"Son of a bitch!" shrieked Caesar in annoyance as he saw Eli's dead body.

"Interesting way to announce yourself," commented Callisto, "But i shant dispute it. Come to join the party?"

"I came to exact vengeance on Eli," glowered Caesar, "But i see you've already done that." Callisto grinned, ripping the dagger from Eli's corpse.

"Vengeance?" she asked, absently examining the dagger, "What could you possibly be seeking vengeance for?"

"That man killed my father," said Caesar, furiously pointing at Eli. Callisto laughed.

"Eli? Eli never killed anyone. Zeus did kill Ares through him though, if that's what you mean." Caesar seemed confused. Callisto enjoyed other people's confusion. She moved away from Eli, smiling deviously at Caesar. Livia ran in behind her and gave the corpse a few extra kicks to teach it a lesson.

"Zeus killed Ares..." pondered Caesar. "That would explain why he and hera didn't want me at that cocktail party on Mount Olympus - they must have been to ashamed to speak to me."

"Having you as a grandson," said Callisto, "Anyone would be ashamed of that." She circled him curiously. "So Ares was your father, huh? I'm not surprised - you always did have a certain knack for war...and idiocy." She stopped in front of him, sizing him up. "What surprises me is that Zeus and Hera let you anywhere near Mount Olympus; you're not a god. You're little more than an illusion." She moved to run her hand through him, but Caesar cought it.

"Am I?" he asked, holding onto her with a very tangable hand. Callisto sneered at his audacity.

"Well isn't that interesting?" she said, swiping him away. "Seems they'll let anyone in these days." Caesar smirked smugly.

"Well you're proof of that," he retorted.

"Both of you SHUT UP!" screamed Livia. "I can't hear Mavis!" Caesar and Callisto looked back at her as she covered her ears. "Yes..." she said, apparently hearing something that they couldn't, "Yes, i know she said to give it back, but...NO! IT'S MY SHINY!...I know...I KNOW SHE'S EVIL! But it wasn't my fault! She tricked me!" Livia squatted on the ground, clawing desperately at her hair. She started sobbing, then roared. "STOP LAUGHING AT ME!" she demanded as the powder-blue unicorn snickered at her. "YAAAAH!"

Callisto watched with concern as Livia ran at the insolent beast, or (to Callisto's eyes) the tree. Livia smacked into it, grunting as she flopped backwards onto the ground. Callisto looked around. She could sense something - someone had been here. And...

"The chakram," Callisto realised it was gone. She stormed over to the dazed Livia and dragged her to her feet. "Where is the Xena's chakram?" Callisto demanded.

"It's mine!" Livia whined. "That mommy BITCH stole it from me!"

"Xena?" said Callisto. "Xena was here?" Livia nodded like a naughty child. Callisto screeched her fury into the sky. Livia, startled, scurried up into the tree branches, and watched as Callisto rounded on Caesar.

"YOU!" Callisto bellowed at the newest of the Olympian gods. "You let Xena get away with the chakram! I could have KILLED her if you weren't here distracting me - you IDIOT!" She growled savagely at him. Caesar backed up a little.

"It's alright," said Caesar, nevervously trying to appease the enraged goddess, "I know where she's headed. She and her friends are holed up in an inn, not far from here. I can take you there."

"I don't need you or anyone else to help me deal with Xena."

"I HATE her!" Livia added from the tree.

"Well said, Eve," said Callisto, not looking back to see Livia's deadly glare. "Uncle Caesar's going to stay here and play with you while your Auntie Callisto goes to get your shiny toy back from mommy, okay?" It was fairly clear to Caesar by the look in Callisto's eye that he had no say in this. Livia squinted dangerously at him. "Good," said Callisto. "Now both of you, play nice." She grinned evily at Ceasar and then dissapeared, leaving him and Livia to their own disfunctional devices.

***

Callisto arrived to see Alti, holding Gabrielle's pretty little head in her hands. Callisto, trying to remain inconspicuous, had a difficult time containing her laughter, especially when she saw the priceless look of horror on Xena's face.

"Oh Xena," said Alti, "This is even more perfect than I dreamed it." Callisto had to agree. "This...and this" she continued, retrieving Livia's shiny toy from the bedpost, "...will be all I need to truly possess you now. Don’t be too long now, Xena dear. I know you’ll know where to find me."

If Xena didn't, then Callisto did. Callisto grinned, a new plan for Xena's demise ticking over in her head. Alti left, with an evil cackle. Callisto breathed in Xena's intoxicating despair for a moment longer, then followed after the shameness.

***

"Are you going to stay up there all day?" asked Caesar as Livia rustled towards the higher branches of the tree. She hissed at him. Caesar shook his head. Why had Callisto left him in charge of Livia? And why hadn't he just said no? Afterall, he was a god now - what did he have to be afraid of?

Thump. Livia fell out of the tree. She sprang to her feet and dusted herself off. She looked at Caesar as if to suggest that nothing had happened.

"You're crazy, you know that?"

"Well, duh," said Livia, "Where have you been?"

"Tartarus.You?"

"Still there...here...everywhere. What's your name again?"

"Caesar," he answered in sufference. "Julius Ceasar. We had this conversation."

"Oh," said Livia. "Can i call you Julie?"

"No."

"Oh...Can Mavis call you Julie?"

"Mavis isn't real - Mavis is a figment of you very very twisted imagination."

"Oh," said Livia. She slipped into deep thought about the subject. "Well you won't mind if she calls you Julie then," she concluded. Caesar sighed. There was no point fighting it.

"Fine. Julie. Happy now?" Livia pouted.

"No," she winged, "Auntie Callisto said she'd bring back the shiny. Uncie Julie, where's the shiny?" Livia's bottom lip was jutting and quivering, and her eyes were threatening to cry.

"No," said Caesar, "Don't cry..." Her lip quivered more. "Don't cry..." More. "Don't..." She cried. Caesar cast his eyes to the heavens, imploring Callisto to come back and deal with this. He was almost on the verge of tears himself.

"Wait," he said, suddenly stuck with an idea, "What if I get you a new toy?" Livia shook her head. "Oh come on, everyone likes new toys. What if I take you to Mount Olympus and get Hephaestos to make you a new chakram? Huh? would you like that? Huh? Yeah, you'd like that." He held her hand and disapperated. Anything to keep her happy.

***

"Done," said Hephaestos, grudginly. He slammed the new chakram down on the table. It looked more like a metal frispy with a hole cut out of it than a legendary weapon of terror. Nevertheless, Livia seemed taken with it.

"Shiny..." she said. She screemed violently and propelled it into the wall across from her. Ceasar and Hephaistos both ducked as it ricocheted off the stone and returned to her hand. Hephaitos glared at Caesar. Caesar could tell that he was not welcome to ask for this kind of thing again. He took the hint, and coaxed Livia away from the workshop.

The two of them walked through the halls of Mount Olympus. The looks they received from the other gods were scandellous. It was a very harsh reaction, thought Caesar. Livia couldn't help it if the furies had made her insane.

"Dite," said Caesar, as he saw her bent over a bed. "Did i come at a bad time?" Dite made a very disgruntled noise upon hearing his voice and stepped aside to reveal a cloaked figure, working on what looked to be a patient. Caesar left Livia behind for a moment, and went to get a closer look. The patient appeared to be Gabrielle. Only, her head was not completely attatched. "That looks uncomfortable," said Caesar, his stomach lurching slightly.

"Why are you here?" asked Dite, her fro shaking with exasperation.

