Title: War and Peace
Author: Shamenka
Rating: A UK 15 - not much more.
Pairing: Joxer/Ares
Summary: Ares wakes up less than well one day - and all chaos lets it loose on Olympus.
Archive: If the list want's in - but it's already archived on Joxerotica and me. No one else however, okay?
Disclaimer: The guys ain't mine - the real Greek Gods however are ready to play with just about anybody As for the others they belong to Ren Pics :::sigh::: left to the devices of slash fans they'd have more fun with us LOL! Ok, maybe us Mpreg fans might be a bit much for them... maybe.

Notes for them that never watched Hercules or Xena: Erm - Ares is God of War on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, he's played by a gorgeous hunk called Kevin Smith - not the silent Bob Kevin Smith but a hunk and a half of Kiwi oomph! Tall, dark and in tight, tight black leather. Other than dark haired Joxer's as far from Ares' size and shape as you can believe, but so gentle and sweet it'd be hard to see why Ares could resist his sweet charm.

War and Peace
by
Shamenka

Ares awoke, alone as he usually was. He could feel the very weft and weave of the fabrics surrounding his hot, sensitive flesh. The dream he had awoken from fresh in his memory, filling him with desire for his lover. Just to feel that lithe body, made as if to fit with him. Strong arms holding him safe, dark eyes to lose his soul in. The chill emptiness of his bed without him.

Missing him in such a way as he had never felt before. Putting one strong hand around the base of his painfully erect shaft, he pulled it into an upright position, the sensitive tip rubbing against the suddenly rough texture of his bedding. His own weight supplying the pressure pushing his backside into the mattress he wished was his lover. Their last night together, a favourite memory, playing out before his mind's eye.

The feel of flesh on flesh, of breath, hot and gasping, against the back of his neck. The sweet torture of possession as his lover filled him; mind, body and soul. Of the words chanted in his ear, till he believed each and every one of them. That voice calling out 'I love you! I love you! I love.....'

The sudden cease of all feeling, except the imminent eruption of his stomach contents, sent the now sweating God to the latrine attached to his chambers.

He only just made it.

It was some considerable time before Ares was coherent enough to realise he needed help. With the last of his energy, he summoned Asclepius just before he threw up again, and promptly passed out.

Deep in his temple, Asclepius heard the cry for help from the God of War. It was so unusual, that the Gods would indeed pray to each other, that it was considered 'bad form' to ignore such an appeal for assistance. When he sent his mind out to see what Ares was up to, he found no answering spark of recognition. He knew where the prayer had come from, but there was no one there. Or rather, no one there capable of replying. With a sense of foreboding, he winked out of his temple and into that of Ares.

He arrived to find the God of War slumped over the latrine, having been copiously sick. He was unconscious, sweating, shaking or shivering. Either way, this was a sick God. He knew of only two things that would render a deity thus. And this was a God, so it had to be the other one.

If someone was trying to poison Ares, then obviously Zeus should know. Not that Asclepius actually liked the senior God, but one was not required to like either one's employers, or one's family. And in Zeus' case, that meant both. Putting his feelings aside for the sake of his patient, he summoned his grandfather. Respectfully.

Sitting, lost in thought, hiding from Hera in his private study, Zeus heard the urgent request to attend Asclepius in Ares' Olympian temple. It was such an odd cast of players he decided to give it his immediate attention. Anyway, Hera would never think to look for him there. He winked out for the sanctuary of his son's temple.

By the time Zeus arrived, Asclepius had Ares back in his bed, still out to the world. Still sweating, still shivering, still half a shade whiter than new snow. The normal bronzing of his skin lost to his fever.

"I came at once. What is wrong, Asclepius? What happened to Ares?" Zeus moved past Asclepius to the side of his son's bed, and reached out to him, taking a trembling hand in one of his. Lending his son some of his own warmth.

"I found him slumped over the latrine, he hasn't regained consciousness while I've been here. I think someone might be trying to poison him. The only ones able to do that would be other Gods and Goddesses. I thought you'd want to know." Asclepius felt a little relieved that Zeus would show such care for his patient.

"Are you sure? Poison is such a harsh accusation. Tell me, what else this could be?" Zeus stroked the sweaty hair away from Ares' eyes. Zeus compared this fevered Ares with the image he carried in his heart of his son. The thick, dark, hair hanging limp, plastered to the damp, pale skin of a suddenly gaunt looking face. Even the fullness of Ares mouth looked a shadow of it's true self. He had never seen any God this ill since he himself had had Sarpedon by that ever so beautiful Lycian Prince. Poor Sarpedon, he was so beautiful too, and so young to die in battle. Troy had so much grief to answer for. Then the dinar dropped, he had looked like this. That's how Hera had found out. Could Ares be....?

"It has to be poison, otherwise we would be dealing with a God of War who's pregnant, and ill, and in love, and still the God of War. Would humanity survive?" Asclepius ran his hands over the prone God's body. The definite sensation of two life forces met his spiritual probe. Ares and something. It couldn't be, could it? Then he did it again, and again for good measure, and turned worried eyes to his grandfather. "Er, Ares is in love." At those whispered words Zeus looked up at the healer.

Zeus took in the meaning of that statement and looked back down at his still unconscious son. He had to think, had to figure out what to do. Before he could come to any decisions, Ares woke up.

He opened bloodshot eyes to see his father standing beside his bed, holding his hand, and looking very worried indeed. This caused Ares to worry. He tried to sit up in a rush, to be less vulnerable. The rapid transition from horizontal to vertical was more than his stomach could take, he was once more wracked by dry heaving. Zeus continued to hold his hand, while Asclepius produced a steaming cup of something, quite aromatic, from somewhere and bade him drink it, slowly.

Finally, Zeus sat beside his now awake son. Trying out in his mind a few of the stranger father/ son scenarios he never thought he would have to have with this particular son. Somehow none of the ideas that sprang to mind seemed to be of any help.

"Son, do you remember Sarpedon?" Now there was a non sequitur to be met with upon awakening. Zeus grimaced at his inability to think. The shock of discovering that Ares, of all the Gods, was the one to share his love in this way. The elder God would never have foretold this, not in a million years.

"Yes, a good warrior, he died at Troy. Why?" Ares thought about all he remembered of that young warrior. A Prince of Lycia, born ......... born from his father! What had that to do with his being sick? Why was his father there anyway? Was he inferring.....?

"There is no gentle way to tell you this Ares, but, you're pregnant." Zeus patted the hand of his now stunned, pale and sweating son. The only outward sign of Ares' shock, the tightening of his hand around his father's.

"You are carrying a child God, I figure that you're about four weeks pregnant. What we'd like to know is, which God is the other father? We have to minimise any risks of reprisals if he is already involved elsewhere." Asclepius realised he was rambling, and shut up. This was definitely more Zeus' territory than his. And in his opinion, the older God was welcome to it!

"I'm not in any relationship with any God. Oh, Gods, you did say the child was a God. Fully a God. Like you or me, kind of fully a God?" Ares cast a panicked glance into his father's eyes, hoping to see the joke was now over. It wasn't, his father just nodded. "Oh, shit, how. I mean, how could this happen, when I'm not involved with anyone. Not a God at least."

