Seconds later, Ares appeared. "I've been meaning to pay you a visit," he remarked. "So where's the little family man?"
"I didn't call you here to talk about Hercules," Xena said.
"And I didn't come here to answer to your beck and call. Those days are over, sweetheart. I have my own reasons for being here." To prove his point, he drew his sword and went over to Gabrielle, who held the twins in her arms. "My quarrel isn't with you, blondie. Put the kids down and step away."
"Over my dead body," Gabrielle said.
He put his sword back. "That can be arranged," he said as he blasted her back and caught the twins before they hit the ground. Gabrielle had been knocked unconscious when she smacked into a tree, but she was still alive.
"I try to play nice and this is what I get for it," Xena said. "I won't make that mistake again."
He laughed, "Like you called me here to reconcile. What kind of fool do you take me for?"
"Ares, god of war, killing innocent little babes. The world will be amazed at your military prowl," Xena mocked.
"Shut up! You have no idea what these little babes are going to do when they get older."
"Heard another prophecy you didn't like? Well, I've got one for you. Hurt so much as a hair on their heads and their mother will kill you."
He put the babies down. He tried to make it look rough but Xena noticed he was careful not to hurt them.
"I guess I'd better take care of their mother first then," he said, pulling out his sword again.
Xena drew her sword. "Bring it on."
A shirtless and wet Hercules ran into the clearing, grabbing his sword. Ares blocked two swords aimed for his chest. Xena then took a swipe at his feet while Hercules brought his sword toward his head. Ares simultaneously jumped and blocked Hercules' thrust. Then he jumped into the tree above them. "You two wouldn't be a match for me even if I was mortal."
He sent down a few fireballs for them to dodge, but none came close to the babies. Xena let out her war cry as she flipped up to the limb that Ares stood on. She pointed her sword and went running toward him. Ares had nowhere to go but down. He flipped off but landed on Hercules' sword. Xena flipped off in front of them and held her sword at Ares' throat.
"I'll admit you two make a good albeit sickening team," Ares conceded. "It's just too bad you have no true way of disposing of me."
"I may have lost my ability to kill gods, but there are many ways to skin a cat as you well know," Xena replied.
"True, but at the moment none of those ways are at your disposal. I'll bow out this time. I'm nothing if not a good sportsman, but this is far from over, Xena," Ares threatened before disappearing.
Gabrielle had come to and witnessed the last part of the exchange. "Do you believe me now?"
"No," replied a calm Xena, staring at the spot where Ares had been moments before. "He had a perfect opportunity to kill them when he took them from you and he didn't take it. He also had time and opportunity to get them from his vantage point in the tree."
"I noticed that too. You think he knows they're his?" Hercules asked, trying to make sense of an Ares, who wasn't totally out for blood.
"No, I don't," Xena answered. "I think he still believes they're yours, but I plan on telling him they're his after I give him time to simmer down. We need his help."
"I don't know if I fully support this," Hercules said, "but it's your decision to make. I will stand behind you and the children no matter what."
Xena gave him an appreciative smile and put a hand on his arm, "You're a good friend, Hercules."