To bad Gabrielle isn't using her brain, she should of known when Cortis was up to something wondering about the events of the twilight. I hope that Gabrielle doesn't dish out to much information. Onto Ares I can't believe he used his powers finally, he most of knew it was very important. I hope everything works out for Xena, I don't want her to lose her baby. Well update soon and great chapter by the way.

Well it seems that Gabby managed to trick both Xena and me in the last couple of chapters. And staying at that party or gathering actually paid off for Joxer - he got lucky, almost.

I've got to give some props to Joxer here. He's definitely smarter than he lets on since he knew that Gabrielle might have been at his apartment just because she is frustrated with Xena. Plus the guy is a real gentleman to back away like that.

Come to think of it, both of Cortis' story requests are strange. There's a good chance that someone has already told him about Xena killing all those gods, so what could he possibly gain by hearing the story again from Gabrielle? Though on the other hand, maybe he is just a kid who is trying to learn.

The request about Hercules was less strange, because, after all, the big guy is the greatest hero in the world. However, Hercules is alive and well in the 1990's and he is starring on a popular TV show where he plays himself. So if any relatives want to reach him, he wouldn't be hard to reach. (That's assuming they know what he looks like since he is going by a different name.)

Gabby definitely seems to be back to normal in this chapter since she is thinking about the homeless.

I have a good guess as to why Aphrodite wants to talk to Ares and only Ares, but that means that Hestia's plan already has one giant hole in it. If she plans to go at it with Xena, the situation is bound to get lots and lots of publicity.

I am starting to think that Xena and Ares might have started their relationship a little too early, because now there seems to be more intrigue surrounding Joxer and Gabrielle. Xena and Ares have had some ups and downs in the last couple of chapters, but they seem happy together so the chances of them going their separate ways are small.

Poor Joxer, he actually waited for Gabrielle to give her a ride back after she ditched him and did whatever it was she did to get those hickeys. The guy is loyal to a fault. No wonder Xena allowed him to travel with her. I feel so bad for him though...

Wow, Ares' issues with Hercules are even worse than I thought. He actually rants about Hercules after sex?

Well, it seems that Hestia is trying to become Hera 2.0 since she is going to use children to get her goals. And Gabby has fallen right into her trap. It seems that reality will be hitting Gabby pretty hard...

I wonder if Ares could have done anything to prevent Xena from drinking his blood. Sure he could have spoken up, but Xena was so concentrated on what she was doing at the time, that she may have taken it as part of the game she was playing and done it anyways.

It seems that Ares and Apollo can hold grudges too.

Xena might be the least of Ares' problems when it comes to Hercules. Ares had some serious daddy issues and he never got over Herc being Zeus' favorite. Then there are all the wars Hercules has prevented and all the people he has helped. Also Hercules has bested him in combat on a number of occasions.

Well, Ares still might have to deal with the wrath of Xena when she finds out that she is pregnant.

Joxer's bad luck with Gabrielle continues and then some. I am starting to think that he should start looking for love elsewhere. He deserves better.

It's definitely possible that Hestia is planning some sort of revenge. Either way, it seems that Xena has let her guard down.

Xena almost went crazy there for a moment. If she decided to go on a rampage, even Ares would have a hard time stopping her.

Well, this must have been Ares' ultimate fantasy - an overly-kinky Xena.

It seems that gods will always fear for their immortality. Though Hestia has managed to make a pretty good life for herself in the present.

Well it seems that Gabby is the big winner in this chapter since she got to go shopping, though she has to be nice to Joxer. But if Xena says something, you better do it...

Joxer likes tall girls? How dare he?

It will be interesting to see what Ares does if any of the gods start going at it with Xena. He did fight against Athena (over a wooden doll), but when Zeus was about to electrocute Xena, he was no where to be found.

So there's still some of that old fire in Ares after all. Though apologizing to Gabrielle might have been too much of a change for him. Gabby has a similar personality to that of Hercules, so it's unlikely that she will ever get along with Ares.

The miss goody-two said bit was funny.

Oh man, Xena prevented a new rendition of Joxer the Mighty. On a more serious note, Joxer is still goofy and he would still die for Xena and/ or Gabrielle so nothing has really changed with him.

