BIG DISCLAIMER! (hehe) Xena, Hercules, Gabrielle, Eve, Zeus, Hera, some dialogue, most of the plot line, etc. are not mine! They belong to Rob Tapert, Renaissance Productions, etc.

BIG SPOILER! If you haven't seen the Xena episode God Fearing Child and you don't want to know what happens...then you might not want to read this story! =) If you've seen the episode...I've rewatched it for accuracy. I know that it's not all accurate...but it's a fanfiction so... ^_^

OTHER INFO! This story is based on the Xena episode God Fearing Child as you may know. What I have done is added my character, Dana, and a bit of her history into it. This story also focuses more on what Hercules is doing. If you want to know (a lot) more about Dana, then read "The Goddess of the Golden Warrior". One more little note...there are a few things in Dana's life that are written into this story, but not mentioned in the other. Don't worry...it will be explained soon! The picture up top is from ROCfanatic's Xena Page. Now...enjoy the story! ^_^

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Another day…just another beautiful day. Dana had woken up early. Now, as she stepped outside of the inn where she had stayed the night before, she realized that today had a different feeling about it. Something was going to happen. Dana could feel it. She brushed her auburn hair behind her ears and stretched. Then she started down to the town square. It was weird having nobody to travel with though. Her friend, Rae, had agreed to teach some martial arts classes in the city of Kakarika. So Dana had left her horse, Opal in the palace stables, and had begun traveling a bit on her own, helping people when she could. Life had been pretty uneventful lately. The gods hadn't interfered with her business, and there hadn't been any armies to stop or villages to save. Dana made her way to the market place in the town square. Being a hero could get really boring. She walked from stand to stand, just checking things out, when suddenly she was surrounded by darkness. Two large hands covered her eyes. She was reaching for her sword, when the voice (that belonged to the hands) said, "Guess who…" Dana rolled her eyes in the darkness. "I don't know…" "Come on…" "Um…Joxer?" "Oh…no way! Give up?" "Yeah…" The hands came off of her eyes, and she was blinded by sunlight. "I can't see…" A big shadow blocked out the sun. She looked up and saw… "Hercules!" Hercules smiled. "In the flesh!" Dana punched him playfully. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "Shopping. What are you doing here?" "Nothing really. Just passing through. Where's Iolaus?" "He had some stuff to do, so we split up for a while." Dana caught sight of something in Hercules' hand. She looked closer. "Hercules," she said, "Why in the world are you carrying a stuffed…" "Hydra? Because it's a present." Dana nodded. "For who?" "Xena." "No offense, Hercules, but why would Xena need a stuffed hydra?" "It's actually…not for Xena. It's for her baby. She's pregnant." "PREGNANT?" "You didn't know?" Dana shook her head. "I had no idea…I haven't seen Xena since she left Kakarika a few months ago." "Neither have I. I heard it through the grapevine. I'm going to visit her. Want to come?" Dana nodded vigorously. She was sick of traveling alone anyway, and seeing Xena and Gabrielle again would be fun. "All right then," said Hercules. "Let's go!"
The two walked down the forest path. They were chatting away about heroic events and other things. Dana twisted the ring on her finger. Hercules noticed this, and commented, "Thinking of Anthony?" Dana nodded slightly. "Yeah. And about Callisto. Can you believe that she's an angel? After all the hell she put me through…" "She's changed. That's what Xena told me," said Hercules. "How so?" "For one thing I heard again through the grapevine that Xena's baby would be Callisto's reincarnated spirit." Dana kicked a stone on the path. "That's so weird. I mean she's caused pain to all of us, and yet she's forgiven. Well Xena forgave her…I sort of did too. I kind of get mixed up about it you know?" Hercules nodded. "I understand…it can be hard at times." Dana sighed. "Yup." She looked up at the sky, and brushed away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. Hercules looked at her with concern. "Dana, are you ok?" "Yes. I'm just…well…I can't really think…" Hercules knew not to ask more about what Dana was feeling. He knew all too well what it was like to lose someone close to your heart. Especially since Anthony was going to be Dana's husband. Hercules shook his head slightly. Dana was young, only eighteen summers, and she had already had a child, watched loved ones die, fought evil, and overcome her own power. Things weren't easy for her at all. She reminded Hercules of himself at her age. Except she overcame all her pain…or hid it very well. They had walked for a few more hours when they reached a clearing where the found… "Xena!" shouted Dana. Xena and Gabrielle had been resting in the clearing from their journeys. Gabrielle leapt up. Dana ran to her and hugged her. "I missed you!" Hercules came up behind them. "Thanks for telling your old friends about the baby." "Hello Hercules," said Xena. Hercules smiled. "Hello Xena…" he gave her the stuffed hydra. "This is for you…er…your baby. And when were you going to tell us?" Xena laughed. Hercules then turned to Gabrielle. "And you…wasn't your hair longer the last time I saw you?" Gabrielle gave him a look. "Wasn't yours?" Then Xena smiled at Dana. That girl grew up even more every time they had met. "Dana…" "Hello Xena. Congratulations on the baby." "Thank you. How are you?" "Managing…" Xena nodded. "Sorry to interrupt," said Hercules, "But there are six behind you." "And there's six behind you. Care to dance?" said Xena. "Are you sure?" "Sure I'm sure." Hercules smiled mischievously. "Let's dance." Dana suddenly caught on when they were ambushed by a group of soldiers of some sort. The soldiers were the Proxidicae. The battle began. The four warriors fought the soldiers, who were dressed in dark armor. Finally they held them off. Xena put the pinch on one of them, and Hercules and Xena inquire simultaneously, "Who sent you?" The man gasped, and Xena un-pinched him. "It was Zeus…he decreed it. The unborn child of Xena must die." The four glanced at each other in confusion. "What?" muttered Gabrielle. Hercules turned away. "Why would anybody want to kill your child?" asked Dana. Xena thought for a moment. "I don't know." Gabrielle went to collect their things. Suddenly one of the Proxidicae rose up. Xena threw her chakram at him and killed him. "That was not good…" said Hercules. Xena looked at him. "Kill one…and the rest get stronger. Suddenly all of the Proxidicae jumped up. Not wanting to take anymore chances, the warriors ran as fast as they could.
"We better keep moving," said Hercules. "They're just going to keep on coming." "I still don't get it. Why would Zeus want to kill your baby?" asked Gabrielle. "Well I'm not gonna wait around for Zeus to take another shot at me. I'll do whatever it takes to protect my child." "But surely Zeus will be able to track us down…" "Not if I'm invisible." "The Helmet of Hades," muttered Dana. "Yes." Gabrielle shook her head. "Oh no. You're not telling me that we're going to Tartarus!?" Xena nodded. "Hold it," said Hercules. "Tartarus is the land of the dead. If you give birth there…your child will be stillborn." "I know. I'm willing to take the risk for my child. Now about Zeus…the ribs of Cronus can kill a god. But no mortal knows where they are." Then Xena had an idea. She looked at both Dana and Hercules. "But I bet both of you would know." Dana shrugged, but Hercules said, "Whoa wait a minute. Before anyone goes out to kill my father, at least let me have a meeting with him." "It's your choice, Hercules." "Xena, you know that I would die before I would let anyone hurt your child." "That goes double for me," added Dana. Xena nodded. "Go with Hercules, Dana. Come on Gabrielle. We have to get that helmet." And Xena and Gabrielle set off. Meanwhile Hercules looked at Dana. "Well I guess we should get going. It's party time at Mt. Olympus."
It took Hercules and Dana no time to get to Olympus. Dana had been there a few times, but she preferred to stay away…from anywhere that Ares might be. "Do you think that we'll have to kill Zeus?" asked Dana. "I don't know," said Hercules. "But I am ready to defend Xena…and her baby." "But he's your father…and the ruler of the gods." Hercules turned to Dana. "Yes, but that doesn't mean that what he's doing is right." "I know." They finally made it to the throne room of Zeus. "Ready?" asked Hercules. Dana took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be." Hercules opened the heavy doors. "Zeus!" he called out. Zeus appeared. "It's about time. I've been waiting. Hello Hercules. And Dana…what gives me the honor? You've certainly grown up." "Save it, you know why we're here," snapped Dana. "Touchy aren't we?" "Cut the crap," Hercules broke in. "We're here for a reason, and I think you know what it is." "Hercules, you don't understand. I know that you want to protect Xena, but..." "Zeus, honestly, what can a woman and a baby do to you?" asked Dana. "I have learned that this child will bring the end to us gods." He looked Dana in the eye. "That could mean you too, you know." Dana turned away. Hera appeared. "Hercules, your father isn't lying." "The people need us, Hercules, Dana." "There you go again. You always just look out for yourself," said Hercules. "The people are more ready than ever to stop relying on you. Face it, Zeus, they can live without you." "And are you aware that you could die as well?" "I am well aware. Dana and I both know that we might give up our lives." "I'm sorry, Hercules, but I am standing with my decision. Can't you understand? After all, you are my son…" Hercules looked at the ground, and then up again. "Well if that's your decision… I don't think that I'll be calling you father anymore. Come on Dana let's get out of here." Dana nodded, and they both left Zeus standing in the throne room.
