TEASER: Trying to adjust to their new relationship, and the increasing sexual tension, Joxer and Gabrielle get caught in the rain, and in effort to lift his girlfriend's spirits, Joxer does some dancing in the rain, which in turn leads to much more.

SPOILERS: None really. I’ve departed from the timeline completely.
DISCLAIMER: Xena, Joxer, Gabrielle and the rest of the gang belong to no one but Ren Pics. But they suck. Muchly.
DISTRIBUTION:  Ummm… Reality is Nothing But a Collective Hunch. This will NOT go to That Was Scary. Wanta know why? Read the rating.

RATING: NC-17. Yeah, you read it right. Hush. I’m getting all red and flustered now.

AUTHOR’S NOTES:
Okay, I’m going to pull a Xebbie with the huge notes section. See, here’s the thing. I don’t usually write adult fiction. Okay, Never. This is my first. And most likely, the last. I had established a while ago that this story was going to be racier than the rest, and it kinda went further than I expected, and therefore it got labeled an NC-17. Now, keep in mind, it’s really rather mild compared to some of the hotter stuff on this list. Also when I wrote the scenes, I actually wasn’t planning on showing them. You know. Ever. But somehow or another it was read, and liked, and well… here it is.

Be nice. I’m knew at this. ;-)

~*~

Here Comes the Rain Again

Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
I want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you

So baby talk to me
Like lovers do
Walk with me
Like lovers do
Talk to me
Like lovers do

Here comes the rain again
Raining in my head like a tragedy
Tearing me apart like a new emotion

I want to breathe in the open wind
I want to kiss like lovers do
I want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you
So baby talk to me
Like lovers do

~*~

There had to be a hidden agenda.

Gabrielle grimaced, looking down at the scroll again and sighing. Beside her, her new love slept, never aware that Xena suddenly had the brilliant plan.

"Xena,  you really don't have to-"

"I'm not. You are."

Gabrielle's eyes widened and she felt her gaze suddenly shift to her sleeping boyfriend. "Xena!"

The Warrior Princess leaned back, raising and putting her hands behind her head. "Gabrielle you two haven't had a moment alone since... well since you two started this... thing."

"This thing?" she repeated.

"Relationship," Xena said, found herself frowning a bit. "This relationship of yours."

"Right." Gabrielle sighed, leaning back on her elbows, and cocking her head. "Has it been bothering you?"

Xena pursed her lips, and slowly shook her head no. "Not exactly. But you guys are still trying to find you're ground. I think this will be good for you."

"Xena we found our ground a while ago."

"No, you just realized some important things. But you guys still..." Xena shrugged, and then leaned forward, squeezing her friend's shoulder. "Just spend some time together. Work things out. Without me."

Gabrielle gave her a long look, and then finally nodded, as Xena turned to Eve, she turned to Joxer.

He was breathing easily, the journey back to Greece was long, and still in Africa it was hot, and he still wore the linen skirt that he had gotten quite used to.

A slow smile spread across her face. She was going to miss that skirt.

A hand slid up his back, and Gabrielle found herself unconciously biting her lip. Gods. It was one thing to be fighting these urges when she didn't know she loved him.  Now she was free to love him freely, and just the mere touch...

She had been having dreams. Vivid dreams... of him... and her...

And the emotions when he looked at her told her he was thinking the same thing.

Gabrielle swallowed down the swell of lust and emotion. Okay, Xena was right. Things were getting a bit hot around here between the two of them. It was new... having to deal with the idea of her and Joxer as a couple, of having to adjust their lives, all of them, to that. She was sleeping in his pelt now, and ... well, it just felt different.

He wasn't just Joxer anymore. He wasn't just the guy that could get conked on the head and they could laugh. She couldn't get angry at him for no reason and she couldn't abuse him as she did before. She didn't even want to.

What she could do was touch him. She could touch him and want him and want to be near him. Gods, this man was hot. He was so very hot, and every day she found herself veering to one thing. She wanted him. She wanted to be with him. Completely.

