Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Title:No Son of Mine
Author: Casper
Email: CasperBleu@aol.com
Rating: PG
Pairing: A/J C/S (Xena/Gabby & Herc/Iolaus Implied)
Summary: Ares feels depressed after a REALLY bad day and Joxer is
there to console him. Sparks fly.
Chapters: 1/4
Status: Complete
Year Completed: 2001
Disclaimer: Don't belong to me, no money being made.
It had been the absolute worst day in all of Ares' 1500 years or
existence. Never in his life had so many things go wrong in one day.
He sensed someone in his least used temple, so he decided to go check
it out. Maybe it would lift his spirits.
When he arrived, he recognized a frequent visitor. He always
wondered why Joxer always seemed to pick this specific temple to pray
in. He never prayed in one of the other temples, and he was one of
the only worshippers that ever came here. He heard the wanna-be
warrior begin to pray.
"Um…Lord Ares. It's uh…me again. Joxer. I uh, figured I hadn't
prayed in a few days so I thought I better do it."
Ares listened to the prayer intently. He heard the sincerity behind
Joxer's words. He didn't know why, but something drew him to Joxer.
From the first time that bard that Xena travels with told him he was
stupid or useless. In a way, they were very similar. Both outcasts,
greatly disliked for who and what they were.
Ares moved closer, listening to the younger man's prayer. That is,
until he kicked a pile of loose rocks that, in turn, hit a pedestal
and sent a vase crashing down to the floor. Ares froze in his tracks.
"Who's there?" Joxer called, turning around to the seemingly empty
room. He saw the broken vase and walked over to it. He picked up
the broken pieces. "Ares' favorite," he spoke to himself. "Wonder
what broke it."
Ares watched as Joxer sat down next to the mess and, pulling
something out of his bag, began to fix it.
Ares wondered why he had been holding his breath. It's not like he'd
know I was here, he thought to himself. He looked around the temple,
not realizing Joxer had sat down. He walked out into the center of
the room and almost lost 100 years off his life as Joxer stood up and
placed the now fixed vase back on the pedestal. Ares walked over and
looked at it. Joxer had fixed his favorite vase!
Joxer, satisfied with his work, turned to leave but stopped, still
feeling someone watching him.
"Okay, who's here and where are you hiding?!" he shouted into the
darkness.
Ares transported himself to his throne and materialized himself.
Joxer's eyes widened and he hit his knees bowing and
apologizing. "I'm sorry I shouted at you Lord Ares. Please have
mercy."
Joxer had never actually met Ares before. He only heard the stories
Xena told about how ruthless he was.
"Oh get up Joxer," Ares said, getting up. "I am really not in the
mood."
Joxer got up and watched the god pace around the room and decided to
press his luck.
"Is everything ok?"
"Everything's fine!" Ares stopped his pacing and glared at Joxer and
Joxer closed his eyes and prepared to be turned to ashes. When it
didn't happen, he opened his eyes to see the god slumped in his
throne. "No," he heard him say quietly.
Joxer took a nervous step forward. "Do you, uh, do you want to talk
about it?"
Ares looked up. He saw the sincerity in Joxer's eyes. No one had
ever offered to listen to him before and he was sure Joxer could see
the look of shock on his face. He nodded and Joxer sat on the floor
in front of him.
"Well," Ares started. "First of all, I had this war planned and
Strife said that he wanted to give it a try. Like a fool, I thought
he could handle it and said yes because, ya know, I could use a day
to sleep in. The next thing I know, Zeus is yelling at me because
half of the countryside is destroyed and four towns with it. Strife,
being the god of Mischief and all, had made them all bandits and now
Greece has more bandits than it knows what to do with." Ares stopped
and looked at Joxer as if questioning whether to go on or not.
"Go on if you want," Joxer answered his unsaid question.
"Let's see. I'm the most disliked god on all of Olympus. Everyone
hates me. Every meeting Zeus calls is usually because of something
bad I've done. And sometimes I didn't even know I was doing it!"
"Everyone doesn't hate you," Joxer broke in.
"Yeah," Ares smirked. "Name one."
"Well," Joxer hesitated. "Me, for one."
Ares wasn't sure what to say next. Joxer took his silence as a
dismissal and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Ares asked in a soft tone.
"Well, you got quiet so I figured that meant you wanted me to leave."
"Oh," Ares answered and paused a moment. "No, I don't want you to
leave."
"Okay," Joxer said sitting back down.
They sat in silence for, what seemed like eternity. When Ares spoke,
it slightly startled both Joxer and himself.
"Thank you," Ares said so softly Joxer didn't think it possible.
"What for?" Joxer said, matching his softness.
"Listening to me. No one's ever actually offered to listen to my
problems before."
Joxer nodded. "Well, I'm always available to listen if you ever need
to just talk again. It's not like Xena and Gabby will ever give me
anything to do."
Ares smiled. "I'll remember that."
They sat in silence again until Joxer moved to get up.
"I'd better find Xena and Gabby's camp before it gets much darker,"
Joxer said seeing Ares' confused expression. "I trip over enough
things in the daylight. I don't need the dark to make it harder."
