Aphrodite could sense that the bard was stirring and she nervously looked around the campsite. Should she stay under the covers, next to Gabrielle, or would it be less intimidating if she were busying herself with a task? The goddess could hardly believe she was so nervous-this hadn't happened in a millennium. She was still debating the point when Gabrielle opened her eyes slightly and peered at her. The bard snaked a hand out from under the blanket and cupped Aphrodite's cheek.
The goddess jumped in surprise and Gabrielle watched in amusement as she tried to regain her composure.
"Morning," said Gabrielle.
"Morning, Gabby, er, Sweet pea, I mean-"
"Aphrodite," said Gabrielle.
The goddess continued to babble.
"Aphrodite," Gabrielle repeated more firmly. "Thank you."
Aphrodite stopped mid word and turned to look at Gabrielle with a mixture of surprise and vulnerability.
"What are you thanking me for?" she said finally.
"For staying with me all night, for caring for me, for being the best thing in my life right now."
Aphrodite stared at her opened mouth. "I thought you might regret it," she said in a small voice. "Or felt I took advantage of you."
Gabrielle snorted and repeated her action of cupping Aphrodite's cheek.
"No more than I of you. It was lovely, Aphrodite," Gabrielle gave a little smile as she remembered the events of the past night. "I'm just sorry I reacted the way I did afterwards."
"Oh sweetie, it was bound to be emotional for you. I am just pleased to have been there for you."
"You held me all night didn't you? Thank you." Gabrielle moved closer to Aphrodite, and framing her face with her hands gave her a lingering kiss.
Once done, Aphrodite gathered Gabrielle in her arms and held her.
"So what now?" asked Aphrodite quietly?
"You fancy life on the road?" said Gabrielle laughing. She squeezed Aphrodite's hand, and winced. The Goddess rubbed her thumb over the bard's hand gently.
"Sorry about that," said Aphrodite, genuinely. "I can't even heal it for you."
"I've had worse," replied the bard. She frowned and looked at the Goddess. "Why can't you heal any more?"
"Powers go as believers dwindle," said the Goddess with a sigh. "A power like healing, that wasn't my thing at all, went quickly. Soon I'll be down to just looking beautiful."
Gabrielle laughed especially when she saw the sly smile on her friends' face. "You'll always be beautiful," she said. "I'm sorry for the loss of believers."
"So what now?" repeated the Goddess?
"I don't know, take it as it comes," said Gabrielle. "No pressure, no expectations." She flicked her eyes at the Goddess trying to read her expression.
For Aphrodite this was more than she could have hoped for. Terrified that it would be put down as a terrible (or at best, nice) mistake and would be a one off, Gabrielle would appear to be leaving opportunities for them to meet again.
"That sounds…perfect," said the Goddess, trying to reign in her excitement. "I'll be there for you, whenever you need me, sweet pea."
"And I you, Dite. I meant what I said; you are the best thing in my life right now. Without you-"Gabrielle turned and stared into the distance her green eyes filled with pain.
Aphrodite ran her fingers through the bard's hair. And turned her face back to face her. She closed the distance between them and their lips met in a searing kiss.
"I definitely could get used to this," said Gabrielle, and she then took a long sip of wine from a mug. She placed it back on the bed side table and then slumped back onto the pillow.
"Well the champion bard of the festival deserves some luxury," said Aphrodite, whose head was resting on Gabrielle's abs.
"Mmmm," said Gabrielle, and Aphrodite snorted.
"What?" said Gabrielle, and ran her hand through Aphrodite's locks.
"Don't be so modest, I know you want to go through your glory step by step, again. That's what bards do."
"They do not," said Gabrielle, lightly and broke off some bread and stuffed it into the goddess' mouth.
"Well ok, I do," added Gabrielle. "I didn't think, well going after Virgil, was a hard spot. I'm so pleased the judges liked it."
"Liked it, they loved it," said Aphrodite after finishing the bread.
"Well, I'm not sure they loved-wait did you do anything?" Asked Gabrielle frowning slightly.
"No!"
"Sure you didn't persuade them that mine was the best. Use your feminine wiles to ensure I won."
Aphrodite raised her head up slightly to look straight at Gabrielle. She could see the bard's eyes were twinkling. "Feminine wiles, eh? I promise I didn't affect the result at all. Don't think I wasn't tempted; not sure I could have gone through the whole Athens competition saga again."
"I was robbed," began Gabrielle indigently, but after hearing Aphrodite's mocking snore, she stopped and laughed.
"Well, I do see your point. I was a sore loser. Just thought you'd want to avoid that."
"I promise it was all you, Gabby. You won," Aphrodite started to kiss the flat stomach and made her way up to the bard's neck.
