'Haunted'
 
 ACT TWO




 13 INT. ARES' LAIR/MT. OLYMPUS - DAY 13

 Ares is in his throne room on Mt. Olympus PACING back and
 forth, firing FIREBALLS here and there. He SLAMS his fist on
 a table.

 	ARES 
 (angry then sad)
 AAHHHH… You're gone… this time for real.
 No Eli. No resurrection. Just… gone.

 Ares turns and looks at a MURAL of Xena on the wall.

 ARES
 Just when we were really starting to
 understand each other… 

 Ares shoots a FIREBALL and DESTROYS mural

 ARES
 I've lost. I've lost you, Xena.
 (lowers head)
 My Warrior Princess...

 Xena and Callisto MATERIALIZE in the background.
 
 Xena and Callisto are away from Ares view. Callisto now looks
 like regular Callisto. Xena looks at her and does a double
 take, then looks toward Ares.

 XENA
 What's wrong with him?

 CALLISTO
 He's feeling something he's never felt
 before-

 XENA
 -Grief. How can the god of war feel
 grief?

 CALLISTO
 How can the god of war feel unconditional
 love?

 Xena has a pained smile on her face as she continues to watch
 Ares.

 CALLISTO
 (in Ares voice)
 I think you might be surprised about the
 change you can inspire in a man, or a
 god.

 Xena turns and looks at her with a shocked look on her face.

 XENA
 Figures YOU'D remember that, since he
 said it to you. Well, your body anyway.

 Ares walks over to the mural remains and TOUCHES it.

 ARES
 (sadly)
 If only I'd been there to save you. I
 knew what drove you- where your passion
 came from. That part belonged to me. It
 always did. What did I have to do, Xena?
 What more did I need to do to prove my
 love for you? 

 CALLISTO
 Poor creature. He's really got it bad for
 you, you know.

 XENA
 Yes, I know.

 CALLISTO
 Yet, is it healthy for the god of war to
 mourn in a way such as this? Shouldn't he
 be out, oh, I don't know, 
 (sarcastic)
 starting a war or something?

 XENA
 A world without the god of war can drift
 into chaos.

 CALLISTO
 Imagine a world with a god of war who is
 an emotional basketcase.

 Xena shoots Callisto a look.

 CALLISTO 
 Remember your pain? You are carrying his
 grief. And you need to resolve that- for
 both of you.

 Xena FADES into the background behind Ares as she watches his
 torment.

 ARES
 (pleading)
 My mortality, my love was never enough.
 Maybe all that happened between us was
 forgotten but never forgiven… 
 (beat)
 Why didn't you forgive me, Xena?

 Xena's expression changes to one of pain and sympathy.

 ARES
 I thought unconditional love was enough.
 Maybe it was for a one in a-

 Ares pauses as he realizes he isn't alone.

 ARES
 -billion chance. There was a time I
 thought I could wait forever for that
 chance. But I can't. 

 Ares THROWS a fireball at the wall.

 ARES
 (yelling)
 I can't! I know what I have to do.

 Ares THROWS another fireball.

 ARES
 (yelling)
 I know you're here Xena! I can FEEL you!

 XENA
 Hello Ares.

 Ares slowly turns around and sees Xena.

 ARES
 (softly)
 Xena...
 (clears throat)
 Why are you here? Can't you let me
 grieve?

 XENA
 Is that what you're doing? Grieving?

 ARES
 Yeah, that's what I'm doing.

 XENA
 Looks to me like you're losing it.

 ARES
 (laughs)
 I'd say you're the one who 'lost it'
 (motions his hand across
 his neck)

 Callisto is in the background covering her mouth as she
 laughs.

 XENA
 So... what is it you 'have to do' Ares?

 ARES
 (hesitates)
 I don't know what you're talking about.

 XENA
 Yes you do. And so do I. You're going to
 try to being me back.

 ARES
 Really!

 XENA
 Ares… you can't do this. I can't let you. 

 Ares turns away from her.

 ARES
 Humph.

 XENA
 What purpose will it serve? You have to
 stop. 
 (walking toward Ares)
 Look at you, the god of war, acting wild-
 like a wild creature.

 Ares spins around and looks at Xena.

To listen to Wild Pt.1.wav, copy and paste this link in a new browser window--- http://www.babes4bush.com/misc/haunted/wild.wav



