"I will not do it!"

"You have to."

"I will not!"

Xena sighed, cradling her face in her hands, the defiant woman standing in the doorway to the kitchen crossing her arms across her chest tightly. They'd been arguing about this for ten minutes straight. There was no use getting through to this woman. She glared up at the woman, icy eyes flashing.

"Listen to me Miri, and listen good!" Xena said in a breathy growl, "I'm leaving with my friends as soon as you're set to look after yourself - and you will have to look after yourself and Harlan, because Harlan can't walk, he can't bathe himself, he's bedridden until that leg heals. That's a good eight weeks. Eight weeks where you'll be alone, to look after things for yourself!!"

"Well," Mirimai frowned, yanking mousy curled locks from her face, "Can't you help me?"

"I told you, we can't," Xena said, "We have to move on. We'll stay for a couple of days but that's all we can promise."

"Where are you off to in such a hurry anyway?"

"Helping other people," the warrior said darkly, "Who are in more need of it than you are. Now - are you gonna drive the damned cart or not?"

Mirimai scowled, "I told you - I can't! I'll be the laughing stock of the entire town!"

"Better a laughing stock than a starving belly!"

Mirimai sighed, "Xena - I can't do this!!"

"Why?" Xena gasped, "Harlan needs you! This is a chance to show him how much he means to you!"

The young woman's eyes grew red, "Everything I've worked so hard for will be lost! No one will buy my tapestries if I begin to behave like a man! Only ladies have their tapestries and fabrics sold!"

Xena sighed, walking to Mirimai and running her hands on the young woman's shoulders a moment.

"You're good at what you do," Xena said, "All you have to do is do that to the best of your ability - your talent will speak for you. Your husband needs you, and you're in a bad situation. I think they'll understand if you have to do the run into town yourself for the next few weeks. And anyway..."

Mirimai rose her brows.

"You might start a trend - self-sufficient wife who doesn't let others boss her around. How does that sound..."

Mirimai smiled, the sad resign evident in her eyes, "Boorish, but necessary."

"That's a girl!" Xena grinned, tipping the young woman's chin with her knuckle playfully. There was a creak, and looking up Xena saw Gabrielle amble in wearily.

"Got more wood," she said, "I think that's all we'll be needing."

"Thanks Gabrielle," Xena smiled, turning away from Mirimai, "There's only one spare cot here, you can stay in it - Joxer and I will stay out in the bar-"

"No," Gabrielle frowned, "You stay in it! You're sick!"

There was a clunking as Joxer strolled in, frowning at the tension.

"What's goin' on?"

"There's a spare bed," Gabrielle said, "Xena's staying in it - right?"

"Of course," Joxer nodded.

A smirk slid across Xena's face. This Gabrielle hadn't expected. A stubborn scowl perhaps - but a smirk?!

"Okay," Xena shrugged, "That means it'll be you and Joxer in the barn tonight..."

Gabrielle felt her cheeks grow red, Joxer turning suddenly.

"I'm going to get some wood," he mumbled, striding out the door.

"Here, let me help you," Gabrielle uttered, springing out after him.

Mirimai frowned, "Are they - "

"No," Xena shook her head, an amused twist to her lips, "Soon I think..."

"Oh," Mirimai nodded, "I thought as much."

Gabrielle unrolled her pelt, concentrating on flattening out the fur, the soft woven wool lining, rather than the lanky man some space away from her doing the same. She frowned, the space causing a small twist in her stomach. She blinked, looking down at her pelt.

"Joxer..."

He looked up, the same tenseness in his features. His hat sat next to him, his near-black hair poking in haphazard tufts.

"Y-you can sleep closer," she said, "It uh - it might be cold tonight."

"Okay," he said softly, nodding. He dragged the sleeping furs over next to Gabrielle's, flattening them out. She tried to look elsewhere when he began to pull off his armour, but something made her eyes watch as the armour caught his vest, taking it up with it as he pulled it off. Lithe creamy flesh flashed at her a moment as Joxer let out a strangled yelp.

"Aiee!", he said, pulling down his vest again, "Stupid armour... Sorry about that Gabrielle."

Gabrielle blinked, a soft smile touching her lips, "That's okay Joxer."

Joxer nodded with a tense smile, scooting down under the bed roll, the warm spread of hay only tickling through the blanket underneath him just a little. He turned on his side, away from the bard. Gabrielle smiled. Obviously he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, or forced into such close situations. The noble creature, she thought.

Gathering up her pelt, snuggling down into it, she rolled over, facing the back of the warrior wanna-be, resting her face against the firm warmth of his back. The vest he wore was soft and fleecy. She grinned, and when she breathed in she could smell faintly the soap Joxer used the day before, sure it was her own but it smelled different on him. Muskier somehow.

She felt his back muscles grow tense, and he shifted onto his back, glaring in worry at the woman.

"Gabrielle are you okay?"

She nodded silently, pulling the pelts and blankets together. She pulled Joxer's arm across the space of her pelt, and lay her head down on his shoulder like a pillow, snuggling to the side of him, her arm draped over his slim waist.

"Pull the blankets up Joxer," she said simply, "It's cold."

Joxer nodded, doing as told, confusion raiding any coherent thought processes he might have had. Plucking up courage, he rested his hand on the bard's side, and shuffling a little, they both got a tad more comfortable under the pelts. Soon, the bard's breaths began to get longer, deeper. Looking down to her sweet features, Joxer felt his heart melt a little more.

"Night Gabby," he said softly.

He let his own eyes close, his muscles sore from all the work he'd been doing for Mirimai. His heart skipped and leapt in his chest, making it terribly hard to fall asleep. But on glancing down at the resting bard once more, her angelic features against his own shirt and skin brought a contentment within him he only dreamed of. His eyelids drooped, each blink becoming more labourous, and finally he slipped into a gentle sleep.

Xena pulled open the barn doors, light streaming in onto the pile of blankets and sidekicks in the centre of the large room. As she drew closer she could see the bard's limbs draped over Joxer, her face resting in the nape of his neck. Xena couldn't help but smirk, and she stepped up to the two, surprised to see one of the pair awake.

Joxer tilted his brows up, putting a finger to his lips to silence Xena.

"So... what's all this then?" Xena said, trying to look stern, but only pulling off thoroughly amused.

"Oh! No no no," Joxer shook his head, whispering, "Nothing like that - it was just cold last night..."

Raising her brows she brought them down, her face in a stern understanding pout, nodding comicly. Joxer rolled his eyes, quite aware of the ribbing Xena was giving him.

There was movement at his side and he blushed as the bard rose.

"Morning Joxer," she said with a small smile. Turning her head she spotted Xena and smiled, "Hey. What're you doing?"

Xena propped her hands on her hips, looking to the horses' stables at the other end of the barn.

"Getting the gear for the cart," Xena said, "Mirimai will prepare it all - she has to learn how."

Gabrielle nodded, stretching her arms and yawning. She smiled at Joxer.

"You make a good pillow," she said, ruffling his hair, and getting up she strolled over to Xena, sliding an arm around the woman's waist and hugging her.

"What's that for?" Xena said.

"Mmm, I'm just in a good mood," Gabrielle sighed, turning and strolling out of the barn, probably on the look for breakfast. Xena turned to Joxer, who sat in the pile of blankets, a look of bewilderment on his face.

"I didn't do anything!" he protested.

Xena chuckled, "That won't last for long."

Mirimai sat at the edge of the bed, Harlan drinking the water slowly. She sighed, running a hand over his arm. He glanced to her, surprise on his features.

"That was a rather tender gesture," he said, trying hard not to sound scathing, "What did I do to merit that?"

"I'm sorry," she said, a deep regret in her voice Harlan never thought he'd hear, "I never realised - you do so much for me."

Harlan nodded, licking the water away from his lips. He glared at the woman long, a firmness in his features Mirimai knew too well.

"Did that tree really mean that much to you?"

Mirimai nodded, "Yes, it did."

He sighed, "I'll tell you what. I'll get a nice fat chunk of the wood from it, wait for it to dry out..."

Mirimai nodded.

"And then I'll carve something out of it for you. Anything you want, you name it."

Mirimai smiled softly, "You'd do that for me?"

Harlan's stern expression lifted to a tender one, "Of course, Miri... You're my wife."

Mirimai sighed, a bright smile flashing on her pretty features, a hand stroking his face tenderly.

"So," Harlan pursed his lips, "What are you going to do for dinars and food, hmm?"

"I'm," She frowned nervously, "I'm driving the cart into town today."

"You?" Harlan chuckled, "Drive a cart?"

Her husband's chuckles stang her heart, and she sighed, "Don't laught at me, Harlan, I'm doing this for you!"

Harlan's laughs ceased, and he nodded calmly.

"Yes I know," he said, "I know. And I am thankful."

Miri sighed, looking down to the amphora of water in her lap.

"You know, you may get to like it... being able to go wherever you want."

Mirimai frowned, "What do you mean? Me? Driving a cart when-ever, where-ever, like a farmer?"

"Why not?" Harlan said, "You could go have afternoon tea with the girls. Sipping wine, nibbling on olives... living like a real high society girl..."

"High society girls do not drive carts..." she said sadly, "I doubt they'll even want to speak to me after this..."

"You never know," Harlan sipped some water, "It might catch on."

Miri pursed her lips again, watching her husband down the water. She turned, taking a bowl from the tray she had brought in, spoon stuck in it. She handed it to Harlan.

"Your breakfast - it's just porridge. It's all I could come up with, the stocks are low."

"Your porridge is fantastic!" Harlan smiled, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

Miri smiled through a frown, "I never knew you liked my food so much."

"Of course I do," Harlan said, "I love it."

Mirimai sighed, looking down at her feet scuffling the floor.

"Harlan..."

"Mm?"

"I know that, in the past, I've been difficult."

Harlan took the spoon from his mouth, letting it play in the bowl as he chewed. He nodded.

"I think, I was so negative, because, well... I felt like it was the only way I had any control. You worked so hard and I felt like I had nothing left to do but be a good wife... then there's the weaving... the girls in town-"

"Are self-obsessed biddies with no grasp on reality," Harlan muttered, and Miri gasped.

"Harlan!! That's-"

Harlan rose a brow, causing Miri to giggle.

"It's absolutely right," she chuckled.

"Go on," Harlan smirked, smacking Mirimai gently on the rump, "Sell your beautiful wares and get some food."

Miri nodded, running a hand over Harlan's long browny-red hair.

Xena slid a hand down Argo's neck, the cart up ahead trundling along steadily. She glanced down to Joxer, ambling next to Gabrielle who strolled silently next to the golden mare. The bard looked up to Xena, smiling.

"She's doing well," Gabrielle smiled, "If she can handle this - maybe we can move on tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Xena nodded, "Maybe."

"How are you feeling?" Gabrielle asked, "Not sick?"

Xena rolled her eyes, "I'm fine."

Gabrielle's eyes didn't falter.

"Really - I am."

"Mm... okay," Gabrielle pursed her lips, "But you remember - Joxer and I are keeping our eyes on you!"

Joxer nodded with a squeak of armour, "Yep, all four of them!"

Xena smiled, "It's nice to have friends like you."

The rolling green hillocks flattened out to crushed limestone paths, the white dust stirring as they closed in on the sizable village up ahead. Women stood out the fronts of shop-fronts, fancy colourful dresses bright in the morning sun. Many of them stood at stalls bedecked with various fabrics and tapestries. The eyes of the women glared up at the cart, their eyes fixed on its driver. Miri sank down into herself, but a soft voice spoke to her.

"Be proud, Miri," Xena said, "You're supporting the man you love."

Miri took a long breath in, nodding, and she straightened her back, her lips set determinately. She brought the cart to a stop at her usual berth, and jumping down from the cart (with a little help from Joxer), she began to pull out the parts to her stall. There were a number of gasps behind her.

"Mirimai!"

Mirimai turned, meeting the eyes of a neatly dressed young woman, her hair in soft curls piled on top of her head, her dress made of fine linen.

"Hello, Callendra," Mirimai said softly, "How are you this morning?"

"Well - obviously better than some!" the woman spoke indignantly, "What on Gaia's green earth are you doing?!"

Mirimai frowned at the woman as if she were daft.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Mirimai said, opening a tressle, "I'm setting up the stall for today's trading."

"But," the woman frowned with loss, "Your husband..."

"Harlan is quite unable to help me today," she said, "He has broken his leg. He needs to rest, and to support him and buy the proper medicines and dressings, also to pay for a healer to look him over, I need to sell some of my tapestries."

"Oh," Callendra tilted her head, "Very well. You will be at the meeting tomorrow evening?"

"Yes," Miri nodded, "Of course."

Callendra nodded, a thinly veiled look of disgust on her features as she turned away, a few women trailing behind her. One or two of them gazed at Miri with curiosity, even intrigue.

"This is a good thing you've done," Xena said, placing an arm on Miri's shoulder, "I'm sure Harlan is very proud of you."

Miri smiled, laying the table-top over the tressles, "I know he is."

Gabrielle smiled to Joxer, weaving an arm through his.

"Let's check out some of these stalls," Gabrielle said, pulling Joxer along, "Xena?"

Xena looked up, shaking her head, "No, it's okay, I'll stay here and help Miri along."

"Okay," Gabby nodded, "See you later."

Xena watched Gabrielle turn and stroll towards the centre of town, already chatting to Joxer. She smiled, saying softly to herself, "Have fun."

"They will," Miri grinned, flattening out the cloth covering the table, "I can tell."

Xena grinned, "So can I."

Please take the time to write to Nancy at tosh@opera.iinet.net.au and let her 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 "I'm Only Happy When It Rains" are owned by the appropriate copyright holders. The characters of Mirimai and Harlan were created by the author for use in this fanfic. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 1999 by Nancy Lorenz 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.