''Mmmmm…..'' was all that the War God was able to murmur while Aphrodite's teasing tongue began to swirl around his nipple, pinching the other one hard enough to elicit yet another throaty moan from her already enthralled brother, much to her satisfaction. She still had it ….She definitely had it- she couldn't help thinking while feeling the small twitches of his muscles- a pretty straightforward reaction to her ministrations.

''So uh…..Where have you been ….? '' she purred, flashing him a flirty grin while temporarily shifting her attention to the side of his neck - her wet lips generously spreading across his burning skin a raging sea of passionate kisses- special ones, that held within them all those centuries of barely restrained desire and desperate need she had unwillingly experienced in his absence.

Briefly closing her eyes while waiting for an answer, as if wanting to challenge him even more, her hands slid lower and lower until they found their way to his intricate silver belt- that she was just dying to unbuckle.

Restless, growling moans started rumbling deep inside Ares' chest when her feather light fingertips started circling that precise area where he obviously yearned to be touched- the subtle but very much effective grazing of her nails making every hair on his body stand on end now….-a distinct, familiar caress really, to which his overly aroused body stubbornly refused to oppose.

What they had shared ….now that was something truly impossible to erase from both the memory and the soul, regardless of the context- all those naughty, steamy, clawing- at the –sheets – glorious sex encounters that had somehow turned them literally addicted to each other-and thus inseparable for nearly a millennia- and a walking target for Zeus himself ….The fact that she was his little sister-out of all people- only added even more spice to their dirty act and judging by the looks of it, despite the passing of time, nothing had changed in that department..

'' That's a very good question actually …..'' was all he got to say before her longing lips found his, warm and inviting just like he knew they would be, everything culminating with a much anticipated, painfully demanding kiss- a lustful union that didn't last long, sadly, in spite of its beastly devouring nature, for, just moments later, the handsome Olympian fell like a log on his back in a deep, oblivious slumber, the very instant the effect of the magic dust that the Love Goddess had cunningly sprinkled on her lips, started to kick in.

''Oh how I hate wasted opportunities !'' she sighed, an expression of ultimate regret on her beautiful porcelain face . '' Sorry Stud but I'm with Xe on this one ….'' she whispered while considerately placing a fluffy pillow under his head- and as compensation, landing an affectionate smooch on his cheek. '' …So sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite ! I'll be back ASAP, I promise. Don't go anywhere ok ?" she added on a slightly cheerful note, letting out the cutest laugh.

''It's for the greater good , trust me.'' she apologetically explained to a profoundly asleep War God , that was far and away from hearing her.

A wave of her hand later, her beautiful body started changing its shape while the Goddess started rambling as if an overwhelming crowd of Love fanatics was present to witness her unexpected transformation . ''It's just …..totally depressing ya' know ….? I mean the leather is just…..Good thing that trend died along with the Atlanteans- maybe this is precisely what led to that awful cataclysm in the first place ….'' she continued, finally dematerializing from the room, still unsure whether to risk it all and change the outfit into powdery white-or pearl.

Making abstraction of her displeased grimace, truth be told, Aphrodite was more than ready to put everything into motion. This was going to be a day to remember.

XXX

The ceaseless chatter among her soldiers had started to get on Xena's nerves . She didn't like to explain her actions to her troops but it appeared as if their useless suppositions and side comments were not going to end soon, so she decided to abruptly put an end to their dilemma.

''You might be wondering why Darphus' body is hanging from that tree'' she thundered, and in a split second, all eyes were on her . '' He had been scheming behind my back for quite some time now….As you well know, treason is not something that I take lightly. Now if there is anyone else questioning my authority around here, please be kind enough as to let me know . I'll make sure to send that coward some company to Tartarus- one way ticket, free of charge!" she hissed, her metallic gaze piercing through each and every one of her men, subtly looking for a sign that they had got the message right . ''Gods know I desperately need some workout.'' she muttered under her breath right before Theodorus' unmistakable, thick voice could be heard :

''Who's our commander ?''

An earthshaking echo could be heard for the few following minutes:

" Xena ! Xena! Xena!''

'' Enough! '' she finally silenced them, visibly pleased with their answer. ''Get the horses ready and sharpen your swords ! I want that village taken by noon! '' she commanded, pointing in the direction of the few houses situated at the bottom of the hill . ''Leave no one alive !" she added, and for some reason, the instant her icy blue eyes met Theodorus' restless gaze, she knew that she had been right to leave him alive for a little bit longer. He was still useful in more ways than one…

XXX

Aphrodite's lips curled in disgust. Babylon was just as filthy as she remembered. That tiny bit of sparkle and glamour around the palace didn't really make up for all the filth and poverty dominating the side streets and markets preceding the eye catching, gold plated construction that had quickly become the very symbol of the otherwise unpretentious city.

By Hades, she hated that part of the world ! She hated the people, their Gods, their take on fashion, their philosophy of life, the language – heck she even hated the air they breathed! And most of all, she hated Amytis- with a passion….And yet, revenge did require some effort from her part.

"Don't panic ,don't panic …it's not permanent ….Just pretend it's a soft, carnation sort of pink …..'' she sedulously encouraged herself, glaring once again in horror at the pitch black leathers and her suddenly hairy forearms. ''Seriously…doesn't he ever shave ?!''she puffed in absolute disgust, only to remember that the chest area wasn't any better… .

''Ewww ! Gross !" she felt the need to verbalize her consternation despite the fact that for eons, it was a detail she had been more than familiar with. "He never listens …Jeez why is it that some people simply refuse to improve?! This caveman style is so freaking outdated! " she just had to ask herself, closing her eyes for a second while she channeled her godly energy into locating something or someone .

"Easy -peasy. " she quietly added , but the excitement in her voice could be effortlessly distinguished. ''Now let's have some real fun !"

Resting her left hand on the elaborate hilt of the sword and wearing the dirtiest grin on her face one could imagine , Aphrodite vanished in a bright blue flash only to reappear a moment later on a ravishingly beautiful terrace, where she had earlier sensed the presence of the one she had been looking for.

Her noisy entrance visibly startled her already edgy host –the goddess could easily sense the heavy angst clouding the Queen's aura, the minute she set foot on her land.

''Ares !" she exclaimed, a mix of surprise, fear and frenzy present both in her voice and on her face as she turned around in the direction of the voice she had been longing so much to hear. ''What are you doing here ? !''