| Part 9 Joxer hung back from the others as they walked. He was still thinking about the dagger. Hercules and Gabby were talking, Xena was her usual quiet self and Iolaus was making wry comments about whatever Hercules was talking about. Although, Joxer noticed that Iolaus was directing curious glances his way. He touched his armour where it covered the dagger. Again the fact that it might be Ares wouldn�t leave his head, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. But then, he�d learned some things about Ares recently. Seen a side of him, he suspected not many people had ever seen. Considering that barely a week ago, he would have sworn that Ares didn�t even know he existed. He smiled as he remembered how affectionate Ares had been with Bliss, and found himself looking forward to seeing him again. They stopped at an inn just outside a small village to rest and water Argo. They didn�t really need to eat there themselves, but they decided to have a drink. It was small and dark, and a little smoky, but not too crowded, and they sat at a table. Joxer forced himself into his usual chatty persona, regaling Hercules and Iolaus with exaggerated tales of heroism, much to Gabrielle�s disgust. � Well, well, well.� They all turned round. Autolycus was standing behind them, holding Joxer�s dagger. � And since when did you have anything worth stealing, Joxer?� Joxer was caught between fury and embarrassment, � Give it back,� he demanded. Autolycus raised his eyebrows and held the dagger up as Joxer reached for it. � Very interesting, Hephaestian silver, extremely valuable,� Autolycus commented. Joxer stood and glowered at the thief, � Give. It. Back!� Autolycus raised his hands, � Okay, okay,� he handed the dagger back to Joxer, who almost snatched it from his grasp. � Woah, take it easy man, I just wanted to see what you were hiding.� � I wasn�t hiding it,� Joxer said defensively. � Um hmm,� Autolycus looked doubtful. � Where�d you get something like that?� Hercules asked. Joxer sighed and sat down again, � It was a gift and no,� he stopped the forthcoming question, � I don�t know who from.� � Can I see it?� asked Xena. Joxer reluctantly gave it to her. She examined the blade and hilt carefully, testing the sharpness. Only Iolaus saw her eyes widen at the design on the blade. � It�s an amazing weapon, you�re lucky to have it Joxer,� she handed it back to him, and he carefully slipped it back in it�s sheath. � But why does Joxer keep getting stuff?� asked Gabrielle. � Well, why not?� asked Iolaus. Gabrielle frowned at him. Autolycus sat down, � So where you guys headed?� � Lerna,� said Xena, she was still staring at Joxer. � Great, I�ll join you,� Autolycus invited himself. � What�s in Lerna?� Hercules asked suspiciously. � Nothing,� Autolycus tried to look innocent. Iolaus laughed, � Sure, we believe you.� Autolycus grinned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- � Hey Xena,� Iolaus walked into the stable, � Can I talk to you?� � What�s up?� she asked. � I, uh, I�m a little worried about Joxer.� � You�re worried?� Xena shook her head and sighed. � What?� � It�s just,� Xena paused. Iolaus raised his eyebrows. � That dagger is from Ares.� � How do you know?� Iolaus was surprised. � The design on the blade? It�s one of Ares� symbols, not widely known, but I�d recognise it anywhere.� She bit her lip, � Then there was the kitten, I mean who else would call a kitten Ares? And the armour? Yes I�m worried.� � Oh dear.� � What, oh dear?� Iolaus looked down, � Nobody knows this right?� he looked at her and she nodded, frowning in confusion. � Joxer is in love with Ares.� � What?!� Xena�s question was explosive. � How do you know?� Iolaus shifted uncomfortably, � I just know.� Xena leaned against Argo, � You know I have the strangest feeling it�s mutual.� Iolaus frowned, � Are you kidding me? Ares?� Xena nodded, � Just after we were in Thrace, we were attacked. Joxer got dragged off while we were fighting.� She sighed, � When we found him, Ares was there and Joxer�s attackers� well,� she shook her head, � If you hadn�t known they were human, you wouldn�t have guessed.� � Wow,� Iolaus was stunned, � He did seem, well I don�t know, close to Jox at the temple.� � Do you think they know?� � What that they love each other?� Xena nodded, � No. You know, I don�t think they do.� He laughed, � Oh man, Herc is gonna flip!� � I think it�s best we didn�t say anything,� said Xena seriously. Iolaus nodded, � You�re telling me!� ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ares paced agitatedly. Why did he get the feeling Strife was up to something? He sighed in frustration, he�d really been getting somewhere with Joxer, before they�d been interrupted. When was he going to have another chance to speak to him alone? He laughed at himself and shook his head. What a picture! The God of War, pining over some mortal. Deciding to keep an eye on Joxer and Strife, he forced himself to concentrate on his job and transported himself into battle to relieve some tension. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- � What next?� Cupid sighed, � I don�t know, I�m stumped.� � Yeah me too,� Strife flung himself back onto a chair, which wobbled precariously. � It�s easy enough to plan for Joxer, but how in Tartarus do we give Pops a clue?� � Ooh, wait a sec,� Strife grinned wickedly. � Do we want to really push this one?� Cupid nodded. � Okay, cool, we got phase three! We just need ta visit Morpheus.� ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Joxer was getting impatient with the pace Xena was setting. He wanted to get to Lerna and visit Ares. If he was lucky, Ares might come down and speak to him. � Ok people, bath time,� Xena pulled up by a river. � Gabby and I will go upriver and meet you later.