Chapter 14

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Apollo drove his chariot across the sky, all the while searching for Tryst. He didn’t see him anywhere. Disappointed, Apollo went back to his temple and sulked. He was so mad at Tryst and all the things he had done that Apollo didn’t even want to play (You know what I mean.) with the Muses.

The Muses, in turn, were also mad about what had happened and was *still* happening to Strife (And extremely horny.) so they too were looking for Tryst. Every person who was inspired to write poetry or a song was scrutinized. Sadly, they had no more luck than Apollo had.

It was a very bad day at Apollo’s temple.

^^^^^^

Strife was warm and comfortable. This was unusual. Not the warm part, no the comfortable part. For as long as he could remember Strife had been in pain of one sort or another. Since he had become pregnant it was substantially worse. But not this morning. His back didn’t hurt and his ribs only ached a little.

Smiling, Strife opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder at his husband. He grinned when he saw that Cupid was already awake and watching him.

“Mornin.”

“Good morning to you baby.” Cupid kissed Strife’s neck and Strife giggled at the tickling sensation. Strife snuggled back into the soft warmth that was his husband’s body. The lay spooned together for several more minutes, happily enjoying the quiet time.

“What time is it?” Strife stretched cautiously.

“Time for breakfast.” With one last kiss Cupid slid out from behind Strife and rolled him on his back. Seeing that this caused no pain, Cupid went into the bathroom.

Strife lay there, enjoying the view. Once his sexy and naked husband (Whimper.) was out of view Strife sighed in disappointment and sat up on the side of the bed. Strife sat there and was pleasantly surprised to find that nothing was hurting *too* badly. He went to stand up and gasped as his back started spasming. Strife dropped back down on the bed with a cry. He clenched the sheets between his fists and closed his eyes, waiting for it to pass. The pain was finally starting to ease up when Cupid touched him on the arm. Strife jumped in surprise and gasped when his back cramped up again.

Cupid put one arm across his husband’s chest, for him to lean on and rubbed his back until the pain passed. “Baby what happened? I thought you weren’t hurting.”

“I’m okay Cupe, mah back always hurts first thing in tha mornin.” Strife leaned back against his husband. “Whatcha did last night, the way ya were supportin me has helped a bunch. I feel a lot bettah than usual.”

“You hurt like this *every* morning.”

Strife’s eyes popped open when he realized what he had said. “Oops. Uh, yeah.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Cupid’s voice was quiet.

Strife answered just as quietly. “Cause theah wasn’t anythin ya coulda done except be upset.”

Cupid straightened them up so he was looking his sheepish husband in the eyes. “I could be here with you so that you aren’t going through this alone.”

Strife looked up at Cupid. He looked so concerned. “I love ya.”

“I love you too. From now on let me help you.”

“I will, I promise.” Strife was contrite this time. The two gods smiled at each other. “Now let me up, I gotta go.”

“Go where? You are supposed to stay in bed with your feet up for 3 days.” Cupid held up three fingers in demonstration and looked smug. “Did you think I’d forget about that?”

“No, I figured ya’d remembah that.” Strife smiled and ran a finger down Cupid’s nose and across his lips. “What I meant was, I’ve gotta go ta tha bathroom, if ya don’t mind that is.”

Cupid blushed and helped Strife to stand up. “Smart ass.” Cupid slapped Strife (Don’t worry, he was gentle.) on the bottom as he walked by.

“Thank ya, I always knew mah butt was intelligent.” Strife grinned and made sure to twitch his behind as he went into the bathroom.

When Strife was finished he leaned against the wall for a minute. Gods he was so tired and the day hadn’t even started yet. Strife took a couple of cleansing breaths and went back into the bedroom. He stopped in the doorway and had to smile. The bed was nice and neat and full of pillows.

Strife remembered Joxer’s couch from a few weeks back and smiled even bigger. Like father, like son.

“Come on, get back in bed.”

Strife frowned at his husband’s back. “How did ya know I was heah? Ya ain’t even lookin at me.”

Cupid took Strife in his arms. “I can feel you in a crowded room. You are my life and I will *always* know where you are.”

Tears gathered in the corners of Strife’s eyes at the lovely statement. He didn’t say anything; he just kissed Cupid and hoped his heart could speak for him.

Sitting down on the bed, still embracing, Cupid looked Strife in the eye. “How are you feeling this morning, baby?”

“Much bettah.” (Let’s face it, most anything would be an improvement.)

“Yeah, you do look better.” Cupid smiled happily and then remembering the scene in Ares’ office, began frowning. “You look *too good*. I want you to drop the glamour Strife.”

Strife was surprised; he hadn’t realized he was using one. Using a glamour had become second nature to him and so it was odd to *not* to have a glamour.

“Sorry Cupe, I forgot and used one without thinkin.”

Strife concentrated and a brief shimmer passed over his body. Without the glamour Strife still looked awful.

“Lay down baby.” Cupid lifted Strife’s legs as he lay back against the stack of pillows. There were pillows behind his back and pillows under his feet. There were pillows on either side of him, supporting his bad ribs. There…basically there were just pillows everywhere. (Here a pillow, there a pillow, everywhere a pillow. Old Mc…oh sorry, wrong story.)

“I guess mah babysittah will hafta come heah ta check on me.”

Once Strife was situated and comfortable Cupid returned to the conversation. “It’ll be easy on your babysitter today because that’s gonna be me. I’m going to be by your side for most of the day. In fact, I plan on being your babysitter from now on.”

Strife was dumbfounded. “Ya can’t stop doin ya work!”

“And why not?”

Strife sputtered, trying to come up with a reason.

“You are my husband and I’m gonna be the one to take care of you.” Cupid smiled and kissed his shocked husband. “Don’t worry. Mom’s promised to take care of any major problems that come up. If there are any couples that just have to get together *right now* I’ll go, but mainly I’m staying here with you.”

“Right now, it’s time for breakfast. Do you think you could eat?”

“I’ll try.” At the stern look from Cupid, Strife sighed and relented. “Okay, yeah I’ll eat somethin. As long as it ain’t taa rich.”

“I think I can manage that.” Cupid smiled and went over to the table to pick up the tray he already had fixed.” Behind him Cupid heard Strife’s sharp intake of breath. He whirled around, looking for danger. Seeing none he looked at Strife and saw him holding his stomach.

Oh gods!

“Baby, what is it?”

Strife grabbed his hand and placed it on his stomach. “Feel.”

Cupid felt something faintly bumping the palm of his hand. “It’s the baby moving.” He was awestruck and Strife was glowing. Another bump. “Oh baby, that’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever felt.”

Cupid was ecstatic. Psyche wouldn’t let him touch her at all when she was pregnant and so he never got to feel Bliss moving inside her.

The door opened and Bliss came running in. He stopped short and stared at the scene before him, frowning. Strife looked up and smiled at him and Bliss came running over. “Daddy Strife not sad anymore?”

“Nah kiddo, I’m happy now.”

“You gonna check my feathers this morning?”

“Ya betcha I am.”

Bliss giggled and turned around with his back to the bed. Strife began running his hands over the feathers, tweaking and straightening.

Cupid was puzzled. Bliss’ feathers looked fine. Why was Strife working with them? He was paying especially particular attention to one spot on the inside edge of one wing.

“All fixed. Now go on and eat yar breakfast.” Bliss giggled and raced over to the table in the corner of the room. His breakfast was laid out there this morning, instead of the dining room where he usually ate.

“Baby, what was that all about?”

“Ya didn’t think I’d leave him unprotected did ya?” Strife was carefully smoothing his sleep shirt over his tummy. He smiled as he felt another bump.

“Years ago I went ta Heph and had him make me some little round button type thingies. I put a charm on em ta protect tha wearers from bein hurt by…Tryst.” Strife’s breathing sped up as he said Tryst’s name, but the fact that he felt safe enough in Cupid’s presence to say the name aloud said a lot about how much better Strife was doing emotionally.

“I couldn’t use tha protection mahself. I…tried, but he persuaded me othahwise.”

“What do you mean persuaded?”

“He told me that if I tried ta protect mahself he’d hurt Unc. I didn’t believe him at first. Then one day, after he’d…hurt me in tha garden, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore. I went in ta see Unc. He was in tha middle of a meetin. I was waitin ta talk ta Unc when I saw him. He…Tryst was standin right behind Ares. I couldn’t take tha chance.” Strife was nervously twisting his wedding ring.

Cupid was horrified. The crimes that Tryst had committed against Strife just kept piling up.

“He used your love of dad to keep you under his power.” Strife nodded.

“Anyway, I knew I had ta protect any othah kids he might…hurt. Fortunately theah weren’t any othah kids until Bliss, except Eve.”

“Eve? You mean Xena’s daughter.”

“Yeah. As Ares’ granddaughter she was definitely a target. So I protected her and Bliss. Here, let me show ya. Kiddo would ya come heah a minute. Thanks.” Strife had Bliss turn around again. “Gimme yar hand.” He took Cupid’s hand and pressed his fingers in among the super soft feathers. Cupid could barely feel something there. It was about the size of a tiny seed. No wonder he had never found it before.

“Ya hafta know it’s theah ta find it. Eve’s is tha same size. As long as they’re wearin it HE can’t hurt em. It kinda throws a shield out around em if he comes around.”

Cupid smiled lovingly at his husband. “Thank you for protecting the children.” With a swat on the behind (Way different from the swat he gave Strife.) he sent Bliss back to eating.

^^^^^^

“Now it’s *really* time for you to eat.”

Strife took a look at the toast and cut up fruit and hoped he could eat without throwing up. He nibbled on one corner of the piece of toast and realized it was actually helping settle his stomach. Encouraged he ate more, until finally he had finished the *whole* breakfast.

Cupid was pleased with the amount of food Strife had consumed. He saw how much eating had taken it out of Strife. He was about to suggest a nap when there was a knock at the door. Cupid opened it to find his head temple priest.

“My Lord I was just coming with a report for My Lord Strife.” The priest looked into the room and his normally stern countenance softened into a gentle smile.

Cupid looked around and realized that Strife had fallen asleep sitting up.

“Give the report to me and I’ll pass it on.”

“Certainly My Lord. Upon investigation, I have determined that the statue fell yesterday because of a weakness in the base. The stone crumbled causing the statue to fall. We have checked all of the statues in the temple and their bases. There were two other’s where the bases were either cracked or crumbling. They are being repaired as we speak.

“You’re sure it was just deterioration and not sabotage.” Cupid was frowning, he just couldn’t believe Strife being hurt had nothing to do with Tryst.

“Yes My Lord, I am certain. There was a problem where the statue and the base was joined. It has crumbled a little bit, over time, in the back where it couldn’t easily be seen.”

Cupid nodded distractedly. It was being fixed and didn’t involve Tryst, that was all Cupid cared about right now. He dismissed the priest with a wave and nod. “Good work.”

“Daddy.” Bliss’ attempt at a whisper was louder than his normal speaking voice.

“What sweetheart?”

“Is that bad man going to hurt Daddy Strife anymore?”

Cupid wondered how Bliss had found out about Tryst. “Not if I can help it.”

Bliss’ little brow wrinkled. How could his Daddy not save Daddy Strife, there was nothing his Daddy couldn’t do.

There was another knock at the door. Bliss’ nanny was there, waiting to take Bliss to his lessons. “You go on and practice flying. Tonight you can show me and Daddy Strife how well you are doing.” Bliss giggled and ran out the door, chattering the whole time.

Cupid went back to the bed and gazed at his sleeping spouse. He leaned Strife forward until he was resting against Cupid’s chest. Cupid waved his hand and removed all but two of the pillows. Those he left laying side by side on the bed. He ooched Strife’s hips down in the bed and then lay him back down on his side. Cupid lay down on the other pillow and resumed their position from the night before. It was a testament to how exhausted Strife was that all of this upheaval didn’t wake him at all.

Cupid rubbed Strife’s arms and massaged his back until they both fell in to a peaceful slumber.

^^^^^^

3 days later

Strife was *so* bored. He had been laying in bed for 3 days. Cupid wouldn’t let him do anything. Cupid was trying to make up for not realizing how tired Strife had been and Strife appreciated it, he really did. He just wished Cupid would calm down a little. Strife couldn’t go to the bathroom without Cupid hovering (No pun intended.) over him.

Of course, Strife had to admit there were times when he needed the help. Just not *all* the time. At least not yet. Strife knew he was going to get a lot worse before this pregnancy was over and he wanted to stay as independent as long as he could.

Actually Strife liked the attention; he was just afraid that if Cupid had to keep taking care of him he would get sick of him and leave. (Strife’s just a *little* insecure.)

But today was the day. He was allowed to get up and walk around the temple a little. Asclepius had been by that morning and given him a clean bill of health. (Yeah, right.) Well, all right, Ace had said he was doing better.

A little. Some.

Sigh.

Strife had convinced Cupid to go and listen to some of his worshipers for a while. Cupid had reluctantly agreed. Now if he could just get away from Hestia for a little bit then he could get everything set up.

^^^^^^

Argh! Hestia had proved to be one of his more persistent babysitters. He had only managed to elude her for a couple of minutes at a time. However, Strife was determined and had done it. Everything was ready and waiting for Cupid to come home.

Gods he was tired.

Who knew arranging a seduction could take so much out of a god. He only hoped it would work.

Maybe if he laid down on the couch for a while…

Strife woke up when he felt a soft kiss ghost across his lips. “Mmmm, now that’s tha way I like ta wake up.” Strife smiled up at Cupid. He raised his head slightly and slid his tongue across Cupid’s lips. Cupid’s eyes darkened with desire. “Definitely a good way ta wake up.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Cupid wrapped his arms around Strife and proceeded to kiss him breathless.

“Can we have Bliss stay with Dite tonight?”

Strife looked so uncertain. Cupid couldn’t have that. He began kissing all over Strife’s face. His eyelids, cheekbones and nose were soon tingling. Cupid kissed his way to one ear and whispered in it before sucking it into his mouth. “He’s already there.”

Strife gasped and shivered when Cupid began to nibble on the skin behind his ear. “Let’s take this into tha bedroom.” Before he could finish speaking, Cupid stood up, scooped him up in his arms and strode towards the bedroom. “I’m gonna take that as a yes.” Strife giggled and Cupid smirked down at him.

Cupid stopped in the doorway. There were candles everywhere. They flickered softly, casting shadows on the wall. Orange blossoms blanketed the room. The scent of them wafted up as Cupid crushed them underfoot as he walked to the bed.

He lay Strife on the bed and stood admiring the tiny petals that surrounded his husband’s dark hair. With a thought, Cupid made Strife’s clothes disappear. Cupid picked up a handful of the fragrant blossoms and dropped them over Strife’s body. They fluttered down like snowflakes and Strife arched up at the sensual feeling.

Cupid saw the brief flash of pain that crossed Strife’s face. Before he could say or do anything, Strife pulled him down and they kissed again. Strife needed this and so did he. Cupid knew he would just have to be careful of his injured lover.

^^^^^^

Strife pushed Cupid over onto his back and leaned over him. There was a sharp flash of pain from his ribs. He gasped before he could stop himself. Cupid was looking at him seriously. Strife knew that if he didn’t do something right now everything would be over before it even started.

“Cupe please, I need ta do this. Please let me. I’m all right, really.”

“Okay baby, just don’t hurt yourself.”

Strife smiled brightly, leaned over and began kissing his buff husband’s chest. With slow deliberation he trailed one hand down Cupid’s side, along his thigh and eventually up to the place he most wanted to be. Taking hold of his manhood, Strife began to stroke and caress his husband. At the same time he began licking and gently biting his nipples. It didn’t take long for Cupid to come, screaming Strife’s name as he did.

Strife lay across Cupid’s chest, panting slightly. That had taken more out of him than he had thought it would.

^^^^^^

Cupid gently turned Strife onto his back. He didn’t waste any time and began gently caressing his husband’s body. It had been so long since they had made love that it wasn’t long before Strife was thoroughly aroused.

Mindful of his painful ribs, Cupid was careful to anchor Strife on the bed. That way he didn’t arch up or twist around (Too much.) and cause himself any pain. Cupid didn’t want anything to spoil this night for Strife.

All too soon, Strife reached completion. He lay in Cupid’s arms, too tired to even hold him back. Strife fell asleep within seconds.

Cupid summoned a wet, warm cloth and cleaned the sweat from Strife’s face. With a thought they were both clean and the sheets changed. He kept the orange blossoms both on the bed and floor. He also left the candles burning all night long. (Don’t try this at home, boys and girls. Remember, they’re gods living in a stone room. Nothing’s going to catch fire here.)

A soft blanket appeared in the air above the two gods and floated down to cover them. Cupid smoothed it over Strife and himself and carefully arranged Strife’s body back in the spoon and Cupid-pillow position that they had discovered was so comfortable.

The loving and contented spouses slept happily all night long.

^^^^^^

Apollo and the Muses went to bed. (Just to sleep!) They were still frustrated (In more ways than one.) and disappointed that another day had gone by without finding Tryst. Apollo vowed to search again in the morning.

After a while silence descends on the temple. On one wall there is a mural showing the various deities on Olympus.

It begins to ripple and flows out from the wall to reform…into Tryst.

He has been hiding there all day. Unknown. Unseen. Safe.

Tryst turns back to the mural and finds the depiction of Strife. With a feral gleam in his eye, Tryst licks the image.

“I’m coming Little One.”

He snarls in the direction of Apollo’s bedroom and flashes out.

Note: Chapters 15, 16 and 17 are a trilogy that I call "The Bad Week".

