Frozen in Time

By LoreliLee

Rating: NC: 17 - This story contains consensual sex between a man and a woman. If this offends you, is illegal where you live or you are under 18, go somewhere else.

Disclaimer: The character Ares belongs to Greek Mythology and also apparently to Universal Studios and Pacific Renaissance and this story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved in the making of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or Xena: Warrior Princess.

"Hey Air, how's tricks?" 'Dite asked as she materialized in her brother's throne room.

Ares sighed. He was NOT in the mood for her. 'Dite was always far too cheerful. "Go away," he growled. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

'Dite laughed. She studied her brother. His face was mildly distorted, his lush mouth compressed as he focused his attention on what he was doing. He had taken off his vest and his massive muscled chest was bare. His arms were tensed and a thin layer of perspiration glistened on his skin. Even the thick curly hair, which covered his chest and belly, was slick with sweat. He held a sword in his hand and as she watched, he twirled it. His biceps pumped and his pectorals flexed. He stepped back and swirled the sword again, his chest rippled and the room filled with the scent of his maleness and rang with his dark power.

The goddess of love sighed. Her brother was a fine looking specimen of god; it was such a shame he . . . Still, she knew her pity would only annoy him, better to make him angry. Anger he understood. "Playing with your sword again . . . alone," she taunted.

He turned on her, his handsome features now contorted by a scowl. "What do you want?"

"You're such a grump," she retorted. "Really, Air, there's a big beautiful world out there. Why don't you do something?"

"Do something?" he echoed. "Well," he added consideringly, "there is that small conflict in Baklava. I suppose I could try to turn it into a war."

"No, no no," 'Dite interrupted quickly. "Not THAT kind of something. You have a lot of . . . skills. Why not find someone to . . . share them with."

"Still trying to hit me with a love bolt?" he asked suddenly amused. He raised one perfect eyebrow as he retorted, "Thought you'd learned your lesson the last time?"

'Dite blushed. "So that WAS a bad idea. How was I supposed to know it was a demon in drag?"

Ares shook his head. "'Dite, what's on your mind?" He paused, then amended, "Let me rephrase that . . . What do you want?"

She ignored his sarcasm. "Well, you know that sword of yours? The one that Heppie made that I kinda borrowed and forgot to return?"

He nodded. He remembered that sword very well. It had belonged to a favored Amazon of his until she died. Then 'Dite had taken it. "What about it?"

"I know where it is."

"Where?"

A newspaper article appeared in her hand. "Here," she explained as she handed it to him. "Read all about it." Then she vanished in a shower of pink and gold petals.

Ares shook his head. 'Dite was strange, there was no getting around it, but he was rather fond of her. Although he'd go to Tartarus before letting her know that! He read the article and a slow wicked grin spread across his face. Maybe this could be fun after all.

Patti strolled across the campus in a whirlwind of anticipation. Today was the day; the shipment of recently unearthed artifacts would arrive. She would finally see the weapon and armor reputed to have been used by the ancient Greeks. It made mythology come alive.

Patti had been drawn to Greek mythology from her earliest schooling. She didn't understand it, her family was Irish and she'd grown up in the Midwest. Still, she had found her mind captivated by the ancient Greeks and she'd gotten her BA in the classics and was now working on her masters in the subject.

She arrived at the lab the same time as the truck. Her professor was waiting. Dr. Tobin was ancient, nearly as ancient as the Greeks, he often said, with a shock of long white hair and piercing blue eyes. Still, he was the best teacher of the classics she'd ever had and she loved him.

It took her a moment to realize that Dr. Tobin was not alone. Standing with him was the oddest man she'd ever seen. He wore a long white tunic over black pants and sandals. He had short hair and big thick horn-rimmed glasses. From a distance, she had the impression of size and strength, but up close, he was hunched over and seemed ancient as well. It was quite strange.

Patti strolled up to join the men as the truck began unloading its precious cargo. "Hi, Dr. Tobin," she said.

"Patti," the professor responded warmly. "It's good to see you. I'm glad you got here in time. I'd like you to meet someone." Dr. Tobin paused and then mused, "I forget your name."

