Chapter 25: Jealousy Unveiled

2 weeks later. Ares had to leave with Apollo again to handle more business. He and his warrior said their heart felt see you laters. It was getting harder every time to leave her, to leave them. They were his life. He craved to be with Xena every second of the day during this delicate part of her journey. He didn't want her to lift an unnecessary finger and wanted her pregnancy to be as stress-free as possible. Once he returned home, he was going to let her know that he didn't want her training anymore and if she insisted on working there, he would find something easier for her to do. She was nearly 5 months now and growing bigger by the day. He didn't want any idiots hurting them, no matter if it was an accident.

~XA~

Friday. Xena had just finished her last client for the evening and was finishing up work on her laptop. 6pm. She hated training Ares' clients. They all preferred the evening times but there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for him. She adjusted her back uncomfortably in her chair. Sitting too long caused her back to cramp up. She rubbed her belly gingerly. Unless she was misremembering, this baby seemed bigger than her others. It was probably due to the way she's been eating this go around. Between Ares and Gabrielle, she always had a full meal at her disposal. Emma cracked her door softly, letting her know she was leaving for the day. Since Ares was gone, she drove to work.

Once Emma reached the parking lot, she noticed her, and Xena's cars were the only ones in the parking lot. She looked around to see if she had any prying eyes. Confident that no one could see her, she walked to Xena's car and surveyed her surroundings again as she pulled a screwdriver out of her purse. She bent down next to Xena's front tire and let the air out, using her screwdriver. Satisfied that the tire was too low to drive on, she got in her car and drove away.

Xena walked to her car, glad for the day to be over with. Her mind drifted to Ares, as he usually took her home, even if he returned to work. He always made time for her. Even though he was only going to be gone for two weeks, she missed him already. She needed him. She looked down at her tire and sighed. Yea, she definitely needed him now. A flat tire, this was the last thing she wanted. She looked around the parking lot, not a person in sight. Her feet were so sore, and her ankles were beginning to swell. She had been up on them too long. Unlocking her car door, she sat in the driver's seat and pulled out her phone. She tried to text Ares, but the message wouldn't go through. It was pretty dark outside now. The moon was rising. A beautiful half-moon. She dialed Hercules' phone number. He answered on the first ring:

Xena, everything ok?

Sorry to bother you but I need your help.

Anything, where are you?

I'm still at work. My tire is flat.

Here I come.

Hercules arrived within no time. He pulled up with Gabrielle. Xena stepped out the car as they pulled up. They all looked at the tire. Hercules inspected the tire more closely. As he was studying the tire, he took note of Xena's ankles.

"Xena, it looks like somebody may have let the air out on purpose. Are there any cameras around here?" Xena stretched out her back again. He immediately stood up and led her to his car so she could sit down. She smiled and spoke..

"Ares has cameras everywhere, but I don't have the info to access it. I never cared to get it."

"Xena, why would anyone want to do this to you, especially now?" Gabrielle asked, as she rubbed her hair. She knew some women were jealous of Ares, but this person must have despised Xena. Why mess with her now in her condition?

"Now is the perfect time. Whoever did it knew that Ares was away." She shook her head disgusted at the thought. Hercules pulled his air pump out of his car and began filling up the tire. Xena let the seat back in his car and adjusted herself more comfortably.

"Xena, I'm going to drive your car home and you can ride with Herc." She knew her friend was exhausted. She had been at work since 8am and it was almost 7pm now.

"Thanks," Xena replied in a tired voice. She made a mental note to ask Ares about those cameras. She needed to see this for herself.

~XA~

Hercules carried Xena's items into the house as they all walked in. They had bought take out on their way home. Xena went straight to her room to get more comfortable. When 30 minutes went by and Xena still hadn't returned to the living room, Hercules decided to go to her room to check on her. She hadn't eaten dinner yet and he couldn't figure out what was taking her so long. He thought she was going to change clothes and come back out. He knocked softly. No answer. He turned the doorknob and went straight in. At the same time, Xena was walking out her bathroom completely naked.

"Hercules!" She tried to cover herself with her hands and turned her back towards him.

"Xena, I'm...I'm sorry. I knocked and when you didn't answer, I got worried," he turned his back but not before staring too long. Her body was deliciously curvier than he remembered. The water glistened on her skin, making her glow. He wanted to run his fingers along her wet body. His arousal was growing. He looked around the room and saw her robe. He grabbed it and wrapped it around her body from behind her. Accidently standing too close, Xena felt him hardening. She hurriedly pulled away from his touches and tied her robe.

"I'll be in the front," he nervously stammered and walked out. Xena sighed. Was she just imagining what she felt? No, that was too hard to be an imagination. She had a flashback of her and Hercules, as she closed her eyes. They were having steamy sex by the river, in the open, without a care in the world. He too was talented with his member. The thought made her wet. Her eyes shot open, as she shook the thought from her head. No, she was Ares' now. She assumed the pregnancy hormones had her hot and ready. Oh, where was Ares when she needed him? She slipped on her lounge set and left the room.

