Title: Utter Chaos

Author: D'Nalia

(dnalia@yahoo.com)

Fandom: Hercules/Xena

Pairing: Ares/Joxer Hercules/Iolaus Xena/Gabriel

Rating: PG/NC17

Disclaimer: Not mine. (If they were I'd be selling the videos)

Additional disclaimers: If you have to flame me, please do without being completely rude. udeness will be met with brutal force until perpatrator's psyche has been completely annihilated.

Notes: beta'd by the fabulous Lady Bard, but any mistakes are completely my own.

Feedback: Too cool for words. Flames will result in a mental breakdown and this will become a Joxer/Gabby story. (I'm feeling bipolar today.)

BTW: being a blonde myself, I get to make all of the snide comments about blondes that I want.

By D'Nalia
***

Prologue:

The Fates waited impatiently in Zeus' temple for the Gods to arrive. Olympus was no longer the shining example of power that it once was. So much damage had been done during the war against Dahak. The Pantheon's power levels were at an all time low and it showed.

The temples weren't as bright, in fact, they were rather dingy looking. There just wasn't enough power for anything other than the essentials, and what power was available was completely unstable. Time was running out. They had to act quickly before the unstable power matrix caused more damage. There were all ready ripples showing on the outskirts of Olympus.

The veil separating this reality from the next was wavering. Some of the younger Gods were already ill because of it. A few were even unable to maintain a corporial form. They resembled nothing more than poor, tattered ghosts, wailing on the edge of oblivion.

Once all the Gods were present, Zeus arrived in a subdued flash of golden light. He regarded the Fates suspiciously. "Why have you summoned us here? You've never wanted to meet all of us together before."

The eldest sister stepped forward to face Zeus, "Dahak will not stop until all the Olympians are destroyed. You know this. And with none of you having access to a clean power source all of Greece is in danger. We've looked at every possible solution and only one has any chance at success. There are no guarantees, too many variables exist in the threads. But we think this will work."

Ares paced restlessly, "What will work? We've tried fighting Dahak and he's too strong. Even at full power we weren't strong enough to defeat him, just to make him retreat for a time." Ares stopped pacing long enough to glare at the Fates, still smarting from his defeat at Dahak's hands. "With the power levels where they are now we'd be lucky to defeat a mouse."

"He could not be defeated because he has opened a rift in the veil and is directly linked to the power of Chaos beyond. For Dahak to finally be defeated permanently, the rift must be sealed and his connection to Chaos severed. Therefore, a new Godhood must be formed and a new God created. We cannot do this, you Zeus, must do this. There is also a task for you Ares, and all the other Olympians."

The Fates heard the Pantheon of Olympus talking amongst themselves, none were willing to give up what little power they had to help form a new God, but none were foolish enough to say anything directly to the Fates.

"What new Godhood?" Zeus asked quietly, "And who is to be this new God?"

The youngest of the Fates stepped forward, an uncharacteristic frown upon her usually sunny face. "All mortals pray to their Gods, but seldom get an answer directly. When someone's heart is broken, their feelings hurt or suffer in any way the emotional pain is enormous. This pain generates power, moreso than even war or love. That power is raw and without form because it isn't directed towards one God. While it is the provence of several of the younger Gods, it isn't sent in the form of prayer. Merely released by the one suffering, this power goes directly beyond the veil and becomes one with Chaos. None of you can access this power because it wasn't given to you by the person releasing it." She looked at all of the Gods of Olympus, and drew a deep breath, "You must create the God of Chaos."

Discord snorted, "No God is capable of handling that kind of power. Dahak is the only one I've ever even heard of trying it. Why don't we just tell our worshippers to direct the power to us and we'll use it defeat Dahak." From the babbling the Fates realised most of the rest of the Gods agreed with Discord.

The middle sister faced the Gods and waited calmly for the Gods to stop chattering amongst themselves.

After several minutes of waiting the arguments were getting worse. Finally losing patience the Fate yelled, "Cease this useless babbling at once! We don't have time for your insipid little games. You can't use this power, it doesn't belong to you. And it cannot be directed. Mortals are not capable of that, Gods themselves are not able to do such a thing. The power from one mortal is beyond your comprehension. The power from several hundred thousand would obliterate all of you. That is why the choice of this new God is so important."

She looked to her sisters and they nodded agreement. A look of sadness on her face she turned back to the Gods. "He must be completely selfless, without greed, corruption or malice. He won't be able to use this power either, merely channel it. He must also be able to give something back to the mortal it came from, Hope. The feeling that they are not alone, that someone, somewhere, understands and feels their pain. Could any of you do this? Are you capable of such devotion to mortals with nothing in return? No temples, no offerings, no prayers or praise?" She looked at each of the Gods in turn, but none would meet her eyes. "I thought not." She turned back to Zeus and Ares, "Ares, God of War, next to Zeus you are the strongest of the Gods. The new God will need someone to protect him, keep him grounded or he may be lost in the power flow. We have chosen you to take him as consort." Ares looked startled but said nothing. "When the time comes, it will take both of you. Him to channel and you to direct the power to defeat Dahak. Are you agreeable to this? We need to know now, before we continue."

Ares looked to his father, and then back to the Fates, "I don't have much choice do I? Dahak must be destroyed. If this is what it takes then I'll do it."

The Fates looked pleased, and smiled faintly at Ares. The eldest once again faced Zeus and spoke quietly. "We have searched through all of the threads and one stands out from the rest. His thread in the Tapestry only exists where it intertwines with other mortals. On his own it appears he was never born. As far as we can tell, he IS Chaos. His name is Joxer of Cornith." At this, several of the God's were startled into derisive laughter. "That mortal is a fool, he can't become a God." Zeus glared at the Pantheon and it quickly fell into silence. Zeus nodded to the Fates, "Please continue, you won't be interrupted again."

"Thank you Zeus. Joxer has been intimately acquainted with Chaos for his entire life. Nothing ever goes right for him. He has never been loved, not even by his family. His "friends" leave a great deal to be desired. They ridicule and belittle him, never thinking about the pain they cause. He stays because he has nothing else and no where to go. Despite this, he is a warm, caring man, who has never hurt another soul and tries to help whenever he can. What we are going to do to him is no kind of reward for his purity, he deserves so much more. But being who he is, he would never think he deserved any kind of consideration. Now, all we have to do is convince him that we need him to become a God. This won't be easy. And becoming Consort to the God of War will be even harder to convince him of."

Ares, shocked to hear Joxer named, spoke out, "How is it possible for him not to have a thread? And how can a mortal *be* Chaos? He has two brothers, are they the same?"

"No Ares, they are completely mortal. We do not know how he came to be. Only that he is. Mayhaps Chaos itself caused him to come into being."

"Joxer is one of my worshippers, I could order him to accept the Godhood and become my consort. He would obey a direct order from me." Ares felt a strange disquiet at his own statement, but he knew it to be true.

The eldest shook her head, "No Ares, he must give his consent willingly. But we would like you to bring him to us, along with you and Zeus we will explain it to him." Ares nodded to the Fates and looked to his father. "Go Ares, meet us in my garden. I don't think we need to have everyone there." "Ares," the eldest called, "remember, he must give his consent willingly." Without another word, Ares flashed out of his father's temple and went to find Joxer.

Zeus looked out upon the Pantheon of Gods sternly. "What task do you have for the rest?"

"They must create a power sink here on Olympus. Joxer will channel all of the excess power there until it is needed in the final battle with Dahak. Taking up his Godhood will be painful for him. We're hoping by tying him to Ares he will be able to stand the sudden rush of power."

Aphrodite, who had been quiet during the meeting, finally spoke up. "I know Joxer, he would never back down from any task, no matter how much pain was involved. But shouldn't I make him and Ares fall in love with each other? Won't that make the bond stronger?" She honestly hoped the Fates would say yes. She hadn't always been kind to the young mortal but he'd never held it against her. She wanted him to have some kind of happiness.

"Thank you for your offer Goddess of Love. But their love for each other must also be willing and grow into being on its own. Any spell may be broken, and this match must last for enternity if we are to succeed. It will be centuries before the final battle is to be staged. And the one who will stand before Dahak as the receptacle of the power has yet to be born. But until that time there is much to be done. All Gods of Olympus must see to their followers and helped rebuild all that has been lost. We will come before you again as the tapestry dictates." With their final words, Zeus and the Fates left the temple to await the arrival of Ares and the soon-to-be God.

=====
Utter Chaos
Chapter 1
The Confrontation
=======

Ares flashed into his main temple in Thrace still reeling from the Fates' revelations. 'Joxer' of all people was to be made a God *and* his consort? While Ares would be one of the first to admit Joxer went hand in hand with chaos, this was unbelievable.

Settling in his throne, Ares tried to calm his thoughts. 'Worry about that later. First I have to find Joxer and convince him to come to Olympus with me willingly.' Ares focused his power on his scrying mirror and set it to look for Joxer. The fog clouding the mirror cleared as an image came into view.

Joxer, sleeping on the ground next to a small campfire. Across the fire from him Ares could make out the form of Xena lying cuddled up with Gabrielle and just a few feet away, Hercules was asleep beside Iolaus. 'Of course he's with them. Where else would he be?' Ares groaned and began to mutter to himself. "I have to get Joxer away from them so we can talk. I think I'm going to need a distraction. DISCORD!!! Front and center. NOW!!"

Eris, the Goddess of Discord, appeared before Ares, barely managing to stay on her feet. Ares watched as she closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She had a definite greenish cast to her skin and he could see beads of sweat forming on her upper lip. "What do you want Ares?" Discord asked in a shaky voice. "I'm busy."

"Are you all right Discord? You look worse than usual, green is not a good color for you." Ares' sarcastic tone did nothing for Discord's headache.

"I'm fine Ares. What did you want?"

Ares took a long look at his twin. What he saw made him uneasy. Discord's power signature fluctuated wildly, and her aura was fading in places. "Maybe you should go back to Olympus Eris. I'll handle this on my own. Are you strong enough to get back by yourself or do you need a boost?"

Discord looked at Ares suspiciously. "Why are you being nice to me Ares? You are never nice!" Slowly backing away from her brother, Discord began to gather her power to transport herself back to Olympus. If Ares was being nice to her, Tartarus was probably freezing over and she didn't want to get the blame for it.

"Your power is all over the place Discord. I don't want you anywhere near Joxer in this condition. We need him alive and well to defeat Dahak. There's no way to know what will happen if you lose control here in the mortal realm. Go back to your temple and rest. Conserve your energy, we may need it later."

Discord had a look of worry on her face as she asked, "Do you really think this has a chance of succeeding Ares? I mean, Joxer? He can't even walk without tripping over his own feet! How can he help us defeat Dahak?"

"I don't know, but the Fates say he is the only one who can. There is no other way. Go home Discord. I'll do it myself."

Still quietly gathering her strength, Discord snickered, "Speaking of 'doing it', where are you going to take him on your honeymoon?" With that she flashed back to Olympus, finally having had the last word.

Ares clenched his fists and tried to remain calm. Pounding Discord into a greasy spot on the floor would be fun, but it would have to wait. First he had to talk to Joxer.

------------------------------

Xena awoke suddenly, she heard someone creeping quietly into their camp. Barely opening her eyes, she saw that Hercules was also awake. He nodded once to let her know he too had heard the intruder and was ready when she was. Moving slowly, Xena got her hand around the hilt of her sword and prepared to strike.

"You aren't going to need that Xena. I'm not here for you." Upon hearing Ares' voice Xena rolled and was on her feet in front of him, sword drawn.

"Ares!" Hercules roared. "What are you doing here? Haven't you caused enough trouble? We have nothing to say to the traitor that worked for Dahak. Why don't you go back to Olympus, or don't they want anything to do with you either? I can't say I'm surprised. The God's may be useless but even they wouldn't want a snake like you in their midst."

Hercules sneered at Ares, Ares' own actions just proved him right about the Gods and how much they could be trusted. Not at all.

"Why don't you wake up the entire country Hercules?" With a broad sweep of his arm, Ares indicated the rest of the occupants of the camp, now wide awake. "Believe it or not, the entire universe does not revolve around you and Xena. I'm not here for you. Why don't you mind your own business and leave me to mine?"

Hercules and Xena stepped in front of their respective partners. No way was Ares going to get anywhere near either of them. Turning away, Ares looked to Joxer, still sprawled out on the ground gazing confusedly at his friends. "Joxer, I need to speak to you about something. It's very important. Will you come with me?" Ares spoke quietly, not wanting to upset the would-be warrior.

"Um, sure Ares. What ever you say."

Ares reached down and helped him to his feet.

Joxer felt a momentary shiver of fear run down his spine. Why would Ares want to talk to him about something important? Especially since Hercules and Xena were standing right there. But Ares was his God, and he wasn't about to refuse him anything he wanted.

Gabrielle moved from behind Xena, "No Joxer. You stay right there. Ares, Joxer has nothing to say to you. Go away. We don't want you here."

Joxer felt a familiar surge of anger, he was a 'man', a 'warrior' by the Gods, and if he wanted to speak to his God he would! Gabby didn't worship any God since she had found 'The Way', she had no business telling him what to do! The anger faded as quickly as it had appeared. He loved Gabby, he wanted her to be proud of him. She only told him what to do because she cared. "Okay Gabby." Joxer said meekly. "I'll stay here. I'm very sorry Ares, but I can't go with you. I'm sure someone else would be better anyway."

"There is no one else Joxer, and you gave your consent. Let's go." Ares grabbed Joxer's arm and flashed out of the campsite back to his temple in Thrace.

"Xena, what is he going to do with Joxer?" Gabrielle asked worriedly.

"I don't know Gabrielle, but we're going to find out."

Hercules stared at the spot Joxer had disappeared from. "Let's go to Ares' temple in Thrace, that's where he usually stays when he's not on Olympus." The four friends quickly broke down their camp while discussing the best course of action to save their friend.

Ares still had a firm grip on Joxer's arm when they arrived in Thrace. Holding him steady until he adjusted to the shift in location, Ares materialized a comfortable chair next to his throne and guided Joxer to it. "Have a seat Joxer. We have a lot to talk about and if I know your friends they're already on their way here to take you back. We need to talk before they get here. Translocating can be unsettling to a mortal, are you all right?" Ares sat in his throne, looking carefully at the mortal. He didn't see anything particularly special about him. He was skinny, had very pale skin and lank brown hair. All in all, just another mortal. Then Ares looked into his eyes and saw something different.

Joxer met his gaze without flinching, something no mortal could do. Even most demi-gods had trouble looking a God in the eye.

Ares kept staring into his eyes until Joxer finally began to squirm. "I'm fine Ares, really. Um, so what's going on Ares? I mean, uh, what did you need to talk to me about? I've been making offerings at every one of your temples I come across, I didn't forget one did I? If I did, I'm really sorry. I'll go make an offering right now. Um,..."

Ares concentration was finally broken by Joxer babbling something about offerings. "No Joxer, you didn't miss making an offering at one of my temples. Now be quiet and listen to me, this is serious."

Joxer's entire body went rigid and his mouth snapped close. It was obvious he had more to say but would bite his own tongue off before he said it. Ares leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees, watching Joxer's face intently. "How much do you know about the war with Dahak Joxer?"

"Xena and Hercules told me that you were working for Dahak and tried to overthrow Zeus. Then something happened and Dahak went away and you were stuck here and everyone hates you because you're a traitor." Joxer looked as though he'd stepped in something vile, and quickly continued. "I don't hate you of course. I didn't believe that story about you and Dahak. I don't tell anyone I still worship you because that would make my friends mad at me and they get mad at me all the time anyway and I don't like that so I keep quiet and sneak into your temples to leave my offerings but I don't want to..."

Ares had trouble keeping up with the constant stream of words coming out of Joxer's mouth but one thing stuck out from the rest. "Why didn't you believe the stories about me working for Dahak Joxer? Everyone else does."

Joxer looked at Ares stupidly, "Well, you're Ares, God of War. You don't work for anyone but yourself. Especially not someone who would boss you around. I know you want to be King of the Gods but Dahak would never let you do that so why would you help him get something you wanted for yourself?"

Ares laughed loudly, "Joxer, you are the only one who managed to figure that out. I'm impressed."

Joxer preened at the praise from his God for a moment and then began to squirm nervously again. "Um, Ares, is that what you wanted to talk to me about? I mean, can I go now? Not that I'm not having a good time talking to you but I'm in enough trouble with Gabby and Xena and if I don't get back soon they're really going to be mad."

Ares stood and said quietly, "No Joxer, we're not done yet. There are others who need to speak to you. Will you go with me to see them?"

"I guess so, as long as it doesn't take much time." Ares reached out to help Joxer out of his chair and began the translocation. "Where are we going Ares?" Joxer asked.

"Olympus." Ares replied and barely managed to keep a hold of the mortal when he fainted.

Lifting Joxer into his arms Ares spoke to the unconcious mortal, "I hope they're right about you Joxer, I really do." And with that final thought he relocated them to Olympus.

=====
Utter Chaos
chapter 3
Seeking
======

Hercules and Xena discussed strategies for fighting Ares while Gabrielle and Iolaus packed up their camp and made ready to travel to Thrace. They were all worried about their friend but for different reasons.

As the four walked rapidly up the road towards Thrace Xena asked Hercules the question that had been buzzing around in her head since Ares and Joxer had flashed out of the clearing. "Why would Ares take Joxer? If he wanted leverage against one of us it would have been better to take Gabrielle or Iolaus. He knows we'll come for Joxer, we wouldn't abandon him, but it still doesn't make sense. Do you think this has something to do with Dahak?"

Hercules stopped dead and whispered, "A warrior's heart."

Iolaus turned pale and shook his head, "No, no no no."

"What's going on guys, what about a warrior's heart?" Gabrielle asked worriedly.

Hercules looked at Iolaus while he answered the blond bard. "If a warrior's heart is sacrificed to Dahak he can take over that person and escape from Tartarus."

"Gods, so thats why he wants us," Gabrielle said breathlessly. "He knows we'll come for Joxer and then he'll sacrifice one of us to bring back Dahak. What are we going to do?"

Xena grabbed her young friend, "You are going to go back to the campsite and stay there. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Hercules nodded, agreeing with Xena. "Iolaus, I think you should go with Gabrielle. I got you back from Dahak once, I don't want to have to do it again."

Iolaus just stared at his friends, still shaking his head, "No. He doesn't need one of us. He has Joxer."

Gabrielle patted Iolaus on the shoulder, "Joxer isn't a warrior, sacrificing him won't bring Dahak back. Xena, if Ares needs to sacrifice a warrior maybe we should all stay away from him. I mean, he wouldn't kill Joxer would he?"

Hercules snorted at her. "If he doesn't get his way of course he'll kill Joxer. That's the way he is. We can't leave Joxer with him, we have to save him."

Xena grimaced, but spoke what was on her mind. "I know we should save Joxer, but at what cost? I don't want to lose him either, but wouldn't it be worse to have Dahak return?"

Three of the four stared at each other, None wanted Joxer to die, but which was worse?

Iolaus stared at his friends in shock. "I can't believe you guys are that stupid."

Gabrielle, trying to calm Iolaus down, rubbed her and up and down his arm. "Iolaus, Joxer wouldn't want us to save him if it meant Dahak would return."

Iolaus just stared at her. "It's okay Iolaus, we'll think of something." Iolaus' face went hard and he knocked her hand away. "Of course Joxer wouldn't want us to save him if it meant Dahak would return. That's the problem!"

Hercules looked at his lover. He'd never seen him act this way towards their friends. "Iolaus, I know what happened to you still haunts you, but we have to think about what's best for everyone. Not just Joxer."

Iolaus' laugh had a hysterical tinge to it. "I don't believe it. None of you understand at all do you? The very fact that Joxer would rather die than be saved if it meant Dahak's return is the problem. Don't you see?" The others just stared at him. Iolaus actually snarled at them, "That means Joxer has a warrior's heart. It has nothing to do with how strong you are or how well you fight. It's about your heart. The willingness to sacrifice yourself for others is what Dahak needs. Joxer would make the perfect sacrifice."

"Gods, what are we going to do?" Gabrielle said breathlessly. "We have to stop Ares from bringing back Dahak!"

Hercules and Xena immediately went in battle plans while Gabrielle just stood there with a sick look on her face. The last thing she wanted was for Dahak to return, and for it to be Joxer? That was just too much for her mind to handle.

Iolaus looked at his 'friends' and his 'lover', he was totally disgusted with all of them. "Oh. Now you want to save Joxer, but it was okay to let him die to save yourselves. Guess what? None of you would be a good enough sacrifice for Dahak. You make me sick."

Hercules moved towards his lover with his hand stretched out, but Iolaus backed away. "Don't you touch me. None of you touch me. I'm ashamed of all of you, and I'm no better. I don't understand how Joxer put up with us all this time. I have to get out of here. Aphrodite!!"

A bright flash of light preceeded the arrival of a God, but it was Cupid who appeared, not Aphrodite.

"Mom's busy Curly. What's up?" Cupid got a good look at Iolaus' face and grew concerned. "Are you okay Iolaus? You don't look so good."

Iolaus just laughed bitterly. Now truly worried, Cupid ran his hand through Iolaus' blond curls and read his thoughts.

What he saw made him ill. "Mom!! I need you!!" Cupid cried to night sky.

In a flash of light and rose petals Aphrodite appeared. "What's wrong hon? Ooohhh Curly, you look awful! What's wrong sweetie?" Aphrodite wrapped Iolaus in her warm embrace and he began to cry. She looked at her son and knew it was bad. The only time Cupid looked this much like his father was when he wanted to kill something. "Ssshhh, it'll be okay, let me see what's wrong huh?"

'Dite looked into Iolaus' mind and she would have been shocked to learn that the look on her son's face didn't necessarily come from his father.

"Cupid. Take Iolaus to my temple. I'll be there in a minute. I have to have a talk with some idiots first." She handed Iolaus to Cupid and watched as he wrapped his arms and his wings around Iolaus and took them to her temple on Olympus.

Aphrodite glared at the three remaining, "What in Tartarus were you thinking? You hurt Curly, I HATE it when people hurt Curly! Let's go. We need to talk. Actually, I'm going to talk and you're going to listen for once!" With a wave of her hand Aphrodite transported them all to her temple on Olympus.

Cupid was sitting on one of the pink couches scattered around the room cuddling a still shaking Iolaus.

