I had a good life
Before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name
Still there was sorrow and emptiness
'Til you made me glad
Oh, in this love I found strength I never knew I had

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you home

There were days, lonely days
When the world wouldn't throw me a crumb
But I kept on believing
That this day would come

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you-home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in my heart forever

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
Taking you home

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you home

- Don Henley
"Taking You Home"

Xena was the first to see us. She was traveling past the village outskirts, a robe draped over her right shoulder. She grimaced as she saw us and tried to stifle her laughter. We must have been quite a sight; me wearing Joxer's shirt and Joxer bare-chested under his armor.

"I like your new looks," she complimented drily. "You both make quite a fashion statement."

Her teasing couldn't ruin my good mood. I was about to chastise her whimsically when I froze in disbelief. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as I noticed two Amazons traveling towards us. One I recognized immediately: she looked extremely angry, her face colored in anger to match her hair.

"Amarice," I whispered in shock.

Though she was too far away to hear me, the wannabe Amazon stopped in her tracks as if she had. The anger dissipated from her features as she glanced my way. I raced toward her.

"You're alive!" I cried as we hugged.

Amarice pulled away, smiled sheepishly and shifted her feet. "Uh, yeah. I got hurt in my first big battle as an Amazon-in-training. Can you believe that?" She rolled her eyes. "All my time fighting as an Amazon and doing just fine, then getting hit with a poisoned arrow as a trainee and almost dying." As Amarice shook her head at the irony of her experience, I glanced at the Amazon accompanying her. This woman was much older, with strong stoic eyes that surveyed me thoroughly.

"Gabrielle," she started, "we meet again."

I tried to place the face and voice, but couldn't.

"You remember Chi'ah?" Amarice asked hopefully. "The Amazon protector of the sacred amber, the one who told you that I wasn't a real Amazon."

I nodded, scratching my head in wonder at why the two of them were together.

Seeing my bewilderment, Amarice explained, "She saved me, Gabrielle. She took me from the battlegrounds and healed me."

I tried to speak, but like Amarice, Chi'ah anticipated me.

"I'm more than a guardian of a stone, Gabrielle. I have many skills," her lips curled in a smile as she turned in Xena's direction, "which include healing and prophesy reading. You and Amarice were the sign I'd been waiting for, a sign of changed times for all Amazon tribes."

I was still confused about what she meant, but I nodded to feign understanding. Chi'ah smiled knowingly.

"Don't try to fool me, Gabrielle. Remember, I am a mystic. I can see right through to your heart." Her eyes trailed to Joxer before returning to mine. "It's nice to see that you've finally done the same."

I blushed under her gaze.

"When I first saw Amarice, I saw an imposter," Chi'ah continued, "but I also saw the future queen of the first united Amazon nation."

My eyes widened in surprise. This time Amarice was the one blushing.

"She receives training here," Chi'ah elaborated. "She is learning to work with others and observes how the other council members and I lead." She pursed his lips and added the afterthought, "Her stubborn streak has gotten her into some trouble, however, and she has much to learn before she can be a good queen."

Amarice grunted in response, indicating that her training had been far from easy. She tried to change the subject.

"We would have been here for you, yesterday, Gabrielle, but we were visiting other tribes and the storm prevented us from getting back in time." She frowned. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

I hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Amarice. I'm so glad you're alive and well."

Amarice whispered in my ear, "Maybe alive, but not that well if the old battle axe has anything to say about that." Chi'ah cleared her throat and frowned, but Amarice ignored her. Her face softened as she cupped my cheek in her hand.

