A Good Day in the Life by Xena





Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. I did make up a few though. Most of the characters belong to Renaissance Pictures and USA Studios, and the creators of Xena Warrior Princess. This is the third story in the Fate series. This is the sequel to Battle of Life. Subtext: No Violence: No Sex: Just a little Rating: PG-13





Just that day, she had watched her best friend thrown to the ground. Her pregnant best friend. Just that day, she had watched Ares kill his own sister. Just that day, she had watched Joxer risk his life to help. Xena sat up from her bedroll to clear her head. Ares and Aphrodite were still telling the remaining gods on Olympus about the death of Athena and Artemis. The dawn wasn't approaching. It was still nighttime. Xena felt sore and tired. She had nursed the wound on her arm before she went to bed. She watched her 13-year-old daughter sleep. She watched her three-month-old son sleep. She couldn't think of anything she was more grateful for than her friends and family. On Olympus, Ares and Aphrodite were now left alone. Ares consoled his sister. "I can't believe this. I've never killed before." A usually very upbeat Aphrodite said. Now her voice was full of sorrow. Ares put a hand on his sister's shoulder. "I know Aphrodite. I remember my first kill." Ares said. "You liked it. You're the god of war!" Aphrodite exclaimed. "I have to admit that, but I've seen what a person's first kill can do to them. You have to understand that you did that to save Eve. You did that for your friends." Ares said. "Thanks bro. You always say the right things." Aprhodite said. She sighed and put a flower on a shrine to Artemis, made by the gods. Ares hugged his sister and he zapped himself back to the campsite. Xena was now sleeping. He watched his warrior princess sleep. He gently caressed her cheek. She stirred, but remained asleep. His son was awake now, staring up at him. "Hey son." Ares said gently lifting the baby boy into his arms. The dark haired boy smiled at his father. He didn't notice Xena wake up. Xena smiled when she saw Ares with their son. She grinned and walked behind him, putting her arms around his waist. She kissed his neck softly. "You're here." Xena said to him as she returned to kissing his neck. "Yeah. 'Dite is pretty upset. She's still on Olympus." Ares said. "I know. The first kill can be rough. Especially if you're the goddess of love." Xena declared. "I know. That's true." Ares said. Zander fussed in Ares' arms. Ares turned around to face Xena. Xena took the baby and put him back down in his bed. "Let's go somewhere where we have more privacy." Xena said. Ares nodded and the lovers disappeared.


In the morning, Xena woke in her bedroll, alone. She smiled remembering the night before, and then she quickly pulled off her leather and took her baby boy down to the lake. She stripped him of his clothes, and she took him into the lake. She was determined that the baby would swim. Babies are born with the natural ability to swim. This three-month-old baby was going to be a very good swimmer. Xena swam around in the lake while her three-month-old grinned and laughed. He'd kick and splash in the water when Xena would duck him under the water for a second so he could learn how to hold his breath. The first few times, he'd cough when Xena brought him back up. After a few minutes though, he knew to hold his breath. He'd kick, and was actually swimming in the water. Xena held her little boy close and got out of the water. She dried her baby and herself. She fed Zander his breakfast. She put on her leather and armor and then dressed her son. She headed back for camp. Gabrielle was dressed and awake now, cooking breakfast. Ares and Aphrodite were probably on Olympus, and Xena and Zander weren't at the campsite. Gabrielle figured that Xena took him down for a bath and a swimming lesson. Eve was reading some scrolls and Joxer was asleep. Gabrielle hadn't told Joxer about the baby yet. She was nervous. She knew he'd be thrilled, but she was just nervous that he'd be nervous. That was a given. As the smells of breakfast went through the air, Xena appeared with Zander and Eve stopped reading the scrolls. Joxer woke up and everybody ate breakfast. "How did Zander do with his swimming lesson, mother?" Eve asked Xena. "He did very well." Xena said grinning at her baby. "Didn't you Zander?" Zander giggled. "So, I was thinking that we should go to Amphipolis." Gabrielle said. "Xena, your brother may be there." "Nah." Xena said. "He's probably out doing something heroic." She grinned a little. I just hope we don't have to battle for awhile." "Yeah. Here's hoping." Joxer said. Gabrielle looked at Joxer. "Xena, can you and Eve go for a walk or something? I really need to speak with Joxer." Gabrielle said. Xena understood and she took her children on a walk. "What do you want to talk to me about?" Joxer asked putting his arm around Gabrielle. "You said you remember that night just before the ordeal with Poseidon." Gabrielle said. "Sure do." Joxer said. He winked at Gabrielle. He was eating with his fork and talking at the same time. He ended up missing his mouth completely and poking himself in the eye with the fork. "OW!" "You okay?" Gabrielle asked. "I'm fine." Joxer said. He stood up and tripped over his own boots. "Gods, how am I going to tell him this without him hurting himself?" Gabrielle asked softly. "What was that?" Joxer asked going back over to her, rubbing his forehead. "Nothing." Gabrielle said. "Anyway, when Xena and I got out of the ice cave, I started to be sick. And just a few days ago, I found out I was pregnant. I've been pregnant with your child for 10 years, and I'm a three months pregnant, or a season. My theory is that when I was frozen, the baby was frozen, and when I got out of the cave, the baby was alive like me." She looked at Joxer. He had a weird look on his face and he fell backward and passed out. "Joxer?" Gabrielle sighed and poured water on his face. "I'm up. I'm up." He mumbled. He opened his eyes and propped himself up on his elbows. "A baby huh?" "Yeah." Gabrielle said. She poked at the simmering fire with a stick. "That's great!" Joxer exclaimed. "I've always wanted a kid of my own." "I'm so relieved." Gabrielle said hugging Joxer. She kissed him softly and he grinned his goofy but sexy grin. Joxer placed a hand on Gabrielle's stomach. She was wearing that new outfit that Aphrodite gave her.


