My Cup Runneth Over, part 5

by Susan Owens

Cyane tried to reach her but she wasn't even close as Xena brought the deadly

blow down upon Joxer. But before Xena's blade could penetrate his tunic, a hand

shot out and roughly pulled the sword away. Xena looked up and saw that it was

Artemis. "Why are you interfering, Xena?"

"Why? That... that... wimp chose Arose and not Gabrielle! It's not fair! I'm

going to kill him for betraying her love!"

"He has made his decision and there is nothing you can do about it," the goddess

replied sternly.

Xena turned to walk away. Then she suddenly swung around and kicked Artemis in

the stomach, taking her by surprise. She pushed her away to get to Joxer,

grabbing the sword from the ground. "Like I said, die, YOU WORM!"

"Xena, if you harm Joxer, I swear that I'll go away and never speak to you

again!"

Xena stopped, her face becoming pale. She turned around to see Gabrielle with

Arose. They were both dressed in white. Xena dropped her sword and ran over to

Gabrielle, taking the smaller woman into her arms. "Oh, Gabrielle! You're back!"

"Yes, Xena. Thanks to Joxer."

"I don't understand. He chose Arose. What happened?"

Arose came forward. "By choosing me, Joxer passed the last test, therefore also

setting Queen Gabrielle free too," she explained.

Gabrielle smiled and winked at Xena. "Now I've got to wake my hero." She walked

over to Joxer's still form and bent down. She placed her lips upon his, kissing

him deeply. "Rise and shine. Rise and shine, my mighty hero."

Joxer slowly opened his eyes and stared at Gabrielle smiling down at him for a

moment. With a quick movement, he jumped to his feet and swept her up into up

into his arms, crying as he held her. "Oh, Gabrielle! Gabrielle..."

"It's okay, Joxer! You did it! I'm back."

Joxer moved away to look at her and touch her face. "I have a song for you. I

love you, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle pulled him into her arms again, hugging him tightly. "I know, Joxer. I

know. I love you too." She kissed him warmly.

Cyane turned to her Amazon sisters. "Go and get everything ready for a

celebration, my sisters. Gabrielle lives again!"

Arose looked around, not knowing what she should do. Then Artemis called her

over and Joxer as well. Gabrielle and Xena joined them. Arose bowed before the

goddess in a show of respect. Artemis smiled, "Rise, child." She gestured for

her to rise. When Arose was standing, the Goddess gazed into her and Joxer's

eyes for a moment before she spoke again. "There is something you must know.

Arose, you are the older sister of Joxer, Jett and Jace."

Arose's and Joxer's mouths dropped open in shock. Gabrielle blinked in surprise

and Xena shook her head in amazement. Joxer managed to find his voice and he

squeaked, "My sister? Arose is my sister?"

Artemis nodded. "Yes, Joxer. She is your sister. She was born five years before

you and your brothers. She was taken from your family as a baby by raiders and

rescued by the Amazons to be raised as one."

Arose was completely dumbstruck by the goddess' words. Suddenly, she began to

laugh. She was laughing so hard that she could not catch her breath and tears

stood in her eyes. Joxer immediately came to her side. "Arose, are you okay?" he

asked, concerned.

"Yes... Joxer... Oh gods...." she continued laughing, wiping a stray tear that

slid down her cheek. "I thought I was in love with you. I kissed you! ICK!"

Joxer smiled, "Yeah, I know." He hugged her. "I've never had anyone love me

right away. Thanks, sis."

Arose looked at him, returning the smile. "Sis... You know, I like the sound of

that."

Joxer nodded, "Yeah. Me too." Gabrielle and Xena looked on, also smiling.

Artemis rewarded them with a tiny smile of her own. "Arose, do you wish to

become the age you really should be?"

Arose looked at her goddess, brow furrowed in thought. But before she could

answer, Joxer answered for her, bowing slightly in a gesture of respect. "If it

would please the Goddess Artemis, I think Arose should stay this age and grow

and learn from it. She will be a better person and wiser for it. Growing up too

fast can be very painful."

