Now Comes The Night
Setting: Sometime after 'Old Ares had a Farm.'
Disclaimer: I don't own them. It's highly depressing, but true. :(
Summary: A moment between Xena and Ares.
This is my first try at a more angst type of story. I was listening to that Rob Thomas song Here Comes the Night, and this idea sort of popped into my head. Hopefully you'll like it. :)
The night breeze was cool and comforting as it settled around Xena, reminding her of memories from long ago. She smiled to herself as she thought back to the many summers spent on this old farm. She lied down on her back and slowly stretched her arms out, enjoying the way the grass felt against her skin. She placed one hand beneath her head as the other lie beside her. She stayed like that for several minutes and soon became lost in her thoughts, before the sound of the steps creaking signaled an end to her quiet moment.
"You know there are beds inside." The smugness in Ares' voice made her roll her eyes.
Xena released an exasperated sigh, and didn't bother responding to him as she continued staring up at the darkened sky. Ares glanced at her and hesitated only a second before moving to sit down beside her.
"What are you doing?" He looked at her as if she had temporarily lost her mind.
"Just looking at the stars," She replied. "You should try it." She waited for his sarcastic comeback, but it never came. Instead he just laid down beside her, and rested both his hands behind his head.
A short silence settled between them as they both simply stared up at the sky.
"The stars almost look like you could reach out and touch them." He whispered as if he were speaking to himself.
She glanced at him, slightly startled by the calmness she heard in his voice.
He knew she was looking at him, but he continued as if he had forgotten she was there. "And even though you know you never will, you're still tempted to try. No matter how pointless it is." His last few words contained a hint of sadness.
"Nothing is impossible." She said, drawing his attention, as she wondered for a moment whether they were still talking about the stars. "You never know what can happen." She stared into his eyes for a few lingering seconds before looking away.
The calm silence returned as Xena closed her eyes and tried to focus on the sounds of the night around her. A minute later she felt Ares' hand lightly cover hers; and when she opened her eyes she found him still staring up at the stars. She surprised herself by not instinctively pulling away. For a moment she chose to forget about who he was, and who she was. Slowly she intertwined her fingers with his then she once again closed her eyes. She couldn't stop the smile that gradually appeared on her face when she felt him slightly shift; she knew that he was now looking at her. The silence continued and held within it the words that neither dared to speak.
Suddenly gasping for air Xena opened her eyes, to find herself surrounded by forest trees instead of an old farm. It had all been just a dream of a non too distant memory. She cursed under her breath as she slowly sat up in her bedroll, and tried in vain to stop the feelings of pain and guilt from overwhelming her.
Unwanted images quickly invaded her mind; a powerless sword, a lifeless body, and a broken promise. Angrily she clenched the silver chain that she held in her hand. Without flinching she felt as the dagger pendant pierced her skin, and drops of her own blood trickled down her fingers and onto the ground. Silent tears fell from her eyes as she laid back down and stared up at the now starless sky.
THE END
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