Hercules made as if to go to him but Aphrodite shook her head no. Looking at her son she said, "Hon, take Curly over to your place. I need to have a 'talk' with these three losers and he doesn't need to hear it. Try to cheer him up okay?" Cupid glared at Hercules, he really wanted to teach the demi-god a lesson. "Yeah Mom, I'll see ya later." Cupid flashed out of the temple taking Iolaus with him.

"Okay, I'm going to talk and you three are going to listen. Try to keep up okay?"

Gabrielle looked at the blond Goddess and dismissed her. Turning to Xena she said, "Xena, do you think Iolaus is right? Could Ares actually sacrifice 'Joxer' to bring back Dahak?"

Aphrodite looked at Gabrielle in shock, "Sacrifice? There isn't going to be a sacrifice! Ares just needs to talk to Joxer about something."

"Uh huh, Ares needs to 'talk' to Joxer. Why don't you let us handle this Aphrodite." Turning back to Xena, Gabrielle picked up their conversation where she'd left off. 'Dite actually saw red for a moment.

Gabrielle never saw the ball of energy that struck her in the back, sending her crashing into the wall.

"Handle that 'Gabby'. Gods, you give blondes a bad name. No Xena, you stay right where you are. It's about time you guys learned that you can't going around insulting the Gods without consequences."

Hercules moved towards his sister, determined to stop her before someone else got hurt. 'Dite hit him with a blast that froze him in place. Xena, knowing that discretion was the better part of valor, kept her mouth shut and went to check on Gabrielle.

'Dite paced around her temple, waving her hands in the air. "You guys don't know what's going on. But of course you don't care about that. You just jump into the middle of things without thinking."

Xena, having determined Gabrielle would be alright, looked at the Goddess of Love. "Why don't you tell us what's going on then."

Hearing Cupid call her, she replied to Xena's question, "Because, at the moment, it doesn't concern you. Not everything that happens does you know. I have to go take care of a few things. Don't try to leave this room. All of the doors and windows are sealed.

Someone will come later to explain things to you. Just try to stay out of trouble til then." 'Dite left her temple in a shower of rose petals, she had to go help put her favorite blonde hunter back together.

========
Utter Chaos
Chapter 4
Explanations
======

Ares' arrival in Zeus' gardens put a sudden halt to the conversation between Zeus and The Fates. Seeing Joxer unconscious in Ares' arms, the eldest spoke sharply. "We said willing Ares! Not unconscious!" Waving her sisters off of the marble bench they had been sitting on she spoke tersely, "Put him here Ares. Now what happened?"

Ares laid Joxer on the bench before replying. "He gave his consent, but when I told him we were coming here, he fainted. He should wake up soon. I need to speak to my father for a moment. Would you excuse us please?" Taking Zeus by the arm, Ares led him a short distance away. "Joxer was with Hercules when I found him. He and Xena know Joxer is with me. They still believe I was working for Dahak. They might be a problem."

Zeus sighed deeply. He loved both of his sons but he could wish they would get along better. "I'll speak to him Ares, but first let us see to young Joxer. I must say, he isn't what I expected."

"One moment Father. When I found out Joxer was with Hercules, I called Discord. I wanted a distraction. Father, she could barely stand up and her power signature was shifting so rapidly I couldn't keep up with it. I sent her back here to her temple. How many of the others are still in control?"

"Only yourself, Aphrodite, Cupid, Hephestus, Hera, Hades and myself have any kind of control left. Posiden and Gaia are affected but aren't having any real problems as of yet. Athena, Artemis and Apollo are doing fairly well, but I don't think they should leave Olympus unless it's an emergency. The more power they use the worse they get. We're all going to have to work together or Dahak will win." Patting his son on his shoulder, he smiled at him. "But we haven't lost yet. Come, let us see how our young savior is doing."

Zeus and Ares returned to where Joxer still lay sleeping on the bench. "How is he doing?" Zeus asked The Fates.

"He is fine, merely sleeping." Brushing Joxer's dark hair from his forehead, the eldest spoke quietly, "Such a fragile body to rest all of our hopes upon." Gently shaking his shoulder, she woke Joxer up. "Joxer, it's time to wake up now. You are safe here and amongst friends."

Joxer groaned and rolled right off of the marble bench onto the ground. "Ow, where am I?" A tousled dark head popped up over the bench and dark brown eyes grew wide at the sight of the five people staring at him. "Um hi. I'm Joxer, Joxer the Mighty. Maybe you've heard of me?" The last was said on a plaintive note.

Ares stepped forward and helped Joxer to his feet. "Yes Joxer, they have heard of you. Let me introduce you." Keeping a hold of Joxer's arm, he didn't want him to faint again, he introduced the others. "Joxer, this is my father, Zeus." Zeus inclined his head and smiled at the young mortal. "Nicetomeetyousir." Joxer managed to get out in one breath. Ares pointed at the three sisters, "And these are The Fates, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos." Joxer turned a ghastly shade of white and swayed. Ares levered him back down onto the bench and materialized a goblet of wine. Pressing it into Joxer's hands, he helped him take a drink.

Managing a sickly smile, Joxer nodded to The Fates. "Uh, it's nice to meet you?"

The second Fate, Lachesis, smiled at Joxer. "Rest easy, young mortal. We merely wish to speak to you of something of great importance. Thank you for agreeing to meet us." Nodding at the others, she said, "Come, let us sit and discuss matters."

Zeus sat on one bench, The Fates perched together on another, while Ares took a seat next to Joxer. He decided it would be best to stay close in case Joxer decided to faint again.

Atropos, the eldest, looked Joxer over and spoke for all of them. "We have a story to tell you Joxer. Will you listen without interruptions? We will answer all of your questions after. Is this all right with you?"

Joxer nodded his head violently. "Of course ma'am. Whatever you say."

"Very well then. Dahak, as I'm sure you know, has been causing a multitude of problems, but not only for mortals. The Gods of Olympus are also suffering the consequences of Dahak's presence. The Gods use the power mortals give them. The power comes in the form of prayers, dedications and offerings. This power is used for many things. To control the weather, help crops grow, healing, answering prayers and doing all of the things the Gods must do. Now mortals get this power from the realm of Chaos. A place of pure energy. No one really knows how the Chaos power interacts with mortals. What we do know is that no one, God or mortal, can use this power directly. Until Dahak. Somehow he has opened a rift in the veil that contains Chaos and is using it to try to take over Olympus. If he succeeds, all of Greece will fall. And in time, the entire world will kneel at his feet. We want to stop him, but cannot."

Joxer's eyes got bigger and bigger, but he said nothing.

"We think we have found away to block his access to Chaos and that is why we need you." Atropos looked to her sisters and they had a whispered conversation. "Zeus, would you take us to our cave? We think the next part will be easier explained there."

"Certainly Atropos." Ares arose and helped Joxer up. "Hang on to me Joxer, it'll be all right." The weak smile Joxer turned to Ares belied the strength of the grip he had on Ares hand.

Zeus moved all of them to the cave where The Fates kept The Tapestry of Life. The three sisters stepped up the tapestry and waved the others forward.

Clotho, the weaver of life, picked up the explanation. "This is The Tapestry of Life. All of the threads detailing a mortal's life are contained here. Even the Gods themselves move to the actions we weave. We searched through all of the threads trying to find a way to defeat Dahak. His thread is not part of the weave, if it were we would have ended his atrocities long ago. While we searched, we came upon your thread. Come, can you tell which is yours?"

Joxer looked at the tapestry in awe. It was huge. Larger than a house, containing all the colors he'd ever seen and many he had not. The pictures in the weave moved constantly, ever changing. When one thread ended, another took its place. One particular thread caught his attention. It appeared scattered throughout the weave. It was of no discernable color, but seemed to shift and change. Joxer touched that thread with a trembling finger. "This one is mine, isn't it?"

Clotho took Joxer's hand in hers and gently folded his fingers into his palm. "Yes Joxer, that is your thread. Do you see how it is different from the others?"

Joxer tilted his head to one side and studied the weave with half-closed eyes. "It keeps changing color and it's scattered. It doesn't follow a pattern like the others."

Clotho nodded in agreement. "That's right Joxer. We think that because you are different, you are more closely connected with the Chaos energy. We are hoping that will allow you to sever Dahak's link to Chaos and weaken him so he can eventually be defeated."

Joxer looked down at the slim hand holding his own and then over at Ares. Ares smiled at him and nodded once. Taking a deep breath, Joxer looked Clotho in the eye. "What do you need me to do?"

Clotho dropped Joxer's hand only to hug the young mortal to her. "Thank you Joxer. We were hoping you'd say that." Stepping away from him she smiled brightly. "Why don't we go back to the gardens? This can be a gloomy place and I want to feel the sun upon my face."

Joxer smiled back at her and then turned to Ares with a questioning look upon his face. Ares reached out to take Joxer's hand. "Come on, I'll take you."

Once they were all assembled back in the garden, Zeus materialized goblets of icy cold wine, bread and fruit. "Let's eat while we talk. Serious discussions go better with a full stomach."

Joxer accepted one of the goblets, but turned down the food. His stomach was doing flip-flops and he honestly didn't think he could eat anything.

Waiting a moment while the rest got settled, he asked in a quiet voice, "What do you need me to do?"

This time it was Zeus who answered him. "We believe that if we can create the God of Chaos that he will be able to block Dahak's power. The Fates have decreed that you are the best choice to become this new God."

The mouthful of wine Joxer was trying to swallow went down the wrong way and he choked. Ares pounded on his back while Joxer tried to force some air into his lungs. Waving Ares off, he finally got his breathing under control. "You want 'me', to become a 'God'? I'm not sure that's a good idea. I mean, of course it's a good idea. I'm sure you don't have bad ideas, but maybe someone else would be better. I'm not exactly that good of a fighter and I'm very clumsy. I might hurt someone. I'm sure Hercules or Xena would do a much better job."

Lachesis spoke before the rest had a chance to say anything. "You saw your thread Joxer. No one else has a thread like that. No has 'ever' had a thread like that. You are the only one who has a chance. No one else will do."

Joxer stared intently at the ground between his feet. His voice when he spoke was barely above a whisper. "What if I do it wrong? What will happen?"

Atropos knelt on the ground in front of him and raised his face to hers. "The thread of your life determines what happens. I don't think you 'can' do this wrong. We, my sisters and I, believe that the Chaos energy itself caused you to come into being. Your brothers are ordinary mortals, completely different from you. You are the only one who can help save us and Greece. Will you do it?"

Joxer smile sadly, "I can't say no to that, can I? What do I need to do?"

Atropos kissed Joxer on his forehead. "Thank you Joxer, we knew we could count on you. But you will not be alone. We will all help you." Atropos returned back to her seat by her sisters. "There is one other thing Joxer. Because you were not born a God there is much you don't know about how God's control and direct power. Once you accept your Godhood the Chaos energy will immediately be attracted to you. Therefore, we think it would be best if you had an anchor to help you maintain your control. We asked Ares and he has agreed to become your anchor. But for this to work you must be bonded together."

Joxer looked back and forth between The Fates, Zeus and Ares. "What do you mean by bonded?"

Ares answered him. "I agreed to take you as my consort. For eternity." Even Ares, God of War, wasn't quick enough to catch Joxer when he passed out cold.

=======
Utter Chaos
chapter 5
Broken Bonds
======

Aphrodite flashed into the main room of Cupid's temple and immediately went looking for her son and Iolaus. She finally found them in Cupid's bathing chamber.

Cupid was holding a very ill Iolaus, who was trying to vomit up his toenails.

Aphrodite turned her back on the two men. "Eeww! That's like so gross! What's wrong with Curly?"

"Mom!! Somebody put a whammy on him!"

"What do you mean somebody put a whammy on him? What kind of whammy? I'm the only one who gets to put a whammy on my Curly!" 'Dite paced around the bathing chamber muttering under her breath. "Somebody is gonna pay for this!"

"Later Mom. First we have to take care of Iolaus, he's getting worse. Would you call Asclepius? Maybe he can do something."

"Sure thing hon. 'Asclepius'! I need you!" Aprodite's voice, while usually high pitched and shrouded in inane giggles, would have done justice to one of Ares' generals.

Asclepius rarely got such a call from 'Dite, so he came to her immediately. The sparks of his power signature hadn't even faded when he started asking questions. "What's wrong 'Dite? Oh no, you aren't pregnant again are you?"

Aphrodite marched right up to Asclepius and started poking him in the chest with one tiny finger. "If you ever want to get lucky this century Asc, you'll take that back right now!" Pointing to a still heaving Iolaus, she said,"It's not me, it's Curly!"

Asclepius just stood with a puzzled expression on his face. "Who is Curly, and how did he get pregnant? Mortal men don't usually do that."

Cupid groaned and hung his head. 'Dite threw her hands up in the air and snarled. "Men! God or mortal, doesn't matter. And they say *I'm* clueless!" Visibly calming herself, 'Dite spoke in a slow, steady voice. "He isn't pregnant Asclepius. Somebody put a whammy on him and it's making him sick. Can you help him or not?"

"I don't know, let me take a look. Cupid, can you put him on the bench over there please?"

After Cupid got Iolaus situated on the indicated bench, Asclepius took the mortal's face in his hands and began reading him. "Huh, you're right. Somebody did put a whammy on him. Actually, it's more of a geis. His soul is bonded to Hercules', if he tries to break off their relationship it'll make him sick and eventually kill him."

Aphrodite paled, "Can you tell who put it on him Asclepius?"

Brushing the hunter's blonde curls off of his forehead, Asclepius said "It's not a signature I recognize. It's most definitely not one of us. About the only thing we can do for him now is to make him as comfortable as we can."

'Dite thought for a moment, "Would it help if we brought Hercules to him?"

Cupid shook his head, "I don't think so Mom. Iolaus is so angry at Hercules right now it'd probably only make him feel worse."

"I have to agree with Cupid, 'Dite. It isn't the physical separation that's hurting him. It's the emotional one. We either get these two to work out whatever is wrong or get whoever put the geis in place to remove it. Neither one has much hope of success. We don't have a clue who put the geis on him and he's too sick to try to work out relationship problems with Hercules. It's too bad."

"What's too bad Asclepius?"

"I'm sorry 'Dite, but he isn't going to live long at this rate. A couple of days, a week at most. I can give him something for the pain and the nausea, but there isn't anything else I can do." Asclepius looked at Iolaus thoughtfully. "Maybe Hercules knows something about this 'Dite. Why don't you and Cupid talk to him. I'll stay here and do what I can."

Aphrodite knelt next to the bench Iolaus was lying on, she looked at him for a long moment and then kissed his cheek. "Hang on Curly. I'll do whatever I can to help you." Rising to her feet, Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, looked to her son. "Come with me Cupid. It's time we had a 'talk' with your Uncle."

=======
Utter Chaos 6
Sweet Dreams
=====

While Zeus and The Fates made plans for Joxer's ascendtion into Godhood, Ares watched his soon-to-be consort sleep. After having passed out once again, it was decided that they should just let Joxer sleep for a while. Ares had materialized a sleeping couch and made sure Joxer was comfortable before beginning his silent contemplation of the young 'mortal'. But was 'mortal' even the right word? To all of Ares' senses Joxer seemed to be mortal, but he was different at the same time.

One, he could look a God in the eye, and he had recognized his own thread in the Tapestry of Life. Even the God's couldn't do that. Oh, once it was pointed out to them, they could always find it again. And they could pick out the threads of their worshiper's lives, but never their own.

Joxer made a small sound in his sleep. A sound of contentment and peace. Ares watched as a myriad of expressions crossed Joxer's face. Wonder, awe, joy and pride chased each other across that smooth, pale face.

On a whim, Ares decided to slip his consciousness into Joxer's dreams. Maybe he could learn more about the man he was to spend eternity with. Although, the fact that Joxer had fainted after finding out he was to be Ares consort, was vaguely disturbing.

With unaccustomed care, Ares slid into Joxer's dreams.

------------

Joxer was having the most wonderful dream. He knew it was a dream because nothing this exciting ever happened to him when he was awake.

There was Zeus, The Fates and the entire host of Olympus begging him to join them. To become one of the Gods of Olympus. To be the one who saved them and all of Greece from the evil of Dahak. And Ares, God of War, the God Joxer had worshiped his entire life, was asking him to become his consort. To spend eternity at his side.

Joxer was on the verge of humbly accepting Ares' proposal and his new Godhood when his family and friends appeared before him. Joxer cringed inside, he knew what was coming. This was no wonderful dream, it was a nightmare.

His father Jonnus knocked him to the ground and began kicking him while Jett explained to their mother who Joxer was. When Jett finally managed to convince her that Joxer was one of her son's, she pushed his father aside and took his place kicking Joxer into submission. All the while screeching at the top of her lungs. "You can't be a son of mine! You're worthless and weak! I've never seen a more pathetic excuse for a warrior!"

Joxer, who had curled into a tight ball once his father began kicking him, raised his head enough to look up at his friends for help.

Hercules had turned his back on Joxer so he could keep an eye on his step-mother and Ares. He didn't trust them standing at his back. Iolaus was standing at Hercules' side, but kept looking over his shoulder at Joxer. He looked like he wanted to help but couldn't leave Hercules' side.

Xena just shook her head sadly and sighed at him, then turned and gazed lovingly at Gabrielle.

Joxer didn't want to look at Gabrielle but he couldn't stop himself. Gabby looked down on Joxer, her lips twisted into a smile of derision. Her voice was so scornful it flayed the skin from his bones. He tried to cover his ears, but nothing could block out that cutting voice.

"Joxer, how could you possibly think that the God's of Olympus would want anything to do with you? You're nothing but a fool. They're obviously just using you. And Ares? Why would he ever want you? He's being forced to take you as his consort against his will and he'll hate you for it. You'll spend eternity as the consort of a God who despises you." Gabrielle sighed deeply, "Of course, eternity probably won't last very long for you. You do know he's going to kill you the first chance he gets. But who could blame him? No one would want to stuck with you forever."

The words went on and on but Joxer just let them roll over him. Even the fact that Jett had taken over for their mother didn't register. He'd heard it all before, and had lived through worse beatings at the hands of his family. Maybe, just maybe, Ares would kill him and he'd finally get some peace.

-----------

Ares was amused at the tone of Joxer's dreams. There was the skinny little man, with all of the Gods of Olympus, himself included, kneeling at his feet. 'Begging' him to become a God and save them from Dahak.

Ares was less amused when his dream-self started spouting bad poetry and asked Joxer to spend eternity as the consort of the God of War. Before Ares could do anything about the humiliating display, Joxer's family and the two most troublesome demi-gods in Greece and their mortal sidekicks showed up in Joxer's dream. Ares decided to wait, he was sure that Joxer's family and friends would be next in begging Joxer the Mighty for his aid. Shocked didn't even come close to describing what Ares felt when the dream took a drastic turn into a nightmare. An obviously familiar one to Joxer.

Joxer even didn't try to fight off his family's vicious physical attack or his friend's emotional one. But the pain Joxer felt when that little 'bard' told him that Ares was being forced to marry him and would undoubtedly hate him for eternity, providing Ares didn't kill him on their wedding night, was staggering. Enough was enough, Ares rose up out of Joxer's dream to wake him. As Ares reached out to touch Joxer, he was disturbed to see tears slowly coursing down that pale, anguished face. Changing his mind, Ares sent a small ribbon of power down into Joxer's dream. The dreams of mortals was Morpheous' domain, but Ares would make it up to him later.

Ares was certain of one thing. When Joxer did wake up, the two of them were going to have to talk.

A devious smirk crossed Ares' dark, handsome face. Once Joxer became his consort, any insult to Joxer was an insult to Ares. And Ares would see to it that anyone doing so would regret it. For a very long time.

=====
Utter Chaos 7
The Wrath of 'Dite
=====

Hercules paced restlessly. Back and forth, back and forth. All the while complaining at the top of his impressive lungs. Where was Iolaus? Which god had done what to make his 'Little Buddy' act out the way he had? Why were his ditsy blonde half-sister and nephew so angry at him? How were they going to out of this room? Then Gabrielle, once she had regained consciousness, began helping Hercules find things to complain about. Frankly, they were driving Xena crazy.

She just couldn't take it anymore. Xena decided she'd rather face a nest of pissed off Harpies than listen to these two talk for one more minute. "Would you two 'please' shut up? You aren't accomplishing anything! Except for giving me a fucking headache!" Hercules looked shocked at Xena's tone of voice. In a not so subtle whisper, Gabby said, "You know, cramps."

Then the little amazon decided to try to soothe her lover's fragile nerves. "Xena, I know you're upset, but that's no reason to take it out on us. We all have a right to be angry right now. Aphrodite stole Iolaus, threw me across the room and then trapped us in this, this..." Gabrielle looked around at the stunningly pink temple and shuddered, "place. Once we find a way out of here you'll feel better." Hercules, staying well away from the irritable warrior princess, just kept nodding his head to show his agreement with everything Gabrielle said.

Once Gabrielle stopped to take a much needed breath, Hercules added, "Don't worry Xena, we'll make them pay for this."

Xena growled her frustration. Now it was her turn to pace around the room. Once she'd finally calmed down a little she tried to explain the situation in a way the others would understand.

"Gabrielle, you know I love you right?" The bard smiled brilliantly. "And Hercules, you're one of my best friends." Hercules folded his arms across his chest and flexed. "I don't want this to sound bad, but neither of you really seem to understand the situation here." The demi-god and the amazon frowned at this statement.

"Gabby, Ahrodite threw you into a wall because you insulted her and then turned your back on her. You can't do that and not expect to get hurt. She may be the Goddess of Love, and she acts like she doesn't have a brain in her head, but she is still a God. You're lucky she didn't kill you."

Gabrielle was totally confused at this point. "But Xena, you insult the Gods all the time." Xena knelt in front of her lover, taking those small hands into hers, she tried to will understanding into that pretty blonde head. "Yes I do, if I feel I have reason. A very good reason. But I never turn my back on them and I always have an escape route."

"Well, you don't have an escape route this time, do you?" Gabrielle asked waspishly.

Xena tried to keep her temper in check. "Escape to where Gabrielle? In case you haven't noticed, we're on Olympus. Even if we could get out, there's no where to go. Aphrodite will be back and then we can convince her to let us go."

"That still doesn't change the fact that one of the Gods did something to Iolaus and then 'Dite and Cupid took him away." Hercules stated stubbornly.

This was going to be harder than Xena originally thought. "Hercules, we were the only ones who hurt Iolaus. Cupid and Aphrodite only showed up when he called them."

Hercules felt a sudden flash of anger. "How did 'we' hurt Iolaus?"

