I ran my hand across the babe's plump cheek, cooing softly. Times were getting harder, I could no longer deny I felt the need for one of my own. Every baby born in Greece I visited, my touch deciding their beauty, and this one I had touched to much. I was the goddess of love and beauty, no man could deny me. I could have any god or man father my child, but there were none worthy of my favor.

The baby's sweet snore clinched my stomach, and I moaned. I couldn't keep doing this, if it were to be known I was jealous of the life these mortals kept, they had everything handed to them. They knew what they would do day after day, they fell in love by my hand and didn't deny it, and they didn't have to worry of whom was worthy. Sighing I walked from the crib. "Goodnight, fair Helen." I whispered to the sleeping form before returning to Olympus.

Most of the dieties were asleep or pursuing other nightly pleasures. Walking through the dining hall, I noticed two figures. I grinned, sneaking up behind the closest.

Ares sat with his back to me, his long black curls fell in a wave down his back. Across from him, Hephaestus, god of fire, his best friend. Hephaestus was overall a huge bulky man, he worked with his hands, which made his body entirely too muscular. He was tall, like the rest of us, but his arms were huge, his chest massive, he was too much man. He would've been rather attractive, if not for the scars maring his face across one eye. His dirty blond hair fell in waves around his shoulders, usually placed in such a manner to hide is infliction, but tonight he was relaxed at ease with Ares. Growing up, I had been jealous of their closeness, but it was inivitable. The god of war and the lord of weapons, they were destined.

I slipped my hands around Ares eyes, deepening my voice, "Guess who?"

He laughed, "Those dry withered hands? I'd say Cronus." I smacked him lightly on the shoulder coming around to sat beside him on the bench. "Why it's you sister dear." he chuckled in mock surprise.

Hephaestus, grinned, his brown eyes as always avoiding me to find solace in the sky out the from under the patio. "I'd say love, if he can mistake those tiny hands for Cronus, then you'd best start soaking them more to soften them."

I huffed, "What would you two know of soft hands."

Hephaestus scoffed, Ares guffawed, "Plenty sis, all he needs to know." He looked at Heph' grinning like the ornery cuss he was, "Soft hands, warm and willing are a welcome distraction in times of peace. Ain't that right Heph'?"

Heph' grinned, sliding his eyes over to me. "I do believe this is the first night I've seen you alone, little minx."

I groaned, "Then your not around enough." I tapped my long nails against the table, "What are two into anyway?"

"Discussing a catapult." Ares sighed. "I want one."

I laughed softly, "Of course you do."

Excitement sparkled in his eyes, "Ah, but sis you don't understand. Not only can it be used for destruction, but I believe we could have some real fun with it. The more you tighten some of the ropes, the spring, the farther you can shoot it. I believe with a little practice you can perfect the aim, and won't that be fun."

Hephaestus grinned, "Your just looking forward to destroying things while you figure it out."

"Too true, my friend. You'll be there beside me won't ya?" Mischief should have been my brother's forte, but alas Hermes was quite worse.

"I'll have to build it first."

Ares waved him off, "Won't take you long." Ares rose from the table, "I believe I shall retire with my thoughts."

Hephaestus laughed, "Of course sweet dreams of flying rocks and smashing fortresses."

"None other. 'Night, sis." he patted my back fondly before leaving us in candlelight. Hephaestus reached forward drawing the small flame lower.

"You going to bed too?" I asked, I wasn't ready too. I didn't have anyone waiting and a lonely bed didn't seem like a good choice for the moment.

"Nah, gotta head home, and just not tired yet." He flicked his fingers through the flame pulling it this way and that.

I stood, sitting on the table, his attention to the flame held me in awe for a moment. Then I reached, grabbing his other hand. He looked at me, with that boyish grin as I studied it. "Your one to talk of soft hands," I mumbled carressing his calloused hands with my fingers. He was one of the only gods I knew to work with his hands like a mortal, it was demeaning, but it fit him. He liked to do things his way, much like Ares.

He clasped my hand to stop its caresses, opening it to look into it. "Your hands are soft like fine silk, minx." He kissed my palm. "Don't let the old boy get to you."

I growled, laying across the table to look in his face. "Do you like my soft hands, Heph?" I pouted, he grinned laying my hand on the cool marble table.