"You mean there is someone you are involved with. To the point of loving this person?" Zeus cringed at the surprise in his voice as he patted the hand still in his grasp. Somewhat awkwardly but well meant. For a God so prone to loving any and all living beings that came within reach, the senior God was feeling reluctant to discuss sex with his own son.

Ares thought carefully about that question, and came to the conclusion that he would have to be honest, with himself, before he could do so with his father. Did he love him? He recalled the images he had been using to give himself pleasure, just moments before he felt sick. The chorus of 'I love yous' he believed those words. All six of them!

He had been saying that too!

By all that was holy, he did love Joxer. With a passion he had never felt before. It did not matter if he was in Joxer, or the other way around. They were loving each other, that was all that mattered.

He looked up and into his father's worried eyes, he shrugged sheepishly, and grinned. A genuinely amused look crossed his face as he spoke.

"I guess I do love him." Then reality caused pain to flash over his face, generating a protective response in his father, the like of which he'd not seen in many centuries. "But he's a mortal. One of my followers. A gentle soul, who loves me. Now I'm pregnant. I understand how that works. A God's desire to share with his chosen love. To combine life forces and all that! But, what I don't understand is how the child can be a God?" Ares spoke in short, sharp sentences. The rapid flow of words telegraphing his fears, even as the words themselves did not.

"Neither do we." Zeus looked at Asclepius as he shrugged in agreement. "You are sure this lover of yours is mortal?"

"Positive!" The pregnant God of War went over every thing he knew about Joxer the Mighty in his mind. "Father, you know him, I'm sure you met him before. Either with Hercules or Xena. I'm almost absolutely certain he mentioned meeting you, or at least, being present when you turned up somewhere. Joxer tends to talk a lot. Tells taller tales than Homer sometimes, but he never lies about us and his dealings with us." The other two Gods heard the caress with which Ares spoke the name, Joxer, a world of love in one man, in Ares' heart.

Zeus cast the name abroad in his memory, Joxer. Joxer. Skinny fellow with hideous armour. That was the mortal his son loved? Joxer, the whatever?

"The mighty?" He finished his thinking aloud, and had the grace to blush.

"Yes." The voice that answered him was sounding strained again. Almost as soon as the word was out, Ares was up and out of bed as if his uncle Hades had loosed Cerberus after him.

Sounds of retching came from the latrine, followed by a deep, soulful groan. Those sounds continued to alternate.

"Grandfather, if he's carrying a God and his lover is mortal, I take it you do actually know this supposed mortal? Then who is the other parent of Ares' child? Is one of the Gods some kind of rapist?" Asclepius' whispered questions were met by his grandfather's shrug of resignation.

"Asclepius my boy, I wish I knew. As for Joxer, he is indeed a mortal. Poor Ares, such a worry." Zeus headed towards the latrine and materialised a goblet of fresh spring water for his son to rinse his mouth out. Holding him as he finished this bout of retching.

Once assured of his stomach's calm, for the moment, Ares allowed himself to be led back to bed. He felt exhausted. The urge to sleep was strong, the need to re-awaken and discover this was all a dream was almost a tangible thing. Also, the desire to lose his father's constant presence was running a close second. After many years of being pushed out of his father's heart by that upstart mortal 'brother' of his, he was finally getting Zeus' attention again, and finally Ares realised he no longer wanted it. No longer needed it. All he needed was Joxer's love.

"I must return to my own temple, for some things that might help us. There may be clues to what has happened, if the culprit has not been too careful. I'll be back as soon as possible." With that Asclepius winked out and left father and son together. Once in the peace of his own temple he rushed around and swore viciously. He could foresee a great deal of trouble ahead. He didn't know which would be worse; to face Ares out for revenge, or face Zeus doing the protective father bit. Sharp swords or lightning bolts. Some choice!

Just as Asclepius was about to wink out back to Ares' temple, Aphrodite winked in, coo-ing in what she thought was a charming fashion. It just served to annoy the God of Medicine. He was not in the mood for the frivolous Goddess. Not when he had a real patient waiting for him.

"What is it Dite? I don't have the time to mess around with face creams this morning." He glowered at her. His bare-faced failure to succumb to her feminine wiles was an affront to the vainest being anywhere on, or above, the Earth. At least now that Narcissus had done for himself...Asclepius momentarily wished Aphrodite would do the same.

"Now that is rude, quite unforgivably rude. I do not always come here for face creams! For your information I do not want a face cream." She glowered right back at him.

"I beg pardon then. What can I do for you this morning?" He stood still and met her eyes. Daring her to say some thing, anything stupid.

"I need you to look at my arms and my legs."

"Why?"

"The skin is in a terrible state, see!" She thrust an otherwise healthy arm in his face, and as sure as bulls and red rags do not mix, Asclepius lost hold of his temper.

"Well, that's what happens when you go out in the sun at your age! After the length of time you've been around, you would think you would know better. Put that face cream you didn't want on it, and don't bother me! Now, good day to you!" With that he winked out, leaving a raging, frustrated Goddess with no immediate target. She followed his journey as if it were a prayer. After all, the blonde Goddess was uppermost in his mind and he was actually livid with her. How dare he not take her seriously!

Aphrodite tracked him to Ares' temple where the tone of his emotions turned completely around. The Goddess of Love wished she could track his thoughts, not just his emotions, but the change in and of itself intrigued her. She had not visited poor old Arry for ages, maybe he needed a nice visit to cheer him up. Dite winked out.

When she winked in, she got a lot more than she bargained for. The young Goddess came face to face with Zeus. He looked at her as if he failed to recognise her. Aphrodite was almost tempted to introduce herself but some small spark of self preservation halted her tongue mid syllable.

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Part 2 of War and Peace
by Shamenka

"Dite? What are you doing here? When were you last here? Can you account for your whereabouts four weeks ago and those of that irascible husband of yours? Oh, and that nuisance son of yours?" Zeus stood before her with his arms folded, all but tapping his foot with irritation.

"Four weeks ago!? I just came to visit Ares. I've not seen him in a while so I decided to visit, okay! A month ago I had to attend a festival in Cyprus. The Aphrodesia was well attended this year. As for Hephaestus, he's been on Lemnos making something for the last two months. And judging from the language he's been using, I don't think it's working. nuisance son, I assume you mean Cupid? Well he's been working his wings off all over the damn country. Happy? Well I'm soooo glad. Now will some one tell me what's going on?" She tried to look intimidating, but looked more like a squirrel trying to outface a hungry fox.

At that moment, Ares' stomach had had enough for the moment and he charged past, followed by Asclepius and in the rear, Zeus. A series of disgusting noises came from the latrine as the God of War threw up yet again. This time he could not make it back to his bed, so his father winked him there. Zeus appeared by his side, wiping his face down with a cool cloth. Ares was unconscious, again.

Aphrodite just stood there, riveted to the spot.

"What's going on? What's wrong with Ares?" Her voice dropped the little girl squeak she usually adopted, and took on the pitch of an intelligent, caring adult woman. Her brother was ill. Judging from Zeus and Asclepius both being here, it was serious. Possibly life threatening.

"That's what we're trying to find out. Ares is, as you can see, ill. Very ill at the moment. I should not have snapped at you my dear. But I am an over protective father, of all of my children. You included, my dear. Forgive me?" Zeus hugged her. Smiled at her, distracted her. Blocked her view of Ares quite effectively with his own body.

"Oh, all right then. Is there anything I can do to help?" She smiled back, much as she wanted to remain pissed off at Zeus, she could not do so while he smiled at her. She could see why he was so successful at seducing mortals.

"Could you check with Ares' priests and just take care of things for the moment? Let them know things will be back to normal as soon as possible, that sort of thing. Be useful for them, whatever." If the elder God had actually listened to himself, he would have gagged himself before giving the most, wilful, of the younger Goddess, carte blanche to do what she wanted in another God's sphere.

"Why of course. Let poor, dear, Ares know that I'll gladly handle things for him." With that, she winked out and reappeared in Ares' main Temple in Thrace. Much to the shock of the priests, and the delight of a handful of lusty warrior types. They all looked at her. She did so adore the smell of testosterone in the morning. And they were ALL looking to her for guidance!

In Ares' bed chamber Asclepius and Zeus went over their findings.

"Well, he is pregnant, but I can find no trace of invasive power use. If this lover of his is mortal, then I can only presume some God changed appearances to look like him to get to Ares. The pregnancy is incidental." He looked from Zeus to Ares. "I can terminate it now if you wish? Save a lot of embarrassing questions from your lover. Of course you can always keep the child and just get rid of the lover?"

If it were at all possible, Ares paled even further. Something told him to look into things himself. To not make rash decisions. For once, think first. He could feel that spark of life inside him, willing him to wait.

Then the first prayer hit him.

Followed closely by the second.

By the tenth he was upright, dressed in much looser clothing than usual, and demanding to know why his father had released Aphrodite on his poor, unsuspecting followers. He reeled from the chaos of voices clambering to be heard, and the chaos of his stomach clambering to be emptied. Staggering to the latrine, he threw up one more time before winking out to Thrace himself, closely followed by Asclepius and Zeus.

On arrival he threw up again, summoned a cool goblet of water, and only managed to not throw up again by sipping the water slowly. Once he felt internally calmer, even though only just, he entered the temple's main audience chamber. Walking to the throne would be more trouble than it was worth, so he stood by the altar and coughed as loud as he dared.

"Oh, master, it's terrible, she's gone power mad or something. She's started a war, without permission." The priest speaking to him took in his pale complexion, but tried to ignore it. As well as Asclepius and Zeus who now stood behind Ares. Who knew what happened to Gods? Even less people wanted to find out.

"Where?" If he kept the questions short he could retain some of his image, and his stomach lining.

"Arcadia, a valley north of Pheneos." The priest was trying not to think about the way his God looked, he tried very hard indeed to be frightened of his God. But the image of his grandmother fighting his God to a standstill kept crossing his mind.

"Possibly, she was a great warrior in her day. I'll deal with you later." Before he could lose it completely he winked out for the valley he just knew was now in a state of war.

On arrival, he threw up.

Then Asclepius and Zeus were there, attempting to coddle him. Under normal circumstances he'd let them both know how he felt about being mollycoddled. But these circumstances were far from normal. Instead he looked around to get orientated and 'see' for himself what was going on.

Confusion reigned supreme.

The two opposing armies were aligned north to south along the base of the valley. Aphrodite was winking in and out of each position held by a warrior chief and only pausing when with each Prince. The rapidity of her movements were having a detrimental effect on his stomach and adding to his feeling of 'travel sickness', with predictable results. He threw up!

Ares did not want this war to take place, he desperately did not want this war to happen. He'd promised Joxer, that this valley would be spared any conflict as this was their valley. He had his secret Earthly home in this valley, and if Joxer loved it peaceful, it would bloody well stay peaceful! He looked at his 'travelling companions'. Where ever he went, they seemed determined to follow.

"Well, have you any ideas how I STOP a war?" He sipped as fast as he could at the ever cold water.

The other two Gods looked at each other, then at him, and shrugged.

"I didn't think so, somehow." Ares thought about the Princes involved. They had always got on just fine. Closer than brothers. What could she have said or done to them to change things this fast? He had to find out, he had to think....He had to throw up, again!

Caught between the opposing camps, were four heroes, and their friend. They could not understand why their friend was so angry about the war going on around them. Frightened would be more normal. But, blazingly cross was not normally in Joxer's repertoire of emotions.

"Something is wrong here, very wrong! This war should not be happening, not here, not now, not ever!" He sounded so definite that no one would argue with him. After all, they did actually agree with him. It had been a peaceful valley, just as Joxer had promised them. A pleasant place to take a break, camp out under the stars and relax. Now this!

It was decided that they would split up, Xena, Gabby and Joxer would go to one camp while Hercules and Iolaus would go to the other. They had till midday to find out what they could, and then meet back at their camp site to exchange news.

Joxer decided for himself to go looking for the God he felt sure would be behind this. He intended to ask him why he had broken his word. He slipped away from Xena and Gabby as soon as he could, and started to look around. Filled with a profound disappointment, the dark haired warrior had believed Ares would keep his word to him, without question.

After an hour he heard a very familiar sound and followed it to a clearing, just ahead of him. He had heard the telltale pop of sound just as a God winked in. He was just about to storm out and demand an explanation when he heard the God's voice. Or rather the Goddess' voice. He knew that voice, a more conniving, devious woman had never been created, either on Earth or in the Heavens.

"Aphrodite?" He whispered the name and his surprise. "What is going on here?" What he really wanted to know was, what had happened to his lover? Relieved too that Ares was apparently innocent of this war.

"Now, Prince Lysan, how goes things? Found that reprobate Dessius yet?" Lysan looked at her and smiled the vacant grin of a man under the thrall of the Goddess of Love. To Joxer he looked like a simpering idiot. Certainly a handsome, muscular idiot, but still a simpering idiot! That spell would have to be broken if they were to re-establish peace in the valley.

"He is nowhere to be found my beautiful Goddess. I have men hunting high and low for him, but rest assured, we will find him and he will die for your glory."

"Fine, do what you want about the gory bits, all I ask is that you love me." It confused Joxer - why would Aphrodite start a war if she had no real interest in the battle?

"All that I do, is for the love of you." He fell to his knees and worshipped her. Confirming Joxer's opinion of him.

"That's nice dear. Through our struggle we shall make Ares well and strong again!" Aphrodite patted his head, much as one would pat a puppy, then she winked out.

Joxer watched Prince Lysan walk away, in a daze. Could it be true, had something harmed Ares? How could he find out? Then turning his face in the other direction, he followed what he felt sure was the right path to Aphrodite. Hoping for more answers.

He was right.

He found her a little way down the valley, in another clearing, in an audience he had just witnessed, and almost word for word they repeated everything. It confirmed to him that Ares was not himself involved, but clarified nothing as to what ailed his lover.

Joxer looked at the sun's position, judging the time, and headed back for their camp site. At least he knew Ares had kept his word. This cheered him but did nothing to reassure him. He was still worried, his lover was still missing, maybe even on this field of battle and he should surely know of it by now, if he were all right.

The journey back took much longer than the trip out of camp. More patrols on either side. All looking for each other's Prince. No doubt hoping for a 'reward' from Aphrodite. What business had she in starting a war anyway? It was not as if Ares organised orgies as a side line.

That image got Joxer thinking about their last night together, and the games they had played out on that hearth rug. If indeed Ares ever decided to organise an orgy it would be a winner. Joxer sat back in his covering bush and tried to calm his body before he could get too side tracked. The sounds of angry voices helped focus his mind as two war parties met and clashed, right in front of him. He crept out behind them, as they fought and died, bloodily, for the Goddess of Love.

Elsewhere in the valley, Ares had winked in to face Prince Dessius, he was getting used to winking in some small distance away from his target, throwing up, and walking the rest of the way. Always trailed by his father and Asclepius. No matter what he did, he just could not throw them off. Nor could he persuade them to return to Olympus. Secretly, however, he was glad of their company.

"Dessius, what in the nine levels of Hades do you think you are doing?" Ares took a deep breath and tried to control his stomach, only just succeeding.

"Lord?" Dessius, spun around to face the wrath of Ares, "We were told you were gravely ill, my lord, that you required our struggle, our sacrifices, to regain your strength. I am relieved it is working." He threw himself down and worshipped this God, even if his favours were not as much 'fun' as those he had been promised by Aphrodite, however his vengeance might be considered far worse.

"Who told you that crock of shit?" Ares took several deep breaths. "I require your obedience to me. Now, go home at once!" Ares watched the look of profound shock cross the upturned face before him. The normally lively face that had always been quick to smile was now filled with a painful confusion. He was a perfect match for Lysan, of the same height and build. And had Ares been Joxer, called the same simpering idiot!

"Go home? Leave the field of battle? Lord Ares, why?" Ares decided that making peace was a fuck of a lot harder than making war. It seemed to him that it took more intelligence for mortals to understand the concepts of peace than it took for them to understand war.

"Because, you stupid mortal, I am your God, and I command it!" Ares went for a deep and dangerous whisper. A bellow would have come out with company, and his stomach muscles were already aching.

"But, but, Aphrodite?" The now visibly confused Prince remained on his knees, trying to fathom out the ways of his Gods. And failing.

"Did you or did you not love Lysan as a brother all your childhood?" Ares was now trying to fight fire with fire. If lust got them into this, perhaps lust would get them out of it.

"Yes, Lord." Dessius whispered.

"Is he or is he not a very handsome man?" Ares felt ridiculous having this discussion with a Warrior Prince.

"Very, my lord." Dessius could see where this was going, and was getting more and more confused with each step along that path.

"When he smiles at you, does not your heart quicken? When he turns up the side of his mouth in that half smile of his?" Ares silently heaped praises on Joxer for pointing out that these two Princes had the hots for each other. He and Joxer had attended a theatre together, and had spent more time watching these two Princes watch each other than they had the play.

Dessius brought that very image of Lysan's smile - just for him, to mind and smiled in response. It was his dream and Ares was sanctioning it.

"Yes, my lord." The Prince was whispering, again. Not willing to break the moment with a harsh tone.

This time it was a more hopeful sign. Ares felt he were getting somewhere, at last. And judging by the physical signs being sported by Dessius' body, he knew where he was getting.

"How would it feel to hold his warm body next to yours, knowing you had exhausted him with your passion and loving?" Ares used the knowledge of how it felt to hold Joxer in that state to get the appropriate feelings into his voice. This was unfamiliar territory to him. It was more his style to split lovers apart than unite them. This day was one long list of firsts for him. And the list was growing by the hour. He looked over to where his father stood and thought that a little support would not come amiss. Zeus was not one to miss his cue.

"Listen to him, my child. This is not a day for conflict. The Gods do not favour this. Aphrodite is a sweet, sweet loving Goddess that knows nothing of fighting and war. When she stops to think about things she will regret this conflict. Go home now, before she has more death to regret." Zeus stood beside Ares and glowed very brightly, spreading the golden haze over his son, hiding the pallor of his skin. Ares' mind had returned to the image of a love sated Joxer, love positively glowed out of that smile.

"Yes, lords, yes! Home, yes!" The babbling Prince prostrated himself before the two Gods and wished himself home. Anywhere, away from a battle field where the Goddess of Love was waging war, and the God of War was waging love.

Ares sought the other Prince, and winked out. When he materialised he felt faint as well as sick to his stomach. He realised he'd eaten nothing at all that day, and was beginning to tire. This time he waited for the other two to turn up before heading on. Taking many sips of cold water, trying to trick his stomach into believing he had eaten.

"Thank you for the support on that one father." Ares shrugged, he was no more accomplished in thanking anyone than he was in promoting love. More firsts, just what he needed at that moment.

"That is all right, you did the right thing. Now, have you had any thoughts as to who did this to you?" Zeus cringed inwards as he realised he had just brought crashing to the fore of his mind, that which Ares had worked hard to forget for the moment.

Once reminded, Ares threw up again. He could not handle being pregnant. He could not handle Joxer being disappointed in him if he failed to win a peace here. He could not stand the idea of an unknown God violating him in this way. He could not stand the idea of being followed by Zeus for however long he was to be pregnant.

"I'm so sorry son. It's a shock for you, for all of us." Zeus patted his angry and frustrated son on the back. His son was getting very fed up of his constant company. He could see this, but the Elder God knew Ares was not fit to be out, especially alone. Ares just looked at his father and saw his concern for him. Realising, finally, that his father had enough love for him, as well as Hercules, and that that love stretched to fit everyone else, everywhere.

"I think you ought to try eating something." The voice of reason belonged to Asclepius. Ares flashed the young God a grateful smile. This day had to end, he was being way too nice to people. If this kept up he'd be adopting orphans and visiting smelly old mortals in their hovels next!

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Part three of War and Peace
by Shamenka

When Joxer finally made it to the camp site the sorry group that met him caused him some concern, and not a little amusement, until he realised his friends were genuinely injured.

"What happened?" Joxer went from one to the other, assessing their injuries. Gabrielle, the beautiful young bard he had fancied himself in love with , once upon a time, was out cold. The large swollen lump on the side of her head testimony to a rough struggle. Xena, the statuesque Warrior Princess was bathing Gabrielle's head with cold wet cloths to try to reduce the swelling. Iolaus was bandaging Hercules, who seemed intent on bleeding to death from a wicked looking sword blow across his belly. The small clearing was a mini representation of the myriad battles being fought all around them.

"Where were you? We thought you had been killed!" Xena did not raise her voice, she did not need to, the anger was self evident. Her dark eyes flared with a rage that would normally have filled him with dread.

"Finding out what's going on here!" Joxer looked up the side of the mountain forming the east side of the valley, and thought for a minute. His friends needed shelter and better facilities than they had out here. Ares' home was not far from here, surely he wouldn't mind if he gave his friends shelter? Would he? "Can they travel?" He looked from one casualty to the other.

"Herc is bleeding pretty bad, but if you help too, I suppose so, so long as it's not too far." Iolaus seemed to perk up at the sounds of hope in Joxer's voice, "Why?" The irrepressible hunter always seemed to find hope in any situation. Even now his pale blue eyes shone with a belief in there always being possibilities.

"I know of a place to rest up, near here. A beautiful home that is way better that this battlefield to heal them and protect them." Joxer looked up the mountainside. "I'm sure the owner won't object, under the circumstances. And as we go, I can tell you what I know. If you know more then maybe we can figure out how to stop this war." Joxer shrugged and helped pack up their gear. Splitting the load three ways, he helped get Gabrielle upright and vaguely awake, before he helped Iolaus get Hercules to his feet. No mean feat, given that the demigod out massed both of them, and Iolaus and Joxer were of vastly differing heights. Joxer tried not to leave the shorter man most of the weight. "Up there, to your left, and keep going, it's not too far."

Much further along the valley, Ares stood, swaying slightly, and looked around himself, finding it hard to think at that moment. He realised they were within easy walking distance of his home, his and Joxer's home, he corrected his thoughts. His features softening in to a warm smile as he let his memories of loving Joxer in that house flood over him.

"If we head off in that direction we should reach my home in about half an hour. I really don't think I could handle another jump right now!" He hated admitting the truth like that, but hated the idea of throwing up even more. Also, he hated the idea of letting others into his private life. At least Asclepius and Zeus would not pry too far, hopefully.

"Lead on son, we're right behind you!" Zeus could be irritatingly way too cheerful sometimes. Ares grimaced, bit back the comment on his tongue and lead the way. Secretly glad to have his father, and the healer, for company. Witnesses, should he need them, to this war not being one he had started. Joxer couldn't argue with Zeus, could he?

Asclepius noticed Ares' thinking and thought that, either being sick with the pregnancy, in love, or just plain exhausted, had a mellowing effect of the God of War. Wisely, he said nothing on the subject but followed on quietly.

On their way they found Lysan looking for someone, a deity probably. Ares decided to take advantage of this opportunity. The way his stomach felt, it would be a blessing to stand still for a while.

"Lysan, explain why you are disregarding my wishes? Did I sanction a war? Here, or anywhere around here?" Ares was getting well beyond pissed off and bordering on irate. Only just holding on to his stomach and his temper. It would be a close race as to which gave out first.

"Aphr.." The poor Prince was cut off.

"I don't want to hear about Aphro..fucking..dite! Who is God of War?"

"Why, you, Lord!" Lysan all but stammered.

"And who is Goddess of Love?" Ares stood, hands on hips, fire in his dark eyes. Anger evident in every line of his muscular body.

"Aph....she is lord!" Lysan could not stop the fearful whine entering his voice. Ares was angry, and Zeus just stood there, behind Lysan, smiling proudly at his son, distracting him.

"You follow whose rule of war?"

"Yours lord!" The whine became a squeak.

"Mine. Thank the Gods for that! I was beginning to think I no longer existed. I had to be a figment of my own imagination!" Ares' voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Lord?" Lysan's voice floundered with confusion.

"Tell me Lysan, who helped you practice to win your first chariot race?" Ares was still not comfortable using emotions as a weapon. Not nice cheerful ones at any rate. The amount of disdain he could get into the thought 'cheerful' cheered him no end. The thought was reflected in his face, allowing Lysan to relax slightly.

"Dessius, Lor.." Ares interrupted him.

"Enough of the lords, they're annoying me. So it was Dessius. Who has been at your side for all your personal triumphs and tragedies?" Ares' voice took on the tone of some one desperately trying to remain calm, and only just making it.

"Dessius, L.." This time he caught himself, quicker.

"Then why are you trying to kill him?" Ares suddenly realised he really did not know how this war had got itself started. He was more than a little impressed Aphrodite could make these two men, who were almost lovers, bitter enemies.

"We were arguing, Dessius and I, and then Aphrodite appeared with all these warriors and told us we had to do battle, to make you strong and she, she, what was it she did?" Lysan was lost, he could not recall what the Goddess had done or said. The very idea that he had come so close to killing the one he loved so much suddenly erupted in his mind, with shocking clarity.

"Lysan, you love Dessius, and yet you try to kill him. This is a strange definition of love, even by my standards. Go home, end this war, and make your peace with Dessius. He loves you, you love him, whatever you were fighting about is not worth losing what you have." Ares felt light-headed, he was not sure if it was hunger or all this talk of love. Or just missing Joxer so much it was almost a physical pain. Unlike Lysan who was just a pain!

"But what about Dessius, what about the armies?" Lysan looked lost. Ares took pity on him, knowing how powerless the mortal was feeling. Finally knowing how to get rid of his father without offending him.

"Dessius is on his way home. As for the armies, Zeus will take care of them, won't you father?" The look of horror stricken recognition on the prostrate Prince's face almost cheered Ares up. Almost but not quite.

"Yes Ares, of course I will, anything to help the cause of peace!" Zeus shut up at the withering look on his son's face, before he could do more harm by laughing out loud at such an expression. Yet, secretly proud Ares could sue for peace, could value love so highly. It looked to the Father of the Gods that his heir apparent was finally growing up.

"Then I shall return home. Forgive me l.." The poor prince could think of no substitute for lord, even when he felt sure his life depended on it.

"You're forgiven! Now get out of here." Ares waited until the mortal Prince was out of sight, and sat down on a nearby log. He tried to push shaking hands through his now well tangled hair and stopped dead, his face buried in his hands. Stifling a deep groan.

"How much further is it to this house you mentioned? I would recommend a rest there, you really do need one." Asclepius sat on the log beside the God of War and refrained from touching him, concluding that he needed all his fingers and both his arms just how they were.

Ares looked at the God of Medicine and assessed the honest concern he saw in the younger God's eyes. As concern for others was not normally a survival trait on Olympus, he momentarily wondered how the God of Medicine survived there. And at that instant, profoundly grateful that he did.

"Not much further. Let's get going." He levered himself up, and once more led the way. Followed by his physician and his father, Ares felt rather like an unwilling victim of a bridal procession. The idea raised a smile from him, a laugh would take way too much out of his already battered stomach muscles. If only Joxer could be waiting at their destination. Ready to avow with him their love. Ares entertained himself with trying to imagine what Zeus would give as War's bridal price.

Thankfully, the rest of the journey was completed in silence.

Joxer was true to his word and had told Xena and Iolaus of Aphrodite's involvement with this war. And of her apparent disinterest in this war. They told of how they had been surprised by one of the love-dazed war parties, and how Hercules had gone to help Gabby. She had been hurt by a rogue warrior of indeterminate affiliation. Who had then suddenly swung at the demigod when his hands were full of an unconscious Gabby. The blow had connected and Hercules and Gabby both went down together.

Ten minutes into the journey the house Joxer had spoken of came into view. It was massive, built around a central courtyard with high easily-defensible walls all around it and a heavy oak gate in the facing wall. The others looked on in awe as Joxer walked up to the gate and gently pushed it open. It swung easily on its hinges letting them into the cool, shady interior.

"Come this way, there are bedrooms you can use through here." Joxer lead them down a hall way, into a beautifully appointed lounge area, out again and down the north side of the inner courtyard. "These two rooms are well appointed, comfortable and ready for use." He pushed first one door open, then another and stepped back, to let his friends in. Iolaus got Hercules on the bed and began looking to his wounds.

"I'm gonna need more bandages, and fresh water Joxer. Is there any such thing around here?" The hunter looked at his friend no longer wondering how or why, just accepting that Joxer knew someone so obviously rich and powerful that they could afford a house like this. He did wonder, briefly, if this was Joxer's family home. He had a vague memory of Joxer's family being wealthy warlords.

"Sure Iolaus, I'll just get them for you." He left the room and headed for the bathing area. He returned with plenty of bandages, and a bowl of clean, warm water with a goodly helping of the herbs Ares had said would help clean and heal wounds. Iolaus looked up as he re-entered the room and smiled his thanks. Joxer acknowledged his gesture with a nod and quietly helped the hunter treat the wounded demigod.

A little while later, he left Hercules' room and entered Gabby's, in time to see Xena rubbing the injured bard's arms.

"What's wrong, I thought she was recovering?" His concern for his friend showed in his eyes, Xena could appreciate that gesture and smiled wanely at him.

"I thought she was too, but she is so cold, it's as if her body can't keep its warmth. She has to keep her body temperature up, or we could lose her." Xena spoke and rubbed at the same time, but no sooner would she warm one part of her companion's body, but another would feel chill to the touch. Joxer touched her paler than normal skin and swore under his breath at its cold, clammy feel. Almost waxy.

Joxer crossed to the fire place and gently kicked the set but,, as yet, unlit fire.

"Flame!" He commanded, quietly, and no sooner said than done, the fire burned warm in the room. Joxer looked to where Xena sat, on the side of the bed, and looked at him. She could not have failed to notice his actions.

"Whose home is this, Joxer?" The flames reflected off Xena's eyes giving extra menace to her quiet question.

Joxer thought about trying the 'I don't know what you mean' tack, but thought better of it; this was his friend and, as such, she deserved the truth, or at least as much truth as she could handle.

"This is the home of my lover. He has powerful connections and certain enchanted aids to a quieter and comfortable life. I've been here many times before and know the enchantments." He grinned lopsidedly at her, "Yes, I know, who would want a klutz like me if they had all this! Well, I'm happy to know he does, I'll be here for him for as long as he wants me to be." Xena had the grace to blush at Joxer's accurate interpretation of her expression.

"Oh!" There was not really much more she could say to that statement. When she gave it thought she could see why Joxer's sweet innocence would draw a powerful man. Though she could see too that that might not hold his attention and that rejection would leave her friend with a broken heart. Joxer saw and understood her thoughts all too well. The slender warrior knew he was rejected more by Xena, and the others, than he ever would be by Ares. He gave Ares something no one else ever had; his love.

"Why do you all think I'm both naive and a fool? I grew up as part of a Warlord's household, I probably saw more power plays than you as I grew up. Granted I've never been much of a power player, but then again, power is not everything!" Joxer was actually angry with Xena, he left the room before he could say too much. After the day they had had it was perhaps not surprising that he was feeling raw, and short tempered.

His lover was ill, according to the interview he had witnessed with Aphrodite, gravely ill. And here he was, stuck here with no way to get to wherever the Gods actually were. He shouldn't let his fears make him a bad host, even if that was by default and his deciding to bring them here.

Joxer started the fire in the main lounge and sat down before the comforting flames. He lifted Ares' goblet that was kept there, since the God was not present, the goblet was empty. He cupped it in his hands, enjoying the feel of the heavy gold, the sharp edges of the precious stones embedded in the shiny bright metal. His mind filled with images of the last time he'd seen the cup full. Of his lips touching where Ares' had, to drink from the cup. His mouth filled with the remembered taste of Ares' wine flavoured kisses. The heady aroma of that sweet wine filling his senses with remembered passion.

It had been a good day. Even when the rain fell it had been a welcome change from the heat of the morning. They had been soaked to the skin and had stripped off as soon as they had gotten in the door. Naked, they lay warming themselves before the fire, Ares had reached for the goblet and drank some of that sweet wine. As the warmth of the fire-warmed wine soaked into his body the God had offered the cup to Joxer; he had drank from it for the first and last time that night. Ares' fingers remained on the goblet to caress Joxer's hands as he had drank deeply of the warm wine.

They had made love before the fire, as the flames danced in golden tones, the light of the fire reflected off their sweating bodies as they writhed together. Trying to stroke, touch, feel as much of each other's body as they could. Arms and legs and torsos danced back and forth looking for an opportunity to give that other beloved body dominance over them, physically as well as emotionally. The reds and golds of the fire light rendering their bodies as bronze. The heat of passion burning hotter than those dancing flames. Bodies given up in worship of each other.

He had possessed Ares' body that night. Not for the first time, but for the best time. Best to date. They had come together in perfect harmony and he had declared his love as he climaxed in Ares, becoming one with the flesh of his lover.

Just as Ares had declared his love for him.

It was one of Joxer's most treasured memories. If Ares decided to never touch him again, he would comfort himself with the knowledge that for that one perfect moment Ares had indeed loved him. Him! Joxer the Mighty! Joxer the mighty fool. No, just Joxer; that's all he could ever be with Ares. Just Joxer.

Into his remembering stumbled three Gods.

Vaguely, Joxer realised there were three Gods in the room, but all he could see was the drawn and pale face of his lover. The lines of pain and exhaustion etched there drove the skinny warrior to his feet and as he crossed the distance to Ares he called to him.

"Oh, Ares, what's happened to you?" Ares looked up at the sound of Joxer's voice and seeing his lover before him, almost to the finger width where they had made love the last time they were here, he passed out. Joxer caught him and swung the now unconscious again God off his feet and headed for their bedroom. Not bothering to ask permission, these new guests might be Gods, but Ares was all that mattered to him.

"Ares!" the deep tones of Zeus' voice grabbed at the young warrior's attention as he, and the other God, followed Joxer towards the bedroom. The Elder God was overjoyed to see just how protective Joxer was of his son. It was well past time Ares knew love.

Joxer looked over his shoulder at neither God in particular. Just nodding in the direction of the fireplace before facing forward.

"His goblet by the hearth, should be filled since he's here, could one of you fetch it for him?" For a split second Joxer expected to be struck down by a thunderbolt but Zeus just nodded mutely and acquiesced. Glad to have something tangible to do. Some small service to help his son.

"What has happened to him? He looks awful, and smells worse!" Joxer looked at the last remaining conscious God in the room and realised this was Asclepius, the God of Medicine. What ever was happening to his lover it must be serious to have this God and Ares' father present. "Water, we need to bathe him, wash away this stench!" Asclepius could supply the water if not the answer to Joxer's question.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you. Not that I don't want to, you must be Joxer, you seem to be truly fond of him. But, I'm tied by oath to not discuss these things without my patients consent. I do hope you understand." He ran his open hand, palm down, over the prone figure on the bed and grew alarmed at the lack of response. If this was a mortal he'd be dead at this loss of energy. Then Asclepius couldn't help but let out an almost hysterical giggle. If this was a mortal he'd not be pregnant. Joxer shot him such a killing look that the healer sobered and gave mute apology to Ares' lover.

In the main room Zeus found he could not move. He stared at the goblet, something was niggling at him. Finally he broke his gaze away and lifted the ornate cup and followed Joxer and the others into the master bedroom. Just in time to witness Joxer's quelling glance and approved the young warriors defence of his son.

Joxer almost snatched the cup from Zeus and took some of Ares' wine into his mouth. Bending over his lover he slowly dribbled the wine into the almost lifeless mouth below him. Painstakingly, drip by drip he fed wine into his lover's cold body and finally got an automatic swallowing response. That encouraged him and Joxer fed more wine into his lovers mouth. Refreshing his mouthful of wine until Ares showed a better colour to his skin. Sitting back on his heels he swallowed what wine he still had in his mouth as the God of Medicine stepped forward to examine his patient again. Asclepius was surprised and delighted at the improvement in Ares. Surely it could not be from the wine alone?

Zeus just stared at Joxer, his mind racing around two words.

Ares. Wine.

Ares' wine.

Ares' wine!

