Disclaimer: I do not own Xena:Warrior Princess, no profit is being made off this fic, it is for entertainment only. Please support the official show etc.
Warnings: Rated T for some description of violence and a bit of a dark theme. Mild spoilers for Season 3 and 4, and foreshadowing for 5.
Pairing: Suggestion of Ares x Gabrielle.
A/N: This is a very short vignette exploring the God of Wars dark designs on Gabrielle.
She had so much fire. He'd been watching her for a while and it shouldn't have shocked the God of War really.
It was obvious to anyone that Gabrielle had come a long way, it must have been the intensity of the potential that excited him. He knew she would never admit to being his, she could be stubborn like Xena in that way.
Recently though she had lived so close to the edge. Ares thinks back to when she led that small army against the Romans-now that was a sight to see. The vicarious thrill as she commanded the charge, bones crunching satisfyingly underneath her staff.
The best part came when she reached a momentum of blow after heavy blow, hitting one after another and knocking them down like they were nothing. Gabrielles eyes had glazed over like she had transformed into some kind of machine, a cold fire overcame her that burned any opponent she came into contact with. Any trace of the woman before was replaced with a fierce violence ready to consume.
Frustratingly it didn't last for long, she came back to her senses and he'd nearly flipped out in disgust after watching her throw away that spear! The God of War wasn't known for being patient but he recognised progress and knew that he wouldn't have to wait too long before she snapped.
Gabrielle had the same weakness he did-she didn't realise the lengths she would go to yet for the Warrior Princess but Ares knew she was capable of crossing every line for her. The explosion was inevitable, and when it happened he was ready to make the most of it.