Production #V805 - Episode 05
 

WRITTEN BY
Melissa Good

DIRECTED BY
Denise Byrd

PRODUCED BY
Carol Stephens

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair

ARTWORK
Lucia

EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC
MaryD

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. SUNNY MEADOW CAMPSITE - EARLY EVENING

It is near sunset. Xena and Gabrielle's campsite is set up under a tree. Argo is getting a drink from a stream passing by it.

Xena and Gabrielle stand in the meadow, tossing the chakram back and forth to each other in an odd, slightly deadly, and potentially finger cutting game of catch.

XENA

We won't be seeing
any towns for a while.

Gabrielle catches the chakram, and tosses it back.

GABRIELLE

That's okay. I don't mind
the company I'm in.

Xena catches the chakram and twirls it on her finger before she returns it.

XENA

We could take the high road across
the mountains. I think I remember a
couple of good lookouts up there.

Gabrielle snags the chakram out of the air and throws it from behind her back.

GABRIELLE

You mean we could stop and
smell the flowers and get
some great views?

XENA

(smiling)

Something like that, yeah.

The sunset spreads across the meadow. Xena catches the chakram and spins it, balancing it on her fingertip.

GABRIELLE

Sounds like a plan.

Gabrielle walks over to Xena. Xena clips the chakram to her belt, and they head towards the campfire. Gabrielle pauses to pick up her bag, and bring it with them.

XENA

Didn't you used to have
two bags of those?

Gabrielle sits down and opens the bag, removing a scroll and setting it aside.

GABRIELLE

Yeah, I did.  I... um....  left
one of them in the tomb
under Ares' Temple.

Xena is surprised. She sits down next to Gabrielle and hands her a mug.

XENA

Sorry to hear that. I know
you worked hard on them.

Gabrielle takes out a quill and sharpens it, then dips it into a little clay pot of ink.

GABRIELLE

It's not so bad. Just a few
of our older stories.

Xena takes a sip of her drink.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

And all the private ones.

Xena spits her mouthful into the fire, which sputters and flares up. She turns and stares at Gabrielle.

XENA

The pr.... You mean the ones
about you and me and....

Gabrielle nods. Her eyes are twinkling.

GABRIELLE

I figured he could use
something to read.

Xena puts her cup down and covers her face with her hand. After a minute, her shoulders start shaking.

XENA

(laughing)

Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

Paybacks are definitely a bitch.

Xena shakes her head, still laughing.

XENA

Well, at least I don't have to
worry about them being read
on the steps of the Athenaeum.

Gabrielle chuckles, and starts to write on her parchment. Xena rests her chin on her fist and watches the sunset. Her humor fades, and she seems a bit pensive. Gabrielle notices.

GABRIELLE

Having second thoughts?

XENA

About Ares, you mean?

GABRIELLE

Yeah.

Xena considers the question for a brief while.

XENA

No....  It's just there's so few people
now who were a part of my life before.
Bad as he was, he was one of them.

Gabrielle nods. She understands. She puts her quill and parchment down and takes Xena's hand, as they watch the stars come out overhead.

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE