Ch1

A figure wrapped in brown muslin guided the horse down a sunlit path. He stepped out of the ether and fell in step besides her, not speaking. They walked together and the sun moved quietly across the sky above. Finally she slid off the horse's back and turned to face him. She pushed her hair out of her eyes. It was longer, he saw, almost reaching her shoulders. Delicate lines crossed her forehead and spread out from the corners of her eyes. Gabrielle had aged.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Where's Xena?" Ares demanded.

"She's gone, Ares. I came back from Egypt to tell you. I'm sorry." Gabrielle took a small pouch from around her neck and held it out to the God of War. He stood and stared at her with his arms crossed but he could see by the way Gabrielle's shoulders softened that a shadow of emotion had crossed his face.

"It's a bit of Xena's ashes. I thought that you might want-"

Ares yanked the small satchel from her hands, flinging it onto the ground.

"What I want is Xena! Here, by my side. Instead I get her irritating little sidekick! Tell me happened so I can get her back!"

Gabrielle's face moved through sympathy, anger, and finally sadness. She mounted her horse in one swift motion.

"She died, Ares. She was mortal and she died."

Gabrielle rode off fast, kicking up a trail of dust behind her. When she was out of sight, Ares bent down to retrieve the pouch. The suede felt worn and rough under his fingers as he placed it around his neck. Ares grasped the pouch in his fist, head bowed.

"This is not how it's supposed to be!" he roared to the empty road. "You hear me, Gabrielle – this isn't over!"

Ares returned to Olympus in an explosion of blue light. As he stalked the Halls of War a blazing fire moved behind him consuming the tapestries and furniture, charring them to a fine white ash. The walls trembled with his rage, the floors echoed his anger.

"It's not going to end this way! I will not let this happen!" The vases and jeweled statues flew backwards as he advanced, glass and stone tinkling across the floor. His massive throne toppled over with a loud crash and then exploded in the heat of a fireball.

"Ares?" a quiet voice came through the rolling clouds of black smoke. At the sound of his sister's voice he turned away, searching for a place to put his rage.

"Ar?" the voice came again, her soft hand resting on his arm. "What's going on, bro?"

"She's dead, Aphrodite. And I can't do anything about it. She's been dead the last two years for all I know. That irritating blonde rode off before she answered my questions."

"Who, Gabby? Well, then go find her, bro. She'll tell you what's up. Maybe she just needs some time to think about what she wants to say," Aphrodite said gently.

"What does it matter? She's gone and I get to spend an eternity without her. Not that I had a chance. One in a billion. Well, Xena, I hope you're happy where ever you are! I'm glad you died in some gods forsaken land where you can't be with your son even in death!"

Aphrodite stepped back from the fury radiating off of Ares in dark waves, his body glowing slightly blue in the red flames behind them. Power filled the room- the power of his godhood and of his anger. She stepped back again, uncertain.

"I would have given her everything. It's her own fault she's dead and I'm glad I don't have to deal with her head games anymore!"

"Ares, no, you don't mean that," Aphrodite whispered. Ares grabbed her arms and shook her, watching her eyes widen with shock as he answered back.

"Get out of here, Aphrodite. Get out and don't come back," he replied, a mask of calm falling over his face. Aphrodite turned and fled, so stunned she didn't even think to teleport away. "Xeeeeeenaaaa!"

Ch2

The earth was black and the spring winds spread the stink of death and scorched earth for miles. Every village in this province had been affected by the war and the effects would last for generations. Ares watched the bloody battle progress from the distant hillside. In the charred field below they were chanting his name, calling to him even as they died. They didn't remember their wives or children in those final moments, but of the glory promised to them in death. His head was filled with their thoughts and the worship they offered. He was the god of war and this was the reason for his existence.

Then why do you feel so empty? A voice asked in his head, a voice that sounded annoyingly like Gabrielle.

He felt weary like he'd just had a long day at the farm. He ran his fingers up and down the smooth metal of his sword, a weapon kept flawless by its design. Once it had held the power of his godhood, a punishment from Zeus for breaking a few rules in his dealings with Callisto. When he'd regained his powers he had returned to his throne and former glory. His time as a mortal had cemented his feelings for Xena, but he was still a god. With Odin's apples it was different. And he didn't really want to dwell on the how or the why, but it was getting to where he didn't have a choice.

