XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
SUBTEXT VIRTUAL SEASON 9

PRODUCTION #V915 – Season Finale
Deserting the Past

VIRTUAL AIRDATE
April 21, 2004

WRITTEN BY
Melissa Good

PRODUCED BY
Carol Stephens

DIRECTED BY
Denise Byrd

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair

ARTWORK
Lucia

TITLE GRAPHIC
MaryD

Xena: Warrior Princess is a trademark and copyright of Universal/StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures.  This is a fan based not-for-profit work of fiction and is not intended to infringe upon their rights.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. DEEP FOREST CAMPSITE - NIGHT

It is a clear and starry night. On a hilltop stands a forest, and in the middle of the forest on the top of the hill is a tiny clearing. 

In the center of the clearing is a fire, neatly made, with a ring of rocks around it to keep it from burning down the surrounding trees. 

On one side of the fire, a pile of furs is lying, looking very thick and comfy, and on top of the furs lie Xena and Gabrielle. 

GABRIELLE
Wow. What a beautiful night. 

Xena is busy munching on something. 

Other than Gabrielle, surprisingly. 

XENA
Yeah, and if you make me another one of those sweet sandwiches, it'll be even more beautiful. 

Gabrielle reaches to one side and picks up a small square confection, with something squishy in the middle. She hands it over. 

GABRIELLE
(indulgently)
Whatever you desire, Princess. 

XENA
Ooh. You could get in a lot of trouble saying things like that, y'know. 

GABRIELLE
(smirking)
I know. 

Gabrielle crosses her ankles and looks up at the sky. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
So what do you think, a ship?

XENA
(looking)
Ox cart. 

Gabrielle gives Xena a loving, but long suffering look. Xena doesn't turn her head, but she grins as though she sees Gabrielle anyway.  

Gabrielle shakes her head. 

GABRIELLE
It's really pretty out here. I’m glad we came this way. 

XENA
(nodding)
Me too. I think I can find a lot of those rare herbs I was telling you about around here. 

Gabrielle reaches over and absentmindedly plays with Xena's hair. Xena gives her a 'look' but does not comment.

GABRIELLE
You know, I'm really glad you decided to do that. 

She looks at Xena.

GABRIELLE
(Cont’d)
Start recording all the healing knowledge you have. 

XENA
(shrugging)
Be nice to have something for people to remember me by besides kicking heads in. Maybe if we run into any sharp kids like you want to teach, I can leave them notes.  

Gabrielle rolls over, and sits up. She removes a pan from the fire, taking several more of the square confections from it, and setting them to cool on a rock near the furs. 

GABRIELLE
We've been just reacting to life for so long, it's a little weird to be planning for the future, isn't it?

XENA
Very.

GABRIELLE
I mean, we always help people. But it's usually....

XENA
Right then. 

GABRIELLE
Yeah. I like the idea of giving them something to help in their future... like teaching them to read. 

Xena leans over and swipes another treat. She lies back down.

XENA
(satisfied)
I like that idea too. It's time we put our past behind us. Make something new going forward.

They both fall silent. The crickets get louder. The stars twinkle overhead. 

GABRIELLE
(clearing throat)
Isn't this where some messenger out of your past usually falls out of a tree on top of us?

XENA
(chuckling)
We're not under any trees. 

Gabrielle settles down next to Xena, and rests her head on Xena's shoulder. 

GABRIELLE
Maybe someday we can even start a school. 

Xena looks skeptical.

XENA
Well....

GABRIELLE
Hey, we have to retire sometime. 

Xena kisses Gabrielle. 

XENA
Some other time. I have other ideas for right now. 

Gabrielle laughs, and we - 

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. FOOTPATH - DAY

Xena, Gabrielle, and Argo II meander down what is nominally a road, but really is more of an overgrown footpath. It appears that not many people have gone this way in a long time. 

It is very quiet around them. They are walking through an evergreen forest, with little evidence of any habitation. Birds chirp overhead. Somewhere not far off is the sound of running water. 

GABRIELLE
You're sure this is a short cut?

XENA
Of course. Aren't I always?

Gabrielle looks away and whistles. Xena boots her in the butt. They both laugh. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
Well, I'm not positive. But it's as good a path as any. 

