DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers and all Xena and Hercules 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 just before and during the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode Graduation Day 1. This is a Buffy/Xena/Hercules crossover story.

Care
By Kristjan Brezovnik

It was a busy night for Buffy and the gang. The vampires seemed to have agreed to all come out and make life harder for Buffy. Fortunately, she had friends. But still, the vampires swarmed and everybody was slowly getting exhausted.

Suddenly a war cry pierced the air and something came flying over Giles' head, cutting the vampire's head off. Everybody stopped fighting for a moment, confused, and the newcomer used the pause to dust the beheaded vampire and then two more. It was a woman in a strange outfit, Buffy noticed, and she sure knew how to kick butt.

The vampires quickly recovered and continued their attack. The newcomer was very good and the vampires quickly decided that she was way too good and left.

"My, that was fun," the strange woman said, excited, and turned to her audience, putting away her sword. She looked at them and then her eyes stopped on Buffy. "You must be Buffy, right?" she asked, her head cocked.

"Yes," Buffy said, alarmed by the fact that the woman knew her name.

"Thought so." The woman looked at Willow. "And you are not Faith," she declared.

"No," Willow confirmed.

"And where is she?"

"I don't know."

"You know where I might find her?"

"Why?" Buffy demanded and the woman smiled.

"I'm not going to kill her, if that's what you're worried about."

"Who are you?"

The woman cocked her head, smiling predatorily.

"Callisto," she said.

"Callisto!" Giles recognized the name.

"You know her?" Xander asked.

"Yes, from the Scrolls of Gabriel. She..."

"Gabriel? It was Gabrielle," Callisto corrected him. "A woman."

"Oh."

Callisto observed him for a few moments.

"Are you her Watcher?" she then asked.

"Uh? Well, actually, I'm not. Not anymore, anyway."

"Yes, he's my Watcher," Buffy said defiantly.

Callisto lifted her eyebrows.

"My, such devotion. And to actually meet a Watcher that cares for the Slayer. Hmm," she said thoughtfully, "the last one that cared about the Slayer was Augustus, who sacrificed his life to save Gwyneth. Say, where can I find you? I need to talk to you."

"In the school's library."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

Callisto left and everybody stared after her, confused.

"Who is she?" Buffy asked when Callisto was gone.

"Callisto. It means the most beautiful."

"Can't argue there," Xander said.

"She is an immortal," Giles continued.

"Immortal?" Buffy asked, alarmed.

"Yes."

"Is she a threat?"

"I don't think so. There is not much known about her. From the Scrolls of Gabriel... Gabrielle, she is known as the Scourge of Greece and also as Warrior Queen. She was an evil warlord at first, but several centuries later, she apparently started to fight evil."

"And what does she want here?"

"I don't know."

"I guess we'll find that out tomorrow," Willow said.

When Callisto entered the school library the next day, Giles didn't recognize her at first because she wore a simple dress and not her armor.

"How may I help you?" he asked.

"Oh, don't tell me you've already forgotten me," Callisto said in mock disappointment.

"Callisto," Giles recognized her and took a step backwards.

"You remember!" Callisto said in mock excitement. "Good. Now why don't you tell me about Buffy and Faith and their friends, hmm?"

"Why are you interested in them?"

"They're special. All Slayers are, but the Watchers just don't seem to understand that. Stupid fools. Anyway, I want to know all about them. All of them. And about you."

"Me?" Giles asked, confused.

"Why of course, you are her Watcher."

"Well, not anymore."

"Well, we'll get to that part," Callisto said and went to a chair. "Start at the beginning," she said and sat down.

Giles hesitated for a moment and then sat.

When Buffy came to the library between classes, she was surprised to find Callisto there. She carefully approached her.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

"My, what hostility," Callisto said, smiling, and cocked her head. "I'm here to help you." She waved at Giles. "Mr Giles here was just filling me in."

"What do you mean, help?" Buffy asked.

"Help. This hellmouth seems to be very active lately, not to mention that the Watchers' Council is not too fond of you and Faith."

"How do you know that?" Giles asked.

"I have connections," Callisto explained.

"You said this hellmouth," Buffy said. "Are there more?"

"Of course. There is one in each realm of the ancient gods."

"And how many is that?"

"Count up all the ancient religions and you'll get the number." Callisto grinned. "Anyway, I'm going to buy a house in the neighborhood. If you and Faith want some real practice, you can come and visit."

"I'll think about it," Buffy said.

"Good. Now, don't you have classes or something?"

Buffy gave her a sharp look.

"I'll come back later," she told Giles and left.

"Now, where were we?" Callisto said when Buffy was gone.

"Is she gone?" Buffy asked when she came to the library after her classes.

"Yes," Giles said.

"And?"

"Well, she wanted to know everything." He paused for a moment. "Including Angel."

Buffy frowned.

"I see," she said. "And now what?"

"I don't know."

"I don't like her. There's something scary about her."

"I know what you mean," Giles agreed, "but I don't think she's here to make trouble."

"I hope not. We have enough of them right now."

"Yes."

Willow nearly jumped from surprise when she got home in the evening and found Callisto sitting in her chair.

"How did you get in here?" she asked, not sure whether she should run or stay.

"Through the door," Callisto said with a smile.