Chapter 15

2 weeks later

“So wheah are we goin?”

Cupid just grinned at his husband. “You’re going to just have to wait and see.”

The God of Love had one arm around Strife’s waist, supporting him. (That’s all. Really. Uh huh.) He made sure to keep himself between Strife and any statues. Cupid just couldn’t help thinking about that other statue. It was way *too* much of a coincidence that it fallen *just* as Strife walked by. Cupid wasn’t taking any chances.

Cupid had made sure that Strife got a lot of rest these past couple of weeks and it seemed to have paid off. Even with all the grousing (by Strife) and the wheedling (by Cupid) that had gone on. It had been worth the effort. Strife looked better. (Could he have looked any worse? Well yeah, actually he could.) He was more energetic and seemed to be really happy.

“Daddy, Daddy Strife.” Bliss came running down the corridor and up to the couple. Cupid moved slightly in front of Strife so that Bliss barreled into him instead of both of them. “Hurry or we’ll be late for the picnic.” Bliss bounced up and down, his little wings flapping furiously, unaware that he had just spoiled the surprise.

Strife grinned and tousled the little boy’s hair affectionately. “Wheah are we havin this *picnic* anyway?”

Cupid growled playfully with his son before answering. “The beach.”

Strife smiled. “Ummm…tha beach huh. Just thinka tha possibilities.” Strife was looking forward to seeing his two favorite men splashing around in the water. Not to mention seeing Cupe in a skimpy bathing suit. Strife licked his lips playfully.

Cupid took a firm grip on his husband and son. “Behave yourself,” he whispered to Strife.

Strife leaned over and whispered back. “I will, I promise.” Then he licked Cupid’s ear playfully. Giggling, Strife leaned back and assumed an innocent look. Cupid rolled his eyes and flashed his family to the beach.

^^^^^^

Strife leaned against Cupid until his stomach settled and tried not to throw up. Flashing tended to disorient him since he had become pregnant. Strife surreptitiously let Cupid support him as he looked around. The last thing he needed was for Cupid to realize he still felt pretty bad. Strife wanted this outing. For all of them. Cupid had been taking care of Strife non-stop for a while now and Strife didn’t want his husband to get burned out.

Or sick of him.

“Dad and I have a surprise for you and Joxer.” Cupid turned Strife around and let him see the *surprise*. Strife had to put a hand up to hide his smile.

There was a *tent* on the beach.

Apparently Cupid and Ares had decided that an ordinary canopy was not nearly enough protection for their two pregnant husbands. No they were to have a tent and not just any tent. This was a tent that would have made a general proud. It was striped and big enough that most of Xena’s house would have fit inside of it and Xena had a big house.

Inside the tent were all the comforts of home and then some. Literally *all* the comforts. There were two lounge chairs, covered with pillows, naturally. A large table was topped with every kind of food imaginable. There were even carpets on the ground.

*Carpets?* Who put carpets on *sand*?

Strife turned back to his husband and smiled his appreciation, Cupid looked so proud. “Thanks Cupe, this is wonderful.”

Strife followed Cupid and Bliss into the tent. He looked over at Joxer, who was lounging on one of the chairs. Strife saw his amusement reflected back out of Joxer’s eyes.

“Hey Joxah, hey Unc.”

“Strife. You’re looking better.”

“Thanks Unc, you’re lookin pretty good yourse…” Strife stopped talking and just gaped when Ares stood up.

Ares was in a bathing suit, barely. It was a very, very small suit. It covered up Ares’ crotch, if you didn’t look too closely. Strife was stunned to realize that he was eyeing his uncle’s *assets*. The small piece of material that was stretched tightly across his groin was shiny and red with white hearts.

There weren’t very many hearts.

Then Ares turned sideways and Strife thought he was going to swallow his tongue. While the front of the costume was skimpy, the back…simply wasn’t there. Most of his butt and oh my gods, look how gorgeous it was!, was hanging out in the breeze. There was just a *little* (Need I stress more how little.) strip of cloth that covered up his crack.

Strife realized that Ares was talking with Bliss. He decided he had better stop ogling his uncle before someone caught him. Strife glanced over at Joxer and saw the smirk on his face. At least Joxer didn’t seem to be upset with him.

Strife sidled over to Joxer and waited until his husband, son and uncle went outside. “Hmmmm…I like that. I’m gonna keep that in mind fah tha future. If ya made tha piece in tha back littleah it would look even bettah. I think I’ll name it after Unc. I’ll call it a g-string.”

“*G-string*? Shouldn’t it be A-string?”

“Nah. G-string fah god-string.”

Joxer thought of Ares’ reaction to having a piece of string running up people’s butt being named after him and began laughing hysterically.

Strife watched his Uncle’s impressive form and determined then and there that Cupid was going to have an outfit like that, and *soon*!

^^^^^^

Cupid laughed as Bliss spun around in the water, his wings flapping and water flying everywhere. “I got Daddy. I splashed Daddy.”

“You sure did sweetheart.”

Cupid watched as Bliss danced around happily. It was a wonderful day. He sighed. If only Strife felt well enough to be out here with them then it would be perfect. He glanced over at the tent and could see Strife and Joxer resting on their chairs. They were both laughing and seemed to be having a good time. Cupid was glad to see Strife so happy. There hadn’t been very much to be happy about recently.

Cupid looked over at his father and saw that he seemed inordinately interested in a large sea shell. Wondering what was up; Cupid left Bliss making a sand temple and wandered over.

As Cupid got closer to Ares he was surprised to discover that he could hear Joxer talking. Huh? They were too far away to hear the men in the tent. What was going on? He walked up behind his father and realized that Joxer and now Strife’s voices were coming from the conch shell that Ares was holding.

“What are you doing?”

“Shhh…I’m listening to them talking.”

Cupid’s mouth fell open in shock. “DAD!” Cupid was appalled by what his father was doing. “The last two times we listened in was because of The Fates. You can’t do that.”

“Yes I can.” Ares had a determined look on his face. “The only time we *ever* find out what’s going on with Joxer and Strife is when we listen in.”

Cupid sputtered a few seconds and then said, “Good point. Move over I want to hear too.”

Ares nodded at his son’s good sense and held the sea shell up higher.

^^^^^^

Strife looked over at Joxer who was dressed in shorts and a loose shirt that was patterned red with white hearts, just like Ares’, uh…bathing costume. He then looked out at his husband and uncle, who for some reason were huddled together. Everybody was dressed for the beach, except him.

“Ya know, it looks like I’m seveahly oveahdressed heah.”

“No, really.” Joxer smiled to soften his sarcasm.

Strife stuck out his tongue as snapped his finger and changed from black pants and a long-sleeved green shirt to…really long black shorts and a short-sleeved green shirt. Hmmm…not, if truth be told, much of a change.

Strife held his arms out in demonstration. “Theah that’s much bettah.”

Joxer was about to comment on the lack of change in attire when Strife grunted and clutched at his stomach.

“Strife! Are you okay?” Joxer frowned at his friend.

“Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just a cramp.”

Joxer watched Strife still holding his stomach in pain. He quickly looked for Ares and Cupid and noticed them standing together. He didn’t know what was going on with them and didn’t really care. Where Ares was standing gave Joxer a good view of his butt, so as far as Joxer was concerned he could stand there all day. “How bad? Do I need to call Asclepius?”

“Nah, it’s already passin.” Strife relaxed back against the pillows and rubbed his stomach trying to relieve the achiness that was a constant in his life now. “It was onna those *I moved taa fast* cramps.”

“Ummm, I hate those. Of course, they’re not as bad as the *What the hell is ripping my back out* cramps.”

Both young gods nodded and said, “Yep” in unison.

^^^^^^

“Cramps! What cramps?” Ares actually stamped his foot in frustration. It had a lovely side effect by making Ares’ butt jiggle. (Oh my!) Ares was about ready to bite the head off of something. Why hadn’t Joxer let him know that he was hurting like that? What was he going to have to do, follow Joxer around all the time and listen to him talk? Argh!

“’Just a cramp’! I thought he was feeling *better*. I’m going over there *right now* and find out what’s going on.”

Ares grabbed his son’s arm and stopped him from leaving. “Don’t be ridiculous. If you go now, we’ll never find out what’s up with those two.”

Cupid realized his father was making sense. After checking to make sure that Bliss was fine and occupied far enough away, he went back to listening in. Naturally, they had missed some of the conversation inside the tent.

^^^^^^

“Why don’t you have some of this fruit.” Joxer waved the platter he was eating from at Strife. “It’s wonderful.” Joxer’s voice was muffled from the piece of fruit in his mouth.

“Nah thanks. I don’t think I could eat anothah bite.” Strife patted his large stomach contentedly. It was a *very* large stomach. In the last couple of weeks he had blossomed.

Joxer licked the fruit juice from his lips and watched his friend covertly. While Strife was getting bigger in the tummy the rest of him seemed to be shrinking. Gods, who knew he could get *thinner* than he normally was.

“Strife, I want to ask you a question, but I don’t want to upset you.”

“Okay.” Strife looked at his friend warily. What was going on? It was never good when someone told you that they didn’t want to upset you. That was a sure sign that you were *going* to be upset by what they had to say.

“Is there something wrong with the baby?”

Strife’s eyebrows shot up, he was more than a little surprised. “No. Why do ya ask?”

“Well…because you’re so big.” Joxer bit his lip and winced. Now that he heard himself talking, it sounded so insensitive. “I mean, not in a bad way, just big.” Well that helped. “You’re only five months along and already you’re bigger than I am now.”

“It’s cause I’m a man.” At Joxer’s perplexed look Strife explained. “At least that’s what Ace says. He told me that all pregnant people carry their babies differently. Men or women it makes no difference. Howevah, as men we’re different again from women. Our bodies make room for tha babies in otha ways. Ya eitha have a smallah baby…”

“Like I am.”

“…right. Or ya have a regulah sized baby and ya get real big. Like I’m doin.”

Joxer was silent as he digested this information. “I wish I could trade places with you. It would be so much easier for me to have a bigger baby than it is going to be for you.”

“Thank ya, that’s sweet. But I’ll be okay.”

Both men sat quietly for a few minutes and watched the sun glinting off the water. It was so peaceful, something that was rarely found in the lives of the gods.

^^^^^^

It *wasn’t* peaceful on the beach. Ares and Cupid were both upset at how resigned Strife was to his pain. Neither god knew of anything they could do to help him.

Both husbands had to stand there for a few minutes and calm back down.

Ares ended the spell on the sea shell. He was ashamed of himself for listening in, even though he was glad of the information.

Cupid started to go into the tent and realized Strife wasn’t there. He didn’t panic (Well…not too much.), because Ares had put a protection net on this section of the beach. Nobody could flash onto the beach, they had to land outside where he and Ares could see them.

Bliss played on, unaware of the problems *his* adults were having. Thanks to Strife and his *protection disks* this was one little boy who would be allowed to stay innocent, as long as possible.

^^^^^^

Strife had gone for a little walk around the beach. Walking sometimes helped ease the cramps in his back. Here he felt safe. Mostly. A little. He knew this was supposed to be a safe area. Of course, he had been in other*safe* places and that hadn’t ever deterred Tryst before.

Strife was tired. It had been a long day, but he hadn’t said anything because everybody was having such a good time. He didn’t know if Joxer got as tired as he did or was it because of his injuries?

Sigh. Strife was *so* tired of being a burden.

After just a few minutes he headed back to the tent. He knew Joxer would be worried if he was gone very long.

Strife leaned against a tree and rested. (Hey! Yes, there can be a tree on the beach. This *is* Olympus, after all. If they want an iceberg on the beach they can have it.) He closed his eyes and tried to gather enough energy to go on.

“Baby, are you all right?”

Strife didn’t even jump this time. He smiled at Cupid’s worried face. “I’m fine. Just restin a minute.”

Cupid moved around behind Strife and pulled Strife back against his chest. “That tree doesn’t look very comfortable.”

“Not as comfortable as ya are.”

“So how come you didn’t go on into the tent?”

“Pssst, come heah and I’ll tell ya.” Strife waggled his finger and whispered conspiratorially. “It was taa fah.” Strife smiled and giggled.

He was so tired that he was punch drunk. Otherwise he would never have admitted anything to his overprotective husband. Strife leaned back until the back of his head was resting on Cupid’s shoulder.

Cupid looked from the tent to where they were standing. Strife was too tired to make it *15* more feet.

He raised his voice slightly, “Dad, I think it’s time we went home.” Cupid put a finger over Strife’s lips to stop his protest. “It’s been a long day and we’re all tired. Let’s go home.”

^^^^^^

The Next Day

Strife grimaced. Apollo was touching him all over. Even if it was in his *medical capacity* Strife didn’t like it. However, Ace was busy with a plague and couldn’t make it for Strife’s bi-weekly check up.

Apollo’s hands roamed all over Strife’s stomach, rubbing and stroking. They kept going lower and lower and lower. Strife tensed up, causing his back to cramp a little. Just before Apollo would have been touching anything he shouldn’t, he stopped.

“The baby’s doin just fine…” Apollo smiled at Strife. Strife tried not to move. If he moved Apollo might use that as an excuse to *accidentally* touch him on the crotch.

“…but dude, you’ve lost more weight. Haven’t you been eating?” Apollo sat on the side of the couch and frowned at his patient.

“Of course I’ve been eatin. Cupid makes sure I get lots ta eat. Tha problem is, most of it comes right back up.”

“Hmmm…try eating smaller meals, several times a day. Smaller amounts might set on your stomach easier.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Apollo frowned and drew himself up. “I want to apologize for the way I acted a few weeks back. It was tacky of me to hit on you the way I did. Don’t get me wrong, man. I would *really* like to get to know you better.” Apollo rubbed his hand on Strife’s thigh suggestively. “Maybe later, when you’re feeling better.” Apollo rubbed some more and licked his lips. “Anyway, like I said, I’m sorry.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Well, I gotta go now. Call if you need me.” Apollo spoke to Eris who was on the other side of the room waiting. Apollo flashed out in a dazzling display of lights that made Strife’s eyes water.

Strife shook his head ruefully. Only Apollo could apologize for hitting on me as he was making another pass.

Strife watched warily as his mother came over to sit beside him. Could this day get any weirder? He was still stunned that she had volunteered to be his babysitter for the day. She had never cared when he was a child, so why was she so interested now?

“How are you feelin?” Eris pulled out a knife and started playing with it. A sure sign of how nervous she was.

“I’m doin okay.”

“That’s good.”

So much for small talk, Strife thought. He was trying to think of something to fill the silence with when his mother spoke up again.

“I’m sorry. I was, am, a lousy mother. I wish I’d known about Tryst hurting you and I would have stopped it…because I love you.”

Strife sat there stunned. She said she loved me! In all Strife’s life his mother had never once told him that she loved him. He honestly didn’t know how to react. Before he could say anything, Eris flushed a bright red and jumped up.

“I have trouble I’ve got to stir up. Bye.” With that she flashed out.

Again Strife was stunned. She just left me. I’m not supposed ta be alone and she left me. Strife sighed and shook his head trying to get his paranoia under control. (Is it paranoia if somebody’s after you?) I’m fine. Theah’s nothin ta be worried about. It’s not like HE’s hidin in tha corner or nothin.

With that lovely thought running through his brain, Strife knew he couldn’t stay in the sitting room any more. As nonchalantly as possible Strife got up and walked out the door. After all, it doesn’t pay to let a predator know that you’re aware they’re there.

^^^^^^

After a few seconds, the carpet in the *corner* of the room rippled and changed into Tryst. He snarled in frustration and flashed out.

^^^^^^

Strife felt better in the hallway. The *archery target in the middle of his back* feeling had faded the second he left the sitting room. Strife knew he needed to find some company.

And a babysitter.

Sigh. How depressing.

He decided to head down to Cupid’s office where Cupid and Dite were planning a temple dedication.

“Daddy Strife, Daddy Strife.”

Strife turned to see Bliss (Who else would call him Daddy?) running towards him. Alone. “Hiya kiddo. Wheah’s ya nanny?”

“I dunno. Where ya goin? Can I come with you? Are you going to see Daddy?” The little godling bounced around happily.

“So ya ditched her.” Strife tried to look stern. Obviously it didn’t work because Bliss just smiled and kept bouncing.

“Yeah I’m goin ta see yar daddy and ah course ya can come with me.” Strife smiled as he watched his son skipping in front of him. Bliss managed to ditch his nanny more often than not.

Strife kept looking around, doubly afraid now that Bliss was with him. He knew Tryst couldn’t get close enough to attack Bliss, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t just stand down the hallway and blast him.

Strife gasped and stumbled as a sudden pain flared in his side. Holding his ribs, Strife waited for the pain to pass. He started down the hall again and got three more steps before the pain hit again. Strife thumped against the wall and closed his eyes against the burning in his ribs.

“Daddy Strife?”

Strife opened his eyes and looked at his son. “I’m okay. Tha baby is just kickin a little hardah taday.” Strife wasn’t lying. He had realized the pain in his side was the baby kicking against his bad ribs.

He doubled over in pain at another kick.

“daddy strife?”

Bliss was so scared and Strife tried to reassure him, but then another pain flared in his side. When Strife could focus again he noticed that he had fallen onto his hands and knees on the ground. His tummy wasn’t being squished because Strife’s knees were far enough apart. He gasped as he tried to comfort Bliss. Pain slammed into his side again and drove Strife forward, until his forehead was lying on the ground.

Strife wrapped his arms around his torso and grunted in pain as his ribs were hit again.

“DADDY!” Bliss’ hysterical scream echoed through the empty hallway.

^^^^^^

Cupid heard his son’s cry from the other end of the temple and flashed in immediately. “Sweetheart what’s wrong?” Cupid only had eyes for his child at that moment.

“Daddy Strife! Help him!” Bliss pointed and Cupid spun around. His heart stopped when he saw his husband lying bent in two on the floor.

“Strife!” Cupid raced over and grabbed Strife who was gasping for breath. He looked back over at his upset son and was torn. He needed to help both of them! Luckily Aphrodite flashed in and solved his dilemma.

“Come to grandma, sweetie.”

Dite held onto the sobbing little boy while Cupid held onto his husband. Strife jerked in his arms as another wave of pain hit him.

Flash. “What happened?”

Cupid looked at Apollo. “I don’t know I found him like this.” Strife was curled up so tightly that Apollo was having a hard time trying to reach Strife’s stomach. He needed to see if there was something wrong with the baby.

“It’s the baby’s fault. It’s kicking him. Make it stop!” Bliss sobbed louder with the last sentence.

Cupid saw several flashes behind them. He couldn’t stop and wonder who it was. Strife jolted in his arms again and whimpered. Cupid rubbed Strife’s sweat soaked hair off his face. It was the only thing he could think to do. Gods! He felt so helpless.

“Oh god.” Apollo didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t any injury or illness that he could heal. It was the baby doing what babies do. There really wasn’t anything that could be done to stop the baby from kicking, but Strife was in such pain he had to do something. But what?

“Can you move the baby?”

They all looked at Joxer in confusion. They had no idea what Joxer was talking about. After all, none of them had ever been pregnant before. Other than Aphrodite, who was busy with Bliss and didn’t even hear the question.

“Sometimes when my baby starts kicking I can rub it with my hand and get the baby to move some.”

A candle lit up above Apollo’s head as he understood what Joxer was talking about. “Cupid help me. We need to lay Strife on his side.” The two gods gently, but quickly lay the tight ball that was Strife down on his “good” side.

Strife moaned at the extra hurting this maneuver caused. His face was scrunched up in pain. The change in position shifted the baby. Almost immediately he began to relax and in less than a minute Strife lay bonelessly on the floor.

Soon the only sounds in the hallway were Strife’s ragged breathing and Bliss’ sad crying.

“bliss.”

Cupid leaned closer to his husband. “What is it baby?”

“i need ta talk ta bliss.”

“Sweetheart come here.” The little boy shuffled over. Bliss’ wings were drooped and he was sucking his thumb; something he hadn’t done in two years. “Daddy Strife wants to talk to you.” Bliss ran around and stood in front of Strife.

“hiya kiddo. come heah. why dontcha lay down by me a minute.”

Bliss lay down on the ground by Strife and looked at his second father wide-eyed.

“I’m okay now. I really am.” Bliss just looked at him and kept sucking his thumb. “It wasn’t tha baby’s fault. Heah gimme yar hand a minute.” Strife took Bliss’ plump little hand in his shaky one and carefully placed it on his tummy. The shakiness did little to reassure the little boy.

“Theah, feel that?” Bliss nodded his head. Yes, he could feel the faint bumping against his palm. “That’s what tha baby was doin a few minutes ago. Not much is it?”

Bliss shook his head no. He pulled his thumb out. “How come it hurt so much?”

“Do ya remembah a coupla weeks ago when ya hurt yar knee and we had ta wait before we could heal it? Remembah how much worse it hurt when ya bumped it? Little tiny bumps ya’d normally not notice before hurt a lot.”

Bliss nodded thoughtfully. “Sometimes I cried.”

“That’s right. See, it’s tha same with tha baby. It’s not kickin very hard. I was hurtin sa much cause of mah bad ribs.”

“Okay. Are you hurting now?”

Strife weakly shook his head no. “i’m okay now…” Strife’s hand slid off of Bliss’ and landed on the floor. Barely clinging to consciousness Strife made one more effort to reassure the little winged boy. “…why dontcha go with granma dite fah a while.”

“Okay.” Bliss started to get up and then at the last minute he leaned forward and placed a kiss on Strife’s tummy.

“Come on sweetie, let’s go find Grandpa Heph.” With that Aphrodite flashed them out.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

“i can’t right now. just let me rest a minute.”

Cupid looked at his husband lying on the cold, hard marble floor and grimaced. “Baby I’ll take you there.” With that Cupid scooped Strife up in his arms, taking extra care to make sure that he was tilted on his side.

There were several flashes behind Cupid as he slowly walked towards the bedroom. The rest of the gods, with the exception of Apollo, had left now that the crisis was over.

“i’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?” Cupid spoke just as quietly as Strife had. He knew that his husband was mostly asleep.

“i’m sorry ya got stuck with me…”

“Stuck…”

“i…didn’t trap ya…on purpose…”

“Strife! What are you talking about?” Cupid had stopped walking and looked down at his husband. The exhausted young god wasn’t talking about anything right now, because he was fast asleep.

Cupid hurried into the bedroom and laid Strife down on the bed. He wanted to get Strife situated before he woke up.

“I need to examine him.” Cupid looked carefully at Apollo. He didn’t seem his usual lecherous self. Cupid nodded and Apollo ran his hands back over Strife’s stomach.

“Okay, everything seems fine here.”

He ghosted hands across his ribs. “All right. That’s good. Nothing seems to be broken, they might be bruised though. No matter what, they’re going to be really sore for a few days.”

Apollo held his hands above Strife’s body and closed his eyes, concentrating. Apollo snapped his eyes open and laid his hands on Strife’s hips. His hands were moving back and forth slowly. Cupid started to bristle until he noticed the horrified look on Apollo’s face.

“What’s goin on?”

“My…gods.” Apollo’s voice was subdued. “What in Tartarus happened here?”

“What do you mean?” Cupid wanted to shake his infuriating relative.

“His hips are a mess. They’ve been broken…no crushed…more than once.” Apollo removed his hands and stared at Strife. “Damn. He’s got to be in a lot of pain from that.”

Cupid was trying to assimilate this disturbing new information. “Wouldn’t that make having sex really painful?”

“Yeah Dude, it would.” Apollo started to say more and then realized it wouldn’t help anything. “If you need me just yell.” Apollo flashed out. He was so upset that he didn’t add any sparkles to his flash.

Cupid laid down on the bed beside his injured spouse. “Tomorrow. I swear that tomorrow we *are* going to talk about all of this. You aren’t going to wiggle out of it this time, baby.”

Cupid lay awake most of the night, watching Strife and thinking about what he had learned.

Chapter 16

Strife opened his eyes and looked around the bedroom blearily. He was alone in the bed, something that was unusual as of late. He was alone in the room. That was even more unusual. Before he had time to wonder what was going on, he heard Cupid come up behind him.

“Good morning baby. How do you feel today?” Cupid sat down on the side of the bed and stroked one hand gently over Strife’s hip.

“Mornin. Um, not taa bad actually. Mah ribs are real tendah, but not as sore as I figured they would be.”

Strife smiled as he rolled onto his back. All right, so far so good. Nothing was cramping, twisting or pinching yet and for Strife that was a *major* accomplishment. That’s not to say he felt good.

“Are you hungry?” Strife frowned. Cupid was talking so quietly that he was nearly whispering. Strife could see that Cupid seemed unusually serious this morning. He had such a sad look on his face as he continued to pet Strife’s hip.

“Uh, yeah I am.” Actually he wasn’t, but for Cupid’s sake he’d fake it. Strife smiled at his husband and wondered about the subdued reaction he got. Then he mentally smacked himself on the head and said “duh” as it dawned on him what the problem might be. “Everthin’s okay from yestahday, no problems.” When Cupid still looked sad, Strife reiterated. “I’m fine, ya know.”

Cupid’s dark eyebrows shot up at that. “*Fine*, huh.” Cupid shook his head at Strife and sighed…disappointedly?

“Uh, yeah.” Strife was getting nervous. (Wow! Strife nervous, alert the…scribes.) Cupid sounded so…not sarcastic, but so…disbelieving. Yeah, that was it. Cupid didn’t believe Strife.

Strife frowned at that. What else had happened? Had he done something to upset Cupid?

“All right…for now.” Cupid’s eyes flickered between blue and green as he frowned warningly at Strife.

Flash.

Giggling. “Hi boys, I hope I’m not *interrupting* anything.”

Both gods looked over at the Goddess of Love. Cupid sighed a deep, heart-felt, truly put-upon sigh. “No mom, we’re not busy, yet.” More giggling as Aphrodite naturally assumed wrong.

“Moommm.” Another sigh, this one was so deep it came from his toes. The long-suffering son looked from his still giggling mother to his now giggling husband and rolled his eyes. “Was there something you wanted?”

Dite smiled and laughed and bounced and wiggled…and Strife found himself *really* glad that he was a happily married man. Dite was just so…Dite and he *really* shouldn’t be having those kinds of images in his head.

Was her under suit *smaller*? Crap, he didn’t thing that was possible. And if anything the lace overdress was *thinner*.

Wow, first Unc and now Dite. I wondah if bein preggers makes ya supah horny or if HE just hit mah head hardah than I thought. I mean, come on, I’ve nevah looked at *anybody*, othah than Cupid, like that before.

Lost in his musings, Strife missed most of the conversation between bouncy mother and super stud son.

Super stud son. Hmmm. Strife tried to say that three times fast in his head and got even farther behind in the conversation, so he was somewhat surprised when Cupid leaned down and kissed him.

“I’ll be right back baby, I need to straighten something out with mom. Then we can eat…and talk.” Cupid smiled and then went into the hallway.

Okay…he smiled. That was good. At least if he’s smilin, he’s not *taa* mad.

Talk. What did they have to talk about?

He needed something to drink. Strife eased up off the bed and flashed on some clothes. The young god decided to wear something bright and cheery, maybe that would put Cupid in a better mood. So, instead of his usual dark and somber colors, Strife flashed on some light-weight tan pants and a loose tunic that was a riot of colors.

Strife looked in the mirror and was pleased with his appearance. Well, pleased with how his clothes looked, anyway.

Behind Strife there was a flash.

Before he had time to react a gloved hand clamped over his mouth and another one roughly slapped a heavy *Hephestian* metal bracelet on his wrist.

Strife tried to cry out for help, but the yell was cut short when his kidnapper wrapped an arm around his ribs and deliberately squeezed tight. The young god doubled over in pain and promptly passed out.

The two flashed out.

The whole confrontation took less than 10 seconds. Then…well then, it was like Strife had never been there at all.

^^^^^^

When Strife regained consciousness he found that he was tied hand and foot and blindfolded. And gagged. Strife didn’t even try to escape. With the Hephestian bracelet on, he couldn’t use his godly powers and without them he was virtually helpless.

Strife had no idea where he had been taken, but he did realize that he was lying on the floor of a cave. Strife could tell it was a cave because of the feel of the dirt beneath his cheek, the distant sound of water dripping and the way the little bit of wind he could feel echoed around the cavern.

“Oh good, you’re awake.”

The purring voice had an odd quality to it. Disguising it. Making it impossible for Strife to figure out who was talking to him. Probably not Tryst then, his mind supplied. HE loved to flaunt his power and would have no reason to conceal his identity from Strife.

Was that good or bad?

Strife didn’t know whether to be reassured that his attacker might not be Tryst or to be more worried that someone else hated him this much.

“Play time!” The voice snarled at him and then giggled gleefully.

He felt an energy rush around his body as hands yanked him up roughly. He was shoved, stomach first, into the cave wall. Strife bounced off and grunted in pain. With his arms secured behind him, Strife couldn’t protect himself or the baby. “Let’s get started.” The voice laughed at the pain it was causing the injured young god.

Off balance because of his tied feet, Strife started to fall backwards. His kidnapper *helped* by putting a hand in the middle of his back and again slammed him into the rough wall. This time Strife’s head connected with the wall in a hollow thump.

Strife’s hands were untied and brought in front of him where they were attached to shackles that were chest high. Strife was too dazed to resist.

“You took what was *MINE*, you whore. Now you’re going to pay.” This statement was followed by another, final shove into the wall.

There was a zap of energy and Strife’s feet were untied. The kidnapper put one booted foot between Strife’s bare feet and kicked them apart. Strife hissed as pain shot down from his hips.

The blindfold was ripped off, taking some hair with it, just before the kidnapper flashed away.

By twisting uncomfortably Strife was able to untie the knot that held his gag in. He spit out the offending material and tried to lick his now irritated and dry lips.

Strife looked around his prison fearfully. Actually, he tried to look around, but it was too dark to see much of anything. Shadows danced off the wet walls and created illusionary monsters. (Like he doesn’t have enough real monsters.)

Shocky and scared, Strife tried to remain positive. Cupid would find him.

^^^^^^

“Dad, Dad he’s gone. I can’t find him anywhere.” Cupid grabbed hold of Ares’ vest and shook him. “You’ve got to help me. I don’t know where to look. OhgodwhatifTrystdoessomethingtohim.”

Cupid was gibbering. That was really the only word that fit.

Cupid had discovered that Strife was missing within seconds of his being kidnapped. A few minutes later, all of Olympus, and a great deal of the mortal realm, knew that Strife was gone.

Ares tried to calm his son. He *quickly* realized this was a futile effort. Ares threw up his hands mentally and grabbing his incoherent offspring they took off.

Gods and goddesses helped look all over Mt. Olympus, searching every nook and cranny. (Ouch!) Desperately searching for the pregnant god. There was no telling what Tryst would do to him.

Ares and Zeus, plus a *whole lot* of other deities, were grabbing any magical creature they could find. Threatening and intimidating them in hopes of finding Strife.

Wood nymphs and satyrs. Centaurs and sea creatures. They even cornered a hydra. Let me tell you, threatening a hydra is tough, even for gods.

They had the hydra crying in less than two minutes.

Hercules and Iolaus helped look around the base of Mt. Olympus. Threatening and intimidating anybody they thought might know where Strife was.

Xena and Gabrielle helped look around on Mt. Olympus. Threatening and intimidating anybody…well, you get the idea.

Amazingly enough, even Tryst was looking for the missing god. Ironically he *wasn’t* threatening or intimidating anybody. Of course, he was only hoping to find Strife so he could keep the young god for himself.

It was all to no avail. No matter where they looked or who they threatened; nobody could find Strife.

^^^^^^

Strife was trying to rest. That proved to be an impossible task. The way his hands were secured in front of him prevented it.

Strife couldn’t lean up against the cave wall without laying against his stomach and putting pressure on the baby. There wasn’t enough give in the links to let him turn around and put his back to the wall. Similarly, the chain itself wasn’t long enough for Strife to sit down. In order to get off of his feet he would have to kneel on the floor.

The stricken young god was in an extremely precarious and highly uncomfortable position. The shackles were tight and irritated his still aching arms. Standing up hurt his already swollen feet and made his back throb. If he knelt his arms were pulled up above his head. This put an extra strain on his ribs and back. It would also make his knees hurt like Tartarus.

Strife stood up as long as he could. Sadly, in his already weakened condition, that was less than an hour. Eventually he was just too tired. His legs gave way and he slid down the cave wall and onto his knees. This pulled his arms up fairly taunt, which, in turn, put an extra strain on his back and torso. The pain in his side was so bad that Strife tried to get back up and discovered he didn’t have the necessary strength.

So now he was stuck.

^^^^^^

They tried performing another energy search. It should have located Strife straight away. (Unfortunately the energy search didn’t realize this.)

Ares snarled, pacing back and forth in Cupid’s throne room. Strife had been missing for over 10 hours now. Cupid was going to pieces, worrying about what was being done to his husband.

His heart filled with dread as Ares worried. What if Tryst disappeared with Strife? They hadn’t been able to find any sign of the homicidal god these last several weeks. If he took off with Strife, they might *never* find him.

Pace. Pace.

Even if they did find him, would he still be Strife? Ares knew that his nephew was emotionally unstable because of the hormones from his pregnancy and the stress from Tryst’s earlier attack. After Tryst had done Tartarus only knows what for several hours…Strife might not be able to handle it.

Pace. Pace. Pace.

There had to be something else they could do.

The Fates!

Ares stopped abruptly and felt a twinge of hope for the first time today. Of course, The Fates. They had helped before, several times. Maybe they would help now. Again, Ares grabbed his twitchy son and they flashed out.

^^^^^^

Strife cried out in pain as he slumped down. He straightened up and once again laid his head on his manacled arms. He still couldn’t lean against the wall, even twisting his body so that he was leaning on his side, because the cold from the cave wall made the baby kick like mad.

The problem was that Strife was so tired that he couldn’t help slumping down or leaning against the cave wall. So he was punished every time, by either the baby or his own rebelling body.

The pain in his back was steadily building. Not the *baby* back pain. Although that was bad enough. Not even the *broken* back pain. Even worse. No, this was a different kind of pain. It was on either side of his back and was a kind of burning, stabbing pain.

This was a pain Strife could remember, he just didn’t remember when he remembered it from. (Huh? Sorry, poor Strife’s mind is a little off right now.)

Strife tried to lick his lips, but his mouth was too dry. He was so thirsty. Desperately thirst. It had been almost a full day since he had eaten or had anything to drink. The steady dripping he could hear only made the need more intense, which he suspected was the main reason he was being kept here.

There was a flash behind him and Strife tensed up. Oh gods, not again! Every hour, on the hour his tormentor returned.

His kidnapper dropped behind him without a word and ran hands slowly up and down his back. Strife arched his back, trying to get away from the burning touch. A hand slithered between Strife’s legs. He twisted, trying to move his body out of range of the offending hands.

