Is it always the case that a $125 change fee is required to leave out a ticketed segment in a xONEx itinerary?

I see where in the rules a no-show generates a $125 rebooking fee, but I'm wondering whether there are any circumstances --- after ticketing but before a ticketed flight (not the first segment) ---- where a passenger can arrange to cancel it, contnue the itinerary with the next segment, and not attract the $125 fee.

For example, is it possible to change the OW airline of a segment (normally a free change) to "no" airline, or change the date of a segment (normally a free change) to "no" date ---- and avoid the fee?

Thanks in advance!