Title: The Plan Author: Hergerbabe Fandom: Xena Pairings: A/J, H/I, X/G, C/S Rating: NC-17 Archive: AJCS, JLA Disclaimer: Not mine and sadly never will be Warnings: possibly but not yet, sorry WIP Notes: I guess this would be an AU, I�ve seen very few Xena eps beyond the first couple of series, so this is a case of two fingers up at canon :) Summary: What if Xena wasn�t actually what she seemed? For Christine, this has been hanging around for ages, thanks for nagging me to continue with it and subsequently beta�ing, love ya hon! Prologue �Excuse me?!� �This is your future lifemate.� �Joxer?� Ares raised an eyebrow. �Yes.� �Are you sure?� Three identical nods. �You don�t mean Jett?� A snort and two chuckles. �Jett does not have what it takes to be your mate.� �Huh? And Joxer does?� Another set of nods. �But, but he�s sweet and kind and gentle, and damn, *so* clumsy.� Not to mention, cute and sexy, Ares� eyes glazed over momentarily. Three sly smiles were shared. �You already know much about him.� Ares shook himself. �Um, yeah, well. You try ignoring one of his prayers!� Two small grins and a muffled snort. Ares flushed. �So, I have to marry him?� �Not yet, it is not time.� �Oh.� Ares didn�t actually sound disappointed, did he? �So, why tell me?� �You must protect him. He has a destiny to fulfil and only you can help him. You will know when the time has come.� Ares nodded and flashed away. Three sisters stared at each other, before breaking down into hysterical laughter. �Oh, he is *so* gone on Joxer!� �I told you.� �He didn�t even make a token protest.� Part 1 Ares flashed into his throne room and looked round carefully before he punched the air. �Yes!� Just this once, he would forgive The Fates from interfering. Now they had declared that he would marry Joxer, no one could stop him. And, as his official consort, Ares could have him made immortal. There was just one small problem. He sat back in his throne with a sigh. How in Tartarus was he supposed to protect Joxer without drawing unwanted attention to him? If anyone thought Joxer was important to him, it could be used against him. He needed someone he could trust, but who wouldn�t raise suspicion. There were only three people he trusted, other than Joxer. Strife, Cupid and� *Xena!* *Yes, father?* *I have a very important job for you.* @>*~ (A little time later) *Daughter.* *Father.* *How goes it?* *This sucks, dad! People are so damn needy and pathetic. I hate this gig. You haven�t even told me why I�m doing this yet.* *Patience, Xena. And remember who you�re talking to. Pretending that you�ve left my service is no great shakes either, ya know?* *Yes father. ::sighs:: It�s just this girl, Gabrielle, she won�t leave me alone. Thinks I�m some big hero. Agh! I *so* want to kill her!* *Well don�t. Every hero needs a sidekick after all ::laughs::* *Yeah, thanks for that, *dad*!* Ares sat back and grinned at his nephew. �It�s going well.� �Yup,� Strife nodded, �I still don�t get it though.� �You�re not supposed to,� Ares raised an eyebrow. �Oh, okay.� Strife grinned. �So, what do I do?� �With this? Nothing. Why don�t you go and help Cupid with Bliss, he could use it,� Ares suggested. �Yeah, I know. I really don�t know how Psyche could give them up, but there you go. I guess she just couldn�t handle it,� Strife didn�t look particularly sorry. Ares chuckled and shook his head, �No, but then that leaves the way clear for you now, doesn�t it?� Strife stared in shock at his uncle. �How?� he shook his head, �Never mind, I take it you don�t mind then?� Ares smiled, �To be honest, I always thought the two of you would get together a long time ago.� �Really?� Strife was startled, �You mean you think I have a chance?� Ares leaned forward and patted Strife�s shoulder, �Definitely.� �Thanks, unc!� Strife hugged Ares before he disappeared to find his cousin. Ares sighed contemplatively. For a Love God, Cupid could be a little slow, but now he�d given Strife a nudge maybe things would develop. @>*~ *Dad?* *Yes, Xena.* *This guy?* *Yes, Xena.* *This is the guy you want me to protect?* *Yes, Xena.* *Are you sure?* *::sighs heavily:: Of course I�m sure.* *But he�s *so*�* *Yes, thank you, I know. He�s also a very good man, and your future stepfather, so be nice.* *::squeaks:: Stepfather?!* *::sighs:: Yes.* *But�* *Look, I told you, The Fates say he has to be protected until we marry and he fulfils his destiny.* *Okay, okay, I�m sorry.* *Don�t question me again in the future.* *No, father.* Part 2 (A long time later) Ares was furious. Xena was getting far too into this hero business and she�d almost failed him. *Xena!* *::hesitant:: Yes, father?* *What in *Tartarus* were you thinking?!* *I�m sorry, I was trying to help this�* *Trying to help?! Your *job* is to protect Joxer, you nearly got him killed!* *Dad! You sound like you actually care about him!* *::snorts:: About as much as you care about Gabrielle.* *Um, dad? I love Gabrielle.* *::tense silence:: Um.* *Dad? You love him!* *Um.* *Well shit, dad! You didn�t feel the need to share?* *It�s personal!* *So? I�m your daughter, things like this matter to me.* *::snorts:: Since when?* *Dad!* *Sorry.* *Dad� you won�t hurt Gabrielle, will you?* *What? Why?* *Because Joxer likes her.* *::snorts:: No he doesn�t. That�s just a compulsion I put on him.* *Oh, okay. Why?* *To allay suspicion.* *Suspicion?* *::clears throat nervously:: Yeah. Believe it or not, Joxer is one of my best followers, ever. It doesn�t do for anyone to think personal feelings are involved, on either side.* *You mean he�* *I don�t know. I haven�t looked.* *Oh. Why not?* *Because I lo� because I care about him, and I won�t invade his privacy.* *But what about his feelings, dad? I love Gabrielle, but she�s hurting him. You should take off the compulsion.* *Jealous, are we?* *Dad! No, I�m not, okay? I� I care about Joxer.* *::deflates:: Really?* *Yes, I think you�ll be good for each other.* *Okay, okay, I�ll take it off.* *Good. After all, you�ll never know how he really feels if he thinks he loves Gabby.* *::defensive:: Yeah, whatever.* *Don�t be so down on yourself, dad.