Visiting Relatives I: Aunt Hecate

Title: Visiting Relatives III: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia
Author: Scribe
Summary: The younger generation of the Love and Mischief Series go to Gaia's vally for a picnic.
Rating: Fan rated teenagers
Pairings: Implied only
Characters: Gaia, Joxer, Hercules, Iolaus, Cupid, Strife, Bliss, Impetua, Polly, Accord
Betas: None
Author's Notes: I believe I made a goof in time lines in one of the other stories, and had Impetua and Accord being teenagers, when Hercules had just had his baby. This isn't what I want. I want for Hercules' baby to be around a year younger than Accord and Imp, so that's how it is. I'll go back and correct the mistake later. In this story, Imp is about four or five, Accord is a year older, and Bliss is about ten or eleven. Polytimos--Greek for 'precious'.
Disclaimer: I did not create, and do not own the rights to, the recognizable media characters that appear in this story. I have no legal or binding agreement with the creators, or owners. I do not seek, and would not accept, profit from this fiction. I have nothing but affection and respect for the creators, and the actors and actresses who portrayed these characters. This story is in no way meant to reflect on the actual lives or life styles of the actors and actresses who portrayed the characters.

Visiting Relatives: Lots-of-Greats Granma Gaia, Part A
By Scribe

Part A, Getting Ready to Go

The House of Love

"Imp," said Bliss. "Put on your dress."

"Don't wanna."

"You gotta. You know the daddies don't let you run around bare outside the house."

"Mommy-daddy don't care."

"That's cause he's God of Mischief, and if someone sees your bottom and is surprised into falling down it tickles him like it does you when Hera sees Zeus staring at one of the Muses."

Impetua giggled. "I like that!"

"I know, but you still gotta put on your dress. Grandma Dite said you gotta get in the habit, so that when your boobs grow you'll remember to do it."

Imp made a face. "Don't want boobs. Wanna be an Amazon."

Bliss rolled his eyes. "Amazons have boobs."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's just not really smart to notice them. Iolaus taught me that. Anyway, we're going somewhere, so you gotta be dressed."

"Poop." Imp found her dress (she'd stuffed it under her bed) and slipped into it, then went to Bliss. "Tie me."

"Okay. Turn around and fold your wings tight, so I can see what I'm doing."

Imp turned her back to him, folding her silvery-green wings tight against her plump little body. "Make a bow, Bliss. Make a big, pretty one."

Bliss gathered the ends of the bodice and brought them up behind her neck, forming the halter top of the dress. "You pick your times to be girlie." He carefully tied a floppy bow. "What do you say?"

"Can I be a harpy and not have boobs?"

Bliss rolled his eyes. "No. They have the upper bodies of women, so boobs are included. I meant..."

Imp turned and planted her hands on where her hips would some day be. "I KNOW. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Where we going?"

"We're going to visit Gaia."

"Is she our grandma, like Dite?"

"Sort of, but farther back."

"Huh?"

"Well," Bliss started ticking off on his fingers. "Dite is Daddy Cupid's mom, so she's our grandma. Hera is Dite's mom, so she's our GREAT grandma..."

Imp wrinkled her nose again. "Great?"

Bliss smiled. "I don't think it means, like, really good. Anyway, Hera's Mom is Rhea, who would be our great-great grandma, and Gaia is HER mom, so that would make her our great-great-GREAT grandma. I think. Any way, we're going to visit her. She hasn't seen you since you were a teeny baby."

"Can I bring Priss?"

"Better not. Gaia has all kinds of flowerbeds and stuff, and you know how Priss is with them--she uses them for potties, then eats the plants."

"Okay. Does Gaia have boobs?"

Bliss shook his head. "You're boob crazy." Imp smiled angelically. "Oh, well. Daddy Strife says that a girl is only obsessed with one set of boobs--her own--but guys are obsessed with EVERY set of boobs in the world."

The House of War

"Cord, what are you doing? Aren't your ready yet?"

"Almost, Daddy. I just changing my tunic."

Joxer peeked into his son's room. "What on earth for? Did you get some of your breakfast on it?"

"No. I just want to put on a nicer one."

"Oh?" Joxer came in and sat down on Accord's bed. "Which one?" Accord showed him the rich maroon and black robe. "But Cord, those are your formal robes. You're only supposed to wear those on very special occasions."

"I know."

