A/n: Sorry it's taken me so long to update, I actually wrote this chapter ages ago and apparently completely forgot. So Enjoy! As you can tell we're nearing the end here.

Safe Again

"Where are they Hera!" Zeus demanded to know, you and I both know that Ares is not allowed to do this. Hera sat resolutely on her throne in front of all the Gods. She refused to give up where she was protecting Ares.

"That is of no concern of you dear husband, the two are simply in love." Athena scoffed.

"After what he's done, we've seen Amphipolis, my patron city!"

"And my beautiful Amazons!"

"I know love and it isn't between Xena and Ares," Aphrodite spat out Ares name, she had never hated Ares as she did these last few days.

"Hera!" Zeus thundered. "I want to know now or you will be included in Ares punishment," Zeus growled.

"Do as you wish, but I am not afraid of you." Zeus was livid as he looked at his three daughters demanding from him justice. He nodded.

"All right if that is what you wish." He waved his hand and all of Hera's powers were stripped from and she fell from Mount Olympus into the path of three armies. He sent out a message all over Greece.

"Let it be known that Hera Queen of the Gods is mortal, seek your revenge!" Everyone in Greece gasped hoping they didn't run into Hera or hoping they did so they could kill her.

"She wasn't expecting that, I bet," Hermes commented with a grin.

"All her protections will be down, let's go and retrieve Xena from Ares." They nodded to Zeus and disappeared, Artemis delivering the Amazon nation, Amphipolis militia, Torres to the temple built in a high cliff. Athena brought her elite Archers, while Aphrodite brought bewitched warriors.

"You think we need Hercules?" Torres commented. "He was always good at defeating Hera's minions."

"It would be a nice addition, but Hera turned Hercules mad when he wouldn't give up information on Xena. Then she used Callisto to lock him away somewhere, we had no proof, and now we can't find him." Gabrielle frowned.

"Perhaps now we can find and save him as well."

"I do hope so," Zeus commented as Hera's minions came out at Ares bidding, they were vast and streaming from the cliff temple.

Inside the cliff temple, Xena's breathing was heavy and labored. Her skin was a sickly yellow and her lips dry and cracked. The pregnancy was a constant strain on her body, it was taking longer than the girls, because of Xena's state. Ares wanted to give her Ambrosia, but that would give her all her strength back. The Hine's blood toxin was still coursing through her system making her weak and sick.

"Come on already!" Ares yelled. He could hear the battle outside and he knew what happen to his mother. If he left the temple he was definitely doomed before he got his army from Xena. He had released her restraints as she got bigger assure she wouldn't go anywhere.

"Shut up, you think giving birth is easy!" Xena snapped in a weak voice. She held her stomach hoping to God that there was only one baby inside of her, she didn't want to supply him with millions for an army, she couldn't and wouldn't be the mother of millions. She didn't push though as much as she wanted too, she would not help the baby out for his or her own safety. She would have to hold out until they broke through and they would despite her weak state. She knew that Hera was mortal same as Ares and that meant once they were pass her minions all would be lost unless he left to another sanctuary.

"Xena!" Athena called.

"Damn it bitch give me my child or I will cut her out of you," Ares growled.

"Ares!" Zeus thundered. Ares pulled out a knife and came at Xena. He would have his child. He cut deeply, but could not get a hold of the child. Xena cried out in pain, as he had used the Hines blood dagger or no incision would have been made.

"Where is it?" Ares raged. "Where's my daughter?" Xena spit in his face. "Her child was safely out of his reach in the birth canal. She hoped he ran before her child made it out, she could already feel the head crowning.

"She's gone," Xena whispered. Ares growled as the stone door was blown open by Athena with satisfaction. Ares disappeared in rage as Torres ran in prepared to fight him for his sister's life and child.

"Torres!" Xena cried out almost two quietly. He went over to her and rubbed her forehead.

"Xena did he take the baby?" Torres asked seeing her cut open stomach.

"Ah!" Xena cried out and her body jerked a little. "Crowning." The last part was a whisper before she passed out. Torres immediately moved the blanket and looked between his sister's legs and saw a head pop out. He helped the baby out the rest of the way.

"What is it?" Gabrielle asked coming up beside him.

