Chapter 30: Mysteries Within

Tuesday. The birds sung in the bright morning sky as the gentle waves from the lake swayed a reflection of the skies above. Xena and Gabrielle sat on a blanket eating their morning breakfast. Gabrielle was on vacation, so she was spending time at Xena's house. Gabrielle was sipping her coffee with two hands when she spoke,

"How does it feel being married to Ares?" She looked her way. Xena was casually eating her toast and throwing some to nearby birds.

"He's very protective of us, even more than previous. I can barely walk in public without him walking like he's glued to my hip." They both laughed. Gabrielle turned back to take in the scenery. Her keen eyes caught a glimmer as the sunlight reflected on a mysterious object that had washed ashore from the backyard lake. Intrigued, she made her way over to the sparkling find. As she picked it up, the glittering surface revealed an intricately designed amulet, crafted from a mysterious black metal with symbols and patterns from an unknown origin.

"What's that?" Xena inquired, rising off the blanket as her curiosity was spiked by Gabrielle's discovery. The amulet emitted a faint, pulsating glow, casting an enchanting allure over the scene. Gabrielle showed Xena the amulet, and Xena took it from her to examine it more carefully. Upon touching it, a sudden surge of energy coursed through Xena's body, causing her to drop to her knees. The sensation was immediate and overwhelming, catching her off guard. The surge, as sudden as it began, subsided, leaving Xena catching her breath on the ground.

"Xena! Are you okay?" Gabrielle exclaimed, rushing to her side.

"That was... intense. I've never felt anything like it. " Xena managed to say as she recovered. She placed a protective hand over her belly. Both women noticed the amulet brightly glowing as if it had been activated or awakened by Xena's touch.

"Look at that! It's like it came to life when you touched it," Gabrielle observed.

"That is very strange" Xena mused, intrigued. Gabrielle picked up the amulet and carried it inside of the house. She sat in on a display shelf downstairs. The amulet, now dormant again, held the weight of newfound mysteries. Both of the women, went about their day, the amulet now far from their thoughts.

~XA~

Xena arrived at the gym to host her daily afternoon yoga class. She sat her things down in her office. Ares let himself inside, taking her in his arms. Her breathing was shallow and her skin clammy.

"Are you feeling okay?" Ares kept holding her, his face showing lines of concern. Xena leaned into his embrace, appreciating the comfort it provided. Her voice, though weak, carried reassurance.

"Yeah, just a bit tired," she admitted, her fingers tracing gentle circles on his back.

"Pregnancy's taking its toll today, I guess." Ares studied her face, his worry lingering.

"Maybe you should take it easy. You don't have to push yourself so hard, especially with the yoga class. Let someone else handle it today." Xena shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips.

"I've got this, Ares. The yoga class helps me relax." Ares nodded, understanding the determination in her eyes.

"Just promise me you'll listen to your body. If you need anything, let me know."

"I promise," Xena replied, giving him a reassuring kiss.

"Now, I'll be fine. Go on, handle your duties, and I'll catch up with you later." Ares hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her.

"Alright, but if you feel even a bit off, I want you to rest." Xena laughed; the sound filled with affection.

"I'll make a deal with you. If I feel even a tiny bit off, I'll rest, but only if you promise to take me to the spa for a relaxing afternoon." Ares smirked, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Deal. I'll check on you later, my love." As Ares left, Xena couldn't help but appreciate the genuine concern he showed.

~XA~

During Xena's yoga class, as she guided her members through various poses, a sudden wave of weakness washed over her. Her movements became unsteady, and she struggled to maintain her usual grace. The concerned whispers of the class grew louder as they noticed Xena's distress. A fellow member approached Xena with genuine worry in her eyes.

"Xena, something doesn't seem right. Are you okay?" she asked, placing a supportive hand on Xena's arm. Xena tried to offer a reassuring smile, but it faltered.

"Just a little off today, nothing to worry about." The member felt like there might be more to it, insisted,

"It looked more than just a little off. Maybe you should take a break." Xena appreciated the concern.

"Thanks for caring." The member nodded understandingly, offering a comforting gesture.

"Take care of yourself, Xena. We all care about you." The member walked back to her mat. After not being convinced by Xena's words, she quickly left the class to find Ares. Spotting him, the concerned member approached with urgency, her eyes communicating the severity of the situation

"Ares, something's not right. Xena..." That is all he needed to hear before he dropped everything and headed towards her class. The air thickened with worry as they approached the room where Xena continued to teach, her condition worsening with each passing moment. Ares entered the class to find a hushed atmosphere in disarray. The concerned gazes of her class and the tension in the air fueled Ares' worry. He swiftly made his way to Xena's side.

"Xena, what's wrong?" She could see the concerned expression on his face. She managed a weakened reassuring smile.

"I don't know, Ares. I just... I need to rest." The members of the yoga class exchanged worried glances, realizing that something more than fatigue was affecting their instructor.

"Let's get you out of here," he said, gently supporting her as they left the gym. The concerned murmurs of the class echoed behind them. One member followed behind them as they headed towards the door,

"Please let us know how she is."

"She'll be fine, just need some rest, that's all." He guided her out of the gym with deep concern clear on his face. Emma's eyes watched their departure from the gym, hiding her emotions while her thoughts were agitated.

Once inside his car, he stole occasional glances at her beside him. He noticed her head was nodding. Her condition worried him deeply, and the uncertainty surrounding her well-being fueled his anxiety. The usual laughter between them was replaced by a heavy silence.

When they arrived at home, Ares assisted Xena out of the car. His protective instincts kicked into overdrive, guiding her with gentle care. As they entered the house, Ares guided her to a comfortable spot in the front room area.