"What do you want?" Willow asked, a bit scared.

"Talk to you. I want you to tell me all about Buffy and her friends, including you."

Willow was confused.

"Why?"

"Because I'm curious." She smiled. "Relax, I'm not here to hurt anyone. Well, except the vampires and other assorted demons."

"Oh."

"Why don't you sit down and tell me what I want to know, hm?"

Willow hesitated for a few moments and then slowly went to her bed and sat down.

It was around midnight when Willow was done and Callisto then headed to Angel's place. She sneaked up on him and gently shook him.

"Wake up," she said.

Angel opened his eyes and quickly rolled away from her when he recognized her.

"Hello, Angelus," Callisto said. "Remember me?"

"Callisto," Angel recognized her and quickly got up, ready to fight.

"You remember!"

"What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you," Callisto said and went to the sofa.

Angel stared at her, confused. Then he slowly followed her.

"About what?"

"About your friends."

"My friends?"

Callisto nodded.

"Yes. Oh, come now, if I wanted to kill you, you would be gone by now," she added when Angel remained standing at a safe distance. "Somehow I don't think Buffy would appreciate that," she added thoughtfully.

Angel slowly sat down at the other end of the sofa.

"That's better," Callisto said and smiled. "I hear you have a soul now."

"Yes."

Callisto thought for a moment.

"I don't know whether I should be happy for you or pity you," she said thoughtfully and then looked at him. "So, how did you like Hell?"

Angel frowned.

"I didn't."

"Neither did I. Oh, if you see Drusilla, tell her to stay away from the Slayers or I will have to punish her."

Angel nodded, wondering what Callisto wanted.

"Good. Now, tell me about your friends."

"Buffy!" Willow called her friend the next morning when she got to school.

"Hey, Willow."

"Guess who paid me a visit yesterday."

"Who?"

"Callisto."

"Callisto?" Buffy asked, alarmed. "What did she want?"

"She wanted to know all about us."

"Us?"

"Yes, you, me, Giles, Xander, Oz, Angel, Cordelia and Faith."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It was pretty scary."

"Did she do anything?"

"No," Willow said, shaking her head, "she just sat and listened and occasionally asked a question."

"Just that?"

"Yes. Then she left."

"I wonder what she wants. I'll go ask Angel if he knows anything about her."

"Good idea."

After school, Buffy went to Angel.

"Buffy."

"Angel. Hi." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "Have you ever heard of an immortal woman named Callisto?"

"Yes," Angel said and turned around.

"What do you know about her?"

"She is dangerous, very dangerous, but she usually kills only vampires and other demons."

Buffy sensed that something was not right. She stepped closer and put her hand on Angel's shoulder.

"Angel?"

Angel hesitated for a moment and then turned around.

"I met her when I was about fifty. If it weren't for the other vampires, I would be dead."

"Oh."

"She came to me last night," Angel continued.

"Really?" Buffy asked.

Angel nodded.

"Yes. She wanted to know everything about you and your friends."

"The same as with Giles and Willow." She paused to think. "What does she want?"

Angel thought over what he knew about Callisto.

"I'm not sure, but I think she's trying to protect you."

Buffy looked at him, baffled.

"You're kidding, right?"

Angel shrugged.

"That's what I think."

Oz was pretty cool when Callisto walked up to him as he practiced his guitar.

"Hello," she said, smiling. "Remember me?"

"Callisto," Oz said.

"Good. Now, I want to know all about Buffy and her friends."

Oz lifted his eyebrows.

"Why?" he asked.

Callisto rolled her eyes.

"Why, why, why. Because I want to know. Now speak."

Oz hesitated for a moment, not sure what to think of the strange woman, and then started to tell her all she wanted to know.

Cordelia nearly freaked out when she found Callisto sitting in her room, especially since she wasn't there five minutes ago.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "How did you get here?"

"My, aren't you a feisty one."

"Get out or I'll call the cops."

"Oh shut up and sit down," Callisto said, giving her a serious look.

Cordelia hesitated for a moment.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I want to know all about Buffy and her friends."

"Buffy!"

Cordelia was about to start a series of wit remarks, but Callisto wasn't in the mood and she stopped her.

"I know you're not friends anymore, but try to be objective, hmm?"

Cordelia stared at Callisto for a few moments and then sat down.

"Why do you want to know?" she asked.

"Because I'm curious."

Cordelia stared at her for a while longer and then started to talk.

Xander was startled when he entered his house and found Callisto sitting on the sofa.

"Hello, Xander."

"Callisto."

"Ah, you remember me. Good."

"What do you want?" Xander asked, a bit uncertain as to how to proceed.

"Talk to you. Sit down."

Xander carefully approached the sofa and then slowly sat down at the other end.

"About what?" he asked.

"Buffy and her friends. Why? Because I need to know more about you. Now talk."

Xander did.

Giles didn't know what to make of it when he found out that Callisto had talked with Willow, Angel, Oz, Xander and even Cordelia. He was disturbed, but so far Callisto hadn't done anything that would harm them.

"I guess we can expect her to visit Faith today," Willow said, snapping Giles out of his thinking.

"Yes," he agreed. "And I think she will also talk to your mother," he told Buffy.

"What! I have to warn her."

