AresJoxerCupidStrife - Casper

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Title: The Thirteenth Olympian
Author: Crystal
Feedback: Please!
Rating: PG so far
Pairing: A/J and C/S
Summary: Joxer's sick and no one knows why.
Series: YES! Called "Parenthood" Sequel to "No Son of Mine" and "Dancing Up A Storm"
Disclaimer: Well, it's in the other two but I'll put it here too. Not mine, not makin' any money. :-)


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Okay, contrary to popular belief, raising a child is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Even for Gods. Especially if said child is the Goddess of Chaos, daughter to the God of War.

I never had this much trouble with Cupid Ares thought as he chased the, now 4 year old, screaming youngster around the temple in a vain attempt at a bath. Ares had managed to get her mostly undressed and almost to the bathing room before she realized what was going on and took off down the hallway.

Strife appeared just in time to be run past by a screaming Goddess of Chaos and a very frustrated God of War. Smiling to himself, he flashed himself to the room they were currently circling.

"Hey Unc."

"STWIFE!" the little goddess yelled at the top of her lungs and Strife found his arms full of wiggling, giggling toddler. "Me no take bath!"

"Why not?"

"Jus' don't wanna," she said, crossing her arms and pouting.

"'Kay, but ya know, little goddesses that don't take baths' don't have friend's right?"

Almeya's eyes widened in horror. "No fwiends?"

"Nope. Not a one."

"What `bout Jazz an' Storm?"

"They take their baths so they got friends. Ya wanna have friends don't ya?"

The little goddess nodded.

"Then ya bettah take ya bath!"

"BATH!" she screamed, again at the top of her lungs, and hopped out of Strife's arms heading for the bathing room.

"How do you do that?" Ares asked. How low, I'm asking my nephew for help!

"When through the same thing with Jazz. Storm loves the water but Jazz had the idea that all bathing water should be banished from the world. Jus' threaten `em with not bein' able ta play an' they'll do almost anythin'."

"DADDY! C'MON!" a voice called from the other room.

"Coming," Ares called back and sighed. "I'd better go before she drowns herself or something."

Strife laughed. "Yeah. Try explainin' that ta Jox. `How did she drown in the bath Ares?' `I dunno love, I wasn't there.' `Wasn't there!' There'd be no peace that day!"

"Shut up Strife."

Strife sobered a little. Very little. "So," he said, getting himself under control at his uncle's angry glare. "Mind if I join ya? Everybody's asleep at my temple an' ya might need some more help."

Ares sighed. "Sure."

They flashed into the bathing chamber where Almeya was stripped completely and waiting impatiently for her father.

"Get in now?" she asked.

"Yes. You can get in now. Where is your rag?"

She held it up to him. When he reached for it, she snatched it back, shaking her head. "No! `Meya do it!"

"Alright, alright," Ares said, raising his hands. "You do it."

"YAY!" she hollered and began washing.

"So where's Jox?" Strife asked watching the little girl fight with the soap.

"Listening to petitioners. We decided to switch off days. I think he worked it out to where I'd get bath days. How do you and Cupid do it? I mean, you have three. I only have one and I'm having a harder time than you." Gods, Ares, you're whining!

"Bliss startin' school last year helped. Plus, we didn't have the Goddess of Chaos either."

"True," Ares said thoughtfully. Whatever else he was about to say was cut off by an agonizing scream that he figured all of Olympus probably heard.

"Ares!" Joxer mentally called before flashing into his arms. "Pain!"

"Joxer!" Ares shouted as Joxer collapsed taking them both to the floor.

"Daddy?" Almeya said, unsure of what was happening.

"Strife, go get Asclepius. Dress Almeya and take her with you."

"'Kay. Come on munchkin." In a flash the little goddess was dry, dressed and in Strife's arms. In another flash they were gone.

"Hang on Jox," Ares said as he picked him up and flashed them to the bedroom. He laid him on the bed and covered him up. Stroking his husband's hair, Ares barely noticed when Strife returned with Asclepius.