Gabrielle groaned in pleasure.
"But next time, I chose where we go," said Aphrodite, in between kissing and nibbling the soft skin. "I know a little place, just you me, an open fire, oysters to start with, chocolate fountain to finish with. What do you think?"
Gabrielle groaned again, and was losing herself in the sensation, when suddenly the Goddess' mouth stopped its path, and instead she could feel gentle fingers stroking her shoulder.
She looked up and could see Aphrodite staring intensely at the thin, vivid scar that ran down Gabrielle's shoulder past the outside of her breast.
"Aphrodite," began Gabrielle.
"I could have lost you. You could have died in Rome, not to mention from that fall in the Norselands." Aphrodite pushed back Gabrielle's hair from her forehead revealing a fading scar that ran along her hair line.
"It's what I do," said Gabrielle with a sigh.
"I have some ambrosia," whispered Aphrodite. "Then you could do what you do for ever."
Gabrielle sighed and looked away from the eager Goddess. "I couldn't, Dite. I can't live forever. I have already outlived so many people, I can't keep doing it. Besides-"
"You are fated to meet Xena in another life," said Aphrodite, despondently. "I know. It was worth a go."
They sat awkwardly looking away from each other, until Gabrielle smiled and took Aphrodite's hand and brought it to her mouth and kissed it.
"So this place, it'll be better than Castor's hideaway with the-"
"Oh Gods yes," said Aphrodite, her good humour returning. "Who knew he was into, you know?"
"Quite," said Gabrielle, raising her eyebrow, and wrapped her arms around Aphrodite.
"And better than that cave in Gaul," said Aphrodite in a teasing tone.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "I wondered when you bring that up. I never knew it literally was a dragon's den."
Aphrodite snickered.
"We've had some good times, though Aphrodite," said Gabrielle, beginning to kiss the Goddess' neck.
"The best," said Aphrodite, "the last two years, have been awesome." She started to groan as Gabrielle moved downwards. "Oh Gabby."
"I wondered when I would see you again," said the dark haired God, coolly.
The woman bowed reverently and once she had straightened up, moved purposefully forward.
"Why should I receive you? After all you have been no assistance to me or any Greek mortal who have requested your help."
"You are talking of the warrior Gabrielle," said the woman. "I could not help her at the time."
"Kichijoten, for the goddess of happiness, you don't bring much," said Ares and stood up from his throne. "That was why I came to you. You remind me of my sister, Aphrodite."
"How is she?" asked the Goddess politely. "It must be a trial to have lost so many of your family?"
"She is well, but I do not think you have travelled here to exchange pleasantries on our families."
The Goddess bowed again, and Ares continued to stare at her. He raised his eyebrow and gestured with his hand to hurry her up.
"Have you heard about the shipwreck off the coast off Attica?"
Ares nodded, "Of course, that is why I expected you. Several of your people on the boat."
"Including my mortal son," whispered Kichijoten, who looked away.
Ares opened his mouth in an O.
"They didn't mean for it to happen. It was hi-jinks, and-"
"Your son and his friends caused the ship to run aground. All lives were lost-including women and children."
"He didn't mean it, he would never harm anyone."
"Xena didn't mean for the city to burn," began Ares.
"How can you compare the actions of a warlord to my young son?" hissed the Goddess?
"Neither of them meant for others to die. The difference is Xena is paying for it with her life," said Ares, and slumped back onto his throne.
"I know. I realise now that Xena does not have to remain dead for the victims of the fire to remain in a state of Grace. That is what I wish to discuss. Xena's life for the lives of all on board. I can restore them, make it right. It wasn't supposed to happen."
Ares smiled coolly and rubbed his face with his hand. "I think I can arrange that. With Hades gone, security around his realm has been a little lax. Charon can be easily persuaded with a few visits to a special inn, "he smiled lost in thought for a moment, and then shook his head. "Agreed."
"Thank you. I will make what is wrong right," said Kichijoten, "and here is my side of the bargain."
Ares stood up, failing to control his excitement. His face wore an enormous grin, and he opened and closed his fists compulsively. With a flash of silver light a naked Xena materialised in front of him.
"Hello Ares," she said quietly, and looked him up and down. "Pleased to see me, I see."
"Oh yes Xena, I have missed you." He painfully turned his eyes away from the warrior's beautiful body and looked at the Japanese deity. "Thank you," he said with heartfelt emotion. "I will do as you ask," he said genuinely.
The goddess smiled, bowed and disappeared in a flash of light.
"Where's Gabrielle?" asked Xena menacingly?
"All in good time," said Ares. "A drink, something to eat, a rest," he said and a double bed materialised in the room.
"Take. Me. To. Gabrielle." Said Xena.