* *Oh shut up! You�ve gotten into this caring, sharing crap a little too much, you know that?!* *Well excuse me for giving a damn!* *::clears throat:: Yes, well. Just remember why you�re doing this, okay?* *Yes, father.* Part 3 Joxer woke suddenly, feeling a little odd. He sat up and looked round. Xena was sitting by the fire, Gabrielle curled up next to her. Xena�s eyes were closed and she was frowning in what appeared to be fierce concentration. Joxer rubbed his eyes tiredly and got up, surprised that Xena didn�t react. He frowned at her, waiting for a second. She still didn�t open her eyes. Joxer sighed, wondering what to do. He didn�t want to risk a near death experience if he surprised her, but he didn�t want to leave the camp with Xena apparently unaware. Suddenly she sighed and muttered something. Her eyes flicked open and fixed on him. To his surprise, she jumped slightly, then flushed. �Oh, um, Joxer, hi,� she stuttered feeling slightly awkward, especially after finding out how her father felt about him. Joxer smiled softly at her, assuming she was embarrassed because she hadn�t noticed him getting up. �Hey, Xena. Are you okay?� he asked. �Uh, yeah, sure,� she smiled briefly, �You going somewhere?� �Call of nature,� Joxer said quietly. He didn�t mention how strange he�d felt when he�d woken up, because he�d already forgotten. She nodded and he left the clearing. After relieving himself and having a brief wash in the nearby stream, Joxer sat down. He didn�t feel like returning to the clearing straight away. He stared at the gently babbling water in confusion, something felt different, but he couldn�t place what. He picked up a stone and threw it in the water listlessly. With a sigh, he realised how long it had been since he�d visited Ares� temples and he felt incredibly guilty. Not that his God would probably have even noticed, but it was important to him. Oh, he prayed every day, but because he travelled so frequently with Xena and Gabrielle, he�d avoided going to Ares� temples so they wouldn�t know who he worshipped. Joxer frowned suddenly, wondering why. Ares was everything to him. Why, in Zeus� name, had their, and in particular Gabrielle�s, opinion mattered so much to him? Joxer determined to visit the very next temple they came across, but oh! He sighed again. What in Hades could he give as an offering? Especially after such a long time. Feeling incredibly dispirited, Joxer walked back to camp. Xena had started cooking breakfast and Gabrielle was awake, but yawning loudly. Xena smiled up at him. �You okay?� she asked. Joxer forced himself to smile and nod. �Fine,� he said quietly. Gabrielle frowned at him. �You sure?� she asked, �You look miserable.� Joxer shrugged. �M�fine,� he mumbled. He sat down, ignoring the glances the two women exchanged. Xena noticed that Joxer had barely looked at Gabrielle so far. Maybe her father *had* actually taken off the compulsion. She was slightly surprised, she�d got the impression Ares was using the compulsion as an excuse not to have to find out what Joxer�s true feelings were. Now, she had to wonder what those feelings might be. Whatever Joxer had on his mind, it obviously wasn�t making him very happy. Xena sighed, at least Gabrielle couldn�t hurt his feelings as badly now he didn�t think he was in love with her. Although she was sure Gabrielle�s knack for tactless insensitivity would manage to hurt their gentle friend at some point. @>*~ *Well?* *I don�t know, dad. I mean Gabrielle isn�t making him miserable anymore, but something is.* *::sighs:: I know. I sense it in his prayers, a nervousness. He�s holding back, which isn�t like him.* *Dad, you okay?* *Not really ::sighs deeply::* *Dad? Come on, talk to me.* *Xena, I told you before, I don�t do all this caring, sharing bullshit!* *Well, you�d better start, because it�s what Joxer�s looking for.* *::snorts:: Yeah, well you�re not him, are you?* *Dad!* *Okay, okay. It�s just it�s hard, waiting till the time is right. I mean when�s that going to be?! His prayers keep me going, and their tone the last few days has worried me. There, happy now?!* *I guess.* *Gods! You�re never happy, are you?* *Sorry, I�m just more worried now than I was before.* *Oh.* *Dad? I�d better go. Joxer woke up before I finished last time.* *Fine, and Xena?* *Yeah?* *::whispers:: Take care of him for me.* *I will, dad.* Xena smiled softly as she opened her eyes and glanced over at Joxer. The young man was curled up on his bedroll, looking childlike and innocent. Which he was really. Xena wondered if that was what had drawn her father to him in the first place. She sighed, wishing she knew what was bothering Joxer, and lay down next to Gabrielle to try and get some sleep. Part 4 Joxer tried to shake himself out of his depression, his mood was bringing the others down. But he couldn�t help it, he just didn�t have anything worthy enough to give his God after such a long absence. He ignored the worried looks Xena and Gabrielle kept giving him. He couldn�t do anything to lift his spirits, it seemed pointless to worry them more by forcing himself to be cheerful. He continued to walk despondently behind them until� �Oh, shiiiiiiiit!� The ground gave way beneath him and he landed heavily on his ass, before continuing to slide down the muddy slope into the hole he�d discovered. �Agh, agh, agh, agh, agh, oooof!� Joxer landed with a thud. He lay back and stared up at the sky in shock. �Ow,� he whispered when he�d recovered his breath. �Joxer? Oh Gods, are you okay?� Gabrielle�s face appeared over the hole. �Um,� Joxer sat up to check himself over, �Yeah, I think so.� �Xena�s just rigging up a rope to come get you, okay?� Gabrielle called down to him. �Sure.