Muted Words - by ArtemisPrime

Disclaimer: all names, characters and references to Xena: Warrior Princess belong to Universal/MCA/Renaissance Pictures. I intend no copyright infringement. I also have never taken any medical training (except for CPR) so please bear that in mind (you'll understand when you read it). I hope you enjoy it!

"Look out!" Gabrielle cried at the girl. She lunged and pushed her towards the cave's opening. Another shock wave rumbled past, shaking and loosening more of the old mine. Wooden beams and rocks were falling.

"Run!" she yelled again.

The girl picked hersulf up, turned and cried. "My brother, Ballus..."

"You get out. I'll help him. Go!" Gabrielle turned her back and made her way over the debris. Gods, she thought, how am I going to find him? She stepped over and around some more rocks, cautiously checking for loose pieces. She stumbled on one, but caught herself. I wish Xena were here.

"Ballus? Can you hear me?" she called out. Nothing. "If you can hear me, I'm going to help you."

A small tremour shook loose some stones. Gabrielle nearly lost her footing, but balanced herself. "If I don't need help first," she muttered. "Ballus?"

"Help me," a small voice returned.

"Ballus! Where are you?"

"Here."

Gabrielle saw some movement and saw a hand poking through. She jumped over some fallen beams. "I'm here and I'm going to get you out."

She surveyed the situation. Ballus' lower body was trapped under some wood and rocks. She knew she couldn't lift them herself, but if she could make a lever that would lift the debris up and allow Ballus to crawl out.

"Okay, Ballus. I need you to do something for me..."

After making the lever, Gabrielle tried a few times to lift and create an opening for Ballus. Come on, Gabrielle, you're stronger than this, she thought. One more time. With a deep breathe and determination, she managed to lift the lever and Ballus crawled forward. Another tremour shook loosed more dust and dirt.

"Can you walk?" Gabrielle asked quickly.

"My leg hurts, but I think I can," he answered.

"Lean on me. We have to get out of here." Gabrielle looked nervously around. If Atlas decided to move around some more, they'd be in real trouble, well, more real trouble than they were already in. She put her arm Ballus' waist and he put his around her shoulders. They hobbled towards the cave's entrance.

A stronger tremour ran through the cave. Ballus stopped, afraid to continue. "Ballus, I need you to stay focused. Just keep looking at the light. That's safe for us." He looked at her with terrified eyes, but something made him go on. Perhaps he saw Gabrielle's own fear or perhaps he saw strength in her eyes that pushed him forward. He nodded and they continued.

A dark figure stepped into the light. "Gabrielle?" a voice called. "Gabrielle!"

Gabrielle looked up. "Xena! We're coming out."

"I'm coming in," Xena shouted back. She put one boot into the opening, past some fallen rubble. She turned back towards Joxer who was waiting outside the entrance. "Go back to the village and get some more help." She looked back at the mine. "I have a feeling we're going to need a healer."

"But I want to help. If Gabrielle's in there..." Joxer pleaded.

Xena swung around and gave Joxer an icy glare. "All right. I'm going."

"Xena. I need some help here. He's hurt," Gabrielle called out.

Xena made her way further into the entrance. This place is going to collapse any second, she thought. Need to create some support. She poked around and found two beams. She put one upright near the entrance, worked on the second one and saw two shadowy figures. She quickly went to them.

"I've got him, Gabrielle," Xena said. She reached over and took Ballus, half dragging him outside. She pushed him out and he landed on his face. He cried out, but just as he did so, a strong earthquake rocked the ground. He couldn't get up or hardly move. He looked back at the entrance, saw rocks falling and a cloud of dust. He didn't know what to do.

With a sudden motion, Xena was thrown out of the mine. She fell hard on her back, coughed and immediately went back in. She was instantly lost in the settling dust. Joxer made his way back, followed by an older woman and the young girl. He saw Ballus lying on the ground.

"What happened? Where's Xena and Gabrielle?" he demanded of Ballus.

All he could do was point a finger in the direction of the mine. Joxer's eyes went wide with panic. Gabrielle! He rushed into the entrance and began coughing. He could hear Xena yelling.

"Don't you worry, Gabrielle, everything's going to be fine. You just hold on in there, you hear me?" Joxer saw Xena yelling towards a pile of rocks and her trying to pull them down. Joxer jumped over the debris and began helping. He couldn't say a word, only pull and tug at the tight rocks. Xena momentarily looked over and she thought she could see a tear in his eye.

Don't think it, she thought. Don't even dare.

After a few minutes, they managed to poke a hole through. Xena peered inside and could see Gabrielle lying face down, a large beam was close to her head. "We're coming, Gabrielle," she yelled into the opening. "Just hold on," she muttered.

Another few minutes later, Xena and Joxer were able to crawl through. They saw blood coming from Gabrielle's temple. Xena immediately lifted her up. "Get on the other side, Joxer. I'll hand her to you so you can pull her out." Joxer did as he was told. Carefully, Xena and Joxer managed to get Gabrielle out. Joxer then carried her outside.

The old woman was giving Ballus some herbs when she looked up and saw Joxer bring Gabrielle to her. "Help her," he begged.

"Lay her down," she told him. She looked a long time at Gabrielle. She pulled a small piece of cloth out of her bag and wrapped it around Gabrielle's head. "Need to stop the bleeding," she muttered.

Joxer stared intently at Gabrielle, blinking his eyes often. "Is she gonna...?" His voice gave out on him.

The old woman was quiet as she continued to examine Gabrielle. "Well, I can't say for sure. She's got a broken arm, but that head injury worries me. The bleeding seems to have stopped, but..."

"But what," Joxer asked quickly.

"But she could have brain damage," Xena replied. She stood tall, barely able to look down at her friend. "That's what you mean, isn't it?"

"Yes." the woman said simply.

"But that doesn't mean anything bad, right? I mean, it could be like...like nothing," Joxer asked, pleading with someone to agree with him.

Xena looked at Joxer. She waited before she spoke. "Joxer, we have to be prepared for the worst." She looked at the old woman; she nodded her head. "Gabrielle could die."

The woman, Lucinda, was known as an exceptional healer in the village. People said she could cure the blind or make men walk. But even as she walked in front of Joxer and Xena, she could not help but question herself. The brain was such a tricky thing; sometimes a bump like Gabrielle's would result in nothing more than a headache, other times, much worse.

Joxer had been very quiet taking Gabrielle to Lucinda's home. Every now and then, Xena would hear him murmuring to Gabrielle that she would be all right, that everything would turn out fine. Xena, however, had her doubts.

"Bring her over here," Lucinda instructed when they entered her house. Joxer carefully laid Gabrielle down on a small cot. Lucinda pulled some skins over her and felt her face. "She's not got a fever, so that's good." She turned towards her cupboards, which were full of herbs and other ingredients. She pulled down a pouch filled with some kind of powder and poured a little into a mug. She filled the mug with water and went back to Gabrielle. Lucinda opened her mouth and poured some of the liquid in; a little ran down her chin.

"What's that?" Joxer asked.

"Just something to help with her arm," Lucinda answered and then poured some more water in Gabrielle's mouth. She rose and faced Xena and Joxer. "The best thing for her now is to sleep. There's nothing you two can do."

"Thanks, but if you don't mind, we'll stay right here," Xena replied.

"Yeah," Joxer agreed.

"Of course," Lucinda said. "Having her friends close to her will help her." She leaned in. "She can hear what you say, even if she doesn't know it." With that, she turned and went into the back room.

Xena bent down towards Gabrielle. She pushed back her hair from her face. "You just rest now, Gabrielle. Rest." She took Gabrielle's hand and squeezed it. She leaned even closer. "Don't you leave me. This isn't you're time, not now." She whispered into Gabrielle's ear, "I need you." She waited then got up, turning towards Joxer. "I'm going to get Argo and the rest of our stuff." She paused.

"I know, Xena," Joxer said. "I may not get everything real fast, but I know what's going on...and what could happen."

Xena went up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "I know you do." She left Joxer alone with Gabrielle.

Xena walked back to the mine. Every now and then a board would fall, but its sound was muffled by the boulders blocking the entrance. She stared a long time at the fallen rocks, thinking back to earlier that day...

"Oh come on, Xena, please?" Gabrielle begged. "Just this once, let's have some fun for a change."

"Like having Aphrodite cast one of her spells on us isn't fun?" Xena asked sarcastically to the bard. "Thanks, but I've had enough fun for a long time. I still can't get the smell of fish off me." Xena wrinkled her nose.

"Fine. I'll go myself." With that, Gabrielle turned and walked into the forest, while Xena continued to brush Argo. The mare looked at Xena with her big, brown eyes.

"And don't you be givin' me no trouble either." She looked sternly at her mount. "Deciding which flowers to 'press' into a scroll isn't my idea of fun. Now stand still." She brushed the horse harder and faster. Sometimes Gabrielle was just so...so...Gabrielle. Even after everything they've been through - Callisto, Valesca, Dahak - she still manages to keep some kind of innocence about her. No, that wasn't right. Hope and peace. Yeah, hope and peace are still in her...

Xena pulled out her chakram and threw it with all her might, letting out a long yell. It flew into the fallen boulders, dislodging some, turned towards the forest, cutting down small trees and finally made its way back to its owner. Xena grabbed it tight and held it up for a long time. She continued to stare at the mine.

It should have been me, she thought. I never should have left Gabrielle alone. If I had been with her, I would have gone into that mine to save those kids and I would have been hurt, not her. She gripped her chakram even harder. Why, Gabrielle? Why did you have to do it? Xena dropped to her knees and screamed.

Joxer stroked Gabrielle's blood stained hair very carefully. He didn't want to pull on it and hurt her, she'd had enough pain for a lifetime. He tried to smile, but it never seemed to come out right. Lucinda watched them from a distance, slowly nodding her head as if she knew something that no one else did.

"Gabrielle," Joxer whispered, "I know you think I'm kind of a fool, but please be all right. I need you to pull on my ear and twist my nose." He tried to laugh, but instead he began to cry. "Please, Gabrielle, don't leave me." He bent his head down and let the tears flow. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, his eyes red.

"Your friend is lucky to have someone who cares so deeply about her," she said quietly.

Joxer sniffed. "Yeah, lucky." He turned back to Gabrielle. "If she were really lucky, she wouldn't have met me at all..."

"Gabby!" Joxer said, full of enthusaism and a big grin on his face.

"Hi, Joxer," Gabrielle said. She didn't really look at him, but more at the flowers and plants behind him.

"So what brings you here?" Joxer asked. He looked around. "Where's Xena?"

"Oh, she's being stubborn." Gabrielle turned her head back to where Xena was brushing Argo. "She wouldn't come and help me look for some good flowers."

"Whaddya need flowers for?"

"I had this great idea to add some colour to the scrolls, you know, to kinda liven them up a bit. So I thought maybe putting in some flowers would help."

"I dunno, Gabby. Who's gonna wanna read some scrolls when these dead flowers are going to fall outa them?" Joxer scratched his head.

"That's the thing, wonder boy," Gabby answered sarcastically, "they won't fall out if I press them in at the bottom of the scroll." She shook her head like she had just finished talking with an idiot. She walked around looking for flowers.

"Oh." Joxer bounded after her. "Well, maybe I can help." He looked down into Gabby's lovely green eyes and saw how they reflected the morning light. Her hair glowed and she smelled like an angel, whatever they smell like.

"All right," she said. "Why don't you go look over that hill there." She pointed to a hill about one-hundred paces to the north. "I'll look here."

"Okay," and Joxer trotted north. Gabrielle shook her head and half rolled her eyes. Sometimes Joxer was just so...so...Joxer. He followed them around like a lost dog half the time and got them into trouble all the time. Still, though, he did want to help, and after all, wasn't that the most important thing? Gabrielle stopped in her tracks. Did I just really think of something nice about Joxer? A worried expression crossed her face. No. I couldn't have. She looked over at the hill to see Joxer's silly helmet dipping just below. No. She shook her head. No.

After a while, Gabrielle made her way north and found Joxer playing with a couple of children. They seemed to play some sort of hand game.

"One, two, three," the little boy said. All three thrust out their hands. The boy's hand was flat, the little girl's hand had two fingers in a V-shape and Joxer had a fist. He laughed and tapped each one with his hand. "Okay, okay. My turn. One, two, three." Apparently Joxer lost because the girl reached up and grabbed his helmet. Both children giggled. "Hey! That's my helmet." The girl tossed it to the boy and they began to run around with it, laughing. Joxer tried to grab his helmet, but the children were too quick for him. "C'mon. Give it back."

"Joxer the Mighty," Gabrielle said with a laugh.

Joxer immediately looked up and grinned sheepishly. "Well, ya see, we were just playing..."

"It's all right, Joxer." Gabrielle walked down the slope. "Every warrior has his weak spot." She reached up and toussled his hair, smiling.

Joxer smiled weakly, avoiding eye contact with Gabrielle. How embarrassing! His prized helmet stolen away by two children! He glanced down and noticed some flowers Gabrielle held. "Oh, hey. I found some flowers I thought you might like." He ran over and picked up a bouquet and handed them to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle gasped. "Joxer, these are beautiful. Where did you find them?" She took the flowers, briefly touching his hand. Joxer silently sighed. She likes them!

"Oh, uh, they were just here and there." He pointed around. "I kinda hoped they were what you were..." Joxer stopped in mid-sentence as he and Gabrielle felt a violent shaking of the earth. They both barely kept their balance. "Did you feel that?"

"Yes," Gabrielle said with exhausted breathe. She looked at Joxer with a worried expression. "Where are the children?"

As if on cue, one of the children's voices came from within the cave they were near. "Mommy!"

Gabrielle and Joxer simultaneously turned their heads towards the cave and then back towards eachother. "Cave-in!" they shouted.

"Here!" Gabrielle shoved the flowers into Joxer's hands and rushed into the cave. A few seconds later, another tremour shook the ground. A few seconds after that, Xena arrived.

"If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have found those flowers that she likes and she would have been safe." Joxer sniffed again and swallowed hard.

"Don't blame yourself, son," Lucinda said warmly. "There is no blame here."

"But I..." He looked into Lucinda's face and was quiet. She radiated a strength that gave him comfort. Yes, she was right. It wasn't his fault. Then why did it feel like it?

The next day came and went without a sound from Gabrielle. When the next four days passed the same way, Xena became truly worried. Gabrielle made no sounds or movements when Lucinda changed her dressings or adjusted her arm to set the bone. Xena initially thought that this was a good sign, that Gabrielle would not be suffering at all, but her mind changed when nothing made Gabrielle stir.

"These things take time," Lucinda said calmly as she once again removed the bandage around Gabrielle's head. The wound had healed and there were eleven stitches just above her temple, but Lucinda wanted to keep it covered until the stitches were removed. "Can't take chances," she had said.

Xena didn't respond. She was feeling Gabrielle's right arm for signs of improvement. Her arm was set in place properly. Lucinda was very good. The two women's eyes met and they held the stare a long while. Xena broke it off, returning her attention to Gabrielle. She pulled the skin up closer to Gabrielle's face and rose.

"Joxer should be coming back soon," Xena stated. Lucinda rose to meet her and that's when Xena noticed how tall Lucinda was. Xena blinked and realised that if Lucinda were twenty years younger, she would have looked remarkably like Xena. She wondered if there was anything to that.

"Xena," Lucinda started, her tone serious, but gentle. "You have to prepare yourself for..."

Xena turned towards the door.

"Xena!" Lucinda called out. "You can't run from this. She is your friend and she needs you...now."

"I know that!" her voice a whisper, but filled with emotion. Xena whirled, a look of pain and frustration in her ice blue eyes. "I know that more than anything else in the world!" Her shoulders sagged and she sighed deeply. "But I don't know what more I can do." Her eyes pleaded with Lucinda to somehow make Gabrielle magically become well again.

