Realmgods2

Gabrielle found herself a comfortable spot in a stand of trees and seated herself. She pulled a piece of jerky from her pack and took a bite out of it while she opened her latest scroll and made herself comfortable, �may as well get some work done while I�m waiting.� She was engrossed in her scroll for about a candle mark when something caught her eye. She looked up to see a dark figure on the far side of the lake and Angela walking towards him. �Who in Tartarus is that?� she asked in wonder.

The bard snickered to herself as she watched Angela use her feminine wiles against the darkly dressed man, �just like Xena,� she sighed. She watched for a few more moments then sat bolt upright as she watched the actions of this god. �His mannerisms are just like Ares. But he�s dressed like... who is that?�

The bard stood as the dark god vanished. �Tartarus... I should have called Ares.� the bard mentally berated herself, �well at least I have a description.� she made her way to the nearby clearing. �Ares!�

�You rang?� came a deep voice behind her.

�Yes, I did,� she said as she turned to face the god. �I saw the other god.�

�Who was it?� his gaze on the bard was intense.

�I couldn�t see his face; he was too far away. I can give you an idea though and tell you what he was wearing.�

�Ok, that works. Clothing could pin point an area.� He gestured to the bard for a description.

�He reminded me of you, only dressed very differently.� she stated.

�Me?�

�Yes. He was your height, but the build was a little tough to tell. He was wearing a long black coat and it looked like he had a black streak going across his eyes. From what I could see, he was also wearing black pants and boots.�

�Hair color?� the god asked as he mulled over this information.

�Black, and it was flat to his head.� The bard walked around in a small circle as she awaited Ares� next question.

�I don�t know of any god�s that fit that description. Well... besides the ones that I know are dead.�

�Whoever it is, he is going out of his way to drive her insane.�

�I need to ask you something, Gabrielle. And I need the truth.�

�Yes,� she looked up at the god nervously.

�If there were a fight between Angela and Xena, who would win?� the god folded his arms across his muscled chest and stroked his chin with his right hand as he awaited the bard�s assessment.

Gabrielle began pacing in front of the god, �well, to be honest... Xena is battle hardened and has years of experience, besides her many skills. Angela, on the other hand, has incredible fighting skills and is faster than lightening.� the bard stopped and looked up at the god intently, �according to prophecy and from what I have seen, Angela could probably take us both on and win.�

Ares reflected on the bard�s words for a moment, �if she were to kill you two, no army would oppose her taking leadership. With the right people at her side, over time, her tactical capabilities would be able to grow. She would be an awesome figurehead in the meantime. She would also be able to train an unstoppable legion of warriors.� the god turned and walked few paces then turned back to the bard, �an army trained by her would be more devastating than the one that came here from Chin.�

�Yes it would. And you don�t have an army that could defeat that, nor would you have Xena to help you stop them from laying waste to Greece.� the bard took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. �What was that?�

�What?�

�Fighting.� she said as she ran towards the lake.

�Xena! I said to back off! I don�t want you here and I don�t want to talk right now. I... Need... Time!� Angela ranted at the warrior.

Xena had her sword in her right hand, held low and her left hand held out in a placating gesture, �Angela, I just want to know that you are alive and well. I understand if you need time. That was a horrible blow dealt out to you yesterday and I know that a god was behind it. I just don�t know which one.�

The two women circled each other warily, �Xena,� Angela ground out menacingly, �right now I don�t know who to trust, so I am not going to trust anyone until I see fit. You got that?�

�Gabrielle,� the God of War turned to the bard, �get on your horse. I�m going to put you wherever Xena left hers. You get her away from there until Angela calms down. And then find out who she spoke to.�

The bard nodded her agreement and mounted her horse. In the blink of an eye she was across the lake and could hear the two warrior�s arguing with one another. She dismounted quickly and ran to the clearing, �Xena, don�t fight her on this.� the bard had sidled up to the warrior and took her arm in her hand. �C�mon,� she began leading the Warrior Princess away, �she�ll talk when she�s good and ready.� The two women backed away carefully and returned to their horses.

