Once I found Xena, I was better. The pain went away.  I stopped crying. I

still wish I had told her the truth. Even though it is long gone and she

forgives me, I still wish I had told her at the right time. What am I

complaining about? Oh, Hope. When she was born. Why did I let her live? I

don't know. Zeus, the pain. Years and years later and I still feel it. I

feel the pain of letting her live. She was young and vulnerable and I loved

her+ACE- Why. Why me. Because I killed? Because I wasn't innocent anymore? Yet,

I think. Me, peace maker, Gabrielle, Bard, not warrior, and I end up with a

man like........what can I use that explains it the right way.....The Devil.

Xena: Are you alright, now?

Me (wiping my tears): Better. A little.

Xena: Don't worry. Hope isn't going to bother us. She's dead. Her child

killed her, Gabrielle.

Me: Well, I know that. But, it's just...I don't understand why it had to

happen to me.

Xena: Honestly, I don't know. We'll talk later. Okay?

Me: Okay. I'm sorry I pulled you out of that meeting, Xena. It's just that I

couldn't find you anywhere.

Xena: Don't worry. There will be others. For now, just get some sleep.

Me: But it's early.

Xena: I need to go somewhere and I want you to stay here. You'll fall asleep

anyway. It's better if you get a head start, it might be good for you.

Me: I'll try.

Xena: Good. Bye.

Me: Where are you going?

Xena: Out.

I nodded. I know when to stop asking questions when she doesn't give me a

straight answer. She left and I sat down on a tree stump inside the cave we

were camping in for a couple of days. I cried. Well, I didn't really cry, I

weeped. Whined. You know, moaned. Okay, okay, I bawled my eyes out. I'm

actually lucky I didn't have rings under my eyes that night. I finally

stopped crying and went inside to sleep. There she was. The bright light to

cheer up my day. Callisto+ACE- On top of hell arising, I forgot to tell you

Callisto's hanging around with us. Which is better than her remembering us,

as far as I know. Callisto has amnesia, thank Zeus. She doesn't know who we

are.  She forgot all she possibly could remember. Like, Xena burning down

her village. Since she doesn't remember that, she's not against us. She's

under the impression that her, Xena and I have been friends for a long time.

We go along with it so we don't start another never-ending war. So, she

stood there. Looking at me. Smiling...Ugh+ACE-

Callisto: Hey buddy. Where's Zee?

Me: Zee?

Call: Xena's new nickname.

Me: Whatever. Zee -Xena- went out for a bit.

Call: Where?

    Did I mention Callisto is very talkative now? She wants to know

everything.

Me: How should I know? She's keeping another secret.

Call: Do I sense tension?

Me: Well,

Call: C'mon, Gabster, Let it out.

Me: Gabster?

Call: Nickname.

Me: I don't think so...

Call: Nick's are besides the point now. What's wrong?

Me: Nothing.

Call: Come on+ACE- You have to speak up if you want help, Gabby.

    Oh Yeah+ACE- She thinks she's a counselor. Always trying to help more. Hey,

she's improved, huh?

Me: It's just...

I sat down.

Me: It's just that there is this girl, she's dead but on my nerves.

Call: What's her name?

Me: Hope.

Call: Whoa. Flashbacks. I just got a picture of you in a dark cave. You

looked like yourself, but I could see evil in your eyes.

Me: That wasn't me, that was Hope.

Call: She looks like you.

Me: She should, she's my daughter.

Call: You had a daughter?

Me: Yeah. You two were pretty close.

Call: Friends?

Me: Not for long. She joined up with Ares and you joined us.

Call: Wouldn't I have already been with you?

Me: Oh yeah+ACE- I mean....

Call: I was evil wasn't I.

Me: No+ACE-

Call: Don't lie. I see the truth in your eyes. You hate me. You don't like

my presence around you. It all adds up, Gabrielle. It all adds up.

Me: But Callisto...

Call: Gabby, I'm sorry. I was with Hope, wasn't I? And fighting with Ares or

something and when she joined Ares...I came back to you?+ACE-

Me: Exactly+ACEAIQ- We've been friends for the longest time, then we got into a

big fight so you joined Hope. When she joined Ares, you couldn't bare the

badness any longer and came back.

Call: Then how did I end up in Tartarus?

Me: You've been getting alot of flashbacks, haven't you?

Call: Quite a few, yes.

Me: Hope killed you and Xena got you out and we all became friends again.

Call: Was the fight because I killed Perdicas?

Me: Mother of Zeus...No+ACE- Do you remember all of your past?

Call: Vaguely.