� Joxer sighed and looked round. Then he frowned, he thought he could see something twinkling in the darkness. Joxer got onto his knees and crawled forward. Half buried in the soil he�d dislodged, was what appeared to be a jewel. But not like one Joxer had ever seen, it was bright, as if it was producing its own light. What an amazing thing, it would be perfect to give to Ares. Cautiously, Joxer reached out and touched it. He got a short, sharp shock and pulled his hand away quickly with a quiet yelp. But the jewel appeared to be stuck to his fingers. In a panic, Joxer shook his hand frantically, to try and throw it away. But to his horror, as he watched, it slowly dissolved through his skin and his hand began to glow. Joxer tried to scream, but when he opened his mouth nothing came out. He watched terrified and helpless as the glow spread slowly up his arm and all over his body. He shone brightly for a few more seconds, then it died away. Joxer swallowed hard and began to pat himself, checking everything was still there, that he was okay. But truth be told, Joxer felt fine, wonderful in fact. He couldn�t remember the last time he�d felt so good. A thud behind him made him jump and he fell over. �Sorry, Jox,� Xena grinned at him, �Should have warned you.� He smiled up at her and let her help him to his feet. �S�okay. Can we get out of here now?� he asked quietly. Xena frowned, she hadn�t expected Joxer to be so quiet, *still* so quiet. She was really starting to worry about him now. �Yeah, course,� she said cheerfully, hoping for a more genuine smile. But Joxer couldn�t quite manage a smile. He felt distinctly odd, but for some reason, it didn�t occur to him to tell Xena about the jewel and what had happened. He just wished it hadn�t disappeared, it would have been a perfect gift for Ares. �Come on then,� Xena helped Joxer out of the hole, before following him. Gabrielle looked concerned, but Joxer managed a reassuring smile. �I tell you what,� Xena started, �When we reach the next town, how about we stop at an inn for a couple of days and get a proper rest?� �Sounds great!� Gabrielle grinned at her. Joxer smiled quietly and nodded, he could use a night in a proper bed and it would give him more time to look for an appropriate offering. @>*~ That night after Joxer and Gabrielle had fallen asleep, Xena waited for her father�s call. *Xena?* *I�m here, dad.* *::sighs:: How is he?* *No better, I really can�t work out why he�s so depressed. Something weird happened today, he fell down this hole, but he seems to have forgotten all about it.* *Hmm, odd. But it�s been a strange day. Have you noticed anything different today?* *::shrugs:: Not really, why?* *I don�t know, there was a weird, sort of energy surge. It felt strange, powerful. But I�ve no clue what it was.* *Anyone else notice?* *I don�t know, I don�t exactly communicate with the others much, now do I?* *I guess not ::sighs::* *Well, just take care of him, I�m sure he�ll snap out of it, he usually does.* *Does he now? ::chuckles::* *Yes! Actually, he does.* *Okay, okay, sorry, dad. I�ll talk to you soon?* *Yeah. Maybe he�ll actually come and visit me, it�s been awhile.* *That�s your own fault, dad. He would have if he hadn�t been worrying about Gabrielle�s opinion of him. ::raises an eyebrow::* *Whatever.* *::sighs:: Bye, dad.* *Yeah.* Xena opened her eyes and sighed again. Her father was sounding as bad as Joxer recently. She hoped that the time The Fates had spoken about would come soon, if only for her father�s sake. And she had a feeling that Ares would do anything to make Joxer happy. She gave a tiny smile at the thought of the God of War being in love, then she settled down, drawing Gabrielle into her arms. Part 5 As promised, Xena booked them into an inn at the next town they came across two days later. Joxer immediately made his excuses and wandered down to the local market to look for something to take to Ares� temple. It had to be perfect. But the next couple of hours just sank him deeper into his depression. There was nothing, nothing he could afford anyway. On his way back to the inn, he was so lost in thought about how much he could make if he sold everything he didn�t absolutely need, he didn�t see something sticking out of the ground in front of him, and his toe connected with it painfully. �Ow!� Joxer bounced on one foot, trying to rub his assaulted toe, �Ow, ow, ow!� He was so fed up, he nearly didn�t stop to see what he�d hit. Joxer frowned and bent down, picking up the ornate dagger. He looked round to see if anyone had lost it, but nobody even glanced his way. �Wow,� Joxer stared at the weapon. It was beautiful, perfect! He smiled genuinely for the first time that week. He just couldn�t wait now, Joxer hurried to Ares� temple straight away. @>*~ Ares sat impatiently in his temple, surely Joxer would visit? Before he�d got Xena to watch him and then placed that stupid compulsion on him, Joxer had come to every temple he passed and left an offering. Even if it was just some fruit, he always left something. Ares sighed, realising how much he�d missed that and he dug into his pocket, pulling out a stone in the shape of a sword that Joxer had found and left at his altar in Thebes. He smiled, remembering how excited the young man had been, how enthusiastic and happy his prayer had been. Not like recently. He�d sent everyone away, he loved to watch Joxer in his temples, alone. It always made the young man a little braver, and he�d stay longer, almost chatting to him. Ares jumped. He felt Joxer�s presence immediately and smiled happily. He�d come! Ares quickly raised a shield to keep things private. Joxer approached the altar slowly and somewhat nervously, feeling a little edgy, like he was being watched. He glanced around with a frown, but he couldn�t see anyone. Ares tilted his head curiously, Joxer shouldn�t have had even an inkling of his presence, yet he kept glancing around as if he expected someone to appear. Joxer shivered a little, then shook himself, telling himself not to be so stupid. He stood in front of the altar, unaware of his God standing on the other side watching him. Joxer stared up at Ares� statue briefly, before bowing his head to pray. �Lord, I �� Joxer sighed. What could he say? He stared at the dagger he�d brought with him and he had an idea. To Ares� surprise, Joxer raised both hands over the altar, wielding a dagger in one. �Lord Ares, my life has always been dedicated to you,� Joxer restarted his prayer. �I know I�m not worthy, but I give you all that I am.� Ares jumped as Joxer drew the blade across his palm. �By my life�s blood, I am yours.