"More, dear?" Hera lifted the pot questioningly. The scent of Earl Grey filled the air.

"No, mother, thanks. I've really got to run. There's a weaving contest I'm judging in a few minutes and then I'm going to look in on one of Ares' little skirmishes," Athena said around a mouthful of chocolate eclair. Tiny multi-colored sprinkles tumbled to her lap.

"No way, sis," Ares choked, the foam from his double vanilla-cinnamon latte frothing over his lips in a "Got Milk?" mustache.

The steaming mug clapped down onto the minute table the three Olympians were sharing. Coffee sloshed over the top, leaving a trail down the side. Across the cafe, their waitress glared stonily.

"Ares! Where are the manners I spent eons drilling into you," Hera admonished. She pulled a napkin out of the metal dispenser.

"These things are so handy." She dabbed at the mess he'd made.

"Mother," Ares began in an aggrieved voice (as he picked over the selection of Krispy Kremes in the cardboard box) "I'm not letting Athena ruin a perfectly good fight with a bunch of that "honorable warfare" crap."

"You should be so lucky," the Goddess of Wisdom, Weaving and Warfare interjected. "I could sic Discord on you. I know how much you enjoy *her* company."

Ares rolled his eyes as Athena discreetly wiped at a few rogue sprinkles on her upper lip. Their mother observed in amused silence as she topped off her cup of tea.

Ah, these little get togethers really broke up the daily grind...

Hera gently clicked her spoon against the china cup she held, the chiming sound drawing both sets of eyes.

"Well, try not to get too caught up, children. Remember, we've got that little something at 8. Your father's coming, and you know how uptight he gets when you're late."

Athena shoved back from the table and stood, sprinkles and napkin forgotten.

"Yes, mother. I'll be there, don't worry. Later, bro."

Straightening her dress and throwing her head back, she winked out in a flash of golden light.

"Thought she'd never leave," Ares grumbled, reaching for the last raspberry-filled donut.

An electrical charge shot up his arm and her jerked his hand away from the delicacy. The room was bathed in a warm pink glow.

"Uh-uh, Ares, you know that's my favorite," Aphrodite warned from the other realm.

He glanced up at Hera as he sat back. "You didn't tell me she was coming."

"She wasn't sure she could make it today, what with keeping the world in bed and all. Then there's all that Helen of Troy business, too," Hera said, daintily stuffing a cheese crown into her mouth.

"Yeah, like that face could really ever launch anything except a shrimp boat," Aphrodite declared as she materialized amid a swirl of pink petals.

Judiciously rearranging her ..er..self, she perused the remains of the mid-morning snackfest.

"Hmmm...I do so love the raspberry ones." One elegant hand reached out and pulled a paper napkin into her lap, snagging the donut in question along the way.

"So, what's up," she queried, white teeth biting deep into the succulent red filling.

Ares shoved an empty mug in her general direction. By the time it came to rest it was filled with hand-ground Colombian coffee, rich and black. No sugar - just the way she liked it. Aphrodite smiled gratefully as she dipped the tip of her pinky into the brew. Viola - instant sweetener, no calories, no tooth decay!

"Well, there's this family thing tonight at 8 - don't be late - and a couple of potential wars I'm keeping an eye on. Athena's gone to try and spoil one for me, so I'm gonna hit the road here shortly. Mom's been bitchin' about my manners again, too."

Ares swiped his hands over his pants, leaving traces of confectioner's sugar on the black leather, as Hera frowned in annoyance. He bared his teeth in acknowledgment.

"Go on, Ares," she griped. "You'll just ruin what's left of our coffee break. Take it out on the field, not on me.

He rose and bowed mockingly. "Mother...sis...until tonight." He strode off, whistling a catchy tune as he lit out for parts unknown.

"What was that he was whistling," Aphrodite asked, as she wrapped both hands around the steaming mug.

"Oh, it's just the theme song to the show we're watching tonight after dinner."

"Really? What's it called?"

"Xena, Warrior Princess."