| Part 21 Ares flashed them all back to the temple and immediately had to sit down. Joxer touched his shoulder in concern. Strife and Eris appeared straight after them. Eris glanced at her pale looking brother and smirked. � Transporting�s a bitch when you�re pregnant.� Ares glared at her, � Yes, thank you, I�m aware of that.� Joxer was surrounded by, and congratulated by his friends, Gabrielle held back smiling shyly, and he pulled her into a hug. � Thanks everyone, for all your help,� Joxer smiled at his friends. *Oh fuck!* Joxer turned to Ares worriedly, his mental tone was slightly fearful. *Ares, what is it?* *The transport it�* Joxer felt his heart leap into his mouth, *What? It, it�s not the baby is it?* *No!* Ares stopped him, *Not exactly, I* he stopped. Joxer went to sit next to his lover *Ares, you�re worrying me* He glanced up to see matching expressions of concern on all his friends� faces. He sighed and shrugged, indicating he didn�t know what was wrong. Ares swallowed hard. After he�d recovered from the transport, he�d become aware that something was not quite right, and had focussed on his body. What he�d found was more than a shock. What in Hades was going on? *I, uh, felt more than one life force* *T-twins?* Joxer stuttered. Ares shook his head *Triplets* Joxer went very pale. He twisted round on the altar and wrapped his arms and legs round Ares. *Triplets?* he whispered. Ares nodded, resting his head on Joxer�s shoulder. � Unc? Jox?� asked Strife hesitantly. � Is everythin� okay?� Ares glanced up at his nephew and then looked up at Joxer. He began to laugh, slightly hysterically. *Ares?* Joxer looked confused. *Ares are you okay with this?* Ares nodded, choking on his laughter as he tried to stop, before he got too hysterical. When he saw Joxer�s expression, he sobered up. He touched Joxer�s face gently. *I, yes. Yes, of course I am. It was just a bit of a shock* *Oh Ares* Joxer hugged him tightly. They turned back to the others, but the expressions of concern, set Ares off again. *You�d better tell them* he gasped. Joxer swallowed, then smiled, � Um, guys? We�re expecting, uh we�re having triplets.� There was stunned silence. � Wow!� Five voices exclaimed simultaneously. Strife started to bounce in a frighteningly accurate, if unconscious, imitation of Aphrodite, � Oh that is, jus� like, so cool! Cupe�s gonna spew! Again!� he giggled insanely. Eris stared at her brother, then started to laugh. � You�re going to be huge!� She clutched her stomach and whooped. Ares eyes widened briefly, almost fearfully. Shit, big time shit! How was he going to take supplications if he started looking like he�d swallowed a small planet?! � You�re a big pain in the ass, you know that?� Ares glared at her. She snickered and nodded. � Nobody knows about this, do you hear me?! Yes, Strife you can tell my son, but no one else, no one!� Ares didn�t know why it was so imperative that no one else knew, it was just such a strong feeling, he had to follow it. *What is it, love?* Joxer asked. *I don�t know, I just know we need to keep it quiet* Joxer hugged him again *Okay* � So, what happens now?� Iolaus asked. Ares shrugged, � The second test could be any time this week. We�re not allowed to know what it�ll involve, but I take it Strife has told you.� The group nodded. � So there�s no way to prepare ourselves,� he finished. � Ya�ll be fine,� said Strife confidently. � Jus� remembah, true love is rare and more important than anything.� � Strife, that�s beautiful,� said Joxer, with a small smile. Strife flushed and shrugged, � Yeah, well, I know what it�s like ta think ya�ve lost it.� He blinked rapidly, remembering how his heart had broken when Cupid had announced his marriage to Psyche. � You didn�t lose it, baby.� Cupid flashed into the temple. � Cupe!� Strife pounced on his husband and kissed him hard. � Whatcha doin� here?� Cupid sighed, snuggling into Strife�s arms, � Gramps is going apeshit up there. He was sure Jox was gonna die.� Ares got to his feet, frowning, � I don�t understand. Why does he care, it�s never mattered one way or the other to him, what I do, unless it involves him.� He stopped, cocking his head in thought. � Unless it involves him!� He started to pace,� But how can this involve him?� � I can ask Grandma to do some digging,� said Cupid. Ares nodded, � Yeah, thanks son.� � Oh, oh, Cupe!� Strife started to bounce again. � What?� � Unc an� Jox, got more news!� � Really?� Cupid glanced at his father and Joxer, who both nodded and smiled. � Well, what?� � Guess.� � Aw, come on, I don�t know! Tell me,� Cupid moaned. Strife hugged him and whispered in his ear. � No way!� � Way!� Strife grinned. � Well, fuck me!� Strife groaned, � Don�t tempt me.� Cupid snickered at him. � Congrats Pops, Jox, that�s so cool!� He hugged them both. � Don�t tell anyone,� Ares said seriously. � No probs Pops. No one outside this temple even knows you�re pregnant.� � Good. I�d like it to stay that way,� Ares glanced at everyone. They all nodded solemnly. � Okay, well, I guess you can all go, if you want. Jox, will you stay with me again?� � You need to ask?� Joxer stood up and leaned against his lover, wrapping Ares� arm around him. � Okay, well, good luck guys,� said Iolaus, � You�ll let us know what happens?� Joxer nodded, � Of course.� They all said their goodbyes and Hercules and Iolaus disappeared. Ares swallowed and sat down. Xena hugged Joxer, � Good luck,� she whispered. She turned to Ares, � I, uh, I hope it all works out for you.� Ares took a deep breath and smiled at her, � Thank you� daughter.� Xena blinked in shock, standing stock still as she processed what he�d said. It was the first time he�d ever admitted it. She swallowed hard, breath hitching slightly, and she smiled at her father. � Be happy, Joxer,� said Gabrielle quietly. He hugged her, � Thank you.� She flushed, � Can we go now?� Ares nodded. They waved goodbye, then disappeared. Ares groaned and leaned forward, breathing deeply. � Ares?� Ares looked up at Joxer and smiled weakly, � I�m fine.� � It goes away after a while, Pops,� said Cupid with a sympathetic smile, � Well, sorta� � Good!� Ares groaned. � Auto, you got anywhere you want to be?� Autolycus shook his head, � I�m where I want to be,� he glanced at Eris, who flushed lightly. Ares rolled his eyes, which earned him a poke in the ribs from Joxer. He directed a mock glare at his lover. � Right, let�s go home.� He braced himself and transported them back to his halls on Olympus. |