Fade in:
A man stands on a balcony with his face hidden in shadows. The camera pans to: hands holding a goblet of wine. Classical music and laughing voices can be heard in the background.
The camera pulls back to reveal a bored looking Ares leaning against a stone railing and dressed a billowy white shirt and leather breaches. A sword hangs at his hip. A carriage rounds the bend below the balcony and Ares moves as if to go inside. He pauses when he hears a familiar voice.
Xena: My Lady Bella, don't forgot your fan.
Gabrielle steps down from the carriage wearing a low-cut blue dress.
Gabrielle: Thank you, Diana. I won't be staying long. Wait for me in the gardens.
Xena, in a simpler version of Gabrielle's dress in red, curtsies.
Xena: Yes, my lady.
Gabrielle leans in closer and whispers quietly to Xena.
Gabrielle: And be careful.
Ares: Well, well the night just got more interesting.
Ares drains his wine and walks inside.
Cut to:
Inside Gabrielle stands at the top of a grand staircase. She fans herself and frowns, moving gracefully to the open floor below. Gabrielle watches couples move together in step as they dance. She takes wine from a passing servant. A fat man with a ridiculous mustache approaches and takes her hand to kiss it.
Damien: Good evening, Lady Bella, you grace us with your presence.
Gabrielle pulls her hand away and glares as she answers.
Gabrielle: It's not like I had a choice, is it?
Damien: Everyone in Potidea is talking about your pending marriage with Duke Arden. Your father is a wise man.
Gabrielle: My father was a wise man, Lord Damien.
Damien: Of course, forgive me. Such an… untimely death. It is fortunate your marriage was arranged prior to the accident. I expect that your new husband will gain more than he anticipated from your union.
Close up on Gabrielle as she turns her hand over to reveal a white packet, slipped there by Damien.
Gabrielle: I expect he will.
Pan out to reveal Ares standing by a large stone pillar, looking thoughtfully at Gabrielle and Damien. Gabrielle slips the white packet into her bosom. Ares watches as Gabrielle and Damien join the dance, Gabrielle obviously reluctant, and then he turns and walks out to the gardens.
Cut to:
Xena sits on a stone bench by a large bubbling fountain surrounded by rose bushes. Ares watches her fingers glide across the water as she hums softly to herself.
Ares steps forward revealing himself. Xena turns to look up at him, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.
Ares: It's been a long time. Too long.
Xena: Pardon me, my Lord, but I don't believe we've met.
Ares leans in closer and whispers in her ear.
Ares: With everything we've been through together it's a shame you don't remember me. Or yourself.
Xena pulls back and raises one eyebrow.
Xena: I think I'd remember you.
Ares takes a step back and walks around the fountain. Xena shifts in her seat to keep an eye on him, frowning.
Ares: So, I hear your friend managed to snag a Duke for a husband.
Xena: I don't see how that's any of your concern.
Ares: Oh, it concerns me very much. Trust me.
Cut to:
Gabrielle and Damien end the dance and she offers him a curtsy. Two women approach, giggling and clutching each other's hands. (Cameo: we see it's Varia and Eve)
Varia: Oh, Bella, we don't know how you can stand that man!
Eve: I don't think any woman can stand him, but he's been married three times.
Varia: I thought it was four.
Eve: Poor Bernice. To drown on your own honeymoon! It's too sad.
Gabrielle: I shared a dance with Damien – it's not like I'm going to marry him.
Eve: Lord Arden is a much better dancer.
Gabrielle (gritting teeth): Well, Duke Arden isn't here.
Varia: I heard he's busy breeding stallions at his estate. (fans self vigorously) They say he's quite good at it.
Eve: Well, I heard he's leading a shipping expedition. They say he really knows how to handle the masts.
Both women sigh and fan themselves. Gabrielle rolls her eyes.
Cut to:
Ares and Xena in the garden. Ares sits down on the stone bench. Xena moves towards Ares so that their lips are almost but not quite touching. Close up on Ares, watching her with veiled eyes.
Xena (quietly and playfully): Do ya get the feeling we're being watched?
Ares: Definitely. But who am I to judge?
Xena: Two behind the tree… two in the rose bushes.
The two swiftly pull apart. Xena reaches off to one side and yanks a head out of the rosebush. Ares gives the man a swift jab to his jaw and he moves backwards. Xena lands a kick to his midsection as he falls. Ares pulls out the sword at his side and the other man behind the rosebush takes off running. Close up on Ares fist as it connects with the man's face. From behind the tree we here a voice say "Let's get out of here!" and retreating foot steps.
Xena flips over the bushes to land in front of one of the men and gives a roundhouse kick that leaves him flat. Ares watches as the last man runs off into the night.
Xena strolls up to Ares and he holds her chin between his fingers.
Ares: Exciting. Now, where were we?
Ares hand lightly moves along her jawbone. His head moves down slowly. Off camera:
Gabrielle: Diana! What are you doing?
Ares (rolls eyes): Enter annoying blonde.
Gabrielle: We're leaving, Diana.
Xena flashes her blue eyes at Ares, and then lowers them back to the ground as she follows Gabrielle.
Ares (calls): This isn't over, Xena.
Ares (softly to himself): I want what's mine.
Cut to:
A carriage pulled by two horses travels down a deserted, dimly lit stone street. The driver urges the horses around a corner.
Cut to:
Xena and Gabrielle sit across from one another in the lavish carriage. Gabrielle is tapping her fan against her palm and pursing her lips at Xena.
Gabrielle: Who was that man, Diana?
Xena: I'm sure I don't know, my Lady.
Gabrielle: You seemed to know him quite well, but you don't know his name?
Xena: He thought I was someone else. You heard him call me Xena.
Gabrielle: Xena? What kind of a name is that? You should be more careful. Who knows what he wants. He might be a spy for Lord Damien.
Xena: I will be more careful, lady Bella.
Gabrielle: You'd better - I can't afford a scandal so close to the wedding date.
The carriage suddenly lurches and Gabrielle is thrown across into Xena's arms. Xena smirks as Gabrielle sits down besides her.
Gabrielle takes Xena's hand in hers and offers her a smile.
Gabrielle: We'll speak no more about it. Although… he was very striking.
Xena (looking smug): Yes, he was.
Fade out.