Ares smiled again. Joxer had thought he was seeing things the first
time, but he was sure he saw Ares smile this time. And not the fake
smile he had when he was trying to intimidate someone. This was a
genuine smile and Joxer couldn't help but smile back.
"Why don't you stay here? I never sleep here anyway."
Now Joxer knew he was dreaming and almost pinched himself to make
sure. "Um…okay," he said, not wanting to offend the War God. Then
next thing he knew, he and Ares were standing in a
bedchamber. "Where are we?" he asked.
"This is a back room to the temple. Almost all temples have a
bedchamber. Just in case we decided to stay overnight, get into a
fight with significant others if we have one, lose our powers. Ya
know, stuff like that." Ares smiled and Joxer smiled back.
"I see."
"Well, I should get back to Olympus. I have a long day tomorrow.
Stay as long as you need to."
"Thanks Ares."
"No problem. Goodnight." And Ares was gone.
"Goodnight," Joxer said to no one and began to get ready for bed.
*****************************************
Ares sat on his throne on Olympus and glared at no particular thing.
"What's wrong bro? Aphrodite said popping in.
"Nothing," Ares snapped at her.
Aphrodite laughed. "Oh you've got it bad, don't ya?"
"I don't have anything."
"Uh huh. Then why are you sitting around up here looking like someone
shot you with an arrow?"
"Did he `Dite? Did Cupid shoot me?" Ares stopped realizing what
he'd just admitted.
"So you are in love! And no, Cupid's mad at you, not stupid. So who
is it? Xena?"
"My daughter?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," Aphrodite muttered under her
breath. "Okay, how about the little blond girl she travels with?"
"Um, no. Besides, she's with Xena."
"Really? I bet that's a cute couple." Aphrodite thought for a
moment. "Let's see. You haven't had much to do with many other
mortals. It's not Hercules. He's with Iolaus."
"Really?" Ares cut her off.
"Yeah, for, like, almost a month now." She paused, a bright
expression bouncing on her face. "Ares!"
Ares jumped. "What?"
"You're in love with Joxer!"
Ares didn't know what do say. He wouldn't acknowledge she was right,
but he couldn't deny it either. What's happening to me? He thought.
"So why don't you tell him?"
"Are you out of your mind? I'd probably scare away the only true
worshipper I've ever had. Not to mention he's in love with
Gabrielle."
"No he's not," Aphrodite said under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just tell him. Gotta jet bro. Later." Aphrodite was
gong leaving little hearts fluttering around his temple. He growled
at them and then disappeared himself.
Joxer tossed and turned in the huge bed and then suddenly just sat
up. As he did, he felt a presence.
"Unc actually let ya stay here?" he heard a familiar voice ask.
"What does it look like?"
Strife stepped out of the dark and smiled. "So how'd ya get him to
let ya stay?"
"I didn't. He just told me to. Well, he didn't really tell me to,
he offered."
"He did huh?"
"Yep. So are you the reason I can't sleep?"
"Nah. I don't mess with people's sleep," he said sitting down on the
edge of the bed.
"So, tell me. How are things going?" Joxer asked.
"Fine. All goes well."
"And?"
"And what?" Strife asked, trying to look innocent.
"What about Cupid? How are things going?"
"They're going…Great!"
They both began to laugh. Neither could stop.
"So how about you?" Strife asked once he could stop laughing. "Any
change?"
"Other than this, no."
Just then Ares appeared with a flash of light. Joxer and Strife
stopped their laughing and started at the glaring God of War.
"Hey Unc." Strife said and hopped up off the bed. "What brings ya
here?"
Ares didn't take his eyes off Joxer and Joxer began trembling under
the God's glare.
"Well," Strife said, taking his silence as an offer to leave. "I'd
better get back."
"Wouldn't want to keep Cupid waiting," Ares said.
Strife just looked at him and disappeared.
Ares then turned his attention back to Joxer, who was still trembling
a little. "Why are you afraid of me?" he said softer than Joxer
believed his voice could ever be.
"Who isn't?" Joxer said looking down, then looking right back up at
Ares. "I'm so sorry," he said seeing Ares' taken back look. Then
Ares sat down on the edge of the bed where Strife had been and put
his head in his hands.
"I'm so tired of everyone being afraid of me."
Joxer slid closer slowly and sat next to the God. When Ares didn't
move, he laid a hand on his shoulder. "People are afraid of you,
because you are Violence. You are War. War and Violence cause pain
and death."
Ares looked up at him. "I can't help what I was born to be."
"No one's asking you to try. I was just giving an explanation.
People don't really know you. They only know the Violence." Joxer
paused. "Your temper doesn't help much either. People need to get
to really know you before they won't be afraid of you."
Ares almost laughed. "Like anyone wants to get to know me." He
looked back down at the floor again.
"I do."
Ares' head shot up and he stared at Joxer. Joxer just stared back
and started to smile at him. And there it was again. A true smile
came across Ares' face.
Ares sat up so he was eye to eye with Joxer. He leaned in and kissed
Joxer's forehead, then moved down to his lips. Joxer kissed back.
This encouraged Ares and he began to push Joxer back on to the bed.
"No. Stop." Joxer said quietly, pulling away and putting his hand on
Ares' chest. "I'm not ready for this." Joxer fully expected the War
God to get mad and leave, but he didn't.
