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. 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. The character of Insanity is my own. This story is the continuation of my story The Birthday Wish. Oh, yes, those who hate, dislike or can't stand Joxer find something else to read.

Truths
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Two men were harassing a young woman and they were trying to rape her. The woman screamed for help while trying to get the two men off of her. The help soon arrived in the form of Joxer, who didn't like one bit what the two men were doing.

"Stop it, you two!" he commanded, wielding his sword.

The two men looked at him, surprised, and laughed.

"Get lost, clown," one of them said.

"I'm no clown, I'm Joxer the Mighty and I'll…"

"Get lost, you idiot, or I'll…"

"Or you'll what?" a female voice asked.

Everybody looked, surprised.

"Well, well, looked who joined the party."

"Yeah. She's even better than this peasant."

"Oh, Joxer, dear," the woman said, bored, "will you tell these two morons who I am?"

"Ca… Callisto."

"You're Callisto?"

"Mhm."

"Let's get her!"

Callisto didn't wait for the two. She cried her battle cry and jumped off her horse. It only took two punches and the two would-be rapists were lying on the ground unconscious. Callisto approached them and cut open their pants.

"Men," she said, disgusted.

She cut off their penises, threw them on the ground and squashed them with her foot. Then she took their pouches and turned to the girl.

"Are you all right?" she asked kindly.

The girl nodded, scared.

Callisto smiled.

"Here," she said and gave her one of the pouches, "go home."

The girl took the pouch hesitatingly, got up and ran away. Callisto got up and turned to Joxer.

"Hello, Joxer, long time no see. I see you're still wearing that stupid outfit. Still pretending to be a hero, are you?"

"I am a hero."

"You're a clown, Joxer, face it. You can't even kill me."

"I can't help it if you're better than me."

"Oh, really, hm?" She took his sword and put its tip on her breast. "Kill me," she said, "if you can."

"But…"

"You can't, can you?"

"I can't kill someone in cold blood."

"Excuses, excuses. Hmm. Would it help if I told you that I burned down Poteidaia?"

"You what?"

"Oh, yes, and I killed Gabrielle's sister, right in front of her eyes. After I tortured her, of course."

Joxer was horrified.

"Come on, Joxer, push. Push!"

"Is… Is that true what you told me?" he asked.

"Of course it is. Ask Gabrielle. Now, are you going to push or what?"

Joxer lowered his sword.

"You see? You can't kill. You're just like Gabrielle." She paused. "I suggest you dump that stupid armor of yours, get a wife, have children and live happily ever after."

Joxer was surprised.

"I can't do that," he said defiantly, "people count on my help."

"You can't even defeat a rabbit, Joxer, you're a coward and a clown. You wear a stupid outfit whose clinging is heard miles away and in which you can't even move. Your weapons are no threat to anybody but yourself and you'd sooner kill someone with your blabber than with them. The only reason you're still alive is because those you threaten find you too stupid to kill."

Joxer was insulted. Somewhere in the back of his mind some voice was telling him that Callisto was right, but he refused to listen.

"I'm Joxer the Mighty and…" he started but Callisto stopped him.

"You're Joxer the Stupid and you're annoying me. I don't understand how Xena and Gabrielle can stand you around. You're lucky that I have changed my view of the world or else you'd be dead."

"Hey, you can't talk to me like that," Joxer objected.

"Or what? You gonna kill me? I don't think so. You're too sissy to hurt anyone and as soon as someone shows you teeth, you run away. Your own stupidity gets you into trouble and gets you out of it again. Stop pretending you're a hero, because you're not. Accept what you are."

This conversation was really getting to Joxer. No one had ever spoken to him like that. He felt like crying, but he didn't want to cry in front of Callisto.

Callisto saw that she had really hurt Joxer. She actually felt sorry for the man and it annoyed her.

"You wanna be a hero?" she asked.

"I am…"

"You're not! Now, do you want to become one?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what will happen when you do? You will become a target. The bad guys would challenge you just because you'd be a hero and they could say: 'I killed him'. And believe me, dying is not a pleasant experience."

