DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Xena stuff is the legal property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. This story is set during and after the Xena - Warrior Princess episode Callisto and some of the dialog is from that episode. I also used the transcript of the episode Callisto which was made by suzannem@dimensional.com at The Television Transcript Project. Oh, yes, there's a little bit of subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is illegal in your place, if you're under 18 or if you find the notion of two women being in love offensive, then you shouldn't read this story.

Love Conquers All
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Xena and Gabrielle came to the outside of a village being raided. Men were tied up on crucifixes, apparently dead. With a nod of agreement, they went into battle.

Xena charged and threw her chakram, hitting three raiders in succession, but it was intercepted by a blond warrior woman. Xena was surprised that anyone beside herself could catch it.

"You want it? Come and get it," the warrior teased.

Xena took her sword and charged and the woman also spurred her horse and they clashed their swords. They turned their horses for another go. The blond warrior hissed like a harpy and they both charged again. This time, however, the blond warrior scored, leaving a gash on Xena's upper left arm. They turned again and paused before making another charge.

"I'm good, as good as you. And why not? You made me," the woman shouted, grinning evilly.

They charged again and this time Xena knocked Callisto's sword out of her hand.

"It was you who shot me with that poisoned dart," Xena said when they paused again.

"Yes," the woman admitted. "You see, it left me free to revive your reputation as a wanton killer of women and children."

"I never killed women and children," Xena objected.

The woman smiled evilly.

"Well, you have now," she said, grabbed a staff and charged again.

Xena spurred Argo and snatched a staff from a passing raider, screaming her war cry. They unhorsed each other and they were both thrown backwards, but they both flipped in mid air and landed on their feet.

"What did you mean when you said I made you?" Xena asked.

"Do you remember Cirra?" the woman asked.

Xena frowned, she remembered Cirra all too well. The woman screamed and attacked Xena with the staff. Xena blocked it and sent Callisto overhead, but Callisto twirled and landed right in a horse's saddle. She looked at Xena mischievously and rode off.

Xena stared after her for a moment and then looked around for Gabrielle. She noticed that she was fighting a raider who was obviously better than her and who just disarmed her. Xena attacked him and quickly did the pressure point trick.

"I've just blocked off the flow of blood to your brain," she told him in ominous voice. "You'll be dead in seconds unless I release you. Who is that woman? Don't bother struggling. Just spit it out."

"Her name is Callisto," the warrior said.

"What does she got to do with Cirra?"

"Her family died there."

Xena thought.

"What does Callisto want? Answer the question, or I just walk away," she added when the man hesitated.

"She wants the world to see you as a demon. Then she wants to kill you in combat."

"Where's she headed?"

"Delphi. She plans to murder the Oracle and blame it on you."

"When?"

"At tomorrow's Apollo's sacrifice."

"Now, remember to tell her this. She's right, I made her. And I'll be the one to destroy her."

She released the man and he rushed off.

"Enough!" Callisto ordered when Theodorus, her second-in-command, arrived.

And it was just about the right time. She had trouble concentrating because her mind kept bringing up the images of the strawberry blonde she saw with Xena. She was annoyed with herself and also confused. She didn't want to fall in love! You only got hurt if you did. And of all the times to fall in love, it had to be now that she had finally started to make Xena suffer. And on top of it all, beside the fact that she had fallen for a woman, that woman was Xena's friend. She had seen her before, from afar, but now that she had seen her from close, she was having a hard time concentrating on things occasionally. And she was falling in love!

"Callisto," Theodorus said.

"So. She put her touch on you?" Callisto asked gingerly.

"Right away," Theodorus confirmed.

"And you told her everything?"

"Everything. Just as you wanted."

Callisto smiled because everything was going according to plan.

"Good. And then she let you go with some stupid message. Something heroic about stopping me, huh?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes. You were right about everything."

"Ah. Oh, Xena, Xena," she said dreamily. "I can call your every move."

She was interrupted by the sound of an unknown voice. It was Joxer.

"Watch the suit, would ya!" he complained as the soldier dragged him along.

"We found this scum hiding in a supply wagon we stole from the other village," the man reported. "He says he has something invaluable to offer you."

"Warrior Queen, uh, forgive my intrusion," Joxer quickly said.

Callisto paused, relishing the thought.

"Warrior Queen. I like that."

"It's so much better than Warrior Princess, you know..."

He trailed off, laughing nervously.

"Yes, it is. Now what is it you have to offer me?"

Joxer looked at her, thinking it was pretty obvious.

"My services," he said and the men started to chuckle.

"Your services. Really? And what is exactly that... you... do? Hmm?" Callisto asked, bored.

"What do I do! I'm a warrior," Joxer said and everyone started to laugh.

"Oh, you're a warrior," Callisto said kindly and with mock surprise. "How silly of me! Why is it, dear man, that you look like an idiot then?"

"Eh... I cultivate that look. Makes me seem less threatening," Joxer said nervously. "You see, people don't fear worthless idiots, so it's easy for me to get the drop on them. Hah!" he tried to frighten Theodorus, but he didn't bulge. "See?"

"So you want to do something to prove yourself to me then?"

"Anything. Please."

"You know who Xena is, don't you? She travels with someone."

"An irritating little blond. I know."

"Yes. Her name is Gabrielle. You bring her to me, and you may join my legion as a warrior."

"Consider the deed done!" He bowed. "My Queen. We're all on the same team now!" Joxer said as he passed the men.

"Who knows," Callisto said quietly to Theodorus as she turned around, "he might be able to capture her. But even if he doesn't, every distraction for Xena will help me carry out my plan," Callisto said as she sat and smiled evilly. "It's almost close to completion, Theodorus," she said, taking Xena's chakram." Tomorrow, Delphi, Xena's weapon will be found in the Oracle's skull."

She turned it around lovingly, kissed it gently and then threw it. The chakram hit a couple of ladders and then embedded itself deep into a watermelon.

The temple was full of people and Xena strained all her senses, trying to find Callisto. Suddenly she heard the familiar sound of her chakram as it bounced off the walls. She determined its position and course and then threw her dagger, which deflected the chakram. The chakram deflected off a wall and returned to Xena, who caught it.

Callisto hissed, furious that her plan had been thwarted. She dropped her cloak and ran out. Xena followed her. Callisto mounted her horse and Xena followed her on Argo.

