Joxer sat in bed next to Meg, his arm around her. He
tenderly kissed the side of her head, and whispered soothing words into her
ear. Meg sat, staring straight ahead, a blank look on her face. An angry bruise
had formed under her left eye. Maria was finishing with the cast. The other
women stood nearby, their faces full of grief. A couple of them wept silently.
Maria winced as she remembered the blood-curdling scream Meg released when she
reset the arm. Meg's cry of anguish ripped through her heart like a white-hot
knife. She also remembered Joxer's reaction. He could not stop crying, and he
desperately tried to calm Meg down, to no avail. A black fury churned inside
Maria. She was determined to make Stamrus pay for what he did to Meg. And to Joxer.
Maria looked at Meg, her hazel eyes tender and overflowing with sympathy.
"Meg? Sweetheart? I'm gonna wrap part of the
sling around your neck, okay?"
Meg didn't respond. She continued to stare straight ahead, her face impassive.
Joxer, however, pulled back and nodded the go-ahead to Maria. Maria delicately
placed part of the sling around Meg's neck, and lifted her hair so that it
would cover it. Joxer continued to hold Meg's hand.
"Everything's gonna be okay Meg." he said softly. "Everything's
gonna be okay."
Maria pulled back a bit. She tenderly stoked Meg's bruised cheek. Tears came to
Maria's eyes.
"I'm done, baby." she said, her voice
quivering. "I'm done. Rest now."
Still no response from Meg. Joxer's insides were
screaming in pain at what he had to do next. He took a deep, shaky breath, and
spoke.
"Meg...I-I-I...I gotta go."
Meg's hand suddenly gripped Joxer's in an iron vise. Joxer gasped at the pain
that shot through his hand. He stared at Meg in alarm. Meg continued to stare
straight ahead. Her eyebrows went up slightly. Then she spoke.
"No." Meg said simply.
"I gotta go...I-I can't stay here."
Meg kept staring ahead.
"No. I won't let you go."
Maria knelt down by Meg. Tears ran down her face.
"Meg, honey, it's too dangerous for Joxer to stay here now!! Stamrus will
be back with more men!!"
Meg slowly shook her head. She kept staring ahead, her face seemingly
impassive. But tears began to flow down her cheeks.
"I don't want him to go. I don't."
Joxer leaned in towards Meg, his face full of love and sympathy.
"Meg, I'll be back." he said with utmost sincerity. "I promise
I will."
The impassive mask fell away. Meg kept staring ahead, but great pain and grief
rushed across her features. She shook her head erratically.
"No!! No you won't!! You'll never come back!! They'll kill you!!"
Meg turned abruptly towards Joxer, her blue eyes wide with soul-searing terror.
She instantly wrapped her arm around Joxer and hugged him in a bone-crushing
hug. Meg buried her face in Joxer's neck and wept hysterically. Joxer had never
felt so helpless in his life. More than anything in the world, he wanted to
stay by Meg's side. But current events had made this impossible. He knew it.
And Meg knew it.
Joxer slowly began to pull away from Meg. Meg would have none of it. Her grip
became tighter. Joxer grimaced in pain.
"Let go Meg." he muttered harshly.
"No!!" came the frantic answer.
"Let...go Meg!"
"No!!"
Joxer had enough. He pulled away with all his might.
"I...said... let...ME...GOOO!!!"
Joxer ripped himself out of Meg's grasp, almost yanking her off the bed. Meg
grabbed at empty air, her blue eyes filled with anguish.
"No!! NOOOO!!" she screamed. "DON'T LEAVE ME!!!
NOOOOO!!!!! OHHHHH GAAWDS NOOOOOO!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
Maria forcibly took Meg into her arms and held her close. Meg screamed and
screamed, punching and trying to push away Maria. But Maria wouldn't budge. Meg
soon collapsed into her arms, and wailed hysterically. The agony roiling
through Joxer's insides was too much. He couldn't handle it anymore. He rushed
out of the bedroom, downstairs and into the tavern. And soon, the agony inside
Joxer was replaced with a blinding, seething rage. He raised his head to the
ceiling.
"AAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGAAAAAAAAAAARAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Joxer began to smash everything in sight. He picked up a chair, and swung it
down with all his might into the top of the bar. It disintegrated into
kindling. He picked up a table and tossed it into a large mirror, shattering
it. Joxer picked up yet another chair. He smashed this one into a table. It
exploded into pieces, the table collapsing under the impact. Joxer continued,
until he had destroyed just about whatever chairs and tables were left. He spun
to his right-
And saw his reflection. In a mirror.
Joxer stared at it. His brown eyes widened in fury.
"RRRRRRIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGH!!!!!!!!!"
He darted towards the mirror, and threw a vicious right at it. The mirror disintergrated into a shower of flying glass. Joxer
continued ramming his fist into the spot, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Blood soon flowed from his fist. But Joxer didn't care. Soon, the powerful
blows were ripping open a hole in the wall. More splinters dug into his flesh,
along with the shards of glass already present. Joxer just did not care. His
agony and rage were too much. Finally, exhaustion took over, and Joxer fell
against the wall he was hitting. He turned towards the stairwell. Several of
Meg's women stood there, staring at Joxer in fear. Suddenly, Maria pushed past
them. At seeing Joxer and his raised, mangled fist, her eyes
widened in shock.
"No...!!" she gasped.
Joxer fell to the ground and wept bitterly. Maria rushed over to him and
instantly sat at his side. She held him close, kissing the top of his head and
rocking him gently. Maria looked up and saw the bloody spot where Joxer had
repeatedly thrown his fist. She grimaced.
"...Gods..." she muttered in disgust.
Maria's attention went back to Joxer.
"Joxer! Joxer, listen to me."
Joxer shook his head in grief. Tears rushed down his cheeks.
"This is all my fault!!" he sobbed. "All my fault!!"
Maria grabbed Joxer by the collar and yanked him to face her. Maria's eyes
roiled with anger.
"This was NOT your fault!! This wasn't your fault!!"
"IT WAS!!" cried Joxer. "If I hadn't come here, Meg
would be all right!!"
Maria had enough. She got up, and yanked Joxer to his feet. Maria then slammed
him against the wall. The room shook with the impact. The other women gasped in
shock. Joxer's eyes bulged out of his head. Terror flooded his features.
Maria's hazel eyes were ablaze with rage.
"Listen to me, you son-of-a-bacchai!!" she hissed. "I'm gonna
say this again one more time. This was NOT YOUR FAULT!! NONE OF THIS WAS YOUR
FAULT, DAMMIT!! Get that through your thick skull and stop punishing
yourself!!"
Maria released Joxer, who sagged before her. He stared at Maria in shock and
grief, his bottom lip quivering. Maria's face changed from seething anger to
extreme exhaustion. She let her head drop, her dark hair flowing over her
front. She let out a heavy sigh.
"Great mother of Zeus..." she groaned.
Maria lifted her head, whipping her hair back. She gazed at Joxer with sadness
and resignation. A few tense moments passed. She spoke again.
"All right Joxer. I've been keeping tabs on Xena like you asked. She's in
the area, staying in Kratos. I think she knows you're somewhere around
here."
Joxer sighed. He shook his head.
"I'm not surprised."
Maria turned to the doorway.
"Francisca!!"
Francisca ran out from behind the other women. She was at Maria's side in an
instant.
"What's up?"
"Xena's staying in Kratos. Take Joxer to her. Tell her what happened here.
Stamrus will be back with more men. I'm sure of it. Tell Xena to get here as
soon as possible."
Francisca nodded.
"I'm on it."
She turned to Joxer, and saw his bloody hand. Francisca gasped.
"Joxer, your-"
"Never mind that!!" snapped Joxer irritably. "Let's find
Xena!! We don't have time to waste!!"
Francisca was taken aback by Joxer's harshness. But she quickly let it pass.
Her face was set in determination.
"Okay. Let's go."