With his body in such an awkward position, Strife wasn’t able to even close his legs. He was chained up and helpless. Completely at the mercy of his unknown tormentor.

Just like all of the other times, the kidnapper gripped as hard as possible. The pain arched up from Strife’s already bruised and swollen groin, all the way to the top of his head.

“No…please stop. Please don’t touch me anymore.”

The plea only made the hands dig in tighter.

“Oooh…poor Strife. Does this hurt?” The false sympathy made Strife flinch. A particularly vicious twist and digging in of fingers had Strife arching his back in pain.

“*Nobody* takes what’s mine.” The voice hissed in his ear.

There was another flash and Strife was left alone. Until the next time.

^^^^^^

The Fates cave proved to be hard to find. Sometimes it was, sometimes it wasn’t. That was just a maddening little quirk of theirs to make sure that the people who sought them out really had to work for it.

Ares wasn’t in the mood.

Neither was Cupid.

Ares and Cupid *finally* flashed into their cave. They had been looking for the site for almost 6 hours.

Cupid wasted no time. He had to find Strife. Now!

Not caring that he was a powerful and important god, Cupid ran over to the three women and dropped to his knees. “Please. I’m begging you. Help me find my husband. You’ve helped before. *Please* help me again.”

The Fates looked at the humbled and, quite frankly, unraveling God of Love…and melted. They raised their hands and with a loud clap of thunder, the cave wall again changed to a scrying mirror. All five deities could see the small opening of a cave.

A cave! Oh gods, they were going to have to look for *another* cave! That could take *hours*.

Cupid jumped up. “Can you please tell me where it is?” His eyes were riveted to the scene in front of him. Cupid was appalled. Strife, his *baby*, was being held in that horrible little place!

“Yes.” The three women intoned. With another wave of their hands the location of the cave was implanted into their brains. “You must hurry,” they stated ominously. “There isn’t much time left.”

Ares thanked the women, because Cupid was doing that twitching thing again, and they flashed out.

^^^^^^

The cave looked even worse in person. A hot, dry wind blew through the desolate and forbidding area. The opening was tiny and almost entirely covered with scrubby vegetation. Bliss would have had a hard time walking in unimpeded. Cupid and Ares, who were much larger than Bliss, had to flash themselves inside.

At first, Cupid couldn’t see anything. It was so dark…and wet…and cold. The air was close and thick. Not much of the wind blowing outside could get inside the cave.

They could hear a low moaning sound that bounced crazily around the chamber.

With a snap of his fingers, Ares illuminated the cavern. The only thing they could see, the only thing there *was* to see, was Strife.

Strife, chained to the wall like an animal.

Cupid raced over, dropped to his knees behind his husband and carefully took hold of Strife by the shoulders.

“Nooooo…please not again.” Strife’s weak plea sounded so hopeless.

“Strife it’s all right now. We found you.” Cupid touched his husband’s back, trying to reassure him. Strife cried out and twisted his back, in a futile attempt to get away. Cupid, unknowingly, had mimicked the kidnapper’s stance behind him.

Strife could still feel the sensation of the kidnapper’s hands on his body. Even hours later they still burned and left him more than a little nauseated.

“No, please don’t touch me any more.”

Cupid froze, just for a second, his heart pounding in fear. ‘Don’t touch me anymore.’ Oh gods. “Baby, it’s me.”

The “baby” broke through Strife’s fear and caught his attention.

Strife stopped writhing in his bonds and twisted his head around. He squinted in the light. His eyes were tearing up, because he had grown accustomed to the darkness. “Cupie?”

“Yeah baby, I’m right here.”

Cupid tightened his grip under Strife’s shoulders pulled up again, trying to take a little of the tension off of his husband’s straining arms. Strife’s clothing was damp and cold. His limp hair had droplets of water in it from where it had dripped down from the cave ceiling.

Strife started to lean back into Cupid’s warm embrace, only to gasp and tense up again. “No, I can’t.”

“Strife, it’s all right. You can relax now. I’ve got you.”

The young god shook his head weakly, droplets of water flying off. “No, it hurts taa much when I relax.”

No matter what Cupid said, Strife couldn’t seem to understand that it was safe to rest now. Ares tried his hand at calming the young god, but had no more luck than Cupid did.

Cupid held Strife up as Hephaestus flashed in and tried to open the chains. He continued to hold him as the chains proved to be unopenable.

Strife’s face scrunched up in pain as he, unconsciously raised himself, by pulling up on the manacles. His hands were ashen from the lack of blood and badly swollen.

“Damnit.” Hephaestus sent another rush of energy into the recalcitrant chains. Useless! “Somebody…Get Hermes, NOW!” The normally levelheaded Heph was growling.

Hermes flashed in and looked at the chains. “These have an anti-lockpicking spell on them.” Hermes concentrated hard and removed the spell. Heph was *finally* able to unlock them.

Strife whimpered as first one and then the other arm was lowered for the first time in *16* hours. The last of his strength failed him. Strife allowed himself to relax and slumped back against his husband’s chest. Cupid rubbed the tensed and knotted muscles in his arms and back, trying to ease the discomfort brought on by returning circulation.

The young god shivered and turned in Cupid’s arms. Strife burrowed into his husband’s side whispering. “Warm, ya’re warm.”

Ares and Hephaestus helped Cupid to stand up with Strife cradled in his arms. Strife kept trying to get closer. “warm, warm,” was all he would say. Cupid held his frozen husband close to his chest and flashed back to their home.

^^^^^^

Joxer flashed into the temple and stood unnoticed in a corner of the room.

“Thank the gods he was found.”

“Yes, I just hope he and the baby are unharmed.”

“Let’s get going, I need to spread the word.”

The room lit up spectacularly as several gods flashed out.

Joxer stalked towards the bedroom, (Wellll…again, he really just waddled.) his long, slender fingers clenched into tight fists. He was absolutely livid. What was going on?

Ares came out of the bedroom just as Joxer reached it. “Ares, tell me what’s going on, NOW!” Ares blinked in surprise. Joxer never got mad, especially at him. “You have been gone *all* day. People are running around like crazy and I want to know WHAT IS GOING ON!”

“Calm down and I’ll tell you.” Ares put an arm around Joxer’s waist and carefully led him back into the meeting room and sat him down. With a deep breath he explained what had happened to Strife.

Ares looked at his flushed and panting husband. “The reason I didn’t tell you sooner was because you are too far along in your pregnancy to be getting this upset…”

Joxer growled and Ares stopped talking. He was shocked when his young husband leaned forward, grabbed his face and fiercely kissed him. “You’re right.”

Ares sat there gaping at Joxer. “What?”

“I said that you were right. This has upset me enough as it is. I can’t imagine being this scared all day.” Joxer smiled sweetly at his bumfuzzled husband. “I want to see Strife now, please.”

Ares just nodded and helped Joxer up and into the bedroom.

^^^^^^

The scene in the bedroom was *slightly* less chaotic than usual. For one thing, there wasn’t a huge audience like there had been the last several times Strife had been injured.

Strife was huddled in Cupid’s arms. He wouldn’t or couldn’t let go of the hold he had around Cupid’s neck.

“warm, warm, warm…”

“Strife, you’re safe now. You can lay down and rest.” Joxer’s soft voice reassured Strife.

Strife heard his friend talking and looked over at Joxer. For the first time Strife seemed to realize that he had been rescued. He looked around the room at his family and flushed bright pink in embarrassment.

“Okay, ya can put me down now.” Strife released the strangle-hold he had on Cupid’s neck and let his husband put him down on the bed. Cupid sat down on the bed and reached over to wipe some dirt off of Strife’s cheek. He stopped when Strife flinched away.

“I’m dirty, I need ta get clean.”

Cupid looked at his beloved husband and grimaced. Strife was a mess. From his sadly drooping hair to his dusty and extremely cold bare feet. With a wave of his hand, Cupid flashed Strife and his clothes clean.

“Thanks.” Strife murmured, trying not to cry. Strife thought it odd that he hadn’t wanted to cry during the ordeal, but now that it was over the need was nearly overwhelming.

“Strife, I want to check and make sure that you and the baby are all right. I need to examine you.”

Cupid watched sadly as Strife cringed at the thought. All of the progress Strife had made in feeling better about himself had been torn away in one day.

“O-okay.” Strife looked pleadingly from Ace to Cupid. “Please let me clean up first…please.”

They were perplexed. What did Strife mean? He was already clean. Joxer, a fellow sufferer, understood and stepped forward.

“Strife, we need to wait on that for a little while.”

“But…I can still feel…” Strife trailed off as he closed his eyes in shame.

“…the hands. I know. Let Ace look you over and then I’ll help you clean up later.”

“promise?”

“You helped me, both times, so don’t you think I’ll help you.”

“okay.” The okay was for Asclepius as much as it was Joxer.

^^^^^^

Ares looked sharply at his husband. ‘Both times?’ What did he mean by that? There was the time Joxer was kidnapped and tortured, but when else?

Joxer peeked over at his husband’s wondering gaze and saw the scowling frown on his handsome face. Uh oh. He had forgotten that Ares didn’t know about those men attacking and almost raping him.

Joxer gazed back over at his friend. Strife is the one who saved me. If it weren’t for Strife’s intervention… Joxer swallowed hard at the memories and at the images of what could have, no, would have happened if Strife hadn’t shown up.

That was actually the first time he met Strife and their friendship had grown from there. It was through Strife that Joxer finally got to know Ares. Where Ares really saw him as someone other than Xena’s nuisance and Gabrielle’s punching bag.

Looking back at his upset husband, Joxer nodded once. Ares acknowledged the gesture. It was agreed. After Strife was better, they would talk.

^^^^^^

Strife was lying on his side as Ace examined him. His hands and arms had been fixed…again, and Cupid was holding his hand. Strife had almost fallen asleep, despite the pain and humiliation he was feeling.

It got loud in the room when they saw Strife’s tummy and heard just how many times he had been hit there. The situation didn’t improve any when Ace got to his back. There were several bruises, but one in particular had everyone’s attention riveted; it was boot-sized.

“Tell me where it hurts.” Strife moaned, no matter where Asclepius touched. But when he touched Strife’s back on the sides, the young god cried out. Ace closed his eyes in concentration. When he opened them again…he looked scared.

“Strife, tell me where you need to ‘clean’.” Strife blushed. He closed his eyes and wouldn’t answer.

“I see.” Ace waved his hand and a privacy curtain went up, covering Strife from the waist down. “I’ll hurry.” Asclepius moved slowly behind the barrier. He looked over at Ares who moved from his place at the end of the bed and went to kneel by the head of the bed.

They all waited as Ace examined him. Cupid tried to comfort his husband, who was obviously in a lot of pain. “I’m almost through.” Finally, Asclepius stood up.

“Strife…are you *hurt* anywhere else?”

Not a sound could be heard as they all waited to see if he had been raped. Thankfully the young god shook his head no.

“I have some balm. Do you want me to put it on for you…or do you want Cupid to do it?”

“I’ll do it.” Cupid sounded so determined and Strife reluctantly agreed.

Again there was silence from everyone except Strife, who couldn’t help but cry out as the medicine was administered. When Cupid stood up he had a hand over his mouth, trying not to throw up. Ares laid a comforting hand on his son’s back and swore, “We’ll get him.”

^^^^^^

“It wasn’t HIM.”

Strife had surprised them. “Why do you say that baby?”

“Tha-tha hands were taa small.” Strife’s voice broke at the admission and Cupid held him while he calmed down.

“We need to sit you up…” Ace paused as Strife jumped; he had almost been asleep. “…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Cupid helped Strife sit up and it wasn’t as bad as they feared, the balm was helping numb some of the more painful areas. Ace brought over a mug of water.

Strife desperately grabbed the mug, spilling some on himself and the bed in his haste. He started gulping the water down and began to choke.

“Baby, slow down. You’re going to make yourself sick.” Cupid took hold of the mug and made Strife wait for a few seconds. Strife kept reaching for the cup until Cupid let him have more.

“You didn’t have anything to eat or drink, did you?”

Strife wouldn’t even stop to answer Joxer, he just kept drinking. Finally, Strife fell into an exhausted slumber, still leaning against Cupid.

^^^^^^

“Strife, wake up. You need to drink some more.”

Strife started crying as he was woken up for the fourth or fifth time. “Please let me sleep.” Asclepius was glad to see the tears. Earlier Strife had been so badly dehydrated that he *couldn’t* cry.

“I know you’re tired.” Ace paused in sympathy. “But you’ve got to drink more. You’re kidney’s are trying to shut down.”

Strife grimaced. “God’s, not again.”

Cupid looked over at Ares who looked just as confused as he was. Joxer patted Strife’s hand sympathetically and apparently did know what was going on.

“How about a deal.”

Strife rolled his head towards Ace. “What deal?”

“If you finish the cup of water you’re drinking and then one more, I’ll let you sleep for 2 hours.”

Encouraged by the thought of 2 whole hours of sleep, Strife started drinking in earnest.

Eventually Strife had to stop. “I’m sorry, I just can’t drink anymore.” Strife’s chin quivered.

“It’s okay, that’s close enough.” Strife looked at Ace questioningly. He was so tired he couldn’t concentrate. “Go to sleep now.”

Cupid lay down on the bed with Strife, because Strife started to panic at the idea of them letting go of each other. Cupid held his husband as close as he possibly could and watched him sleep.

^^^^^^

2 hours later

Ummm. Wrapped in Cupid’s arms, what a wonderful way to wake up. Strife opened his eyes and smiled at his husband.

“Hi baby. How do you feel?”

Strife thought for a second. “I feel bettah.” Strife sat up, with the help of Cupid…and Ace…and Ares. Okay, maybe better is a relative term, Strife thought as he sipped some more water.

He looked over and frowned as he saw Joxer *still* sitting there. “Unc, ya gotta take Joxah home, because he needs ta rest.” Strife sighed at the guilty look Ares got on his face. “Go on now, I’ll be all right.”

Ares helped a *very* tired Joxer to stand up. “I’ll see you later.” Joxer even sounded tired. Strife frowned at his uncle.

“Ya just take care ah Joxah.”

Strife turned to Cupid as the two gods flashed out. “Wheah’s Bliss?”

“He’s with mom.”

“Does he know I was hurt?” Strife could see by the look on Cupid’s face that he did. “Then ya gotta go ta him, he needs ta see his daddy.”

“Strife, I’m not going to leave you. You need me.” Cupid had a stubborn look on his handsome face.

“Ah course I need ya, but sa does Bliss. I’ll be okay.”

Cupid was finally convinced when Asclepius and Apollo said they would stay until he got back. Surely he would be safe with two gods watching him. With a kiss, Cupid reluctantly flashed out.

Strife lay back down with a weary groan and fell asleep.

^^^^^^

Cupid sat beside the bed, watching Strife sleep. Strife was doing much better; his kidneys had started working correctly the next day. Strife was doing better emotionally as well.

Of course, Strife had more practice at being tortured and abused. He was *almost* used to it.

^^^^^^

3 days later

Strife was laying in bed resting. He hadn’t been doing anything…and he wasn’t complaining. He was so exhausted that sitting up was a *major* chore.

The scene with the baby kicking him, being kidnapped, the…everything that had happened this last week had him sore and worn out. He smiled at Joxer who had come for a visit.

“So how are ya doin?”

Joxer frowned, his nose wrinkling. “Okay, I guess, but let me tell you a secret.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “If I see another glass of milk, I’m going to scream.”

Strife giggled at the fierce look on Joxer’s face. It didn’t really suit him. It looked like a puppy who was threatening to lick you to death.

“I can only imagine. Cupe’s already fed me more milk than I’ve evah had in mah whole life. Gods only knows what it’ll be like when I’m furthah along.”

The two gods smiled at each other and sighed indulgently. No matter how much they might grouse, they would still drink the accursed milk. It was good for them, good for the babies and more importantly…made their husbands happy.

They talked for a while, about baby names and the gifts Joxer and Ares kept receiving. Joxer told Strife about the present that Salamoneus had brought. Unlike what everyone had expected it wasn’t an example of his latest scam, I mean, sales opportunity. The present was a gold coin. Not just any gold coin. It was one of the few of Midas’ gold coins that were left. They were very rare and supposed to bring good luck to the owner.

Strife laughed when Joxer told him about the look on Aphrodite’s face when she had seen the present. Dite had been *so* jealous, because Sal’s present had been “way better” than hers. Joxer sat and enjoyed watching Strife’s amusement.

Then, for a while, nothing was said as the two men communed with their babies. Both of them were stroking their tummy’s and feeling the babies bumping back. It was a quiet, peaceful moment. One to be cherished and never forgotten.

After a while, neither one of them were very comfortable. Joxer squirmed in the chair and Strife twisted in the bed.

“Joxah, I don’t mean ta be rude or nothin, but I’m gonna hafta lay on mah side for a little while.”

Joxer smiled at his friend. “Don’t worry about me, just make yourself comfortable.”

Strife smiled back and turned on his side. Turning over was a slow and laborious process that left Strife shaky and sweaty.

Joxer whished he could help, but that was just out of the question. Picking up anything bigger than a cat made his stomach twinge. Strife wasn’t a very big man, but he was heavier than a cat.

Barely.

Then it was Joxer’s turn. Oh joy. Joxer maneuvered around until he was awkwardly able to get up.

Thank goodness I can get up. That is one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever sat on. Joxer thought to himself as he walked around the room. Considering the fact that Joxer had spent the majority of his life sitting on either rocks or the ground, that said a lot.