Xena mumbled to herself, "I can't believe it, he's even blonder than she is."

In two long strides Hercules was across the room and had Xena by the arms, shaking her. "What did you say? Maybe you were in on it with them. You are Ares' daughter after all. I was a fool to trust you."

Gabrielle jumped between the two warriors and started yelling into Hercules' face. Hercules just yelled back louder.

'Dite and Cupid, wavering between feelings of unbelieveable shock and fits of delight, watched the three 'friends' in action. But when Xena crawled into a corner and began smacking her head into the wall, 'Dite decided enough was enough. She needed answers, preferably before they all killed each other.

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, and her son, Cupid, God of Love, didn't seem very lovable when they popped into view in a flash of sullen red power.

Hercules literally roared at his sister, "Aphrodite!! I demand you return Iolaus to me at once!" 'Dite hit him high and Cupid hit him low. The demi-god was frozen where he stood. "Demand this, 'stud'." 'Dite sneered. "For once, you are going to shut up and listen. I have some questions for you. You will answer them. If you don't do as you're told, I'm gonna pound your ass into next week. Do you understand me?!"

Cupid's jaw dropped and he stared at his mother. A grin worthy of Strife slowly crept across his beautiful face. "Way to go Mom!"

'Dite flashed an evil grin of her own at her son. Hercules was suddenly very nervous.

"Listen up Jerkules, Sweetcheeks is sick, he might even die. Somebody put a whammy on him. I want to know who and I want to know why. Start talking, I don't have all day." Aphrodite crossed her arms across her middle and started tapping one tiny foot in irritation. "Chop, chop 'stud', or should I say 'dud'? He's getting worse while you stand there looking like an idiot."

Hercules, never one to let brains get in the way of brawn, finally answered, "I don't have any idea what you're talking about. I suggest you let us go before you get hurt. You know Father hates it when one of you messes with me." Hercules smirked at his sister, knowing he was going to win.

The very air surrounding the Goddess began to burn. Cupid, one of the few people, God or mortal, who knew what his mother was capable of, sent a silent cry for help to his father. It was hard to get answers out of a corpse, and Iolaus was running out of time.

----------

In Zeus' garden, Ares, Zeus and The Fates were making plans when they heard Cupid's cry. In the same instant, they felt a surge of power coming from Aphrodite's temple. Ares looked at his father, "Uh oh, 'Dite's on a rip. Wonder who's going to die this time? Both of the Gods looked to The Fates, "No one is scheduled to die at 'Dites' hands this day." Atropos said.

Zeus sent his mind coursing to 'Dites' temple. He cringed when he saw his half-mortal son's presence there. "It's your brother, Hercules. Xena and her little friend are there too. One of us had better go see what's going on."

Ares shook his head at his father. "You had better go. We all know how he feels about me. And it's about time for Joxer to wake up, he and I need to have a serious talk."

"Very well, I'll go take care of this." Zeus straightened his shoulders, took a deep breath, and left for the scene of destruction.

=====
Utter Chaos 8
Allies and Enemies
====

Zeus appeared in the main room of Aphrodite's temple with a minimum of fanfare. He did a quick scan of the room and raised one thick brow in surprise.

Pointedly ignoring the fact that she had Hercules suspended in mid air and was pounding him with bolt after bolt of energy, Zeus spoke to his errant child with no more force than if they were discussing the weather on Olympus.

"Well Aphrodite, it looks like you managed to control yourself, this time. Mind telling me what set off this display?"

'Dite actually blushed and then cut off the power flow she'd been directing at her brother. Hercules landed hard, groaned once and then was quiet. 'Dite winced when he hit. "Ouch, that sounded painful." Then shrugging her dainty shoulders, she turned her most winsome smile on her father. "Daddy, someone put a geis on Iolaus and Hercules won't tell me who it was. If we don't get it removed, and soon, Iolaus will die."

"'Dite, I know how much he means to you, but we have bigger problems right now. Why don't you..."

Xena interrupted the God's conversation. "What kind of geis Aphrodite?"

"If Iolaus becomes separated from Hercules he'll get sick and die." Aphrodite was almost in tears at this point.

Gabrielle made a rude noise but before she could open her mouth Xena whirled to face her. "Not one word Gabrielle, not one. So help me, if you open your mouth again, I'll gag you." Gabrielle's face turned white and then red. Gods and mortal alike knew the storm was about to begin again.

Gabrielle's first word came out as a muffled squeak. She was bound and gagged faster than Xena could blink. Turning back to face the Gods, Xena was surprised when Cupid shrugged and said nonchalantly, "My way's faster." The young God had been so quiet Xena had almost forgotten he was there. She nodded once in acknowledgment of his actions and then flashed a wide grin at him. The answering smile on Cupid's face made Xena's heart beat faster. Shaking her head to banish the images that smile provoked, Xena looked at Aprodite.

"When you say separated, I'm guessing you don't mean physically."

"Right, I mean emotional distance. If Curly ever breaks it off with Hercules he'll die." Aphrodite felt a small glimmer of hope at the expression of Xena's face. "You know something don't you?"

Xena nodded, "But I'm not sure it's good news. Iolaus told us that when The Light returned him, his punishment was to be by Hercules' side forever. I doubt he realized they actually meant it as a punishment. Michael would be the one to ask. If you can get him to answer."

Aphrodite turned to her father, "Daddy, please?"

Zeus could never say no to his little girl. "All right 'Dite. I'll see what I can do. But first, we have to take care of that other problem. For now, seal Iolaus in a time bubble. He'll be safe there. Xena, thank you for your help. That was kindly done."

Xena was startled by the thanks, but she did have a few manners. "You're welcome." Not sure is she should intrude, Xena continued. "Is there anything I can do to help with your other problem?"

The Gods in attendance held a silent conference. It was Zeus who answered. "Yes, maybe you can." He then proceeded to tell Xena all that had happened and what course of action they planned to take. She was pleased to learn Ares hadn't actually been working for Dahak but was trying to find a way to defeat him. Xena laughed when she heard about Joxer, but it wasn't a cruel laugh. More one of rueful acknowledgment. "I can see that. Now, what do you need from me?"

The Gods and mortal were so wrapped up in their conversation they didn't see the murderous gleam in Hercules' eyes, or the fanatical one in Gabrielle's.

"You're his friend, he needs that right now. He's frightened by all of this, and rightfully so. Dahak is enough to frighten anyone." Zeus replied.

"I haven't been much of a friend, but I'll do what I can." Pointing at Hercules and Gabrielle, Xena asked, "What about them? Could you send them back to where we were camping?"

"Sure Xena." Aphrodite waved an arm. Hercules and Gabrielle vanished in a flash of light. "Cupie and I will take care of Iolaus. Xena, give Joxie a hug from me 'kay? Tell him I'll see him before the ceremony. Later" With that 'Dite and Cupid left Xena alone with Zeus.

"There's something you're not telling me Zeus, what is it?"

"Xena, in order for Joxer to handle all of that power, he needs an anchor. Ares has agreed to take Joxer as his bonded consort to provide that anchor. Will you be able to handle the fact that your father will be married to your friend?"

Xena thought for a moment before replying. "I think they'll be good for each other actually. Joxer needs someone to take care of him and Ares needs someone to care for." Xena smiled slightly, "But I'm not going to call him 'Mom'."

Zeus had the first good laugh he'd had since this whole mess had started. "Come then Granddaughter, let's go see your father and your friend."

Xena looked startled for a moment. The fact that Zeus was her grandfather had never actually crossed her mind. She smiled openly and took the hand held out to her. "Yes, Grandfather, lets."

=====Utter Chaos 9
Talking it over
=====

The first thing Joxer saw when he woke up was Ares. Giving the God a small, weak smile, Joxer tried to sit up. Not an easy thing to do with a God hovering over you.

Ares moved out of Joxer's way and said the one thing Joxer didn't want to hear. "Joxer, we need to talk."

'Oh yeah,' Joxer thought. 'Hear it comes. If I can get through this without fainting, screaming or running away it'll be a miracle. Might as well get it over with.'

"Okay Ares, what did you want to talk about?" Joxer tried to keep a calm expression on his face. 'Okay, that sounded almost normal. Calm down Joxer, he's not going to kill you here in Zeus' garden. I don't think Zeus would like having blood all over his flowers.'

Unbeknownst to Joxer, Ares could hear every thought going through Joxer's head. His estimation of the young man went up a notch. Most people would have come up with a dozen excuses why they couldn't talk now. Despite his fear, Joxer was determined to get through this.

Ares gave Joxer a serious look, "Joxer, I know I'm not the one you had hoped to spend your life with. And you won't ever have that huge family you've been dreaming of. But I do promise to respect you and try to make this bonding as pleasant as possible for you. It takes a great deal of courage to give up your dreams, but you are performing a great service to mankind and for the Gods of Olympus. I hope that, in some small way, it makes your sacrifice a little more bearable."

Joxer stared up at the God of War. His mind was a total blank. That was not what he'd expected to hear. Joxer looked at the being in front of him suspiciously. He spoke before his mind had a chance to override what his mouth wanted to say. "Who are you? And what did you do with Ares?"

Ares felt a glimmer of irritation. He was trying to be understanding. To make Joxer a little more comfortable with what had to happen. Did the mortal appreciate it? No. The scowl on Ares' face grew darker and darker. "If we didn't need you so badly, I would blast you into next week. How dare you question me? I'm the God of War! I don't have to answer to a foolish little mortal. You aren't a God yet, I'd keep that in mind if I were you."

As Ares' voice got louder and his words more insulting, Joxer's smile got wider and wider. Finally noticing that Joxer was looking at him with an idiotic grin on his face, Ares stopped in mid sentence. "What are you smiling about mortal? Do you think I'm funny?"

Joxer shook his head, "No Ares, I'm just glad it's you. I thought someone was pretending to be you and I didn't know who or why." The smile slowly slid off of Joxer's face. "Did you mean what you said?" Joxer's voice was serious. "Before I mean, I know you were serious when you were calling me an idiot."

Ares sat next to Joxer on the couch, and groaning, put his head in his hands. Joxer patted Ares on the back, "I'm sorry Ares. I know this is hard on you. Being bonded with me and everything. I'll try to stay out of your way and not cause any trouble. Honestly, you'll hardly ever see me. You can just do what you normally do and forget all about me." Without looking at the man beside him, Ares interrupted Joxer. "Joxer, do you know what I mean when I say bonded?"

"Yeah, it means married right? Well, lots of people get married and hardly ever see each other. It's called a marriage of convenience, right?" Joxer laughed awkwardly. "And since we're both men we don't have to worry about sleeping together. I mean, it's not like we can have children. You're just doing this to help me control the Chaos power right? Thanks for that, by the way. I'm sure there are other things you'd rather be doing. You don't even have to tell the women you see about me. I mean, who would believe it anyway? Ares, God of War, married to Joxer the Mighty."

Ares sank lower and lower into the couch. He didn't think he was up to explaining the bond to Joxer. Maybe Aphrodite? No, she'd go into so much detail Joxer would probably going running into the night. Ares groaned again.

-----------

Zeus and Xena arrived in the gardens in time to see Ares slumped on a couch and Joxer obviously trying to calm the God about something. Xena looked at Zeus, Zeus frowned and shook his head. He had no idea what was going on.

Joxer heard someone approaching and looked up to see Xena and Zeus walking towards them. Joxer snatched his hand from Ares muscled back and jumped to his feet. "Uh, Xena, hi. I was just, uh, talking to Ares about something. Nothing important, nothing at all." Xena raised a hand to stop the flood of words coming from Joxer's mouth.

"Joxer, I understand what's going on, it's okay." Looking at the God collapsed in front of her, Xena greeted him quietly. "Hello Father."

Ares head snapped up at her greeting. Looking into her bright blue eyes, he saw no mockery or derision. Just calm acceptance.

"Xena, it's good to see you again." Looking back and forth between Xena and Joxer, Ares came to a decision. "Joxer, would you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to Xena for a moment."

"Sure Ares, I'll just be over there. I'll go look at the flowers or something."

Ares looked at his father and his daughter with something close to desperation in his dark eyes. Zeus immediately became concerned. "Ares, what's wrong? Did he change his mind?"

Ares laugh had a tinge of hysteria to it. "No Father, he hasn't changed his mind. He just spent the last hour trying to convince me that he won't get in my way and our 'marriage of convenience' can be kept a secret. We wouldn't want to upset any of the women I see."

Zeus just stood there for a moment, "Oh dear. Did you try to explain it to him?"

"How Father? He fainted when he found out he was to be my consort. And he thinks it's in name only. What will he do when he learns about the bond?"

Xena was totally confused by this time. "What is this bond? And why will Joxer be so upset?"

Ares looked at his daughter, then at his father. "I can't do it. You explain it to her. I'll be over there, drinking heavily."

"Ares." Zeus called to him. "Don't drink too much. The bonding ceremony is at midnight. I'll send Cupid to help you get ready." Ares' back stiffened at this information but he didn't say anything. "I'm sorry son, but there's no sense in putting it off. I don't think time will make it any easier." Ares nodded his head, "All right Father. I'll be in my temple. Send Cupid there." Zeus watched his son leave for his temple, then turned to his granddaughter.

"Xena, Ares will take Joxer as his bonded consort. This will 'not' be a marriage in name only. The ceremony will tie the very essence of their beings together. They will basically become one being in two bodies. To cement the bond, and keep it strong and healthy, they must interact on a physical level." At the blank expression on Xena's face, Zeus decided to get blunt. "Sex, Xena. They must have sex, as frequently as possible in the first few days. In fact, they must remain in fairly close physical contact. 'Attatched at the hip' is the phrase used, I believe. The bond must be in place and stable before Joxer receives his Godhood. If it isn't, Ares won't be able to anchor him in this reality. Joxer could be lost forever and our only hopes of defeating Dahak with him."

Zeus grew concerned at the expression of pain on Xena's face. "Xena, I'm sorry if the idea of your father and Joxer having sex disturbs you but..." Xena was shaking her head violently. "Well, what's wrong then?" At that, Xena burst into a fit of giggles. Tears rolled from her eyes and she couldn't catch her breath. Zeus glared at her for a second, the corner of his mouth began to twitch. Then he too was laughing. It was a brutal struggle but by very carefully not looking at her grandfather, Xena managed to get herself under control.

"What do you want me to do? I could try to explain it to him if you'd like." Zeus sighed in relief, "Thank you Xena." Zeus materialized a large golden chalice and handed it to her. "Xena, this is ambrosia. Joxer has to drink this before the ceremony tonight. Then in one week's time, we will bestow his Godhood on him." Zeus looked at his granddaughter carefully, "Xena, you may also drink the ambrosia if you choose to do so. I'm sure we could find a place for you. The Goddess of Justice perhaps? I think you would find it suits you."

"Not yet Zeus, maybe someday. I like who I am now. And there is still Gabrielle to think of. I know she has problems, but I do love her. Well, I might as well get this over with. Wish me luck." With that, Xena went to find Joxer.

=====
Utter Chaos chapter 10
Stop and smell the roses
====

Xena found Joxer wondering amongst Zeus' roses. They could only be the roses of a God, natural roses didn't usually come in black or all the colors of a sunset in one perfect bloom. And the perfume. Xena thought she could spend a lifetime here and never want to leave.

Joxer heard a small sound of pleasure and turned to find Xena with a wistful smile on her face. "Hi Xena. Aren't these great? I love roses, I wish Gabby could see them. Where is Gabby anyway? I thought she'd be with you."

"I'm sorry Joxer, I had Aphrodite send her and Hercules back to the camp. They still don't believe this is some kind of trick. And since Iolaus is sick, Hercules is not being very reasonable right now." Xena explained.

"Iolaus is sick? What happened? He was fine a couple of hours ago. Maybe we can get one of the Gods to go take a look, I bet they can help."

"They already have Joxer, there's nothing they can do right now. Iolaus and Hercules got into a fight and that's what made him sick. But he'll be okay, they have him sealed in a time bubble until they can get things straightened out. Let's go find some place to sit and talk for a while."

"Okay Xena, how about that bench there by the rainbow roses?"

"Rainbow roses?" Xena asked.

"Yeah. It's all one plant but every flower is a different color of the rainbow. I wonder how Zeus did that? Do you think I could that after I become a God? I think I'd like to have a garden."

"I'm sure you could Joxer. Maybe Zeus would help, he is going to be your father-in-law after all." Xena smiled at the idea of Zeus and Joxer planting roses and coming up with new colors.

"Um, Xena, you don't mind about your father and me do you? I mean, it's not going to be a real marriage or anything. It's only so he can help control the Chaos power. I don't expect you to treat me like a parent or anything. I mean, I'd be honored to have a daughter like you." Joxer's words slowed to a trickle and then stopped completely. He didn't like the way Xena was looking at him. "What's wrong Xena? You look kinda funny."

Xena started to take a drink from the chalice she'd forgotten she was holding and stopped at the last second. Handing it to Joxer she said, "Here Joxer, this is for you. Drink up, you've had a busy day."

Joxer took the chalice and drained it in one gulp. Then the chalice was full again. "Did you see that Xena? It fills itself up. That could come in handy."

Xena laid one hand on Joxer's arm and turned him to face her with the other. "Joxer, I have something I need to tell you. I want you to listen to me carefully okay?"

"Of course Xena, you know I'd do anything for you."

"I know you would Joxer. This marriage between you and my father, it's more than just a marriage. Zeus explained it to me. For Ares to be able to help you, you have to be bonded. Zeus said you'll actually become one person living in two bodies. And it's permanent. If one of you dies, the other will too. You'll feel, see and hear everything the other does. Do you understand what that means?"

Joxer was shaking his head violently. "No. I won't do that. I can't do that to Ares. It's not fair to him. I have trouble living inside of my head, he'd hate it. They'll have to think of something else."

"Joxer, listen to me. There is no other way. If you can't hold the power, Dahak wins. Ares knows what he's getting into. He's not being forced to do this. There are benefits to the bond I don't think you realize yet."

"What could Ares possibly get out of being bonded to me? He's a God and I'm a fool. My family says so, even you and Gabby said so."

Xena cringed when she heard that. "Joxer, I know I haven't always been the friend I should have. But I do care for you and I want you to be happy. I think being bonded to Ares will do that for you. Think of it Joxer. There won't be any doubts or insecurity. You'll know exactly what the other is thinking and feeling. If you're happy, he'll be happy. If you're sad, he'll be there to help. You'll never be alone or lonely again. I'd give anything to have that. I love Gabrielle, but I don't always know what she's thinking or feeling. She could decide she wants a family and leave me for a normal life. The one she deserves. I live everyday knowing that today may be the day one of us dies and I'll be alone again."

Now Joxer was in the position of trying to cheer up his friend. "Xena, Gabrielle loves you more than anything. She'd never leave you. But if you both agree, maybe Zeus can perform the bonding ceremony for you too. Then you'll be together forever, you will be anyway, but if it makes you feel better I bet he'd do it. I mean, he is your Grandfather, right?"

Xena gave Joxer a hug. "Thank you Joxer, but you're right. I don't need any bond other than the one we already have. You, however, need this bond. And for more than one reason. Joxer, for the bond to work, you need to be physically close. Very close, for at least the first week or so. And that closeness has to be renewed periodically for the bond to stay healthy. Do you understand?"

Joxer shook his head, "What do you mean by physically close? Like in the same room?"

"More like in the same bed Joxer."

"I have to sleep with him? What if he wants to, you know, have a good time? Won't I be in the way?" Joxer wasn't sure why, but he didn't really want to hear what Xena had to say.

"Joxer, the only one Ares is going to be having 'a good time' with is you." Xena held the chalice to Joxer's lips when she saw him go white. "I know you weren't expecting this, but that's the way the bond works."

Joxer drained the chalice once again, his voice, when he spoke was barely a whisper. "I can't Xena. I mean, he's a God."

"It'll be okay Joxer, you'll be a God by then too."

"I know that Xena, that's the problem. I'll be a God, not a Goddess. I can't do that with a man. Can I?" The look on Joxer's face made Xena want to cry. Part fear, part desperation.

"Joxer, think for a minute. Hercules and Iolaus are together. Don't you think they have sex?"

Joxer winced. "I really don't think about that Xena. It's none of my business. But my father said it was wrong and an insult to the God's. That's why Jace left."

"Joxer, if it was an insult to the God's, why would Ares say yes to you being his consort? Even Zeus wants you two to be together. I think your father was talking about his own feelings. Does what he thinks really matter to you now?" Xena was out of her depth, explaining sex between men wasn't really anything she knew a lot about. "Maybe we could go talk to Cupid? I'm sure he'll be able to answer all of your questions. He won't laugh or make fun. It's kind of his job. And he'll be your step-son, just like I'll be your step-daughter."

Joxer's face turned a deep red and he groaned pitifully. "What's wrong? Do you feel ill?" Xena was worried, she didn't know exactly how much ambrosia Joxer had drank, but it was a lot. It wouldn't be good for him to be sick during the ceremony.

"Xena, you want me to ask my soon-to-be step-son about sex. Of course I feel ill. I'll die of embarrassment. Even if he doesn't laugh at me."

"Oh, I didn't think of that. Well, how about Aphrodite?" Xena almost burst into giggles again at the look that comment brought to his face.

"That's what Ares was trying to talk to me about earlier isn't it? Maybe I should go finish that conversation. At least I'll have some idea of what he's trying to say this time. Do you know where he went?"

"He said he was going to his temple. I'm sure he's still there. Want me to get Zeus to send you over?"

"That'd probably be a good idea, I'd hate to get lost on Mount Olympus."

-----------

They found Zeus on the other side of the garden, still talking to The Fates. "Ah Joxer and Xena. Did you get everything straightened out?" Zeus looked hopefully between the two, on seeing matching smiles he nodded happily. "Now, what can I do for you?"

"Zeus, could you send me over to Ares' temple? I think we need to finish the talk we were having earlier." Joxer looked oddly calm at this point. He'd had so many shocks in one day his mind was numb, or so he thought.

"Certainly Joxer. I'll send Cupid over later to help you both get ready for the bonding ceremony."

"That's today? I thought those things had to be planned or something." Joxer's heart was racing and he could barely catch his breath. This was all happening way too fast. Zeus seemed to understand this and tried to reassure the young man, or rather the young God. He had definitely changed. Zeus decided not to tell him that yet though. "It's at midnight. There will only be me, The Fates, Hera, Cupid and Aphrodite. And you and Ares of course. Xena, of course, can come if you'd like. We didn't think you'd want a lot of people here. The ones who are coming are necessary to complete the ritual."