He stroked his son's dark, sleek hair. "Grandma Gaia will be flattered, but she doesn't stand on ceremony." Accord gave him a slightly blank look, then Joxer was surprised to see him blush. *Oh, ho. I think I see where this is going.* "Imp probably isn't going to wear anything fancy." The blank look was back. *Or maybe I DON'T see where this is going. Unless...* "And Bliss will probably just wear some of his plain pants. Kids almost always get dirty at Gaia's."

"Oh. I better put on my plain tunic, then."

As Accord carried his dress clothes back to the chest, Joxer thought, *Of course he hero-worships Bliss. It's only natural.* Joxer watched as his child managed to get himself tangled in his clothes, then called for his father to help get his head free. As Joxer gently disentangled him, he thought, *After all, Bliss is older, and he's going to have all sorts of people throwing themselves at him by the time he hits puberty. It isn't all that likely he'll pay much attention to my sweet little klutz.* Accord gave him a thank you hug, and Joxer reflected, *But I could be wrong.* He found himself smiling. *After all, Bliss' grandfather fell in love with a klutz.*

On Earth

"I just don't know about this."

"Ah, c'mon, Herc. You can't keep Polly wrapped in silk for the rest of her life," said Iolaus reasonably. Hercules was holding their daughter, Polytimos, protectively on his knee, and Iolaus squatted down to put his face on level with hers. "Can he, sugar-booger?"

"You sound like Strife when you do that."

"Hey, a lot of people could learn parenting skills from Strife, and you know it, even if you don't want to admit it. Any way, you take Polly to visit your mother and your brother all the time. You need to give the other side of the family more time. She's part of that, too--whether you want to admit it or not." Hercules grimaced. "Don't make me play the paternal rights card, Herc."

"Oh, all right."

"Good. Anyway, it isn't as if she's been invited to an orgy with Bacchus. This is Gaia we're talking about here--Mother Nature herself. There aren't too many others you can point to who can out-do Gaia when it comes to nurturing."

"I know." Hercules smiled almost reluctantly. "And at least Polly probably won't come back with a sugar-high, like she did when we took her to visit Hestia."

Iolaus laughed. "She polished off that entire plate of honey cookies."

Hercules rubbed Polly's sandy blonde curls. "She takes after you in more than just looks. I could have done without Hestia asking if we were sure she wasn't Strife's kid, though."

"She was teasing you, Herc. If you'd just mellow out a little, they wouldn't aim for the buttons so much."

"Am I really that easy?"

"The only way you could be an easier target would be if you painted a bull's eye on your back. So, she's going?"

"We're ALL going. I'm darn sure not just sending her along."

"Suits me." Iolaus rubbed his nose against his daughter's snub one. "You'll like it there, babydoll. Gaia has all kinds of little animals."

Polly looked interested. "Roasted?"

Hercules and Iolaus burst out laughing, and Iolaus chuckled, "Yeah, she's my kid, all right."

Part B

House of Love

Cupid came into the room, and stopped, a smile spreading over his face. Bliss was attempting to put Impetua's wild hair into some sort of order, but the little girl was notorious for not being able to stand even the smallest tug on a tangle. She wasn't making it easy. "It's a noble effort, son, but you might as well give it up. I think that if Imp ever showed up anywhere completely neat and pristine, people would have heart attacks."

Bliss stepped back, staring at the comb he'd been using. "I think I left some of the teeth in her hair, and I wasn't even pulling hard."

"I'm glad you're so gentle with your little sister."

"I better be--she kicks and bites. At least I got her to put on her dress."

"That you did. I think you may be the main civilizing influence in her life right now. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup."

"Come here, Imp." Imp pelted over to her daddy and leaped as she approached. Her little wings beat hard, and she lifted, smacking solidly into Cupid's chest. "Oof!" He grabbed onto the giggling child.

Imp looked up at him with sparkling green eyes. "Dinar-back sack!"

He tweaked one of her curls. "You learned that from...?"

"Mommydaddy!"

"Big surprise."

"Where Mommydaddy?"

"We'll meet him at Gaia's. He's going to pick up Polly."

Imp wrinkled her nose. "Polly's a girl."

"So are you."

"No'm not," she contradicted him. "I a force of nature. Mommydaddy says so."

Mommydaddy is a lot wiser than many people give him credit for. Let's go. Joxer and Accord are probably already there."

