FADE IN

The same scene as before. Ares stares, bemused, at Gabrielle in her peasant garb.

ARES:
     Getting a workout?

Gabrielle gapes at him wordlessly.

ARES (continues):
     And what's with-- (indicating her outfit) that? A walk down memory lane?

GABRIELLE (finally regaining the gift of speech):
     Look, I don't know what you're talking about, or how you managed to sneak up on me like that, but let me tell you, when my best friend gets back--

ARES (raises an eyebrow):
     Your--best friend.

GABRIELLE:
     That's right. (defiantly) Xena, Warrior Princess. (waits for him to be suitably impressed) You may think you're tough, but--you've heard of Draco, right? Well, Xena has beaten Draco himself!

ARES (stares at her speechlessly for a moment):
     Um, Gabrielle--didn't Xena tell you to stay away from the henbane?

GABRIELLE (indignant):
     Henbane? Exactly what are you-- (breaks off and gasps) Hey! How did you know my name? (narrows her eyes) Oh, you're clever all right. But wait until Xena--

Ares interrupts her by holding up his hand in a "time out" gesture and stares at her, slowly realizing that this is no act.

ARES:
     All right, let's take it from the top. Xena's your best friend--

GABRIELLE (defiant):
     That's right.

ARES:
     And you've known her for how long?

GABRIELLE:
     About a moon. (cocky) Okay, I know I need a little more training but I'm going to be a warrior just like her.

ARES (looks panicked for a moment):
     I can't believe it! Thrown back in time.

GABRIELLE (puzzled):
     What?

ARES:
     Oh--nothing. (thinks a moment, obviously getting an idea) Say--was Xena...has Xena recently been accused of killing three peasants in some village and, umm... (squirms a little)

GABRIELLE (laughs):
     Hah! I've never heard that, and I'm her best friend--she tells me everything. Yes, Xena has done some bad things in her past, but she's totally turned her life around, and--

Zoom in on Ares while Gabrielle's chatter fades into the background.

ARES:
     Well, maybe this isn't so bad. Maybe--

Xena comes out of the woods and stops in her tracks as she sees him.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, thank the gods! Did you get them?

XENA:
     No--they took off into the woods and I didn't want to leave you all alone out here for too long. Who knows what you'd come across... (glances pointedly at Ares)

ARES (raises his hands as if in surrender):
     Xena. I know what you're thinking. You probably think I'm here to--lure you back to the fold or something.

XENA (uncomprehending):
      What?

ARES:
     Look, forget what I said, um--last time. I've thought about it and--well, I am totally with you on this new path thing. This doing good-- (shakes his head, with forced joviality) it's--really you.

Pan to Xena. Her eyes narrow as she starts to realize what's happening.

ARES:
     And, um-- (nods toward Gabrielle) the sidekick? Not bad. I mean, she's a little green, but give her a few lessons with a st-

He stops abruptly as the camera pans to Haimon, who's coming out of the woods. Pan back to Ares for a close-up, the wheels turning in his head.

ARES:
     Okay, what are you doing here? So it can't be-- (to Xena) umm...never mind. (nods toward Gabrielle) So, what's with--

XENA:
     We need to talk.

Xena brusquely pulls Ares away. Gabrielle smiles and shrugs.

GABRIELLE:
     She's not much for the social niceties.

Haimon chuckles and Gabrielle reaches up to brush her fingers over the left side of his head.

GABRIELLE:
     Oh, you're hurt. Let me take care of that for you.

Haimon touches his head just above his left ear and inspects the blood on his fingertips.

HAIMON:
     It's just a scratch--nothing to worry about.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, it may not look like much now but leave it untreated and that could turn into a nasty infection. You could lose an ear--or worse!

HAIMON:
     I really don't want you to go to any trouble...

GABRIELLE (squeezes his hand):
     Don't be silly. It's the least I can do.

Haimon glances down at her hand. After a moment he laughs lightly.

HAIMON:
     Okay--I'm putting myself in your hands.

Gabrielle smiles and leads him over to sit on a log.

GABRIELLE:
     I promise I'll be gentle.

CUT TO

Xena and Ares in the woods nearby.

XENA:
     So, until then--she's back to being the way she was when we first met. She doesn't know anything about--what's happened in the years since then.

ARES:
     I see. (pauses) So...you want my help with this?

XENA (hastily):
     No thanks. The gypsy said only the wisher could undo the wish. So--

ARES:
     Well, I am a god. I could--

XENA (emphatically):
     No. You try something and next thing, she'll be a baby, or she'll be--a hundred years old or something.

ARES:
     Well, it's good to see you have so much faith in my god skills.

XENA:
     She's fine the way she is...for now.

ARES:
     And what happens when she runs into someone who thinks they're dealing with--Gabrielle, the Battling Bard?

XENA (wryly):
     Well. They'll just have to deal with Xena, Warrior Princess. (pauses) All you have to do is make sure she doesn't suspect there's anything--weird going on.

ARES:
     Hey, the girl's been hanging out with you for a whole month. She should be used to weird things going on.

Xena gives him a mock glare.

CUT TO

The side of the path. Gabrielle dabs gently at the cut on Haimon's head.

