Gabrielle squealed and jumped when a man appeared out of nowhere leaning against the tree in front of her with his arms crossed over his chest. The wood she was carrying tumbled out of her arms. She tried balancing on her left foot and rubbing her other one that had been hurt when some of the wood fell. When the pain was manageable she placed her hands on her hips and scowled at the source of her pain.
"Would you stop doing that?"
It still bothered her that even after all these years he still managed to surprise her.
"Sorry," the man grinned, clearly unrepentant.
"What do you want? If you're looking for Xena, she's at the campsite,"
"I know. It's you I came to see,"
She blinked. "Me? Why?"
"I need your help with something,"
She closed her eyes and quickly counted to ten before opening them again. Nope it was definitely he right down to the earring.
"My help? Why would I want to help you? You just tried to kill me!"
"Did I aim a fireball at you? No! How can you accuse me of trying to kill you?" he shouted.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" she yelled back.
"WHAT?"
"You don't know what a heart attack is? It's when the…"
"I know what a heart attack is, you annoying brat,"
"I am NOT a brat!" she said through gritted teeth storming towards him, the pain in her foot forgotten in the heat of her fury.
"And in case you've forgotten I'm MORTAL!" she yelled poking him in the chest, "I can DIE of a heart attack, you war-mongering man-whore!"
A beatific grin crossed his face, "keep calling me names like that and I just might think you like me."
She only just managed to stifle the yell of utter frustration welling up inside her. She couldn't decide whether to punch his lights out or punch his lights out. Lord knows why I…
"Besides the trouble I'm in is ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"If I hadn't been thinking of ways to end your miserable existence, they wouldn't have been able to pull one over on me! Therefore ALL YOUR FAULT!" he menaced her with his height as he said, "therefore I figure you owe me one,"
She snorted, "It's not my fault you can't stop thinking about me."
He scowled then pouted.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to regret this but I'll listen."
He grinned. "Can we sit?"
She followed him to a fallen tree by the river and sat down.
He sat for a second then rose and started pacing. He stopped and faced her and said, "I'm getting married."
The breath left Gabrielle in a rush. She was glad she was sitting down otherwise she would have fallen.
"When?"
"Before Persephone returns to my uncle,"
"That's in two weeks right? Congratulations!"
"Thanks,"
"Who's the unlucky girl? Do I know her?"
He returned sarcastically, "You might."
Gabrielle's heart stopped. "I do?"
He nodded.
"Is it Xena?"
He coughed and avoided her eyes as he said, "Mother forbid it."
She felt a sense of relief.
"My parents are going to vet my fiancée. Even if Xena wasn't off limits, I doubt my parents would approve of her as the next Queen. That's where you come in,"
He'd finally noticed her! He wanted her to be his wife! Now they could be together forever! Some of her joy faded. She was second choice as usual. But at least he'd picked her out of all the women he knew. That had to count for something, right?
"Do you always do what your mother says?"
"Yes," he smirked, "especially when she can throw a fireball!"
"Are you sure you want to be stuck in a marriage of convenience? Don't you want to love your wife?"
He snorted. "My wife will be my wife in every way. Besides I have to have an heir on the way when Persephone leaves Hades."
"What happens if you don't?"
"I lose my godhood,"
"That seems harsh,"
He stomped to the edge of the bank and stood glaring at the water. The anger he'd felt when his father placed that condition on him washing over him again.
"Tell me about it. And to your second question, I don't believe in love. Not anymore. Besides gods don't marry for love,"
"That's a crock and you know it! What about Dite and Cupid? They married for love,"
"They're an exception. They are LOVE," he turned back to face her, "getting back to the topic of my marriage and where you come in,"
She gazed up at him her eyes wide. The sun in the glade shone like a halo around him emphasizing his ethereal beauty. He'd never looked more like a god until that moment. "I don't know what to say!"
"I hope you say yes. You do owe me and it would mean a lot to me,"
Could she marry a man that didn't love her? A man hopelessly devoted to her best friend? A man who she loved with all her heart and was offering something he'd never offered another woman? Was waking up with him every morning worth the heartache?
"I'll marry you," she noticed the look of shock on his face. Realization dawned. He didn't expect me to say yes. She stood up and walked to where he was standing. She stuck out her hand. Sparks shot up her arm as he slowly returned her handshake.
She only hoped Xena would forgive her. She needed her help if she was going to be ready before the big day!
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A.N.: Sorry Tali. NOT! LOL
We all love to see Ares squirm, LadyKate1
Meghan, I love Ares and Gabby as well. To this day I wish the writers had given me more besides the occasional tease.
Thank you for the reviews. I love reading them.