Welcome to AresJoxerCupidStrife

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11

Title: Dancing up a Storm (tenative)
Author: Casper
E-mail: CasperBleu@aol.com
Rating: PG-13 (maybe...might just be pg)
Pairing: A/J, C/S
Summery: Joxer and Strife are both pregnant, but when Strife gets
stressed over Cupid, things happen. (Could change too)
Disclaimers: Don't belong to me, not making any money.

"Ares!"

"Yeah?" Ares said walking into the room holding two cups.

"I have no idea what to say to her," he whined.

"Just tell her the truth," Ares said, trying to hand Joxer one of the
cups.

"Oh yeah. Like she's gonna believe her son, as in male child,
married the God of War, became a god, and then got pregnant! Thanks,
you've been a lot of help!" Joxer yelled, then flashed himself out,
taking the scroll and quill he'd been using with him.

Ares sighed. It had been almost three months since they found out
Joxer was pregnant and he was about to lose his mind. Joxer had
managed to bypass the morning sickness, but as time passed, he became
very emotional. Strife on the other hand, was still getting sick and
becoming an emotional wreck. Ares didn't know how much long her
could take it.

"Hey, Unc," Strife said softly.

"Hey Strife. How do you feel?"

"Well, otha then being tired, emotional and pukin' every five
minutes, I'm doin' pretty good," he said smiling. "What's up with
Jox?"

"Oh, ya know. The usual."

"Ares?" came a very soft voice from behind them and they both turned
to it.

"Yeah babe?"

"I'm so sorry!" Joxer said running up to him and throwing his arms
around his neck. Ares put his arms around Joxer and held him close.
He briefly remembered `Dite's emotional state, or lack there of, when
she was pregnant with Cupid and silently thanked the gods�again�that
Joxer wasn't that bad.

"It's okay, Joxer," Ares said, still holding him. He felt Joxer
smile, then pull away.

"Hi Strife."

"Hey there, Jox. How ya doin'?"

"I'm okay, I guess. How about you?"

"I'll live I think," Strife said smiling. "I'm gonna go ta Cupe's
for a little while."

"Okay," Ares said. "Be careful."

Strife just rolled his eyes and flashed out.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I figured out what to say to her while I was in there. I'm
sorry I yelled at you."

Ares kissed him softly. "It's okay," he said taking him into a
hug. "I love you."

"I love you too," Joxer said, hugging him back. "I'm gonna go see
Xena and Gabrielle and tell them about the baby."

Ares chuckled. "Boy are they in for a surprise."

Joxer grinned. "Well, Gabrielle took knowing about Strife's baby
pretty well amazingly. But I think Xena will react completely
different. Gabrielle only reacted well because Strife was frantic."

"Well, if you need anything, you just call me. I've got a couple of
wars to deal with but I'll be right by your side if you need me."

"Okay. See ya back here tonight then?"

"Maybe earlier," Ares said, grinning.

"Sounds good to me."

They kissed again and then Ares kissed Joxer's forehead. "Be
careful, love. I'll see you back here later. I love you."

"I will and I love you too."

They both flashed out in seemingly one flash of light.

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

Joxer appeared just outside Xena's camp where they were preparing for
breakfast.

"Hey guys," he said, walking up to them.

"Hey, Joxer," Xena said, standing up. "How are you doing."

"As well as can be expected, I guess."

"What do you mean?" Xena said. "Did he hurt you?"

"No! Nothing like that. He's great."

"Then what is it?"

"I have something to tell you guys. You might want to sit down."

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

Strife appeared just outside Cupid's temple wanting to surprise him.
He loves it when I surprise him. He was just about to knock on the
door to show Cupid and Apollo�hugging.

"Strife!"

"What's goin' on? Did I miss the party?"

"Uh�nothing's going on."

"Uh huh. Sure. See ya `round Cupid."

"Strife, wait!" Cupid yelled but it was too late. Strife had already
flashed away.

"You didn't tell him did you?"

"Of course I didn't tell him! It's supposed to be a surprise!"

"You have to tell him now. You'll lose him if you don't."

"I know," Cupid said. "If I haven't lost him already."

*****

"Well, I'm�" Joxer started but he never got to finish. He was
interrupted by a crying, angry, God of Mischief appearing in his arms.

"What in�" Xena muttered and Gabrielle just stared with her mouth
open.

"Strife, what's wrong?" Joxer asked.

"Is the baby okay?" Gabrielle asked. Xena looked at her in confusion
and Gabrielle just shrugged. Strife nodded into Joxer's neck.

"What is it then?"

"Cupid!" Strife shouted, pulling back. Tears almost gone, he paced
around and they could all feel the energy rolling off of him.

"Cupid? Is he all right? Did something happen?"

"Oh, he's jus' hunky dory!" Strife said. "He's havin' a ball! Two
of `em to be exact!"

"Now, Strife," Joxer said. "Calm down. I'm sure it's not what you
think�"

"Calm down!?" Strife yelled. "Calm down!? My boyfriend and the
fatha `a my baby is cheating on me and ya want me ta calm down!?"

Xena made a face and it was all Gabrielle and Joxer could do not to
laugh at her. "You and Cupid?" Xena said finally finding her
voice. "Baby?" Strife just glared.

"I'll explain it to you later," Gabrielle whispered. "Why do you
think Cupid is cheating on you?" she asked Strife.

"I don't think, I know. I saw `em with my own two eyes!"

"Why don't you sit down here and tell me what happened, okay?" Joxer
said sitting down on a log.

Strife sat down. "Well, afta ya yelled at Unc and left, I came in
an' asked if ya were `kay. Then ya came back an' I went ta Cupid's.
I flashed outside his temple `cause I like ta knock an' surprise
him. Well, I was jus' `bout ta knock when the door opened an' there
was Cupid an' Apollo with their hands all ovah each otha. Cupid said
nuthin' was goin' on but I could tell he was lyin'. Cupid don't lie
so hot. Then I left and came here," he finished, the tears
threatening to come again.

Joxer put his arms around him and Strife leaned over to cry some
more. "It's gonna be okay, Strife. We'll figure out what's going
on. Okay?"

"'Kay," came a weak voice.

"Why don't you eat something," Joxer said producing a cup of
fruit. "I'm gonna go talk to Xena and Gabrielle. Don't go anywhere,
okay?"

Strife nodded, taking the fruit and eating slowly.

"Would someone like to tell me what in Tartarus is going on here?"
Xena asked once they were a little ways from Strife.

"Long story short, Cupid and Strife are, or at least were, seeing
each other and Strife's pregnant."

"Strife's pregnant!" Xena almost shouted. "How is that possible?"

"If there is a relationship in which both are male, then the weaker
god has the ability to get pregnant. Not only is Strife a junior god
to Cupid, he's also a minor god."

"Wait�So, does that mean that you could get pregnant?"

Joxer blushed and looked at the ground and nodded. "That's kinda
what I came here to tell you."

"Oh my Gods!!" Xena said grabbing him into a hug. "I'm so happy for
you!"

This was definitely not the reaction he expected. "You are?"

"Of course I am! A child, even if it is a child of Ares, is a
precious thing. You're gonna be a great dad!"

Joxer blushed even more if that was possible. "Thanks."

"I agree with Xena," Gabrielle said. "I think you'll be a great dad."

They all hugged once again then turned to decide what to do about
Cupid and Strife.

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

"DAD! I need you!"

Ares flashed in to see his shaking son trying to sit in a chair he'd
created. It wasn't working. Every five minutes he'd get up and
start pacing again.

"Cupid, what is it?" Ares said rushing over to him.

"It's Strife, dad," Cupid said falling into his father's arms. "I've
really screwed up this time."

"Sit down and tell me what happened," he said materializing another
chair so he could sit close to his son.

"Well," Cupid began. "Apollo was over at my place this morning and
Strife came to surprise me and the door opened right as I was hugging
Apollo to thank him and he took it all wrong and now he thinks I'm
cheating on him I'm sure of it `cause he told me he'd see me `round
and�"

"Hold it there," Ares said stopping cupid in mid-sentence. "You
wanna try that again a little slower?"

Cupid took a ragged breath. "Okay. Uncle Apollo was over at my
place this morning helping me with something. Strife came to
surprise me by knocking on the door but before he could knock I
opened it. I was hugging Uncle Apollo for helping me and Strife took
it all wrong. Now he thinks I'm cheating on him. I'm sure of it!"

"I see. What exactly was Apollo helping you with?"

Cupid blushed and looked down.

"Cupid," Ares warned.

"He was teachingmetodance," he said rushing.

"He was what?"

"He was teaching me to dance! I've always gone to all those stupid
parties that are always going on but I've never danced at any of them
because I don't know how. I just walked around and looked like I was
dancing. I was going to surprise Strife because I want to dance with
him at the ceremony next moon. Now that may never happen."

"Don't say that son. We'll figure this out."

"Thanks, dad. But I don't think anything can fix this."

*****

"Look, I'm gonna take Strife home. He needs to rest and regain some
of his strength. Then I'll try to get him to talk to Ares about
this. Maybe between the two of us we can convince him to talk things
out with Cupid."

"Sounds like a good idea," Xena said. "Do you mind if I come with
you?"

"Um�sure. Mind if I ask why though?" Joxer asked.

"Yeah. Why?" Gabrielle added.

"Well, Ares is my father and that child you're carrying is gonna be
my little brother or sister. I want to congratulate him face to
face. Maybe he's not so bad."

Joxer's smile lit up the already bright forest. "I knew you'd come
around one day and see there was more to him than war and hate. He's
gonna be so happy when he finds out your at least willing to try to
patch things up."

"Yeah, well�let's just go before I change my mind."

"Okay," Joxer said. "Just let me get Strife ready. Is Gabrielle
coming?"

They both looked at her. "Yeah, sure," Gabrielle said.

"Okay," Joxer said, then turned to get Strife. "Strife?"

"Yeah?"

"Come on. I'm gonna take you home to rest okay?"

Strife nodded. "'Kay." He stood up and walked over to where Joxer
and the women were standing. "They comin'?"

"Yeah. Xena wants to talk to Ares."

"'Kay. Let's go then."

Strife and Xena each took one of Joxer's hands and Gabrielle touched
his shoulder and they all flashed out of the field.

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

At the sight of the flash, Ares and Cupid both turned around to see
Joxer flash in with Xena, Gabrielle and Strife in tow.

"What's he doin' here!?" Strife yelled.

"Strife, I just want to talk," Cupid said.

"No! I don't wanna talk to ya. Ya ain't got nuthin' I wanna hear!
Just leave!" Strife screamed before flashing himself to his room
where he promptly began to cry.

"So�" Joxer said, glaring at Cupid. "You want to talk to me?"

"He's taking it all wrong!" Cupid said nervously. "I'm not cheating
on him."

"Then what were you doing?"

Cupid looked back at Ares and Ares nodded for him to continue. "Well�
I was, uh, learninghowtodance."

Joxer blinked. "You were what?"

Cupid sighed ready to tell his story again. "I was learning how to
dance. I already told dad. Uncle Apollo was teaching me how to
dance so I could dance with Strife at the ceremony. It was supposed
to be a surprise but he saw me hugging Uncle Apollo and took it all
wrong. Now I don't know what to do. He won't even look at me."
Cupid hung his head in defeat.

Joxer looked at Ares who just nodded. Joxer suddenly felt very
guilty. "I'm sorry Cupe. I should have heard both of you before
blaming you. Strife was just so upset."

Cupid half smiled at his stepfather. "It's okay. I'd have felt the
same way." Cupid for the first time, noticed Xena. "Hey, sis.
What's up?"

"A lot it seems," Xena said smiling and giving her brother a slight
hug. "Things'll be okay Cupid. He'll come around. He loves you."

"Thanks," Cupid said smiling. "Hey bard," he said noticing Gabrielle.

"Hey Cupid."

Joxer noticed Xena looking at Ares. "Um�Cupid, Gabrielle, would you
two help me with something in the other room?"

"Sure," they both said at the same time and they all walked out of
the room leaving Ares and Xena alone.

"Xena," Ares said. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Yeah. I didn't really expect to be here either. But I, uh, wanted
to congratulate you. On the baby. I'm really happy for you and
Joxer. I think you'll both be great dads."

Ares smiled and filled with joy and pride. "Thank you," he
said. "Maybe you could baby-sit some time."

"I'd love to."

They both smiled and Ares was the first to speak. "Look, Xena. I
know I wasn't any kind of a father to you, but�"

"Ares, don't," she said interrupting him. "That's all behind us
now. I've seen you change in the past few months and I've seen how
happy you make Joxer. I think I'm ready to begin leaving the past in
the past."

Ares beamed. Xena didn't think she'd ever seen him smile like
that. "I'm glad to hear that Xena. You don't know how happy that
makes me."

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

"So what do you think they're talking about in there?" Cupid asked.

"Probably you," Joxer said smiling.

Cupid just stuck out his tongue and Gabrielle rolled her eyes and the
childish act.

"Look," Joxer said. "I'm gonna go check on Strife. Do you two think
you can stay here without killing each other or anything of that
nature?"

Cupid shrugged his shoulders. "I guess."

"Me too," Gabrielle said.

"Good. I'll be back soon."

"Joxer?" Cupid called just before Joxer walked out. "Tell him I
still love him."

"I will if he'll hear it."

"Thanks." Cupid said as Joxer walked out.

*****

Joxer hesitantly knocked on the door and then stepped
inside. "Strife?"

"Yeah?" Strife said, sniffing.

"I just wanted to check on you," he said walking over and sitting
down on the bed.

"I ain't doin' so hot, Jox. I feel like my heart has been ripped out
an' stomped on."

Joxer nodded and rubbed his back. "I understand. I've been there.
But I think that you should listen to him�"

"I don't wanna listen to him!" Strife said interrupting. "He ain't
got nuthin' I wanna hear!"

"I think he does, Strife. I've listened to him and so has Ares. He
says this whole thing is a misunderstanding and I believe him."

"You can't believe nuthin' he says."

"I can this time. He's telling the truth, Strife. If you don't
believe me, go see for yourself. But the least you can do is listen
to him. Even if he does have me and Ar fooled and he's lying, don't
you wanna hear what type of excuse he's come up with?"

That caught Strife's attention, as Joxer knew it would. He sat up
and leaned his head on Joxer's shoulder. "Yeah. I guess I oughta at
hear his lame excuse so I can fry `em for trying to cover it up."

"Okay," Joxer said smiling. "I'm going to go make sure he and
Gabrielle haven't killed each other yet. You come out when you're
ready." He got up at Strife's nod and walked to the door. "Oh, and
Strife?" he said turning around.

"Yeah?"

"He loves you." Joxer left closing the door behind him and leaving
Strife to his thoughts.

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

"Well?" Cupid said eagerly as Joxer walked back into the room.

"I think I got him to at least listen to you. But it's on his terms
and when he's ready. He loves you Cupid, that's obvious. But even
if he does believe you, he's going to have to take some time to get
over it."

Cupid nodded his understanding. Gabrielle stared at him. "Where did
you get so good with words, Joxer?" she asked.

"Comes with the job," he said smiling.

"Well I guess he didn't come out and kill him yet," Ares said walking
into the room.

"Nope, and guess what!" Cupid said, bouncing around the room. "Joxer
got Strife to at least listen to me! Isn't that great!"

"You did? How did you do that?" Ares asked his husband.

"Um�Peace God here," Joxer said pointing to himself. "It's my job to
make peace between people, remember?"

"What did you tell him he could do if he listened and still believed
he was lying."

"Fry him."

Ares frowned. "Well if he does decide to fry him, he'd better do it
outside. Last time this temple smelled like burnt feathers for three
weeks!" Ares grinned at Cupid's horrified look as he remembered that
day. His feathers had black tips for almost a year! "Don't worry,
son," Ares said to his son. "I'm sure he'll believe you."

Cupid visibly relaxed and let out a breath. "I hope so dad."

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

Ares let out a stream of power at a defenseless boulder, blasting it
to dust. Strife had said that he'd listen to Cupid. Well that was
five months ago! For five months he'd been dealing with Strife
whining about what he thought Cupid and how much he missed Cupid and
Cupid this and Cupid that to go along with his already fragile
emotional state. On top of that, he was also dealing with an
emotional unstable Joxer who was about ten times worse than he was
five months ago. Ares blasted another boulder. He couldn't handle
it anymore. Deciding to talk to his nephew, he flashed home.

"Hi Ares," Joxer said to the incoming flash of light.

"Hey Jox," Ares said. "Strife around?"

"You just missed him. He went to talk to Cupid."

"Really? That's great."

"Yeah. I'm glad he's going to listen to him. They need each other."

"Yeah, they do. Just like I need you," Ares said, sitting down next
to Joxer and putting his arm around him.

Joxer laid his head down on Ares shoulder. "I love it when you get
mushy."

"Just don't tell anyone," Ares said before bending down and giving
Joxer a kiss.

"I won't if you keep doing that," Joxer said, smiling.

"Then I'll just have to keep doing that won't I?" Ares said bending
down for another kiss.

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

After telling Joxer where he was going, Strife flashed in front of
Cupid's temple. Staring up at the door, he tried desperately to get
his nervousness under control. Feeling like he wasn't going to do
any better than present, he sighed and flashed himself into the
temple.

"Cupid?" he called. He turned at the flash of light that lit up the
room.

"Strife," Cupid said with a small smile. "Hi."

"Hi," Strife said meekly. "I, uh, finally got up the nerve ta come
an' listen to ya."

"Um�okay. Why don't we sit down and I'll explain that hug."

Strife nodded and sat down on a fluffy couch. Cupid sat down on a
chair he materialized in front of him. "Ok. Well. I wanted to
surprise you. I wanted the ceremony to be special for you. So I was
getting Uncle Apollo to, uh, teach me how to dance."

"Dance? Ya don't dance?"

"Not very well. I only act like it at parties and things. Walking
around looking like I was about to dance or had just finished. I
didn't want anyone to know. But I wanted the ceremony to be
special. I wanted to be able to dance. With you. Nothing was going
on with me and Uncle Apollo except that he was teaching me to dance."

Strife paled even more than normal and Cupid thought he was going to
pass out. "Ya were gonna do that for me? For the ceremony?"

Cupid nodded.

"Oh Cupe!" Strife said and threw his arms around his lover. "I'm
sorry I evah doubted ya. I shoulda known bettah than ta think ya'd
cheat on me! I love ya!"

"I love you too, Strife," Cupid said, wrapping his arms around Strife
and sighing. "I've missed you so much these past months."

"I've missed ya too. I'm sorry it took so long. I�OW!"

"Strife, what's wrong?" Cupid asked frantically as Strife doubled
over in pain.

"Hurt�pain�'s time."

Cupid knew exactly what Strife was saying and had absolutely no idea
what to do. So he did the only thing he did know to do. "DAD!"

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

Ares and Joxer were shocked out of their adoring of each other by
Cupid's frantic call. Without a second thought, they both relocated
themselves in Cupid's temple.

"Cupid, what's wrong?" Joxer asked.

"I think it's time!" he yelled, pointing to Strife.

"S'kay," Strife said barely standing up straight. "It don't hurt so
much any more. OW!"

"Okay," Ares said, taking charge. "Cupid, take Strife to Asclepius.
Joxer, you go with him. I'll go get Hera."

They all nodded and flashed off to their destinations.

******
*

When Ares arrived in Asclepius' temple with his mother, Cupid and
Joxer had already been chased from the room with instructions to send
Hera back when she arrived. Which they did. Cupid was pacing and
Joxer was watching him.

"What'd he say?" Ares asked, bringing Joxer back to the real world.

"Said everything looks good and there wasn't anything to worry about."

"They why is he pacing like that?"

"Because he loves him."

Ares thought about that and realized that was exactly how he had felt
when Cupid was born. He had truly loved `Dite at one time. He got
up and stood next to his, for the moment, still son.

"He'll be okay."

"Why is it taking so long, dad?"

"Calm down. Hera just got here. You know she has to be there for
these things to happen. It should be any time now."

