Chapter 28: The Heart's Decision

Beep, beep, beep. The sounds of the loud monitors were all Gabrielle heard for the last few hours. Xena was hooked up to a monitor in the hospital and her baby was hooked up to another. Gabrielle explained to the doctors that Xena got hit in a crossfire from a fight. For safety concerns, the staff was going to monitor Xena and her baby for a few hours. Xena's shoulder had a slight bruise.

Gabrielle sat by her bedside. She had seen neither Ares nor Hercules since they've left. She was so pissed off at them. How could they dare start a fight of this magnitude while her and Xena were still in the house? And Ares! He threw the first swing. His temper was oh so horrible. But Hercules didn't try to stop it. He indulged in it. At this point, she didn't know who was best for Xena.

She figured whoever was going to show up at the hospital, if any, was the one who she belonged with. Xena rested comfortably in the hospital bed. She could tell her friend was hurting, not on the outside as much but definitely on the inside. She didn't say much. Gabrielle held her hand, never letting it go. There was a light knock at the door. Gabrielle turned to see who it was. Ares walked in with a bouquet of dark roses. He sat them by Xena's bedside.

"How are they?" Gabrielle didn't want to talk to him right now, however, this was his baby, and he did deserve an update.

"They're going to monitor Xena and the baby for a few hours just to make sure everything is okay," Gabrielle sighed and continued to speak, turning his way.

"Ares, that was very irresponsible of you." she squeezed Xena's hand. She had fallen asleep.

"It could have been much worse." Ares eyes looked so guilty as Gabrielle spoke. Everything she said was true. He was disappointed in himself that he lost his cool big time with the love of his life right there. He picked up Xena's other hand.

"Gabrielle, if you want to go get anything, you can. I'm not leaving her side...," he turned to look at her, "...ever." Gabrielle knew what he meant. She got up to stretch her legs and to text Hercules. She was sure he felt just as bad.

Hey Herc, I know it was a hard decision not to come up here. Xena and the baby are fine. They are both hooked up to a monitor for the next few hours, just to make sure everything is okay. Ares is here.

Thanks for letting me know Gabby. I'm sorry about everything.

Yea, I know you are. Everything will be okay.

~XA~

Xena was released early in the morning. She and the baby were doing just fine. Nothing was broken nor fractured, but her heart. Ares, Xena, and Gabrielle arrived back at their destroyed cottage. Ares chest ached at her sadden expression. She loved her cottage. It also hurt her as she remembered how much time and effort Clifford invested into his house. She'd hoped he would never return to visit. Ares spoke shaking Xena out her thoughts,

"What do you need from out of there? You're not going in." Xena sighed. She guessed Ares was taking her and Gabrielle back to his condo.

"Let me think... just check with Gabrielle." He gently rubbed her thigh and got out the car. Gabrielle saw him walking her way. She was still upset with him.

"Blondie, I asked Xena what she needed out the house. Do you want me to grab your items too?"

"Ares, where are we going?"

"You'll see." He winked. She rolled her eyes. She didn't want to be apart of Ares little surprise but didn't really have a choice. Xena texted Ares everything she needed from the house. Gabrielle accompanied him inside. Once all her requested items were inside the car, Ares drove to their surprise destination as Gabrielle trailed them.

As Xena and Ares embarked on the journey to their new residence, the winding road led them through a lush landscape. Tall trees lined the curvy path while their branches created a natural canopy. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patterns on the ground as they ventured deeper into the peaceful surroundings. Xena's gaze marveled at the scene.

Upon arrival, Xena's eyes widened in awe. The grand mansion stood proudly, framed by swaying palm trees that whispered in the breeze. The exterior exuded elegance, with a subtle hint of mystique. The curvy roads had given way to a sweeping driveway that added to the grandeur of the estate. Her curiosity rose.

"What is this, Ares?" she asked. Ares smiled, explaining that he had originally planned to wait until they were married to move in, but considering the state of the cottage and Gabrielle's situation, he decided to let them move in now.

He grabbed her hand and began their tour. Stepping inside, each room unfolded like a chapter in a story (in which I hope you have been enjoying so far.) A real weapons room awaited, equipped for Ares and Xena to practice and spar. Ares saw the glee in Xena's eyes as she looked around the room and inspected each weapon. Her warrior instincts tingled with the desire to fight, but she knew it was best if she didn't indulge right now. She couldn't wait to dust the floor with him. She gave him a mischievous smile and left the room.

Venturing further, the expansive backyard revealed a breathtaking lake, its clear waters reflecting the blue sky above. Ares had created a private oasis for them, a sanctuary where the couple could unwind and find peace. The attention to detail and the blend of nature and luxury left Xena speechless, appreciating the thoughtful gestures that made the mansion truly feel like their haven.

It was still early morning, and he knew they were exhausted. He led Xena upstairs to a large double door room that had their tattoo symbols engraved. Xena looked at him with excitement and smiled before she pushed open the doors. As if calling her name, she was drawn to the large canopy bed in the center of the room. The engravings were handcrafted, she could tell that much.

"Did you do this?" she asked in a low lost voice while she slowly traced the designs with the tips of her fingers.

"Yes." He took her hand and led her to the bed. He pulled the covers back and helped her underneath them.

"I want you to rest. We'll talk later." With a snap of his fingers, he changed her into a lace gown and left the room.

He found Gabrielle sitting on the bench by the lake. He walked next to her when he spoke,

"There are a crew of men on their way to the cottage as we speak to rebuild it. For the time being, you can stay in any room of your choice. Xena is in bed resting." He turned to leave but she stopped him.

