He
swung
though the trees with the grace of a ballerina, and Gabrielle was
extremely
impressed. 'I bet he would make a great dancer.'
Soon they stopped in a big tree. Joxer pointed down at the waterfall
and
river. "Water, " he said proudly.
Gabrielle looked down. 'Well,' she thought, 'he's learned another
word.'
"Yes, water. That's water." She smiled at him.
Joxer smiled back, and then suddenly pushed the woman off the branch.
It was
at least a fifty-foot drop, and Gabrielle screamed all the way down.
Joxer
dove in after her. As they both surfaced, he began to splash her.
Gabrielle
was boiling mad.
"You stupid savage! " she screamed, "Look what you did!" She
attempted to
slap him and keep her head above water at the same time, almost
failing in
both efforts.
Joxer was confused. His mate was angry with him. He didn't
understand. What
did he do? She wanted water, and he took her to water. Why was she
yelling
at him? Gabrielle said nothing more as she paddled towards the bank.
Joxer watched her, still confused. Suddenly, he saw movement in the
water.
It was one of his worst enemies - a crocodile. And it was swimming
towards
his mate.
Joxer swam powerfully towards his enemy. He had seen the crocodile
kill many
of his friends, and even one of his cousins. He remembered how Jace
had come
so close to being the crocodile's meal, but had narrowly escaped. The
crocodile was now in front of Gabrielle. She screamed as the jaws
nearly
closed over her. Before she knew exactly what was happening, Joxer
had the
crocodile in his grasp. They both went under the water. Gabrielle
crawled
onto the bank and watched with horror as the fighting continued.
Joxer came to the surface, only to be pulled back under by the
crocodile.
Monkeys and other jungle creatures in the trees were screeching and
chattering, and to Gabrielle they sounded like they were cheering.
Joxer
came up again, this time clutching a very sharp stone in his hand. He
began
to stab the crocodile, using all his might to pierce the tough hide.
The
crocodile struggled to get away, but the jungle man held him tight.
Soon it
was over, and the crocodile was dead, but Joxer had been injured as
well,
and he slowly sank beneath the water. Gabrielle ripped off her heavy
skirt
and dove in, swimming out to him. She dove down and bought him back
up,
pulling him behind her to the bank, where she laid him down. She
began to
breathe into his mouth for him, alternating with pressing
rhythmically on
his chest, and suddenly he was coughing up water. He looked at her
and she
was smiling. He smiled back at her, then tried to stand up. She held
him
down.
"No, lay still. You are hurt, understand? Hurt." She showed him the
blood on
his leg. He gently pushed her away and began to call out in his
language.
Suddenly three monkeys appeared. One went and stood by his
head. "Joxer, my
friend, you were great."
He smiled grimly at his friend and pointed to his wound. "Meero, I
need
you and your brothers to get me the stuff that will help me."
"We will, my friend, but right now you need to be protected." He
called to
the other monkeys. "We must build a shelter for our friend."
Gabrielle watched as the monkeys made a shelter big enough for both
Joxer
and herself. She was overcome with wonder - this was amazing.
"This will help to protect you, my friend," said Meero. "I can now
get you
the healing plant."
Chula came over. She had seen the whole thing. "And I also will
protect you
and your mate, Joxer."
Joxer smiled at her and gazed back at Gabrielle. The woman shrank
away in
fear, unwilling to leave him, but terrified by the big cat. He called
for
Chula, who came to him. He touched her and then took Gabrielle's hand
and
placed it on Chula. "Friend " he explained weakly. Gabrielle
understood -
this jaguar was the one he had spoken to earlier in their camp -
Joxer's
friend. To show she understood, she hesitantly petted Chula, who was
surprised at first, but didn't really seen to mind.
Joxer fell unconscious. Gabrielle went to the river carrying a piece
torn
from her skirt. She wet it, and went back to him and placed it on his
head.
~**~
Drake had come out of the tent carrying his knife.
"I'm warning you, Xena, if that damned savage hurts Gabrielle, I'll
cut his
bloody throat from ear to ear."
It had to be late afternoon by now. Gabrielle had crawled into the
shelter
to check on Joxer, and exhaustion had overcome her. When she awoke,
she
found herself lying on his shoulder, his arm possessively wrapped
around
her. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She peered down and noticed
that
while they had slept, his leg wound had been treated and wrapped in
some
type of frond as a bandage. She silently thanked the monkeys she
realized
were responsible. Disengaging herself gently from the strong arm
around her,
she crawled quietly out of the lean-to and sat on the riverbank.
Chula slunk
over to sit beside her, and despite the fact that she knew the jaguar
couldn't understand her, she began to talk to her.
"How can I force him to go back to England? He'll never fit in. And
he'd
have to leave all his friends and his family here, for what? To be
forced
into an uncomfortable suit to sit at a big table full of people who
will
view him as a novelty and talk about him like he isn't even there? I
hate
that life, and I was born to it. I can't imagine how he'd feel.
Still, he
does have real family there, blood relatives. Brothers. A father. They
deserve to see him, and to know he's alive." She looked at the big
cat,
whose soft eyes seemed to hold understanding. "And - I like him. I
really
don't want to go back without him." She looked down at herself. Her
formerly
crisp white pantaloons were muddy and limp. Her blouse was missing
several
buttons and one entire sleeve. She couldn't remember the last time
she'd
seen her gloves, and her dainty kid boots and lisle stockings had
long since
been abandoned. Sighing she took off the blouse, since it wasn't
covering
her undergarments well anymore, anyway. Her pin-tucked camisole was
still
nearly white, at least. "I'd never survive here. All he did was bring
me to
take a bath, like I wanted, and I almost got us both killed." Without
thinking, the woman had begun stroking the jaguar's head, and Chula
quite
liked it.
A snort from the lean-to startled them both, and Gabrielle pulled her
hand
back into her lap. "See, you like her, too," Joxer growled to his best
friend.
"There *is* something about her," the jaguar admitted. The injured man
crawled over to sit beside them, favoring his bandaged leg. He smiled
at the
woman, and took her hand, placing it on the jaguar again.
"Chula," he explained. Gabrielle nodded. "Chula friend," he assured
her
again.
"I know," she responded seriously. She touched the bandage on his leg.
"Hurt?"
