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 set before the Hercules - The Legendary Journeys episode Men in Pink. Oh, yes, there's just a wee bit of subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is illegal in your place, if you're under 18 or if you find the notion of two women being in love offensive, then you shouldn't read this story.

I Dream of Dancing in the Moonlight
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Things were looking grim for Callisto as the whole area was swarming with soldiers and bounty hunters. She needed a place to hide and she needed it fast. She entered a small village called Rhumba and sneaked around the streets, avoiding the soldiers.

Suddenly a large group of soldiers came down the street, examining the houses as they passed by, and she sneaked into the nearest house. The soldiers soon came in and she hid into one of the rooms. When the soldiers left, Callisto got out of her hiding place. She was about to leave the house when she suddenly heard music near by. But it wasn't as much the music that caught her attention as the instructions that were being issued. Callisto sneaked closer and peeked into the room. She was right, it was a dance school, and the dance instructor, and elderly lady with surprising agility for her age, instructed a group of young women. Callisto stared at the dancers, entranced. She had always wanted to be a dancer and her mother had promised to send her to a dancing school when she would get older. Callisto shook her head, driving the bad memories away, and observed the dancers.

She was so captivated by the dancing that she didn't hear a young woman come up to her from behind.

"Hi, are you new here?"

Callisto jerked and looked around, her hand on her dagger.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Are you new here?"

"No, I just…"

"Come, I'll introduce you to Widow Twanky." The woman opened the door. "Widow Twanky!" she called.

"Cupcake! Where have you been!" the widow demanded. "You were supposed…"

"Yes, I know, Widow, and I'm sorry," Cupcake interrupted her. "Look, I found a new student."

Twanky looked at the puzzled Callisto and approached them.

"Hmm," she murmured as she appraised Callisto. "You have a pretty face. Have you danced before?"

"Ah?" Callisto was totally baffled. "Yes," she finally said, "when I was little."

"Do you still remember how?"

"A bit."

"Good. Do you have any belongings?"

"No."

"Well, we'll get you some new clothes. Why don't you sit over there and watch the girls dance and then Cupcake will take you to her room. You do have another bed, don't you, Cupcake?"

"Yes, Widow."

"Good. Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"Call… Arleia."

"Okay, Arleia, welcome to Widow Twanky's school of dance. Okay, Cupcake, take your position. Arleia, you sit over there."

Callisto hesitated for a moment, well aware that the soldiers might come back, but she wanted to see the girls dance. She went to the bench and sat down.

Twanky checked the girls and the music started again.

Callisto observed the dancers. She was still alarmed at first, but she slowly became enchanted by the dance and forgot all about the soldiers.

When the girls stopped, Callisto clapped enthusiastically.

"Okay, that's it for today," Twanky announced. "Cupcake, take Arleia to your room and get her some clothes."

"Yes, Widow," Cupcake said and went to Callisto. "Come," she said and offered her hand.

Callisto hesitated for a few moments, staring at the offered hand, and then accepted it. Cupcake then took her to her room.

"That is your bed," Cupcake said when they got to their room. "The dance dresses are in that closet. Why don't you take a bath and I'll get you a suitable dress and some underwear in the meantime."

Cupcake left and Callisto looked around. She looked out the window and into adjacent rooms and found it satisfactory. She then prepared a bath for herself. She took off her cloak, undressed, hid her armor and her weapons and put her cloak back on, hiding the dagger underneath.

When Cupcake finally returned, Callisto was sitting in the tub, trying to relax. This was the first time that she was sitting in a tub ever since she was little. When the door opened, Callisto grabbed her dagger and opened her eyes, but when she saw that it was only Cupcake, she relaxed.

"Do you like it?" Cupcake asked and showed her a simple dress.

Callisto looked at it appraisingly.

"It will do," she declared.

"Good," Cupcake said and put the dress on Callisto's bed. "Do you want me to rub your back?" she then offered.

"No," Callisto declined.

"Are you sure?" Cupcake asked, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Yes."

"Okay. Oh, dinner is in one hour."

"Good," Callisto said and closed her eyes again.