"I was just..." he looked back to Livia, but she was already screeming past him. She held her chakram above her head, prepared to strike Gabrielle's debilitated body. "STOP!" said Caesar, figuring that Dite would probably not be too impressed by this. He held out his hand, then drew it back, controlling Livia's body as he went. She grunted feircely as her limbs dissobeyed her desire to kill. Caesar's power drew Livia back to him, though the task was not easy - her will was strong, his powers were not. Livia desisted.

The cloaked figure waved his hand across the tear in Gabrielle's throat, healing it almost instantly. A rush of air filled Gabrielle's lungs. She opened her eyes, coughing. She panicked - what was happening to her? The last thing she remembered was running naked through the streets of Potedia, while being chased by a giant, man-eating...wait a minute, that was just a dream. But then she remembered seeing Joxer, and Xena. Xena had thrown her chakram - her neck had hurt, and then everything went black. Was that part of the dream too?

"Where am I?" she choked fearfully. She saw Dite's Afro. Strange though it was, it was sort of a comfort to her.

So there was a god who could return the decapitated back to life? Caesar wondered why this stranger had not performed such a ceremony on Ares. But there was no time for that now. Livia rushed Gabrielle again, and again, Caesar had to go to great lengths to controll her. This would not do at all. He would have to take her to Callisto.

He searched his mind and zeroed in on the goddess' whereabouts. He grabbed Livia by the wrist and transported her to Callisto's side. Callisto looked at Caesar and Livia. Alti looked at all three of them, clearly concerned by their presence. Caesar saw the decapitated head of Gabrielle amongst Alti's bizzare collection of trinkets.

"Nice model," he said, trying to break the silence.

"This?" asked Alti, petting the blonde hair like a faithful dog, "This is the real thing." She was frankly insulted that he would suggest otherwise.

"Oh," said Caesar, "Well I just saw Aphro-" he stopped himself, "Dite's Afro attatching something that looked very much like 'the real thing' to Gabrielle's body. She's been revived, by the way." Alti stared at him, then stalked towards him dangerously.

"What?" she demanded.

"I said," Caesar repeated as he watched Callisto trying to swat Livia away from Alti's treasures,"That Gabrielle is not dead. I assume you tried to off her to add to your...unique display, but i guess it didn't work, because i know what i saw. That's right ladies," he said looking at Callisto and Alti's dismay, "The babbling bard is back."

Zeus waits until Livia is alone.

"Livia my dear..' brushing his finger down her cheek. "Since you're a fruitcake and all... I was wondering if you'd like to be my bitch?... We won't tell Hera'.

'I can take The Furies out you know? But there would be a payment for services rendered. Think about it, and I'll get back to you.'

i approach her with no caution. stepping hard, making my presence well known. she knows i'm there but she doesn't turn around. doesn't acknowledge my pressence. i take a deep breath, close my eyes, and prepare myself. blowing out my breath, i'm ready.
"Alti-"

"I wouldn't come any closer, if I were you Ephiny," the sound was stone grating against stone. "It's about time you showed up, I was beginning to think you didn't like me, and after all we've shared. Tsk, tsk, it isn't nice to keep a girl waiting."

"i--i need your help. i'll do whatever you ask. anything. i need you to send me back. back to the living. there's something i must do." i said with confidence, but i'm sure the pleading showed through in my eyes.

A harsh grating sound filled the room. "What makes you think you have anything to offer in the first place? Your soul's already been used twice over. I don't do sloppy seconds Ephiny, you know that."

"you mean unless it's xena." i couldn't help it. it came out of my mouth before i even knew what i was saying.

Alti's eyes narrowed with cold fury. "Careful Ephiny, after all, you're the one who needs my help, not the other way around"

"yes, that seems to be the case. either you're going to help me or not. i could be of great value to you. just tell me your decision, i have little time for games." i was starting to lose my courage, what i was thinking, asking for her help?

A glint came into Alti's emotionless eyes. "As a matter of fact, you do have some value after all. Not much, mind you, damaged goods and all that. Do you agree to follow my orders without question?"

could i do that? what was she asking of me? nothing now, payment later? every hair on my neck stood up. my stomache rolled. my cheeks burned. i told myself that i had no other option.
"i agree. i will do as you ask, with one condition, i will not harm xena."

"Don't kid yourself, the things I have planned for Xena, would hurt your fragile little mind." For a moment, Ephiny thought her life was over. The look that came over Alti's face was indescribably terrifying. But in an instant, the look was gone, replaced by her usual cold sneer. "Very well. Now, strip and stand next to me."

and then it left me all. the courage i had mounted for this moment. i wanted to turn and run, but my end result was too important. i did as she asked. leaving my clothes and my dignity in a pile on the floor. she motioned for me. i stepped toward her.

Alti's eyes glinted cruelly. "Believe me when I say, this is going to hurt you more than it's going to hurt me." With a swiftness almost indiscernible to the human eye, Alti slashed at Ephiny's face with a dagger she had hidden in her hand.

i felt it at once. she cut me. right from the edge of my mouth halfway to my cheek. she pushed me foward, so that i was knelt over her hand, as it was collecting the blood that pooled from my mouth. the next thing i felt was the crushing impact as she brought her knee full force to my face.

"This is just the beginning of the pain you will endure for me."

that was the last thing my mind rationally processed before the walls around me came tumbling in and i saw the vast darkness i sought.

i could see, but not clearly. i felt as if my head was detached. the pain was unbearable. the only thing keeping me concious was the realization of where i was. i hauled my carcass off the ground, enjoying this experience with life even less than last time. i gripped the handle of the dagger tightly within my hand. if it came down to it, i would kill her. she had what i wanted. both of them. i strode off toward the garrison with determination in my eye, bare assed and all. luckily i saw them, just off to the side. fire, across the sky. i ran as close to them as i could without being seen. it was Callisto. and Livia. they shared some parting words, then Callisto left her. i could smell my chance in the air.

as i approached her, i could her her muttering "It whispers again. Time for shimmers and tears. Hate them. Stole the flowers and Mavis let them. Lied to Livia, all liars, dirty dirty squirrels. Kill them. Livia IS a good girl, show you all. Can't steal my sparkles and my songs."

i stopped my approach. something entered my clouded mind. yes, that was it. that had to work.
"Livia, hey there, whoa slow down." she stopped her violent pace towards me, starring at me with empty eyes. "i heard, i heard you know, what a good girl you are."

A big smile crossed Livia's face "Livia is a good girl. The pretty lady said so. Livia listens to the whispers and lets the bees and the squirrels come down. Where's Mavis?"

"That's a good girl. Mavis went to pet the horsie. Where's the horsie Livia?" i tried to act excited, about petting the horsie that was my son.

Livia brightened even further. "He's waiting for me. I promised to make him shimmer. He's been good, good boys and girls get to shimmer. It's going to be pretty. Shimmers everywhere. I like the pretty shimmers on your face."

"he's waiting? we should go make the horsie shimmer, let's not keep him waiting." i grimaced at my own visual image.

Livia held up her hand. "You can't go. Not like that. Good girls wear jars, even Mavis knows that. You want me to make you shimmer all over? I can!" She grew excited again. "You won't need a jar if I make you shimmer all over. Can I?"

"i already have shimmers. but i'm a good girl, so i'd like a jar. have you a jar? i'll wear the jar for awhile, then you can make me shimmer after we pet the horsie."

Livia scrunched up her face, considering this. After a long moment, she nodded solemnly. "Okay. We make the horsie shimmer then we dress you up in shimmers just in time for a tea party. Mavis! Bring me a jar! Mavis? Mavis and the squirrels, always running off. I'll go get one, wait here."

she skipped off, talking to the voices that surrounded her. she returned quickly with a cloak. that's a relief, i had no idea how i was going to fit in a jar. she held the cloak out for me to take, and when i relieved her of it, she spun around in a circle three times in pure joy.

