Disclaimer: I am not making any money from this story. Also I don’t own any of the characters in this story except for Rebecca who is modelled on myself. This story is dedicated to Delenn for all the ideas her stories and conversations I’ve had with have given me! I’ve actually done the story I asked her to do for me. I told you I’d write one for you…now please return the favour!!!! This story is rated PG 13+. No subtext.
Please give me feedback!
Gabrielle sat there stunned as she had for the last 3 hours.
“Xena…did you just agree for us to go to an all week party at Aphrodite’s?”
Xena looked up as she poked the fire for the hundredth time that day
“Gabrielle…I think I’ve already given the answer to you a number of times”
“Kay…”
For the first time in 3 hours the battling bard of Potadeia moved to the other side of the campfire to sit with her friend.
“Xena…who’s going to be there?”
“Aphrodite and um…I don’t know. She better not do anything stupid!”
On the other side of the campfire another head stirred
“Ah…Rebecca, nice to see you’ve finally joined us”
“Yeah, well…I would have gotten an even better nights sleep if it wasn’t for Gabrielle”
Xena raised an eyebrow at her golden sometimes redhead (you can never tell these days) friend.
“Xena, I kinda thought Rebecca was Joxer”
Rebecca glared at the bard
“Xena could you please tell your friend I’m not Joxer…never will be Joxer and hope never to be Joxer. Poor guy, no wonder he tries to stay on the other side of the campfire” <snickers>
Well that was it; it was war between Ares’ Chosen and Artemis’ Amazon Queen. Xena sat there somewhat entertained until she realised that out loud she’s been barracking for Rebecca and not Gabrielle and that there was now one God’s Chosen laughing her head off as Gabrielle’s breakfast slid gracefully down Xena’s face.
Five minutes later if someone (thank the Gods no-one did) had walked into their camp they would have seen the following sight. Xena sitting with breakfast sliding off her face in a very grumpy mood with an arsenal of throwing food by her side. Beside her was Gabrielle who was tied up over a spit (think of a pig with an apple in its mouth) being turned by Rebecca who was having to keep pace or get food thrown in her face. Oh now, the warrior princess was laughing. (There is no fire underneath Gabrielle…so please don’t sue me)
Later that same weird day a trio of people who were now clean and happy could be found walking towards Aphrodite’s temple.
“Hey Xena…what time does this thing start at?”
“Um…let me check…when the sun is hidden behind that mountain to our west...what? Its what it says…look!”
Rebecca took the letter and saw that’s the time that was written there.
She shrugged handed the letter back and mouthed an apology at Xena.
A little while later Xena, Gabrielle and Rebecca, stopped at Aphrodite’s temple and just as they did they heard other voices behind them. Thinking they were to be attacked they drew their various weapons and turned around to find Hercules, Iolaus and…Iphicles?
Xena eyes zoned in on the King of Corinth…My, my…this man…he looks so much Ares, the looks, the sculptured face, those arms, legs, that tan, that body…YUM!
It was at that point that she felt somebody poke her it was Hercules
“Xena, are you alright?”
“Uh…yes. I’m fine! So who is this?” Xena gestured towards the King
“Ah Xena…this is my half-brother Iphicles. Xena, Iphicles…Iphicles, Xena”
“Nice to meet you Iphicles”
“Same here Xena…wait a minute, didn’t you try to destroy Corinth once?”
Everybody at this point had stopped his or her chitchat to watch this argument.
“Well…um…Iphicles, that was my evil self…I’m now good, so technically only kind of!”
“Don’t worry about it Xena, no hard feelings”
They shook hands. Suddenly there was a shower of pink hearts and someone laughing.
Aphrodite appeared.
“Oooh! This is going to be so much fun, the other guests are waiting inside. Thanks so much for coming, this is going to kick ass”
They all walked inside…and that’s when all the arguing, vase-breaking…oh I mean ‘talking’ began. You see the other people Aphrodite had invited were Caesar from the Underworld, Cupid and Ares…then the one hundred million-dinar question was asked.
“What are they doing here?”
Aphrodite sensing the bad vibes in the room stuck everyone to the spot (except Ares and Cupid)
“Okay, peoples. Enough with the bad vibes. I know lots of you have grudges against at least one person. But will you drop it just for, you are all my favourite peoples and please, just for one day, try to be nice, for me!”
Xena couldn’t help but ask Aphrodite “Caesar is one of you favourite people”
Aphrodite looked annoyed for a moment and then answered with “He may be dead, but he definitely can be ‘alive’. Hades owed me so although Caesar lives in the Underworld he’s alive but can’t go anywhere without my permission. If he were to walk out of my temple into the world, he’s still be dead. But as I said before he can be very ‘alive’”
Xena looked green for a moment
Everyone looked at each other, and nodded. The love Goddess saw this and giggled “Koolies”
After eating a delightful dinner of assorted meats and a variety of deserts from exotic lands, Aphrodite announced it was time for the real fun to begin.
“Well guys we’ve had dinner and we’ve been talking for ages, its time for games, after all its 11.00 at night”
In her hands appeared a bottle, and she ushered everyone to sit in a circle. They sat in the circle in the following order. Hercules, Xena, Ares, Gabrielle, Caesar, Rebecca, Cupid, Iolaus, Aphrodite and Iphicles.
“Alrighty everybody. We’re gonna play one of my favourite games. Some one spins the bottle and whomever it points to they have to kiss…on the lips, like you know, a full-on pash or something. Everyone O.kay with the rules”
Rebecca spoke up “If I spin the bottle and it points to say Gabrielle, do I have to kiss her, because she’s female, if you know what I mean”
Aphrodite looked thoughtful for a moment “You have to kiss the closest guy it points to in that case…and vice versa. Now enough talking and lets get playing…who shall go first. Everyone close your eyes and I’ll decide!”
Everyone closed his or her eyes while Aphrodite chose who should spin first. All of a sudden some one swore and everyone else knew who had been chosen. Gabrielle sat there with a very pissed-off face and a bottle in her hands.
Aphrodite started the chant “Spin, Spin” and soon everyone else was saying it.
Gabrielle looked around at everyone and then spun the bottle…it spun slower and slower and stopped at…Caesar.
Xena hooted with laughter “Hah hah, you have to kiss Dead boy!”
Gabrielle swore under her breath
Ares this time started another chant “Kiss, Kiss”
Gabrielle looked very nervous, she looked to Xena, giving her the look that meant, I really need to talk to you…now!
Xena held up her hand and she and Gabrielle stood up and moved away from the group, once away. Xena asked her
“Gabrielle what’s wrong”
“I really don’t want to have to go first…I don’t want to…I’m kinda of scared”
Xena realised that Gabrielle was truly a bit afraid of kissing Caesar, especially because he well…was dead. She looked down at Gabrielle and spoke.
“Alright I’ll ask Aphrodite to let me spin the bottle first instead, o.k.”
Gabrielle nodded, Xena hugged her little friend. Together they walked back.
Once back in the circle Aphrodite asked “Well?”
Xena looked at her “Aphrodite, can I take Gabrielle’s turn instead… please”
Aphrodite looked at Gabrielle and realised she had been wrong in selecting her first…”Oh, fine…just as long as this game gets going”
Xena took the bottle and spun it, round and round it went, until it stopped at…Iphicles
Everyone started chanting “Kiss, Kiss”
Xena looked at Iphicles and leaned in to kiss him. Her mind was saying He looks so much like Ares its really remarkable. I’m going to enjoy this.
Iphicles mind at this time was saying I’m such a lucky boy!
Finally they kissed and everyone cheered them on. After a few moments they separated and sat back down
The bottle was handed to Iphicles, he spun it…it pointed to…Aphrodite.
Aphrodite saw this, disappeared and re-appeared beside the king and full on kissed him. The king had no idea what was going on, but knew that this was a very rare thing to pass up.
It was now Aphrodite’ turn to spin and it landed at Ares.
Both of them yelled “No Way”
Ares looked up in shock “There’s no way I’m kissing my sister!”