"Ah, will you be done soon? I'd like to take a bath before dinner."

Callisto briefly opened her eyes.

"Yes," she said and closed them again.

Cupcake hesitated for a few moments, not sure what to do. She decided that Callisto wasn't going to talk much and she started to undress herself.

Callisto opened her eyes at the sound of a dress being taken off and she stared at Cupcake, surprised. She observed her body for a while and then shook her head and forced her eyes closed. The image of Cupcake's beautiful body, however, still lingered in front of her eyes. Okay, so Cupcake had a beautiful body, but it still annoyed Callisto that she couldn't get the image of it out of her mind.

When Cupcake was undressed, she wrapped a towel around her body and went to the mirror and started to brush her hair. Callisto found it very disturbing, so she finally started to rub the dirt off her body, trying to ignore Cupcake.

When she was done, she got out, dried herself and wrapped a towel around her body. She made sure that Cupcake didn't get a glimpse at her body. Then she went to the bed and put on the underwear and the dress which Cupcake brought her. She looked at it appraisingly and spinned. She found it simple enough and it didn't hinder her movements. Then she lay on the bed and tried to relax.

Cupcake, in the meantime, went to the tub. She leaned back and observed Callisto. She was confused. There were many pretty girls in the dance school, in fact, they were all beautiful, but none had made her feel so strange. She took a deep breath and then started to rub the sweat off her body.

Callisto heard every movement Cupcake made and it really annoyed her that, for some reason, she wanted to hear her.

"Do you want me to brush your hair?"

Callisto jerked and opened her eyes. She saw that Cupcake was already dressed in a simple dress. She was surprised that she didn't hear her.

"What?"

"Your hair? Do you want me to brush it?" Cupcake asked again.

Callisto sat up and looked at her hair.

"What's wrong with it?" she asked.

"Well, it's a mess."

Callisto lifted her eyebrows. She didn't realize that her hair might be a mess. She kept it clean and trimmed, but that it was a mess? That was new to her. She considered the offer. She imagined Cupcake's hands running… She shook her head, pushing the image out. She stared at Cupcake for a few moments.

"Okay," she finally said.

"Come, sit on the chair."

Callisto obeyed and Cupcake started to brush her hair. Callisto watched her for a few moments and finally concentrated on what Cupcake was doing. She quickly got a grip and she closed her eyes. The image of Cupcake kept appearing. Callisto shook her head, annoyed, trying to push the image away.

"I'm sorry."

Callisto opened her eyes, confused.

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Cupcake was confused.

"Didn't I just hurt you?"

Callisto thought.

"No."

"Oh. I thought I did."

"You didn't," Callisto said and closed her eyes again.

She concentrated on her plans to kill Xena.

"Okay, I'm done."

Callisto opened her eyes and looked at her hair. It really did look better. She got up and looked at Cupcake. She remembered that it wouldn't be a bad idea if she thanked her.

"Thank you," she said.

Cupcake smiled.

"You're welcome. Come, let's go to the others."

Cupcake took Callisto to other dances and introduced them to her.

After the dinner, Cupcake showed Callisto around the house and Callisto found out that she could easily escape if need be. After that, Cupcake took Callisto to the small garden. Callisto, who suspected that Cupcake would want to know more about her, immediately asked her about herself and Cupcake told her. Callisto was very surprised when Cupcake told her that Widow Twanky had also taught Hercules how to dance. She tried to imagine that big mountain of a man dance and it made her laugh.

When she learned from Cupcake everything she could, Callisto quickly said goodnight and went to bed.

Cupcake was a light sleeper and Callisto's moans woke her up in the middle of the night. She was confused for a moment, not sure where the moans were coming from, but then she realized that they were coming from Callisto. She listened to Callisto talking incoherently for a while and then got up. She went to her bed and gently shook her.

"Callisto," she called softly.

Callisto woke up with a start. She was covered with sweat and trembling. She looked at Cupcake and the fear on her face was replaced with anger. She pushed Cupcake away and turned to her side, facing away from Cupcake.

Cupcake, who crashed on the floor, was confused, not knowing why Callisto had pushed her away. She sat on the floor for a few moments. Then she got up and returned to bed. It took her a while to fall asleep again.

