The Godly Triplets

~this is personal thoughts~
#this is speaking to someone's mind#

Part 1: Traveling

Joxer sighed as he trudged down the road after Xena and Gabrielle. Sometimes he wished…Xena’s sudden stop didn’t let him finish that thought. Looking ahead he saw his father standing in the road ahead of them holding a few packages.

~I wonder what Pop wants. He doesn’t usually appear when there are others around.~

He watched as Gabrielle shifted her grip on her staff and Xena glared at his father. She swung down off Argo and approached his father warily. “What do you want Strife?”

“Don’t get your skirt in a twist Leather Lady. Just thought I’d tell you that the war you were rushing to stop has been postponed indefinitely. Seems that the invading warlord came down with a fatal case of indigestion.”

Xena gaped at him. He’d actually told her what she wanted to know right out. He didn’t make her ask him a bunch of annoying questions first…”Fatal indigestion? …Never mind I don’t want to know.”

Strife grinned at the Warrior Princess and kind of smirked at Gabrielle’s expression. His short and to the point answer had stunned the bard.

“Hey Joxer, How’s it hanging?”

“To the left sir.” Joxer kept his face straight and his voice innocent sounding as he said it. He knew his father would get a charge from this little scene in front of the two women. Strife giggled and said, “Good one. You’ve been talking to Jayce again haven’t you?”

Joxer shrugged and grinned at the Mischief God. The god in question tossed a package to him. He made a show of fumbling with it before he caught it. It wouldn’t do to let the two women think he was anything but what he appeared to be. “I talked to your dad and he asked me to give you that. There’s one for Jett too. Do you think you could give it to him?” Joxer nodded and took the package

#Feathers was worried that you weren’t eating right. There’s some ambrosia under the gift. I already gave Jayce his. I have to get back before your dad molts ‘cause I’m late for supper.# With a cheeky wave to the two stunned women he vanished.

“Get rid of them Joxer. They’re probably something nasty,” the blonde bard said.

Privately Joxer agreed with her. He’d never like the taste of ambrosia. Outwardly though, “Why would it be something nasty? It’s from my Dad.”

“He must have lied about that,” she said.

“He never has before.”

That brought Xena into the fray. “Joxer what do you mean by that?”

“I’ve know him all my life.” ~because he gave birth to me~ “My Dad has known him since he was little. Strife has never lied to me or my brothers when it comes to things my Dad has asked him to do.”

“He lies all the time,” Gabrielle asserted.

Surprisingly it was Xena who came to Strife’s defense. “He never lies to children and he’s never lied to me about anything involving war. I doubt he’d lie to anyone at all unless it was during the course of his duties.” She smiled at Joxer as she said that. Gabrielle looked back and forth between them, threw up her hands, and continued down the road. Xena shrugged and followed her. As Joxer put the packages in his pack he thought that maybe traveling with Xena would be that bad after all.

Part 2: Meeting up with Jett

Several hours later Gabrielle was still in a bad mood.

~No wonder Pop likes to pick on her. She’s so uptight she that she makes the perfect target.~

“Hey Joxer. Strife seemed to think that you’d be running into your brother soon. Do you know where he is?” said Xena.

“Yup. He should be somewhere along this road actually.”

“How do you know?”

“We always know where each other are to some degree.”

“The fact that I’m always in this area of the country right around now makes no difference either,” came a voice next to Gabrielle. She shrieked and spun to find…Joxer? She heard laughing to one side and turned to see another Joxer. “Forgot to mention that we were identical triplets didn’t you little brother?”

“Only as far as looks are concerned Jett.”

He shrugged. “There’s a good place to camp on the other side of these bushes. The town is just over the next rise but you’d have to hustle to make it before they close the gates.”

Joxer moved to walk with Jett and Xena shrugged and followed. “Don’t you want to head to the town? There should be inns there.”

#Gods she has a whiney voice X. Want me to kill the little blonde bimbo for you?#

#No T. Xena likes her for some reason.#

“Not particularly. They’re a little suspicious of outsiders since three things that the invading warlord was deathly allergic too ended up in his dinner,” said Jett nonchalantly while buffing his nails on the front of his jerkin.

“How do you know that?” asked Gabrielle suspiciously.