Lucinda walked over to Xena. "I...I have been reading some of her stories." She motioned towards the still figure, hoping that Xena would not be angry for her intrusion. Xena's face remained the same. Lucinda continued. "She writes about your love for eachother. Use it. Let her know that you do love her...and that you would do whatever it took to help her." She paused, then took a breath. "Even if that meant going far way." Lucinda gave Xena a trusting look.

Xena gazed at the healer woman. After a moment, she realised what the woman meant. "You want me to go back to Chin?" she asked increduously.

"No, not Chin, but just as foreign," Lucinda answered. She stepped closer. "I know that you are unwelcome there, but you may be able to get others to help you. Others near Chin." She walked to her herbal cupboard. "I know of a man...in the lands west of Chin. He lives in a city called Medea, in the land of the Persians." She pulled out four bags and held them in her hand, quietly continuing. "He knows of many healer's ways, ways that are strange to us." She looked over to Xena who was now near her. "If anyone can help your friend, it's him."

The women again stared at eachother, except this time, Xena's eyes contained a trace of hope in them. Finally, someone who could really help Gabrielle!

"What's his name?" Xena asked.

The woman smiled faintly, as though remembering something from her past. "Al-Duwiya, of the clan Ralinyu." Her eyes wandered off, like she was looking at something that wasn't there. She then regained her composure. "He can help," she said simply. "But you will need someone to translate for you. Their language is very complicated." She gave the bags to Xena. "I know someone who can help." She went past Xena and out the door. Xena followed. "No," Lucinda turned. "Stay here and watch after Gabrielle. I will return soon." She grabbed her cloak from the outside bench where she had tossed it earlier that day and wrapped it around herself. She set out on the path into town, while Xena stood at the doorway holding four empty bags in her hands, a confused expression on her face.

The look on his face was one of confusion. Xena had made it look so easy that time. You just feel around until you find a nice big one, then wiggle your fingers and wham-o, you punch it in the face. This was supposed to work. He dived down one more time, but had to come up thirty seconds later, sputtering and gasping. He dragged himself back onto shore and sat hard on the sand, shaking the water from his hair.

He looked around the lake and thought about how pretty it was. The mid-afternoon sun made everything bright and crisp. He could see all the leaves in full bloom on the trees, the flowers in the forest...Stop. Don't think about the things that nearly killed Gabby, he thought angrily. He closed his eyes and huffed. His head clear, he went over and picked up his armour lying on the beach. He didn't put it on fearing it would rust with the water still soaking to his undershirt and pants. The idea of fish for dinner had seemed like a good one, considering they had had three nights of rabbit, but tonight, no fish.

Joxer tramped along the path back to Lucinda's house. He hadn't really wanted to leave Gabby, but Xena had literally forced him out, instructing him to bring back something for the night-time meal. He had to admit, though, that he was getting better at hunting. He hadn't been all that bad before, but now he had a greater purpose in finding food, Gabrielle. Although she couldn't eat anything yet - yet, he reminded himself - they made a nice broth out of the meat for her to drink. So he had a greater urge to do well. The tips from Xena had also worked.

Joxer finally made his way to the house and saw Lucinda heading away and Xena looking dumb-struck. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked, placing his armour on the bench that only moments before held Lucinda's cloak. He walked up to Xena. "Well?" He arched his eyebrows.

Xena turned her head, realisation spreading across her face. She went inside and placed the bags on the table. She knelt down next to Gabrielle. "We're finally going to get some help for you," she said quietly, stroking the bard's cheek.

"Huh? What kinda help?" He stared at Xena's back. "Xena?"

She rose and faced Joxer. "Lucinda has an idea. She knows someone that can help Gabrielle." She went over to him and pulled him outside. "But he lives very far away. I will be gone a long time." She looked back at the sleeping form and paused before continuing. "Joxer," she began facing the would-be warrior, "I need you to do something for me...for Gabrielle."

Joxer's eyes widened a little. "Anything."

"I need you to look after her while I'm gone." Her eyes betrayed the seriousness of what she was asking. She was asking a favour from Joxer, and favours were not something she especially enjoyed asking.

He looked back at the warrior, his mind racing. Xena's going away and she's asking me to look after Gabby? What's going on? Why can't I go with her? Will she be okay? Will it really help Gabrielle?...

"Joxer?" Xena said, trying to break his concentration.

"Huh. Yeah. Of course. Yeah." He shook his head a little. "But where are you going?"

Xena faced east. "Persia."

A worn hand prepared itself to knock on the wooden door, but paused, tightening an already tight fist. After a moment, it tapped lightly on the wood. Lucinda backed away from the door and waited. She heard some shuffling around, a click of a latch being undone and a squeak as the hinging begged for some oil. A leathery face peered out from the open door.

"What?" the face asked.

"Jaspus? It's me," Lucinda answered quietly.

The figure squinted and looked at the face before him. His right eyebrow raised up in a look of surprise. "Lucinda!"

"Yes, Jaspus. May I come in?"

He stepped back. "Of course. Please." He motioned her in. Lucinda entered a little ways into the cabin and turned towards Jaspus. "I've come to ask..."

"No, no, not yet," Jaspus interrupted. He moved towards Lucinda's cloak. "Here, let me take that. Please, please sit." He hung the cloak on a peg and began re-arranging the cluttered mess on the chair and table. "Sit."

Lucinda bit the inside of her lip. She hadn't wanted to make this a long visit; Xena would be worried and wanting to set off quickly. "Jaspus, I really..."

"Tea?" the man asked, his face warming up and losing some of its haggard appearance. Lucinda couldn't say no. "Wonderful. It's so lovely having company. It comes so rarely these days, what with Jaedicius and the family moving to Athens. Honey?" He had made his way into the kitchen area.

Lucinda sighed. "Please. Thank you."

Before long, Jaspus and Lucinda were having tea and talking about times of long ago. Both were smiling with the memories. Lucinda could have sworn that Jaspus had put some kind of relaxing herb in the tea, but she couldn't be sure. Although she did feel more relaxed, less tight.

"Tell me, Luc, what brings you out here?" Jaspus' tone was inquisitive, but serious.

Lucinda looked down at the empty cup. "I need your help. Rather, someone I know needs your help."

"What kind of help? I'm not good for much anymore, just crazy schemes and experiments." His hand waved around the room and Lucinda noticed the parchments full of drawings. She could have sworn she saw a picture showing Zeus' lightning bolt hitting a flying object and the light running down to a metal hook. She snickered; yes, crazy schemes.

"I need your linguistic abilities," she said simply.

Jaspus raised his eyebrow and sat back in the chair. "You want me to go back there, don't you?" He forced her to look into his eyes.

"Yes."

"What can be so important that you would want me to go back to my homeland?"

"Xena."

Both eyebrows raised quickly. "Really? The warrior princess Xena? Ho-ho, Luc, you're outdoing yourself this time." He got up and took their cups. "You've been known to spin a few yarns, but really...Xena?" He laughed in the kitchen.

Lucinda rose and met him. "I'm serious, Jaspus. It is her. Her friend, Gabrielle, needs more help than I can give her." She took Jaspus' hand and looked into his face.

Jaspus looked down at the woman before him, forehead furrowed. "You mean it," he said after a moment. "The warrior princess really is there." He scratched the back of his head, stepping away from Lucinda. "Hmmm..." He smirked, unsure what to do.

"Jaspus, I don't know who else to turn to. Al-Duwiya is the only one I know that help Xena's friend." Her eyes pleaded with Jaspus. "And you're the only one who can speak the language. Please, Jaspus, for me, do this."

Jaspus thought for a moment. He hadn't been to Persia in over twenty-five years, not since he first met Lucinda. She had been the reason he came to Greece. He knew he had to be near that woman, her beauty mesmorising, her healing skills, miraculous. He never looked back, only westward to a place with strange gods and strange customs. And now, this same woman wanted him to go back, back to the family he rejected and the life he could have had. He wanted to say no.

And yet, something about Lucinda made him say yes. He didn't know if it was that she was asking him, something he knew was very hard for her to do, or if it was those huge brown/black eyes begging him to help.

"This friend of Xena's must be very special for you to do this," he said quietly.

Lucinda half smiled. "She reminds me of Katharos. Sort of looks like her, a bit. She's a writer, Xena's friend, Gabrielle, and the way she writes...I just can't let the world lose her. Not yet."

Jaspus nodded. "For you, Lucinda, I will do this." He stepped close to Lucinda. "For our friendship."

"Friendship," Lucinda repeated, a smile across her face. She hugged him deeply and warmly.

The day started out clear and full of sunshine. Xena finished loading the rest of her gear into the saddlebags, but were not going on Argo. "Look after them, girl," she said to the mare. "I wish you could come with me, but the journey is long and I don't want to risk losing you." She stroked the mare's mane. "I will miss you."

The saddlebags full, Xena returned to the house. Lucinda stood just inside holding some skins. "Here. Some extra warmth for the trip." Xena took them and placed them on the chair. "Thank you," she said.

"Take these also." Lucinda placed the four empty bags on top of the skins. Xena noticed the markings on them. "Al-Duwiya will know what to put in them." She looked up at the warrior, but Xena was looking at Gabrielle. Lucinda quietly made her way out of the house and the warrior and the bard were alone once more. Xena knelt down at Gabrielle's head.

"Gabrielle," she began. "I know you can hear me. I hope you understand what I'm doing." She stroked the Amazon's hair. "It will be many moons before I return. I just hope that when I do return, you won't need what I have." Xena had thought about that possibility, that Gabrielle could recover on her own. But if Lucinda believed that Gabrielle needed the eastern remedies, then she believed that there would be no change in Gabrielle's condition. That worried Xena. How would Gabrielle react with having lost so much time? What kind of physical and mental condition would she be in? How long would she need to recover? Xena shook her head. Such questions were not important now. What was important was in getting her to wake up.

"Argo's here, if you need her, and Lucinda," Xena continued. "And Joxer." She half smiled. "I know they will all take care of you." She laid hand on Gabrielle's cheek. "Please get well. I need you." With that, the ex-warlord rose and headed for the door. She paused to look once more at her friend and saw her lying peacefully. Xena waited, then left, her back straight and eyes forward to greet Jaspus. She didn't hear the soft moan from inside.

"Ready?" Lucinda asked. She had grabbed the skins before going outside and now handed them to Xena.

"Yes." Xena picked up her saddlebags. Jaspus carried his bag on his back, with his sleeping roll and pot dangling outside. He smiled at Xena. "Guess we're off, then," he stated. They began walking.

"Wait." Xena put her arm out. "Where's Joxer?" She surveyed the area, but didn't see the warrior wannabe. "Joxer?" She set down her bags and went into the stable. There was Joxer brushing and grooming Argo. "Joxer. I think she's brushed well enough."

"I know." He kept brushing.

"Joxer," Xena said in her most compassionate voice.

"Bye, Xena." He kept his back to her.

Xena wanted to tell him that everything would be fine, but she sensed that he wouldn't really hear her. She placed her strong arm on his shoulder. He half glanced at it and Xena could then see the tears welling up. She pulled him around, saw the look of pain in his face and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug with even more strength, like he didn't want to let go. Xena heard him sniff.

"Easy, Joxer," she soothed, stroking his hair. "We'll be back so soon you won't have noticed us gone."

Joxer broke from the embrace. "Right." He looked into Xena's piercing eyes. "Promise me, Xena."

"I promise," the warrior vowed.

The two stood there for a long moment, the warriors of justice, silently understanding eachother. Xena finally took a step back. "Take care of her, Joxer."

"Be careful," he answered and turned back towards the mare, resuming his grooming. Xena took another slow step, then turned and left the barn. "Okay, let's get going."

Joxer sat on the chair reading Gabrielle's stories. His reading wasn't the best in Greece, he knew that, but he trudged along. He wasn't sure why he felt a need to read the scrolls, maybe it was a way to get closer to Gabrielle while she remained unresponsive. He looked over at the bard. Her features were softened somehow with all the sleeping - sleeping, yes, she was just sleeping, he told himself - and he wanted nothing more than to just hold her in his arms. He wanted her to awaken and realise all the love he had for her and her for him while he held her. He wanted her to return the hold, to kiss his lips in understanding, to create the unbreakable bond. But she slept. Joxer sighed quietly.

"Have you told her?" Lucinda asked, breaking the silence in the small house.

Joxer looked up, slightly bewildered. "Huh?"

"That you love her."

Joxer's face turned red and he tried to stammer out some words. "Well, I....don't really...I guess what I mean is..." He looked into Lucinda's eyes and found strength in them. "No." He looked down at the scrolls in his lap. "I can't. It would ruin everything. I mean, I know what she thinks of me." He searched through the parchments and found one in particular. "There he was. He called himself Joxer, a warrior, but a warrior unlike any other. So inept, so clumsy..." he said, reading from the scroll.

"Then why do you do this for her? Why help her? Why show the devotion only a lover can show to a woman who does not return your love?" Lucinda asked in a more scientific/curious way, rather than a sarcastic and hurtful manner.

Joxer's brow furrowed. Why did he put up with all the abuse from Gabrielle? Inside, he knew the answer, but he couldn't possibly tell this woman that. "I dunno."

Lucinda walked over and sat on the table near the chair, grasping Joxer's hands. "Lie to me if you wish, but sooner or later, you will have to openly admit your thoughts. If you don't, you will never be happy." Her eyes were warm.

There were so many things he wanted to say. But the pain of those thoughts is too great. Having her laugh at me again would simply kill me. I couldn't handle the rejection. They thrashed about in his mind, begging to be let out, but all he could do was nod his head like an idiot. Yep, that's you, Joxer, my boy, an idiot, he thought.

Lucinda waited a few moments longer, hoping Joxer would say something, but when he didn't, she sighed and rose. "I am going to bed now." She turned and went into the back room. Joxer's gaze followed her and stayed on the closed door. "I'm a coward," he said quietly. He faced Gabrielle's form. "How can a coward protect you? How can a coward expect love from someone as strong as you?" He sat back in the chair, ran his hands through his hair and stared at the ceiling. He remained that way until he finally fell asleep.

"Joxer," Lucinda called out, "I need your help."

Joxer looked up from his wood chopping and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He squinted his eyes, shrugged, dropped his axe and loped into the house. He found Lucinda kneeling at Gabrielle's bed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Ah, good. I need you to help me turn turn Gabrielle over. I need to massage her back and legs."

"Uh, okay." Joxer went over to the bed and hesitated. He hadn't held Gabrielle since the accident and was afraid of hurting her.

"Just gently roll her towards you. I will grab her legs and you grab her shoulders. On the count of three. Ready."

Joxer gulped. "Sure."

"One...two...three." Both rolled Gabrielle over onto her side. "Now lift her and place her face down on the bed. Careful with her arm and head."

With a gentleness he didn't know he had, he very carefully laid Gabrielle down. He stood back from her and breathed out heavily.

"You did that very well, Joxer," Lucinda commented. She stood and put her hand on his shoulder. He continued to stare down at the bard. After a moment, he asked "Why do you have to massage her?"

Lucinda smiled. "Her muscles need it, to keep them limber. Otherwise when she tries to walk, she won't be able to. It also helps to improve her circulation and keep her from getting bed-sores."

He looked at the healer with a confused expression. "Bed-sores?"

"They are kind of like welts on the body from being in one position too long." She knelt down and began at Gabrielle's feet. "Have you ever sat down for a long time and felt your backside hurt?"

Joxer thought a moment, his face contorting as he remembered many occassions of his father forcing him to....eliminate the thought. It doesn't matter now. "Yeah."

"Well, it's the same thing. We just have to do it for Gabrielle." Her strong hands began working up Gabrielle's calves. Joxer watched her a long time as she pushed, prodded and kneaded her hands and fingers into Gabrielle.

Lucinda could feel Joxer watching with intense eyes. She half turned her head, but kept an eye on what she was doing. "Would you like to try?"

"Me," Joxer squeaked. "Oh, no...I couldn't...I wouldn't know...."

"Come." She motioned with her head for him to kneel next to her.

Joxer still stood. Touch Gabrielle like that? It was just so, wrong. With her being unconscious, he would feel like he was abusing her somehow. "No, I couldn't."

