What Could Have Been and what will be
Author: Akarnia (Jessie Edwards) Time Period: After Path of Vengeance in season six Disclaimer: The characters of Xena, Ares, Gabrielle, ect. do not belong to me; they are the property of Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA, and MCA/Universal. No profit is being made from this story, and no copyright infringement is intended. Rated R for fair violence and occasional vulgar language and Sex. Feedback to [email protected]
A long slender foot stepped gracefully onto the damp tile floor followed by a tan, lanky leg that slipped through the opening of a silken blood red robe. She stepped up to the edge of a steaming pool of water and carelessly tied her shiny raven hair back into a sloppy bun with a few fallen strands left framing her face. Her strong hands pushed the robe off her shoulders and it fluttered to the floor at her feet. Her muscles flexed beneath her smooth skin as she lowered herself into the hot water. Across from her was a tanned well-muscled man. The water steamed off his bare skin. His dark hair was wet and slicked back as much as his short hair could be. He moved to the woman who had just joined him in the water.
"You should have attacked the coast today, why didn't you attack?" The man questioned.
The woman rolled her eyes with annoyance. "Relax Ares; I know what I'm doing"
"And what is that? Let the enemies get an upper hand over you? Or are you just getting a little to cocky?"
"No I'm going to draw our army back, make them think we gave up. Meanwhile we will split up and flank them. And just when they think they are safe we'll attack!"
She said with the lust for battle in her voice. Ares slyly grinned and slowly moved toward her.
"I love the way you work" He purred and moved in to kiss her. They embraced passionately, becoming lost in each other. Not even the loud knock at the door distracted them, not until the knock came again this time more urgent did she pull away.
"What!?" She commanded irritated.
The door slowly opened and a young man cautiously entered the bathroom.
"My queen, the Northern Gaul's have retreated to Britannia!" He announced urgently.
The woman quickly turned around in the tub and starred daggers at the young soldier. "Then go after them! Why are you bothering me with this?" She spat.
The man looked fearful and struggled for words. "In order to do that we need a fleet and supplies," He nervously stuttered.
"And we are the richest most powerful army in the world, it shouldn't be a problem! I want the ships here tomorrow!"
The man nodded with respect "Yes my Queen," he replied obediently and left the room.
Ares turned to the woman and smiled seductively. He took her in his strong arms and held her tight and close.
"Britannia won't stand a chance against us," Ares purred into her ear in a deep whisper. She smiled and breathed in deeply before he claimed her lips in a fierce kiss. He held her close still, droplets of steaming water slowly cascaded down their firm flesh as their limbs moved in and out of the water and across each other passionately.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Xena sprung up from her bedroll, eyes wide in horror. She quickly looked at her surroundings then sighed while hanging her head in her hands. Xena sat there breathing steadily, trying to get the dream out of her head. It wasn't the first time she had had a dream about him and she was never quite sure if she enjoyed them or not.
It wasn't long until she felt a presence, his presence. She looked around once more while rolling her eyes. He was definitely there. She stood up slowly and grudgingly. She had on only her leather shift. All of her armor and weapons were put aside for the night so she could sleep easily. However, She wasn't about to go out into the forest in the middle of the night with out a weapon, especially with him out there. So she quietly approached the pile of armor and weapons next to the snoring Gabrielle and seized her sword. She held it firmly in her hand and made her way away from the campsite and her sleeping friend.
The forest was dark and silent, but Xena could still feel his presence strongly. She stopped at a small clearing and tried her best to look around...to sense him. Yeah, this is the place. She thought silently and frowned.
"What do you want Ares? I'm trying to sleep," Xena hissed. Her attention then focused to a specific tree in front of her and she aimed her sword towards it as a blue flash of light burst leaving behind the form of the God of war. He was leaned casually against the tree with his arms loosely folded across his chest and he wore a small crooked grin.
"Is that necessary?" He asked sounding irritated. Xena mockingly grinned back and stood her ground.
"It depends; you haven't told me why you're here yet."
Ares shook his head and lifted himself from his position on the tree and walked towards her.
"Just like old times...I thought we were over that xena, don't you trust me?" It was difficult to tell by his tone of voice if he was serious or not.
Xena rolled her eyes and lowered her sword. "I trust Ares...I don't trust the God of War."
