FADE IN

Front view of a large building, with dim light coming from the windows. The camera zooms in on one of the windows and takes the viewer inside a dimly lit room. The light of candles and oil lamps is reflecting off the swords and shields hanging on the wall. Two warriors whose richly decorated armor suggests their high rank, Tydeus and Pausanias, are sitting at a table.

TYDEUS:
     We are running out of time. For weeks, I have heard about the Persian army planning an attack against Greece.

PAUSANIAS:
     Rumors are rumors and nothing more. And even if it was true, is the Persian army that much of a threat? (off Tydeus' astonished look) If the reports I have heard are true, only thirty years ago they tried something of the sort, and were defeated single-handedly by one woman warrior.

TYDEUS (thoughtfully):
     Xena--the Warrior Princess.

PAUSANIAS (derisively):
     Very good. (Tydeus gives him an irritated look but remains silent) If one woman could defeat the Persians, then surely the mighty Athenian army shouldn't have too much trouble.

TYDEUS:
     One woman? This is Xena we're talking about.

PAUSANIAS:
     So? She's not a god.

TYDEUS:
     Right--only the greatest warrior to walk the face of the earth. Besides, she took the Persians by surprise...and she was lucky. And since then, the Persians have been building up their military might. Do you really want to test the Fates again?

PAUSANIAS:
     So you suggest that Sparta should enter an alliance with Athens.

TYDEUS:
     Two armies are better than one. The rumors have it that the Persians are moving on Thessaly. If that is true, Athens is likely next--and if they take Athens, then Sparta will lie directly in their path. Are you sure that the mighty Spartan army will be able to stop them? And most of all, do you want to find out the answer after it's too late? (after a pause) Athens and Sparta have had our differences.

PAUSANIAS:
     To put it mildly.

TYDEUS:
     Our recent war has weakened both our armies. This is the time to unite in the face of a common enemy.

Pausanias is silent for a moment, wearing an expression of concern as he thinks.

PAUSANIAS:
     Very well, then. Sparta will join forces with Athens--for the time being.

TYDEUS:
     For the time being.

The two men stare at each other with a hard expression but at the same time determined. They clasp hands. At that moment, there is a knock on the door, and without waiting for an answer the door is pushed open by a guard.

GUARD:
     Excuse me for interrupting, sir...

TYDEUS (turns to him):
     I gave strict orders not to interrupt this meeting!

GUARD (nervously):
     I know, sir, but this is an emergency. A messenger is here who says he has news of the Persian army.

TYDEUS (shoots Pausanias a meaningful look):
     So much for rumors. (to the guard) Show him in.

The guard steps out, and then comes back with a man in his mid-30s. He is simply dressed, but his bearing suggests that he is more than a mere messenger.

TYDEUS:
     Who are you and what business do you bring to Athens?

MESSENGER (he seems to be making an effort to speak):
     I am Nicosias, the King of Thessaly.

Tydeus and Pausanias look at him in shock.

TYDEUS:
     Is this a joke?

NICOSIAS (bitterly):
     No joke. (he holds up the medallion on his neck; it has an engraved profile of himself)

TYDEUS:
     Then what are you doing coming here as a messenger?

NICOSIAS (through clenched teeth):
     I have been sent by Mardonius.

PAUSANIAS (stunned):
     The Persian commander?

NICOSIAS:
     Yes.

TYDEUS:
     The Persians have conquered Thessaly? It can't be!

NICOSIAS:
     It is all too true.

TYDEUS:
     But the dispatches from our scouts--

NICOSIAS (bitterly):
     ...have been intercepted and altered.

Pausanias and Tydeus are visibly shaken as they digest this news.

NICOSIAS:
     Mardonius does not want a full-scale war with Athens. If you surrender peacefully and accept Persian rule, the lives of everyone in the city will be spared. If you do not accept these terms, he will have no choice but to conquer by force.

