Chapter 13: Ready or Not

Xena stretched and tried to turn around but realized she couldn't move. She opened her eyes, squinting due to the bright rays shining through the window, and saw Ares' strong arm holding her in place next to him. She felt so safe and loved in his arms. Her man? That still didn't sound right. She smiled and kissed his lips, "Good morning, handsome." Ares smiled back lazily and ran his fingers through her hair. He absolutely loved it. He nuzzled her neck. He could get used to having her wake up in his arms willingly. There were no tricks, no deals, no deceptions. She was there in his arms because she wanted to be. He pulled her closer to his body. He never wanted her to leave his side. After waiting so long for her, he was going to hold on to this moment, as if it was his last one on earth.

"What is that grand aroma coming through the vents?" Ares inquired while raising up on one elbow.

"Grand aroma? Since when did you become interested in mortal food?" Xena turned to face him.

"Since it started to smell like that!" he waved his hand in front of his nose, circling the aroma.

"Well, that is Gabrielle's cooking." It was Saturday meaning that she and Gabrielle were off. Xena sighed and snuggled her body closer to Ares'. She knew the time was near to give an official voice to their relationship. Gabrielle was going to freak. Luckily, she would have food in front of her to calm her down. Xena considered walking out of the room holding Ares' hand but then she knew that was a bit extreme since Gabrielle didn't even know Ares was here. Ares could tell her mind was formulating a plan. He kissed her softly,

"Trying to come up with how to tell blondie about us?" Xena didn't say anything, instead she smiled softly. He started to think she was embarrassed by him.

"Xe, if you want me to come back..." he slowly began to rise from the bed.

"No..." she pushed him back down "...you're not going anywhere. I just need to think for a moment, that's all." After replaying all the possible scenarios she could think of, she realized all there was to it, was just to do it. Xena got out the bed and went to the restroom to freshen up. Ares waited patiently for her return. He didn't want to smother her so soon. Once she came back out, she slipped out of her gown and put on a pair of lounge clothes. Ares gulped loudly. He didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to resist her if she kept with her teasing antics.

"I'm going to speak with Gabrielle briefly and then I'll come back here to get you. Don't be nervous." Nervous?! Ares didn't care one way or another what blondie thought about him. He knew she was giving herself that pep talk. He squeezed her hand lightly.

"Everything is going to be just fine Xe, don't worry." Xena placed her hand on the doorknob but didn't turn it. Ready or not she said to herself and left the room. Her stomach turned in knots as she made her way down the hallway to the kitchen. The hallway seemed unbearably long now. She felt as if she was walking the gauntlet all over again. Then, she saw her, so innocently cooking, not knowing her world was going to flip in less than 5 minutes. Xena walked to the middle barstool, ensuring to leave a barstool on each side of her, and took a seat.

"Food smells absolutely amazing. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yea, start the coffee please and thank you. I'm going to set the table." Gabrielle grabbed two plates and two glasses.

"Gabrielle, we're going to need one more set of plates and glasses." Xena bit her bottom lip and tried to avoid Gabrielle's questioning gaze.

"Why, are we having company?" Gabrielle inquired while grabbing the extra materials. She sat them on the bar and turned to look at Xena, who still had her back towards her.

"Xena...I asked were we having company for breakfast?" Xena took a deep breath and turned towards her friend.

"Something happened last night...unexpectantly." Xena began to pace the room. Gabrielle sat at one of the stools waiting for her to finish.

"Last night when I left, I met with Aphrodite, and you won't believe...," Xena started to pretend chuckle, "...you won't believe who I ran into." Gabrielle smiled and raised an inquisitive eyebrow. She then placed her hand on her head, in hopes Xena wouldn't dare say the last name she wanted to hear. Xena walked away to her room. Gabrielle hoped that she was going to return with Joxer, but she had a strong feeling she wasn't. When she raised her head back up, she saw Xena and Ares walking down the hall hand in hand. She made eye contact with him, and he gave her a smug grin.

"Hello to you too blondie," Ares let Xena's hand go and walked right up to Gabrielle. Xena stood in the background, watching the exchange.

"Ares! What a beautiful surprise," Gabrielle exclaimed sarcastically.

"You haven't heard anything yet," Ares smiled boldly in her face. Xena stepped in next to Ares before he could tell Gabrielle about them. She wanted to ease it on her, not throw it in her face like Ares would have loved to do.

"Gabrielle, what he means is that... is that..." Xena didn't know what to say. Ares sensed Xena's hesitation and decided to help her along. He walked behind Xena and pulled her into his embrace. She stiffened her body at his contact. He kissed her cheek for reassurance and then looked at Gabrielle and said,

"Xena finally is giving us a chance and I swear on the Styx if you try to change her mind..." Xena turned around in his arms and covered his mouth. Of course, he was going to threaten her.

"Xena..." Gabrielle gasped "...have you lost your mind, I mean, are you that...that... desperate for a man that you would give in to a lying snake?! There are plenty other men here that I'm sure would love to have you." Ares formed a fireball in his hand. Xena rubbed his arm to calm him down and he put it out. She had already prepared her mind for Gabrielle's non-acceptance of them. Xena led Ares to the barstool. She then walked to Gabrielle, grabbed her hand, and led her to the other bar stool, leaving her barstool open in the middle. Once Gabrielle sat down, Xena pushed a strand of hair behind Gabrielle's ear and spoke in the most pleading tone.

"Gabrielle, we will finish this talk later. I am not going to talk about Ares like he's not in the room. Just know that I have forgiven him, and I hope one day that you could do the same." Xena smiled softly at her and turned to grab her and Ares' plate. All 3 ate in silence.

~XA~

Ares and Xena sat on the couch in the living room while Gabrielle washed the dishes. They offered to help but Gabrielle declined, wanting to keep herself busy as long as possible. Despite Gabrielle being aware of her and Ares' relationship, Xena still felt uneasy displaying affection in front of her friend. Ares, however, could care less about what anyone thought when he was with Xena. He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He felt her back stiffen up again. He let out a breath of air.

"What's wrong?" he asked with utter confusion. Xena smiled lightly, "Nothing." Ares then tried to kiss her lips and she turned her cheek towards him instead. He cleared his throat, slightly taken back by her reactions. He stood up and Xena stood up with him.

"Xena, I have to work today, I'll talk to you later." He then softly grabbed her chin, to keep her from turning away this time, and placed the sweetest peck on her lips. Xena's face flushed. Gabrielle sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. Ares disappeared in a ray of blue light.

"I do not think I am ever going to get used to seeing him around here," Gabrielle groaned while finishing up the kitchen. Xena walked to her and rubbed her shoulder.

"It would mean the world to me if you could try to get along with him." Xena turned and walked to her room, closing the door behind her. Suddenly, her phone went off. She shook her head slowly, dreading to read the message. She just knew it was her boss and the last thing she wanted to do was go to work. She walked to the bed and read the message: Dinner tonight at 6pm? She let out a sigh of relief and replied. I'll be ready.

~XA~

Gabrielle sat in the garden enjoying the sounds of nature. She was deep in thought when she heard a gentle swoosh. She looked up and saw Aphrodite sitting next to her.

"Isn't it just the cutest thing?" Aphrodite asked in a giggly voice.

"I hope you're referencing one of the many plants out here," Gabrielle huffed. Aphrodite looked at her and turned her lip slightly. She knew Gabrielle wasn't happy to hear Xena and Ares were together, but she wanted to lighten Gabrielle's mood.

"Give me your hand, let's go somewhere to relieve some of this stress you're giving off." Gabrielle accepted her hand and then replied, "As long as it is not Godly Gains, I'm down." Aphrodite laughed while transporting them through the aether. She brought them to one of her temples and materialized a bathtub with bubbles.

"Just like old times, remember?" She changed both of them into pink swimsuits and led Gabrielle into the water. Afterwards, she made an assortment tray of fruit and drinks appear on Gabrielle's side of the tub. With a snap of her fingers, water jets began to rumble throughout the water. Gabrielle picked up a strawberry, dipped it into some chocolate, and took a bite while sinking into the water. It was juicy.

"Gabby, I know Ar isn't your favorite person, but what he feels about Xena is real. And Xena loves him too, she always has. Her path in this life is different from the last, so she doesn't need to struggle with righting her wrongs. Not to make him the topic of discussion but Ar wasn't taught to love. I've never felt it in his aura until he met Xena. And if you truly care about Xena, like I know you do, she's going to need her best friend's support." Gabrielle knew that Aphrodite wouldn't lie to her. It just irked the hell out of her that Ares—Ares of all people, was going to start being around, openly.

"Just to make sure I'm clear Dite, are you telling me that we can trust Ares now?" Gabrielle inquired while indulging in the delicious fruits and drinks in front of her.

"I swear it on the Styx that you can," Aphrodite answered crossing her heart. "But he's still a man, so I'm not saying he's not an idiot." They both laughed lightly at her statement.

"Now, warrior babe has a date later tonight with Ar sooooooo you wanna hang out here a little bit longer? I would really enjoy your company tonight." Aphrodite asked pleadingly with the biggest brightest smile.

"Thanks Dite," Gabrielle hugged Aphrodite warmly. With gratitude in her heart, Gabrielle held onto Aphrodite's embrace a moment longer. The prospect of Xena's date heightened the evening's energy, but in the company of her friend, Gabrielle found comfort. As they lingered in each other's presence, the laughter and companionship between them became a source of comfort, a reminder that, no matter the romantic complexities, the bonds of friendship remained unwavering.