Bitter Sweet

Ares flashed into the Halls of Imagination a second after Hephaestus shouted for him, he dropped to his knees beside his brother and pulled Joxer into him arms as he murmured urgently to him. A split second after he did, Acelepious flashed in and almost pushed Ares out the way as he scanned Joxers body, one hand on his belly the other on his heart.

Hephaestus managed to grab Ares with one hand as the furious God reached for Acelepious, his hands crackling with power,

“He’s doing his thing Ares, he’s probably the best one to help Joxer right now.” Hephaestus pushed Ares backwards to stop him attacking his nephew, with only one hand and a screaming baby to wrestle with in the other he found it extremely hard.

His calm words penetrated the fog of anger that clouded Ares mind and the God nodded angrily as he restrained himself from blasting Acelepious off Olympus. “What happened?” he asked in a low voice as he watched his lover writhe on the floor. He heard Joxer call out his name and had to mentally will his body to remain still as Acelepious checked Joxer over.

“I’m not sure.” Hephaestus admitted as he tried to calm Alexi, he rubbed the babys back and rocked him gently and as his cries tapered off he continued, “Alexi cried, Joxer collapsed and this place went a little wild.” He looked at the walls as they vibrated slightly “It just came on all of a sudden Ares there was no warning. He said it wasn’t like the false contractions.”

Ares glared at the Walls, which shook slightly though he doubted it was because of his gaze, he clenched his fists, and felt his nails break the skin as they dug into his hands. The pain helped calm him slightly and kept him focussed on the thing that mattered, Joxer.

Acelepious looked up, his mouth was set in a grim line “We have to get him out of here Ares, he’s been hit by another power surge.” He placed his hand on Joxers rounded abdomen “The babys not siphoning it off this time, we’re going to have to get it out before either of them are damaged.”

There would have been no way to stop Ares this time even if Hephaestus had had half a mind too, the War God sprung forward, dropped to his knees beside Joxer and grabbed Aces shirt, “What do you mean damaged?” he roared.

Acelepious twisted in his grip and was eternally grateful when Joxer let out a low moan and gripped his belly tightly. In a heartbeat, as Ace attempted to get his breath back, Ares comforted his lover and pulled him onto his lap. He glowered at Ace as he rubbed Joxers back and the younger god paled and glanced at Hephaestus knowing he was very very lucky to have got away with pushing Ares off Joxer earlier.

“We have to get him to my temple. The baby is fighting the power boost it received, trying to send it somewhere else, here I guess” he gestured to the walls which undulated in time to Joxers writhes. “The power boost is tricking her into wanting to come out but her body’s not ready yet. Joxers body can sense that and so he’s fighting against it too. Unfortunately one way or another, early or not she’s coming out. Her power signature and Joxers are starting to merge; the last time that happened the mother died.”

He looked at Ares and gently put out a hand, when it wasn’t blown off he felt Joxers stomach and spoke bluntly “Now if we don’t get her out soon we’ll be too late. Joxer might be a God but both he and the baby are very very vulnerable and if we don’t do anything now they’ll merge and their Godhoods will start fighting each other. If by some miracle one survived, the other wouldn’t.”

Ares mouth opened and closed a few times as his brain tried to make sense of the information; most of it was shrouded over by the huge cloud of fear, which screamed at him. Ruthlessly he pushed that fear to the back of his mind and held Joxer closer. He felt Joxers body stiffen slightly as another pain passed through it and nodded to Acelepious.

“Your Temple.”

He didn’t wait for a response; instead he summoned all his power and flashed them both to Acelepious’s temple. Or so he thought. A wave of dizziness hit him and he felt them both bounced back into the Halls of Imagination.

To Acelepious and Hephaestus, neither Joxer nor Ares flashed out but merely glimmered a bright red colour and then reappeared.

Ares stared around him and locked eyes with his confused brother *Crap*. He concentrated hard and tried again. Nothing. He couldn’t even muster up a decent glimmer this time. He stared down at Joxer as panic flooded him.

“It won’t work” he looked at Acelepious “Why won’t it work? We can’t leave!”

Hephaestus hunkered down next to him and manoeuvred Alexi so they both supported him. His free hand he laid on his brothers’ shoulder “Let me help.”

Ares nodded at Hephaestus; his voice failed him so he gripped the other Gods arm. He felt Hephaestuses power surge through him and felt them flash out as they headed for Acelepious’s temple. Mid flash something hit him hard across the chest and he lost his grip on his brother.

A very confused Hephaestus and Alexi flashed into Acelepious temple but Ares and Joxer were viciously pulled back into the Halls which quaked ominously.

Ares blinked and stared at Acelepious who looked uneasy,

“I don’t think you should try that again.” Acelepious spoke slowly as he stared at the trembling walls “I don’t know much about this place but I think we pissed it off by trying to take Joxer away.”

Ares stared up at the Walls fury growing as he realised what the latest hindrance could mean. His arms cracked with barely suppressed power and sparks flew as he raised them up.

“Ares!” He hadn’t even registered the flash beside him just before his sister shouted. He winced and lowered his arms, aside from his mother and Joxer that was one voice that always made him snap to attention. The sparks faded and power receded and he inclined his head slightly to see Aphrodite as she stared in horror at the God in his lap.

He looked down feeling guilt encompass him as he took in his lovers’ pale and sweaty face. Furious at himself for allowing his rage to almost consume him he conjured up a thick pallet underneath Joxer for the other God to lay on. Without a word he conjured up pillows to surround his lover; Joxer twisted onto his side and grabbed a pillow holding it against the mound of his belly as he instinctively tried to protect the baby against the pain he felt.

Acelepious moved next to Joxer and placed a hand on his forehead “He’s freezing cold, this is going quicker then I thought it was.” He glanced at Aphrodite “Can you get Dad and Hera, we’re going to need them.”

Aphrodite rolled her eyes “Well Duh, Hera’s already after Apollo, she sent me on ahead to keep things calm. Hephaestus making a special crib for the baby to keep her warm and alert us if anything starts to happen, she’s going to be so little and he wanted to do something to help. Cupid and Strife wanted to come but I made them stay with Alexi.”

Ace shot her a look “What about Zeus, what’s he doing?”

Aphrodite frowned as Ares conjured up a warm feather blanket to wrap Joxer in, “He got called over to the Egyptian Pantheon, they lost another one of theirs today, Meri the Goddess of Hope and Inspiration.” Totally disregarding the effect the floor would have on her dress she dropped to her knees, she took Joxers hand and spoke soothingly to him “Joxer, sweetie, can you hear me?”

Ares rubbed Joxers hand as he tried to warm him up all the while he whispered to Joxer. He told him how brave he thought he was and how much he loved him and tried to reassure him about the baby too. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Aphrodite give the same treatment to Joxers other hand.

Joxer managed a smile through the pain “Love you too,” he croaked out.” He rotated his eyes slightly “Hi, Acelepious, Aphrodite,” he tried to force another smile but it turned into a grimace as another pain hit, tearing through his abdomen “Feels like someone’s shoved a knife in and is twisting it.” He gasped as clenched his eyes shut. The Walls shook slightly and Ares heard several more things explode at one end of it.

“Oh sweetie,” Aphrodite had tears in her eyes as she massaged his hand “It’ll be alright I promise and you totally know I wouldn’t lie to you. Just think about what you’ll have when this is over, your beautiful baby.”

She locked eyes with Ares who had a completely lost expression on his face, he was out of his depth and he knew it. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so scared and lost. Usually there was an enemy he could take his frustrations out on but Joxer and the baby needed him and there was no enemy he could fight off to help them.

Aphrodite stroked his cheek with her free hand and he leant into it briefly letting his vulnerability show. He pulled back as twin flashes lit up the room.

The instant she appeared, Hera moved forward and knelt the other side of Acelepious. Without a word she placed her hands either side of Joxers abdomen, her eyes unfocussed slightly as she scanned the baby. Apollo swiftly followed and moved to Joxers head. He placed one hand over his heart, the other on the side of his head and began checking the God over. Both began conversing mentally as they shared their findings.

Ares growled slightly as he looked from one to the other, he could sense their conversation but they had literally locked him out, a small noise of displeasure from Aphrodite told him they’d done the same to her.

Acelepious looked at them “There just trying to find the best way to help Joxer and the baby. They might try to unmerge them and encourage Joxers body to let him give birth but I think out best option is to remove the baby the mortal way. There’s a new technique we can use. It’ll take a while for them to even attempt a separation and although I don’t doubt they’ll manage it but it won’t last for long enough.”

Ares cursed, he didn’t want Joxer cut open but he wasn’t sure they should wait for Hera and Apollo to try either.

Hera leant back and shot a glare at Acelepious “Ultimately it’s both of your choices, we won’t do anything without your consent but we do need to do something.” She looked him in the eyes “We can try unmerging them first and then opt for a Caesar cut or we can try taking the baby out without unmerging them. I’m just worried that if we don’t unmerge them first their Godhoods may be warped. Which would change them.”

Ares looked from one the other as he felt a heavy weight descend over his heart, he wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to do anything that could hurt his lover more but he didn’t want either of their Godhoods warped. There were enough insane Gods around due to that. He bit his lip and wiped Joxers sweat-covered brow.

“Try to unmerge them.” It was barely above a whisper but Hera acknowledged it with a curt nod, she waved her hands at Aphrodite and Ares “You two need to step back, not just to give us room. We don’t want to have to be isolating your Godhoods as well as our own before starting.”

Ares glowered at her, he had no intention of leaving Joxers side despite Aphrodites hand on his shoulder. He felt a tentative squeeze on his hand and he looked down in surprise.

Joxer opened his eyes tiredly, grimacing as the pain started to build, “Please Ares, I know you’re there even if you aren’t touching me, we both do.” He kept his eyes on his lovers and squeezed again “Please?”

Ares swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded. He kissed Joxer on the head and murmured a soft “I love you.” He allowed Aphrodite to lead him back as Joxer closed his eyes again.

Apollo placed his hands either side of Joxers head and spoke softly to him “Just relax Joxer, Ace is going to try to numb the pain whilst we separate you but I need you to try and stay as still as possible.” He nodded to his son who placed his hands over Joxers heart; he readied himself to absorb the pain caused by the separation as Hera laid her hands back on Joxers bump concentrating on the baby.

“Now.”

As Apollo spoke he and Hera poured all their power into Joxer as they tried to separate the babys power signature from his, both clenched their teeth as they were forced to dredge up as much reserve power as possible.

Joxer bit back a scream as he felt raw power rush through him, it twisted at his body and pulled it in all directions. He felt a deep heat building in his belly and tasted blood as he bit his own tongue, as the heat grew his body started to convulse and all he could do was scream.

Ares watched on in horror as Joxers body started to jerk and fit of it’s own accord “Stop it, now!” he roared as he stepped forward. The Floor of the Halls began to shake violently and he almost toppled over, “I said Stop!” he yelled.

Hera hadn’t even heard her sons’ words but she felt the Halls as they shook and as Apollo let go she quickly did so herself, she gasped and held her hand to her chest. Her heart was racing and they hadn’t even made a start on separating the two. Her eyes locked with Apollo and he nodded grimly, they’d have to try the Caesar cut.

Joxer lay back, he moaned slightly and barely summoned up the energy to curl back into a ball. He whimpered as he felt hands return to grip his but felt relief flood through him at Ares voice. “We’re trying the cut, now.” His voice broached no argument.

Joxer whimpered as he was turned back onto his back and his shirt was pulled up. He barely heard Aphrodite as she flashed out to fetch the crib Hephaestus had made, he could feel the baby scarcely moving inside of him and yet he could sense she was wake, his heart felt heavy at what that meant.

He shivered as cold hands touched his naked belly and clenched his fists as numbness swept over it. He closed his eyes and saw the bright light behind his eyelids though he felt nothing.

Ares almost jumped back in shock; as Acelepious moved to make the first incision a bright turquoise light shot out of Joxers belly and spread across his abdomen. It knocked the scalpel from Acelepious hand, which caused the God of Healing to curse.

“Tartarus! Should have expected this!”

Ares watched in horror as both Apollo and Ace each tried to make an incision, the shield came up each time and blocked the cut. Ares closed his eyes and cursed, he mentally screamed his frustration to his siblings, which caused the ones closest to him to jerk suddenly and the rest on Olympus to flinch.

Joxer opened his eyes and looked up at him, “It didn’t work did it?” he asked flatly.

“No”, Ares glanced at Hera as she laid a hand on his arm.

“Acelepious has some thoughts, we’ll just be over there,” she indicated a corner “Just keep talking to each other,” she looked sadly at Joxer before she moved to the corner, both Gods following.

“Ares.” Joxer spoke softly; the pain had lessened slightly which panicked him even more. He hadn’t felt the baby kick in far too long.

“Ares,” He found the strength and smiled slightly as his lover focussed on him and placed a hand on his belly.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as he felt tears sting his eyes “Can’t do much right can I?” he trembled slightly.

Ares stared down at Joxer wondering how the man could think such a thing; he moved closer to Joxer and stroked his face.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Joxer.” He stressed the word and felt slight reassurance as Joxer turned onto his side, his bump pressed against Ares belly.

“She’s not kicking much anymore,” Joxer spoke quietly seeing the flash of horrified understanding light up in Ares eyes, “I once thought maybe if I could keep her inside me I could protect her from everything.” Tears leaked from the corner of one eye “Turns out I’m the thing she needs protecting from.”

Ares shook his head “No.” He said firmly trying to keep his voice steady “She’ll be fine, you see. It’s just a set back Joxer. You did the best job in the World of keeping her safe and when they come back,” he pointed to the small group of Gods in the corner. “They are going to have a way to get her out.”

Joxer swallowed hard, he wasn’t sure he could hold on any longer, the temptation to sleep was too much. He had to make sure Ares was clear on something though, he had to make sure if it came down to it Ares would chose the baby, would save her. He ran a hand over his belly. They’d created something miraculous together and he refused to let that go.