Or did she? They have had a long past. Good and bad. At this point she didn't really know what she thought about him. She had always trusted him to do what ever was best for him, but after he sacrificed his immortality for her and she saw the very human side of him she saw that he could care for others that he could be trusted. On the other hand though, he is the God of war again and definitely not to be trusted.
Ares stepped closer to her and they were silent for a moment. Xena tensed up. It's not like her to get nervous and feel uncomfortable, but he always had that effect on her, maybe that's why she always avoids talking about him and being around him. He was looking at her so deeply it made her look away and left her quickly wanting to break the silence. "So?" She asked. Ares snapped out of his stare.
"Oh right,...So, are you wondering what that dream was all about?" He asked suavely. Xena just starred back at him disgusted and infuriated.
"You're sick! Leave me alone," She grumbled and turned from him and started to walk away. She hated when he did stupid things like this. Out of all the ways he has tried to win her back, win her love...get her, this was the worse. Well ok not the worst. That would probably be threatening her life, driving her insane with the furies, or pretending to be her father. But his invading her dreams was definitely the most annoying, at least all his threats made for a good adventure.
"Wait!" he said while reaching out quickly and touching her on her shoulder. She turned around and gave him an exasperated glare.
"Give me a chance," He said pleadingly "just play along."
Why should she give him a chance he's had plenty? She knows she shouldn't let him get to her but when he looks at her like that she just can't resist.
Xena rolled her eyes and gave in. "Fine," She sighed. He lowered his hand from her shoulder.
"What was that nightmare you gave me all about?" She said trying to sound interested.
Ares shifted and cleared his throat before speaking. "Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had decided to become my warrior queen when I had you on trial?"
Nice topic of discussion Ares! Let's bring back joyful memories we've had. Can't let him see that it bothers me though.
Xena showed no emotion and sharply replied "No!" Ares could see through her quick answer though and gave her a hard questioning look and stared deep in her eyes. Xena tried to hold her ground and confidently keep eye contact but it made her uncomfortable and she soon looked away quickly and sighed "Maybe"
Ares smiled, but still tried to hide how happy he was by her answer.
"Well that dream is a scene of your life from an alternate universe, a universe where you chose to be my queen," Ares briefly explained.
Xena wore a board expression and shrugged "So?"
Ares swallowed hard, he knew she probably wouldn't like what he had to say...at first.
"So, what I'm offering you is the chance to live that life, at least for a week"
Xena's jaw dropped and she gasped "What!?"
He must be crazy! He's gone to far. Making little fantasy worlds where he can be with me. This has to stop.
Ares quickly spoke up to elaborate on what he said.
"You and I can go to that universe and take the place of that Xena and Ares for a while, have a little fun."
'Have a little fun' yep he's pathetic. Xena just wanted to leave, wanted him to leave her alone. Well maybe not completely alone, she would miss him, only a little.
"You're Crazy!" Xena shook her head fiercely and began to walk away. Ares quickly moved in front of her cutting off her path of retreat.
"Xena come on, it can't hurt. Everything will be exactly the same when we get back. Time wouldn't have passed-"
Xena shot her hands out silencing him "No Ares!"
Ares took her hands gently and held them steady. His hands were warm and smooth against hers. Xena could feel the heat from his body flowing into hers. She remembered his touch from the few times they had been intimate with each other. She remembered how gentle and passionate he could be. He looked her in the eyes.
"I promise no tricks, just a chance for you to see what you could have been, see if you made the right decision after all...aren't you the least bit curious?" He asked desperately trying to convince her.
Xena pulled her hands from his and sighed deeply with frustration. She looked away from him in thought. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Not because she wanted to be around him, that definitely wasn't the reason. No she would only go to see that she did make the right decision. However a week was a bit too long.
"One day" Xena said quickly and business like. Ares slumped his shoulders and looked at her disappointedly.
"Five days" He argued.
"Two days"
"Three, deal?"
Xena rolled her eyes "Fine!"
Ares shook her shoulders playfully "Great!"
Xena slowly moved from his grip and turned away.
"Let me go get my stuff."
She couldn't believe she was actually going through with this. Three days with Ares on some alternate universe vacation. She must be crazy too.
"You don't need any stuff, everything you need, will be there."
Xena stopped and glanced at him hesitantly then moved to his side.
"Fine, lets get this over with then."