He sort of shrugged. "Hurt." It was far from the first time he'd been
injured, out here, she supposed. Another word. She couldn't believe
that she
was considering a relationship with a man who she couldn't even speak
to in
entire sentences. Perhaps her father had been correct when she had
first
expressed her desire to come to the jungles of Borneo. She was daft.
~**~
Xena convinced O'Malley that, as vast as the rain forest was, they
would be
more likely to find Gabrielle if they split up. She really didn't
relish
searching for her friend with the guide, who was barely suppressing a
murderous rage. She only hoped that she found the couple before Drake
did,
or someone might end up dead. It was almost ironic that the jungle
man, who
O'Malley kept referring to as "that savage", seemed far more
civilized at
this moment to her than the dark man with the careful manners.
They had made away through the treetops, so there was no trail to
follow.
But Gabrielle had mentioned 'water' before her unexpected
disappearance, so
Xena headed toward the mighty river she knew to be nearby. She had
purposely
sent O'Malley the other direction, deeper into the jungle. The
riverbank was
overgrown in many parts, so once she reached the water, she found
herself
having to weave back and forth to make her way along it. But it felt
good
to be doing something with purpose to it, and she focused all her
senses on
her task. A familiar voice drifted over the thick foliage, and she
knew she
was close to her goal.
~**~
Gabrielle was kneeling on the bank, smoothing the wet soil. She had
been
anxious, and when she felt like that, drawing was her release. She'd
found a
stick that was the right length and thickness, and in an even spot,
she had
begun to sketch the jaguar in the sand. Joxer had leaned over her
shoulder,
his weight on her and proximity to her a slight distraction, but she
was
focused on her work. When she finished, she looked to him, eyes
shining. His
expression of wonder was sufficient reward. "Chula?"
"Chula." she agreed. "Jaguar." He rolled the new word around on his
tongue,
seeming to enjoy it. But when she smoothed the picture away, he
whimpered in
disappointment. She set right back to work, though, and soon his
expression
changed to one of joy, as Chula, sitting beside him, recognized the
figure
first and told him what she was drawing.
"Joxer?" His eager tone made the artist giggle. She finished up in a
few
quick strokes - a good likeness, if she could say so herself.
"Joxer," she said with satisfaction. Her knees protested as she rose,
stiff
from the length of time she'd been squatting down. She dusted the
sand off
her hands onto her pantaloons, and looked up to find her nose almost
touching the muscular chest of the jungle man. He grabbed her arms as
she
tried to back away, keeping her there.
He didn't know how to say it in her words. He liked what she had
done. She
was his mate, he was certain of that. She had rescued him when he was
injured - stayed with him while he was healing. Now she had made
something
that looked like him in the sand. She was his. But he always assumed
that he
would know what to do when his mate showed up, and he didn't. He held
her in
front of him and stared into her eyes with confusion. Perhaps the
female was
supposed to know what to do.
Gabrielle was aware of the possessiveness in his gesture, and began to
babble nervously. "I can do better with pen and paper. I have
watercolours
back at the camp. Maybe I can show you some of my other work..." Her
brain
was so addled that she didn't see Chula's ears rise, or hear the
slight
rustling in the brush. Joxer did, however, and managed to shove her
behind
him just before Xena burst from the undergrowth. He bared his teeth
and
growled, the big cat at his side doing the same. They stood frozen
like that
for a minute, before the bodyguard raised her hands in a gesture of
surrender. "Xena," Gabrielle breathed in relief, although a pang of
disappointment rose in her as well.
Joxer relaxed, and crouched down in spite of the pain in his leg,
placing a
big hand on Chula's head. "Xena, friend," he explained to the jaguar.
The tall woman was nearly speechless, pointing at the big
cat. "Friend?" she
squeaked.
Gabrielle stepped out from behind the ape-man, bedraggled and once
again
weary. "Friend," she nodded tiredly.
Xena stared at the woman standing by the jungle man and the
jaguar. "His
*friend* - why am I not surprised?" She came up to them and noticed
Gabrielle's condition. "Gabrielle, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No, Xena, he saved my life."
Xena nodded her head. "We'd better get back. See if jungle boy will
come."
Gabrielle smiled at the memory of his possessive actions. "I don't
have to -
I'm pretty sure he'll follow me. "
They headed for the camp, and sure enough, Joxer followed. They moved
slowly
so as not to strain his wound. As soon as they arrived at the camp,
O'Malley
came charging at Joxer.
"You heathen monster! If you harmed Gabrielle, I'll kill you!"
Joxer did not understand the dark skinned man's words but he
understood the
actions that accompanied them. He ran towards O'Malley, but his
injured leg
gave out, and he fell to the ground. Xena charged over and sent a
kick right
into Drake O'Malley's face, knocking him on his back.
Gabrielle ran over to Joxer to help, but Joxer was already on his
feet. He
knew that the males did the protecting. He stood as tall as he could
and
walked over to O'Malley. He picked the man up by the front of his
shirt and
glared into his eyes.
O'Malley stared into the deep brown orbs of the jungle man. Those
eyes were
penetrating his very soul. They were boring into him. He tried to
look away
but he could not. It was just like being hypnotized, only more
unnerving.
Drake began to whimper like a frightened child.
Xena and Gabrielle stared. Joxer was doing nothing, and yet O'Malley
was
petrified. Gabrielle went over to him. "Please let him go, Joxer."
Joxer turned and stared at her. His eyes still held the glare, which
frightened her, and she pulled away and sat down on the ground, her
face in
her hands. Joxer knew that his eyes had frightened his mate and he
made
himself calm down, releasing O'Malley, who crawled away from him.
Xena stood over Drake. "Get your stuff and get out of here. Your
services
are no longer required."
Drake got up and stared angrily at them, but mostly at Joxer.
"You are going to be so sorry, savage, that I promise." And with that
he
gathered up his belongings and was gone.
Joxer slowly went over to Gabrielle, who was still sitting on the
ground. He
touched her face with his hand.
"Gab... Gab... "
Gabrielle looked up as he was trying to say her name. He had managed
it with
some difficulty the first time, and she had blamed it on the newness
of
human communication, but now he seemed stuck.
"Yes, Gabrielle. Gab..ri..elle."
He tried again but could not get it out. He turned away sadly.
