Written by Demelza Watt
denico@crosswinds.net
Disclaimer:
The
characters Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer and Argo belong to MCA.
Warnings:
This story needs
no warnings.
The day was as most days are during the summer season, warm and sunny. The sounds of talking can be heard over the gentle chirping of the birds that live in the forrest. The two warriors, Xena and Joxer, are leading Xena's horse Argo along, Gabrielle on her back, her left leg up. She'd hurt it again trying to do the 'flip' she still hadn't yet perfected. Three times now she's sprained her ankle, Xena thought in her mind. Three times she's tried to do the 'flip'. Three times she's failed.
"I bet ya I could do the 'flip'." Joxer suggested. The two women turn to him, the look on their faces suggested they didn't believe he could.
Xena and Gabrielle both laughed at him, "Joxer, you'll never be able to do the flip, even if you used the staff. It's highly impossible." Gabrielle told him. Joxer raised an eyebrow, "I'm telling you, you'll hurt your ankle. If I will, you will. Besides, you're clumsy. You'll never do it."
"Ho, ho, so you think I'm a complete putz." Joxer laughed, his laugh soon diminished and he let out a sigh. "I guess, maybe you're right. Oh well...." He looked down at the ground, kicking a pebble out from under his foot.
Gabrielle looked at Joxer on more time and then looked away, a huge smile on her face, she let out another short laugh. "You'll never do it." She told him once again.
Joxer looked up at her, "Talk about a lack of faith."
"Oh, it's nothing like that. It's just I know you'll never make it." Gabrielle replied.
Joxer laughed again, "Huh! I laugh at your snide remarks." He started removing his armour and weaponry, looking up at Gabrielle once again he smiled. She was looking right back at him. As soon as he'd finished removing his armour he stood up straight and took in a few deep breaths before getting himself ready for the 'flip'. Shaking his hands first, he then rolled his head, loosening his muscles and preparing for the run of his life. Setting his right foot back, pushing his body forward, he took off, running down the path several feet before lifting off the ground with his left foot.
"Wrong foot." Gabrielle commented.
"Yeah" Agreed Xena with a huff.
Joxer rose higher in the air then leant his torso forward. His body moved smoothly as he flipped over and headed for the ground. As he neared the ground, Gabrielle moved forward on the saddle preparing herself for his bad langing. But Joxer landed square on his feet, his hands on his hips. A huge grin on his face.
"Huh. How'd he...but I.." Gabrielle was in shock. But Joxer took off on the wrong foot, yet he landed correctly.
"See that Gabrielle, same thing you've been trying to do, same thing I accomplished."
"Joxer..." Xena warned.
Gabrielle looked at Xena and then to Joxer, "What's going on?" She asked
Joxer looked at her and then Xena, "Well, we weren't going to tell you just yet, but I guess we should, now."
"Tell me what?" Gabrielle asked, Joxer looked up at Gabrielle then Xena, "Xena?"
Xena looked up at Gabrielle, "Well, you see... I've been teaching Joxer stuff at night, new moves and so on, so he can be the warrior we both believe he can be."
"I wanted to tell you sooner, Xena wanted to tell you sooner. But I thought you'd get mad." Joxer confessed.
"Mad, no I think it's wonderful. You do need the help, and when I'm mobile again I'll help train you with the staff, if that's alright with you Xena?"
"Fine, right Joxer?"
"Right."
Smiles were all around, Joxer dressed into his armour again and the three of them, and Argo, continued heading down the trail. The three of them beginning to sing the Xena Theme song.
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