Joxer rubbed his stomach and arched his back a little. Two more weeks. That’s all that was left before he had this baby. He was so glad it was almost over. As big as he was there just was no way to get comfortable any more.

Joxer snuck a glance back at Strife’s…well, back. He didn’t see how Strife was going to handle it. Joxer’s ribs and back ached enough as it was. With Strife’s body already being injured he was going to be in agony before it was all over with.

I’m so in awe of his resilience. With all he’s been through, he’s still able to smile and be cheerful. If I had been left chained up like that, I would still be screaming, especially since we don’t know who the kidnaper was.

My dinar’s are still on Tryst. He could’ve changed his appearance to fool us into thinking somebody else was after Strife. That sort of mind game would be something he would love doing.

A light knock at the door interrupted Joxer’s musings. It was one of Cupid’s temple priests. He bowed deeply to Joxer. (Hey, if you were standing in front of *Ares’* hubby wouldn’t you kiss…uh, up?) “My Lord. I wanted to check and make sure that neither you nor Lord Strife needed anything.”

Before Joxer could answer there was a loud cry behind him.

“Strife?!”

Joxer hurried over to the bed as fast as he could. He kind of bent/squatted over awkwardly and saw that Strife’s face was scrunched up in pain.

Nonono, please not something else! What in Hades’ name is happening now? How much more is Strife expected to go through?

“What’s wrong? Where are you hurting?” Joxer’s voice was calm, in an attempt to keep Strife calm. Inside, well inside was another matter. Inside, Joxer was panicking.

“Mah back. Theah was a terrible sharp pain in mah back.” Strife looked up at Joxer with pained blue eyes. “Has yar baby evah kicked ya in tha back like that?”

“Kicked me, yes, but it never hurt like this.” Joxer created another chair and sat down beside his friend and began rubbing circles on his arm. “Is the pain letting up?” Strife just shook his head no, his face pressed into the pillow.

From the doorway, the forgotten temple priest was watching the scene coolly. When he saw Strife shake his head the priest calmly and efficiently left to go and get Cupid. (Okay, not really. Actually the poor guy was shaking in his boots, er…sandals, and he ran down the hall in a shrieking panic.)

Joxer was still rubbing Strife’s arm when Cupid came running into the room. In his fright Cupid forgot that he was a God and therefore he could just flash himself there. Cupid slowed down just long enough to help Joxer up and then he shoved the chair out of the way. Cupid dropped to his knees beside the bed and took hold of Strife’s hand.

Stroking Strife’s face he smiled at his husband. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Mah back.” Strife whimpered. “It hurts sa bad.”

For Strife to admit this out loud the pain would have to be really bad. Most of the time Strife suffered in silence. *No one* really knew how much he hurt day in and day out.

Asclepius flashed in, just in time to hear Strife’s admission. He pulled the covers down and Strife’s tunic up so that he could examine Strife better.

“I feel wet.” Strife whispered to Cupid.

Cupid had a pretty good idea where Strife was talking about. “Let me check.” Cupid whispered back. He kissed Strife’s ear. “You might have had an accident. Don’t worry if you did, it would be an easy thing to happen when something startles you.”

Strife was very self conscious. When he had been tied to the wall there had been no way for Strife to go to the bathroom, so he had ended up soiling himself. Now he got easily upset at the thought of having another accident.

Trying not to cause Strife any extra embarrassment, Cupid slid his hand under the covers and between Strife’s legs. It was indeed wet.

“Yeah baby, you are a little wet, but I’ll get you cleaned right up. Nobody else ever needs to know.” Cupid frowned. Something wasn’t right. The liquid on his hand was…sticky.

Cupid pulled his hand out and looked at it. It was red. Before he had time to be frightened he heard Ace gasp. Cupid looked up to see that Ace was holding up a red hand too.

“My God! He’s been stabbed.

Part 17

Asclepius’ pronouncement caused the room to explode in a flurry of activity.

“Dad!” Ace yelled for Apollo. Apollo flashed in immediately, hearing the alarm in his son’s voice.

“I’m going to need your help, Strife’s been stabbed.”

Apollo took one look at the situation and hollered for Hera. The Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth flashed in and was quickly informed of the situation. The three healers went off to huddle in a corner; where they quietly and desperately consulted on what to do.

^^^^^^

“What?!” Joxer’s panicked shriek brought Ares flashing in. “I don’t understand.” Joxer was close to tears as he grabbed his husband in panic. “How…how could he have been stabbed? When? I’ve been right here beside him the whole time.”

Ares looked at Strife, who was bleeding and paled when he realized that his beloved husband and baby could have been hurt too. He clutched Joxer to him and began looking around the room intensely.

*Tryst.* It just *had* to have been him.

Where was that son of a bitch?

^^^^^^

Cupid stared at his bloody hand, wide-eyed for a few seconds. He vanished the blood with a thought before he leaned back over his husband. Cupid didn’t want Strife to realize how badly he was hurt. (Like he couldn’t hear the yelling.) Strife’s getting upset would only make his condition worse.

Ironically, Strife was the only one in the room who was *not* panicking. He was in too much pain and everything was getting fuzzy again. All of Strife’s flagging energy was concentrated on not passing out.

“No flash.” The whisper could barely be heard over the chaos.

Cupid leaned in closer to hear what Strife was saying. “Baby? What do you mean, ‘no flash’?”

“Theah…wasn’t a flash before…or aftah I was hurt.”

It took Cupid a couple of seconds to figure it out, but then he understood what Strife was saying. “He was already here and he’s still here.”

Joxer and Ares had crowded in closer when Strife started talking and could hear what they were saying. So could Aphrodite and Hephaestus who had just flashed in. The small group was standing right beside the bed, so they were *just barely* able to hear the whispered conversation.

Joxer turned around in Ares’ comforting arms and leaned against his husband’s chest. He snuggled closer and whispered in Ares’ ear. “The chair, the one on the other side of the bed. I have a feeling that’s him.”

Heph moved back as the healers again swarmed around the bed. “I’m going to get out of the way.” He casually limped to the other side of the bed. Some of his chains appeared in the hand he had behind his back. He nonchalantly moved closer to the seemingly inoffensive chair.

Heph attacked.

At the last second, the chair rippled and changed into a hulking, sneering Tryst. Just as Heph was snapping the shackles around his arm, Tryst laughed derisively and flashed out.

Half a second sooner and they would have had him.

Hephaestus was crouched on the floor where he had fallen when Tryst made his escape. Guiltily, he looked over at the bed and saw Strife, who was now lying on his back, looking over at him.

“Ya almost got him.” A smiled briefly skittered across Strife’s face and Heph felt something break inside. Strife had been hurt by Tryst, again, and he was trying to make everybody feel better because they hadn’t caught him.

Heph looked over at the others and saw he wasn’t the only one who was devastated.

^^^^^^

Cupid looked at his husband and was more frightened than ever. Strife was growing paler by the second. The sheets beneath him were fast becoming a bright crimson as more and more blood poured onto them. His stomach was distended and getting bigger as they watched.

Strife groaned and clutched at his ribs in agony.

“Damnit he’s bleeding internally.” Apollo spared a quick glance at Cupid. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding, now!”

‘Or he’ll die’. Cupid didn’t need to hear the words spoken to know they were true. He held on to Strife’s hand and tried to offer what comfort he could to his husband.

^^^^^^

Strife was only vaguely aware of what was going on around him. The pain in his back and ribs was so all-consuming that that was the only thing his mind could cope with at the moment.

Cupid was holding his hand and Strife tried to concentrate on that instead. Cupid was his lifeline, the only thing keeping him even marginally sane. No matter the brave face that Strife put on, inside his mind he was shaky. He didn’t know how much more he could stand.

Strife saw Hera sit down on the bed and knew what was coming. Tears were streaming down his face. Tears of pain and fear. Fear of what was happening to him, fear for the baby and fear of the pain that was looming in front of him. Inside his head Strife was screaming, NO! Get her away from me!

He didn’t say anything out loud though. He couldn’t. There wasn’t time to brace himself for the coming ordeal. Strife gripped Cupid’s hand tighter and held on for dear life. His and the baby’s.

^^^^^^

Hera’s hands were glowing once again, but this time she only pushed one hand into Strife’s stomach. Strife cried out weakly, but he didn’t have the strength left to struggle.

Apollo quickly sent a flash of healing energy into Strife’s side and sealed the knife wound. Then he concentrated and vigilantly siphoned the extra blood out of Strife’s abdomen. The group watched as Strife’s stomach deflated, going back down to it’s normal size. Normal pregnancy size, anyway.

As soon as she possibly could, Hera withdrew her hand.

^^^^^^

Strife made soft gasping noises as he struggled to breathe. His chest heaved with the effort and his lips were turning blue. The horrible pain in Strife’s back was gone, but he was so worn-out that he simply didn’t have the energy left to breathe.

“Why is he having such a hard time breathing?” Cupid was going to pieces as his husband struggled more and more to take in air.

“He’s lost so much blood, it’s making him even more fragile than before. All of the upheaval lately, added to the strain of his pregnancy has drained his godly energy.”

While he was talking, Apollo put his hands over Strife’s body and sent an energy surge into him. An energy surge was different than magic and wouldn’t damage the baby. They watched as Strife’s body arched up slightly at the impact. It didn’t help. He was getting paler as his breath grew shallower.

“tha…baby…save tha baby…” Strife’s weak request terrified Cupid.

“Strife, we’re going to save both of you.” Ace sounded so positive that Strife almost believed him.

“Baby, it’s going to be all right.”

Strife looked at Cupid, he seemed so far away. Strife wanted to touch his husband’s beautiful face *just one more time*, but he couldn’t raise his hand that far off the bed.

“I…love…….ya…”

Cupid’s eyes widened in terror. Wait! That was…Strife sounded so…final. NO! He was not going to lose his love.

“Baby, I love you too, with all my heart. You’ve just gotta hang on for a little while longer. Please.”

He clutched harder at Strife’s hand. Cupid could see the bruises already forming from how tightly he was hanging on to it, but he just couldn’t let go. Cupid knew that if he eased up on his grip at all, Strife was going to slip away.

Ares put a supportive hand on Cupid’s shoulder. Cupid looked up at him with eyes that were drowning with tears. “Daddy, please help me.”

Ares’ heart broke at his son’s lost expression. There wasn’t anything he could do for either of his sons. He watched the one that was dying physically and the one that was dying inside. Dying himself, he pulled his sobbing husband into his arms and wondered how they would ever survive this.

^^^^^^

Boom.

Everyone looked up at the sound. There was a new group in town. They were called the Self Appointed Guardians and they were ready to guard Strife against any terror. Not all of them were in the bedroom, although several more gods and goddesses were standing in the hallway. No, some were (naturally) watching via scrying mirror.

They were all prepared to see Tryst. Ferociously desperate to see Tryst and more than ready to rip him into bloody, screaming strips.

What they got was Hades, the God of the Underworld standing there looking dark and grim.

“NO!” Cupid screamed in terror as he jumped up and faced his uncle. “No, you can’t have him.”

Hades raised a hand and with a bright flash of light froze everyone, in various states of anger and fright. He ignored the horrified looks he was getting and went over to lean against the bed. They all watched as Hades closed his eyes and drew power to him. Streaks of energy swirled around his body.

He bent over and placed one hand on Strife’s chest, hovering right above his heart and with the other he carefully raised Strife’s head. Hades took a deep breath and the swirling energy was pulled deep into his lungs. He angled himself so that his mouth was just above Strife’s.

It wasn’t a kiss even though to some it looked like it. He blew swirls of sparkling, life giving breath into Strife’s mouth as he sent a bolt of energy into his chest. Sparks could actually be seen going from Hades’ hand to Strife’s twitching body. After almost a minute of continued life-saving efforts, Hades stepped back and sat down on the bed beside Strife.

Strife gasped and took several long, shuddering breaths. He started crying hysterically and Hades materialized a cloth to wipe his face.

“Shh, it’s all right. Just try to relax and breathe deeply.”

Strife did as he was told and was surprised when it didn’t hurt. “Cu-cu-cupid?” He looked desperately over at his husband.

Hades reached over and extracted Strife’s hand from Cupid’s grip. Cupid watched helplessly. “Strife’s frozen too.” Hades explained his actions to Cupid. “He can’t feel your hand.” With that explanation, Hades laid Cupid’s hand beside Strife’s head. Strife closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek against Cupid’s hand.

The SAG’s stayed as they were (Mainly because they were frozen.) for several minutes, until Strife calmed down and was breathing easier. Hades waved a hand absently and in an instant Strife, his clothes and the bedding were clean once again. Hades waited until Strife was relaxed before he began speaking.

“You have a decision to make.”

With a great deal of effort, Strife opened his eyes and looked up at the God of the Underworld in trepidation. In a shaky and still breathless voice he questioned. “What decision?”

“Whether you come with me or stay here.”

Strife blinked in surprise. *He* got to decide whether he lived or died.

“I couldn’t breathe.” The terror in his eyes was easy to see.

“Don’t be frightened. That is not a consideration anymore. I was able to supply you with enough energy to sustain you until you get your strength back.” Hades gave Strife a small, sad smile. “I wouldn’t leave you here to suffer like that. As for the blood loss…” Hades turned to the frozen Asclepius. “…you might consider looking at future *mortal* medicine for a solution to that problem.”

Ace’s eyes lit up as he realized what Hades was talking about. With a wave of his hand, Hades unfroze Ace. “Go. Get what you need.” Asclepius hesitated, giving one last agonizing look at Strife and then flashed out of the room.

“I…” Strife closed his eyes in pain. Emotional, not physical this time. Then Strife’s face closed off as he tried to reign in his feelings of terror and helplessness. “…I’d just be delayin tha inevitable.”

“What do you mean?”

Strife unconsciously leaned into Cupid’s hand, seeking every bit of comfort he could find. “HE’s relentless, ya know.” Strife said this conversationally, as if it concerned someone else. “HE won’t give up until I’m dead.” Strife’s attempt at an unemotional façade broke as he sobbed out the last word.

Hades gazed around at the frozen gods, trying to think of what to say. Before he could come up with an answer he became aware of Joxer. A wide-eyed and very, very, very (Okay, you get the point.) pregnant Joxer. Very, very. (Stop that!) Very. (Smack. *Silence*.) With a wave of Hades’ hand, Joxer unfroze. Joxer gasped and his hands automatically flew down to cradle his stomach.

“You probably need to get off of your feet.” Hades thought up a new chair and Joxer sat down.

“Thank you. Please don’t freeze me again.” Hades frowned and tilted his head in consideration. Joxer had sounded almost terrified. “I couldn’t feel the baby when I was frozen. I’ll sit here quietly, if that’s what you want.”

Hades inclined his head. “All right.” Hades smiled gently. He didn’t want to upset Joxer.

Joxer looked over at Strife and could see a new anxiety hovering in his friend’s pale blue eyes. Joxer understood what was wrong and immediately reached over and touched Strife’s tummy. He smiled at the familiar fluttery butterfly feeling under his hand.

“Everything’s fine.” Joxer reassured his friend. “I can feel the baby.” Joxer smiled at Strife who smiled back faintly.

Turning back to Strife, Hades continued their conversation. “Don’t worry about not being able to move. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m keeping you frozen, so you won’t feel any pain. That way you can relax and think calmly.” Hades smiled sadly at Strife. “No, your trouble with breathing is not an issue now. However, there are other things you need to consider.”

“Like what?” Strife took another deep breath and coughed. He looked into his husband’s begging eyes and tried to smile. “It’s gonna be all right.” Strife didn’t know if he was lying or not, but he had to say *something*, he couldn’t stand to see Cupid so upset.

Hades looked up at Cupid and smiled sympathetically, imagining his reaction if it were his wife, Persephone were lying there. “Don’t panic yet.”

Cupid was trying. Really. But having to stand by helplessly as the God of the Underworld tells your husband he can decide whether or not he lives or dies isn’t really very conducive to calm feelings. (Ya think.) Especially since Strife seemed to be having trouble making the decision.

“It’s not fair.”

Hades moved closer to Strife. “What’s not fair?” He spoke softly.

“I keep gettin sick and hurt. It ain’t fair ta everybody fah them ta hafta keep bein upset by it.”

Hades looked at Strife’s trembling lips and listened to what his great-nephew *wasn’t* saying. “What do you see when you look around the room?” Strife just looked confused. “Let me tell you what *I* see. I see a *large* group of people who love you and who are *very* frightened at the moment.”

Strife’s eyes widened at the word *love*.

“Yes…love. However, this decision is not about them, it is about you. Your feelings and your pain.” Hades looked over at Cupid as he spoke. “We all know some of what you’ve gone through. I don’t think *anybody* would blame you if you couldn’t stand any more.”

Hades turned back to Strife. “Do you think you will be able to endure the pain?” Hades carefully wiped Strife’s face again. “I’m not saying this to influence you, or scare you. However…you do realize that it’s going to get a lot worse, don’t you. The pain you’ve felt today is just the beginning.”

Strife nodded his understanding. The pain on his ribs when his stomach had swollen up so suddenly was just a taste of what it was going to be like in a couple of months.

“There’s always hope.” Hades looked at Strife steadily. “As long as you are alive there’s hope.”

Strife took a deep, shuddery breath, looked the God of the Underworld straight in the eye and said something he never thought he would say.

“I want ta live.”

Sighs of relief from the SAG’s gusted around the room, but no one sighed louder than Hades. A bright, sunny smile broke out on his face. “I have waited for over three years to hear you say that.”