Unfortunately, it wasn't like traveling in the wilderness and heat, the three of them in such close quarters could afford that. Gabrielle was determined not to make Xena feel left out, and because of that, she stifled her urges, kept them at bay, because once that happened... there was no going back. It wasn't just going to be Xena and Gabrielle now. Joxer was just as important to her, and because of that, she knew he was just as important to Xena.

He was a part of them, a part of her, but that didn't change how much Xena meant to her, how close she was to her.

It was a frustrating balance, and she knew Xena had picked up on it.

Joxer had been so wonderful about it. He understood, he knew, and so despite the love, the need she could feel radiating from his core, despite that sexuality that she now knew was so much a part of him, he never said a word, only content to kiss her once, to hold her, to slide his lips across her shoulder once in a while.

But she wanted more.

A slow smile drifted across her lips. And thanks to Xena... she just might get it.

"Joxer," she whispered. Her sleeping lover stirred, stretching once quickly, turning to blink at her sleepily.

"Gabs?"

"Hey."

"Hey." He gave her roaming fingers a gentle kiss as he sat up, rubbing at his eyes. "Did I over sleep?"

"A bit."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll get ready to go-"

"Joxer." She stilled him with a touch on his arm, and when he looked at her, she gently shook her head. "Joxer, you and I are going to go south for the day. Xena saw some wild mushrooms and well, they would be nice for stew."

He stared at her blankly, his mind not quite working yet. "We're going all the way back just for some mushrooms?"

"Yes."

He was silent for a moment. "Just the two of us?"

A small grin played across her face. "Yes."

"Oh." Her hand slid into his and squeezed, and he looked down, staring at the contact, and then he suddenly looked up and gave her a wide grin. "So let's leave already!"

She chuckled and rose, pulling him up with her, keeping her hand in his. "I've already packed everything... well Xena already packed everything, so we're all set."

He took a drink from the canteen and pulled on the linen shirt that Xena had lent him to shield him from the hotter rays of the sun. She smiled, letting her eyes drink him in.

Gods.

"Let's go faster."

Xena snorted, and Gabrielle blushed, turning and walking forward.

"I love you," she whispered, hugging her fiercely, and Xena merely rolled her eyes.

"Yeah. Whatever. Go get laid." Gabrielle's eyes widened and Xena laughed, scruffing up her hair. "Hey. You deserve it."

Gabrielle coughed, and averted her eyes, leaning down and picking up the pack, grabbing Joxer's hand and pulling him away.

"You're so going to get it later, Xena."

"Umm... No, Gabrielle. Actually I think you are."

Joxer looked confused. "What?"

Gabrielle merely pulled him harder, and Xena chuckled, and looked down at Eve. "Forget that deserving part. She NEEDS it."

Eve just sucked her thumb.

~*~

"Here!" Gabrielle turned, and found Joxer heading away from the trail. Puzzled, she followed him, and found him settling under a large tree that provided a beautiful green canopy.

"Wow," she whispered, coming forward, and kneeling next to him.  "This is so gorgeous."

"Yeah. It would be perfect if it just wasn't so hot."

Gabrielle nodded her agreement, and leaned back, sitting  next to him for a second of silence.

"So."

"So."

They looked at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Amazing how we suddenly have to depend on Xena for conversation, huh?'

Gabrielle shook her head and laughed. "I think we can do okay on our own." Her eyes stayed on his as she leaned forward, and gently kissed him. It was gentle, sweet, and he smiled when they parted.

"I love when you do that."

She blushed, and sat back, her arm brushing his as they looked over the greenery.

"It's almost surreal, isn't it?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"I mean this place," she waved her hand. "It's so different from home, so much more ... wet and green and hot. But it's beautiful. I mean, I was miserable for a while but ... it really is beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

She rolled her eyes and smacked him lightly. "What do you think would have happened if we had gone straight back to Greece?"

He shrugged, pursing his lips. "I dunno. More fighting with Gods, I guess."

Gabriellle sighed, leaning her head back against the tree. "That's insane. But you're right. Xena was right. We needed this."

