Chapter Fifteen

Ares slapped Strife on the back, almost knocking him over. "Looks like you'll be with us again pretty soon."

"Yeah, you know it, Unc! This was the easiest thing I've ever done," Strife giggled.

"Don't get so cocky. It's not over yet," Ares cautioned.

Strife only smirked. "I say it is. What can they do about it?"

Ares said nothing and continued to watch in the mirror.

Jett's eyes glittered with malice as he drew the dagger back and aimed the blade straight at Joxer's heart. In a low, raspy voice, he growled in Joxer's ear, "Tonight, dear brother, you die."

Joxer somehow managed to grab Jett's wrist before the dagger met its mark. "What's wrong with you? Jett, snap out of it!" Joxer continued his struggling with Jett, trying to keep his brother at bay. Jett said nothing but broke loose and plunged the dagger down. Joxer rolled away just in time as the dagger penetrated into what was left of the floor. He jumped to his feet. "I don't know who or what you are, but you're not my brother!" he shouted, backing away.

Jett rose to his feet and slowly walked towards him, his eyes emotionless. "Don't you see? You have to die, Bro. You're the black sheep of the family. You're a disgrace as a warrior and you must be purified!" Jett then charged him with his dagger held up in the air, ready to strike.

Joxer was ready for him as he remembered a move Xena taught him. He moved to the side and whirled himself, sending his foot right into Jett's gut. Jett clutched his stomach and fell to his knees. He growled as he slowly got up, "Bro, you'll pay for that!"

Joxer shook his head. "I know who and what you are now. You're not real! You're my worst fear. I won't let you beat me. I won't! The real Jett would never hurt me." He closed his eyes and began chanting, "You're not real. You're not real. You're not real. You're not real!"

"Die, Joxer, die!" Jett ran towards him, the dagger swinging up in a high arc then swiftly plunging down.

"YOU'RE NOT REALLLLLL!!!!!!" Joxer screamed just as Jett plunged the dagger right into his heart. Suddenly, everything went black. Joxer slowly opened his eyes to the sound of crying and screaming in the distance. He blinked for a minute, trying to figure out what happened. Then he remembered Jett and the dagger.

Joxer looked down at himself but saw no blood. How come I'm not dead? he thought at first, his mind whirling with questions - then he realized something. It had all been an illusion - something Strife had fabricated. Joxer shook his head, closed his eyes and cursed under his breath. Strife had figured out what each brother was really afraid of about each other and was using it to his advantage.

Joxer heard the screaming continue after he re-opened his eyes and realized that it was Jace. Jace kept screaming his name over and over and sobbed loudly. Joxer could tell by the sound of his screams that Jace was in a dark, small space. He slowly rose to his feet and ran towards the sound of his brother's voice.

"You better stop him. I think that Joxer's caught on to what's happening," Ares gazed over in Strife's direction with a raised eyebrow.

Strife almost fell over from his laughter. "Oh Unc, there's no way! Hello! We're talking about Joxer, the Mighty Dork here! So he just got lucky. Big whoop!"

"Strife, don't underestimate Joxer. It could be costly," Ares said with a warning note in his voice.

Strife blinked and snorted with laughter. "Joxer? Unc, you've got to be kidding! Just sit back and enjoy the show."

"I'm not stupid, Strife. I was wrong about you. I'm out of here," Ares sneered, snapping his fingers and disappearing in a flash of blue-white light.

Strife only grinned. "Spoilsport." He then leaned back against his throne to see what would happen next.

Joxer stopped in his tracks, his jaw opening in shock. He saw himself standing next to a narrow opening and heard himself talking to Jace. "I don't like to punish you, Jace. But if I don't, you will never learn. "

Jace was now crying uncontrollably. "Please, Joxer! Let me out. I'll be good! I promise!" he begged, his voice breaking.

"Joxer's" eyes rolled upward and "he" thought for a moment, stroking "his" chin. "I don't know, Jace. It seems to me that maybe an hour isn't enough. Maybe you will know your place if you stay here all day and night."

"No, Joxer! Please! I can't breathe in here!" Jace's voice was growing hoarse from all his shouting and crying.

"Joxer" laughed and the sound chilled the real Joxer to the bone. "You should have thought about that before you became a sinner. Now Jace, tell me who you are," "he" said in a low, menacing voice.

"I'mmm J...J...aa...cc...eee son o ...ff.. Ju..dd... and...and Jez..da," Jace whimpered.

"Louder."

"Joxer, please! Oh Gods, please let me out!"

