Author's Note: I jumped ahead in time just slightly. i wanted to get on with the story and get to the most important parts because otherwise this story would take me another ten years! So...on to the story!
Joxer collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath as his heart raced.
"Joxer! Are you alright?!" Cyane was beside Joxer immediately wiping his forehead and face as Joxer tried to calm his body down.
He couldn't respond to Cyane just then.
Sweating and barely able to breath he just looked down at the sparkling floor that he had been cleaning and waxing for over four weeks.
Four weeks ago... his outlook on who he was and that he needed to change completely almost destroyed him emotionally.
After Aphrodite had told him what she had been doing he had thought she was joking and starting laughing, one of his rather goofy laughs, but...when neither Aphrodite or Elaine laughed with him and Aphrodite's face showed guilt and Elaine's showed anger...he knew that it wasn't a joke.
He felt like he had been hit in the chest by Xena's chakrum.
When he looked into Aphrodite's eyes and saw her wince...he knew that it was in no way a joke...and she had betrayed him in the worst way possible.
Aphrodite had looked away from him when she explained that both Xena and Gabrielle knew.
Joxer had felt a panic in his chest immediately. It had taken Elaine a few hours to calm him down. Solan had been confused and upset when he found his dad looking soo distraught after returning with the brushes for the floor. He simply stared at his dad for a second...and then calmed himself down and sat next to Joxer and gently picked up Joxer's hand in his and held it.
Simply waiting for his dad to say something or let him know he was ok.
It had been seeing Solan's hand in his to make Joxer remember that he really wanted...was to protect Solan and Eve, and that his own problems didn't matter anymore.
He was a dad now.
Elaine watched him stare at Solan's hand in his and a determination to fill his eyes and face.
When he had looked back up into her eyes, Elaine had felt a thrill run down her back. It was a look she had only seen once on his face... and it meant he was determined.
And since that day...he had done everything she had asked of him. Trusting her and everything she said. Without question eating, and lifting, cleaning, building, chopping and... and he was soo tired right now.
"Joxer that's enough for today. You can finish the rest tomorrow!" Cyane tried to reason with Joxer. But she had learned just how stubborn he could be.
Cyane had found herself in the very awkward position of becoming Joxer's actual friend. Over her trial period of determining if she was going to help train him...she had found herself truly enjoying his company. He would bring her food he had cooked and recount what Elaine had told him about the future. He would pay her compliments when she would show any sort of athleticism when helping him. It was in no way sexual... though some comments made her brow furrow. Apparently he was just repeating what Elaine would say to him in private.
And he would talk about Solan. And in those moments his eyes would light up in a way that Cyane had never seen on any man.
Maybe that was why she decided to keep training with him.
And in just one month he had come far.
Very far.
Elaine had put him on a high protein diet. Having him chop wood every day his arms had bulked up and his waist had narrowed as he carried the wood into a pile for the village. There was slight definition to his upper body on the cusp of forming muscled pecs because of the constant lifting.
The biggest change was his stomach.
While his torso had begun to 'v' in shape, his flab basically vanished and the subtle outline of abs were starting to be seen due to all the time he spent carrying and half dragging tree trunk after tree trunk. His back had gained muscle definition though he couldn't see it. Practically on his hands on the floor for hours had caused the flabby arms to quickly form muscle and unless he had his shirt off, you wouldn't really see the change.
But Cyane saw it. Up close and personal.
And though he did not see her in any sexual context...her eyes would roam his frame from time to time and have to snap herself out of her trance.
Rarely did he take off his workout clothes, afraid he would burn, but when he did...Cyane had to stop herself from doing something stupid like complimenting his body...or drooling.
But days like today where he was inside and the heat of constant movement caused sweat to pour off of him, his shirt would be soaked through in no time, so instead he stayed hours without his shirt on to combat the heat.
"Can't." Joxer managed to gasp out.
"Just. A little more." Joxer gasped out the rest as he regained his breath and then moved back on his hands and knees with a groan and began the exact circular motion that Elaine had instructed of his arms again, waxing the floor to a high polish and then removing the polish with the other.
Cyane winced with every groan he made. Truly impressed with his will to keep going, even with all the fatigue she knew he was feeling.
Elaine had told her that first week that all he had really needed was for someone to believe in him...and with that knowledge came the ability to keep pushing himself.
The results spoke for themselves.
Elaine had helped Joxer truly transform his body.
Cyane watched as after four weeks...he finished the very last section of the enormous temple with the last bit of energy he had.
When he flipped over on his back and lay panting on the ground, Cyane went to retrieve the ointment to relieve his muscles from the straining that he had put it through that day.
"Alright Joxer...you know what I need to do now so don't give me grief!" Cyane said as Joxer groaned as the smell hit his nose.
"Don't try and kill me and I won't give you grief." Joxer said and promptly winced as Cyane began messaging his arms and helping relieve the lactic acid build up by stretching each of his arms out - one at a time and stretching the muscles in each arm.
Slowly Cyane helped stretch out his whole frame, legs, torso, back... which had oddly seemed to make him gain height. At least he stood straighter now.
"Ok Joxer. Time for a walk and swim. Cool you down some more."
Joxer smirked. Solan would be out by the water waiting for him.
Elaine had told them both that swimming in the water was a great way to relieve the stress of working out so much, and it had helped give Joxer some color on his pale white skin.
Cyane saw the smirk on Joxer's face and knew this was his favorite part of the day. They would all three walk along the beach and Joxer would horse play with Solan in the sea until Elaine and Aphrodite returned from wherever they had been while away from them.
Elaine was in and out. Kissing Joxer and encouraging him to alter what 'exercises' he would do in the day. Cyane had also gained a respect for Elaine that she had not thought possible. As odd as everything had been, Elaine had made sure that Joxer not just spend all day training his body...but Joxer's mind.
By chance Elaine had discovered that though born in Athens, Joxer had little education. Though he could read and write...he couldn't however...count past ten. When Elaine had asked him an arithmetic question and he had looked up blankly at them and told them that noone had taught him, that because he had trouble understanding and a warlords son, they had given up on teaching him - Elaine lost it.
