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"Ares..." her voice was hostile and sharp.

It was all it took for that old familiar 'whosh' to sound behind her. In less than a blink she spun around, eying him angrily.

The War God was just standing there, leaning against a tree as if it were the most natural thing in the world, arms crossed and a thousand dinars smirk on his face looking at his favourite Warrior Princess.

"What do you want?" she inquired icily, without wasting time with useless chit chat.

"The army moving faster..."

Xena rolled her eyes, "We're only a days ride away now, Ares. You don't have to be so concerned." She explicitly mocked him.

The God raised an eyebrow, unfolded his arms then walked towards her.

"I heard Gabrielle was asking about us today," he said, searching for her beautiful, blue moons.

"What us are you talking about?" Xena spat. Her eyes looked sadder though even if she was trying to mask it behind her anger.

Without seeming at all bothered by her previous comment, Ares gently took a lock of her hair in his hand, twisting it playfully around his fingers. He then leaned in close to Xena's ear, his breath hot on her neck.

"The us I've always wanted..."

Obviously, she shoved him back, furiously.

"Still trying to get me to lead your armies and be your 'Warrior Queen I see.' " she snarled hurtfully.

"No, Xena it's not about that anymore..."

Without any shadow of a doubt , that was more than the Warrior Princess could take. Raising a mock eyebrow she just laughed at him heartlessly in return.

"Oh let me guess you've fallen in love with me?"

Ares gulped.

"Ha! The God of War pretending to be in love? Why Ares I think you've gone soft. Plus, that's low, even for you."

Hardly had she had the chance to finish her stingy retort though, that the War God gripped her by the shoulders and slammed her into the tree behind her.

"You do not talk to me like that. I never said I love you so shut up!"

He could tell bruises were already forming on her shoulders where his thumbs were digging in.

"You're just a mortal. I can wipe you off the face of the earth in a second!" he continued on a tone that would have made right about anyone loose whatever control they have left…But not Xena….

"But you wouldn't" she broke in. They were both angry now which meant this would not go well.

"You see Ares, I strongly doubt that you could kill your favourite Warrior. Your Chosen."

" So now you're my Chosen " he sneered, almost slapping her. "Well, maybe I'll just find a new Chosen. Someone who I can get a good pounding out of, better than you of course and someone new to lead my armies. A better warrior to shape the face of this god's damn earth."

Xena just glared at him. If he could see her heart it would have been all torn up and bleeding.
"Yeah, well….let me know when you find him" she broke out , aware of her own value.
The God stepped back then backhanded her, "Get out of here Xena."

The Warrior Princess, for once, bit back the evil remark on the tip of her tongue and stalked off back to camp.

"Xena!" Gabrielle gasped the instant she noticed those ugly purple marks on her friend's shoulders. "These bruises, where did you get them from?"

Xena rolled her eyes but flinched when Gabrielle's soft hands touched the surface of her skin, her fingers running over the still throbbing spots.

"It was Ares wasn't it?! That's where you went, to go see 'him' " the overly concerned bard questioned her friend.

"Can we just talk about this some other time...?"

"What is happening to you?!" she exclaimed. "You're letting him hurt you like this?"

"I told you. We go back a long way."

"No. No,no,no,no,no Xena. That is no excuse for this! What else did he do? Did he...?"

"Enough Gabrielle!" Xena harshly broke in. She was sick of her friends fussing and was also starting to get angry.

In exchange, the Bard just stood there looking at her.

"I told you me and Ares have history ok?! It doesn't matter what he does to me. Just leave it and stay out of it." The Warrior's harsh words sprung from her tongue without a second thought.

"Xena, I, I'm sorry."

"It's ok, just leave Ares to me ok?"

The petite Gabrielle nodded and Xena jumped up on Argo then offered her hand to Gabrielle. She got up behind Xena and they started the last part of their journey to Potidea.