"You think?"

"Yes. Gods, Joxer it's like... now it's like this never ending war. We can't eat, can't sleep without being afraid that some one is going to come after us... and if we had never come here then we would have never..."

Her hand stole out, squeezed his.  She smiled, on her face a beautiful expression of tender recollection, her eyes dark as the memories swam into them, swirling about in a mist of wonderful love.

“Joxer, it’s just…” she turned, and rested her hand on his, squeezing ever so softly. “It’s… I  never imagined… in a hundred years that I could HAVE this… that I could have you.”

His smile froze for a second, and Joxer felt his heart stop beating for what felt like a full minute. Trying to understand, he could only stare at the beautiful bard that had given her love to him in confusion.

He couldn’t help it. His mind, his heart, his body, was swimming with her, and it was hard to think straight, to even form a coherent thought.

“Gabs, I … I … you know you could have always had me. I mean… you’ve known-“

“No, silly.” The look that she gave him was amused, not at all frustrated that he still hadn’t gotten when she was trying to tell him. “That’s not what I mean.”  Leaning over, she emphasized the statement with a playful jab to his arm.

Joxer leaned back, watching her as he leaned against the tree. “So what did you mean?”

She sighed, looking around, that same… dark, haunted look in her eyes, the tired expression that made his heart heave as he realized just how much his Gabrielle had suffered.

Gods. All the things she’d gone through. He would have given my life to take away some of the pain that was in those beautiful eyes, and yet he knew there was nothing he could do.

He felt utterly helpless, and the only one act he could follow up on was perhaps the best thing he could have done. With a gentle caress, he slid his arms around her and pulled her close.

As she leaned into his embrace, accepting it, loving it, and needing it, he felt an involuntary shudder slide through him. Gods… he could hold her. He could actually hold her and it was okay. He could hold her, and he could LOVE her, and she… she let him.

Her head rested just under his chin, and he breathed in, smiling as he closed his eyes. It was amazing how her hair, no matter how far away from home they were, still smell sweet, like some sort of fruit that was never in season long enough.

Gods.

 “I meant that… with Xena and Eve… and the … problems we’ve been having with the Gods. I’ve been protecting everyone. Joxer, I never dreamed I could have something LIKE this…” her voice was muffled, and he only stared when she pulled away slightly, looking up into his eyes, one hand tenderly raised to slid across my cheek.  “And it’s YOU. Joxer… it’s like… I don’t think it could have been with anyone else.”

Gods.

He was certain now… there could never be anyone who’d loved a person more. His heart was so full, and he feared it would burst with the radiance he felt. He couldn’t breathe, and he could barely see, the husky emotion in her voice making his eyes so wet and moist that when he first felt the wetness on his head he took no notice of it.

“OH!” Blinking, he looked up in confusion when Gabrielle stumbled up. “Joxer! It’s raining!’

It wasn’t raining. It was pouring.

She put her hands over her head, a poor attempt to shield herself from the rain, and then gave him a frustrated expression, grabbing his hand and pulling.

“Joxer! Come on! We gotta get out of the rain.”

But he didn’t move. Instead he offered her a soft smile, and asked,  “Why?”

She paused, for a moment unsure. "What?"

"I said why?" He grin became wide, and suddenly he stripped off the cloth shirt that he had been wearing and raised his face to the droplets, opening his mouth, letting the rain slip inside and wash down his throat.

"Joxer! What are you-"

And he began to dance. With a shout of joy Joxer ran, landing in a quickly forming puddle with a splash, wetting his beloved even more. She shrieked, hands splayed out to try and cover herself, and Joxer merely turned, winked evily and ran to yet another puddle, jumping in vigorously.

"Come on, Gabrielle! When was the last time you let yourself have fun for the hell of it!"

"And if we get sick?" she cried back, fighting for her voice against the patter of the rain.

"Then we get sick! It's a cold, Gabs!" He ran forward, scooped her around the waist and swinging her around. "Come on! Baila mi amigos!"

