A Babe in the Woods
by RedPrincess

Darkness had begun to settle across the land, and with it, an eerie calmness. The occasional fluttering wings of birds could be heard as the day creatures scrambled to find sanctuary for the night. The woman looked up into the sky, putting her hand across her eyes to shield them from the blood red setting sun. For a long time she stood there, her blond hair so illuminated by twilight that it was almost iridescent. Lost in thought she did not hear the approaching footsteps.

'So, now you are a goddess. That is quite a responsibility you know.'

The voice was strong, sultry and, a little sarcastic.
The woman turned around suddenly and looked him straight in the eyes.

'Ares!', she gushed coyly.

Callisto slowly walked around Ares looking him up and down. 'You are looking quite well, I see.'

She smiled, but hers was not the smile of happiness, rather the smile of hatred.

'And where were you when Xena trapped me in that lava pit!', she snarled.

'Ahh, my pretty,' he began and softly slid his fingertips down her cheek, 'you did not need my help. You are a goddess after all.'

Callisto brought her hand up to his and roughly pushed it away.
'Yes! No thanks to you, I was able to escape!. What do you want, Ares?'

'It is not what I want, but what you want.' Ares looked at her knowingly.

'What do you mean?'

'I mean that I know you want revenge for what Xena did to you and I am here to help you obtain that revenge!'

Callisto never took her eyes away from his. She knew only too well what Ares was capable of.

'Why would you help me?'
'Let's just say that we have a common goal.', he replied as a smirk slowly crept across his face.
Ares turned and started toward the deep forest.

'Walk with me a little, Callisto.'

The two figures began walking and disappeared into the tree filled thicket which now had become pitch black. The stillness was deafening; night had arrived.

At the same time, in another part of the forest, one women bent over another who was laying on the ground writhing in pain.

'Push Gabrielle!'. Xena stood ready to catch the baby.

'Oh Xena! It hurts!'

'I know it hurts but you gotta push!'

'Arrgghh....I'm trying Xena.' Gabrielle panted heavily as she tried desperately to free her baby.

Suddenly, a look of wonder came into the eyes of the Warrior Princess.
'It's coming!'

Gabrielle gave one last push and then sank back weary from her great effort.

'Oh, Gabrielle, it's a girl. A beautiful baby girl'

Xena's eyes glistened with happiness for her friend. She deftly cut the umbilical cord with her breast dagger and gently placed the baby next to her mother.
As Gabrielle gazed into the face of her child for the first time, tears of joy escaped her green eyes.

'Xena, I'm a mother. I can't believe it!'

Gabrielle held her baby, kissing the top of her head and then her soft pink cheeks all the while muttering over and over,
'I'm a mother.'

Giving Gabrielle and her baby the privacy to discover each other, the Warrior Princess slowly walked away and leaned up against a tree lost in thought. She stayed there for a long while and then a dark look came upon her face, a decision had been made and now there was no turning back.

A few feet away, behind a large prickly bush crouched a very thin leather clad figure. She had watched the touching birth scene with psychotic delight.

'Now it begins, Xena', Callisto whispered softly.

Xena walked back to where Gabrielle and her baby were now both peacefully asleep. 'Poor thing', she thought 'she must be exhausted.'

The Warrior Princess gently placed a warm wool blanket over the sleeping Gabrielle and her baby and then sat on a rock next to them. She began to slowly but methodically sharpen her sword, all the while keeping alert watch for any sign of danger.

The next morning Gabrielle awoke to see Xena breaking camp.


'What are you doing, Xena?'
'I'm packing up, what do you think I'm doing?'. Xena's lip curled up on one side in a crooked smile.

'But, can't we stay a little longer?'

'No Gabrielle, I've decided to take you back to Poteidaia.' Xena turned away as she said it hiding the look of pain on her face.

'No, you can't! I mean why, Xena?' Gabrielle's voice betrayed the panic she felt in her heart.

'Gabrielle, be realistic. You can't travel with a newborn baby and we can't stay here. You'll be better off with your family.'

Gabrielle slowly stood up, placed her hands on her friend's arms and turned her around.

'What are you saying, Xena? I know you don't intend on staying in Poteidaia with me, so what are you saying? Are you saying that you're leaving me?'

Xena's face softened and she gently brushed Gabrielle's cheek with the back of her hand.
'Only for a little while. I'll come back.....when the baby is older.'

'How much older Xena? When she's 3 months old, 3 years old, or when she's grown? You know you won't come back!'