"What happened?" Asclepius asked.

"I don't know," Ares said. "I was talking to Strife and he flashed in, cried pain and collapsed. Where's Almeya?"

"I dropped her off at my temple for a nap."

Ares nodded. "Thanks. Do you know what's wrong, Asclepius?"

"It seems that there is a battle going on in his body. I'm not sure what it is about or why it is happening. I want to get him back to my temple and call your mother and father. Something is effecting his godhood."



"What in Tartarus could be effecting his godhood?" Ares almost screamed. "I mean, he's a GOD!"

"Yes, Ares, I know that," Asclepius said, losing patience. "That's why I need your parents. Now, can we get going before he dies?"

Strife took Ares' arm and almost had to physically drag him back. "C'mon Unc. We'll follow `em," he said softly. Ares only nodded.

Strife nodded to Asclepius and he disappeared with Joxer, mentally calling Zeus and Hera on the way. Strife, still holding Ares' arm, followed them taking his uncle with him.

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When they arrived, Zeus and Hera were already there, and looking over Joxer. Ares just stood there and Strife briefly wondered if he'd fallen asleep standing up. He was startled back to the room by movement and realized that his uncle was no longer standing next to him. He had moved to stand behind his parents, as close to Joxer as possible.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know, son," Zeus answered. "I agree with Asclepius' assessment of some kind of battle going on in his body. But I'm not sure why. He has been given something to help him rest and take away the pain, but I am going to have to do research on this. There aren't many things that can effect a godhood like this. Something had to have happened to him in his life for this."

"Like what?"

"Gods only know, Ares. But I'll find out," Zeus said before disappearing.

"You might want to see his friends and family," Hera said. "I am going to help your father with this."

Ares thought his heart was going to stop. His mother was going to help his father? What else was going to happen today?

"Don't look so stunned," Hera said. "I like Joxer too." Then she too disappeared.

"Unc," Strife said, walking over to Ares. "I think she's right. `Bout tellin' his friends an' family an' all."

"I don't want to leave him."

"I know. But most a his friends don't like me. Why don't ya go get Xena and her bard? Then I'll go an' get Jett and Jace. `Kay?"

"Okay," Ares finally said and walked over to Joxer. After giving him a gentle kiss he disappeared leaving Strife there to watch over his husband.

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Ares appeared just outside the clearing where his daughter and Gabrielle were currently packing up to leave. He sighed and slowly walked toward them.

"Xena."

"What do you want?" Gabrielle said.

Ares didn't even shoot her a glare and Xena knew something wasn't right.

"What's wrong, Ares?" she asked.

"Joxer," he almost whispered. "He's sick. Don't know what's wrong." It took all of his power not to cry in front of them. "I thought you might want to know."

"Take us to him," she answered. Ares nodded and flashed them all back to Asclepius' temple.

"Strife!" Gabrielle said.

Strife sighed. "Who else did ya `xpect? I'll be back Unc." Ares nodded again and Strife flashed out.

"Is he in pain?" Xena asked.

"No. He's been given something to ease the pain. Zeus is in the Hall of Time now trying to figure out how to fix this," Asclepius said.

At that moment, Strife flashed in with Jett in tow. "Couldn't find Jace. Must be outta the country or somethin'."

"He's masked," Jett said and walked over to Joxer. He sat down on the bed and began to stroke his brother's face.

"He's what?" Xena asked.

"Masked. When he doesn't want to be found, he's not found," Jett said, returning his attention to his brother. "He's not in pain now. Whatever he was given helped."

"How did you know that?" Ares asked.

"He told me."

Ares looked from his unconscious husband to his brother in law. "How can that be?"

Jett looked at him with a total `duh' look and was about to say something when Zeus flashed in. "I've got it!" he said.

"Well?" Ares said.

"He's a god!"

It was Ares' turn to give the `duh' look. "Yeah, dad. We kinda figured that out already. You made him one remember?"

"No. You don't understand. He was born a god. God of what I don't know, nor do I know who his parents are."

"Nature," Jett said without looking from his brother.

"What?" Gabrielle said.

"Nature. He's the God of Nature."

"Are you sure?" Zeus asked.

"He's my brother. Of course I'm sure. Check your records. You'll see."

"I will. Ares, I am going to the Hall of Records. I will be back as soon as possible."

"Dad wait," Ares called. "Let me. I need something to do. Jett and Xena will take care of him."

"Ya sure, Unc?" Strife said. "Ya want me ta come with ya?"

"Yeah. Thanks Strife."

"No prob. Lemme just stop by home an' let Cupid know what's goin' on."

Ares nodded. "Take care of him Xena."

"I will. We will," she corrected herself looking at Jett.

Ares smiled. "Good. Let's go Strife."

"'Kay."

Together, they flashed out as one.



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Strife and Ares appeared in the main room of Strife's temple to see Cupid running after Almeya with Storm and Jazz giggling in the corner.

"Having fun son?" Ares asked, somewhat amused.

"DADDY!" Almeya screamed and jumped into her father's arms.

"Oh thank all the gods!" Cupid said. "I didn't think you'd ever get her to take her."

"Actually, he's not," Strife said and almost laughed at Cupid's horrified look.

"What do you mean he's not?"

"Joxer's sick," Ares said.

"Sick? What's wrong with him?"

"Apparently he's a god."

"Duh dad."

"No. He was born a god. Jett said he was the god of Nature."

"I didn't even know there was a god of nature."

"Neither did I. But I'm gonna find out why we didn't know. Strife and I are on our way to the Hall of Records now to see what we can find out."

Cupid nodded. "So I get to play babysitter."

"If you want to," Ares said. "You can ask Xena how Joxer's doing and take her there in a little while. Or if you really need a break, have her baby-sit."

Cupid laughed. "What a great way to get back at her for something."

"Look, Cupe," Strife said. "We gotta get goin'. I just wanted ta let ya know what was goin' down."

Cupid sighed. "Okay. We'll have a great time. Won't we `Meya?"

"YEAH!" the little goddess yelled and hopped out of her father's arms. "Bye daddy!" she said as she ran out of the room with Jazz and Storm.

"See ya later love," Strife said, placing a gentle kiss on Cupid's lips.

"Yeah," Ares said. "And don't lose her." Before Cupid could say anything, they were gone. Suddenly he heard a crash.

"Somebody's gonna be in trouble!" he hollered and went running into the other room.

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"So what are we lookin' for?" Strife asked once they appeared in the Hall of Records.

"Anything that says something about Joxer, his brothers or his birth. We already know that he's the god of nature. Maybe we should look for gods born around 30 years ago."

Strife nodded. "I'll look for the god of nature, you look for Joxer. `Kay?"

"Okay."

They both sighed at the mounds of papers they had to dig through and began their task.

*********************************************************************

"His pain is returning," Jett said, not taking his hands from his brother.

Asclepius sighed and gave Joxer more of the medicine. "He's needing it more often now."

"So how do you know?" Gabrielle asked.

"He's my brother."

"What about the god of nature thing?"

Jett sighed and looked away from Joxer for the first time since he arrived. "Things happen that cause things that should happen to not happen."

Gabrielle looked confused and was about to say so until they heard a moan from Joxer.

"Jett?" he said weakly. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't you worry about that right now. You just rest."

Joxer nodded. "Is Almeya okay?"

"She's fine," Xena said.

"Then why are we here?"

"You don't remember? Well evidently you…"

"Xena," Jett said, cutting her off. "A word please?"

"Hold that thought Joxer," Xena said, walking over to his brother. "What?"

"I wouldn't tell him about his godhoods yet."

"Why?"

"Well…because he doesn't know."

"Doesn't know? How in Tartarus can he not know?"

"I'll tell you. But I think we should wait for Ares. He'll want to know too."

Xena sighed. "Okay."

"Everything okay?" Joxer asked.

"Yeah. Evidently you just picked up a bug somehow."