Gaia's Valley

Gaia was sitting at a table under one of her grape arbors, hulling a bowl of strawberries. Anyone seeing her would never have known she was anticipating the arrival of four children--three with godly powers (which meant divine disaster potential)--and one of them the direct blood descendant of Mischief himself. It was a prospect to make even the strong quail, but Gaia looked as serene as ever. Still, it was nice that the first to arrive were the ones who'd probably be the least strain on anyone's peace of mind.

*Flash*

Gaia looked up to find the gods of Peace and Mediation standing before her. She smiled in welcome. "Joxer, Accord!" Accord waves shyly, and Gaia laughed. Putting aside the berries she held out her hands. "Come and give me a hug, Cord!"

Accord broke into a sunny smile and dashed over, throwing himself against Gaia and doing his best to wrap his arms around her waist. "Hi, Great-great."

Gaia returned the embrace. "Hello yourself." She looked at Joxer over Accord's head. "And I suppose Ares isn't coming?"

Joxer looked embarrassed. "I think there's a border skirmish..."

"Don't make excuses for him, dear. You can tell him from me that he'd BETTER come next time, unless he wants every battle he fights to be rain soaked or blizzard buried."

Joxer grinned. "Yes, ma'am."

"He's just remembering all the times I got him to work on my compost when he was a boy. He thought it was beneath his position. Well, he had to be taught that War isn't all grand processions and glory--there's dirt and stink in it, too."

Accord was looking around. "Where's Bliss... and Imp?"

"They're not here yet, but they're coming." Gaia looked up, thoughtfully. "In fact, I can feel their power signatures. It shouldn't be..."

*Flash*

Cupid appeared, holding Impetua on his hip. The little girl immediately started squirming. "Down, Daddy!"

"All right, all right!" He set Imp down, and she was moving almost before her feet hit the ground.

Imp rushed over to Gaia and looked at Accord. "Hi." She shoved him out of the way and started to scramble up onto Gaia's lap.

"Imp!" scolded Cupid.

"It's okay," said Accord calmly. "She don't know better."

"She does--she just doesn't care sometimes if there are goodies involved." After a brief hug for Gaia, Impetua had started stuffing strawberries into her mouth.

Accord was leaning to one side, obviously trying to peer behind Cupid. "Where's Bliss?"

Cupid looked around, frowning. "He left at the same time we did." He raised his voice. "Bliss?"

*Flash*

A thin sprinkle of silver glitter pattered down on the grass as Bliss appeared. He was blushing. "I got lost. I ended up in the Muses' room. Boy, were they surprised." His face lit up. "Hi, Cord."

"Hi." He held up the hem of his tunic. "I didn't wear my best clothes."

"Oh. Uh... that's fine." He gave his father a confused look, obviously thinking that Accord had inherited Joxer's tendency to occasionally make little sense. He looked back, then frowned. "Imp, you're going to get a belly ache."

"She'll stop when she has enough," said Gaia.

Bliss gave her a look that said Gaia meant well, but obviously did not know whereof she spoke. "But aren't you s'posed to take those green things off the top first?"

"Oh, dear." Gaia moved the bowl out of Imp's reach. "Dear, that's a little more roughage than you need."

"No more?" said Imp, her voice clearly discontented.

"You can have some other goodies--when ALL the children are here."

Impetua was frowning. Then she got a sly look on her face and held up her hand, showing off her armlet--a bright green snake with red eyes. "I gots a pretty bracelet. Wanna see?"

Cupid's expression acquired a faint gray tinge. "Impetua."

Gaia had bent down to look at the armlet, her face close to it. The snake's tongue suddenly flickered out, almost brushing her nose. Cupid gasped, but Gaia just said calmly, "Oh, that IS pretty! What a sweet little snake." She held out her finger toward the snake, and it slithered up, coiling around her forearm. She delicately stroked its head. "This is Hiss, isn't it?"

Imp was watching her with wide eyes. "You not scared of Hiss?"

"Why, no. Why should I be."

"Daddy-daddy is."

Cupid flushed. "I am not. I... just don't like snakes."

"Isn't your daddy silly?" said Gaia. "Snakes are wonderful creatures. They keep away the mice who eat my seeds, and they eat bugs that eat my plants." Gaia tickled Hiss under the chin, making his minute tail almost vibrate with pleasure. "I'd LOVE to have a nice little snake like Hiss living in my house."

"Mine!" said Imp firmly. She plucked Hiss off Gaia's arm, but was careful, even in her agitation. The little snake slithered quickly up her arm, gave her a flickering tongue kiss on her chin, then looped himself around her throat and went back to necklace mode.