Ares always drank his wine laced with Ambrosia! Joxer had drank from the cup, as if it was nothing new. As if he had done so before! No wonder Ares was getting better, he'd just been fed Ambrosia - food of the Gods. GODS!

Zeus hurried out of the room before he could laugh and cause offence. At least he now knew the identity of the mysterious other God! For the first time since Asclepius had called him that morning Zeus felt relaxed and under control. Things were finally understandable.

Once back in that comfortable lounge, Zeus sat down heavily in one of the ornate armchairs either side of the fireplace, his back to the bedroom door so his quiet, knowing smirks could cause no offence. He let the events that were unfolding wash through him as he took in his son's taste in decor.

Joxer had become a God through drinking Ares' wine and had impregnated his son, no doubt in this very house. It was lovely. Comfortable, yet understated furniture, Xena in the door way and a lovely fire.....

Zeus looked at Xena.

Xena looked right back.

She was horror stricken, surely Joxer was not Zeus' latest plaything. Joxer deserved so much better than a brief fling with the father of the Gods.

Zeus could read her thoughts in her face. He felt shocked at the very idea.

"Heavens no child, Joxer is not my lover! No, he's Ares' lover." Suddenly, the father of the Gods felt way too tired for this conversation as he saw the rage build up in her eyes. "Sit and be silent for a moment, please!" The polite invitation did not cover the Godly command. Xena sat in the other armchair, quietly. She did not even bat an eyelid as Asclepius, God of Medicine hurried past them and disappeared into the north corridor. Silence returned when a door was heard to slam open and shut.

Zeus looked at the quietly fuming Xena. Trying to formulate how best to explain things to the Warrior Princess he realised he still had to tell Ares and Joxer.

"Wait right there, Xena, I'll explain everything in a minute. Promise." The Father of the Gods pushed himself to his feet and recrossed the room to the master bedroom. With a deep breath he entered the room and saw Joxer sitting on the edge of the bed stroking Ares' sweaty forehead. Ares was asleep, no longer comatose. His father was cheered at the sight of his son and his lover.

___________________

Part four of War and Peace
by Shamenka

Zeus crossed to the bed and touched his son, right above his heart.

"Awake!" he commanded the sick God into consciousness and transferred enough energy to keep the younger God awake till he could explain things and get them to eat proper food.

Once assured of both 'Gods' undivided attention Zeus chose to sit on the bed the other side of Ares from Joxer's position.

"Ares, you've been sharing your wine with Joxer, haven't you?" By the twinkle in Zeus' eyes Joxer knew neither he nor Ares were in any trouble for sharing wine. But what could be so special about sharing wine? It mirrored his memories he had been visiting when the Gods had arrived.

"Five weeks or so back, after we were caught in the rain." Joxer answered, looking to his lover to see if he remembered that night. The fire in Ares' face was mute testimony to how well Ares remembered that night

"By all the Gods, yes! I did share my wine. Joxer was frozen, wet and naked. The wine was warm and there and..... holy ......!" Ares perked up immediately. He turned to his father and raised his eyebrows in question.

Zeus held his open hand before Joxer and concentrated. He nodded at his son and smiled. Normally there was strict rules as to who became a God, but under these circumstances Zeus was just relieved there was an explanation for Ares' child. Other than another God being a rapist.

"Will some one please tell me what in Hades is going on?" Joxer could not follow the undercurrents of this not quite a conversation. Yet he knew it was all about him and wine and that wonderful night.

"Joxer, my son has accidentally changed you. You are no longer a mortal, you are a God. Ares always drinks his wine laced with Ambrosia and when you drank it, you changed. Then when you and he..." Zeus suddenly discovered he wanted to discuss sex with Joxer even less than he had wanted to discuss it with Ares earlier. Luckily Ares took over the explanation. Looking into his lover's eyes, letting his own expression show no blame or accusations, just all the love and relief he could.

"When we made love that night, we shared more than the physical pleasure. We shared our love as only Gods can and you gave me something more precious than all the gold in the world." Ares grinned at Joxer, loving the confused look in his lover's face. Confused but trusting him! Joxer was not prepared for the next piece of news "Joxer, you got me pregnant." He had been right, Joxer had not been prepared for that at all!

"Pregnant!" It was more of a squeak than a question. Ares decided to set that question aside for the moment and finish his explanation first.

"All day, we've been trying to figure out what other God could have done this to me. I forgot about the wine. It just seemed the natural thing to do. Share what was mine with the man I love." He let the truth of that show in every line of his body. It was absolute truth. He did love this man, this new God with all his heart. "So, in one day, you've dodged war, discovered you're now a God, and now you find out you've got me pregnant. Not bad for one days work!" Ares was now sitting up and held the trembling Joxer in his arms. Stroking Joxer as the younger man tried to understand everything. Loving the feel of those solid muscles beneath his hands. Now that he knew Joxer had fathered his child he no longer felt quite so sick. But, after that one word outburst Joxer remained silent.

"Speak to me Joxer. I know, it's a lot to think about, but talk to me, do you want this baby?" Ares was alarmed by his lover's silence. The mere idea that Joxer might not want to be with him now he knew he was pregnant was enough to make Ares feel as bad as he had all day. That brief moment of respite a fading memory. Until Joxer looked up into his eyes and Ares was lost, forever lost in the delight he saw there.

"Just let me get this straight. I'm a God. You, we already know are a God! We made love together and now you are carrying a child. Half me, half you. All God?" Joxer looked at Ares as the God of War nodded, too afraid of saying the wrong thing to speak, Joxer realised. "Ares, why would I not want our child? It just takes some getting used to. It's a God thing I suppose? I know mortal men can't do this. Can't have babies together. I'm rambling, aren't I?"

Feeling the need to reassert his prescience in this conversation Zeus answered the question.

"Hardly surprising Joxer. You and Ares take some time to talk things over. I've left Xena sitting in the lounge with a bad case of 'how dare you leave me like this'! I commanded her to sit down and be quiet. I don't see her forgiving me this side of Hades' domain." Zeus shrugged and laughed.

Getting up and crossing the room, he looked back from the door at the two Gods, side by side on the bed. Joxer's hand gently stroking the flesh that housed their child. He sighed, now for Xena and calming her would be a task greater than one of Hercules', what's hundreds of tons of manure compared to the shit his father was in at that very moment.

"Xena, my sweet child, you waited. How kind of you. Now, you deserve an explanation. Let me see if I can put things together in a nutshell as it were. Now, Ares and Joxer are lovers. They are very much in love." Zeus enjoyed the look of frustration that had taken over Xena's face, forced to sit there and be quiet. But the best was still to come. "Ares has accidentally turned Joxer into a God, but then, in turn, Joxer has accidentally left Ares pregnant." The frustration in her face made the lateral move into absolute shock. Much to Zeus' secret delight. "You remember Sarpedon? My son? His 'father' was a Prince from Lycia. It's the same sort of thing, but Ares is carrying a child God or Goddess, we don't know yet which." He took in her confused state and decided to take advantage of her obvious confusion. "Now, why are you here?"

"Joxer brought us here when Hercules and Gabrielle were injured." She shot to her feet, her concern for her friend overthrowing Zeus' compulsion to sit still. "Gabrielle, I need to check on her!" She ran from the room in the same direction Asclepius had headed off in earlier. Zeus followed close behind her.