Strife looked away from Cupid and back to Hades. “Oh. So, ya knew about that, huh.”

Hades cocked his head and smirked. “I *am* the God of the Underworld, of course I would know.” He gazed around the room at the gods and goddesses assembled there. (Again, a small crowd had gathered.) Hades made a decision. “Strife, I have a confession to make.” “Confession?”

“Yes. Do you remember an incident about two and a half years ago? There was a problem with a juggler at a festival.” Strife’s brow creased as he frowned. “The juggler dropped several things, slipped in a manure pile and set fire to the tent, which sent a team of horses racing through the town, dragging the driver and dropping jugs of wine everywhere.”

Strife grinned. “Oh yeah, I remembah now. That was onna tha funniest things I’ve seen in a long time. Everybody thought I did it, but fah once I was innocent.” Strife watched as Hades blushed. “That was yar doin?” Hades nodded. “How come?”

“Because you needed two weeks.”

Strife brow furrowed in confusion. “Uh, I don’t undahstand.”

“I knew, because The Fates told me (Interfering biddies aren’t they.), that in two weeks you would run into Cupid again. They said he would *finally* get his act together and start pursuing you. Without those two weeks…well, let’s just say…you probably wouldn’t be here.”

“No, I wouldn’t.” Strife had a thoughtful look on his face. He glanced around the room and saw how many people were there. Briefly the mischief aspect of his personality took over and he wondered if he should sell tickets. He’d probably make good money.

Strife knew that talking in riddles like this wasn’t fair. He summoned up the courage and decided to let his family know what he and Hades were talking about.

“Did they discuss tha dagger?” Strife wouldn’t look at anyone. This was going to be hard enough to admit.

“Yes, right after you turned away…” Hades tilted his head and silently asked Strife for permission. After a quick glance around the room, Strife reluctantly nodded yes. “…after you turned away, Hercules and Iolaus told the location of the Hind’s blood dagger.”

Again there were gasps, but this time they weren’t in relief.

“Yeah, I’d been followin Herc and Iolaus fah a long time, watchin and hopin they’d talk about tha dagger. They were tha only one’s that knew it’s location.” Strife snuck a glance up and saw confusion in his uncle’s eyes. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t gonna try ta kill anybody with it.”

“That’s not true.” Everyone’s eyes snapped over to Hades.

“You were going to kill yourself, weren’t you?” Eyes swung over to Joxer. Joxer’s voice held no accusation, just pain. Pain that Strife had been hurting so much…and *no one*, not even him, had noticed.

“Yeah, I was.” Strife closed his eyes at the admission of his attempted suicide. “Thank ya.” He looked at Hades. “Thank ya fah tha two weeks.”

“You are so much more than welcome.”

^^^^^^

Hades glanced up as Asclepius flashed back in. Ace’s gaze flicked from Hades to Strife questioningly. “You’d better get that I.V. set up.” Hades smiled and Ace realized he still had a patient to take care of.

Asclepius was hopeful. If Hades still wanted him to help Strife, then maybe the stricken young god had a chance. Ace picked up Strife’s lax hand and rubbed the pale skin until he could see a vein. It took a while, because of the blood loss. Meanwhile, Strife reveled in the luxury of being able to breathe without pain. After Ace found a suitable vein it was easy to get the needle inserted and start the I. V.

“I’m going to need some different blood. Right now I’m using mortal blood, but what Strife really needs is some godly blood.”

Hades looked around the room and sighed. “I’ll need to unfreeze everybody now.” Inside Hades cringed. He knew they would be mad at him for almost taking Strife back to the underworld with him.

“Wait a minute! Before you do I need to know how much you’re supporting Strife. If he’s going to collapse the second you release him, I’m going to need some more help.” Ace kept fiddling with the I. V., trying to get it as painless as possible.

“I’m not maintaining Strife at all. He’s surviving all on his own.”

Ace crouched by Strife’s side. “Are you ready? Can you handle the pain yet or do you need some more time to rest?”

Strife smiled faintly at the healer. “I’m ready. I don’t like not feelin tha baby eithah.” He smiled knowingly at Joxer. Then Strife glanced over to where Cupid was still touching his face. “And I don’t like not feelin Cupe touchin me, otha than mah face that is.” He giggled weakly; it was so unlike his usual laugh that it was actually painful to hear.

“Very well then.” Hades leaned over Strife and waved his hand. Strife gasped and jerked slightly at the return of feeling.

“See, that ain’t sa bad.” Strife’s shaky voice and tense body belied his claim.

With another wave of his hand, Hades unfroze the rest of the room. “I’m going to go now.”

“Wait!” Strife reached out and grasped Hades’ hand. “Thank ya. Fah tha two weeks and fah lettin me have tha choice.”

“You’re welcome great-nephew. I’m glad I could help.” Hades paused and looked around the room. “I’ll see you again.” This statement gave no joy to most of the people in the bedroom.

“Okay.” Strife smiled again. “How about ya come fah a visit aftah tha baby’s born?”

Hades smiled delightedly; he was so happy at being asked to come for a *happy event*. “I’d like that.” With a wave of his hand the rest of the room unfroze and he left in a flash of black sparkles.

^^^^^^

“I’m going to do it.” Shove.

“No, *I* am.” Shove back.

“Boys, get out of my way, I’m going to help Strifey.” A jiggle and a shove.

Strife smiled as he watched his family fighting. It wasn’t unusual to see them fighting, as a matter of fact, seeing them acting loving and peaceful was when it got scary. This time they were fighting over *him*. Specifically over who got to give him blood.

Like it was a great privilege.

He was touched at the amount of love he could feel in the room. Ace had told them that “all godly blood is the same”. After that declaration, the argument had begun.

Joxer sat quietly with a bemused look on his face that Strife was sure matched the one on his own. Joxer, of course, was exempt from donating blood, because of his advanced pregnancy.

Finally Ares had had enough. “All right, that’s it! Back off! I’m going to go first and anybody who doesn’t like it is going to get blasted!” Amazingly enough, after that touching statement, the rest of the gods and goddesses gave in gracefully. Well, they shut up anyway.

******

Cupid was ignoring everybody but Strife. He had a soft cloth that he kept wiping Strife’s face with. Cupid was afraid, no he was terrified. He didn’t want to take his eyes off of his husband for a second.

He just didn’t know how to protect him.

Cupid felt a scream bubbling up in his throat. He pushed it back down. That would come later. *After* Strife was safe.

But how?

******

Strife looked up at Joxer. “Ya need ta go home.” Strife gave his friend a sad smile. “Maybe it would be bettah if ya didn’t come ovah ta see me fah a while.”

Joxer was astonished by the request. What was going on inside Strife’s mercurial mind?

“Strife what are you saying?”

“It ain’t safe fah ya ta be heah.” Strife fumbled blindly for Joxer’s hand. “I don’t want ya ta be a victim taa.”

“Strife, he didn’t hurt me. I’m *fine*.” (Oh crap, there’s that ‘I’m fine’ business again.)

Strife frowned. “I know ya weren’t hurt, but that doesn’t mean ya weren’t victimized.” Strife stopped to take a deep breath. He was concentrating so completely on Joxer that he failed to notice that Ares and the SAG’s had stopped breathing.

“HE was tha chair ya were sittin on, wasn’t he?”

Joxer nodded cautiously as he tried to disregard the gasps of dismay he heard. He could literally feel the tension building in the room, especially from his husband’s increasingly tense form standing beside him.

“HE coulda hurt ya. Ya and tha baby.” Strife looked over at Ares and then quickly back to Joxer. “I saw that ya were havin a real hard time gettin comfortable sitting theah. Right?” Joxer nodded yes and cringed, because he knew what was coming and it *wouldn’t* be good.

“HE was gropin ya.” It was less of a question and more of a statement.

Joxer winced at the look on Ares’ face. “Yes, he was.”

******

The SAG’s were horrified. Not only had Tryst hurt Strife, he had *felt up* a very vulnerable Joxer.

Some of the people gasped in dismay. Others began to growl. They all turned towards Ares and collectively got as far back as the room would allow. There was a great deal of pushing and shoving. People were jammed into corners with elbows stuck in their sides.

*Nobody* was complaining though. If it got them a few inches father away from the chariot wreck that was about to happen, they were happy to have the bruises.

Ares’ face was turning purple. His hands were clenched so tightly you could hear the tendons popping under the strain. His eyes were growing blacker and were just plain…scary.

Joxer reached up one pale, trembling hand and placed it on Ares’ chest where he rubbed it soothingly. Ares looked into his husband’s soulful brown eyes and smiled fondly.

Everyone let out the breath they didn’t know they were holding and relaxed as Ares calmed down, at least outwardly. Nobody really wanted to be around a pissed off God of War when the maniac responsible for the…pissing off…was nowhere to be found.

******

“Ya see, HE’s relentless. HE musta snuck inta tha temple by pretendin ta be somebody else. Sa many people have been in and outta mah room, it woulda been easy fah him ta get lost in tha throng.”

Strife coughed. He was still having a difficult time breathing and these long speeches weren’t helping.

“HE’ll just keep comin til he gets me.”

Cupid wanted to reassure Strife, they all did, but the truth of the matter was that they were worried too.

“Is that why you said you’d only be delaying the inevitable?”

Strife nodded tiredly. He didn’t really want Joxer to go, but he loved his friend and uncle dearly. Strife wasn’t going to risk either Joxer or the baby. Certainly not over *him* and definitely not just because he needed his friend to comfort him.

Flash.

The collection of gods surged forward in an effort to shield the two expectant men from harm. Welll…that was the intention anyway. In reality they ended up running into each other and were more of a hindrance than anything. So, it was a good thing there wasn’t any actual danger.

Just Hades.

“Oops.”

Watching these antics made Strife giggle which started Joxer giggling. Watching the objects of concern who seeming to be so happy, nobody could stay mad or worried for very long. Hades smiled and they all settled down, although a non-grim Hades was more than a little disconcerting.

“Strife, I have a present for you.”

Strife lay quietly for a few seconds, trying to get his breath back.

“…oh…okay.” Strife was fading fast. His borrowed energy would only get him so far.

Hades looked at the SAG’s. “Try not to panic.”

Naturally being who they were, they began to panic. There was a great deal of pushing and bumping.

Hades rolled his eyes at their antics. Tartarus, he worried about his family sometimes, he really did. Hades struck an impressive pose, snapped his fingers…and nothing happened.

Hades smiled at Strife and self-consciously snapped his fingers again. And *again* nothing happened.

“CHARON!”

Everyone jumped at the bellow, except Strife. He was just too worn out to care about much at this point.

Flash. sizzle. Flash. pop.

After several misstarts there was a final flash. Standing in the middle of the bedroom floor was an unusual creature. A two-headed dog.

Now you might be asking yourself, ‘what’s the big deal’. After all, Cerberus was a *three* headed dog. Well, keep in mind that Cerberus was one of a kind and his job was to guard the gates of the Underworld. Not exactly a popular vacation spot. So, most people, even the gods, never saw him. At least not those who could come back and talk about it. (Except for Iolaus of course, and that poor dope has seen Cerberus so much he sends him doggie bones for Solstice Day.)

Anyway…suffice it to say that the dog’s appearance was a *big* surprise.

“What the Zeus’ name is *that*?” Who knew Ares’ voice could get that shrill?

“That is Bob.”

“Bob? What kind of name is that?”

“Well it’s, ummm, it’s…fine, I don’t know.” Hades looked sheepish. “Cerberus named the puppies. He said it was a future name.”

“Oh.” Okay, so what’s he doing here?”

“No, no, it’s a she.”

“WHAT?!!”

“Yeah. Don’t blame me, it’s all Charon’s fault.”

^^^^^^

Strife watched the dog with dread.

It wasn’t that Bob was all that frightening looking, far from it. One head was black with a white streak running from the tip of it’s nose down it’s back. The other head was similarly marked only this side was apricot colored with the white stripe. The two heads connected to a warm brown body. The whole animal was fuzzy and warm and just screamed sweetness. The dog looked like a scruffy little mutt who just happened to have two heads.

Strife was as frightened as he could be. Not necessarily of *this* dog, but of dogs in general. He hadn’t always been frightened of dogs. No…he used to love them, once upon a time. Now they just scared him.

^^^^^^

Ares looked over and saw how frightened his nephew was of Bob and what little humor there was in the male/female name situation fled out the door.

“Strife.” Hades spoke very softly to the spooked god. He waited until Strife looked up at him before he continued. “This is Bob. She is going to be your watchdog.”

Strife looked over at the not very prepossessing figure and frowned.

“Don’t let her appearance fool you. Bob is one of Cerberus’ offspring. She is strong and fiercely loyal. She will protect you and anybody you tell her to. Bob will attack anybody you want her to and she can’t be duplicated.” At the frown he got, Hades continued. “Tryst can’t pretend to be her, it’s something in her magical nature that won’t allow *anyone else* to take her form.”

“Come ovah heah Bob.”

Cautiously Strife extended one hand. First the black head and then the lighter one leaned forward. They sniffed cautiously and then they licked the proffered hand. Strife smiled at the tickly sensation and allowed himself to hope. Maybe he was going to live after all.

“Sit Bob.” The large dog immediately sat down beside the bed. “Good dog.”

Strife began to pet first one and then the other of the heads. Cupid ran his hand over Strife’s head, petting him. The repetitive motion calmed Strife’s battered nerves. For the first time that week, Strife felt safe. In a matter of minutes he fell into a deep sleep with a contented smile on his face.

Chapter 18

One Week Later

“I want you to take the baby out of Strife…Now!”

Ace jumped out of his chair and stared at Cupid in astonishment. He was stunned. Not only at the statement, but also the fact that Cupid just flashed into his office without warning and scared the crap out of him.

“What?” Ace blinked several times, trying to slow his thumping heart down and get is mind restarted. “You want me to *abort* the baby!”

Now it was Cupid’s turn to be surprised. “Of course not.” Cupid looked at Asclepius like he was crazy or at least *incredibly* stupid. “No, I need to help Strife. Carrying this baby is agony for him and it’s only going to get worse. *A lot worse.* You all say so.” Cupid threw up his hands in exasperation. “For Tartarus’ sake, Hades offered to let Strife die because of how bad it is and how much worse it’s going to end up being.”

Cupid was flushed and practically hyperventilating he was talking so fast. “I have *got* to help him. Now…I’ve done some research on this…”

‘This’? Asclepius thought. I wonder what ‘this’ is.

“…and found that over the centuries, there have been a few cases like Strife’s. Cases from all over the world. Different gods sometimes, in different pantheons, but the cases were still similar. The situation is always the same, there was a pregnant person who was injured or became ill and a god transferred the baby to another person.”

Asclepius waited for Cupid to go on. Cupid just looked at him; apparently he thought that explained everything. “So, you want me to…?”

“Put the baby in me.”

“Oh.” Again Ace was surprised. “In *you*.”

“Yes.” Cupid nodded emphatically, never even registering the surprise. “It would be *so* much easier for me to carry our baby. I haven’t been kidnapped or stabbed. I haven’t almost bled to death. I don’t have ribs and back and hips and, and…*everything* already hurting. I’m strong, healthy and uninjured; I shouldn’t have any problem carrying the baby.”

Cupid was pacing around in Ace’s chamber’s. He was gesticulating wildly. The Love God’s wings were at full-spread and flapping like crazy. Ace was quite frankly having a hard time standing up with all the wind flying around.

“Cupid.” Asclepius grabbed hold of his desk as he briefly became air borne. “*Cupid*, calm down.” Cupid looked around at the mess that was formerly Ace’s neat workplace and stopped flapping. “Thank you. Now, please sit down a minute and let’s talk.”

Cupid sat down and waited, tapping one foot nervously.

“Good. Now I’m going to tell you why your idea won’t work.”

Cupid’s head shot up. No! He had found a way to help his baby. It * had* to work.

Ace raised a conciliatory hand. “Let me explain.” Cupid settled back. “In each of the cases you mentioned there were *very* extenuating circumstances. Extreme measures were needed because of the mother’s ill health.” Ace raised one hand to stop Cupid before he could object. “I know what you’re going to say and yes, Strife’s situation is bad.” Ace sighed. “The instances that you mention were even worse. They were *dire*.”

“Cupid, more than half the time the baby dies because of the transfer. There have been several cases where the *new* mother has died as well…*and*” Ace spoke louder, up and over whatever Cupid was going to say. “…and in *every* case the original mother died.”

He watched as Cupid paled. “Every one of them. The stress is too great and in Strife’s situation he’s already too stressed out as it is. Fetal transfer is only used as a last resort, as a final, last-stand attempt to save the baby’s life.”

Ace watched as Cupid deflated. “I’m sorry. If I thought Strife could handle such an exchange I would have recommended it months ago.”

The God of Healing watched a defeated Cupid for a few minutes, trying to think of something that would help. Ace shrugged helplessly.

“The only thing you can do is to try and keep him comfortable. Make the remainder of his pregnancy as relaxing as possible. Shower him with love and affection.” At the belligerent look in Cupid’s eyes, Asclepius amended, “I’m not saying you haven’t already been doing that, just keep it up. Clear the air about *any* problems or questions either of you might be worrying about.”

Cupid sat up straighter and looked more hopeful. “Yeah, I can do that.”

Asclepius smiled. A little pep-talk never hurt anyone. “You, Bob and all the rest of us will keep him safe. I think it’s going to be all right.” Ace paused when he saw the tears in Cupid’s eyes. “Yes, it’s going to be very hard, but Strife is a fighter, he’ll make it. *We’ll* make sure he does.”