"I like a lot of things, love." He stood, turning his back to me. I sighed, pulling my pink robe down farther over my shoulder. Looking through my eyelashes.

"Perhaps, you could show me," I licked my lips, "Some things you like." He looked at me through his one beautiful brown eye, shadows hiding the deformity of his youth.

"I don't think so love."

I sat up abruptly, "Why in Hades name not?"

He laughed, rich and full. "Perhaps I'm not a toy to pass the time like your other lovers."

I felt anger and frustration warring my features as I looked at him, "I never said nothing about you being a toy!"

He walked to stand between my legs, cupping my chin in his hand. "You and your brother are close, because you both like to play. He plays with his tools of war..." He leaned into the light, letting it catch his scars, "You play with hearts. Minx, as I said I'm no one's toy." He was not mad, nor was he amused. It was just his stated fact, and I found it hard to be angry, more dejected than anything else. He leaned forward kissing my cheek, "Good night love." I nodded and he left me to my thoughts.

Did men think they were my toys? I had always thought men thought of women as their toys, thats why I enjoyed having the power to seduce them. I could seduce Heph', but it would be no fun. He'd been my friend too long, Ares' friend longer, it didn't feel right. What had I been thinking? I laughed softly, too many thoughts for my pretty head, time for bed.

I groaned and turned again wishing sleep was a sweet matron instead of the elusive bitch she was showing herself to be. She would teeter me to the brink and I would dream and then she'd retreat to leave me awake and frustrated. Sleep, sleep, how I hate you sleep! I punched my pillow turning yet again. This time I propped my back up, and leaned over to light the closest candle.

There was one thing keeping sleep from me this night, and I had left her in the hall to ponder. Aphrodite, goddess of love of beauty, the things that brought men to their knees. I would not be one of those weak kneed fools. She had dozens following her, worshipping her, singing her love tunes, spouting her poetry, praising her charm and looks. I would not be another follower. I had been able to ignore those pouty pink lips, those bright blue eyes since she was born, I would continue.

She had followed Ares and I around like a lost puppy, almost always finding herself in the middle of our scrapes, almost always needing a rescuer to save her from some unfortunate dilemma. I remembered those days well, plucking flowers as we played with our wooden swords, hiding behind bushes while we challenged bears, yes she had always seemed to be there when we turned around. But now she was a child no longer.

Tonight a woman had propositioned me, it was the first time she had ever looked at me as something other than friend. She was willing to take me as a lover, maybe for just a night, but she had looked at me as something sensual. I reached down to grasp my hand around my throbbing cock, gasping. Her lips now pouty and ripe, her breast rising and falling, practically spilling from her girlish pink robes. Her body was a work of art, perfect with every curve, every inch pure woman, and every inch spoke of sexual promise.

I groaned, finally giving in to stroke myself. She had bent down there, close enough I could smell her sweet scent, close enough I could see the desire shining from her sky blue eyes. And I being the fool, I turned her down. It would be wonderful to finally have a woman to bury my seed in, but I couldn't stand the thought of waking in the morning to see the disgust in her eyes.

My face was marred, I couldn't deny it to anyone, let alone myself, and I refused to have a woman look at me in disgust or pity. Athena would always show one of those emotions, and I avoided her like the plague. Artemis was fine, but she had many scares herself. She was a tomboy, she was beautiful, but she was not that pure feminine beauty of Aphrodite. Not that anyone could compare to the little minx, but she just had that aura. She was simply woman and she used and abused that fact. It wasn't often she went to bed without a lover or two, maybe a night alone would do her some good.

I felt my hot seed finally in my hand and I groaned. To think I'd missed the chance between those long legs, just to have to use my own hand, what in Hades had I been thinking?

I frolicked through the gardens of the patio, smelling Demeter's flowers, prancing around enjoying Zeus's light wind. It was days like this that made me happy to be a carefree goddess. I grinned, I knew I couldn't make up my mind: one day wishing I was mortal the next appreciating the joy of being able to relax and enjoy the gifts of the gods and the worry free existence of having no pressing duties.

I laughed aloud, holding my arms out to let the breeze caress me as a intimate lover through my thin silk robes.

"I see your still alive and well." came a deep throaty voice behind me. I turned to Hephaestas grinning.

"Why of course?" I teased, "You think I've never been turned down before?"

