Dark, cold, wretched, these were only a few of the words one could use to describe the prison. A bowl hit the damp ground in front of the cell, the slop inside sloshing slightly over the rim. But Jett barely noticed, every moment and sound here was now familiar to him, he had studied his surroundings for the long months he had been in here. He had tried in vain to escape, but now he would succeed, for now he had learned patience and he knew the right time to move. It wasn't long now, he watched as the guard made his final rounds before leaving to trade shifts with another.

The door closed and Jett moved quickly, throwing a rope he had hid in his boot to a nearby wall, he hooked it on the keys with the belt buckle he tied to the end. Once the keys were pulled to him he let himself out and gave them to his father who was in the same part of the prison as he was. Signaling to a prisoner near the entrance to lock the door, Jett turn and left through the back. Just my luck, he thought to himself, as he stepped out the back door there were five guards. Jett held his ground and waited for the first attack. The front man punched right, Jett grabbed his arm, kneed him in the stomach, then kicked him back into the others. Jett ran over top of them and headed for the gates. Climbing over he landed on the other side and was finally free.

Gabrielle sat beneath a tree trying hard to write her story. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Joxer, jumping, kicking, and beating up a defenseless stump. She tried very hard not to give in to the urge of laughing. She watched while he hit it with his sword and got it stuck, then trying to get it out, he flew backwards, doing summersaults. Jumping up he yelled, "I'm ok!" Then ran back to the tree stump in another attempt to free his sword. Finally, she wasn't able to contain it any longer, she burst out laughing. Then putting her scroll down, she got up and headed towards him.

"What... are you... doing this early... in the morning?" She asked between chuckles, he turned and gave her a look, only making her laugh harder.

"I am practicing my fighting skills, so that while Xena is gone I can protect you." He softly slapped his chest, making a clang sound from his armor. "So you never fear, cuz Joxer the Mighty is here." He said with his lopsided grin. Gabrielle shook her head and walked away, still laughing. She had a feeling it was going to be one of those days. Maybe I should have gone with Xena, she thought, no, a day with Joxer means a day of laughs and that is something I could use. She turned and looked at Joxer as she sat down. He had gotten his sword out of the stump only to get it stuck in the ground. He gave her a goofy smile, and she chuckled. Yup, definitely one of those days.

Meanwhile...

"What you need son, is a job. After all that time in prison, I think it would do you wonders." The older man said.

"Yeah your right. We need the money too... let me think," He replied putting two fingers to his temple, "Who needs someone assassinated?"

"Don't know..." He answered thoughtfully, "Hey you could always kidnap someone important and sell 'em to the highest bidder." He added with a grin. The younger man in black leather paced awhile, then stopping he turned to his Father and smiled.

"What about Xena?" He paused, "No, won't work, she's too tough."

"Yeah, she'll probably kick your ass again." The old man chuckled, getting a glare from his son.

"Hey," He said with a devilish grin. "I know just the person."

Gabrielle was interrupted yet again from writing her story, as a man on horseback rode up. Stopping, he dismounted. "Are you Gabrielle?" He asked in a deep voice.

"Yes."

"This is for you, good day." He handed her a scroll and rode off. After reading it she looked up into the curious face of Joxer.

"Xena says her Mom wants her to stick around for a few days and help out. So it looks like it's just you and me for awhile." With that Joxer gave a big smile.

"So what do you want to do?" She asked, a bit of hope in her voice.

"Um..." He replied thinking, "Hey, we can go fishing. Xena told me you got a new way to do it."

"Yeah," She was somewhat disappointed. "Well, let's go." Grabbing her pack, they headed for the river. It was still early, but the day was warm and bright. Gabrielle took out her net as the got to the river's edge, throwing it in she laughed at the look on Joxer's face. "It works, just wait." She told him, he smiled slightly, knowing any idea of Gabby's was usually a good one. Well except the time she had the idea to stop war with an enchanted scroll- he laughed as he remembered the things that happened that day.

"What's so funny?" Gabby asked, bringing Joxer's attention back.

