Disclaimer: I don't own Xena: Warrior Princess or any of the characters in it so don't sue, I'm broke anyway.

AN: This takes place somewhere between her getting her God Killing powers and her finding out about them. I'm not sure about the exact episodes, but I don't think you need to know either to enjoy this short story.

O0o0O

He was playing his games again, taunting her with promises of protection for her child, but not giving it freely without price. Sometimes she could almost hate him for it. But there was just too much history between them to make that feeling stick.

So instead she kicked out masking her hurt with punches he couldn't actually feel, even still he blocked every attempt she made with cold efficiency and a pleased smile, as if he expected nothing less. It made her blood boil, so she finally unsheathed her sword swinging it in a perfect arc to cut across his shoulder, but the male bastard just blocked it laughing at her attempts. She could see that the glare she sent towards him almost made him disappear into thin air as if fearing the words she was already planning to spew his way, instead it made him waver and she fully used the opportunity to stab the sword through his chest.

"Now, now dear! That was uncalled for, what if it had actually ruined my leath…" he winced surprise written across his face as if suddenly feeling something completely unexpected. She looked down following his gaze to the sword running though his upper body, her entire being stilled seeing the blood dripping down the blade and smearing the ground red. Their eyes locked both unable to comprehend the scene they made, the sudden quiet was broken by a raspy cough coloring her face with his crimson life and leaving her feeling hollow.

She pulled out her sword – a gift from him, and dropped to her knees with him. He was already having difficulty breathing, and if before that wouldn't have made a difference now it signaled that his time was running out. She just sat there ignoring the tears that dropped down her face and mixed with the red pool of blood watering the earth beneath. She didn't move or say anything when he grabbed his own sword from his hip. If he wanted to kill her now, he could, it was within his rights. He was her god.

Instead he pushed his famous sword still within its scabbard towards her and opened his mouth to speak, only a whisper escaped so she placed her pained face closer to hear him, she owed him at least that.

"You turned down this sword once, this time you have no choice." His eyes cruel and commanding a moment ago softened and turned sad, his breaths were slowing and he managed only the barest hint of a rueful smile that was a shadow of the one she saw minutes ago "I always knew if I died it would be you that killed me, that's another reason I wanted you back so badly. I love you Xena!"

That's when his movements stopped entirely and lightning flashed in the previously blue sky. She felt the agony previously only felt after Solan's death, but that was her son, this was Ares and the two couldn't really be compared, that would be an insult to them both.

She grabbed the sword and pulled it out of its gemmed scabbard with an unearthly scream, the sound could bleed hearts, make armies run in fear and command gods to bow before its source. There was only one thought in the Warrior Queen's head as she looked upon her new home on Mount Olympus.

She would bring him back. She was a goddess now, she could do anything.

O0o0O

I know its short, but it wouldn't go away until I wrote this, and I really want to know what you think. The unsubtle hint meant to imply for you to review. So… review!