The way that Elaine had become angry and yelled for Athena had even made Aphrodite skirt back from her.
The day that Elaine had called out for Athena would forever remain a day Cyane would remember until the day she died.
Though Athena was Zeus daughter, apparently Elaine had found out a secret from Hera which she somehow managed to keep but still managed to convey in front of Cyane without understanding what it was...which seemed to change Athena's mind on helping Joxer and submitting to Elaine's requests. She figure out what the secret was, but when Hera appeared in front of her again Cyane had stayed a good distance away and watched as Hera quickly backed Elaine. Athena had deflated in Hera's presence and had looked over at Joxer who had kept his eyes on the ground as they had discussed him without acknowledging his presence.
It had been an intense exchange. And though Cyane didn't know details...the way Athena decided to tutor Joxer and Solan remained one of the greatest events she had ever witnessed.
Since then, every morning the lessons began, the oddity of seeing Athena smile and laugh with Joxer as he finally would grasp something was truly a sight to see.
Cyane saw it in Athena's eyes that she had started to feel an affection for Joxer. Maybe even more.
Seemed as if without the pretenses of trying to impress women...he was suddenly being lust over by several dieties.
Cyane shook her head and snapped out of her thoughts as Joxer got up off the ground and smiled at her.
"He's getting taller you know. I think he's grown two inches since we've started coming here."
Cyane smiled at the proud fatherly smile Joxer had.
Nodding and smiling she said, "He's turning into a young man. A good one at that."
Joxer just smiled and nodded back in agreement.
"Have you spoken to Xena yet?" Cyane winced as she asked but knew no matter how she came to know the answer to the question, Joxer would always become sad when talking about the two women that he had loved most in the world.
And the change was instant.
His face and smile dropped. "Not yet."
"Joxer. You three barely see each other anymore as is! You're not going to have much time with what Elaine has said!"
Joxer winced and looked towards the door. "I know."
The temple that Aphrodite had brought them to was in Paphos, Cyprus. And though beautiful and sunny...it was the complete opposite of where the Amazon village was. Over five thousands kilometers in fact.
"She'll understand Joxer. Solan's her son. She'll want what's best for him." Cyane placed her hand on Joxer's shoulder to reassure him that what he wanted wasn't selfish.
"I just...I know she wants to spend more time with him and...I..." Joxer tried to express his fear, when Solan appeared in the doorway with a "Hey dad! You have to see this!"
Both adults turned their heads and saw the huge smiling face appear and disappear just as fast.
Turning to look at Cyane he placed his hand over hers on his shoulder. "I can't let him get hurt. I can't risk it."
"I know Joxer." Cyane said, and without a second glance at him began to make her way to follow Solan.
Joxer let out a sigh and followed his son to wherever he was going.
Elaine knew that if they left soon they could stop the attack at the Xiao monastery by preemptively setting up a defense for the village people, but things with Natassa had taken a lot longer than she had expected.
In all honesty she had thought Natassa would have brushed her off at the very beginning, but Natassa had needed to heal physically before Elaine was willing to even speak with her about anything.
The first time she had gone to speak with Natassa she had seen haunted eyes and the wounds and lashes. She had known that despite her own wants, that Natassa deserved and needed time to heal.
So slowly, and without deception, Elaine had been tending to Natassa and her son's needs. Slowly befriending the feisty and fiery woman.
Ares would usually accompany her and with delight Elaine watched how Ares transformed in Natassa's presence.
Elaine watched in delight how Natassa pushed Ares' buttons to get reactions from him that she thought only Xena could get. The very first day she had watched how Ares became frustrated at how stubborn and arrogant Natassa was, and Elaine knew immediately that Ares was hooked.
She saw the way Natassa's blue eyes glared and the way Ares' straightened to full height as if enticed by her mere presence.
But today...today Elaine told Ares she needed to speak alone with Natassa.
That's how she knew he really cared about her. When he had simply nodded and left them alone she knew that Ares cared about her enough to resist his own wants and needs.
It made Elaine's heart happy to know he was more than capable of proving his feelings...if not saying them out loud.
Elaine had smiled at Natassa in a way that caused the proud woman to roll her eyes at Elaine.
Elaine had laughed and began to admit to Natassa the real reason about why she had helped her escape slavery.
Natassa had stood almost regally and listened to everything Elaine said, a gleam in her eyes that read as if she knew Elaine's ulterior motives for helping her this whole time.
It was only when Elaine began to talk about Joxer that Natassa's face showed confusion. Not understanding how Xena had anything to do with this man named Joxer.
It was only then that Natassa had begun to ask questions. About Joxer, about what Elaine expected of her. Even shocking her by asking if she was to give Joxer her body which made Elaine smile softly.
"Believe me when I say I love Joxer. And if he wishes to be with you I have no qualms in...sharing him with you. In fact I think out of everything doing so would hurt Xena the most, and I don't really know if it's wise to do so."
She knew the words were the right ones that sealed Natassa's help. The way she smirked with one side of her mouth showing that if it would hurt Xena...Natassa would be more than willing to do it.
"Natassa as much as you want to hurt Xena, I think after you've gotten to know Joxer..." Elaine stopped and let out a sigh, "Joxer has been hurt over and over again. He doesn't deserve manipulation or to be used to get back at Xena. So...if you do decide to be intimate with him, understand that if you hurt him to get back at Xena...you would be worse than the woman she was. And I know you're not Natassa. Your son is proof of that."
Natassa stared at her with the sides of her eyes and gave a slight nod.
"So I am not required to..."
"No. Only...only if you see how special he is and want to show him. I...I don't think anyone's ever made love to him before. I think...I think he's only ever had sex and...I hope to be his first."
Natassa stared at Elaine a second and nodded her head and looked away, but Elaine moved and placed her hand on Natassa's arm making her look back at Elaine.
"But I've already experienced that. I...I felt what it was like to love someone and have them show me physically in a way that will forever be imprinted in my mind and heart." Elaine explained to Natassa, who looked at her in a way that showed she did not know such an experience.