Jett just smirked at her and settled next to where he had the fire set up. Joxer was hard pressed not to laugh at the expressions on Xena and Gabrielle’s faces. Xena looked speculative while Gabrielle was looking confused. He shook his head and went to sit next to Jett. As he sat down he heard Xena say, “He knows because he put them there Gabrielle.”

The two brothers kept straight faces but they were laughing in their heads.

#I bet Pops is getting a buzz from that.#

#Yeah. That reminds me, he asked me to give you something earlier today. Careful how you open it around those two ‘cause Dad put ambrosia under the gift.#

Joxer handed the package to Jett as Gabrielle warily sat across from them. Xena sat next to her.

“To be able to get in and out of that camp undetected you must be very good,” said Xena. “Just as good as the King of Assassins I keep hearing about.”

“You’ve heard of me. I’m flattered.”

“You’re a killer. How do we know that you won’t kill us in our sleep?” Gabrielle said in a whiney/accusing voice.

Joxer glared at her. “Because I asked him not too. . . . Besides no one is paying him to kill you and before you say a word about it think on this concept: which is better? Killing one person or causing many others to suffer.”

“Hey X. What was in your gift? The normal natal day pudding and backless vest?”

#Good story there bro.# “Yeah. At least this year the vest goes with the rest of my clothes. I bet you got a black one again.”

The two brothers continued to catch up on what they had been doing and ignored the Amazon bard. Xena eventually moved to their side of the fire and joined in the conversation.

Gabrielle ended up sleeping alone on the other side of the fire.


Part 3: Babysitting

It was a few days after they left Jett and they were heading to Corinth. There was a poetry competition there and Xena said she wanted to check out the weapons merchants. She also kept looking at Joxer and muttering things about presents. Gabrielle, while still annoyed about how shabbily she thought she had been treated while camping with Jett, had thawed enough to snark at Joxer again.

~Gabby is back to normal.~ thought Joxer. ~There may be more hope for Xena than I thought though. She doesn’t treat me as an annoyance so much anymore. Maybe I should start letting her see how well I can really fight?~

They were making camp about a day’s walk from Corinth when there was a flash signaling an arriving god. Once the sparkles had cleared there stood a very pregnant looking Cupid with Bliss holding one hand.

“Hey Joxie. Could you watch Bliss for a few hours? I can’t have your pop or your brothers watch him right now and I need to finish getting dinner set out. Mom and Heph can take him later. Please say yes.”

“Sure. We’re heading into Corinth tomorrow for the poetry contest if ‘Dite can’t come before then. Just give me his things and get off your feet before your ankles swell again.”

“Thanks. Bliss you be good for Joxie and don’t forget what I told you.”

“I won’t Daddy,” chimed the little godling. Cupid gave him a hug, handed Joxer a bag and hugged him as well, then he flashed out.

Gabrielle’s jaw dropped and Xena smiled. “Seems you’re well acquainted with more than one god.”

“Well Cupid is married to Strife so it only makes sense.” ~Besides they’re my parents.~

“Can I have honey cakes Joxie?”

“Not before supper Bliss. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll gather some wood for the fire.” Bliss took Joxer’s hand and the two headed off into the brush. Once they were out of sight of the camp and he was sure they wouldn’t be over heard Joxer knelt down in front of Bliss. “Remember Blissy no calling me ‘bro’ in front of Xena and Gabrielle. The Fates told me that Xena at least has to figure it out on her own. Also no telling Xena about Grandpa Ares being her dad for the same reason.”

Bliss nodded and said, “Okay Joxie.” He could understand about doing what the fates told you and he wouldn’t want anything to happen to his older brother.

They went back to the campfire and place their wood next to Xena who was spitting some rabbits of the fire pit. She looked at the wood and then smiled at the little godling. “That’s a lot of wood Bliss. I hope that you let Joxer carry some of it.”

He nodded and said, “I carried the big piece and Joxie carried the rest. “Bliss puffed his little chest out as he said it trying to make himself look bigger.

“Are you excited about being a big brother?” Xena asked.

“Yeah. I’m going to be a good big brother.”

Gabrielle moved to sit by them and started to wrap some tubers in thick leaves to put in the coals. She looked at Bliss and said, “How does your mommy feel about this?”

