Hey peoples! How are you!? I'm hyper! Okay, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and this one is going to be somewhat lighter than the previous. I might do it like this for a while but if the story is being dragged out for too long please let me know! This once again is from the legendary 'Callisto's' POV. I'm giving her back her bad-ass attitude since she's now a warrior for justice. I'm going to stop her feeling sorry for herself etc. Also, do you think that Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto should become really good pals or do you think they should get on but always have that distance? With Xena perhaps you could have them getting on but after Callisto killing Peridicus things could be awkward; please read the full chapter before you give an opinion because I have something with Callisto and Gabrielle. Please enjoy this and please review! (Pretty please?!) I just love reviews! Enjoy! Happy reading!

The Princess and the Prince: Part I:

Callisto POV:

We finally left the town so I could finally make up for the bad that I've done. Xena was right; time did heal and even the prospect of helping people made my mood improve. Joxter also was a massive impact on my mood change. We had kissed in the last town but hadn't really spoken since. I guess he felt as I did...he didn't know what to say or do.

Xena and Gabrielle were walking ahead of us by two or three meters talking to each other quietly. "Uh...Joxter..." I said after a long, awkward, painful silence.

"Yes Callisto."

"About back in the last town-"

He cut me off. "I know you don't love me; there's no need to explain, it's ok..."

"Do you love me?" he didn't reply but he looked sad. I took that as a yes.

"Do you love me?" he said eventually.

"Joxter," I said shaking my head. Maybe I was wrong, did he love me? Maybe he only kissed me to make me feel better. Yeah, that was it...

"Let's just drop it..."

"Fine..." he said and we walked silently up to Xena and Gabrielle.

I walked on my own thinking on how I could truly know how Joxter felt. I didn't want things to be awkward between us and I cared too much to risk what we had on a relationship.

Eventually we came to a stop. "We'll camp here for the night and we'll get going tomorrow," Xena said and walked away; she beckoned me towards her as she was walking away. I followed her, still limping as the stab wound was still very painful.

"I want you to keep an eye on Joxter and Gabrielle tonight. There's an army surrounding us and I don't know if they're following us or not. If they attack get them to safety," Xena whispered.

"Okay," I whispered back and began to walk away when Xena stopped me.

"Hang on Callisto," she said as I was walking away.

"Yeah?"

"This is really awkward but...if you ever feel...like killing people without having to...then please talk to me. I know what it's like trying to change sides and it's really hard. Just don't do it on your own. "

"Thanks," I smiled and began to walk away when she stopped me again.

"I'm doing this for Joxter too. I know how he feels about you."

"How does he feel?"

"He loves you. He sees something in you; don't break his heart or hurt him in any way or I will kill you. You hear me?"

"Yeah."

"Good."

As I was walking back to the fire I looked at Gabrielle. I saw her looking up into the sky looking desperately sad; I understood that look. She was missing Peridicus and I knew he was missing her. Then it suddenly struck me how I could help her.

I looked at my sword; Ares had said that it resembled my family and I could see how it could also resemble Peridicus. The engravings could be of the stories Gabrielle had told him and also they could be of their story or his war ones, then the jewel, he was so valuable to her and the light but sturdiness of the sword, he made her feel so alive and gave her great strength.

I approached her and threw the sword on the ground beside her and set on a log opposite to her across the fire. "Showing me the sword you killed him with?!" she shouted. She was crying; she looked down on it and I could see it shimmer. The shimmer was very attractive when aimed at you; she picked it up and her face instantly changed.

She looked up from the sword and her face changed; I was guessing she could see him at that stage; she looked so happy. It also brought a smile to my face; I couldn't see him, only she could.

"Peridicus?!" Gabrielle exclaimed happily.

Xena came running to see what was going on but I looked at her and put up my hand telling her to stop. Thankfully she did what I told her to.