"I'd like Xena to be there. If you want to come Xena. I'd like you to stand with me."

"I wouldn't miss it for anything Joxer. I'd be honored to stand with you."

"All right, well, I guess I'll see you there. Zeus, I'm ready to go see Ares now." Joxer vanished in a shower of light.

Xena looked at her Grandfather. "That was not fun Zeus. He's very confused. His father told him that two men together were an insult to the Gods."

Zeus looked incredibly angry at this. "Oh did he now? I do believe he and I should have a little talk about who decides things for the Gods. But later. Of course, Ares might want to take care of that himself." Xena and Zeus shared a look and burst into laughter again at the thought of Ares talking to his father-in-law. Xena managed to get out a few words between snickers. "Can I watch?"

Zeus nodded happily. "I'll take you myself. Now let's go get ready for a wedding. Would you like some new clothes or would you rather wear your armor?"

Xena tucked her arm into her Grandfather's. "Let's talk about that. And presents. We have to get them presents. I have a wonderful idea about what to get Joxer."

----------

Joxer staggered a little when he arrived at Ares' temple. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

"Get used to what?"

Joxer spun around and saw Ares sprawled across his throne. "Oh. Hi Ares. I don't think I'll get used to just popping into places. I mean, what if I pop into something. Like a fire or a piece of furniture. Oh Gods, what if I pop into a person? How would I get out? Would they know I was there? Would it hurt them? I'm sure it would. I wouldn't want anyone popping into me." Joxer stopped suddenly. "I'm babbling, aren't I? Sorry, I do that when I get nervous."

Ares laughed a little. "I noticed. Exactly why are you nervous?" Joxer did a fairly credible imitation of what Ares liked to call 'Dite's 'Duh' look. "I'm guessing Xena spoke to you."

Joxer turned red, again. "Yeah, she did. I'm sorry I didn't realize what you were trying to say before. I just never expected that we would have to do 'that'."

Ares pulled his legs off the arm of his throne and put his feet back on the floor. He leaned against the back and looked at his soon-to-be consort from under lowered lids. "By 'that', I'm assuming you mean sex. I had no idea you found me so repulsive."

"Oh no, not at all. But I am. I mean, nobody wants to get that close to me. Why should you? Besides, mumble."

"What did you say Joxer? I couldn't quite make that out." Ares knew exactly what Joxer had said, but he needed to buy himself a little time. He'd never been with a virgin before. The thought of teaching Joxer what pleased him and learning what pleased Joxer made Ares blood heat. He felt possessive of the young God. The fact no one had ever been with Joxer before, and never have the chance now, filled him with an odd sort of pride. Joxer was his, and Ares didn't like to share.

Joxer stared at his feet, anywhere but at the God sitting in front of him. "I said, I've never done that before. Had sex I mean. I got close once, but her father came home and beat me up when he found me there. I don't know what to do and I don't want to disappoint you. It's bad enough you're being stuck with me, I don't want you to hate me too."

Ares rose from his throne and crossed to Joxer. Raising his head with one hand, Ares looked into those miserable eyes. "Is that what you think? I'm not going to be 'stuck' with you. We'll be bonded, there is a difference. And anything you don't know, I'll be happy teach you. Once the bond is in place it'll be easy. You'll know what I'm thinking and feeling. And I'll be able to do the same."

"But what if I can't? I've never even thought about it before." Joxer really wanted to cry, but he didn't think Ares would appreciate it. In a small voice, "Will it hurt?"

"I'll do everything I can to make sure it doesn't. Besides, what hurts you, hurts me. We may not be in love with each other, but a lot of marriages start out with less than what we'll have."

"What do we have? We don't know each other at all and we don't have anything in common." Joxer was convinced by this time that anyone, besides himself, would be a better choice.

"We're both Gods, and we both want to stop Dahak. You've prayed to me your entire life, I do know quite a bit about you. And we have all the time in the world to get to know each other."

Joxer tuned out what Ares was saying. He was stuck on one thing. "I'm not a God yet Ares. When do I have to do that?"

"Didn't Zeus tell you?" Ares sent a small ungrateful thought to his father.

"All he said was the bonding ceremony was tonight and Xena could come if she wanted."

"Joxer, did you have anything to drink today?"

"Yeah, Xena had this gold cup that kept filling itself up. Why? Are you thirsty?"

Ares sighed, he wasn't really cut out for this. "Joxer, that gold cup was my father's. It refills itself with ambrosia. From the glow, I'd say you had quite a bit."

Joxer looked around the room, "What glow? I don't see any glow." What Ares had said finally started to sink in. "Ambrosia? I drank ambrosia?"

Ares pushed Joxer over to his throne and sat him down in it. He didn't want to have to pick him up if he decided to pass out again. "Yes, you drank ambrosia. You don't have your Godhood yet, but you are a God now Joxer."

"Are you sure? I don't feel any different. Maybe it didn't work on me." Joxer didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed.

"Oh, it worked all right." Ares materialized a large mirror in front of the throne. "Look."

Joxer looked into the mirror. "Oh. 'That' glow. Um, will that go away? I don't think I want to be lit up like a candle all the time. It'll make it hard to sleep."

Ares had to laugh. "Yes, it will fade. Once you learn a little control, you'll be able to turn it on and off as you choose."

"What else will I be able to do?"

"I'm not sure Joxer. It depends on how much power you have, and most of your power will go into the power sink here on Olympus. But I can loan you enough power to do almost anything. Is there something you'd like to do?"

"Well, I know you'll think it's stupid, but I'd really like to have a garden like Zeus has. Especially the roses. I liked those." The smile on Joxer's face was full of delighted innocence at the memory of that garden.

Ares looked at him in surprised wonder. "You really are different aren't you? Most would want to punish their enemies, make a temple or surround themselves with riches."

"I don't have any enemies Ares and I don't need a temple. Do I? I mean, I'm going to live here with you aren't I?" Joxer gazed up at Ares worriedly. He hadn't had a real home in years, if ever. He was surprised by how badly he wanted one now.

"Yes, you'll be living here. If you want a place for yourself later, we'll build you one. It's almost time for the ceremony. Cupid will be here soon." Ares looked closely at the young God in front of him and made a decision. "There is one thing I think we should do before he gets here." Ares pulled Joxer from the throne into his arms.

Joxer looked up at him, eyes wide. "What's that?"

Ares left one arm wrapped around Joxer's waist and wrapped the other hand in his hair. "Just this."

Ares started slowly. Just barely touching Joxer's lips. Soft, easy kisses, meant to entice. Joxer didn't participate, but he did tilt his head to give Ares more access.

Soon, gentle kisses gave way to deeper, longer contact. When Ares felt Joxer move a little closer, he increased the pace. Flicking the tip of his tongue against Joxer's lips, he demanded a response.

Joxer groaned at the sensation. He'd never kissed much and definitely never like this. His head spinning, he grabbed a hold of Ares' vest to keep himself upright. He tried to gasp for air and felt Ares tongue slip past his teeth. Forgetting everything except the feelings coursing through his body, Joxer began to actively participate.

Soon the two Gods were gasping and straining, trying to get closer. Tongues tangling while their breath mingled together in each others mouths. Neither noticed Cupid's arrival or his sudden departure. The sound of knocking at the main door finally penetrated the daze they were in and they broke apart.

Still breathing heavily, Ares rested his forehead against Joxer's, petting the young God's hair in an effort to calm him. "Joxer, are you all right?" A quick nod was his only answer. He tried to step back, but Joxer had a death grip on his vest. "Joxer, that's Cupid. We need to get ready for the ceremony."

Taking a deep breath, Joxer slowly eased his grip and raised his eyes to Ares'. "Ares, that was, I've never," Joxer shook his head, unable to voice what he was feeling.

"I understand Joxer. I told you we'd get along well." Joxer gave Ares a wide smile. "Ready?"

Joxer felt calm for the first time that day. "Yes, I'm ready. You better go let him in before he thinks we ran away or something."

Ares laughed and moved to release Joxer. Before he could get far, Joxer raised up and gave Ares a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Ares didn't need to ask for what, he simply smiled and returned the kiss.

=====
Utter Chaos 11
Making it right
=====

Hercules landed heavily in the middle of the dead fire pit at their old campsite. All of the air left his lungs in a loud rush when Gabrielle, still bound and gagged, landed on top of him.

It took some maneuvering, but he finally managed to get them both on their feet. It took less then a second for him to break the leather ties binding Gabrielle's hands behind her back. While he removed the leather gag preventing the bard from speaking what was obviously on her mind, Gabrielle tried to rub some feeling back into her numb fingers.

Once the gag was gone, the venom spewed forth. "What in Tartarus was Xena thinking? Not only did she threaten to gag me, she let Cupid go ahead and do it! She had us sent away! And she's helping them!"

Hercules tried to calm the young woman down, they had a lot to do and he needed her help. "Gabrielle, the Gods can cloud a person's mind. It's not her fault. Any more than it's Iolaus'. Once a person has been touched by the Gods, it's easier for them to be controlled. We're on our own. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will, but what are we going to do? They're on Olympus and we're down here." Gabrielle was still furious, but Xena no longer bore the brunt of it. "You know Hercules, this is all Joxer's fault. If he hadn't said he'd go with Ares we'd all be getting ready to have breakfast about now. Instead, we're separated from our lovers and Joxer is about to become a God. We can't let that happen. No matter what the price, we have to stop him from becoming a God. And why would they want a God of Chaos anyway? Isn't there enough trouble in the world?"

"Not enough for the Gods. The more mortals suffer, the more they pray and the bigger offerings they leave at the temples. Did you ever wonder why the Gods want offerings? They don't need them, they can make anything they desire with a wave of a hand. No, offerings are just a way to keep score. Mortals are merely the pieces in a game the Gods play to amuse themselves." Hercules paced for a moment, deep in thought.

"Gabrielle, how far are you willing to go to stop this from happening?"

"As far as I need to."

"Are you willing to kill?"

"Kill Joxer? If necessary."

"What about Xena? She'll try to stop us."

A fanatical light burned in the bard's eyes. "Joxer becoming a God is a perversion of everything good in the world. It can't be allowed to happen. I know Xena and I will be welcome in the Light, Eli is there waiting for us. And we'll be together forever." The pleased look on her face slowly faded into a frown. "Hercules, what about Iolaus?"

Hercules' smile was brilliant. "When I proved to the Light that mankind was worth saving, Iolaus was my reward. Michael promised me that I'd never be lonely again. Whatever happens, I know Iolaus will be right beside me. We just have to break the hold the God's have on him."

Gabrielle still had doubts, "How are we going to get to Olympus? And if we can't stop Joxer's ascension, how will we kill him? Gods are immortal."

The smirk on Hercules' face would have done Ares proud. "My father left a gateway to Olympus open for me in his temple in Thrace. And killing a God is easier than you think. All of the God's have a physical symbol of their Godhood, like Ares' sword or my father's lightening bolts. If we take his symbol from him he'll be weakened. Still hard to kill, but not impossible. And there's always the blood of a Golden Hind."

"I thought the last of the Hind's disappeared when your wi..."

"It's okay, Gabrielle, I'm over it now. But it just so happens I know where there's a dagger with Hind's blood all over it." Patting her on the shoulder, Hercules reassured her. "Don't worry Gabrielle, we'll make it right."

=======
Utter Chaos 12
Ceremonies
=====

Cupid followed Ares into his temple, the urge to comment on the length of time it took to admit him in was incredible, but Cupid restrained himself. Ares in a bad mood at his own bonding ceremony didn't bear thinking about.

Joxer was still standing where Ares had left him. Moving would have taken more brain power than he currently possessed. His mind, while still trying to wrap itself around the idea of being 'with' Ares, had been totally blown away by that kiss.

Cupid, after seeing the state Joxer was in, made what he thought was a reasonable suggestion. "Dad, why don't I take Joxer over to my place so he can have a bath and something to eat before the ceremony." Cupid made an expression of disgust at what Joxer was wearing. "And he needs some new clothes."

Ares turned a black look on his son. "No. You want to help? Fine. But Joxer stays here. If you have a problem with that, you can leave."

"Chill Dad. You want to stay here, we stay here. Now, do you guys want help or not?"

Joxer smiled at Cupid, "I'm not really hungry, but I am kind of dirty. Is there somewhere I can take a bath Ares?"

Ares nodded and pointed out a door Joxer hadn't noticed before. "Go right through there Joxer. The bath is always ready to use." At Joxer's confused expression, Cupid explained, "It's a God thing."

"Oh, okay. Um, Ares? Are you coming?" Joxer asked nervously. He really liked that kiss but he didn't think he was ready to be in a tub with Ares, naked. Joxer could feel the blush creeping up over his cheekbones.

"Go ahead Joxer. I need to talk to Cupid for a minute."

Joxer nodded and headed into the other room. Ares stepped up to his son and spoke quietly. "Cupid, I want you to do exactly as I say. Stay here with Joxer, feed him, bathe him, tell him stories if you have to, but keep him occupied. After I leave, seal the temple. Let no one in, even me. Just at midnight, take Joxer to the Halls of War. We'll be having the ceremony there."

Cupid was totally confused at this point, "Uh Dad, I know people getting married for the first time tend to get a little nervous, but isn't this going too far? Why would I seal you out of your own temple? And why would you want to get married in the Halls of War? I thought the ceremony was going to be in Zeus' garden."

Ares grabbed Cupid by the arms and shook him lightly. "We don't have a lot of time, shut up and listen. Dahak can appear to be anyone. You'd never be able to tell the difference until it was too late. But even he would have trouble breaking through a seal without attracting notice. I made the seals around the Halls of War, they're the strongest on Olympus, but he might be strong enough to break through them. If he's that desperate, attracting notice will be the last thing he's worried about. Once you get to the Halls of War, find Xena. I want to two of you on guard at all times. If anyone tries to get in, kill them. God or mortal, I don't care. This would be the perfect time for him to strike. He has to know we're up to something by now, and I've got a very bad feeling about this." Ares released his son and looked at him seriously. "I know you're the God of Love, but you're still my son too. Wear the armor and sword I had made for you. You and Xena are the only ones I trust to protect him, but I expect you to come out of this alive. Do you understand me? If you get yourself killed, I'll rip your wings off one feather at a time." With those final words, Ares vanished.

"Yeah, Dad. I love you too." Still smiling, Cupid went to help Joxer.

-------------

Joxer was up to his neck in hot water once again, but this time, he had bubbles. Mountains of them, and they smelled good. Spicy and warm. In fact, they smelled like Ares.

Joxer gazed contentedly around the room. Now this was the way to live. Dark green marble with inlaid alabaster fixtures. The tub he was relaxing in was the biggest he'd ever seen. Joxer closed his eyes with a sigh and rested his head on the curved edge.

He was dozing, almost asleep. when the sound of laughter forced him to open his eyes.

Cupid was expecting Joxer to be a nervous wreck, but instead found him lazing about in Ares' oversized marble tub. The look of complete decadence on Joxer's face made him laugh out loud. When Joxer managed to gaze up at him with sleepy eyes Cupid had to ask, "I'm guessing you like the tub?"

Joxer shook his head no. "This isn't a tub Cupid, it's a small ocean, with bubbles. I think I'll just live in here." Joxer looked up at Cupid with serious expression on his face. "Cupid, do you think Ares will be hurt when he finds out I married him for his bathroom?"

Cupid managed to sit down before he fell. Wiping the tears from his eyes caused by hysterical laughter, he finally managed to get himself under control. "Come on, God of the Ocean of Bubbles. You need to get out of there before you shrivel up. And here I thought you would be nervous and I'd have to calm you down."

Joxer's smile resembled a grimace more than an expression of happiness. "I'm not nervous Cupid, I'm terrified. But if I joke about it I won't go into screaming fits, or pass out again. I hope."

Cupid tried to reassure the newest God. "There's no reason to be scared Joxer. My father may be the God of War, but he won't hurt you. Of course he'd never admit it, but he's nervous too. He's never been married before either."

"It's not just that Cupid. Yesterday I was just a mortal. Hoping that one day I'd be married and have a family. Preferably with Gabrielle. And today I'm a God, getting married to another God. My life as I knew it is over. Not that my old life was anything to brag about, but at least I knew what to expect. Now I'm totally in the dark about how to act and what I'm supposed to do. It's a little too much to handle in one day."

Cupid grabbed a thick towel from the shelf and went to help Joxer out of the tub. "I wish I could make this easier on you, but I can't. I will try to answer any questions you have if that would help at all."

Joxer wrapped the towel around himself and took another to dry his hair. "Thank you Cupid, I would like to know what's going to happen at the ceremony tonight. Do I have to say anything? Or is there a ritual I have to perform?"

Cupid had Joxer sit in front of him on the floor. Pulling a brush out of the air, he began to work out the tangles in the dark hair. "Let's see. You don't have to make a speech or anything. Zeus will ask you a couple of questions, you know, are you doing this of your own will, stuff like that. The actual ritual is pretty simple. You and Ares face each other and clasp the other's left arm at the elbow. Zeus will place a dagger between your arms and as he speaks the bonding spell, he'll turn the dagger sideways and pull it out. It won't hurt, just sting a little. Yours and Ares' blood will mix and the bond will begin to form." Cupid felt Joxer stiffen beneath his hands. "Joxer, did anyone explain to you about sealing the bond? And how to keep it active?"

Joxer nodded sharply. "Yeah, they had Xena do it. Ares tried, but I didn't understand what he was telling me. The more upset he got, the more I tried to convince him that since it was just going to be a marriage of convenience, I wouldn't get in his way."

Cupid's hands kept busy brushing while his mind tried to come up with a delicate way to state his question. Not able to find one, he decided blunt was the only option. "Joxer, have you ever been with a man before?"

Joxer's posture now resembled the marble he'd so admired earlier. Then he just slumped. "No, I haven't. My father always told us that two men being together that way was an insult to the Gods. I'd never even kissed a man before today." Joxer suddenly laughed. "Boy, is my father going to be surprised when he finds out about this."

"Well, you like having sex with women right?"

If Joxer could have found a hole big enough to crawl into, he would have. For a second he thought about drowning himself in that huge tub, then he remembered that he was immortal now so drowning was out of the question. Might as well get it over with. "I've never had sex, with a man or a woman."

Cupid was stunned, but managed to keep his thoughts to himself. "Oh. Well, if you're with a partner that cares about you, being with a man can be wonderful. The best way to describe it I guess would be, intense. And since the bond will be forming, you'll feel everything Ares' feels. I know it's scary, but I think you'll find that it's worth it." Cupid suddenly realized the hair he was brushing had long since dried. Looking at it carefully, he asked, "Joxer, would you mind if I did something with your hair?"

Joxer just shrugged, his hair was the least of his problems. "Go ahead. As long as you don't shave my head I don't care what you with it."

Cupid ran his hand through the thick strands, the hair grew longer as he did. Stopping to check his work, he made the back a little longer. "That's better. Want to see?"

Joxer shook his head no, and was surprised when he felt his hair brush his shoulders. "I guess I would like to see. I've never had long hair."

Cupid handed him a mirror and sat back with a smile. "Damn, I'm good. You look great Joxer. Now what would you like to wear for the ceremony?"

Joxer stared into the mirror in disbelief, he didn't look like himself at all. His hair was down on his forehead, but short on the top and sides. The back now reached down between his shoulder blades. Holding one hank of hair out to the side, Joxer asked his new barber, "Uh, don't you think this is a little long?"

"No way, it looks great. Now for the clothes. I'm guessing you don't want to go the black leather route. Dressing you up to match Dad would be funny, but lets see if we can find something that suits you. Come on, let's go into the other room. There's a huge mirror in there and you'll want to see what you look like."

"Cupid, I don't really care what I wear. As long as it's clean and not full of holes that's all that matters. No one is going to be looking at my clothes."

"Sure they will, besides, you want to impress Dad don't you?"

Joxer was trying to breathe, but he was laughing to hard. "Cupid, Ares cares less about what I'm wearing than I do."

"Fine, do it for me then. I don't want people to say my new father is a slob."

Joxer studied the face in front of him, waiting for a reaction. "Cupid, you aren't upset about this are you? I mean, I'm sure you weren't planning on Ares getting married."

Cupid just smiled, "Joxer, I know I look younger than you, but I'm almost a thousand years old. I don't get jealous about sharing Dad anymore. Besides, I think it's good he's not going to be alone anymore. He's was getting cranky."

"Getting? If he's not cranky now, what is he?"

"Out of sorts? Believe me, you don't want to see him in a bad mood. The last time that happened Mount Vesuvius erupted. For three weeks straight."

Cupid got a distant look on his face for a moment. "We have to hurry, that was Mom. The ceremony is in fifteen minutes. Let's see, black, no. Brown? Boring. White? Too many jokes. How about this."

Joxer found himself dressed with a wave of Cupid's hand. Tight, brushed suede trousers, that were as soft as they looked and a matching Chin silk shirt. The shirt had a standing collar, but was open to just below the hollow in his throat. The sleeves were short and hung barely below his shoulders, leaving his forearms bare. Knee high boots a shade darker than the rest completed the outfit.

"Wow, thanks Cupid. This is great, but why grey?"

"It's halfway between dark and light isn't it? It seemed appropriate. Are you ready? It's time to go."

"Yes, I'm ready. Cupid?"

"Yeah Joxer."

"If I pass out, prop me up okay?"

Cupid laid his hand on Joxer's shoulder. "Don't worry. If you pass out, we'll just finish the ceremony without you."

"Oh good. I feel so much better now."

With a laugh, Cupid took them to the Halls of War.

------------------

Ares found Zeus and Xena still wondering in the garden. They were arguing about what would be best to use as a symbol of Joxer's godhood. Ares rudely interrupted them. "Worry about that later. We have to keep him alive first."

Zeus looked stunned. "What do you mean Ares? Is something wrong with Joxer?"

"He's fine for now. I left him with Cupid at my temple. But this would be the perfect time for Dahak to attack. I want the ceremony held in the Halls of War, it's too open here. And Xena, I want you and Cupid to be on guard until Joxer and I leave."

"I think you and Joxer should stay here on Olympus Ares. You'll be too vulnerable anywhere else. At least here, the rest of us can protect you."

"No, Father, Dahak will expect that. As soon as the ceremony is complete I want you to send us to my temple. My first temple. Do you remember which one I'm talking about?"

"Of course I do Ares. It's perfect. No one would ever look for you there."

