Chapter Seven

Hercules stared at his friends who were all staring back at him with their mouths open in surprise. "Hey, what's up? Do I have something stuck in my teeth? Why does everybody suddenly seem a heck of a lot taller too?" Hercules ran his tongue across his teeth, still looking at them. Joxer shook his head slightly to clear it then turned to Adora, who was beaming from ear to ear.

"Look Papa! Now Hercules is closer to my age!"

"Huh? What's she talking about?"

"Uh, Hercules... Well, you see..." Joxer stammered.

"Come on, out with it and why do I sound so young?" Hercules looked down at his small hands and his eyes grew huge. "Awwwww man!!" Hercules jumped up and looked at Adora. "What happened to me?"

Adora beamed at the youthful demigod. "Don't worry, Hercules. Now we can be together!"

Hercules stared at her. "What did you do to me?"

Adora was all smiles. "I changed you into a kid so we could be together."

"But I don't want to be a kid again! Once was enough and I didn't really like it the first time around! Change me back!"

"Oh Hercules, you'll learn to love it, I promise. This time around you have me!"

Joxer suddenly had enough. "I have had it, young lady! A crush is one thing but this is going too far! You're only a child, not a woman! Change him back NOW!" he roared.

Adora stared at her father in surprise. She had never really seen him angry before but she was stubborn and folded her arms across her chest. "No! I won't change him back and you can't make me."

Hercules stood up. "He may not be able to but I sure can."

"You stay out of this, Hercules. I can handle my own daughter!"

"But..." Hercules started to protest, but Joxer cut him off.

"I said to stay out of it! Adora, you come with me now, young lady!"

Adora stood up and licked her lips nervously. For the first time in her life she was scared of her father. "Yes Papa," she said in a tiny voice.

Joxer turned to his friends. "We'll be back soon." And with that, Joxer and his daughter walked away.

Hercules sat back down and turned to Xena. "When did Joxer get a backbone?"

Xena smiled at the young Hercules. "Since he gave birth to Adora. By the way, did anybody ever tell you that you're a really cute kid?"

"CUT THAT OUT!" Hercules shouted and Gabrielle had to hide a smile behind her hand.

"Sorry, Hercules."

"Uh huh." Hercules rolled his eyes and then he frowned. He stared up at Xena, confused. "Wait a minute! Joxer gave birth to Adora? Am I missing something here?"

Gabrielle sighed. "It's... complicated."

Hercules raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against a large boulder. "Does it look like I'm going anywhere anytime soon?"

Gabrielle nodded and began her story. "Jett escaped from Maramis Prison to save his brothers from their father. Joxer stood up to his father. We met Joxer's mother. She was still afraid her husband would still hurt her sons, so she kidnapped them and took them to their uncle in Gaul. There we met an old 'friend' of Joxer's, the Bacchae bitch!"

Xena placed her arm on her friend. "Whoa! Take it easy, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle scowled and breathed a few times before she was able to continue speaking. "Thanks, Xena... A friend who just happened to be in the service of the Gaul's God of War, Teutales, who turned Joxer into a girl and knocked her... uh, I mean got him pregnant. He gave birth to Adora soon after that. Joxer and his brothers defeated Teutales. Then a demon came and Adora defeated him after a huge battle. Adora's powers seemed to have vanished until a few days ago. She turned you into a child. End of story."

Hercules thought for a moment. "Wow. There's never a dull moment around here. So, when is she going to turn me back?"

Xena shook her head. "We'll just have to wait and see if Joxer can get through to her."

Eve looked up at her mother. "He will, Mom. I know he will."

Xena smiled and ruffled her daughter's hair. "If you know he will, Eve, then that's good enough for me."

Adora sat down on a rock as she watched her father. She had seen her uncle Jett last month at Cyrene's tavern and right now her father reminded her of him. "Papa? Eve told me that I hurt you. I'm sorry, Papa. Please talk to me."

Joxer turned to his daughter and sighed. "Oh Dorie, I knew someday I'd have to face you having a crush but I thought you'd at least be sixteen, not six!"

"Papa, that's why I made Hercules little again so it would work."

"But don't you see? It's not fair to Hercules. You just can't do things like that!"

"But I love him, Papa!"

"Adora, you don't even know what love is between two people."

"Papa, I do know! It's like when you eat too much and your tummy hurts."

Joxer laughed. "I know that feeling all too well, but there's more to love than that, and even though you're special, you just can't do things like what you've done. Adora, you have to turn him back."

