Title: Changes, Doubts, Guilts and Love Part 2
Disclaimer: Such as in Part 1, I still don't own anything!!!
Ratings: I'll make this one PG just to be sure...
Summary: Now That Ares has confessed his feelings to a confused Gabrielle, what will happen? Surprised-Guest to come!!!
Beta-Reading: Once again, Thanks to Smenzer for all her help with this story, she's the one to thank for you being able to read this.....
As Ares broke the kiss to take a deep breath, Gabrielle had a vision of Hope and remembered Ares had been the one that had impregnated her daughter. She opened her eyes and moved backwards. Sadness filled her eyes as she realized where she was, and what she had just done. How could kissing Ares help her? And why was she so sensitive to hateful and painful memories? She had never been a bitter person. But now she became angry with people all the time for no particular reason. She had to find a way to deal with it before it ruined her life. As much as it pained her do this, she held her hands in front of her to prevent the God from kissing her again.
- What's wrong Gabrielle? I thought we shared the same feelings?
- We do, I mean I love you Ares but I'm not ready yet! Can't you see I'm not well? I have all these angry feelings with Xena and now with you! Don't you understand what's happening to me? I feel like someone's playing with my emotions.
Ares frowned and tried to take Gabrielle's hand but she took it away from him. Anger sparkled in his eyes, making Gabrielle feel less comfortable and guiltier. Who was she to play with Ares?
- I just want to help you Gabrielle! Why don't you let me take care of you? You are just tired and confused but we can work on that, everything will be fine. Please, don't walk away from me!
- I can't help it Ares, I'm getting so mad I just know I'll end up saying things I don't really mean. I have those painful visions of my past, I have so much to resolve and I thought that getting away from Xena was the answer. But I see it goes beyond that, I don't know what to do, where to begin...
Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes once more and it was more than Ares could stand. He took a step forward to hold her in his arms, but she backed away, a shadow of a smile on her face. Then she bolted for the door.
- Gabrielle!! Wait, you can't just... Roared a very upset God of War..
He decided to pop in front of her to calm her down but pink sparkles revealed Aphrodite's presence. She grabbed his arm and smiled sadly.
- Wait a second Ares. You can't just force her to be with you, it's the way to lose her forever...
- But I just want to help her. I can see she's upset and I can't help to think I have a part to play in all this.
- I don't think so Bro. She had to be confused in the first place to part ways with Xena, her best friend in the whole world. I think you succeed in calming her down when you brought her here earlier. I also think the real problem lives within her, those visions she keeps seeing. They must be very painful. I felt her pain and anger when she pushed you aside a little while ago. She saw you and Hope. Can you understand it's rather disturbing to her, remembering you had been with her own daughter?
Ares stared at Aphrodite in shock. He had completely forgotten about Hope. He sat down in a cushion and held his head in his hands.
- What am I going to do, Sis? How can I make it up to her?
- You already have. You gave up your immortality for her and you admitted your true feelings for her. You put yourself, a God, on the same level as a mortal. She's smart enough to understand what that means, when she'll feel better, that is. Right now, she needs to deal with her emotions and you have to stay away from her. If you really love her, you'll wait for her to come back to you....
- Do you think she will? Listen to me, I sound like a pathetic mortal! I'm scared that she might do something foolish while she's in that state of mind.
- Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her and besides, higher powers than us also look out for Gabrielle. So she won't be alone and I suspect she'll be getting all the help she'll need........
Gabrielle ran out of Ares' temple with no idea on where she was going. Running made her feel good. She didn't stop to think; she just kept on running until pain made her muscles ache. Then and only then she stopped. She looked around her, not recognizing this place. She could tell she had entered a deep forest but which one? She had no clue to which temple Ares had brought her. But right now she didn't care where she was, so she started a fire and relaxed under a big tree. She leaned against the tree's rough trunk, hands over the fire to catch it's warmth as she gazed up into the stars. They were magical lights in the sky and she wished they could grant her tranquility. Finally, after some time passed she felt at peace, she felt like her old self. She spoke out loud, as it always helped her sort things out...
- What's happening to me? Why am I acting this way? I parted ways with my best friend and I even ran away from the man I've always loved just when he finally admitted his feelings for me. I need help figuring all of this out, please, someone, anyone, help me, and answer me. Eli, I wish you could help me on this one, it seems like I've never been as far from the way of love as I am now. I'll even take advice from Callisto if it comes to this...
The sky was suddenly illuminated and she saw something like a star shooting down towards her. The form coalesced into the shape of a man. He stood in front of her and she got up, amazed.
- I don't think Callisto's the right one for you in this situation Gabrielle. Would I do the trick for you?
Gabrielle blinked, not believing who she was seeing. It was impossible; he was dead for so many years. Was her mind playing games on her again?
- What? Can't you at least pretend to be happy to see me? Michael figured out what was happening to you and he sent me to help. Or I could just go back if you want......
- Iolaus? Is that really you? Take away all the shinning that surrounds you so I can be sure it's you.
She stared at him while he motioned his hand and the lightning disappeared. He winked at her, smiling widely.
- What's wrong Gabrielle? I thought all the lights'd impress you. I figured if I just popped in front of you it would've freaked you out and I didn't want to scare you.
- What are you doing here Iolaus? I thought you were dead. What's Michael got to do with you?
- You haven't changed a bit my dear Gabrielle; always asking more questions than one can possibly answer. We should sit down, as I have a lot to tell you. Yes, I'm dead and I've been for a long time. But death isn't the end at all and for me it has been a new beginning. They made me a Guardian Angel. Well it's more complicated than that but as far as you're concerned, I've been assigned to guide and protect you. I've always been watching you Gabrielle. And Michael's been keeping an eye on you, too. Recently we were worried about all the pain you were going through and we came up with the solution, the perfect solution.
- You're going to tell me why I've been hurting so much and you can really help me?
- Of course I will Gabrielle. I love you. I can't bear to see you in such pain. It will soon destroy your soul if we don't do anything about it. Whether you go out of your mind or your anger gets the best of you, you'll end up hurting yourself or someone you love.
- But I don't understand. Please explain it to me. I'm so lost.
- I'll tell you everything there is to know once we're in heaven. Michael and the others Archangels are the only ones that can help you along with Eli and Callisto..
- In heaven? You mean mortals actually are allowed there? Why can't they come down? Eli is there, too? Wasn't he reincarnated or something?
- You'll soon know everything my dear, but first you got to let me do something for you.
Before Gabrielle could ask more questions, she saw Iolaus draw a sword he had hung on his back. Then he stepped towards her, the blade held out before him.
- What in the? What are you doing Iolaus? Stop! This isn't funny! What are you scaring me like this?
- It's obvious, isn't it? I'm going to kill you, Gabrielle. That way you'll be at peace.
- WHAT? HELP!!!
To be continued.........