The perfect imitation of his brother made her suddenly throw her head back and laugh, and the giddiness that had seemed to invade him for reason filled her, as she felt a tingling, a joy inside of her that she had never felt before.

THIS was what she wanted. This was what she had kept hoping for. That there was a reason to life, and this was it.

He deposited her, and continued his jumping in the puddles, getting completely soaked, with his bare chest and his soaked white linen skirt.

Gods. And he was HERS.

Joxer landed with a splash, and found himself laughing, turning to look for his girlfriend. His eyes landed on her, and suddenly he froze, breathing shallow and his mouth parted.

She was smiling like he had never seen her smile. The way she stood there, her face up to the droplets, her palms out, catching them, the grin on her face… it was amazing.

SHE was amazing.

And she loved him.

Joxer’s heart stopped, shuddered within him, and he stilled, letting the droplets fall over him, found he could do nothing else but stare.

She loved him.

Gods…. Could there BE anything more?

She laughed, a tingling laugh, and her arms spread out, she began to sway, swinging her long bangs back, the drops sliding down her beautiful body.

And she loved him.

She swayed, the rhythm that was always inside of her coming out of her like this beautiful wave of beats, her hips moving, her eyes closed, and suddenly she swung and she stopped, her eyes opening

Her eyes met his, and they were shining brilliantly, the droplets sliding down her skin not even coming close to the brilliance in her orbs.

“What?” she asked. “What is it?”

“You just…” he swallowed, his voice suddenly raspy. His palms were wet, and he ran his hands through his hair, wiping it back, the rain sliding down his face. “Oh man, Gabby,” he rasped, his eyes riveted on her frame, reacting as a man reacted to a beautiful woman, his heart swelling. “You’re just… you’re so amazing.”

She was quiet for a moment, and suddenly the most beautiful smile he had ever seen come from her slid slowly onto her face, knowingly. She knew how much he adored her, she knew how much he loved her. And Gods, she loved that.

She came forward, not even bothering with the mud as the puddles splashed onto her legs, and gently slipped her hands in his, entwining them so that her fingers slid slowly across his, rubbing.

“Dance with me,” she said, her eyes twinkling. The grip on her palms was stronger now, as she pulled, and suddenly her warm chest was pressed against his bare one, trapping the moisture between the two of them.

She looked up at him, a soft, intense look in her beautiful green eyes, as she slipped his hands around her back, pulling them together, and then looked down.

He had never felt so alive. His skin was tingling, every nerve on end, his body responding, hardening obediently to the feel of her hands on him, as her gaze slipped over his chest. Her breasts rose and fell against him and her fingertips slid over his own.

“Gods,” she whispered, and Gods… he found himself letting out a gasp when suddenly her head leaned forward, and gently, almost with reverence, Gabrielle, his beautiful bard, pressed his lips carefully over one small nipple, and gently tugged.

“Gabs,” he gasped, shuddering, feeling her smile as she pressed her lips against her skin.

“I make you a little crazy, don’t I?”

The words were so soft, he had to strain his ears to hear, the pulses beating deep within him, his breath rising so fast, so fast and furious, the droplets falling onto his face, dripping down his cheeks.

 “Do you really have to make me answer that?”

Her fingertips were at his face, and Gabrielle merely shook her head. “You don’t have to do anything, Joxer.”

The soft tone made his heart heave, and suddenly his hands slipped about her, and he leaned down, kissing her lips tenderly, softly. She responded, a low moan in her mouth as her arms tightened around him.

Pulling her against him, he gently steered her to the shade of a tree, providing not much, but enough shade from the pouring rain so that he didn’t have to wipe his eyes off every second.

Her mouth opened, and he took advantage, sliding in his tongue to tangle with hers. The contact made his shudder and suddenly his mouth was moving faster, suddenly ravenous for her.

Gods, he had waited so long to touch her, to kiss her, to love her… and  it was finally… Gods he would have waited forever for her but NOW was the time…

NOW he could love her… the way he always wanted to love her, not even close to the way his beautiful Gabrielle SHOULD be loved, but Gods, he was man enough to try.