Cupid relaxed slightly but not much and he began pacing again.

After what seemed like an eternity to Cupid, Hera came out of the
room that Strife was in.

"It's a boy!" she announced as she went over to hug her grandson.

"Hera!" a voice came from behind her. "We need you!"

"I'll be right back," she said and hurried back into the room.

"Wait! What's wrong?" Cupid yelled but she was already gone. "What
if something's wrong!"

"Get a hold of yourself Cupid," Joxer said. "Strife's a god, he'll
pull through this."

At that, Hera once again came out and hugged her grandson. "You may
come in and see your children now," she said smiling.

"Thanks!" he said happily. Then her words sunk in. "Wait�children?"

"Yes. A boy and a girl," Hera said, smiling broadly.

"Twins!" Cupid shouted and ran for the door. "He had twins!"

After Cupid left, Ares turned to his mother. "Is he�are they okay?"

"Yes, Ares. They are all just fine," she said turning to
Joxer. "I'll be seeing you soon," she said as she disappeared in a
flash of light.

"Wonder how soon she means," Joxer said.

"Me too." Ares said sitting down next to him.

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

Cupid slowly walked into the room and over to the beautifully perfect
little beings sleeping in their beds. His wings were fluttering
happily as he smiled down at the babies�his babies. His and
Strife's.

"Hey, could ya turn off the fan ovah there?"

Cupid turned around to see Strife weakly smiling at him.

"Sorry," Cupid said walking over to the bed and sitting down. "How
do you feel?"

"That's a stupid question Cupe'" Strife said, still smiling. "Otha
then feeling cold, sick, tired and some guy with wings blowing cold
air onta me makin' me colder, I'm fine."

Cupid smiled and ran his hand through Strife's hair. "I love you,
you know."

"I know. I love ya too. I'm sorry for the way I been treatin' ya
lately."

"Shh. It's okay. That's all behind us now. We can start all over
with our own little family."

"Our family," Strife repeated, dreamily. "I still can't believe they
was twins. I can't believe I didn't know."

"Sometimes that happens. Mom didn't know about Deimos either before
they were born."

Strife grinned. "Then I don't feel so bad," he said around a yawn.

"I'll let you get some sleep."

"No! Don't leave me. Please."

"I'll be right back," Cupid said kissing the back of Strife's
hand. "I'm just gonna go tell Dad and Jox that you and the twins are
fine. Then I'll be right back in here. Okay?"

"Promise?"

Cupid smiled. "I promise."

Strife nodded. "'kay."

Cupid turned and walked to the door. He turned around and saw Strife
already asleep. He smiled at his soon to be husband and quietly left.

"Well?" Ares said when Cupid walked back into the room.

"He's fine. Just tired. They're all fine," Cupid said smiling.

"There's someone here that wants to see you," Joxer said putting the
giggling, squirming winged godling down on the floor.

"DADDY!" Bliss screamed and ran as fast as his little legs would move
to his dad.

"Hey there!" Cupid beamed at him, hoisting him up in the air. "How's
Daddy's little man?"

"Hungry," Bliss blurted out and they all had to giggle a little.
Even Ares. "How daddy Strife?"

"He's fine. Just a little tired."

"He sick?"

"No, Bliss. He's not sick."

"Then why he here?"

"Well. Because you have a new little baby brother and sister."

Bliss beamed. "A baby brodder and sista! Yay! Can I see `em?"

"Well, they're sleeping right now. How about tomorrow?"

"'Kay."

"Dad," Cupid said. "I kinda promised I'd go stay with Strife
tonight. Can you guys watch him?"

"Of course!" Joxer said. "We don't mind at all, do we Ares?"

"Not a bit," Ares said, slightly wishing he were getting a night
alone without a whining god around. At least Bliss could sleep
through the night without saying how much he missed Cupid.

"How `bout it Bliss? Do you mind staying with Grandpa Ares and
Grandpa Joxer?"

"Yay!" Bliss shouted. "Oops," he suddenly said covering his
mouth. "Babies `sleep."

"Good. You be a good boy and don't give them to much trouble," Cupid
said, kissing his son on the cheek and handing him to Ares.

"'Kay," Bliss said, snuggling up to Ares' neck. "Night, night daddy."

"Night, night Bliss. I love you and I'll see you tomorrow."

"'Kay," Bliss managed before falling asleep on Ares' shoulder.

"Thanks Dad."

"It's no problem son. We'll see you tomorrow. I think I need to get
Joxer home to rest. He's had a hard day."

"Okay. I'll see you guys then. G'night."

"G'night," Ares said quietly as Cupid quietly snuck back into
Strife's room. "You ready?" He asked Joxer once Cupid was gone.

"Yeah."

"Let's get this little guy in bed then."

With a flash of light Ares transported all three of them back to his
temple.

********

Ares awoke the next morning to an early rising 3 year old winged god
tugging at the covers. He rolled over and woke himself up enough not
to embarrass himself.

"Yes Bliss?"

"Bliss hungry," Bliss pouted.

"Now?"

Bliss nodded his head and flapped his little wings. "Bliss hungry!"

"I'd get up and feed him Ares," Joxer's voice softly said.

Ares tumbled more than rolled out of bed, flashing on a robe as he
did so. "I'm to old for this," he complained on the way out. Joxer
just smirked and snuggled back down into the covers.

When Cupid arrived, he found Bliss happily enjoying a breakfast of
sweet rolls and Ares dosing next to him.

"Morning Dad!" Cupid said a little louder than necessary and smiling.

He got the reaction he wanted. Ares jumped almost 2 feet in the air
and almost fell out of his chair. Bliss and Cupid both giggled, then
Bliss realized just who had startled his grandfather so much.

"Daddy!" he hollared as he wolfed down the last of his sweet roll and
flew, literally, to his father. Cupid happily caught him, still
chuckling at his father.

"Think that's funny, do you?" Ares said standing up. "Do you know
what time it is?"

"No, why?"

"Because I don't either! I never see this time of the morning
because I'm still in bed!"

"Aw come on dad. Think of it as practice. Once your baby is born
this'll be an every morning thing."

Ares opened his mouth to protest but stopped because there was
nothing to protest against. Cupid was entirely right. Once the baby
was born, good bye sleeping late. He tried not to cringe at the
thought. He decided to change the subject. "How's Strife and the
twins?"

"They're great. Strife seems much better now that he's rested. I
just came to take Bliss to see the twins."

"That's fine. When does Strife get to go home?"

"Today, hopefully. Asclepius says that if he's strong enough he can
go."

"That's great. Joxer and I will come by once you two are back at
home and settled."

"Sounds good. I better get back to Strife. I told him it wouldn't
take me long. Sorry `bout scaring ya."

