The Athenaeum's Index Of Fiction

Scapegoat (The) by Lola B.     

Xena | Alternative | Drama | Novella - 106 pages | Finished | Jan-06 Cast: Callisto, Xena, Sophia, Cyrene, Aieros, Gabrielle, Elyse, Laedan, Ephiny Honors/Awards:  #39 in 2006
Some four dismal months after "A Friend in Need," Gabrielle has fallen into a numb, isolated sort of depression, spending her nights getting wasted and her days trying to write and pretending to sleep... until a certain someone we all know from the past (hint: her greatest weapon is her secret stash of bleach) unexpectedly shows up and changes everything. Will it be the key to rediscovering herself or the key to Xena's return - or both?
WOW!!! You made me cry, you made me laugh, you made me hope... What an awesome story. Thank you!! I've read a lot of story and i can tell you, you are one gifted author. - julianna - Jan 4th, 2006    Awesome, awesome story. Will have you checking the amount of pages left all the way through--just hoping that it will never end. - lindxena - Jan 5th, 2006    Most of the stories don't show such deep feelings. This one however, shows them all, just how I have always imagined Xena's & Gabrielle's love. That is exactly what I look for in a good post-FIN story. Excellent job! *standing ovation*I'd love to read more pieces of Art written by this talented bard :) - AquariusG - Jan 9th, 2006    Superb! This is highly recommended to all those that pine for the old classic days of fanfiction. We need more of this please!! :) - Kerry - Jan 15th, 2006    a sumptuous piece of writing! a moving portrayal of Gabrielle's grief. a remarkably satisfying rewrite of the Callisto/Xena back story. - 3creeks - Oct-29-2006    OMG! One of the best XWP stories out there. If you felt the FIN left you hanging read this. It provides excellent closer for the show and takes you on a break neck fast moving adventure. Never a dull momemt. Great read! - Amanda - Aug-06-2007    A beautiful and moving piece of work. - Anonymous - Aug-23-2008    That was really good. That's the first thing I said after I finished this story...like saying it outloud made it even more true. Wonderful story. Very moving and well written. Bravo! - Alcandre - Aug-25-2008    One of the best stories I've ever read. Hell the most heart-wrenching story I've read so far. Compelling and has you glued to your chair wanting more after it ends. (And the ending always comes too soon, doesn't it?) A much better ending than FIN, a *real* ending. Beautiful intricate way to weave Callisto in as well, while still making her believable as the person we all knew and semi-hated in the series. All in all, 10 out of 10. I'd happily recommend ANYONE to read this story. And even then, to read it again for good measure. It's that good. - Anonymous - Dec-14-2009    One of my favorite post-FIN stories of all time. This one will rip your guts out, but mend your heart at the same time. Best portrayal of Callisto *ever*. - lindxena - Jul-15-2010    Wow! This is something beautiful, unexpected, and very moving love story. If only it had been part of the series or a movie after the series. - Starry - Aug-10-2011    Impressive. Wonderfully written. Lots of emotion. A roller coaster of a different kind. If you've stopped to check this story out, don't pass it by. - Liv - Sep-22-2017