by Excalibos
Copyright 1999
Rating: PG-13 to R (Violence, strong language, adult
themes)
Genre: Xena: Warrior Princess, romance
Violence: Worse than the show, but not as bad as a
slasher flick
Subtext: Nope sorry, uh-uh.
Sex: At most references, but no lewd descriptions.
There's a time and a place for everything, and it's called college.
(gotta love that SP)
Spoilers: Anything up to and including the India Arc
PS: Everything I know about the subject is taken from firsthand experience with my cousins and stuff I've read. So if you see any inconsistencies, remember, I'm a 19 yr. old single guy in college. Be gentle, I bruise easily.
Chapter 1: New Beginnings
"She'll be alright, won't she, Xena," Joxer whimpered, his eyes straying to the house resting not far from where he stood. Xena smiled at his worried features, and reached out to pull his hands apart.
"Joxer, stop wringing your hands like that before you crush every bone in them. Gabrielle will be fine. Elcara is one of the finest healers in Greece. If anyone can provide Gabrielle the best care, it's her."
A shrill cry pierced the morning stillness. In the distance, a flock of crows burst from a grain field, answering the cry with their own voices. Joxer spun on his heels and bolted for the door. Just as he reached the porch, the door opened. The healer, dressed in loose robes, emerged from within, her face hidden by cloth. She reached out a hand to stop Joxer, and pulling off her mask, met the Ranger's eyes.
"Gabrielle...?" Joxer whispered, fear blatant in his eyes.
"Is fine, lad. She's resting peacefully. If you want, you can go in to see her. But don't cause her too much trouble. She's been through a lot." Joxer nodded his head, and moved swiftly, but silently, through the open door. Elcara smiled at the retreating form, then turned to Xena.
"Never saw one quite that scared for his lady before. He act like that much?"
"Quite often, actually. Constantly hovering over her. So, she'll be fine," Xena asked.
"Oh, most definitely. No complications at all. Give her a week to recover, and she'll be good as new." Xena smiled at the thought as she paid the healer several dinars.
"Gabrielle?" Joxer asked as he stuck his head through the partially opened door to Gabrielle's room. His heart was in his throat, and his palms were slick with sweat from his nerves. I can do this. No big deal. It's just Gabby. He slipped his body through the door, and shut it quietly behind himself. When he turned to look at the bed holding his love, he couldn't help but smile. Gabrielle's sleeping form was bathed in the dawn's light coming in from the open window. His heart skipped a beat as he saw her hair glowing like a halo. Softly he moved to the bedside, and knelt, taking her hand.
"Mmmmm...wha? Joxer, izzat you?"
"Yeah Gabby, it's me. How do you feel?"
"Like I just fought ten hours against Callisto in God-mode. What did the healer say?"
"She said you'd be fine. So?"
"So...Oh, right. Joxer, I'd like you to meet your daughter, Joan," Gabrielle whispered as she pulled the corner of the blanket from the tiny face of the sleeping newborn. Joxer smiled as he reached out to caress the forehead of his very own miracle. "Hi Joan, I'm your daddy."
{Cue Xena Theme:
*In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings,
A land in turmoil cried out for a hero.
She was Xena, a mighty Princess, forged in the heat of battle.
The power, The passion, The danger.
Her courage will change the world*}
Chapter 2
Xena sat in a rocking chair, holding the tiny bundle gently against her. What surprised Joxer most was the fact that she was cooing and talking very strangely. He smiled at the thought that his daughter, no, he and Gabrielle's daughter, could reduce the battle hardened warrior woman to this.
Xena suddenly looked up, and spied Joxer with a strange smile crossing his features. She smiled back at him, then turned her attention to the small child she held. The infant's eyes, a bright green, stared at the warrior princess in an almost curious glance. Xena leaned her head down to nuzzle the infant before cooing again.
"You are such a pretty little girl, yes you are! Pretty little eyes, pretty nose," Xena tapped the newborns nose, eliciting a giggle from the child, before kissing her forehead, "Now I'm going to give you to your daddy, okay? So you be a good girl, and behave for him."
Joxer flashed Xena one of his lopsided grins as he pulled his young daughter into his arms. "Thanks for watching her, Xena. Gabrielle wants to see you. How was she?"