� � But�� protested Joxer. � Bath!� said Xena as she disappeared into the trees. Hercules and Iolaus stripped off and ran to the river. Autolycus lay back on the ground and closed his eyes. Joxer watched Hercules and Iolaus wrestling in the water for a while but wandered off when they started making out. He walked into the trees and then sat down, pulling the dagger out. He stared at it, trying to make out the design on the blade. � Ow, shit!� he dropped the dagger and put his bleeding finger into his mouth. � You and sharp objects don�t really go together do you?� � Ares!� Joxer looked up in surprise, his heart pounding. Ares smiled at him, he�d thought he would have to wait till Lerna to get Joxer on his own. He�d had to clean himself up en route, as he�d been bloody from the battle he�d been indulging himself in, whilst keeping one eye on his love. He crouched down. � Let me see.� Joxer held out his hand. Ares resisted the urge to kiss the wounded finger, settling for healing the gash. � There you go.� His fingers lingered on Joxer�s. � Thanks,� Joxer smiled shyly. Ares picked up the dagger and looked at it, starting slightly at the design. � Where did you get this?� he tried to sound casual. Joxer shrugged, � It was a gift, but I don�t know who from,� he couldn�t help watching Ares for a reaction. Ares sat down, turning the dagger over in his hands. Something was definitely going on. � Do you know what the design is?� he asked. Joxer shook his head. Ares gave him back the dagger and Joxer put it back in its sheath. � You�ve had a lot of gifts lately,� Ares commented. Joxer nodded, � The note said it was to go with my new clothes,� he continued to watch Ares. � There was a note?� Joxer dug it out and handed it to Ares. Ares read it, frowning. � I had one with the kitten too,� said Joxer quietly. Ares got to his feet and started pacing. Joxer frowned, wondering why his God seemed so upset. Ares was barely controlling his anger, and he didn�t want to scare Joxer, but he was going to have to break something soon, preferably a certain nephew�s head. � I have to go,� said Ares suddenly, � Come to my temple in Lerna, I�ll talk to you then,� he gave Joxer back the note. � Oh okay,� Joxer couldn�t help sounding disappointed. Ares smiled, � I promise, I�ll see you in Lerna.� Then he vanished. Joxer stared at the empty space for a while, then sighed and got up to rejoin the others. Hercules and Iolaus were out of the river, curled up together, next to Autolycus, drowsing in the sun. � Hey Jox, where ya been?� Iolaus asked. � Just for a walk,� Joxer replied casually, � So, are we going yet?� � You�re a bit anxious to get to Lerna aren�t you?� Iolaus held back a smirk. Joxer shrugged, � Not especially,� he lied. � Come on guys, let�s get going,� Xena�s voice came out of the trees. Hercules jumped to his feet and pulled up Iolaus. He nudged Autolycus with his toe when the thief stayed on the ground. � Yeah, yeah, I�m coming,� Autolycus grumbled. Iolaus grinned at him and held out his hand to pull him up. Joxer had already left the riverbank and Iolaus did smirk this time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ares transported himself to his sister�s home. � Aphrodite!� he shouted. � Arry,� a shower of gold preceded Aphrodite, � what is it?� Ares glowered at her, � I know.� � Know what Ar.?� � Don�t play innocent with me Aphrodite!� Aphrodite winced at his tone, � You�re going to have to be more specific Ares.� � Joxer. I asked you not to interfere.� � But I haven�t,� Aphrodite protested. � Really,� Ares snorted, � It�s interesting then, how Joxer has been receiving anonymous gifts, related to me, with notes in Strife�s handwriting. How else would Strife know if not from you?� � Ar, I�m hurt, you know I would never tell anyone about that.� � Don�t try telling me nothing�s going on, because something is. And you were the only one who knew,� Ares poked her in the chest. � Hey!� she protested, � Okay,� she relented, he looked so miserable under the anger, � Cupid read your survey, but I didn�t know when you came to me before. Cupid and Strife are trying to get you and Joxer together.� Ares nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. � Arry, they want you to be happy,� she said hurriedly. Ares stared at her for a moment, then he sighed, his shoulders and head dropping. � I can�t be happy if Joxer is manipulated into something he doesn�t really want.� � They weren�t trying to manipulate him, they were just trying to give him a clue. The clothes you gave him, and the way you saved him, just reinforced the message they were trying to send.� She squeezed his shoulder, � Just think Ares, if Joxer feels anything towards you, do you really believe he�d show it, risk showing it?� Ares chewed on his lip thoughtfully, � I suppose not,� he sighed. � If he feels anything.� His eyes narrowed, � Strife and Cupid aren�t going to get away with this though. Don�t let on that I know �Dite, I have plans for our little matchmakers.� -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- � Morpheus?� Strife appeared in the Hall of Dreams. � Yeah?� Morpheus was half asleep on his throne. � I need a favour.� Morpheus sat up, � Really?� Strife nodded, � How�d ya like War ta be a little less uptight?� Morpheus raised his eyebrows, � I could deal with that, what do you need?� � Ya know Joxer?� Morpheus snorted and nodded, � We need him dreaming about Ares in Lerna�s War Temple.� � Are you kidding me? The guy only ever dreams of Ares!� Strife laughed, � Well, when he reaches the temple, if ya could nudge him asleep and inta his dreams, it�d be a real help.� Morpheus shrugged, � Sure, no problem.� Strife grinned and disappeared. |