When Cupcake woke up in the morning, she saw that Callisto was covered with her hood. She was confused for a moment, but she quickly realized that Callisto was leaving.

"Are you leaving?"

Callisto gave her a long look and then started for the door. Cupcake quickly got out of bed.

"Why?" she asked as she stepped in front of Callisto, blocking her way. "Does it have to do with your nightmare?"

Callisto stared at her silently.

"I'm sorry if you feel disturbed, but you were having a nightmare and so I woke you up."

Callisto didn't respond.

"Please don't go," Cupcake said.

Callisto was surprised.

"What do you care?" she asked.

"I like you and I…"

Callisto was surprised. She laughed.

"You don't even know me," she said and started for the door again.

"Then tell me."

Callisto stopped.

"I'd like to get to know you," Cupcake insisted.

Callisto turned and looked at her.

"No, you don't," she said and turned around again.

"Yes, I do," Cupcake said firmly.

Callisto took a deep breath, biting her teeth. She considered killing Cupcake, but she realized that it was too late for that, she already cared too much for her.

"I should have killed you when we first met," she said and continued to the door.

Cupcake was shocked, no one had ever said anything like that to her before.

"Why?" she finally asked.

Callisto didn't respond.

"Arleia, wait!" Cupcake said and ran after Callisto, who stopped when she heard her mother's name.

She wanted to hit Cupcake, but she realized that Cupcake thought her name was Arleia. She took a deep breath.

"Look," Cupcake said when she caught up with her, "if you don't feel comfortable with me in the room, I'm sure Widow Twanky has a free room."

Callisto stared at the dancer for a few moments.

"It has nothing to do with you," she then said.

Cupcake was confused.

"It doesn't?"

"No."

"I don't understand."

"I shouldn't have come here in the first place."

"But you did."

"It wasn't exactly my choice."

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to."

"Look, I'm not stupid," Cupcake said, insulted.

Callisto lifted her eyebrows, surprised.

"Just because I have a pretty face, you don't have to treat me like I'm a moron."

"I didn't say you were stupid," Callisto said after a pause.

"Then stop treating me like I was," Cupcake pouted.

Callisto stared at Cupcake for a few moments and then started to walk again.

"Arleia, wait! Please."

Callisto stopped.

"What do you want?" she asked, annoyed.

Cupcake took a step back, surprised.

"I… I don't want you to leave," she said.

"And who said I care about what you want, hm?"

Cupcake looked down, biting her lower lip.

"I'm sorry," she said, turned around and went back to her room.

Callisto stared at her for a few moments and then started to walk again. She didn't get very far. She stopped and thought about Cupcake. For the first time in a very long time she felt bad about being rude to some and for some reason she wanted to correct that. She wanted to stay with Cupcake, but she was also afraid, she already cared more than she should. She finally decided to apologize and then leave. She went back to the room.

When she entered, Cupcake was sitting on her bed and her eyes were wet from tears. Callisto stopped, surprised. No one had ever cried because she had left. She took a deep breath and approached the dancer, who looked away and started to wipe her tears.

Callisto wasn't very good at apologizing and she thought about the most suitable way of doing it. She finally decided to sit next to Cupcake.

"I'm sorry," she said after some consideration.

Cupcake looked at her.

"Please stay," she said after a while.

Callisto stared at her, thinking. No one had ever wanted her to stay. Her resolve to leave slowly started to fade and the longer she sat there, thinking about it, the less she wanted to leave. It scared the Tartarus out of her. Cupcake hesitantly took her hand and Callisto jerked. She stared at the joined hands for a few moments.

Screw Xena and the rest of the world! She decided to stay, she had a right to be happy.

"I'll stay," she declared and Cupcake's face brightened.

"Great!"

Callisto flashed a brief smile.

"Let's get dressed, the breakfast will be served soon."

"Okay," Callisto said.

Cupcake went to the small basin and refreshed herself and Callisto quickly undressed and put on Cupcake's dress. When Cupcake was done, Callisto was already in her new dress. Cupcake then went to dress herself and Callisto refreshed herself. After that they went to breakfast.