Francisca turned and ran towards the kitchen. Joxer grabbed Maria's arm.
"What?" she asked.
"After this is over, I wanna arrange a meeting between me and Meg. Set it
up with Xena."
"No problem Joxer."
Joxer's eyes grew dark with anger and anxiety.
"Don't let anything happen to Meg. Anything."
Maria's eyes narrowed in agreement.
"I won't. Be careful Joxer."
"You too."
Joxer turned and ran off after Francisca. Maria gazed at him, sighing heavily.
"May the gods watch over you..." she whispered silently.
Maria stood outside Meg's brothel, armed with her sword. She turned her head to
the right for a moment, gazing briefly at the horizon. The sun had just
submerged below it. Several of the women stood at the doorway, staring out into
the deepening night blanketing the forest. Maria turned her attention back
there as well. Her hazel eyes narrowed, waiting…waiting for Stamrus and his men
to come. She knew of Stamrus's ego, and he was not going to allow a bunch of
women to embarrass him. Maria then glanced up at the upper floor of the
brothel. Meg was looking outside, a crossbow in her left hand. Her gaze was cold,
impassive. Maria turned her own gaze back into the night.
Then she heard it…the sounds of hooves, thundering along the ground.
Maria tensed up, going into a battle stance. And within moments, a dozen horses
appeared. Heavily armed soldiers rode them. And at the head of this group was
Stamrus. They came to a stop. Stamrus glared at Maria in contempt and malice.
He spoke.
"I'm going to burn this brothel to the ground, and all of you whores with it."
He pointed his sword at Maria. His green eyes were ablaze.
"And I'm gonna have your head."
Maria laughed harshly.
"Not before I take yours." she snarled back.
Stamrus lifted his hand.
"Archers!!"
Five of his men lifted their bows. Their arrows were lit.
"Aim!!"
They aimed for their target-
And suddenly, Stamrus heard a shrill, screeching sound. It grew louder and
harsher. He looked around erratically.
"What the-"
Suddenly a silver disk shot out of the darkness. It screamed towards the
archers. With deadly precision, it tore through the throats of each archer.
Blood exploded from their throats. They fell off their horses, onto the ground,
dead. Stamrus's jaw dropped in horror and disbelief.
"No!!"
The disk flew around the front of Stamrus and back into the darkness from which
it came. And then Stamrus heard another sound. A high-pitched
battle cry.
"AIAIAIAIAIAIAAIAAAAA!!!!!!"
Stamrus's blood ran cold. He knew that cry…and who it belonged to.
"Oh Hades..." he whispered.
A dark form on horseback burst from the darkness. Stamrus's eyes widened in terror.
It was Xena.
She flipped from her horse, flying into a tight somersault. Xena landed
alongside Maria, and quickly drew her sword. Her blue eyes were filled with a
cold rage, one that shook Stamrus to the very center of his soul. Xena stepped
forward. She eyed Stamrus with malice.
"You owe my friend Meg an arm." she hissed icily. "And I plan to
collect."
Stamrus fought down his rising fear. He wasn't about to let women push him
around.
"Off yer horses!!" he shouted to his men.
They dismounted. The seven men stood on either side of Stamrus. His eyes
widened in fury.
"Get them!!"
The men attacked. Xena and Maria rushed forward. The battle
begun.
One man leapt at Xena, sword drawn back. Xena did a vicious whirling kick,
sending her heel hard into the man's head. There was a loud crack as the side
of his skull caved in. His left eyeball burst out of his head, blood and bone
exploding from the socket. He flew through the air, smashing face-first into
the ground, dead.
The second man swung his sword at Xena, who ducked with lightning speed.
Letting out a piercing cry, Xena buried her sword into the man's chest. Blood
and flesh exploded from his back as her sword tore through it. She viciously
yanked the sword back out. The lifeless body fell to the ground. Xena spun
around-
And a booted foot hit her across the face. Her head snapped to the left, blood
shooting in a crimson stream from her mouth. She staggered back. Out of the
corner of her right eye, Xena saw a sword coming down at her. She raised hers,
and the two blades collided with a ferocious clang. Xena's
sapphire eyes widened in fury. Letting out an angry cry, she thrust her
right foot out, slamming it into the man's chest. There was a loud crack as
several ribs snapped. He flew through the air, crashing heavily into the
ground. Xena whirled to face him.