"Huh, oh...nothing." He replied.

"Nothing?" She started to tickle his side, "You better tell me."

"Gabby...Stop that." He laughed trying to get away from her, but instead managed to trip backwards over a rock. Gabby fell with him and landed on top of him. They stared at each other for a long moment. "Um...sorry." He said rolling out from underneath her. Then he got up and helped her up. She sighed.

"So are you going to tell me?" She asked.

"Tell you what?" She raised an eyebrow, and he smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, just remembering the time Aphrodite enchanted your scroll." He told her.

"That was kind of f..." Her words drifted of as she saw a piece of parchment laying on the ground, more so because, it said 'Dear Gabby'. "What's this?" She asked, bending to grab it. Joxer's mouth dropped.

"Nothing!" He said, as she got hold of it, she grinned at him. "Give it back please." He begged.

"Sure," She smirked, "if you can catch me." She laughed and took of running. Joxer left after, they ran for awhile along the river until Joxer gained on her, she squealed with laughter as he caught her. Grabbing the paper from her, he chuckled, She reached to take it back, when they both lost footing and fell in the river with a huge splash. Joxer came to the surface before Gabby, worried she'd be mad he waited and bit his lip. Emerging from the water like a vision, he smiled as he heard the sweetness of her laughter.

"It's a good thing you don't have your hat on." She giggled, "You'd sink." Joxer gasped with a fake look of hurt then splashed her. She tried to remember the last time she had this much fun, she couldn't recall. She laughed again and splashed him back.

Hours later...

"It is perfect, Xena is gone for a few days, and the only one to protect her is my dumb brother; Joxer the Tidy." He laughed. "Plus, I hear she don't fight anymore." He walked towards the door. "Jett." His Father called, turning he looked at him impatiently.

"Yes?" Jett said, his voice low.

"Just be careful, don't wanna go ta prison again." Jett rolled his eyes and left.

Gabrielle sat by the fire, her clothes almost dry, She glanced over at Joxer who was cleaning some of the fish they caught. She laughed softly and got the frying pan. After they ate, Gabrielle started to write on her scroll again, the whole purpose she had taken a day of, and yet she hadn't even written a paragraph all day. Instead she found herself staring at Joxer, talking to him, and playing around with him. Now he sat across the fire, she smiled at him when he looked at her. "Joxer, thank you."

"For what?" He asked, surprised she was actually thanking him for anything.

"For staying with me, keeping me company, making me laugh and have fun. Just thanks."

"You're welcome." He answered, looking at her, the sweetness on her face... I should tell her now, he thought. Slowly he got up and walked over to her, sitting beside her, he turned his head towards her and there faces almost touched.

"Gabby..." He spoke softly. "I want to tell you something," He paused.

She held her breath. "Yes?"

"I...L-," He was cut off as a noise came out of the woods, "I'll go see what it is." He said then turned and left. Gabrielle gave a long sighed as she watched him go. Suddenly someone grabbed her from behind, with one hand over her mouth he dragged her off.

"It was just a...Gabby?" He called, she was no where in sight. Walking to where she'd been sitting he noticed two scrolls. "That's odd." He said to himself. He picked them up, the first one was blank so he opened the second, it read:

Gabrielle Amazon Queen, sidekick to Xena
To be sold to highest bidder
Starting at 500 dinars. Bring money to
Breilla Caves, west of Thebes

Signed, Jett

Joxer put a hand to his forehead, Where am I going to get that much money? He asked himself silently. A familiar voice disturbed his thoughts.

"Hey, is that you Joxer? Mind if I join the party?"

"Autolycus!" He turned to see him, "Oh thank the Gods!" The thief stopped and gave Joxer a confused look.

"Well, glad you're happy to see me." He laughed, then he saw Gabrielle things. "Where're Gabrielle and Xena?" He asked.

"Xena's with her Mother, and Gabrielle was with me till my brother took her, you have to help." He handed Auto the scroll and he read it.

"Love to help, but I am not dealing with that psychotic brother of yours again." He said handing the scroll back.

"Autolycus, just let me borrow the money, please." Auto raised his eyebrows, "Come on, for Gabrielle." He pleaded. "There's no other way I can get that much money, and I will owe you big time." Auto made some faces, then sighed.

"Fine, I just happened to have a good night. But remember you owe me big." Joxer took the bag of money.

"Thank you, you are really a good guy."

"Oh, shut up and go save her already." He said with a shooing motion of his hand. He watched Joxer quickly get on his armor and run off into the woods. Auto smiled as he heard Joxer yell, "To the caves!" He shook his head, "Dumb fool, he's gonna get himself killed." With a chuckle he swung his black cloak around his shoulders and left.

He didn't release his hold on her or the hand over her mouth, until they were inside a cave. He put her against a wall and started to chain her. "Well it's nice to see you again Jett." She scoffed. "What is this all about?" She asked calmly, she refused to let him anger her. He smiled at her.

"Nothing personal, just need the money." He shrugged, "Plus I was bored." He put the last metal cuff on her foot then stood and looked at her. "Not too uncomfortable are ya?" He asked. She gave him a quizzical look.

"Why would you care?" Jett looked insulted.

"I just need the money, and we wouldn't want you too hostile for your new owner." He told her matter-of-factly.

"So why don't you let me out of these chains?" She asked.

"Don't push it." Jett growled, "I really don't feel like chasing you." She was silent awhile in thought.

"What if I give you my word?" She asked.

"No." He answered.

"Please?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because."

"I promise I won't go anywhere." She said faking a pout.

"What do I get?" He grinned.

"Good company? I can tell you a story."

"Are you ever going to shut up if I don't?"

"No." She smiled.

"Ok, only cuz I don't have a gag. But you even try to leave then I get mean, got it Blondie?" Jett chuckled.

"My name is Gabrielle, and yes." He unlocked her and sat by the fire he had going. Gabrielle sat on the other side.

"So start telling me a story." He told her, so she did.

Meanwhile, Joxer tried to find his way, running into a few trees on the way. "I'm coming Gabby." He whispered. "If Jett lays one finger on you...I'll kill him."

Unknown to Joxer, Autolycus follow close behind, just in case the moron needed help.

Hours later...

"You tell good stories, just like Jox told me." Jett said after she told quite a few stories at his command.

"When did he tell you that?" She asked.

"When he visited me in prison. Every time he came, it was Gabby this, and Gabby that." He chuckled. "Love sick puppy." He added under his breath.

"What?" She had heard him but figured she heard wrong.

Jett looked at her thoughtfully, He hasn't told her yet? He thought shaking his head. "Nothing." He told her. They were quiet a long time, both deep in thought, finally Gabrielle broke the silence.

"Jett?" She asked and he looked up. "Why are you an assassin?"

Does she ever stop thinking? He mused. "Don't know, guess because I'm good at it." He shrugged.

"Doesn't it bother you that you kill innocent people?" She asked, knowing she was pushing it. But she just couldn't understand it, and maybe she could get to him.

"Nope." He answered simply. "Don't even start preaching to me about peace and love, cuz if ya do I will chain and gag you." He warned.

"But you don't have a gag, remember?"

"Well, then it would be smart to keep quiet or you'll have my sock in your mouth."

"Gross!" She laughed, knowing by his face that he wasn't serious. But she could also see that her talking to him wouldn't do no good anyway, so she decided to drop the subject.

"Jett?" He groaned. "You know, you're not that bad." She smiled. Jett only rolled his eyes.

Joxer heard laughter from the cave ahead, Gabby's laughter. Confused, he walked up and peeked in.

"And then there was one time he..." Jett stopped, his smile disappeared. "Come in." He said standing and taking out his dagger. Joxer stepped into the cave. Jett rolled his eyes and put away the knife. "Well, if it isn't Joxer the Tidy." He mocked.

"I have the money Jett." Joxer told him seriously.

"How on earth did you get that much money?" He asked.

"You never mind, now take it and let Gabrielle go." Joxer held out the bag of dinars. Jett took it, setting it down behind him, he winked at Gabrielle.

