Xena sighed and paced around the campfire. She found it hard to walk in her shoes, because her ankles were swollen so big. She groweled and looked skyward.

A storm.

She sat finally in front of the fire. Why'd I let Gabby go to the Amazons?

Gabrielle had left the day before, reluctantly, but Xena insisted on her attending some ritual thingie. She picked at her nails for a second and felt a chill.

"Oh no.."

Wind picked up and trees made whoosh noises. Xena scoweled.

Perfect. A storm where there's storm there's always.....

Stop thinking about it. She scolded herself. What could a warrior be afraid of anyway? Except...

Thunder, and lightening.

She moaned.

Ever since Xena was a child, she'd been deathly afraid of thunder and lightening. She never could explain why, but it made her squeemish. When she was a baby she'd climb in her mom's bed and hug her close, unless her dad was home, then she'd go to Toris who was happy to have her. And when Cyrene had another baby, Xena often slept in Toris' bed. Until Lyceus grew to be 2 and he too needed commforting in the storms. After a few years he got over it, but Xena never did.

Some nights when she didn't want to admit it, Lyceus would come to her room instead. Then he'd sit with her until she fell asleep. Even now the only living people to know was Gabrielle( who helped her through the storms), maybe Joxer and...Ares.

Chills ran up her side as she thought of him. Thunder rolled and Xena squeaked.

She jumped up and paced, as her baby kicked.

"You don't like it either kiddo?" She patted her 7th month tummy.

Ares voice echoed through te wind, laughing.

"Hey Xena."

"What do you want?"

He appeared.

"Woah, hormones huh?"

She wacked his arm.

"I'm in no mood."

"And I can guess why."

Lightening struck nearby and Xena practically jumped in his arms. He chuckled and held her close. She shivered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know I'd jump."

She moved away.

"Are you use to having Gabby around to hug?"

"Not funny. We're friends."

"That's not what I hear."

She hit his arm.

"Now, now don't get upset with me." Thunder groweled and made itself known.

"It amazes me how scared you get in a storm."

She gulped.

"Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see if you were OK alone."

"Do I look OK alone?"

"No you look a bit hysterical." He grasped her hand.

"Come with me. You're cold and you might get sick. Or just pee your leathers."

She nodded.

* * *

She arrived cold and starving at his hall. He noticed and looked conerned. SHe swayed.

"You OK?"

"Yah."

"Hungry?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

He took her to his room and let her stuff her face. After watching her, he started rubbing her tense, tense shoulders. She moaned and sighed.

Thunder rolled.

She squeaked. He helped her up and hugged her.

"Don't be scared. I wonder why you are afraid."

"I don't know. I do know one thing though...."

"What's that?"

"You haven't said a word about the fact that I'm pregnant."

"Oh? I noticed....believe me I noticed."

As lightening crashed outside, Xena lay down with Ares, not caring anymore. she knew tomorrow he'd be gone, but now they could enjoy a few hours of love.

END