�Gabrielle, how did you get here so fast?� the warrior asked as she took the reigns of her horse.

�Ares.� she said as she too gathered up the reigns of her own horse. The two women walked their horses casually through the woods.

�You talked to him?�

�Yes.� The bard went on to describe the god that had visited Angela and Ares� reaction.

�So he was fuming pretty good, huh?�

�Yes he was.� the bard looked around, �how much further?�

�Not too far. I want to keep an eye on her.�

Day turned into night. Angela sat motionless beside a dying fire. She pondered everything she knew and everything that she had been told. Her heart and her mind waged a roaring battle. She wondered if the fires from the battle would consume her. �If I�m lucky, maybe they will,� she thought to herself.

Noting that the fire was in dyer need of being refueled, Angela made her way over to a small woodpile that she had made the previous evening. She went through the motions of re-stoking the fire as she mulled over the events of the last two days and separated out what she knew to be the truth. �Ok, think, think, think... the various incarnations of Xena and Gabrielle have never lied to me.� she dropped two small logs onto the fire and sat down with her back against the trunk of a fallen tree that she had dragged over to her campsite, �the entire battle went according to Xena�s recollection, except for the appearance of the Joe look-a-like.� She looked up into the night sky for a moment then settled herself a little more comfortably against the log, �this guy didn�t show up until near the end of the battle when the most of the army had been slaughtered. He couldn�t have been part of the army that attacked. Huh,� she nodded to herself then went on with her analysis, �ok, so I kill this guy and freak out... anyone would.� she surmised, �then Ares comes to me wanting me to hurt Gabrielle and/or be distrustful of her and Xena. Then he tells me about my sister.� she paused for a moment and rubbed her tired eyes, �now, how the Hell would he know... why was he wearing sunglasses?� she sat up straight and shook her head as if to clear it, �why didn�t I notice that before? I didn�t care enough to notice, that�s why... DOLT!�

Angela moved over near the fire and checked to see if the rocks she had stationed around it were hot enough to warm up her food. �Ouch! Yeah, that�s hot enough,� she cut some strips of fish and laid them out to cook. �I fucking hate fish,� she grumbled. While she waited, she walked down to the water�s edge and looked out over the dark lake. The placid water reflected the moon and stars. She always seemed to find peace in the beauty of nature, day or night.

After a few minutes, she turned and went back to the campfire. She checked her food and, deciding that it was cooked enough, began to cut it into small pieces. �I... FUCKING... HATE... FISH!�

�Funny you should say that. �Cause we don�t.� came a chuckling response.

Angela looked up to find a half dozen men entering her campsite. She took a deep sigh, �please leave.� She swallowed whole one of the small pieces of fish and reached for another, �now!�

�Please? Hey, did you hear that boys? She said please.� the gang leader took a step forward, �I don�t think so. We want to share your fire.� He looked around at his men and spread his arms open wide, �and you with each other,� He bellowed.

The chorus of the six men laughing rang through Angela�s ears. She stood and looked around the camp, taking in the locations of each. She was unable to discern their features in the dark, but she really didn�t care either. They had intruded on her campsite with the intention of rape, �I don�t do rape,� she thought to herself. She leveled a glare at the supposed leader and dropped her voice to a growl, �I am in no mood to have to carry your stinking carcasses away from my campsite before they become rotting, stinking carcasses.� Angela took one step around the fire that separated them, �walk away.� She casually picked up her sword and scabbard and hung them on her back.

�Ha, ha, ha, ha, I think the little spitfire overestimates her chances.� the leader drew his sword. The rest, followed suit.

�No... on a bad day, you�re an easy target.� she admitted with an evil grin as she seemingly clasped her hands behind her back.

�Oh, and what would we be on a good day?� he asked smugly.

�You don�t even rate �diversion.� I�d have a harder time pulling a tick off a dog.�

�Get her!�

�Do you think we should help her?�

�Nah,� the Warrior Princess began, �she seems to have it all under control. I mean, she is trying to talk them into leaving.� The warrior shrugged.