The man, incredibly, staggered to his feet. Xena raised an eyebrow. He drew a
knife, and growled at her savagely. Xena flashed a brilliant, feral smile. She dropped
her sword, and motioned him towards her with her hands.
"C'mon, ya son-of-a bacchai!!" she hissed eagerly. "Come and get
me!!"
With a loud, angry cry, the man attacked. He lunged at her. Xena effortlessly
sidestepped him. She rammed her left elbow into his face. There was a loud
crack as his jaw was shattered. Xena grabbed the arm holding the knife and
turned it back into its owner. The knife tore into the man's chest. His eyes
dilated in incredible pain. He looked up at Xena-
And sent a vicious left into her face. The blow sent Xena flying through the
air, and she crashed into the ground. The man staggered towards the fallen
form. Xena shook her head, and turned towards him. Black fury overwhelmed her.
With a piercing scream, she launched herself at the man, hitting him hard. They
crashed into the earth. The man grabbed Xena's throat. She gritted her teeth,
and drew her own knife. Xena buried the blade in the man's side. The man kept
his gray eyes locked with her blue ones. He tightened his fingers around her
throat. Xena withdrew her knife, and stabbed him again, twisting the blade
inside his body. Xena growled heatedly, pushing the knife deep into him. She
felt his blood flowing over her hand. Teeth bared, she glared at her combatant.
He tried to keep up his front, but soon, agony washed across his face in huge
waves. Still, he kept squeezing at Xena's throat. Xena's eyes narrowed.
"You....don't seem...to get...the point!!" she snarled.
Letting out a piercing scream, Xena withdrew the knife and stabbed him hard,
twisting her knife inside him with all her might. The man's eyes dilated. He
gagged, a red foam erupting from his mouth. His grip
on Xena's throat lessened, and the hand fell to the ground. Xena glared at the
dead man in contempt.
A man swung his sword at Maria. She viciously swung hers, and the two swords
collided with a horrific clang. Maria snapped out a huge foot. It burrowed into
his stomach. He went up in the air, and fell hard on his knees. Letting out a
savage scream, Maria swung down her sword, slicing the man's head off. A
fountain of blood erupted from the wound. The head bounced off into the
darkness, and the body collapsed onto the earth.
Two more men ran towards her back. Maria thrust her sword into the ground, and
effortlessly somersaulted over their heads. Landing behind them, Maria grabbed
their heads, slamming them together with all her might. They exploded in a
shower of brain, bone, and blood. Both bodies fell to the ground. She spun
around. Two more men faced her. Maria smiled ravenously at them, cackling with
demonic glee. They let out an outraged cry, lunging at her. She leapt into the
air, swinging her massive foot at them. It smashed into their jaws, shattering
them like glass. The force of the violent blow sent the men into a spin.
Landing on her feet, Maria wrapped her massive arms around their heads and
savagely yanked them in opposite directions. Two loud,
sickening cracks. And two corpses dropped to the ground in a cloud of
dust.
It was over.
Xena and Maria turned, acknowledging each other with a nod. Maria looked
around. Stamrus was nowhere in sight.
"Stamrus!!" she shouted. "That son-of-a
bacchai!! Where did he go?!?"
Xena quickly looked around. Suddenly, her sharp ears heard the sound of hoofs galloping
upon the earth, receding hastily into the night. She looked into the direction
of the sound. Her pale blue eyes narrowed.
Stamrus rode his horse as hard as he could. Sweat poured down his brow.
He had to get as far away as possible. Lucky for him, he had a fast horse.
But he was taking no chances. Especially not with Xena.