Gabrielle angrily turned her back on her friend and sat down beside her baby. She gently picked her up and began rocking back and forth, cradling the infant in her arms.

'Gabrielle, I...'

'Don't bother, Xena! Just go! Go now! Poteidaia is less than a days walk from here. I'll go back alone!'

Xena tried to hide the immense hurt she was feeling.
'I can't just let you walk back alone. You've just had a baby. I thought you could ride Argo.....'

'No Xena!' Gabrielle interrupted, ' Just leave me! Now! Go away!!'

'For the last time, I will not let you go back alone, Gabrielle.'

Gabrielle did not look at her good friend.

'We have to eat.', Xena said trying desperately to hold back the tears she felt stinging her eyes. 'I'm going down to the lake to get some fish. We'll have breakfast and then start out for Poteidaia.'

Gabrielle looked up as her best friend walked through the trees toward the river bed. As soon as Xena was out of site she got up and went over to Argo. Inside one of the bedrolls was a large cotton cloth. She carefully wrapped the tiny form inside and nestled her in the crook of her left arm. Then she picked up her Amazon staff and started off toward the road to Poteidaia.

'I'll show her', she said to the infant, 'We'll start walking to Poteidaia and when Xena comes back and finds us gone, she'll come looking for us. She'll be so worried that when she finds us she'll realize that she shouldn't leave us ever again!'

As Gabrielle started down the road, she was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the leaves of the bushes rustling behind her while she walked. After about an hour she realized that she was exhausted.

'I guess Xena was right after all, I have to rest. It was too soon after having you to attempt this kind of exercise.', she chuckled softly to her child. 'Well I guess we'll just wait here for her then.'

The baby had been fussing for the past few minutes so Gabrielle sat down on a rock and prepared to nurse her.

'Guess you're hungry, huh?', she said tenderly.

'Hello, Gabrielle. My, what a touching site. I see you have a baby now. Another husband die on you?', cooed Callisto mockingly.

Gabrielle looked up in fear. She was trapped and she knew it. How could she fight Callisto with a newborn in tow? Callisto's eyes danced with hatred.

'What's the matter, little girl? Cat got your tongue? Hmmmm?'

Callisto took her sword and pressed the point lightly at Gabrielle's throat.

'Please, Callisto. Don't hurt my baby.'

'Oh Gabrielle, my sweet, I don't intend to hurt your little brat!' Callisto's voice oozed with contempt. 'Exactly the opposite, my pretty. I intend to raise her as my own.'

'Noooo!!', cried Gabrielle. She quickly brought her arm up and shoved the sword away. In one continuous fluid motion, she placed her child on the ground and picked up her staff ready to defend them both.

'So, it's a fight you want? Don't be foolish, Gabrielle. You don't stand a chance against me.'

'I will not let you take my child!' cried Gabrielle 'I will die before that happens!'

'Well, get ready to say hello to Hades!' Callisto laughed and with that she leapt up into the air, lunging forward.

'Ayyyiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!' she screamed, flipping herself over and toward the petite bard.
Gabrielle tried to avoid the charging demon but was still very weak from the birth of her child. Not able to move fast enough, Callisto came down hard with her boots and drop kicked Gabrielle in the abdomen.

'Uugghh!'

Gabrielle hit the ground. The pain was excruciating. She tried to roll towards her child but was too late.

'Uh uh uh, Gabrielle, she belongs to me now!' said the goddess in a sing song voice.

Gabrielle watched in horror as Callisto scooped up her infant and fled deep into the woods, her maniacal laugh fading in the distance. Gabrielle struggled desperately to get to her feet. Using the staff which had fallen nearby, she pulled herself up and attempted to follow Callisto. But she was in such a weakened state that she collapsed, falling once again on the ground.

'Xeeennnnaaaa!' screamed Gabrielle. 'Where are you??!! Why aren't you here??!' she pounded her fists in on the ground over and over, all the while sobbing violently.

Xena walked back toward camp. She had been fortunate this morning. She held in her hands two very large Trout. They would make a very delicious , filling breakfast, giving Gabrielle and herself a good start on the day's journey.

'Hello, Xena.'

Xena stood staring at the large handsome figure blocking her path.
'Hello, Ares.' she said with a bit of sarcasm. 'And to what do I owe this pleasure?'

'Ahh Xena, how I've missed you.' Ares slowly sucked in air. 'Still beautiful as ever.' he said, never taking his eyes off of her.

'And still just as deadly.' she said with taunting annoyance. 'Excuse me, I have to get back. Gabrielle is waiting.'