�Xena, she is insulting them.�

�Gabrielle... both you and I watched that woman take out over thirty men in a battle, in a VERY short period of time, and not even break a sweat. What in the god�s names are you worried about?�

�You�re right. I keep forgetting that.�

The six highwaymen attacked, their swords twirling. Angela deftly pulled out and threw the two throwing knives hidden in the back of her belt. The knives buried themselves hilt deep in the chests of two men. Without thinking, she pulled her boot knives and did the same, once again. They too found homes in the chests of two men. The last two were too close for a repeat, so she drew her sword and in one sweep, cut off the sword arm of the leader. The last man standing skidded to a halt and began backing up. He watched his leader scream in pain as he ran off into the dark forest. Angela advanced on him. She allowed the tip of her sword to drag lightly across the ground as she walked. Creating an eerie scraping noise that froze the man in front of her with a gripping fear. When she was within a hairs breadth of him, she leaned in, �BOO!�

The highwayman screamed and ran off into the woods in the general direction of his former leader.

Angela looked around the campsite and shook her head, �God dammit. Why can�t they ever listen?� she mumbled. The dark haired woman retrieved her knives and tore a piece of cloth from the clothing of one of the downed men. She seated herself on the log near the fire and proceeded to clean them.

�Now do you think we should go to her?� the bard asked.

The warrior looked at her friend incredulously, �weren�t you the one that said she would come to us when she was ready?�

�Well yes, but she seems calmer now. Maybe she is ready to talk.�

�Maybe.�

�Besides... she has got to be starving by now. You know how much she hates all manners of seafood.�

�Worm our way in using her stomach. It might actually work.� the warrior shrugged.

�It�s worth a try.�

�Yes, but she might be too proud to... wait a minute.�

�What?�

�Ares,� the warrior whispered.

Angela finished cleaning her blades and looked around the camp, �four bodies. Four fucking bodies that I have to move.�

�And one arm,� the God of War appeared in a flash of flames and stepped over to her.

�What?� she asked irritably.

�It took you all of about six seconds to kill four men, literally disarm one and scare the pants off of the last.� He took another swaggering step closer to her, �impressive.�

�Flattery will get you nowhere.� she said flatly.

�So I see.� He waved his hand and the bodies disappeared. �That one is on me.�

�Ares, I�m tired and pissed off,� �and hungry,� she thought to herself, �I really don�t have the patience for games right now.� She paused for a moment and leveled her gaze at him, �get to the point.�

�You�ve got a lot of guts talking to me like that, but being that you are a descendant of Xena�s, well... I guess it�s to be expected.�

�The point, Ares.� Angela sighed.

�Gabrielle, that�s not our Ares.�

�I know. That�s the same one I saw her with earlier. Do you think that maybe it�s another god impersonating him.�

�I don�t know, but if it is,� the warrior let out a long breath, �then he�s got Ares down to a science.�

�What if we call him?�

�I think I just might do that. You keep an eye on things. I�m going back to camp to call him and then I�ll send him here.�

�Ok.�

�The point, Angela, is that I want you.� The God of War gestured towards her and took another step forward.

�For what?�

The god walked around behind her and began kneading her shoulders. �For your skills in battle.�

�Ares, I am not crazy enough to follow you.� �The shoulder rub sure feels good though.� She had to fight herself from leaning into the god�s touch.

�I would prefer it if you weren�t crazy, but I�ll take what I can get.�

�Ares....� She stood and stepped away from the log, her back to the god.

Ares strode around the log and drew in close behind her, �I want to take you to the seventeenth century.� He leaned into her and ran his hands down her back, then wrapped his muscled arms around her waist. �After you conquer France, Spain and England, the Americas would be yours. And then once that is done, �he lifted one hand and pulled back her hair, drawing it behind her and whispered with hot breath into her ear, �I�ll make you a god.� He planted a feather light kiss over the pulse point on her neck.

�What if I don�t want that?� she asked hoarsely. Her body tingled from the touch of the god. She wanted more... so much more. She hadn�t realized that she was breathing heavily, until her breath caught at the sensation of his fingers tickling small circles around her abdomen.

�Oh, I think you do. Sleep on it.� he stepped away and vanished.

�Ares!� the warrior yelled out into the night.

�Did you speak to her?� the God of War asked.

�No. But he is in her campsite as we speak. And there is something you should know.�

�And what�s that?�

�He�s you.�

�What?� Bewildered, the god took a step towards the Warrior Princess, �run that by me again.�

�He looks and acts just like you, only he�s dressed differently. And when he�s around, I get the same sensations as when you are around.�

�I�m on it.� the god vanished.

�I�m sure you are.� the warrior mumbled as she ran back toward Angela�s campsite. When she returned, she found Gabrielle and Ares in conversation. �I guess he�s gone?�

�Yes, he is. I filled Ares in on what I saw and heard.�

�I don�t like this. I don�t like this one bit.� the god ranted quietly.

�Well then why don�t you just go and ask Angela for yourself? Find out who this god is.� the warrior offered.

�No. I need to catch him in the act. If I go to her, she might tell him. It�s better if he doesn�t know that I�m on to him.� The god disappeared.

�So what do you think?� the bard questioned.

�I think it�s time we deal with Angela.�

�Xena? What are the possibilities that Ares is playing both sides?�

�Very good.� the warrior ground out.

*****

�That son of a bitch!� Maddy paced the floor of the office furiously.

�My sentiments exactly. That explains why he didn�t answer when I called him.� Xena huffed out.

�How did he... he must have gone back with them.� Maddy ceased her pacing and turned to Xena who had her elbows propped up on the desk with her head in her hands, �That�s why you felt him.�

�Yup. And my guess is, he�s the one who took the stone.� The dark haired woman raised her head and looked over to her friend, �she may really be stuck there this time.�

�This is too much! This is way too much! You have no idea what I want to do to him.� the blonde ground out.

�Get in line, Gabrielle. Get in line.�

*****

�Sshh, she�s coming,� the bard turned in the direction of Angela�s camp, �where is she?�

�I�m right here.� Angela stepped out from behind a tree and drew her sword. Facing Xena, she waited for the warrior to draw hers, then swung. The swords clashed and Angela pushed the warrior against a tree, pinning her there. She whispered, �can you feel him?�

�No.�

Angela stepped back to where she could see both bard and warrior, �you were here for those goons. I know that you were, I was almost surprised that neither one of you interfered. Doesn�t matter. But you were also here when Ares came to visit me.�

�Yes we were.� the bard stepped forward, �he wants you to be his new chosen?�

�Yes. But I think that things are a little more complicated than that.� Angela swallowed hard and looked up at the warrior, �are the gods capable of time travel?�

�Not as far as I know.� the warrior looked at Angela with slight confusion in her eyes, �what does he want to do with you?�

�He wants to take her to the seventeenth century, whenever that is, to head up an army.� the bard shrugged, �and then make her a god.�

Angela gave the bard a lopsided grin, �you�ve got good ears. He was whispering so low, I don�t think I would have heard him if he wasn�t on top of me.�

�She�s got many skills,� the warrior drawled.

�Yes she has.� Angela turned to look out through the woods towards her campsite then turned back, �Xena, this Ares is from the future. My time.�

�That explains a lot...� The hairs on the back of the warriors neck stood on end. She thrust her sword at Angela, who blocked it deftly. The change in the warriors demeanor did not go unnoticed by the raven haired woman, or the bard. Angel launched with an attack. The two women tied themselves up in a hand to hand struggle. Xena quirked an eyebrow at the bard in the midst of this. Gabrielle took the hint and ran up behind Angela putting the pinch on her.

Angela dropped to her knees, sputtering. A line of blood ran from her nose as she tried to form a coherent sentence, �ttt... take,� a rasping breath, �it off.�

�Not until you tell me what you are planning with that god,� the warrior growled.

