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.

Hero's Heart
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Hercules and Iolaus had just trashed some bandits and were catching some breath.

"Watch out!" Hercules suddenly warned.

Iolaus turned and saw one of the bandits with a lifted sword about to split him in two. He was about to jump aside when the bandit suddenly collapsed. Behind him Iolaus saw a gorgeous blond woman with a staff. She wore a leather outfit and she had beautiful deep brown eyes.

"Thanks," he said, relieved.

The woman flashed a beautiful smile.

"You're welcome."

"Ah, my name is Iolaus and this is my friend Hercules."

The woman turned to the half god.

"You are Hercules?"

"Yes," Hercules said and approached. "And who are you?"

"Callisto."

"Callisto?" Iolaus asked, excited. "I've heard a lot about you. Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Ah, we're going to the Amazons, wanna come?"

"I was just on my way there."

"Really? Then we can travel together."

"Sure."

At noon, they stopped in a small village for a lunch. They were about to order when several bandits came in and started to terrorize the people. Callisto tripped the nearest with her staff and hit then next into his stomach. Iolaus was the next to knock someone down. By then, the bandits grasped that someone was resisting and they didn't like it. Hercules bumped two heads together and threw the soldiers out.

Outside, the soldiers were surprised when two of their comrades came flying out and were soon followed by another two. They decided to examine what was going on when the rest of their comrades came out, at least those that were still standing, followed by three strangers, two men and a woman.

Hercules and Iolaus were fighting back to back while Callisto circled around them, dispersing the groups. They were doing quite well when suddenly a fierce battle cry pierced the air. Callisto froze for a moment and then looked around to find the source. She soon did and she froze again. The source was a tall raven-haired warrioress on a horse, riding straight toward them. Xena. She quickly knocked down a few more bandits and ran toward Xena, rage filling her mind.

When Xena stopped her horse and somersaulted over its head, Callisto cried her own war cry and attacked her with her staff. Xena was confused for a moment and then she defended herself. Callisto heard Hercules yelling something to her, but she was deaf to everything except the Warrior Princess' moves. Time seemed to slow down. She knew she wasn't as good as her enemy and if she didn't find some way to defeat her soon, she would lose.

Suddenly, a young woman came and helped Xena with her staff. Callisto was confused and surprised for a moment. She saw Xena warn the woman, but the woman insisted. She used Xena's split attention and attacked the woman. The woman managed to parry a few strikes, but Callisto soon hit her in the head and the woman collapsed on the ground, unconscious. When she returned her attention to Xena, she saw that the warrioress had fear in her eyes. Callisto knew that Xena was not afraid for her life, so she must have been for the life of that woman. The fact confused her. She saw Xena turn to see how the woman was doing and she used that and knocked her unconscious. She lifted her staff to kill the Destroyer of Nations, but she couldn't. She held her staff lifted for a few moments, but she just couldn't do it. She screamed, frustrated.

"Callisto, don't!" she finally heard Hercules.

She turned, confused.

"Don't kill her!"

She wanted to ask him why not, but was attacked by the bandits again. She started to spin her staff and unleashed her frustration onto the bandits, knocking them out.

It was a short fight and soon no bandits was left standing. Callisto looked around and then went to Xena. She stared at her, confused.

"Callisto," she heard Hercules say, but she didn't turn.

Hercules and Iolaus came to her, but none said a word.

"She was afraid," Callisto finally said. "For her," she added and pointed at Gabrielle.

"Of course," Hercules said, "that is her best friend, Gabrielle."

Callisto glanced at him.

"She has friends?"

"Yes, we belong to them."

Callisto was surprised.

"You do know who that is, don't you?" she asked.

"Only too well," Iolaus said.

"They came here to help," Hercules said.

"And you knocked them both senseless," Iolaus laughed.

Hercules gave him a serious look and Iolaus stopped laughing.

"Sorry."

"She has changed, you know," Hercules told Callisto.

"She? Changed?" Callisto asked with disbelief.

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true," Iolaus confirmed.

Callisto stared at Xena for a while and then at Gabrielle for a few moments.

"I'm going scouting," she finally said.

"Aren't you going to eat lunch?"

"I'm not hungry anymore," Callisto said and went to her horse.

Hercules and Iolaus stared after her for a few moments.

"Let's wake them up," Hercules finally said and they kneeled beside them.

Iolaus took his gourd and poured some water onto their faces and into their mouths.

"Xena. Gabrielle," Hercules said and shook them.