"There is nothing to be afraid of, my boy. She needs this. It will help her."

Joxer remained unconvinced. "I need to finish chopping the wood." He hurried outside, his breathe heavy. "Impossible," he muttered. "No way I could touch Gabby like that. She'd beat me to a pulp for that." He shook his head and picked up the axe. "Some wood to go with that axe would be good," he sarcastically told himself. He bent down to pick up a log and could see Lucinda inside through the open door. He stared a long while at the healer working her craft. She mesmorised him, how her old hands still had strength, how they penetrated deeply into the muscles, how they soothed. It will help her, Lucinda's words echoed through his mind. "Forget it, Jox." He shook his head and continued chopping the wood, putting more into it than he did previously.

He sat outside the small house sipping at the hot tea. The morning mist still covered much of the land, but he knew the hot sun would come out and burn it off soon enough. He looked to his right to see a squirrel pulling off some fruit from a nearby tree. To his left was a rabbit making a raid on Lucinda's new plants. Joxer smiled and knew that Lucinda would not be happy. He took another sip and sat back in the chair making a small creaking noise. He liked mornings like this. He almost forgot the reason he was here in the first place.

The door opened and Lucinda walked out. Joxer thought she looked radiant in the morning, like her spirit lived just for this moment. "Morning," he said.

"Good morning, Joxer," she returned with a smile. She took a deep breath of the air and smiled. "Another sunny day is coming," she stated firmly. "It's going to be warm again." She looked over at the man and noticed his clothing. He wasn't wearing his armour as it was very impractical working around the house, just his undershirt and pants. Lucinda furrowed her brow. "That can't be very comfortable."

"Huh?" He looked up at her after taking another sip.

"Your shirt, my son. You mustn't be very comfortable in it with all the work you do around here. Just wait a moment." She went back inside and after a few minutes returned with a dark beige shirt in her hands. "Try this on." She handed it to Joxer.

Joxer shrugged his shoulders. "Okay." He looked at Lucinda with modesty. She quickly turned her back and waited for him to change. "It's a little big," he finally said. Lucinda turned and saw that it was indeed too big for him.

"Hmmm. I thought you were about the same size as my husband." She put her hand to her chin and sized Joxer up.

"You're married?" Joxer asked with an incredible expression on his face.

"Once. A long time ago. It needs to be pulled in here. And here." She tugged at various places around Joxer, raising his arms, turning him around. "I think it can be mended to fit you. That is if you want it."

Joxer looked at Lucinda. "You mean you would give me the shirt of your husband?"

"It's not doing anyone much good hanging in the closet."

"But...but that's so kind of you. I can't, not after everything you've done for me and...for Gabrielle." Joxer looked through the window at Gabrielle as she continued to lie in bed, unmoving.

"Nonsense. Come now, give it to me and I'll fix it for you."

"Well, okay, if you really want me to."

"Joxer..." Lucinda gave him a stern look. "You should know that I only do things that I want to. Now, I'll be inside preparing breakfast." She went back inside and took out some eggs.

Joxer removed the shirt and put on his old one. It felt heavy and wrong somehow. Yes, the new shirt would be better for working. He brought it inside and could smell the eggs cooking with some spices. "Thank you, Lucinda, for everything." He smiled shyly.

"You are most welcome. Wash up. Breakfast is almost ready."

Joxer smiled again and quickly gave Lucinda a kiss on the cheek then quickly went to the wash basin. Lucinda paused in her cooking and touched her cheek. She smiled to herself then resumed cooking.

The weeks flowed one into the other. Joxer found himself learning many new things with Lucinda. She taught him how to properly gut a fish, which he caught in the usual pole and line method, sew up torn clothes, which plants cured various ailments and how to cook a good meal. He in turn, made her laugh with his attempts at swordplay. He continued to practice the moves Xena had shown him, but he knew in his heart that he simply wasn't cut out to be a warrior. Still, Xena asked him to watch out for Gabrielle and anything could happen.

Lucinda had given Joxer another two shirts for Joxer, both of which had the sleeves removed. She had said something about giving his pale skin some colour and to show off the new muscles he was developing. Joxer laughed over that one. "Yeah, right. I've got muscles so big that I can't fit them through a sleeve anymore." He joked about it, but every now and then Lucinda caught him flexing his arms and marvelling at how the muscles were developing. Sword practice everyday combined with chopping wood, raking out Argo's stall and all the other chores around the house had developed and toned the muscles. But he still wouldn't give Gabrielle any body massages, even though Lucinda asked him every day. He made up some excuse about having work to do, but she knew he was scared. It's the fear he needs to overcome, she thought to herself. He needs to be the hero.

Yet, there was no real change in Gabrielle. This worried Joxer. He wondered if she would ever awaken from her "slumber"; he had a tough time now calling it sleep. His thoughts kept refering to what life would be like if she never woke up, how he would react to a life without Gabrielle. He never really thought it would be this way. Somehow he envisioned her dying an old woman surrounded by friends and family. The thought of her being in this state was overwhelming, a let down of sorts. Gabrielle was stronger than this, he knew it. He just knew it! And damn it, so did she!

With a renewed vigour, Joxer dropped his sword from the practice he was doing poorly and marched into the house. He looked at Lucinda who was feeding Gabrielle, with passion in his eyes. She glanced up, continued feeding, then turned, seeing something in his eyes. She put down the spoon and rose. She started to speak, but stopped and backed away from the bed. She put the bowl down and quietly left the room.

Joxer was glad to be alone. He didn't think he could say and do what he knew he had to with someone watching him. He stopped for a moment. Why is that? he wondered. Why do I always act so differently when other people are watching? He shook his head and returned his attention towards Gabrielle. He took a deep breathe and began.

"Listen, Gabrielle, it's me, Joxer," he began. "I know you've been hurt an' all, but the time has come for you snap out of this. I mean, I know you need to rest, but I just can't handle watching you like this. It hurts me...inside." He stopped his pacing and looked at the woman he loved. She had become pale and thinner. Lucinda had assured him that she was still getting all the nutrition she needed, but the lack of exercise had caused her to become thin. Her face was gaunt and even her hair had lost its shine. He bent down close to her, stroking her hair. "Come back to us. We need you." He paused a long while, then rose. "Come on, Gabrielle. You're strong. Show me how strong you are!" His voice rose. "Please wake up! Please."

No change.

"Gabrielle!" He grabbed her shoulders. "Wake up!"

"Joxer." Lucinda said calmly.

He looked at the woman standing in the door and quickly got up. "I uh, was just..."

"I know what you were doing." She came to him. "But if she's going to wake up, it will be when she's ready."

"How long will that be?"

Lucinda saw the pain in his eyes, greater than usual. "I just don't know, Joxer. I don't know."

"This is killing me, Lucinda. I love her, but I can't do anything to help her. I just want everything back to the way it was before." With that, he went outside and pounded his fist on the side of the barn. Lucinda watched him for a long time, knowing that he was crying amidst his pounding. Her gaze returned towards the bard.

"Gabrielle, if not for your sake, than for his, please wake up. Give us some sign that you are still here, with us." She caressed the woman's cheek. "You are too much loved to be lost like this. Fight."

"How much longer?" Gabrielle asked to everything and nothing at the same time. "This place isn't exactly home away from home."

"Soon," the voice called back. "Very soon."

Gabrielle's short sigh revealed her frustration. She had no idea how long her "spirit" had been in this wasteland, surrounded by nothing, yet feeling as though everything enveloped her. The sensations were strange and difficult to describe, even for a bard like her. She initially thought it would make an interesting story, but who would believe it? No one had ever written or spoken about some sort of intermediary place between the living and the dead. Then she thought that she was going crazy, or that Ares or another god was playing some kind of childish game with her. But after demanding they come out and no response came, she wondered who was responsible. She knew it wasn't a dream, Morpheus hadn't come to her and it just "felt" different. But she knew she wasn't dead either since she hadn't met Hades or Persephone. Then where in Tartarus was she?

"Why won't you tell me where I am?" Gabrielle shouted above her. Nothing. "I'm getting a little tired of this." She wished she had her staff, even though there was nothing she could hit with it. It just made her feel more comfortable, less afraid. "What do you want from me?"

"Gabrielle," a voice called out.

She whirled around and stopped. There before her was Perdicus. "Perdicus! What, what are you doing here?" She rushed towards him, her arms outstretched. They hugged warmly and passionately. She looked up at him and kissed his chin, cheeks and lips. "Oh, Perdicus, I've missed you!"

"I know, Gabrielle," he answered. He stroked her hair. "I hear your thoughts all the time."

Gabrielle smiled. "Of course." She kissed him again, then looked into his eyes. "But why are you here? How did you get here?"

"I'm not really here, Gabrielle."

"But I can touch you, feel you..."

"Listen to me." He gently pulled her away and held her shoulders. "There's something you need to know."

She gazed at her husband with confusion. "What's going on?"

"I love you, Gabrielle and I always will."

She smiled. "I know that, Perdicus, and so do I."

He slowly shook his head. "You love other people now."

Gabrielle stepped back. "No. I love you." She broke away from his hold.

Perdicus straightened his shoulders, a look of resolve in his eyes. "I'm dead, Gabrielle, but you're not. You need to live your life."

"Why are you saying this to me?" Tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Because I love you and want to see you happy again." He sighed deeply. "Go back to your loved ones. They need you."

"But I need you!" she cried.

Perdicus began backing away from Gabrielle. "You are strong, Gabrielle. Now you have to be even stronger, for Xena, for me and for yourself. Fight." Mist began to envelope the young lover.

"Don't go! Don't leave me again!" Gabrielle was now sobbing. She fell to her knees and looked at her lost husband as he faded into the mist. "Perdicus!"

After a few minutes, the bard regained herself. "Why?" she yelled into the air around her. "Why did you bring him here? Why torment me like this?"

"Has he given it back to you?" a voice called out.

Gabrielle turned her head, but could not find the source of the voice. "Given what to me?" she asked haltingly.

"Your passion."

Gabrielle furrowed her forehead. "I don't understand. What do you want from me?"

"You are asking the wrong person, Gabrielle," the voice called back.

Gabrielle's anger was mounting. "Then who am I supposed to ask? Perdicus...Perdicus is gone." She paused, feeling his loss again. "You're the only "person" I've got around here."

"Think again."

"What?" Gabrielle's shoulder's slumped. There's no one else around here, at least, no one that's made themselves aware to me. "It's just you and me," she said, looking up again. "You and me." The words resounded in her head. You and me. You and me....

She jumped up. "Am I supposed to be asking myself?" she asked cautiously.

"What do you want need to know?" the voice answered, sounding remarkably like her own, but surreal.

"Why am I here? Why did you, me bring Perdicus here? What was he trying to tell me?"

"Go further, Gabrielle."

She breathed heavily. "How much further am I supposed to go, the edge of the world?" she muttered sarcastically. "Just please tell me how I get out of here?"

"You finally figured it out," the voice answered. A light shone brightly in front of Gabrielle. She covered her eyes until the glare subsided. She could make out the outline of a door. "Am I supposed to go through it?"

"Yes, but be warned. You may not like what's on the other side."

Gabrielle cocked her head, puzzled by the statement. She reached for the door, but held back. "What am I going to find?"

"Some answers. Some questions."

"That doesn't help me very much," she said under her breathe. She stared at the door, feeling a need to open it. It wasn't curiosity driving her so much as a force pulling her to do it. After a moment, she pulled on the door and vanished in the bright glow.

The warm morning sun filtered through the only window in Lucinda's home and shone on Gabrielle's face. Lucinda was at the stream doing some washing. Joxer was outside practicing some more sword movements, when he abruptly stopped. He turned his head towards the house and looked at it, a curious look on his face. He placed his sword on the wooden bench and carefully stepped inside. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but something made him think that there was. He looked around the room, until his gaze settled upon Gabrielle. She looked different somehow. He knelt down next to her and took her hand.

"Gabrielle?" he said softly. He waited, but there was no response. He half smiled. Going crazy, Jox, he thought. He was about to let go when he noticed Gabrielle's head move slightly. His eyes widened. "Gabrielle? Are you awake?" His heart began to race. "Gabrielle?"

With a struggled flutter, Gabrielle's eyes opened, small at first, then widening. Joxer was so completely happy that he couldn't make a sound, even though he tried. Her eyes finally focused and looked at him. She looked confused, but began to smile when she saw the grin on Joxer's face. She made an effort to speak, but nothing came out.

Joxer was positively ecstatic. He jumped up, but hit his knees on Gabrielle's bed. "Ow." He fell back down, but continued to smile. "Gabby! You're awake."

She tried to nod, but she still didn't have much strength to move her head. She was able to slightly squeeze Joxer's hand.

"Zeus, king of the gods, I have come to give you my thanks." Joxer knelt low at the altar. "You've brought Gabrielle back to me, uh, us. I give you this humble offering in hopes that you continue to help her through her recovery." He slowly and with extreme reverence, placed a wooden statue near the altar.

"Okay, that's enough. Next!" the priest called out. Assistants coaxed Joxer out of the temple.

"Thank you again, Zeus," he managed to call out before being removed. He stumbled down the steps, but he didn't care if the worshippers laughed at him. Gabrielle was back with them and progressing everyday.

Except that she couldn't say anything.

Lucinda said it had something to do with her head injury, but that with some help, it could get better. The medicine Xena was procuring from Persia would help her with that. Joxer made silent prayers to whichever god was listening that Gabrielle would regain her voice, but in some respects, he liked being the one who talked. That's not to say that Gabrielle didn't communicate in her own way; she'd learned a few "looks" from Xena to convey exactly what she was thinking. Still, everything seemed to be going well.

Joxer whistled down the lane to Lucinda's home, oblivious to the heat of the summer, when he stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. There was the love of his life, slowly, very slowly, walking around from behind the house. He couldn't move. For almost two months, he had only seen her lying in bed or carefully raised up on pillows. Now, to see her moving about with her staff in hand, looking more and more like her old self was beyond anything he could describe.

Gabrielle stopped moving when she noticed Joxer looking dumbfounded. Gods, do I look that stupid? she thought. She tried to make herself look more presentable, less awkward, by straightening up a bit. Need to look my best. Wait a minute, this is just Joxer we're talking about here. Yeah, Joxer. The guy who spent the last two months at your side, doing all kinds of stuff to make you feel better. Great way to think of him. She smiled and tried to wave, but resulted in losing her balance, toppling over onto the grass.

"Gabby!" Joxer shouted, running over to her. "Gabrielle? You okay?" He knelt down and gently tried to pull her back up, but only lost his own balance and fell over. Idiot. You're supposed to be helping her, not killing her! He sheepishly glanced at her, missing the smile that formed on her lips. He looked back again and slowly started to smile himself, then began to laugh.

"Well, is this what I can expect when I leave you two alone?" Lucinda appeared from inside the house, her hands resting on her hips.

"Well, I, uh...you see it's like this..." Joxer stuttered.

"Never mind, my boy. Just get yourselves up. Dinner's about ready." Joxer was up in a flash. He held out his hand for Gabrielle, who cautiously took it. With a grace she didn't know he had, he pulled her back onto her feet, his hand around her waist for support. She looked into his eyes and saw a different man in them. If he doesn't think about being a hero, he ends up being one, she thought. Maybe I'm seeing the real Joxer here. But with a blink, he was back to his old self.

"Joxer the Mighty,

Saving damsels in distress,

Cause that's what he does best,

He's Joxer, Joxer the Mighty."

He laughed. "Bet you thought I forgot that one. Well, I've thought up another four verses I can sing for ya."

Nope. Guess not. Gabrielle planted her staff and attempted to pull herself away and back into the house. She moved at a snail's pace, but if it meant getting away from that silly song, then she didn't care how long it took.

Dinner had never been better. Joxer recounted many Xena stories, with his own twist to them of course. And since Gabrielle couldn't say otherwise, he just kept going.

"You really brought Xena and Gabrielle back together?" Lucinda asked with some trepidation.