"Joxer" laughed again. "Nope. Nuh uh. No sale here. You obviously haven't learned your lesson." With those words, "he" placed the stone back in front of the entrance. Jace screamed and pounded at the stone, begging to be let out.

Joxer had seen enough and he stormed forward. "LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE, YOU NIGHTMARE FROM TARTARUS!" he yelled.

The evil Joxer turned around. "How did you escape?" he sneered.

"That's none of your damn business! But you're going down!"

Strife watched what was happening in the mirror with amusement. Joxer didn't quite have it yet and he knew it. He screamed with laughter as Joxer tried his best to get rid of the evil Joxer. "You're not real!"

The evil Joxer yawned, bored. "I'm as real as you are."

Joxer looked bewildered. He knew that the evil Joxer wasn't real, so why didn't he disappear? The evil Joxer laughed. "I'm more powerful than Jett, idiot! You might have defeated him, but you won't defeat me!" he gloated.

Joxer stared long and hard at the evil Joxer. "You're right," he said finally. "There's no way I can beat you. You're not my worst nightmare. But Jace can."

Joxer threw a punch at the evil Joxer and knocked him on the ground then yelled as loud as he could as he jumped on top of the evil version of himself. "Jace, listen to me! This isn't real! Get your mind off it and it will go away!" He yelled as the evil Joxer twisted underneath him and they both struggled on the ground, each trying to gain the upper hand.

"How? Joxer, I'm scared!" came the muffled, terrified reply.

The evil Joxer grabbed Joxer by the throat, eyes glittering in delight as he began choking him. "Jace, sing!" Joxer managed to gasp as he tried to pull the other Joxer's hands away from his throat.

Jace started to hum, desperately trying to get his fear under control. He hated dark, small places - even as a child, he was terrified of them. He started out weakly, but soon he was singing loud and clear. Joxer, who was beginning to black out, suddenly didn't feel the hands of the evil Joxer around his neck. He breathed loudly in relief. When he opened his eyes and sat up, rubbing at his throat, he saw that Jace was sitting on the ruined floor still singing as tears rolled down his cheeks. Joxer crawled over to him and wrapped his arms around Jace in a fierce embrace. "It's okay, Jace. It's okay. That thing is gone," he said in a soothing voice.

Jace looked up at Joxer. "Are you real?" he asked.

Joxer wiped away Jace's tears and smiled his goofy grin. "I'm real, Jace. I'm real."

Jace held Joxer closer. "I was so scared, Joxer. Thank you for helping me."

Joxer nodded and slowly stood up, helping Jace to his feet. "We've got to find Jett. Do you know what his worst nightmare is?"

Jace shook his head and sniffed one last time.

"Okay. Come on. We better go find him then," Joxer said. Suddenly it became dark again. Panicking, Jace screamed at first but managed to calm himself down. It was light soon enough and when their eyes readjusted to the light they saw Jett trying his best to keep "Jace" at bay.

"Stay away from me, you moron!" Jett yelled.

Jace looked at Joxer, his jaw dropping open in shock at the image of himself trying to kiss his brother. "That's his worst nightmare? That I'd come on to him? Please! That's gross! Like I'd actually do something like that..."

"Jace, not now! We've got to help him."

"Well, at least it's not scary."

Joxer turned around and gazed at Jace seriously. "It is to Jett. Look at him! He's downright terrified of the idea that you'd do something like that to him!"

Jace rolled his eyes as he watched the evil "Jace" pawing and purring around Jett. "Please! I don't even do that! That is so not me at all!" Jace strolled over to the evil "Jace" before Joxer could stop him. "Look, you phony! If you are going to do me, at least do me right!"

The evil "Jace" turned around and hissed. Jace rolled his eyes and held up his hands. "First of all, I don't hiss. Hissing is so unbecoming! What I like to do is this!" Jace walked over and blew in Jett's right ear, making the oldest triplet shudder. Then, he began to nibble on it delicately. "See?" he mumbled before starting up again.

Strife started jumping up and down, howling with laughter as he watched the triplets' images in the mirror. Jett's worst nightmare had actually come true. Jace did want him after all.

Jett's eyes grew huge as Jace moved away from him. Joxer looked on, horrified. "Now that's what I would do," Jace said smugly.

"Thanks," his evil self said with a smirk as he moved in for his dessert. He placed his arms around Jett. "You are mine now, Jett."

Jett's eyes became darker as he suddenly drove a dagger into "Jace's" stomach. "Jace" groaned softly, wincing as Jett pulled the dagger out. "Why? Jett, I loved you."

Jett watched as "Jace" vanished. "Because you're not real," he breathed. Jett looked down at his hands as the dagger also vanished. He then gazed at his brothers. "Thanks for telling me what to do, Jace."

"Don't thank me. Joxer knew what to do."

"Well, then I thank you both. Come on, we've got a God to take care of."

Joxer looked at Jett. "Jett, how did you make that dagger appear?"

"When Jace whispered in my ear that it was only my worst nightmare, I remembered what I would do to Jace if he ever pulled such a thing."

Jace swallowed. "Don't worry. You're not my type."

Jett slapped Jace on the back. Then he reached out and grabbed Jace's hand then Joxer's. The Trio closed their eyes and concentrated. A bright light surrounded them and they found themselves back at Strife's ruined throne room. The ghostly God of Mischief was no longer jumping around and hooting. Instead, he was frightened. "Unc, I need you! Hey! I could use some help here!" he screeched into the air.

Ares appeared, calmly eating an apple. "I thought you had it under control."

"They're smarter than I gave them credit for."

"Oh. Really? Gee, now didn't someone try to tell you just that? Let me see..." Ares tapped a finger against his chin. "Oh yeah! It was me! Strife, you're on your own. Have fun!" he disappeared in a flash of lightning, his laughter echoing off the stones.

"Unc! No! Come back!" Strife looked at the brothers, holding his hands up in surrender. "Come on! This was all in fun, you know. Just for laughs. Hee hee? Ha ha?" he said with a weak smile.

The brothers drew together in a circle and placed their hands over each other's, closing their eyes. Jett spoke in a strained voice as the three concentrated. "Then, why don't you laugh all the way back to Tartarus?" A blue light streamed from their entwined hands. Strife screeched as he was caught in the light and vanished, his body dissolving. The Trio opened their eyes and fell to the floor, exhausted.

Strife opened his eyes and howled when he saw he was in a dark cave. "NO, NO, NO!" He beat his fists against the stone wall in frustration.

"Glad to see you back, Strife. Inventory's way behind," a voice broke in. "Damn wars in Phillipi have set things back at least three months."

Strife turned around to see Hades standing before him with a huge scroll in his hands. The God of the Underworld gave him the scroll with a huge grin. Strife looked down and screeched when he opened it up and saw the writing at the top of the parchment. "No! Not the Elysian Fields again! I hate it there! It's so... happy and filled with goodness and light!" he whimpered.

"I just send you where I need you," Hades answered in a mild tone. "Now, off you go!" With those words, Hades touched Strife's shoulder and he disappeared in a bright yellow light before he could say another word. "Well, that should keep him out of my hair for a while..."

Joxer groaned softly, rubbing his head. "Are you two all right?"

Jett nodded slowly as his eyes refocused. "Yes." Jace mumbled in agreement.

Papa! Papa! Are you all right?

Joxer smiled when he heard Adora's anxious voice in his mind. I'm fine, Dorie. We're all fine. Please bring us home.

Jett placed his hand on Joxer's shoulder. "Tell her to send Jace and me back where we were."

Joxer nodded in agreement and "said," Dorie send Jett and Jace back first, then me.

Adora looked at Eve and Cyrene. "Papa wants me to send Uncle Jett and Uncle Jace back first. What should I do?"

"Do what your father told you, Adora," replied Cyrene.

Adora nodded and concentrated on sending her uncles back. Joxer watched them disappear, hoping they would be okay.

Jett stared at the four gray walls then quickly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he was back in his prison clothing instead of Strife's questionable taste in attire. He blinked as the door to the solitary confinement cell opened. "Come on, you. We got the one who caused the riot for the escape."

Jett stood up and mumbled, "I told you I didn't do it."

"Jace! Jace! Are you ready yet? Come on, we're on next!"

Jace jumped up and threw open his door, almost leaping into Pierre's arms. "Hey! What's this all about? Not that I mind," Pierre said as he kissed Jace.

"Oh nothing! I'm just so glad to see you!" Jace replied as he returned the kiss.

Joxer looked around, waiting for Adora to get him when Ares suddenly appeared. Before Joxer could say anything, Ares held up a finger and began to speak. "You know, Strife might've failed getting out of Tartarus and getting his Godly powers and life back, but he did find out something. You three morons must be together in order for your powers to work. But, I can remedy that situation." Ares started to wave his hand.

Joxer stared at him calmly. "Come on, then. I'm not afraid of you."