"Okay," he said softly and pulled Joxer into a hug. "I can wait."
Joxer had never been more surprised in all his life. That is, until
the War God pulled him down to a laying position on the bed and held
him tightly.
"Uh…Ares?"
"Yeah?"
"You're kind of crushing me."
He felt Ares smile and loosen his hold. "Sorry."
Joxer had never felt so safe in all his life. He relaxed and closed
his eyes. He felt Ares' other arm come around to hold him. He
smiled as he felt Ares go to sleep and he himself slipped into sleep.
*********************************************
When Joxer woke up the next morning, Ares was gone.
"What a dream," he said out loud to himself.
"Sleep well?" he heard a voice behind him say.
"The best I've slept in years. How about you?"
"Well, Cupe and I didn't sleep that much. How `bout we leave it at
that?" Strife said jumping on the bed. Joxer smiled. "So," Strife
went on. "Did it feel strange?"
Joxer froze. What exactly happened that night? "Did what feel
strange?"
"Ya know. Sleeping in the same bed with Unc."
Joxer realized it hadn't been a dream and smiled. That soft, tender
War God really did exist in Ares and he got to meet him.
"Well, nothing happened," Joxer said shyly.
"Really?"
"Yeah. He was still a little depressed. We talked a little more,
and then…"
"And then what?!" Strife shouted excitedly. "Come on Jox, tell me!"
Joxer smiled. "And then he kissed me. It wasn't one of those `sleep
with me or die' kisses either. It was gentle. I had no idea Ares
could be such a gentle person.
"Oh yeah. Unc's got his moments. They say he used ta be a pretty
loving God in fact. But when Cupid was born, all his love went to
him. They say that's why Cupid's the God of Love and doesn't have
any war in him. But I guess you've proved he does have love in there
somewhere. So what else happened?"
"Nothing. I wasn't ready for it to go any further and he was okay
with it. I thought he'd be mad or something, but he wasn't. He just
held me until we fell asleep in each other's arms. I had never felt
so happy and safe in all my life."
Joxer saw Strife wince a little and looked confused. "Sounds great
Jox. Sounds like you two might just work out. I gotta go stop Cupid
from destroying his temple right now, but I'll be back, and I want
every detail!"
"Okay. Have fun." Joxer smiled at him.
Strife rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. Later," and Strife disappeared.
Joxer got up, dressed and left the temple.
*****************************************
Joxer trudged up the hill to where he knew Xena and Gabrielle would
be camped. He stopped as he saw a large fireball hit the camp square
in the center. He got to the edge of the camp just in time to see
Xena and Ares with their swords drawn and positioned to where they
would kill each other if thrusted.
"STOP!"
Everything stopped. Ares, Xena, and Gabby all looked over to him,
surprised at the interruption. Ares caught Joxer's eyes and lowered
his sword first. He could see the hurt in Joxer's eyes. These were
his friends he was trying to kill.
"What's going on?" he heard Joxer ask as he walked into the camp. No
one answered. "I thought so," Joxer said. "There's no reason.
There's never any reason! I try to feel safe with you but I can't do
that if you're always fighting!" He didn't say exactly who he
directed the last part at, but Ares had the feeling it was him. He
put his sword away and saw Joxer walk into the woods. He himself
flashed away without saying anything, leaving Xena and Gabrielle
staring at each other.
Joxer walked for about an hour. He finally realized he was tired and
stopped, leaning against a tree and sliding down to sit on the
ground. He had stopped wearing his "armor" about a month ago and he
was glad. It was getting into the hot season. He hadn't been
sitting there long before he felt someone watching him and heard
someone walking up behind him. He knew who it was but, at the
moment, didn't care.
"Joxer," Ares said softly. When Joxer didn't turn around, he moved
closer. "Joxer, I'm sorry."
Joxer turned around surprised. The God of War was apologizing to
him! He was still mad, however, and wasn't going to let Ares off
that easily. "Sorry? You were trying to kill my friends, your own
daughter even!"
"What do you want me to say?" Ares said cutting him off. "I wish I
could take back what you saw, but I can't." Ares paused a minute to
regroup what to say and looked down at the ground. "I never wanted
to hurt you Joxer. But with Xena it's difficult. Between us there
will always be fighting. But I'll make a deal with you. I'll leave
the little blond alone completely, and I won't ever intend to kill
Xena. I can't promise to stop fighting her altogether. There's no
way in Tartarus that'll ever happen. But I won't kill her. Deal?"
Joxer thought for a moment just to watch Ares squirm thinking he
wouldn't take it. It wasn't everyday someone could do that and it
amused him that he could. He looked over to Ares, who was now
squatting next to him, and smiled. "Okay," he said softly. "I guess
I can accept that."
Ares smiled back and Joxer leaned into him. He held Joxer tightly
for a long time until they heard someone coming. "I have a temple
not far from here. Come there tonight?"
Joxer nodded. "Sure."
"Good," Ares said. "See you then." Ares was gone in a flash of
light.
"Bye," Joxer said to himself as he heard someone calling his name.
He briefly thought about answering but decided not to and let them
find him. They did.