Gabrielle was the first to come around. She moaned from the pain and then suddenly sat up and looked around.

"Xena!" she said anxiously and shook her.

Xena moaned and opened her eyes.

"Gabrielle?" she said and sat up. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

Xena turned to Hercules.

"Who was that woman?"

"Callisto."

"Callisto?"

"Aha. She thought you were with the bad guys."

"Oh."

"Where is she?" Gabrielle asked.

"She went scouting."

"You two hungry?" Iolaus asked.

"Starving," Gabrielle said and let him help her up.

Callisto watched from afar. She saw the reaction of the two women and it confused her. When the four disappeared into the inn, she left.

It was late afternoon when Callisto encountered a cart with a broken wheel. The man tried to fix it, but the supports failed and trapped him underneath. Callisto dismounted and told his wife to unload the cart. She did so and with the children's help the cart was soon empty. Callisto then stepped beside the cart and tried to lift it. It was pretty heavy, but she managed to lift it a bit.

"Children, start pulling your father out. Gently!" she warned them and turned to their mother. "Put the supports back under."

Slowly, support by support the opening grew larger. Callisto nevertheless never let go of the cart. She knew that if she did, the supports would fail again and the man would not survive.

Suddenly, she noticed two people and a horse approaching in the distance. It took her a while to realize just who was approaching. She froze when she did.

"Go hide in the forest," she ordered.

The woman looked at her, confused.

"But…"

"Go! It's not safe here. Hide and don't move."

The woman nodded and took the children to the forest.

Callisto watched as Xena and Gabrielle came closer.

When they reached Callisto, Xena and Gabrielle both saw anxiety in Callisto's eyes. It confused them for a moment until they saw the man under the cart.

"I'll help Callisto, and you gently pull him out," Xena said.

Gabrielle nodded and kneeled beside the man.

Xena stepped beside Callisto and together they lifted the cart enough for Gabrielle to pull the man out.

"Let's put it down slowly," Xena said and she and Callisto slowly lowered the cart.

Xena then went to the man, but she made sure she had Callisto in front of her.

"Will he be all right?" Gabrielle asked, concerned.

"I'll know in a minute," Xena said and ran her hands down his body. "Two broken ribs, but the lungs are not punctured. He'll live. Get me the red pouch and some bandages."

Gabrielle went to Argo and fetched the required stuff. Callisto observed Xena as she carefully took care of the man. This was not Xena she remembered and heard about. She was confused. She decided it was safe for the man's family to return. She went to the edge of the forest.

"You can come back now!" she called. "Your husband is safe!"

Nothing moved for a few moments and then she noticed the woman. She waved at her and then returned to the cart where Xena was done bandaging the man.

"How about we fix the wheel?" Xena asked.

Callisto stared at her for a few moments and then nodded. She and Xena stepped to the cart.

"Gabrielle, when we lift it, you put the new wheel on and put that cork in."

Gabrielle looked around for the cork.

"Okay," she said when she got it.

Xena looked at Callisto.

"Ready?"

Callisto nodded.

"Okay, on three. One, two, three."

Callisto and Xena both lifted the cart and Gabrielle tried to put on the wheel. It was pretty heavy and it took her a while. She finally managed and Callisto and Xena put the cart down, relieved.

"Okay, give me your staff."

Gabrielle gave Xena her staff and she hit the cork as hard as she could.

"That should do it," she said and returned the staff.

Meanwhile, the family returned and gathered around the man.

"He'll be fine," Xena said. "He has two broken ribs and he'll have to rest for a while. We fixed your cart, but you should have it checked by a professional."

"Thank you so much," the woman said.

"Glad we could help," Gabrielle said, smiling.

"Callisto, help…" Xena started before she noticed that Callisto had already left. She stared after her for a few moments and then turned to Gabrielle. "Help me lift him on the cart."

Callisto slowly rode and thought about Xena. She used to hate her, but her hate was suddenly gone. And those moments of rage when she wanted to kill Xena still haunted her. She wasn't a killer, the mere thought of killing someone was repulsive to her. She even hated killing animals and she usually starved rather than catch herself something to eat.

The evening slowly approached and Callisto made herself a camp. She was staring at the fire, thinking, when she heard that someone was approaching. She grabbed her staff and waited.

Soon Xena and Gabrielle appeared. Callisto sighed. She didn't want company, especially not Xena's, but she wanted to find out more about her.

"Hello, Callisto. May we join you?" Xena asked.

Callisto hesitated and then nodded. Xena took off the saddlebags and gave them to Gabrielle. Callisto observed Xena for a while and then concentrated on her companion. She looked so innocent and naive and she wandered how the two got together. A wolf and a sheep, she though and smiled to herself.

"I'll get us something to eat," Xena finally said. "Will you be okay?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes."

Xena turned to Callisto.

"Have you eaten anything since this morning?"

Callisto looked at her, surprised. She shook her head.

"Do you want me to catch something for you too?" Xena asked.

Callisto was surprised. She nodded and Xena left. Callisto stared after her until she disappeared in the forest then she returned her gaze to Gabrielle.

"You would die for her, wouldn't you?" she suddenly asked, remembering the look in Gabrielle's eyes the first time they met.

Gabrielle looked at her, surprised that someone should question that.

"Yes," she said.

Callisto thought.

"How did you two get together?" she finally asked.

"She saved my village. I found it pretty boring there so I decided to follow her. I liked her from the moment I saw her. She tried to get rid of me at first, but I stuck to her so she finally gave up." She paused. "She has changed, you know."

Callisto jerked. She hated to admit it, but it was true, Xena had changed. She nodded.

"I'm sorry I hit you. I lost control."

Gabrielle smiled.

"It's okay."

Callisto smiled briefly.

Callisto and Gabrielle were exchanging stories when Xena returned. Gabrielle noticed that Callisto's demeanor became more serious in Xena's presence. She wondered why.

Xena gave Gabrielle the prey and Gabrielle prepared it. Callisto secretly observed the two friends.

The rest of the evening, after they ate their dinner, Gabrielle was telling stories. Xena laughed openly, though not as openly as she usually did, while Callisto was more reserved.

Finally, Gabrielle was tired and went to sleep. Callisto also tried to sleep, but she couldn't, not with so many things on her mind. She got up and went to the creek. She soon heard very faint footsteps approaching. She knew it was Xena.

Xena quietly stood beside her for a few minutes.

"Have we met before?" Xena finally asked.

"You burned my village," Callisto said.

Xena jerked and gulped.

"Cirra?" she asked after a few moments, dreading the answer.

Callisto turned, surprised.

"You remember Cirra?"

Xena nodded, ashamed.

"It was the only village where women and children died. I'm sorry."

Callisto wanted to yell at her, but when she looked into her eyes, she saw that Xena really meant what she said. She sighed and turned away.

"How come you changed?" she asked after a while.

Xena took a deep breath.

"While I was scouting, my second-in-command burned down a village. Only a baby survived. I rescued it and when I returned to my camp I discovered that I was no longer in command, that I haven't been for quite a while. I had to run the gauntlet and I barely survived. After that, I wanted to stop fighting, but when I rescued Gabrielle's village, I realized that I can't escape my past. And when Gabrielle didn't leave, I had no other choice. I didn't like it at first, but Gabrielle somehow always manages to make me feel better. Now I like helping people." She paused. "I know I can't undo my past, but I can make sure that something like that doesn't happen to other people."

She took another deep breath, relieved.

They were quiet for a while.

"You would die for her, wouldn't you?" Callisto suddenly asked.

Xena jerked.

"Yes," she said.

Callisto sighed and returned to her bedroll. Xena stayed there for a few more minutes and then also went to sleep.

The next morning, Xena and Callisto woke up simultaneously. Xena gently shook Gabrielle.

"Wake up, sleepyhead, time to go."

Gabrielle yawned.

"Already?"

"Aha."

Gabrielle groaned and pounded the ground with her fist. She got up, yawned and stretched again. Then she and Xena followed Callisto to the creek to refresh themselves. After that, Gabrielle fixed them a quick breakfast.

"Ah, Hercules said that you were on your way to the Amazons to help," Gabrielle said when they were ready to leave.

"Yes."

"Do you want to travel with us?"

Callisto hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

They rode until noon when they arrived to the Amazon village. Gabrielle noticed that Callisto wasn't so uncomfortable around Xena anymore and she was glad.

As soon as they entered the village, they were surrounded by the hailing Amazons. Callisto was confused and she thought that they were hailing her or maybe Xena. Finally, the honor guard stopped them.

"My queen," Ephiny said.

"Hello, Ephiny," Gabrielle said and dismounted.

Callisto dismounted and turned to Xena.

"Am I missing something?"

"She is the Amazon Queen."

Callisto dropped her jaw.

"This is a joke, right?"

"Nope."

"Uh, boy," Callisto said and scratched her head.

"Come."

Callisto followed Xena to the main hut.

"Oh, Ephiny, this is Callisto. Callisto, this is Ephiny. She rules while I'm gone."

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Ephiny, tell them what you told me."

"Dimitrios has joined forces with three smaller warlords and he is planning an attack for tomorrow."

"I see. And what are your plans?"

"Well," Ephiny said and turned to a map, "so far he has been moving camp every day, but for the past two days the camp is here. He always attacked around mid morning. He always deploys forces just before the attack. He makes more groups and we never know which ones are decoys and which will actually attack. He's pretty arrogant and he never fights. We have asked the Centaurs for help and they have agreed. We planned to meet them here."

Xena studied the map and was about to make a remark when Callisto spoke.

"Why don't we attack them today?"

Xena was surprised, because that's exactly what she was going to suggest.

"I agree," she said. "So far you have never attacked, always defended, right?"

"Yes," Ephiny confirmed.

"So right now his army is in his camp, confident that you will be in yours and since they were always attacking, they have no reason to assume that that will change."

"Yes. Good plan," Ephiny said. "When?"

Xena glanced at the map.

"In four hours. Tell the Centaurs to meet us here."

"Okay."

"Oh, send someone to pick up Hercules and Iolaus. They took this road."

"They're coming too?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Any comments or questions?"

There were none.

"Than that's it, I guess."

Ephiny looked at Gabrielle.

"Hey, don't look at me, I'm not the expert."

Ephiny left.

"I'll take a nap," Callisto declared and left.

"Good idea," Gabrielle agreed. "Xena?"

"Why not."

Xena and Callisto were just leaving the Amazon village when Hercules and Iolaus arrived. They waved to each other and then the two women left. They were quiet most of the time, both unsure of what to say.

They explored the enemy camp and captured a couple of scouts on the way. Xena interrogated them and they all told the same thing.

"Would you have let them die if they haven't spoken?" Callisto asked after they tied up the scouts.

Xena looked at her.

"No."

As they were returning back to the Amazon village, they both thought about one another. Xena thought about the hero she had hurt and Callisto about the monster who had killed her family but has reformed.

Suddenly, Callisto stopped. Xena also stopped, surprised. She saw that Callisto had something on her mind. Finally, Callisto looked into Xena's eyes and stared into them for a few moments.

"I forgive you, Xena," she said.

Xena was surprised. This was the first time that someone she had hurt forgave her. She hadn't realized how much that meant to her.

"Thank you," she said and looked away to hide the wetness in her eyes.

Callisto noticed the wetness. It was the right thing to do, she realized and put her hand on Xena's shoulder. Xena turned and Callisto smiled. Xena returned the smile and they started walking again.

When they got to the meeting site, the Amazons and the Centaurs were already gathered. Xena reported and finalized the map.

Gabrielle immediately noticed that Xena and Callisto seemed to be more relaxed and that they didn't feel so awkward around each other anymore. She was glad for both of them.

When Xena was done with her report and when everybody had their instruction, the army moved.

Xena and Ephiny led the Amazons while Tyldus and his son led the Centaurs. The Amazons sneaked closer and removed the guards. The Centaurs waited farther away so that Dimitrios' men wouldn't notice them. When the Amazons attacked, they too attacked.

The battle was short and Dimitrios' men either ran away or surrendered. They were tied up and sent to prison.

"That was probably the shortest battle I have ever witnessed," Iolaus said when they were back in the Amazon village.

"I'm glad it was so short," Gabrielle said.

Xena smiled.

"There will be a feast tonight," Ephiny said. "You are all invited."

"Absolutely," Gabrielle confirmed.

"I adore feasts," Iolaus said.

Hercules smiled.

"You're a real sucker for feasts."

"That's me."

"I'll go see how the preparations are doing," Ephiny said.

"Do you need a hand?" Hercules asked.

"Sure."

"Come, Iolaus."

"I'll go check up on my horse," Callisto said when the two heroes left with Ephiny.

"Xena," Gabrielle said when they were alone.

"Yes?"

"I noticed that you and Callisto seem more relaxed around each other."

"Yes."

"I'm glad. For both of you."

Xena smiled.

"Me too." She paused. "She forgave me."

Gabrielle was excited.

"She did?"

"Yes."

"That's great!"

"Yes, it is."

The End