Midnight Visits – by Marista
DISCLAIMER: Xena, Gabrielle and Ares (throb, throb, throb) are property of Universal Studios/MCA. This is a shipper story which occurs immediately before the episode ‘Succession’. The story will still make sense even if you haven’t seen the episode.
Sex: No
Violence: No
Subext: No
Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome. I hope you enjoy the story.
_________________________________________________
The moon was high overhead and everything was quiet in the camp. Everyone lay in their bedrolls fast asleep. Ares cautiously appeared on the outskirts of the camp. He looked around and soundless walked across the clearing to where Xena lay. He stood there looking at her peaceful sleeping face in the moonlight. He watched how the moon reflected in her raven locks as they casually spilled across the arm that supported her head and onto the bedroll. He stood there for a few moments making sure that his presence had not disturbed her sleep. Perhaps fate would be on his side again tonight and that annoying chatterbox wouldn’t get up for one of her nature calls behind the bushes or for some water. ‘I’d like to give her lots of water’ he thought. An image flashed through his mind of drowning her, ‘yes that would indeed put her out of MY misery’. Unfortunately Xena was so attached to her, any misfortune to the bard mighgt send Xena off the deep end. ‘Just what does she see in her?’
A few more moments passed and Xena didn’t even stir. Ares slowly laid down facing Xena, there faces mere inches apart. Slowly, ever so slowly he moved closer and closer. Finally they were less than a wisp apart, but he was oh so careful not to touch her. He discovered in previous encounters that any contact with Xena’s skin would awaken her, or any human movement in the camp. He shifted slightly so that he was in the proper position and then he felt it, her breath slowly coming in and out of her body. Again Ares repositioned himself so that they shared every breath. It flowed out of her into him, and from him to her. It was a small thing, but this was a close as he could get to her most of the time. He often would pretend they were in his chambers on Olympus, laying there together in his bed after a night of being together. He splayed his fingers against her bedroll and was able to touch some of the silken strands of her hair. Her hair was the one thing he could touch without disturbing her, but he wanted so much more. He started to get aroused. It was amazing that just being near this mortal woman could have such a moving effect upon him.
Then the unthinkable happened. He heard Gabrielle stir and he knew these precious moments with her were fleeting. Ares closed his eyes and tried to savor these last moments before he had to leave. Gabrielle’s blankets shuffled and he was out of time, no more than 5 seconds later Gabrielle would sit up and Xena would open her eyes to make sure her friend was ok. He started to vanish in a sparkle of blue light and he quickly lifted his head and placed his lips on Xena’s forehead. Xena woke with a start and saw nothing; naturally she assumed it was Gabrielle’s movements that had waken her. The bard got up and walked behind a bush.
Ares rematerialized in his temple and punched the palm of his hand.
"Damn that girl".
He didn’t get to spend much time with her tonight. He stood and inhaled deeply, at least part of her essence was with him, and he hoped on some small scale that she would feel him too. He waved his arm and a view of the campsite emerged on his wall. He watched as Gabrielle walked past Xena into the bush. Xena opened her eyes and made sure her friend was ok and closed her eyes again. As she did she lightly rubbed her hand over her forehead where Ares had kissed her. It looked like she just had a slight itch, but he knew it was because of him. Gabrielle returned laid down on her bedroll and casually said to Xena "I’m cold". Xena didn’t even bother to open her eyes again when she rolled over to face the other direction and draped her arm over Gabrielle taking part of her bedroll with her so that Gabrielle would be warm and comfortable. Ares looked disgusted, but he would do anything to be in her position right now.
He wanted to be with Xena so badly, but at every turn Gabrielle was there to stop his plans. Too bad there wasn’t some way he could use the bard to his advantage. His eyebrows rose as he thought for a minute. He’d have to work out a plan; but he couldn’t think now. His encounter with Xena, no matter how brief had left him feeling… anxious. He needed a little relief, a little… distraction. He thought about his temple priestesses sleeping a few doors down, but he was in the mood for something different. His face lit up as he made a decision. Yeah, he’d figure out some way to use that bard, then he disappeared in a flash of blue light to spend some distraction time with the leader of a band of thugs named Mavican.
Finnis