Cupid looked at his father and said “Then how did you get me!”
Ares looked at Cupid knowing he’d been beaten at his own game.
Aphrodite looked at Ares and said, “Well…it wouldn’t be the first time and well incest is a very in thing in our family”.
Ares and Aphrodite hesitated a bit but then kissed each other very briefly on the lips
Gabrielle yelled out “What about the rules guys!”
Xena looked on in surprise at Gabrielle’s outburst, thought about it and said, “yeah…you made the rules, so don’t break them”
Aphrodite broke the kiss, “Fine, guys”
The rest of the group cheered on as the two Gods kissed.
After that little episode it was Ares’ turn to spin
Hercules butted in “Now don’t go using your powers Ares to make it point to Xena ”
Xena smirked.
Aphrodite gave Hercules a very evil look “Since he’s in my temple I would be able to tell if he did!”
And well…that shut Hercules up.
Ares spun the bottle and it pointed to Rebecca.
She looked up and saw Ares looking at her and she laughed, “There are a whole lot of Amazons that are going to be very pissed off if they find this out”
“I will not be one of them,” Gabrielle said. Everyone laughed.
Rebecca looked at Xena and saw her giving her the evil eye to her. She grinned and Xena glared.
Ares walked over to way Rebecca was and kissed her, she was thinking he may have raised me but I’m not related to him…no wonder Xena’s giving me the evil eye, the way he kisses, I’m such a lucky girl. I must admit however that Cupid is looking pretty hot too and he’s a really nice person. But this kiss is just bliss. I wonder if all Gods kiss like this?
The kiss ended and Rebecca sat there stunned and unable to move. Cupid shook her out of her trance he was worried…you see this actually happened a lot with other women but never with Xena. He was thinking Poor me! I thought I loved Psyche but she just loved herself and now she’s left me and taken Bliss with her and I’m a God of Love for crying out loud. But Rebecca is such a wonderful person and she made me laugh all the time at dinner.
Rebecca broke out of her trance and saw Cupid sat there looking at her with a worried expression.
“Rebecca, are you alright, you went into a trance that tends to happen with women when Ares kisses them, never with Xena though…can’t work that out.”
“Cupid, I’m fine thankyou” she smiled.
No-one including Rebecca had noticed that Cupid had placed his hand right next to hers.
Xena looked at Ares who was smirking after seeing the effects he had on Rebecca but when he saw Xena’s face he stopped laughing.
It was Rebecca’s turn to spin the bottle
“I really don’t feel like playing this game anymore guys!” she announced.
Cupid gave a sigh of relief, Ares sounded very annoyed and Gabrielle very relieved.
Aphrodite stood up “Fair enough hon, o.k whose up to Truth or Dare”
Even Gabrielle ginned at the prospects of this game.
“Rebecca, your up, go ask someone a question! Go on girl” Aphrodite urged.
Rebecca thought…who would she ask…she would ask…Xena
“O.K Xena, Truth or Dare?”
“Truth” Xena smirked she had a rather good idea of the questions that Rebecca might ask
“O.K…now this is a question that lots of people wanna know the answer to. Whose the better kisser, Ares or Hercules”
Xena blushed; this was not one of the questions she was prepared for answering.
She mumbled her answer
Aphrodite nudged Xena “Sorry hon, we couldn’t hear your answer”
“Fine…the better kisser out of Ares and Hercules is…well…um…I can’t remember”
Rebecca laughed, “You can’t expect us to buy that”
Xena scowled.
“Besides they are both here so kiss them both then make your verdict”
If Xena’s look could get any eviler it was now.
“Fine” she walked over and kissed Hercules on the mouth then Ares, she then sat down. Everyone looked at her waiting for results.
“Ares is the better kisser” Xena said quietly
Aphrodite felt the tension in the room so she reminded Xena that it was her turn.
“Oh Right!” Xena replied.
Xena looked to Gabrielle and told her that no matter what happens tonight that she is her best friend.
Xena chose her victim…Ares.
“Ares” Xena purred. “Truth or Dare!”
“Dare” he grinned back at her.