They rode thought Delphi and then out and across a sandy river beach. Xena soon caught up with Callisto and Xena jumped on her from Argo and they both rolled down a steep sand dune.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" Xena said as she straddled Callisto, who was lying on her stomach.

"No!!" Callisto screamed, frustrated and unable to move.

"Argo won't obey you, and if you don't stop kicking her, I'll break your legs," Xena said as they returned to Delphi and Callisto tried to spur Argo.

"Oh, the good Xena. What happened to you? One day you just decided to fight for justice?" Callisto asked in a sing-song voice.

"Something like that."

"And all the shattered people you left behind are now supposed to cheer you, is that it?" Callisto asked sarcastically.

"No," Xena said and looked over her back at Callisto. "What happened to you was terrible. It was my fault, and I'm sorry."

Callisto paused.

"Oh, well, that makes all the difference! And now we can be the best of friends," Callisto said mockingly and then spat at Xena. "That's what I think of your apology!"

"Xena!" Gabrielle came running and Callisto found that her pulse had quickened. "Xena, Melas has gone crazy. He's organizing a lynch mob," Gabrielle reported.

"Well, I'm not afraid to die, if that's what you're worried about. What about you, Xena? How will you feel to see your creation executed without a fair trial? Mmm?" Callisto kept taunting Xena, but her eyes kept staring at Gabrielle.

"Don't listen to her, you can't torture yourself over what she's become," Gabrielle told Xena.

"No! No, of course not!" Callisto said furiously, almost screaming. "It's not her fault at all that I dream every night of my mother's screams coming from my burning home! You tell me, Xena, do you sleep well at night?"

"No, I don't," Xena admitted quietly.

"Good. Well, I can take whatever it is you think I've coming to me. But you tell me this, Xena. Have you ever been tried for all of the things you have done? Have you ever been handed over to a mob that wanted your blood?"

Xena stopped and thought about something.

"What would you do if let you go?" she then asked and Callisto laughed.

"What are you doing?" Gabrielle said, surprised.

"I changed. So can she," Xena told her quietly.

"No, her heart has been eaten away by hatred," Gabrielle objected.

"The sight," Callisto said sarcastically and amused," just the sight of Xena, Warrior Princess, arguing on my behalf amuses me so. Let me tell you, let me answer your question of what I would do if you let me go. You let me go and I will dedicate my life to killing everything you love." Xena moved on, but Callisto wasn't over yet. "Your friends. Your family. Your reputation. Even your horse!" She paused to calm a bit. "You see, I'm so honest with you because the idea of your pity is worse than death for me." Xena stopped again and looked at Callisto. "You see, you created a monster with integrity, Xena. Scary, isn't it? Now, take me to the mob," she concluded seriously.

"You've done well Xena, we thank you for bringing her in now hand her over to us," Melas said when they got back to Delphi.

"I'm taking her to the town jail where she'll wait for a fair trial," Xena said firmly and gave Melas a hard look when he tried to object.

"She must be punished!" a woman cried.

"She's a demon!" a man yelled.

"She's a monster!" a child yelled.

"Punish her!" demanded another woman.

"Death to Callisto! Yes! Yes! We'll get you Callisto!" Melas yelled and the crowed yelled.

"Xena... They're coming," Callisto sweetly called in a sing-song voice. "But you know that already, don't you? What will you do? How many of them will you kill? You're beginning to hate me. You've fought it because of some silly sense of guilt, huh?" Callisto teased Xena in a slow, melodic voice, making every word count, as she tried to free her hands. "Tsk, tsk," she continued, rocking the bench in a semi-trance. "Now, I'm a painful reminder what you used to be, and how you may never leave it behind. Ooh, that crowd wants my blood. Why not let them have me? Nobody will blame you."

Xena got up and rested her arm on the jail bars.

"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you without a fair trial."

"You know, there used to be some respect mixed up in my hatred for you, but not any more. Your petty scruples are an embarrassment. As a villain, you were awesome. As hero, you are a sentimental fool."

"Death! Death!" Melas demanded outside. "This should bring her out," he said and threw a torch into the jailhouse.

"Perfect!" Callisto said excitedly. "I'm going to die just like my family. It's kind of full circle, don't you think? Oh, no! Not to fear, Xena!" she said when Xena got up, calmly liking the situation. "I won't be screaming out like my sister!"

Xena grabbed the keys from the guard and opened the cell, but Callisto didn't get up.

"Come on, we're leaving."

Callisto sat, staring at Xena innocently, and waited for her to come closer. Then she suddenly hissed at Xena and hit her with her chains. Then she grabbed the keys from her, ran out of the cell, then locked her into the cell and threw away the keys.

She ran outside, kicked down the approaching Melas and hissed at the people who were trying to stop her. She mounted her horse and rode out of the village. On the way, she picked up the surprised Gabrielle.

Gabrielle resisted and tried to slide off of the horse, but Callisto grabbed her neck.

"If you don't stop that, I'll knock you out. Is that clear?"

"Yes," Gabrielle said reluctantly and stopped wiggling.

The rode for a while and Callisto was slightly annoyed with herself for constantly glancing at Gabrielle.

"Do you want to sit?" she asked her after a while, not wanting to listen to Gabrielle's moans.

"Yes," Gabrielle said, feeling very uncomfortable.

Callisto stopped her horse and helped Gabrielle sit.

"If you try to escape, I will kill you," she then told the bard and spurred her horse.

She couldn't help but to notice what a fine hair Gabrielle had and how wonderfully she smelled. She shook her head, annoyed with herself.

When they got to her camp, Callisto had Gabrielle lifted high with a crane. Then she took a ladder and climbed up.

"So? What do you think?" she asked.

"I think Xena's gonna wipe the floor with you."

"I share your respect for Xena's abilities. I know what she's capable of."

"Then you must be scared witless."

"Not at all. I relish the challenge. I can take her."

"In your dreams!"

"Well, when she gets here she'll have such a sweet surprise waiting for her! Anyway, either way, I win!" she said and jumped off the ladder.

"Quit that!" Joxer demanded as he was dragged along by Theodorus.

"I found this worm sneaking around again," Theodorus said.

"What do you want?" Callisto asked Joxer, disgusted. "I told you what you had to do to gain my favor, and you failed."

"See the girl!" Joxer said and pointed at Gabrielle.

"I captured the girl," Callisto said.

"I softened her up for you," Joxer quickly started babbling, sensing that he was very close to dying. "Just minutes before you got her, I was pummeling her senseless."

