AresJoxerCupidStrife - Brandy

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Title: Becoming War
Author: Brandy
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: A/J
Category: First time, AU, violence.
Warnings: There be slash ahead. Ie: Same sex sexual situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters portrayed here. Just
borrowing them temporarily.

Notes: For the purpose of this story Joxer, Jett, and Jace are from
Corinth.

Apollo smiled as he observed the mortal down the stream. This was
going to be *too good*. Finally, Ares would learn you don't mess with
his property. Sure, those slutty little Muses might have led him on…
but everyone knew they belonged to Apollo. And *nobody* touched his
things.

Lifting Ares' sword, he admired how it gleamed in the light. It
hadn't taken much to get it from the drunken War God. You'd think
after all the times he'd lost it he'd take better care of where he
left it. A little sleeping potion in his cup, and wham, one lost
sword.

He'd been planning this for months, and still hadn't found the right
mortal until one of his favorite bards had asked for inspiration on
how to get rid of a bumbling idiot. He was simply going to curse the
fellow with an affliction that stopped him from traveling around
after her, but after watching for awhile, he realized he'd found the
perfect mortal for his plans.

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

Joxer nervously scanned the riverbank. He was sure he'd heard
something. Seeing nothing, he resumed his task of filling the water-
skins, singing softly to himself. Xena and Gabrielle were breaking
camp while he finished his task. The past couple of days hadn't been
fun at all. Gabrielle acted like she was really mad at him for
something. He'd tried to ask Xena what was wrong, but she'd only say
that Gabrielle had finally figured out how he felt about her, and she
was having some trouble processing it.

Joxer heaved a large frustrated sigh as he started filling another
empty water-skin. If only he could be as skilled as Jett. Thanks to
Aphrodite he knew it wasn't impossible. If only Ares would answer his
prayers and help him out. He just knew that if he was more like Xena
or Hercules she'd see what he was really capable of. So many if
onlys… Letting out another sigh, he tied off the final water-skin and
lifted them over his shoulder. Scanning the river one last time, a
bright flash several feet away caught his eye.

Joxer sat down the water-skins and carefully made his way over to the
area where the flash had originated. Lying there on a large flat rock
was a sword. Joxer looked around again, but didn't see any indication
that there was anyone about. The muddy ground didn't even have any
footprints.

Joxer approached the sword. For some reason it looked really
familiar. Maybe Xena would recognize it. Shrugging, he reached out to
pick it up. Then, the strangest thing happened. As he turned around,
his feet got stuck in the mud, throwing him off balance. His arms
flailed all about, as he tried to catch himself.

Joxer landed clumsily. Luckily, he'd managed to thrust out his arm
holding the sword so that he'd only gained a shallow cut along his
other arm, instead of loosing the whole thing. Joxer abruptly closed
his eyes as a bright flash of light and warmth enveloped his body.

Suddenly, he became aware of the obnoxious laughter echoing
throughout the woods. Looking up, he noticed a bronze skinned blonde
man dressed in golden garments leaning up against a tree, laughing
hysterically.

Joxer pushed himself up out of the mud, wiping in vain as he tried to
clean it off.

Abruptly, the other man stopped laughing as he realized that Joxer
was glaring at him.

"Opps!" He said before disappearing.

A god. Another god was making fun of his life. Joxer wondered if
maybe that's what he'd been born for…The God's Fool. Scowling at the
thought, Joxer briefly wished that the god had at least stayed around
long enough to clean off the mud.

Suddenly, Joxer looked down and his clothes were as clean as they had
ever been. Sending a silent thanks to the mystery god, Joxer sheathed
his new sword next to his old one, and went back to fetch the water-
skins.

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

"Come on, Xena. I've had about all I can stand. You've gotta do
something."

"Gabrielle, if you just told him how you feel, this wouldn't be a
problem."

"I've tried!"

"Treating him like dirt doesn't qualify." Came the dry response.

"You'd think sooner or later he'd get the message."

"Gabrielle, if you truly didn't like the way Joxer fawns all over
you, you'd have told him to stop by now. That means that some part of
you likes the attention. It's not everyday you find someone who would
die for you." Xena said quietly, watching the bard's face.

Gabrielle looked down at her feet in shame. Xena's words had brought
out into the open something she'd been trying to deny to herself for
awhile.

"Shh, here he comes." Xena warned as Gabrielle started to speak again.

Joxer walked into the clearing to see Xena and Gabrielle waiting on
him. "Here." He offered each woman a water-skin.

"Thanks, Joxer." Xena smiled down at him from her perch upon Argo's
back.

"Thanks." Gabrielle muttered, starting off down the road.

*****************
Several Miles Later

Xena held up her hand for silence, stopping yet another verse of
Joxer the Mighty.

Joxer opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, when he felt it. A
voice asking for victory skittered across his mind.

Suddenly, a large group of bandits ran up from their hiding place
along side of the road.

Xena sprang from Argo's back, somersaulting into the air, yelling her
battle cry.

Gabrielle hurried in front of Joxer, lashing out with her staff,
attempting to shield him from attack.

Joxer awkwardly drew his bent sword, only to have it knocked out of
his hand by one of the two bandits who'd gotten past Gabrielle. He
scurried back away from the thrust of the other bandit's sword.
Scurrying to his feet, he drew the other sword he found that morning,
but forgot to show the others. Awkwardly, he blocked the thrusts of
their swords. As the bandits altered their attack, and tried to come
at him from two different angles, he leapt up into the air, and
somersaulted out of the way. The bandit's momentum carried them into
each other, mortally wounding them.

Joxer spun around in time to see a bandit catch Gabrielle off guard,
knocking her out. Rushing over, he intercepted the killing thrust
aimed at the bard with his sword. Carrying through with his swing,
he forced the bandit back, parrying the blows aimed at him. Joxer
watched in awe as his swings became faster and faster. Soon, he was
forcing the bandit back, putting the man on the defensive side of the
fight.

Xena cradled Gabrielle close in her lap, watching the fight with
concern. Something was very wrong with Joxer. Suddenly, Joxer lashed
out with his foot, hitting the bandit in his leg. A loud crack and
scream echoed along the road. The bandit fell back on his back,
pleading for his life. Joxer looked down at the man and felt a
strange sensation. In one abrupt movement, he lashed out with the
sword again, aiming for the man's heart.

"Joxer! Don't!" Xena quickly threw her chakram, hitting Joxer's
sword, and knocking him off balance.