"Another boy," Torres told her as he swaddled the baby. "I don't think there are more." Gabrielle checked Xena's pulse, it was weak, but there. Athena came over with a little Ambrosia from Hestia. She slipped it into Xena's mouth and at least her stomach healed and she was her original shape.

"Let's get her out of here," Gabrielle told them. The Gods finished Hera's minions off by themselves and transported all the mortals back to Amphipolis. Cyrene was looking much better, but she was still very ill from Ares attack. The baby was very ill from the effects of the Hines blood in Xena's body.

"Somebody has to go get the boys, they'll want to be with her," Ephiny commented.

"She's not going to die," Gabrielle whispered. "Not like this."

"Ares can't come near here, please Gabrielle go find the children." Gabrielle nodded. She set off immediately with the help of Aphrodite hitching a ride to Athens, and Athena had a boat waiting to set sail immediately, taking weeks off her journey. It wasn't long before she arrived in Alexandria. She immediately called upon Cleopatra, who after thorough grilling pointed her to their farm.

"Gabrielle!" Solan called seeing her. The girls were nearly six weeks old and a handful, he didn't know how his mother or Uncle had ever taken care of him. Daniel came out of the house with tea and she smiled at them.

"Where's mommy?" Daniel asked.

"In Amphipolis, we don't have much time, she might die." They both looked alarmed and immediately stood up to gather their things and rush back home. They each carried a baby to the docks where they reboarded the ship, and with poseidon's help at Athena's insistence they made it to the coast near Amphipolis in a day, and Artemis transported them to Amphipolis.

"Mommy," Daniel cried. They saw their brother who was large, but sickly. Samantha was distressed at finally seeing her mother again in such a state that when she began to cry Xena began to glow and then she was healed. Xena's blue eyes fluttered open as she took in her surroundings and her children.

"What's happening?" Xena asked.

"Samantha just healed you," Torres said amazed and proud of his niece. Samantha kept crying insistent as she was that Xena hold her. Xena sat up slowly careful of her new son. She handed him to Torres as she kissed and hugged her children quietly. Daniel gave her Samantha before leaning against her.

"Shs little one," Xena told her and she quieted down immediately. "Now heal your brother for me." Samantha gave a cry of protest as Xena held her close. "I know love, but do it for me." He began to glow, but he did not wake up, but slept more peacefully. "Thank you." She nursed Samantha first as her breast began to swell with a need to nurse her children.

"All right him next." She nursed her son and he seemed to nurse the longest. Zoe and Eve refused all else until it was there turn to nurse as well before they all lay on the bed sleeping peacefully.

"Where's mother?" Xena asked as Daniel quickly filled her arms and Solan took his spot. She rocked a little holding her son close. She had missed the feel of him in her arms.

"She was attacked by Ares, we didn't find her until after you were taken," Torres told her quietly. Xena took a deep breath to control her anger.

"Than he will suffer for eternity." Torres nodded. "We will ask Samantha to heal her as soon as she's awake."

"No need, she's already awake and healed." Cyrene came in leaning on the Amazon who had been watching over her. Xena was horrified like Daniel and Solan to see her missing one leg and there were scars around her eyes, but they did nothing to take away their intensity or beauty.

"Grandma your eyes," Daniel cried. Cyrene gave him a small smile.

"They're fine he failed to do the damage he wanted. It was as if something was protecting me."

"I'm glad, where is he?" She looked at Gabrielle and Torres.

"He ran, but Zeus is after him. The fates say since he broke the contract it is null and void through and through." Xena nodded.

"So he can't take me?" Daniel asked.

"No sweetie." Cyrene looked over her granddaughters and her new grandson first checking them over and than her older boys who she knew could fend for themselves, Xena had been raising them perfectly.

"I'm so glad you are all right, the girls weren't too much trouble were they?"

"No, they were just babies," Solan sighed.

"Oh my poor boy, you should be sleeping, I know you can't have slept much." Solan shook his head with a small smile.

"I'm just so happy you're all right mother." She rubbed the side of his head and kissed his cheek.

"I think I'm more glad you're all right."

"No, but I think we should name him Zek." Everyone nodded at the name before Cyrene insisted they all find some rest. Daniel and Solan made pallets for themselves in Xena's room. Assured Xena was now fine Gabrielle and Torres also left along with Cyrene.