by
Editor
Bleu Gato
Xena: Warrior Princess is copyright MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. All original content of Xena: Warrior Princess 2.0 is copyrighted by the author and is not to be used or modified without permission. All rights reserved.
Contact: bard@xena2.com
Blog: www.xena2.com/blog
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – EVENING
Xena and Caesar are enjoying intimate dinner for two at a small table. M'Lila hovers nearby, filling goblets and swapping dishes. Xena appears more interested in Caesar than food, eating messily and suggestively with her fingers, eschewing silverware on purpose.
Caesar, knowing this, laughing at a particularly blatant display
CAESAR
The anticipation is the sweetest thing.
Xena, not amused, narrowing her eyes, demanding
XENA
Give.
To emphasize her point, Xena leans forward for a kiss. Caesar pulls back, withdrawing from her.
CAESAR
Patience.
Xena puts her hand under the table and flips it to the side, sending it crashing, along with their dinner. M'Lila takes the hint and leaves the cabin quickly.
Caesar, wickedly
CAESAR
I liked that table. More with you on top of it.
Xena practically explodes out of her chair and leaps into Caesar's lap.
Xena, her hands roaming Caesar's chest to encourage response, play pouting
XENA
I said: give.
Caesar puts both hands on Xena's chest and shoves her off, sending her sprawling. Xena growls playfully and goes to retrieve two sets of shackles from a chest. Smaller and lighter than usual, the cuffs are leather.
Xena, showing them off, one in each hand, smiling
XENA
Guess what?
Caesar, amused
CAESAR
Gladiator/centurion?
XENA
I'm on top.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – LATE EVENING
Xena is out, dozing lightly in bed. She comes awake to find a blade at her throat; she goes very still.
Caesar looms over her, his hand steady. His eyes bore into her, unreadable.
Caesar, not wasting time, simply
CAESAR
Give.
Xena, immediately, angry
XENA
No.
CAESAR
Give.
Xena, relenting a little, harshly
XENA
Talk fast.
Caesar, pressing the dagger into the skin, casually
CAESAR
You wanted to learn about Roman politics and the fine art of diplomacy and warfare. First lesson: know your hand.
Pause.
CAESAR
Give. Please.
Xena, finally getting it, mock defiant
XENA
Take it.
CAESAR
Pleasure negotiating with you.
Caesar moves the blade away and Xena brings it back to her throat. He turns the blade so it rests flat on her throat and kisses her; possessively, she draws him closer with her arms and deepens the kiss.
Xena, breaking for oxygen and sucking his lower lip as she does, voice full of promise
XENA
I am just getting started.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – NIGHT
Xena lies sprawled out on her back in tangled sheets, which barely cover her chest. Hands entwined under her head, elbows out, she lazily watches Caesar finish dressing.
Caesar, smoothly
CAESAR
Your company rivals Elysium: parting, even momentary, sows sorrow.
Xena, purring
XENA
Such charm and poetry; your skilled tongue deserves a reward.
CAESAR
You are reward itself.
Xena, laughing
XENA
Liar.
Pause.
Xena, grinning
XENA
I offer you this: the ransom note is yours to write.
Caesar, surprised and pleased
CAESAR
Devious; I will make a Roman out of you yet.
XENA
If you live that long.
Caesar, testing her reception, outwardly joking but watching the reaction closely
CAESAR
We might have to seal this partnership with marriage, knowing your impulsiveness.
Xena, stretching languidly, the sheets sliding down to reveal a bit more of her chest
XENA
It's my best attribute.
Caesar, taking it as a yes, stepping toward the bed involuntarily, captivated
CAESAR
Oh, I can think of others more … enticing.
Xena, pouting
XENA
Few others?
CAESAR
Many others.
Xena, looking directly at him, quietly
XENA
Show me.
CAESAR
You ordering?
XENA
I'm asking.
Pause.
XENA
Please.
Caesar comes over and kneels by the bed. Xena turns onto the side, facing him and he kisses her. Unlike their earlier ones, this one is tender and sweet.