Arose stared at Joxer and then back at Artemis. "Okay, I will do as Joxer says."

She then looked at Joxer with a wicked twinkle in her eye. "But I am still your

older sister."

"As you wish," with those words, Artemis disappeared.

Joxer smiled at her and then turned to Gabrielle. "You ready, Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle nodded eagerly and started walking towards Joxer, only to be stopped

by two very large Amazons that blocked her way.

"Oh no you don't! Gabrielle doesn't see you until the day of the wedding!" Cyane

called out.

"What! When is that?"

Cyane smiled playfully. "The next full moon, which is in seven days."

Joxer stared at her, "Seven days! I have to wait seven days to be with

Gabrielle?"

Cyane playfully slapped him on the side of his right cheek. "It's Amazon

tradition."

Joxer glared at her, rubbing the spot where she slapped. "Well, you can take

your Amazon traditions and blow it out your as... YEOW!" he yelped as Arose

suddenly grabbed him by the arm roughly.

"Come on, Joxer. Why don't you tell me about our family?" she pleaded.

Joxer pulled away from her, his brown eyes blazing with anger. "I went through a

lot getting Gabrielle back from your underworld! I've passed all your tests,

even though some were totally unfair. I passed a test that even Xena failed!

I've been through enough! No more! I want to be with Gabrielle now!"

Cyane backed away. She had never seen this side of Joxer before and it

frightened her a little. "Joxer, try to understand! We do this to make sure that

the man an Amazon chooses is the right one."

"How does that prove anything?"

"To see if you can be without her for seven days."

Joxer ran his hand through his hair, messing it up more. "I've got news for you,

Cyane! I was without Gabrielle for fourteen days, and they were the most

miserable days of my life. I think I've passed way beyond your traditions!"

Cyane looked at him calmly. "We will have a council meeting to decide. In the

meantime, tell Arose about her family." Before Joxer could say anything more,

Cyane, Gabrielle and the Amazons went into the meeting hut.

Joxer turned to Arose. "So, what do you want to know?"

She looked at him smiling, her eyes dancing. "Everything. Don't leave anything

out."

Cyane put on her meeting headdress and sat down, waiting for Gabrielle and Eris

to sit by her side. She waited until everyone was settled then stood up.

"We are gathered here to see if Joxer can be with Gabrielle now or wait for the

full moon as our traditions say we should do. What do you say, sisters?"

One Amazon stepped forward. "I know Joxer went through a lot to get Gabrielle

back, but he should respect our traditions. Seven days is not that long."

Rhea stood up and faced her sister. "But Joxer was without her for fourteen

days. I think that should count for something. I vote that Joxer should be able

to see Gabrielle now."

"No, he should wait until the wedding night," most of the Amazons replied.

Cyane stood up. "All in favor of Joxer being with Gabrielle now, raise your

hand." She looked around as she saw quite a few hands go up. She turned to Eris.

"How many, sister?"

Eris looked at her after counting. "Twenty say yes."

"Who says no?"

More hands come up and Eris counted them. "Twenty say no."

Cyane nodded. "Then I have the deciding vote, and I vote..." She turned to

Gabrielle with regret in her eyes. "I'm sorry Gabrielle, but I must follow

tradition. I vote no."

Joxer stared at Arose, biting his bottom lip. "There's not much to tell about

our family," he said finally. "Father is a warlord and Mother was the wife of a

warlord. Jett's an assassin and Jace is a…" His brow furrowed in thought and his

lips pouted out. "Actually, I'm not really sure what Jace is."

"There must be something good to tell me about them."

"Yeah, well, I guess there is. The only good thing about Father is that he's in

jail. Jett... Well, he doesn't kill family. Jace, I guess, he likes to make

people happy. He follows the music and thinks he's from Spain."

"He sounds like fun. I would love to meet Jace."

"Jace... Fun... I never pictured Jace as being fun."

Arose smiled. "Well, he sounds like fun."

Xena appeared and Arose protectively stood in front of Joxer. Xena rolled her

eyes. "I won't try to hurt him again, Arose." She turned to Joxer. "Joxer, I'm

sorry. They voted against you. You and Gabrielle have to stay away from each

other for seven days."

Joxer looked at Xena and shook his head. "It's not fair."

Xena nodded and clasped his shoulder. "I know." She thought for a moment, trying

to cheer her friend up. "Hey, let's go into town and stay with Mother. I miss

Eve."

Joxer nodded sadly. "Okay, Xena."

Arose looked at them, puzzled. "Eve?"

"She's Xena's daughter," Joxer explained.

"Oh, okay. Joxer, what about our mother?" Arose asked.

Joxer gazed at her. "Mother was okay. She believed in me a lot."

Arose was quiet for a moment. "Do you think she would have loved me?"

Joxer looked at her. "Yeah, she would have. But Arose?"

"Yes, Joxer?"

"You were better off being raised by the Amazons. Maybe getting kidnapped by the

raiders was a good thing for you. "

Arose stayed in place as Joxer started walking down the road before she turned

to Xena with a puzzled statement on her face. "What did he mean by that?"

"He'll tell you when he's ready," Xena replied with a soft sigh.

Arose shook her head abruptly. "I'm not letting that pass by without finding out

what he meant!" She ran to catch up with Joxer. "Joxer, you tell me right now

what you meant by that remark!"

Joxer stopped and stared at her. "Arose, please! Not now. I don't want to talk

about it!" He tried to move away but she grabbed his arm to stop him. "LET GO OF

ME!"

"You promise not to leave?" Arose asked, loosening her grip slightly.

"Yes, damn it! Now let go!"

"All right," Arose said and did as she promised.

Joxer also kept his promise, staring down at the ground as he rubbed his arm.

"Please, I really don't want to talk about this right now," he whispered.

Arose placed her hands on her hips, glaring at him stubbornly. "Yes, now! I want

to know! What is it that you're not telling me about our family? Out with it,

little brother!"

Joxer winced at being called "little brother" by a teenager. He sighed as he

raised his head and saw the look in her eyes. He knew he had to tell her

everything then, every terrible secret that he never talked about to anyone, not

even Xena and Gabrielle. His voice was almost unrecognizable as he began

speaking. "First of all, you have to understand that Father is a monster. He

used to beat me all the time... mostly for fun. Once, he even let his men beat

me. I don't remember much about it, only that I almost died."

Arose stared at him with tears standing in her eyes. "Oh, Joxer, I'm so sorry."

"No, wait. There's more." Joxer turned in Xena's direction. Her lips curved up

in a slight smile and he nodded before turning back to his sister. "Mother

wanted a daughter so badly, so we took in a girl that was orphaned. Her name was

Delphia, but Father changed it to Jillian. I loved her so much, Arose. She was

my star, my guide. She believed in me, maybe even more than Mother did." Joxer

paused for a moment to wipe away the tears that flowed freely from his eyes.

Arose let go of the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "What happened to

Delphia?" she asked.

Joxer sadly shook his head, his face a study in guilt. "She was killed and it

was my fault. I loved her and she died, all because of me!"

Xena stared at Joxer with a shocked expression on her beautiful face. She knew

that his childhood was not a happy one and that he was the victim of child abuse

from little things which slipped out occasionally that would send her normally

cheerful friend into a depressed state for hours. This was the first time he

mentioned anything in such detail, though. "Joxer, are you okay? Maybe you

should stop," she said quietly.

Joxer shook his head viciously as he turned around to face her. "No, Xena! Arose

needs to know what kind of a monster we have for a father!"

Arose was in tears. "Please, Joxer... You don't have to say anything else... I

shouldn't have made you tell," Arose wiped the tears from her face and trembled.

Joxer saw how badly she was affected by what he had said so far and walked over

to her, taking her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Arose. You deserve to know the

truth," he croaked.