Joxer brought his free hand up to his head as he staggered back,
stumbling to maintain his balance. Collapsing back against a tree, he
rested his head on his knees, trying to control the excitement and
lust racing through his system.

***************
Several Hours Later

"Joxer, what was that back there?"

Joxer looked at Xena in confusion. "What?"

"You almost killed that man." She said quietly.

"So, you killed some of them. Besides, he was going to kill Gabby."

"You broke his leg, you didn't have to kill him. This isn't like you."

"I don't know why you stopped me. He'll only kill someone else when
his leg heals." Joxer answered in disgust. Turning his back to Xena,
he stalked away, muttering to himself "Besides, he wasn't even loyal
to his god."

Xena's attention was diverted when Gabrielle let out a low moan,
eyelids fluttering.

"Xena? What happened?" She asked looking around the clearing littered
with dead bandits. "The last thing I remember…they outnumbered us and
were about to kill me."

Xena looked Gabrielle over carefully, making sure she was all right.
Keeping her eyes on the distant figure of Joxer down the road, she
turned back to the bard. "I think we have a problem."

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

"Hey, pops, must' a been some party." Cupid whistled as he took in
the disaster area that was currently the Hall of War.

Ares groaned and scowled, turning over to try to catch some more
sleep. Abruptly, he crashed to the floor as his movements caused him
to roll off the table where he was currently sleeping.

Cupid took a step back and continued snickering despite the look of
death his father shot him.

"Hurry up and clean up. It's almost time for the meeting."

Ares staggered to his feet, grabbing onto a chair for support.
Attempting to gather his thoughts in spite of the pounding in his
head, he tried to use his powers to heal the hangover.

Nothing happened.

He tried again.

Nothing.

Cupid stopped laughing and looked at his father in concern. Ares was
just standing there, leaning on a chair, not moving.

"My powers are gone."

Cupid stared in wide-eyed shock at his father, laughter gone.

"My powers are gone!" Ares roared in disbelief.

"How?"

"My sword…where's my sword!" Ares started lifting and throwing
garbage out of the way.

"You're mortal."

Ares stopped and looked at his son. He strode over to Cupid and
grabbed him by the arms. "Focus in. See if you can tune into my
sword. It contains my godhood so you should be able to concentrate on
war and find it if it's here."

Cupid scowled at his father and pushed his arms off. "Alright!
Sheesh, calm down. It has to be around here somewhere, chill out."
Cupid closed his eyes and concentrated on picturing his father's
sword in his mind. Suddenly, his eyes flashed open and he shot his
father a panicked look. "Joxer has it."

Ares could only stare at his son in disbelief.

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

"What's wrong?"

"Joxer's acting different."

"Joxer *is* different."

"He's acting like Jett."

"Oh." Gabrielle's forehead wrinkled up in worry. "You don't think
Jett switched places with Joxer, do you?"

"No. There's no way Jett could break out of prison without help, and
the only person I can think of who'd have the skills to pull that off
is Autolycus. Besides, we would have heard if he'd escaped."

"So, I guess it wouldn't be a good time to set Joxer straight about
how I feel, huh?"

Xena threw her an incredulous look. "No, I don't think now is the
best time to tell him that you'll never love him the way he wants."

"I've just been thinking about what you said this morning…I think
you're right. I have been using him, but I just didn't want to admit
it to myself. I've never had someone who looks at me with such…"
Gabrielle waived her hands around, trying to pull the words out of
the air.

"Blind adoration?" Xena asked wryly.

"Yeah, that's it. I guess I just let it go to my head. I promise,
I'll tell him as soon as we figure this out."

A noise alerted them that they had caught up to Joxer. He was
standing in the middle of the road with a devastated look on his
face.

"Joxer, what's wrong?"

"You don't care about me?"

"What?"

"I heard you. You've been making fun of me all this time. You knew
how I felt and you've been laughing at me! You don't care about me at
all!"

"Joxer, I do love you! It's just that it's more like a friend or a
younger sibling." Gabrielle started to move towards him.

Joxer flinched back. "So, all this time I've been traveling with you…
you've been making fun of me? I'm just a big joke to you? Someone to
hang around and worship you while you laughed at me."

"Joxer…"

"NO! No…I understand now."

Xena started towards Joxer. "Joxer, we both care about you."

"If you cared about me, you wouldn't have been making jokes about me
behind my back. Friends don't do that. So, I guess my whole
relationship with the two of you is a lie."

Joxer turned to stalk off when a flash of light caught him off guard.

"Joxer, give me my sword." Ares growled, striding over to him. Xena's
sharply inhaled breath caught his attention. "What?"

"Joxer has your sword?"

"Yes."

Xena eyed Joxer warily. "Joxer, you have to give Ares back his sword.
That's what's been wrong with you."

Joxer looked down at the sword; lovingly he ran his hand down the
flat edge of the blade. So that's why he'd been feeling so strange
this morning. "I have your sword. That's why it looked so familiar…"
Joxer looked up at Ares. "I'm the God of War right now and you're
mortal, aren't you?"

"Joxer, give me my sword!" Ares yelled.

A cruel smile, similar to Jett's crossed Joxer's lips. "No." He
whispered softly.

"Joxer, you have to give Ares back his sword. You can't be the God of
War, you're not a warrior." Gabrielle tried to take a step closer to
him, only to have Xena grab her by the arm, stopping her.

"I can't handle it? Oh, I think I can. After all, I've been doing
this all day. Besides, he wouldn't have given me the sword if I
couldn't handle it."

"Someone gave you the sword?" Cupid asked, shocked.

Joxer threw another of his cruel smiles at Cupid. Abruptly, he lashed
out with his free arm, stopping Ares desperate attempt to yank the
sword from his grasp. Joxer re-sheathed the sword, and bent down to
where Ares was now sprawled. "Oh, I have some plans for you."
Wrapping one hand around Ares throat, he picked him up. Turning back
to the others, he smiled again, only to disappear in a cloud of gray
smoke and red sparks.

"Dad!" Cupid yelled.

Joxer's voice echoed through their minds. *Don't worry, I'll be back
for the rest of you later.*

Xena turned to Cupid. "Do you know where they went?"

"No, but dad said I could track the sword. That's how I found it this
time."

"Good. We have to find them."

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


Joxer shoved Ares onto his ass. "Sit there." A stake appeared in the
ground as chains wrapped themselves around Ares' wrists, restraining
him.