“Alright then…your dare is to pass this matchstick from your mouth into Gabrielle’s mouth using only your mouth, teeth, lips and tongue” Ares stopped grinning and almost went green in the face like Xena did earlier.
“Fine!” Ares put the tiny stick into his mouth and went over to Gabrielle and unwillingly kissed her while passing the matchstick through to her. When that was done he scooted as far away from her as possible.
It was Ares’ turn, while he was thinking no-one noticed that Gabrielle and Iolaus snuck out of the room.
“Got it!” he exclaimed.
“Xena! Truth or Dare”
Xena thought carefully Ares is a very tricky opponent. I’ll pick truth.
“Truth, Ares”
Ares laughed evilly “Alright Xena, when I kissed Rebecca were you jealous?”
When Hercules heard this question he looked like he was about to kill Ares. Xena also looked like she was about to kill him.
* Remember Xena, I can read your thoughts *
Xena scowled…* Get out of my head * she thought
* Your wish is my command, princess *
* Now Ares!!! *
Xena looked Ares right in the eye “Now…why would I be jealous? Were you jealous when I had to kiss Iphicles?”
Ares went bright red in the face “lets just drop this shall we…”
He then smirked “O.K…dropped…good, you know what…I know something about you that you wouldn’t want anyone to know!”
Xena was curious “What on earth would that be”
Ares leaned closer to Xena and whispered so close into her ear that his lips occasionally touched the lobe of her ear and that his face and hair rested against her neck and head.
He leaned back “Now Xena, we wouldn’t want people to know that now would we”
She smiled and went to the door “Well Ares, I wouldn’t be so sure of that! You coming”
Ares got up and opened the door for Xena and followed her as they walked to their rooms.
Hercules’ jaw dropped to the floor in horror as he saw this.
“Aphrodite what’s the meaning of this”
She stared hard at him for a while
“You don’t know…they know but won’t admit it. They are in love!”
“How can Xena be in love with…with Ares?”
“Herc…how can anyone be in love with anyone…Tootles!”
Aphrodite disappeared, leaving Cupid, Rebecca, Iphicles and Hercules alone in the room.
“Well that’s done it for tonight…I’m going to bed” Hercules walked out of the room
Iphicles and Caesar followed shortly a few moments later.
“Night guys!”
“Night, Iphicles. Night Caesar”
Left in the room were Cupid and Rebecca.
“So how did you think the evening went Cupid!”
“Alright, considering the people who we are here with!”
Cupid’s last comment caused them both to laugh.
“Cupid do you think you could make a little warmer in here, it’s a bit cold”
“Sure”
With a wave of his hand the fire rose slightly and instantly the room was warmer.
“Rebecca…do you have a nickname that I could call you”
“Well, you could call me AC as the Amazons do…its Ares’ Chosen just shortened, or you can call me Bec”
“Bec it is! We are the only two people in the room and your sat on the other side, come sit here”
As Rebecca walked over she thought to herself ‘He isn’t like other Gods, he’s so easy to get on with, and so good looking, unlike me…why do I feel so nervous then…its warm in here and I’m shivering’
Rebecca sits down next to him. There is still a gap between them
“Rebecca, come on, sit right next to me. I want to show you something”
She moves up so that their hips are touching. With a wave of a hand a portal opens up infront of them, it shows all the stars and planets. He shows her the solar system. While she is watching he carefully puts his arm around her. She smiles and moves closer to him.
“Cupid, why are you showing me this?”
“Because I wanted to show you something special…like you are”
Rebecca blushed.
“I thought you were married to Psyche, the most beautiful women in the world?”
“I was, we divorced. All she cared about was herself and not me. She’s still a Goddess and she looks after our son Bliss. I’m the God of Love and I thought I was in love, but I fooled myself I guess…but then again I come from a family of selfish Gods. I mean look at my Mother!”
