The Plan 30b-40

Part 30b

Joxer knelt down beside Cupid and touched Strife�s face gently.

�No!� Cupid shoved him, �Don�t touch him!�

Ares frowned, what in Hades was Joxer thinking? �Jox,� he started firmly, but stopped at the look Joxer gave him. Ares barely suppressed a shudder, it was almost frightening. Joxer�s eyes were pale and glowing and seemed so old somehow.

Joxer reached out for Strife again, this time catching Cupid�s arm and holding him still.

�No,� Cupid moaned, �Leave him alone, please.�

�Shh,� Joxer whispered. Still not really knowing what he was doing, he put his hand on Strife�s face, feeling power flow from him into the God.

�Oh Gods,� Ares whispered, watching Strife�s body slowly reconstruct itself. As the process went on, he noticed Joxer becoming steadily paler. �Draw energy from outside yourself,� he said urgently. Joxer gave an almost imperceptible nod.

When Strife was whole again, Joxer fell back, panting harshly. Cupid stared at Joxer uncomprehendingly. He pulled Strife into his lap, holding him as close as he could.

�Strife, please baby, wake up, please,� he whispered, �I didn�t get to tell you that I love you. Please, you can�t die now.�

�Cupid?�

Cupid barely heard the whisper. His heart clenched and he froze, hardly daring to look down, hardly daring to hope, until a hand touched his face.

�Strife?� his voice broke on a sob as he met Strife�s confused gaze. �Oh baby, oh Gods,� Cupid gasped, more tears pouring down his face, �Strife, I love you so much.�

Strife didn�t really understand what was going on, why he felt so weak, why Cupid was crying, why Cupid was covered in blood�oh Gods! He struggled to move. �Cupe, are you hurt, you�re bleeding,� he gasped.

Cupid just pulled him closer, shaking his head. �I love you, I love you, oh Gods, Strife, don�t *ever* leave me again,� Cupid whispered, kissing Strife over and over desperately.

Strife breathed in shakily, �You love me?� he whispered. Cupid nodded and kissed him again. Strife held tight. �Oh Cupe, I love you too, but�� he took another deep breath, shaking slightly with the effort to speak, �What happened? Why�re you covered in blood, are you sure you�re not hurt?�

Cupid shook his head, �Not my blood,� he shuddered, �Not�� his voice broke again, and he buried his face in Strife�s neck, sobbing in overwhelming relief.

Ares finally let Eris go and she flew over to her son as he hurried to Joxer, helping him to sit up. They watched Discord take Cupid and Strife into her arms.

�Thought I�d lost you,� she muttered fretfully, kissing a bemused looking Strife.

�Mom?� Strife shook his head wonderingly.

Hercules, Iolaus, Xena and Gabrielle watched in stunned amazement, unable to quite comprehend what had just happened.

Ares held his trembling husband close, �Joxer, how did you�?�

Joxer just shook his head tiredly, �I don�t know.�

�Thank you,� Ares whispered, kissing him softly. Joxer buried himself deeper in Ares� embrace, feeling strangely peaceful as he watched the confused Mischief God pet and comfort his mother and cousin.

�I thought Discord and Strife didn�t get on,� Hercules whispered.

�There�s a lot you don�t know,� Xena said quietly.

�Evidently,� Hercules scowled at her and she flushed. Another flash interrupted them.

Part 31

�Strife, why aren�t you dead?!�

�Nice to see you too, Unc Hades,� Strife smiled weakly, �Rude much?�

�Who dared interfere in my domain?� Hades glared round the cave.

�What the fuck are you talking about Hades?� Ares growled.

�Strife cannot be brought back!� Hades declared, �It was one of the conditions of his release, if he ever returned to Asphodel, it was permanent.�

�No, you can�t have him,� Cupid whispered, clutching Strife close.

�I�� Hades started.

�He didn�t return.� A quiet voice interrupted him. Hades snarled, looking for who dared. His gaze fell on a slim, pale mortal, who stared back at him defiantly. He frowned briefly, wondering why the mortal was wrapped in Ares� arms.

�I beg your pardon?� he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.

�He didn�t reach Asphodel before his body was restored, his shade had not yet left,� Joxer spoke with quiet certainty.

�You dare tell me my domain?�

Joxer�s eyes glowed with anger. �If death is your domain, you should know it better, boy!� he snapped.

Hades took a step back in shock, �What?!� He could swear he recognised the voice.

�Joxer?� Ares was startled by the comment and the manner in which it was spoken.

Joxer shook himself, �I, uh, sorry Lord Hades, I don�t know why I said that.�

Hades stalked angrily towards him, only to be confronted by Ares. �Get out of my way,� Hades snapped furiously.

�Don�t even think about touching my consort!� Ares glared at his uncle.

�Consort?� Hades stared at Ares in amazement. He glanced round his nephew at the mortal and laughed. �That? That is your consort?!�

�Oh, big mistake, unc Hades,� Strife chuckled, then winced as Hades flew back across the cave with a loud explosion.

Hades stood up and brushed himself off, glaring at Ares. �Enough of this, who brought Strife back?�

Joxer stood slowly and walked to join Ares, rubbing the seething God�s back gently. �I did,� he said quietly.

Hades snorted, �You are really starting to piss me off, mortal!�

�He did though,� Cupid said.

Hades swung round, �And how, *exactly*, did he manage that?�

Cupid shrugged, �Who cares? Strife�s here, that�s all I care about.� He hugged Strife close.

Hades raised an eyebrow at the Love God. Cupid and Strife? He�d never have guessed. �I care, it�s not supposed to happen,� he snapped.

�Tough, it did,� Ares growled.

Hades glared, �We�ll see about that. Zeus!�

Another flash lit up the cave. �You yelled?� Zeus said sarcastically. He glanced round. �Strife? You�re alive!� He smiled at the Mischief God, who grinned back.

�And kicking, Gramps,� Strife chuckled.

�Good, good,� Zeus nodded, �How?�

�Apparently, Ares� little mortal healed him,� Hades growled.

�Really?� Zeus stared at Joxer, who flushed and ducked behind Ares, suddenly very nervous.

�By all rights, he should be dead, brother, he is mine,� Hades stated.

�Well, I�� Zeus blinked, �I suppose��

�No!� Cupid gently eased Strife into his mother�s arms and stood up, stalking over to the two senior Gods. �You can�t have him!� he poked Hades in the chest to emphasise each word.

Hades caught his hand, �It is my right! I will not tolerate this interference,� he snarled.

�Joxer said�� Cupid started.

�I don�t care what the mortal said. Strife died, he stays dead!� Hades insisted.

�Well, that is true, the conditions stated�� Zeus began.

�The conditions stated that if he returned to Asphodel, he stayed,� Ares interrupted this time, �As Joxer pointed out, Strife didn�t get that far before he was brought back.�

�Oh,� Zeus frowned in confusion, �Oh well in that case��

�He�s mine!� Hades snapped.

�Will everyone *stop* interrupting me?!� Zeus thundered, �Hades, the conditions were clear, you did *not* state simple death, you specified his shade�s return to Asphodel. He is not yours.� Hades opened his mouth to complain.

�No, he�s *mine*,� Cupid growled. �Do *not* interfere *uncle* or I will be speaking to my mother about your sex life, or lack thereof!� Hades blanched and backed off.

�I�m yours?� Strife said quietly, raising an eyebrow.