It was noon now, and the group was together now and heading for wherever the road took them. Eve was singing with a sweet voice from atop Argo II. Gabrielle was smiling and humming from atop Midnight, Xena was holding and playing with her little baby boy, and Joxer was going on and on about how he was going to be a father. A season had passed now, and Gabrielle had one more season to wait. She was six months into her pregnancy, and she was growing very big. She was still fighting, but not as well as Xena did when she was carrying Eve and Zander. Traveling up the road, they spotted Hercules. He was standing in the center of the road talking to a man. Xena grinned. The group hurried over to him. "Hercules!" Xena exclaimed. Hercules turned around at the sound. "Xena?" he asked. Xena hugged him. Gabrielle hugged him. "Everyone thought you were dead." "It was all a big mistake involving the gods, but everything is good now. You remember Eve?" Xena asked. Eve waved from atop Argo II. "Yeah. I remember her. Gods, last time I saw her she had just been born. And who is this?" Hercules was looking at Zander. "This is my son Zander. He's six months old." Xena said. Hercules nodded. "He's a handsome boy." Hercules said. "Thank you." Xena said grinning. Hercules looked at Gabrielle. "You're pregnant." He said. "Yeah." Gabrielle grinned. "Who's the lucky guy?" Hercules asked. "I am." Joxer spoke up from beside Midnight. Hercules looked surprised. "Congratulations." Hercules said. Just then Ares appeared and scowled at the sight of his brother. "What are you doing here?" Hercules asked. "I was about to ask you the same thing." Ares said. "I'm just talking to Xena. What's your excuse?" Hercules asked. "I'm here to see my son and my daughter." Ares said. Hercules looked at Xena. "He's not Eve's father." Hercules declared. "I know, but he's been there for her just like a father, and he is the father of my son." Xena said. Hercules sighed. "I'd appreciate it if you two would try to get along and quit acting like children." Ares put out his hand first, and Hercules shook it. Thus the cooperation began.


It was night, and it was cold so everyone decided to sleep at an inn. Xena asked Gabrielle and Joxer nicely if Eve and Zander could sleep in their room. They agreed, and Xena and Ares had the room to themselves. "All alone." Ares said as he removed Xena's leather. "Yeah. Isn't it nice?" Xena asked. "It's perfect." Ares said. He kissed Xena's shoulders and her neck. She moaned softly at his touch. He began to make kisses down her spine and across her chest. Xena rubbed Ares' chest slowly and ran her fingers into his hair. She kissed his chest and kissed his mouth. The lover made love together. They knew the next day they'd have all of the noisy commotion of their lives, but at least they had the night to make-up for what they would miss during the day. "I love you Ares." Xena whispered just before she fell asleep that night. "I love you Xena." Ares said. He disappeared before the morning.



The End . . . or is it?