The Plan 11-20

Part 11

�You love me?� Joxer looked up at his God, his love, his husband.

Ares took Joxer�s hand and kissed the scar where he�d cut himself with the dagger. He briefly wondered when and how it had healed. �Yes, I do. Let me show you?� He pulled Joxer even closer, sliding his hand down to stroke his ass gently.

�Oh,� Joxer gasped quietly, realising what Ares meant when he felt something hard digging into his hip. �Oh, please,� he breathed, licking his lips nervously.

Ares made a small, unintelligible noise and kissed him. Joxer wrapped his arms round his neck and kissed back, for all he was worth. When Ares finally released his lips, Joxer realised they had changed location to a simply, but elegantly, decorated bedroom. He looked round, slightly confused.

�My room,� Ares said quietly. �No, *our* room,� he corrected himself.

�Really? It�s� it�s not black,� Joxer blushed as soon as the words came out of his mouth, what a dumb thing to say!

Ares just chuckled, �No, that would be a little excessive, don�t you think?�

Joxer nodded. He glanced at the massive bed and shivered nervously. Ares pulled back slightly and looked at him in concern.

�Are you okay?� he asked quietly.

�Yes,� Joxer whispered, wishing he sounded a little more confident, wishing he *was* a little more confident. He looked into Ares� eyes and, only seeing tenderness, love and more than a little lust, he shivered again. But he suddenly felt more sure of himself, less afraid of disappointing his new husband.

Tentatively, he reached up and cupped Ares� cheek, drawing him into a kiss of his own. Ares moaned quietly and lifted him up into his arms, carrying him to the bed. Ares lay Joxer down and crawled over him without letting his lover�s lips part from his. His tongue delved between them gently to explore and taste.

Joxer slid his hand round the back of Ares� neck and pulled the larger man down. Ares moaned again and thrust gently against him. Joxer�s heart was pounding hard and he was breathless with desire. He�d never dreamed that this moment could ever happen. So long he�d loved his God, but never dared to express it.

He wanted Ares, needed him, so much. Joxer found himself praying, his mouth occupied with Ares� lips and tongue. Just one word, please, over and over.

Ares lifted his head. �Shh, love, we�ll take this slow.�

�I need� I need you,� Joxer whispered, losing himself helplessly in the dark eyes of his husband.

�I need you too, Joxer.� And he did. Ares needed Joxer badly, needed to bury himself deep inside his husband�s warm body, needed to feel Joxer�s love. He�d waited so long, he wasn�t sure he *could* take it slow. But he would, somehow, he wanted it to be perfect.

With a thought, Ares removed his vest and Joxer�s shirt. Joxer gasped at the feel of Ares� smooth, warm skin against his. His hands slowly slid down Ares� back to the top of his leather pants. With Ares� encouraging moan, he allowed them to descend further, to clutch his God�s slowly flexing buttocks. Joxer started to rock with the motion of Ares� hips, watching Ares� eyes darken further with desire.

�Gods, Joxer,� Ares panted quietly. He shifted to bring his cock into contact with Joxer�s for the first time. Joxer gasped in surprise and thrust up reflexively. Ares buried his face in Joxer�s neck, kissing soft skin, sucking lightly. He rested his weight on one arm and let his free hand skim up and down Joxer�s side.

Slowly, he lowered himself, exploring and tasting every inch of Joxer�s pale, slim torso. Ares gently sucked soft nipples into sensitive peaks, smiling softly at Joxer�s moans and whimpers. His litany of prayers had started again, streams of words: want, need, please, Ares, love; over and over.

Ares knelt between Joxer�s legs and ran his hands down his flushed chest, coming to rest at the laces of his pants, where he stopped. Joxer stared up at Ares, trying to get his brain to work. He realised Ares was waiting for permission.

�Please,� Joxer groaned, �Oh, my God, please!�

Ares sighed happily. He ran his hands down Joxer�s hips and legs, his pants melting away at his touch.

�Oh,� Joxer gasped at the sudden chill of the air on his newly bare skin. Ares smiled and lay down between Joxer�s legs, nuzzling his face gently against Joxer�s groin. Joxer moaned loudly in surprise at the jolt of electricity that shot through him.

Ares swiped his tongue across the soft skin at the base of Joxer�s balls, dipping lower to trail over the entrance to his body, wanting to give Joxer every pleasure he could. Joxer yelped. He�d never felt anything so amazing before.

�Ares! Oh Gods,� he groaned. He bent his legs and pulled them back, silently pleading for greater contact. Ares lowered himself further and licked more firmly, gently pushing his tongue inside Joxer�s body. Joxer writhed against him and he put his hands on Joxer�s hips to hold him tightly.

�Please, oh Ares, please,� Joxer whispered, not even sure what it was he wanted or was asking for. Ares trailed his tongue back up to Joxer�s erection and replaced it with a slick finger which he worked slowly inside his lover. Joxer stiffened briefly, Ares stopped lapping his cock and lifted his head.

�Relax, love,� he whispered, �It�ll feel wonderful, I promise.�

Joxer licked his lips and gazed into his lover�s eyes. The concerned tenderness was enough to reassure him and he relaxed. Two fingers felt strange but the talented tongue of his God on his cock soon made him relax even more. Until they hit a spot inside him which sent shocks through his entire body.

Ares grazed his fingers over the small nub inside Joxer�s body and got ready.

�Oh my God!� Joxer shouted, his hips jerked up and Ares swallowed his cock. �Oh my God, oh my God,� Joxer chanted. A third finger entered him as Ares� tongue swirled round the tip of his erection and he stiffened, his whole body spasming with the force of his orgasm. Ares stroked his belly gently as he swallowed.

Joxer collapsed back against the bed and Ares lifted his head, gently withdrawing his fingers. Joxer managed to raise his head to look down at his husband, who was kneeling between his legs again. He was now naked and Joxer sighed aloud at the sight of Ares� leaking cock.

He sat up and reached out, carefully rubbing his palm against the smooth skin. Ares moaned and thrust against his hand.

�I want to be inside you, Joxer,� Ares whispered quietly, as he rocked his hips. Joxer breathed in shakily and he nodded.

�I want you inside me, Ares,� Joxer said nervously but determinedly. It was his first time with a man, Hades, it was practically his first time with anyone. But Ares had been so loving and gentle and tender with him, he wanted more.

Ares closed his eyes briefly, willing himself under control. With a thought, he lubricated them both and leaned forward to drop a soft, passionate kiss onto Joxer�s lips. He gently nudged the tip of his cock against Joxer�s opening.

�Relax,� he whispered. He pushed against the loosened, slick hole very slowly, gasping at the clenching muscles that gripped his cock tightly. Joxer groaned, sucking in a breath at the fullness, the stretch. Ares stopped moving and drew in a shaky breath of his own.

�Oh Gods, Joxer,� he gasped. It was more than he�d expected. It was beyond anything he�d experienced before. So intense, that the love between them was the only thing preventing him from taking Joxer hard and fast. He sank deeper inside his lover, watching Joxer carefully.

Joxer�s eyes opened and met his gaze, smiling breathlessly. �Arry, love you, move,� Joxer mumbled incoherently. Ares pulled back and then slid deeper still, gradually speeding up his pace, but remaining gentle and controlled. Joxer wrapped his legs round Ares� hips and pushed his hips up to meet each thrust.

Ares moaned quietly and claimed Joxer�s lips again, plunging his tongue deep into the soft, yielding mouth of his lover. Joxer kissed him back just as fiercely, running his hands down Ares� back to pull at his hips, knowing somehow that Ares needed more. He clenched his ass, shuddering as Ares� cock brushed over his sweet spot.