“I don’t have a mommy,” he said looking a little confused.

“I thought that Psyche was your mommy.”

“No. I have Daddy and Poppa. Psyche is Cousin Hermes betrothed. Daddy and Poppa told me that most mortals don’t think that Poppa is my Poppa.”

“Is Strife your father then?” Xena asked with a smile. Bliss nodded.

“I find that hard to believe,” piped up Gabrielle with a bit of a sneer.

Joxer glared at Gabrielle. “I know that you’re not fond of Strife but can you keep your opinions to yourself in front of his son.”

Gabrielle looked affronted when she realized that Joxer had told her off and turned to Xena for support. She was surprised to see a similar look to Joxer’s on the face of the Warrior Princess. Xena shook her head sadly and turned to Joxer who was comforting Bliss. Joxer smiled at her and went back to stroking the little godling’s wings.

#Don’t worry Blissy. She’s said enough about Pops today that I can use my godhood to get back at her.#

#’kay. The Fates won’t mind?#

Joxer giggled quietly. “Has your Daddy taught you anything new recently? Like maybe how to make your own honey cakes?”

As Bliss nodded Joxer thought to him, #The Fates won’t mind kiddo. I’ll just use some of the tricks Pops taught me. You’ll back me up right?#

Bliss held out his hands then stopped. “Um…I can’t do plates yet.” Xena smiled and handed him a large leaf, “Use that.” Bliss handed the leaf to Joxer and concentrated really hard. There was a brief shimmer and four honey cakes appeared on the leaf. Bliss grinned, grabbed one and handed one to Xena. Joxer took one and snuck a quick wink at Bliss before offering the last one to Gabrielle.

She looked embarrassed but took it anyway. It tasted of sand but after one look at the happy godling she kept her mouth shut. Right before they all bedded down for the night Aphrodite appeared to take Bliss. She waved and the two women and gave Joxer a kiss on the cheek before flashing away. They all settled into sleep and Gabrielle discovered that Xena and Joxer had somehow found the only two rock free spots. She started to think maybe she should watch her tongue some more. At least when talking about the gods that is.

Part 4: Xena starts to get a clue

“Hey guys, can we head to Athens next? They’re going to have a costume festival in honor of the harvest and I haven’t seen my brother for a while.” Joxer babbled. He gave them the puppy dog look. No woman he knew could resist his puppy dog look.

Gabrielle seen torn between saying yes or saying no just on general principles. “Sounds like fun,” Xena said. “I haven’t been to a costume party in a long time. I wonder if they’ll have a bardic contest too?”

“They had one last time I was there. It was very entertaining to watch the bards recite in costume.” Joxer looked up at Xena and grinned when she gave him a wink.

“What are we going to do for costumes?” asked Gabrielle.

“There are lots of merchants. If you can’t find anything I suppose my brother could help. He has mine already done. We wear the same costume every year. If we’re lucky Jett will be there and we can do a set.”

“What are you going to be?” asked Gabrielle.

“Well a while ago we read a legend about some triplet gods. We couldn’t find any record of what they looked like and the legend said that they were on earth for some reason. We asked some priests of Cupid’s if they would be offended if we dressed as them and the priests said ‘no’.”

“That’s a good idea,” said Xena. “I wonder if I could get away with dressing as myself. No one would believe I was me anyway.” She looked over at Gabrielle and grinned. “You could go as an Amazon.”

“That could work . . . I want to check the merchants first. I’ll need a costume for the contest anyway. Unless we dress as each other.”

The two women continued to discuss costumes until they made camp that night. By the time they reached Athens a few days later they had decided to dress as each other unless they found a costume they really like during the festival. Joxer led them to the inn where his brother was staying.

“JOXIE!!!” *THUD*

“Hi Jayce. I missed you too.”

“You look good little brother. These must be the friends you told me about.”

“Yes. I’m Xena and this is Gabrielle.” The blonde bard nodded.

“Wonderful. I had the innkeeper save a room near mine if you need it. Joxie can stay with me.”

The two women accepted the offer of the room and went to get changed for the opening of the festival. Everyone met in the hallway.

“I’ve never been to one of these festivals before. What goes on?” Gabrielle asked.

