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. The idea came from Pash O'Connor's Forbidden Mountain. Pasiphae and other villagers are mine. There is some subtext in this story, so, if this kind of stuff is illegal where you live, if you're under 18 or you find the notion of two women being in love offensive, you better leave.

Love Song for the Devil
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Pasiphae was walking down the beach when she heard calls. She looked and saw that it was a group of children. She ran to them and when she got to them, she saw that they were surrounding a woman. It was a warrior woman with blond hair who was lying on the beach, obviously a survivor of a shipwreck. She knelt beside her and turned her on her back. She's gorgeous, she thought and checked her pulse. The warrior was still alive. She looked around and saw that the crowd got bigger.

"You two," she said and pointed at two men, "help me carry her to my house."

The two men picked up the warrior woman and followed Pasiphae.

When they got to her house, they put the warrior on the bed and left. Pasiphae got a towel and started to dry the woman. She removed the weapons and was about to remove the leather armor when the woman stirred. Pasiphae gently shook her.

"Hey," she said.

The warrior moaned and slowly opened her eyes.

"How do you feel?" Pasiphae asked.

"Ha?" The woman rubbed her head. "My head hurts."

Pasiphae smiled.

"You'll be fine, I just have to dry you. Why don't you take off your armor and your clothes and I'll get you something more comfortable to wear. Here's a towel."

Pasiphae went to a wardrobe and picked a dress and some underwear. When she turned, the warrior was already wrapped in the towel. Pasiphae was surprised at the speed with which the woman undressed.

"Here, try this," she said and gave her guest the dress and the underwear. "I'll get you some shoes."

Pasiphae left and the warrior woman put on the clothes.

"By the way, my name is Pasiphae," Pasiphae said when she returned. "What's yours?"

The woman wanted to answer, but stopped, confused.

"I… I don't know."

"You don't?"

The woman shook her head. Pasiphae thought.

"How about Galatea?" she asked.

The woman looked at her, surprised.

"Well, you have a milky white complexion," Pasiphae explained.

"Oh." The woman thought. "Okay," she agreed.

"Good. Does the dress fit?"

"Yes."

"And the shoes?"

"Also."

"Good." Pasiphae smiled. "Say, do you remember anything about yourself?"

Galatea thought.

"No," she said and shook her head.

"Oh. Will you stay or will you return to the mainland?"

Galatea thought.

"I think I'll stay. At least until I remember who I am."

"Okay."

"Is there an inn or a tavern near by?"

"Yes, but you can stay here, if you want."

"I wouldn't want to disturb you."

Pasiphae smiled.

"Don't worry, I live alone and I have a free room. You could keep me company."

"Okay."

"Great!"

"Are these my weapons?" Galatea asked and pointed at the weapons.

"Yes."

Galatea took the sword and the chakram and looked at them.

"Do you know how to use them?" Pasiphae asked.

Galatea jerked as a memory flashback flashed through her mind.

"Are you okay?" Pasiphae asked, concerned.

"Yes. Just a flashback."

"Oh."

"I think I can use them."

"Are you hungry?"

Galatea looked at Pasiphae.

"Yes."

"I'll make you something to eat. In the meantime, you can look around the house."

Pasiphae went to the kitchen and Galatea looked around the house.

"You can sleep with me in my parents' bed or you can move to my old room," Pasiphae offered, blushing.

Galatea thought. For some reason she was feeling lonely and empty, like a part of her was missing. She didn't want to be alone.

"I'd like to stay with you, if you don't mind," she said, also blushing.

Pasiphae smiled.

"I don't. Here," she said and gave her some soup, "this will do until dinner."

Galatea sat down and ate the soup.

"How was it?"

"Delicious."

Pasiphae smiled and took the plate away.

"Do you think I could get a job around here?" Galatea asked.

"Probably. What can you do?"

Galatea thought.

"I don't know."

Pasiphae thought.

"Tell you what, why don't you come with me? I'll take you around the village and maybe you will remember something that you can do or maybe find something that you want to do."

"Okay."

"Come."

The two women went out.

They walked around the village and Pasiphae showed her where she might get a job. Galatea felt a bit uncomfortable, because the people stared at her, curious. Pasiphae introduced her to some of them.

"Can you show me the surroundings of the village?" Galatea asked when Pasiphae was done showing her around.

