Disclaimer: I don’t under any circumstances own the characters of Xena Warrior Princess or Hercules. (I only wish I could own them). If the idea of Xena and Ares in love is upsetting do NOT read this story. I really have to say that I only see Xena and Gabrielle as good friends.

Author’s Note: Takes Place after Xena and Gabrielle are revived by Eli and Callisto. The Chakram is broken but Xena still has all of her memories. There is no baby or pregnancy (as much as I love Eve it just won’t work for this story). Gab bashing: Not really, Herc Bashing: Yes sorry, I just really have issues with him sometimes. Notes are in bold. Personal thoughts, and flashbacks are in italics, Communication thoughts are in ‘’…Title inspired by the song “Wrapped Around Your Finger” By Sting and the Police, Lyrics to be posted at the end.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

The two weary travelers seated themselves at the corner table of the Tavern. They were well aware of the stares they received, mostly because everyone thought the Romans crucified them. The rumors of their demise were not entirely false either. The Greek Warrior Princess and Bard had been dead up until a week ago, when their lives had been restored. Xena was still trying to figure out who was responsible, while Gabrielle was simply enjoying their second chance. They had reunited with Argo and headed to the Amazons to drop off Amarice who was needed for a ceremony, she would find them when she was done. Joxer had gone to Athens and Eli had stayed in Rome to preach his teachings leaving the two women alone to reconnect and deal with being dead.

Gabrielle had sent messages to everyone she thought was important: Cyrene, her parents and Lila, Hercules, Autolycus, and the Amazons, but she wasn’t aware that Xena needed to tell one other. Not that Xena would be able to tell her, Gabrielle might not understand Xena’s desire to speak with her enemy.

As Gabrielle chatted on about the town they’d decided to rest in, Xena’s mind kept wandering to a leather clad Olympian. Just as the barmaid came to refill their ale Xena felt the all to familiar shiver alerting her to the presence of a certain God of War.

“You know Gabrielle, I’m a little tired. I think I’ll check on Argo and turn in,” Xena said. Gabrielle nodded and went to join in a group discussion with some other villagers. Xena went towards the stable and noticed that the tingle did not leave. “You may as well come out Ares, I know you’re there,” she said. A burst of blue light and there stood the God of War in all his leather glory with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His other hand reached out to gently caress her cheek.

“I can’t believe it,” he finally said. Xena rolled her eyes, but did not move away from his hand. “I saw them nail your body to the cross.”

“Well as you can see I’m still in one piece.”

“Unlike your chakram,” he added. He studied her reaction and watched as she moved from him and reached into the saddlebag to pull out the two pieces.

“I guess you taught Callisto well, so if you’re done gloating…” He grabbed the pieces from her hand.

“I am not here to gloat, I…”

“Ares, the chakram is broken. It’s over,” Xena sighed knowing that this conversation needed to be stopped before it went into dangerous territory.

“Our bond has not been broken, even if the chakram is.” With that he vanished in sparks of blue, it had surprised her and she turned to leave only to find her path blocked by a burst of golden light.

“Oh now what!”

“Chill Warrior babe,” came the light voice of the Love Goddess.

“Aphrodite, what. Do. You. Want?” commanded the Warrior Princess, she was in no mood for the bubbly Goddess.

“Chill the ‘tude, you got bigger problems.”

“Like what? Your brother’s never ending obsession?” Xena snapped back.

“Xena, you didn’t see him, he fall apart, he tried…”

“He did NOT try, the bond is broken, and he does not care anymore,” Xena replied bitterly. And I just forgave him for the whole Dahok thing too.

“Wrong babe, he tried to get to you. That other God, man he’s strong, even Ares couldn’t break through the shield,” Aphrodite answered.

“Dite, what are you talking about?” Xena questioned, she was unsure she wanted to know.

“When Ar saw that Callisto was going to interfere he tried to go to you, but he was repelled back to Olympus. I don’t know how the other God did it, but he’s really strong. After you were well, you know, dead, Ar stormed the underworld. Hades had to get Daddy to get him. When Ar found out that the other God had taken you, he really lost it. He was all ready to storm that place, Daddy knocked him out with a lightening bolt.” Aphrodite explained, putting her arm around the stoic Warrior Princess.

“I… I don’t understand. Guess he’d figured I’d be in his debt, and go back to him,” she remarked, her soft voice turning to anger. Dite sighed. Okay Bro, I’m risking my own tail for you.

“He loves you,” she said simply. Xena looked away from the beautiful Goddess and sighed.

“You know, I used to believe that and than…”

“You should believe it now, cause Ar is heart broken,” Dite answered, than she looked toward the woman again and added, “And I know you are too.” Xena ignored her added comment.

“Yea, he’s racked with grief.”

“Xena, give him a chance. He’s trying to figure out how you were brought back.” At this Xena looked surprised and starred at the Love Goddess, she had thought it was one of the Olympians that had brought them back, or at least one God in particular. I wonder why he didn’t use it. Maybe Dite knows.

“Didn’t he use…” Seeing where Xena was taking this Dite quickly clarified the details.

“No. That’s the other problem. I was with him when the chakram broke after hitting you, he collapsed and the ring disappeared. When he came to, he freaked out, I mean fireballs went everywhere, but than he calmed down and hoped the ring had gone to you. He was hoping…”

“The ring is gone?” Xena gasped, than she bent her head. “Than its really over.”

“NO! You maybe trying to convince yourself of that, but I know its not what you believe!”

“Dite, maybe its better this way, I…”

“You what? You can’t sense him anymore? Your heart doesn’t race anymore? You can deny it all you want, but…”

“But what?” Xena interrupted. “He doesn’t love me anymore. Now I’m not sure he ever did.” As she said it, she knew she was lying, she knew Aphrodite knew, but she had proof. Every horrid thing he did to her since she left was proof. He never loved her; he loved what she could attain.

“If you truly believed that, you wouldn’t have kept the ring this long.” Aphrodite replied taking the Warrior Princess’ hand and pressing it to her own her armor. “He’s searching all over Greece to find it. If that doesn’t say I love you, I don’t know what does.” She vanished in pink sparkles leaving the warrior princess to her thoughts.

She removed her breast dagger and slid the ruby red ring off the hilt. The ring with the symbol of the God of War and the band engraved with a rose. She still remembered the first day she had worn it, a promise to return after taking care of a small problem. He told her that he’d love her for eternity and in that moment she placed the last gift he’d given her into another ring and slid it on to his finger. He had removed his own ring, a symbol of his position and put it on to her finger with a kiss. He told her he’d wait for her, and she had kissed him their last kiss and gone to battle. Her target had been the mongrel half brother Hercules. She hadn’t gone back to him. When she’d removed her weapons she tried to also get rid of the ring, but found she couldn’t, because she didn’t want to. She than began the long and painful task of convincing herself what she knew to be a lie. She didn’t love him and he didn’t love her, she kept telling herself, it became easier to say after all the plots and tricks he pulled and most recently with the whole Dahok incident. Still her heart betrayed her every time he was nearby. She studied the ring carefully once more; he had tried to manipulate her into marrying him using Gabrielle as leverage. Had he just asked, she may have said yes as she had done once before. She remembered that day in perfect clarity and to her surprise as she replayed the image of him and her in the forest she found that he had been wearing the ring. As she played other memories featuring him from her past she couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t worn it since her defection. Before her heart could start jumping to conclusions, her mind quickly overran it.

“Xena?” Xena turned to see Gabrielle in the doorway of the barn.

“Yes?”

“Weren’t you going to bed?”

“Yes…I’ll be right there.” Xena turned to follow Gabrielle when the two found the Love Goddess blocking the path.

“Sorry Sweet Pea,” Dite said to Gabrielle, “But Xena’s beauty sleep is going to have to wait.” Gabrielle turned to Xena only to see her friend had gotten angry very quickly.

“Aphrodite! The answer is what it was,” Xena shouted. “Stay out of it, don’t make me get him!” Dite smirked at this. Oh yea, she’s in love.

“Gabby, we’ll be right back!” Dite cheerful explained. Xena suddenly felt the swirling sensation of traveling by ether and than found herself in a weaponry room.

“Dite,” The Warrior Princess growled. The Love Goddess was nowhere to be found. Xena heard the crashing of what sounded like an explosion and immediately went into an attack posture. Slowly she went towards the door and looked in. There was the God of War in on of his infamous rages destroying everything in sight. He obviously hadn’t noticed her presence and from experience Xena knew standing by the doorway out of sight was probably the safest bet. When it appeared he wasn’t going to calm down on his, she called him. He had always heard her when she called and this time it was no different. He paused mid launch and turned getting ready to vanish when he saw her.

