Immortality is my gift, as well as my curse. On one hand, never facing that bothersome emotion mortals call fear for your life is a definite plus. I experienced it enough in my brief stay as a mortal to last me for the rest of my life. Which, unless a new way to kill gods is discovered, promises to be rather long.

On the other hand, getting too attached to someone could lead to painful complications. Gods and warriors have that in common, although for completely different reasons. A god knows that watching the death of his loved ones is something which cannot be avoided, which is why keeping a hard heart is wise. Which of course is why I had to fall in love with a mortal. A warrior never knows whether she will see the sun set the next day, or whether she would have left her loved ones on earth and gone to a different place.

Funny thing really, how two such different lifestyles are really so much the same, when you strip off the fancy outer layer.

I wonder what life would be like if she was gone from it, and I remained. Terrible. Been there, done that. But how would life be if she left after things had finally gone right for us, and we had been together? Unbearable.

I gaze into the portal longingly for a second - Xena, her hair flying, war cry shooting past the tallest trees - and I know that I would never exchange what she has now with a simple, safe lifestyle, which she would live for many years. Nor would she. Maybe that means I've accepted where we stand. Maybe I really wouldn't have it any other way.

I snap the portal shut, reveling in the self-denying power of my thoughts, all the while, in the back of my mind knowing that's it's all bullshit. But that's beside the point, maybe if I can just keep thinking this way. I should stay away from her, its better for us both. Yes that's right, I nod to myself. Time to concentrate on other things.

A goblet of wine appears in my hand, and I tilt it to my lips, taking a much needed drink.

"Ares!!"

Yup, that's her. Which should mean nothing, right? Which should mean that I will ignore the tingly sensation going all over my body, and stay here. Right.

The goblet clatters to the floor with a clang as I disappear to whatever campsite she and her friend are currently stationed at, all previous thoughts discarded. Maybe Athena was right. I really am whipped.

~ The End ~