Joxer gulped. Callisto sure knew how to put things into perspective. But still, he wanted to be a hero.

"Do you still want to be a hero?" Callisto asked.

Joxer nodded, uncertain.

"Oh, boy. Some people never learn," Callisto said and shook her head. "Hmm," she said thoughtfully, just knowing that she will regret it, "I can teach you how to fight. If you want."

Joxer dropped his jaw, astonished.

"Ah, you?" he asked after he pulled himself together.

"Why not? I'm in the do-gooder business now and I might as well do something… good. Now, do you want me to or not?"

"Ah, yes."

"Okay. First of all you're gonna get rid of that junk you're wearing."

"But…"

"No buts. It looks stupid, it's too noisy and you can hardly move in it. If you want an armor, get a leather one." She circled around him. "And also, get rid of these silly weapons of yours, we'll get you a staff instead."

"A staff?" Joxer asked, sounding insulted.

"Yes, a staff. You can fight with it just as good as with a sword and you're not immediately considered a threat. Ask Gabrielle."

"But…"

"A, a, a. Trust me. You can try and sell that junk of yours to a blacksmith, maybe you can get a dinar or two."

"But…"

"Do you want me to teach you or not?"

"Yes."

"Then do as I tell you."

"Okay."

"Good boy." She put her arm around his shoulders. "Now, let's go to a village. You'll get rid of that junk and buy us some supplies. In the mean time I'll try to find a staff for you."

Callisto started to walk, leading her horse, and Joxer quickly followed her.

The next couple of months were a real hell for the poor Joxer the Not-So-Mighty-Anymore. He had sold his armor and weapons and Callisto got him a staff. He didn't like it at first, but when Callisto very effectively demonstrated its use on some local bandits and on Joxer himself, he decided that it wasn't so bad after all. And besides, it looked good.

So, Callisto taught him how to use his new weapon. But Callisto also demanded that he exercise and get into shape. She was amused by the fact that she could torture Joxer and do a good deed at the same time. The poor Joxer had to run like crazy while Callisto followed him on her horse, he had to do aerobic exercises while Callisto lay in the grass and scolded him for being lazy.

Finally, after what Joxer thought was an eternity, Callisto eased up the tempo. She had to admit it, despite being an idiot that he was, Joxer was an eager learner. He even stopped boasting, thanks to the fact that Callisto kept on yelling at him not let the skill get to his head, graphically describing to him the bad sides of being a hero, especially if you have an arch-enemy like her. Joxer, having seen the bad side of her, believed her and tried to adapt.

Callisto then decided that it was time for a test of his skills. Joxer, having matured a bit, was a bit uncertain, but Callisto told him that he can do it. So he did it. Callisto tracked down some local bandits, waited until they attacked some travelers and then sent Joxer into action. Joxer attacked.

Xena and Gabrielle were slowly walking down the road, because Argo had damaged her forward left hoof. They were laughing at some joke Gabrielle had told when they suddenly saw a fight. They immediately ran to help.

When they got a bit closer, they both stopped and dropped their jaws, astonished.

"Ah, Xena, is that who I think it is?" Gabrielle asked.

"I… I think so," Xena said, not believing her eyes.

"He's… He's…"

"Different," Xena finished.

"Aha."

"Come, let's help him."

They both ran to the scene and helped Joxer defeat the bandits.

"Hello, Gabrielle, Xena," Joxer said when the bandits retreated.

"Hello, Joxer," Xena said while Gabrielle stared at him.

"You're…" Gabrielle started.

"Different…" Xena helped her out.

"Yes," Gabrielle agreed. "Where's your armor and your weapons?"

"I sold them."

"You have?" Gabrielle was surprised. "Why?"

"Well, Callisto said…"

"Callisto?!" Xena and Gabrielle asked in unison.

"Yes."

"Where is she?" Gabrielle asked.

Joxer looked around.

"I don't know. She said she'd be watching and come when I defeat the bandits."

"You mean she was here?" Xena asked.

"Of course."

"What do you mean, of course?" Gabrielle asked.