Gabrielle looks around, takes a deep breath. 

GABRIELLE
Yeah, it is. I don't think we've been in these parts before, have we?

Xena looks around thoughtfully.

XENA
Nope. 

GABRIELLE
Great! Who knows what we'll find? 

XENA
I do.

Gabrielle turns and walks backwards.

GABRIELLE
You do?

XENA
Sure. I know we'll find crickets, dust, a river, and a bunch of pine trees. C'mon. 

Xena and Gabrielle continue walking along the road. It dips down into a hollow, and at the bottom of the hollow is a small creek. 

The path goes right to the edge, and picks up on the other side. From the worn away appearance of the foliage on either side, it is apparently a ford. 

Xena leads Argo II to the ford and starts across. Gabrielle follows her. They slosh through the water, which comes up to Xena's thighs and Gabrielle's waist. 

Halfway through, Gabrielle stops.

GABRIELLE
Hey... Xena?

Xena stops. Argo keeps going, and Xena releases her reins. 

XENA
What?

GABRIELLE
(pointing)
Look.

Xena sloshes back over to Gabrielle and looks. In the water, there is a glint of something underneath, and the water swirls around an object. 

XENA
Could be a tree... but....

Xena walks forward into the deeper water, feeling her way cautiously. She reaches into the water up to her elbow and feels the obstruction.

GABRIELLE
What is it?

XENA
Wagon, I think. 

Xena removes her hand, and it comes up unexpectedly holding a broken sword. The blade is dented and twisted, but the hilt appears relatively clean. 

GABRIELLE
Interesting cargo. 

XENA
Yeah. 

Xena tosses the sword to the opposite bank, then reaches back into the water. She pulls her hand back again, and this time it holds a skull. 

GABRIELLE
Hope that wasn't cargo.

XENA
Driver. Looks like trouble.

GABRIELLE
Trouble? Gee. Hm. It's been three days.... Yeah, it's about time.... I was starting to think we'd lost our edge in finding it. 

XENA
(amused)
Never. 

Xena walks back over to Gabrielle carrying the skull. She examines it. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
Hasn't been here that long. 

Xena turns and tosses the skull back into the water. It sinks, then pops up and goes tumbling past Gabrielle down the creek. 

GABRIELLE
Was that a sword cut in the top?

XENA
Yeah. 

They walk back to the fording point and climb up the opposite bank, where Argo II is waiting.  Xena picks up the broken sword and sticks it under one of the saddle straps. 

They move on, but they are now far more alert. 

CUT TO:

EXT. TINY RUNDOWN VILLAGE - DAY

In a roughly cut clearing in the forest is a small village. The huts are lashed together from whatever was available - most of the supports are tree limbs, and the roofs are made of woven branches with leaves tied over them to keep most of the rain out. 

There is a general air of poverty. There are no herds of stock visible, except for a few goats tied near the huts. A fence of sticks cut from limbs surrounds a tiny, bedraggled garden near one hut.

In the center of the town is a water trough. A young woman stands at the trough dipping a bucket into it.  She is dressed in neatly kept rags, and she is barefoot.

She hears the sound of hoof beats and she reacts in almost panic, dropping the bucket and ducking behind the trough. She looks past the last hut, and sees Xena and Gabrielle approaching on the path. 

WOMAN
Oh! 

The woman gets up and runs away, dashing into the nearest hut. 

Xena and Gabrielle pause at the entrance to the village. Gabrielle looks around. 

GABRIELLE
Wow. Thought I was from a small town. 

XENA
Mm.

Xena walks over to the hut with the garden and looks over the stick fence. Gabrielle walks on into the center of the village, which is silent and empty. She sees the bucket, and walks over to it to pick it up. 

Xena joins her, looks at the bucket, touches the damp wood inside. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
Someone was in a hurry. 

Gabrielle sets the bucket down next to the trough. She and Xena look around. A gust of wind opens a door on one of the huts and swings it shut again. The town appears deserted. 

GABRIELLE
What do you think?

Xena walks over to a half collapsed hut almost behind one of the trees. She picks up what had been the door frame and looks at it - the limb has been chopped in half with some kind of sharp edge. 