^^^^^^

Later that same day.

Cupid came back into the bedroom and didn’t like what he saw. It was nothing Olympus shattering; Strife was sitting on the side of the bed.

Cupid raced over and pulled Strife to him. He could feel Strife trembling a little, even though he tried to hide it.

“What are you doing up?” Cupid’s eyes automatically swept the room for intruders. He has felt a little better since Bob had arrived, she was a really good guardian and he wasn’t afraid to leave Strife alone. (Yeah, right.) All right, he wasn’t quite as afraid to leave Strife alone…okay, okay. He was still scared to death to leave Strife alone, but did it anyway.

“I’m just sittin up a little while. Ace said I could.” Strife was no fool, he knew when to pass the dinar.

“Yeah, I know, but next time wait until I’m here with you, please. Just in case you get dizzy.”

“Okay Cupe.” Strife rubbed his face against Cupid’s warm chest. “Mmmm, this is nice.”

Strife let Cupid lay him back against the pillows. Strife noticed that Cupid was petting his hip again. It was a tendency that had begun a few weeks earlier and Strife didn’t understand what had caused it.

“How come ya do that?” Strife asked quietly, hoping that Cupid would realize he didn’t mind the petting. He was just curious.

For a minute Cupid didn’t say anything, he just kept rubbing. “When were your hips crushed?”

Strife sucked in a deep breath and he tensed up. “How…Ace.” Strife’s shoulders slumped when he realized he couldn’t postpone this moment any longer.

“No, it was Apollo who told me. He was as surprised as I was.” Cupid’s hands sadly stroked along Strife’s sore ribs and then slid around and rubbed his aching back.

“Tha first time…HE…hurt me, uh, he wasn’t happy with tha…amount ah room he had…” Strife paused when Cupid took hold of his hands, uncurling the tight fists he had unknowingly made. “…so he made more room.”

Cupid was afraid to ask, but he had to, after all he was the one who had started this conversation. “*How* did he make more room?”

“He did kinda like a wish bone, ya know, like ya do with a chicken.” Strife glanced up to Cupid’s astonished face and then back down to their tightly clenched hands. “He pulled mah legs apart until somethin cracked inside. That was tha first time they was hurt.” Strife couldn’t look back up this time. “Tha next time he hurt mah hips bad was…at tha battlefield, 40 years ago and…and…I’m sorry, I can’t talk about then.”

Cupid and Strife held each other and cried. Strife was still afraid that one day he was going to tell one of his stories and Cupid wouldn’t be able to handle it anymore and would leave him in disgust.

Cupid was about to be violently ill. Strife had been ripped apart, literally, at 11 years old. What happened at that battlefield had obviously been worse, because Strife couldn’t even talk about it.

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry you had to go through that…alone.”

“I wasn’t alone. Not fah tha second time anyway; Ace helped me.”

Cupid gasped in horror and jerked back from Strife. Strife looked terrified. His worst fears were about to be realized.

“You hurt when we make love.” Cupid was upset. “Don’t you?”

Strife didn’t understand, but at least it didn’t look like Cupid was going to leave. “Well, just like it does when ya have sex.”

Cupid was devastated. “What?” He sat there stunned.

“It’s just tha pain ya get from havin sex…” Strife trailed off at the look he saw on Cupid’s face. He kept looking more and more upset.

“Strife, baby, it’s not supposed to hurt when you have sex.” Strife looked disbelieving. “It’s true.” Cupid rubbed the back of Strife’s hand. “There might be some pain the first time or two, because you’re not used to it. After that there shouldn’t be any pain. With Tr…him being so horrible I know it would hurt, but with you and me it shouldn’t.”

Strife didn’t know what to think. “It’s not supposed ta hurt?”

Cupid crumbled at Strife’s lost little boy voice. “No baby, it’s not.”

“I, I didn’t know that. I just thought it always had ta hurt some.”

“Oh, gods.” Strife felt Cupid’s breathless exclamation against his cheek more than he heard it. Now it was his turn to jerk back in horror.

“Please don’t stop.”

Cupid frowned at his husband. “What? Baby, what do you mean?”

“Please don’t stop makin love ta me. I promise it don’t hurt that much. Please. I need ya ta love me…please.”

Cupid was distraught. This wasn’t going at all according to plan. Their little talk was supposed to help things, not upset Strife even more.

“Baby, I could never stop loving you…or making love to you. We’ll just figure out some way to do it so you’re not in any pain.” At Strife’s doubtful look, Cupid leaned forward and kissed the tears from his eyes. “I promise.”

Cupid held Strife and Strife held Cupid for a little while, until both of them were calm. Well…calmer.

^^^^^^

“Do you feel up to a little trip?”

Strife was startled. “Uh, sure. Wheah do ya wanna go?”

Cupid smiled, a suspiciously twinkling smile. “That’s a surprise. Come on, up you go.” Cupid helped Strife stand up and then held him while Strife got his legs under himself. “I would have liked to wait for a while longer, but I can’t afford to.” Cupid smiled again at Strife’s bewildered expression.

“Anytime I think about us making this trip, something happens. You get hurt, kidnapped…this is too important to wait any longer.”

“Okay, whatevah ya say Cupid.” Strife turned to the two-headed dog in the corner. “Stay heah Bob.”

Wrapping himself gently around his husband, Cupid flashed them out of their bedroom.

Strife gasped at the heat when they arrived. “We’ve gone ta Tartarus? Or at least what I’ve heard some parts of it are like.”

Cupid laughed. It was very hot. As hot as a forge, this was fortuitous, since it was a forge. In fact, it was Hephaestus’ forge.

“Heph are you here?”

Strife and Cupid looked around as they waited for Hephaestus to arrive. There were several pieces of weaponry lying around in various states of completion. In one corner stood no less than 6 statues, all of Aphrodite.

Heph limped into view. “Hey Cupid. Hi Strife. I thought I heard you calling me.” Hephaestus frowned at Strife who was sweating profusely and tugging at the neck of his shirt.

“Shouldn’t you be sitting down.” Cupid looked over guiltily. He hadn’t thought about it; he should have realized that the heat from the forge would be bad for Strife.

With a flick of Heph’s fingers, several things flew off a pile beside the table. What was revealed was a beautifully ornate chair. The arms were fashioned into flowers and vines that twirled around one another to create a comfortable scoop to support the sitting person’s arms. The seat and back of the chair were a filigree of delicate strands of metal, woven together until they formed an almost cushion-like feel.

Strife gasped at the sight of the chair. “That’s taa pretty ta sit on.”

Heph smiled at the compliment and gave Strife a hand to sit down on it. “Thanks, I’m glad you like it.” He pulled a footstool over that was just as intricately made. “It’s yours you know.”

Strife gasped again. “What?” He ran one hand appreciatively over the ironwork. “I can’t take this it’s…”

“Yes you can, I made it especially for you. I don’t think all baby presents should be just for the baby. After all, who’s carrying the child for all these months.” Heph smiled at Strife’s blush.

“I…thank ya. It’s beautiful.”

“You’re welcome.” Heph smiled at the two men. “Now, what can I do for you?”

Cupid spoke up. “I need you to clear up a misunderstanding for me.”

Heph and Strife exchanged curious glances. Strife shrugged and barely managed to hide the grimace of pain that followed.

“Do you remember these?” Cupid held up his hand with his wedding ring and picked up Strife’s hand as well. Their fingers interlaced so that the rings were lying side by side.

“Of course, I made them.”

“When?” Heph had no idea how important that one word was.

“Wow, let me think. It was two, no, two and half years ago.”

^^^^^^

Strife had been sitting in his lovely chair, trying not to melt. God’s it was hot in here. His head snapped up.

“What did ya say?”

“I made the rings about two and a half years ago.”

Cupid nodded in agreement. He watched Strife’s shocked face and smiled happily.

“Yeah, I remember because it was right after you two got together. I asked Cupid if maybe he was jumping the catapult a little, since you had *just* started dating and do you know what he told me?”

Strife shook his head no, his eyes were huge in his face and tears were welling up in his eyes; threatening to pour down his cheeks.

“He said that you were the love of his life and if it took *forever* he was going to marry you and I said…” Hephaestus looked up and saw the state Strife was in and was afraid he’d upset him.

“Thanks Heph, that’s what I wanted him to hear.” Heph looked at a smiling Cupid and decided discretion was the better part of valor.

“I’m going to get back to work. Don’t worry about the chair, I’ll send it along after I’m finished polishing it.” He stopped talking since it was apparent nobody was listening to him. Heph limped away, wiping a tear from his own eye.

Strife was looking down at his ring; twisting the precious bit of metal around on his finger. He was crying and sweating in equal measures.

“Come on baby, let’s go home.” Cupid carefully scooped Strife up and flashed them home. He laid his precious burden on the bed. Taking Strife’s hand in his, he kissed the wedding ring.

“So you see, I planned on marrying you *years* before you became pregnant. I didn’t say anything because I was afraid you would say no. I had a hard enough time getting you to date me, let alone marry me.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” Strife smiled up at his husband. “What if I hadn’t become pregnant?”

“I would have kept chasing you until I caught you.”

The two men happily kissed and curled up on the bed for a nap, after Cupid had flashed them clean.

^^^^^^

Flash.

Strife jerked awake when Cupid jumped out of their bed. “Bliss?” Seeing how upset his son was, Strife reached out one hand to comfort him. “Kiddo, are ya okay?”

“I’m…” The young god bit his lip and looked from father to father. “I need to talk to Daddy, Daddy Strife.” His eyes were floating with tears.

Strife smiled at the little boy. “It’s all right. Ya go on outside and talk with ya daddy. I’m gonna rest a while.”

Bliss smiled as his bottom lip trembled. “I love you Daddy Strife.”

“I love ya taa kiddo. Come heah and gimme a hug.” Strife held his arms out and the little godling gratefully hugged him. Just as the little god was leaving he turned back and placed a careful kiss on Strife’s tummy.

“Goodnight baby. Goodnight Daddy Strife.”

The winged god and his son quietly left the bedroom and left Strife alone with Bob.

^^^^^^

Out in the hallway Cupid knelt down pulled his son close. “Okay sweetheart, tell me why you’re back from you’re mom’s so soon.”

Bliss’ little face scrunched up into a ferocious scowl. “Didn’t want to stay with her and I *never*, *ever* want to go back.

Cupid was surprised at the vehemence of the statement. Bliss loved his mother a great deal and Cupid had always been careful not to let the dissolution of their marriage hurt that relationship.

Flash.

Cupid looked up to see his father flash in.

“Bliss, why don’t you want to see your mommy anymore.” Cupid looked up at an equally startled Ares.

“Cause she said mean things about Daddy Strife.” The little boy stamped his foot in anger. He didn’t look up to see the effect his words had on his father.

Ares, on the other hand, actually quaked at the thunderous expression on his son’s face. “What did she say,” he asked when it was apparent that Cupid was too mad to say anything.

“She told Uncle ‘pollo that Daddy Strife was a…horo…whar…wh-whore and how he deserved to be grouped like he was.”

“Do you mean groped?” Ares’ quiet purr was intentional. He didn’t want to upset his grandson any more than necessary.

Bliss nodded as he started crying. “She was mean about Daddy Strife and I don’t wanna see her ever again.”

Cupid held his son and comforted him, while inside he was seething. Luckily for all, Aphrodite sensed something was wrong and flashed in. Before she could say anything, Ares shook his head no.

Aphrodite acquiesced because she knew she’d find out what was wrong later anyway. “Come on Blissy. How about we go watch the ocean for a while.” The little boy perked up somewhat and let his grandmother flash him away, completely unaware of the chaos he was leaving behind.

Cupid looked up from where he was crouched on the floor. His eyes were the brightest green that Ares had ever seen. Even as the Green-Eyed Monster, Cupid’s eyes hadn’t been this ferocious.

Before either man could say anything there was another flash.

“Dude, your ex-wife is one evil bitch!” Apollo was actually disheveled. The god could come through a storm and would make sure that every hair was in place, but this time he didn’t care.

Apollo started to speak again and then looked at the distraught looks on their faces. “You heard.” At Ares’ nod and Cupid’s growl he went on. “How…oh wait, the little dude. Bliss heard didn’t he.”

“Yes, he was just telling us what she said.”

Apollo nodded at Ares. “Damn, I was afraid of that. I figured that’s why he came running in, saying he wanted to go home.” He shook his head ruefully. “Stupid cow wasn’t even bothered by how upset Bliss was. She just sent him off, by himself.”

Looking carefully at the still crouched Cupid, Apollo backed up a few feet. “You do know what this means don’t you.” Not getting an answer, at least not one that was intelligible, he went on. “Only a few people know that Strife was sexually assaulted when he was kidnapped and none of us would have said anything.” Again he paused.

“The only way she could have known was if she was the kidnaper.”

With a snarl Cupid flashed out to find his ex-wife. Ares and Apollo exchanged a quick look and then followed. Whether to help Psyche or Cupid remained to be seen.

Part 19

The music was soft and lilting. It washed over him in a gentle cascade.

Strife was held closely in Cupid’s arms as they danced around the floor. Strife smiled at his fiancé and received a brilliant smile back.

“Just think. This time tomorrow we’ll be an old married couple.”

“Old huh.” Strife looked at his beautiful, soon-to-be husband and smirked. “Well, maybe ya’re old, aftah all ya are ovah 600 years old, but I’m still a young kid at heart.”

Cupid laughed and dipped Strife. The maneuver didn’t really go with the music, but nobody cared.

“Okay, break it up you two.”

The two lovers looked over at Aphrodite. Strife smiled happily at his almost mother-in-law.

“It’s almost midnight and you know the rules.”

Yes, the rules. The engaged couple couldn’t see each other from midnight on before the ceremony. It was a silly rule, started by Zeus, because he wanted to fool around on the night before his wedding.

Strife and Cupid kissed one last time before Strife flashed back to his temple.

^^^^^^

Strife stood in his temple with little awareness of how he got there. He was so happy! Tomorrow he was going to marry the man he loved more than anyone else in the universe.

Strife changed clothes as he walked down the hallway. He flashed his engagement clothes to a special room; one reserved for mementoes. There wasn’t very much in there right now, but Strife resolved to add more memories as soon as possible.

Behind him Strife heard a snarl and whirled around just as Tryst flashed in. ‘Oh gods!’ Strife was stunned, he hadn’t seen Tryst in almost 40 years.

Strife stumbled back as Tryst marched up to him. Without a word, the bigger god spun Strife around and started rubbing his hands roughly up and down Strife’s body.

The young god flinched when Tryst rubbed his hands over Strife’s stomach. ‘Tha baby!’ He knew he was going to have to think fast.

“I hafta be at tha ceremony in just a few hours. They’ll see.” Strife cringed against the wall as Tryst pressed up against his back. “I won’t be able ta heal mahself in time…everybody would know somethin happened.”

Strife was desperate. He knew that if Tryst raped him he might lose the baby. He was hoping that for once the giant god would listen to reason.

“Hmmm, you’re right.” Tryst ran his fingers across Strife’s lips and the young god swallowed in fear. “So, you’ll just have to satisfy me otherwise.”

Tryst threw Strife down on his back. The bigger god reached down and with one huge hand ripped off Strife’s clothes. Strife tensed up in fear; afraid that Tryst would realize he was pregnant and rape him out of spite. Strife glanced down at his stomach and could see that it was still flat. He was only about 6 weeks pregnant and it was too soon for him to be showing.

A hand on his forehead shoved Strife all the way onto the floor. He looked up to see a naked Tryst looming over him. His erection was massive and more than a little frightening, especially at this angle. Strife was terrified when he realized that Tryst intended for him to go down on him while Strife was lying on his back, not kneeling like Strife was used to.

Tryst straddled his chest and rubbed himself on Strife. He yanked up one of Strife’s arms and wrapped a chain tightly around his wrist. Naturally the chain was made of Hephestian metal.

“It won’t last you know. This *marriage* with Cupid. It won’t be long and he’ll see you for what you are, useless.” Tryst crawled up Strife’s chest, dragging his erection across the young god’s thin body as he went. “You are *nothing*, barely useful as a whore. Even your godhood is a joke.” Tryst’s entire body was right above Strife’s face. His enormous thighs bracketing Strife’s head. “You are the useless God of Mischief.”

Tryst rubbed his engorged manhood across Strife’s trembling lips. “Now…open wide.”

Strife knew better than to refuse, so he opened his mouth. Tryst shoved his erection in and straight down Strife’s throat in one brutal move. Strife immediately began gagging and choking.

Tryst threw his head back and laughed.

Strife tried to struggle, but Tryst’s legs were keeping his arms pinned to his sides. Tryst leaned forward on his hands and began to thrust. Strife gulped down what little air he could between thrusts and tried to scream.

‘CUPID!’

Because of the chain around his wrist, nobody could hear Strife’s cries for help.

The vibrations in his throat inflamed Tryst and he began to move even faster. Strife’s head was being pounded unmercifully into the marble floor.

‘This doesn’t have anythin ta do with me. I ain’t heah. This is happenin ta somebody else. I ain’t heah.’

Strife kept repeating that to himself, trying to distance himself to what was happening to his body. ‘It’s just mah body, it ain’t really me.’

Tryst kept up his assault for a long time; enjoying the struggling body beneath him and the tears that were pouring out of his tightly closed eyes.

‘Somebody, anybody…please help me.’

^^^^^^

Strife woke up whimpering; the nightmare refusing to let him go. He could still feel the weight of Tryst, pressing him into the cold temple floor. He took a deep breath and by force of will, stopped the tremors.

He had been sleeping for several hours and found he couldn’t move. Before he could panic…uhm…Strife started panicking, thinking about all the times he had been restrained in the past. But he found he could move his arms and legs a little; so he knew he wasn’t tied down.

It only took a few moments for the young god to realize he couldn’t move because his back had locked up from lying in one position for too long. Strife tried to relax; hoping to get his muscles to cooperate.

He pushed the nightmare to the back of his mind. It was just one of many and had plenty of company in there.

Finally, he unclenched enough to roll onto his back. His back and ribs protested this move strenuously; spasming into tight knots. Strife looked around for Cupid and was surprised not to find his husband…or anyone else. Just Bob, sleeping and drooling in the corner.

“Cupe?” There was no answer to his query.

“Somethin’s up heah.” He knew something was wrong, because he hadn’t been left alone for this long in months; not since Tryst attacked him at Joxer’s place. The God of Mischief was worried. He was afraid something had happened to Cupid or Bliss. Or maybe even Joxer or Ares.

The thought of any of his loved ones being injured spurred Strife into action. He wouldn’t put it past people to not tell him and try to *spare him* any worry because of his condition.

Strife went out into the hallway with a half-awake Bob trailing behind him. Strife spotted his best friend just a few feet from his bedroom door.

“Joxah! Thank Elisia! Do ya know what’s goin on? I can’t find Cupid anywheah and I’m really startin ta…” Strife took a closer look at his friend and raced forward. “Joxah, what’s tha mattah?” Joxer was pale and sweating…and clutching his stomach.

“It’s…(puff, pant)…it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Naturally Strife didn’t believe a word his friend was saying. He laid one hand on Joxer’s stomach and could feel the muscles tightening. “Ya’re in labor, aren’t ya?” Strife took hold of Joxer’s free arm and steadied him.

“Uh, unhhh…” Strife took Joxer’s grunt as an assent.

Strife frowned as he thought. He knew he couldn’t get Joxer back to one of the guest chambers by himself and for once there weren’t even any annoying temple priests running around.

“Ya need ta sit down.” Strife knew he wasn’t supposed to use his magic, because it wore him down so much, but this was an emergency. He waved his hand…and a peacock appeared in the hallway. Both gods looked at the bird in amazement. Strife sputtered and then waved his hand again; this time there was a chair, although it did still slightly resembled a peacock.

Strife moved to ease his friend down onto the chair. Joxer stumbled as another contraction hit and inadvertently placed most of his weight on Strife’s arm. Strife bit his lip at the spasm of pain that followed. ‘I ain’t got time fah this now, Joxah needs me.’

“Joxah how long have ya been in labor?” Strife rubbed his friend’s back soothingly as Joxer tensed up in pain.

“A…few hours.”

“Hours! How come ya didn’t let us know?”

Joxer winced in pain and doubled over slightly. “No…nobody needed the distraction right now.” The God of Peace sighed in temporary relief as the contraction passed.

“What’s more important than ya havin yar baby?”

Joxer gasped as another contraction hit and in his pain, he answered more truthfully than he normally would. “Everybody’s looking for Psyche.” Psyche’s name was spoken through gritted teeth as Joxer tried not to scream. He gripped the arms of the chair tightly and both gods heard the chair…squawk. They ignored the half chair-half bird.

Strife rubbed his friend’s back in sympathy. “Why are they lookin fah her?” When Joxer refused to look up, Strife started thinking. “Was she tha kidnappah?” That’s the only thing, other than finding Tryst, that Strife could think of that would be so important to keep everybody away. People were obsessed with finding Tryst and Strife’s unknown kidnapper.

Joxer nodded yes. “Well…at least we know who ta be on tha lookout fah. But right now, who cares.”

Joxer looked up in surprise. He knew that not knowing the identity of the kidnapper had been worrying Strife.

“Ya’re more important.” Strife smiled at his friend and pushed the sweaty hair out of Joxer’s eyes. After making sure Joxer was prepared, he took a deep breath and called out. “Unc, Ace, Apollo…we need ya’re help.”

Strife stared in stunned wonder as no less than two dozen gods flashed in all at once. The light from all the different color flashes was blinding. Just as his eyes had stopped watering there were several more flashes and the people he’d actually called for appeared.

Cupid raced to Strife, Ares raced to Joxer and Ace hovered between them. All of the other gods stood around looking worried.

“What’s the matter?” Strife blinked as Ares and Cupid spoke at the same time. He was saved from having to answer when Joxer cried out.

Ares raced over to his husband. “Angel?”

Joxer answered him by bending over and crying out.

Ace dropped down in front of Joxer and put his hands on Joxer’s stomach. Asclepius’ eyes widened. He opened his mouth to admonish the young god for not letting them know sooner and then he stopped. Joxer looked so miserable and young and frightened.

“We need to get him laid down.” Apollo’s authoritative voice galvanized the gods into action. Without another word, Ares scooped his young husband up into his arms.

“Bring him in heah.” Strife indicated a door farther along the hallway.

^^^^^^

Three hours later

“We’re just going to have to wait and see.”

Apollo was being all-knowing again and it was irritating the crap out of people. Strife, Cupid and Asclepius cringed, waiting for Ares to blow his top. They were stunned when a sweating, panting Joxer half-way sat up and grabbed the surprised God of Healing by the toga and yanked him down.

“Wait and see! I’ll show you wait and see you dumb, blond, son-of-a-bitch. I’ve been waiting *all day*!” Joxer cried out in pain and almost pulled Apollo into his lap. “Figure out how to get the baby out…NOW!”

Joxer collapsed backwards. Ares caught him and lowered his husband back onto the bed. Apollo was speechless. Ace rolled his eyes and bravely stepped forward; hoping to calm things down.

“Joxer look at me.” Ace waited until Joxer trained frightened eyes on him. “We do have ideas, several in fact, of how to take the baby if it doesn’t come out on its own.” Joxer looked a little calmer, so he continued. “I’m sorry, but labor, whether for a man or woman, takes a long time.”

“Just think ah tha baby. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will it look like you or Unc?”

Strife continued talking for a while; painting lovely images of different babies. Ares massaged Joxer’s face, trying to ease the tension. Joxer smiled and tried to picture his baby.

^^^^^^

Strife frowned as Joxer let go of his hand. “You’re hands have been hurt too much, I’m not going to add to that.” Instead Joxer grabbed hold of the bottom of Strife’s tunic and gripped tightly. He had no qualms about holding Ares’ hand however and in between contractions Ares switched hands in order to heal the broken bones.

^^^^^^

Joxer panted as the pain ripped through his stomach, leaving him breathless. The young god was lying on his side facing his friend and with his back to his loving husband.

“Strife...” Joxer looked at his friend, “you know how much I love Ares, right.” Joxer grunted and then panted some more.

Strife nodded his head reassuringly. “Of course ya do.”

Joxer smiled briefly. “Good, because I want you to know something.” Joxer cried out as he tugged on Strife’s shirt. “If Ares *ever* lays a hand on me again…I’m Going To Rip His Balls Off…(groan) and SHOVE THEM UP HIS NOSE!”

Joxer screamed and writhed on the bed as a particularly vicious contraction hit him. Strife wrapped his hands around Joxer’s and rubbed them sympathetically. A somewhat stunned Ares rubbed the spasming back.

When his friend had relaxed again, Strife nodded agreeably. “Sounds like a good idea ta me.”

^^^^^^

Joxer got very still. “Something just happened.”

Apollo hurried to his side. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I don’t know. There was a kind of tearing pain on my stomach.”

Apollo pulled up Joxer’s shirt. In this way the young god was lucky, since the baby wouldn’t be coming out in the traditional feminine way, his clothes were left on and the birth would be less embarrassing than it would be for a woman.

Joxer’s rounded tummy was exposed and there towards the bottom of the swelling was what they had been waiting for. A thin, red line running across his abdomen.

Strife looked over and could see the skin beginning to separate. He looked back up at Joxer and could see more pain on his face.

“What’s happening?” This time it was Ares who was demanding information.

“We’re about to have a baby.” Ace grinned at the two men.

“We?!” Joxer snapped back and then the smiled too.

“It’s gonna be ovah soon Joxah, just hold on a little longah.” Joxer nodded at his friend as he gritted his teeth against the pain.

Strife looked back and realized Joxer’s stomach had a hole in it. Well, not really a hole, more like a slit.

Joxer screamed, a louder and longer scream than ever before. His eyes widened at the agony he was feeling. “Oh gods!”

“Joxer, we’re ready when you are.”

“I’ve got to, I need to, push. NOW!”

^^^^^^

Hera flashed in to one corner of the room. Technically she was supposed to be there when a baby was born. Naturally she couldn’t be there when every child in Greece came into the world, but she tried not to miss any godly births.

There was no way she was going to miss the birth of one of her grandchildren.

^^^^^^

“That’s it, one more good push should do it. You can do it.” Apollo kept up his encouragement.

“Shut up! That’s so fucking irritating.” Joxer snarled at the Sun God and gave one last mighty push.

The sounds of a baby crying filled the room.

“You did it Angel, you did it.” Ares hugged a sweaty Joxer, who immediately burst into tears.

Strife turned away from the tender scene, trying to give them a little privacy. He watched as Hera took the baby and cleaned it up. She didn’t use her powers to flash the baby clean, because that usually startled and upset the new infant.

The God of Mischief was surprised to see that the skin on Joxer’s stomach had already closed back up. He looked over and saw Ace disposing of the afterbirth and looked back to realize that Joxer’s stomach was already shrinking back to his pre-pregnancy size and shape. Just one of the perks of being a god.

“Here’s your daughter.” Hera handed the baby to Joxer who cradled his child to his chest. The little girl calmed immediately.

A crying Ares moved the blanket to get his first look at his daughter. Bright red hair flashed in the torchlight.

Red hair?

Hera and Apollo exchanged uneasy glances. How did two dark-haired people produce a red haired child? Naturally they were suspicious. Hera was married to the most untrustworthy person alive and Apollo slept with anything he could run to ground. Nobody else was suspicious.

“Oh Arry look, she has red hair…just like my mother’s.” Joxer sounded absolutely exhausted. Elated yes, but exhausted too. That was understandable since it was the middle of the night and he had been in labor for hours.

The new baby godling opened her eyes at her daddy’s voice. Instead of the usual murky blue that most baby’s eyes were, this child’s were a bright, vivid green.

“Oh and look she has my grandmother Caitlin’s green eyes.”

Strife smiled at his good friend and his uncle. “Ya got a beautiful daughter.” Ares smiled proudly. “Whatcha gonna call her?”

Joxer smiled impishly. “We haven’t decided yet. We wanted to see the baby before we chose.”

“That’s good thinkin. Ya wouldn’t wanna put tha wrong name on tha baby.”

With that Strife rose stiffly to his feet. Cupid was right there helping him. “I’m gonna leave ya two, sorry ya three, ta bond a while.”

“Dad, Joxer, thanks for letting me be here.” Cupid’s voice was rough with tears. “It was wonderful.”

Joxer and Ares smiled at the two men and then went back to inspecting their daughter. Actually Ares was inspecting the baby; Joxer was falling asleep.

^^^^^^

Out in the empty hallway Cupid picked up his exhausted husband and carried him to their bedroom. Strife was as tired as Joxer was. Sitting beside his friend for hours on end had worn the injured god out.

Strife fell into an uneasy sleep before Cupid could even get him into bed. Cupid laid his husband on his side and rubbed his cramped and aching back until Strife relaxed.

Cupid collapsed behind his husband and began to worry. There was no way Strife could handle an extended labor, like the one Joxer had just gone through, right now, let alone after several more months of pregnancy. What were they going to do?

Strife sensed how upset his husband was and snuggled back in his sleep. Cupid cuddled closer and sighed. Ace would figure out something. He and Apollo and Hera had managed so far.

Everything would be all right…right? Right.

^^^^^^

The dripping water was driving her crazy.

Psyche twisted in her bonds, desperately trying to get some relief in her aching body.

The young goddess was on her knees, chained to the wall of a cave. The cave. The one where Strife was held prisoner. The irony was not lost on Psyche.

There were other similarities.

Her stomach was swollen as if she were pregnant. She wasn’t, but she still had the pains as if a baby were kicking her.

Psyche’s ribs were in agony. It felt like they had been broken and rebroken several times. Just like Strife.

Her back hurt, her arms hurt, her hips hurt…everything hurt.

She wasn’t as weak as Strife was…yet. So her imprisonment had an added bonus that Strife’s didn’t have or need. Chains looped around her legs; keeping the knees spread apart and keeping her kneeling on the floor.

Psyche moaned in pain.

There was a flash behind her and the goddess began to tremble.

“Hello bitch.”

Tryst didn’t bother to conceal his voice, she knew who he was and why he was here. He dropped to his knees behind her. The insane god knew just exactly what she had done to Strife. He had tortured her for several hours to find out.

Psyche whimpered as his huge hands started to touch her. Then she started to scream.

“Joxer, we’re ready when you are.”

“I’ve got to, I need to, push. NOW!”

^^^^^^

Hera flashed in to one corner of the room. Technically she was supposed to be there when a baby was born. Naturally she couldn’t be there when every child in Greece came into the world, but she tried not to miss any godly births.

There was no way she was going to miss the birth of one of her grandchildren.

^^^^^^

“That’s it, one more good push should do it. You can do it.” Apollo kept up his encouragement.

“Shut up! That’s so fucking irritating.” Joxer snarled at the Sun God and gave one last mighty push.

The sounds of a baby crying filled the room.

“You did it Angel, you did it.” Ares hugged a sweaty Joxer, who immediately burst into tears.

Strife turned away from the tender scene, trying to give them a little privacy. He watched as Hera took the baby and cleaned it up. She didn’t use her powers to flash the baby clean, because that usually startled and upset the new infant.

The God of Mischief was surprised to see that the skin on Joxer’s stomach had already closed back up. He looked over and saw Ace disposing of the afterbirth and looked back to realize that Joxer’s stomach was already shrinking back to his pre-pregnancy size and shape. Just one of the perks of being a god.

“Here’s your daughter.” Hera handed the baby to Joxer who cradled his child to his chest. The little girl calmed immediately.

A crying Ares moved the blanket to get his first look at his daughter. Bright red hair flashed in the torchlight.

Red hair?

Hera and Apollo exchanged uneasy glances. How did two dark-haired people produce a red haired child? Naturally they were suspicious. Hera was married to the most untrustworthy person alive and Apollo slept with anything he could run to ground. Nobody else was suspicious.

“Oh Arry look, she has red hair…just like my mother’s.” Joxer sounded absolutely exhausted. Elated yes, but exhausted too. That was understandable since it was the middle of the night and he had been in labor for hours.

The new baby godling opened her eyes at her daddy’s voice. Instead of the usual murky blue that most baby’s eyes were, this child’s were a bright, vivid green.

“Oh and look she has my grandmother Caitlin’s green eyes.”

Strife smiled at his good friend and his uncle. “Ya got a beautiful daughter.” Ares smiled proudly. “Whatcha gonna call her?”

Joxer smiled impishly. “We haven’t decided yet. We wanted to see the baby before we chose.”

“That’s good thinkin. Ya wouldn’t wanna put tha wrong name on tha baby.”

With that Strife rose stiffly to his feet. Cupid was right there helping him. “I’m gonna leave ya two, sorry ya three, ta bond a while.”

“Dad, Joxer, thanks for letting me be here.” Cupid’s voice was rough with tears. “It was wonderful.”

Joxer and Ares smiled at the two men and then went back to inspecting their daughter. Actually Ares was inspecting the baby; Joxer was falling asleep.

^^^^^^

Out in the empty hallway Cupid picked up his exhausted husband and carried him to their bedroom. Strife was as tired as Joxer was. Sitting beside his friend for hours on end had worn the injured god out.

Strife fell into an uneasy sleep before Cupid could even get him into bed. Cupid laid his husband on his side and rubbed his cramped and aching back until Strife relaxed.

Cupid collapsed behind his husband and began to worry. There was no way Strife could handle an extended labor, like the one Joxer had just gone through, right now, let alone after several more months of pregnancy. What were they going to do?

Strife sensed how upset his husband was and snuggled back in his sleep. Cupid cuddled closer and sighed. Ace would figure out something. He and Apollo and Hera had managed so far.

Everything would be all right…right? Right.

^^^^^^

The dripping water was driving her crazy.

Psyche twisted in her bonds, desperately trying to get some relief in her aching body.

The young goddess was on her knees, chained to the wall of a cave. The cave. The one where Strife was held prisoner. The irony was not lost on Psyche.

There were other similarities.

Her stomach was swollen as if she were pregnant. She wasn’t, but she still had the pains as if a baby were kicking her.

Psyche’s ribs were in agony. It felt like they had been broken and rebroken several times. Just like Strife.

Her back hurt, her arms hurt, her hips hurt…everything hurt.

She wasn’t as weak as Strife was…yet. So her imprisonment had an added bonus that Strife’s didn’t have or need. Chains looped around her legs; keeping the knees spread apart and keeping her kneeling on the floor.

Psyche moaned in pain.

There was a flash behind her and the goddess began to tremble.

“Hello bitch.”

Tryst didn’t bother to conceal his voice, she knew who he was and why he was here. He dropped to his knees behind her. The insane god knew just exactly what she had done to Strife. He had tortured her for several hours to find out.

Psyche whimpered as his huge hands started to touch her. Then she started to scream.

Next Part