AresJoxerCupidStrife - Wildannuette

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17


Title: Bitter Sweet 1/?

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it
Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: None so far

Notes: My first Xena/Herc fanfic so please tell me if you like
it/hate it etc


Ares cursed at the scene before him, a private meeting with Zeus
about anything other then war didn't usually end well and usually
started with the name Hercules though in this case Ares wasn't too
sure what he'd done to annoy the little pissant. As he sat down his
body oozing casualness despite his being on edge, he realised the
meeting was different for two reasons. One, being that no yelling,
fireballing or anything else unpleasant had happened yet and two, his
mother and Aunt Hestia were sitting behind his father.


He blinked, considering everything, those two tag teaming each other
along with Zeus against him? Ares repressed a shudder though his
stomach flipped over. Zeus he could handle, they screamed, shouted,
and as long as Ares hadn't upset his precious half brother, they
generally got on fine. Hera was a bit more difficult but generally
tormenting the same half brother got him on her good side. Which
explained why it was so difficult to keep them both happy at the same
time.


It was Aunt Hestias presence, which really worried him; the normal
cheerful, always got a smile demeanour was gone replaced by a sombre,
appraising stare. He squirmed again feeling all of five years old
again and responsible for some serious damage to his mothers temple.
Although he wasn't listening in he could see from the looks
occasionally shooting between Zeus and Hera, that they were deeply
involved in a mental argument with each other probably involving a
lot of cursing from the irritated looks his aunt was shooting at
them.


He seriously wondered if they were playing some great mind game with
him, or if Zeus had been caught cheating again. He grimaced as long
it wasn't the old `in nine months time' talk, in which Hera went
ballistic, destroyed everything in sight, burned off Zeus's eyebrows,
chained him to the bed, and left him there for several months with no
visitors. That had been before Hercules, though only just before. He
groaned inwardly, King of the Gods or not, this time it would be
castration for sure. Last time it had taken four of them to get the
scissors off of Hera and that had been after Apollo had tried
sedating her.


"Ares." The word snapped him out of his daydream and his attention
fixed on his Aunt who was shooting his parents a glare and turning
back to him, she leant forward to speak. "This should really come
from your parents but they are being a little difficult right now."
She shot them another more scathing look and they turned their
attention towards him, Hera looking embarrassed, his father
sheepish. "They called me here today because they believe I can
convince you better then they can to go through with this." She
paused "You are the first one of us, we've spoken to about this, so
hear me out, alright?" she looked so sincerely worried, that he had
no choice but to listen and nod in agreement.


"Have you noticed any strange power boosts recently, maybe not that
strong but different?" she asked, her eyes fixed on him. Ares
frowned, come to think of it he had, he'd assumed they were just
connected to the whole Darhok mess but from the way she spoke
obviously not, he nodded.


Aunt Hestia looked satisfied. "This might come as a shock to you but
we've received word from the fates that something's coming, something
big, that we have to be ready for. " she paused "Apparently they have
these little get togethers with others like them from different
pantheons." Ares frowned again, normally the attitude towards gods
and goddesses from other pantheons was, be polite but try not too
make conversation, some of them were quite picky and several major
wars had been started by an seemingly innocent mistake, as the
general rule went, you don't mix.


Hestia continued "Some kind of support slash reunion type thing.
Anyway they have all seen what's coming and what must done to prevent
it but some of them are a little..." she hesitated.


"Arrogant," "Obnoxious" Hera and Zeus put in. "Inattentive" Hestia
continued, "Anyway the upshot's that this big thing that's coming is
spreading, its hit the smaller pantheons first, and the fates have
lost contact with them completely. The gods, goddesses even demigods
all gone, like something just erased them. The fates say that's
what's causing the boosts, every time a god dedicated to the same
type of godhood as one of us is lost, we get some of their godhood
and power. The fates say it's only a matter of time till we are all
gone."


Ares sat forward, his body tense. It was unbelievable, nothing could
destroy a god like that. Kill them yes, Strife was proof of that, but
erase them completely? "What can I do?" he asked urgently.


Hestia hesitated "The fates say the other pantheons are already going
under, we have only a few months to put our plan in action but they
have told us of a way." She paused thinking hard. "We can put
ourselves, ever last one into slumber when this thing comes and ride
it out until we can be brought back by what the fates call the seven
symbols."


Ares nodded "Symbols, shouldn't be too hard to find them..." he
trailed off seeing Hestia's look "We have no symbols, right? So where
do we get them?" he asked "The fates obviously know so tell me and
i'll get them."


Zeus stepped forward shaking his head "It's not that simple son, the
symbols are symbols but at the same time they are alive. The fates
believe we can tap into them and create bases for their power but it
will take a lot of effort and sacrifice." He looked more
worried, "They symbols are things that will last despite what comes
but they need to be harnessed now, we need to create them now and
none of us can just take them on ourselves. These symbols are
godhoods in a manner of speaking but tied deeply into all mortal life
in the future that's how they will survive and wake us when we are
needed."


Ares eyes narrowed "They? Are we talking about giving someone these
godhoods, making new gods?" he asked incredulously, the idea was
unthinkable. Very few mortals could become gods and were chosen to
become them, even then it was often a mistake the prime example being
Psyche and Cupid. Though she seemed to love him deeply and they had
had a child together she was more interested in being out and about
then being with her husband or child. He shook his head "It would be
mistake," he said flatly.


Hera shook her head, up till now she had been silent but she needed
to explain her part. "Not that way Ares, we have to create these
symbols," she stressed looking at him expectantly. Ares frowned not
understanding her at all and she rolled her eyes, "The fates have
given specific instruction and pairing, these symbols have to be
born, we have to create them ourselves and link them to their symbol
when they are conceived." She sighed "I'm sorry son but it's the only
way, the fates have decided you have to sire two of the symbols
yourself. Once the embryos are created the symbol will be attracted
to them and they can be granted their godhood from inside the womb."


Ares was speechless, more babies, or grandbabies, born to protect
them instead of the other way around, and who would be his partner,
come to think of it whom else was involved?


Zeus picked up on his thoughts, "One will be Aphrodite, again." He
gave his son an apologetic smile "I know neither of you planned for
more children but you need to have one, hopefully Heph will
understand." He nodded to Hera "Your mother has the details of the
other, mortal for now but you have two weeks to give them a golden
apple and one of your mothers fertility potions and get them
pregnant."


Ares shot forward. Aphrodite he could do, it wasn't like they hadn't
been there before and considering that Heph was all for three in a
bed these days it shouldn't be too difficult, but a mortal? One he
would give immortality and his child, it was unthinkable, he'd
probably end up with some whiny harpy, and he shuddered at the
possibilities entering his mind. *The things you do to win a battle*,
he sighed, he didn't want himself or any, well most even, of his
family to end up lost so he nodded a thought striking him.


"Even as an immortal this woman's still not going to be a god, so the
baby will be a demigod right?" He looked at Hestia who shook her
head "Once the baby is conceived we will feed your mortal ambrosia,
assign a godhood and make sure the baby is a full god. I'm not sure
why it has to be done this way but the fates were too cryptic for me
to get any sense out of, something about joining and keeping the
mother normal when you conceive." She shook her head.


Zeus moved behind a dazed looking Ares and patted his shoulder in
commiseration "You aren't the only one son, and believe me no one
expects you to fall in love and marry the woman, do what you have to
do." He winced as Hera shot him a dirty look and hastily
added "Though it would be preferable, of course and it would set a
good example to the others. "


Ares looked up at him, "Who else, you?" he asked expecting the answer
to be `yes'. Zeus blushed deeply "According to the fates this is a
job mainly for the young which puts us three right out of it." It was
Hestias turn to shoot him a look "You're only as young as you feel"
she shot back.


Zeus cringed slightly "Well that aside. There are several others and
most will not be pleased. " He thought for a moment "Two symbols from
yourself and Aphrodite and the mortal. One from Hades and Persphone."
*Demeters going to love that* Ares groaned mentally *Well she hasn't
got much choice thank the gods.*


"We need to get a heavy duty potion for those two considering the
time they are apart. " Zeus continued. Ares felt sorry for his Uncle
Hades, he couldn't see Persphone ever being allowed into the
underworld when pregnant let alone to get that way. He almost missed
the rest of the couples "Acelepious and your sister," he looked at
Ares carefully "Eris, I mean." Ares sunk into his chair with a low
moan "Even Apollo wouldn't stand a chance." Hestia patted his
knee "She'll come around dear."


Ares sunk lower "One of the muses, though its not too clear which yet
and Apollo." Ares rolled his eyes, that figured. "One from Athena
and Posidrons middle son, Caplet." Ares restrained her laugh; Athena
had no chance of safe guarding her virginity now. "And Cupid and
Strife." Zeus said.


For a minute the last word didn't hit him then Ares sat bolt upright
in his seat "Strife? As in my dead nephew Strife!" he almost
screeched, Zeus winced and nodded. "Hades will have to send him back,
and no one can moan about it, he'll have got off on a technicality as
they say." He murmured.


A slow smile spread over Ares face, after all the bitching, moaning
and trying to get Strife back the fates were literally handing over
the golden apple of all opportunities, and no one could say anything
about it. He grinned, again on the other hand Strife would hopefully
finally get the chance he deserved with Cupid after that ridiculous
trouble over Psyche. He grinned again, something he couldn't see his
son complaining about at all.


Hera glanced at Hestia and a piece of folded paper appeared in her
hand. "We'll set it up with the others, get the potions in hand and
everything but you have to start now, take these and go and get your
mortal, she reached behind her and handed him a small green bottle
and a golden apple. "Force feed if you have to, but get your mortal
back here by sun down, follow those instructions and our new family
member can come back here and settle in while you sort out things
with Aphrodite, but remember Ares you only have two weeks, all of us
do." She warned.


Ares nodded, made to stand up and frowned "Not to sound strange but
which mortal is it?" he asked flushing slightly. Hera smiled and
handed over the paper "All the instructions are on here." She
answered as he opened it. In the short space of a heartbeat, Ares
eyes widened, he went exceedingly pale and his eyes rolled back.
Luckily Zeus caught him before he hit the ground and pushed him onto
the chair, frowning at his unconscious son.


Hestia turned to Hera "I would suggest not mentioning the sacrifice
part to any of them just yet." She reached out and patted Ares leg
sadly "It would be too cruel and it's going to be hard enough on all
of us." Hera nodded in agreement, "It's the only way though." She
murmured as Zeus picked up the piece of paper and studied it a
confused expression on his face "Who's Joxer the Mighty?"





Title: Bitter Sweet 2/?

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it

Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: None so far


Part 2:


As Ares came to he wondered hazily if it had all been a very weird
dream. Hearing Hestia explaining to Zeus about Joxer he realized it
wasn't. He Groaned realizing why Hera had given him that particular
fertility potion; it was hard enough for male gods to get pregnant on
their own, large amounts of energy were required and the infant
physically linked to both its parents to sustain itself during the
pregnancy.


Once Joxer was a god it would be easier to keep the infant growing
but for a demigod or immortal a heavy-duty fertility potion was
needed all the father to carry the infant and bond the father to the
baby without the other fathers help. Hearing his mothers cajoling to
him to open his eyes, he did, wishing he hadn't straight away.


Hestia and Hera were fussing over him, trying to stuff water and
ambrosia down his throat whilst Zeus was studying a large mirror
which was showing Joxer on his travels. Ares shuddered, there was
even sound and he was singing that damn song again. Zeus didn't seem
bothered by it though he kept saying words like `innocent' and `could
be good for him' as he studied the image. Ares noticed he did have to
suppress a smile as Joxer tripped over his own feet.


Ares sat up and Zeus hurriedly put down the mirror, "Sorry son, but
time is getting on. We still have to tell the others and you need to
grab that mortal." He said glancing down at the mirror again. Ares
nodded as Hestia and Hera stepped back a bit and without a word to
them, flashed out and over to Joxer.


Zeus looked to the others "It went better then I expected." He
admitted "I'm just worried how he will convince this man to carry his
child." He looked down at the mirror itching to pick it up and
eavesdrop on the two.


Hera laid her hand on the mirror firmly, "We have work to do, we have
to go and see Aphrodite and then Eris if you haven't forgotten." She
raised an eyebrow "Not to mention Athena and Persphone and Hades
and..."


Zeus rolled his eyes "The joys of matchmaking, more cupids job then
mine," he groaned following Hera as she flashed over to Aphrodites
arguing with her over whom to tell afterwards. Hestia studied to
Mirror thoughtfully and picked it up. Ares was one of her favorite
nephews and she hated to see him put in a difficult position, she
wondered who Joxer was and if he'd be good for him.


Throwing caution to the wind, she picked up the mirror and settled
down in Zeus's chair to watch the two.


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


Happy in his own little world, Joxer sang his song as he strode
through the forest. Luckily for him he was one of those people that
never let anything get him down for long, after the day he'd had most
other people would have been trudging along scowling at everything.


First he'd lost Xena and Gabrielle after a huge bar fight in Athens,
admittedly he had caused it but he'd been depressed. Xena and
Gabrielle had been all over each other and he'd been getting comments
about not being man enough for either of them. After his ninth drink,
he had had enough; gone to leave, tripped and head butted the lead
speaker of the comments, knocking him out.


Chaos had ensured and Xena had managed to drag him out with only a
black eye and dented pride. After that both she and Gabrielle had
declared alone time and when he woke he decided to get a headstart
and meet them later.


So although he had a ferocious hangover, smarting eye and dented
pride, he still managed to sing, despite seeming to trip over every
log and small tree. As he tripped over the umpteenth log he
completely lost his balance and tried to twist as he fell to the
ground, pulling several muscles as he did. He closed his eyes seeing
a flash of colour surround him as he fell and slowly opened one eye
realizing that he hadn't hit the ground yet. Someone had caught him;
he prayed thanks to the gods and looked up to see Ares.


Joxer went extremely pale and wriggled out of Ares arms
quickly. "Ares, thanks I mean, thank you my god I mean, thanks." He
looked up nervously "Xena isn't with me she's still in Athens, there
was a fight and a lot of alcohol, and I'm sure you know that being a
god and all." He was starting to get even more nervous. Ares was
grinning at him and it wasn't in a 'I've just had a great idea that
is really going to hurt you' way it was more amused.


Joxer sighed waiting for Ares to send him to Hades, start yelling at
him and cursing his existence, and well pretty much anything other
then stand there grinning. His worried mind was working so hard he
missed what Ares actually said to him "What?"


Ares smirked "I said, most people just pray to me, oh the occasional
tribute but not many have actually thrown themselves in my arms."


Joxers confusion grew, on the one hand Ares was talking to him in the
same way he spoke to Xena, on a personal level. On the other he
wasn't going to risk being smited by him for not paying tribute or at
least worshipping him.


Ares felt a slight twinge of sympathy for Joxer as he read his
thoughts but he could sense thing starting to get more then a little
crazy on Olympus so he had to work fast. He pretended to study
Joxer. "Joxer the mighty, wants to be a warrior, hangs around Xena
and Gabrielle mostly, has an annoying song." He pretended to muse as
Joxer shifted uncomfortably "Here is the deal, come with me, that
parts not an option by the way. Convince me that you're worthy and I
will make you a warrior." He smirked again admiring his own
brilliance.


Give Joxer something he can't refuse, get him into bed and bang bang,
symbols created and they all stood a fighting chance. He looked again
at Joxer who seemed to be considering it.


Joxer was considering, and worrying at the same time. He might have
prayed to Ares daily to be a warrior but he never even believed his
god knew he existed and despite hoping against hope that the gods
were actually smiling on him (rather then smirking sexily) he
couldn't help feeling a little cautious. He wasn't too sure that was
all Ares had in mind and after having the `Ares will do anything to
get Xena back' lecture drummed into him several hundred times by
Gabrielle and her staff, he had to question it. Then again Ares was a
god, what choice did he have? He could go on as he was or hope
against hope that he could become a warrior in the end, someone he
was proud to be.


He looked up at Ares who had started to go a little cross-eyed after
following Joxers mental babble. "I'll do it, I mean please?" he
looked beseechingly to Ares who snapped out of his daze, rolled his
eyes, grabbed Joxer to him and transported them both to his temple on
Olympus in a bright flash.


As they reappeared Joxer struggled to keep his balance almost falling
back against Ares again. A slight blush covered his cheeks as he
tried not to think about how close his was to the god. Ares sighed as
Joxer caught himself and stood up, blinking dizzily. He frowned now
he had the man it was time to put his plan into action. He took one
look at Joxers clothes and shuddered "First things first." He walked
forward and took Joxers chin pulling him closer and trying to keep
his eyes off his ridiculous helmet. "Lets dispense with the, I'm my
god, what on Earth could you do for me talk. I just end up sounding
like a bad porn character." He sighed.


"You'll find out when you're older." He interrupted Joxers silent
question *Several thousand years older* he mused to himself, as a god
Joxer would be around to see everything that was in his future had he
been a mortal. Assuming the fates idea worked that was. He frowned at
Joxer who was looking even more confused, trouble was Ares didn't go
in for forced sex and he wasn't too sure how to delicately say `lets
you and me get it on now'. So he opted for the best option he had
available.


A bit of manipulation and arousal. He let go of Joxers jaw and
stroked his cheek, hearing the mans slight intake of breath "You're a
lover not a fighter Joxer, but if you want to be a better fighter..."
he stroked down Joxers arm and watched his eyes widen and a deep
blush cover his cheek.


Ares had a great urge to jump up, lick his ginger and write one in
the air while hissing. He restrained himself. He was an attractive
god, he knew that and Joxer wasn't too bad himself, from what Ares
could see anyway plus he knew from hints dropped by both Aphrodite
and Strife, that Joxer was more then interested in him. Fantasizing
and getting himself off while murmuring Ares name was courtesy of
Strife. A long talk about Joxers fears on sexuality during
adolescence and his determination to get Gabrielle, a woman he knew
he could never have, from Aphrodite.


Ares smiled licking his lips slightly and watching Joxers eyes grow
wider. He stepped back breaking the spell and waved his hand slightly
in Joxers direction removing all his clothes in a bright flash. He
appraised Joxers body as the man yelped and tried to cover himself,
something that Ares was happy to see was quite difficult.


He nodded behind Joxer and two doors open up inwards, he walked
towards them leaving Joxer to follow, which he did after several
minutes.


Without even looking at Joxer Ares could tell that he was finding it
easier to walk and keep his balance without his awful armor and shoes
which Ares had been amused to note were both for left feet. He stood
by a huge sunken bath and turned to Joxer as water and bubbles filled
it. "Get in, relax and soak yourself." He thought for a moment and
then frowned slightly as he sensed Aphrodite calling for him. He
snapped his fingers again and produced the golden apple, carefully
squished down and mixed into a small beaker "eat the fruit and
drink..." another small flash and he handed Joxer the fertility
potion mixed in with fine red wine in a silver cup.


He scowled, now Hephaestus was calling for him and not very politely.
As soon as the shocked Joxer entered the tub, and had eaten half of
the apple and drunk half of the wine, he flashed out leaving the
stunned mortal to finish his food and bathe his sore body in peace.


Hestia sighed disappointedly as she continued to view them and Ares
flashed out. She knew Ares only had unlimited time but getting
Aphrodite pregnant and then flashing back in to make the mortal
pregnant was a bit much. She felt sympathy for both Ares and Joxer,
she could sense how strongly Joxer wanted to prove himself and the
attraction he had for Ares, when he found out what Ares had done,
there would be Tartarus to pay.




Title: Bitter Sweet 3/?

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: Now there's sex so NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it
Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: None so far

Notes: My first Xena/Herc fanfic so please tell me if you like
it/hate it etc

Part 3


Joxer paddled around the tub growing more then a little bored. It had
been well over an hour since Ares had left and he'd finished all the
fruit though for some bizarre reason the wineglass kept refilling
itself. The water may not have gone cold but Joxers hands were
starting to look old and wrinkly, so he climbed out. He spied a
couple of large silvery towels near the tub side and picked one up,
wrapping it around his hips.


He shifted uncomfortably for a minute unsure where to go or rather
where he could go. He figured the best bet was to stay near the tub
but not in it. He paused for a moment, at one end of the room there
were the double doors he had come through but at the other end there
were another set of double doors. He walked towards them wondering
where they led, after all the wine he'd drunk he was starting to feel
the need to relieve himself.


As he stepped up to the doors they opened and Joxer had to repress a
wince as bright sunlight flooded his vision. He blinked for a moment
and stepped out staring around the small garden area, as his eyes
grew used to the light. It was extremely pretty, he had stepped out
onto a small marble area with chairs and a bench but just beyond that
were some of the most colorful and strange looking plants Joxer had
ever seen. He didn't want to get too close, after all this was Area's
home and the plants could be harmless or lethal guard dogs, besides
the wine had made him a little sleepy.


He sat down in one of the chairs relaxing slightly as he took another
sip of the sweet wine and admired the garden beauty. He was hoping to
be as relaxed as possible when Ares came back and although he had his
doubts and worries he didn't want to voice them to his god. He knew
or at least had a pretty good idea of what Ares wanted him for and he
was pretty sure that Ares knew how he felt about that, he was a god
after all. It wasn't like he couldn't just look into Joxers mind and
see the attraction and the fascination there.


He knew what the opportunity of Ares would entail, sleeping with him
in return for becoming and warrior, if that ever happened. Joxer
wasn't too sure about that; his major worry was that Ares would see
him as little more then a prostitute and he couldn't deal with that,
not to mention the grief he would get if any of his friends found
out. Joxer was attracted to Ares and he wasn't going to look a gift
horse in the mouth. If he was honest to himself, if Ares had just
appeared in front of him and whisked him off for dinner somewhere and
then expressed an interest with him, he would have jumped at the
chance and then he wouldn't have so many doubt either.


Joxer sighed; he preferred the direct approach. He'd rather Ares
appeared before him and asked him bluntly to `get it on' then having
to go through what Joxer personally believed was a charade. He sighed
taking another sip of wine, that wasn't his real concern though.
Laughable as it sounded, Joxer knew he was a very tactile, emotional
person. He could hide it well most of them time, barring the
incidents with his crush on Gabrielle, but he was worried if he spent
time with Ares whether it was just sex or not, that he would fall for
the god. Even if it was purely sex and that was only when Joxer saw
him.


He sipped some more wine. He always seemed to pick them. The ones he
liked weren't interested in him and were often interested in someone
else, and the ones he didn't like were all over him. Joxer knew Ares
was a god, his god in fact but he hoped he wouldn't start looking
through his mind while they were together, it would be extremely
difficult if he realized what Joxer was afraid of. Joxer knew that
the gods grew bored easily which was why they usually had brief
affairs with mortals and relationships with other gods, He knew he
was setting himself up for heartbreak but he also knew he would curse
himself until the day he died if he didn't take Ares up on his offer;
whether it was as a lover, sex-relief partner or whore.



********


Ares almost growled as he appeared at his home. He managed to
suppress it at the last moment and seeing the inviting tub stripped
off and sank into it. It took almost ten minutes for him to remember
about Joxer and jump out of the tub to search for him, but he had a
lot on his mind.


Everyone knew about the prophecy and everyone was preparing for it.
Persphone was down in the underworld where Zeus had firmly told
Demeter she would stay until after the baby's birth but Hades
generously had allowed her to visit whenever she wanted. Demeter
wasn't pleased in fact she was in a filthy mood and snarling at
everyone. Hestia was the only one who didn't seem to bothered, she
just kept repeating that `she would come around'.


Ares had already been to see Aphrodite and after 30 minutes with her
and Hephaestus had succeeded in creating the first symbol and left
the two of them to enthusiastically congratulate each other. They
hadn't really missed him anyway, they were so wrapped up in each
other at the moment which was a good thing, better that the child be
raised by them together then by him and Aphrodite separately. Anyone
else would be embarrassed by the quick in and out technique Ares had
displayed but then most would think Aphrodite would be upset and
Hephaestus fuming. The truth was he cared greatly for both of them
and he did often join them in bed but they loved each other, they
sometimes enjoyed playing games and being wild but they were meant
for each other, and so they weren't bothered when Ares left. As long
as he was all right and the baby was created, they went back to
showing each other that love.


Athena had apparently taken a surprising route. Somehow the fates
must have know that she and Posidrons son were interested in each
other but hadn't managed to take the first step either that or
destiny kicked in. As soon as Athena had found out, she'd squealed
startling Zeus whose nerves were slightly frayed, raced down to
Posidrons, grabbed the unprotesting Caplet and locked them both in
her temple.


Apollo was stopped from doing his usual rounds and told to
concentrate on Melpomene, apparently the muse of tragedy was said to
be the one recognized by the fates. Neither Apollo or Melpomene
seemed too worried about sleeping together or creating a child, both
of them had slept together before and several of Melpomenes sisters
had had children so she knew she'd always have support. They were
enjoying practicing the creation of the symbol according to Urania
who apparently had waylaid Hermes and giggled at him for over half an
hour and raved on about the baby.


Poor Acelepious really could have done with his fathers help, Eris
had cornered him just after he heard the news and was still digesting
it. She'd screamed at him and tried to beat him down until Acelepious
had called out frantically for some help. When Zeus had appeared with
Demos and Phobos she'd taken one look, screamed at them all and
locked herself in her temple refusing to come out. Most of the gods
who were not trying to conceive were busy trying to get her out, all
except Hera who was trying to convince Ace not to take it personally.


Ares hadn't expected her to be pleased but he had to admit she had
become a little unstable after losing Strife, he had tried to talk to
her but had been rebuffed. The fates decided to get involved and told
Zeus that only two people could convince Eris, one was Acelepious,
the other Strife. Which is why a slightly annoyed Hades had sent
Strife too them before jumping back into bed with Persphone.


Unfortunately no one remembered to tell Strife that he was being
brought back and why, so Ares had been elected to try to orientate
him, which he had done very well, he thought. He'd scraped out all
the unnecessary information and got down to it. It was only when he
realized Strife had gone paler then normal that he worked on actually
communicating with his nephew. It had taken hours, Strife had told
Ares all about the underworld, the things he'd wanted to say before
he died, some of which weren't very favorable to Discord and the pain
he'd felt seeing Ares walk off leaving him to die alone.


The was the hardest and Ares knew even though Strife understood what
Ares had done for them he'd never understand why and how Ares could
have walked away and left him. In short Strife was feeling
unappreciated and unwanted and he wasn't bothered about anything to
do with the symbols.


Ares didn't expect Strife to forgive him but he did make some headway
when Strife admitted he had watched Ares and the others fighting for
his return. When Ares had tried to tell him how proud he was of
Strife and how much he cared for him, without coming across as too
sappy, Strife had just shrugged it off as if he saw himself as
something to be used and then discarded.


Which was something Ares couldn't convince his nephew of. He might
have been able to work Strife around and understand a little more but
even before Strife was killed his self-confidence hadn't been that
high, and when he was killed it had really taken a beating. Ares did
know the best person to convince Strife that he did matter and once
he saw his nephew starting to get strained he called his eldest son
to him.


Cupid had appeared in a flash, been stunned shocked and then pleased
to see Strife until he'd realized what an emotional wreck he was.
Then he'd glared at Ares despite knowing it wasn't his fault, grabbed
Strife and transported him away. Somehow Ares thought it would turn
out all right. Cupid and Strife had always been good for each other
and now they had the chance to prove it. He knew despite the twos
differences and Strife insecurity issues they would come out ahead.


He sank lower into the tub then cursed realizing that Joxer was
missing. He almost tripped as he vaulted out of the tub and strode
out onto the terrace as he tracked his soon to be lover. His anger
faded as he saw Joxer curled up peacefully asleep on the chair. Just
looking at the man made him realize why Xena and Gabrielle could
never be constantly annoyed with him. Slightly sunburnt Joxer slept
on as Ares watched him and moved closer, he had an extremely innocent
look about him as he nestled in the chair, just watching him made
Ares feel more relaxed.


A quick scan of Joxers body told him the fertility potion was already
working and the golden apple had worked. Slightly regretful at having
to wake him up and disturb the peaceful image Ares shook him gently.


Slowly Joxer woke up, at first he didn't seem to remember what was
gong on as he stared at Ares a slightly confused expression on his
face, then as reality kicked in he jumped up almost tripping over his
towel and began stammering out apologies. Ares couldn't abide the
stammering ramble of apologies and he did the one thing he knew would
quieten Joxer; he kissed him.


More startled then anything else, Joxer responded to the kiss. Slowly
he kissed Ares back before grabbing him closer and enthusiastically
exploring his mouth. Ares managed to stop himself from moaning as
Joxer teasingly nipped his lip. He was surprised and delighted at
Joxers response and leant in too deepen the kiss as Joxer pulled
away. Ares managed to hold his growl for the second time that day
when he realized Joxer was looking uncomfortably around him and
blushing deeply, not to mention sporting a considerable bulge under
his towel, Ares noted. He raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly as he
watched the blush deepen on Joxers face as his eyes traveled down
Ares body. "Like what you see?" he asked smiling again at the almost
scarlet Joxer.


"Yes, of course how could I not..." Joxer flushed "Could we go in
doors? I'm all for outside activities but its just here I'm a little
uncomfortable." He broke off an Ares grin widened into a smirk,
without waiting to see if the man would follow him he transported
them both into the bedroom and tumbled them to the bed giving Joxer
another passionate kiss.


Slightly breathless Joxer murmured "That works too." As he captured
Ares mouth with his own. Ares ground himself against Joxer, his
throbbing erection pressing into the soft towel and Joxer moaned, his
own cock desperately needing the friction. Joxer kept up the teasing
nips on Ares lip his hands winding around the neck as Ares's trailed
over his body.


Tearing himself away briefly and taking a breath to calm himself,
Ares stared down at the man beneath him. Joxers eyes were flushed and
he was trying, demanding even, Ares kiss as he tried to pull the god
back down. Ares pushed the hands away gently ignoring his pout. "Are
you a virgin Joxer?" He could have just looked but it seemed impolite
and he knew Joxer would tell him the truth anyway.


He did repress a grin as Joxer flushed a deep red and wriggled
awkwardly "Not exactly, no I mean I've been with girls and other guys
but not recently." He assured Ares unsure of how he would react. Then
blushed a more deeper color "A friend told me I sort of was, she said
if you go three years without sex you become a virgin again, a reborn
one." He bit his lip, looking embarrassed.


Ares repressed a laugh, he knew what Joxer meant and t was true in
certain cases but not this one, still though Joxer looked adorable
when he was embarrassed and Ares was hoping to nail him into the
mattress.


He nodded pretending to consider it "I think Aphrodite told me
something like that..." he said "So how about we consider it true."
He murmured kissing Joxer until he moaned, one hand reached to caress
his cheek whilst the other moved lower to rub and taunt his nipple.

Joxer moaned slightly, thrusting slightly against Ares and almost
whimpering as his God pinned him down. "Definitely." He agreed
gasping out the words as Ares launched a fresh assault on his mouth.
Joxers hands stroked Ares back gripping slightly as Ares rained
kisses up his neck and along his earlobe. Joxer groaned, twisting his
neck to give Ares better access as he nipped and kissed up and down
Joxers neck.


Wanting to touch his lover, Joxer moved his hand down to stroke Ares
cock, slowly moving up and down it as the god nipped at his neck.
Slowly Joxer edged his hand further down and began to massage Ares
balls, using his thumb to rub the base of his cock.