"okay, i'm ready. can we pet the horsie now?"

Livia nodded, happily "Now you can go. Only..."she paused, "you won't try to take him, will you? Everyone...they take from Livia, even though she's a good girl." Her shoulders slumped and her face fell. "Why do they do that? Don't they know that the sparkles won't come if they lie?"

"i---well---is he pretty? i won't---" she cut me off.

"Nevermind. It doesn't matter what the sparkles say." Her expression grew hard and angry. "I won't let them steal my toys anymore. The factors and I have it worked out. I have a new shiny," she held up the weapon previously situated on her belt loop. "And I'm going to make it shimmer with everyone who's ever taken my songs from me." Livia paused, then her face resumed it's normal look. "C'mon, I've been gone, the horsie will have missed me!"

i followed her to the garrison. she opened the door and somersaulted through, gleefully singing out. then i saw him. what a horror. what a nightmare. he was cut everywhere. chained by all four feet. everywhere was red. i couldn't take it. i stepped to the side and started heaving. the acid burning my throat, the air sucked from my lungs. she had forgotten about me for a moment, lost in some unobtrousive thought. i ran over to him and threw my arms around him.

"Mother!" he exclaimed, clearly shocked to see me.

"shh--my son, i am sorry. keep your voice down. you don't know me." he nodded his compliance.

"Isn't he pretty?" Livia's voice was soft and filled with tenderness. "He was so good, I had to let him shimmer. My horsie, I took pieces of him with me." She produced a lock of dark hair, tied in a bow with what looked like skin. Ephiny looked at Xenan's chest to see there was neat strip of skin that was missing from his chest. "I missed you horsie," she crooned in a low tone. "Now we can play again, the sparkle said so."

"oh Livia, he's so pretty." i tried to contain my emotions, this was hopefully almost over. "i would love to have a horsie like this." she pinned me with her cold empty eyes, hinted with fear. "no, no Livia, i don't want to steal him. how bout a trade? would you like that?"

"You mean...you give me something for the horsie?" Livia took a step back and shook her head rapidly. "I don't know, the sparrows won't STOP talking. I have to ask Mavis and the squirrels. We might want to have a dance later. I can't if he's gone..."

i looked over at my son with pure sympathy in my eyes. "but look what i have. it's a pointy shiny. the pointy shiny will make the sparrows stop talking. it's magical, just like the shimmers. look how sparkly it is." please let this work. i have nothing else to offer.

Livia thought a moment. "A new shiny? Will...will it make mommy and sparrows shut up and listen to me? And the stupid pretender man who cries like a reindeer? Will it?"

pretneder man? must be someone she recently ran into. "oh it will. anything it makes shimmer, will talk no more. anything."

Livia considered a moment longer and then nodded slowly. "Okay. The bees say we can trade. You...you're a good girl right? You won't take from Livia? Cause she's good too." A frown crossed Livia's face and something like fear shone in her eyes.

"no, no i won't take. here, you take the shiny first. then we'll set the horsie free." i handed her the dagger, blade first, if she did decide to stab me, again, i wanted a fighting chance.

Livia visibly brightened. "Livia believes you." She dug in her boot and produced a key. "This is the horsie's. At the same time, the ants go marching." She leaned forward and extended the hand holding the key at the same time as gently grasping the tip of the blade.

i was so tempted to flip my wrist with that blade so close to her. but it was futile, i got what i was after. i slowly took the key from her hand as she looked at the dagger from all angles. i dropped to my feet and quickly undid all his latches. i stood, about the run. about to leave, then i remembered.

"Livia, you have a pretty necklace. would you like to trade for it? i can trade you....um...shimmers, for the necklace."

A frightened look crossed Livia's features. "But...the sparkle, it whispers to me. I'll be alone. Everyone leaves. And Livia is a good girl. It won't come off. No more shimmers. Mavis is gone." Her tone rose with panic.

"you are a good girl Livia. i don't want you to be alone. you keep it. you talk to the whispers." there were more important things at hand than my own petty desires.

"Now you and the horsie go, I want to play with my new shiny."

and we did.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bailey,

Julius Caesar was having a bad day. Godhood, even supposed godhood, was not shaping up to be anything like he had imagined.

Derided and ridiculed by the other Olympians, scoffed at and dismissed by Alti and Callisto, and patronized by Eli, he had simply had enough. All he wanted was to go home, have a nice meal and have a nice long soak with some soothing floral scents.

Dejectedly, he made his way back towards Mount Olympus. Callisto had unceremoniously dropped him flat on his backside gods only knew where, while she went off to take looney Livia back to her palace.

Grumbling, he trudged in the general direction of home. Of course he could teleport, but knowing his luck, it'd only go wrong and he'd end up in yet another disaster.

"Stupid Callisto, stupid Zeus, stupid Eli," he muttered under his breath.

"Naughty squirrel, if you chatter like the sparrows, the sparkle won't let you shimmer," a voice came from off his left side.

He whirled to see a familiar face. "What are you doing here? I thought Callisto took you back to your palace?"

A big grin crossed Livia's face. "The pretty lady did and I met a new good girl. We traded and now I have a brand new shiny." Her face drew up in a disdainful sneer. "Better than the pretend shiny you gave me, stupid pretend man."

Caesar took a closer look at the insane former Champion of Rome. She was covered head to toe with scratches that seeped blood on her clothes, in her hair, everywhere. "What have you done?"

Livia smiled and twirled around slowly, as if to show off her wounds. "Aren't they pretty? Good girls get to shimmer, the sparkle whispered and said I could shimmer," she stopped turning and looked at him with an odd intensity that made Caesar suddenly uncomfortable. "But only if I give the new shiny what it needs.”

Her face grew serious. “I need your help, pretender squirrel. The shiny, it whispers and needs shimmers. You have to help, it said you would. You will won’t you? Help Livia? She’s a good girl.” Livia’s eyes grew wide and her bottom lip began to quiver.

The stupid pretender man didn’t know that the sparkle told Livia to pretend to let it rain on her face. That this was how we got shimmers, rather than letting the squirrels do their ‘may we borrow your dog catcher’ dance. It tickled, the back of her head again. Make it stop but first the stars need the shimmers.

Caesar began to shuffle backwards. Battle fields soaked with blood and he was in his element, but a less than sane woman with big weepy eyes and a trembly bottom lip and his already muddled brain grew even more so. “Um, sure, just...don’t cry alright? No tears, be a good girl.”

Later on, he would rewind the incident in his head over and over and still not be able to explain the swiftness of the attack.

Livia’s sorrowful countenance changed so suddenly, it was all Caesar could do to stand there with his mouth hanging open. In a heartbeat, she was standing in front of him and to the end of his days, he knew he’d never see a smile so chilling as the one on her face as she brought up a shiny, evil looking dagger and plunged it into his chest.

“Good pretender man. The squirrels will be so pleased with your waterfall. Now you can let the bees come down, the new shiny says so.” Livia looked up and waited for the bees to flutter down along with the dancing stars that the new shiny said would. It was supposed to happen when she made the man shimmer.

Caesar looked down at the dagger protruding from his chest. ‘Well, this is new. I’m a god though, it can’t kill me. No one said it’d sting so badly though. Ow…’ His face soon contorted into agony as he felt his insides being twisted and turned. ‘Wait, this wasn’t supposed to happen…’ and then the body of Julius Caesar evaporated into nothingness.

Livia frowned. “Shiny? Where’s the stars? Livia was a good girl and did what you sang. Where are the bees? Shiny? Hello? Mavis, where’s the stars?” Her frown deepened and she fell to the ground and started to rock back and forth, furiously.