Caesar, admitting, softly
CAESAR
I don't mind sharing your body with M'Lila, but I demand loyalty in mind and heart. Same I give to you.
Xena's face goes stone and her eyes close. Caesar stands up slowly and starts to walk away, the defeated body language speaking volumes.
Xena, heavily
XENA
I … I can't.
Pause.
Xena, eyes opening in alarm, pleading
XENA
Wait, it's not M'Lila! There is nothing there.
Caesar turns and there is hope in his eyes.
Xena, explaining with difficulty
XENA
It's me. I want to feel … I just don't …
Then Caesar is at her side and embraces her as she sits up to face him.
Xena, confessing into his ear, whispering
XENA
… except maybe when I am with you. The emotions are there, just out of reach. And I think if I just try hard enough, I might grasp them - if you help me.
Caesar moves her body away from the hug and then cradles her face, bringing them close.
Caesar, affectionately
CAESAR
I love you, Xena.
Xena, lost for words
XENA
I …
CAESAR
Shh.
Their lips meet and no more words are spoken.
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – NIGHT
Caesar opens the door and passes two sleeping figures in the hallways. Tellus and M'Lila sit with their backs to the wall, heads resting against each other, out of it. Caesar pauses only long enough to kick Tellus' boot and continues walking; the First Mate gets up and groggily follows him.
M'Lila, deprived of her pillow, awakens and enters the cabin, closing the door behind her quietly. Turning, she observes Xena watching her from the bed and takes in the bed posts decorated with shackles, the state of occupant and the linens, and the smell in the room. She heads to the portholes and throws them open in quick succession. M'Lila keeps her eyes averted from Xena, even as the Captain avidly follows her every move.
Fresh, salt-laden breeze filling the space, M'Lila moves to the mess on the floor.
Xena, commanding
XENA
Leave it. Come to bed.
M'Lila ignores her and gets the bedroll. Setting it in front of the door, she gets in and turns her back on Xena.
Xena, loudly and impatiently
XENA
Your Captain gave you an order, slave.
Xena leaves her bed, wrapped in a sheet and marches over to M'Lila. Grabbing her roughly, Xena twists the woman around. And then stumbles back, slapped with the gaze that burns her and makes her withdraw the hand hastily.
M'Lila, leashing out at Xena with eyes full of tears, spitting out
M'LILA
I hate you.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – NIGHT
Xena sits on the cold floor, shaking under the thin sheet. Her teeth chatter and yet she remains in place.
M'Lila, breaking the silence, concerned
M'LILA
Are you cold?
XENA
R-r-r-roasting.
M'Lila, shifting to her back and lifting the blankets, admonishing
M'LILA
Get in here.
Xena drops the sheet and is back in her familiar position in record time.
M'Lila, refusing to look at Xena, gaze fixed on the ceiling
M'LILA
Better?
Xena, puzzled
XENA
Strangely warm.
Pause.
Xena, doing her best to describe it, unsure what it is she is feeling exactly
XENA
Where our bodies touch but also … inside.
M'Lila, wishing Xena to see the light on her own, hopeful
M'LILA
Yes?
Xena, frowning
XENA
Caesar told me he loved me. That must be what I am feeling.
M'Lila, worried
M'LILA
What did you say in return?
Xena, frustrated
XENA
Nothing. I don't know … it's so confusing. Not feeling anything, then this.
Pause.
Xena, sighing
XENA
It was easier to be empty.
M'LILA
You going to go see him again?
Xena, after a moment of hesitation, quietly
XENA
… I am leaving with him.
This catches M'Lila's attention and she turns her head and looks down on Xena's face.
Xena, vulnerable
XENA
I want you to go with me.
M'LILA
Xena, what is going to happen? To the crew?
XENA
If they stay here, they die. I plan to advise Tellus to find a different length of coast to raid.
M'Lila, laying her cards on the table, seriously
M'LILA
Do you need me?
Xena, evasively
XENA
I want you safe.
M'Lila, sharply
M'LILA
That is not what I asked.
XENA
It is not that simple.
M'Lila, issuing an ultimatum, strongly
M'LILA
Pick a bed, Captain.