"When I was dying, I fought my hardest to stay alive because I knew you and Xena wouldn't die without a fight, and I sure wasn't going to either." She laughed and her eyes glazed over as her thoughts entered the past. "I remember when I first met you. I thought you were the biggest loser I'd ever met, and an Amazon queen at that!" She bit her lower lip in embarrassment at the recollection. "But then when Joxer and I found you on the cross and..." Her voice trailed off and I noticed Joxer pale at the memory. "Well, you and I both changed after that. And now, whenever I train and face the elders' tests, I ask myself what you would do and then I do it." She smiled. "Haven't failed a test yet, knock on wood," she joked as she knocked on a nearby tree. "I don't think I will either if I keep myself as focused as I know you and Xena are."

I opened my mouth, flattered at and appreciative of her faith in me, but Amarice hadn't finished complimenting me yet.

"You and Xena are the two strongest women I've ever met. Gabrielle, I know you could easily give birth to 50 healthy children when the time is right simply because of that."

I laughed at the random number Amarice chose and sarcastically remarked, "You're not making a prediction, are you?"

Chi'ah scowled at her protege, missing Amarice's exaggeration completely. "Your forecasting abilities are completely off the mark. Two is a long way from 50."

Amarice turned gruffly on her benefactor and said through clenched teeth, "I was praising, not predicting! Since you've never praised anyone in your life, of course you don't know the difference!"

The corners of Chi'ah's mouth twisted in amusement at Amarice's emotional outburst, and I suddenly got the impression that Chi'ah had been much like Amarice in her youth.

I stepped forward before either could say more. "Two children? I will have two children?" Chi'ah hesitated.

Amarice rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Way to go, oh-so-powerful one," she chastised. "I thought you said we couldn't let people know too much about their own destinies. So can I tell Joxer and Xena about their kids too?"

"Kids with a 's'?" Xena inquired with a furrowed brow. I noticed the mystic's eyes dart in the direction of a large nearby tree, where Ares was pushing Eve on a swing.

"You've said too much, Amarice."

"Oh, I've said too much? I'm not the one who started this whole..."

"I think we should be going," Chi'ah interrupted nervously. She nodded a goodbye to the three of us and turned back toward the village.

Amarice followed close behind. "Oh no, you aren't getting away so easily. I want it known that you screwed up on that one, not me. Come on, you're always telling me a good queen can admit when she's wrong. As my teacher, you should be able to do the same.

"I am not a queen nor will I ever be," Chi'ah stated matter-of-factly. Their arguing grew fainter as they strode further away.

I turned to Joxer and beamed. "Did you hear that Joxer? I WILL have children again."

He smiled slightly. "Of course you will. I told you someday you'd meet the right guy and that he'd give you as many kids as you wanted." He looked at his feet. "Everything Amarice said, about you and Xena being the strongest women she knows, is true in my book too." He shrugged and began digging the toes of his boots into the ground. "Who knows? Maybe my kids will play with your kids and Xena's kids and they'll all be good friends."

"My kids..." Xena muttered, watching her daughter scream gleefully as Ares pushed the girl and her swing higher. "Kids... as in more than one."

I ignored Xena's words as I looked incredulously at the man I loved. "Joxer, did you ever stop to think that my kids might be your kids?"

He gawked in amazement, proving he obviously hadn't.

"I... um... I... uh, what? Kids? You... uh... and me? Like..." he looked away in embarrassment and bit the inside of his cheek. Despite this I noticed he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising. And from the way he shifted his legs I knew he was imagining us creating children in the way nature intended.

"Yes, Joxer," I declared with a grin - which would not be the last time he'd ever hear such an affirmation. "You and me. Someday."

I kissed him ardently and he returned the fervor. The giddiness that had infected both of us earlier wasn't as hard to quell once passion joined the fray.

"About time," Xena responded sharply. I reluctantly broke the kiss and blushed, burying my head against Joxer's shoulder and listening to his increased heartbeat. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Xena watching Eve and Ares warily. She looked older and frailer somehow standing there, as if she'd just been defeated.

"I think I'll go for a walk," she muttered, turning in the opposite direction of her daughter and former lover, and heading off into the wild wood alone.

Almost home now. I was returning from the Amazon village on a rather hot day when my eyes lingered to the lake. Maybe I had time for a quick swim.

