Bitter Sweet

Joxer blinked confusedly looking around the small group of gods and
goddesses. He'd been trying to work out what had got them so hyped up
and what they were talking about. All it seemed to range around was
baby clothes and symbols. Two things he had no idea about. He was
wondering why on earth Ares had brought him to the gathering. He
seemed to spend most of his time shyly clinging to the outside; in
fact he was seriously considering setting up home by the pillar he
was leaning on.


He'd spent nearly a month in Aress' company and true to his word Ares
had been teaching him about being a warrior.


That was the problem, he was teaching him about warriors, making him
go through numerous history lessons with Athena, rather then training
him, but whenever he tried to bring up the subject of training Ares
made an excuse and Athena lectured him on how dangerous it was.


Joxer was beginning to think Ares was stalling but why and for what
he wasn't sure. All he knew was that his opinion of the Gods had
changed drastically. All in all he found them very confusing and
slightly insane. Even the more sensible ones like Athena puzzled him.
He'd heard many a story about her, mainly from Gabrielle so he
supposed they could have been a little changed but in all of them
Athena was depicted as a fierce, deadly-smart virgin Goddess.


Joxer could agree with the smart but the fierce he had to laugh at.
Her stern looks shut him up and immediately made him apologise for
everything and anything but still he couldn't see her as being that
fierce. Not after he had seen her cry when Caplet brought her some
flowers. And that was the other laughable thing, virgin? Not likely.
Many a time he'd had to discretely wander away when Caplet `popped'
in during one of their study sessions and been literally jumped by
Athena.


Joxer sighed, if he had had a watch he would have been looking at it
right now. He looked around the Gods, some he recognised from quick
visits into Ares temple, some from statues but some he couldn't
place. It was confusing him greatly. Strife, he recognised and was
pleased to see back, but Strife with Cupid draped possessively over
him was a little strange. Not that he didn't think they went well
together, they did, but Joxer could have sworn Hercules saying
something about Cupid being married and having a child with a mortal
woman.


He looked around the group, no mortal woman, and no kid. He sighed
again willing himself to stay awake. He guessed it had to be the
Olympus air but for the last fortnight or so he'd been barely able to
keep his eyes open. Athena had screeched at him for an hour after he
fell asleep in one of his lectures, then bizarrely enough squealed
for what he guessed was joy and summoned Acelepious.


He'd tried to convince them he was fine but had been prodded, poked
and examined almost to the brink of insanity before Acelepious had
left yelling `last one down' at Athena. Joxer shuddered, then came
the lecture of all lectures. He didn't remember the majority of it
but what he did remember had him swearing to Zeus to never have kids.


Joxer blinked, not sure if his eyes were playing up or he was
dreaming. Now Discord was hugging Strife and patting his stomach and
then her own all the time shooting death glares at Acelepious who'd
gone extremely pale. The only words Joxer managed to catch was `pain'
and `he'll know what it feels like, trust me'.


He wasn't sure he wanted to know. He looked around again for Ares but
saw only Apollo, strutting around and being giggled at by a very
attractive young goddess. Aphrodite was there too but Joxer was
trying to stay out of her way, she seemed obsessed about making Ares
temple over for some reason or another and wanted his advice.
Something he definitely shied away from, as much fun as he and Ares
had he doubted the God would think twice about taking it out on him.
Not that he ever had before but still the worry was there.


Joxer blinked back purple spots as Hera appeared in front of them.
Always the lady, she made her rounds diplomatically smiling at this
person and that before heading straight for him. Joxer tried to back
into the pillar as she drew close. Truth be told he was still a
little nervous around most of Ares family and when she drew closer
and ran a hand down his chest and over his belly, it made him more
so. The smile she offered him relaxed him somewhat. But it was only
the calm before the storm.


"Have you thought of a name yet?"


Joxer frowned looking at the smiling Goddess in front of him. Name?
He had one didn't he? He still liked the sound of Joxer the mighty
despite Ares rolling his eyes every time he mentioned it.


Hera kept talking "I know neither of you know yet but in a few months
I could give you a hint if you like." She smiled again "I'm not the
goddess of childbirth for nothing."


Joxer wondered briefly if maybe someone had spiked his water but he
did his best to look interested and clued in. He didn't want to
offend her.


"Only a little while longer and we'll be able to sort you both out,
the fates say." She took a sip of her drink and nodded towards the
others confidently. "The others are already sensing the symbols, it
will only be a matter of time before you do too, we just have to be
patient." She patted his arm and frowned, looking at him
critically "Are you getting enough vitamins? I did tell Ares to watch
out but you know how men can be." She gave a small laugh "Not to say
you're not one but in your situation these things are more necessary."


Joxer raised an eyebrow wondering what Hera had to do with warriors
and their health.


She saw his look and smiled "I take it Ares forgot to mention it to
you, no matter I can probably do it better anyway." She waved
Aphrodite over who rolled her eyes and played with her nails whilst
Hera spoke.


"Aphrodite's used to it by now." Aphrodite shot her a look but Hera
continued. "Now for pregnant Goddesses the rules are the same as for
mortal women they just have a few extra problems with power control
but for pregnant males like Strife" she gestured to him "The baby
needs to be bonded to both fathers to sustain growth and
development. "


Joxers eyes widened his mind going a mile a minute as he looked over
at Strife, an all but glowing Strife. He then looked at Aphrodite who
was smiling, his mind starting to click into place. Strife pregnant,
Aphrodite pregnant. He looked over the others their conversations and
insane behaviour finally clicking with him. He was about to offer his
congratulations when Hera dropped the bombshell.


"With Immortals a fertility potions needed and usually the godly
father has to link to the baby immediately to make sure it thrives
but in your case, the baby is relying on you rather then Ares, which
is probably why you are feeling so tired." She whispered to him
confidentially "Athena told me about it, I had the same thing when I
carried most of mine."


Joxers mind absorbed the information then very calmly and quietly
began to shut down as realisation dawned and white-hot rage flooded
him. With a cry that could rival Hercules, Joxer shouted "ARES!"