Xena was worried, Ares never avoided a fight, not even one with Dahak. "Why do you need to hide, Ares? That isn't like you."

Ares looked almost amused. "You're going to love this, Xena. The bonding ceremony will make us almost mortal for at least a day."

"What do you mean 'almost' mortal?" Xena asked.

"We'll still be Gods, but all of our powers will be going into the bond. We'll be stuck in mortal form until the link between us is set. We won't even be able to call for help."

"Then Zeus is right Ares. You should both stay here. We'll be able to guard you until your powers start working again."

"No Xena, if Dahak does decide to attack, you'd die. And none of the other Gods are strong enough to stand against him for long. Joxer and I would be nothing more than sitting ducks."

Zeus laid his hand on his son's shoulder. "We'll do as you say Ares, you know best in this situation. Now it's time for the ceremony."

Ares drew a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. With a thought, he was clean and dressed in his favorite set of black leathers. "One last thing before we go." Ares passed his hand in front of Xena and she was dressed in new armor. A silver chest plate with matching arm guards covered her upper body. Tight leather pants were tucked into matching boots which were faced with silver greaves. Her chakram hung on a wide belt and her sword was slung over her shoulder.

Xena looked at her new finery. "Nice. Do I get to keep it?"

"Of course, I had Hephestus make it for you years ago. Cupid has a matching set. It'll take a lot to get through that armor, but don't under-estimate Dahak."

"Don't worry Ares, I never do."

------------------

Zeus and Ares waited in the main room of the Halls of War for Joxer and Cupid to arrive. Pleasantly surprised by the transformation, Ares smiled at Joxer when he reached his side. In a whisper, "I like the hair."

Joxer turned bright red, but Ares could tell he was pleased by the comment.

Zeus cleared his throat and both men turned their attention to him.

"Children, we are here to witness the bonding of these two Gods. This is not undertaken lightly. Are there any who would deny their right to the bond?" Zeus gazed sternly at the few in attendance, none even blinked.

Zeus turned first to Joxer, "Joxer, God of Olympus, do you stand before us this day of your own will?"

Joxer's voice was solemn as he replied. "I do."

"Ares, God of War, do you stand before us this day of your own will."

"I do."

"Again, do you both desire this bond of your own will?"

The two men looked at each other and then back at Zeus. "We do."

Zeus nodded at Ares and Joxer. They turned to face each other and clasped each other's left arm. "Very well, let it begin." Zeus slid the flat edge of a silver dagger between their arms, holding it tightly in his right hand. He and the other Gods present then spoke the words that would bond the two for all time.

"Blood calls to blood,
and bone to bone.
Where stood the two,
Now stands the one.
Power to power,
By their will alone.
Forever joined,
Never to be undone."

With the final word, Zeus turned the dagger and pulled it straight up. As it sliced through their skin they both gasped, but not in pain. They both felt weakened but energized at the same time. Their heads turned as one to look at Zeus. Zeus smiled at them both. "Be well, children. We will see you soon." In a flash of golden light, Ares and Joxer disappeared. Zeus looked out at the others. "Now we wait. I want all work on the power sink completed as soon as possible. Xena, would you mind staying here on Olympus until they return? We may need your expertise in the event Dahak decides to move." Xena inclined her head to show her agreement. "Very well, we all have tasks to perform. I'll expect news of your progress."

As the others left, Xena crossed to Zeus' side. "Will they be all right Grandfather?"

"Only time will tell Xena. Only time will tell."

======
Utter Chaos 13
Male Bonding
======

Ares and Joxer still had a hold of each other when they arrived at Ares' first temple. Joxer, realizing he had a death grip on Ares' arm, let go suddenly and stepped back. His face red, he looked everywhere but at his 'husband'. That was going to take some getting used to.

Joxer turned to look around. He couldn't see much. The only light came from the fire burning in the hearth. From what he could see, they were in what looked to be a small stone house. Joxer managed to avoid looking at the small bed shoved into one corner of the room. "Where are we Ares?"

Ares moved to stand at Joxer's back and wrapped strong arms around his waist. Resting his chin on the dark head beneath him, he felt Joxer stiffen. He pretended he didn't notice. "This is my first temple."

"This is a temple?"

Ares laughed quietly, "Isn't it good enough for the God of War?"

"It's not that, it's just that it looks like a house, not a temple."

"It is a house. A man named Micus lived here. I found out I was going to be the God of War when I was about four. I was rather full of myself at the time. I used to pop in and out of battles, telling the men fighting what they were doing wrong and proceeding to tell them how to do it right." Ares felt Joxer slowly begin to relax against him as he laughed at the images Ares' words evoked.

"One day, there was a very intense battle not far from here. I showed up right in the middle of things, as usual. This mortal came up to me, grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, and proceeded to shake me like a dog with a bone. 'What in Hades' name are you doing here boy? This is no place for a child.'" Ares voice changed as he immitated that long ago lecture.

"Naturally, being a God, I was furious. How dare this mortal lay his hands on me? So I proceeded to tell him that I was a God and he should be on his knees begging for my forgiveness. I only came up to his waist, but I was sure he was terrified of me. It didn't take long for him to abuse me of that notion. 'You might be a God, but you're still just a boy. A small one at that. Go home to your Mama before you get hurt.' I wanted to kill him so bad I could taste it, but for some reason I decided not to. I made myself invisible and watched the rest of the battle. After it was all over, I followed that man here." Ares rubbed his cheek against that long dark hair and felt Joxer settle back to his chest, wrapping his arms over Ares' hold about his waist.

Smiling to himself, he continued. "Once he was inside, I popped into view. He didn't even flinch. 'Well, if it isn't the little God. I thought I told you to go home, boy.' I threw a temper tantrum at that point, I was screaming at the top of my lungs, 'I'm Ares, the God of War! You can't talk to me like that!' That old man just smiled at me. 'The God of War? Well, I suppose I should give you an offering then. Tell me, Oh Mighty God of War, where is your temple so I can go there and offer words of praise in your honor.' That got through to me when nothing else would have. I almost felt ashamed of myself. Not quite, but almost." Ares hugged Joxer a little closer to him and was please when Joxer tightened the hold on his arms and snuggled against his chest.

"I told him that I wasn't actually the God of War, but I would be when I got older, so I didn't have a temple yet. But I would. A huge temple that could be seen for miles. He finally took pity on me. 'Well, Ares, almost God of War, I'm Micus. And since I'm a warrior I suppose I'll end worshipping you. But since you're a small God, and you don't need a huge temple yet, please consider this house your first temple. Come here whenever you like.' 'Of course I'll come whenever I like, it's my temple.' He didn't smile, but I think he was amused."

"I must have come here everyday for five years. Then I accepted my Godhood and grew up over night. I still came to see Micus the next day. He immediately knew who I was, but he didn't fall down and worship me. He treated me just like he always had. I learned a lot from that old man, more than I've ever learned from anyone else. I took him to Thrace with me to see my temple when it was finished." Ares laughed in rememberence. "I don't think he was really impressed by it. 'Well, it is big.' Was all he said." Ares grew quiet for a moment. "It was about ten years later when Micus died, and I had a lot of temples by then. Before he went, he asked me if I could look after the place occasionally. I told him I would, after all, it was my first temple."

"He sounds like a nice man. I wish I could have met him."

"You can, if you really want to. I visit him in the Elysium Fields whenever I get a chance. I think he'll like you. But he will give you a hard time about taking up with the likes of me." Ares nuzzled his face into Joxer's hair. When he didn't protest, or try to move away, Ares decided to take it a step further. Sweeping the long hair aside, he exposed the long curve of Joxer's neck. Pressing his lips to that soft flesh, he felt Joxer shudder. Ares growled softly when Joxer tilted his head to one side to give him more room. Nibbling little bites were scattered amidst slow wet kisses on every patch of skin Ares could reach. But it wasn't nearly enough.

Ares wrapped one hand in Joxer's hair and turned his head towards him. He kissed the soft patch of skin under Joxer's ear and spread kisses along his jaw before turning Joxer to face him. The smile on Joxer's face was shaky, but it was a real smile. Ares could read no fear in those big brown eyes, just uncertainty mixed with longing. Ares stared into those eyes while he moved down to kiss those soft lips again. This time, unlike the first, Joxer was a willing participate from the beginning.

Ares had planned on a slow and easy kiss, but those lips were sweeter than he remembered. Moving back just enough to look into those eyes again, Ares watched as uncertainty was replaced by need. Joxer raised his hands to Ares' chest and his lips for another one of those mind numbing kisses. He got what he wanted. Lips ground together while tongues stabbed and twisted.

Ares knew they needed to slow down, but Joxer was making breathless little moans that did nothing to cool the fire raging in his veins. Ares forced himself to step away from temptation. The hurt look that crossed Joxer's face brought him right back.

Ares cupped Joxer's face in his hands and made those sad, brown eyes meet his own. "Joxer, I want you." Ares let out a harsh laugh. "Believe me, I 'want' you. But we have to slow down. If we don't, I'm liable to rip your clothes off and take what I want. I don't want to hurt you, but I could."

Joxer shook his head. "I don't care. I feel like my blood is boiling and my skin 'itches'. We can't stop now or I'll go insane."

Ares let out a shuddering breath at Joxer's words and the need in his eyes. He rested his forehead against Joxer's, trying to bring himself under some kind of control. "It's the bond Joxer. All of our power as Gods is going to form the bond. It'll keep pushing us until it's complete."

"Let's finish it then, I don't think I can take much more of this."

Ares took a shuddering breath, and led Joxer over to the bed. Joxer pulled off his boots and sat on the edge of the bed. There was a bottle of wine and glasses on the table next to the bed. Ares poured them both a glass. Handing one to Joxer, he sat next to him.

"Where did this come from Ares?"

"I left a few things here for us before the ceremony." Ares was doing his best to not think about the vial of oil sitting just inches from his hand.

Ares took off his boots, daggers and belt. When he started to unlace his vest, Joxer took a large gulp of the wine. Some of it spilled from the corner of his mouth and ran down his throat to pool in the hollow there.

Ares watched that trickle of wine and couldn't stop the groan that came from his throat. He took the glass from Joxer's hand and put it back on the table. He leaned over Joxer and followed that same path with his tongue. Frustrated when the silk shirt got in his way, Ares ripped it down the middle. Leaving the torn silk hanging from Joxer's shoulders, Ares ran his tongue over that smooth throat, cleaning up the last of the wine.

Joxer leaned back on his hands, letting his head fall onto his shoulders. Ares straddled his legs and ran one hot hand up Joxer's chest. Lightly rubbing the nipple swelling against his palm, Ares licked and bit the muscle of Joxer's shoulder where it met his neck.

Joxer fell back onto the bed, his arms shaking too much to hold him upright. Following him down, nudging those long legs apart with his knees, Ares settled between them. When his erection brushed against the one below him, Joxer shook and moaned. Ares latched onto those moaning lips and thrust his tongue into that sweet mouth. Joxer arched up against him, causing their erections to brush against each other once again. This time they both moaned.

Joxer was burning up. His hands frantic, he tried to pull the leather vest off Ares while trying to pull him closer at the same time. Ares pulled away and Joxer almost sobbed in frustration.

Standing beside the bed, Ares yanked his vest off over his head. Not willing to fight the laces holding his cock prisoner, he ripped them open and shoved the black leather done over muscular hips. Working them down his legs, he finally managed to get them off.

Looking up at Joxer, he saw that he had removed the remains of his silk shirt and was now attacking the laces on his own pants. Ares grabbed the waistband, pulled the grey suede off and let it drop to the floor.

Ares slowly crawled up the bed and slipped between the legs sprawled so invitingly. They both groaned when skin brushed against skin. Ares looked into Joxer's eyes. "Joxer, I don't think we can wait any more. It has to be now, before we both completely lose control. I'll be as gentle as I can."

Joxer was scared, but the fire in his blood was overwhelming. "It's okay Ares. What... what do I need to do?"

"Just try to relax."

Joxer stared up at Ares, disbelief in his eyes. "You're kidding, right?"

Ares shook his head, "Roll over onto your side, it'll be easier on you that way."

Joxer obediently turned, then stiffened when he felt Ares' cock brush against his ass. Ares ran his hand down Joxer's side, trying to soothe him. "Sshh, it's okay. Joxer, I have to prepare you. If it hurts, tell me okay?"

Joxer nodded his head shakily, totally beyond speech at this point. He felt Ares shift on the bed, and then one oiled finger was slipping between his asscheeks. It teased the entrance to his body. Not penetrating, just slowly caressing the skin. Then the tip slid inside a bit before retreating. Again and again until it easily passed the barrier.

Ares felt Joxer stiffen against the intrusion. "Joxer, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Go ahead." Joxer consciously forced his muscles to relax. It didn't hurt, in fact, waves of pleasure were radiating from that intimate caress. Joxer hadn't expected to enjoy what was happening, just endure it. But not only was he enjoying it, he wanted more. Joxer pulled one knee up, opening himself wider. Ares slid a second finger in with the first. Joxer moaned and wrapped his hands around the pillow under his head, clenching it tightly.

Ares watched as a shudder ran down the pale back before him. Beads of sweat beginning to form on the skin. Breathing heavily, he thrust his fingers in a little harder, a little faster. He was rewarded when Joxer pushed back against his thrusts. Ares added more oil and three fingers returned to open Joxer's body to him.

Joxer panted, trying to catch his breath. It was too much. Practically sobbing, he begged, "Ares, please. Now. I can't take any more."

Ares heard the plea in that voice and silently thanked the Fates that Joxer wanted this as much as he did. Ares pulled his fingers from Joxer's body and oiled his cock. Steadying himself with one hand, he placed the tip against the ring of flesh. Slowly, he began to push inside, rocking back and forth, he sank into the responsive body below him. When he was completely inside, he almost lost his mind. It was so hot, so tight. He could feel every movement of the muscles holding him. He pulled out a little and thrust back in. It felt even better the second time.

Joxer felt Ares' cock begin to enter his body. He didn't think it could get any hotter, he was wrong. He felt his body opening, practically begging for that hard cock to get inside him. Joxer whimpered when Ares finally made it all the way in. And screamed as Ares began to thrust.

Ares heard pleasure, not pain in that scream. He thrust harder and Joxer began babbling, pleading, promising anything, "Just don't stop!" Ares had no intention of stopping. This was too good. He could feel every wave of pleasure radiating through Joxer's body and it made his own that much greater.

Ares pushed Joxer completely over onto his stomach, and pulled him up on his knees. He wrapped one hand in Joxer's hair and the other clenched a hip. Ares pulled almost all the way out and slammed back in. At the same time, he pulled on Joxer's hair, forcing him up and onto Ares' lap. The moan coming from Joxer's throat dropped an octave when the hard cock riding him went in even deeper.

Ares let go of the grip he had on Joxer's hair, wrapping his arm around Joxer's chest. Joxer leaned back against the warm chest behind him and let his head rest on Ares' shoulder. Ares rocked a little, pushing his cock against the gland inside that hot body. Joxer convulsed, but didn't come.

Ares slid one hand down between Joxer's legs and rubbed the soft patch of skin behind his balls. Joxer let out one small whimper, it was all he was capable of. Ares kept rocking and rubbing until Joxer's mind floated away. He sat impaled on that hard cock, every muscle but one completely limp.

Ares had kept Joxer on edge for an inhumanly long time, but he needed Joxer to want this again and again. It was time, Ares could feel the bond getting stronger. Random thoughts, not his own, drifting through his mind.

Ares wrapped his hand in a tight fist around Joxer's cock. Thrusting hard and fast, pumping his fist in the same rhythm, he felt the orgasm approaching. Then it was there.

The bond burst into being, Ares was Joxer and Joxer was Ares. The ecstasy of completion echoing back and forth until it became never ending. There was no separation between the two. They knew everything there was to know about the other. All their wants, dreams, fears and desires laid bare. Neither had ever been happier, more fulfilled or more frightened of what was to come.

======
Utter Chaos 14
Waking
====

Ares had only been asleep for a pitiful few hours when the heat forced him to open his eyes. He lay there for a moment trying to remember where he was and who he was with. A sleepy murmur beneath his ear brought it all back to him. The ceremony, Joxer, forming the bond.

Those last memories put a smile on Ares' face. Sex had never been that good before, and with a little patience, it could get better. They hadn't had time for nearly all that Ares had wanted to do. Ares shuddered as he remembered Joxer begging him not to stop, and the way he had totally surrendered. Nothing held back. Ares didn't want to wait to feel that overwhelming surge of pleasure again, and there was no time like the present.

Ares raised his head just enough to see Joxer sprawled over his chest, his hair obscuring his face from Ares' view. One long, slim leg, resting between his own, put a pleasant amount of pressure on his stirring cock.

Shifting carefully, Ares managed to get them both on their sides facing each other. Ares wrapped one darkly furred leg over Joxer's almost hairless ones, pulling him closer. He gritted his teeth when his erection slid across the one Joxer was sporting, causing a surge to roll through the bond. Joxer pressed closer, releasing Ares' name on a sigh, but didn't awaken.

He nuzzled Joxer's face, pressing light kisses over his lips. He traced those same lips with the tip of his tongue, coaxing them open. Ares slid his tongue into Joxer's mouth, lightly teasing, before withdrawing to nibble on his lips.

Joxer finally opened sleepy eyes to stare into the smiling ones next to him. A languid smile crept across his face. "Ares. Morning." He breathed softly, before returning the kiss.

Breaking away with a groan, Joxer stretched to ease the ache in his back. Ares froze as a wave of pain slammed into him.

Staring into Joxer's pale face, he asked, "What's wrong? Where are you hurt?"

Joxer turned red and wouldn't look at him. Ares understood immediately. "Oh." He very carefully pulled Joxer back over onto his chest and began rubbing tense shoulders. "We'll go home, a long hot bath and you'll feel better."

Joxer, with his face buried in Ares' chest, quietly apologized. "I'm sorry."

"For what, Joxer? It's not your fault you're sore, it's mine. I wasn't exactly in control of myself last night. I'd heal you if I could, but the damage one God inflicts on another can only heal with time. You'll be as good as new in a few days."

Joxer murmured something so quietly Ares couldn't hear him, but he did feel the embarrassment Joxer was giving off. "Joxer, there is no need to be embarrassed by anything with me. I've been inside your mind and you've been in mine. Tell me what you said."

Joxer looked up worriedly. "Ares, I thought once we were bonded we became one person in two bodies. Why can't you hear what I'm thinking?"

"It's still too new. The bond is there, it just needs time and care to mature. Once that happens, we'll be able to hear each other's thoughts. Until then, we can just share feelings. Physical and emotional." Ares knew what Joxer was trying to do, and he wasn't going to let him. Raising Joxer's chin, he forced him to look at him. "Now, tell me what you said Joxer."

The blush on Joxer's face got deeper, if such a thing was possible. "I said, I didn't want to wait a few days. I want to feel like that again."

Ares smiled brightly at his husband. "So do I, Joxer. But there are other things that feel just as good, and won't cause you any pain. At least not the kind you're feeling now."

Joxer fought a war with himself, and need won. "Teach me?"

Ares tightened his hold, "I thought you'd never ask. Ready to go home?"

"Yes, I am." Joxer grinned mischievously at his mate. "Ares. Did I tell you why I married you?"

Ares had the feeling he was going to regret this, "No Joxer, you didn't. I'm assuming it was to save humanity." Ares smirked into laughing brown eyes. "That and the fact that I'm incredibly sexy."

Joxer looked at him seriously, "No Ares. Although, I do admit, you're not bad to look at. It was the tub."

Ares gaped at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Then I guess I should take you to it. Are you going to share?"

Joxer kissed him solemnly. "With you? Always." He laid his head back on Ares' chest. "Now, let's go find some bubbles."

=======
Lessons
=======

Ares transported Joxer and himself directly into the bathing pool in his temple on Mount Olympus. He laughed when Joxer let out a sigh of pure bliss as he settled into the steaming water. Ares lounged next to him, letting his head rest on the curved edge. The lack of sleep catching up with him, Ares let his eyes drift close. A loud rumbling noise broke the silence before he could fall asleep. He was suddenly starving.

He opened one eye to look at Joxer. "Hungry?"

"Yeah. Actually, I'm starving. But I thought Gods didn't need to eat?"

Ares made a rude noise in response. "Who told you that?"

"Hercules did." Joxer replied.

Ares sighed, he hated that name. "I'm not surprised. Listen, Joxer, you need to remember this. As long as you're in this form, you have to eat. And sleep and all those other things mortals do. It's only when we're in our natural state that we don't have to worry about all of that."

Joxer gulped, "Natural state? This isn't my natural state?"

Ares tugged Joxer over until he was sitting across Ares' lap. "Calm down Joxer, there's nothing to be worried about. You've seen me in my natural state lots of times."

Joxer racked his brains, but couldn't remember ever seeing Ares other than he was. "When?"

"Every time you've seen me appear in a flash of light. That light is me. When we travel from place to place, all Gods revert back to their natural state. We take these forms to make it easier to move about amongst mortals. I'm rather fond of this body."

"So, I could look like anyone?" Joxer asked. Already picturing himself taller and with more muscles.

"Yes, but it takes energy to change your appearance and maintain it. Every God's energy pattern is different, when we take solid form, that energy pattern determines what we look like. We can change things like hair length, or grow a beard, but those are minor changes. To make a bigger change, like height, you have to change your energy pattern. That is extremely difficult to do, and not really worth the effort involved."

"Oh. Guess I'll just stay like this then." Joxer said dispiritedly.

Ares hugged him a little closer, "Come on, let's eat." Ares had an idea. "Why don't you make us something? You need to start learning how to use your powers. I'll talk you through it."

Joxer was startled, he'd forgotten he had powers of his own. "Okay, what do I need to do?"

"What is your favorite thing to eat? The better you know something, the easier it is to make."

Joxer laughed, "That's easy. Roast lamb with mint stuffing. Um, and Baklava. I *love* Baklava."

Ares laughed at the greedy tone in Joxer's voice. "Okay, let's start with the lamb first. You need to concentrate, picture the roast in your head, how it looks, how it smells and tastes."

Joxer closed his eyes and tried to picture it in his head. It had been a couple of years, but he remembered it clearly. So clearly, he could almost smell it. His eyes flew open when he realized he 'was' smelling it. There was a perfect example of roast lamb, resting on the floor next to the pool. His cheeks flushed, he turned to Ares. "Um, I kinda forgot the platter."