"Oh, yeah. I mean if it wasn't for me, who knows what would have happened?" He sat back in the chair, feeling very proud about himself.

Gabrielle touched Lucinda's arm and made a circling motion with her finger around her head. He's a little crazy and deluded, her eyes told Lucinda, who nodded back in understanding. "Yes, I think I know what you mean." She grinned and began clearing the table.

"Oh, no. Let me. That dinner was so great." Joxer jumped up and knocked over his chair. He reached for the plates, but Lucinda feared that she may not have any plates left after he was finished with them.

"Come. Let's sit outside for a while." She took Gabrielle's hand and they made their way to the porch. Joxer poured some water to clean the dishes, humming his theme song. Gabrielle watched him from the window. "He has been quite a help to me," Lucinda began. "Chopping the wood, tending the animals, mending torn clothing. He's even improved on his swordsmanship."

Gabrielle faced Lucinda with a skeptical eye. "Oh, yes. You're Joxer has learned much."

Gabrielle shook her head. She pointed to him, then to herself, crossed her hands and shook her head again.

"I'm sorry. I thought you two were betrothed. Forgive me."

Gabrielle smiled. Betrothed? Joxer? And me? That's crazy. She looked back in the window again. He saw her and grinned. She waved back.

"I'm very impressed with how well you are recovering," Lucinda interrupted. "Coming outside was a good idea, don't you agree? Fresh air, sunshine. Good to get out."

Gabrielle faced the yard and breathed in deeply, slowly nodding her head. Lucinda could almost see a glow envelope the young woman. Yes, Gabrielle needed to be outdoors even more. "Perhaps soon we can get you to walk to the end of the yard and out to the lane." She held Gabrielle's hand.

Gabrielle placed her hand over top Lucinda's and looked thoughtfully at the healer. Maybe. Maybe.

More weeks passed and Gabrielle's improvement was remarkable. Not only was she walking to the end of the yard, but she was going out into the lane for almost a league before she had to come back. Granted, she still leaned heavily on her staff, but Lucinda kept insisting that she would eventually make it without its use. And Gabrielle was adament about not accepting help from Lucinda or Joxer; she wanted to do it on her own.

Joxer had procured a scroll and quill for Gabrielle. "Thought maybe you could write down what you were thinking. So we could talk to eachother," he had said when he handed her the purchase. She smiled and gazed into his brown eyes. They really are brown, she thought. And caring. She reached up and touched his cheek, trying to thank him. He smiled sheepishly and turned red. "I hope it'll work for ya," he said. She nodded her head. Yes, this will do just fine. Good thinking, Joxer. She paused. Another good thought about Joxer? What in Olympus was going on? No, she didn't feel any different, like a spell was put on her by one of the gods. Maybe, just maybe, I'm beginning to really like this guy. But he's Joxer! Joxer the guy who needs Xena and me to keep him out of trouble; the guy who manages to get us into trouble; the guy who stayed with me and gave me this scroll and would do anything we asked of him. Yeah, now there's a guy worth hating. She chided herself for putting the man down. She smiled at him again. Thanks, Joxer.

Lucinda had noticed the changes in Gabrielle and was quite pleased with them. She also was pleased with her physical improvements. She watched Gabrielle and Joxer as they went on their daily walks, heading towards the woods. Joxer was apparently regalling her with some exploit that Gabrielle knew full well was an exaggeration, but she listened anyway. Lucinda could see the smile on the young woman's lips and the shake of her head as she listened to the far-fetched tale.

"And then with a quick leap, I avoided the dagger. I landed behind him, tapped his shoulder...like this," Joxer demonstrated the move, and surprisingly, he completed it. He stopped as though amazed with himself for not falling or tripping or doing any of the other clumsy moves he usually did. "Uh, so then I tapped his shoulder..." He tapped Gabrielle's right shoulder. "...and said 'The money you stole, sir, from that family over there'. I was very diplomatic about it. You would have been proud." He looked down at Gabrielle. "But the thief didn't take it that way and tried to stab me again. I took a step back as he lunged, grabbed his wrist and pulled the dagger out of his hand. He saw that he was no match for Joxer the Mighty so he fled, dropping the dinars as he ran." Joxer smiled. "Pretty good, huh? Maybe you could write a story about it." He pointed towards Gabrielle's bag full of scrolls.

Maybe, Gabrielle wrote on her scroll. Is that how it really happened?

"Of course!" Joxer answered indignantly after reading. "Well, maybe not exactly. I may have added a bit here and there..." Gabrielle looked up at him with unbelieving eyes. "And maybe I didn't exactly leap out of the way. And maybe I kinda exaggerated how I got him to drop his dagger. And maybe I..."

Gabrielle raised her hand for him to stop. It's still a good story, though. It's something Xena would do, she wrote.

"Really?" Joxer's face broadened into a grin. "Thanks. So you'll write it down?"

Gabrielle sighed. Sure. Why not.

They continued to walk for a while, until they came upon the stream that ran through the woods.

Can we rest a while? Gabrielle wrote.

"You feeling okay?" Joxer responded. He held his hand out, ready to help Gabrielle if she needed it.

Yes, I just want to rest. I'm a little tired.

Joxer took the scroll and gently helped the bard sit on a large rock near the creek. She smiled her thanks, then breathed in deeply. Even with all the weeks of walking, she still wasn't strong enough to make it more than half an hour without resting. But she did enjoy this spot. The water made a small waterfall over the rocks, creating a wonderful rain sound. The trees were large, gaving plenty of shade and were always full of birds. The mix of the little waterfall, rustling wind in the leaves and birds chirping always lifted Gabrielle's spirits.

Not that she was always depressed. She was still frustrated at not being able to speak. Lucinda had caught her looking in the reflecting glass trying to say something, but only ended up mouthing the words she desparately wanted to say. "Time." Lucinda had said. "Your voice will find its way back in time." Gabrielle was beginning to wonder how long that would be.

She also wondered how long Xena would be gone. She missed her friend terribly and felt some guilt over being the reason why the warrior risked herself for some medicines. Yet, she knew that Xena had made the choice herself. Feeling guilt wouldn't change anything. And in some respects, she was glad Xena wasn't around for her recovery. Gabrielle would have felt embarrassment at needing help to do the most basic of things, like sitting up and eating, never mind the more personal ones. Xena would never have made an issue of it and would have reacted like it was commonplace, but Gabrielle would have been uncomfortable.

"Pretty," Joxer said quietly, breaking Gabrielle's thoughts. She saw him standing at the stream's edge, breathing deeply, his hands on his hips. He looked so peaceful, so at ease with himself. Gabrielle noticed that the shirt had no sleeves, exposing his toned and coloured arms. His hair waved gently in the light breeze. He closed his eyes and breathed again. When he opened his eyes, he noticed Gabrielle watching him. He cleared his throat, dropped his hands and went to his bag, pulling out some bread and a leather flask. "Want some?" he asked nervously.

Gabrielle nodded and carefully rose from the stone. She tried to hobble over to him, but he went to her instead and reached out to steady her. She shook her head to say no, that she didn't want his help. He backed away and smiled as his beloved bard ambled her way over to the pouch. She took the flask and drank a small bit of the water, turned and held it towards Joxer. Still smiling, he reached out for it.

"You're getting better everyday. Maybe we, uh, you can make it into town soon."

Gabrielle smiled and shrugged her shoulders. She reached for her scroll and wrote Only if you come with me. Joxer raised his eyebrows. "You want me to come with you, into town, in public...together?" His voice almost squeaked.

Gabrielle's brow furrowed. What's wrong with that? she wrote.

"It's just that you guys, well..." This was going to be hard. "You don't usually like..." Joxer's eyes darted around, fearing to say what his heart already knew. He took a small breathe. "You don't like to be seen in public with me." He breathed out and looked at the ground.

Gabrielle straightened, shocked by what she just heard. Do we really treat him that badly? Make him feel that unwanted? She didn't know what to think. If it had been someone else, she would have severely chastised them for making Joxer feel that way, for making anybody feel that way. Have I been so blind to his feelings that he could believe this? She looked at the lone figure, his shoulder slouched, arms dangling and head low. Gabrielle. Gabrielle, what have you done to him? She ambled over to him. He looked at her with surprise, as though he didn't expect her to get so close to him. He swallowed hard and had difficulty looking at her directly.

Gabrielle reached her hand up and held Joxer's cheek. His heart began to beat faster. He looked around, waiting for one of the gods to begin laughing at him for being duped or placed under some spell. His breathing came in short bursts as no god appeared. Maybe this is a dream, he thought. Yeah, that's it. Soon I'll wake up and everything will be back to the way it was. Come on, Jox, wake up. Wake up!

Wake up? Another voice told him. Are you crazy? Enjoy this while you can. She wants you my boy. Take advantage of it.

No, the other voice countered. Gabrielle would never treat you like this, get so close to you. She doesn't like you and why would she? You're nothing to her, just an idiot who always gets her into trouble. No way she could possibly even like you as a friend, let alone anything else.

Joxer pulled away. "No," he muttered. He stepped back and tripped over a root.

Nice going, wonder boy.

"Shut up," he said under his breathe.

Gabrielle gazed down at the man with a confused expression. She stepped towards him and slowly knelt down. You okay? her eyes questioned. She reached out for him, but he pulled back like an animal that's been kicked once too often.

Gods, why can't I say anything to help him? Why is he so afraid of me? She sighed. I probably would be too if I was treated the way I treat him. She berated herself. This is what it's come to? The man who gave up so much for me is terrified of me. She sat down heavy on the ground and pulled out her quill.

I'm sorry, Joxer. For everything. She pushed the scroll towards him, but he couldn't look at it. She finally put it in his lap, forcing him to read it.

Sorry? She's sorry? He looked at her.

Sorry for twisting your nose and pulling your ear. Sorry for not giving you more respect.

Joxer couldn't hardly believe what he was reading. Gabrielle was apologising to him over her actions? She had nothing to be sorry about. He deserved to be treated that way. It was him getting them into trouble trying to be the hero.

"No, Gabrielle. You don't have to apologise. I should." He didn't know where his voice came from. "I'm the one getting you and Xena into trouble. I don't know why you bother with me." He drew his legs up to his chest. "It's just that when you touched me like that, there a little while ago, I just...I just thought that maybe...I dunno."

Gabrielle gingerly placed her hand on his shoulder and with her other turned his head to face her. She held his cheek again and smiled. She could see his eyes melting and felt her own well up with tears. I'm sorry, she mouthed and half smiled. She carressed his cheek. A tear fell down his face. She looked down at him and felt one fall down her own. She then felt his hand delicately brush away the tear. She gazed back up at him and widened her smile, feeling a chuckle arise from within. She knew what she was beginning to feel, and for the first time since Perdicus, she allowed herself to feel it.

"Do you mind if I went along with you, Gabrielle?" Lucinda interrupted.

Gabrielle looked up from her scroll to see Lucinda gazing down upon her.

"Joxer mentioned that you two would be going into town today and I was wondering if you would let me come along. There are a few things I need to get and I was hoping for some company. If you don't mind, of course."

Gabrielle shook her head and reached for her other scroll. She had been writing a story about Xena when Lucinda came out. The scroll Joxer gave her was strictly for talking.

No, I don't mind you coming, she wrote.

"Excellent. Thank you. I just wouldn't want you feeling as though I were interrupting your time together." She sat down on the bench next to Gabrielle. "I know how much you seem to enjoy your walks with Joxer." She looked at Gabrielle with a knowing eye.

Gabrielle knew what Lucinda was getting at. Joxer and I are just friends, she wrote. But I do enjoy the walks we have. I didn't know he could be such a talker. I thinks he talks more than me. She smiled. At least, when I could talk. She sighed at gazed out at the grassy horizon.

Lucinda rubbed Gabrielle's shoulder. "Patience. Everything comes in its own time."

When will it be my time? Gabrielle thought.

Joxer watched out the window as Lucinda and Gabrielle conversed. He grinned. Gabby actually wanted to be with him, had asked him to take her into town, had asked to be in public with him and had shown him affection when she apologised for all of her actions towards him. He was never angry with her for pulling his ear or twisting his nose. How could he be when he knew he deserved it? Still, he was feeling good right then. Everything in the world seemed perfect.

Tell her, a voice said. Tell her the truth about how you feel about her.

Joxer shook the thought away. No. I don't want to ruin this. Even if she doesn't love me, this is enough. She likes me now and that's good enough. He shook his head again to clear his thoughts. He grabbed his sword and began attaching it to his belt, then stopped. Somehow it felt wrong, like it didn't belong on him anymore. He decided to leave it behind. What would my father say, leaving behind a weapon when going into town? I know what he'd say 'Joxer! Get that sword back on you. Everyone's a killer waiting to happen. Gotta protect that skinny body of your's, even though you ain't much of a swordsman.' Yeah, that's what he would say.

"Joxer?"

Joxer's train of thought was broken by Lucinda. He lightly shook his head and looked at her with dazed eyes. "Huh?"

Lucinda smiled. "Gabrielle said I could come with you. Are you almost ready to go?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, let's go." He put the sword on the table.

"You're not taking your weapon?" Lucinda inquired.

"Nah. Wouldn't know what to do with it anyway." He quickly left the house. Lucinda raised an eyebrow. Yes, Joxer was finally learning.

The trip into town took longer than usual. Gabrielle had to rest twice along the way. I'm sorry, guys, she wrote.

"Nonsense," Lucinda replied. "This is the longest you've gone so far. You mustn't overdo it. You'll only hurt yourself more."

Joxer agreed.

When they finally reached the town, Lucinda announced that she had several places to go to and would meet them at the same spot by mid-day. With a knowing eye, she turned and left the friends together to wander.

"Is there anyplace in particular you want to go?" Joxer asked Gabrielle.

She looked around the market at all the various shops and stands. She breathed deeply the scents of perfume sellers, candlemakers and bath oil merchants. Mixed in were aromas of cooking boar and fowl from the meat vendors to her right. She continued to scan the area when her eyes fell upon a clothing shop. Maybe it's time for some new clothes, she wondered. She gazed down at the jumper type outfit Lucinda had given her. It certainly suited its purpose while Gabrielle continued her "therapy" as Lucinda had called it, but now she wanted something more. She pointed to the shop.

Joxer followed her outstretched arm to the clothing shop. "You want to go there? Okay." He held his arm out for the bard to take, which she did, and they carefully managed to make there way over. Of course, they had to stop several times to fend off various sellers hocking their wares. "Uh, no, we really don't need any 'Aphrodite approved' rubbing oils," Joxer nervously said, and walked a little faster. Of all things! Although a stray thought crossed his mind that he may someday want to return to that vendor for just such an item. He smiled.

Gabrielle casually glanced up at her companion and wondered what the smile was for. She turned her head behind her and noticed the vendor smiling at them with a "look" that the bard could only describe as knowing. She thought on this a moment, then put two and two together. Uh-huh, that's what the smile was for. Sorry, but I'm...what? Taken? No, just forget about it. Forget about it all. She cleared her mind, focusing only on the mission of getting to the clothing shop.

Finally, the friends walked into the store. Gabrielle smiled as she took in all the colours of the dresses before her. She could even smell some dewberry lightly scenting the room. She let go of Joxer's arm and began examining some items.

Joxer for his part, was also impressed with the dressses. He felt some of them and noticed how soft they were. He picked up one garment of a deep sky blue and thought at how beautiful Gabby would look in it. He looked over at her. "What about this?"

She looked at the dress and shook her head. She rubbed her thumb against her fingers in a gesture indicating "many dinars". She resumed looking at the emerald dress, fingering its fine fabric and marvelling over the intricate design work on the back of it.

"Can I help you with anything?" a clerk inquired.

Gabrielle started to say something, then looked for Joxer. He noticed the clerk and came over. Gabrielle pulled on the green dress and Joxer interrepted for her. "How much is this?"

The woman sized up the lanky warrior with a quick glance, then turned her attention back to Gabrielle with a slight huff. Joxer rolled his eyes. People always seemed to make judgements about him.

