Ares appeared on Gabrielle's balcony. He knew she had wanted time by herself to think, but he was worried she might get cold feet. Now that he found her, he didn't want to loose her. No, the only thing he could do was to go after her. Maybe a romantic date would make her forget Xena's antics and the little bit about Hera.
He paused outside her balcony doors, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword. Where should he take her on the date? And how should he ask her? It all had to be perfect! He wanted to sweep her off her feet and dazzle her so much she would forget all her worries. He had to prove to the little bard that he wasn't just War but other things as well. But more important, the date would have to be in a location where Xena couldn't interfere. Turning, his brown eyes scanned the ocean. The water was a black mass reflecting the thousands of stars in the night sky. It would make the perfect setting. In a flash, he teleported out and prepared his boat for the upcoming voyage. A few minutes later Ares reappeared on the balcony, a grin on his face. If this didn't win Gabrielle back nothing would.
Pushing open the balcony doors, Ares stepped into the room. "Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle sat up in bed, her head turned towards the now open double doors. She could smell the tang in the ocean breeze that blew past Ares into the room, hear the distant crash of waves. She had not been sleeping but thinking of becoming a Goddess, of living with Ares. Talking with Aphrodite had helped calm her nerves, but it still was a big decision. And she still had no idea what she would say to Hera and Zeus. And now Ares was here, probably wanting to talk. Throwing the sheets off, she went over to him. "Yes, Ares?"
"You know, we really didn't get much time to be together today, with everyone interfering. I thought I should take you on a proper date, one befitting a God. So how about it?" Ares asked, an intense look is his brown eyes. His eyes seemed to stare into her very soul.
Gabrielle shivered as a thrill raced through her body. He is so handsome! And he wants me, ME!
Smiling, she tilted her head to look up at him. He was so much larger than she was, the perfect male. "What did you have in mind?"
"I thought we could go for a spin on my yacht." Ares moved closer to her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders so his hand rested just above her breast, he pulled her against his side. He swept his other arm across the dark expanse beyond the balcony. "Just imagine us out there, Gabrielle, sailing among a sea of stars! What could be more romantic?"
Gabrielle thought of the heaving waves and her stomach jumped. "I don't know, Ares. I tend to get seasick. All that tossing around doesn't agree with my stomach."
"Ah, but that's with Xena." Ares laughed as he kissed the top of her head. "Remember I'm a God! This will be no mortal ship, nothing built of wood planks and coated with pitch. She is a shining white beauty like none you have ever seen, her hull as strong as my sword and yet so light she floats like a dream. It will be the smoothest ride imaginable, so smooth you'd feel like we're flying!"
"You convinced me, Ares. But don't blame me if I get sick all over your fine leather!" Gabrielle teased. She felt a little guilty not telling Xena where she was going. She couldn't remember the last time she had gone off like this on her own. Sure, she had Ares with her but it just wasn't the same. She just hoped the Warrior Princess would come to her senses soon so they could be friends again. There were just so many times Xena had saved her in the past. Why couldn't her friend just be happy for her?
Ares laughed, his thick black curls shaking. He wrapped his arm tighter around her, crushing her against his broad chest. She could feel the heat from his body through her Amazon outfit, the studded leather rubbing against her bare stomach. Then, before she could speak a single word, the balcony dropped out from beneath her feet. The world spun around crazily, with nothing solid to grip to except Ares himself. Shutting her eyes tightly, she clung to his broad shoulders, pressing her face against his chest. His male scent filled her nostrils and she struggled to keep her stomach where it belonged and not in her throat. Just as she thought she was going to loose the battle, gravity tugged at her as the world reappeared. She swallowed several times, breathing through her mouth.
"You OK?" Ares asked as she clung to him weakly.
"I forgot how stomach twisting that is!" Gabrielle smiled faintly. She released Ares and glanced around her new surroundings. The War God had been right; this boat was like none she had ever seen. The floor under her feet wasn't wood but some other substance. She walked over to the railing and stared out to sea. A billion stars hung in the clear night sky, blazing brightly for all to see. She gasped at the sight, which was far better from here than on her balcony. "It's so beautiful! I just hope this trip is smoother than the other!"
"Trust me, Gabrielle. You'll get used to teleporting." Ares left her at the railing as he went below to start the ship moving. Being a God certainly had its advantages, like not having to rely on primitive mortal transportation. He knew it would be a long, long time before they invented anything decent at all. With expert skill he maneuvered the ship out of the harbor into the deeper water. Soon all sight of the land was lost as night reined supreme. Satisfied with how she was handling, Ares climbed the steps to join Gabrielle at the bow.
He paused for a moment just to watch her standing there, her long blonde hair blowing in the sea breeze. She is so beautiful! What have I ever done to deserve someone like her? I would be the luckiest man in the whole universe if only she'd marry me!