"She's always trying to freak people out with Hiss," said Bliss. "That'll teach you, Imp." Imp stuck her tongue out at him. "Bet you can't make it flick like Hiss does." Imp tried, and everyone ended up laughing.

On Earth

*Flash*

Strife appeared in the kitchen of the cottage shared by Iolaus, Hercules, and Polytimos. He looked around, hands on hips. "Hey, nice digs. Cozy, without being too peasant-y."

Hercules was holding Polytimos on his lap. His expression when he looked at Strife was a little stiff, but not as cold as it had been in years gone by. "Strife, you like trying new things, don't you?"

"My middle name is novelty. Got a suggestion?" He winked at the little girl, who giggled. "One fit fah young ears?"

"How about trying coming through the front door sometime? Oh, and you could get REALLY daring. You could try knocking first."

"Ya took lessons in 'How ta be Borin' at that academy, din't ya?" Strife looked around. "Where's tha othah blonde in yer life?"

"He's getting a shawl for Polly."

"A shawl? Herc, we're goin ta Gaia's valley. Tha weathah there is so consistent it can get on yer nerves aftah awhile. It don't rain or change more'n five or six degrees unless Gaia needs it ta help somethin grow."

"I just want to be sure."

"Ya got tha mothah rap down. I bet ya tell her ta put one on whenevah YOU feel chilly."

"Well..."

"Evah try ta keep her from stompin in puddles cause ya think wet feet will give her a cold?"

"I don't have to. She wouldn't stomp in puddles."

"An' you think that's somethin ta be proud of? She's a KID."

Iolaus came in, a tiny, delicate shawl folded over his arm. "Oh, for Elysium's sake, not this again! Will you two just recognize the fact that you have different parenting styles and DEAL with it? Strife, Polly's going to have to live in the mortal realm, and let's face it--Hercules DOES have a better background to understand what will and won't work down here." Hercules would never have admitted to smirking, but that was what he was doing. "Don't look so smug, Herc. You ARE too stiff sometimes, but it's my job to loosen you up a little. Now, can we forget about this subject? This is supposed to be a fun day for the kids."

Hercules' jaw was set, but Strife was studying Polytimos. He said quietly, "Look at yer kid, hero."

Hercules glanced down at his daughter. "She looked back up at him with wide blue eyes and said hesitantly, "We go see Biss an' Imp an' Core?"

Hercules felt whatever stiffness had been inside him melt. "Yes, baby, sure." He gave her a hug. "We NEED to go see them don't we?" He looked over her head at Strife, and the smile he gave him was only a little forced. "After all, they're family."

Strife quirked an eyebrow in surprise, but nodded. Strife acknowledging even the most tenuous family tie with Hercules was unusual. "Sure are. Now, let's blow." Hercules stood up with Polytimos, and Strife took his arm with one hand, and Iolaus' with the other. He grinned down at the little girl, who was staring up at him. "If I know Imp, she'll be makin her way through everythin edible in tha valley." Polytimos smiled brightly and patted her own rounded tummy, and Strife laughed. "Gawd, family traits all ovah tha place!"

*Flash*

Part C

*Flash*

Strife, Iolaus, Hercules, and Polytimos appeared in Gaia's valley. The little girl immediately declared, "Tummy funny, Daddy!"

"Uh-oh!" Hercules started to hold her away from his body, but he wasn't quite quick enough.

Polytimos made one of the daintiest, most lady-like upchucks in creation. She stared at the resulting mess on Hercules' vest. "Uh-oh. Sowwy, Daddy."

Hercules sighed. "It's all right, Pumpkin. I should have remembered."

Strife materialized a damp cloth and handed it to Iolaus, who started to wipe Polly's face. "Tha kid can aim pretty good fah someone her age. She hardly got any on herself."

"She didn't do that deliberately," protested Hercules.

Strife rolled his eyes. "Suuure she didn't. Ya bettah take that vest off, Herc, before tha sick set into tha fabric. I'm pretty sure Gaia can do somethin with it."

"I can." Gaia was coming toward them. She held out her hands, and Polytimos immediately reached for her. Hercules handed over the little girl, and Gaia carried her over to the edge of a small, sparkling pond. "Aquette!"

The serene surface of the pond rippled. There was a burst of bubbles rose near the center, followed quickly by a the head and slim shoulders of a young woman. Her hair and eyes were both blue-green. "My lady?"

