Chapter 10: Trust Building

Ares sat in his office really weighing in on the words of his beloved sister. He needed to show Xena how much he loved her, but how? He knew he couldn't just appear by her side whenever she needed something, as that would only annoy her. He also understood that he couldn't appear to her needs while keeping his invisibility shield because she could still pickup on his presence without seeing him. He slammed his hands on his desk. Why did his princess have to be so good! She was way too independent to depend on his assistance, but he still needed to fit himself into her life somehow.

~XA~

Xena slept pretty decent, considering the night she had. She rolled over in the bed looking out the window. To her surprise, the sun wasn't shining through blinding her, as it usually does. Xena lazily rolled out the bed and slipped on her slippers. She looked for her robe, that she usually kept on her recliner, but she realized she still had it on from the previous night. As she turned the door handle, the smell of breakfast awakened her senses. She smiled inwardly.

As she made her way to the kitchen, she decided to be some sort of help to Gabrielle, even though her cooking skills weren't up to par. Therefore, she decided to get the coffee started. "You look like you slept well," Gabrielle greeted Xena as she entered the kitchen.

"Never better," Xena replied sarcastically and tightened her lips into a somewhat smile.

"I'll be heading out to work soon. I'll leave breakfast on the stove. Do you think you can fill my coffee cup for me and leave it by the door, I'm running a little late and my ride will be here any minute?"

"Course." Once Gabrielle had all her items together, Xena passed her the keys to her car, so she could drive to work since she was off today. Gabrielle shot a quick text message to let the other teachers know she wouldn't be carpooling today and gladly took the keys from Xena. After Gabrielle left, Xena grabbed her cup of coffee and made herself comfortable on the couch. She inhaled the drink's aroma. The smell was so strong, strong like a God that she knew. Her mind then drifted back to their little banter the night before. Why did he have to be such a bastard? And why did that NOT piss her off like she wanted it to? She wanted to be furious with him. She wanted to hate him so much right now, that the very thought made her sick, but she couldn't. Actually, it was just the opposite. She longed to see him again. Touch him again. Hear his voice whispering sweet nothings, that always set her heart ablaze. Truth is, even though she made him leave, it wasn't because she was upset. She had to get him out her room before he'd crushed her last line of defense she had built up against him. Yes, it irked her out how cocky he was all the time. How he only thought about himself and how he could benefit from any situation presented at him. Yet, he was trying to convince Xena that he loved her. Love. She wasn't sure Ares truly understood the meaning of that word. But not only love her , he wanted to be with her. An act that would involve him to not only think about himself, but her too. She shook her head, erasing the thought from her brain. Abruptly, her phone went off, she had a new text message.

Good Morning Xena, sorry to bother you but is there anyway you could come in today. I need someone to present a presentation regarding camping safety and Lana didn't come in today. I really owe you one.

It was Xena's boss. She groaned outloud and put her phone down. It then occurred to her that the safety presentation was only an hour and then she would be back at home enjoying her day. Sure, omw. Xena got dressed and looked at the key holder. She just then remembered she told Gabrielle she could take the car to work. Ding dong, her doorbell rang. Xena looked out the peephole. It was Chyna, who was her closest neighbor.

"Hi, Chyna, what's going on?" Xena asked as she wondered what Chyna could want at this early time of the day.

"Xena, I'm so glad you're here. I was wondering if you could drop me off at the airport, oh pretty please!? I'll even let you drive my car, and you can keep it here until I return. I really don't want to leave my car parked at the airport the whole week I'm away, I'm sure you understand." Xena thought momentarily on her request. Shaking her head in agreement, she replied...

"I guess it wouldn't hurt anything. Wait a sec while I get my things. I'm going to run a few errands in your car after I drop you off, I'm sure you understand," Xena replied slightly sarcastically with a smile. As the two women walked outside to the car, Chyna handed Xena the keys. "It'll be much easier for me to get out without us parking."

"Yea, sure, whatever you say," Xena replied as she irritably grabbed the keys from Chyna. After Chyna was dropped off at her destination, Xena turned on the radio. A long song was on and the words stung at her heart:

Nobody knows me like you do (Nobody)
Nobody gon' love me quite like you (Nobody, yeah)
Can't even deny it, every time I try it
One look in my eyes, you know I'm lyin', lyin'

Xena turned off the radio immediately. As she drove down the highway, her mind drifted off to Ares. She knew no one could make her feel the way she truly felt deep down for him. He set her heart ablaze! She was starting to miss him, words she wouldn't dare say outloud. She enjoyed being around him, even when they debated. He was never accustomed to showing his softer side, that Xena knew he possessed deep down.