After the breakfast, the dance classes began and Widow Twanky assigned Cupcake to teach Callisto. Callisto was a fast learner. She felt a bit uncomfortable at first and she didn't know whether it was because of dancing in front of others or because of Cupcake's presence. She slowly got used to it and by the lunch break she was completely relaxed and enjoying herself

"You're pretty good," Cupcake said when they went to their room to refresh themselves.

"Thank you," Callisto said.

"Listen," Cupcake said a bit later, "I meant what I said this morning, I do wish to know more about you. But," she added when she saw Callisto's face become serious, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

Callisto thought.

"I'm sure you will find out who I am all too soon," she said quietly as they continued to their room.

Cupcake looked at her, surprised, but didn't ask further.

"You know," she said instead," you were very beautiful when you relaxed."

Callisto gave her a confused look.

"I mean, you are always beautiful, but when you relaxed, you were even more beautiful, it was like there was darkness surrounding you, but when you relaxed, you were, I don't know, simply gorgeous."

Callisto lifted her eyebrows, but didn't comment.

"You're not used to compliments, are you?" Cupcake said.

Callisto glanced at her.

"No," she said after a short pause and opened the door.

They quickly refreshed themselves, changed dresses and joined others for lunch.

In the afternoon, the lessons continued. Callisto remembered Cupcake's comment and she tried to stay alert, but she just couldn't. She was a bit disappointed when the lessons were over, because she had enjoyed herself immensely. It was like she was trying to catch up for all the lost years. She did stay behind for Cupcake's daily stage performance. It was a bit childish and meant to seduce men, but she liked it nevertheless.

When Cupcake was done, Callisto let her bathe first. After Callisto got out of the bath and dressed herself, she noticed that Cupcake was reading a scroll.

"What are you reading?" she asked her.

"Hm? Oh, some poems."

"Poems?"

"Yes. The career of a dancer is short and I'm studying so I can take up some other occupation."

Callisto was impressed. Although Cupcake appeared very simple, she was obviously wasn't, she was just being natural, like a child.

At night, Callisto had the nightmare again. Cupcake heard her and she approached her, but she hesitated, still remembering Callisto's reaction from the previous night. She finally took a deep breath and gently shook Callisto.

"Callisto," she called softly.

Callisto immediately woke up. She looked at Cupcake and again the anger replaced the fear. Cupcake was afraid that Callisto would push her away again and she quickly moved away from the bed, but Callisto just stared at her for a few moments and then lay back, facing away from Cupcake.

Cupcake stared at her roommate for a few moments.

"Will you leave tomorrow?" she asked, concerned.

Callisto didn't respond right away and Cupcake returned to her bed.

"No," Callisto finally answered.

When Cupcake woke up in the morning, she immediately looked at Callisto's bed, worried that she might have left in spite of what she had said. She didn't and Cupcake relaxed.

"Good morning," she said as she sat up.

Callisto turned her head and stared at Cupcake for a while.

"Thank you for waking me up," she finally said.

Cupcake was surprised.

"You're welcome," she said and got up. "If you want to talk about, let me know."

Callisto smiled bitterly and sat up.

"You don't want to know, trust me."

"You're treating me like I was stupid again," Cupcake pouted.

Callisto was surprised and she thought about it.

"No," she declared, "I'm treating you the way I'd want to be treated if I was in your place."

Cupcake was surprised.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that many people treat me like I was stupid."

"I'll never treat you like that," Callisto promised.

Cupcake looked at her, surprised, and then smiled.

"Thank you."

Callisto smiled.

"You're welcome."

"You know, you should smile more often," Cupcake observed.

Callisto's smiled faded.

"I have no reason to smile," she said.

Cupcake saw the pain in Callisto's eyes and she realized that there must be something terribly wrong with her roommate.

"Listen," Callisto continued, "I noticed that you like me. I… I like you too, but believe me, it will be safer for you to find someone else to like."

Cupcake stared at Callisto, sad.

"Why?"

"Because people I'm with usually have a very short life."