Ares struggled to keep the laughter welling up in his chest from bursting free. He didn't want Joxer to think he was laughing at him. "It's nothing to worry about Joxer, we'll just try again. But first, let's get rid of this one. Picture it in your mind as it is, and then slowly let it fade away to nothing."

Joxer closed his eyes again, doing as Ares said. Ares watched as the roast disappears, and is replaced by another. This one resting on a ceramic platter. Joxer opened his eyes in time to catch the grin on Ares' face. "Well done, Joxer. I'm impressed. It took me a couple of days to get that right." Joxer beamed at the unexpected praise. "Now, let's see how it tastes." Joxer's mouth watered as he watched Ares pull off a large chunk of meat, chewing it slowly before he swallowed. "It's perfect. Come on. Eat. You need to keep up your strength." Ares said with an evil leer.

Joxer blushed, but dug into the first food he'd had in two days.

After both Gods had had their fill, Joxer carefully disposed of the few scraps they had left behind before attempting the Baklava.

His grandmother had made it for him frequently. Sticky sweet with honey. The dough flaky, with nuts spilling from the sides. Joxer opened his eyes to spot a large plate of the beloved sweet resting where the roast had been.

He grabbed a large piece and proceeded to devour it. All the while, completely ignoring the God whose lap he was resting in. By the time he had finished, his mouth was covered with honey and his fingers were sticking together. Happily, he stuck one finger in his mouth to lick it clean. He felt, more than heard, the low growl coming from deep in Ares' chest.

Eyes wide, and one sticky finger still in his mouth, he turned to look at Ares, . Joxer's heart began to beat faster at the look in Ares' dark eyes. With an odd sort of detachment, he watched as Ares slowly reached for his hand, pulling it towards his own mouth. Joxer's limbs felt heavy, and his breathing increased as Ares started cleaning his fingers with his mouth. First sucking, then nibbling with strong, white teeth before finally laving them one by one with broad sweeps of his tongue.

All of Joxer's blood rushed downward when Ares let loose of his hand and pulled Joxer's face closer.

Ares stared at the honey gracing those already sweet lips. "Joxer." was all he said before he attacked. He wrapped his hands in Joxer's hair, holding him still for the assault.

He ground his mouth against Joxer's, forcing it open to accept his tongue. He thrust savagely, reveling in the feel of strong hands clutching his shoulders and the whimpers Joxer made as he struggled to get closer. Surges of want, need, lust and desire echoed through the bond, until they could no longer tell which one they were coming from.

Ares let go of Joxer's hair and grabbed the back of his thighs, turning him to straddle his lap.

Joxer wrapped his legs around Ares' waist, pulling himself closer and closer, until his leaking cock rode hard against the stiff member rising up from a tangle of dark curls.

Ares grabbed Joxer's hand and clenched it in a tight fist around both of their erections. Joxer tore his lips from Ares' to moan when Ares grabbed him by the hips, moving them in time with his own. Helping him to match the strength and rhythm of those hard thrusts.

Their thrusts turned ragged quickly, the feelings coming from the other too much to withstand. Joxer felt a ball of pure fire rushing up from the base of his spine. It spread throughout his body and finally escaped from his cock, sending his entire body into spasms. He heard Ares' exultant shout at the same time he felt it in their bond. Too weak to hold it upright, his head fell forward to rest on Ares' broad shoulder.

Ares moved them from the pool and dried them with a thought. He walked down the hall to the bedroom, Joxer still wrapped around his body. He peeled him loose and tucked him into bed, before spooning up behind him. He smiled lazily at the feeling of smug happiness Joxer was sending him, and then joined his lover in the land of dreams.

=======
Dreaming
======

Joxer strolled aimlessly amongst the roses in Zeus' garden. He loved it here and couldn't wait to start his own. He'd have to remember to ask Ares where he could start one. In the center of the garden was a new rose, Joxer moved closer to see what Zeus had come up with this time.

It was a very small bush and had only a single bloom. But it was beautiful. The petals shifted and danced, the color changing from one instant to the next. And the perfume was like no other. It smelled like a cool breeze coming off the ocean on a hot summer day.

Joxer knelt on the ground, entranced by the shifting colors. He lost all sense of time, content to let everything slip away. It was only when a body blocked his view of the wonderful rose that he realized that he was no longer alone. He looked up at a sight that made the blood in his veins freeze.

---------------

Ares knew full well that he was dreaming, but no matter. Reliving past conquests was always good. He settled in to enjoy the precision of battle when sounds of fear and pain drew his attention away. He turned towards the sounds, irritated that someone was disturbing him. As he moved closer, he realized he was in Zeus' rose garden. He didn't really like it here, it was too distracting. He could lose himself for hours here, just staring at the roses and letting the perfume in the air pull his thoughts away.

He moved to the center of the garden, to where the sounds where. The sight that met his eyes made his blood boil.

Joxer was on the ground, bleeding badly. His 'family' and 'friends' standing over his broken body, laughing, ridiculing him.

"Poor little Joxer, thought he could be a God." "The fool couldn't even spend the night with Ares without getting hurt." "How does he think he's going to control the Chaos?" "He'll be the destruction of us all." "We have to destroy him, this can't be allowed to happen." "What about Ares?" "He won't save him, he means nothing to him."

Ares realized that these people were merely reflections. Joxer's own fears brought to life in his dreams. But that did nothing to quell his rage. Joxer was his! No one was allowed to treat the Consort to the God of War like that. It was an insult, and Ares did not deal well with insults.

Ares drew his sword, the physical embodiment of his Godhood, and proceeded to wreck havoc on Joxer's fears. None were spared. The damage done to Joxer healed itself as the angry God dealt blow after blow. A lifetime of insecurities laid to rest with every swing of that massive sword.

And when it was done, Joxer stood before his God, mate and savior. He met those dark brown eyes without fear, nothing held back, and finally let the bond between them find it's home in his soul.

---------------

Hercules and Gabrielle were exhausted after two days of hard travel, but they had finally reached their goal. Now to retrieve the dagger.

Hercules roared with rage when he realized their weapon was gone, and with it their hope of destroying the Gods and saving their friends.

Gabrielle tugged on Hercules' arm, trying to get his attention. "Hercules, stop. We don't have time for this. We have to decide what to do. We've come this far, we can't stop now."

"The dagger is gone Gabrielle. Don't you understand? We needed it and it's gone! We don't have time to come up with another plan. Joxer will become the God of Chaos soon. We've run out of time."

"We have to have faith Hercules. It's gotten us this far. I don't believe the Light will let us down now. We have to believe and ask for guidance." Gabrielle knelt in the dust and raised her eyes to the heavens. "Eli, we beseech thee. Show us what we must do."

Hercules and Gabrielle stared in amazement as Eli appeared before them. "Children, you have come so far. Why do you rest now? There is still much to be done to bring about the end of Chaos."

"Eli, we needed the dagger with the hind's blood. It is the only weapon we had against the Gods, but it has disappeared. Can you help us?"

Eli looked down on them, "This is a serious request. The Light does not believe in acting directly against Olympus." Eli closed his eyes as if in thought. After a moment, he opened them to smile at the two before him. "Do you freely accept the consequences of your actions?" Hercules and Gabrielle both nodded their acceptance. The dagger appeared in Eli's hand and he gave it to Hercules with a loving smile upon his face. "Use this weapon well children. And let the Light guide your hand." Eli faded from view as the warriors of the Light left for Zeus' temple to make their way to Olympus.

======
Getting Closer
=====

Joxer was warm and happy. In fact, he couldn't remember when he'd ever been happier. He yawned hugely, and stretched, feeling a dull ache inside. But even that minor pain was a cause for happiness. A lingering reminder of his first night with Ares. Joxer squirmed, snuggling deeper into the soft bedding and closer to the warm body curled around him.

A mischievous smirk crossed his face when he felt a scorching heat rub against the back of his thighs. He pushed back and had to stiffle a groan when strong arms pulled him closer and the source of that heat slid between his thighs, the weeping head brushing against the sensitive patch of skin behind his balls.

A deep shudder ran down his spine when hard lips ran down the back of his neck and across his shoulders. /I hope you have a really good reason for waking me up Joxer./

/Ares?/

/Were you expecting someone else?/

/No, but... The bond is finished?/

/Yes, but I'm not./ Ares pulled Joxer's leg back up over both of his own, leaving him open to anything Ares wanted. One hand went wandering, stroking lightly in some places before moving on. In others it would linger, pausing to pinch a hard nipple or one finger dipping into the shallow dimple of a bellybutton.

Joxer lay trembling in Ares' arms, his body flushed from the pleasurable caresses. Ares' thoughts began forming images in Joxer's mind. Images of everything Ares wanted to do to him, and have him do to Ares. The image of Ares bending him over the altar in the Halls of War and taking him without care or restraint finally made Joxer snap.

Joxer's mind shut down completely, he merely followed the path Ares laid before him in his mind. He twisted in Ares' arms and pushed until Ares lay on his back. Joxer moved over him, brushing their erections over each other and then moving away. He kissed Ares hard, thrusting his tongue into his mouth before moving wet lips down Ares' throat. He lapped at the sweat pooling in the hollow at the base of his neck before outlining his collar bone with his teeth.

Nipples hiding in swirls of soft, dark hair were sought out, then licked and teased until they were painfully hard. A teasing tongue flirted with rippling muscles while warm hands sweep up the insides of Ares' thighs. When that same tongue lapped at the leaking head of Ares' cock, they groaned in unison.

Joxer's lips attacked that cock as if he were starving. Nibbling and sucking the hard flesh as he slid one hand between tight buttocks.

He stroked lightly across the quivering opening before allowing one finger to slip inside. It was so hot and slick. The fact that Ares had prepared himself nearly made Joxer come on the spot. Ares felt the rising tide and wrapped his mind around Joxer's, quelling it for the moment.

Joxer slid two fingers inside and began working them in and out as he sucked more of the hard cock that had brought him so much pleasure into his mouth. Joxer could feel his own cock jump at every moan and twitch coming from the God beneath him.

/Joxer, now./ Ares' command was forceful and left no room for refusal. Joxer rose up onto his knees, pulling Ares' legs around his waist.

The first thrust into that heated passage made Joxer think that every bad thing that had ever happened to him was worth it if it had brought him to this time and place. The second convinced him, the bond allowing him to feel Ares' pleasure as if it were his own.

Time lost all meaning. There was only the meeting of flesh and the overwhelming joy it evoked. They both began thrusting a little faster, a little harder, wanting more from the other. Joxer leaned down to meet Ares' mouth, their tongues tangling as thought faded away.

Joxer came first, feeling that hot cream filling him pushed Ares over with him. Bodies trembled while lungs fought for air.

Joxer collapsed on Ares' chest, unable to move. His last thought before losing consciousness made Ares roar with laughter.

/It's good to be me./

=======
The Joining
=======

The next two days passed quickly, Ares and Joxer spending most of their time in bed or in that massive tub Joxer enjoyed so much. Surprisingly, most of that time was spent talking. The bond afforded Joxer the luxury to be himself, not what others expected of him, and Ares was amazed at the change that came over his husband.

To his delight, Ares discovered an agile mind and a well developed, albeit twisted, sense of humor hidden behind the facade of a fool. He'd also discovered an obstinate streak several leagues wide, with a temper to match. Ares had no idea how Joxer had gone this long without killing someone.

They argued about politics, religion, battle strategies, roses, food and even bubble bath. Everything except Dahak and Joxer's coming ascension. Ares knew that discussion couldn't be put off any longer.

"Joxer, we need to go see Zeus and the others. We have to get ready for your ascension, and decide what to do about Dahak."

Joxer pulled his head up from where it had been resting on Ares' chest long enough to glare at his lover. With a huff, he rolled over and buried his face in his pillow. "Can't we do it tomorrow? I'm perfectly happy where I am and I don't want to get up."

"I don't want to get up either, but we're running out of time. Besides, if we don't go see Zeus, he's liable to come to us. I'm surprised he hasn't already, he's knows we're here."

Joxer yawned and pulled the blankets up over his shoulder. "Let him come, but I'm not getting up."

Ares was rapidly losing his temper. Knowing Joxer could feel just how close he was to the edge made Ares even angrier. And when Joxer reached out one long arm to pull Ares' pillow out from under his head to add to his own pile, Ares finally snapped.

He rolled out of their bed, dressing himself as he landed on his feet. He yanked all the blankets off the bed and threw them on the floor. "Get out of that bed right now, or you will regret it."

Joxer merely sat up, grabbed the blankets from the floor and laid back down, completely ignoring the furious God standing before him.

Ares wouldn't have been surprised to learn that smoke was coming out of his ears. Even Hercules couldn't make him this angry. He snatched Joxer out of the bed and carried him, cursing at the top of his lungs, to the bathing pool. Without a pause, he threw Joxer into the pool, head first. The scream that emerged when Joxer discovered the water to be ice cold was impressive.

Ares smirked down at his dripping wet lover. "Are you ready to be reasonable yet?"

Joxer swiped the water from his face with one hand. He looked at Ares, then back down into the icy water. Without a word, Joxer climbed out of the tub, dried off and got dressed. Ares tried to see what was going on in Joxer's head, but he wouldn't let him in.

Ares grabbed Joxer by the arm as he moved past him, and was overwhelmed by the flood of thoughts and feelings coming from him. Foremost was the worry that he would fail controlling the Chaos. Joxer tried to free his arm from Ares' grasp, but couldn't get loose.

Ares pulled Joxer around to face him, but couldn't get him to met his eyes. "Joxer, you don't have to be afraid. The Fates don't make mistakes. If they say you're the one to control Chaos, then you are."

"But are they sure? Absolutely sure?"

"Joxer, there are no guarantees, not even from The Fates."

Joxer stared at the ground as if it could give him the answers he wanted, while his mind kept repeating the same thing over and over. /I wish we had never bonded./

Ares felt an irrational stab of pain when Joxer's thoughts came through the bond that he obviously despised so much. Ares dropped Joxer's arm as if it had burned him. His voice was harsh, trying to hide what he felt. "I'm sorry you feel that way Joxer. I thought we were getting along fairly well. I'm was obviously mistaken. Unfortunately, it's too late now. The bond can't be broken, we're stuck with each other."

Joxer's eyes were swimming with tears when they arose to meet Ares'. Not because of Ares' words, but at the pain Joxer had caused him. Joxer couldn't stand the fact that he had inflicted pain upon the one person who had treated him like he was worth something. "Ares, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that, well... Oh, damnit." Joxer pushed the bond open to it's fullest extent, allowing Ares to see all of his fear and insecurity.

Joxer wasn't worried about himself. If the Chaos destroyed him it was because he had failed to control it. It would be his doing and his alone. What Joxer was worried about was Ares. If he couldn't control the Chaos and it destroyed him, what would happen to Ares? The bond that had allowed him to find so much happiness could also be the instrument of death to the person who had been the root of that same happiness. Joxer wasn't ready to face that possibility yet.

Ares was stunned at the depth of emotion Joxer had for him. No one, not even his parents, had put his welfare above their own. Ares was more convinced than ever that Joxer was the right choice. And not only to be the God of Chaos. He was the right choice for Ares.

"Joxer, if you can't have faith in yourself, have faith in me. I won't let you get lost in the Chaos."

Joxer tried to smile, but didn't quite succeed, "Whatever you say Ares."

Ares wiped off the tears staining Joxer's face. "I always knew you were intelligent."

They both laughed weakly for a moment. Joxer took a deep breath and tried to regain his control. "All right Ares. Let's go see Zeus and get this over with."

---------------

Hercules and Gabrielle had made it to Olympus with the dagger. They hid in Zeus' temple knowing no one would look for them there. Now all they had to do was wait.

---------------

Zeus was in his study examining a golden torque when Ares and Joxer arrived. The fact that they were holding hands did not escape his notice, but he managed to contain the grin that wanted to cross his face.

He waved them both to the awaiting chairs. "Ares. Joxer. It's good to see you both. I was being to wonder if I was going to have to come to you." Joxer turned an interesting shade of red and hurriedly settled himself in one of the chairs.

Ares moved the chairs closer together so he could reclaim the hand he'd been holding. "Father, we've come to see about the plans for Joxer's ascension."

"Ah yes. We're nearly ready. The power sink was completed just this morning, as was Joxer's emblem. We just need to gather everyone and we can begin."

"What did you decide to use as the emblem?" Ares asked.

Zeus picked up the torque and handed it to Ares, who looked it over with a practiced eye. Solid gold with little decoration, it had a curious pattern on the curled finials. Ares traced the pattern with one finger, it looked as if a piece were missing. Zeus nodded at the torque and explained the pattern. "We located a large piece of Chaos stone to use as the power sink. One small piece, about the size of an olive, was chipped off and Hephestos set it in a broach. Once the broach is in place, the torque will seal itself permanently."

Joxer finally found the nerve to ask, "What is Chaos stone?"

"Chaos stone is a clear crystal that can be charged with pure Chaos power and not shatter. It's very rare. The stone used as the power sink is the largest I've ever seen, and perfectly shaped. It's almost as if it were meant to be used as a power sink."

Ares looked at his father with a completely serious expression on his face. "Maybe it was."

"Perhaps. But the mystery's of it's origin will have to wait until later. We can have everyone assembled by morning. Every God of Olympus, along with all of their high priests, need to be here as witnesses."

"Why do we need witnesses?" Joxer asked nervously.

Zeus explained as simply as he could. "Because you weren't born as a God, much more power is needed to activate your Godhood. And with our own power levels being so low, the high priests are needed for the extra power they will bring."

Joxer couldn't think of anything to say so he sat there quietly, listening to Zeus and Ares discuss preparations. A flicker of light caught his eye through the window. He left his chair and the discussion behind him. Outside the window was the rose garden. In the center, where there had been a small gazebo, there was now an obelisk of crystal. Joxer turned and left the room without saying a word.

Ares and Zeus fell silent as Joxer walked past them. Ares sent a query to his lover, /Joxer, what's wrong?/, but all he got in reply was a strange hum. He crossed to the window and saw Joxer heading for the power sink, "Father, gather the others, I think we've run out of time." With that, he turned and ran from the room, the golden torque still in his hand.

Zeus didn't question his son, he simply sent out the call, /Gather at the power sink now! It's time!/, Zeus stopped long enough to pick of the Chaos broach, before he too went to join Joxer at the obelisk.

The force of Zeus' command rang throughout Olympus and the world. Every God and Goddess stopped what they were doing, fetched their high priests, and arrived in the garden.

----------------

Hercules and Gabrielle took two robes from Zeus' temple priests after they knocked them unconscious. They then joined the others surrounding Joxer, waiting for just the right moment.

----------------

Joxer stood before the crystal. It was waist high and as wide as his hand was long. He ran one hand across the flat surface along the top of the obelisk and felt a small indentation. As soon as his hand passed that small imperfection the humming that had been clouding his mind changed. It was now a voice, too faint to hear, but very familiar. He pushed out with his thoughts, trying to understand what the voice was whispering to him.

The slide of cool metal around his throat broke his concentration for a moment. He looked up at Ares who had just placed the golden torque around his neck. Ares smiled at him and held his free hand. Joxer started to say something, but the voice was becoming louder. He turned back to the crystal, the voice was clearer now, *Join with me* it said. Over and over.

Zeus pushed his way through the throng surrounding the crystal, finally reaching Joxer. He very carefully placed the broach in Joxer's left hand.

Joxer stared at the broach, running his thumb across the rounded surface. The voice was no longer whispering, it was now a command. *Join with me!* Joxer reached out with the broach, knowing he had to place it in that indentation in the top of the obelisk.

Hercules struck.

Joxer's hand convulsed around the broach, the metal edges embedding themselves into his palm. That pain was nothing compared to the raw agony ripping into his back. He grabbed the top of the crystal, trying to stay on his feet. The voice was screaming now, and it wasn't alone. /Joxer!/

He turned stunned eyes to his lover, not understanding what was wrong. He heard screaming and yelling behind him, but it couldn't block out the voice. *Now! You must do it now! Join with me!* Joxer placed his bleeding palm on top of the indentation, he felt an almost audible click when the crystal in the broach returned to it's original home. The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was his own blood, staining that beautifully clear crystal a dark red.

========
Becoming
=======

Ares watched Joxer reach out to place the broach against the crystal obelisk, and then pain overwhelmed him. He heard Xena scream, "Hercules! What have you done!" Joxer turned stunned brown eyes to Ares, looking for something. An explanation or help, Ares wasn't sure.

Ares managed to pull his sword, but staggered and fell to his knees. Joxer's hand was bleeding, the blood running down the crystal. Ares couldn't understand why Joxer's hand was bleeding, the dagger Hercules used was still sticking out of his back. Ares pulled the dagger free and cursed loudly. It was his dagger, the one he'd coated with Hind's blood. Joxer was dying, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He wouldn't even be able to save himself. The bond would take him at the same time the Hind's blood took Joxer. Ares felt cold suddenly, he dropped his sword as all his strength left his limbs. And then there was only darkness.

---------------

Hercules waited until Joxer was reaching for the crystal, then he shoved the Hind's blood dagger into his back. It wasn't even a heart blow, he aimed for the kidneys. The Hind's blood would ensure any strike would be fatal. He stepped back as Joxer grabbed the crystal, trying to stay upright. He prepared to defend himself when he saw Ares pulled his sword. Hercules felt vindicated when Ares went to his knees. They had won, nothing could stop them now. Hercules looked over at his father, who was staring down at Ares and Joxer.

Wounded, ancient eyes sought out his son. "Congratulations Hercules, you'll finally have what you've always wanted. A world without Gods. I hope for your sake it's all you ever dreamed of."

Hera staggered over to her son and gathered him in her arms. He was still alive, but just barely. She could feel him slipping away as she held him. She looked up at her husband, the grief already clouding her eyes. "Zeus, I want to see Hercules' corpse before I see Ares'. I want him dead, now." Zeus knelt next to his wife and son. "Let him live Hera, I want him to enjoy watching the end of the world." Hera nodded once, it didn't really matter anymore, the God's of Olympus were finished. They'd all be joining Ares and Joxer soon enough. Hercules was still gloating over Joxer's body when Xena knocked him to the ground.

Xena didn't care what her Grandfather wanted. She stood over her long time friend, sword raised, prepared to end his miserable life when Gabrielle grabbed her arm. "No Xena, it had to be done. Eli said so. Let Hercules alone. We'll get Iolaus and then we can all leave."

Xena just stared at the blond, not believing what she was hearing. "Eli told you to commit murder? Are you insane? What about the Way Gabrielle? Or don't your beliefs of non-violence matter when they get in your way?"

