Chapter One
Gabrielle crouched behind the shelf of assorted gourds as Xena tried her utmost to blend into the armour rack. She barely breathed, keeping as still as she possibly could. She hoped upon hope that they'd hear what they needed to hear sometime soon, because she was utterly sick of reconnaissance work. With a growl she stretched her neck.
"Xena... please. They're not coming here, obviously."
For that Gabrielle earned an angry glare from Xena, which she took to mean that the warrior woman wanted her to shut the heck up.
Rolling her eyes, Gabrielle sighed and tried her best to get comfortable behind the shelf. It was impossible. She had barely a foot of space to stand in, and if she breathed too deeply her breasts would brush the shelf and make it shudder. She could see the shop owner looking rather annoyed. Obviously the inconvenience of having two of the known world's most dangerous warrior women in his shop, ready and willing to beat the ever-loving crap out of him if he didn't fulfill their most humble request, was too much for him.
It was while Gabrielle started to get irritated with a stone caught in her boot that she began to hear a familiar sound. The rhythmic and syncopated 'clank-di-clunk' that could only be produced by a particular set of mis-matched armour. She felt herself tense, and glancing to Xena, she saw that her best friend was not expecting this either.
"Did you tell him?" she mouthed to Xena.
Xena shook her head quickly.
Shit, she thought, gritting her teeth. It's not that she minded Joxer's company. She'd gotten used to it a long time ago and it had become that she actually liked having the dork around. Heck. He was family, what else could she say? But of all the times he had to run into them...
The heavy wooden door of the shop opened and closed noisily, and Gabrielle felt a hot annoyance spread through her as the exact person she didn't want to see ambled into the room. Pointed helm on scruffy-haired head, the fellow strode around the room, humming and hawwing and nodding at the wares about him. Under the annoyance tickled a chuckle, and Gabrielle had to shake her head with an affectionate smirk.
"How much is this sword, good man?" boomed Joxer, pointing at a particularly handsome blade, trying to sound as manly as he could.
By the Gods, groaned Gabrielle in thought, He's going to make me lose our cover. I don't know how, but he will...
"Wow!" he said, voice returning to normal, "That's a lot of dinars!" Pointing in Gabrielle's direction, he began to wander away from the shop counter. "I'll just go have a look at your gourds... Nice, wonderful gourds."
Gabrielle's smirk froze on her face as Joxer stopped in front of the very shelf she hid behind. The backless shelf she could probably be seen through.
The pretty bard kept her face stony still, and she could feel his dark eyes skim past her. Her heart shuddered, and she wished she didn't have to hide from him. If only he'd ran into us on the road, she thought. Damn it to the Gods. If the man we're after comes into the door now, and he sees that Xena and I are here, then everything will be ruined...
She watched him round the corner of the gourd rack, and he began to examine the armour. She saw the same expression on Xena's face that she was sure she had worn. Worry, fear, regret.
"Maille," muttered Joxer, strolling along. "Leather vest... bronze chest plate... Xena." He did a double-take, pointing through the rack. "Xena!"
Xena winced. "Joxer! Hi! How are you?"
His mouth wagged, and Gabrielle tensed all over as confusion mounted in Joxer's expression.
"I'm fine," he said, and pointed to the door, and then to himself. "I just - I was - "
To Gabrielle's chagrin, her stressed breaths caused the shelf of gourds to shudder, and Joxer turned, spotting her instantly this time.
"Gabrielle!"
"Joxer, get down!"
Hearing the door-knob clank, Gabrielle grabbed Joxer, yanking him behind the shelf with her. "Keep STILL!" she hissed.
"Were you guys hiding from me?"
"NO! Now, shut UP!"
"What's-"
Joxer hushed, probably instinctually, as the hugest warrior either of them had seen in a while plodded into the room.
"Haradros!" roared the warrior. "You got the message?"
"I did," said Haradros, the armoury and supplies dealer, looking very tense indeed. "Perhaps you can come back later, when I have the time to tend to your needs..."
Of a sudden a shield sprang from its place on the wall and crashed right next to Haradros, who jumped a clear foot in the air. Neither the warrior nor Haradros saw the chakram that had caused the shield to ping from the wall. The warrior growled, and leaning across the counter, he grabbed Haradros by the collar of his shirt.
"Listen. Mallecium arranged a time for me to order the goods. If you can't do it, then me and a few of my friends will come around and make it so you can. Got it?"
Haradros shuddered from head to toe. "Y-y-yes!"
"Right." The warrior let him go, and straightened himself out. "Let's see here... where's the list?" Haradros looked panicked, and he bounced a little on his feet as the warrior looked away to search through the pouch on his belt. "Here we are! He-he. The thing you want the most is always at the bottom of your bag, isn't it?" Haradros winced, trying to make it a friendly grin. "So where are we here? Ah! Ten swords... the nice kind with the rough edges that pull your enemy's guts out, you know which one I mean? Good, good. Uh, we want shields to go with them. Heavy wood, iron reinforcements... We all got our own daggers, but we'll need a whole bunch of arrows and spears for the artillery. The numbers are all here, anyway..." The warrior handed a small piece of parchment to the shaking Haradros. "Mallecium will be by in two weeks to pick up the goods."
Haradros nodded. "Yes. Yes, not a problem."
Nodding and smacking Haradros roughly, the large warrior stomped out of the shop, the little piece of parchment still clutched in the shop-keeper's hand.
After a moment's wait, Xena sighed, stepping out from behind the armoury racks and glowering at Haradros.
"I suppose you don't want me to fill the order?"
"Actually, I do," said Xena, approaching Haradros with cat-like grace. "Mallecium's not stupid, and I know he listens to the rumours of my movements. If I stop you, then he'll will know I'm definitely in the area, and that can't happen, can it?"
Haradros squirmed until Xena leant on the counter, and then he nodded.
"No, no, of course it can't."
"Because should he find out about me, I'll know it's you. Then you'll be getting another visit from me and Gabrielle here, and it won't be as nice as this one."
"R-r-right," nodded Haradros.
"Gimme a look at that list," said Xena. She reached her hand out and received it from Haradros. Her blue eyes skimmed over it quickly, and she growled. "Not good. Here." She gave it back.
Xena looked to Gabrielle and Joxer huddled behind the shelf of gourds and tipped her head.
"Let's go."
~~*~~
They made a beeline for the nearest inn in the town after their adventure in the armoury. They'd been to so many inns and taverns that they'd lost count, and this one was much like every one of them. There was a roast over the fire, clay bowls for the dripping in a pile next to the fire-place, and it was two dinars for cheese, bread and a piece of the roast. The ale was good, though, and Gabrielle could see the relish on Joxer's face as he took a long draw from the foamy head that topped his tankard.
"Good beer?" she asked him.
Joxer nodded and gave and enthusiastic thumbs up. "I'm definitely putting this place in my mental list of 'Total dumps that surprise you."
Gabrielle chuckled.
Joxer smiled only a moment, his expression fading to thoughtfulness. "So... before, in the armoury..." He twisted his lips, then licked them nervously. "You weren't hiding from me... were you?"
An uncomfortable smile flittered across Gabrielle's face, and she looked down to her fingers which were suddenly fiddling with themselves. "Uhm... no, of course not."
The discomfort seemed to spread to Joxer, and he squirmed a little, nervously. "You sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Cause, I mean, I don't ever want to be a pain," he said, lifting his hands up to her.
As he said that, Gabrielle could see the insecurity in Joxer's eyes, and any selfish annoyance she might have felt before melted away. She was vividly reminded in that moment why they liked to have him around.
"Joxer," she said, "We were in the middle of a mission..."
"I know," he nodded. "I was just makin' sure."
Gabrielle reached across the table and grabbed his hand, squeezing it.
Xena sat down at the table, a plate of food in one hand and a tankard of ale in the other. Glancing at the table-top, her blue eyes fell on Gabrielle's hand wrapped around Joxer's, and she ticked a brow in vague interest. Blushing, Gabrielle stuffed her hands into her lap.
"How's the beer?" asked Xena.
"Good," said Joxer, smiling at Gabrielle in amusement. "It's good."
Gabrielle grit her teeth at him, repeating to herself that she indeed liked to have him around.
"So what in Hades' name are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were off to Athens to visit your folks," said Xena.
"I was," said Joxer. "But I heard about all the towns that had been sacked in this part of Greece, and I thought, well - hey! This place needs a hero."
"And you came because..." Gabrielle looked wry. Xena rolled her eyes, taking a swig of her ale.
"I guess you figured you'd run into us," she said, moving the conversation away from taunting Joxer. Joxer nodded in reply.
The food on Xena's plate smelt wonderful, and although she'd had a small bowl of soup already, Gabrielle felt her stomach rumbling again. She stood, pointing at Xena's plate.
"I'm gonna go get some roast beef."
Xena shrugged as the bard went off after some food. She noticed Joxer watching Gabrielle go and she shook her head. "So... were you really out for adventure, or were you looking for us?"
"Looking for you," said Joxer, seemingly sagging with embarrassment. "Listen, Xena. I'm gonna be honest with you for a minute. I know I'm not the best warrior out there-"
"No!" She feigned shock.
Joxer tipped his head at Xena's sarcastic tone. "Xena..."
"Sorry. Keep going."
"Anyway... I *am* going to see my folks soon. Mom's expecting me. But ya see, I got this problem."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Well, I put the word out that I'm this great warrior. Not only that, but I kinda told Mom in a letter how I was travelling with you and could really kick ass n' stuff."
Looking over the slice of beef in her hands at Joxer, Xena seemed to consider the situation, chewing thoughtfully.
"Joxer, you do travel with us. Until I have this Mallecium guy licked, I'm stayin' right here. I'm not going to cross half of Greece to impress your-"
"No, Xena, no," he said, waving his hands. "No, I ..." He blushed, looking to the bottom of his tankard. "...I was just wonderin' if you'd... you know... damn..." He looked away. "I was wondering if you could teach me some moves to show my Mom."
Xena's brows disappeared up into her fringe, and she dropped her hunk of roast beek back onto her plate. "Joxer..."
"Before you say no, just know... I won't act like a jerk, I promise. I'll listen to everything you say."
"Joxer," Xena said with a sigh, "I'm not teaching you how to wave a sword about for the purpose of pleasing your mother."
Visibly deflating, Joxer pouted into his lap. "Oh. Okay."
"I will, however, teach you some basics so you can take care of yourself. One of these days you might get into some trouble and Gabrielle and I won't be there in time to save your ass."
A smile spread across Joxer's face, and he gripped Xena's arm. "Oh, Xena! You won't be sorry, really-"
She patted his hand. "Just promise me you'll take this seriously. I don't want you ever showing off with what I show you. You learn cause you want to look after yourself, and other people. Deal?"
"Deal," nodded Joxer eagerly. "Thanks, Xena. I'll try to be the best student I can."
"Yeah, well..." Xena smirked. "It's about time you let me teach you a thing or two."
Gabrielle soon returned with a plate of beef and fresh-baked bread dipped in dripping. She looked between Xena and Joxer as she sat down, curiosity piqued at their expressions.
"So," she said, sitting down and eyeing her meal. "What'd I miss?"
"Nothin'," Joxer said quickly, looking shy.
Xena lifted a brow at him, then looked to Gabrielle. "Joxer's joining us for this one."
Gabrielle's mouth popped open. "What? Xena, are you nuts?"
Frowning, Joxer squirmed uncomfortably in his seat and looked away, a sulky pout forming on his lips.
"This is far too dangerous," she said. "We're going up against a warlord and his entire army!"
"What, and going up against Gods and psychotic killers is a piece of cake?" asked Xena, looking a little confused. "He'll cope. He has before and he can again." Gabrielle threw her piece of beef down angrily in response. "Listen. He's been through a few scrapes with us, and it's a certainty that he'll face more. For the next few days while we try to find Mallecium, I'm gonna teach him a few moves so he can look after himself."
"You're doing what?" Gabrielle asked huskily. Xena never taught anyone a few anythings. She was effectively going to take Joxer under her wing, leaving Gabrielle utterly wingless. Her stomach churned as if she'd fallen from a great height.
Of a sudden, Joxer stood, clanking noisily, looking entirely humiliated. "Yeah, I know, me learn anything. Ha ha! Well I'm sick of being the idiot that always gets himself into trouble. All I did was ask help from the one person I trust not to laugh in my face. I'm sorry if I'm ruining your plans. Maybe I'll just move on... go to Athens like I said I was." With that he turned and stomped from the inn.
Turning her head back to Gabrielle, Xena lifted a brow.
"Xena, don't look at me like that..."
"Like what?"
"Like I'm the biggest bitch since Medusa crawled out of her cave."
Xena rolled her eyes. "Gabrielle, I know you worry about him but don't you think its time you let him take some real responsibility for himself?"
"What are you saying?" gasped Gabrielle, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, as it is, he needs us," said Xena in a silky yet innocent tone. "Once I teach him a thing or two, he might just be okay on his own."
"That is NOT it, that's not it at all!"
"I'm only telling you what I see," shrugged Xena.
She huffed, feeling her cheeks burning. She didn't know HOW Xena could suggest such a thing as her enjoying the fact that Joxer needed them.
