Characters: Gabrielle, Ares, Xena, Aphrodite are all property of Studio USA, MCA, Ren Pics

Warnings: Gabrielle/Ares friendly

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Gabrielle walked to the edge of the river and dipped your hand inside, the water was cold but she desperately needed to get the dust off her. She was just starting to pull her boots off when she felt like she was being watched. She turned around, but there was no one is sight.

"Whoever it is, you better come on out now." She pulled out her sais and put on her warrior face.

Ares appeared before her and sighed, "First Xena, and now you too."

"What do you want Ares?"

"Oh, I don’t know, just to chat, see if you have given any thoughts to our last conversation."

"Since I’m trying to forget that you even exist, it doesn’t seem likely that I’ll muse over anything about you." Gabby paused, but curiosity got the better of her, "So what are you talking about?"

"Now Gabrielle, there is no need to get hostile." Ares gave her a hurt look, "Have you given any more thoughts on coming to my side and lead my army."

"Ares, don’t tell me you were actually serious?" Gabby laughed. "Well, just so that it’s perfectly clear, the answer is no, no and no. Now would you mind getting lost?"

Ares gave Gabby a long hard look and disappeared. Gabby looked into the empty spot that was vacated by the God of War and sighed; "There goes my bath." She looked longingly at the water but decided that she didn’t trust Ares not to stick around and headed back to camp instead.

Ares returned to his temple and checked on Gabrielle. He started to feel guilty; he knew Gabby left without her bath because of him. Although he had to admit he probably would have stayed and watch if she did go into the water.

"Spying on my favorite mortal again bro?" Aphrodite appeared behind Ares and looked into

his mirror.

"Dite, next time maybe you should wait for an invitation."

"Now what are you up to with Gabby? I warn you bro, don’t you do anything to hurt her or you will have to answer to me."

"When did you become so fond of Gabrielle?" Ares demanded.

"Oh I don’t know, the kid is actually really sweet. We have shared some really interesting conversations, you know." Before Ares could interrupt, "Nothing about you."

"I didn’t think they were."

"So, I heard you offered her the chance to lead your army? Just exactly what are you up to?"

"Haven’t you seen her lately, she has turned into a great warrior."

"I have to admit she’s quite good, but good enough to lead your army?" Dite looked at Ares accusingly, "I don’t think so. So what’s this trying to win over the bard thing?"

"I told you. Maybe you can’t see her potential, but I can." Ares said impatiently.

"Oh I can see her potential alright, but I don’t think it has anything to do with her sais. I’m willing to give her credit for becoming quite the warrior, but she is no where near Xena, and I just can’t believe that you are willing to take on someone who is so opposed to war. So what other potential does that leave her?" Dite circled Ares and added sarcastically, " oh yeah, maybe just how drop dead gorgeous she turned out to be? You know the irritating blonde turned into the siren?"

"Dite, you don’t know what you are talking about, so why don’t you just get lost?"

" Hey, I’m not done with you."

"Well, I’m done with you, so leave now!" Ares gave Dite dark look.

"Fine, but this isn’t over."

Dite was mad. She knew that Ares has a temper, but he was usually pretty tolerant with her. "Telling me to get lost, who does he think he is?" Dite mumbled to herself, "So, you want Gabby huh, let see what you can do when you finally get her." Congratulating herself on her own cleverness, Dite went in search of Gabrielle.

"Hello….." Xena knocked on Gabby’s head lightly.

"Huh, I’m sorry Xena, what did you say?"

"What is the matter with you this morning?"

"I don’t know, I just feel kind of restless. I had this really strange dream last night and I’m sort of out of it this morning." Gabby gave Xena a weak smile.

"So what was the dream about, more titans, giants, harpies, huh, what?"

"No, nothing like that." Gabby was thinking fast and decided it won’t do any good to tell Xena that she had an erotic dream about Ares. "I can’t really remember. It was just so convoluted."

"Well, we better pack up and move on. I want to get to town before noon." Xena decided not to push it.

Dite was sitting way up on a tree and started to laugh to herself. Well the spell is working just as she planned. Now let see what Ares will do when the bard throws herself at him.

Just as Xena had predicted, the two girls got into town right before noon.

"I’m going to take the horses and get them food and water. You want to come or meet me in the tavern in an hour?" Xena asked Gabby. She’s starting to worry about her, she hasn’t been herself all morning.

"Umm, why don’t I just meet you at the tavern. I want to look around a little first."

"Okay, but don’t get into trouble and don’t get lost." Xena warned.

After Xena walked off with the horses, Gabrielle went in search of Ares’ temple. She found it at the edge of town and without giving herself time to think, she walked inside.

Inside was dark and empty. Gabby was deciding whether she should go when Ares appeared before her.

"What’s wrong?" Ares looked at her with concern.

"Wrong, nothing, what makes you think something is wrong?"

"If nothing is wrong, then what are you doing here?" Ares looked skeptical.

"I’m not sure." Gabby was confused. "I just had the urge to see you, but I don’t really know why."