XENA
I think these people have a problem.

GABRIELLE
People?

Xena nods. 

XENA
They're out there. 

Gabrielle steps away from the trough.

GABRIELLE
(loudly)
Hello? Anyone here? 
(waiting)
Hello?

There is no answer. Gabrielle looks questioningly at Xena. Xena taps her ear, and smiles. Gabrielle shrugs. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
Maybe they don't want visitors. 

XENA
Maybe. 

CUT TO:

INT. VILLAGE HUT - DAY

The woman from the water trough crouches next to a man, behind the stick door of the hut.

WOMAN
What are they doing?

MAN
Just standing there. Maybe they won't do anything... just leave.

WOMAN
Don't be stupid, Casey. 

CASEY
Well, look! They're not doing anything!

They peer through the sticks in the door. 

WOMAN
Only because there's nothing more to destroy. Just keep quiet. 

They watch. Xena roams around, examining everything. Gabrielle stands quietly by the trough, scooping a bucketful up and offering it to Argo II. 

CASEY
See? They look okay!

WOMAN
Don't tell me that. You haven't lost two sons! 

The woman grips the sticks of the door so tightly her knuckles turn white. 

CUT TO:

EXT. TINY RUNDOWN VILLAGE - DAY

Xena hears something. She reaches for her sword and Gabrielle goes for her sais as a loud bang is heard. After a second, a goat comes flying out from between two huts, chased by a small boy.

BOY
Come back here! Hey!

The goat runs right under Argo II. The boy chases him, then he pulls up as he sees Xena and Gabrielle but he can't stop in time. 

Xena makes a grab for the boy, Gabrielle makes a grab for the goat. Both are successful. 

BOY 
(Cont’d)
(yelling)
Lemme go! Lemme go! Help! Help!

GOAT
Maaaaaaa!!!!!

CUT TO:

INT. VILLAGE HUT - DAY

The woman jumps up.

WOMAN
Dorst! Oh no! Casey! Stop them!

CASEY
Me?

The woman pulls the door open, hitting Casey and knocking him down. She runs out and heads for the trough.

WOMAN
Thieves! Murderers! Let him go! Help! Help!

CUT TO:

EXT. TINY RUNDOWN VILLAGE - DAY

Xena picks the boy up. 

XENA
Hey! Shut up! I’m not hurting you!

BOY
Lemme go!! AHHHH!!!! I'm dying! Ahhh! Help! Help!!!!

The woman comes pelting out of the hut, waving a stick 

WOMAN
(yelling)
All of you! Come out! We can't lose another one! Rise up! Rise up!!!!!

Doors open around the village, and villagers come pouring out. They all have sticks, stones, frying pans, etc. They are frightened, but determined, and they are all heading towards Xena.

GABRIELLE
Uh oh. 

Gabrielle lets go of the goat and pulls her sais, putting herself between the oncoming rabble and Xena. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
Let him go, Xena. 

XENA
Why? There's only a score of em.  You can handle it. 

GABRIELLE
Xena!

The boy is struggling in Xena's grip, and yelling his head off. The crowd breaks into a run. 

BOY
Lemmegolemmegolemmego!

XENA
(yelling louder)
Hey! Would you calm down? I'm not doing a thing to you, kid!

The boy stops yelling. The crowd doesn't stop coming. They wave sticks, and a few people throw stones. 

GABRIELLE
Hold up!! Hey!!! 

WOMAN
You won't get us this time, you... you....

Xena tosses the kid on Argo's back as the first wave of villagers reaches them. She starts grabbing sticks, as Gabrielle deflects stones. 

XENA
(bellowing)
STOP IT!

The volume of Xena's voice makes the crowd waver, and Gabrielle claps a hand over one ear nearly conking herself in the head with her own sai. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
WE"RE NOT HERE TO HURT YOU. 

WOMAN
Says who??!

XENA
ME!!!!!!!

Gabrielle edges away from Xena and sticks her right sai in her boot. She extends her hand.

GABRIELLE
Hi. My name's Gabrielle. I think we just started off on the wrong foot here. 

The boy thumps his bare heels against Argo's shoulders. He is obviously unhurt.

BOY
Hey... Ain't this a pretty one?

