Gabrielle watched as Joxer walked away from her and Xena. At the top of the rise he turned back briefly to wave. From Horse's back the blond Amazon Queen raised her hand in return before Joxer the Mighty dropped out of sight on the other side of the hill. She sighed and sat more deeply in the saddle she was still getting used to.

Xena glanced at her best friend and partner. The Warrior Princess shifted as Argo's saddle horn pushed against her bulging belly. "Something wrong?"

"No. Nothing," Gabrielle said softly as she restrained herself from galloping off to make sure that Joxer hadn't literally dropped down the other side of the hill.

"Uh-huh," Xena grunted. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"

Gabrielle blinked. "Now that you mention it, yes!"

Horse made a rude sound, echoed by Argo.

"Now don't you two start!" Gabrielle chuckled. "Joxer can take care of himself. I think."

"He's survived on his own without us before," Xena said with a shrug. "He'll be fine."

"Unless he gets beaten up by a gang of thugs again," Gabrielle muttered.

Xena rolled her eyes. "Would you just go after him already?"

"What?"

"You heard me, Gabrielle," Xena snapped. "I've had it! You've been edgy around him since we left Rome. I had -hoped- you'd gotten over it while we were in Chin, but it looks like I was wrong. So you two are going to resolve this or at least stop circling like a couple of stray dogs!"

Gabrielle stared open mouthed at the darker woman for a moment. Before she could fire off the retort on the tip of her tongue, Xena slapped Horse's flank sending the dark brown stallion racing off in the direction Joxer had been walking in. Gabrielle squelched a squeal that threatened at the sudden burst of speed.

Horse slowed at the top of the hill and huffed out a long breath. Gabrielle frowned. "What is it, boy?"

Horse snorted and pulled on the reigns. He wanted to go down the hill. "Alright, Horse. Let's go then."

Joxer stopped and sighed. The five grime covered men standing on the trail in front of him didn't look like they'd let him pass. "I don't want to fight with you guys."

"Give us your money and you might get out of this alive."

"I don't have any money," Joxer said calmly. "I already told you that."

"Then it looks like we get to play," the apparent leader said as he drew his sword. The men started to advance, but stopped as the sound of pounding hooves came toward them.

"Oh, for crying out loud," Joxer muttered has he turned slightly. Yep, it was Gabrielle on her dark brown stallion. Joxer let the turn change into a fall as he caught the silver flash of a sword coming at him from the corner of his eye. The blade passed harmlessly over his shoulder and the lanky warrior kicked out at the bandit's knee cap. The other man went down with a howl and Joxer scrambled to his feet.

Horse reared up and kicked at the men blocking the road as Gabrielle slid off his back. The Warrior Bard twisted to one side and ducked to the other as one of the outlaws swung a second rate sword at her. Her foot came up and slammed hard into his guts. Horse had danced away and was keeping two more outlaws to busy to do anything but dodge his hooves and teeth.

The leader had managed to get back to his feet. "I'm going to gut you slowly for that, idiot."

"I'm really starting to get sick of people calling me names," Joxer snapped as he drew his sword. "I already took you down. How about you get the hint?"

Gabrielle whirled, metal crashing against metal as her sias worked independently to keep two swords away from her body. She locked one sword between her weapons and kicked back into the other man's face, then twisted into a sideways roll taking the first man's sword with her.

"Now would be a very good time for you to run," she said helpfully as she came back to her feet. They stared at her for a moment, then stared at Horse with his bloody hooves. They turned and ran.

Gabrielle turned at the sound of iron on iron. It looked like Joxer was holding his own against the last of the bandits. Then it was as if everything slowed down as Joxer missed a parry and the other man's sword slid into his side. Joxer's eyes widened as he looked over the other man's shoulder and into Gabrielle's shocked eyes.

"JOXER!" His name was ripped from her by shock, rage and grief. Gabrielle ran forward and threw the outlaw aside. "Joxer!"

"Gabrielle..." Joxer whispered as he slid to the ground. "I love you..."

Her hands went to his face. "Joxer. Joxer, look at me. Joxer!"

The Amazon Queen turned blazing pale blue eyes on the man responsible for her friend's pain. "If you want to live, run. Run so far that I'll never see you again, and pray he lives."

Horse came up behind his person and sniffed the one who brought him apples. He looked up at the one who had the apple bringer's blood on him. Horse snorted and stomped his hoof striking sparks off a rock with his iron shoe.

The bandit backed away before turning and running.

Gabrielle slipped Joxer's head into her lap as she pressed a hand against Joxer's wound. "Don't you die on me, Joxer. Don't you dare."

He didn't answer. Gabrielle closed her eyes and let her head fall back on her shoulders. "XENA!"

Gabrielle wiped a damp scrap of cloth across Joxer's forehead. She hummed softly as she washed his face. Xena moved quietly on the other side of the camp. The Warrior Princess had done all she could to help her clumsy, goofy friend. Now all the two women could do was wait for him to wake up.

Xena looked up and tilted her head to one side. A sad smile tugged at her lips when she realized what Gabrielle was humming. She started to sing 'Joxer the Mighty' under her breath as she stirred the stew.

"What if you're the best thing about me?" Gabrielle whispered to the man laying pale and unconscious on all the bedding they had. "I mean, after all the changes I've been through, you've always been there. I don't think I can do this without you."

Xena fell silent as Gabrielle's words sank in. The Warrior Princess closed her eyes and sent a prayer to whoever might care to listen that both her friends would survive this.

Joxer turned his face into the warmth cradling one side. A gentle voice seemed to be calling him from very far away.

"You can't leave me, Joxer. Remember you said you had to tell you loved me before I died again? Well, you can't die until I say it back." Gabrielle brushed her hand across his cheek and smiled slightly when he turned his head to follow it. "I'll make you a deal, if I say it, you have to live."

Joxer's head tilted as if he was listening.

"I love you, Joxer. You're one of the two people who mean more than anything to me in the whole world. I love you, Joxer the Mighty," Gabrielle whispered and leaned over to press a kiss to his forehead.

"Gabby?" Joxer murmured.

"Joxer," Gabrielle sighed his name. "Hush. You're going to be alright. Just rest now."

"Did you mean it?" His voice was weak.

"Yeah, Joxer. I meant it," Gabrielle said softly. "I love you. Now go to sleep."

Please take the time to write to Jag at wild_jaguarita@yahoo.com, and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Argo, Horse, and all other characters who have appeared in either series, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. The lyrics to "The Best Thing" are owned by the appropriate copyright holders. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 1999 by Jaguarita J.H. and is her 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.