Rating: PG
Author's notes: This story takes place six years after The Trio and Their Uncle. Jett has returned to prison. But works for Cyrenne on the weekends. Jace has returned to his music, and Joxer and Adora travel with Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve.
Part fourteen: I used some words from Dodie Stevens' song Pink Shoelaces. Words and Music from Mickie Grant.
Part fifteen: The part where Strife returns to Hades was written by my beta reader Sandy.
Part sixteen: Special thanks to Sandy for writing the wedding scene.

Chapter One

The two ponies raced across the open plain. One rider held on for dear life while the other was whooping her head off. "Eve! Eve! Slow down. Blue can't keep up with Spirit!"

Eve suddenly turned around and saw that Adora was having trouble keeping up. She quickly turned Spirit around and raced back to help her friend. Soon both girls had settled down into an even trot. "You've really got to learn to keep up, Dorie."

"I try, but you and Spirit are just too fast. I think we better head back. Papa might be worried."

"Yeah, not to mention Mom. Don't want to get on her bad side today. Want to race back?"

Adora frowned. "Not really. You always win."

"Hey, I'll even give you a head start! Come on," Eve pleaded.

"Oh, all right," Adora agreed.

Adora had Blue take off and away they went. Eve waited for a few minutes then took off too. Again they raced across the plain, this time heading back to their family. Adora saw the camp first. She made Blue go faster - this time she would win, she just knew it. Suddenly, Spirit and Eve passed by them. Adora tried her best, but Blue could not catch Spirit. Spirit and Eve won the race and Eve climbed off him. "I won! I won!" she cried, jumping up and down.

Adora came in walking Blue. "Good race, Eve. I'm going to cool Blue down."

Eve smiled. "Hey, I'll join you." She led Spirit and placed her arm around Adora. "You ran a great race, Dorie."

"Thanks Eve," Adora replied. "Hmmm. I wonder where Papa, Aunt Xena and Aunt Gabrielle are at."

"Probably looking for us. I swear my Mom and Aunt Gabby are so overprotective!"

Adora rolled her eyes. "Yeah, don't I know it! My papa is to an extent but not as much as they are."

"Dorie?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wonder why that is? That they're all like that?"

"No. I guess they just love us."

"I guess. But you know, I think we're different."

"What makes you say that, Eve?"

"Well, look at us! I mean, we're a lot smarter than girls our age."

"Yeah, I know I'm smart. I was told I was too smart for school."

"Yeah, you're smart for a six year old, but your fighting skills stink!"

"I'm not a fighter, Eve. Fighting isn't for me. Someday, I'm going to be something even better then a warrior."

"And what is that?"

"An artist."

Eve started to answer when she heard Argo and then saw Xena and Gabrielle coming. "Uh oh! Here comes Mom and Aunt Gabby!"

Adora looked in the direction Eve pointed in and saw them but her Papa wasn't with them. "I wonder where Papa is?"

"He probably got lost again," Eve said, shaking her head.

Adora nodded and closed her eyes. Her eyebrows drew together in a frown before she replied in a distant voice, "He's okay. He caught in a tree branch, but he got loose."

"No way! How could you know something like that?" Eve asked suspiciously.

Adora opened her eyes and stared at her friend. "I don't know, but it's the truth."

Eve shook her head. "Whatever you say, Dorie." She rolled her eyes as she watched Xena and Gabrielle ride into camp. "I think we're in big trouble."

"So, what else is new?"

Xena leapt down from Argo and ran over to her daughter. "Eve, where have you been? We were looking all over for you! I've told you never to leave this camp without me, Gabrielle or Joxer with you."

"Mom, chill! Dorie and I were racing. We were careful! Nothing happened," Eve protested.

Xena placed her hands on Eve's arms and looked at her sternly. "That's not the point! You were told to stay here and you disobeyed."

"Mom, let go! You're hurting me. Nothing happened!"

Adora turned at the sound of her best friend's voice and suddenly Xena pulled away quickly as if she had been burned. She looked down at her hands and saw that they were red and full of blisters, but as she watched, the blisters and the redness disappeared. She looked over at Adora who was watching the road to see if Joxer was coming with a frown on her face.