"She's an angel Joxer. Just like her parents." Xena smiled as she brushed a silky strand of dark brown hair from the child's face. Silently, Xena moved into what they called Gabrielle's recovery room. She smiled at the sight of the blond bard sitting up and scrawling in one of her scrolls. She knocked on the door, and as Gabrielle looked up, strode into the room.
"Oh, Xena, hi. I was just working on one of my scrolls, and I didn't hear you come in. How's Joan?"
"Your daughter is perfect," Xena replied, to which Gabrielle smiled brightly. "She's with Joxer now." Xena walked to the bed, and sat down beside her friend. "He's going to make a wonderful father."
"I know. For someone who's gone through so much pain in his life, he's just so full of love and understanding. It's like, he's become the purest gold that's ever come out of a forge. Do you know what I mean?"
Xena chuckled as she leaned over to kiss Gabrielle's forehead. "Yes. Yes I do. And I agree." Xena put her arm around the bard's shoulders and drew her into a hug. "I most definitely agree."
Joxer watched Xena disappear into Elcara's small house, as he held his daughter's tiny form firmly, but gently, against his chest. When he saw that Xena was gone, he cautiously left the porch, still holding tightly to his precious burden. After a short time, he reached an overlook that gave a beautiful view of the lands around the small town. As a gentle breeze flowed over both of their forms, he couldn't help but smile. Slowly, he sat down on a rock resting near the edge.
"All is right with the world, isn't it Joan," he asked her. Her only reply was a gurgle and a smile. He reached a finger down to stroke her cheek, but his daughter stopped his descent by firmly grasping the invading object.
"You have you mother's grip, don't you. I'd recognize it anywhere." Joxer sat silently for a minute just looking at the life he helped to create, before he turned her so that she could see the valley and the distant snow-capped peaks.
"It's a beautiful world you've come into, Joan. There are problems yeah, but, overall, it's a great place to be." Suddenly, Joan's face scrunched up, and she began whimpering. "Sshhh. Shhhh. It's ok, it's ok. Come on, stop crying. It'll be okay. Yeah, there's my girl's smile. You are so much like your mother. I just hope you didn't get her stubborn streak." He let her grab his finger again, then brought her up to his face, and kissed her on the head. "For someone so small, you sure are strong. Joan, I swear to you, you will always be in my heart, always be a part of me. Now and forever, we will be together, no matter what anyone else says."
"J-O-O-OXER-R-R! Where are you?"
"I'm up here Xena!" He called, making sure he didn't startle Joan.
Xena jogged up the hill to her lanky friend, noting his serene expression. I've never seen him this...happy, except when Gabrielle accepted his proposal. She sat down next to her friend, and reached out to touch the baby. Joan laughed in delight at seeing the warrior princess. Joxer couldn't help but chuckle at Xena's smile and shining eyes as he passed the child into her open arms. She gladly accepted the little girl. Xena noticed him watching her, not the baby, and gave him the Look.
"What?"
"Oh nothing. Just thinking about what all of the warlords we've beaten over the years would think if they saw you right now. Knowing that you've finally been beaten, not by one of their own, but by a baby girl."
"Hey! Can I help it if she's just so cute? Yes you are," Xena replied, her attention returning to Joan halfway through her rebuttal.
"See? That's what I'm talking about. She's reduced you to a giggling baby babbler."
"Has not," Xena groused, but her wry smile belied her words. "So, what were you doing up here? Gabrielle was wondering where you were."
"Oh. I was just having a father/daughter moment. You know, just talking."
"Mmm-hmm."
"So how is she. When I left, she was wanting to work on one of her scrolls before I sent you in." Joxer noticed that Xena's attention hadn't left Joan for one moment
"Oh, she's fine. Yes she is. Yes she is! Aboogyboogy. Aboogyboogyboogy." Xena suddenly stopped when she realized what she was doing, and looked over at Joxer. He was practically bent over, trying to contain his laughter.
"Ah! Ahhahahaha! You-you should see yourself. Maybe you should take-hahaha-take off your armor when you hold-heeheehaha-hold her, because that is just too funny."
