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Joxer and the Men	By : AmberDDawn Category: S through Z > Xena Views: 2235 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own "Xena: Warrior princess", or "Hercules: The Legendary Journey" They were produced by Renissance Pictures I am not making money for this fiction.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
I'm really Sorry this chapter took so long to get posted it gave me a lot of trouble and it's not my favorite chapter so far.

I hate this chapter.

Joxer and the Men

Chapter 16: Catching Up

The band of mortals and their accompanying gods rolled into the small village well after sunset. Their colorful cart thankfully didn't call too much attention to them. The girls and boy climbed out of the cart and Lyra and Ada humbly thanked the group for their help but declined their offers to take them further.

"We're going to hire a cart to take us home," One of the girls, Lyra, said lifting a cord from around her neck to show a purse hidden under her clothes.

"You might not want to show that off," Xena warned and then looked sideways at Auto.

Auto sent her a disgrunted look, "I'm not going to steal from a kid," He mumbled irately.

Lyra frowned and tucked it back in her shirt.

"We can't go home. Aunt Rhea and Uncle Leon are expecting us," Sophia explained, "We have another three days walk south of here."

"Well you can travel with us when we leave here if you like," Gabrielle offered, "If you don't mind waiting a day or two."

"Ok," Sophia nodded, "Thank you."

Xena cut Gallus's bindings and she and Gabrielle eased him off the horse's back. They wrestled him onto the empty cart. He looked around deliriously then closed his eyes. Xena frowned. Would it have been a mercy to just kill him? It would be better than making him suffer and forcing Joxer to be around his attacker. She would deal with it after they got a room to stay in.

Xena went off to look for a stable that she could put the horses up in for the night. Gabrielle went to locate the inn...providing that the village had one. Barring that there was surly someone who'd be willing to put them up for the night for a few dinars.

Joxer was still sleeping and Auto was holding his limp form like a bride on her wedding night. He had been assured by both Xena and then Cupid that he was fine. It was explained that a nice side effect (whatever that meant) to the potion was that Joxer was immune to poison. Aparently not completely, something as strong as gorgon blood was muted. Auto didn't quite trust them though and he wasn't letting Joxer out of his sight for a second.

He looked to the bound form of their prisoner laying on the back of the cart. He was thankful Joxer was asleep for this. Poor gentle soul would blame himself. He felt his lover wiggle and stretch. A loud yawn drew the attention of everyone and Joxer looked up into Auto's eyes and smiled.

"Hi," Joxer yawned again and stretched some more.

"Hi Love," Auto gently and cautiously lowered his feet still supporting his back, "Did you have a nice sleep?"

Joxer blushed and looked around him, "Uh yeah. Um Hi...I'm joxer." He waved at the young women and the boy standing around him.

Auto chuckled and hugged him.

"Where are we?" Joxer scratched his head.

"Oxynia," Auto said and pressed his nose into his lover's neck and just breathed in Joxer. He was so releived his love was awake and seemed to be only slightly confused.

"How could I have slept all the way to Oxynia? Please tell me you didn't carry me all the way here?" Joxer was blushing even redder.

Auto chuckled as he dug his nose into Joxer's pulse point nuzzling him. Joxer giggled, Auto's mustache tickled, "I wouldn't mind carrying you around anywhere. So many prime opportunities to grope that bottom," He whispered into his lover's neck and squeezed that afore mentioned bottom.

"Get ah room ya love birds," Strife teased them.

Joxer yelped and pulled away from Auto on instinct. He looked up to see two gods watching him.

Strife just smiled Joxer was actually really cute when he blushed and got all fidgety, like a nervous rabbit. It made him look really vulnerable and innocent. Just perfect for a big strong preditor to take advantage of. 'Autolycus bettah take good care a tha' lil' bunny,' Strife thought, 'If'e don' I'll have to send all the spiders an buzzin insects in Greece to suck em dry.'

Auto felt the gaze of the mischief god on him. He turned and shared a look that promised that and more. The thief swallowed hard and he blindly grabbed for Joxer both to keep him close and the shield himself from the god's intense stare. Auto shivered and swore he could feel spiders crawling over his body. He scratched his cheek where he felt an unpleasant tickle.

Cupid rested a hand on his cousin's shoulder feeling him using his power on the thief. Strife Jumped and spun holding his daggers out at him.

"Relax Cuz," Cupid held up his hands in an 'I mean you no harm' way.