� Ares moved quickly, not really knowing what he was doing or why. A dagger appeared in his hand. He slashed open his own palm. �By my life�s blood, I am yours,� he whispered as he caught Joxer�s hand. Joxer yelped in shock at the words and as he tried to pull his hand away, Ares appeared in front of him. Ares put his other hand over Joxer�s, pushing their bleeding palms tightly together. As their blood mixed, Ares felt strange, a weird sensation overwhelmed him and he blacked out, letting go of Joxer�s hand as he fell. Joxer whimpered in fright. �Um, help?� he squeaked. Joxer really, really wanted to run away, but how could he leave Ares unconscious? Nervously, he crept round the altar to where Ares was lying and knelt down next to him. �Lord Ares?� he said quietly. �Ares?� With a nervous gulp, Joxer reached out to touch his God�s face gently, reverently. He sighed, he might not live beyond this night, but at least he�d touched his God, just once. Then Ares� eyes flicked open. Ares had woken to the soft touch and opened his eyes. He stared up at Joxer, just catching the tenderness before it dissolved to terror, and he couldn�t help it. He reached up, pulled Joxer down and kissed him. Joxer moaned in surprise and amazed pleasure, his lips parting quickly to his God�s demanding tongue. Ares thought his heart might burst with joy when Joxer kissed him back. He sat up and pulled Joxer into his lap, getting rid of the bulky, uncomfortable armour with a thought, cupping his face to draw him even closer. Joxer whimpered happily. He had no clue why Ares was kissing him, but he could die happy now. Then again, maybe it was just one of his dreams, but he didn�t care, he was going to enjoy it as long as he could. He wrapped his arms round Ares� neck and sucked enthusiastically on his exploring tongue. Ares moaned, hugging Joxer close to his chest, his hand sliding up Joxer�s back to grip his hair tightly. Eventually, Joxer had to pull back, gasping for breath. �Ares?� he panted in confusion. It didn�t seem to be a dream, so why had the God of War been kissing *him*? Ares started to smile, but then he felt the first nudge at his shield and he frowned, it was being breached. Joxer quailed fearfully at Ares� expression. But instead of being blown to Tartarus like he�d expected, he was dragged to his feet and behind his God�s strong body as two flashes lit the temple. �Uh oh,� Joxer whispered at the sight of Zeus and Hera. �Okay, what did I do?� Ares asked with a sigh of resignation. Hera frowned and walked over to the pair, raising her hand. Ares pushed Joxer further back protectively. �Married?� Hera whispered in shock. �What?!� exclaimed Zeus, Ares and Joxer at the same time. Hera raised her other hand and frowned in concentration. �Ares and the young mortal are married,� Hera repeated. �What?� Zeus shook his head, �Typical! Things are coming to a head and you take off and get married!� He glared at his son. �Can it be broken?� he asked his wife. �No!� Ares shouted. �I beg your pardon?!� Zeus blinked at him. �I have waited too long for this, he�s mine! As was declared by The Fates!� Ares roared. Joxer�s heart was about to pound right out of his chest. Married? To Ares? And Ares wanted it? He felt slightly faint. �As you are his, my son,� said Hera, �These vows cannot be broken, Zeus. They are vows of the most ancient and sacred order, a binding of mind, body and soul.� This time, Joxer did faint. Part 6 Ares barely had time to turn and catch him. He glared up at his parents. �What did you mean by things coming to a head?� he growled. Zeus sighed, �We have had energy flickerings at the dimensional borders, we think, although we are not sure, that it has something to do with the bizarre energy surge two days ago.� �At the dimensional borders?� Ares frowned, �Dahak?� �Possibly,� Zeus nodded. �And you think the energy surge is something to do with him?� Ares asked quietly. �Actually, I think it is more likely that whatever that surge was, Dahak wants, which is why he has renewed his efforts to breach the borders again,� Zeus bit his lip thoughtfully. �So why is my being married a problem?� Ares growled. Joxer moaned, coming round slowly. Ares sounded angry and instinctively, he reached out to touch his God�s arm. At Ares� sharp intake of breath, Joxer opened his eyes cautiously. Ares stared down at his young husband, who was still gently stroking his arm, despite looking terrified. Joxer met his eyes nervously and Ares smiled reassuringly. Joxer smiled back in relief. Zeus and Hera exchanged surprised glances. Ares looked up again. �Well?� he asked his father. �I don�t want you distracted, that�s all. If Dahak is involved, I need you to work on the ground,� he frowned thoughtfully, �That daughter of yours, she can help, and uh,� he glanced nervously at Hera, �Your brother.� �Aw, dad, do I have to?� Ares whined. Joxer couldn�t help the chuckle that escaped. Ares looked down at Joxer with a curious frown. �What?� Joxer tried to suppress his grin. �It�s just�� he snickered, �You sounded like a little boy.� Ares blinked at him, and Joxer realised in horror what he�d said and who he�d said it to. �I, uh, I�� To his surprise, Ares started to laugh and hugged him close. �Ares?� he said warily, �Are� are you okay?� �Yes, Joxer. I�m very okay,� Ares grinned. He lifted Joxer�s chin with one finger and dropped a kiss on his husband�s upturned lips. Working with Xena was obviously not going to be a problem, and Ares thought he might even be able to cope with Hercules, now he was finally with Joxer. �Very well, father,� he agreed. �I will investigate matters, with Xena, Hercules and their partners, on the conditions that, one, Joxer stays with me, and two, Cupid and Strife help me out.� Zeus frowned slightly, wondering why his son had included Cupid. Then he sighed and nodded, �Agreed.� He glanced at Hera, �Happy, my dear?� Hera looked thoughtful, �Not quite.� She glanced at Joxer, �I may not, even as Goddess of Marriage, be able to break yours, but I would like to know, how do you feel about my son?