“Ares, you have to promise me.” His eyes locked with Ares and he tried to make his tone as firm as possible “You have to promise me you’ll save the baby. Not because she’s a symbol but because she’s *ours*,” He choked back a sob at the raw pain in Ares eyes “Promise me you’ll save her.” He murmured.

Ares blinked back tears of his own; he couldn’t open his mouth to utter a reply. He wanted to shout at his exhausted lover and shake him. He didn’t want to lose either of them but if it had come down to it he’d have saved Joxer. Symbol or not there would be more babies, but there was only one Joxer.

He avoided his lovers pleading eyes “I …I can’t.” He choked out

*Please. Promise me Ares*

Ares looked at Joxer, the other God couldn’t even muster up the strength to talk anymore and his face had gone bone white.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, he didn’t bother to hide the tears on his face. Hera didn’t say a word; she took him into her arms for a brief hug and pulled away roughly.

“We think there’s a way to save them both,” she glanced at Acelepious, who nodded “It’s risky but its all we have left.” She looked up at the crumbling walls of the Hall, which seemed to be fading around them “Whether it be because of this place or not Acelepious believes this idea will work.”

Acelepious stepped forward “We can’t risk unmerging or cutting again but we can try transporting the baby out, flashing it here.”

Ares blinked and Joxer opened his eyes in confusion, “Will it hurt the baby?” Joxer asked quietly as his hand caressed his bump.

Acelepious shook his head “I don’t think so but I admit I’ve never thought of it before. It’s risky to both of you but we don’t have any other option.”

Ares looked down at Joxer who worried his lip with his teeth, as Joxer gave a brief nod and gripped his hand tightly he nodded to them.

“Alright, what do we have to do?” He asked as Aphrodite flashed in holding what looked like a cross between a basket and a crib. It was thicker then a normal one and as she set it down, Ares could see the inside was lined with pillows. He sensed power contained in it and he murmured a brief “Thank you” to her as he prayed they would get to use it.

Apollo and Acelepious laid their hands back on Joxer and Hera cupped her hands either side of Joxers bump, “Keep quiet and we’ll do the rest.” She ordered “Joxer this may hurt a little.”

Joxer choked off a cry as a cold icy feeling permeated his body, at the same time a warm tingling sensation started in his belly and he gripped Ares hand tightly.

Ares stared down at Joxers belly; he could see Heras hands shake as they strained to stay in position. The skin on Joxers belly grew transparent and Ares could hear Acelepious and Apollo grunt as they used their powers. He kept his eyes fixated on a tiny gleam of turquoise light which flickered deep in Joxers belly and he gasped in relief as he watch it fan out as it moved through Joxers womb.

Joxer felt a strange sucking sensation as the warmth grew and felt his body quiver, as the tension mounted in his belly he felt rather then heard a loud pop and felt a strange sense of emptiness in his belly.

Ares gripped Joxers hand tightly, as the tiny gleams grew brighter and brighter as they travelled through Joxers belly. He heard his mother gasp and pull her hands from Joxers flattening abdomen as the tiny gleams of turquoise coalesced into bright orbs of light. Quickly Hera lay her hands either side of the orbs and they faded quickly into a very small, very angry baby that squalled its displeasure.

Ares let out a breath he hadn’t even realised he’d been holding and grinned. He itched to hold his child but both Apollo and Acelepious were checking her over even as she screamed at them to stop. Joxer forced his eyes open as hope flooded through him with each cry, he tried to sit up and grimaced. In a heartbeat Ares was behind him, as he helped Joxer sit up and supported him.

“Is she okay?” Joxer asked hoarsely.

Hera looked up at him “Five on each hand and foot and neither of your Godhoods are warped.” She spoke softly as she wrapped the small infant in dark blue bunting. She stroked her newest Grandchilds cheek and smiled as the baby quietened; the two locked eyes, the babys dark blue/green eyes silently appraising her. She looked at Joxer and Ares, she could see how much they longed to hold their baby. She used her powers to quickly weigh the Infant and then laid her against Joxers chest, her head level with her feet.

Ares arms moved around Joxers to help the shattered Gods shaky arms hold her “She’s so tiny” he murmured. The baby wasn’t even the length of his forearm, from elbow to wrist.

Acelepious nodded, both he and Apollo looked extremely pleased with themselves Ares noted. He’d have to thank them properly when Joxer and the baby were stronger, much as he hated to he owed them both. He smiled at Aphrodite who was going all gloopy and flashed away after she declared left over hormones caused her to blub.

Hera stroked the babys head gently as the two rocked her softly “She’ll have to go in the crib soon to keep warm but we’ll all keep a very close watch on her.” She smiled slightly “In normal pregnancy terms she is over six weeks early. She may be small but she’s very strong.”

Joxer grinned happily as he laid his head against Ares chest and they stared at their daughter, he took in a deep breath,

“Welcome to the family Leonie.”