Ares left the battlefield for the solitude of Olympus, not really caring which side won or lost. They were all his soldiers and they would die for it. Century after century he had watched them as they fought and loved and died, unaffected by all of it because he did none of these things.

Until Xena.

Xena, his warrior princess.

She was never mine, not in any way that mattered. Was I really so bad for her? I mean, sure, there was that whole Dahak thing. And the deal with Gabrielle… and the marriage contract. That really could have worked, but nooooo, she had to go jumping into that lava pit just to prove her point.

He'd given up his godhood for her daughter and her best friend. She'd been… surprised. Grateful. Who knows what emotions he thought he'd seen in those blue eyes that day. But she'd walked away. Again.

"Like you gave her a choice?" Gabrielle's voice accused.

It's what I do. Damn it. This is not my fault!

Xena had understood that after she had thwarted his plans to gain control of the Amazons. It was in the way she brushed her hair out of her eyes so she could see him better, the way she'd smiled in her victory. They knew each other like lovers. She knew I wouldn't care, not really, not if she was involved. And he hadn't. He wasn't surprised anymore by her ability to turn a situation to her advantage, to use whatever means necessary to do what (she thought) was the right thing. So maybe he shouldn't be so surprised by her death.

Ares sprawled across his throne, lost in thought. Why was it so much harder this time? He could still hear her voice. Smell her hair. He kept expecting those baby blue eyes to flash at him in the middle of a battlefield. He did not need this!

"Guess she didn't need you. She just needed me, Ares," Gabrielle's voice taunted.

"Ah, I know... why don't I just..." Ares snapped his fingers and Gabrielle appeared crouched in a defensive position. Her sais were drawn and she had a shallow cut in her cheek. Looks like I picked her up at an interesting time.

"Ares, what am I doing here?" Gabrielle asked, standing.

"I figured if I was hearing you up here," Ares replied, tapping his temple with one finger, "I might as well have a face to go along with that annoying voice." Now here was a captivating possibility, one he had considered before but never quite been able to work out with Xena around. An Amazon Princess and a warrior.

"You take me back right now, Ares!" Gabrielle demanded. Ares moved his head to gaze at her, resting it on one fist. "I mean it! I was in the middle of something."

She definitely had the right spirit, and a new passion that hadn't been there before Xena's death. With Gabrielle under his tutelage the entire Amazon nation could be his. They were a fierce bunch and now they had no goddess to protect them. Survival was always a good lever.

Xena would never forgive him if he managed to get to Gabrielle.

Xena's dead.

"I need to ask you about Xena," he continued as if she hadn't spoken. Suddenly she was at his side, fist slamming into his chin. Ares rubbed his jaw in surprise. I should really just roast the little bitch. She pushed one sai against his chest and waited.

Death's perfume can be very addictive.

No, it wasn't that. Gabrielle wasn't suicidal. And she wasn't dismissing him the same way Xena could. No, she was treating him like… an equal. A mortal. Is that how she thinks of me? Well, then…

"Fine," Ares said, lifting his hand to send her back through the ether. It was funny how differently he regarded the little blond with Xena gone. Gabrielle used to be an obstacle, the thing standing between him and Xena. What was she now?

"No wait, I wanted to ask you about Eve. But I don't have time for this right now - people's lives are at stake. Take me back and let me finish. Then we'll talk."

Suddenly the ground was coming at her fast and Gabrielle landed hard on her rump in a puddle of slime. Her leather squelched against her skin as she leaped up, the sound of Ares laughing making her ears burn.

"You did that on purpose!" she accused, slipping and falling down into the mud again. Ares merely shrugged and leaned against a tree as a group of thugs rushed towards the battling bard. That'll teach her to take the god of war so lightly. And it was amusing to see her covered in mud. Ares smirked.

"Over there, there she is! Get her!"

