My Cup Runneth Over, part 1
by Susan Owens
Copyright 2001
Rated: PG
Warning: Death
Summary: Gabrielle tells Joxer she loves him but death takes her away again
Author notes: This is my very first story based around Joxer and Gabrielle.
Takes place during the 5th season.
Disclaimers : I do not own Xena
My Cup Runneth Over
by Ed Ames
Sometimes in the mornin' when shadows are deep
I lie here beside you just watching you sleep
And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of
My cup runneth over with love
Sometimes in the evening when you do not see
I study the small things you do constantly
I memorize moments that I'm fondest of
My cup runneth over with love
In only a moment we both will be old
We won't even notice the world turning cold
And so, in these moments with sunlight above
My cup Runneth over with love
My cup Runneth over with love
With love
Joxer the Mighty sat in the tavern nursing his ale. He sighed deeply. Gabrielle
was gone again. She had died saving his life. Xena in her grief left right after
the Amazon funeral and Joxer never felt so low. He missed them both so much, but
he missed his Gabrielle more. He wondered what made him do something so stupid,
running into the fight unprepared? He remembered the sword coming down towards
him waited for the death he knew would come. Suddenly someone slammed against
him knocking him out of harm's way. He didn't have to see who it was. He knew.
Her death scream still haunted him. He didn't move, just watched, as Xena ended
the life of the man who killed Gabrielle. He watched as The Warrior Princess
held the body of her best friend and screamed up into the sky.
He remembered that he had not been invited to the funeral. Neither Xena nor any
of the Amazons wanted him there. But he watched anyhow, from a safe distances.
Soon after the funeral Xena disappeared. Now Joxer sat alone in the tavern
missing Gabrielle. He remembered that just yesterday everything was right with
the world.
Joxer waited for his friends. They had sent word that they were coming home. He
waited for the boat to come in. He could not wait to see them again. He had
written a song for Gabrielle and he could not wait to sing it to her.
Gabrielle stared out at the pier as the ship docked.
"I am sure he's here."
Gabrielle turned to look at her friend and smiled. "I am sure he is too."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know Xena. I want to, more then anything."
"Then what's stopping you?"
"I am afraid that if I tell him, I will lose him too."
"Gabrielle, you can't keep living in the past; you have to go on. Tell him,
Gabrielle, before it's too late."
Gabrielle nodded her head. Suddenly she saw the familiar armor and the man
attached to it. Gabrielle turned and looked at her friend.
"Go to him, Gabrielle. I think he's waited long enough."
Gabrielle smiled at Xena. "Thanks, Xena, I do love you too. You know that?
Right?"
"I know, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle ran down the plank of the ship and flew into the arms of a very
surprised Joxer.
"Hey, Gabrielle. I really missed you."
"Oh, Joxer. I missed you so much. But I am glad you were not there."
Joxer sadly lowered his head. "Yeah, I guess I would have been in the way."
Gabrielle lifted his chin so she could see his eyes. "No, Joxer. I am glad you
were not there because there was no way to keep an eye on you and you might have
been killed. I love you, Joxer, more then life itself, and I want to spend the
rest of my life with you - and beyond."
"What do you mean keep an eye on me? Gabrielle, I don't need anyone to keep an
eye on...." Joxer suddenly stopped talking as he realized what else the Bard had
said. He looked dumbstuck at her. "Gab... Gab. Did ...uh? Did you just say you
loved me?"
Gabrielle's eyes shone as she smiled at him. "Yes, I did, and I would gladly
shout it to the whole world." Gabrielle turned around and lifted her head and
shouted.
"I LOVE THIS MAN!"
A few people walking by smiled and nodded their heads; some just stared.
Gabrielle stopped shouting and turned back to Joxer, who was now lying on the
ground with a big stupid grin on his face.
"I think you made him very happy," said Xena.
Gabrielle smiled. "Yeah, I know. Come on Xena, help me get him up."
They were now sitting in the tavern and Gabrielle was talking up a storm. It
didn't matter to Joxer whether he understood what she was talking about or not.
He just wanted to hear her voice. He knew that Gabrielle's voice made all the
Goddesses jealous. He just sat there and soaked in all she was saying.