Ares pulled back fast, and Joxer stared up at him pouting slightly,
his lips swollen. He opened his mouth to say something but didn't get
much of a chance. In an instant the towel was gone transported away
to who-knows-where by the aroused God.


Ares pulled back slightly to plant a kiss on the top of Joxers cock
which twitched slightly, a smile on his face he ran his hand slowly
up and down it, teasing Joxer as he Ares. Joxer whimpered slightly
and tried to thrust into Ares hand his body demanding attention.


He didn't have to wait long; Ares slowly ran one finger up and down
his cock, using his godly powers to coat it with lubricant just
before he reached Joxers small entrance. Joxer tensed slightly as
Ares flicked his finger over it and leant forward to kiss Joxer. He
slowly explored it, easing the finger inside until his knuckle
touched flesh. Slowly he moved it in and out until Joxer relaxed and
got used to it.


Joxer bit his lip slightly his hand moving down to his cock stroking
it slightly before Ares slapped it gently away. Joxer bit back a
groan; the sensations were nice but not enough. He suppressed a moan
as a second finger joined the first, continuing their slow torture.
He tried to stroke his cock again; frustration growing as Ares
slapped his hands away again.


Ares watched his lover, he was becoming impatient, his body craving
release and Joxer panted and pushed back against Ares fingers
demanding more. Ares grinned, Joxers eyes were closed, his face
flushed and pouting as he tried to push back on Ares fingers wanting
them to move further. He pushed the fingers in deeper and began
massaging Joxer from inside, scissoring them and rotating them around
inside the man.


Joxer groaned as Ares brushed his prostate lightly, the flush hitting
him for a moment. Ares grin widened, he wanted nothing more then to
thrust into Joxer but he still wasn't ready. Ares rotated his fingers
faster and faster, massaging Joxers prostate hard. He watched as his
lover whimpered and bucked underneath him, and with a groan began to
lube his cock.


He pulled out his fingers ignoring his lovers groan of frustration
and the pleading thrust of his hips and positioned himself at Joxers
entrance. Ares slowly eased in, thrusting ever so slightly as Joxer
continued to thrust against him. Ares had to clench his fists not to
thrust in hard and accidentally injure him.


Gripping Joxers hips, he gradually thrust in groaning slightly as
Joxer unconsciously tightened around him. Slowly he started to pull
out and then thrust hard gripping the mans' hips tightly and pushing
his legs apart further.


Joxer shuddered, tightening harder against Ares and Ares released a
shaky breath. He slammed back into the man, Joxers legs tightened
around his waist and his back arched as he rose to meet Ares'
thrusts. Joxer could feel his body shuddering; all he needed was a
little friction. He opened his eyes, locking them with Ares, who
nodded. Joxer groaned in relief as his hand closed around his cock,
giving it a few hard jerks, he barely had time to do more before his
body gave out and he came.


Ares felt the warmth against his stomach and thrust harder, Joxers
moans and shudders driving him over the edge. With a loud groan, he
came, filling Joxer with his seed. He thrust a couple more times as
his erection died and promptly collapsed onto of his lover kissing
him softly.


As the two lay entwined and panting, Joxer needing time to recover.
Ares decided he'd better keep practicing with Joxer at creating the
symbol. He couldn't sense whether it had worked or not and even if it
had he was determined to keep practicing, at least for a few weeks if
not more. He laughed at himself silently for not considering the man
as a potential lover before and determined not to let him go for
quite a while.


Title: Bitter Sweet 4/?

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: G to NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it
Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: None so far

Notes: My first Xena/Herc fanfic so please tell me if you like
it/hate it etc


Part 4:


Joxer blinked confusedly looking around the small group of gods and
goddesses. He'd been trying to work out what had got them so hyped up
and what they were talking about. All it seemed to range around was
baby clothes and symbols. Two things he had no idea about. He was
wondering why on earth Ares had brought him to the gathering. He
seemed to spend most of his time shyly clinging to the outside; in
fact he was seriously considering setting up home by the pillar he
was leaning on.


He'd spent nearly a month in Aress' company and true to his word Ares
had been teaching him about being a warrior.


That was the problem, he was teaching him about warriors, making him
go through numerous history lessons with Athena, rather then training
him, but whenever he tried to bring up the subject of training Ares
made an excuse and Athena lectured him on how dangerous it was.


Joxer was beginning to think Ares was stalling but why and for what
he wasn't sure. All he knew was that his opinion of the Gods had
changed drastically. All in all he found them very confusing and
slightly insane. Even the more sensible ones like Athena puzzled him.
He'd heard many a story about her, mainly from Gabrielle so he
supposed they could have been a little changed but in all of them
Athena was depicted as a fierce, deadly-smart virgin Goddess.


Joxer could agree with the smart but the fierce he had to laugh at.
Her stern looks shut him up and immediately made him apologise for
everything and anything but still he couldn't see her as being that
fierce. Not after he had seen her cry when Caplet brought her some
flowers. And that was the other laughable thing, virgin? Not likely.
Many a time he'd had to discretely wander away when Caplet `popped'
in during one of their study sessions and been literally jumped by
Athena.


Joxer sighed, if he had had a watch he would have been looking at it
right now. He looked around the Gods, some he recognised from quick
visits into Ares temple, some from statues but some he couldn't
place. It was confusing him greatly. Strife, he recognised and was
pleased to see back, but Strife with Cupid draped possessively over
him was a little strange. Not that he didn't think they went well
together, they did, but Joxer could have sworn Hercules saying
something about Cupid being married and having a child with a mortal
woman.


He looked around the group, no mortal woman, and no kid. He sighed
again willing himself to stay awake. He guessed it had to be the
Olympus air but for the last fortnight or so he'd been barely able to
keep his eyes open. Athena had screeched at him for an hour after he
fell asleep in one of his lectures, then bizarrely enough squealed
for what he guessed was joy and summoned Acelepious.


He'd tried to convince them he was fine but had been prodded, poked
and examined almost to the brink of insanity before Acelepious had
left yelling `last one down' at Athena. Joxer shuddered, then came
the lecture of all lectures. He didn't remember the majority of it
but what he did remember had him swearing to Zeus to never have kids.


Joxer blinked, not sure if his eyes were playing up or he was
dreaming. Now Discord was hugging Strife and patting his stomach and
then her own all the time shooting death glares at Acelepious who'd
gone extremely pale. The only words Joxer managed to catch was `pain'
and `he'll know what it feels like, trust me'.


He wasn't sure he wanted to know. He looked around again for Ares but
saw only Apollo, strutting around and being giggled at by a very
attractive young goddess. Aphrodite was there too but Joxer was
trying to stay out of her way, she seemed obsessed about making Ares
temple over for some reason or another and wanted his advice.
Something he definitely shied away from, as much fun as he and Ares
had he doubted the God would think twice about taking it out on him.
Not that he ever had before but still the worry was there.


Joxer blinked back purple spots as Hera appeared in front of them.
Always the lady, she made her rounds diplomatically smiling at this
person and that before heading straight for him. Joxer tried to back
into the pillar as she drew close. Truth be told he was still a
little nervous around most of Ares family and when she drew closer
and ran a hand down his chest and over his belly, it made him more
so. The smile she offered him relaxed him somewhat. But it was only
the calm before the storm.


"Have you thought of a name yet?"


Joxer frowned looking at the smiling Goddess in front of him. Name?
He had one didn't he? He still liked the sound of Joxer the mighty
despite Ares rolling his eyes every time he mentioned it.


Hera kept talking "I know neither of you know yet but in a few months
I could give you a hint if you like." She smiled again "I'm not the
goddess of childbirth for nothing."


Joxer wondered briefly if maybe someone had spiked his water but he
did his best to look interested and clued in. He didn't want to
offend her.


"Only a little while longer and we'll be able to sort you both out,
the fates say." She took a sip of her drink and nodded towards the
others confidently. "The others are already sensing the symbols, it
will only be a matter of time before you do too, we just have to be
patient." She patted his arm and frowned, looking at him
critically "Are you getting enough vitamins? I did tell Ares to watch
out but you know how men can be." She gave a small laugh "Not to say
you're not one but in your situation these things are more necessary."


Joxer raised an eyebrow wondering what Hera had to do with warriors
and their health.


She saw his look and smiled "I take it Ares forgot to mention it to
you, no matter I can probably do it better anyway." She waved
Aphrodite over who rolled her eyes and played with her nails whilst
Hera spoke.


"Aphrodite's used to it by now." Aphrodite shot her a look but Hera
continued. "Now for pregnant Goddesses the rules are the same as for
mortal women they just have a few extra problems with power control
but for pregnant males like Strife" she gestured to him "The baby
needs to be bonded to both fathers to sustain growth and
development. "


Joxers eyes widened his mind going a mile a minute as he looked over
at Strife, an all but glowing Strife. He then looked at Aphrodite who
was smiling, his mind starting to click into place. Strife pregnant,
Aphrodite pregnant. He looked over the others their conversations and
insane behaviour finally clicking with him. He was about to offer his
congratulations when Hera dropped the bombshell.


"With Immortals a fertility potions needed and usually the godly
father has to link to the baby immediately to make sure it thrives
but in your case, the baby is relying on you rather then Ares, which
is probably why you are feeling so tired." She whispered to him
confidentially "Athena told me about it, I had the same thing when I
carried most of mine."


Joxers mind absorbed the information then very calmly and quietly
began to shut down as realisation dawned and white-hot rage flooded
him. With a cry that could rival Hercules, Joxer shouted "ARES!"

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


"This is a mess." Aphrodite stated glowering at her brother from
across the table. She surveyed the lone, very furious immortal as he
strode through the forest, for once not tripping over anything, and
turned back to Ares. "You broke him, now fix it." She stated "Before
one of us does." She added before flashing out to keep a closer
worried eye on Joxer.


Ares looked everywhere then directly at the Gods in front of him,
whose expressions ranged from angry, worried to severely displeased.
The last was being his mother who'd already given him an earful about
deceiving Joxer. He'd tried to explain he hadn't deceived just
neglected to mention a few details to his lover but she was having
none of it. Blaming him for Joxer running off with her grandchild
within him.


When Ares had heard his lovers shout he hadn't known what to expect
but the quiet, angry man before him hadn't been a consideration. Ares
had realised what had happened straight away and expected to be
shouted at or even attacked, those things he could handle and he'd
been ready to defend against.


His lover hadn't even raised his voice after his initial outburst. He
hadn't even glared. He'd looked angry and then resigned as Ares tried
to bluster his way out of it. Then he'd turned to Aphrodite and asked
her quietly to take him home.


Ares had only agreed to it because he'd though Joxer meant his home,
the one they were sharing but Aphrodite had taken him back to his
mortal village and had no choice but to leave him there. The vibes
she was getting from him was upsetting the baby and she'd returned to
Olympus to rest.


Ares had been prepared to go after Joxer and haul him back but Zeus
and Hera had stopped him, coldly demanding an explanation and
insisting that Joxer could be watched at all times. Even Zeus could
see the man needed time alone to sort his confusion out before he
dealt with Ares and so he'd brought him time. Detaining Ares in front
of them until Joxer had calmed down.


"I wasn't sure how to tell him." Ares admitted, it had been the thing
to do at first to sleep with Joxer and get him pregnant. But
somewhere along the line Joxer had become `lover' rather then
just `useful' and Ares had tried to put off the inevitable. He'd
tried to pretend none of it was happening, the creation of the symbol
which he still refused to acknowledge as his baby, tricking Joxer
rather then just seducing him and actually coming to like and care
for, rather then just lust, over the man who slept with him.


That was the problem, Ares was starting to actually give a damn about
Joxer rather then just carrying out his part in the prophecy. Even if
he couldn't see it, even if he hid it from himself.


He shrugged "He'll get over it, it'll take time yes, but he'll be a
god soon we have forever to work it out."


Hera looked ready to scream abuse at her son but a flash of light
signalling his Aunt Hestias arrival belayed her. Hestia looked
disappointed and tired. She offered Ares a small smile but her eyes
were serious.


"You may have forever Ares, you may not, but this isn't good for
Joxer or your baby." She sat down "Think about this for a moment, it
might be difficult for you but put yourself in his place. He's a good
boy, you know that."


She smiled fondly at Joxers image for a moment and looked back at
Ares "You've spent your entire life trying to be someone, been
bullied, pushed around even and there are only two things you can
rely on. Yourself and your faith." She looked at Ares
seriously "You're his god Ares, he's been trying to make himself
better to please you, now think how he feels now? He's thinking it
was all a waste of time and that he never was good enough. He thinks
you've lied to him Ares and used him for your own end. He doesn't
understand, all he knows is that his god has failed him."


Ares was shaken, he could see what she meant, he couldn't understand
it but he could see it and on some level the idea made him pause. He
wasn't sure why but he knew he needed to make things right, he didn't
even understand why, couldn't bring himself to admit the reasons.


He looked at the mirror ready to hear their ideas and frowned. The
mirror kept a constant watch on who it was ordered, even if the
person died it could follow them, but now it was blank "Where's
Joxer?"


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


*One foot in front of the other, just keep moving, just get away,
don't think about him or what he's done to you. * Joxer thought to
himself as he strode grimly on. His stomach had been growling at him
for the last half an hour and he'd pushed the guilt he felt aside and
strode on. Now he was passed the stage of hunger and was starting to
feel tired. His rage had also died down to make way for hurt and
betrayal.


The one constant thing in Joxers life had been his unshakeable faith.
His faith that there was some big plan for him and that one day if he
tried hard enough he would become a warrior and make his everyone
proud. He laughed at the thought now.


Ares saw him as nothing more then a tool, an incubator for something
he obviously wanted no part in and deemed Joxer unworthy to be
consulted on. The laughable thing was Joxer would have agreed to it
if Ares had explained to him what was going on as Hera had tried to.
He would have agreed to anything to please his God, his lover and who
he thought was his friend.


Joxer could see how laughable the idea was now. Him, a mere mortal or
rather immortal courtesy of Ares, privy to knowledge that the gods
possessed, that involved him He really should have paid more
attention to the things Gabrielle had warned him of.


The problem was, even now Joxer didn't believe them true. That the
gods were fickle; they had no plans and were merely bored. The bored
part he could agree with to an extent but after staying with Ares, he
had to admit they all consulted with each other, sharing problems of
mortals out within their houses to find the best possible solution.
Joxer had realised that often it fell to Ares, Aethon or Apollo
strangely enough.


Ares and Aethon dished out war and famine, to curb some of the
population growth whilst Apollo dealt out plagues. Out of the three
Ares was seen as the best contender as his methods only involved a
small amount of innocents being killed whereas plague and famine
struck all and every.


Joxer sighed and came to a stop; he sat down musing to himself. He
was tired of being the butt of the jokes; his whole life had
practically been one. He'd loved Gabrielle and never been even
considered as being good enough for her. Not that she was necessarily
a bad person but she'd been too fixated on Xena and he'd never seen
that. His brothers cared him for but they had their own lives to lead
and the three rarely saw each other. He had no other family or
friends to speak of, save Xena who was busy trying defend everyone
and his parents who came under the heading `less said the better'.


He sighed, it wasn't just that he was unloved, it was more that no
one was bothered. It wasn't just that his parents didn't love him
they also viewed him as too much of a disappointment and so rarely
showed anything for him. Sort of the way Ares was now. The God might
not be being cruel to Joxer but he was indifferent, using him for his
own purposes; and that hurt more.


He rested his hand on his belly thinking of the child nestling within
him. At least they had something in common; they were both being
used. Him to father and carry the child and the child to save the
gods. Ares didn't care for the child he'd given to Joxer anymore then
he cared for Joxer himself.


Unwanted, used and unloved. Both he and his child were that. He ran
his hand over his stomach slowly, coming to a decision. They might be
used and unwanted but not unloved. Joxer resolved to love his child
as much as he possibly could to make up for everything that would
happen to it. To stop it feeling the pain he was, he hoped that maybe
his child would love him back, be proud that he was its father.


He smiled slightly, all children loved their parents; the child was
the one good thing that had happened in a long while, had ever
happened in fact to Joxer and he would tell it that. He would love it
and be responsible for it in every way he could and he would never
leave his child feeling unwanted or unloved. In that moment, he
bonded with the foetus and lay back thinking of what could come to
pass and hoping for the best.


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


The creature moved soundlessly through the bushes its eyes fixed on
the man in front of him. Its master had awoken it from its long
imprisonment and sent it to find the `unclean' the ones who carried
the strange power his master was so afraid of.


All week it had been tracking the tiny bursts of power but as soon as
it tracked near enough to them they were gone. Spirited away by the
Gods, under their protection its master had informed him.


The news had not gone down well. Centuries ago the creature had been
imprisoned for draining the life force and power from a godly child
and though the child had managed to survive, the creature had been
imprisoned, unable to be destroyed. All through its forced slumber it
had cursed the gods and vowed vengeance.


Now seeing the unclean immortal in front of it, its eyes glowed in
triumph. Had it have had a mouth it would have been laughing. The
creature had nothing save the power its master had granted it, power
it intended to use to dispose of the unclean and punish the gods.


Feeling a strange call its body morphed into a recognisable shape,
one known only to those with knowledge and imagination combined. It
stalked closer to Joxer. It could sense no godly protection over the
man and so used its own power to sever any links to watching or
hearing Gods.


With a low growl it moved forward, the bushes parting before it
touched them, and stood in front of the man its silver eyes assessing
him coldly. When the man sat up and finally noticed him, freezing in
fear, it leapt for him hissing angrily.


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


Joxer blinked hearing a strange rumble; he stopped his own silent
babbling to the child inside him and sat up. His body went rigid with
shock as he stared at the creature before him. A strange mixture of
exotic beauty and grace greeted him as the creature moved forward. In
its silver eyes it held a silent deadly promise of what was to come.


Joxer stared at the creature. He'd never seen anything like it. It
was similar to a panther he'd seen on one of Gabrielle's scrolls, but
its colour was silver blue and on its back were two identical
seemingly fragile silver wings.


He backed away slightly and acting on instinct managed to roll away
as the creature leapt for him, its claws heading for his throat. He
felt a sharp pain rip through his shoulder as he rolled and as he
shakily got up onto his knees he saw the remains of his shoulder and
nearly gagged. His shoulder thankfully had gone numb but the blade
downward was covered in stringy red stuff which he guessed was muscle
and dark red blood. His arm seemed all right but it had also gone
numb and he couldn't move it. He let out a low moan of pain as he
tried to stem the bleeding; almost vomiting when he caught a glimpse
of what he believed was bone.


The creature was observing him, wearing what looked like a smirk and
it stalked forward again. Dizzy from pain and blood loss Joxer tried
to stand and collapsed against a tree root. He prayed frantically to
every and any God or goddess watching for help as the creature drew
closer. He sensed the arrival of a god as his vision got darker.


The familiar red flash as the creature leapt for him and Ares
screaming his name seemed almost unreal. As the creatures claws came
within a hairs breath away from his face, the last thing Joxer saw
before he passed out was a bright turquoise flash and felt a strange
almost painful ripple through his body.



Title: Bitter Sweet 5/?

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it
Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: In this part an unlikely helper explains a few things

Status: WIP

Archive: None so far

Notes: My first Xena/Herc fanfic so please tell me if you like
it/hate it etc


Part 5:


Joxer blinked back the bright light that invaded his vision and
coughed. Bright blue dots were dancing in front of his vision and he
tried to blink them back. He felt exhausted, his whole body ached and
his shoulder felt like it was on fire. He winced as he felt someone
gently bathing the wound and turned to the person feeling nausea hit
him as he did. The spots returned in full force and he rubbed at his
eyes with the unhurt arm.


He tried to push the person away as they continued to bathe him and
swallowed hard, he felt immense relief as a cup was held to his mouth
and he drank down the cool water. He closed his eyes and rubbed them,
turning towards his benefactor as he did. As his vision cleared his
confusion grew. He had felt before seeing that he was lying on
something but he could see it now.


Joxer was lying on a soft bundle of sheets; his shoulder propped up
by a pillow so the wound could be accessed better. What surprised him
was his nursemaid. Hephaestus was carefully and gently mopping the
dried blood from down his arm. Joxer glanced at his shoulder, glad it
was covered by bandages, he remembered what it looked like before. He
stared at Hephaestus as he finished mopping up the blood.


His first reaction was to say `thank you', but he startled Hephaestus
and he fell backwards onto his backside. Joxer resisted the urge to
laugh. It wasn't hard, his shoulder and arm felt like they were on
fire. He looked up at the god in confusion and then looked around
recognising his surroundings.


"Ares Temple?" he asked licking his dry lips. He felt a rush of
gratitude as Hephaestus held the cup to his mouth again and slowly
swallowed the cool water. He wondered where Ares was and a brief
shameful and resentful part of him wondered why he would even care
what happened to the baby and him.


Hephaestus took the water away and sat back down. Joxer wondered
briefly why Acelepious wasn't there, considering he was the god of
healing but he didn't get much time to dwell on it as Hephaestus
started speaking.


"This may seem a little strange to you Joxer but you aren't in Ares
temple, or any temple as far as I can gather." He spoke softly
obviously trying to explain himself "This is..." he hesitated "A
different place, one that can only be accessed by a select few." He
looked around the walls "It changes to the wills and inspirations of
those in it, I will show you." He closed his eyes obviously
concentrating.


Joxer was too tired to argue and almost fainted as the temple around
him shimmered and changed into a dark forge. Hephaestus smiled
apologetically, "It was the first thing I could come up with, if you
try to think of somewhere you would rather be?"


Joxer was becoming more bewildered by the minute but he obeyed the
god, closed his eyes and imagined the forests surrounding his
childhood home, somewhere he had considered peaceful and safe. He
felt a slight dizzying shift and opened his eyes, staring at the lush
foliage around him. He reached out and touched a tree root feeling
its texture.


He looked at Hephaestus "Where are we? It feels like it, it even
looks and smells like it but how can it be?" He asked at a loss to
explain himself better. All he wanted was to be safe, warm and no
longer in pain. At that moment he felt exhausted, sore and deeply
troubled.


Hephaestus shrugged his shoulders "Its location I can't be sure of,
it is accessible to any god at any time and in any place but
according to mother most have lost or don't use the ability." He
sighed "I found this place once and she found me. Its extremely hard
to find if you are looking for it, for its power, you just really
fall into it. One way or another."


He looked at Joxer "Hera knew of it but had never been able to find
it before. Sheer panic and need gave her that ability." Joxer tried
to look understanding but must have failed because he sighed and
continued.


"When I was barely more then an infant, barely walking and completely
innocent and clueless, I interrupted one of Hera and Zeus fights. An
extremely vicious one, fireballs and all apparently. " He ran his
hand over his face thoughtfully "I suppose I must have wanted
something or another but somehow I got away from the person in charge
of us all, the young gods, child ones," he added as an
afterthought "Anyway, I went running in mid tirade and one of them or
both of them hit me with a pure jolt of power." He smiled
bitterly "Then I'm sure you know this part, I fell off Olympus hit
the sea I think, but all I really remember is blinding pain, and the
taste of salt. When I woke up I was where you are now and Hera was
with me, trying not to cry and trying to heal me. "


He sighed touching his scarred flesh "She couldn't do that much
unfortunately and after that they both tried to ignore me as much as
possible, they felt to guilty for what had happened."


Joxer was stunned, he'd heard the legends and half truths concerning
the god of fire and of the crafts, but had never dreamed or believed
the truth or that the god himself would tell Joxer the truth. He
wasn't sure what to say or do; normally he was the worst person to
have in this kind of experience, according to everyone else anyway.
So he settled for keeping quiet and listening, despite the pain in
his shoulder he wanted to listen to Hephaestus.


Hephaestus gestured around him "That parts too long and complicated
to go into now but remind me to talk to you about it in a few months
time," he eyed Joxers stomach thoughtfully "Or maybe less, I'm not
very good at these things but when you can drink wine we'll talk
about it. You're a good listener Joxer." He nodded at Joxers
disbelieving expression "I don't normally talk much because people
don't usually listen, they don't let me finish so I leave it and
don't try again. You're different, there's only a few others besides
you who would." He looked at Joxers shoulder "And in pain too." He
murmured thoughtfully.


He saw the look on Joxers face "Sorry I got off track, I should
really speed this up, mind you it doesn't matter that much anyway I
can't get you out of here any more then Hera could get me out. When
you're ready to leave you'll leave, all the gods do. Well I do." He
amended "I don't really talk about this place much, tends to make the
others annoyed knowing there's power out there they can't get near."


He laughed as if amused and Joxer jumped slightly "Sorry." He
apologised "The truth is both Hera and Zeus had heard of this place.
I call it the halls of imagination i think thats the closest
approximation to the real name; from what mother could tell its open
to all, though admittedly Cronus did seal it off from the mortals.
They couldn't control it and ended up starving to death or becoming
chased into insanity by their own imaginations. It was too dangerous
and no Titan or god born has yet been able to control it. Mother was
hoping I could link to it as my godhood and do that but when she
realised I couldn't change the halls to what they truly look like,
she gave up on it. According to her, only the god of imagination can
control them and we haven't got one yet, but anyone with a godhood
connected to imagination can find it if they want hard enough. Hence
why I come here and sometimes I see signs that some of the muses have
been."


Joxers minds was reeling with all the new information and was trying
to catch up. He could understand the concept, in his way of thinking
the halls were like a temple that obeyed your imagination. Mortals
went crazy so no more mortals allowed in. Most gods forgot or weren't
bothered how to, so didn't. Hephaestus got in because he was a god
and connected strongly to imagination through his nature and godhood,
Joxer was an immortal carrying a demi-god infant....so where did he
come in? Joxer was confused and worried.


"So am I going to go insane then? How did I get here? Did Ares bring
me? Did you?" he asked wanting answers.


Hephaestus shook his head hesitantly "No, he's still looking for you
I can't seem to get word to him. You brought yourself or it brought
you, I'm not sure. Athena or Hestia could probably explain this
better, maybe even Hera because I think it was because of the baby."


Joxer looked even more perplexed so he continued. "I'm not too sure
of the how or why but I knew the instant I came here. You're a god
Joxer, the baby inside you too; I could sense it straight away. The
god of what I don't know but I can feel it."


Joxers eyes widened and he tried to sit up letting out a gasp of pain
as he did. In a heartbeat Hephaestus was at his side easing him into
a comfortable position. "Lie still and listen Joxer. " he advised
sitting back slightly "The best I can tell it has something to do
with all the babies being symbols and all being connected. Both
Aphrodite and Strife were with me before I came here, they could feel
something was wrong, something bad was going to happen, and when no
one could find you they grew more panicked. Most of the others went
looking but I stayed with them to keep them safe in case it was that
which is coming."


Joxer nodded, too tired to argue or even bother trying to deny what
Hephaestus believed he was.


The god continued "They were only gone a few minutes before both
Aphrodite and Strife started feeling ill, when they fainted I called
the nearest god to help, Hestia. She told me the other goddesses had
a similar reaction but not so intense. She believed that the babies
were reacting to something that was happening to your child, the
seventh part of their group, Strife and Aphrodite presumably fainted
because their babies reaction was greater being related through blood
as well as through their symbols."


Joxer frowned not understanding it all. He understood that the babies
could possibly sense something if they were connected but he couldn't
see how his child was connected to Aphrodite's. Strifes yes but
Aphrodites?


"Strife is Ares nephew," he said slowly "And Cupid Ares son, so the
baby would be an aunt or uncle right?" he looked at the nodding
god "But Aphrodite's just his sister so if she fainted why didn't
Eris? She's his twin, so her baby is my baby's cousin I guess." He
looked at the god "Am I making any sense?"


Hephaestus laughed "Yes, you'd be amazed Joxer. I would have thought
Eris would sense it strongly too but her babys' father isn't
connected to Ares. Both Cupid and Strife are closely connected so
their baby is too and the baby of Aphrodite and I is half brother or
sister to your child." He looked at Joxer as if expecting Joxer to
know it.


Joxer looked more confused, then his mind started working. Half
brother or sister to his baby, not cousin, and Aphrodite was the
mother which meant Ares..."He's the father." He said dully looking at
Hephaestus whose face dropped quickly "He is isn't he?" he asked
again getting no answer.


Joxer laughed bitterly "Great just one more thing to add to the
collection" he spat, glaring down at himself. A thought struck him
and he looked up the Hephaestus "Wow I'm sorry I mean she's your wife
and you knew and Ares..."


"Had no choice." Hephaestus finished calmly "The fates decreed the
babies parentage, all of the infants parents in fact and I love kids"
he looked wistful "Ares came and joined us for a short time to
complete what we needed and we will raise the baby, whilst he raises
yours with you."


Joxer laughed again amazed at how bitter he sounded, amazed at how
much more he could hurt and feel betrayed "Ares and I have nothing."
He assured Hephaestus "Neither the baby or i are part of his plans
other then to defeat this great thing that's coming." He gestured
wildly wincing as his shoulder protested violently "We're nothing to
him."


Hephaestus winced and shook his head "If you were nothing he wouldn't
keep you with him Joxer, wouldn't be going half insane looking for
you, he's even resorted to begging Hercules to help find you." He
looked at the upset man "He might not show it, he might have lied to
you, he might do it again I don't know but he does care for you
Joxer, more then he lets even himself know. And you care a great deal
for him" he added softly "Not just as his follower but as a friend
and lover." He interrupted Joxer before he could retort "I may not be
a god or goddess of love but you pick a few things up around them,
and I know Ares. Trust me."


"Whatever." Joxer was too tired to argue he just wanted the nightmare
to be over. Then again if it were he supposed he wouldn't have his
baby, wouldn't be able to have it. The god part didn't matter; it was
the baby that counted.


"It's connected to this place"


Joxer looked at Hephaestus blankly and the god continued "The baby I
mean, it must be that's why you came here. I'd guess that it pulled
power from the others to activate itself and used their godhoods to
find its own, creating you as one at the same time." He smiled
slightly "Welcome to the family Joxer,"


Joxer stared at him and nodded, a little bit of tension easing off
him. He wasn't too sure what was happening or why or what would
happen between himself, Ares and the baby. He had more doubts then
ever before but hearing those three words made him feel better then
he ever had, he finally had a home to go to, and he was ready to go
there.


He held out his uninjured arm and Hephaestus helped him up,
supporting the exhausted and pain wracked god. He saw the walls
flicker and glow turquoise as Hephaestus flashed them back to
Olympus, back to Joxers new home.



Title: Bitter Sweet 6/10
Author: Wildannuette
Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com
Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17
Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of (can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap, Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP
Archive: None so far
Notes: My first Xena/Herc fanfic so please tell me if you like it/hate it etc
Help: I'm really bad a writing how people speak and I had a lot of problems with Strife so If anyone could help I'd appreciate it ;)

Joxer scratched moodily at the thin gold bracelet around his wrist. It didn't do much good, the bracelet had no visible clasp and only Hephaestus or Ares could remove it. He sighed, the fire god whom he'd come to know, as friend had been very apologetic but firm when he snapped it around Joxers wrist. Joxer was just glad he wasn't the only one who had to wear one, Strife also wore the same bracelet around his wrist and was also sitting moodily picking at it across from him.

The two sat in comfortable silence both working their mind through things. Joxer could tell just by looking at Strife that he was still trying to come to terms with things that had happened in his past and things that happened leading up to his death. He was glad in a way that Strife enjoyed spending time with him, especially as he was still a bit wary of some of the other Gods and Goddesses, especially his Aphrodite and Ares.

Joxer was glad Strife seemed to be doing better, he'd worried about the young God on several occasions when certain things would set him off, a certain phrase, a heated argument, his morning sickness. He smiled slightly, he seemed to be the only pregnant person unaffected by sickness, or sore breasts, or an extreme need to urinate….or so the others told him. All Joxer got was extremely tired and an extremely short temper that he thoroughly enjoyed taking out on Ares.

Feeling a slight tugging on his trouser leg Joxer reached down to scoop up the blonde headed cherub who'd been playing at his feet and settled his on his lap. Bliss leant back against Joxers chest silently checking him over before giving him a hug and taking to the air to repeat the procedure on Strife. Joxer guessed the little god was picking up on the varying happy/unhappy emotions emanating from the two and he smiled.

"Think your baby will have wings?" he asked Strife who looked momentarily startled and then smiled settling Bliss on his lap.

"Maybe, maybe not." Strife grinned "I reckon so," he ran his hand over his slightly protuding belly "Apollo thinks me and Cupes bun is growing faster then normal, he says all of them are and now he can find the sex out…" he shuddered "At first I told him not to tell me nothing and I wanted the surprise, considering Dites rounding everyone up who's havin a girl and talking pink I thought it might buy me some time," he grinned "Though we now know for a fact bliss is …" he glanced quickly down "Havin a brother. Cupe was thrilled." He ran a hand over his stomach and pulled Bliss in closer so he was almost sprawled over his bump "Reckon the kids got wings though, almost certain but you didn't hear me say that." He smiled the happiness showing in his eyes "Baby kinda tickles and itches when it moves a certain way an Psyche told me how it was for her."

Joxer nodded "A boy? That's great Strife." The smile on his face was one hundred percent thrilled. He ran his hand over his own still flat belly "Hera looked me over, both Apollo and Acelepious were busy with their own babies at the time, she told me what the baby was but she seems to be a little slower then all of yours in waking up. " He shrugged "It's nothing to worry about, her god hoods activated though Hera can't pinpoint it yet and she seems to enjoy dreaming a lot according to Morpheous." He smirked slightly "Guess she wants me to sleep when she does and that's why I'm so tired."

Strife grinned "A girl? I'm getting a new cousin and Cupids getting a new sis and Bliss…" he grinned "You told him yet?" he asked as the thought crossed his mind.

Joxer shook his head "He's not interested Strife, at first I thought it was just me, you know when…" he blushed deeply.

"Ya nearly destroyed his temple, and half the other's when you finally saw him." Strife grinned "You were on a rip Jox"

Joxer blushed deeper "I think only the fact I was pregnant, severely pissed and trying to take it out on Ares stopped everyone getting too mad, especially when I stampeded his hide out at Demeters, dragged him back and started screaming at him."

Strife grinned "You got a temper Joxer, never thought I'd see it proper but being that the baby's got you upside down all over, and Ares had done ya wrong." He laughed "Everyone stayed outta your way for a while and even mom was a bit scared to go near you."

His smile faded slightly at the thought of Eris but his smile reappeared slight as Joxer leant forward "We're gettin on better now, she told me she always blamed herself for my dad and it made her angry having a great son…" he grinned at the memory "She was proud of me when she told me that, she had a great son he wasn't interested in. Turned out it wasn't that he wasn't interested just didn't want ta upset the family balance and cause more problems, didn't occur to him it could help disputes on both sides of the family. She speaks to him now and we meet up all civil like, but he ain't my dad and I can't forgive him for what he did, but she's happier now, more stable." He laughed slightly "She never was a hundred percent there and she never will be but with Ace helping her along she's calmer, he has that effect on her and I know he likes her even when she's in bitch mode. She might scare him but I've seen him go to her when she's on a rip and calm her down. He walks a bit funny for a few days but he still has that `just been done' grin on his face."

He lowered his voice slightly "It's strange the way things have worked out for us. Both of them found out the baby's godhood a while back an that set her off. Turns out the kids gonna be the goddess of guilt, that really set her off made her think she was being punished for everthin, but Ace pointed out Guilt can be good for people and not just a punishment. It can make ya think about things and change them and change is always good, sides a few days later she found out the kid had a dual godhood, of both side of the Dinah, with guilt and forgiveness."

Strife stood up and moved Bliss over to the bundle of pillows and blankets on the floor setting the sleeping toddler gently down. "This whole things got everyone thinking differently, when I came back and me and Cupe picked up where we should have been if Psyche hadn't come along, I was glad I was gonna be knocked up cos one way or another I'd always have him." He sat back down smiling "Turns out he was feelin guilty cos he wanted to do the same thing to keep us together." He smiled at the memory.

Joxer nodded "I didn't know much about Psyche except what Hercules had said but I always figured it sounded a little strange. Not bad but strange, you two go together a lot better."

Strife nodded "Psyches not bad or nothing and she's been helping me with the mind trips I've been having since being back, which is kind nice considering how much I hated her before and I'm raising Bliss with Cupe. I always hated her, she got what I wanted before I got the chance, an when she left him I hated her more for hurting him. I forgot you guys, mortals rather, they don't have as long to think things through so they make too quick decisions, I forgot she was just a baby in God terms. She loves Bliss but she needs to be by herself, now she's got eternity she wants to enjoy her time rather then get shackled as soon as possible. Besides she and Cupe still get on well and Bliss knows she loves him, so it's not hard. Some of the others gave her a hard time but they gotta remember in our terms she's not much older then Bliss. Ares is probably worried you will do the same. Since Cupe and me's generation they decided to stop us kids going out of Olympus till we were old enough to understand what we were doing, after everything that happened …. they slapped these on us to stop us leaving." He held up his wrist "Cupe forgot to put one on Bliss once and that's when he first got out and hit you guys with tha arrows."

Joxer blushed "I try not to remember that, I guess a bunch of toddler gods and goddesses throwing tantrums would cause problems, but the mischief would give you a nice boost." He smiled

Strife smirked "It's a shame but I can see why, when I was born me and Cupe hung out all the time, he'd been stuck as a kid for a century and he was glad of the company. When Dite had Anteros he was so jealous he didn't want to grow up, he wanted to stay tha baby." He laughed "He tried everything from selling Anteros to Zeus to sending him down to Earth to stay that way." He paused "Only Anteros learned how to move himself when he got to Bliss's size an went off on his own," he looked down at his hand "Me an Cupe were glad at first cos Cupe was happy bein the baby again and I was happy when he was. Only problem was me an Cupe didn't realise Anteros couldn't move back cos he was too little. Cupe taught me but no one taught Ter. When everyone got upset we realised we had to go get him, cos no one else could find him, and when we found him this thing was trying to….it was hurting him bad Joxer. He was screaming and crying and nothin me and Cupe did could stop it so we called for Ares an he came an I swear to all us gods Jox I don't know how he did it but he got that thing off Ter and Zeus came and took the thing away. Then Ares took us all back up. He didn't even shout at us or nothing he was so scared an Apollo and everyone were trying to help Ter and they managed to get him back but Cupe and me were so scared for him. It took a year for him to get back ta normal."

He looked at Joxers wide eyes "I'm not tryin to scare you that doesn't happen now cos of the bracelets, that's why tha babies wear them and why we wear them cos tha babies can sometimes affect us." He rubbed his bracelet "Still feels binding I know but its for tha best. Anyway Ter ya haven't met yet, he's always out an about an he stays with Nemesis a lot, that way he can spend time with Evander, since he's the only one she'll let him see, he's working on it but so far no luck. Side's their paths cross a lot." He smirked "Anyway when ya see him you'll know him. He's the reason Cupe grew up, we know the mortals think its cos cupe was lonely but me and Cupe had each other it was when Anteros got hurt an we couldn't help he grew up, double fast so he could protect him, I had ta struggle too catch up."

Joxer nodded "I get the bracelets, Hephaestus tried to explain but Ares pulled me away before I understood." He looked at Strife "I don't understand what it has to do with Psyche though.

Strife grinned "That's cos ya still in mortal mode Jox, ya gotta slow down, we're off out duties for now cos of the creep that attacked you so take it easy wait for the story and don't skip to the end."

Joxer flushed, from anyone else it would have sounded condescending but he had an understanding with Strife. He often wondered why no one had taken time to speak to Strife before his death, with the exception of Cupid and Anteros. He found while Strife could be completely crazy and one of the few people he knew that could have a giggling fit for no reason, he knew he could be strangely insightful. He found it strange that Gods he would have thought to shy from he bonded with, Strife, Hephaestus, and Athena he had a real connection with. He got on well with the gods he'd met so far.

Ares he was starting to fall for now he'd let him back into his bed despite the heartache he knew he was in for considering his lack of interest in the baby. Aphrodite was flighty and fun and was the kind of person you loved or hated but she had a really compassionate side to her too, and a slightly scary vengeful side which Joxer strangely enough felt soothed by. Zeus he'd barely seen but he seemed all right, Hera seemed to have a few manic moments reminiscent of Strife and Ares but on the whole she was very understanding and firm. The others he either liked or didn't know well enough not to yet and was still wary of.

He looked at Strife and blushed at the Gods amused smile "You was thinking about Ares again wasn't ya?" Strife grinned "I can tell." He sat back in his chair. "He's complicated, more than some of them think. He ain't the drunken, whorin bloodthirsty image the mortals have but he's got defences all around him. Some from his Godhood and others he's made. The thing with Dite, its not a big issue with us, hasn't been for a while but it'll take time fa you to adjust but letting him back in was good, means ya knocked down some of the defences."

Joxer sighed "I thought it might look like I was being I don't know, an idiot for forgiving him and I hate beating him up over it, it just hurts." He sighed "I know why and how but my…something just stops me from believing it. Ares won't talk about it ever, he just brushes it aside, and it's like we started anew as lovers again. But when I see the way he cares for Cupid, you, Demios and Phobos…" he blushed deeply, unhappily "I just get angry and Jealous. I know it's stupid and immature and I hate myself for it but he sees our baby as nothing. He isn't interested, not when Hera comes of when I sensed the baby or anything, he doesn't even know she's a girl." He murmured unhappily.

With a thought Strife changed Joxers chair to a sofa and moved next to him "I know Ares an I know he is, he just needs time. Having a kid foisted on him was not how he wanted to do this, Unc believes you should only have kids if you want them, especially after all of his mistakes and seeing Zeus's in his face."

Joxer nodded "It's just odd the way he ignores it but then when I trained with Athena…" he shook his head at Strifes displeased look "Not serious, Acelepious allowed us to do some stuff, exercises and that, he said it was good for preparing our bodies, but Ares gave me the strangest look, it was like he cared for me but not the baby from his disinterest but his look said he was unhappy and disappointed in me for putting her at risk."

Strife grinned "That's Ares, he might not say it but ya can see it. He does care Jox an when you tell him the baby's a girl he'll show it." He grinned again "When she decides to show her godhood that'll be the clincher. I mean he's war and your innocents, what combination could you two make."

Joxer smiled "She had her godhood before me remember." He reminded him softly "She gave me mine. Ares was pleased, it ties my work with his and yours and Aphrodite's. I've just got to get over this worry about him and her. I've seen how much she and Hephaestus love each other, I just…" he paused and Strife sighed.

"Okay I'm only gonna tell ya this cos it'll help, we all know but no one talks about it so ya gotta promise not to either kay?" At Joxers nod he continued "Dite had kids with other Gods before she got with Hephaestus and she an Ares always had a thing. They thought it was love but realised a bit late it was just the other kind of love. Dite had been promised to Hephaestus by Zeus an she was scared, Hephaestus was always a shy kid who kept to himself an Dite was mainly with Ares. So one night after tha promise thing they got drunk on Dionysus's wine an ended up in bed, an Hephaestus caught them and froze them in this thing he made. Not too sure what happened but Zeus ended up coming and they all split. Then Dite realised she was havin Cupe but she knew she wasn't in love with Ares so she was gonna have him alone. Hephaestus was in love with Dite so he still wanted to marry her. They got married an had Cupe and Hephaestus helped raise him and Dite fell in love with him. By the time I came along the three were thick in it together and Ares was helping them have the kids they wanted cos Hephaestus couldn't. I know he offered to give Hephaestus one cos he could still carry but they decided they had enough."

He looked at Joxer who was looking slightly stunned "He got burned bad in that cos Dite was just as close to him as mom was an when she had Cupe he was all alone, he didn't think bad of Hephaestus but it was hard not ta want what he and Dite had. Mom gave him ta me after a while but kids grow up…" he shrugged "Now he's got you and ya gotta convince him your for keeps."

Joxer nodded "I didn't really think about that" he murmured, he turned to look at Strife and jumped as his friend gave a sharp cry clutching at his belly. Joxer called for Ares, Cupid, and Apollo, everyone he could think of as he watched his friend writhe in agony, his eyes going blank until he finally collapsed.

Several bright flashes entered his vision and he found himself being roughly pulled off Strife by a worried love god who held him in his arms, to top it all off Bliss woke up and seeing his daddy cradling his other daddy looking very worried and angry, he began to cry. Cupid glared at Joxer as if he had something to do with it and Apollo knelt down next to them. He paused for a moment and in a flash Acelepious appeared rushing to Strifes side.

Joxer couldn't see what was going on but they seemed very worried and Cupid was shooting him angry glares as he picked up the sobbing Godling who was trying to get in and see his daddies. He looked up feeling a reassuring touch to his shoulder and saw Ares looking a mixture of emotions, angry, worried and reassuring. He leaned into the touch as Ares knelt down next to them shoot his son a glare of his own and wrapped his arm around Joxer and Bliss.

After a few minutes Joxer heard Strife complaining to be allowed back up and he breathed a sigh of relief. Cupid's glares had abated now but he still shot Apollo one as he tried to pick Strife up. He picked Strife up himself and laid him on the sofa, making it clear to everyone that Strife was his. Apollo sighed "Don't give me those looks Cupid, Ares was using them long before you and they didn't effect me then He nodded to Acelepious who flashed out. Joxer gaped as he looked at Strife almost missing Ares own indrawn breath. Surprisingly enough he looked much healthier, almost glowing with life and power, the thing that shocked them was his once slightly protruding abdomen had grown to well over double the size. He looked like he was nearing the end of his pregnancy rather then just entering the second trimester.

Cupid ran a hand possessively over Strife stomach worriedly murmuring to him, it looked like Strife was having to reassure him it was all right. Bliss had stopped crying and was staring open mouthed at Strifes bump he wriggled and Joxer let him go. In a quick burst he flew over to his daddies and settled between them hugging the bump and being comforted by Strife and Cupid.

Apollo turned to Ares looking tense "Power bursts, one of the larger pantheons must be under attack. Strife got an extremely large burst of energy from their departed God of mischief and it overloaded him, we had to split it between him and the baby, you can see the effect it had on the baby."

Joxer glanced at the happy family behind him, Bliss was engrossed in the bump but Strife gave a wave and Cupid shot him an apologetic look before going back to his lover and son. Joxer smiled slightly but the smile faded at Apollo's grim look "You'd better get back to Ares temple Joxer I'm going to have to warn all the other expectant Goddesses, the power burst could only have come from a large pantheon which means most if not all of us will be affected. Acelepious and myself will go to Hera and set up a system so if it occurs to anyone else who's pregnant we can channel the energy for them. Those that aren't should be alright in a day or two and we'll have to keep an eye on the children." He looked at Ares "This means it's getting closer."

Ares nodded his face set, his body tense "Eris is off active duty but I'll pull everyone else on this side back to be ready, I'll speak to Zeus first." He wrapped his arms around Joxer and sent a message across. Apollo nodded and flashed out. Joxer felt the familiar pull surround him as he appeared in Ares home. Ares sighed looking extremely worried "Eris is coming here in a minute but if you scream for me I'll come. " He seemed torn between leaving of not but as he sensed his twin coming he nodded to Joxer and flashed out a thousand things trying to panic his mind. He hated leaving his extremely vulnerable partner but he knew that the massive power bursts were a sign of what was to come. He knew Eris and Joxer would be safe together and he and Acelepious would look in on them but for now he had to focus on doing his job, the job of his godhood and job of fatherhood- he had to protect his children.

Joxer stared at the empty spot where Ares had stood, he had never felt lonelier in his life, and despite knowing Ares had to do what he was doing he couldn't help picturing the happy family in Cupids temple and wishing that could have been Ares and himself.



Title: Bitter Sweet 7a/10
Author: Wildannuette
Email: Stormwing_2k@y...
Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17
Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of (can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap, Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP
Archive: None so far
Notes: There's a twist at the end so if it isn't blatant-whoops ;(
Help: I'm really bad a writing how people speak and I had a lot of problems with Strife so If anyone could help I'd appreciate it ;)

Part 7a:

Ares stared at his sister and lover as he entered the room. The two didn't even seem to notice him at first they were so engrossed in each other. Eris had obviously suffered a power boost. She was all but glowing and almost bouncing off the walls, her stomach had doubled in size and her clothes were straining over the bump. It took a second for Ares to realise exactly why his sister wasn't trying to ease off the excess energy, why she hadn't changed her clothes and why she held Joxers head in her lap. Then he looked at his lover.

In an instant he was at his side holding the clenched fists as Joxer tried to keep himself still. Ares felt panic rising within him and he called for his mother, Apollo and Acelepious at once.

Joxers face was bone white and he had his eyes clenched shut. He was obviously trying to block out the pain he was feeling from the energy backlashes. Ares had assumed his new godhood would protect him from them, even Bliss, the youngest of the Gods had no trouble. He'd assumed trouble would come if and when a god and goddess of Joxers Godhood ceased to exist. His lovers body showed him how wrong he'd been.

Joxer was sweating though as Ares touched him all he could feel was coldness. He glanced up at his twin and was struck by her look of fear and worry; he'd only ever seen that fear once, when Strife could not be found in Tartarus to be brought back.

As Joxers twitches changed into full blown shakes and body contortions, Ares screamed again trying to hold his lover down. Neither he nor Eris could comfort Joxer as his body started to shake of its own accord.

**

Agony. Joxer was in pure agony. From the bottom of his shoes to the top of his head the pain had struck. At first he'd thrown off the momentary twinges but they'd grown stronger after Eris's power burst. As the Goddess had tried to hold her pain and transfer the energy with her lovers' help, so had he. He'd pushed the feeling aside and concentrated on helping the exhausted Goddess. He couldn't transfer energy or work with Acelepious but he'd held her firmly, despite the pure death look he'd received until her shaking had subsided.

Despite her hard exterior his baby's future aunt didn't seem too bad, although she had threatened to hurt him severely once the baby was born if he told anyone she'd screamed. Still Joxer could understand her a little better especially when he felt the sheer Tartarus she'd gone through. The first proper pain had started after Acelepious left saying `Aphrodite needed him'.

That's when he stopped hiding them and started trying not to scream himself. He couldn't feel anything except a deep furious burning from within him, his body moved on it own accord as if he'd sat on one of Zeus's many thunderbolts. He barely realised the arms holding him were Ares's, he couldn't hear his lovers' words, or those of the others surrounding him. He tried to scream the pain burning to the backs of his eyes but all that escaped his throat was a harsh choking sound. He tried desperately to do something, anything to remove the power and protect the baby. His fear grew as his body started to feel numb and weightless and as he tried to scream the name of the man he loved, he felt a slight pulsating within him before, for a second time in his lifetime, the world faded to a bright turquoise.

*******

Ares stared blankly at the empty spot in his arms, feeling the loss of the weight within them. It took a second for what had happened to register and he screamed out his anger and pain, punching the floor with all his might. He gripped at the marble tiles digging his fingers in deeply, causing blood to drip onto the floor as he clawed.

He clawed at the floor as if Joxer and his child had slipped into it and could simply be dug up. He threw off his mothers soothing embrace to grip his sister tightly, something he hadn't done in well over three centuries. As the baby within her kicked in protest at his grip it truly hit him, what he had lost. The man he'd slowly been falling in love with despite knowing Joxer could never truly loved him back, that he would bore of a lover and his child once the novelty wore off and he realised what eternity truly meant, when he realised mortal problems were behind him. And the child he'd tried to ignore believing that it would only drive them apart or worse still, make it care for it and then be taken away.

He couldn't listen to the babbling around him, the hands trying to pull him around and talk to him. All he cared for, all he knew he wanted and needed was lost to him, and he wanted it back. In the instant peak of his rage Ares vowed to spend the rest of his godly life searching for Joxer and his child, in that instant he felt the strongest flush run through him and a sharp pull before he too disappeared in a flash of turquoise light, leaving an extremely hysterical goddess, her equally hysterically mother and two very worried Gods behind.

*****

Joxer didn't want to open his eyes. He was afraid the dream would end and the pain would come back in full force. He didn't want to consider whether he was dead or alive. He felt free, almost to the point of floating. He felt the arm encircle him and he leant back into it, nuzzling in and pulling it around his abdomen so they could share the first flutterings of the child within him, he couldn't make sense of the murmuring around him. He could honestly admit that the only feeling that came lose to the euphoria he felt was post sex snuggling with Ares.

He leaned back into the touch, and then his brain kicked in causing him to still. "I thought I'd lost you, both of you." The voice repeated, a strange catch to it. Joxer didn't have to listen to know whom the voice belonged to. He'd sensed it as he floated; he opened eyes slowly, blinking as the blue light faded and stared up at Ares, God of War. Who looked like he'd been to Tartarus and back. His fingers were bloody, his face stark white, he even had suspiciously shiny eyes though Joxer didn't focus on it.

Joxer tried with difficulty to lever himself up, his body felt vibrant but his balance was slightly off. He felt Ares pull him into his embrace and felt momentary confusion and worry, which soon dissipated as Ares rested his hand on the slightly more distended belly of Joxer. Joxer felt the strange movements within him as the baby nuzzled against her fathers' hand. They didn't need any words; Joxer could almost feel them coming from his lover as they shared the closeness. "It's a girl Ares, we're having a daughter." He murmured leaning back against him. Questions could wait. He didn't want to know what had happened or how Ares had saved them; he just wanted to enjoy the moment.

"I know." Joxer turned his head slightly at the answer looking extremely perplexed. "She linked to me, the same way Strifes child linked to Cupid. She linked us together; she trusts me." Ares murmured holding Joxer closer to him "I guess she trusts who her father trusts." He said simply looking at Joxer.

Joxer felt a flush run through him but he couldn't stop the words as they came out "She loves who her father loves." He corrected and then blushed deeply, almost miserably "Whether it's a good idea or not." He expected Ares to pull away but he felt his lover turning him around. Their faces only centimetres apart Ares answered "I guess then she loves who both her parents love." He murmured kissing Joxer softly.

Joxer didn't bother responding with words, despite his slight reluctance to believe his mind was too busy doing a happy dance while his body responded by wanting to get horizontal…. Or vertical…or anything which involved him and Ares. He kissed Ares back with enthusiasm almost knocking the god backwards.

Ares caught Joxer firmly about the waist making sure his stomach didn't smash into anything and smiled "We should get back before all of Olympus descends down here." He looked around, "Not that I'm sure where here is."

Joxer grinned puppy like as he scrambled up leaving the bemused god sitting on the ground. He stared around at the lush forest scene. Something about it was nagging familiar at him. Ignoring Ares for a moment Joxer moved up to a fallen log watching the line of ants marching beneath it. An ache entered his body starting from his heart and moving downwards as he closed his eyes realising why the place felt and appeared familiar. He thought about the next place he felt safe and opened his eyes, the walls of the temple laughed almost mockingly back at him and he swallowed hard trying not to show his pain as he turned to Ares.

"I've been here before, we're in the halls of imagination. They show you the safest places and your deepest desires." he said steadily looking Ares up and down.

Part 7b:

Ares stared at him so blankly that Joxer was inclined to shake the figment of his imagination. He sighed feeling a deep ache swelling up inside him, it was all he could do to hold figment-Ares gaze, the disappointment was almost unbearable. The sad reason that it was slightly bearable was that Joxer had never truly believed in his wildest dreams, that Ares would come to love him. Obviously he'd hoped and imagined, but never believed his dreams would turn true. Joxer believed deep down he wasn't a great catch or any kind of catch really given his past romances but he thought the War God could at least become fond of him and want to keep him around.

He bit his lip, knowing Ares did care for him didn't change the fact he would never fall in love with him, he could never become that fond of him or their child. Figment-Ares was still looking extremely confused.

Joxer sighed "This place…" he hesitated "It knows what you want, what you want more then anything- even if you don't truly know it yourself. I never believed Ares could love me, so the halls created something of him for me I suppose." He frowned slightly trying to put the pieces together "This is where I came once before when something tried to attack us." He explained carefully "The baby must be linked to this place because my Godhood has nothing to do with it really."

Figment Ares seemed to be varying for confused to thoughtful, back to confused again. He reached out to touch Joxer but the man backed away. "Umm sorry don't mean to offend but it's a little too hard when you look like him." Joxer explained "Can't you pick another desire of mine and turn into that." He rubbed his stomach slightly "Like maybe a bathroom?"

Ares could see the hurt in Joxers eyes as he moved to touch him and he drew back as Joxer did. At first he couldn't keep up with what Joxer was saying, then he'd been a little annoyed, then deeply amused, and then very happy. He knew who he was whether Joxer believed it or not, all he had to do was convince him. He guessed flashing them back to Olympus would work but something seemed to be blocking him. He felt a small swell of relief and smugness within him. Joxer obviously was really in love with him if he believed Ares was his dream come true.

Then a nasty thought struck him as he thought about what his lover had said, and he looked around him. If he was indeed in the halls of imagination then who was to say he was the figment. What if his need and grief had driven them to seek him out and create this fantasy world with his lover and child in it, to placate the deep rage he had felt.

Ares didn't like where his imagination was leading him. Maybe you're the figment Joxer," he spoke quietly "Maybe they made you to try to satisfy my anger." He looked into Joxers eyes "Maybe you're a figment of my imagination." He murmured as the unwilling reality started to step in.

Joxer looked dumbfounded, it was one thing for his imagination to make believe a loving Ares but it was another to make it paranoid. He wasn't sure what his twisted mind was coming up with- it was laughingly warped.

Both Gods sensed the arrival of another as they held each other's gaze. Both knew the god to not be a figment of the halls because they could sense him enter it, but it was another to actually see him enter in a swirl of red.

Hephaestus stared at both gods as he appeared. The relief he felt radiated off him and he started forward to tell them of it, he only paused when he noticed the tension between the two. Both Joxer and Ares's confusion and stubbornness were apparent as the two gods faced each in an apparently tense standoff. Hephaestus raised an eyebrow looking from one to the other "Something tells me this isn't the happy reunion I thought it would be," he murmured "Well I'm glad you're both alright."

Joxer looked confused "Something's…I'm confused." He looked at Ares. So he didn't believe that Ares loved him and this was like a dream come true. If he thought about it was possible that the halls had made him an Ares who did love him, but a paranoid Ares? Joxer didn't believe that, he'd never thought nor imagined that Ares would have any doubt, any real worries. He was a God and Gods never showed that kind of weakness. He paused in his thought, except he was a God and he showed it. He was a lot younger then Ares, that was true and he didn't know the Gods, the real Gods that well. He's based his imaginings on hearsay and gossip, and he knew that to often be wrong. He'd got Cupid and Strife wrong, he'd never imagined them to be a couple and yet they were a good couple at that. So maybe Ares did feel doubt, maybe he had wanted Joxer and the baby as much as Joxer wanted him. Maybe it wasn't love but it was close enough.

He smiled, if he'd not thought of this till now then the Ares across from him, the Ares who'd cared for him back was standing across from him, looking decidedly suspicious. He smiled and looked at Hephaestus. "This place had me a little confused, it's hard to tell what's real and what's what you want." He stepped closer to Ares "Who's real, and who you want." He corrected.

Hephaestus sighed "Without a God to control it the halls have a mind of there own hence why." he broke off and looked at Ares who still looked suspicious, as comprehension dawned on him he smiled. He knew Ares too well, a simple `this is Joxer' wouldn't do, he had to have proof. He thought for a moment, flashing Joxer away wouldn't work, Ares would just become convinced he was living his fantasy and wallow in self-pity within the halls. He knew of one method but it was risky. Carefully he weighed up the chances. If things went horribly wrong he could flash Joxer away before he was hurt, but knowing his brother he doubted things would go wrong. Ares was War, and part of that meant he was good at weighing things up and making decisions. Hephaestus took a chance and stepped closer to his brother gesturing to Joxer to come forward.

"I know you're unsure Ares, so if you really believe this isn't Joxer then get rid of him." He smiled at both of their startled expressions "Think about it, you can't hurt an illusion can you?" he said innocently, stepping back so Joxer stood directly in front of Ares.

Joxer had a moment of mental panic at the thought of being `gotton rid of' but he quashed it and focussed firmly on his love. Now he knew that things were real and he could be hurt his fear told him to leave The rest of him screamed at him to stay and take a chance, he looked into his lovers eyes "Its your choice." He murmured.

Ares looked into Joxers eyes feeling a multitude of emotions, part of him wanted to rip apart the fake Joxer and scream rage at the loss of his lover and unborn child the part of him that believed Joxer would never love him or endanger his child. As he formed the fireball, the other part of him began working overtime, screaming at him that his lover would never run from him like this, that it wasn't who Joxer was. His lover didn't have the co-ordination or build of a warrior, but he had a warriors heart, and would never run away from a direct confrontation; *unless severely pissed off* he amended mentally. He couldn't take the chance, he wanted what was before him, he needed his lover and child and he refused to believe that he was so cursed, not to experience what was before him.

Slowly Ares dissipated the fireball, he felt rather then heard the collective sighs around him from Hephaestus and Joxer, and even the halls themselves seemed to join them. In a swift move he pulled Joxer too him and kissed him, he deepened the kiss as Joxer responded.

Hephaestus sighed and thought up a chair to rest himself on. He was extremely relieved that's things hadn't gone wrong. He heard his wife's mental summons and smiled, the boost she had received had been immense enough to carry her to the last trimester and she was feeling more then a little in need of releasing her pent up energy. He grinned at the two in front of him, obviously she wasn't the only one. He coughed as the two began trying to have sex with their clothes on, much as he wouldn't have minded watching it, it was a private moment and Aphrodite needed him. He smirked as the two turned to him, Ares in annoyance, Joxer bright red with embarrassment and flashed back to his naked-and-waiting wife.

Joxer blushed deeper and looked around him "Bedroom?" he asked hopefully, there was a lot they needed to say and speak about but it wasn't the time, all he wanted now was Ares and from the feel of things, it was mutual. He blushed deeper at his husbands' smirk as they flashed back to their temple, Ares thoughtfully removing their clothes on the way.

The halls grew silent and slowly changed back to their natural state as the soon to be Goddess of imagination left with her daddies.




Title: Bitter Sweet 8a/10

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@y...

Rating: NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it

Warning: Mpreg, slash, mentions of het

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: Ummm Wonderful World of Makebelieve and AresJoxerCupidStrife

Notes: Wasn't meant to be in two parts anymore but computer playing
up cos of a virus so only had time to write this. Plus Kerensa's
kindly offered to look over the next part which has much Strife-speak
in (Of which I suck) so hence why in two. Thanks again Kerensa!


Part 8a:

Joxer mentally thanked every deity he knew for Ares impatience,
taking off clothes was part of the fun but when the clothes came
off….the sweaty sex could start.

The two reappeared on the bed in a tangle of limbs. Ares hurriedly
flipped Joxer on top so they didn't squash the baby, something his
lover fully appreciated given the gleam in his eyes and the way he
claimed Ares lips. Ares couldn't help but moan at his lovers'
forwardness but he batted Joxers hands gently aside as he reached for
Ares cock. "Wait you turn." Ares murmured huskily enjoying the moment
of surprise in his lovers' eyes and the blush that covered his face.

Ares sat up slightly settling Joxer across his lap, enjoying the
other mans wriggles as impatience took over. His own cock was already
hard and wanting to pound into Joxer but he wanted take it slower, to
please Joxer. Mentally extending the bed all around he levered Joxer
downward onto his back and began kissing him gently. Joxer responded
enthusiastically, still trying to grope Ares every time he got the
chance. Ares grinned a wicked gleam coming to his eyes as he opened
them and stopped kissing Joxer long enough to murmur "You wouldn't
want me to tie you down would you?"

He felt slight surprise and a great stirring in his cock, as Joxer
appeared to consider it, blushing deeply as he did. Ares took
advantage of the moment and lay over of Joxer, making sure he didn't
lie directly on him. He began nipping Joxers earlobe enjoying the
soft moan it elicited, and slowly moved downwards to kiss his neck
softly, teasing it gently with the tip of his tongue. He kept his
eyes on Joxers face suppressing a smile as he lover moaned softly,
closing his eyes as he did. He moved downward to flick his tongue
across Joxers collar bone, he smirked again as he felt his lovers
cock twitching against his stomach, and moved slightly upwards so the
only part of him touching Joxer was his tongue. He almost laughed at
Joxers frustrated groan, and moved downwards across one nipple to the
other.

Joxer was all but mewing as Ares licked and nipped at his overly
sensitive nipples, it wasn't quite pain but it was almost there, it
felt too good to be stopped and he sighed in disappointment as Ares
moved on licking down his belly and blowing gently into his navel.

Ares grinned. He'd barely touched Joxer but his clenched fists and
closed eyes showed that the man was enjoying himself. He blew again
into Joxers belly button and slowly with an extremely light touch,
ran two fingers down his ribs to his rounded belly. He grinned again
as Joxer took in a deep breath, his body slightly arching off the
bed. He kissed the small round bulge of their baby as he repeated the
finger strokes knowing that she was the cause for Joxers sensitivity.
For a brief moment he regretted not seeing it before but the moment
passed and he resolved to make up for it in bulk.

He trailed his fingertips over Joxers hips, taking the time to admire
the other mans beauty. He wasn't sure why he hadn't seen it long
before, taken the time…He shook himself mentally and with a wicked
grin, moved down lower, running his fingers gently over Joxers hips
and, avoiding his cock completely, along the top of his legs and up
in between them.

Joxer moaned in frustration, not wanting the sensations to stop but
desperately wanting to touch Ares and have him touch him properly.
The thrust his hips up very slightly and tried to pout but Ares only
grinned and traced the path his fingers had took with his tongue.
Ares could feel Joxers frustration but he knew it would be worth it.
Softy he flicked his tongue over the end of Joxers penis, feeling his
own cock pulsing at his lovers' cry. Softly he traced his tongue up
and down Joxers penis, from top to bottom and the around the end. He
blew gently on the tip before taking Joxers cock into his mouth.

Joxer mentally screamed `finally' as he felt Ares mouth descending,
not realising he scared half the pantheon almost into an early grave.
He tried hard not to thrust in frustration as Ares took his time
taking him in and drawing him out. Ares smirked around Joxers cock,
having heard his mental cry; carefully his hands massaged Joxers
balls, not enough to take him to orgasm but enough to take him to the
edge. Ares smirked again, now came the truly evil part. Ignoring
Joxers frustrated groan and his hands slamming into the bed, Ares
slowly let go of his cock. Using a small amount of godly power and
his hands he rolled Joxer over on to his back, ignoring the softly
muttered threats.

Swiftly he moved up Joxers body, straddling his back, and licked the
back of Joxers ear, ignoring the more colourful mental threats.
Slowly he teased his hands down Joxers body massaging his shoulders
and back.

Courtesy of the babys link between them he could feel Joxers growing
frustration and knew of the slight stinging pleasure that came
whenever his sensitive nipples and cock brushed the bedspread, hence
why he continued the massage allowing Joxer to wriggle beneath him.

Joxers responses and threats were getting the war god more and more
turned on and he wasn't sure how much longer he could continue
teasing his lover. His hands softly began massaging Joxers buttocks,
becoming firmer as Joxer wriggled. Joxer was trying subtly to lever
himself up, which gave Ares not only a nice view but also an
incentive to get onto the sex. Pulling back a bit Ares licked up the
inside of Joxers legs, one at a time, before tracing the outline and
crack of his buttocks with his tongue. Parting Joxers cheeks He
slowly traced his tongue down to rest on Joxers opening. At Joxers
sharp intake of breath he licked gently at it, tracing around and
over as he lover wriggled beneath him.

Had Joxer realised how, he would have tried to lube himself up ready
and willing for Ares, Ares was glad his lover was wearing the power
restricting bracelet. With a thought he coated his fingers and cock,
and briefly drawing back from Joxer, slowly worked his finger in. He
was slightly surprised when his frustrated lover made a complex
manoeuvre of wriggles to force Ares finger in further.

Ares ginned and slowly moved his finger in and out, rotating it
around a little as he prepared Joxer. As Joxers moans increased and
his body relaxed, Ares added another finger working them together,
brushing them gently over Joxers prostate. As he withdrew them he
heard Joxers groans and slowly pulled him up onto all fours as he
slid in, his lover completely relaxed.

Joan moaned as soon as he felt Ares entering him, he relaxed as much
as could allowing Ares to slide completely in before he started to
thrust back against him. He felt Ares surprise and smiled as he
wriggled again.

It was Ares turn to suppress a moan as he felt his lovers inspired
movements. He forced himself sternly to stop before sliding slowly
out and thrusting hard back inside Joxer. Joxer gasped slightly at
the change but Ares had a firm grip on his hips so he didn't loose
his balance. Joxer pushed back eagerly as Ares began thrusting into
him, almost stabbing at Joxers prostate. After the long lick and
tease session he knew he couldn't hold on for long and hearing Joxers
pants he reached under Joxers belly and began stroking his cock as he
thrust in.

He felt Joxer clenching hard at his cock as he thrust, building up a
furious rhythm; he milked his lovers cock as they came together. Ares
thrusts died down to slow gentle moves as they slowly wound down.
Panting the two stayed in position for a minute before Ares, still
inside Joxer rolled them down onto the bed. With a thought Ares
guilty cleared up the wet patch he'd rolled Joxer onto and cuddled
against his back, one hand possessively resting on the baby-bulge. As
their breathing returned too normal Ares murmured drowsily "I'm
hearing you loud and clear Joxer" as he caught his lovers thought. He
cuddled up deeper "And I do too." He murmured resting his head
against Joxers back and withdrawing gently from him.

Joxer lay tiredly in Ares arms, he was enjoying just doing nothing so
much he nearly missed Ares words *Have you thought of any names yet?*
Ares asked mentally, caressing Joxers bump, he was too tired to talk
and he wanted to see how Joxer would react. He had done little to no
lessons on mental communication.

Joxer didn't even click, it took him a second to work out what Ares
meant before he answered *A few* he admitted *When I found out she
was a girl* He snuggled into Ares grip *How about Atlantis?*

Ares tried not to laugh *A bit of a sore point* he answered.

Joxer frowned *Okay then, tell me yours.* he said, calmly planning to
veto half if not all of them, his lover had great taste in clothes
but he'd already been warned his taste in names left much to be
desired. Hence Aphrodite had named most of theirs.

Ares thought for a minute, he hadn't considered it and those he had
considered had been boys' name. Considering most of the symbols were
male he'd assumed his and Joxers child would be.

*Kineta?* he suggested gaining a mental snort from Joxer.

*She's hardly active, dreams too much.*

*Kaethe?*

*You got that from your sister and she's using it.* Joxer tried not
to laugh.

*Evanthe? Isaura?*

*Maybe Isaura…* Joxer sounded unsure

Ares sighed mentally *Electra?*

*All in leather, complete with a whip and need to hurt men*

Ares sighed thinking for a moment; he looked at his lover. He could
sense something at the back of his mind that Joxer was unsure to
voice *I'm all out, why don't you try?* he coaxed.

Joxer hesitated "I like Leonie." He spoke softly "It means lioness.
But there's lots of good names out there, not just the old fashioned
ones, newer ones, I mean we could even think some up." he continued
quickly.

Ares shuffled Joxer around so they faced each other, he could see the
hope on his lovers face "I like Leonie." He answered "It's a good
name." He looked at Joxer who flushed slightly "Who was she?"

Joxer flushed a little deeper caressing his bulge slightly "My
grandmother" he answered softly "I only remember bits about her. She
died when I was seven, but I always remember how much she tried to
protect my brothers and me and look out for us. She tried to keep us
together and she had a lot of ideas." he said shyly.

Ares smiled resting his hand on Joxer stomach slightly "Maybe you can
tell the baby about her namesake." He spoke quietly smiling more as
he saw the joy in Joxers eyes. Joxer laid his hands ontop of Aress'
feeling the baby moving and kicking slightly beneath them. It was the
perfect moment until both of them winced and the baby kicked hard.

Ares glanced up, out of habit and rubbed his head "Guess the storms
over." He said his eyes unfocusing slightly. He sighed "Aphrodite's
in labour, the surges pushed her over the edge." He looked at Joxer
uncertainly who smiled. "Go and see them." He said simply.

He still felt a little uneasy with the situation but after everything
that had happened he knew Ares wouldn't abandon them, he just wanted
to see his youngest son born. He sat up slightly and smiled
again "Besides Strife's waiting outside with Cupid, they were staying
with Aphrodite…" he cocked his head to one side and grinned
mischievously "Apparently Aphrodite's not in the best mood and she's
thrown them out."

Ares looked more then a little worried and slightly green so Joxer
gave him a small shove "Go, you don't want to miss this. "

Ares nodded sighing, then a thought occurred to him and an evil grin
spread over his face, he smirked at Joxer "I'll take Aphrodite any
day over the company we're going to get." He smirked again at Joxers
look "Did I forget to mention it? Cupids going to pick up dear dads
demi-hero's and their friends." He ran a hand through his
hair "Aphrodite in labour or the preachy-ness of them," he mused,
smirked and disappeared leaving Joxer to find his clothes and go
after Strife.

He felt like some light conversation before all Tartarus broke loose.

Part 8b.


Title: Bitter Sweet 8b/10

Author: Wildannuette

Email: Stormwing_2k@yahoo.com

Rating: G for this part will go up to NC17

Fandom: Xena/Herc.

Pairing: Predominately, Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife but mentions of
(can't do long names sorry, mentioned at bottom of chapter) Ar/Ap,
Ap/Hep, Asc/E, Apollo/f, At/m, Ha/Pers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Xena/Herc and am not proud of it
Warning: Nothing really so far, but will be Mpreg later

Summary: A problem threatens everyone, gods, goddesses, mortals no
matter where they are from and the only the Greek Pantheon are
heading the warning and doing something about it, calling forth seven
symbols to guide them through their troubles.

Status: WIP

Archive: AresJoxerCupidStrife and WWOMB

Notes: A massive thank you to Kerensa who beta’d this and sorted out my Strife-speak for me. Cheers J


Part 8b:


Joxer smiled at Strife as he entered, his friend was sitting half
propped up on a pile of cushions. He had completely surrounded
himself with them. Joxer tried very hard not to laugh, he knew Strife
was probably uncomfortable and trying to get used to the large bulge
of baby but he looked for all intents and purposes, like he was
nesting.


His smile faded somewhat as he saw the morose and slight edgy look on
Strife's face. Concerned he pulled a few pillows opposite Strife and
sat down. His own small bump could barely be seen under his tunic and
appeared non-existent compared to Strife’s. He leaned forward to ask
Strife what was wrong….


*Belch*


He blinked pulling back slightly to avoid the smell and staring at
the now-bright-red Strife. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly
and he swallowed his laugh as Strife shifted uncomfortably and
groaned. "Now I know why I nevah cause mischief ta pregnant women."
Strife moaned still blushing deeply.


Joxer continued trying not to laugh as his friend continued "Fah tha
God’s sake, if this baby doesn't come outta me soon I swear I'm goin
ta be takin over Aoelus's job. Keeper ah tha winds, mah arse!" he
blushed deeper still as his rant continued "I've got more wind in me
then anyone else, mortal or god and ya know tha worst thing Jox? I
can't stop it, and it comes all the time. When I'm eatin, drinkin,
I'm just glad I'm not doin any godly duties. Can ya see me
followin some mortal ta cause their life hell? Five minutes an
they'll be able ta track me down." He sighed "Sorry, I just thinkin
this kid could rival me as tha god ah mischief or at least somethin
close. I should bottle this stuff an inflict it on tha mortals." He
paused for a minute considering "That could be fun."


Joxer grinned, glad he'd lost the urge to laugh, it nearly came back
again as Strife burped again but he held it down, changing the
subject. "Guess I'm lucky, I just felt a bit tired; other than that I
wouldn't know I was pregnant." He said running his hand over the
small bump.


Strife glanced at his own belly and then down at Joxer wistfully "I'm
just glad this thing’s not takin tha whole ten months, having this
belly fah tha next few days is goin ta be bad enough." He ran his
hand over his own belly smiling slightly "S'not that I'm glad about
it being sa short but it does make it easier ta handle." He smirked
slightly "Sorta; besides tha next one will be a definite natural." He
blushed a little as Joxer raised an eyebrow and continued "Me and
Cupid talked about it an we're fah keeps. He's had it with tha
playin around, now he wants us ta be togethah as big happy family,
tha big wuss."


Joxer grinned "Good, I was a little worried about you at first, what
with the whole…." He waved his hand vaguely not wanting to go into
detail.


Strife nodded "Me an Cupe go way back, we both wanted an now we've
got, an I got Bliss in tha bargain." He grinned "Sides it was about
time we got down ta it. Dite told us as much, before tha cursin and
screamin" he added. "She can be a real bitch in labour, I remembah
Anteros’ birth. Vaguely, but still remember it. I think half tha
deities went on sabbatical that day. Cept Apollo, he was jugglin a
screamin baby Ace and deliverin Anteros while Dite was trying ta
rip his balls off." He grinned at the memory "Me and Ma really fed on
that."


Joxer grinned with him trying to picture his lover at the possibly
psychotic Goddesses side, and then he recalled Ares' parting words
and his smile faded.


Strife patted Joxer’s leg, the only part he could happily reach
without pulling half a dozen muscles "It won't be sa bad Jox, not
that I've evah done it before but theah’s different ways an means an
Ace will explain them all ta you." He eyed Joxer’s bump "But I think
your girl isn't wantin out anytime soon, then again a coupla more
powah bursts an she could be out before this one."


Joxer’s eyes widened, he hadn't even considered the birth, he'd been
too preoccupied. How in Tartarus was the baby going to come out of
him? Were they going to cut it out? He knew of the famous operation
on Caeser’s mother but the idea didn't appeal. Maybe there was some
painless, miraculous god way in which is just popped out? Then his
brain kicked in and he dismissed that idea, he doubted any of the
goddesses would have gone through the pain if there were a better
way. Then there was the scary alternative of a new way or some
strange indescribably….


He was brought violently out of his thinking by a sharp slap to his
cheek and he blinked back spots, focusing on Strife who was on his
knees in front of Joxer trying to shake him "Breathe, ya’re turnin
blue, stop panickin Jox or I'll call Ares."


Joxer let out the long drawn in breath he'd forgotten he was holding
and panted slightly. He knew he couldn't die but when his brain
kicked in he forgot it.


Strife sat back looking apologetic "Sorry Jox, I know ya can't die
but turnin blue isn't much fun an I worried it might make ya an
tha baby ill. Save tha panic attacks till after tha birth."


Joxer nodded, still trying to catch his breath. Strife looked
rueful "I didn't mean ta scare ya Jox, I'm sure Ace knows what ta do
an you'll have Hera too." He smiled "You've got a while longah anyway
an by then…"


He broke off his sentence as Ares flashed into the room holding a
bundle of fabric. The War God looked haggard, knackered and just
plain relieved to see the two. Neither God was surprised at the big
smile on his Ares’ face but Joxer was surprised as Ares almost skipped
across the room to them. He bit his lip to stop from laughing, Ares
could deny it all he wanted but at that moment Joxer knew his lover
was almost drunk on happiness. He was more surprised when Ares knelt
down holding up the bundle for them to see. A small hand shot out of
the bundle waving wildly as the baby began to stir, angry at being
moved around so much.


Joxer stared down at him, stroking the small cheek as the baby
screamed its displeasure. The baby was more Aphrodite then Ares, it
had her hair and eyes although they seemed to be a lot darker, he
looked a little like Bliss and like what Joxer had imagined Cupid to have
looked like. But he definitely had Ares’ temper, that he demonstrated by
trying to escape the bundle of blankets his euphoric father held him
in.


Joxer smiled at Ares, seeing the giddy look in his eyes "He has your
temper." He laughed and stroked the baby’s cheek as he screamed
some more "He's beautiful." Ares grinned more as Strife added his own
opinions "He's gonna be a heartbreakah, an a mischief makah." He
grinned as Ares' eyes widened momentarily.


Joxer had a slightly worrying thought and he looked at his lover "You
did tell Aphrodite you took the baby didn't you, you didn't just pick
him up and…"


"Flash all over to show him off." Ares grinned "Dite's resting. She
gave me ten minutes so she and Hephaestus can relax then she'll kill
me if I don't have him back" he grinned again at Joxer’s slightly
alarmed look "I've got 6 minutes left." He reassured his Joxer "I
just wanted him to meet you two and his baby sister." He handed the
baby to Joxer who held him daftly against his chest for a few minutes
before clicking what Ares meant and holding him against his small
bump.


The baby still wriggled a lot but he seemed a little happier then
being held up and Joxer could feel his own daughter’s movements almost
like ripples through his stomach as she moved to lie at the front of his
stomach next to her half brother.


Ares couldn't seem to stop grinning, until he received an obviously
sharp order from Aphrodite. Joxer and Strife heard the muted version
and still winced. Ares carefully took back the baby and with an "I'll
be right back", he flashed back to Aphrodite and Hephaestus, still
grinning.


The appearance of the real and screaming baby had jolted Joxer and
Strife into fully realising what they would shortly be getting into
and for a few minutes neither spoke, until Strife got another bout of
wind which left them both laughing hysterically.


For a short time anyway. Cupid flashed into the room looking
thoroughly pissed off. As soon as he appeared, Joxer saw his
entourage or rather heard his entourage and realized why. He thought
Cupid had been gone a while, from the way the love god stormed across
the room to help up a struggling Strife he guessed he'd had little co-
operation.


The three of them were arguing so much amongst themselves that they
didn't even notice Cupid’s move. Joxer was glad to see Cupid tenderly
helping up Strife and felt a slight rush of pleasure as he cast a
smile his way, rolling his eyes as he gestured to the four members of
the group, the small gesture made him feel in essence like part of
the family.


Cupid created fluffy pillow covered chairs for Strife and Joxer which
Strife gratefully eased himself onto, rearranging the pillows to his
liking. Joxer remained standing feeling the strange urge to start
laughing. Xena was arguing with Hercules and Gabrielle seemed to be
swaying from one side to the other, unable to make up her mind but
shouting out seemingly useless comments. Joxer’s eyes drifted to
Iolaus who was silently watching them, the blond mortal offered a
slight wave and rolled his eyes towards the other three, shrugging
slightly.


Joxer, Cupid and Strife looked on in amusement before Iolaus got
bored and headed over to them. "Hi Strife, Hi Joxer, good to see you
again." His smile was genuinely friendly and he didn't interrogate
Joxer over what he was doing on Olympus, he just seemed happy to see
him. Joxer couldn't stop the smile of amusement as Iolaus realised
what he'd said and his eyes swiveled back to Strife "But I
thought…." He stared at the God and shrugged "Never mind," he
sighed "I'm always the last to know." He did a double take at Strife’s
belly with Cupid’s hand resting on it and then shrugged again, smiling
widely "Congratulations."


Joxer grinned, watching the slow smile sweeping over Strife’s face.
The God of mischief had often been unsure where he stood on
the `Iolaus issue' as Aphrodite called it. Iolaus being a favourite
of Cupid and Aphrodite’s for personal reasons and a `special annoyance'
of Ares and Eris’, mainly because of his friendship with their not-so-
favoured younger brother. From Strife’s smile he obviously joined
the `we like Iolaus club', something he was sure Ares would moan
about for a few days then grudgingly get over it when Joxer explained
how friendly he was.


Joxer was about to explain to Iolaus what was going on when a shrill
cry of `Joxer!" permeated his ears. He turned away from Iolaus and
looked towards a very annoyed Gabrielle who was stomping towards
them. He smiled briefly as he looked over her shoulder to see
Hercules and Xena staring at him with immense looks of confusion on
their faces. Xena's look gave way to relief whilst Hercules stayed
open mouthed.


Feeling a small foot almost stomping on his toe Joxer focused on
Gabrielle who had started up her own tirade. "What were you thinking,
running off and disappearing like that without even telling us you
were going? It wasn't as if we wanted you along but you should have
told us you were leaving we spent the whole day searching for you,
worrying you'd been beaten up or killed by those men in the tavern.
No one had seen from you, no one had heard for you, then we meet with
Hercules who tells us Ares was furiously looking for you! And we
worried you were dead, and you're not you're swaning around up here
with a bunch of sleazy gods…" she gestured to Strife as she said the
words not even noticing his belly, which Xena and Hercules
immediately did.


The former looked amazed, the latter looked like he might faint. A
flash of light signaled Ares’ arrival and Joxer turned his head
slightly to smile ruefully at his lover as Gabrielle continued to
rant.


Joxer ignoring her, as she continued ranting to get his attention, did
obviously not impress Gabrielle. What she did next took everyone by
surprise and caused chaos. Hercules and Xena seemed too shocked by
Strife’s belly to realise what Gabrielle was about to do. Strife was
too bulked down to react and the others were pretty much cross-eyed
from trying to tune out the woman's voice.


Taking matters literally into her own hands Gabrielle grabbed her
staff and slammed it into Joxer’s stomach to get his attention.


Realizing too late, Ares and Cupid moved forward to stop her as Strife
struggled to get up. Joxer snapping out of his daze, also realized too
late to step to one side and his powers were inhibited by the
bracelet.


Gabrielle's staff slammed into Joxer’s stomach, but a centimeter before
it connected a flash of turquoise light formed in front of it,
blocking it. Joxer stumbled back slightly as the bright flash
momentarily covered his lower body, and Gabrielle shrieked as her
staff was thrown out of her hands to land in pieces at Ares feet; she
fell backwards onto her backside. Her body was shaking as if she'd
just slammed her staff into a huge metal object.


Joxer’s eyes widened as the protective barrier faded and Ares reached
his side, his lover running his hand over the tiny bump and mentally
calling for Acelepious. Completely ignoring the stunned bard, Cupid
pushed Iolaus onto the chairs to sit with Strife as he reached his
father’s side. He glanced at Xena and Hercules letting them know with
one look that they would be very unlucky in life if they even tried
to do the same, a glance back at Strife and another ferocious glare
at them informed them the same went for Strife.


Joxer ran his hands over Ares', more then a little stunned and
confused over what had happened. He was worried about what the baby
did but not worried for her; the staff hadn't even had the chance to
hurt them. Mentally he reassured Ares of this as Ares mentally threw
curses at Acelepious who was busy, trying to deliver two babies
simultaneously.


Ares looked at his lover, looked at the bump and ran his hand over
both checking as best he could. A look of immense relief appeared on
his face as Ares finished checking *That's our girl* Joxer heard the
relief filled mental words. He could tell Ares was as surprised as he
was that the baby had protected them, especially with the inhibitor
bracelet on, but he was too relieved to question it. And too pissed
off, Joxer noted uneasily as the War God turned a furious gaze on the
still-shaking Gabrielle.


"Get up" Ares words were soft but his tone made Joxer shiver, he knew
Ares and he knew when Ares was angry he shouted, fought and moaned
but when Ares was furious, deadly furious, his voice was softer and a
lot more menacing. Joxer could see the look of fear sweeping across
Gabrielle's face, this wasn't an angry, blustering God facing her,
this was a furious, ready-to-torture God. Even Hercules seemed
loathe to intervene as he uneasily faced his brother.


The demi-god was unsure what was going on but even he knew what that
tone meant.


Cupid shivered hearing the tone for only the third time his
lifetime. Both he and Strife had heard it directed towards the
creature that had once tried to kill his brother and once, more
recently directed at the woman responsible for Strife’s death. That
voice meant business.


Iolaus was just thankful the voice wasn't directed at him.


Joxer just knew there was a hundred things that could happen, none
of them nice for Gabrielle. He wanted to stop his lover but he was
unwilling to argue with him now, not after what could have happened.
He hugged his stomach, and turned towards Strife feeling something
almost pulling on his Godhood.


Xena wanted to say something, to defend her lover but even though she
was unsure why Ares was in such a rage she had a strange feeling he
was right to be. Something just wasn't adding up. Her eyes flicked
from Ares to Joxer, to Strife, to Strife’s belly and then back to
Joxer again. Her eyes focused on Joxer, moving slowly down his body
to rest on his stomach. She wasn't sure, she couldn't quite be sure
but as Joxer turned to look at Strife she saw the small but
unmistakable outline and her eyes widened. Understanding swept
through her and she looked back to her father again who seemed to
almost be towering over the now standing Gabrielle.


Taking a chance she asked, "Is the baby alright?"


Joxer jumped slightly turning back to stare at Xena who was calmly
looking at Ares. Ares didn't seem to hear her at first but when she
repeated the question some of his anger left him and he nodded curtly
at her. "For now." He answered shortly turning back to glare at
Gabrielle again.


Joxer decided it was the best time to interrupt. *Ares?* he spoke
softly into his lover’s mind and out loud as Ares didn't hear
him "Ares!"


He looked momentarily contrite as Ares turned to him. He could see
his lover was torn between wanting to hurt Gabrielle and not wanting
to hurt him by doing it so he decided to break the decision by giving
Ares something else to fixate on. He looked towards Strife who was
clenching his fists and biting his lip as pain swept through him.


"Strife’s in labour, I think."


Before Ares could say a word Cupid was at Strife’s side calling for
Acelepious and trying to keep Strife calm. Anxiousness replacing the
anger Ares began calling for Acelepious, moving closer to Joxer and
his nephew. He kept one hand possessively protecting their baby as he
called Acelepious to help with Strife’s.


Glad for a temporary reprieve, the shocked Gabrielle moved next to
Hercules and Xena who could only watch as the drama unfolded. Iolaus
was counting the seconds between pains for Strife and Cupid was
giving him grateful looks.


Strife managed a shaky grin "Told ya this kid likes trouble," he
murmured clenching his teeth as another pain hit.





Part 9:




"Quit crowdin me." Strife muttered edgily. Joxer watched as he shoved yet another person backwards and he had to hold back

his laughter at Hercules’ incredulous expression. People normally lined up for the hero’s help not pushed him away and

considering he didn’t often give his help to the Godly members of his family he seemed to have expected an all out welcome.

Much as Ares and Cupid both were surprised and more then a little pleased (hidden of course) that the hero was actually

trying to help Strife, if Strife didn’t want to be crowded he wouldn’t be crowded.


Joxer offered Hercules an almost apologetic look, almost but not quite. He wasn’t sure, after Gabrielle’s little outburst,

that Strife would be entirely safe around Hercules. Tartarus he wasn’t even sure he was. Luckily Hercules hadn’t seemed to

have clicked that Joxer actually was pregnant, despite Xena picking up on it straight away. Much as Joxer respected the

hero’s abilities, brains weren’t his strong point.


He kept far enough away from Strife so as not to be crowding him, but close enough to lend silent support to the God. He

watched and silently winced in sympathy as Strife gripped Cupid’s hands.


"The pains are strongah now." Strife worried his lip slightly "But it’s not ta bad."


Joxer watched the anxious glances between Ares and Cupid and winced as Ares began shouting mentally for Acelepious, he was

slightly relieved to see a slight smile forming on Strife’s lips as he listened to the threats and curses. Joxer felt the

severely annoyed God’s entrance before he actually appeared in a swirl of green.


Acelepious opened his mouth to retort with something extremely scathing when he was distracted by the now-laughing mischief

God groaning and bending double. In an instant he was at Strife’s side, settling for merely shooting Ares a very dirty look.

Much to his own amusement, Joxer could see a slightly apologetic look forming on Ares’ face, hastily changed when he realised

the four mortals were present.


Cupid was hanging over Strife’s shoulder, almost vibrating with anticipation and nervousness, poor Iolaus looked extremely

uncomfortable wedged back into the sofa and Strife had gone a whiter shade of his normal pale. Joxer had to give Acelepious

credit, not only was he refusing to acknowledge both Ares and Cupid, who had inched closer and were now almost on top of him,

he also ignored the demanding voice of Hercules, pressing for answers and the shrill whine of Gabrielle moaning to Xena.

Joxer was very impressed with Xena, not only had she figured out his pregnancy before anyone of the others but she was

actually shooting her unrepentant lover annoyed glances.


Joxer watched as Acelepious slowly moved his hands up and down Strife’s belly, he felt more then a little sorry for the God.

Acelepious was obviously exhausted after delivering three babies in a day and he was having to now check over Strife,

something he obviously didn’t mind but Joxer knew he was probably wishing for Hera’s help. Something Ares had already warned

Acelepious about not having, the tension in the room was bad enough.


He started out of his musings as Acelepious finally took his hands from Strife’s bump, "I don’t think he’s ready to some out

just yet, maybe a few more days. Your body is just preparing itself Strife, like we talked about?" He said, relieved. "You’d

better rest up in bed until then, here would be best." He advised Cupid who’d been about to pick his lover up.


Joxer frowned slightly, glad that Cupid asked the question "Why can’t I take him home? I’ll stay with him all the time, he’ll

be alright. Don’t you think I can look after him as well?" he asked a touch of jealousy in his voice.


Ares stiffened slightly as if moving to defend his son and Joxer laid a hand on his arm, not restraining him but just

touching. It was enough to relax Ares and give Acelepious time to answer.


"It’s not a question of looking after him Cupid, I don’t want Strife moved too far. So you can’t carry him and I don’t think

it’s a good idea to start transporting him around, if he gets hit by another power surge midway, anything could happen."

Acelepious gently reminded him. "It won’t be more then a few days and then you’ll be able to take them both home." He turned

to Strife, hearing a slight noise from him. "Sorry to talk over your head Strife, but I think Cupid was about to get a little

territorial on me."


Joxer smiled slightly at the flush that stood out on Cupid’s cheeks. "So I’m going to have company?" he grinned again

tightening his grip on his lover’s arm slightly as he saw hurt flickering in his eyes. "Ares is really busy

with….everything." he amended not wanting to go into detail.


Ares nodded as he realised what Joxer meant, whilst Ares was working to protect everyone Joxer would feel less lonely with

Strife for company. Ares himself would feel more secure knowing someone, albeit a bedridden someone, was with his lover. He

turned slightly, feeling the surprise coming from his daughter as the twin demands of both Hercules and Gabrielle were

stepped up a pace, as they both tried to move forward and confront Joxer.


"You’re staying here Joxer, have you any idea how twisted Ares is?" Hercules at least sounded genuinely concerned for him and

then there was Gabrielle.


"Ares and Strife as company? What are you doing Joxer? Letting yourself be coerced and manipulated by these …people!"


Hercules was stopped in his path by Xena’s right boot twisting around his which sent the demigod to the floor, which

unfortunately, well timed and funny as it was, let Gabrielle slip through. Iolaus moved quickly to intercept her as Ares also

moved forward. Mentally Joxer asked them both to stop, giving himself a mental pat on the back as he managed it. Ares agreed

reluctantly, as long as he could be close enough to stop her trying anything again and Iolaus agreed because he was spooked

to hear a voice in his head, especially Joxer’s.


Joxer rolled his eyes as he turned to face her, Gabrielle could be a lovely person, but only if you were on her side. If you

went against her or did something she didn’t approve of, you were in for it.


He crossed his hands over his belly, unconsciously protecting the life within, he felt the baby stir slightly as Gabrielle

got within touching distance, Iolaus and Ares ready to grab her. There was a loud pop, a flash of turquoise and Gabrielle

shot backwards, once again propelled away from Joxer and on top of Hercules. Joxer tried not to laugh as she stood up on

shaky legs and moved to try again. Another flash and she was back on the floor. He shot Ares an innocent look even as Strife

smirked in the corner, catching the mischief vibes. Despite Gabrielle being his friend once, he wasn’t going to tell her to

keep her distance for her own good.


He turned back to Strife ignoring the warm flush that ran through him yet again as a flash of turquoise lit up the room

behind him and a slightly muted moan came from Gabrielle. He could see his lover wavering between keeping an eye on Gabrielle

and looking out for his nephew.


Acelepious had been standing there with a perplexed look. He was still obviously confused and a little worried as to what was

going on but he obviously assumed Ares was stopping Gabrielle.


"What’s going on? Ares what are you doing? We need to move Strife." His voice suggested ‘and we’re playing around here for

what?’


Ares was starting to get wound up from the accusations his half brother was throwing at him and couldn’t even muster a smile

as Xena tripped Hercules again as he got up. Cupid was looking worriedly from Joxer to his lover and Strife was looking

worriedly at Joxer, who in turn was watching Strife. Iolaus hesitantly stepped forward and sensing the mounting tension

quickly explained that Cupid had brought them for their protection something some of the others, meaning not him and

obviously now not Xena, were angry about, that Gabrielle had lost her temper upon seeing someone she’d been worried about,

the staff incident and the weird blue light that kept beating her back..


Joxer slowly watched Acelepious’ face change from confused, to attentive and then to pure fury before becoming

expressionless. Joxer had only ever seen that face once, when he was visiting Eris and one of Ares’ warlords had barged in

and been rude and obnoxious reducing her to tears, something she later blamed on hormones.


With a wave of his hand the offending duo disappeared and before Xena or Iolaus could protest he moved forward to scan

Joxer’s stomach, mentally calling on Hera’s help. Joxer saw them both bite their tongues, though Xena did seem relieved. He

watched her shift her focus to his stomach and Ace’s ministrations. He knew without truly knowing that she wouldn’t attack

him or be unkind to him. Thinking back on it, Xena had never been unkind to him, she’d been tense and short and a little

impatient but it was who she was and he was accepted that, and she seemed to be accepting him. At least that’s what the

thoughtful smile that formed on her lips seemed to say.


He shifted his attention briefly to Iolaus who was looking from Acelepious to Joxer to Acelepious’ hands and then to Joxer’s

stomach. Joxer grinned slightly as the blond man opened his mouth but no sound came out. He looked stunned, completely

floored, the stunned expression grew to knew depths as Ares put his arms around Joxer hugging him from behind.


Ares scowled at both Xena and Iolaus as if they dared pulled Joxer away and looked mildly let down as his daughter merely

raised an eyebrow and nodded, a thoughtful expression that suggested ‘lets talk’ on her face.


Acelepious stood up, looking relieved "Joxer’s fine, the baby’s fine." He said in confirmation as Hera flashed into the room.


Joxer was slightly worried to see Hera there and it grew a little more when he saw the Acelepious whisper something to her.

At first she looked royally pissed off and started angrily suggesting ways to punish Gabrielle, forgetting about Hercules

even being on Olympus in her anger. A not so subtle mental reminder jolted her into what she was actually there for and she

ran her hands over the bulge of Joxer’s belly, frowned and ran her hands over Joxer’s body.


Joxer stayed absolutely still whilst she carefully swept her hands over him, feeling a slight shiver as he did, it wasn’t

unpleasant just disconcerting. He could vaguely hear Acelepious explaining to Xena and Iolaus where he had sent Gabrielle and

Hercules. Neither seemed too upset about the their friends being locked up tight in an empty temple, even if it was devoid of

anything for either to break.


As Hera continued her scan, Iolaus and Strife struck up a conversation; the blond man was still not completely over his

shock. But Xena had cornered Cupid to talk too, so Strife, feeling slightly sorry for the man, started to explain in a low

voice about the newest turn of godly events. Strife left out why and how and just concentrated on the godly couples and the

babies they were having.


Joxer was glad to see the two warming up to each other as Iolaus hesitantly interjected questions. He could sympathise with

the man, especially as he was unknowingly, because nothing had been announced, one of Joxer’s followers. Iolaus was innocent

in love. Ladies man or not and not a virgin by far, most of his life he’d never been able to have the ones he fell in love

with, and despite numerous affairs he’d never found someone to reciprocate it. He’d spent the last few years mooning over

Hercules, until a few weeks ago he’d come to the sad conclusion that nothing would ever happen.


That’s why he was glad to see him getting on with Strife. It meant he’d broken out of Hercules worship and was starting to

think for himself again. From Hercules’ tales and some none too happy encounters, he’d labelled Strife according to Hercules’

ideas. Admittedly Iolaus had been caught in Strife’s crossfire when tormenting Hercules and both his mother and Ares plot

involving the demi-god. If it hadn’t been for Aphrodite and Cupid keeping him actually liking the Gods he would have turned

his back on them too.


Now Iolaus was listening, really listening to Strife, asking him about the baby and Cupid, which made Strife blush deeply and

coming to a new understanding of the God; just as Strife was coming to a new understanding of Iolaus.


The mischief god still wasn’t a hundred percent in the ‘Iolaus fanclub’ but he was slowly getting to know and like the man

and knowing about his unrequited love, planning some more ‘Hercules torment’.



Xena had cornered her brother. Not in an unfriendly militant manner but in the ‘that’s my friend and that’s our father’ and

they are having a baby?' Please explain’ kind of way.


"Fine, absolutely fine and just as you thought." Hera spoke softly glancing at Acelepious "I’ll have to talk about this with

Zeus, I think he needs to consult the fates again, they’ve been in seclusion long enough."


"And that is exactly as he thought." Ares interjected, his arms still wrapped around Joxer’s, his body was shaking slightly

with suppressed anger at being left out of it all. Joxer pressed back against him feeling his lover ease slightly and looked

at Hera, who looked at Acelepious, who looked at Hera again who seemed loathe to answer. The conversation had stilled rapidly

at Strife’s end of the room, as he and Cupid picked up on the worry and fear from Joxer and Ares. Both Xena and Iolaus felt

the tension too and kept silent.


Seeing her son’s suppressed fury and his lover’s anxiety Hera sighed. With a thought she conjured up a set of sofa’s and

motioned everyone to sit down, she checked with Ares about the sanity of keeping Xena and Iolaus in the room when they

couldn’t understand and may or may not inform Hercules, but Ares merely glared and used his godly powers to seat both Iolaus

and Xena.


Taking that as answer, Hera waited as Ares and Joxer hurriedly seated themselves next to Cupid and Strife. Joxer felt his

lover’s arms encircle him once more and he relaxed slightly as Ares laid his hand protectively on his belly.


Hera didn’t keep them waiting for long, annoyance and silent promises of a world of bad if she didn’t get a move on, were

coming from all directions and contrary to popular belief she wasn’t a masochist. "The baby’s fine, perfectly healthy in

every way." She glanced at Acelepious who took a seat next to Iolaus "There's nothing to worry about, Acelepious was just a

little concerned over a few things." She conjured herself a chair and sat down.


"She’s not growing as fast as the other babies but that’s not dangerous or detrimental to either of you." She smiled at Joxer

who managed a smile back. He was still on edge waiting for the ‘but’.


"She’s not growing as slow as a normal baby either but if she keeps the speed of her growth steady we’re are looking at at

least four more months, maybe even five." She held up her hand, sensing Strife’s unasked question. "I know Strife and the

Goddesses have experience growth spurts and by all means I could be wrong, but from what Acelepious and I can tell, your

child," she looked at Joxer and Ares intently and Joxer felt his lover stiffen.


"Your child" she continued "Isn’t siphoning off the power and energy when she’s hit with it, that’s why her growth isn’t as

advanced." She glanced at Acelepious again "We were going to keep a more steady eye on it," she admitted. "But we didn’t have

enough time. When the bursts hit, half of the goddesses stomachs doubled in size, Aphrodite, Athena and Persphone have even

given birth, well ahead of their predicted times. More boys," she smiled slightly "Athena’s son is Myron," her smile became a

smirk. "Hades and Persphone were going to call their boy Gregorio but for some reason Demeter wasn’t happy with it. They’ve

settle on Xanthos for now, and she’s becoming a very doting grandmother."


She sighed "I’m going to have a word with Zeus; he can go and see the fates because I’m sure there’s more to this then either

of us can actually see." Joxer was digging his (admittedly short) nails into Ares hand waiting for the rest of it.


Hera didn’t disappoint "I wasn’t sure I would be able to sense it this time or even make any sense of it but once the baby

used her own Godly powers it allowed me to sense what she was Goddess of." She took a breath and looked around.


Joxer felt his lover’s frown before he heard it in his voice "I didn’t think unborn godlings could use their powers like

this, like our daughter has." Joxer leant back against Ares revelling silently in the words ‘our daughter’ as Ares continued

"I know they have the bracelets but I thought that was to stop them influencing, changing destinations mid transport and

messing with their Godly powers. I’ve never heard of a Godling actually protecting their parent from within the womb. Cupid

used to bring Aphrodite to me or Heph when she was feeling depressed because she linked to us, but nothing like this."


Hera nodded "I know this is unprecedented," she admitted "But then this is something we’ve never dealt with before. The

children are Godly but they carry their own symbol set. Each child has a dual one. Your daughter, Strife’s son, your other

son…" Joxer saw Xena’s eyes widen at this and momentarily flick to Joxer, checking that he was alright with it. Joxer smiled

slightly and snuggled back against Ares, appeasing her.


Hera continued "You daughter is the only one to do this so far. I don’t know how she is doing it but it’s linked to her

Godhood."


Joxer leant forward slightly and he felt Ares still against him "What’s her Godhood?" he asked softly.


Hera smiled slightly "Slightly strange; from what I can tell she shares one godhood with her brother Alexi, Aphrodite’s son,"

she added in a murmur for both Xena and Iolaus’ benefit before continuing "Alexi is the God of Passion but he shares with

Leonie, the symbol of hope, making them jointly the God and Goddess of Hope."


Joxer heard Ares breath exhale slightly as he hugged Joxer a little tighter, Joxer didn’t need to look at his lover to know

he was barely holding onto his pride. His son was the God of Passion and Hope and his daughter was Goddess of Hope and…"And

what?" he asked flushing slightly as Hera looked at him.


She smiled slightly "Imagination. She’s the Goddess of Hope and Imagination,."


Joxer was stunned and Ares wasn’t too far away. The words didn’t mean much too Xena or Iolaus but even Strife and Cupid

looked taken aback. Holding the Godhood of Imagination meant his daughter literally had the Halls of Imagination. She was

protector of, user of and Goddess of. "That’s why she took me there, the first time, remember Ares?" He turned to his lover

slowly "She took us there both times."


Hera nodded "She’s a part of the Halls of Imagination and she’s the only one they will respond too."


Ares eyes flicked back to his mother "When I was training at being God of War, I used to redirect power back into my sword,

is that what she’s doing with the halls? Is that how they were active whilst we were there?"


Acelepious, who had remained silent throughout nodded "Unlike the others she didn’t have to absorb all the power from the

bursts, she didn’t have to grow as they have. She’s been managing the power into the halls and taking it back in bits when

she needed it, when Gabrielle attacked her for instance."


Ares sat back, looking Joxer up and down. Joxer stilled slightly waiting for him to say anything. Then Ares pulled him

against him for a soul-shattering kiss. Joxer closed his eyes, returning the kiss with enthusiasm as they both explored each

others mouths.


*cough*


The two broke apart, Joxer blushing deeply as Ares pulled him back against him and their gaze swivelled around to Hera.

"That’s one smart and powerful daughter we have there," Ares’ proud voice murmured in his ear. "And if she’s anything more

like you," he nipped Joxer’s ear, "She’ll be more perfect then she already is."


Joxer grinned still blushing deeply. Both Cupid and Strife look pleased for them but there was no surprise at their display

there. Xena and Iolaus however…..Xena was appraising them silently but she gave Joxer a small smile and a nod.


"We have a lot to talk about," she murmured unsure where her loyalties would lie. She was happy they’d found each other and

about the baby but at the end of it all, Ares was still War, something she had no intention of fighting for and something she

wasn’t sure she should trust.


Joxer nodded hearing Ares reply for him "We all need to." he corrected as his daughter nodded.


Iolaus looked….Joxer studied him, somewhere between shocked and lustful. He grinned, already starting to look at people even

if it was Ares and him. He’d have to talk to Cupid about starting up Iolaus’ love life again, he seemed to be getting over

Hercules faster then Joxer had thought he would.


Hera coughed again and sighed at the men in front of her. She stood up gracefully. "You may want to fill these children in.."

she indicated Xena and Iolaus who looked put out. "And the other two, although, Gaea forbid, anyone else should hear this,

Hercules may prove easier to convince then that bard. Now I must see Zeus about the fates and you…" she gestured to

Acelepious who was looking more tired then ever. "Should go home to Eris, she’ll sort you out." With a wave she flashed him

out and then flashed towards her husband in search of answers.


Cupid stood up and slowly helped the heavily pregnant Strife up. Both Ares and Joxer could see how tired the god had become.

"Take down the wall between your rooms here Cupid," Ares advised. "And try to get some rest." He looked at Strife. "If you

need anything just yell."


Strife nodded slightly half buried against his boyfriend who was flapping his wings slightly to keep them balanced. Cupid

nodded and shot Ares a grin before slowly supporting his burdened boyfriend.


Ares waited till they had left the wall and entered their room, as he felt his grandson arrive he turned back to Xena and

Iolaus. Joxer cuddled up to his side, tired from the days activities.


As Joxer snoozed, cuddled up against him Ares took a deep breath, he’d explain to Hercules and Gabrielle later. He began with

"It all started with a message from the fates….."





part 10:

A/N: Very small part but didn't fi in with the next so couldn't post
them together.


Damn it Ares!" Hercules bellowed smashing his fist into the side of
the wall again, he gave an angry cry as his arm passed though the
wall and was pushed back out. It felt like he'd pushed his fist into
something jelly-like and warm. He grimaced and bellowed again, this
time trying the rest of his annoying family "Cupid, Aphrodite,
Acelepious!"

Gabrielle winced and stood well back from him her eyes scanning the
inner temple for any sign of escape her ears ringing from the sound
of Hercules bellow, her body still aching from being thrown around.

Hercules turned to her in confusion "I don't get it I'm supposed to
be Cupids favourite Uncle and Acelepious and I have always gotten on
really well. He's one of the few Gods I actually like." It didn't
cross his mind that maybe both his nephews and his siblings were
ignoring his calls. He clenched his fists preparing to scream again.

"Hercules?" The husky tones came from behind them and both Hercules
and Gabrielle pivoted around. Gabrielle moved back in suspicion
eyeing the strange woman but Hercules almost leapt forward hugging
her enthusiastically "Psyche!"

He gathered the goddess in his arms who in Gabrielle's opinion looked
more then a little shocked. Psyche disentangled herself smoothly
looking extremely unhappy "Hercules I know I'm not supposed to but
I'm going to let you and Gabrielle out, I know you haven't done
anything wrong and I don't agree with Ares sending you here."

She nervously massaged her hands together "Cupid would kill me if he
knew I was here." She stared up at him from underneath her lashes and
although Hercules lapped it up Gabrielle was slightly nauseated.

"Cupid?" Hercules looked surprised "Last time I saw you and he were
deeply in love and Xena said you'd had a baby boy," he raised an
eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest "Who I haven't seen yet.
You'd think my nephew would want me to meet his first –born, still…"
he paused "Why is Cupid all over Strife now? And Strife pregnant,
what's that all about?"

He broke off as tears welled up in Psyches eyes and hugged her close,
both of them completely ignoring Gabrielle who rolled her eyes and
leant against the wall.

"It is Strife that's the problem, oh Hercules it's terrible. He stole
Cupids Arrows just after Bliss was born." She hugged him close.
Hercules hugged back trying not to remember the remnant effects those
arrows still had on him. "And then he hit Cupid with them. He wanted
to get him back for messing up some plot of Ares or other but it all
went wrong and now he's fallen in love with Cupid and gotten himself
pregnant on purpose. Cupids all still magiced up by the arrows and
they keep trying to take Bliss away from me!"

She sniffed slightly "It was bad enough at first when I was left to
raise him alone but now Cupid wants them to all be a family. I know
Ares doesn't like me so he'll help Strife to get me out and next
thing I know I'll be mortal again and I'll never see my son." She
gripped Hercules hard laying her face against his chest lost in her
tears.

Hercules hugged her closely fury sweeping over him as he digested her
words. No wonder Cupid had acted so strange and Strife…his blood
boiled. He couldn't hurt the God whilst he was pregnant but he'd make
sure he did once he'd given birth. He gritted his teeth; he couldn't
hurt a baby even if it was half of Strife he just hoped the better
half, which was his nephew, would override…. His other nephew. He
blinked and shuddered he really didn't want to think about being
related to Strife in any way shape or form, Ares was bad enough.

He felt the fury grow in him, he hadn't seen Psyches son Bliss but he
was imagining the small boy being dragged from her arms. He clenched
his teeth and looked at her in concern as she pulled back.

"Please you have to help, I heard Ares plotting with Strife when I
went to collect Bliss and I had no idea who to tell I mean who here
could I trust!" she gestured around her "Aphrodite's ignoring
everything and siding with Cupid and none of the others are bothered.
When your friend Joxer came up I thought he might help but then they
polluted his mind too."

She looked up at him earnestly "He's under some kind of brainwash, he
thinks Ares is good, he even thinks he's in love with him!"

Hercules heard Gabrielle's coughing fit behind him as she moved to
stand next to them "Joxer's What!"

Psyche nodded miserably "It's not his fault it's this new thing, Ares
and Strife and even Discord are using, some kind of powerful weapon.
They've just been experimenting, with Cupid and now Joxer and you saw
Xena and Iolaus!" she sighed "I don't understand how you managed to
resist it but you must remove this threat please Hercules if not for
my sake and my sons but for everyone else. Ares plans to use this
power as a weapon against Zeus and overthrow him, you have to get rid
of it!"

She laid her hands against his chest the tears slowing slightly.
Hercules wrestled the anger he felt at his brother and nephew under
control, he could feel Gabrielle beside him doing the same though
admittedly she was looking rather smug in an `I told you so' manner.

"Ares." Hercules growled out his brothers' name, he knew he had to
stop him, stop Strife and Discord and even Cupid and Joxer if they
got in his way. They had to get Iolaus and Xena to see sense and join
them but first they had to get Ares's weapon out of the way "Where do
I find his weapon?"

Gabrielle nodded in unison, she wasn't as angry as Hercules; she'd
come to expect such things and was merely glad she wasn't wrong. One
thing that did make her slightly uneasy was Hercules anger. Much as
Joxer irritated her she had been genuinely worried about him when
he'd disappeared and she didn't want him getting hurt. The Gods she
didn't much care about one way or another.

Psyche managed to muster a watery smile "Thank you, I'm so glad you
had the strength to fight against it." She looked at Gabrielle "Both
of you."

Hercules nodded "Don't worry Psyche just go and get Bliss and get him
out of the way. Tell us about this weapon where can we find it?"

Psyche sighed ""There's a few of them, Ares split it to keep it safe
you see. Joxer has one part, another is at Aphrodite's temple and the
last one Discord has." She looked up at him sadly "Ares is stopping
you get near Joxer because of this weapon so your best bet is
Aphrodite, I can soundproof the part of her temple its in and mask
your presence."

Hercules frown "Psyche?" he sounded confused as she laid her hands on
his chest. In an instant he felt the confusion dissipate "Can you
send us there?"

Psyche nodded "Thank you, I'll send you both and go and find my son.
Thank you." She smiled at Gabrielle and kissed Hercules cheek
stepping back slightly and waving her hand. In an instant they
disappeared in a flash of gold.

A nasty smile graced Psyches lips and she licked her lips as her body
slowly faded into nothingness.



Part 11:


"You're going to have a tough time getting Herc to believe this."
Iolaus sighed running his hand over his face. "He's not your greatest
fan but maybe the babies will distract him."

Joxer nodded one hand on Ares arm; his lover had tensed at the
mention of his younger brother. "Maybe you should show him what
Greece and the rest of the world could become if this doesn't work."
He murmured laying a hand on Ares arm. Ares had merely told him of
the devastation the removal of deities and their offspring had on
other small regions and he'd felt sickened. Even if the Gods
themselves didn't get through it at least the symbols would remain.
He shivered at the thought.

Ares considered it and nodded rubbing Joxers arms to get him to relax
against him, rubbing his belly slightly.

"Gabrielle's the same" Xena spoke quietly "She'll believe this is
going against everything she's worked for, she'll believe that you
are just using people again." She looked intently at Ares and
Joxer "To be honest your track record isn't good Ares and you can't
blame her for being sceptical. Gabrielle's too much of a dreamer I
suppose, to actually see some things. It might be better if Joxer
told her."

Joxer nodded again, feeling his stomach twist slightly. He placed his
hand on it, although the baby was too small to move about properly
and kick Joxer he could feel her agitated movements. She was
definitely not happy. He smiled slightly as Ares rubbed small
circles over the small bump, it didn't calm the baby but it did calm
the daddy.

Joxer leant back against him "The babies are special, not just to
us." He spoke quietly "They are important to everyone." He blushed
deeply and opened his mouth to hastily babble when Ares interrupted,
not liking his lover to get flustered.

"He's right you know, I'd like to say we as Gods are the most
important and all encompassing but its not true anymore; they rank
above us and not just as our children because of what they are, the
symbol they represent. We are going to need your help on this" He
looked slightly embarrassed and then added, "We'll your twos anyway.
If my dear brother pulls the stick out of his arse we could use his
help too, and the bards I suppose."

Joxer hid a grin and swallowed hard as the baby thrashed inside his
belly. He nodded and grinned slightly "Not to mention, this is a girl
baby, she's going to need her Aunt Xena and her uncle Iolaus too." He
added quickly and looked at Iolaus in apology.

Ares hid a smirk "Technically she's your sister but I think `aunt'
might be better." The smirk grew "You and Eris can fight over who
gets to teach them how to fight off annoying men when they get
older." He glanced at Joxers stomach "Only two of the babies are
girls; Eris's and our baby, Leonie."

"Leonie, that's a nice name" Iolaus sat back with a smile on his lips
and he looked at Joxer "So why that name though. I mean I know the
kids going to be Imagination and Hope but it's just not a name I've
come across before." He blushed slightly as Xena added

"And he's met a lot of women."

Joxer grinned looking suddenly shy "My Grandmother, she…" he frowned
and broke off his eyes unfocussed slightly as he concentrated.

Ares grinned "Joxer gets a bit confused when people come near he gets
a bit distracted." He explained as twin flashes lit up the room. Xena
had automatically tensed at the arrival of more Gods but she relaxed,
as much as she possible could relax on Olympus, and waited for the
flash to die down. A very shaky looking King and Queen of the Gods
stood in its place.

Iolaus and Xena both wanted to ask what was wrong but held themselves
back, both Gods complexions were exceedingly pale and as soon as Ares
saw them he immediately created chairs for them to sit on. Joxer
frowned feeling the tenseness in his lovers' body. He leant forward
trying to ignore the thrashing waves from within, despite being
a `new' God and having most of his powers blocked he could sense the
waves of fear and panic emanating from Zeus and Hera.

He shivered and let Ares move around him, to focus on his parents.
Joxer sunk back into the couch, both his and Ares face reflecting the
worry from the other Gods. Xena and Iolaus were too worried by that
look, not often seen on Joxers face that neither of them moved a
muscle waiting for Zeus or Hera to speak.

Joxer felt like screaming `get on with it' as Zeus snapped his
shaking fingers and materialised a thick gold chalice of wine that he
immediately downed and then handed to Hera the refilled cup. Joxer
could see her fingers shook too and Ares was almost vibrating beside
him, very wary and on edge at seeing his parents so upset.

Zeus sighed glancing quickly at the mortals "Ares this is something
extremely delicate it may be better if Iolaus and our granddaughter
weren't here."

Joxer saw Xena grit her teeth slightly but he also saw the flush that
lit up her cheeks when she realised how Zeus had addressed her.

Ares nodded, more worried then before. It wasn't often that his
parents stood united on things but when they did it was either very,
very good (in the case of Hebes birth) or very, very bad (which this
obviously was). He nodded slowly and with a mental apology to both,
he sent them to Hercules and Gabrielle with a mental message to a
very disgruntled Cupid to check up on them.

Zeus and Hera both looked somewhat relieved and as the former leant
forward to speak another bright flash lit up the room.

Joxer jumped staring at new God; he squinted trying to place him the
name on the tip of his tongue. The winged God looked towards him
obviously sensing his tension and smiled in welcome.

"Anteros." Joxer jumped slightly hearing Ares speak, and then it
clicked into place. He'd never seen Anteros in person. Ares second
born son had been busy protecting Ares demigod son Evander from any
kind of attack by the thing that was after them. He had seen a small
painting of Anteros as a child, sitting next to his big brother, both
had been all feathers and sweet smiles. Joxer could see the
similarity between Cupid and Anteros, both looked very alike feature
wise, although Anteros had scarlet wings not white like Cupids. Cupid
looked more like Aphrodite whereas Anteros colouring was obviously
Ares.

Anteros tossed Ares a slightly worn but relieved smile "Sorry dad,
Grandma, Grandpa." He grinned at Joxer "Hi Jox nice to meet you. I've
heard a lot from Cupid." He held out his hand for Joxer to shake, his
eyes skimming over the baby bump. "Hope we can catch up soon, Cupe
tells me we've got a new sister coming soon to join our baby
brother." He smirked slightly "Phobos and Demios will be pleased.
They don't think anything instils fear and panic more then a new-born
baby." He laughed at Joxers wide-eyed expression.

"Anteros," Ares raised an eyebrow as his son turned to him, "I
thought you were watching Evander?" The last word held a slight note
of worry for the toddlers' safety.

Anteros nodded "I was, I mean I am. I brought Nemesis up here, she
didn't want to come and she said she'll garrotte pretty much anyone
who goes near Evander except myself and Psyche." He looked
apologetic "She's met Nemesis a few times, she got a little lonely
without Bliss so I introduced them. Strangely enough they got on
really well." He looked at Zeus and then Hera who'd started on her
second refill "Might want to take it slow Grandma."

Joxer was impressed; he didn't even flinch as she glared at him, even
if it was tempered down a bit because of the `grandma'.

Ares sighed looking disappointed, he and Nemesis needed to clear the
air and Ares had to admit the truth about Evander to her "Thanks." He
looked up at his son "Are you okay to still keep an eye on them from
time to time?"

Anteros nodded and rolled his eyes "Will do. Psyches with her now,
doing the whole watching the baby walk, and run and try to speak
thing." His smile countered his disinterested attitude. "I'm going to
go and see Cupid and Strife in a bit, I haven't seen Bliss for a long
time, not since he was crawling." His grin faded slightly as his
father added spoke.

"Can you check on Xena and Iolaus quickly." He ignored the `why me?'
look. "She's being a big help, Anteros give her a chance; they're
trying to talk Hercules and Gabrielle around and you've heard how
difficult that can be, besides…" he winced "They are shouting for me
so I'm guessing they've had enough."

Anteros sighed exaggeratedly "I'll do it, okay." He grinned at
Joxer "I'll catch up with you soon Joxer." In a flash of scarlet he
was gone.

Zeus sighed ensuring that all eyes were on him "Much as I love that
boy I'm hoping for no more interruptions?" He eyed Ares who nodded
and within second Joxer felt something surround the room shielding
them from he outside. He shifted uncomfortably feeling the baby
squirm again. He caught Heras eye, who gave him a quick check over.

Zeus nodded in satisfaction "I really need the others here but
they're all busy, if not preparing for the babies then actually
protecting them. The younger Gods seem to be rounding up the demigods
quite well, I'm not quite sure I approve of some of their methods but
still." He broke off as Hera made a small noise somewhere between a
sigh and a growl "Nether the less they are doing a good job."

Joxer felt Ares shift in agitation, both of them were on edge,
Tartarus even Hera looked like she was and she obviously knew what
was coming.

Zeus sensed the tension in the room and did the smart thing; he
started talking. "We went to see the Fates, to see if they could help
us out any more with the babies and protecting them." He swallowed
hard "Clotho was the only one there and she was acting more then a
little strange." His eyes darted to Hera and she nodded.

"When the symbols were first spoken about they gave us a little more
information then we told you, only for your own good." He added
quickly seeing Ares clench his fists "The Fates warned us that to
tell you could affect your decision to have the babies had you known."

Joxer swallowed hard, he could feel icy hands moving though his chest
and he laid his hand on the baby bump protecting her.

"What Information?" Ares voice was icy.

Zeus hesitated and Hera took over "The Fates told us of sacrifices we
would all have to make to do this, and sacrifices you as parents
would be making." She spoke quietly her eyes troubled "No God or
Goddess from the moment the babies are born will be able to have
children whether they be godly or demigods."

Ares mouth dropped open and he glanced unconsciously glanced at his
father despite Zeus's red complexion. Joxer paled considerably too,
he'd only thought of the baby in terms of `baby' not thinking about
any others he could have, especially being a god. Now it just seemed
like a slap in the face, he glanced at Ares knowing the slap would be
greater for him and the other gods. Joxer had only recently realised
he could and would have a child, they'd always known it and to have
it taken away….

"No God is to take a mortal lover." Hera continued quietly after
glaring at her husband for good measure "Apollo and myself will have
to make up something, some kind of potion to avoid conception during
Godly affairs." She looked to her son "They were very clear, one
extra baby and our pantheon will fall."

Zeus nodded "With exception." He glanced at his wife "The male
symbols are encouraged to take mortal lovers, but not godly ones. Any
children they have will carry their symbol power not their godly one
giving them a brand new type of power, a brand new magic." He
sighed "They will never be able to directly influence or see their
child though."

Ares eyes widened; his first thought on the `mortal lovers concept'
had been `ha ha Apollo', his second thoughts were more
unpleasant. "Any Great grand kids, Tartarus any grandkids I have I'll
never be able to see, my son and grandson won't be able to claim
them?" he sank back in disbelief and then his eyes caught Joxers and
slowly travelled down to the bump "What about our daughter?"