"What were you hitting her with, your nose?" Callisto asked, not amused, and the soldiers laughed. "Silence!" she ordered as she got an idea, which changed her original plan, but she felt the urge to do it. "There is but another way you can prove your worth."

"Name it. I'll do it."

"Xena is on her way here. Go meet her and tell her to come to the old ruins north of Delphi. You know which ones I'm talking about?"

Joxer nodded eagerly.

"Yes, I do."

"Good. Tell Xena I will be there tomorrow."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Now beat it," she ordered and Joxer quickly left. Then she turned to her second-in-command. "Theodorus, take the men and ride to the ruins. Make sure Xena sees you and follows you." She looked around the soldiers. "Have Vaios put on a cloak, but so that his hair will be visible. Then throw something like a tied body over his horse, so that it will look like I'm riding with Gabrielle. Also put out the fires. And hurry up, Xena's is near."

"Yes, Callisto," Theodorus said and quickly issued orders.

"What are you planning to do?" Gabrielle asked, worried.

Callisto gave her a long look and then smiled.

"You'll see."

Theodorus was quicky prepared and then he and his men left. Callisto then lowered Gabrielle down.

"Come," she said and dragged Gabrielle after her.

"Where are we going?" Gabrielle asked, having a bad feeling.

"To hide."

Callisto took them to the forest near by, leading her horse by the reigns. When they were in place, they waited. Soon, they saw Xena pass by. Callisto put the dagger on Gabrielle's neck.

"Don't even think about calling her," she said.

Xena was quickly gone, but after her came the army of Delphi. They looked around and then followed Xena. When they were gone, Callisto resheathed her dagger and dragged Gabrielle back to the camp. There she let go of Gabrielle and started to tether her horse.

Gabrielle decided to make a run for it. She pushed Callisto into her horse and started to run for all she was worth. Callisto looked after her with an insane look in her eyes, which was quickly replaced by an evil grin. She untethered her horse and went after the bard.

Gabrielle ran as fast as she could and she made a good distance before she heard horse-hooves behind her. She turned to look how close Callisto was and she tripped. She hit the ground with full speed and then darkness took her.

Callisto saw that and suddenly felt worried. She frowned at herself. She was worried because her worst enemy's best friend had tripped? She slowed down and dismounted when she got to Gabrielle. Then she noticed blood on Gabrielle's head and the fear returned.

"Gabrielle?" she asked and gently shook the bard, but Gabrielle didn't move.

Callisto checked her pulse and was relieved that she was still alive. Then she checked the wound and saw that it was only a scratch. She picked up Gabrielle, took her horse's reigns and carried Gabrielle back to the camp.

There she laid her on the ground and tethered her horse. Then she got some water and a cloth. She carefully removed Gabrielle's hair and cleaned Gabrielle's wound. When she was done, she checked the rest of the body. She noticed that she had a minor scratch on her right elbow and she cleaned it as well.

When she was done, she stared at Gabrielle. She was confused because she was feeling so strange lately, especially when she was around Gabrielle. Was she falling in love? She frowned at herself, she had no intention of falling in love, you only got hurt if you did. She got up and went practicing, which was the best way to vent her frustration.

When Gabrielle woke up about an hour later, her head hurt. She was angry at herself for being so clumsy. She looked around and was relieved when she didn't see Callisto. She decided to try to escape again. She was about to get up when she heard Callisto approaching. She quickly lay back and pretended to still be unconscious.

She listened very carefully and tried to relax, especially when she felt that Callisto was next to her, watching her. She nearly flinched when Callisto removed her hair again and gently cleaned the wound again and then also the one on her elbow.

Callisto was quickly done and Gabrielle was starting to feel very uncomfortable because she felt that Callisto was watching her. Then she felt a soft caress and nearly opened her eyes, surprised, but she managed not to.

Callisto, who had been observing Gabrielle after she had cleaned her wounds again and then caressed her, got up and went to the fire, which she made after she had stopped practicing. Gabrielle waited for a while and then pretended to be waking up. Callisto quickly returned to her and smiled, which confused Gabrielle even more.

"How do you feel?" Callisto asked.

"My head hurts," Gabrielle said, observing Callisto.

The gentle smile in Callisto's eyes disappeared and was replaced by a derisive grin.

"I won't tie you up, but if you try to escape again, I will catch you and I will tie you up. And then I will go to Delphi and kill the first ten people I come across and I will bring you their heads, so you can look at them and know they died because of you. Is that clear?"

Gabrielle gulped and nodded. She was shocked by the sudden transformation and she was well aware that Callisto would fulfil her threats.

"Good," Callisto said and returned to the fire.

Gabrielle sat up and checked her wounds. She was relieved that they were only surface scratches, both of them clean. Then she looked at Callisto, who was staring at the fire and obviously contemplating something.

Callisto did indeed contemplate. She was trying to figure out what she felt for Gabrielle. On one hand, she was just a disposable bait for Xena, but on the other, she made her feel so strange, so good, but also guilty. It was so confusing, she didn't know she was still capable of loving, and it also scared her that she might fall in love, which would then be taken away from her or not returned at all. It was frustrating and she decided to go practicing again.

Gabrielle watched her practice and she had to admit that Callisto was really good. She was probably not as good as Xena, but she could still pose a problem for her. She was also impressed at how gracefully and fluidly Callisto moved, almost like a dancer.

The problem with practicing was that it was no challenge and that it quickly got boring. And Callisto needed a challenge, any challenge, no matter how minute. Then she remembered Gabrielle. She knew that Gabrielle knew how to fight with a staff and she decided to give it a try.

"You wanna spar with me?" she asked the bard.

Gabrielle was surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"With what? I don't have my staff."

"There are a couple of broken tent poles behind that rock, one of them should be good enough."

Gabrielle stared at Callisto for a moment and then got up and went to look for a staff. She quickly found it and she made a few practice swings with it.

"Let's see how well Xena taught you," Callisto said, excited.

Gabrielle carefully approached Callisto. She had no idea how tough Callisto was going to be or how serious. She had no intention of making her angry, because that usually had bad consequences.

They circled around each other for a while and then Callisto attacked. Gabrielle immediately parried.

"Is that all you can do?" Callisto teased and attacked again.

Gabrielle got the point and she decided to give her best. Again, she couldn't help but to notice how excited Callisto was, like a child at play, only this play could very well turn out to be deadly for her.

She did her best, but she couldn't come even close to scoring a hit, just like she couldn't with Xena. When Callisto hit her with the flat side of the blade for the umpteenth time, not as hard as she could have, she noticed, Gabrielle finally had enough.

