Story Summary: In this story, Ares is actually the father to Eve he does not remember his time with Xena and Xena is starting to feel guilty about him not being in their daughters life. The story takes place a few days after Amphipolis Under Siege.
Copyright Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, I do not own Xena nor the characters of the Xenaverse. Characters belong to Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal studios.
Special Thanks: Again Special thanks to my sweet editor, friend and muse Xentrya. I know helping me hasn't been easy, I really do appreciate everything that you have done for me and continue to do for me :D.
Shout outs: To my girl PurpleStrawberry14 (Little Young Thang) , my lovely muse Xentrya (Hunney Bunney), Lady Death01 (My Chica), and FallenAngelXWP . Also want to give a shout-out to my new reviewers Buffyluvspike, Zarra Rous, and Carleys123. Thank you all so much for taking the time to review it always puts a smile on my face.
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"What is this nonsense Astarte?" he barked angrily "..How dare you attack Xena without cause?."
Still confused and her body shaking in agony, Xena didn't even hear the sound of her name. She looked liked she was on a totally different planet. Astarte's eyes flashed to her before replying.
"Why would you even bother to stick up for this...mortal? She is a nobody, just another pathetic love struck mortal. Yes, she looks...tolerable for her kind, but look at me Ares I'm every man and Gods' dream... I am desire and war...So what could possibly possess you to even want anything to do with this mortal slut?"
Hearing her talk about his sweet Princess like that, the God could barely suppress the wave of fury that washed over him at the sound of her words. His Xena was not a nobody, she was the finest warrior in all Greece and not only that she was the mother of his child and his Chosen. Yes Astarte was beautiful but for him, Xena was the most beautiful woman to ever walk on the face of the earth.
Casting her a long contemptuous gaze, he spitted out threateningly:
"Look Astarte, we may have had our fun but you are nothing compared to Xena. You call yourself desire yet a mere mortal out-staged you. You call her a slut, and yet you would allow any God/Goddess or man in your bed if they gave you the right attention. She is my Chosen, so you better think twice about hurting a hair on her head again."
"What? Your Chosen ? Are you telling me this is the Legendary Warrior Princess and Destroyer of Nations...She looks more like a common slut, she surely danced like one too."
Ares was beginning to loose his patience with this dumb Goddess.
"Shut up Astarte, Xena would make a finer Goddess of Warfare then you ever would; just because she is mortal it doesn't mean that she couldn't wipe the floor with you ... Besides that I enjoyed every tantalizing moment of watching her body move...If I didn't know you better I'd say that you're jealous."
Astarte knew she had upset Ares, so she pouted sweetly and looked at him with a sad face.
"Well, it was you the one who said she was just and X-priestess, I thought you said she wasn't the warrior that you used to talk about all the time."
The God knew it was probably best to tell her the truth.
"Look Astarte, the real reason I invited you here was to make Xena jealous, ok? There can never be an "you and I", for it has always been her."
The Goddess' eyes started to glow yellow.
"Are you telling me that you only used me in order to get your stupid bitch back? ..Oh no you don't Ares, for I will challenge her and give her back to you as a present after I slice her into little pieces."
Ares was getting fed up with this tramp, she already had crossed the line in attacking his Chosen. If she even thought about being able to lay a hand on Xena, she was dead wrong for he would have destroyed her before even getting to raise one finger.
"Touch her and die Astarte...I will kill you... .Plus, you know far to well that you can't defeat me. That goes for Xena too for that matter...I didn't choose her for nothing. She has amazing battle skills."
The Warrior Princess had heard the exchange between the two bickering immortals and she was well aware that she would have to fight the pain that she was feeling. She had never allowed Ares to fight her battles for her, and she was certainly not planning on starting that very moment. She had to get up and show this Bimbo who she was messing with.
Astarte displayed an evil grin on her face before replying:
"If your mortal is as good as you say she is, then let her face me., lover boy! ...Better yet lets make a wager! If I defeat your pathetic human you will be mine, and I will become your wife and the new Goddess of War... If she wins I swear to leave you alone, and she will be the new Canaanite Goddess of Warfare. How about it?"
The God of War looked at her as if she were a complete lunatic. Couldn't this desperate bimbo just take a hint and vanish already? Or did he actually have to draw her a picture to help her realize that he didn't want her?
He sneered at her in contempt...
"To Tartarus with your deal! Don't play me for a fool, Astarte! You want to take her on now because she is hurt. There's no way I'm gonna let you touch her. "
Finishing his sentence, he then pulled out his sword like he was ready for battle, but before he could even do anything, his Princess' voice could be heard through the air.
