XIV

The Mediterranean estate had been out of everyday use for a few years, so everyone pitched in and cleaned the dust and cobwebs that covered the furniture and filled the high corners of the rooms. Ares told Xena that he would have gladly spiffed the place up with the snap of a finger but she gave him the glare that meant she was doing things the mortal way. He just rolled his eyes, sighed, and grabbed a damned broom. It took them, working together, the better part of the morning to get everything nice and clean. Ares and Bilka only had to remind Xena of her delicate condition a couple of times, to which she reminded them that she was pregnant and not struck with some crippling illness.

At midday, Ares made a trip to marketplace on the neighboring island, Thera, to pick up the fixings for a healthy mortal lunch. He returned with baskets filled with fresh greens for salads, ripe olives, robust roma tomatoes, fat purple grapes, two loaves of bread, and a wheel of cheese. To Xena's delight, he also carried a large amphora of red wine.

Xena helped Bilka and Astra put the foodstuffs in the kitchen while Ares and Hargel discussed the layout of the vegetable garden and vineyard that Xena wanted plotted out on the western edge of the estate and along the sloping hillside. As Xena rinsed of the leaves of the romaine lettuce, she realized that she was happier than she'd been in a very long time. She missed Gabrielle, of course, and every time she thought of the bard she felt a prick of regret in the pit of her stomach. Still, she loved being with Ares, allowing herself to let go and love him, having his arms around her in bed at night, waking up to his soft breathing, and building a family with him. It all felt so right, so good, almost perfect. There was only one thing missing but Xena knew that it would have been unfair to ask her friend to stay. The bard was not exactly fond of the God of War. No, it was for the best this way. Gabrielle could go on with her life and she needed to put that chapter to rest and just enjoy the feeling of being happy. She had spent too many years telling herself that someone like her didn't deserve to be happy. She had believed for so long that the road to atonement stretched out endlessly beyond her horizon. Stopping, loving, living, were not options. Especially not loving and living with him, the one with whom she had committed so many of her sins. Nearly losing him, however, had quickly shifted her perspective. They had both changed, had both grown, and had both sacrificed in the name of the greater good. Maybe they did deserve a chance to be happy, together. Maybe that was the true test, for them to come full-circle, live together in love, instead of violence and hate.

"You have to try these," Bilka brought Xena out of her own thoughts but popping a plump black olive in the warrior's mouth.

"Mmmm," Xena moaned around the delightful bite and grabbed another.

"Now, now, we have to share with the boys. Go get them and Astra and I will bring the salads out to the courtyard."

"You got it," Xena answered and on her way out of the kitchen noticed the skilled way that Astra was arranging the salads, it was obvious that the girl really did enjoy working with food. Xena was glad the girl was growing more comfortable and confident at the estate.

AXAXAXAXAXAXAXAX

After lunch, Ares accompanied Xena on a leisurely walk down to the stables which were situated near the island's second beach. Ares had already snapped Argo there along with a month's supply of feed. Xena had still grabbed an apple from her saddlebag to bring her four-legged friend.

"I don't know what you see in those beasts, they're smelly and the crap all the time, and that one has quite the temper." Ares bemoaned Xena's love of horses.

"It's called spirit and a horse beats a three-headed dog any day of the week."

"Well, I would say that I'd love to join you for a ride but you'd know I was lying. Still, I really do need to take care of some things."

"I am sure you do. As much as I'd love to pretend that we can just live here forever, untouched, I know that you can't shirk your duties as God of War."

"Have you given any thought to what you are going to do to keep from getting bored?"

"Well, today, I am going for a ride and pretty soon, I will have my hands too full to ever get bored."

Ares placed his hand broadly atop Xena's still flat belly. She was almost a week pregnant by their reckoning. They wouldn't even know about the baby yet, if Xena hadn't gone to Demeter in hopes of conceiving a child with him. HIs heart fluttered when he remembered that Xena had wanted this baby as much as he did. Ares searched with his godly senses, reaching for his child. He started at the top of her abdomen, just below her rib cage and slowly made his way down her belly toward her pelvic region. What he found, amazed him. There was no detectable heartbeat, Ares supposed it was too early. Still he felt the undoubtable soul signatures of three beings, Xena's which he had known for years, and two more unknown to him but surprisingly familiar. He could tell without a doubt that the twin embryos were an amalgamation of Xena and himself. These were his children, their children, and he loved them. He loved them every bit as much as he loved their mother.

"Xena," he gasped in wonder.

"What is it?" Xena knew that the prospect of being the father to her child had thrilled Ares but he looked in complete awe as he stared at her with wet eyes.

"You are having twins."

"Twins?" Xena asked quickly. She must have heard him wrong. She couldn't have twins!

He grinned, obviously proud of his manhood.

Xena cocked an eyebrow. "Areeeess!"

"It's great, Xena, I can feel them. They don't even have hearts yet but I know them, I know their souls, I can't wait to know them as individuals. This is the most remarkable thing that has ever happened to me."

Ares pulled her into a solid embrace and kissed her. Xena kissed him back and ran her fingers through the curls at the back of his head.

"Sparta can wait," Ares lifted her up and carried her into the stables and laid her on a soft bed of hay.

Their lovemaking was slow. Ares took his time kissing every inch of her body. It felt like she was the goddess and he was the supplicant worshipping her. He bathed her folds with long, tender laps until she was gushing and ready to accommodate his hard width. Ares rolled her on her side and moved in behind her. Xena stretched one leg high in the air and held it up by gripping her ankle. Ares rubbed his fat member along her folds and teased her clit by thumping his head against the nub rhythmically.

"Please," Xena begged.

Ares complied and entered her hot, wet box in one long stroke.

When they finished, Xena lay back in the hay and pulled Ares on top of her for a deep kiss. She reveled in tasting herself on his thick lips. She knew her scent would linger in his moustache for hours, teasing him, tempting him to hurry home.

"You know, I came down here to ride Argo, not you," she taunted, "now you had better get to Sparta before all Hades breaks loose."

"You know, I've been considering your advice about the Helots."

"Hmmm, Ares, maybe we shouldn't talk shop."

"I know, but your input is important to me and this isn't really regarding warfare, more like diplomacy."

"Fair enough, go ahead."

"Well, what if I said that I agree with you that it would be in Sparta's best interest to free the Helots."

"I'd say that's wonderful."

"Well, would you be willing to help me draft a plan that would make that happen?"

"I see," Xena didn't mean to be reluctant. It wasn't that she didn't want to help. She abhorred slavery. But she was afraid if she helped Ares with this project then another would follow, and then another, until she was riding at the head of his army again.

Ares could see the trepidation as her crystal eyes darkened and turned slate grey.

"No, I'm sorry, forget that I said anything." He kissed her on the forehead and snapped his clothes back on, "I'll be home in time for dinner."

"Long as you make it for dessert," Xena smiled wickedly and winked at him. "And Ares, I'll think about it."

Ares wasn't sure he wanted her to think about it. He'd seen the darkness creep in. He could almost see the future she was envisioning, A future with her carrying his banner and committing unspeakable acts of horror. Why couldn't she see that he didn't want that anymore? Did she still want those things? Ares disappeared in shards of silver light, he could still smell her heady oils on his upper lip when he materalized himself into Sparta's main civic hall.