It had been a year since I had my great awakening, ten months since my wedding to Joxer. We were married in the field where he had found me - and where I had found myself. Aphrodite worked with the Fates to create the loveliest wedding dress I'd ever seen: an ivory silk satin gown featuring a crystal and pearl floral beaded design on the spaghetti strapped bodice, a dropped waist and a full pleated skirt. My family and friends gasped at the sight of me as I walked down the aisle. I smiled as their eyes met my own. Their faces brought back memories of the past six years.

I saw my parents and Lila and remembered the day I left them to be with Xena. I saw Hercules and Iolaus and remembered how Iolaus almost died during out attempt to save Prometheus. I saw Princess Diana and Prince Philemon and remembered how Xena and I helped the pair declare their love for each other. I saw Meleager and remembered how I helped him restore his self-confidence and save my village. I saw Meg and remembered her fondness for Joxer, understanding the reason for her frown at the moment. I saw Autolycus and remembered the time we found ambrosia to bring Xena back to life. I saw Leah and remembered how I saved her from being burned at the stake by a rival sect. I saw Tara and her husband Andros and remembered the girl's love of dance and how she once wanted to take my place as Xena's sidekick. I saw Minya with Hower and remembered the village Xena and I saved from the giant, the play I wrote for which Minya auditioned, and my surprise birthday party at which she was a guest - and murder suspect.

I saw Amarice and remembered our first meeting - when she told me the Romans killed Ephiny. I saw Arman with her and remembered his anger at Joxer for killing his father - and his attraction later to Amarice. I saw K'ao Hsin and remembered the battles against her twin sister and older brother to save Chin. With her I saw Lin Qi and remembered the conversation we had about settling down. "Sometimes people think a home is a place, but it can be a person," I had said. At the time I was thinking of Xena. I later realized that I meant someone else as well.

I saw Cyane, Eris and Rhea and remembered how Rhea adored Joxer while Cyane hated him, how Eris tried her best to become Xena's new sidekick, and how Joxer had to stand in the stocks and pledge his allegiance to me. The latter memory caused my eyes to water, for I was about to make the same pledge to him.

I stated marriage vows before - to Perdicus. I marveled at how different my life would have been if he hadn't died. In retrospect our decision to marry was rash, and he paid the price of my love with his life. It had taken me years to overcome the fear of loving and losing another again. I knew that if Perdicus could, he would wish me well with my new life - and he'd probably tease me about not marrying Joxer sooner.

I held back the tears as I passed the final row of guests. Xena and I exchanged loving glances that expressed more than words could. Seeing her tears caused mine to overflow. I wiped them away carefully and hugged the best friend I'd ever known.

She reluctantly pulled away. "Quit hugging me and go marry the guy. He's been waiting long enough." She sniffed and rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, wiping it on her turquoise bridesmaid dress before sitting down next to her mother and Eve. I heard Cyrene say something about waiting long enough for Xena to marry, but Xena just grunted in response.

I'd been too busy looking at the guests and thinking of my past to notice the man I was about to marry. My eyes met his chocolate brown ones, and I saw how completely entranced he was by me. For a moment I was worried he'd be unable to speak or even take his eyes off me for the ceremony, until he gulped, took my hand in his own and whispered, "Gabby, you're the most beautiful woman in the world." His lower lip trembled as he looked at our entwined hands. "And I'm the luckiest man in the world to be marrying you."

I lay beside the lake and thought fondly of that moment ten months ago when the priest of Eli pronounced us husband and wife. Xena and Jace sang a fun-loving duet to start the celebration, but as far as Joxer and I were concerned, the real festivities began that night when we were finally alone together.

I giggled at that last thought and looked toward the hut Joxer and I built together - perched on the field's highest point by the lake. I don't know how we ever completed it. When we weren't fighting over how it should be built, we were making up afterwards - and consequently getting no work done.