"It's my life and I'll like whomever I want," Cupcake said determinedly.

Callisto lifted her eyebrows, but didn't comment. She got up and went to refresh herself. Cupcake stared at her, but she had a feeling that this conversation was over. She sighed and went to the basin.

That day and the next few days Callisto was left more or less on her own, because Cupcake had a performance for the King in three days and she had to practice with her group. Callisto watched the group dance, it was fascinating to her and she tried to imitate. Widow Twanky saw that and when the girls had a pause, she gave Callisto some instructions and Callisto tried to follow them.

Soon, however, having no one to constantly talk to her, she went to the small garden and walked around it, thinking about the relationship between herself and Cupcake. It was confusing her. First the music and the dance and now Cupcake. Okay, she loved music when she was little and she loved to dance, but falling in love? And with a woman? She wasn't one to care about what others thought of her, not anymore, and it surprised her that she cared about what Cupcake thought of her. She thought that she wasn't capable of loving, but Cupcake brought out the side of her that she didn't know existed anymore. It was disturbing and great at the same time and her revenge seemed to have lost all importance ever since she had met Cupcake.

"Arleia?" a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Callisto jerked and looked. The feeling of anger when she was interrupted was immediately replaced by another feeling. She quickly realized that it was happiness.

"Cupcake," she said with a smile.

"Are you okay?" Cupcake asked, concerned.

"Yes, I was just thinking."

"Oh."

"Are you done yet?"

"Yes."

"Wow. I must have lost track of time."

Cupcake smiled.

"Come, let's get ready for lunch."

Over the next couple of days, when she wasn't practicing with her group, Cupcake taught Callisto how to dance, so she could practice on her own. She also started to teach her the things she herself was learning.

Callisto enjoyed it, but being near Cupcake she enjoyed the most. It was almost like having a family again, someone she cared about and who cared about her. She forgot all about her troubles and her revenge and let herself enjoy the life.

Xena and Gabrielle entered Widow Twanky's school of dance and looked around for the owner. They soon located her in the dance hall. They were about to enter when Xena suddenly stopped and grabbed Gabrielle.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked, confused.

Xena didn't respond and she pulled her back instead.

"What is it?" Gabrielle asked again.

"Over there, those two dancers."

Gabrielle looked and frowned, not believing her eyes.

"Callisto?" she asked, uncertain.

"Yes," Xena confirmed.

"She's dancing. I don't believe this. What shall we do?"

"We'll wait until they have a break and someone comes along."

"Okay."

The dance lessons lasted for another hour before Widow Twanky allowed a break. When one of the dancers came out, she stopped, surprised.

"Hi," Gabrielle quickly said, "I'm Gabrielle and this is my friend Xena. Will you please tell Widow Twanky that we would like to talk to her in private?"

The dancer stared at them for a few moments and then nodded.

"Sure."

"And make sure she's the only one who hears you," Xena added.

The dancer nodded and left.

Callisto was just talking to Cupcake on what to improve when she overheard someone mention Xena's name. She frowned and looked around. She quickly noticed that one of the dancers was talking to Twanky and Twanky then left. Callisto waited until she was gone and then turned back to Cupcake.

"I'll be right back," she said and left the confused Cupcake.

She heard the footsteps and the voices and she recognized them. She immediately realized that Xena must have seen her or she would have come into the dance hall. She took a deep breath and then went to her room and changed into her armor.

She was about to jump through the window when the door opened. She looked and saw Cupcake stare at her, confused.

"You're leaving?" Cupcake asked, her voice trembling.

Callisto took a deep breath.

"Yes."

"Why."

"I have to."

"I want to go with you."

Callisto stared at Cupcake, surprised. She knew that Cupcake cared deeply for her and she felt that she cared deeply for Cupcake, although she refused to accept that. She hesitated for a moment and then approached Cupcake. She stared into her eyes for a few moments.

"Cupcake, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me," she confessed, "and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Then stay or take me with you."

"I'd like that, but in either case you would get hurt more than if I leave." Callisto paused. "I'll never forget you," she said and caressed Cupcake. "Thank you for bringing out the part of me that I thought was destroyed."

