Chakram Reborn: Phoenix of the Ancient Gods (The Ares Episodes)

Jealousy, Seeing Ares and Meeting Aphrodite

The next day, Xena and Gabrielle are in the living room of the main house talking to Kira. "Yeah, I know Maria Cortez," Kira says, a little annoyed. "She and Zara were best friends growing up. Why?"

"You know she's the police chief here in Sedona, right?" Gabrielle says.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Kira says.

"Remember when we took down the Alpha 12 with the help of the girls we trained," says Xena. "Cortez backed us up, even going against police protocol. Then two nights ago, Gabrielle and I stopped would-be robbers from stealing a couple's wallet. We were harassed and almost arrested by two detectives about the Chakram, but Cortez came to our defense."

"Wow! Why would she do that?" Kira says, a little confused. "Normally, she's by the book!"

"Kira, she knows who we really are." Gabrielle says as Kira gets a shocked look on her face.

"Apparently, when you and my mom weren't researching about us, my mom and Cortez were. That's what she told us." Xena says.

Kira gets an angry look on her face and says, "I wish your mom didn't include Maria in this!"

Xena and Gabrielle look at Kira seriously, "Cortez said you two didn't see eye to eye growing up." Xena says, "You don't have to tell us what happened, but when you're ready too, we want to know."

Kira walks over to the fireplace mantle and looks at a picture of Zara and her. "This is going to sound childish, but I was jealous of Zara and Maria's friendship." Kira says regretfully, "Sometimes, I felt as though Maria stole Zara from me."

Gabrielle and Xena look at each other. Gabrielle gives Xena a little smirk, remembering her sister Lila.

"You told me that you and my mom were opposites growing up," Xena says.

"We were." Kira says, "But growing up, Maria always was just there, even when I didn't want her there."

Xena's phone rings, she looks at it and sees that it's atext from Cortez. "It's Cortez." Xena says.

Kira gets an annoyed look on her face as Xena answers it, putting it on speakerphone, "Hello."' she says.

"Hi Jessie, I mean Xena, this is police chief Maria Cortez. I was wondering if you and Gabrielle could come down to the station." Cortez says.

"Is this regarding what happened the other night?", Xena says with a puzzled look on her face. "Because we both left statements with McBain and Shaw."

"No, actually, this is about a case we are working on." Cortez says. "I need you two to look at some video and see if you recognize someone. I'll explain everything when you get here."

Xena and Gabrielle look at the phone with a serious look. "Ok, we will be down there in 30 minutes," says Xena as she hangs up the phone.

"This sounds serious." Gabrielle says.

They then look at Kira, "We have to go, but I will say this Aunt Kira. Even though I have tiny memories of my mom, what I do remember about her is that she loved you fiercely." says Xena. "Remember that." Xena and Gabrielle leave the house, leaving Kira with a painful look in her eyes.

Down at the police station, Cortez fills Xena and Gabrielle in on the case. "So, this artifact that was stolen, you said it has a mysterious legend to it." Gabrielle says. "What is it?"

"Well, this artifact, Pheonix of the Ancient Gods, the legend says that if it gets into the wrong hands, mythical Gods of Greece and Roman times could be resurrected." Cortez says as McBain and Shaw walk in.