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 placed before the Xena - Warrior Princess episode Intimate Stranger. Oh, I don't know what the name of Callisto's sister is, so I named her Anna.

Betrayed
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Then.

Callisto felt great. She was out of Tartarus and back after Xena. It had taken her several days to locate her and she had now almost caught up with her. She wore a cloak because she wanted to surprise Xena and she didn't want some hotshot warlord or king on her back. Not yet anyway.

She walked through a small village and bought some provisions. The village was near Cirra and Callisto had the feeling that she knew some of the people. She ignored it, never planning to come back. She avoided a woman who nearly bumped into her, carrying some heavy bags, and frowned. She had the weirdest feeling of who the woman was. She turned away, hiding her face from the woman, and then followed her.

Finally the woman got to her house and called her mother.

The door opened and a woman came out. Callisto froze, shocked. She stared at the woman and nearly started to cry. She felt the urge to run to her and hug her, but a part of her held her back. She was confused for a moment and then she realized that she was ashamed.

For the first time in her life she felt ashamed of what she had become and she regretted it. She also felt betrayed. She had spent half of her life hating Xena, living to make her suffer for killing her family and now she discovered that her family was still alive. It wasn't fair!

She stared at the two women for a few moments and then went to her horse and rode out of the village. A part of her wanted to scream, a part wanted to cry and a part wanted to laugh.

She rode for a while, not really caring where she was going, when she saw a group of bandits attacking a group of travelers. She grinned evilly, someone was about to experience Callisto in a bad mood.

She stopped her horse just in front of the bandits, somersaulted over their heads and screamed her war cry. She killed two bandits as soon as she landed and then faced the others.

"Hello, boys," she said, grinning evilly, "you're just the people I was looking for."

She screamed her war cry again and attacked. The bandits scrambled a defense, but they were no match for Callisto, who let out all her anger and frustration and quickly killed most of them. When the remaining three tried to retreat, she threw her chakram after them and killed two. She quickly threw her dagger and killed the last one. She then retrieved her weapons and cleaned them. She stared at the corpses curiously and felt a bit more relaxed.

She looked at the travelers, who were staring at her, and she saw that they were afraid of her. She started to laugh at the irony of life that let her wander around all alone when her family was always so close by.

The travelers were confused and they quickly picked up their stuff and their wounded and moved on. When they were gone, Callisto fell on her knees and started to cry. Her family might still be alive, but they might as well be dead, because she could never go back to them. Even if they would want her back, she had made too many enemies and if they found out that she had a family, they would come after them.

Five years later.

It was morning and Callisto waited in ambush for the bandits to approach. When she had discovered that her family was still alive, the need for revenge suddenly disappeared and Callisto found herself without a goal in her life. She felt empty until she realized that there was one thing she could do. She changed her ways and started to help people. Not that she cared about those she helped, no, she merely wanted to score points for good deeds with Hades, so that when she would die, she would be reunited with her family in the Elysian Fields. That was all that mattered.

The bandits rode quietly and confidently, not expecting any resistance. Callisto quietly observed them and formed a plan. She had tried to avoid killing whenever possible, but today, she would have to kill, there were just too many bandits.

She waited until they passed her and then she slowly started to follow them. She quickly disposed of one of the last pair, jumped on his horse and killed the other of the pair. Other bandits heard the warning and were turning around. Callisto threw her chakram and then took her sword and attacked.

The fight was hard and the bandits just didn't want to give up, their numbers being high. Although many had fallen, more were still standing up, fighting back. Callisto had already received many wounds and was hardly standing up. She couldn't protect Cirra, but she was determined to protect her family's new home, even if it cost her her life. Suddenly everything went black around her and she fell to the ground. The last thing she heard was a war cry, one that she knew very well.

Xena and Gabrielle were slowly walking down the road, Xena leading Argo by the reigns. Although it was morning, Gabrielle was cheerfully trying to find the right words and rhymes for her latest tale. Xena listened to her and objected from time to time when she thought that Gabrielle's description of the events was a little too flattering.

When Xena suddenly stopped, seeing a battle in the distance, Gabrielle nearly bumped into her.

"Xena?" she asked and looked at her friend and then, seeing Xena's look, looked down the road. "Don't the bandits never rest?" she asked, exasperated.

Xena mounted Argo and rode to help. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and ran after her.

When Xena got closer, she recognized the woman who was fighting the bandits, it was Callisto. She had not seen or heard from her ever since she had let her drown in the quick sand. She had heard about her being back and killing people and then she was suddenly helping them. She did not believe it at first, but the reports kept repeating and Callisto had not paid her and Gabrielle a visit. Yet. She guessed she was about to find out.

She saw Callisto fall down. She screamed her war cry and threw her chakram.

The bandits fought for a while longer, but they were worn out from the fight with Callisto, and when Xena and Gabrielle came, they soon decided that it was time to make new plans.

When they retreated, Xena checked up on Callisto.

"How is she?" Gabrielle asked as she joined her.

"Not good. Get me some bandages and some water."

"And the herbs?"

"No, I'll just clean up the wounds and bandage the most serious ones. I'll do the rest in the village."

"Okay."

Gabrielle went to Argo and retrieved the requested stuff.

"Go to the village and see if someone can lend us a cart," Xena said when Gabrielle returned.

"Okay."

Xena started to take care of Callisto's wounds and Gabrielle ran to the village.

When Gabrielle returned with a villager and his cart, Xena put Callisto on it and Gabrielle retrieved Callisto's horse. Then they went to the village.

In the village, the people were up, talking about the fight just outside the village and the men had taken the few weapons they had and the farming tools and put up some barricades. When Gabrielle arrived, they all wanted to know what was going on, but Gabrielle only requested a cart and promised to tell everything later. A man had volunteered and they left.

Now that they were returning, the barricades were gone and the people were talking about the fight, trying to guess what had happened. When the cart returned, everybody looked curiously at the dark warrior escorting it and at the blond warrior lying on it. Some of them recognized the dark warrior and it brought back the bad memories. No one recognized the blond warrior or the strawberry blond woman who came for the cart, although some people suspected who the blond warrior might be.

"Is there an inn or a tavern near by?" Xena asked the cart owner as she looked around.

"Yes, there is," the man said and led the way.

All people got a look at Xena and Gabrielle, but only those that were closest to the cart got to see Callisto. One of them was a young blond woman about Callisto's age. When she saw her, she found her very familiar. When she finally realized who the woman might be, she froze and stared after the cart. When she finally pulled herself together, she looked around for her parents.

"Anna?" her father said when she got closer and he saw how pale she was.

"I... I think I just saw Callisto," Anna said.

"The warrior?"

"No. Yes. I mean... I think she is my sister."

Pankos and Arleia looked at each other, astonished.

"That's impossible," Arleia said. "Callisto died in Cirra."

Anna shook her head.

"We never found her body."

"But..."

"Go and take a look."

Arleia looked at her husband anxiously.

"Pankos?"

Pankos was also feeling anxious.

"Dad?"

"Let's go see," Pankos finally said.

When Xena and Gabrielle got to the tavern, Xena took Callisto inside and followed Gabrielle, who had gotten them a room. Gabrielle then went out and got the saddlebags. Xena started taking off the dirty bandages and Gabrielle fetched a bucket of water.

They cleaned Callisto's wounds, put on some herbs and then dressed them. Gabrielle then took the dirty cloths and bandages and the water out.

"Yes, yes, in a minute," she told the crowd waiting for the report.

"Excuse me," a man stopped her.

"Yes?"

"The blond warrior, what is her name?"

"Callisto."

Gabrielle noticed that the man gasped and that the two women behind him looked at each other.

"Er, I was wondering if we could see her."

Gabrielle looked at the two women behind him and realized that they are probably family.

"Why?"

"Well..." The man hesitated. "She might be my daughter."

Gabrielle gasped.

"Wait," she said after a pause and went out to dispose of the waste.

When she returned, Callisto's family was still waiting.

"Come," she said. "By the way, my name is Gabrielle."

She opened the door and Callisto's family followed her. Xena looked at them and then at Gabrielle, curious. Gabrielle looked at Pankos. She noticed the look of hate when he looked at Xena and then the look of recognition when he looked at Callisto.

"Callisto," Arleia said, tears filling her tears, and stepped past her husband to the bed.

Xena looked at her and then at Gabrielle. Gabrielle stepped to her.