"That particular gown costs twenty-five dinars," the woman said matter of factly.

Joxer nearly choked. "Twenty-five dinars for a dress? That's crazy."

The woman gave Joxer a condescending look. "That's the price of quality." She returned to the dress and grabbed it from Gabrielle's hand. "This is pure silk and handcrafted by over four women to get the detail work so exquisite." She let go of the dress. "Not like those dresses you'll find nowadays made by that man Singerus and his 'machines' that sew for you. No, these are much higher quality." Her chin seemed to jut up and out just a little bit more than usual.

Joxer was about to respond to the haughty woman with a few choice words of his own, when Gabrielle stepped between the two, holding the gown in front of her. She pointed to the back where the change room was and then back to the dress. "I think she wants to try it on."

Gabrielle nodded.

"Course I wouldn't buy it here from you," he mumbled under his breathe. Gabrielle stepped back on Joxer's foot and smiled. He winced in pain, but didn't say a word.

The clerk paused, then finally consented. She might get a sale out of this yet. She moved out of the way and Gabrielle hobbled to the back, giving Joxer her bag to hold. He narrowed his eyes at the woman and she reciprocated, until she noticed another customer and vanished over to her. Joxer shook his head in resentment and wandered around the shop while Gabby changed. He spotted another, shorter dress of a pale purple and was examining it when Gabrielle emerged. She tapped her staff to get his attention. And she got it.

Joxer could only stare in amazement at his beloved bard. She leaned on the staff still, but he could see how well the dress suited her. It was cut low in the bodice, but had a piece that wrapped itself around her neck and connected with the back. The sleeves were long and cut at triangles over her wrist. The garment flowed down to her ankles, stopping just short of touching the ground. He could hardly breathe as he stared lovingly at her.

Gabrielle spread out her free hand. Well?

Joxer gulped and tried to speak. "It's..." He lowered his voice back to normal. "It's beautiful."

The Amazon smiled and looked down at herself. She did like how it looked on her. She wanted to twirl around in it, but feared loosing her balance, so she moved her hips around to try to get a wave action out of the gown.

Joxer pointed to the looking glass. "Take a look."

Gabrielle turned to her right and saw herself, but she didn't hardly recognise herself. She furrowed her brow when she noticed how much weight she had lost and how her hair no longer shined. She stepped towards the glass. Her face was thin and she had circles under her eyes. She stared a long time, wondering what in Olympus happened and how she could fix it. She never thought of herself as a vain woman, but this was unbelievable. She hated how she looked. And the dress! It just hung on her, revealing how thin she had become.

"Stunning," a voice said smoothly.

Gabrielle glanced to her left and saw a handsome man staring intently at her. He smiled deeply at her.

"That dress was made for you."

Gabrielle shook her head and returned her attention back to the glass.

"Oh, but it does." He stepped closer. "It brings out the green of your eyes and the red of your lips. Your hair positively glows with it on you." He touched her hair and smiled again.

Gabrielle was taken aback. This man, this stranger, was telling her how beautiful she looked! She looked into his ice blue eyes and was mesmorised. They entrapped her and wouldn't let go. Gods, he so handsome, she thought. And tall and muscular. She sighed. She felt something stir within her, something she liked.

"Please, let me buy this for you. As a gift."

Her eyes widened. I should say no, that it's too expensive. Yet, she found herself agreeing to his suggestion. Within moments, the gown was her's.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jonocius, at your service." He took Gabrielle's free hand and kissed it. She noticed how tender his lips were.

She made a move to speak, but he stopped her with a raise of his hand. "Please. I am aware of your condition." He smiled warmly. "I must tell you that I've been watching you." He looked at Joxer. "And your companion." His attention returned to Gabrielle. "I watch you walk near my house every day and gaze upon you as you write in your scrolls. I know that you cannot speak, but that is neither a problem, nor a difficulty." He paused briefly. "In fact, I find it rather charming. So many women I meet are such talkers. A man can't hardly get in a word edgewise." He held both of Gabrielle's hands. "But with you, I don't believe I would have anything to say that could compete with your beauty, your charm and your intelligence. Your silence is golden, muting all others around."

Gabrielle's heart was racing. Could this be true? This man before her, praising her beauty and her intelligence, this man truly existed? He was no joke from the gods, or out to get his way with her? Something inside her told her that he was genuine. His face was full of goodness and sincerity. She finally smiled.

"Ah, a smile to rival Aphrodite. Than you accept my gift and my proposal to meet for dinner this evening?"

She barely nodded her head, still swimming in elation.

"Wonderful! My servant will come for you at sunset. Of course, you can bring your servant man as well." He gestured towards Joxer. Gabrielle continued to nod. "Sunset then. And wear the dress, please." He kissed her hands farewell and left the store. Gabrielle could only stand there, unmoving, but breathing as though she'd run from Athens to Marathon.

"It's about time you two showed up," Lucinda said with an impatient tone. "I've been waiting here for some time." She then saw that both were quiet. This intrigued her. Usually Joxer had something to say and Lucinda thought that after being in the market all morning, he would have quite a lot to talk about. But he was silent. And, she noticed, almost pained.

"Gabrielle." The healer turned her attention to her patient. "And how did you fair this morning?"

The bard practically glowed. Her smile widened as she brought out the dress Jonocius purchased for her. Lucinda eyed the gown and smiled in approval. "This is quite lovely, but where did you get it?"

Gabrielle sighed and sat down lightly on a nearby bench. She pulled out her scroll and began writing. From the most handsome man I've ever met!

Lucinda's eyebrows disappeared under the hood of her light cloak. "A man! Tell me, dear, who is this man that has you acting so lightheaded?"

Jonocius. He's tall and strong and handsome and articulate and intelligent. Oh, Lucinda, you must meet him! He's enchanting.

"Yes, I'm sure he is," she said with a wary eye. She had heard of this man, Jonocius, and it had not been the best of news. She held back saying anything to Gabrielle. The girl seemed so happy right now. Best let her have this. It can't go very far. She smiled and squeezed Gabrielle's hand. "Are you seeing him again?"

The writer nodded. Tonight. He's coming by the cottage to get me for dinner. He wants me to wear the dress.

I'm sure he does. "Well, then, we'd better get you ready, hadn't we?" She smiled and rose, bringing Gabrielle up with her. They began walking home, oblivious to the lone figure walking a number of paces behind them.

A tapping on the door told Lucinda that Gabrielle's "carriage" awaited. With a wave and wishes of good luck, Gabrielle set off on her rendez-vous. Joxer, it seemed, was nowhere to be found, but Gabrielle was not aware of that one bit. Not one bit at all.

"Ah, you have arrived." Jonocius rose from his chair and greeted his guest, lightly kissing her hand. "Please come and sit with me. Dinner shall be ready shortly." He led her to the living area of his considerable home.

Gabrielle stared in wonder at the size of Jonocius's home. From the outside, one could hardly even tell that a house was there. The trees and bushes cleverly disguised the structure they hid. And inside was the largest staircase she had ever seen. And it curled as it went up. A chandalier hung inside the entrance that must have had over one-hundred candles. The marble floors sparkled as they reflected the light. She sat down in an overstuffed couch made only for two. Jonocius sat across from her in a matching chair.

"I am so glad you were able to come this evening." His eyes glimmered.

Gabrielle blushed. She pulled out her scroll and quill. So am I.

There was a pause, but not an awkward pause. No, this was a quiet time that allowed each person to consider what was happening. And what to say next.

"Tell me, what is your name?" the handsome man inquired.

Gabrielle.

He smiled his approval. "And it is a name well suited to you." He looked into her eyes and Gabrielle again felt that something stir within her.

"Gabrielle," he began, "I feel as though there is a connection between us. You and me." He rose and sat next to Gabrielle. "I knew from the moment I saw you on that pathway that I had to meet you." He reached for her hands. "And now I have. Zeus may strike me down now, for I have touched beauty and it is you." He softly caressed her cheek as he spoke.

A bell rang in the distance.

"Dinner awaits us." He rose and extended his hand to Gabrielle. She carefully rose and grabbed his hand, her staff lying useless on the couch. He held her tightly and steadily as they made their way into the dining area, all the while the Amazon princess held in the gaze of the man named Jonocius.

Joxer sat at the stream where he and Gabrielle went on their walks. He faced the water, but his eyes were looking beyond it, remembering the wonderful times he had with her here. He leaned back against the boulder. And now she was with someone else.

You should have told her. Now look at what's happened, a voice said painfully in his head. She could be with you right now instead of that charmer.

Right. You're the biggest loser in the world! another voice said. Why in Olympus would she rather be with you than with him? He's got it all: looks, money, charisma, smarts. And what have you got? A goofy looking face, everything you own can fit into a small bag and the intelligence of a ... a what? Anything you compare yourself with is only going to be insulted! He shut his eyes hard to try to make the voices go away, but instead he saw her image as she became enthralled with Jonocius. He saw her eyes turn to water when he spoke; how her body shivered when he kissed her hand. But mostly he saw her fall in love with him.

He opened his eyes, unable to bear the images any longer. He stood up with a rush and threw the stick he'd been toying violently into the stream. He yelled into the woods, his pain carried deep into its heart, then sank hard into the sandy bank, hands covering his head.

The figure behind Joxer hidden in the trees felt a tear roll down her cheek. Something had to be done, and soon, or this boy was going to kill himself. She turned, barely rustling the leaves as her cloak swhooshed by, and hurried back home. Yes, something was going to have to be done.

The cottage was dark and quiet when Gabrielle entered. She carefully closed the door and stepped over to her sleeping couch. She sat down and leaned back. Tonight had been just wonderful. She was still smiling.

Dinner was roasted quail, vegetables and truffle for dessert. She could taste the lingering effects of the wine on her tongue as they drank in his gazebo. He took her on a tour of his grounds, pointing out the intricately designed bushes in the shapes of various animals and gods.

"This one is my favourite." Jonocius stopped at one. "Artemis is quite a goddess. So strong and courageous. But so protective of what is her's." He looked down at Gabrielle, the moon reflected in her eyes. "I believe she is within you tonight." He would have kissed Gabrielle then had not one of his servants informed him of an urgent message that needed his attention immediately. "Please wait here. This won't be but a moment." He instructed the servant to provide anything his guest desired. All she wanted to do was look at more of the designs. The moon cast an eerie glow on many, but in particular, the one of Hephaestus. She stopped and gazed at it. The god of fire looked different somehow. It was as though he no longer appeared ugly and lame, but strong and rugged. She reached out to touch it when Jonocius returned.

"Ah, forgive me." He bowed. "But business has called me to act."

Gabrielle faced him, obvious disappointment on her face. "Please do come back in two days. That is how long I will be away. Promise me."

Gabrielle could not deny him.

And then, she was home, whisked away in the beautiful carriage to the door of her own home, that almost seemed to fade in comparison. But when she smelled the fresh flowers when she entered the home, she knew that the two could not be compared. Jonocius's home may have been grand, but Lucinda's was a "home".

With a yawn, Gabrielle removed the dress and carefully laid it down on the table, then quickly changed into her sleeping clothes. Within minutes, she was asleep. Soon after that, the small candle burning in Lucinda's room went out.

"Come on, sleepy head. Time to get up." Lucinda's voice called to the sleeping bard. She gently shook her, but when that failed to gain any response, she began pulling the sleeping blanket down.

Gabrielle began shivering and reached for the disappearing blanket and was then forced to wake up. She sat up groggily and with a dark look on her face. She glared at Lucinda and reached for the blanket. Lucinda, however, was quicker and had the blanket off.

"The day's half gone! You're missing a beautiful day."

The Amazon nodded her head, but still didn't get out of bed. She sat back on her elbows and yawned. Too early, she thought. This is way too early.

"Come, my dear, I have lunch prepared." She put some bread and fruit on the table. "Well?" She leaned against a chair with one arm on her hip and the other holding the chair.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes and finally dragged herself out of the couch. She hobbled over to the chair and sat down heavily. Lucinda joined her.

"Here, try some of these." She offered a plate of orangey looking balls to the bard who took one. She tried biting into it, but was prevented by the hard skin. Lucinda laughed. "You have to peel it, like this." She demonstrated, and revealed the soft, juicy interior. She took a bite and savoured the flavour. "Mmm. These are quite sweet."

Gabrielle decided to try her orange thing later and reached for some bread.

"Tell me, how was your date last night?" Lucinda glanced at Gabrielle with a look that portrayed that she knew something but wasn't sharing.

Gabrielle sat back in her chair and sighed happily. She reached her hands to her heart and closed her eyes.

"That good, was it? It must have been given how late you were."

Gabrielle sat forward and eyed the woman nervously.

"Yes, I'm aware of how late you came home. But I trust that everything went well?" She finished the orange and began eating a banana. "He was a gentleman, I'm sure."

The queen nodded her head. She looked for her scroll, eyed it on the table and got it. Oh yes, he was. And he's so exquisite. You should see his house! It's a castle! I think that's what Olympus looks like.

"Perhaps. What was for dinner?"

The conversation continued. Gabrielle gushed over Jonocius and everything he offered to her. She felt like a young girl with her first crush, but she didn't care. Jonocius was real and had genuine affection for her. Lucinda, however, had some misgivings, but held her tongue. She was going to wait to see how far this was going to go.

They finished the meal and Lucinda cleared the table. "When will you be seeing him again?"

In two days. He had business elsewhere.

"Oh, I see. Busy man."

Gabrielle rose to help clean the dishes. Yes, he is. But that's okay. I don't mind.

She just nodded her head. Not now anyway, the healer thought.

The dishes cleaned and put away, Gabrielle made her way to the porch and sat down, smiling and taking in the wonderful sights. Lucinda stood at the doorway. "I suppose I'd better find Joxer. He must be starved with missing breakfast and now lunch."

Gabrielle looked at the older woman with concern. Lucinda caught the message.

"He was up before me. I haven't seen him all morning." She walked to the steps down to the yard, scanning the area for any sign of him. "Doesn't look like he's done any chores either."

The bard rose and looked around herself. Nothing. Do you think he's okay? she wrote.

"Oh, I'm sure he's fine. Still, I would like to know where he is." She folded her arms across her chest and sighed.

Maybe we should go look for him, Gabrielle offered.

"Hmm, maybe. Why don't you go to the river and I'll check the barn and laneway." Lucinda then began walking away.

Gabrielle made her way to the path her and Joxer usually took on their daily walks. Huh, this is the first day since I've been out that we haven't gone. I really hope he's all right. She slowly made her way down the path towards the river, slightly afraid of what she might find.

"Gabrielle?"

The bard whirled, well, as best she could leaning on her staff. Joxer?

"What are you doing here?" He stepped out from the woods and faced her.

Her eyes were wide, but relieved. She pointed at the wood pile he held in his arms.

"I was just gathering some wood. What are you doing here?" he repeated.

She bit the inside of her lip, wishing she'd brought her scroll with her. She pointed at herself, waved her arm around the forest, then at Joxer. He looked at her with a quizzical expression, then finally understood.

"Oh, you were looking for me?"

Gabrielle nodded.

"Sorry. Guess I shoulda said something." He looked sheepishly at the ground. You're dying to know how it went last night, aren't you?

Yes.

Then ask her!

No.

He wanted to drop the wood and run further into the woods, but that was impossible now. "Uh...guess we should head back." He shifted the wood in his arms. "This is getting kinda heavy."

The Amazon nodded and the two returned to Lucinda's home. But Gabrielle had a nagging suspicion that something was wrong with Joxer, but she didn't know what.

Gabrielle spent the next two days preparing herself for her next rendez-vous with Jonocius. She brushed her hair many times trying to revive its shine, exercised as much as possible and even went swimming in the lake to return some vigour to her body.

She sat on the beach, drying her hair and body, revelling in the summer sun. She sighed contently. Things were working out well for her, but she still longed to speak. She wanted to say his name, Jonocius, to hear what it sounded like with her own voice. But the gods would not have it. She remained silent no matter how many times she gazed into the lake, watching her lips move without a sound emerging.

