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 episode is set just at the end of the Xena - Warrior Pirncess episode Return of Callisto. Most of the dialogue at the beginning is from the episode. Narcissus is from mythology.

Live and Let Live
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Oh, how I do love watching you work!" Callisto said, excited, and attacked. "Yeeee-ahh!"

They exchanged a fast series of strikes and parted again.

"It looks like we're at a standstill," Callisto said a bit breathless. "How good are you at chariots, Xena? Hmm?" she asked, her head cocked, and somersaulted out.

Xena ran after her and quickly knocked out Theodorus, who got up to stop her.

"Get her, Xena!" Gabrielle called after her.

They nodded at each other and then Xena ran out.

"Yahhh! Yahh!" Callisto screamed at the horses as she got on the chariot.

Xena was right behind her.

"Callisto! Yah! Yah! Yahhh!"

They drove the chariots like crazy and Xena soon caught up with Callisto. Callisto tried to destroy Xena's chariot's wheels with the spikes on her chariot and Xena tried to prevent that, but was unsuccessful. The right wheel fell off, destroyed, and Xena was forced to abandon the chariot, but she didn't want to let Callisto get away. She flipped her whip and was pulled after Callisto's chariot.

"Yah! Yahhh! Enjoying the ride, Xena?" Callisto teased the Warrior Princess. "Yahhhhh! Want to go faster? Yeeahhh! Yeeahhh!"

Slowly Xena pulled herself onto Callisto's chariot and they fought. Xena suddenly pushed Callisto overboard and they both rolled down the hill and landed on a quicksand. Callisto seemed to panic for a moment and then she laughed.

"We're both going to die, Xena. How wonderful. We can spend the rest of eternity in Tartarus together."

Xena rolled her eyes.

"Always the optimist," she said and looked around.

She took her chakram and threw it at a log. Then she flipped her whip around the chakram and started to pull herself to safety.

"You're good, Xena!" Callisto called as she watched Xena pull herself to safety. "Xena, help me. Xena! Xena. Please! Xena, help me. Please," she begged when Xena got to safety, but Xena just stared at her. "You can't just let me die, Xena. Xena! Xena! I'm counting on you. Help me. Help me!" Callisto screamed, not so much afraid of dying as she was of never being able to get back at Xena. Help me! Xena!"

Suddenly Xena jumped after Callisto and grabbed her hand. Slowly, bit by bit, she pulled her out and onto the solid ground.

"Why thank you, Xena," Callisto said and wanted to attack her, but Xena was faster and was sitting on Callisto's back before Callisto could do her any harm. She tied her hands behind her back and helped her up. She let her keep her weapons, but she also made sure that she couldn't use them.

"Haven't we been through this before?" Callisto asked.

"What's the matter, don't you like it?"

"Oh, but I do, I do. I'm into bondage, you know."

Callisto laughed and Xena rolled her eyes.

"Move," she said and pushed her.

Gabrielle and Joxer quietly stared at Callisto when Xena brought her back.

"Well, well, if it isn't the widow and the… Hmm, I can't seem to find a proper word for you."

"Shut up, Callisto," Xena said and tied her to a tree.

Then she went to Joxer and treated his wound.

"Oh, honestly," Joxer asked when Xena was done. "How bad is it?"

"Terminal," Xena said.

"No, really!"

"Not bad, but it will leave a nice scar."

"Yeah?" Joxer asked, excited.

"Yep, Joxer, you're a brave man," Xena complimented him.

"You know, Xena, I was thinking, a warrior of my quality should let you off the hook. I'm setting off on my own. I'm sorry."

"I'll live."

"Joxer, the good. The warm. Joxer the valiant," Joxer started to fantasize as Xena went to Gabrielle.

"Get lost, stupid," Callisto hissed at him and Joxer quickly left.

Xena observed her friend, who was standing with her eyes closed.

"What were you doing?" she asked her when she looked at her.

"Loving him."

"He'll hear your thoughts."

"I know. Forever and ever."

"Oh, isn't that touchy," Callisto sneered.

Gabrielle looked at her, angry.

"The dead can hear our thoughts, Callisto. I wonder what your mother thinks of you."

For a brief moment, Callisto's eyes were full of rage, but it quickly dissipated and Callisto didn't respond.

"Let's take her back," Xena said and Gabrielle nodded.

Callisto was quiet at first, but she soon started to tease her enemies.

"So, Gabrielle, I hear you are a bard. Is that true?"

Gabrielle didn't respond.

"There's nothing wrong with being a bard, you know. How about you tell us a story to make the time pass, hmm? How about the one where I kill your husband?"

Gabrielle flinched and Callisto laughed.

"It hurts, doesn't it, Gabrielle, to have the love of your life torn out of you. And now here I am, so close to you, unable to defend myself. You could beat me to a pulp or just simply stab me."

"Shut up, Callisto," Xena interrupted her.

"What's the matter, Xena, afraid your little pet might become like you and me? Hmm? I can't say I blame you, you know, I don't wish for anyone to become like you and me. But then again Gabrielle isn't just anyone, is she? Hmm? You know what I'll do when I escape from prison again?"

"No."

"Oh," Callisto said, sounding disappointed. "Well, I'll tell you anyway. I am going to go to Gabrielle's village and kill her family." She cocked her head and thought for a moment. "Hmm, I think I'll just burn down the whole village, what do you think, hmm?

"I think you're crazy."

Callisto laughed.

"Of course I am. If I were sane, I wouldn't be what I am, would I? Anyway, then I'm going to kill your mother and burn down your village. Then I'm going to kill your horse and finally Gabrielle. A nice plan, don't you think?"

Xena stopped the horse.

"If you don't shut up, I'll gag you."

"Oh, come now, where's your spirit, hmm? All right, all right, I'll keep it quiet," she added when Xena gave her a warning look. Then she smiled. "For now."

They walked for several hours when Xena noticed a fight in the distance.

"Look, Xena, some bandits are attacking Aphrodite's temple," Gabrielle said when she also noticed the fight.

Xena looked at Callisto. She wanted to go and help, but she didn't trust Callisto.

"What'll it be, Xena?" Callisto asked. "Are you going to help the priestesses and perhaps lose me or are you going to keep me and let the priestesses be disgraced? Hmm?"

"Neither," Xena said and looked at Gabrielle. "Can you be alone with her?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Good. You and Argo follow me."

"Okay," Gabrielle said and Xena ran off.

"Oh, how sweet of her, she let us alone. Perhaps now we can talk, hmm? Tell me, Gabrielle, don't you hate me? Don't you want to kill me over and over again, make me suffer, hmm?"

Gabrielle didn't respond.

"Now, now, no need to be shy on me. Tell me, did you two at least have sex before I killed him? Hmm?"

"Shut up, Callisto," Gabrielle said on the verge of tears.

"It hurts, doesn't it? Yes, I know, it hurts me too. Look, you know that I will do every single thing I said I would when I escape again. Xena's not here right now and you have a chance to rid the world of a monster. Don't you want to save the world, Gabrielle? Hmm? Kill me, Gabrielle, nobody would blame you, no, they would admire you. Gabrielle the Savior. Gabrielle the Slayer of Callisto."

"I won't kill you, Callisto," Gabrielle said in a quiet voice and turned to Argo. "Stay," she said and ran to the fight.

Callisto laughed. Then she tried spurring Argo, but the war-horse didn't move.

"Come on, you bag of bones, move."

Argo still refused and Callisto gave up. If only her legs weren't tied underneath the horse.

"Stupid horse."

Xena and Gabrielle made short work of the bandits and Xena checked up on Callisto.

"I saw three of them go inside," Gabrielle said.

"I know. I'll go get them," Xena said and glanced at Callisto. "Will you be all right?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes."

Xena glanced at Callisto again and then went into the temple. It looked empty, but the felt that the bandits were close. She was proven right when she was attacked by two of them. She quickly knocked them out.

"Well, well, Xena, looks like you still haven't forgotten how to fight."

"Narcissus. How the mighty have fallen. You used to be a warlord and now you're attacking helpless priestesses?"

Narcissus shrugged.

"Hey, one's gotta make a living."

"Yeah, well not this way and not while I'm here."

"We'll see," Narcissus said and attacked.

He was better than his soldiers, but still no match for Xena.

"Hmm, I wonder if I could have done it like that."

Xena turned after the voice, ready to fight.

"Aphrodite."

"The one and only," Aphrodite said and spread her arms. "Thanks for kicking their butts."

"You're welcome."

"Hmm, I I'm not mistaken, you have Callisto outside."

"Yes."

Aphrodite shook her head.

"She was such a sweet kid. I was her favorite goddess, you know, and I kinda hoped she would become a priestess. Guess not. What are you going to do with her?"

"Take her back to prison."

"Ha, like that's gonna stop her."

"Probably not. Any… Watch out!"

"What…"

"Well, well, Xena, looks like things just took a nasty turn. For you, that is. I suggest you leave or I'll be forced to kill my hostage."

Xena laughed.

"I forgot you were thick-headed. I guess that the thickness of your scull affected the size of your brain. This is Aphrodite, you moron."

"Oh, really?" Narcissus mocked her. "And what is she going to do? Make me fall in love with you?"

"I have a better idea," Aphrodite said, disappeared from Narcissus' grip and reappeared next to Xena. "Xena is such a fine girl to fall in love with, she's much too good for you. You, however, you're not," she said and zapped him.

Narcissus stood still for a moment and then he laughed.

"Is that all you can do?" he mocked the goddess.

Aphrodite smiled.

"You ain't seen nothing yet, baby, wait till you see yourself in the mirror."

"Get lost, Narcissus, or I won't be so gentle the next time."

Narcissus grinned.

"We'll meet again," he said and turned to his comrades, who were just waking up. "Move."

The two bandits moaned, got up and followed their leader.

"What did you do to him?"

Aphrodite smiled.

"Make him fall in love with himself."

Xena laughed.

"That's pretty severe."

"Well, he should know better than to attack my temple."

"I guess so."

"Oh, yes, I almost forgot, I owe you one, so if there's anything I can do for you?"

Xena frowned, she didn't have a too pleasant experience from the last time a god granted her a wish.

"Is something wrong?" Aphrodite asked when she saw Xena's expression.

Xena shook her head.

"No, I'm just thinking."

"Okay," Aphrodite said and looked around. "Well, this place needed redecorating anyway."

Xena considered what she should wish for, but nothing came to mind. She considered whether Gabrielle needed something, but she decided that she shouldn't mess with her friend's life. She considered talking to Gabrielle when Callisto came to mind. She was confused, she most certainly didn't want to help Callisto. She considered going out, but Callisto kept returning to her mind. She tried to push her out, but wasn't too successful. She decided to think about what Callisto could wish. Nothing came to mind at first, but then she thought about why Callisto was so intent on hurting her. She knew that Callisto was hurt because her family was killed and she considered whether seeing them again would help her. She decided it was worth a try.

"Aphrodite."

"Hmm?" Aphrodite asked as she considered what to change next.

"I have a wish."

"Shoot."

"Can you get Hades to let Callisto visit her family?"

Aphrodite was surprised.

"Excuse me? Did you just say you want me to get Hades to let Callisto visit her family?"

"Yes."

"Thought so. Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Oh, boy. I can't promise you, but I'll see what I can do."

Xena nodded and left.

"Everything okay?" she asked when she got to Gabrielle.

The bard nodded.

"Okay, then let's move on."

Callisto didn't say anything and she appeared to be thinking.

In the evening, they made a camp and Xena tied Callisto to a tree. She made double sure that she couldn't escape. Callisto sat quietly, staring into the fire, and Xena and Gabrielle quietly talked as they prepared the dinner when Aphrodite suddenly appeared.

"Well, Xena, looks like you got your wish," the goddess said. "It took some skill and a little help from Persephone, but it worked." She turned to Callisto. "Hello, Callisto. Time to visit your mother."

"What?" was the only thing Callisto managed to ask, confused, before she and Aphrodite disappeared in a flash and only the ties remained.

When they reappeared in the Elysian Fields, Callisto turned to Aphrodite, furious.

"What's going on, Aphrodite?" she demanded.

"Xena's getting her wish and so do you, I think. Look."

Callisto followed Aphrodite's hand and saw a woman approach. She recognized her and she stared at her, speechless and shocked.

"Callisto," the woman said and approached her.

"Mama," Callisto whispered.

Aphrodite smiled and disappeared.

"Aphrodite, what do you think you're doing?" Ares asked furiously when he appeared next to his sister.

"Hi, Ares. Looks like I'm trying to get Callisto a life."

"She belongs to me."

"She belongs to no one. I suggest you leave her alone."

"Or what? You gonna fight me?" Ares mocked her.

"If I have to," Aphrodite said, determined.

Ares laughed.

"You have never fought before, Aphrodite."

"I never had to. Now beat it and leave Callisto alone."

"I don't think so. I'm taking her with me."

"Over my dead body."

Ares grinned.

"As you wish."

He shot a bolt at Aphrodite, which threw her back. Aphrodite quickly got up and concentrated. Ares shot more bolts, but they reflected off an invisible wall. Ares got angry and fired another volley of bolts.

"Hades!" Aphrodite called just before her wall collapsed and she was thrown back.

"Ares!" Hades warned the God of War.

Ares ignored him and prepared to fire another bolt at Aphrodite, but Hades was faster. Ares glared at him furiously.

"Leave, Ares. Now!"

Ares cursed under his breath and disappeared.

"Thanks, Hades," Aphrodite said.

Callisto stared at her mother as she approached her. She didn't know what to do or say. Arleia slowly approached her and hugged her. Callisto didn't move for a few moments, but then she hugged her back. She felt safe again in her mother's arms and loved. Tears came from her eyes, but she let them be. All that mattered to her in that moment was her mother.

Arleia felt that her daughter needed that hug badly and she just held her silently for a few minutes until she felt that Callisto was pulling herself together. Then she let her go. She smiled when she saw Callisto's face, it was the face of the little girl she had left behind. She wiped her tears and caressed her.

"Come," she said, took Callisto's hand and took her to the lake near by.

They sat down in the grass and Callisto started to feel uncomfortable and even ashamed. Arleia caressed her.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, Callisto," she said.

Callisto didn't respond.

"You don't want to avenge us, Callisto," Arleia said, "you want to avenge yourself because we were taken away from you."

Callisto stared at her, surprised.

"I am your mother, Callisto, and I love you no matter what you do, but it hurts me when I see you waste your life, hurting other people. I want you to have a long and happy life and I want you to come here when you die."

Callisto stared at her mother.

"Did Aphrodite put you up to this?!" she demanded.

"Callisto…"

"I want Xena to suffer the way I did! So don't tell me how to run my life!"

Arleia stared at her daughter, sad. Callisto saw the look of pain in her mother's eyes and she immediately regretted what she had said.

"I'm sorry," she said and looked down, ashamed.

Arleia took her hand and caressed her. Callisto looked up and saw her mother smiling at her.

"I don't care about Xena, Callisto, I care about you. You're my daughter and I want you to be happy. I wish I could be with you, so I could help you, but I can't. I'm grateful to whoever had brought you here because we will never see each other again, unless you change your ways."

Callisto wanted to object again, but she suppressed her anger, knowing that her mother was right.

"I know it is hard on you, Callisto. I can hear your thoughts and I see your dreams and I know that you are hurt. I may be dead, but a part of me is still within your heart. I can't make your choices for you, Callisto, only you can decide what you want."

Callisto stared at her mother. She had missed her a lot before, but now that she sat here with her, she fully realized just how much that was. She sighed. Arleia caressed her again and Callisto put her hand over her mother's and held it pressed to her cheek, enjoying the sensation. Arleia smiled and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Callisto smiled back.

"Now that's much better," Arleia said and their smiles grew wider. "So, how about we go see your sister?"

Callisto's eyes brightened.

"Yes."

Finally, Aphrodite brought Callisto back. Xena noticed that there was something different about her.

"Well, girls, it was nice seeing you. Gotta run. Bye!" Aphrodite said and left.

"Won't you tie me?" Callisto asked Xena after a short pause and Xena noticed that she wasn't teasing her, but was serious.

"Would you let me?" she asked.

Callisto gave her a long look, thinking.

"I don't know," she said and Xena felt that she meant it. Then she gave Xena another long look. "Thank you," she said.

Xena and Gabrielle were both surprised by the apparent change in Callisto's behavior.

"You're welcome," Xena said.

Callisto considered what to do for a moment and then sat down. Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other, surprised.

"Is that food for me?" Callisto asked and pointed at the food.

"Yes," Xena said.

Callisto helped herself.

"Thank you," she said and started to eat.

She stared at the fire as she ate her dinner and thought. The reunion with her family was still fresh in her mind and in a long time she felt at peace and wasn't so sad anymore. She felt she was given a second chance and she decided not to waste it on revenge.

She looked at Xena and Gabrielle, who were quietly talking, and hoped she would one day have a friend like Gabrielle. She stared at the bard and searched for the right words to apologize. When Gabrielle suddenly looked at her, feeling her gaze, Callisto quickly looked away. She was surprised at her own reaction. She realized that she was ashamed. She was never ashamed, but today, shame seemed to be the feeling of the day. She looked back at Gabrielle and stared at her for a while, hesitating.

"Gabrielle," she finally said and both Gabrielle and Xena looked at her. "I'm sorry."

Gabrielle stared at the woman who had murdered her husband in cold blood the day before and had mocked her. She was surprised, but she could see no mocking in her eyes, only remorse and shame. The radical change in Callisto's behavior surprised her. She soon realized that the change was not only on the surface, but also inside, in Callisto's heart. She also knew that she had to let go of her own hatred or it would consume her like it did Callisto.

"I forgive you," she said and immediately felt a bit better, still sad, but better, free.

Callisto was surprised by Gabrielle's response, but she felt glad that she was forgiven, even if it was just for one murder.

"Thank you," she said.

Then she looked at Xena, the woman whom she herself had to forgive. She couldn't, not just yet, but she hoped that someday, she would. Then she looked back at the fire.

During the night, Xena could feel that Callisto wasn't sleeping and she stayed awake.

Callisto couldn't fall asleep for a long time and she kept thinking about the future. She knew that it was hard for Xena, but she at least had Gabrielle while she, Callisto, had no one. She knew it would be hard and it scared her a bit, but she was determined to succeed.

In the morning, they had a breakfast and after it Callisto planned to leave. When Xena suddenly got up and drew her sword and Gabrielle grabbed her staff, Callisto looked behind her and saw her army approaching. She smiled, they were coming to her rescue.

"Let me take care of them," she said as she got up.

Xena gave her a questioning look and then took a step back. Gabrielle followed her example.

When her army got closer, Theodorus ordered them to stop, confused to see Callisto free.

"Callisto?" he asked.

"Leave, Theodorus," Callisto ordered.

"But we came to rescue you."

"Do I look like I need rescuing?"

Theodorus glanced at Xena and Gabrielle.

"No."

"Well, then, I'm glad we cleared that up. I'm going on my own and I suggest you stay out of my way. I'm in the do-gooder business now."

Theodorus stared at her, baffled.

"Callisto?"

"You heard me. Leave."

Theodorus stared at her for a few moments, confused. Then he looked at Xena and Gabrielle and finally ordered retreat.

When they were gone, Callisto turned to Xena and Gabrielle, who were staring at her, surprised.

"Piece of cake," she said and flashed a smile. "Well, girls, it was nice meeting you again, but I gotta go now."

"Where will you go?" Gabrielle asked.

Callisto gave her a long look.

"I don't know. Somewhere where I can be alone. I need to think this over."

"Good luck."

"Thank you," Callisto said, flashed a smile and left.

"I'm glad she changed," Gabrielle said as they stared after Callisto.

"Yeah, me too," Xena said after a pause.

The End