�Oh, Gods!� Ares plunged deep one more time, the rippling of Joxer�s passage too much for him. He came hard, filling Joxer with his hot release. Joxer sighed, a second intense orgasm sweeping through him, his seed spilling between their two bodies.

Ares dropped on top of him and Joxer closed his eyes, unable to stop smiling. He hugged Ares close until his husband pulled back, his softening cock slipping out of his body. Joxer opened his eyes again questioningly.

Ares grinned, and kissed him passionately, before he rolled onto the bed and pulled Joxer over so the smaller man was sprawled on top of him. Joxer sighed again and snuggled as close as possible.

Ares stroked his hair, listening to his husband�s breathing start to slow. �I love you,� he whispered.

�Love you too,� Joxer whispered back as he fell into a deep, happy sleep. Ares smiled and closed his eyes, quickly following his husband.

Part 12

There was a quiet knock at the door, disturbing the occupant.

�What?!� Gabrielle yelled hoarsely. Her throat hurt from crying long into the night.

�It�s time to go,� came the voice of her ex-lover.

Gabrielle stiffened, swallowing hard against more tears. �Fine,� she said quietly, proud that her voice didn�t tremble. She heard a loud sigh, but hardened her heart against Xena.

She got dressed slowly, listlessly. What she really wanted, was to go home, but how could she? She was needed, and she wanted to keep her eye on Joxer. What kind of an idiot got himself hitched to Ares?

Gabrielle opened the door and was nearly flattened by Xena who�d been leaning against it.

Xena just caught herself in time to stop from falling when the door opened suddenly. After waking Gabrielle, she�d just leaned her forehead against the door, wishing she could go in and say something to make things okay again. But she didn�t think things between them would ever be okay again.

Gabrielle glared at Xena, and shoved past her. She didn�t want to deal with the warrior right now, she�d either cry again or hit her, and she didn�t want to do either.

Xena stared after Gabrielle helplessly, before she shook herself and followed her down to the main tavern.

@>*~

Iolaus woke and glanced over to Hercules, smiling quietly when he saw his friend was still asleep. He loved it when he woke up first and could have just a moment to watch the man he loved beyond all things. He loved the way Hercules looked in the first light of day. Relaxed, soft, younger, as if he had no worries in the world.

Iolaus reached across the gap between their beds and ever so gently stroked Hercules� hair back from his forehead, sighing quietly. He wished he could find the nerve to say something, but he didn�t want to lose Hercules� friendship. He moved his hand down to Hercules� shoulder and shook him gently.

�Huh, what?� Hercules stirred and blinked up at Iolaus slightly amused expression. �What?� he asked a little more sharply.

�Just your face when you wake up sometimes, like a little kid who�s been pulled out of a great dream,� Iolaus said with a quiet smile.

�Well, it was a great dream,� Hercules muttered, allowing himself a brief moment to remember how Iolaus had tasted in the dream.

Iolaus saw Hercules� eyes glaze over for a second and sighed to himself. He was *so* not going to ask about those kinds of dreams, watching his friend�s relationships was torture enough. �Come on, man, time to get up!� he said cheerily.

Hercules was rudely interrupted for the second time by the object of his dreams and gave up trying to hold onto them beyond dawn. �Okay, okay.� He got up and stretched until his back cracked and he sighed in satisfaction. He pulled on the rest of his clothes and sat back down, quietly watching Iolaus dress.

Iolaus felt Hercules� eyes on him and had to wonder what was going through his friend�s head. Especially when he continued to stare after Iolaus had finished dressing and was just standing expectantly. Iolaus cleared his throat and Hercules looked up at him with a slightly shocked expression.

�Um, ah, okay, let�s go,� Hercules got to his feet quickly and hurried out of the door, leaving Iolaus to follow with a confused frown.

@>*~

Strife woke suddenly, sitting up with a sharp intake of breath. He looked down and sighed, flopping back against the bed. He snuggled back against his large, soft pillow and tried to recall the details of his dream before it slipped away.

There was a small nudge at the edge of his consciousness and he hurriedly cleared up the physical evidence of the dream before he answered, wondering why Cupid was being polite and hadn�t just flashed in.

*Come on down,* he chuckled to himself, that had the potential to be a really annoying catchphrase.

The room lit up gold for a second and Cupid appeared, with Bliss in his arms. Strife grinned, Cupid had been making sure he was decent before bringing his son into the room. Strife snapped his fingers and the room lit up properly and he was standing, fully dressed, next to the bed.

�Hey, cute stuff,� Strife pounced on Bliss and started to tickle the Godling. Bliss laughed and squirmed in his father�s arms. He eventually managed to get away from them both and fly just out of reach. �Ah, as cheeky as your pop!� Strife giggled.

�Don�t encourage him,� Cupid laughed. �Come here, short man.� Bliss giggled and flew back into his father�s arms. �He wanted to know if you were going to be looking after him while I was away,� Cupid smiled at the dopey expression on his cousin�s face at that, �When I told him you were coming too, he wanted to come and say goodbye.�

Strife scrunched up his face and blew a raspberry against Bliss� neck, to hide his emotions. He knew Cupid wouldn�t say anything and besides Cupid was one of the few who knew he was capable of being anything other than a sneaky bastard, but he still didn�t want either his cousin or his son to see quite how touched he was.

When he�d got himself under control again and reduced Bliss to a squirming bundle of hysterical laughter, he looked up. Cupid met his eyes and smiled softly, Strife realised he hadn�t fooled his best friend and shrugged ruefully.

�Say goodbye to Strifey then, Bliss hon,� Cupid smiled at his son. Bliss reached out to Strife and was pulled into leather clad arms for a hug.

�You love my daddy, Stwifey, I know you take care of him,� Bliss whispered. Strife sucked in a short breath of surprise and nodded, blinking back tears.

�Come on then,� Cupid sighed, �Let�s take you to your grandma. I�ll be back in a few, Strife, �kay?�

�Sure.� Strife sat down as soon as Cupid had flashed out. Well, that had been unexpected, if Bliss could work it out, then why in Hades� name couldn�t Cupid? Unless of course he�d figured it out and decided not to say anything because he didn�t feel the same way.

Strife was sitting hunched and staring at his boots when Cupid returned. When he didn�t look up, Cupid frowned worriedly. He sat down next to his cousin, who jumped. Now he was really worried.

�Strife, what is it?� he asked gently.

Strife looked at his cousin and sighed. When Cupid put his arm round his shoulders, he couldn�t resist snuggling close. �I don�t know, I was just thinking.�

�What about?� Cupid pushed gently, sensing Strife wasn�t going to expand on that.

Strife sighed again,� Just, you know, what would you do if you found out someone had feelings for you, but you didn�t, like, return them?�

Cupid frowned, was Strife saying someone had a crush on him and he didn�t feel anything back? Why did that make him feel a little weird? �Well, I can�t tell you what you should do, Strife, but I would have to let that person down as gently as I could. If they know they don�t have a chance then they can get on with their own life.�

Strife pulled back and smiled, Cupid had got the wrong end of the stick, but at least he knew that if Cupid did know he had feelings for him and didn�t return them, he�d have said something by now. �Thanks, Cupe,� he said.

Strife stood up and held out his hand to his cousin, who took it with a smile and stood up to join him. He wrapped an arm round Cupid�s shoulders and they flashed down to Ares� temple together.

Part 13

When Joxer woke up, he kept his eyes shut tightly. He didn�t want to wake up from the most wonderful dream he�d ever had. He prayed intensely that it *hadn�t* been a dream and with a deep breath, cracked open one eye. He was facing a pair of deeply amused, brown eyes. Joxer breathed out in relief.

Ares was pulled out of his sleep by a very panicked prayer and he opened his eyes, watching a very nervous looking Joxer gather enough courage to open his eyes. Finally, one eye opened and his husband actually began to breath normally again.