"Let's get you settled," he said softly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of reassurance. Xena managed a faint smile.

"I'll be fine, Ares. I just need some rest, and I will be as good as new." He nodded, still worried about her. He fetched a blanket and gently draped it over her, tucking her in with care.

"Rest for now. I'll be right here," he assured her, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of concern as he sat beside her. As she closed her eyes, Ares couldn't shake the feeling that something more profound was happening.

~XA~

Ares woke her out of her sleep so she could eat. She had slept for hours. As he worked to set up the meal, the clinking and clanging of dishes irked her nerves. He approached with a beautifully arranged plate of grilled chicken and broccoli, eager to share the meal with her.

However, as he loudly placed the plate on the coffee table, causing the fork and plate to rattle against the table, Xena's irritation reached its peak. She couldn't bear the noise, and the mere idea of eating intensified her frustration. Ares gently encouraged her to eat.

"I'm really not hungry," she muttered, her irritation clear in her tone.

"Xena, you need to eat for both you and the baby. It's important for your health." Her frustration didn't subside. She glared at the food on the fork Ares offered. Her eyes turned defiant. She looked him in his eyes. They were soft and pleading.

"I told you, I'm not hungry," she snapped. She was becoming annoyed with him. Ares persisted, attempting to guide the fork towards her mouth. Xena lost it,

"I said no!" Without a second thought, she swiped the food off the table, sending it crashing to the floor. The room fell into a stunned silence as Xena walked away without a care for the mess left behind. Ares stood there, momentarily stunned by Xena's sudden burst of anger. He glanced down at the spilled food, frustrated.

He wanted to snatch her back by her hair and throw her on the floor next to the food. The way she held her head in the air as she walked away made his fingers spark. He knew if he'd acted on those thoughts, he would only lose his family in the long run. His family. The only family he's ever wanted.

Trying to contain his anger, he took a deep breath, telling himself that her mood swings were a challenging aspect of her pregnancy. The mood in the room hung heavy with tension, and Ares, unsure of how to proceed, sighed deeply. Gathering himself, he began to clean up the mess, silently acknowledging that supporting her in every way possible during this time was more important than giving in to his own irritation.

He felt his frustration dwindling, as he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong. He glanced around the room, unknowingly locking eyes with the amulet tucked away in a corner on the shelf.

~XA~

Ares approached Xena cautiously, still unsure about how she felt. He found her sitting in their sunroom. After looking at her face, he could tell she was exhausted and still frustrated. Ares sat beside her and gently touched her shoulder.

"Xe," he began softly,

"Is there anything I can do to help ease whatever is bothering you?" As she struggled to speak, tears began to fall, and a heavy weight pressed upon her heart. Ares drew her into the warmth of his arms.

The soft touch of his hands and the steady beat of his heart provided relaxation amidst the chaos. She nestled closer against him, seeking comfort in the cocoon of his arms. Her tears dampened the fabric of his shirt as she struggled with emotions beyond her control.

"Shh, my love," Ares whispered soothingly, his fingers rubbing her back.

"Everything we be okay. We will get through whatever is bothering you, together. You don't have to explain right now. I'm here for you, no matter what you're going through." He continued to rub her back and whispered words of comfort in her ear. He nuzzled her hair lovingly. He was glad he was able to suppress his anger towards her earlier.

Xena wasn't sure why she was experiencing such a surge of emotions. She'd heard of women being emotional during their pregnancies, but she didn't consider herself an ordinary woman. Ares protective embrace made her feel better, even though she couldn't quite pinpoint what her issue was in the first place. Once her tears finally stopped rolling, she spoke softly into his chest,

"Do we have any food left?" She didn't want to see his face expression, but she felt him stop rocking her.

"You mean the food you threw on the floor?" She pulled back to look into his eyes. She could tell he was in a good mood, which she knew she didn't contribute to.

"Well, I guess I should eat now," she sighed. Ares rose to his feet and pulled her by the hand, into his embrace. Together, they walked into the kitchen to finally grab a bite. Once he had her food heated, he gently guided Xena toward their bed, his touch tender as he helped her settle against the pillows.

The tension from earlier began to melt away, replaced by a comforting warmth that surrounded them. He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across her forehead. He sat beside her, offering a gentle smile as he presented the food. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes filled the room, and Xena's eyes softened at the gesture. Ares carefully picked up a forkful of the meal, bringing it to her lips.

She accepted each bite, savoring the flavors and the care he put into every detail. Ares watched her, his gaze filled with admiration, and she felt the love and devotion in every bite. His hand brushed her cheek lightly as he continued to feed her, their connection deepening with each tender moment.

Once she finished, Ares set the tray aside and shifted his focus to her feet. He cradled one in his hands, his thumbs pressing gently into the arch, working out the tension with slow, soothing strokes. Xena closed her eyes as a contented sigh escaped her lips. The massage eased the aches she hadn't realized were there.

Ares took his time, moving from one foot to the other. He brought her toes to his lips and sucked lazily on each one while he stared into her eyes. The sensation sent a shiver of pleasure through her, and she couldn't help but smile at the intimacy of the moment.

The room felt warmer, the bond between them stronger than ever. Ares continued to massage her feet, his lips grazing her skin as his hands moved in slow, caring patterns. The connection between them was more than physical; it was the embodiment of the love they shared, deepened by their trust and the gentle care Ares showed her.

When he finally finished, Ares pulled Xena into his arms, holding her close. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart as it soothed her into a state of peaceful contentment. They didn't need words; the love they felt was expressed in every touch, every shared breath. Wrapped in each other's embrace, they let the world outside their bedroom fade away.