Xena got out of bed and looked out of the window into the dark village. Her eyes were staring and lost their light blue colour turning grey. Her face was impassive and the muscle in her neck was pulsing. If the bard had been awake, she would have recognised the signs of Xena's anger and realised she was losing the battle to control it.

By the time Gabrielle awoke near dawn Xena had tried to control the outward signs of her anger as best she could. She didn't want Gabrielle concerned about her; she'd made the bard a mug of tea and brought it to her.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently.

"Tired," admitted the bard.

Gabrielle took a sip from her mug. "Why don't you go for a ride-that usually settles you down?"

"I'm fine here."

"Xe, I'm going to go back to sleep. Then I'll do some paperwork. Go for a ride. You know you'll feel better. For me."

Xena smiled. The bard knew exactly how to get around her. "OK for you. Is there anything I can get for you?"

Gabrielle thought for a moment. "Could you tell Ephiny I'll see her later, and-"She took a deep breath. "Give the scroll to Piri and Eph. I think they should read it-if they want to."

Xena bent over and kissed her forehead and picked up the scroll. She was already dressed and strode out of the hut. She saw a few amazons bustling about she called to one of them. Cara obediently came and listened to what Xena said and went off as she was bid. Within minutes Ephiny and Piri were outside the hut with Xena. Xena took several deep breaths before talking.

"She opened up last night, she wrote down what happened with Lindos." Xena gave a long lingering look towards the hut and lowered her eyes. She didn't want them to see the tears. Piri immediately cupped her chin with her hand and lifted the pained face. "It might not seem like this now, but it is a good thing." The healer smiled gently. "It must have been very difficult for you."

"Pah, don't worry about me, Gabrielle-"

"No, it affects you both," the healer interrupted.

"Xena, how are you feeling?" Ephiny spoke for the first time.

Xena swallowed. "I want to kill him. I want to tear him limb from limb, but I know that won't be enough."

Piri smiled, "You honestly think anyone that knows what happened doesn't feel the same? That's quite normal. "The healer stared at Xena for several seconds. "You need to work out the anger, warrior. Before it festers inside you. You know that more than most."

"I know," Xena said. "I'm going for a ride." She looked down at the scroll. "This is it. She said if you want to read it you can." She raised her eyes to her friends and they could see the pain in them. "It's graphic."

Xena handed it to Piri. "Don't worry about her warrior. One of us will be with her."

The healer looked at the scroll. "Thank you."

Xena looked long and hard at her friends and nodded. Piri entered their hut and Ephiny walked with Xena towards the stables. "Do you want some company?" the regent asked nervously. Xena laughed and put her hand on Ephiny's arm. "Nah, I'll take Argo and do some drilling, maybe have a run or a swim. I'd prefer to be by myself."

Ephiny smiled weakly. "Take your time, she's in good hands."

The trees passed in a blur as Argo thundered through the forest. Argo was in tune to her mistress mood and galloped flat out. Xena was happy for her faithful horse to have her head, as she had let her so many times before, and simply hung on. However as she saw sheen of sweat appear on the palomino she gently slowed down until she found a clearing. After dismounting Xena took the saddle off Argo and after eating the apple offered her, the horse wandered off to the stream to get a well earned drink.

Xena stared after her, not really seeing her. She still felt anger; her muscles were twitching begging for release. She wished that some of her foes had followed her and they would provide a "distraction" but there was no one. So she drew her sword and ran through drills. Faster and faster the blade moved until it was a blur. Her muscles began to burn, but still it wasn't enough. She moved closer to a tree and started hacking off the small branches and then moved onto the trunk. The only sounds were Xena's grunts and cries as she continued to wield her sword.

Suddenly she stopped. She paused for a moment and then swung around keeping her sword level with her chest. "Come out Ares, I can smell ya," she said in a bitter tone. The God of War appeared brandishing his sword.

"I could do with fighting a worthy opponent, "he said with his usual sense of arrogance.

Their swords clashed at a frightening pace. Neither yielded a stroke. Intricate moves performed and twice Xena slashed Ares across the chest but the wound closed up immediately. After several minutes both were breathing heavily and were sweating. Xena had a gash across her arm. Ares re-sheathed his sword and clapped his hands in a slow clap.

"Beautiful my dear, I see you haven't lost it." He stopped clapping and circled around her. "You haven't lost any of it, have you." His tone was seductive and stopped behind Xena. He gently stroked her arm, healing her wound and then laid his hands on her shoulders. Xena flinched automatically but then relaxed. He started to massage her shoulders. "I could feel the hate, the anger, the lust running through you. And it made you feel…alive."

Xena closed her eyes, and half heartedly tried to move away from Ares, but he carried on rubbing her shoulders. "It felt good didn't it?" Ares whispered in her ear.

"Yes," whispered Xena. Her face was screwed up in sadness and her eyes remained closed.

"The most you've felt alive for a long time, wasn't it?"

Xena didn't want to answer but she felt so seduced by him had to answer the truth, "yes."

"You want to destroy him, don't you? The monster that caused you so much pain." Ares continued to whisper in his seductive tones.

"Yes," said Xena in a half sob. One of her greatest fears was developing. She was struggling to resist Ares call.

"I can deliver him. Say the word and you can lead the army that destroys him. He'll never hurt anyone again."

Xena used all her strength to open her eyes and pull away from Ares's ministrations.

Ares continued to talk convinced he was still getting through to Xena.

"Gabrielle's pain will be at an end. You can explain to her child that his or her father is dead. Just say the word, Xena."

As she heard her soulmate's name Xena gave a little rueful smile. In a heartbeat she knew she was strong enough to resist the God of war. The offer lost its temptation as she realised it would never match up to what she had.

"And after I stay with you. Remain your chosen, right Ares? Get lost."