Gaia tossed the vest out to her, and she caught it neatly. "One of the babies had an accident. Please take care of that."

"Of course! It was the little mortal?" Polly waved at her. "Oh, hello, pretty girl! Do you feel better?" Polly nodded. "You tell them to let you come wading later, and I'll tell the fishies to kiss your toes."

Hercules said quickly, "She's not like the others. She CAN drown."

"I know that," Aquette said, a touch of hurt in her voice. "I'm not stupid, you know. This is Gaia's place. All are safe here." She sank beneath the water again.

Hercules turned around to find Gaia, Iolaus, and Polly all looking at him with varying levels of reproof. He started to defend himself, but much to his surprise, Strife spoke up. "Leave 'im alone, you guys. When it's yer own kid, ya don't need ta apologize fah worryin about 'em. Bettah too much care than too little, huh?"

Gaia and Iolaus considered this. They remembered that Hercules had lost children before, and their attitudes softened immediately. "I understand, dear," Gaia said to Hercules. "And don't worry. The water nymphs will watch over any child who plays in the pond. If they try to wade out past the shallows, they'll be herded right back. But we don't need to worry about that right now." She smiled down at Polly. "There are some people here who are eager to see you."

Polly clapped her hands gleefully. "Imp! Biss! Core!" She twisted around quickly, eyes searching. "Where? Where?"

"My, what a wiggle worm you are!"

Polly looked back at her, mildly alarmed. "Don't make me worm."

"What?" Gaia caught her meaning. "Oh, sweetie, I wouldn't turn you into a worm! I wouldn't turn you into ANYTHING! I like you much too much as a little girl." She gave Hercules a look. "And you needn't look so relieved."

Polly had been considering something, and now she said, "Maybe make me butterfly?"

"Polly," said Iolaus, "we're going to have to have a talk soon about how dangerous it can be to get what you wish for." He looked up, and his face broke into a smile. "We've been discovered."

Cupid and the other children were approaching. Bliss was in the lead, closely followed by Impetua. They were both using their wings, flying short distances in their hurry. Accord was a distant third, slightly plump legs pumping manfully, and panting, "Wait for me! No fair, you guys."

Imp paused long enough to look back and stick out her tongue. "Is too!"

"Is not! I'm Mead=ashun--I know what's fair."

"Yadda, yadda, yadda."

Strife grinned. "My girl."

The first children were arriving. Impetua threw herself up in one last burst of flying, losing a few silvery feathers in her effort. She smacked right into Hercules--upside down. He caught her instinctively, and found himself holding a wiggling, kicking, upside down little girl. Of course, in this position, Imp's dress had fallen down. It was belted at the waist, and rather neatly curtained her head. "Wow," said Hercules breathlessly, trying not to drop her. "That was some landing, Imp."

"Din't want you! Was aimin' at Polly!" Imp declared. She kicked again. "Lemme down!"

Hercules was starting to blush. "Doesn't anyone on Olympus wear underwear?"

Bliss had arrived. "You don't know how hard it was to get her to put on the dress."

Imp's voice was rising. "DOWN! NOW!"

"All right, all right!" Hercules carefully turned her over. "I just didn't want to drop you on your head. You don't want people to be able to joke about that when you get older."

Strife looked at Hercules in surprise, then tipped his head toward the demi-god while giving Cupid a 'Get him' look. The implication was clear--could Hercules be growing a sense of humor? Hercules set Imp on the ground, at about the same time Gaia set Polly on her feet. The Nature Goddess obviously didn't care to be Impetua's neandianding point. Impetua pounded toward Polly, and Hercules forced himself not to wince.

It turned out that the wince wasn't necessary. Impetua screeched to a halt just in front of Polly. The two little girls examined each other. Polly's expression was one of wary pleasure, Impetua's was gleeful. "An' that," said Strife later, "is a sure sign ya oughta keep yer eyes open."

Polly waved at Impetua. "Hi."

Impetua grinned. "Hi." She leaned toward the other girl. "Wanna see my pretty necklace?"

"IMP!" Cupid protested.

It was too late. Hiss had flicked his tongue at Polly, and started to slither down Impetua's arms toward her. Polly might not have wings, but she still made an impressively fast dash, squealing. Impetua ran after her, giggling. Cupid started after them, but Hercules caught his arm. "Let them go."

"Herc, I've talked to her about scaring people with Hiss, and..."