The young girl nodded and sniffed loudly as she wrapped her arms around him. "I

understand, Joxer."

Joxer continued his tale. "One day, I did something terrible. I accidentally let

Father's war horse loose. Father was furious and I thought for sure I would be

punished with another beating." Arose looked up at him. He smiled sadly and

wiped a tear that fell down her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I was punished

in the most horrible way possible."

"What happened to you?" Arose asked, her eyes wide. Xena waited for his answer

in silent dread, a sour taste filling her mouth.

"Father made me watch as he beat Jillian to death. I still have nightmares about

it... I hear her screaming in my head... Oh, gods..." At this, Joxer broke down

completely, sobbing loudly and Arose found herself comforting him.

"Oh, Joxer! Oh gods, I'm so sorry! That bastard! If I ever see him, he'll feel

the end of my sword. I swear that he will."

Xena watched as the two siblings comforted each other with a stony expression on

her face. You may not have to, Arose, because if he ever escapes from prison and

tries to go after any of you, he'll get a taste of my chakram, she vowed

silently.

Gabrielle paced back and forth, her eyes sparking with anger. "Cyane, this isn't

fair! Joxer's been through a lot and he's passed every test! We deserve to be

together. I think you just hate him because of what happened before and this is

your way of getting revenge! If it had been anyone else, there would be no

waiting!"

Cyane spun around angrily. "Gabrielle, that's not true! There's a good reason

for this separation."

"What? What could be so important to keep two people who are in love separated?"

Cyane slowly calmed down. "Okay. If you can find a way around it, then take it."

Gabrielle's eyes brightened, "Thanks, Cyane."

Cyane shook her head. "But you must convince me, Gabrielle."

"You can count on it!" With that, Gabrielle was off to find a clause.

Cyrene was sitting in the room watching Eve playing with the doll Joxer had made

for her. She suddenly heard a noise and looked up. Her eyes lit up when she saw

Xena, Joxer, and a young girl she did not know. She started to say something,

but Xena placed her finger over her lips. Cyrene understood. Xena bent down to

Eve. Eve looked up.

"Hi Eve," cooed Xena, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Mommy!" Eve looked at Xena then saw Joxer. "Oxer! Oxer!" she cried with joy as

she unsteadily rose to her feet with her chubby little legs and went to him.

"Oxer! Oxer!"

Joxer bent down and swept her up in his arms, whirling her about. "Hey there,

Evie! How's my little Evie?"

Eve's blue eyes sparkled and she giggled, giving him a noisy kiss on the cheek.

"Miss you, Oxer."

"Hey, what about me, Eve?" laughed Xena.

Eve looked over at her mother and giggled. "Miss Mommy!" She then turned back to

Joxer. "Bring toy, Oxer?"

"Not exactly, sweetie," Joxer said with a smile and placed her back on the

floor. He gestured for Arose to come forward. "Eve, I would like you to meet my

younger sister, Arose," he introduced her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Younger sister? Joxer, I'm older than you!" Arose protested.

Joxer looked at her and grinned cheekily. "Like I said, my younger sister."

Eve stared at Arose and then frowned at her. "No toy! No play!"

Arose bent down muttering to herself, "I'm your older sister!" She shot Joxer a

dirty look and stuck her tongue out briefly. Joxer's grin grew wider, while Xena

and Cyrene snickered softly. Arose rolled her eyes and turned towards Eve with a

smile. "Hey there, Eve. You can play with me. I know a lot of games."

"Play?"

"Yeah, I do."

Eve looked at Xena. "Mommy play?"

Xena smiled. "Yes, it's okay, sweetie. Joxer and I need to talk."

Cyrene stood up. "I think I will go out and watch." She joined Arose and Eve

outside.

Gabrielle read through scrolls of Amazon laws and traditions over and over but

could not find a clause. "There's got to be something here! There must be some

way I can be with Joxer before seven days."

Rhea and Eris walked inside the hut. "Gabrielle, we want to help. Maybe with

three of us looking, we'll find something," Eris said.