He returned the grin, his hair falling precariously over his scars. "I don't believe you have. Nope, never in your sweet life, love."

I pranced over to him, running my fingers across his muscled chest showing from his leather vest. "It does not seem to happen all that often, but it has happened, my fiery friend." He grasped my hand, drawing it to his lips.

"I came to apologize for my rudeness last night." I was shocked, gods never apologized, least of all the men.

"Did you think to have a second chance tonight?" I whispered seductively, inadvertantly taking a step closer to press against his side.

He tilted his head, "No, and the answer would have to be the same." He sighed, turning away from me.

"Are you so busy?" I asked hastily grabbing his arm.

He stopped, but didn't turn around. "I assume most of us are."

I looked to my feet, "Maybe some of us would like some companionship."

He laughed, and I found it chilling, it wasn't his usual humor I heard, it held a touch of cruelty. "I've never known you to have a lack of companions."

I snorted, "I meant in friendly capacities, Heph."

He turned giving me a once over, as if sizing me up. "Your more than welcome to join me in my caverns, love. After all who am I to deny a friend?" He once more strolled out and I followed quick at his heels.

If you'd ask me what I'd been thinking, I couldn't tell you, for all purpose my brain had fled and I let my emotions govern me. I had never been one to give in to my emotions, too used to manipulating others I knew the grief they could cause you. However, this was Heph and I trusted him as few others.

His caverns were deep within Mount Olympus, his own private quarters. He could work and sleep in peace. I had been down once before, but only for a moment. The cavern walls were unadorned, mostly weapons were laid on wooden tables throughout the room. Fires burned in small caverns seemed to be cut into the walls. It was achingly hot and I snapped my fingers to adorn myself in a lighter fabric. I moved to one side finding it was cool against the wall, so I stayed pressed against it.

I watched as Hephaestus went to a cast iron cauldron to throw different stones in. He seemed to forget about me as he went to boiling it down in the sweltering heat. I watched as his sweaty muscles twitched as he moved his carefully molded peices from one work table to the next. I'd always known he'd prefered manual labor, but hadn't realized he took it this far. I snapped my fingers moving the rest for him. His eyes seemed to look at me in puzzlement then, before returning to the boiling stone of the fire. Sweat dripped off him as he stirred, then pulled it off. He seemed to go into a trance waving his arms above the pot pulling out a small cylinder opened on both ends. He turned to another table and I couldn't see anything, but the movements of his arms and the muscles bunching in his back as his shirt clung to him wet with sweat.

I stepped closer. His hair hung limply now in the heat, falling midway down his back, his hand pushed it from his face where he could see. Almost hesitantly I took another step so not to disturb him. "The table over there, near the larger fire, go grab me five stones." his voice rang out, breaking the thrall he'd held over me.

I turned to where he directed finding a table laid out with beautiful gems. There were rubies, emeralds, diamonds, some I reconized, others I did not. "How big?" I shouted over the roar of his fires.

"Smaller," he said, he didn't have to shout his voice carried. I fingered the smaller stones carefully, deciding on five small rubies. I took them to him trying to see what he was doing, but he turned blocking it. "Thank you, love." he grinned, taking them, before turning to work on his project.

I felt braver now, and walked to his side, leaning so I could see what he was doing. It was covered in black dust and he had a small stick running over in fast rapid movements. He tilted his head to me and grinned. I smiled, he looked like the boy I'd always known in his excitement, but I knew as his muscles rippled, his eyes darkened that a man now sat before me.

"Blow." he ordered.

"Excuse me?" I murmered.

He made a blowing motion, I bent and blew the black dust which seemed to gather in the air. He laughed, then turned to me. He slipped a long bracelet across my arm, it fit perfect from elbow to wrist. It was green stone with flowers carved across the top, toward my wrist was a rose, with it's petals enhanced with small rubies I'd given him.

I stared in awe, before looking at him. He was watching my face with a guarded expression, "I've never known you to be an artist."

He shrugged, "Not much call for it."

I laughed, "But its gorgeous, why if Hera knew she'd keep you busy."

He snorted, turning back to his table to clean his mess. "I do as I like."

I smiled and ran my hand across the cool stone, "I've never seen green rock like this."

"It's jade." he stated.

I grinned, "A lover's token?"