"Polly isn't really scared," Hercules assured him. "She brings in garter snakes all the time. I've had to spank her about that, for fear she'll pick up something poisonous some day. She's scared because she WANTS to be scared." They watched the brown haired girl chasing the shrieking (and giggling) blonde girl. "She knows how much Impetua likes stuff like that."

"I'm glad you brought Polly, Unca Herc," said Accord. "Imp will be busy with her." He grabbed Bliss' hand. "You promised to show me the best place to find worms."

Iolaus looked at Gaia as Accord led away an obliging Bliss. "You let them fish your pond?"

"No, those fish are off limits," said Gaia. "Accord will take the worms home and feed them to the fish in Joxer's pond. Joxer says that they're getting so fat that he might have to take some of them out, because it's getting too crowded." She looked around. "Speaking of Joxer, where is he?"

"Well," said Cupid, "the kids found your blackberry patch."

"Oh, dear. I'm surprised they aren't scratched to pieces."

"It was a near miss. They were both making toward it as fast as they could. If I couldn't fly faster than them, we'd be unwrapping Bliss and Impetua from the brambles right now. Luckily I can still fly faster than them, at least in the straight away. If they dodge..." he shook his head. "I tackled them, and Joxer caught Accord. All the kids wanted blackbes, as, and Joxer volunteered to pick some for them."

Strife rolled his eyes. "I can hear Ares now." He made his voice a booming, creditable imitation of Ares'. "What happened to your hands?! Have you been trying to adopt feral cats again?"

That got a round of laughter, because it was just so like Joxer and Ares.. Joxer came out of a thicket, carefully holding the hem of his tunic up to form a hammock. He smiled when he saw everyone. "I THOUGHT I heard new arrivals." He looked around, frowning a little. "Where's Accord? He was begging for blackberries with big, puppy dog eyes."

"An' I wondah where he learned THAT," Strife whispered to Cupid, who hid a grin.

Polly was passing, Impetua hot on her heels, but she paused long enough to say, "Him wit' Biss." She took off with another squeal, barely escaping Imp.

Joxer blinked, then said calmly, "Oh." He nodded. "Sure. Gaia, can I get a bowl for these? They can have them later."

As Gaia led them back to the table set up in the shade, Hercules asked Cupid. "What did he mean by that?"

"Does he HAFTA mean anythin?" asked Strife.

"It's just that they're sort of young for 'oh, sure', aren't they?"

Cupid shot him a curious look. "Granted most boys Bliss' age don't usually want to hang around with little kids, but the relationship between him and Accord is special." He didn't notice the concerned look growing in Hercules' face--or maybe he did, because he continued, "They're best friends--DEEPER than best friends. They're growing up together. It's not quite brotherhood, but it's special, and strong. Right now it's just about the most innocent thing around. It MIGHT grow into something more." He gave Hercules a level look. "Can you understand that?"

Hercules looked away. Iolaus had joined Impetua in chasing Polly. Hercules knew very well that Iolaus was an expert at Polly-catching, but he kept missing now, making awkward grabs that let his daughter slip through his grasp. He took a comic pratfall. Polly rushed up to him, looking concerned, and he took the opportunity to snag her. They wrestled happily, and Impetua made a running start and dived on top of both of them. Imp and Polly exchanged a look--and started tickling. Soon Iolaus was weakly begging for mercy. Hercules looked back at Cupid, and there was a ghost of a smile on the demi-god's face. "Yes, I can understand that."

They continued on to the table, where Joxer was now holding a bowl of blackberries up around shoulder height, having his feet trampled by Imp and Polly as they tried to jump high enough to reach them. Strife and Cupid dropped back, letting Iolaus and Hercules arrive first, and Strife whispered to Cupid, "Ya do realize that if ol' Herc tha Jerk reforms much more, I'm gonna hafta come up with a new target?"

Cupid smiled. "I'll start drawing up a list."

Part D

Priss is expecting the kittens mentioned in the Aunt Hecate story.

It was lunch time. The adults gathered at the table, but for the children, they spread a blanket on the grass, in the shade. Utensils were done away with, and everything was eaten out of hand. That woreasieasily enough for the things like meat, bread, cheese, and fruit. The yogurt-and-honey was another story. It wouldn't have been quite so bad except for the fact that Imp decided to wipe her hands in Polly's hair and Bliss' wings. Bliss felt obligated to retaliate by pouring the last of his fruit juice down her dress. Joxer opined that it was a good thing they waited till they'd almost finished--there was less ammunition for the food fight.