�It wasn�t a dream, Joxer,� Ares said quietly.

Joxer smiled blindingly at his husband and leaned forward to kiss him. Ares blinked in surprise but kissed back with a small moan. Joxer smiled delightedly against Ares� lips, still almost expecting to wake up. He yelped suddenly, and rubbed his ass where Ares had pinched him, and not gently either.

�What did you do that for?� he exclaimed.

�Just trying to find a way to convince you that this *isn�t* a dream,� Ares said with a smirk.

�Well, kissing *was* working just fine,� Joxer huffed. He pulled away from his husband and moved toward the edge of the bed.

Ares gaped, then he rolled over and grabbed Joxer. �Oh no you don�t, mister! I wasn�t finished kissing you yet.�

Joxer grinned happily, the words he was about to say were swallowed by Ares� lips claiming his. He moaned, opening his mouth unresistingly to the gentle pressure of Ares� tongue, sucking softly as his mouth was plundered thoroughly. Ares shifted his body on top of Joxer�s, rocking against the hardness he found at Joxer�s groin.

The new couple wrapped themselves up in each other and slowly rocked themselves to gently intense orgasms that left them both gasping. As Joxer managed to recover his breath, he wriggled out of Ares� grasp and out from under him, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Ares rolled over and stared inquiringly at his husband. �Joxer?� he asked slightly anxiously.

Joxer shook his head and smiled reassuringly, �I just� it�s a little overwhelming, I just wanted to look at you, take it in.�

Ares smiled back, his heart slowing from its anxious pounding. �Take all the time you want, love,� he whispered.

Joxer bit his lip and let his eyes trail over the naked War God. This was really real! He *was* married to Ares; an Ares he almost didn�t recognise he was so gentle and tender. He got onto his knees and shifted closer. Ares just lay still and watched him.

Joxer reached out and touched Ares� chest carefully, lying his palm flat on the lightly hairy chest. He could feel Ares� heart beat and for some reason that not only comforted and reassured him, but made him feel deliriously happy.

�That�s because it�s yours,� Ares said quietly.

Joxer glanced up and met his God�s eyes. He saw the truth there, love, then he leapt on top of Ares, who yelped at being suddenly crushed. Joxer chuckled. �Sorry,� he mumbled against Ares� lips. Ares kissed him briefly, then sat them both up.

�That�s okay, you�re not heavy,� Ares chuckled. �Come on love, it�s time to go.�

Joxer sighed and followed Ares off the bed. He looked around for his clothes, then remembered that Ares had made them disappear.

�Ares?�

�Yeah?�

�When you make things vanish, do you move them somewhere else or do you, uh�� he searched for a word, �Unmake them?� he grinned triumphantly.

Ares tilted his head and smiled, �Good question, we can do either. In the case of your clothes, I chose to �unmake� them.�

�Oh,� Joxer frowned, �Why?�

Ares chuckled, �So you never wear them again!�

�I�m not going to go around naked,� Joxer raised his eyebrows at his husband.

Ares leered at him and leaned towards him, �Shame really, but no, I don�t want anyone else seeing this beautiful body.� Ares moved a little closer and cupped Joxer�s balls, giving them a gentle squeeze. Joxer gasped but Ares pulled out of his reach before he could react.

�Hey, no fair,� he pouted, finding both himself and his husband suddenly clothed almost identically in black leather pants and light cotton shirts. Ares� shirt was black, but Joxer�s was cream. They both carried swords at their hips.

�Wow,� Joxer gasped. He wished he had something he could give Ares, but all he�d had were the clothes that now didn�t even exist and a few bits that were back at the inn. He only hoped Xena or Gabrielle remembered to bring his stuff along to the temple.

�Don�t worry so much,� Ares pulled Joxer into his arms, �What�s mine, is yours, okay?� Joxer smiled softly and nodded. �Good.� Ares leaned forward and kissed Joxer gently. There was a flash and Joxer opened his eyes to see they were now in the temple. Ares relinquished his lips reluctantly and only because of the reactions they were getting from the others present.

Part 14

�What in Hades?� Hercules exclaimed, while Gabrielle fumed next to him. Ares glared at them.

�Well, you know they *are* married,� said Iolaus reasonably.

�Yes, but, but,� Hercules sputtered. He hadn�t thought of it as being anything more than a marriage of convenience. Then he had a sudden thought. �If you�ve hurt Joxer, or forced him to do anything�� he stopped in confusion as Joxer started to laugh. �Joxer?�

Joxer managed to calm himself a little, enough to speak anyway, �F-forced me? Are you kidding?� He lapsed back into laughter, and had to be supported by his now grinning husband.

�What�s funny? What�s so funny?� Hercules looked round in confusion. Gabrielle stared equally confused as Xena, Cupid and Strife joined in the laughter. Iolaus shrugged. �Would somebody please tell me what�s so damned funny?!� Hercules yelled in frustration.

�You really don�t get it, do you?!� Cupid exclaimed. Hercules and Gabrielle stared at him blankly. �They�re in love,� Cupid said very slowly as if he was talking to very small children, although sometimes that might have been thought an insult to the intelligence of very small children.

�You wha�?� Hercules gaped at his brother and his husband, who were leaning against each other sniggering.

Gabrielle snorted, �Oh please. Joxer, I�m sure, is under some sort of spell, I mean even he�s not that stupid and as for Ares,� she growled the War God�s name, �I expect he knows as much about love as his daughter!�

Ares expression darkened, he stood up straight and gently pushed Joxer over towards Xena. Joxer watched nervously as his husband stalked over to Gabrielle, who rather foolishly stood her ground, bringing her staff up defensively. Joxer squeezed his eyes shut and prayed Ares wouldn�t kill her.

Ares stopped when he felt Joxer�s unconscious prayer, undirected prayers from Joxer always went to him. He sighed and stopped, staring almost longingly at Gabrielle. He *so* wanted to kill her. He settled for aiming a small but sharp burst of energy at her.

�Wha!� Gabrielle squealed in pain and dropped to the ground.

�Don�t piss me off,� Ares growled and he walked back to Joxer.

Hercules hurried to Gabrielle�s side, and helped her up, glaring at Ares. �You piece of shit, attacking a mortal woman, such a big, strong God!�

Ares� eyes glazed over with hatred and anger, but Joxer already had a hold of his arm. Joxer could feel the negative emotions pouring off his husband and stroked his arm, wishing he could make Ares feel better.

Ares was about to pull away, when he suddenly felt a lot calmer and he relaxed against his husband. Joxer sighed in relief, glad that no one had been seriously hurt. Yet anyway.

�Right,� Ares rolled his shoulders back, �On to what we�re going to do. First thing is to get as close to the dimensional borders as possible which��

�Excuse me!�

Ares� temper flared up again almost immediately and he glared at his half-brother menacingly, �Now what?!�

�Who put *you* in charge?� Hercules growled.

�Is it just me, or did I not say this was Zeus� idea yesterday?� Ares raised an eyebrow and looked round the room. Cupid and Strife nodded with a smirk, they shared an amused glance. Joxer nodded quietly and Xena shrugged before nodding too.

�Yeah, like he�d have left *you* in charge!� Hercules exclaimed.

�Do you see anyone else around with millennia of experience at this?� Ares snorted.

�Oh yeah right, experience of killing and bullying and generally being a pain in the ass!� Hercules sneered.

�That�s it!� Ares strode forward more quickly than Hercules could see and grabbed his brother by the throat, throwing him back. Hercules flew across the temple and hit the wall on the far side with a nasty sounding crunch.

Hercules lifted his head dazedly, for the first time he really got a feel of what his brother could do to him if he chose. �Father!� he yelled, determined that Ares would be shown up. Nothing happened. Ares smirked and walked menacingly towards him. �Father!!� Hercules yelled louder.