“Xena? How did you… Does this mean…” Ares faded off trying to wrap his head around the idea that she was standing there. Upon closer examination, he didn’t notice anything different about her, which he found odd.

“Dite dropped me off, which Temple are we in by the way? I don’t really want to walk to far,” She said. He stared at her.

“Temple? Xena this is Olympus,” he replied.

“Olympus? When I get a hold of your sister…” She faded off, she wouldn’t do anything to Dite, out of all the Goddess’ she really did like Dite the most. “Well would you mind sending me back, Gabrielle is probably worried.” Ares stepped closer to her. Her traitorous heart sped up. He came closer and she knew she had to stop him. “Ares,” she tried to sound commanding.

“Xena, if it was over, why did you keep the ring?” He asked quietly in a voice she barley recognized. She wasn’t sure how he’d known about that, and wasn’t sure how to reply, she avoided his eyes. He took her chin in soft grip and forced her to look at him.

“Ares, let go. Now.” She warned. She tried to step back but found he had encircled her waist. He was searching her eyes for something other than hate, and she was trying to put as much hate as she could into them, she knew she was failing. It was taking all her willpower not to melt; she was playing a dangerous game. “Ares send me back. You don’t own me.”

“Don’t I?” He inquired caustically. He leaned into her so his breath mixed with hers. “Listen closely, Princess, I’m not about to lose you again. I will find that ring.” His voice had lost its sarcasm and turned quiet. He took his hand and lightly caressed her face; she tried not to lean into his touch. She summoned all her hatred towards everything and turned her head so that she was almost kissing him. Do not give in, she kept telling herself.

“The bond is broken, the ring is gone, and I will not go back to what I was,” she pulled back and kneed him as hard as she could causing him to let go. “Aphrodite you take me back right now!”

“This is not over Xena!” Ares yelled his temper finally snapping.

“It’s been over for awhile, the Destroyer of Nations is gone,” she said strongly, but a brief pain broke through.

“Maybe I don’t want her anymore,” he declared. He waved his hand and then blasted the spot where she’d once stood. She wasn’t sure if she’d heard him correctly and when she looked again she was back and there was a black rose at her feet. She picked it up, almost shocked that it was there and held it carefully as if it might break or vanish.

Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief as her friend appeared. She noticed her pick something up and stare at it. Although the Warrior Princess was good at hiding her emotions, the blonde couldn’t help but think she looked surprised and, and perhaps even touched?

“Xena, what did Aphrodite want?” Gabrielle’s question broke her thoughts. She felt a tingle and knew he was there, she didn’t want to acknowledge him, not at this moment, and so he just appeared. Gabrielle groaned. “Great another God.”

“Nice to see you too, blondie,” he greeted. He turned to Xena and watched as she carefully masked all emotion, “So tell you’re dear friend Xena, what did Aphrodite want?” His voice had its usually mocking tone but his eyes; his eyes were different. They weren’t just filled with the usually cockiness and mischief, but this time with a faint flicker of something she didn’t dare name. She didn’t want to lie to Gabrielle, but she wasn’t going to put it past Ares to tell her, he was serious.

‘Course I’m serious. I will find that ring, you want me too.’ She heard in her head.

‘Get out of my head bastard!’ Xena looked up at him and her blue eyes turned to ice. He didn’t back down and if anything cracked a smile. He was getting to her.

“She asked me to find something she believes has been stolen.” Xena said carefully, but strongly. It’s not a total lie, she thought, Dite does think something is behind its disappearance. Gabrielle doesn’t need to know what it is.

‘You keep telling yourself that, Sweet’ came his voice again.

‘Get out of my head! I don’t want you to find it, that is the only reason I’m going after it.’ Their mental battle was cut short as Gabrielle began to speak.

“Well, what are we looking for?”
“I’ll know it when I see it,” Xena answered.

“Than how do we find it?”

“Yea Xena,” Ares taunted. “A Godly object can easily be hidden.” She knew he was trying to get a rise out of her, but she refused to be baited. Xena pulled at her breast dagger and slid something off the hilt; she held it tightly in her one hand and looked back towards the God and her friend.

“I have many skills.” She replied simply, gripping it tighter. A smirk appeared on her face and turned into a smile. Ares was speechless, he usually had a retort to that line, he would have thought of one if he hadn’t been so thrown off by her smile. He’d only seen it one other time, the day he’d given her his heart. He saw she had also removed the rose from behind her back and it was throwing him off, she was up to something all right, but he couldn’t help but feel that she wasn’t going to back off. She’s either deliberately trying to throw me, or isn’t aware of what she’s doing, defiantly going to with the first, unless Dite did something to her. He vanished going in search of his sister.

Xena was surprised when he’d left. Not only had he let her have the last word, he hadn’t made a comment about the rose. Now she was confused, and her emotions were starting to run.

“Well so much for him leaving us alone,” Gabrielle commented glancing at her friend to gauge her reaction. “Too bad, I was hoping he still thought we were dead.” Gabrielle watched as Xena toyed with saying something and than just nodded. Oh Xena, you could be a little more convincing; soon people are going to start wondering.

Xena having realized she was going to defend him, nodded her head and went back to the room she was staying in When opened the door she spotted another black rose, this one with a scroll next to it. She opened it and was not surprised to find his handwriting.

I know why you kept it.

She smirked, sure you do.

“I do.” His voice came from behind; she tried to hide her surprise dropping the flowers and scroll. She wasn’t sure she could handle him again and turned around carefully ready to attack, but his look stopped her. He was looking at her with the softness he had years ago, when she thought he loved her. “You see Xena, I know why you kept it, it’s the same reason I did.”

“Ares, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Denial, she thought, best plan of attack. “I plan on getting rid of this,” she began holding the ring between her fingers, “right after I use it to find the other. I will destroy them both,” she finished hoping she sounded as convincing as she should.

“I don’t believe you.” He replied simply, noticing her hesitation.

“You should,” she ground out. She watched him ponder it for a moment.

“You would use it just…” Now I’ve got you, she thought.

“At least we’d be even,” she whispered bitingly. His patience snapped and he grabbed her by the shoulders and held her forcefully. She thought she may have overplayed her hand, but when she looked in his eyes, and saw the anger, she also saw hurt and was determined to make sure he hurt as much as she did.

“You listen, and you listen good Xena, I meant what I said to you. I wanted forever with you!” He explained harshly, not relenting his grip. Knowing she wasn’t going to get free she fought back with words.

“You didn’t mean it, you can’t feel and I was foolish…”

“Don’t you dare pull that on me,” He cut her off, his voice becoming dangerously low. “You may be able to lie to your blonde bard, but don’t think you can lie to me. I know you Xena.”

“You don’t know me. You can’t feel.”

“Why not? I told you that you could inspire change. I know I handled you wrong, but damnit Xena, I am not giving up on us.” He shouted to her.

“Us?” She asked with malice. “There is no ‘us’.”

“And whose fault is that?” Ares remarked still feeling the sting of betrayal.

“Let’s see framing me for murder, sending the furies after me…”

“You left me, not the other way around.” Ares pointed out, knowing she was going to go through every plot he had tried to get her back.

“I changed Ares.” She said finally, his words hurting more than she was willing to admit.

“I know,” he replied. He wasn’t going to lose this, but yelling was certainly not going to get through to her. He released his grip on her and stepped back. “The only thing I will never understand is why you don’t think I can.” He vanished, leaving her alone again. She rubbed her arms where his hands hand gripped her. His words kept replaying in her head. He was right she realized. She had left him, left his ways, his security, and his love. And for Hercules, who could never accept that part of me. She tried to suppress those thoughts, but found that this time, it was not just heart that would not allow it, but her mind as well. Contrary to what most believed she had not had sex with Hercules. She hadn’t been able to go through with it, when he tried to seduce her, somehow it felt like a betrayal to herself, and know she knew why. For the first time, in as long as she could remember she felt tears escape her grasp. She cried herself to sleep, with the two black roses and a ring encased tightly in her hands.

The great God of War was slumped in his throne watching his princess sleep. He had seen the tears that escaped her eyes, and had almost read her mind, when he decided that he was probably the cause of those tears. He considered wiping her memory, but than decided he couldn’t. Her hate he could live with, her not knowing what they once had, he couldn’t. He saw her fall asleep, crashing because her emotions caught up to her. As he watched her through the night he noticed the irritating blonde step in and then he saw whom she was with. Hercules’ bulk figure could not be mistaken. He immediately flashed into the mortal plane to be at his princess’ side, so he could better hear the conversation.

“Xena,” Gabrielle whispered. No response. Ares realized Xena must be completely out of it; she hadn’t budged, although she had stiffened when he’d come into the area. Either she was ignoring the blonde and faking sleep or her body reacted to his presence on an unconscious level. He guessed it was the latter, having not heard her change in breathing. Gabrielle tried again to get her friend’s attention and than his mongrel half brother tried.

“Hey Xena!” he called louder. At this Gabrielle turned and shushed him.

“Xena really could use the sleep Hercules, you’ll just have to wait till tomorrow to see her.” For once Ares was actually happy with the blonde bard. Hercules came further into the room and Ares watched him warily, ready to put up a shield around his sleeping princess, but he didn’t need to. For whatever reason Gabrielle made sure Hercules did not touch her or get to close to the sleeping Warrior Princess He wasn’t quite sure what had caused this change in her attitude, remembering that she had like Hercules, but it seemed that death had changed Gabrielle. Ares couldn’t say he disliked this new version.

“What’s in her hands?” Hercules asked. Gabrielle glanced to her friend’s hands and saw the black roses tightly encased in them. Oh for the love of the Gods, Gabrielle thought. Ares almost laughed, but was interested in hearing the rest of her thoughts, carefully entering the blonde’s mind he was surprised at what he found. You know she could be a little more convincing when she says she hates him, as if anyone else would give her black roses! Ares better stay away while Hercules is here though, I would not want to see Xena’s ideas of dealing with things. At this Ares smiled again, so the blonde wasn’t as naïve as she appeared to be. Boy does Xena underestimate her little friend’s depth of perception.

“You know Hercules, I’m sure Xena can answer any questions you might have in the morning.” Gabrielle said leading him out of the room; she glanced back one more time. One day Xena you are going to be glad I did this. I know you’re in love with Ares, now just to convince you that he loves you too. I mean after all, its not like he’s killed you yet and he was fairly nice in the barn. Ares was stunned at this, he wasn’t sure Gabrielle had picked up on the fact that he’d left without much of a usual fight, but apparently she did. I should read her thoughts more often, he considered. He looked at Xena’s sleeping form one more time before materializing, without the light effects. It was one thing for Gabrielle to possibly accept him; it was another for her to find him there. He sat down on the bed next to her, she was on her side with her back to him. He pulled her hair back off her face and ran his finger along her jaw line. He saw her arms, there were bruises starting to form where he had gripped her. He let gold light flow from his hand and the purple color vanished.

“I know you’re going to be mad about this, hell you’re furious right now, but I…it seems I can talk to you about war and hate and blood for forever but when I want to tell you something else, you won’t even listen. You used to though, I remember and I dream about that every night, hoping that when I look over you’ll be there again.” He paused only a moment before continuing. It was a lot easier to tell her things when he didn’t have to worry about her rejecting him or trying to run him through. “See I loved you than, you were everything I ever wanted and when you left, even Dite wouldn’t come by. And now you think I don’t care, well I got news for you my princess, feelings like these just don’t shut off, and I’ve tried. Now I think I’m in danger of loving you as you are now more than I ever did before.”

Ares paused again, realizing what he had just said, and realizing that he’d say it again because it was the truth. He had never told her all that before, they had never been good at talking about their feelings. Now as he sat there starring at her he remembered when she’d curl up in his arms and they would just lie there and talk. She had been at ease around him. He ran his hand through her hair.

“You can hate me all you want, I’m not giving up on us. I won’t fight you, but I will find that ring, and when I do, it’s going right back where you put it, because I still love you.” He swore. He flashed out.

“I still love you too,” came the whispered reply. She knew he hadn’t heard. His presence had been gone before she could summon the courage to tell him. It hadn’t been Gabrielle that woke her up, but his presence. She wasn’t sure how long he’d been there, but when she’d heard Hercules’ voice she knew he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. She could still feel the warmth from his hand when he healed her arm. It had been in that moment that she’d made up her mind. She would find the ring first, but just to make sure it ended up in the right spot, wrapped around his finger.