XENA
I can't give you that.
M'Lila, losing patience, accusingly
M'LILA
Can't or won't?
XENA
What does it matter?
M'Lila, looking away, having found her answer, resigned
M'Lila
It hurts too much. Go, just go.
Xena, making things worse, combatively
XENA
What is wrong with what we have?
M'Lila, disgusted
M'LILA
You are with Caesar and then you crawl into my arms. You deny your feelings and see nothing wrong in wallowing us in your spent pleasure. You are sick.
Xena, focusing on the first part and ignoring the most important rest, raising her voice
XENA
You asked!
M'LILA
Then why did you agree?
XENA
M'Lila …
M'Lila, done talking, moves away from Xena under the blankets.
M'LILA
Leave!
Xena, pleading
XENA
Please.
No. I am a slave and nothing more. I am not your friend, Captain.
Xena crawls out and taking her sheet with her, heads back to the bed. She stops at her weapons' stand and draws a sword. In fury, she attacks the bed, swearing and cursing, seeking a target for her rage. Linen, feathers, and woodchips fly.
In her bedroll, M'Lila turns her head towards the door and cries.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – MORNING
Caesar, pointing at working SAILORS in turn, oratorically
CAESAR
You are heathen, unfit for the sword, worthy only of the cross. Julius Caesar will capture, imprison, and execute you, down to the cabin boy. No quarter, no mercy, only the cold certainty of drawn out death – that is your sealed fate. For Caesar is Rome and …
The SAILORS ignore what they assume is the raving madman going on another tirade about their eventual demise. Their looks are of pity and amusement.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – SHIP'S STERN – MORNING
Xena steers the ship, with Tellus by her side. They watch and listen to Caesar ramble on.
Tellus, imploringly
TELLUS
Please, Captain?
Xena, gruffly
XENA
Not today, ask me tomorrow.
Tellus, curious
TELLUS
If it is not threats, it is speeches. Is he touched?
XENA
Perfectly sane and deadly serious; when we part ways, find a different part of sea for a long while. There are places where money buys security and makes you invisible to Roman eyes. Your cut of ransom provides that. Get out, Tellus.
Tellus, scoffing
TELLUS
He won't come after us. Water is freedom and this …
Pause.
Tellus, gesturing with his arm in an arc, encompassing the open waves
TELLUS
… this is home.
Xena, ominously
XENA
You don't know Caesar.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – LATE MORNING
Xena approaches Caesar carrying two sheathed swords; he leans against the rail, intent on a scroll. Probably one of his writings and she sincerely hopes he does not decide to entertain her with it and saves it for the crew. She has other plans for him and they don't involve talking.
Caesar, raising his eyes at her approach and noticing the tension, neutrally
CAESAR
You are in a mood.
Xena steals a quick kiss as she stops in front of him.
Xena, troubled
XENA
Couldn't sleep after your left.
Caesar, smiling
CAESAR
I have been known to have that effect.
Seeing by her troubled expression that it was the wrong thing to say, he makes amends. Rolling the scroll closed, he slides it inside his tunic. Placing both hands on Xena's hips, he brings her close, for a longer, more involved kiss. She returns it in equal measure.
Caesar, firmly
CAESAR
I am not leaving early again. If you are in your bed, so am I.
XENA
Presumptuous of you.
CAESAR
It is what you want.
Xena, growing pensive
XENA
What I want …
She steps back, out of his hold, and tosses him the sword
Caesar, catching it, disappointed
CAESAR
I had other ideas.
Xena, drawing the blade, smiling
XENA
I promise to kiss any wounds.
Caesar, theatrically
CAESAR
You will kill me more surely than a military campaign or political intrigue. I always said it is how you die, not how you live. Ah, but what a way to go.
Caesar unsheathes his blade and the SAILORS working the deck give the pair wide berth, even as few of them stop to watch the match.
Xena, blurting out, suddenly
XENA
M'Lila won't be a problem.
Caesar, caught off guard, baffled
CAESAR
Loyal slaves are valuable and M'Lila is that. You didn't do anything rash and kill her because of us? Xena, I already said it: I am okay with your indiscretions, long as they remain about fleeting pleasure.