Argo turns her head and looks at him. Casey pushes his way forward and takes Gabrielle's hand.

CASEY
See, Peti? I toldja they were okay. My name's Casey. 

The crowd stirs, then puts their weapons down. 

GABRIELLE
(relieved)
Casey. Thanks. And this is Xena.

Xena watches the crowd, but her name seems unknown. She relaxes. The woman, Peti, still looks suspicious.

CASEY
Sorry about all this. We've... uh....

XENA
Had some trouble here lately. 

The woman approaches them and looks at them skeptically. She goes to Argo's side and examines the boy. 

PETI
(to Xena)
How do we know you're not with them? You look like you're the same type. 

CASEY
Peti, c'mon! 

Xena picks the boy up off Argo and puts him on the ground. 

XENA
We're only with each other. 

GABRIELLE
Same type of what? Are you being attacked here? By who?

The villagers are now gathered around them. They are all similar in build and coloring, and their ragged clothing is all in a similar style. One man is carrying a scythe, which has symbols written on its blade. Xena notices it. 

CASEY
Wild animals pretending to be humans, that's who. 

PETI
Casey. Shut up. 
(to Xena and Gabrielle)
Why don't you just keep on moving? We don't need any more trouble here. 

Xena and Gabrielle exchange knowing looks.

GABRIELLE
Maybe we can help. We have a lot of experience dealing with this kind of thing.

CASEY
(interestedly)
Yeah? 

PETI
Oh, I'm sure you have. You look like you'd fit right in with them, too. 

CASEY
Peti! Cut it out!

He looks to Xena and Gabrielle.

CASEY
(Cont’d)
We'd like to hear any ideas you've got. We're pretty desperate. 

PETI
Fool!

XENA
(to Casey)
Let's talk. 

They start to walk towards the huts. The crowd slowly parts to let them through. 

CASEY
(confidentially)
You don't really look like those troublemakers. Peti's just saying that because you're women.

XENA
Women?

CASEY
Like the one that runs them is. 

Xena looks thoughtful, as she and Gabrielle follow the villagers home. 

XENA
Interesting. 

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. VILLAGE CAMPFIRE - DAY

The inhabitants of the small village are gathered around the campfire. It is obvious this is where most of the activity of the town happens.  There is a small shelter made of limbs and dried leaves to one side, and crude shelves hold pots, cups and other rough serving utensils.

Around the fire are set stumps to sit on. Scattered around also, are various projects the villagers are working on - small tables, etc. A pile of dried branches sits to one side, and some bark lies next to it. 

Peti and several other women are clustered on the far side of the fire, watching Xena and Gabrielle with unfriendly looks. 

Gabrielle stops and looks around as they enter. Her expression is sober. 

GABRIELLE
They don't have much. 

XENA
No.

GABRIELLE
Why would raiders bother with them? 

XENA
Good question. 

Casey enters the clearing and walks over to Xena and Gabrielle.

CASEY
I'm sorry we greeted you so harshly. It's not usually our way to do that.

PETI
Speak for yourself, Casey. If it was up to us, all strangers would be greeted with worse. 

CASEY
(sighing)
Peti, please. 

Xena pulls a coin from her non-existent pocket. Gabrielle looks at her, then simply takes the coin.

GABRIELLE
Don't even bother. 

Gabrielle walks towards the group of women, leaving Xena with Casey. 

They watch Gabrielle leave.

CASEY
Is there something wrong with your friend?

XENA
Nope. 

CASEY
You are friends, yes?

XENA
Among other things.
(beat)
So, tell me about these attacks. 

She looks around.

XENA
(Cont’d)
What were they after?

Casey also looks around, then grimaces, appreciating Xena's point.

CASEY
Not much here, I grant you. But come, sit down. I'll tell you the whole story and maybe you can understand why we acted the way we did.

Xena appears to momentarily regret the non-coin flip. She follows Casey over to the stumps and they sit down. The villagers nearby look at them, but remain silent and continue various tasks. 

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE CAMPFIRE - FAR SIDE OF CLEARING - DAY

Gabrielle approaches the group of unfriendly women. She picks a stump near them and sits on it, waiting to see if they start talking.

They do not.