"Her family," she said.

Xena lifted her eyebrows and suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

Anna also stepped to the bed and Pankos followed her.

"Come," Gabrielle said, took Xena's hand and took her outside. "I'll go fresh myself and then tell the people what had happen," she said when they were outside. "I'll just refresh myself and then I'll tell you," Gabrielle told the crowd.

Xena followed her to clean herself, but she didn't follow her back in. Instead, she took care of Argo and Callisto's horse.

When Gabrielle was done, she went outside to talk to Xena.

"You okay?" she asked.

Xena nodded.

"You sure?"

Xena nodded again.

"If you want to talk about..."

"I know, I can talk to you," Xena interrupted her and forced a smile.

"Good. I'll go to Callisto."

Xena nodded and Gabrielle left.

When she entered the room, Callisto's family looked at her.

"Will she be okay?" Anna asked.

"Yes," Gabrielle said and smiled reassuringly. "It's just surface wounds and she will need to rest for a while."

"Can we stay here?" Arleia asked.

"I don't see why not. But she needs peace."

Arleia nodded and caressed her daughter.

"That was Xena, right?" Pankos asked.

"Yes," Gabrielle said and noticed that the three stiffed at Xena's name. "She has changed, you know."

"So we've heard."

"I'm going shopping now. You can stay with her."

Pankos nodded and Gabrielle left.

"I'm going shopping," she told Xena as she passed her.

Xena nodded and continued to brush Argo. She continued to do so for a while and then went inside.

She hesitated for a moment before opening the door. When she entered, Callisto's family looked at her and she could see that they hated her. She stared at them for a few moments and then stepped closer.

"I'm sorry," she said and the three looked at her, surprised. "I caused a lot of pain to your village and your family, especially Callisto, and I'm sorry."

Callisto's family stared at her, speechless. It was a miracle that they got Callisto back, but that the very warrior who had destroyed their village was apologizing to them, that was pretty close to one too.

"We heard you two know each other," Arleia said.

Xena bit her teeth.

"Yes."

"Can you tell us about her?"

"Gabrielle will tell you, she's a bard."

Arleia nodded and looked back at her daughter. When no one was looking at her anymore, Xena slipped out and returned to the horses.

"You done yet?" she asked Gabrielle when the bard returned from shopping.

"Yup. There was not much crowd and everybody was very eager to serve me."

Xena smiled.

"They would like to hear about Callisto."

"Have you been inside?"

Xena nodded.

"I apologized to them."

Gabrielle was surprised.

"I'm so proud of you," she finally said and smiled.

Xena smiled back.

"So, how much do you want me to tell them? I mean..."

"All of it."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Gabrielle flashed another smile and then went inside.

Callisto's family looked at her again as she entered. She smiled.

"Xena said you wanted to hear about Callisto," she said.

"Yes," Arleia said.

Gabrielle got herself a chair and sat down.

"Okay, the beginning is what I heard from Callisto," she started.

When she was done, everyone was quiet for a while.

"I'm sorry about your husband," Pankos finally said.

Gabrielle smiled sadly.

"So am I." She looked at Callisto and then at her family. "Look, she won't wake up anytime soon, tomorrow, probably or the day after. You don't have to stay here all the time, Xena or I will let you know when she wakes up. Besides, you can come and visit her."

Pankos and Arleia looked at each other.

"She will be fine, I promise," Gabrielle said.

Pankos and Arleia looked at each other again and then Pankos nodded.

"We will come back later."

Gabrielle nodded and the three left.

The day passed without problems, only in the afternoon did Callisto have a nightmare. Anna, who was just visiting then, took her hand and tried to calm her.

"It's just a nightmare," Xena said. "She's dreaming of the day I burned down Cirra."

Anna glanced at her and kept trying to calm Callisto, who was crying for her mother.

When the nightmare ended several minutes later, Anna left.

"Is everything all right?" her mother asked when she got home.

"Callisto had a nightmare," Anna reported. "She was dreaming about the day Xena burned down Cirra and she was calling you, but you weren't there."

Arleia hugged her daughter.

"This time I will be," she said.

The next day, when Callisto started to stir, Gabrielle ran to her family's house and Arleia immediately went with her while Anna ran for her father.