'Yes, I know, that annoying blonde just had a baby didn't she?'

Xena turned around slowly, her eyes like cold steel.
' What? How did you know that?', She gave Ares a menacing look.

'The gods know everything.' Ares' tongue ran across his lips in a self satisfying grin.

Xena knew that Ares was toying with her. She felt her heart began to pound as she realized that Ares was somehow responsible for something. In a blind panic she ran toward the camp. Ares stayed behind, laughing with delight.

'Gabrielle!, Gabrielle!' she shouted running as fast as she could, somehow knowing that she would not find her good friend where she left her .

She reached the campsite and quickly looked around. Neither Gabrielle or her baby were anywhere in site. A feeling of dread engulfed her as she jumped onto Argo's back. Spurring her into a fast gallop, Xena headed for the road to Poteidaia hoping against hope that she would find the young bard safe and sound.

Gabrielle's infant shrieked deafeningly as Callisto ran through the woods.
'Shut up, you little brat! I don't want you any more than you want me!' Callisto's voice betrayed her disgust for the little one.

The baby continued to cry despite her annoyance.
'Shut up! You are driving me insane with your incessant wailing!'

For once in her life Callisto was dumbfounded! Here was someone that she could not intimidate, for try as she would, she could not stop the tiny creature from it's constant screeching.

'Ugh. All right you little runt. I should let you starve to death! Guess I'll have to go find you something to eat.'

But where? Where would she find milk for the little one?

'Should have taken that annoying Gabrielle too, like I wanted to. But no, Ares, you said Ôonly the child'. Well now thanks to you I'm stuck with this wretched little thing and no way to stop it from it's never ending screeching!' Callisto shook her fist at the sky.

Off in the distance, the goddess saw smoke rising into the air.
'Must be a house nearby. They will have something to quiet you!'

Still lying on the ground, Gabrielle heard hoof beats in the distance. They became louder and louder and finally she saw a dark figure atop a light colored horse galloping at her at lightening speed.

'Xena! Over here!'

'Gabrielle!! What happened?'

Xena leapt off of Argo's back and quickly went to her friend's side. She knelt down beside Gabrielle.

'Callisto.....took my baby' Gabrielle gasped and she grabbed Xena's arm tightly. 'Got....to find...her!' Gabrielle vainly tried to pull herself up again falling back against the Warrior Princess.

'Don't try to get up, you're hurt pretty badly.'

'Xena, she said she was going to keep my baby. Raise her as her own. You have to help me get her back! Please!' Gabrielle's voice betrayed the panic in her heart.

'She's had a pretty good start, but, even a goddess will be slowed down when traveling with a newborn. Rest, Gabrielle. I have to make a stretcher for you and then we will try to find Callisto.'

Xena gently laid Gabrielle back onto the ground and walked toward the trees to gather the wood she needed to construct the device.

'Well, this is about as far as I can go with you.' Callisto placed Gabrielle's baby under an Oak tree. 'Don't want you giving me away now. Ugh! What a pain this is, having to take care of you. Well, thank the gods it's only until I meet up with Ares. Then you're his problem!'

Callisto stealthily approached the house. Slowly she opened the old wooden door. Inside, a simple peasant woman stood by a kettle over the fire, slowly stirring and humming to herself. On a table in the middle of the room, Callisto saw a large crock of milk next to some cheese and bread. Hanging beside the fireplace was a goat skin water bag.

'You, there!'

The woman was startled out of her reverie. Turning around she quickly took in the impending danger posed from the menacing form which stood in her doorway.

'Can I help you with something?' said the woman with fear in her eyes.

'Fill that goat skin with milk.'

'Milk?' said the woman a bit confused.

'Yes, you heard me, MILK!' Callisto said impatiently.

'Right away.' The peasant woman took the goat skin and filled it with milk from the crock.

'Here you go. Is there anything else?' The woman timidly handed the goat skin to Callisto.

Callisto's eyes shone with insanity. 'Yes, as a matter of fact there is, old woman.' she drawled, rolling her eyes while she quickly drew out her sword and plunged it deep into the woman's chest. The peasant fell to the floor, dead, her arm knocking over the crock of milk as she fell. Callisto smiled.

'Ahhh,' she sighed, 'I think I'll have a piece of cheese. Even though being a goddess means that I don't ever get hungry, I do still miss some of the mortal pleasures.'

She picked up a piece of cheese, tossed it into the air and caught it in her mouth. Taking the goat skin she left, all the while laughing to herself.