"I've missed you so much!" she cried. Then she looked on as he probably spoke. After about five minutes she spoke again. "I love you," she smiled and started crying again; there was a mixture of tears of sorrow and joy. Then the sword stopped shimmering and she looked at me.

"How did it? Did you? What?" she mumbled.

"When I changed my ways Ares gave it to me; I could see my family and they stopped me from killing myself so many times and they gave me some very good advice. They're always right of course! When I looked at it first I saw my family as in the green emerald representing my father's eyes, the engravings of the stories that my sister used to tell me and the light but sturdiness of the sword reminded me of my mother. I could link it with you and Peridicus and hoped that it would help you see him and talk to him. It looks like it did. I couldn't think of a way to make it up to you and I still can't but at least that's something."

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Callisto that's the best thing that I could've asked for. He told me something; about you."

"Oh?"

"He told me that you changed. He insisted to be more precise. I guess he was right and I'm sorry," she smiled.

"You've nothing to be sorry for. I am really sorry Gabrielle; I just hope that, that can help you pick up the pieces of a mess that I made," I said and I got up and walked away. Just as I was out of sight Xena ran up behind me and stopped me.

"Show me your sword," Xena demanded.

"Xena I swear this wasn't a trick!"

"Just show me!" I reluctantly handed her the sword knowing that no person would appear for her so she probably wouldn't believe me.

She examined it for quite some time before handing it back to me. "It's Mima's dagger," she mumbled seeming shocked.

"Who's dagger?"

"There was a dagger formed by some God called Mima; it would apparently allow you to communicate with the dead but only one person at a time could use it; the only way another person could use it if it was passed on by you at death. You have to summon the dead to come; you may not even know you're doing it. You summoned Peridicus for Gabrielle didn't you?"

"I wanted to help. I knew that when I spoke to my family through it that it made me feel so much better seeing them. I thought that the same might apply for her. Looks like it did."

"They say that to summon from that sword for yourself is very easy but to summon for someone else is extremely hard; you have truly changed haven't you?"

"As I said; I'm truly sorry for everything I've done and I really want to make it up to the two of you and many others. I am really grateful for you two giving me a chance."

"Thank you Callisto, you really don't know how happy that's made her."

"It was my pleasure believe me."

"Xena could I talk to you for a sec?" asked Gabrielle.

"I'll be there in a moment," she said as she walked away from me.

"That was a great thing you did for her," Joxter said walking towards me.

"Not when you really think about it," I said.

"At least you're sorry and you really don't know what that means to her. To see someone you love and miss; it must be an amazing experience."

"Yeah it is," I said. After a short silence we went back to the fire and went to sleep; well, Gabrielle and Joxter did. Xena and I stayed awake to make sure that we weren't attacked.

We knew that the other was awake but neither of us dared speak, well, I didn't anyway. I knew that I would end up landing myself more in the deep end if I spoke. For that reason I stayed silent the whole night; obviously I fell asleep because I was woken up in the morning by Joxter falling on me.

I screamed because I'd gotten an awful fright and my screaming frightened Joxter so he screamed back. Xena and Gabrielle chuckled slightly but didn't comment.

"Sorry Callisto," Joxter said getting up. He also helped me up which was really awkward because when he went to take my hand I flinched back slightly as did he. I almost wish we didn't kiss back in the last town.

It was a very awkward moment and thankfully a stranger approached us which broke the tension. "Hello? Are you Xena and Callisto?" a woman asked. She was very well dressed, she was wearing a long, gold lined cloak with a red pattern and long, white robes, her makeup was well applied.

"Yes," Xena and I said in unison.

"Are these people your friends?" she asked.

"Yes," we both replied in unison again.

"Thank goodness! I was wondering if you could help us.

"Us?" Xena asked.

"Well, I live in the castle in the next town and we're in a spot of bother you see. We are worried that there is an assassin at work and we are worried for our prince and princess. We were wondering if you and maybe this young lad here would pose as the prince and princess; and perhaps Xena and?"

