The Plan pts 51-

Part 51

�Welcome back,� Autolycus snickered, �Have fun?�

Ares� eyes narrowed and Autolycus held up his hands placatingly. �Sorry, sorry, I was a bit bored ya know?�

Ares and Joxer looked round, Xena, Gabrielle, Cupid and Strife were nowhere to be seen and Hercules and Iolaus were far too heavily involved with each other to notice the couple�s return.

�Ah,� said Joxer, �Gabrielle and Xena?�

�Gabrielle wanted to talk,� Autolycus explained.

�Oh dear,� Joxer sighed.

�Xena will be fine,� Ares said quietly.

�Yeah. Yeah, I know,� Joxer tilted his head back to smile up at his lover.

@>*~

Xena sat and stared at her ex-lover. �Gabrielle?�

�What?!� Gabrielle snapped.

�You wanted to talk?�

�Yeah,� Gabrielle shifted uncomfortably, she didn�t know where to start. �It�s not exactly easy you know.�

�I know,� Xena whispered.

�Do you?� Gabrielle glared at her, �Really, no ready answers? No explanations of how you didn�t really betray me?�

Xena flinched, �I know I betrayed you, but I never lied about loving you.�

�How can you expect me to trust a word you say?�

�Gabrielle, I tried, I really did. But, I was different then. I didn�t want to be a do-gooder, a hero. I had my orders, pretend to have turned against Ares, gain people�s trust enough to be able to protect Joxer without suspicion. I, I didn�t like you. You were so trusting, so dedicated to doing the right thing. So different from me,� Xena paused at Gabrielle�s snort.

�Gabrielle, you changed me. I began to feel differently, to *want* to help people. Hades, Ares nearly *killed* me once when I didn�t protect Joxer as well as I should have because I was helping people. That�s what you did for me. I don�t want you to hate me, please Gabrielle, can you understand?�

Gabrielle stared at Xena and swallowed hard. �I can�t, I can�t understand how you can say you�ve changed, yet still work for Ares. I can�t trust you if you work for Ares.�

�But I��

�No, I can�t Xena. I can�t trust him not to hurt us. Damn it, he nearly killed me!� Gabrielle spat angrily.

�You provoked him,� Xena pointed out quietly. �Come on Gabrielle, I know what he�s like, but I also know what he can be like when he lets himself feel.�

Gabrielle shook her head. �I don�t believe it. I never will believe it. He is an evil, manipulating bastard and he will always come between us.�

Xena closed her eyes in resignation, �No, *you* are coming between us. Gabrielle, I love my father, you can�t ask this of me, please.�

�I can and I am,� Gabrielle said stonily.

�What about Joxer?� Xena asked.

�What about him?� Gabrielle frowned, �He made his choice, he�s not our friend.�

�He is *my* friend,� Xena said quietly.

�You�re choosing Ares and Joxer over *me*?� Gabrielle was shocked.

�No Gabrielle, you�re asking me to choose between what, who I am and who you want me to be,� Xena sighed, �I don�t think I can be who you want me to be.�

�Fine,� Gabrielle snapped, suddenly furious again. Xena was betraying her all over again. �When this is over, I never want to see you again!�

�Gabrielle, please,� Xena tried one last time.

�Don�t talk to me,� Gabrielle stood up and walked away.

Xena watched her go, then leaned back against the tree and let herself cry for the first time she could remember.

Part 52

�Cupie! Cupid, damn it, put me down now!� Strife glared up at his husband.

�What?� Cupid blinked in shock.

�Now!� Strife wriggled out of Cupid�s arms. He was beyond need, he *had* to have his husband right *now*. He pushed Cupid to the ground, waving a hand to remove their clothes before he leapt on top of his husband. Cupid landed with a gasp and barely had time to catch Strife.

�Baby? Oh!� Cupid gasped again as Strife rocked his hips against him.

�Gotta have you in me, gotta, gotta, now!� Strife�s whole body shook with the force of his need and Cupid wasn�t far behind.

�Come on, baby,� Cupid groaned. He quickly slipped his hands round Strife�s hips and lifted his lover up. Barely pausing for oil, he pressed a finger into his husband.

�Ah, please,� Strife panted, pushing his ass back against the wriggling digit, �More, deeper.� Cupid slipped a second finger into the tight hole and used them to push Strife forward. �Cupie, what are you�? *Oh*, Cupie!�

Strife looked down in shock to see his cock disappear into Cupid�s mouth. Strife reached down to cup the back of Cupid�s head and started to rock himself between the wet heat sucking slickly at his shaft and the now three fingers embedded in his ass. Cupid probed deeply as he sucked and swallowed. His tongue worked the length in his mouth quickly, feeling Strife�s urgency.

�Cupe, yes! So good,� Strife moaned. Cupid�s fingertips pressed inside him and he jerked forward with a cry, shuddering when Cupid�s throat muscles squeezed round the head of his cock. �Cupe, need, gonna, oh!�

Cupid took just enough time to swallow Strife�s seed before he pulled back and slid out from under his husband. He pushed Strife onto his hands and knees and shoved his cock deep inside the still quivering passage.

�Fuck,� he grunted. He pulled back quickly and slammed forward again, knocking Strife to his elbows.

�Yeah, do me,� Strife panted, digging his fingers into the ground.