There was a flash and Hercules smiled triumphantly. Ares stopped where he was and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting. The flash resolved into a small, willowy figure.

�Mom!� Strife exclaimed in surprise. Eris glanced at her son and winked.

Hercules frowned, �Where�s father?�

Eris turned towards Hercules, �Like, �father� is totally pissed at you, Jerkie. I quote, �Doesn�t that fool boy realise I have more important things to do, than deal with his petty squabbles?�� she intoned in an exact match of their father�s voice, ruined only by the slightly sinister giggle at the end.

Ares laughed loudly at Hercules� completely shocked and outraged expression. Then Eris turned her attention to her twin. �Don�t get too happy, bro, he also said,� she cleared her throat, ��Ares had better have better control if he intends to get anything done!�� She dissolved into hysterical laughter at Ares� expression.

Ares was still immensely pissed off with Hercules, but unable to direct his anger where he wanted, he chose the next best target, his sister.

�You forget yourself, Discord!� he yelled.

Eris stopped laughing and cleared her throat fearfully, �You�re really pissed now, aren�t you?�

�*YES!*� Ares roared, a statue exploding with the force of his anger.

�Agh!� Strife yelped fearfully, dragging himself and Cupid well away from his uncle. He was well acquainted with a completely furious Ares and he wanted to be as far out of the line of fire as possible.

Xena had only seen Ares this angry once and she grabbed Gabrielle, ignoring her protests, pulling her into an alcove in a sheltered position.

�Uh, Herc,� Iolaus whispered, �I think it might be good idea to get out of the way.� Hercules took one more look at his brother, who was almost glowing as he seethed, and nodded his agreement.

Bolts of energy and fireballs exploded in the temple as Ares worked his fury off. Eris ducked and protected herself as best she could. Then she spotted Joxer just standing, looking terrified and she dived for him, hiding behind him.

Ares came to an abrupt halt, growling angrily. �Let him go, *now*!�

�Nuh uh! You let me leave first!� Eris exclaimed.

Ares� nostrils flared and his chest heaved, but the fear in Joxer�s eyes was just too much for him. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, taking a deep breath to try and let his anger diffuse. �Go!� he snarled.

Eris patted Joxer. �Thanks,� she grinned and vanished.

Joxer blinked and released the breath he hadn�t realised he�d been holding since the statue had exploded. He hadn�t moved simply because he�d been paralysed by the overwhelming emotions, mostly anger and fear, that he could somehow feel.

He knew it had to be his imagination, but he couldn�t seem to fight it. When Eris had used him as a shield, he�d caught a glimpse of Ares� eyes and for a brief second had feared for his life. Joxer thought he may even have prayed. Now though, he needed reassurance.

Ares walked cautiously towards his husband, he didn�t want to spook him. But Joxer closed the gap first, throwing himself at his husband. He was caught by a happy and relieved God of War.

Ares hugged Joxer close. �I�d never hurt you, you know that?� he whispered. Joxer nodded, burying his face in Ares� neck.

Part 15

Xena poked her head cautiously out of the alcove. Seeing her father hugging Joxer and no sign of Eris, she sighed in relief and pulled Gabrielle back into the room.

�Get off me!� Gabrielle snapped, wrenching herself from Xena�s grasp.

�Sorry,� Xena whispered, hanging her head.

Strife glanced at Cupid worriedly, as he stared at the two women from behind the pillar where they�d taken shelter. Cupid smiled.

�I�m fine. They,� he nodded his head in the direction of his father, who was still soothing Joxer gently, �Are more than enough to balance the pain.� He leaned closer to Strife and dropped his voice to a whisper. �Wanna know a secret?�

Strife managed to control the shudder Cupid�s warm breath on his skin caused and nodded.

�There�s plenty of unresolved sexual tension around too.�

Strife stiffened for a split second until he realised Cupid was nodding his head discretely towards Hercules and Iolaus.

�You have got to be kidding me?!� Strife exclaimed in shock. Cupid had frowned when he felt Strife freeze for a moment, but he couldn�t help grinning at Strife�s flabbergasted expression. �Truth?� Strife demanded.

Cupid nodded, �Truth.�

�Ah Gods! You couldn�t have told me before?! I coulda had, like, *so* much fun!� Strife groaned at the missed opportunities. �You know I won�t be able to do anything till after all this.�

Cupid watched his cousin in amusement, � I�m sure you�ll think of something, if you really want to.�

Strife raised an eyebrow at his best friend, �That sounded like a challenge to me!�

�Maybe,� Cupid grinned.

�Cupid, Strife, quit whispering, you�re making me nervous,� Ares interrupted them.

Strife smirked at his uncle, noting that Joxer now had a soft smile on his face and was snuggled up in a strong embrace. He smiled, he knew that his uncle�s arms could feel like the safest, warmest place in the universe.

Cupid patted his shoulder, recognising the nostalgic look on Strife�s face. They exchanged a smile and walked back over to Ares.

Hercules and Iolaus had remained semi hidden for a while. Hercules had watched the battle between Ares and Eris with shock, suddenly glad that he hadn�t remained the target of Ares� unrestrained anger. Only when Eris had planted herself behind Joxer had he moved to interfere. He had been shocked by Ares� abrupt halt.

Ares hadn�t wanted to hurt Joxer, why? What was his brother up to?

Iolaus was just thankful to be alive and that Hercules was, for now at least, out of the line of fire. And when he saw the terrified Joxer leap into Ares� arms and how gently Ares held and comforted him, any lingering doubts over their feelings for each other, vanished.

As soon as Xena and Gabrielle appeared, they cautiously approached Ares and Joxer.

Ares held Joxer close and continued to whisper reassuringly. �You know I love you, don�t you? You do know that now?�

Joxer gasped, he really did. He almost thought he could feel Ares� love for him, even though he knew that was impossible, and it was overwhelming. He smiled dazedly as Ares called Strife and Cupid over. Joxer frowned slightly as he watched the two Gods approach. He could sense something between them, and he couldn�t quite work out what it was. He shook himself, he really had to stop imagining this stuff.

�Right,� Ares started, �Maybe we can get back to business now?� He glared at his brother, who nodded curtly. �Good. As I was saying, before I was so *rudely* interrupted, we need to get close to where the dimensional border thins and check out the locality for strange activity.

�If Dahak is trying to return, I�m sure he will have sent a call to any remaining followers, and his influence might already be affecting anyone in the area.� He glanced round, his eyes alighting on his son.

Cupid shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his father�s inscrutable gaze. �What?� he asked defensively.

Ares frowned, � I think it might be an idea to shed your wings, we don�t want to draw any unnecessary attention.�

�Ah, man, do I have to? They are a pain in the ass to grow back!� Cupid whined.

�I know, but it�ll be easier than maintaining a glamour, which would probably attract attention itself,� Ares said quietly.

�Okay, okay,� Cupid sighed. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, Iolaus and Joxer watched in awe as Cupid�s wings slowly detached from his body, then fell to the ground. Strife sighed regretfully, he loved Cupid�s wings.

Joxer gave Strife a sharp look, he was sure he could feel, no� he really, really was imagining things now! He shook himself and turned back to Cupid who was making his wings disappear. Joxer glanced at Ares questioningly.

Ares, interpreting him correctly, answered quietly, �Unmade.� Joxer smiled and nodded.

�What?� Xena asked curiously.

�Just something I was explaining yesterday,� Ares answered vaguely.

�You told him about that?� Cupid asked in surprise. It wasn�t a normal thing to talk about how Gods used their powers to mortals.

Ares shrugged, �It came up.�

�Can we have less of the cryptic conversations and more action?� Hercules said impatiently.