PAUSANIAS:
     How can you, a Greek king, come here with such a shameful proposal?

Nicosias looks down, ashamed.

TYDEUS:
     We will not submit to any invader without a fight.

NICOSIAS (looks up, his stare heavy):
     So be it, then. I will take your message back to Mardonius. But know this: his army is but two days' ride from here.

Tydeus and Pausanias exchange shocked stares.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle riding through a forest in a storm. Thunder and lightning fill the night sky.

GABRIELLE (shouting over the sound of rain and thunder):
     Xena! Why is it that when we decided to camp out in the middle of nowhere, we always run into a storm?

XENA (also shouting):
     Maybe you got on the bad side of a god!

GABRIELLE:
     Now that you mention it, I can think of one!

XENA:
     Nah, he doesn't do things like this!

GABRIELLE (gives Xena a mischievous look):
     I never said anything about a him.

They speed up and see an old abandoned house up ahead. They ride up to the house.

CUT TO

Inside the house, which looks very run down. Xena and Gabrielle come in, dripping with rainwater.

GABRIELLE:
     This place looks like it has been deserted for years. Look at this!

She removes a cobweb stuck to her hair and shows it to Xena.

XENA:
     It'll do for the night.

GABRIELLE:
     Yeah, maybe we can make a blanket out of all the cobwebs.

Xena chuckles and they go exploring the house.

XENA:
     Well, not much in the way of creature comforts, but there are beds here. Which room do you want?

GABRIELLE:
     Hm...the one where the roof is least likely to collapse? (shrugs) I don't think it makes a difference. This one. (she points to the door on the right) I'll see you in the morning.

XENA:
     Yeah. 'Night.

CUT TO

Later that night, Gabrielle is soundly asleep in her room.

CUT TO

Xena's room. Xena is still awake; in her leather shift but without her armor, she is standing by a window staring as the rain falls outside and lightning flashes. She closes her eyes.

Xena opens her eyes and sighs, smiling almost contentedly at the same time. Suddenly, she flinches but soon relaxes again. The camera pans back and we see two strong arms slowly encircling her waist. Xena quietly turns her head back to look at Ares.

ARES:
     What's the matter? Having trouble sleeping?

XENA (smiles):
     Does that worry you?

ARES:
     I'd hate to see you all cranky when you wake up in the morning.

XENA:
     I'm never cranky when I wake up.

ARES (teasingly):
     Never?

XENA (her expression turning sad suddenly):
     Unless it's after a really long sleep. (she releases herself from Ares' embrace and faces him) Ares--

ARES:
     Sorry, didn't mean to bring up a sore spot. I just came to say thanks...again.

XENA (smiling a little):
     I couldn't leave you an angel. That wasn't the real you.

ARES:
     The real me? You mean, the conniving, ruthless son of a bitch?

XENA (chuckles):
     Better that than a brainwashed minion of Michael's. (she turns serious) Besides...I meant what I said, Ares. (she takes a deep breath) You have changed.

ARES (speaks solemnly and almost sadly):
     I'm still the God of War.

XENA:
     That's what you do...but maybe it's not what you are. (off his puzzled look) At least, that's not all you are. (she pauses slightly) You have been human, Ares. I think that human part of you is still inside you.

Ares is clearly moved by Xena's words. He closes the space in between them as he approaches her. Xena doesn't move as she looks straight into his eyes. Their lips meet in a tender kiss and they deepen it. Xena puts her arms around his neck, and almost simultaneously, Ares puts his arms around her waist drawing her body closer to his. Without breaking the kiss, they lower themselves down to Xena's bed. Xena moves her hand down Ares' back. Finally, they slowly break the kiss and Ares lifts his head up to look at Xena's face. At this point, Xena's gaze is directed sideways--away from Ares. She looks uncertain and a little confused. Ares sees this and starts to pull away but Xena gently tightens her grip on his back. She pulls him down and they start to kiss again as we:

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER