Title: The Newcomer

Rating: PG-13ish
Pairing: Xena/Ares
Summary: After turning 17, Ava, Xena's cousin (distant of course), is confused about what to do with her life and goes to the Goddess of Warfare and Wisdom for advice. Little does she know that she has caught the attention of a specific god, Athena's son.
Status of fic: WIP
Author's Notes/Disclaimer:Xena, Ares, Gabrielle, and anyone else who sounds familiar to the Xena or Hercules series are property of MCA, Universal, and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. Takes place in towards the end of the second season and beginning of the third, somewhere in between, after the dirty half dozen, let's just pretend the episodes after TDHD, never happened, yes that would mean the rest of the seasons never occurred!

Chapter 4:

Surprised she had been spoken to; Ava rose and slowly raised her head to look at who had spoken. Had she angered the Goddess? Perhaps it was because she had hesitated…or maybe the gift was too small.

"Sometimes the smallest thing that is given is the thing that is most appreciated," the goddess motioned towards the box as she spoke.

Ava was even more stunned than before; so it was true, Gods could read your thoughts. Before she had time to say anything else, Athena spoke again.

"Child, I have heard about your wish of becoming a priestess. Why is it you want to become one?" Athena asked.

Speechless, Ava began to search her mind for words and reminded herself the reason why she was there. Damn it, I should have put more thought into my answer for that question.

"Well…I feel it may be the only thing that will keep me sane. From what I have heard, when one goes decides to become a priestess/priest one must be willing to become self-less and assist the ones in need…and so I thought that perhaps if I became a priestess, I could be able to focus on being less self-absorbed."

Athena looked at Ava curiously, "Self-absorbed? What makes you believe you are self-absorbed?"

It was then that Ava realized she would have to explain what started her expedition. She took a deep breath and began to speak. "Yes, you see, a few days ago, I turned 17; I was, and still am, confused on what my next step is. It wasn't long after that my family was murdered in a raid on my village; everything I once knew and loved is now gone, and yet I do not mourn. That is what worries me and at times I find myself questioning my sanity or asking myself if it's just plain selfishness."

After she finished her explanation, Ava noticed that the Goddess was in a deep state of mind.

Athena then broke herself from her train of thoughts and decided to continue their conversation. "What is your name child?"

"Ava, daughter on Dorian and Judith."

"Ava, you seem completely lost," Athena paused. "But I sense much determination in you, the determination that will help you accomplish what you wish."

"Thank you," Ava said.

"The offering you have given obviously meant a great deal to you, in view of the fact that it is clearly the only thing you have left that holds some family value. Even though you feel extremely bad for not mourning for your family, it doesn't mean you don't grieve within; I know it must have taken great strength to decide to give it away."

The goddess looked at the Ava understandingly; she herself wasn't one for showing any emotions, but then again she was a god and the girl was a mortal. It was then that she was hit with a brilliant idea.

"Ava, I'm giving you a task, when you complete it, I shall see to it that you become one of my priestesses. As you know, my favorite temple stands in Athens; what I need for you to do is to take your offering and place it on the altar in Athens."

"Okay," Ava's eyes had widened when she heard what her task was.

"Now, I know it may sound like too big of a task, considering we are in Spain, but think of it as your first duty as a priestess. Not only that, I am going to make your trip a shorter one as well; I will transport you to Pannonia, from there you shall start your journey to Athens."

Before Ava could say a word, he goddess clapped her hands and she saw Samara and Sarah, the younger priestess who earlier had taken her robes to be washed.

"You called milady," Samara said as both priestesses bowed.

"Yes, Samara; I need you to gather a comfortable traveling outfit for this girl; she has a long journey ahead of her, and must be in the proper attire," Athena said.

Samara glanced at Ava, wondering what exactly Athena meant with long journey.

"Anything else milady?" Samara asked.

"Actually yes," Athena then turned her attention towards the younger priestess. "Get her horse ready for traveling."

"Yes milady," the young priestess answered. Both priestess bowed and left to start their tasks.

Athena then returned her attention back to Ava. "Ava, I suggest you rest well for you have a long journey ahead of you."

"Thank you," Ava said as she curtsied for respect.

Athena nodded and then disappeared into a golden light.

What have I gotten myself into, Ava asked herself.

How very intriguing, Julian thought as he stood in front of his mother's projectile mirror. He had gone to pay his mother a visit as he had heard about the spat both his mother and uncle had gotten into, only to find when he arrived that she wasn't around. He was about to leave when he thought of looking for her through her projectile mirror.

What he saw interested him. He had found his mother all right—as well as the girl that had caught his attention the day before. He eavesdropped on their conversation; he was about to stop, thinking it was completely dull and that the girl was too determined to become a priestess, when he heard her say one particular word, the heard that made the wheels in his head turn and start to devise a devious plan.

Ha, this is too good to be true; however, it's disturbing how she is most determined to become a priestess instead of thinking about vengeance, but that can easily be arranged, he thought He then saw his mother in a pensive state and decided to leave her hall for she might have felt his presence there.

As he disappeared into a faint blue light, he decided to pay a visit to a…friend.

Sarah was out in the temple stables getting the girl's horse ready, when she was caught off-guard by a voice she hadn't heard in a while.

"My, my. How long has it been since we last…conversed," she heard him say and knew that the person was smirking.

The young priestess slowly turned to look, wishing and hoping that it wasn't who she thought it was. But sure enough, it was him.

"Lord Julian, to what do I owe this...pleasure?" she asked, making an emphasis on the last word. She had to be sure not to show any sign of uneasiness, although she felt very uneasy. The last time she had seen him; things had gotten a bit out of hand. Sure he had looks that made one's knees go weak, but he just wanted one thing from a thing. He was often compared to his uncle--the God of War—dark and handsome. The only difference was that unlike his uncle, the God of Vengeance didn't have brown eyes and brown hair; he had blue eyes and dark blonde hair, which was much accredited to his father, is from what Sarah had heard. Sarah was then snapped out of her thoughts. She noticed he was looking at the horse she had been getting ready for the girl.

"Please, just Julian. Tell me, were you planning on traveling somewhere?" Julian asked as he took one step towards the priestess.

"Actually no, it's for one of your mother's soon-to-be priestesses," it was then that she realized she had let out confidential information. If she knew one thing it was that soon-to-be priestesses and the God of Vengeance were two things one had to be careful with—very careful.

Hope you guys enjoy. Feedback really appreciated! Thank you!

-Kristal