When a dip in the pond had been suggested as an obvious solution to the general stickiness, Hercules had started to mention not going swimming for an hour after eating. But Aquette had popped her head up and was watching with such eagerness that he couldn't bring himself to say it--he knew that it would be heard as an insult to her vigilance and care. The children would have preferred skinny dipping, but the thought of going in the water fully clothed (on purpose) had a certain novelty. As Polytimos, holding hands with Imp on one side and Bliss on the other, waded carefully into the water, he had to admit to himself that the impulse had been more of a reflex than anything else.

Accord was hanging onto Bliss's other hand. It didn't stop him from tripping and falling face first into the water. Aquette darted forward, scooping him back to the surface before he had time to work up a good splutter. Then she gave a silvery laugh, kissed him on the forehead, and ducked him a.

.

That did it. There was an orgy of splashing, squealing, and ducking. Polly and Accord got the worst of it, but they strove valiantly, and Bliss and Imp received a good dowsing (though the adults were pretty sure that Bliss's were mostly intentional). The adults trusted Aquette and her fellow nymphs, and moved a good distance back, because between Imp and Bliss's brisk flapping it was worse than standing around a birdbath at bathing time.

The adults sat in the shade, watching the children and just talking idly. Joxer was still learning to cook (when he had time from his duties--both godly and familial). He still hadn't quite gotten the hang of leavening, and told the group about the last batch of bread he'd tried to make--the dough seemed to be trying to take over the kitchen. "I can understand you being amused, Strife," he said. "What I CAN'T understand is why you kept calling me 'Lucy'." Gaia promised to send him home with some zucchini and a recipe for sweet bread. She guaranteed that as long as he didn't let Accord watch him prepare it, he'd be able to get the child to eat vegetables--and like it. Iolaus asked for the recipe, too, and that led to a discussion of whether or not there existed small children who actually ENJOYED eating vegetables.

Soon Joxer called for the children to come in. Accord had gotten QUITE enough sun, and he didn't want to have to take the boy to Ace for a sunburn. The children staggered back out of the water--tired, but clean (aside from an occasional aquatic plant tangled in someone's hair). Nap time was announced, dng tng the required protests, which were duly denied. Gaia produced fresh sleeping robes, and Cupid and Hercules held up blankets to provide dressing areas for the girls and the boys. Iolaus remarked, "It just occurred to me--we have four, count 'em--foueitieities here. Why didn't one of you just zap the children clean, or at least zap the CLOTHES clean?"

To everyone's surprise it was Hercules who answered. "Because THEN they wouldn't have been able to go into the water in their clothes, of course."

Once the dressing was over, the blankets were spread under one of the many, many trees. This one was a mimosa. It was in full bloom, a thick mass of fragrant, feathery, deep pink blossoms sheltering the lush grat itt its base. Imp and Polly took one blanket, Bliss and Accord the other. Both pairs turned to face their blanket mates, and the whispering and giggling commenced. Cupid, who had just returned to his seat, called, "Kids..."

Gaia shook her head. "Leave them, dear. Morpheus will overtake them in no time at all. There's nothing in the world as sleepy as a full, tired, CONTENTED child."

She was right. The whispering died down quickly, and the adults returned to their conversation. Joxer and Strife swapped cat stories about Priss and Mjau. Priss was pregnant with her first litter, courtesy of Mjau, and her mood had been rather nasty of late. "She's shredded two sets of curtains, a love seat, an' several cushions," said Strife. "She's currently taken up residence in Imp's closet, on what was once her dress robes. I think tha big event will be any day now. I'm just damn glad we got tha 'talk' outta tha way. I hope it's a small litter. It ain't gonna be easy ta get any of 'em away from Imp an' Bliss." He eyed Hercules an' Iolaus. "I don't s'pose you guys...?"

"No," said Hercules firmly. Behind his back, Iolaus mouthed, 'Later.'

Strife shrugged. "Ah, well. Givin away kittens has been a major buzz fah me fah a long time, an' it's gonna stay that way fah an even longah time."

Joxer and Gaia talked about gardening. Cupid made Iolaus laugh with a story about a tavern wench, an Amazon, and a very startled and disillusioned mercenary, who had thought that he was going to get SPECTACULARLY lucky. When Hercules shook his hands at them, Cupid had pointed out that the kids were asleep, so there were no innocent ears being offended.