Gently, hands steady where they were usually clumsy, his knees bent, allowing her to fall gently with him. Her hands slid down his chest, and pulled him over her, the gentleness of his movements not lost on her.

It was the love that radiated from every kiss, from every swipe of his tongue over her own, from the murmurings of affection he whispered in muffled tones that made her realize just how lucky she was, how blind she had been.

Her eyes closed as his lips gently laid soft kisses on her eyelids, her cheeks, under her ear…

Gods…

Well… she was right. Love WAS blind.

The thought struck her as so funny she began to laugh quietly, unable to keep the laughter from bubbling up, until Joxer frowned, and shook his head, suddenly pulled her close and shut her up properly.

And … Gods that was a nice way to shut her up. He had to try it more often.

The act of sex without love had never appealed to her. Although she had found herself tempted, many, many times, on the darkened, long nights without companionship, the thought that there would be more consequences than good had always invaded her mind, and she had never allowed herself to consider the possibility… with anyone.

And she had fallen in love without even knowing, or understanding… it had slipped under some crack in her defenses. Joxer, her best friend, her wannabe dork, hapless warrior, had somehow gotten to where many had tried and no man had gained access since Perdicus.

He had won her heart, and with her heart, her devotion, and her trust.

And she loved feeling him on her. The length of him on every inch of her body, pressing down, his weight assuring her of his presence, and the harder stab at her hip letting her know how much he loved her, how much he wanted her…

His lips settled on hers once more, and with half lidded eyes, she returned the kiss slowly, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him to her, never letting him go.

The rain continued to fall around them, providing a sleet curtain, and Gabrielle smiled, rolling over, finding herself on top, and finding she liked it just as much.

Her waist moved, and as she sat up, he moved with her, just as desperate, just as hungry for the contact.

Gods, he was so quiet…

“Joxer,” she whispered, suddenly stilling, feeling his chest heave against hers.

“What?” he asked softly, one thumb suddenly stealing up to outline her bottom lip.

She closed her eyes against the sensation, and managed to breathe, “What do you want?”

The hand froze.

“What?”

Her eyes slid open, and she repeated the question.

He looked startled, but she merely smiled, reaching up and wiping the hair out of his face. It had the cutest habit of always falling back into his face, no matter how many times she smoothed it back.

“I…. I want you, Gabrielle.”

Her eyes twinkled and she found her shoulders shaking in mirth at the uncertain tone.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Her eyes bore into him, and his chest began to heave, and Gabrielle found herself becoming decidedly warm when he began to speak low, urgently, all the while his hands slid behind her back.

“I want to love you Gabrielle. I want to be able to hold you night after night and hear you breathe. I want to touch you and kiss you and know that it’s me doing it-“

She cut him off with a finger to his mouth, her blood rushing in her veins from the intense words.

“That’s enough for now,” she whispered, trying so sound playful, but sounding as tortured, and labored as she was. Gods, he was gorgeous. He was so beautiful… he was… he was so perfect. His eyes…

Her fingertips slid down his chest, and when she moved her hips, she suddenly felt him moan, felt the hardness under her, and she suddenly froze, looking down, realizing … Gods…

“Joxer…” her face flushed, and suddenly she gave him a small smile. “Can I… can I… see it?’

He was quiet for a moment, but when he leaned forward, and gently took her mouth with his, she smiled into his kiss, knowing he had accepted.

With shaking hands, she slid down the linen, all the time staring. Gods… could she handle this? Couldn’t she handle THIS?

Her chest rising and falling the blood rushing through her veins, her eyes slid to his face, and found in them all the love, and adoration and pure need that was in Joxer’s eyes, and in them, her courage.

The hand was suddenly stilled as she slid the white linen off, and kept her eyes on his face. Joxer could sense her apprehension, because gently, he took her hand, and pressed his lips against her palm, his eyes closed, caressing the skin with such reverence.

“I love you,” she whispered, and when he smiled, she smiled shakily back and finally looked down.