Hercules was injured. Here, in Ares' house, his mortal son and his Godly son. Now there was a recipe for disaster!

At the door to Hercules' room Xena and Zeus stopped to calm themselves before going in. Once they did, they discovered Iolaus sitting calmly by the bed as Hercules slept peacefully. The hunter looked up at the room's new occupants and jumped to his feet as soon as it registered in his brain that Zeus, King of Gods was in the bedroom.

"How is he?" Zeus waved Iolaus back to his seat and the hunter sank down into it gratefully.

"Asclepius said he's now fine but to just let him awaken naturally. How goes the war out there?" Iolaus shrugged in the direction of the outside world. Suddenly aware that he had heard nothing of the war since entering this comfortable home.

"Damn, the war!" Zeus had completely forgotten about the war raging outside this haven of peace. The two mortals currently awake in the room had the dubious honour of hearing the most senior of the Gods bellow like a stuck pig. "Aphrodite!!!!" And even though Zeus had yelled aloud Hercules slept soundly, as if his father had excluded the sound from his hearing.

The Goddess of Love appeared in Hercules' bedroom and coo-ed in her most provocative manner; no one was impressed however.

"A bed party, what fun!" She primped her hair and smoothed her immaculate dress, such of it as there was.

"And what did you think you were doing starting a war? Are you Goddess of War or Goddess of Love?" Zeus had both hands in tight clenched fists, resting on his hips. Glowing with a bright light show. Golds and coppers revolving around him in a deadly array of colour. Aphrodite was suitably in awe.

"I thought the energy release would help Ares. I only tried to help, father. I'm sorry okay!" her mild show of defiance impressing no one. A new voice sounding from behind Zeus however put the fear of a God into her. Again that seldom heard mature voice spoke softly in reply.

"You thought? That's what that chaos is called, Aphrodite thinking." They all turned to find a shaky Ares, supported by Joxer standing in the door way. He took in the occupants of the room. His lack of surprise silent testimony to Joxer's explanations.

"I was trying to help, you ungrateful.." She was cut off by her brother.

"Yes, but it was the wrong war, in the wrong place with the wrong people and at the wrong time! What would happen if I decided to go for your job?" Ares tried scowling, but Joxer started to laugh. It was too much like his earlier thoughts of Ares and orgies.

"Everyone would have a lot of fun! Well, I would!" He looked sheepishly at his lover as the older God tried not to laugh. Ares could not help but to pick up the erotic images from Joxer's mind, they almost derailed his train of thought, but not quite.

"Anyway, Dite, no harm done, not much anyway. I persuaded Lysan and Dessius to go home and become lovers not fighters with each other. Now I think it's time for you and father and Asclepius, if he's finished here, to go out there and clean up this mess. While I and my guests have a very late lunch!" Ares met and held the eyes of both Dite and Zeus and both agreed with a single nod.

"Now there's a first, the God of War promoting Love?" Xena could not help the sarcasm in her voice. At the hurt look in Ares' eyes she regretted her words but by then it was too late to unsay them. She was surprised at her regret and even more so by who defended him.

"Not really sweety, he's been known to do it occasionally. But usually as a dare, this time he did it himself." Dite quelled further comment by a look at all present. "Well, father shall we go to work?"

"I think we'd better. And I shall explain what's really been going on today. You tried your best, you deserve an explanation..." Their voices faded as the two deities faded from view.

Xena, feeling embarrassed by her outburst crossed the room, heading for the door and the room Gabrielle was in, Ares and Joxer immediately got out of her way. They followed her though, and all three entered the room where the bard slept and Asclepius was waiting for Ares.

"I heard what you said, if I am not needed here at the moment I suppose I can be of more help out there. How are you Ares? You do look considerably better." Asclepius had missed some of the explanations but tried to keep his curiosity to himself.

"I could not be better. Well I could if I could stop throwing up, but that aside. Joxer is a God, it's his child, ask Dad, he'll tell you. He seems determined to tell everyone!" Ares held out his arm to clasp the arm of the God of Medicine. "Thank you anyway! How are Herc and Gabrielle?"

"They both need to sleep and awake in their own good time. I'd not risk moving them until then. Other than that, they're both fairly okay." Asclepius smiled, he loved it when patients recovered. Today was a three for three day, no doubt out on the battle field he would not keep that kind of score for long, but every little helped.

"Tell Dad and Dite to come back here when you're all finished. You too Asclepius, okay?" Ares shrugged, embarrassed at being caught out displaying family feeling. Yet needing his family around him, he wanted them to feel welcome to return.

"Sure, you rest now, okay?" Asclepius grinned warmly at the God of War and winked out.

"Xena, lunch. You collect Iolaus and I'll see to the food and seating arrangements." Ares walked slowly away from the Warrior Princess, his hand clasped in Joxer's as if afraid to let go.

She turned and looked at her companion, asleep, on the road to recovery and smiled. Maybe Joxer and the child would be good for Ares, maybe they would be even better for the rest of the world. Having a baby to care for would distract him from starting too many wars. But the chronic backache, the sore legs, the sickness .... damn, but being pregnant could also definitely make things worse. She shrugged, collected Iolaus and went for lunch. She informed the hunter of all she had learned and enjoyed seeing the look of shock give way to one of pure devilment.

"I get to tell Herc, okay?" She pictured the scene and agreed so long as she could watch.

Much later, after they had eaten, and Ares had been gently teased about the day's events, the other Gods returned and were fed and shown to rooms. Iolaus was asleep, against the warmth of his best friend, if not his lover too. The Gods were asleep or what ever Gods did at night, Gabrielle was still asleep and Xena was energised by the days events. Things turned around and around in her head. War had used love to end a war started by Love. Joxer was a God and in love with Ares. They were having a child! It all tumbled about until she felt almost dizzy. She decided to see if there was any of the wine they'd had with dinner left out on the table. Perhaps it would help her sleep?

As she approached the entrance to the lounge she heard voices, Ares and Joxer, in front of the fire talking quietly, but not too quietly that she could not hear. She wanted to both leave and stay. But the sound of love in their voices held her rapt.

"So, Ares, what am I supposed to be the God of? You all have some responsibility, what will mine be?" Joxer was teasing his lover. Giggling, sounding more like the Joxer she thought she knew. Had that really changed? Joxer was so easy to like, was it so hard to accept that Ares could love him? Not really!

"You already have a responsibility. You're my God! It is to you that I pray when things get bad. Your responsibility is to be the God of Peace. For you I stopped a war. No one else, just for you. Without you I am nothing, I realised that today..." He was interrupted by a soft love filled voice that filled him and their audience, with hope for the future.

"And I without you.." Joxer fell silent as Ares began to speak again.

"See, what is War without Peace and what becomes of Peace if War will not fight for it?" The silence told Xena all she wanted to know, turning back to her room she wiped a silent tear from her face. The world had grown up a little today, and she had a little more hope for its survival. She also knew Gabrielle would be livid for sleeping through the events of this day. Not that Xena would gloat. Much.

War and Peace went to bed and slept, interlocked, not knowing where one stopped and the other began.

________________

The other parts of this series and other mpreg fics can be found on my web page at

http://members.tripod.co.uk/shamenka/index.html

List boss can link to this site and archive any mpreg fics she wishes from it here on the Mpreg archive.

Enjoy!

bfn

Shamenka