"Well, this fight was supposed to be a test of my skills and…"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you trying to tell us that Callisto has been teaching you how to fight?" Xena asked, having a bad feeling.

"Yes."

"What?!" Gabrielle was upset. "How can you be with her?! She's a monster!"

"The same way you could with Xena," Joxer said defensively, but quickly regret it. "Ah, I'm sorry."

"No, you're right, Joxer," Xena said and turned to Gabrielle. "He's right, Gabrielle. You gave me a chance and Joxer is giving Callisto one."

Gabrielle didn't respond. She knew Xena and Joxer were right, but she still hated Callisto.

"Where is she now?" Xena asked.

"I don't know. She said she'd come when I'd defeat the bandits. I think she might be avoiding… Xena?"

Xena was looking into the forest. Joxer looked and saw Callisto approaching.

"Hello, Xena, Gabrielle," Callisto said sweetly when she got close enough. "Well done, Joxer," she told the would-be hero. "It could be better, though."

"Ah, thank you," Joxer said, feeling like he was in no-man's-land.

Callisto turned to Xena.

"With a little more practice he might be able to beat your little pet," she said and glanced at Gabrielle, "don't you think?"

Both Xena and Gabrielle stared at her angrily.

"Oh, you're just no fun. Why don't you join us in our camp for the night?" Callisto asked merrily and dismounted.

She led her horse to the camp, not waiting for the others.

"Ah, you want to join us?" Joxer asked, hesitatingly.

Gabrielle and Xena looked at each other.

"Okay," Xena said and they followed Callisto.

When they got to the camp, Callisto was already lying on the ground, thinking. She ignored them as they silently sat down. They sat there quietly for a while and then Callisto left.

"Where did she go?" Xena asked Joxer.

"I don't know."

"Do you think she might have gone hunting?"

"No, we have food."

They were silent for a while.

"I'll get us some food, Gabrielle," Xena finally said.

Gabrielle nodded and Xena left.

"Are you okay?" Joxer asked Gabrielle after Xena was gone.

Gabrielle nodded.

"I'll take a bath," she said and left.

Joxer sat alone by the fire, feeling like everybody was running away from him.

Callisto was in the pond, bathing, when she heard that someone was approaching. She stopped moving and listened. Finally, she saw that it was Gabrielle.

"Hello, Gabrielle," she said and Gabrielle stopped, not sure how to react. "Oh, come now, don't be a stranger. Why don't you join me, hm? I won't bite you." Gabrielle still hesitated. "Oh, well, suit yourself," said and turned around.

Gabrielle stared at her back for a while and finally undressed and stepped into the water. Callisto turned.

"Well, well, you decided to join me after all, hm? Aren't you afraid that I might hurt you, little Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle gulped, but didn't respond.

"Cat got your tongue?" Callisto teased her. "Oh, you aren't still mad at me for killing your sister, are you?"

Gabrielle looked at her angrily.

"You are!" Callisto said excitedly. "Good," she added, satisfied. "It hurts, doesn't it?" she asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, Callisto, it hurts," Gabrielle said quietly.

"Of course it does," Callisto said. "Do you hate me?" she asked innocently.

Gabrielle stared at her for a while, thinking about her feelings.

"Yes, Callisto, I hate you, but now I know what you must have felt like."

"You know nothing!! You have no idea how I felt! I was little and I had no idea what was going on or why! I was alone! You are grown up and you know damn well what is going on and why! My family was killed for no reason, your sister was killed for a reason. So don't tell me that you know how I felt, because you don't!"

Gabrielle gulped and they were quiet for a while.

Finally, Gabrielle spoke.

"Callisto?"

Callisto looked up.

"What?"

"I was wondering. Why are you helping Joxer?"

Callisto laughed.

"Jealous, are we? Upset maybe that I'm doing something what neither of you two hypocrites would do? Well, let me tell you why. He reminds me of Insanity." She paused. "You do too, sometimes, when you're not being so hypocritical," she added thoughtfully.