She was quiet for a moment, and while she was staring at the part of her lover that at that moment completely fascinated her, she became aware of exactly how inexperienced she actually was.

And how experienced he WAS.

She closed her eyes, pushing the thought away. Not now, Gabrielle…

With a furiously beating hard, she slid her hand down, landing on his thighs, and her chest rose and fell.

“What’s wrong?”

The concerned anxiousness in his tone made her look up quickly and shake her head.

“Nothing I just… I mean… I’ve never…” she smiled sheepishly, and then whispered, “you’re beautiful, is all.”

He stared at her for a while, and suddenly something in his face broke and he leaned up, pulling her close to him and moving his mouth over hers, crushing her against him, and in the haven of his arms, she smiled, because she knew now, feeling his trembling body, that he had been just as shaken as she had.

His kiss continued, and she sighed, leaning her head back when his lips settled at her jaw, his tongue flickering out every now and then to lick the area.

Her breath was ragged as she felt his hands at her shoulders, and found herself shrugging, trying to aid him as his lips slid further down, landing in her cleavage.

She moved back slightly, and suddenly her shirt was off, in his hands. He pulled back, and she stared at it, and suddenly burst into laughter.

“Is it really that small?”

He glared at her. “Now you know what I have to go through when I see you bouncing around in this!” he said, shaking it emphatically at her.

She winked, and suddenly leaned forward, pressing her naked chest against his, pressing her breasts into him.

“So?”

“Awww, Gabs,” he groaned, and suddenly he was pushing her back, his mouth on hers, and once again leaving the warm moistness to venture downwards.

GODS.

Her eyes suddenly lolled back and she shut them, arching against his lips when they settled on one globe.

“Joxer,” she whispered raggedly. “Gods…” She never realized just how sensitive her nipples were until he gently tugged at one with her teeth, and she very nearly came apart inside.

A hand crept up, buried it’s fingers in the nape of his dark hair, holding him down, wanting more, Gods, could there BE more to this?

He was so special. He was so special and beautiful and Gods, he was hers…

He stilled, and suddenly looked up, reaching for her hand. She smiled shakily, and gently met his fingers with her own, bringing them to her lips, kissing them gently.

“You’re so amazing,” he whispered.

A moistness suddenly invaded her eyes, and her visions became blurry when his mouth descended, once again those sensations came rushing through her body. Without thought, she lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist; laughing when suddenly he ducked and bit her lightly.

“HEY!”

He grinned mischievously, but the expression quickly softened, and he leaned up, pressing his lips against hers once.

“Can I-“

“Yes,” she answered without thought. “Whatever it is, Gods, YES, Joxer.”

He smiled tenderly, and was about to say something else when her head lifted and her tongue pressed in between his lips, kissing him with an ardor, with a hungry passion that he returned.

He pulled away again, kissing her once quickly, before once against beginning his journey downward.

His hands slid slowly down her hips, and Gabrielle propped herself up, wanting to see him. His hands were shaking, and she felt her stomach tighten when gently he pressed his lips so lightly against the skin covering it.

She closed her eyes, her pants heavy, felt her hips rise as if on their own as he slid hooks his thumbs inside of her hem, pulling down.

Gods… how did…

For a second the anxiety hit her, as she realized where this was going…what this was very quickly becoming.

For years Gabrielle had been a thinker. She overthought everything. She thought about consequences and she thought about causes. She never, ever did something without thinking about what it would mean for her future, for Xena’s future, for Joxer’s future…

And she had no idea where this would take them.

But she couldn’t stop… she didn’t want to stop… not when her emotions were whirling, her body shuddering, her mind filled with one thought, and one thought only…

Gods… Joxer.

The man was still, and still breathing hard, very aware of her nakedness, Gabrielle felt … different. Under him, open like she was…

And yet…

His hands were gentle, and slowly his eyes lifted up to meet hers. Their gazes met and held, and Gods, Joxer… Gabrielle felt her soul suddenly splinter with emotion, as he realized what he was telling her with that unspoken gaze, seconds before he whispered, “You’re so beautiful.”

