There are some adventures that require more of my soulmate's many skills than I like. I have to admit to being jealous.
I had sprained my ankle and wasn't as mobile as I normally was. It meant that Xena had to rely on the man responsible for Joxer nearly being beaten to death.
Joxer. I smile at the thought of the man who had been in love with me nearly from the moment that we had first met. The man who would give his life just to help someone out.
Yes, Joxer could be annoying. Yes, there times when we needed our space from him. But in the end, he was one of the best friends we ever had.
Sorry if the parchment becomes blurred. It's just remembering yet another one of our friends that passed way too soon. And worst of all at the hands of our daughter.
Eve chooses this moment to let me know she is home from her travels. Like mother like daughter when it comes to timing. She still travels spreading the word of Eli. But she manages to make it back home every so often.
For this is her home. Eve has written and said she loves the new cultures, but hates the fact she has to be away so much doing what she was chosen to do.
I'm all over the place. Eve squeezes my shoulder just as Xena would do. I do love that she is home and we can speak of things. Like Joxer. Like how I nearly killed her. Like…
Anyways, back to our adventure. We had to save Joxer. We had to teach the gambler warlord a lesson. And we had to do it with to cons. Ones that would even con one another if they thought they could get away with it.
I was jealous because there was a bet. While I learned why Xena had kissed the con, I couldn't help being annoyed and jealous that she had kissed someone else.
At least in the end, Joxer lived and I know who has Xena's soul. And will for eternity and beyond.
KING OF CONS
Gabrielle hated riding on Argo for the reason she was. Plus, she didn't have Xena to hold onto or vice versa. It was because she had stupidly sprained her ankle. Again.
At least this time it wasn't as bad. And it hadn't come in an attempt to show up her soulmate. Still, it was a sprain and either of them hurt was a bad thing.
Logic. Gabrielle hated the fact that Xena had used logic to make her remain where she was. There was the fact they were supposed to meet up with Joxer. It meant they could setup camp and the bard could continue to heal.
But it wasn't like Joxer to be late. Xena was right, as usual, about that. Though there were times when the warrior wannabe did become distracted. Perhaps this was one of those times.
After all, Gabrielle knew Joxer nearly as well as she knew Xena. In fact, she could tell what the warrior princess was thinking. It was easy. Especially the last one. The bard knew her soulmate might be thinking of it, but it didn't mean she'd do it.
That was when the sounds of a fight distracted them from their banter. It would be Joxer that was in trouble. Something about someone's money. Was he dead? Not if Xena could treat him and get him someplace safe. For once, Gabrielle agreed. The men needed to be taught a lesson they would soon never forget.
While Xena sought answers, Gabrielle remained with Joxer. She couldn't believe he had been beaten nearly to death. And for what? There had better be a good explanation.
Gabrielle spoke tenderly to the healing man. At least she hoped he was healing. Joxer really was like family. The annoying, pain in the ass family member. But family nonetheless.
The bard let it slip they knew that the men had conned Joxer, but hadn't beaten him. But they might as well have been the ones. They took his sword. They left him defenseless.
It was disgusting how it took taking Titus for all he was worth for the men to agree to help. All they cared about was themselves and money.
Joxer began to come to. It took everything for Gabrielle to calm him. There must be so much pain. And what was he exactly reliving. She continued to reassure him they were there now and would take care of everything.
While Xena was winning at gambling, Gabrielle was taking in Titus' office. She was soon discovered by the warlord himself. Luckily, her soulmate's timing was perfect, aided by the loud crash the bard caused.
Gabrielle watched her soulmate do her thing. She was so grateful Xena now used her many skills for the greater good. She was just so dangerous with words and fighting.
A fight ensues and Xena had Titus in her grasp. Gabrielle yelled at her soulmate. When it came to fighting for family, the warrior princess could sometimes lose sight of the greater good. In this case, it was putting Titus out of business permanently.