~XA~

Xena sat on the couch flipping through her phone. Gabrielle and Hercules were cleaning the kitchen back up. Once they were done, Hercules took a seat next to Xena and Gabrielle sat in one of the recliners. The flames from the fireplace danced across Xena's face, catching Hercules' attention. Without a word, he lifted her legs into his lap.

"Hercules, what are you doing?" She tried to snatch her legs out of his grip, but he was too strong. He held her legs securely in his hands and removed her slippers.

"Xena, your ankles are swollen. I don't know if Ares would have noticed, but they caught my attention." He moved his strong hands to her feet and began massaging them. Xena wanted to protest, insisting she was just fine but once he got started, she couldn't focus on anything else. His touches were divine. Plus, her feet and ankles were swollen, so she let herself have this moment. She had been on her feet most of the day anyway. She moaned lowly while relaxing more on the couch. Gabrielle watched them as the TV watched her. She was starting to like the idea of Hercules being with Xena instead of Ares. He was always such good company. Even though he was there every day, his company never seemed to smother them.

"Guys, I'm going to my room to catch some zzz's. Goodnight you two." They both told her goodnight as Hercules continued his massages. Now that Gabrielle was gone, he got a little bit looser with his hands. He slowly rubbed his hand up her leg, stopping at her calf, and back down to her ankle. He was getting drunk from her presence. Her head was laid back on the couch, as she relaxed into his touches. Her soft moans made his mind cloudy. He ran his hand up her leg again, stopping at her knee, and back down. She didn't stop him. Her body longed to be touched. Her hormones were raging, and she was having the hardest time trying to control them. Both hands slowly moved up her inner thigh and she gasped. He stared at her face. Her eyes hazily looked at him. The lust in his eyes excited her. He pulled her shorts down and saw her center glistening. His mouth hung open as he gulped loudly. Gently, he spread her legs open and positioned himself between her, his member ready to be released from his pants.

"I forgot my water," Gabrielle's voice startled him, and he jumped off her. Xena pulled the throw over herself. Gabrielle slowed her pace and looked at them. She had the slightest smirk on her face.

"Am I interrupting something?" She looked at Xena, her face was flushed. Hercules was too. He spoke first...

"No, I was just, just, just uh, working the kink out of her muscles. She's pretty swollen from earlier."

"Uh huh. Don't stop on my accord. Your secret is safe with me," she teased as she walked to her bedroom.

Xena sighed as she rose from the couch.

"Hercules, can you bring me some water please?" Hercules immediately went into the kitchen to retrieve the requested item and brought it back to her. He watched her drink the water and took the glass from her when she was done. He didn't understand what was happening to him. Where were these feelings coming from? He looked at the ring on her finger. It angered him. She shouldn't belong to a self-centered bastard like his brother. He quickly got up from the couch. He needed fresh air, to clear his thoughts.

"Xena, I'm going for a walk. I'll see you tomorrow." He let himself out of the house. Xena was glad he'd left. She almost made a big mistake, all because she couldn't get her untrustworthy hormones in check. She went to her room and crawled into bed.

~XA~

Xena had a blanket sprawled in the grass, as she sat on the ground surrounded by her plants. She was enjoying just relaxing outside. It was so calming. Her baby kicked swiftly on her side. She smiled and lovingly rubbed her stomach. Footsteps approached as she whispered words of love to her baby.

"Mind if I take a seat?" Hercules asked.

"Sure, you can join us." Hercules sat down with a basket of fruit and water. He slowly pulled out the items and spread them across the blanket. Xena popped a few grapes in her mouth. The juice ran out the side of her mouth when she bit into it. Hercules casually wiped the juice from her lips and licked it.

"Xena, do you think Ares really has your best interest at heart?" Xena looked confusedly at him. Where was this coming from?

"Of course he does, what made you ask that?" Xena turned to face him as she grabbed some water.

"He has you training in HIS gym Xena. Those long hours you pulled yesterday were unethical in your condition." Xena dropped her eyes. That part was true. He continued on...

"There's no reason for you to work at all. If you solely want to work to keep busy, he could simply have you lead a few maternity workout sessions throughout the week. Something safe and simple until the baby...," he placed his hand on her stomach, "...arrives." Xena took in his words. He was right. If she was training someone and they needed her help, she wouldn't be able to give it without possibly risking her baby. Most of the exercises now, she was too big to demonstrate properly. But how could Hercules see this and not Ares? She was his fiancé and mother of his child.

As she processed the realization that Ares had been exploiting her for his own gain, anger surged within her. The betrayal stung, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Unable to contain the frustration, she seized Hercules' hand, squeezing it tightly as if seeking an anchor in the storm of her emotions.

"Thank you," she uttered with utmost sincerity, the words carrying a weight that only Hercules could comprehend. In that simple gesture, an unspoken understanding passed between them, forging a bond of trust and solidarity in the face of Ares' deceit.