Ares� eyes narrowed, but he kept a tight rein on his temper. �Certainly. Cupid, you take Xena and her little companion,� his tone managed to be extremely derogatory and Gabrielle bristled, she was still furious about the earlier confrontation. Ares ignored her. �Strife, you take Hercules and Iolaus.� He showed them where they were headed mentally and his son and nephew nodded.

Strife put his hands on Hercules� and Iolaus� shoulders and they vanished. Before Cupid could do the same, Xena picked up a pack.

�We brought you your stuff, Joxer,� she said quietly, handing it to her friend.

Joxer smiled happily, �Thanks, Xena.� He hefted it over his shoulder and looked expectantly at Ares. Ares smiled and pulled him close. They too vanished.

�Let�s go, sis,� Cupid grinned as Xena�s startled expression. She smiled and nodded. Gabrielle snorted and crossed her arms. Cupid put his hands on their shoulders and transported them to the others.

Part 16

They all appeared in a forest not far from a town and a couple of small farming villages, nestled next to the mountains. The three Gods now carried packs of their own and were dressed in slightly less obvious clothing.

�What first, pop?� Cupid asked Ares.

Ares grimaced, �Don�t call me that.� He frowned at Strife, who was snickering, �Shut up, Strife!� Strife raised his hands in a pacifying gesture and kept quiet. �Lunch at the local inn, we can feel out the atmosphere, probe the locals,� Ares continued quietly.

��Kay,� Cupid grinned, �Pop.� Ares growled. �Just kidding, dad,� he said hurriedly.

�Better not call me �dad� either if we want to go unnoticed,� Ares frowned thoughtfully.

�You trying to pretend you don�t look old enough to, like, have a grown up son, unc?� Strife couldn�t resist saying with a giggle. Cupid chuckled.

�Well, I don�t!� Ares huffed angrily.

�Whatever you say, *Ares*,� Cupid smirked. Ares glared at his son.

�We can�t really go round calling him Ares either, I mean who, in their right mind, would call their kid, �Ares�?!� Gabrielle snorted.

Ares stiffened, but before he could lose his temper in a big way for the second time that morning, Joxer took his arm worriedly. He didn�t want anymore fights, that day at least. Ares took one look at his husband�s pleading expression and sighed. He patted Joxer�s hand reassuringly. This being in love business was going to play havoc with his rep if he wasn�t careful.

�You criticising my mom�s taste in names, little girl?� he spat at Gabrielle.

Gabrielle paled slightly and backed up. Xena subtly shifted her body weight, not enough for Gabrielle to notice, but enough that Ares knew she would protect Gabrielle against him if it came down to it.

Ares met his daughter�s eyes for a moment and he sighed, nodding curtly that he understood. She smiled ruefully at him, knowing he couldn�t fathom her choice of partner, but tolerated it, even if he could barely tolerate Gabrielle. Not that he would probably have to worry too much about that in the future, Gabrielle wasn�t talking to her again, and if she looked at her at all, it was a glare.

Everyone backed down and Joxer breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn�t over by any means, he could almost taste the tensions bubbling just beneath the surface. He didn�t even try to shake it off this time. Things were strange enough for him as it was, if his brain insisted he could feel the others� emotions, then so be it. Fighting it was just making him tired anyway. He shouldered his pack and waited for the others to follow suit.

As they walked towards the first village, Cupid quietly restarted the previous conversation. �What names shall we use then?� he asked.

Ares shrugged, �You could call me Arry.� He glanced over at his husband�s sharp intake of breath. �What?�

�No,� said Joxer determinedly, �No one�s calling you that, that�s mine. My name for you, Ares.� He stopped and stared at Ares, trying to make him see how precious what his God had done for him as a child was to him.

Ares met his husband�s eyes, seeing the silent message, reading what wasn�t said aloud, and he smiled. �Sorry, Joxer, I wasn�t thinking.� He ignored the gasps of surprise and shock from the others at his apology, and leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Joxer�s lips.

Joxer lifted his hand and cupped Ares� face as he kissed back, just letting his tongue trace his God�s lips briefly. Ares sighed and pulled back reluctantly. He licked his lips to get a taste of his husband and turned back to the others, whose curious and shocked gazes were starting to annoy him.

�What?!� Ares snapped. His son and nephew just grinned at him, then each other. Xena had a half-smile on her face as she contemplated the couple. Iolaus was actually watching Hercules, watching for signs that his friend was going to do something stupid.

Hercules was still trying to work out what his brother could be up to and he frowned at the gesture of affection. It worried him, Joxer wasn�t exactly the most discerning person in the world, he would believe anything Ares told him.

Gabrielle just glared, nostrils flaring in disgust. �Freaks,� she muttered, determining to ignore everyone except Hercules and Iolaus.

Before Ares could react to her comment, Joxer sighed, �Can we please *try* to get along?�

Everyone found themselves nodding and quieting down. They started walking again.

�Well, I�d like to be called Achoo,� Strife said.

�You catching a cold, Strife?� Cupid smirked. Strife chuckled at him.

�Achoo?� Ares snorted and shook his head.

�Yeah! It�ll be, like, totally cool, don�t you think?� Strife�s grin grew wider.

�Oh, definitely you,� Cupid reached out and ruffled Strife�s hair.

Strife hid his blush and quickly stifled a surprised moan by complaining loudly. �Do *not* touch the hair, dude!� Cupid just smirked at him, as he tried to get his hair back into place and not think of Cupid�s warm touch. �What about you?� he asked.

�Hmm,� Cupid frowned thoughtfully, �Oh, I know, Spike!�

Strife snorted, �Spike? You want to be called Spike?�

�Sure, why not, I�m a hot blond after all,� Cupid smirked.

Strife gaped, �You think Spike is *hot*?!�

�Oh yeah,� Cupid nodded, � Slim, pale, blue eyes, hot? Damn near perfect! Prefer dark hair myself though.� He looked up and realised everyone was staring at him, and he blushed. �What, I can�t like guys?�

Part 17

Strife shook himself, Cupid had pretty much described him as his ideal man, but surely not? Did he know what he was saying? Strife stared at Cupid carefully. No, his cousin was completely oblivious, even though he was fairly sure the others were thinking the same thing, by the way they were also looking at Strife.

�Who�s Spike?� Hercules asked eventually, impatient with all the nonsensical conversations going on.

�A character from something in the future,� Ares shook his head with a sigh, �I thought I told you two to lay off the TV, huh?�

�Yeah, but come on, unc, it�s Buffy!� Strife whined.

Iolaus glanced at Xena, �Buffy?� he mouthed, his eyebrows raised. Xena just shrugged in bemusement.

Ares snorted. �Yeah, but unc, it�s Buffy. Yeah, but unc, it�s Star Trek. Yeah, but unc, it�s Stargate, X-Files, Sliders, Angel! You two are addicted!�

�Uh, TV?� Iolaus asked in confusion.

�Yeah, it�s a future thing, way cool!� Strife explained.

Hercules frowned, �I thought Father didn�t want anyone messing with the future.�

�Are you kidding?! Like he�d miss an episode of Diagnosis Murder!� Strife snorted.

�Huh?� Hercules gaped in confusion.

�Man, that show sucks, still love it though,� Cupid chuckled.

�Yeah, ooh, did you watch Mission: Impossible yesterday? I about pissed myself laughing!� Strife giggled.

�I know, I know! The best though has to be Farscape!� Cupid chuckled.

�Aw dude, that reeks of sucktitude!� Strife bent over and clasped his stomach he was laughing so hard.

�Have you been watching the wrestling again?� Ares sighed. Strife nodded unable to speak, Cupid had joined him, and whenever one stopped the other started up again and they�d both collapse into giggles.

�M-maybe you should be Sc-Scotty too Hotty,� Strife giggled. Cupid stared at him for a second and then they both resumed the hysteria.

