Chapter 6

When Gabrielle arrived in the morning, Ares was all ready for her. He had prepared chocolate chip waffles for her, and had all kinds of fruit set up on a table in his private dining room. "Hi Gabrielle. I hope... I mean, would you have breakfast with me?" he asked.

Gabrielle looked up at Ares and the lovely table set for two. "Thank you, Lord Ares. I would like some breakfast. The table looks very nice." She said this shyly, wondering why he would want to have breakfast with a mortal, even if she was a princess.

"You will? Thank you, Gabrielle. I'm glad you came back again. Did you want my vest again?" he asked, still curious why she wanted it.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, you have made me smile enough in the past few days to earn yourself 100 vests, so I guess I'll have to give it to you. Oh... and Gabrielle... please just call me Ares. It's easier," he smiled.

"Okay... Ares," she said, with her own smile starting to appear.

Ares and Gabrielle had a nice time together and talked about many things. After about an hour, Gabrielle said, "Ares... I have to go now. Thank you for breakfast."

"Are you sure you have to leave?" Ares asked anxiously, really not wanting to see her go.

"Yes, I have to," said Gabrielle. "May I... I mean..."

"Oh, yes, of course. Here's my vest." Ares said, removing it and passing it to her. "Will you be back tomorrow?"

"I don't know," said Gabrielle with a start, realizing that she didn't need any more of Ares' vests. She could now take the enchantment off her brothers and go home, but somehow... she wished that home was with the handsome God standing in front of her. "Good-bye," she said. "Thank you for ... everything."

"Good-bye, little one," Ares said wistfully, wishing that he dared tell her how he felt. They stared at each other for a moment and then with a little wave of her hand, Gabrielle disappeared through the temple doors.

Ares felt as if he was being torn into a thousand pieces. He knew that he loved Gabrielle, but what could he do if she didn't feel the same for him. 'And why,' he thought 'does she need five of my leather vests? She said she gave them to someone who needed them.' He thought for a few minutes, puzzling things out and finding no solution, so he decided to follow Gabrielle. 'At least I will know where she lives and if she's safe.' And with a mere thought, made himself invisible and soon caught up with Gabrielle.

-TBC-