Buffy was about to storm out of the library, but Willow stopped her.

"She's just talking, Buffy," she said.

"Yeah, for how long?"

"I don't know. But I don't think she'll hurt her."

Buffy hesitated.

"I think she's right," Giles said. "I have examined my books again and there was no mention of her killing normal humans."

"Except when she was young," Willow said.

"Well, yes."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"I hope you're right," she said, still worried.

They were.

Soon after Buffy had left, Callisto rang the bell. A few moments later, Joyce opened.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Hello," Callisto said, smiling, and introduced herself. "My name is Callisto. I would like to talk to you about your daughter and her friends."

Joyce became worried.

"Buffy? Is she alright?"

Callisto smiled again.

"Yes, don't worry. I'm new in town and I want to know more about her and her friends."

"Oh. Well, I don't have time right now, I have to go to work."

"You don't, trust me."

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

"You took a sick leave."

"What do you mean? I'm not sick."

"I know, but you don't need to worry about your job, they can manage without you for one day."

"But..."

"Don't worry. Now, can I come in?"

Joyce stared at the strange woman, not sure what to think of her.

"Why do you want to know about them?" she asked.

Callisto hesitated for a moment.

"I'll tell you, if you promise not to tell anyone."

Joyce was confused.

"Okay," she said.

"I need to know more about them so I can protect them."

"Really?" Joyce said, her curiosity peaked.

Callisto smiled.

"Yes."

"Well..." Joyce started, still uncertain, but Callisto interrupted her.

"I know Buffy and Faith are Slayers, but there are many out there who would love to seem them dead. Of course new Slayers would be called, but they would have to be trained first and all. I'm kinda fond of Slayers, so I try to protect them."

"Oh." Joyce hesitated for a moment and then gave in. "Okay," she said and stepped aside.

"I'm home, Mom!" Buffy called when she came home from school.

She entered the living room and froze.

"Hi, Buffy," Callisto said with a smile.

"Callisto," Buffy said and looked at her mother, making sure she was all right.

"You two have met?" Joyce asked, surprised.

"Only briefly," Callisto said.

"Oh."

"What do you want?" Buffy demanded.

"Buffy," Joyce reproached her.

"It's all right, Joyce," Callisto said, "it's natural that she's worried about you." Joyce looked at her, confused. "Don't worry, Buffy," Callisto continued, "I won't hurt her."

"You better not."

Callisto smiled.

"Why don't we go slaying together tonight, hm?" she suggested. "And then you can tell me all about your friends."

Buffy observed her for a few moments, thinking.

"Okay," she then said.

"Good. I'll meet you where we first met."

Buffy nodded and left.

"She reminds me of me," Callisto then said thoughtfully.

"Really?" Joyce asked.

"Mhm."

During the day, Callisto paid a visit to Wesley.

"Who are you," Wesley said, scared, when he saw her sitting on his sofa.

Callisto got up.

"Wesley, Wesley. If you are the only one the Watchers' Council has to offer to replace Giles, then they sure have a problem," she said, shaking her head.

"Who are you?" Wesley asked again and backed off a bit.

"Callisto."

"Callisto?" Wesley thought. "From the Scrolls of Gabriel."

"Gabrielle," Callisto corrected him. "A woman, redhead, green eyes, Amazon Queen and so on."

"Oh. And what do you want?"

Callisto followed Wesley slowly around the room.

"Some answers and I also want you to deliver a message to the Council for me."

"What message?"

"We'll get to that part. Sit." Callisto went back to the sofa and sat. "Sit down," she demanded when she saw that Wesley was still standing.

"Yes, of course," Wesley said, scared, and went to a chair.

"That's better," Callisto said and thought. "You know, Watchers just aren't what they used to be anymore. They used to watch out of the Slayers, help them. They knew they are special, but they were also aware that they are young, children. Nowadays, they simply want power and control over the Slayers and they invented a bunch of stupid test which are completely useless. Anyway, you will tell me all about your assignment and about what you have learned about Buffy and her friends." She gave him a serious look. "And I mean everything."

About an hour later, Callisto decided to go to Giles. Just as she walked in, Giles stabbed the Mayor with his fencing foil, which, of course, didn't affect the Mayor, who merely pulled the blade from his chest.

"You must be the Mayor," Callisto said and slowly approached him.

"And who are you?" the Mayor asked.

"Callisto," Callisto said and smiled. "I hear you've been a very bad boy," she said and shook her head. "You know, you're really pathetic." She turned to Giles. "Why did you stab him?"

"He said he would eat Buffy when he achieved Ascension."

"Oh, really?" Callisto said and looked at the Slayer. "I'm afraid she wouldn't be enough to feed Cerberus, much too skinny. Anyway," she said and looked back at the Mayor, "I'm in the do-gooder business now and it's my job to stop you."

The Mayor laughed.

"I'm immortal," he said.

Callisto grinned.

"So am I and I know a few things about immortality."

She produced her sword out of her coat and decapitated the Mayor. Then she swung the sword downwards, cutting off his left arm, then upwards, cutting off his right arm and then downwards again, splitting him in two.

"See?" she told the Mayor's head and impaled it through the mouth with her sword. "Okay," she said and turned to the shocked audience, "everybody pick up a piece and take it to Giles' office. Then I want you to get," she looked at the dismembered corpse, "seven boxes and some tape."