"Joxer? Hey Joxer?"
"Huh? Oh Gabrielle. Sorry, I must have been dreaming. Did you ask me something?"
Gabrielle laughed. In the past this would have made her mad, but now, for some
reason it didn't.
"Yes. I asked you something. I asked you to marry me."
Joxer stood up, knocking his chair over and causing a mug of ale to spill all
over a big scary-looking man. The man picked up Joxer and stared him into his
eyes and he growled "Hey you moron. What's the big idea?"
Joxer didn't have a chance to explain - the big man threw him into the table.
The big man started laughing. He turned around to his friends. They were all
laughing, too. As the big man turned back around the little blond's fist caught
him off guard and he landed on the floor.
"No one, and I mean no one, attacks my boyfriend."
The group of men stared at their leader lying on the floor and back at
Gabrielle, who was now on the floor helping Joxer.
"Come on Joxer, open your eyes."
Joxer slowly opened his eyes and stared at her. "Gabrielle? Did you just ask me
to marry you?"
She nodded her head. Joxer looked at her. "Yes, Gabrielle. Yes, I will marry
you."
Gabrielle and Joxer both stared at each other, for what seemed a lifetime. Then
Joxer took Gabrielle into his arms and he kissed her. They agreed to be married
in the Amazon village, and were on their way when all hell broke loose. The same
men from the tavern attacked them. Joxer rushed head-on into the fight. He was
reaching for his sword when he found out in horror he didn't have it. The same
big man from the tavern knocked Joxer down with the back of his sword. He then
raised his sword to bring it down for the killing blow...
He could still hear her scream. He sat looking at his ale, hot tears streaming
down his face. Why Gabrielle? Why? he thought to himself. Suddenly he remembered
something. Xena had once gone to the underworld to find Gabrielle. Why couldn't
he do it? He shook his head. He had no idea how to get to the underworld. So he
decided to do the next best thing. Joxer entered the temple of Hades and placed
his offering on the altar. He knelt down and prayed to the God of the
underworld.
"Hades, I beg you to hear my call. Please let my love Gabrielle return to this
world."
Joxer waited for Hades. It was not long before Hades did reply. There was a loud
thundering sound and the wind blew so fearsome that it blew out all the candles
in the temple. It was now pitch dark in the temple and it took a few minutes for
Joxer's eyes to adjust. But when they did, they were focused on the God of the
underworld.
"Joxer, even if I wanted to grant your request, I cannot. Gabrielle is not here.
Her soul has gone to the Amazon's underworld."
Joxer stared at Hades. "But aren't you in charge of that underworld too?"
"No. I am not. Artemis the Amazons goddess has assigned a noble Amazon Warrior
to be in charge. In order to get Gabrielle back you must go to an Amazon village
and ask to go to their underworld."
Joxer stood tall and looked at Hades. "If that's what I must do, then so be it."
Hades shook his head. "It will not be that easy, Joxer. You are a man, and as
far as I know, no man has ever come out of the Amazon's underworld."
Joxer though for a moment "But it is possible? Right?"
Hades only looked away. Joxer waited for him to answer but he didn't. He just
vanished. Joxer signed but he decided to go to the Amazon village hoping to go
to their underworld and get Gabrielle.
As Joxer approached the Amazon village he was met by two of the Amazons.
"Why are you here?" asked the first Amazon.
"You are not welcome here," replied the second one.
Joxer stood his ground knowing that any minute his life could end. "I wish to
see Cyanne."
The first Amazon shook her head. "It's not possible. Cyanne will not allow you
into the village."
Joxer threw up his hands. "Then please tell her I wish to see her. As
Gabrielle's betrothed I have that right."
"You lost that right when Gabrielle died. You no longer have it."
Joxer turned and looked at Cyanne. He saw in her eyes that she still hated him.
But he was determined. He was going to get Gabrielle back.
"Please let me go to your underworld and get Gabrielle."
"Never. There is no way a man like you will enter Amazon's underworld," replied
Cyanne. She turned to walk away but Joxer grabbed her.
"You hate me for what happened to Gabrielle. You blame me. All right, I accept
that. But please don't punish Gabrielle because you hate me."
