Chapter 11: Xena's Revelation
Gabrielle arrived home after a long day of work. She was grateful the storm ended before she had to drive in it. When she pulled in the driveway, she noticed Chyna's car there. She really wasn't in the mood for company, so she decided to use the back door and went straight to her room. She needed to get comfortable so she could start to unwind. She turned the warm water on in the tub to start her bath water, dropped in a bath bomb, and closed the door. While her tub was filling up, she decided to see what Xena was up to. Opening her door, she noticed that the house was oddly darker than normal, as if the house was empty. "Xena?" Gabrielle called her name. No reply. She noticed that Xena's door was closed. She lightly knocked on her door. No reply. She turned the door knob to let herself in. She looked around and noticed Xena's nightgown laid on her bed. Then, she heard the shower come on in Xena's restroom. Gabrielle knocked on her bathroom door. "I'm home Xena. I'm going to take a quick bath and I'll meet up with you later tonight, Okay?"
"Sounds good," came Xena's reply.
~XA~
Xena finished her shower first. She oiled her body down in her favorite scent, lavender. She slipped on a pair of lounge shorts with the matching tank. She planned on changing into her gown right before she crawled in bed. 6pm, still nice and early to just relax.
She ordered pizza and wings for delivery. Gabrielle loved to take her hot baths after work and then she would usually start dinner. Since Xena wasn't any good in the kitchen, she ordered take out so both of them could fully enjoy each other's company without having to sweat over a stove tonight. Xena was in a particularly good mood after today's rain shower.
The food arrived just as Gabrielle was walking out the room. "Wow, we're having takeout tonight?"
"Yea, I wanted to take a load off ya, so we could both fully relax in each other's company." Gabrielle smiled at that thought while walking in the kitchen to grab two plates and two wine glasses. "Relaxing does sound great, now that you've mentioned it." She handed Xena her plate and glass. Then, she came back from the kitchen with a bottle of champagne. "Whoa, what's the special occasion?" Xena asked curiously.
"Well, I got a promotion at work today!" Xena hugged Gabrielle.
"I'm so proud of you," she responded smiling. "Let's toast!"
"What are we toasting to?" Gabrielle asked curiously. Out of nowhere, Aphrodite appeared in an array of pink petals holding her glass up, "To new beginnings." Xena and Gabrielle both jumped up to hug Aphrodite.
"It's totally cool to see you guys too!"
"Aphrodite, what are you doing here?"
"Weeellll, I kinda need to talk to the warrior babe. Alone."
"Aphrodite, Gabrielle and I are going to spend some time together and I'll call you once we're done."
"Sounds totally awesome. See ya!" and she disappeared leaving behind her pink petals.
"Gabrielle, the strangest things happened to me today. After you left for work, I got called into my job. I had no way there then, Chyna knocked on the door and asked me to take her to the airport and left me her car. After my presentation was done at work, I went to grab some lunch but noticed that I left my wallet in the armrest of my car. I walked outside to Chyna's car and you wouldn't believe that there was money stuck under the tire. $50.00! A little later, I went to water the garden since everything was so dry and the rainstorm came."
"Seriously, it's like the universe had your back on speed dial, your own personal God fulfilling your every desire," Gabrielle laughed, digging into her meal and sipping her drink with a grin.
"Yea," Xena slowly replied as the gears started to turn in her head. She took a bite of her food and realized she wasn't really hungry anymore, well hungry for food. She wondered if Ares could have played a part in all of this. Could he really have been selflessly watching out for her without gloating in her face or asking for anything in return? But at the sametime, Aphrodite just appeared tonight as well. Maybe she wanted to speak with me alone to let me know she had my back today. Xena tried to clear her head some to hear about Gabrielle's day and not get too focused on herself.
"Tell me, what happened that led to you getting promoted today?" Gabrielle told Xena all about her day. Xena listened carefully to all the details, making sure she stayed engaged. The more engaged she stayed with Gabrielle , the less her mind drifted off to Ares, so she hoped. Once dinner was over, Gabrielle put on a movie for her and Xena to watch. It was the "Pride and Prejudice." As Xena watched the movie, her thoughts drifted to Ares and stayed on Ares. No matter how much she tried to shake it off, Ares kept coming into her mind. It was like she was becoming drunk off of him and he was nowhere near her. Her body longed to feel his touch, to be wrapped in his arms, to feel his Godly aura. She wanted to caress his handsome face, see his dimple when he smiled lovingly at her, and take in his auburn eyes burning bright with passion whenever he looked at her.
"Xena are you okay? You look deep in thought?" Gabrielle knew something was bothering her friend, but also knew she couldn't pry information out of her.
"Gabrielle, I'm sorry, I need to take a walk to get some fresh air. Please don't follow me."