Gabrielle had an idea - she hated to be called this, but it might be
easier
for him. She tugged on his arm.
"Gabby, Gab-by," she said slowly.
He slowly repeated the name "Gab-by."
"Yes, that's right - Gabby." She smiled at him.
"Gabby, Gabby, Gabby," he cried happily.
Xena watched the exchange. "Well, Gabrielle, looks like you're going
to be
called Gabby, whether you like it or not."
The artist smiled at her friend. "He can call me that, but no one
else."
Xena and Gabrielle began to laugh. Joxer stared at them - what were
they
doing? Gabrielle approached him, noticing his confusion. She began to
tickle
him suddenly. Joxer found himself making that noise, too, and he had
trouble
catching his breath. When Gabrielle stopped tickling him, he stopped
making
that sound. She grinned playfully at him. "Laughing," she explained.
He looked at her. "Laughing," he copied.
She was about to go on, when they heard a sound in the jungle. Sheera
was
slowly coming out of the brush, clutching something tightly. She
cautiously
walked over to Joxer and placed the object in his hand.
"This was with you when I found you so many seasons ago." She patted
him
affectionately, then returned to the jungle. Joxer stared at it and
gave it
to Gabrielle. It was a golden locket. Gabrielle opened it up, and it
had a
picture of the infant Mansfield triplets, Jett, Jace, and Joxer, on
one
side, and a picture of Lord and Lady Mansfield on the other.
"This is your real family," she told him, breathlessly. She took his
hand
and pointed to the woman in the picture and then at him. "Mother,"
she told
him.
He looked at the picture and back at her, then pointed to the place
that
Sheera had disappeared. "Mother."
"No," she explained patiently, pointing again to the woman in the
locket.
"Mother." He looked doubtful, but nodded and repeated obediently.
She nodded her head. Then she pointed at the man. "Father," she said.
He touched the picture himself, "Father."
"Yes, father."
He smiled and curled the fingers of Gabrielle's hand around the
locket. She
hesitated for a moment, and then fastened it around her neck. Xena
came up
behind them. "Gabrielle, we have to leave tomorrow."
She looked at her friend. "What about Joxer?"
"I guess he'll be coming with us. Gabrielle, we're not safe here
anymore.
Who knows what Drake might do? It's time to go home."
Gabrielle nodded her head. Was he ready for this? She knew deep down
inside
herself that his father would be glad to see him. But she wasn't that
sure
anyone else would. She just hoped she was doing the right thing.
~**~
At the home of Lord Malcolm Mansfield in London, England, two
identical men
were talking together.
"Gabrielle is coming home day after tomorrow. I bet she missed me,"
proclaimed Jett cockily.
"Yeah, like she would miss a hole in the head. Come on, Jett, she
doesn't
love you."
Jett poured a drink for himself and his brother. "Maybe not, but I
never
said I loved her, either. She's one of the few single women around
worthy of
my time. She's not difficult to look at, and her family is more than
socially acceptable. It would be the perfect match. Besides, with her
money
and mine, I'll be well set for life."
Jace nodded his head. "Yeah, if only we get the whole thing. But
father has
split his will *three* ways, for you, me, and Joxer."
Jett threw his drink on the floor. "Why can't that old man realize
that
Joxer is dead?"
"Because until a body is bought to me, your brother is still alive.
The men
I sent found your mother's remains, but never his. I know he's alive.
I feel
it in my heart," stated their father forcefully as he walked into the
room.
Jett turned on his father. "When are you going to wake up old man?
He's
dead - he's been dead for twenty-two years. "
~**~
It had not been the easiest of things for Xena to arrange their
passage out
of Borneo, but a merchant ship bound for the tip of Italy had room,
and the
promise of a large sum of money, with a hefty upfront payment,
convinced the
captain to make accommodations for three travelers. Once he spotted
the
ape-man, he nearly reneged anyway. But the two women were persuasive,
and
passage was booked.
Once aboard the vessel, there was plenty of time to prepare Joxer for
his
English debut. He was a fast learner, and soon had a proficient grasp
on the
English language, although occasional slips in his wording indicated
that he
still often thought in orangutan. The sailors were charmed by the
young
artist, cool towards the Amazonian bodyguard, and terrified by the
wild man
who would on occasion go swinging through the rigging, so the trio was
usually left alone. The women had managed to round up clothing for
Joxer to
wear, and although he hated it, he eventually grew accustomed to the
long
pants, suspenders, stiff collared shirt and waistcoat. It took them
weeks to
convince him he couldn't remove the cravat the minute he was out of
their
eyesight, though, and a decent frock coat was unavailable. They were
fortunate to find one sailor whose shoulders were as broad as their
friend's, from whom they obtained the shirt, but he was much too wide
in the
rest of his body for his coat to fit Joxer properly. The shoes caused
him no
end of misery. Xena had been of the opinion that they should cut his
hair,
but Gabrielle felt that the mane was far to glorious to remove, so
they
settled for tying it back in a neat ponytail.
Etiquette and manners were proving to be a bit more difficult for the
young
man to grasp, since neither of the women could adequately explain the
reasons for many of the customs of the day. He finally was able to
master
the use of silverware, and even to unerringly choose the right fork.
He
still occasionally picked up the soup bowl, but a stern glance from
his
blonde beloved was enough to remonstrate him, and he would remember
the
spoon. He learned a proper bow, and he finally would kiss Gabrielle's
hand
rather than sniff it.
In fact, the biggest problem they were facing was his relationship
with
Gabrielle. Once the word was a part of his ever-expanding vocabulary,
he
took to calling her his 'mate,' which brought color to her cheeks
every
time. It did, however, explain why it had been so difficult, their
first few
nights on board, to get him to stay in his own cabin, rather than the
one
Xena and the artist occupied. Both women attempted to find a better
term,
but he was stubborn about her title. Finally, they managed to
convince him
that the English word 'betrothed' had the same meaning, and only
privately
did Gabrielle voice concerns about how her father and Jett were going
to
deal with this. And even more privately she allowed her heart to
flutter at
the implications.
