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Strife in my Life	By : AmberDDawn Category: S through Z > Xena Views: 2142 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own "Xena: Warrior princess", or "Hercules: The Legendary Journey" They were produced by Renissance Pictures I am not making money for this fiction.

Chapter List
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I really, really hope you guys are still with me.

Strife in my Life
Chapter 8: Suitable Suitors.

Joxer was so tired. They had been walking for hours. They had left as soon as his stomach had quieted. His sickness was blessedly mild that morning. They had been walking for probably two hours. Joxer tried to not complain he sensed that Auto was nervous for some reason, but he couldn't keep up the pace. His back was cramping and his feet hurt badly. Really he was very close to collapse. He bumped into his lover and tripped. He felt arms going around him.

"Are you ok?" Auto whispered.

"I...I'm just a bit tired," Joxer admitted when he looked into his husband's eyes. He couldn't lie to Auto.

"We can stop for lunch and then you can take a nap," Auto looked around suspicously. He still had that feeling he always got before an attack, but they were alone on the road and it was a very open area no places to hide a large group. They made their way into the grassy feild next to the road and laid out their bed rolls to sit on. Auto doled out food and water. Joxer picked at his food, he was too hot and tired to really feel hungry.

Auto saw the way Joxer was avoiding eating and frowned, "Are you sick Baby?"

"Just tired Auto," Joxer admitted.

"Lay down," Auto took his food and packed it away, "You can sleep and I'll watch over you." He rubbed Joxer's back and gently pushed him on his side. Joxer curled up and fell asleep quickly. Auto sat there watching him for an hour or so when a group of travelers passed. His hand slipped to his dagger and he watched them as they passed. Auto was never one to pray but he though if there were ever a need he might call on the gods. Maybe he could call on his father and finally get to meet him.

For now he was marking his feelings up to just that, feelings. He had good instincts but he supposed with Joxer in tow he was being more paranoid. The people on the road waved good-naturedly. He waved back and pretended to dismiss them at that. There was a mix of men and women and they were chattering gaily. He would be happy when they were out of ear shot as Joxer mumbled and tired to roll onto his stomach. He gasped and woke, "I almost squashed the baby."

He was half awake and tears rolled down his cheeks. Auto pulled him into his lap and petted him. He knew the younger man was still mostly asleep. Auto shushed him, "You didn't hurt him Love. He's fine Baby."

Joxer whimpered but slowly went back to full sleep. Auto kept him on his lap until he felt it was time to move. He would have let him sleep all night but they had to get back to the safety of their friends.   The sun was moving toward the west, but there was still plenty time to make up some ground.

"We need to get moving babe," Auto shook his lover awake. Joxer yawned and covered it with the back of his hand. Auto loved the man and was amazed at how adorable he was. He couldn't reconcile his image of Joxer before they were together with who he saw now. How could anyone not love this gentle, kind man?

They were back on the road but Autolycus knew they would never get back on time. He just hoped that his friends didn't assume the worst and go on a rampage. He further hoped there would be no further interuptions in their journey.

As angry as both Zeus and Hera were they surprised Ares with how fair they were being. Well fair to him. He wasn't being punished, Strife wasn't going to be punished ( not in thier eyes at least.)

"Strife will have to entertain suitors. In his condition he will need someone capable of protecting him, especially if the other pantheaons hear of his predicament. A foriegn god might risk war to get hold of him, even if only for the novelty of it," Zeus pronunced.

Ares was stroking his son's, no his nephew, his nephew's hair as he sat curlled up in his chair, it was not the first time he had wished somehow that he had fathered the boy. He knew he wasn't Strife's blood father, but he felt like it should have been that way.

Strife was watching the exchange with the mistrustful eyes of a dog that's been beaten one too many times. Ares saw Zeus's fists clench in anger and his eyes cut to the vulnerable godling. He stayed his hand though. Ares didn't know if it was due to the fact that Strife was so weak at the moment or that if he harmed any of the goddesses Hera would find ways to make him pay dearly.

Strife was of a goddess' class in their eyes now. If any God managed to bed the boy he would bring forth another god. New Gods are a very big deal.