The wind whipped at his face. The forest flew by him in a greenish black-blur,
the bright, harsh moonlight cutting through the trees. He looked back for a
moment. The purple-orange sky was signaling the end of another day. One that
Stamrus hoped he would live through.
Then he heard it. Like a cry from the innermost bowels of Tartarus.
"AIAIAIAIAIAIAAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"
Stamrus's eyes bulged in terror.
"Sweet Hera!!" he hissed.
He drove the horse harder and harder. His heart hammered with ever-increasing
ferocity, until it felt as if it were going to explode from his chest. A terror
he never knew snaked its way throughout his body. Sweat was pouring down his
face in torrents. Stamrus snapped the reins with a frenzied hysteria. His
throat went dry. He looked back again-
And what he saw made him stop breathing.
The dark rider, on a almond horse. The rider's
jet-black hair whipped through the surrounding air, twisting through it,
feeding on it. Her hard, alabaster features bristled with malicious energy. And finally, her eyes…
Those eyes.
Brilliant blue balls of demonic fire. They clawed
their way into Stamrus's soul. He knew from that look there was no hope for
him. Stamrus turned around, digging his heels into the horse's sides. The horse
responded, tearing through the forest floor at an unbelievable speed.
The wind was pushing past Stamrus at such a rate that it made him dizzy. But he
had to focus. His life depended on it. He pressed on. Then his ears picked up
the sound of galloping hooves growing closer and closer to him. His eyes
widened in horror.
"Sweet Hera, no!!" his mind screamed.
Stamrus kicked and beat the reins into his horse with all his might. But the
animal could not go any faster. He entered a clearing. A gentle, sloping hill
was at his left. Stamrus heard a savage cry-
And then it hit him.
Hard.
Something smashed into Stamrus. His horse disappeared from underneath him. He
felt airborne. Stamrus smelled leather, sweat. Green grass flew past below him.
A huge mane of dark hair entered his vision-
And then he crashed into the earth. His left shoulder snapped.
Stamrus felt searing, burning pain rip through his shoulder. He also felt the
wind rush out of his lungs in a flash. Grass and dirt tore into his face and
mouth. The weight that was on him vanished. Then
Stamrus felt two hands hoist him to his feet. He saw a woman's face. Something
that looked like a fist enveloped his vision-
And his face exploded in a flash of blood and excruciating pain. Stamrus felt
airborne again, only to be stopped seconds later by something hard smashing
into his back. He sagged, opening his right eye. He saw tree bark tearing into
his right arm.
Stamrus had enough.
He drew a large knife, and shook his head clear, seeing a form rapidly advance
towards him. With a loud, piercing cry, he charged at the form. Something
grabbed his right arm-
And snapped it like a twig. Stamrus screamed in agony-
And something hit his face again. Stamrus crashed back into the tree. Something
grabbed his left hand. Another something grabbed his throat. Stamrus's eyes
dilated as iron fingers tore into the soft flesh of his neck-
Then Xena's face popped into his line of vision. Her face was twisted into a
hideous snarl. Her blue eyes bored into his green ones. She lifted Stamrus's
left hand into his line of vision.
"Time to collect." she purred with absolute venom.
Xena snapped back a finger on Stamrus's hand. There was a sharp, cracking
sound. He screamed again in agony. Xena instantly increased the pressure on
Stamrus's throat, silencing him. A loud gagging sound emanated from his throat.
Xena's face was almost upon his.
"You broke my friend's arm." she growled. "And you tried to kill
Joxer."
Xena broke another finger. Stamrus screamed. And Xena silenced him again,
gripping his throat in an iron vise.
"I care about Meg and Joxer very much." Xena said in a cold, dark
voice. "They're like family to me. And anyone who messes with my family
messes with me."
Xena broke a third finger. Stamrus cried out in absolute agony. Xena silenced
him again, squeezing his throat. Xena's eyes narrowed into feral slits.
"I want you to spread the word." she growled like a ravenous wolf.
"Tell everyone this: if someone tries to collect that bounty on Joxer's
head, their heads are mine."
