It was just another evening, with Gabrielle, Joxer, Argo and Xena gathered around a snug camp, the fire roaring away comfortingly.

"So what's the plan for tomorrow Xena?" Joxer asked.

Xena snorted testily. "Nothing. Not even a warlord or anything. Just peace and quiet." Xena made 'peace and quiet' sound like the end of the world had come. She wasn't a big fan of the quiet life.

"Actually," Gabrielle interrupted, "that's not quite true."

"Oh?" Xena said with a raise of her eyebrows.

"There's been a slight change of plan," Gabrielle continued. "You see, there's always been just the three of us - four-" she amended as Argo neighed softly. "..And there needs to be a few changes."

"Changes?" Joxer said worriedly, lifting his helmet to scratch his head.

Xena smiled a small smile. And then there were three, she thought to herself.

"Exactly," the blonde said firmly. "Now Xena, you're the epitomy of the Warrior in action. No man or Amazon or God could better you, none comes even close. Whereas Joxer, a more hopeless warrior you could not hope to find. Couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag is the phrase that springs to mind."

Xena's smile grew even broader and Joxer's face looked only glummer at this announcement.

"But Xena, you're really not a finesse kinda girl, are you? War's all well and good, but when it comes to quiet time, subtlety's just not your strong point is it? And Joxer, you do make up for things in," she cleared her throat and a twinkle reached her eyes briefly, "other ways..."

Joxer chuckled slightly and it was Xena's turn to frown.

"So, the time has come for a change," Gabrielle finished. She looked carefully at both her comrades, whose eyes grew wide at the implication.

"Look Gabrielle, I can learn to do that...." Xena snapped her fingers trying to think. "...smell the flowers. I can take time out from campaigning to be with you. It'll be just the two of us Ð" Argo harrumped in protest. "Oh, hush!" Xena silenced him. "You're just a horse!"

"Look Gabrielle, it'll be just the two of us, just like it used to be..."

"Look Gabby, I can change" Joxer protested. "I can join the Academy, I'll be a diva with a sword, I'll stop singing the song, I'll,- I'll-I'll...just talk when you want and keep real quiet and leave you when you want and..."

"No, I don't think so," Gabrielle declared with a finality to her voice. "I'm off to join Ephiny to run the Amazons."

Ephiny emerges from the trees with a leap to the floor. "Joxer, Xena." She greeted them. "Got everything Gabrielle?"

"Yep, I'm all set," the blond answered, jumping to her feet and lifting her pack on her back. "So long Joxer, Xena and thanks for everything!"

There was a long pained silence as Xena and Joxer stared after the retreating forms of the Amazons leaving the camp and heading off into the sunset.

"Well," Joxer shrugged. "That's that. I'm off to see Lila. Seeya Xena."

Xena looked totally bemused as she stood alone. Well, not totally alone. She smiled again as she looked for her favourite. "Hey Argo, old girl..."

There was a pause.

"Argo..?"

Another silence.

"Argo, you know I was kidding about that 'just a horse' crack, right?" Xena said with a hollow laugh. "Argo? Argo? ARGO!!!!!"

A faint clip of hooves reached her ear in the distance, followed by a long neigh that broke the long deathly hush of the night.

"What happened?" Xena wailed aloud to anyone in hearing distance. "WHAT HAPPENED!!??!

She held her hands up to the skies in a mixture of shock, despair and utter confusion. "What? What? What happened?!!???!"

Exerting her frustration on the ground, she thumped it until it left a dent worthy of a giant's footprint. The dark seemed a lot less friendly and the fire a lot more welcoming. She tried to get comfy in her bedroll, but her restlessness hit home. Suddenly a smile lit up her face. Well, if there's no-one else... "Ares!!!!"

There was a brief flurry of Godly light beside her and her face lit up briefly. Then fell again.

"Hey Xena," Strife hailed her. "Unc's not in right now, but if you'd like to leave your message, please speak after the tone. Pip-pip-pip-piiiiip...." He vanished before she could react, leaving that long-drawn out giggle hanging in the air.

Xena flopped down on her bedroll in a sulk, giving the fire a glare and folding her arms, daring it to go out before she fell asleep.

Ares looked down from Olympus at his former protogee. "Oh Xena, Xena," he scolded her softly. "When will you ever learn? I always win...in the end."

Author's Note: "I'm the daddy" is an english slang expression for being top dog.

Please take the time to write to Jerry at studmuffin_jer@yahoo.com and let him know how you liked the story!

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Ephiny, Argo, Ares, and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory 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 © 2004 by Jerry Hendy and is his 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.