"But I don't think you have." Elaine stated and a sad look fell over her face as Natassa looked away as if in shame.
"If you start to feel that way...for Joxer...I'll hold no ill will towards you if you're the one that shows him what it's like." Elaine gave Natassa a small smile.
Natassa just stared at Elaine, unsure if she was being truthful or not.
Natassa had learned not to trust anyone in life, but Elaine was brutally honest with her at times. It was enough to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"And you want my son to know his brother? Despite knowing how I feel towards the child?" Natassa asked as she looked up at Elaine.
Elaine gave a wide smile then.
"Natassa he is still blood of your clan! And I have the utmost confidence that you will fall in love with him despite who his mother and father is. Solan...is truly a good boy. I don't fear you trying anything. Except maybe becoming another mother to him. And hopefully a friend to Joxer. I'll hold you to no obligations to him. I just ask that you give him and Solan a chance. If not for their sake...then for your son's."
Not really staring at anything at all Natassa nodded her head. Knowing Elaine was being completely honest with her again.
"I wish to help you then."
Elaine had smiled, knowing that she was changing Solan's life. Having his brother would be extremely important. Having a real family would solidify Solan's safety and being.
She just hoped that Natassa would like Joxer.
Though she would never expect the way Natassa reacted when she had Ares bring them to Pythos to have Joxer and Solan meet the new arriving additions to the family.
It was strange for Elaine. Watching Natassa look Joxer up and down and then when her eyes locked on Solan her entire frame stilled.
The look on her face didn't show anger, or even distaste...but shock.
At first Elaine dismissed it as shock that Solan was indeed real, but the longer Natassa stared the more agitated Aphrodite had become...which set off warning bells in Elaine's head.
Aphrodite had quickly made introductions, introducing Solan to Belach and then to Joxer.
Elaine sensing that something was wrong set her concerns aside and continued with a plan that had popped up the night she had gone with Ares to meet Natassa and Belach, and the temple he had taken them to. They had been walking across the mountain side in the snow when she had witnessed men trying to attack growling dogs who were defending another dog, who Elaine could hear even from that distance was gasping out with anxiety and fear.
Elaine hadn't even waited for Ares and had sprinted to get in front of the men that were most certainly about to kill the animals.
Ares had appeared in front of them with a 'Boo' and the men had quickly run away in fear as Ares cackled at their scared faces.
Elaine had turned around to the sound of the dogs...the Siberian male Huskies that were trying to protect what Elaine could only deduce to be one of it's mates.
It had taken Elaine to literally kneel down and slowly with a calm voice assure the animals that she wasn't going to hurt them for her to truly see why they were being aggressive. It was during that time that Ares questioned what she was doing that Elaine saw why the dog had been protecting it's mate so fiercely.
The female dog was obviously very pregnant...and all though quite furry - showed signs of starvation. Elaine knew that they were no where near the weights they should have been. Elaine realized that it was why the animals had been about to be killed. A piece of meat, untouched, by the female's legs must have been stolen from the tents of one of the men...making them want to kill the starving animals.
All it took was a look at Ares for the Greek diety to know he was going to help her with the dumb animals.
Ares waved his hand and all three animals instantly relaxed. Then the animals had come up to Elaine and had started to lick her all over causing her to laugh and Ares to smile at the sound.
Elaine had later named the female Sasha, and the males Misha and Greywolf. She had laughed as Ares stared at her oddly at the name choices. Immediately Elaine explained that it was very apropos.
One week later and Sasha had given birth to little puppies.
And now her little plan that landed in her lap that night could continue.
"I have something for Belach and you Solan! A gift!" Elaine said and made her way over to a basket and pulled out the very small husky puppies causing both Belach and Solan to gasp at the sight.
"I figured both of you could use a friend. And there is no greater friend then a dog."
Belach, though a teenager, couldn't help but smirk as Elaine placed the small dog in his hands and he held the dog up who then proceeded to lick his face until he smiled.
Solan was just excited as his puppy was already licking his nose and squeaking happily.
"These two are for you Natassa. I think they have as serious of an attitude as you do so...they seemed perfect for you." Elaine said and placed two grey and white little balls of fur into Natassa's shocked arms.
To watch how all three just stared at each other until one of the puppies jerked forward and licked her face causing a very rare smile to form on Natassa's face which was truly something out of a movie.
Out of the corner of her eyes Elaine saw Ares smile as he stared at Natassa's smile.
The little lick seemed to break the spell as all four puppies began to yap causing Elaine to smirk as the remaining puppy yapped up from the basket Elaine had placed all of them in.
"And this little yapper is for Eve!" Elaine said as Aphrodite smiled as the small puppy's little tail wagged happily.
It was when Sasha seemed to appear out of nowhere and at Joxer's feet did Joxer almost jump out of his skin.
"Jeez!" Joxer shouted only for Sasha to nudge his hand and force Joxer to caress her head.
Elaine and Aphrodite laughed.
"Seems like Sasha likes you Joxer. Guess she's marking her territory." Aphrodite said with a smile.
Joxer stared at Sasha as she licked his hand making Joxer start to smile and scratch the female dog's head. The lolling tongue showing that she indeed enjoyed this form of attention.
"So...their ours?" Belach had asked in shock at Elaine, not use to receiving any kind of gift.
Elaine nodded. "They are yours. But they are a pack Belach. Apart they are independently strong...but together...they are a force of nature."
Elaine shared a pointed look with Natassa, who immediately understood what Elaine was trying to convey.
Belach said nothing as he too understood the meaning of Elaine's words. Looking over at Solan he realized he was a big brother whether he wanted to be or not now. Best to try and get to know this boy and see if he could stomach the hard task ahead of him.
"Want to start training them?" Belach asked with his still thick accent in greek.
Solan had looked over at him and immediately smiled and nodded his head. "Yes! What do you think we can teach them?"
Elaine had watched as everyone adjusted to the small creatures instantly.
Looking at Greywolf and Misha, Elaine knew just who would be perfect for the two male dogs.
And now that Natassa was here and was going to get to know Joxer and Solan...she could offer the small peace offerings before dropping the bombshell of Natassa's presence to Xena and Gabrielle.