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

"You know some time ago, when I was scouting a village, I met several people, two of them were little girls. One of them was not too bright, but she was pretty and could make friends with anyone. The people liked her and she was like a queen. The other girl, however, had lost her family, probably killed by me, and was living with her uncle, who was a drunk. She was bright and quite pretty, but she was not easy to get around with. The people despised her and mostly ignored her. I guess I don't have to tell you that the first was rich and the second poor. Anyway, when I attacked that village, everybody ran for their lives while the poor girl tried to hide her drunk uncle. The rich girl got killed by her own friends when she fell and they walked all over her. That's hypocrisy, Gabrielle. Oh, I let the poor girl and her uncle live."

Callisto then submerged and left Gabrielle to her thoughts.

Suddenly Callisto resurfaced behind Gabrielle and put a dagger on Gabrielle's throat. Gabrielle gasped, surprised.

"What are you doing, Callisto?" she asked, afraid. "I thought you've changed."

"Changed?" Callisto laughed. "No, I haven't changed. I might be in the do-gooder business now, but not for the reasons you think. I don't care about those petty selfish villagers, nor do I care about being a hero or redeeming myself. I'm doing this because it makes my daughter happy. And if she's happy, then I'm happy. This is the new goal in my life. And if something were to happen to her, then the things I have done so far will look like child's play in comparison to what I will do."

Gabrielle gulped.

"Tell me, Gabrielle, what would Xena do if I killed you now? Do you think she would return to the old ways, trying to hurt me, hm?"

"Callisto, please, don't."

"You're begging for your life?"

"I don't want Xena to return to her old ways."

"How noble of you, you would live for her, but would you die for her?"

"Yes, Callisto, I would," Gabrielle said, determined.

Callisto believed her.

"Yes, I guess you would. Tell me, would you die for me?"

Gabrielle was astonished.

"Would you?" Callisto asked again.

"I… I… I…"

"Well?" Callisto demanded, losing her patience.

"I don't know," Gabrielle said, surprised at herself.

Callisto was also surprised and she let her go.

"Callisto," Xena said, having returned from the hunt, and took her sword.

Callisto turned.

"Hi, Xena," she said in a happy voice. "I gotta tell you, your little pet is really something," she said and got out of the water.

Xena moved aside.

"Are you okay, Gabrielle?" she asked.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes."

Xena and Gabrielle both watched as Callisto dressed herself.

"Well," Callisto said when she was dressed again, "I'll leave you two alone."

Xena and Gabrielle watched her leave.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Xena asked again.

"Yes," Gabrielle confirmed and changed the subject. "Have you caught anything?"

"Yes, I have. I'll just take a quick bath and then I'll go make us dinner."

Gabrielle nodded, and Xena undressed.

Back at the fire, Joxer was bored. No one seemed to care about him. Not really, anyway. Xena and Gabrielle considered him a friend, but they found him annoying. Callisto was fond of him for some peculiar reason and she openly told him that he was an idiot. It seemed to Joxer that Callisto was actually the closest thing he had to a real friend.

"Hi, Joxer," Callisto said as she sat down.

"Hello, Callisto. Gabrielle went to the pond and Xena just went after her."

"Yes, I know."

"Oh."

"Anyway, why are you trying to be a hero?"

"I don't know, it makes me feel good."

"Being a hero?"

"No, helping people."

"Oh." Yes, I guess it does, she thought and shook her head. "But do you have to be a hero? I mean, do you want fame and glory?"

Joxer was confused.

"I thought that comes with being a hero."

"With being a hero, not with helping people."

"Oh." He thought. "Well, it makes me feel even better."

Callisto shook her head and dropped the subject. She lay back and thought.

Xena and Gabrielle soon came. They were both quiet. Gabrielle prepared the animal Xena caught, they ate it and then lay down. Joxer quietly observed them. He felt that something was not right, but he decided not to ask.

During the night, Gabrielle could hardly sleep. The conversation with Callisto was still on her mind and it was all so confusing. She felt that she was being hypocritical at times and she decided that she would change that.