�Why don�t we call him �bimbo� then maybe we can get moving!� Hercules snapped.

�Hey!� Strife stopped laughing, he stalked over to Hercules and had his hand wrapped round his throat before anyone else could move or speak. �You *never* insult my cousin!� he snarled.

Cupid hurried over and gently pried Strife away before Hercules retaliated. He didn�t want his cousin getting hurt over a dickwad like Jerkules. His heart was pounding kind of strangely though, he wondered why.

�It�s okay, Achoo,� he grinned at Strife and waited for his cousin to smile back, then he sighed, giving him a hug. He looked up, wondering why everyone was staring at them again.

�It�s not okay, but I�ll leave it,� Strife glared at Hercules, he�d leave it for now anyway.

�Good, so, I�m Spike then,� Cupid said firmly.

�What about you, Ares?� Joxer asked quietly, hoping to take the attention off the two cousins. He knew for certain now that Strife had feelings for the Love God, and somewhere, hidden under obliviousness, Cupid returned those feelings. He couldn�t help feeling sorry for Strife, after all, he�d suffered from not being able to show his feelings for a long time. He wished that there was someway Cupid could be made aware of his own feelings.

Ares stared at his husband. From long experience of watching Joxer, he could tell something was bothering him. He decided not to say anything for now, but answer the question. He shrugged, �What do you think?� Ares frowned, he didn�t like the mischievous smirk that flicked over his husband�s face.

Joxer smiled up at Ares innocently, he was tempted to suggest something very silly, like Iphicles, but at the expression on Ares� face, he decided not to push things. �I don�t know, what about just calling you �Res?�

Ares blinked, that wasn�t half bad, he could stand that. �Yeah, okay, sounds good.� He grinned at Joxer�s pleased smile and hugged him close, �Thanks, Jox.�

Joxer slipped an arm round Ares� waist and they walked along together, oblivious of the grins being exchanged behind their backs. Joxer sighed happily, but he was still contemplating Strife and Cupid.

�Ares,� he whispered quietly. Ares glanced at him curiously, he was about to find out what had Joxer so thoughtful. �What would you say if Strife and Cupid were a couple?�

Ares frowned, �A couple of what?� Joxer made a disgusted noise. �Sorry, I guess I�d say it was about time, why?�

Joxer shrugged, �Well, I� I just think that Strife�s in love with Cupid.�

Ares blinked, �What on earth makes you say that? You�re right by the way, but how could you possibly know?�

Joxer shrugged, �I don�t know, I just know that I know, you know.� He stopped and started chuckling. Ares grinned at him.

�That almost made sense,� Ares laughed. He sobered quickly, wondering how Joxer *could* know. �What about Cupid then, if you just know what Strife�s feeling, do you �just know� what Cupid�s feeling?�

Joxer nodded but didn�t say anything. Ares stared at him expectantly, and he realised his husband was waiting for an answer. �Oh sorry, he doesn�t realise how deep his feelings for Strife are, he still thinks of him as his best friend and cousin.�

�Hmm,� Ares said thoughtfully, �I did wonder.�

�You believe me?� Joxer gasped, he wasn�t even sure *he* believed himself.

�Yeah, I do,� Ares squeezed him gently, �For one, you�re right, and anyway, I know you, you don�t lie.�

Joxer smiled, �Thanks, I thought I was going mad.�

�So,� Ares started casually, �Do you �just know� what I�m feeling right now?�

Joxer frowned thoughtfully, then he flushed, �Arry!� he exclaimed quietly, clutching Ares� arm tightly at the heat that rushed through his body. �Please don�t, not when we can�t stop.�

�Sorry,� Ares was surprised that Joxer had known, he hadn�t given anything away with body language, or voice intonation, which was his original theory for Joxer�s knowledge. He wondered what could be going on, things had been really strange these last couple of days. �How long have you been able to, uh, feel these things? I don�t remember it ever coming up in your prayers.�

Joxer shrugged, �I don�t know, a couple of days I guess, but I really started noticing it yesterday.�

�Hmmm,� Ares lost himself in thought as they walked along, arm in arm.

Part 18

They entered the village quite unprepared for the glares they encountered from everyone they passed. Even the presence of Hercules and Xena didn�t lessen the frosty reception. They all kept silent and headed for the inn.

The inn was quiet, but nothing compared to the silence as all conversation ceased and all eyes turned to them as they entered. Ares gestured to the group to sit down and beckoned Strife to the bar with him. He met the glare of the innkeeper steadily until the man sighed.

�What can I do you for?� the innkeeper asked reluctantly.

�Ale all round, and whatever passes for food round here,� Ares replied quietly, trying not to let the barman�s attitude annoy him. The innkeeper stiffened at the implied insult. When he saw Strife smirking, he snarled.

�See sumthin funny, *boy*?� he snapped.

Strife just shook his head and smiled guilelessly. �Name�s Achoo,� Strife said in a friendly manner.

�Hey! Don�t want no sick people round here!� the innkeeper growled.

�I ain�t sick, name�s Achoo,� Strife repeated.

�Huh?� the innkeeper looked confused. �You taking the piss?!�

Strife shook his head. �I�m Achoo, and this is my uncle �Res,� Strife maintained a friendly tone, smiling widely.

�Look bud, if you�re looking for a good time, I suggest you piss off elsewhere,� the innkeeper spat out.

Strife raised his eyebrows, �Touchy much?! Just trying to be friendly, man.�

�You treat all your visitors like this?� Ares asked quietly.

Two men got up from stools by the bar and stood behind them. �We don�t take kindly to strangers round here,� one of them growled menacingly.

�You get many?� Ares asked casually.

�Too many recently,� the other muttered under his breath.

�I�m surprised the local attitude doesn�t keep people away, frankly,� Ares commented. The two men stepped closer, but backed off at a shake of the head from the innkeeper.

�Just finish up here and leave,� the innkeeper said quietly.

�Now, you didn�t ask very politely,� Ares started.

�I ain�t askin�, I�m tellin�! You eat, you leave. You stay, I can�t help you,� the innkeeper interrupted him.

Ares struggled to keep his temper under control. �That sounded like a threat,� he said silkily.

The innkeeper just shrugged and started pouring ale. Strife and Ares went to sit with the others, whose tension eased somewhat.

�Not very friendly,� Cupid commented.

�Nope,� Strife agreed, sitting close to his cousin unconsciously. Cupid smiled at him and patted his shoulder. He wondered why he felt so much better now Strife was sitting down with the group instead of up at the bar, where he�d been relatively exposed. He shook himself mentally, he was just concerned about his best friend, which was silly really, he knew Strife was more than capable of taking care of himself.

�Well?� Xena glanced at her father.

�They don�t like strangers,� Ares said quietly, �We�ve been told in no uncertain terms to leave as soon as we�ve finished here.�

�That�s not right,� Hercules frowned.

�No, it�s not,� Iolaus agreed, �I�ve been here before, didn�t have any trouble. I mean it *was* a while back, but still.�

�One of those guys,� Ares� gaze flicked over to the two men who had approached them, �Said they�d had too many visitors recently.� He sighed, �I�m guessing our fears were correct.�

Ares paused and he looked at Joxer with a frown. His husband had been silent since they�d entered the village and it was starting to worry him. �Joxer? What is it?�

Joxer blinked and looked up dazedly. �It hurts, Arry,� he whispered.

Ares shifted closer, putting an arm round Joxer. He rested his chin on his husband�s shoulder. �What hurts, Jox?� he asked in quiet concern.

�Fear, hostility, it�s everywhere. Can�t you feel it?� Joxer whispered with a small shudder.