"I don't want to spar anymore," she said and backed off a bit.

"Oh, come now, don't be such a sore loser," Callisto teased.

"Well, my skin is getting red and it's itching."

"Spoil sport," Callisto said, disappointed, and returned to the fire.

Gabrielle stared after her for a few moments, confused. That was not the behavior of a bloodthirsty warlord but of a child who had to stop playing. Somehow she reminded her of Xena when she was in a playful mood. She went after her.

Callisto sat down and resumed staring into the fire and contemplating. Gabrielle also sat down and observed her. She noticed that when Callisto didn't want to look threatening, she looked so innocent, in fact, if she wore her clothes, she would look like any other village girl. A pretty village girl. Her stomach interrupted her thoughts by reminding her that it was time to eat.

"Em, Callisto," Gabrielle called, hoping that Callisto wouldn't freak out, and Callisto looked at her. "I'm hungry."

Callisto stared at her for a few more moments and then went hunting. Gabrielle stared at her, surprised that she didn't tie her up. Then she remembered the threat and she gulped. She decided to wait.

When Callisto was returning to the camp, she heard noise and she soon saw what the source was. In the camp, Gabrielle was fighting off a bunch of bandits. Fear swept over Callisto when she saw that Gabrielle was in danger. She pushed it aside and started to run, screaming her war cry. She took her sword out of the scabbard and when she got close to the bandits, she dropped her pray, two rabbits.

She stormed among the bandits like a harpy, determined to make them pay for daring to attack Gabrielle. She was relieved when she saw that Gabrielle was unharmed and she decided to make sure she stays that way.

When she finally knocked the last bandit off his feet, Callisto grabbed his hair and put her dagger to his throat.

"You look like a scouting party," she observed, dragging the dagger across the man's neck, leaving a thin red line behind. "Who is your leader?"

"Flaminius," the man said, scared.

"Well, you go and tell Flaminius that this is my territory and that if I ever see him or any of his men around here again, I will make Tartarus look like Elysian Fields in comparison to what I'm going to do to him and his men. Have I made myself clear?"

The man nodded.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Callisto grinned.

"Who? I'm Xena, Warrior Princess. Now go!"

She let go of the man and she kicked him in the ass as he got up, to boost his departure. His companions, those of them who had the luck to be downed by Gabrielle and were still alive thanks to that fact, were regaining their consciousness and they quickly grasped that the situation was not good for them and that it would be best if they left as quickly as possible.

Callisto then turned to Gabrielle and noticed that she was not well.

"Are you all right?" she asked and frowned at herself for being so nice.

Gabrielle looked at her, noticing the concern and the frown, and nodded.

"I got kicked in the stomach and in the knee."

Callisto checked her knee.

"It'll pass," she declared and got up.

"You're bleeding," Gabrielle noticed when Callisto turned around.

Callisto looked and noticed that she was bleeding from her shoulder. She touched the wound and saw that it was a clean cut, not too deep. She went to her horse and retrieved a needle and some thread.

"Let me help you," Gabrielle offered when Callisto got back to the fire.

Callisto looked at her, surprised, and then gave her then needle and the thread. She sat down and waited as Gabrielle went to get the bucket of water which Callisto had used earlier. When she was ready, Gabrielle first cleaned the wound and then started to sew. Callisto didn't say a word and Gabrielle wondered if it hurt her at all.

When she was done, Gabrielle wiped the blood again and then gave the needle back to Callisto. Callisto touched the stitch.

"Thank you," she said and went to her horse.

Gabrielle stared after her, surprised. She had no idea about what was going on with Callisto. Sometimes she was so cruel, but sometimes she was so gentle, almost like she cared about her. Gabrielle frowned. She was only a bait to Callisto, there's no way she could care about her. Or would she?

She sat down and observed Callisto as she dragged the corpses of Flaminius' men away, retrieved the prey and then prepared their lunch. She hoped she would still be able to eat, because her stomach was having second thoughts. She started to massage her knee and returned to her thoughts about Callisto. She wanted to know more about her, but she was afraid to make her angry.

"Why did you say your name was Xena?" she asked after a while, deciding that a direct approach was not too safe.

Callisto gave her a long look.

"Because they would go after Xena and make her life even more miserable. And when they find out that she isn't me, they will be confused. In any case, they'll be off my back." She paused as a thought occurred. "Unless they decide to ask Xena." She paused again. "Or you."

Gabrielle gulped, she did not like where the conversation was going.

"I won't tell," she said.

Callisto lifted her eyebrows, but didn't say anything. She quietly continued to prepare their lunch. She felt Gabrielle's occasional glances and they made her feel so strange. She avoided looking at Gabrielle, afraid of meeting her stare, even though she wanted to for some reason.

It had been a long time since she enjoyed being with someone and for a few moments she regretted what she had become. But then the images of her house burning and her mother screaming pushed the regret away and refueled her rage. However, every time she looked at Gabrielle, the rage seemed to lessen and regret resurface.

She glanced at the object of her thoughts from time to time and wondered what it was about Gabrielle that made her want to be with her. She had been alone for so many years now she forgot what it was like to have someone, not just around, but to share her life with, her joys and her pains. She wished she had met Gabrielle before she started to fulfil her revenge, perhaps then she would be able to let go, because now she wasn't sure she could.

She still had no idea what to do with Gabrielle once Xena got back from her little trip. She didn't want to hurt her, but she wanted Xena to suffer. But if she hurt Xena, then Gabrielle would also suffer. She swore in her mind, it was so damn frustrating. And even if she let go of her revenge, let go of Xena, she thought sadly, there was still the little problem of her being a murderer. But then again, she realized hopefully, so was Xena.

Of course, there was one other problem, the fact that they were both women. She was slowly starting to accept the fact that she was probably falling in love with Gabrielle. It was still surprising her, not only was she falling in love, she was falling in love with another woman. The problem with that, however, wasn't what others thought, it was what Gabrielle thought. And even if Gabrielle was, by some miracle, attracted to women, they weren't on the best terms at the moment.

Gabrielle was having similar thoughts. For some peculiar reason, she found herself attracted to the blond warlord, in spite of the fact that Callisto was trying to kill Xena and probably her as well. She had noticed how strangely Callisto acted and the shy glances she kept directing at her.