Strife did relax just a tiny fraction and slowly put his blades away. He grunted but didn't turn back to the mortals. He just stood there studying Cupid. What were the chances his cousin would try to take advantage. He was a more powerful god, older. How old Strife wasn't sure it had to be more than a few centuries. He was a well established god. He was handsome, yes, that worried Strife. The pretty ones were the ones that didn't like to take no for an answer. Then they treated him like he was beneith them. Wonder why nobody's managed to get him in bed. Oh some had been close but he always found ways to escape and make his would be 'lover' pay.

'Not aftah Selepos,' Strife shuddered at the name, 'Selepos was beautiful.' His mother had liked the crazed priest. Trusted him a great deal, and she didn't trust anybody. He shut his thoughts off, blinking and shaking his head.

Cupid wasn't like that. He had a kid that according to rumor he doted on like no other god has before. Strife wondered what it would be like to have that? Have a loving parent? If he ever...who was he kidding...He'd never have a kid of his own. It was probably for the best. He was cracked afterall. He would probably ruin a child. Just like his mother ruined him...

Cupid watched his younger cousin's expression. He went from tense to thoughful to sad to resigned. Cupid wondered what he was thinking and he felt a sharp tug at his heart. He wanted to wipe that sad look off the young god's pale face. Strife looked so fragile. Cupid wondered if he realized how expressive his face really was. He probably wouldn't like to know how much of his inner termoil played out on his features. Then he was back to his smiling mask and it was gone, but Cupid had it memorized already.

"Na, I know ya cool Cuz," Strife backed up anyway and Cupid sure didn't miss it. He had a new project. Strife was going to be his friend weather the younger god liked it or not.

The mortals watched the god's interacting with an undercurrent of dread. Whitnessing one god threaten the other with a pair of black blades that had to be sharp enough to finely slice mortal bones was a more than mildly terrifying. Auto pulled Joxer turning him getting himself between his love and the gods while still keeping his eyes on them. If they had to run he'd just scoop Joxer up and go.

"Godly flirting looks dangerous," Joxer whispered.

Cupid and Strife turned to look at the mortal. Auto clapped his hand over his lover's mouth, "I think he's delirous. Please ignore him." Joxer mumbled and glared at Auto. Auto gave him a warning look and Joxer sighed and shrugged.

Gabrielle was back frowning, "There's no inn."

"We can camp on the edge of town," Joxer suggested after Auto finally took his hand away.

Auto was a bit dissapointed he was hoping to have a nice private night alone with Joxer. He could try on those silks. Auto cursed to himself, conjuring up that image made him hot. He hugged Joxer close.

Xena came back without the horses. She smiled and nodded to her friends, "The stable master said we could sleep in the loft since there isn't an inn or tavern here. It's not a soft bed but hay is better than the rocky ground."

Everybody agreed. It was better than the cold hard ground. They all made their way back over to the stables. At least they would have a roof over their heads for the night.

Lydus clumsily steered the horse keeping the reigns firm in his grasp. The horse meandered down the road. He kept his legs tight on the animal's side s feeling every bump in the road and feeling his heart leap in his throat each time he felt himself start to slip to one side or the other. He adjusted himself and smacked the reigns. The horse sped up, breying in iritation. The human had no idea how to ride it and the horse was regretting accepting those apples. They had been sour anyway.

On the road ahead Lydus saw the remains of a fight. There was a monsterous serpent laying in the tall grass on the side of the road. Only an enormus tail was visible the head of the serpent must have been huge if the tail were so long and thick. There was a giant with it's head bashed in next to the remains of the cart's broken harness. Lydus looked down at the horse and patted its neck gently, but he didn't want to say anything. There were hoof prints all over the road. Very broad ones. The horse was stalkier than the dappled grey beauty he was ridding. Lydus looked at the cart and saw a pile of bodies, a stack of bloodied weapons and he heard some rustling in the woods. He didn't want to stick around to see what would come out. He smacked the reigns and almost as if the horse agreed it jumped to a fast gallop. Lydus barely hung on leaning down almost until he was hugging the horse's neck.

