FADE IN

Ares stands by the side of the ship in the subsiding sandstorm as his warriors, most of them wearing helmets, run out of the ship.

ARES (shouts):
     Go, go, go, go--

A quick montage:

* Ares' warriors are running toward the base

* Grenades blast at the walls of the base

* Panic inside the base as Zeb tries to rally her troops.

ZEB:
     Come on--get the pulsers!

PIRATE #2:
     Is that Justice Station?

* Exterior view of Ares' warrior starting to storm the base

* Inside the base, a young shaggy-looking female pirate (Pirate #4) comes running toward Zeb.

PIRATE #4 (out of breath):
     It's Ares!

* Exterior view as Ares aims a pulser at a heavy steel door and blasts a hole in it.

* Inside the base, the pirates react to Pirate #4's announcement, gasping and muttering curses.

* Ares' warriors stream through the doors.

* Interior of the base:

PIRATE #3 (to Zeb):
     We could still make it to the ship--

* Ares' warriors stream through the doors.

* Inside the base, blasts are heard.

ZEB (yells):
     Not anymore!

* Ares' warriors and Zeb's pirates exchange pulser shots

* One of Ares' warriors cries out in pain as he is hit

* One of Zeb's men falls dead

* Ares' warriors and Zeb's pirates clash in hand-to-hand combat

Several pirates, with pulsers held at the ready, emerge from a side door and move cautiously toward Ares' men from the rear, planning to take them by surprise. Pan to Xena as she turns quickly, obviously noticing them.

Pan back to the pirates as one of them aims a pulser; then back to Xena as she shoots, lining up the pulser ray so that it hits the pulsers of all but one of the attackers, causing the weapons to drop to the floor. The one attacker who is still armed lowers his arm, as if about to drop his weapon, then raises it suddenly. Quick pan to Ares firing, and then to the pirate as he crumples on the floor, dead.

Xena and Ares look at each other, though her expression is invisible behind the visor. He is clearly enjoying their sense of comradeship.

STRIFE (to Ares, elbowing him):
     Hey--your new chick's pretty good!

Ares glares at him.

The pirates who are still standing throw down their pulsers, surrendering.

Pan to Zeb sneaking away into a side corridor; Xena sees this and rushes after her. Ares looks after Xena, then turns to face Zeb's now-disarmed pirates, surrounded by his warriors.

ARES (to several pirates who cower as they look at him):
     So. Thought you could do better on your own, did you? What did Zeb do, promise you a bigger cut?

The pirates look down dejectedly.

CUT TO

Xena racing down a dark corridor after Zeb.

CUT TO

Ares addressing the captured pirates.

ARES (continues):
     Well, what do you know--it's your lucky day. I'm in a good mood. That means I'm willing to take you back. (Sighs dramatically) I'm not sure why--you're a bunch of pretty sorry excuses for warriors. (looks around) Those of you who've never served under me are welcome to join up and find out how a real army is run.

CUT TO

Xena catching up with Zeb in the base's enormous hangar. Zeb's ship is visible in the background.

XENA (grabs Zeb's shoulder):
     Oh no you don't.

ZEB (turns around, gaping):
     Xena?

XENA:
     Hello, Zeb.

Zeb kicks out at her leg, causing Xena to lose her balance momentarily, and then punches her in the chest. Xena staggers back for a moment, then spins and delivers a powerful kick that knocks Zeb down. Zeb jumps to her feet and tries to kick Xena again but Xena blocks her kick. Zeb jumps back and they start to slowly circle each other.

CUT TO

Ares addressing the pirates.

ARES:
     Agreed? Good. Now, you're going to show Strife here (he motions toward Strife, who preens a little) where the silver is--and in the meantime-- (he looks toward the corridor where Xena went) I've got some scores to settle with your ex-boss.

He walks off toward the side door.

CUT TO

Xena and Zeb facing off against each other.

ZEB (sneers):
     I should have known you'd be back with him. So much for Xena, fighter for justice.

XENA:
     I should have known you'd never amount to anything more than a pathetic thug.

She throws a punch but Zeb ducks and goes for the pulser at her belt. Xena knocks it out of her hand with a strong kick and it falls. With a frustrated grunt, Zeb dives after it and slides along the floor. Xena leaps over her, flipping in the air, and lands between her and the pulser, grinning gleefully.