“Well there’s a parade that starts at Strife’s temple. Then there are stops at the biggest temples of the other gods. Then it’s just general festival stuff,” Jayce told them.

“I ran into Illustra on my way here. She’s the one who told me where everyone was staying. She’d like us to do the invocation again. Apparently the last time we did it they had fewer problems than they ever had before.” Jett added, while pulling a mask out of a pouch on his belt.

Joxer sighed and pulled a different mask from his belt and Jayce draped a veil across the bottom half of his face. Joxer looked at Xena then at his brothers. “Hey Xena, when we get to the first drink stall on the parade route could you buy us each a drink?”

“Sure, but why?”

“We can’t take these off until someone offers us a drink or something to eat,” Jayce said. “It’s a festival tradition.”

The group headed off to Strife’s temple and the triplets limbed the steps to stand facing the door. At some unseen sign they turned in unison with their right hands facing the audience at shoulder height. Each man spoke one word until they got to the last line which they spoke in unison.

To all who come with good intent
May our words be heaven sent
All who are of ill cheer
May you find some joy while here
May all the gods here our prayers
And watch over us even if we are unawares.

The triplets the dropped their hands and descended the steps to join the crowd. Joxer grabbed Xena and Gabrielle and started them along the parade route.

“That was a nice one guys. Did you just come up with that?”

They nodded.

“That was cool. I liked the way it flowed together with each of you saying a word. Is that a triplet thing?”

The three brothers looked at each other and shrugged. Xena said, “You can’t talk until you take the masks off can you?” More nods followed.

As the group continued to walk Xena watched the brothers. Those wings almost looked real. She wondered how they made them. Just then a drunk bumped into Joxer’s left side and the wing on that side twitched. It wasn’t a big twitch but someone who had been paying attention would have seen it. Through the rest of the parade Xena paid closer attention to the wings and noticed small movements that wouldn’t have happened if the wings were fake.

Xena resolved to ask one of the brothers, preferably Joxer who she knew better, about the wings as soon as she could get them alone. She had a feeling that there was more to the brothers than she realized.

Part 5: Confrontation and Resolution . . . Sorta

Xena didn’t get her chance until later that evening. Joxer had left to answer a call of nature so Xena waited by the door. As he came back in she grabbed his arm and pulled him up the back stairs to her room. This was not a conversation she wanted heard.

Joxer meanwhile told his brothers what was happening and offered to let them listen in. They said yes and promised to keep Gabrielle out of the way. As his finished this exchange Xena hauled him into her room, shut the door and then leaned on it.

“I have some questions I’d like to ask you and I’m just going to come out and ask them.”

Joxer sat down on the room’s only chair after turning it around first. He crossed his arms on the back and said, “Go on.”

“Those wings aren’t fake are they?”

“Define fake.”

*sigh*”If you wanted to you could use them to fly.”

“Yes.”

“When you said your dad has known Strife since he was little….?”

“I meant my dad has known Strife since they were both young.”

“Cupid is your dad.” It was a statement not a question.

“Yes that’s where we get the wings form.”

“Okay. Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked curiously.

“I had a hard enough time getting you to accept me as is was. I figured that with you attitude on the gods throwing my real dad into the mix wouldn’t help any. You have to realize that not all gods are bad. Take Ares for example…”

“There is nothing good about Ares.”

“Yes there is. Jett told me that Ares asked him to take out that warlord. Ares told me that the area was just recovering from a drought and didn’t have the food or the population to sustain any kind of conflict.” Seeing that Xena was listening and not objecting he continued. “I’ll admit that what Hera did to Hercules was pretty bad but on the whole many women owe their children to her. Apollo is actually very smart and trains healers. I can go on if you want…”

“No you’ve given me enough to think about for now. We should get back though… and don’t worry I won’t say anything to Gabrielle.”

The two of them left the room and returned to the table everyone was seated at. Jett and Jayce looked from Joxer to Xena and gave her a little nod.

#Well guys she figured out half of it. I guess we can step up the other half of our plans.# Thought Joxer.

#I still haven’t come up with a way to hint about Gramps being her dad.# Thought Jett.

#We’ll come up with something don’t worry and as soon as Xena figures out about Strife being our ‘mom’ we can start going home occasionally.# Jayce responded.