“I was good Mavis. Where’s the stars? What if the shiny won’t let me shimmer anymore? I…I need to shimmer sparkle, make the shiny understand. The cheese, it ran away with the mice. Not my fault, Livia is good. Not my fault, Livia is good, Livia is good!”

She continued to rock furiously, spouting gibberish about bees and squirrels until quite suddenly, she came to an abrupt halt.

Hush hush and listen...

The mentally unstable girl cocked her head to the side, listening intently. Slowly, she stood and turned to where the dagger had fallen on the ground, still shimmering with Caesar’s blood.

“What do you mean, the wrong one? You said, shiny, you said the man would make the bees come down. Why didn’t you tell Livia?” Anger and disappointment were apparent in her voice.

“But you said, shiny. Why do you lie to Livia?” Her face grew fearful. “You’re a dirty lying sparrow aren’t you? Just like the others. The weepy warrior lady juggler lied to Livia again, didn’t she? You’re not a good shiny, are you?”

She began to babble incoherently about liars and sparrows until again, the young woman froze and tilted her head again. “Do...do you promise? You’re Livia’s friend right? You won’t ever lie to her?” Livia waited a few moments then nodded once. “Alright then, Livia believes you. But shiny, whose shimmers do we need?”

Again she cocked her head and made as if listening. A look of disbelief flitted across her features. “An ordinary squirrel who says he’s more? A pretender sparrow? Worse than the stupid one?” Her tone became flat and angry. “A liar sparrow. I see. The factors told me about him. He’s just a nobody and is dressing up in daddy man’s clothes. He lies. He tricks. He’s a dirty sparrow who chatters too loud and drowns out the music.”

Her mouth set in a grim line. “I understand shiny, you need the loving liar sparrow who plays dress up to give you his shimmers. Well, Mavis and I will take care of him. Livia hates dirty sparrows, especially those that play dress up and never come to the tea parties.”

She picked up the dagger and settled it back in its sheath. “Let’s go Mavis, the sparkle whispers and...what? No, I said no Mavis, we cannot stop and have a picnic, you know the mice won’t let us stay here. Don’t argue, don’t be a bad girl Mavis! Do you hear me?”

The unbalanced girl fell to her knees, grasping her head with both hands. “Stop! STOP TALKING. The bees, the squirrels, the mice, the sparrows, Mavis, the shimmers, the sparkle, the shiny. Livia can’t hear. STOP. Please, you’re hurting Livia. She’s good, stop. I...can’t...hear.”

With agonizing effort, Livia grasped the chakram at her hip and raised it to the back of her head. If the voices wouldn’t stop on their own, she’d MAKE them stop once and for all.

A painful scream echoed across the land and then silence.

The scream was cut off by a silent gasp, and then weeping as Livia's pain did not end. Strong hands held hers fast, and then quickly put pressure to her wound.

"sshhh...It's only in the flesh."

Livia's head shook, even against the pain. "Stop...I want it all to stop..."

The new voice was quiet and calm. "It's all right. We'll find a way."

The young woman, little more than a girl, was quieted, as Xena rocked her daughter and began to hum...

Hera watched from Olympus.

'That fool Xena. Always meddling.' She scowled. 'And my husband seeks to trick me again. Madness was a ploy to make the Bitch of Rome his bitch. Well, he's not going to have fun at my expense this time.'

She disappeared with a flourish of her hand.

********************

Xena held Livia and rocked her gently as blood congealed on her head. 'Shhh, Mummy's here.' Better than anyone, Xena knew what it was like to be at the mercy of the Furies.

'The shiny keeps talking to me. It laughs and dances. And the squirrels all chatter. They make Livy angry.' Livia's eyes filled with tears. 'The scratches inside won't stop, won't stop. Can't make them stop.'

'I can make them stop.' Hera stepped out of a shadow and moved to where Xena could see her.

'Leave us alone. I'm warning you.' Xena growled.

'I've come to make you an offer.'

'Not interested.'

'Pity. I thought you wanted to help your daughter.'

'What kind of help could you possibly give us?' The Warrior Princess kept her eyes focused on the Goddess Queen.

'I came to take away her madness.'

'For what reason?'

'Let's just say I'm feeling generous.' A new thought seemed to be forming in Hera's mind. 'However, you can help me with a small matter.'

'I knew it.' Xena's disgust couldn't be concealed.

'Hear me out. I will take away Livia's madness but I want you to pay a visit to Eli and give him this.' Hera handed Xena a scroll. Xena unrolled it. Characters were written on it in a hand that she couldn't understand.

'What's this?'

'Angelic writings that no mortal can read. You are to deliver it if you want Livia cured. Not pester me with questions.'

'I've never needed the help of the gods before, why should I start making deals with them now?'

'You're running out of options, my dear. And Livia is running out of time. How long do you think it will be before she does some serious harm to herself?'

Xena looked down at her daughter, then gritted her teeth. 'All right. I'll do as you ask. Fix her.'

'You've made the right decision.' Hera waved her arms above her head. 'Furies, the debt is paid. Livia has reunited in familial bonds with her Mother. I call on you to release her from madness.'

The room shuddered as wind shook it. Livia's mouth fell open as something unseen was sucked out of her body. She fell back deeper into Xena's embrace, unconscious.

'Remember the scroll, Xena. If you break our deal, your daughter will surely die.' With a loud cackle Hera was gone.

********************

After two days Livia had still not woken. Leaving her daughter in the care of an innkeeper Xena had set out to find Eli. The sooner her debt was paid the better.

She had last heard tell that Eli was injured and had holed up somewhere to the North. Near the Amazon Land of the Dead.

As Xena travelled she pondered what the writing on the Scroll might actually mean. It was probably a trick. Some words to put her in mortal danger, once again. Even though Eli was her ally, she had best tread carefully.

Eventually she reached the place where she expected to find the holy man. A secluded cave, known to only a few.

Xena dismounted Argo and moved stealthily forward. She could sense someone in the mouth of the cave.

'Xena.' Eli came out, with arms opened wide, to greet her.

'Eli. How are you?' She noticed bandages wrapped around his torso. 'Are you healing?'

'Yes, I'm happy to report. I've had much to meditate on and time heals all wounds. What brings you here?'

'I've been instructed to bring you this.' She handed him the scroll. Xena watched him unroll it carefully and skim its words. 'What's it say?'

'There have been some unbalances in the spirit world. The gods of Olympus have been giving powers to mortals. Something that the God of Michael has expressly forbidden. I have been given a mantra to chant to correct this.'

'Well, that's a relief. I felt sure you were going to turn into a big ball of blackness and try to swallow my soul.'

Eli chuckled. 'It will be a dark day when someone turns me against you, my friend.' His face turned serious. 'You should be wary, though. There are murmurs in the spirit world that your soul is being sought after by those who wish to bring great suffering upon the world.'

'I am always wary, but thanks for the warning.' Xena turned to go. 'I'll leave you to your chanting. Say one for me.'

'Goodbye, my friend. Take care.'

********************

Minya rolled over. In a drunken stupor. Again. The air above her stirred and shimmered as Ares' powers left her form. For good. She smiled and snored loudly.

********************

Caesar woke up in Hades. Again. Why does this keep happening to me, he thought? I just don't seem to be able to stay alive. I am life challenged.

He pointed a finger at his chest. A mere zap and he would be back on earth. The bitch didn't factor that into her warped little equation. Damn. Nothing happened. Somehow he was not only dead, he had lost his godly powers. And a smelly dead soul was eyeing him in a most unsavoury way.

Caesar sighed. It sucked being him.

Alti sat contemplating her shrine. The full moon was fast approaching and soon her plan would culminate. She would have Xena's soul. If she could just get the chakram back.

Callisto...that crazy bitch just might be of some use.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing," Callisto's voice heralded her arrival-undramatic as it was.

"What do you want?" growled Alti.

Callisto grinned and held up a green stone.

"I think it's time we paid a visit to someone who could really make a difference at somewhen. I can get you to there when and then you'll use your special talents--selectively, of course."

"Of course," sneered Alti. "Why should I do this for you?"

"Because you want Xena's soul. And if you're going to do what with it what I think you're going to do, that makes me....almost content."

"Fabulous. Let's go."

"Just one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I'll explain later, but just know you owe me a great debt and only I can release you from it. Don't worry. I think you'll like what I have in mind."

"Whatever, show me this who and when!"

*****************

Xena surveyed the smouldering ruins of Cirra. Bit of a waste to kill all those women and children, but it would just make the next region that much easier to take. Well, hopefully not too much easier. Even a legend needs a challenge. One last barn was still flickering merrily away. The wind carried a few sparks toward her...along with the smell of death and horror. Xena breathed in deeply.

She winced as a flash of bright green light surrounded her. There were two women before her. One was blonde and sported chain mail. She had a slightly wild look in her eye and a strange look passed over her face as she glanced over her shoulder to look at the ruins of the village. The other woman....was familar.

"Alti!" snarled Xena as she pulled her sword out of it's sheath.

"Xena!" said Alti and raised her eyebrows.

"Stop, Alti!" ordered the blonde woman. "Stop or I'll take you back to Chaos and leave you there.

"That might not be such a bad thing, you psycho, " muttered Alti under her breath.

"Show her what's to come!"

Xena snarled and thrust her sword into the blonde. The blonde merely smiled, pushed the sword back to hit the warlord on the chin and said, "Uh-uh, Xena, you've already killed me...and will again...and again. But not again today."

Alti sneered and sent the visions to Xena. Xena falling in love with Hercules...Xena despairing and burying her weapons and armour....Xena troubled by an irritaing blonde tag-along....Xena being humiliated by Caesar--again....Xena on a cross...Xena holding her dead son...Her son dead because of that blonde tag-along.

"Solan!" cried Xena.

Alti stopped. "Should I go on?"

Xena glared at her and looked to the other woman. "Why have you shown me this? Who are you?"

"My name is Callisto. And I"m showing you this, because you're only a few years away from going terribly wrong. You thought Alti was bad news, but that little blonde is going to cause you unbelievable grief. She'll bring about the death of your son. She'll get you killed by distracting you from what's important. She is pain and grief disguised as innocence and good."

Xena wordlessly shook her head. "So you're telling me this to put me on my guard when I see her?"

"No. I'm telling you this so you know what you need to do. I'm taking you into the future. I need the true you. Uncorrupted by those who would make you less than what you are."

Xena gazed darkly upon her vistors. Alti was a treacherous snake. Come to think of it, if she'd killed this blonde woman--or was going to kill her, why was she here? It couldn't be to help. Noone knowingly helped Xena unless they had a plan.

"I don't think I trust people who tell me what I am."

Callisto smiled brightly, "Oh that's excellent! I knew I was picking you up in the right time. That little blonde--her name is Gabrielle. And one of her friends--the one that helps her get you killed does nothing but tell people what they are.

"I'm just taking you ahead. You will observe and judge for yourself. "

"And?"

"And take what action is necessary."

The green stone that Callisto held in her hand began to glow. Suddenly a flash engulfed Xena.

*******
Alti blinked and looked around. This was the wrong place...and time. She instinctively knew that. And Xena wasn't with them. She tapped Callisto on her sternum.

"What's the idea, you crazy bitch? Where's Xena?"

Callisto smiled. "Don't worry. Xena's where we want her to be. I was thinking we might want to grab a certain street magician in India."

Alti grinned.

As Xena left the cave where Eli was meditating the ground began to shake all around her. Something was terribly wrong in the universe. She looked down at her body and saw that it was fading out of existence. She looked back to see Eli rise up to the heaves in a flash of light.

Meanwhile the spinners of time, known as the three fates, saw that someone had begun to unravel their spinning, the one called never-turn-back, also known as Atropos, took immediate action and cut the thread of Callisto's life at a point just prior to finding the Ixion stone. Then the spinners went on with their work.

There is a story about King Ixion which explains why this stone is so dangerous:

Ixion had thrown his father-in-law into a fiery pit. He went to Tartarus for the crime but Zues gave him a second chance and purified him of the crime. But rather than be thankful for this divine favor, he tried to seduce Zeus's wife. Hera warned her husband what was afoot, and Zeus fashioned a cloud into Hera's likeness. Ixion made a pass at the cloud and was caught in the act. He was immediately consigned to the underworld for punishment in Tartarus, chained to a fiery wheel. Moral of the story: Even if you could go into the past you would still make the same mistakes.

From that time it became impossible to undo the past, but the stone upon which Ixion stood must have been endowed with special powers because of this purification by Zeus, which meant that the fates had to be ever vigilant.

In Heaven, Eli learned of the untimely death of Callisto and determined heal her. Although he could not do anything to change the events that had brought her to the spot, he did remove the stone from the cave where it was hidden, and used its powers to ferry her back to her rightful time.

He then set out for Potedaia to meet and meditate with his favorite disciple Gabrialle.

Zeus appears before Caesar in the underworld. 'You could be good you know, even great. You have the drive, and the determination, yet for someone who feels Xena let's her emotions get in the way, you seem to do a pretty good job of it yourself.'

Zeus walks across around Caesar shaking his head. ' And now you have ended up here, AGAIN. Will you never learn? It's not about killing Xena, her daughter, or the local blacksmith down the street, it's the bard, it's always been the bard.' With a slight smirk he looks Caesar straight in the eye. 'You can go back. With my help anyhow, but in return you have to do me a favour. The amazon nation has depleted greatly due to Livia before she knew who her mother was, but there are still a few going strong. A few that need to be eliminated to help Xena, as Eli would put it, be put back on her correct path, HER way, the way she never have left. I can see in Xena what my son Ares saw in her, what you saw in her, and it's not just them nice legs in a short leather skirt either, it's more.'

'Therefore, i will put you back on the earth above, if you kill Gabrielle. If you don't fulfill this in 2 days hence, I shall return you back here for an eternity.'

Caesar looks disbelievingly at Zeus. 'So all I have to do is kill the irritating blonde, and I get to live again? Will i have my godly powers? Will I get Rome back? Can you make Xena love me while you're at i....'

'STOP!' Zeus roars at him. 'You will be what you were before. Human, deceitful and cruel, with a certain way with women, but that is
it, none of the extras that seem to pop up out of no where, you will be you. And if you can't live with that, you won't live at all.'

'Hey, hey, Zeus, my man, don't worry about that, I'm happy, I'm willing, enquiring minds just wanted to see what else they could get out of the deal.' Caesar snidely remarks. 'It's my deal, or no deal' Zeus sighs in exasperation. 'All you mortals are the same, me, me, me. Wondering what else you can get, that doesn't and never will belong to you. Well it stops here.'

'OK. It's a deal then. I'm alive, I kill the blonde, hey i can deal with that.' Caesar exclaims.'Well it's done. Have fun, as I am sure you will, but make sure she's dies or you will.' Zeus claps his hands as Caesar returns to the land of the living. Shaking his head as he shimmers away. 'Mortals, they will never learn'.



********************************************************************

Caesar finds himself on the outskirts of a town. No idea where he is, he starts walking at a pace to find someone who can tell him, so he can set Zeus's plan in motion. 'Hey you, boy, what town is this?' he asks the first person he sights. 'We're in Potedaia, town of the incestuous crossbreeding. Why do ya think i'm walking away from town? Those people there are boring. B-O-R-I-N-G.'

