Joxer sighed as he finally found the bard; she was alone sitting next to a small campfire. Xena had warned him, 'She's in a bad mood Joxer, I wouldn't bug her if I were you.' She said to him earlier that day. He had nodded his head and walked away, but it wasn't long before he found himself looking for her. He had to know what was wrong with her and if there was anything he could do. Though now that she was just a few feet from him, he felt a bit nervous. Shaking his head at himself, he walked to her and gently put a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He asked her quietly.

Gabrielle looked up at him, a look that made his heart sink, as she looked as though she were about to cry. "I'm fine." She replied softly and turned back to stare at the fire. "I'm just thinking."

"Anything you want to talk about?" He asked, pushing his luck.

"No." She answered, "Not really."

Joxer sighed, "So I guess you want to be alone, right?" He asked, a bit of hope in his voice that she might ask him to stay.

Gabrielle shrugged. Stay, a voice inside her cried. "I don't care." She told him flatly. He stood there for long moments in silence, wondering what he should do. I could hold you for a million years, he thought, as he looked her way again. Suddenly he felt a cold drop of water on his face and realized it was sprinkling.

"It's gonna rain soon." He told her gently.

"I don't care." She repeated. I do, he thought as he sat a few feet from her, I care about you.

"Are you sure you don't wanna talk?" He asked again, hoping she would. Then he had a thought, "Is it about me? Or... what I said... you know... about-"

"No." She cut him off.

"Okay." He thought some more, "Is there anything I can do to help?" She didn't answer. "There isn't much I can offer but..." Suddenly the sprinkles turned into full-fledged rain and the wind began to blow a bit. He edged closer to her as she shivered. Slowly he wrapped his arm around her and pushed her gently towards him, "I could offer you a warm embrace." He whispered. She seemed to relax for a minute, but then she sat back up and moved out of his arms. Joxer sighed, then shook his head and grabbed her again, pulling her gently back into his arm. For some reason he knew she should be held, and he was willing to risk her smacking him for it.

"Joxer... I-"

"Shh," He coaxed her, "I know you haven't made your mind up yet." He said softly, "I said no strings... I meant it."

"Thank you." She whispered, finally giving into him and laying her head on his lap.

"But I will always feel the same Gabby, and I will never do you wrong." He spoke from his heart, not really knowing what gave him the courage to do so, but he went with it. "Please tell me what's wrong." She was quiet for a long while, then he heard her sigh.

"I don't know." She said, "Everything... and nothing all at the same time.2 Joxer remained quiet and listened. He wiped some rain off of her face with the back of his hand, then realized that it was warm tears, but didn't say anything. "I don't know what it is." She breathed, "I feel like there is this huge emptiness inside of me... something I don't feel whole without... but I don't know what that something is." Joxer didn't say anything, he sat quietly and hoped. "I try to think about it.... But when I do, it just gets more confusing."

"Maybe you shouldn't think," He whispered, as she began to sit up, she stopped as her face was close to his.

"Don't think?" She breathed.

Joxer nodded, "Listen."

"To what?" She asked, looking deep into his eyes.

He swallowed and took the chance, "Your heart." He told her softly, his breathing now coming in pants. How easy it would be to just kiss her, he thought, but it would be even easier for her to hate me. They sat there for what seemed like an eternity. He had so many things he wanted to say to her. She wanted desperately to find out what his arms held in store for her heart. Yet neither moved, nor spoke a word. Finally she broke the gaze and stood up.

"I have to think." She told him.

He nodded, say something, an inner voice yelled at him. "Gabrielle." He said, stopping her from walking as she turned to look at him. "You know there is nothing that I wouldn't do." Her small smile was enough to encourage him, "To make you feel my love."

She stared at him for a long moment, then spoke softly with her eyes filled with emotion. "I know." She smiled a little, "But right now I need to think." With that she walked away, and Joxer was left by the cold remains of the fire and the dark night sky. Though he didn't feel sad, as he looked back to the way she left, no, he felt hopeful.

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

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, 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. The lyrics to "To Make You Feel My Love" are owned by the appropriate copyright holders. 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.