"Joxer, are you okay?" Xena asked running over to him, Gabby
following closely behind.
"I'm fine," he said lazily, not looking up from the rock on the
ground he was staring at.
"What happened back there?" Gabby asked.
"Back where?"
"Joxer!" Xena and Gabby said in unison.
"What do you want me to say?" Joxer said, finally looking up and
mocking the way Ares had said the line earlier. "You want me to say
I was scared? Poor little Joxer, scared of his shadow, was scared
away from the fight between Ares and his daughter? Well I wasn't
scared all right?"
"Joxer, calm down," Xena said sitting down next to him. "What's
wrong?"
Joxer sighed and hesitated before answering. "I'm just tired of the
fighting. Everytime I turn around you and Ares are trying to kill
each other and I'm sick of it. It doesn't get either of you any
closer to stopping or killing the other and never will."
Xena sighed. "I'm sorry Joxer. But as long as we both exist, Ares
and I will be enemies. The fighting will go on. I'm sure of it."
She tried to put her arm around him but he pulled away.
"I need to be alone," he said getting up. "I'll catch up with you in
a day or two."
Xena and Gabby watched him walk away. "Think he'll be okay?" Gabby
asked.
"I think he'll be fine. He just needs to be on his own a few days.
Away from the fighting, away from Ares, and…away from us."
"I guess a few days alone'll probably do him some good."
"Yeah." The stood in silence a few minutes before Xena spoke
again. "Come on. We should get back to camp."
"Okay."
They walked back to camp in silence.
******************************************************
Joxer reached the temple just before dark. He waited outside for
almost an hour to make sure he wasn't followed. When he was sure he
wasn't, he went inside.
The temple was dark except for the candles burning on the walls. He
walked around and looked at every vase and wall hanging in the room
before he finally got tired and sat down. He was just about to go to
sleep when he saw a flash of light in the throne.
"Joxer?"
"Yeah?"
Ares looked like he hadn't expected Joxer to answer. He got up to
walk into the middle of the room to look for him, almost tripping
over him in the process.
"Hey!" Joxer said with mock anger and stood up.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't come," Ares said turning around.
"Why would you think that? I got here first."
"You were just so upset. I thought you might want to be alone."
"Oh," Joxer said looking at the floor. "Well, I was pretty upset.
And I'm pretty tired from the walk here. But I don't really want to
be alone."
Ares smiled and walked over to Joxer. Taking his hand, he flashed
them to his bedchamber. Joxer noticed this one was different from
before.
"Where are we?"
"In my bedroom."
"I can see that Ares. This place is different from before."
"Oh. Well that's because it is. We're on Olympus."
Joxer just stood and stared at him. He brought me to Olympus. ME!
He thought to himself.
"Joxer, are you all right?"
"Fine," Joxer squeaked. "We're on Olympus right now?" Joxer knew he
would be turned to a pile of ashes for his stupidity.
"Yep, right now. Joxer are you sure you're okay?" Ares said sounding
worried.
"Yeah. I'm okay. I just wasn't expecting you to bring me here."
"Oh. Yeah, I don't usually bring mortals here. In fact, I don't
think I ever have. But you didn't want to be alone, and I didn't
want to stay on there. So here we are."
"Makes sense," Joxer said with a yawn.
"Let's go to bed," Ares said and blinked Joxer into something more
comfortable to sleep in.
Joxer looked down at his new attire. "Thanks."
"Welcome," Ares said leading him over to the bed.
Ares laid down first. Joxer crawled in after and curled up in Ares'
arms, laying his head on Ares' chest. Ares felt Joxer smile then go
to sleep. Ares smiled and fell asleep soon after.
*****************************************************
When Ares woke up alone, he was a little concerned. His senses told
him Joxer was still in the temple, so he relaxed. He figured he
could just flash in on Joxer, but it would be much more fun to find
him the old fashioned way and…surprise him. Ares smiled at the
thought and rolled out of bed.
He found Joxer in the bath room. He was just looking into the clear
water.
"Wanna give it a try?"
Joxer jumped and turned to Ares smiling. "No, that's okay. I've
just never seen water that clear before.
Ares smiled and circled his arms around Joxers waist and felt Joxer
lean back into him. "So what do you wanna do today?"
"I don't know," Joxer answered, and felt his stomach rumble. "Eat.
I'm starved."
Ares laughed and thought up some food for Joxer and himself. "Okay.
Here ya go."
They ate their fill and when they were both too stuffed to move more
than a few inches at a time, Ares thought up an oversized couch for
them to curl up on. They were both asleep in no time.
"ARES!" Ares and Joxer both jumped at the sound. "What in Tartarus
is going on here?" Zeus yelled at his son.
Ares got up off the couch and stretched. "Not much…just lounging
around." When he only got silence and an evil glare from Zeus, he
got a little angry. "What more is there to tell?"
"You brought HIM here?" Zeus said pointing to Joxer.
Ares was totally pissed now. "First, it's not like no other God has
ever brought a mortal here. Second, I'm all grown up now and can
fend for myself, or hadn't you noticed. And third, this is MY temple
and I'll bring whomever I please to it!"