She had to admit that Callisto was a beautiful woman, but that was just the problem, she was a woman. The fact that she was a murderer didn't bother her that much, after all, Xena used to be a murderer as well. It also didn't bother her that they weren't on friendly terms, at least not at the moment. What bothered her was the fact she was falling in love with another woman. She knew other people wouldn't approve, but that didn't concern her. What worried he was what Callisto would think and what she herself thought about it. It would take some getting used to the idea.

The day passed quickly and quietly as they both thought about their feelings. Callisto even left a couple of hours after the lunch and didn't return until dinner time, carrying another couple of rabbits. Gabrielle didn't even think about leaving and she was sort of relieved that Callisto wasn't around when she thought about her innermost feelings.

A soul-shattering scream woke Gabrielle the next morning and she sat up and looked around, scared. Then she noticed Callisto and she realized that the scream had come from her. Callisto looked at her and Gabrielle saw fear and anger and pain in her eyes. She realized just how vulnerable Callisto actually was and that behind the tough façade there was a hurt little girl, afraid she might be hurt again.

Callisto quickly got up and left and Gabrielle stared after her, wishing she could do something to ease Callisto's pain and to chase away her fears. She was surprised that she felt sympathy for Callisto, but she had seen Callisto's real face, not the deadly warrior façade behind which she kept hiding, and she knew now just how much she had been hurt by her family's death. She decided to give Callisto a try.

When Callisto returned, Gabrielle noticed that she had been hunting. She also noticed that Callisto was avoiding her gaze and she guessed that Callisto was ashamed of being seen in a moment of weakness. She decided to wait until after breakfast before talking to Callisto.

After the breakfast, Gabrielle noticed that Callisto was avoiding her eyes, embarrassed because Gabrielle had seen how vulnerable she was. She knew if she didn't do something, Callisto would be like that all day, so she decided to talk to her. She moved closer to her and took her hand. She felt Callisto jerk as she looked at her.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"About what?" Callisto asked, confused, and freed her hand from Gabrielle's.

"About your family. Xena told me what happened."

The confusion in Callisto's eyes was replaced by a little girl's soft smile of gratitude for a brief moment before the angry warrior pushed her away. But when she looked into Gabrielle's eyes, she saw no pity, only sympathy and compassion, and so the angry warrior let the little girl smile again for a bit longer before hiding her again. Callisto looked away. She was embarrassed even more, but at least she knew that Gabrielle didn't make fun of her and that she cared.

"So, I hear you're a bard," she said after a while, when she calmed a bit.

Gabrielle looked at her, surprised.

"Well, yeah."

"Know any good stories?"

"Sure. What kind do you want to hear?"

"What kind do you know?"

"Well, I mostly tell stories about Xena and our adventures, but I also know a lot of heroic tales and romantic and comic."

"Tell me a comic story."

Gabrielle stared at Callisto for a few moment, surprised.

"Okay," she said and thought.

Then she started a tale. She carefully observed Callisto as she spinned the tale and was amazed at how innocent and beautiful Callisto looked when she laughed. She was so child-like and sweet, not at all the murderous warlord everybody feared. She just had to smile when Callisto clapped her hands excitedly after she had finished the tale and demanded another. Gabrielle was happy to oblige. Not only did she like telling stories, but she was also glad to see Callisto laugh and forget about her pain and fears and revenge.

After finishing two more stories, she decided to talk to Callisto.

"Callisto."

Callisto looked at her, still amused by the stories.

"Mmm?"

"What will happen when Xena gets here?"

Callisto's expression because serious. She was actually enjoying life for the first time since her family's death and she didn't want to think about Xena. But, she knew Gabrielle was right. Xena would come in the afternoon and she didn't have much more time to spend with Gabrielle. On one hand, she wanted to make Xena suffer, but on the other, she didn't want to hurt Gabrielle. But Xena was Gabrielle's friend, so by hurting Xena, she was hurting Gabrielle. She bit her teeth, angry, that's what you have when you start to care. She shook her head.

"Callisto?" Gabrielle interrupted her thoughts and Callisto gave her a long look.

"I don't know," she finally said.

Gabrielle was surprised, she though that Callisto already had a plan.

"You don't?" she asked, surprised, and was even more surprised when she noticed that Callisto was blushing. "Why are you blushing?" she asked and immediately regretted asking the question.

Callisto blushed even more.

"What, a girl can't blush when she wants now?" she asked innocently, but Gabrielle noticed that she was nervous.

She was confused, she was making Callisto nervous? That was a bit hard to believe, but then again, she had noticed how strangely Callisto behaved and she had no idea why. Oh, she suspected all right, she just found it hard to believe.

"Callisto," she said after a while, hesitating, but she needed the answers.

Callisto looked at her.

"Em, suppose you defeat Xena, what will you do then?"

Callisto stared at her, she hadn't really thought about it. What would she do if she killed Xena? She had no idea. Well, Xena would be dead and her family avenged, but they would still be dead and she would still be alive and alone. She frowned. And Gabrielle would be hurt. But she didn't want to hurt Gabrielle. She sighed, it was so damn frustrating and she was running out of time. She didn't want to hurt Gabrielle, but her need for revenge was so great that she felt she would rather hurt Gabrielle than let go of her revenge. She looked at Gabrielle again and she felt bad.

"Look, Callisto," Gabrielle started when Callisto looked at her again, "I know you hate Xena, but she has changed and she's sorry. She can't undo what she did, but she can stop other warlords from doing it, warlords like you." She paused and was surprised when she saw shame in Callisto's eyes. "I know you want to avenge your family, but at what cost? You have now become just like Xena used to be. I saw how her mother reacted when she came home after a long time, she was really hurt, but she forgave her when she saw that she had changed. I know the dead can hear our thoughts and I know your mother hears yours. She knows you love her, but she's also sad because you became a murderer. I know she loves you and she wants you to be happy and I also know you want to be happy, but you won't be, unless you give up your revenge."

She stopped when she saw that Callisto was trembling and gulped. She hoped she didn't go too far. She thought she was lucky because Callisto didn't interrupt her, but now that Callisto was trembling, she was scared. She saw emotions replace each other rapidly in Callisto's eyes and she hoped Callisto wouldn't kill her on the spot.

But she needn't have feared, because Callisto got up and ran away. Gabrielle stared after her, confused.

Callisto ran as fast as she could. Emotions boiled inside of her and she knew she would have killed Gabrielle if she had stayed. She was so frustrated she felt like she was going to blow. She knew Gabrielle had a point and it upset her. And when she started to talk about her mother, she thought she was just going to kill her, but she stopped herself and listened to what she had to say. Which scored a huge point for Gabrielle and spared her life.