Me: Alright. Do you remember what Perdicas was to me?

Call: No. I just know I killed him. He looked innocent and I assumed

Perdicas was your friend or whatever.

I sighed.

Me: Perdicas was a fierce warlord who was indeed to be killed eventually.

Call: Stop lying.

Me: Alright, Alright, he was my husband.

Call: I knew it+ACE- I really was a bad person, right? Please tell me the truth,

Gabrielle...Please.

Me: Alright.

    I regret it, but Callisto and I sat down on our blankets, since it was

getting late, and had our first, real conversation. I told her everything.

Everything and more. I even told her about Xena burning down her village.

She didn't care much since she didn't remember her family. I read her my

scrolls. Everyone that includes her. From, +ACI-Callisto+ACI- to +ACI-The Sacrifice Part

Two+ACI-. The night dragged on. She kept asking me to forgive her. I kept

stalling. She kept noticing. I kept reading. She kept listening. I kept

talking. She kept laughing. It was a night that could never be replaced.

Talking with a friend. I mean, it was probably the last night we'd have a

conversation. Whether she changed her life or went back to hatred. That was

probably the last night we'd ever actually sit and talk. Finally, she closed

her eyes and fell asleep. I stayed up a little longer. I thought about where

Xena had gone. I wondered if she went to find a new place to sleep for

tomorrow, or a place to eat, or somewhere else. I started to have bad

feelings come over me. Bad memories...and I started to wonder, maybe Hypnos

was playing with my mind. But I wasn't sleeping? Callisto was out of the

picture. Zeus? Now, why would he? Then it hit me. I started to scream. But I

was screaming inside. It felt like I was screaming on the outside. But I

didn't draw attention and Callisto remained sound asleep. It was certain

that the fear was inside. Inside, I cried.

     +ACI-Go Away.+ACI- I thought. +ACI-Leave me alone. Go back to Tartarus, Hope+ACEAIg-. I

finally knew where Xena had gone. She went to find my daughter. My enemy. My

past. My forgotten. She must have wanted to make sure that Hope was gone for

good. Which she wasn't...Soon, Xena came in on Argo. Some kind of bag was

hanging from the saddle.

Me: What's that?

Xena: We'll talk tomorrow.

Me: No we will not+ACE- What's in the bag, Xena?

Xena: Do you really want to find out?

Me: Good point.

Xena: Good night.

Me: Night.

    I was still screaming, crying, fearing all kinds, noises. The slightest

noise awoke me. The sound of rain tapping against the mud outside. I finally

started to cry. Real tears, real sobbing. A good cry. I can say one good

thing, though..I felt much better in the morning...until I saw what was in

Xena's bag.

Me: EEEYYYUUUWWW+ACEAIQAhACEAIQAhACEAIQAh- Disgusting+ACE-

Call: Yuck, okay? Yuck. That was totally UN-CALLED for+ACE-

Xena: Hey, I wasn't the one complaining about having nothing to

eat...Callisto.

Call: I was hungry, okay? Lay off me+ACE-

Xena: Well, part of it's your fault, Callisto.

Me: And the other part?

Xena: 'Xena? How come we're so short of food, lately? I'm hungry+ACE-' Puh-leez

Gabrielle.

Call: Yeah, okay, Xena. We complained...but dead rabbits? COME ON+ACEAIQAhACEAIQ-

Me: Uh, Callisto? You forgot the few deer parts she threw in there.

Call: Excuse, me.

Callisto ran to the back of the cave covering her mouth. I followed and did

the same.

Xena: What?

We came back out. Xena was not there. So the two went outside. She wasn't

there either.

Me: Thank the Gods+ACE-

Call: Whew.

Me: Finally.

Call: Finally I can complain+ACE- What's with her taste in foods?

Me: I know+ACE-

Call: Disgusting.

Me: Sickening. She warned me last night. But I couldn't listen, could I?

Call: If she warned you, why didn't you warn me?

Me: Well, Zeus+ACE- She didn't tell me what was in it.

Callisto laughed. Then she got up breathed, looked at me, smiled, and went

inside. I stayed out a while.

Me (to myself): Pretty, pretty leaves. Pretty, pretty autumn day. Pretty,

pretty---

Ares: Oh Shut-up+ACE-

I turned around just as Ares turned around also and went into the cave.

Me (to myself): To make my day perfect. Right?

I walked inside, just to find Ares looking around. I guess he was looking

for something...or someone. I tried to sound like a clerk.

Me: May I help you?

Ares: Huh? Oh, you. Yeah. Where is everyone?

