to be captured and placed in the dungeon. That way she could be placed in the cell with Joxer and get them out. As he said…any idiot can do it.

Xena waited for her moment. And when it came down to it, Leah was the one who hit Balius. What would Hestia say about that? Nicely done.

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

Meg and Joxer were off somewhere. Xena and Gabrielle didn't want to know where. Leah was back at the temple with her flock of virgins. That left the soulmates alone.

"So, how does it feel to have yet another person look so much like you?" Gabrielle was busy writing in her scrolls about their latest adventure. They had already eaten at Meg's tavern.

Xena was doing her usual which was mending her leathers. Next up would be to sharpen her sword. "Perhaps one day you'll discover what it's like to have a doppelganger."

"You know some say it's everyone's fantasy to have multiples of the one you are attracted to." Gabrielle was writing as she was talking. "But not me."

"No?" Xena finished the patch job. She used her teeth to cut the thread. "You're telling me knowing there are three other women that look nearly exactly like me isn't a turn on?"

Gabrielle placed her scroll on her bedroll to allow the ink to dry. "Xena, I love you. I love everything there is about you. We are soulmates. So though their bodies may look like yours, their souls are nothing like yours."

"Come here." Gabrielle didn't hesitate in coming to her soulmate. She was placed in Xena's lap. "That's exactly how I feel. No one can replace you."

They sat like that for what seemed like hours. "So, would you ever have made a good Hestian virgin?" Gabrielle was serious.

"I doubt it." Xena knew her bard was serious. There was a tone when she was joking. "I had all this energy when I was younger. I'm not saying sexual, but I just couldn't sit still. I wouldn't have been able to answer to a bell. I wouldn't have been able to believe in one goddess and do what she told me to do. And then Cortese came along…"

"For me, I don't think I could have been." Gabrielle heard the chuckle. "I know, not for the same reasons. I was too inquisitive. I wanted to know everything there was to know. I wanted to travel. I didn't want to answer to a husband. I did believe in gods and was scared of them. But to do their bidding without thought? That I'm not so certain of."

"As always, we are two sides of a dinar." Xena kissed the top of her soulmate's head. "It's why we work so well as a team. It's why we are best friends, lovers and soulmates."