Cupid entered his father's reading chamber, startling Strife who was sprawled on a couch reading a scroll. When he noticed Cupid, he tried to hide the scroll.
"You don't have to pretend around me, Strife. I helped you learn to read. Remember?"
"Oh, yeah. That's right. So what's up cuz?" Strife asked.
Cupid sat down on the big couch next to Strife. "Life sucks right now," he said miserably and pouted.
"It beats tha other alternative, believe me," Strife said. "So what's wrong?"
"What isn't wrong? Psyche starts to divorce me, then disappears, making me the most likely suspect of any foul play according to most of Olympus. I'm worn out from trying to do Zeus' job, and have tons of work to do. Hades made a mess out of things let me tell you. Can you believe he broke up a great couple that had been married for ten years, making the woman fall in love with a solider who only likes men and the husband fall in love with a pig!"
"That wasn't a nice thing ta say, Cupid. I'm sure she has some great qualities. Ya should know bettah than to judge by appearances." Strife scolded teasingly.
"No, I mean a real pig! And do you know what reason Hades had when I asked him?"
Strife shook his head a bit amused by Cupid's ranting. He was so cute when he was annoyed or angry, or upset, or sad, or happy, all right, he was always cute.
"He thought the pig felt lonely!!"
Strife exploded with laughter. When he'd calmed down enough to be able to speak again, he gave Cupid an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Cupe. But this was hilarious. I just pictured Hades having a conversation with tha pig, checking up if tha pig was happy now."
Cupid's mouth started to twitch as he conjured up that image. It was quite amusing.
Strife continued, "But I'm sorry if Hades made a big mess of things for ya. I've caught up with my work again. It was easily done with some standard pranks and mischief. I don't understand how Zeus could have such a hard time managing my job. So if ya need any help, just ask."
"Thanks Strife!" Cupid said gratefully. "I'll probably hold you to that. Now with the problem with Bliss and everything."
Strife frowned, "What's wrong with Bliss?"
The Love God sighed, "Psyche's disappearance has been hard for him. He overheard Psyche saying something she shouldn't have before she left. And when he realized that she was gone, he blamed himself. And now, he found a thistle in Hera's garden and insists its Psyche. He calls it Mommy, carrying around it in a pot and talks to it. He refuses to go anywhere without it. And he insists on that Hera was on Olympus when everyone knows she's resting in Gaea's valley."
"Oh, that's probably just his way to cope with all this. I'm sure he'll stop when he feels secure enough and some time have passed," Strife comforted.
"But we might not have that time. Some of the Gods have started talking about getting Zeus and Hera to take Bliss away from me until Psyche's disappearance has been explained and its clear that I didn't have anything to do with it!" Cupid exclaimed nearly crying.
Strife put an arm over Cupid's shoulder, "That won't happen. No one wants both Love and War to be pissed at him, and Ares and Aphrodite would never agree to that. And if someone is stupid enough ta take this to Zeus, all we have ta do is hint about spilling the beans about the mess he made with the chaos stone."
Cupid raised his eyebrows, "You knew?" he asked surprised.
Strife giggled, "There is very few things going on that I don't know about. And Zeus was using my Godhood after all."
"You don't believe that I have anything to do with Psyche's disappearance, do you?" Cupid asked worried.
"Nah, not your style. If you wanted ta hurt Psyche it would've been up front. Besides, you said you didn't do it. Your word is good enough ta me."
"Oh, thank you, Strife. You are a real good friend," Cupid said and gave Strife a hug.
Dark brown eyes met pale blue eyes and suddenly Cupid felt a surge of power directed at him. "How could I be so dense not to notice?" he murmured. "You love me, don't you?" he asked giving Strife a brilliant overjoyed smile.
Strife could only nod. No point in denying feeling love to a Love God.
"I wish I'd known this before…" Cupid said and leaned forward capturing Strife's lips in a tender kiss.
Strife moaned. If this was a dream he hoped Morpheus would let him sleep forever.
"So, what are the Gods like?" Gabrielle asked as they walked toward Corinth.
"Most of them are nice. Some of them aren't. Like most people, I guess. But with more powers and stuff." Joxer answered and took a sip from his water skin. He couldn't believe all the water he drank nowadays. His time on Olympus must have made him softer than he thought since walking took so much energy from him.
"Apollo is real good looking, isn't he?"
"I guess." Joxer said noncommittally. "Most of the Gods are handsome. Just look at Ares."
"I bet Hermes is fun to be with." Gabrielle changed the subject away from Ares.
Joxer laughed, "He's just like Autolycus, only more… everything."
"Auto, you like Auto, don't you?" Gabby asked eagerly.
Joxer shrugged, "He's alright. He really likes to boast a lot. But since Jett worked with him, he got to be good at his trade."
"Have you ever met Iphicles? He's quite a looker."
"Well, not really met him, but I've seen him." Joxer grinned. "He looks so much like Ares."
"I haven't noticed that. Anyway, Iphicles is all alone now after his wife died. But now it probably has been enough time so he'll be ready to start seeing someone again."
"I hope he finds someone. It's wonderful to have someone to love."
"Maybe you two will get a chance to talk. I bet you have a lot in common."
Joxer stopped and looked at the Bard. "Gabrielle, what's going on? If I didn't know better I would think that you were trying to hook me up with someone!"
Gabrielle did her best to look innocent, "What? No! Of course not." She gave out a nervous giggle, "I just thought you guys could be good friends. You can never have enough friends." She looked at Mjau, sitting on Joxer's shoulder.
"Your cat is adorable," she changed the subject. "Here kitty, kitty…" she coed and raised a hand to pat Mjau on the head.
The kitten hissed and pulled his ears back. When she ignored his warning, he raised a paw with extracted claws and scratched the back of her hand. She jerked back. "He attacked me!" she exclaimed.
"He did hiss out a warning first," Joxer defended his kitten. "Cat's are like that. They want to be able to choose their company. I guess he doesn't like you yet. Give it time. And I'm sure he'll approach you on his own."
"But, all animals love me!" Gabrielle said insulted and than glared at Mr. Ed who had given out an amused snort.
If Mjau had been a dog, he would've growled. But since he was a cat and cats are too dignified to growl, he simply pulled his ears back and left Gabrielle. The Blonde was so annoying. She didn't smell good and had a very irritating voice. And could she ever shut up? She just went on and on and on about her opinion of things. At least Leather Woman was standable. She smelled like fish and had a nice dark voice. And she didn't use it unnecessary. And the horse, Mr. Ed was nice too. Cats and horses usually went well together. Maybe he could get a ride later. And Smiley Face was nice too. He'd hunted a rabbit and given Mjau a good part. But except his Pet, the one in the camp that Mjau liked the best was Broad Shoulders.
Broad Shoulders reminded him of Black Leather. Mjau missed Black Leather. He'd visited Pet last night, but left before morning. Broad shoulders didn't look like Black Leather at a first look. But they were both big men, and smelled almost the same. They probably came from the same litter. Maybe Broad shoulders was as good at cuddling as Black Leather?
The kitten walked up to Hercules who was tending the fire. He didn't notice Mjau until he stroked against Herc's leg and purred.
The hero gave out a girlish shriek and was fast on his feet. He quickly moved away from the cat. Who simply followed him, still purring.
"What's the matter, Herc?" Iolaus asked.
"That *thing* is following me!" Herc turned to Joxer, "Shouldn't the cat be on a leash or something so he can't hurt somebody?"
"Hurt somebody?" Joxer repeated confused and stared at Herc who still was trying to get away from the kitten. "He's just a little kitten, Herc. Not a lion or something."
"Cat's are sneaky and they steal babies breath!" Herc exclaimed as he walked yet another turn around the fire. Mjau followed him.
What a great game! Broad Shoulders was so funny. Mjau couldn't wait to see if he was a good cuddler.
"That is just stupid superstition, Hercules," Gabrielle lectured. "There is no evidence that cats harm babies in any way."
"I don't care they are still evil. With their tails and whiskers and stuff," Herc shivered. "And can you please control your cat!" he growled. "I don't want him anywhere near me!"
Seeing that Herc's focus was on Joxer now, Mjau slowly and quietly crept closer. And then, a loud meow and rubbing against a leather clad calf.
Herc jumped high and then ran to the closest tree and climbed up. He was shivering with fear.
Ooh. Climbing. So fun! Mjau thought and climbed after.
When Iolaus walked up to the tree, Herc was long out on a branch with the kitten slowly working his way out there. "Herc, Have you forgot it's dogs that can't climb threes?" Iolaus asked, a bit amused.
