GENERAL COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER: Xena: Warrior Princess, Callisto, Joxer and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices. NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent.
Hidden Feelings
Part IV
Partners: Friends
Joxer opened his eyes as the morning sun beamed. Hearing noises and leaves crunching under footsteps, he raised up to find Xena busily packing up camp. "Wow, the recuperative powers of that woman are amazing!" He thought to himself.
"Hey, sleepyhead! Are you going to give a wounded woman a hand here or not? Everything's packed except for that small pot with some tea left in it. Better grab it before it gets cold!" Xena said cheerfully, as she started to saddle Argo. When she reached to pick up the saddle, the pain in her shoulder reminded her that she was still not 100% back to normal.
Seeing her wince in pain, Joxer ran over and took the saddle from her. "Hey, let me do that! You don't want to make that wound start bleeding again!" She gladly handed it to him and smiled as their hands touched when he took the saddle.
"So you made tea this morning?" Joxer asked in a joking manner.
"Yes, does that surprise you? I DO have many skills, you know. Just because I hate to cook doesn't mean that I don't know how. I make a pretty good cup of herbal tea, as a matter of fact! You should try it, and you'll see!"
Xena's blue eyes sparkled with happiness as she teased him about trying her tea. The last couple of days with her had been the happiest he had been in a long time. All thoughts of Gabrielle and the hurt that he felt were disappearing into faint shadows of his mind. "What am I thinking? This is Xena here, pal! Get a grip!" Joxer shook the thought out of his head and picked up the tea and took a sip. It was very good! She does have many skills!
Joxer started out walking down the trail towards Thebes, with Xena riding behind on Argo. After a little while she rode up beside him and stopped. As she offered her hand down to him she spoke, " Why don't you climb on up behind me? We could make better time if we both rode."
He wasn't sure what to do for a minute but then realized that she was right. Walking was slowing them down and they needed to get to Thebes soon, before that warlord did anymore damage. So he took her hand and jumped up behind her. He was trying to find a place on the saddle to hang on to, when Xena reached around and pulled his arm around her waist. "This is the best way to hold on", she chuckled. "I won't bite!"
Joxer slowly relaxed and put his other arm around her and smiled..."This was going to be a very nice trip, indeed!"
As Xena kicked Argo into a trot, she sighed as she felt Joxer's arms around her. She felt the same warm, comforting feeling that she had felt before. As much as she tried to deny it, she knew that the feelings she had been fighting were real. She was falling for this lovable warrior clown.
They had been riding for hours when they reached the edge of Thebes boundary. Here, they stopped to let Argo rest before they went on. Sitting down on the soft grass, Xena asked, "Where is your family's home? Are we close to it yet?"
"Yes, it is just over that hill. You know, I'm kinda nervous about seeing them again. When I left it was not under exactly the best of terms. My father and I had been involved in an argument over my not wanting to join him in his raids."
"Well, maybe now that he has changed, he will understand why you made that choice. He may have some things to apologize to you for, Joxer."
"Yeah, maybe your right...I hope so anyway." He sat down beside her and turned to find her smiling at him. Those eyes! They were burning into his soul, he wanted to kiss her so bad! But there was no way! Not Xena, he would ruin their friendship forever if he did such a stupid thing! Not to mention she would probably clobber him for it too!
As Joxer stood up to go collect Argo, Xena got up to help him. But before she knew it an impulse came over her. She leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. Joxer's eyes grew wide! "W-What was that for?" He gasped, breaking away from her.
"I just wanted to thank you again for helping me...and for being my friend." She lowered her head and walked toward the horse. "What am I doing? This is getting harder to deal with. What if he doesn't want me...?" She thought as she reached for Argo's reins.
"Xen..." Before he could finish calling to her, a cloud of dust came up over the hill, with the clattering sounds of swords, hoofbeats and armor.
"It's Talmedeus! The warlord who has been raiding the famers! Over here, Xena, hurry!" Joxer pulled his sword and got ready for the inevitable confrontation. He looked over at Xena and realized the truth. He was falling in love with her.
"Great, this is worse than Gabrielle! Way to go Jox ole boy! Out of the frying pan and into the fire!" He took a deep breath and thrust his sword at the soldier who had just appeared before him.
Xena slapped Argo on the rump and ran her off, out of danger. Drawing her sword and giving it a spin, she turned to face the first group of soldiers coming toward her.