�Joxer?� Xena frowned, �What do you mean?�

�I think the atmosphere is overwhelming him,� said Ares quietly, the worry evident in his tone. �Let�s finish here and get away. This place feels darker the more we stay.�

�I agree,� Cupid nodded, �It�s stifling and it�s on the edge of erupting. I don�t relish the thought of fighting my way out of here.� Cupid glanced at Strife, raising a questioning eyebrow and tilting his head slightly in Joxer�s direction. Strife raised his eyebrows briefly and shrugged. He didn�t know what was going on either, but he knew he definitely didn�t want his cousin in the middle of violence. It was the only reason he�d pass up a good fight.

�Oh, this is ridiculous,� Hercules snapped, �I don�t know what in Hades you are all going on about. The atmosphere is tense and the locals aren�t very friendly, so what? It�s certainly not the first village to regard strangers with suspicion!�

Iolaus closed his eyes. Just once he wished Hercules would shut up. He loved his friend more than anything in the world but why he was going out of his way to antagonise his brother was beyond him.

�Try not to make inane comments about things you know nothing about!� Ares snarled. Only the glares they were getting from the locals prevented Ares from launching himself at Hercules.

�Are we done?� Xena asked quietly. After a couple more seconds glaring at his brother, Ares nodded. �Good, now, let�s get out of here before this degenerates into a brawl of our own making. Besides, Joxer�s looking very pale.�

Ares� anger immediately dissolved into guilty concern. �Let�s go,� he growled. He gently urged Joxer to his feet. �Come on, love,� he whispered, �I�m going to get you out of here.�

Joxer managed a nod. The negative emotions brewing in the village were overwhelming him and he felt a little sick. Xena automatically held her hand out to Gabrielle, then she flinched when the blonde glared at her and then ignored her.

Iolaus gripped Hercules� elbow before he stood and leaned close. �Please, Herc, don�t push him,� he whispered.

Hercules heard the quiet concern in his friend�s voice and patted his hand. �I�ll try.� He would also try to forget how Iolaus� warm breath against his skin made electricity tingle down his spine to his groin. He stood abruptly, startling Iolaus. Cupid watched them with interest and winked at Strife, who smirked.

�C�mon, Spike, let�s get going,� Strife grinned at Cupid�s blank look, which turned quickly to an answering grin as he remembered his fake name.

��Kay, Achoo,� he replied.

�Bless you,� Strife chuckled.

�Oh, very funny!� Cupid laughed, hugging Strife.

Several of the men in the tavern stood up and started to approach the table.

�Uh oh,� said Iolaus quietly.

�We don�t take kindly to faggots round here,� one man snarled.

Part 19

�You don�t take kindly to much, do you?� Strife commented. He glanced at Ares who was supporting a very unsteady looking Joxer. �Unc, why don�t you get Jox out of here, we can manage.�

Ares was torn, it was against all he was to leave a fight. Joxer�s knees giving way made the decision for him. He lifted his husband into his arms. Freeing one hand to punch a man who lunged at them, he carried Joxer towards the door.

�Spike, go help him,� Strife ducked a blow and returned it with a sharp punch to his attacker�s exposed ribs. Cupid blinked at him. Strife stared pleadingly, �Please.�

Cupid nodded, picked up their packs and followed Ares and Joxer, yanking back another man going for his father�s back. Behind him, all Tartarus broke loose as the villagers made the mistake of taking on probably the best warriors around. They were lucky the very best had just left, or most of them would have ended up dead.

With Cupid watching his back, Ares carried the now unconscious Joxer safely out of the inn and towards the edge of the village. When they reached the relative safety of the trees, Ares dropped to his knees and gently lay Joxer on the ground. He touched Joxer�s forehead. It felt cold and clammy and it worried him.

Cupid knelt next to his father. �Dad, what�s going on?�

Ares looked up, �He doesn�t know how to shield himself.�

Cupid sucked in a shocked breath, �Shield himself?! But, but� he�s not a God, these things shouldn�t affect him!�

�I know that!� Ares snapped, �But for some reason they do.� Ares gently pulled Joxer up so his head rested in his lap. He stroked the pale features. �Come on, love, wake up,� he whispered.

Cupid sighed, he wished he could find someone to love like that, find someone who loved him like that. He was a Love God for Hades� sake, why was he so alone?

Ares glanced up at his son and guessed what was on his mind. �Cupid,� he said quietly, �There�s someone out there for you, you�ll see. Just open your eyes.�

Cupid blinked, not quite understanding the last statement, but he smiled at his father. �Thanks, dad.� Ares nodded and turned his attention back to Joxer. �Have you tried shielding him yourself?� Cupid asked quietly.

�Yes,� Ares sighed, frowning in confusion and frustration, �It won�t stay. Somehow he�s casting it off.�

�Huh?!� Cupid�s mouth dropped open, �Wha� I mean, how, I mean� oh fuck I don�t know, how is that possible?!�

�I don�t know,� Ares whispered. �I think we�re going to have to get him further from the village, he overloaded. I�m just going to have to show him how to shield himself and hope it works.�

Cupid looked back, relieved to see Strife leading the rest towards them. He had to smile at the look of exhilaration on his cousin�s face. �C�mon, dad, they�re on their way.�

Ares hefted Joxer back into his arms and stood up with a small grunt.

Strife skipped over, grinning broadly. �Damn, that was fun!� he chuckled. Gabrielle and Hercules shared a snort of disgust.

�Let�s get out of here,� Ares growled.

Xena hurried to her father�s side as he started to walk away from the village. �Dad, is he going to be okay?� she asked, she was very worried about Joxer *and* her father.

Ares clenched his jaw tightly to stop himself from snapping at her. He knew she was concerned. �I hope so,� he said quietly.

�Everybody okay?� Cupid asked the group.

�Yeah, think so,� Strife glanced round, the others seemed to be fine. Cupid breathed a bit more calmly, he hadn�t realised how tense he�d been, and worried about Strife, but he was fine now that he knew his cousin was okay.

�What�s wrong with Joxer?� Hercules asked. Cupid glanced at him in surprise. �What?!� Hercules snapped.

�Uh, nothing,� Cupid blinked, �Um, we�re not sure, we just need to get him away from here.�

Hercules nodded. Ares strode ahead of the rest, staring blankly in front of him. He gripped Joxer�s unconscious form close, trying not to let his stomach churning, heart pounding fear overwhelm him. He refused to let the others, and in particular his brother see how badly this was affecting him.

Ares forced himself to go over everything strange that had happened over the last two or three days, to try and pinpoint what could be happening to Joxer. But for some reason everything that he tried to recall that had bothered him was a little hazy. The only thing that *was* clear, was that Joxer was suddenly, somehow, very strongly empathic.

The War God cursed himself for not seeing it sooner and putting Joxer in a position to be bombarded with so much negativity. �I�m so sorry, my love,� he said under his breath.

�Arry, I�m okay,� Joxer whispered weakly. The darkness that had overwhelmed him at the village was rapidly easing, but he could feel Ares� guilt and worry strongly.

�Oh Gods, Joxer!� Ares stopped and shifted Joxer into a hug, �You had me so scared.�

Joxer chuckled shakily, �Arry, need to breathe.�

�Sorry,� Ares sighed, releasing his tense grip, but making sure to keep his unsteady husband on his feet.

�I didn�t mean to worry you,� Joxer whispered, trying to ease Ares� conflicting emotions.

�I�m just happy you�re okay, love,� Ares said, gently cupping Joxer�s face.

�Getting there,� Joxer sighed. His head ached, but he didn�t feel so nauseous and faint.

�Just a little further, then we can stop, okay?� Ares whispered, dropping a gentle kiss onto Joxer�s lips.

��Kay.� Joxer let himself be picked up again and snuggled close to his husband.