Toward the morning, Gabrielle heard muffled voices coming from Callisto. She looked at her and listened. It was a nightmare Callisto was having and Gabrielle soon realized what it was about. Cirra. She listened to Callisto calling out to her mother and she even noticed tears on Callisto's cheeks. Gabrielle knew now that Callisto had been hurt a thousand times more by Xena that she had been by Callisto. She silently cried.

Finally, Callisto woke up with the scream. Xena and Joxer woke up and Xena had her sword ready. All three were shocked by the scream, but Joxer, who had heard it before, lay back. Callisto noticed that she was being watched. She threw a hateful glance at Xena and Gabrielle and left.

Xena looked at Gabrielle and noticed that she had been crying.

"Why were you crying?" she asked.

"Instead of Callisto," Gabrielle said.

Xena was confused.

"I know now that she has been hurt a thousand times more by you that I have been by her."

Gabrielle lay down again and turned her back to Xena. Xena stared at her for a few moments, confused, and then also lay down.

Callisto went to the pond. She stopped on the shore for a few moments and then kneeled. She submerged her head into the cold water and screamed.

After breakfast, she mounted her horse.

"I'll be seeing you, Joxer," Callisto said. "If you're still alive," she added wickedly.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business. Bye, Xena. Bye, Gabrielle."

She turned her horse and almost rode away, but stopped. She turned back.

"Do you wanna come with me?" she asked Joxer.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"Okay."

Joxer got up and grabbed his gear.

"Bye, Xena, bye Gabrielle."

"Good bye, Joxer," Xena said.

"Be careful," Gabrielle said.

"I will."

Xena and Gabrielle silently watched as Callisto and Joxer left.

Callisto and Joxer were traveling for several hours when they suddenly noticed smoke coming from a near-by village. Callisto saw from afar that these weren't just some local bandits but an organized army. She mounted her horse.

"Stay here and be out of sight," she told Joxer.

"No, I want to…"

"These aren't just some local bandits but an organized army and you're not good enough yet to fight them, especially with so many of them and so few of us."

"No, Callisto, I'll help you."

"Gods," Callisto said, annoyed. "Well, it's your life," she told him and rode to the village.

Joxer followed her.

In the village, some people were putting up a defense, but the more experienced warriors easily defeated them. Callisto rode to a group of warriors, stopped her horse and somersaulted straight into the group, screaming her battle cry. She spinned around and slay five men. Before others finally pulled themselves together, Callisto managed to kill four more.

Finally, the warriors fought back. Callisto jumped and rolled and spinned among them, sometimes just avoiding being hit and sometimes killing a warrior.

Joxer soon arrived to the village and fought his way to Callisto, who nearly killed him.

"Oh, it's you," she said and kicked his stick, hitting a warrior in the chin. "Be careful."

Callisto noticed that some warriors were still harassing the villagers. She threw her chakram an killed three of them and disarmed two more. The rest of the warriors now joined their comrades in the fight against Callisto.

"Joxer, when I tell you to duck, duck immediately, do you understand?"

"Yes, Callisto."

Callisto threw her chakram.

"Duck!"

Joxer dropped on the ground and the chakram flew through the air where his neck was a moment ago and killed two soldiers and wounded five. While the chakram flew around, Callisto used the confusion and killed three more soldiers.

Xena and Gabrielle were going the same way that Callisto and Joxer took and they weren't far behind.

"Look, Xena, smoke," Gabrielle said and pointed toward the village.

"Let's go," Xena said and mounted Argo.

Then she helped Gabrielle up and they rode to the village.

"Look!" Gabrielle suddenly said and pointed ahead. "Is that Callisto?"

"Yes."

"Who is she fighting?"

"The bad guys."

"Look, there's Joxer."

"I see him. Get down."

Gabrielle slid down and ran while Xena rode ahead. Suddenly Xena stopped Argo and somersaulted, screaming her battle cry.

"Hello, Xena, nice of you to drop by," Callisto said, kicking a warrior in the face and slitting another one's neck. "Hi, Gabrielle!" she called to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle glanced at her and went to Joxer.

"Hello, Joxer."

"Hello, Gabrielle."

The warlord finally decided that things were not going too well and he blew his horn. Not long after that several archers came running into the village and the warlord gave them instructions.