Xena blushed to the roots of her hair, then, putting on an angry face, glared at Joxer. "This doesn't leave this rock. Got it?" she snarled, and she gently handed the now sleeping infant back to her father. His shoulders continued to convulse as he followed Xena down the hill. "I mean it Joxer! Stop Laughing!"
"I'm sorry Xena, it's just, 'boogyboogy?' *hahahaha*" Joxer gasped out, unable to complete a sentence without laughing. He only began to sober up when Xena turned around and gave him a very threatening look. "Okay, okay. Gabrielle will hear nothing about this. I promise. Here, could you hold Joan a minute?" he asked, passing the baby back to Xena. "Baby babbler."
"JOXER! GET BACK HERE!" Xena yelled angrily, as the ranger took off towards the house. She kept herself from running, only because Joan was giggling merrily. She smiled at the tiny girl as she whispered, "We'll get him back, won't we. Yes we will. Guess who's going to be changing your diapers for a long time!" Xena chuckled at the infant's reaction, as she walked slowly back to the house.
Chapter 3
Gabrielle sighed happily as she sat holding Joan. Her daughter was currently nuzzled against her breast, feeding hungrily. It had been three weeks since they had left the healer's, and they had returned to their regular routine, except for the fact that they had a baby with them. However, the trio had learned to compensate for Gabrielle's temporary inability to fully participate.
"Hey Gabby, how's she doing?" Joxer dropped to the ground next to his wife, and handed her a plate of rabbit.
"Hi, I think she's just about finished. How'd you do today?"
"Xena and I found the trail that the warlord's been using. We'll need you there tomorrow. Xena says that Joan will be okay with you; she's got a catapult rigged up to help launch the oil bombs. You're in charge of the diversion, then me and Xena go in and get their leader. Pretty cut and dried."
Gabrielle lowered her head as she repositioned her top, and began to pat Joan on her back. After a soft *urp,* the tiny child fell into a pleasant slumber. Noticing Gabby's mood, Joxer extricated his daughter from his wife's arms, and began rocking her.
"What's wrong, Honey? Why are you so down?"
"I don't know, Joxer. It's just that I'm not helping out as much as I want to, and I miss being in on the action."
"Now you know how I felt for all those years," Joxer whispered, then quickly backed down at his wife's glare. "I'm sorry, but admit it. That's about all that I did for a long time as well."
Gabrielle sighed, and slid her arm around her husband's waist. "I know, but you have to remember. Since we met Hypocritus, you've been a wonderful help, you've gotten better at fighting, and you've had a lot more confidence. But one of us is always going to have to hang back, to hold back, because of Joan. And I don't know if I can."
Joxer sighed and, shifting Joan to his other arm, pulled Gabrielle against his shoulder. "Hey, no one said you had to be the one to watch Joan all the time." Gabrielle started to protest, but Joxer leaned in to capture her mouth with his own. Only minutes later, when need for oxygen overwhelmed the couple, did they separate. "I did that for a reason." Gabrielle raised an eyebrow at that. "Well that too, but I just wanted to tell you that you and Xena have always been partners. You're used to each other, trust each other to cover the other's back. Xena and I don't have that kind of rapport."
"Joxer, I can't ask you to stop helping. That wouldn't be fair."
"Gabrielle, you're not asking. I'm offering. Besides, I can help Xena with the scouting duties and hunting. You know, things my training would help with most. And with my knife throwing and archery, I won't be anywhere near where the fighting will be. So what do you think? You take care of her when I'm scouting, and I'll take care of her when you two go into planned battle."
Gabrielle smiled at him, then reached for her daughter. Joxer slid her into his wife's arms, and enveloped his family in a gentle embrace. Suddenly, Gabrielle looked up at Joxer.
"Joxer, what about when we get attacked on the road. What'll we do then?"
Joxer looked at his wife and daughter, resting securely in his arms. Smiling, he bent his head down to kiss Gabrielle's forehead. "Let's worry about that as it comes up. We'll figure it out quickly, just like we have everything else."
She sighed, knowing he was right. It's not like we can plan out ambushes against us. Her eyes drooping, she whispered softly, "What'd I do to ever deserve you?"
Joxer gently stroked her silky hair, and just before Morpheus claimed her, she heard him whisper, "You loved me. Just because you loved me."