And Xena broke a fourth finger. Stamrus screamed into the night. The
blood-curdling cries echoed throughout the surrounding valley. Xena silenced
him again.
"Oh, and Stamrus? You enjoy hurting women so
much?? Here's a parting thought from me-"
Xena rammed a knee with all her might into Stamrus's groin. The resulting
explosion of pain shot through his body and into Stamrus's head. Xena released
Stamrus, and he dropped into the ground, eyes rolling into the back of his
head. He rolled around in the dirt, gasping savagely, folded in a fetal
position. Xena glared at Stamrus for a moment, then
walked over to her horse. She rubbed the horse's face affectionately.
"C'mon Argo." said Xena. "Let's go check up on Meg."
She climbed onto the horse, and rode up the hill, into the depths of the
forest.
Xena and Maria reached the top of the stairs. Francisca's head popped out of
Meg's room.
"Can we come in?" asked Maria.
Francisca nodded.
"Yeah, sure."
Maria and Xena entered Meg's bedroom. They saw Meg, seated at the window. She
looked out into the night. Meg rocked slowly in her chair, her lower lip
quivering. A solitary tear ran down her right cheek. She absently rubbed her
injured arm. An overwhelming sense of sadness and pity filled Xena. She walked
over to Meg, and knelt down beside her. She tenderly placed a hand on Meg's
shoulder.
"Meg? It's me. Xena."
Meg didn't respond, at first. She kept staring out into the night. Then her
eyes moved to the right. Meg glanced at her identical twin.
"Is he alright?" she said in a low, fearful voice. "Is Joxer
alright?!"
Xena delicately wiped strands of hair from Meg's face.
"He's safe Meg. He's all right."
Agony shot through Meg's face for a few brief moments. She fought to keep her
pain down, and looked outside again.
"It's so unfair, ya know?"
Xena's eyebrows knitted together.
"What is?"
"Life."
Meg turned her head to face Xena. Grief flowed over her features.
"It's so unfair. Why do things like this happen?"
Xena moved in closer. She gently wiped Meg's tears away with her hand.
"I don't know, Meg."
Meg lowered her head for a moment, her eyes wandering over the floor. She
looked up again.
"Promise me you won't let anything happen to Joxer."
Xena grasped her left hand in hers.
"I promise. No one is going to hurt him."
Meg's face became overwhelmed with pain. She began to cry. Xena instantly
embraced Meg, kissing her on top of her head and gently stroking it.
"Ssssssshhhh..." Xena said in a soothing voice. "Everthing's
going to be all right Meg. Sssssssshhhh..."
Maria walked over to the pair, placing a hand on Meg's shoulder. Xena looked up
at Maria. Maria saw what appeared to be tears in Xena's eyes. But she did not
shed one. Still, the pain in Xena's face was obvious.
Xena pulled back, placing her hands on either side of Meg's face. She lifted it
up to hers.
"Do you want to see Joxer, Meg?"
Meg's eyes widened. Xena could see a flash of hope erupt within them.
"Can I?!"
Xena smiled warmly.
"You sure can. First thing tomorrow if you like."
Meg stifled a sob. She nodded vigorously. Xena nodded also, grinning.
"Okay then."
Xena got to her feet. Maria looked at Xena with tremendous respect and
gratitude. She placed a hand on Xena's shoulder.
"Xena, I can't thank you enough for this."
Xena grasped Maria's hand, squeezing it slightly.
"Think nothing of it."
"What now?" asked Maria.
"I'm heading back to Kratos." said Xena. "Joxer and I will meet
you at the hill overlooking Kratos Square at sunrise."
"Good enough, Xena."
Xena knelt down in front of Meg. She leaned in, and tenderly kissed Meg on the
cheek. Xena lifted Meg's chin. Blue eyes met each other.
"Be brave, Meg." said Xena.
Meg nodded slightly.
"I-I'll try."
A crisp wind blew around Joxer. He shivered slightly. Joxer turned to his
right, seeing the first few rays of the sun reaching into the heavens. He
licked his lips, and looked at the ground, pawing the earth with his right
foot.