Ares sighed. "This is the thanks I get," he said quietly. "Ok, ok, I know when I am beaten. I'll take you back to Blondie. But if you get bored playing second fiddle to her, come back to me."
"Second fiddle?" said Xena confused.
"Four years you've been gone, Xena. She's a hero in her own right, across Greece and beyond."
Xena looked momentarily shocked but recovered her composure quickly. "Take me to her," she said.
"Clothes first?" said Ares with a raise of his eyebrow?
"If you like," said Xena with no hint of embarrassment. "Gabrielle," she whispered. "I'm coming."
"What is it now," said Aphrodite to herself as she saw the flash of light that meant Ares would be arriving,
"Hiya, Sis," he said with a wide grin.
Aphrodite put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to one side. You look happy, Air. Started a civil war somewhere?"
Ares chuckled. "You cynic. No I have come to invite you to something that is right up your street-love, happiness, soft warm feelings, blah, blah, blah."
"What's it to do with you then?"
Ares raised his eyebrows. "Just come with me."
He held out his hand for the blonde goddess and she stared at it for a heartbeat and then took it. They were instantly transported to a forest. It was nondescript, and Aphrodite looked around slightly confused, wondering where she was and what the significance of it was.
"Wait there, I'll be right back," said Ares and with a snap of his fingers he was gone before Aphrodite could get a word out.
"Why on-"she began and then saw Ares' signature flash of light in the distance. She began to walk towards him, but stopped when she saw he had someone with him-and she realised just who she was.
"I've waited long enough," said Xena in a low voice. "Where is she?"
"All in good time," said Ares placating and put his hand on Xena's shoulder. She shook it off angrily. "She'll be here any moment now," he added and grinned as a horse and rider appeared from beyond a turn in the road.
Xena quickly followed his line of vision, and let out a strangulated sob. She put her hand to her mouth and closed her eyes for along moment. When she opened them, she saw that Gabrielle had stopped and was just staring at the pair of them. Very slowly, Gabrielle got off of Argo, and keeping her eyes fixed on Xena walked towards them. Her face was expressionless at first, but then she could no longer contain her anger.
Xena moved towards her, tears in her eyes. She held her arms open towards the Bard, but Gabrielle studiously ignored her and levelled her furious gaze on Ares.
"This is low even for you," she hissed at him.
Ares was obviously taken back. "But it-
He could get no other words out as Gabrielle spoke, the torrent of words coming at increasing speed.
"What is it this time? You'll give me this lookalike if I fight for you? Xena is dead, gone, departed, not coming back, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can move on." She paused and looked away for a moment. "It took me long enough," she whispered.
But Xena heard her, and stepped forward, "it is me Gabrielle," she said with a sob.
Gabrielle flicked her eyes at her, and then turned her stare back to Ares. "Really Ares, it's not even a close match. No scars, more youthful, bad show really." Her voice turned even more venomous. "I tried, you tried, and the answer was always she was stuck in the Japa afterlife. Nothing could bring her back, nothing."
Ares gave a cold smile." I could. I suddenly had the upper hand. A swap, Xena for some Japanese souls who landed up in Tartarus." He held up his hands in a sign of surrender. "Nothing to do with me. Maybe a spell dying revitalised her, who knows? It's her, Gabrielle. I promise. I wouldn't lie to you."
Both women snorted simultaneously, and Gabrielle turned very slowly to look at Xena. Their eyes locked and Gabrielle suddenly started to feel doubt about her previously hard stance.
"It's me, I swear, said Xena gently. "I once asked you to tell me something so I would know it was you," she looked at Gabrielle's boots.
Gabrielle gasped in realisation, and sunk to her knees. In a heart beat Xena was at her side, cradling her. She gently pushed the blonde hair out of her eyes, and then wiped away the tears falling from the Bard's green eyes.
"I'm back with you, my love," said Xena, and leant in to kiss Gabrielle.
The women didn't notice Ares disappear, so engrossed were they, but the God of War had not gone far. He materialised next to Aphrodite.
"See," he said triumphantly."Love, happiness, etc, etc, I can do that too." He gave a self satisfied grin and turned to face Aphrodite. The smile fell from his face as he saw hers.
Aphrodite was staring at the couple, tears streaming from her eyes, and with a look of undisguised pain that caused even Ares' hardened heart to soften in sympathy.
"It's her," breathed Ares, and looked from Aphrodite to Gabrielle. "She's the one; why you have been so happy these past few years."
Aphrodite nodded her head wordlessly and bowed her head and covered her face with her hands.
"Oh Sis, I didn't know," said Ares genuinely. He wrapped his arms around the Goddess and gently transported them both back to Olympus.