Ares frowned at her. "You don't have to act like were going to a funeral. Cheer up," He said while setting his hand on her shoulder and he circled his hand around them and they disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Author: Akarnia (Jessie Edwards) Time Period: After Path of Vengeance in season six Disclaimer: The characters of Xena, Ares, Gabrielle, ect. do not belong to me; they are the property of Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA, and MCA/Universal. No profit is being made from this story, and no copyright infringement is intended. Rated R for fair violence and occasional vulgar language and Sex. Feedback to [email protected]
A long slender foot stepped gracefully onto the damp tile floor followed by a tan, lanky leg that slipped through the opening of a silken blood red robe. She stepped up to the edge of a steaming pool of water and carelessly tied her shiny raven hair back into a sloppy bun with a few fallen strands left framing her face. Her strong hands pushed the robe off her shoulders and it fluttered to the floor at her feet. Her muscles flexed beneath her smooth skin as she lowered herself into the hot water. Across from her was a tanned well-muscled man. The water steamed off his bare skin. His dark hair was wet and slicked back as much as his short hair could be. He moved to the woman who had just joined him in the water.
"You should have attacked the coast today, why didn't you attack?" The man questioned.
The woman rolled her eyes with annoyance. "Relax Ares; I know what I'm doing"
"And what is that? Let the enemies get an upper hand over you? Or are you just getting a little to cocky?"
"No I'm going to draw our army back, make them think we gave up. Meanwhile we will split up and flank them. And just when they think they are safe we'll attack!"
She said with the lust for battle in her voice. Ares slyly grinned and slowly moved toward her.
"I love the way you work" He purred and moved in to kiss her. They embraced passionately, becoming lost in each other. Not even the loud knock at the door distracted them, not until the knock came again this time more urgent did she pull away.
"What!?" She commanded irritated.
The door slowly opened and a young man cautiously entered the bathroom.
"My queen, the Northern Gaul's have retreated to Britannia!" He announced urgently.
The woman quickly turned around in the tub and starred daggers at the young soldier. "Then go after them! Why are you bothering me with this?" She spat.
The man looked fearful and struggled for words. "In order to do that we need a fleet and supplies," He nervously stuttered.
"And we are the richest most powerful army in the world, it shouldn't be a problem! I want the ships here tomorrow!"
The man nodded with respect "Yes my Queen," he replied obediently and left the room.
Ares turned to the woman and smiled seductively. He took her in his strong arms and held her tight and close.
"Britannia won't stand a chance against us," Ares purred into her ear in a deep whisper. She smiled and breathed in deeply before he claimed her lips in a fierce kiss. He held her close still, droplets of steaming water slowly cascaded down their firm flesh as their limbs moved in and out of the water and across each other passionately.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Xena sprung up from her bedroll, eyes wide in horror. She quickly looked at her surroundings then sighed while hanging her head in her hands. Xena sat there breathing steadily, trying to get the dream out of her head. It wasn't the first time she had had a dream about him and she was never quite sure if she enjoyed them or not.
It wasn't long until she felt a presence, his presence. She looked around once more while rolling her eyes. He was definitely there. She stood up slowly and grudgingly. She had on only her leather shift. All of her armor and weapons were put aside for the night so she could sleep easily. However, She wasn't about to go out into the forest in the middle of the night with out a weapon, especially with him out there. So she quietly approached the pile of armor and weapons next to the snoring Gabrielle and seized her sword. She held it firmly in her hand and made her way away from the campsite and her sleeping friend.
The forest was dark and silent, but Xena could still feel his presence strongly. She stopped at a small clearing and tried her best to look around...to sense him. Yeah, this is the place. She thought silently and frowned.
"What do you want Ares? I'm trying to sleep," Xena hissed. Her attention then focused to a specific tree in front of her and she aimed her sword towards it as a blue flash of light burst leaving behind the form of the God of war. He was leaned casually against the tree with his arms loosely folded across his chest and he wore a small crooked grin.
"Is that necessary?" He asked sounding irritated. Xena mockingly grinned back and stood her ground.
"It depends; you haven't told me why you're here yet."
Ares shook his head and lifted himself from his position on the tree and walked towards her.
"Just like old times...I thought we were over that xena, don't you trust me?" It was difficult to tell by his tone of voice if he was serious or not.
Xena rolled her eyes and lowered her sword. "I trust Ares...I don't trust the God of War."