"She's not that scary...are yah girl?!" Joxer said in slight sing song as he scratched Sasha's head and she stared up at Joxer in such a worshipping way with her tongue hanging out to one side that both Elaine and Natassa shared a look.
When a dog liked you...it meant you were a good person. The fact that Sasha instantly bonded with Joxer showed Natassa almost everything she needed to know. Still...Elaine motioned with her eyes to the older woman to start a conversation with Joxer.
Turning and grabbing the remaining puppy she looked at Aphrodite who looked worriedly between Joxer and Natassa and knew Aphrodite was freaking out. A look shared with Ares didn't help as she saw that he too was enamored with Natassa and wasn't paying attention to the way the woman was looking at Joxer.
"Aphrodite could you bring me and the rest of the dogs to the Amazon village? You can come back here but I'd like to show Xena this little puppy that's going to be Eve's." Elaine said quickly, trying to distract Aphrodite and succeeding for a few seconds before her eyes were drawn back to Natassa.
"Elaine..."
"Aphrodite it's Joxer's life. He can make his own decisions. And I know what I'm doing."
Aphrodite looked at Elaine then and knew that Elaine had been planning this for awhile with how calmly she was acting.
"I sure hope you do..." Aphrodite said and with a sprinkle of pink hearts both found themselves in the Amazon village once more.
"I see you're back." Xena said not really looking at Elaine and completely not looking at Aphrodite.
Something in Xena couldn't stomach the sight of Aphrodite after knowing what she had done with Joxer using her face.
Aphrodite winced, knowing Xena's thoughts and knowing there was nothing she could do to stop the warrior woman from having those feelings.
"I am. And...I came with gifts!" Elaine said causing Xena to still her movements.
It was then that Xena looked at Elaine and her eyes immediately bulged and stared between the two dogs by her side and the puppy she held in the small basket in her arms.
The small puppy wagged it's little tail and promptly howled at Xena.
Elaine smiled and without waiting for Xena's reaction walked over and placed the basket in the startled hands of the warrior princess.
"This little one I picked for Evie." Elaine said as the little puppy sat down in the basket and stared up at Xena and howled up at Xena, causing the angry woman to forget herself and smile.
A gruff little huff was heard and Xena looked down and looked into blue eyes that stared into her very soul. The little puppy turned it's head and looked down at Greywolf.
Greywolf tilted his head as Xena stared back at him then without another sound walked over to Xena and sat down in front of the now confused warrior woman.
"Looks like he found his human..." Aphrodite whispered to noone as she saw how Greywolf seemed to be waiting for Xena to pet him.
"What's going o..." Gabrielle stopped talking as she walked into the hut and Misha turned and growl howled at her and began pacing in place before settling back down to sit and look up at her.
Elaine turned to look at Gabrielle and then Misha and had to laugh. "Looks like they've decided who gets to protect who. Artemis helped me talk with them and they wanted to see who they liked. Guess Misha likes you Gabrielle." Elaine said as Misha tilted his head and stared up with his light blue eyes into those of Gabrielle's.
"Protect us?" Gabrielle asked as her body relaxed.
"We don't have time for pets..." Xena started and the puppy in her hold let out a little howl at her making Xena do a double take at the puppy, as if she thought the puppy understood her.
"Xena...Siberian Huskies are not just pets! They are extremely intelligent and loyal. And from having been able to speak with them with Artemis' help...which was WAY cool by the way...they've been surviving in the wild and were about to starve to death. This way...you help them...and they protect you! Seriously it's the best protection while on the road. They can hear from miles away and huskies in particular can smell a weeks old trail! Trust me...these aren't just pets! They're companions."
Xena's mouth pursed as she stared down at Greywolf...who indeed looked like a grey wolf with patches of pure white on his paws and chest. His darker blue eyes stared up at her and that's where they stayed, as if he was assessing her more than she was him.
"Besides..." Elaine smiled evilly, "I already gave Solan one of the puppies!"
"Oh for...fine! Fine! Wait...what do you mean one of the puppies?" Xena said exasperated and then asked with norrowed eyes. She was not about to deny Solan A puppy. But several...
"Xena...it's for Solan and Eve's protection. Out of everything in the world...I don't think you'd find fault with this!" Elaine said with one raised eyebrow and a look that said 'really?'
Greywolf huffed out and tilted his head the other direction when staring at Xena.
Xena narrowed her eyes at Elaine but then looked back at Greywolf and slowly let a smile come back onto her face.
"What's his name?" Xena asked.
Elaine smile bloomed in happiness. "They said they didn't have names but...I named him Greywolf...and the little one your holding I named Togo. He's ridiculously strong willed at three weeks old. Perfect for Evie when she's born."
Togo squeaked at Xena again who promptly smiled at the little puppy.
"It's very nice to meet you." Xena said which promptly caused Togo to jump up and lick Xena's face causing the warrior woman to laugh.
Greywolf howled and Togo immediately stopped licking Xena and looked down as Greywolf grumbled slightly. Togo dropped back down and sat while looking up at Xena.
"Pappa is pretty strict! Aren't you Greywolf?!" Elaine said and gave Greywolf a stratch behind his ear causing the dog to tilt his head back and lean into the scratching.
"And this one?" Gabrielle asked as the pure white dog stared into her eyes, forgetting that it was Elaine who she was even asking the question from.
"Misha! He's Sasha's brother. Sasha is back with Joxer. She took a liking to him immediately." Elaine said and finally Gabrielle looked up with angry eyes at Elaine. Apparently bringing up Joxer reminded Gabrielle that it was Elaine that she was speaking to.
Misha turned his head and growled at Elaine, who promptly laughed.
"Hey! You've only known her a few seconds! I've been feeding you for four weeks mister!" Elaine couldn't help but feel good that Misha had become in tune with Gabrielle, but she knew Misha would never hurt her.
Gabrielle for her part smirked at the dogs growl at Elaine and looked as Misha turned his head back and looked at Gabrielle. She most definitely liked this dog.