He turned to me then, taking me in from head to toe. "A friend's gift. Besides you look like a wet bedraggled cat right now." I looked down to see every niche of my body was revealed in my sweat soaked robe, my hair lay in wet tangles clinging to my skin.

I groaned, then laid my hand upon his arm to gain his attention. "Thank you."

"Your welcome." he said watching my eyes. "Now, how about a drink and some of that friendly companionship you were preaching earlier." I nodded grinning taking his arm allowing him to guide me through his rooms. The next was smaller, but had a bigger fire to one side, anvils and hammers were thrown throughout the floor and on the walls. Then we came to a hallway and I felt a light breeze, to one side was a small pool, where water sprinkled down over the rocks. I paused to look at the beautiful blue water lit from beneath, its only source the slight cascade. He was forced to stop with me.

"It's beautiful." I whispered.

"Well, I am particularly fond of it myself." he pulled his hair forward covering his scars as if in defense, before pulling me forward. "Ares likes to come down here and bath anymore."

I laughed, "I imagine Ares is down here a lot."

He returned my humor, " Yes, he likes my toys." He held open a wooden door gesturing me in to a small table before a small fire. I grinned seeing the candles piled on the table.

"Apparently he's not the only one with toys." I teased. He shrugged, pulling some cushions from a corner to make a spot for us to sit in the floor.

I felt cool in here, my clothes finally drying out, but I'd need a good bath before my hair recovered. He grasped a candle off the table, propping himself on his side he began manipulating and molding the wax with his hot hands. I watched captivated, it was a side of the man I'd never seen. He'd always been one to jump in with Ares on his latest schemes, but I'd never noticed the man couldn't help but keep his hands busy. He seemed to have a natural inclination to just keep them working on anything.

"Why so quite minx?" he asked watching me out of the corner of his eye.

"Lost in thought, I guess." I admitted, pulling my knees to my chest.

"What thought would that be? Hmm" He twirled the wax until it was almost a thin stiff string and then begin playing with rounding the top.

"I've been bored, Hepheastus. I haven't been content as I was." I hadn't told anyone that and felt my cheeks burn that I'd actually told him. He arched a brow, but spared looking at me too busy with his wax. "I'm not sure how to really get over it."

He chuckled, "Perhaps, you should try my philosophy."

"And that would be..?" I hinted.

"I like to do things for myself." He stopped to stare at me, "I could just as easily snap my fingers as you do or the rest, but I find a certain," he paused. "A certain fufillment in just doing the little things. I enjoy being able to say instead of my power I was able to do that with my hands. I feel if I was ever human I could still do what I like and it would still be as good."

"Your not human though." I whispered. He grinned, and held his wax to me. He formed it into a small rose.

"No, I'm not." I took it running my finger across the petal. It was so thin, it moved like a real petal.

"Thank you," I said studying it in the fire. "I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up."

He laughed, "Well of course, minx, it's wax. It will either melt of fall apart at the end of the day."

"Then why bother with it at all?" I looked at him. He seemed very serious for a moment.

"Aren't you the goddess of beauty? Don't you appreciate the small beauty needless of how long it last?" I nodded, having no reply.

"Beauty isn't everything." I admitted. He chuckled then laid back crossing his arms under his head to watch me.

"How so?"

"I can make a woman beautiful, but in time she withers. I can make an artist's picture beautiful, but then some man possesses it, hiding it from others. It's not like love to be given freely, it's a vanity, a constant source to be coveted.."

He interrupted me, "So says the most beautiful goddess to grace Olympus."

I blushed, "It never last."

He shut his eyes, "Nothing ever does."

I was ashamed I'd admitted such thoughts and sought refuge with a different subject, "How come you and Ares are still so close?"

"Same reason, as you and he, love."

"He's my brother." Obviously.

"He's my friend." He looked at me, "And from what I can tell one of the only friends you have." I felt naked, vunerable, it wasn't a topic anyone had ever brought up before. Hepheastus grabbed my hand, kissing the palm drawing me closer. "I had always thought of us as friends too, love." He watched me under his steady eye, not missing anything. "Maybe I felt I had to turn you down, so as not to lose that."

I pulled away and looked to the fire, "Of course we're friends, and quit talking of last night, it was merely a whim of the moment."

He nodded, "Perhaps you follow too many whims."

"Perhaps I do."