"Papa, you just don't understand," Adora sighed.

Joxer sat down beside her and stroked her hair. "This is really important to you, isn't it?"

"Yes Papa, it is."

Joxer thought for a moment before he spoke again. "Dorie, your grandfather never let me do anything and when I tried... Well, let's just say it wasn't good. I won't be like him. I need to talk to Hercules, and then we'll see."

"See what, Papa?"

"Wait and see. Come on. Let's go back." Joxer and Adora returned to the camp shortly after. The three friends were staring at him anxiously. Joxer walked over to Gabrielle and Xena. "Would you ladies please leave me and Hercules alone? We need to talk."

Xena nodded. "Come on, guys! I think the fish are biting."

"Okay Mom! I love to fish!" Eve agreed eagerly.

After Joxer watched Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Adora walk away to make sure that they wouldn't hear him, he turned to Hercules. "Okay, let's talk."

An hour later, Xena and group returned with plenty of fish. Adora ran over to her father. "Well, Papa? Did you talk to him?"

Hercules ran up to Adora, knocking her on the ground. "Tag! You're it."

Joxer smiled. "He agreed with me, so you've got yourself a boyfriend."

Adora jumped up and down and threw her arms around Joxer. "Oh thank you, Papa! You are the best papa in the whole world."

"Hey! Come on, you! Chase me! You're it!" Hercules yelled.

"Yeah, Adora!" Eve chimed in.

"Okay! You two you better run because here I come!" Adora yelled.

Xena walked over to Joxer. "Joxer, I thought you were going to get Adora to change him back!"

Joxer smiled at her slyly. "I am. Just let Nature take its' course." Both Gabrielle and Xena stared at him but neither said a word. Gabrielle's eyes lit up in sudden understanding and she grinned. Joxer returned the grin and he quietly walked away.

Hercules was now chasing the girls after Adora had caught him once. Adora giggled as she ran around the tree. Hercules reached out and caught her by the arm. "Oh you captured me, Hercules! You can kiss me now!"

Hercules made a face. "Why would I want to kiss you? YUCK! You've got cooties!"

Adora was stunned. "I don't have cooties!"

"Oh yes you do! They're in your hair! See?" Hercules then pulled Adora's hair.

"Hey, you stop that!"

"Cooties, cooties, cooties!" sang Hercules.

"Stop saying that!" cried Adora. "You're mean!"

Hercules laughed and began singing louder and very off key. Eve was also getting mad. "You stop laughing at my friend or else!"

Hercules turned to her. "Or else what? Nyah, nyah, nyah! You've both got cooties!"

"Enough! I've had it! You don't deserve to be a child anymore - and you don't deserve me!" For the second time that day, Adora raised her arms and a bright light shone around the area, and when it was gone, a grown up Hercules stood in the place that the child stood just moments before. Adora stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. "You're just mean and my Papa could've handled that bully without your help! You're not even fit to tie his bootlaces! Come on, Eve! Let's leave this loser behind. My papa's twice the man he is."

Hercules watched as the girls walked away. Eve turned around and gave him two thumbs up. He returned the gesture. Joxer stepped out from where he had been watching in case things got out of hand. Hercules smiled and clapped his hand on Joxer's shoulder. "Well, it worked. I think she officially hates my guts now."

Joxer shook his head. "Nah, not really. By tomorrow, it'll be in the past."

Joxer was right. The next morning, Adora had forgiven Hercules. They were now all ready to go and see Iolaus and his new bride. Eve looked at her mother. "Mom?

"Yes, Eve?"

"May I please ride Spirit? I promise I will stay close to you."

Xena brushed Eve's hair from her eyes. "All right, but stay close to me."

"Thank you, Mom." With those words, the family began their journey to Corinth, Hercules leading the way.

Chapter Eight

Just before sunrise, the group arrived at Erythia's home. Hearing them, Erythia came out, smiling at the group.

"Hercules! I'm so glad that you made it back in time. Hello Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer." She looked at the two girls. "Now, who are these sweet young ladies?"

Both Eve and Adora giggled, then Eve curtseyed, making Xena's lips twitch with amusement. "My name is Eve, ma'am. I am very pleased to meet you."

"Hello, Eve. My name is Erythia and I am pleased to meet you also."

Adora followed Eve's example, to Joxer's silent amusement. "My name is Adora. I'm very pleased to meet you."

"Hello, Adora. I'm very pleased to meet you too," Erythia replied. Both girls beamed brightly. Erythia gazed at Gabrielle curiously. "Is Adora your child, Gabrielle?"