She then grabbed the Mayor's head's hair and removed the sword. After she cut off the legs, she impaled the head again.

"Well, move," she said when she saw that everybody was still staring at her. "You wouldn't want someone to walk in and find a dismembered Mayor here, would you?"

"Ah, no," Giles said and picked up the legs.

Buffy followed him and picked up the arms. Willow and Xander became sick at the sight and fought their stomachs, so Oz picked up the two pieces of the torso and carried them into Giles' office. Anya followed him.

"We'll get the boxes," Xander said and headed out of the library.

Willow followed him.

"Make sure the pieces don't come into contact with one another," Callisto instructed.

"What will you do with the pieces?" Buffy asked.

"Get rid of them. When the Day of Ascension comes, he will die."

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked.

"Yes."

"Yes," Giles confirmed, "he will no longer be invulnerable then and he will die of his wounds."

"Good."

"Damn morons," Callisto said as she glanced at the Mayor's head.

"Who?" Giles asked.

Callisto looked at him.

"The gods. They messed around with people for a long time and when they decided to stop and retire, they ignored the demons. And then there are idiots like our Mayor here, who want to become demons. Last time I was just a bit too late and a whole village was wiped out. But I did kill the demon."

"When?" Giles asked.

"You," Anya suddenly remembered.

"You know me?" Callisto asked, surprised.

"Yes, I remember you. You saved us from Lohesh."

"You were there?" Callisto asked with disbelief.

"Yes," Anya said and nodded.

"Why not?" Callisto shrugged and turned to Giles. "You know, there still may be hope for Wesley."

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

"Well, he may not be such an ass as he seems."

"Oh."

"Watch the arms," Callisto warned Buffy and Buffy stepped on them.

In the evening, Callisto first disposed of the Mayor's body, which they had deposited in the school's basement after Willow and Xander returned with boxes.

"Sorry I'm late," she said to Buffy, who was already waiting for her. "I had to get rid of the Mayor."

"What did you do?" Buffy asked.

Callisto grinned.

"Sorry, girl's gotta have a few secrets," she said and started to walk. "So, I want you to tell me all about you and your friends."

"Why?"

"Because I need to know. Besides, I just saved the city and if I wanted to kill you or something, you'd already be dead, so stop worrying and start talking."

Buffy walked beside her quietly.

"Where do you want me to begin?" she asked a few moments later.

"At the beginning, of course."

Buffy thought.

The next day, Callisto went to Faith.

"Who are you?" Faith demanded when she came in.

"Nice place you have, Faith. Seems like the Mayor knew how to play you."

"What are you talking about?" Faith asked, confused. "Who are you?"

"Callisto. Oh, by the way, the Mayor is history."

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

"I took care of him. There will be no Day of Ascension for him."

"You killed him?" Faith asked with disbelief and Callisto detected a shade of fear in her voice.

"No, but he will die when the Day of Ascension comes."

Callisto noticed that Faith was trembling a bit.

"What do you want?" Faith then asked.

"Talk to you," Callisto said and started to circle around her.

"About what?" Faith asked, confused.

"About you. I hear you've been a bad girl lately," Callisto said and shook her head. "You're afraid."

"I'm not afraid," Faith objected, standing still.

"Oh, yes, you are. First, you are born into a bad family, then your Watcher is killed, then you come here and everybody believes that Buffy is superior to you. Kinda sucks, doesn't it? Hmm?"

"So?"

"So, you're afraid."

"No I'm not."

"Oh, yes, you are. You are afraid of caring," Callisto whispered into Faith's ear from behind, causing Faith to jerk. "If you care, you can get hurt. That's why you pushed your friends away and chose the Mayor. You though that because he was invulnerable, he couldn't be killed. And he knew exactly how to play you. He used your fears and your desires against you. The only thing he cared about was his Ascension and had he achieved it, he would have killed you along with the rest of the city."

"That's not true," Faith objected.

"Oh, but it is. If he really cared about you, he would tell you that murder is wrong and he wouldn't demand of you to kill." Callisto made another half circle. "I know how it is to kill," she then continued. "First, you were shocked and said it was an accident. Then panic come over you and you got rid of the body. Buffy tried to help you, but you pushed her away because she thought that what you did was wrong. And it was. Then you stopped caring, because you knew that what you did was wrong, but you refused to accept it. You're used to running and to hiding and you're afraid to accept the responsibility."

"No, I'm not," Faith objected.

"But you are. You're just as good as Buffy, but Buffy had a decent family and she doesn't know your fears. She cares for you and she wants to help you, you just have to let her." Callisto made another half circle. "I talked to her friends. They're a bit upset with you, but they're worried. Buffy likes you and she cares for you. I talked to her mother and she likes you too, although she doesn't know all the bad things you've done." She paused and made a full circle around Faith. "The Mayor is gone now and it's up to you how you will proceed. You have friends who care for you, you just have to let them. And you also have to learn to accept responsibility. You've killed, you're a murderer, like me. I've been to hell and it's not pleasant there believe me. You can ask Angelus, I mean Angel, if you don't." She made another half circle. "I'll be around if you want to talk to me." She stopped in front of the Slayer and looked her in the eyes. "Good luck, Faith, I hope you make the right choice."