XENA (steps back and steps on the pulser):
     Time to stop playing with dangerous toys.

Zeb looks up at her, obviously trying to decide what to do. Then she jumps up and, with a yell of rage, charges Xena again. Xena kicks away the pulser and the two women exchange some kicks and punches. Zeb is clearly no match for Xena, and after a few moments Xena knocks her down with a powerful punch, then kneels quickly and rips off Zeb's belt.

Quick pan to a close-up of a gauntleted hand picking up Zeb's pulser, then back to Xena as she binds Zeb's hands with the belt, holding Zeb down as she struggles.

Clapping is heard behind her. Close-up on Xena as she whirls around and sees Ares applauding her. Zeb's pulser is in his hand.

ARES:
     All done?

XENA (gets up, hauling a sullen-looking Zeb to her feet):
     As you see.

ARES (comes closer):
     Zeb, Zeb, Zeb. I bet you thought I'd never come after you. (grins) You can't just stand up Strife on a date and sneak off like that.

ZEB (glares at him with the defiance of someone with nothing to lose):
     Go on--kill me and get it over with. Or do you want to do it in front of all the men?

XENA (smirks):
     Oh no, nothing so dramatic.

ZEB (glances at her, then turns to Ares):
     So you just took her back, after everything she did to us? After she made a fool of you in front of the whole army? (shakes her head) If I'd ever doubted I was right to split off from you--

As she speaks, Xena looks around, then pushes Zeb toward a door with a worn-out sign saying "Supplies."

XENA:
     You'll just have to wait here until transportation arrives.

ZEB (bewildered):
     What? (then, defiant again) Get your hands off me, you turncoat--

Xena kicks the supply room door open.

ZEB:
     At least I never sold out my troops to be a good little doggie for Justice Station--

Xena shoves Zeb inside and slams the door shut. Zeb's indistinct shouting can be heard from inside the supply room.

XENA (turns to Ares, dusting off her hands):
     Well, that was that.

ARES (looks at her appreciatively):
     That was that. Almost like old times, huh?

XENA (quietly):
     Almost.

ARES (suavely):
     You know--there's still time.

XENA:
     For what?

The momentary silence is interrupted by a loud beeping noise. Ares looks down at the phone clipped to his belt.

ARES:
     It's from the ship. (grabs the phone) Acknowledge.

Quick pan to Xena, who looks impassive.

A man's agitated face appears in the phone's small video screen.

MAN:
     Boss--we got trouble!

ARES (frowns):
     What kind of trouble?

MAN:
     Justice Station warship headed this way, Sir--currently at S43:22C...

Ares looks shocked, then glances at Xena; the expression on his face changes as understanding dawns.

MAN:
     Should be landing in about 15 minutes.

Ares thinks a moment, looking heavily at Xena. She remains impassive.

ARES (to the phone):
     All right. Signal Strife. Tell him to get everyone back on the ship. We're taking off. I'll be there right away. Over and out.

The phone goes off. Ares turns to Xena and looks at her. The look on his face is one of anger and hurt.

ARES:
     You set this up.

XENA (emphatic):
     It wasn't a trap for you. (He looks at her doubtfully) Ares. Don't you think I knew the ship's monitors would spot the JS squadron?

ARES (bewildered):
     Then what the hell--

His phone beeps again and he grabs it furiously.

ARES (yells):
     Acknowledge! (A distressed-looking Strife appears in the video window and Ares snaps) What?

STRIFE:
     Boss--did you give orders--

ARES:
     Yes, I did. Now get everyone back on that ship--now!

STRIFE:
     But we haven't got the silver!

ARES:
     Forget about the silver. We're not going to sit here and wait for Justice Station.

STRIFE:
     Hey--what about Zeb?

ARES (furious):
     Don't you worry about your sweetheart--that's taken care of. Over and out!

The phone blinks off. Ares turns and looks at Xena, pondering something.

ARES:
     So that was your plan. You use me to get Zeb and I get (sarcastic) all the silver we can carry off.

XENA:
     I'm an officer for Justice Station, Ares. That silver doesn't belong to you. Did you think I was going to let you get away with the loot if I could help it?

