DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
Xena, Warrior Princess
Gabrielle, Bard of Poteidaia
Joxer, the Mighty
Lin, King in a small province of Chin
Other minor characters

Rating: PG
Genres: Xena: Warrior Princess, romance/drama.
Language: Fairly clean.
Spoilers: Chakram
Author's notes: This story takes place a few weeks after Chakram, while they are on the road to Chin.

Not That Different - by Collin Raye

She said we're much too different we're from two separate worlds
And he admitted she was partly right
But in his heart's defense he told her that what they had in common
Was strong enough to bond them for life
He said look behind your own soul and the person that you'll see
Just might remind you of me

Chorus:
I laugh, I love, I hope, I try
I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry
And I know you do the same things too
So we're really not that different
Me and you

Now she could hardly argue with his pure and simple logic
But logic never could convince a heart
She had always dreamed of loving someone more exotic
And he just didn't seem to fit the part
So she searched for greener pastures but never could forget
What he whispered when she left

(Chorus)

Was it time? Was it truth?
Maybe both led her back to his door
And as her tears fell at his feet she didn't say I love you
What she said meant even more

(Chorus)

The tall, slender man gazed again at the woman he loved walking ahead of him and sighed. He had told her his feelings weeks ago and still she hadn't said anything to him about how she felt. He daydreamed again of a life with her as his wife.

The man's eyes got a far-away look in them, a grin crept across his face and he ran into the back of the woman he was dreaming about. As she turned around, he was still half-dreaming ... until he saw her face.

"Uh... I'm sorry Gabrielle! I was just... uh... distracted," he stuttered.

"It's okay, Joxer. Look can we talk?" Gabrielle asked him. "Xena will be setting up camp a little further down the road."

"Talk? You mean... you and me? Like... talk? Uh...yeah, sure!" Joxer answered uncertainly.

Gabrielle sighed softly and looked at the man in front of her. She really didn't want to hurt him, but she had to tell him sooner or later, and now was as good a time as any. She hesitated though as she saw the eager, hopeful look on his face.

"Joxer, I know you love me, but we're different. We come from two different worlds. Do you understand?" Seeing the confusion on his face, she shook her head and continued, "Gods, how do I explain this..."

"Gabrielle, I know when you look at me all you see is a geek wearing a pasta strainer for a hat, but can't you look past that?" he pleaded. "We have a lot more things in common than you know and those things can help bond us through life."

Gabrielle sighed in frustration, this was going to be harder than she first thought. "Joxer, what are you talking about?"

"I laugh. I love. I hope. I try." He answered and watched her face as he continued, "I hurt. I need. I fear. I cry. And I know you feel the same things, too. We're really not that different, you and I."

Gabrielle felt the sting of tears in her eyes as Joxer finished. Why couldn't he understand? Why couldn't he just leave her alone? she thought. "Joxer, I... I can't."

She turned and ran towards the camp. Her tears ran down her cheeks as she rushed past Xena and hurriedly grabbed her small pack and sais.

"Gabrielle, where are you going? What happened?" Xena asked as she saw her friend's obvious pain. She grabbed Gabrielle by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Is it Joxer?"

"I'm going away for a few days. I'll... I'll meet up with you again in the next village. Bye Xena." Gabrielle said through her tears and hugged her friend briefly before she turned and left.

Xena watched her best friend leave, her own pain and frustration written on her face as she turned and watched Joxer approach in the other direction. His shoulders were slumped and he was walking so slowly it took him a few minutes just to cross the small camp.

Joxer looked up in time to see Gabrielle run off, without looking back. His cheeks were wet as he gazed dejectedly at Xena and then sat down. "Do you want me to leave?" He asked without looking up.

"No, Joxer. I want you to tell me what happened. What did you say?" Xena asked him, crouching down to look in his face.

"What does it matter anymore? She doesn't care... she never did!" Joxer muttered.

"That's not true, Joxer. You know it isn't. Listen, Gabrielle is still trying to deal with Perdicas' death and, in a way, she's scared that if she admits that she loves you, then you might die too." Xena tried explaining. The strong woman mentally kicked herself for not having the same gift of words that Gabrielle had.

Joxer looked up and into the warrior's piercing blue eyes. "But I've been in lots of fights and I may not be the best fighter in Greece, but I'm getting better! Why can't she see that? Xena, why can't she just accept me for who I am?" Joxer asked simply.

"I don't know, Joxer," Xena sighed. "Will you stay around for a few days? I'd like the company and Gabrielle needs the time to herself right now."

"Yeah, okay. I guess I can stick around for a few days. Then I guess I should be moving on." Joxer answered.

"Good! You get to make dinner!" Xena grinned. "And I don't want you making any of that stew!"

"Figures! All you want me around for is to be your personal cook!" Joxer mock grumbled and grinned back.

Gabrielle brusquely wiped the tears off her cheeks and continued walking away from the camp and the man who loved her.

Damn him! she thought angrily, Why can't he understand? Why does he have to make it so hard? I'll show him! I'll show him he's wrong!

She saw a small town up ahead and decided to get something to eat at the local tavern and then rent a room for the night. She entered the village and asked directions to the tavern. As she entered the tavern, her eyes fell upon a handsome young man that looked Asian in appearance. He noticed her staring at him and smiled at her. Gabrielle blushed in embarrassment and nodded, looking away for a seat on the other side of the room. She found one in a badly lit corner and went to sit down. She almost didn't notice the young man in front of her until she nearly ran into him.

"Oh, excuse me! I... I didn't see you there." Gabrielle apologized as she looked into the man's sensitive brown eyes.

"It is my fault. I stepped in your way. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lin and I would be honored if you would join me." He answered in a slight Asian accent. "Unless you are expecting company?" He glanced behind her to the door and Gabrielle half turned to look, then stopped herself.

"No, I'm not expecting anyone. I'd love to join you. Are you from Chin?" Gabrielle smiled as she followed him back to his table.

They talked long into the night and by the time they were ready to part for the night, Gabrielle realized that it might be too late to check into the inn.

"Where are you staying?" Lin asked. "I will walk you there to make sure you will arrive safe. Although I am sure you are quite capable of taking care of yourself!" He added, glancing at her sais.

"Unfortunately, I don't think I have a place for the night. I was going to stay at the inn, but I think they might be closed by now." Gabrielle replied. "It's okay though, I've got a bedroll, I'll make due."

"Nonsense! It is because of me that you did not retire earlier. I feel it is only fair to offer you my room. Please do not say no, I have other rooms that I may use instead."

Gabrielle hesitated a moment but the thought of a nice soft bed for the night instead of the hard cold ground was too tempting to pass up. "Alright, but just for the night. This is very generous of you. I can pay you for the room, that way you..."

"No! You will put your money away. A true gentleman never allows a lady to pay while she is in his company. Your companionship tonight more than makes up for the cost of the room. And if you still feel you owe me, you may join me for breakfast." Lin smiled and escorted her to a nice looking inn. He opened the door for her and showed her to her room. Opening the door, he bowed before her as she entered and smiled again as she gasped at the quality.

"Oh, Lin! I can't take this room. I thought you meant a small room, not this... this... room fit for a queen!" Gabrielle was almost speechless as she gazed around the room and then back at Lin. "What are you?"

"I am the king of a small province in Chin. It is small, but very wealthy. But enough about that, you must be tired it is quite late. We shall meet again for breakfast and I will tell you more, if you wish. Goodnight." Lin said and then closed the door before Gabrielle could say anything else.

Gabrielle ran a hand through her short blonde hair and looked around the room again. She carried her pack to the huge bed and sat down. It was without a doubt the softest bed she had ever been on. Thoughts of her friends ran through her head and she remembered Joxer's last words to her. "I laugh. I love. I hope. I try. I hurt. I need. I fear. I try."

She dropped her pack to the floor and stretched out on the bed and sighed. The bed really was comfortable. She closed her eyes and a moment later was asleep. A tall, slender, dark-haired man who had poured out his heart to her filled her dreams for the remainder of the night.

Joxer lay on his back, staring up at the stars. He thought again about Gabrielle and sighed.

"Want to talk about it?" A voice asked softly.

"I wish I could tell her how sorry I am. I didn't mean to make her run away. I'm always screwing things up!" Joxer said as he rolled over to face Xena.

"Joxer, you didn't do anything wrong. Gabrielle has to deal with her feelings on her own. You might not realize this, but she really does love you, but she still has a hard time even admitting that to herself," Xena replied.

"But if I never said those things... she might be here right now, instead of... of... where ever she is now," Joxer sighed.

"You told her the truth. That was a hard thing to do and I'm sure she saw that, but Gabrielle always dreamed of loving someone more ... exotic. She just didn't think you fit the bill. Don't worry... when she's finished dreaming, you'll be the one she thinks of."

"Thanks, Xena," Joxer yawned.

"You're welcome. Get some sleep now," Xena said and knew he was asleep before she finished speaking.

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