"Well I am ruler here on Olympus and as long as I am ruler, you shall
do as I say. And no son of mine is going to be running around with
another man, much less a mortal man!"
"Well maybe I don't want to be your son then!" Ares shouted.
Everyone was silent. Joxer watched as Ares faced down Zeus. Zeus
looked almost shocked that anyone would speak to him that way but
Ares only looked serious.
"You don't know what you're saying," Zeus said.
"I know exactly what I'm saying," Ares shouted back at him. "I know
that by saying that, you could take away my god-hood with the blink
of an eye. But I don't really care. I love Joxer and I'm happy.
One would think my own father would be happy for me, but if you have
a problem, that's too damn bad."
He loves me? He really loves me? Joxer thought to himself. He
couldn't believe Ares just told Zeus of all Gods, that he loved him.
Zeus sighed. "I'm happy you found someone Ares. I'm just not happy
it's him," Zeus said and flashed out.
Ares stood there ready to fight some more. Joxer watched as he
stood. He got up and walked over to Ares and put his hand on his
shoulder.
"Are you okay, Ares?"
"Yeah," Ares said turning to him. "I'm sorry he treated you like
that. You'd think that he, of all people, would have reacted
differently."
"It's not your fault," Joxer said and hugged him. "Thank you."
"For what?" Ares asked wrapping his arms around him.
"Standing up for me. You said you'd give up your god-hood for me.
You told Zeus, King of the Gods, you loved me. No one's ever loved
me like that before."
Ares smiled. "Well get used to it." They stood there a few more
minutes longer. "Let's get back on the couch."
"Okay," Joxer agreed, wanting to get back to his nap.
The next morning when Joxer woke up, they were still on the couch.
Ares was still sleeping and Joxer took that time to watch him. He
took in how peaceful Ares was when he slept. He'd never seen or even
thought that Ares could look so peaceful. He was so caught up in
watching Ares sleep, he didn't even notice when he woke up.
"Am I that interesting?"
Joxer jumped, then looked up at Ares and smiled. "Yeah. You look so
peaceful when you sleep."
Ares smiled and Joxer swore he saw a blush. "Peaceful isn't a
description I've ever heard for the God of War. But I'm only that
way because you're here."
It was Joxers turn to blush. He smiled back at Ares, then got
thoughtful.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Well," Joxer hesitated. "If Zeus knows about us. It won't be long
until all of Olympus knows."
Ares thought a moment. "Well, Strife and `Dite already know. But if
Apollo…"
Joxer cut him off. "You told Aphrodite?"
"No, she figured it out. She's the one that convinced me to come
back that night. I'm actually surprised the world doesn't know by
now."
They laughed for a long time. It was all they could do to stop
themselves.
When Joxer finally felt confident he could speak without starting a
laughing fit again, he spoke. "So, what were you saying about
Apollo?"
"Oh yeah. Well, when Apollo finds out, all of Greece will find out.
He hangs out with mortals more than the rest of us."
"True." Then Joxer got thoughtful again.
"What now?"
"Well, I was just thinking. There are people that we should probably
tell ourselves before one of the Gods gets to them first."
"Yeah? Like who?"
"Well, Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules come to mind. I don't know about
Hercules, but Xena and Gabrielle would be pretty mad if they had to
hear it from someone else when I've been traveling with them."
"Yeah. You're right. Xena's gonna be pissed."
They began to laugh again. Neither knew why. They just did.
"Well," Ares said once he could speak again. "I don't really care
how my brother finds out. Father can tell him as far as that goes.
But I guess we should tell Xena and the little blond ourselves."
"Sounds good. When?"
Ares thought a moment. "How about now?" he said as he grabbed
Joxer's hand and pulled him up off the couch.
"Now?" was all Joxer could get out before they both flashed away.
Once Joxer became reoriented with the world around him, he realized
they were in the woods about 100 yards away from Xena's camp. He
could hear them talking, but he couldn't hear what about.
"Come on," Ares said, pulling on his hand.
"Ares wait," Joxer said, pulling back. "We can't just walk into
Xena's camp. She'll think you're keeping me captive or something."
Ares thought a moment. "You're right," he said, then became
thoughtful again.
"I have an idea. Let me walk in first. A captor never lets his
captive walk closely in front of him."
"Sounds good," Ares said and paused. "Ready?" he asked, holding out
his hand for Joxer to take.
Joxer nodded and took his hand. "Ready."
Ares pulled him up, gave him a quick kiss, then moved aside to let
Joxer go first.
***************************************************
"Hey guys," Joxer said walking into the camp.
"Joxer, behind you!" Xena shouted drawing her sword.
Ares and Joxer both looked behind them, seeing nothing. They turned
back to Xena and looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
"What is it?" Ares asked, truly confused.
"I think she means you," Joxer said.
"Oh." Ares paused a minute. "Well, Joxer has something he wants to
tell you," he said pushing Joxer forward.
Xena, sword still drawn defensively, looked from Ares to
Joxer. "Well?"
"Well," Joxer hesitated. "Ares and I are kind of…involved."
"Involved?" Gabby said.
"Yeah. You do know what it means right?" Ares said, earning an elbow
in the stomach for his trouble.
"You and Ares?" Xena asked.
"Yep."