Callisto's senses were out of focus when she finally opened her eyes. She was in pain, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Her eyes slowly focused.

"Callisto?" she heard someone say and realized that someone was holding her hand.

She looked and soon saw a face. She stared at it for a moment before she recognized it.

"Mama," she whispered.

She wanted to hug her mother, but then she remembered her past and felt ashamed again. To Arleia, on the other hand, Callisto's past didn't matter and she hugged her daughter. Callisto didn't move.

Arleia felt Callisto's discomfort and she broke the hug.

"Callisto?" she asked, confused.

Callisto stared at her mother.

"I'm sorry, Mama," she finally said and a tear slid down her cheek.

"For what?" Arleia asked, confused.

"For betraying everything you taught me."

Arleia smiled and caressed her.

"All that matters is that we're together again," she said and hugged Callisto.

This time Callisto hugged her back, tears running down her cheeks.

"Callisto?" Anna said as she burst through the door, followed by her father.

Arleia and Callisto broke the hug and Arleia stepped aside and let Anna and Pankos closer. Anna ran to the bed and hugged her sister. Callisto hugged her back.

"I missed you, Callisto."

"I missed you too," Callisto whispered.

When they broke the hug several long moments later, Anna stepped aside and let her father closer.

"Daddy," Callisto whispered.

Pankos took Callisto's hand and stared at her for a moment before hugging her. Callisto hugged him back.

When they stopped hugging, Callisto wiped her tears.

"Look what I brought you," Anna said and picked up something beside Callisto's head.

"Phaedra!" Callisto said, excited, and took the doll. "She's not so shiny anymore," she observed as she caressed the charred doll.

"We dug it out when we were looking for your body," Anna said. "It was the only thing we had left of you."

Callisto put the doll on her chest and stared at her family for a few moments.

"Where were you?" she finally asked. "How did you survive?"

Arleia and Pankos looked at each other and Anna looked at them both.

"We escaped out of the barn through the hole in the back wall."

Callisto sighed.

"And you?" Arleia asked.

Callisto looked at her mother, but didn't immediately respond.

"I hid in the neighbors' house, but it collapsed. When I woke up several days later, everyone was gone, so I left."

"You were all alone."

Callisto didn't respond.

"Gabrielle told us about you," Anna said and Callisto looked at her.

"Nothing nice, I'm sure."

"She sympathizes with you."

Callisto was surprised.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes."

Callisto looked at the ceiling and thought about the bard.

"What happened after you died?"

Callisto looked at her sister.

"I went to Tartarus."

There was a silence for a few moments.

"And when you got out?"

"I wandered around."

"You changed. Why?"

Callisto looked down and didn't respond immediately.

"I found out that you were alive," she said after a while.

Her family looked at one another, surprised.

"You knew we were alive?" Pankos asked.

Callisto nodded.

"You brought the flowers on our birthdays?" Anna asked.

Callisto nodded again.

"Why didn't you come to us?" Arleia asked.

Callisto continued to stare at the foot of the bed. Finally she looked at her mother.

"I... I was ashamed," she said. "And afraid."

"Of what?" Anna asked, confused.

"That you wouldn't want me back," Callisto said after a short pause and looked down.

Arleia stepped closer and caressed Callisto.

"Past is past, sweetie. All that matters is that we're together again."

Callisto took her mother's hand and gently squeezed it. Then she wiped a tear that slipped out of her eye.

"Anna, why don't you stay with her and fill her in while your father and I take care of other things." She looked at Callisto. "I'll fix you lunch and we'll come back later, okay?"

Callisto flashed a smile and nodded. Arleia gave her a kiss on the forehead and Pankos caressed her and then they left.

At noon, Xena and Gabrielle came.

"Hi," Gabrielle said, "time to change the bandages."

Anna stepped aside and both Xena and Gabrielle rose their eyebrows when they saw the doll, but they didn't comment.

"I'll get you lunch," Anna said.

"Okay," Callisto said and Anna left.

Xena and Gabrielle slowly started to untie the bandages.

"Get some warm water, Gabrielle, will you?"

"Sure," Gabrielle said and left.

