| Part 19 � Ares!� Joxer woke with a gasp. His heart was pounding, his chest heaving. Strong arms tightened around him, and he stiffened momentarily, before relaxing into them. Soft lips pressed against his neck and he sighed. � You okay?� Ares whispered into his ear. Joxer nodded. � Removing the block has reopened some memories. You�re working through them.� Joxer nodded again and swallowed, � Will it take long?� � I don�t know. Do you�� he cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. �You know, want to talk about it?� Joxer shook his head, grinning as he imagined Ares� face, � I can�t really remember it now. I think I want to forget.� He wriggled back in Ares� arms, pressing his buttocks against Ares� groin. Ares groaned, rocking his hips until his hardening cock lay snugly between the firm globes. Joxer sighed again and twisted his head back to stare up at his lover. Ares leaned down and gently traced Joxer�s lips with his tongue, before delving between them. Joxer groaned, Ares� hand was making a slow trail down his chest and stomach. Ares stroked his erection, before taking a tight grip. Ares pumped slowly as Joxer rocked against him. Slowly and sinuously, they moved together, happy to take their time, minds and bodies entwined. The intensity grew and overwhelmed them. Joxer gave a low moan as he shuddered his release in Ares� arms. Ares buried his face in Joxer�s neck, holding tightly as he came. They kissed softly. � Better?� Ares whispered. Joxer smiled, � Much.� Quietly, he drifted back to sleep, feeling safe and loved in Ares� arms. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gabrielle woke up when Xena elbowed her. � What?� she grumbled sleepily. � Time to get up.� � Already?� Xena smiled at her and nodded. Gabrielle muttered to herself moodily. � Gabrielle?� � What?� she snapped. Xena raised her eyebrows, � What�s wrong with you?� � What�s wrong? You�re asking me what�s wrong?!� Gabrielle exclaimed. Xena nodded. � We�re helping Ares, that�s what�s wrong!� Xena sighed, � We�re helping Joxer. You remember, our friend? Anyway, is that all it is?� � What do you mean?� Gabrielle frowned. � It doesn�t have anything to do with the fact Joxer�s not following you around like a little puppy?� � No! I, I,� Gabrielle sighed and actually thought about what Xena had said. � I don�t know, maybe a little,� she hung her head, � But still�� � But still, what? You want him to die? Or worse, live with no contact with the one he loves or their child?� Xena asked quietly. Gabrielle looked up, tears in her eyes, � No,� she whispered. � So we help them?� � Yeah,� Gabrielle nodded, � Yeah, we help them.� Xena smiled, � Okay, good.� --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- � Ready?� � Yeah, I guess,� Hercules looked tired. � You didn�t get much sleep last night, did you?� Iolaus squeezed his lover�s shoulder. Hercules shook his head, � Too much to think about.� � You gonna be okay with this?� Iolaus asked anxiously. Hercules nodded, � Yeah, I�m fine. What they�re going through, it�s not fair. I want to help them, even if it is Ares.� Iolaus grinned and kissed him, hard. � I�m proud of you.� Hercules smiled, � Thanks.� ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- � Auto?� � Yes, Mistress?� � Would you like me to heal you?� � If you would, Mistress.� Eris smiled fondly, � Well, you do want to be able to move freely.� She touched his bare chest and let her power flow through him, healing welts and bruises and the odd anal tear. � Thank you, Mistress.� She nodded curtly, � Get dressed, it�s time to go.� ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The group met up with Strife, just after dawn. He was beaming happily. � Hey Unc! Cupid�s really stoked wit� tha news!� Ares nodded, � Good.� � So was the clearing successful?� Eris asked. � Yes,� Ares nodded again, � The first thing I�d like, Xena, if you would help Jox with finding his centre and getting his balance right.� Xena nodded, � Sure, no problem.� � The rest of us, I�d like to discuss a training strategy.� He sighed, � We haven�t got long.