They also struggled with how much of Joxer's true history Lord
Mansfield and
the family should be privy to. Somehow, both women realized that the
idea
that apes had raised him would probably not make him terribly welcome
in
British Society, let alone a proper betrothed for Lord Taylor's only
daughter. Gabrielle found it quite charming that his simplicity made
the
idea of lying nearly incomprehensible to him. They were on the train,
nearly
to the English Channel, before she felt comfortable that he
understood both
the untruth and the need to tell it. A message had been sent on ahead,
detailing their expected arrival, only explaining that Lord Mansfield
should
be at the station with Gabrielle's father, since there would be a
surprise
for him.
The short ride across the Channel was spent refreshing him on the
family
relationships, manners and the ever-important fiction of his youth
having
been spent with gentle natives. Technically, that was the truth -
only in
this version, the natives were human. He still pouted when pressed to
lie,
but Gabrielle found that ever so appealing.
As the final leg of the long journey home drew near its end, the
artist
fidgeted and fussed. Her feelings for this strange man made the
importance
of everything going well at his presentation doubly important to her.
Noting
her distress Joxer reached out and took her hand in his, caressing it
gently. She smiled up at him, and he spoke comfortingly to her. "I
promise,
I'll do my best not to shame you. I know I'm not smart enough to
impress
your friends, but I hope you'll still be my mate," he frowned and
corrected
himself, "my *betrothed*, after they see me."
She squeezed his hand. "You are *very* smart. I know you'll do fine.
And we
probably need to talk more about betrothal after you've had a chance
to
settle in." He appeared every inch the English gentleman, but she
could
sense the wild animal just beneath the fine surface, and it drew a
small
shiver from her. She touched the locket that hid under her blouse,
reminding
her of why they were there. The train screeched to a stop, and the
familiar
smells and sounds of London drifted through the open window of the
car.
Gabrielle stood and pulled him up with her, tapping Xena on the
shoulder.
"Here goes nothing," she announced, to no one in particular. They had
managed to obtain Joxer a decent frock coat in France, and Gabrielle
dusted
it off, adjusting it on the man's shoulders. Taking his arm, she
followed
Xena to the door.
She spotted Lord Taylor first, and at the sight of her father,
realized how
much she had missed him. The men moved together towards her on the
platform,
and were there as she stepped down. After a tender hug and kiss from
her
father, she turned to the other men present. "Lord Mansfield, Father,
Jett,
Jace - this is my betrothed." She took the jungle man's arm. "Your
brother
and son, Joxer Mansfield." Her own father gasped, while Lord Malcolm
clutched his chest, and Jett scowled in anger. Jace fainted dead away.
Joxer stared as he watched the elderly man crumple to the ground,
holding
his heart. Xena and Jett went to him at the same time. Jett glared at
her.
"Stay away. We don't need your help." He turned to Jace, who was
slowly
waking up. "Help me with father. Now."
As he struggled to his feet, Jace stared at the other man, the
stranger who
looked like him. "Joxer?"
Joxer stared back. He was watching the scene before him. He came
forward and
bent down to check the fallen man, but Jett angrily pushed him
away. "I
don't know who you are, but you'd better leave my father alone."
Joxer stared at the man on the ground. He knew this man from the
picture his
betrothed had shown him. He touched the man's face. "Father?"
Jett stood up, his hand clenched into a fist. He punched Joxer in the
face.
Jett was a master at boxing, and he knew all of the moves. This was
new to
Joxer and he was too stunned to move out of the way.
Jett kept punching him mercilessly. Joxer's face was now bleeding,
the blood
coming from his nose onto his clothing.
"Stop it!" screamed Gabrielle. "Jett, leave him alone! He's your
brother."
Xena grabbed Jett forcefully, who finally let go of Joxer, dropping
him to
the ground.
"Your father needs you take him home and call a doctor," the bodyguard
growled. "Don't cause him more heart trouble by beating to death the
son
he's spent all these years waiting for."
Jett looked down at Joxer, and then turned to check on his father.
Jace had
already helped the old man into the coach. The elder Mansfield looked
up at
Jett. "Jett, I saw my son, Joxer. Please, did I really see him?"
Jett shook his head in disgust. "No father, it was a cruel joke."
Lord Mansfield hung his head. Tears ran down his face. He had so
hoped it
was true.
Jett stared at Jace. "Get in now, Jace."
Jace stared over at Gabrielle and Joxer. "No. I want to see if he's
all
right."
Jett knocked Jace up against the train station blackboard. "Don't you
dare
defy me! Now you get in that coach, and take father home."
Jace hung his head, but climbed in. "I am sorry," he said sadly,
looking at
Joxer and the women, and then he had their driver take him and his
father
home.
Jett turned to the artist. "You may come to the house when you get
rid of
him. Think about it, Gabrielle - you and I are meant to be married."
Gabrielle leapt up and began hitting Jett on the chest. "I hate you!
You
bastard! I will never marry you!"
Jett grabbed her wrists and held them tight, anger on his handsome
face. "I
don't have time for your childish games." Then he knocked her to the
ground.
Xena started forward to help her friend when Joxer stopped her.
"No. I will do this."
He stood tall with his hands clenched into fists, the way he saw Jett
do it.
He threw a punch, but Jett ducked it and returned the punch. But Joxer
learned quickly and also ducked. He even got a blow in himself that
sent
Jett to the ground. Jett slowly got up and wiped the blood from his
mouth.
He knew that he would be no match for this muscular man right now. He
was
angry, and anger was a distraction. "I don't have time for this. But
we will
meet again." He then hailed a hack, climbed inside and left.
Xena came up to Gabrielle; there were tears in the blonde artist's
eyes. "Oh
Xena, that was a disaster! Nothing went the way I thought it would. I
messed up everything "
Gabrielle sobbed on Xena's shoulder. Joxer came over and touched her
arm.
"Please don't cry, Gabby. I'm sorry I disappointed you. Please,
Gabby, don't
cry."
Gabrielle reached for his face and pulling a handkerchief from her
sleeve,
wiped first her own face, then the blood from his nose. "No, Joxer you
didn't disappoint me. Come on, let's take care of that nose."
Lord Taylor had been quiet though all of this. "Gabrielle, what is
going on
here? Who is that man?"
"Father, I told you, he's Joxer Mansfield. He was raised in Borneo
by -
natives." She removed something from around her neck, and handed him
the
locket. He opened it up and stared at it.
"Lord save us. It *is* Joxer Mansfield."
swung
though the trees with the grace of a ballerina, and Gabrielle was
extremely
impressed. 'I bet he would make a great dancer.'
Soon they stopped in a big tree. Joxer pointed down at the waterfall
and
river. "Water, " he said proudly.
Gabrielle looked down. 'Well,' she thought, 'he's learned another
word.'
"Yes, water. That's water." She smiled at him.
Joxer smiled back, and then suddenly pushed the woman off the branch.
It was
at least a fifty-foot drop, and Gabrielle screamed all the way down.
Joxer
dove in after her. As they both surfaced, he began to splash her.
Gabrielle
was boiling mad.
"You stupid savage! " she screamed, "Look what you did!" She
attempted to
slap him and keep her head above water at the same time, almost
failing in
both efforts.
Joxer was confused. His mate was angry with him. He didn't
understand. What
did he do? She wanted water, and he took her to water. Why was she
yelling
at him? Gabrielle said nothing more as she paddled towards the bank.
Joxer watched her, still confused. Suddenly, he saw movement in the
water.
It was one of his worst enemies - a crocodile. And it was swimming
towards
his mate.
Joxer swam powerfully towards his enemy. He had seen the crocodile
kill many
of his friends, and even one of his cousins. He remembered how Jace
had come
so close to being the crocodile's meal, but had narrowly escaped. The
crocodile was now in front of Gabrielle. She screamed as the jaws
nearly
closed over her. Before she knew exactly what was happening, Joxer
had the
crocodile in his grasp. They both went under the water. Gabrielle
crawled
onto the bank and watched with horror as the fighting continued.
Joxer came to the surface, only to be pulled back under by the
crocodile.
Monkeys and other jungle creatures in the trees were screeching and
chattering, and to Gabrielle they sounded like they were cheering.
Joxer
came up again, this time clutching a very sharp stone in his hand. He
began
to stab the crocodile, using all his might to pierce the tough hide.
The
crocodile struggled to get away, but the jungle man held him tight.
Soon it
was over, and the crocodile was dead, but Joxer had been injured as
well,
and he slowly sank beneath the water. Gabrielle ripped off her heavy
skirt
and dove in, swimming out to him. She dove down and bought him back
up,
pulling him behind her to the bank, where she laid him down. She
began to
breathe into his mouth for him, alternating with pressing
rhythmically on
his chest, and suddenly he was coughing up water. He looked at her
and she
was smiling. He smiled back at her, then tried to stand up. She held
him
down.
"No, lay still. You are hurt, understand? Hurt." She showed him the
blood on
his leg. He gently pushed her away and began to call out in his
language.
Suddenly three monkeys appeared. One went and stood by his
head. "Joxer, my
friend, you were great."
He smiled grimly at his friend and pointed to his wound. "Meero, I
need
you and your brothers to get me the stuff that will help me."
"We will, my friend, but right now you need to be protected." He
called to
the other monkeys. "We must build a shelter for our friend."
Gabrielle watched as the monkeys made a shelter big enough for both
Joxer
and herself. She was overcome with wonder - this was amazing.
"This will help to protect you, my friend," said Meero. "I can now
get you
the healing plant."
Chula came over. She had seen the whole thing. "And I also will
protect you
and your mate, Joxer."
Joxer smiled at her and gazed back at Gabrielle. The woman shrank
away in
fear, unwilling to leave him, but terrified by the big cat. He called
for
Chula, who came to him. He touched her and then took Gabrielle's hand
and
placed it on Chula. "Friend " he explained weakly. Gabrielle
understood -
this jaguar was the one he had spoken to earlier in their camp -
Joxer's
friend. To show she understood, she hesitantly petted Chula, who was
surprised at first, but didn't really seen to mind.
Joxer fell unconscious. Gabrielle went to the river carrying a piece
torn
from her skirt. She wet it, and went back to him and placed it on his
head.
~**~
Drake had come out of the tent carrying his knife.
"I'm warning you, Xena, if that damned savage hurts Gabrielle, I'll
cut his
bloody throat from ear to ear."
It had to be late afternoon by now. Gabrielle had crawled into the
shelter
to check on Joxer, and exhaustion had overcome her. When she awoke,
she
found herself lying on his shoulder, his arm possessively wrapped
around
her. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She peered down and noticed
that
while they had slept, his leg wound had been treated and wrapped in
some
type of frond as a bandage. She silently thanked the monkeys she
realized
were responsible. Disengaging herself gently from the strong arm
around her,
she crawled quietly out of the lean-to and sat on the riverbank.
Chula slunk
over to sit beside her, and despite the fact that she knew the jaguar
couldn't understand her, she began to talk to her.
"How can I force him to go back to England? He'll never fit in. And
he'd
have to leave all his friends and his family here, for what? To be
forced
into an uncomfortable suit to sit at a big table full of people who
will
view him as a novelty and talk about him like he isn't even there? I
hate
that life, and I was born to it. I can't imagine how he'd feel.
Still, he
does have real family there, blood relatives. Brothers. A father. They
deserve to see him, and to know he's alive." She looked at the big
cat,
whose soft eyes seemed to hold understanding. "And - I like him. I
really
don't want to go back without him." She looked down at herself. Her
formerly
crisp white pantaloons were muddy and limp. Her blouse was missing
several
buttons and one entire sleeve. She couldn't remember the last time
she'd
seen her gloves, and her dainty kid boots and lisle stockings had
long since
been abandoned. Sighing she took off the blouse, since it wasn't
covering
her undergarments well anymore, anyway. Her pin-tucked camisole was
still
nearly white, at least. "I'd never survive here. All he did was bring
me to
take a bath, like I wanted, and I almost got us both killed." Without
thinking, the woman had begun stroking the jaguar's head, and Chula
quite
liked it.
A snort from the lean-to startled them both, and Gabrielle pulled her
hand
back into her lap. "See, you like her, too," Joxer growled to his best
friend.
"There *is* something about her," the jaguar admitted. The injured man
crawled over to sit beside them, favoring his bandaged leg. He smiled
at the
woman, and took her hand, placing it on the jaguar again.
"Chula," he explained. Gabrielle nodded. "Chula friend," he assured
her
again.
"I know," she responded seriously. She touched the bandage on his leg.
"Hurt?"
He sort of shrugged. "Hurt." It was far from the first time he'd been
injured, out here, she supposed. Another word. She couldn't believe
that she
was considering a relationship with a man who she couldn't even speak
to in
entire sentences. Perhaps her father had been correct when she had
first
expressed her desire to come to the jungles of Borneo. She was daft.
~**~
Xena convinced O'Malley that, as vast as the rain forest was, they
would be
more likely to find Gabrielle if they split up. She really didn't
relish
searching for her friend with the guide, who was barely suppressing a
murderous rage. She only hoped that she found the couple before Drake
did,
or someone might end up dead. It was almost ironic that the jungle
man, who
O'Malley kept referring to as "that savage", seemed far more
civilized at
this moment to her than the dark man with the careful manners.
They had made away through the treetops, so there was no trail to
follow.
But Gabrielle had mentioned 'water' before her unexpected
disappearance, so
Xena headed toward the mighty river she knew to be nearby. She had
purposely
sent O'Malley the other direction, deeper into the jungle. The
riverbank was
overgrown in many parts, so once she reached the water, she found
herself
having to weave back and forth to make her way along it. But it felt
good
to be doing something with purpose to it, and she focused all her
senses on
her task. A familiar voice drifted over the thick foliage, and she
knew she
was close to her goal.
~**~
Gabrielle was kneeling on the bank, smoothing the wet soil. She had
been
anxious, and when she felt like that, drawing was her release. She'd
found a
stick that was the right length and thickness, and in an even spot,
she had
begun to sketch the jaguar in the sand. Joxer had leaned over her
shoulder,
his weight on her and proximity to her a slight distraction, but she
was
focused on her work. When she finished, she looked to him, eyes
shining. His
expression of wonder was sufficient reward. "Chula?"
"Chula." she agreed. "Jaguar." He rolled the new word around on his
tongue,
seeming to enjoy it. But when she smoothed the picture away, he
whimpered in
disappointment. She set right back to work, though, and soon his
expression
changed to one of joy, as Chula, sitting beside him, recognized the
figure
first and told him what she was drawing.
"Joxer?" His eager tone made the artist giggle. She finished up in a
few
quick strokes - a good likeness, if she could say so herself.
"Joxer," she said with satisfaction. Her knees protested as she rose,
stiff
from the length of time she'd been squatting down. She dusted the
sand off
her hands onto her pantaloons, and looked up to find her nose almost
touching the muscular chest of the jungle man. He grabbed her arms as
she
tried to back away, keeping her there.
He didn't know how to say it in her words. He liked what she had
done. She
was his mate, he was certain of that. She had rescued him when he was
injured - stayed with him while he was healing. Now she had made
something
that looked like him in the sand. She was his. But he always assumed
that he
would know what to do when his mate showed up, and he didn't. He held
her in
front of him and stared into her eyes with confusion. Perhaps the
female was
supposed to know what to do.
Gabrielle was aware of the possessiveness in his gesture, and began to
babble nervously. "I can do better with pen and paper. I have
watercolours
back at the camp. Maybe I can show you some of my other work..." Her
brain
was so addled that she didn't see Chula's ears rise, or hear the
slight
rustling in the brush. Joxer did, however, and managed to shove her
behind
him just before Xena burst from the undergrowth. He bared his teeth
and
growled, the big cat at his side doing the same. They stood frozen
like that
for a minute, before the bodyguard raised her hands in a gesture of
surrender. "Xena," Gabrielle breathed in relief, although a pang of
disappointment rose in her as well.
Joxer relaxed, and crouched down in spite of the pain in his leg,
placing a
big hand on Chula's head. "Xena, friend," he explained to the jaguar.
The tall woman was nearly speechless, pointing at the big
cat. "Friend?" she
squeaked.
Gabrielle stepped out from behind the ape-man, bedraggled and once
again
weary. "Friend," she nodded tiredly.
Xena stared at the woman standing by the jungle man and the
jaguar. "His
*friend* - why am I not surprised?" She came up to them and noticed
Gabrielle's condition. "Gabrielle, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No, Xena, he saved my life."
Xena nodded her head. "We'd better get back. See if jungle boy will
come."
Gabrielle smiled at the memory of his possessive actions. "I don't
have to -
I'm pretty sure he'll follow me. "
They headed for the camp, and sure enough, Joxer followed. They moved
slowly
so as not to strain his wound. As soon as they arrived at the camp,
O'Malley
came charging at Joxer.
"You heathen monster! If you harmed Gabrielle, I'll kill you!"
Joxer did not understand the dark skinned man's words but he
understood the
actions that accompanied them. He ran towards O'Malley, but his
injured leg
gave out, and he fell to the ground. Xena charged over and sent a
kick right
into Drake O'Malley's face, knocking him on his back.
Gabrielle ran over to Joxer to help, but Joxer was already on his
feet. He
knew that the males did the protecting. He stood as tall as he could
and
walked over to O'Malley. He picked the man up by the front of his
shirt and
glared into his eyes.
O'Malley stared into the deep brown orbs of the jungle man. Those
eyes were
penetrating his very soul. They were boring into him. He tried to
look away
but he could not. It was just like being hypnotized, only more
unnerving.
Drake began to whimper like a frightened child.
Xena and Gabrielle stared. Joxer was doing nothing, and yet O'Malley
was
petrified. Gabrielle went over to him. "Please let him go, Joxer."
Joxer turned and stared at her. His eyes still held the glare, which
frightened her, and she pulled away and sat down on the ground, her
face in
her hands. Joxer knew that his eyes had frightened his mate and he
made
himself calm down, releasing O'Malley, who crawled away from him.
Xena stood over Drake. "Get your stuff and get out of here. Your
services
are no longer required."
Drake got up and stared angrily at them, but mostly at Joxer.
"You are going to be so sorry, savage, that I promise." And with that
he
gathered up his belongings and was gone.
Joxer slowly went over to Gabrielle, who was still sitting on the
ground. He
touched her face with his hand.
"Gab... Gab... "
Gabrielle looked up as he was trying to say her name. He had managed
it with
some difficulty the first time, and she had blamed it on the newness
of
human communication, but now he seemed stuck.
"Yes, Gabrielle. Gab..ri..elle."
He tried again but could not get it out. He turned away sadly.
Gabrielle had an idea - she hated to be called this, but it might be
easier
for him. She tugged on his arm.
"Gabby, Gab-by," she said slowly.
He slowly repeated the name "Gab-by."
"Yes, that's right - Gabby." She smiled at him.
"Gabby, Gabby, Gabby," he cried happily.
Xena watched the exchange. "Well, Gabrielle, looks like you're going
to be
called Gabby, whether you like it or not."
The artist smiled at her friend. "He can call me that, but no one
else."
Xena and Gabrielle began to laugh. Joxer stared at them - what were
they
doing? Gabrielle approached him, noticing his confusion. She began to
tickle
him suddenly. Joxer found himself making that noise, too, and he had
trouble
catching his breath. When Gabrielle stopped tickling him, he stopped
making
that sound. She grinned playfully at him. "Laughing," she explained.
He looked at her. "Laughing," he copied.
She was about to go on, when they heard a sound in the jungle. Sheera
was
slowly coming out of the brush, clutching something tightly. She
cautiously
walked over to Joxer and placed the object in his hand.
"This was with you when I found you so many seasons ago." She patted
him
affectionately, then returned to the jungle. Joxer stared at it and
gave it
to Gabrielle. It was a golden locket. Gabrielle opened it up, and it
had a
picture of the infant Mansfield triplets, Jett, Jace, and Joxer, on
one
side, and a picture of Lord and Lady Mansfield on the other.
"This is your real family," she told him, breathlessly. She took his
hand
and pointed to the woman in the picture and then at him. "Mother,"
she told
him.
He looked at the picture and back at her, then pointed to the place
that
Sheera had disappeared. "Mother."
"No," she explained patiently, pointing again to the woman in the
locket.
"Mother." He looked doubtful, but nodded and repeated obediently.
She nodded her head. Then she pointed at the man. "Father," she said.
He touched the picture himself, "Father."
"Yes, father."
He smiled and curled the fingers of Gabrielle's hand around the
locket. She
hesitated for a moment, and then fastened it around her neck. Xena
came up
behind them. "Gabrielle, we have to leave tomorrow."
She looked at her friend. "What about Joxer?"
"I guess he'll be coming with us. Gabrielle, we're not safe here
anymore.
Who knows what Drake might do? It's time to go home."
Gabrielle nodded her head. Was he ready for this? She knew deep down
inside
herself that his father would be glad to see him. But she wasn't that
sure
anyone else would. She just hoped she was doing the right thing.
~**~
At the home of Lord Malcolm Mansfield in London, England, two
identical men
were talking together.
"Gabrielle is coming home day after tomorrow. I bet she missed me,"
proclaimed Jett cockily.
"Yeah, like she would miss a hole in the head. Come on, Jett, she
doesn't
love you."
Jett poured a drink for himself and his brother. "Maybe not, but I
never
said I loved her, either. She's one of the few single women around
worthy of
my time. She's not difficult to look at, and her family is more than
socially acceptable. It would be the perfect match. Besides, with her
money
and mine, I'll be well set for life."
Jace nodded his head. "Yeah, if only we get the whole thing. But
father has
split his will *three* ways, for you, me, and Joxer."
Jett threw his drink on the floor. "Why can't that old man realize
that
Joxer is dead?"
"Because until a body is bought to me, your brother is still alive.
The men
I sent found your mother's remains, but never his. I know he's alive.
I feel
it in my heart," stated their father forcefully as he walked into the
room.
Jett turned on his father. "When are you going to wake up old man?
He's
dead - he's been dead for twenty-two years. "
~**~
It had not been the easiest of things for Xena to arrange their
passage out
of Borneo, but a merchant ship bound for the tip of Italy had room,
and the
promise of a large sum of money, with a hefty upfront payment,
convinced the
captain to make accommodations for three travelers. Once he spotted
the
ape-man, he nearly reneged anyway. But the two women were persuasive,
and
passage was booked.
Once aboard the vessel, there was plenty of time to prepare Joxer for
his
English debut. He was a fast learner, and soon had a proficient grasp
on the
English language, although occasional slips in his wording indicated
that he
still often thought in orangutan. The sailors were charmed by the
young
artist, cool towards the Amazonian bodyguard, and terrified by the
wild man
who would on occasion go swinging through the rigging, so the trio was
usually left alone. The women had managed to round up clothing for
Joxer to
wear, and although he hated it, he eventually grew accustomed to the
long
pants, suspenders, stiff collared shirt and waistcoat. It took them
weeks to
convince him he couldn't remove the cravat the minute he was out of
their
eyesight, though, and a decent frock coat was unavailable. They were
fortunate to find one sailor whose shoulders were as broad as their
friend's, from whom they obtained the shirt, but he was much too wide
in the
rest of his body for his coat to fit Joxer properly. The shoes caused
him no
end of misery. Xena had been of the opinion that they should cut his
hair,
but Gabrielle felt that the mane was far to glorious to remove, so
they
settled for tying it back in a neat ponytail.
Etiquette and manners were proving to be a bit more difficult for the
young
man to grasp, since neither of the women could adequately explain the
reasons for many of the customs of the day. He finally was able to
master
the use of silverware, and even to unerringly choose the right fork.
He
still occasionally picked up the soup bowl, but a stern glance from
his
blonde beloved was enough to remonstrate him, and he would remember
the
spoon. He learned a proper bow, and he finally would kiss Gabrielle's
hand
rather than sniff it.
In fact, the biggest problem they were facing was his relationship
with
Gabrielle. Once the word was a part of his ever-expanding vocabulary,
he
took to calling her his 'mate,' which brought color to her cheeks
every
time. It did, however, explain why it had been so difficult, their
first few
nights on board, to get him to stay in his own cabin, rather than the
one
Xena and the artist occupied. Both women attempted to find a better
term,
but he was stubborn about her title. Finally, they managed to
convince him
that the English word 'betrothed' had the same meaning, and only
privately
did Gabrielle voice concerns about how her father and Jett were going
to
deal with this. And even more privately she allowed her heart to
flutter at
the implications.
