Rating: PG-13
Summary: Takes place during season six. Friends and Families grieve and say their final good-byes the brave hero, Joxer the Mighty.

Virgil smiled as he walked over to his father's best friends, Xena the legendary warrior princess, and Gabrielle the battling bard. The son of Joxer approached them as both friends stood up from the fire place. "Hey Xena, Gabri..." Virgil suddenly noticed the blond woman's hair was longer. His jaw dropped at how beautiful she looked.

"W-wow...Gabrielle...how did...?"

"Long story, Virgil." She replied as she walked up and embraced the warrior bard. As she let go, Xena turned her attentions to Virgil. "So what brings you out here? Looking for us again?" She asked.

Virgil's smile suddenly faded, and slowly he nodded sadly. " I'm...I'm suppose to give you the news." He replied. Xena looked curious. "What news? Warlords? Monsters? Evil gods?" "No, It's uh..It's none of that. It's...It's my dad's funeral." After hearing that, Gabrielle's smile faded as well and turned her back to them. Not wanting to see any tears streaming down her face about Joxer.

Xena placed a hand over her shoulder, making Gabrielle turned towards her and smile, saying she was ok. Xena and Gabrielle turned back to Virgil. "Ok, we're all ears."

Virgil sighed. "Well, since you guys were my father's real family, they want you to decide where the funeral should take pla...." Before he could finish, Gabrielle interrupted him immediatly. " Amphibolis." She answered. Xena and Virgil looked at Gabrielle. Xena moved up infront of her best friend. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. Like I said, he would have done the same for us. And he was really part of our family, Xena. We both loved him." Gabrielle answered. The beautiful bard smiled up at the Warrior Princess. " It's what he would've wanted, and I know it's what we want."

Xena smiled happily at the amazon queen/battling bard. She knew that in her heart, Gabrielle was right. She did love Joxer so much like a brother. He was a very big part of their family. Xena turned back to Virgil and told him that Joxer's funeral would be held in Amphibolis. Virgil agreed and left for home.

Xena turned back to Gabrielle. The two looked at each other for several seconds, until Xena spoke up. "Are you sure you can go through with this?" She asked her soulmate. Gabrielle smiled reassuringly. "Good." Xena said as she began to sit back down.

Suddenly, there was a feeling of uncertainty and sadness in the air, as Gabrielle watched Xena carefully. Xena looked over in the center of their camp. "Because I don't know if I can." Xena sobbed as she bursted into tears. Her lips began to tremble as tears flooded her eyes, running down her cheeks. She put her head in her hands to hide her pain.

Gabrielle felt tears develop in her eyes as she embraced her best friend in a tight hug. The two warriors cried their sorrows through the night.

The day was here. The most saddest day for Xena, Gabrielle, and all friends and families that knew Joxer the Mighty. Joxer's casket was being carried by wagon. The wagon was followed by Xena, who was holding the crying daughter of Joxer in her arms, Gabrielle, who was walking beside Virgil who was trying his best to hide his tears as he held his little brother's hand. An aged Autolycus had his arm around Meg who mourned as the wagon holding Joxer's casket drove by.

The funeral began as everybody took their places before Joxer's casket. A priest of Eli came from behind Joxer's casket. " We are here today...to say our final farewells...to a man who's heart was as big as the great Hercules. Let us not grieve badly for this man, for his soul is now in peace with Eli, in the kingdom of heaven."

Later on, it was time for Joxer's family and friends to say good-bye. Autolycus was first. " I...I'm not really good with this...especially at a time like this. I use to be a thief, the king of thieves. But 22 years ago, Joxer had changed that. He really did change over the years...but in the process, he changed us. If it wasn't for my little buddy, I would have never stopped just to see a beautiful life without stealing, without caring only about myself, and how amazing love can be. Joxer, you'll always be..." Autolycus stopped and sobbed as he placed his head down. "...always be in all our hearts little buddy. And..and I know we will meet again.

Just then, Eve had walked over to comfort Meg. Suprisingly, Meg forgave the woman that killed her late husband, and the two held hands." Just know, Meg, that Joxer will always be in your heart. He is with us all." Eve said as the two women embraced.

It was Xena's turn. As she walked up, it looked as though she could break down any minute, but istead she kept her stance. She turned towards the people and began. " Joxer....he was so full of many surprises. He was incredibly annoying when we first met, but deep inside that boy...there really was the heart of a lion. Even if he didn't exactly have the skills of a warrior, he had more courage and heart then Hercules and I would ever have. He always made me and Gabrielle laugh, even in our darkest moments, he managed to put a big smile on our faces."

She sighed as she wiped the coming tears from her eyes. She looked down at Joxer's casket. "Good-bye.....my friend." Xena kissed the top of the casket and moved over back next to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle walked up infront of the huge crowd. It was a big surprise to see so many numbers of people would show up for Joxer's funeral. He really was an inspiration, and not just to her.

"Joxer and I....we....we were like brother and sister. We would get on each other's nerves alot, we would pick on each other occasionly..." Gabrielle began to smirk as she remembered as Joxer picked at her for believing that her scroll was cursed, and she picked at him about the deadly three warriors sent to kill baby Eve. "...but we cared for each other. He was always there for me and Xena. And he did help out on..."several"...occasions."

Before she continued, Gabrielle shut her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks. She sobbed before she reopened her eyes, and looked straight at Meg. "Meg, I hope you don't hate me for this, but here it goes." Gabrielle cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. "Joxer was inlove with me. I found that out when Eli resurrected us back from the dead. At first I was shocked."

"Later, he said no strings attached. That leaved me confused on how to act around him. But now I know, about all everything I've told him, and the way we treated each other. I know now...." She suddenly began to cry. "..that I was inlove with you Joxer. I'm just sorry it took me so long to say it."

Gabrielle looked down at the casket. "I will miss you greatly, Joxer. There will always be..that....*sniff*...that empty spot in my heart." Gabrielle sobbed. Gabrielle walked up to the priest and asked if she could see Joxer's face. He looked out to the crowd, and their looks said it all.

The priest open the cast, and Gabrielle got to see her best friend's face. He looked so scarred up, yet he was still Joxer. The Joxer she fell inlove with, the Joxer who made her happy, the Joxer who annoyed her but made her smile. Slowly, Gabrielle bent down and kissed the his cold lips, whispering she loved him before she stood back up.

It a been a week after the funeral. Meg returned to the castle of Queen Diana, who was another double of Xena, with hers and Joxer's children except Virgil. Autolycus returned back to his wife and daughter, and Virgil and Eve left with Xena and Gabrielle.

Gabrielle sat alone by the far that night. Memories of her adventures with Xena and Joxer ran through her mind. It would take time, but she knew she would get past losing Joxer. She knew it would take time for all of them to get past losing a good man. But tonight, Gabrielle and Xena would remember a young man. A young man who became their third half. A young man who would risk his own life for both of them. A young man with the heart of a lion and courage of a hero.

A man called Joxer the Mighty.

Please take a moment to write to KScott2112 at KScott2112@aol.com and let him know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena Gabrielle, Virgil, Joxer, and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstories 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 © 2000 by KScott2112 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.