LOVE WILL FIND A WAY...

"Gabbyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! I've been looking all over.." (Crash, bang) Gabrielle looked up from her news parchment as Joxer literally fell into the room. "....Tartarus for you guys."

"Well you found us or at least me." Gabrielle said as she helped brush the debris off Joxer, though it was hard to tell where the debris ended and his clothing began. "Is it necessary for you to spill into every room you enter? The fine patrons of this establishment weren't looking for a floor show this early in the morning". Finished with Joxer, Gabrielle sat back down on the bench and picked up the parchment she was reading before Joxer interupted her. "I would appreciate a little quiet while I read over the local news stories".

Joxer glanced at the parchment Gabrielle was holding and read the back page. "Wow!! Classifieds!. I luuuv to read the Personal ads" he said as he snatched the parchment from Gabrielle's hands, pitching her forward. "Hey! Joxer, I was reading that!". Joxer started reading aloud.. "Ready to Horse Around? Strong Handsome Centaur (with noble bloodlines) searching for filly to call his own... Rats, Not my type, hmmmm" Gabrielle made a lunge for the paper but Joxer somehow managed to dodge away from her.

"Joxer r r r" she said through gritted teeth. Joxer scanned the page again.. "Here's one that sounds perfect.."Lost Soulmate, Short Blonde seeks tall brunette. l Blue eyes preferred. Sexy look a plus." Joxer looks at Gabrielle then back at the parchment, then turns back to Gabrielle. "Hmmmm, Gabby, Are my eyes blue? because the sexy part is all me"

Gabrielle saw her opportunity. "I don't know", she said sweetly. "Come here so I can check your eyes." Completely oblivious, he fell right into her trap. "Okay" he said with a grin as he leaned in towards Gabrielle. She cupped the back of his head gently, pulling him in slowly closer then when he came into range, quickly punched him in the eye with her fist "Owww, what'd you do that for?" he said as he held a hand to his eye and plunked himself down onto the bench they had so recently vacated.

Just then all eyes turned as another "tall brunette" entered the inn. This one did have blue eyes and those same eyes skimmed over the crowd dismissively until they locked unerringly onto Gabrielle. A low murmur of "Xena"was repeated throughout the room as the wWarrior Princess passed the various tables to reach the pair on the bench. She just caught the end of Joxer's running complaint. "Just how am I suppose to shoot my cross-bow now? Gabrielle was shaking her head, "Joxer, you don't need both eyes to fire your bow."

"Better stick with your little fighting stick Gabby, everybody knows you have to close one eye to get a bead on your target. How am I suppose to close my eye now? I won't be able to see my target!" Gabrielle was frozen with a stunned look on her face, debating whether to clue Joxer in some more when she spotted Xena approaching.

"Hey Joxer..." Xena said offhandedly. She looked at Gabrielle and smiled, nodding towards Joxer who was still rubbing his left eye. "You hit him again?" Gabrielle laughed with a shrug, "He makes it too easy not to." Getting serious, Gabrielle looks into Xena's eyes. I thought I wouldn't see you until tomorrow? Has the plan been changed?"

"No, just a slight alteration. I'll tell you about it on the way" Gabrielle nodded and gathered up her pack and staff. . "Here Joxer, you can have the parchment now, that is if you can read it with one eye" she grinned as she passed him the classified news.

"Hey! You're leaving without me and my trusty.." (crash, bang) ."..sword?" Joxer said as he tripped over his own pack while attempting to draw his sword and keep a hand pressed to his eye. He landed in a heap at Xena's feet. Xena looked at Gabrielle who shrugged indulgently. "Of course not Joxer but who will will get to guard the town once we leave?" Xena said. "If the plan fails and they get through us, there will be no one here to mount a defence?" Gabrielle played along by saying dramatically, "If only we could find a hero to protect these poor unfortunate peasants?" They both looked at Joxer who wasn't picking up on the verbal clues as quickly as they thought he would and stood frowning off into the distance apparently thinking. Xena added, "Someone brave and good with a sword?" but he still wasn't getting it so she said with more emphasis, "Someone ,,,Mighty?" That did it! Joxer smiled, "How about me? I'm sorry but as much you need me Xena, I think the town needs a hero more to protect these poor innocent citizens." he said puffing out his chest and attempting a swagger. Gabrielle looked at Joxer sadly,"Are you sure Joxer? Ooof!", Xena nudged her in the shoulder. "Don't try to talk him out of it Gabrielle, it's obvious that his mind is made up! Well we gotta go, take care of the town, see you soon!" With that Xena grabbed Gabrielle by the elbow and tugged her out the door. Once they were outside, they stopped only long enough to pack the few things they needed and then, mounting Argo, headed off to meet up with some Amazons they would be working with.