Before Gabrielle could answer, Adora answered for her. "Not yet, but she will be as soon as she stops being silly and wakes up and marries my papa." Xena hid her mouth behind her hand so Gabrielle could not see her smiling, but everyone saw her face turn three shades of red and Joxer blushed furiously.

"Out of the mouths of babes," Erythia murmured. Then she turned back to Hercules. "Hercules, Iolaus and White Dove are down at the lake."

Hercules gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, Erythia. Come on, everyone. You've got to meet White Dove!"

When they got down to the lake, Iolaus was lying down on the grass and a beautiful young woman with long black hair and dark eyes was feeding him grapes. They approached as quietly as they could. "Hey Iolaus!" Hercules exclaimed.

Iolaus jumped up with a wide smile on his face. "Herc! You made it back in time!"

The demigod grinned. "Didn't I tell you I would?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think you find them in time! Hi guys! Glad you could make it."

Gabrielle went over and gave him a hug. "You getting married? There's no way in Tartarus I'd miss that." She smiled at White Dove. "Hello, White Dove. It's nice to meet you."

White Dove returned the smile. She stared at Gabrielle for a moment then turned to Iolaus and began moving her hands. Joxer whispered in Gabrielle's ear. She looked at him in surprise then looked back at Iolaus, who was now using his hands. "Iolaus, Joxer just told me that she's talking to you. What she is saying to you?" she asked curiously.

Before Iolaus could answer her, Joxer did instead, a little proud that he knew. "Well, she asked Iolaus what you said and was he just telling her. That's all."

Xena looked at him in surprise. "You understood that?"

Joxer nodded. "Heather, Hemes's wife, took care of us and she was deaf. She taught me and Jace sign language so we could talk to her."

Xena nodded. "I see. What about Jett?"

"He didn't want to learn so either Jace or myself told him what he said."

Xena smiled. "So you had a nanny."

Joxer nodded in agreement. "Heather took care of us whenever Mother couldn't."

Xena shook her head. "Joxer, I don't really understand. Your father treated you so badly, but Heather was your nanny? I thought she was the cook."

Joxer looked at Xena. "She was the cook until she got too sick, but she also helped out as a nanny too. If you don't believe me, the next time you see my mother, ask her."

Xena put up her hands. "Okay, okay! I believe you, Joxer."

"I think that's great, Joxer, that you had someone who could teach you a different way of communicating," said Gabrielle with a smile.

Joxer nodded. "Thanks, Gabrielle. I could teach you if you want to learn," he offered.

"Sure. That would be great, Joxer."

Joxer then turned to Iolaus. " Iolaus, is she deaf?"

"Yes Joxer, White Dove is deaf. She was lost her hearing when she was young. She can read lips though."

"Excuse me?" Eve asked.

Iolaus looked down at the girls and smiled. "Yes?"

"Adora and I were wondering if we could be flower girls at your wedding."

"Hey Eve, that would be nice. I think White Dove would enjoy that." Iolaus turned and asked her. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at the two girls. Then she picked two flowers and placed them in their hair.

"I think that meant yes," Adora said, smiling at Eve.

"Yahoo! She said yes! Come on, Adora! We've got to get ready!" Both girls ran back to the house, whooping with joy. All the adults laughed.

"I think we should be heading back. Mom's making my favorite supper and you know how she hates for us to be late," said Iolaus.

They all began to laugh again as they went to Erythia's house. When they arrived back at the house, Eve and Adora were playing a game. Iolaus pointed to them. "Hey Herc, look! They're playing the game we made up when we were kids!"

Hercules smiled. "Yeah. Your mom must have shown them."

Iolaus smiled dreamily. "Yeah... Ah - to be a kid again."

Hercules looked at him with a frown. "Take my word on this, Iolaus. You wouldn't like it. I know what I'm talking about." He lifted his head. "Come on, you guys! I'm starving!"

Gabrielle ran up to him, Joxer right behind her. "You have my full attention! Let's eat!"

Xena called to the girls, "Come on, you two! Supper's ready!"

Both girls ran into the house. As everyone headed in, Iolaus turned to White Dove and signed, I wonder what Herc meant by that?

White Dove signed back, Iolaus, my love, I couldn't read his lips.

Iolaus kissed her and then signed, He said I wouldn't love being a kid again.

White Dove smiled and signed back to him, And I would not like being married to a child.

Iolaus hugged her as they both laughed and then they walked into his mother's house.

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