"Gabrielle."

"Xena and Gabrielle could pose as the queen and the other princess. Our royal family have hardly been out of the castle lately with these threats to their lives so people don't know what they look like. Could you help us? Please?"

Xena turned to the rest of us. "I think we should help," I said instantly.

"This all seems a bit far-fetched."

"Xena we have to help them! What if they get killed!?"

"I agree Xena. Just think of what might happen if the royal family were killed. There'd be chaos," Gabrielle told her.

"What do you think Joxter?" I asked.

"Oh he doesn't matter," Xena mumbled and turned to the lady.

"Hey I do matter!" he exclaimed.

"We'll do it. When do you need us there?"

"Straight away if you can..."

"Okay then. Are you ready guys?"

"Don't you mean them?! Because, I don't matter!" Joxter exclaimed.

"Shut up Joxter!" Xena shouted. Both Gabrielle and I chuckled. I was thinking about what Xena said about Joxter loving me on the way. I wondered if he really did. It was tearing me into shreds because I didn't know. I wish I had the courage to just ask him. I noticed that he was walking closer to Gabrielle and Xena than me; how could I mess things up?!

I walked up to the lady who was in front and asked her some question about the castle and the family. "What are the princes and princesses names?" I asked her.

"There's Prince Oberon and Princess Cressida. They are engaged to be married but I'm afraid they're fighting at the moment. The other princess is Princess Europa. She'll be played by the blonde one; we'll have you as Princess Cressida and that young man there as Prince Oberon."

"Prince because I'm charming?!" Joxter asked smugly.

"No. Our prince is quite rugged, clumsy and not all that charming but he's a really nice young man. He's not a good warrior either."

"Well, looks like those acting skills are going to come in handy! Right ladies?!" Joxter laughed.

"Right?"

After another half an hour we got to a town; it wasn't massively big but it was big enough. We were taken to the castle and it was huge; I couldn't even begin to describe it.

She led us into the king's chamber and introduced us. We were given robes to put on and then we were sent to the lady that brushes the princess's hair about one hundred times a day. She gave it 'the usual' one thousand strokes and then let me go. I was to meet Joxter so we would be walking around the castle investigating to see if we could find a conspirator or any leads to finding one.

"Excuse me!" called the lady that brought us here.

"Yes," I replied turning to her.

"You two should argue as you walk around. Many of the people here haven't had access to you but they know that you...Well...they don't get on," she told us.

"Okay then so do we just pick things to argue about?" I asked.

"Perfect," she smiled and walked away.

"Do I look like a prince to you?" Joxter asked.

"Well the one she described..." I smiled.

"I've been told I'm not important, scruffy, non-charming and ugly! What next?!" he exclaimed.

"People are looking, fight on," I whispered.

"Who's looking?!" he exclaimed and he turned around really quickly.

"Shut up Joxter! Just give out to me!" I whispered angrily.

"Stop telling me what to do! I've been told I'm a bad warrior, unimportant non-charming and ugly and now I can't even row properly and after all that you still think you can push me around?!" he shouted. There was a massive crowd looking at us now.

"You're doing brilliantly!" I exclaimed.

"Nobody ever takes me seriously do they?!" he shouted and stormed off. He was obviously not watching where he was going because he walked into a wall and fell to the floor knocking a massive ornament worth at least 500,000 dinars. We were going to be killed. I laughed when he fell as did many other people and then I beckoned for them to leave so they did. Joxter and I were alone.

"That was brilliant!" I exclaimed and went over to him to help him up. When I held out my hand he pushed it away. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm not listened to either! Great!" he exclaimed getting up. It was then I realised that he was being serious before.

"Joxter we do listen! I thought that back there was part of the act!"

"That's all you ever see me as. An act, a bit of fun, somebody to moan to and mock! Well I can't take it anymore!" he shouted and stormed off. He tripped on his way outside the door and I managed not to laugh. I really didn't know he felt that way.