Adora saw Joxer walking down the road a short time later. "Papa! Papa!" She raced over to him and Joxer caught her in his arms and placed her on his shoulders.

"Hey there, Dorie! Now where have you been, young lady?"

"Eve and I were racing, Papa."

"You were told to stay at the camp. Aunt Gabrielle, Aunt Xena and I were looking all over for you."

"I'm sorry, Papa! We were only having fun."

"I know Dorie, but you and Eve have to learn to listen. So, who won?"

Adora giggled. "Spirit, as always."

Joxer nodded. "Eve's a good rider."

"Yeah. She's better than me in everything."

"Uh, not everything, honey. Eve can't even draw a straight line and you, my little artist, make the drawings of the most talented artists around look like hen scratches!"

Adora hugged Joxer's neck. "Oh Papa, I love you! Papa?"

"Yeah, Dorie?"

"Did you get them for me?"

"You mean more drawing scrolls and charcoals?"

"Yes, Papa."

"Uh huh."

"Can I have them now?"

"Nope."

"Why not?" Adora's lips pouted out just like her father's.

"Because you're being punished for not listening," Joxer replied.

"Papa, that is so unfair!" Adora groaned.

"Dorie, if you play with the piper, you have to pay for it."

"What does that mean?"

"It means no drawing scrolls or charcoals till I say so."

"Oh Papa, you're so mean!"

Joxer laughed as he took Adora off his shoulders. "You'll get over it. Now come on and help me with supper."

Chapter Two

Adora's eyes glowed as she glared at her father. "Papa, you know I don't like to cook! I'm going to be an artist, not a cook."

Joxer smiled at her. "Well, look at it this way. At least if you learn how to cook, you won't be a starving artist."

"Oh Papa, you're not funny at all! What do you want me to do?"

Joxer bent down and took a quail out of his pack. "Here, you can pluck this." He handed the dead bird over to her.

Adora took the bird and made a face. "Oh, gross! I mean it: this is the last time I listen to Eve!" Adora placed the quail on the log and began ripping the feathers off the carcass.

"Gently, Dorie. You don't want to ruin supper, do you?"

"No, Papa. Sorry, Papa."

Joxer smiled as he took another quail and began to pluck it. Adora looked up at him. "Papa?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

Joxer's eyes twinkled. "I love you too Dorie, but you're still being punished."

Adora sighed. "I know, Papa. I know. I wonder how Aunt Xena punished Eve."

"That, young lady, is none of our business. Now let's get cracking. We've got a family to feed."

"Yes, Papa."

The young raven-haired girl was angry at her mother. "Mom, that is so unfair! You can't forbid me to ride Spirit. How am I supposed to get around?"

Xena spoke firmly to her daughter. "You will ride with me while either Aunt Gabrielle or I lead Spirit, but you will not ride him until you learn to listen."

"That is so not fair! I don't deserve this! I am so tired of being told what I can do and not do!"

"Eve, I know this is hard, but it's for your own good. There're so many dangerous things out there."

Eve drew her sword. "Mom, you taught me well. I can fight."

Xena voice softened as she spoke to her daughter. "Evie, I know you can fight, and for your age you do very well. But, there are some things you're just not old enough to understand. You have to trust me and know that what we are doing is for you and Adora's best interests."

Eve's eyes were blazing. "How can I trust you when you don't trust me?" Eve pulled away and ran from her mother.

"EVE!" Xena started after her but Gabrielle stopped her.

"Let me talk to her, Xena."

Xena rubbed her head. "Okay, Gabrielle. Maybe you can make her understandÉ" She sighed. "Gabrielle, do you think I was too hard on her?"

"No, Xena."

"Thanks. I'm going to go and help Joxer fix supper."

"Okay, Xena."

Gabrielle found Eve crying as she held onto Spirit's neck. "Hey, Eve. Can we talk?"

"You've got a mouth, don't you?" Eve knew deep down inside that was not a nice way to talk to her aunt, but at the moment she just didn't care.

"Yeah, I've got a mouth." Gabrielle sat down on a log nearby and patted it for Eve to sit. Eve slowly walked over to her, sat down and wiped her eyes. "Eve, you do know that we love you."

