Chapter 20:Drunk of love

Gabrielle POV

All day long was spent drinking and drinking..At one moment I had to actually wonder how was he still capable to stand on his own feet given the circumstances..

I didn't know him as my friend did, but the God of War was long gone at least in his mortal form- that I could see with extreme, bitter clarity...

I took a good look at him….That new Ares was a horror to look at- I couldn't help feeling compassion for him…How could Xena be so cruel? I guess she knew better though. Plus, I had learn to stay out of her business a loooong time ago…

Several times I tried to stop him, to snatch the bottle of wine from his hands, but it was useless, since I kept finding him with another one glued to his lips- an impossibly frustrating situation…for both of us….I gave up eventually.

Xena was out for a walk with Eve and Cyrene had stuff to do too, working around the tavern. I was all alone, with nothing interesting to do other than guard him as if he were some sick child in need for attention.

"What do you want?" He asked on that irritating tone of his the moment I stepped into the kitchen again.

I took a deep breath. I could smell the drink even from afar.

"Why don't you go to sleep..?" I suggested, tired myself of seeing him like that.

"What? Mind your own business Blondie. Who're you to tell me what to do? No one tells the God of War that..."

"Well it wouldn't hurt to find yourself some other activity to keep you busy…something healthier…" I implied, smiling at his surprised figure.

"Healthier? It doesn't get healthier than this. Any sane doctor would recommend a cup of wine a day!"

I couldn't help a chuckle.

"Yeah well….you're at your third bottle…forth…."

"Actually it's the fifth " He corrected, taking another sip.

"Ok…"

I desperately looked around as if trying to find Xena….She should have known a way to solve the problem.

"But you're right. Drinking is boring….I'd rather go for a ride…." He finally announced, and before I knew it, he was already up, stumbling over a chair and heading for the stables…It took him awhile to open the door but he did it in the end…

"Ares wait..Do you really think that's a good idea…? I was talking about sleeping!" I yelled behind him, aware that riding in his condition could very likely end up in complete disaster.

"I don't wanna sleep with you!" he rudely let me know, frowning at my misunderstood statement.

"That's not what I meant! "

"I know you want me Blondie. It's written all over your face. But I'm not interested, sorry. Try Joxer."

I placed a hand on his shoulder while he was mounting trying to stop him. He pushed me away immediately.

"Hey! No touching! Can't you take a hint?"

The following moment he was leaving the stables. It was that very then that I saw Xena coming down the hill, holding Eve in her arms. She must have seen Ares leave the barn too cause she had quickened her pace.

"Xena.." I ran to her.." Thank the Gods you are here…Ares is drunk..He's just left the barn riding….He might get hurt…He was upset…"

In less than a second she gave Eve to me and mounted Argo.

I let out a relieved breath knowing that everything would turn out alright and I got back to the inn.

"Look whose here!…My little Eve...!"Cyrene came out happily, taking her granddaughter in her arms.

"She's tired." I announced.

"I will put her to sleep Gabrielle, don't worry.."

Half an hour later, I was still looking for something to do but I was way to anxious for that. I just headed back to the stables hoping to see Xena and Ares come back.

They were already there, talking….Well….Ares was doing most of the talking.

"No..I want to stay here…..riding…I like riding..far away..from you.."

"Ares…. You're drunk.."

"I'm not..I'm perfectly fine…..I'm fine, right Argo?" He said, staring the horse in the eyes.

"See..?"

"Talking to the horse…..Ok….let's get you home.." Xena concluded, grabbing his arm, but he withdrew savagely.

"No…..I don't want to. That's not my home, it's your home. And you don't even want me home! .."

"Don't be silly. Come on…"

"I said no!"

"Ares…."

"And just for the record, I'm sorry…..I didn't want to lie to you…I just thought it was for the best….."

She looked away as he began caressing her face…..

I felt terrible ..It appeared more and more difficult to interrupt them each second…But I had to…..

"Believe me...will ya?" He pleaded.

She didn't get the chance to reply. I made sure she didn't.

"Xena! You found him!"

There was a long awkward silence before she answered.

"Yeah I did….."