�Baby, so� good,� Cupid leaned forward, gripping Strife�s hips to pound into his husband�s willing body. Dropping his head, Cupid licked the sweat from Strife�s back, then bit down as his husband began to squeeze his cock with each thrust.

�More, Cupie, more,� Strife gasped. His cock was still hard and he could feel his second orgasm building fast with every stab at his pleasure spot. He felt Cupid�s cock jerk inside him and pushed himself up, sitting down hard on Cupid�s lap.

�Yes, Strife!� Cupid shouted, his release pumping deep into his lover. With the last of his energy, Cupid reached round and tugged hard on Strife�s erection. Strife groaned loudly and shuddered, his seed spurting messily on Cupid�s hand.

They stilled, panting harshly. Cupid slipped his other arm round Strife�s waist and held him tightly. Strife dropped his head back onto Cupid�s shoulder, twisting his head round to kiss Cupid�s neck.

�Mmm,� he mumbled, �You are awesome, lover.�

Cupid smiled weakly, �So are you, baby.� He let go of Strife�s softening cock and rubbed his flat stomach.

Strife smiled and put his hand over his husband�s, holding it still. �Hope it worked,� he whispered.

Cupid turned his head and kissed Strife�s temple, �Me too.�

@>*~

Joxer and Ares were chatting to Autolycus. Or rather Joxer and Autolycus were talking and Ares was listening and touching Joxer.

Gabrielle stomped into the clearing and sat down away from everyone, her expression discouraging anyone from approaching her.

Autolycus stared at her for a moment, then he stood up, �Excuse me.�

Joxer nodded. He glanced briefly at Gabrielle, then he looked over at Hercules and Iolaus curiously. The pair were wrapped up in each other, kissing softly, but so far had made no move to slip away. Patting Ares� arm, he stood up and walked over. Iolaus looked up questioningly.

Joxer flushed and cleared his throat. �Uh, hi. Um, are you guys, do you want� I mean, aren�t you going to��

Iolaus smiled, �We, well we haven�t got the uh, the necessary, you know.� It was Iolaus� turn to flush.

�*Oh*,� Joxer bit his lip, trying not to grin as Hercules looked thoroughly embarrassed. He bent down and took Iolaus� hand. Putting his own hand over Iolaus� palm, he concentrated for a second, then grinned at Iolaus� expression. Iolaus gripped the tiny bottle that had appeared in his hand, comprehension dawning.

�Thanks, Joxer,� he grinned and got up, tugging Hercules to his feet. �C�mon, Herc.�

�Huh?� Hercules was very confused. Iolaus leaned over and whispered in his ear. Hercules turned bright red, picked Iolaus up and carried him out of the clearing.

Joxer chuckled and shook his head before walking back over to Ares. �Stop glaring at her,� he laughed, dropping down next to his husband.

�Why? She�s a bitch,� Ares growled, angry at the thread of pain he could feel from Xena.

�Sometimes, yes,� Joxer sighed. He lay down, putting his head on Ares� lap. �But I don�t think even you could kill someone with a look. Anyway, she�s hurting too.�

Ares snorted. He leaned back against a tree and stroked Joxer�s hair, contemplating what was coming.

Part 53

When Autolycus found Xena, she was sitting dejectedly, silent tears trickling down her face. Autolycus sighed and sat down next to her, gently pulling her into his arms. It shook him a little to see her so vulnerable, it touched him.

Xena accepted the comforting embrace, the warmth of empathy and friendship easing her heart a little. But eventually she pulled back and wiped her face.

�Thanks,� she whispered.

Autolycus cupped her face and kissed her forehead. �No problem. How are you feeling?�

Xena shrugged, �Mostly okay. I think� I think a small part of me always knew it wouldn�t work out. In the end, we�re too different. I can�t be what she needs and she can�t change how she feels.�

Autolycus nodded, �I know. It sounds trite, but it does get better.�

Xena smiled, �Does it?�

Autolycus sighed and shook his head, �Mostly.�

Xena dropped her head onto his shoulder and hugged him. They sat quietly for a long time, holding each other. Xena liked the new bond between them and said nothing when Autolycus started to stroke her hair, enjoying, just for once, not having to be strong.

Eventually, she pulled back and smiled. �Thanks,� she said again. She gently kissed Autolycus� cheek and stood up, holding out her hand. Autolycus took it and stood up. They didn�t let go of each others� hands as they walked back to join the others.

Back at the clearing, Joxer was asleep in Ares� lap. Cupid and Strife were sitting facing each other. Strife�s legs were wrapped round Cupid�s hips, their forehead�s pressed together. They were smiling, but not talking, unless it was mentally.

Xena glanced at Gabrielle, quickly looking away again at her ex-lover�s expression. But she didn�t let go of Autolycus� hand. Ares met her eyes and he smiled gently. Xena smiled back and wandered closer to her father. She sat down and Autolycus sat next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

�I�m sorry, Xena,� Ares said quietly.

Xena laughed a little, �No, you�re not.� When he started to protest, she continued, �I know,� she leaned forward and put her head on Ares� shoulder, �I know, daddy.�

Ares swallowed hard and patted her head awkwardly. She pulled back, blinking furiously, and smiled sadly.