"This is *not* funny," Hercules scowled and jumped out of the tree with a pretty clumsy landing.
Mjau followed, but Joxer scooped him up and carried him away from Hercules. "You better stay with me, Mjau. Until we find out what's wrong with Hercules."
Xena was frowning, "Hercules has never been afraid of cats before. Maybe someone has put a spell on him."
"I guess we better talk to Ares," Gabrielle said.
Joxer shook his head, "No, Ares promised he wouldn't attack Herc unless Herc attacked him."
"And you believed him!?"
Joxer ignored Gabrielle and looked at Xena, "He gave me his word."
Xena nodded understandingly, "Then it's not Ares. But who?"
"Maybe Phobos knows." Joxer said, "It's a part of his job after all."
"Maybe he did it," Gabrielle murmured.
Joxer called on Phobos while Xena glared at Gabrielle, Iolaus tried to comfort Hercules and Mjau tried to escape Joxer's arms.
Phobos arrived in a blue flash. Almost identical to his twin Deimos, but with dark hair instead of blond, he looked a lot like Strife. "What's up, Joxer?" he asked and then turned and looked at Herc. "Whoa! Someone really has it in for Uncle Herc!" he giggled. "Making him fear kittens, now, that is a plan almost worthy of Strife."
Xena narrowed her eyes, "Is it Strife?" she asked.
Phobos shook his head, "Nope, I doubt its even Olympian. I don't recognize its power signature." He snickered, "Besides, Strife is … busy."
"What do you mean?" Joxer asked, knowing very well what a gossip Phobos was.
Phobos continued to snicker, "Hermes walked in on him and Cupe necking on a couch like there was no tomorrow. They're probably still at it."
Joxer grinned, "That's great! Cupid really needs someone right now." Then he frowned and gave Phobos a concerned look, "But weren't you and Strife together?"
Phobos shook his head, "Nah, we are just friends. We get together sometimes when neither of us has a partner. The sex is great, but we are too alike to be involved romantically."
Gabrielle shuddered, hearing about Strife's sex life. She so didn't need to know that Strife was a good lover. "So you don't have a clue who did this to poor Hercules?" She asked.
"Nope, I'll ask around," he answered.
"Are you sure it wasn't you?" Gabrielle gave the God of Fear a stern glare.
"I don't want Zeus to fry my ass for messing with Jercules, thank you very much. He's not worth it. Besides, if I was to mess with him, I wouldn't be stupid enough to do it with my own trademark." He crocked his head like he was listening to something, "Sorry guys, but I have to go. I'm working with Morpheus tonight. Making real frightening nightmares…" He nodded to Joxer, "Later," and left.
Joxer absentmindedly stroked Mjau's fur. This situation was strangely familiar. He had wished that Hercules would find out what it felt like to be scared. But it was impossible. Gaea had the Chaos stone now. It was safe were it belonged. Wasn't it?
They didn't sleep well that night. Mjau tried to sneak up in Hercules bedroll every chance he got. Then Herc would yell, Joxer sigh, get up and grab the cat and put him back on his own bedroll, holding him close. But his grip would always loosen when he was drifting of to sleep, and then Mjau sneaked away again. And then the circus started all over again.
Finally Joxer stayed up until he was sure Herc was completely asleep. Then he turned in.
When Iolaus woke up next morning, he stared into the kitten's face. "We better move you before Herc wakes up and have another fit," he said and rose. He moved Mjau to Joxer's bedroll and that woke Joxer up.
A moment later, Joxer was running towards some bushes.
When he came back, Xena was awake and Iolaus looked at him worriedly, "This isn't normal, Joxer. You should go to Asclepius ' temple when we arrive in Corinth."
Joxer nodded weakly, "Yeah, I've been feeling a bit strange lately. I'll talk to Asclepius," he promised. "Maybe I'm allergic to being immortal?" he pondered for himself.
Just as Gabrielle woke up, a familiar shimmer started. And then Hera, Queen of the Gods appeared.
Iolaus rose from the fire he'd just started, a bit weary but not in the mood to provoke the Goddess with out reason.
Gabrielle gasped out, "Hera!"
Xena made sure she was between Gabrielle and the Goddess and that her sword and chakram were at her side.
Joxer gave Hera a sunny smile, "Lady Hera! How nice of you to visit! Is there anything I can do for you?"
Hera smiled back. "Yes, Dear. And you can start calling me Mother as I asked you too."
Joxer blushed, "Oh, I'm sorry, Mother. I just forgot. This is still so new for me."
"Apology accepted," Hera beamed. "I just wanted to see you, is everything all right?"
Before Joxer had a chance to answer, Hercules gave out a bellow. While Joxer and the others were distracted with Hera's arrival, Mjau had sneaked back to Hercules bedroll. And now the Demi God was awake…
Screaming and shouting, running away from the kitten until Xena took pity on him and scoped up Mjau, and held him in his arms.
Hera looked at her stepson, "What's his problem?" Has he finally snapped?" she asked hopefully. "You know, insanity runs in his cow of a mother's family."
Joxer ignored Hera's jibe at Alcemene, "No, Someone made him afraid of kittens," he explained. "And Phobos couldn't see who it is." He walked closer and quietly said, "The strange thing is, that I wished that Herc would know what it's like to be afraid. If I didn't know better I would think that you Gods misplaced the Chaos stone again."
Hera blushed, "Actually; that's the real reason I'm here…" she confessed. "I've spent some time in Gaea's cottage and she asked me to look after the Chaos stone. And now, I can't find it anywhere! I'd hope it had come to you, since it likes you so much."
Joxer shook his head; "I haven't seen it. But since my wish came true, it might be around here somewhere. Where I haven't noticed it. Why don't you just ask Gaea? She might be able to feel it," he suggested.
"No! I'll never hear the end of it! Grandmother always treats me like a baby." Hera pouted, "Don't forget to feed the animals, remember my flowers, do this do that," she said in a pretty good impression of Gaea.
Joxer nodded sympathetically, "My grandmother was the same way. We better look for it then."
And they looked and looked, everywhere. But they couldn't find anything similar to a Chaos stone. Finally Hera's eyes riveted to the mortals. "Strip!" she commanded.
"What!?" Iolaus exclaimed.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Joxer asked faintly, blushing when he looked at Gabrielle and Xena.
"There is no way in Tartarus that I'm going to take my clothes of in front of Joxer and you!" Gabrielle glared.
"Yes you will," Hera growled and showed them all exactly how much his mothers son Ares was.
"I am not getting naked in front of that creature!" Hercules pouted.
"Why don't I take Mjau and go into the woods where I can't see Gabby… I mean were Herc can't see Mjau?" Joxer suggested eagerly and practically ran from the camp when Hera nodded.
Hera turned to the others, "Now, what are you waiting for? Strip!"
Gabrielle folded her arms around he chest, "I'm not doing it!" she said stubbornly.
"Do you really think that you have a choice?" Hera's eyes flashed and Gabrielle was naked with a wave of her hand. Hercules and Iolaus quickly turned around.
"My clothes!" Gabrielle shrieked.
"You don't have it," Hera said disappointed and dressed Gabrielle with a flick of her finger. But not in her usual clothes. No, now Gabrielle was wearing a frilly purple dress with red hearts on. It covered her from neck, to wrists and ankles and had a lot of laces.
Hera turned to the others, "Now, are the rest of you going to do this by your selves, because if I have to 'help' you, you'll end up in something similar to what Blondie is wearing."
The others quickly started to strip. But no Chaos stone.
"Is it safe to come back?" Joxer asked from behind a tree when the mortals were almost dressed again.
"It's all right, Dearie!" Hera said. "They didn't have it." She sighed, "Oh, well. At least I got to see Iolaus naked," she leered.
Iolaus blushed, gave out a yelp and moved so he was hidden behind Hercules. Who in turn tried to hide behind Xena since he had seen that Mjau had returned.
"I *so* didn't need to know that!" Joxer said and then grabbed his water skin and began to drink.
When he was finished Hera gave him a hug and said amused, "What? Just because I don't *act* on my impulses like the old goat does, doesn't mean I don't have them. I enjoy eye-candy just as much as the next girl." Then she frowned, pulled away a bit from Joxer and moved a hand to his stomach. "Joxer, you didn't happen to wish for something, involving you and Ares, by any chance?"
Joxer frowned and thought about it, trying to remember, "Well now that you mention it… Why?"
"Because unless I'm wrong, and I'm seldom wrong about these things, you're pregnant."
Joxer shouted out, "Ares!" and then promptly fainted.
When Ares arrived, Joxer lay on the ground with his head in Hera's lap. The goddess was washing his face with a damp cloth, silently cooing things like, "Don't worry precious, everything's going to be alright. It's time to wake up, Dear." Oblivious to the mortals in the camp.
Gabrielle was alternately screaming, blaming Hera and telling everyone else to calm down.
Xena was trying to calm down Gabrielle.
Iolaus was asking Hera what was wrong with Joxer, and Hercules threw accusations at Hera, hiding, unsuccessfully, behind Iolaus. After all, Mjau was standing next to Joxer and Hera meowing his little hart out. Something was wrong with his Pet!
"Enough!" Ares shouted. Everybody except Mjau and Gabrielle stopped. With an irritating glare, Ares put a gag on Gabrielle and transported both her and the warrior princess a mile away from the camp. Ares picked up Mjau, stroking his fur comforting. Then turned to Hera, "Mother," he said and raised one eyebrow, "care to explain exactly why my beloved is laying unconscious in your lap?"
Hera looked at the two heroes still in the camp and after a wave of her hand, they froze, with their eyes blank staring into oblivion.
Hera bit her lip; "It's my fault I'm afraid. I gave him some news a bit too bluntly."
Ares sighed, sat down next to her, moved Joxer to his own lap, sharing it with Mjau, and gently started to stroke his hair, "Tell me the whole story, please," he asked.
"Well, I lost the Chaos stone!" Hera blurted out.
Ares stared at his mother; "I don't believe this! Father, yes! He doesn't always think with his brain, but you! How could you loose it? How hard can it be to take care of one small rock?! And what has it done to Joxer?"
"The same as the last time, I'm afraid. Giving him what he wished for." She gave her son a motherly smile. "He wished he could give you a child, Ares."
"You… you mean Joxer is…?"
"Yes dear, Joxer is pregnant with your child. And I guess the news were a bit to much for him."
"Joxer is having my baby?"
"Yes, didn't I just say that?"
"My baby, in Joxer?"
"Oh, you're in shock, right?"
"Baby?"
'Sigh' "Yes, Ares, a baby. They *do* turn up once in a while. Remember? It's not like it's your first child," Hera said a bit irritated.
"It's my first child with Joxer!" Ares glared.
"So you are happy about this?" she asked.
"Accident or not, this is the greatest gift Joxer has given me since he told me he loved me."
"Good." Hera rose and got a determined look on her face. "I don't like this, but we have no other choice. I've looked for that stone everywhere, both in the Valley and on Olympus, and since Joxer and the others don't have it, I don't have a clue where it can be. I have to call on Gaea. I'll never hear the end of this, but we need to get a hold of the Chaos stone. Try to wake up Joxer." Hera closed her eyes and called on her grandmother. It would take some time since Gaea at this moment was one with the Earth. Making sure everything was right.
"Wake up, lovely," Ares cooed.
Joxer's eyelids fluttered, "What… um mfm," he mumbled.
"You need to wake up now, we have a lot to talk about."
Joxer opened his eyes, "Ares?" he asked and gave his lover a brilliant smile, "It's so nice to see you. I had the strangest dream. Hera and the Chaos stone were in it."
"It was no dream, Honey."
"No dream? You mean I'm pre… pre… pr…" Joxer stuttered.
"Yes, you're pregnant." Ares confirmed.
Joxer suddenly looked a bit insecure and scared, "You're not mad are you? For me messing things up I mean."
Ares held him close, "Of course not! I think this is great. I can't wait to be a father again. But how do you feel? This isn't exactly the natural order of things"
"This is better than natural," Joxer answered, then he paused and then looked up at Ares face and puzzled asked, "But how are we going to do this. I'm a guy, how will the baby get *out*!?"
"I'm not sure, I guess we have to ask Mother, Apollo or Ascleiupus about that. The only males I know who has given birth have been Gods. It's probably different for immortals." He shuddered, "There is *no* way I'm going to let Heph cut your head in half."
Just as Joxer said, "I'm glad to hear that," Gaea appeared. She looked around, let her eyes glaze on Hera, stopped a while at Hercules and Iolaus, still standing like statues, and finally turned to Ares and Joxer. "My, you *have* been busy;" she said with an amused smile on her lips.
"I'm sorry, Grandmother. It's my fault. I lost the Chaos stone," Hera mumbled sullenly.
Gaea shook her head sadly, "When will you ever learn, Hera?"
"But I made sure to look at it at least once a day and I even dusted it!" Hera defended herself.
"Yes, but that wasn't what I asked for. I asked you to keep the Chaos stone company. To look after it. Not just make sure it was there and didn't collect dust! Haven't you figured out that the stone is like a living being? It loves company. You ignoring it made it leave and look for some entertainment."
"You mean Joxer?" Ares asked.
Gaea smiled, "Yes, The Chaos stone really likes him. That's why it granted him his highest wish, and a couple of not so high wishes," she added.
Joxer blushed, "Can you undo whatever it is that makes Hercules afraid of kittens?" he asked hopefully.
Ares started to chuckle, "You made Jercules afraid of kittens?" he asked.
"Yeah, I really didn't mean to, it was just a thing in the moment," Joxer explained.
Ares roared with laughter, "Oh, please mother, wake him up for me," he begged Hera and grabbed Mjau.
Hera smirked and Iolaus and Hercules woke up.
"What do you mean by freezing us like that!" Hercules started to rant, then he realized what Ares held in his arms, "Oh no!" he exclaimed in horror.
Ares grinned madly and raised the kitten towards Hercules, "What's the matter, little brother? Don't you want to say hello to Jox' kitten?"
Herc backed away and Ares followed until Hercules was trapped with his back against a tree. Ares shoved Mjau right up in his face and said, "Meeeeow!" tauntingly.
Hercules became pale as a sheet, gave out a girlish shriek and fainted.
Ares looked down at his brother, "I think I broke him," he said absentmindedly and stroked Mjau's fur. He looked closer at the kitten's collar. "Hey, Joxer. Nice stone here, where did you get it?" he asked.
"I thought *you* got it for me, one morning Mjau was just wearing it. I was going to thank you for it but it always seemed to slip my mind," Joxer answered confused.
Gaea laughed, "Of course it slipped your mind! The Chaos stone didn't want anyone to notice him."
Joxer paled and then blushed, "You mean the stone has been on Mjau's collar all this time and I never noticed?"
"Don't feel bad, Dear. The Chaos stone is very good at manipulating minds when it wants to." Gaea went to Ares side and removed the little stone from Mjau's collar. It immediately grew to its normal size in her hand. "Now, old friend, please restore poor Hercules mind, the way you found it. I know he is a bit of a boar, but he is young. He'll have time to change."
Herc got surrounded by a blue shimmer, but didn't wake up. Seeing Iolaus worried face Gaea hurriedly explained, "Don't worry. When he wakes up, everything's going to be back to normal. He'll awoke in about an hour or so."
"Thank you," Iolaus said. It could never hurt to be polite to a Goddess. He sat down next to Herc, pulling his head on his lap, quite similar to Hera's actions with Joxer earlier. "What about Xena and Gabrielle?" he asked Hera.
"Oh don't worry about them, I just transported Xena and the scream machine a couple of miles away. They'll be back before you know it." Hera answered.
Ares pulled Joxer up from the ground, "Lets go home and make mad passionate love for a couple of days," he suggested hopefully.
"Sounds good to me," Joxer grinned.
"We just have to remember to visit Asclepius or Apollo later, to make sure everything's all right," Ares said sternly.
Joxer leaned against his chest and sighed, "You're right. But I detest going to the healer."
"I'll make it up to you," Ares coed and they disappeared in a shimmer.
"Is something really wrong with Joxer?" Iolaus asked Gaea and Hera concerned.
"You'll find out soon enough," Gaea said a bit amused.
"So I guess everything's alright again, I really should be off…" Hera said innocently and prepared to leave.
"Not so fast, young lady!" Gaea said sternly. "While you've been roaming around Greece, trying to locate the Chaos stone instead of simply telling me, my garden has almost dried out. A lot of my flowers and plants have died. And you made a commitment to keep my garden tiptop! So now, you are going to stay in the Valley until everything's back to normal." Seeing Hera's relieved face she added, "And you're going to do it the mortal way. No powers."
"Do I have to?" Hera whined.
Gaea looked at her granddaughter sternly. "Don't. Make. Me. Repeat. My. Self."
Hera mumbled, "No ma'am," and the two Goddesses left.
Leaving poor Iolaus holding the bag. "Now, what am I going to tell the
others when Herc wakes up and the girls comes back," he said and scratched
his head. "Maybe they'll leave me alone if I simply say the Gods really
are crazy?"