Callisto returned to the spot where Gabrielle's baby still lay crying. She picked up the child and awkwardly held her in her arms. Taking the goat skin she squirted some milk onto her finger and touched the infant's lips. The newborn hungrily latched onto Callisto's finger looking for more. Placing the end of the goat skin on the baby's mouth and prying it open a bit, she squirted a a few drops of milk onto her tongue. The little girl greedily swallowed the milk.

'Okay, I guess this is going to take a while.' Callisto sighed as she continued to feed Gabrielle's child in this manner.

As Xena started cutting branches with her sword, she suddenly became aware of slight movement in the underbrush. She silently began to slowly make her way toward the sound. A figure moved into the edges of her peripheral vision and she reacted with her warrior's instinct.

'Cheeeeeyiyiyiyiyiyi' she cried, leaping into the air somersaulting over and over until she connected and took the figure down with her feet.

She looked at her prey with evil malice, then suddenly her demeanor changed to one of impish amusement.

'Hi Xena.' croaked Joxer. 'Nice to see you again too.' Rolling his eyes, he got up and rubbed his backside which had taken the brunt of the fall.

'Hello Joxer.' Xena said trying to hide her laughter. 'Sorry about that, I didn't know it was you!'

'Yeah, well, that's the story of my life.' he sighed 'Sooo, how's things?'

'Not good, Joxer. Come on back with me to where Gabrielle is waiting and I'll tell you.'

The baby gurgled contentedly as Callisto put down the goat skin and picked her up.

'Buuurrpp!'

A little milk dribbled out of the corner of her mouth. Callisto laughed in spite of herself.

'Liked that did you?' she cooed.'Oh Zeus, listen to me cooing to this little piece of human scum!' Feeling totally disgusted with herself she looked back down at the sweet little face now drifting off into a deep and peaceful sleep.

'But you are kind of cute', she whispered softly. She cradled the tiny girl child in her arms, rocking her and almost instinctively, Callisto began to sing a lullaby that her own mother had sung to her.

'So that's all of it, Joxer.' Xena finished explaining the events up to the present.

'You know, Callisto is really evil, but I never expected her to do anything like this. Stealing Gabby's baby puts her at the lowest level of lowness!' Joxer could not hide his anger. 'How did she get out of that lava pit anyway?'

'I don't know.' replied Xena. 'But she did, and now she's bent on revenge.'

'Are you going after her, Xena?' Joxer asked eagerly. 'Wait till I get a hold of her, I'm gonna.....'

'Yes I am.' Xena interrupted, 'Joxer, you can do me a really big favor.'

'Sure, Xena, anything.'

'Take care of Gabrielle. I can travel faster alone.'

'Oh no!', protested Gabrielle not hiding her disgust, 'Don't you dare leave me with him, Xena!'

Joxer looked at her, the hurt clearly showing in his eyes.

'Oh, don't mind her,' said Xena quickly, 'she's just suffering from post birth depression.'

She turned so Joxer could not see her face and winked at Gabrielle. In return, Gabrielle stuck her tongue out at Xena in defiance.

'I'll hitch the stretcher to Argo and you can take her to Poteidaia. She needs a healer. I think she has some internal injuries.'

'Sure Xena, anything for Gabby.' said Joxer embarrassed that his affection for the petite bard was so strong.

'I don't think....', began Gabrielle

'Gabrielle, be nice.' cautioned Xena smiling.

After she attached the stretcher to Argo's saddle, Xena and Joxer very carefully picked Gabrielle up and gently placed her on it.

'Xena, please.....find my baby.' Gabrielle said solemnly.

'You know I will.' Xena bent over and kissed her friend lightly on her forehead. The three then split up, Joxer leading Argo onto the road to Poteidaia and Xena disappearing into the woods.

Night had once again fallen. There was a fine mist which covered the forest floor with a silken sheen. Callisto, who had been thinking about her revenge against Xena was rudely interrupted by a loud, high pitched screech.

'Oh no. Not again.'

Callisto's face wore a look of frustration. She reached for the goat skin, placed the baby in her lap and tried to feed her. The newborn would have none of it.

'What is it that you want you little......eew, yuk!'

Callisto pulled her arm from under the baby's bottom. 'You're all wet!' she cried half with surprise, half with revulsion.

'By the gods, nobody ever told me about this part! Now what am I going to do?'

She put the baby on the ground and began to unwind the cotton cloth that had been wrapped around her.

'Ugh!', she cried in disgust. 'Not that too!'

Holding the soiled rag between her thumb and forefinger she stood up and tossed it as far away as she could.