Hestia reminds me of an old, paranoid lady who is concerned about a hoodlum.

There's definitely some bitterness and sarcasm from Gabby in her thoughts about Xena and Ares having a kid.

Ares going to the Middle East has me scared for a while. Xena, after all, is a hero so she would have to try and stop him if he really did that.

Xena is going too far by asking Gabrielle to give Ares the benefit of a doubt. Trust is earned, not given out.

Poor Gabby. She seems heartbroken.

Well that was certainly an awkward scene between Ares and Aphrodite. Back in the day people worshiped them and now they are labeled as weird.

Joxer must be the happiest guy in the world at the end of this chapter. He got to go out on a date with Gabrielle, sort of. And he also might get to sidekick for Xena again - the guy is as loyal as they come. Looks like he is the big winner here lol.

Lol, Ares running around naked.

Strife was actually alive in the 1990's. A couple of episodes after Callisto killed him, they did a funny present day episode and when Ares appeared out of nowhere god style, Strife was with him.

Lol, Xena thought that Ares was calling out men's names.

So that's why Gabby is mad. Xena is sleeping with her...

Things have changed a lot in 2,000 years. Joxer now seems to be the voice of reason since he is smart enough not to drink. And there's still a chance that he could be right about Ares. Do a few days of good behavior mean that Ares has changed?

Poor Joxer. Gabrielle can only kiss him when she is drunk.

Gabby is writing about some interesting stuff at the beginning of the chapter. Xena having grandchildren? Gabby dying in her forties?

Well, Gabby missed Joxer after he was dead, so it's nice to see her trying to be nicer to him this time around.

Call me harsh, but I don't really see Ares giving up his immortality at the end of season 5 as a sacrifice, but as atonement. He did play a part in Eve dying to begin with.

Ares is still trying hard, but this love thing and showing emotions might always be a little hard for him. At least Xena is starting to appreciate the effort now.

However, why is Gabby mad at the end?

Gabby's back! And right on queue she starts being mean to Joxer. Xena beating up bad guys and Gabby being mean to Joxer is what makes the world go round. Though Xena is still concerned about Joxer's feelings after all these years. I thought that was really sweet.

Also Gabby talks back as much as usual and she still has the same kind of opinion about Ares that Hercules does. Sometimes I think that Gabby would actually fight Ares if she could. Speaking of the big guy and fighting, does Ares still get into fistfights with his half-brother?

It's actually a little sad that Gabby is closing down her business. The thing was a scam originally, but she can actually let people see their past lives. So if something actually works, is it still right to call it a scam? Anyways, Xena should be happy about this. She did not like sitting in the same place all day and two of Gabby's clients have kind of hit on her.

The Annie look was actually kind of cute. Either way I bet that Xena would manage to be as cool as the other side of the pillow.

Ares is still trying hard in this chapter. After all those years, it must have took a lot of restraint not to pop up in front of Xena when she calls. I mean by now, popping up in front of Xena would be like a reflex to him. And it's hard to act against your reflexes.

It seems that Xena is still uncomfortable making girl talk with Gabrielle.

Lol, Ares actually named a dog Horace.

I actually thought that Joxer was back at the end of Soul Possession. He seemed like his clumsy self again.

Xena seems to have a difficult time adjusting to her present day life. She seems to be very different from Harry and finds his life fairly boring. Plus Xena is a person from 2,000 years ago, so if she does not have any memories from her time as Harry, today's world could be very confusing to her.

Ares is definitely trying hard with the no strings note, but after all these years, does he even believe himself?

Xena's time in the office was funny. She met a gentleman who was apparently Henry VIII and she was lamenting the fact that now she is the sidekick. And she had to deal with an annoying would be customer.

The scene between Ares and his butler was interesting. Ares usually tries to inspire fear into those serving him. He must have mellowed out over time.

Well if Hestia and any of the other gods are still holding a grudge against Xena, she could be dealing with a case of deja vu since she would be dealing with the same stuff she dealt with 2,000 years ago.

Oh jeeze, what is the problem I wonder.

I am absolutely loving this! Beautiful modernization of everyone. I hate Hestia so much for being so wicked. And love XenaAres so hard! 3 3 3 Cannot wait for more!

Happy Writing!

-Dess