Gabrielle tossed them each a scroll. "Okay, start looking, because by tonight I

will be with Joxer one way or another."

Joxer sat down and stared at Xena. "Now what did I do? Look, I'm sorry Eve came

to me and not you."

Xena rolled her eyes. "Joxer, you know that's not what I'm upset about! I know

you're planning to sneak off and see Gabrielle."

"So? Why not? We deserve to be together! I know you're mad, Xena..."

"You bet I'm mad, Joxer!"

"But Xena..." Joxer whined.

Xena held up her hand to silence him. "Joxer, if you do this, you will undo

everything you've done to gain respect from the Amazons. Please obey their laws.

Seven days will go by so fast, I promise. If you're playing with Eve, it will

help you keep your mind off Gabrielle."

Joxer nodded sadly. "I guess so," he sighed.

Xena clasped his shoulder. "I'm going out to see what Arose and Eve are playing.

Are you coming?"

"I'll be out in a minute, Xena." He watched as Xena rose to her feet. She was

about halfway out the door when she stopped and turned around.

"Joxer?"

"Yeah?"

"Please stay here."

"Okay, Xena."

Xena gave him 'the look'. "Do you promise?"

Joxer rolled his eyes. "Yes, Xena. I promise."

Gabrielle threw down the last scroll in frustration and pounded the table with

her fists. "AUGH! It's no good. There's no way around it. Damn it! This is so

unfair..."

"It was fair. I let you look. It's not my fault you found no way around it,"

Cyane answered as she entered the hut and turned to her sisters. "Rhea, Eris,

get Gabrielle ready for the sixth day ceremony."

"The sixth day ceremony?"

"Yeah, Gabrielle. It's a lot of fun," replied Eris. "We do lots and lots of

dancing."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "And we know how you love to dance." Eris gave

Gabrielle an odd glance at that remark but said nothing.

Cyane walked over to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, it won't be that bad. You'll enjoy

it and it'll keep your mind off Joxer."

"Hmph! Nothing will keep my mind off Joxer. So, what do we do? Get naked, paint

ourselves red and howl to sister moon?"

Rhea laughed. "No, silly! We sink our bodies into mud and become one with sister

earth."

Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer... Gabrielle sighed as she was taken

to the mud baths and put in the mud up to her neck. "How long do I have to be in

here?"

Cyane smiled before walking away. "All night, Queen Gabrielle."

Joxer stepped outside and watched Arose and Eve playing. "Ashes, ashes, we all

fall down!" Arose sang. Eve squeaked with delight as she and Arose fell to the

ground.

"Oxer! Oxer! Pway ashes, ashes!" She clapped her hands as she gazed at Arose.

"Wight?"

Arose smiled. "We sure are, sweetness," she replied.

Joxer smiled and walked over to Xena, who was sitting down on the grass watching

Eve and Arose. He sat down beside her and sighed. "Xena, it's only been seven

hours and I miss her terribly. How will I be able to stand seven days?"

Xena suddenly stood up, blue eyes sparkling with anger. "Joxer, I've just about

had it with you! Seven days isn't that long! You were with Gabrielle in the

underworld for fourteen days."

"Yeah, but it was only her body, not her soul!" Joxer tried to defend himself in

an effort to get some sympathy from Xena.

Xena's face grew stony at his words. "I don't care, Joxer! At least she was

there, so put a cork in it or else!"

Joxer drew back in surprise but said nothing as she walked away from him. It's

going to be a long seven days.

Gabrielle gasped at Cyane's words. "All night!" She groaned and hung her head.

It's going to be a long, miserable seven days, she thought to herself. "Thank

the gods it's not goat poop."

The next day, Gabrielle awoke with a jerk, her muscles stiff from staying in one

place all night and feeling very dirty. She tried to get out of the mud, but she

discovered to her dismay that she was stuck. "Hey, would someone please get me

out of here? Hello! Is there anyone there? Hello?!"