Sure enough, the younger generation was snoozing peacefully. Imp was sleeping on her tummy (she still hadn't quite mastered sleeping comfortably on her wings), head turned to the side, cheek on crossed forearms, snoring lightly. Polly was curled up on her side, using Imp's bottom as a pillow. Every now and then Imp's wings would twitch in her sleep, feathers ghosting over Polly's face, and the mortal girl would bat at the tickling feathers, her movements aimless in her sleep.

Accord and Bliss had fallen asleep facing each other, on their sides. The younger boy was held loosely in Bliss's arms, cuddled down against his chest. Accord's long, dark hair half curtained his face, but what they could see of his expression was perfect serenity--appropriate for the son of the God of Peace, but Bliss's expression was just as contented.

Gaia's valley was, in its own way, timeless, but time DID pass, after a fashion. The light deepened to the golden glow of late afternoon, the sun dropping toward the west, and it was time to go home.

The various parents went to wake up their offspring. Iolaus gently shook Polly. "C'mon, Sweet Pea. If you sleep any more, I'll never be able to get you to bed tonight."

Strife was tickling Impetua's nose with a long strand of grass. "Wakey, wakey, Poot."

Imp swiped blindly at the grass. "Don' wanna take nap, Mommy-Daddy."

"Okay," said Strife agreeably. "Ya don't hafta, if ya don't wanna, but ya gotta get up now."

"'Kay, but I not gonna take a nap."

Accord grumbled softly as Joxer shook his shoulder, pushing his face almost into Bliss's armpit. "Five more minutes?"

"Reasonable request," said Joxer, "but we need to get home, or your Daddy Ares is going to start worrying about us."

Accord and Bliss had both sat up, and Bliss had his arm looped around Accord's shoulder. Accord leaned back against him and said, "Can Bliss spend the night?"

"Cord," Joxer scolded, "what have I told you about asking in advance? It sort of puts people on the spot when you invite someone like this." He glanced sheepishly at Cupid and Strife. "He's figured out that sometimes the adults don't want to say 'no' in front of the other parents, to avoid looking like... um... No one wants to look inhospitable, or..."

"Yah, we get it. Nice goin, Cord," Strife congratulated him. Accord smiled at him. "Well, personally, I got no problem with it. Cupe?"

"Not if Dad and Joxer are okay with it," Cupid responded, picking up Impetua.

"As if Ares wouldn't want a chance to have Bliss over," Joxer responded.

"Okay, then."

Impetua bounced in her father's arms. "Wanna go, too!"

Cupid shook his head. "Not this time, hon."

She stuck out her bottom lip. "Why not?"

"It's going to be a boys night this time," Cupid explained.

"Sounds stupid."

Bliss rolled his eyes, but he knew what would work with his sister. "If you want to, you can sleep in my bed." She wavered. "You can play with my stuff."

"I do that anyway."

"Yeah, but this time I won't be there to watch you do it. You might even find my secret stuff."

Her eyes gleamed, and she giggled. "Okay."

Accord poked Bliss and whispered, "You got secret stuff?"

Bliss whispered back. "Sure. Don't you?" Accord nodded. "You can show me yours, an' the next time you come over, I'll show you mine. Don't worry, Imp won't find it where I put it. Not even my dads can find it."

Strife shielded his mouth from the kids and mouthed, 'Loose stone behind tapestry on south wall.'

The sleeping arrangements were settled, the clothes that had been drying on the grass were gathered, and the groups left, with Strife once again returning the Hercules, Iolaus, and Polly to earth. It was decided that Bliss could be trusted to lead Accord back to the Temple of War, as long as Joxer followed closely to make sure there were no accidental side trips.

Gaia watched the mingled silver, gold, blue, and red sparkles of divine travel fade away, then set about tidying the picnic area. She could have easily done it by mind power, but she rather enjoyed physically performing a chore now and then. She smiled to herself as she folded the blankets, remembering how natural the children had looked, sleeping together. No cares, no complications. Those might come in the future, but for now they just accepted their relationships with each other as good things.

Gaia considered cycles, and nature--bonding, and the strong need of most things with sentience to belong to someone. She thought about Joxer and Ares, Cupid and Strife, Hercules and Iolaus... In the future, almost certainly Bliss and Accord. And even farther in the future, who knew--perhaps Impetua and Polytimos? She smiled to herself. Young things. You had to love young things...