She smiled briefly and then jumped through the window. Cupcake stood still and tears started to run down her cheeks.

When Widow Twanky returned to the dance hall, she noticed that Callisto and Cupcake were gone. She asked around and then returned to Xena.

"She is not here. Maybe she is in her room. Come."

Twanky led the way and took them to Callisto's and Cupcake's room.

When they got there, Xena and Gabrielle stayed out of sight and Twanky knocked. There was no response and she knocked again. Again, there was no response and Twanky opened the door.

"Cupcake?" she asked when she saw Cupcake lying on her bed, crying. "What is it?" she asked and went to Cupcake. "Where is Arleia?"

"She is gone," Cupcake said, her voice trembling.

"Gone?"

Cupcake nodded.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Is everything okay?" Gabrielle asked when she and Xena came to the door after not hearing Callisto's voice.

"Arleia is gone."

"Gone?" Xena asked.

"Yes." Twanky turned back to Cupcake. "You can stay here," she said and caressed her.

Then she left.

"Why was she crying?" Gabrielle asked when they were walking down the corridor.

"She and Arleia were very close."

Gabrielle was surprised.

"You're kidding, right?"

Twanky gave her a surprised look.

"No. Why?"

Xena nudged her.

"Ah, no reason."

"Gabrielle, why don't you stay here and I'll go back to the palace."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll come back later."

"Okay."

Several hours later Xena returned.

"Everything okay at the palace?" Gabrielle asked her.

"Yes. I have a pretty good idea of who is trying to kill the King."

"Good."

"Where is Cupcake?"

"Cupcake? In her room. Why?"

"I need to talk to her."

"Oh."

Xena went to Cupcake's room and knocked on the door.

"Come!"

Xena entered and Cupcake stared at her, confused.

"Yes?" she asked.

"My name is Xena," Xena introduced herself.

Cupcake was surprised.

"Xena? The Warrior Princess?"

"Yes."

Cupcake was confused as to why the Warrior Princess would want to talk to her.

"What can I do for you?" she asked.

"Tell me about Arleia."

"Arleia?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Well, you seem to miss her."

"I do."

"What was she like?"

Cupcake thought.

"Well, she was like two sides of a coin. When she was relaxed, she was so innocent, almost like a little girl, but most of the time there was something dark about her, like she was running away from something. She was always straight with me, but she never told me anything about herself. I think she was afraid."

"Afraid?" Xena asked, surprised to hear that word being used in connection with Callisto.

"Yes. I think she was afraid that I wouldn't like her anymore if I knew the truth about her."

"Oh." Xena thought. "You love her?"

Cupcake blushed and looked away.

"Yes, I do," she admitted.

"Did she love you?"

Cupcake looked back at Xena.

"Yes, I think she did," she said. "Do you know her?" she asked when she saw the strange expression on Xena's face.

Xena hesitated. She knew that telling Cupcake the truth would hurt her.

"Yes," she finally said.

"Who is she?"

"I don't think you want to know."

"I'm sick of everyone telling me that I don't want to know. I do want to know. I need to know. Please, tell me."

Xena took a deep breath.

"Callisto."

Cupcake frowned.

"The Warrior Queen?"

Xena nodded.

"Yes."

Cupcake was shocked. That innocent person she loved suddenly became evil. Now she understood why Callisto didn't want to tell her who she was, she knew what her reaction would be. Tears started to run down Cupcake's cheeks.

Xena left.

Cupcake went to her bed and thought. She had seen the other side of the most feared warlord in Greece and she liked it, but the other side, the side she herself hadn't seen, but had heard about it, that one made her afraid. She wondered how someone so innocent could also be so evil.

"What did you talk to her about?" Gabrielle asked when Xena came back.

"Callisto."

"And what did you find out?"

"They love each other."

Gabrielle frowned.

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"That woman loves Callisto?"

"And Callisto loves her back."

This was very new to Gabrielle. She had never thought that Callisto could be capable of love. Was she wrong? She hoped so.

"Then why did Callisto leave?" she asked.

"Because she saw us and she didn't want us to suspect that she cares for Cupcake."

