Note: This takes place immediately following "A Family Affair"

The man stopped and froze.

Not for an angry, advancing warrior.

Not for a Villager-eating monster.

This was all about the onions.

Joxer's brows furrowed in that slightly-comical way they did when he was trying to think really hard. And for Hera and Zeus' sakes, he just could not remember whether he needed one onion, or two.

It wasn't like he hadn't tried this particular stew in a while. He usually cooked; it was better than not doing anything, which often happened when Xena was in the middle of 'a plan'. And he was usually hungry. And the alternative was eating Xena's food.

So the whole stigma of warriors and cooking - wore off rather quickly, even in Joxer's strict 'warrior code'. And it meant getting to use some of Xena's really cool knives.

And yet, Joxer's brain continued to be... less clear than usual.

One onion or two?!

And, while Joxer wouldn't admit it, cooking meant not thinking about how things can turn out. And that was fine with him. Xena and Gabrielle- the real Gabrielle, his Gabrielle, hasn't come back yet. But the village was lit up like a Solstice Tree, so many torches had been erected and set. It took some plodding on his part, but Xena needed it done.

And he helped make it happen.

But that was a while ago. And he figured- when they get back, they'll be hungry. Gabrielle especially. He knew what it was like to be dead-tired and hungry. And this was Gabrielle- she could work her way through a whole festival food line twice in one afternoon.

So, he thought, how hungry would she be when she was, ya know, coming back from being really dead?!

His logic thus solidified, Joxer nodded to himself, and chopped more potatoes and added them to the pot. And set the onions aside, to be decided on later.

He was in the middle of the carrots when he felt it, out of no where. The sudden presence, the one he had missed for months. Had dreamed of feeling again. That 'thing' that told him Gabrielle was there.

He just stopped, staring ahead, trying to convince himself it was real. That the unending, unceasing pain of the last 8 moons, was finally over.

And then he heard her.

"Joxer, that smells really good. I'm starving."

Gabrielle's voice was joined by the hand she placed on his arm, almost leaning against the much taller man. It was a voice trying to sound confident, clear, normal. But it had an underlying tone of something else.

And then Joxer turned, forgetting the celery he still held, almost in a trance as he saw her, looking tired, weary. But she was smiling at him. That warm, wonderful smile, which he had only seen in dreams for so long. And she was smiling it, for him.

Joxer became so overwhelmed, he could barely speak

And yet he had so much to say.

"Hi Gabby. Uh...do you like celery? I can't remember if you do."

Okay, that probably wasn't it. But Gabrielle's face broke, and the weariness underneath vanished, replaced by a hearty chortle.

"I'm sure I do, Joxer."

"Hey, no one asked me whether I do or not?" And Joxer turned, saw Xena unsheathing her sword, and was now gathering supplies to look after her injuries.

"I..." And he never finished, as Gabrielle leaned into him, her head resting against the side of his arm, her weight now fully against his. Somehow she was...different? But at the moment, it didn't matter. She was back.

And then Joxer finished the celery, and without a moment's thought, threw both onions in as well.

It would be fine. Now.

Please take the time to write to Findle at findle@adelphia.net, and let him know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 2006 by Findle and is his sole property along with the story idea. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.