�I, well, that is, if�� Cupid stuttered.

�Cupe, I�m teasing,� Strife smiled softly, �Of course I�m yours.�

Cupid flew back to his cousin, gathering him in his arms. �Baby,� he whispered. He bent his head and paused, �And I�m yours,� he whispered before he closed the gap and pressed his lips gently against Strife�s. Strife moaned. He reached up and gripped the back of Cupid�s head, pulling him closer, as their lips parted and their tongues twined together.

�Dear Gods,� Strife panted when they reluctantly parted, �If I hadn�t just died, I�d nail you to the floor,� he whispered.

Cupid laughed breathlessly. �Please, soon,� he whispered back. Strife nodded.

Eris smiled fondly at the couple and reached out to stroke Strife�s hair. �You�d better make an honest God of my boy,� she mock-growled at Cupid.

Cupid tore his eyes from Strife�s face and smiled happily, �If he�ll have me!�

�Stupid thing to say,� Strife giggled.

�Yes, thank you, that�s quite enough!� Hades snapped. �What, in Tartarus, is going on? How did this *mortal* heal a dead God?�

Part 32

Zeus blinked, �Ah yes, good question. Um, Joxer, isn�t it?� he turned back to Ares and Joxer. Joxer glanced round Ares� shoulder and nodded.

�Yes, Lord Zeus,� he replied.

�Oh, no need for formality, dear boy, you are family after all,� Zeus smiled kindly. Ares frowned suspiciously and carefully wrapped a protective arm around Joxer as he stepped out from behind him. �Ares, I�m not going to hurt your consort,� Zeus said quietly.

Joxer looked over at Ares, he could feel the truth in Zeus� words. �It�s okay, Arry,� he said quietly, �He means it.�

Ares met Joxer�s eyes and he relaxed slightly, �You sure?� Joxer nodded. �Okay.�

Zeus raised an eyebrow at the sight of his son deferring to a mortal, consort or not.

�And you know this, how?� Hades asked, also surprised by the interplay between his nephew and the mortal.

Joxer shrugged, �I feel it.�

�You� *feel* it?� Zeus asked quietly. Joxer nodded. Zeus stepped closer, with a wary glance at his son, and raised a hand in front of Joxer�s face. �Where did you learn to shield yourself?� Zeus asked, shocked.

�Ares taught me,� Joxer replied quietly.

�Ares?� Zeus raised an eyebrow at his son, such things were simply not done!

�He needed it,� Ares said defiantly, �I couldn�t shield him myself.�

�Why would a mortal need a shield?� Hades scoffed.

Ares glared at him, �He�s an empath.�

�Joxer?!� Everyone looked round and Gabrielle glared. �Give me a break, Joxer is a clueless, mmph.� Xena clamped her hand over Gabrielle�s mouth quickly. Gabrielle hissed and pushed her away. �Do *not* touch me!� she yelled. �Who gives a damn about Joxer anyway? In case everyone�s forgotten, Dahak got away,� she shuddered slightly, but pulled away from Xena�s offer of comfort.

�Fuck you, bitch!� Ares shouted, �I give a damn.�

�Ares,� Zeus said quietly. Ares turned his furious glare on his father. �Son, I�m sorry, she has a point, Dahak is our main concern here.�

Ares growled, but eventually nodded. Joxer had to tap his arm to remind his husband not to squash him, the arm around him having tightened enough to hurt.

�Sorry,� Ares whispered. Joxer smiled at him.

�It�s fine, Ares, I wasn�t comfortable being the centre of attention,� he whispered back.

�For now, I�m going to assume the unusual manner of your binding somehow transferred power to Joxer,� Zeus� tone indicated a close to the matter.

�Still doesn�t explain Strife,� Ares muttered.

�Nothing could explain Strife,� Joxer whispered with a tiny smile.

Ares blinked at him and then he laughed, drawing all eyes back to the couple in shock. �Damn, I love you,� Ares declared, kissing Joxer fiercely.

Hercules stared, blinking in utter shock and surprise. First, his father confirming the marriage, then Ares actually saying he loved Joxer, out loud, in front of everyone?! He shook himself, there was no way� was there?

�So, what happened?� Zeus asked.

�We didn�t get here in time,� Cupid said.

�Yeah, an� he has his own body now,� Strife continued.

�How did he get away? He would have been weak,� Hades frowned.

�Strong enough to kill me,� Strife muttered. �Oof, Cupe,� he eased Cupid�s death grip on him, �I�m here, it�s okay.� He reached up and brushed a tear from his cousin�s cheek. Cupid buried his face in Strife�s neck, inhaling deeply. Strife stroked his hair gently.

�We were somewhat distracted by Strife�s death,� Ares said quietly.

�Understandably,� Zeus nodded, �But it means we must find him, urgently, before he can gain enough strength to be a threat to us all.�

�Obviously,� Ares rolled his eyes.

�Ares,� Zeus growled warningly.

�Yeah, yeah, I know, I failed, it�s my responsibility.� Ares sighed.

�Damn right,� Hades snapped.

�We all failed,� Xena pointed out.

�Speak for yourself,� Hercules glared at her.

�Hercules!�

Hercules looked up in surprise at his father�s tone, �Yes, father?�

�Did I, or did I not include you in this mission?� Zeus asked quietly.

�Yes, father.�

�Did I, or did I not charge you all with finding and stopping Dahak?�

Hercules licked his lips nervously, �Yes, father.�

�And did you?�

�No, father,� Hercules whispered, looking down.

�Then you failed, did you not?� Zeus raised an eyebrow at his son.

�Yes, father.�

Ares bit his lip to stop himself from laughing, knowing from experience that it would get him into a whole lot of trouble. He distracted himself by licking Joxer�s neck, chuckling at his husband�s shocked gasp.

Zeus glared at the couple, muttering something about newly-weds and inappropriate behaviour. �This concerns us *all*,� Zeus glanced round the cave. �Hades, find out all you can from the dead priests. I want to know Dahak�s plans. We still need to know what caused that odd energy surge and how it concerns him.�

Hades nodded and flashed out of the cave.

�You still don�t know what caused it?� Ares asked in surprise.

Zeus shook his head. �Hera and the Muses are searching through the Hall of Time for anything unusual, but that may take too long.�

Ares grimaced, �Far too long. Do you want us to continue down here?�

Zeus nodded, �Yes, if we�re lucky, you can find him before he gathers too much power. He needs followers and death. It�s a good thing you seem to have killed off the majority of his followers here.� He frowned, �Eris will act as go-between and keep you updated.�

Ares raised an eyebrow, �Not Hermes?�

�He�s busy coordinating on Olympus,� Zeus explained. Ares nodded. �I have Apollo, Selene and Hecate watching from the skies, you will know if they see anything.�

�What about our duties?� Strife asked quietly.

Part 33

�They are on hold. Ares, Eno and Athena will take over from you temporarily,� Zeus paused and smiled at Ares� groan. �Aphrodite can manage without you for a while, Cupid, and Eris will do what she can for you Strife, agreed?�

Cupid and Strife nodded.

�No messing with my plans, mom,� Strife waggled a finger at Eris, who grinned.

�Would I?� she chuckled.

Strife snorted at her, �In a nanosecond!�

�A what?� Iolaus asked curiously.

�A very, very small period of time,� Joxer explained. He flushed as all eyes turned to him again.