Me: Oh. Oh? OH+ACE- I'm sorry. We don't help cold-blooded murder Gods in here.

You'll have to leave.

Ares: Shut-up.

Me: What do you want, anyway?

Ares: I want to know where everyone is.

Me: I don't know where anyone is. Bye...

I expected him to disappear or something.

Ares: Bye...

He expected me to leave? Ha+ACE-

Me: So long.

I'll show him+ACE-

Ares: Adios.

This isn't working. Time to prove my point.

Me: Would you please leave, already?

Ares: Me? I thought you were leaving.

Okay+ACE- This will not go my way, will it?

Me: I am.

I walked back outside and sat down.

Me (to myself): Pretty, pretty soil. Pret---

Ares (from heard inside the cave): SHUT-UP ALREADY+ACEAIQAhACEAIQAhACE-

I sighed. I sighed and waited. Then I went back inside, completely ignored

Ares and  walked to the back of the cave. Hey+ACE- There was Callisto. Well, it

was her, but she was curled up in a ball on the floor.

Me: Get up+ACE- What's wrong with you?

Call: Is it him? He's here? Tell him to go away+ACE-

Me: Callisto, Callisto, Callisto. Are you afraid of him or something?

Call: Shouldn't I be?

Me: No+ACE- You hate him, but your not scared of him.

Call: Oh. You gotta help me. I don't know what to do.

Me: Huh?

Call: I have to make him think I remember everything.

Me: I told you everything last night. And he knows you have amnesia.

Call: What if he makes me think I had a whole different past?

Me: C'mon, Callisto. Are you going to believe him?

Call: Guess not.

Me: Alright then. Get up.

Callisto got up.

Me: Stand up straight. Where's Xena?

Call: Last I saw her...I was coming inside and she was in the back.

Me: Okay. I'm gong to go find her.

Soon then, Ares walked into the room.

Call: Hello, sir.

I nudged her in the side and cleared my throat.

Call: I mean, Hello, Ares?

Me: I'll be right back.

Ares: Well, hello.....Diena?

Call: It's Callisto.

Ares: So, do you remember the time you got Xena stuck in quicksand and let

her die?

Call: The other way around, Bucko.

Ares: They taught you more than I thought.

Call: What do you want, anyway?

Ares: I'm looking for everyone.

Call: Well, you found two of us...Now get lost+ACE-

Ares: No+ACE-

I finally walked in from listening in the other room.

Me: Okay, okay+ACE- Enough. (to myself) When their together, nothing's changed.

Anyway+ACE- If you guys can't behave, you'll have to come with me.

Ares: Yeah, right.

Call: Fine.

Ares: Whaaa? Your actually listening to her?

Call: Leave me alone.

We walked to the back of the cave where Xena was folding blankets and stuff.

Me: How'd you make it back here without us noticing?

Xena looked up at me, Callisto, and Ares.

Xena: Us?

Me: Callisto and I.

Xena told us with her hands.

Xena: You two were in there (she pointed to the next room). I was in the

front of the cave, and walked back here.

Call: Oh.

Ares: Isn't anyone going to say hello?

Xena:.......So?

Me: Just say hello, Xena.

Xena: Hello, Xena.

I know, I know. I didn't understand either. Why was she ignoring Ares?

Usually she kicks his butt and he leaves, or she makes a smart comment and

he leaves+ACE- She wasn't doing anything and he wasn't leaving. Then I'll do it+ACE-

I raised my staff.

Ares: Nuh-uh+ACE-

He backed up.

Me: What do you want? You found us, now say bye-bye+ACE-

Ares: Oh, fine. But I indeed warn you...Hope's back.

Me: What?+ACEAIQAh-

Ares: Hey, you said to leave, I'm leaving.

I went to grab him so he'd stay and tell me the rest but he disappeard.

Me: What is he talking about, Xena?

Call: I may be wrong, but I think your daughter is alive...again.

Me: Oh great.

Xena: This...isn't good.

Call: Your tellin' me.

Xena: Callisto? How did you know Hope was Gabrielle's daughter?

Me: Um, Xena? She kinda remembers her past.

Xena: Everything?

Me: Everything.

Xena drew her sword and held it against Callisto's neck.

Call: G..G...Gab...Gabby? Help me.

Me: Xena+ACE- Callisto wants to change+ACE- She wants to change her life.

Xena: Gabrielle, I'm sure that's what she wants now. But when she actually

remembers who her family was....let's just say she'll think otherwise.

Me: No+ACE- She does know who her family was+ACE-

Xena: Yeah. To her, their just people who took care of her. When she

remembers who they were, their names, the memories they've shared.....

Call: I promise I won't change. Just don't kill me+ACE-

Xena stuck the sword right through Callisto.

Xena: Fine. I'll let you live.

Call: Thank the Gods.

Callisto pulled the sword out of her.

Me: Callisto, I...I'm sorry.

Call: Your sorry? I'm the one who should be sorry.

I smiled and left back to the front of the cave.

Me: Let's hit the road, people+ACEAIQAhACEAIQ-

Xena came riding in on Argo and Callisto came in on Fabiano. I got on

Fabiano with her. We all left. Xena of course, riding ahead. Callisto and I

trailing behind. Callisto was talking about how great it is to be a Goddess.

I was falling asleep on her shoulder, we were moving so slow+ACE-

Call:................Isn't that cool?

Me: Marvelous.

Call:................and that's the best part.....................if you

could..................not to be mean......right?

Me: Uh-huh.

Call: Plus..............exellant+ACE-.......................never got that.

Pretty soon, I was sleeping. What awoke me was Callisto's yelling.

Me: What's the big idea, Callistooooooooo+ACE- Yah+ACE- Oh My Sweeeeeet Zeus+ACE-

Whoa+ACEAIQAhACE-

I soon found out what Callisto was yelling about. Xena was lying on the

ground. She wasn't dead, she wasn't sleeping. It was like she was in some

kind of a trance. Argo was lying on the floor also and I wasn't sure about

his state of health. Callisto was floating in mid-air screaming at the top

of her lungs. Fabiano was the only thing holding me up. When I woke up, I

felt like I had no legs. I was leaned against Fabiano sleeping. And I awoke

to find all this. And there, in the midst of it all, Ares. Once again.

Me: Now that your here, you mind telling me what's going on?

Ares: First, Hope's back.

Me: You kinda made that clear before.

Ares: I know. How? Why? yada, yada, yada, I'll explain later. C'mon.

Me: Huh? Yeah right+ACE- Me? Go with you? You've got to be kidding-hey, what did

you do to my legs?

Ares: I prevented them from walking.

Call: Can someone please get me down?

Ares shot a bolt of lightning at Callisto knocking her unconscious in the

air.

Me: What do you mean, Hope's back?

Ares: Well, let's see, what do I mean, 'Dearest Hope is Back'? Um, I mean,

your daughter, Hope, is now back on Earth.

Me: She's already been reborn?

Ares: Yes. She's back and better than ever.

Me: I hate to imagine that coming from you. Can you PLEASE fix my legs, now?

Ares: Not unless you come with me. Your daughter has a bone to pick with

you.

Me: Well, how am I supposed to walk over to you, huh?

Ares: Like this...

Ares, with the flick of a finger, brought me to him. Floating in mid-air, I

gasped and started screaming.

Ares: Shut-up, will you?

He dropped me. Hard. Real hard. And now that you make me think about it, It

still hurts+ACE- So, I was sitting on my knees, still not feeling my legs

looking up at Ares.

Me: You are one, sick man. You know that?

Ares: Sick, but powerful. Let's go?

Me: Fine, fine. But you know I won't

I finished my sentence in an old temple.

Me: like the fact I'm going, anyway.

I mean, I was in the same position, on my knees talking in a whole different

place.

Me: How'd you do that?

Ares: I'm a God, 'member?

I shook my head.

Me: Ooh, yeah. So, where's this daughter of mine?

Ares (pointing to a door carved in the wall): In there. But she's a

little...upset.

Me: So I think, I'll stay out here a while.

Ares: Fine but don't talk, move, cough, or even breathe. In other words,

don't do anything that proves to me your here, Mmkay?

Me: Whatever.

Ares: Why are you such a living pain?

Me: Because you make me out to be one.

I smiled a sarcastic smile. Then, I tried to get up. My legs were still

broken+ACE- Ares looked at me. He smiled the same, exact smile. Exept it was

more of the +ACI-I hate you, too.+ACI- kinda smile. I sat there. In a few minutes I

tried to get up again. I did. Successfully. I looked around and saw Ares. My

mouth had been shut for so long I could hardly talk. I suddenly felt a push.

I knew, since it was taking me to Hope's room, that Hope was using her

powers to push me. When I arrived in her room, she just looked at me for a

few seconds.

Me: What do you want?

Hope was ignoring me.

Hope: Ares..did he bring you here?

Me: Yes. Hope, why am I here?

Hope: Did he kill Xena and Callisto?

Me: No+ACE- Hope+ACE- Please? Why am I here?

Hope: He didn't kill them? Why?

Me: WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?

Hope: Have I scared you, mother?

Me: Well, yeah+ACE-

Hope: I ask you once, before I let Dehak into the world...Will you join?

Me: You know my answer.

Hope: No I don't. Not even you know your answer. I have something that might

change your mind. ARES+ACEAIQAh-

Ares rushed into the room.

Ares: Yes, my sweet?

Hope: I want mother to see our knowledge.

Me: What? Do you know something I don't know?

Ares blew into the air and a puff of smoke showed us a picture of me,

Callisto, and Xena walking through the desert desperate for water. It then

showed men, big men, charge through the desert. With Xena and Callisto dying

as it is, one of the men drew their sword and stabbed Xena through the

stomach and beat the only living breath out of her. The man took the Hind's

Blood Dagger from Xena and then stabbed Callisto. I was the only living

thing shown in the picture. No voices could be heard, but I then saw Ares

and Hope come up to me. They said something. I nodded my head and we all

disappeared. I didn't understand until they explained.

Me: What was that?

Hope: We are going to change the future. See, mommy? Xena will die in the

very near future. As will Callisto. Then, you will be forced to join us. Or

die as well.

Ares: But, we can change that. We are going to prevent Xena and Callisto

from getting killed. They will not die. If...

Me: If what?

Hope: If you join us in bringing Dehak back.

Me: And if I don't?

Ares: We keep you locked up, here so you don't go tell Xena how to...not get

killed.

Hope: Then, when she dies...we keep you locked up. We keep you alive, but

barely. So, your not with your friend in the Elysian fields, or on Earth.

Me: I don't have much of a choice, do I?

Hope: Ugh...No. No you don't.

Ares: Well, sweet pea...she actually does.

Hope: Really.

Ares: Well, Yeah+ACE- Join us or,...well, die.

Me: Like I said. Not much of a choice. Well, I cannot let Xena die so,

Hope: Yes?

Me: So, I guess she'll hate me if she finds out I just let her die.

Hope's smile turned to a frown.

Hope: So be it.

Ares got very annoyed with me.

Ares: How about we speed up the process?

Just as he was about to leave, I grabbed him. We both ended up where Xena

was lying unconscious and Callisto was floating.

Ares: How'd you get here?

Me: Easy. But now my hand is all sweaty. what are you going to do?

Ares: Kill her. Once and for all.

Me: Okay. I'll watch.

Ares: Your not going to try and stop me?

Me: Nah. Gave that up years ago.

Ares: I know what your trying to do.

Me: What?

Ares: Reverse Phsycoligy. And you know what?

Me: What?

Ares: It's working.

Me: Ha+ACE-

I smiled evily. He grabbed me and we went back to the old temple.

Me: I have a few questions.

Hope: Your back, so soon. Did you kill her, Ares?

Me: I HAVE QUESTIONS+ACEAIQAhACE-

Hope: WE DON'T CARE+ACEAIQAhACE-

Ares: Yes. I finished her off.

Me: Excuse me?

Ares kicked me. Not hard, just a kick that said...+ACI-Shut-up...I'll explain

later.+ACI-.

Hope: Why? Why excuse you, mother?

Hope looked at Ares in a very curious way.

Me: Excuse me, meaning, I need to sit down over there and your in my way.

Hope: Oh.

Hope moved and I sat down in a big chair on the other side of her.

Hope: Back to you,

She looked at Ares.

Hope: Did you? Don't lie to me, Ares. Did you kill her?

Ares: Of course I did, darling. Why wouldn't I?

Hope: Well, you have reason not to.

Ares: Really? What reason?

Hope: Dehak, Ares+ACE- She's your olf flame. Love of your...old...life. Come on.

Ares: I know, I know. Hard to believe but, I killed 'er+ACE-

Hope: I'm not so sure about you. We'll see.

Me: Yo+ACE- I'm your guest of honor+ACE- Can't I get some food or somethin'?

Ares: For the love of Zeus, Shut---

Hope: Sure mother. What would you like?

Me: I can get used to this. Umm, some water, and...uh, actually...I'm not

that hungry.

Hope: Yes, mother. Ares, watch her.

Ares said this quite sarcastically...

Ares: With pleasure.

Once Hope had left the room, I sprang up.

Me: What was that all about?

Ares: If I tell you, Hope will kill me. Literally.

Me: I don't care. I wanna know why you said you were gonna kill Xena,

didn't, and said you did again+ACE-

Ares: Well, I didn't kill her because I couldn't bring myself to do it. And

if I tell Hope...well...let's just say I'm not in no mood to die. Get it?

Me: Knowledge is power, man+ACE-

Ares pushed me back into the chair. He stood over me so I couldn't get up.

Ares: Yes, it is and if you say anything I will--

Hope came into the room.

Hope: Do you have a problem with my mother?

Ares: Quite frankly, Uh-huh+ACE-

Hope: Discuss it later with her.

Hope came up to me.

Hope: I'm sorry your little friend died, mother. But let us think of this a

blessing. Finally Mother, Father, and Daughter reunited.

Me: That's a good one.

Ares opened his mouth to say something but Hope used her mind powers to shut

it.

Hope: Gabrielle...I ask of you. I don't want you to suffer in pain. I really

don't want to kill you. And that is something I won't do.

Me: But Hope, if you don't want me to suffer, why make me join you? You know

that would be more pain to me than watching you live your life in sin.

Hope: If that would be more a suffer to you, then watch instead...

Ares: I'm good with that.

Hope: Shush, Ares. Why must you always interrupt?

Ares lifted his hands and backed up after trying to say something that just

wouldn't come out.

Me: Hope, please. Let me go back to Xena. Please.

Hope: Xena is dead, mother. Dead.

Me: No she isn't+ACE-

Ares looked at me and widend his eyes.

Hope: What?

Me: No she isn't...crazy about dying, but I'm sure she forgives me?

Hope:You are sooo lucky I love you, Ares.

Ares: Flattered, really.

Hope: And...I'm sooo glad you killed her+ACE- Mother, what do you say? Join?

Not?

Me: I..I...I don't know.

Ares: She made it clear before she didn't want to.

This is where the mother/daughter stuff started. We both spoke at the same

time.

Hope +ACY- I : Shut-up, Ares+ACEAIQAh-

Hope: See, mother? Please, join us.

I regret this totally, now. But, I was never allowed to return to my best

friend, who was alive and that was painful enough knowing that she would

have no idea what has happened to me. I thought of a plan. a Quick and

Simple plan....

Me: Hope, I...I...I am going to join you.

Hope: Really? This is great.

Ares: Wonderful.

Me: I know, isn't it?

Hope: Ares, if you make one more smart comment I will have your insides torn

apart by my Father himself.

Ares: Hon, I don't have insides...I'm a GOD.

Hope: I don't CARE.

Me: Can we please stop fighting? Can't we all be friends?

Ares was about to laugh at me, but Hope looked at him annoyingly. And that I

mean, was a good thing...After all, I was being sarcastic. But everytime

Hope mentioned Dehak, my bones coughed. If this plan was to work, I'd have

to hide that fact. I'd have to be evil. Pure evil. An evil so terrible I'd

have bad dreams every night for a month. Ehhh, the thoughts alone kill me.

Hope: Come mother, I must get you ready and fit.

Me: Ready and fit?

Hope: Ready for our celebration tonight, and fit for your outfit.

Me: Outfit? Celebration?

Hope: You'll understand.

Hope brought me into a very old but pretty room. The roof was a dome with

red,yellow, and orange flames peeking through the inside.

Me: Where are those coming from?

Hope: We are under Father's bed.

Me: Dahak has a bed?

Hope: We are underground. Under Dehak's bed of fire.

I shivered. Hope went through a doorway and came out with the same red robe

with black lining she had on exept it was smaller. I was sweating the fear

off.

Hope: Something wrong, mother?

Me: Very...very...hot.

Hope: You'll get used to it.

I could hardly speak+ACE-

Hope: You'll have to excuse the size. Just try and fit into it. It's the

only one left.

Me: Were their more, before?

Hope: Yes.

She handed me the robe.

Me: What, do you get daily supplies of these delivered or something?

Hey, I know that was stupid but it was spur of the moment kinda thinking.

Listen, I couldn't breathe+ACE-

Hope: Oh, mother. Why are you being so sarcastic? If you know what's good

for you, you'll be much nicer to me.

I tried the robe on, it was tight, but comfortable none the less.

Me: Hope...I know your Dehak's daughter, but your my daughter too. Why have

you turned out to be so much like him?

Hope: I thought you were with me on this one.

Me: Oh, Oh+ACE- I am...I was just curious.

Hope: It's my rightfull destiny. As is yours also.

Me (I'm being a TOTAL lier right now): I suppose your right.

Hope: I'm glad to see you've come to your senses.

Me: Right.

After I had tied the straps around the waist of the black and red robe, I

pulled my hair up out of the robe, and Hope nodded. Whoever has an idea of

why she ran out of the room, tell me now. I went after her to find out. She

pushed open a stone door. When I reached it, the door would not open. So, I

went back outside to where Hope Ares, and I were before. Ares was sitting in

another chair by the door when he heard me come in.

Ares: Thank the Gods your here+ACE-

Me: Huh?

Ares: I think we made a BIG mistake by letting Gabrielle join us.

He thought I was Hope? Oh Zeus...Hey, this might be a good chance to het

some inside info, huh?

Me: Really? Why?

Ares: Yes, and because she's a traitor. I know it.

Me: Nah, She my mom. She'd never do anything bad to me OR you.

Now, if this was Hope, I'd call  her the biggest liar in the world.

Ares: Oh, I'm gonna believe that alright. She abandoned you as a baby,

killed you as a child, threw you in a lava pit as an adult, and had your son

kill you as an adult...again. What's next?

Me: Yeah, yeah, yeah, do we have any secret plans of something?

Ares: Huh? What? What are you talking about, Hope?

Me: Secrets+ACE- Secrets we want NO ONE to know.

Ares: If we did, you'd know already.

Boy, was he tough.

Me: Okay, okay. Fine. But Gabri---mother, is not's a traitor, got it?

Ares: Fine, fine. Whatever you say, Hope.

I smiled proudly and nodded my head. Uh-oh...in came Hope. The real Hope.

Ares looked around, rolled his eyes thinking Hope was me, and walked away.

Hope got a confused look on her face.

Hope: What's with him?

Me: Just follow me, okay?

Hope kept her eyes on Ares as her body went with me. She stopped. I pulled

her the rest of the way. When we got in the +ACI-robe room+ACI-, I explained

everything...kinda.

Me: Never talk to him about it again, he's umm, tired. Tired and cranky.

Okay?

Hope: Oh, I see. Alright.

Me: Hope, can I ask you something?

Hope: What is it mother?

Me: Will you make it clear to Ares that I'm not a traitor?

Hey, I was, but I get insulted, too.

Hope: Are you?

Me: NO+ACEAIQ- I mean, I would be if Xena was alive, but she's....not.

Hope: Hmm. I'll be back, mother. Stay here. In this room. Don't move. And

believe me, I'll know.

Me: Alright.

Hope left out of the room. Ares walked in, pointed at me, hesitated, and

said +ACI-Gabrielle, right?+ACI-

Me: Live and in person.

Ares: Could you like, dye your hair or something? Anything?

Me: What do you want?

Ares: Just making sure it wasn't you who ran out of the temple just now.

My eyes widend.

Me: Hope. She knows.

Ares: Knows what?

Me: That Xena is alive, stupid+ACE- She went to find Xena+ACE-

Ares: You stinking traitor+ACE-

Me: It wasn't me...She must've visioned it or something.

Ares rolled his eyes and blew the air bubble again. We looked at it as it

formed a picture of Xena and Callisto. Xena was up. Callisto was brushing

Argo. This is what went on.

Call: I'm telling you, Ares was here+ACE-

Xena: Callisto, I believe you, it's just...Gabrielle wouldn't go with him

unless...ah, forget it.

Call: No, what?

Xena: Unless it was a BIG deal. He must've bribed her or something. Do you

know where they went?

Call: Xena+ACE- He knocked me out+ACEAIQAhACEAIQ-

Xena: Alright, alright. Fine+ACE-

Call: Do you know where they went?

Xena: Callisto, I think I know. I do know that Hope really is back.

Call: How'd you know?

Xena: When I was out killing rabbits, I found out a little information on

her.

Call: Then I know where they went.

Xena: Where?+ACE-

Call: well, i'm not exactly sure about it though. When we were traveling and

Gabby was sleeping, we passed an old temple I heard ares talking in. Just a

couple miles back.

Xena: And you didn't tell me this?

Call: I thought I was going crazy, okay?

Xena: Well then, let's move+ACE-

Ares and I looked at each other. My mouth fell open and I gasped. He just

paced.

Ares: They CAN'T be coming here+ACE- Hope will find them+ACE- I'll be killed+ACE-

Me: We'll all be killed+ACE- Hope might be so depressed that she'll kill

herself+ACE-

Ares: Yeah, right after she brings that father of hers to Earth.

Me: I can't believe it. How stupid can she get?

Ares: I know, she's actually coming here+ACE-

Me: Not Xena, Hope+ACE- I can't believe how stupid it is to bring that down

right self centered, pig-headed, dumb, idiotic, father of hers, here.

Ares: Hey, he's your husband. Hey, I know the answer+ACE- You just have bad

taste in men, that's all.

