It's been three weeks since I've been alone. I have no one. I lost Joxer so many years ago and now I have lost the one person I always counted on, Xena.

I now live alone in this small inn. I no longer travel around; without my friends, it has no meaning now.

It's night time now and I heard the music playing in the room above me. It's soft and in spite of my loneliness I find myself dancing to it. The music makes me feel less lonely because it makes me think about my friends. I miss them.

She lives just below me and every night I see her dancing to my music. So I play every night for her. I want her to be happy, something I was never able to do before. I want to be with her. I feel the time is right so I will write her a note.

It's morning and I feel a little better. I still miss my friends but it's getting easier. As I leave to go out to do my morning routine I see a note hanging down from his room. I take it and read it. It is short.

Knock three times on ceiling if you want me. Twice on the pipe if you ain't gonna show. I read it over and over again. He wants to meet me, but am I ready? My love life over the years has sucked. But I wondered if I don't at least meet him what will I being throwing away?

I sit waiting for her answer. I hope she will knock. I was told she has to want to see me. I did all I could. If only I could go down and tell her who I am but that much was not allowed. She must come to me. My heart suddenly pounds when I heard those three knocks coming from her room.

I'm standing outside his door now wondering if I made a mistake. But I knock on the door. If I made a mistake then it won't be the first time. I listened as I hear footsteps approached and then the door opens and I stared into the brown eyes I thought I would never see again. "Joxer?"

I smiled at her. "Gabrielle please would you come in."

I enter his room still staring at him. It was Joxer. He was young and alive again. "Joxer you're alive, but how?" Was all I could say to him.

I watched her as she came in. "I'm glad you are here Gabrielle. As for how I'm back, she will tell you."

I watched Joxer move away and there stood Xena - not in the flesh but in the spirit.

"Gabrielle, I was allowed to give you a gift, and so I give you back an old friend."

Then she was gone. I'm not really sure what will become of Joxer and me, but for now I'm no longer alone. And you know what? That's a great feeling.

Finis

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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, 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. The lyrics to "Knock Three Times" are owned by the appropriate copyright holders. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is copyright © 2004 by Susan Owens and is her 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.