Zeus raised an inquiring eyebrow at his son-in-law and then at his son.

Ares just shrugged. He was surprised at Joxer�s knowledge, but not as surprised as the others. He knew something much more significant than a simple transfer of power was happening with Joxer, but nothing he could explain.

�Damn, Joxer, when did you get so brainy?� Strife asked. At Ares� glare, he hastened to rectify his mistake. �Sorry, that didn�t come out right.�

Joxer smiled and elbowed Ares. �I know, don�t worry,� he reassured Strife.

�Right, I need to get back and sort out the rest,� Zeus sighed. �One more thing, Asclepius!�

A bright green flash lit the cave. �Please state the nature of the medical emergency.�

Zeus rolled his eyes as Cupid and Strife fell about laughing and Ares chuckled. Hercules, Iolaus, Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer stared in confusion.

�Can you say, Trekkie?� Strife snorted.

Asclepius flushed and grinned. �What?! It�s appropriate, don�t you think?�

�TV?� Joxer asked Ares, who blinked and then smiled.

�Yeah, TV.�

�So,� Asclepius looked round, �Why am I here? I�m kinda busy with dad�s stuff and�oh,� he frowned at Cupid, �That�s a lot of blood, what happened?�

Cupid looked down, realising he was still covered in Strife�s blood, and he paled, quickly changing their clothing and cleaning them both up.

�I want you to check Strife before I let him continue,� Zeus said quietly, smiling at Eris� grateful look.

�Strife?� Asclepius walked over to the prone God, �What�s up?�

Strife grimaced and sat up, �I died.�

�Again?! Damn, cuz, that�s a nasty habit you�re developing,� Asclepius shook his head.

Strife chuckled,� I�m not planning on doing it again, believe me!�

�Damn right you�re not!� Cupid growled.

Asclepius concentrated and scanned Strife. �Hmm, a little lacking in power reserves, but otherwise, a-okay,� he grinned at Strife. �So, what happened? Hades go easy on you this time?�

�Nah, got healed,� Strife grinned back, �Hades was *so* not happy.�

Asclepius blinked, �I�ll bet. Healed, huh? Who managed that? Dad�s busy.�

�Joxer,� Strife said quietly.

Asclepius looked round, �Hey, Jox, you�re looking healthy for a change and whoa�� he frowned suddenly.

Joxer started to feel a little nervous under the penetrating gaze of the healer.

�What?� Ares snapped.

�Um.�

�Asclepius, what?!� Ares yelled.

Asclepius flinched, �I, uh, I� just a sec. Grandma Hera, can I disturb you?�

A flash of blue preceded the entrance of Hera. �This had better be important!� she snapped. Asclepius hurried over to her and whispered something. �What?!� Hera gasped, glancing at Joxer.

�What, what?� Ares was about to snap with worry, frustration and anger.

Hera approached the couple. �May I?� she asked Joxer quietly.

Joxer frowned worriedly and nodded, not really understanding what she was asking. Gently, she placed her hand on his stomach and she gasped again.

�Mother, please!� Ares shook with the effort to control himself.

�Oh my,� Hera whispered, �You�re right, Ace dear.�

�Will someone tell me what is going on with my husband?!� Ares roared.

�Ares!� Hera slapped him and he gaped at her.

�Husband?� Asclepius shook his head, �Well, I never.�

Hera drew Ares and Joxer aside as the rest looked on in confusion.

�What is it?� Joxer asked worriedly, clinging to Ares, who finally snapped out of his shock and hugged him close.

�Well, I really don�t know what to say,� Hera started, �It�s a little unprecedented to say the least.�

�Mother, please,� Ares begged.

�I, uh,� Hera shrugged, deciding to just say it and be done with it. �Congratulations, you�re going to be fathers. Oh dear,� she looked down at the unconscious couple.

�Way to break it to them gently, Hera,� Asclepius muttered. Hera glared at him.

�What�s going on?� Strife struggled to his feet with help from Cupid, �Is Jox okay?�

�Yes, he�s fine, there�s nothing wrong with him per se,� Asclepius said.

�But?� Cupid asked worriedly.

�I�m afraid it�s up to them to tell you,� Asclepius shrugged.

�But Joxer�s okay?� Xena asked, joining Cupid and Strife to stare worriedly at her father and her friend.

�Yes.�

�Am *I* permitted to know?� Zeus said sarcastically.

�I�m sorry, grandfather, you know I can�t discuss a patient�s details with anyone,� Asclepius said apologetically. Zeus spluttered.

�Be quiet, Zeus,� Hera snapped. She bent down and patted Ares� cheek. Ares started awake, grabbing Hera�s hand, reaching reflexively for his sword. Then he relaxed, until he remembered what had happened.

�How?! How?� he stuttered. He realised Joxer was still unconscious and pulled him into his arms. �Joxer, love? Wake up.�

Joxer blinked up at Ares, and then sat up suddenly, whacking his head on Ares� chin. �Ow!�

Ares grunted and rubbed his jaw. �Joxer? Are you okay?�

Joxer stared at him. �Yeah, fine, I�� he stopped and paled, �Did she, did she just say�?� Ares nodded. Joxer�s eyes widened worriedly, he couldn�t focus enough to feel Ares� reaction. �Is, is that okay?�

Part 34

Ares frowned, suddenly realising his husband was worried that he might not want this. Unexpected though it was, now he�d gotten over the shock, Ares was ecstatic.

�Oh, it�s very okay,� he whispered and kissed Joxer, delving into his husband�s sweet mouth and pulling him close, showing him just how okay it was. Joxer moaned and shifted to straddle his lap.

Strife chuckled, �Guess it was good news,� he glanced at Cupid. �You think they�re gonna do *it*?�

Cupid laughed, �Maybe.�

The voices penetrated Ares� and Joxer�s lust filled brains and they pulled apart reluctantly.

�So, is anyone going to let us in on the secret?� Zeus asked impatiently.

�Yeah, c�mon unc, spill it,� Strife grinned.

Ares carefully lifted Joxer into his arms and stood, before just as carefully putting his husband down again.

�Arry, I�m not going to break,� Joxer said gently. Ares smiled ruefully.

�Sorry.�

Zeus, Hera and Asclepius gaped slightly. �Sorry� was not a word Ares spoke very often.

�Well?� Xena asked agitatedly.

�I�m not telling,� Ares grinned at the frustrated sighs from almost everyone in the cave. �Joxer? Do you want to tell them?� he asked his still slightly dazed spouse.

�Oooh, come on!� Strife bounced in frustration, then held onto Cupid tightly as his legs trembled from the effort. Joxer flushed and looked round nervously.

�It�s all right, dear,� Hera smiled reassuringly.

�I, uh, I�m,� Joxer paused and licked his lips, �I�m pregnant.� There was utter silence for a brief second.

�Huh?� said Hercules, his jaw dropping.

�I second that,� Iolaus shook his head.

�Well, that was coherent,� Ares snorted.

�Holy shit, that is, like, so way cool,� Strife whooped.

�Yeah, what he said,� Cupid said, blinking continuously in shock.

�Are you sure?� Zeus demanded when he recovered his voice.

�Oh yes, quite sure,� Hera nodded.

�It�s not possible,� Zeus whispered.

�I know that,� Hera frowned reprovingly, �But he *is*�

�That�s all we need,� Gabrielle muttered, �A child that�s the product of those two!� she continued before Xena or Iolaus could reach her in time to shut her up.

