He didn't like that idea of the other gods interfering with his plans. Of all the gods, Aphrodite was the last one he never thought to bring his plans to an end. As Ares traveled through the ethers he wondered what the love goddess was up to, so he decided to pop in and pay her a little visit. He appeared at the entrance of Corinth to see her holding the irritating blonde. He snorted in disgust, that son of a Bacchae she would tell that woman about Xena.

The God then peered over at the lone man absent from the show of affection. Hercules, great that's just great not only is my sister helping out the blonde now my father's bastard son is too... Damn next thing you know Artemis will finally stand up for those women who call themselves Amazons. He shook his head just when he thought things were going his way it all comes crumbling down around him. A change of course is in order. Ares then disappeared into the ether. Anger building in the God's chest. He never gets what he wants. Someone always ruined his fun. Not this time he will be one step ahead everyone else.

Xena burst through the makeshift door of her tent. She was irritated, how long does it take for her crack army to make her tent? Half a day, that's how long it took. Her men might be good fighters but that's all they are good for, fighting.

The Warrior sighed and made her way over to her bed roll. She never liked sleeping on a bed even when she lived with her mother. The roll felt natural and comfortable to her, at the same time it was a sad reminder of what she once lost. She will never share her bed roll with anyone else for no one could replace the one that she used to share cold and lonely nights under the stars with. Xena reached up and unhooked her scabbard from her leathers on her back, tossing it and her sword onto the furs. She then removed her breastplate lobbing it on top of her weapon. Xena sneered at the hunk of metal, sure the golden plate look nice but it was uncomfortable. Always gave her a hard time while she did her flips, even when she would throw her chakram the metal would rub her arm the wrong way. Yet Ares gave her the breastplate, it was 'one' of the only things he had ever given her that she kept. It could never replace the one she had before though. That was just one of the few things the warrior princess missed.

"Rough day?" a small polite voice came from behind Xena.

The raven haired warrior didn't need to turn around to answer as she continued to undress. "You have no idea."

The young brunette women let out a laugh as she made her way to a small wooden chair located at one corner of the tent. Still facing the warrior's backside, "I think we do... We were there remember." it was not a question of Xena's memory it was more of a statement of fact.

The Warrior rolled her eyes as she slid the first strap of her leathers off her shoulder till it dangled on her upper arm. "Yeah well you two do not have to deal with the imbeciles out there," pointing to the door of the tent then continuing with the remaining strap.

"Ok you got us there." the woman watched as Xena slipped out of her outfit revealing her bronze, bare body. She looked over the warrior princess not to check her out but Marvel at the beauty and the well-toned muscles that cover Xena's whole being. The woman's eyes wander to the warrior's back as she tries to hold back a gasp. She has seen Xena's back many times before, the warrior does not care for modesty, yet the young woman still loses her breath every time she laid her eyes on it.

Xena has more than a dozen scars littered all over her flesh. Each one appeared to be deep and the color was much darker than her sun kissed skin. The young woman slowly lifted herself from the chair she had been perched on and took tender steps to the warrior princess, reaching out with one hand to run her fingers over the seemingly rough skin of her back. But she stopped inches away from her destination by an almost unreadable tone from the raven haired warrior, "don't." the woman places her hand back on the item she has been carrying. She could've sworn she heard a hint of sadness in the Warriors voice.

She watches as Xena grabbed a silk robe and Draped the fabric over her body. The girl pondered on how to ask this next question not really wanting to know the truth. After a few moments of complete silence she finally mustered up the courage to ask, "is that how...?" the woman was unable to continue for the pain in her heart felt like it was attacking her throat.

Xena felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. She let out a sigh, fighting them back the best she could and turned to face the young brunette women placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "no that is not how she died."

The young woman let out silent tears, she knew Xena wasn't going to tell her how it happened but the wondering was killing her she must know how Gabrielle died. "Then how?" she choked out unsure she wanted to hear the answer.

Xena sighed whipping a tear from the woman's cheek, "I can't... I'm sorry..."

There was a long moment where they just stared into each other's eyes. Green meeting blue, the warrior's heart beats its broken rhythm. The woman's eyes look just like 'hers'. She broke eye contact and peered down at what the woman was holding and smiled grimly. Xena slid her hand off her shoulder and placed it on raven hair stroking it slightly. "How is he?"

The brunette smiled looking down at the life in her hands. "He has been good. I finally got him to sleep right before you came in." she pulled down the covering slightly revealing the baby.

The warrior chuckled slightly, "oh of course he did. " the woman returned the laugh in full. There was a moment of peace between the three. For the first time in a very long time Xena felt free and somewhat content with her life. The pain was still there but it was put at bay for a brief instant. All the good feeling disappeared when her warrior sense started acting up.

"You know I do not understand why you keep that woman and her baby around..." came a deep voice.

The raven haired warrior sneered. This is not what she needed right now. She removed her hand from the boy's head and looked at the brunette in holding the infant. "Lila can you prepare a bath for me?" the young woman nodded knowingly, then turned on her heels toward a Side compartment in the tent. Leaving Xena behind with a certain God.

The warrior sneered, "what now Ares?"

"is that anyway to greet you favorite God?" with that the God of war appeared behind the warrior and placed his hand on her bare shoulder. The touch was gentle but it still sent shivers down her spine. Ares smiled, he could feel his chosen reaction to his touch. "You seem tense Xena, I could help you with that," he spoke in a seductive tone, slowly massaging her knotted shoulders.

Xena rolled her eyes; she didn't need this right now. The warrior lifted her hand patting on top of his. "Maybe some other time."

*** oh my… reviews appreciated. =)***