"Okay, Gabrielle, what kind of trick are you trying to pull now?"

"Aren’t you glad to see me?" Gabrielle asked with a note of hurt in her voice.

"Umm, well yeah, of course I am, but……." Ares is the one sounding more than confused now,

"You are really here to see me?"

"I dreamt about you last night." Gabby walked up to Ares until she was right in front of him. "I dreamt that you were very glad to see me."

Ares was having difficulty breathing. She is so beautiful. It would be so easy to pull her into his arms, but this was so unlike Gabrielle that he knew something was not right. He quickly stepped away and yelled for Dite.

Aphrodite appeared with a huge smile on her face, "Gabby, what a nice surprise!"

"Whatever it is that you did, undo it now." Ares grabbed Dite and pointed to Gabrielle.

"What makes you think I have anything to do with this?" Dite gave Ares an innocent look,

"Besides why should you care? she’s here now, isn’t she?"

"She has to be here on her own feel will, and not because she is under your spell, you idiot."

Gabrielle was confused, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Look, Dite put a spell on you so that you think you actually want to be here with me." Ares ran his hand through his hair, "Believe me, this isn’t you, you hate me. In the real world being here with me would probably make your skin crawl." Ares turned back to Dite, "Take that spell off her now."

"You call bro, missing out on a good thing here, you know." Dite couldn’t resist adding.

"NOW!"

Dite did her thing and took the spell off Gabby, "Don’t get mad at me sweetie, I’ll see you later." With that, Dite disappeared in a flash of pink.

Gabrielle looked at Ares, totally confused, "What just happened?"

"Dite put a spell on you to make you think you were in love with me, and that’s why you came to see me." Ares said quietly, "Now that she took the spell off, I guess you’ll be heading out."

"Hmm, yeah, um, yeah, Xena, Xena is waiting for me at the tavern." Gabby stammered and started to walk out. She turned around at the entrance and gave Ares a long, strange look, and then walked out of the temple.

Gabby was sitting by the river writing on her scroll when Aphrodite appeared.

"Hi Gabby, what are you writing?"

"Oh, it’s you." Gab wasn’t too happy to see Dite.

"Come on sweetie, you’re still mad at me? Ares wouldn’t even speak to me."

"After what you did, you don’t think we have a right to be mad? Aphrodite, don’t you understand that you cannot play with other people feelings?"

"To tell you the truth sweetie, although I did put a spell on you, it was only a truth spell." Dite looked at Gab smugly.

"What?"

"The spell was only to take away you inhibition and your unwillingness to trust Ares. The rest baby, was actually all you." Dite gave Gabrielle a long search look, "So sweetie, don’t blame me, you need to ask yourself what you were doing there in Ares’ temple."

"I don’t believe you." Gabrielle said flatly, "Ares is the last man on earth I would ever run to."

"That’s your head talking. Your heart tells a different story. I just gave it a chance to see where it leads you."

"Well, it will not be leading me to Ares."

"That’s up to you, I suppose." Dite smiled, "Although I have to admit you are one hell of a good influence on my bro."

"Aphrodite, did you tell Ares what you just told me?" Gab sounded anxious.

"No sweetie, I doubted very much that you’ll still be here if he knew." Dite gave Gabby a sly look, "Unless you want me to?"

"NO, umm, no, thanks Aphrodite."

"Well, I guess I’ll leave it all up to you, sweetie." Dite disappeared.

"Are you sick?" Xena looked at Gabby critically.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Well, number one, you’ve been awfully quiet and number two, you hardly even touched your dinner." Xena put her hand on Gab’s forehead, "Well, at least you don’t have a fever."

"I’m fine Xena, I just wasn’t very hungry." Gab mumbled, pushing her hand away.

"You, not hungry?"

"Xena please, I’m fine."

"Okay, whatever you say." Xena got under her own bedroll, "Maybe you’ll be more normal after a good night’s sleep."

"Yeah, I guess I’m just tired. Good night Xena."

Xena fell asleep while Gabby stared at the stars. Her conversation with Dite really bothered her. So what exactly does it all mean? She’s attracted Ares? Come on, her? She turned around and stared at the sky again. In that moment she felt him close by. Gabby peeked at Xena and heard the even breathing of her friend. She quietly got out of the bedroll and walked away from camp.

When she was sure that she was out far enough, "Ares, come on out."

Ares appeared with a bemused look on his face, "You are getting really good at this, I just don't get it. How did you know?"

"I can’t explain it. I just felt you near by. Anyway, what do you want?"

"I’m just checking to see that there is no lasting damage to Dite’s spell on you." Ares started to look uncomfortable.

"Well, I’m all in one piece, no thanks to you or her."

"I really am sorry you know. I didn’t mean for you to get in between our arguments."

"Look Ares, if you truly sorry, then stay away from me and Xena. I don’t need any more complication from you or Aphrodite."

"As you wish." Ares disappeared.

Gabrielle looked around, but she knew he really was gone. She wasn’t able to feel him near by anymore.

She is now more confused than ever. Does she want him to stay or does she want him to go?

The End?