"If you had just stayed out of the fight Gabrielle would be alive."
Joxer looked at the person he had not seen since Gabrielle's death.
"Hello, Xena."
"Please go, Joxer. You are the last person I want to see right now."
Joxer felt hurt but he again stood his ground.
"Xena. I know you hate me for what happened to Gabrielle. But please let me fix
this."
The Warrior Princess turned her back on him. She knew deep down inside it wasn't
his fault, but she just could not forgive him. It was too soon. She turned back
to him. "Please go, Joxer. I have something to do. I am going to get Gabrielle
back."
Joxer suddenly forgot to whom he was speaking to and he grabbed Xena. "How? Tell
me how you are going to do it."
But before Xena could answer him, Cyanne gave him a small vial, saying, "By
drinking this she will be able to go to our underworld."
Joxer grabbed the bottle from Cyanne and drank it before Xena could stop him. He
staggered, his unfocused eyes rolling to the back of his head. He gasped for
breath but found none. Suddenly he crashed to the ground and laid still. Xena
bent down, listening for a heartbeat even thought she knew it would not be
there. She looked up at Cyanne with burning hatred in her eyes.
"Why?"
Cyanne held her head up proudly. "He wanted to go to our underworld. I was only
giving him what he wanted."
Xena stood up from Joxer's body. "But he was not prepared." She picked up his
body and looked at Cyanne. "Please keep his body warm - we have time to prepare
him."
Cyanne stared at Xena. "I will not help you with that man. I hated him more then
anyone."
"Then do it for Gabrielle. He was her beloved - her consort."
"Yes, and because of his stupidity she is dead. No, I will not help you."
Suddenly Artemis stood before them. She said nothing only placed her hand on
Joxer's head and was gone. Xena stared. Cyanne only shook her head and muttered.
"She prepared him. Bring him to the temple." One of the Amazons took Joxer's
body from Xena. Cyanne walked over to her. "You may come, but remember Xena, no
matter what happens, you may not interfere."
Xena bowed her head and followed them inside the temple. The Amazon placed Joxer
on the stone table. Two Amazons walked over to Joxer and lifted his body and
removed his clothes. Then they started to place a white robe on him, but Cyanne
stopped them.
"No! I forbid it. He cannot wear the white robe."
"Then what's he to wear?" Eris asked.
Cyanne stared for a moment. "Put his clothes back on him."
"Cyanne, you are upset."
"Yes, I am upset, but he can not wear the white robe."
No one said anything else as Joxer's clothes were put back on him. They then
gathered around and waited. Cyanne turned to Xena.
"Joxer is there now, Xena. But he will fail and he will spend the rest of his
days in the Amazon underworld in pain and misery, without Gabrielle."
Xena looked at her. "You want that to happen. Don't you?"
Xena didn't need an answer - she knew the truth. Cyanne hated Joxer. She was
upset with him but she didn't hate him. She hoped with all her heart that Joxer
would not fail.
"Joxer! Open your eyes."
Joxer slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see Ephiney smiling at him. She
bent down and helped him up onto his feet.
"It's been a long time, Joxer. How are you?"
"Well, besides that I'm dead, I guess I'm fine."
Ephiney favored him for a moment. "You are not dead, Joxer, at least not yet. I
have been sent to take you to Marina. She will decide the tests you must do in
order to help Gabrielle. But you must know this if you fail. You will never
return - you will be trapped in here forever. You still have a chance to walk
away."
Joxer shook his head. "No! I came to get Gabrielle and I will."
Ephiney nodded her head "Come with me then. Marina is waiting."
Joxer followed Ephiney down a long passageway. It was dark but she seen to know
the way and he didn't feel lost. Soon they enter a large hall where a very large
Amazon sat on a throne. Standing beside her was Gabrielle. Joxer suddenly forgot
where he was and ran towards his love only to be stopped by two Amazon pointing
their weapons at him. Marina stood up and walked towards him.
"You are the one they called Joxer, are you not?"
"Yes, I am. Please let me go to Gabrielle."
The two Amazons looked at Marina she nodded her head. They removed their weapons
from Joxer and he ran over to Gabrielle.
