A faint blue light appeared, and it expanded until it revealed a familiar face. Ares appeared in Xena's bed chamber, unannounced, holding a bouquet of assorted flowers. He wanted to surprise his exotic new protege. "Oh Xena?"

He looked perplexed as his eyes danced around the bed chamber, satin silk draped around the bed, and candles were lit around the room creating a nice glow. However, he didn't see the one he was looking for.

The room was silent, nothing could be heard except a few voices outside the room as servants passed by together. They faded away almost as quickly as it came.

Ares turned around, looking for his new Queen, but didn't see her... "Where did you go now?"

He heard a slight jingle coming from above him, his mouth dropped open as he peered upwards. As he did, he saw Xena leaping from the ceiling chandelier, kicking him in the chest! It was so powerful that Ares flew across the room screaming AAAHHH! Until he crashed down to the floor lying flat on his back. The flowers he had been holding smacked him in the face moments later as they bits and pieces fluttered into the air and around him.

"Really? How did you know I was coming?"

"You've got a certain stench." Xena replied eyeing him from across the room. She smirked devilishly, and then eyed the flowers.

Ares peered through the flowers that covered his face, shocked and appalled... He whimpered as he brushed them from his eyes. "Someone's in a mood tonight... What's your deal?"

Xena's face filled with dismay, trying to hold back some of her rage at the thought of Ares giving her flowers. "I'm a woman, I have moods. And right now, your invading my personal bed chambers Ares. You didn't knock."

Ares stumbled off the ground, picking himself up, flowers flying off his face & body, floating to the ground. "I'm sorry, it's a god thing... I'll knock from now on, promise."

"You better," Xena clapped back.

"You aren't really a flower type of girl, are you?"

"Not even a little."

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again. How about this?" Ares held out his right hand and a dagger appeared. A beautiful, newly crafted, shining silver dagger, with a red ruby engraved at the hilt. "Maybe this is more your style."

Xena looked at the dagger, her eyes widened, and her mouth opened, she was in awe of the beauty. She smiled at Ares, her piercing blue eyes locked into his. "Much better."

Ares handed the dagger to her.

Xena examined the dagger closely, studying the craftsmanship, looking for any signs of wear and not finding any.

"You're so beautiful when you're happy, absolutely breath taking."

"Don't flirt with me Ares. I'm not one of your whores."

"I don't want a whore. I want the real deal... When I'm with you, you make me feel things I've never felt before..."

Xena inched closer to him, looking at him with her crystal blue piercing eyes. "I won't lie, you intrigue me too." She pressed herself against his chest. "Skilled fighter, very handsome, and you've got a big sword from what I can tell." Xena raised her thigh against his inner thigh, pressing against his leather pants.

Ares let out a soft moan, gripping his real sword tightly, before leaning in to kiss Xena on the lips. Xena embraced his kiss and ran her fingers through his short black hair, caressing him tenderly.

Bang, Bang, Bang. Ares and Xena both stopped what they were doing and looked at the door.

"Dinner will be served in 10 minutes." A loud female voice said coming from behind the door.

Xena looked at Ares, "Maybe we should focus our attention on food... I am quite hungry."

Ares sighed with a little disappointment, "You're right, it's not time yet... I need to finish some work for tomorrow anyway."

"We've got plenty of time." Xena said biting her lip. "Take a cold bath."

Ares smirked and then began to shimmer in blue.

"Hey, use the door like normal people."

Ares smirked and rolled his eyes. "Like normal people..." Smiled and then walked out the door. Like normal people do.

Xena let out a sigh, looking at the petals on the floor, wondering if she should burn them. She turned around as if not bothered by the mess. "You can come out now."

"Not a flowers type of girl, I'll remember that. And yet you have him wrapped around your little finger..." Alti cackled in a deep raspy tone. "What will you do to him next I wonder?"

"I may have to call this whole thing off if he keeps falling over me like a lovesick puppy." Xena said sighing in disbelief.

"No! You must continue what you're doing. You could use this to your advantage... Pull on his heart strings and get anything your heart desires." Alti said snickering at the possibilities. "Fame, fortune, the ability to have your husband do your bidding..."

"Husband?" Xena interjected. "I would never marry him."

"Oh, but you just might.. I've seen flashes of your future and they do involve him. Potentially with you walking down the aisle. Such a sight to be seen, I'm sure. Little Xena & Ares crawling along the floor perhaps."

Xena slapped Alti in that moment across the face. "Don't you dare see this happening. I'd rather gouge my eyes out then have children with that man... Still..." She said pausing for a moment, thinking of ways to use this to her advantage. "I do see the potential here. It was always my plan to use Ares so I could train under him. So, I could acquire the skills I need in order to become what was foretold. The destroyer of nations... Perhaps..." she said eyeing Alti as she was rubbing her face. "You've always been my trusted advisor; we must not let Ares know I'm still seeking my desired destiny. He thinks I'm going to be his warrior Queen, I must let him think that."

"Our goals are still the same then. You become the destroyer of nations, and I gain more dark spiritual power than I've ever dreamed." Alti said in her signature raspy voice. "Good, continue on. I'll be in contact soon." Alti and Xena nodded at each other, and Alti slipped out the bedroom window, vanishing without a trace.

Xena knew in her dark heart that she must gain Ares' approval no matter the cost. She must win over his affection, which given the circumstances shouldn't be that difficult.

But why did she have this sinking feeling that maybe she no longer desired becoming the destroyer of nations? She's wanted this very goal for so long, and now that the possibility of becoming such a force was closer than ever, why was she having second thoughts?

Xena shook her head. She needed to press on and not let her own mind get in the way of something she's dreamt of for so long.

After having dinner, Xena was already dressed for bed. She took the dagger that Ares gave her and tucked herself into bed, placing the dagger under her pillow. She allowed the soft satin pillow to caress her face, and the nice piece of sharp steel to comfort her, which sent her into a nice deep sleep.

"Xena! What are you doing Xena? You've got to rescue me." Xena began dreaming of the same blonde woman from her vision in the cave. The dream was clear as day, this time she could see a little more in-depth. The blonde woman had green eyes, and she was walking with a staff, asking for help. Xena tossed in her sleep not sure what to make of it, why was she seeing this woman again? What did it mean? She again felt an odd attraction to her that she felt the last time. Why did she feel this way? Was the dream a message or just another dream? Xena realized while sleeping this wasn't a coincidence. She must be on the lookout for this woman.