Caesar keeps walking into town, ignoring the rest of what the young man has to say, and starts walking at a brisk pace, contemplating which way would be the best way to kill the bard. Skirting all around town, trying to find which hovel Gabrielle's parents live in, he spies Amarice coming out of the town bath house. 'So' he mumbles to himself, 'Gabrielle has a bodyguard, what's one amazon dead, if Zeus can have two.' As he stealthily follows Amarice, he realises how simple this has been. Turns up directly out the front of the town he needs to be in.. thank you very much Zeus. Spots someone that will help him find the one her needs, only minutes of getting there. One would think the gods were smiling upon him on this mission.


He spots a young brunette woman, putting a pie on the windowsill to cool. He quickly ducks behind a tree as he hears Gabrielle's voice ring out.. 'Lila, Lila, how long will the pie be? Amarice says that she has to leave to take the message to Minya shortly, and I thought it would be nice if she had something to eat before she left.' 'Ten minutes Gabby, always the impatient one my sister' laughs Lila as she walks back into the room with Gabrielle and Amarice.

Caesar's tomach grumbles with hunger.. 'Hunger, haven't had that for a while' he says to himself, as he goes to pinch the pie. Then a thought comes upon him... Why eat the pie himself, when he could use something from the bag Zeus gave him, and poison Gabrielle, and no one would be any the wiser. No witnesses, nothing to tie him back to this town. DONE.

He slides the pie off the shelf, lifts off the crust from the top, and sprinkles it with nightsbane. By night fall Gabrielle will be dead, and if he was lucky, there was a whole room full of amazons in there not just Amarice. Zeus will be pleased.

Caesar settles down at the local tavern for a few ales, after buying some new clothes, as to not be recognised, and waits for the outcome of the nightsbane...

Several hours later a he hears a man running around town. 'Help me, help me, I have just discovered 3 dead bodies in my house, what ever will i do, please help me. My daughter is dead.'

As the whole town seems to rush to the house, Caesar dones the hat he bought, whistles to himself, steals a horse, and rides out of town.

Gabrielle and Amarice are both dead, what a joyous occasion.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Michelle,

Hera watched Eli in a bemused fashion. What was the holy man up to now? He had caused the death of Callisto, then put her back into his time. Like the idiot savant that he was.

Now he was on his way to Poteidaia. Hera licked her lips. She would savour his grief, once he learned the fate of Gabrielle.

Callisto. Hera had held some high hopes for her. Now she was dead. Someone else would be needed to secure Xena's soul. Alti was looking promising. Now that Gabrielle was dead no one would miss the bard's REAL head. Hera started plotting how to best deliver it to the Shamaness.

