The Trio And Their Uncle, part 1
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by Susan Owens

Copyright 2001-02


Rated: PG Maybe R for later
Warning: Might be a little fighting or romance (I'm giving them a love interest. But I don't know about sex yet)


As the wagon drove thought the countryside, Gabrielle marveled at all the vineyards they passed. She had never in her life seen so many grapes. Joxer noticed her and smiled.

"There sure are a lot of grapes," he said.

"Yeah there are. Does your uncle own any of the vineyards?" Gabrielle asked.

Before Joxer could answer her, Jett butted in. "Does our uncle own any of them? He owns all of this."

"All of it?"

"Yes, Miss Blondie. Every single bit of it. There's more then five hundred acres. Uncle Jean-Luc's vineyards make the best vintages in Gaul," bragged Jett.

"Now Jett, don't brag so. There are others around that are just as good. But I am glad you like my wine."

Jace stared out at the vineyards, his eyes searching for someone. But he didn't see who he was looking for. "Oncle, does Pierre steell work for chou?" he asked, hoping with all his heart that he did. Jean-Luc looked at his middle nephew. He knew about Jace, and he knew why Jace asked about Pierre. "He doesn't work in the vineyards any more, Jace."

Jace nodded his head as he felt a tear welling up, but he held it. "Wha' happen to heem?"

His uncle smiled. "He helps make the wine now. I told him you were coming, and he is very excited."

Jace smiled while Jett scowled. He loved his brother, but not his way of life. But if Jace was happy who was he to stand in his way?

Soon the wagon came to a stop inside of a big courtyard. Nebula noticed a huge house. "Nice place your uncle lives in," she replied.

Xena smiled knowingly. "Nebula, you're a queen. I believe this is the servant quarters."

Jean-Luc smiled and nodded his head. "The house is a little further." Soon they arrived at the house. It was a grand house - even nicer than the triplet's family home in Greece.

Jett help Xena and Nebula off the wagon, both women letting him. Jean-Luc helped his sister down. Joxer turned to help Gabrielle. He reached for her as she came to him.

"Joxer! Joxer! Is that you?"

Joxer suddenly turned around, forgetting about Gabrielle, and she landed on her face.

"Joxer!" she screamed.

But he paid no attention to her. He was too busy hugging a young auburn-haired woman. Xena walked over and helped her friend up.

"Are you all right, Gabrielle?" she asked.

Gabrielle nodded her head but gave Joxer a look that went unnoticed by the warrior wanna-be. He was bursting with energy.

"Mimi! I can't believe you're here. How did you know we were coming?"

"Your uncle told me, silly, and I just had to see you again. Gosh, Joxer - it's been years. I really missed you."

He smiled at her. "Yeah, me too. I mean I missed you too."

"Joxer, aren't you going to introduce us to your lady friend?" Gabrielle asked sarcastically.

"Oh yeah. Where are my manners?" He walked up to Xena first. "Mimi, this is Xena and her baby Eve. This is her mother Cyrene." He then walked over to Nebula. "This is Nebula, part time pirate and Queen, and these are some of her men, but I don't know their names. You remember my mother and brothers right?" He then walked up to Gabrielle. "This is my other friend, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle turned and faced Joxer, and for the very first time Joxer noticed her. Her green eyes were blazing the color of embers. The look she gave Joxer would do Xena justice. Joxer back away and stared at her.

"Gabs, what's wrong?" he asked, confused by her look.

"What's wrong? You're asking me what's wrong? Why you stupid, inconsiderate..."

"Gabrielle! That's enough!" scolded Xena.

"But, Xena," protested the bard.

"No, Gabrielle you calm yourself down. We're guests here and I expect you to behave."

Gabrielle stared at Xena. "I'm not a child, so don't treat me like one."

"Then stop acting like one," replied Xena

"But Joxer was ignoring me," said Gabrielle.

Joxer finally realized what he had done. "Oh Gabrielle. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. It's just that I hadn't seen Mimi in such a long time. Please don't be mad."

Gabrielle didn't say a word. She just stood there. She was so angry with herself for getting angry with Joxer, but she just couldn't bring herself to say so. She just stomped off.

"Gabrielle. Where are you going?" Asked the warrior princess.

Gabrielle turned back around. "In town. To get away from that.... That.... Man. Ooh."

"Gabrielle, it's too far to walk," said Joxer.

"I don't care," came the answer, as Gabrielle stomped away.

Everyone watched as the bard walked down the road. Mimi shook her head. "She a mean little girl. Isn't she?"

Xena looked at Mimi. "No she isn't mean, she's just upset. With good reason I think. I'm sorry I scolded her."

"What do you mean good reason? You said yourself she had no reason to called him names," replied Mimi.

Xena said nothing to her but turned to Joxer. "I think you'd better go after her, and now."

Joxer nodded his head and started going after Gabrielle.

"Wait, Joxer! I'll go with you," called Mimi.

She started after him but suddenly found she was being pulled back.

"Hey! We need someone to show us around, and I think you will be perfect," said the Warrior Princess.

Mimi stared to protest, but the look Xena gave her was enough to make her surrender.

While this was going on, Jean-Luc and Jedza stood there, saying nothing. They knew Xena could handle it.

Jean-Luc smiled. "Well, come on in. I think everyone could use a nice hot meal, and I am sure Yvonne has cooked up something special."

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I could use a hot bath," said Cyrene.

"I'll have Nanette get it ready, and after dinner you can have one."

"Mom, is it okay if I join you?"

Cyrene smiled. "Sure Xena. No problem."


Joxer had to walk fast to keep up with Gabrielle. She was still upset about what had happened.

"Gabs, please slow down. I said I was sorry."

Gabrielle kept right on walking, not caring where she was going.

"Come on, Gabrielle, I said I was sorry. What do you want from me?"

Gabrielle stopped and waited for him. "What do I want from you? I'll tell you what I want from you. Consideration, just a little consideration. Joxer, you made a fool out of me back there in front of your own uncle."

Joxer hung his head. "I'm sorry, Gabrielle, I was just so surprised to see Mimi."

"That's another thing, Joxer. Why didn't you tell us about Mimi?"

Joxer shook his head. "Not much to tell. We were friends."

"Hmmm. It looked like you were more than just friends to me."

"I swear, Gabrielle, Mimi and I are just friends. There's nothing between us."

Gabrielle shook her head. "Gods, Joxer, are you that blind? Mimi is crazy about you."

Joxer didn't really want to get into this. So he changed the subject. "Well, we're near the town. I think today is market day. I can't wait to see you in action."

Gabrielle smiled a little. She loved the marketplace, and in a different place, it made the challenge of bargain hunting even more exciting. "Okay, Joxer, let's get to town, and you can watch me in action."

She took his hand in hers and smiled at him, no longer angry with him. At the sight of her smile, Joxer's heart lifted. He knew he was back in good graces with Gabrielle.


Jace looked around, searching for his friend, but he saw no sign of him. "Uncle, wheh ees Pierre?"

Jean-Luc smiled at him. "He's at the winery. You do remember the way? Don't you?"

"Weeth my eyes blin'folded. Tenk you."

Jace raced to the winery. He stopped and looked in, and his heart started to race. There stood Pierre, more beautiful then Jace could remember.

Jace walked up to Pierre and placed his hand over his eyes. "Guess who?"

The broad-shouldered man stood there. "Hmmm, could it be the Emperor of Gaul?"

Jace giggled. "No, but chou are close."

"Ah, I am close. Then it must be my good friend, Jace of Greece."

Jace was delighted. "Yes, eet's me "

Pierre turned around and faced Jace. They were soon locked in each other's embrace.

"It's been a long time, Jace. I missed you."

"I meessed chou too, my friend."

Pierre smiled at Jace. "We need to catch up."

Jace smiled as he ran his fingers though Pierre's hair. "I was teenking we could do more t'en joost talk."

"Ooh, I love the way you think."

The two men went off to have a little fun.


Nebula stood there and watched Jett as he was chopping wood for his uncle. She didn't know why he was doing it. He didn't have to - there were workers to do that. She approached him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Suddenly he grabbed her and turned her around, pushing her up against the tree he was chopping beside.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to sneak up on a man with an ax - especially The King of Assassins?"

Nebula smiled and cooed seductively and ran her fingers up and down his chest. "I find dangerous men are fascinated by my charm, and I don't think you are any different."

Jett could feel himself getting aroused by The Pirate Queen. He slowly placed his lips on hers, ready for a deep kiss, when suddenly something struck the tree between them. They both looked up and saw Xena's chakram there. She walked up to them and smiled.

"Sorry, it slipped."

Nebula was angry. "Xena, you did that on purpose. You could have killed us."

Xena smiled coldly at them. "If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be. Here now. Jett, your uncle wants to see you."

Jett nodded his head and left. Xena turned to Nebula. "Don't you have a ship to run and people to loot?"

"They can spare me for a few days."

Xena stared daggers at Nebula. "I'm warning you, Nebula. Stay away from Jett."

"Why? I find him interesting."

"He's not your type."

"Not my type? I think he's very much my type."

"Leave him alone Nebula. I'm warning you."

Nebula turned around sharply towards Xena. "You don't own me, Xena. If I want to be around Jett, I will."

Nebula turned to walk away, when suddenly Xena grabbed her by her hair and the two ladies began fighting. The fight was soon over - Xena had won. She got off of Nebula and stood up. Nebula got up and wiped the blood from her mouth.

"This isn't over, Xena." She then walked away, past Cyrene, who had seen the fight.

"Xena, what was that all about?"

"Nothing. Just a disagreement."

"That must have been some disagreement."

"Mom, it was nothing. Just stay out of it."

Cyrene watched her daughter leave. She shook her head. Xena walked into the barn to brush Argo.

"Boy Argo, I am losing it. I was out there fighting Nebula over Jett, and I don't know why."

"Me neither. Since I know you love me."

Xena didn't bother turning around. "Ares, what are you doing here?"

"Just came to see my princess."

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