Gabrielle shook her head sadly, "Xena, you don't understand. Joxer becoming the God of Chaos would have been an abomination. It had to be stopped. The God's of Olympus were clouding your mind, making you see what they wanted you to see. We'll talk to Eli, he'll make you understand."

Xena shook Gabrielle's hand off of her arm. "Eli is dead Gabrielle, do you speak with ghosts now?"

Gabrielle took a step away from her friend and raised her voice to the heavens, "Eli! It is finished!"

There was a small ripple of light, and then Eli stood before them. He walked over to Joxer, still kneeling in front of the crystal, barely alive, but refusing to let go. He leaned down to whisper in the dying God's ear. "You thought you could stop me? You were wrong." Eli turned back to Gabrielle and smiled at her. "You've done well Gabrielle. You and Hercules both. As soon as Joxer and Ares are both dead, the God's of Olympus will helpless. And then the fun can begin."

Gabrielle stared at him in confusion, "Fun? What do you mean Eli?"

Eli laughed wickedly, "I guess I forgot to tell you. I'm not that whining little mortal." Everyone watched as Eli seemed to ripple and then Dahak stood before them. "Thanks to you and Hercules, no one can stop me now. Joxer and Ares were the world's only hope. And you've put an end to that." Dahak walked up and put his arm around the stunned mortal. "So tell me Gabrielle, how does it feel to be responsible for the end of the world? Did you enjoy it?"

---------------

At first, there was only darkness. Then a gradual lightening, chased through with ribbons of colorful light. Eventually, it was all light. There was no ground and no sky. Just color. Joxer knew who he was, or had been, but he had no idea where he was. He reached for Ares, with his hand and with his mind, but couldn't reach him with either. The bond was still there, but it was distant.

Joxer could feel the damage done to his body, he felt it desparately trying to heal itself. It occured to him that the healing energy flooding his body was coming from Ares. He tried to stop it, but there was no way to sever the bond. He didn't know what had happened to the voice, but he couldn't hear it anymore.

He drifted aimlessly, waiting for the end. He felt sadness that Ares was dying with him, but maybe they would be together. Where ever it was that dead God's ended up.

*Joxer. Joxer. It's time. We must join now if we are to save Ares and destroy Dahak.*

Joxer's mind was growing fuzzy, *Who are you? Do I know you? You sound so familiar.*

The voice was a warm, amused chuckle now. *I should sound familiar. I'm you, or you're me. I forget sometimes. You'll understand after we're together again.*

*What do I have to do?*

*Remember.* Memories flooded Joxer's mind. He wasn't who he'd thought he was. He never had been. He remembered the reason for the separation, and once that memory arose in his mind, they were one again.

---------------

Hera gasped when Ares jerked out of her arms and stood up. He was literally crackling with energy. He snatched up the Sword of War and headed for Dahak and Hercules.

Dahak saw him approach and laughed. "So. The God of War survived the bond. How unexpected." Dahak shrugged, "No matter, you still can't stand against me." The blast he threw at Ares knocked him to his knees.

Dahak stalked forward to stand over Ares. "Do you want to finish this now, or would you like to stick around and watch for a while? I'm getting ready to redecorate Olympus. I do hope you'll like what I have planned for your temple."

Ares tried to regain his feet. He couldn't feel his bond with Joxer anymore, but he was afraid to look at him. Unwilling to see the dead body of his husband but determined to do as much damage as possible before Dahak destroyed him.

Ares attacked Dahak, totally ignoring everyone and everything around him. He would have revenge for Joxer, if it was the last thing he did. Dahak merely smirked and toyed with the angry God, confident that he could do nothing to harm him.

Xena attacked Hercules at the same time. Determined that he would die for allowing Dahak's return.

Gabrielle sat on the ground, stunned. She couldn't believe that she had been aiding Dahak.

No one was paying attention to Joxer. They all believed him dead. He stood and took in the scene before him. Enough was enough.

*Stop this at once.* That voice echoed throughout Olympus. It whispered and screamed. It was one voice and yet it was a thousand voices. It was Joxer, and yet it was not.

Ares whipped around, but not at the sound of that voice. He felt his bond with Joxer surge back into life, stronger than ever. He didn't see Dahak thrusting the Hind's blood dagger at his back, but Joxer did.

Joxer ran to Ares, and through him, emerging from his back in time to take the blow meant to destroy Ares. He looked at the dagger sticking out of his chest and then raised his eyes to Dahak. *That wasn't really very nice.* He pulled the dagger out with an obscene sucking sound. He stared at it for a moment, and then it crumbled to dust. He brushed his hands off, ignoring Dahak.

He looked back to Dahak, and raised on brow in surprise. *Are you still here? I'd have thought you'd have left by now.*

Dahak snarled at the being before him. "Why are you still alive? The Hind's blood should have killed you."

*It would have if I were a God. But I'm not exactly. If you'll look, I think you know who I am. If you haven't howled your mind empty by now.*

Dahak looked over 'thing' standing in front of him, a look of stunned disbelief on his face. "It's not possible! What are you doing here?" Dahak screamed. He leveled a blast of pure rage at his nemesis, prepared to do anything to destroy him.

Joxer didn't even try to defend himself. He calmly asked, *Well, brother? Shall we end it now?*

Dahak screamed in rage, and vanished.

Joxer turned to face the shocked crowd staring at him. A look of consternation crossed his face, *What?*

Ares walked up to Joxer, and looked into those familiar brown eyes. "I think you have some explaining to do."

======
Revelations
=======

Joxer looked into Ares' angry eyes, "I'm not sure I can explain. It's complicated."

"Well try. Because you aren't going anywhere until I find out who you are and what you've done with Joxer."

Joxer didn't have the heart to tell him that there was nothing he could do if he decided to leave. "All right, I'll try. But can we at least sit down? This may take a while."

Ares materialized several benches and chairs. Enough for everyone, except Joxer. Joxer looked at his lover, reclining in a comfortable chair, and sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.

Joxer made as if to sit on the ground but stopped when he saw Hercules and Gabrielle trying to sneak away. "Um, Ares? What about them?" He pointed at the pair, who were making good time through the roses.

Ares waved a hand at the pair, stopping them in their tracks. "They won't be going anywhere. Now quit stalling and start explaining, before I get really angry." Joxer saw several of the other Gods nodding their heads in agreement and groaned. He tried for a moment to link to Ares' mind, but he was blocking him. He was going to have to do this the hard way.

"All right, but I have to start at the beginning."

"That would be good." Ares said snidely.

"I'm still Joxer, that hasn't really changed. It's just that now I remember what I am." Joxer said.

Zeus had to ask. "What are you? You aren't one of us. None of us can withstand the Hind's Blood."

Joxer took a deep breath, "I'm Chaos. Or rather the being you think of as Chaos power. I've always been here. I'm part of everything you see. Even yourselves."

The Gods of Olympus started shouted angry questions, demanding he explain himself. Ares finally held up a hand and they fell quiet.

"Maybe I can show you, it might make it easier to understand." Joxer materialized a large basin of water and a stone sphere. He placed the sphere in the water until it was covered. Still touching the sphere, he tried to make them understand. "This represents your world and everything in it. The water is me as I truly am."

Joxer sat on the ground next to the basin. "When this world was created, I tied myself to it. I admit that I did this out of boredom, I wanted to see what would happen. What happened was the world became alive. And with that life came consciousness, so Gaia was born. She made the first of the living things. Plants, animals and eventually humans. In time, the Gods came into being. This was because the humans wished it. They used the power granted them by my presence here to will them into being." Joxer sat silently for a moment, wondering just how much to tell them. He felt Ares in their bond, fear and anger overwhelming anything else. He decided that at least Ares deserved the truth. He owed him that.

"The humans of course had no idea what they were doing, but I couldn't interfere. If I had, this world and everything on it would have been destroyed. So I let it happen. The first Gods took over, ruling the humans and changing things as they saw fit. I believe you called them Titans. I didn't like what they were doing, so with a nudge here and there, the first Gods of Olympus came into being." Joxer nodded at Zeus and the other first ones.

"At the time when Olympus fought against the Titans, there was an incident. Or an accident rather. I try not to interfere with you, but everything that happens here affects me. A group of humans, for no reason at all, slaughtered a child. There was nothing for them to gain from this. They did it because they could. When a living thing dies, my energy tied to it comes back to me. I know everything every living being on this world knew during their life. The energy tied to that child came back to me tainted. So twisted and warped I couldn't integrate it back into myself, so I split in two pieces. And so Dahak was born."

Joxer stopped for a moment, the sadness he'd felt when he was unable to take the child's essence back into himself making itself known again. Joxer shook his head and continued. "With every act of senseless violence, Dahak grows stronger. And I don't mean war. War has it's place and purpose. Humans need it for some reason. But murder, rape, and the thousand other cruelties humans come up with to infict on each other, Dahak feeds on that energy. And he pushes to get more."

"I called him brother, because he is. He is no match for me, but I can't destroy him. If I did, all of his energy would be released at once, and this world and everything on it would die. I'm not willing to let that happen."

Joxer looked up at Ares, begging him to understand. "There was no way for me to talk to you directly, and I needed to. Humans created Dahak, they are the ones who have to destroy him. But they'll need help, my help. So, I found a child, not yet born. One who would never be born, his heart was damaged and he was dying while still sleeping in his mother. I put a small piece of myself into that child, healed it, made it strong and intelligent. Then I erased all memories of who it was from it's mind. Until now. Once Joxer joined with me, we became one again. I can now directly alter events on this world without damaging it, or any one on it. Do you understand why I did this?"

Zeus stood and walked up to Joxer, "Yes we do, and thank you for telling us." He looked over to Ares, and then back to Joxer. "I think we will leave you alone two alone for now. Can I talk to you again later?"

Joxer stood and nodded his assent. "There is much for us to discuss. But first, I need to take care of something." Joxer closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they had changed. They were now a silvery gray, chased through with ribbons of light. He smiled slighty and everyone felt a ripple of energy pass through them.

The Gods of Olympus stood as one, and breathed deeply. They had never had this much power. Pure, clean power. They all chattered happily, making plans on how to use their new found strength. Everyone except Ares. He stay seated, still staring at his 'husband'. This wasn't over yet, not nearly.

=======
Decisions
=======

The Pantheon of Olympus slowly wandered out of the garden. Many casting inquiring looks over their shoulders at the pair still standing there.

Joxer locked down on their bond, he didn't want Ares to know just how nervous he was. "So, Ares. Did you want to fight about this here or at home?"

"Where's home? My temple," Ares gestured wildly with one hand, "or out there somewhere."

Joxer winced at the anger in Ares' voice. "I'd rather go to your temple, if you don't mind. I don't really think you'd like where I'm from."

"Fine. Whatever. Let's get this over with." Ares didn't want to lose Joxer, but he didn't see how they could stay together now. Both men turned and headed out of the garden. They'd only traveled a few feet when Aphrodite stopped them.

"Joxie, I need to talk to you." 'Dite didn't care who Joxer was, he was always going to be Joxie to her.

"Can it wait Aphrodite? Ares and I have a few things we really need to discuss."

"It'll only take a few, promise. I need to know if you can fix Iolaus."

Joxer shook his head in confusion, "What's wrong with Iolaus?"

"Somebody put a whammy on him. We had to put him in a time bubble to keep him alive." 'Dite went into a long winded explanation of exactly what had happened.

Ares just stood there silently, his anger growing by leaps and bounds. It was finally just to much. "Joxer, I'm going home. You can find me there if you ever have the time to talk to me." Ares stalked away without a backwards glance.

'Dite stared after him, "Huh, what's his problem?"

Joxer really wanted to kill something, but he knew it wouldn't help. "I'll take care of it. Now, let's go see to Iolaus."

'Dite smiled brightly, Ares already forgotten.

---------------

Zeus and Xena stared at Hercules and Gabrielle. "So, what should we do with them Grandfather?"

"I'm not really sure. Let's just lock them up for now. I'm sure Joxer and Ares would like to handle this themselves."

"You're probably right." Xena spoke softly to Gabrielle, "I love you Gabrielle, but I can't save you this time."

Zeus and Xena hustled their prisoners towards Zeus' temple and met Joxer and Aphrodite along the way.

"Joxer," Zeus called, "I was wondering what you wanted done with these two."

"I haven't really had a chance to think about it yet Zeus, I'll take care of it later." Joxer tried to get Aphrodite moving again before something else happened.

'Dite stared venomously at the two prisoners. "I hope you both die a horrible death. You deserve it. What in Hades were you thinking!" 'Dite's voice rose higher and higher as she vented her rage.

---------------

Discord wandered aimlessly through the garden, knocking the blooms off various flowers. Everyone was feeling better, everyone except her. She was still have trouble maintaining her form. It wasn't fair. Her anger had reached dangerous proportions when she came across Joxer and the others.

--------------

Discord shoved Joxer, hard. "Why does everyone have so much power? I don't! I can barely hold my form, and I feel awful! It's not fair! I want to feel better too!" Discord was shaking uncontrollably. Everyone was shocked by the sight of tears in her eyes.

Joxer grabbed her, and helped her sit on the ground before she fell over. He looked her over carefully, there was something seriously wrong with her. He couldn't stabilize her power, something was missing. He called Ares for help.

/Ares, I know you're angry with me, but I need some help. Something is wrong with Discord, I can't stabilize her power. Will you come?/

Ares heard Joxer's call and considered not answering, but he didn't want to take the chance if Discord was in real trouble. He popped into the garden and found Joxer holding Discord while she shook and cried. Ares was shocked, Discord never cried. He knelt beside his twin and raised her head. "Eris, what's wrong?"

"I, I, I don't know. I feel terrible, worse than before. I'm losing control of my power."

Ares looked up at Joxer. Joxer shook his head, "I'm not sure Ares, there's something missing in her. If we can find out what's missing I can stabilize her. Otherwise, there's nothing I can do."

'Dite came up with the answer. "Duh. Of course something is missing. Strife isn't here. No mother is complete without her child."

Ares and Zeus called out at the same time, "Hades!"

Hades appeared before them, prepared to demand an explanation of their summons, when he caught sight of Discord. "What's wrong here?"

Zeus grabbed him by the arm and led him a short distance away from the others. "Hades, I know we've talked about this before, but we need Strife back. And now. Discord is losing control, only having Strife here will fix the problem."

"Zeus, I'm sorry. I can release his shade, but I can't bring him back to life. It's been too long."

"Release him, Hades, I'll take care of the rest." Joxer said absently, never taking his eyes from Discord's anguished face.

Hades raised a brow at that comment, but immediately called Strife's shade to him. Strife appeared on Mount Olympus for the first time since his death. He ran too his mother when he saw her on the ground. He fought back tears when his hand passed through her body. "Mom! What's wrong?" But she was too far gone to answer.

Joxer reached out with his power and touched Strife while calling forth the memory of everything Strife was from his mind. A huge surge of power and Strife was once again whole.

Strife was suddenly wrapped in his mother's arms. Their relationship hadn't always been good, but he loved her. And knew she loved him. It took him a moment to realize that he was alive, and feeling better than he'd ever felt before. He didn't know how, but that scrawny little mortal had somehow brought him back to life. "Hey Jerkster. I don't know how you did it, but thanks."

Joxer burst into laughter at the old insult, at least one person on Olympus wasn't afraid of him. "You're welcome. Try not to die again okay? That was harder than it looked."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Strife helped Discord to her feet, and the two walked away together. Determined to do better this time. At least for now.

"Well, that's over." 'Dite said huffily. "Now, what about Iolaus?"

Zeus reminded Joxer, "We need to decide what to do about Hercules and Xena."

The smile growing on Ares' face died suddenly. Joxer would do anything to have Ares smile at him like that again. "'Dite, Iolaus is safe where he is for now. I'll take care of it later, okay? And Zeus, just lock them up for now. Ares and I need to talk about that before any decisions are made. Now, if you'll excuse us, Ares and I need to talk." Joxer grabbed Ares' hand and they both disappeared.

"Huh, what's up with those two?" 'Dite asked. She didn't understand why everyone was looking at her like that. "What did I say?"

=======
Decisions made
======

Joxer and Ares flashed into the main room in Ares' Olympian temple. Ares immediately moved away from Joxer, not noticing the hurt expression on his face. Ares sprawled in his customary pose across his throne, "So, what am I supposed to call you?"

Joxer moved to stand in front of Ares, he reached out to touch him and curled his hand into a ball when Ares flinched away. "My name is Joxer, just like it's always been."

"I thought you said you were Chaos? I wouldn't want to be calling my 'husband' by the wrong name, now would I?"

"Chaos is what the Gods of Olympus call me, Joxer is my name." Joxer was hurt by the way Ares was acting, but he was angry too. He'd done nothing to deserve this.

"What about the name you were born with?"

Joxer sat on the steps leading up to the throne and put his head in his hands. "Ares, I wasn't born. I just am, I've always been here. I didn't have parents, no family, no friends, and no damn name! All right? Joxer is the only name I've ever had and I'm keeping it."

Ares knew he was taking his own pain out on Joxer, but he couldn't seem to help himself. "You say you're a 'being', what about the others like you?"

Joxer lurched to his feet and began pacing around the room, "Don't you ever listen? There are no others like me! I'm the only one." Joxer stopped to glare at his lover, "Why are you being such an ass? I didn't lie to you, I didn't remember who I was until I linked with the Chaos stone. And then I stopped Dahak from sticking a knife in your back, I'd think you'd be grateful!"

Ares spilled out of his throne, and took his turn pacing, "Grateful? Poor little Olympian should be grateful to the wonderful 'being'? Of course, please forgive me. I forgot my place for a moment there. A clumsy little mortal becomes a God and my consort, and then he tells me he's some kind of 'being' that's existed forever and I should be grateful! Well excuse me!" Ares sat back on his throne and stared at the floor. "I liked that clumsy little mortal."

Joxer knelt on the floor between Ares' feet and rested his hands on Ares' knees. "I'm still me Ares, I haven't really changed."

Ares grabbed Joxer's left hand and turned it palm up. "Oh no? What's this then?" Ares ran a finger across the crystal embedded in Joxer's palm. "Your voice is completely different and even your eyes have changed. I've seen raw Chaos power, and when I look in your eyes, that's all I can see."

Joxer sank back on his heels, he hadn't realized he'd changed so much. "I still feel the same, I still need you."

Ares laughed deridingly, "Oh really? For what? You could obliterate me with a thought. You've already learned more than I ever will. If it weren't for the bond between us, you'd already be gone."

Joxer felt his blood turn to ice, he'd never felt this kind of pain, and he never wanted to again. "Is that what you think? The bond is the only thing keeping me here? I can sever the bond, without any harm to you."

Ares felt something die inside at those words. "So why haven't you?"

Joxer looked up at him with tears rolling from those turbulent grey eyes, "I don't want to. I need you, more now than ever. You have no idea what my life, if you could call it that, was like before. Yes, I have power, unimaginable power. But what good was it? I didn't have a physical body, I couldn't 'touch' anything. The knowledge you're so envious of I got from the memories of people who had died. I couldn't talk to them, or ask them questions. There is so much I don't understand. I can't go back existing like that, I won't. I'd go insane."

Ares opened up his link to their bond, he felt Joxer's despair and desperation. "I still don't understand why you need me."

Joxer touched the bruise he'd gotten just that morning when he'd bumped into a doorway. "I still can't control my body very well, can you imagine the kind of damage I could do? One slip and everything would be gone. I need an anchor and a teacher. That's why I chose you."

Joxer smiled through his tears, "Did you think I'd leave something so important to chance? But if you want, I can break the bond between us and leave. You'd never have to deal with me again."

Ares got up from his throne and sat next to Joxer on the floor. He pulled him into his arms and brushed the hair off his face. "After you went to all the trouble to choose me, I guess it wouldn't hurt to leave the bond in place."

Joxer felt a kind of wild excitement race over him. One of a thousand memories arose in his mind. A real relationship had to be between equals. He leaned back enough to look up at Ares. "We don't have to leave it the same. I bonded with you, now you can bond with me."

Ares frowned at him in confusion, "Doesn't the bond work both ways?"

Joxer nodded his head rapidly, thought flowing so quickly now one image merged into the next. "With my physical body, yes. But now that I'm whole again, I can link you to my power. We'd be complete equals. You'd be truly immortal, nothing could ever harm you. And think of what we could do together! Once we take care of Dahak, we can go anywhere, be anything! Ares, there are so many worlds out there. You wouldn't believe it! I want you to come with me. Please say yes."

Ares still felt a twinge of doubt, "Are you sure you want to spend forever with me? You could have anyone."

Joxer smiled, the same sweet smile that Ares loved so much, "You and no other. Forever." v Ares pulled Joxer a little closer and buried his hands in that long dark hair. Lightly kissing Joxer's lips he asked, "So, how do we bond my power to yours?"

Joxer rumbled a small satisfied sound, "Guess."

Ares laughed out loud and moved both of them to their bed, removing their clothes on the way. He laid Joxer down in the middle of that huge bed and slowly, oh so slowly, covered his body with his own. They both groaned when skin met skin.

Ares kissed Joxer deeply, plunging his tongue into that moist cavern before drawing Joxer's tongue out to suck and nibble on. It felt like it had been days since they had touched. Neither could get enough.

Ares moved down that warm, responsive body. Loving the way Joxer moaned and squirmed trying to get closer. He licked and sucked on his nipples until Joxer was begging incoherently. "Ares, please, I...please." Ares continued down to the weeping cock that rested against Joxer's warm belly. He slid it into his mouth and straight down his throat. He chuckled around the hard flesh filling him when Joxer screamed and grabbed him by the hair. Frantically trying to thrust deeper.

Without warning, Ares thrust two slick fingers into Joxer's body, preparing him for what was to come. Joxer preceeded to lose his mind. Moaning and thrashing so strongly Ares had to hold him down.

Ares licked and sucked on that hard cock while ravaging Joxer's body with short, hard thrusts of his fingers. Joxer's hands flailed, he couldn't find anything to hold on to. Then Ares' fingers hit that one spot guaranteed to send Joxer over the edge. Joxer came, hard, screaming out his pleasure.

Joxer's body was still spasming when Ares entered him with one strong thrust. Ares wrapped Joxer's legs around his waist and slid his hands under Joxer's hips to raise him into his thrusts. He rode him hard, without restraint, loving the feel of strong muscles caressing his needy cock.