Or did she? They have had a long past. Good and bad. At this point she didn't really know what she thought about him. She had always trusted him to do what ever was best for him, but after he sacrificed his immortality for her and she saw the very human side of him she saw that he could care for others that he could be trusted. On the other hand though, he is the God of war again and definitely not to be trusted.
Ares stepped closer to her and they were silent for a moment. Xena tensed up. It's not like her to get nervous and feel uncomfortable, but he always had that effect on her, maybe that's why she always avoids talking about him and being around him. He was looking at her so deeply it made her look away and left her quickly wanting to break the silence. "So?" She asked. Ares snapped out of his stare.
"Oh right,...So, are you wondering what that dream was all about?" He asked suavely. Xena just starred back at him disgusted and infuriated.
"You're sick! Leave me alone," She grumbled and turned from him and started to walk away. She hated when he did stupid things like this. Out of all the ways he has tried to win her back, win her love...get her, this was the worse. Well ok not the worst. That would probably be threatening her life, driving her insane with the furies, or pretending to be her father. But his invading her dreams was definitely the most annoying, at least all his threats made for a good adventure.
"Wait!" he said while reaching out quickly and touching her on her shoulder. She turned around and gave him an exasperated glare.
"Give me a chance," He said pleadingly "just play along."
Why should she give him a chance he's had plenty? She knows she shouldn't let him get to her but when he looks at her like that she just can't resist.
Xena rolled her eyes and gave in. "Fine," She sighed. He lowered his hand from her shoulder.
"What was that nightmare you gave me all about?" She said trying to sound interested.
Ares shifted and cleared his throat before speaking. "Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had decided to become my warrior queen when I had you on trial?"
Nice topic of discussion Ares! Let's bring back joyful memories we've had. Can't let him see that it bothers me though.
Xena showed no emotion and sharply replied "No!" Ares could see through her quick answer though and gave her a hard questioning look and stared deep in her eyes. Xena tried to hold her ground and confidently keep eye contact but it made her uncomfortable and she soon looked away quickly and sighed "Maybe"
Ares smiled, but still tried to hide how happy he was by her answer.
"Well that dream is a scene of your life from an alternate universe, a universe where you chose to be my queen," Ares briefly explained.
Xena wore a board expression and shrugged "So?"
Ares swallowed hard, he knew she probably wouldn't like what he had to say...at first.
"So, what I'm offering you is the chance to live that life, at least for a week"
Xena's jaw dropped and she gasped "What!?"
He must be crazy! He's gone to far. Making little fantasy worlds where he can be with me. This has to stop.
Ares quickly spoke up to elaborate on what he said.
"You and I can go to that universe and take the place of that Xena and Ares for a while, have a little fun."
'Have a little fun' yep he's pathetic. Xena just wanted to leave, wanted him to leave her alone. Well maybe not completely alone, she would miss him, only a little.
"You're Crazy!" Xena shook her head fiercely and began to walk away. Ares quickly moved in front of her cutting off her path of retreat.
"Xena come on, it can't hurt. Everything will be exactly the same when we get back. Time wouldn't have passed-"
Xena shot her hands out silencing him "No Ares!"
Ares took her hands gently and held them steady. His hands were warm and smooth against hers. Xena could feel the heat from his body flowing into hers. She remembered his touch from the few times they had been intimate with each other. She remembered how gentle and passionate he could be. He looked her in the eyes.
"I promise no tricks, just a chance for you to see what you could have been, see if you made the right decision after all...aren't you the least bit curious?" He asked desperately trying to convince her.
Xena pulled her hands from his and sighed deeply with frustration. She looked away from him in thought. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Not because she wanted to be around him, that definitely wasn't the reason. No she would only go to see that she did make the right decision. However a week was a bit too long.
"One day" Xena said quickly and business like. Ares slumped his shoulders and looked at her disappointedly.
"Five days" He argued.
"Two days"
"Three, deal?"
Xena rolled her eyes "Fine!"
Ares shook her shoulders playfully "Great!"
Xena slowly moved from his grip and turned away.
"Let me go get my stuff."
She couldn't believe she was actually going through with this. Three days with Ares on some alternate universe vacation. She must be crazy too.
"You don't need any stuff, everything you need, will be there."
Xena stopped and glanced at him hesitantly then moved to his side.
"Fine, lets get this over with then."
Ares frowned at her. "You don't have to act like were going to a funeral. Cheer up," He said while setting his hand on her shoulder and he circled his hand around them and they disappeared in a flash of blue light.