Ares raised his hand, getting ready to throw a fireball.

"Come on. What are you waiting for?" Joxer asked.

Ares lowered his hand and sneered, "I don't have time to waste with you!"

Joxer watched as Ares vanished. Joxer shook his head, breathing a silent sigh of relief. He thought to himself, Sometimes, bluffing DOES work. There was a sudden flash of light and when Joxer's eyes readjusted, he saw that he was back in Cyrene's tavern.

Adora and Eve ran over to him, throwing their arms around his waist to give him a hug. "Hey, hey! I'm glad to see you too!" he said with a laugh as he returned the embrace.

"Oh Papa, I'm so glad that you're here!"

"Me too, Dorie. Now let's go to Xena and Gabrielle. They may need our help." Joxer reached out for Eve's hand and smiled at Cyrene. "Thanks for watching the girls."

Cyrene grabbed Joxer's arm. "Joxer, what are you doing?"

"Going to Xena and Gabrielle."

"Oh no you're not! You've had enough adventures for today. You'll stay right here until they get back. Now march right in there and take a bath, young man!"

"But they might need me!"

"I said march!"

Joxer looked at Adora and Eve. Both the girls were giggling. "You heard her, Papa."

"Yeah, Uncle Joxer. March," Eve chimed in.

"Okay! Okay! I know when I'm beaten!" Joxer laughed as he marched into the back room where the bathtub was, singing his theme song. Cyrene, Adora, and Eve laughed as they watched him leave.

Chapter Sixteen

Joxer relaxed in the hot water, soaking his tired muscles. Today had been full of surprises. He thought about Gabrielle and Xena, hoping they were fine, but he also wondered about his daughter. Why had her powers come back after years of being nothing but a normal child?

Joxer wasn't aware that a Goddess was watching him as he bathed. She stared a long time at him before she turned to gaze at Teutales. "So, this is Adora's mother?"

He nodded. She smiled. "I like what I see, and he has passed every test I have given him. Yes. You have indeed chosen wisely, my son."

Teutales bowed respectfully in her direction. "Thank you, Mother."

"I will now speak to the young man."

The Goddess appeared in a blaze of light before a very surprised Joxer, who was just getting out of the tub. He quickly grabbed for his towel to cover himself. "Hey! Can't I take a bath in peace? Who are you?" he demanded angrily.

The Goddess moved towards him and waved her hands, drying him off and giving Joxer new clothes. "I like my granddaughter's mother to look nice."

Joxer stared at the Goddess. She was beautiful. Her skin was fair and she was almost as tall as he was. She had long golden red hair and her eyes were as black as ebony. She was dressed in a long blue dress made of pure silk.

"Granddaughter? You... You're Adora's grandmother?" Joxer stuttered, his eyes wide as he gazed at the Goddess.

"Yes. Teutales is my son," the Goddess explained in a soft voice.

Joxer sighed. "So, are you here to take her away? If you are, I will fight you."

The Goddess raised her hand. "Relax, Joxer. I am not here to take her from you, but I will visit from time to time - and I am here to tell you why her powers are back."

The Goddess now had Joxer's full attention. "Why?"

"In years to come, there will be a war between the Gods of Greece and the Gods of Gaul. Xena's daughter Eve will be in the middle of it. Only she can bring peace between the Gods. Your daughter was born to be her protector. Eve will be a woman of peace but will have enemies and Adora will protect her from them," the Goddess explained in her soft voice.

"Do you mean that Adora will be like Xena?" Joxer asked curiously.

The Goddess shook her head. "No, not like Xena. Adora will protect Eve with her powers, but she cannot kill. If she kills, Eve will die."

Joxer's eyes sparkled with worry. "Then I have to tell her."

The Goddess placed her hand on Joxer's shoulder. "No, you may not tell her. Adora must use her own judgment."

"But if I don't tell her, she may kill to protect Eve!"

"It will not be until they are grown before the war starts. You can only hope that she will do the right thing."

Joxer thought for a moment before speaking again. "May I tell Xena and Gabrielle what I know?"

"I would prefer you tell no one for now."

Joxer sighed. "But Xena should know. If she knew I kept this from her, she would never trust me again. It's her daughter we're talking about here!"

The Goddess turned away. "Do what you think you must. But I warn you: it may cause Eve's death."