And his hand swept over her mound, as if afraid to touch it, as if afraid that after all this time, after all they had been through this was really not his right.

Her throat rose in her throat, unsure, and yet feeling so safe, so safe and so loved…

Gods, she felt loved. She felt worshipped and loved and it was with HIM.

It was with Joxer. Her beautiful-

“Ahhh…. Ahh… JOX-“ her voice broke as she suddenly felt her body writhe. He was so quiet, his ministrations on her forcing him to use his mouth in other ways, and Gods… with his tongue… what he was doing with his tongue…

She shut her eyes tight, biting on her lower lip, suddenly fighting the welt of emotions within her, the surging maelstrom that was threatening to take her in it’s violent whirlwind.

It had never been like this… because it had never been with him.

He was her life, her love, her body, and her soul… he would always be hers… and she wanted to be his, she so desperately wanted to be his.

Suddenly her hands shot out and she found herself reaching blindly for something to hold on to, for anything to hold onto, to try and withstand this torture-

No… torture was the wrong word… it was ecstacy… it was love, and she wanted more… she wanted all of it…

Her body was rocking against his, and in the dim haze of a mind that could barely form a coherent thought, one single realization emerged.

She was close… she was so close…

Her hands slid down, grasping at his shoulders, and with a grasp that seemed almost inhuman, she grit her teeth, pulling his mouth away from her shuddering loins and moving him up.

"Gabrielle," he whispered, his hands immediately on either side of her body, trying to hold himself up so as not to crush her with his weight.

The look on her face stilled him, as Gabrielle's eyes opened, wet, brilliant and tear-streaked. A hand gently caressed his face, gently wiping at the sweat that dripped from his bangs and his forehead, thumb caressing the juices that had collected at his mouth.

They were hers. She found herself looking up, searching his unsure face, and with a tenderness that he rarely saw in her, she wiped the hair away from his head. His eyes suddenly closed when her leg slid against his, foot sliding around his thigh, and pulling his lower body down so that his quivering manhood contacted her skin.

With a desperate tenderness, Gabrielle pulled his head down, searching his lips hungrily, achingly, and her voice was barely a squeak as she seemed to plead, "Inside me. Now."

Their eyes met and held, and Joxer thought he had never felt most emotion, more feelings fleeting through him than the moment he steadied himself, and felt her lift her hips up to meet him as he entered her.

Gods.

She seemed to echo the sentiment as he slid in deeper, her mouth suddenly parting and a squeak coming from the back of her throat, her eyelids closed at the sensation.

He kept his eyes open, watching her face, her beautiful face as she arched her back against his body, moving with him, trying to bring him closer, always, closer, always deeper. He couldn't get deep enough, and Gods, he tried, he tried.

Her insides shuddered against him, and Joxer found himself groaning, the sensation so wildly moving him he felt his head suddenly lower, his lips at her jaw. Dimly, he could feel her hands at the nape of his neck.

"My .... Joxer..." she panted, and the words made his heart soar, and his thrusts deepen.

"Gabs," he tried hoarsely, found he could do no more when her face suddenly turned and her lips were on his, tongue sliding in to meet his own, to try and hold on to him, to have him in her in every way.

Gods.

He angled his hips slightly, pressed down and speeded up, and the change caused her to suddenly break the kiss, fling her head back and cry out.

"Oh... GODS, JOXER!"

The way she called his name so desperately, as if she needed him, and Gods, if she even needed him a fraction of how he needed her, how he lived for her, how he LOVED her...

There was a tightening all around him, in her passage, and suddenly the world fell apart. He became blinded as he felt her gasp underneath him, the shudder sliding through him, wracking his body, and he held on, trying to ride it out, losing control when she whispered those words in the middle of her own orgasm.

"I love you, Joxer."

"I love you," he answered, the words so charged it was almost a shout. "I love you, I love you," it became a chant, a chant that was punctuated, faster and faster,  until the last shout made him so weak, he found his arms giving out him, making him land on his beloved's chest.

There was silence as he gasped for breath, his eyes closed, and his body spent, until he felt gentle fingers sliding up his back, landing in a familiar place in the nape of his neck, gently massaging, running through the wet tendrils.

He tried to move, but she wouldn't let him, she held him down, her mouth whispering softy in his ear, "Don't move yet. Don't... I want to hold you."

His eyes closed, and the tears that were collecting in his eyes suddenly welled up and slid down his face, landing on one perfect breast.

"Are you crying?" the voice was shaky, and the happiness behind the weariness, in her tone, in her eyes, as she smiled at him, her hands always touching him, raining tender caresses on his face, on his cheeks on his lips. "I made you cry."

"I love you," was his hoarse response.

She was silent for a moment, and suddenly his chin was tipped up, and she was kissing him, her mouth moving softly over his, so different from the kisses that he had ravaged from her. This was not a kiss of lust, of want, or pure passion and need. This was a kiss of promise, a seal of absolution, and it was sealed with her own tears, that slid down her cheeks, and mingled with his own.

Suddenly he felt a smile against his mouth, and leaning his head back, he gave an uncertain grin as she giggled, looking up at him.

"What?"

"Just something that flashed through my head," she whispered, blinking. With a saucy wink she leaned up, suckled on his lower lip, and mumbled, "But will you respect me in the morning?"

Laughter bubbled up inside his tired body, and with renewed strength he pulled her up, rolling her on top of him. "I'm going to do more than that."

The rained had lessened it's downpour, and now was cascading with light sprinkles, sliding down her drenched back. It was cool on her flushed skin, and she closed her eyes against it.

Gods it had been amazing.

Her smile softened, and gently, she reached down, pressing her palm against his cheek. "Thank you. For being with me. And not just tonight."

He kissed her, and as she closed her eyes and returned the caress she felt a genuine searing of her soul.

She was damn lucky.

She was in love, and in love had just experienced the closest thing she could fathom to eternal bliss. And it was with him.

She smiled, leaning into his caress.

It was with him.

~*~

She had to admit, sometimes it was nice being by herself. Things had been happening so fast, had changed so much sometimes she wondered why she hadn't tried to slow things down, in herself, with them.

She smiled softly to herself, and just shook her head. Her hunch had been right. It had been a good idea to come this way. While they had had their share of bad memories, including a kidnapped Argo and a sick Eve, this humid jungle was also a haven. It was her solace, a start of something new. Gabrielle and Joxer's relationship had seemed to cement that.

She smiled, wondering what would happen now that the vacation was over, now that it was time to return home with healed hearts and memories... of Antony, of bloodshed...

but most importantly, of love, and of family.

The shrubs moved, and she looked up, eyebrow cocking when Gabrielle and Joxer entered the clearing holding hands being generally couply.

"Got the mushrooms, I take it?"

Gabrielle looked at her blankly, but when Xena winked, she only smiled.

Wow. Xena felt like offering her a pipe.

Only Joxer groaned. "Oh, Xena! I'm sorry! I totally forgot and -"

Gabrielle silenced him with elbow thrust gently into his abdomnen, and Xena only smirked.

"It's alright Joxer," she said. "We've got some stew left over from this morning."

"Oh good, I'm really hungry." He walked forward and began to peruse the pot.

Xena grinned. "I bet his is," she murmered to Gabrielle, who blushed. "So?"

Gabrielle's eyes twinkled, and she grinned. "It was... something else."

With a tender grin, Xena slid her arm around her friend and squeezed. "Good. I'm glad at least ONE of us is getting some."

"Xena!"

Xena was silent for a moment, and then turned to Gabrielle. "So. You ready to go home?"

Gabrielle's smile slid off of her face, and she thought for a minute, turning to Joxer and watching as he picked up Evie and crooned a song that no one recognized.

The smile slowly returned, and she nodded, squeezing her friend.

"Yes," she replied with conviction. "I think we're ready for anything now." Her eyes were thoughtful, and she winked at Xena. "Because we'll do it together."

With a smile that was sincere, and a voice that was husky, Xena returned, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

FIN