And there it is! Both standing there, having looks of shock almost instantly. I could see the doubt and denial in both of their eyes, their need to believe that it wasn't true – that it couldn't possibly be true.

But it's too late for them to even speak to each other as Xena comes through the door with two very loud and angry Amarice and Armand.

And of course everything happens as before. Gabrielle and Joxer try to speak to Xena as well as Amarice and Armand.

I reach out for Joxer and pull him closer to me, and as I do he stops yelling for Xena's attention and looks at me. I take his hand in mine and walk backwards – no one notices.

Caressing his hand as we turn together and watch Xena's explosion, hearing those two words that would forever change their destiny.

I tighten my hand around Joxer as I feel him tremble.

Suddenly his hand grips mine and he is dragging us out of the tavern.

I try to reason with Joxer, try to make him see this woman like I do; A threat, a liar -someone that's trying to take him away from me. From us.

I push that thought away, as Xena walks through the door.

Immediately I try to talk with Xena, but am having to fight for her attention as everyone else is trying to talk to her as well.

Just when I think she's losing her temper she yells out two words. Two words that make heart stop.

"I'M PREGNANT!!!"

Turning to look at me, all I can do is stare in shock and confusion. How did Elaine…Elaine!!!

Quickly jerking my head around, I see the door to the tavern closing. Looking over through the window I see Joxer leading Elaine towards the entrance of town.

My legs move me quickly towards the door, and as fast to Joxer as I can get.

I don't know what shocks me more. The fact that Joxer is dragging us out of this town or the fact that he actually believed me.

Everything happens so fast, and in one second I find myself being spun around and my hand slipping from Joxer's grasp. Finding myself eye to eye with Gabrielle's blue green eyes sends a shiver down my spine. Looking at the outright hatred in them makes me fear she's about to do something very drastic - something that would involve a sai in my stomach.

"How did you know about Xena?" The words are spoken with an edge of self containment its frightening.

"I told you...I know the future." I notice the way her grip on my clothes tightens, the way she pulls me closer to her in the most menacing manner I have ever seen.

"Your a liar." Gabrielle's eyes blaze as she says this millimeters from my face. I know she's raising her hand to hit me, as I feel her let go of Joxer's jacket.

But what happens next...is so unbelievable that noone would believe me if they hadn't witnessed it themselves.

Suddenly I am no longer being held by Gabrielle. Gabrielle is on the ground several feet away from me. I turn my head an realize what had just happened.

Standing beside me, panting as he ran a thousand miles was Joxer.

Joxer threw her off me.

I find myself on the ground, and shake myself out of my shock. Not understanding what just happened, I look up at Elaine...and find Joxer there instead.

I stare at him with surprise and shame.

Joxer - my friend, the man that said he was in love with me - threw me across the road.

Tears are making there way down his cheeks as he stares at me...with pain in his eyes. I've never seen Joxer cry...and the sight makes my heart ache.

I stare at him, and feel my heart stop again as the words leave his mouth.

"When were you going to tell me you're in love with her?"

I want to shake my head. I want to deny it. I want to make him understand it wasn't like that! My love for Xena had grown over the years...and just recently I considered it......but I wasn't in love with her - at least I wasn't sure if I was.

I feel the tears roll down my face as I stare up at those hurt eyes.

"I was never really your friend...was I?"

And before I could deny it, before I could tell him that no matter what Elaine had said he was always my friend...that he IS my friend, Xena is suddenly beside me.

I look up into her worried eyes. Blue eyes that search mine for answer to what had just happened. But I have none. I have no answer to why any of this is happening, a feeling deep within me - telling me that this wasn't suppose to be happening.

But all I can do is cry as Xena tries to figure out what just happened.

And when I turn back to face Joxer...he's gone...and so is Elaine.

I try and catch up with him, but damn he's walking so fast, and my sneakers aren't good in this weather. Why didn't I bring boots?

When Joxer finally slows down, I catch a breath as I slow down with him.

I know he's crying. I know he's upset. But what I don't know is what made him throw Gabrielle off me.

Never in a million years would I have expected or even thought it was possible for Joxer to lay his hands on Gabrielle. But I guess after I dropped that kind of a bomb on him - that she was in love with Xena - I guess I should have expected a drastic reaction.

Just when I think I've seen it all - Joxer stops on the side of the path...and starts to dig a hole.

Confused and not knowing what to do, I keep quiet and just watch what he does.

When he finishes, I feel my face drop.

Joxer starts to take off his armor...and toss it into the hole.

Not knowing what action to take, I quickly walk up to him as he tosses his helmet into the hole as well. Just before he can toss in his sword and scabbard I grab his hand and stop him.

Turning towards me I can see the tears coming down his cheeks, see exactly why he was doing what he was doing.

Joxer the mighty...had been a warrior to be with them.

The man in front of me, the man looking like his world had ended - he was just Joxer.

Just Joxer.

And as far as I'm concerned - that's all he ever had to be.

Gathering my wits I say the one thing that I think will make him keep his sword and scabbard. Hoping against hope that it's all he needs to hear.

"Your father gave you that scabbard, it belongs with you! No matter what."

Looking at me with tears still traveling down his face, I see something in his eyes that I hadn't seen before, what was making him do all of this.

Lost. He was lost.

"Why are you in love with me?"

Shaking my head at the shocking question I look at him. At him.

Joxer.

A man that had the purest heart and soul of anyone that I ever knew. He was giving, kind, sweet, funny, and real. Cute and sensitive.

Even if I had never seen the stupid tv show, I would have never known just how good Joxer was as a person. Even when he acted goofy...it made me smile.

Walking at a snails pace I approach him, staring into those beautiful dark eyes I caress his face with the back of one of my hands. Eyes closing shut he lets out a sigh at the contact, his lips morphing into that cute pout that always made me want to reach through the tv screen and kiss him.

But he's right in front of me, and I can...so...I do.

My hand slowly slides down to his chin, and he's eyes open. I only stare into his eyes for just a few seconds - before my eyes fall to his lips and I let mine slowly brush his. Feeling him suck in his breath I quickly open the kiss and do what I've been wanting to do. Kiss him with everything in me.

Reducing my answer to his question with my actions.

He's shivering, trying to push me away at first, but I'm very insistent. Soon his arms are around my body and openly reciprocating the kiss.

It's odd, falling in love with Joxer. I know he loves Gabrielle - but If he can never be with her...why not take him for myself?