Later that night, Xena woke up suddenly and had an empty feeling in her stomach like something was missing. Gabrielle, Gods, I forgot about Gabrielle! Xena thought frantically. Ares woke up and immediately understood. He got up and transported them back to the Inn.

Xena ran over to Gabrielle. She had no pulse and wasn't breathing. "Oh, no, Gabrielle, wake up." Xena yelled. Kim woke up and Xena said to get Alyssa quickly. She ran out the door. Xena tried using CPR but it didn't work. Eve started crying suddenly. Ares went over picked her up and she felt silent. Xena would have been surprised if she weren't so deathly scared for her friends for her friend's life.

"Xena, come here." Ares said as he held his arms out to her. "Damn it Ares, I really don't think this is the time for-"

"Just come here! Now!" Ares yelled. Shocked, Xena went to him. As soon as she touched Ares and Eve she had a vision. She saw herself and Gabrielle asleep next to Eve. The she saw a bright flash of blue light. Ares appeared. Then another flash of light appeared. Eli and Michael showed. Ares nodded at them and put his hands on Xena and Eve's heads. The angelic ones poised their hand over the three of them and their bodies illuminated. The shine faded and Eli and Michael said "The healing power of three." Then all three of them left. The vision ended and Xena understood.

"I wasn't allowed to tell you." Ares explained quickly. Xena nodded and took Ares' hand and ran over to Gabrielle. She left Eve in Ares' arm and still had his hand in hers. She breathed in then placed her free and on Gabrielle's forehead. A small light appeared and grew and grew until the entire room was lit. Kim and Alyssa came rushing into the room and had to cover their eyes. The light faded and Xena, Ares, Kim, and Alyssa watched as Gabrielle drew in a deep breath and quickly sat up.

Xena bent down and hugged her tightly. "By the Gods, Gabrielle, I thought I told you not to ever go dying on me again!" Gabrielle, not quite sure what had happened, just stared wide eyed into space. Xena glanced at her head there was no sign of injury. Thank the Gods. But why did Eli and Michael give us this power? Did they know this was going to happen? Why didn't they tell me? And why did they pick Ares? Do they know something that I don't?

These questions all seemed to race through Xena's mind at one time. She shook her head and brought her attention back to Gabrielle, who was starting to gain her composure. Gabrielle looked around the room. "Who are you?" She asked Kim and Alyssa. "What is Ares doing here, and Xena, what in the name of Athena are you wearing?" Gabrielle asked quizzically.

"That's the healer, Alyssa." Xena explained. That's my friend from Amphipolis, Kim, Ares, well, that's a long story, and um... I'll think of something for the dress later.

By the next morning, Xena had explained everything that had happened to Gabrielle. Leaving out, of course, the kissing part. Gab could only take so much news at once. Alyssa had done a more thorough check up and found nothing anywhere. Gabrielle was showing Kim and Alyssa some of her scrolls and they were enthralled. "Then Xena told me to jump into the speeding chariot, from on Argo's back! I thought she was totally unhinged!" Gabrielle was saying. Xena smiled as she remembered that particular adventure And Gab's frantic leap. Gabrielle seems to be back and better than ever. She thought.

Then she felt his presence. But it wasn't as strong. She walked slowly and very quietly into the next room. There was Ares, sitting on a chair, holding a sleeping Eve. He didn't hear her walk in. "She likes you." Xena said. Ares looked up startled. "Must run in family, unable to resist my charms." Ares said. Xena chuckled.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're extremely self-assured?"

"No. But I think it an awful lot."

Ares put down Eve and walked over to Xena and transported them both back to his chambers. "I do hope you're not hoping for a five minute quickie." Xena said. Ares laughed.

"Xena my dear, I am not capable of "quickies", as you put it." Xena put on a dazzling smile. "I hope not" Ares said that he brought her back so she could get her clothes and armor back. Xena wondered why he didn't just materialize them onto her in the Inn. Ares walked past her and went to the dresser. He opened the top drawer and took out a silver box. There was the mark of the God of War on the top. Ares opened the box and took out a small black velvet bag and poured the contents into his hand.

It was a pendant of Xena's first chakram on a short silver chain. Ares walked behind Xena and placed the delicate necklace on her. She turned around and Ares' heart stopped and he was speechless. She looked like a goddess. He couldn't talk so he handed her the clothing. She took them and started to change.

She made no request for Ares to leave. Being the hot-blooded male that he is, he stayed and watched. Xena turned her back to him and unbuttoned the dress. She let it slip over her shoulders and onto the floor. Ares, seeing her smooth, well-tanned skin, (and other areas) almost had a massive stroke. He could have sworn he'd died and that this must be the Elysian Fields. He also could have sworn that his pants had somehow gotten 2 sizes to small very quickly.

Xena knew his reaction and was enjoying every minute of it. She pulled on her shift and then her leathers. Her armor and assortment of weaponry was last. She put her sword, boot-daggers, whip, (a new one that Gabrielle had gotten her for the winter solstice since she traded the old to Minya for a FRYING PAN!) and gauntlets and armbands in place. She then put her breast dagger in "place" very slowly and was sure it was in the exact right spot.

She couldn't find her Chakram. She turned and saw Ares touching it delicately and turning it over in his hands. "Y'know, Xena," he said. "I really prefer the one that I gave you but if this is what you like, okay then." Xena took it and put it in place at her hip. She bent over to put her boots on, giving Ares a birds-eye view. She stood up when she was finished and walked over to the mirror and began to brush her hair.

Ares took the brush from her and continued the job himself. Before he could finish, there was a knock at his door. It was on of Ares' high priests. He told Ares the he had news on a war in Thrace. Ares nodded and told the priest to go to the next room. "Sorry Princess, I have to take care of this real quick. I'll be right back." Xena nodded. Ares kissed her softly, bowed, and exited the room.

Xena walked around the room one last time. She again came to the stone display. Xena couldn't help herself. She reached into the basket and randomly picked one out. She held it in her hands and looked down. She couldn't help but smile as she looked at it and a fluttery feeling filled her stomach.

The stone showed a picture of Ares standing with Xena holding a baby girl. (A/N The kid has to be gorgeous considering the lineage.) The back of the stone said that the child's name was Gabriella. I wonder who is going to help us name her? Xena thought as she suppressed a happy tear at the thought of us. She heard Ares finish up talking to the priest and start walking towards the room.

Xena quickly put the stone back and covered the basket. She picked up the brush and continued grooming her hair. Ares walked in and said "Are you ready to go?" "Yup" Xena replied. They held hands as they walked into the Aether together.

THE END