Xena stretched and felt the warm lump beside her she could hear a rooster crowing distantly and light peeked in through cracks in the stable wall. She looked at the scattered bodies around them snuggled in the hay. Joxer was sitting up with a strong arm thrown over his lap. He saw Xena and smiled holding his finger to his lips. Auto's arm tighetned on him and he pulled himself until his head was in his lover's lap. Joxer blushed and started combing his fingers through Auto's thick hair. Auto has the nicest hair. Even sweat soaked and unwashed it smelled so nice and felt good against his fingers. He gasped when he felt Auto's nose rubbing against his thigh. A hand was on his butt squeezing and he gently tapped Auto on the head.

"Mornin' love," Auto mumbled against his thigh.

"Morning," Joxer whispered. Auto pushed himself up until he was face to face with his love. Both men leaned back. Love was love, but morning breath was still unpleasant. Joxer turned to his pack and pulled out some green leaves. They smelled nice. he took one in his mouth and chewed and handed one to Auto.

"Mint," Auto sniffed the leaf and smiled. He chewed the leaf.

After a modest breakfast Xena and Gabrielle went with those two girls to help arrange a transport home. Auto had excused himself to take care of something, Joxer had looked suspiciously at him. He shrugged at him and let the man go off on his own for a bit. He decided to stretch his legs.

His legs took him back to the colorful cart he and the others had used the previous night. He had recogized it as one of the bandit's carts. They must have taken care of the bad guys permenantly. He winced thiking of his own contribution. He looked at his blue shirt frowning when he realized it had dried black blood on the collar and part way down the front. He gagged just a bit but as he turned to go for his things, he noticed that Gallus lay unmoving in the cart.

He gasped when he got a really good look at the man. He was dishevled, dirty, sunburned; and he was taking shallow breaths, like he was panting. He went over to the man who was staring listlessly at the back of the cart. Joxer moved to pull the gag out of his mouth and Gallus moaned as it stuck to his dry tongue.

"Gods!" Joxer whispered as he turned and ran for the stables. Gallus rolled his head trying to watch him go but he was soon out of sight.

He wasn't gone long he came back carrying a full waterskin. He brougnt it up and cupped the man's dusty head. Gallus blinked at him stupidly. Then feeling the cool wetness on his lips he began to drink spilling more of the water than geting it in his mouth. Joxer dampened a rag and began to wash his face.

"Joxer," A hushed and cracked voice issued forth from the bound man. The man struggled with his bindings. Gallus's eyes focused on him finally and he looked so sad. Joxer almost felt like untying him. Almost.

Joxer held the water skin back to his lips and he pulled on it like an infant drinking from his mother's breast. Joxer let him drink his fill. Then he slowly took the leathery bag away.

"Careful you'll get a stomach ache," He whispered to the man, "I'll bring you something to eat in a little bit then we can talk to Xena about getting you cleaned up."

Joxer got up and started to leave.

"Don't go," Gallus begged.

"I'll be right back," Joxer Slid off the cart.

"Please," Gallus begged tilting his head up an an uncomfortable angle, but as long as he could look into Joxer's beautiful eyes he didn't care if he snapped his neck.

"I-I," Joxer stammered.

"Joxer!" He heard his name barked and jumped looking guilty as Auto came forward. He grabbed Joxer and pulled him away. Gallus audibly growled at the hated man. Auto pulled him into an embrace and looked him in the eyes, "What were you thinking? What if he got loose and hurt you?"

"I was giving him water and I doubt he could do much to me in his condition. He's got a fever. His lips are cracked and dry; and that gag in his mouth was stuck to his tongue. There was blood on it!" Joxer was frowning hard. He looked at his lover and took a big breath. Auto shook his head and started to speak but Joxer wasn't done, "I know he's dnagerous and I know what he's done to both of us; but letting him die tied up on the back of a horse cart would make us no better than him and his people."

Auto sighed and nodded, "Fine, but what are we going to do with him?"

"Give him something to eat first of all," Joxer hugged Auto and smiled as he felt the thief's hands slide down his body to cup his ass. Gallus' growl took on a feircness and he thrashed about. Joxer tensed up and Auto pulled him around to where the man couldn't see them anymore. It didn't do much to quiet the man's fit but they didn't have to see him anymore.

Lydus was panting and wheezing. He never knew it was to much work riding a horse. He was never so grateful when the treeline broke at midday. Spralled out in the distance was a small collection of buildings and people milling about. Oxynia was hardly a village of note. Perhaps one day it might be a bustling community but for now it was just a few houses a small market and some surrounding farms.

