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Redemption Story

Chapter 14

Xena and Gabrielle walked quietly for a distance from the campsite, wanting to make sure they had complete privacy to talk.

Gabrielle finally broke the silence, "Ok Xena, help me understand what is going on here. Please?"

"I'm trying to help Callisto find peace, Gabrielle. It's complicated, but I'll try to explain it as best as I can."

"Xena…"

"No, please hear me out before you say anything. You already know that almost twelve years ago, I was responsible for Callisto's family being killed when my army attacked Cirra. I've carried that guilt with me ever since. It was the only time I was responsible for the deaths of women and children. That guilt has only gotten worse since I met Callisto and saw what her grief and desire for vengeance has done to her. I think I was actually starting to try to deny my part in what she became in order to numb the guilt. When I found out that she had escaped prison, I decided to try and find her. This time I planned to kill her, and I would have too if Ares and Artemis had not brought me to the Fates."

"Ares and Artemis?" Gabrielle asked.

"Yes. Artemis made me realize that I was the only one who could help Callisto change. Oh at first I thought it was impossible. Callisto couldn't change and I didn't think she even wanted to. And I knew she hated me too much to allow me to help. But I was wrong, Gabrielle. She does want to change."

"Xena, how can you believe Callisto can change? She's killed six men since she escaped from prison! Probably more if you knew how many of the guards she killed when she escaped. Xena, did you help her kill the warden and guard, like they say you did? Please tell me it's not true."

"Yes, I did help her, Gabrielle."

"You helped her commit murder! Why, Xena? I don't understand. You feel that you owe her for Cirra so much that you let your guilt allow you to commit murder?" Gabrielle shouted at her.

"The warden was NOT murder! It was Justice!" Xena shouted growing angry.

"Justice! How can you call it justice?"

"Because of what the warden and those guards did to her in that place that's why! Callisto didn't kill anybody when they escaped and she didn't plan the escape. She couldn't even walk; she was half starved and nearly dead! Theodoris carried her out of there! He planned the escape to save her life! Gabrielle, she was raped and beaten every day she was in that place. That so called warden and those guards' gang raped her repeatedly, Gabrielle! That is why killing them was Justice! I would have done the same thing if it had been me. What would you have done?"

"By the Gods, that's horrible." Gabrielle was shocked by what Xena was telling her. "Xena how do you know all this?"

"The last of her men told Octavia what happened and she told me."

"If I had known what would happen to her there I would have never let her be sent there. Now she's pregnant because of being raped, and she has nightmares every night, reliving it all over again. She will have physical and mental scars from it for the rest of her life."

"Wait, did you say she was pregnant? Oh wow…"

"Yea, I know. I'm still trying to get my head around that myself. That's hard to imagine, huh!"

"I can't even visualize that." Gabrielle replied.

"I feel responsible for what she went through because I sent her there, Gabrielle."

"You had no way of knowing they would do that to her, Xena. You really believe she is trying to change, don't you."

"Gabrielle, I know she can change. The Fates have shown me her destiny and I know that she has the most powerful reason in the world to change her life around. It is the same reason to find peace that I once had but was too blind to see it at the time."

"What is that reason, Xena?"

"Her child! It will replace the family I took away from her and open her heart to allow her to be able to love again. This has all made me realize that if I had not given Solon away, maybe I could have changed much sooner than I did. Gabrielle if I had kept Solon and changed the path I was on, Cirra would never have happened! I am the only one who can guide her. I owe her that. I have to help her. I have to for her and for myself. The only way for me to rid myself of my guilt over Cirra is to help her find peace for herself and her child."

"I think I understand Xena, but I have my doubts about her really changing completely. I can't help it. I just don't trust her."

"I know. Even though I see changes and believe she sincerely wants to put her past behind her, I know that she is still unstable. She could revert back to her old ways very easily if she were provoked, just like I could, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle knew what Xena was saying was the truth. Xena could go back if she was pushed far enough.

"It will be hard for all of us; Callisto still has a lot of hate for me. I think she is trying to get past it but it will take time. We have to give her a chance. Gabrielle, she needs to know that we believe in her. I have you to help me stay on the right path. Callisto doesn't have anyone right now if we don't help her."

"I will try Xena. It will be strange trying to get along with her. But I give you my word. I will try." The Bard said.

"It's going to be tough for a while. We'll be on the run trying to stay ahead of Gregor's soldiers and with a bounty on our heads; every bounty hunter in Greece is probably looking for us by now. We have to try to find a safe place to stay until we can clear some of this mess up somehow. When we get to Athens we are leaving Octavia there. It's not safe for her being with us. Gabrielle, it's going to be very dangerous. I would understand if you didn't…."

"Xena, where you go I go. Remember." The Bard replied with a soft smile.

Xena gave Gabrielle a hug and said, "We'd better find another rabbit or Octavia will be mad, and trust me you don't want to get her mad. That old lady swings a mean skillet!"

"Huh?"

"Believe me Gabrielle. You don't want to know." Xena laughed as they went on their way.

AN: This chapter was shorter, but I wanted to keep the focus all on the talk between Xena and Gabrielle. Stay tuned! There's plenty more to come.