Xena quietly continued to unwrap the bandages for a while. Finally she stopped and looked Callisto in the eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Callisto stared at her former worse enemy for a while. She wanted to yell at her, but she somehow no longer felt the anger.

"So am I," she finally said.

They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments and then Xena continued to unwrap the bandages.

Gabrielle soon returned with a bucket of warm water and they changed the bandages. When they were done, Gabrielle took away the water and the dirty bandages.

"Good luck, Callisto," Xena said.

"Thank you," Callisto said and Xena left.

Gabrielle soon returned.

"I'll just air this place a bit," she said and opened the window.

Callisto stared at her for a few moments.

"Gabrielle."

"Hm?" Gabrielle asked and turned to Callisto.

"I'm sorry."

Gabrielle stared at her, surprised.

"I'm sorry I got you involved in my... quarrel with Xena. And I'm sorry for killing your husband."

Gabrielle stared at Callisto for a few moments before responding.

"I already forgave you, Callisto," she finally said.

Callisto was surprised for a moment, but then she recalled that she had heard Gabrielle's thoughts when she was in Tartarus.

"Thank you," she said.

Gabrielle flashed a smile and closed the window.

"I hope future turns out better than the past," she said.

"Yeah."

Gabrielle flashed another smile and left.

Callisto stared at the ceiling, thinking about her life. Finally, after all the years of being alone, she had a family again, all of them, and they loved her in spite of her past.

When the door opened several minutes later, Anna and Arleia came in with the lunch.

"Here you go, sweetie, your favorite," Arleia said as she put the plate and the bread on the chair.

She and Anna then helped Callisto sit. Arleia gave Callisto the plate and Callisto eagerly ate the food while her mother and her sister observed her, smiling.

"Mmm, that was good," Callisto said when she was done. "I missed home cooking."

Arleia's smile grew wider.

"Don't worry, you'll get more of it from now on."

Callisto's smile faded.

"What's wrong, Callisto?" Arleia asked, concerned.

Callisto didn't immediately respond, not knowing how to tell her mother. She knew she could tell her anything, but it had been so long since she last talked to her that she didn't quite know how to start.

"I... I don't think I should stay," she finally said, deciding upon the direct approach.

"What?!" Anna asked, astonished. "Why not?"

"Anna," Arleia tried to calm her down and then looked at Callisto questioningly.

"I made many enemies and I'm afraid that if I stay here, I will endanger you. I don't want to lose you again."

Arleia hugged and caressed her and again Callisto cried.

"Look, sweetie," Arleia said when they broke the hug, "we know you have enemies, but we don't want to lose you again." She paused and caressed Callisto. "Don't run away, sweetie, we'll deal with troubles when they come."

"I don't want to take that risk."

"Look, Callisto, if you go away, then it would be as if you were dead."

Callisto bit her teeth and looked away, realizing that her mother had a point. Still, it scared her, she didn't want to lose her family again.

"Don't go, Callisto," Anna said, taking her hand.

Callisto looked at her and sighed.

"Please," Anna added.

A tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it. Callisto gulped.

"Okay," she said and was rewarded with smiles from her mother and her sister.

Arleia caressed her.

"Xena said that you can go home tomorrow, but that you will have to take it easy for a couple of days," she said.

Callisto nodded, happy.

The next day, Callisto went home. She noticed the curious looks of the villagers as her family escorted her home, but she ignored them, all that mattered was her family and her home.

When they got to the door, Callisto stopped briefly. She took a deep breath and then entered.

"Welcome home, Callisto," Arleia said as Callisto curiously looked around.

"Anna, why don't you show her around," Pankos said.

"Sure," Anna said and took Callisto's hand. "Come."

She took her around the house and they finally got to Anna's room.

"This is my room, but Dad made another bed for you, so we'll have to squeeze in. You'll have to wait for your own room until Dad builds it."

Callisto smiled.

"I don't mind."

"Great! Oh, your horse is in the back and your belongings are over there."

Anna pointed at the saddle and other Callisto's gear, including her weapons, and Callisto nodded. Anna then looked at Callisto's clothes.

"I assume that that's the only dress you have," she said and nodded at the armor.

"I have a cloak," Callisto said.

"That doesn't count. Come, let me show you mine and you can pick one up. If none fits, you'll have to ask Mom to lend you one of hers."