"Misha huh?" Gabrielle asked and lowered herself down which made Misha instantly move towards Gabrielle and promptly began to lick Gabrielle's face causing the blonde woman to smile and begin petting the dog.
"I have to get going but I'll be back tonight. If you could please feed these three I'd greatly appreciate it."
"Back to Joxer?" Xena asked immediately stopping Elaine as she had been turning away from them. Elaine heard the anger in Xena's question.
Elaine looked at Xena and let out a sigh. "He'll be here tonight with Solan like every night Xena."
"He's been there a month Elaine! A month we've barely seen him or even talked with him!" Xena's anger barely in check as she glared at Elaine.
"He needs time Xena! I...I told him what I had been doing and it's been hard for him to look at either of you..." Aphrodite tried to reason with Xena...but it was the wrong thing to say.
"YEAH well who's fault is THAT Aphrodite!" Gabrielle snapped from her crouched position and then shot up and glared angrily at Aphrodite. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to look at you and think of him TOUCHING YOU?!"
The way Gabrielle said the words with pure venom and rage in her voice was nothing compared to the way she was staring at Aphrodite. In that moment Gabrielle could have killed Aphrodite without a second thought.
Elaine was actually shocked as she saw Xena glare at Aphrodite the same way that Gabrielle was.
In the month since finding out about Aphrodite, neither woman had said a word in front of Elaine about Aphrodite having slept with Joxer.
Elaine knew it wasn't to spare her feelings, but more because both women had felt betrayed in a way that hurt them deeply...and it proved just how little they knew about Joxer.
"Well he sure as Tartarus couldn't touch YOU now could he!" Aphrodite quipped back hotly making Gabrielle mouth drop open and then a snarl appeared on her face and she was about to protest when Aphrodite twisted the knife deep.
"Seriously Gabrielle you are soo oblivious to everything about him! You never noticed all the times I left marks on his body! Xena practically bathed him in salve thinking MEG had caused it and to keep you from seeing EXACTLY what Joxer did when he was away from you! Did you really think his back was getting stratched by leaning against trees all the time?! GROW. UP!"
Xena winced and knew if she looked over at Gabrielle that the blonde would be glaring daggers at her.
Even Elaine's eyes bugged out at that bit of info and smartly said nothing as Gabrielle's accusing eyes looked towards Xena and knowing from the look on Xena's face that it was true, then turn and glared at Aphrodite. She let out a scream and turned around and went back out of the hut, Misha following without being told to follow.
"You just HAD to tell her didn't you!" Xena growled the words out. She had put two and two together the day she had found out about Aphrodite and was fuming that she had to rub salt in the wound by confirming every haunting thing that stung at Xena's memory.
"Oh Xena your worse than her and you KNOW IT! If I hadn't of..."
"You've kept him from us Aphrodite! I've been trying to talk to him for weeks and he can't even look me in the face!"
"Aphrodite is not the reason he can't look you in the face Xena!" Elaine interjected with a furrowed brow at Xena.
"I've been trying to get him to talk to you Xena," Aphrodite started but Xena's anger sparked up because of the comment.
"I don't want you around him Aphrodite!"
"Damn it Xena! If you would..."
"Woahwoah! Look! I know you guys obviously want to hash this out but at this point it doesn't matter because Joxer is with ME! And I don't feel threatened by his and Aphrodite's past! I mean... Xena it's not like you ever cared about who Joxer had sex with! You never even thought about Joxer and you made him completely block you from ever trying! And you conditioned him that way!" Elaine said and folded her arms in a 'duh' way as she stared at Xena.
Xena's eyes switched from glaring at Aphrodite to glaring at Elaine. "What?!"
Elaine laughed then. A huffy laugh. A laugh that spoke of how truly clueless Xena was.
"Xena you can't be this oblivious!"
"And what exactly am I oblivious about Elaine! The fact that a man I considered my family is listening to a complete stranger instead of me?" Xena barely held back yelling at Elaine.
"Damn it Xena he's..." Elaine paused and straightened her stance as she glared at Xena.
"Xena you NEVER considered what you were allowing to happen by not dissuading him from going after Meg!" Elaine said as she looked at Xena as if she were nuts.
"And what exactly was I allowing to happen?!" Xena growled out. Pissed off that this girl thought she had some kind of influence over who Joxer...frequented.
"OH Come ON Xena! You can't be..." Elaine stopped as her mouth dropped open in slight shock.
"Oh Xena...I use to think you were the luckiest woman in the universe...but you are the stupidest aren't you?! I mean...you had a man that wanted to follow you...YOU! NOT Gabrielle! Into anywhere you went. He would have followed you till the ends of the Earth! Yet you couldn't see him as anything beyond a tag along! You barely tolerated him. You acted like his presence irked you...and I mean... you allowed him to go to Meg and have sex with her...and you KNEW! You KNEW he was Xena! You even encouraged it! And when I got older I thought she has to wonder..." Elaine paused because it was obvious from the way Xena was staring at her that Xena really hadn't thought about it at all.
"I thought she has wonder how many times you upset him...and he would leave and go fuck her brains out because of what you did or said."
The way Xena's body became as rigid as a pillar as Xena's eyes seemed to fill with a fiery rage made something in Elaine hopefully in a way it hadn't a month ago.
"Each fight, each smack, each degradation of him you gave...did he unleash it on her? All the anger? All the sadness? Do you think Meg cared how he was using her while thinking of you Xena?! If I had been in your shoes Xena...I would have been pissed each time he came back wearing a smile on his face! I would have been livid imagining Meg touching him knowing that he could have been thinking of me while he did it. Knowing he knew how to please MY body but he was touching her and sharing his heart with me. I would have gone insane with jealousy..."
Aphrodite placed her hand on Elaine's lower back, letting her know just from that touch that Xena's rage had reached a peak and to back off.
But Elaine had been looking into Xena's eyes the entire time and saw the rage build inside her with every word she said, her hands curled into tight fists and fingers turning white. Elaine saw Xena'seyes fill with clarity as the words penetrated her mind.
"But you didn't Xena." Elaine said softly. "You didn't see it. You didn't care!" Elaine shook her head.