"The potion is not reversable?" Zeus was eyeing it with more interest than either god or goddess liked (Strife wasn't really paying attention to that but hearing the lust in his Grandfather's voice made him shrink into a tighter ball).

"Not that we can figure," Ares glared at his father, "We can't neutralize it either. Anything I put into it has disolved into nothing, the potion is too strong."

Hera looked at it and growled, "Let me." She snatched the bottle off the table it rested on, uncorked it, and drank it down. She made a face, "That is very sweet."

"Mother!" Ares gasped. He didn't like his parents most of the time but he did love his mother, "What have you done? What will that potion do to a women?"

Hera burped quietly and covered her mouth. She had the grace to blush, "Excuse me, and it won't do anything to a woman but make her burp aparently. I already have the equipment and the fidelity. The love...well that is debatable." She glanced at Zeus who looked a bit put out but then he smiled at his wife. He knew she loved him otherwise she wouldn't get Jealous all the time.

Ares wasn't sure he liked how easliy this was being taken. He didn't mention Joxer to the two, but if there was difficulity with that pregnancy then Hera would find out. He decided to let go for the time being. His mortal follower seemed healthy. The freaky four and that thief were taking good care of him.

He cleared his throat, "Should we call the idiots back?"

"Them and Hermes. I want an announcement sent out. All elegible gods in the pantheon have a right to know, a right to petition for Strife's hand." Zeus's eyes gleamed. The old goat was looking forward to the mayhem that was about to break loose.

"Can't Ah just stay a virgin or sommin?" Strife whispered pleadingly. He felt the mischief energy rolling off his grandfather in waves and for once the discordent energy didn't comfort him, it scared him.

"Are you a virgin Strife?" Hera asked. She wanted to reach out and touch him to scan him again. He flinched violently and fell off the chair he had been occupying. It was hard to beleive that one of war was innocent of carnal pleasure.

"Please don't!" He covered his head, and even though she normally would have blasted the impertenant boy for denying her, she held back. Strife was trembling and crying. Very unlike the crude, brash, ireverent snot of a godling she was used to. Perhaps it was the potion playing with his emotions or perhaps it was deeper.

She held back...for the time being. She would give the child respite, but she had many, many questions. Some for Apollo some for Strife's mother, some for Strife himself when he didn't seem so fragile.

"Get up boy you're making a scene," Zeus commanded and Strife did, unresisting. He swiped at his eyes with shaking hands. He felt so tired and his head hurt. Something felt so off in his head, more off than normal. He'd had this happen before and everybody danced around it. He'd learned to let it go, but with the added stress of being made into a baby machine...well what could be worse than that?

Then Cupid was there standing next to him. Strife felt slightly better. Cupid was a good guy. He wouldn't take advantage of Strife's weakness unlike so many others.

Adonis Appeared and he was standing on his other side and Strife leaned away and bumped shoulders with Cupid. Adonis looked sideways at him and Strife felt his stomach bottom out. Adonis turned his attention to his adopted grandfather. He looked like he wanted to say something to Zeus. The king of the gods held up his hand before he could open his mouth and spew forth more nonsense. He closed his mouth, even an airhead like him wasn't completely stupid.

"A decision has been made and an announcement must go out," Zeus started.

Hermes appeared suddenly, "You called?"

"Huh, yes boy, you'll be sending out an announcement across Olympus. But first I must sort out these young idiots," Zeus grumbled, "Adonis it has come to my attention you are interested in courting my grandson, by your own words. Strife is still part of Ares household so any who wish to court the godling must get his approval. Cupid, you would also wish to court Strife. Do not deny it. I can see it in your eyes."

Strife knew he had said as much but hearing Zeus himself proclaim it made it more real.   Strife leaned away from his cousin. He didn't want anyone to do THAT to him not even this kind god.

"As I have said...This is the part I want announced," He looked at Hermes. Then he cleared his throat and continued, "The god Strife is able to bear children, any eligable god may seek his hand, They must go to Ares for permission to pursue the young godling. Strife will not be touched until his wedding night and any who attempt underhanded tricks such as kidnapping him, or physically attacking him will be dealt with severly."

A golden scroll appeared in Hermes hand and he nodded, then he looked at his nephew. His eyes grew far away for a second then he cleared his throat, "Before I go...I was wondering... any god iseligable?"

Zeus nodded but rolled his eyes at his son.

"Awesome, sign me up then!" He leered at Strife.   Strife for his part was very brave and only ducked behind Cupid instead of trying to dive out the high windows. Herems looked to Ares seriously and nodded, "I'm asking now for your permission to court Strife. You know I'd take good care of him."

"You'll have to get in line flyboy. I was here first," Adonis asserted himself between Strife and the god of messangers.

Cupid was, well, trembling might have been a good word for it. His eyes glowed brightly enough to light a dark room. He was about to boil over into a fit of rage. He felt Strife's hand on his shoulder as he hid from the sight of the other gods. He took in a slow cleaning breath. He looked to his father and Ares nodded. His permission was granted.

"That's enough you three. Hermes take that message around to the gods. Once you have carried out your duty then you can take care of your business with Ares and Strife," Zeus ground out. His patence was growing thin and he had a sexy little dryad bathing in the nude waiting for him to come wash her back.

One "Yes father" and two "Yes Zeus"coursed in unison. Hermes vanished and the announcment was out. Before they could leave Zeus' hall three more gods appeared looking at Ares and Strife.

They had come more out of curosity than interest. Then the men inhaled the lovely scent coming off the young god and they got a good look at the once skinny but now slight curvy body and the alabaster skin. They were clammering over themselves to beg Ares for a chance with his charge. They started shoving and pulling hair to get to Ares first.

"Cupid get Strife out of here before this turns into a war zone," Ares commanded. His son nodded to him and took them to his mother's place instead of to Ares. He told his father as much with a thought so Ares wouldn't start blasting Olympus thinking someone had actually kidnapped the young god.

"Take this to your temple Ares I have better things to do then play refree to these idiots," Zeus vanished. Ares growled. This was the goat's fault and of course he had to deal with the King's rash decisions.

He transported to his own temple and sat in his throne. There were already Gods waiting there and the ones that had been fighting must have realized he was gone because they appeared in his hall in various states of undress and injury.

"Get in line idiots," Ares growled.

"Where's that beautiful nephew of yours Lord Ares?" One asked...Hesperus? Ares thought. Nobody saw him around much. He was the god of the evening star. He had been one of the first to appear. He had his robes torn and his hair was a mess. Normally he was a placid god. His skin glowed almost incandescent and he was handsome as most greek gods were want. He was looking around for Strife and caught his reflection in a mirror on the wall. He quickly started fixing his robes and hair.

The others he was fighting with were there. Momus, the god of mockery, maybe a good match for Strife...if they were working together. He just worried that they were too similar and also Strife at only half his power and being seen as the weaker partner might be miseralbe with this god. Zelus, the god of rivalry, Strife would hate him. He was the one that had started the fight in Zeus' hall.

Then the three turned and looked at the long line already formed before Ares' throne, and most of them had some kind of token; weapons, gifts of incense, gold, and there were even a few immortal slaves knealing at their feet. The three gods quickly thought up something in their hands.    Hesperus thought up a little ball of stardust surrounded by crystal. It was rather beautiful. Momus summoned a jeweled, gold plated dagger.

Zelus thought hard and suddenly a loud neighing caught everyone's attention, He held a lead in his hand. The god of rivalry summoned a very fine black warhorse. He imagined Ares himself couldn't have a nicer beast in his stables. Ares raised one brow when the startled horse lifted its tail and dropped a big load of crap on his polished black marble floor. Zelus blushed and vanished the manure.

"This is going to be fun,"Ares uttered under his breath and glared at the room, He raised his voice and looked at the three, "Get in line morons before I toss you out on your asses."

The three gods looked disgruntled but didn't say anyting. They headed to the back of the line; the horse clopping behind Zelus. Ares waved his hand and sent to beast to his stables. Zelus looked put out having his offering taken away. "If anyone else brought me a bribe you can toss them in the pile over there," He pointed to an empty corner next to his throne, "...But that's not going to help you. All I want is your name and for you to get out. I'll send word to those of you who I wish to talk with further...And If I hear of any of you bothering my nephew, you won't have the proper equipment to father a child after I'm through." He waved his hand and a table with a parchemnt and quill appeared, "Just write your name then get the fuck out of my temple."

The men obeyed signing their names to the parchment then carefully they placed their gifts in the corner. One of them tried to leave his slave, Ares sighed and looked at the frightened woman, a girl really. He waved at her and she was sent to a village of immortals, with a bag of gold and a letter to the village head to find a place for her to stay.   He didn't need a skinny sickly looking female underfoot. Two more were left, another woman, a bit more mature and gifted in certain Areas. She would be pleasing if he got bored but he waved her away too. She was sent to the same village with a bag of gold and note, amended that he may call on her special services if he required some stress relief. The other was a strapping lad who couldn't have been more than eighteen physically. Ares looked him over and sent him to a warlord to be trained. Again a letter and a bag of gold were sent with him.

Only a few were left. There had even been some lower members of his own house to come. They knew better than to bring any tributes to Ares for this. They would save them for Strife. His sons, Enyalios and Deimos, were the quietest and most respectful of the throng, not saying much, but both had at one point or another shown an interest in the young godling. Ares knew his own house and he kept them from him until he was mature enough to defend himself. Ares watched as some of the gods attempted to scratch out their predicessor's name but of course all that did was prevent them from writting their own name down. He wasn't stupid.

Hermes made an appearance as promised and bowed before taking the pen and scribbling his name. Then flashed out in a rain of gold sparkles. The one that surprised him most was Apollo's son Asclepius. He came in quietly said hello bowed and signed his name. He left quietly as he came in.

Ares sighed. He would have to be fair about this (espically where Apollo's progeny was concerned, bright boy would throw a fit if he thought his child was overlooked). There were more than a few gods that would make good candidates. Even more that he'd like to boot off Olympus.

Late dusk and still no sign of Joxer and Auto. Xena and Gabrielle turned in. They were worried but they couldn't do anything until dalight. If they headed out searching for their friends in the dark they could potentially pass their camp up. Xena decided they would start out in the morning and try to meet their frineds on the road.

Cupid and Strife watched Ares' throne room on a scrying mirror. Part of the young god wanted to be horrified, but his nature couldn't help appriciate the mischief this was causing. Zelus with his horse had him cackling inspite of himself.

Cupid wasn't surprised to see many of them but he had not been ready for Ace to show up. He had to admit that if he couldn't have Strife he woud rather him go to someone like Asclepius. At least he would be treated gently and with the kindness he deserved. His brothers signed up too.

Deimos was confusing to Cupid his younger brother looked so much like Strife it might be like looking in the mirror. More than one person pointed out the Strife could have been the third in a set of triplets if he had been born closer in age to Deimos and Phobos.

Having to compete against his brothers worried him. Their father would have a hard time being fair to his own children. Cupid hoped it was left up to Strife to make the final decision.

"My futuah is nothin but ah contest now," Strife snorted loudly and his shoulders shook he was crying and laughing at the same time, "What am I gonna do Cupes? Ah'm nothin but ah prize to em," He rubbed his wet eyes.

"Strife...I...I promise that I'll do my best to help you. I know you don't want me but maybe...maybe if you let me marry you...I'd never hurt you. If you wanted to remain celebate I would honor your decision," Cupid looked at him in earnest. He had the urge to hug Strife but he stayed strong.

Strife didn't know what to stay. Cupid was willing to live in a sexless marriage to keep him safe? He was touched and his heart stirred in his chest. He was still terrified but he saw a ray of light.

Cupid vanished the scrying mirror. Strife had seen enough. He trusted his father to weed out the worst of the candidates. He knew his chances were only as good as the best to sign up and that wasn't good enough for him, but he would try to sheild Strife from them.

"Why don't you go lay down? Its late," Cupid put his hand on Strife's. The other god flinched but didn't pull away. Cupid felt his heartbeat quicken. He smiled at his cousin.   Cupid took his hands and kissed them.

"Sha," Strife blushed bright red and pulled away. He moved to a disgustingly pink couch and lay down. Cupid covered him in a pink blanket and moved away to go climb into bed with his son. He needed to hug someone. He needed that closeness and love, his little baby gave it in arm loads. Though he wanted to touch Strife and hold him close he wouldn't try to force him into it. He missed his son anyhow and Bliss loved sleeping with his daddy.

TBC
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Strife in my Life