Callisto smiled softly and left. Faith stared after her, confused and disturbed. She knew Callisto was right about everything. She stood still for a while, memories running through her mind like a horror movie. She finally shook her head, pushing the memories away, and went out. She didn't want to think about it.

"Hey, Giles," Callisto said when she entered the library. "Oh, Wesley."

"Hello, Callisto," Giles said.

"I just came by to let you know that I've talked to Faith."

"About what?"

"About her. I hope she thinks about what I've told her. Anyway, be gentle if she tries to say she's sorry or something, it won't be easy for her."

"I see."

Callisto turned to Wesley.

"Have you told the Council what I told you to?"

"Yes," Wesley said.

"They better listen," Callisto said and turned back to Giles. "When does the next class end?"

Giles checked his watch.

"In fifteen minutes."

"Good. I'll see you in the evening."

"Callisto?" Buffy said when she came out of the classroom.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Faith."

"What about her?"

"I've talked to her. She needs your support."

"She has it.

"I know. She might ask for your help with accepting responsibility for her actions, which will be very hard for her. Suggest to her that she should talk to your mother."

"My mother?" Buffy asked, confused.

"Yes. Your mother likes her and Faith might feel less threatened if she talked to her."

"Oh."

"Is she home?"

"Who?" Buffy asked, confused.

"Your mother."

"No. Why?"

"I need to talk to her."

"About what?"

"Faith."

"Oh. No, she's not home."

"When will she be?"

"Two o'clock."

"Good. I'll see you later."

Callisto left and Buffy stared after her, not sure what to think about her.

When two o'clock finally came, Callisto went to see Joyce. It was Buffy who opened the door.

"Hi, Buffy," Callisto said. "Is your mom home yet?"

"Yes. Come."

Callisto entered and went to the living room. There, the TV was on and Callisto glanced at it."

"What is this? Hercules?" she asked Buffy.

"Yes."

"Pathetic." Callisto stared at the screen for a while longer. "Well, at least the actors don't look so idiotic as they used to. Not to mention the clothes and..."

"What is it?" Buffy asked, confused, when Callisto stopped abruptly.

"I didn't know Hercules was still around."

"Hercules?" Buffy asked, confused.

"Yeah, that guy with long hair, leather pants and yellow tunic."

Buffy looked.

"That's Kevin Sorbo," she said. "He only plays Hercules."

Callisto looked at her and grinned.

"Who better to play Hercules than he himself?" She shook her head. "Looks pathetic, but if he's still the same old Herc then I guess he's trying to convey positive messages to the audience." She paused and her face became serious, thoughtful. "I'll have to call him."

"Hello, Callisto," Joyce said as she descended the stairs.

Callisto looked at the woman.

"Hello, Joyce. I need to talk to you." She looked at Buffy. "Alone."

"I get the point," Buffy said and went upstairs.

"Come, let's go to the kitchen," Joyce said and Callisto followed her, her mind already considering the possible paths her life might take after she talked to Hercules. "So, what do you want to talk about?" Joyce interrupted her reverie.

"Faith."

"Faith?" Joyce asked, surprised. "Is she alright?"

"No."

"What's wrong?" Joyce asked, concerned.

Callisto considered how to put it.

"She has been a... a very bad girl lately. I'm not going to tell you what she did and I advise you not to try to find out. But if she decides to tell you, I want you to be understanding." She paused. "How much do you know about her?"

"Faith? Not much."

"Well, I'll tell you some basic things so you will understand her better." Callisto paused and Joyce nodded in agreement. "She grew up in a bad family and she had a miserable childhood. She ran away. Later, she witnessed her Watcher being murdered by an old vampire and she ran away again and came here. Here, however, everybody appears to believe that Buffy is superior to her. So Faith tries to show that she is tough. She is, but not emotionally. She tried going to the Mayor, but he only used her."

"Mayor?" Joyce interrupted her, confused.

"Yes. He wanted to become a demon and wipe out this town so I disposed of him."

"Oh," Joyce said, not quite grasping what had been said.

"Anyway, she needs someone she can lean on. Right now her friends are not too happy about what she had done. She might have gone to Giles, but he is her Watcher." Callisto paused. "You are Buffy's mother and the only person around whom she might feel comfortable." She paused again. "She needs a family."

They were quiet for a while, Joyce letting the new facts sink in, Callisto thinking about her own family.

"I see," Joyce said after a while. "I will be careful."

"Good," Callisto said and got up.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. I have to call Herc."

"Oh."

Joyce didn't quite comprehend, but she nodded.

"Bye," Callisto said and left.

"Good bye, Callisto," Joyce called after her and then started to think about what Callisto had told her.

"Mom?" Buffy interrupted her contemplation and Joyce looked at her. "What did she want?"

"Nothing. She just told me some things about Faith."

"Like what?" Buffy asked, alarmed.

Although she and Faith weren't on the best terms at the moment, she still liked the other Slayer. She also knew that her mother liked Faith as well and she didn't want her to find out what Faith had done lately.

"About her childhood and about her Watcher being murdered."

"Oh," Buffy said, appeased. "And where did she go now?"