"Sure. Come."

Pasiphae took her new friend out of the village.

"What do you do for living?" Galatea asked when they left the last house behind.

"I teach children."

"Really?"

"Yes. My father was a teacher before me and he taught me a lot." She paused. "So, have you decided what you want to do?"

"No."

"Well, take your time, there's no need to hurry."

"Thank you," Galatea said and looked around. "It's beautiful here," she said.

"Yes," Pasiphae agreed and looked around.

"I think I'll get a job at one of the farmers, if any of them will be willing to teach me how to do things."

"I'm sure they'll take the time," Pasiphae said and smiled, "you don't get such a gorgeous help every day."

Galatea looked at Pasiphae surprised and blushed.

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind you either."

Now it was Pasiphae's turn to blush and Galatea smiled.

Suddenly, they heard screams. They looked and saw a wild boar chase a small child in the distance. Galatea quickly calculated the distance and then started to run directly toward the cliff.

"Galatea!" Pasiphae called and ran after her.

Galatea ignored her and ran as fast as she could. She saw that the child had already reached the cliff and the boar was running directly towards him. Galatea strained all her muscles to increase her speed. Just as the boar was about to hit the child, Galatea somersaulted over it, picking the child right from under the boar's tusks. The boar ran over the edge and fell onto the rocks below. Galatea landed just on the edge. Unfortunately, the edge was brittle and she slid down.

"Galatea!" Pasiphae cried, terrified, when she saw her new friend disappear from sight.

Galatea managed to grab onto a root with one hand.

"Don't be afraid," she told the boy she had rescued, "everything will be okay."

She lifted her right knee and sat the boy on it.

"Galatea!" she heard a relieved cry from above.

She looked up and saw Pasiphae.

"Grab his hand," she said and looked at the boy. "I will hold your hand. Try and get up, so you would stand on my leg." The boy hesitated, scared. Galatea smiled. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall," she said.

The boy looked up and tried to get up. It took him four attempts, but he finally stood.

"Good boy," Galatea said. "Now, reach up with your free hand."

The boy did.

"I have him!" Pasiphae reported.

"Start pulling," Galatea said, "and I'll push."

"Okay."

With joined powers they managed to get the boy to safety. Then Galatea climbed up and Pasiphae helped her at the end. The boy had gone home in the meantime.

"Are you okay?" Pasiphae asked when Galatea was safe.

Galatea nodded.

"Yes," she said and got up. She looked at herself. "Sorry about the dress."

Pasiphae gave her a startled look.

"Who cares about the dress! Thank gods that you and the boy are okay."

Galatea didn't respond.

"You're hurt!" Pasiphae suddenly noticed the blood on Galatea's right leg.

Galatea looked.

"Oh, it's nothing," she said.

"Nothing! We're returning to the village and I'll take care of that," Pasiphae said determinedly. "Come."

She took Galatea's hand and almost dragged her back to the village. She did go slow though, afraid that Galatea might hurt herself even more if they went too fast.

When they got home, Pasiphae prepared water, some cloths, herbs and bandages.

"Take off your dress and wash yourself," she said. "I'll get you a new dress and then I'll take care of your wound."

Galatea obeyed and Pasiphae fetched a new dress.

"Here," she said and gave Galatea a new dress. "Sit," she said when Galatea was done.

Galatea did and Pasiphae started to check her wound.

"Hm, it's just a surface scratch, but nasty nonetheless," Pasiphae declared and took care of the wound. "There. Be easy on that leg."

"I will."

"Good." She thought. "Do you want to see a farmer now?"

"Okay."

"Have you maybe decided where you'll tried your luck?"

"I don't know any, so it doesn't matter. Do you have a suggestion?"

"Yes. We'll try Calchas first."

"Okay."

"Come."

Pasiphae took Galatea to Calchas.

"Calchas!" she called when they got to the small farm.

"Pasiphae! Welcome! What can I do for you?"

"My friend needs a job, but she's not really skilled at anything. Do you think you could maybe teach her?"

"Hmm." Calchas looked at Galatea appraisingly. "She doesn't seem strong enough for farm work. Hmm. Tell you, what, I'll take her for a couple of days, show her how things are done and if she can manage, I'll take her."

"Galatea?" Pasiphae asked.

