woohoo an update, sorry it took me so damn long, i didnt expect it to. but, here is the next one.

Chapter 5

"Feelings"

"I don't believe you." Xena stated as she stared at Ares, confused at his words.

"It's only the truth, Xena. I have loved you ever since I can remember, since the first time I saw you on the battlefield. Your love for a battle, the passion we had. You can't tell me it didn't mean anything to you."

Xena stared at him through curious eyes. Putting a mask of no emotion on her face. She would never show her emotions for the god of war, not after all of the games they had played. "What do you expect of me?" Xena asked, barely in a whisper

"I expect nothing."

"Where's Eve?"

"At my temple. I can take you to her if you like."

Xena simply nodded she wasn't sure what to say. Ares held out his left hand and waited for Xena to take it. She took his hand; they disappeared in a flash of blue light. Within moments they were in his temple. Xena looked around until she spotted Eve laying on a large four poster bed. The large stone room was dark, only a few candles lit the room. Candles were placed neatly beside the bed on a nightstand. A fireplace sat on the far wall to the left. Different images had been painted on the walls. Xena quickly ran over to her daughter.

"Eve?" she whispered.

"She can't hear you." Ares stated, walking over to Xena

"Why not?" Xena questioned.

"She's unconscious. The events really took a toll on her, mentally and physically. She won't be conscious for a few days now. All we can do is wait."

Xena sighed closing her eyes briefly. She quickly turned on her heel, feeling a great relief that her daughter was still alive. She eyed Ares, noticing his caring deep brown eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked, her hands roaming about freely around her.

"I told you, I love you."

Xena felt a lump in her throat as she heard his words again. There was something different about it this time, this time she believed him. She advanced toward him, her dark black hair floating around behind her. She stood before him, watching him as his right hand came to rest casually on the hilt of his sword.

"say something." Ares practically begged.

"I don't know what to say." She whispered.

"Just say how you feel." He whispered back, caressing her cheek with his right hand.

Xena swallowed hard and gave a small smile. Her right hand came to rest behind his neck as she pulled him into a deep kiss. She pulled him closer, feeling the passion between them. The passion that had been buried for so many years began to resurface. She pulled away quickly, confused by her actions. Her eyes searched the dark room looking for anything to take the attention off of what just happened. Her crystal blue eyes fell upon Ares once again. Her eyes trailed up his chest to his beautiful dark brown orbs that stared at her. "sorry, I shouldn't..." she trailed off, turning to her right she made her exit through the large double doors. She ran down the long dark hallway, stopping after she was far enough away. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes and sighing. 'what just happened in there?' she asked herself. 'I need a cold bath' she thought to herself, continuing down the long hallway toward the bathing room. Finally finding it, she stripped off her bodice and shift. She dropped herself slowly into the steaming bath tub. She closed her eyes and slide down into the tub.

a few hours later

Xena sat next to Eve in the dimly lit room, the fingertips of her right hand running over Eve's cheek. Thoughts continued to race as she thought about Ares saving Eve. Why would he do such a thing? Why would he even care?

"I don't know what to do Eve." Xena whispered to the air. "Maybe he does love me."

Xena shook her head with a sigh, regaining focus on Gabrielle and her betrayal. How could Gabrielle betray her once again. They had been though so much. Like Gabrielle had said before Xena left for chin "you owe some one so much and you would just throw away these last few years." Gabrielle had thrown away the last few years. All of their adventures, their fights, the joy they shared, it was gone. Everything had been taken away leaving a gaping hole. Xena stood to full height and gave Eve one last look before heading toward the doorway. She exited through the double doors and headed toward the throneroom. She opened the door and walked in casually. She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Ares sitting on his throne, legs resting casually over the left arm rest. While his back leaned against the right armrest.

"I've given some thought about what you said." Xena stated, washing the emotion from her face as she approached the candle light.

"About what?" Ares questioned

"I want your army, I want to take out Gabrielle and Hope."

"Are you sure? Once they are dead, well they won't be coming back. I can't keep pulling strings so that your little friend continues to live."

"oh I'm sure, Gabrielle has betrayed me, not many people get the luxury to betray me and then continue to be my friend. You of all people should know that."

"I do, but I never betrayed you Xena Manipulated yes, toyed with you, yes. But I never betrayed you. Gabrielle has betrayed you, just as Caesar did so many years ago. There aren't to many people in this world you can trust."

"I know that, just give me an army with plenty of weapons, I'll do the rest."

"Are you planning on taking out the Amazons as well?" Ares asked

"Do you want me to?" Xena questioned, a small smile playing on her lips. "The only reason for taking over the Amazons would be if they are trying to protect Hope and Gabrielle, which I know they will get in the way."

"I've missed this side of you." Ares grinned

"this doesn't mean I'm coming back to you, Ares. I'm only doing this to get my revenge, after that I'm not sure what is going to happen."

Ares slowly nodded his understanding. "I realize that, but what's to say we can't have any fun along the way?"

"fun is good." Xena smirked.

"So." Ares said, swinging his legs over the throne and coming to stand full height. "What's the plan?"

"Have I ever told you any of my plans before?" Xena asked

"well, no.." Ares trailed off

"Then why would I tell you now? You will have to just wait and see."

"false hope I suppose, just tell me where you want the men."

"I'll tell you when im ready, as for now, just stay around."

"Anything for you, my warrior princess." Ares smiled

Xena smirked and rolled her eyes at being called his warrior princess. Something she hadn't heard him say in years. Maybe Ares wasn't as bad as she thought him to be. He was right, he never did betray her trust. Gabrielle had and now would be the time she would have to pay for everything. How could Gabrielle protect Hope? Hope is nothing but darkness, sent to try and take over leaving only the darkness to rule.