GABRIELLE
Hi. I know you're not really interested in hearing this, but we're not intending on harming anyone here. 

The women look at Peti, their apparent spokeswoman. 

PETI
You could easily be lying.

GABRIELLE
(nodding)
I could. But the fact is, if we wanted to destroy this place, we would have. 

The woman all stare at Gabrielle. Gabrielle smiles briefly.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
Really. You couldn't stop us. 

Gabrielle pulls a sai from her boot and throws it overhand towards the nearest tree. It sinks into the bark several inches with a loud sound.  Gabrielle gets up from her stump and walks over to it, pulling it loose. She puts the sai back into her boot.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
So.... 

Two of the women walk over to the tree and examine the holes. One sticks her finger in. It disappears up to the second knuckle. 

PETI
You captured the boy. What were we supposed think? You acted just like the others. If it smells like sheep, and looks like sheep, I say shear it.

GABRIELLE
Catchy. I like it. But some sheep are harder to shear than others, and I should know since I grew up with them. 
(beat)
We weren't trying to capture anything. We just didn't want him and the goat to run into us. 

PETI
She put the boy on the horse!

GABRIELLE
(shrugging)
Argo's a big horse. It was the safest place for Xena to put him to get him out of harm's way.

The women look doubtfully at her. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
Why do you think we'd want to capture him anyway? 

The women look at Peti. Peti crosses her arms and stares at Gabrielle. 

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE CAMPFIRE - DAY

Xena is sitting with Casey and two other men. There is a shocked look on her face.

XENA
They steal your children?

CASEY
(nodding)
We were fine here for two seasons. It's not much, I know, but we managed to gather enough to live on, and we were happy. Anything away from the wars was good, you know?

XENA
(somberly)
I know

CASEY
Then they came. I don't know where from. I don't know where they settled at, but one day I saw one of them in the woods, and after that... it started. 

SECOND MAN
We're the last of our kind. We don't want anything; we just want to be left alone to live and raise our children, and keep our customs. 

CASEY
Every moon or so, they come down in the night. They never come into the village, but if one goes to get the goats, or to get water, or if they're out playing... they take them. 
(sadly)
We've never seen any of them again. I lost two sons. 

The second man indicates women on far side.

SECOND MAN
That's why the mothers.... They're so angry.  We have only four children left. The boy is one of them. They thought you were going to take him when you grabbed him today.

Xena looks up and past the men to where the women are. She meets Gabrielle's eyes looking back at her. It's obvious Gabrielle also has heard the story.

CASEY
Anyway, I didn't mean to tell you all that.  After all, why should you care?

Xena turns her head and looks at Casey.

XENA
You have no idea where these rats are taking your kids? 

SECOND MAN
(shaking head)
Espos... he's a our best hunter. He tried to track them, but they just disappear. We think they come from north of here, but we're....  Well....

XENA
You're too scared to find out. 

The men look embarrassed. 

CASEY
We're not fighters. We tried to leave all that behind us. We're just farmers, trying to live. 

Xena nods. 

XENA
Well, we're not farmers. But living scared is never a good answer either.

Xena turns and leaves. The men look after her, both worried and intrigued. 

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE CAMPFIRE - FAR SIDE OF CLEARING - SAME TIME

Gabrielle turns back around and faces the women. 

PETI
I don't know why we're bothering telling you this. You don't care. 

GABRIELLE
You're wrong about that. 

Peti rolls her eyes.

PETI
Sure I am.

GABRIELLE
We'll find your children. We'll bring them back here, if they're still alive.

The women stare at Gabrielle in disbelief.

PETI
How?

GABRIELLE
(briefly smiling)
We have many skills. But I don't expect you to believe that. You'll just have to take my word for it until you see it happen. 

PETI
I will lay no hope on you, stranger.  Come, the rest of you. We have chores to finish, and water to get for dinner. 

Peti leads the women off.  Gabrielle remains where she is, her back turned to the fire. She doesn't even flinch when Xena lays a hand on her shoulder. 

GABRIELLE
Why?

XENA
Could be a lot of reasons. Slaves, maybe.

GABRIELLE
Or sacrifices. 

Xena winces. Gabrielle turns her head and looks up at Xena.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
What's our plan? