Chapter 12: Xena's Children

Xena and Ares spent most of the afternoon together in her room. Once they had regained their memories, it felt as though they had to make up for lost time. All of the hesitancy and tension that had surrounded them the past few days melted away. Each considered that they should use this time for battle planning, preparing for the next attack. Their restored feelings wouldn't allow it though. They spent the rest of the morning in bed, holding each other, kissing, and making love. Despite the break that they had taken from each other – against their will – there was no awkwardness once their memories came back to them. It felt natural for them to be together in this way; they were comfortable with each other.

By late afternoon, they were still lying in bed, holding each other. She used his arm to rest her head on, and his other arm was protectively draped over her. Their clothing and armor were thrown about the room. Xena felt her eyelids becoming heavy. Ares noticed the change in her breathing.

"Darling, you should get some sleep," he said in her ear.

"No, there's so much to make up for," she struggled to stay awake.

"You need rest. The baby needs you to rest." Xena hated that he knew the right things to say to make her see reason.

"You sound like my mother," she accused.

"Your mother is a smart woman."

As Ares said this, the memory of them coming to Cyrene a month ago to share the news of their baby with her came back to them. She had been ecstatic then to find out she was going to be a grandmother. Xena knew that her feelings were still true when she shared the news again just a few days ago, but someone it felt less authentic for her. Xena mourned for the time she had lost, for the time spent away from Ares, but also for the experiences her loved ones lost too.

Xena brought herself back to the present moment. "She is," she agreed.

"You should listen to her then. Get some sleep." Ares kissed her temple.

"Will you still be here when I wake?" she asked.

"If I'm not, just call for me."

The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions for Ares, but with his memories regained everything made sense now. He was comforted knowing that Xena truly did still feel the same for him. His happiness at the future they saw with each other was overwhelming. Though so was the anger that he held against his father and sister. He was angry before, just knowing they were targeting Xena and the baby. Now that he knew the truth, things were much more personal. He needed to confront this.

He waited to make sure she was sound asleep before gently moving her head from his arm to the pillow and slipping out of bed. He dressed quickly, kissed her once on the cheek and was about to leave. A second thought stopped him though. He gently placed his hand on her head so as not to wake her and left her with a gift he knew she needed, even if she couldn't verbalize it. He disappeared then, and after he was gone, a note appeared on her bedside table in case he wasn't back by the time she woke up.

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Xena opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar but beautiful green meadow. She was standing under a large weeping willow tree, the draping leaves creating a tent around her. She peered out to take in the scene. Patches of dainty blue and purple flowers grew in patches scattered around the meadow, which was boarded by a line of oak trees. She figured she must be dreaming. This felt so real, so vivid, but she was becoming used to that in her dreams. Behind her she heard a child's voice call out, "Mother?" Xena turned and found her son, Solan, sitting on a large white rock, still surrounded by the weeping willow's canopy. He was dressed in all white, with a gold cord around his waist and matching gold sandals on his feet. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to say something. Her confusion didn't matter anymore. She didn't care if she was dreaming or not, she was overjoyed to see her son again.

"Solan!" she exclaimed and ran to hug him. Solan stood up and allowed her to embrace him. She held him at arm's length then. "Let me get a good look at you! I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Mother," he smiled up at her.

Xena sat down on the boulder then and pulled him by the hand to sit with her. Solan gladly obliged. "Where are we?" Xena looked around a bit more but didn't see anyone else. She didn't see anything besides the meadow and the tree they sat under. "Is this the Elysian Fields?"

"Of course," Solan said as a matter fact. "Gabrielle told me that you've been here before. Don't you recognize it?"

Xena laughed, "Well, it was a bit more crowded then. And I didn't exactly get the grand tour."

"Oh, there are lots of us here," Solan said. "This area isn't the most popular place, but the man said you would meet me here. He told me to come here and wait for you. He was right because here you are! Are you dead, Mother?"