Dana and Hercules walked through Olympus. "Well that didn't go over well did it?" "No, we didn't get through to him. Hopefully waving the bone of Cronus in his face will change his mind." There was a flash of red and silver light. When the light faded, Dana's mother, Fira was standing before them. "Hi mom," said Dana. "Dana…Hercules. I know why you're here. I understand what's happening, but before you jump to any conclusions…Dana may I have a word with you?" "Sure. Herc, can we spare a few minutes?" Hercules nodded. Fira took Dana to the far side of the room. "Dana, I know that you don't agree with what Zeus is doing. I don't either. I know you are willing to kill him in order to save Xena. However, there is something very important that I should tell you. I should have told you this a long time ago. Zeus…is your father." Dana's mouth dropped open in shock. "Wha…What?" Fira nodded. "It's true. Let me tell you why. When I was an evil person, Zeus taught me a lesson by making me mortal. When I was mortal, he also 'cursed' me with a child. Of course I never thought of it as a curse. You were born mortal. But you always had Zeus' power. When I became a goddess again, I gave you my power too. I just thought that you should know these things before killing him." "I understand, mom. But I am firm in my decisions. Hopefully it won't all end in tears." "And I understand where you're coming from as well." Fira hugged Dana. "Good luck, and may you be successful without resulting to killing." Then Fira disappeared. Dana walked back over to Hercules. "Come on." "What was that all about? Is it anything that I should know of?" "Yes." "What is it?" "I'm his daughter." Hercules stopped. "You…?" "Yes. And that means that you are my half brother." "And you are my half sister. This is…strange somehow." Dana shrugged. "Let's just go. We have to get through the forest of the titans before we can find the bones." She began walking at a fast pace. "Dana." She stopped. "What?" "Are you ok with all this? Are you sure that you want to do this?" "Yes. Zeus never really did anything for me. I have to save Xena…because she's more family to me then he is." "But what about your goddess-hood?" "I…don't know. It was said that I wouldn't become a goddess until my death. So I have nothing to worry about. I wonder how Xena and Gabrielle are doing?" "I'm sure they're fine. Come on…we should go." And Hercules and Dana quickly made their exit from Olympus, ready to face one of the biggest conflicts in their lives.
Hercules and Dana reached the forest of the Titans. They had to get through this forest before they could get to the rib of Cronus. They were well into the forest, when a cloud of smoke rose up, faded, and left Ares standing before them. "Oh no…" Dana muttered under her breath. "Ares," said Hercules. Ares smiled. "Little brother. You have no idea how glad I am to see you." Hercules rolled his eyes. "And you have no idea how little I give a damn." Ares raised his arm and a ball of fire appeared in his hand. He shot the ball of fire at them. Hercules ducked behind a log. Dana stepped forward. "Ares! I won't let you do this!" Ares eyed her. "Dana, don't get in my way. We've had more than one conflict…" "No kidding. I will not let you interfere with this." "Too bad." Ares shot the flame at her, but she blocked it. Hercules was uncertain. He wasn't about to leave Dana with Ares. But the again…he was sure that Dana could take care of herself. Dana called on her dormant goddess powers, and shot a flame at Ares, Ares dodged it and threw another flame at Dana. They were going at it for a few minutes, when Hercules saw something appear behind Ares. It was Hera. Hercules didn't know what she was up to this time. "Oh great," he whispered. Dana paused. Ares wound up a fireball and shot it at Dana, but at the last minute Hera exploded the ball, knocking both Ares and Dana out. "Dana!" shouted Hercules. He ran over to her still form. "Hera! What did you do to her?" Hera walked over to him calmly. "I stopped her from her death. I stopped Ares from his. If they kept fighting, they would have killed each other. They'll be out for a while." "Will she be ok?" Hera nodded. "Yes." Hercules looked at her. "Wait a minute. What are you doing here?" "I'm here to help you." "Yeah right. I'm going to believe that…" "It's true. Listen Hercules, I know the past has been hard. I used to hate humans, but when you saved my grandson I realized that they were the greatest things that Zeus and I created. Gods or no gods, I know that they'll survive. And I know what you're looking for and where to find it." "Ok what do you and Zeus have planned. I don't trust you…" "Zeus doesn't know that I'm here. Hercules, you need a god's help to find the bones of Cronus. Mortal eyes can't find them." Hercules looked at Dana and then at Hera. "Ok fine." Hercules picked Dana up. "Will she be a burden for you to carry?" asked Hera. "No. She is my sister anyway. And I don't want her to wake up alone near Ares. Or vice versa. Ares would probably try to kill her." "Ah yes. She and Ares do have a history of hate." "One minute please. Hera, why are you doing this?" Hera looked him straight in the eye. "Because parents should never outlive their children."
