The Test
Disclaimer-I don't own them/please don't sue me
This takes place after Coming Home provided Xena let Ares travel with them
Xena took a sniff and wrinkled her nose in disgust at the concoction she just put together. She was about to suggest they chuck it and go to town when she noticed Ares half way finished with his portion of what could only be described as gruel. Poison gruel.
Gabrielle also stared in awe as the former God scrapped the last spoonful into his mouth. He then stretched out, laying his back against a tree and placing his hands over his stomach, his face in a contented grin.
"Gabrielle, I need to talk to you," the warrior said standing abruptly then turning to stride into the forest.
"Of course," replied the bard, quickly catching up to her friend.
"Did you see that?" Xena exclaimed in a hushed tone as she whipped around to face her friend.
"Maybe he was hungry," the bard quickly offered.
"No one is ever that hungry," Xena wryly retorted. Biting her knuckle she turned away from the blonde to ponder and pace.
When she turned back to Gabrielle her face was a mixture of true realization, sadness and something else the bard couldn't be sure of.
"He really loves me."
"I think the first hint we got was when he gave up his immortality for you," Gabrielle reminded Xena through a playful smile.
"I just couldn't help but to wonder if he did it knowing where a secret stash of ambrosia was hidden somewhere out there," Xena replied gravely.
Wanting to lighten the dark mood that instantly befell her friend, Gabrielle innocently smiled and turned saying, "Won't Ares be pissed to learn that all it took to prove his love to you was to eat your cooking!"
"Oh, you wouldn't dare!" The warrior yelled chasing her fiend back to the campsite.