GABRIELLE:
     It doesn't look deep.

HAIMON (smiles self deprecatingly):
     I guess I've got a pretty hard head.

GABRIELLE (chuckles):
     Well you know what they say--hard head, soft heart.

Haimon looks up at her with a raised eyebrow.

HAIMON:
     Who says that?

GABRIELLE (laughs nervously):
     Okay--you caught me. I just made that up.

Haimon grins at her in amusement. After a long moment, he blinks and clears his throat, looking away.

HAIMON:
     Interesting theory though.

GABRIELLE (continuing to tend his wound):
     Have I thanked you yet for saving my life?

HAIMON (nods and smiles):
     Once or twice.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, I guess it bears repeating. Thank you. You're a real hero, Haimon.

Haimon blushes and shrugs.

HAIMON:
     I'm no Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, that's true. But if I've learned anything from Xena it's that you've got to be yourself.

Haimon looks up at her, a curious expression on his face.

CUT TO

Xena and Ares walking through the trees. They've almost reached the path--Haimon and Gabrielle can be seen through the leaves. Xena stops and turns to Ares.

ARES:
     What?

XENA (narrows her eyes at him):
     What exactly were you doing back there?

ARES:
     Where?

XENA:
     You know--when you thought you'd gone back in time to when Gabrielle had first left her village with me.

ARES (in consternation):
     Well--

XENA:
     You figured that none of it had happened yet--

ARES (innocently):
     None of what?

XENA:
     All the things you did trying to--what did you just call it?--lure me back to the fold. Do you really want me to give you a list?

ARES (a little sheepishly):
     No.

XENA:
     So you thought you'd try a different approach.

ARES:
     All right--so I thought we had a second chance.

XENA (suspicious):
     A second chance at what?

Ares looks at her, then draws an arm around her and pulls her into a long kiss. Finally, she comes up for air.

XENA (opens her eyes and looks at Ares, the warmth coming back into her eyes):
     And that's all.

ARES:
     Mm-hmm. (with a small grin) Want me to explain it again?

Xena leans toward him.

XENA (mischievously):
     No, I think I got it. Come on. (As they start toward the path, she gives Ares a wry look) So you like my sidekick, huh?

ARES (embarrassed):
     Look, I was trying, okay?

Xena chuckles and shakes her head.

DISSOLVE TO

A campfire. Haimon is seated on one side of the fire looking up at Gabrielle who is holding her arms out in a dramatic pose. Xena and Ares are on the other side of the fire but seated far from one another. Xena is watching Gabrielle with an impassive expression. Ares yawns and taps his foot impatiently.

GABRIELLE:
     ...and the baby was floated down the river in a basket in a desperate attempt to save it from the evil clutches of--.

ARES:
     --of whoever wanted to do away with it for whatever dastardly reasons. But Xena was there to save the day, yadda yadda yadda, and they all lived happily ever after. Thank you very much!

Gabrielle frowns, shrugs and takes a seat beside Haimon.

GABRIELLE (to Haimon):
     Maybe I should have added a few more fight scenes?

Haimon smiles and pats her hand reassuringly.

ARES (to Xena):
     You know, I'm starting to miss--

Xena glares daggers at him.

ARES (in a loud whisper):
     --the old Gabrielle. Yeah, yeah--short, blonde and preachy, but at least she knew how to be quiet from time to time. Xena, why don't we just give her some sais and let nature take its course?

Xena raises an eyebrow at him. She isn't amused.

ARES:
     Fine, have it your way. But I can't take any more. I'm out of here. (He rises to his feet and then looks at suggestively) You're welcome to join me. I would think you could use a break right about now.

Xena is staring across the fire at Haimon and Gabrielle long and hard. Finally, she blinks and looks at him.

XENA:
     Huh? Uh...no thanks. I think I should stick around here and keep an eye on...things.

ARES:
     Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you.

He leaves in a flash of blue light. Xena looks again at Haimon and Gabrielle. Haimon offers Gabrielle a cup of water and she lowers her eyes, smiles softly and takes it from him. Xena presses her lips together and exhales noisily.

XENA:
     Gabrielle? We're running low on firewood. Why don't you go collect some so I can build up the fire before we all turn in?

GABRIELLE:
     No problem. Of course that would be a lot easier if I could use someone's sword to chop--.

XENA:
     There's a hatchet in my pack. Use that.

GABRIELLE (disappointed):
     Right.

XENA:
     And be careful.

GABRIELLE:
     If anything happens, you'll be the first to know.

HAIMON:
     I can collect the wood--

XENA:
     No. Gabrielle can do it.

Xena gives him a meaningful look that doesn't go unnoticed by Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     Right. I guess that's my cue.

She fishes Xena's hatchet out of her pack and disappears into the woods. Unconsciously, Haimon smiles in the direction Gabrielle has gone. Xena looks at him with suspicion.

XENA:
     What do you think you're doing?

HAIMON:
     What are you talking about?

XENA:
     I'm not blind, Haimon. From where I'm sitting things aren't looking all that...innocent.

HAIMON (offended):
     Do you actually think I'd take advantage of Gabrielle when she's like this? What do you take me for?