�Nothing,� she tried desperately to drag air into her lungs, �my life.�

�You�ve got ten seconds... nine, eight, seven...�

�Xena,� the God of War bellowed, �release her!�

�No!� she said defiantly. Xena looked the god over, �why are you dressed differently all of the sudden?�

�Because I felt like it. Now release her, or would you rather see your descendant die.�

The bard watched on, torn by the events. Angela was fading fast, but this was the future Ares. The one that was trying to manipulate Angela. She found herself unable to tear her eyes from the woman on her knees trying to take her last breath. The word �fine,� cut through her haze. The bard dropped in behind Angela as Xena released the �Pinch.� She cradled the panting, semi-conscious woman while Xena argued back and forth with Ares.

�Ares, you bastard! What is...�

�Now is that any way to call me?� the god appeared to her right, �Oh, I see.� He looked his clone over, �So... exactly who are you and why are you interfering in MY domain?�

�I am you. I came back in time for a new recruit.� The futuristic version looked over at Angela who was still being held by the bard, �I want her.�

�So let me guess,� the Warrior Princess began, �You have the stone. You also want to use it as a bargaining chip for her services. Am I right?�

�Mmm, only partly, but you are close.� He paused for effect, then went on, �you see, Xena, in the future they are going to find that the world is a much, much larger place. I have pin pointed a perfect time to take it over. I just need someone to lead my army. Angela here,� he waved in Angela�s general direction, �would make an awesome figurehead. I already know that in future incarnations, I can�t have you, so I�ll take the next best thing. Her.�

�Well, Xena, it seems that my future self already has things worked out. So... I think that I�ll be taking my leave now.� The god vanished.

The warrior rolled her eyes in disgust then turned to the trench coat wearing God of War, �she�s not going to follow you Ares. You know that, don�t you?�

�She�ll follow, Xena,� he said smugly, �you watch.�

Angela pulled herself from the bard�s grasp and stood. She squared her shoulders and faced the god, �you can�t have me Ares. You can�t offer me anything that I can�t live without.�

�Oh, yes I can. You could rule the world and become a goddess. You could live forever.�

�Ares,� Angela sighed, �I�m not plagued by delusions of grandeur....�

�What if I told you that your beloved has an incarnation in the sixteen hundreds. You�d have a third chance.� He disappeared in ball of flames.

�Fuckin� prick,� Angela mumbled. She took a deep breath and exhaled. �Well, ladies, your camp or mine?�

�Yours has a better view,� the warrior began, �I�ll go back and get our bedrolls. I shouldn�t be gone long.�

�You need any help?� the bard asked.

�Nah, I�ll be fine. Why don�t you stoke up the fire some more and I�ll bring the stew back with me also.�

�Sounds good,� the bard agreed.

Xena returned to her campsite and began packing everything up. She made sure the fire was completely out before saddling the horses and loading them up for the short walk back to Angela�s campsite.

�Uh, Gabrielle?� Angela sat down next to the bard.

�Yes?�

�I�m hoping that your putting the pinch on me was to keep Ares thinking that I might be interested.�

�Yes it was, but the old Ares showed up and screwed the whole thing up.� the bard sighed.

�Ok, I can live with that,� Angela looked around the camp then turned back to the bard, �could you please not do that again?�

�I�m sorry, Angela. It was the only way to keep Ares off balance.�

�Has it ever been done to you?�

�No. It looks pretty painful though.�

�As a matter of fact, it is. I will have my revenge bard. You just wait and see.� Angela gave a sly grin then turned her gaze towards the forest. She watched the Warrior Princess amble through with the horses in tow. �It�s about time princess. I was starting to think you had gotten yourself lost.�

�Stow it, Angela!�

�Ooh, testy, testy.� Angela said sarcastically as she rose to help the warrior unpack the horses. She removed the bedrolls and tossed them to the bard, �your sleeping bags, Madame.� She then turned back to unsaddle Gabrielle�s horse and settle the mare in for the evening.

After laying out the bedrolls, Gabrielle put the remains of the rabbit stew on the fire to heat. She sat on her bedroll and turned to the Warrior Princess who seating herself on hers, �is he around?�

�Nope, and believe me, I�ll let you know when he is.�

�Xena,� Angela asked quietly, �how close does he have to be to hear what we say?�

�Close enough for me to feel his presence.� The warrior assured.