Rhea and Eris came to her rescue. "Boy, Gabrielle. I bet you enjoyed that," Eris

said as they helped her to her feet.

"Oh yeah, about as much fun as wrestling a pig in mud," Gabrielle replied

sarcastically.

Both girls looked at each other, the sarcasm completely lost upon them. "Oh

good, because that's next," Rhea informed her.

Gabrielle moaned at the young Amazon's words. "Six days. Just six more days..."

But Joxer's worth it.

Joxer sat down and quietly ate his breakfast when he felt a tug on his tunic. He

looked down to see Eve looking up at him with wide blue eyes and he smiled.

"Well, hi Evie."

Eve smiled at him. She held out her arms for him to pick her up.

"Sure sweetie," Joxer wiped his hands and mouth with a napkin and pulled Eve

onto his lap, kissing her on the forehead. Eve snuggled against him with a happy

sigh.

"Miss Aunt Abby," she whispered.

Joxer held the child close to him. "Me too, Evie." His eyes lit up as a thought

came to him. "Hey, wait! Why don't I take you to see her? I bet Xena wouldn't

mind. What do you think about that, huh?" He rubbed noses with her and Eve

giggled in delight.

"Because you promised her, Joxer. I'll take Eve to see Gabrielle because I can

see her," Arose said as she walked into the room.

Joxer started, a furious blush staining his cheeks. "Arose," he stammered. "Eve

doesn't really know you. I don't think she'll go with you."

Arose bent down to take Eve off Joxer's lap. "Want Aunt Arose to take you to see

Aunt Gabrielle?"

Eve smiled as she held out her arms. "YEAH!" she screeched in Arose's ear,

making her wince.

Joxer chuckled at the pained statement on his sister's face. "She's definitely

got her mommy's lungs, that's for sure," he remarked.

"Ouch! I believe you," Arose replied and set Eve down on the floor as Joxer rose

to his feet. "Okay then. Let's go. See you around, little brother!" she shot

over her shoulder as they left.

Joxer watched them leave. "Traitors!" he called out to them, shaking his fist.

"And I'm older than you!"

Arose found Xena saddling Argo and asked if she could take Eve to see Gabrielle.

Xena frowned. "It's not that I don't trust you, Arose, but I'm going to take

her. You're welcome to come with us if you want."

"Okay. Do you think Joxer will follow us?" Arose asked as Xena mounted the mare.

"Nope, and even if he did, I can lose him," Xena replied as the three set off

towards the village. Arose nodded in agreement. They arrived just in time to see

Gabrielle trying to catch a pig in the mud.

"Come on, Gabrielle! You can do it! Show that pig who's boss!" Xena cried out,

laughing.

Gabrielle stopped in her tracks, turned around and growled, "Xena, shut up!

How's Joxer holding up?" She began running after the pig again.

"You know Joxer. He's absolutely miserable," Xena replied, still laughing.

Gabrielle's face softened for a moment. "Oh good! At least I know he misses me,"

she said, eyes narrowing in concentration. Suddenly, she made a leap and caught

the squealing pig, splattering several Amazons that were standing too close to

the pen with mud. "GOTCHA!"

Cyane stepped forward. "Queen Gabrielle has caught the pig. She shouldn't have

any trouble on her wedding night!"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes as all the Amazons whooped and hollered, waving their

hands and making a bunch of noise. Gabrielle then saw Eve standing next to

Arose.

"Eve! Oh baby, come here!" she climbed over the fence and held her arms out to

the child.

Eve toddled over to Gabrielle. "Miss Aunt Abby!" she cried.

Gabrielle carefully picked her up. "I missed you too, Eve," she said.

Eve hugged Gabrielle, getting herself filthy. "No bye-bye, 'kay?"

"I will try not to, Eve."

It had been a long week for Gabrielle and Joxer. Joxer had gotten lost twice

trying to get back to the Amazon village, but the last day finally arrived.