"So what if I don't want to let her go?" He asked with a straight face. "Give a good reason why I should."

"Because I gave you the money." Joxer told him. Jett fingered his temple and pondered it.

"Nope, not good enough...I mean what's she to you?" He grinned.

"She's my...my friend."

"So that's all you feel for her?" Jett asked with innocent look.

"Well...I..."

"Yes?"

"You know."

"No...I don't think so." Jett said. Joxer looked at Gabrielle, a questioning look on her face. He glared at his brother.

"I love her." He whispered.

"You what? Sorry I must have bad hearing." Jett scoffed, cupping his ear.

"I love her!" He yelled, "I love you." He said softer to Gabby, and to his surprise she smiled sweetly at him. He gave a goofy grin and blushed.

"It's about time, here," Jett handed Joxer the bag of money back. Joxer and Gabby both gave him a confused look. "Look, call it my...good deed for the year." He sighed. Gabrielle got up and gave him a hug.

"Underneath it all you're a good man." She whispered in his ear and gave him a small kiss in the cheek. He shoved her away gently.

"Get out of here before ya make me sick." He told them, trying to act tough. She smiled back at him as she took Joxer's hand. He gave her a disgusted look, "Get! You don't know nothin'." He watched them leave hand in hand. He shook his head, he didn't want to admit that the little bard had gotten to him, but she did.

Autolycus smiled and hurried back to camp.

"So why didn't you tell me?" Gabrielle asked on the way back.

"I was worried." He told her.

"Silly, I knew you loved me before I went to India, but when I got back I realized I loved you too. I wasn't so sure you still felt the same anymore, every time I kissed you, you made sure it was on the cheek but I wasn't sure why. I know now, you're just shy." She smiled up at him, but he heard nothing other then the "love you" part. He swallowed hard.

"You...love...me?" He asked in disbelief. She reached up and kissed him on the lips finally, it didn't take long before Joxer returned it with passion.

Later at nightfall...

They walked into camp and found Autolycus there. Joxer through his the bag. "Thanks, but it looks like I won't need it after all."

The thief smiled. "I know, well I got things to do, so I'll leave you two love birds alone." Throwing his grappling hook to a tree branch, he was gone. Gabrielle and Joxer exchanged looks of confusion.

"So..." Joxer began. Gabrielle smiled at him, letting her heart shine through her eyes.

"I love you." She whispered walking to him.

"I'll never get used to you saying that." He told her, his voice low and unsure.

"You should get used to it." She ran her hands up his chest.

"I should?" He gulped at her touch.

"Yes," She whispered in his ear, then pulled of his armor. "I will be saying it a lot."

"You will?" Joxer sighed and closed his eyes. By the gods, if I am dreaming never let me wake up. He prayed silently.

"Always." She breathed, melting into his body with her own. "Tonight is ours, my fool, and I never want you to let go."

His hands slid around her waist and slowly up her back. His fingers caressed her soft warm skin. "I love you Gabby." He told her with passion. She moaned softly and ran her fingers through his unruly hair. Looking into his deep brown eyes she pulled him in to a kiss, one that spoke of pleasures yet to come. Under the star lit sky dreams came true, pleasure did come, and love made two hearts whole.

The next morning...

Xena rode to where she left her friends, she found them. They we entangled with one another, furs the only thing to keep the bodies covered. Dismounting from Argo, she cleared her throat. Joxer and Gabrielle awoke and saw the warrior princess standing there, facing the opposite direction. "I just ran into Jett," Xena began, "Told him I would be back for him later. But he told me that I could keep the goodie-goodie bard." She grinned, to herself. "Something I should know about?" They hurriedly got dressed and said ok. Xena turned and saw Joxer and the bard smiled knowingly at each other.

"Naa..." Gabrielle answered, "It was just one of those days." Xena gave them the look, and they both started laughing.

Please take the time to write to Tabs at fairywoodqueen@sbcglobal.net, and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Autolycus, 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. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 1999 by Tabs 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.