"It's okay. Gotta be kept on my toes," Ares said, kissing his
grandson softly on the cheek. "When is the naming ceremony?"

"A few months. I think Hera said when there were three months old."

"Okay. We'll be there. Tell Strife hi and that we'll come by in a
few days."

"I will, Dad. Tell Joxer hey."

"I will."

"'Kay. See ya then," Cupid said, then flashed out, Bliss in tow.

"Bye," Ares said to the empty room, then made a trail back to the
bedroom and crawled back into bed.

"Cupid saved you huh?" Joxer asked, turning over into Ares' arms.

"Yeah, thank the gods. At least food keeps Bliss still."

"Yeah," Joxer said, snuggling into Ares' neck. "Ya gonna go back to
sleep?"

"Unless you had something else in mind."

That earned him a chuckle and a swat on the arm. "Not really. I
just don't want to get up yet. I just want to lay here just like
this."

"Well that I can do," Ares said putting his arms around Joxer and
pulling him close. "I love you ya know."

"I know. I love you too."

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

The next few days went by rather slow for Ares. While Strife was no
longer complaining about Cupid, Joxer was still an emotional train
wreck and was now complaining of being fat. Ares thought he was
going to go crazy.

Going to visit Strife and Cupid only made it worse. The initional
visit went well, but it took Joxer two days to stop talking about how
thin Strife was and how fat he was. Ares just wanted to get the kid
born and have this over with. Joxer was rivaling `Dite. Ares was
beginning to believe he was going to have to move out until the baby
was born. Until one night anyway.

"Ares?" Joxer said, tapping Ares on the shoulder.

No answer.

"Ares!" he said shaking him and practically pushing him out of bed.

"What?" Ares said sitting up. "Was I snoring again?"

"No. I think it's time," Joxer said, rubbing his stomach.

"Time for what?" Ares asked shaking himself awake.

"What do you think?" Joxer snapped.

Ares sat still a second longer before the light came on in his
head. "Oh! For that!" He jumped up and he and Joxer were dressed
in a flash. "Let's go!" he said as he flashed them both away.

He flashed them to the main temple of Asclepius and sent a burst of
energy out to find the Healing God. Asclepius appeared in front of
them in a flash and did not look to happy.

"What is it Ares?"

"It's Joxer. He says it's time," Ares said nervously.

"Oh. Well then what are you standing here for? Go get your mother!"

"Mother, right," Ares said and flashed out before flashing right back
in again. "You gonna be okay Joxer?"

"I'll be fine. I have Asclepius to look after me until you get back."

Ares smiled and kissed him. "I'll be back soon then." With that
said, he again flashed out.

"Come on, Joxer," Asclepius said. "Let's get you in a room."

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

Ares flashed into his parents temple right outside the bedroom door.
He learned his lesson about flashing right into the bedroom when he
did so and got the shock of a lifetime. The mental image was not one
he really wanted to have for the rest of his life.

He knocked gently but forcefully and peeked in the room. When there
was nothing moving, he went quietly in the room.

"Mother?" he whispered.

"What is it, Ares?"

"It's Joxer. It's time."

In a flash Hera was out of bed, dressed and standing in front of
Ares. "Let's go," she said to her nervous son. He nodded and flashed
them away.

When they returned to the Temple of Healing, Cupid was waiting for
them. "Hey Dad, Grandma," he said with a smile.

"Cupid?" Ares said puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

"Joxer called us right after you left."

"Oh gods," Ares said beginning to pace. "Something's wrong isn't
it? I should never have left. I�"

"Dad, calm down," Cupid said stopping him. "He was just a little
scared and didn't wanna be alone. Strife is in there with him.
Asclepius said he could stay since he's been through it before. He's
gonna be fine."

Ares breathed a sigh of slight relief. Very slight. Hera had left
half way through the explination to do what she was there to do and
he began to pace again. "Why can't I go in? He's my husband dammit!"

"I know dad. You remember what they said when Strife was here. We
have to stay out here until they're done. Too many people in there
causes problems. It took Jox begging for Asclepius to let Strife
stay."

Ares nodded and paced faster. Cupid was slightly amused at his
father's display of strong emotional nervousness and smiled. His
father didn't show his good-natured, caring self very often.

"What's taking so long?"

"Dad, they just started."

Ares just sighed and started pacing again.

After what seemed like hours, Hera came out of the room. "Ares?"

Ares jumped up from the chair Cupid had convinced him to sit in and
all but ran to her. "Is he okay? Is the baby okay? Why did it take
so long? Why aren't you answering me?!"

"I would if you'd hush for a moment," Hera said. "Joxer is fine.
The baby is fine. It took so long because he is a man and things
must be done differently and I believe I've already answered the last
question."

"Can I see him?"

"Yes. Go on in."

Ares ran out of the room and into Joxer's.

"I believe I've only seen my son like this once before," Hera said to
Cupid.

"Yeah? When was that?"

"When you were born," she said smiling at him. "Tell him I'll come
by and see them in a few days."

Cupid smile thoughtfully. "I will."

Hera nodded and was gone in a flash.

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

Ares quietly entered Joxer's room and slipped over to peek at the
baby.

"She's beautiful isn't she?" a soft voice said from behind him.

Ares turned around. "Yes, she is. How are you?" he said walking
quietly from the sleeping child to his husband.

"I'm okay. Tired but okay," Joxer said managing a weak smile.

"That's good. Mother said all went well. Where's Strife?"

"He flashed out as soon as it was over to check on the twins. He's
probably out front with Cupid now."

"I am so sorry I left you. Cupid said you were scared."

"Don't worry about it. You had to go get Hera. They wouldn't have
let you in here anyway. I practially had to beg them to let Strife
stay."

"Cupid told me," Ares said smiling. "I'm just glad you're okay.
Both of you. I love you."

"I love you too. Will you stay here tonight? I don't want to be
alone."

"I'd like to see anyone stop me. I'm gonna go get Cupid to go tell
Xena, okay? Then I'll be right back."

"Okay," Joxer nodded sleepily.

Ares kissed him and slipped quietly out of the room.

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

"Cupid," Ares called walking into the room.

"How is he dad? Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Thanks for staying with him Strife."

"No prob. Unc."

"Cupid, could you go and tell Xena that the baby has been born? She
wanted to know."

"Sure thing, dad. You gonna be okay?" he said asking both Ares and
Strife. He got twin nods and smiled. "Okay. I'll be back soon," he
said and flashed out.

"I'm gonna go back in there. Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. Me an' the kids'll be fine. An' if I need help, I'll call ya
or aunt `Dite."

"Okay. I'll see you in the morning then."

"'Kay. Till then," Strife said before flashing out.

Ares turned and walked back into the room to find a sleeping Joxer.
He sighed and laid down on the bed beside him.

The next morning, Ares awoke to Joxer staring down at him.

