Darius, his best assistant, came in looking extremely confused.
"Lord Strife. We have a situation which needs to be resolved."
"What kind of situation?"
"A soul has arrived which we cannot classify. We almost began the usual trial when we realized he was a demi-God. The problem is he doesn't know he is, and we don't want to tell him, and we can't send him anywhere until we try him, which if we do will reveal him to be a demi-God, and furthermore, since we don't know who his Godly parent is, we basically don't want to risk pissing off one of the last remaining Gods on Olympus."
Strife watched as the man took a deep breath after his long ramble.
"Bring him to me."
Strife continued his paperwork while Darius fetched the soul. Within moments, he heard footsteps enter the room and looked up to greet the soul...
...only to drop his jaw in astonishment.
"Darius, you can go back to work. Leave us."
Once alone, Strife rose from his seat and walked over to the apparently mortal soul.
"Hi Joxer." There he was, the once wanna-be warrior, looking younger than he had above ground.
"Ummm, hello? Who are you, and where am I?"
"I'm Strife, and this is the underworld. You're dead, man. Bummer, ain't it."
Joxer seemed to process the information, then nodded in agreement.
"Well, we can't send you anywhere yet. It seems you're a demi-God."
"A what? That's impossible. Both my parents were mortals."
"Well, things aren't exactly what you thought they were. This little fact seems to have confused everyone out there, and I think I know why."
"Why?"
"Because your father never revealed himself to you."
"Oh. Why didn't he?"
Strife took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Because he died before he could."
"Oh. Wait a minute, Gods can't die!"
"Yes they can. Just ask your old buddy Xena. She's been killing us like crazy up there."
"What? I don't remember that happening. She must have started after I died."
"Yep."
"So, are you going to tell me who my Dad is, or what?"
"Oh sorry." Strife walked over to Joxer and wrapped his arms around the man. "Welcome home, son."
Momentarily, Joxer looked more frog than God. "Son? You're my Dad?"
"Yep. Cool, eh?"
"And Jett, and Jace..."
"Mine too. Welcome to the family."
"I need to sit down."
Strife snapped his fingers and materialized a chair behind him. "So, how'd it happen, Jox?"
"Livia, Xena's kid. She was so much nicer as a baby. I wish she'd stayed that way. And you? I thought nothing could kill a God?"
"Callisto happened with that grody hind's blood. She totally dissed me." Joxer nodded in understanding.
"So, what do we do now?"
"Well, you can always give me a hand around here. Xena killed Hades, so I'm Lord of the Underworld now."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Well, first you can take a little time to adjust. It's tough just after you've died, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough. Just watch out for anyone from up top, especially the Furies. They may try to convince you to haunt someone or something."
"Got it."
"Then, when you're ready, maybe I'll have you check around some of the people in the Elysian Fields. I don't think you're anywhere near ready for Tartarus." Joxer just nodded. "Come on, I've got an extra room in my place you can stay in until we get you one of your own. There was no way to tell time in the underworld, so Joxer didn't know how much time had passed before Strife -- Dad? -- returned.
"So, how're you feeling Jox?"
"A little better."
"Think you feel up to a tour of the Fields?"
Joxer grinned. "Sure. Lead the way -- Pops."
Strife grinned back and lay an arm across his son's shoulders. They walked through the many passages and finally came to the gateway into the Elysian Fields. They were all Joxer had imagined, and so much more. It was paradise. He looked around at all the people enjoying their deaths, families, children, lovers reunited. He couldn't help but smile at the joy that radiated from every face he passed.
As they came across one part of the Fields, Joxer saw a familiar face in the distance. "Strife..."
"Come on Jox. You can call me Dad."
"All right, Dad. I see an old friend over there. Do you mind if I go over and say hi? I can meet you back later."
"All right." Strife reached into his shirt and pulled out a gold chain with a round amulet and placed it around Joxer's neck. "If you have any trouble finding your way back, rub the amulet. It'll lead you home. I'll talk to you later, ok?" Joxer nodded. "Have fun."
Joxer watched as Strife made his way out of the Fields, then turned towards the familiar face he'd seen. It didn't take long to make his way to the tiny hut where the man apparently lived. The soul was outside, chopping wood and humming a tune. He looked up as he heard footsteps approach, and his face split into a grin when he recognized the man making his way over.
"Joxer! It's been a while. It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you too. It's just too bad it wasn't in better circumstances."
"Yeah, but it could be worse. We could be in Tartarus." They both laughed.
"So, what have you been doing with yourself?"
"Oh, the usual. Chopping wood, keeping house, hunting and fishing. It's a simple life, but I love it."
"I'm glad you're happy."
"And what about you?"
"Well, I spent a few years traveling with Xena and Gabrielle..."
"How are they?"
"Oh, they must be fine now. They were gone for 25 years, then all of a sudden they're back and haven't aged a bit. Something to do with Ares or something."
They both nodded as silence surrounded them. The man was the first to break it.
"You know, I've missed you Joxer."
"You have? I thought you'd have missed..."
"Yeah, I missed her too, but I felt differently about her."
"I know, you loved her."
"No, I didn't."
"You didn't? But..."
"It's hard to explain. Sometimes, things are just expected of you and you can't take into consideration your own wishes. I did care for her, but to tell the truth, I loved someone else."
"Oh." Joxer looked surprised. "Who?"
The man looked away shyly. "You."
"Me? Why?"
"You were there for me when I needed someone, Jox. You... I can't explain it. You're a good man, a great man."
"How come you never said anything?"
"I was scared, afraid you wouldn't feel the same, afraid you would reject me, or worse yet, hate me."
"I could never hate you."
"No? How do you feel about me?"
"It's been so long. I've never stopped thinking about you..."
"I know."
"We knew each other for such a short time. I didn't have the chance to get to know you as I would have liked."
"You have the time now."
Joxer looked into the other man's eyes. "You're right, I do."
The two men leaned into each other, and their lips met. The innocent kiss sent jolts of electricity down what would have been their spines had they been alive, and soon turned more passionate. They wrapped their arms around each other, trying to get as close as possible.
"Oh, I want you so much, Joxer."
"I want you too. Why don't we move into the hut."
"All right."
Joxer was led into the hut and the man gently pushed him down onto the bed. Their hands roamed over each other's bodies, or what appeared to be their bodies since this was the spirit world. Soon, their clothes, or what appeared to be... you get the idea, were lying on the ground and their hands had access to the flesh that made up these two men.
Joxer moved down the man's body and took his cock into his mouth. He just need to taste his lover so much. They were both so excited, they were already close to coming.
"Jox, stop. Not yet. I want to feel you in me."
"Your wish is my command."
Joxer moved up and kissed his lover again. His right hand wandered down and first one, then two, and finally three fingers were pushed into the man's tight ass, loosening and preparing him for what was to come. When the man was bucking against Joxer's fingers, he pulled them out, hearing the man groan in disappointment at their absence. He moved overtop of his lover and placed himself at the man's entrance. He took the man's lips in yet another kiss and, with one swift move, sheathed himself into the tight passage.
Joxer knew he was already so close, and took his lover's cock in his hand and began pumping him in time with the movement of his hips. All it took was a few motions, for withing moments they came in unison. Joxer collapsed on top of his lover and settled on top of him, their arms wrapped around each other and both men content.
For no apparent reason, Joxer began to giggle.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Oh, just about the day when Xena and Gabrielle will meet us down here."
"And what's so funny about that?"
"Well, they've been together for a while. They thought I didn't know, but I knew all along. Anyway, I just can't wait to see the look on Gabby's face when she finds out I'm with her husband."
The man laughed. "I'm kinda tired. Sweet dreams, Jox."
"Sweet dreams, Perdicus."