"I don't know. She said she has to call someone named Herc."

"Hercules?"

Joyce looked at her, confused.

"Hercules?"

"Never mind," Buffy said.

In the evening, the gang was gathered in the library again.

"Excuse me," a man who entered through the door said and everybody looked at him.

"No way," Xander said. "It's Kevin Sorbo." He quickly got up and went to the actor. "Mr Sorbo, can I have your autograph?" he asked.

Sorbo smiled.

"Sure. What's your name?"

"Xander," Xander said and quickly produced a piece of paper, which Sorbo then autographed.

"How can I help you?" Giles asked when Sorbo was done and Xander left, admiring his prize.

Sorbo hesitated.

"Eh, I was told that I could find Callisto here," he said.

"You know Callisto?" Giles asked, surprised.

Sorbo smiled.

"You could say that."

"I'll handle that, Giles," Buffy said.

"Are you sure?" Giles asked, confused.

"Yes."

"Okay."

Buffy took Sorbo aside.

"So you're Hercules?" she asked and Sorbo gave her a surprised look.

"Eh, what makes you say that?"

"Callisto. She saw your show and said she needed to call you."

"Oh. Well..."

Buffy smiled.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

Sorbo smiled back and then looked around the library.

"Isn't it a bit late to be still at school?" he asked.

"For classes yes. We're discussing battle tactics."

Sorbo was confused.

"Battle tactics?"

"Vampires and other assorted demons."

Sorbo rolled his eyes.

"Bacchus," he said.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Never mind. So, where is she?"

"Callisto? I don't know. She should come around before I go out on patrol."

"Patrol?" Sorbo asked, confused.

"I'm the Slayer... well, one of two actually." Buffy shrugged. "It's my job."

"Oh."

Buffy suddenly realized something.

"Wait a minute," she said. "Callisto only saw your show today. How come you're already here?"

"I don't want to get Callisto angry, she might kill people."

"I think she has changed," Buffy said.

Sorbo lifted his eyebrows.

"Hercules!" Callisto said before he could argue. "Hey, Buffy."

"Hello, Callisto," Sorbo said.

"Will you excuse us?"

Buffy went to her friends.

"What do you want, Callisto?" Sorbo asked, his voice serious.

Callisto considered taunting him for a moment but then changed his mind.

"I need your help," she said, causing Sorbo to lift his eyebrows again.

"My help?" he asked.

"Yes. Ever since the gods retired I have been unable to summon any of them. I was thinking that since you're Zeus favorite son, he might have an ear open for you."

"You want to talk to Zeus?"

"And Hades, if possible."

"Why?"

Callisto hesitated for a moment.

"I'm getting tired of this," she then said. "I've been around for over two millennia and I've been fighting most of the time, first Xena, then various demons. The only friends I've made were the Slayers and their life span is not very long. Back then the gods were the ones messing with the world and now it's the demons from various hells, which they apparently forgot to close." She paused. "And I miss my family."

Sorbo stared at her for a few moments, considering whether Callisto was only acting or was she actually sincere. He decided that she was sincere.

"I see," he said. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you."

"Good bye, Callisto," Sorbo said and turned to leave.

"Wait," Callisto stopped him and he turned back. "I'm sorry," she said after a moment of hesitation.

Sorbo was confused for a moment but then recalled what she meant.

"It's okay," he said and smiled.

Callisto smiled back and Sorbo left. Callisto stood still for a moment, regaining her composure, and then joined Buffy and the rest of the team.

"Any new demons in town?" she asked cheerfully.

"No," Giles said.

"Oh, well," Callisto shrugged and turned to Buffy. "Are you ready?"

"Yup."

The next evening, Faith decided to go out. She had spent the previous evening and a full day mostly contemplating Callisto's words. She hated to think she was afraid of anything, it wasn't good for the ego, but the more she thought about Callisto's words, the more she realized that she was afraid, very afraid. She relieved her frustration on a couple of luckless vampires who happened to cross her way. One of them was smart enough to run away, while the other tried to stand his ground. Faith quickly dispatched her and then went after the other vampire. She spied him trying to hide in a tomb and she followed him in. The vampire tried to surprise her, but she had expected that and easily blocked his attack. The vampire decided not to go down without a fight, but he didn't stand a chance against Faith, who quickly dusted him.

She was about to leave the tomb when she noticed a flash of light outside. She carefully looked out and saw two men in weird clothes as they observed something. Faith looked and saw Buffy and Callisto make life miserable for a group of vampires.

The two men were Zeus and Hades.

"I see she still knows how to fight," Hades observed.

"Yes," Zeus agreed. "Apparently she has changed," he said after a while.

"Really?"

"That's what Hercules told me."

"Oh... Are those Bacchae?"

"I believe they are called vampires nowadays," Zeus explained.

"Oh... So, have you any idea of what she wants?"

"No."

The two gods then quietly waited for Callisto and Buffy to dust the vampires.

They soon did.

"My, that was a nice exercise," Callisto said.

"Yeah," Buffy said.

"Let's..."

"What?" Buffy asked, noticing Callisto's serious look, and followed her gaze.

"Why don't you go on alone? I need to talk to them."

"Who are they?" Buffy asked, curious and alarmed.

"Zeus and Hades."