� Joxer flushed lightly. He stared up at Ares who was looking almost nervous and he smiled. �I love him, ma�am.� Hera sighed softly, �Very well, *now* I�m happy.� She took Zeus� hand and they nodded at their son before disappearing. Ares was too caught up in his own happiness to even notice. He kissed Joxer gently and then set him down on the altar. He picked up the dagger Joxer had brought. �May I keep this?� he asked quietly. Joxer gaped slightly in surprise. �I, uh, of course, I brought it for you.� Ares smiled, �Thank you. It�s beautiful, where did you get it?� Joxer flushed. �I,� he cleared his throat and looked down, �I found it.� Ares stared closer at the dagger and frowned, �You know, it feels �made� and yet not quite.� Joxer blinked, �Made?� �Yes,� Ares nodded, �Things we Gods make through thought, while real, are slightly different from something made in nature, but only a God could tell the difference.� He paused, �Do you understand?� Joxer nodded and Ares grinned at him. �Well, this dagger feels different from a natural one, but it still doesn�t quite feel �made� either. I really don�t understand.� Joxer shrugged helplessly, a lot of strange things were happening to him lately. �Where did you find it?� Ares asked, sitting next to Joxer. �I tripped over it, after despairing of ever finding anything suitable to bring you,� Joxer sighed quietly. Ares frowned, something strange was going on but he couldn�t put his finger on what. Shaking his head, he turned to Joxer. �Anything you bring me is perfect,� he said quietly. Joxer brightened slightly, �Really?� he asked. �Really,� Ares smiled at him. �Remind me to show you your room when we get up to Olympus.� �*My* room?� Joxer blinked in confusion. Ares just nodded. �Before we can do that, I need to get the freaky foursome together,� he paused to grin at Joxer�s snort of laughter at his nephew�s nickname for the four heroes. �Here would be better than the inn, don�t you think?� Joxer managed to stop laughing and raised his eyebrows, Ares was asking his opinion? �Um, sure,� he said quietly. �Give me a moment to contact Xena,� Ares closed his eyes. Joxer blinked, contact Xena? Part 7 *Daughter.* *::sleepily:: Father� what?* *Do you know where Joxer is?* *::panicky:: Uh, uh, he isn�t back from the market?* *No, but I�ll let you off, he�s with me.* *::smiles:: He did visit you then.* *::sighs:: Yes.* *Dad? What is it?* *Nothing. Well, not nothing. Look, just come to the temple and bring the harpy. It�ll be a lot easier to only have to explain this the once!* *Explain what? Dad? Dad!* Xena sighed in frustration and opened her eyes. She nudged Gabrielle gently. �Mmph,� Gabrielle snuggled closer. Xena nudged her again. �What is it?� Gabrielle mumbled. �Come on, time to get up. Joxer�s not back yet.� �So?� Gabrielle pouted, �He�s a grown man, he can take care of himself.� �Gabrielle!� Xena stared pointedly at the younger woman. �Okay, okay. I�m coming,� Gabrielle sighed in frustration. Xena gave her a small smile and kissed her. �Come on, we still have tonight.� Gabrielle smiled softly. �Yeah I know. And tomorrow, and tomorrow night!� she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Xena chuckled, �That�s true.� They got dressed quickly and Xena led the way through the town. �Where are we going?� Gabrielle asked. �I have an inkling where Joxer might be,� Xena replied. �Really?� Gabrielle frowned when she realised what building they were heading for, �Why here?� Xena shrugged, �I�m not sure yet.� She paused, suddenly a little nervous. She had a feeling things were about to get awkward. @>*~ When Ares felt Xena enter the temple, he closed his eyes briefly in concentration. Two flashes lit the temple, just as Gabrielle and Xena walked into the annex where they were sitting. �What the� Ares!� Hercules snarled at his brother. Then he stopped in confusion, Ares was sitting on his altar with Joxer and he was smiling, actually smiling! Hercules wasn�t sure whether to be very worried, or very scared. Iolaus glanced round and spotted Xena and Gabrielle. �Hey,� he greeted them, �What�s going on?� Gabrielle shrugged, �Haven�t got a clue, we were just looking for Joxer.� Xena stared at her father. He was sitting right on the edge of the altar, hands braced on either side. Joxer was sitting in a similar position, looking slightly shell-shocked, but with a glazed grin on his face. But on closer observation, she saw the way her father was leaning in close to the wannabe warrior, and the pinkies of their adjacent hands were linked together. She smiled. �Well?� she asked expectantly. Ares grinned at her, ignoring the other three and he nodded. �It was finally time,� he said happily. To the complete shock of Gabrielle, Hercules, Iolaus *and* Joxer, Xena actually squealed excitedly, ran up to the altar and flung her arms round Ares� neck. �Oh, dad! I�m *so* happy for you,� she exclaimed. Ares blinked in surprise, but he hugged her back delightedly. She pulled back to look at Joxer, who was staring at her in bemusement. �Jox? You okay?� she asked quietly. �Oh, I� yes, but you�?� Joxer stuttered. Gabrielle had been in complete shock, but she finally found her voice. �Dad? *Dad*?!� she spat. Xena turned round and stared at her friend and lover, her expression a mixture of guilt, apology and regret. �Gabrielle, I�� Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot. �Xena,� Ares said gently, seeing his daughter search helplessly for words, �I have a lot to say, I�ll do the explaining, okay?� �Somebody had better explain!� Gabrielle growled. Hercules stood next to her and crossed his arms, nodding his agreement. Part 8 Ares glared at the pair. He really had no clue what his daughter saw in the blonde bard. �Xena never left my service, the whole hero angle was merely a ploy, so that she could perform a specific task without raising suspicion,� Ares started. �What?!� Gabrielle snapped, she felt sick, she thought she knew everything about Xena, now it seemed she�d never known her lover. �You traitor,� Hercules said accusingly. Xena flinched and Joxer winced sympathetically. He couldn�t help feeling sorry for her, he knew how unforgiving Gabrielle and Hercules could be. Ares growled at his brother. �Aren�t you even going ask what that task was?