"Why?"

"Because she's afraid that someone else might find out and use it against her." She paused. "The same reason I gave up Solan."

Gabrielle looked at her, surprised.

"Listen," Xena continued, "you stay here, in case Cupcake wants to know more about Callisto, and I'll go back to the palace and set… Cupcake?"

"Do you know where Callisto might have gone?" Cupcake asked.

"No."

Cupcake sighed.

"Do you want to go after her?" Xena asked.

Cupcake nodded. Xena thought.

"Gabrielle, help her pick a suitable dress and then notify Widow Twanky. I'll try to find out which way Callisto might have gone."

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked, confused.

"You'll escort her."

"Me?"

"Yes. She could use your protection."

Gabrielle was surprised.

"Okay," she finally said and turned to Cupcake. "Come."

About half an hour later, Xena returned.

"Did you find her track?"

"Yes. She went that way," Xena said and pointed into the direction from which she had come. "You two go ahead, I'll come as soon as I can."

"Okay. Good luck."

Xena smiled.

"You too."

"Come."

Gabrielle started to walk and Cupcake followed her.

"Do you know Arleia? I mean, Callisto," Cupcake asked after a while.

Gabrielle bit her teeth.

"Yes."

Cupcake gulped before asking further.

"What is she like?"

Gabrielle thought. No one had ever asked her that question and she was confused because she couldn't find the answer right away.

"Well," she said after a long pause, "although she is a woman now and she seems evil, she is just a hurt little girl, wanting to be safe."

Gabrielle frowned at herself, surprised by what she had just said.

Cupcake thought about what Gabrielle had said.

"What happened to her?"

"Xena's army burned down her village and her family was killed. She swore revenge and is now after Xena."

Cupcake stared Gabrielle, surprised.

"Then why is Xena helping me?" she asked.

"She feels responsible. And she hopes that you might stop her."

"Me? What can I do?"

"You love her, don't you?"

Cupcake blushed.

"Yes."

"Well, if you get her to stay with you, she will stop killing people."

"Oh."

They walked for several hours without a pause when they suddenly came across several corpses. Cupcake got sick at the sight.

"We're on the right track, all right," Gabrielle said. "She wasn't here long ago."

"How do you know?"

Gabrielle smiled.

"You learn things when you're around Xena."

"Oh."

"Come, let's…"

"What is it?" Cupcake asked when Gabrielle stopped.

"Their friends," Gabrielle said and pointed at the bandits, who were approaching them, their weapons drawn.

Cupcake was terrified, she had never been attacked before and the thought of what those men could do to her made her sick.

"Let's go to that three," Gabrielle said and pointed at a near-by tree. "Squat beside it and keep your head low."

"You are going to fight them?" Cupcake asked, surprised.

"Yes. Come."

Cupcake followed Gabrielle to the tree and she squatted. The bandits grinned as they came closer.

"We won't hurt you," their leader said.

"Yeah, right, and I'm Aphrodite," Gabrielle said, her staff ready.

"Playing hard to get, are we?"

"Actually, I'm impossible to get."

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

The man laughed and walked closer, but Gabrielle hit him on the head and swept him off his feet so fast that he didn't even know what hit him.

"Anyone else?" Gabrielle asked, trying to imitate Xena's menacing look.

"Let's get her!" one of the bandits yelled and attacked.

Gabrielle quickly disposed of him and then concentrated on the other bandits. She was doing well and the bandits were really pissed off.

Suddenly a blood-curling scream pierced the air and the bandits froze, they knew the scream all too well.

"Hello, boys, missed me?" Callisto asked after decapitating one of the bandits.

The bandits stared at her, unable to decide whether to try and kill her again or run for their lives. Callisto quickly killed three more bandits and the survivors quickly decided that running for their lives was the more preferable option.

Callisto stared at Gabrielle for a few moments and then looked at Cupcake. Cupcake looked back. She was shocked by the ruthlessness with which Callisto disposed of the bandits. It scared her and the armor, which looked like a dancer's outfit, didn't help to improve the situation. Callisto finally looked back at Gabrielle, who was holding her staff, ready to defend herself.