�What is he after?� Angela asked exasperated.

�He says you,� the warrior answered flatly.

�You think that there is more, don�t you?� Angela shifted herself to a more suitable position for eating as the bard handed her a wooden bowl filled with the rabbit stew, �thanks,� she said with a small smile as she accepted the offered food.

�I think that he is hiding something, yes. But for the life of me I can�t think of what.� The warrior waved off the bard�s offer of stew and waited for her to seat herself before continuing, �we�re going to have to see what his next move is. That might give us a clue. He gave us too much information, it just doesn�t... something is wrong with this picture.�

Angela looked earnestly at the warrior, �I whole heartily agree.�

The women settled themselves in for the evening. It seemed to take quite some time for realm of dreams to finally overcome all three, but in the end, it did just that.

�Why did you kill me?�

�Joe?� Angela blinked to make sure that what she was seeing was real.

�Why?� He repeated emphatically. His eyes blazed with indignation.

�It wasn�t you... I had no choice.� Tears began to sting her eyes as looked upon him, feeling his anger. �You would have killed me,� she choked out.

�You said that you loved me. You didn�t even give me a chance...�

�I did give you a chance! I begged you to stop!� she cried out.

�And you weren�t there for me when I was killed... oh great warrior.� He spat out malevolently.

�I didn�t know. I got there as soon as I could... how could I have known?� She buried her face in her hands sobbing.

�Stop your sniveling. Somewhere deep down a weight came off of you. I know, I was privy to your thoughts.�

�If that was the case then you would know that is NOT true.�

�We had a second chance to be together and you killed me. So how could it not be true?�

�It isn�t.� she replied hoarsely. �I had to defend myself.�

�Always defending yourself... And everyone else, but you weren�t around to defend me.�

�STOP IT!� she screamed. �What do I have to do to make you understand?�

�You have another chance. Take it.� he said imploringly. His eyes softened as he walked over to her, �Take a chance.... for me.�

�I don�t think you realize what you are asking me to do.�

�I do. But what we can have together will grossly outweigh any downside.� He took her hands in his own, �for me?�

�That means following Ares. That means conquering the world for him. Do you have any idea how many people I will kill if I do this?�

�The dead can hear the thoughts of the living. That includes the Olympian gods and others. He is only going to ask you to kill one person. The army will do the rest once you take control.�

�I�m afraid to ask who this person is.� She trepidatiously removed her hands from Joe�s and took a step back, �this is a lot to think about.�

�Well don�t think too long. I don�t think he is planning on giving you forever to make up your mind.�

�Who is the person?� she asked nervously, taking another small step back.

�You�ll find out soon enough. If you love me... you�ll take him up on the offer.�

�Angela? Angela, are you alright?� the bard asked as she tentatively shook Angela�s shoulder from behind her prone form.

Angela blinked, her face wet with tears, �where... I have just had the weirdest dream.�

Xena sat up on her bedroll, �I can�t stand them myself. Care to share your experience or would you rather wait until morning when you won�t remember a thing?�

Angela sat up and crossed her legs, �it was a dream about Joe, my late husband. He was pretty bent about me killing him and not being there when he was killed the first time.�

�It�s probably just your guilt getting the better of you,� the warrior surmised. �Take it from one who knows.�

�God I hope you are right.� Angela lay awake the rest of the night looking up at the stars, pondering life�s mysteries.

Before the sun peeked its first rays over the horizon, Angela rose wearily from her bedroll and strolled down to the water�s edge. She took deep breaths of the fresh morning air and decided that a short walk was in order. She needed to clear her head.

She skirted the edge of the lake and vainly attempted to lose herself in the serenity Mother Nature had to offer. It was fruitless, to be sure, but nonetheless she tried. She walked for about an eighth of a mile when she came upon one of many areas where the forest met up with the lake. The trees and shrubbery grew out of the lake rendering the areas impassible. She was forced inland slightly though it didn�t bother her in the least. She walked a scant hundred paces and found herself able to return to the water�s edge.

