A step too far

A step too far....

Written by: Magdalena

Disclaimer: If I owned them, do you think that I really would write stories about them, would you??

Summary: Ares is mortal, it´s after season 5 and he is traveling with Xena and Gabrielle...and Joxer.

Rating: G unless anyone thinks a kiss is bad, and I really don´t know anyone that would mind one. (I wouldn´t)

Subtext: You’re kidding???

Notes: This is for all of you Gabrielle and Ares lovers...others stay away

"Damn." Ares swore under his breath for the fifth time under the last hour. Inside himself he was cursing himself for deciding to travel with Xena and Gabrielle.....and Joxer.

It was hard enough to be near the two women in the world that he actually cared for, except for his sister Aphrodite. But having to travel with Joxer the *Mighty* was driving him nuts. At least it seemed that he wasn´t the only one that was looking close to killing him, Xena is looking close also and Gabrielle looks like she´s in another world.

"And then the Mighty Joxer arrived..he drove his mighty sword and...."

"JOXER....I mean Joxer," Xena said trying hard not to lose her smile.

"Yes Xena." Joxer said with the everlasting same smile.

"We’re camping here and we could use some wood, could you see if you could find some?” Xena said in her kindest voice that would terrify Callisto.

"Sure thing Xena. I´m on my way." Joxer said and disappeared into the woods.

"Zeus, I never thought he would stop." Gabrielle said throwing herself down on the grass.

"Yeah, he´s lucky that I haven´t got my powers." Ares growled, throwing himself down beside Gabrielle.

"You both stop it, he´s not that annoying " Xena said. Both Ares and Gabrielle just stared at her, even Argo stared at her as only a horse can stare at a human.

"Please Xena, you looked ready kill him" Gabrielle said with a glimmer in her eyes.

"Listen to her Xena, you looked like you were about to go berserk." Ares agreed.

"Alright perhaps a bit." Xena confessed.

"At least he´s gone for a while now." Gabrielle said.

"That reminds me. We must have someting to eat," Xena said, looking at the former bard and the ex God.

"Don´t look at me, I´m too tired." Gabrielle said

Xena turned to Ares.

"Not my turn." Ares said.

"Fine I’ll do it". Xena said. Inside happy to be alone.

Some time later

"Gabby."

"I told you not to call me that."

"....."

"What Ares?” Gabrielle said turning to look at the ex God beside her. Ares looked back at her with his dark eyes.

"How can you go on." He asked her.

"What do you mean?" Gabrielle asked

"Mortals. I mean, I have been one for the last month and it still surprises me."

"How come?"

"Before, when I was a god I was never satisfiled. Even after a big battle I felt empty, but now, fighting side by side with you and Xena, I feel something new, someting good.”

Gabrielle smiled at Ares, took one of his big hands in hers and said,

"That´s because your doing someting good Ares. As a God you couldn´t feel it, but as a mortal you do.”

" I like it." Ares said plainly still gazing with those beautiful eyes of his at Gabrielle’s.

Then he did something that supried both him and Gabrielle, he kissed her.

A long moment they just held the kiss, when Gabrielle broke the moment.

"Someone is coming." She said tearing her lips away from Ares just in time as Joxer with the company of Xena arrived back with wood and food.

"Something wrong?" Xena sid studying them both as they looked like something shocking had happend.

"No." Both of them said, not daring to look at the other.

"No?” Xena said, not looking as she believed them.

Before Ares and Gabrielle had time to find a suiting anwer, Joxer started to sing his annoying song.

And for once both Gabrielle and Ares were glad that Joxer was there.

Hehe... yes Joxer has his good times, too bad that they aren´t more often. I´m kidding, I actually like him, but it´s so easy to joke about him.