Me: Shut-up, idiot.

To my suprise, Ares didn't say a thing. All he did was shake his head.

Ares: We've got to stop Xena from coming here.

Me: Like you'd care? Hah+ACE-

Ares again just, well, didn't do anything. Just looked up.

Ares: Grandma,

I guess that was +ACI-Ares Talk+ACI- for +ACI-Mother of Zeus+ACI-.

Ares: C'mon.

Me: Last time I went with your, 'C'mon' I ended up working for Dehak.

Ares: Give it up, Gabrielle. You are not working for Dehak.

Me: Yes I am.

Ares: No, your not.

Me: I am+ACE-

Ares: No your not+ACE-

Me: Yes I am+ACE-

Ares: Not+ACE-

Me: Am+ACE-

Ares: Not+ACE-

Me: A---

Xena: Oh, shut-up.

Uh, don't look at me, I didn't see her come in. She must've snuck in...like

she usually does.

Xena: Save the questions, guys. Let's go Gabrielle.

Ares: Ho, ho, ho, hold it.

Ares pulled me back.

Ares: She's working for Dehak.

Xena spoke softley and carefully like she was scared of me. Which of course,

she wasn't.

Xena: What?

Me: Nothing. Ares, I'm quitting. See, I joined, because I wasn't aloud to

return to Xena. But, now that I'm aloud...well...Bye+ACE-

I started walking to Xena when he pulled me back again.

Ares: Wait, who said you were aloud to go back?

Xena drew her sword. My heroine+ACE-

Ares: Just, a few questions.

Xena: What.

Ares: How did you escape Hope?

Xena: I didn't.

Ares +ACY- Me: Huh?

Xena: She has Callisto. I was lucky enough to escape.

Me: She's got Callisto?

Ares pulled out a dagger, held it against my throat and asked Xena a couple

of questions.

Xena: Ares...

Ares: Where is Hope.

Xena: With Callisto.

Ares: Then where's Callisto?

Xena: Didn't think you'd care about her.

Ares pressed the dagger against my throat. Hard.

Xena: It was a joke+ACE-

Me: No jokes, my life depends on your jokes+ACE- Please...no jokes?

Xena: No jokes.

Ares: Enough with the jokes+ACE- Where's my Hopey?

Ares got a look on his face that expressed too much humiliation for calling

her Hopey.

Xena: I don't know.

Ares: Well, then we'll have to go find her, won't we?

Xena sighed and walked out of the room.

Ares: So much for sisterly love, huh?

Me: Oh, shut-up. Follow her+ACE-

Ares shrugged and walked out. Xena was on Argo drumming her fingers.

Xena: Are you coming?

Ares zapped a brown and black horse in front of him. With me, he mounted the

horse. I must've fell asleep, because the next thing I -felt- was the floor.

I fell. Very hardly. On a floor like the floor of a stable. It was a big

place. Near the end, Callisto was tied against a post and Hope was pacing,

and looked up at Ares and Xena. Me? I was tied. Like I was going to jail or

something.

Hope: Hmm, why is my mother tied up like a criminal?

Ares: Because, like I told you, she's a traitor.

Hope: You never told me anything.

Ares: Yes I did, then Gabrielle came in and you brought her to into the next

room.

Hope looked at me.

Hope: Is this why you told me never to bring it up again? Mommy?

Me: Heh,

Ares: What?

Hope: Nothing. A traitor, huh? Well, well, well.

Ares: Anyway, Xena and I made a deal...so listen, if you give Callisto back,

we can keep Gabrielle.

Me: WHAT?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?+ACE-?

Xena winked at me.

Me: I mean, What? Your actually letting me stay with my wonderful daughter?

Xena smiled a sarcastic smile.

Xena: Yes.

Ares: So, untie, her yada yada yada...

Hope: Hold on, Ares. You lied to me. You didn't kill Xena like I so

innocently asked.

Ares: Oh, yes I did.

Hope, Callisto, and I practically burst out laughing.

Call: We're not that stupid.

Me: Obviously.

Hope: Give it up, Ares.

Hope lifted the Hind's Blood Dagger from Xena's pouch and pointed it towards

Ares with her mind powers. She pointed it at him when he yelled.

Ares: Wait+ACE- I have to say something.

Hope was ready to say something but Callisto interrupted and was zapped onto

the wall, high and stuck.

Hope: Make it quick, buster.

Ares: Watch...

Ares looked like he was putting a hand on Xena's back. Instead, it went

right through her+ACE- Seriously, RIGHT through.

Ares: I did kill her.

To Be Continued