Rebecca laughed “You have a point”
“So hows your life, am I right in saying that you were born an Amazon and somehow became Ares’ Chosen warrior, well the second one”
“No…Cupid I have a confession to make. For many years I wasn’t a nice person. My parents were peasants and they wanted to save me so they left me on the altar in Ares’ temple, I was just a baby. He took me and raised me, taught me how to fight and defend myself. I knew that everyone where I had come from had been killed, but because my parents had saved me I wasn’t to upset. Ares kept the village protected, new people had come to live there, one day somehow someone attacked the village and destroyed my only link to my real family, I was really upset, I got upset at everyone. I got my army and started to destroy total cities, went to Gaul, conquered China. Then one day I met Xena, we started fighting and Ares appeared he told me that I would lose for Xena was his #1 Chosen and I #2 second best. I guess I felt kind of honoured. Anyway Xena told me that if I destroyed any more innocent cities that she would find me. So I made a new pact, to help protect inno!
cent people. My army was Ares’ best army. So if slave traders take innocent girls to Rome to sell into slavery. I’ll go in there with my army and rescue them and make sure it won’t happen again. I’m like Xena now, I fight against evil. How did I become an Amazon…Gabrielle suggested that I join the Amazons to feel a part of something. So I did, and I made many friends and its one of the best things I ever did.”
“So what rank do you have in what tribe?”
“I’m in the Shatomlic tribe and I’m the Elite Troops Commander. I don’t like taking orders, I’d rather give them”
They both laugh.
Cupid looked down at Rebecca “You may have done some terrible things but your making up for everything by what your doing now. All I see is a wonderful, smart, intelligent young women who makes me laugh”
By now Rebecca was blushing “Thankyou Cupid”
“That’s quite alright”
They continued talking for a few more minutes when Rebecca stood up. “I’m going to bed Cupid, I think today has been a rather interesting day for everyone here. I wonder what tomorrows going to be like?”
“Rather interesting if Hercules has anything to say about it…can I walk you to your room”
“Sure…you staying in your Mum’s temple or going back to Olympus”
“Mum’s decided that if you’re a God staying at one of her parties then you have to stay here”
They left the room and started walking down the corridor to their rooms that were next to each other and opposite both Xena’ and Ares’ bedrooms.
“Thankyou for showing me the stars and everything that was truly magical”
Cupid took a step forward closer to Rebecca.
“I thought you might like it, did you know that you’re the first mortal I’ve ever shown that too, I didn’t even show Psyche”
“Thankyou”
“The pleasure was all mine”
With that Cupid closed the gap between them, with his left arm he gently put it around her lower back bringing her closer to him, with his right hand he stroked her cheek. He leaned in closer to her and their lips met gently and softly, gradually getting more and more passionate. Each of them wrapped their arms around the other as tightly as they could not wanting to separate. But they reluctantly parted, each of them feeling something very strong for the other.
Just then sparkles and pink rose petals signalled the arrival of Aphrodite
“So this, is where its coming from”
“Mother…what are you doing here?”
“Esqueeze me, but this is my temple. No what I mean is that the love coming from you two is soul-mate love. You two are meant for each other just like Xena and Ares”
The Amazon looked at Aphrodite and then at Cupid
“Soul mates?”
“Soul mates”.
“Mum…do you mind if…”
“Oh yeah! Kay going now…Tootles…remember Soul mates!”
With that the love Goddess sparkled away
“Whoa Cupid! That’s not what you hear everyday”
“Tell me about it! I’m going to go to bed alright”
“Yes! I’ll see you tomorrow…Good night…actually Good Morning”
“It doesn’t matter which…Good Night”
He leant forward and once against kissed her on the lips before going to his room and going to sleep.
Rebecca entered her room and led down on the bed
What an incredible day…I must get some sleep. But I’m to excited…Whoa! Soul mates! How wonderful!
She got changed into a black figure-hugging nightdress and went to sleep.
Meanwhile lets go back to when Gabrielle and Iolaus slipped away.
“Iolaus…Xena made me kiss Ares!”
“I know…hey lets go find something to eat”
Aphrodite caught them looking for food so she produced some bread laced with henbane
This is going to be soooo interesting!!!
She placed it on the table with some fruit.
A few minutes went pass and they finally discovered the bread.