Xena, angry
XENA
Don't make this harder.
And before he can formulate an answer or even a guess as to what she means and why she is mad at him, she is on him and the fight begins.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – MONTH LATER/EARLY MORNING
Xena's ship is within sight of the shore, bobbing on waves parallel to the coast. Hidden behind the substantial bulk of the ship, three large row boats float in close proximity, each with a SAILOR in it. To anyone approaching from the sea, they are invisible.
On the horizon, a growing spec makes for the pirate ship. It is a merchant vessel, equipped with oars and triple masts. It would make quite a prize for any pirate.
The SAILORS finish placing the pots with resin under the rail facing the open sea and camouflage them with rope and canvas. All the SAILORS are heavily armed; few wear leather armor, most have padded tunics.
Xena enters the deck from below and Tellus is immediately at her side.
Tellus, reporting
TELLUS
The sails are coated, the mast is rigged, the extra pitch is in place and the cook's assistant is ready with the embers. Think the Romans will try anything, Captain?
Xena, decisively
XENA
The ship is expendable, the crew is not.
Tellus, suspiciously
TELLUS
One would think that you are crippling this vessel for a reason.
Xena, baiting him, amused
XENA
You thought it was yours?
Tellus, sighing heavily, exaggerating for effect, then shaking his head and lamenting
TELLUS
I knew it was too good to be true, Captain. The day they pry an extra drachma out of your hand, it won't be attached to the rest of you.
XENA
Tellus, you got men and resources, you are fine. The moment you put the material things first, things go to Tartarus.
TELLUS
Aye Captain, words to live by. I still say you broke the ship on purpose.
XENA
Mine.
TELLUS
That we are. You bringing Caesar?
XENA
Plan for the worst and prepare accordingly, Tellus.
Tellus, admiringly
TELLUS
Small wonder eight assassination attempts were not enough. And I say that with full respect, Captain.
Xena nods and turning around, heads below decks.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – MORNING
Caesar lounges on the bed, eating grapes and drinking wine. M'Lila stands close, ready to refill or bring more from the table.
Xena enters and goes straight to the bed. Without a word, she climbs on and straddles Caesar's stomach. He welcomes the attention and takes advantage immediately.
Caesar, popping a grape into Xena willing mouth, happy
CAESAR
I like your thinking.
Xena, to M'Lila, who starts to depart, ordering
XENA
Stay!
Xena takes the goblet and dish with fruit and hands them to M'Lila, who immediately goes and sets them on the table, before returning. Meanwhile, Xena secures Caesar's arms to the posts with shackles. Then, she gets off the bed, leaving him wanting.
Xena, handing a dagger to M'Lila, warningly
XENA
Watch him, don't get ideas.
Xena walks away, intent on leaving the cabin and Caesar wrestles with a decision, looking like he wants to say something but is holding it in. He finally speaks just before Xena reaches the door.
Caesar, nervously
CAESAR
Xena, come back immediately after receiving the gold. Don't linger on the deck. Better yet, stay here.
Xena stops, tension body in her apparent.
Xena, quietly
XENA
I didn't read your scroll. I trusted you.
CAESAR
The legionaries are in the cargo hold. When your crew is distracted, they will spring out and capture them.
Getting no answer, he continues.
CAESAR
I did it for you.
Pause.
Caesar, justifying, throwing words into uneasy silence
CAESAR
They have to pay, you don't. You and the slave are safe, you have my word. And more.
Still no reaction; Xena stands still and M'Lila shifts looks from one to the other.
Caesar, to the stiff back facing him, convincingly
CAESAR
I understand; they are your men. You have the right instinct, but they have to die. I want to spare you that. Let this life go, you don't owe them loyalty and they proved it repeatedly. Xena, we have a destiny.
Xena faces him at last and looks Caesar in the eye.
Xena, matter of fact, showing no emotion
XENA
Why?
