The young dark-haired man appeared in a shimmer of light, like heat waves you get at the hottest part of a scorching summer day. Stumbling slightly as he fully materialized, he caught his balance by grabbing for the rough-hewn stone wall beside him. Looking around the long cavern with caution, he could see doors set at intervals down the rock walls. Torches guttered fitfully beside each door and swallowing so hard his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, he reached out for the light nearest him.

"I don't know where I am, but I'm not afraid." muttered the young man to himself, his voice cracking like a young boy's. He stumbled his way towards the nearest door. Looking at it carefully for a moment, as if waiting for it to bite him, he reached out a tentative fist and made a stuttering knock on the wood.

A few moments passed with no reply. Gathering his courage, he gripped the handle in his sweaty hand, turned and yanked the door open. He was shocked at what was on the other side.

A gaping pit of fire and the smell of sulphur and brimstone assaulted his senses. He could hear screams and cackling laughter and never ending howls. Heat seared his face and he quickly slammed the door shut. He stumbled back against the wall and wiped the sweat from his brow. Closing his eyes for a moment, he then pushed himself upright and moved on to the next door.

With more caution this time, he leaned against the portal and listened. He could hear loud singing and banging. Curiously, he put his hand to the knob and pulled the door open. He saw row upon row of tables and sitting at these tables were strangely dressed men with horns on their hats and long braids down their back. Young voluptuous women were weaving their way amongst the tables and distributing enormous mugs of drink and platters of food.

In stunned silence, the young man watched as a group of women rode up through the floor made of clouds on giant white horses. The women were even more voluptuous and beautiful than the serving maidens. They too wore horned helmets and had long braids. Sitting behind each woman and hanging on for dear life was a warrior, each carrying either a sword or an axe and missing a leg or an arm. As the horses came to a halt near one of the tables, the men dismounted and with a kiss to the mounted women, went to join the throng of singing, quaffing and gorging men. One of the mounted women spied him and smiled hungrily. She spurred her horse towards him and as she neared where he stood, he quickly slammed it shut again. A faint horsey laugh reached his ears and then all was silent again. He moved on to the next door.

Again, he paused to listen, and hearing nothing at all, he gripped the handle and slowly opened the door. The view revealed a sky of pale pastel lights and a field of hundreds of people sitting in the lotus position, their eyes closed and humming softly. He watched them, curiously, for a few moments and listened to their incessant 'omm-ing', before closing the door quietly. With a shake of his head, he moved on.

Before he even reached the next portal, he could hear the clamouring from behind it. The sound of murmmuring voices, raised slightly in fear, made the young man shiver. He heard shouts for help and confused replies. He was about to reach for the door when a voice spoke in his ear.

"Don't touch that door Joxer!" said a deep mild man's voice.

The would be warrior turned and found himself looking at Eli. He stood stunned for a moment then reached out his hand to touch what he thought was an apparition.

"Eli?" he whispered as he touched the arm of his old friend. "You're alive? But, you died twenty-five years ago. Just a few months before Xena and Gabrielle - " his voice choked off at the mention of his true love's name. Eli slid an arm around his shoulders and led him away from the door he had been about to open. Joxer's head shot up, his face a mask of confusion.

"Where am I?" he said finally. "And what's behind these doors? Why can't I go through that door? Where am I supposed to be?" he wailed.

Eli put his arms around him and hugged him gently. As he released him he gazed away at the rows of doorways.

"These are the doors to the different afterlives. Hell, Nirvana, Valhalla, and the rest. You were about to go into Tartarus and then onto the Elysian Fields, but you don't belong there."

Joxer stared at Eli long and hard before he spoke.

"I'm dead, aren't I?" said the young man mournfully.

The handsome prophet smiled gently and nodded. Joxer began to sink to his knees but Eli supported him while the young man wept a little. The would be warrior finally raised his tear-stained face to look at the Prophet.

"I was old! I had a family ... two sons and a daughter ... Meg ... " he paused to wipe his face and shook himself at his next thought. "They were gone ... then they came back ... my son Virgil and I ... I tried to save Her like I always did ... but Eve ... " he stopped then and looked down at his belly where he remembered Xena's daughter's sword piercing his flesh.

He closed his eyes and remembered the face of his beloved Gabrielle. Tears streaked down his face as he murmmured to himself.

"But I didn't get to say goodbye!"

He felt Eli lean close and whisper in his ear.

"Friends never say goodbye." he said as the young ex-warrior, tavern owner, husband, father and beloved of a young bard from Potedia opened his grief-striken eyes to stare at him.

"Then how will I see her again?" wailed Joxer.

"Come this way, there's another avenue open to you." he smiled at his young friend and led him away to a door at the end of the hall. As he opened it, Joxer could see that there were people inside being led to smaller doorways by people with wings. As he stepped through, a face he recognized met him. It was Callisto. He stepped back in fear, but she just smiled and gently took his hand.

"Hello Joxer the Mighty. Welcome the waiting room." she said, her voice calm and sweet.

Joxer's thoughts raced as he remembered about her redemption and he allowed himself to be led to a cushioned stool near a group of other young folk. She smiled at him once more and gently caressed his cheek, then walked away to speak to a tall fair-haired handsome man dressed in Roman warrior's gear. Joxer noticed that the man had enormous wings on his back. Puzzled, he looked around at the others who were helping the folk to cushions or out the brightly lit portals in the distance. The all had wings, even Callisto. He looked around for Eli and found the man standing in the doorway, smiling at him. Joxer gestured at him to approach, which Eli did.

When the two friends were side by side, Joxer leaned close and whispered to the Prophet.

"What is this place and why am I here? What did you mean about 'friends never say goodbye'?".

Eli put a calming hand on his young friend's shoulder and spoke to him in low soothing tones.

"This is the waiting room. Some people come here after they die and then they are reborn." he said.

Joxer looked at him and then the light of understanding came into his eyes.

"This is that place those people in India talk about. So, I get to go back? I get to see Gabrielle again?" said the young man hopefully.

Eli grinned at his friend and nodded. Joxer's face was elated and he clapped his old friend on the shoulder. A soft hand on his arm pulled his attention away. He turned to find Callisto beaming at him and beckoning him to follow her. He gave a brilliant smile to Eli and then turned to follow her. She led him to one of the bright portals and gestured for him to step into the light. Squaring his shoulders he whispered softly to himself as he strode bravely into the bright corona that was the doorway.

"Here I come Gabrielle!"

Please take the time to write to Janet at ishtar@golden.net, and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Eli, 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 "Friends Never Say Goodbye" 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 © 2000 by Janet Elizabeth 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.