Xena walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay, Joxer?"
Joxer sighed. He glanced at Xena, and then at the ground again.
"I-I don't know."
He turned to face her.
"This week...this week with Meg was...was the most enjoyable time I've had
in...i-in I don't know how long. I-I just wanted to
get away from people, after I killed Criton. But when Meg found me, she made me
feel whole again. Like I meant something. She held me
up during my rough moments. I-I didn't want to leave that warmth..."
Joxer's face darkened.
"But I guess the Fates had other ideas, huh?" he said in a small
voice.
Xena gazed at her friend in pity.
"Joxer..."
She sighed, and spoke again.
"Joxer, I'm sure you'll find a way to deal with this. Don't give up
hope."
Joxer chuckled.
"Hope..."
He looked at the rising sun. Joxer blew out a deep breath.
"That's the only thing that keeps me going Xena. Hope."
He turned to her.
"And friends like you."
Xena smiled.
Joxer suddenly heard the sound of approaching horses. He turned to his right.
And out of the forest rode Meg and Maria, wearing hooded capes. Joxer ran out
towards them. He stopped before Meg's horse, and helped her off of it. Meg
faced Joxer. Tears filled her eyes.
"Joxer-"
She hugged him tight. Joxer returned the hug, being careful not to hurt Meg's
right arm. He trembled with emotion. Tears ran down his face.
"Oh Meg..."
They held each other for a few moments. Joxer and Meg turned to Maria and Xena.
Joxer spoke again.
"Um, Meg and I are going to take a walk by those trees there."
He pointed towards a large group of pines. Xena and Maria nodded.
"Take as much time as you need." said Maria.
The pair walked off. Soon, they were in the cover of the massive pines. Joxer
turned to face Meg.
"Meg, I-"
Meg grabbed his head and kissed him passionately. She pushed him up against a
tree, pressing into him. Their tongues flailed wildly in each other's mouths.
Meg moaned hungrily into Joxer's mouth. The searing kiss went on for what
seemed like an eternity. Finally, Meg broke the kiss, leaning her forehead on
Joxer's. Both gasped heavily.
"Y-Y-You...are not...making this easy for me, are ya Meg?" stammered
Joxer.
Meg nuzzled his right cheek. Her blue eyes gazed deeply into his brown ones.
"Nope." she whispered softly.
Meg ran her left hand down alongside Joxer's arm. Suddenly she felt the bandage
wrapped around his hand. Meg pulled back, eyes wide in shock.
"Joxer!!"
Joxer stared at Meg.
"What?!"
"You're hurt!!"
Meg instantly lifted his right hand, inspecting it closely. Her brows knitted
and her jaw dropped. Joxer sighed.
"Meg, it's nothing."
Meg glared at Joxer.
"How can you tell me all this dried blood is nothing?!"
"Meg, look-I was ticked off, and I rammed my fist into a mirror."
Meg gasped.
"Meg, listen-Xena got out all the shards and splinters."
Meg's eyes narrowed. She poked Joxer hard in the chest. Joxer gasped in pain.
"Hey!!" he exclaimed.
Meg poked him again. Her blue eyes were ablaze.
"What in Tartarus are you doing punching out mirrors?! Of all the
stupid things-"
"Okay, okay, okay!! Alright already!! It was dumb!! I admit
it!!"
Meg growled. She shook her head.
"Ya know...you...drive...me... crazy!!"
She grabbed Joxer's head and kissed him again. Meg moaned hungrily into Joxer's
mouth. He whimpered in response. After a long moment, Meg broke the kiss again.
She laid her forehead on his.
"Don't go." Meg said in a small voice.
Joxer grimaced. He shook his head a little.
"I gotta."
"Why?"
"It's not safe now. Maybe when things cool down-"
"And when will that be?!"
Meg pulled back, searching his face with desperation. Joxer frowned deeply. He
sighed.
"I-I-I dunno."
Meg lowered her head. Tears came to her eyes. Joxer immediately lifted Meg's
chin. His heart broke at seeing Meg's tears.
"Oh gods...Meg, don't cry. I hate to see you cry. Please-please
don't..."
"And why shouldn't I?! I don't know when I'll see you again!!"
Joxer sighed. He looked into the heavens, and then at Meg. His face became set
with determination.
"A month and a half, Meg. I'll be back by then. I
swear."
Meg's eyes widened. Her jaw dropped.
"A month and a half?!"
"Meg, under the circumstances, it's the best I can do!! Please don't
argue with me on this!!"
Meg lowered her head. She bit her lip, and was silent for a long moment. Then
she looked up at Joxer.
"Okay. A month and a half."
Joxer sighed. He smiled.
"Good."
Meg's eyes narrowed. She poked Joxer in the chest. Joxer gasped in pain and
shock. Meg spoke again.
"But-"
Poke.
"Not-"
Poke.
"One-"
Poke.
"Day-"
Poke.
"More!!"
She pulled away. Joxer stared at Meg, his face full of pain and shock. He rubbed
his injured chest vigorously.
"Ouch!!" he exclaimed. "What in Tartarus have you
been doing?! Taking lessons from Xena?!"
Meg quickly pressed herself against Joxer. She nuzzled his nose.
"I'm sorry." she said softly.
Meg claimed Joxer's lips. They kissed each other slowly, lovingly. Finally, Meg
pulled away again. Joxer reached into his pocket.
"I have something for you, Meg."
He lifted his hand in front of Meg's face. Opening it, there was a tiny golden
locket. Meg gasped.
"Joxer!!"
He opened the locket with his thumb. Engraved inside was a beautiful, tiny
rose. Meg gaped in shock.
"I-It's beautiful!!" she exclaimed.
"Let me put it on you. Turn around."
Meg turned, back facing Joxer. She lifted her hair. Even though his right hand
was bandaged pretty heavily, Joxer was still able to fasten the locket around
her neck. Meg turned around to face him. Joxer smiled warmly.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed happily.
Meg broke into a huge grin. She hugged Joxer tight, and then kissed him on the
cheek.
"Thank you, Joxer." she said softly.
A moment of silence. He sighed.
"I've gotta go."
Meg's expression darkened. She bit her lip and looked down at the ground. Joxer
placed an arm around her.
"I said I'll be back. I promised."
Meg looked back up at him.
"A month and a half, eh?"
"A month and a half. Joxer the Mighty keeps his promises."
Meg's eyes narrowed.
"He'd better."
Joxer and Meg walked out into the clearing. Maria and Xena stood, waiting
patiently. Joxer spoke.
"I'm ready to go, Xena."
Xena nodded.
"I'll get your horse." she replied.
Xena walked off towards a small group of trees. Maria walked up to Joxer and
Meg. Joxer placed a hand on Maria's arm.
"Keep Meg safe, Maria. I'm counting on you."
Maria instantly took Joxer into her arms, giving him a strong hug. She pulled
back, looking into his eyes with warmth and affection.
"You know I will."
Joxer looked past her. Xena appeared with two horses. He turned to Meg. Joxer
sighed, and smiled sadly.
"Take care of yourself Meg."
Meg nodded. A set of tears came to her eyes.
"You too, Joxer."
They leaned into each other, exchanging a long, gentle kiss. Joxer broke the
kiss, stepping away from Meg. She wiped the tears from her eyes. He turned
around, and walked over to Xena. They mounted their horses. Xena and Joxer
waved farewell to their friends.
"See ya in a month, Meg!!" Joxer exclaimed.
"A month!!" Meg shouted back. "It's a
date!!"
Xena and Joxer then rode off at a fast gallop. In moments, they disappeared
into the forest. Maria walked over to Meg, placing an arm around her. She saw
Meg fumble with the locket. Maria smiled.
"He gave that to you?"
"Yup."
"It's beautiful."
Meg looked out into the forest. She smiled warmly.
"A month, Joxer...I'll be waiting for ya."
THE END
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