Joxer finally regained enough sense to meet Ares thrusts. There was nothing sweet or loving about this bonding. It was elemental, almost brutal in it's intensity. Sweat slicked bodies surged together, trying to wring the last drop of pleasure from the other. They both came screaming the other's name, and then they were ripped from the physical world.

Ares opened his eyes to a vast wave of light and color. He was inside of Joxer, and Joxer was inside of him. The first bond had been a trickle compared to this flood of the senses. Never again would there be doubts or loneliness or either of them, they were truly one being now.

=======
Lessons learned
=====

Ares awoke early the next morning. He hadn't had much sleep, but he felt wonderful. He felt Joxer begin to stir and settled back to watch him as he woke up.

First came the sleepy mumbles, then a full body stretch. One eye opened and slammed shut again as the light hit it. More mumbles and a wandering hand latched onto the hair covering Ares' chest. Joxer buried his face in that hair while patting the firm muscles beneath his hand absently.

The grin on Ares' face grew to monumental proportions, their morning routine never varied. Joxer may have been an elemental being of enormous power, but he definitely wasn't a morning person.

Joxer finally managed to get both eyes open. He squinted slightly as he focused on Ares' smiling face. "Morning." came in the barely coherent mumble.

"Yes it is, Joxer." Ares laughed. "Now, get up. We have a lot to do."

Joxer wiggled closer and draped one leg over Ares' hip. "Oh really. Like what?"

Ares 'to do' list was interspersed with slow kisses. "We have to cure Iolaus." kiss "Do something about Hercules and Gabrielle." kiss "Play in the tub." kiss "Threaten Dahak." kiss "Introduce you as my consort." kiss "And I have to meet your mortal family." kiss. Ares' strategy almost worked, but Joxer stiffened when the last item on the list finally registered in his lust befuddled brain.

"Meet my mortal parents? Why would you want to meet them? Trust me, you won't like them anymore than I do."

Ares kissed him into insensibility before he answered. "I'm sure I won't, but I want to have a little 'talk' with them about the proper way to raise a family."

Joxer leaned away from those intoxicating kisses, "You aren't going to kill them are you?"

Ares smirked, "No. I don't think that will be necessary."

Joxer groaned and buried his face in his pillow. "Don't tell me, I don't want to know."

Ares swatted him on the ass as he rolled out of bed. "Okay, I won't tell you. Now, come on, get up."

"Okay, okay, I'm up."

The two Gods availed themselves of the fragrant water in the bathing pool and had breakfast before Ares called Strife and Discord to the temple. "I have a job for the two of you. I want you to gather all of my high priests, generals and all of Joxer's family members in my temple in Thrace before sundown. It's time I introduced my consort to my followers."

Strife and Discord wore matching grins. They wouldn't miss this for the world.

Ares had one last command for Strife before they left. "Oh, and Strife? Tell Joxer's family nothing. Just that they are to meet my consort. And tell them to bring a nice gift." Joxer groaned and held his head in his hands, while Strife and Discord burst into laughter and disappeared.

---------------

Cupid and Aphrodite were sitting next to the time bubble encasing Iolaus when Joxer and Ares arrived. They both noticed the change in the two of them, but decided questions could wait.

Joxer had Ares dissolve the time bubble before they began to examine Iolaus. What they found made Joxer blindly furious. It took Ares several minutes to calm him down enough to talk. "I know who did it, and how. They know this isn't allowed, not for any reason."

The link allowed Ares to immediately understand what he was seeing. He used that knowledge to undo the damage while Joxer had words with the people responsible.

Joxer's angry yell echoed throughout Olympus and across the world. There was no denying in the implicit command in that voice. "Michael!"

Michael, Archangel and Champion of Heaven, heard his name and answered the summons before he even realized what he was doing. He found four angry Olympians standing around Iolaus' body. "I see the punishment is working. It's too bad, I liked Iolaus."

Joxer walked right up to the Archangel and hit him in the jaw. Michael landed on the floor, hard. But he was back on his feet in an instant, the Sword of Justice in his hand. "That was a mistake Olympian. This is none of your concern, leave it alone and I'll let you live."

The ribbons of light in Joxer's eyes began to spin faster, the urge to wreck havoc going by leaps and bounds. He felt Ares sending a wave of calm at him and fought it down. "It is my concern, 'Angel'." Joxer said in the most insulting tone he was capable of. And he was capable of a lot, Ares was more impressed with his lover than ever. He settled back to watch the fireworks.

Joxer snatched the Sword of Justice from a shocked Michael before the Archangel was able to blink. "What you did is not allowed, for any reason. It breaks all laws of the Covenant. You do remember the Covenant, don't you?"

Michael stared at the Olympian in shock, "How do you know about the Covenant?"

"You're hopeless Michael, where is he? I want to talk to him, NOW! Or would you like me to call him?"

Anger was quickly displacing the hold shock had on him. "You can try Olympian, but he has no reason to answer you."

"We'll just see about that. 'YEHOVAH!'."

Everyone except Joxer and Ares were blinded by the light that flooded Aphrodite's temple. *Who has spoken my name in vain?* That voice was deep, and felt more than heard.

Joxer's voice was more than a match for it, "I did, Yehovah. Why did you twist this mortal's energies the way you did? Are you trying to create another Dahak?"

*Why are 'you' here? And in that form?*

Joxer waved aside the question, "That's none of your concern at the moment. Now answer me."

Joxer's identity was finally apparent to Michael. Only one being had the power and nerve to stand up to The Light and question him that way. Michael began to shake in reaction. He was embarrassingly grateful that he hadn't been blasted back into the nothingness from which he had been formed.

The light slowly faded to reveal a man, white haired, with eyes filled with more compassion and pain than Ares had ever seen. He crossed to stand next to Iolaus' still form. "Iolaus broke my laws, he had to be punished in some way. I could not reward him for what he did, but I did not believe it would ever come to this. His love for Hercules should have prevented him from ever leaving his side. What happened to change it?"

Joxer crossed to stand next to the man, he laid one hand on his shoulder and spoke softly, "Dahak happened. I think he did something to Hercules. The Covenant was made to prevent this. But I understand now what you were trying to do. Don't worry, we've undone the damage, Iolaus will be fine."

"Thank you, I have high hopes for that young man." The man started to turn away, but then stopped. "It is good to 'see' you, will you perhaps come to see me when you are able? I would like to speak with you if I may." The man slowly faded from view, taking Michael with him, for which Michael was eternally grateful.

Aphrodite and Cupid were staring at Joxer, completely in the dark about what had just happened. The sound of Iolaus stirring pushed their questions aside for the moment. Aphrodite and Cupid hurried to his side, both speaking at once. "Iolaus!" "Curly!" "How are you feeling?"

Iolaus stared up at the Gods surrounding him, totally confused. "Uh, hungry?" Aphrodite and Cupid laughed while Joxer and Ares snuck out the door. Leaving the explanations to those they left behind.

---------------

Hercules and Gabrielle sat in the small room they had been locked in the night before. Gabrielle still hadn't quit crying, while Hercules sat silently, trying to remember why he had hated Joxer enough to attack him. He was thankful he hadn't succeeded in killing him.

They both looked up when the door to their cell opened. They flinched when Ares came through the door, closely followed by Joxer. Gabrielle just cried harder, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." was all she managed to say through her tears.

Hercules stood to meet them face to face. He knew he was a dead man, but he wasn't going to fight them. He deserved it for what he had done. "Are you both all right?" They nodded, still not speaking. "Good, I'm glad. Shall we get it over with then?"

Joxer looked at him curiously, "Get what over with Hercules?"

"You're here to kill me, aren't you?"

Ares snorted at that while Joxer just smiled and shook his head. "No, we aren't going to kill you. It wasn't entirely your fault. We think you were possessed by Dahak, once we take care of that, we'll make sure it can never happen again."

Ares wasn't quite ready to let the fact that his brother had tried to kill his lover go. "But, there will be a price to pay. Dahak may have been pushing you, but part of it was your own doing."

Hercules nodded, "I understand. Do what you have to."

Joxer moved closer, he sent his consciousness through the link he had with all living things. What he found disturbed him a great deal. "It wasn't you he possessed Hercules, it was your mother. Apparently sometime before you were even born." Hercules immediately panicked.

"My mother? Is she all right?"

Joxer laid his hand on Hercules' shoulder, he was pleasantly surprised when Ares moved to his brother's side to try to help. "I'm sure she's fine Hercules," Ares said, "Dahak doesn't have any reason to harm her now. But I'll go check on her to be sure."

"Thank you Ares, that's more than I deserve."

"Oh, don't be such an ass Hercules, we may not like each other, but you are my brother." With that final shocking comment Ares flashed out of the room.

Joxer helped Hercules sit back down on the floor, "Now, let's see what we can do to fix this."

"What's wrong with me?" Hercules asked.

"Whatever Dahak did to your mother warped some of your thought processes. It makes you vulnerable to his influence. Don't worry, I can fix it. Hold still, you might feel a little strange for a minute." Joxer pushed his consciousness into Hercules' mind, repairing the damage and strengthening pathways. Hercules had a brief glimpse of who Joxer really was, he looked at the man he'd known with awe on his face. He felt a brief wave of disorientation, suddenly, his mind was clear. He understood his hated of the Gods, and the reasons behind it.

They were childish whims he'd never outgrown. Jealousy and envy of Ares' power was in the forefront of that anger. Hercules looked inside himself and didn't much like what he saw, but he also realized it wasn't too late to change. And the first thing he was going to do was apologize to Ares for the way he'd treated him. And then he was going to spend a couple of weeks with Iolaus. Just the two of them. No heroics, and no interruptions. Assuming Iolaus was still speaking to him.

"Joxer, is Iolaus all right?"

Joxer nodded happily, "Yes, Ares took care of the problem before we came to see you. He's fine." Joxer started laughing, "At the moment he's in Aphrodite's temple, eating everything she and Cupid can make for him as fast as they can make it."

Hercules grinned, "He's always hungry."

Joxer looked over at Gabrielle, who was still sitting in the corner, crying her eyes out. "Hercules, I'm going to ask Cupid to come take you over to Aphrodite's." Hercules nodded, he knew Joxer wanted to be alone with Gabrielle.

"That's fine Joxer. Go ahead."

/Cupid? Could you come to me please?/

Cupid appeared in a flash of light, he wasn't pleased to see Hercules alive and well. Not pleased at all. /Why didn't you kill him Joxer?/ Cupid sent silently.

/It wasn't really his fault Cupid. Dahak twisted his mind before he was even born. I fixed the problem, he's fine now. Please, take him to see Iolaus, I think we should let Iolaus decide what his punishment should be./

A completely wicked grin crossed the God of Love's face. /Can I make suggestions?/

/Go right ahead./

Cupid reached down to help his uncle to his feet. /Oh, and Cupid?/

/Yes Joxer?/

/Come see me later, I have a favor to ask of you./

/Sure 'Bubbles', I owe you one./ And with that, Hercules and Cupid vanished from sight.

-------------

Ares appeared in front of the home of Alcemene, he wasn't really looking forward to seeing her again, but he wasn't going to let Dahak cause any more trouble.

He knocked on her door and waited impatiently for her to answer. When his knocking got to response he opened the door and stepped inside. The sight that met his eyes made his blood boil, Alcemene was unconscious. Three large warriors standing over her prone body with their swords pointed at him. They shifted nervously when a completely evil smile crossed Ares' face.

Ares sent a burst of healing energy at Alcemene and proceeded to take the warriors apart with his bare hands.

Alcemene awoke to see the God of War attacking the three goons who'd hurt her. They had told her Ares had sent them, but from Ares' actions, they had been lying.

Ares dispatched the last of the warriors and then cleaned up the mess he'd made with a thought. He turned to Alcemene, "Are you all right? How badly did Dahak's idiots hurt you?"

"Dahak? They said you sent them."

"Not hardly. Zeus placed you under his protection years ago. I don't really want to spend my life as a toad." He helped her to a chair, and then told her about her son and everything that had happened. He dried her tears and asked, "Do you want me to take you to him?"

She smiled and laid one hand on his face. "Thank you, Ares, I'm sure he has a few things he needs to take care of. But please, tell him to come home when he gets a chance."

"I will, and don't worry, Joxer and I will make sure Dahak won't bother you again."

Ares turned to leave, but she stopped him before he could go. "Ares, congratulations. I hope you'll both be very happy together. And you are both welcome in my home. Any time."

Ares was surprised, but strangely pleased. "Thank you, Alcemene, I'm sure we'd both like that." He disappeared in a flash of light, and Alcemene went to check her stores. Hercules and Iolaus were always hungry.

-------------

Joxer sat next to a raggedly weeping Gabrielle and waited for his lover to return. He'd discovered what Dahak had done to her, and it wasn't pretty.

Ares returned to Joxer's side and joined him on the floor. The expression on Joxer's face made Ares' heart sink. /What's wrong?/

/It's bad Ares. Very bad. Dahak has linked himself to Gabrielle. He's pulling power from her faster than she can replace it. If we don't stop it, and soon, she'll die. But if he feels us severing the link, he'll kill her instantly. We need a distraction./

Ares ran through several plans in his head and came up with a workable solution. /Can you find him?/

/Yes, he can't hide from me. No matter how hard he tries. What did you have in mind?/

/Can I use our link to find him?/

/That should work. Just look for a place where the energy feels wrong to you. Dahak will be in the middle of it./

/Will he be able to tell I have complete access to your power?/

/I doubt it would even occur to him to look. It's not something he'd ever consider doing./

/Okay, I'll track him down and keep him busy. You sever the link. Do you think she'll recover?/

/With time and a lot of help. Xena should be able to handle a lot of it. The things Dahak did when he had her were sick. I doubt she'll ever willingly let another man touch her. No punishment we could come up with could possibly be as bad as what she's already going through./

/What about Hercules?/

Ares could hear the laughter in Joxer's mind. /I sent him back to 'Dite's temple. I told Cupid to let Iolaus handle it. I'm sure he'll come up with something good./

Ares laughed and gave Joxer a long kiss. /I'll tell you when to begin./

Joxer smiled and sent a wave of love and lust through their bond. His smile grew when the feelings were returned. Ares flashed out and Joxer turned his attention to his friend, the smile leaving his face. He hoped this worked. If it didn't, it would be better to kill her and he didn't know if he could do that.

--------------

Ares located Dahak without any trouble at all. He was hiding in a large cavern outside of Athens. Ares stayed invisible, he wanted to see what Dahak was doing before he let his presence be known. Dahak appeared to be having an old fashioned temper tantrum. Ares stiffled a laugh. This could be easier than he thought.

-------------

Dahak threw a burst of pure power at a spire of stone rising up from the cavern floor. The need to destroy something overwhelming him. He stared at the spire stupidly when it refused to crumble into dust.

He threw more power at it and had to duck when it bounced back at his face. Growling incoherently, he attacked it with his bare hands. His first blow never landed. The spire had turned into a smelly puddle of slime. Slime that seemed determined to slither up his legs. Dahak danced out of the way, but the slime followed him, the rancid smell growing stronger.

Dahak flashed out of the cavern, but when he reappeared, he was still in the cavern. But now he was standing in the middle of the puddle. The slime gurgled and bubbled. The damnable stuff was laughing at him! He threw an intense wave of heat at it, but only managed to set his pants on fire. He leaned down to beat out the flames and the slime slid up onto his hands. Effectively gluing his hands to his lower legs.

Now he was stuck, bent at an awkward angle, while the slime crept slowly up his arms and legs. It was very close to covering his face when he suddenly stumbled forward. The stone spire stood innocently where it had always been, and there was no sign of the fire.

Dahak reached for more power, intent on destroying the stone, but nothing happened. His link to the Amazon was gone. And he couldn't get it back. The pathways he'd laid in her mind were effectively blocked. He screamed in rage. Only one person had the power to undo what he had done. And his brother would pay, and pay dearly.

---------------

The summons from Joxer to return came not a moment too soon. Ares had tears rolling down his cheeks from surpressed laughter when he appeared next to his lover. It took Joxer several minutes to wring some form of coherency from the images his lover was sending him. Then he too collapsed, laughing hysterically.

--------------

Xena was sitting with her Grandfather when they both heard the insane laughter coming down the hall where Gabrielle and Hercules were being kept.

They raced down the hall, and skidded to a halt at the sight of Gabreille sleeping peacefully, while Ares and Joxer tried to hold each other up while laughing so hard they were crying.

Every time one of the would start to wind down the other would look at them and whisper, "Slime." And they would start all over again.

Xena didn't care what they were laughing about. Gabrielle had opened her eyes, and Xena saw the person she loved in them. She'd gathered her in her arms, vowing to never let her go.

Zeus tried to talk to the two Gods, but they wouldn't quit laughing. He finally shook his head and wandered off, muttering to himself. "Idiots."

---------------

Ares' temple in Thrace was filled with people. Strife and Discord had done a very thorough job of collecting Ares' followers. Strife made sure Joxer's family were placed right up in front and went to stand behind the dias with his mother.

Zeus and Hera arrived with Xena and Gabrielle in tow. The bard was still pale and a little shaky, but the chance to see first hand what Ares was going to do was too good to miss.

Aphrodite, Hephestus and Cupid brought Hercules and Iolaus. Hercules had a dark blush on his face and Iolaus had a silly smile on his. Gabrielle was sure there was a story there, but decided she didn't really want to know.

Cupid almost fainted when he saw his dead lover, alive and whole, standing just a few feet from him. He started to go to him, but Ares had arrived.

--------------

Ares arrived in his customary flash of light and took a stance in front of his throne. An identical one now had a place beside it. He gazed out across the crowd and raised his voice so all could hear.

"My followers. Today is a day of celebration. For I have taken a consort. Allow me to present the Consort of the God of War. Joxer, the God of Chaos."

Stunned murmurs ran through the room when Joxer appeared and he and Ares took their thrones. Each reaching a hand out to the other. Ares calmly stated, "You may now come forward and present your gifts."

Joxer's brother Jace immediately ran up the steps and wrapped Joxer in a big hug. "Looking good, little brother. I always knew you'd do well for yourself." He handed Joxer a brightly wrapped package and stepped back. He wiggled his eyebrows and said, "Later, we will talk. I want details. Lots of details."

Joxer blushed but nodded his ascent, already planning a carefully edited version of events. There were some things his brother just didn't need to know. Joxer unwrapped Jace's gift to reveal a delicate glass bottle with a silver stopper. Jayce grinned, "It's bubble bath, hope you like it." Joxer's blush grew darker and Ares had to hide a smirk, already making plans for it's use.

Various Warlords and Generals followed, almost all gifting Joxer with some kind of weapon. Joxer kept up a silent but steady commentary with his lover about his follower's tastes in gifts. /How many knives does one person need? We could arm half of Greece with this stuff./

Ares was hard pressed, but managed to keep a straight face, barely.

Only a few people were left. The next to approach was an ancient old man, in his day, one of Ares' best generals, and his most loyal follower. The old man stumbled and would have fallen on the steps, but Ares was there to catch him. He materialized a chair and helped his general to sit. "Melid, it's good to see you again my old friend."

"Ares, it's about time you settled down." Ares smiled, Melid had grown old, but hadn't changed at all.

The General cradled a cloth wrapped bundle in his arms, with an imperious gesture he motioned Joxer to come to him. Joxer knelt in front of the old man, curiosity making him impatient.

"This isn't a weapon, so I don't know how appropriate a gift this is for the Consort to the God of War, but my wife and I received one when we married and she would want me to continue the tradition." Melid carefully unwrapped the bundle to reveal a tiny, perfect rose bush in a clay pot. Each bloom was a rivel to any in Zeus' garden. He held it out to Joxer, who took it with shaking hands.

"It's small, it'll need time and care to grow strong and beautiful. Give your marriage the same kind of care, and it'll be as wonderful as mine was."

Joxer sent a message to his lover and an agreement was quickly reached. "Thank you Melid. I'll treasure it and give it the care it needs. Maybe you could help me get started? I don't know much about roses."

Melid quickly agreed, he'd been lonely since his wife had passed away. It'd be good to get out of the house for a while. He couldn't know, but Ares and Joxer had already planned to move him to Olympus. They'd make sure he was never lonely again for as long as he lived.

Finally, only Jett and Joxer's parents were left. Jett approach first. He handed Joxer a pair of enamble wrist guards. "Congratulations Joxer, Lord Ares." There was no disgust in his voice, only a kind of weary acceptance. He knew the way he had treated Joxer in the past had come back to haunt him. "Thank you, Jett. I'll wear them with pride." Joxer smiled at his brother, the worry Jett putting himself through was revenge enough.

Jett nodded, surprised he was still alive and quickly left the dias. He was out the door before anyone could stop him.

Joxer's mother pushed her unwilling husband up the steps to the dias. Now that their son was Consort to the God of War, and a God in his own right, their standing in the eyes of their peers was unparalleled. She intended to milk everything she could from it.

Jonus approached his son and the God he had worshipped his entire life, the disgust he was feeling plain for all to see. He handed their gift to Joxer with a smirk. It was a ceramic box, the kind women liked to keep their jewerly in.

Joxer accepted the gift but said nothing about his father's attitude. Ares, on the other hand, had no intention of letting it go unpunished. "Jonus, it has come to my attention that you've been telling people what is and is not an insult to the Gods. That is not your place mortal. Hear me, from this day forward, Jonus of Cornith is no longer one of my followers. He is stripped of all rank and privilege. Now get out of my temple, and never return."

Jonus left with his head held high, convinced he was in the right, while his wife berated him all the way out the door.

----------------

All of the guests were finally gone, only a few Gods remained. Joxer called Cupid and Strife over to him. "Cupid, about that favor I needed. I'm calling it in now."

Cupid wanted nothing more than to take Strife home with him and get reaquainted, but he owed Joxer more than he could ever repay. The reunions would have to wait. "What ever you want Joxer, it's yours."

"I'm glad you feel that way Cupid. I went to a lot of trouble to get Strife back, I don't want to lose him again. I have plans for him. I want you to keep an eye on him for me. A very close eye. In fact, I don't think you should let him out of your sight until I need him. Do you think you could do that for me?"

Cupid and Strife looked at each other and grinned. They both nodded emphatically, "I'd be happy to Joxer. Don't worry, I'll take very good care of him." They disappeared and Joxer headed over to where his lover was standing. He moved into his arms and cuddled against that strong chest.

Ares wrapped his arms around him and kissed the top of his head, "Tired? It's been a long day."

Joxer leaned back and leered up at his husband. "Nope. I want to go try out Jace's gift. Going to join me?"

Ares held him tighter, "Nothing could stop me."

=======
The End
======