" I accept your deal, Goddess."
Hearing her speak, Ares couldn't believe his ears. Turning around to face her, he saw her standing only a few feet behind him ready for battle, an evil sparkle shining on the surface of her azure moons.
"What in the name of Zeus do you think you 're doing Xe?
She didn't say anything at first, it was damn obvious what she was doing, but , when Ares didn't break his gaze, insisting to receive an answer, she just rolled her eyes in exasperation, while still trying to ignore the pain.
"What's it look like... I'm about to kick this empty-headed Goddess' ass!"
Astarte grimaced hatefully:
"Yeah Ares, let your little play thing come out for the slaughter... I will make it fun, I promise."
The God was still watching Xena; his eyes were almost glued on her. He was clearly furious and his voice was an obvious indication.
"Like hell you will, you are injured and I don't plan on losing the mother of my child for her useless pride."
The instant he finished her sentence, just a few steps behind him, Astarte was gawking as if she couldn't get any air in her lungs.
"WHAT? Are you for real Ares? You actually gave this cheap, good for nothing slut your seed?! You've actually preferred her to be the mother of your child over me? Oh Ares, I swear it on my godhood, she's as good as dead!"
Before the God could even consider uttering anything in response though, the Warrior Princess decided to waste no more time with useless chit-chat:
"Well...I sure hope you're ready to embrace a mortal existence then, Astarte...And as a fair warning...when a mortal try not to frown too much...it will damage your skin-wrinkles and all..."
Astarte looked at Ares in shock:
"Did this Mortal actually dare to call me by my name?!"
The God simply stared at her as if she were stupid.
"I guess you'd better get used to it ...when you will be mortal everybody would skip the formalities..."
Xena laid her hand on Ares' back trying to calm him down, noticing that he was still glaring daggers at her rival, ready to turn her to dust before she opened her mouth again. Since he wasn't responding to her touch she decided to call him by his name.
"Ares"
As if waking up from a dream, the God turned around and faced his Princess.
He didn't look one bit happy with her.
"Why would you even consider accepting her challenge knowing that you are hurt?, Did you at least think about the possibility of losing, Xena? Huh? Did you? Gods damn it, woman, you can be so stubborn at times, you're driving me insane!...I can't even stand the idea of you gone...Matter of fact , would you want me to be stuck with this air brained moron for the end of eternity? Do you?"
Xena looked at him and smiled mildly:
"Are you seriously doubting my capabilities Ares? Do you really think that I'm not good enough to take on this...this..."
She suddenly stopped, looking over Ares' shoulder with disdain.
"It won't be long. I give you my word."
Ares looked at her, proud to see her so confident and determined. His face softened instantly.
"Your still pretty banged up though Xe."
She just smirked at him sexily.
"Well then... why don't you kiss me and make it all better?"
The God's eyes lit up at her statement.
"You know, you don't have to tell me twice Princess" he said before swooping down to claim her lips in a passionate kiss.
The minute their tongues entwined, she could feel the effects of his marvelous kiss, her whole body thrummed in power and all her pains faded into nothingness. She could also feel her clothing changing as well, sensing at the same time the weight of her sword on her back again.
Seconds later, she slowly broke the kiss to face the seething Goddess.
Astarte yelled at her in rage.
"I hope you enjoyed that kiss, because it will be your last!"
Xena looked at her mockingly .
"Oh you think so, huh?"
And the Warrior Princess was right about to pull out her sword ,ready to show this Goddess a thing or two when,Ares put his hand up giving her a signal to halt and then looked Astarte in the eye.
"Astarte this will be a fair fight no godly power, no tricks, just a fair fight."
The Goddess smiled at him sweetly before uttering in a dark voice.
"Don't worry beloved, I won't need to make use of my powers, this mortal stands no chance against me in the first place...Oh I can't wait to be your Goddess of War!"
Ares and Xena both rolled their eyes, Ares always did tend to pick the psychos. The Warrior Princess wasn't going to let her last comment slide though.
"Quit Dreaming and get ready to fight!"
"It's your funeral mortal!" Astarte said in a cheeky smile.
And so it started, with one of Xena's impressive somersaults. She landed in the middle of the Dinning Hall floor. She looked at Astarte and pulled out her sword, and thrust it in the air giving a loud battle cry. Her statement was clear as daylight
"Bring it On!"
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