Xena was close to combusting as her mind was now tormented by Elaine's words. Things she had never considered suddenly devastatingly clear.
Elaine continued to stare into Xena's eyes. "You could walk naked in front of him Xena and it wouldn't be anything he hasn't seen before. He would sooner look at my scar covered body then yours. Because he's seen your body intimately...and it holds no mysteries for him Xena. And you allowed it to happen. So now...even if you wanted him...he doesn't see you. And you are the one who made sure of that. No one else."
Xena couldn't control her trembling and couldn't stand there anymore. Whirling around Togo yelped but remained seated in the basket as Greywolf immediately followed Xena with a small grunt of his own as Xena almost ran to the back of the hut and out into the forrest.
"Well that didn't go as planned." Aphrodite said and blew out a breath.
Elaine's whole body sagged. "Damn it."
"Sweetums you really can't seem to keep your mouth shut can you?" Aphrodite knew that Elaine had blurted out what she should have kept close to her chest. Ammunition for when she needed it most, but obviously Elaine became passionate when talking about anything to do with Joxer.
Elaine ran her hands over her face and stopped to cup her hands around her nose and chin.
"I know I just hurt her. I know now when she looks at Joxer all she'll think about is how Meg touched him. How he could have been making love to her if she had wanted it. She'll...she'll actually try now. She'll try and prove me wrong. She'll try and seduce him and...and when it won't work she'll realize..." Elaine trailed off as she knew it really was a turning point for Xena.
"She'll realize he's more than just family." Aphrodite closed her eyes, knowing Elaine was right.
Elaine winced. "I didn't want this to happen Aphrodite." Elaine whispered the words, saddened herself that she was hurting the people she least wanted to hurt. Despite loving Joxer, despite the night that Xena beat her down...she owed Xena and Gabrielle for helping her overcome her past.
"I know sweetie." Aphrodite rubbed up and down Elaine's back to comfort her, knowing that Elaine despite everything cared deeply for both Xena and Gabrielle.
Elaine let out a humorless laugh. "Joxer's wondered why she hasn't yelled at him like Gabrielle has."
Aphrodite smirked. "It's not like her not to."
"Yeah." Elaine huffed out a laugh, "She's been...trying to get him to talk to her and...he's been trying to figure out why she wants to talk to him. Can you imagine? He's confused just because she wants to talk with him! As if Xena just talking to him was weird. It makes me wonder all the things I didn't see on the show...were they worse then what I imagined?" Elaine turned and looked at Aphrodite.
Aphrodite saw that Elaine was close to tears and reached up to remove Elaine's tears without thought.
"Why is it soo hard for them?! They could say it all day to each other Aphrodite! But to the one person that dedicated his entire existence to them..." Elaine shook her head at the end, not understanding how they didn't realize what they had.
"Elaine I know you think Joxer gets the short end of the stick but..."
"But waiting 25 years for them is ok Aphrodite?" Elaine paused after asking her question, wanting to hear Aphrodite's answer.
When Aphrodite didn't immediately answer Elaine continued.
"Xena chose a Roman soldier over Joxer to protect Eve. She chose a ROMAN SOLDIER! The very people that crucified her! That's who she entrusted to keep Eve safe over Joxer! EVERYthing that happened...is because she dismissed Joxer. If she had just..." Elaine looked away from Aphrodite shaking her head in anger suddenly.
"You can't tell him any of this Elaine..." Aphrodite whispered.
"I know that. I know that it would devastate him. We agreed not to talk about it again but..." Elaine knew that one month ago they had talked about this. But each time Xena and Gabrielle proved that they still cared more about how themselves instead of what Joxer felt and thought it...
Elaine tilted her head and looked back at Aphrodite.
"He trusted Xena's judgement so much he didn't take Eve...and it led to her becoming what she did. It led her to become just like her mother in the worst way possible. He thought he needed to find Xena, because she was unstoppable in his mind." Elaine stared back into Aphrodite's blue eyes as she winced and looked away.
"I'm going to change it Aphrodite. I have to! Because...I..." Elaine stopped and turned her head back towards where Xena had disappeared, "I love them Aphrodite. And I wish I didn't sometimes."
"Hey!" Aphrodite felt slighted by the admission. Being the love goddess and all. And the sincerity of the admission caused her own heart seize.
Elaine turned with a pained smirk to look at Aphrodite. "It would be easier to do what I have to...and you know it."
Aphrodite let out a sigh and knew that even if they had found a way to send Elaine back...she had entangled herself soo incredibly thoroughly with Joxer at this point...Aphrodite knew Joxer wouldn't let her go alone.
Because when Joxer loved someone...he'd truly follow them without question.
"i wish you were my family Aphrodite."
Aphrodite looked over suddenly with a shocked face at Elaine.
"I know your..." Elaine laughed suddenly, "the 'goddess of love' and you can see how I feel..."
"Elaine..." Aphrodite's soft voice filled with emotion she tried to stop Elaine from saying what would make what SHE had to do so much more difficult.
"You're like a sister to me." Elaine said as she cried looking at Aphrodite.
"YOU...and...Artemis, Apollo, Athena...Ares...you're all...you're the closest thing i've ever had to a real family." Elaine's eyes were filling with more tears and Aphrodite knew Elaine was being openly honest.
Aphrodite didn't know what to say to Elaine in that moment. In the many years that she had existed...she had never had a mortal...who KNEW her so well say that they felt anything like that.
Aphrodite took Elaine into her arms and hugged her, which Elaine hugged back as tightly as she could.
"I don't want to hurt you Ro. I...I know I am and l can't...I don't want..."
"You fight for those you love Elaine. I couldn't ask you to do anything other than that." Aphrodite whispered as she continued to hold Elaine, knowing how her heart was torn and knowing how much she indeed loved Joxer.
"I think you already figured out what I have to do Ro. I don't want to...but I need to. Joxer needs a confidence that they never gave him, you gave him more..."
"I know..." Aphrodite said cutting off Elaine as she kept herself from crying, knowing that in that moment she was going to stop looking for a way to send Elaine back.
