Transgressions XVI - Home Economics

Xena tried not to let her frustration show as she shook hands with the wagonsmith. She hadn't secured the deal that she'd wanted but after twenty minutes of negotiating, she had gotten him to agree to at least a reasonable sum. Xena grimaced wrly, perhaps she should have brought Gabrielle to town with her. The bard had stayed to work on the roof. A surprise afternoon shower had caught them unprepared the day before. Xena had come into town to sell some timber for some much needed coin.. Her deal with the wagonsmith would cover the cost of repairing the roof and if they were frugal enough with the rest of it, it should see them through the rest of the year.

Xena waved to the leather-skinned wagonsmith as she left his work yard. Argo waited for her on the dirt road that served as the main street leading into New Amphipolis' town center. The mare had a small wagon hitched to her and Xena put a bundle of boards she'd gotten as part of her deal into the wagon. "Almost finished, girl," Xena cooed to the horse as she patted her hip gingerly. "Let's go see a man about a goat."

They headed toward the town center, then turned west on a more narrow avenue that led to the stockyards. As Xena passed the stonemason's shop, which sat on the corner of the intersection, she noticed Ares bickering with the stout proprietor. Xena had seen the god everyday since their romp in the rainforest, if only briefly. Along with Kam, he'd worked diligently on his house a little each morning. Xena often watched him from wherever she was working on her grandparents' place. Yesterday, she'd sat on the front porch, knitting a blanket for the baby as she watched Ares and Kam, dig the final trenches for his foundation. She'd felt sorry for him when the rain had started pouring, undoing some of his work. There had been a split second where she thought for certain he was going to use his powers to stop the rain or protect the work he'd done, but then he'd surprised her by running over and asking to borrow a tarp. Xena had smiled and told him he'd find the tarp in the stable. By the time he'd retrieved it, Gabrielle had come shrieking out of the house because a new leak had been found. Surprising her, Ares had wasted no time. He climbed atop their house and had placed the covering over the hole in her roof. His whole day's work was going to be lost but he'd used the tarp for her benefit anyway.

Xena watched now as Ares threw his hands up in frustration. It didn't look like his negotiations with the stonemason were going any better than hers had with the wagonsmith. Kam stood silently at his side. A young girl was with them, Xena guessed the child to be Kam's little sister. Xena called Argo to a halt and then walked over and joined Ares and company.

"Hey Xena," Kam called, surprised to see the warrior woman away from the farm.

"Afternoon." Xena smiled at the boy. Like Aleta, the boy was beginning to grow on her. And she considered them both almost family now.

"Ahhh, the missus?" The stonemason eyed Xena.

Ares pulled Xena toward him by curling his arm around her waist. Instead of her traditional leather, she was wearing a simple lavender frock that Gabrielle had bartered for when a traveling merchant had passed through their farm a few days back. The bard had traded a few scrolls of adventure stories to get each of them a practical dress for working on the farm. Xena wore her hair in a single braid but stray wisps of hair had been blown by the wind during her ride into town and they now framed her face beautifully. Ares found the look instantly appealing. It surprised him just how much the domestic Xena stirred his passions. Forcing his attention back to the task at hand, Ares said, "Yes, Sir," Ares addressing the mason. "You see why it's so important that I get a fair deal on these blocks. We've got these two poor mouths to feed already and this one just keeps popping them out."

The stonemason smiled at Xena and then looked down into the little girl's deep azure eyes.

"Pa, don't forget about grandma," Kam piped in, "she might not make it through another winter in that little shack." Kam hung his head and took his sister's hand for effect.

What a little con! Xena thought, as she saw the stonemason beginning to give in.

"Alright, three dinars a cart load, it's the best I can do," the man offered his thick hand to Ares.

"We'll take it." Ares shook the man's hand and fished into a pant's pocket for some coin. "Son, if you'll start loading the cart, I am going to talk with your mother for a minute."

"Yes, Pa," Kam grinned then led his sister toward the wagon.

Ares pulled Xena out into the street and then down a nearby alleyway. "What brings you to town?"

"Business," she cocked an eyebrow. "You've got more money than MIdas, you swindled that man, Ares."

"Did not, I got a fair deal," Ares defended.

"You used those skinny kids and me to get sympathy, you. . .'

"Well, you didn't stop me."

"I wanted to see how far you would go."

"And?" he moved in closer, "Did I go too far?"

"No," she managed to breathe out. Xena had tried to step away from him, his nearness always sent her system into overdrive. The little alley was more narrow than she'd realized and she found herself with her back against a wall. "But you'd better be careful, you've got a little con artist on your hands there."

"Kam? Yeah, the kid's got good survival instincts. Bet you were like that at his age."

"Maybe," Xena looked at his lips, wishing he would just kiss her already.

"So, do you have some time to kill?" He whispered in her ear. "I could book us a room in the inn." He ran his hand down her side and cupped it around her hip, pulling her in so that she could feel the press of his growing desire against her own.

"If you don't quit, I am going to fuck you right here!" She purred.

"Promise?"

"Ares," she moaned.

"I like this dress on you. Brings out your eyes and your curves." He kissed her cheek softly then nipped along her jawline. Xena's lips parted, anticipating the taste of his sweet tongue. But he pulled back. "No, I think I will make you wait."

"What? No." she almost begged.

"Yes, we will wait."

"Wait? For what?"

"Tomorrow night."

"Midnight, again?" She whimpered. She wasn't sure she was going to make it that long.

"Yes," he answered and added as if he'd read her mind,"And, Xena, don't relieve yourself. I want you sprung and ready to pop for me."

"Are you serious?" she panted and hated herself for the effect that he was having on her.

"Very, my dear. And wear this dress." Leaning back into her ear, "and as ever, no panties."

"Yes, Sir," she cried. As he pulled away, her lips subtly puckered at the air.

When he was back out to the main thoroughfare, he turned back toward her. "Chop chop, Xena. shops will be closing soon, better get what you came for. I'll see you tomorrow."

Xena took a minute to compose herself. How did one man? No! One god have that effect on her? She shook her head and was reminded that she needed to visit the stockyards. When she stepped back onto the main street, she looked back toward the stonemason's yard. Ares, Kam, and the girl were loading granite blocks onto a cart. Ares caught her searing glare. He had the audacity to wink at her.

With a huff, Xena turned to Argo, who looked at her with what Xena could only describe as incredulity.

AXAXAXAXAXAXAX

The sun was setting by the time Xena made it back to the farm. She'd had a bountiful trip. She'd bought a mule, two goats, two sheep, a brood of chickens, a young cock, as well as a second cart.. The cart was loaded with olive trees and starter vines for grapes. Oats, barley, olive oil, wine, and honey rounded out the food stuffs. When Xena crested the hill that looked over her little valley, she noticed that Ares and the kids had beat her home. In the dusky light, she could see his cart of blocks parked just beside the layout he and Kam had dug. She looked to her own place, white smoke wafted from the chimney and light poured from the little shack's windows. Home. Odd, Xena thought, how long had it been since she'd called any place home?

As Xena drove the cart closer, she could see figures on the front porch. Gabrielle was sitting in a rocker, the young girl, Kam's sister, sat on the wooden floor in front of her. The bard was braiding the girl's dark hair. Telling her stories, no doubt. At the other end of the porch, Aleta and Kam were sitting side by side, so close that their thighs were touching. Kam laughed at something Aleta said. The girl reached down and took his hand. Xena wondered if the girl had ever had a normal boyfriend? She knew that her work at the tavern had made her no stranger to men, but Xena worried that the girl would have difficulty navigating a regular relationship. Xena frowned inwardly. Who was she to question the health of anyone's relationships?

Speaking of relationships. Where was Ares? Already split no doubt! She surveyed the yard, searching for him. She looked back toward his homestead. Nothing. She shrugged. It was probably for the best anyway. She'd see him tomorrow night. Her thighs involuntarily clenched at the thought. When Xena finally brought the mule to a halt, Gabrielle stood up and walked over to investigate the fruits of Xena's trip.

"You must've sold a lot of timber." Gabrielle was impressed.

"Not really, Only a stand of trees on the far northern perimeter. You would've gotten a much better deal, I'm certain. Still, we should be set for a while. Although, I am going to need a hot bath after dealing with these beasts."

"Well, why don't you wash up. We've been waiting for you to return before having dinner," Gabrielle smiled.

"The kids are staying?"

"I know we don't really have the room but I've offered them the stables for the evening."

"Nonsense. They can take my room, I'll take the stables." Xena insisted.

"You're pregnant, you're not sleeping in the barn."

"I slept in worse places when I was pregnant with both Eve and Solan. I'll be fine."

"Okay, but if they are going to be staying here a lot, we need to get a more permanent arrangement worked out."

"Agreed. What's the girl's name?"

"Corina."

"Beautiful. Telling her your stories?" Xena hopped off the cart and started to unload it.

"I was telling her some, but she has a few stories of her own. Did you know that they stayed with Cyrene for a while?"

"No," Xena stopped what she was doing and looked at the kids. "They stayed with Mother?"

"Yes," Gabrielle rubbed Xena's arm, "And, they can tell you all about it over dinner, but you need to get cleaned up first."

"I need to unload the cart and stable the animals."

"We'll take care of it," Gabrielle demanded. "Go get a bath?" She ordered, then called to the kids, "Kam, Aleta, Corina, you wanna come help me with these things?"

"Sure," Kam answered and the kids headed their way.

"Thank you," Xena smiled at Gabrielle and turned for the house.

Just as she reached the porch, Ares came around the corner carrying an armload of firewood. Why was he topless? No mortal would ever dream of carrying a rough bundle of logs against their skin like that. Of course, he didn't have to worry about getting his perfect skin all scratched up.

"Xena, you're back," he grinned.

"I didn't expect you to still be here," she replied.

"Blondie invited me to stay for dinner. I didn't think you'd object, considering your reception this afternoon in the alley. You seemed eager to have me around."

"Hmpfh, suit yourself. If you wanna slum it and eat human gruel then by all means join us." Without another word, she continued on into the house. She shut the door behind her and pressed her back against the door. She desperately hoped he put a shirt on before coming to the table.