Still, she was hurt. She wanted her mama to be proud of her and she wanted her to be happy, but she knew she wasn't either.

She stopped, still trembling. She looked at a near-by tree. She stared at it for a few moments and then took her sword and started to hack at it, screaming.

Gabrielle remained seated, relieved that she was still alive. She was confused when Callisto just ran away, it sort of reminded her of what she used to do when she was little and hurt. She felt bad about hurting Callisto, but she knew she had to do something drastic if there was any hope of converting Callisto. She also know that this only worked because Callisto obviously felt something for her and that she owed her survival to that fact.

Suddenly she heard screaming. She listened carefully and realized that it was Callisto. She quickly got up and ran in the same direction Callisto went. She was worried.

She ran for a while and then the screams stopped. She kept running until she noticed Callisto, sitting under a tree, hugging her knees and crying. She immediately stopped, astonished, and stared at Callisto. Somehow crying and Callisto didn't immediately seem to go together.

She stared at her for a while and then slowly started to approach her, wanting to console her. Callisto heard her and looked at her. Gabrielle stopped for a moment when she saw the murderous look in Callisto's eyes.

Suddenly Callisto got up and started to run toward her, screaming. Gabrielle started to back off, but Callisto was quickly upon her, knocked her down and straddled her. Gabrielle stared into Callisto's eyes, which were full of insanity. She was terrified.

Callisto took her dagger and wanted to kill Gabrielle, but when she saw the terror in her eyes, she froze and just stared at Gabrielle for a while, emotions raging inside her again. Finally she got off of Gabrielle and resheathed her dagger.

"Go away," she said. "Now."

Gabrielle slowly sat up, still scared.

"Leave before I changed my mind!" Callisto screamed.

Gabrielle gulped.

"What about... Delphi?" she asked, hoping it wouldn't further infuriate Callisto.

"Never mind Delphi, just get out of here. Now!"

Gabrielle quickly got up and left, still shaken from the experience.

Callisto sat for a while. She was also shaken by the fact that she had nearly killed Gabrielle, the only person that meant anything to her. She hugged her knees again and started to cry again.

Gabrielle ran as fast as she could. She stopped for a moment when she reached the camp, thinking about Delphi, but then she decided to hide and see if Callisto was going to Delphi or not.

She waited for quite some time before Callisto came back to the camp. Gabrielle watched her from afar and she didn't look angry to her, she looked sad. She tensed for a moment when Callisto broke camp and mounted her horse, but she relaxed when she saw that Callisto was obviously in no hurry nor did she seem to be trying to capture her.

She waited for a while longer and then came out of her hiding place. She looked around and then decided to return to the camp because that's where Xena would look first. In the camp, she sat down and thought about why Callisto had let her go and what she was doing now. She found it strange, but she actually missed the blond warrior and she hoped that she would be all right.

Hours later, Gabrielle finally heard horse-hooves approaching. She quicky got up and looked at the approaching rider. When she saw it was Xena, she relaxed and ran to meet her.

When she got close enough, Xena stopped Argo and dismounted.

"Gabrielle," she said and the bard could see worry and relief in her eyes.

Xena hugged her strongly and Gabrielle could hardly breath, but she hugged her back.

"I was so worried," Xena said when she let go of Gabrielle and looked around. "Where is Callisto?" she asked.

"I don't know. She let me go hours ago and then she left."

Xena was confused.

"Just like that?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes."

"Did she hurt you?"

"No. As a matter of fact, she was very nice to me." She paused. "I think she sent you away just so she could spend some time alone with me."

"What do you mean?" Xena asked, confused.

"I'm not sure," Gabrielle said, blushing a bit, "I still need to think about it."

Xena was completely lost. Then she suddenly noticed the scratch on Gabrielle's arm.

"What happened to your arm?" she asked.

Gabrielle looked at her elbow.

"Oh, nothing. I tripped and knocked myself out. No big deal."

Xena rose her eyebrows, but didn't comment.

"Come, let's go to Delphi," she said instead. "On the way, you can tell me what happened here."

"Good idea, I'm starving," Gabrielle said and they started to walk towards Delphi.

Not far away from the camp, the bushes moved and out stepped Callisto with her horse and stared after the two. She had been watching over Gabrielle, making sure nothing happened to her until Xena returned. She sighed, sad because she was not able to be close to Gabrielle. She mounted her horse and rode off to meet her army, hoping that she would see Gabrielle again.

"What's wrong?" Xena asked when she saw that Gabrielle was deep in her thoughts again and that she wasn't interested in her food.

"Mmm?" Gabrielle said and looked at her with a dreamy look.

"I said, what's wrong?"

"Wrong?" Gabrielle asked, confused. "Nothing's wrong. Why?"

"You're thinking again and you don't seem to be interested in your food."

"Oh."

"What were you thinking about?"

Gabriele hesitated, not sure how Xena would react.

"Callisto," she then said and felt herself blush.

Xena rose her eyebrows. Gabrielle had told her everything about what she and Callisto did, but she still found it hard to believe that Callisto would just fall for Gabrielle, as she concluded from Gabrielle's report, especially when she was so intent on killing her. And now Gabrielle apparently couldn't think about anything but Callisto. Things were sure getting weird. She hoped that Callisto's feelings were sincere, for everybody's sake.

"You love her?" Xena asked and Gabrielle's blush became even darker.

"I... Well... I mean..." she stuttered and then paused to pull herself together. "Well... What makes you say that?" she asked.

Xena smiled.

"I've seen people in love before."

"Well... I mean... Uh..." She paused, annoyed because her speech was giving her a hard time. "Well, I think she's in love with me and I don't seem to be able to think about anything but her lately."

"Yep, definitely love," Xena said and her smile widened.

"But she's a woman," Gabrielle said.

"So? If you love her, then that's all that matters."

"You think so?"

"Sure."

Gabrielle thought.

"I mean, she's pretty and all, but that's not it."

Xena smiled again.

"You can't figure out why you're in love with her?"

Gabrielle blushed again.

"Yeah. I'm just drawn to her, you know? And it doesn't matter that she's a murderer, I just feel the need to be with her."

Xena thought. As long as Gabrielle was like this, she would be an easy pick for anyone. She made a decision.

"Then we'll go look for her tomorrow," she said.