"Oh Gabrielle! I found you! I missed you so much."
Joxer stared at his love - she was just standing there doing nothing. He turned
and looked at Marina.
"What's wrong with her?"
Marina came up to him. "That is only a vessel. Gabrielle's soul is in here." She
held up a small bottle in the palm of her hand.
"In order to take Gabrielle back with you, there are ten assignments you must
do."
"I will do anything for Gabrielle."
"Good, then the test will begin. Oh, one thing - you must take Gabrielle with
you and you must protect her at all costs. Nothing must happen to her."
Joxer looked at Gabrielle, who stood there like a statue. "How? She doesn't even
seem to be there."
Marina sprinkled something on Gabrielle.
"She will now do as you say. But do not take advantage of this or you will die."
"I understand. I am ready to start."
"Very well .Go down that path. Your first test will be waiting. Remember,
protect Gabrielle with your life."
Joxer nodded his head and took Gabrielle and headed in the direction Marina
pointed.
Joxer led Gabrielle down a long tunnel. He had no idea what was waiting for him
at the other end but he would protect Gabrielle with his very life.
"Well Gabs, we are almost at the end of the tunnel. I wonder what the first test
will be?"
Joxer knew Gabrielle would not answer him, but he felt better talking to her.
They soon came into a clearing. Joxer looked around but saw nothing. Marina said
the first test was here. He ran his fingers though his hair. Where was the test?
Suddenly, Joxer jumped as he felt heat on him and realized he was on fire.
Joxer's body jerked as the flames hit him. Xena and Cyane watched as heat vapors
were coming from his body. Xena reached out to touch him, but as she did, her
hand was burned. Cyane smiled.
"He will fail the very first test. Not even a Amazon can fight the Crimson
Dragon. He is already burning up. Nothing can save him now."
Rhea looked at her queen. "Maybe Joxer won't fail."
Cyane stared at her. "Because you are young, I will overlook that."
Rhea turned away from Cyane. She whispered, "Come on, Joxer! I know you can do
it."
Joxer fell down on the ground to try and put out the fire. He looked up into the
eyes of the very first and biggest dragon he had ever seen. He reached for his
sword but then remembered he did not have it. Joxer realized he had no weapons
of any kind. No way to beat the dragon. The dragon breathed more flames and
again scorched Joxer. The heat was painful and Joxer could feel the blistering
on his body. He knew he was losing, but what could he do? He had no weapons.
Suddenly the dragon turned from him and headed towards Gabrielle. Her knew he
could not let the dragon hurt Gabrielle.
"Hey, you overgrown lizard!"
The dragon turned its head towards Joxer.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you! Come on! Come and get me! I'm not afraid of you!"
Joxer picked up a stick. The dragon charged at him. Joxer held the stick up,
ready to strike. The dragon suddenly stopped and roared in pain. Joxer stared at
the dragon and slowly approached it. Suddenly his stick became a sword. The
dragon was hurt. All he had to do was kill it. Joxer raised the sword above his
head, ready to strike the dragon, but the blow never came.
"I may fail this test, but I cannot kill an enemy who is hurt." Joxer threw the
sword down and looked at the dragon. He noticed something in its paw.
"Looks like you got a thorn in there. Now, I won't hurt you. Here, let me help
you."
The dragon watched as Joxer took hold of the thorn. "Now this may hurt a little,
but it has to come out."
The dragon roared as Joxer pulled it out. Joxer turned to Gabrielle. "I'm sorry
I failed you, Gabs."
Suddenly, a blue light appeared all around Joxer. He grabbed Gabrielle to
protect her. He looked up to see another Amazon.
"You did not fail, Mighty Warrior. You saved me from my fate. By showing me
kindness instead of killing me, you have set me free."
She took off a blue medal and placed it on Joxer. "This will tell everyone you
passed the first test. Go, Mighty Warrior, to your next test."
Cyane hit her fist against the pole as Joxer's body cooled down. "How could he
do what Amazons have failed to do?!"
Xena smiled. "Because he is Joxer."
Joxer watched as the medal healed his burns. He thanked the Amazon, took
Gabrielle and headed for the next test.
