Fade in.

Gabrielle and Xena are slowly riding sidesaddle on horses. A well-dressed gentleman rides besides them followed by servants on foot carrying baskets and jugs. We see it is a suave Joxter. Camera pans out to reveal a wooded region with a dirt path following a stream. The troop of people moves through the forested area.

Gabrielle: This is the perfect day for a picnic.

Xena: Looks like rain to me.

Arden: You have an amazing estate, Lady Bella.

Gabrielle: Thank you, Duke Arden. Soon it will be our estate.

Arden: I look forward to the day I can call such a beautiful place my home and such a lovely creature my wife.

Close up on Xena as she rolls her eyes. Pan to Gabrielle looking pleased by the compliment.

The party approaches a tall oak tree by a stream and the dismount. Servants have set up blankets and food and stand waiting nearby. The baskets and jugs are set down as the party dismounts.

Gabrielle: Will you stay for the hunt later this afternoon? Diana is very good with her bow. She always brings back game.

Arden looks thoughtfully at Diana.

Areden: Does she really? I might indeed be interested in seeing that.

Xena (blandly): I skin the rabbits myself. (off Gabrielle's look) They make excellent stew.

A short, uncomfortable silence follows.

Arden: Perhaps we can hunt for the gray wolf that's been stalking the villager's livestock.

Gabrielle: A wolf? Are you sure?

Arden: No one has seen it but several chickens have been killed or are missing.

Gabrielle: The villagers need those chickens to survive. If there is a wolf it needs to be stopped - before it hurts something besides the chickens.

The sound of a horse coming fast is heard.

Pan to:

A man dismounts, out of breath, and hands Gabrielle a parchment. Gabrielle scans the message, frowning.

Gabrielle: I must apologize. It seems I am needed back at the manor.

Arden: Is everything okay?

Gabrielle: Just a small family matter that needs my attention. Please, enjoy the food and I'll be back soon.

Gabrielle rides off with the servant, leaving Diana with Arden. Arden leans casually on one side, popping grapes into his mouth.

Arden: I was told you met Lord Aresis last night. I was surprised to hear he'd attended Damien's little fête. He tends to stay uninvolved unless he stands to benefit directly.

Xena: You're very informed, but your spies could use more training.

Arden: You would know.

Xena (smiling thinly): I am sure I don't know what my Lord implies.

Arden holds up a hand to interrupt. Xena's smile turns to a frown.

Arden: Trust me, Diana; I'm aware of the role you serve under your mistress. There's no need to pretend otherwise. Have you been with Lady Bella long?

Xena (cautiously): Since I can remember. She's my closest friend.

Arden: So she's like a sister to you?

Xena (sounding more like her usual self than Diana): I guess so, why?

Arden: It's just so hard to find faithful servants. Trustworthy servants.

Xena (hard): I wouldn't know.

Arden: Tell me, what would you do if you no longer had to attend Lady Bella?

Xena: What do you mean?

Arden: If your services were no longer needed. After all, Lady Bella will soon be a Duchess and I will give her all the servants she needs. She won't have much use for a … personal assistant.

Close up on Xena, looking troubled.

Arden: No, I'm quite sure you won't be needed at all.

Cut to:

Gabrielle enters the manor, looking impatient.

Gabrielle: Damien, what are you doing? You'd better have a good reason for interrupting my outing with Arden.

Damien stands behind Gabrielle and places his hands on her shoulders, smelling her hair. Gabrielle looks disgusted by the contact and pulls away. Damien clenches his jaw and then studies his nails.

Damien: A very good reason.

Gabrielle: Everything is going according to plan- (turns around, snarling) unless you manage to ruin it! We're supposed to hate each other. If you keep coming up to see me, people will start to suspect us.

Damien: They'll just think I'm interested in your… assets. As long as you keep up the pretense of hating me, no one will suspect anything.

Gabrielle: That should be easy - since I do hate you.

Damien: Oh, I know. But you also need me. A woman just doesn't have the same access as a man. Without me you stay the Lady Bella, mired in the debt left behind by your father. (grabs her arms) Believe me, Bella, you don't want me to leave you at the mercy of those men. Your father owes them a small fortune and they'll take anything they want until they feel that obligation is paid. Anything. The only reason they aren't here now is because of me.

Gabrielle pulls her arm away.

Gabrielle: And the only reason you are here now is because of them. Let's get this over with. What do you want me to do?

Damien: What we planned. On your wedding night slip the packet of poison I gave you into your husband's drink. You become Duchess and heir to his riches. You can pay off your debt and live your own life. Isn't that what you want?

Gabrielle looks uncertain and guilty.

Gabrielle: What's in this for you?

Damien: Ah, Bella, I'm sure you can think of some way to repay me.

Close up on Gabrielle's face. She looks furious.

Gabrielle: I need to get back before I'm missed.

Damien: What will you tell Arden when he asks why you left? I suggest you think of something creative.

Gabrielle: I'll tell him the truth. It's always easier than trying to lie. Lord Damien wanted to speak with me regarding my father's fortune and I sent him home… empty handed.

Damien (steps back and bows): Of course. But remember, Lady Bella, if you don't follow through on your end of this bargain you are dooming yourself to a life of poverty and shame. Your husband must die.

Damien walks out of the room.

Cut to:

Xena and Arden sitting together on the picnic blankets. Xena is picking at the grass, scowling at Arden.

Arden: I am looking forward to the hunt this afternoon. I've heard you are an excellent shot. Where did you learn to shoot a bow?

Xena: Lady Bella's father had us schooled together and I attended all her lessons. Including archery.

Xena and Arden both stand as Gabrielle comes riding back. Xena hugs Gabrielle as she dismounts and Gabrielle looks at her, slightly flustered. Arden watches the pair with a frown.

Xena: Is everything okay?

Gabrielle: Everything is fine, Diana. (to Arden) I hope you were still able to enjoy yourself while I was gone. Lord Damien insisted on clearing up a personal matter related to my father.

Arden (frowning): That man is a scoundrel. I am surprised to hear your father was involved with him in some way.

Gabrielle: Really, Duke Arden. It's nothing for you to concern yourself with.

Arden: Speaking of scoundrels, I was just warning Diana about Lord Aresis.

Gabrielle (glances at Xena): Who?

Arden: The gentleman she, uh… (clears throat) was introduced to last night. I have it on good authority that he makes his fortune through blackmail. It's said he obtains his information from the servants of nobles. I suggest you make an effort to avoid him, Diana.

Xena (through gritted teeth): Naturally I'll do as my lord wishes. (looks up) It looks like rain. Maybe we should head back.

Gabrielle: I'm sorry, Diana. I know how much you were looking forward to the hunt.

Xena: Not in this weather. We'd better hurry.

Arden: I have some things I need to attend, if you ladies will excuse me. Remember what I said, Diana. He's not to be trusted.

Gabrielle and Xena curtsy as Arden mounts his steed. Arden rides off camera.

Gabrielle: How did he know about you and Lord Aresis?

Xena: Apparently the men in the garden were his spies. A man as powerful as Duke Arden needs to stay informed. Who knows what Damien is plotting against him?

Gabrielle: He seems like a good man.

Xena: Good thing too, since he's your future husband.

Gabrielle: Oh, Diana, I don't know if I can do this.

Gabrielle buries her head in her arms and cries while Xena tries to comfort her, rubbing her hair gently.

Xena: Bella, what is going on?

Gabrielle: It's nothing.

Xena: Nothing? I know you better than that. Ever since that night in the garden you haven't been yourself. Tell me what's bothering you.

Xena holds Gabrielle and kisses the top of her head, looking worried.

Gabrielle: I wish I could tell you. (shaking her head) No, I can't. Come on, it's starting to rain.

Fade out.