Xena noticed the archers and she saw that they were aiming for Callisto. She threw her chakram, but it was too late, the archers had already fired.

Gabrielle also noticed the archers and their target.

"Callisto!" she warned her and ran to her.

Callisto turned, ready, to defend herself. Gabrielle rammed her, but it was too late and they both fell down, hit. Gabrielle had three arrows in the back and Callisto one in the throat. She was gasping for air.

"Gabrielle!" Xena cried and Joxer in unison and moved toward her.

Suddenly Insanity appeared, invisible to all.

"Mama!" she said, worried.

"Gabrielle," Xena said and touched her friend's pulse.

"She will be okay," Insanity said as she put her hands on Callisto and Gabrielle.

"Insanity?" Xena asked, confused.

"Xena, watch out!" Joxer called.

Xena turned and parried the hit and returned to the fight. In the meantime, Insanity concentrated. The arrows slowly disappeared and the wounds started to heal.

When the wounds were gone, Callisto pushed away Gabrielle and hugged her daughter.

"Oh, Mama," Insanity said, crying.

"Thank you, sweetie," Callisto said. "Why…"

Callisto noticed that the archers were aiming at Xena. She got up and ran to Xena. She rammed her and felt that someone in turn rammed her. On the ground she turned around.

"Joxer!" she said, surprised.

Insanity quickly came. She kneeled beside Joxer and concentrated. As with Callisto and Gabrielle before, the arrows disappeared and the wounds healed.

"Thank you, Insanity," Callisto said and caressed her daughter, smiling. "Why don't you go away for a few minutes. I'll call you when we're done here."

"Okay. Be careful, Mama," Insanity said and vanished.

Callisto got up and returned to the fight. She was especially angry at the archers.

Gabrielle moaned as sat and so did Joxer.

"Gabrielle?" Xena asked when she noticed that her friend had sat up.

"Xena?" Gabrielle said and looked up. "What happened?"

"You tried to save Callisto, but you were both hit. Insanity healed you."

"Insanity?" Gabrielle asked and looked around. "Where is she?"

"I don't know. She left."

"Oh."

Xena quickly threw her chakram and killed a warrior who was trying to get to Gabrielle. Then she went to Joxer.

"What happened to Joxer?" Gabrielle asked when she noticed him.

"He and Callisto both tried to save my life and he got hit."

Gabrielle was surprised.

"Is he okay?"

"I think so. Insanity healed him."

"Oh."

Gabrielle got up and returned to the fight.

"Joxer, are you all right?" Xena asked the would-be hero as he sat up.

"Ah?" Joxer asked confused. "Oh, I think so," he said when he remembered what happened.

"Good. Oh, thank you for saving my life."

"Oh, no problem."

Xena helped Joxer up.

"Wasn't I hit?" he asked.

"I'll explain later."

"Okay."

When the warlord saw that Callisto, Gabrielle and Joxer had all survived, he decided that the gods were not with him and he ordered retreat. As the warriors were leaving, Callisto called Insanity.

"It's over, sweetie," she said and caressed her. "I was just on my way to visit you, so I'll go now and I'll see you in a couple of days."

"Okay, Mama."

Callisto smiled and Insanity went to Joxer, who had quite a few wounds on his body. She touched him and the wounds started to disappear. Joxer stared at his body, astonished.

"Hey, did you just see that?" he asked. "My wounds just disappeared."

"I know," Xena said whose bruises Insanity healed next. "It was Insanity."

"Insanity?" Joxer asked, confused. "What is that?"

"Not what, who. Ask Callisto."

"Okay," Joxer said and went to Callisto, who was standing near by, staring at Gabrielle.

Xena turned to Gabrielle.

"Are you okay?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Callisto?" Joxer asked when he got to her.

Callisto slowly turned her head.

"Mmm?"

"Ah, who is Insanity?"

Callisto stared at him for a few moments before answering.

"My daughter."

Joxer was astonished.

"Your daughter?" he asked, confused.

"Don't ask," Callisto said and went to her horse.

Joxer stared after her and then followed her.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Callisto said when she got to her horse.

"Ah, I want to."

"Whatever."

"Can I just say good-bye to Xena and Gabrielle?"

"Yes. I'll wait for you outside the village."

"Okay," Joxer said and went to Xena and Gabrielle.

Callisto mounted her horse. She checked on Insanity and smiled. Then she glanced at Gabrielle and the smile faded. She left, confused.

"Aren't you going with her?" Gabrielle asked when Joxer got to them.

"I am, but I just came to say good-bye."

"Oh."

"Well, good-bye."

"Bye, Joxer."

"Bye, Joxer."

Joxer left, and then a villager slowly approached.

"Ah, are you Xena?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Thank you for helping us. Is there anything we can do for you?"

Xena looked at Gabrielle.

"A decent meal would do us good," Gabrielle said.

"Yes," agreed Xena.

"No problem. I'll take care of that immediately. Oh, who was that man?"

"Joxer."

"And the woman?"

"Callisto."

"Callisto?" the man asked, astonished. "The Warrior Queen?"

"Yes."

"I thought she was evil."

"Well…" Xena said, not sure whether to concur or deny it.

"She has changed," Gabrielle said.

"Oh," the man said and left.

Outside the village, Callisto stopped the horse and waited for Joxer. She thought about what had happened in the village. It was so confusing that she screamed, frustrated. On one hand, she was glad that Gabrielle had tried to save her, not just for her own sake but also for Gabrielle's. She quite liked the young woman in her own way. On the other hand, however, she was angry because Gabrielle apparently didn't hate her and to Callisto that meant that her past life was in vain if she was forgiven. It also disturbed her that she, Callisto, had tried to save Xena's life. Xena's of all people! And then there was Joxer. She knew that although he seemed to be an idiot and mostly acted like one, he had a good heart. She was surprised, however, that he had the guts to throw himself in the path of the arrows. Maybe there was hope for him after all.

Finally, Joxer arrived and interrupted her thinking. She took a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "I heard a scream."

"I'm fine. You ready?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go."

After the meal, Xena and Gabrielle were on their way again. They were quiet for most of the time.

"Gabrielle?" Xena finally broke the silence.

"Mmm?"

"Why did you save Callisto's life?"

Gabrielle thought.

"I'm not sure. Instinct, I guess."

"Oh."

Not far from the village Callisto's horse tripped and hurt its ankle.

"Shall we go back to the village?"

"No, we'll go to the next one."

"But it's so far away and the horse…"

"I know. We'll walk slower."

"Oh. Okay."

It was getting dark when Callisto and Joxer got to the village. There was only one inn in the village and Callisto sent Joxer in to rent them a room. In the meantime, Callisto took care of the horse.

Joxer soon came out.

"Ah, Callisto."

"Yes?"

"They only have one room free."

"So?"

"It's a family room and I'm not sure we can afford it."

"Do we have enough money to rent it?"

"Yes."

"Then rent it."

"Okay."

Joxer went back into the inn.

Xena and Gabrielle were not far behind Callisto and Joxer and they soon got to the same village.

"Xena, isn't that Callisto's horse?"

"Where?"

"There."

Xena looked.

"Yes, I think so."

"Is that the only inn?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll get us a…"

"What is it?"

"Callisto."

Xena looked and saw Callisto taking care of her horse's ankle.

"I'll get us a room," Gabrielle said and went into the inn.

Callisto heard them approached and she looked up.

"Hello, Callisto," Xena said.

"Hi," Callisto said and returned to her work.

"Where is Joxer?"

"Renting a room."

"Oh."

Inside, Joxer just rented the room and was returning to Callisto when he bumped into Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle!"

"Joxer!"

"What are you doing here?"

"We're passing through."

"Oh."

Joxer went out and Gabrielle went to the innkeeper.

"I'd like to rent a room for two for the night."

"Sorry, we're out. Oh, that friend of yours hired the last one. It's a family room and it has two more free beds."

"Oh."

Gabrielle went back out.

"Ah, Xena, they don't have any more free rooms."

"Ours has two more free beds," Joxer offered.

The three women looked at him.

Gabrielle then looked at Xena and Xena at Callisto.

"You pay half the price," Callisto said and returned back to work.

Xena looked at Gabrielle and nodded.

"Come, Joxer," Gabrielle said and they left.

Xena started grooming Argo. Callisto stopped working and watched her for a while.

"Xena."

"Yes?"

"Can you take a look at my horse's ankle? Please."

Xena rose her eyebrows and took a look.

"Hmm. I can take care of it later, if you want."

"Yes."

"Okay. It will be okay by tomorrow."

"Thank you," murmured Callisto and went into the inn.

In the inn, Gabrielle and Joxer were having dinner together. Callisto wasn't so hungry and she just asked Joxer where the room was. Joxer told her and she left.

"She's much nicer," Gabrielle said.

"Aha," Joxer agreed. "You should have heard how she scolded me at the beginning."

"Why did you stay with her?"

"She offered to teach me how to fight. As you remember I wanted to be a hero."

Gabrielle smiled.

"Yes. And now?"

"I don't know," Joxer said. "I kinda like her. She can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but she behaves."

Gabrielle laughed.

"You've changed too," she said after a pause. "You're more mature now."

"Well, I guess."

After the dinner they went to Xena.

"Hey, aren't you hungry?" Gabrielle asked.

"I am. I have to take care of Callisto's horse while there's still some light."

"Oh."

"Joxer, you wanna watch and learn?"

"Ah, sure."

"I'll go to the room," Gabrielle said.

"Are you sure?" Xena asked.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay."

Gabrielle left.

In the room, Callisto was laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking. She had taken off her boots and her weapons lay beside her. Suddenly she heard that someone came to the door and stopped. She knew it was Gabrielle.

Gabrielle finally entered and quietly closed the door. She went to a bed and took off her boots. She stared at Callisto for a few moments and then took an empty scroll and started to write.

They were both quiet for a while and then Callisto turned. She stared at Gabrielle, hesitating. Finally, she spoke.

"Gabrielle."

Gabrielle looked up.

"Yes?"

"Why did you try to save me?"

"I'm not sure, I just reacted."

"But you hate me."

Gabrielle thought.

"No," she said, "I don't hate you, I hate what you do. Did."

"Oh… How come you changed your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

"When we were bathing in the pond yesterday you said that you hated me."

"Oh. Yes, I did."

"So why did you change your mind?"

"Because I heard you talk I your dream, I heard your scream and I saw the look in your eyes when you woke up. You were hurt far more by Xena than I was by you. You were also alone, while I had Xena."

"I see… Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"

"For a while I wanted to but when I was about to impale you I recalled something I told Xena, I remembered something Perdicas told me and I recalled Xena's prayer. I realized that I was about to become like you and I didn't want that."

"But you have killed after all."

Gabrielle looked down, ashamed.

"Yes," she muttered.

"How did it feel taking someone's life?"

"It was worse than watching you kill Perdicas and Lila," Gabrielle said quietly and dried her tears.

They were quiet for a while.

"I'm glad you and Insanity made up," Gabrielle finally said.

"Yeah, me too."

Another pause.

"Gabrielle," Callisto finally said, hesitating.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Gabrielle was surprised. She stared at Callisto, who lay back and continued to stare at the ceiling. She had a feeling that Callisto liked her, but was reluctant to show it. She decided to find out.

"Callisto?"

"Mmm?" Callisto murmured, staring at the ceiling.

"Why did you hurt me?"

Callisto turned.

"Because I hated Xena more than I liked you. It was nothing personal… I'm… sorry," she added quietly and lay back.

Gabrielle was a surprised, but she knew now that Callisto liked her. It felt strange to be liked by someone like Callisto. She thought about Xena liking her and realized that it was different. Xena had been trying to change and she hasn't hurt her while Callisto wasn't trying to change and she had hurt her. She was glad that Callisto wasn't trying to hurt Xena anymore and that she had found someone whom she can love again and who loves her back. She sighed and returned to the scroll. She stared at it for a while and then took a new one. She decided to write Callisto's Tale.

The End