TBC
by Susan Owens
Copyright 2001
Rated: PG
Warning: Death
Summary: Gabrielle tells Joxer she loves him but death takes her away again
Author notes: This is my very first story based around Joxer and Gabrielle.
Takes place during the 5th season.
Disclaimers : I do not own Xena
My Cup Runneth Over
by Ed Ames
Sometimes in the mornin' when shadows are deep
I lie here beside you just watching you sleep
And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of
My cup runneth over with love
Sometimes in the evening when you do not see
I study the small things you do constantly
I memorize moments that I'm fondest of
My cup runneth over with love
In only a moment we both will be old
We won't even notice the world turning cold
And so, in these moments with sunlight above
My cup Runneth over with love
My cup Runneth over with love
With love
Joxer the Mighty sat in the tavern nursing his ale. He sighed deeply. Gabrielle
was gone again. She had died saving his life. Xena in her grief left right after
the Amazon funeral and Joxer never felt so low. He missed them both so much, but
he missed his Gabrielle more. He wondered what made him do something so stupid,
running into the fight unprepared? He remembered the sword coming down towards
him waited for the death he knew would come. Suddenly someone slammed against
him knocking him out of harm's way. He didn't have to see who it was. He knew.
Her death scream still haunted him. He didn't move, just watched, as Xena ended
the life of the man who killed Gabrielle. He watched as The Warrior Princess
held the body of her best friend and screamed up into the sky.
He remembered that he had not been invited to the funeral. Neither Xena nor any
of the Amazons wanted him there. But he watched anyhow, from a safe distances.
Soon after the funeral Xena disappeared. Now Joxer sat alone in the tavern
missing Gabrielle. He remembered that just yesterday everything was right with
the world.
Joxer waited for his friends. They had sent word that they were coming home. He
waited for the boat to come in. He could not wait to see them again. He had
written a song for Gabrielle and he could not wait to sing it to her.
Gabrielle stared out at the pier as the ship docked.
"I am sure he's here."
Gabrielle turned to look at her friend and smiled. "I am sure he is too."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know Xena. I want to, more then anything."
"Then what's stopping you?"
"I am afraid that if I tell him, I will lose him too."
"Gabrielle, you can't keep living in the past; you have to go on. Tell him,
Gabrielle, before it's too late."
Gabrielle nodded her head. Suddenly she saw the familiar armor and the man
attached to it. Gabrielle turned and looked at her friend.
"Go to him, Gabrielle. I think he's waited long enough."
Gabrielle smiled at Xena. "Thanks, Xena, I do love you too. You know that?
Right?"
"I know, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle ran down the plank of the ship and flew into the arms of a very
surprised Joxer.
"Hey, Gabrielle. I really missed you."
"Oh, Joxer. I missed you so much. But I am glad you were not there."
Joxer sadly lowered his head. "Yeah, I guess I would have been in the way."
Gabrielle lifted his chin so she could see his eyes. "No, Joxer. I am glad you
were not there because there was no way to keep an eye on you and you might have
been killed. I love you, Joxer, more then life itself, and I want to spend the
rest of my life with you - and beyond."
"What do you mean keep an eye on me? Gabrielle, I don't need anyone to keep an
eye on...." Joxer suddenly stopped talking as he realized what else the Bard had
said. He looked dumbstuck at her. "Gab... Gab. Did ...uh? Did you just say you
loved me?"
Gabrielle's eyes shone as she smiled at him. "Yes, I did, and I would gladly
shout it to the whole world." Gabrielle turned around and lifted her head and
shouted.
"I LOVE THIS MAN!"
A few people walking by smiled and nodded their heads; some just stared.
Gabrielle stopped shouting and turned back to Joxer, who was now lying on the
ground with a big stupid grin on his face.
"I think you made him very happy," said Xena.
Gabrielle smiled. "Yeah, I know. Come on Xena, help me get him up."
They were now sitting in the tavern and Gabrielle was talking up a storm. It
didn't matter to Joxer whether he understood what she was talking about or not.
He just wanted to hear her voice. He knew that Gabrielle's voice made all the
Goddesses jealous. He just sat there and soaked in all she was saying.