MUSIC FADES IN- 'Wild-Pt.1' ARES (questioning) Wild? (trailing off) Wild... (singing as he walks to Xena) I go wild cause you break me open, Wild… cause you left me here. I go wild, Cause your promises are broken. Callisto is now sitting in a reclining chair, kicking back enjoying the show, as she eats popcorn. Xena turns away from Ares. ARES (singing) Wild because the chips are down. Wild because there isn't anybody else around. Wild when the waves start to break. And gods know they're breaking in me now. Ares walks behind Xena and slips his arm around her waist. Xena closes her eyes as they begin to slowly SWAY to the music. ARES (singing) I go wild 'cause it doesn't make sense, For me to cry out in my own defense. XENA (singing) Wild 'cause I would do anything, To tear you off your precious fence. ARES (singing) So this is what it's like living in limbo? First I'm high then I'm solo... Ares turns Xena around and begins to DANCE with her slowly to the music. ARES (singing) I go wild, Cause you break me open, Wild, Cause you left me here. I go wild, Cause your promises are broken. Wild, When I know you're near, I go wild... I go wild. Ares and Xena stop dancing but he is still holding her. ARES (singing into Xena's ear) Tell me what you've come for Moving like a hunter through my back door CALLISTO (O.S.) Hey! Turn up the volume! ON CALLISTO reaching for a REMOTE and POINTS it toward Ares and Xena. ARES (singing) Leaving the perfume of all you adore To die nameless on my floor. CALLISTO That's better. Callisto leans back and eats more popcorn. XENA (singing) Yeah well we both know that you don't play fair. I guess you really think that you'd get me there. Let's be honest perhaps this little ride Is too much for even you to bear. An upset Ares turns Xena around and STARES at her. ARES (snarling to Xena) You've some nerve to come back here You're not the only one who can smell fear. Xena looks hurt as Ares PUSHES her away and has his back to her. ARES (singing) I go wild, Cause you break me open. Wild… Cause you left me here. I go wild, Cause your promises are broken. Wild… Ares turns to face Xena again. ARES (singing) Don't you get it dear? You're not the only one who runs on instincts.
 No I've got instincts of my own.
 You've got a lot of nerve to come back,
 Plan your attack,
 yeah I am still waiting.
 (spoken)
 Did you want something?


 XENA
 (singing)
 You wrote the rules to try to contain me,
 You broke 'em,
 Now you have untamed me.


 ARES
 (singing)
 And I'm wild,
 I go wild.


 Ares takes Xena's hand once again, circles his arms around
 her and begins singing into her ear once again.

 ARES
 (half-singing)
 Tell me what you've come for
 What is it you adore?
 Won't you tell me?
 What would you cry for
 Swallow your pride for?
 Would would you, go wild for?

 MUSIC FADES OUT

 Ares stands behind Xena with his arms wrapped around her.

 ARES 
 (whispers in her ear)
 I love you Xena. Why can't you see that? 

 XENA
 I can see that, Ares.

 ARES
 I need your fire. I need your fight. I
 need YOU.

 XENA
 You said you wanted to know what it would
 take to prove your love for me.

 Ares kisses her neck.

 ARES
 Yes...

 XENA
 Then let me go.

 Ares turns Xena to face him. We see a tear on his cheek. 

 ARES
 Xena... I don't know how.

 Xena touches his face and wipes the tear.

 XENA
 You've learned more than I thought… 

 An upset Ares suddenly pulls away from Xena.

To listen to Wild Pt.2.wav, copy and paste this link in a new browser window--- http://www.babes4bush.com/misc/haunted/Wild-pt2.wav


MUSIC FADES UP QUICKLY - 'Wild-Pt.2' ARES (singing) You've got a lot of nerve to come back here Speak up my darling I have been waiting. Xena is stunned. Ares is getting visibly upset. He turns away from Xena. ARES (singing) I go wild, Cause you break me open. Wild, Cause you left me here. I go wild, Cause your promises are broken. Wild, Don't you get it dear? You're not the only one who runs on instincts, No I've got instincts of my own. Ares turns to face Xena once again. ARES (singing) You've got a lot of nerve to come back, Plan your attack yeah I am still waiting. (speaking) Did you want something? XENA (singing) You wrote the rules to try and contain me You broke 'em, Now you have untamed me. ARES (singing) And I'm wild… Ares loses control of his emotions and begins THROWING FIREBALLS around the room. He fires one toward the unseen Callisto, who ducks out of the way. CALLISTO (yelling) What is with you people and throwing things? MUSIC FADES OUT. Ares looks exhausted but somewhat relieved. Xena looks at him with a small smile. XENA It helps, doesn't it? ARES Yeah, for some reason, I feel better. Although this place looks like a cyclone blew through. XENA (smiles) Yes it does. ARES Is this part of dealing with loss, Xena? XENA You're asking the wrong person. ARES So... XENA Yes... ARES What now? (beat) You know, even though you're a spirit, we could still have some kicks. XENA (smiles) Still trying, huh? CALLISTO Ooooh. Now that's kinky. ARES I'll NEVER stop. XENA I know. ARES Xena... I just have to know. Did you at any time ever really love me? Xena walks over to him and gives him a deep, passionate kiss. ARES (breathless) I can live with that. Xena smiles. XENA Good-bye Ares. (beat) Go start some trouble somewhere, will ya? Ares smiles. XENA And clean up this mess! ARES Good-bye Xena... Xena walks towards Callisto and FADES from Ares sight. Callisto has a tissue and is drying crocodile tears. CALLISTO (faking like she's been crying) I just love happy endings. XENA (smiling as she turns back to look at Ares) So do I. CALLISTO Well it looks like you're ready for the next hallway. 14 INT. XENA'S MIND - DAY 14 Callisto puts her arm around Xena. CALLISTO Shall we go see our beautiful daughter next? XENA Yes. CALLISTO I'll bring the tissues. Xena and Callisto walk down hallway number two and disappear. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO