Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 7 of ?
Date: 11/2/99 5:22:34 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

Hercules home near the city of Athens:

Hercules stood back and admired his handiwork. “Barnabas, you look, ---- pretty good! Even if I do say so myself.” Hercules chuckled.

Barnabas walked over to the mirror and took in the image that Hercules had created. He was wearing tight dark-brown pants, a brown long-sleeved tunic overlaid with a tan jerkin that came down past his hips, a wide-thick black belt that hugged his waist, laced high-top leather boots similar to those of Hercules and a leather sheath that held the sword Hercules had given him. Hercules was right. He did look smashing! And Barnabas also chuckled.

“Well, I do look like one of you,-- I think. At least I should fit in looking like this.” And for the first time in a long while, Barnabas actually felt comfortable, and happy.

“Oh, you’ll fit in ok.” Hercules said and then in a very serious tone he continued. “Remember what my Father told you, Barnabas. Be on your guard. The gods are very inventive, and they will try to trap you simply because you are befriending me. Be careful, my friend.”

Barnabas turned around to face Hercules and said, “Don’t worry, Hercules. I have been in a lot of strange situations before and peril as well. I will be careful,----and resourceful! And ---” Here Barnabas walked over to Hercules and smiling said, “I will do my best to help you get your family back. In the short time I have been with you, I have found a true friend. One that I have a common bond with and one whom I would never betray under any circumstances.”

Hercules put his hand on Barnabas’ shoulder and said, “Thank you, Barnabas. I, too feel a kindred spirit to you and feel the same way. That is why I again warn you, my friend. Be very careful. Hera’s dominion is very large indeed. And she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. So, be careful, my friend.”

“I will. And you as well. We have much to do before nightfall. So I best be on my way.” Barnabas replied and picking up the pouch of food that Hercules had prepared for him, he started towards the door. Opening the door and starting out he turned and looked at Hercules and waved a goodbye saying, “Farewell, Hercules.”

“Long life, my friend.” Hercules replied and Barnabas shut the door.

Hercules turned around and walked toward the bedroom. Going to the closet he opened the wooden door and began rummaging through the clothes. One of these days he really should get rid of some of these. After all, what man needed 12 tunics for crying out loud? Finding the clothing he needed he lay them on the bed and went to the kitchen to begin fixing a pouch for his journey. As he started gathering apples he was distracted by a sudden flash of light. Wheeling around he was startled, but not
surprised to see someone whom he really didn’t need to see right now.

“Ares. What do you want?” Hercules said in irritation.

“Hercules. Must you always think of me as the enemy? I don’t always want something. While it is true that I am the God of War, I am also your half-brother.”

“A half I would rather not like to be reminded of, Ares. So---” And Hercules again returned to packing his pouch, “what do you want?”

Ares knew this was going to be really hard to convince Hercules that he wanted peace, and he was not sure he could pull it off successfully. Because he really would have liked nothing more than to draw a large ball of fire and consume not only Hercules, but this whole filthy hole he called a home. Swallowing hard, and trying to remember that he was only doing the bidding of his mother who had better reward him handsomely if he pulled this off, he swallowed hard. Walking over closer to where
Hercules was he picked up one of the apples and said,

“I wouldn’t pack this one, bro. It is definitely starting to rot.”

Hercules took the apple out of Ares’ hand and said, “Thanks.” He continued to go on getting food into the cloths ready to put into his pouch, completely ignoring his half-brother.

Ares wanted to slap Hercules, but instead, hearing his Mother’s voice in his ears, “Fail me Ares and you will regret it, I promise you.” It was at this point, out of annoyance that Hercules put a large cut in his hand from the knife he was using to cut cheese.

“Ow!” Hercules exclaimed.

Ares grabbed Hercules hand and said, “That’s a really nasty cut there bro. Here,let me help. Grabbing a cloth he placed it on the cut to stop the bleeding and then wrapped the wound.

Hercules looked at Ares who smiled and said, “See, I can be nice---sometimes.” And he looked so pathetically helpful that Hercules smiled in spite of himself.

“Thanks,” Then remembering to whom he was talking, Hercules, put the knife in the sink and picked up the whole block of cheese, wrapping it up a cloth threw it into the pouch. Moving Ares out of his way he continued to pack.

“You sure are packing a lot of food there, big guy. Where are you going anyway?” Ares said following Hercules around like a little puppy.

“What do you care?” Hercules replied in irritation.

“Aw come on, little bro. Here I am trying my best to be friendly and you are treating me like your worst enemy.”

Hercules spun around, grabbed Ares golden tunic and said, “YOU ARE MY WORST ENEMY! GO AWAY!”

Ares almost made that fireball he started to make a few minutes ago, when it suddenly hit him! Of course. Then, weaving into Hercules grip, when it was loosened, he flung himself across the room, landing on top of the table, breaking it into.

“Ouch! That hurts!” Ares cried out in fake pain.

Hercules stared at amazement at what had just happened. He watched as his half-brother picked himself up carefully from the floor and noticed a bruise forming on his arm from Hercules’ grip. What the hell was going on here?

Walking over to Ares, Hercules again grabbed his brother’s arm and inspected the bruise. It was real! But he didn’t have much time to examine it for Ares pulled his arm away rapidly.

“Ares? What’s going on?” Hercules said.

{Now I’ve got him! Oh this is going to be easier than I thought. Hercules you are one big thick-headed dumbbell. It’s that stupid, big heart of yours. Must’ve got that from your mother because Father certainly didn’t give it to you!}

Ares moved over further away from Hercules. “Nothing is going on,” He said rubbing his arm, and then his lower back as if he had hurt himself from the fall. “What do you care anyway?”

Hercules studied his brother for a bit longer. He had seen Ares in many ways, many forms, but not like this. Something was terribly wrong. Then, walking over to Ares he put his hand on his shoulder and said,

“What’s happened to you, Ares? You act almost-----almost human!” Hercules said in amazement.

Ares glared at Hercules, jerking away from him and said, “Forget it. Just leave me alone.” And he started towards the door. Hercules followed him and grabbed him by the shoulder, knocking Ares off-guard and sending him flying across the floor. Hercules stared at Ares.

Ares looked up at Hercules and with a look of total shame said, “Can’t you just leave me alone. Let me go. I want to leave here. You don’t care about what happens to me anyway.”

Hercules walked over to Ares and offered his hand which strangely Ares accepted. Then, after helping him to his feet, Hercules said, “You’ve lost your powers haven’t you? Who did you anger, Ares? Why have you been punished?”

Ares looked at Hercules with anger in his face, and then dropped his head.

“Mother was angry with me when I didn’t do her bidding because I wanted to keep the war going on in Crete. She decided suddenly that she wanted to call off the war and show compassion towards the people because she wanted them to respect her but to worship her and a god must show kindness at times. So when I didn’t call off the war she became angry and ----- well you know.” Ares walked over to the small couch and sat down.

Hercules followed Ares to the couch and sat down as well. “I really am sorry, Ares. But maybe if you had not been so ruthless in the past, you might not have made so many enemies.”

Ares looked at Hercules and said, “Yes, well, I am the God of War--- or at least I was and sometimes habits die hard. But--I don’t have anywhere to go. None of the gods are to harbor safety to me, and Xena hates my guts. So do you, but I thought maybe-----”

Hercules shook his head. “I don’t hate your guts, Ares. I just hate what you do. And you have always tried your best in the past to kill me. It is not easy for me to accept that you think you can change.”

“I don’t want to change, Hercules. Ares spat at his half-brother. Then he softened his voice. “War is all I know. But I---- I really don’t hate you Hercules. It’s just that you were always Father’s favorite. I could never ever measure up in his eyes when compared with you. And now, that he too is against me I have no one. I need a friend, Hercules.” Then looking sorrowfully towards the demi-god sitting
next to him he said sadly, “Please don’t leave me alone. I can’t change without someone to help me.”

Hercules put his arm around his god-brother and said softly, “You can change, Ares. And I will help you, if you really want to change. We are brothers after all. And if you try to change, perhaps Father will accept you.”

Ares put his head on his well-muscled brother’s shoulder and smiled, his eyes turning red with power. {I’ve got you right where I want you, you dumb simple-minded idiot. And I assure you that I will enjoy your death immensely!}

NO FURNITURE WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED IN THE MAKING OF THIS CHAPTER