So far, things were going as planned. One thing that Gabrielle noticed was how Rafe was into her soulmate. In the past, he was exactly Xena's type. The bard couldn't help teasing her about it.
While Xena and Rafe found the disguises they were to use, Gabrielle was back sitting vigil with Joxer. The man would not take no for an answer. He was healing. All he could do was continue to heal. Though the bard understood his want to go after Titus himself.
Joxer fell asleep so Gabrielle thought she would spell Eldon. What he informed her was enough to make the bard seethe. She knew that while she had teased Xena that Rafe was her type, nothing would come of it. But worse was a bet playing with someone's emotions.
The act was on. Gabrielle would pretend to be the wife of Rafe while Xena a bystander. It went as planned. The bard loved watching her wife at work.
The next part of the plan was to take Titus' son. Gabrielle understood. At least it was his grown son and not a child. She shivered at the thought of Xena doing that to a child.
When they returned to where Joxer was, they discovered he was gone. If Titus had him, they were finished. And so was the warrior.
Gabrielle was pissed. Eldon wanted to pull up stakes and run. If it weren't for Eldon and Rafe, they wouldn't be in this position in the first place.
The bard and her soulmate headed to the woods to see if they could find any signs of Joxer. As they did, they spoke of Rafe and how he was bad news. That Gabrielle didn't trust him as far as she could throw him.
And back to the bet. Who was telling the truth? Was Rafe calling off the bet or had he doubled it like Eldon had said. Either way, Gabrielle trusted her soulmate to do the right thing. Even if it meant kissing the con man.
They found Leo with Joxer. It was his way of getting out of the doghouse. Another fight ensued that Gabrielle was hampered in because of her blasted sprained ankle.
Leo was captured. It was time to take Titus down. For some reason, Gabrielle couldn't wait for this adventure to be over with. It was the two con men.
Gabrielle couldn't believe that Titus would care so little for his son. That was when Eldon showed his true colors or so Titus thought.
The ruby. Gabrielle inwardly shook her head. Titus cared so much for a gem yet not for his son. It was time for the final showdown.
Things went as planned with the exception of Gabrielle being captured by Titus. Once again her life was threatened. This time she was saved by Rafe, who everyone had thought had been killed.
Another huge fight ensues. Gabrielle does her best to make certain things are on an even level. Even with an injured ankle she kicks butt. Just like her soulmate, Rafe and Eldon.
It was time to head back to Joxer. The warrior was slowly healing. He was having trouble understanding the con. But he was alive. And they had taken down Titus.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Another sprain for her bard. Xena hated it when her soulmate was in pain. But it was nothing like nearly dying. The longer Gabrielle remained off the foot, the better.
Besides, they were due to meet up with Joxer. Though it was unlike the bumbling warrior to be late. Gabrielle's reasonings could be true. Shiny objects distracted him.
Then came the challenge. Did Gabrielle know Xena as well as she thought she did? The warrior princess wouldn't admit to it, but yes her soulmate knew her like the back of her own hand.
That's when the sounds of fighting could be heard. Knowing Joxer the way she did, it had to be him involved. He had probably attempted to help someone and ended up biting off more than he could chew.
Xena realized it was just in time as Joxer was about to be run through. It didn't take much to scare off the thugs. Was he dead? If they didn't get him help he would be.
The warrior princess left Gabrielle to tend to Joxer while she hunted down the thugs that had nearly beaten her friend to death.
That's when Xena saw the sword. She knew then that these two men had had something to do with it. It was time to get answers, but in a betting sort of way. How long could she keep up the knife work without missing?
Titus. That was the man that had sent thugs to kill Joxer. Well the odds just changed as Xena would get her revenge. Would it include killing the warlord? Perhaps.
To get Rafe and Eldon to cooperate, Xena threatened to turn them over to the authorities. It wouldn't be pretty the punishment should she do so.