Joxer nodded and yawned. "I think I'm going to sleep some now."

"You do that," Jett said. "You rest all you need."

Joxer was asleep before any of them could blink.

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"Hey Unc," Strife called. "I think I found somethin'."

"What is it?"

"Somethin' `bout a God of Nature. It says that there was one at one time but he was killed during the war with the titans. But it was prophesied by the oracle that he'd come again. Do ya think that's Jox?"

"I don't know. See what else you can find."

"'Kay. Ya got anythin' yet?"

"He's got a mortal birth record, but I can't find anything for the other two boys."

"Maybe they're under the godly records."

Ares began searching the godly records. "Ah. Here we go. Hey, Strife. You're not gonna believe this."

"What?" Strife said, looking up from his papers.

"There's a record for Jett, God of Murder and a record for Jace, God of Merrymaking."

"Murder? Sounds interesting."

"I wonder why they're not here. And why Joxer doesn't…What's this?" Ares said, picking up a piece of paper.

"Why Joxer doesn't what?"

"Strife!"

"What?" Strife said, looking like he'd been shot.

"It's Joxer's godly birth record!"

"And?"

"Joxer, God of Nature. But there are no parents listed on any of them."

"So how'd he end up with two?"

"I don't know. I want to have a little talk with Jett."

"That's a good idea," Strife said, still fumbling with papers. "Hey Unc! I think you'll take interest in this."

"What?" Ares said, tucking the records inside his vest and making his way to his nephew.

"Listen. `On this day, the God of Nature has returned to us and will begin preparations to take his throne at the right of the Goddess of the Hunt.' Now, that could mean anything but that sounds an awful lot like…"

"There were originally thirteen members of the Pantheon," Ares finished. "And that would be Joxer."



Ares and Strife flashed in to find the occupants of the room in the exact same position they had been in when they left. Except for being short of Asclepius, it was as if they'd never left.

"Joxer's a God!" Strife announced loudly, earning a glare from everyone in the room except Joxer.

"Shut-up!" Jett whispered. "He's sleeping."

"And we already knew he was a God. Remember?"

"Yeah, but…"Strife started but was cut off by Ares.

"I think Zeus ought to be here for this. I think he's the only one that can help."

"Daddy?"

They all turned around to see a very worried looking Goddess of Chaos. "What's wrong with daddy, Daddy?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"Daddy's okay," Ares said, walking to her and picking her up. "He's just sick right now. But we're gonna make him all better okay?"

Almeya nodded. "'Kay. Can I give him a kiss night-night? Cupid said me an' Jazz an' Storm had to go to bed now."

"Sure baby," Ares said. He carried her over to Joxer. "Maybe he'll even wake up to tell you night-night."

Almeya smiled and bent down to kiss her father on the cheek. As promised, Joxer's eyes fluttered open and he smiled at her.

"Hey there sweetheart."

"Hi Daddy. Cupid said I had to go to bed an' I wanted to give you a night-night kiss."

"Well I'm glad you did. Made me feel better."

Almeya beamed down at him. "Love you Daddy."

"I love you too, `Meya."

"Night-night Daddy," the little goddess said to Ares.

"Night-night baby," he said back as she kissed him on the cheek and hopped down to run to her cousins.

"She's gonna stay with us tonight, Dad," Cupid said as the little goddess ran to him. "I'll bring her by again tomorrow night if not sooner."

"Thank you, Cupid," Ares said.

"No prob, Dad. You comin' home tonight, Strife?"

"I dunno Cupe. I'm gonna stay here for a little while longer though."

"'Kay. Love ya."

"Love ya too," Strife smiled. Cupid gave him a gentle kiss before flashing away with three very sleepy children.

"We need to get Zeus here," Ares said finally. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. "Anybody know where he is?"

"He could be in the Halls of Time with Hera," Strife said.

"Go check. Tell him we need him to hear something."

"Gotchya," Strife said and flashed out. He returned moments later with his grandfather in tow.

"Ares," Zeus rumbled. "What's so all-fired important?"

"Jett's story if he says what I think he's gonna say," Ares answered.



All eyes were on Jett and he could feel his nerves start to give. He looked from his brother, to the group, then back to his brother as he took a deep breath.

"Well?" Zeus said impatiently.

"Well, it's complicated," Jett started. "Our father was a god and our mother was mortal. They were together for a while but when he found out she was pregnant, he bolted. He left Olympus to live in his other home in the sky."

"Who was he?" Ares asked.

"Boreas."

Everyone looked at Xena who only looked confused. "Boreas?"

"Not that Boreas. Boreas is the North Wind. Mother wouldn't speak of him. For some odd reason though, all three of us ended up being full gods even though one of our parents was mortal."

"So how come you know an' Jox don't?" Strife asked.

"When we were only a couple of years old, he came back. He said after having time to think about it, he wanted to raise us. He took Jace and me but left Joxer with mother. He didn't want her to be so upset but mostly because he was smaller than us. He figured he'd be of no use to him. So he left him to be raised as a mortal by mother."

"That's why he has two birth records," Ares said.

Jett nodded.

"I have one more question," Ares said. "How would Joxer come to earn a throne in the Pantheon?"

"I can answer that," said Hera as she appeared in front of them. "I got curious so I went over to the Hall of Records."

"We were just there mother," Ares said.

"I know. You found the records that said about the God of Nature being on the Pantheon and you put it together that Joxer belongs there. But you neglected the history. You didn't look to find out why."

"What does that have to do with Joxer?" Gabrielle asked.

"Everything. Some time ago, after war but before we got it together, there was a God of Nature. He was one of the major gods of Olympus. Unfortunately, during the battle, he was wounded and, because we did not have the worshippers we do now, he was unable to heal himself and died. It was decreed that his replacement would be born at an undisclosed time in the future. I guess that time has come."

"So Joxer's a reincarnation of this ancient God that nobody remembers?" Gabrielle asked.

"No. Not reincarnated. Joxer is his own person."

"Why didn't he know he was a god? Wouldn't his powers come out eventually?" Xena asked.

"They would have," Jett answered. "But Joxer was born underdeveloped. Because of that, that part of his brain remained closed off. Like his mind knew how he'd be raised before anyone else did."

"Why didn't you know?" Ares forcefully asked Zeus. "Why couldn't you tell?"

"I didn't even think to look, Ares. Joxer was, as far as anyone knew, a mortal. There was no need to look for his godhood."

"So now, he's got two godhoods and he can only have one," Gabrielle said unbelievingly.

"So what do we do about it?"

"I don't know," Zeus said. "Once a godhood is bestowed, it's an eternity type thing."

"You're saying, that he's going to die because of an extra godhood!? All because nobody knew?"

"Not if I can help it. I am going to study it now. I will search until I find something that will fix this mess," Zeus answered and flashed out, closely followed by Hera.

Ares walked over to his sleeping husband and sat down on the bed. Taking his hand, he leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "We'll fix you, my love. I promise." Then he lay down on the bed next to Joxer and closed his eyes.

Strife took Gabrielle and Xena to an empty room for them to rest. Jett refused to leave his brother's side and fell asleep in a chair next to the bed. Strife smiled at the picture in front of him. No mischief tonight, he said to himself. Nothing but love in this room. He smiled again, mentally checked on Xena and Gabrielle who were already sleeping, and flashed home.



The next morning, Joxer woke up to the sound of soft snoring. He looked down to see Ares sleeping peacefully with his head on Joxer's chest. He gazed down at his husband with a soft smile and treasured the moment, since it was a rare moment that he saw Ares sleeping.

"Joxer?" he heard, whispered from across the room.

"Yeah?" he whispered back.

"How do you feel?" Xena asked, walking closer to him.

"Better, but not great," he responded. "Were you here all night?"

"Yeah. Gabrielle and I got a room down the hall."

"Gabrielle too? Wow."

"Yeah. And she actually wanted to stay."

Joxer smiled and then went back to watching Ares. "He looks so peaceful, don't you think?"

"Yes. He does. I don't think I've ever seen him sleeping before."

"I only have a couple of times. He's always awake before I am."

"He must be where I get my early rising from."

"Must be," Joxer said, then paused thoughtfully. "Xena?"

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong with me?"

"I think that's something Jett should explain."

It was at that moment Ares woke. "Morning Joxer," he said, kissing his husband softly. "Morning Xena."

"Morning, Dad."

Ares smiled brightly. He just couldn't get over that Xena was accepting him as her father, much less calling him dad. "Everybody sleep well?"

"Sure did," Joxer said smiling at him.

"Yeah," Xena said quietly.

"So when do I get to know what's wrong with me?" Joxer asked.

"Jett explained it all last night. Didn't you hear?" Ares said.

"I must have fallen asleep."

"I think Jett ought to explain it to him," Xena said. "He knows the most about it."

Ares nodded and turned to the still sleeping Jett. "Jett," he called softly. No answer. "Jett!" he said, almost pushing Jett out of the chair.

"Hey! Ya don't gotta get so pushy! I was getting' up," Jett said sleepily as he steadied himself. "What do ya want?"

"Joxer wants to know what's wrong with him."

Jett sighed. "He's a God," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Duh, Jett," Joxer said.

"No. I mean, you were already a god and nobody knew."

"What?"

Jett sighed again. "Look. We were all born gods. Our father was Boreas, the North Wind. When he found out mom was pregnant, he left her. He came back a few years later when we were little because he decided he wanted to raise us. You were born smaller than me and Jace and your powers had been blocked so he left you with mom. I guess she never told you because she didn't expect this to happen."

"So I was already a god? What does that have to do with me being sick?"

"It's got everything to do with it," Ares said. "You already had a godhood when Zeus made you a god. Now you're two godhoods are battling for dominance. Evidently, being given the new powers awakened the ability to use the old ones and now they're fighting each other."

Joxer sighed. "So what are we gonna do?"

"I don't know yet, Joxer. Zeus is doing research now."

"Where's Almeya?" Joxer asked, suddenly worried.

"She's staying with Cupid and Strife. She's fine. They'll probably come by to see you later."

Joxer relaxed. "Okay."

"Why don't you rest and save your strength. Are you hungry?"

Joxer smiled. "A little."

Ares smiled back and produced a huge plate of sweet cakes. "There's enough for all of us. Even for the Bard if she ever gets up."

"Thank you, dear," Joxer said as he picked up one of the pastries and began to eat. "Just don't get crumbs in the bed," he warned them all and they all burst into laughter.



"Ares?" Joxer said softly.

"Yes dear?"

"What was I the god of? Before?"

"Nature."

"Nature? Cool. I'd be on Artemis' side."

"Her right side to be exact," Ares said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

Ares sighed. "According to the Hall of Records, the God of Nature was meant to take the place of an ancient God that was killed during the war between the gods and the titans. It was so long ago that even Zeus doesn't remember him. The record that said that was dated the same day as your birth record so that would mean that you are owed a place in the Pantheon, to the right of the Goddess of the Hunt to be exact."

"Me? Part of the Pantheon? Wow."

"Yeah. That's what we all thought. The only problem is if we can't figure out how to stop the war that's going on inside you…" Ares didn't finish the sentence. He couldn't finish and hold back the tears in his eyes at the same time.

"Oh Ares," Joxer said and pulled his husband close. "Thing's will be okay. I'm sure of it."

Ares smiled. "Me too."

"Hey Unc," Strife said, peeking in the room. "Guess who I found."

"Who?" Joxer asked.

"DADDY!" a little but loud voice sounded out and was closely followed by a little girl running into the room. Almeya ran in and hopped up onto the bed and scrambled into her father's lap. "When you coming home? I miss you."

"Me too `Meya. But I have to stay here a few more days."

