Disclaimer: I do not own the Xena and Hercules gangs, Gods, etc.

Warning: This story takes place in our time period and in ancient Greece... It's a bit confusing but you'll soon see what I mean. I've made it pretty obvious who the characters are but if you get stuck on one that you can't figure out don't be afraid to ask. There is also no subtext. This is my first Xena fic so please let me know what you think.

CHAPTER 1

"Xena... Xena... Come out come out wherever you are", purred Callisto eerily.

"Oh Xena I know you're out here, I can smell you. I have something you want, now stop being a tease and come out and play", she laughed wickedly.

"No Xena don't do it! It's a trick!", called Gabrielle helplessly.

Gabrielle looked down suddenly regretting disobeying Xena's orders to stay put. She couldn't help it, she hated Callisto with a deep passion. Now look where it had gotten her, hanging from a huge tree with only a rope to sustain her, a rope that was about to be lit on fire no less.

Xena poked her head out of the bushes only to see where Gabrielle was being hung. Her eyebrow raised pointedly. She knew Gabrielle wouldn't have listened. She wasn't disappointed like her old self would have been, just a little mad.

Xena knew however that she couldn't stay mad at the young bard...for at least as long as a week. She knew Gabrielle did what she thought was right and Xena couldn't blame her. She too felt the same way Gabrielle had, but still there was no point in coming only to get yourself stuck in a tree.

"Xena, I'm not waiting any longer!", Callisto screamed out. "Hmm... Xena this isn't your style, your not known for hiding from your enemies", Callisto said while looking at Gabrielle. 'What have you got cooking', she asked herself.

Callisto then started to look around. She didn't see any rocks that could easily fall on her head if she wasn't careful like so many careless times before.

"Oh well Xena, no matter... Your loss", Callisto finished and smiled wickedly. She grabbed a torch and proceeded to burn the rope. The fire was just about to touch the rope when all of a sudden a loud whooshing sound came out of nowhere.

Callisto looked around for Xena's most powerful weapon, the chakram. As it zinged from tree to tree Callisto laughed evilly.

"Oh Xena you know just as well as I that I can catch your precious little toy", she remarked.

"Oh yeah? Catch this!", Xena yelled as she kicked Callisto from behind sending her sailing into a tree.

Callisto rose quickly and looked at Xena evilly. "Don't do that... it's not nice."

Xena smiled, "Sorry I guess my Mother forgot to teach me some manners", she than proceeded to pull out her sword.

"Xena, you don't know how I've missed this", Callisto chuckled.

"Yeah I know what you mean, it's been too long", Xena smirked and twirled her sword.

Callisto then flipped over Xena and lit Gabrielle's rope.

"Xena hurry!", cried Gabrielle trying unsuccessfully to blow out the fire.

Xena looked behind at Gabrielle. "Don't worry Gabrielle I'm coming!", she yelled reassuringly and turned her attention back to her foe.

Callisto screeched loudly and ran at Xena with a sword in her hand. Xena blocked the blow with her own sword and the two began to fight.

Gabrielle looked down worriedly. "By the gods don't let me die!"she replied hearing creaking in the branches. She looked to another tree where a hooded man was perched with a black bow and arrow. Gabrielle had to warn Xena and fast.

"Xena!", she called out but as she did so the rope busted and Gabrielle started to fall.

Xena looked to Gabrielle with fear. "Gabrielle I'm com-", Xena let out but was suddenly stricken with an arrow through her heart. She had heard it but with her mind focused on Gabrielle it was too late to react.

"Xe-", Gabrielle uttered before she hit the ground.

"Gabrie-", Xena wheezed as everything got dark around her.

"You see Xena I win, I always win!", laughed Callisto as she brought her sword down into Xena.