"No, no I'm not dead, Solan," she grasped his hand, not sure if this was a relief or a disappointment to him. "What man though? What man told you to meet me here?" Xena's anxiety rose in concern.

"I don't know his name, but he must be a god. He appeared out of nowhere and then after he walked me here, he disappeared again. There was this funny blue lightening around him as he came and went."

Xena calmed some, assuming that it was Ares, but she needed to make sure. "Tell me more about him. What did he look like?"

"He was tall," Solan started. "He had dark hair and he wore all black. He had a really cool sword with him. He looked like a warrior. Like you, Mother. He said he was your friend. Do you know him, Mother?"

Xena smiled to herself, out of relief and happiness that Ares thought of her son. "I do, Solan. He's a good friend."

"Is he really a god?" Solan asked excitedly.

"He is… that was Ares."

"The God of War? That's so cool! I met the God of War. I haven't even talked to Hades before." Solan beamed with excitement. "Why did he tell me to meet you here, Mother? What do you want to talk to me about?"

Xena contemplated his question. She had missed Solan so much and the opportunity to be his mother. She had worried about him knowing she was going to have another baby and how he would feel about it. She also longed to be able to tell him. It was something that was on her mind often. She wondered if she could get the news to him and the best way to do so. She wondered how he would take it. Though her memory had been compromised, she still couldn't recall telling Ares these concerns. He must have realized it himself. Perhaps he really did know her that well. This was her opportunity though; she had to tell Solan her news and hope that he would be happy for her.

"I have some pretty exciting news that I've been wanting to tell you."

"What news?" His blue eyes were filled with excitement and curiosity. He didn't take them off of her for even a second.

"Well Solan, I am really excited about this, and I hope you will be too. I'm going to have another baby. You're going to have a little sister. You'll be a big brother."

Xena watched the excitement fade from his innocent face as the meaning of her words sank in, only to be replaced by disappointment.

"Another baby?" he sounded hurt and Xena's heart ached.

"Yes… you aren't happy about it." Xena couldn't help from sounding disappointed herself.

"Well… you have a new baby now. You won't need me anymore," he shifted his eyes away from hers and looked toward the ground.

Xena let the tears fall down her face. "No Solan! That is not true! Don't ever think that."

"It is true," his voice rose with emotion. "You won't need me anymore, won't miss me anymore, won't even think about me anymore. You know that when you think of the dead, we can hear your thoughts? I won't hear from you anymore."

"Yes, I do know that, Solan. I promise you that I will never stop thinking of you, never stop missing you, never stop loving you. Look at me," she waited for him to look up again then cupped her hands around his face. "You will always be my son. You will always be in my heart. I love you so much and it hurts terribly that I can't see you and talk with you every day. Nothing will ever change the way that I love you; not even a new baby."

Tear welled in Solan's eyes. "Do you promise?"

Xena took her hands off his face and held both of his hands in her own. "Of course, Solan. No one will ever replace you. In fact, I will tell your little sister all about you. We'll both think of you often so that you can hear from both of us."

Solan thought about this. She watched the thoughts run through his head and his emotions change. "I think I would like that," he finally said.

Xena reached up and brushed his dirty blond hair back from his face. "I'm glad," she smiled.

"Will you tell her how brave I was when I helped you find the Ixion Stone?"

"Of course, I will. I bet she'll love to hear all about it."

"And take her to meet the centaurs. I want them to meet my little sister."

"You've got it."

"One more thing…" Solan started hesitantly. "Can- can you do something for me?"

"Anything, Solan. What is it?" Xena quickly agreed.

"Can you name her Eve?"

"Eve? Why Eve?" Xena was surprised by this request. She didn't know what the name meant to him.

"When I was much younger, I had a friend named Eve. She lived in a village that neighbored ours. She was my best friend and we played almost every day. But one day she and I went to fetch water for her mom. The rope on the well broke and the bucket started to fall in. She reached over the edge to try to grab it and fell in. She drowned. I tried to catch her, but I wasn't fast enough. I found her again when I came to the Elysian Fields."