He was the God of War, and she really understood that meaning. He was created with that image and held its mantle for eons. He was strong, courageous, short tempered, and many people feared him. But she didn't. No matter how bad things got between them, she knew, he wouldn't hurt her. Because all is fair in love and war. Then, his words came back to her... "Xena, I love you, from the very pits of my immortal soul, I am in love with you." Her chest began to ache. She wanted to love him back. She wondered what her life would be like with him if he didn't constantly try to manipulate and deceive her. Would she truly be happy with him? After their little debate last night, he apologized. The sincerity in his words made her want to believe him. That was a step in the right direction, she hoped. She sighed. Before she knew it, she was at work. "Let's get this over with," she said as she got out the car.

~XA~

Ares sat in his office, door locked, and blinds closed. He had a portal open watching Xena go about her day. When he saw Gabrielle drive away in her car, he wanted to appear to her. But, based on last night's events, he figured it would only repeat itself and the last thing he wanted to do was have another drawn out debate with her. His goal for the next phase of winning his Queen back was showing her how much he loved her. He noticed Xena's boss asking her to come in and her didn't have a way there. He thought for a moment how he could help without going to her. That's when the idea formed in his head. He would send her neighbor to her with her car, needing her assistance that Xena couldn't resist. "Strike 1 for the God of War!" he exclaimed outloud while pumping his fists.

~XA~

Once Xena's presentation was over, she was ready to grab a bite to eat and head home. Before walking out the door, she checked her purse and realized that her debit card was in her car's arm rest. "Guess I'll starve until Gabrielle gets home." As she walked to Chyna's car, she noticed a $50.00 bill underneath the car tire. She bent over to pick it up. Looking around, she observed there was no one in the parking lot. "Well, I guess today is my lucky day," she smiled as she headed to her favorite restaurant to grab a bite to eat and drink. Xena arrived at the house and went straight to the table to indulge into her favorite meal: steak, mashed potatoes, with a side salad. She also bought a strawberry margarita.

~XA~

"Who's the God of the year, I am , I am!" Ares pumped himself up, pleased at his works.

"Whoa, you really need to chill," Aphrodite beamed next to him, taking a seat on his couch. He picked her up and spun her around in the air. When he brought her down to her feet, he kissed her on her cheek. Aphrodite giggled.

"Um, I love you too bro," she smirked while wiping her cheek.

"You..." he said while pointing at her proudly, "...are good at your job."

"Well duh, I'm not the love goddess for nothing. I take things are working in your favor with the warrior babe?" Ares rubbed his beard.

"Weeelllll..." he flopped on the couch "...not exactly. I haven't talked to her again since yesterday. Howeverrr, I am working on showing her that I love her and my plans are unfolding perfectly." Aphrodite smiled at him. She could see a change in him she's never seen before. She could tell this time, he was sincere on winning the warrior babe and she was his biggest cheerleader.

"When do you plan on visiting her again?"

"When the time is right or I'm sure you'll pop up randomly at the worst time possible just to tell me,"he gave her a tight smile. She playfully punched him.

"Well, that's how it goes when you're dealing with an idiot." She disappeared quietly within the next second. Ares chuckled and tuned back in to his portal, watching his favorite person in all of existence.

~XA~

Once she was done savoring every last bite, she looked out the window dreamingly. The beautiful clouds rolling across the sky seemed to know it's place in the world. Slowly, she was starting to find hers. She decided to visit her garden and work her body with a light workout, since she failed at this task during her most recent gym visit.

By this time, it was early afternoon, but the sun wasn't too harsh. Xena looked at her thirsty plants. They desperately needed rain to water the earth again. She pulled out her phone to check the forecast. 5% of rain without a drop on the radar. She put her phone away and went to retrieve the water hose. Unexpectedly, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Thunder roared through the air. Xena looked up at the darkening sky and felt small raindrops tickling her face. She pulled her phone back out to look at the radar and to her amazement, rain was there and plenty of it.

Xena hurriedly sought shelter from the impending downpour. The rhythmic drumming of rain on the roof soon enveloped the house in a soothing melody. Safely inside, she found herself captivated by the dance of raindrops against the window, their trails creating intricate patterns.

As she watched the storm unfold, a sense of calm washed over her. The air felt charged with a refreshing energy, cleansing both the world outside and the worries within. With a mug of warm tea in hand, Xena settled by the window, allowing the gentle symphony of rain to transport her into a tranquil state of contemplation. The storm outside mirrored the tempest of emotions within her, a reminder that sometimes, even in chaos, there existed a serene beauty waiting to be discovered. Notes:

Here is the youtube link to the song Xena heard, if interested: watch?v=U5-fwUrixZ8&pp=ygUVbWFkZSBmb3IgbWUgbXVuaSBsb25n