Behind them a wooden cage stood full of weeping women, slaves for the market. Gabrielle moved into a fighting stance, delivering a devastating kick to the first thug to reach her. She fought furiously, ducking and weaving as if in a dance while Ares watched approvingly. Guess she picked up a few moves in Egypt.

"So, Gabrielle, about Xena."

"Not a good time, Ares!" Gabrielle called over her shoulder, narrowly avoiding a sword thrust at her heart.

"I gave up my godhood for her," Ares paced the ground behind Gabrielle as she downed two more men, hands moving in a blur of speed.

"You have got to be kidding, Ares!"

"No, I'm very serious here.

"No, I mean - I'm trying to fight and you're making it difficult to concentrate!" Gabrielle replied through clenched teeth.

"Oh, in that case..." Ares shot a bolt of lightning from his hand, zapping the nearest bandit. Another grime covered thug managed to sneak up behind him, running a sword through his back.

Ares turned around slowly and the man stared down disbelieving at the bloodless blade. "Now you've made me angry!" Ares snarled, grabbing him by the throat. The man dangled in the air as Ares crushed his throat with a sickening crunch. He tossed the body aside and the remaining thugs took off running.

"Thanks," Gabrielle managed, out of breath.

"Sure, don't mention it. Now, about Xena."

"By the gods, you are obsessed," Gabrielle said, running over to the cage and knocking off the lock with her sai.

"Thank you so much! How can we repay you?" one woman asked, grasping Gabrielle's arm.

"No one deserves to be sold as a slave. Live a good life. That's all the reward I need."

The women murmured their thanks as they passed and Gabrielle had a smile for each one. Ares rolled his eyes then yawned.

"Greater good, yada yada yada. Don't you ever just get tired of this?"

"Why, do you get tired of starting wars?"

"Good point."

Ares smoothed his features, trying to radiate sincerity. He placed his hands on Gabrielle's shoulders. Getting mortals to trust him was his specialty.

"I understand how important it is that you find Eve quickly. And since I am, well, a god, I am in a unique position to help you."

Gabrielle shrugged off his hands.

"I don't think so, Ares. I remember what happened the last time I owed you a favor," she said, turning away. Ares materialized in her path, but she stepped smoothly around him without stopping..

"Now, now, blondie. That's all in the past," he said, trailing close behind her. "I'll help you find Eve and all I ask in exchange is that you give me some information. Is that so hard?"

Gabrielle sighed and turned to face him again.

"I don't really have a choice, do I? You know, Ares, you could help me because Xena risked her life for you and Eve is her daughter," she suggested.

"Yes, but where's the fun in that? Besides, Xena risked her life for complete strangers. It's how she got her kicks. Literally."

Gabrielle looked up at him with that disgusting open-eyed honesty he found so disconcerting. How could anyone who spent years on the road with Xena and gotten mixed up with Dahak be so... so... sincere. Yuck.

"But with you it was personal. If you're looking to me for proof that Xena cared about you then you're missing the point. Think about what she did for you. Risking her life to get Odin's apples?" she asked.

"The world needed a sitting god of war. And I was born for this job. It's in my blood," Ares dismissed.

He could see Gabrielle wavering. After all, his offer seemed genuine and it was simple enough, at least on the surface. And that's how he liked it.

"Okay, Ares," Gabrielle replied. "What did you want to know?"

Ares folded his arms under his chest and gave her a small smile.

"The stuff that isn't in your scrolls," he replied. "I won't lie to you, Gabrielle-"

"Ha!"

"If I can find a way to bring Xena back I plan to do just that. I just have to figure out how. She's gotten quite good at cheating death, but she can't get out of our agreement." Ares rocked back on his heels, enjoying the way Gabrielle sputtered and protested.

"What are you talking about? Xena didn't have any agreement with you!"

"There's really not any way for me to say this that will make you hate me less," he warned with feigned sympathy. He was really enjoying this too much. "Xena's soul is mine. I have proof here-" with a wave of his finger and he was holding the marriage contract tucked beneath one of Gabrielle's old scrolls, "in writing."

And you thought you knew everything about her. Oh, blondie, the stories I could tell you.