The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Joxer warning: This is a Joxer heavy chapter, but it is important to the story, don't duck reading it unless you are really really Joxer allergic.
Toris couldn't sleep. Well he could sleep, but he woke up startled and had experienced enough sleep that he couldn't go back. So now he stood in an open doorway taking in the predawn sky and listening to the first birds of the morning warble. It wasn't a bad time to be awake, though he had intended to sleep in. The summer air was still cool and he was enjoying it while he could. The air had a tang to it, which meant it was going to be a long and hot day. He intended to take advantage of the fact there was a multitude of people here and Not do work. He intended to be a spectator and enjoy the show. Maybe later this afternoon he'd find his way to the creek and do a little swimming. That would be fun. Toris stretched and sauntered back into the inn and to his room, maybe now he could catch a little nap before everyone started making a ruckus.
He met Joxer in the hallway. Apparently he wasn't the only one feeling the energy of the day already. He greeted the man in a friendly way, "Hello Joxer. Fine morning."
Joxer was actually startled. Someone had called him by his correct name. Last night everyone called him Jox or Hey You. The lanky man swallowed and smiled, "Good morning."
Toris observed Joxer's body language. It spoke of tenseness, stress, and lack of sleep. Xena's brother narrowed his eyes. "Hey, are you okay?" The adventurer's shoulders slumped.
His voice tried to fake Toris out, "hey, well, you know, I've been looking forward to this competition and. . ."
Toris grabbed the man by those same shoulders and steered Joxer to the dining area of the inn, then caused the adventurer to sit down on an available seat. Toris stood behind Joxer, his massive hands still on those shoulders. "Now listen Joxer, you seem like a nice enough guy, but I have to tell you," He squeezed Joxer's shoulders very hard, "I hate it when people lie to me," and let go. Joxer winced, but at the same time felt weirdly better. Toris began kneading the man's shoulders. "Now talk. You've got a long day ahead and you shouldn't be carrying around whatever load it is that's got you all bothered."
Joxer gave Toris a strange look, but thought about what he said and then spoke, "Were you there last night?"
Toris' hands stopped kneading, "Where?"
"Here, last night, when Gabrielle came in."
Toris started kneading again, "Uhm, actually no. I've been trying to avoid the whole thing, although I plan on watching today."
"Well I was. Here I mean. I was watching these guys arm wrestle and slam, the door bangs open and there's Xena looking madder than . . .than a, well really angry. And tired. And dirty. And her face changed, you know, like this." Joxer tried to approximate the bad warrior attitude that Xena exhibited and failed miserably, but Toris knew what he was talking about.
"Okay, I'm following."
"Anyway, Everyone else quit looking except me and a few others. I mean it's kind of scary when she does that, you know." Joxer's shoulders were feeling much better. Toris, mmhmmed and that short vocalization seemed to rumble through the adventurer's frame. Joxer lost track for a second, then started up again, "Anyway, I kept looking, because I've seen that look before and this time it wasn't directed at me and I was watching and then Xena smiled. You should have seen that smile, sweetest thing. Well it was a grin actually, but it was still nice and I looked to see who she was smiling at and it was Gabrielle and she looked so worried and concerned and a bit I dunno angry herself and it seemed as if that space, you know that distance between them was I dunno too much, and then Xena did that face again and went upstairs and it only took a few minutes. But I realized something."
"What was that?"
"I shouldn't be in this competition." Toris stopped rubbing Joxer's shoulders.
"Huh?"
"I shouldn't be in this competition." Joxer smacked his forehead, "I mean I should have realized. How could I be so stupid? They've been together how long? I mean I saw that look you know."
Toris face took on a perplexed expression. He walked around the chair and stood in front of Joxer and realized he was towering over the man, so he knelt down. "What are you saying Joxer."
"Xena and Gabrielle are," Joxer's face took on an incredibly red hue.
Toris blinked and shook his head. "No."
Joxer blushed even more and shook his head up and down. "They are. And so I can't compete." He grabbed Toris' forearms and looked Xena's brother in the eye, "If I won the competition, Xena's heart would be broken. Xena's my friend. I can't do that to her. And I can't do that to Gabrielle. I mean if she and Xena are together, then they shouldn't be. . ."
Toris took a minute to think about this. His sister and the bard? His sister. . .and . . .Gabrielle. His sister. . .OH this explained so so much. He remembered, rather vividly that night in the hotel and felt a warmth travel down his chest to his belly. His sister and a very vocal vocal bard or had it been his sister who had been so noisy. The implications of that idea washed over him in a funny kind of way, This time Toris was blushing. But he was still thinking.
"Joxer, Joxer, wait a minute. Is Xena even in this competition?"
Joxer nodded, "I asked Cherise last night, before I went to bed and got no sleep."
Toris grunted. "Do you think she could lose?" Toris didn't think so, this was his sister after all, but what if? His sister would be unhappy. Very unhappy. He would be dealing with an Unhappy Xena. Not in this lifetime, if he could help it.
"You know Xena. She's strong, beautiful, capable."
"Yeah, but what if? I mean if she did, and someone else. . .someone who didn't understand, about Xena and Gabrielle."
Joxer looked up, his face took on an excruciating look of thoughtfulness. "If someone else won, they might not let them be together. I would be different. I wouldn't stop them from," he nodded his head in that funny way that indicates that one is talking about sex, "you know. They could be together. I would be helping them." Joxer's face took on a sudden nobility which took Toris' breath away. Toris got himself together. Now was not the time to get distracted.
"Okay. Okay. You haven't had a good night's sleep. Do you still think you could?"
"Are you kidding I'm Joxer the. . ." the adventurer smiled sheepishly, "well I have confidence in myself. I can do it. I've got the motivation."
Toris clapped Joxer on the shoulder and uncrouched, "Good man. I'll be rooting for you."
For some reason that statement really gave Joxer the inspiration he needed. He smiled at his new confidant and stood up ready to play his part.
ŠJune 1997