Caesar, thrown by the cold shoulder shown him, trying to reach Xena, gently
CAESAR
I don't want to hurt you, I want to protect you. I will do anything to spare you pain. Let me do this for you, Xena: keep the blood off your hands and your conscience clear. Hand me the responsibility for their deaths. Please?
Pause.
Caesar, wanting Xena to see reason, appeals to her heart
CAESAR
Xena, I love you.
Xena, not feeling anything except emptiness, coldly
XENA
You betrayed me.
And then she is at the door and gone. Caesar hangs his head and M'Lila exhibits pity in her expression. Not for him; for Xena.
M'Lila heads to the table and sticks the blade into the wooden surface. She reaches into her tunic and takes out a cloth wrapped bundle. Unrolling it, she produces a homemade cudgel. She checks the balance and satisfied, smiles; she handles it with obvious expertise.
Caesar, attracted by the sound of metal driving into wood, watches her the entire time.
Caesar, impressed
CAESAR
Who hired you?
M'Lila, dispassionately
M'LILA
Business is business. Relax, you are not the target.
CAESAR
You for hire?
M'LILA
Depends.
CAESAR
Protect Xena.
M'Lila, jeering
M'LILA
You lovesick fool, she is dead inside.
Caesar, in denial, protesting
CAESAR
Not true, she loves me!
M'LILA
She feels nothing except the pleasure you give her. The only time her emotions come alive is when she lies in my arms.
CAESAR
Lies!
M'Lila, scornfully
M'LILA
You think you wield your stick with skill and she comes begging for more? She is using you, the way she used me, Tellus, and everyone on this forsaken ship. Did you know Xena murdered over half her followers since she started two years ago? Why do you think they keep trying to end her?
Caesar, crushed
CAESAR
No …
M'LILA
I had a chance to reach her and you just would not stay dead. Now you want to take this monster and unleash it on Rome?
Caesar, defensively
CAESAR
No one said a word.
M'LILA
The crew knows she is leaving with you and cannot wait to part ways. Xena becomes your problem.
Caesar, unable to accept the truth, fervently
CAESAR
I can control her; I know she loves me.
M'Lila, mocking
M'LILA
You are going to tell a fire to dance for you? Do tricks? Wag its tail and fetch?
CAESAR
What do you want? What are you going to do?
M'Lila, practically
M'LILA
Save the world from you both. You, who would crush it under your foot and she, who would burn it, partnered. I shudder to think what the combination would do to it.
Caesar, scoffing
CAESAR
Please, an assassin with a heart. Try spurned lover with an agenda; you could not take her to heights I could and you know it. She tasted both and found my wine sweeter.
M'LILA
I am going to enjoy this.
M'Lila sends him into darkness with a well-placed strike.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – MORNING
The sturdy, reinforced chests are lined up on the deck. Tellus finishes the inspection and closes the last one. He stands and comes face to face with Xena, who arrived moments before.
TELLUS
All there, Captain.
Xena, whispering instructions
XENA
Abandon ship.
Xena turns and walks to the CAPTAIN of the other ship, who is waiting near the plank connecting the ships. Bunched behind him are a few LEGIONAIRES.
CAPTAIN, politely
CAPTAIN
Everything to satisfaction?
Xena, making small talk, putting him at ease
XENA
What's with the Romans?
CAPTAIN, avoiding eye contact
CAPTAIN
Security for ransom.
Xena, casually
XENA
Only ones?
CAPTAIN, showing small signs of stress, lying
CAPTAIN
They are here to escort Caesar once the exchange is made. There are no other soldiers, just my sailors and as you can see, I ordered the deck clear – skeleton crew only.
One of the LEGIONAIRES is caught not looking in Xena's direction; he gives away the game and confirms the trap. His unwitting eyes travel to one of the deck hatches, slightly lifted open. Someone inside is watching and likely waiting for a signal. Xena's sharp eyes catch similar positioning with the other hatches and access points to the deck of the merchant vessel: ajar a touch and ready to spring forth a nasty, armed surprise. Xena smiles cruelly – she has one of her own.
XENA
Alalalalalalala.