They also struggled with how much of Joxer's true history Lord
Mansfield and
the family should be privy to. Somehow, both women realized that the
idea
that apes had raised him would probably not make him terribly welcome
in
British Society, let alone a proper betrothed for Lord Taylor's only
daughter. Gabrielle found it quite charming that his simplicity made
the
idea of lying nearly incomprehensible to him. They were on the train,
nearly
to the English Channel, before she felt comfortable that he
understood both
the untruth and the need to tell it. A message had been sent on ahead,
detailing their expected arrival, only explaining that Lord Mansfield
should
be at the station with Gabrielle's father, since there would be a
surprise
for him.
The short ride across the Channel was spent refreshing him on the
family
relationships, manners and the ever-important fiction of his youth
having
been spent with gentle natives. Technically, that was the truth -
only in
this version, the natives were human. He still pouted when pressed to
lie,
but Gabrielle found that ever so appealing.
As the final leg of the long journey home drew near its end, the
artist
fidgeted and fussed. Her feelings for this strange man made the
importance
of everything going well at his presentation doubly important to her.
Noting
her distress Joxer reached out and took her hand in his, caressing it
gently. She smiled up at him, and he spoke comfortingly to her. "I
promise,
I'll do my best not to shame you. I know I'm not smart enough to
impress
your friends, but I hope you'll still be my mate," he frowned and
corrected
himself, "my *betrothed*, after they see me."
She squeezed his hand. "You are *very* smart. I know you'll do fine.
And we
probably need to talk more about betrothal after you've had a chance
to
settle in." He appeared every inch the English gentleman, but she
could
sense the wild animal just beneath the fine surface, and it drew a
small
shiver from her. She touched the locket that hid under her blouse,
reminding
her of why they were there. The train screeched to a stop, and the
familiar
smells and sounds of London drifted through the open window of the
car.
Gabrielle stood and pulled him up with her, tapping Xena on the
shoulder.
"Here goes nothing," she announced, to no one in particular. They had
managed to obtain Joxer a decent frock coat in France, and Gabrielle
dusted
it off, adjusting it on the man's shoulders. Taking his arm, she
followed
Xena to the door.
She spotted Lord Taylor first, and at the sight of her father,
realized how
much she had missed him. The men moved together towards her on the
platform,
and were there as she stepped down. After a tender hug and kiss from
her
father, she turned to the other men present. "Lord Mansfield, Father,
Jett,
Jace - this is my betrothed." She took the jungle man's arm. "Your
brother
and son, Joxer Mansfield." Her own father gasped, while Lord Malcolm
clutched his chest, and Jett scowled in anger. Jace fainted dead away.
Joxer stared as he watched the elderly man crumple to the ground,
holding
his heart. Xena and Jett went to him at the same time. Jett glared at
her.
"Stay away. We don't need your help." He turned to Jace, who was
slowly
waking up. "Help me with father. Now."
As he struggled to his feet, Jace stared at the other man, the
stranger who
looked like him. "Joxer?"
Joxer stared back. He was watching the scene before him. He came
forward and
bent down to check the fallen man, but Jett angrily pushed him
away. "I
don't know who you are, but you'd better leave my father alone."
Joxer stared at the man on the ground. He knew this man from the
picture his
betrothed had shown him. He touched the man's face. "Father?"
Jett stood up, his hand clenched into a fist. He punched Joxer in the
face.
Jett was a master at boxing, and he knew all of the moves. This was
new to
Joxer and he was too stunned to move out of the way.
Jett kept punching him mercilessly. Joxer's face was now bleeding,
the blood
coming from his nose onto his clothing.
"Stop it!" screamed Gabrielle. "Jett, leave him alone! He's your
brother."
Xena grabbed Jett forcefully, who finally let go of Joxer, dropping
him to
the ground.
"Your father needs you take him home and call a doctor," the bodyguard
growled. "Don't cause him more heart trouble by beating to death the
son
he's spent all these years waiting for."
Jett looked down at Joxer, and then turned to check on his father.
Jace had
already helped the old man into the coach. The elder Mansfield looked
up at
Jett. "Jett, I saw my son, Joxer. Please, did I really see him?"
Jett shook his head in disgust. "No father, it was a cruel joke."
Lord Mansfield hung his head. Tears ran down his face. He had so
hoped it
was true.
Jett stared at Jace. "Get in now, Jace."
Jace stared over at Gabrielle and Joxer. "No. I want to see if he's
all
right."
Jett knocked Jace up against the train station blackboard. "Don't you
dare
defy me! Now you get in that coach, and take father home."
Jace hung his head, but climbed in. "I am sorry," he said sadly,
looking at
Joxer and the women, and then he had their driver take him and his
father
home.
Jett turned to the artist. "You may come to the house when you get
rid of
him. Think about it, Gabrielle - you and I are meant to be married."
Gabrielle leapt up and began hitting Jett on the chest. "I hate you!
You
bastard! I will never marry you!"
Jett grabbed her wrists and held them tight, anger on his handsome
face. "I
don't have time for your childish games." Then he knocked her to the
ground.
Xena started forward to help her friend when Joxer stopped her.
"No. I will do this."
He stood tall with his hands clenched into fists, the way he saw Jett
do it.
He threw a punch, but Jett ducked it and returned the punch. But Joxer
learned quickly and also ducked. He even got a blow in himself that
sent
Jett to the ground. Jett slowly got up and wiped the blood from his
mouth.
He knew that he would be no match for this muscular man right now. He
was
angry, and anger was a distraction. "I don't have time for this. But
we will
meet again." He then hailed a hack, climbed inside and left.
Xena came up to Gabrielle; there were tears in the blonde artist's
eyes. "Oh
Xena, that was a disaster! Nothing went the way I thought it would. I
messed up everything "
Gabrielle sobbed on Xena's shoulder. Joxer came over and touched her
arm.
"Please don't cry, Gabby. I'm sorry I disappointed you. Please,
Gabby, don't
cry."
Gabrielle reached for his face and pulling a handkerchief from her
sleeve,
wiped first her own face, then the blood from his nose. "No, Joxer you
didn't disappoint me. Come on, let's take care of that nose."
Lord Taylor had been quiet though all of this. "Gabrielle, what is
going on
here? Who is that man?"
"Father, I told you, he's Joxer Mansfield. He was raised in Borneo
by -
natives." She removed something from around her neck, and handed him
the
locket. He opened it up and stared at it.
"Lord save us. It *is* Joxer Mansfield."