"Fine with me."

"Good," Calchas said. "You can start tomorrow. Come at dawn."

"Great! I will."

"Good, then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Calchas," Pasiphae said.

Calchas smiled.

"No problem, Pasiphae."

"Bye."

"Good bye."

Pasiphae and Galatea left.

"Thank you, Pasiphae," Galatea said when they were away.

Pasiphae smiled.

"You're welcome."

They were quiet for a while.

"You said you're a teacher," Galatea said.

"Yes."

"When do you teach?"

"Every day, usually in the morning after the children do their chores."

"Where?"

"Down on the beach. There's a nice spot where they can sit."

"Oh. What do you teach them?"

"Lots of stuff. I teach them how to read and write and how to calculate, some geography and history and even some philosophy."

"Really?" Galatea said, surprised.

Pasiphae smiled.

"It's just basic, every-day philosophy, nothing fancy. I also tell them stories."

Galatea jerked as another flashback hit her.

"Are you okay?" Pasiphae asked, concerned.

Galatea nodded.

"Just a flashback."

"Do you know what it was?"

Galatea thought.

"Strawberry blond hair."

"Hair?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what it means?"

Galatea shook her head.

"No."

"I hope you remember."

"Me too."

"Say, if you want, I can teach you," Pasiphae offered.

"Teach me what?" Galatea asked, surprised.

"What I teach the children."

"Oh. Well, I'd like that, but I'll be working at the farm at that time."

Pasiphae smiled.

"Don't worry, I can teach you in the afternoon."

"I don't want you to waste my time on me," Galatea objected.

"You're not a waste of time. And besides, I have time and you will have it too."

Galatea thought.

"Well, if you don't mind."

"Of course I don't."

"Okay."

"Great. We'll start tomorrow, today has been busy as it is."

They went home and Pasiphae started to make dinner. Since Galatea had nothing else to do, she observed Pasiphae. Pasiphae noticed that Galatea was interested and she showed her.

During the dinner, they talked about the life on the island and about each other's likes and dislikes and Galatea found out a lot of interesting things. She also realized that she like talking to Pasiphae. After the dinner, they went to bed.

It was already early morning when Pasiphae was awoken by strange sounds. She listened and found out that they were coming from Galatea. She realized that her guest was having a nightmare. She listened and heard that Galatea was calling her mother. She gently shook her.

"Galatea," she softly called.

Galatea woke up with a shriek.

"It's all right, Galatea, you're safe," Pasiphae said and hugged Galatea.

Galatea shuddered for a few moments and then calmed down. They lay back. Since Galatea didn't let go of her, Pasiphae also kept hugging Galatea.

When Galatea woke up in the morning, she was surprised when she found herself hugging Pasiphae and vice versa. She considered trying to disentangle from the hug, but changed her mind when she realized that she actually liked being close to her host. She's so beautiful, she thought as she lay still and observed the still sleeping Pasiphae.

Finally, Pasiphae also woke up and Galatea could see that she was also confused about the hug, at least at first.

"Good morning," Pasiphae said and smiled.

"Good morning."

"How do you feel?" Pasiphae asked as they broke the hug.

"Fine. Why?"

"You had a nightmare."

Galatea was surprised.

"I did?"

"Yes. You kept calling for your mother."

Galatea jerked as a flashback hit her.

"Galatea?" Pasiphae asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, just another flashback."

"Do you know what you saw?"

"My mother. I think."

"Do you remember anything about her?"

Galatea thought.

"She's dead. I think."

"I'm sorry."

Galatea smiled briefly.

"It's okay." She thought. "Ah, how come we were hugging?" she asked, blushing.

Pasiphae blushed.

"When I woke you up, you were shuddering and I hugged you. When you calmed down, you didn't let go of me."

"Oh," Galatea said and looked away, blushing even more deeply.

"How about a breakfast?" Pasiphae asked.

"Yes."

During the next couple of months, Galatea got used to the life on the island and her job on the farm. Calchas had realized that in spite of her fragile looks, she was a strong and capable worker. In the evenings, Pasiphae taught Galatea and discovered that her guest was an eager learner. She also taught her guest how to cook and do things around the house.

Pasiphae soon didn't think of Galatea as her guest anymore and Galatea thought of the house as her home. They became close to one another, though they were afraid to admit it to themselves, especially Galatea. They simply enjoyed every moment they spent together and relished in one another's presence, gently touching each other and made it look like accidents.

