Title: The Newcomer

Rating: PG-13ish
Pairing: Xena/Ares
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, so in other words, the rest is AU.

Chapter 5:

"Soon to be priestess? And who might this soon-to-be-priestess be?" Julian asked, taking one step forward, trying to intimidate the young priestess.

Sarah took one step back, trying to avoid making eye contact with the God in front of her. Why did I have to open my mouth? Gosh how I wish I had gotten the indoor chores instead of the outside ones.

"So what might this girl's name be?" He asked.

She didn't know what to say. First of all, she didn't know. Second of all, even if she did know her name, she wouldn't tell him her for she would be in tremendous trouble if Samara ever found out.

"I—," she began but was interrupted by another voice.

"Lord Julian, what a surprise to see you here of all the places," Samara appeared at the entrance of the stables. "Sarah, I suggest you continue with the rest of your chores or else you won't get them all done."

An ill at ease Sarah bowed her head in respect to the God and the older priestess, and left to finish her chores.

Julian looked at the old priestess with annoyance. "You had no right to interrupt my conversation with her."

"Lord Julian, she had work to do and the topic being discussed was confidential," She paused before continuing. "I suggest you leave your mother's priestesses alone before you get yourself into problems with your mother," and that being said, she left a very irritated God in the stables.

Julian was annoyed. Apparently, the girl, whose name at the moment he didn't know, was giving some sort of journey; She must have given her this little expedition after I left her hall. Seemingly, his mother had giving her the task, what it was for or all other information, like her name, he had to find out After all, his plan couldn't work if he didn't have other information besides her leaving for a trip; however, since he couldn't get anything else out of the young priestess thanks to the older priestess. Great, I guess, I'll have to get my information elsewhere.

He then left the stables and made his way back to Olympus.

After her regular workout routine, Xena was exhausted by the late afternoon. Gabrielle was back at the campsite, working on her latest story. The previous night, she had had a run-in with a specific God, whom she wasn't really fond of. She didn't hate him, for hate was too strong of a word to use, she just disliked him quite a lot—well sometimes, that was. He seriously confused her at times. One moment he would be trying to get her all riled up, while the next, he was practically handing over answers in a silver platter.

The events that had happened a few days ago came back to her. Ares had practically handed Agathon over to her—no interfering with their battle or anything. She was indebted for that specific act he made, but sometimes, the things he did just annoyed her. An example would be the preceding night, she was tried of being chased around by one of his newest, pathetic warlords, and he had probably, purposely, gone to annoy her. One of his pathetic warlords… I was 1000 times better, she thought, but then quickly dismissed the thought.

Okay, tonight, I really have to take a soothing bath. My mind is wandering a bit too much, Xena thought. It was then she also remembered Ares' warning about Gabrielle's safety. She rushed back to their campsite, trying to keep her facial expression calm. She found Gabrielle busy working on her scrolls.

"You sure seem tried," she told Xena.

"Well, that happens when one works out and takes strolls around the forest looking for ways to use the land as an advantage against their opponent, in this case Lucius," Xena answered wearily.

"Lucius…why would Ares send another Warlord after us?" Gabrielle asked herself, but soon realizing she asked it out loud.

Xena pondered on the question herself. Why had Ares sent Lucius after them? She then felt the familiar tingle on the nape of her neck.

"I'm going to go and look for our dinner," Xena paused and remembered what she was longing for. "I might be gone for a while seeing that I haven't taken a bath and I really need one." With that, Xena turned around and starting walking towards the body of water she had spotted the day before.

"You can say that again," Gabrielle muttered under her breath.

"What?" Xena asked turning around.

Gabrielle quickly answered her back. "I said hope you enjoy it," and smiled, just to make Xena believe her.

"Sure," she didn't really care what she had said, she just wanted to go and bathe.

Once Xena was out of sight, she called out for the God.

"Was there something you wanted? Or do you have a tendency of irritating people?" Xena asked, trying to keep her cool.

"Xena, you must know by now that I save my attention just for you," Ares said smirking.

"Why am I not surprised?" She answered back giving him a small smile.

They both stood in silence for a moment until Ares spoke up.

"You know, you always were my favorite warlord. You were 1000 times better," Ares said smirking at her.

Xena then looked at him angrily. "You were going through my thoughts again weren't you?" she asked.

"Hey! It was a compliment," he said.

"I've told you before and I'm telling you again I'm now—," she was saying until he interrupted her.

"I know, I know 'fighting for the greater good', " he sneered.

"Ares, why are you here?" She asked tiredly, longing to bathe instead of having the present discussion.

"Like I said, I save my attention for you," Ares said grinning at her.

It then occurred to Xena the question both her and Gabrielle had wondered. "Why did you send Lucius after us?" She asked him.