"Take your time, I'll be here when you come back." They hugged each other. Xena slipped on a pair clogs and went outside. She walked aimlessly until she reached the forest. She slid down against a giant tree and just stared at the stars. Aphrodite then appeared to her. "Hey warrior babe."
"Hey Dite, I was just fixing to call you."
"I came because I felt like major hurt mixed with love and I couldn't stay away any longer." Xena looked up at her, ..."Love?"
"Xe, you can lie to yourself and everyone around you but you can't lie to me, sweetie." Xena brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She wasnt ready to battle with the whirlwind of emotions her mind tortured her with from sun up to sun down. Lightning softly began to flash across the sky again and the low roll of thunder sung its tune behind it. Light rain drops began to fall. Xena didn't flinch. Maybe the rain could wash away all these horrid thoughts that plagued her mind this past week. She was ready to admit everything that happened in the swimming pool was a mistake.
"Answer this one question for me. Today, were you involved with anything that happened to me?" Xena refused to look at Aphrodite already sensing what the answer was going to be.
"I think I can answer that for you," came Ares strong voice. Now the rain was really coming down.
"Xe, just hear him out. If you can't do it for yourself, at least do it for me," then she disappeared leaving back her pink petals. Xena slowly met Ares' gaze. There he stood, rain pouring down on him, running down his body, his curls slick to his head. And yet, he stood there unmoved. Xena longed to run into his arms but she knew that too would be a mistake. Ares slowly walked towards her and reached down for her. Hesitantly, she took his hand and he disappeared with them both.
Ares took them to his place. Xena couldn't help to being in awe. Everything was perfectly decorated, just for him. She expected no less.
"Welcome to my place Xena."
"Who said I wanted to leave where I was?" Xena asked him daringly.
"Xe..." Ares said walking to her and placing his arm around her waist, "...please hear me out." Xena didn't move from his grasp. He led them to the couch. She sat down and he lit the fireplace. He materialized a cup of nectar for himself and a cup of wine for her and took his seat as close to her as possible.
"Speak up," was all Xena said.
"It was all me."
"Cut the crap."
"Chyna, the money, the rain, it was all me." Xena looked into Ares' eyes and saw that he wasn't lying. There wasn't a trace of deceit in his eyes.
"Why did you do it?" Xena knew the answer, but she refused to accept it. She needed to hear the reason from him only and not let her mind take over.
"Xe, I love you and if you won't let me love you then I'll give you your space, but I will ALWAYS be there for you, without you having to ask for a thing and me expecting NOTHING in return from you." Xena's heart raced. Before she could fully process what Ares was saying, he captured her lips. His lips... they felt so good on hers. So soft yet so powerful. Ares lowered her back onto the couch never breaking the kiss. Xena's moans let him know she was enjoying it. Ares moved to her neck and started sucking at the soft skin. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Aressss..." She tried to stop him before things got out of hand. Ares made his way to her ear, "Let me love you, I promise I won't mess this up." Xena snaked her hands around his neck and pulled him back into her. She ran her hands underneath his shirt, caressing his heated skin along his back. Ares captured her lips again, this time, in a very slow passionate kiss, where his tongue explored all the depths of Xena's mouth. He moved his right hand to her breast and started to massage it gingerly, then to the left one. Seeing that Xena wasn't stopping him, he kept going. He slowly pulled her shirt up and captured her breast with his hot mouth. Xena felt as if electricity surged through her body. With his left hand, he slowly made his way up her inner thigh. Once he got to her shorts, he slowly pulled them down. He looked back up at Xena and saw no protest in her eyes. While staring into her soul, he pulled her panties down and ran his fingers across her wet lips. The contact made her jump. Ares was losing himself with every touch. He didn't want to make love to her without knowing how she felt, knowing if he did, she would just say everything was a mistake. With that in mind, he pulled her underwear and shorts back up. Xena looked at him with a questioning look and utter confusion. Did he change her mind or decide he didn't want her anymore? Xena started to feel worried momentarily. Did he see something he didn't like or was she a turn off to him now? Xena couldn't believe she was getting rejected by the war god. Seeing her worried expression and mind racing, he quickly intervened.
"Xena, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and I am deeply attracted to you. But before I can continue, I need to know how you feel about me, how you feel about us. I yearn to know when you look into your heart, do you see me there? If you don't, I'll take you back home right now."
"Ares, just take me back." Those words hit Ares like a freight train. He felt as if his whole soul had been crushed. Xena saw the sadness in his eyes. She felt the hurt in his aura. Without another word, he materialized them both in her room. He turned to disappear but Xena stopped him. "Ares, wait!" Ares stopped in his tracks, too hurt to turn around to look at her. She walked around the room to face him. She placed one hand on his cheek and brought his face up so she could look into his eyes.
"I love you too," she said warmly and pulled him into her embrace.