Three days after Amarice had separated from Minya and Joxer to go after Xena--"or Gabrielle, whoever I find first, anyone's better than you two bumbling idiots!"--Minya and Joxer, having set out on their own to find Eli and talk with him, now stopped at a nearby town near Poteidaia.
Minya wondered if she'd get to speak to Gabrielle again. Gabrielle had done so much for her. Indeed, Joxer looked quite depressed since they'd set out on their own. Even though he knew it was the right thing to do, rather than wait for Xena all the time--Joxer still had a soft spot for Gabrielle. That would not go away, no matter how much he cared for Minya. Well, she thought, maybe they could ask around and see if anyone has seen her. It would be good to at least say goodbye to her.
Minya sighed, and looked down at the strange dish she'd ordered at the Inn. Joxer wolfed down his steak and kidney pie, every now and then staring at Minya's food with disgust and curiosity.
"Raw lamb," he said, wrinkling his nose. "Raw. With--what is that again? Whipped--cream?"
"It's delicious," Minya said around a huge mouthful. "Exactly what I needed."
Joxer looked quite worried. He continued to stare at Minya for a good long time.
"What?" Minya finally said, annoyed. "No offense, sweetheart, but it's rather difficult to eat when someone is staring down your throat."
"Sorry," Joxer said, smiling sweetly. "It's just--it's just--" Joxer sighed. He was having difficulty saying something.
Minya's heart sank. Joxer was no fool. No matter what people always assumed about him--he was smarter than most people she knew. I must have been out of my mind thinking I could keep this from him, she thought.
Joxer took a huge swig of his beer, then set it down with a thump.
"You," he said sternly but sweetly, "are hiding something from me, love."
"I know," Minya sighed, and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Joxer."
"Minya, you really are a bumbling idiot," Joxer laughed. "What makes you think--I mean--did you think I'd be upset or anything?" His face lit up in fact, a thing that brought a lump to Minya's throat.
"I'm delighted, Minya," he said. "Well alright, I always kind of hoped it'd be Gabrielle--but I can't think of a better woman--who I want to be the mother of my child." He drew himself up. "I am going to be the best father this side of Greece."
Minya swallowed hard and pushed her plate away. SHe no longer wanted the food.
"What?" Joxer frowned. Then he looked frightened. "Minya--Minya--you DO want children, don't you?"
"It's not that," MInya said in a tight voice. "Joxer--what if it's--what if it's Ares's?"
Joxer's face fell. "Oh," he said. "Didn't think of that."
"No," Minya said ruefully. "Hades. WHat a bloody mess."
They sat in glum silence for a moment. Finally Joxer spoke.
"Do you think you really are pregnant? I mean--you haven't seen any healers or anything so you can't really be sure."
"Look at this glop," Minya snapped, pointing to the food she'd pushed away. "Not to mention the fact that I threw up this morning even though I didn't drink last night."
"I was wondering about that," Joxer said, a perplexed look on his face. "I mean--you didn't touch a drop, Minya. That is so not like you." He chuckled, but Minya didn't chuckle back.
"AND my boobs are killing me!" Minya said so loudly, several people turned around and stared at her. Joxer jsut chortled, snorting beer through his nose.
"Well," he said, turning on the charm, "I can massage them for you later if you, uh, are in the mood."
Minya glared at him.
"All right, all right," Joxer put up his hands and smiled. "Whatever you want, honey. I"ll stand by you. I mean--I know about women and their hormones and stuff--especially while pregnant--you should have seen Gabrielle--and Xena? Oh she was worse! She--she--"
Suddenly Minya jumped up, knocking over her coffee. fortunately it wasn't hot anymore, as it got all over the place, soaking up her forgotten meal.
A familiar face had wandered into the Inn. Looking very harried and haggard.
"PAULY!" cried Minya, running to her, and embracing her. "Pauly! Paulina--Oh, my love, how ARE you! WHERE have you been?"
Paulina pulled back and stared at Minya, hurt in her eyes. Then she sighed, and shook her head.
"No--I was gonna read you the riot act and never ever see you again," Paulina said, her eyes filling with tears. "But I can't. Not now, not after what I just heard."
"Pauly honey, what's wrong? What's going on? You look terrible," Minya fretted, ushering her over to the table where she and Joxer sat. Paulina gave Joxer a dirty look, but sat down anyway, in the seat next to Minya's.
"Paulina," Minya said breathlessly, sitting next to her, "I was going to write you, I swear I was! So much has happened--can you ever forgive me? We were not monogamous, you know we never were--"
"Shut up, will you!" Tears spilled out of Paulina's eyes and ran down her face. "Don't you know by now what has happened? Obviously not--your VISIONS are really gone!" She said the word "visions" with a supreme amount of bitterness.
Minya, her appetite restored, was wolfing down coffee-soaked bites of raw lamb and whipped cream.
"Yup," she said with her mouth full. "Gone. Finished. FInito. Can't say as I miss them either." SHe let out a long shuddering sigh. "Bleeh. What a rough couple weeks THAT was."
Paulina looked at Minya with sad watery eyes. Joxer offered her his pint, which she took and downed.
"Oh, Joxer," she sighed, beginning to weep in earnest, "I'm so so sorry. Minya--you were really close to Gabrielle, weren't you?"
Minya threw her head back and guffawed. "Oh, PLEASE!" she roared. "As if--as Dite's Afro would say! Paulina--honey--not only would Xena slice me up with her chakram--if she had her chakram--well she did have it once but then she didn't, I'm so confused with that--but really honey--Gabrielle meant nothing to me, well--not like that."
Paulina slapped Minya hard across her face. "It's all about sex for you, isn't it?" she snarled. "You and your overblown libido! Well I got news for you, Minya, Gabrielle is--is--"she burst into heavy sobs and buried her face in her arms. "Oh, I can't say it!" She disolved into hopeless weeping.
Minya froze. Some whipped cream was on her chin but she didn't notice it. She stared at Paulina, hardly daring to look at Joxer at first. Then--slowly--she turned to look at him.
Joxer had a look on his face of pure horror.
"Pauly," Minya said, putting her arm aruond her. "Pauly honey--come on, tell us."
Paulina continued to sob into her arms, shaking her head. But her reluctance was enough for Joxer. He got up, and stormed out of the inn, not looking at anybody.
Minya's heart was pounding in her throat. But Paulina was inconsolable. Slowly, numbly as if there were no more feeling in her body--she rose, and walked as if she were in a dream--out the door.
Joxer sat at one of the outside tables, staring into space. Minya started to go to him, when she caught sight of two drunken men, heading toward the tavern.
"Yesh, that's what happened," one of them said loudly to his friend. "Two days ago, it 'appened! All three of em! Dead! Dead in their houses--with pie on their faces!"
"Who?" his clueless friend asked him.
"I TOLD ye!" snarled his friend. "That--that--Gabrielle! The one who travelled with the Warrior Princess! And--who the hell was that redheaded chick that ran around with them--"
Amarice. Minya's blood ran cold. No--no. It couldn't be.
"Yeah, Ann Marie, something like that--she was a whaddyacallit--amazin--amazon that'sh it--she'sh dead right along with the Bard!"
"An' the third?"
His friend frowned, confused. "Dunno, don' remember--ohhh yeah--I THINK it was Gabby's lil sister! That's i--"
Minya ran to the man and seized him by the shirt collar.
"What do you mean they're dead?" she snarled.
"Good Gods, lady--You be Minya right?" the man squinted, his whole body and breath smelling of rum. Minya suddenly found she wanted some. Later--perhaps. Or not.
"That's me," she said gruffly. "What about Gabrielle?"
"Oh, she's DEAD," the man said, and hiccupped. "Say--you be the one with the vision things right? An' Ares--the god of war--"
"LEAVE him out of this!" Minya growled, seizing the man by his shoulders. "TELL me about Gabrielle."
"Well--I told ol Barto here," the man said, recoiling from Minya's intimidating persona. "YOU heard all I know."
"How did they die?" Minya asked in a trembling voice.
The man frowned. "I dunno."
"I might," Barto piped up.
Minya let go of the first man and grabbed Barto by his shoulders. "Tell me," she said darkly.
"I THINK I do anyway," Barto said. "Ye might wanna double check that, Minya--say, didn't one of ye vision thins tell ya--"
"I don't have the visions anymore, all right?" Minya snapped. "What do you think happened to them?"
Barto's face fell. "Ohhh, you don't have the visions--that means you're back to normal," he laughed. "normal, you were pretty--"
"Look, I don't have time for this, ya drunken sot, TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!"
"Eeeasy now, lady, it takes one to know one," the first man said. Both of them started circling Minya. She was getting bored with this, very quickly.
Joxer suddenly appeared by her side, and pushed Barto to the ground hard.
"Leave her alone," he said, his armor rattling as he drew himself up. "Tell her what she needs to know. Tell--both of us." Joxer's voice was tight.
"Well," Barto said solemnly, stumbling to his feet, "Ummm--I know I'm drunk and all, and maybe I'm seein things--but--I could have sworn I saw--ummm, a ghost."
His friend started chortling. "A GHOST?"
"A ghost."
"LOOK you insufferable fool!" Joxer grabbed him and shook him, his hat falling into his eyes as he did so, and his armor rattling. The man swayed, and as he did, he fell to the ground, Joxer falling down with him. THey rolled around on the ground, and Joxer sat up, shaking his head to clear it, adjusting his hat as he did so.
"Caesar was in Poteidaia," Barto said, somewhat soberly.
"Caesar!" Minya gasped. Joxer's eyes widened--then narrowed in rage.
"THat's righto," Barto said, and hiccuped. "Shaw 'im myself in fact--in the bar i got drunk in before we were comin to this tavern to get drunk again." He giggled, seeming to think this was very funny.
"What the flying hell is Caesar doing in Poteidaia?" snarled Minya. "Last I saw him--I--no."
"Yesh that's right," Barto's friend chortled. "He was even worsh than YOU weres, Minya! Goin around sayin he's a god, he's Ares's son, the WHOLLLLE works! Well he ain't sayin that now, I heard him muttering under his breath in the outhouse about the three of em--i'd gone out there to throw up but he didn't think I heard him--still--that was funny!" They broke into chortles and fell on top of each other, just laughing as if the whole thing meant absolutely nothing. Minya looked hard at them--and decided then and there not to ever touch another drop of alchohol.