Still, though, life was going well. She lied back onto the sand and sighed. Tomorrow he would be back.

The morning arrived and Gabrielle bounded out of bed. She quickly washed, combed her hair and dressed. She had decided to put on her old clothes until later in the day and then change into the dress from Jonocius. No point in ruining it or spilling something on it. She smiled at her reflection in the looking glass. Yes, she was started to look like her old self again. She even thought she saw some red in her cheeks.

"Like what you see?"

Gabrielle jumped. She saw Lucinda standing just inside the doorway with some dried laundry in a basket. The bard nodded.

"You are looking rather bright this morning." She set the laundry down and began folding. "Oh, that's right. Jonocius returns today. You must be excited." She continued her folding without looking at Gabrielle.

Gabrielle thought she heard a different tone in the healer's voice, but shrugged it off. She grabbed her scroll and quill. Yes, I am.

"Mmm. So, tell me, child, what is it about this man that you like?"

Gabrielle beamed. Well, he's handsome for one thing.

"But looks fade. Besides you strike me as one who looks deeper."

He's also intelligent, gentle, considerate. And he's so articulate! The things we discussed at his house. He knows all the latest plays and playwrights. And he's even heard Plato speak. Can you imagine that?

"Sounds like he's quite the man for you."

Oh, he is. Gabrielle sat on the stool, a dreamy look in her eyes.

Lucinda stared at the bard, then resumed folding. "Do you know what he does for a living?"

The Amazon shook her head. It never came up. We were discussing so many wonderful things.

"Hmmm."

Gabrielle touched the healer's arm. What is it? Is there something wrong?

"Oh, no. Just an old woman's wanderous thinking."

Gabrielle furrowed her brow. What are you thinking?

She stopped folding, sat down and faced her patient. "Gabrielle, has it occured to you that this man may be too perfect?"

Gabrielle leaned back and smiled. No. Why do you ask?

"I just think that you should think about what he's said to you." She grabbed Gabrielle's hand. "A good man would have told you what he did for a living. And would have explained why he would have had to leave in such a hurry."

What are you saying?

"Talk to him about these things when you see him." She held Gabrielle's gaze a long while.

Okay. Gabrielle was hesitant to agree with the old woman, but did so anyway. She couldn't imagine this man being anything than what he said. Asking a few questions, though, wasn't going to hurt anyone.

"Hello, there!"

Joxer stopped his swordwork and looked down the lane. His face went dark when he saw who was coming.

"You are Gabrielle's man servant?"

"No, uh, I'm her friend."

"Oh, my apologies." He held out his hand. Joxer slowly took it, remaining wary of this man. "My name's Jonocius. We missed you at our dinner a few nights ago."

"Yeah, well, I was kinda busy."

"I see." He looked around the cottage. "Is Gabrielle home this evening?"

"She's inside. Wait here." He trotted into the home. "Jonocius is here for Gabrielle," he told Lucinda.

"Ah, I guess I'd better get her, then." She went into the back room. "Gabrielle..." The woman stopped. Gabrielle wore the green dress and Lucinda was speechless. The young woman looked radiant. Lucinda saw that Gabrielle was regaining some of previous strength and colour. "You look beautiful."

Gabrielle blushed.

"Come," Lucinda recovered. "Best not leave this man waiting."

Gabrielle looked at herself in the looking glass, smiled and went into the main room.

Joxer had been eyeing Jonocius when he heard Gabrielle come out. He turned and was again dazzled by the bard's beauty. He sighed softly. "You look, um...really good." Really good? "I mean, gorgeous."

Gabrielle blushed again and touched his cheek. She held it a moment, then grabbed her scrolls and bounded out the door, not leaning so heavily on her staff. She waved goodbye and met Jonocius. He kissed her on the cheek, held his arm out and she put her's through. They then began their walk to his enchanted house.

Lucinda walked up to Joxer and put her arm around his shoulder. He watched them strolling away, the setting sun glowing off Gabrielle's hair. He stared a long time at them, until they were out of view. He bit the inside of his lip, took a breathe then went outside. He picked up some wood and an axe and began chopping. Lucinda leaned against the doorframe. One thing's for sure, I'll have enough wood to last me ten winters.

The night air was filled with the scent of roses. Gabrielle breathed it in deeply, closing her eyes and enjoying the moment. Everything about the evening had been perfect: the scrumptous dinner, the lyre player quietly playing in the background during dinner, and of course, the conversation. They discussed philosophy, the latest Euripedes play, Gabrielle told of her adventures in the Bard Academy and her travels with Xena. She neglected to mention her latest ordeal with Dahak, fearing her own reaction to it. She leaned against the railing overlooking the courtyard. The moon's crescent only gave a slight glow to the land, but it was still romantic. She smiled lightly. Yes, this was the best evening she had ever had.

"Gabrielle," Jonocius's soft voice called. "Some wine?" He stood next to her and held out a fine goblet of red wine. She took it gently, gazing into his eyes. He took a sip, then she followed. "I am so grateful to the Fates for bringing you to me." He put his goblet on the railing and turned her towards him. "You have made my life complete, fair Gabrielle." He leaned in, parting his lips.

Gabrielle moved in, allowing his lips to caress her's, then finally lock together. She swore she heard an orchestra of music! His lips were soft and gentle, conforming to the shape of her own.

He broke away, her taste lingering in his mouth. "Ah, such sweetness as I've never tasted before," he whispered. "You are too true, too perfect to be real." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Gabrielle reddened, then remembered her earlier conversation with Lucinda. How could she ask him now? The timing was not right. But, it nagged at her.

He reached down again, but Gabrielle backed away, putting her arms on his own.

"What is wrong?" He fingered her golden-red hair. "Have I offended you?"

Gabrielle saw concern in his eyes. She tried to laugh and picked up her scroll. I was just wondering...

"Yes."

I wondered what you did for a living.

He ever so slightly lifted an eyebrow. "Why do you wish to know of such mundane things?" He moved for her hand, but Gabrielle stepped back. Something inside told her that he was hiding something from her.

I would like to know what you do. There's nothing wrong in that. I've told you what I do.

"So you did. And such wonderful stories they make. You must certainly become a bard full-time when your adventures with Xena end."

The Amazon was now suspicious. Jonocius was avoiding the question. Why are you avoiding the question?

His eyes narrowed. "I simply do not wish to break the magic of this night discussing business. Can you not understand that?"

I understand that I can't love someone unless they are honest with me.

"And I understand that you are asking too many questions." Anger crept into his voice. He swallowed and resumed his calm demenour. "Gabrielle of the lovely locks, please understand that my business is just that. Mine. It is of no concern to you."

Take me home, please.

"What?" He looked disbelieving at her. "This is not something to argue over or leave so quickly."

It is. You can't be honest with me.

"But I have been. I have told you the truth in every way."

Except in your career. Why is that? Tell me.

Jonocius faced the courtyard, his hands lightly resting on the railing. "Gabrielle, there are some things in this world that need not be divulged or explained." He turned his head towards her. "My business is one."

I'm going home.

The bard grabbed her staff and scroll and began walking into the house.

"No, wait! Please." He stood in her way. "Gabrielle," he grabbed her shoulders, "why are you making such an issue of this? It isn't worth it."

It is to me. You can't be honest with me. I can't trust you. She pushed her way past him, hobbled down the stairs and headed for the main door. He followed after her.

"If I tell you, will those green eyes still look upon me with love?"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. Gods, how could I have been so foolish? He's a complete fake! Her hand reached for the door hold.

"Wait."

Gabrielle nearly jumped out her skin. His voice terrified her!

"You are not leaving this place."

She slowly turned and saw Jonocius walk down the spiralled staircase. Anger filled his face and she became scared. This wouldn't have been a problem if she was one-hundred percent, but with a healing leg, this could be very difficult. And without Xena.

She let her scroll and bag drop loosely to the floor and gripped her staff more tightly.

"Don't think of fighting me, Gabrielle. You can never win. Guards!"

From out of nowhere, five guards appeared, all looking fierce-some and ready to do battle.

Gabrielle leaped and knocked the guard nearest her left. He went down, but another attacked her from behind. Her leg went out and she fell sprawled on the marble floor. She checked the pain in her leg and arm, looking down, when she saw two stylised boots in front of her.

"Tsk, tsk. That was foolish. My guards are trained in many fighting styles. You are not." He grabbed her arm and carefully pulled her up. "I never wanted to hurt you, sweet bard. I wanted to give you the riches of a queen. To make you mine." His face softened. "But now I see how foolish I was." He handed her to a guard. "Put her out back. I'll decide what to do with her in the morning."

"Sir!" the guard saluted.

Gabrielle struggled, but in vain. She wanted to cry out, but her voice was not there. She wriggled in the guards arms.

"Hold her!" Jonocius commanded.

The guard pulled her arms back, holding them securely. Jonocius held the Amazon's chin. "This pains me, but it is something you had better become used to." He pulled back and punched.

Gabrielle went limp.

Joxer laid his cards on the table. "Ha-ha! Twenty-one!" He grinned triumphantly.

Lucinda looked at him skeptically. "Hmmm...I think you have the luck of Chance on your side, Joxer." She tossed her cards down. "You've won the last four hands."

He picked up the cards and began shuffling. "Guess I'm just lucky in cards," he shrugged.

"I should have known better, especially after reading Gabrielle's story."

He wrinkled his nose. Every now and then, when the weather changed, his nose ached from the beating he suffered by Leo. He paused, remembering Gabrielle's look of concern in her eyes when he had nearly died from that beating. He shook the thought away, resuming his shuffling. "Let's see...that's two pairs of shirts...oh, and a new belt that you owe me." He laughed. "How 'bout double or nothing on this next hand?"

"Oh, no. You're not going to con me into anything." She laughed at the man. "Regular bet, my boy. Regular bet."

"Okay..." He dealt the cards, noticing how dark the room was getting. "Hey, I better get another candle." He pointed at the low one on the table they were at.

"It's getting late," Lucinda pointed out. She looked out the window. "Gabrielle should be home by now." She looked at Joxer, hoping her comment hadn't hurt him.

"Yeah..." His lip twitched, but he said nothing else.

"I'm sure she's fine. But maybe to be absolutely sure, we should go over to Jonocius's and bring her home."

"You think that's a good idea?" Joxer's eyebrows were lost under his fallen hair.

"There's no harm in looking." She stood up, grabbed her cloak and headed for the door. "Coming?"

"Sure." Joxer grabbed a vest and the two friends went to find their other.

A knock at the door roused Jonocius from his drink. He sat heavily in the well padded armchair, thinking aimlessly about the evenings events. He had so wanted Gabrielle to become his wife. She was beautiful and intelligent, something they both could pass onto their sons. Yet, she was too head strong. She had to have answers to questions she shouldn't have been asking.

He set the drink down when he heard his doorman approach. "Yes?" he sighed, standing.

"These two 'people' wish to speak with Gabrielle, sir," the butler bowed.

Jonocius turned his head in surprise. Of course, the time was late and her friends would naturally be worried about her. "Good evening." He extended his hand cordially.

"Hello, Jonocius," Lucinda said calmly. She pulled on her cloak. "We've come for Gabrielle. Is she here?"

"Gabrielle? No. She must have left half a candle ago." He did his best surprised look. "Perhaps you passed her on the road, but missed her in the dark."

"No we didn't," Joxer said with a growl. Lucinda stepped forward, trying to calm him.

"No, we did not see Gabrielle return." She held her eyes on Jonocius. She never trusted him, but now found herself worried. He could do anything he wished to Gabrielle and no one would be the wiser.

"I'm sorry, madam, but I don't know where Gabrielle is. As I've said, she left some time ago."

Lucinda regarded him for a while longer, then turned, her cloak twirling behind her. "Come on, Joxer. We'd better leave."

"But, we haven't found Gabby yet," he protested.

"Joxer..." she warned.

He knew the sound in her voice was threatening. He glared at Jonocius. "If I found out that you've done something to her, Tartarus will look like the Elysian Fields to you." He narrowed his eyes. Jonocius held the gaze.

"I can assure that Gabrielle is not here and if she has been harmed, it has been due to your vain attempts at bravado. Good night."

Joxer's face quickly turned to one of worry, but before he could speak, Lucinda pulled on his arm and they left the house. Jonocius walked up to his hidden guard. "Check on the girl. Make sure she has food and water for the evening. My associates like well kept girls."

The two friends walked down the lane.

"You don't seriously think he's telling the truth, do you?" Joxer asked.

"No." Lucinda strode on, her head high and shoulder's back. "He's lying. Gabrielle was still there."

Joxer stopped, grabbing Lucinda's arm. "How'd you know that?"

She faced the warrior wannabe. "Two things: her staff and scroll were still there. She never goes anywhere without them."

Joxer looked at the ground. "Then where is she." His worried expression facing the older woman.

The healer raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, but we'd better find out quickly. Or else Gabrielle will be in serious trouble."

He gulped. "How serious?"

Lucinda faced the direction they had just come. "Fatally serious."

Joxer watched from behind a tree and some bushes as a large, burly man made his way through the courtyard to a small shack in the back. He appeared to carry something and a leather flask. He unlocked the door and went inside. Joxer heard some sort of scuffled, then silence. The guard emerged, shacking something off his clothes. He returned to the main house.

"Hmmm," Joxer thought out loud. "Someone's in there, just like Lucinda said." He waited a few moments before carefully making his way to the shack. He stood at the door, looked around and played with the lock. He scrunched up his face trying to pick the lock. It refused to open. His eyes widened when he remembered the small dagger he kept in the inside of his belt. It hadn't been much good the first time he met Gabrielle, though he was thankful for that now, but it might of use here. He shoved the small blade into the lock, played with it and sighed with relief when it snapped open. He pulled it off and threw open the door. He cautiously stepped inside, trying to determine what was in there, when he heard a slide, then felt the rough side of a leather pouch strike him across his temple. He whirled and almost lost his balance.

A hand rushed out to steady him. He looked at it, then the person it was attached to. "Gabby!" he said in amazement. She put his hand over her mouth. "Gabby," he whispered again. "Are you okay?" He held her shoulders. She nodded yes. "Let's get out of here, then." He wrapped his arm around her waist and she put her's around his neck and they hobbled out of the shack. They were almost to the grove of trees when a voice shouted at them.

"You! Stop!" The figure ran towards them, but Gabrielle and Joxer hurried their efforts.

"C'mon, Gabrielle. Let me carry you, it'll be..." He stopped in mid-sentence.

Gabrielle looked at him and would have cried out if she could.

Joxer fell forward, his hands sliding away from Gabrielle. She laid herself down with him, looking him over and then gasping. A long and narrow dagger, the blade almost entirely disappearing, was embedded in his left lung. The hilt was encrusted with fine gold and jewels that ironically, sparkled in the low moonlight. Gabrielle tried to ease his fall and gently laid him down on the soft grass. She noticed a dark liquid pouring out of his mouth and knew it was blood.

Oh, gods, Joxer! What am I going to do? She ripped the train of her dress and pressed it against his mouth, hoping to keep him from losing too much blood. This isn't working! She could feel the blood quickly soak into the material. The knife had to come out. It was the only way. She steadied herself, gripped the dagger and pulled. Joxer did not make a sound. Her hands shook as she held the blade, feeling the blood ooze down. She dropped the weapon and ripped another piece off her dress and pushed on the open wound. It, too, quickly filled with blood.

Joxer, please, please don't leave me! Stop bleeding! Tears blurred her vision. She was about to tear another piece, when a rough hand grabbed her arm, yanking it up. She faced a hideous looking guard. She tried to jerk her arm away, but he held her tight. She stopped when she saw Jonocius approach.

"Oh, Gabrielle, look at what you've done." He touched her cheek, her swollen and coloured cheek. "I've killed your friend because of you. If you'd only remained quiet and stopped asking all those questions."

You can still let me go. I don't have the answers, she thought.