Angela strolled along the small beach to the next stand of trees and decided to turn around. The Sun had begun its ascent and she remembered that she had left without word of her intentions. As she re-entered the woods a deep voice pierced the silence, �have you thought about my offer?�

Angela spun around to confront the god, �I can�t follow you, Ares. I thought I had made that clear.�

�About as clear as mud, as far as I�m concerned. You�d say anything in front of those two to keep them in your good graces.� The god took and arrogant step forward, �face it, the bard put the pinch on you and could have put it back on any time she wanted. You were completely at her mercy.�

�She did what she had to do,� Angela replied coolly. She knew that the entire scene the previous evening had been a ruse to keep him off balance. There was no reason for him to know. �It kept Xena safe until I came to my senses.�

�Well that�s just it, isn�t it? That bard will kill anyone to protect Xena. She has before and she will continue to do so. And that includes you, Angela.� He began to walk in circles around Angela�s rigid form as he spoke.

�Ares, I have no reason to kill Xena. So I think I have no worries, right?� Angela�s face remained impassive, giving nothing away. �I think that I�ve finally got the mask down to a science. No better teacher than Xena,� she mused.

�But you are still a threat.�

�And how is that?� Angela allowed her voice to take on a touch of velvet.

�You and Xena both share a passion for battle. You thrive on it.� The god faced Angela, mere inches away, �that is very different from the bard�s version if the ideal Xena.�

�Once again, Ares I think that you�re reaching.�

�Hear me out.� He put a hand up to quell any further protests then went on, �she has been trying to change who Xena is for years. She has been trying to change my chosen into something that she is not. She may not follow me anymore, and I don�t begrudge her making that decision, but she is not a farmer.�

�He doesn�t begrudge her... now there is an outright lie if I ever heard one.� Angela couldn�t help but to wonder where the god was going with this, so she asked him, �Ares... where the hell are you going with this?�

�Angela, when Xena goes into battle with you, she�s charged. I see a light in her eyes that I haven�t seen in years...�

�And I�m supposed to do something about this?� She put her hands on her hips gaining a posture of defiance.

�Yes. You and Xena fighting side by side would be... I�m at a loss for words,� the god held his arms outstretched to the sides briefly before dropping them.

�Yeah, I can imagine.� Angela took a deep breath and allowed her eyes to bore into the god�s, �so let me guess... you want me AND Xena to head up an army for you in the future?�

�Or you could stay right here and I�ll just go fetch the love of your life and bring him back in time to be at your side. Your choice, but I warn you... the clock is ticking.�

�And what of Gabrielle? You know she would never allow it.� Angela allowed the slightest bit of malevolence to burn in her eyes. She was baiting him.

�Well, that would be something that you could easily take care of.� He smiled, �the bard is your only obstacle to true happiness for you... and Xena.�

�I can�t hurt her, Ares. That is something that you cannot make me do.�

�You can... and if you do as I ask I will make you a god. I keep my promises.�

�Walk back to camp with me. I�d feel better if I had some support in this. I want you there.�

�Sure. And as soon as it�s done I�m off to get your beloved.� He motioned for her to begin the trek back toward the campsite.

�ARES... I can smell ya!� the warrior spat out.

Just before He and Angela were about to make the clearing he tapped her on the shoulder, �do I really smell?�

�No.� 'Not outwardly,� she mused.

The two stepped into the clearing of the campsite and, wordless, Angela picked up her sword and mounted it on her back. She made her way back to within a few feet of the god, �Ares... I told you that I could never hurt her. I wasn�t kidding. Even if I hated her I could never kill her without changing the future. I would never exist.� she turned to the warrior. �He wants me to kill Gabrielle so that we could team up to lead and army for him. But that�s not really it, is it, Ares?� She turned back to meet his gaze.