Xena approached the tiny farm house with vigilant furtiveness. She cautiously stepped into the doorway glancing left and right. Seeing the body of the old woman, she quickly assessed the situation. Callisto had been here all right. Observing the overturned crock with sticky white milk dripping from the table, Xena deduced that Callisto had come here to find nourishment for Gabrielle's baby. She dipped her finger into the milk and tasted it. It had turned sour. Callisto had a good start on the warrior princess. She then left the house and started off in the direction of the woods.

Callisto pondered her problem. What was to be done about this ungodly odiferous situation? Having no cover for the baby, she hesitated bathing it in the nearby stream. Ares had instructed her that the infant had to be healthy, and she could not chance the possibility of the babe getting ill. As she pondered this perplexing difficulty she began to hear a soft, high pitched impish like laughter, melodiously tinkling in the breeze.

'Don't know what to make of this, huh, Sweet Cheeks?', said the voice.

'What the....' Callisto turned around, malice lining her brow.

'Hey, Callisto! Dudette! Relax, Psycho Mom, I'm here to help ya!'

The beautiful and curvaceous scantily clad figure of the goddess Aprhodite slowly materialized.

'Ohhh loooka dis sweet itty bitty baby.' , she cooed, gently picking up the infant, holding her snugly against her body, swaying back and forth. 'Aw, babykins, Mama Listo doesn't know how to change your wittle dipey, huh?'

Aphrodite looked up at Callisto with a ridiculing smile.
'Here, let Auntie Ditie make you feel all better.'

Aphrodite knelt down and suddenly a small golden cauldron appeared. She touched the water with her finger.

'Ah, just right.' Then she began to scoop up the warm liquid with her right hand and and sprinkled it delicately over the tiny wriggling body, humming softly.

When she was satisfied that the little lass was clean, she picked up a soft, white piece of fabric which had also emerged out of nowhere, and tenderly began to wipe the youngster dry. Finally, she held out her dainty, pale hand, palm up a and tiny, rose colored silk robe materialized. Aphrodite deftly slipped it over the baby's head and smoothed it against her tiny form. Almost forgetting she was there, Aphrodite looked up and found herself gazing into the cold, critical eyes of Callisto, who had been watching her every move. Callisto stared at the goddess her pupils narrowed into small slits. Aprodite slowly arose, obviously irritated. Saying nothing with her voice, Callisto's firey orbs told the story.

'Hey, thanks Aphrodite.', mocked the goddess of love, 'No sweat, Listo Lady.'.
Aphrodite answered herself. 'Ya know, I just got you out of a jam, here, blondie! Ya could at least thank me!' Now Aphrodite was seriously annoyed.

'I don't need your help.' , Callisto hissed.

'Oh no? Well, I didn't see you changing that baby!' retorted Aphrodite, eyes dancing.

'I don't have powers like yours.'

'Uh...duh. Hello? You are a goddess, after all, Callisto.' Aphrodite began to rock with laughter.

'How dare you laugh at me!' Callisto was enraged now.

'Oh chill out, cuckoo woman! I didn't do this for you. I did it for the wee goddess right here.' She gazed lovingly at the two limpid blue eyes staring back at her. A miniature sized hand reached up and touched her face. Gabrielle's baby gurgled with delight.

'Give her to me! She's mine!', demanded Callisto.

'Yours? I thought she belonged to Gabrielle.' Aphrodite's voice was smoothly taunting.

'I said GIVE HER TO ME!!', and Callisto roughly tore the infant out of Aphrodite's arms.

'EXQUEEZE ME??!! Hey! Don't ever expect another favor from me again! Later, Leather Girl!'

Aphrodite turned her nose up toward the air and raising her hands upward, as quickly as she came, she was gone.

'Hmph! You ungreatful little wench!', scolded Callisto. 'I'm the one who fed you and how do you repay me? By oohing and ahhing at that stupid goddess of love!'
A smile started to form on the two pink lips.

'Ha hmm. hic hic' laughed the baby, waiving her arms and legs in the air.

'Ha hmm, hic hic yourself you little creep.'

Callisto looked up at the sky and then began to smile her two large brown eyes melting sentimentally.

'Hey Gabby, when you get better, maybe you and me could...um....share a fireside dinner together or sumthin.' Gabrielle did not answer. 'I mean it would be your privilege for you to be my sidekick, you know?' Still nothing. 'Gabby?' Joxer stopped Argo and stepped around behind her. The stretcher was empty! Gabrielle was gone!