Xena's heart broke as she heard the story. How had she never known this? She realized just how much of her son's life she had missed.

"Her life and my life both ended early," Solan continued. "But if you name the baby Eve too, it's almost like my Eve gets another chance to live a full life."

"Solan, you have a beautiful soul; and Eve is the perfect name." Xena held him close to her and wondered at how he had been able to remain so kind and pure despite the life he had and it's tragic ending.

As she let him go from the tight hug she held him in, she looked out to the edge of the meadow and saw Ares standing there, waiting for her. She knew that meant it was time to go. She would never have enough time with Solan, but she was glad for this small reunion at least. She hoped she would be able to visit him again another time; perhaps even bring his sister. She looked him over fully one last time.

"I have to go now, Solan. I am so glad that I got to see you."

"I love you, Mother," Solan responded.

"I love you, Solan, and your sister loves you." She pulled him to his feet and put a hand on each shoulder. She kissed him on the forehead before leaving. As she started to walk away, she saw a little red-headed girl with freckles and big green eyes walking their way. She smiled as she looked from the girl to her son.

"Come on, Solan," the girl called. "Come play with me!"

"Is that Eve?" Xena asked her son.

"Yeah. Isn't she pretty?" Solan smiled, glad that his mother was able to see his best friend before leaving.

"She's beautiful." Xena watched Solan run off to meet his friend and continued to watch as they walked through the line of oak trees together. Solan looked back once to wave good-bye. Xena waved too, then joined Ares, who was still waiting for her.

"Ready to go?" he asked as she approached.

"I'll never be ready to leave him. I've left him too many times already," Xena sighed. "But I know I can't stay here and he can't come back with me. Let's go." She took his hand and Ares used it to pull her closer to him. He wrapped both arms around her. Before they disappeared together, Xena looked up at him. "Thank you."

"He'll always be part of our family," Ares replied.

Xena reached up and kissed him as they were surrounded in blue light and left the Elysian Fields.

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When Xena woke from her dream, Ares wasn't there and she found the note he left her next to the bed. It didn't bother her though, she knew that he wouldn't stay away long, not anymore; and the experience that he just gave her made up for his absence now. She knew that it wasn't merely a dream. Her body may not have left the room, but her consciousness really was with Solan in the Elysian Fields for that short time. She would forever be grateful to Ares for doing this for her.

She wasn't in a rush to get down to dinner, though she knew she would be expected soon. Today had revealed so much to her about her child, her relationship with Ares, and Solan. It was overwhelming. She needed time to herself, or rather, she needed some time to focus on just being a mother. She sat up in bed, supported by her pillows, and let her hands glide over her belly that was growing rounder and firmer by the day. "Hi Eve," she spoke gently, "Let me tell you about your brother…"

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After Ares left Xena asleep in her bed, dreaming of her son, he went back to his own throne room. He planned to confront Athena but needed to gather his thoughts first and sought the comfort of his own space. He appeared, seated on his throne, leaning forward with his face buried in his hands.

"Good of you to join me," Athena said from one of the chairs around the table on the floor below him. It appeared as though she beat him to their confrontation. He knew what he needed to confront her about, and assumed she was here to confront him about helping Xena. Surely Discord had run back to Olympus to tattle after their skirmish. Her waiting here for him and taking away that time he meant to use to regroup threw him off a little, but he would never let her see that. It looked like this was going to happen now.

He looked up at her and ran his fingers through his hair before rising and walking down the steps to join her at the meeting table. He sat directly across from her and lounged casually in the chair so as not to alert her to how he was feeling at the moment. Athena however, sat straight and poised as always. She never lounged, never relaxed.

"To what to I owe the visit?" he asked in an even tone.

"You know why I'm here. You were told what a threat Xena and her child are to us, yet you still chose to align yourself with her. You can't expect this to be ignored." Athena got right to the point.

