Chapter 2: Conflicted Emotions
Sulking in his misery, Ares decided to take the rest of the day off. Ever since he woke in this modern world, he didn't have all his memories (but the smallest triggers brought back several lifetimes).He immediately grabbed his bags and without a word to anyone, he left and went to his car. The God of War let the top down on his convertible and took off, leaving tire marks behind him. He sped down the road without a care in the world and a clear destination. He needed to get as far away from his gym as possible.
The God pulled into the parking lot of his favorite bar. He let his seat back and stared at the white clouds travelling along the blue sky. He needed the fresh air. After all this time, he finally found Xena, but didn't have the courage to face her. "Great going Ares," he thought to himself.
"Ewww, this funk you're in is totally going to ruin my curls," Aphrodite said.
"Hello to you too sis," he said, not looking her way.
"Sooo why is my favorite brother in the whole entire world feeling so down?" Ares ignored her question and kept staring into the heavens.
"Like come on Stud Muffin, you can totally talk to me."
Ares took a deep breath. "Xena came into my gym today." Aphrodite squealed in excitement.
"Was she like totally excited to see you too?"
"She didn't see me," Ares said underneath his breath.
"Say that again, will ya?"
"I said," raising his voice "she didn't see me," while punching the steering wheel.
"I see," Aphrodite said, understanding he was too nervous to say anything.
"You wanna go inside and grab a drink?" she asked while tenderly rubbing his arm.
Ares held the door open for Aphrodite as they entered the bar. "Always the perfect gentlemen."
"HA!" he laughed as he led them to his favorite table.
They both took a seat at the table in the back and materialized a shot of nectar. Ares took his shot first. "Ah, that's smooth."
"Why don't you tell her how you feel?" Aphrodite asked changing the subject.
"Been there, done that, didn't work, remember?" Aphrodite giggled.
"And what's so funny?" Ares asked, beginning to become irritated.
"Stud Muffin, you need to try again. Not only tell her you love her, but also show her."
"How do I show her when she doesn't even know I exist in this world?" Ares almost slammed his fist on the table, but Aphrodite stopped him not wanting to cause a scene.
"Well, you need to talk to her the next time you see her, for starters." Ares sighed.
"I wanted so badly to talk to her today, but I couldn't find the right words," he thought to himself, unable to voice his weakness.
"You must tell her how you feel, Stud. Be sincere and she'll know the words are coming from your heart." Aphrodite grabbed Ares' hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ares took Aphrodite shot of nectar and downed it immediately.
"Hey, you could have made your own," Aphrodite pouted. Ares smiled.
"Thanks for listening to me sis."
"Anytime big bro," Aphrodite smiled. And with that, they both left the bar and went to their separate destinations.
Ares arrived home having an internal debate with himself. Will she really care to listen to me? I wonder if she will even be happy to see me?"Be sincere and she'll know the words are coming from your heart," he heard Aphrodite voice say. Even though it was not necessary for him to sleep, Ares felt drained, mentally drained. He laid in his king size bed, covered with black furs, and closed his eyes... drifting off to dreamland.
Ares walked in the gym bright and early. After speaking with his staff about anything that he may have missed for the day, he took a quick inspection of the gym.
She was using the cable machine when he saw her. She was in her zone with headphones on, lost in her workout. Ares took a deep breath and walked towards her. As she was pulling the cable, he noticed that she slowed her pace. He wondered if she could still feel his presence. Then, she pulled her headphones down around her neck and turned his way. She rolled her eyes; shaking her head.
"Anybody ever tell you how awesome you look in blue?" Ares said smiling. Xena wore a baby blue sports bra with matching leggings. She had her hair in a mid ponytail.
"Anybody ever tell you to get lost?" Xena stressed through hissed teeth and started working out again.
Slightly taken back by Xena's reply, he almost looked hurt, but he played it cool since he knew people were watching.
"Xena, I've been wanting to talk to you," Ares said as he got closer to her.
"Just because I joined your little gym, doesn't give you the right to stalk me, Ares. Say whatever you have to say and then forget I exist," Xena said never looking at him and still working out.
"Ever since I found out you were reincarnated; I couldn't stop thinking about you. I see you in every corner I turn, everytime I close my eyes, and even smell you when the wind blows..."
Xena stopped working out and turned towards Ares abruptly. Not realizing how close he was to her, her breast brushed up against him. Her face became flushed for a brief second then, she took a step back.
"And what Ares? Are you going to try to convince me you love me again? That's starting to get really old. We both know you are incapable of loving anyone other than yourself, you soulless bastard."
"But Xena, I do lo..."
"Is everything okay over here?" came a strong voice from around the gym. Ares looked up and frowned. It was none other than Hercules reincarnated.
"Just peachy," Xena replied smiling while pulling Hercules into her embrace for the sweetest kiss. Then, she walked off with him, looking back at Ares over her shoulder.
Ares shot up from his bed in a panic. His heart was racing, his breathing rapid. He touched his head and felt he was sweating. He never wanted to sleep again in his life.
The next morning, Ares arrived at work bright and early. For his first task of the day, he reviewed all the new applicants, to ensure he wouldn't run across "Jerkules" application. Relieved of not finding Hercules anywhere within his system, he went about the rest of his day with a clearer head than the night before. As he worked, he pondered if the dream was some sort of premonition of the future. "Will she find love before I even have a chance to see her again?" As far as he knew, she could be wrapped up with another man as we speak. With that thought heavily on his mind, he had to open a portal to verify. He felt bad a brief second for invading her privacy, but he just had to know! Walking swiftly to his office, closing the door and shades behind him, he opened a portal to see what she had going on. To his relief, he saw that Xena was still asleep in bed, alone. Ares knew he had to get to Xena before anyone else could. "I'm coming for you my Queen, I'm coming."