"I thought you'd never wake up. Asclepius said we could go home if
you're going to be around a few days."

Ares sat up and hugged him close. "I'll be around forever love."

Joxer hugged him back and kissed him. "But you won't be around the
house forever," which he silently thanked the gods for. "You have to
stay with me in case I need you to lift something."

"I'll be free for as long as you need me. I can let others do some
stuff for a while I guess," he said, rolling his eyes and smiling.

"Good. Because I'm ready to go home."

"Let's go then," he said getting up off the bed. "Uh, Joxer?"

"Yeah?" Joxer said walking over and picking up the baby.

"How long have you been up?"

"An hour maybe. I didn't have the heart to wake you, you were so
peaceful. Not something I see often."

Ares smiled. "Okay. Let's get her home then."

"Yeah," Joxer said smiling and following Ares out of the temple.

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

By the time they appeared in the temple of War, the baby was
screaming.

"What's wrong with her?" Ares asked.

"She's probably hungry," Joxer said, handing the baby to
Ares. "Would you change her diaper while I get her breakfast ready?"

"Change her diaper?"

"Yeah. I think she did a poopie." He wanted to laugh at his
husband's stare. "Ya know, take off the old one, clean her, put on
the new one. You've done this before Ares, remember?"

"Yeah," Ares said as Joxer walked away. "But that was over 350 years
ago!"

Joxer just kept walking, smiling. He was waiting for Ares to realize
that he had said she was `poopie'.

"My gods!" he finally heard Ares shout. "How did you get it
there!?" Joxer chuckled softly then went on to fix the baby's
breakfast.

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

The next months flew by. All of the newborns were growing up. Both
of Strife's twins were seven months old, crawling and into
everything.

The naming ceremony was that afternoon and Ares was frantically
trying to get the baby ready. She, having seen her cousins crawling,
had decided she also wanted to crawl and was presently scooting
around the floor with her father in close persuit trying to dress her.

"Hold still, please Almeya?"

Almeya stopped and sat up. She giggled and waited patiently for her
father to finish dressing her. Once he was done, she continued her
scooting and giggling. Ares could only smiled proudly as Joxer
flashed in.

"Look at her, Jox. She's trying so hard."

"She'll get it in a few weeks. I'm glad to see you dressed her."

"Yeah. We'd better get going or we'll miss it."

They flashed out in a single flash of light.

Normally, the naming ceremony didn't take place until six months of
age. But it was figured that, instead of having two ceremonies
within two months of each other, they would go ahead and include the
five month old Almeya in with the twins.

Once they arrived, they were ushered around to where Strife and Cupid
were waiting with Jazz and Storm.

"We didn't think ya were gonna make it," Strife said smiling.

"We had to scoot around the house before we could get dressed," Ares
said.

"She doin' that? Jazz did that too, but Storm jus' got up on his
hands an' knees an' took off."

"Bliss did that," Cupid said. "Of course Bliss had a little help
with the wings and all."

They all nodded as Hera got up to speak. Everyone was there and Ares
had to calm the nervousness in his stomach. Why am I so nervous?
It's not like I haven't been here before.

"Welcome all," Hera started. "..to the naming ceremony for the
children of Cupid, God of Love, and Strife, God of Mischief, and,
because of the closness in age, for the child of Ares, God of War and
Joxer, God of Peace. In this ceremony, their godhoods will be
determined."

Zeus stood up. "Please bring up the first of the twins that was
born."

Cupid took a deep breath and carried Jazz up to his grandfather.
Jazz took one look at her great grandfather and promptly burst out
into tears. There were soft chuckles coming from the room as Cupid
quickly calmed the child down to soft sniffles.

"Jazz, Daughter of Cupid, God of Love, and Strife, God of Mischief. I
name you Goddess of Dance."

Cupid smiled at the fact that his daughter was the goddess of what
almost made him lose Strife and what ultimately brought them closer
together. He carried his young daughter back to where Strife was
waiting and told him his thoughts. Strife just smiled and kissed him.

"I know," Strife said as Zeus called out for the next of the twins.
Strife smiled one last time, took a deep breath, and carried their
son out to his grandfather.

"Storm, Son of Cupid, God of Love, and Strife, God of Mischief," Zeus
began as before. "I name you God of Storms."

Next Ares and Joxer took Almeya out together. They stood patiently
as Zeus looked into her eyes to make sure he was right and
chuckled. "My oh my," he said to them quietly. "You will have your
hands full." Ares and Joxer paled.

"Almeya, Daughter of Ares, God of War and Joxer, God of Peace. I
name you Goddess," he paused for a dramatic effect and got it. "�of
Chaos."

Everyone in the room, Cupid and Strife included, took a sharp breath
in. Ares and Joxer paled further if that was even possible. Strife,
being God of Mischief, was bad enough as a child. What were they
going to do with a young Goddess of Chaos running around Olympus.

******

The three new godlings grew abnormally fast as far as children grow,
and by the time they were a year old, they were all the equivalent of
2-year-olds. All four fathers were puzzled by this but decided not
to press for a reason yet. However, the children were getting harder
to control, as would any child. They just weren't prepared for being
fathers of unruly toddlers.

"Storm!" Strife yelled as he felt the drops hitting his head and
running down his face.

"Yeah, daddy?" Storm said, running in and stopping in front of his
now wet father. "Oops," he said, holding back a smile. " Am I in
trouble `gain?"

Strife sighed at his son. "Not this time. Just don't let it
happen `gain. `Kay?"

"'Kay!" Storm said, fluttering his black wings quickly. He turned to
run off but stopped and turned back to Strife. "Daddy?"

"Yeah," Strife said, drying himself with a thought and banishing the
threatening black cloud hovering over him.

"I didn't mean ta do it this time. Honest."

Strife smiled. "I know. S'kay."

"'Kay!" Storm yelled again and ran out of the room.

Strife sighed again as he watched his son's retreating form. Storm's
appearance had really surprised both he and Cupid. Being the weaker
god, everyone figured both children would look like Cupid. And Jazz
lived up to everyone's expectations. She was Cupid all over. She had
the blond hair, gorgeous smile and golden glow. The only things she
lacked were wings. That too had been a surprise to all.

Storm, on the other hand, looked completely different. More like
Strife in his appearance, which was a shock as much to Strife as to
anyone else, he had his father's unruly black hair, pearcing blue
eyes, and pale complexion. The only difference was that he did have
wings. Not white ones like Cupid's like everyone would expect. His
were black as night with a slight deep blue tinge running through
them.

Also like his father, Storm was a troublemaker. Strife briefly
thought that Zeus mixed up the godhoods between him and Almeya, since
she wasn't even close to chaos yet. At least not that he knew.

Strife sighed again and flashed out to visit his uncle and leave
Cupid with the dirty diapers, laundry for five and toys to pick up.
It was his turn for a break!