"Take her back, Gabrielle," Callisto said and walked away.

Gabrielle waited until she was far enough and then turned to Cupcake, who was still squatting.

"Are you okay?" she asked and kneeled beside her.

Cupcake looked at her and then back at Callisto.

"Do you want to go back?" Gabrielle asked.

Cupcake looked at her.

"I don't know," she said after a pause.

Gabrielle hugged her and Cupcake hugged her back and cried. She loved Callisto, but her dark side terrified her.

"Why don't we go after her," Gabrielle suggested, "just in case you decide you still want to go after her."

Cupcake considered and then nodded in agreement.

"Come."

Gabrielle helped Cupcake stand up and they moved on.

It was getting dark and Cupcake was exhausted.

"When will we stop?"

"Soon. Callisto's camp must be near by. That is, if you want to talk to her. Otherwise we'll make a separate camp."

Cupcake thought. She had been thinking about it for the whole afternoon and she still hadn't made up her mind. She finally decided that she had nothing to lose.

"I do."

"Okay."

They didn't have to walk long when Gabrielle spotted a glimmering light in the forest.

"There she is," she said and pointed toward the fire.

Callisto heard that someone was approaching and she grabbed her sword, but she quickly recognized the footsteps and she let go of it. She started to stare even more intensely into the fire, not sure how she felt.

When Gabrielle and Cupcake reached her camp, Callisto kept staring at the fire for a while, before looking at them.

"I'll leave you two alone," Gabrielle said and turned to Cupcake. "I'll make a camp over there," she said and pointed into the darkness. "If things don't go well, you can come to me."

Cupcake nodded and Gabrielle left.

Callisto stared at Cupcake and Cupcake stared back. Cupcake stood still, afraid to even move.

"Why did you come?" Callisto finally asked.

Cupcake hesitated.

"I… I love you," she said.

Callisto bit her teeth.

"Did they tell you who I am?" she asked.

Cupcake nodded.

"Then you should know better than to follow me."

Cupcake didn't respond.

"Go back," Callisto said.

"No," Cupcake resisted and gulped, afraid that she might have angered Callisto.

Callisto got up and started to approach Cupcake. She could see fear in her eyes and also determination. She made a circle around her, making Cupcake even more nervous.

"Go back, Cupcake," she said when she got around.

Cupcake gulped.

"Will you come with me?" she asked.

"I can't."

"Why not? No one knows your identity there, not even Widow Twanky."

Callisto was surprised.

"Xena didn't tell her?"

"No."

Callisto turned around and walked to the fire, thinking. Cupcake slowly followed her.

"No," Callisto finally declared.

"Then let me stay with you," Cupcake said.

Callisto was surprised.

"No," she said.

"We can go away from here, somewhere where nobody knows you," Cupcake suggested.

"And what would I do? Become a housewife?"

"No, but I'm sure some village could use a good hunter."

Callisto lifted her eyebrows.

"I'm sure they could," she said, not very excited by the idea.

"Look, I'm sure there are many things you could do and it is your decision what to do with your life, but I would like to be a part of it and I would like you to be a part of my life."

Callisto stared at Cupcake, surprised. Finally she sat down and started to stare at the fire again, thinking.

Cupcake stared at her for a while and then slowly approached her and sat next to her. Callisto ignored her, but when Cupcake took her hand, she looked at her. She stared at her for a while and then made a decision.

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

Cupcake smiled, happy.

"Thank you."

They sat together for a while, holding hands. Finally Cupcake looked around to see if Gabrielle had made a camp. She had. Cupcake then looked into the sky.

"Look, there's a full moon," she said and looked at Callisto. "Do you want to dance?"

Callisto looked at the moon and then at Cupcake.

"We don't have any music."

"I can sing," Cupcake said, got up and offered Callisto her hand.

Callisto stared at her for a few moments and then accepted. They hugged and Cupcake started to sing a slow tune.

Gabrielle was surprised when she saw Callisto and Cupcake dance in the moonlight. She felt weird, feeling happy for the woman who had murdered her husband. She sighed and lay back, thinking of Perdicus.

The End