Strife had overcome many obstacles in his life, an uncaring mother, being practically an outcast on Olympus, the fact that most mortals saw him only as a hindrance and never could remember his name. (How hard could it be to remember Strife? He was named after what he was for Tartarus' sake!) Or treat him with the respect other Olympians got automatically.
He'd even conquered death.
But now he'd met his match. This was the hardest thing he'd ever done. It was impossible to solve and probably addictive. He hadn't been able to put it down since he brought it from the future. Amazing how something so little could hold so much power he mused as he twisted and turned the little multicolored cube. Perhaps this was impossible; maybe he should acknowledge his defeat and give up?
Never! A thing made by a mortal would not conquer the God of Mischief.
He would conquer the Rubric's cube even if it killed him again.
"Watch'a doing Unc' Stwifie?" a little voice asked, standing next to him.
"Oh, I'm trying ta get tha sides of this cube ta be in one color each by movin' the small thingys. Like this," he demonstrated. "Want ta watch?" he asked and when Bliss nodded, he put him in his lap so the child could see exactly what he was doing.
"I saw this thing in tha Hall of Times an' just had ta try it. Apparently it's going ta drive people crazy in about two thousand years." He explained.
Bliss leaned his back against Strife's chest, "That's many years," he said.
Strife laughed and said, "Yep, sure is Kid." He hugged Bliss gently and then continued to play with the Rubric's cube under a lot of grunting and concentrated facial expressions.
Bliss just sat still for a while, relishing the closeness to Strife, and the love he felt Strife had for him. And Daddy too. This was cozy, he thought.
But soon his mind started to wander.
This was almost as great as being hugged by Daddy or Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy was gone. Maybe Unc' Joxie was wrong? Maybe Mommy really didn't love Bliss anymore, and that's why she left? Maybe Bliss had been so bad she couldn't stand to be near him anymore?
No!
Bliss didn't want to think about this anymore! "Can I twy now?" he asked Strife.
"Sure!" Strife looked down at the boy and smiling handed him the cube. Anything that could keep Bliss' mind off Psyche's disappearance was a good thing.
There was still no sign of Psyche. It was like she'd vanished into thin air. Bliss took it hard. Anything that could keep his mind off the sorry news was welcomed. Even if the cube was so complicated he doubted even Athena could solve it.
Bliss twisted and turned the cube's movable parts and was puzzled for a while. Then he giggled, changed a couple of parts around and showed Strife.
"Like this?" he asked, holding up the cube, now showing one color on each side.
Strife's jaw dropped, "How?" he stuttered. He'd spent days trying to figure this out and now Bliss did it in a couple of minutes.
Strife first looked like he was going to cry, but then he laughed and hugged Bliss tightly. "You're a real smart kid, Bliss! I think I hav' ta adopt yah!" he joked.
"Kewl!" Bliss squealed and hugged Strife back.
And after a while asked, "What does 'dopt means?"
Ares entered his private chamber. He had one in each temple, and boy, did he need them!
After giving his warriors his new orders consisting the warfare in Greece the following year. (What cities that were up for grabs and which cities Ares would castrate them for if they dared to attack.) He had to answer an endless supply of stupid questions, like 'Are you really sure you don't want us to attack Athens and kick Athena's army's collective ass, just a little?'
Hestia's time as God of War had had great impact on things. Many of his warriors did not fear him any longer. Seeing the God of War wearing an apron to battle could do that to a man.
Well, after today, that would change!
The Big Bad God of War was back and things would soon get bloody…
That thought perked Ares up a little and he took his sword and chopped the head of an imaginary enemy.
Soon he was reminiscing and reenacting an old glorified battle. It had been great.
At least until Xena and Blondie had shown up…
In a way, Joxer had brought out the child in him.
Ares didn't mind a bit. As long as only Joxer knew, of course.
"Take this!" he growled and then laughed at his own antics.
"Eh hum," someone cleared his throat.
Ares turned around and glared. Who dared to enter the God of War's private chamber?
"Eh, sorry to disturb you, Me Lord. But I… I… I just wanted to… er…"
Ares looked at the man in the doorway. He looked like most of his worshippers. A worn armor and weapons that was kept real well. Probably a professional soldier. The man had rat-brown stripy hair, big out standing ears and a huge red nose. In his forehead, he had a scar.
This man would never win any beauty contests.
"Yes, speak up!" Ares demanded impatiently when the man didn't continue.
"Well, I just wantedtoknowifyou'reOKnow," the man blurted out.
Ares just stared at the man, "What?!"
"Oh there is nothing wrong with it!" the man said hurriedly. "My dear old father always said that a real good warrior is a little insane sometimes."
"Insane!"
"Yeah, I have nothing against it! To each his own as my dear father used to say. I just wanted to know if it has stopped now, and if we are back to business as usual."
Ares sighed, this man was obvious too stupid to be afraid. He really didn't want to have to kill him. Men who were too stupid to be afraid were often great foot soldiers. "Who are you?" he finally asked.
"I'm G.I Joeus!" the man declared proud. "Son of Kenus and Barbiea of Mattela! So are you all right now?"
"I'm not insane."
"So, you don't want to know how my mother is doing?" G.I Joeus asked.
"Tartarus, NO!" Ares roared.
"And you don't mind if me and my friend beats the crap out of another fella as long as he's up to fighting in time for the next battle?"
"Practice is always good." Ares answered.
"And you don't mind the wenches?" G.I Joeus asked hopefully.
"As long as the soldiers knows there's a time for fucking and a time for fighting."
G.I Joeus suddenly got big brown puppy eyes that teared up, and his chin started to shiver.
"Ooh, I love you Ares," he said happily and gave the God of War a big hug and a kiss on the mouth. Then he left the room before Ares had a chance to react.
Ares just shook his head. Puzzled he wondered what that was all about.
He began to think that all mortals were crazy.
Just as the trio was getting ready to go to bed, there were some movements in the bushes. Hercules and Iolaus tensed and grew alert.
A man came forward, looking identical to Joxer. The black leather and the almost maniacal smirk identified the man as Jett.
"Jett!" Joxer exclaimed, "What in Tartarus are you doing here?"
Hercules stood, eyeing the stranger. He didn't look so dangerous at the first glance, but there was something in his eyes…
"Aren't you suppose to be in prison?" he asked suspiciously.
Jett's smirk grew wider. "I got a pardon," he said innocently.
Joxer raised his eyebrows, "You, a pardon?" he repeated disbelieving.
Jett's eyes glittered, "I did the judge a favor…" he said.
Joxer decided he really didn't want to know exactly what kind of favor.
Hercules and Iolaus seemed to have come to the same decision.
"So… What are you doing here?" Iolaus asked.
Jett looked at his brother; "I heard a real interesting rumor from a priest of Ares' recently. Apparently Ares has chosen a consort. An immortal named Joxer to be exact. So when I heard that you guys just had left the little village back there," he gestured towards the way they'd come from. "I decided to catch up with you. Touch base, sort of speak." He gave Joxer an almost gentle smile. Well, gentle for Jett anyway. "Is it true?" he asked.
Joxer nodded and pulled Mjau into his lap and absentmindedly started to stroke her fur. "Yeah, Ares and I are together. And I kind of became immortal by accident…"
Jett snorted, "That sounds like something only you could do. Becoming immortal by accident…" he said amused. His eyes widened when he noticed the kitten. "Is that one yours?" he asked.
"Yeah, Ares gave him to me."
Jett smiled an actually happy smile, "I guess you really fit together then."
Joxer blushed, "Yes, we fit together real good…" He rose, "Excuse me guys. I have an appointment with a tree."
When he left Herc asked Jett, "How can a cat tell you that Ares and Joxer are good together?"
Jett sighed, "Because Joxer never accepted an animal as a gift before. Or gotten one himself. He wouldn't even accept a horse so he wouldn't have to walk every were."
"Why not?" Iolaus asked puzzled.
"We didn't have the best homelife," Jett said bitterly. "In many ways, Joxer is the sanest of us. At least he doesn't enjoy killing like I do, or speak with a phony accent." Noticing Herc's and Iolaus' surprised looks he said, "What? You guys didn't think I knew I'm a nutcase? I do know that most people don't get off on torture and killing. I just stopped caring about it. I *like* being crazy. It's so much more fun." He grinned, reminiscing his last torture session. Hot pokers were always a good choice. The woman had lasted longer than he thought she would. It had been a lovely surprise. Most people these days were wimps and couldn't stand a little torture now and then.
He continued, "Anyway, when we were five, Grandfather gave Joxer a kitten. Father choked her a month later. When we were seven, Joxer got a puppy; Father drowned him when he pied in his boot. When we were thirteen, we got our first horses. Joxer's mare was quite feisty and disobedient with anyone who wasn't Joxer. Father tried to ride her, got thrown off, and whipped her to death." He gave Herc and Iolaus a meaningful look, "Starting to see a pattern here?"
