Xena smiled as she brushed down the horse before her, freeing any dust and debris that may have fallen in her beautiful tan colored coat. She rubbed the horses main as she brushed along her neck gently. The horse making sounds as she enjoyed the rub down. The horse nudged her hair softly as Xena continued her work. She heard the stable front doors squeaking as it swung open, as she continued to brush down Argo. "There ya go sweet girl, you look much cleaner." She said as she flung the brush on the ground next to a saddle that was hanging, ready to be assembled on the stable door. She quickly grabbed it and hoisted it over the horse, buckling her up nicely.

"We could've done that for you." A voice said behind her.

"That's alright, I like to prepare my own horse."

"You always were very specific about taking care of your own horse." The voice said with a bit of laughter.

"How the hell would you know?" Xena turned around to see a familiar face.

"Markus?"

"By the Gods Xena! It's been too long!"

Xena drew her eyes upon Markus and looked at him as if she'd seen a ghost. "I can't believe it! How are you?" She said as she wrapped her arms around him pulling him close into a familiar hug, patting him on the back.

Markus embraced the hug and wrapped his arms around her, patting her on the back, losing his balance from the force of her launching herself at him. "Whoa," he said trying to regain his balance, "I'm good, thanks, It's really nice to see you again."

"I can't believe its you, since when did you start working with the God of War?" Xena said, breaking the hug and holding onto him stabilizing him so he didn't fall, looking deeply into his eyes, remembering her old friend and companion.

"A few years now. Got tired of petty thievery and decided to try something bigger. It's worked out so far!" He grinned slightly.

"I'm excited to work with you. You look good."

"Thanks, you too. Still as beautiful as ever."

Xena cracked a half smile and looked down at the ground, her eyes then glanced back at his, admiring his deep brown piercing eyes that always had a sense of pain & sorrow in them. She raised her hand and brushed his chocolate colored cheek, "Thanks old friend..." Gazing into his eyes.

"Old friend? We were almost married, Xena."

"Yes, we were." She turned back to her horse and began adjusting the harness. "Last thing I remember is you trying to bring me flowers."

"Yeah, well, I learned my lesson, I hope. Don't ever bring Xena flowers. Bring her something sharp and stabby."

Xena tried to fight back laughter but couldn't quite do it. She let out a restrained giggle. "Depends on the sharp and stabby thing I suppose, but yes!"

"I missed you Xena… Took me a long time to get over you." He said as he began admitting her feelings.

She turned around to face him again and pressed her lips against his, pulling him into a warm embrace. He returned the favor, and they began making out next to a horse. She brushed her hands along his fuzzy hair and let out a sigh. He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers.. "We can't do this." He said as tried to hold himself back from kissing her.

"You're right, we've got work to do.."

Markus gave in and embraced her once more, pressing his lips against hers as they both felt a tickling sensation run up their bodies. The horse let out a loud NNnneeeigh and they broke apart almost against their own wills.

Xena rubbed her lips together and wiped her mouth as she tried to turn away from him to gather herself together. "Markus, what do you know about this town we're headed to?"

"Well, it began coming under siege yesterday from what I understand, they're a small town without many fighters, but they've given this warlord a run for his money from what I heard."

"Who is this warlord?"

"I never got a name. He's laying claim to it as his own territory. He's taking all the food from the villagers, killing the townspeople, probably selling the women and children for gold."

"Did Ares have a temple there?" Xena asked.

"From what I heard he killed all the acolytes and trashed the place. He's not a fan of the Greek gods, so he doesn't care what happens to the temples. If you ask me his ego is as big as the Greek gods themselves, he probably put a statue of himself in it so he could be worshipped."

"Ares has commanded that we go there and take back the village and rescue the temple. He doesn't like the idea of having less people worship him." Xena grinned.

"Ares rescuing a village? Ares cares what happens to the people?" Markus questioned with disbelief in his voice.

"He just wants his temple back and out of the hands of that maniac... Get ready Markus, we leave tonight."

"It gives me great pleasure to serve under you Xena. We'll make an incredible team. Let's do this." Markus said as he held out his hand to shake Xena's.

Markus turned around and walked out of the stable and through the stable doors.

Suddenly, a blue energy emitted near the entrance and a man appears. Ares stood at the entrance and watched as the man walked out of the stable doors. He was far enough to where Xena couldn't hear or sense him. He turned his head to look at the stables Xena was at, seeing her rummage around with her horse. His face changed, turning into a mad look. He didn't like others touching his property that he didn't approve of, and Markus was someone he didn't give permission to. The look on his face was dripping with jealousy and rage, he was seething as he watched what little he could of his commander getting her horse ready to leave.

A blue energy emitted from his body and he vanished without a trace.