"Where are we?"

Joxer looked around the cave. Frowning, he wished for torches on the
walls, and they appeared. "This is where I used to come when my
father told me how disappointed he was in me. Jett was such an
overachiever. I couldn't compete. But now…I'll show them all."

Ares eyed Joxer warily. "What are you going to do to me?"

Joxer smirked as he walked in circles around Ares. "Ares, the not so
mighty ex-God of War. I prayed to you faithfully all my life. I just
needed a little help and guidance, and I would have been one of your
greatest warlords. But no…you couldn't be bothered with me…Maybe I'll
strip your memory and toss you naked in the middle of one of the
great wars I'm planning…Or, I could sell you to slavers. Tell them
you're delusional. The possibilities are endless, really." Joxer
chuckled.

"My family will stop you." Ares tried desperately to think of
something to stop Joxer.

Joxer looked off to the side of the cave and a large throne, similar
to the ones in Ares' temples appeared. "Your family hates you. None
of them will lift a finger to help you. Besides, I obviously have an
ally among them. Who else could have given me the sword."

"Joxer, you're not strong enough to handle my sword. It's channeling
anger into you right now, changing you. Soon, you won't be able to go
back to who you were…"

"Back to who I was? Why would I want that? The fool that stumbled
around, laughed at by his so called friends? Ignored by his god? No,
I'm not going back to that."

Ares tried frantically to think of something to distract Joxer. He
had to make him give back the sword. "Do you want to know why I never
answered your prayers?"

Joxer turned back to Ares, finally curious about what he had to say.

"How many worshipers does the God of War have?"

Joxer frowned impatiently at the question. "Thousands. What does that
have to do with it?"

"Can you feel them? Focus on that spot in the back of your mind.
Concentrate on your worshipers."

Joxer closed his eyes and tried to focus. His eyes popped open as he
fell to the floor screaming.

"JOXER!" Ares yelled, coming as close as he was able with his chains
restraining him. "Tune it out! You have to control it! Focus on me!
Look at me!"

Joxer jerked his head up and stared at Ares, forcing his mind to tame
the prayers overwhelming him. Finally, he fell back panting. "You
did that on purpose!" He growled, picking himself up. Drawing his arm
back, he slapped Ares across the face, watching him fly back several
feet. "Don't pull anything like that again or I won't be so nice."

Ares pulled himself up into a sitting position. Bringing up his hand,
he whipped away the blood trickling down his lip. "In all those
prayers you heard, how many of them were like you? How many were
blood innocents? How many were truly faithful? How many did I send to
my daughter?"

Joxer threw himself back down on his throne. "There were only three
blood innocents old enough to be warriors that you could consider
faithful."

"Out of how many?"

"Thousands." Joxer growled.

"That's right. Out of thousands. Can you feel the difference in their
prayers?"

Joxer eyed Ares warily, fearing some kind of trick. Closing his eyes,
he focused on the prayers from the blood innocents. "Sweet. Pure.
Delicious." Joxer twisted up in his throne, a blissful expression on
his face.

"That's right. Now do you understand why I didn't help you become a
better warrior?"

Joxer's eyes flashed open as he stopped riding the wave of
pleasure. "Their purity made you stronger. That's why you sent me to
Xena. If she wouldn't come back to you, you'd take advantage of her
new peace-loving ways and send her one of the most important aspects
of your power to guard."

"That's right. I sent you to her."

Joxer frowned, his thoughts turned inward. Finally, he turned back to
Ares. "I'll be back. Be here, or it won't be pleasant when I track
you down."

Ares slumped against the wall as he watched Joxer disappear in a
flurry of red sparks.

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

"Do you know where they went?" Xena started pacing in brisk strides.

"I felt the sword in a cave outside of Corinth for several minutes,
but it moved before I could follow it."

Gabrielle looked thoughtful. "Corinth. That's close to where Joxer
grew up."

Xena turned back to Cupid. "Can you take me to the cave?"

"Yeah, but I really think we need to get another god to help. Joxer's
the God of War now that makes him one of the most powerful gods on
Olympus. There's no way I can beat him."

"We're not going to beat him…we're going to chain him."

"Xena, you're not doing this without me. Joxer loves me, let me try
to reason with him."

"I've got news for you blondie, he may have loved you, but he doesn't
now. Joxer's broken heart was part of the reason I'm able to track
him as fast as I can right now. You're just lucky that mom's on a
little getaway with Heph right now, or you'd be in a world of hurt
for breaking one of her favorites' heart."

"Gabrielle, I need you to go for Hercules. If Cupid and I don't
succeed, we'll need him as a backup."

"Xena, Joxer won't hurt us!"

"Gabrielle, right now, he's not Joxer, he's War."

**************
Miramus Prison

Joxer scowled at the dark prison cell. *This place has
possibilities.* He walked his way across the room, hidden from mortal
eyes. Finally, he spotted a familiar figure lounging against the wall
in the rear of the cell.

Joxer weaved his way through the mortals and made his way to his
brother. Squatting down in front of Jett, he shimmered into view,
quickly intercepting the flat palm aimed at his nose. "Now, now, now,
is that any way to greet your brother?"

Jett yanked his hand back, staring suspiciously at Joxer. "Joxer?"

"Hello, big brother. This time I get to rescue you." Joxer smirked at
Jett as he quickly reached out and gave him a wet-willey.

"I'm gonna pound you for that, Joxer!" Jett growled, struggling to
push off Joxer's hands and get up.

"Well, talk about gratitude. Here I am, helping you escape, and you
want to pound on me."

Jett stopped struggling and leaned back against the wall. "What's
going on, Joxer. How'd you get in here?"

"You're looking at the new God of War, brother. And, right now, I
need you to do a job for me, interested?"

Jett eyed Joxer considering. "You know I usually charge a hefty fee…
but, since you're family, I'll cut you a deal."

Joxer pulled Jett to his feet. "Good." Putting one arm around his
brother's shoulders, Joxer flashed them back to the cave.

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

"Who's that?" Jett asked, eyeing the sleeping Ares curiously.

"Shhh. That's Ares." Joxer walked over and knelt down beside the
sleeping man. He tenderly brushed his fingers across his jaw.
Stepping back, he created a feather bed with soft linens on it. He
bent down and gently lifted Ares into his arms, depositing him on the
bed.

"What's up, Jox?" Jett asked, perched upon Joxer's throne. "You want
me to off him?"

Joxer walked back over to his brother. "No. He's mine. I thought that
he just ignored me, you know."

Jett nodded, remembering all the time his brother spent praying and
practicing.

"He made me see earlier that it wasn't like that. I was one of his
most valuable warriors…So valuable he sent me to Xena to keep me
safe."

Jett scowled suspiciously. "No offense, Joxer, but how were you one
of his most valuable warriors?"

"Apparently, some of the most powerful prayers come from warriors who
haven't lost their blood innocence."

"So…what're you going to do with him?"

"I don't know yet. But I can't kill or hurt him knowing that he
really did look out for me."

"Alright, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me.
Now, what's your plan?"

Joxer created a large map of Greece on the wall. "What I want you to
do, is go to Corinth. I need you to let it get out that the King of
Assassins is going to kill King Iphicles."

Jett frowned. "You want me to off Iphicles?"

"No. I want everyone to think you're going to kill him. That way,
Hercules and Iolaus will be busy guarding him, they won't team up
with Xena and come after me."

"So, who do you want me to kill?"

"No one. I'm going to do it myself. By the time I'm through,
Gabrielle will be so consumed with guilt over mocking and rejecting
me; she'll be begging me to kill her. But, in order for my plan to
work, I have to keep everyone distracted. That's where Ares always
screwed up. Xena'd sidetrack him or he wouldn't plan far enough ahead
to see through to his goals. That's the one thing I've learned from
Xena, you have to plan ahead and stick to it."

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


"Remember, don't kill Iphicles. I'll need him alive later." Joxer
warned one last time.

Jett rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't worry, I'll spread a
few rumors, be seen by some people, then disappear for awhile. This
better not hurt my reputation."

Joxer grabbed his brother in a fierce hug. "Don't worry. Once word
gets out that you're the personal assassin for the God of War, no one
will ever be able to touch your title."

Jett discretely licked his finger behind Joxer's back. When Joxer
pulled back from the hug, he stuck the wet finger in his
ear. "Remember, you may be the God of War now, but you're still my
little brother." He warned.

"Jett!" Joxer dug at his ear trying to eliminate the slimy feel.
Scowling at his brother, he zapped him to Corinth, making sure he
materialized with his foot in a pile of horse dung.

"Now, what do you think of my plan, Ares?" Joxer made sure the sword
was out of the chain's reach before striding over to the bed and
sitting on the edge. "Come on, I know you've been awake for quite
some time."

Ares opened his eyes and glared at Joxer. "It could work." He
muttered.

"Jealous?"

Ares remained quiet. "Did you really learn this from Xena?"

"You spend enough time with someone, you pick up little things. She
just refined some things my dad tried to teach me. He pretty much
gave up on me and Jace when Jett started showing his full potential."

"Do you really think you can kill Gabrielle's family?"

Joxer looked Ares straight in the eye, no expression showing on his
face. "Yes."

A slow smile flirted across Ares' face. Reaching up, he cupped the
back of Joxer's head and kissed him fiercely. Breaking the kiss, he
looked Joxer in the eye. "I think that there's more to you than I
realized, Joxer. Maybe I won't kill you when I get my sword back
after all."

Joxer blushed and chuckled. "There's no way I'm giving it back, Ares.
I told you once before, I won't go back to who I was."

Ares lay back on the bed, starring at the ceiling. "You can never go
back to who you were. The sword's been sending godly power through
your body, changing it. As far as I know, once a mortal becomes a
god, they can't become mortal again. Hercules was only able to do it
because he's a demi-god."

"So, even if I do give you back the sword, I'll die?"

"Yes."

Joxer flopped down beside Ares on the bed. "I'm so confused, Ares.
It's like I'm being buried underneath all this rage and anger…but I
still feel like me deep down." He whispered.

"You weren't meant to handle the sword, Joxer. Even some of my
fiercest warlords would be having trouble right now. Your mind's
fighting against my godhood. It's not in your nature to be the God of
War, Joxer, and the energy that's flowing into your body is trying to
change you. You don't have enough discipline to fight it for long,
and it's starting to consume you. Soon, all you'll feel is the
negative energy beating down on you, and it'll drive you insane."

"Why aren't you insane?"

"I was born to channel all those negative emotions and energy, Joxer.
You weren't created the same way and my godhood is trying to
compensate. Gods don't just direct mortal lives, we live and feel
just like mortals do. However, the largest one of our jobs is
channeling the energy sent to us. It's not totally exclusive, either.
Most mortals think that members of the House of War can't love, that
we only feel the lust, envy, and hate…the negative feelings...It's
not true. I can love just as fiercely and passionately as Aphrodite
can hate. But Joxer, you never developed the discipline necessary to
force down all those negative emotions. You can't channel them and
they're overwhelming you. Soon, they'll completely take over, and
you'll go insane."

"So, I can either go insane or die? I don't like either choice Ares."

"I don't care for them myself. Whichever god did this is going to
pay. You were one of my best worshipers, and now, either way, I loose
you."

Joxer struggled to focus and push his way through the emotions
swirling through his body. Turning he cuddled close to Ares, wrapping
his arm around his waist, and laying his head on his chest.

Ares slowly shifted his arms, and wrapped them around Joxer, pulling
him close.

"Ares…" Joxer was cut off as a bright flash lit the cave.

Joxer leapt to his feet, and started towards the other side of the
cave, however, Xena catapulted herself off the side of the wall, and
tackled him to the ground. Before he could disappear or move to fight
her off, Cupid clamped the chains of Hephastian metal on his wrists,
cutting off access to his powers.

Joxer's eyes rolled up in his head as he fainted from exhaustion.

"Don't worry, Joxer. You'll be back to yourself in no time." Xena
whispered to his unconscious body, as she got to her feet.

"No, he won't." Ares said quietly from the bed.

"Dad?" Cupid looked from his father to the bed and then to Joxer.

"Later, Cupid." Ares stood and walked over to Joxer, lifting him in
his arms. "We need to see Zeus. He's the only one who could possibly
help straighten this mess out." Ares turned to Cupid. "Cupid, please
get my sword and make a sheathe around it. Be very careful not to cut
yourself with it, or get any blood on it."

"What's going on, Ares." Xena asked, scowling suspiciously at him.

"Joxer's been changed by my godhood. He'll never be mortal again, and
if I take the sword back, he'll die. If he keeps the sword, it'll
overwhelm him, and he'll go insane. I'm hoping Zeus knows a way to
help him. Unfortunately, I'm not one of his favorite gods so he might
just let Joxer die to spite me."

Cupid walked over carrying the sword. "Ready, pops?"

"Yes. Do you have enough power to take us all?"

"No. I'll come back for you, Xena."

"I don't know what will happen to him, but if he's able, I'll let him
come back." Ares promised.

Xena reluctantly nodded and stepped back.

Cupid wrapped one arm around his father's waist and transported them
straight to Zeus' study.


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


Zeus looked up in surprise as Cupid, Ares, and a stranger appeared in
his study. "What's this?" Frowning in confusion, he looked closely at
his son. "You're mortal, again?"

Ares scowled. "Someone stole my sword and gave it to Joxer, here. He
can't handle the demands it's making on his body."

Zeus blinked in confusion. "So…kill him and take the sword back,
what's the problem?"

"He's one of my innocents."

Zeus nodded in comprehension. War didn't have many innocents, and
they were powerful followers.

"Is there any way to help him? I know he's one of mom's favorites,
too." Cupid added, showing his and his mother's support of Joxer.

"The only way would be to make him a god." Hera spoke from the window
seat, drawing their attention.

Zeus scowled at that. "We can't just go around making gods out of
mortals!"

"I think an exception must be made in this case." Hera made her way
over to Joxer, and lightly drew her fingers across his brow. "How
many *mortals*, without a shred of godly blood, have we come across
who've innocently followed war, and also maintained love's favor?"

Zeus' face went blank as he tried to think of even one mortal who fit
those criteria.

"He's the first." Cupid whispered eyes wide with shock.

"The first." Zeus repeated, looking at Hera with understanding eyes.

"Sit him down, son." Hera directed Ares.

Zeus produced a cup of steaming ambrosia and walked over to them.

"Cupid, hand your father his sword, then come hold Joxer's body."
Hera directed. "Now, Ares, you must run your hand down the blade,
shedding your blood and binding yourself once again to your godhood.
As soon as it comes back to you, we'll force the ambrosia down
Joxer's throat."

Ares drew his sword, and ran his hand down the blade. Immediately,
Cupid tightened his hold on Joxer's convulsing body as Zeus
strengthened his mind, and Hera poured the ambrosia down his throat.

Several moments later, Joxer's body stopped convulsing as he lapsed
into a deep sleep. Ares picked him up once more and laid him down on
the window bench.

"Whose house will he belong to?" Cupid asked curiously, watching his
father.

Hera smiled and looked at Zeus.

"Well, Cupid, I suspect he'll stay with your father, but he'll belong
to War and Love." Zeus pronounced.

"Like Strife was supposed to this time." Cupid whispered, stricken.

Ares looked up at his son. "The meeting!"

Zeus walked over to his desk and picked up a black scroll. "Hades
sent word that since you missed the meeting, he assumed you didn't
want Strife back after all."

"NO!" Cupid shouted. "Everything's ready! He can't do this!"

"He can do this, however, I believe that Joxer may have provided us
with a convincing argument to persuade Hades that the delay was in
his favor. The Furies have been asking him for more help, I believe
Joxer will be part of Hades answer to their request." Hera smiled.

Cupid calmed considerably at her words.

"Now, what's this about someone stealing your sword again?" Zeus
asked Ares.

"A god, this time." Ares got up and started pacing.

Hera looked at him sharply. "A god? Do you have proof?"

"Only that I was on Olympus when it was stolen. Somehow Joxer got it."

"This must stop. If Joxer hadn't been caught, he'd have gone insane!
An insane God of War!" Cupid shuddered, as the color drained out of
everyone else's faces at the thought.

"Do you have any idea who did it?" Hera frowned, thinking of possible
suspects.

"No, but I think Joxer knows. He said something about a god giving
him the sword." Ares answered.

"I suggest a gathering to introduce Joxer to everyone. No one leaves
until the perpetrator is caught." Hera suggested.

"Agreed. We'll have a party tonight. I'll have Hermes send out the
invitations. Ares, why don't you take Joxer back to your temple and
watch him. Since you didn't want him dead, he's now your
responsibility until he gains control of his powers. He'll have to
train with Aphrodite, Hera, Hades, Athena, and the Furies, but he's
yours first."

"Cupid, you'd better go get Xena out of that cave. Oh, and tell her
Jett's out of prison and in Corinth, then, find Jett, and tell him
she's after him." Ares smirked.

Cupid nodded to his grandparents and flashed out.

Ares scooped Joxer back up into his arms and took them to his temple.

Zeus turned to Hera. "You're positive he's the one?"

"I could feel the concern pouring off Ares from across the room.
Joxer is the one. It may take them awhile to discover it, but I
believe they will. If you're not convinced, you can ask Cupid. I
believe he felt it as well."

"No, no, that's alright. If you're sure, my dear, that's all I need.
Now, about this party…"

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


Joxer moaned as he tried to force himself awake. His body felt sore
and his head wouldn't stop pounding. A hand gripped his, and he felt
something cool cross his lips. Instinctively swallowing, he felt the
cool drink flowing down his throat and relaxing his limbs.

"That's it, Joxer. Just take it easy for now."

Joxer finally got his eyes to open, only to stare in astonishment at
Ares, who was holding a cup. "What…?" He whispered.

"Xena captured you, and locked some spare chains of Heph's that Cupid
had, on you. We went to Zeus, and he made you a god and gave me back
my godhood."

Joxer's eyes widened in shock. "Zeus…?"

"Shhh, quiet. You need to rest for awhile now. There'll be a party
tonight to introduce you and find out who gave you my sword.
Everything's fine." Ares refilled the cup, and tipped it once more to
Joxer's mouth.

Joxer swallowed once more. Each mouthful of the drink was helping him
feel better. Suddenly, the full force of what he tried to do hit him.
Turning from Ares, he huddled into a shaking ball.

"I didn't know you had it in you, Joxer. All those plots and plans.
Your lust for vengeance." Ares moved closer to Joxer's huddled
body. "You hit me. Drew blood. Let the violence rule you." Bending
down, he wrapped his arms around Joxer drawing him into a
hug. "You've seen what it's like to be me, and survived."

Joxer grabbed onto Ares, holding him tight as he broke down into sobs.

"It's alright, Joxer. Everything's going to be just fine. You're
alive, and everything can be fixed. You can't feel guilty for what
the sword brought out in you."