�We�re, uh,� Ares cleared his suddenly tight throat, �We�re just waiting for Hercules and Iolaus, then it�s time,� he finished quietly.

Xena and Autolycus nodded. Xena sighed and leaned against Autolycus, she could see the battlelust building in her father�s eyes already.

@>*~

Hercules walked till they reached a small river, concentrating on not dropping Iolaus as his lover sucked at his neck. He gently put Iolaus down and wrapped his arms round the smaller man. Iolaus tilted his head back and smiled up at him.

�Kiss me,� he whispered. Hercules sighed happily and bent his head to brush his mouth gently over Iolaus� lips. The tip of Iolaus� tongue traced over his mouth and slipped between his lips, licking softly. Hercules moaned and pressed closer, flicking his tongue against Iolaus�.

Iolaus� hands wandered down his back and tugged his shirt up, hot fingers stroked his skin and slipped under his pants. Hercules crushed Iolaus to his chest briefly, then he moved back and pulled his shirt over his head. Iolaus grinned and tugged his own shirt off. Reaching out, Hercules gently skimmed his fingers over his lover�s chest, letting them brush lightly over pink nipples.

�Herc,� Iolaus whispered. He pulled Hercules close again, slipping his hand to the back of his lover�s neck. He urged Hercules back down into a deep lingering kiss, groaning quietly as his lover gripped his hips tightly, their cocks brushing together. Iolaus pushed Hercules away and hurriedly pulled off his boots and untied his pants. Looking up, he grinned, Hercules was watching him and pressing his hand against his cloth covered erection.

�Hercules, clothes,� Iolaus said quietly. Hercules blinked, then nodded, quickly stripping off the rest of his clothing. Iolaus sat down on his shirt and held out a hand to his lover. Hercules took it and Iolaus dragged his larger lover down on top of him.

Hercules dipped his head to kiss him again and Iolaus slipped his hands down to his firm ass, pulling their groins tightly together. Hercules groaned and rocked his hips, eyes fluttering shut at the feel of their cocks sliding together. He rolled over, pulling Iolaus on top of him and opened his eyes again to stare up at his lover.

�Iolaus,� he whispered, �Will you� would you take me?�

Iolaus blinked in surprise, �Oh Herc, Gods yes!�

Hercules smiled and pulled him down for a soft kiss. �Iolaus, now,� he whispered.

�But�� Iolaus started.

Hercules put a finger against his lips. �I want to take my time with you, and we will when we win this, but I need you now.�

Iolaus nodded and reached over for the small vial of oil Joxer had given him. He carefully and thoroughly prepared Hercules, surprised by the physical and vocal responsiveness of his usually stoic partner. Finally he slicked up his cock and gently pushed against Hercules� loosened asshole.

�Oh Gods,� he groaned, sinking into the velvet heat that gripped at his shaft.

Hercules moaned loudly, �Yes, Iolaus. Gods, you feel good.�

Iolaus braced himself on his elbows and locked his gaze with Hercules�. Then he started to move. He stroked into Hercules� body with deep, slow thrusts. Hercules sighed, he couldn�t ever remember feeling this good, *this* happy. Iolaus� cock inside him, completed him. He rocked his hips up to meet every stroke, the slow rhythm steadily driving him towards the edge. Reaching between their writhing bodies, Hercules took a tight grip of his erection and pumped it in time to the deep thrusts of his lover.

�Iolaus, please,� he begged for release, needing more of his lover to reach it.

Iolaus kissed him and started to move faster. He couldn�t quite believe he was inside Hercules, that he was finally making love to the one person he�d always loved, but never quite thought would love him back. He thrust harder into the hot passage that claimed him as much as he was claiming Hercules, shocks of pleasure driving him forward.

Hercules stiffened against him and cried out. Hot seed splashed between them and Iolaus felt Hercules� ass squeeze against him, pulling him even deeper. He groaned, the burning pleasure in his groin spreading through his whole body as he came. Groaning again, Iolaus flopped down on top of Hercules, sucking in deep breaths.

�I love you, Iolaus. I like the man I am when I�m with you,� Hercules whispered, holding his lover tightly.

Iolaus reached up and stroked Hercules� hair, �Love you too, always.�

Slowly, exchanging soft kisses and touches, they got up and cleaned themselves off in the river, before dressing. After a long, silent cuddle, they finally felt ready to rejoin the group.

Part 54

Ares woke Joxer gently when Hercules and Iolaus returned. Joxer sat up and smiled wanly at him. �Time?� he asked. Ares nodded. Joxer hugged him, �Let�s go then.�

The group got their things together in silence, tension in all of them building. They followed Ares and Joxer back to the path and through the forest. It wasn�t long before they emerged from the trees and found themselves heading towards the crest of a large hill. At the top, they stopped, overlooking a vast plain in the valley below.

�Oh dear Gods,� Hercules whispered.

�We are in *big* trouble,� Autolycus shook his head.

�I think that may be the understatement of the year,� Strife giggled nervously.

�Arry, what are we going to do?� Joxer asked as he stared in horror. Almost the entire plain was filled with Dahak�s army.

�How in *Tartarus* did he do this without anyone knowing?� Ares exclaimed angrily.

�They must have been planning this for years,� Iolaus gasped.

�We�re going to need help,� Ares glanced at Joxer, �A *lot* of help.� He hugged Joxer briefly then stepped back.