I started to walk around the castle to get used to my surroundings in case of any fights or if I was asked any questions about the place. I couldn't get Joxter out of my mind. I felt so sorry for him; I knew that he felt slightly patronised by Xena and Gabrielle so I knew it wasn't completely my fault but I didn't exactly help matters either. I walked around to try and find Xena but for ages I had no success; I had no idea where I was going.

I searched for the lady that escorted us; she told me afterwards that her name was Rosaline. I gave up eventually and approached one of the servants. "Excuse me sir? Could you tell me where one might find Rosaline?" I asked.

"Sure your majesty," he smiled. "May one escort you to her?"

"If you would be so kind," I replied. He led me to her bedroom door.

"I must say it's very nice to see our royal family out and about again; with all these conspiracies no wonder you've had to hide for so long!"

"How long have these conspiracies been going on for?" I asked.

"I'd say about nearly a year!" he exclaimed.

"Well, thank you for bringing me here!" I smiled and didn't knock on the door until he had walked away. I knocked on the door gently and then I heard a reply.

"Who is it?"

"It's Callisto," I said and she opened the door and allowed me in.

I asked her would she tell me where I could find Xena; I really needed to speak with her about Joxter; I was very concerned about him."Oh hello Callisto, can one be of any assistance?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me where I can find Xena. I really need to speak with her."

"She should be in the Queen's chamber; would you like me to escort you there?"

"If you wouldn't mind," I asked.

She led me to the Queen's chamber and then she left. I knocked on the door and walked in where Xena appeared shocked to see me. "Xena, could I please talk to you about Joxter? I'm really worried about him."

"One thing you should know about him Callisto and that's that he's whiney," she said.

"I think what you said to him before hurt him and also what that woman said about him. We were arguing and I assumed that it was all an act but he was being serious and I laughed at him so he took an awful lot of offense, he just stormed off."

"What do you want me to do about him?"

"If you apologised and showed him that he's not a nuisance. He was really hurt and he really reacted badly with me."

"That's because he's in love with you!"

"No he's not! He only kissed me to make me feel better in that town; if he loves me then why are things so awkward between us?!"

"You kissed?" Xena smirked.

"Yes but why are things so awkward between us?"

"Because you love him too and you're making things just as awkward as he is. Just tell him how you feel; I don't want to see him hurting and I especially don't want to hear him moaning about it!" she said.

"Well, could you please..." I began to say but we were cut off by the sound of a man screaming. Xena and I both ran outside the room and listened again for the screaming which seemed to be coming from the left hand side. We both ran into the room there and there was a man holding a sword to Joxter's throat and he didn't look very merciful.

"Joxter!" I screamed and as I ran towards him Xena caught my arm and held me back.

"Don't move it's only going to make matters worse," she said softly.

"I caught this idiot roaming around the castle. This is the assassin! I caught the assassin! Now he must die!" he shouted and he slit the knife across Joxter's throat and he fell to the floor.

"No!" I screamed and I ran towards his body and held him up in my arms.

"Don't die," I cried as I stroked his hair. He didn't reply he just fell and died.

"I'll kill you!" I screamed as I drew my sword to the man that just killed Joxter.

Well, that's it for this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! I hope you don't mind that I'm splitting this 'episode' if you put it that way into two parts. It's just it was becoming far too long and I didn't want it to be over 4,000 words because that may seem off putting. Anyway I like to leave you with a little suspense! Hehehe! Please review and let me know if you think that I'm dragging this out too much. I'm thinking of writing numerous chapters of this type of theme etc. but with another idea I have of a fan fiction I may not drag this out an awful lot. My next Xena fan fiction will be about Callisto again so if you would like me to let you know when I upload that please tell me through a review and I'll mail you when I start it. Thank you for all the kind reviews so far! Love you all! xXx. Bye peoples! :D