Hercules and Iolaus sat out on the porch of Iolaus' house, Hercules looking the same age he did 26 years ago and Iolaus looking the old man that he was.

"It's sad, isn't it? Us sitting here peacefully and talking about the old days?" Iolaus commented. "To be honest, I never thought I'd make it to be old enough to talk about the old days."

Hercules laughed, "I don't know. I kind of enjoy it."

"You would. Your age hasn't slowed you down. You can still fight evil. Just once I wish there was a little excitement left in my life. Just to see a warlord or a legendary beast would be a thrill. I'd even settle for a dog with rabies."

As if summoned by Iolaus' wish, Ares materialized in front of the house.

"Be careful what you wish for," Hercules said, standing up. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"You've been messing around with Xena and for that, I'm going to have to kill you."

Hercules came down off the porch. "I don't see how who I mess around with is any of your concern."

Ares gave a war cry and came at Hercules with a sword. Iolaus was able to toss Hercules a sword that he kept hidden in the floorboards of his porch. It was a heated battle, but it was clear that Ares' was too enraged to fight properly as he took a wild shot on more than one occasion. On the other hand, that could sometimes be just as dangerous. Hercules managed to knock the sword away from Ares and give him an uppercut, sending him flying backwards into the small pond on Iolaus's land. "Have you cooled off enough to explain to me what this is all about? I thought you knew Xena and I tended to get close when we were around each other."

"I haven't begun to cool down. Did you or did you not have sex with Xena within the past couple of months?"

Hercules' eyes widened as he said in wonder, "She's pregnant with my child, isn't she? Did you hear that Iolaus, I'm going to be a-"

He was cut off by the cry of renewed rage that came from Ares and the assault began again. This time he sent fireballs. Hercules dropped and rolled and caught a shield that Iolaus had tossed him. The shield caused the ball of flame to deflect and hit Ares squarely in the chest. It must have been a powerful one because it knocked Ares unconscious.

"Sibling rivalry," Iolaus said with a shake of his head, coming over to stand with Hercules. "It never ends, does it?"

"Apparently not," Hercules said, looking at an unconscious Ares. "We'd better get out of here before he comes to. He's not going to be a happy camper."

"Did you really get Xena pregnant?"

"I haven't seen Xena since Eve was born. I guess it's time to go visit an old friend."

"Mind if I come along? I know I'm bound to slow you down but—"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

sss

"Ares was here I take it," Gabrielle said as she surveyed the damage and yawned.

Xena smiled a small smile of amusement. "I don't know how you manage to sleep through these things."

"I'm a heavy sleeper," Gabrielle shot back defensively. "I also take it you told him he was not the father. Xena, are you sure you're doing the right thing by not telling Ares? I know his track record hasn't been all that great, but he's never had one with a woman he's loved before either."

Xena lifted her arms, "Look around you, Gabrielle. Does a man with this kind of rage and destruction need to know he's a father?"

Gabrielle nodded, "Yeah, you're right. Of course, you're right. I guess I couldn't help but like mortal Ares either, just a little bit anyway." She watched as Xena packed up or more accurately she watched where Xena's unborn child lay. She didn't want to bring it up to Xena yet because she knew how fiercely Xena loved her children and she didn't want to cause any distance between her and Xena, but she wondered if the child would inherit the rage and destruction with or without Ares' help. She wasn't convinced the baby couldn't inherit godlike powers just because Ares was mortal at the time. The child could be another Livia in the making, only 10 times worse if it carried Ares' DNA. It definitely bore watching.