The Path Not Taken

• As Gabrielle and Xena walk into town, Gabrielle is saying "You see, Xena, the way I look at it, life is an adventure to be explored. And without adventure, what's the point? Granted, with you sometimes it gets too adventurous, but that's what makes it interesting."
• Gabrielle chooses a bar with "atmosphere" and Xena spends several minutes fending off men's "advances."

Notes:
What this story is about is Gabrielle's acceptance of her role as the inexperienced Lesbian. Hence the conversation they have as they enter town. While they are in the tavern, Xena says, referring to meeting up with her evil ex-cums, "In a strange way, it will be nice to see some of them again." "You're terrible at reassurance, did anyone ever tell you that? I don't want you to go in there and then decide you like it again." See, Gabrielle's worried about her own lack of experience. Is Xena bored? Are there things Gabrielle is hesitant to try? Well, Gabrielle apparently has a right to worry, because as soon as Xena "re-enters" her old life, she is crawling all over Marcus. Not only does Gabrielle have to keep Xena on the straight-and-narrow morally, but keep her away from the straight-and-narrow sexually.
Also, ATM has this to add: "At the very end of "The Path Not Taken," Xena repeats to herself "My friend," referring to Marcus. We've all heard her refer to Gabrielle as her "best friend." Now, everyone knows that she and Marcus were lovers. If she refers to Marcus as "her friend" and she refers to Gabrielle as her "best friend", what does it make Gabrielle? Hmm, something to think about!