ARES (glowering):
     You said they'd never authorize a raid unless they had Zeb's location confirmed.

XENA (quietly):
     It was.

Her eyes go down to the phone at her belt. Ares stares at her, then breaks into a somewhat forced smile and applauds.

ARES:
     Well, that was a pretty clever trick. I guess you deserve to keep Zeb. Good-bye, Xena. See you around.

He turns and starts to walk away. There is a "whoosh" off-camera and a blur of silver. Ares' hand shoots out instinctively and catches something. It's Xena's silver dagger. He turns, staring at her in shock.

XENA:
     I did promise you silver.

Ares looks from her to the dagger.

ARES:
     I thought it was your good luck charm.

XENA (comes closer to him, grinning a little):
     With me on the other side, you'll need all the luck you can get.

ARES (quietly):
     I can't take this.

XENA (after a brief pause):
     You can.

She leans over and kisses him hard on the mouth; Ares responds hungrily and for a few moments the kiss continues. When Xena pulls back, Ares looks at her, a twinkle in his eye. Then he flips the dagger casually, clips it to his belt and turns to enter the corridor--only to stop and turn again.

ARES:
     Coming?

Xena shakes her head and smiles a little.

ARES (smirks):
     It was worth a shot.

He turns around to walk away.

XENA (lightly but with suppressed emotion):
     Of course, you could come with me.

Ares whips around, staring at her incredulously.

ARES:
     You've got to be kidding.

XENA (impassive):
     You're right. I was.

Ares shakes his head, then walks away briskly into the corridor.

Close-up on Xena standing still, looking after him. There is a small wistful smile on her face.

The image of Ares' ship taking off is superimposed on that of Xena's face.

DISSOLVE TO

A montage of images:

* The Justice Station warship landing

* Xena meeting the other officers

* Zeb being hustled away, looking daggers at Xena

* "Argo" landing on the base's airfield, Gabrielle scrambling out of it and running to meet Xena.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle in "Argo", Xena at the controls. The desert landscape and the base are visible in the roach's rearview portal.

XENA (breaking the silence):
     Not bad for your first day on the job.

GABRIELLE (laughs a little):
     Well...it wasn't boring.

XENA (after a moment, looks at her with a warm smile):
     Sorry if I gave you a hard time.

GABRIELLE (smiles back):
     I was going to say the same thing. (a little awkwardly) Xena--sorry if I came across like I was judging you for your past--

XENA:
     That's all right. Why shouldn't you?

GABRIELLE (after a brief silence):
     Is that the first time you've seen him since you--

She trails off. Xena glances at her hesitantly and finally speaks.

XENA:
     No.

GABRIELLE (quietly):
     Want to tell me?

Xena looks at her as we:

DISSOLVE TO

Xena, who had obviously been lost in thought, gives Gabrielle a startled look.

GABRIELLE:
     We almost hit that!

Pan to a piece of space debris floating by the window.

XENA (grins at Gabrielle):
     Come on, that wasn't even close.

GABRIELLE:
     You like to live dangerously, don't you.

Xena's look turns serious for a moment as she ponders Gabrielle's words. Then she gives Gabrielle a mischievous look.

XENA:
     Well, enough about me. It's about time you spilled some of your little secrets. (nods at Gabrielle's hands with the tattoos) What's the story with those?

GABRIELLE (laughs, obviously flustered):
     Oh, just something from my wild youth...well, not as wild as yours... (she laughs again, obviously flustered; the camera starts to pull back and her voice begins to fade) I went through this phase where I was on a kind of spiritual quest--

XENA (in a tone of good-natured teasing):
     Spiritual quest?

Zoom out on "Argo" as the small ship flies off into space, veers dangerously close to an asteroid, then straightens its course and flies further away, becoming a mere dot as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[No good turn went unpunished during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 1 Looking Forward Story By: Tango and LadyKate Written By: Tango and LadyKate Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Ares Kevin Smith Hercules Kevin Sorbo Zeb Jenya Lano Strife Joel Tobeck Original Airdate February 13, 2005 No good turn went unpunished during the production of this motion picture. DEDICATED TO KEVIN SMITH All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent. © Shipper Seasons www.shipperseasons.com

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