"How long?" she managed to say without squeaking from shock.
"About three days," Ares answered, putting his hands on Joxer's
shoulders.
Xena lowered her sword and sighed. "So that's why you got so upset
over the fight yesterday?"
"Yeah. It's also where I went after the fight. And where I was
coming from before the fight," he answered shyly.
Just as she was about to say something else, Strife and Cupid flashed
in.
"Dad," Cupid said, sounding serious for one of the first times in his
life. "There's a problem."
"What is it?" Ares sighed.
"The city of Athens."
"The entire city? What happened?
"Zeus told the other Olympians `bout you and Joxer," Strife
answered. "Now Athena's determined to prove ya can't do your
job `cause you're to busy with your `new play thing' as she put it.
She's rallied an army and they're heading toward your army as we
speak."
"Where are they now?" Ares asked, in full War God mode now.
"About half a days travel south of Athens."
"Okay. Strife, go to my camp and warn the army. Tell them to
prepare for battle. Tell them exactly what you told me and that
Athena's army is only a day or two away."
"Got ya," Strife said and disappeared.
"Cupid," Ares said, turning to his son. "Go keep an eye on Athena.
Let me know what's going on."
"You got it."
"And Cupid," Ares called before his son could flash out.
"Yeah dad?"
"Be careful."
Cupid smiled. "As always dad." Cupid flashed out.
Ares stood sill a moment, then turned to Xena "Xena," he said
hesitantly. "I need your help."
****************************************************
The group of four flashed into Ares camp, where preparation for war
was taking place. One of Ares' generals ran up to them.
"Lord Ares. Preparations are being made. We will be prepared for
their arrival in half a day."
"Good. Where's Strife?" Ares asked looking around for his nephew.
"In your tent, my Lord."
"Okay. Get back to work."
"Yes Lord Ares," the general said and bowed before running off and
barking more orders.
Ares turned to Xena. "Find the men you think are best, and place
them where you think they will best serve us."
"Okay. What about them?" she asked indicating Joxer and Gabrielle.
"I'll take them to my tent with Strife. It's protected by me so they
won't get hurt."
"Good."
"Xena," Gabby called. "Be careful."
"Like always," Xena said grinning before running off, picking out men
on her way.
Ares flashed himself, Joxer and Gabrielle to a tent, where they found
Strife, pacing.
"Where's Cupid?" Strife asked.
"He'll be back shortly. I sent him to watch Athena's army. Don't
worry, he'll be fine."
Strife seemed to relax a little, but very little.
"You two stay here with Strife," Ares said to Gabrielle and
Joxer. "Strife, when Cupid gets here, tell him to stay here. I'm
putting a protection dome around the tent where only he can get in
and no one gets out till I get back. Can you do that?"
Strife nodded.
"Good," he said turning to leave.
"Ares?" Joxer called. When Ares turned around, Joxer walked over to
him. "Come back in one piece ok?"
Ares took him into a hug and held him close. "I promise. Try to
help Strife relax a little until Cupid gets back ok?"
"I will."
"Thanks." Ares said. He looked down at Joxer and gave him a quick
kiss. "I'll see you soon."
Joxer smiled up into Ares' eyes. "You better."
Ares smiled back, then left the tent. Joxer watched the door until
Gabby put her hand on his arm.
"He'll be ok Joxer."
Joxer looked at Gabby and smiled. "I know."
He looked over at Strife, who had begun pacing again. "Strife,
you're gonna wear a whole in the ground if you don't sit down."
Strife stopped and looked at him. "What if he don't come back? What
if Athena finds him and kills him? Or worse!"
Joxer went over to Strife and grabbed his arms. "You have to calm
down. You're not going to do Cupid any good if you're hysterical."
"Woah, wait a minute here." Gabby said putting up her hands. "You're
telling me that Strife and Cupid are an item, like you and Ares?"
Strife nodded. "Ya told `em huh?" he said.
"Yeah. Just before you and Cupid flashed in."
At that, Strife just fell into Joxer crying. "Strife, what is it?
What's wrong?"
"Promise ya won't tell anyone. Especially Cupid."
"Sure." Joxer said and looked over at Gabby.
"I won't tell anyone," she said.
"Okay," Strife hesitated. "I'm…I'm…"
"You're not?" Joxer broke in. "You are? Are you sure?"
"He is what?" Gabby asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Joxer said.
"Sure I would."
"He's pregnant."
~Do ya think I should attempt a sequel?~
**************************************************************
Gabby was silent for a few minutes. "He's what? I don't think I
heard you right. I could have sworn you said he was pregnant."
"That's what I said."
"But how? Well I know how, but HOW?"
"Things are different on Olympus. I can't really explain it. The
weaker male Gods such as myself, can have children. The stronger
Gods like Cupid and Ares can't. It's weird actually."
"I thought you were careful," Joxer said.
"We were! But nothing can work 100%!"
Joxer sighed. "When are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know. What if he's mad? What if he doesn't want it? He's
already got Bliss ya know. What if he doesn't want another one?"
"Strife!" Joxer shouted. "Listen to yourself. I know Cupid and
Cupid loves you. He's gonna want it. But you're gonna have to tell
him. And soon because I'm sure you'll start showing soon."
