As with many of my stories, I couldn't sleep. So...here's a quick one-shot. Maybe I'll throw in one more chapter if I get a good response.

PLEASE REVIEW!!! Much love, Cat.

-----

She pressed a hand to her lips when she saw him lying there with his midsection wrapped in bandages. Her brow knitted with concern for him. Instantly she dropped her hand and lit her features with a gentle smile as his eyes opened. "The healing process is taking rather longer than I had expected it would. How do you feel?"

"As well as can be expected," he replied, his voice a little rough from lack of use. He cleared his throat. "Come closer," he said gruffly, motioning her to his side with a lazy sweep of his hand.

Athena did as he bid and stood stiffly by the side of the bed.

"Closer," he ordered, even in his weakened state, exuding a domineering and imperious air.

She arched an eyebrow in query at his tone as she sank to her knees and folded her arms on his chest, pillowing her chin on her hands. "Better?" she teased.

"Much." Lifting a hand, he gently stroked her hair, releasing it from the headpiece and tie that held it back and running his fingers through the mass of black tendrils that quickly unwound and spread out to surround them.

"Ares..." she protested shakily.

"You have no right to complain," he teased. "It is your fault I'm laying here," he reminded her as he continued to play with the soft wealth of her unbound tresses.

Her eyes flew to his, immediately contrite, she lifted a hand to cup his jaw. "Does it truly pain you terribly?" Athena paused. "I never meant to hurt you, well, perhaps I did, but I..." her gaze fell to his chest where she traced little circles on his chest with her fingertips."I was just so angry with you, jealous really...I didn't know that you and she were only, that is, I could only think about how you, how I thought that you had..."

He shushed her, leaning over to kiss the top of her head lightly. "You know I could never remain upset with you."

-----

She bit her lip when she saw him standing by the pool of water. She remembered when he had first brought her here, how they had playfully laughed and splashed each other before dissolving into a frenzied passion. Yet, even before lust and desire had become a part of their relationship, they had always simply derived pleasure from each other's presence. How could she bear to let that go...to let him go? She ran up behind him and flung her arms around his waist, burying her face in his back, shutting her eyes tightly, and wishing beyond all else that she could stay with him.

"What is wrong, darling?" he asked, his soft, deep voice reverberating through her as it always did, suffusing her with its warmth and bringing to her eyes the tears she had held back for so long.

Still, she expelled a little laugh. "Oh Hades, I was so foolish...I should have seen. I should have known..."

"Hush," he murmured, turning and enfolding her in his arms. "Zeus is nothing if not crafty and opportunistic."

She clung to him. "I can't escape now. You must see that. There isn't a way out. I've tried running through every possibility but I..."

"Shhh...sweetheart, it will be alright," he said soothingly, running his hand lightly over her back.

Hera shook her head. "That is just something people say. Darling, you must realize...How can..."

He took her face in his hands. "Hera. Listen to me. We will find a way through this."

As she looked up into the dark gaze she so adored, knowing that in the future she would rarely, if ever, be able to look upon him with the love in her heart reflected in her eyes, to hold him as she held him now, she could feel a sense of hopelessness overtaking her as suddenly the years seemed to stretch out into the true meaning of eternity. "I am so sorry. You must know I never would have..."

He pulled her closer to him, so that her head rested on his chest. "You know I could never stay upset with you."