"Actually, funny you should ask that, I was wondering when the question might pop up," Ares said smirking once again.

Xena gave him a warning smile, knowing perfectly well he had heard her and Gabrielle talking about it earlier.

"Well, like many out there, he has heard of your greatness and asked to be the favored above all the other warlords. Being the God that I am, I gave him an opportunity to prove himself. Apparently, he has taking a liking to you and the bard."

Xena was more alert now than what she had been before. "You mean he's after us because he wants to satisfy his ego? Much like Agathon?" she asked incredulously. Sure she had taken Agathon out easily, but that was because he was moron who didn't have the brains to work out proper strategies and Ares wasn't there to advise him the last time they fought. Lucius on the other hand, seemed to be a much worthier opponent; she could easily take him out, but for some reason, in the few days that had passed, she was too tired to even think about him or his minions. All she had wanted to do was continue her travels on the countryside… and of course her bath.

"Hey, someone has to have a go at it, since you're now for the 'greater good'," he said smirking and left her with those thoughts.

Finally, she thought, I get my bathing time. And she made her way to the water, trying to ignore the thoughts of her beating the pulp out Lucius.

It feels like a dream, a strange dream. How I am suppose to make my way from Pannonia to Athens? I have sure gotten myself into something here. I suppose I could see it in a good way; I was looking for guidance and I got it...well, sort of, Ava thought.

Night had fallen and she now paced around the room she had been given. She would pace around the room for a while and then sit on the small bed, trying to think of the good that had come out of this whole situation. The previous night she had been worried about a gift worthy enough to give; now, she was worrying about the mission she had been giving by the Goddess of Wisdom. Well, there is a reason why they call her the Goddess of Wisdom.

Now then, being that this journey will determine my future, I will have to get all the rest needed, she thought wearily and slipped into a peaceful slumber.

Samara made her rounds around the temple late at night. She checked that everything was in order and then made her way to the room she had left Ava in after the earlier appearance by the Goddess. It wasn't until after the Goddess left she had found out what the long journey ahead was. Ava was to travel from Pannonia to the city of Athens.

She checked on the girl and noticed she was sound asleep. Well, milady wouldn't have given her the task if she didn't consider her possible of completing it.

She left the room and searched for Sarah; she would have to have a serious talk with the young priestess. Samara knew Sarah wouldn't give any information willing to the devious God of Vengeance; he was known for tricking people into giving him what he wanted. Much like another conniving God.

Once she had found the girl, she noticed the young priestess trying to avoid making eye contact. "Sarah, is something wrong?" she asked.

"No, why do you ask?" the younger priestess answered.

"You've been avoiding me since after the run in with Lord Julian," Samara said, and then paused. "I know you wouldn't have told him anything willingly, but I must warn you to be careful if he ever comes back around. You know as well as I do that he has a way with people and priestesses. The last thing we need is for him to go after Ava."

"Ava…oh, so that's the girl's name," Sarah paused before continuing what she was going to say. "Where do you think milady is sending her off to? And I wonder why she's sending her off on a journey?" She asked.

Samara looked at the younger priestess, knowing perfectly well the purpose of the expedition and to where, and let out a tried smile. "I don't know, but I guess, we shall find out soon," she answered and made her way to her room, leaving the younger priestess alone.

"I'll check up in the altar room to make sure everything is fine," Sarah said as she saw Samara fall into a deep sleep.

"I told you it would work. The old woman is too busy with other things in mind that she didn't notice the difference between the foolish priestess and me," Alecto said smiling appearing into the clearing.

Julian gave her a smirk. "Well, I'm sorry for ever doubting your idea. Does that make you feel better? Now, what information do you have for me?" He asked.

Alecto let out a malicious smile. "No, it doesn't make me feel better but I guess it will have to do until I see the results of this scheme you won't tell me about," she paused. "As for your information I got, well, the girl's name is Ava and the rest of the details the old woman doesn't know. Now, I better get back to Megaera and Tisiphone and fill in them in with the small details of your scheme." And then she was gone.

Well, I presume I'll have to come back tomorrow for the rest of my information. He had told Alecto about his scheme, well was sort of. He had told her about the girl's loss and how his mother had sent her on some task. And then there was the important part of it all; she had to avenge her family's death. It was that that caught her full attention and she agreed to help him. The rest of it, he had made up; he led her to believe that all he wanted was for her to take her revenge, but in actuality, he wanted much more than that.

"Until tomorrow," he said to no one in particular and disappeared into a faint blue light only to re-emerge on Olympus.

"You know Julian, as a dedicated Uncle, I have the right to know what you're scheming mind is planning," he heard Ares say.

Okay, sorry i haven't updated but i have been having trouble with itandschool work has really had its toll on me. Well hope you guys enjoy! Feedback appreciated :)