Gabrielle gave her a startled look.

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"But... I mean, you two are not exactly friends."

"I know. But if she's really in love with you, it won't matter, she'll have eyes only for you."

Gabrielle blushed again.

"It doesn't bother you?" she asked when she calmed down a bit.

"What?"

"Me and Callisto."

"No. Why?"

"Well..."

"Because you're two women or because it's Callisto?"

"Both."

"No."

Gabrielle was relieved, but then she thought of something else.

"And what if... if Callisto and I, you know, become a couple?"

"What about it?"

"I mean, can she travel with us?"

Xena thought. She didn't trust Callisto, yet, but if she really was in love with Gabrielle, then Gabrielle would like to stay with her. She knew it would be hard for Gabrielle if she said no, but on the other hand, it would be also hard if Callisto said no. But if they both said yes, then Callisto would be a constant reminder of her past and she would be a constant reminder to Callisto of her family's death. She sighed, deciding that she won't be the one making it hard for Gabrielle.

"Sure. If she wants."

Gabrielle noticed the pause.

"What do you mean?"

"Callisto may decide that she doesn't want to travel with me."

"Oh."

Gabrielle thought about that option, depressed. Xena observed her for a few moments.

"Tell you what. Why don't you eat your lunch now? Right now you can't do anything about it. Just look at the food. Isn't it yummy?"

Gabrielle glanced at the food and then looked at Xena, who was grinning at her, and she grinned back.

"I'll try," she said and tried to concentrate on the food.

"Oh, Theodorus," Callisto said, staring into the distance thoughtfully.

She had rejoined her army and she knew that they were all confused because she didn't confront Xena and let go of Gabrielle. She didn't care. She kept thinking of Gabrielle and she actually missed being with her. She had noticed the strange glances from the soldiers, but she ignored them, she knew they were too afraid of her to do anything. She also knew she had to get rid of them if she had any hopes of being with Gabrielle again.

"Callisto?" her second-in-command asked.

"There's a warlord named Flaminius," she told him. "He's camping east of Delphi. I want you to find him and destroy him. Make sure nothing is left of his army."

"Yes, Callisto. And you?"

"I have other things to take care of."

Theodorus nodded and left.

Callisto listened to the noise of the camp being taken apart and she smiled evilly. Flaminius' army was quite large, but she knew hers could take it. She had done some scouting and she knew that the losses will be heavy. But then again that was her plan. And when the survivors come back, she'd kill them.

She watched patiently as her army prepared for battle. This time they didn't just pack and go, this time they knew there was going to be a battle. But Callisto wasn't counting only on Flaminius to decimate her army, she was planning to send Xena and the army of Delphi after them.

Finally Theodorus reported they were ready and Callisto nodded. As soon as the last soldier was on the move, Callisto mounted her army and went to Delphi.

In Delphi, she stole a long cloak and dirtied her face and her hands. Then she looked for the nearest group of soldiers. She staggered to them and then nearly collapsed near one.

"Are you okay?" the soldier asked her.

"Help," she said in a rugged voice. "Flaminius. Callisto. War."

"Callisto?" the soldier said.

Callisto nodded.

"She wants war. With Flaminius."

"Come, I'll take you to my commander," the soldier said. "Xenan, help me."

Another soldier came and supported her.

"Water," Callisto begged.

"Tydeus, get her some water."

"Yes, Sir."

Tydeus moved and brought Callisto a goblet of water and she pretended to be drinking it eagerly.

"Thank you," she said when she drank it and returned the goblet.

Then the two soldiers escorted her to their commander.

"Commander!"

"What?" the man asked, obviously annoyed.

"We have news about Callisto."

That peaked his curiosity.

"What about her?"

"Well, we found this woman." He turned to Callisto. "Tell him what you know."

Callisto coughed and then looked around.

"Chair," she said.

"Xenan, the chair."

Xena moved and quickly fetched the chair. Callisto said and pretended to be resting.

"I was Flaminius' slave," she said in a torn voice. "Before I escaped, I overheard him talk about Callisto." She coughed and pretended it hurt her. "He says she is planning to attack him."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Where?"

"At his camp."

The commander thought, considering the options.

"What does Flaminius plan to do about it?"

"Nothing. He is confident that he can take her."

"Hmm." The commander thought fast. "We could take both of them." He turned back to Callisto. "Where is Flaminius' camp?"

"East of Delphi. I think there is a crossroads there."

"How many roads?"

"Four."

"Is there a pond near by?"

Callisto pretended to be thinking.

"Yes, I think so."

"Can you tell me what his camp looks like?"

Callisto shook her head.

"I spent most of the time in his tent."

"Hmm. Okay. Xenan, escort her to the shelter and make sure they take care of her. Then report back here."

"Are we going after them?" Xenan asked.

"Yes." He turned to Xenan's superior. "Is Xena still here?"

"I think so, yes."

"Find her and tell her I would like to see her."

"Yes, Sir," the man said and left.

Callisto let Xenan escort her to the shelter. There she lay down and waited for the army to depart.

When Xena told Gabrielle what she was told, Gabrielle felt concerned for Callisto, even though she knew that Callisto was the attacker.

"I'm coming with you," she said.

"Gabrielle..." Xena wanted to object, but Gabrielle stopped her.

"There will be wounded," she said, "and they will need my help."

Xena wanted to object, but the look in Gabrielle's eyes convinced her that it wouldn't help. When she wanted, Gabrielle could be as stubborn as herself.

"Okay," she agreed. "But you keep in the back. I don't want to worry about you."

"I promise," Gabrielle said.

"Okay then, let's pack. We're leaving in an hour."

"Okay."

When the army left, Callisto followed them from afar. In the evening, she made a camp away from the army's camp and made sure she wasn't seen.

When the army moved on the next morning, she followed them again. When the army of Delphi engaged the remains of her own army and that of Flaminius, she hid herself and waited for the retreating soldiers of her army, which she knew would want to return to their old camp.

She didn't have to wait long. She saw a couple of soldiers retreating and she took her sword.

"Hello, boys," she said when the men reached her.

"Callisto!"

"What are you doing here?"

"We have be..."

Callisto used their surprise and quickly took them out. Then she dragged their corpses off the road and waited for the next group.

"I didn't see Callisto," Gabrielle said when it was all over and Xena came to her.

"She wasn't here."

"She wasn't?"

"No. They say she said she had something else to take care of."

"What?"

"I don't know."

