The Gift By Lady Leonie Disclaimer: Characters are properties of Studios USA, Renaissance Pictures, and MCA. Spoiler: Coming Home Feedback: ladyleonie@yahoo.com Ares stood back and watched as Gabrielle worked furiously to bring the unconscious Xena back. He couldn’t believe that he the all powerful god of war had been possessed by those bothersome Furies to kill Xena. "Well I’m not so powerful anymore am I?" he thought to himself. Finally with a sputtering cough the warrior princess began to show signs of life. Gabrielle had done it. She had breathed the life back into her friend. The feeling of guilt overwhelmed him as he realized he had once again hurt the women he loved. He had nearly killed Xena and in the process had alienated Gabrielle even more. While the three women were occupied with each other he walked away. "Being mortal is bad enough, but loving two woman at the same time. Now thats a torture even the Furies wouldn't think of!" Ares sat on the cliff feeling the lowest he had ever felt. He soon heard gentle footsteps approaching. It was Gabrielle. He didn't want to look up and see the condemnation in her eyes. Right now he really didn't think he could take it. When he felt her hand resting on his shoulder, the temptation was too great and he looked up to find her smiling tentatively. "Ares..I didn't get a chance before, but I wanted to thank you." "Thank me for what? Trying to kill your best friend? Spare me the sarcasm and just hit me. It will hurt less." Gabrielle nudged Ares over so that she could sit beside him on his rocky perch. "That is not what I meant at all. I can relate better then anyone to the lengths the Furies can drive a person to. I almost killed Eve remember? What I was trying to say, before you rudely interrupted me, was thank you for saving mine and Eve's life. I know what it cost you and I will forever be grateful" Gab leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Not one to miss an opportunity Ares quickly turned so that her lips found his own instead. Gabrielle allowed herself to give in for a few brief moments before breaking from his embrace. "God or no god, you are still powerful Ares. But until you can decide once and for all whether its me or Xena you care about, keeps those lips of yours away from me. They are lethal weapons." Ares shrugged his shoulders and smiled " With two such extraordinary woman, I just cant help myself!" Gabrielle stifled the laugh bubbling inside and instead just returned his smile as she sat a leather pouch down in the spot where she had been sitting. "This is for you Ares. Whether you use it or not is up to you, but for what its worth I kinda like the new you." With one last look Gabrielle walked off to meet her friends. When she was out of sight Ares opened up the bag to find a small jeweled case. Inside it was a glimmering piece of ambrosia. Gabrielle had given him the means to restore his godhood. With shaking hands he reached in and plucked the ambrosia from its case. As he began to place the morsel on his tongue he thought about what Gabrielle had said and put it back in the case. Lifting his hand high he flung it into the bushes below. The satisfied grin on his face quickly turned to astonishment. "What am I nuts?" he cried as he began climbing down the cliff to retrieve the ambrosia.