"You don't understand! It felt good! I wanted to slaughter Gabby's
family, bathe in their blood, and it felt good!" Joxer wailed.

"Joxer…you were under the influence of my godhood…" Ares was unsure
how to continue.

"You don't understand. I feel guilty because I don't feel guilty! I
mean, I still want to…"

"…hurt her?"

"Yes." Came the whispered reply.

"Joxer…it's normal to want to strike back. She hurt you."

"It's not normal to want to kill everyone she ever met!"

Ares wondered if he should get Hera or Aphrodite. They were much
better at this stuff than he was. Personally, he would have killed
everyone she'd ever met, then tortured her for awhile, maybe seen if
Cerebus wanted a new chew toy… "Joxer, do you think I should let the
god go who stole my sword?"

Joxer pulled back and looked at Ares. "What?"

"He almost got you and a bunch of innocent mortals killed. Do you
think I should let him go?"

"No." Joxer said, before he thought about it.

"Why?" Joxer stopped to think about it. "No, don't think about it.
Just answer."

"If I'd have gone insane, I'd have killed a lot of people. Maybe
everyone in Greece." Joxer muttered.

"And?"

"Without the people, there wouldn't be any worshipers."

"So?"

"The gods would have died." Joxer's eyes widened when he finally
figured that part out.

"That's right. Whoever took my sword almost caused the end of the
gods…There are different kinds of revenge, Joxer. And sometimes…it's
needed. My godhood changed you. The bloodlust is gone, but the need
for retribution is still there. It's not a bad thing, because you
have your own judgment and control back. Your very nature is
compassionate and caring, but now, you see a bit more of the darker
side that your brother lives in…You have to realize, Joxer, vengeance
is needed in the world we live in."

Joxer slowly nodded, processing those words.

"So, do you feel well enough to get up?"

Joxer moved to the side of the bed, and Ares helped him to his feet.

"Here, have some more ambrosia. We still have plenty of time before
the party."

"Party?"

"Zeus and Hera need to introduce you to everyone. Plus, we need to
figure out who gave you my sword."

"Oh." All the color ran from Joxer's face as he thought of meeting
all the gods.

"Don't worry. They'll love you. You just let me know when you see who
gave you my sword, and everything will be fine. I'll take care of the
rest."

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


"Does anybody know why we're here?" Demeter asked Hestia.

Hestia shook her head, and looked over the family curiously. "Been
awhile since we've all been required to assemble. Must be something
big."

"Humm, oh look, there's Persephone. I'm just going to pop over and
say hello. That dreadful Hades doesn't even let me speak to her when
she's down there. I just can't miss this opportunity." Demeter
drifted off through the crowd.

"Sheesh, clingy mothers." Hestia muttered in disgust.

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

"Ares! That's the god who was there when I found the sword!" Joxer
hissed.

"Which one?" Ares whispered back.

"Over there, the blonde one behind Zeus. He's got the golden robe on."

"Apollo."

Apollo heard Ares say his name from across the room. Lifting his head
sharply, he watched in horror as the mortal he left Ares' sword with
pointed him out to the War God. Apollo tried frantically to summon
his powers to escape.

"Apollo, did you take Ares' sword and give it to a mortal?" Zeus'
voice boomed in front of him.

Apollo turned swiftly and started pushing his was through the
assembled gods and goddesses, trying to run for it. Suddenly, a small
fist lashed out, hitting him in the face, and knocking him on his ass.

"Did you do this to my Joxie?!" Aphrodite towered over Apollo, hands
fisted on her hips.

Apollo tried shuffling away from her, only to feel someone pick him
up by his waistband, lifting him to face his father.

"Answer the question, Apollo."

"Yes." Apollo spit out, cursing the fact he couldn't lie.

"He must be punished!" Echoed from the back of the room.

"Punishment! Punishment! Punishment!" The chant echoed throughout the
room.

"But…but…Hades did it! Why'm I in trouble? I was just answering the
prayers of one of my bards. She wanted him to stop annoying her."
Apollo whined.

"Hades is the God of the Underworld. He released a spirit, which is
his right, but didn't directly give away Ares godhood to a mortal!"
Zeus thundered. "You not only gave his godhood to a mortal, but to
one of his innocents! You would have either killed his worshiper,
provided we could have stopped him, or caused us to have an *insane*
war god running around! Either way, you cost the House of War a
worshiper. *And*, you cost the House of Love one as well, since he
was a favorite of Aphrodite's! You should have investigated the
mortal in question a little further before doing anything, especially
giving him Ares' sword!"

Joxer felt his heart harden towards Gabrielle at Apollo's words.

Aphrodite and Cupid turned to stare at Joxer in concern.

Apollo cringed, struggling to escape Hephaestus hold. This *so*
wasn't going like he'd imagined.

"In addition, you caused Cupid and I to miss an important meeting
with Hades. He'd finally agreed to let Strife be reborn to Cupid and
Psyche. *Now*, he won't even talk about it!" Ares roared. "I say
Apollo has a go at mortality. See how well he likes it!"

Apollo paled, and started looking around the room for allies.

"Unfortunately, we can't do that. Apollo must drive his chariot
across the sky and bring out the sun." Zeus announced.

"We could have a year of darkness. `Sephie could stay with me since
Demeter won't need her." Hades volunteered.

Zeus threw a scowl at his brother when Demeter started
shrieking. "Quiet! No, I believe that since Apollo almost destroyed
us all, and almost caused Strife to miss his chance at being reborn,
that it's only fair that he carry Strife, and turn him over to Ares
at his birth. Of course, this means that Apollo will live in the
House of War under the strict supervision of Eris, until the birth.
Perhaps this time around, Apollo, you will appreciate your son,
instead of ignoring him."

Apollo couldn't take any more. Finally, he glided to the floor in a
graceful faint.

"Hades! Eris! He's all yours." Zeus called the two gods up. Eris
clamped the chains around Apollo's wrists, and they dragged him off
to a corner, eager to hear the rest of the announcements. "Now, as to
the other reason we're here. Joxer, could you please come up here?"

Joxer nervously made his way to Zeus, Ares' hands on his shoulders
the whole way.

"Everyone, this is Joxer. He's the one who Apollo gave Ares' godhood.
Because of that, he is somewhat unique. I give you Joxer, God of
Compassion and Revenge."

Excited chatter broke out across the room.

"But, those are two opposite godhoods! How will he function?" Athena
shouted out.