Lydus hoped he would finally catch up to the group he'd been following. If they hadn't been involved in that fight he'd passed the remains of. Surely they would stop and rest before moving on. He tiredly smacked the reigns of the horse. It had been flagging off in its trot.

"I'm sorry I know you're tired. It's not much further," He patted the horse's neck.

They came to a stop at the first building. Lydus carefully slid his leg over the horse's side. As he was getting off the torn leather snapped and he fell on his back, knocking the air out of him.

"Oh my are you alright sir?" A feminine voice called. Lydus flinched. Hands were on him and helping him up before he could protest.

He ducked his head and uttered, "Thank you," Not even looking at the woman. She smiled worriedly. "Let me get my husband he can have a look at you. He's not a healer but he does know a little bit about medicine." The woman rounded the corner of the small house and soon came back with a tall burly man with long dark hair. He was frowning when he looked at the panting and hunched elderly man.

"My wife tells me you had a bad fall," He reached down and touched the man's shoulder. Lydus flinched but looked up.

"Oh I just rattled my old bones," He winced, "I really just need a second to catch my breath. Thank you though...I came here searching for a group of people. I have urgent news for them and I've been trying to catch then since Colyros." He didn't want to be delayed even by this well meaning couple. He looked hopeful.

"Well you may be in luck a group of travlers came in the night. They borded in our stables," The man explained, "We'd offer 'em a room in our home, but we barely have room for ourselves."

"Oh thank the gods. It's not too late then," Lydus felt his chest fluttering. He gasped for air. The hands steadying him went unnoticed as he sunk to the ground.

Joxer frowned. looking between the two Gargareans. Now they had two 'prisoners' to look after. Though the old man looked ashen and the young one was sunburned. Against Xena's better judgment they had not tied up Lydus. Joxer insisted. They waited for the old man to wake and hear his story before they would do anything.

Lydus goraned and cracked his eyes open. He saw Joxer and gasped, "Young one, I have to warn you," he hissed out quietly, "Gallus is coming."

Joxer shushed him, "It's alright. He's here." Joxer nodded to him. He was cleaned and also not bound any longer. Joxer insisted he be released. Xena warned that she would not be leinent if he tried anything. The man had only slept since he had been bathed and fed.

"He attacked us, but he's sick," Joxer explained. Lydus slowly pushed himself up in the hay he was laying in. Joxer was held securly in a man's lap. The man was glaring at him over Joxer's shoulder. 'Just try anything funny,' The man dared with a look.

"I came with the hopes of preventing that or of convincing him to return with me north. Our people are leaving Greece. Pan commanded that we migrate. Gallus was quite upset when he was told to give up on his persual of your hand Joxer," Lydus coughed into his hand and hunched over.

Joxer looked worried but he was held fast by Auto, "Are you going to be alright?"

The man waved him off, "I'm old," He said as if that explained everything.

"If you would allow it, I would like to take the lad back to his family. If he won't come willingly I will tie him to that horse I found and lead him north," The old man looked so pleading. He wanted to get back to his family. They could deal with the wayward boy. If he had the aid of the horse they could catch their people even sooner.

"It would get him out of our hair," Gabrielle spoke up. Lydus started at the sound of a female voice. He noticed the women watching him and he started to shake nervously. To his credit he didn't scream or faint.

"If we gave you that cart and horse you would go north and take him with you?" Xena spoke up.

"Yes, yes!" Lydus steadied himself, "Please."

She studied the man and felt satisified that he was in earnest, "If I see him again I will not hesitate to kill him, neither will any of us I am sure." She looked pointedly at Joxer who frowned and blushed.

"I understand," Lydus took a long calming breath.

"Good," Xena smiled chillingly, "The cart is hitched if you feel you can travel."

"Of course," Lydus picked himself up. He looked at his charge and back at the woman, "Would you mind assisting me in loading him onto the cart?"

She nodded. The group had the elderly man loaded up and gave him some food and water. Xena reiterated her warnings not to show either of thier faces near Joxer again. He nodded and drove the cart up the road back toward his kinsmen. Gallus lay in the back of the cart still unconscious.

Joxer and Auto watched the cart shrink in the distance both feeling tension slowly ebb away. Not having a man who wanted to either kill or rape you near did wonders for their stress levels.

"Thank the gods," Joxer whispered and turned to hug his lover and press his nose into the thief's sweaty neck. Auto petted his head gently. They had enough to worry about without that particular problem.
TBC
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Joxer and the Men