"Brother"

Brother

Rated: PG
Disclaimer: They are owned by Renaissance Pictures

"Brother" -- Brad Yoder
From the album Talk to Total Strangers
Written by: Brad Yoder (c) 1999
Random blue music (BMI), all rights reserved.
growing up, I thought we were so different,
I was trying to be perfect, you were trying to stay sane,
and God knows I envied all your recklessness,
you reminded me of every risk I couldn't take,
and when I think about it now,
all the ways I tried to make you change to distract myself from me
again
and we can laugh about it now,
still we might have never found this place at all, a place where...
I am I and you are you and we are here together, we are
sons of the same father, sons of the same mother,
I am I and you are you and we are close together, we are
two ways to see the world, won't you be my teacher, brother...
growing up, I thought that I could help you,
all my feeble strength was wasted trying to be strong,
and God knows your anger used to frighten me,
I wanted you to hide it just like me, and get along, and
when I think about it now, all the times I told you who to be,
thought it'd help if you were more like me and
we can laugh about it now, still we might have never found this place
at all,
a place where...
chorus
now when we talk, I'm always analyzing,
sometimes that's good, sometimes it's bad, most times
it's hard to say,
you laugh and say I make things complicated,
I laugh, and say you're right, and that I'll prob'ly stay that way, and
when I think about it now,
think of all the places that we share,
all the stories that we carry there and
we can laugh about'em now, still we might have never found this place
at all,
a place where...
chorus

I am I and you are you and we are here together, we are
sides of the same coin, pillars of this same house
strong winds, east and west, strong winds, north and south,
two ways to see the world, won't you be my teacher, brother...

Joxer sat in the taven of the inn. On other days he would be drinking and having fun with the girls, but today his mind was on his brothers Jett and Jace. For today was their birthday, and he wished that things could have been different.

He wished that on this day they would had been together, but Jett was in prison and only the Gods knew where Jace was . He unrolled the scroll that Gabrielle had let him have and began to write to Jett.

Dear Jett:
I hope you are fine. This time of year makes me sad because we are not together. Growing up I thought we were so different, yet I see we are not. I feel your loneliness and wish that on this day we could be together. I came to visit you but they said you were not allowed visitors because you tried to escape again. I tried to tell them it was our birthday but it made no difference. I wish with all my heart I could help you like Xena helped me.
Jett, you could do so much good in this world. If only you would step out and try. I know you have good in you somewhere, buried deep inside, and someday I hope it comes out. Happy Birthday, brother. I will stay in town till I can see you.
Joxer

Joxer rolled up the scroll and walked up to the gates of the prison. He handed the scroll to the guard at the gate.

"This is a birthday scroll for Jett, King of Assassins. Please make sure that he gets it."

The guard mumbled okay and took the scroll. Joxer walked away wondering if Jett would get the scroll.

Two weeks later as Joxer was sitting in the taven, a man came in and handed him a scroll. Joxer slowly opened it, and smiled. It was from Jett.

Dear Jox:
I recieved your birthday scroll. Thank you, it brightened up my day. I am sorry they sent you away. It would have been nice to be together on our birthday. I hope you were with your friends on that day and not alone. Being alone on one's birthday is very sad . I thought of both you and Jace. As for changing, I don't see that happening right now. Being what I am is the only thing I know. I don't think I could do anything else, please try to understand . This good guy stuff works for you, but not me. I am sorry, Jox.
Take care,
Jett

Joxer sat down and wrote a reply.

Dear Jett:
Growing up I thought I could help you, all my feeble strength was wasted trying to be strong, and God knows your anger used to frighten me.
But I know that was all an act, and someday you will change, because we have the same blood in us and somewhere there is a good Jett wanting to come out.
Joxer

Joxer gave the man the message and one hour later he returned with an answer.

Joxer opened it up and read it. It brought tears to his eyes.

Dear Jox:
Thank you again for your letter. You are right - deep down inside I want to change, but I don't know how. Please, help me.
I am I and you are you and we are here together, we are sides of the same coin, pillars of this same house
strong winds, east and west, strong winds, north and south, two ways to see the world, won't you be my teacher, brother...
love Jett

Joxer wiped the tear from his eye and got up.

"Where are you going?" asked the barkeeper .

"To visit my brother." And with that, Joxer walked out and headed to the prison's gates.

The End

Please take the time to write to Susan at sasondo42@yahoo.com, and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Joxer, Jett, 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 "Brother" 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 Susan Owens 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.