"Joxer? Hey Joxer?"
"Huh? Oh Gabrielle. Sorry, I must have been dreaming. Did you ask me something?"
Gabrielle laughed. In the past this would have made her mad, but now, for some
reason it didn't.
"Yes. I asked you something. I asked you to marry me."
Joxer stood up, knocking his chair over and causing a mug of ale to spill all
over a big scary-looking man. The man picked up Joxer and stared him into his
eyes and he growled "Hey you moron. What's the big idea?"
Joxer didn't have a chance to explain - the big man threw him into the table.
The big man started laughing. He turned around to his friends. They were all
laughing, too. As the big man turned back around the little blond's fist caught
him off guard and he landed on the floor.
"No one, and I mean no one, attacks my boyfriend."
The group of men stared at their leader lying on the floor and back at
Gabrielle, who was now on the floor helping Joxer.
"Come on Joxer, open your eyes."
Joxer slowly opened his eyes and stared at her. "Gabrielle? Did you just ask me
to marry you?"
She nodded her head. Joxer looked at her. "Yes, Gabrielle. Yes, I will marry
you."
Gabrielle and Joxer both stared at each other, for what seemed a lifetime. Then
Joxer took Gabrielle into his arms and he kissed her. They agreed to be married
in the Amazon village, and were on their way when all hell broke loose. The same
men from the tavern attacked them. Joxer rushed head-on into the fight. He was
reaching for his sword when he found out in horror he didn't have it. The same
big man from the tavern knocked Joxer down with the back of his sword. He then
raised his sword to bring it down for the killing blow...
He could still hear her scream. He sat looking at his ale, hot tears streaming
down his face. Why Gabrielle? Why? he thought to himself. Suddenly he remembered
something. Xena had once gone to the underworld to find Gabrielle. Why couldn't
he do it? He shook his head. He had no idea how to get to the underworld. So he
decided to do the next best thing. Joxer entered the temple of Hades and placed
his offering on the altar. He knelt down and prayed to the God of the
underworld.
"Hades, I beg you to hear my call. Please let my love Gabrielle return to this
world."
Joxer waited for Hades. It was not long before Hades did reply. There was a loud
thundering sound and the wind blew so fearsome that it blew out all the candles
in the temple. It was now pitch dark in the temple and it took a few minutes for
Joxer's eyes to adjust. But when they did, they were focused on the God of the
underworld.
"Joxer, even if I wanted to grant your request, I cannot. Gabrielle is not here.
Her soul has gone to the Amazon's underworld."
Joxer stared at Hades. "But aren't you in charge of that underworld too?"
"No. I am not. Artemis the Amazons goddess has assigned a noble Amazon Warrior
to be in charge. In order to get Gabrielle back you must go to an Amazon village
and ask to go to their underworld."
Joxer stood tall and looked at Hades. "If that's what I must do, then so be it."
Hades shook his head. "It will not be that easy, Joxer. You are a man, and as
far as I know, no man has ever come out of the Amazon's underworld."
Joxer though for a moment "But it is possible? Right?"
Hades only looked away. Joxer waited for him to answer but he didn't. He just
vanished. Joxer signed but he decided to go to the Amazon village hoping to go
to their underworld and get Gabrielle.
As Joxer approached the Amazon village he was met by two of the Amazons.
"Why are you here?" asked the first Amazon.
"You are not welcome here," replied the second one.
Joxer stood his ground knowing that any minute his life could end. "I wish to
see Cyanne."
The first Amazon shook her head. "It's not possible. Cyanne will not allow you
into the village."
Joxer threw up his hands. "Then please tell her I wish to see her. As
Gabrielle's betrothed I have that right."
"You lost that right when Gabrielle died. You no longer have it."
Joxer turned and looked at Cyanne. He saw in her eyes that she still hated him.
But he was determined. He was going to get Gabrielle back.
"Please let me go to your underworld and get Gabrielle."
"Never. There is no way a man like you will enter Amazon's underworld," replied
Cyanne. She turned to walk away but Joxer grabbed her.
"You hate me for what happened to Gabrielle. You blame me. All right, I accept
that. But please don't punish Gabrielle because you hate me."