� he snapped. �Another plan to get at me? Some twisted way of starting a war?� Hercules sneered. �How about protecting a life?� Ares said quietly. �A life that would have been put in even more danger had it been known how precious it was to me.� Hercules and Gabrielle looked confused, probably because they *were* both extremely confused. Iolaus glanced at the pair on the altar, noticing to his surprise that Ares had put a protective arm around Joxer. �Oh,� he said in realisation. He smiled at Xena, who smiled back in relief. �What life?� Gabrielle snorted. �Joxer�s life,� Xena replied quietly. Joxer choked. Ares rubbed his back in concern. �Are you all right?� he asked, when Joxer recovered. �I� you did all this� for me?� Joxer stammered. Ares and Xena nodded. �Why?� Xena frowned, �You *are* married now, aren�t you?� Joxer�s eyes widened in surprise and he nodded. �Dad, you haven�t told him, have you?� she sighed. Ares flushed. �What, about The Fates and the prophecy? Not yet no,� he replied, knowing exactly what she meant, but preferring not to acknowledge it. �Dad!� she exclaimed, �You know what I meant!� �That is private and I am *not* saying it here!� Ares said in a tone of voice that made everyone flinch, except Hercules, who was too busy trying get his head round the fact that Xena had said Ares and Joxer were married. �Say what?� Hercules asked. If looks could kill, Hercules would have been a tiny smear of grease on the floor from the glare he received from Ares. �What prophecy?� Iolaus said quietly, trying to distract the brothers from a potential fight. Ares glanced up at Iolaus, then turned to Joxer with a sigh. �I was told by The Fates that I was to look after you until we married and you would fulfil your destiny,� he said quietly. Joxer�s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach and he had to bite his lip to stop it from trembling as he struggled to hold back tears. He wasn�t sure what exactly he�d been expecting, but he wished he hadn�t gotten his hopes up, because having them crushed was more heartbreak than he thought he could take. �Oh,� he whispered, looking away from everyone. �Joxer?� Ares peered at him worriedly, realising a little late that he hadn�t put it very well. �Joxer, that wasn�t�� He stopped as Gabrielle and Hercules suddenly started to laugh. Ares snarled and pulled Joxer into his arms protectively. Joxer didn�t struggle, Ares� actions that whole evening had been too confusing, he just let himself be held, trying not to enjoy it too much in case it never happened again. �You� you expect us� to believe�� Hercules stopped to get his laughter under control. �You expect us to believe you did all this *just* to protect Joxer?!� Ares� eyes narrowed and Iolaus discretely backed away from his tactless friend. He loved Hercules more than anything, but getting blasted by angry War Gods was not something he relished, being a mere mortal. �And there I was under the illusion that you counted all life as worth protecting. Tell me, why doesn�t Joxer count?� Ares said so quietly it was almost a whisper. Xena recognised the tone and started to back away herself, and despite her fury, Gabrielle realised that it maybe was a smart move to get out of the way too. �Well,� Hercules spluttered, �I didn�t mean it like that exactly.� �Really?� Ares growled quietly, �What exactly did you mean?� �I, uh, I merely meant that I couldn�t see you putting that much work into a scheme to protect someone like Joxer,� Hercules announced triumphantly, thinking he�d explained himself adequately. �Uh oh,� Iolaus whispered, diving well away from Hercules, as Ares put Joxer gently aside and stood up. A fireball appeared and he flung it at his brother, followed quickly by two daggers. Hercules in his shock, was caught by the full blow of the fireball and flew backwards, only his slump to the ground saved him from the daggers. �Someone like Joxer?!� Ares roared, �How dare you! He�s a hundred times the man you are, you sanctimonious little prick!� Joxer roused himself from his despair, the roiling emotions of his God almost tangible to him. He frowned. �Stop, please,� he whispered. Ares most likely would have stopped at Joxer�s quiet plea, but he never got to find out because he found for some strange reason, he had no choice *but* to stop. He backed away in confusion. �Dad?� Xena started quietly. Ares glanced at her as he sat back down and pulled a surprised but unresisting Joxer back into his arms. �I assume you�ve got us all here for a reason, now is probably not the time for fighting.� Ares took a deep breath, �No, you�re right. But I will *not* tolerate any insults towards Joxer, understood?!� He glanced around the room, getting nods from everyone including a dazed Hercules. �Okay, on with the explanations then.� *Cupid, Strife, front and centre!* he called silently. Two flashes, one deep blue, the other gold and sparkly, lit the room and resolved into the slim, dark-haired God of Mischief and the muscular, blond God of Love. �Unc, s�up?� Strife grinned at his uncle when he saw Joxer wrapped in his embrace. �Cool! You got hitched?� �Huh?� Cupid frowned in confusion, staring at his father and Strife. �Unc and Jox. Man, I still can�t work out how you never guessed,� Strife chuckled. �Dad and Joxer?� Cupid blinked. He walked over to the couple and raised his hand. �Wow,� he gasped, how could he have missed *that*? �Congrats, dad!� He hugged his father. Then he walked back to his cousin and playfully smacked the back of his head. �Hey!� Strife pouted, �What�d you do that for?!� �For not telling me,� Cupid shook his head with a small laugh. Strife just smirked at him. Joxer was really confused now, what exactly was going on? And how come everyone but him seemed to know? Part 9 �Right, now everyone�s assembled, I can explain,� Ares started, �And don�t even think about complaining to daddy, Hercules, these are *his* orders,� he said hurriedly before Hercules could interrupt him. Hercules made a noise suspiciously like a snort, but cut it short at Ares� glare. �After an unusual energy surge a couple of days ago, disturbances have been noticed at the dimensional borders. We think, but we don�t know for sure, that it is Dahak. He may be after whatever the energy surge was or what caused it,� Ares continued quietly. �So grandpa still has no idea what the strange force was?