I stretched my sore back and watched Joxer tending the vegetable garden by the side of the house. Having a roof overhead, a steady supply of vegetables from the garden, fish from the lake, and meat from the forest had its advantages - at least for the time being.

I took off my clothes and waded into the water. "Pregnant woman going skinny dipping," I yelled toward the house. Joxer peeked his head up from the garden. "Oops, you missed it," I teased as the refreshingly cool water covered me from the neck down.

He sauntered toward me and sat beside my clothes, smiling widely. "You're going to have to come out for these eventually."

I treaded water and enjoyed an exercise that didn't hurt my joints, feet or back. Joxer watched me adoringly. The brief respite provided me with enough relief to make it through another day of pregnancy. And there weren't many days left.

He watched me exit the lake as the water cascaded down my body and over my large belly. I'd seen that look on several occasions, usually first thing in the morning when he'd been lying in bed for hours, keeping still for fear he'd wake me, preferring to lie beside me and watch me sleep. I didn't understand why he did that; how attractive could I be first thing in the morning, still asleep and snoring with a trail of drool at the edge of mouth? But he insisted that waking up like that with me in his arms was the best part of his whole day. And I had to agree that waking to his loving, adoring expression was becoming the best part of mine.

He watched me as I dried off and dressed. Even though he'd seen me naked hundreds of times, I blushed at the way his eyes drank in the sight of me. When I finished, he pulled me toward him. As he lightly placed his hand on my stomach, I began to feel a dull pain.

I quickly leaned away from him. Joxer moved his hand as if he touched a hot fire.

"What? Did I hurt you?"

"No," I answered between deep breaths. "It's just that..." I had to pause. The pain was slowly becoming sharper. I bent over slightly and clenched my teeth. "I think it's time."

Considering the fate of my last pregnancy, Joxer and I had prepared for the baby's delivery early. Aphrodite had given us calling stones like Ares had used to summon Hephaestus. Joxer rummaged through his many pockets in search of them, becoming more agitated when they didn't appear. I remembered that the stones were in my pouch in case I went into labor without Joxer around. Since he was more nervous than I was and my pain was starting to subside, I retrieved them and crashed the two stones together. The collision produced a circle of light that grew larger before it was completely out of sight. Within a minute, Aphrodite appeared with Xena at her side.

"I win the bet," the warrior princess murmured. "I told you when she left the village earlier that she looked ready to go at any second."

Aphrodite pouted. "Fine. I'll keep my brother out of your hair for the next month. But someday I'd like to put a more feminine twist on your outfit, like maybe a pink powder puff fringe around the edges and..." Xena elbowed Aphrodite in the side.

"Hey!" Aphrodite scowled. Xena gestured her head in my direction. Aphrodite's tone immediately brightened.

"Okay," she announced with a huge smile, rolling up the see-through sleeves of her nightie. "Let's have this baby." I cringed at the confidence in the goddess's voice. I was extremely apprehensive, and the shaking arms surrounding me indicated that Joxer felt the same.

The pain returned, stronger than before. My face contorted in agony. Within a minute it was gone and I was regaining my breath, but it didn't stay away long.

"This is good," Aphrodite chimed. "Absolutely wonderful. Everything is going very smoothly."

Trying to cope with a contraction, I snarled, "Then why don't you sit here and have this child?"

The Goddess of Love snorted. "Honey, I've given birth enough times." She smiled condescendingly. "But it's good to see that you're your old bitchy self."

Xena smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

My anger was increasing. "Do you people even care about all this... ooooowwwwww!" I winced as the aches intensified. I cringed, waiting for them to dissipate.

"It's okay, Gabby," Joxer reassured, though he was shivering behind me. "They wouldn't be joking with you if there was a problem."

