Xena/Ares Shipper Fanfic Challenge #1

By Elfrieda

Takes place after The Quill is Mightier.

"War Takes a Holiday"

Gods, life was never boring. By the time they had ceremoniously burned Gabrielle's formerly enchanted scroll in the campfire, night was beginning to fall. After supper, a very zonked-out Joxer staggered over to his bedroll and was soon sleeping serenely. Gabrielle was cleaning up the remains of the meal while Xena brushed Argo, who seemed to be the least affected by the days bizarre events.

Gabrielle's words broke the silence that had fallen. "Xena, do you think my writing could ever have a real effect on the world someday? I mean, other than getting us chased by an army and a bunch of angry barbarians . . ."

"Don't forget the three naked yous." Both women chuckled.

"Gabrielle, your writing will survive long after we're dead."

"Aww, Xena, do you really believe that?"

"Which may not be too long if you keep using enchanted scrolls."

"Gee, thanks for the encouragement." Gabrielle tossed her dirty dishtowel in Xena's face, then went over and gave her a playful shoulder squeeze. "And with that, I'm going to bed. There's no way my dreams could be weirder than what happened today."

Xena gave her a half-smile. "Ehh, it's just a typical day in the life for us, right?"

"Good-night."

"Sleep tight."

In a few moments her friend was asleep, clearly more worn out than she had let on. Xena continued grooming Argo, which helped by giving her something habitual to focus on. That scroll had left her mind a little bit muddled, and seeing Gabrielle bonding with Ares had not made it any less so. Her body temporarily stiffened when she sensed a change in the air that meant that he was somewhere nearby, watching her, waiting for her to come to him, his mind – no, his blood – beckoning hers.

Xena stepped past Argo and out of the small clearing where they'd made their camp. She tried to quell the familiar sense of pleasure that rose within her as she felt him very near – enough that she could probably reach out her sword and – he was right behind her. Before she could draw a weapon, before she could even see him, she could feel his hands on her shoulders, playing with the leather straps, his fingertips grazing her collarbone. By the gods. The next moment she was facing him. There he was, back to his godly form, her chakram raised to his throat. She raised an eyebrow, giving him that "steely gaze" that she knew he admired so much (at least, those were the words Gabrielle had used when she gigglingly recounted Ares' words to her from earlier that day).

"Hello, Xena." His voice was deep, smooth, seductive, yet there was a playfulness in his manner that indicated that maybe he was enjoying the feel of her weapon against his neck.

"What do you want?" Her voice wasn't quite as menacing as she'd intended.

His face pulled into a cheeky grin. "Can't a war god come and check on his favorite . . ." and he paused, looking up from her breastplate into her eyes, ". . . warrior?"

"I'm touched. So I guess you're glad to still be a war god, huh? Close shave you had there." She couldn't resist reminding him of his recent less-than-impressive turn as a mortal.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks to your little bard friend, there." He jerked his thumb in the direction of where Gabrielle was sleeping. "It wasn't all bad, though."

"No?"

"I got to watch you in action." He brushed back an imaginary strand of hair from her face.

"Yeah. Testing out my new weapons." They both smiled at the memory of Xena using various unfortunate sea creatures in battle. "I think I'll stick with these, though." She drew back her chakram and watched a bit of moonlight glint off it, then hooked it to her belt, her other hand tapping the hilt of her sword, which was hanging at her back.

His dark eyes glittered. "And I think I'll stick to the war god business . . . that is, unless –"

"Unless what? Thinking of retiring? Thought you loved your day job," she retorted.

"Nah. Forget it. It'd never work." He gave her a quizzical look, which made her wonder whether there wasn't something more serious on his mind. She couldn't quite make him out tonight, which was frustrating. "Good night, Xena." He stepped back, mischievously blew her a kiss, and vanished in his usual spark of blue light.

The questioning words that were in her throat died before they could reach her lips. Instead, she settled for "Good night, Ares."

In the distance, Argo whinnied for Xena to come and finish her nightly brushing.