Because Aphrodite loved Elaine in a way she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Elaine had even managed to befriend Discord...a feet that shocked the goddess of love to a state of awe when she watched the two laugh and goof off together.
Discord even asked about beauty tips, of course in a dismissive degrading way...but she was actually listening to her and subtly doing what she would say to her. Aphrodite never thought she would have Discord talking to her about girl things.
Elaine had even help repair the riff that her and Persephone had towards each other.
Hera was suddenly interacting with her more, as if the long kept secret somehow made them closer.
Elaine was reuniting her family in a way that they had long forgotten could be.
And somewhere along the way...she had injected herself into their messy, arrogant, dysfunctional family.
"I'm soo sorry Aphrodite..." Elaine whispered against the blonde's hair as she tried to stop feeling the guilt of hurting people she had come to love.
It was one of the few things she still feared in life.
"Your name is Joxer?" Natassa asked as Joxer watched Elaine disappear with Aphrodite and his hand continued to stratch Sasha's head.
"Huh?" Joxer said as his head turned back to Natassa who was staring up at him as she placed the two puppies down, conveniently allowing a large amount of her cleavage to be seen.
Natassa smiled as his eyes went to her chest and slowly made their way back up to her eyes.
"Elaine has told me about you. About...how you are trying to train to protect Xena's son."
"My son." Joxer immediately said in a firm voice with a glare at having to correct Natassa, causing Natassa's eyes to jump up and lock with his and her frame to straighten back up and stare into Joxer's dark brown eyes.
"He...he may be...Borias' um...blood but...but he asked me to be his dad so..." Joxer was faltering as both Natassa and Ares stared at him with this weird look on their faces.
"And you think...you can take the place of his real father?" Ares asked and immediately Natassa turned her head and stared daggers at him - causing the small victorious smile to immediately fall of his lips.
"N..No I...I just...I won't ever let anyone hurt him again." Joxer said in a daringly strong way, staring Ares down as he said it.
Ares for his part deflated at those words. His mudslinging was indeed misguided as he had seen first hand what Joxer would do...to those who hurt Solan.
Ares straightened and stared at Joxer with a little more respect. Despite thinking him an imbecile...Joxer had proven he was more than capable of being as deadly as any of his warriors.
"I know you will. But Joxer...you don't know how to wield a sword...let alone fight your way out of a straw sack!" Ares knew his criticism was harsh...but Elaine loved the idiot and as far as he saw...he had learned nothing about fighting in the month he had been so called...'training.'
Joxer seemed to deflate after that. Looking at anything but Ares and Natassa, not knowing how to respond since...Ares was right.
He didn't know how to fight.
He was no warrior but...he needed to know how to fight to protect his son now didn't he?!
Natassa saw Joxer's despair clearly written on his face. For some reason the sight made her sad for him.
But Natassa knew exactly how to remedy the situation as she quickly looked at Ares and simply said...
"Then why do you not train him?" Natassa asked with a wicked smirk on her lips.
This time both men laughed and looked over at Natassa who merely kept the smirk on her lips and stared at Ares.
Ares laughing smile started to slide off his face when he realized that she wasn't just being funny and asking a ridiculous question.
Oh no.
She was actually challenging him to teach Joxer how to fight.
"No way!" Ares immediately said when Natassa said something and thought something that made him pissed off and torn at actually doing it.
"It would impress Elaine if you taught him." Natassa said as her smirk became a full on smile as she thought 'It's what she wants. She knows if you do it...it would be because you love her.'
Ares walked over to Natassa and stood a few inches from her face.
"I won't be bribed or manipulated into doing anything woman..." Ares flared his nose and looked down into Natassa's face who stared back at him with the same fire in her eyes that he had seen the very first moment he had revealed himself.
Defiant even to a god.
It made his godly blood pump rapidly in his veins as she stared back at him with a snarl.
"Then she will know how you truly feel...will she not?" Natassa said as she glared back into the obsidian eyes of Ares.
Ares bit his bottom lip and looked over Natassa's face in his sexy way that seemed to affect women.
Apparently Natassa was immune to it though as she just continued to glare back.
"Umm...it's...it's ok Ares. I know I'm a hopeless case. I don't even think you could teach me how to sword fight." Joxer said looking down at the ground and a side purse of his lips before grimacing and about to turn when the words hit Ares.
"Of course I could teach you to fight! If anyone COULD...it would be me!" Ares said sounding offended.
"You think you could actually teach me?" Joxer said with a look of doubt and bewilderment on his face that pissed Ares off even more.
"i could have you wielding a sword better than Xena! I could turn anyone I wanted into the greatest warrior! I'm the God of War!" Ares all but growled the last sentence in Joxer's face and he stomped over to Joxer.
"But..." Joxer looked shocked at Ares who suddenly had a sword appear in his hand and grabbed Joxer and started to drag him with him.
"Tell Elaine the imbecile's with me and we're NOT to be disturbed." Ares said without looking back at Natassa.
"I won't use those words!" Natassa said a little loudly as both Ares and Joxer vanished in a shimmer of air as Sasha barked after the duo just as Elaine and Aphrodite appeared.
"Ah...what was that?" Elaine asked pointing and staring the direction of where Ares and Joxer had just left.
" Ares taking Joxer to his first lesson on sword fighting." Natassa said with a small smile forming on her lips.
Elaine looked at Natassa shocked. "Really?! He...he said he's going to train Joxer? Joxer?!"
Natassa only smiled. "I like him."
At this Elaine's shock fell from her face and a smile began to form.
"You only spoke with him for a few minutes." Elaine tilted her head as she tried to stop from outright laughing at Natassa's reaction to meeting Joxer.
"Not even that long...and I like him." Natassa repeated with her very thick accent.
"I'm glad." Elaine said with a nod of her head.
"Aren't you worried Ares is going to kill him?" Aphrodite asked as she continued to look at Natassa, knowing the woman was plotting revenge against Xena and not liking who she wanted to use to hurt her.
"Kind of but...I know he really won't. But...it does make me think it's a great way for them to actually become friends." Elaine said as she smiled at Natassa's two puppies who had placed themselves ontop of Natassa's feet as they had spoken and were promptly falling asleep.