The god stared at her arrogantly, �and what is it?�

�If Gabrielle dies then I don�t exist. You think that with her gone and me unable to interfere that you�ll have Xena all to yourself. I don�t think that you could be farther from the truth.�

�ARES,� Xena stood and drew her sword, �you know that there is nothing that could make me follow you again. STOP TRYING!�

�I can�t, Xena. It�s who I am and what I do.� He glanced over to Angela then back to the warrior, �if I can�t have you in this life then maybe I�ll return to my own time. That Xena would bargain for Angela�s ability to return home. And then I will finally have you.� He withdrew the Chronus stone from within the inner folds of his trench coat, �goodbye, Xena.� And he vanished.

�Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit... I really hope that you are remembering this right now. And remember this, Xena... do not bargain for my life with him. I can stay here if I have to. I�ll be homesick, but I�ll be in peace.�

The warrior sheathed her sword and walked towards Angela, �I promise you that I will remember.�

�Oh, by the gods.� the bard gasped, her hand over her mouth, her emerald eyes wide.

Angela and Xena looked in the direction of the bard�s gaze, �Maddy? Maddy, how did you...�

�Xena jumped him as soon as he appeared and grabbed the stone. You have to come back with me, she�s still fighting him.� She was nearly breathless, fear tinged her words.

�Let�s go,� Angela turned back to her two friends, �I�ll be back in time for lunch... and it�s on me. Don�t go anywhere.� She took hold of her sister�s outstretched hand and the two disappeared.

Maddy and Angela appeared in the middle of the dojo. Maddy looked towards the office door to find Xena leaning casually against the doorjamb, �where is he?�

�He left right after you did. It�s a good thing too, he drew his sword on me and there aren�t any live weapons out where I can get to them. Your sister has them all locked up nice and safe where nobody can get to them in a time of need.�

�No need for sarcasm, princess,� Angela smiled, �we can start strategically placing swords out on the walls for you tonight. Now how�d that be?

Rather than drop the sarcastic tone, Xena enhanced it, �that would be fine... a little late, but fine.�

�Hey,� Angela shrugged, �better late than never, right?�

�Right.�

Maddy put a hand on her sister�s forearm and looked up at her with imploring eyes, �are you ok? You�ve been through a lot.�

�Yes, I�m fine. Ares made that soldier to look like Joe. I figured that out pretty quick. I had to keep the illusion going to find out what he was up to though.�

�I know.� Maddy�s look changed to one of questioning, �what are you bringing them for lunch?�

�Well,� Angela scratched the back of neck in mock nervousness, �I was thinking that one of you could go and rustle up a couple of pizzas and we could all go back for a little picnic.�

�Do you have pizza on the brain?� Xena asked.

Angela let out a deep sigh, �it�s the only thing that doesn�t look like road kill. You gotta understand, nothing that I get stuck eating, when I�m there, looks or tastes like pizza.�

�I understand.� Xena replied, �I�ll leave now to get the pies,� she turned to Maddy, �Gabrielle, can you order them so they�ll be ready when I get there?�

�Sure thing.� the blonde replied as she made her way into the office to call the local pizza parlor. A few minutes after Xena had left, Maddy turned to her sister, �hey I have an idea.�

�And what would that be?� Angela drawled.

�Why don�t you bring them here? I bet they�d love your Jacuzzi.� A broad smile crossed the blonde�s features.

�Do you think that would be wise?� Angela�s brows furrowed, �you can�t touch Gabrielle... what is it... the same soul occupying the same space...�

�Ah, horseshit. It�s been done. Don�t worry about it.� She waved the thought off.

�How do you know?� the brunette asked incredulously.

�You touched Solari.� the smaller woman replied matter-of-factly.

�I was Solari?� Angela looked around the room in disbelief then returned her gaze to her sister, �I don�t look anything like her.�

�Most people don�t look the same from lifetime to lifetime. It�s just me and Xena that get lucky like that for most of ours. Believe me... there are a few that you would be hard pressed to even think that it may be us.� She smiled.

�Ok, I�ll go back and see if they are up to spending the night here.�

�Good girl!� The blonde lightly slapped her sister�s arm, �go get them.�

The End