"I know, Aunt Gabby, but this is so unfair! I love Spirit. He's so smart and the thought of not riding him is breaking my heart. I know I've got to be punished, but can't she punish me some other way? I don't know - take away my favorite doll?"

"You don't have a favorite doll."

"Then I will get one."

Gabrielle laughed in spite of herself. "Eve, it won't be so bad. You're only being punished until you listen, and for as long as you can't ride Spirit will be up to you."

Eve nodded. "Well, it's not going to be long! From now on, I'm going to listen."

"I know, sweetie. Come on. I think I smell supper and I'm famished!"

"Then I better hurry and beat you to supper or you will eat it all!" Eve laughed as she ran towards the camp.

"Very funny, Eve! Hey, wait up!" Gabrielle called as she raced after Eve.

Eve and Gabrielle came back and Eve sat down beside Xena. "Mom?"

Xena looked at her daughter. "Yes, Eve?"

"I'm sorry."

"I know, baby." Nothing more was said as they quietly ate supper. Xena looked over at Joxer and Adora who were giggling together. She was worried about what Adora had done earlier and knew she had to tell Joxer. "Joxer, I need to talk to you."

Joxer glanced at her and the look in her eyes told him she meant now. "Sure, Xena." He turned to Adora. "Okay, Dorie. Aunt Gabby's going to tell you guys a story then off to bed, all right?"

"Yes, Papa." Adora gave her father a hug and kiss. "Goodnight, Papa. I love you, Papa."

"Night, sweetie. I love you, too."

Xena watched and after giving Eve and Adora a kiss goodnight and waiting for Eve to hug Joxer goodnight, she walked away from camp with Joxer right behind her. She waited until she was sure they were far enough away. Then, she sat down on a log and motioned for Joxer to sit next to her. "Joxer, we've got to talk about Adora."

"What about her?"

"I think she's getting her Godly powers back."

Joxer shook his head. "No! There's no way. She lost her powers when she was a baby."

Xena placed her hand on his arm. "We were never really sure about that. I told you that it was a pretty good chance they could come back."

Joxer looked at her. "What makes you think she's getting her powers back?"

Xena showed him her hands. "See my hands?"

"Yeah. They need a manicure."

"JOXER!" Xena lowered her voice when she realized she was shouting. "Joxer, this is serious! When I was talking to Eve earlier before you came back, my hands were burnt when I put my hands on her arms. They were blistered and red and I think Adora did it because she was scared for Eve."

"You have no proof that it was Adora!"

"Joxer, I know it was Adora."

"So, what are trying to say, Xena - that Dorie could be dangerous?" Joxer asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, if she's not...."

Joxer suddenly jumped up from the log. "Dorie isn't dangerous! How dare you say that! Who do you think you are?"

Xena stood up and moved towards Joxer, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Joxer, calm down! You didn't let me finish. I was going to say yes if she's not told the truth about who she is and how to handle her powers."

"What? I'm supposed to tell her everything like the fact I'm her mother and not her father and that her real father is a God from Gaul. Do you realize how ridiculous that's going to sound to her?"

Xena gazed at her long-time friend. "Yes, I think you should," she said softly.

Joxer shrugged Xena's hands off his shoulders and walked away from her. "No way, Xena! I won't do that to Dorie!"

"Joxer, you're not being reasonable. If you don't tell her the truth, I'm not sure what will happen."

"I'll tell you what'll happen, Xena! I'm taking Dorie and we're leaving in the morning! Dorie's my daughter, not yours, and she is a normal little girl!"

Xena folded her arms over her chest. "You would take Adora away from the only family unit she knows because you're afraid to tell her what she needs to know?"

Joxer ran his fingers through his hair. Deep down inside he knew Xena was right. "Xena, how? How do I tell her?" he asked softly, his whole body sagging forward.

Xena reached out and put a hand on Joxer's shoulder. "I'll help you, Joxer, and Gabrielle will too. You won't be alone, but she needs to know the truth. Come on. Let's go back."

Joxer nodded as he followed her back to the camp.

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