Looking back at the blue eyes she knew and admired so well, Gabrielle leaned in, "I love you."

*knock knock knock

Three short knocks, interrupted the couple's tender moment and woke up the other two sleeping in the chair.

"Huh? What?" Ares questioned, blinking hard, trying to wake up, and rocking the baby, who was now crying.

"I don't know let's find out." Xena said, rising and placing Gabrielle on the floor, headed over to the door and pulled it open.

"Uh. Hello! I took you guys, like, an eternity to answer. You live out here and you didn't even attend my beauty contest a couple of weeks ago? RUDE!" Aphrodite fussed as she walked through the door.

"Aphrodite! Hey!" Gabrielle exclaimed, running to hug the pink clad goddess' neck, pulling away she asked "What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd stop by and see my Xena and Gabs because I…" Stopping mid sentence and pointing to the tiny person in Ares' arms "Who's that?"

"Oh!" Taking the baby from a confused war god "This is Xena and I's daughter Eithne!"

Eithne, who had stopped crying, was now looking at the sparkly blonde before her with awe.

"Well, Hi there!" She leaned in and tickled her tummy a bit, making Eithne giggle and turn into her mom's hair, "What do you mean your kid?"

"Well, it's a long story, and it's all your brother's fault, but I think we like this mistake of his." Xena stated, coming to stand beside Aphrodite, and holding her hands out to the reaching infant.

"Is this what you were up to, bro?" she asked looking behind Gabrielle to see Ares leaning against the mantle and poking at the Dagger of Helios.

"Sort of, but it didn't turn out the way I expected. Look," Walking over to hug his sister, who was surprised at the sentimental gesture, "I know I've been kind of absent for awhile, but… I'll explain it later. I think I need to go to a tavern or something. This has been too much ooey gooey feeling stuff for one night. You coming?" He asks as he headed for the door.

"I just got here!" Aphrodite whines and stomps her foot.

"Too bad so sad! I'll be at Takis' when you need me!" He yells back as he shut the door.

"Boy! He was in a hurry!" Aphrodite comments, turning back to the new parents.

"I think he's just processing the fact that he actually has feelings." Gabrielle jokes as she hands Eithne off to Xena and heads back to put up her scrolls.

"Honey, He's always been processing his feelings." Aphrodite remarks as she places her hands on her hips.

"That's true!" Gabrielle throws back as she picks up the remaining cups and lifts them up "Can I get you anything?"

"No, thanks! But you can do me a favor and let me babysit." She states, one eyebrow raised.

Both Xena and Gabrielle halt their actions and turn to the Goddess, remembering their past experiences with her babysitting.

"I don't know about that, Dite." Xena shakes her head.

"Oh come on! Ever since Xena has come back, I can feel you two, when you think about each other!" she begs "At first, I enjoyed it. I mean, everyone likes a little bit of teasing, but JEEZ! Now you guys are killing me! I practically have blue-"

"NO!... Don't finish that." Xena holds up a hand, and closes her eyes, not liking the image she's getting.

"Oh come on guys! Let's talk about it! Why don't you let me put her to bed, now? You can see how good I am with them." She offers, and holding out her hands to Eithne she coos "Don't you want Aunt Aphrodite to put you to bed?"

Xena hands her only child over the the love goddess and goes to take the cups from Gabrielle, who has been frozen since Aphrodite mentioned babysitting.

"Come on. We can let her put her to bed. We are right here." Xena relinquishes, nudging Gabrielle on the way to the kitchen.

"I don't have any protests about it. I was just excited about the chance to be alone with you again." Trapping Xena against the wooden counter with her arms, and leaning the entire length of her body against her lover's she continues "I'm looking forward to a night with just you and me." Running a finger along Xena's exposed upper chest, causing Xena to swallow thickly.

"Huh…" Xena shudders as Gabrielle licks her neck and rubs her hands along her inner thighs, "I'm all for it." She said in a rush as Gabrielle continued her hands journey.

"So that's a yes!" Aphrodite called from the next room

"Oh yes!" Xena answered, feeling Gabrielle smile into her neck and then suddenly her warmth was gone.

Opening her eyes, Xena catches Gabrielle's tail end exiting the doorway, swaying enticingly. Shaking her head to gather her thoughts, Xena curses under her breath and follows her out into the living room.

"It's not like we haven't been… you know." Xena hears as she enters the room, immediately making her want to turn around.

"Oh, I KNOW. But Xena's all pent up from being a ghost all that time and not getting any… release." Looking at the little girl in her arms, she begins in an excited tone "Mommy and mommy need some alone time! Yes they do! Mommy X needs a lot of special attention. Mommy G is going to-"

"Seriously!?" Xena asks, not believing what she is hearing.

"So what day? Tomorrow? Next week? Today?" Aphrodite drawls, as she begins to rock Eithne, who has a grip on a lock of her hair.

"TODAY!" Xena and Gabrielle echo and begin to blush at their eagerness.

"Yay! Eithne gets some Aunt Aphrodite time!" Aphrodite begins dancing around, Eithne squealing with delight, "Why don't you let me take her to my place in the next town over and you guys can call for me tomorrow after you have slept in?" She offers after she stops dancing.

Looking at each other with intense passion, but also nervousness at the thought of Aphrodite handling their new child.

"I promise I'll get help from someone if I need help, but I've had kids, you know? And I've learned a lot since our last encounter. Besides, she can't even walk yet. She can't exactly get up and leave like the last one."

Taking one more glance at each other and nodding, Gabrielle and Xena agree.

"Alright, Aphrodite. As long as you promise to answer as soon as we call for you." Gabrielle agrees.

"Yessss! Alright kid. Let's go!" She says as she begins heading for the door.

"Wait!" Xena stops her with a hand on her shoulder.

"What?"

"You'll need some supplies." Gabrielle says as she heads towards Eithne's room to get her favorite toy, some diapers, and blanket.

"And It's my turn to feed her." Xena states, taking the baby from Aphrodite's arms and heading to her chair to nurse.

"Ugh!" Aphrodite huffs as she sits in the chair across from Xena. "You guys better make this worth it."

Getting Eithne to latch, Xena assures her "Oh! It will be."