Almeya snuggled up to Joxer and promptly fell asleep. A few minutes later, a very tired looking Cupid entered the room, followed by two sheepish looking children.

"What's the looks for?" Strife asked, crossing his arms.

"Just a little misunderstanding," Cupid said. "We got it all straightened out now."

Strife nodded. "Good."

"How's everybody doin'?" Cupid asked.

"Jett's pretty tired," Ares said, nodding to the sleeping man in the corner.

"I'm doing okay for now. I get flashes of pain every now and then though."

"Hopefully Zeus will figure things out soon," Ares said.

"Yeah," Strife said. "Things ain't very peaceful out there."

"Hey there big brother," Xena said as she walked into the room.

"Hey lil' sis. How's it goin'?"

"Pretty good. How's Joxer?"

"I'm fine," Joxer said softly so not to wake up the sleeping child in his arms. "For now anyway."

Xena smiled. "Good. I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Me too. I've missed this," he said nodding to Almeya.

"Me too," Cupid called playfully and everyone snickered.

"Baby," Strife said and Cupid swatted his arm.

At that moment, Zeus appeared in a splash of blue sparkles. "I've got it! I know what has to be done!" he exclaimed.



Zeus paused to make things a little more dramatic. He loved watching his son squirm.

"Well?" Ares said in a tone that would make most people nervous. "What is it?"

"I'm surprised I didn't realized it before."

"What is it?" Ares asked, losing his patience.

"It's rather simple really," Zeus went on, amused at how Ares was trying to keep his temper in check.

"DAD!"

"We simply combine his power." He decided getting on with it was better than being fried by his son or upsetting his grandchildren.

"We what?" Ares asked, shocked at the fact that nobody figured this out earlier.

"Combine his powers. He'll go from being one of the weaker Gods power wise to making the list as one of the most powerful Gods on Olympus, but I believe it's our only option."

"Why would it change his power level?" Gabrielle asked, coming in from the other room after hearing Ares shouting.

"Because," Cupid said. "He'd have the powers from both godhoods."

"Okay," Ares said. "So let's get on with it then."

"Hold on, Ares," Zeus said. "It's not that easy. I must read up on exactly how to…"

"I thought you said it was simple."

"I said, the conclusion was simple, not the actual performing of it. You must remember, this has only been done once and that was before you were born. I was just a child myself when father combined the powers of that Goddess."

"What Goddess?" Strife asked.

"I didn't even know her name. She was born from two godly parents and for some reason, instead of getting her own godhood, she took on both of theirs. Ungrateful wretch…she left Olympus three years later to be with some mortal and was never heard from again."

"Okay. So go read up on it already," said Ares, unamused at the history lesson.

Zeus snorted. "I will return shortly," he said and this disappeared.

"Well, that was interesting," Cupid said.

"So Jox'll be the God of Nature and Peace. How cool is that?" Strife said smiling. "How do ya feel Jox? Ya get an extra godhood and get a place on the Pantheon all in one day!"

"I actually feel a little overwhelmed. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I'd be here like this. I mean, Zeus himself said I would be among the most powerful Gods on all of Olympus! Me! Can you believe it?" Joxer finished, stifling a yawn.

"You should rest, sweetheart," Ares said softly.

"Okay. But can she stay?" Joxer asked, nodding to Almeya again.

"Of course!" Ares said smiling.

"Good," Joxer said, leaning back. He was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

**********************************************************************

When Joxer woke again, Almeya was gone and Jett was sitting in the chair next to the bed where Ares had been.

"Where is everybody?" He asked, sitting up.

"Almeya woke up a few hours after you fell asleep. Cupid took her and his kids home. Xena and Gabrielle are still asleep and, nope, here they come now. Ares and Strife went to see what was keeping Zeus. They should be back soon."

"How long did I sleep?

"From sometime yesterday afternoon till now. I don't know. But you needed it."

"I can't wait for this to be over," Joxer said, setting a pillow against the headboard of the bed and leaning on it. "I want to go home."

"You sound like a three year old," Jett said smiling.

