You are here by Melskim
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is just for entertainment only.
Rated: R
Topic for the Month of August. ASG Writing Contest. Take any confrontation between Xena and Ares or Gabrielle and Ares and alter it so that the result
is completely the opposite (as you see it) to how it came out on the show. Shipping is cool.
AN: Don't know if I made well, but was a first try, so please have patience :D
The tension could be felt in the air, something was wrong, really wrong. Xena had finally get a hold of the golden apples, now she was walking down the path from Valhalla with Odin, king of Norse.
The apples in her hands offered her and anyone else in her place immortality and the chance to become a god. When they reached the bottom, where Gabrielle and Aphrodite were waiting with others. They look up at her, even Odin did, with expectation and some others with uneasiness.
From behind them Ares appeared. Much like in old days, out of nowhere, but this time he had walked his way here. Days ago he had been convinced by Xena, not that he needed to be coaxed by her, to travel here, to the foot of Valhalla. He had come as every time she had called on him. He knew what was going on and what Xena wanted to do with those apples. Finally he has reached the point of meeting.
Seeing him and after staring for what could be an eternity but actually only seconds, she ripped decisively one of the branch and throwed it to Aphrodite, restoring Love to the world. At that moment, the former goddess of love bited down the fruit; changing everything. Love now could be felt in the air.
The emotions portrait in their faces become in seconds cherries and happy, leaving behind the stoic and inexpressive ones. Aphrodite was glowing again and with her, everyone there. Xena remained staring at Ares and lunching furtive glances to Gabrielle, who had Beowulf by her side, a smile in her face, while she talked to him. Xena's eyes returned to Ares in front of her. His eyes fix in hers with a look that could melt the heart and soul of every woman grace by it.
Xena took the apple from Aphrodite's hand and after hearing Odin snorted at her, knowing perfectly that within her range was the possibility of becoming a goddess, she brought the heavenly fruit to Ares mouth. Her eyes still in his.
He looked at her smiling, then his smile turns into a deep frown and a thoughtful stare. He stopped her hand from going farther. Ares took her offering hand and moved it to her own lips.
"Of course, I knew it. Who wouldn't want to be a god." The magic brook at Odin's words, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Ares smirked looking back at him. "Right... who wouldn't want to be a god." Then again to Xena. "Go ahead. It's good." With his voice dropping low in a sensuous manner.
She looked into his eyes then to the apple in her hand. "No one wants to be alone in Olympus." She retorted with the same sensousness. Her mouth inches apart from the gift, her lips almost touching the sweet apple, the smell already down her nostril. She turned at the call of warning of Gabrielle. "Xena. Don't" That did it. She looked at Ares with weighting eyes. "You can keep company to Aphrodite." Her saying, rush and almost brusque giving the apple back to him. Placing it in his hand in a quick movement, too quick, like trying to get over with it before it's too late. Before she regrets it. Not Olympus, but letting him go.
Ares brings his full hand to his lips, watched as his passport to his former life goes upwards. Inches now parting him from eternity. He lifted his eyes to Xena in an involuntary almost questioningly glaze. He saw her eyes and stopped again. They were watery with tears and something like longing mix with pain and uncertainty.
That is all he needed -- his look became serious as pondering what might safe his life and kill his heart -- His head thorn by the possibility of godhood offered, just a hands length. Of being once again his more natural self. Just a Possibility.
He hesitated. His hand descending to his side.
His voice was deep, rich and calm. Taking a step up to Xena. "Aphrodite gave you back the power to love. Think about it, Xena. Think... of the possibilities."
She looked up at him. Placed a hand in his and brought it again to his lips, her touch firm, yet gentle squeezing his fingers affectionately. "You know I have my own path." She said. Her eyes now full of tears. She didnt dare to look at Gabrielle, this moment had to be between them, only theirs. It was the least she could do.
He shook his head sadly and then looked up sharply. With resolution. His eyes left hers and his gaze fell on Aphrodite. "Sorry, sis." The goddess of love just nodded sadly. He smiled throwing the apple back to her. Taking and hurling Odin the branch in Xena's other hand.
Seeking Xena's eyes he continued. "I don't want it." He said above a whisper. His now empty hand reached her cheek in an affectionate caress. "The world have being fine without the god of war for two years." Giving her a assuring smile, he added. "Aphrodite will be fine with Cupid and the others."
Xena looked at him in bewilderment, hearing Gabrielle's gasped in the back. Ares smirked at her, a playful smile with excitement and anxiety. "No more Ares god of war." He paused a second to ponder what have just left his lips and smiles again. "You know how will be for me eternity without you? When you die?... I try that once... Didn't work."