� Xena and Joxer moved away from the others, and she sat him down to begin with meditation. Over the next few days, Joxer was worked endlessly. Each day he practiced various fighting techniques, with his five friends. Each one, at Ares� request, pushed him hard. Finding his balance and the removal of the barriers in his mind had already had astounding results, and he progressed quickly. Soon, he was able to hold his own. Every night, Ares healed him, loved him and held him close as he slept, restless from his dreams. After a week, Ares deemed it was time for Strife and Eris to join in. if he could learn to at least hold his own against a God, then he stood a good chance against a warlord. Joxer was surprised how much he already knew, at least in technique. And experience he was somehow able to draw from Ares, through their link. It became almost instinctive, and he found himself using moves and countermoves, he�d never have thought of. But he still took some severe beatings from Strife and Eris before he was able to go any length of time against them. When the day came that he knocked Strife from his feet, he was pulled into a bear hug by the young God. � Well done, ya got me completely off guard!� Strife enthused. Joxer grinned, and turned to look at Ares, who was smiling proudly at him. � Let�s take a break,� Ares waved his hand and produced cold water. He took a mug over to Joxer, who was pacing, waiting to get his breath back before sitting. � Thanks love,� Joxer smiled and took a long draft. Strife walked over to the couple and held out his hand. A slim, lethal looking dagger appeared, � This is from me an� Cupe.� Joxer grinned at him, � Thanks, Strife!� He gave the young God a hug. Strife flushed, � Ya put it in ya boot.� Joxer nodded. Ares put an arm round his shoulders. *How�re you feeling?* *Tired* Joxer said with a chuckle. *We�ll give you some time to rest before the fight* Joxer nodded, frowning thoughtfully. *What is it?* Ares asked. *I was wondering how this was going to happen* *What do you mean?* *Well, like, the Warlord, does he know why he�s fighting? Will it be public?* Ares sighed, *Zeus has already made me announce a fight to the death between my two best warriors, to become my champion* *Oh* *I�m sorry, I should have told you* *Yes you should, but, that�s not it* Joxer sighed. *I, I just don�t want to make you look bad. I�m hardly one of your two best warriors* *You damn well are!* Joxer smiled and touched his cheek, *Thank you* Ares leaned down and kissed him, softly. Joxer moaned and leaned into him, kissing him back hard. Ares pulled back with a chuckle, *You should be too tired for that, lover* Joxer smirked, *With you? Never!* � Would you two get a room!� Eris interrupted them. Ares narrowed his eyes. Eris had her hands on her hips and was glaring at them. Strife stood behind her smirking. Ares glanced around at the others. They were all sitting quietly with their drinks, steadfastly pretending nothing was happening. His lips twitched into a half smile. � It�s only bothering you, Sis,� he said. She glared at him for a moment longer, then unexpectedly, she laughed. � Ha! They�re just too polite to say.� Ares grinned wolfishly, � Or horny.� Eris, Strife, Joxer and Ares burst out laughing. They wandered back over to the seated group, still chuckling. � What�s funny?� asked Gabrielle, slightly defensively. � Just discussing the merits of a sex break,� Strife laughed. Iolaus perked up immediately, leering at Hercules. Joxer winked at him, and he grinned back. � Actually, we�re done here. We only have two days till the fight, Joxer needs a chance to rest,� Ares said firmly. Joxer nudged him and he raised an eyebrow. Joxer raised both eyebrows in reply. � Do I have to?� Ares whined. � We discussed this.� Ares sighed. He muttered something, which earned him a poke in the ribs. � Okay, okay! Xena, Iolaus, Auto, Hercules�� Another poke, � Okay, yes, and Gabrielle.� The five looked up at him curiously. � Thank you for your help, we I appreciate it.� Ares put his hands on his hips and glared at them defiantly, as if daring them to comment. *That wasn�t so hard, was it?* Ares flicked his gaze towards his lover, *You owe me so big for that* Joxer smirked, *Really?* His lips twitched. Ares� eyes narrowed and he stalked menacingly over to his lover. He fisted Joxer�s shirt and pulled the smaller man roughly towards him. He ignored the others, who�d leapt to their feet, his gaze locked on Joxer�s face. His other hand gripped the back of Joxer�s head and he pulled him into a ferocious kiss. When he lifted his head, Joxer�s eyes were glazed and he was breathless. Only Ares� grip in his shirt, was holding him upright. � Really!� he smirked. Joxer smiled at him dazedly, � It will be my pleasure,� he whispered. |