And so Hercules (carrying Dana) and Hera made their way through the forest of the Titans. They found themselves in an open field. Hercules looked around. "Hera, what are you trying to prove to me?" Hera almost rolled her eyes. "I'm going to prove that the eyes of mortals are very weak." She waved her hand, and a huge cliff appeared, with a crack in the side. "The bones are in there." Suddenly Dana began to stir. She opened her eyes. "Where am I? Hercules?" Hercules smiled. "You were out for a bit. How are you feeling?" Dana blinked. "Um…a little light headed." "Can you stand?" "Uh-huh. I think so…" Hercules put her down, and she stood. Dana shook her head. "What's going on?" She then saw Hera. "And what are you doing here, Hera?" Hera put a hand on her shoulder. "Dana, I've always admired your strength and nobility. I kept you from dying, and I led Hercules here. In the side of the cliff lay the bones of Cronus." "Oh then what are we waiting for? Let's get them." Dana started for the cliff and staggered as she walked. Hercules laughed. "Hey Dana…having a problem?" Dana almost tripped over a rock. "Yeah you could say that." Hercules glanced at Hera. "She will be ok right?" "Yes. The side effects will wear off soon…" "Hopefully," Hercules muttered, as he went to catch up to Dana.
Hercules had never seen Dana act so…tipsy. She kept blabbering and falling over things. Hercules stared at a huge coffin-like thing. "So…this is where the bones are?" Hera nodded. Hercules looked around for something to help him break into it. Meanwhile Dana had jumped onto the huge coffin. "Ooooh are the bones in here???" "Yes they are…" said Hera. "Wow." Dana started walking around the top of the coffin. "Dana!" shouted Hera. "Watch for the…" Suddenly Dana stepped and broke through the coffin. "Weak spots…" finished Hera. Dana shrieked. "Ewww get me out of here! I think I just found a huge spider web! Icky! This is soooo gross!" Hercules ran and jumped into the coffin. He got Dana out and shoved her towards Hera. "Hera! Do something about her! NOW!" Hera sighed. "Very well." She zapped Dana, and Dana sat on the ground and held her head in her hands. "What the? I've got the biggest headache…" Hercules jumped back into the coffin, and shortly returned with a bone of Cronus. "Well here it is…" Suddenly Zeus appeared. "You know, it's not to late to change your mind." "Zeus, it's not to late to change yours either. I've got the bone of Cronus now. And you know that it…" "Can kill me? I knew that." Zeus looked around the cave. Hercules was standing on top of the coffin, bone in hand. Dana was on the floor holding her head. And then he saw… "Hera. What are you doing here? Have you plotted against me?" Hera nodded. "I've done a lot of evil things in my time. I won't be responsible for the death of another innocent child." Zeus turned to Hercules. "Give me the bone." Hercules stood his ground. Suddenly Hera zapped Zeus. "Hercules," said Hera. "Go on. Take Dana with you. Xena needs you. I'll handle this." Hercules jumped down from the coffin and ran to Dana. He pulled her up and dragged her out of the cave, much to her surprise, leaving Hera and Zeus to deal with each other…
Hercules and Dana had run from the cave as fast as they could. "All right Hercules…can we rest a minute? I'm dying of a major headache." "Fine…but we need to make it quick." Dana sank to the ground. "I have never felt so weak and demented in my life. I was acting like a moron back there." Hercules sat beside her. "Hey it's not really your fault. Hera had to knock you out so that you wouldn't get killed. We didn't know that you would get all of those side effects." "What do you think happened with Zeus and Hera," asked Dana. "I really have no idea. I could tell though…that it wasn't going to be pretty. Zeus is out to kill Xena… And Hera who is supposed to back him up went against him instead." "Yeah…speaking of Xena…I think we should go. Remember that Hera said she needed us." "I thought you had a headache." "I did…but I do have a bit of healing power. The headache is gone. Now come on we need to go!" And so Dana and Hercules stood up and resumed their journey.
They ran and ran until they came back to the forest where they had promised to meet Xena and Gabrielle. Suddenly the Proxidicae attacked them again. After they were done killing all of them with the rib, Dana ran to Xena. "Are you guys ok? "Yes, everything is…ohhh. I have to sit down." "Xena?" asked Gabrielle worriedly. "It's ok Gabrielle. I'm ok. The baby is coming soon. I need you to go to safety Gabrielle. If Zeus comes and gets through Hercules and Dana, then you'll be in the line of fire." Gabrielle shook her head. "No way. I'm staying here with you. We're together in this." "Gabrielle!" Xena shouted. "It's ok Xena, I'm here!" "Gabrielle help me get this coat off. Get it off me!" Gabrielle quickly helped Xena out of her coat. Xena turned and half-smiled at Dana. "Oh it's coming…" "What about Zeus?" asked Gabrielle. "He's my problem," said Hercules, and he ran back into the forest. Dana turned back to Xena. "Just breathe. You can do it." "Dana!" came the shout from the forest. It was Hercules. Dana ran towards where his voice was coming. Hercules was standing across from Zeus. Zeus suddenly knocked Hercules away, and stepped toward Dana. "Zeus…don't." Zeus' voice was strangely calm. "Oh Dana…don't try to stop me now. Why must you get in the way?" "I think you know." "Don't you realize that this child will be the end of us all?" "Zeus, I am not a goddess yet. I don't care. Xena is my friend. I will protect her and her baby no matter what." Zeus sighed. "So be it…" "No Zeus!" shouted Hercules. He had come up from behind. "Ah Hercules. You are being a fool you know." Hercules held up the bone of Cronus. "No, Zeus. You're the fool." Zeus took a ball of light into his hand and slammed Hercules into a tree. The bone went flying and stuck into another tree. "Do you really think that you can kill me Hercules?" Xena's scream ripped through the forest. Dana drew her sword. "Nothing can stop us now, Zeus. The baby is on its way. You can't prevent this." "No…That baby cannot live!" Zeus threw Dana into the tree with the bone. Dana looked up at the bone. She knew that Zeus was advancing towards Xena and Gabrielle. She couldn't let her friends die. "Hercules!" she shouted, and pulled the bone from the tree. "Catch!" Hercules caught the bone. A baby cry was heard. Xena's baby was here. Zeus wound up a ball of lightning, and fell. The bone of Cronus was sticking out of his back, and Hercules was standing behind him, a grim look on his face. Dana shook her head and stood. She walked to Hercules, who had taken a dying Zeus into his arms. "Father…" he said. Dana knelt down beside them. "Zeus…are you really…" "Dying? Yes my child I am. Dana, I know that you know…I am your father." "Yes…" "I am so sorry that I never showed you how much I cared…I'm sorry." Dana covered her eyes with her hands for a moment. Though she had found out that Zeus was her father that day, she still felt a bit of sadness. Zeus looked at Hercules. "And you, my son. I'm sorry it had to end this way. But I want you to know that…I'm very proud of you." And with those last words Zeus died. He turned to dust that flew out of Hercules' grasp and onto the wind. Dana lowered her head, and Hercules put an arm around her. And in the wind Hercules' voice could be heard… "Father!!!…"
The four warriors sat underneath the trees. Xena was holding her new baby. Hercules was sitting on a log, pondering the events that had occurred. Dana and Gabrielle were looking at the baby. "Xena…she's so pretty," commented Dana. Hercules came out of his thoughts for a moment. "What are you going to name her?" Xena smiled. "Eve." "Why Eve?" "Because Solan said to." Dana sat back. "You saw Solan? In Hades?" "Yup. It was an adventure all right…" Gabrielle looked up at the sky. "You know we've all talked about surviving without gods…now that Zeus is dead do you think we will?" Hercules sighed. "I guess we're going to find out. Come with me for a minute." Gabrielle and Hercules got up and walked off. Dana looked at Eve. "She really looks like you Xena." Xena took one arm and put it around Dana's shoulders. "Dana, if this is hard for you…" "No! It's not hard at all. I'm just really happy for you. Take care of her Xena. You…" "Don't know how precious they are until they're gone?" finished Xena. Dana nodded. "Yeah." "I know…you will stay with us for a while?" "Yeah I guess so. It'll be fun taking care of the baby and all. It'll be like taking care of my own again." "Hey Dana!" shouted Hercules. "What?" "Come here for a second!" "Be right there!" Dana leaned over and kissed Eve on the forehead. Xena smiled at her. Then Dana stood up to join Hercules and Gabrielle. Xena watched the young warrior walk off and then turned and looked at her baby. "We're going to be together forever, Eve. You, your brother, and me. We'll all be together…always."

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