"If you had just stayed out of the fight Gabrielle would be alive."
Joxer looked at the person he had not seen since Gabrielle's death.
"Hello, Xena."
"Please go, Joxer. You are the last person I want to see right now."
Joxer felt hurt but he again stood his ground.
"Xena. I know you hate me for what happened to Gabrielle. But please let me fix
this."
The Warrior Princess turned her back on him. She knew deep down inside it wasn't
his fault, but she just could not forgive him. It was too soon. She turned back
to him. "Please go, Joxer. I have something to do. I am going to get Gabrielle
back."
Joxer suddenly forgot to whom he was speaking to and he grabbed Xena. "How? Tell
me how you are going to do it."
But before Xena could answer him, Cyanne gave him a small vial, saying, "By
drinking this she will be able to go to our underworld."
Joxer grabbed the bottle from Cyanne and drank it before Xena could stop him. He
staggered, his unfocused eyes rolling to the back of his head. He gasped for
breath but found none. Suddenly he crashed to the ground and laid still. Xena
bent down, listening for a heartbeat even thought she knew it would not be
there. She looked up at Cyanne with burning hatred in her eyes.
"Why?"
Cyanne held her head up proudly. "He wanted to go to our underworld. I was only
giving him what he wanted."
Xena stood up from Joxer's body. "But he was not prepared." She picked up his
body and looked at Cyanne. "Please keep his body warm - we have time to prepare
him."
Cyanne stared at Xena. "I will not help you with that man. I hated him more then
anyone."
"Then do it for Gabrielle. He was her beloved - her consort."
"Yes, and because of his stupidity she is dead. No, I will not help you."
Suddenly Artemis stood before them. She said nothing only placed her hand on
Joxer's head and was gone. Xena stared. Cyanne only shook her head and muttered.
"She prepared him. Bring him to the temple." One of the Amazons took Joxer's
body from Xena. Cyanne walked over to her. "You may come, but remember Xena, no
matter what happens, you may not interfere."
Xena bowed her head and followed them inside the temple. The Amazon placed Joxer
on the stone table. Two Amazons walked over to Joxer and lifted his body and
removed his clothes. Then they started to place a white robe on him, but Cyanne
stopped them.
"No! I forbid it. He cannot wear the white robe."
"Then what's he to wear?" Eris asked.
Cyanne stared for a moment. "Put his clothes back on him."
"Cyanne, you are upset."
"Yes, I am upset, but he can not wear the white robe."
No one said anything else as Joxer's clothes were put back on him. They then
gathered around and waited. Cyanne turned to Xena.
"Joxer is there now, Xena. But he will fail and he will spend the rest of his
days in the Amazon underworld in pain and misery, without Gabrielle."
Xena looked at her. "You want that to happen. Don't you?"
Xena didn't need an answer - she knew the truth. Cyanne hated Joxer. She was
upset with him but she didn't hate him. She hoped with all her heart that Joxer
would not fail.
"Joxer! Open your eyes."
Joxer slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see Ephiney smiling at him. She
bent down and helped him up onto his feet.
"It's been a long time, Joxer. How are you?"
"Well, besides that I'm dead, I guess I'm fine."
Ephiney favored him for a moment. "You are not dead, Joxer, at least not yet. I
have been sent to take you to Marina. She will decide the tests you must do in
order to help Gabrielle. But you must know this if you fail. You will never
return - you will be trapped in here forever. You still have a chance to walk
away."
Joxer shook his head. "No! I came to get Gabrielle and I will."
Ephiney nodded her head "Come with me then. Marina is waiting."
Joxer followed Ephiney down a long passageway. It was dark but she seen to know
the way and he didn't feel lost. Soon they enter a large hall where a very large
Amazon sat on a throne. Standing beside her was Gabrielle. Joxer suddenly forgot
where he was and ran towards his love only to be stopped by two Amazon pointing
their weapons at him. Marina stood up and walked towards him.
"You are the one they called Joxer, are you not?"
"Yes, I am. Please let me go to Gabrielle."
The two Amazons looked at Marina she nodded her head. They removed their weapons
from Joxer and he ran over to Gabrielle.
