Joxer sat alone in the tavern, save for the barman behind the counter, with a mug of beer still full before him. Gabrielle and Xena had left him the day before, to visit Gabrielle's old tribe. They'd considered taking him too, but some Amazons still got a bit funny about men being within their boundaries, so he'd agreed to stay in this village outside the Amazon border for a few days.

He'd briefly considered following them, but to be caught in Amazon lands uninvited asked for a fate along the lines of being hung, drawn and quartered.

He'd been to Gabby's Amazon village before, but that had been under different circumstances, with Gabrielle decidedly unwell and Xena with the red mists;

He'd spoken to them once about it, trying to find out why his best friends were so changed that day, but the clouds of pain and misery that dropped over their faces resolved him never to speak of the issue again.

Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, he mused. Maybe he and Gabrielle need some time apart, with her feeling under pressure from him, and him feeling down because of her rejection of him - he stopped mid-thought and corrected himself.

That wasn't entirely true - she did say she loved him, but only as a friend. Still, the atmosphere between them had certainly become less frosty of late, so that was something at least.

He knew Xena didn't like the non-stop bickering between them and always having to act as peacemaker, so a few days of peace and quiet with just her, Eve and Gabby would be a nice break. Even Xena would be glad of a few day's rest from skirmishing and fighting, to be with her daughter and her best friend.

Joxer leant back in the chair and reflected upon events since the new year. So many changes in his friends since their death and resurrection, he was a little bewildered at the marked differences in them; there was Eve of course - though who her father was shrouded in mystery - Gabby's new weapons, Xena's double chakram and the new clothes they both wore now.

But it wasn't so much that, as their character differences - it was as if each had taken some aspect of the other's self.

Gabby was now much more aggressive, her instincts were far more alert and she'd acquired an edge that hadn't been previously apparent.

Xena had acquired a softer side to her nature - possibly as a result of the birth of Eve - she seemed to be more patient and more understanding. He'd heard snatches of conversations when they thought he'd been asleep, something about Gabby being Ares' successor, which worried him greatly, though he tried not to show it.

He downed his mug of ale and reflected in wonder how far they'd all changed since they first met up; first Gabby and Xena, then he, Gabby and Xena. Under the heavens we journey far, on roads of life, we're the wanderers.

But had he changed?

Well, not in appearance certainly - the lovingly hand-crafted armour, his trademark helmet and his father's scabbard were the same as they ever looked. He did wish he could afford a decent sword though, his short sword had definitely seen better days and couldn't hope to penetrate any decent armour.

What about in character?

It'd taken him years, but he'd gradually lowered his facade of a warrior to show something of the man beneath, thanks to Xena and Gabby?s friendship; He'd stopped trying to fool other people of his fighting skills, and himself for that matter; he could take constructive criticism too, and absorb what advice was given to him;

But for all of that, he still felt isolated at times, and wished he was closer to Gabby than he actually was. Not his feelings for her - that would never change - but how close they were.

A look of bafflement crossed the warrior's face as he tried to make sense of what went on between him and the bard. Sometimes she treated him like something that had just crawled from under a rock, and other times she really cared about him. The way she blew hot and cold at him - well, he didn't know what to think.

Maybe she was confused and unsure and didn't know how she really felt?

That would explain a lot, he thought. Gods know he'd waited long enough, so a few more months or a year or two couldn't hurt. Maybe he had been a little pushy, trying to decide her mind for her, before she knew for herself.

She certainly hadn't been final when she told him she didn't love him that way, so maybe there was still hope for him that she may grow to love him.

But that was the point - Hope. Hope has a place and it certainly had a place in his heart, burning brightly to warm his soul when all else seemed grim. A man could live without many things, he decided - family, a home, a career - but without hope, he is nothing.

And hope is in the heart, and within his heart hope beat the strongest of all - that one day Gabby might love him back as much as he loved her.

Please take the time to write to Jerry at studmuffin_jer@yahoo.com 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. The lyrics to "Hope Has A Place" 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 Jerry Hendy 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.