Chapter 2
"When a Friendship Dies"

Xena lay on the large bed in her old room. She thought about a plan to kill Hope and at the same time get her daughter. Why did it seem like all of the bad things happened at once? It couldn't happen gradually that would be too easy. She also wondered why Ares was being so kind to her. That was very rare; usually it was in some desperate attempt to get her back. Maybe this all was another desperate attempt to get her back. Maybe this is what Ares had planned all along; make things wrong know she would have to make it right. Did the fire that existed inside her still continue to burn and she had never really extinguished it. She loved the fight the rush she got when she was fighting with her sword. She also loved the rush of war, the rush of fighting to protect the innocent and to kill people who were doing wrong. She sighed and continued to think about her plan. There was a way out of this she just had to figure out what it was. How was she to save her beloved friend and daughter at the same time? Gabrielle was dead set on killing her daughter and that just wouldn't do. Deep down Gabrielle didn't want to kill Eve but she was about sticking to the rules of the amazons. Power changes you, and being a queen of the Amazon's that power would also consume her friend. She shrugged off these thoughts and decided to finish thinking about this in the morning. She needed plenty of rest for what was about to happen. Xena woke just before dawn. She used her time to bathe and get ready for the day. On nice thing about staying with Ares, she could bathe, as she wanted to. Ares knocked on the door and waited anxiously for Xena to answer he had news from one of his generals.

"Come in." Xena said, finally dressed in her normal leathers and Armor. Ares casually walked in, not giving a hint of his news.

"Morning. How are you doing?" She eyed him, like he really wanted to know. "Fine, have you found out anything?"

"Yes, I got a report this morning from one of my generals, Hope is heading toward the Amazon camp."

"Why would she be doing that?" Xena questioned, putting her sword in its scabbard.

"I'm not sure, but I can bet it has something to do with Gabrielle." Xena tried to figure out what was going on, why would Hope go to the Amazon camp? "Well, I better go then." She said, walking past Ares. He nodded.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She quickly looked at him with a smile. "Who me?" and then quickly walked out. She went to the stable to get Argo, she saddled up and was on her way. She arrived at the Amazon camp in about an hour. She decided to scout the camp first, find a weakness and what was going on. Good thing over the years she had learned to read lips. Then she noticed it, Hope was there standing by Gabrielle's side as she was telling the others what to do.

"What in tartarus?" she asked herself quietly Then Eve was brought out in chains around her wrists and feet. Xena ran down into the camp, that was enough. The Amazons quickly surrounded her Xena eyed Gabrielle. "Gabrielle what is going on?" Xena questioned

"Well Xena, your daughter Eve is about to be sentenced.... To death." Gabrielle grinned proudly. She knew that Xena wouldn't allow it to happen. She also knew that Xena wouldn't go down without a fight and she was prepared.

"Gabrielle lets talk about this." Xena said sternly

"Right now?" Gabrielle asked

"YES right now."

"Fine." Gabrielle sighed, Xena followed Gabrielle into the Queen's hut. "Gabrielle what is going on with you? Why are you acting like this?"

"It's always been in me, you just never let me have any power so I had no idea it was there. I am just upholding Amazon law. "

"The what is Hope doing here??" Xena questioned angrily

"Well see Xena, Hope is my daughter.. She's given me the power to see what I was missing over the years from traveling with you. I am the leader here, the master these women bow to me. They also look to me for answers and for justice. You can understand that, can't you?"

"Of course I can but killing my daughter in order to show them you have power is stupid. And right now you're being very stupid."

Gabrielle shrugged. "That maybe so but I know what's best for the Amazons, you don't so just get out of here before we have to kill you to." Gabrielle's little threat didn't discourage Xena at all. It only aggravated her. "Gab, you're making a very huge mistake, I hope you know what you're dealing with."

"Oh I do. It's only you; you don't have anyone to back you up. Well, anyone that you can trust anymore."

Xena gritted her teeth. "Hold off on Killing my daughter, I can plead her case."

"Fine I'll hold off until tomorrow. She is to die tomorrow when the sun is high. I hope you prepare to see your daughter killed. Because I guarantee it will happen." Xena narrowed her eyes at Gabrielle, trying to figure out what was running through her head.

"Thank you." Xena said and then left the camp. Xena made camp just out of sight. She wanted to keep an on what was going on and to see if Gabrielle was going to keep her promise.

"Ares, I know your there." Xena said finally He appeared and smiled at her. Xena knew he loved that whenever se did that. "What do you want Ares?" Xena questioned, still keeping an eye on the camp.

"I heard what you and Gabrielle talked about."

"Were you there the whole time?"

"No, not the whole time, but I do know she wants to kill your daughter. I also know that through Eve you have the power to kill gods."

"So what? Your just going to allow them to kill Eve over fear of being killed yourself?"

"To the contrary I do not wish you or Eve any harm. But Gabrielle and Hope are working together now. Hope is only in it for herself, using Gabrielle to get what she wants, complete power."

"What's your point?" Xena asked impatiently

"I want to help you. I will give you an army and plenty of supplies."

"If I go running in there with an army right now they'd kill Eve for sure.. no I will deal with this on my own terms."

"Well if you change your mind, you know what to do." Ares gave a slight smile. Xena just nodded.

"I doubt I'll be changing my mind anytime soon. I can deal with this on my own."

"Yes I know you can but you against a whole tribe of Amazons doesn't seem like a fair fight."

"I'll do what I have to do."

"I know that. It was just an offer."

"I don't need or want your help Ares, why don't you go and find someone else to play with?"

Ares shook his head. "You know I would always help you..."

"Why would you want to help me now? What is in this for you?"

"The satisfaction of a good war." he grinned evilly. Xena I know you fear killing your little friend, but you may have no choice... if she kills your daughter..."

"Then its over." She said looking down.

"I'm going to what ever I have to do to save my friend, and my daughter. You should know that by now."

"Oh I do.. At any rate, I have to go, think about it." He said running the back of his hand over her cheek. Shivers ran down Xena's body as Ares touched her. She quickly backed up.

"I'll do what ever I have to, so you had better not get in my way."

"Oh, that's right you have the power to kill gods. I almost forgot about that. Well no worries Xena, I won't interfere." He said casually resting his arm over his sword at his side.

"But realize, I can't let you kill my child. Sure Hope can go, but not my child."

He nodded. "yes i know."

He disappeared into a flash of blue light.

"He's so confusing..." Xena sighed and went back to watching the camp.