Strife sighed. "I know." Just then Cupid flashed in. "Cupid!"
Strife said running over to him.
"Hey, it's okay. What's wrong?"
"Nothin', I was jus' worried about you is all."
"Ahh…Well, I'm here and I'm fine. Where's dad?"
"He's out with the army," Joxer said. "He said for you to stay here
with us. He put a dome over the tent where no one can get in or out
but him now."
Strife didn't let go of Cupid for a good hour or so. Of course,
Cupid didn't' seem to mind, but it made Gabrielle a little
uncomfortable. "How long are they going to stay like that?" she
asked Joxer.
"For as long as Strife needs to," he answered her. She nodded.
Strife finally fell asleep and Cupid put him down on a cot, then
walked over to Joxer. "Is he okay?"
"He's fine. Why?"
"He just seems a little more…weepy. He's seemed that way a lot
lately."
"For how long?"
"Almost a month and a half. You don't think he could be pregnant do
you?"
Joxer was silent for a moment.
"Do you?" Cupid asked again in a strong voice.
"That's something you'll have to ask him yourself."
Cupid's mouth dropped. "He is, isn't he?"
Joxer sighed. "You didn't hear it from me. He asked me not to tell
you."
Cupid's grin was unmistakable. "But you didn't. I figured it out.
I'm gonna be a father again." Gabby was sure he was going to stretch
those huge wings and fly around the room.
When Strife finally woke up, Cupid was sitting next to him, staring
down at him and smiling. "What's the big grin for?" he asked.
Cupid just grabbed him up into a hug. "I love you."
Strife was even more confused than before. "I love ya too babe, now
what's up?"
"I know."
"Ya know what?" he asked shooting a look at Joxer, who just shrugged.
"I know about you're…condition."
"Ya promised ya wouldn't!" Strife said shooting up off the bed.
"He didn't. I figured it out," Cupid said with an even bigger grin
than before, which Strife didn't think possible.
"And you're `kay with it?"
"Okay with it? I couldn't be happier!"
From that point on, Gabby wished there were two rooms to the tent.
Cupid and Strife couldn't keep their hands off each other. It was
sickening. To divert her attention, she went to sit by Joxer, who
was at the door.
"Got tired of watching them too, huh?" he asked with a smile.
"Yeah. Too sickening." Joxer nodded. "He's gonna come back Joxer."
"What if he doesn't?"
"Okay, we finally got Strife calmed down, we don't need you to get
hysterical now. Besides, Athena can't kill him without the hind's
blood right?"
"Yeah."
"Which is on a dagger buried in a staircase in front of one or Ares'
temples right?"
"Yeah. I guess you're right."
At that moment, Ares flashed in, looking worse for wares.
"Ares!" Joxer said running to him. "What going on?"
"We're losing, that's what's going on. She got here earlier than
expected. We're losing bad." He leaned into Joxer who held him,
then sat him up.
"Let's look at some of these cuts okay?"
Ares nodded.
"Gabby, can you get me some water?"
"Sure."
"I was crazy to think I could defeat Athena." Ares said.
"No you weren't dad. She's just more deceptive than you are. She
even had me fooled."
Ares just sighed. Then all of the sudden, he found himself, and
everyone else in the tent, in the middle of a frozen battle with Xena
and Athena there also.
"What in Tartarus is going on here?" Zeus asked in a voice even Ares
was afraid of.
"A war," Athena said plainly.
"I can see that. I have never seen such childish actions come from a
Goddess in all my life," he said to her. "Do you have a good reason
for attacking Ares' army?"
"Yes. I don't think he's doing a very good job."
"That's not for you to decide now is it?" Zeus said. "Well is it?"
"No," she squeaked.
"All right then. You do not control, overthrow, or try to defeat
other Gods. That is my job. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she squeaked again.
"Good. End this now. You're destroying most of Greece," he said,
then turned to Ares. "When you have finished, come see me. And
bring Joxer with you." With that, he disappeared.
Ares and Joxer just stared at each other. Ares could see the fear in
Joxer's eyes and was certain it reflected his own. After Zeus' last
outburst, they had no idea what he could want now.
"This is not over, Ares," Athena said.
Ares just smirked, his cockiness returning, as he watched Athena and
her army disappear. When his army was finally unfrozen, he ordered
them to get some rest, but to stay on guard for a while.
"Cupid," Joxer whispered so Ares couldn't hear. "Take Strife to see
Asclepius."
Cupid smiled. "Cool," he said, taking Strife's hand. "Come on
babe," and they flashed out in two flashes of light.
"Well, we'd better go see what Zeus wants," Ares said to Joxer.
"Yeah."
"I'll flash you and Gabrielle back to your camp, okay?" he asked Xena.
"Okay," Xena answered.
Ares took Joxer's hand and flashed them both to Zeus' temple on
Olympus, flashing Xena and Gabrielle to their camp at the same time.
Ares and Joxer stood in front of the empty throne, until a flash of
light appeared in it.
"Ares," Zeus began, standing up. "I don't necessarily approve of
your relationship with this mortal. But I have watched you, both of
you, and I have realized that you are happy. Now you know that you
cannot be officially pronounced because he is not a God," he said
holding up a finger against Ares' protests. "So I'm going to make
him one."