"Ares will train him first; after that, he will be trained by
Aphrodite, Hera, Hades, Athena, and the Furies. He still may come
across situations where he is conflicted…if that happens, he will
have to rely on the lessons he learned as a mortal to guide him
through. Until he is fully trained, he shall remain in the Hall of
War, with Ares. Now, this is a warning for everyone! No more stealing
godhoods! Next time I hear of it, it's permanent mortality! Good, now
on with the party."

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

"So this is where you've been hiding." Aphrodite sat next to Joxer in
the hidden alcove of the room.

"Hi, Aphrodite."

"What's wrong sweetie? You look down."

"What if I mess up?"

"If you mess up, you mess up. We're gods, Joxie. It happens."

Joxer turned and looked at Aphrodite in shock.

"What? We can fix most anything we screw up, even death…. Although,
you usually owe Hades a *huge* favor if you screw up that big."

"But…but…"

Aphrodite grabbed one of Joxer's hands in hers. "Relax. We're not
going to just shove you out on your own right away, you know. We're
all going to take turns training you before you even attempt anything
on your own. Besides, even after you're trained, you can still ask
someone for their opinion. You didn't get an easy gig, you know? Let
me tell you something…" Aphrodite drew Joxer in closer so that no one
could overhear. "old hot pants wouldn't have made you a god if you
weren't meant to be one."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thanks, Aphrodite." Joxer wrapped his arms around the Love Goddess
and held her tight.

"Aphrodite! What are you doing with Joxer?!" Ares roared, taking in
the cozy scene.

Joxer pulled back and looked at Ares in surprise as Aphrodite blinked
innocently at the War God.

Ares grabbed Joxer's arm and pulled him away from Aphrodite. Hugging
Joxer close, and throwing one last scowl at his sister, Ares and
Joxer disappeared in a flash of angry red sparks.

Cupid peeked around the corner. "Was I right, or was I right?"

Aphrodite grinned back at him. "I think we're going to be kept
glowing with energy from that match."

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

Ares deposited Joxer onto his bed and began pacing angrily back and
forth.

"Alright, first lesson. Keep away from Aphrodite until I say you have
enough control to be around her. Heph will fry you to a crisp if you
go messing around with his wife. Trust me."

Joxer blinked up in shock. "But…"

"No buts! She'll chew you up and spit you out!"

"Ares…"

Ares continued raging. "You know, you should probably stay away from
all the goddesses. They're not like mortals."

Joxer stood up and purposely stepped into Ares' path. Reaching out,
he grabbed Ares' arms, stopping him. "Ares, let the anger flow out."

Ares eased back and let the angry hurt and jealousy go.

"Ares, Aphrodite is a friend. I wouldn't hurt her marriage like that.
Besides, as the new God of Revenge and Compassion, I don't think I
could hurt her husband like that. She was just trying to help me, I'm
not in love with her or anything. There's someone else who's been in
my heart for what seems like forever, and Aphrodite won't ever settle
for being second best at anything."

"Oh." Ares sat down on the bed; sorry that Joxer'd been stopped
before he'd killed Gabrielle.

"You know, I've worshiped you all my life. Of course, there were
times I was angry with you for not helping me. But…when you told me
how I was really important to you just the way I was, it made me
realize something. I don't think I would have ever been happy with
Gabby. She didn't accept me the way I was…but you did. I know you
probably hate me for not giving back your sword, but I love you, Ares
and I'm sorry."

"Well, Joxer, I think that's probably for the best, since you're
mine, and I'm not sharing you. Besides, you'll have several
millennium to make it up to me."

"Oh." Joxer blinked at Ares, positive he'd misunderstood somewhere.

Ares smirked at the confused expression on Joxer's face. He reached
out and grabbed Joxer's hands, pulling him back onto the bed.
Wrapping one hand around the back of his neck, he drew him down for a
blistering kiss.

Joxer threaded his hands through Ares', and pushed them up over his
head as he broke the kiss. Starring down into his eyes, he felt his
emotions rush up and clog his throat.

"All my life, I've followed you. You're the one constant thing that's
always been there. I was always so jealous when you'd visit Xena. I
wanted you to notice me so badly, then she and Gabby started telling
me about the real you. I didn't want to believe it. I understand now,
how hard it must be to deal with those emotions all the time, how you
feel when the others sneer at you…hating you. You've shown me the
real Ares, hiding underneath God of War. I just want you to know, it
only makes me love you more, knowing the strength it takes and how
you struggle under the weight of your responsibilities."

Ares stared up at Joxer for several moments, seeing the truth in his
words. Wordlessly, he quickly reversed their positions, thrusting his
leg between Joxer's so that they were laying groin to groin his legs
between Joxer's. Ares pressed his lips to Joxer's, slowly kissing his
lips. Lips exploring tongues tasting, as their hands moved to roam
each other's bodies.

Joxer became frustrated with Ares' pants. Concentrating briefly, he
removed their clothing, basking in the feeling of Ares' hard, hot
body pressed against his flesh.

Ares bit back a curse as he felt Joxer delve them of their clothing.
He'd been placing teasing little kisses on the skin he'd managed to
expose. Abruptly, he pulled back and gazed down at Joxer, eyes
feasting on his slim body.

Joxer swallowed as he looked up at Ares towering over him, erect cock
leaking. He didn't know if he'd be able to manage this. Ares was
significantly larger than any other lover he'd taken. His eyes
briefly showed his panic, alerting Ares.

"Relax, Joxer. I won't do anything to hurt you." Then the expression
on Ares face changed, as he grinned down. "Now I know why they call
you `the Mighty'."

Joxer blushed, panic momentarily forgotten.

Ares took advantage of that, and bent back down, mapping his way with
kisses and massaging hands down Joxer's body and back up.

Joxer grabbed Ares' head, holding it to the curve of his neck, as
Ares found a particularly sensitive spot.

Ares lifted his eyes to Joxer's. Laying his head on Joxer's stomach,
he lightly ghosted his breath across the erect nipples and sensitized
neck, while rubbing his oiled hand down the slim hip and back around
the tightly clenched buttock.

Joxer thrust his hips up, grinding against Ares in mute appeal.
Arousal spiking through his body.

Ares lifted his head and smiled slowly in response. Reaching down, he
wrapped his hand around Joxer's cock, slowly stroking his thumb along
the underside.