"SHUT UP!" Joxer sprang to his feet, and lunged at them. "DON'T you understand? Three people are DEAD! Gabrielle--Amarice--oh, Gabrielle--" he suddenly stared at Minya for a moment. Then--with a cry of utmost grief, he turned and ran--ran into the street.
"Joxer!" Minya cried.
She tore off after him. Joxer wasn't that fast, with his armor after all. It didn't take her long to catch up to him. He got as far as the nearest tree--leaned his head on it, and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Joxer, Joxer--" Minya ran up to him, and threw her arms around him. "Joxer, honey--" she broke off. What could she say to him? Words of comfort? They had sent Amarice to her death. And Gabrielle--after Dite's Afro had rescued her--what a waste, to die like that--oh gods!
Minya held onto Joxer, who clung to her, howling in despair. Her tears began to flow freely--and her sobs to shake her body. For nothing. It had all been for nothing. Xena had lost Gabrielle, a part of her soul. What was a chakram? Gabrielle was Xena's soul, always had been.
Minya leaned her head on Joxer's armor plated shoulder, her tears splashing on her cheeks, and wailed. None of this should have happened, none of it. It all seemed so wrong--so totally wrong.
What now? What would happen to Xena now? Amarice--oh Amarice, thought Minya, why didn't you come with us? WHY did you have to strike out on your own? And why--why was I so busy thinking of the inconvenience you would cause us that I--LET you?
Minya had had a bad feeling about letting Amarice go alone. It may not have come to her in a vision, but it had been there. SHe should have insisted. SHe should have--"
"I killed her," Joxer said into her ear. "She died--because of me."
"Now listen to me," Minya said fiercely, through her sobs, pulling back and taking him gently by the shoulders. "YOu are NOT responsible for any of this, Joxer! I am the one to blame!"
"If I hadn't argued with Amarice," Joxer said brokenly, "if we had just put HER in charge instead of--of--being so egotistical--oh, Minya, I am a bumbling idiot! I HATE myself!"
"No."
The broken voice was one Minya knew well. Turning around she saw two figures coming toward them--Paulina, and Eli.
"Oh, Eli--" Minya ran into his arms. Eli was broken up. SHe held him as he wept, sobbing freely as she had sobbed over Ares's death what seemed like years ago. This brought her own tears to the surface again. THey stood in the sunlight and wept together, and Paulina went over to comfort poor Joxer.
"Competing for the blame will not help," Eli said brokenly. "She's dead--but it's nobody's fault. She's with my Father now. Yes--i know she will be safe, she will be happier. But the turmoil she is leaving behind--especially for Xena--"
He disolved into fresh tears. There were no words for a long time. Not even Eli had words for this one.
Finally, everyone's throats were so raw, they couldn't cry anymore. The four of them walked back to the Inn where Minya and Joxer had a room.
"We must talk about this," Eli said in a husky voice. "We all have a part to play in this now. For Xena's sake, we must find her--reunite with her."
He bought two large bottles of rum from the bartender. In silence, they went upstairs, ignoring the looks on people's faces.
Once inside the room, they all sat down, Minya and Joxer on the bed, Paulina on the floor at Minya's feet, and Eli in the chair beside the bed.
"Xena has lost the one thing that's kept her going for too long," Eli said. "It was bad enough when she lost the chakram. But--losing Gabrielle--"
"Eli," Minya said softly, "Where is Xena? Still with Livia?"
Eli smiled slightly through his tears. "Minya, my child," he said softly, "i am very happy you are not riddled with those visions anymore. Those powers were not from my Father, but from a God of Darkness."
"I know," Minya said ruefully, looking down at her hands.
"Yes, Xena is still with Livia," Eli said. "A lot of healing has to take place. But--Minya--theres' something else you should know." He took a long swig of rum. Normally Eli didn't drink but tonight he made an exception. "Callisto is now where she should be again."
"What?" Joxer said softly.
"What do you mean?" Minya frowned.
"Bless you, Minya! Without the visions, you are closer to my Father than you ever were. Well--Callisto is in Heaven. WHEre she should have been all along."
Minya did a double take. Joxer gasped, then downed a full glass of rum.
"You're kidding me," she said dully. "Callisto is--gone?"
"She never should have been here," Eli said. "So--I just put her back to her rightful place. SHe will plague us no more, Minya, and as far as I know, neither will Livia. Which means now that there are only two dark forces we must reckon with."
"I know," growled Minya. "Alti. And--Caesar."
Eli grimaced and put the empty glass on the table. "This does nothing for me. These spirits--they are not of my Father. I normally never partake. But--when I saw her--all of them--" his eyes filled with tears. "It was almost as bad as--" Eli sighed, and closed his eyes. There was silence for a long time.
"I know," Joxer said softly. "I was there."
"To see them like that," Eli said, clenching a fist in front of him, "on the crosses like that. Because of my teachings--Gabrielle renounced fighting--and that is a good part of why they died."
"Then you brought them back," Joxer said. Brightening, he said, "Hey! Can you--"
"No, Joxer," Eli said, tears rolling down his face again. "I can't."
Joxer sagged. "It was just a thought."
"I know."
"Dammit all," Minya snarled, "Forget Alti for now. When I see Caesar, I-I--"
"Minya," Eli said firmly, "Perspective."
"Oh hang the way of love!" shouted Joxer. "I say we go after Caesar and--and--slice off his--"he hesitated for a minute.
Paulina suddenly started to chortle, despite the situation.
"I was going to say head," Joxer said to her, annoyed, but his eyes twinkled regardless.
"One day," said Eli, pulling from his pocket a sheef of papers, "you will understand what I am about to show you, Minya, Joxer. Joxer, you already know part of it. Joxer?" He prompted him.
"Oh, about the third chakram," Joxer said, importantly. "Yes! That was from the papers that Jett gave me to show Xena! Xena told me about this. She trusted me with it." He drew himself up. "The three of them come togther to--to--form a very important door! Uhhh, something like that." He looked at Eli uncertainly.
Eli smiled. "Good enough, my friend."
Minya smiled. "Well," she said. "it's about time you told me, Joxer."
"I'm sorry," Joxer said, looking like a hurt puppy. "But when Xena tells me something--important--and I swear not to tell--"
"It's all right," Minya grinned, playfully punching his armored shoulder.
"But there's more," Eli said seriously, placing the papers on the table. "I want you to read it, both of you, in the next couple days. It's about the Ixiom stone."
"The ixiom stone?" Minya stared at him. "The one Callisto had? I saw her with it--it was weird, the world went all nuts back there--Joxer disappeared, Amarice disappeared--"she broke off, tears spilling out of her eyes. "Then I was in chains, and Callisto--but it wasn't a vision it was--was it how the world would have been if she--what the hell did she do with that stone?"
"It's all right, my child," Eli said, pouring her a glass of rum. "You have abstained all evening Minya. But--you can partake, jsut this once."
Minya took in his kindness and took the glass of rum. She was about to take a sip--when suddenly she handed the glass to Joxer, and buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Minya," Eli said, going over to her, "Minya--do not deny yourself everything. Gabrielle and Amarice lived life to the fullest, both of them. You must too. Grieve for their absense. We will all miss them. But do live your life, Minya. You must."
"I can't drink," sobbed Minya. "I--can't. Not anymore."
"I don't understand."
"Eli," Joxer said sadly, as Minya wrapped her arms around her head and howled, "Minya thinks she's--you know," he shrugged, "in the family way."
Eli's face went white.
"It can't be," he whispered. Paulina jumped to her feet and stared at Joxer, then at Minya, her face bearing shock and hurt.
"Yes," Joxer said. "Worst part is--she doesn't know who the father is." Paulina sighed, and turned away, kicking at the chair Eli had been sitting in.
"This puts a new spin on things," Eli said softly. "I must--Joxer, my friend, I must go and meditate on this. Minya," he said softly, putting his hand on her shoulder, "whatever the case may be--if you are indeed pregnant--I trust that you will use the natural gifts of my Father to tap into your motherhood. You will raise the child--with Joxer's help--" he looked at Joxer, who nodded, emphatically. "A little child--that is something that may help you, Minya. Even if it does--have godlike powers."
Minya moaned. "No," she wept. "No, please! I can't take it!" she looked up at Eli, her face totally wet with tears. "There must be something I can do if it's his. Take away the godlike powers--can anything be done? Anything?"
"I don't know, my child," Eli said sadly. "I must meditate on it. It may be--that this is meant to be for you."
"No!" Minya cried desperately. "I don't want it to be his--I don't want to give birth to a half god."
"Minya," Eli said firmly, "you are a child of Love first. You will have the power to raise your child, no matter whose it is. Would you deny the love of a child who comes from the god of War?"
Minya heaved a sigh and looked down at her hands, tears splashing on them.
"N-no," she said, heaving on a sob. "No--I would love her no matter where she came from."
"That's the way," Eli smiled. "You will be all right, Minya. However I want you to go to the Healer tomorrow--just to be sure."
"Oh, we will," Joxer said firmly, putting his arms around Minya and letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "We will."
"Good," Eli smiled. "I am very happy you two found each other. Your love is blessed. Treasure and cherish it. Now if you'll excuse me," he said softly, turning also to Paulina, "i must go and meditate."
"Are you sure it's safe?" Paulina said fretfully. "I mean--what if that Caesar guy comes after you? Or worse--Alti?"
"I'm going to ask for a room right next to this one," Eli said, looking at Minya and Joxer. "I know two very good warriors--who I trust to protect me if anything happens." He smiled. Minya managed to smile back, a weak smile, but filled with conviction.
"Don't worry, Eli," Joxer said, standing up. "We'll protect you! After all--I am Joxer the mighty--"his hat fell into his eyes again, and Paulina giggled. This time, Minya managed a broad smile.
"Well," said Eli, "I will leave you three alone. You have much to catch up on--and much to read." He indicated his notes on the table. Minya nodded strongly.
"Be well, Eli," she said standing up and going to him. "Thank you."
"Sleep well, my child."
Eli walked out the door.

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