Callisto nodded and followed Anna to the closet. She inspected the dresses and picked one that looked simple and in which she could easily fight if need be.

"Not bad," Anna said. "Oh, until Mom makes some clothes for you, you can wear mine."

Callisto nodded.

"Here, the underwear," Anna said and gave Callisto a par of underwear.

Callisto took it and started to undress.

"I'll get the shoes," Anna said, a bit surprised that Callisto started to undress right there.

"Okay."

Anna went to another closet and took out some simple shoes. By the time she turned around, Callisto was already dressed. Anna was astonished by the change and she just stared at her for a few moments.

"Wow," she finally said, "you look great."

"Thank you," Callisto said.

"Eh, here, the shoes."

Callisto took them and put them on.

"Come, let's go show yourself to Mom and Dad," Anna said when Callisto put on the shoes.

She took her hand and took her to their parents.

"Mom, Dad," she said when they got to the kitchen.

Their parents turned and were amazed.

"You look terrific," Arleia said when she pulled herself together.

Callisto flashed a cute smile.

"Yes," her father agreed.

"Thank you."

Over the next couple of days, Anna showed Callisto around the village and although some people still gave her weird looks, most people accepted her. Not that it mattered to Callisto what other people thought of her, the only opinions that mattered were those of her family.

One day, about a week after Callisto had come home, someone came looking for her. When her mother told her that, Callisto had a bad feeling. She hesitated for a moment and then went to see the stranger.

"Were you looking for me?" she asked the man at the bar to whom she was sent.

The man looked at her and she saw that he was confused and amazed.

"Are you Callisto?" he asked when he pulled himself together.

"Yes."

The man seemed to relax.

"Thank gods," he said. "We need your help. Some smaller warlords are uniting and they are getting bolder in their attacks."

Callisto stared at the man for a few moments as he continued to describe what was going on and then left. The man stared after her, completely lost.

"Is everything all right?" Arleia asked when Callisto returned home.

Callisto nodded absentmindedly and went to her room. Arleia noticed that something was wrong and she followed her.

Callisto sat on the bed, leaned on the wall, pulled her legs together, hugged them, leaned her head on them and thought. Arleia hesitated for a moment and then sat next to her. She observed her for a few moments and then caressed her. Callisto jerked and looked at her. Arleia patiently waited as Callisto stared at her.

"He wanted my help," Callisto finally said and looked away.

"And what did you say?" Arleia asked when Callisto didn't continue.

Callisto looked back at her mother.

"Nothing."

Arleia was surprised.

"Nothing?"

Callisto nodded.

"Why not?" Arleia asked.

Callisto hesitated.

"I don't want to go."

Arleia thought. She had a feeling she knew why Callisto didn't want to go.

"You're afraid you might lose us?"

Callisto bit her teeth and nodded. Arleia smiled and caressed her.

"Look, Callisto, you became a warrior to avenge our deaths. When you found out that we were still alive, you changed and you used your skills to help people. Don't stop now just because we're together. Even if we die, we will still be in your heart and if you die, you will always be in our. And at the end, we will be together in the Elysian Fields."

Callisto quietly stared at her mother and tears started to run down her cheeks. Arleia wiped them and hugged her daughter.

"I love you, Callisto."

Callisto hugged her back.

"I love you too, Mama," she whispered in between the sobs.

They hugged for a while and when they stopped, Arleia caressed Callisto again and Callisto wiped her tears. Arleia then took her daughter's hand.

"Callisto, I want you to promise me something."

"Anything."

Arleia hesitated for a moment.

"Should we ever be killed, promise that you won't become evil again."

Callisto bit her teeth and looked away.

"Promise, Callisto. I don't want you to suffer and waste your life again. Please."

Callisto noticed the strange shaking of her mother's voice and she looked at her. She was surprised when she noticed that her mother's eyes were wet. She hesitated.

"I promise," she finally said and hugged her mother.

Arleia hugged her back and caressed her.

"Thank you."

"Okay," Callisto said when they stopped hugging, "it's time to let the warlords know that I'm still around."

Arleia smiled.

"I'll prepare some food for the road."

Callisto nodded and they both got up.

"I love you, Mama," Callisto said.

"I love you too, Callisto."

The End