Rated: PG
Summary: While waiting for the morning to come, Jett and Joxer talk.
Timeline: AU Season Six, Second Year of Jett's parole from Maramis Prison.

Joxer lay on his pelt staring up at the sky with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked over at the form lying just opposite him. "Hey Jett?"

"Mmm?"

"Are you asleep?"

"Huh?"

"I said are you asleep?"

Jett slowly rolled over and stared at Joxer. "I'm not now. Jox, what's bothering you?"

"I was just wondering. Do you remember when you told me you tried to change but couldn't?"

"Yeah. So?"

Joxer now turned on his side to face Jett. "You never told me why."

"Why what?"

"Why you couldn't change."

"Oh. That."

"So?"

"So what?"

"Are you going to tell me?"

"No. Go to sleep."

Joxer got off his pelt and sat down beside Jett. "Come on Jett, please."

"No."

"Okay. I'll leave you alone and go to sleep."

Jett shook his head and sat up. "All right I'll tell you then you go to sleep."

"I promise."

"Okay, this is what happened." Jett paused for a moment then started again. "One day, I suddenly got tired of killing and hurting people. So, I sold my clothes and made myself a warrior's outfit from bits and pieces. Then I made a shield from É" Jett stopped for a moment to think. "Uh, a strainer and then I started going around singing about doing good and fighting wrongs." Jett suddenly felt a hard slap to his stomach. "Hey, Jox! Watch it."

"Jett, knock it off and tell me the real story! I'm sure that you dressed up like I used to."

Jett giggled a little. "Hmm, and here I thought I had you going!"

"Well, you didn't. Now the real story, if you don't mind."

"Yeah. We'd also like to hear the real story."

The brothers looked over at Xena and Gabrielle who were now also awake. They were both smiling. Jett stared at Joxer. "Could I tell you some other time?"

"I wish you would now but I understand if you don't want to."

"Okay, okay! I'll talk."

Joxer smiled again and waited. Jett took a deep breath. "I had just come back from doing a job when I saw a man beating a woman. You know like Father used to beat Mother, only worse."

Joxer nodded and sighed.

"Well, I thought I'd do a good deed and stop him from hurting her anymore. So, I took my crossbow, aimed and shot, killing him instantly. With my crossbow, I never missed."

Xena gazed at him. "And I take it the woman wasn't pleased over what you did."

"To put it mildly, she was enraged. She started screaming that I killed her husband. She pounded on me and scratched me. She was like aÉaÉ What do you call them? They scream a lot."

"A Banshee?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yeah! One of those! Then, the village people came all armed with sticks, stones, pitchforks, and Gods only know what else. Well, I'm not stupid and I knew I would have no chance with them, so I took off and swore I would never help anyone again."

Joxer was quiet. He gazed at Jett for some time before he placed his hands on Jett's shoulders. "I'm sorry I made you tell me, but you did do a good thing even if it was just doing what you do."

Gabrielle frowned at him. "Joxer, he killed her husband!"

"And her husband was beating her, Gabrielle, and he would have gone on beating her until either he killed her or she would've killed herself just to stop it from happening anymore. I'm not saying what Jett did was right, but Jett did the only thing he knew how to do at the time, and I for one am proud of him."

Gabrielle turned to look at Xena, who stood up and walked over to Jett. "I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but don't let that one incident cloud your judgment. You've come a long way, Jett, and I'm also proud of you."

Jett smiled at Xena. Then he looked at Gabrielle, who was slowly getting up. "Hey, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle looked at him. "Yeah?"

"I understand that you had to say what you said, but I did what I had to do."

"I know, but I like your other story better," Gabrielle said with a grin, giggling as Joxer growled at her before laughing softly.

"That's the story I'll tell Jace if he ever asks me." Jett laughed at the look on Joxer's face, and then lay back down. "Night all."

The rest said good night and went back to bed, falling asleep shortly after. Some time during the night, Joxer felt someone lay down next to him. The scent of daisies filled his nostrils and he blinked in surprise. "Gabrielle?" he whispered, his heart beginning to pound in his chest.

"Can I stay with you?"

"UhÉ Yeah. Sure," Joxer replied, moving over a bit to make room for her. His heart almost jumped from his chest when Gabrielle placed her head on his shoulder. He carefully slipped his arm around her. She murmured but did not stir. He sighed and closed his eyes, following her to the land of Morpheus.

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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Jett, Ares, Discord, and all characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory 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 © 2002 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.