�I�ve had it with you.� Ares snapped, literally.

Gabrielle looked up, startled as a furious Ares strode towards her. She blanched, realising that she may have gone too far this time.

�No, father, please,� Xena tried to stop him, but he shoved her out of the way. Iolaus stepped in front of him, regretting it immediately as he found himself flying across the cave. Hercules growled and launched himself at his brother.

�You bastard!� he yelled.

Ares caught him easily, still moving, and lifted him into the air. Hercules struggled. �No, that would be you!� Ares snarled and hurled him in the same direction as Iolaus. Hera laughed, stopping abruptly at Zeus� glare.

Gabrielle backed away, but not fast enough, as Ares grabbed her throat and lifted her bodily from the ground. She dangled helplessly.

�Ares, stop.� Ares froze at the quiet command, much to everyone�s shock. �Put her down.� Ares� eyes widened in horror as he put her down. �And let go.� Joxer sighed, walking over to his husband. Ares growled angrily, but let Gabrielle go, unable to do anything but obey his husband. He shook with fury.

Joxer slipped between Gabrielle and Ares, and put his hands on Ares� face, forcing his husband to look at him. He met Ares� glare without flinching, but tears filled his eyes as he realised just how angry Ares was and just how humiliated he felt.

�I�m sorry,� he whispered, �I�m sorry, I just, I couldn�t�� Joxer closed his eyes and swallowed, dropping his head onto Ares� chest. To his utter horror and despair, Ares pushed him back and walked away without a word. His tears spilled down his cheeks and his legs gave way. �I�m sorry,� he breathed.

The cave was filled with an awkward, tense silence. Xena moved quietly over to Joxer and knelt beside him, drawing her distraught friend into her arms. She stared up in dismay at her rigidly furious father, who still had his back to his husband.

Part 35

�I, ahem,� Zeus cleared his throat, distinctly uncomfortable with the atmosphere. �Well, we�re done here, Hera, Eris, Ace, time to go.�

�But�� Hera started.

�Now,� Zeus said firmly. Hera sighed, she gently squeezed her son�s shoulder and smiled sadly at Xena, who was trying to quiet a sobbing Joxer before he choked himself. Four flashes lit the cave briefly and the group were left to themselves again.

�Dad,� Cupid said hesitantly. He blanched at the look Ares gave him but persisted, �Do you want to set up camp in here, or outside?� he asked quietly.

�Here will do,� Ares growled, snapping his fingers to clear up the dead bodies and give them better light. He still hadn�t even looked in Joxer�s direction and Strife and Cupid exchanged a worried look.

Cupid made as if to approach his father, but Strife shook his head. He knew from greater experience that when Ares was in this kind of mood, it was best not do or say anything until he came out of it. Unfortunately, the last time he�d seen his uncle like this, it had been weeks before he�d snapped out of it and Strife and Eris had suffered a great deal during that time.

Oh, Strife loved his uncle a great deal, but that didn�t alter the fact that Ares could be and often was temperamental, violent and downright cruel. He figured the only reason Ares had withdrawn into this kind of mood was so that he didn�t lash out, but it wouldn�t take much to push him into uncontrolled fury.

Hercules, Iolaus and Gabrielle stayed at the far end of the cave, well away from the others. Hercules was truly frightened of his brother for the first time he could remember and he wasn�t going to let Iolaus anywhere near him, or anywhere near Joxer for that matter, as sorry as he felt for the man. But at least Joxer now really knew what Ares was like. Hopefully, they could persuade him to leave the War God.

@>*~

Ares withdrew after making a fire in the centre of the cave. He sat back against a wall and closed his eyes, fighting the urge to kill something. He could feel his fingers glowing, itching to create balls of flame to hurl randomly at everyone occupying the almost silent cave. The wary stares he sensed were directed at him, only served to annoy him further.

Only the sobbing of his husband prevented him, and that just annoyed him even more.

He hadn�t minded showing a bit of restraint around Joxer, hadn�t even minded the times Joxer had asked him not to hurt the others. But, to be *forced*, to be helpless against the soft commands, to have the others witness his inability to resist; that was more than he could take.

Ares felt his body shaking with his barely suppressed fury and he tried to calm himself, he couldn�t think like this. That was one of the reasons he�d walked away from Joxer. He needed to think, needed to deal with this.

The other reason he�d walked away, even knowing he was hurting Joxer, was the certain knowledge that if he hadn�t, he would have said or done something he would ultimately regret. Something that would hurt Joxer more.

Ares sighed, feeling the tension drain from his body at last. He dropped his head onto his knees, relieved that Joxer had finally stopped crying. All he could hear now was the soft murmuring of voices.

@>*~

Cupid helped Strife over to Xena and Joxer and sat down, pulling the still weak God into his lap. Xena glanced up at them, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Strife shook his head.

�Best to leave him,� Strife whispered, staring sorrowfully at Joxer, whose face was buried in Xena�s neck. He put his arms round Cupid, rubbing his back to try and ease the tension in his cousin�s body. Cupid sighed and nuzzled his neck.

�How you doing?� Strife whispered.

�Okay, I guess,� Cupid mumbled.

Despite the situation, Strife couldn�t help the shiver of longing that spread through his body and down to his groin at the feel of Cupid�s lips moving over his skin, warm breath puffing gently on his neck. Cupid smiled softly and placed a small kiss just below Strife�s ear before lifting his head. He brushed Strife�s hair back and shifted them round slightly so they were both facing Xena and Joxer.

Xena glanced at the couple again, sighing at the looks of concern as she continued to rock Joxer slowly. He�d stopped crying, but he was still gripping her like his life depended on it.

�What now?� she asked quietly. She looked over at her father, who had his head on his knees. He looked relaxed, but she could see an edge of tension and his hands slowly clenched and unclenched.

Strife followed her gaze and sighed. �There�s nothing we can do,� he stopped as Joxer looked up at him, wide-eyed. �Joxer, I, he loves you. More than anything or anyone. You, you�re just going to have to have faith.�

Joxer shook his head despairingly. �No,� he whispered, �What I did� it, it was unforgivable. Strife, I *forced* him, and I don�t even know how.� He groaned and wiped his face, �I *made* him stop, I didn�t even ask! I didn�t let Zeus or Hera stop him. I *made* him, and in front of Hercules too, oh Gods!� Joxer felt tears prick his eyes again.

Cupid reached out and took Joxer�s hand, gently letting his power flow over the other man soothingly. �Joxer,� he whispered, �Do you know what I felt back at the temple when I first found out you were together?�

Joxer shook his head, looking at him hopefully.

�I felt deep, powerful love between you. I felt one of the most intense bonds I�ve ever known, you are part of each other, trust me,� Cupid said quietly.

Joxer sniffed, �We� when we married, it was,� he sighed, he didn�t have the words. �Hera said she couldn�t break it.�

Strife sat up slightly. �Really? What did� I mean, sorry,� he trailed off.

Joxer took a deep breath, �It�s okay. Do you, do you want to know about it?�

�Only if you want to talk about it,� Cupid said gently.

Joxer nodded hesitantly. �It was, it was an accident actually,� he almost smiled at the expressions of surprise on the others� faces. �I, uh, I hadn�t been to a temple, made an offering in a while. I wanted, needed to do something, I don�t know, special. I�d found this dagger, and over the altar, I had this urge to give myself, dedicate myself completely and I,� he paused and looked at his hand, gently tracing the scar with a finger.

�I made a blood vow, and suddenly Ares was there, making one too. He took my hand, he�d cut himself too and our blood mixed.� He stopped abruptly, lost in memory, the fear and wonder he�d felt, the sense of completion. Softly, he started to cry again, surrendering to Xena�s gentle embrace as he wept for what he�d lost.

�What was the vow?� Cupid asked quietly.

�By my life�s blood, I am yours,� Joxer sobbed.

Cupid and Strife shared a surprised look. �Eternal binding,� Cupid whispered in awe.

Strife tensed suddenly. It was such a rare thing, but more than anything, he wanted it with Cupid.

�Baby?� Cupid frowned, pulling back slightly to look at Strife properly. �What is it?�

Strife swallowed hard. �I, I want, I want�� he stopped and sighed, biting his lip.

Cupid felt his heart clench with joy, he hadn�t even let himself hope. �Really?� he whispered. Strife nodded, still not quite meeting his eyes. �With me? Are you sure?�

Strife frowned, finally looking up at his cousin, �What do you mean �with you�? Of course with you, I *love* you!�

�Oh, Strife,� Cupid breathed. He pulled his cousin closer and brushed his lips over his soft mouth. With a moan of need, Cupid pressed harder, urging Strife�s lips open with his tongue so he could plunder the sweet warmth.

Strife clutched at Cupid helplessly, happily giving himself over to the onslaught of lips and tongue, kissing, sucking and licking back urgently. They parted, breathless, staring at each other in wonder.

�I love you too,� Cupid whispered, �I want that too, you and me, forever.� Strife smiled and hugged him close.

They pulled apart slightly, both remembering where they were. They glanced at Xena and Joxer, relieved to see that Joxer was smiling at them, even though they could see the pain in his eyes.

�Sorry, Joxer,� Strife said quietly.

Joxer shook his head. It hurt to see what he might have lost forever, so strong between the two Gods, but it was beautiful. He didn�t want his friends to worry about hurting him. �It�s okay, please don�t worry,� he smiled again, wishing he could do something for the couple.

�I� oh,� he stopped in surprise, feeling something in his lap. He looked down and picked up a dagger wonderingly. It was similar to the one he�d used, but the hilt was decorated differently. He looked closer, recognising one of the symbols as Cupid�s, the other he guessed was Strife�s. Joxer shook his head slightly and held the dagger out towards the couple. �I think this is for you,� he said with a small shrug at their questioning gazes.

Strife reached out and took the dagger, wondering where it had come from. �Oh, Joxer!� he gasped when he saw the symbols, �It�s� th-thank you,� he stuttered.

Cupid ran a finger along the blade and he smiled at Joxer. �Thank you,� he whispered.

Joxer gave the couple a tiny smile. He dropped his head back onto Xena�s shoulder, letting himself, at last, look over to his husband. Ares was still sitting against a wall, his head on his knees, his arms clasped around his legs.

Joxer swallowed nervously, wanting to determine Ares� emotions. But he couldn�t, he couldn�t let himself. After what he�d done, it felt too much like a violation to probe his husband�s mind.

Eyes closing briefly against the pain, Joxer tried not to think about the expression in Ares� eyes before he�d walked away; the anger, pain, hurt, humiliation and betrayal that had pierced his heart. How could he ever expect forgiveness?

Xena gently lay him down on a bedroll and wrapped a blanket round him. �Try and get some sleep,� she whispered. Joxer smiled at her gratefully and she lay down next to him, patting his arm.

Across the cave, Hercules, Iolaus and Gabrielle had already bedded down and she gazed at Gabrielle longingly. Her hand clutched at her chest in remembered fear at how close to death her ex-lover had come. While she was grateful to Joxer for saving her, she regretted the price he�d paid for stopping Ares.

She looked at her father one more time, sending a silent prayer to the War God that he wouldn�t let pride ruin what he had, knowing all too well what it was to lose the love of your life.

Ares� head snapped up and he stared at her. She caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes, before his expression blanked and he looked away again.

She sighed and tried to sleep.

Part 36

Cupid lifted Strife into his arms and carried him over to a small recess in the cave wall. He put his cousin down gently and knelt opposite him.

Strife twisted the dagger in his hands, suddenly strangely nervous. Cupid smiled softly and reached out to touch Strife�s cheek. Their eyes met and Strife stilled.

Holding Cupid�s gaze, Strife took hold of the hand on his cheek and held it palm up. He waited. Cupid nodded and smiled. Quickly and carefully, Strife drew the point of the dagger across Cupid�s palm. Then he held the dagger out to his cousin.

Cupid took a deep breath and took it, drawing a bloody line across Strife�s upheld palm. He put down the dagger and held his bleeding hand out.

�By my life�s blood, I am yours,� they whispered together as they clasped hands.

Cupid�s eyelids fluttered closed and his lips parted. He felt energy fill and surround him, felt his own power flowing to Strife. Strife gasped as he was embraced with the warmth and love of Cupid�s energy. He�d never felt so complete.

Their eyes locked again and they swayed closer, hands still tightly clasped together. Strife eased his hand away and he lifted Cupid�s to his mouth. Cupid�s eyes widened, darkening with desire as he watched Strife lick the blood from his palm, the feel of the soft, wet tongue on his skin sending jolts of need straight to his groin.

�Oh Gods, Strife!� he breathed, pulling his hand free to clutch at his husband, dragging the slim man bodily into his lap. �Need you, need you so much,� he gasped, running his hands frantically over Strife, unable to touch enough of his warm body.

�Oh, please,� Strife begged, grasping at his husband just as desperately. Their mouths met forcefully, teeth almost clashing together as lips fused urgently. Strife slid his hands into Cupid�s hair, clutching reflexively, trying to pull him closer.

Cupid groaned, running his hands down Strife�s back to his ass, jerking up when he felt Strife�s groin grind against his. Strife rocked against him, and Cupid pulled him to the ground, rolling on top of the smaller man. His tongue plunged deeper into the heat of his lover�s mouth.

Strife wrapped his legs round Cupid�s hips, bucking up against the hardness digging into his stomach. Focussing briefly, he managed to flash away their clothing and raise a shield, before the feel of Cupid�s hot skin sliding over his took over his senses.

Cupid groaned and forced himself to pull back. If they kept going like that he was going to come too soon, and he wanted more. He straddled Strife�s hips and stared down at the strong, slender body, flushed with desire. Love and need welled up inside him and he whimpered.

�Cupe, please,� Strife begged, reaching up to try and draw Cupid down again. A slick hand wrapping round his cock suddenly, made him drop back with a gasp. �Oh Gods, Cupe. Cupe, fuck me, please, please.� Tears trickled down his cheeks from pure need.

�No,� Cupid whispered. Strife froze, frowning in confusion.

�What� ooooh Gods!� Strife�s eyes widened and he lifted his head so he could watch his cock slowly disappear into Cupid�s tight ass. �Oh fuck, oh fuck,� he moaned. He reached down and gripped the base of his cock tightly to stop himself from coming, the clenching heat of Cupid�s passage almost too much for him.

Cupid bit his lip, watching Strife�s face as he slowly sank down onto the long, slim cock he�d wanted ever since he�d seen his cousin in the stream. It filled and stretched him, felt so good. �Strife, baby, gonna ride you so hard, want to feel you slamming into me, want it to hurt so good,� he gasped out.

Strife swallowed convulsively, panting with urgent need. He gripped Cupid�s hips tightly, jerking up hard. Cupid�s eyelids fluttered, �Oh yes,� he moaned. He sat up and dropped down again, body spasming at the force with which Strife�s cock hit the nub inside his ass. �Fuck!� he growled.

Strife gasped, urging Cupid to lift up again. He thrust up to meet Cupid�s downward stroke and their bodies connected even harder. He looked down again as Cupid started to impale himself over and over, moving faster and harder, licking his lips at the sight of Cupid�s asshole quivering round his cock, his own thick erection bobbing in front of him, begging for attention.

Strife reached down and wrapped his hand round it, gripping tightly, stroking hard.

�Yeah, touch me Strife,� Cupid moaned. He flung his head back and slammed himself down onto his lover�s cock. He reached behind them and slid his fingers between Strife�s legs, pressing below his balls, then reaching further. �Faster,� Cupid ordered. Strife pumped his fist faster, parting his legs with a moan when he felt Cupid�s fingers brush over his asshole.

�Oh, fuck, Cupe,� Strife panted, thrusting harder into his lover�s hot body, as Cupid forced a finger into him. Cupid bent back, letting Strife do the work pounding inside him as he delved deep into Strife�s passage. The fist wrapped round his cock tightened convulsively when he brushed over Strife�s sweet spot and he howled, coming in jerky spurts over Strife�s chest.

Strife screamed, bucking helplessly against the multiple onslaught, Cupid�s ass clenching around his cock, Cupid�s finger grazing his prostate and the feel of Cupid�s come splashing onto his skin combined to drive him out of his mind. As he shot his seed deep inside his lover, everything went black.

�Strife?�

Strife blinked and sucked in a shaky breath, �Cupe? Wow, that was� wow.�

Cupid chuckled and leaned down to kiss him softly. �Yeah, it was,� he whispered against Strife�s lips. He lifted his head slightly and brushed Strife�s hair back. �I love you.�

Strife gazed up into his eyes and smiled, pulling his husband back down for another kiss. �I love you too.�

Strife gently eased out of his husband and they wrapped themselves up in each other, flashing a bedroll and blanket around them, before they slept.

Part 37

Ares watched his son and nephew, unable to help the small smile, until he saw Strife cut Cupid�s hand. Ares frowned, watching the couple perform the same ritual he and Joxer had only a couple of days before.

Damn, had it really only been three days? It felt like a life time.

Cupid and Strife disappeared behind a shield and Ares sighed, dropping his head onto his chest. At least someone was happy. And that was it, wasn�t it? It didn�t matter what had happened, he was miserable without Joxer, even in such a short space of time.

Ares lifted his head again and gazed across the cave at his husband. Joxer was curled up into a foetal position, arms wrapped around his head. Ares squeezed his eyes shut and smacked his head back against the cave wall. Even in sleep, his husband looked devastated.

And he�d told him he wouldn�t hurt him, damn it, and he had, and for what? Xena was right, but Ares just wasn�t sure he could swallow his pride. Joxer had *forced* him to do something against his will, Joxer could control him. Joxer could make him do anything he wanted, change him.

Ares stopped that train of thought with a snort of self-contempt. He knew Joxer better than that, his husband would never try to control or change him. Stopping him from killing the bitch hadn�t been deliberate, it had been his gentle hearted husband�s natural reaction to seeing someone he cared about in danger.

Ares dropped his head back onto his chest and he swallowed hard. What was he going to do now? How could he expect Joxer to forget, to forgive *him*? Maybe he shouldn�t, maybe Joxer would be better off without him. He knew one thing, he didn�t deserve Joxer.

@>*~

Hercules woke when the warm bundle in his arms shifted. He looked down and smiled, kissing the blond curls of his friend and lover. Easing gently away from Iolaus, he stood and stretched, looking round the cave.

Gabrielle was still asleep, as was Xena. He stiffened when he saw Ares sitting against the cave wall, staring blankly at the fire. Joxer was sitting opposite, near the fire, chin nestled on his bent knees. He was glancing at the silent War God every few seconds.

Strife and Cupid were nowhere to be seen.

Hercules went outside to relieve himself. When he returned, Gabrielle was preparing food, and Iolaus was helping her. Joxer was still distracted by Ares.

�Strife! Clothes before shield?� Cupid�s voice startled him and he swung round.

�Oops, sorry,� Strife chuckled.

Hercules frowned, �Where did you two come from?�

Cupid looked up, � We had a shield up, man.�

�Why?� Hercules cocked his head, still frowning.

�Why do you think, Jerkules, we were, hey!� Strife stopped abruptly, rubbing the back of his head where Cupid had smacked him.

�For privacy,� Cupid finished for him.

Hercules pulled a face and Strife snickered, deliberately kissing Cupid noisily until the other man stalked off.

�He needs to get that stick removed from his ass,� Strife muttered.

�Yeah, and you need to stop goading him,� Cupid grinned.

�Ah, come on, what would be the fun in that?!� Strife pouted.

Cupid groaned and leaned over to kiss him soundly. �Come on,� he whispered against Strife�s lips.

�You sure you don�t want to put the shield back up?� Strife raised an eyebrow suggestively.

Cupid patted his cheek gently, �Don�t tempt me, baby.� He nodded at the fire, �Look.�

Strife glanced over and sighed. �Well, at least unc isn�t mad anymore.�

�How can you tell?� Cupid frowned, staring at his father. Ares still looked the same to him.

�You don�t live with unc as long as I have and not learn to read him. It�s vital for your health,� Strife explained. �Right now, he�s not mad, but he�s not happy either.�

�Damn, I never thought about that. It�s been hard for you, hasn�t it?� Cupid sighed, realising just what Strife had lived with all his life.

� Hey, it�s fine. Unc�s unc you know? Mostly he�s pretty cool,� Strife smiled and touched Cupid�s cheek, �C�mon lover, let�s get some food.�

@>*~

Joxer had woken early after a horrible nightmare, where he�d been running after Ares, calling for him. But Ares hadn�t stopped and he just couldn�t catch him.

He glanced over to see Ares staring at him, but his husband had looked away immediately. He wondered if Ares had slept at all, worried that the War God had been brooding all night. At least he didn�t look as if he was about to explode at any minute.

Dropping his head onto his knees, he was oblivious of the others slowly stirring and getting up around him, until Xena sat next to him and put a comforting arm around his shoulders. Joxer tensed slightly, then sighed and relaxed into the embrace.

�How you doing?� Xena asked quietly. She was really worried, Joxer looked completely miserable, and she hoped he wasn�t going to make himself ill.

�I�m a bastard,� Joxer sighed listlessly.

�Don�t be ridiculous,� Hercules snapped as he walked past them. He sat down next to Joxer. �You saved Gabrielle�s life. Are you saying you should have just let her die?�

�No,� Joxer shook his head, �But I shouldn�t have done what I did. Zeus would have stopped him.�

�Maybe,� Hercules said slowly, �But you did what you had to.�

�At what price, Hercules?� Xena said quietly.

�Oh please! Like it�s any great loss,� Hercules ignored the small noise Joxer made, �Joxer, it�s Ares. He�s a violent, evil bastard. At least you can leave him, before he really hurts you.�

�No, he can�t.�

Hercules glared at Cupid, �I think that�s Joxer�s choice, don�t you?�

�He can�t leave him, any more than dad can leave Joxer, they are bound together,� Cupid glared back, �Besides, there�s the baby to think about.� Cupid and Strife sat down, smiling gently at Joxer.

�He should get rid of it.�

�Hercules!�

Hercules turned to see Iolaus staring at him in disgust. �What? It�s completely unnatural anyway, men don�t just *get* pregnant! Ares probably forced it on him,� Hercules protested.

�Not possible,� Strife growled, �Gods can�t get men pregnant, any more than they can get pregnant themselves.�

�Then how did it happen?� Hercules challenged him.

�How did Joxer bring me back? I don�t fucking know!� Strife exclaimed angrily.

�It doesn�t change the fact that it�s wrong,� Hercules continued.

�I don�t believe you sometimes, Herc!� Iolaus snapped, �The who�s, what�s and how�s don�t matter, it�s a child. How can you say he should just get rid of it?!�

�I�� Hercules started.

�No, I don�t want to hear it.� Iolaus moved away from his lover, furious at his attitude.

Part 38

�I don�t want to have this baby alone,� Joxer whispered.

�Oh Joxer, you won�t, trust me,� Cupid squeezed Joxer�s knee gently, �Give him a little time.�

�Oh please, Ares doesn�t forgive and forget,� Gabrielle joined in.

�I think we�ve had quite enough of that from Hercules, thank you!� Strife glared at her.

�Get lost, deadboy,� Gabrielle snapped, then frowned in confusion when Cupid and Strife looked at each other and started laughing.

�Deadboy Jr., surely?� Cupid snickered.

�No, you�re Spike, remember?� Strife giggled, �My very own hot blond.�

Cupid grabbed him, hauling him into his lap for a long, passionate kiss. Strife pulled away breathlessly and rested his forehead against Cupid�s.

�You sure you don�t want the shield back up?� he smirked at Cupid�s glazed expression.

�Far too tempting, husband mine,� Cupid grinned.

�Husband?!� Hercules exclaimed.

Strife twisted round, �Yeah, got hitched last night.� He grinned, �Thanks, Jox, by the way.�

Joxer smiled weakly and nodded.

�Married? Wow, congratulations,� Iolaus smiled, sincerely happy for the two Gods.

Cupid and Strife grinned at him. �Thanks,� Cupid said.

�You, you married *Strife*?!� Gabrielle couldn�t quite get her head round it.

Cupid glared at her. �I would have thought you�d have learned to keep your trap shut after last night!� he snarled.

�Hey, don�t you threaten her!� Hercules snapped.

�Did I threaten her?� Cupid raised an eyebrow.

�Enough!�

Everyone stopped talking at the quiet, menacing command and turned in Ares� direction.

�We waste time.� Without further ado, Ares stood, grabbed his pack and walked out of the cave, leaving the others to scramble to get their things and follow him.

Ares was fuming again, but at Hercules and Gabrielle, no surprise there really. In any other situation he would have killed both of them without thinking twice, Zeus� rules be damned. Unfortunately, with Dahak on the loose, all help was necessary.

He hadn�t listened to most of the conversation, but Hercules� suggestion that Joxer should get rid of their baby, that had very nearly got him killed anyway. What Iolaus saw in his brother, he had no idea.

But there was another reason Joxer was better off without him. Ares sighed, what kind of a father had he ever been before? Joxer just didn�t need him.

Another prayer from Xena made him look round. The others had caught him up.

*What?* he growled, continuing to walk.

*Are you okay?* Xena asked, relieved that he was speaking to her.

*What do you think?*

*He didn�t mean it.*

*I� I know that ::sighs::*

*Are you going to talk to him?*

*No.*

*But dad, he�s devastated.*

*He�ll get over it.*

*No he won�t, he needs you!*

*::swallows:: No, he doesn�t. He�s better off.*

*How can you say that?*

*Because he is.*

*Bullshit. Talk to him.*

*I can�t.*

*You have to.*

�Leave it, Xena!� Ares snapped out loud. He couldn�t, he just didn�t know what to do, what to say. He was still convinced that Joxer would be better off without him.

Xena subsided, ignoring the curious glances she was getting from the others. �Stubborn bastard,� she muttered.

*I said enough!*

Xena flinched, mentally deafened by the volume. *Sorry, father.*

Part 39

�*Hey*!� Ares looked round in surprise at Joxer. �Yes, that�s right, you!�

Ares actually started to back away as Joxer stalked towards him.

�What?!� he snapped defensively.

Joxer�s nostrils flared angrily and Hercules� snicker was cut off abruptly as he waved his hand and they were shielded from the others.

�What�re you�?� Ares frowned.

�I heard,� Joxer crossed his arms over his chest, �I didn�t mean to, but I did. So there you go, be mad if you want.� He was so angry with what he�d heard, he wasn�t even scared or worried. �You have every right to be mad at me, every right not to forgive me for what I did, but you do *not* get to make those kinds of decisions!�

�I beg your pardon?� Ares lost his temper too.

�I�ll decide whether I�m better off without you or not!�

�Oh really?� Ares growled, �Am I not involved in this marriage too?�

�Apparently. Haven�t noticed it today though,� Joxer snapped.

�Hey, I never forced anything on *you*!� Ares took a step closer, glaring at his husband.

�Oh, low blow Ares, and yes, you fucking have!� Joxer�s voice raised to a yell.

�I,� Ares frowned in confusion, �What?�

�Being alone, being a single parent,� Joxer�s face crumbled and Ares felt like he�d been punched in the gut.

�I� damn it, Joxer, you *are* better off.�

�Stop saying that!� Joxer was so upset he smacked Ares in the face. Ares blinked at him, stunned. �What is it? You can�t stand the fact that I might be stronger than you? Cause damn it, that�s not fair!�

Ares shook his head and started to walk away, �I hoped you thought more of me than that.�

�Arry, stop,� Joxer said quietly, but he wasn�t commanding him to. Ares sighed and stopped. �You know I do. I�m not your family, I�m not your warlords, I know *you* and I love *you*.�

�Joxer,� Ares turned to face his husband, �I can�t do this!�

�The only way I�m better off without you, is if you don�t love me,� Joxer whispered.

�But��

�Tell me you don�t love me and I�ll walk, I�ll be �better off�,� he made quotation marks with his fingers.

All the fight and anger left Ares in a shaky exhale, �You know I can�t.�

�Then please, Arry, don�t do this,� Joxer frowned in distress, breath hitching quietly.

�I� I just don�t know,� Ares whispered. He turned away and started walking again.

�Damn it, Ares,� Joxer whispered, watching his husband walk away, letting the tears fall unchecked.

@>*~

�Whoa,� Cupid frowned, �Was it me or did Joxer just put that shield up?� He stared in the direction where his father and Joxer had been until they�d disappeared behind a sight and sound proof barrier.

�Nope, you�re right,� Strife agreed, �Feels kinda weird too.� He wrapped himself round Cupid and licked his ear, �So lover, what shall we do while we wait?�

Cupid made a small noise and tugged him further round, grasping his head for a quick, fierce kiss. �We don�t have *that* long, baby,� he chuckled when they pulled apart.

Strife pouted, �Spoilsport.�

�Do you two have to keep on like that?� Gabrielle complained loudly.

�Hey, I died, found out Cupe loved me back and got married in one day, what do you expect, blondie?� Strife leered, �I�m on ma honeymoon here!�

�What, exactly, is going on?� Hercules started, ignoring the Mischief God and the fact that he�d started licking Cupid again, �What do we do if Ares hurts Joxer? Are we just supposed to wait?�

�Uh, yup?� Strife snickered.

�Besides, Ares won�t hurt Joxer, he�d kill himself first,� Xena said quietly.

�Oh please, don�t raise false hopes here!� Hercules snorted.

�Shut up,� Iolaus scowled.

�But, Iolaus��

�Just shut up!� Iolaus moved over to where Xena was standing. �How�s Joxer really holding up?� he asked her.

Xena shrugged, �Not very well, understandably. But the way he just yelled at Ares like that, I, I just don�t know.� She shook her head.

Iolaus sighed and scowled over at Hercules, who looked confused. He really hoped he was going to be able to keep it together, there was something about Ares that brought out the worst in Hercules sometimes. Sometimes his lover�s attitude was more than he could stand.

�How long do you think we�ll have to wait?� Iolaus glanced over to the two Gods, distracted briefly by their giggling and loud kissing.

�Not long I hope. I just, I really hope this doesn�t make things worse,� Xena whispered.

�I don�t know. But, Xena, even I could see how much Ares loves Joxer, you know? I�m sure it�ll be fine,� Iolaus tried to comfort her.

�Thanks, Iolaus,� she smiled.

The shield disappeared abruptly and they all turned. Ares was further down the path walking steadily away, and a silent Joxer stared after him.

�Joxer?� Xena hurried over to him. He turned and smiled at her tiredly. �Are you okay?�

�Yes, I think so, or I will be,� Joxer replied weakly, �At least I know he loves me.� He picked up his pack and started to follow Ares, humming quietly. Xena frowned at him, more than a little concerned.

Part 40

�What exactly are we doing?� Hercules growled as they all followed Joxer and Ares.

Joxer glanced round at him with a quizzical smile, �Tracking Dahak, what else?�

�How?�

Joxer shrugged, �Don�t ask me. All I know is, Ares is going in the right direction.�

�Does Joxer seem a little off to you?� Gabrielle asked Hercules quietly.

�No more than usual, he�s always been weird,� Hercules subsided quickly at a glare from Iolaus.

�How�d you know that?� Strife asked curiously. He and Cupid were both slightly worried about the almost dreamy mood Joxer had been in since his argument with Ares.

Joxer smiled and shrugged, �I haven�t the foggiest. He�s good isn�t he?� he asked casually.

�Uh yeah, well God of War and all that,� Strife raised an eyebrow at Cupid, who shrugged.

�Hey, baby,� Joxer put his hand on his stomach and grinned, �Let�s catch up with daddy.�

�Huh?� Cupid stared after Joxer in shock. He frowned at Strife, �What was that?�

Strife�s eyebrows climbed up his forehead and he shrugged, �Do *not* be asking me!�

�Weird,� Hercules muttered, �Talking to a kid after two days.�

�Hercules!� Iolaus frowned at him, �There�s obviously something going on, try showing a little consideration!�

�About what?�

�Gods damn it, Hercules! What is wrong with you? Can you at least *try* not to let your feelings for Ares blind you to everything else?� Iolaus yelled.

�What?� Hercules squeaked in confusion.

�Iolaus.�

Iolaus looked up, �Yeah, Joxer?�

�Don�t worry about it, you can�t change him and if you did, he wouldn�t be the man you fell in love with, would he?� Joxer smiled and raised his eyebrows.

Iolaus blinked, �Um, I guess not, no.�

Joxer sighed happily, �Good, good, shall we continue? Ares is getting ahead again.�

�Uh sure, Joxer,� Iolaus shook his head and followed his friend.

Strife took Cupid�s hand and pulled him close. �And what was *that*?� he whispered.

�I don�t know, but damn if he didn�t sound like mom when she�s on her true love kick,� Cupid replied with a frown.

�It�s kinda freaky, Cupe,� Strife shook himself. �I mean they obviously didn�t make up, so why�s he so happy? What in Hades happened behind that shield?�

�I wish I knew, baby,� Cupid sighed.

@>*~

They continued walking for several hours, never quite catching up with Ares. Everyone was concerned with Joxer, but he seemed oblivious and happy, occasionally talking to his belly and on the odd occasion bursting into a chorus of Joxer the Mighty.

The song got him several oddly hurt looks from Ares.

Joxer was in the middle of singing, when first Ares, then Xena and Strife froze. Joxer shut up immediately, eyes narrowing as they skimmed the trees. Everyone slowly drew weapons and crouched in readiness.

A lone figure burst onto the path. �Wait!� it screamed before anyone could attack.

�Auto?� Joxer laughed, �Thought it was you, who�s after you?�

Autolycus frowned at him, �How�d you� never mind, I need,� he ducked a dagger which made a *thunk* noise in a tree behind him, �A little help!� he squeaked.

Several more men appeared on the path. �You bastard! I�ll kill you!� They stopped warily when they spotted the small group.

Auto cleared his throat, �I didn�t know she was married!� he turned to Hercules and Xena, not even realising Ares was further up the path and heading back in their direction. �I swear, help me!�

�You didn�t steal anything?� Hercules asked quietly.

�No! For once I didn�t,� Auto made a pleading gesture.

�He�s telling the truth,� Joxer said quietly. �I�m afraid, sir, you just don�t satisfy your wife,� he continued to the leader of the men chasing Auto.

Strife burst out laughing, �Joxer! Way to go!�

�A little consideration works wonders,� Joxer continued, chuckling a little himself. The man growled at him and started to move threateningly in Joxer�s direction. Xena stepped in front of him.

�I really wouldn�t do that if I were you,� she said quietly.

He sneered at her, �You going to stop me, girlie?�

�No, but the really pissed off God of War behind you just might,� Xena smirked.

The man laughed at her, �Yeah right, I haven�t heard that one before!�

�Actually, Skylus,� one of the other men said tremulously, �I�d turn round if I were you.�

Skylus sighed, �Why, doofus? Is there another girlie behind me?� He froze suddenly as someone snarled in his ear. Turning slowly, he came face to chest with a very large man. Looking up, he nearly fainted, he was face to chest with a very large, very angry War God.

Ares picked Skylus up by the scruff of the neck, �I suggest you and your friends leave before I get really mad, and I suggest you never threaten my consort *ever* again, understood?� he shook the man slightly.

�Yes, my Lord,� Skylus whispered.

�Good, now scram!� Ares dropped Skylus, who scrambled to get to his feet and ran away, after his companions who�d already fled.

Ares looked at Joxer, sucking in a breath at the dreamy smile his husband was directing at him.

�Wow, okay, so am I in another dimension or something?� Auto asked, more than slightly confused.

Xena sighed, �Come on, we�ve got a lot to tell you, we might as well continue on our way. Dad?�

Ares tore his eyes away from Joxer, �Yeah?�

�You leading again?�

�I, uh, yeah I guess,� Ares glanced back at Joxer, who was still smiling at him. Had he missed something? Frowning, he looked closer, he could sense something was different about his husband.

�Yo unc, come on, lead on,� Strife interrupted his focus.