�*By my right as Defender of Olympus, I call on Zeus, the All-Father, to invoke the �Rule of War�*,� Ares called out.

Zeus appeared in a flash of lightning. �You can�t be serious, Ares!�

�Oh deadly, Zeus,� Ares pointed at the valley. Zeus turned and blanched.

�Ah,� he muttered, �Very well. *Host of Olympus bear witness, the �Rule of War� is invoked, present yourselves for battle*.�

First to appear were Eris, Eno and Athena.

�Is this really necessary?� Athena raised an eyebrow.

�While half of us are Gods, I feel the nine of us may be just a little outnumbered sister dear, don�t you?� Ares glared at her and swept his arm round to indicate the battlefield.

Eris grinned, �I like these odds!�

Athena gazed out over the plain. �How was an army of this magnitude mobilized without our knowledge?� she asked.

Joxer looked up, �There�s some sort of shielding. No way Apollo, Selene or Hecate could have seen from the skies.�

Athena blinked at him, �And *who* are you?�

�Joxer, ma�am. How do you do?� Joxer smiled guilelessly.

�Oh yes, because of course that explains everything!� Athena snapped sarcastically.

Ares glared at her and put his arm around Joxer�s shoulder. Athena frowned at them. More Gods and Goddesses were flashing in, all armed to the teeth. Aphrodite bounced over in a leather version of her normal dress.

�Joxie!� She pulled him away from Ares and kissed him soundly. �Ares! What are you doing with my Joxie?� she admonished sternly.

Joxer extracted himself from Aphrodite�s bosom and backed into Ares� embrace.

�*My* Joxer,� Ares growled.

Joxer grinned and reached up to pat Ares� cheek, evoking several loud gasps. �Ares, I don�t think anyone else knows.�

�Knows what?� Athena snapped, now impatient. �Nobody has yet explained who this mortal is and why he claims to sense a shield *I* certainly can�t see.�

Ares sighed, �All here present, I introduce Joxer, Consort of War, and if he says there�s a shield, there�s a shield!� More gasps and whispers broke out.

�Hmm,� Zeus approached the couple and studied Joxer intently, �You are not a God, yet you are not mortal.�

�So, cool, what are you, Jox?� Strife asked. Joxer shrugged in bemusement.

�I just can�t tell,� Zeus frowned, �Ares?�

Ares shook his head, �I don�t know either.�

Hades, Poseidon and Hera appeared and approached the central group. Ares snarled at Hades, who looked taken aback.

�Something wrong, nephew?� Hades asked.

�You�ll find out when this is over, Hades,� Ares growled.

Before anyone else could say anything, Cupid stalked over and punched Hades with all of his pretty considerable strength. Hades flew back into Poseidon, who just managed to catch his brother.

�A promise of what is to come, *Hades*,� Cupid snarled.

�Cupie?!� Aphrodite exclaimed in shock.

�What is going on?� Zeus thundered.

Strife ran over to Cupid and wrapped his arms round him.

�*Another* pair of newly-weds?� Hera raised an eyebrow at Cupid and Strife, who both nodded.

Hades recovered from his shock and glowered at Cupid threateningly. �How dare you *boy*?!� A fireball appeared in his hand.

�I wouldn�t,� Ares said with quiet menace. �Or the Houses of War *and* Love will declare war on the House of Death. This matter will *wait* until Greece is safe.�

Hades blanched and Zeus glanced between his son and his brother.

�Wait,� Aphrodite frowned, �In whose name do you include the House of Love in this?�

�Mine,� Cupid growled.

�Cupie?� Aphrodite was thoroughly confused.

Cupid eased himself from his husband�s arms and walked to his mother. He put his hands on her head and mentally conveyed to her what had happened.

�Hades!� she exclaimed in shock and anger, Strife being her most favourite nephew, as well as the best friend and now husband of her son. �As head of the House of Love I will support any declaration of war against the House of Death!�

�Excuse *me*!� Zeus yelled, �King of Gods here, someone explain.�

�Yeah,� Eris stepped forward, glancing at her son, �I have a feeling this is something I should know.� She glared at Hades, who glared sullenly back at her.

�Cupie,� Strife whispered in distress. Cupid hurried back over to him and enfolded him in a comforting embrace.

�Hades stands accused of abuse of his power and crimes against Strife, God of Mischief, member of the House of War and by marriage, the House of Love,� Ares declared formally.

�You little sack of shit!� Hades shouted at Strife, �What have you told them?�

Part 55

Strife stiffened. For a long time, he�d kept the truth to himself, believing himself the worst kind of monster. But the reactions of those he loved had convinced him otherwise and bolstered his self confidence. Now, instead of fearing Hades, he was filled with anger and hatred.

�The truth, you dick sucking donkey fucker,� he hissed through gritted teeth. Cupid smiled, happy that Strife no longer blamed himself for what had happened.

�You know, now is not really the time, or place, for this,� Athena commented. She backed away under the combined glares of Ares, Cupid, Strife, Eris, Aphrodite and Joxer. Strangely, it was Joxer who scared her the most. There was something about his eyes.

�Ares, dear, I�m afraid she�s right,� Hera said quietly.

�Yes, I know,� Ares said grimly, well aware of the morbid interest of the assembled Host. �Cupid,� he beckoned his son over. Cupid moved closer, raising an eyebrow curiously. �I need you to grow your wings in now,� Ares said apologetically.

�In one go?� Cupid grimaced.

�I need you in the air,� Ares nodded.

Cupid sighed, �Okay.� He backed away, waving Strife back when his husband moved to join him. Getting down on his elbows and knees, Cupid dropped his head onto his forearms and concentrated, forcing his wings to grow and unfurl. He bit his lip to hold back the scream of pain, his back arching with the agony of the unnatural growth. Tears trickled down his face as he pushed himself back to his knees and he took a deep, shuddering breath.

�Shit, Cupe!� Strife dropped down next to his husband. Cupid sagged into Strife�s arms.

�I�m okay,� Cupid whispered.

�How come it hurt him so much?� Iolaus whispered.

Ares glanced at him, �Because he was manipulating his own body. Wing growth is pretty painful and annoying naturally. In one go, it is agonising.�

Ares walked over to his son, where Strife was gently grooming the new feathers. �Okay?� he asked quietly.

Cupid looked up and nodded. Stretching out his wings. He flapped them gently. �Yeah, fine.�

�Right,� Ares turned back to the whole group. �Cupid will coordinate from the sky. Athena, you will take the Home Guard and organise defence of Olympus in case we fail here.� Athena nodded, she and several other Gods and Goddesses disappeared again.

�Eris, Eno, liase between me and the left and right flanks respectively. Deimos, Phobos help them. Leaders of the Houses, you know your places,� Ares continued. All the Host of Olympus began to organise themselves into ranks.

Hercules watched in amazement. He would never have guessed that all of Olympus could work together, let alone under Ares� leadership. �Where do you want us?� he asked quietly.

Ares turned to his brother and smiled, �With me, Hercules.�

Zeus watched his oldest and youngest sons in bemusement as they clasped forearms.

�Ares!�

Ares swung round in time to see Joxer collapse to his knees. Joxer flung his head back and howled.

�Joxer!� Ares ran to his husband as Joxer convulsed, falling to the ground. Instinctively protective, Cupid, Strife, Xena, Autolycus, Hercules and Iolaus quickly surrounded the couple, blocking them from view.

Ares gathered Joxer into his arms as his husband�s body continued to be racked with tremors. He held on tightly, horrified by how helpless he felt. He didn�t know what was wrong, and he didn�t know what to do.

�Apollo!� Ares roared. Apollo hurriedly pushed through the circle and knelt next to the couple. He reached out to touch Joxer and was blasted backwards.

�No interference!� Several loud resonating voices erupted from Joxer�s mouth.

�What the fuck?� Apollo gasped.

Joxer�s body finally calmed, but he began to glow. The light emanating from Joxer�s body grew so bright that everyone had to turn away. When the light died, Joxer collapsed back into Ares� arms.

�Ow,� Joxer whispered with a shaky laugh.

�Joxer!� Ares buried his face in Joxer�s neck to hide his tears.

*Sorry, daddy.*

*S�okay, sweetheart,* Joxer whispered.

Ares looked up and tentatively put his hand on Joxer�s now very large belly. He breathed out heavily. *Are you both okay?*

*Yes, daddy, needed to grow.*

�I�m fine, Arry,� Joxer stroked Ares� hair reassuringly.

�What in Tartarus is going on?� Apollo asked in confusion.

�Joxer�s baby just had a growth spurt,� Cupid said quietly.

�Baby?!� Apollo gaped in stunned amazement, �And the voice thing?�

Ares helped Joxer to his feet, �Yes, baby. Joxer�s pregnant. No, we don�t know how or why and we don�t know what the voices were either. That cover everything?�

�Well, shit,� Apollo shook his head.

�However, it does remind me,� Ares continued, ignoring his brother. �Under the Rule of War, Joxer, Strife, you are both exempt from battle.�

�Uh, uh, no way!� Strife protested.

��Scuse me, *Strife*?� Zeus pushed past Xena.

�Strife is pregnant too,� Cupid smiled proudly.

�So I even want to know how?� Zeus asked faintly.

�Strife, pregnant?� Eris squeaked, blinking. She ran over, flung her arms round her son, squeezed him and then ran away. Strife just shook his head and laughed, then looked at Zeus.

�Well, see,� Strife smirked, �When two people love each other very much,� he started in a tone reminiscent of a kindergarten teacher telling a story, �They get nekkid, fuck like rabbits and have kids!� He cackled loudly at Zeus� expression.

�That�s quite enough, thank you,� Zeus raised a hand.

Part 56

�Ares,� Joxer said quietly, �I have to be there.�

�Are you sure?� Ares frowned worriedly. Joxer nodded. �Very well. It is time.�

The combined forces of Olympus flashed down to the valley to face the dark army. The original group of nine, minus Cupid who had taken to the air, stood in the centre.

In the middle of the valley, Dahak stood and laughed. Dark power radiated out and with a roar, his army attacked.

�Stay with me,� Ares told Joxer. Joxer nodded and followed his husband into battle.

The dark warriors, while empowered by Dahak, were still mortal and whole swathes quickly fell against the divine onslaught. But behind them were ranks of demons called forth by the Dark God and the battle grew in intensity as Gods began to fall.

Asclepius and Apollo flashed all over the valley, pulling out the injured and returning them to Olympus. In between, Apollo released the power of the sun against the demons, blasting them to dust.

Hades, Celesta and Thanatos extended the touch of death as far as they could, their power bolstered by Zeus, Hera, Hecate and Poseidon. Gaia and Demeter worked together, using the destructive power of nature against the ravening demons. Cupid flew overhead, directing the forces mentally, unleashing balls of flame and death arrows over the dark army.

But still they kept coming.

Ares worked his way purposefully towards Dahak, Joxer behind him. The rest of the group formed a semi circle behind them, helping to keep Joxer especially from too much of the fighting.

Finally Ares was facing Dahak, a small area clear of other warriors surrounded the Dark God. He stared at Ares and started to laugh. Ares smiled and raised his sword. Then Dahak�s eyes looked past him.

�You!� he pointed at Joxer, �You are the one. Come to me, you are mine.�

Ares snorted, �Not likely, Joxer and I belong together, you want him, you have to get through *me*.�

Dahak laughed again, �Is that supposed to be a challenge?�

Ares roared and leapt at him. Strife tried to join him, but suddenly found that Dahak, Ares and Joxer were cut off from the rest of the field.

Ares and Dahak fought hard; but as time passed, Ares began to fade, and he�d gained no ground. The battle continued to rage around them, but the dark army was gaining ground over the divine forces. Finally, a huge blow, knocked Ares backwards into Joxer�s arms. Dahak made a triumphant noise and stepped forward raising his sword.

�No!� Joxer shouted forcefully. He held up a hand and Dahak stopped. The Dark God frowned and tried to move, but found himself blocked from the couple. He growled angrily.

�You can�t stop me for long, Titan, you will be mine.�

�*Never*,� Joxer�s voice took on several tones once again. �You are insignificant, you waste our time.� Dahak looked taken aback at the statement.

�Joxer?� Ares frowned in confusion.

�Join with me, my love,� Joxer�s voices whispered. Joxer stepped forward and wrapped his arms round Ares. Ares slipped his arms round Joxer�s shoulders, trembling as he was overwhelmed with power.

�Joxer?� he whispered. Then he groaned, it felt like he was growing, growing in both size and power. Feeling a strange sensation in his stomach, Ares looked down, realising suddenly that he and Joxer now occupied the same body, making them both pregnant. Their minds melded, joining completely.

�Dahak!� Joxer/Ares snapped, with an Ares� type of cruel smile, �Time to die.�

Dahak stopped looking quite so smug and evil as he looked up at the gigantic form of the Titan/God. He raised his sword and his other hand blasting at Joxer/Ares with a fireball and electric bolt. Joxer/Ares laughed and batted them aside.

A large hand shot out and caught Dahak by the scruff of the neck, lifting the Dark God to Joxer/Ares� eye level. �You. Are. Nothing.� With those firmly spoken words, Dahak�s body went limp and slowly dissolved into dust. The shield that had been around them faded and Strife, Xena, Auto, Hercules, Iolaus and Cupid rushed towards Joxer/Ares.

�Dad, Jox?� Cupid frowned, approaching more cautiously.

�Not quite,� Joxer/Ares smiled and ruffled Cupid�s hair. Cupid blinked in bemusement, his father hadn�t done that since he was a tiny Godling. �A moment if you wouldn�t mind?� Joxer/Ares waved them back.

Joxer/Ares extended both arms skyward and power crackled audibly round their fingertips. �Enough!� they shouted. Huge bolts of electricity scored the ground, rushing towards the dark army. Demons and warriors exploded as the lightning hit them. Some tried to flee, but in the end they were all destroyed.

Ares felt himself again, just him, alone, and gently he was pulled away from his husband. Joxer sucked in a deep breath.

�No, Arry, never alone,� he whispered. Ares� arms tightened around him briefly and they smiled into each other�s eyes.

*Ow! Squashed, it�s cold out here.*

Part 57

Ares stared at Joxer, who stared back, eyes wide. Then they both looked down. A tiny baby lay between their entwined bodies.

�Oh, sweetheart!� Joxer gasped. Ares blinked and swallowed hard. He reached down and gently took his little daughter into his arms, quickly flashing a soft blanket round her.

*Thank you, daddy.*

�Joxer!� Ares gasped quietly, �How? What?�

Joxer laughed and shook his head, wrapping his family in his arms. �I have no idea, Arry, I have no idea.�

Strife reached the couple first, �Oh Gods, that was fucking awesome,� he exclaimed, �How did you� wow!� He reached out and stroked the baby�s cheek, �Hey there, sweetie.�

*Strifey,* she giggled.

Cupid slipped an arm round Strife�s waist and hooked his chin over his husband�s shoulder, �She�s beautiful, dad, Jox.�

�Yeah,� Xena agreed, hugging Joxer. Hercules and Iolaus cooed at her.

Autolycus peered round Xena and grinned, �Hey, she has your eyes, Ares.�

Ares tore his attention from his daughter. �Yeah, she does, doesn�t she?� he said proudly, �And Joxer�s mouth.�

�You�re lucky, she got my nose.�

Ares looked up. �Mother,� he grinned.

�How did all this happen?� Zeus approached the group.

*Grandpa!*

�Oh,� Zeus blinked in surprise. He stared at his tiny granddaughter and smiled, �Hello, child.�

�I remember!� Joxer exclaimed suddenly, �There was this stone.�

�What do you mean, love?� Ares asked.

�I found a crystal just before all this started, it dissolved into my skin, I�� Joxer shook his head uncertainly.

�I guess you fulfilled your destiny when you defeated Dahak,� Ares said quietly, a little uncertain of what was going to happen now.

�No.� The three Fates appeared.

�What do you mean?�

Atropos smiled, �Dahak�s reappearance was merely an unfortunate coincidence. Joxer, you were bestowed all the power of the Titans, your destiny was to give birth to the Goddess of Time, Space and Energy.�

The Fates approached Ares and smiled at the baby.

�Welcome, Ariasta, Destiny of the Gods,� Clotho grinned.

*Thank you,* Ariasta laughed.

�Destiny of the Gods?� Zeus shook his head and laughed ruefully, �Well Ares, looks like you found a way to depose me after all.�

�What?� Ares frowned.

�Destiny of the Gods, is the official title of the new Ruler of the Gods, the one who will lead us into the new era and protect us from the One God,� Atropos explained.

�My baby?� Joxer stuttered in shock. The Fates nodded. �But, why me, why us?�

�Only your innocence and pure heart, your love for your God could have borne the powers bestowed upon you, Joxer. And only the strongest of the Gods, capable of both the purest love and the purest hate, of ultimate tenderness and deadliest violence could be strong enough to support you,� Lachesis bent her head to indicate Ares.

*The best daddies in all the world,* Ariasta giggled.

�You sure she�s not Goddess of Laughter?� Strife chuckled.

Ares smiled down at his daughter, gently stroking her cheek, �Maybe that too.�

�Rule of War is dissolved, what say we all go home?� Zeus sighed, suddenly tired and actually a little glad that Destiny had finally arrived.

�Mm, good idea, I could sleep for a week,� Strife mumbled.

Cupid held him close. �Sounds nice,� he whispered. Strife snuggled against him.

�Let�s go then, *daddy*,� Strife snickered. Cupid laughed.

�We�ll deal with everything when we�ve had some sleep,� Cupid cast a black look in Hades� direction. �Dad, Joxer, everyone, see you later,� Cupid nodded and the couple flashed away.

�Let�s take you home then,� Ares dropped his head back onto Joxer�s shoulder, after a meaningful glance at Eris. Joxer nodded and it was he who took them back to the War Temple after a grin at Xena, Autolycus, Hercules and Iolaus.

�Well,� Eris sidled up behind Hades, �I think it�s time we had a little talk, don�t you?� Hades made a move to escape.

�No,� Zeus shook his head, �You have been formally accused, and I now formally charge you. Eris, you are to question him, try not to kill him, hmm?�

Eris smiled cruelly, �No problem.� She grabbed Hades before he could protest and flashed them away.

Zeus turned to the remainder of the original group with a smile. �How would you like a holiday?�

�Oh, please!� Iolaus exclaimed happily.

�Where�s the blonde?� Zeus frowned.

Xena looked round in shock, realising Gabrielle had left without a word. Autolycus� arms slipped round her and she accepted the embrace with a resigned sigh.

�Just the four of you then?� Zeus continued. Xena nodded. �I have a lovely cabin in the mountains, you four have the use of it for as long as you wish. Ready?�

The group nodded and Zeus flashed them out of the valley.

�So, the clear up is left to us then?� Hera raised an eyebrow at her husband. He chuckled and nodded. With a couple of bursts of power, they erased all signs of the deadly battle from the valley. All the other Gods had already gone and with a happy sigh, they too returned to Olympus.

Epilogue

�Ariasta, what are you doing?� Strife chuckled, leaning over his heavy belly to help his little cousin, who was currently trying to lever her way up his leg.

�Talkin� ta Jay,� Ariasta smiled.

�Come here, baby,� Joxer scooped up his daughter.

�Daddy!� she huffed.

Joxer smiled and tickled her gently until she was giggling and squirming in his arms.

�So how�s Xena then?� Strife asked curiously. Joxer was still travelling with the Warrior on occasion. Joxer sat down next to him, cuddling Ariasta.

�Not too bad. Auto�s taking good care of her, you know?� Strife nodded. �It�s funny to think how different they both are now,� Joxer mused.

�Yeah, well, I still think she�s better off without the bard. Auto understands her, loves her,� Strife commented.

�Yeah, it�s sweet actually. He�s being so careful, I think she�s actually starting to get a little impatient with him. It�s good to see that she can feel love again though. I think she trusts him too, which is the main thing,� Joxer sighed.

�Yeah,� Strife grinned. �Not like Herc and unc, huh?� he chuckled.

Joxer shook his head, �Yet another argument, Iolaus and I tried to mediate but you know them, there�s just no dealing with them sometimes!�

�Ah well, it�s a brother thing I guess,� Strife laughed, �Just as long as Bliss and Jay are okay, I�ll be happy.�

�They�ll be great, they�ve got great parents after all,� Joxer smiled. Strife flushed and ducked his head.

�Wanna play, �Ria?� Bliss bounced over and tugged on Joxer�s pants, �Can we, Grandpa Jox?�

�Sure, be careful, okay?� Joxer put Ariasta down and she crawled over to Bliss.

��Course!� Bliss looked affronted at the suggestion that he wouldn�t take good care of his aunt. Joxer grinned.

�So, nearly there now, huh?� Joxer looked pointedly at Strife�s huge belly.

�Yeah,� Strife patted his stomach, �Jay�s getting restless that�s for sure. Didn�t get much sleep last night, so me an� Cupe planned out Hades� punishment for the day.�

Joxer laughed and shook his head. �Between Ares, Cupid, Eris and you, I�d say the last nine months have been worse than Tartarus for Hades.�

�Yeah. I just still can�t believe he�s actually my father,� Strife bit his lip thoughtfully.

�Thinking you were Eris� child from an affair while they were lovers is no excuse for what he did!� Joxer said firmly.

�Oh *I* know,� Strife nodded, �Of all the petty, bitter� oh!�

�Strife?�

�Oh, ooooh Gods!� Strife grabbed Joxer�s hand and squeezed it, �Shit, Jox, ow, fuck!�

�Strife, is it time?� Joxer asked worriedly.

�Yeah, think so,� Strife groaned in pain.

Joxer took a deep breath, determined not to panic. �Okay, Dite!� he yelled.

Aphrodite appeared in a flash of pink. �Joxie, what, oh. Strife?�

�It�s time, could you please watch Bliss and Ariasta?� Joxer asked, carefully helping Strife to his feet.

�Of course,� she nodded.

Joxer walked Strife to a bedchamber and lay him down on the bed. �Arry, Cupid, Eris, Asclepius,� he called out, �Here now!�

�Oh shit, Jox,� Strife panted harshly, �Want Cupie, now.�

Cupid and Ares appeared first. Cupid immediately ran to the bed and climbed up behind Strife. �Baby, you okay?�

�Sorta,� Strife groaned, grabbing his husband�s hand. �Ah, fuck.�

Ares sat on the edge of the bed and took Strife�s other hand. �Where�s Asclepius?� he glanced back at Joxer, who hurried closer, putting a hand on Ares� shoulder.

�I called him, Eris too.�

�I�m here,� Asclepius flashed in. �Ares, Joxer move please. Cupid��

�I�m staying right here,� Cupid growled.

�I was going to say that,� Asclepius shook his head, grinning slightly.

�Oh, okay, good,� Cupid nodded.

�I want my mom too!� Strife yelled.

�Eris! Where the fuck are you?� Ares roared.

�Right here, keep your panties on!� Eris scowled as she appeared in the room. �Strife?� she ran to the bed, nearly knocking Asclepius over.

�Mom,� Strife smiled weakly.

�Okay, enough!� Asclepius smiled, �Can I do my job please?� Eris flushed and moved out of his way. Asclepius scanned Strife who was writhing in pain again.

�Ace, please,� Cupid said worriedly.

�He�s coming fast. I need to cut you open, Strife, like we talked about, okay?� Asclepius said gently.

�Do it,� Strife gasped.

Asclepius pushed Strife�s pants down round his hips and flashed his shirt away. Running a hand over Strife�s belly, he checked the baby and numbed the area at the same time. Flashing in a scalpel and cloths, he began to make the incision.

Cupid clung to Strife, holding him tightly, whispering into his ear. Joxer gently pushed Ares over to Eris. Understanding, Ares took his sister in his arms and hugged her.

A tiny cry echoed in the room and Asclepius gently cleaned up the newborn God, wrapping him in a blanket before handing him to a silently weeping Strife.

�Oh baby,� Cupid whispered, blinking back his own tears. �He�s perfect.�

Asclepius ran his hands over Strife�s stomach again, healing the wound he�d made.

Strife stared in wonder at his son, gently stroking the red, crying bundle. �Oh, Cupie,� he gasped. He tipped his head back and smiled up at his husband. Cupid kissed him gently. Ares let go of Eris and she sat on the bed. �Hey, mom, isn�t he cute?�

She smiled, �Beautiful, just like his dads.�

�Aw, Cupie, he�s got your eyes, look!� Strife grinned.

Ares and Joxer moved closer. Joxer leaned over and gave both parents a kiss on the cheek. �Well done,� he whispered.

�Dad,� Cupid smiled at Ares, �Look, he looks a little like Ariasta.�

Ares smiled back, �Yeah, he does. Do you want your mom and Bliss now?� Cupid nodded.

�Yeah, Bliss has been really impatient about seeing his brother,� Strife chuckled.

�Dite,� Ares called. His sister flashed in with Bliss and Ariasta.

�Daddies!� Bliss raced up to the bed and clambered up to sit next to Strife. �Jay,� he grinned, �I�m a big brother!�

�Yep, short man, you are,� Strife chuckled.

Bliss leaned over and very carefully kissed his brother. �No wings though,� he pouted.

�No sweetie, no wings,� Cupid ruffled his son�s blond curls.

Joxer took Ariasta from Aphrodite so she could go and meet her grandson. She grinned proudly at Cupid and Strife. �My sweet boys,� she sighed happily, stroking Jay�s downy hair.

�See Jay, daddy?� Ariasta squirmed impatiently.

��Course, honey,� Joxer carried closer and she looked down happily. Joxer stroked her dark hair.

Ares wrapped his arms round them both and sighed contentedly, smiling at his beloved family.

the end