The Goddess then vanished. Joxer hurried from the back room and saw that Xena and Gabrielle had come back from Sparta. Gabrielle smiled and went over to him. She was about to hug him when she saw the look on his face. "Joxer? Are you okay?" It seemed to Gabrielle that Joxer stared right through her to watch Xena, who was swinging her daughter around in her arms and laughing as Adora clapped her hands and giggled. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Joxer? Please talk to me. What happened?" she asked gently.

Startled from his reverie, Joxer looked down at Gabrielle. "Oh Gabrielle, I'm so glad you are safe," he whispered.

Gabrielle gazed at him sternly. "Joxer, I asked you what's wrong." She reached up and caressed his cheek, wiping the tears away. "Why are you crying?"

Joxer reached up and put his hand over hers, then wiped the rest of the tears from his face. "I'm just glad you're safe. I was worried. Jeez, Gabrielle. Can't I worry about you?"

Gabrielle smiled at that. "Yeah, I guess you can."

Joxer returned the smile and gave her a weak kiss. Gabrielle raised her left eyebrow, curious. "Well, I'll go see what Cyrene is doing."

Joxer nodded as Gabrielle walked away. She turned her head around for a quick look back at him, wondering why he was not telling her everything.

Xena watched as her friend came towards them. "Gabrielle, what's the matter?"

Gabrielle sighed. "I'm worried about Joxer."

"What's wrong with Papa?" Adora asked anxiously.

"He seemed sad about something and he won't tell me." Gabrielle choked back a tear.

Xena placed her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "Want me to go talk to him?" Gabrielle nodded and sniffled. Xena smiled gently. "Okay. I'll go and have a talk with him. But it may be nothing at all, Gabrielle. It could be just that he was worried about us. Why don't you take the girls for a ride? I told Eve she could ride Spirit again."

Gabrielle returned the smile. "Thanks, Xena."

Joxer paced back and forth. Cyrene watched him anxiously. "Joxer? Come on. Please sit down. I've never seen you like this before."

Joxer spun around to gaze at Cyrene, his eyes blazing with anger. "This isn't fair! How can this be happening? Why can't things ever be simple?"

Cyrene stood up. "Hey! Whoa there. Calm down, Joxer! What isn't fair?"

Joxer stopped his pacing and sighed. "Everything was going perfectly, and now this! It's not fair! Why can't the Gods leave us alone?"

Cyrene walked over to him, put her hands on Joxer's shoulders and firmly made Joxer sit in his chair. "Now you tell me what is bothering you."

Joxer quickly jumped up before she could stop him. "I can't! Leave me alone!"

Cyrene was taken aback by Joxer's anger. She started to say something but thought better of it and watched him leave the tavern, slamming the door behind him. Xena and Gabrielle whirled around at the sound of the tavern door slamming against the side of the building and saw Joxer stalking away from the tavern with a dark, angry look on his face.

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged worried glances. "Gabrielle, I think that you better come with me. I think Joxer may need you," Xena said. Gabrielle nodded. Xena looked at the girls. "Eve. Adora. I know I said you could go riding with Gabrielle, but would you stay with Grandma until we get back?" Eve and Adora both nodded in agreement. Xena smiled. "And please behave."

Eve looked at Adora, who nodded in agreement. "We'll behave, Mom. I promise. Right Adora?"

Adora rolled her eyes. "Yeah. I promise!"

Xena gave them each a kiss. "Thanks, girls."

"Aunt Xena?"

"Yes, Adora?"

"Make Papa happy again. Please?"

"I'll try. I promise."

Xena turned back to Gabrielle, but she was already going after Joxer. Xena quickly caught up with her and watched as Gabrielle stared at Joxer, who was sitting on a log with his head in his hands. They both approached him quietly. "Joxer?" Gabrielle spoke softly.

Joxer jumped, startled. "Stop sneaking up on me!"

"Sorry, Joxer. I'm just worried about you," Gabrielle said as she knelt down in front of him.

"There's nothing wrong with me! Please leave me alone."

Gabrielle reached out to touch his cheeks, but Joxer pulled away. "Please don't, Gabrielle. Please - just leave."

"How can I just leave when you're hurting like this? Please, Joxer. Tell us what's wrong!"

Joxer looked up at Xena but Gabrielle turned his face back towards her. "Does it have something to do with Xena?"

Xena watched as Joxer tried to pull away from Gabrielle. "Please don't ask me."

Xena then stepped forward, frowning. "Joxer, is Gabrielle right?" she asked him.

Joxer rose to his feet, the tears steaming down his face and there was no way to stop them. "Oh, Gods! Why is this happening?"

"Joxer, tell us right now what is wrong!" demanded Xena.