Buffy was surprised.

"As in Greek gods?"

"Yes."

Callisto went to the two gods. Buffy stared after her for a few moments and then moved on.

"Hello, Zeus. Hades," Callisto greeted both gods.

"Hello, Callisto," Zeus said. "Hercules said you wanted to talk to us."

"Yes."

"So what do you want?"

"I want to know if there is any way I can die?" Callisto got straight to the point.

The two gods looked at each other, surprised.

"You want to die?" Hades asked.

"No, not yet, but I don't want to live forever either."

"Oh."

"There is a way," Zeus said.

"What?"

"I can make you a mortal and you can live out your life."

Callisto considered.

"Do I have to make my decision now?"

"No."

"Then how do I contact you?"

Zeus considered.

"I will be open for your call."

"Good," Callisto agreed and turned to Hades.

"Where would I go if I died?"

Hades glanced at Zeus, but Zeus offered no support.

"You've been very bad," he said.

"That was over two thousand years ago," Callisto said.

"Yes," Hades agreed. "But killing a god and conspiring with Dahak to destroy the world are two heavy sins."

Callisto rolled her eyes.

"Strife was a pain in the ass to all of you and even Ares got over him quickly. As for trying to destroy the world, I've already saved it more times than I care to remember." She looked at Zeus. "First, you messed with us for thousands of years and when you decided to retire and leave the world to us, you forgot to take your demons with you." She looked at Hades. "Guess who I met a couple of years ago. Kakistos! And I heard that Balthazar was still alive until recently. Not to mention those bitches from the Sisterhood of Jhe."

"Well..." Hades started, but Callisto interrupted him.

"And who is chosen to fight them? Girls, some of them barely teenagers! The youngest was nine years old! She didn't live to be ten."

"As I recall you were also a teenager when you became a warlord," Zeus said, pathetically trying to dissolve the situation.

Callisto gave him an angry look.

"That was different. Things were different back then, not to mention that I was insane. So now instead of you we have the demons, those that should be in hell," she said and looked at Hades. "You're either doing a lousy job of keeping the gates of Tartarus closed or you're doing this on purpose."

"Well..."

"Oh, shut up. I don't want to hear you stupid excuses. Now tell me, where would I go if I died?"

Hades glanced at Zeus, who nodded.

"To the Elysian Fields."

Callisto took a deep breath, feeling as if a huge boulder had been lifted off of her mind.

"And Faith?" she asked after a while.

"Who?"

"One of the Slayers."

"Oh."

"She killed. The first time was an accident, but the next one wasn't. She also conspired with a would-be demon. She regrets it now."

"Well," Hades said, "she doesn't belong to my domain."

"And if she did?"

"Are there any extenuating circumstances?"

"She had a rough childhood, her first Watcher was killed by Kakistos and when she came here, everyone considered Buffy to be superior."

"Buffy?"

"The other Slayer."

"Oh." Hades thought. "Well, if she doesn't do anything bad in the future, she would go to the Elysian Fields."

Callisto took a deep breath, glad.

"Good," she said.

"Anything else?" Zeus asked.

Callisto considered.

"Yes. Do your job and rid the world of demons."

Zeus lifted his eyebrows.

"We'll see," he said and then he and Hades disappeared in a flash of light.

Callisto stood still for a few moments and then turned to catch up with Buffy. Suddenly she heard movement and she turned, ready to grab her sword.

"Faith," she said when she saw the Slayer.

She looked at the tomb and realized that Faith had probably overheard the whole conversation. They quietly stared at one another for a few moments, none quite sure about what to say.

"Why did you want to know where I would go after death?" Faith finally asked.

Callisto smiled, but her look quickly became serious.

"Because I've been there and I know what it's like. You have killed and you might have gone to hell for it, but apparently it's not too late."

Faith was quiet for a while.

"Who were those two?" she finally asked.

"Zeus and Hades?"

"As in Greek gods?"

"Yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Do you want to die?" she then asked.

Callisto lifted her eyebrows and thought about the question for a few moments.

"No, not yet," she then said. "But eternity is a long time and someday I will want to die."

"So you want to make sure you're gonna go to heaven?"

Callisto smiled.

"Yes."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"Why did you ask them about me?" Faith then asked again.

"Because I care enough about you that I don't want you to go to hell." She paused. "You see, I lost my family when I was little, and insanity and rage were the only two things that kept me going and I didn't care about anything, only revenge. But when I got it, I felt empty, I had no purpose. Insanity kept me going for a century or so, but it eventually disappeared. I wanted to die and I didn't care that I would go to Tartarus if I did, but Zeus refused to make me mortal." She paused again, remembering. "Then the gods retired and after a while I found out about the Slayers and Watchers and demons. I didn't care about them for a while, but when I started to, I finally had a purpose again." She paused again and looked Faith straight in the eyes. "I'm not as tough as I look, Faith, I also have my fears. I'm afraid of caring. The Slayers are the only people I allow myself to care about a little, even though I know that they would get killed soon. It hurts, but in every Slayer I see all the Slayers before her, so they don't really die." She paused again, taking a deep breath. "It's too late for me, Faith, but you can still learn how to care and trust. You have friends who care about you, a Watcher that cares about you and Buffy's mother."