Ares just stood there and stared. He wasn't sure exactly how long he
didn't breathe, but he knew he had stopped.
"Me?" Joxer squeaked. "A God?"
"God of Peace, specifically," Zeus answered. "Peace balances War the
same as love does to hate. Maybe a God of Peace can tone Ares down a
bit. You've done a good job so far.
Joxer blushed and Ares just smiled at him. "When?" Ares asked.
"Now," Zeus answered. "Come here, Joxer," he commanded.
Joxer did so.
"Take this," Zeus said, giving him something. "It's ambrosia. It
will make you a God."
Joxer took it and ate it. He could feel a tingle all over his body.
The sore feet he had earlier were now gone and he felt stronger than
he had ever felt before.
"I'm a God?"
"Yep," Ares answered.
"I've never felt like this before."
"You've never been a God before," Ares said and got an electric poke
for it. "Hey!"
Joxer just smiled at him.
"Ares," Zeus broke in. "You must teach him how to use these powers.
And keep in mind, he is the God of Peace. Teach him how to use them
as such."
"I will."
"Good. Well, I must be off. Your mother is having a fit saying it
was my fault Athena attacked you. Goodbye."
Ares and Joxer stood alone in the temple.
"Shall we go back to my temple?"
"I wanna go show Xena and Gabrielle."
Ares sighed, already tired of them both. "Okay," he said, knowing
what they meant to Joxer.
They appeared in the middle of the camp. Xena and Gabrielle looked
as tired of seeing them as Ares did.
"What are you two doing back here? I thought you had to go see
Zeus," Xena said.
"We did, and guess what," Joxer said excitedly.
"What?" Gabrielle said.
"I'm a God!" Joxer almost yelled.
~~
"A what?" they said in unison.
"A God. Ya know, like Ares."
"Good for you," Xena said unconvinced.
"You don't believe me. Let me show you," he said and sent a bolt of
electricity into a tree, knocking it over.
"You really are a God," Gabrielle said in shock.
"Yep."
"So when's the pronouncement?" Xena asked.
"What?" Ares asked in shock.
"Well, I'm assuming he's a God now, because Zeus realized that you
two wanted to be together officially. And you can't be officially
pronounced unless you are both Gods. Am I right?"
"You're right," Ares said. "I guess we really haven't' discussed it."
"Well discuss it and let me know. It's not every day you get to see
the War God being the one pronounced."
"Five days," Joxer said.
Ares looked at him in shock. "Five days?"
"Yeah, why not?"
Ares thought a moment. "Okay. Five days it is." He turned back to
Xena. "I'll send `Dite for you in five days," he said and he and
Joxer disappeared as quick as they had come.
*****************************************************
~FIVE DAYS LATER~
"Gods and Goddesses and mortals in attendance. This dinner is to
signify the pronouncement of my son Ares, God of War and Joxer, God
of Peace. Let them spend all of eternity in happiness," Zeus
proclaimed as he handed Ares a goblet of wine. Ares took a drink and
then passed it to Joxer who also took a drink.
After that, there was much clapping and eating and dancing. And of
course the occasional Strife running out of the room to throw up.
The first time, Ares threw Cupid a worried look.
"Morning sickness," Cupid told him.
This floored Ares slightly. Was he always the last one to know these
things?? "He's pregnant?" he asked.
"Oh yeah. Didn't I tell ya?"
"No, you didn't."
"Oh, sorry."
Across the room talking with Xena, Joxer suddenly came to a
realization. He excused himself from Xena and all but ran across the
room. "'Dite!"
"What is it sweet cheeks?"
"I'm a God now!"
"Yes I know that hon,"
"No, that means I could end up in Strife's condition right?"
"Well, you are the weaker God between you and Ares, so yeah, I
supposed you could if you're not careful."
Joxer almost fell over. Ares saw this and raced across the
room. "Is he okay?"
"He's fine. He just realized he could have children is all."
Ares nodded and then realized this as well. He could just picture
Joxer big as a house and yelling at him to be more supportive. Wait,
that was Aphrodite that did that. Maybe Joxer wouldn't be so bad.
Ares almost laughed.
Joxer's head snapped up. "What are you laughing at?"
"I'm not laughing," Ares said trying real hard to contain his
laughter.
"You want to."
"I'm sorry Jox. I just got this image in my head. You'd laugh to if
you saw it."
"I doubt it." Joxer hung his head again until it snapped up yet
another time. "Hey Ares?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't think there's any way now do you?"
"Any way what?"
Joxer gave him a `duh' look and Ares finally caught on.
"Oh…um…no…probably not. At least I don't think so."
"Ares!"
"Okay, okay. I guess it's possible. We didn't exactly wait till
this day ya know."
Aphrodite's face lit up. "Come on Jox," she said grabbing his hand
and dragging him away from Ares. A few minutes later, they were
gone, along with Asclepius.
Ares had been pacing for a while when they all finally returned. He
watched as they chatted a few minutes, then Joxer hesitantly started
to walk towards him.
"Ares, I have something to tell you," Joxer said smiling. Ares could
only smile back.
~End~