Chapter 4
Joxer slipped through the undergrowth, not leaving a visible trace of his passage. Strapped to his back was his daughter, sleeping peacefully, unaware of her father's purpose. Suddenly, the lanky Ranger heard the *snap* of a twig. Gathering his strength, he leapt upward, sending a grapple even higher. The metal tool caught onto a high branch, allowing Joxer to quickly ascend high into the tree. In less than two seconds, he had disappeared from the ground.
"So, why do ya think Seripherus wanted us patrolling this far out?"
"Aw, who knows. Just keep it quiet."
"Right."
The two thugs nodded to each other, then separated. One, a tall bulky guy with an armored helm, began to walk towards the hidden catapult. Joxer grimaced from the branch he stood on. Throwing a glance at the other sentry, he saw that the shorter one was out of sight beyond a cluster of bushes. Quietly, Joxer dropped to the ground. Sneaking up behind the taller guard, he applied a version of Xena's pinch, instantly causing unconsciousness. Then, moving to a position near the edge of the bushes, he waited patiently for the other sentry.
"So, see anything," the squat guard asked as he rounded the bushes. Like a serpent, Joxer's arms shot out, striking the pressure points that cut off the flow of blood to his brain. Leaning over the choking man, Joxer grabbed his collar.
"You've heard of Xena's Pinch? I just gave it to you. You have only seconds to tell me where most of the men in your camp are, or you are dead. Cooperate, I take it off."
The goon scratched at his throat, before wheezing out, "Ok, ok. The-they're in th-the main tent! It's dinnertime." Joxer quickly struck his neck, then applied pressure to the other point, knocking the man out. Joan suddenly let out a squeal of laughter.
"Shhh, little one. Only a little longer, then we can play." Joxer smiled and moved toward the catapult. He wore a suit of leather armor similar to the one worn by his friend and master, Hypocritus. A black cloth mask covered his entire face, save for an open strip, showing his eyes. He quickly uncovered the catapult, and set Joan down, to wait for Xena's signal.
"Xena, do you think Joxer and Joan are okay?" Gabrielle was glancing worriedly around them. She once again wore the red amazon outfit she received after she became queen, because she wasn't ready to go back to wearing what she had before the pregnancy. She carried her sai in her boots and her staff in her hands. Xena smiled at her friend, and put her hand on her shoulder.
"They're fine. You know Joxer can get around without being seen. That's one of the skills he's been working on the most. And if anyone can take care of Joan in the middle of a battle, it's Joxer."
"You're right, Xena. I just worry about them. Losing Perdicas was hard enough; I really don't know what I'd do if I lost them too."
"Like I said, they'll be fine. That's why they'll be out of the line of fire." Xena quickly lit an oil vase, and lobbed it toward the gate. "Let's do it."
"There's the signal. Sorry, I can't play anymore. Daddy's gotta work." Joxer quickly began throwing rocks and tubes of black powder into the basket of the catapult. I'm glad we discovered that last ingredient. With a laugh, he yanked on the release rope. The contents of the basket flew through the air. Burning fuses drew near packed powder, as the conglomeration of objects crashed into the largest of the tents. In a mighty roar, the tent exploded, flaming debris crashing down around the fleeing soldiers. In the distance, Joxer heard Xena's piercing war cry.
"AYYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYIYI!!!" Xena flipped into the front of a fleeing group of soldiers. "Going somewhere boys?" The men glanced at each other for only a moment before drawing their swords and rushing the warrior. She cackled gleefully as she launched herself over the group.
"Nighty night, boys." Swinging her leg out behind her, she struck the nearest soldier in the small of his back, propelling him into the thickest part of his comrades. Pulling her sword from its sheath on her back, she sliced down, blocking the upswing of her opponent, then thrust her sword back, skewering another attacker. She leapt into the air, away from the nearest tent, as a shrill whistle echoed through the camp, ending with the destruction of the camps supply tent.
Flames lit the sky as Gabrielle ran across the camp, searching for the warlord she knew to be there. Every so often, she would send another soldier off to dreamland, and ran in a strange zigzag pattern that seemed pointless, until fireballs exploded at the points she avoided.
"Seripherus! Where are you?!" Gabrielle rounded a corner, almost crashing into the burly armored figure running in the opposite direction. She leapt backward in an awkward flip, and brought her staff to a defensive position. The armored figure laughed, and withdrew his mighty sword.
"So, little girl. You think to challenge me with that little stick? HA," he laughed as he twirled his sword around. "I'll chop it into kindling."
"They say that men who use larger than average swords are just trying to compensate," the plucky bard shot back. The warlord stopped twirling his sword, and with a furious roar, launched himself at her.
Gabrielle jabbed forward, catching him in the stomach. He grunted as he bent over, then dropped even farther as she knocked the helmet off his head with a wicked upswing. He flew backwards, landing hard in a stack of crates. His sword dropped to the ground, his arm limp in the evening air.
"Don't call me, little girl," Gabrielle growled. She quickly bound his hands and feet, and began dragging him back to base camp. Hearing footsteps, she whirled around, only to see Joxer and Xena approaching. Joxer pulled off his pack, and handed her their daughter. Gabrielle's eyes were moist as she pulled the child into a tight embrace. The group resumed the march back to camp, Xena and Gabrielle leading, Joxer leading the prisoner. Suddenly, Gabrielle wheeled angrily to face Joxer.
"Why did you bring her here?"
"She wanted you. And I thought you could use a good cheering up," Joxer smiled as he watched his daughter reach out for her mother. Gabrielle's face softened, until she was laughing, and cooing at her daughter.
"Well, let's get this scum to the nearest prison, then we'll take a break. We've had a busy few last weeks."
"Hey Xena, Maramis isn't that far from here. How 'bout we take him there, then I can see my brother?" Joxer's suggestion met with icy glares from both women. Gabrielle started to say something, then Joan began crying hungrily, and she was occupied with the task of feeding her daughter. Instead, Xena moved forward, grabbed his arm and dragged him some distance from camp.
"What the Hell are you thinking?! You shouldn't upset Gabrielle like that. Why do you want to see your brother?"
Joxer looked steadily into her cool eyes, his own chocolate eyes dark and tear-filled, before calmly whispering, "That's why. He's my brother, plain and simple. Wouldn't you go see your brother if he were in prison?"
"That's different. My brother isn't a cold-blooded killer."
"Maybe, but that's not the point. Your brother is what he is because that's the way he was raised. And the same holds true for my brother. You don't know what he went through. What we went through." Joxer turned away, and leaned against a nearby tree. "Our father stole Jett's innocence. He made Jett what he is. Jett didn't have much of a choice in his path; Father decided for him. Like you."
Xena looked at Joxer, shock covering her features. Finally, she managed to get out a single word. "What?"
"You didn't choose your path at first. Someone else decided for you. You wanted to protect others from your pain by destroying the cause. Ares used your pain to make you the Warrior Princess. I know, you did decide to follow him, but you might not have become the warlord you did, had Ares not interfered. Same way with Jett. He chose to follow my father's teachings, but he might not have become as dark and deadly if Father hadn't interfered. And I'm not going to blame my brother for things he had little control over. He's still my brother, no matter what he does. And nothing is going to stop me from seeing him." Joxer walked back towards camp, not looking at the warrior. Xena watched him leave, her eyes sad, her posture slumped.
Joxer walked into camp, angry at himself, angry at his friends, angry at the situation in general. He strode over to his equipment, and began packing. Gabrielle, setting the baby down in a ring of furs, looked confusedly at him.
"Joxer, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to see my brother. Not that you'd care about him. But he's family, no matter what he's done." Slinging the pack over his shoulder, he turned his head to look at his wife, her hair gleaming in the firelight. Sighing, he walked over to her and took her in his arms. "I need to see him, Gabby. I haven't in a long time, and I'm the only one who cares." He kissed the top of her head before turning around. "I'll see you in a couple of days." He jogged out of the firelight, and soon disappeared in the darkness.
Gabrielle stood watching the spot where he had disappeared, until a soft cry pierced the raging chaos that was her mind. Mechanically, she walked over and picked up her daughter, soothing the infant's cries. She gently bounced the child, calming the squalling infant.
"There, there. Everything's going to be alright," Gabrielle whispered, but tears forming in her eyes betrayed her true emotions. Softly, her gaze again returning to the last point she saw her husband, she said, "Please, Aphrodite, let it be alright."