After a brief conversation, the two con men agreed to help. But there was more. Xena could sense they had an angle of their own going.
Xena and the men arrived to no change in Joxer. The warrior princess knew her friend didn't have her healing abilities so it would take time.
The warrior princess was proud of her soulmate for calling out the cowards. When there was no danger, they were about to make a run for it. But Gabrielle wouldn't be denied her say in how it was their fault Joxer was in the shape he was in.
Offering Rafe and Eldon half of whatever they could take Titus for was the only way they would remain to help. Xena remembered when she was like that. She was grateful for those, especially Gabrielle, that had her using her many skills for the greater good.
Joxer began to stir at that moment. It took both Gabrielle and Xena to keep him down. He needed more medicine and another blanket wouldn't hurt either.
It was time to practice her old skills. Xena was a tiny bit rusty, but she could easily get back into the groove. That more than Rafe, Eldon and Titus had her worried a little. But she had Gabrielle to keep her on the right path.
Normally her skills were used against guys like Rafe, not teaming up with them. There was something about the man Xena didn't like. Not one bit and she easily told him so.
The fact Xena knew about the bet didn't seem to deter Rafe. It would have to be dealt with once they had settled the score with Titus. To do that, she needed the con man to give her table odds. But not to make it appear too obvious.
It didn't take much for Xena to get back into the groove. She tossed the right number each time. It was certain to gain Titus' attention.
That was when there was a crash. It took everyone's attention away from Xena momentarily. Long enough so that they could find where Titus' office was and begin taking notes on what was his most prized possessions.
A fight ensues. When all is done and dusted, Xena has Titus right where she wants him. She could so easily kill him for what he had done to Joxer. But it was about humiliation. Taking away everything that meant anything to him.
Gabrielle had done the crash perfectly. She was getting good at doing things like that. But then she had a very good teacher.
What was next? They had some money and Titus' attention. Next would be to garner some disguises. That would be Xena and Rafe while Gabrielle and Eldon would watch over Joxer.
Xena groaned as Gabrielle teased her about the possibility of the warrior princess and Rafe. In the past, he would have been the exact type she had been attracted to. But she had a soulmate and the bard knew nothing would come between them. Not even in death would they be separated.
Once again, Rafe attempted to get on Xena's good side. The only good side she had was with her family and friends. The con man could never be considered one of them.
The con went down perfectly with each one playing their part. Leo came along and they were able to use him to get the ruby necklace.
What was next? Xena cringed when she and Rafe answered at the same time. It was taking Leo. They would hurt Titus where it hurt the most.
By the time the foursome returned to Joxer, he was gone. Xena knew that it was deadly for Joxer. If Titus had him, it could end extremely badly.
Gabrielle was blaming herself. Xena was blaming herself. She should have known that Titus would think the way she did.
Rafe was still acting as if Joxer was more important than the con. Eldon on the other hand didn't want anything more to do with it. Later. Right now it was get Joxer back.
Xena chose checking on the woods while sending the con men to the taverns and gaming facilities. The warrior princess cringed when she realized what she had said.
Yes, Xena had just sounded like Rafe. But that was as far as it went. Gabrielle no longer liked the con man. It had to do with the bet. Yes, the warrior princess knew about it. Nothing would come of it.
According to Eldon the bet had been doubled. But what if it was what he wanted Gabrielle to know so that the bard would help counteract anything Rafe was doing to soften Xena.
That was when they came across Leo with some of his thugs and Joxer. A fight ensues that sees Leo trussed and Joxer rescued. It was time to do the final showdown.
Rafe helped Xena to prepare. But he was working on her more than he was helping her to prepare. Though he was right about one thing. Making this personal was not going to help win the con and justice for Joxer.
Xena greeted Titus. All he wanted was the ruby, not his son. There was something up. The warrior princess felt he was too cocky, even for a gambling warlord.