Then Ares decided he should do something more, but what? He pondered the problem for a few minutes. Gabrielle was completely hypnotized by the stars in the sky that seemed to rush past them. With the calm sea reflecting the night sky above, it did seem as if they were traveling through the heavens. The awesome sight was breathtaking, Ares realized. But he wanted her attention on him, not on nature's nightly display. He knew Gabrielle loved the arts, so maybe he should sing to her? Although his job didn't leave him much time for singing, Ares knew he could do it well. It seemed the sort of thing she would appreciate. Since there was no music, just his voice would have to do. Perhaps it would be easier to pour out his heart to her in a song then with regular words.
He cleared his throat and hummed a few notes, warming his voice up. He saw Gabrielle turn around to face him, her elbows and back leaning against the metal railing at the bow. He waved a hand and lights came on all over the ship, lighting it up for everyone to see. Now they were one of the stars traveling through the night sky. Several of the lights shone down on Ares, revealing his presence to her. He grinned when he saw her gasp. Oh yeah, she definitely had a thing for him all right!
"In my heart I feel the heat, like something burning deep inside of me. I'll be the man I could never be now that I found you," Ares sang in his low voice, expressing his feelings.
*****
Discord stepped into the dark hallway, a brightly lit torch in her hand. She sneezed from the thick layers of dust that covered everything. Hardly anyone went into the catacombs below Olympus, more commonly known to the Gods as the subbasement. But the shrewd Goddess knew Zeus stored all sorts of things down here, things he hardly ever used. When it came right down to it, the King of the Gods was a packrat who never threw anything out; preferring to save it for future use. Now she would use that situation to her advantage.
"There must be something down here to get rid of that pesky little bard!" Discord fumed as she stomped from door to door in the long corridor. The last time she had checked, her brother had taken the bard out on his yacht. That fit neatly right into the Goddess' plans. "An accident at sea. Hmmm, how delicious it sounds. By the time my dear brother realizes what's happening, it'll be too late. The poor little bard will be visiting Hades in the Underworld, dead as any drowned mortal!"
With relish, Discord pulled open a heavy wooden door. A fierce wind howled out, almost blowing her over. The Goddess spread her legs for better balance as her eyes narrowed. Her long smooth black hair streamed straight out behind her as ice crystals formed on her eyelashes. Her boots started to slide on the dusty floor and she groaned, forcing her arms up before her. Each hand gripped the edge of a giant cloth sack. The sack began to fill with the cold North Wind, growing rounder and firmer. At long last the wind died away and Discord quickly knotted the top of the sack with a piece of rope. She kicked the door to the room shut.
"It'll be worth it when I see the frightened expression on the blonde's face!" Discord told herself as she struggled with the heavy sack back the way she had came, leaving only her footprints behind in the dust.
*****
Xena scowled at the God before her. "Get out of my way and quit following me! I got more important thing to do than bother with you. I have to find Gabrielle."
Strife laughed, swinging his arm and twisting his jaw sideways. "Aw, why would you want to go looking for her when you got me? Uncle Ares don't want you any more, but I know how to appreciate your talents."
Xena stalked past Strife, shoving him out of the way with a fist to the shoulder. The thin God lost his balance and fell into a nearby well. She could hear him scream all the way down, then a loud splash. Xena snickered. "That should take care of him for a while."
The Warrior Princess had already checked for her traveling companion at three Inns but so far had no luck finding her. Either the Inns were giving out incorrect information or she just hadn't checked in the right one yet. Xena hoped it was the later. She had never seen a town with so many Inns before. A search that should have ended in ten minutes was turning into hours. Now another inn, the Sea Breeze, was before her. Xena stared at the outside of the place, noting the lush green plants in fancy stone urns on either side of the door, the bright red rug between them. She would never stay in a place like this; it didn't cater to the warlord crowd. But maybe Gabrielle would. In fact, Gabrielle probably checked into the first place she saw. "I should have looked here first instead of checking out the rougher places where we'd normally stay. Without me to protect her, she'd get harassed the moment she walked into the dumps we stay in."
Determination in her step, Xena pushed open the Inn's front door and walked in. She scanned the place automatically, taking in all the exits, possible hiding places, things she could throw as weapons and the number of people in sight. She shouldn't have bothered. Only a bored looking man was behind the desk. Xena noted dryly the desk was even clean, not a single scratch on its gleaming wooden surface. A high class place for sure. "Gabrielle better not be staying in this place. It'll eat up all our funds in a short time."
"Yes," The man asked her, eyeing her weapons nervously. "May I help you?"
Before Xena could reply, Strife shoved the Inn's door open and stumbled inside. The God of Mischief was soaking wet. Water dripped off his tight leather clothes and pooled around his boots. His hair was plastered to his head and partly covered his eyes. His feet slid on the smooth marble floor and he almost fell, saving himself only by clinging to a nearby potted tree. His boots scrambled for purchase and finally he got them under himself. Standing upright, he brushed his hair out of his eyes with a pale hand. Walking up to the desk proudly, he leaned forward so one arm rested on the desk. Strife slapped down a fat sack of gold coins, giving the startled man behind the desk a look. Throwing his wet arm around Xena's shoulders, Strife wiggled his eyebrows and twisted his face. "We'd like a room for the night."