-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WRITTEN BY Melissa Good -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTED BY Denise Byrd -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRODUCED BY Carol Stephens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCREENGRABS Judi Mair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTWORK Lucia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC MaryD --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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