Thanks so much again for reviews and for supporting this story :D

Enjoy!

---

Once again Xena led her men into battle, the city had heard of her coming and had tried to make ready, defend themselves… but it was in vain, the Roman soldiers were sparse and the inhabitants comfortable and unhardened, used to a life of riches and fine food rather than taking up arms against invaders. Within an hour Xena's army had burst through their feeble re-enforced gate and flowed into the main square like a river bursting through a dam, unstoppable and devastating. Screams and moans of the dying soon filled the air.

Xena now stood dismounted from her horse, her sword drawn and her eyes ever watchful. Her men were having their usual enjoyment with women that took their liking and ransacking houses of goods and gold. She smirked and wiped the blood and sweat from her brow as fires began to blaze from some of the dwellings, she was so near Rome now, but a day or so ride and still Caesar cowered in his palace, too afraid to march out and face her… She stared at the flames licking at a roof nearby, her thoughts drifted back to the young woman that still slept back at her camp, she hoped that perhaps she would have awoken when she returned and finally her questions could be answered.

"Xena!" She heard the sharp warning cry of her name piercing the air, breaking her away from the distracting thoughts and spun quickly to the place her gut told her danger lurked.

A large man was looming upon her, an axe held high ready to swipe her head clean from her shoulders. Xena didn't need to think she just acted, ducking down into a crouch and bringing her sword up in one deadly slicing movement cutting deep into the man's belly. He grunted and made a strange gurgling noise as he came to a sudden stop, he looked down at her and Xena gave him a snarling smile, in it asking him what else he had expected in trying to kill her… that he was nothing. The man's expression fell from one of anger to hopelessness as his body landed with a thud upon ground. Slowly Xena rose again to her full height, shaken a little by the fact that she had been so distracted, that she had allowed her mind to wander, it did not matter that the battle was won, she should always be aware, she scolded herself silently and turned to the sound of footsteps hurrying towards her.

"Are you alright?" Markis asked, a little out of breath from his sprint to her side.

Xena regarded him coolly. "I'm fine" she stated dryly.

Markis nodded but Xena detected doubt within his gaze. She turned to face him fully.

"Speak plainly Markis."

Markis hesitated. "You seem… you don't seem to be yourself recently."

Xena kept her cold gaze upon him and urged him to continue with a twirl of her finger.

"Since you found the girl, you seem distracted." His face was stoic but his eyes, she noticed with a little surprise, bore real concern. "That man," he gestured to the body lying dead upon the ground near them, "should not have been able to get so close."

Xena nodded, taking in his words and trying to control her normal reflexes that would have had a dagger to his throat within a second of him questioning her ability, but Markis was not like the other men, she felt to some degree she actually trusted him and that his words were honest.

"You're right" she admitted casually, "my mind has been troubled lately." She looked at him directly. "I have listened to your words Markis." She placed a hand upon his shoulder. "I will think on them."

Markis gave a twitch of a smile as if this pleased him, that he was relieved she had listened and he gave her a certain nod.

"How much gold?" she asked, no longer wanting to dwell upon the subject.

"At least ten chests full and enough jewels and stones to fill two more." He gave a sly grin and Xena grinned back.

"And the wine?"

Markis' grin widened. "Some of the finest I've tasted."

Xena chuckled, "Bring me some then."

Markis gave her a small bow before heading away to do her bidding.

She continued to watch the destruction around her, reveling in the conquest of her first Roman city and just how easy it had been to take. Caesar himself had become like the people of the town, soft and too comfortable… too sure that his power was total, spreading his armies all across the known world, taking more land for himself, building the Roman Empire into something astounding. But he was still a fool; he left his homelands unguarded, his people unprotected. She gave a smug laugh as the thought crossed her mind that he would never have imagined 'destiny' could deal him such a hand.

She glanced at the sky, the sun was already beginning to set in beautiful reds and oranges, soon she would be enjoying her victory back at her camp and Caesar would know after today that he would be next, she had him cornered and he could hide no longer.

---

Caesar walked briskly back into his chambers. The day had been filled with meetings, questions, accusations and slander. The senate was becoming enraged by his seeming lack of action against the woman that all of Rome was now calling "The Destroyer of Rome'. Word had reached the capital that Reate had fallen the day before, many of the inhabitants had fled prior to Xena's arrival but those that stayed had been slaughtered, only a hand full of survivors making it alive to other villages to tell their tale.

Now Rome was turning its stern and angry finger at him, claiming he was to blame, senators cried for him to step down from the role of Emperor, they chorused that he was not fit to rule and Caesar had clearly seen the murderous glint in some eyes, he had doubled his guards but felt no waver in his resolve, he would win this, his Oracles had foretold it.

He breathed in the cool breeze that blew in from outside and felt a pair of small soft hands upon his shoulders, easing him gently out of his heavy cloak and unpinning his toga, slipping his arms carefully into a silken robe. Gabrielle came into his line of view, her eyes upon her task of tying the cord about his waist. When she had finished she began to walk away but Caesar caught the top of her arms and pulled her to him, encircling his arms about her and breathing in her familiar comforting scent.

He knew that she wanted to pull away, but this did not matter, she was his and he needed her and more importantly she must obey. Finally he let her go and she hurried to bring him a bowl of freshly prepared fruit and some wine.

He sat down heavily upon the bed and Gabrielle pulled up a cushion and sat down upon the floor near his feet, where he always wished her to sit.

"I suppose," he said with a sigh as the first gulp of wine warmed him, "that even you have heard of Xena's victory by now."

She glanced up at him, her large expressive eyes betraying easily that she had. She gave a small nod.

"Tell me, do you think I am an unfit ruler?"

Gabrielle bowed her head slightly, unsure how to answer such a question.

"You can speak freely" he coaxed.

Gabrielle finally let her gaze fall back upon him. "I think you make your country great, I think you make it rich and win many battles." She paused, "Many would think that is what a great ruler is" she finished.

Caesar raised an eyebrow as he took a bite into a honeyed fig. "I didn't ask about other people."

Gabrielle glanced down once more. "I think a good ruler is kind and just and only goes to war when he needs to… puts his peoples happiness before himself an..." She stopped abruptly as Caesar began to laugh; he offered her a bunch of wild sweet cherries.

Gabrielle took them grudgingly as he patted her tenderly upon her head like a pet that had performed a good trick.

"You have lifted my mood" he smirked. "Your views are so innocent, it still amazes me that there are people like you in this world."

Gabrielle had already begun to eat the sweet fruit but she looked up at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Not everyone is like you" she whispered, with an air of darkness to her tone.

Caesar gave a muffled laugh and lowered himself onto his back. "No - you are half right," he said smugly, "there is no one like me."

She ignored his vain words, coming to the realization that his mood was more tolerant this evening.

"What will you do about The Destroyer of Nations?" She spat out a large cherry stone and studied it in her palm. "Will your armies be here soon?"

"No," Caesar said distractedly, "there is no need."

She looked at him in surprise, "But she will be upon Rome in days."

Caesar laughed softly once more. "The servants here have been talking too much I see." He smiled sleepily, "It is all taken care of."

Gabrielle slowly got to her feet and slid next to him upon the bed, her eyes burning with curiosity.

"How?"

Caesar opened his eyes a little. "The key to her undoing is already in place, she will not reach Rome by her own doing."

Gabrielle shifted uncomfortably at his words. "But…" she began, but he cut her off.

"I'm tired, come sleep beside me so I do not get cold."

She gave a nod and curled her body next to his, pulling a blanket over them. Gabrielle watched his face intently until she was sure his breathing had slowed to that of slumber. She then slid carefully away from him as far as she could manage without leaving the bed. She sighed inwardly and gave silent thanks to the Gods that at least he had been too tired to do anything but sleep.

---

Xena collapsed onto her bed of soft furs and struggled awkwardly with her armor until she was free of it.

Markis was pouring her a cup of the delicious wine they had found in the city. She glanced up at him, she was becoming quite fond of his company, he was quiet and his presence had a pleasing quality to it. Markis sipped at his wine, watching her with a small smirk.

"You seem tired" he commented.

"Battle is tiring" she replied lazily, holding out her hand for one of the cups.

He nodded, "Perhaps we have both indulged in too much wine also."

Xena grinned and drank a little from her cup. "It's not every day that you conquer such a large city."

"It seems your thoughts on Caesar were right, he is a fool."

Xena laughed, her icy eyes dancing in amusement, "He always was."

Markis raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You… know him?"

"Knew him" Xena corrected.

"I had heard rumors, stories in the encampment, but most thought it just tall tales; you've become quite the myth." He gave her a mock toast.

Xena smiled, "Myths normally have some bearing within truth."

It was then that she felt it, that shiver running up her spine… Ares. She did not react, her eyes and attention staying upon Markis. She knew he wasn't here to see her, but to spy, to sneak as he always did; well if he wanted a show she would give him one, he would be waiting a long time to see her beg.

She grasped Markis' tunic within her fist and pulled him down to her eye level, she could tell by his ruddy complexion and the way his smile was un-candid that the drink was working well upon him, she could play with him as she wished.

"What else have you heard about me?" she breathed huskily, her eyes speaking plainly of desire.

"Nothing I have heard could do you justice" he slurred, inching his face towards hers.

Xena smirked and brought her lips to meet his, Markis suddenly grasped her within his arms, pulling her to him in an act of passionate demand. His hands slid over the contours of her body, hungry and needful; his caresses were clumsy, nervous and this amused Xena immensely, that she could instill such lack of confidence in a man such as him, a great and talented warrior. He tasted of bitter wine and she could feel his body swaying, indeed he had drank far too much but it suited her game. Within an instant she felt Ares' presence depart and smirked, pushing Markis from herself in one rough movement. He fell back upon the floor, his breaths heavy. She smirked again as she watched him, he was too drunk to move; he gave a moan and closed his eyes.

Xena threw a fur at him, he was too intoxicated to sleep anywhere else tonight and he had served his purpose, she smiled and lowered herself back onto her pallet, she could see in her mind's eye Ares' expression at finding her in such a situation, he would be furious. She chuckled before turning onto her side and pulling a fur over herself.