I turned my wrath to Joxer. "What do you know about giving birth? You have no idea what this feels like." The contraction slowly left me, though the effects were still fresh in my mind. "You only felt the fun part. You haven't had to carry this baby around for nine months. You're not in labor right NNNNOOOOOWWWW," I screamed as a huge volt of pain shot through my body.

Aphrodite stood by my side and coached me to breathe as if I didn't know how. Joxer graciously wiped my brow, for there was little he could do except take my abuse. He looked at Xena imploringly. She only nodded reassuringly.

"Well, Gabrielle, since you have enough energy to scream at Joxer, you'll have enough energy to deliver to this baby. It's time to push."

I shook my head as Joxer propped me up. "Stop it, stop it, stop touching me. I can have this baby just fine without you touching me." A stronger contraction began. I clenched my entire body. "And I swear that when this is all over, you are never touching me again."

Aphrodite giggled. "Highly doubtful."

"Push!" Xena ordered. I did, grunting as I tensed. While focusing my concentration, I failed to notice how Joxer was still holding me upright. I fell back against him in exhaustion.

"One more time, Gabrielle," Xena coaxed. I closed my eyes and prayed silently that this baby would be alright. Joxer's hand enveloped mine, and somehow, that made me find the strength. I sat up, took a few deep breaths, and pushed as hard as I could, clenching every muscle in my body - including the muscles in the hand that held Joxer's.

We screamed in unison over the pain.

"He's out!" Xena cried. I leaned back in relief and tried to catch my breath, happy to hear the screaming child instead of silence. I hadn't noticed that Xena identified our baby's gender; I was too busy trying to recover from the pain. Joxer missed the exclamation as well for the same reason.

Xena and Aphrodite cleaned the baby and wrapped him in a blanket.

"Gabrielle, Joxer," Xena began proudly, placing the baby in my arms, "meet your son."

I could feel Joxer beaming behind me. "I have a son?! Gabby, we have a son!"

I couldn't respond. I was undergoing my own transformation. I'd given birth and nothing had gone wrong. This baby was inside me - Joxer and I created him - and nothing had gone wrong. Tears filled me eyes.

"He's so beautiful," I whispered as I beheld him, my voice wavering slightly.

"Yes, he is," Joxer replied. "Just like his mother." He kissed my temple.

"Oh, Pookie," I moaned as I leaned my head against his chest, not feeling at all like the woman I was a few minutes before. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Gabrielle," he answered sheepishly.

The baby opened his eyes. I recognized their shape and deep blue color immediately.

I looked toward the heavens as tears escaped my eyes, and issued a silent thanks. In life I rushed down so many paths without stopping to consider the big picture: where I should be going. I thought I knew when in fact I hadn't. This past year I discovered how wrong I'd been about so many things. But there was one thing I was happy to know I'd been right about.

"Welcome to our family, Virgil," I whispered.

I placed my pinky against his palm and he instinctively closed his fist around it. I looked at the hut where Joxer and I had been spending our married life. I looked at the lake before me, the tree beside me, and the blooming flowers behind me. I smiled as I considered that the place of my rebirth had become the place of my son's birth.

Joxer scooped me up in his arms, much to my surprise, and began walking toward the hut.

"Whoa, Joxer," Xena cautioned as she and Aphrodite rushed to follow. "What are you doing? You think you can handle...?"

"I'm not going to drop my family," Joxer interrupted calmly. "I've always dreamt of doing this." He looked at me and our newborn son and announced proudly, "I'm taking you home."

I voiced no objection, feeling safe and relaxed within arms I considered home no matter where we were. Joxer opened the door of our cozy residence and carried us over the threshold.

I pulled Virgil closer to me and whispered in his ear, "We're taking you home," as Joxer gently closed the door behind.

The End

Please take a moment to write to Jennifer at jennifer.brouillard@jwu.edu and let her know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Eve, Aphrodite, Ares, and all other characters who have appeared in either series, together with the names, titles and backstories are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 2000 by Jennifer K. Brouillard and is her sole property along with the story idea. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.