That's when Eldon appeared. Xena was grateful they had things worked out because if he really had switched sides they were in trouble. It wasn't the winner that takes all. It would be Rafe's life.
While Xena didn't care for the man, Rafe seemed to want to change. He might just have to be rewarded for that. But not now. They had a con to playout.
The card game went exactly how they planned. Xena won easily. Titus lost horribly. If it weren't for the fact Rafe was alive, she would have been worried when the gambler had a hold of Gabrielle.
A huge fight ensued. It was won by Xena in the sense she now had Titus and he could be turned over to the proper authorities.
Joxer had to have everything explained to him. It took all four of them to basically say they had conned Titus and justice had prevailed.
Perhaps even more than justice prevailing was the fact Rafe seemed to genuinely changed. Perhaps they would see one another. But just as friends. Only friends.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
They took the traveling slow. Joxer was still healing from his beatdown and Gabrielle had aggravated her sprained ankle. Xena was the only one that didn't have any nagging injuries.
It was time for a quiet camp. "I'll gather the wood and hunt. You two rest." Xena eyed both her friends. Her soulmate retrieved a scroll and settled herself near where the fire would be.
"But I can at least gather firewood." Joxer hated to be beholden to his friends. Once again, something had happened and he'd needed baling out.
"Joxer. Rest. Don't make me use my chakram on you." Xena's hand went to her side where the weapon was always attached.
"I'll be good." Joxer watched as Xena gave him one more menacing look. He turned his attention to Gabrielle. "So, what really happened between Rafe and Xena."
A blonde eyebrow rose. Did Gabrielle really discuss this with Joxer? He couldn't keep his mouth shut if she said the wrong thing. "Nothing. I think, in the end, there was mutual respect."
Joxer shook his head. "Xena was into him." The bumbling warrior continued. "Any idiot could see how Rafe was looking at Xena."
"Almost everyone looks at Xena that way." There was a tinge of jealousy in the bard's voice. "But she's happy with the way her life is." Easy way to say with Gabrielle without naming names.
"True." Joxer decided to change the subject. What if Xena were to return and overhear them? He shuddered at the thought. "So, what did you think of Rafe?"
Gabrielle knew the change of subject was not any better of one. "I couldn't stand him. Now let's just forget about what happened. It's over with."
"But I owe you guys so much." Joxer groaned as he laid completely on his back. "I owe you my life." His eyes closed. He was tired.
Before Gabrielle could respond, Joxer was snoring away. The bard shook her head as she began to focus on her scroll. She wanted to get the current adventure down before she herself went to sleep.
Before that could happen, Xena returned. She was carrying a rabbit in one hand and an armful of wood in the other. It wasn't long before the bard was cooking the rabbit beside a warm, glowing fire.
"Can I ask you a question?" Gabrielle knew she could. She just hated to always assume it was all right. She added some spices to the pot of rabbit stew.
"You know you can." Xena inwardly cringed at the thought of the question Gabrielle was going to ask. It was the same she would ask if there was any kind of chemistry between her soulmate and another person.
"Do you think that Rafe will change? I don't think Eldon will." Gabrielle never looked at her wife. Instead, she continued to stir the stew.
It was not the question Xena thought Gabrielle would ask. Perhaps the bard knew already. There was no way the warrior princess would be tempted to kiss another. She might make the person, in this case Rafe, think she was interested.
"I don't know." Xena made her way to Joxer. His breathing wasn't as steady as she liked. "It's up to them. Like it's up to Tara if she continues down the path for the greater good."
"True." Gabrielle now did look at her soulmate. She had surprised Xena. That was a good thing. "How is he doing?" The bard absently rubbed her sore ankle.
"His breathing is off a little. It could be the broken ribs." Xena turned her attention fully to her bard. "Thank you for trusting me. I love you, Gabrielle."
"Always." Gabrielle stopped her rubbing. She instead picked up her scroll. "I love you too, Xena." And like that, their lives continued. Until the next adventure found them.