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

He flashed into the Temple of War and realized he had not seen all
Chaos had to offer. There were toys everywhere, a couple of broken
vases, and an upside down chair. He silently thanked whatever god or
goddess responsible for what he had and felt very sorry for his uncle
and Joxer.

"NO!" he heard a little girl scream from another room. He flashed
himself in just in time to dodge a flying plate of food.

"Almeya, you have to eat lunch," Ares said, trying to calm the young
goddess down.

"NO!" she screamed again. "Don't wanna!" she said and promptly
folded her arms and pouted.

She had a pretty little pout Strife thought, grinning at the scene
unfolding. She really is a beautiful child.

Almeya had Joxer's hair and eye color but everything else was Ares
through and through. Right down to the attitude. If she didn't want
to do something, nobody, god or mortal, was going to make her do it.

"Give her what she wants," Strife said casually walking over to where
his Uncle and new cousin were sitting.

"What?" Ares said unbelievingly.

"Trust me. We had ta go through this with Storm. Let her miss a few
grub times. She'll learn ta eat when she's `supposed ta."

Ares sighed and remembered that he had had to do the same thing with
Strife when he was little. "Okay," he said, taking Almeya out of her
highchair. "But don't complain of being hungry."

He lifted her to the floor where she ran to Strife.

" Stwife!" she said as he lifted her up.

"Hey munchkin. Why don' ya wanna eat for Unc?"

"Jus' don't wanna."

"'Kay," Strife said. "Ya don't hafta. But `member what he said. No
complainin'."

"'Kay," the young goddess said, trying to imitate her cousin.

"Hey, Unc, where's Jox?"

"Had to go stop a bar fight or something. Said he'd be back in a
little while."

"Ya want me ta take the little munchkin here ovah ta my place? That
way ya can rest an' she can help keep Storm an' Jazz from killin' me
an' Cupe."

"Sure. Thank you Strife."

"No problem. Whatdaya say munchkin. Wanna go see Storm, Jazz an'
Bliss?"

"Yay!!" she yelled, clapping her hands.

"Guess that's a yes," Strife said, smiling. "I'll see you an' Jox
later than, `kay unc?"

"Okay. We'll be by later to pick her up."

"'Kay. See ya then," Strife said, then flashed out with Chaos in
tow.

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

When he flashed back into his temple, he realized two things. One
being, his house looked even worse than when he left, if that was
possible. And two, somewhere along the way, he had lost Almeya.

"Crap," he said out loud as Cupid entered the room.

"Look, I know it's a mess. But�"

"It's not that!" Strife yelled, cutting Cupid off.

"Then what is it?"

"I was traveling with Almeya! She's gone! Unc's gonna kill me! I
didn't even get her home before I lost her! I�"

He was interrupted by Cupid shaking him.

"What do you mean you lost her! How can you lose a baby like that!?
Do you have any idea what you have done!"

"I know!" Strife screamed. "Unc's gonna be so pissed! I�" But he
was interrupted by Cupid shaking him again.

"Do you not realize?!"

Strife stopped a minute and calmed down. "Cupie, if you don't' stop
shakin' me I'm gonna zap you." Cupid stopped shaking him. "Now
that's bettah. Now what, othah than Unc's gonna pulverize me then
turn me ta ashes for losin' his little girl, don't I realize?"

Cupid stood there for a moment trying to think of how to word
it. "Strife," he said finally. "You've just turned Chaos loose on
the world. And we have no idea where she is."

"Oh crap," was all Strife could say.

Once Strife remembered how to breathe, he was ready for action.

"'Kay. So how're we gonna find her `fore Unc and Jox come to pick her up?"

Cupid glared at him, or at least tried to. "We?" he asked. "I'm not the one who lost her. I get in on this and Dad's gonna fry me too."

"But Cupe!" Strife all but whined. "Ya gotta help me! I can't look for her all on my own! Please Cupie?" Am I beggin' he asked himself. Yes! And I will keep on till he says yes!

After what seemed like forever to Strife, Cupid finally sighed and agreed to help find his half sister. After calling his sister Harmonia to look after the kids, Strife asked, what seemed to Cupid like, a stupid question.

"'Kay, so what da we do?" Strife asked, getting down to business.

"Well, we try the easy way first."

"And that would be�?" Strife said, realizing Cupid was not going to continue.

Cupid sighed again. "Check for unusual mischief and chaos that you're not causing."

"Right," Strife said. He closed his eyes and concentrated on any energy he could find. After just a few moments his eyes popped open. "Thebes," he said and he and Cupid flashed out.

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

They flashed in, in the middle of Thebes busy main street. Invisible to mortal eyes, they began to search every tent of every merchant looking for the little goddess. Strife scanned again for the energy he found before, and located it on the edge of town. Mentally telling Cupid what he found, they flashed to the edge of town.

The reappeared in one of Aphrodite's temples and what they say almost made them laugh. Aphrodite was chasing a pint-sized goddess around the altar and the main room was a mess. Strife and Cupid looked at each other and smiled before deciding to give Aphrodite a break. Thinking of what she would do to them if they didn't made them shudder.

"Hey munchkin," Strife called. The little godling stopped immediately almost causing her Aunt to trip over her.

"STWIFE! CUPID!" she yelled and ran over to them.

"Somebody want to tell me why she's here by herself? Or should I ask Ares?"

Strife and Cupid both paled.

"That ain't necessary `Dite," Strife said picking the child up. "I was takin' her ovah ta my temple ta play with Storm an' Jazz an' somewhere along tha way she flashed herself somewhere else. Please don't' tell Unc. He'd fry me `fore I could say sorry."

"Okay. But if she shows up here again alone, Ares will be the first one I call. Now get out," she said, turning to fix her temple.

"Let's go," Strife said, still holding Almeya.

"Oh no you don't," Cupid said taking her from him. "I will take her back. Just to make sure. My power is stronger than yours and this way we'll be sure to not lose her."

"'Kay," Strife said looking to the floor. "Let's go," and the three of them flashed back into the temple of Love and Mischief.

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

A few hours later, Ares and Joxer flashed in to pick up Almeya. But no one was there. No sounds of children yelling, no nothing.

"Maybe they're asleep," Joxer said quietly.

"CUPID," Ares called after shrugging to him.

"Oh, hi dad," Harmonia said walking up behind them.

"Hey sweetheart," Ares said hugging her. "Where is everybody."

"Well, the kids are asleep and Strife and Cupid had to go out."

"Ahh," Ares said. "Well, let's go see if we can quietly move Almeya home without waking her."

"That's gonna be hard, dad."

"What do you mean that's gonna be hard," Joxer asked.

"Well, she's not here."

"What do you mean she's not here? Strife and Cupid took her with them?"

"Well�not exactly."