Gabrielle couldn't help but wonder what Callisto was up to.

Callisto rode slowly, she was in no hurry. Her army was gone and she still hadn't decided about what she wanted to do about Xena and about Gabrielle. She hated Xena and she loved Gabrielle. She frowned at that. She loved Gabrielle? It was frustrating. Why, of all times, did she have to fall in love with someone just when she was about to fulfil her revenge? Then she realized that the rage in her heart seemed to be vanishing and it scared her. That rage was the only thing that had kept her going through all the years of solitude and if it vanished... She had no idea what would happen if that rage vanished and the more she thought about it, the more depressed and frustrated she was.

When she finally saw a fight in the distance, she really didn't care what it was about, but when she recognized two of the fighters, her heart started to beat faster and she felt the need to go there and protect Gabrielle. She spurred her horse and took her sword.

When Xena noticed the approaching rider, she kept an eye on him and she quicky recognized the rider to be Callisto. She rolled her eyes, more trouble, before parrying a thrust from a bandit.

Callisto, however, had no interest in Xena, she was there to protect Gabrielle. She stopped her horse when she reached the fighters and somersaulted over the horse's head, screaming her war cry. She landed between two startled fighters, recognizing them as Flaminius' soldiers she had fought before, and quicky stabbed one with the sword and hit the other with her fist. Then she spinned and landed a deep gash across the other man's chest. When the man fell, she looked at Gabrielle, who was fighting two of the bandits. She went to her and stabbed one of the men from behind and Gabrielle quickly knocked out the other. Gabrielle nodded to her, but then Callisto noticed fear in her eyes and she too felt that there was someone behind her. She quickly turned her sword backwards and stabbed the man behind her. She saw relief in Gabrielle's eyes and she sent her a shy smile.

The bandits quickly realized that the newcomer was very skilled and that they stood little chance against the three women, so they retreated. Callisto watched them leave. Then she gave Gabrielle a long look before turning around and going to her horse.

Gabrielle stared after her for a few moments and then followed her. Xena wanted to stop her, but she decided not to, knowing that they had to clear things up. She didn't trust Callisto, but she had a feeling that she wouldn't hurt Gabrielle.

"Callisto, wait!" Gabrielle called after the blond warrior, but Callisto didn't stop. "Please, Callisto!"

Gabrielle quickened her pace and quickly caught up with her. She gently took her hand and Callisto stopped. Gabrielle noticed that she was nervous and ashamed and that she was avoiding to look into her eyes for more than a moment at a time. She hesitated, not quite sure how to begin, but then she decided to get straight to the point.

"Do you love me?" she asked and noticed a deep blush settle over Callisto's face.

Callisto stared at her for a few moments, surprised, and Gabrielle felt that she was trembling a bit.

"No," Callisto finally said and winced when she saw Gabrielle's expression.

She wanted to say yes so badly, but she knew that she would only endanger Gabrielle, who was already travelling with one former warlord. She gulped, pulled her hand free and continued to her horse.

"I love you," Gabrielle said in a teary voice and Callisto stopped, shocked.

She slowly turned. She saw tears welling up in Gabrielle's eyes and she wanted to console her, but she was afraid.

"Gabrielle..." was all she could manage to say with a rugged voice and she felt tears welling up in her own eyes.

Gabrielle slowly came closer. She knew that Callisto was lying and she knew why, she was trying to protect her and also herself because she didn't want to be hurt again. She paused for a moment when she was as close as possible without touching and then wrapped her arms around Callisto and sobbed.

"I love you," she whispered.

Callisto stood still for a few moments, surprised, but then she couldn't resist any more and she hugged Gabrielle back, letting a few tears slip out of her eyes.

"I love you too," she whispered.

When they stopped hugging, Gabrielle took Callisto's hand.

"Please stay," she said and quickly continued before Callisto had the chance to object. "I know you're scared, not only of getting hurt yourself but also of hurting me with your presence. Well, you'd hurt me more with your absence." She paused for a moment. "Look, I know you feel guilty about what you did, but you can get a second chance, like Xena."

Callisto stared at the love of her life and she glanced at Xena at the mention of her name. Strangely, she didn't care about her, at least not at the moment, all that mattered was Gabrielle and her happiness. She looked back at Gabrielle and hesitated for a moment before caressing her. Gods, she wanted to be with her so much.

"Okay," she agreed and Gabrielle smiled, making Callisto feel much better.

Callisto smiled back. She turned and took her horse's reigns and then they went to Xena.

Gabrielle hesitated before speaking, because she knew that Xena didn't trust Callisto.

"Xena," she then said anxiously, "can Callisto travel with us?"

Xena looked at Callisto for a few moments and then back at Gabrielle. They had talked about that before. She knew that Gabrielle was in love with Callisto and all signs Callisto emitted told her that she loved Gabrielle. She knew that if they loved each other, Gabrielle would want to be with Callisto. She knew she wouldn't want to go away with her but that Callisto would have to come with them. She also knew that Callisto's presence would be a constant reminder of her past, but then again, no one said that making up would be easy. On the other hand, she would be a constant reminder of her family's death to Callisto and she wondered if Callisto would be able to take it.

She nodded.

"She can," she said, smiling for a moment when Gabrielle's eyes lit up, and turned to Callisto. "Can you cope with my presence?" she asked.

Callisto was surprised by the question and she gave it a quick thought. Then she nodded.

"Yes."

"Good. Gabrielle, why don't you go ahead to the village and get us rooms in an inn? I need to talk to Callisto."

Gabrielle eyed her suspiciously.

"Why can't I stay?" she asked.

"Don't worry, we won't fight, there are just some things I need to ask Callisto. Nothing that should worry you."

Gabrielle stared at her and then looked at Callisto.

"Okay," she said and left.

Xena slowly started to walk and Callisto did the same.

"So, what did you want to ask me that you didn't want Gabrielle to hear?" Callisto asked when Gabrielle was far enough.

"You set up your army and killed those who escaped," Xena said. "Why?"

Callisto looked at her, slightly surprised, and then grinned.

"After I met Gabrielle, something inside of me changed and I didn't want to kill anymore. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I didn't want to have to worry about them going after me." She paused. "And besides, they deserved it."

Xena glanced at Callisto and for as moment she saw a strange look in her eyes. She understood that that army did something to her and that she wasn't ready to talk about it.

"I won't tell Gabrielle," she said.

Callisto glanced at her.

"Thank you."

Then they quickened their pace a bit.

The End