"I think you should take your babies for a nap Sasha." Elaine spoke to the female dog knowing the animal understood her.
Sasha panted for a second looking at Elaine and then walked over to her two babies and licked them into awareness. Both yipped but promptly followed their mother.
"They're soo cute." Aphrodite wrinkled her nose as she said the words with a smile.
"Why did you give me two?" Natassa suddenly asked as they watched Sasha go into the temple with her two babies.
"Because you need to feel protected the most. And they seem to already to have taking a real liking to you so...I think it was the right choice." Elaine said and her mind began to consider Joxer training with weapons and knew that Ares would only be able to get so far with Joxer.
Joxer lacked the killer instinct Ares was use to seeing as the God of War.
"Aphrodite do you mind calling your mother? I need to ask her a favor." Elaine needed to make sure that Joxer received the best of the best...and she knew by legend...that only one person who would be better than Ares.
"Sure." Aphrodite said and barely said her mother's name before Hera appeared.
"There is no need for you to ask my daughter to call me Elaine. You may do so yourself." Hera said as she stared at the woman Elaine had been speaking to her about for the past month.
Natassa stared back at Hera with her own piercing eyes, not flinching once at the stunning bright blue eyes staring into her soul.
Hera felt herself smile at the woman, reading her inner most thoughts and finding with delight that Elaine indeed had found someone that could truly be a match for her son.
"So you are the one that will be...helping...Elaine with Joxer." Hera said as she began to walk toward Natassa.
Natassa lifted her head up and stared into the Queen of the Gods eyes without flinching.
Hera continued to smile as she read the woman's mind until she saw the revenge she wished to unleash on her daughter, and her smile dropped.
"Elaine..." Hera stretched out the name and turned her head back to look at said woman.
"It's Natassa's choice if she wants to help me with Joxer. If she does...I'll owe her for helping the man I love." Elaine said as she looked back into Hera's eyes.
Hera knew Natassa was going to give herself to Joxer just to hurt Xena, but if she stopped Natassa from doing the very thing that she had done to Natassa...she knew her daughter might finally understand exactly what she was losing.
Hera gave a slight nod to Elaine and then looked back at Natassa.
"I have given Joxer my personal protection. I must warn you that if you hurt him...you will answer to me." Hera gave the warning to Natassa who simply looked at Hera with a slight surprise in her eyes and then at Elaine who grimaced but gave a nod to Natassa.
Natassa's eyes went from Elaine back to the goddess and gave a slight nod.
"Joxer will know no harm from me." Natassa made her oath to Hera.
Hera read her thoughts and knew Natassa was trying to form a plan to not hurt Joxer, but still hurt Xena.
Hera let out a sigh and then turned towards Elaine. "Why did you need me?"
Elaine gave a bashful smile. "Um...I need to speak with someone that you might want to be around for. Especially since you're the only one that can take me there." Elaine raised her eyebrow to see if Hera understood exactly who Elaine was referring to.
It took a few seconds to understand Elaine's meaning. But when she did Hera stood a bit straighter.
"And why exactly is that necessary?" Hera asked as she knew it was a terrible idea for her to be near him.
Elaine grimaced. "Because Ares is gonna fail training him and the only other person capable is...well...you know..." Elaine said causing Aphrodite's face to morph to one of curiosity.
Aphrodite had absolutely no idea who they were talking about and it was starting to tick her off.
Hera let out a huge sigh. "I do believe you may be right."
"And WHO exactly are you two talking about?!" Aphrodite asked not caring if she would get a real answer or not. She was planning on following them no matter what.
"One of her rivals in the North." Elaine lied without so much as flinching.
Hera would have been impressed if she was not disturbed how well Elaine was lying.
"Mom has another rival?" Aphrodite's face scrunched up with shock and disbelief.
"Unfortunately yes." Hera confirmed, though rival was stretching the truth.
"And why exactly would they help Joxer?" Aphrodite asked with one raised eyebrow.
Elaine flinched then and looked up at Hera with a pleading look. "Because Hera is going to ask them to?"
Hera sighed out as she glared at Elaine. "You do know that you will owe me for this?"
Elaine flinched again, "Yes ma'am." Elaine knew better than to argue she was helping to save her family.
Technically, Elaine was opening up the door for trouble with this request.
Hera looked over at her daughter and let out another sigh. "Your curiosity is killing you isn't it?"
"TOTALLY!" Aphrodite yelled out and stomped her foot.
Both Elaine and Hera laughed at Aphrodite's childish outburst.
"Forgive me sweetling. I know you wish to know...but Elaine knowing is enough trouble."
"But Moooom! I can keep a secret!" Aphrodite whined out and then Elaine burst out laughing.
Aphrodite turned her head and glared at Elaine.
"Out of everything that you can do...keeping a secret is not one of them." Hera said frankly with one raised brow.
Aphrodite openly sulked in front on her mother.
"You could make sure Ares doesn't kill Joxer when he immediately can't fight with a sword. Ares doesn't have patience unless it involves love." Elaine said with a little half smirk.
Aphrodite smirked at Elaine's assessment of Ares. It was quite accurate.
"He said for no one to disturb him..." Natassa said with a raising of her eyebrow.
"I never disturb anyone! I'm the goddess of love!" Aphrodite said before vanishing in a flurry of pink hearts.
"His going to go insane with both of them."
Hera would have laughed at Elaine's words if it were not a certainty.
"Natassa...if you could watch out for the boys while we go set up things for Joxer..."
"Are we to stay here tonight?" Natassa asked as she looked around the area, appreciating the heat of the area. Tired of the snow where she had been this last month.
"If you would like." Elaine said as she knew from experience that there was indeed beds in the temple. And she knew for what real purposes they were used.
"I shall ask Belach what he prefers."
Hera smiled at the fact that in Natassa's mind all she cared of was her son's comfort before her own.
"Whatever you choose is fine with me. Hera?" Elaine asked with one eyebrow and with a puff of black smoke, they were off to see the one person that could actually train Joxer.
Author's Note: If you love me and this story...please leave a review!