"Sometimes I feel like a three year old," Joxer said, smiling back.

"Well this should all be over soon."

"Good," he was saying as there were two flashes of light and Ares and Strife stood in front of them.

"Good morning, love," Ares said smiling as he walked over to the bed.

"Good morning," Joxer said. "Did you see Zeus?"

"He's desperate to get outta here," Jett said.

"Yes we did," Ares said. "He knows how to do it and should be here shortly."

"Good," Joxer said, leaning into Ares. "I can't wait to get home."

"I know," Ares said and kissed the top of his husband's head.

Joxer sighed and was almost blinded by a flash of blue light that signaled Zeus' arrival. He smiled broadly and walked over to his son and son-in-law. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Ares and Joxer both nodded.

"Good. Ares, I need you to stand over there. No other gods can be around him."

Ares scowled, then looked questioningly at Joxer.

"I'll be fine."

Ares nodded and got up to stand next to Jett and Strife.

"Alright Joxer," Zeus said getting out a book. "Are you ready?" At Joxer's nod he continued. "Joxer, God of Peace and God of Nature returned to us. Two separate Gods in one being combine. Merge, godhood to godhood, soul to soul. As now you are separate, become one being, one god, one life, one godhood. And now, you will become, Joxer, God of Peace and Nature."

As he spoke the ancient words that had only been spoken once before, a light began swirling over Joxer's head. At the close, the light engulfed him and faded quickly. Once it was gone, Joxer looked like a new man. He was no longer weak and felt as if he could run for days without stopping.

"Joxer?" Ares asked.

"I'm fine, love," he responded. "I couldn't be better." He got up and walked over to Ares. "I love you, you know that?"

Ares nodded, smiling. "I love you too," he said as he bent down for a kiss. "Let's go home."

"Lead the way."

"Hey Unc, Jox?" Strife called. "Um…ya need me anymore? `Cause I'd really like ta go home too."

"Go on home," Joxer said. "And thank you."

Strife smiled. "Welcome," he said before he disappeared in a splash of yellow light.

"I'm gonna head out too, bro," Jett said.

"You sure? Because you can come stay with us."

"Nah, that's okay. Got place to go, things to do, people to kill," he said smiling. "Ya know, the usual."

Joxer smiled back. "Okay. Don't be a stranger though."

"I won't. Take care," he said and disappeared in a blast of black light.

"I didn't know he could do that," Gabrielle said.

"How do you think he keeps escaping from jail?" Joxer said. "So how about you two. You guys gonna leave too?"

"Yeah," Xena said. "We had been on our way to visit Gabrielle's family. I think you two need some time alone anyway. I'd leave "Meya at Cupid and Strife's for the night."

Ares smiled and Joxer blushed. "Good idea," Joxer said quietly.

"So where do you girls want to end up?" Ares asked.

"Just outside my parent's house would be nice," Gabrielle said, smiling.

"I can do that," Ares said, then turned to Xena. "You don't have to be a stranger either ya know. You and your bard are both welcome up here at anytime. Okay?"

"Okay," Xena said smiling. "Dad."

Ares' smile was blinding and he hugged her, which surprised everyone in the room. "Take care," he said.

"I will." Xena walked over to Joxer. "Try not to get yourself in any trouble," she said.

"I won't," Joxer answered as Gabrielle came up to them. They all shared a big hug, then Xena turned to Ares.

"Okay dad. We're ready."

Ares nodded and they were gone in a flash. "So," he said, turning to Joxer. "What do we do now?"

"Well," Joxer said, grinning slyly. "I say we take Xena's advice about leaving Almeya at Cupid's and taking some time alone."

"Oh do you?"

"Uh huh," Joxer nodded. "Race ya back to the temple!" he said and disappeared.

Ares sighed. "The last thing I need is a more powerful and rambunctious Joxer," he said. Then he smiled. "That's not necessarily a bad thing. Here I come!" he yelled to no one in particular and flashed himself home to find out what was Joxer had in mind for their "time alone."

END

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