"I know why Dorie was born and why her powers are back," Joxer whispered.

Gabrielle nodded. "That's good, isn't it?"

Joxer shook his head fiercely. "No, it's not good! I know why, but I was told if I tell you, Eve could die."

Xena suddenly reached out and spun Joxer around to face her, making him dizzy. "Joxer, if Eve's life is in danger, you damn well better tell me why!"

Joxer found that he couldn't look into Xena's angry eyes. "I can't. I want to, Xena. Believe me, I do, but I'm afraid."

Xena slowly calmed down. "Joxer, please tell me who told you not to tell anyone."

"A Goddess. She told me she was Teutales' mother. She said if I told anyone..." Joxer stopped and hung his head. Xena lifted his face to gaze into the troubled man's tear-filled eyes.

"Joxer, since when has a God ever told us everything? Trust me. This is about my daughter," Xena said in a soft voice.

"I do trust you, Xena. I'm scared for Eve and Dorie."

"I know you are, but I've dealt with Gods before, Joxer. I can deal with this."

"Listen to her, Joxer. We both know she has," Gabrielle pleaded.

"Gabrielle, I know she has, but this is different."

Gabrielle placed her arms around him. "Tell Xena. Please."

Joxer sighed heavily. To feel Gabrielle so close almost made him feel better, but he knew he really wouldn't until he told them everything. "She told me Adora was born to be Eve's protector when she becomes a woman of peace. You see, there's going to be a war between the Gods of Greece and the Gods of Gaul and only Eve can stop it, but not by killing. So, Adora can't kill with her powers or Eve will die."

Xena reached out and gripped Joxer's shoulders gently. "Joxer, I'm glad you told me. I promise nothing will happen to our daughters. Let's get back to them."

"But Xena, how will you stop it?"

"I may not be able to stop the war, but like I said, nothing will happen to our daughters."

Xena hurried away, leaving Joxer and Gabrielle alone. Joxer sat back down on the log and Gabrielle sat next to him, slipping her arms around him. She whispered to him, "It will be okay, Joxer. Xena will think of something."

Suddenly Teutales' mother appeared and gazed at Joxer coldly. "I warned you! I told you not to tell anyone of this. But you did, and now Eve, our only chance to stop all this, may die before she can bring peace to us and it's all your fault! You have doomed the world!"

Gabrielle stood up, her eyes blazing. "Who do you think you are?"

"Gabrielle, sit down." Gabrielle turned around at the sound of Joxer's voice. He was now standing and staring angrily at the Goddess. "I'm getting a little tired of this! First you approved of me and now you don't. There must have been a reason I was chosen to bring Adora into the world. To be changed into a woman so I could. You had so many women to choose from. Gabrielle is Xena's best friend, yet you chose me over her and she is a woman."

The Goddess calmed down as she listened to Joxer's words. "We picked you because of your pure heart."

Joxer laughed at this. "What? My pure heart? I've killed and I've been with women before. Sorry, Gabrielle," he muttered.

"I know, Joxer. I know. That was your past. This is now," replied Gabrielle as she took his hand in hers.

The Goddess smiled sadly. "Yes, you have been with women and you did kill, but that death was an accident. You suffered from that kill for weeks and even now it bothers you. If you didn't have a pure heart, then that man's death would not have bothered you, and you have not killed since."

"So, you chose me because of my heart?" Joxer questioned.

The Goddess nodded.

"I see." Joxer gazed at the Goddess for a moment thoughtfully before continuing. "So then, this same heart would break if I didn't tell my friends that what I know they should know. And I believe they should know, so I did tell them. I also believe that Xena will make sure that nothing goes wrong and that Eve will bring peace and Adora will be her protector."

The Goddess smiled at him. "Take care, Joxer. I will be checking on you and Adora from time to time."

At that, she vanished. Gabrielle stamped her foot angrily. "The nerve of her! She didn't even say she was sorry for causing all this mess!"

Joxer suddenly took Gabrielle in his arms. "Do the Gods ever apologize?" He then gave her a deep kiss, making her toes curl.

"Joxer... What was that for?" she asked breathlessly.

Joxer's lips curled up into a smile. "Do I have to have a reason?"

Gabrielle returned the smile, her eyes beginning to twinkle. "No." Joxer pulled Gabrielle down onto the grass, kissing her. She returned the kiss and moved so that she was lying on top of him. "I love you," she whispered as she reached for the laces of his tunic collar and began untying them slowly as he shuddered in anticipation and reached for her.

Conclusion >>>