� Cupid asked. Ares shook his head, �I don�t think anyone does.� Although, to be honest, something kept niggling at the back of his head about it. He sighed, �We are to investigate on the ground. So, Herc, Gabrielle, you think you can play nice while the world is potentially in danger?� he asked sarcastically. Gabrielle pouted, �I suppose, but don�t expect me to talk to any of you!� The sweep of her finger included Xena, much to the Warrior Princess� heartache. Xena tried to get Gabrielle to meet her eyes, but her, it seemed now ex, lover and best friend refused to even glance in her direction. Joxer frowned, he could almost feel her heart break, and he felt as if he could sense Cupid�s distress at the split. He shook his head, he was imagining things. �Right well, that�s all we need to go into right now. Cupid, Strife, you may go, be back here ready to travel an hour after dawn.� The two young Gods nodded and disappeared, Strife�s hand placed comfortingly on Cupid�s shoulder. �Same goes for you guys,� Ares gestured at the four. Xena looked distinctly uncomfortable at the glares she was still getting from Gabrielle and Hercules, but she followed them out of the temple, hoping to be able to talk to Gabrielle. Iolaus patted her shoulder sympathetically as she passed him. Joxer moved to get up and follow them, but Ares stopped him. �Where are you going?� Ares asked quietly. �Um, I, uh, back to the inn?� Joxer replied hesitantly. �Oh,� Ares looked down, �Don�t you want to come with me?� �Oh yes!� Joxer stopped, �Um, I mean, yes, I just didn�t think you�d want me around.� �Not want you around?� Ares frowned in confusion, �Whatever gave you that impression?� Joxer shrugged mutely. Ares sighed, �Come on, I have something I want to show you.� Joxer nodded, he was a little scared, but mostly he was happy with whatever time he could spend in Ares� presence. Ares hugged him close again and a flash blinded him. When his sight cleared he found himself in a richly decorated passageway, in front of a heavily locked door. Ares waved his hand and the door unlocked and opened. �Here we go,� Ares gently guided Joxer through the door. �*This* is your room.� Joxer walked into the room ahead of his God, staring in wonder. It was stuffed full of things. Shelves, tables and walls were covered in stones, shells, weapons, scrolls, feathers, jewellery, pictures, trinkets and perfectly preserved fruit and flowers. Joxer twisted round and round trying to take it all in. He thought he recognised a lot of what the room contained. When he saw Ares place the dagger he�d given him, on the wall mounting which held the other weapons, it confirmed it. They were his offerings, *his* offerings to his God. And by the looks of it, every single one he�d ever left at one of Ares� altars. �Oh my God,� Joxer whispered, completely overwhelmed. �Once upon a time,� Ares said quietly, �There was a God called Ares. He was the God of War and that made everyone a little afraid of him.� Joxer�s chest clenched. It couldn�t be, surely? �Arry?� He spun round to stare at his God. Ares smiled softly. �That was you?� Ares nodded. �Do you remember what I told you? That any offering given truly and faithfully was the most precious gift to a God.� Joxer blinked, close to tears. Ares opened his arms, and Joxer crossed the room quickly, burying himself in the strong embrace. �That was really you?� Joxer still couldn�t quite believe it. Even as a child, he�d been drawn to the War God, and would often sneak into the Temple, usually to hide from his father, but also to pray to Ares. When he was about five years old, a priest had found him asleep in front of the altar, and had taken him under his wing. He would always seek the priest out after his prayers, to play and to listen to stories about Ares. The priest had called himself Arry. �Yes, it was,� Ares smiled quietly to himself, dropping a gentle kiss on Joxer�s hair. Joxer pulled back with a frown of confusion, �I don�t understand. Why?� Ares gently smoothed the crease from his brow and sighed. �Because your sweetness and innocence drew me to you even then. From your earliest years, your prayers were true and faithful; your offerings, gifts of love. You never asked me for anything, yet you gave me everything, unquestioningly.� Joxer�s breath hitched and he swallowed the tears that threatened yet again. He allowed himself the tiniest spark of hope. �I love you,� he said with a small shrug, as if that explained everything. �I know that now,� Ares smiled at him, �But I could never bring myself to search your heart. I was�� he paused, the next words were ones he�d never uttered before, �I was scared you didn�t.� �Oh Ares!� Joxer breathed in utter shock. His God had been scared, that *he* didn�t love him? It was almost too much. �I�ve always been yours,� he whispered. Ares thought he might burst, he felt a happiness, a rightness, he�d never felt before. The only time he�d come close was when chubby, young arms had wrapped round his neck, a beloved voice begging him for more stories. �And I have always been yours, my love,� he whispered. Joxer�s heart skipped a beat and he froze. He prayed he hadn�t just imagined what Ares had just said. �You didn�t imagine it,� Ares said with a quiet chuckle. He lifted Joxer�s chin and looked him in the eye seriously. �I love you, Joxer.� Part 10 �Cupe, you okay, man?� Strife asked quietly. He sat his cousin down on his bed, and flashed in a glass of water. He couldn�t help his concern, he�d seen Cupid around couples splitting before. Cupid nodded and managed a brief smile as he accepted the water. He drank deeply. �I�m okay, really, Strife. I just hate being that close to heartbreak, it hurts.� Strife hugged him, �I know, cuz, I know.