| Part 22 Joxer rocked Bliss in his arms, as the little Godling slept. He stared longingly at the child. The possibility that he might die before he ever saw his own children, was becoming more real to him each day that he waited for the second test. He put Bliss down in his cradle and quickly left the room, tears trickling down his face. He fled to the room he shared with Ares and flung himself onto the bed, giving into huge, heaving sobs. The bed dipped beside him and he was pulled into a strong embrace. He clung to Ares, burying his face in his neck. Ares rocked him slowly, giving into his own silent tears. He could feel everything Joxer was feeling and it reinforced his own emotional turmoil. He cursed himself for leaving Joxer to baby-sit Bliss on his own, but unfortunately he still had a job to do. Gently, he stroked Joxer�s hair, waiting till his lover calmed. When he was quiet, except for his hitching breaths, Ares pulled back and searched his face. He smoothed back Joxer�s hair and wiped his face. � Hey, I love you. I love you,� he touched Joxer�s face. � I�m not losing you, do you understand? We�re not losing you!� He took Joxer�s hand and placed it on his stomach. � �Res?� Joxer whispered, � Can I? Is there any, any way I can feel them?� Ares smiled gently, Joxer had unknowingly used a nickname he hadn�t heard for eons, not since he and Eris had been kids. �Ris and �Res they�d called each other then. He sighed and nodded. He wanted Joxer to feel the children, to have a link with them. He put one hand on Joxer�s shoulder, over the mark and the other over Joxer�s hand on his stomach. � Oh!� Joxer breathed as he suddenly became aware of three tiny sparks of light, pulsing gently. They were entwined and embraced by more light, which Joxer recognised as Ares. More tears spilled from his eyes as he felt the growing energy from his children. Ares pulled him back into a hug, � We�re going to do this, okay? We�re going to beat this!� He felt Joxer nod against his shoulder. He gently pulled Joxer back onto the bed and held him close until his lover slept. � Mom?� Aphrodite was pacing agitatedly. It was not a good look for her, the tension showed on her face. She stopped and turned to Cupid. � It�s today,� she said quietly. � Mom, they�ll do fine, they love each other. I can�t think of anything that could tempt them away from that!� Cupid squeezed her shoulder. � Really? Well Zeus has!� Her tone made Cupid turn pale and he suddenly felt sick again. He�d thought he was over that, but obviously not. He threw up quietly into one of his mother�s potted plants. � Euw, grody!� Aphrodite cleaned up the mess with a wave of her hand. � Are you okay Cupie, sweetie?� � Yeah, just don�t rub my back, or I�ll hurl again!� Aphrodite pulled back her hand hurriedly. She began to pace again, � I�ve got to go and see Mother soon, see if she�s found anything.� Cupid nodded, � I�m sure this is all going to work out, Mom.� � Keep your wings crossed,� Aphrodite managed a small smile. � I will,� Cupid kissed his mother goodbye and vanished. Ares paced like a caged lion outside his father�s study. Why was Zeus deigning to speak to him, all of sudden? He quickly double checked that his pregnancy was shielded and knocked on the door. � Come.� Ares took a deep breath and walked in. � Ah, Ares, come in, sit down.� Ares glared suspiciously at his father. � Oh now don�t be like that. I just want to have a chat, father to son, so to speak.� Ares sat down, still watching Zeus warily. � So talk,� he growled. Zeus moved to a chair in front of him and sat down, resting his head in his hands. � I�m tired, Ares. Tired of being King, tired of fighting with my family,� he paused and sighed, � I�m just tired.� Ares eyes narrowed, � Well, boohoo!� he snapped. � What�s that got to do with me?� Zeus managed not to glare at his son and sighed melodramatically. � I want to make things right with you. I want to give you what you�ve always wanted.� Ares sat up straight in his chair. He�d been suspicious before, but now?! � What?� � Leadership,� Zeus paused to increase the tension, � Kingship.� Ares blinked at his father and swallowed. His heart was pounding and he felt like he was going to puke again. Only his huge strength of will, brought him back under control, but he still had to get up and pace. � What�s the catch?� he stared at his father, fists planted on his hips. � No catch. You and your queen will rule. Hera and I will take a nice long holiday, oh say a couple of hundred years,� Zeus replied. � Queen?� Ares frowned. � Well, of course, the King of the Gods, must have a Queen.� Zeus smirked inwardly. Ares began to pace again. This was it, this was the test. Did Zeus think he was stupid? Did he really think that he was going to fall for that? Oh Zeus was good; this offer was the best one he could have made, it was very tempting. Almost tempting enough to consider, if he�d thought Zeus was serious. Almost. As he paced he became aware that he could feel Joxer very strongly. He concentrated and realised that Joxer was in the next room, and was feeling very agitated and upset. He turned and without warning, grabbed his father and slammed him up against the wall. � You piece of shit! You were so sure I�d accept, you made him watch! Well let me tell you something, FATHER!� he spat the word out. � I *have everything I want. And there�s nothing you can offer me that would change that!� Zeus frowned at him and waved his hand, flinging Ares across the room. � Get out of my sight!� *Ares!* Joxer screamed in his head. *I�m fine, we�re fine!* Ares got up and brushed himself off, � Gladly.� He linked into Joxer�s presence and transported them both home. Then he promptly threw up, the anger, tension and transport too much for him. A warm hand gently stroked between his shoulder blades and he calmed, tension flowing out of him. He straightened and turned into Joxer�s embrace. � G-gods, Ares, what have you given up?� Joxer stuttered. � Nothing!� Ares exclaimed. � Zeus tried to tempt me, he failed miserably.� � Really?� � Do you really have to ask?� � No,� Joxer whispered, tears in his eyes. � And you know I love you?� � Yes.� The tears were streaming down Joxer�s face. To think that someone could love him that much, it was overwhelming. � Good,� Ares whispered, holding him close. |