Gabrielle nibbled on a bit “Here Iolaus, its really good try some”
He takes a bite “Your right, is there any more?”
“Nope this is it!”
After a lot of munching Iolaus mumbles to Gabrielle “Hey Gabby can you see the little green elves around here…they are singing Joxer the Mighty!!!”
Gabrielle looks around “And they look so cute too! And that song…..I LOVE that song”
Together they start singing….out of key!
“Joxer the mighty, roams through the countryside…”
Mean while Ares and Xena have walked past them.
“Oh no…no, no, NO!!!”
“Xena…what’s the matter?”
“Gabrielle and Iolaus are singing Joxer the Mighty…its means only one thing!”
“They’ve lost it!” Ares suggested.
“That and they are high on henbane…that singing is driving me INSANE”
“Xena…may I please do something…please!”
Xena says nothing for a few moments and listens to the awful singing of her friend and co.
“Fine!”
“This is going to be so much fun”
Ares walks right into the room where their singing is coming from.
“Hi kiddies!” he says sarcastically.
The two singers look at him and run at him.
He waves his hand at the door and it closes and the sound of a door being locked from the outside can be heard!”
“Have fun singing!” With that he disappears outside the room to be with Xena.
When he got there, there was one warrior princess laughing her head off!
“You locked them in there! They are going to be so pissed off tomorrow!”
“Mmm…yeah! Well you said I could…may I escort you to your room”
Xena looked him over “Sure”
They walked down the remainder of the hall way to Xena’s room, when they got there Xena looked down at the floor.
“What’s the matter Xena?”
“Nothing”
The truth was she was very nervous, she was hoping to the Gods (Especially one) that Ares would kiss her goodnight.
“Xena, your acting shy? Why is that!”
Xena put up her defences but Ares saw straight through that
“What is it Xena?”Ares asked her again.
Xena was facing down the corridor and could see Iphicles walking to his room and that voice in her head started speaking. Gods…Iphicles looks so much like Ares, but Ares is so much better! I mean he’s a God. I shouldn’t of gotten jealous of Rebecca for kissing Ars…hang on…I was jealous…” her thoughts continued although she didn’t know she was speaking some of them aloud.
“I was jealous”
Ares was puzzled What was she jealous about…wait a minute…I know!
“Xena…what were you jealous about.
Xena in that moment snapped out of her trance
“Nothing”
“Liar”
“Not lying Ares!”
“Yeah you are, you were jealous of me kissing Rebecca…you must know by now, that I have no feelings for her. I have feelings for…only one…person…you”
Xena looked up in disbelief at what she had heard. Only to have her lips captured by his in a passionate embrace. His arms went around her and pulled her closer to himself. After a while they pulled apart.
“Well…um…that was interesting, I will see you tomorrow Ares…good night”
She gently leaned up and kissed him on the cheek and opened her door and walked into her room
“Good night, Xena” Ares called from outside her room.
Xena briefly wondered where Gabrielle had gone but soon her thoughts contained nothing but Ares.
The next morning everyone in the temple was woken up by a big bang. Everyone ran into the main room only to find Aphrodite standing there with a gong. “Good morning everyone!” she said cheerily.
Xena stood there groggily and looked out the window to find that the sun hadn’t appeared form around the mountain yet
“Aphrodite its not even sun up yet!”
“Yeah…well…you could all use a little exercise!”
Hercules looked around “Guys…where’s Gabrielle and Iolaus”
Xena and Ares blushed profusely.
Hercules caught this “Xena, Ares what did you do with them”
Out of the Warrior Princess’ lips came the following explanantion “Gabrielle and Iolaus were high on henbane and they were singing the ‘Joxer the Mighty’ song and so we kinda…”
“What did you do Xena?” the demi-god asked.
“I let Ares lock them in a room”
“You did what?!?!”
“I had to…there singing was driving me nuts”
A voice interrupted them “Omigods! I forget to invite Joxer! I’ll be right back with him”
Aphrodite disappeared.
As she did a chorus of voice some in the room and some locked in another room yelled out “No…don’t bring Joxer”