Joxer saw his lover tense even before Zeus and Hera exchanged another
look. "Eris's daughter will be bound by the same rules as the other
males, any child she has will be taken away on birth and sent down to
be with its father, she can have no godly children." He
hesitated "Your child Clotho told us about today. She too will have
no godly children but well over a thousand years in the future she
will fall in love with a mortal, a descendant of her brother Alexis.
When she does she will conceive a child. A daughter."

Joxer felt the baby squirm as he sat back in disbelief. The Fates had
apparently mapped everything out to a fine point, his daughter, his
granddaughter…a nasty thought struck him and as he spoke he saw the
look of resignation on Ares face.

"Will she have to give daughter up too?"

Ares laid his hand on Joxers stomach the horrible indecision on his
face. He wanted to scream `we are not giving up my granddaughter' but
he couldn't help thinking if the Fates decreed it, they would have
to.

Joxer bit his lip at Zeus's slow nod; Hera looked like she was about
to cry something that bizarrely enough comforted Joxer.

"Not straight away which may be worse, your daughter won't accept
what's going to happen. We shall have to bind her godly powers, this
won't stop her though, Clotho admitted she will leave Olympus for a
while to try to escape giving up the baby and she will give birth to
it alone. But she will have to leave her child before her fourth
birthday allowing others to raise her."

Joxer closed her eyes feeling his lovers anguish combine with his
own. Zeus continued, "The daughter, she has will be very special to
the world and should events be set in motion properly, her
descendants will be responsible for bringing us back and destroying
this thing once and for all."

Ares stared up at him "I didn't think we were going anywhere I
thought that's what the babies were meant to prevent." He sounded
angrier with his parents then at the injustice of it all.

Hera nodded "I know and I know you're confused but this baby the one
your daughter will have she's what everything revolves around. The
symbols themselves will guide mortals by their power alone through
the dark periods," she glanced at Zeus "But before any of the babies
hit puberty we shall have to shut off Olympus from the rest of the
world."

Ares stiffened "How.."

"We have to," Zeus interjected "The demigods are only here whilst we
deal with this creature, when that is dealt with we have less then a
decade to prepare. Several of the demigods, Hercules and his friend
Iolaus included, will be recruited as …" he paused "Guides and
advisors if you like. We shall train them to give guidance to any
mortal who does something rewarding in their life or sacrifices
themselves. Once the mortals die their souls will no longer be sent
to the underworld instead they will be given a small part of our
Godly power and a physical body back. They will be trained to guide
the children that are to come, the mortal descendants of the Gods on
Olympus today and the descendants of the eight children carrying the
symbols."

Ares looked confused though his anger was still evident "On Olympus?"
It was a hugely immense place but if mortals would be entering by the
dozen…

Zeus shook his head "No somewhere else, not here, nor Poseidon or
Hades realms or even you great-grandmothers home. Somewhere new,
somewhere we can watch them and influence them slightly through our
original guides, the demigods. Somewhere where they can forget about
us and be taught different histories by the Demigods." He looked at
Ares "They need to forget us, to think of us as something else. Only
the ones that are First created like Hercules and Iolaus will know
the truth and they will have to make it into more of a myth, change
things so that their proteges will not rely on us. Whilst we carry on
as we have always done. We will take different names, different
legends on in our name but we will continue as we have always done."

Joxer was swallowing hard by this point, the baby was extremely
agitated which caused a hot flush to come over his body. Despite
loving and wanting his daughter and Ares a small part of him wished
this wasn't happening to him.

"What happens to us, to our daughter?" he asked as Ares pulled him
into his arms.

"Once the creature is removed and our plans are set in motion,
Olympus will be shut off from the mortal world. The thing that has
been destroying the other Pantheons will hopefully be forced into a
showdown with the children and will be almost drained of its power.
Only the eight of them will be able to force it back." Hera spoke
softly "If all goes to plan things should be getting a little fuller
around here. Not only are we to take any surviving Gods from other
Pantheons under our care we must integrate them and their godly
children and make sure any mortals with their godly blood are given
protection and guidance from our `guardians."

Ares shook his head slowly "This is ridiculous, I've heard of getting
planning down to a fine art but how can the Fates know this?" He
clenched his fists "And where are they surely they should be here
too, panicking with the rest of us!"

Joxer jumped slightly as Ares released him, feeling the anger
emanating from his lover through the link between them before he felt
the crackle of energy surround him. Ares was pissed; he needed to
destroy something. Joxer just hoped Hercules didn't take that
opportunity to reappear. He fanned himself. Ares anger was upsetting
the baby more; she was all but straining against his belly, making it
uncomfortable to sit still. Not only that but her bursts of activity
had left him hungry, craving something though he wasn't sure what.

"Gone." Was Heras soft sad reply.

Joxer froze feeling Ares do the same, his anger collapsing
immediately to be replaced with fear. Joxer felt something akin to
dread beginning to take him over and he tried to relax, tried not to
start hyperventilating as he attempted to ignore the babys annoyance.

"What-" Ares choked out, he had to sit down, his legs could no longer
support him. His hands shook; the Fates were more then a little
terrifying and extremely powerful, they controlled destiny and
without them the world would be in chaos. He was too stunned to
speak; both he and Joxer just stared at the two older Gods looking
very very freaked out.

"Not gone, gone." Zeus hesitated as the dread on their faces
increased "Clotho remains although her physical body is all but gone.
She resembles a spirit more then anything. The tapestry is gone too."
He added softly, holding his son in place with his powers to stop him
going ballistic.

"It's all a part of this." Hera continued holding up her hands "The
babies, the closing of Olympus. To actually create the infants to be
bound to their symbols the Fates used their own power, they split the
tapestry into eight and pushed its power inside the infants. As
Clotho, spins, spun" she corrected herself "The thread of life, she
is anchored to the babies until they are born. Once that happens the
last of her power will be gone and she too will disappear." She
looked very regretful in Joxers opinion, not just at loosing the
Fates but at loosing a part of her family terrifying as they may be.

Joxer didn't have to touch Ares to feel the deep worry that ran
through him. He could feel his lovers' inner turmoil, Zeus and Hera
had come to him first. Not just because Ares and Joxer were free and
not just because their daughter was a great part of the prophecies
but because as War, one of Greeces' protectors Ares would have to
help carry out the Fates directions. Even if they hurt his family
members and his children.

Joxer felt moisture in his eyes as he realised that Ares, more then
any of the others, would have to keep the Gods away from their mortal
offspring and stop them from interfering. He'd be the one to take the
children away from their parents and see the anger and hatred in his
own childrens eyes as he did. He closed his eyes trying to breathe
as pain took hold of his heart. Ares would have to be the one to take
their daughter away from her baby. He'd be the one she hated. All
Joxer could do was stick by him- which he would.

He opened his eyes trying not to look at the pain on Ares face. He
would make sure their baby knew, that all the children knew why they
had to do it. He rubbed his belly softly trying to soothe the baby,
and caught Hera's eyes. She gave him a look of approval, which caused
Joxer to blush making himself, feel warmer than before.

Zeus sighed looking tired and old, every bit his chronological
age "As the godly blood is diluted through the centuries it will be
carried and mixed in some lines creating a new breed of magic. The
most intense magic line forming through your daughter, Clotho could
only tell us that `Hope would be reborn in the form of three and when
hope is combines with one with the godly spark the children the union
yields will work with them to bring the gods back." He snorted "That
part was cryptic down to the last."

"She did mention that these mortal children would all face great
adversary," Hera sighed and then mused "Which means they may not want
to meet Strifes son after all this." She caught Joxers eye "The
babies are all advanced enough for us to read them all." She said a
touch of sadness to her voice as she considered what the imminent
births would mean.

"The symbols for each and every one have been decided." Zeus nodded
to himself more then to anyone "Strange choices of Godhoods but
Clotho was cryptic enough to tell us `all would become clear'." He
sighed.

Ares was still trying to come to grasps with things as Hera
continued "Passion and hope, Imagination and hope, compassion and
courage, guilt and forgiveness." She ticked each one off with her
fingers as she spoke "Change and rebirth, Perseverance and focus,
friendship and adversity."

Joxer frowned, shifting slightly as the baby pushed against his spine
in agitation. He tried to ignore the movements and focussed on her
words recalling the conversation and staring at her fingers.
Something wasn't right.

"It doesn't add up." He flushed as they turned to him, still
squirming in his seat. He pressed a fist to the small of his back
kneading it as the baby wriggled. "You said there was eight symbols,
you've never said that before. We thought there were only seven." He
glanced at Hera "You only mentioned seven Godhoods just now so
where's the eighth?"

Joxer would have laughed had the situation not been so dire. Hera and
Zeus both flushed a deep red and stared at him and Ares mouth dropped
open, though whether it was surprise at Joxers comment or because of
what he'd said he wasn't sure.

Joxer felt the warmth rush over him once more as they stared at him
and he involuntarily stiffened as cool bands encircled his stomach.
He looked down to see the turquoise rush over him, from his stomach
to his head. He just had enough time to groan as he felt the familiar
tugging sensation as his disobedient unborn offspring transported
him.

"Not again. Ares!"



"This is Aphrodites temple? Figures." Gabrielle murmured snootily
taking in all the decorations. She hesitated before picking up a set
of pink crystals and fingering them.

Hercules rolled his eyes and turned back to her taking the crystals
from her hand "Don't touch anything, do you want them knowing we are
in here?" he hissed "Aphrodite might not be the sharpest tool in the
forge but if Ares is hiding that weapon here he's probably got the
place trapped." He looked around frowning slightly; he could hear a
strange noise something almost familiar coming from one of the rooms.
He felt a strange cold feeling on the back of his neck and Psyche
appeared in front of him.

Hercules frowned; she'd just appeared, no flashes, no shimmers, no
nothing. He opened his mouth to say something and Psyche moved
forward laying her hand on his chest as she looked up into his eyes.

Hearing the movement Gabrielle looked up rolling her eyes at the
display.

Psyche stared up into Hercules eyes and he felt the question on the
tip of his tongue disappear as he smiled back. "It's in here." Psyche
murmured beckoning them forward towards one of the rooms, gratitude
and thanks nauseatingly obvious on her face.

As Hercules stepped forward slightly dazed, Gabrielle slowly followed
him. She didn't know Psyche and although she'd heard the story of her
and Cupids romance from Hercules, she refused to trust any God or
Goddess though, even one that had once been mortal. She flicked her
fingers over some of the other decorations ignoring the warning and
trying to ignore Psyches coos as she buttered up Hercules.

She frowned and ran her fingers over a soft blue blanket as she
passed it, feeling the delicateness of it she picked it up. She
frowned again, the blanket was too tiny for Aphrodite's use, even
Bliss would have been too big for it. She looked towards Hercules
hugging the little blanket to her as she tried to place the
sounds "Hercules?" she moved quickly after him her brain putting 2
and 2 together and actually coming up with a worrying 4.

Hercules smiled at Psyche as she beckoned him in, he didn't notice
the baby clothes or toys lying around or the powdery smell of baby in
the air. He stepped forward to the crib still looking at Psyche who
smiled sweetly. He was too lost in her eyes to realise what he was
doing.

"Please get rid of this Hercules." She stared up at him in adoration
as he moved his hands towards the basket and looked down….and froze.

The small blue eyed baby stared back at him.

"Uh."

It waved its small arms and blew bubbles completely unafraid of the
large man with the hands on its head.

Hercules felt his hands shake slightly, and slowly and carefully he
took the hands away ignoring Psyches pleas to `get rid of the
monster.' His head snapped up and he glared at her an angry and
almost hurt expression on his face.

"Psyche, how could you?" He gestured to the baby which to giggled.
Hercules was sickened by himself, he'd nearly killed a baby albeit a
godly one, an innocent baby, his sisters baby for the Gods sake.

He glared at the Goddess, who smirked "Well you couldn't blame me for
trying." She giggled as she saw Gabrielle walk in still clutching the
blanket, Gabrielles eyes widened in horror at the scene.

"If you can't get a moron to do it for you, do it yourself." Psyche
smiled sweetly.

Hercules felt a rush of pure fury and he tossed the bassinet to
Gabrielle who grappled with it for a moment before trying to carry it
as quickly as she could towards the door. Hercules lunged for Psyche
who side stepped easily as the door slammed shut in Gabrielle's face
causing her to stumble backwards and the baby inside to wail loudly.

Gabrielle pushed at the door trying to open it. She kept the baby in
between the door and her body trying to protect it. Psyche smirked
and smoothly sidestepped Hercules again tripping him to the floor.

"If you want to do it the hard way." Her smile became a snarl and she
grabbed Gabrielle by the back of her top, ripping her from the
bassinet and threw her into the wall with a sickening crunch. Psyche
caught the crib and set it down on the floor.

Hercules watched in horror as Psyches features caved in on themselves
her body melting and dripping down to the floor to form the sleek
catlike image of a creature, its wings batting furiously and its tail
whipping wildly. It seemed to smirk at him as it snarled and whipped
its tail. It leant over the basket to snap its jaws over the babes'
delicate head.

Two things happened simultaneously. The first one was Hercules roar
of anger as he leapt for the creature, the second was the blue/green
bubble that formed over the cot with a snap and forced the creature
back.

As the baby wailed Hercules tried desperately to hold the creature
back, despite the bubble he wasn't going to let the thing anywhere
near the baby. He dug his fingers in trying to get his hands around
the creatures' neck as it bit and clawed at him.

The creature rewarded Hercules with an extremely vicious claw to the
face, almost gouging his eyes out as it did. As the huge hero dropped
to his knees, one hand over his eyes, the creature fastened its jaws
around his arm and bit down. Hercules cry was choked off as he shook
and trembled as though he'd been struck by lightning, It felt as
though something was being rapidly and viciously pulled from every
cell of his body.

The hero's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the ground.
The creature preened feeling insanely pleased with itself as it
sauntered over to the baby. It hadn't had time to completely drain
the hero so Hercules was starting to stir as the creature leant over
the basket. It licked its lips; the godly power the hero held was
nothing in comparison to the unclean thing in the crib. It salivated
thinking of the other rewards its master would give it though the
infant was a reward itself. It pulled in the energy from the
protective bubble, ignoring the infants' shrill cries, and gave a
growl of triumph as the bubble began to flicker.

As it leant closer, it could all but taste the infant whose cries
grew more and more agitated. It could feel the baby's power and
watched with glee as the infant began shimmered a purplish colour. As
the purple colour enveloped the baby and the creature leant forward,
it had a few seconds to briefly register the power surge before it
was hit full in the face.

Hercules tried to focus through his watering eyes, as he saw the
bubble protecting the baby begin to fall he tried to pull himself up.
He could hear his niece or nephews shrill screams and saw the purple
glow surrounding it. As the bubble dropped he screamed for Ares as he
tried to pull himself forward. Just as the creatures' jaws were an
inch from the babys head a bright flash of light propelled the
creature back.

Hercules watched in part horror, part confusion as the flash formed
into a shape, a very human shape. As the glow died down he saw the
shape take form and Joxer stumbled almost to his knees one hand on
his rounded stomach. Hercules blinked less then an hour ago Joxers
stomach had been if not flat then just slightly tubby now it was like
he had a very small melon under his shirt. It was then Hercules
finally realised Joxer was pregnant and amazingly quickly for him,
connected the dots.

Joxer staggered forwards the baby pressing so hard against his
stomach he couldn't breathe, he felt her press harder trying to
almost break free from his belly and he staggered forward to collapse
by the purple shimmering baby. He reached out and pulled the infant
to him, the blue bubble snapping back up, stronger then before.

He shook slightly as the baby twisted and grew in his arms in time
with the one in his belly and screamed "Ares!"

Hercules could barely see Joxer as the creature spat and tore at the
bubble, which refused to even flicker. It seemed to admit defeat and
turned to Hercules a very nasty and peculiar expression on its face.
Hercules tried to pull himself backwards as the creature sauntered
forwards ignoring the blue glow from behind it.

As it tensed as if to pounce, a flash of red entered his vision in
front of him and a dark blue stream like miniature lightning hit the
creature smack between the eyes before Hercules got the red spots out
of his eyes. He stared up at his grim and furious looking half
brother as he stalked away from him, red sparks flying from his
fingertips at the creature which hissed and spat.

A scream pierced the air and the creature just moved in time to avoid
getting a chakram up its backside. Ares caught the weapon and tossed
it back to the furious looking warrior princess who was in a very
tense fighting stance on the other side of the creature.

Hercules felt hands touching him, pulling him up and he swayed his
gaze shifting only briefly to Iolaus who was trying to support him
and not having much luck. They both toppled to the ground. The
muscular demigod pinning Iolaus down.

Ares could see the rage he felt mirrored in his daughters' eyes as
they encircled the creature. He looked down at it quickly not daring
to move his gaze despite hearing his sons wails and his sons mothers
hysteria as she saw him. His eyes remained on the creature; he wanted
nothing more then to blast it to smithereens and rescue Joxer and his
children from the energy he'd felt encircling them. He knew that
there was too much energy in the room to fight against the creature
and destroy it, they had to trap it.

He glanced up for the briefest second and sent his daughter a message
*On the count of three we go. One, two, three! *

Both Ares and Xena lunged in unison at the creature, both stumbling
in unison as the creature faded before their eyes. They managed to
catch and steady each other but Ares could see his fury once again
mirrored in Xenas eyes.

He turned to Joxer and his children, hearing Aphrodites pleas for
Acelepious and Hephaestus to hurry up. Poor Anteros didn't seem to be
getting much luck, he was left to hold the distraught goddess as the
other two Gods tried to siphon off the excess energy and release
Joxer and the baby. Aphrodite was pummelling his chest with her fists
as she tried to pull away.

Ares felt something catch at his throat as he looked at Joxers face.
His lover was pale and his eyes were closed but his face held one of
the most intense looks of concentration Ares had ever see; both
Joxers stomach and the baby in his arms were glowing now, both slowly
growing, neither Joxer or Alexis able to break free.

Ares stepped forward "Here let me help." He started helping the other
two gods channel the energy whilst he tried to speak to Joxer to
convince him he could dispel the barrier.

Joxer kept his eyes screwed shut, he had to keep his mind on the baby
in his arms and the one in his belly, and he had to keep the barrier
up. He had to concentrate. He kept his eyes shut as he tried to keep
his mind fixed, ignoring anything outside and inside the bubble. He
could feel the warmth becoming a fierce heat in his belly and arms as
both babies grew and absorbed power.

*Joxer, you have to relax*

Joxer stiffened even more trying to block out the voice, he couldn't
let the barrier drop, let that thing get Ares son.

*Joxer you have to take a deep breath and relax right now! *

Joxer opened one eye cautiously and then slowly opened the other, he
recognised Ares voice. He couldn't see much, most of his vision was
blue except when he looked down at the purple bundle in his arms and
turquoise one inside him.

*Joxer, listen to me. Just relax and let it go*

Joxer shuddered slightly latching onto Ares voice, he concentrated on
his voice letting the familiar feelings Ares invoked run through him
and calm him, safety, security, protection and love.

*Ares? *

*That's it Joxer, just concentrate on me. You're safe now all of you*
Ares sounded pleased and more then a little relieved which helped
Joxer to relax. He looked down at the baby in his arms seeing the
purple glow fade, as the turquoise one within him also fade. The
bubble flickered but didn't go down. Joxer stared down at the baby in
his arms; he'd grown by at least a few inches and appeared several
months older.

The baby looked up at him and giggled waving his fists. Joxer stared
down at him and then slowly at his own stomach "I'm not quite sure
what to say," he said somewhat faintly looking up at Ares squinting
through the blue shield.

Ares glanced at Hephaestus and Acelepious they had stopped
frantically transferring energy as they felt the levels returning to
normal. Poor Anteros was looking slightly worn out as Hephaestus took
Aphrodite into his arms and held her close, he whispered to her as he
rubbed her back. She'd lost her hysteria and had migrated onto barely
held panic as her son had stopped glowing.

Ares dropped down to squat opposite Joxer the shield still flickered
and was the only thing that separated them.

*Joxer it's alright, it's gone now there's nothing to worry about* he
silently communicated `sleep' to the babies watching as his son
relaxed into Joxers arms. As Joxer felt the baby relax and sleep he
felt his daughter also calm and fall asleep, he let out a sigh of
relief.

The babies were safe, he was safe and Hercules was safe.

With a final flicker the barrier was gone. Ares could feel Aphrodite
and Hephaestus's fearful need to hold their son and he moved next to
Joxer helping him to his feet and steadying him. He ran a hand over
his son worriedly checking him and handed him to Aphrodite who took
him with trembling hands and pulled him against her, Heph
possessively pulled her against him sandwiching the baby boy between
them.

Ares briefly felt hurt but he'd reassured himself his son was fine
and he had Joxer to look after now. He pulled Joxer against him
feeling the remaining tremors and rubbed his back soothingly in
little circles.

Joxer sagged against Ares as Acelepious moved close running his
fingers lightly over Joxers belly. He breathed a sigh of relief along
with Ares as Acelepious smiled up at them.

"Your fine, the baby's fine. You just got a little overzealous with
the energy Joxer."

Joxer frowned looking surprised "Me, I thought the baby did it."

Acelepious shook his head "No you tapped into the baby's power to
keep the shield up, she just took you along for the ride." He took
Joxers wrist and studied the bracelet he wore turning for a minute.

"I doubt these will work for very much longer. If both these babies
can use their powers then it's only a matter of time before the other
can. I think these two just have a head start. Your daughter is
tapping into the power behind her Godhood and your son is tapping
into that power and his own Godhood through their bond. Sooner or
later the other kids are going to activate their Godhoods in the same
way."

Joxer thought for a moment feeling Ares still slightly and swallow
back a laugh.

"She cheated?" his eyes widened, his mouth dropping open slightly and
he glanced up as Ares tried to hide her smile "It's your influence."

Ares grin slipped through slightly as he continued to rub Joxers
back, Acelepious rolled his eyes and moved to crouch next to Hercules
studying his eyes.

Joxer leaned back against him groaning slightly at the extra weight
he now carried, he arched his back slightly as Ares massaged it. "I
want a hot bath," he murmured softly "And some hot bread and
mushrooms."

*They make you sick and hyperactive*

He eyed Ares at his slight mental murmur of displeasure "I don't care
if they turn me purple and have me running all over Greece, I'm not
nauseous now and I doubt they will make me, besides I want them."

He leaned back towards Ares "I'm full of energy now and if I get any
more inside me you'll like it." He smiled hopefully and forgetting
his added bump tried to grind back into Ares, which shifted his
centre of balance and nearly knocked him backwards.

He flushed slightly as Ares steadied them both and pulled him
closer "My balance is off"

"It's always off."

Joxer flushed and would have flinched away if Ares hadn't hugged him
closer "Which is one of the many things I love about you." Ares
added as he ran his hand along Joxers arm as he lover pressed against
him.

Joxer looked over at Aphrodite and Hephaestus, the Goddess was a lot
more relieved, she offered Joxer a shaky smile and mouthed the
word `thank you' before turning to apologise to her older well-
pummelled son.

Hephaestus offered Joxer a smile of his own as he took the baby from
Aphrodite and added his own mental thanks and a promise to help Ares
safeguard the temples against the creatures return.

Joxer smiled slightly and was about to ask Ares about how the
creature got into Aphrodite's temple let alone Olympus when Hercules
hand crashed down onto the floor startling him.

The hero tried to get up despite Acelepious warnings to stay still
whilst he checked on his eyes, the demigod had been extremely lucky
not to lose them to the creatures claws.

"Psyche." Hercules shook his head "It looked like her, tried to trick
us." His horrified eyes caught Joxers and then Aphrodites "I'm sorry"

"Psyche" Ares frowned and out of the corner of his eye Joxer saw
Anteros stiffen as his head shot up to listen.

"Psyche." Hercules nodded and winced as Acelepious ran something over
the cut above his right eye "It seemed like her, but then it wasn't.
She told us to come here, that you have something….evil" his eyes
focussed on the baby "She turned into that thing when we tried to get
the baby out."

Joxer closed his eyes briefly trying to make sense of it; if the
creature had been able to appear as a God or Goddess why hadn't it
before? Why wait all this time? And why Psyche? For that matter where
was Psyche, wasn't she with Nemesis and….

Ares cursed his whole body almost vibrating in fear and suppressed
fury. As Anteros horrified gaze collided with Joxers, he felt his
lover vanish behind him just before Anteros did and he swayed
slightly, steadied only by Iolaus who caught his elbow.

"What's going on, where's Psyche" looking up Joxer caught Hercules
gaze he felt all eyes on him as he answered "She was meant to be with
Nemesis and Evander."




Name: Bitter Sweet 13/?
Author: Wildannuette
Rating: FRT
Pairing: Ares/joxer, cupid/strife
Warnings: character death
Website: http://www.livejournal.com/users/wildannuette/

Thanks for reminding me i hadn't updated in a while, you kick started
my imagination back even if its just for this short piece :)

part 13:

Ares felt panic overwhelm him as he flashed into his ex-daughter in-
laws temple. He couldn't sense anything except an almost bitter
crackle in the air, not Psyches presence or Nemesis…..

He could sense Evander though. Sheer relief flooded him and he sagged
slightly as Anteros appeared next to him, vibrating with anxiety.

Ares straightened up, slightly ashamed at his selfish relief, he had
to find Psyche and Nemesis and see his son was all right first.
Without pausing to scan the room he focussed on Evander and snarled
clenching his fists as he felt his powers dampened. He heard Anteros
curse and realized his son was also unable to go to the toddler.

"I can sense him, he's all right." Ares murmured shortly as he strode
through Psyches temple concentrating on his sons' whereabouts. As his
ears caught the faint cries of the toddler he broke into a run and
shoved open one of the heavy doors leading to Psyches bedroom. He
cursed as it caught and swung back in his face catching him full in
the nose; anger flooded through him and his hands were already
crackling with power when Anteros grabbed his arm sending the
pitifully power dampened fireball into the floor.

He turned to glower at his son as Anteros knelt at the bottom of the
door his hand twisted around it. With effort showing on his face he
pushed at the object and the door swung open. Ares strode inside, his
eyes focussing on Evanders position.

All the colour drained from his face as he took in the sight of his
ex-lover slumped in front of Psyches gold ornate wardrobe, her body
poised in defense. In an instant he was at Nemesis's side gently
maneuvering her onto her back, he swallowed hard and missed the
strangled cry of his son from behind him and the thump as he fell to
his knees in bewilderment and pain. He ran a hand over her face,
closing her wide terrified eyes and reached into his pocket removing
two coins which he softly paced on her eyelids.

He traced the bloody marks around her throat the indented tooth
marks, not deep enough to kill just enough to hurt. He could feel the
wrongness in them- the creature hadn't just killed her it had drained
her of her life force as she tried to protect her child.

He hadn't loved her but he had at one time been very fond of her and
seeing the mother of his child dead before her time infuriated him.
He clenched his fists ignoring the small part of him that wanted to
tear up and lay waste to the room and temple and gently carried her
body to the bed, laying it down.

Stiffly he walked over to the wardrobe, the pathetic claw marks in
the door told him everything he needed to know. He pulled it open,
his gaze softening at the sight of his son bundled in clothes and
curled in a ball at the back. His eyes were wide and filled with
fear and he whimpered slightly and stiffened as Ares scooped him up.

Ares held Evander close, keeping the clothes wrapped around his face,
not wanting his son to see the tragedy around him, he inhaled his
sons' scent feeling relief and immense protectiveness flood through
him.

"Dad?"

He heard the pain in Anteros voice and turned around to see him bent
over the prone figure of Psyche lying behind the door, almost
blocking it. Ares felt acid at the back of his throat and swallowed
hard realizing what he would have done if Anteros hadn't stopped him.
Evander was wailing now but Ares didn't want to let go of him, to let
him out of his sight. He closed his eyes and for the first time in
centuries mentally shouted for both of his parents.

In twin subdued flashes they appeared, their combined strength able
to penetrate the twisted power in the air. Ares watched
dispassionately at the looks of horror that flooded their faces
before gently handing his bundled son to his mother. At any other
time he would have marveled at her show of compassion as she took in
first Psyches and then Nemesis's bodies, the latter causing her to
pull Evander close and murmur soothingly to him before flashing away.

Ignoring Zeus's attempts to console him he stepped forward and knelt
next to his son who held Psyches head in his lap. Anteros was
stroking her hair and murmuring softly to her, he stiffened as Ares
crouched down next to him and Ares saw him blink back his tears.

"She's dead."

Ares shook his head unsure what to say to his son as he took in
Psyches injuries, they told him everything he needed to know. Where
she was lying….

"She was trying to block it from coming in" he murmured

The gouges to her arms and upper body

"She fought it giving Nemesis time to hide Evander, it must have
blocked them from leaving or calling for help."

The deep fang marks around her neck, the lack of power in her body

"It hurt her and drained her power." Ares murmured realizing the
bitter truth.

Her wide blank eyes.

He frowned slightly and scanned her body; Nemesis had been terrified,
Ares had seen it in her eyes. She and Psyche had fought to the end to
protect Evander because they cared for him, the idea of the creature
hurting him had terrified them so much they'd both fought tooth and
nail. Yet Psyches eyes were blank, devoid of any emotion, almost as
though…he drew in a sharp breath as he realized what he was sensing
and Zeus picking up on his increasing horror quickly scanned the
goddesses body.

Ares closed his eyes, his mind and body screaming out at the sickness
of it all, every fiber of his body and godhood angered and promising
revenge. The creature had attacked Psyche to almost the point of
death but she'd still been alive and watching when it went for
Nemesis; unable to help, unable to move she'd watched it torment her
friend before making a half hearted attempt to get to Evander. The
gouges on the wardrobe spoke volumes; it hadn't been after Evander,
it had just wanted to hurt the pantheon and it had attacked what it
saw as the weakest link.

It had taken Psyches powers and used them to take her form and trick
Hercules hoping he would dispose of the symbols it was so against.
It could have taken Evander from the wardrobe once in her form but it
hadn't cared about him, Nemesis or Psyche or who they were it had
just wanted to hurt and have a body to use and it had.

He heard Anteros murmurs and felt his sons' pain as he realized how
deeply Anteros cared for the Goddess in his arms and the woman on the
bed. He put his arm around his son as he broke down, turning to sob
on Ares shoulder.

He closed Psyches eyes as Zeus ran hands over her face murmuring
slightly. She wasn't dead, drained to the point of death but locked
in her own mind by the creatures' power, her own godhood working
against her. Ares wasn't sure death would have been worse, at least
it was more merciful. There was no telling what would happen to the
goddess now, all they could do was to slowly feed her power and hope
to pull her from her shattered mind.

All Ares could do was comfort his sons, the one who had lost his
mother and the one who had lost…..He bit his lip, not to mention his
grandson and Eris who had once been Nemesis's best friend.

Ares vowed to hunt down the creature and the thing controlling it and
make War.




Bitter Sweet 14/?

"Da ya see any thundahbolts or anythin?"

Joxer turned at the voice behind him and shook his head.

"No."

"Da ya feel tha bloodthirsty eruption ah War all ovah Greece?"

He shook his head again, checking briefly.

"No."

Strife rolled his eyes. "Then maybe ya should relax. If Evander was
hurt, then Unc would have gone crazy, which would have drove Zeus
crazy and…Ya get it."

"I can feel Ares blocking me." Joxer worried his lip, one hand
rubbing his rounded belly. "Aren't you worried about Psyche, after
what Hercules said?"

