"Go The Distance"

Go The Distance

"Go the Distance" from the Disney movie "Hercules"
music by Alan Menkin
lyrics by David Zippel
performed by Michael Bolton

I have often dreamed
Of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome
Would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be

CHORUS
I'll be there someday
I can go the distance
I will find my way
If I can be strong
I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong.

Down an unknown road
To embrace my fate
Though that road may wander
It will lead me to you
And a thousand years
Would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime
But somehow I'll see it through.

CHORUS
And I won't look back
I can go the distance
And I'll stay on track
No, I won't accept defeat
It's an uphill slope
But I won't lose hope
Till I go the distance
And my journey is complete.

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart.

CHORUS
Like a shooting star
I will go the distance
I will search the world
I will face its harms
I don't care how far
I can go the distance
Till I find my hero's welcome
Waiting in your arms.

I will search the world
I will face its harms
Till I find my hero's welcome
Waiting in your arms.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE :

Xena, Warrior Princess
Gabrielle, Amazon Queen and bard
Joxer, Warrior Wanna-be
Psyche, Goddess of nothing in particular

Joxer sat across from his two best friends at the camp fire. Gabrielle was already asleep. As always. Xena smiled down at the blonde bard then looked over at the wanna-be warrior.

"She's done it again." The Warrior Princess grinned. "I swear she just does it to avoid cleaning up after dinner."

Joxer smiled sadly back at the raven maned woman. "That's all right. I'll get them."

With out his armor Joxer actually managed to move quietly as he gathered up the frying pan and the water pot as well as the flat pieces of wood that did for them as platters.

"Joxer?" Dark eyes flicked up to meet intence blue. Xena's eyes softened. "You can leave them until morning."

"Sure, Xena." He smiled slightly. "I'll do them now. It'd only be harder to get this stuff off tomorrow."

Xena watched as he made his way toward the stream just on the other side of the trees.

Joxer sighed and dropped to his knees beside the stream where the water bubbled and danced over the stones. "Well at least I can do this for my Gabby. Gods, that's arrogant of me isn't it?"

"Not really," came a light voice behind him.

Joxer tried to whirl around and get to his feet at the same time, but only succeeded in falling on his face. With a resigned sigh he pushed himself to his hands and knees and found himself face to toes with a very pretty pair of feet.

"Hi, Joxer. I'm Psyche."

"Oh.. Um... Hello." Joxer sat back on his heels. "Can... Um.. Can I help you?"

"Not really. I'm here to help you."

Joxer blinked slowly. "Excuse me?"

"I'm here to help you." She smiled brilliantly and twirled one of her mohogany locks around a slim finger. "I know my mother-in-law and my son have messed around with your emotions before, so I'm just going to talk. That all right?"

"Um.. Sure."

Psyche gracefully folded her legs under her and looked deeply into the dark brown eyes in the thin face in front of her. "I know you want to be a hero, like Hercules and Iolaus. To win the girl with daring deeds and glory. But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part. For a hero's strength is measured by his heart."

"Xena told me something like that once." Joxer sighed. "I've tried..."

"You've tried to be a warrior, Joxer." Psyche shook her head slowly. "There is a difference between being a warrior and a hero. You are a hero, you're just not a warrior."

Joxer scrubbed a hand over his face. "Let me see if I've got this. I am a hero? But I am not a warrior?"

"Basically. Look, Joxer. How many times have you given the last few dinars you had to a child who was starving on the streets? How many times have you given the last scrap of food you had if you didn't have any dinars?"

"Um... All the time." Joxer bit his lip. "What does that have to do with being a hero?"

"What do you think a hero does, Joxer?" Psyche tucked her hand under his chin to make him look at her. "A hero is in his heart, and you have the biggest heart in the whole world. Someday Gabrielle will realize this."

"But she doesn't love me. Why should she?"

The smile that spread across the goddess' face was dazzling. "Because you're sweet, loyal, brave, honnest and trustworthy. And you love her, no matter what she does."

"You think so?" Joxer looked into her light brown eyes.

"Of course I do. Believe me, Joxer. I may not be the goddess of love, but I know a thing or two about the feeling." Psyche smoothed her soft hand across his cheek. "Time is the only thing that will show if you two belong together."

"You know a lot about us." Joxer smiled. "Thanks."

The End

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, Psyche, 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. The lyrics to "Go the Distance" 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.