"Oh my Gods," Iolaus murmured, "He makes my father look alright…"
"Now, most people would realize that the blame lies on our father. Unfortunately, Joxer believed Father and thinks it's his fault. That he trusts Ares enough to accept the cat, says a lot."
"I guess it does," Herc said.
Jett gave him a stern look. "Now listen. I only told you this because of your bad relationship with Ares. To make you realize that trying to destroy their trust is a bad idea. If you go out blabbing about this conversation, I *will* find out. And I *will* kill you." He smiled evilly, "I like to kill heroes. Same thing if I found out you guys ruined this for Joxer…"
"We wont," Herc promised. "I've seen them together. It's real love. I'm glad that they found each other," he admitted.
Jett looked at him for a while then decided he was probably telling the truth, and nodded almost a bit disappointed. He'd had a great death planed for Hercules involving Hephaistian manacles and a very sharp knife...
Joxer came stumbling back to the camp. Almost there, he tripped over a root.
Jett smiled an indulgent smile and helped him back on his feet.
"I might be immortal, but I'm still me," Joxer said with a sad smile. "Stupid place for a root anyway."
"Yes, Joxer. I doubt you'll ever change," Jett said and silently added for himself, 'And I hope you never do, cause you are one of the few things that keeps me human.' "Why don't you sit down and tell me all about Ares and living on Olympus. And how *did* you become immortal?"
Joxer laughed and sat down, "Well it all began…"
When Joxer woke up, Jett was gone. The only one who'd seen him leave had been Mjau, and he wasn't telling.
They soon continued their journey.
Joxer was in a good mood, telling stories and funny jokes that almost made Iolaus fall over with laughter. Even Hercules couldn't help to smile. It was nice to see a happy Joxer. However, all that joking seemed to make him thirsty. They had almost half a day of walking left and Joxer had already drunk all his water and most of Hercules and Iolaus too. It was a good thing this area had a lot of creeks and springs.
Their good mood was shattered when they came to a crossroad. Joxer froze and became pale, and Iolaus frowned when they saw the silhouettes of the two women. One on horseback and the other one holding a staff.
"Hello Xena, Gabrielle," Hercules said weary when the women came closer.
He and Iolaus stepped closer to Joxer. Iolaus nodded a greeting and Joxer just stared at the women.
"Hello, Joxer," Xena said softly and smiled, trying to show that she didn't feel like Gabrielle.
"Hi, Xena," Joxer answered and gave her a relieved smile. "Mr. Ed."
And then continued to give Gabrielle a painful look.
Gabrielle just muttered hello and stared at the ground.
"Are you guys on the way to Corinth?" Xena asked.
"Yes," Hercules said.
"It's Iphicles' birthday soon," Iolaus explained.
"Can we join you?"
Herc and Iolaus both turned to Joxer.
"Sure," he said, and gave Xena another smile. He really didn't want to loose the women's friendship. And it seemed like at least Xena was giving him a peace offering.
They walked mostly in silence for an hour or two. Then Gabrielle finally found her courage and asked, "Joxer, can I talk with you for a while?"
"Sure," he said and sent the others a 'everything's alright, I really want to do this.' look and started to slow down so he and Gabrielle walked a bit after the others.
Gabrielle didn't know how to start. After she'd cussed Joxer and Ares out the last time they met, Xena had told her exactly what she thought about the situation and Gabrielle's attitude. The warrior princess had forced the bard to take a hard look at herself.
Joxer looked at her expectantly.
She bit her lip, "I'm so sorry for the way I reacted, Joxer, and the way I treated you. I guess I couldn't deal with that you wasn't exactly who I thought you should be. I really do think of you as a friend, but when you didn't acted like I expected, I in my great arrogance took it as a insult towards me. I've done a lot of thinking lately. Taking a good look at myself, and were I'm going. And I really don't like the person I've almost become. I just hope that you can forgive me one day, and that we can become friends again."
"Of course I forgive you, Gabby," Joxer said and gave her a hug. "You're one of my best friends. I don't want to loose you."
Gabrielle smiled, "Xena was right, you have the heart of a lion. I'm glad you still considers me a friend." She gave him a light peck on the cheek.
Joxer blushed, "Aw, Gee." He stuttered. "Let's catch up with the others."
"OK," Gabby said. And they started to walk towards the others.
Gabrielle couldn't believe Joxer had forgiven her that easy. She knew she wouldn't be able to if the roles were reversed. She had to make those harsh words up to Joxer. She owed him that. Maybe try to find him a better boyfriend? Cause Ares was *so* not the right one for Joxer. He would just use him. Yes, if she could find Joxer a good boyfriend, everything would be perfect. And she would feel like she'd earned Joxer's forgiveness and not feel ashamed anymore.
Bliss giggled and continued to chase the yellow butterfly. Playing in Grandma Hera's garden was always fun. He followed the butterfly into the air. Having wings definitely was an advantage when it came to chasing butterflies.
Suddenly Bliss stopped and hovered in the air, crocking his head and tried to listen and homing in on the odd sensation. He knew this tingling feeling from somewhere. This was what he always felt when…
"Mommy!" he cried out and landed, sinking down to his knees, staring at the thistle. "Oh Mommy! You didn't leave Bliss after all," he whispered with happy tears in his eyes.
Cupid came up to his son, worried when he'd heard the boy cry out for his mother. "What you got there, Bliss?" He asked and came in for a closer look. "Oh, that's just a thistle, honey. I wonder if Hera knows she has thistles in her garden." Silently thinking, 'I hope Poseidon didn't planted it because then Tartarus will brake loose on Olympus.'
Bliss giggled happily. "No, Daddy! Can't you feel it? It's Mommy! Isn't she beautiful?"
Cupid just stared at his son.
Joxer sighed and turned around again. After becoming used to Ares' comfortable bed on Olympus, a bedroll wasn't as great as it used to be. But it beat not having one at all.
He looked at the others. Iolaus was caught in Hercules embrace with Herc burying his face in Iolaus' hair. They looked so peaceful. It was easy to see that they had been together for a long time.
Gabrielle had put her bedroll very close to Xena's. How could he have been so blind? Now when he had given up his foolish crush and found real love instead, it was easy to see the signs. Xena and Gabrielle might not be lovers yet, but they were getting there.
Joxer sighed. He felt so lonely tonight. He sighed again and then felt a strong arm around his waist pulling him close to a broad warm chest. "Ares?" he asked and leaned into the embrace.
"Of course. Who else?"
"I've missed you," Joxer said and tried to get even closer.
"I've missed you too," Ares said and pushed up his hips against Joxer's buttocks, showing him exactly how much.
"Oh," Joxer gasped as Ares hand started to travel down his body. "This is nice, but we're not alone…" he made a gesture towards the sleeping heroes.
"Then just sleep," Ares said. "I'll stay and just hold you for a while."
And Joxer snuggled into Ares arms and slept.
And just like the morning before, Joxer woke up alone. "If this continues, I'm going to have to take it personally," he muttered before he froze and then rushed behind some bushes.
The others woke up to the sound of Joxer throwing up.
"Are you all right, Joxer?" Iolaus asked concerned.
"Yeah, I guess my stomach didn't like to wake up this early," Joxer answered. But he still felt a bit queasy, "I think I'm going to sit down for a while. What's for breakfast?"
"Dried fish," Xena answered.
And Joxer ran to the bushes again. After a while, he gave out a howl and ran back to the camp like the furies were after him. He grabbed Mjau and stood very close to Xena, shivering, obviously terrified.
"What's the matter?" Hercules asked.
"Ss… Snake! In there!" Joxer stuttered and pointed towards the bushes.
Hercules went and looked. The others heard him laugh and then he came back.
"It was only a garden snake, Joxer. They're not dangerous. They don't even have any venom."
Joxer seemed to relax a little, but not much. "It doesn't matter, it was a snake. That's enough for me. I've never been able to stand them. As soon as I see one, I run in the opposite direction. Poisonous or not."
"But there is nothing to be afraid of! Snakes only attack when hunting or threatened. And not all venomous snakes are lethal for humans. Being so afraid for *all* snakes isn't rational.
"I know it's irrational, Hercules. But the piece of my brain that controls fear doesn't."
"Fear can be conquered, Joxer. You just have to face your fear and stop being afraid and look at this rationally." Herc lectured, trying to help Joxer overcome this weakness.
"It's not that easy to stop being afraid!" Joxer started to feel hurt by Hercules insensitiveness.
"Just let it go, Herc," Iolaus said quietly.
"But, all he have to do…"
"Let. It. Go."
Joxer sat down a bit away from the others with Mjau in his lap. His stomach still didn't want any breakfast and he really didn't feel like returning to his conversation with Herc again.
Hercules was born as a demi-God. He'd always had his strength and confidence. He couldn't understand what it was like when the fear came over you.
Joxer hugged Mjau tighter. "I wish Hercules would be afraid of something ridiculous, so he would know how I feel." This snake incident together with his upset stomach had ruined the good mood he'd been in thanks to Ares visit. "I hope the rest of our trip gets better," He said to Mjau.
Mjau just kept purring.