Strife hesitated, for an instant he looked younger and more
vulnerable then anyone would believe, but he quickly hid it beneath
an expressionless look. "Psyche's strongah than ya think, she
wouldn't hurt Evander or side against us. If somethin got her then
we'd know about it." The God averted his eyes, focussing on his
adopted son who was currently playing with toy monsters on the floor.


Joxer nodded slightly, Strife was his closest friend, on and off
Olympus, despite only really knowing each other for a few months.
Joxer knew from the expression on his face to leave well enough
alone. Strife was worried, really worried about Psyche, but in his
vulnerable state, especially whilst trying to take care of Bliss and
keeping Joxer company, he had no choice other then to ignore his own
worries. Joxer wondered at Ares' wisdom in leaving only him with
Strife, especially when Cupid was with Aphrodite.

Joxer hated the fact that Strife closed himself off every now and
again, but he didn't want to upset the Mischief God, especially so
close to his delivery date. He watched as Strife grimaced again, one
hand on his belly.

"Kids gonna kick his way outta me at this rate." Strife tried to
smile despite wincing again.

Joxer frowned. "Are you sure we shouldn't call Acelepious or Apollo?"

Strife shook his head. "Nah they need ta take care ah tha idiots." He
smirked slightly. "Though I have ta admit they did well in protectin
Alexi." He nestled back against the pillows around him. "Just don't
tell them that Jox."

"I won't." Joxer manoeuvred his own cushions behind his back to
support his increasing bulk. He was deeply on edge and worried about
Evander and Ares, not to mention how close the creature had come to
Alexi….

"Ya're doin it again."

Joxer blinked, focussing on Strife. "What?"

The God nestled into the pillows some more and made a sound of
annoyance. "Great I get comfy and I have ta pee." He murmured
grumpily, reaching for the pot as Joxer, blushing, averted his eyes.

"Thinkin ovah things. Theah's nothin ya can da, sa stop it,
concentrate on tha lump in frontta ya." Strife grinned at Joxer's
glower and put away the pot. "Now that got yar attention."

Joxer stared at him for a minute and then grinned. "Guess so."

- Strife grinned back. "I could tell ya a story, if it would help?"
His grin widened at the look of incredulity that spread over Joxer's
face.

"What like the hydra and the hero?" he asked bemused.

Strife laughed. "Joxer take it from me, yar sa easy ta wind up. No
more like tha whole Evander thing, how come it started and all that?
I know Unc was gonna tell ya at some point, but its no secret around
heah, sa I can if ya like."

Joxer considered it. He'd only ever heard about Evander and Nemesis
from Hercules, one night when they all ended up sharing camp and he
knew there were always two sides to every story.

"I'd love to." He pressed his hand to his belly, feeling a distinct
rumble. "But I think I'd better use the erm, room first." He blushed
deeply and stood up, one hand on his back, feeling momentarily
dizzy. "Oh wow, not only can I not see my feet anymore but this baby
is doing something bizarre."

Joxer focussed on the baby and felt Strife's hand shoot out to grab
his leg. "Chill Joxer, try not to focus ta much, ya went cross eyed."

Joxer blushed. "Somersaults, bizarre ones." He murmured and still
blushing moved towards the bathroom.

Strife laughed and caught Bliss' eye as the child looked up in
confusion. "Sometimes I forget Joxer's a lot newer ta this than any
ah us." He grinned at him as a shriek came from the bathroom,
followed by a long groan. Bliss gave a surprised cry, his small wings
flapping rapidly as he flew onto Strife's bed, cuddling up to the
god's belly. Strife frowned, even with limited powers he could tell
nothing was wrong, besides he knew a lot about screams, yells and
shrieks.

He grimaced, one hand on his belly, massaging to soothe the baby as
he counted slowly to ten letting out a deep breath. Joxer's shriek
had been more `oh Tartarus, what now' then `help I'm being massacred.'

"You okay in there Jox?" He called out, feeling Bliss' small hands
rubbing circles on his belly.

Joxer came out of the bathroom, his face slightly pink as he moved
back onto the end of the bed. As Strife looked at him his blush
increased and he shifted slightly, running hands over his belly, he
looked unhappy and more then a little embarrassed.

Strife knew better then to grin when Joxer was in one of his `shy'
moods. "What's up Jox?" He was intrigued to know what had Joxer so
self-conscious, He knew it couldn't be the weight, that worry had
come out weeks ago and been dealt with quickly by Ares reassurances
and shagging him almost unconscious.

Joxer fidgeted slightly, one hand on the hem of his tunic, he'd never
seen such a thing before but when he'd looked down and seen them he'd
felt sickened by the sheer magnitude of which they stood out on his
skin. He'd tried wiping them with water and then rubbing them to get
them to go down but the angry marks remained. He took a deep breath
and blushing miserably lifted his tunic to reveal his rounded belly.

"Oh."

Joxer looked up at Strife. "Oh? Oh?" He asked getting a little worked
up. "Tartarus or merciful Zeus or even Hades be damned, I expected,
not oh? How can this be oh!" He traced one of the angry purple/red
marks which lay on his hips and the swell of his belly.

Strife's lips quirked and Joxer glared at him, just willing him to
smile. "Joxer that's normal, fah anyone. Mortal women get them taa
durin pregnancy, sa does anyone who gains or loses lotsa weight.
See." He lifted the end of his own tunic and traced a couple of
slight silvery lines leading from his belly button outwards.

Joxer raised an eyebrow looking uncannily like Ares in his, `I am not
amused' times.

"You have a few lines Strife, a few silvery lines that look like they
are gonna disappear soon anyway, I on the other hand look like
someone's played join the dots on my belly."

Strife laughed, ignoring Joxer's glare. "I'm not laughing at ya Jox,
honest. I just sometimes forget, ya know." He patted the other god's
hand in sympathy. "Ya're lucky yer a god now, if ya'd been mortal it
would have taken years ta get them ta go down ta silver, an then they
stay on ya fah good. Bein a God and with Dite's special cream, it
should only take a few months ta get them like this, an then maybe a
year before they disappear." He glanced at Bliss and grimaced
slightly as he rubbed his belly, the baby was headbutting the front
of his stomach.

"Can ya reach into that bag yar daddy packed fah me, an get out mah
special cream?" He asked the godling.

Bliss flapped his wings a few times in answer and launched himself
off the bed, somersaulting as he did. He landed perfectly and
dutifully walked over to the bag to get the cream. He attempted
another flying somersault back onto the bed but ended up being caught
mid turn by Joxer before he flipped over it.

"Careful Bliss, yer don't want ta hurt yar little brother an yar
aunt, now da ya." Strife grinned at the child's blush and ruffled his
hair. "Yer a good boy." He took the cream from Bliss and handed it to
Joxer. Bliss flew back to his toys.

"I don't need it anymore, ya keep usin it."

Joxer reached over and took the cream, he pulled the cork out of the
top and sniffed at its contents.

"Smells sweet." He murmured as the smell hit the back of his throat.
He inverted the pot and slowly thick yellow cream ran into his hand,
hastily he turned the pot back up and put the cork in. The
moisturiser felt cool and creamy and he lifted his tunic and
hesitantly massaged it in. His eyes widened as the cool, soft cream
spread over his skin, the marks changed from livid purple to a
slightly lighter red and the baby kicked at his hand in protest as he
massaged the cream in, bumping the baby around his belly.

"Wow." He smiled at the smug looking Strife. "That's amazing, what is
that?"

Strife grinned back. "A little bit ah this an that, cocoa stuff from
somewheah or othah, bit of alcohol, wax." His grin grew. "That's all
I could get out ah Aunt Dite She said somethin about it bein big in
tha future. She's gonna patent it- make it hers and sell it." He
explained at Joxer's look.

Joxer rubbed his soft belly and slowly pulled his top back down, he
caught the tail end of another grimace as Strife bit down of his lip
and clenched his fists, and his baby felt like it was using his spine
to kick through his skin.

Joxer frowned, not liking to see his friend in pain and especially
not liking when practically every God or Goddess, especially those
related to the baby, seemed to be blocking them. He knew Acelepious
would probably come, but Apollo seemed to be completely putting up a
wall and Hera was the same. He looked at Strife and opened his mouth;
the other God interrupted him before the words came out.

"Unc and Cupe will be back soon Jox, it's fine. Ace and me had this
talk, unless things start opening, then theah's hours ta go. I know
Ares is blockin ya, jus like Cupe's blockin me, but fah all we know
they could be practisin torture on that thing that attacked ya and
Alexis, so let's leave them to it. Besides, if they aren't practisin
torture they might be blockin us for anothah reason."

Joxer caught his eye and nodded slowly seeing the seriousness
there. "Alright, but if anything, bursts or pops or breaks we call
them or Acelepious, right?"

Strife grinned slightly, despite the pain that rippled through his
body. "Got ya Jox, let's just give Ace a bit ah time with mah baby
sister. Seems fair she should get to have a good dad at least, an
make ma happy." He winced again. "This baby thinks mah spine's a push
off board."

Joxer stared at Strife's stomach as he spoke, watching it rise and
fall in time with Strife's winces. "The baby's pushing?" he asked
curiously.}

No one had expected his daughter to double her growth so they'd held
off telling him exactly how Gods gave birth and tried to skirt the
subject. Now he guessed he was only weeks away. He frowned, a thought
crossing his mind. Strife's baby was growing fast but still
Acelepious had said at least a few more days, so how early was the
baby.

Strife exhaled slowly, seeing the question in his friend's
face. "It's not taa early Jox, he'll probably be a bit small but Ace
warned us about that. He said tha wings would take up more growin
space and cramp tha baby so he'd probably get out soonah than later."

He groaned and clenched his fists as a particularly vicious thrust
met his belly, his eyes widened as he felt a slight snapping inside
of him."Tartarus." He murmured pulling up his tunic.

Bliss, catching the end of Strife's groan as he played, moved next to
the bed and stared up at him, a very worried and scared expression on
his face.

"Is the baby hurtin?"

Joxer leant over as much as his bulk would allow and scooped up
Bliss, using his weight to pull him onto the bed.

"No, not hurting him Bliss." He murmured as Strife cried out again
and bit his lip hard.

He stared at the huge mound of Strife's stomach, the young God looked
very frail and all belly as he lay on his back, half supported by the
cushions.

"It's just not sure whethah ta come out now or not."}

Joxer thought for a moment, he knew Strife didn't want him to get
anyone until they desperately needed them and he didn't want to leave
him and Bliss alone for one minute.

He hugged Bliss close and took Strife's hand, biting down on his
cheek as the God squeezed hard, another pain hitting him. His eyes
widened and he heard Bliss' delighted gasp as a lump literally pushed
out of Strife's stomach, remained out for a few seconds and went back
in. He saw another smaller lump emerge briefly before the larger one
was back, straining against Strife's belly.

The God let out another hoarse cry as the pain whipped through him,
his hands instinctively wanting to push the baby back in. He panted
and swallowed hard. "Tha baby's elbow's tha little one, its head…" he
grunted as another pain hit.

"Tartarus!"

Joxer set Bliss down on the end of the bed, tuning out the child's
happy exclamations, and moved next to Strife. Strife's face was
sweaty and his cheeks were bright pink, an unusual colour for the
Mischief God. He kept a hold of Strife's hand as he groaned again,
twisting and panting as he rode out the contraction. Joxer could see
the skin at the bottom of Strife's belly becoming silvery and
slightly translucent at every push.

"I'm going to call Cupid and Ares." He murmured to Strife, as the God
relaxed.

Strife shook his head wildly. "No don't. Cupid's blockin me, he only
would do that if somethin was wrong." He groaned again and tried to
twist into his body and curl up. "Don't call him, not yet." He begged
as he gripped Joxer's hand tightly.

Joxer closed his eyes and counted to ten, he wanted to call Ares,
Cupid, Acelepious, anyone who could help Strife, but he didn't want
to upset his friend. He sighed, thinking hard, one thing he did know
was that Strife's water had to break before the baby could be born,
so he decided to give Strife a few more minutes. He rubbed his
friend's back as he leaned forward and sighed.

"They are all going to kill me, but all right. I'm not totally sure I
could actually get hold of anyone anyway." He admitted and almost
kicked himself realising how that sounded. He was more then a little
surprised at Strife's relieved grin.

"What can I say, I'm weird." The god giggled, "I'd rather not be a
burden."

Joxer shot him a look. "You're not a burden Strife, you know that."

His tone softened at the answering shrug and cry of pain. He rubbed
Strife's back as he flopped back down. "You know, it might help if
you got on your hands and knees." He murmured as he watched the baby
strain against Strife's belly. "It just seems you'd be helping to
push it down, besides it might help your back, at least I could rub
it for you." He added at Strife's questioning look.

The God nodded. "Couldn't hurt."

He gasped as another pain hit; he could feel the skin on his belly
stretching and aching, inside and out as Joxer helped manoeuvre him
into position. Embarrassment went out of the window as Joxer helped
Strife remove his tunic and insisted they call Acelepious at the
least.

Joxer could see Strife was ready to argue his point but a stronger
pain lashed through the God's belly which caused him to grip the
covers firmly, a keening wail burst from his lips as the baby pushed
harder and Bliss began to wail, scared by all the chaos.

Without breathing, Joxer began shouting, mentally for Bliss' sake,
for Ares, Cupid, Hera and Acelepious. The resulting flash caused huge
red dots to swamp his vision and he swayed slightly. He heard Cupid's
anxious shout and felt comforting arms surround him and pull him to
one side. He realised it was Ares even before his vision cleared and
he sagged back, feeling his lover's hands encircle his body
protectively.

Joxer closed his eyes briefly, letting the dots disappear. He opened
them just as Cupid bore down on him, he nearly flinched but stopped
himself in time as Cupid spoke.

"Thanks Joxer, I know how stubborn he can be. You did good." The
winged god smiled and hastily deposited the squirming Bliss in Joxers
arms; the small God had stopped crying and was watching the
proceedings with wide eyes.

"Hold him for us?" Cupid smiled again, but Joxer could see shadows of
pain in his eyes as he moved over to Strife who was clenching the
bedcovers and growling at Cupid's apparent enthusiasm for pain.

"I'd say Cupid's carrying the next one."

Ares murmured in his ear, as another contraction hit the squirming
God, causing him to buck and grip Cupid's hand tightly. Joxer turned
to him as Acelepious was ordering Cupid into position, promising it
wouldn't be long. He hesitated, seeing the pain in Cupids' eyes, and
gripped Ares arms, stroking them softly.

"Not now, soon." His lover murmured, as if in answer, in his ear not
wanting to spoil the moment.

Joxer nodded and jumped slightly as Strife let out an ear-piecing
scream. His head whipped around and he ended up with a face full of
feathers as Bliss vibrated in excitement, squealing at the noise. He
stared at Strife who knelt, his back supported by Cupid, his hands
gripping the Love God's tightly as his body arched. Strife was
slightly leant forward, Acelepious's hands partially obscuring his
lower body, but Joxer could clearly see the outline of the head as
its pushed forward. Strife's belly was rippling and contracting and
finally giving way as the God groaned and strained.

Joxer blinked, the baby's head was encased in a thin yellow cover and
as Strife strained and heaved Joxer watched a large nub slip past,
its twin joining a second later. As the baby's wings were freed from
Strife's body, Acelepious broke the membrane surrounding the baby. As
water gushed over the bed, Strife gave one more cry and pushed the
baby out, his small body slipping into Ace's hands.}

The infant let out a quavering wail, even before the cord was cut, as
his lungs filled with air for the first time and he beat his fists
angrily as he shivered against the cold. A grin spread over Joxer's
face as Acelepious quickly bundled up the baby, vanished the
afterbirth and handed the baby to Cupid. Cupid stood, cradling his
newborn son, with a goofy smile on his face as Acelepious eased
Strife back into a sitting position and helped the god's stomach
close up again.

"It's a baby." Cupid grinned holding the infant close as Acelepious
quickly flashed the bed clean and made Strife a comfortable outfit.

"Yes Cupid." Acelepious rolled his eyes as Cupid knelt next to Strife
and carefully handed the baby to the exhausted God.

"Right number ah fingers and toes and wings an he's a boy." Strife
grinned down at the baby, who was whimpering softly "We did good
Cupe." He looked up and grinned at Joxer adding a mental *thanks*.

"Want to meet your brother, Bliss?" Cupid asked smiling slightly as
the Godling flashed into the grove between his parents. He peered up
at the baby almost doubtfully as Strife angled him down so Bliss
could see.

"He's small." Bliss frowned and then smiled "I'm his big brother."

Strife grinned "Sure are kid, ya gonna be a great big brother." He
positioned the baby so it was on Bliss's level "Bliss, meet ya little
brother Damian."

Damian gurgled and waved his fists stuffing it in his mouth as Bliss
stared at him. Cupid grinned and looked towards Joxer and Ares "Want
to see your newest grandson, dad?"

Joxer smiled slightly and let Ares go as his lover made his way over
to the bed to hold his squirming grandson. He felt the wistful
feeling return as he rubbed his own belly, his baby bumping inside of
him.

He felt Strife's eyes on him, before the god called him over to stand
next to Acelepious and have a turn at holding the baby, Damian. He
moved forward, feeling more secure and complete about being a God and
being pregnant than he had before.






Title:Bitter Sweet 15/?
Author:Wildannuette
Fandom:Xena/Herc
Email:Auxilary25248891@aol.com
Website: http://www.livejournal.com/users/wildannuette/
Rating: FRT
Summary:Joxer and Hephaestus talk and something strange happens to
the Halls of Imagination.
Warnings: Character death mentioned

This will be a crossover at the end but for now it's only been
hinted at so points if anyone can recognise it.

Part 15:

Joxer tapped his fingers irritably on the side of huge chair he was
sitting on, the sudden noise echoing in the silent hall. An
apologetic look came over his face as the God next to him jumped
slightly at the sudden noise jolting the baby in his lap, which made
it howl.

"Sorry"

Joxer blushed slightly as Hephaestus attempted to settle down the
overtired baby, soothing his cries by kissing his hands and gently
moving him up and down. With a thought the chairs arm became material
and the walls of the room vibrated slightly as if in agreement as
Joxer tapped silently. He stared at them and settled down; for the
time being this was seen as the safest place to be for anyone Godly.

The mortals were still banned from entering the Halls of Imagination
but everyone else Joxer welcomed coming in. When he wasn't able to
visit Strife or Athena he sat in the Halls. A couple of times
Melpomene and her son had joined him but Hephaestus was his most
frequent visitor, the other God able to come and go as he pleased, as
he always had.

Just as the others Gods did, Hephaestus and Aphrodite time-shared
their son during the day so that both got to spend time with him in
turn. Though they could have got a nanny neither wanted their son too
far away from them and often, Joxer found, their other Godly
children `checked in' from time to time.

It had been nearly a week since the birth of Damian and the demise of
Nemesis and no one was any closer to figuring out where the creature
that had attacked them was. Or, more importantly, what was
controlling it.

Most of the Pantheon was spread out all over Olympus as they tried to
keep the infant Gods separate and protected. Only Persphone remained
in the underworld with Hades and their son, something Demeter had
been incensed about until she saw how many canine, as well as Godly,
guardians the baby had. Hades had not been best pleased when she'd
declared her need to help protect her grandson and after delegating
her work, had temporarily moved into their home.

Some of the Gods had brought up trusted mortals to protect their
children, Athena had brought up close to ten of her best soldiers to
protect her son. The demigods had clubbed together to protect the
children and keep an eye out for the creature and the Gods had been
looking for an early warning system to use if the creature attacked
again.

None could comprehend how the creature had struck on Olympus, killed
an ex-Goddess, terrified her son and crippled the mind of a young
Goddess. Joxer had watched as Ares paced up and down his temple for
close to an hour, growing more and more frustrated at not being able
to fathom out the mystery. The last few days had been restless for
all of them and whilst Joxer knew most of the Gods were suffering
from tiredness and worry, Ares was suffering from acute Insomnia.

Joxer found it hard enough to sleep at night between the practice
contractions he was now prone to, the uncomfortable level of heat he
seemed to generate and his worry over the situation; but Ares got an
hour or less a night and jumped out of bed at the slightest idea or
new worry. Joxer could see the strain was taking its toll, now more
then ever, with Eris and Strife holed up safe in their temples unable
to work. He'd been raking in all the Gods and Goddesses he could find
to help, not only had Joxer now met all of Ares Godly children,
including the madcap twins, but several more of Ares relatives he
wasn't sure were completely on the side of sanity.

He glanced at Hephaestus as he realized the God has spoken to him.

"Sorry, what?" He blushed deeply "I'm more then slightly forgetful at
the moment, keep going off into my own thoughts."

Hephaestus smiled slightly though the strain of the last weeks events
was also showing on him too.

"I thought you might be, take a look."

He gestured to the walls of the room. No longer grey and boring but
splashed in multitudes of colour as if each was a separate thought.

As Joxer stared at them they all melded coalescing into black. He
raised an eyebrow,

"Nice, Guess it pretty much reflects my mood." He sighed as he
focussed on the other God.

Hephaestus looked on in agreement as he rocked Alexi gently "I think
most of the Pantheon feel like that, there's only a few bright
sparks." He patted the babys back gently "I know everyone's on edge
since this happen. The boys are the only thing keeping Cupid and
Strife getting too depressed, apart from each other. Bliss is taking
it better then we expected but I really don't think he understands."

Joxer nodded, "When I went to see Strife yesterday Bliss kept asking
why his mother couldn't be made well again and why Nemesis couldn't
come back like Strife did. He's too young to really understand what's
going on and telling him what happened to Nemesis, to explain why she
can't come back, would scar him."

He rubbed his back as the baby got in a kidney shot and stood up on
shaky leg "Nature call" he murmured as a small cubical appeared next
to him.

"Gotta love this place" he smiled slightly as he went in. He kept
talking to Hephaestus long having gotten over the embarrassment of
peeing the same room as the other God.

"How's Anteros doing?"

Hephaestus blinked in response to the disembodied voice. "Not so
good, we're spending as much time with him as possible but Psyches
condition's hit him hard and he blames himself for leaving them. He
talks to her all the time trying to coax her out of the coma that
thing put her in, but at the moment she's barely even able to keep
herself alive. None of us had a clue that he cared for her like that,
for Nemesis either. He was distraught when Hades told him her soul
wasn't in the underworld and that he thought the creature had
consumed it. I think if it wasn't for Evander or if someone tried to
take him away, I know he'd go after that creature himself, suicide or
not. It's only because of Psyche and Evander that we can guilt him
into staying put."

Joxer walked out of the cubical, the object disappearing as he did,
he could see the trouble weighing heavy on his friends' mind as he
feigned checking over Alexi's power blocking bangle. He felt sickened
whenever anyone mentioned Nemesis's soul being consumed. To him your
soul was the one thing that was always yours, to be denied any kind
of afterlife and merely be recycled as `food' appalled him. Not to
mention the trauma Anteros and the others were going through.

He locked eyes with Hephaestus and winced as the baby got in another
painful kick, "Damn Kidney shot."

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow "Maybe she's trying to tell you
something. " he rubbed Alexis' back as the baby fussed "Whenever
anyone gets too depressed in our temple Alexi starts to scream and
fuss until we focus on him, then he seems to be a lot happier. Takes
our mind of it, makes us less depressed. The baby is probably the
same as Alexi, they both share the same Godhood, I expect your
daughter wants you to get too stop being down too."

Joxer frowned and placed his hand on his belly feeling the baby kick
hard, over the last few days she had been kicking a lot harder and a
lot more often then normal. When his body had started to swell up,
mainly his ankles and hands, Acelepious had told him that he had to
stay in bed or at least stay sitting to make sure neither he or the
baby got sick.

Hercules and Gabrielle had both been banned from seeing him although
Ares had often brought Xena and Iolaus to chat to him, at least that
way he stayed on top of things. He knew Gabrielle was fully healed
now and though the other Gods didn't forgive her for her staff thrust
to him, she was at least grudgingly accepted for trying to save
Alexi.

Hercules was now sporting an interesting looking scar above one eye
and had only just got his energy levels back completely. He was more
tolerated by the other Gods, even Ares and Hera who disliked him
intently, they all had to admit when he worked with them he was a
great asset and he's protected Alexi as best he could.

He turned toward Hephaestus as he tried to get comfy, the baby was
pressed down hard against him, almost uncomfortably so, he opened his
mouth to say something and then closed it again unsure how to sort
all of his thoughts and make conversation.

Hephaestus created a crib for Alexi to lie in and the God of the
Forge laid him gently down before moving slightly stiffly, back to
his seat. He caught the look of confusion on Joxers face and nodded
at him.

"You know Joxer, you don't actually have to say something. You
shouldn't feel like you have to make small talk with me."

As Joxer opened his mouth to protest Hephaestus held up a hand, "I
told you before Joxer one of the main reasons I spend time with you
is because you both listen as well as talk. Neither of us need to
force out conversation when we're together we can just enjoy being in
each others company without talking."

Joxer smiled slightly "I never thought of it like that." He admitted,
he felt strange pains cross his abdomen and he stilled as Hephaestus
continued talking, the other God not noticing. In his crib Alexi
whimpered slightly and figeted.

"There was a meeting with all the higher-up Gods yesterday, Zeus told
us about the Fates. Everyone's pretty much panicking about what it
means and up in arms about this destiny layout they have for us. Not
to mention wanting to know where this eighth symbol is."

Joxer took in a deep breath as the pain subsided, "Ares told me about
that, he's trying to fight against their idea of sending all the
demigods down, he wants to keep Evander up here with him, or with
Anteros even."

Hephaestus nodded, "Zeus said it was pretty much impossible which
pissed Ares off no end but Athena, surprisingly enough, thinks she
can find a way around it. I think she likes the idea of Ares owing
her one or else motherhood has softened her."

Alexi cried loudly as he awoke with a jolt from his nap, his little
limbs pumped furiously and Hephaestus moved quickly over to the crib,
he picked up the baby and rubbed his back to soothe him. Joxer
clenched his fists around the chair arms as the pain hit again, it
felt worse then the contractions he'd come to expect, a white-hot
blinding pain shooting across his kidneys and down his back. He bit
his lip and slight whimper escaped his lips.

Hephaestus caught the sound and focussed on his friend, he watched as
pain and confusion settled over Joxers face and then spoke as his
fists unclenched "Practice contractions?"

Joxer shook his head, he pushed hard with his hands to stand onto his
feet "No, these are different, they feel wrong." He admitted, "I
think maybe I should go and lie d-!"

A choked scream cut off his words and the pain lashed through his
belly again, Joxer dropped to his knees, his hands wrapped around his
belly, almost completely doubled over. In the same instant all of the
windows in the Halls of Imagination blew out, the glass vanishing as
they did. The walls rippled and the Halls shuddered as Joxer screamed
again.


Hephaestus knelt by his side calling for Apollo and Acelepious, he
held Alexi as he screamed and kicked vigorously and held Joxer with
his other arm and supported the pained God.



Title: Bitter Sweet 16
Author:Wildannuette
Fandom:Xena/Herc
Email:Auxilary25248891@aol.com
Website: My live journal
Rating: FMT

Summary: Joxer goes through a traumatic labor and Ares has a
difficult promise to make.

Warnings:lotsa angst

Notes: previous parts on the archive


part 16:

Ares flashed into the Halls of Imagination a second after Hephaestus
shouted for him, he dropped to his knees beside his brother and
pulled Joxer into him arms as he murmered urgently to him. A split
second after he did, Acelepious flashed in and almost pushed Ares out
the way as he scanned Joxers body, one hand on his belly the other on
his heart.

Hephaestus managed to grab Ares with one hand as the furious God
reached for Acelepious, his hands crackling with power,

"He's doing his thing Ares, he's probably the best one to help Joxer
right now." Hephaestus pushed Ares backwards to stop him attacking
his nephew, with only one hand and a screaming baby to wrestle with
in the other he found it extremely hard.

His calm words penetrated the fog of anger that clouded Ares mind and
the God nodded angrily as he restrained himself from blasting
Acelepious off Olympus. "What happened?" he asked in a low voice as
he watched his lover writhe on the floor. He heard Joxer call out his
name and had to mentally will his body to remain still as Acelepious
checked Joxer over.

"I'm not sure." Hephaestus admitted as he tried to calm Alexi, he
rubbed the babys back and rocked him gently and as his cries tapered
off he continued, "Alexi cried, Joxer collapsed and this place went a
little wild." He looked at the walls as they vibrated slightly "It
just came on all of a sudden Ares there was no warning. He said it
wasn't like the false contractions."

Ares glared at the Walls, which shook slightly though he doubted it
was because of his gaze, he clenched his fists, and felt his nails
break the skin as they dug into his hands. The pain helped calm him
slightly and kept him focussed on the thing that mattered, Joxer.

Acelepious looked up, his mouth was set in a grim line "We have to
get him out of here Ares, he's been hit by another power surge." He
placed his hand on Joxers rounded abdomen "The babys not siphoning it
off this time, we're going to have to get it out before either of
them are damaged."

There would have been no way to stop Ares this time even if
Hephaestus had had half a mind too, the War God sprung forward,
dropped to his knees beside Joxer and grabbed Aces shirt, "What do
you mean damaged?" he roared.

Acelepious twisted in his grip and was eternally grateful when Joxer
let out a low moan and gripped his belly tightly. In a heartbeat, as
Ace attempted to get his breath back, Ares comforted his lover and
pulled him onto his lap. He glowered at Ace as he rubbed Joxers back
and the younger god paled and glanced at Hephaestus knowing he was
very very lucky to have got away with pushing Ares off Joxer earlier.

"We have to get him to my temple. The baby is fighting the power
boost it received, trying to send it somewhere else, here I guess"
he gestured to the walls which undulated in time to Joxers
writhes. "The power boost is tricking her into wanting to come out
but her body's not ready yet. Joxers body can sense that and so he's
fighting against it too. Unfortunately one way or another, early or
not she's coming out. Her power signature and Joxers are starting to
merge; the last time that happened the mother died."

He looked at Ares and gently put out a hand, when it wasn't blown off
he felt Joxers stomach and spoke bluntly "Now if we don't get her out
soon we'll be too late. Joxer might be a God but both he and the baby
are very very vulnerable and if we don't do anything now they'll
merge and their Godhoods will start fighting each other. If by some
miracle one survived, the other wouldn't."

Ares mouth opened and closed a few times as his brain tried to make
sense of the information; most of it was shrouded over by the huge
cloud of fear, which screamed at him. Ruthlessly he pushed that fear
to the back of his mind and held Joxer closer. He felt Joxers body
stiffen slightly as another pain passed through it and nodded to
Acelepious.

"Your Temple."

He didn't wait for a response; instead he summoned all his power and
flashed them both to Acelepious's temple. Or so he thought. A wave of
dizziness hit him and he felt them both bounced back into the Halls
of Imagination.

To Acelepious and Hephaestus, neither Joxer nor Ares flashed out but
merely glimmered a bright red colour and then reappeared.

Ares stared around him and locked eyes with his confused brother
*Crap*. He concentrated hard and tried again. Nothing. He couldn't
even muster up a decent glimmer this time. He stared down at Joxer as
panic flooded him.

"It won't work" he looked at Acelepious "Why won't it work? We can't
leave!"

Hephaestus hunkered down next to him and manoeuvred Alexi so they
both supported him. His free hand he laid on his brothers'
shoulder "Let me help."

Ares nodded at Hephaestus; his voice failed him so he gripped the
other Gods arm. He felt Hephaestuses power surge through him and felt
them flash out as they headed for Acelepious's temple. Mid flash
something hit him hard across the chest and he lost his grip on his
brother.

A very confused Hephaestus and Alexi flashed into Acelepious temple
but Ares and Joxer were viciously pulled back into the Halls which
quaked ominously.

Ares blinked and stared at Acelepious who looked uneasy,

"I don't think you should try that again." Acelepious spoke slowly
as he stared at the trembling walls "I don't know much about this
place but I think we pissed it off by trying to take Joxer away."

Ares stared up at the Walls fury growing as he realised what the
latest hindrance could mean. His arms cracked with barely suppressed
power and sparks flew as he raised them up.

"Ares!" He hadn't even registered the flash beside him just before
his sister shouted. He winced and lowered his arms, aside from his
mother and Joxer that was one voice that always made him snap to
attention. The sparks faded and power receded and he inclined his
head slightly to see Aphrodite as she stared in horror at the God in
his lap.

He looked down feeling guilt encompass him as he took in his lovers'
pale and sweaty face. Furious at himself for allowing his rage to
almost consume him he conjured up a thick pallet underneath Joxer for
the other God to lay on. Without a word he conjured up pillows to
surround his lover; Joxer twisted onto his side and grabbed a pillow
holding it against the mound of his belly as he instinctively tried
to protect the baby against the pain he felt.

Acelepious moved next to Joxer and placed a hand on his
forehead "He's freezing cold, this is going quicker then I thought it
was." He glanced at Aphrodite "Can you get Dad and Hera, we're going
to need them."

Aphrodite rolled her eyes "Well Duh, Hera's already after Apollo, she
sent me on ahead to keep things calm. Hephaestus making a special
crib for the baby to keep her warm and alert us if anything starts to
happen, she's going to be so little and he wanted to do something to
help. Cupid and Strife wanted to come but I made them stay with
Alexi."

Ace shot her a look "What about Zeus, what's he doing?"

Aphrodite frowned as Ares conjured up a warm feather blanket to wrap
Joxer in, "He got called over to the Egyptian Pantheon, they lost
another one of theirs today, Meri the Goddess of Hope and
Inspiration." Totally disregarding the effect the floor would have on
her dress she dropped to her knees, she took Joxers hand and spoke
soothingly to him "Joxer, sweetie, can you hear me?"

Ares rubbed Joxers hand as he tried to warm him up all the while he
whispered to Joxer. He told him how brave he thought he was and how
much he loved him and tried to reassure him about the baby too. Out
of the corner of his eye he watched Aphrodite give the same treatment
to Joxers other hand.

Joxer managed a smile through the pain "Love you too," he croaked
out." He rotated his eyes slightly "Hi, Acelepious, Aphrodite," he
tried to force another smile but it turned into a grimace as another
pain hit, tearing through his abdomen "Feels like someone's shoved a
knife in and is twisting it." He gasped as clenched his eyes shut.
The Walls shook slightly and Ares heard several more things explode
at one end of it.

"Oh sweetie," Aphrodite had tears in her eyes as she massaged his
hand "It'll be alright I promise and you totally know I wouldn't lie
to you. Just think about what you'll have when this is over, your
beautiful baby."

She locked eyes with Ares who had a completely lost expression on his
face, he was out of his depth and he knew it. He couldn't remember
ever feeling so scared and lost. Usually there was an enemy he could
take his frustrations out on but Joxer and the baby needed him and
there was no enemy he could fight off to help them.

Aphrodite stroked his cheek with her free hand and he leant into it
briefly letting his vulnerability show. He pulled back as twin
flashes lit up the room.

The instant she appeared, Hera moved forward and knelt the other side
of Acelepious. Without a word she placed her hands either side of
Joxers abdomen, her eyes unfocussed slightly as she scanned the baby.
Apollo swiftly followed and moved to Joxers head. He placed one hand
over his heart, the other on the side of his head and began checking
the God over. Both began conversing mentally as they shared their
findings.

Ares growled slightly as he looked from one to the other, he could
sense their conversation but they had literally locked him out, a
small noise of displeasure from Aphrodite told him they'd done the
same to her.

Acelepious looked at them "There just trying to find the best way to
help Joxer and the baby. They might try to unmerge them and encourage
Joxers body to let him give birth but I think out best option is to
remove the baby the mortal way. There's a new technique we can use.
It'll take a while for them to even attempt a separation and although
I don't doubt they'll manage it but it won't last for long enough."

Ares cursed, he didn't want Joxer cut open but he wasn't sure they
should wait for Hera and Apollo to try either.

Hera leant back and shot a glare at Acelepious "Ultimately it's both
of your choices, we won't do anything without your consent but we do
need to do something." She looked him in the eyes "We can try
unmerging them first and then opt for a Caesar cut or we can try
taking the baby out without unmerging them. I'm just worried that if
we don't unmerge them first their Godhoods may be warped. Which would
change them."

Ares looked from one the other as he felt a heavy weight descend over
his heart, he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to do anything
that could hurt his lover more but he didn't want either of their
Godhoods warped. There were enough insane Gods around due to that. He
bit his lip and wiped Joxers sweat-covered brow.

"Try to unmerge them." It was barely above a whisper but Hera
acknowledged it with a curt nod, she waved her hands at Aphrodite and
Ares "You two need to step back, not just to give us room. We don't
want to have to be isolating your Godhoods as well as our own before
starting."

Ares glowered at her, he had no intention of leaving Joxers side
despite Aphrodites hand on his shoulder. He felt a tentative squeeze
on his hand and he looked down in surprise.

Joxer opened his eyes tiredly, grimacing as the pain started to
build, "Please Ares, I know you're there even if you aren't touching
me, we both do." He kept his eyes on his lovers and squeezed
again "Please?"

Ares swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded. He kissed Joxer on
the head and murmured a soft "I love you." He allowed Aphrodite to
lead him back as Joxer closed his eyes again.

Apollo placed his hands either side of Joxers head and spoke softly
to him "Just relax Joxer, Ace is going to try to numb the pain whilst
we separate you but I need you to try and stay as still as possible."
He nodded to his son who placed his hands over Joxers heart; he
readied himself to absorb the pain caused by the separation as Hera
laid her hands back on Joxers bump concentrating on the baby.

"Now."

As Apollo spoke he and Hera poured all their power into Joxer as they
tried to separate the babys power signature from his, both clenched
their teeth as they were forced to dredge up as much reserve power as
possible.

Joxer bit back a scream as he felt raw power rush through him, it
twisted at his body and pulled it in all directions. He felt a deep
heat building in his belly and tasted blood as he bit his own tongue,
as the heat grew his body started to convulse and all he could do was
scream.

Ares watched on in horror as Joxers body started to jerk and fit of
it's own accord "Stop it, now!" he roared as he stepped forward. The
Floor of the Halls began to shake violently and he almost topelled
over, "I said Stop!" he yelled.

Hera hadn't even heard her sons' words but she felt the Halls as they
shook and as Apollo let go she quickly did so herself, she gasped and
held her hand to her chest. Her heart was racing and they hadn't even
made a start on separating the two. Her eyes locked with Apollo and
he nodded grimly, they'd have to try the Caesar cut.

Joxer lay back, he moaned slightly and barely summoned up the energy
to curl back into a ball. He whimpered as he felt hands return to
grip his but felt relief flood through him at Ares voice. "We're
trying the cut, now." His voice broached no argument.

Joxer whimpered as he was turned back onto his back and his shirt was
pulled up. He barely heard Aphrodite as she flashed out to fetch the
crib Hephaestus had made, he could feel the baby scarcely moving
inside of him and yet he could sense she was wake, his heart felt
heavy at what that meant.

He shivered as cold hands touched his naked belly and clenched his
fists as numbness swept over it. He closed his eyes and saw the
bright light behind his eyelids though he felt nothing.

Ares almost jumped back in shock; as Acelepious moved to make the
first incision a bright turquoise light shot out of Joxers belly and
spread across his abdomen. It knocked the scalpel from Acelepious
hand, which caused the God of Healing to curse.

"Tartarus! Should have expected this!"

Ares watched in horror as both Apollo and Ace each tried to make an
incision, the shield came up each time and blocked the cut. Ares
closed his eyes and cursed, he mentally screamed his frustration to
his siblings which caused the ones closest to him to jerk suddenly
and the rest on Olympus to flinch.

Joxer opened his eyes and looked up at him, "It didn't work did it?"
he asked flatly.

"No", Ares glanced at Hera as she laid a hand on his arm.

"Acelepious has some thoughts, we'll just be over there," she
indicated a corner "Just keep talking to each other," she looked
sadly at Joxer before she moved to the corner, both Gods following.

"Ares." Joxer spoke softly; the pain had lessened slightly which
panicked him even more. He hadn't felt the baby kick in far too long.

"Ares," He found the strength and smiled slightly as his lover
focussed on him and placed a hand on his belly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he felt tears sting his eyes "Can't do
much right can I?" he trembled slightly.

Ares stared down at Joxer wondering how the man could think such a
thing; he moved closer to Joxer and stroked his face.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Joxer." He stressed the word and
felt slight reassurance as Joxer turned onto his side, his bump
pressed against Ares belly.

"She's not kicking much anymore," Joxer spoke quietly seeing the
flash of horrified understanding light up in Ares eyes, "I once
thought maybe if I could keep her inside me I could protect her from
everything." Tears leaked from the corner of one eye "Turns out I'm
the thing she needs protecting from."

Ares shook his head "No." He said firmly trying to keep his voice
steady "She'll be fine, you see. It's just a set back Joxer. You did
the best job in the World of keeping her safe and when they come
back," he pointed to the small group of Gods in the corner. "They are
going to have a way to get her out."

Joxer swallowed hard, he wasn't sure he could hold on any longer, the
temptation to sleep was too much. He had to make sure Ares was clear
on something though, he had to make sure if it came down to it Ares
would chose the baby, would save her. He ran a hand over his belly.
They'd created something miraculous together and he refused to let
that go.

"Ares, you have to promise me." His eyes locked with Ares and he
tried to make his tone as firm as possible "You have to promise me
you'll save the baby. Not because she's a symbol but because she's
*ours*," He choked back a sob at the raw pain in Ares eyes "Promise
me you'll save her." He murmured.

Ares blinked back tears of his own; he couldn't open his mouth to
utter a reply. He wanted to shout at his exhausted lover and shake
him. He didn't want to lose either of them but if it had come down to
it he'd have saved Joxer. Symbol or not there would be more babies,
but there was only one Joxer.

He avoided his lovers pleading eyes "I …I can't." He choked out

*Please. Promise me Ares*

Ares looked at Joxer, the other God couldn't even muster up the
strength to talk anymore and his face had gone bone white.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, he didn't bother to
hide the tears on his face. Hera didn't say a word; she took him into
her arms for a brief hug and pulled away roughly.

"We think there's a way to save them both," she glanced at
Acelepious, who nodded "It's risky but its all we have left." She
looked up at the crumbling walls of the Hall, which seemed to be
fading around them "Whether it be because of this place or not
Acelepious believes this idea will work."

Acelepious stepped forward "We can't risk unmerginging or cutting
again but we can try transporting the baby out, flashing it here."

Ares blinked and Joxer opened his eyes in confusion, "Will it hurt
the baby?" Joxer asked quietly as his hand caressed his bump.

Acelepious shook his head "I don't think so but I admit I've never
thought of it before. It's risky to both of you but we don't have any
other option."

Ares looked down at Joxer who worried his lip with his teeth, as
Joxer gave a brief nod and gripped his hand tightly he nodded to
them.

"Alright, what do we have to do?" He asked as Aphrodite flashed in
holding what looked like a cross between a basket and a crib. It was
thicker then a normal one and as she set it down, Ares could see the
inside was lined with pillows. He sensed power contained in it and he
murmured a brief "Thank you" to her as he prayed they would get to
use it.

Apollo and Acelepious laid their hands back on Joxer and Hera cupped
her hands either side of Joxers bump, "Keep quiet and we'll do the
rest." She ordered "Joxer this may hurt a little."

Joxer choked off a cry as a cold icy feeling permeated his body, at
the same time a warm tingling sensation started in his belly and he
gripped Ares hand tightly.

Ares stared down at Joxers belly, he could see Heras hands shake as
they strained to stay in position. The skin on Joxers belly grew
transparent and Ares could hear Acelepious and Apollo grunt as they
used their powers. He kept his eyes fixated on a tiny gleam of
turquoise light which flickered deep in Joxers belly and he gasped in
relief as he watch it fan out as it moved through Joxers womb.

Joxer felt a strange sucking sensation as the warmth grew and felt
his body quiver, as the tension mounted in his belly he felt rather
then heard a loud pop and felt a strange sense of emptiness in his
belly.

Ares gripped Joxers hand tightly, as the tiny gleams grew brighter
and brighter as they travelled through Joxers belly. He heard his
mother gasp and pull her hands from Joxers flattening abdomen as the
tiny gleams of turquoise coalesced into bright orbs of light. Quickly
Hera lay her hands either side of the orbs and they faded quickly
into a very small, very angry baby that squalled its displeasure.

Ares let out a breath he hadn't even realised he'd been holding and
grinned. He itched to hold his child but both Apollo and Acelepious
were checking her over even as she screamed at them to stop. Joxer
forced his eyes open as hope flooded through him with each cry, he
tried to sit up and grimaced. In a heartbeat Ares was behind him, as
he helped Joxer sit up and supported him.

"Is she okay?" Joxer asked hoarsely.

Hera looked up at him "Five on each hand and foot and neither of your
Godhoods are warped." She spoke softly as she wrapped the small
infant in dark blue bunting. She stroked her newest Grandchilds cheek
and smiled as the baby quietened; the two locked eyes, the babys dark
blue/green eyes silently appraising her. She looked at Joxer and
Ares, she could see how much they longed to hold their baby. She used
her powers to quickly weigh the Infant and then laid her against
Joxers chest, her head level with her feet.

Ares arms moved around Joxers to help the shattered Gods shaky arms
hold her "She's so tiny" he murmured. The baby wasn't even the length
of his forearm, from elbow to wrist.

Acelepious nodded, both he and Apollo looked extremely pleased with
themselves Ares noted. He'd have to thank them properly when Joxer
and the baby were stronger, much as he hated to he owed them both. He
smiled at Aphrodite who was going all gloopy and flashed away after
she declared left over hormones caused her to blub.

Hera stroked the babys head gently as the two rocked her
softly "She'll have to go in the crib soon to keep warm but we'll all
keep a very close watch on her." She smiled slightly "In normal
pregnancy terms she is over six weeks early. She may be small but
she's very strong."

Joxer grinned happily as he laid his head against Ares chest and they
stared at their daughter, he took in a deep breath,

"Welcome to the family Leonie."





Title: Bitter Sweet 17/18

Author: Wildannuette

Rating: This part PG-13

Summary: The newly born Deities are presented to the mortal world, as
well as a surprising addition to the Pantheon and an oppotunity is
about to be seized.

Genres: Alternate Universe (AU), Angst, Crossover, First Time, Het
scenes, Hurt/Comfort, MPreg, slash: Ares/Joxer, Cupid/Strife

Warnings: Unbeta'd in many parts

Previous chapters found here:

http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?
user=wildannuette&keyword=Bitter+Sweet+AJCS+Slash&filter=all




"I told you not to pick her up again,"

Despite his exasperation, Joxer looked amused; he watched his lover
pacing up and down their bedchamber as he tried to soothe their
screaming daughter. Joxer knew he wouldn't be as amused when the
infant stayed up the rest of the night but for now, Joxer enjoyed his
brief victory.

Ares let out a long suffering sigh which somehow managed to be louder
then the cries from Leonie; he paced up the room, stroking the
infant's back as he cradled her against his chest, praying silently
to his great-grandmother for guidance. "She just sleeps a lot more
then I expected," he answered, adding the small confession, "It
worries me sometimes, I have to check she's alright."

"She's fine." Joxer shook his head slightly, the soft smile still on
his lips, "Apollo said new-borns sleep a lot for the first few days
and that Leonie would sleep for longer, being born so early." It
wasn't that Joxer didn't share Ares' worry over their daughter's
safety, he did; but after everything they'd been through, Joxer had
finally come to the conclusion that Leonie, though small for her age
and even unable to lift her own head, had a lot of power behind her.

Sometimes the idea and reminder of that power both humbled and
concerned Joxer, as he was sure it did Ares, but Joxer had the
feeling it would be doing more then just protecting them- it would be
saving everyone.

"She's nearly three weeks old." Ares frowned, the baby's cries had
quieted to muffles as she quickly fell back to sleep; the screaming,
courtesy of Ares pulling Leonie from pleasant dreams, had died
quickly as the baby exhausted herself. Gently laying her in the
insulated crib Hephaestus had made her, Ares walked the few steps
back to their bed and flopped down next to his smirking lover. "Fine,
you were right, I won't wake her again." He grouched as he watched
Joxer's grin widen.

It was odd how quickly they'd adapted to life with the baby. Despite
Ares and Joxer only having been a couple for months, they'd settled
quickly into a relationship as a family; not only did Joxer now live
in Ares temple with the baby, but it was now seen as `their' temple
not just Ares'. Sometimes neither Joxer nor Ares could believe they'd
made it so far, got through so much together, but seeing their
daughter brought it all back to them; she wasn't the one thing that
held them together but she was a reminder that they'd nearly lost
each other-as well as an added bonus, of course.

"She'll catch up in a few months," Joxer was sure of that. He'd
already had talks with Hera, which had reassured him about the baby
and himself. The first few days after Leonie's birth had been
surprisingly uneventful, in fact Joxer had spent most of the time
asleep recovering after the traumatic labour. Whilst Joxer had been
recovering, Ares had been left to care for Leonie with Hera's help-
when she could spare the time. At the same time Ares had also been co-
ordinating with the other Gods, the demigods and his mortal
followers; all the time trying to keep ahead of everything, lest the
creature try to attack again. Which it hadn't, though Ares had
likened their brief respite as `the calm before the storm'

When he'd finally been well enough to share in looking after Leonie,
Joxer had found it difficult to do so; she'd cried when he held her,
howled when she put him down and sobbed until Ares appeared. That had
stung Joxer but under Hera's guidance, he'd slowly relaxed into the
role and reformed the bond he'd had with the baby, when she'd been
inside him. It had taken time but now Joxer was starting to place all
her cries and learn all her wants, just as Ares could.

"I know," Ares sighed, as he stretched himself out on the bed; lying
comfortably beside each other, neither of them needed constant
touches to reassure them of their love for each other, they were
already convinced. "Besides if she doesn't sleep now, she'll be
grumpy throughout the ceremony." He added almost as an afterthought.

"Ceremony?" Joxer propped up on one elbow and groaned, "That's today?
I completely forgot. I was meant to visit Strife today and Athena-"

"Both of them will be getting ready for the ceremony too. " Ares
interrupted; he didn't want to go any more then Joxer did but it
wasn't for them, it was for their recently godly additions. *All
eight of them.* Ares didn't hide the smile that the thought gave him.
It should have only been for the seven new infant deities, since the
eighth symbol's birth was not predicted for a millennia, but there
were eight new Godlings. The seven godly symbols, and Evander.

*Evander.*

Ares smile grew as Joxer kept quiet, seeing the joy on his lover's
face and guessing the reason behind it. Ares' demigod son had been
supposed to return to Greece; since all the demigods, save those in
training for the upcoming fight, were being sent back down to Greece
it only stood to reason that Evander would have had to as well. Zeus
had decreed that Xena or Hercules were to take care of the toddler,
something that had infuriated both Ares and his family. Only Athena's
quick thinking and logic had saved a rather nasty civil dispute from
ripping the Pantheon in two; Athena had privately argued with Zeus
and convinced the God to bestow a Godhood on Evander, which the King
had done only minutes before Leonie's birth. It was a good loophole;
Athena had reasoned that since the decree stated no more Gods were to
be born after Leonie's birth they had an , admittedly limited, window
of opportunity-which Zeus had seized.

"Do you know what he's the God of yet?" Joxer asked, his fingers idly
drumming on Ares' arm.

The other God shook his head, "No, Zeus is keeping it well under
wraps. He's definitely enjoying all the drama that deifying Evander
at the last minute brought and I think he's secretly pleased that
Athena found a way to do it. I know I am."

Joxer nodded slowly, "After the Ceremony will Evander come back here,
live with us?" He had no problem with it, was willing to raise
Evander alongside Leonie but Joxer had sensed that Ares wasn't as
keen to be in an active parental role to Evander as he was with his
other children.

"No." Ares answer was quiet but his tone was firm. "Anteros is going
to raise him. He's been doing it for over a year now; helping Nemesis
take care of him, romancing her and Psyche-" he paused briefly
thinking back on the odd Triad, they had formed-Anteros, Nemesis and
Psyche. Ares hadn't realised how close they'd all been until Nemesis
was killed and Psyche hurt, it was then Anteros had shown how deep
his love for them had been-pouring his grief into anger. Evander
becoming a God had come at exactly the right moment, pulling Anteros
back from his depression and deep anger to focus on the child of the
woman he'd lost-the child he'd been a Father to for so long.

"I won't take that from Anteros. Psyche's coma gives him hope but
Evander keeps him sane, and Evander wants to stay with him."

Joxer felt a small measure of guilt at the relief he felt at Ares
answer, even if it didn't show in his expression. There wasn't much
he could say in response to Ares unhappy choice, however right they
both knew it was.

It was a sweet relief that Zeus took that moment to remind each of
them, through mental communication, that his Temple in Greece was
almost ready and that they should prepare.


****

Joxer wouldn't deny that he felt completely exposed, being away from
the safety of Olympus; even if Zeus' Temple did have just as much, if
not more, protection around it. Joxer was still uneasy and it was
obvious he wasn't the only one. All the other Gods and Goddesses
looked ill at ease, and the babies were picking up on it.

The older ones were more obviously unsettled. Bliss, who was leaving
behind his toddler years and Evander who was just entering his, were
both restless and fidgeting in Cupid and Anteros' arms; whilst the
younger babies were either sucking on something to keep them quiet or
whimpering softly. The only one who didn't seem too bothered was
Leonie. Joxer held her close to him, his nervousness apparent to all
but her; unlike the other babies, Leonie had taken an unfocussed look
around and obviously felt the world around her lacking as she'd
fallen asleep within minutes.

"Think this'a take long?" Strife was sat next to Joxer, rubbing
Damien's back as the baby fussed quietly in his arms. "I don't
remembah mah wun but Bliss' was all day. Zeus' shouda made this wun
shortah, I hope. Ah can tell, nah wun wants tah be out here fah long."

Joxer shook his head softly, his eyes travelling round the Pantheon.
The layout of the temple demonstrated the caution they were taking.
Zeus' temple opened out for all to view the ceremony, be they mortal,
immortal or something else altogether. The Deities were protected on
all three sides save the front. Several trusted guards were stood
along the sides and manned the front. The Gods and Goddesses sat upon
simple soft seats, only the Higher Gods like Hades and Poseidon,
opted for marble thrones; Zeus and Hera had their own thrones, though
tasteful they were more ornate then any others in the room pointing
out (not so subtly) their own high status. Joxer had Ares standing at
his side and he could sense if not see, other Divinities behind him.

As the mortals massed, pushing each other for a closer look at the
new Godlings, a loud boom shook the temple signalling the arrival of
Zeus and Hera; the latter who shot her dappy husband a glare as the
youngsters, both mortal and godly, wailed in fright at the sudden
noise. Trying to hide his blushes and ignore the glares he was
receiving from all sides, Zeus quickly delivered his speech. Unlike
other times, this ceremony was to be quick and to the point.

"People of Greece, today is a very momentous occasion indeed. Today
we reveal to you, on mass, your newest Deities." Zeus paused
obviously having more planned since he usually tended to waffle on
about the greatness that they were bestowing on mere mortals by
revealing their precious children to them. A none to discreet nudge
from Hera had him hurriedly continuing,

"Without further delay let me introduce you to them, as I give upon
them their power and position." The words were purely for Zeus'
benefit since it made him appear even grander to the mortals,
bestowing such power and responsibility on such fragile children.

As Zeus nodded to Hades and Persephone to leave their chairs and move
towards the centre thrones, Joxer arranged the silken wrap encircling
Leonie. All the children were dressed in some kind of fancy attire,
even if Strife had dressed Damien in black silk much to Zeus'
disapproval (it was lucky Cupid had talked him out of leather).

Taking the baby carefully and with ease suggesting centuries of
practice, Zeus held the baby up for the audience to see. "This God is
to be worshipped to as Xanthos, son of Hades and Persephone, God of
Change and rebirth."

Though none of the Deities were surprised, their audience was and
showed their appreciation for their new God by applauding whilst both
Hades and Persephone's priests graciously accepted gifts and tribute.

Just as carefully handing the baby back to Persephone (under
Demeter's careful gaze), Zeus held up his hands and silenced the
audience in a moment. When the happy parents sat back in their chairs
Zeus called for the next child, naming each in turn and revealing
their Godly position.

Getting more and more nervous by the moment, Joxer heard Zeus' words
though his eyes weren't really focussed on the proceedings.

"Pay tribute to Malon, son of Athena and Caplet, God of Perseverance
and focus."

"Praise Hesperos, son of Apollo and Melpomene, God of compassion and
courage."

Immediately after his son's coronation, Apollo disappeared back to
Olympus- Melpomene and the infant in tow. The God of Medicine was
constantly keeping watch over Psyche, monitoring her progress or lack
of, and he wasn't about to leave his child and Melpomene alone even
if the rest of his family was present.

Without batting an eyelid, Zeus continued,

"Honor Alexis, son of Ares, Hephaestus and Aphrodite, God of Passion
and hope."

"Adore Kaethe, daughter of Eris and Asclepius, Goddess of guilt and
forgiveness."

"Revere Damian, son of Cupid and Strife, God of friendship and
adversity."

It was only when Joxer heard Strife's name did he notice that his
friend was no longer sitting next to him; instead Strife and Cupid
were both being handed back their small son from a very disgruntled
Zeus who was shooting Strife suspicious looks whilst wiping baby mess
off his arm, flashing it to the Gods only knew where.

Joxer felt Ares arm at his elbow, gently nudging him up and in the
right direction. It was just as well he was because Joxer's legs were
refusing to work properly, his nervousness in front of such an
audience obvious to all. Zeus smiled gently as he took the still
sleeping Leonie instilling a moment of anxiety and panic in Joxer,
who'd grown accustomed to the reassuring weight of his daughter.

"Favor Leonie, daughter of Ares and Joxer, Goddess of Hope and
Imagination."

Zeus' words boomed across the audience startling the baby into
waking; she let out a loud squawk of indignation, waving her fists
furiously at her grandfather as he passed her back to Joxer. Cradling
Leonie against his chest, Joxer blushed as he felt her rooting
against his chest, in search for food. Whilst he couldn't feed her,
the sensation against his still-sensitive nipple was uncomfortable
and Joxer let Ares hurriedly move his back to their seat.

The crowd seemed ready to kick of the celebrations in true Greek
style; with the finest food and wines. Only Zeus raised hand stilled
the celebration as he arched an eyebrow at them and glanced back at
Anteros. The young God took in a deep breath, still grieving and
obviously wanting the ceremony over with; Anteros didn't notice the
silence and Zeus' beckoning until Ares appeared at his side, guiding
him on stage. It was obvious to all the Divinities in attendance that
Anteros was unsure where he and Evander lay in Ares life, but when
the War God presented his elder son to Zeus and stepped back things
became clear.

Ares was giving not only his approval and blessing to Anteros but
also his once-mortal son, to raise as Anteros' own. The hurt and
upset could still be seen on Anteros face but as Zeus took Evander
from his arms, the God of Mutual and unrequited love's face softened;
his eyes lighting as his brow unfurrowed from its recently-etched
frown. It was Zeus' words that brought a shaky smile to Anteros face,
which in turn brought about a grin on Ares.

"Give your prayers to Nemesis, once Goddess of Vengeance, recently
departed Mother of Evander."

Compassion rippled through the crowd at Zeus' words as they sombrely
viewed the confused toddler in Zeus' arms. Many Deities in the
stands, especially Hades who seemed to get the largest amount, heard
their followers praying to them in Nemesis' name; giving tribute and
condolences in the only way they could. After a sobering, silent
minute, Zeus added,

"Behold Evander, son of Anteros and Nemesis, God of Platonic love."

The noise only the Gods could hear from the silent prayers was topped
by cheers and applause as many mortals wrestled up whatever tribute
they could to offer the newest God; the God none had been expecting.

Ares clapped his hand on Anteros shoulder, earning a brief smile from
his son as he took Evander back into his arms; the lost look faded
from Anteros eyes as the young Godling giggled, though it was barely
heard over the cheers. As a tender smile stole over Anteros face and
Zeus proclaimed the celebrations to begin, Ares offered his son and
newest Grandson a brief hug before rejoining Joxer.

"That was a really nice thing." Joxer's words were quiet, his gaze
upon Anteros still.

"It was the right thing to do." Ares corrected him; his hand was
unconsciously massaging Joxer's shoulders as they looked out upon the
festivities.

The mortals and demigods were getting into the swing of celebrating;
Joxer could even see Hercules smiling in the back with Iolaus in tow,
both enjoying the brief peace and good news of Evander. Xena and
Gabrielle were also with them, though Gabrielle was furiously
scribbling on parchment intent on writing her own takes on the
proceedings. It had been so long since Joxer had spoke to them, that
he longed to now; he missed them all, even with all the unpleasant
times they'd had.

Several of the baby-burdened Olympians had left the celebrations to
return to the safety of their home, only Joxer, Strife, Aphrodite and
Eris remained with the infants in their arms. Joxer was about to
suggest to Ares, the possibility of talking with his former friends
when a bright flash appeared in from of him, surprising even the most
alert of the Gods.

The bewildered yet, ecstatic smile on Apollo's face, that seemed to
appear even before the God himself did, was attention grabbing. But
it was Apollo's words, that took everyone's focus,

"Psyche's awake."

****

As the general sense of joviality grew and cheers from mortal and God
alike filled the air, there was one who did not celebrate. Or did not
appear to. Invisible to any eye, shielded from the Gods by its
master, the creature watched the proceedings with mounting
anticipation. The power and energy generated by such a mass of God
and half Gods, tormented and tempted the creature; only the power of
its master held it back from gorging on the sweet, enticing power.

The creature's eyes gleamed at the arrival of another God; as the
sense of joy grew it snapped its jaws around the unprotected neck of
a young woman, drawing in energy and draining her soul in a moment.
As the woman breathed her last, the creature dropped her body, the
act it had committed not bothering it in the slightest. For the
creature itself had no soul and could only borrow, from time to time,
the rich deliciousness which the soul offered.

As the creature's body twisted and shaped into the supple limbs of
the young woman it had just consumed, it stared down at the corpse
regret and guilt only briefly surfacing, pushed back by the Master
who used it. The creature borrowing the woman's body pulled on her
clothes, the traditional garment worn by a Priestess held in the
highest regard. One who could get close to the Gods on stage and more
importantly their offspring.

A smile lit upon the woman's face as she ran her hands over her body,
believing the Master's words that once the unclean were purged she
would have power that she could now only dream of. Power to get her
revenge and power to get herself a soul of her own.

With hungry eyes she made her way towards the temple, where confusion
and joy reigned, as the parents of the young Godlings were distracted-
leaving the infants vulnerable.




tbc

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