When Ares had stopped so abruptly, Strife had almost walked into him. When he realised Joxer had regained consciousness, he turned and glared at the others, determined to stop anyone from disturbing the couple.

Cupid realised what his cousin was doing, and smiled fondly. He stood next to Strife and put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing encouragingly. Strife managed to suppress the small shiver of longing and smile back at Cupid. The others kept quiet, Gabrielle and Hercules actually exercised some tact and gave the couple at least a little privacy.

When Ares started to walk again, they all followed in silence. They reached a small clear area next to a river and Ares stopped again, gently laying Joxer under a tree.

Part 20

Ares looked up, �Did anyone bring our stuff?�

Cupid nodded and carried their packs over. Ares rooted around and pulled out a blanket, bundling Joxer up in it tightly.

�Arry,� Joxer protested with a small laugh, �I�m all right, really.�

Ares sighed, knowing he was overreacting, but he�d been so scared. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Joxer�s, clasping the young man�s face between his hands. �I�m not sure *I* am yet, love,� he whispered.

Joxer mirrored the gesture and clasped Ares� face between his own hands. �Shh, I�m here.� He drew Ares into a soft, passionate kiss, instinctively knowing his husband needed reassurance. Ares moaned quietly, letting Joxer slowly explore his mouth, sucking gently at lips and tongue.

Ares pulled back reluctantly, he didn�t want to ever let go, but he wanted Joxer to get some rest before he started teaching him shielding. He smiled at Joxer who patted his cheek gently, and shifted round so he was sitting against the tree, and he pulled Joxer between his legs and into his arms.

�Sleep,� he whispered. Joxer nodded and closed his eyes.

Gabrielle went and sat with Hercules and Iolaus, completely ignoring Xena. She had no wish for her former lover to start trying to talk to her again. During the fight, she�d found herself worrying about the warrior, and she was annoyed with herself. When Xena tried to approach, she glared at her.

Xena sighed and stared aimlessly round the clearing. She caught Cupid�s eye and he smiled, beckoning her over. Xena gave him a half smile and sat down. Strife plonked himself just behind Cupid and hooked his chin over his cousin�s shoulder.

�How you doing, Xena?� Cupid asked, reaching up to pat Strife�s cheek absentmindedly. Xena found herself wondering again what their relationship was.

�I�m okay I guess,� she sighed, �I can�t expect Gabrielle to just get over this, if she ever does.�

�I�m very sorry it had to happen,� Cupid grimaced apologetically. He held back a small smile at the tiny squeeze Strife gave him. �She does love you,� he continued, �She may yet forgive you. The question is, will you be able to accept it?�

Xena frowned, �What do you mean?�

�Forgiveness will come at a price with Gabrielle, you may find it too high,� Cupid reached out and patted her hand gently.

Xena sighed and lay back, turning her head to watch her father with Joxer, missing that closeness.

Cupid twisted his head awkwardly to look at Strife, who was watching Hercules and Iolaus. Strife got up and he leaned down to squeeze Cupid�s shoulder. Cupid tilted his head back to look up at him. Strife�s breath caught in his throat, Cupid looked so beautiful, and he longed to taste that exposed neck. He wrestled his desire ruthlessly into submission and grinned wickedly.

�Far too good an opportunity for me to pass up,� Strife glanced back over at Hercules and Iolaus. Cupid followed his gaze and nodded, grinning back at his cousin.

�Go for it,� Cupid chuckled.

@>*~

Hercules flopped down in the clearing with Iolaus, only looking up when Gabrielle joined them. He was watching Ares with Joxer, suspicious of his brother�s motives. When they started to kiss, he looked away in disgust. It wasn�t till then, Hercules noticed Iolaus clutching his head, his eyes tightly shut.

�Hey,� he said quietly, trying not to sound as concerned as he was, �You okay?�

Iolaus looked up guiltily, he hadn�t said anything about the resounding blow to the head he�d gotten during the fight, but now it was really starting to hurt. �No,� he sighed.

Hercules frowned and got onto his knees, �Let me see.�

�I�m sure it�s nothing, �Iolaus protested, he was finding it hard to control his emotions, he didn�t think he could cope with Hercules being too close.

�Let me see,� Hercules� tone brooked no argument. Iolaus moved his hand and turned slightly. He stifled a moan at his friend�s unexpectedly gentle touch.

Hercules breathed out heavily in annoyance and concern. Iolaus had a nasty bump developing and there was a bit of blood drying in his hair. �Needs cleaning,� he said quietly. Hercules dug out a clean cloth and took it over to the river to soak it. He went back to Iolaus and crouched down, very carefully wiping the wound.

Iolaus was having trouble breathing under the tender ministrations of his best friend. He looked up and Hercules met his eyes. Both men gasped at what they saw. Iolaus reached up and grasped Hercules� wrist. He held his breath as Hercules slowly leaned forward. Hercules� heart was pounding fearfully, but he was lost in Iolaus� eyes and he couldn�t stop himself.

Without warning, he was jostled from behind and he lost his balance, knocking Iolaus to the ground and landing on top of him. Hercules jerked up as if he�d been stung, hoping against hope his friend hadn�t felt his erection. Iolaus closed his eyes to hold back tears of bitter disappointment, he�d obviously been wrong, Hercules didn�t want him.

�Gods damn it, Strife!� Hercules yelled, �Can�t you watch where you�re going?!�

�Whoa, dude don�t get your panties in a bunch!� Strife hid a smirk. �Just wanted to see if he was okay.�

Hercules frowned suspiciously, �Why?� he demanded.

�What�s it to ya?� Strife raised an eyebrow. �We need everyone one hundred percent on this little trip ya know.� He knelt down next to Iolaus, who was now sitting up, and put his hand on his head. �Not a problem,� Strife smiled and stroked Iolaus� hair gently, healing him with a burst of energy. He leaned close to Iolaus and smiled. �Feel better,� he breathed, not removing his hand from Iolaus� head.

�Uh,� Iolaus swallowed nervously and pulled back, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. �Yeah, thanks, Strife.�

�You a natural blond?� Strife rubbed Iolaus� hair between his fingers, wishing it was Cupid�s.

�Y-yeah, why?� Iolaus stuttered.

Strife shrugged and leaned closer again, leering, �I like blonds.� Strife�s smirk was getting harder and harder to suppress the more terrified Iolaus looked. �Can you, like, prove it?�

�What?!� Iolaus squeaked.

Strife bent over the now almost prostrate hunter and whispered hotly in his ear, �Are ya blond down here too?� he groped Iolaus� crotch.

�HEY!� Hercules yanked Strife to his feet, furious with the God. �You are *done* here!�

�Yeesh, rude much?!� Strife growled, �I was talking with Iolaus.� He leered at the hunter, who�s eyes widened in fear.

�Well, now you�re not,� Hercules shoved him away, �Get lost!�

Strife sneered at him and stomped back over to Cupid who was looking at him strangely.

�What?� Strife frowned in confusion. Cupid looked almost angry, and damn if he wasn�t even more gorgeous with his eyes flashing like that.

Cupid shook himself, realising that he�d come close to losing control, �Oh nothing, sorry, just wasn�t expecting the whole Iolaus thing.� He didn�t want Strife worrying about him.

�Yeah well, he�s cute. Wouldn�t be hardship ya know,� Strife leered at his cousin, who laughed. Not quite the reaction he�d hoped for. He sighed and lay back.

Cupid stared at Strife a little longer. As soon as he�d noticed his cousin flirting with Iolaus, he�d felt odd. Then when he�d seen Strife grab Iolaus like that, well it had almost felt like� no! It couldn�t have been, why would he be jealous? But hearing Strife as good as say he�d have sex with the hunter made his heart pound painfully again and he�d had to really force the laugh. He just didn�t understand why. He lay back next to Strife pondering his strange feelings.