Ares grinned at Joxer's blissful expression, and quickly swallowed
the tip with his mouth, tongue delving out to taste. Sucking
fiercely, he licked his way up and down Joxer's cock, pulling back
when Joxer started clenching his hands in the covers and his thighs
started trembling.

Ares lifted up and urged Joxer onto his side, quickly sliding behind
him.

Ares aligned his body to the curve of Joxer's, pleased that they fit
so well together. Moving his hands back down, he once more massaged
Joxer's ass, thumbs teasing the crevice in between. Gently, he
circled the hidden pucker, inhaling sharply when Joxer quickly thrust
back, forcing his thumb into the tight heat.

"Ares." Joxer groaned, trying to thrust further back.

Ares rotated his thumb around, before quickly replacing it with two
fingers, trying to ignore Joxer's pleas for more. Ignoring the fire
raging through his blood, demanding he take what's his, Ares
carefully massaged the tight passage, searching for the hidden nub,
gently stroking it a couple of times.

"AAARRREESSSS!" Joxer forcefully thrust himself back onto Ares
fingers.

Ares quickly withdrew his fingers, and shifted his cock to the small
opening, ignoring Joxer's threats. Gently, he pushed inside, past the
tight ring of muscle, making small thrusts to ease his way further
inside.

Joxer tried to clench his hands in the bedding, but Ares wrapped his
arms around him, once more entwining their fingers, as he started
slowly thrusting.

Joxer couldn't think. The exquisite feeling of Ares' cock was driving
him wild. He brought their entwined hands down and wrapped them
around his cock, slowly stroking it in the same rhythm as the cock
driving into his ass.

Ares once more found the hidden nub. Grinning wickedly when Joxer
threw his head back against his shoulder, he drove repeatedly into
the same spot, loving the strangled scream that erupted from Joxer's
throat as he erupted in his hands.

Ares buried himself one last time in Joxer's heat, letting his
release sweep over him, draining the energy from his body. Gently
withdrawing, he turned Joxer in his arms, cuddling him close.

Joxer looked up sleepily at his lover. He still wasn't fully
recovered from the transformation and felt totally depleted. Gently
he pressed a kiss against Ares' lips, and surrendered to Morpheus'
call. They'd have plenty of time for more later.

Ares gently stroked Joxer's hair. For the first time he could
remember, other than with Aphrodite, he felt warm and loved. It was a
strange feeling, but it settled something deep inside he hadn't been
aware was restless. He supposed he'd get used to it.

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

Joxer looked over at his sleeping lover. His *lover*. He'd never
imagined that the last day would have completely turned his life
around. Carefully slipping out of bed, he clothed himself, only to
frown down at his armor. A fleeting image of the black pants
Autolycus was wearing last time he'd seen him, crossed his mind. Much
better. Summoning a scarlet silk vest to wear over his flowing white
shirt, Joxer shimmered out of the bedroom.

Joxer reappeared in an ornate bedchamber. Looking around in surprise,
he noticed a sleeping redheaded figure in the bed snoring nosily, the
royal crest of Corinth above the bed.

"Joxer."

Joxer turned around to see the object of his search. "Xena…"

"Are you alright?" Xena stood and walked over to him, looking him
over from head to toe.

Joxer shuffled his feet. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine now…I'm sorry."

"Joxer, it wasn't you, it was Ares' godhood."

Joxer looked nervously at the Warrior Princess. "They say it changed
me...permanently."

Xena waited patiently for Joxer to expand on his statement. When it
became obvious he wasn't going to say anything more, she took the
initiative. "Joxer, I'm just glad you're alright, but it's pretty
clear you've changed. Unless I'm mistaken, you weren't always a god."

Joxer's lips quirked at her humor. "Zeus made me a god. They all said
I would have gone insane if I'd kept Ares sword. Ares says that it
still changed me, but I don't feel any different."

Xena cocked an eyebrow at him. "Well, do you still want to kill
Iphicles?"

Joxer blanched, and looked guiltily at the bed. "I, uh, wasn't going
to kill him. I just needed you distracted. Jett won't hurt him."

Xena scowled suspiciously. "Distracted from what?"

"I was going to kill Gabrielle's family." Joxer whispered softly.

Xena nodded, eyes sad. "And now?"

"I won't hurt them, but I don't want to ever see her again. I don't
know if I can control myself. Ares said it would be hardest to stop
myself from taking revenge when I felt wronged."

"Joxer, just what *did* they make you the god of?"

"Compassion and Revenge."

"I see."

"I guess I won't get to be around you much anymore, but I just wanted
to tell you that I was alright, and thank you for looking out for me.
I know you tried to be a friend to me, but you were just Gabrielle's
first." Smiling sadly, Joxer threw a quick glance at the sleeping
figure. "Uh, you might want to tell Iolaus that if he masquerades as
Iphicles again, Iphicles doesn't snore."

Xena's eyes widened at the comment. "How…?"

Joxer grinned sadly. "Hey, we both grew up around Corinth, and our
brothers were overachievers. We bonded. That's why I'd never hurt
him, he was a *good* friend." Joxer flashed out, leaving a saddened
and shocked Warrior Princess in his wake.

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

Joxer let the hot water wash over his skin. Ares bathing chamber was
really something. He'd never felt so alive. Smiling, he began a new
song for his new life.

He's Joxer the Mighty,
Master of virility,
He's so handsome it's a sin,
And Ares the War God desires him,
But if you happen rub him wrong,
He'll knock you out and blacken your eye,
Cursing you forever with spit in your eye,
All the while, a tear in his eeeeyyyyyeeee,
Oh, he's Joxer, he's Joxer the Mighty!

Ares turned sleepily, reaching his hand across the bed and
encountering cold sheets. Another dream…Morpheus was getting good at
happy endings. Suddenly, singing from the bathing chamber reached his
ears. Ares smiled, and closed his eyes, letting it lull him back to
sleep. It hadn't been another dream; Joxer was his after all.

Finally, the God of War, who was the most hated and feared of all the
gods, had what he secretly longed for...Someone who completely
understood and loved him, because he knew what it was like to become
war. His Joxer.

The End.

I'd just like to say THANK YOU, Thank You, thank you to all the
wonderful people who enjoy my writing. Ya keep me smiling. AND, a
major thanks goes out to Christine, master of patience, who beta read
this fic for me. :) As I'm sure you're well aware, I take full credit
for any mistakes lingering on.

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Broken links or other errors can be sent to Carrie. Suggestions are also welcome.