Patti smothered a smile. Dr. Tobin was always doing that, forgetting names. She turned to the stranger and smiled. "I'm Patti Trainer."

The man took her hand and looked into her blue eyes. "I've heard quite a bit about you this morning. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Aeson."

"Aeson?" she repeated as she rolled the name off her tongue. She stared into his eyes behind the glasses; they were dark chocolate and seemed somehow familiar. "Now why do I know that name?" she mused aloud.

Aeson laughed. "It was the name of one of Hercules' children. I'm of Greek descent. The name goes back centuries in my family."

She smiled. "So you're from Greece?"

"Dr. Tobin tells me you specialize in the Greek gods, particularly Ares," he said changing the subject.

At the mention of her own pet subject, Patti brightened. "Yes, I do. The myths surrounding him have always been a bit . . . misleading, so I've been doing my own research. That's why I'm so excited about this find. At least two of the items were purported to be his."

"That would be a sword and shield, I believe," Aeson remarked. She nodded. "I too am very interested in seeing them."

"The sword was said to be one of his favorites and the shield something he rarely used, but which contained great power. Of course," she indicated sadly, "it's too much to hope that we can really learn anything from the items."

The man cocked his head and studied the student carefully. "Well," he murmured in a soft voice, "you never know. Sometimes objects can speak louder than people."

"That's true," she agreed. "Dr. Tobin thinks I'm crazy, but there's a dagger we have. I KNOW it spoke to me."

"A dagger?" Aeson repeated. "Do you think I might see it?"

"Perhaps after we've uncrated these items," Dr. Tobin suggested. "After all, you did say you were here to make sure they arrived safely."

"Yes, I did," Aeson agreed. "Wouldn't want any harm to come to these . . . finds."

Later Patti and Aeson were alone in the lab. Dr. Tobin, after seeing the artifacts uncrated had left. It was Patti's job to begin the testing. Aeson had requested permission to stay claiming curiosity. Patti found herself intrigued by the man, though she couldn't say why. He seemed somehow familiar though she couldn't explain that either. It was like the dagger she supposed. Aeson spoke to her.

Aeson was intrigued as well, first by the dagger, which he recognized immediately and second, by Patti. She was an attractive little thing and obsessed by her subject, which was him. It was clear she worshipped the God of War and he loved being worshipped, even if it was from afar and as a myth.

At the moment, Patti was examining the shield that purported to be his. He recognized that too. Hesphestaus had made it or else it wouldn't have survived in such excellent condition, but it wasn't his. It had belonged to Athena, but he saw why they thought it had belonged to him. The Greek letter A was engraved in the center of the shield. Patti was running her hands over it, tracing the curves of the metalwork and engraving.

"It wasn't Ares'," he told her softly.

"I know," she answered just as softly.

"How do you know that?" he asked curiously.

She blushed and looked embarrassed. "It told me."

"It told you?" he echoed incredulously.

She stammered, "I can't explain it. I just touched it and I knew."

"Do you know who it did belong to?"

She nodded. "Athena. She gave it to one of her favorites for protection. It was made by . . . Hesphestaus."

Ares let his jaw drop with surprise. "That's right. How did you . . . "

Patti was no longer listening. She'd dropped the shield and was touching the sword. As soon as her hand touched the hilt, she'd turned to look at him, her face had gone pale and then she'd run out the door.

Ares stared after her for a moment, then raced outside. She was nowhere to be seen. He stretched out with his senses, looking for her. She had run into a small stand of tree behind the building. He could feel her turbulent emotions, but not what had caused them. Slowly he made his way to where she was.

Patti collapsed on the ground trembling. She was being overwhelmed with . . . visions? Memories? Something, she didn't know what. When she'd touched the sword, she'd known it had been Ares. But more than that, she knew that Aeson was . . . Ares. Only that wasn't possible, because Ares couldn't exist, at least NOT in corporeal form. He was a myth, not real. The Greeks gods had never existed, not in human form. And yet . . .