"Curiosity, as they say, killed the cat. You would have discovered my little operation and then would have gone to tell the authorities. My associates would not have been pleased were that to occur." His smile revealed an evil that made Gabrielle shudder. She quickly glanced at Joxer, praying he was still alive.

Gabrielle stopped, hearing the oncoming whistle. A second later, the guard holding her fell back, an arrow in his back. Gabrielle took the opportunity of her freedome and kicked Jonocius. The force, however, caused the bard to lose her balance and she landed heavily on the ground. Jonocius howled in pain, but quickly recovered. He seethed, lunging for Gabrielle.

Another whistle and he stopped. He stood straight up, a curious look of surprise and anger on his face. His wild eyes looked down on Gabrielle. He reached a hand to her, but she slid out of the way, narrowly avoiding being crushed by him. He gasped, then stopped breathing.

Gabrielle scrambled over to Joxer. Come on, Joxer, stay with me, she pleaded. It's not your time yet. Not now. Not like this. She felt the hot tears fall off her cheeks onto his hair and face. She pushed down on his chest wound, leaning in to hear for a heartbeat.

Before she could listen, a rustle in the woods caught her attention. She grabbed the bloody knife and held it ready, pointing it into the woods.

"Gabrielle! Are you safe?" Lucinda asked with a huff. She knelt down to the younger woman. The bard nodded, then pointed at Joxer.

Lucinda looked at Joxer's wound. "This is bad." She pressed her fingers into his neck. "Pulse is almost non-existent, he's barely breathing. I've got to get him home. But I need to hold off on that bleeding first." She pulled something out of a small bag and rubbed it on the wound. They saw Joxer's body instinctively pull away and react harshly to it. "It will help slow down the bleeding," Lucinda said, answering Gabrielle's unspoken question. She pointed to her dress. "I need a long piece to wrap around him. Quickly."

Minutes later, Lucinda and Gabrielle carefully lifted Joxer up, resting him more on the older woman. They attempted to half drag and half carry him back to Lucinda's house, but it was a slow and labourous process. Neither woman was strong enough to do it alone.

Just then, a figure appeared, carrying Gabrielle's staff and a blanket. Gabrielle braced herself for a fight.

"Wait!" the figure cried. "Please." He trotted up to them. "I thought you might need these." He held them out. Gabrielle eyed him warily, then cautiously grabbed her staff, then the blanket, which she draped around Joxer. "Let me." The butler reached for Joxer, taking him from the women and lifting him into his own arms. He saw the look of disbelief on their eyes. "He was my master. I have no love for him." He walked to the lane with Gabrielle limping behind and Lucinda thanking the gods for the help.

"Easy! Easy," Lucinda cautioned as the butler laid Joxer on Gabrielle's cot. He stood back and watched the healer begin. She pulled some ointments and powders from various bags and spread them all across his chest. His shirt was pulled off, revealing the seriousness of the injury. He had yet to stir or make any motion that he was still alive. His face and skin were cold and pale. Gabrielle shuddered at the sight of him.

"What are you going to do now?"

Gabrielle looked at the woman.

"Find some place to live, I guess," the butler answered. "I'm a free man now."

Gabrielle looked at the middle aged man wondering what he meant.

"You might do well in Athens. It's large enough that people won't ask too many questions or find you easily." Lucinda continued to work on Joxer.

"Hmmm, you might be right." He looked at Gabrielle, then Lucinda. "Now might be a good time." He headed for the door, but Gabrielle grabbed his arm indicating for him to wait. She ambled over to the kitchen and pulled some bread and cheese from the cupboards and gave them to him. "Thank you." He paused, then left, disappearing quickly into the night. Gabrielle knelt down, wanting to touch Joxer, but fearing her reaction.

"Pull that blanket up, now," Lucinda instructed as she rose. "I've done all I can for him. It's up to him now." She stroked his forehead, pushing stray hairs away. Gabrielle thought she saw the woman's eyes well up, but wasn't sure in the dim light. "I'll check on him in a few hours." She looked at the bard. "You're hurt." She went to touch her cheek, but Gabrielle pulled away, shaking her head and staring intently at Joxer. Lucinda nodded and pulled a blanket around Gabrielle. "I'd tell you to get some rest yourself, but I don't think you'd take my advice." She waited for some sort of reply, but none came. She quietly left the room, leaving the two companions alone.

The Amazon queen leaned in close to Joxer's body, hoping her body heat would provide him with some. Gods, how his skin was cold. She shivered at the touch of it. She pulled the blanket closer around him and laid her head on it. She could hardly hear his heart beating. Joxer, I know I've treated you badly in the past and I'm sorry for that. I promise that if you make it through, I'll stop. I'll never twist your nose or pull on your ear or treat you like an idiot. Just please, Joxer, live! Don't let him win. Don't let him take you from me. Tears came freely now as Gabrielle berated herself for having been duped by a man like Jonocius. How could she have fallen for his smooth talk, pretty face and manipulative charms? How could she have missed his true nature? She gazed into Joxer's face.

How could I have missed your true nature?

You've loved me all along and this is how I return that love, by nearly getting you killed. I've been blind.

She stopped.

No, I chose to ignore you, your expressions of love. I remember you trying to protect me from your brother. I remember the necklace and getting angry over it, never thanking you for what you did. I remember you trying to give me my memories back and the guilt over lying to me. I remember you screaming my name when I died. Oh, Joxer, if only I could have told you. You are so much more to me than a friend. You have been there for me every step of the way and I've repaid you with cruelty and harshness. I was wrong. Live, so I can ask your forgiveness...

The bard closed her eyes and was soon asleep, but no dreams came to her that night, only nightmares. Nightmares of a life without the humour, the clumsiness, the good intentions, the love that Joxer gave. Nightmares of a life not worth living.

Lucinda opened her door quietly and stepped into the cool room that made up the remainder of her home. She went over to Joxer and felt his forehead. Cool. Good, she thought. There's no infection setting in. The bleeding seems to have stopped, but I don't know about inside. She saw the young bard curled up in a ball on the chair, her face contorted into an expression of anger and hurt. Lucinda pulled a blanket on her. Gabrielle stirred, then opened her eyes. She blinked the sleep away, then turned sharply towards Joxer. She threw the blanket off and knelt down to him, stroking his face.

"He seems to be doing well enough," Lucinda said. "I'll give him some more of my medicines, but it's up to him now." She went into the kitchen, preparing more herbs and healing extracts.

Joxer, please be okay. Please come back to me so I can write down more of your adventures, even though I know they're not true. She half smiled. You try so hard to act like a warrior, when you know you're not. But you are. Just not the one you think you are. She looked up as Lucinda carefully pulled the blankets down and examined her dressing of the wound. Blood seeped through, but appeared to be dry. She moistened the bandages and slowly pulled them away, then added some foul smelling lotion to the open wound. Taking more strips of cloth, she re-did her dressing. "I'll get some soup ready. He'll need something." She looked at the bard. "Gabrielle, you should lie down yourself. Go into my room and get some proper sleep. I'll call you if there's any change."

The Amazon shook her head no and grabbed Joxer's hand, holding it tightly.

"You're no good to either of us if you're tired and weak. You still haven't fully recovered from your own ordeal." She rose and pulled Gabrielle up with her, pushing her towards Lucinda's room. "I promise to look after him and tell you of any changes. Now go." She gently shoved Gabrielle forward. The younger woman stopped, looked at the healer, then to Joxer and back at the healer. "I promise," the woman swore. Gabrielle slowly nodded her head in agreement and went into the room. Within minutes, she was asleep.

"Gabrielle..." Joxer moaned.

Lucinda dropped her needlework and went to Joxer. She felt his skin getting warm. "Easy, Joxer, just relax. You're going to be fine now." She edged the blankets further up.

"Nnn..." He shoved the blankets away, acting more violently. "Nnn..." He began kicking.

"Joxer, stay still. You're going to start bleeding again." Lucinda tried to hold him down, but he overpowered her. He began to wildly thrash about, moaning and muttering, kicking and punching himself free. The barely healed wound broke open, causing blood to ooze out once more. He started coughing up blood. Lucinda rushed to her medical cabinet, pulled out a cloth and dumped the contents of a bottle into it. She held it out to not let the fumes from the poured liquid get near her and held it over Joxer's mouth and nose. Within moments, he fell back asleep. Lucinda released the cloth and examined the damage done. The stitches would have to be redone and she would have to clear out his lungs. She had no idea how much blood was seeping into his lungs, but any amount could be fatal in his condition. She examined the cloth and found blood on it. Gods above, Joxer, how am I going to fix this?

"All right, Gabrielle, are you sure you're ready for this?" Lucinda raised a concerned face towards the bard. She nodded her agreement, but looked pale. "All right then. Let's begin." She took the small knife in her hand and made an incision through the wound in Joxer's chest. Gabrielle handed her a cloth to mop up the blood. After a moment, she saw his ribs. She handed Gabrielle the knife and gently pushed her fingers between his ribs, feeling for some kind of opening. There! That was one. She eyed the opening. "Give me a needle and thread." She gulped. "This hole needs to be sewn up."

Twenty tense minutes later, one hole in Joxer's chest was sealed. Now onto others. And Lucinda found three in all, two from the dagger and one from a broken rib. She wiped the sweat from her brow after finishing the last hole. "Okay, now I need to sew this wound up." That done, she re-attached the dressing and stepped back. Gabrielle pulled up the blankets on the still form and touched his cheek. You're going to be fine, Joxer. Lucinda has fixed you.

"I pray this works," Lucinda announced as she washed her hands. "I've only used small amounts of the sleeping liquid to calm people down, never to knock them out for such long periods. And, of course, I hope the surgery went well. It's been a long time since I've had to do that either."

Gabrielle gave her a worried expression.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Gabrielle. This is intricate work and I haven't done anything like it in a long while. I just want you to know the situation."

The bard slowly nodded her agreement.

"I'm going outside for a bit. If there's any change in his condition, let me now immediately." Lucinda grabbed her cloak and walked outside, heading for the grove of trees.

Gabrielle watched the older woman walk away, noting how melancholy she had become. Lucinda disappeared among the trees, but Gabrielle stared a moment longer. Lucinda intrigued her. Here was a woman that neither she, nor Xena knew, yet had taken her in and cared for her like she was her daughter. Why? What in Olympus would make this woman do this for them?

How can I thank her for everything she's done, for me and for Joxer? she thought. She returned her gaze to the man before her. Get well, Joxer, so you can help me think of something. She smiled, thinking on the possibility that Joxer would come up with: learning the lyrics to his song. Oh yeah, some thanks that would be. She stroked his forehead, down his temple and to his chin. Sing that silly song to me, Joxer. I want to hear it again.

"Zeus," Lucinda began, "I know I've never been one much for praying, but please hear my plea." She swallowed then continued. "Joxer needs your help. I don't have the skills to ensure that he will survive. And he needs to live. He loves Gabrielle. Please don't let a love like that go unrequited. That would be the worst sin to commit. Zeus, you have it in your power to heal him and have Gabrielle realise his love so that she may return it. All I ask is that Joxer be allowed to live and continue to love Gabrielle. I will do anything you ask of me if you fulfill my request. Praise be to Zeus." She slowly rose from the ground and looked into the clear sky. "Please, Zeus, father of the the gods, grant me this." She slowly turned and walked back to her home. She didn't notice the gathering of clouds above her cottage.

"And what is your comment, daughter of mine?"

"Whatever," the goddess of love shrugged.

Zeus rolled his eyes. He loved Aphrodite, but sometimes she could be so...so irritating. "What do you think I should do about this request?"

Aphrodite shrugged. "It's up to you, Zeus. It like doesn't matter to me. They're just mortals."

Zeus sighed once more. "That is true, but sometimes mortals are worth our consideration. You've been following this Joxer and Gabrielle. You know his feelings towards her. Should I allow him to live to continue loving her?"

"Hey, I've got like lots of mortals to be lookin after."

"Mom! How can you be so cruel?" Cupid appeared. "This is Joxer we're talking about."

"And?" She gave her son a wide eyed innocent look.

"And he's put up with a lot of garbage from you. Don't you think it's time to repay him?"

The goddess huffed. "Repay him for what? He's an idiot. He like can't even tell this chick that he loves her. I gave him advice about it and look at what happened." She shuddered remembering her stint as a mortal. "He like totally screwed it up."

Cupid began fuming. "Mom, you know, for the goddess of love, you can be a real..."

"Cupid," Zeus warned. Zeus turned and thought on what he should do. His daughter and grandson were arguing over the worth of this mortal and his love, but were not helping his decision much.

"Hey, gramps," Cupid called out.

Zeus rolled his eyes. He hated being called gramps! "What is it, Cupid?"

He walked up to the god. "Look, I know Joxer isn't exactly...normal. But in his own way he's cool. He loves that chick and let me tell you, that kinda love doesn't happen all the time. I know." He put his arm around his grandfather. "No matter what mom says, Joxer's alright."

Zeus looked at his grandchild. "You think he's worthy of living."

"Yeah, way worthy. Check out his heart. You'll see." Cupid flashed a grin then disappeared. Zeus pondered the words of a young god. Love was such a messy issue. He looked at Aphrodite, her hands on hips and looking like she wanted to be somewhere else. He sighed. "If I allow this man to live, are you going to interfere?"

Aphrodite widened her eyes in shock. "Interfere? Me? Why would I wanna do that? It'd take away from my surfing at Naxos."

"What I mean, daughter, is would you allow the love of these two to grow?"

She shrugged, not interested in the conversation. "Whatever. If that's what you want."

"That's what I want."

"Cool. Later." The goddess disappeared in a flash. Zeus raised his eyes up. How in all of Olympus did he get such a child. He loved her dearly, but sometimes she was so crass! A love goddess and she couldn't care either way about this mortal's love for another. Hercules never said anything about doing good being so hard.

The rain poured down, beating heavily on the roof of the small cottage. The darkness penetrated the entire house, with only two small candles to chase the shadows.

Gabrielle looked outside, wishing she could see further than the edge of the porch. She sighed again. Joxer still hadn't stirred from his operation. Lucinda had said that the sleeping liquid should have worn off after a couple of hours. She swallowed. Come on, Joxer, she begged, give me something. She looked over at him and felt a tear fall down her cheek. She angrily wiped it away. Crying wasn't going to help anyone.

A crash of lightning and thunder shocked Gabrielle back to the window. She peered through, squiniting her eyes. Did I just see...? She lightly shook her head. No, impossible. It's too stormy for anyone to be out this late. The lightning struck again and Gabrielle saw the shadow again. She hobbled over to the door, excitement building in her. She pulled it open and rushed outside. The rain smacked her face, but she didn't care. She knew what she saw.

Gabrielle ran into the yard, searching frantically in the last area she had seen her companion. Please, Zeus, throw the lightning again, she prayed. Let me see her! Her prayer was answered and Gabrielle stood face to face with the warrior princess. Both women were too shocked to move.

"Gabrielle!" Xena yelled above the rain. "Oh, Gabrielle!" She threw her arms around her friend, holding her tight and close. "You're okay. You're okay." She closed her eyes, thanking whatever gods or deities that were listening for the recovery of her friend.

Xena, the bard kept repeating in her mind. Thank Zeus you made it! You're safe!

"Xena! We'd better get inside! This storm is getting worse!" a strange voice called.

Gabrielle broke her hold and looked past Xena. There was a shorter man, covered in strange clothes and carrying what looked to be a portable kitchen on his back. The bard looked back at her friend.

"C'mon. I'll explain inside." Xena pulled on Gabrielle and the two went back into the warm home of Lucinda, Jaspus in tow.

"Joxer!" Xena hissed when she stepped inside. "What happened to him?" She faced Gabrielle. The Amazon queen swallowed hard and looked at the wounded man. "Gabrielle, what happened?" Xena held Gabrielle's shoulders. Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. She did this a couple of times, then pointed at her throat and shook her head. Xena released her grip, nodding in understanding. "Oh." She focused again on Joxer, going over to him and putting her hand on his forehead. "He's warm, almost feverish."