The yell freezes the CAPTAIN and the LEGIONAIRES. Xena draws her sword and runs the CAPTAIN thru, the blade coming out on the other side. Without pausing, she drives him back, onto the plank and the sword sinks into the first LEGIONAIRE. It goes right through him as well. It repeats with the second LEGIONARE and Xena pushes the three speared and connected men back onto the merchant vessel. They crash into the rest of the LEGIONARIES and they all go down in a tangle of limbs and bodies.
Xena runs back over the walkway and behind the main mast of her ship. Her SAILORS are already at the rail, uncovering the pitch and tossing the clay pots over the small gap separating the ships. They shatter and ooze their contents. Tellus moves near a cluster of ropes going to sails above and waits, sword in hand.
Xena sets her feet and puts both hands on the main mast. Her muscles strain under the taut, tanned skin and stand in sharp relief as she puts everything she has into toppling the precut mast. There is a groan of protesting wood that grows louder and the massive, former tree trunk begins to tilt. Slowly at first, resisting the force applied to it and then speeding up as a critical point is reached.
Tellus severs the ropes, unfurling the sails mere second before the main mast reaches the point of no return. Continuing its inexorable motion, it falls onto the deck of the merchant ship, destroying and crashing everything in its path, relentless and unforgiving. Canvas rips and spreads its remains; debris rains.
The HIDDEN LEGIONARIES flood out from below the deck of the merchant ship, but the fight is already over. It was lost before it even began. The SURVIVING LEGIONAIRES on the deck scramble to their feet and charge forward. They are stopped by the pots breaking on the plank, soaking them and the surface below. The SURVIVING LEGIONARIES retreat quickly, not wanting to be burned alive.
Xena's SAILORS light the torches from the pot carried by the COOK'S ASSISTANT and toss them at the other ship. There is a loud WOOSH and the soaked wood goes up in flames and flares into an inferno instantly. The SAILORS then begin orderly evacuation, lowering the chests onto the waiting boats and moving men and supplies as well.
In contrast, the situation is worse, downright grim, on the merchant ship. Flames are everywhere and many LEGIONAIRES panic, jumping into the water in pounds of armor. They sink instantly, the sea eagerly claiming the bodies for keeping. They are soon joined on the deck by MERCHANT SHIP SAILORS, who assess quickly and correctly that the vessel is lost and start throwing wooden debris into the water, before stripping down and jumping in. The LEGIONAIRES who kept their cool imitate them and the merchant ship is abandoned to the raging fire.
Xena and Tellus meet near the entrance to below decks.
XENA
Get everyone off, confirm personally, and set fire in the hold before you leave.
Tellus, admiring
TELLUS
Aye Captain, I will be the last. How did you know it was a trap?
Xena, tersely
XENA
That's why I'm the Captain.
Tellus, amiably
TELLUS
Point taken. We owe you our lives, again.
Xena, no time for niceties, curtly
XENA
Make it happen, First Mate.
Tellus nods and goes inside, followed by Xena.
CUT TO:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – MORNING
Xena rushes into the cabin, sword unsheathed. In the split second it takes her to notice Caesar's condition and M'Lila closing in, it is too late, even with her reflexes and reaction time. Wooden cudgel connects painfully with her wrist and robs her of her blade. It then cracks her in the back of the skull as M'Lila slides past her and Xena wobbles.
Xena tries unarmed combat, throwing punches and kicks at the slave. M'Lila is too fast and simply too good. She is years beyond Xena in ability, proving it with repeated blows to her legs and arms, the wooden instrument robbing Xena of feeling and leaving numbness behind it.
Xena gives up on the unwinnable fight and tries talking instead. Anything to buy time and find some advantage to exploit; M'Lila is no slave and a dangerous opponent, that much is clear.
Xena, putting up her hands palms out, shouting
XENA
Enough! What do you want?
M'Lila does not give her an opening.
M'Lila, speaking with a toxic mix of jealousy, resentment, and anger
M'LILA
Your death.
The blow the temple sends Xena tumbling to the floor and she joins Caesar in unconsciousness.
M'Lila expression softens as she kneels down; picking the limp body carefully, she cradles Xena in her arms. She gazes into the face that is peaceful in forced rest and brushes the hair away, revealing the full beauty to her appreciative eyes.
M'Lila, leaning in and kissing Xena on the lips, tenderly
M'LILA
I was yours and you were mine. You should have taken my offer. Goodbye, sweet Xena.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. SHIP – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – MORNING
Xena slowly comes to, her head full of pain and her lungs filling with smoke. She turns and throws up to the side, then wipes her mouth and stands up on shaky legs. Caesar is starting to stir but has not rejoined the living yet. She finds it difficult to think straight.
Xena goes and tries the door, only to find it locked and likely blocked from the other side. Staggering to the weapon's stand, she stops to pick a waterskin and downs the contents. She picks a second one and pours it on herself. Xena pays the increasingly awake Caesar no mind.
Hefting a large battle axe, she rushes the door and tears into it with everything she has. The wood crumbles under the assault as the thick smoke pours in through the fresh openings. This only spurs Xena to press harder and the door collapses in a ruin of pieces, opening the way to freedom. The smoke is very thick and Xena drops to all fours and begins crawling, taking the weapon with her.
Caesar, frantically
CAESAR
Xena! XENA!
Xena pays him no mind, disappearing from view and leaving him alone to the encroaching fire.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – MORNING
Xena, axe in hand, runs out onto the main deck. It is empty. The merchant vessel is a solid pillar of fire and smoke and her ship looks to join it shortly. Ash and glowing embers fill the air and coat the deck. Xena rushes to the rail and spots her crew spread among the three boats, nearing the coast. The water below is full of detritus, bodies, LEGIONAIRES, and MERCHANT SHIP SAILORS, all desperately trying for the shore.
The full impact and the extent of the betrayal finally hit Xena.
Xena, half out her mind, screaming at the empty air
XENA
Betrayers! Traitors!
She attacks anything close to her, striking out blindly, giving outlet to her rage.
Xena, swinging the axe, bellowing
XENA
BETRAYERS! BETRAYERS ALL!!!
The only figure on the burning ship's deck is a disheveled, crazed woman covered in soot, waging war on the pain inside. Sometimes, it is better not to feel.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIP – MAIN DECK – MORNING
The ship is quickly reaching a point of no return. The deck is a hellish landscape of flames and debris. Coughing, Caesar emerges from the bowels of the ship. His wrists and hands are covered in blood, enabling his escape from the shackles but draining his strength. He finds some cloth and bandages his wounds, stopping the blood flow.
He heads for the rail and stops to stare at the battle axe embedded deeply into the wood. The destruction around him had to come from this weapon and he shudders, imagining the inner demons that tortured his lover. There is no sign of Xena.
Looking below, he spots some floating wood and leaps into the sea near it. Reaching it, he makes for the shore.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST – BEACH – FEW WEEKS LATER/AFTERNOON
Caesar walks down the row of crosses; Xena's SAILORS occupy each one. Tellus is at the end of the line, Xena and M'Lila are absent. He joins Brutus and LEGIONAIRES at the foot of the former First Mate's cross.
BRUTUS
The pirates were captured and made example of, per your orders.
Caesar, calling him out, forcefully
CAESAR
Brutus, where is Xena?
BRUTUS
We recovered the gold; you have your revenge and the funds for Gaul campaign.
The look he gets in return tells him that his answer is not even close enough and he better start talking fast.
Brutus, adding hastily, uncertain of the reaction to bad news
BRUTUS
Rumors are she went east, to Chin; no word of the slave.
Caesar appears to think it over, lost in memories and thoughts. No one says anything until he breaks the silence.
Caesar, looking up at Tellus who glares at him, seriously
CAESAR
Gaius Julius Caesar keeps our word.
Pause.
Caesar, to Brutus, commanding
CAESAR
Break their legs!
Caesar turns and walks off towards the waves. Brutus nods at the LEGIONAIRES and follows him, joining him shortly. The LEGIONAIRES break out the hammers and screams soon follow.
Brutus, putting an arm on his shoulder, supportively
BRUTUS
Caesar …
CAESAR
…
Brutus, asking as a friend, concerned
BRUTUS
Let her go.
Caesar shrugs the contact off and steps away from Brutus.
Caesar, looking east, affection in his voice apparent, longingly
CAESAR
Xena, we will be together. I am your destiny.
CUT TO:
INT. GABRIELLE & ATHENA'S HOME – XENA'S ROOM – PRESENT/EVENING
Xena stops talking and the only sound in the room is the scratching of the moving quill. Then that too is still.
Xena, hurting inside, closing her eyes, despondent
XENA
I want be alone.
In answer there are very light steps and then the bed creaks as Gabrielle gets on it. She crawls under the sheets and settles down next to Xena on her back. When Xena opens her eyes, Gabrielle is in the same position as M'Lila. Taking advantage of the obvious invite, Xena places her head into the nook of Gabrielle's shoulder and molds her body to the bard's. The whole transition from her old position is done with obvious effort and deliberate motion, but the sigh of pure contentment that escapes Xena is testimony that the pain was well worth it.
Xena, melancholically
XENA
Gabrielle, why is love so hard?
GABRIELLE
Love is perfect, we are not.
XENA
Even you?
GABRIELLE
Especially me.
Xena, out of the blue, softly
XENA
When did you know?
Gabrielle, adjusting to the abrupt subject change smoothly, reminiscing
GABRIELLE
That I like women? Early on; one scroll in the school library mentioned Amazons in passing. Since that day my favorite dream was to meet one in the woods. I spent hours fantasizing about her and our time together.
Pause.
Gabrielle, lightly
GABRIELLE
Hey, I am a bard, I got imagination to spare.
XENA
I did not give women a second thought until I met you.
GABRIELLE
You are welcome, I think. Now, rest.
CUT TO:
INT. GABRIELLE & ATHENA'S HOME – XENA'S ROOM – NIGHT
The door opens with a tiny creak of protest and Gabrielle's eyes open and fill with desire at Athena's appearance and swaying, seductive approach. Athena, barefoot and dressed in her thin, revealing tunic, saunters over to the bed.
Athena, smiling
ATHENA
Why do I always find you in arms of another woman?
GABRIELLE
At least it is the same woman.
Athena kneels by the bed and runs her hand thru Gabrielle's hair. She nips Gabrielle's nose and then nuzzles her hair, seeking the ear.
Athena, whispering enticingly, voice full of promise
ATHENA
When you coming to bed, love?
Gabrielle, innocently
GABRIELLE
Are you going to corrupt this naïve peasant girl?
ATHENA
Definitely.
Gabrielle turns her head and they kiss.
GABRIELLE
Take advantage of my kind and giving nature?
Athena, sealing the promise with another kiss
ATHENA
Repeatedly.
GABRIELLE
Will it be everything I dreamed of?
Athena pulls Gabrielle's tunic away from her free shoulder and kisses the warm skin.
ATHENA
More.
Gabrielle wiggles out from under Xena and the sheets, Athena moving out of the way as if by silent signal. Gabrielle sits on the edge of the bed and Athena easily picks her up and cradles the bard to her chest. Gabrielle's hands go around Athena's neck and her lips find her wife's.
Gabrielle, invitingly
GABRIELLE
Have your wanton way with me, Goddess.
Athena quickly steps to the hallway, carrying her precious cargo. The door is pushed closed, though not all the way and the sounds of their progress drift back.
There is a small crash as Gabrielle and Athena walk into the closed door, followed by giggles.
Gabrielle, naughtily, slightly muffled
GABRIELLE
Look what I got a handful of.
ATHENA
Bad wife! The handle Gabrielle, the door handle. Ahhh! Good wife!
What follows is more giggles, sounds of struggle with the door mixed in with other, more passionate ones, and then success as the lovers enter the bedroom and are lost to the world.
Asleep and alone, Xena reaches out and grabs the pillow Gabrielle was resting on. Satisfied, with her prize clutched closely to her chest, she drifts deeper into her dreams, no longer feeling alone.
FADE OUT:
THE END