XENA:
     You two are getting very friendly.

HAIMON:
     Like it or not, Xena, Gabrielle is still the woman I fell in love with. I can't just turn off my feelings like that (he snaps his fingers) But I can control them. (he sighs) She's just a kid...

XENA:
     That's right. Remember that.

HAIMON:
     But don't you think it's time to tell her the truth? (he shakes his head) When I think about what could have happened to her today...

XENA:
     It didn't.

Haimon angrily steps up and is nose to nose with her.

HAIMON:
     We were lucky. What happens the next time some warrior comes along that wants to build his reputation fighting her? Do you really want something like that on your conscience?

XENA:
     I told you I need some time to think about this. Until I figure out what to do Gabrielle will be fine.

HAIMON:
     This isn't right. She should be allowed to make her own choices.

XENA:
     That's exactly my point, Haimon. Gabrielle hasn't been able to make any choices since she met me. Everything that's ever happened to her has been because of me.

HAIMON:
     She made the choice to follow you.

XENA (nods self-deprecatingly):
     Right--a kid who had no idea of what she was getting herself into. You call that a choice?

Haimon is struck by that. He thinks for a moment before he shakes his head.

HAIMON:
     No! This isn't--you owe her the right to--.

They both look up at the same moment as Gabrielle stumbles back into the campsite, laden with an armful of wood. Xena and Haimon quickly turn away from one another and stalk to opposite sides of the campfire.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm back! (she drops the wood in a pile beside the fire and notices the unfriendly looks passing between Xena and Haimon. It's obvious to her that they have been arguing) Don't stop fighting on my account...

Haimon frowns and turns away, crossing his arms over his chest. Xena drops down to sit on the log beside the campfire.

GABRIELLE:
     ...unless it is on my account.

HAIMON (mutters):
     I'm going to check the perimeter.

He marches off angrily. Gabrielle watches him with a thoughtful expression on her face. After a moment she sighs.

GABRIELLE:
     Now I understand what you see in bad boys.

Xena looks up from absently poking at the campfire.

XENA:
     Who--Haimon?

GABRIELLE:
     Well, I know he's not your typical bad boy. He's so thoughtful and kind and brave... (she gazes off into the woods a little dreamily) But at the same time there's something dangerous about him too.

XENA (rolls her eyes):
     Yeah sure--a real killer.

Gabrielle begins stacking the firewood.

GABRIELLE:
     He's not like any boy I've ever known.

XENA:
     He's no boy--he's a man.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, that's true. He's no Perdicus.

Xena reacts to the mention of Perdicus's name and Gabrielle notices. She comes over and sits beside Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, what is it? Are you--are you worried that I might run off with Haimon? I mean, I think I like him...But our friendship still means more to me than anything else. After all we've been through do you really think I would just walk off and leave you?

XENA (smiles shyly and shrugs):
     I guess not. (she reaches out and pats Gabrielle's hand) I love you, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE (gasps):
     Wait, did you just say--? (she pauses a moment to contemplate Xena's words then shakes her head in amazement and grins) This is a side of the Warrior Princess I've never seen before.

XENA (chuckles):
     No, I don't suppose you have. I guess you've been a good influence on me.

Gabrielle nudges Xena playfully with her shoulder.

GABRIELLE:
     Good. I'm glad I could be of help.

XENA:
     I'm glad too.

They exchange a warm, tender look until Gabrielle finally grins and rolls her eyes.

GABRIELLE:
     Okay--enough of this mushy stuff. I don't want to overload you all at once.

Xena moves towards the fire and busies herself building it up.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena?

Xena looks back at her and Gabrielle smiles warmly.

GABRIELLE:
     I love you too.

Xena grins and turns back to tend to the fire.

DISSOLVE TO

Another campfire. The camera pulls back to show the warlord, Akelos, sitting at the fire. He's holding a skewer with some dripping, juicy pieces of meat on it. His look is one of consternation.

AKELOS:
     She didn't fight back?

The camera pulls back to show the warrior we saw attack Gabrielle before.

WARRIOR:
     Depends on what you call fightin' back. (chuckles) She had this itty-bitty little stick an' she tried pokin' at me. (makes a poking motion) Jus' like some little village girl.

He starts to laugh, with the rest of the warriors joining in on the guffaws.

AKELOS (ponders this, unsmiling):
     So what are you doing with that bruise on your face, huh? Did the little village girl poke you with her little stick?

WARRIOR (hastily):
     No, no--it wasn't like that! It was the guy! An' he was only able to sneak up on me 'cause I didn't expect it. I'm telling ya, the girl's no more use in a fight than a milkmaid.

Zoom in on Akelos as he digests this information.

AKELOS (thoughtfully):
     So. (pauses) The so-called Battling Bard is a legend--in her own mind.

He starts to laugh, his guffaws growing louder as he sinks his teeth into a chunk of meat. The other warriors join in the raucous laughter.

AKELOS (continues):
     Pretty smart trick, getting everyone to believe her hype! Bet it worked out nicely for Xena, too. (he strokes his beard) But this time... (zoom in for an even tighter close-up) ...they've outsmarted themselves.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO