Show it comes from: Hercules The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Cupid.

Title: Family ties

Author: Adalisa

Feedback: I really need it this time... It helps to cheer me up.

Distribution: My site, Cupid's archive, I'm not sure if it has the requirements to be archived at Joxerotica, anyone else, just ask.

Summary: Trevor has just reunited his 97 couple and gets the chance to correct a few mistakes of his past.

Rating: G? I mean, I don't think it rates a Pg-13 only for discussion of slash subjects...

Disclaimer: Hercules, Iolaus and all the Hercules characters belong to Renassainse Pictures, who also own Joxer, Xena and Gabrielle. The Greek gods and goddess belong to mythology and Greek culture. Trevor, Champ and Claire belong to ABC, who never knew what they had. I am not making any money out of this, really. I don't even get to hold them a little while. So please, don't sue. With the peso-dollar exchange, you would end up loosing money if I paid.

Content: Let's see... H/I, J/Ares, X/G, Trevor/Champ...

Warning: This has m/m, and some f/f mentions.

Spoilers: The whole Cupid series.

Notes: Too many. First, this is humor, not to be taken seriously. Second, it's set on the same universe as the "Yes Virginia, there is an Hercules" episode and the "Xena Scrolls" episode, where it's stated that Hercules is immortal and living in the XX century as "Kevin Sorbo" (so this Kevin is not supposed to be the same as the real life actor, as this is NOT an Actor fic.) and that Joxer is a writer for the Xena series. Third... well, this story has a lot of meaning to me. I began writing it when my cat had her first litter, two beautiful kitties named Han and Luke and I wrote the last page when Han died on the veterinary, because of internal injuries. I know most of you don't care about this, but it's the reason why I really need cheering up. Oh, and this is the longest fic I've ever written. Hope you enjoy it!

By Adalisa.

It was all Claire Allen's fault.

Albert Torrance, better known as Champ Torrance had entered Taggerty's with a smile on his face. His day had started in the most perfect way possible.

For the first time in six months his roommate Trevor Hale hadn't woke him up with a stupid plan to get a couple together, nor to intrude in his own non-existent love life, but instead they had had a friendly, peaceful breakfast.

They had known each other for about two years, and ever since day one Champ had fallen in love with his joyful and somewhat crazy roommate. Very soon, after 10 min. of talking to him, Champ had discovered that Trevor believed himself to be Cupid, Greek-roman god of Love, exiled to Earth due to the messy state of relationships. In the following months, Trevor had acted obsessed about his so-called mission, and almost everyday Champ would see him work to the brink of exhaustion in the name of love.

Not today.

Today, to celebrate the 97th couple match, Trevor had decided to give himself the day off.

And even when the number meant that Champ was close to lose the man he loved, the actor couldn't stop his heart from almost bursting with happiness.

Until he arrived to the bar and saw Trevor, lining up tequila' shots.

Champ knew very well that it only meant that his friend was depressed. The kind of depression that only lead to disaster or near death because of alcohol poisoning.

"Trevor? What's wrong?" The actor asked, as his mind listed all the terrible possibilities of what could be wrong.

"Everything!" Trevor turned around, and Champ could see the sadness filling his friend's eyes. "Me. The fact that it took me two years to match 97 couples. The fact that no one believes in love anymore...Love is becoming obsolete because couples are looking for checklists. There's no spark, no bang, no passionate weekends in Vegas... There's no magic."

"What did Claire said now?" Champ sat in front of the line of glasses, looking straight into Trevor's eyes.

"She's wondering what will I do when I finish my job and nothing happens." The powerless god admitted, staring to the tequila shots as if he tried to avoid Champ's eyes. "And she got me doubting myself.... Because... in two years I've been alone. No sign of my family, except for the time when Grandfather came, two years ago. And he didn't tell me anything...."

"She still believes that you're crazy, right?"

"Doesn't everybody think that?" Trevor looked away, but he was not fast enough to make Champ miss the utter despair that those words had caused him.

"No. I believe you." The words came out of Champ's mouth almost by themselves. He had never meant for Trevor to know that secret, never wanted to admit it to himself. But once the secret was out, it was impossible to deny. "Even if you don't have wings, or a bow, or powers.... You've done more for love in this city than anyone, man. That's why I believe you. And I know exactly what you need now."

"A good hang-over?" Trevor's eyes lightened up a little, as he remembered the only time when he had got drunk... A time when he had almost throw rules aside, because he had fallen in love with the mortal in front of him.

Of course, he had never told Champ that, and so, the memory remained as a joke. Their moment.

"An apology. I'll go and get Claire, and she'll apologize for all what she has said when she should have stayed silent."

"For that you will need more help than what my Uncle Herc had during his jobs." Trevor stated, sighing.

"We will see. " Champ grabbed his jacket and left the bar, not without turning for one last advice. "Just don't go and drink all that until I get back!"

"That's a good friend you have there." A blond man on the bar told Trevor, before emptying his glass with one glup. "Mind if I take one of those?"

"You look like you need a friend yourself." The exiled god smiled and walked to stand in front of the man. Even when he was depressed, and wanted nothing more than forget everything about his life, Trevor had never been able to walk away from a sad person. Especially not when it was almost palpable that he suffered from a love wound. "What happened?"

"Does it matter?" The man smiled weakly, his blue eyes shining in the pale light of the bar. There was something familiar in that smile, but Trevor couldn't quite place what was it.

"Experience tells me that hangovers ain't so bad if you tell someone why you're getting drunk before you start."

"Are they?" The smile was back, this time more sincere. And it suit him very well, in Trevor's opinion. It was a smile that could easily charm men and women with no effort. "I just cancelled my divorce... and I know that's the worst decision I've made in my life." As he finished, the man drank the first glass in the line of shots.

"Then why are you doing it?"

The question seemed to catch the man unaware, as he stared into the distance, as if looking at a memory.

"Why I am doing it?"

* * *

Champ's courage began to dawdle a little when he got on the bus.

He really wanted to make Claire apologize for everything, but he didn't had any idea of how to get her to do that.

After all, it wasn't as if he could barge into her office and say...

"You cannot go against what _he_ says! No one knows more about love than Cupid! If he thinks those two should be married, then they must!"

Champ blinked as he heard a tall, thin man say exactly what he wanted to say to Claire. Or at least, something close enough. The thin man was wearing a pair of faded jeans, and a black t-shirt with the Xena: Warrior Princess logo on the back. He was talking to other man, who was taller and bulkier, and at the moment not paying attention at all, more interested in reading his newspaper.

"Then, just as Hercules finishes his speech, " The first man continued, as he struggled to change the page of the script he was holding without loosing the other pages... and without much success, making everyone around chuckle. "Cupid makes himself visible, looking miserable and says 'No, uncle. It's fine. If they want to listen to Hera's lies, then it's fine with me.'"

"Cupid would never act like that." Champ said, not even questioning why he was interrupting a semi-private conversation. "He would stick up for the couple in love, not thinking about his own safety."

"You're a fan of the show?" The man turned around, not annoyed but surprised. Now Champ could see that he had brown-green eyes half-hidden by glasses, and a very open smile.

"Not exactly," Champ apologized immediately. The truth was that he didn't have much time to watch t.v. but Trevor had. And two shows he almost never missed were Hercules and Xena. Most of the time, to point the many changes made by the writers to his family' story. "But a friend of mine is an expert on Greek Mythology and we have talked a lot about that..."

"So, you think Cupid shouldn't let Hercules deal with his troubles?"

"Well, yes." Even when he usually didn't correct Writers, when he had had the chance to work on a t.v. show, there was something in the other man' smile that made it easy for Champ to continue. "I mean, Hercules is the hero, but Cupid couldn't be that weak."

"He's right, Jack." The man reading the newspaper spoke up for the first time, smiling as he took off his dark glasses to show a pair of green eyes. "You've been making Cupid kind of wimpy in the last episodes."

Jack looked at his traveling companion, shrugging. "Well, he is living under his mom's shadow..."

"His father's." Champ corrected again, this time more sure of his words. "Cupid is the son of Ares too. I think he would be more interested into impressing him. "

"You and your friend must talk a lot about the myths." The taller man said.

"Well, he can make it sound as if he had lived in those times. " Champ admitted. It was true too. He had never shown much interest in greek myths, until Trevor appeared in his life... Until Trevor made all the old legends interesting.

"Mr. Sorbo does that too." Jack said, smiling. "Only that many of the things he tells aren't good for t.v."

"Jack..."

The warning came a little too late, and Champ finally recognized the man behind the paper. "You're... You're Kevin Sorbo, right?"

"Right." Kevin smiled and offered his hand. "And you're...?"

"Ah... Champ Torrance..." He tried to keep calm, but emotion was gaining ground. "I'm an actor too..."

"Your friend... The one who knows all about Greece... Is he and actor too?" Jack asked, showing a little mistrust.

"Trevor? No. He's a bartender." That seemed to ease Jack's suspicion and thus, Champ continued. "If you ever want to hear about ancient Greece, he's the one you should ask. He know's everything. It's as if the Greek gods were part of his family."

"Really?" Kevin seemed genuinely interested now." And were can we meet your friend? Maybe Jack could use some tips..."

"He works at Taggerties." Champ answered, as he searched his pockets for a piece of paper to write the address. "Just ask for Trevor Hale. I would take you there myself but I've got an urgent appointment."

"It's o.k." Jack shrugged, as he shook Champ's hand. "Mr. Sorbo and I have a meeting too. But maybe we can drop by and meet your friend."

"Great..." Suddeny, Champ frowned. "Ah... excuse me the cliché... But what's a famous actor like you doing in a bus like this?"

Hearing this, Kevin smiled. "I wanted to see Chicago."

"So I decided to take a bus ride..." Jack continued. "That way we can go to our meeting at the Sears Tower..."

"What?" Champ shook his head. " You can't get to the Sears Tower through this route." Seeing the surprised looks on both men's faces, Champ decided to continue. "We have to get down here, and I'll show you what's the best route to get there and see the city."

"But... your other engagement?" Kevin asked, very polite.

"I have a few minutes to spare..." Champ answered as he walked to the end of the buss followed by the actor and the writer.

* * *

"So we got married, right?" The blond man, Iam, was telling Trevor as he downed yet another Tequila shot. "Everybody was telling me it was time to settle down. To stop going to the ends of earth and get a quiet job in a good college. And Anie... She was... Well, then it was different. We were happy."

"Then why the divorce?" Trevor asked gently, while he tried to remember where he had seen the other man before.

"We grew distant... Just after a year of marriage." Iam said, suddenly serious. "I really tried to make it work, but... my life was too boring. I missed going to excavations... And Anie couldn't see that. I went to Greece a year ago, and she didn't like me going without here. Sure, I should've called more than once, try to salvage our marriage... But being there... It was almost like being home. Am I making sense?"

"A lot." Trevor had to blink so his new friend wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. What Iam was describing was homesickness. A feeling he knew very well. "So... she asked for the divorce?"

"No. I did." Iam held the seventh shoot, considering the possibility of drinking it. "After the dreams began."

"Dreams?"

* * *

"Damn!" Champ closed his eyes, trying to contain his anger. After leaving Jack and Kevin on the right bus, he had tried unsuccessfully to get back on his own. The first bus that had passed was too full and the second hadn't even slowed.

And he really had to hurry if he wanted to find Claire in her office.

But when he was about to run to the next spot, he was distracted by the most glorious vision of beauty he had ever seen.

A blonde woman, with long, glowing, curly hair, dressed in a miniskirt and short blouse, looking at a flat tire of a corvette with a sweet childish pout. As if she could convince the tire to fix itself just by the sadness of her eyes.

"Do you need help, miss?"

"Oh, yes!" She beamed at him, with a smile very much like Trevor's when he matched a new couple. "I am like, terrible doing the manual thingie, and I promised my brother that I would pick him up in 15 minutes..."

"If you have a spare, I can fix it in five..." Champ offered, still dazed by the beauty of her reaction. And with complete trust, she gave him the keys so he could start working.

"Thank you so much! Arry would kill me if I get late... He promised to help me find my son and..."

"You look far too young to have a son." Champ chuckled, without taking his eyes away from the tire.

"Oohh! That's a great line!" She giggled, slapping his shoulder. "You do know how to talk to a girl!"

"What happened to your son?" When her face became somber, Champ wanted to kick himself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"No, it's o.k. Hephie has told me a lot of times that I need to talk to someone outside the family..." She smiled again, kneeling down to see Champ work. "And I really love to see a man doing hard work... looking all manly... So it will cheer me up." The actor lifted an eyebrow at this, but didn't comment as she kept speaking. "You see, it was really not Cupie's fault. He was just confused and depressed... It's an age thing I guess... And Dad... His grandfather that is, he should've never throw him out of the house. It took us two years to find out he was in Chicago."

"Must be hard for a kid to live two years on his own." Champ muttered, a little nervous by the woman's closeness. He also wondered what kind of name was 'Cupie' for a kid, but he kept that for himself.

"Oh, Cupie can take care for himself... He has always been able, 'coz everyone knows I'm not the best mother...." She continued, apparently unaware of Champ's growing nervousness. "The thing is, I miss him. I might be the worst mom around, and we have had our little fights. But he should be with his family."

"That's true." The new tire was on it's place, and she beamed, kissing Champ's cheeks before he could move away.

"You're my savior!!" She giggled. "A true hero who deserves a reward!"

"I... I really have to get going..."

"I'll give you a ride." She insisted, pulling Champ to the passenger seat. "Where to?"

"To... the... psychiatric center..." He stammered, hoping that it would make her withdraw her offer.

"Cool! That's where I have to pick Arry!"

* * *

After serving two more beers, Trevor returned his attention to Iam, who was now talking to his ninth shot.

The archeologist had a very good resistance to alcohol and while telling Trevor the sad story of his marriage, his voice hadn't quivered once. If anything, he had only loosened up more.

Iam told him all about his dreams in Greece, his companions in lonely nights when he saw himself not with his wife Anie, but with another man. A man he had never seen in his life. But a man who in those dreams meant everything to Iam.

"Anie didn't took that well..." The archeologist continued, when Trevor was back at his side. "So she took us to a marriage councilor."

"And the shrink used a lot of psychobabble to convince you you're wrong." Trevor' smile became tender. He was getting to really like his newest friend.

"Ooh... yeah..." Iam chuckled as he downed his shot. "I can't deny that Dr. Allen knows how to convince you you're wrong!"

* * *

"How do you _DARE_ to assume that _I_ might need viagra?!!!"

Champ and the blonde woman, who had only introduced herself as 'Dite and insisted on calling him 'muffin', where only entering the aisle that lead to Claire's office when the furious yell frozen them in their tracks just in time to see a very enraged man coming out from said office.

"What _I_ need..." The man's brown eyes glowed as he spoke, highlighting his carefully combed black hair, and his trimmed beard. Since he was dressed in a black suit, it only made him look more dangerous. "... is someone who understands me, someone who can tell me when to stop, to relax... Someone who loves me as I am and don't tries to change just to pleasure me!! And you dare to presume that I am just looking for some brief erotic gratification?! What kind of fraud are you?!"

"BRAVO!!" 'Dite began clapping when Claire came out too, following her enraged client. "Arry, I've waited way too long to hear you say that!!"

"Mr. Krieg, I think it's hardly appropriate..." Claire ignored completely the audience that her patient had attracted, focusing in 'Dite's brother. However, Champ was not going to miss that opening.

"It's very appropriate!" He yelled, making Claire look at him. "In fact, I cane here to tell you exactly that!"

"Champ... What are you...?"

"You know exactly what I am doing here!" The actor continued while 'Dite calmed the enraged 'Arry' Krieg. "Trevor is at Taggerty's once again depressed and contemplating the odds of getting the whole city drunk with one bottle of Tequila, and it's only because of you and your so-called treatment!"

"What? Look, Champ, you know as well as I do that Trevor's problems..."

"So now they're 'Trevor's problems'? After you've told half Chicago that he says he's Cupid, after you've _written_ a book about him without even asking for his approval, now they're his 'problems'?"

"Champ, Trevor's delusional state will only get worse when he pushes more couples together and nothing happens. And as his psychiatrist it's my duty to..."

"Apologize to him, right now." Champ interrupted her, unaware that both 'Dite and her brother had been listening very carefully to the exchange. "I know you can leave the office empty for a while, so you'll come with me and in the way you're going to remember all the small miracles we've witnessed since Trevor came to our lives, and you'll apologize and tell him you'll believe in him."

"Why should I?" Claire answered, angered. "Champ, I don't know what has gotten into you, but Trevor is _not_ the greek-roman god of love, even if he has lucked out and helped some couples!"

"97 couples, Claire! More than your 'singles' group!" Then Champ pointed to her left hand, to the little diamond ring she treasured there. "You and Alex were number five, even if Trevor never told you."

"I..." She lifted her hand, suddenly ashamed. She had gloated to Trevor not only that Alex had proposed, but also that she still hadn't give him an answer.

"I can give you a ride." 'Dite suddenly interrupted, only that now Champ thought that her smile was hiding something. But he dismissed it soon. A ride meant that he would be back to Taggerty's sooner, and that he would be with Trevor before things got out of hand.

* * *

"I dunno..." Iam was finally starting to sound drunk, after his 12th shot. And now Trevor knew exactly whom the archeologist reminded him of. One of his biggest screw-ups in a long time. He was sure that if the Fates were giving him a second chance, he was not going to mess it up.

"You know it's what you want." The exiled god told the confused mortal man. "If you two stay married, is just a matter of time before resentment appears. And being miserable won't help you."

"But I dunno if the man I saw in my dreams even exists!"

"You just have to believe." Trevor insisted. "You never know when your true love will walk in through those doors."

Just as he said so, Champ, Claire, 'Dite and her brother came through the doors. Seeing them, Trevor's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Oh... I see what you mean..." Iam chuckled, trying to grab a new shot. "They're not the one in my dream, but I still would pause to see dark tall and handsome..."

"I think we just found you limit, Iam..." Trevor took away the remaining shots, under the childish pout of his friend. "No more tequila for you tonight."

Iam continued complaining softly, but Trevor didn't hear it. He was already on his way to Champ and his group.

"Hey, Champ..." he began, not sure of how to continue.

Champ was also hesitant. He had no idea how to make Claire apologize, now that she was there with them. And there was the fact of...

"Cupie!!" It was 'Dite the one who broke the silence, throwing herself at Trevor's arms, followed by the less euphoric 'Arry' who simply patted the barman's shoulder.

"We've been looking for you son!"

"What's going on??" Claire asked, suddenly taken aback. She didn't knew who 'Dite was, but she and her 'brother' looked younger than Trevor. They couldn't be his parents.

"You better sit down, Claire. You're in for a shock." Trevor smiled at her and lead the group to a table hidden from the rest. "I'm afraid we don't have wine, dad... Is beer all right?" He continued, addressing 'Arry'.

"Whatever you want. Finding you is reason enough for a celebration!!"

Champ had watched the whole exchange in silence, until Trevor pulled him towards the bar. "Time to work, Champ."

"Are... they...? Are they really...?" Champ began asking, looking from his beloved friend to the couple sitting with Claire.

"Mom and Dad." Trevor admitted, joyful as he served three beers. "Aphrodite, goddess of Beauty and Love, Ares, God of War..."

"Wow."

"You still believe me?" At this, Trevor seemed afraid of the answer.

"Why shouldn't I?" Seeing Trevor relax, Champ continued. "You never told me your mom called you 'Cupie'."

"I tried to make her stop... But when she gets her mind set on something... It's impossible to make her relent."

"I noticed that." Both men looked at each other, and laughed. "You need any help?"

"No... I think I can handle Claire..." Trevor grabbed the three jars and looked at the still sorrowful man in the bar. "Can you keep an eye on Iam?"

"Sure."

At the table, Aphrodite and Ares were looking the exchange between the two men, smiling.

"He looks happy, doesn't he, Arry?"

Before he could answer, Claire cleared her throat. "Excuse me... If you're really Trevor's relatives... you should know that he is suffering from a severe delusional state." She was already trying to overcome her shock and in her mind she had decided that if this two were in any way related to Trevor, they could be helpful on his recovery.

"Trevor. It's a cute name. But why do you say he's crazy?" Aphrodite blinked, leaving Claire attonished.

"Well, it's obvious... He says he's the god of love..."

"What else could the son of Beauty and War be?" Ares accompanied his words with a wink and three lit candles and a vase with roses appeared on the table.

"Don't do that." Trevor came in with the beers, looking at his father with what seemed like an admonishing stare. "Unless you want Hephasteus chasing you all over the world... again."

At the bar, Iam blinked, surprised. "Did that guy just materializhed candles?"

"Yeah." Champ shrugged. The archeologist was drunk so whatever he saw would be forgotten in the morning. "Impressive, isn't it?"

"You're a good friend." Iam suddenly said, looking straight into Champ's eyes. "You really care about him, dontcha?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well... you left your work to get Dr. Claire to apologizhe..."

"You know Claire?" Champ tried to pay attention to Iam, but it was a little hard to do as Aphrodite and Ares kept showing off all their godliness by rearranging their table under the sunned looks of Claire, and Trevor's embarrassment. Strangely enough no one else seemed to notice.

"She almost convinced me of not getting a divorce, then Trevor told me to trust my heart." Iam sighed, and then chuckled. "He really got me believing that one day my true love will come walking casually into my life."

"I think this is the place..." Jack smiled at Kevin, whose eyes immediately fixed on the changing table.

"Why don't you go to the bar?" Kevin proposed to Jack, sounding a little worried. "I just seen someone I know..."

Jack nodded, used to Kevin's dismissals and walked towards the bar where Champ waved to him while Iam only stared at Kevin's back.

"I can't believe it..." The archeologist whispered, unheard by the others.

"Herckie?" Aphrodite beamed at her half-brother, pre-empting whatever he was going to say. "What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you two the same thing." The demi-god asked, unsure. He was not used to see his sister, and the last time he had seen his brother it hadn't been on good terms.

"What is this? A family reunion?" Trevor joked as he returned from talking to someone in another table.

"And who's this supposed to be?" Claire managed to ask, as she regained the use of her voice.

"Claire, I want you to meet my uncle, Hercules." Trevor said, while the other man only looked at him, surprised. But when their eyes meet, the demi-god face lightened up.

"Cupid? But... what... how?"

"It's a long story, unc." Trevor looked at the bar, and to his uncle again. "Wait here. There's someone you have to meet."

At the bar, Champ and Jack were talking while Iam just stared at Hercules. Trevor saw this and smiled. It had been a while since he had seen that look in someone.

A look that promised eternal love and loyalty.

"Iam?" He asked him, softly. Trying not to startle the archeologist. "Would you like to meet him?"

"Wha? " It seemed to pull Iam out of his daze, as he blushed immediately. "What? Now? But.. How do... How did you know?"

"He has experience with that." Champ interrupted, shrugging. "I would take the chance."

Iam rose, still blushing. "Maybe... I shouldn't have drink that much..."

Trevor just patted his back, and guided him to the table where his parents and uncle were talking.

"Uncle Herc?" He asked, calling the demi-god attention. Hercules turned around, ready to answer when his eyes set on the archeologist. "This is Iam Hunter. He's an archeologist, with a speciality in ancient Greece. Going to get divorced soon and dreams to have an adventure. He also likes fishing, hunting and helping to make this world a better place." Then, he turned to Iam. "This is my uncle Hercules. Don't say anything about the name. He has done a little of everything, loves Greece, hates injustice."

"I... don't think I have anything more to add..." Hercules grinned, looking at Iam with a warm expression. "Do... you ... ah... want to drink something?"

"I've drink way too much today, Herc..." Iam smiled too, feeling all his doubts wash away. "But if you have time... We could have dinner together..."

"Sounds like a plan, Iam..." With a nod to the other occupants of the table, and a wave to Jack, Hercules rose from his seat and both men left the place.

"More than twenty centuries, and he still calls our brother 'Herc'" Ares snorted. "Took you some time, son."

Trevor shrugged. "I learned my lesson. And even without powers, I can do a miracle or two." He and Ares laughed, while Aphrodite only smiled around her glass.

"I can't believe it!" Jack said, upon seeing Hercules and Iam leave. "If I had known that Mr. Sorbo leaned our way..."

"Our way?" Champ lifted an eyebrow, but Jack only smiled at him sheepely.

"I'm not blind. You've eating your friend alive with your eyes." Jack sighed, looking at the door again. "I've seen enough broken hearts and unrequited love to know it's face."

"You have?"

"I was going to marry, a year ago." The writer smiled at the memory. "Gabie was beautiful. A dream woman to anyone. But before the wedding, I began having second thoughts. Then I noticed that Gabie was spending too much time with our best friend, Zena... And I was more interested in seeing my best man, Autie."

"Did it work?" Champ looked at Jack, surprised at the sudden seriousness of the man who had been acting as a clown when they had meet.

"Zena and Gabie are adopting a kid..." Jack shrugged. "But Autie and I drifted apart after a couple of months. I'm still looking for Mr. Right..."

"And Mr. Sorbo...?" The actor smiled, inviting him to continue.

"Not really my type."

"And what's your type?" Trevor interrupted, carrying two empty mugs.

"You remembered you work here?" Champ teased, handing him two filled mugs.

"Champ, you wouldn't deny me the pleasure of seeing Claire in shock, would you?" Trevor answered. "She'll never say again that I'm not the God of Love."

"You don't look a lot like Cupid." Jack mused.

"It's not the looks. It's the service, my friend." The exiled god grinned, challenging. "What's your type?"

Jack frowned, but licked his lips. "Dark, tall, handsome." Was his immediate answer. "Someone who laughs with me, not at me. Strong, but not afraid to show his feelings. A man with a big sense of family and with a sense of humor."

"Any preferences in hair or eye color?" Trevor asked, so seriously that Jack smirked.

"Black hair, brown eyes... Hairy chest."

"Done!" Trevor started to walk away, but Champ stopped him.

"Are you crazy?" The actor whispered, just outside Jack's hearing range. "Where are you going to find someone like that?"

"Looking around." Trevor answered, full of confidence. "Say... where did you found my father?"

"At Claire's, why?"

"What was Ares doing there?"

Champ frowned, as he considered the question. "He was... saying that he needed someone who loved him... for himself."

"Exactly."

"Trevor, you can't pair Jack with the God of War!!"

"Why not?" Trevor shrugged. "Love doesn't know boundaries."

"But... Ares is..." Champ stammered, confused.

"A god. But a nice one." As Champ didn't seem to have a good answer, Trevor continued. "Trust me here."

"Say Cupie!" Aphrodite said as her son walked again towards the table. "You wouldn't happen to have a small miracle for your father at your pocket, do you?"

"Why do you ask?" Trevor managed to sound innocent, even when he knew what his mother meant. Pairing Ares with anyone had been an obsession of her for centuries.

But his mother wasn't following the game. Instead, she pouted cutely. "Cupie! C'mon! I know you can find Arry someone!" Ares simply mumbled under his breath as his son seemed to consider something, so 'Dite continued. "And since Hades let all souls loose... maybe you could try and find his intended sweetie!"

"Who? Tall, thin, a little clumsy but with a great heart? Can make us laugh no matter how bad the situation is?" Trevor gesticulated with his hands as he spoke, as if he was sketching something. "Terrible sense of style, and tends to tell deities we ain't so great?"

"Are you going to tell me you've seen _Joxer_ lately?" Ares growled, even when in the back of his mind, he was hoping that the answer was affirmative.

"Who's Joxer?" Claire asked again, pinching herself. Now she was sure that this was all a dream. "God of practical jokes?"

"No, that's Cupie's cousin, Strife." Aphrodite giggled, not annoyed by the interruption.

"Since I'm in a good week, I think you might like to meet a friend of mine." Trevor pointed to the bar, where Jack was laughing with Champ and Ares looked up just in time to see when the thin mortal tripped and almost made two chairs fall to the floor.

"It's impossible! How could you...?" The god of War turned to see his son, but Trevor's face was the mask of seriousness.

"Secrets of the trade. Anyway, his name now is Jack, he was just telling me he is waiting for a tall, dark, handsome greek god, and if you need more help than that, I'll deny that you're my father!"

"What happened to the no sex with mortals rule?" Claire asked, wondering if this was her subconscious trying to tell her that she was really attracted to Trevor and if a good slap would wake her up.

"It only affects exiled gods." Trevor and Aphrodite answered at the same time, so Claire shook her head. She was starting to hate her subconscious.

A few minutes later, Ares and Jack left the bar togheter, which made Aprhodite' smile grow and Claire groan. For a dream, it all looked like a nightmare.

"Guess those were your 99 couple, right Trevor?" Champ asked, as he washed the last mugs that the gods had used.

"I don't know yet if they'll count as a couple, but I think so."

"Of course they count!" Aphrodite sat at the bar, with her bill in hand. "But they're not the 99th."

"Why not?" Trevor frowned, looking at his mother. "Are you going to tell me that Hercules and Iola... Iam are not going to count?!"

"They count too." The goddess continued, holding her son's hands. "Herkie and Sweetcheeks were the 99, Arry and Joxie the 100th." A strange glow came out of the goddess hands, taking the shape of a golden bow. "Welcome back, son. You got the count mixed up, and it is time for you to realize it."

With that, she disappeared in a golden cloud.

Trevor held the bow, reverently. "I can't... I can't believe this..."

"Why don't you try it?" Claire came to them, looking as cynical and unbelieving as always.

"Are you o.k. with this, Claire?" Champ asked her, puzzled.

"This is a dream. The whole thing comes from the stress Trevor puts in my life." She shrugged and sat near the still quiet god. "I guess I want to see what my subconscious makes out of this."

Trevor breathed deeply and rose the bow. There was a couple in the back of the room that he had been trying to join for months. But when he was going to draw the weapon, a pair of strong hand stopped him.

"You don't have to prove her anything, Trevor." Champ said, looking right into Trevor's eyes. "You _know_ the truth, and that's enough."

Trevor lowered his bow and sighed deeply. For a moment, it was as if only Champ and himself existed. Mentally, in a split second thanks to his renewed powers, he revised all the couples he had reunited... he knew they were 99.

Then he knew that was wrong. As his mother had hinted, he had missed one. The one he had reunited the first day on earth. And then he couldn't think anymore because Champ leaned down and kissed him.

Rational thinking was no longer welcomed in the god's mind.

And _then_ he realized that in all his years, he had never felt true, pure, unmistakable love directed at him.

Because Champ's kiss was as sweet as ambrosia, as needed as the next breath for a mortal.

They parted all too soon, and for a moment, they didn't talk. But the silence couldn't last forever, and Champ had to break it before his feelings made his heart burst with happiness.

"Trevor... Cupid... I love you."

Trevor was about to answer, when suddenly a golden glow began to surround his body, growing so bright that Champ and Claire had to close his eyes to avoid being blinded.

"Oh... Zeus... Not now..." Trevor's voice sounded weird, shaky with emotions.

Champ heard a sharp intake of breath and then another voice, male and younger than what Claire expected.

"Do I disappoint you now?"

The woman opened her eyes, and decided that she _had_ to be dreaming.

In the exact same place where Trevor had been standing, now was a man in his late twenties, blond and with a slight darkening beard. His tanned chest showed muscles that shone under the bar lights as he only wore leather pants and boots, as well as two metal bracelets. In his right arm, Claire could see a complicated tattooed band with a heart in the middle. He was also wearing a heart shaped necklace. In short, he looked like a Calvin Klein model... except for the pair of white feather wings on his back.

And Champ looked as surprised as her. Maybe even more.

"I'll go now..." The male vision of beauty said, and suddenly Claire recognized the eyes. The eyes that looked like if this had a eternal homesickness and a joke at the same time.

"Wait... Trevor..." Champ finally reacted, and now moved to touch... Cupid's?.. arm. The god just looked at his friend, surprised. "I didn't fall in love with how you look. I fell in love with whom _you_ are."

"Somebody slap me!" Claire yelled really annoyed with her subconscious delusions. "I want _out_ of this dream!"

The two men looked at her, and a mischievous smile appeared on the god's face.

"Trevor? Can I?" Champ asked, growing more at ease now that the familiar gestures were appearing on the god's behavior.

"No, Champ." Cupid answered, smiling more as he got closer to Claire. "She's mine." With that, he slapped her face lightly, making his former psychologist's eyes grow with shock. So he gently grabbed her cheeks to force her to look at him. "Claire... I worked way too much for you and Alex. Don't let him go, ever. If you mess it up, I'll come back and leave you both looking like pincushions! Understood?"

Then he kissed her forehead, returned to Champ's side, and both men disappeared in a flash of white light.

* * *

Three days later, Claire finally accepted that Champ and Trevor were not coming back.

She even was ready to accept that what had happened that day had been true.

So, alone in her house while she finished packing to go to New York at Alex' side, she turned on the computer and opened the word processor.

And wrote eight words.

The Magic in Love

By Dr. Claire Allen.

The End.

-Familiy Ties

---

Adalisa

Whiteknight's Lady of the AU's.

Keeper of Obi-Wan's desire to wring Anakin's neck during THAT scene in TPM