"Well what about me?" she asked him. "Is that it? You've taught me all you need to? There's no more stave work I need to learn? No more-"
Xena took her hand. "You know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. I think you're ready to accept the fact that you're my partner, rather than... well..."
"Your sidekick?" supplied Gabrielle with a lifted brow.
"Yeah," smirked Xena. "That's one word you could use."
Gabrielle smiled, pride suddenly surging in and replacing the jealousy and anger that had taken her only a moment ago. Xena saw her as an equal... she doubted there was anything that could kill her good mood. She looked across the table to Joxer, and remembered the wounded look on his face as he strode out of the inn. She sighed, cradling her face in her hands.
"I better find Joxer... make sure he's okay."
"You do that. I'm finishing my dinner."
~~*~~
Guilt played in her stomach as she stood in the doorway of the Inn. Gabrielle didn't often apologise to Joxer. Well, to be honest, she didn't really apologise to anyone but Xena, and even then it was a rare case because Xena was more likely to apologise to Gabrielle than vice versa. She had to wonder what on earth she was going to say to him.
That's if she could find him.
She peered out into the silky darkness of the night, remembering the layout of the town from that afternoon, trying to make a guess of where Joxer might go. She nearly jumped out of her skin when his voice came from the veranda she stood on.
"If you've come to convince me to leave town, don't worry. I'm going tomorrow."
Turning, she approached him, clasping her hands together nervously. "Actually, I came to say sorry."
In the dim golden light form the torch by the door, she could just make out his brows lifting in surprise. She sank down next to him on the old worn bench by the door, sighing deeply.
"I worry about you in these sorts of situations. I don't know if you realise that."
"Heh." Joxer shrugged a shoulder. "I always assumed you kinda... think I get in the way."
She had another wash of guilt as she realised that she never said a thing to him to suggest otherwise.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "When we first met I... I didn't really know what to make of you. Things changed, though. I guess I was scared of that. Maybe I didn't want you changing too much either."
"Well don't worry," he said darkly, gazing into the darkness beyond the Inn. "I doubt there's anything Xena could teach me that would change me from being an idiot."
"Joxer, don't talk like that," said Gabrielle, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Do you really think Xena and I would have you around if you weren't special?"
He looked to her, and his dark eyes gleamed in the torchlight. In moments like this, he lacked all the goofiness that made him safe, kept him in the role of the fool. They were no longer the eyes of a frightened boy, but those of a man that knew exactly what he was feeling and wasn't afraid of it in the slightest. A shudder ran through Gabrielle's body, and a little voice in her mind remarked that sometimes, Joxer looked downright handsome.
"I'm special?" he asked with a sceptical smile.
She nodded. "Of course."
"How?"
Damn it, he had to ask. Gabrielle licked her lips, her heart thumping hard for a reason she didn't entirely understand.
"W-well, you care about people... at least, enough to risk your life for them. You stand up to those that do wrong, even if you know they're stronger than you... and... uhm..." It was so hard to look into his eyes. It made her lose track of what she was thinking. The silly, silly man. "You've been there for me and Xena. You make us laugh..." She drifted off, not quite sure of what she was saying. "You make me laugh."
His eyes twinkled. "At me or with me?"
Gabrielle broke into a chuckle, her hand finding his and squeezing it. "With you, of course."
Joxer nodded with a broad smile.
"I'm sorry I made you think I didn't believe in your potential," she said. "Or that I didn't want you around."
"It's okay," he said. "It was really hard asking Xena for help. You know... I'm always making out like I'm the hero-"
"Really?"
Her sarcasm made him tip his head and he nodded dryly back at her. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway. I was probably a bit sensitive about it all."
"Doesn't help that I was acting like a complete bacchae."
Joxer pursed his lips and looked mischievous. "I'm gonna refrain from commenting, there, since we just managed to renew the status quo."
"Very funny," she smirked.
"Well, I gotta make you laugh somehow."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "I don't think I was giving you permission to be a smart-ass."
Joxer grinned.
Light suddenly spilled out onto them, and a tall figure darkened the doorway of the Inn. Gabrielle pulled her hands from Joxer, shifting away from him a touch.
"Oh. There you guys are." Xena looked back and forth between them. "So... you sorted things out?"
"Yeah," said Gabrielle.
"Absolutely," nodded Joxer.
"Well. That makes for a nice change, doesn't it?" She smirked. "I just got us a room. We'll be in number four." With that Xena turned and disappeared back inside the Inn.
Gabrielle sighed. "I swear she has untold joy from getting the last word."
"You know it," agreed Joxer.
~~*~~