One day, when Galatea was doing some shopping, she noticed that someone was watching her. She looked at the man and saw fear in his eyes. She realized that he knew her. She started to approach him, but the man started to back off. When he started to run, Galatea followed him and quickly caught up with him.

"Please, don't kill me," the man begged, terrified.

Galatea was surprised.

"You know me?" she asked.

"Yes," the man confirmed, nodding eagerly.

"Who am I?" The man was confused. "Tell me."

The man gulped.

"You are Callisto, the Warrior Queen."

Callisto jerked as another flashback hit her.

"Am I good or evil?" she asked. The man hesitated. "Tell me the truth, I won't hurt you."

"You are evil."

"Where have we met?"

"I was in Delphi when you tried to kill the Oracle, but Xena stopped you."

"Xena," Callisto whispered and closed her eyes as she remembered a fire. "Tell me about her."

"She used to be an evil warlord, but she has changed."

Another flashback.

"Does… Does she have a companion?" Callisto asked.

The man thought.

"Yes, I think so."

"A young woman with strawberry blond hair?"

"Yes."

Callisto thought. She finally let go of the man.

"Thank you," she murmured and left.

She walked out of the village and ignored Pasiphae. Pasiphae was confused and she decided to talk to the merchant to which Galatea had talked.

"Excuse me," she said.

"Yes?"

"What have you been talking about?"

"With who?"

"That blond woman," Pasiphae said and pointed after Callisto.

"About her."

"You know her?" Pasiphae asked, excited.

"Yes," the man said and Pasiphae noticed the hateful look in his eyes.

"Who is she?"

"Callisto, the Warrior Queen."

"Callisto? I think I've heard that name. Can you tell me something about her?"

"She's a butcher. I heard she kills people just to get back at Xena."

"The Warrior Princess?"

The man nodded.

"She once tried to kill the Delphi Oracle, but Xena stopped her. Some say she died a couple of times and some even claim that she was a goddess."

"A goddess?"

"Yes."

Pasiphae thought.

"Thank you," she said and hurried after Callisto.

She found her on the cliff, staring into the sea. She slowly approached her and looked down. Then she took her hand. Callisto tried to pull it free, but Pasiphae didn't let go. Callisto gave her a murderous look, but it was gone as soon as her eyes connected with Pasiphae's. She gulped and looked away.

"I remember who I am," she said after a while.

"I know," Pasiphae said. Callisto looked at her, surprised. "I talked to the merchant," Pasiphae explained.

Callisto looked away, suddenly feeling ashamed. She tried to pull her hand free again, but Pasiphae didn't let go. Callisto felt a lump in her throat and she gulped. They stared at the sea for a while, silently holding their hands.

Callisto was shattered. On one hand, she was an evil warlord and one the other, she was a loving and caring woman. She remembered that she had always avoided caring for anyone and she had always killed anyone that might care for her. Now, however, she had experienced love again, she had loved and was loved back and it felt so good. It scared her, but she didn't want to lose that love.

Her first thought after she had regained her memory was to die, but her warrior part resisted, it wanted her to go back and kill. Fortunately, the good part of her resisted and won. Now, however, Callisto didn't know if Pasiphae will let her stay and she was afraid that she won't.

Pasiphae felt Callisto's tension.

"Will you stay?" she asked.

Callisto looked at her, surprised.

"May I?" she asked hopefully.

Pasiphae smiled.

"Of course."

"Thank you," Callisto whispered, relieved, and hugged her friend.

Pasiphae hugged her back and Callisto felt tears run down her cheeks.

"Thank you," Callisto said again after they stopped hugging and wiped her tears.

Pasiphae smiled and caressed her cheek.

"Thank you," she said. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

"Me too."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Callisto shook her head.

"Not now."

"Well, when you are ready, let me know."

"I will."

"Good. Shall we go back or do you want to stay here for a while?"

"I'm fine, let's go back."

"Okay."

Pasiphae took Callisto's hand into her own and they walked back to the village.

"Pasiphae," Callisto said after a while.

"Yes?"

"Call me Galatea. Callisto is dead."

Pasiphae was surprised at first, but then she smiled.

"Okay."

The End