He was looking at her eyes, drawing her jaw line with a finger. She brought her own hand up, taking his finger away. "Areeesss. Don't. You..."
He cut her off before she can continue. He took other step, their lips almost touching. "I told you once, I sooner die in your arms than live without you in mine. I meant it, Xena."
She sighed, but her face light up with loving understanding. She said nothing. Just looked at him, remembering the last time he had say that to her, a precious moment between dreams and reality. Her eyes again watering, this time in happiness. He had left it behind, he had understood. He was giving up eternity, more important the lust for power, for her. This time, she understood.
The hot rush in her being and perhaps the love returned to the word makes her titles her head catching his lips in a brief kiss. Brief indeed, but the promise of something greater. A possibility.
After long moments, Aphrodite approached Ares. Hugging him tightly. Tears in her blue eyes. "I'll miss you, bro. Olympus won't be the same without you."
She kissed his cheek, winkled an eye to Gabrielle and smiled to Xena as thanks finally vanishing in her golden lights.
It was dark. They have reached Greek lands months ago, continuing with their journey. They have made camp, and were sat by the fire. Few sounds could be hear in that peaceful evening, only the cracking of the wood, some small animals in the trees and their voices.
They are now chatting about the day events, how they have handle themselves in front a minor group of thugs. "I can't believe you have actually end up dragging me into the goodie-goodie crap." Ares said sighing theatrically.
"Come on, Ares. You enjoy it! Admit it!" Gabrielle retorted bitting back a chuckle and almost missing catching her piece of venison because of the suppress laughter in her.
Ares looked at her with a half-annoyed, half-teasing face, meeting Xena's impassive gaze afterwards. Knowing perfectly she was laughing her ass on his behalf behind those perfect blue eyes.
"I will admit I enjoy kicking their butts." Ares answered with a smirk, his eyes suddenly far away, perhaps remembering great battles. He shook his head after that, as trying to get rid of those thoughts and smiles at Xena. She has seen the changes. She smiled back. Those quick glances and unnoticed touches, made her feel alive. She had desired this, him for a long time. And now she realized how complete she feel with Gabrielle and Ares by her side.
Things had being great the last few days, the three of them were actually getting alone. Of course, with the playful ranting between them. They would laugh, smirk, gives punches at each other amicably. But that was all.
Xena had never thought things with Ares would be so calm and easy. But then again he always surprised her. As well as Gabrielle did. She had taken the liberty of wondering off, or bathing in the nearby lake much longer than needed. She was grateful for her.
Abruptly, all thoughts and discussions stop. The three of them lift their heads, someone was clearly approaching. Immediately graping their weapons swiftly. Seeing a man in foreign clothing advancing noisily into the clearing. Xena stared at him, her sword in hand. Ares looked up at Xena's face with searching eyes.
Gabrielle took a hold of the man. "Who are you?" She asked, her voice firm fill with experience of years under Xena's tutelage. "Are you Xena?" The man had asked back hopefully with a funny accent.
"Who's asking?" Xena joined the conversation. Ares face turned to stone, he knew the clothes, the accent and he also knew that tone in Xena's voice. His head making already the connections; it made him close his eyes a second.
"I'm a messenger. Send by Akemi." Xena's eyes grew wide and serious. Jappa. She listened to the monk's story, Gabrielle by her side. Ares reclined against a tree his arms cross over his chest, his eyes fixed in her every breath and undetected flinch. Xena noticed his stare, lunching furtive glances from the monk to Gabrielle and him.
After the long tale was over, Xena offered the monk a place near the fire to sleep. They would be moving at first light. Waiting for the intruder to even his breathing, they sat in grave silent; all laughs gone. Xena with Ares in a large log and Gabrielle in front of them. The importance of the new mission is palpable.
Xena finally spoke, returning her gaze to present times. "I want you to stay here." she said, watching as their faces fall in astonishment and something as hurt in one and anger in the other. Ares remained emotionless after composing. Searching her eyes, his stare changed into the regal severity only characterized in the God of War. Xena flinched visibly at him.
Gabrielle tried to voice her complains, but the only thing that left her lips were caring words of reassurance. "Xena. My path is with you. I'm coming. Don't even think of leaving me behind, warrior princess." she finished with a more light and teasing tone.
After pondering and analyzing Ares sighed, taking and intertwining his fingers with her owns, letting them rest over her knee. "I know what happened there. I know what happened after that incident. We are gonna fix it and then come back." He said the last part in his more commanding tone with a smile. He placed a light kiss on her shoulder. Their eyes met again, in tenderness and passion. At the end, he flashed that charming grin of his and she smiled back while hearing him said "I'm going with you."