Gabrielle rushed over as fast as her still wounded leg would allow her, her face full of concern. She held his face. She then looked up at her friend.

"Where's Lucinda?" Xena inquired.

"Here," came the soft reply.

Xena straightened, pausing before walking over to the woman. "I have the medicine you asked for." She reached for her belt and pulled off a bag, handing it to the healer. She peered inside and nodded.

"You did well, Xena. Everything here will help." She pulled the drawstring closed, but didn't move. She now looked past Xena. "Jaspus," she began, then stopped. What could she say? So many possibilities ran through her mind, but nothing came out.

Jaspus unloaded his pack with a clang and looked at Lucinda. "Lucinda. You're looking well."

The woman didn't move. The room was quiet, only the pounding rain breaking the silence.

"I should check on Argo. See how she's doing," Xena finally said. She turned to leave, when Lucinda stopped her.

"Your horse is fine, Xena. But you must get out of those clothes. Zeus above, but you'll catch a chill and I don't have enough room for two extra sick people." She motioned for Xena to take off her outer armour and the same for Jaspus. "Let me get some blankets for you two." She quickly brought out two warm and large blankets. Xena noticed the design on them was very similar to ones she and Jaspus had seen in Persia, but she didn't say a word. She went into the back room to change.

"And you, Jaspus, how did you fare?" Lucinda wrapped the blanket around him as he began pulling off his soaked trousers.

"Well enough, I suppose," he answered, never taking his eyes off Lucinda. "Felt strange being back there, though. Many changes..." He removed his shirt. "But many things are still the same."

Lucinda reached for the wet clothes, but Jaspus stopped her. "I missed you, Luc. All that time, all I could think of was getting back to you."

"We never saw eachother before you left."

"But I knew you were close by." He held her in front of him. "I truly wondered if I would ever see you again."

"Don't," she warned. "You're just thinking about the old days. You'll change your ideas once you get back home and into your old routines."

"That's just it, Luc, I don't want to go back to that. I want to be with you." He brushed back her hair with wet fingers. "I've always loved you and I know you feel the same."

"I'll make some tea." The older woman broke free of Jaspus's hold on her and began boiling water. He sidled up to her.

"You're avoiding the subject, Lucinda. And I know what that means."

Lucinda looked at him with a skeptical eye. "That means what?"

"That I'm telling the truth. You do love me. Come on..." Before he could finish his words, he felt Lucinda's lips press against his own.

Gabrielle had watched the entire scene unfold before her and now felt fresh tears well up in her eyes. She looked back at the man lying before her, not knowing if he would live the night, and felt a strange wave overcome her. She held his cheek. I love you, Joxer.

A sneeze awoke the entire house.

Xena sniffed, then sneezed again. She pulled the blanket tighter around her, but still felt cold. Great, she thought, just what I need now.

With determination, Xena rose from the chair and made her way over to the kitchen. She poured herself some water and glanced into Lucinda's room. Jaspus and Lucinda were wrapped around eachother, their faces calm and content. Xena felt a smile tugging on her lips. She momentarily thought of Marcus and how he used to make her feel that way. But that had been a lifetime ago. Things were different now.

She finished her water and shuffled back to the chair. She sat down heavily. Getting sick was not her idea of a fun time and she hated being so incapacitated. Somehow, though, she thought that this one time would be okay. She smiled as she looked at the bard. Gabrielle was going to be just fine. The smile faded when she looked at Joxer. His face was still deathly pale and his breathing was laboured and slow. You better get well, Joxer. I'm in no condition to be singing over your funeral pyre, she thought. Her eyes drifted back to Gabrielle, her head resting on the bed/couch and her arm tucked in underneath. The bard shivered. Xena pulled off her blanket and covered her friend. Gabrielle awoke and her eyes widened with surprise. She then remembered Xena's return the night before.

"Go back to sleep, Gabrielle," Xena instructed. "You need the rest."

Gabrielle moved to protest, but Xena stopped her. "No but's. Rest and relax. I need to check on Argo anyway." Xena rose and went outside. Last night's storm had been a bad one. The warrior saw two trees that toppled over and countless branches strewn across the ground. Lucinda's flowers had all been beaten down. Xena surveyed the damage to the house and found it to be fairly well intact. Lucky, she thought. She opened the barn door and paused, breathing deeply the scent of her mare. "Argo!" She walked up to her horse. "Good to see you, girl." She nuzzled the giant head. "There. I missed you. But I know Lucinda and Joxer took good care of you." The horse pushed her head towards Xena, neighing softly. "Yeah. Me, too." She scratched the mare's chin affectionately, then did a thorough examination of her. Joxer had done a good job in caring for the horse. Her mane and tail shone beautifully and her coat sparkled with cleanliness. Xena made a note to thank Joxer and Lucinda for their help and looking after Argo so well.

Xena stopped and looked at the barn entrance. "Lucinda." She left Argo's stall and stood next to the woman. "I wanted to thank you for looking after Argo. She's doing well."

Lucinda smiled. "I thought I would find you here." She paused. "Your welcome, but Joxer did much of the work." She looked over Xena's shoulder to the golden mare. "He brushed her twice a day and bathed her every other day. I think Argo quite liked the attention." The mare whinnied on cue.

"She doesn't get much of that on the road."

Lucinda just nodded. "And now it is my turn to thank you for obtaining the medicines."

Xena's features darkened. "Will any of it be useful?" The implied "to Joxer" was purposely left out. The tall warrior wondered just what could be done to improve the lanky warrior's condition.

Lucinda nodded. "Some."

Silence filled the barn.

"What about Gabrielle? Her voice?"

The healer breathed in. "That, my friend, there is nothing I can do about. It is completely up to her."

"What do you mean?" Xena stiffened.

"Her lack of speech is of her own creation. She tries to hard to talk instead of just letting it happen. She has to realise that, then she'll have her voice back."

"Have you told her this?"

"Once, but she didn't believe me. She kept on trying, but got frustrated. I don't think she cares anymore."

Xena raised an eyebrow. Gabrielle not care if she spoke again? Absurd. She remembered first meeting the young blonde so long ago in Poteadia, how she had won Xena over with her barrage of arguments and excuses. No, Gabrielle still cared about talking. "How has she been communicating then?"

"Joxer bought her a scroll and quill and she writes down her words."

"Ah." Made sense. And Joxer thought of the idea? Even more amazing. "What about Joxer?" Xena asked, changing the subject. "Tell me the truth."

Lucinda took a deep breath. "The truth is, I don't know. I want to say that he'll be fine, but I can't. He lost much blood. His wound was deep." She stopped. "I've seen men die from less." She looked into the eyes of the warrior woman and felt their cold stare. She liked Joxer as much as either women, more perhaps given their opinion of him from Gabrielle's scrolls, and she didn't want to see him in pain. But the truth had to be told. "Prepare yourself for the worst." She reached her arm out to Xena's shoulder. A small gasp from behind made both women turn. They saw Gabrielle just inside the doorway, her face pale and having difficulty standing. Her eyes revealed that she had heard the conversation.

The bard slowly shook her head, mouthing the word "No" over and over. She leaned against the wall, tears starting to fall. Her mind flashed to when Joxer had been badly beaten and she held his hand in the temple, asking him, begging him, to be all right. That was then and this was different. Different because Gabrielle truly understood what Joxer meant to her and she to him. She felt the love and the pain that accompanied it.

Xena went to help steady her friend. "Gabrielle, I'm sorry you had to hear that." She put her arm around Gabrielle's waist. Gabrielle's eyes threatened tears as she looked up at her friend. She wanted to run, to scream to do anything than be there. She shoved Xena back and ran as best as she could into the cottage. Xena stood motionless in the doorway, remaining stoic on the exterior, but her heart breaking within.

"She finally realised," Lucinda said quietly, coming up behind Xena.

"Yes."

Joxer...no...not yet...I haven't...oh gods! Gabrielle's mind raced and her heart beat terribly fast. She didn't know what to do. She ran up the steps of the porch, but didn't go in. She didn't know if she could look at him without completely breaking down. She paced the small porch trying to decide what to do. Finally, she resolved to go inside. If Joxer was going to die, it wouldn't be alone. He would be with someone who loved him and would think of him often.

The dead can hear our thoughts, Xena had said. Joxer, you're going to hear mine. And they will be thoughts of love and laughter, two things you enjoyed most in this world.

She swallowed as she stepped into the cottage, the silence the same as entering a hestian temple. She knelt down next to Joxer and caressed his face, feeling the fever. She closed her eyes, the tears beginning to fall. Oh, Joxer. There's so many things I want to say to you, to do with you, and I've missed my chance. You're..., she swallowed, dying. The tears flowed freely. I love you, Joxer, with all my heart and now you're leaving me. Don't! I couldn't stand the thought of losing your love after I took so long to find it. Please, Joxer, stay with me. She held his face and gently kissed his lips, holding them, feeling them, then letting go. She watched him breathing, struggling to get air into his body. She lowered her head onto his chest, wrapping her arms around him and cried.

Moments passed and Joxer's breathing softened, quieted, until he barely breathed at all. Gabrielle lifted her head, knowing what was happening. Good-bye, Joxer. She touched his cheek with the back of her hand. His eyes fluttered open and he looked at her. Both knew what was happening.

Joxer struggled to speak. "Gab...Gabrielle..." he whispered.

She shook her head and gently put a finger over his lips. Don't speak, love. There's nothing to say.

He moved his head away. "I...love...you." He half expected his nose to be pulled or his ear twisted, but nothing of the sort came.

Gabrielle's features softened. I know. She slowly nodded her head. I know and so do I. She bent in close and kissed his lips again.

Joxer closed his eyes and felt Gabrielle's soft lips on his. The feeling spread through his entire body, filling him with such joy. Gods! She does love me! Joxer thought wildly. She truly loves...wait! Am I under a spell? Is Gabby? No. I'm dead and she pities me.

"Think again, lover boy," a voice called.

Joxer's eyes popped open and he saw the goddess of love standing before him. What?

"Yeah, that's right, stud, I'm here. And so's he." Aphrodite jerked her thumb behind her, indicating Apollo.

"Hey, Jox. How's it hanging? Whoops, not too good there." He laughed.

Joxer rolled his eyes. Great, another bimbo god.

"Okay, let's get this show on the road. Fix him up, Apollo, and let's ditch this place. Way too many uncool vibes around here." Her face contorted as though she smelled something gone bad.

"Right. Cool. Okay, let's see. How am I gonna...Okay....Yeah....Like that...." Apollo scoped the scene, made some calculations and then stepped back a little. "Okay. A one, and a two and a..." With a flick of his wrist, a bolt of energy whipped from his hand into Joxer's body. He convulsed for a second, then stopped, eyes closed and his breathing ceased.

Gabrielle bolted up and looked at her love. He's gone, she thought grimly, he's gone to the other side. She closed her eyes. Two loves have left me. I'm cursed.

"Done?" Aphrodite asked.

"Like dinner. Now let's split." Apollo vanished in a shower of light.

"Happy now, Cupid?" The goddess remained, hands on her hips.

"Way happy, Mom," Cupid answered, flashing into view.

"Okay, then let's fly." She was about to disappear when Cupid interrupted.

"No, wait. Let's just see how this ends." He watched the scene begin to unfold before him.

Gabrielle's sobs were quiet. She gently and carefully placed his limp arms across his chest. She rested her own hands upon his, squeezing them tightly. He's dead, Gabrielle, accept it. But there was a part of her that wouldn't. It was too unfair to have him die. She finally discovered the truth that he had tried so hard to conceal: he loved her. And she discovered within her that same love. This wasn't fair at all!

The Amazon queen had wanted to curse the gods for letting this happen, but she couldn't. She knew that they had nothing to do with his dying. She had learned many things on her travels, the most important being that you make your own destiny. You decide what happens. Joxer chose this. He chose to rescue me from Jonocius. He chose to be with Xena and me and the consequences that entailed.

But you didn't choose to die.

Gabrielle lowered her head and let fresh tears fall to the earthen floor. She slowly closed, then opened her eyes. Good-bye, Joxer. Good...

The bard blinked. She could have sworn she saw his mouth twitch. Now his eyes opened!

Joxer?

"Gabrielle?" Joxer's hoarse voice whispered. "Gabrielle." He looked down at the still kneeling bard, taking in her beauty as she cried. Gods, how I love her! I just want to be with her forever.

Joxer, you're alive? She touched his face to confirm it. Yes, he was alive! And his fever was gone. His breathing was normal. Thank the gods! She now held both around his face.

Joxer closed his eyes and felt the warmth from Gabrielle's hand envelope him. He breathed deeply her scent and felt her hair tickle his nose. He opened his eyes and stared intently into the green ones looking back at him. "Gabrielle, I love you." His voice was strong and confident. "I love you!" He reached a hand to her hair and ran it through. Gods, how soft it was!

Their eyes remained locked. Gabrielle felt the pull of Joxer's hand through her hair and enjoyed it. Oh, how wonderful it felt! She smiled, her radiance filling the room. She bent her head down and once more pressed her lips to his, only this time, Joxer responded in kind. They felt warm and alive. Gabrielle gently parted his lips and probed, feeling every curve, every texture and being amazed at how fantastical it all was. Joxer had died, but now he was alive.

They pulled away, slowly. "I love you," Gabrielle said.

Joxer's eyes widened. "Gabrielle, you spoke!"

Gabrielle furrowed her brow. I didn't say anything. She straightened, remembering back. Her own eyes widened. I did say something. I did speak! I can talk again! Gabrielle beamed as she looked back at Joxer. "Joxer, don't ever leave me again." She wrapped her arms around him, burying herself in his chest.

"I won't, Gabrielle, I won't." He held onto her gently, but firmly. He was never going to give her up. Not ever.

"Well, Mom, whaddya think about that?" Cupid asked with a smirk. "Pretty good, huh?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "It's okay. Now can I get out of here? One of my priests has this wicked new statue being made of me. It's way cool." She shimmered away.

Cupid sighed. His mother was never going to change. He looked once more at the couple before him and grinned. Sometimes this was the best job in the world.

Epilogue

The sun was hot that day, but Gabrielle didn't notice. All she did was stare, focusing intently on the scene before her.

"Run!"

"Mommy!"

"I'm here and I'm going to get you out."

The scene played itself over and over in her mind. She swallowed hard, but continued to stare. The entrance to the mine had been boarded up over two moons ago, yet it still brought fresh pain to Gabrielle. She had gone through so much to save those children, risked her life, Xena's and Joxer's, just to make sure the children would be safe. There had been times when she wondered if it had been worth the consequences, but each time, she said yes.

Gabrielle remembered back to when she first awoke and the dried flowers left on the table. Lucinda said the children had brought them to her, along with their parents, as a kind of thanks for rescuing them. Those flowers filled her mind with the terrible accident once more. If she hadn't been searching for flowers for her scroll, she may never have happened upon them and they would have died.

With a long blink, Gabrielle turned away from the cave's entrance. She swallowed again and dropped the flower she held in her hand, crumpled and without it's bloom. She walked across the meadow to Xena and Joxer waiting for her.

"Ready?" Xena asked, astride her mare.

Gabrielle looked up at her friend, paused, then answered, "Yes."

"Alright. Let's go." She lightly kicked Argo and they began a slow canter. Gabrielle took another long look at the rise in the meadow.

"Hey," Joxer said quietly. "You okay?"

She thought on his question. So much had happened during the last year - Hope, Dahak, Nijarra - would she ever be okay? Could she? She sometimes wondered if she could ever regain the love of life that she once held so deeply. Maybe this new trip of their's would be good for them. Xena had said that this new land, India, had a new spiritual force that could heal a wounded soul. She hoped and prayed that Xena was right. Gabrielle felt that her soul had been wounded, destroyed almost, that nothing could repair it. She looked up to see the worried expression on her love's face. She half smiled in return and caressed his cheek. She paused, then grabbed his hand and pulled him along. The road looked long and they didn't have any time to waste.

The End

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