Xena slowly approached an opening in the thicket. All of her senses began to tingle as she made her way through the thick underbrush. Finally, she found who she had been looking for. She crouched behind some bushes deciding on her course of action. Callisto still sat on the ground, rocking the baby and singing softly to her. Xena cocked her head, a perplexed look upon her face. This was not the Callisto she knew. She realized that she must approach Callisto very cautiously, under no circumstances could she risk having Gabrielle's child harmed in any way.

Joxer tied Argo to a tree and began to briskly walk back in the direction from which he had come. Where could Gabby be? She was in no condition to leave that stretcher. In any case, his main concern was to find her. If something had happened to her he would never forgive himself.

'It's time, Callisto.' The voice startled her.

'Give me the baby.' Ares held out his arms to receive the child.

Callisto slowly rose to her feet.

'No!'

'What do you mean, 'no'. Ares snarled.

'I've changed my mind!'

'You've what?'

'I've changed my mind. I'm keeping her.'

'Oh Callisto,' Ares taunted 'I just can't see you as the...uh.....motherly type.' He began to laugh heartily. 'What do you want?'

'I want this baby.', Callisto said evenly.

'Come on, Callisto, you really don't expect me to believe that. I know you want something.'

'I know you don't believe me, Ares, but I......love.....her and she loves me.'

'You, love her? You don't love anyone! All you know how to do is hate!' He spit out the words. Then he took a step forward reaching out for the infant.
Callisto took one step back, her hand shooting forward, bright rays of light flowed from her fingertips knocking Ares back several feet and onto the ground.

'STAY AWAY!' she cried. 'YOU WILL NOT TAKE THIS CHILD!!!!'

'Oooh, you shouldn't have done that Callisto.'

Ares drew his sword and aimed it at Callisto. Sparks began to escape from its tip. They surrounded Callisto and Gabrielle's baby illuminating them both in the darkness.

'Aaaggh!' Callisto cried out in pain still holding tight to the newborn.

Xena bore witness to this unexpected turn of events with extreme trepidation. She got up and began to flip herself toward Ares and Callisto.

'CHEEEYIYIYIYIYI!'

She unhooked her Chakram and sent it rifling towards Ares just has he turned around and saw her. He held up his hand and the wind began to blow with the force of a hurricane sending the chakram flying back to it's owner. Try as she could, Xena could not get any closer, the wind was just too strong . Helplessly holding on to a tree for support, all she could do was watch.

Trapped, Callisto could not escape her brilliant prison, Struggling against the force which held her captive her eyes bulged with hatred and she began to scream.

'AYYIIIIIIIIIIII!'

Her body began to vibrate violently and she started to shake as though she had been stabbed with a hundred swords. She could not hold on to the baby. Suddenly a force ripped the child from her arms and the little one slowly began to rise into the air, spinning slowly at first, and then the speed increased until she spun so fast that she was nothing but a blur. A blue haze escaped from Callisto's body and shot upward, entering the twirling light that was Gabrielle's child. After about a minute, the swirling slowed and the blur began to alight to the ground. The brilliance faded, and where Gabrielle's baby had once been now stood a girl of about ten.

Callisto fell to the ground, exhausted, knowing that she was no longer a goddess. Somehow, Ares had transferred her powers into the child. She looked up at him with hatred.

Xena heard a sound behind her and turned around sword at the ready. Gabrielle stood there, still extremely weak, leaning up against a large rock. Her mouth was open in horror and delicate tears of sadness escaped her green eyes. Xena went to her friend realizing that she had witnessed the events that had just transpired.

'Oh, Gabrielle. I'm so sorry. I couldn't save her.'

'I know Xena, I know you tried. What do you think will become of her?'
'I don't know, Gabrielle. I just don't know.'

Ares walked up to the young girl and put his arm around her.
'Time to go now.' he said softly

The child turned around, and looked at Xena and Gabrielle. What they saw horrified them, for the look in her eyes was one of pure unmistakable evil. Her lips turned up in a mocking smile and then she said,

'Goodbye Mother.'

As Ares and the girl disappeared Callisto struggled to her feet.
She stood there ramrod straight, hands clenched at her sides. Her brow furrowed into a hateful scowl and her long blonde hair whipping about her head in the strong breeze that still sailed through the air. Then a look of raw, undeniable heartache came upon her face.

'AARRREEEESSS!!!!!!'

Joxer came running toward Xena and Gabrielle. Out of breath he said,
'Gabby, where did ya go?' The two women looked at him.
'Uh, did I miss something?'

The End

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