"Oh Gabrielle! I found you! I missed you so much."
Joxer stared at his love - she was just standing there doing nothing. He turned
and looked at Marina.
"What's wrong with her?"
Marina came up to him. "That is only a vessel. Gabrielle's soul is in here." She
held up a small bottle in the palm of her hand.
"In order to take Gabrielle back with you, there are ten assignments you must
do."
"I will do anything for Gabrielle."
"Good, then the test will begin. Oh, one thing - you must take Gabrielle with
you and you must protect her at all costs. Nothing must happen to her."
Joxer looked at Gabrielle, who stood there like a statue. "How? She doesn't even
seem to be there."
Marina sprinkled something on Gabrielle.
"She will now do as you say. But do not take advantage of this or you will die."
"I understand. I am ready to start."
"Very well .Go down that path. Your first test will be waiting. Remember,
protect Gabrielle with your life."
Joxer nodded his head and took Gabrielle and headed in the direction Marina
pointed.
Joxer led Gabrielle down a long tunnel. He had no idea what was waiting for him
at the other end but he would protect Gabrielle with his very life.
"Well Gabs, we are almost at the end of the tunnel. I wonder what the first test
will be?"
Joxer knew Gabrielle would not answer him, but he felt better talking to her.
They soon came into a clearing. Joxer looked around but saw nothing. Marina said
the first test was here. He ran his fingers though his hair. Where was the test?
Suddenly, Joxer jumped as he felt heat on him and realized he was on fire.
Joxer's body jerked as the flames hit him. Xena and Cyane watched as heat vapors
were coming from his body. Xena reached out to touch him, but as she did, her
hand was burned. Cyane smiled.
"He will fail the very first test. Not even a Amazon can fight the Crimson
Dragon. He is already burning up. Nothing can save him now."
Rhea looked at her queen. "Maybe Joxer won't fail."
Cyane stared at her. "Because you are young, I will overlook that."
Rhea turned away from Cyane. She whispered, "Come on, Joxer! I know you can do
it."
Joxer fell down on the ground to try and put out the fire. He looked up into the
eyes of the very first and biggest dragon he had ever seen. He reached for his
sword but then remembered he did not have it. Joxer realized he had no weapons
of any kind. No way to beat the dragon. The dragon breathed more flames and
again scorched Joxer. The heat was painful and Joxer could feel the blistering
on his body. He knew he was losing, but what could he do? He had no weapons.
Suddenly the dragon turned from him and headed towards Gabrielle. Her knew he
could not let the dragon hurt Gabrielle.
"Hey, you overgrown lizard!"
The dragon turned its head towards Joxer.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you! Come on! Come and get me! I'm not afraid of you!"
Joxer picked up a stick. The dragon charged at him. Joxer held the stick up,
ready to strike. The dragon suddenly stopped and roared in pain. Joxer stared at
the dragon and slowly approached it. Suddenly his stick became a sword. The
dragon was hurt. All he had to do was kill it. Joxer raised the sword above his
head, ready to strike the dragon, but the blow never came.
"I may fail this test, but I cannot kill an enemy who is hurt." Joxer threw the
sword down and looked at the dragon. He noticed something in its paw.
"Looks like you got a thorn in there. Now, I won't hurt you. Here, let me help
you."
The dragon watched as Joxer took hold of the thorn. "Now this may hurt a little,
but it has to come out."
The dragon roared as Joxer pulled it out. Joxer turned to Gabrielle. "I'm sorry
I failed you, Gabs."
Suddenly, a blue light appeared all around Joxer. He grabbed Gabrielle to
protect her. He looked up to see another Amazon.
"You did not fail, Mighty Warrior. You saved me from my fate. By showing me
kindness instead of killing me, you have set me free."
She took off a blue medal and placed it on Joxer. "This will tell everyone you
passed the first test. Go, Mighty Warrior, to your next test."
Cyane hit her fist against the pole as Joxer's body cooled down. "How could he
do what Amazons have failed to do?!"
Xena smiled. "Because he is Joxer."
Joxer watched as the medal healed his burns. He thanked the Amazon, took
Gabrielle and headed for the next test.
TBC