� He wished he could do more, but this closeness was enough. Cupid sighed happily, and snuggled closer, he loved his cousin dearly. They may have been from opposite houses but they were family and Strife was his best friend. Sometimes other Gods made comments about him hanging out with a loser. He used to get really mad, but now he just ignored it, after all none of them knew Strife. None of them knew how much fun he could be and how sweet he could be when he loved someone. He was a good listener, probably because no one ever listened to him, except Cupid of course. �Do you think Gabrielle�s gonna break it off permanently?� Strife asked quietly. Cupid shrugged, �I don�t know, she does truly love Xena, but she feels betrayed. It�s a lot for her to forgive.� Strife snorted, �And she isn�t exactly the forgiving type.� �Nope,� Cupid sighed. �This is going to be a hard journey, in so many ways.� �Yup, you better go pick up Bliss and get some sleep,� Strife nudged his tired cousin. �Yeah,� Cupid sighed again, �To say goodbye. Blissy isn�t going to be happy about that.� �He�ll be okay, you know his grandma spoils him, he loves that,� Strife smiled comfortingly and hugged him again. �True,� Cupid smiled. He hugged Strife back tightly. �Guess I�d better go then,� he said reluctantly. �Yeah, see you bright an� early in the morning then?� Strife asked. �Course. I�ll stop by here on the way, �kay?� �Yeah, cool!� Strife grinned at his cousin before the blond disappeared in a golden flash. Strife lay back with a sigh, silently blessing his uncle for including Cupid on the mission. Maybe away from his mother and son, he could finally get some time with Cupid without distractions, well too many distractions anyway. Get Cupid to see him in a different light. Strife pulled his special scrying mirror out from under his pillow and watched the empty room. Eventually, Cupid appeared, looking very tired. Strife frowned in concern. He watched until Cupid had undressed and got into bed, falling fast asleep almost immediately, then he put the mirror down, reaching into his pants to gently stroke his cock. Strife flashed his clothes away and lay back properly on his bed. In his head he pictured Cupid touching him, the way he longed to be touched. He pumped his erection slowly. He imagined his hand was Cupid�s, that Cupid was lying next to him as he pumped. Strife whimpered, tightening his grip on his cock and stroking faster. In his head, he saw himself get onto his hands and knees and Cupid slowly slide his cock deep within him, to fuck him oh so slowly. Strife bit down on his lip and he stiffened, his back arching as he came in short, jerky jets. Strife flopped back on the bed dejectedly and with a small burst of energy, cleaned himself off and moved himself under the covers. As he fell asleep, his lips parted. �Cupid,� he sighed. @>*~ �Gabrielle, please,� Xena sat down despairingly and watched her lover gather together her things to move to Joxer�s room, now he didn�t need it. Gabrielle wouldn�t even look at her and if she tried to explain, Gabrielle would start to hum loudly or just walk away. Xena struggled to hold back her tears. She knew that it was unlikely that Gabrielle could ever forgive her, after all, Xena *had* betrayed her. Even if Gabrielle let her explain, it wouldn�t be enough. �Gabrielle,� she tried again. �Just leave it!� Gabrielle snapped. �I trusted you, I *loved* you! But now I don�t even know you.� Gabrielle was still furious and that was the only thing keeping her from breaking down completely. �Yes, you do, I�m still me,� Xena whispered, �And I love you.� Gabrielle stiffened. �You love me? You don�t know the meaning of the word. Everything he puts us through and you *knew*! You knew the whole time it wasn�t real, you were just playing a part.� Xena shrank back at the disgust and hurt in Gabrielle�s tone. �No! That was real, I would never play with your heart like that.� Gabrielle�s eyes narrowed. �I�m just supposed to believe you, am I? You betrayed my trust,� Gabrielle�s voice dropped to a haunted whisper. �How could I tell you? I didn�t know when we met if I could trust you, how close we would become, that I would fall in love with you. Hades, I didn�t even like you!� Xena exclaimed, then winced. �Gee, thanks,� Gabrielle snarled sarcastically, starting to walk out of the room. �No, Gabrielle, wait!� Xena said hurriedly, �By the time I knew I could trust you with something like this, it was too late. I�d left it too long and you hate Ares. How could I explain?� �You could have tried,� Gabrielle whispered. She left the room quickly, before she burst into tears. Xena smacked her head back against the wall, hard. She could hear Gabrielle sobbing in the next room and it hurt, so much. She was happy for her father and Joxer, truly, she was, but this was possibly the worst time in her whole life. Xena lay back on the bed, listening to her love cry. @>*~ �How can you try to justify what she did?!� Hercules was pacing back and forth in agitation. �Because she did it to protect a life. Who cares who the order came from? You can�t deny she did a lot of good, which she didn�t have to,� Iolaus said quietly. Hercules sat down, �Maybe, but she still betrayed us, she is working for Ares!� �I know,� Iolaus sighed, �But he *is* her father, she owes him first loyalty. Besides, Ares did seem to truly care about Joxer.� Hercules snorted, �If you say so. I can�t see Ares really caring about anyone.� �Sure he does. Strife? Come on, no one takes a guy like him under his wing if he didn�t care for him! And Cupid, and Xena?� Iolaus pointed out. �Hmmm, maybe,� Hercules conceded. �So, you going to �play nice�?� Iolaus playfully punched Hercules� shoulder. Hercules smiled at him gently. �Sure.� Iolaus grinned at him and Hercules felt his chest tighten. His friend was far too understanding and open hearted sometimes. Hercules wasn�t going to trust Ares *or* Xena, but he would work with them if it prevented Dahak returning. �Come on, let�s turn in. I�ve a feeling we�re going to need our rest,� Iolaus chuckled. �Yeah, I think you�re right.� Hercules lay back on his bed and tried not to stare at his best friend.

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