"Didn't really care if you knew about it or not to be honest," Ares worked to maintain his cocky tone.

"You know this is unacceptable, Ares. I came here to give you the direct order to call off this alliance now. Before things become worse."

"Worse in what way?" Ares questioned her, feigning curiosity.

"I will bring this to Zeus if it comes to that. I'm offering you the chance to change your mind now."

Ares gave one short laugh. "I don't care if Zeus knows. I prefer it actually."

"Do you really want to go up against all of Olympus, Ares? Do you really think that you and Xena's band of mortals can defeat us? Is she really that important to you?" Athena's anger was starting to get the better of her as her voice rose.

"Yes." Ares replied flatly.

"Ares! Don't be ridiculous! She is just one mortal woman! You can have your choice of a million others for lifetimes to come! What makes her so special?" Athena was yelling now.

Ares leaned forward in his seat, placing his arms on the table in front of him to bring his face closer to hers. "I think you already know the answer to that," he didn't raise his voice to her level, which infuriated her more.

Athena leapt to her feet, placing both hands on the table in front of her, bringing their faces even closer together. "Oh right… because you love her. Well, dear brother, I hate to break it to you, but this is a waste of your efforts. She will never love you back. Why throw away everything you have and everything you are as a god for her?"

"I'm not throwing anything away. In fact, for the first time, I'm taking the right steps to get what I've wanted for years."

"She won't be your Warrior Queen, Ares. Don't kid yourself. Those days are long behind her," Athena smiled at him thinking how pathetic he was that he still held out hope for that.

"I don't need her to be my Warrior Queen anymore. In fact, I don't even want her to be," Ares stood now, meeting Athena's eyes evenly from across the table. "My desire for her has changed a great deal. Besides, mother of my child is a much more lasting title than Warrior Queen, don't you think?" He didn't let his gaze waiver and he took in her expression of surprise.

"What did you say?" she asked in a gasp.

"You heard me," Ares countered. "The façade that you and Zeus are behind is over. I know the truth of our child, Xena knows the truth of our child, and more importantly, we know the truth of our feelings for each other. Why you really thought you could keep us apart, I will never understand, nor do I care to."

"So, you know the truth," Athena quickly regained her composure. "It doesn't make a difference. That child is still a threat to us and we will take down anyone who stands in our way of eliminating that threat. That includes you."

"Sounds like a warning. Should I be scared?" Ares' cockiness was evident.

"It is a warning."

"This is my warning to you, Athena. Xena and I have won many battles before, against men and gods. They were nothing compared to the way we will fight to defend our child and our family. If you, Zeus, and the rest of Olympus know what's good for you, you will back down now."

There was a waiver in the confidence that Athena's face usually displayed. Her voice still came out steady though. "I will see you on the battle field, Ares."

"Looking forward to it. Now get out." There was no waiver to Ares' demeanor and his last statement echoed around them.

Athena quickly disappeared, leaving Ares alone feeling the adrenaline wear off. Never before had he felt so anxious for an upcoming battle, but never before had he had so much to lose. Still, he wouldn't give Athena the satisfaction of seeing that. He was proud of himself for holding his composure in front of her. Once he was sure she was gone, he sunk into the chair behind him, let out a heavy sigh, and closed his eyes. Breaking down now wouldn't help, he knew that, but all the emotions of the past day had caught up to him and it was a lot to process. After some time alone, letting his feelings wash over him, he decided that he needed to start planning and thought it would be best to do so with Xena.

He looked at his viewing mirror across the room, willing it to show him his love. When the image materialized, it showed her seated at dinner, surrounded by her friends and mother. He heard them discussing the plans for Joxer to escort Lila home in the morning. He would let her have this time with them. They hadn't discussed sharing the news yet but didn't think that just showing up to dinner would be the best way to announce it. Still, he was eager to see her, so he returned to her quaint room at her mother's tavern and waited for her there.