"Ares…," she rose from the bench to stand in front of him, "….thank you." She rubbed his arm. He nodded his head with understanding.

~XA~

Xena opened her eyes, feeling well rested. The bed brought total comfort to her body. Ares had just the right number of pillows and blankets on the bed. He walked through the door holding a carrying tray and sat it down on the bed next to Xena.

"I was hoping you would be awake. I brought you breakfast. I know you're pretty hungry." Xena removed the top from the food and began to eat. Ares watched in silence, waiting for any kind of reaction from her. Emotions coursed through him. He wasn't sure what was going on through her mind. Was she seriously considering Hercules' proposal? And if she was, did they plan to take his baby away from him? He felt anger rising. He had to calm himself down before he did or said something he would regret later. He couldn't let history repeat itself. He rose from the bed and pulled the curtains apart, pushing the window open to allow the fresh air to flow in. The air circled him, as if giving him a hug of comfort. He threw his head back, letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. Was he really in the running for his queen's heart? Nothing made sense anymore. Xena watched him as he touched and fidgeted with random objects in the room. She could tell he was stressing over last night's events. She decided to speak first...

"Ares, come here," she patted the bed next to her. Ares obliged. The guilt on his face made her feel sorry for him. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him tightly to her, massaging his scalp. She was still upset with him, but she did love him.

"Ares." He pulled back from her.

"No, wait. Me first. I've been wanting to discuss this with you before I left. I don't want you working as a trainer anymore. I removed that option from the website. Instead, I made you lead of the new maternity yoga class. Xe, please don't be mad. As soon as you're ready, you can train again, after the baby comes. I love you both too much to imagine anything happening to you." So he DID notice. Her eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed by the realization that he cared deeply about their well-being. She felt relieved and happy, grateful that Ares was looking out for her and being considerate. She sniffled and he wiped her tears. The thought of her tire being flat flooded her mind as she thought about the gym.

"Something happened at the gym one evening while you were away." Ares eyes grew wide.

"Did someone try to hurt you," his anger rising at the thought of somebody messing with his Xena, on his property, while he wasn't there to protect her.

"Not exactly. When I got off one day, my tire was flat. I had to call Hercules." Ares' lip twitched at the sound of his name. Xena continued,

"He said it appeared like someone did it on purpose. Do you think you can pull the camera footage?" Ares was fuming. He hoped dearly when he pulled that footage, he wouldn't find anything. The thought of someone messing with his woman on purpose, while he was away, and pregnant made his blood boil.

"Yes, I can do that as soon as I get back to the gym."

"Wait for me before you review it. I want to see it too."

"Xena, I swear, if I find out someone has been tampering with you, I'm going to kill them." Ares voice was low and menacing. She knew he was serious. She hoped deep down that the weather just caused the flat tire.

"I hope it doesn't come to that. By the way, where's Gabrielle?" Ares explained that she was in one of the rooms resting. He also let her know that he was fixing the cottage for her. He knelt down on his knees in front of her and grabbed her hands, bringing them to his mouth.

"Xe, I am so sorry." He kissed all over her hands, realizing he could have lost her and his baby yesterday. He continued,

"I don't know what happened between you and Hercules while I was away...," he stared into her eyes, "...but I am going to do whatever it takes to show you we belong together." He placed her hands to his heart. She closed her eyes, taking in his heart's song.

"Xe, I love you. I love our baby. If you left me now, you might as well run the Hind's dagger through my chest." His words sat heavy with her. Her heart clenched at his words. The thought of him even mentioning the Hind's dagger shook her to her core. She knew what it meant, the weight it carried. His love for her was undeniable, but the idea that her absence could push him to such a desperate point terrified her. She didn't want to be the cause of his pain, didn't want to imagine him in such a state of despair, yet the reality of their situation loomed over them. Could she live with herself if she made the wrong choice?

"Ares, I need to talk to Hercules...in person." Ares sighed and shook his head with understanding. He knew her answer was coming sooner or later. His heart raced at the thought. What if she chose Hercules over him. Was she using their past to help make her decision? If so, he knew he'd lost her.

~XA~

Hercules arrived at Xena's home and took her into his embrace as soon as he laid eyes on her. He felt foolish, fighting like that, while she was present. Xena guided him to one of the bedrooms so they could talk in private. Ares and Gabrielle waited patiently in the front room. 30 minutes had passed, and they were still in there.

"Ares, if you keep pacing like that, you're going to walk a hole in the floor," Gabrielle teased. He only glared at her and continued pacing. Hercules and Xena's conversation was light, but Xena knew she had to get to the point on why she called him over.

"Hercules, I've made my decision." He felt like his heart had stopped at those words. His palms became sweaty, awaiting her answer.

"I've thought alot about us, Hercules, and realized we do have a special connection, we always will." Hercules grabbed her hand.

"My heart is with you Xena." She squeezed his hand lightly.

"And my heart is with Ares." She gave him a sad expression. It hurt her having to break Hercules' heart. His eyes watered.

"Hercules, we will be friends forever," she grabbed his face to look into his eyes. Her eyes were watering now too. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"I'll always be here for you Xena, you and the baby." She smiled tenderly at him.

"I'm counting on it." Hercules turned the doorknob and silently walked out. Ares stared in his face, trying to read his expression, while he waited for his verdict next. Xena walked out the room and wrapped her arms around Ares neck and passionately kissed him. He kissed her back with just as much passion, nervous this was his good bye kiss. Xena whispered in his ear,

"We have a wedding to plan, my love."