"Harmonia," Ares said as a warning to tell him everything and quickly.

"Well�they, uh�they lost her again."

"They lost her!?" Ares almost shouted.

"Again?" Joxer added.

"Where are they?" Ares asked.

"I'm not sure where they went. They didn't say."

Ares focused on finding his son. "Come on Joxer. Thank you Harmonia," he said finally. He and Joxer flashed out leaving Harmonia wondering what her father would do to her brother and his husband.

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

Ares and Joxer reappeared in a clearing where there was a campsite. No one was there at the moment but bedrolls and food were still lying around. Hoof prints and a quick scan told that this was Xena's campsite and that she and a few others had gone off in different directions. They could hear someone approaching and sat on a log to wait.

"I'm sorry Cupid," Xena said. "She's just not around here. We'll keep our eyes and ears open though."

"Thanks sis. I appreciate it," Cupid said as they walked into camp, not noticing Ares and Joxer.

"You appreciate what, Cupid," Joxer said more sternly than most thought he could.

Cupid resisted the urge to hide behind his sister and Strife paled even more than normal, if that was possible. Ares was almost amused at how scared they were.

"Uh�Hi dad," Cupid said, finally gaining the courage to step out from behind Xena.

"Do you have something you would like to tell us?" Ares asked.

"No, but Strife does," Cupid said pushing Strife in front. "Go ahead Strife."

"Yes," Ares said. "Go ahead Strife."

Strife was trembling. He'd never trembled before in his life. "Well, it's like this Unc. When I was takin' Almeya back ta my temple, she flashed somewhere else on tha way. We found her then, but now she's done it again an' we ain't sure where she's gone. We're tryin' ta follow her energy, but it's hard. She's movin' a lot."

"You lost her?" Joxer said more than asked. They could tell the Peace God was no where near peaceful at the moment. Strife nodded. Joxer just stood back and focused. "She's in Corinth," he said finally. "I will deal with you later," he almost snarled at Strife before he flashed out. Ares was close behind him, leaving Strife and Cupid to wonder about what the Gods of War and Peace will do to them.

"Well are we just going to stand here?" Gabrielle asked.

"Whatdoya mean?" Strife asked.

"She means, let's go to Corinth," Xena stepped in.

Cupid nodded thinking it was a good idea. "Let's go. Strife, you coming?"

Strife sighed. "Yeah."

Cupid and Strife each took one of the ladies and flashed out.

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

Joxer and Ares flashed into Corinth in front of the Corinthian castle where, presently, soldiers were being told to check all of the castle walls. Invisible to mortal eyes, they walked into the castle.

Inside, the castle seemed completely empty. Joxer and Ares lifted their invisibility shield and looked around.

"Where do you supposed everybody is?" Joxer asked.

"Probably out looking for whatever they're looking for out there."

They looked around for a minute more before Joxer spun around to face Ares. "Ares, you don't supposed�"

Ares, realizing what exactly his husband was saying, began sweeping the castle for any signs of life. He found them in a small room off the kitchen. "This way," he said motioning for Joxer to follow.

Ares swung the door to the small room open and what he found was really unexpected.

"Lose something big brother?" Hercules said turning around to face them.

"DADDY! DADDY!" the little goddess said before running from Hercules to her fathers.

Joxer picked her up and hugged her. "We were worried about you."

"How did you keep her here?" Ares asked, a little puzzled that his daughter would have stayed in one place for more than a millisecond.

"It wasn't easy. Iphicles first spotted her in the kitchen so we chased her around the castle for a little while. When we lost her, he got the army to watch the walls. We found her in here not long ago and he went to call the soldiers off. This room was meant to be the nursery for Iphicles' first born so there are plenty of toys in here. We've been in here playing."

Ares was awe struck that his little brother had kept the Goddess of Chaos busy for so long.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For keeping her here until we found her."

"No problem. We had fun, didn't we Almeya?"

"Yeah!"

They all smiled, then Hercules turned back to Ares. "So how did you lose her?"

"Strife and Cupid were supposed to be watching her and she flashed away from them. Twice."

Just at that moment, Strife, Cupid, Xena, and Gabrielle all flashed into the room.

"I can never get used to that ride," Xena muttered shaking her head.

Ares just smiled. "Look what we found. Actually, Hercules found her."

"Herc?" Strife strangled out as he noticed Joxer's glares.

"Yep. And you better thank him and be glad he was able to keep her here too. Or it'd be your head." Ares growled at him.

"Thank ya, Unc. Herc," Strife said so low only Cupid could hear.

"We didn't hear you," Joxer said.

"Thank ya, Unc Herc," Strife said louder.

"You're welcome," Hercules said back, grinning. Strife just stared at the floor.

"Am I gonna be in trouble?" Strife asked, almost whining.

"Oh yeah," Joxer said, handing Almeya to Ares.

"What�What are ya gonna do ta me?" Strife asked nervously.

Joxer thought for a moment. Once he had an idea, he thought it to Ares who mentally approved. The silence was making Strife nervous.

"You're punishment is to work with me for at least three months. We'll see how I feel after that." Joxer smirked at Strife's horrified look.

"'Kay," he said quietly. "What `bout Cupe?"

"What!?" Cupid shouted. "What about me?"

"Well you lost her the second time!"

Joxer thought a moment. "Okay. Cupid, you must work with me for one month."

"Okay," Cupid said softly.

"How come he gets one month an' I gotta have three or more?"

"Because he wouldn't be in this if you hadn't lost her to begin with. Now deal with it."

Strife was about to protest but, seeing Ares expression, he decided against it. He knew Joxer was right.

"Well, I think we ought to get this little one back home," Joxer said as Almeya yawned.

"I think you're right," Ares answered. "Do you need someone to take you back to your camp?" he asked Xena

She was about to say something when Hercules spoke up. "Why don't you two stay here for a little while. Iphicles has plenty of room and loves company."

Xena looked to Gabrielle who nodded. "Okay," she answered. "I think we'll stay here, Ares. Thank you though."

Ares smiled. "You're welcome," he said, turning to Strife and Cupid. "Let's go home."

"'Kay," "Okay." They said simultaneously.

"Hercules," Ares said. "Thank you again."

"You're welcome."

The four gods nodded at the three mortals, then flashed out to their respective temples.

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

"She's asleep," Joxer said, walking over to where Ares was sitting on the couch. "I had to read that scroll three times!"

"Maybe she'll like to read, like you."

"Yeah," Joxer said, snuggling up next to Ares. "So what now?"

"Well," Ares said, leering at him. "The temple's quiet. We're the only ones up. I'm sure we can amuse ourselves."

Joxer looked up into his eyes. "Oh yes, I'm sure we can," he said before leaning up and kissing Ares.

Ares pulled back and looked at him. "Definitely," he said and then kissed him again, pushing him back onto the couch.

finis