Faith was surprised.

"Mrs Summers?"

"Yes. She likes you, Faith. If you need someone to confide in, I suggest you talk to her."

They were quiet for a few moments, Faith thinking, Callisto waiting.

"You don't need to decide right away," Callisto then said. "Of course you can also come to me, but I can't offer you the same emotional support that she can. What you need is a family, Faith."

"What?"

Callisto smiled at Faith's surprise.

"Talk to her, Faith," she said. "See you later."

Callisto went after Buffy and Faith stared at her, confused. When Callisto disappeared, Faith decided to go home.

Faith, after spending most of time since encountering Callisto thinking about what Callisto had said, finally decided she did need someone to talk to. She contemplated for a while who she could talk to and finally realized that the only person she could possibly talk to was in fact Buffy's mom.

"Faith!" Joyce said when she opened the door.

"Hello, Mrs Summers," Faith said, not so sure anymore whether talking to Mrs Summers was such a great idea.

"Come in," Joyce invited the Slayer, feeling that this was the conversation Callisto had tried to prepare her for.

Faith entered and followed Joyce. Joyce couldn't quite decide whether to take her to the kitchen or to the living room. She decided for the kitchen.

"Do you want something to eat? Drink?"

Faith shook her head.

"No, thank you."

Joyce sat down and after a moment of hesitation, Faith sat as well. They were quiet for a while as Joyce waited for Faith to speak up and Faith hesitated. Faith liked Joyce, a lot, and she didn't want to burden her with her troubles, but she needed someone to talk to, someone she knew she could trust and around whom she felt cared for.

"I screwed up," Faith finally spoke, "badly."

Joyce patiently waited for Faith to gather up courage to confess, figuring by the look of the Slayer's face that it must be something very serious.

"I killed," Faith finally said, avoiding Joyce's eyes.

Joyce was shocked. She wanted to ask so many questions, but then she remembered her conversation with Callisto and she decided to wait for Faith to say what she came to say and then decide.

Faith hesitated for a few moments, but when Joyce didn't say anything, she continued. She told Joyce everything, from the first murder to her talk with Callisto and then about her childhood. Joyce quietly listened and soon she understood Faith better. She still didn't approve of the killings, but she understood that it was now apparently harder for Faith than it was before she had a talk with Callisto.

When Faith was done about ten minutes later, they both sat quietly, Joyce thinking, Faith waiting, not quite sure for what. She finally couldn't take it anymore and she got up. Joyce also got up.

"Wait," she said and Faith stopped, facing away from her.

The situation reminded Joyce of the one when she found out that Buffy was a Slayer and she didn't want Faith to run away like Buffy. She approached Faith, took her hand and turned her around. Faith still refused to meet her eyes, so she lifted her chin and made her look up. Faith's eyes avoided Joyce's for a few moments and then settled down.

"I know you know that what you did was wrong," Joyce said after a few moments. "I won't judge you because I know that your own consciousness will punish you enough. I like you, Faith, and I want to help you. If you're ever in trouble, you can come to me."

Faith stared at Joyce for a few moments, tears welling up in her eyes, and then she hugged her. Joyce was surprised at first and then she hugged her back, smiling.

"Thank you," Faith whispered.

Outside the kitchen door, Callisto smiled, knowing that Faith would be okay now.

Buffy came home a minute later.

"Mom?" she asked, a bit worried.

"Hi, sweetheart," Joyce greeted her with a smile.

"Was Faith here?"

"Yes."

Buffy was confused.

"What did she want?"

"She wanted to talk," Joyce said and paused for a moment. "She told me everything about her, including the killings."

"Oh," Buffy said and bit her teeth.

She knew that her mother was fond of Faith and she didn't want her to know every dirty detail of Faith's life, especially not the killings.

"Look, Buffy," Joyce continued, "I know you and your friends are not on the best terms with Faith right now, but she needs friends."

Buffy nodded.

"I know," she agreed. "I'll stop by her place later, maybe she will go on patrol with me."

Joyce smiled.

"Okay."

"So, what's for lunch?"

"Hello, Callisto," someone said when Callisto was walking back home after she had left Buffy's house.

Callisto frowned, recognizing the voice. She turned and stared at the man who had given her back her sanity and for whom she had briefly experienced love.

"Jesus," was all she could say.

Jesus smiled.

"I'm glad you still remember me."

Callisto just stared at him for a while.

"I... I thought you were dead," she finally managed to say, reliving the emotions she had experienced when she had heard of his crucifixion.

Jesus smiled.

"Most people did," he said. "I was looking for you, but you are hard to find."

Callisto was surprised.

"You were?" she asked.

Jesus nodded.

"Yes. Hercules told me you were here, so I came."

Callisto turned away, trying to hide her emotions. Jasus stepped closer and put his hand gently on her shoulder.

"I'll get myself a room here," he said. "You're always welcome."

He removed his hand and turned to leave. Callisto heard his steps and quickly turned.

"Wait," she said.

Jesus stopped and turned.

"I know you need to think about it," he said with a warm smile.

Callisto stared at him for a few moments and then hugged him. Jesus hugged her back.

"I missed you," Callisto whispered, disproving her statement that it was too late for her to care.

"I missed you too," Jesus said and held her.

The End