"Xena, Xena I felt your anger. Do you really think you can control it? After all you tend to hurt the one you love." He placed his hand on Xena's arm and instantly memories flashed through of her hitting Gabrielle in the jail cell, pulling Gabrielle behind a horse and lastly handing her over to Lindos. Xena slumped and then took several deep breaths. "I have learnt to control it. Thanks to Gabrielle. And I would die before going back to you."

Ares countenance darkened for a few seconds then he sneered. "Yes, but would she. I-"

Xena moved forward and impaled him with her sword. She withdrew it and the wound closed up without a drop of blood being spilt. "You bastard. I haven't forgotten what you did. What her and Iolaus went through because of you. You touch her, hurt her in any way and I will haunt you for the rest of your life. Any way to kill a God, I will find it and use it on you."

He turned his back on her and as he prepared to materialise away she added. "I haven't forgotten your involvement Ares. This isn't over."

Ares smiled coldly. "Oh, we can agree on that my dear. It is never over between us." And with that he clicked his fingers and disappeared. Xena threw her sword on the floor and crouched down taking deep breaths. She reached for a water skin and took a long drink. After standing up she hurled her chakram with all her might into a tree. Argo came trotting up to her and she buried her face into her neck. "Come on girl, let's go home." She said in a muffled, broken voice.

The ride back was at a slower pace. Xena wanted time to get her emotions in order. She was on edge after Ares' impromptu appearance. The nerve of him. But she shouldn't expect anything else-a God that sent the furies after her, impersonated her father as well as siding with Dahak to save his own skin. The anger and hatred she had felt for Lindos transferred to Ares. She stopped at a lake and went for a swim, again pushing her body to its limit, releasing as much nervous energy as she could. As she lay on the bank drying off in the sun she looked up at the sky and saw the position of the sun. She hadn't meant to be away for most of the day, but that's what happened.

As she entered the village she saw Epinon striding towards her wearing an apologetic smile. Xena jumped off Argo and Epinon gripped Xena in a bear hug taking the warrior by surprise. "You OK?" said the Amazon weapons master kindly.

Xena nodded and looked at the ground.

"I'll take Argo for you. And Xena," the cerulean eyes met Epinon's brown ones; "if you need me you know where to find me."

Xena nodded again and strode off to her hut. She paused outside the door to compose herself and after taking two deep breaths she opened the door. Gabrielle and Ephiny were sitting at the table. Both looked up at her entering the hut and Gabrielle's face broke into a wide grin. Ephiny stood up and gathered some scrolls together. "I'll be off then," she said jauntily.

"Thanks Eph," said Xena and Gabrielle in unison. The regent exited and Xena stared at Gabrielle. The bard stood up and held her arm open wide. Xena crossed the floor in an instance and was soon embraced in them. "Sorry," she said in a muffled voice.

Gabrielle pulled away slightly. "What for?" she asked with concern.

"I shouldn't have left you. I didn't mean to be gone for so long."

"Oh Xe." Said Gabrielle sympathetically and hugged her again. After several moments they broke apart and Gabrielle went to the fire and started to make tea. Xena stared at her. "Xena, what happened for me was cathartic. It released so many demons. You helped sooth so many worries and concerns I had. I feel better for it." Xena opened her mouth to speak but Gabrielle raised her hand. "I know I'll still have nightmares but the burden has eased, don't you see? But for you-"Gabrielle walked forward and took one of Xena's hands, "for you it's just beginning. You've just received the burden. I know you need to deal with it in your own way."

"But I left you all day," said Xena eyes dropping to the floor.

"Do you feel better than you did this morning?"

"Yes, but-"

"There you are then. I've been stuck in here doing paperwork so you haven't missed much, I promise." Xena gave a little smile, and Gabrielle gave her a wide one back. "That's better. I'm fine Xe, I promise."

Xena nodded and sat down wearily on the chair. She suddenly felt tired, the previous night's sleeplessness, the emotional turmoil not to mention the physical activity catching up with her. She watched as Gabrielle made the tea and brought two cups over to the table. They sat sipping them in silence until Xena turned to the bard and said, "Ares paid me a visit."

Gabrielle's eyebrow shot up. "Really," she said trying to keep her voice neutral.

"He said he could feel my anger and offered me an army to gain revenge on Li-on him."

"Lindos. I know now I shouldn't be scared of saying his name." There was a pause and Gabrielle bit her lip. "What did you say?" Her voice was a whisper.

"I told him to clear off. I didn't need his involvement." Xena reached and gripped one of Gabrielle's hands. The bard smiled at her.

"I bet that didn't go down well."

Xena shook her head. "For a moment," she whispered, "I could have been tempted." She gave Gabrielle a smile. "He can be very persuasive."

Gabrielle patted her hand and said nothing. She didn't know the whole extent of Xena and Ares relationship, but his involvement usually spelt trouble for them. And the last time they had both suffered in different ways. She sighed; she should have known he wouldn't have stayed out of their lives for long.

Xena looked up at the bard once she heard the sigh. She had wondered whether to share Ares visit with the bard, but had decided to be open with her. "Don't worry about it." She gave a yawn.

"Why don't I pamper you for a change?" said Gabrielle after a long pause, eager to change the subject. "You are looking tired," she added in a concerned tone.

"That'll be wonderful," said Xena and rose from her chair and shed her armour and breastplate. She lay on the bed sprawled across it lying on her stomach. Gabrielle brought some oils over to the table and sat down at the edge of the bed. She started at Xena's shoulders and worked her way down. The only response she got from the warrior was the odd groan. After thoroughly working Xena's shoulders, back and legs, Gabrielle sat up straight and gently stroking Xena's hair said, "do you want me to wash your hair?" but she was interrupted by a gentle snore. Smiling she got off the bed and covered the prone warrior.