Joxer was taken to one of the huts to get ready for the wedding and blindfolded

so as not to see Gabrielle. He was nervous and hoped that he didn't lose his

voice before the wedding.

Gabrielle sat in her hut with Xena, Arose, and Eve. They were all waiting for

someone to come with her wedding dress so she could get ready.

Joxer finished combing his hair and sighed as he looked at himself in the mirror

and wondered what the Amazons were going to make him wear for the ceremony. He

turned around when he heard someone knock on the door of the hut. "Yes? Come

in," he called out. His eyes widened in astonishment when he saw who it was.

"Jace? How did you get here?"

"Joxer!" The flamboyant middle triplet walked over to Joxer, dragging a trunk

behind him. He dropped the handle, pulled Joxer into a hug and pinched his

cheeks, ignoring Joxer's yelp. "Yes, Joxer. Xena told me to come and get you

ready for your wedding."

"But how did you get here?"

Jace pretended not to hear Joxer's question and opened the trunk. "Hmmm... Let's

see..." He rummaged in the trunk, throwing clothes aside, glitter and sequins

going everywhere. "No... No... That's not it!"

Joxer watched his brother, getting more worried with each passing second. His

eyes almost bugged from his head when a shocking pink feather boa went flying

across the room and landed on the floor in a graceful heap. Oh no...

"Oh, I've got just the clothes for you, little brother! I just have to find

them! I know they're in here someplace," Jace fretted, standing up for a moment

and placing his hands on his hips. "Oh goodness! I hope I didn't pack them in

one of the other trunks by mistake!"

Other trunks?! "Jace, don't call me little brother! I hate it when you call me

that!" Joxer growled.

Again, Jace pretended not to hear as he leaned down and plunged his hands inside

the trunk again. Joxer rolled his eyes as clothing, glitter, sequins and

feathers rained about them. "Wait a moment... Oh yes, this is what I'm looking

for! Perfect!" Jace crowed, holding up his choice triumphantly for Joxer to see.

It was a long-sleeved silk turquoise tunic, a pair of black suede pants with a

black silk sash that was fringed at the ends and a pair of highly polished boots

to complete the outfit. "Yes, I think this will do nicely," he said as he gave

the outfit to Joxer.

Jace sashayed around the hut, humming to himself as he picked up the clothing

and accessories he had thrown about earlier. Joxer shook his head as held the

clothes in his hands and watched his brother. Jace turned around, dropped the

already-gathered clothing on the floor and put his hands on his hips. "Joxer,

don't just stand there! Get ready! So much to do, so much to do..." he fretted.

Joxer changed into the outfit. "Well, what do you think?"

Jace stared at Joxer closely with a small frown on his face. "Something is

missing... Ah, I know! You need a hat!"

Joxer shook his head. "No hat."

"But Joxer..."

"NO HAT!"

Jace smiled. "Okay, no hat. Now take a look at yourself! You look so wonderful,"

Jace pushed Joxer up in front of the mirror.

Joxer looked at himself in the mirror and shook his head, but thought to himself

that he didn't look too bad. "Jace, how did you get here?" he asked again.

"I told you, Xena invited me."

Joxer rolled his eyes and spoke very slowly. "Jace, how did you get by the

Amazons?" he repeated his question a third time.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? I was made an honorary Amazon!"

Joxer spun around. "An honorary Amazon! How did you manage that?"

Jace smiled at him. "Didn't I tell you that story?"

"Hmm, let me see... Uh, no!" Joxer exclaimed.

"Well, maybe some other time. Right now we've got a wedding to go to."

Joxer looked at him. "Have you met Arose yet?"

Jace smiled at the mention of Arose's name. "Yes I have. Oh Joxer, we have a

sister! I have someone to share clothes with!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands

together in delight.

Joxer laughed at that. "Jace, she's only sixteen and quite frankly, I don't

think she's your size!"

"Well, maybe not share clothes, but I can't wait to take her shopping! Oh, it

will be so much fun."

Joxer stopped laughing and sighed. "Joxer, what's wrong?" Jace asked, concerned.

Joxer sighed again, his face sad. "Jace, I'm getting married to the woman I love

today and you and Arose are here to see it. I know it sounds dumb, but I want

Jett to be here too."

"I know, but I don't think that's possible, Joxer."

"Aw, for Daddy's sake! Why wouldn't it be possible, sugar?" The two brothers

turned around and saw Aphrodite standing in the doorway with Jett standing

beside her. She squealed in delight. "Hiya, Studmuffin! Damn, I dig those duds

you're wearing. Women go crazy for a sharp dressed man, don't ya know!" She gave

Joxer two-thumbs up in approval.

Jace nudged Joxer. "See, I told you that you look good!" Joxer rolled his eyes.

Aphrodite cleared her throat loudly. "Ahem! Hell-o! Goddess of Love standing

here! I have the power to zap you and make you fall in love with a tree!" Jace

nodded and quickly shut up. She looked around the hut and frowned. "Ewwww, how

grody! These Amazon chicks like totally need to take a course in Decorating

101!" She paused, brows drawing together. "Oh yeah, where was I?"

"Telling us how you got Jett," Joxer hinted.

Aphrodite rewarded him with a gorgeous smile. "Thanks, Studmuffin!

Aaaaanyway..." she drawled. "Look who I found just sitting around looking like

soooo totally bored! Mister tall, dark, handsome and broody himself!" She

squealed again and wrinkled her nose, her curls bouncing as she wiggled in

delight.

"Aphrodite, thank you! Thank you so much!" Joxer's eyes sparkled in happiness as

he strode over to Jett with a huge grin.

"Hey, no sweat, sweet cheeks! Besides, I couldn't be happier. My two favorite

mortals are finally getting hitched!" the Love Goddess giggled as Joxer hugged

Jett, who pushed him away after allowing it for a few seconds.

"Don't, Jox," Jett growled and then smiled. "I see you finally bagged Blond- uh,

Gabrielle."

Joxer returned the smile. "Not really. Gabrielle bagged me. Are you free now?"

"No, just on a special pass. Aphrodite brought me here. I have to go back after

the wedding."

"What did Cyane say about you being here?"

Jett's grin widened. "She said I better behave or else I won't be going back to

prison but straight to Tartarus."

"Then you better do what she says," Joxer said with a chuckle.

"I will. Don't want to tangle with all those Amazons," Jett said, shuddering

slightly.

"Jett, have you met our sister, Arose? She's such a sweet thing!" Jace

exclaimed.

"No Jace, but I will. Aphrodite told me about her on the way here. Now, what can

I do?" Jett asked.

Joxer smiled happily. "Please stand with me. I'd like that very much," he

requested.

"What about Jace?"

"Oh no! Not me! I'll be too busy crying. See?" Jace took out his hankie, dabbed

at his eyes and blew his nose loudly. "Oh Joxer, I'm just so happy!" he wailed.

Joxer and Jett exchanged glances and rolled their eyes.

Aphrodite smiled. "Well, I'm off to find a good seat, kiddies! See you out

there," she giggled. She snapped her fingers and disappeared in a series of pink

sparkles, leaving the hut filled with the scent of roses.

"Ouch! That hurt!"

"Gabrielle, will you hold still? By the gods! It's not like this is the first

time you've done this."

"I'm sorry, Xena. I'm just so happy to finally be married to a wonderful man."

"That's right, Gabrielle. He's a wonderful man and I don't ever want to see you

mistreat him." Especially not after what he said to Arose about what their

father did, she thought to herself.

"Xena, me? Never!" Gabrielle protested.

"Yep. No more nose twisting, pinching, punching, hitting him over the head with

blunt objects..."

"Okay, okay, okay! I get the point!" Gabrielle rolled her eyes and grinned

sheepishly when she saw Xena smiling.

Xena stood back and gazed at Gabrielle, now attired in the Amazon wedding dress.

"Okay. I think you're ready. Soon you will be Joxer 's wife."

TBC