Passions of a god – by Marista
Disclaimer: Xena, Ares & Gabrielle are property of Studio USA. This story takes place during the episode ‘Seeds of Faith’. You may not understand all the references in the story if you haven’t seen ‘Seeds of Faith’ and the episodes leading up to it.
Sex: Mature subject matter. Sexual references, nothing vulgar.
Violence: No
Subtext: No
Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome. I hope you enjoy the story.
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Ares stood in one of those dirty, smelly taverns that the mortals seemed to like so much. He was grateful that he could use his powers to dull his senses against the odors of unfinished food from plates that had been left on the tables too long, sour ale, and human sweat. He was filled with disgust and loathing for these foul creatures, these lowly mortals. They had just finished brawling and the residual energy of their anger energized him. As he looked around, he was mesmerized by the most beautiful shade of blue.
Xena stood out as a rose in this pile of filth. The brilliant blue of her eyes and the radiant glow she seemed to have about her captivated him. He took his focus off of her face to take in the full view of her, especially that shapely leather clad figure that he was so fond of. As he did, he was surprised and hurt; but he tried not to let it register on his face. Her stomach was swollen, she was heavy with child. ‘How could that have happened?’ he thought. He hadn’t checked on her in a while; it was his feeble attempt to try and get her out of his system. No matter what he did, no matter how many bloody battles he invoked in his own name, or how many temple priestesses he ravished, he could not shake desire of her. He came by only to check on Eli and his followers, flex his muscles a little to keep them in check, but he sensed her presence and could not resist the urge to see her.
He acted as if he didn’t care about her condition, but inside he was wounded beyond belief. He knew that she had given herself to many over the years, but seeing her like this, did something to him. Xena wouldn’t be pregnant unless she wanted to be. This meant she’d had more than a one-night stand, more than a quick lay in the woods; she’d had a relationship with someone. ‘Who was he? Where was he? Was he waiting to meet her in a neighboring town? Maybe he was right here in the tavern. If he was, he was already a dead man!’
"So Xena, I wish I had known you were looking for a father."
Xena completely missed the hidden truth in his words; that he was speaking from his heart, even if hidden behind the arrogance that he was known for.
She spurned his question with one of her snide comments "I’m not!"
"Someone clearly got the job." He hoped a more direct approach would suffice. Perhaps if he could find out whom the father was he’d have a better understanding of what he could do to win her heart. And once he knew his name he’d kill the bastard for touching her.
Yet again, she answered him with another joke "Yeah, Gabrielle".
The bard seemed to beam at the notion of her being the father of Xena’s child. Ares saw an angle and he took it.
He continued to debate with Xena about the twilight and prophecies as he flirted with the bard. He had no interest in her, but seeing Xena’s reaction made him feel better. He knew most of her reaction was the over protectiveness she always showed towards her friend, but wanted to tell himself it was because she was jealous, because she wanted him. The curiosity was eating away at him. ‘I am a god! I can give her anything she could ever want. Why did she pick a mortal over me? What made him more worthy than any of the other thousands who would have given anything for her love? What does this man look like? Does he treat her differently than any other? Does he know just what a precious jewel s was? Did he appreciate his position?’
After his confrontation with Xena ended, he returned to his private chamber in one of his favorite temples so he could engage his thoughts in peace. On and on Ares’ mind continually wandered. She looked radiant as a woman with child. He would do anything to see her radiant and glowing with his child in her womb. It would be a statement for everyone to see that they were together, not just once but for always. He would share something with her that her precious bard could never share. Yet he had never even been allowed the privilege of being named among her lovers.
‘How did he meet her? How did he catch her eye?’ He must be one of the finest warrior’s in the land to do that. But that would only earn him her respect, not a place in her bed and in her life. He must also be pretty good looking… intelligent as well. Ares thought about himself, I’m all of those things and more. I’m a god with the power of life and death in my hand, what could he have that I don’t. Then it popped into his head… maybe the guy was a blonde? Ares zapped his hair with a snap of his fingers and turned every hair on his body blonde. He turned to look in the mirror and almost screamed, it just didn’t suit him. He quickly snapped his fingers again and put out every thought of changing his hair color. There were so many variables, but the only thing he knew for certain was that he had her. ‘Did she love him? Did this guy realize what a rare jewel he had in her?’
‘When she was with the Father of her child did she call out his name? Did she call out anything, or did she just scream at the height of her passion? Perhaps she quietly moaned when they climaxed together? Did he even please her?’ So many times he’d pictured his union with her and how passionate it would be. Slowly he’d break down her defenses until she trusted and accepted him. Once she did then he would reveal his true self to her and stop all the games and manipulations between them. He’d look into the face of a mortal woman and for the first time in the centuries that he’d lived he would pour out his heart and tell her that he loved her more than anything, including life itself.
His testament of love for her would be so true that Aphrodite would hide her face in its wake. But would she agree to give up her mortal life and join him on Olympus as his goddess? If she insisted on living among these smelly mortals he vowed he would join her. He wouldn’t give up his godhood or anything, but he would spend his time by her side and visit Olympus just to take care of business. It was the exact opposite of his life now, but she was worth it. Would she want to take that blonde brat of hers with them? Xena had grown so attached to her, he wasn’t sure there was any way to separate them and keep Xena from going insane.
Ares’ mind continued to wander. The last time he had seen her he forced her to fight Mavican. Another plan to win her back that backfired shamefully in his face. She must have been pregnant then to be so big now. He allowed logic to flow through his thinking. In order for her to be that size now, she must have conceived shortly after she returned from the dead. There’s no way a baby could survive in her body as she was crucified and dead for so many days. He tried to figure out who she could have run into during that short span. Hercules was miles away. Did she sleep with Kel, the Roman War god before she got her memory back? That didn’t make sense, they weren’t alone together long enough. Then an idea formed in his head as if a thousand suns came into existence at once… Eli.
That freaky peace and love talking fool must have exacted this price from her for returning her from the dead. Or maybe she did have feelings for him. He certainly didn’t look like someone she would lay with, but then again he couldn’t believe Xena was defending someone so weak and worthless that they wouldn’t even fight for themselves. In a split second a decision was made, one that would change his future forever, although he couldn’t see it now. He would kill Eli. That bastard had it coming on so many fronts. First for turning people against war and making them think that peace would do something for them; and second for touching his precious Xena and implanting his foul seeds of peace in her mind and womb. Not only would he kill Eli, but he would raise the child in his own image. Ares chuckled at himself; it would be a beautiful revenge. The child of Eli a warrior, no even better, the child of Eli would become a murderer. The child would succeed Xena on the throne as ruler of the world. He would make sure Eli’s child would be cruel and heartless.
But there was still the subject of Gabrielle. In the past she had always been the factor that turned Xena away from him and back to her path for redemption. He could no longer make the mistake of just ignoring her. Xena really did seem jealous of the attention he paid Gabrielle. If he could kill Eli, then get Gabrielle and Xena to separate, all the pieces would be in place. Ares chuckled to himself, he couldn’t loose. He walked to the strategy room in his temple to carefully work out the details of his master plan.
Finnis – September 2003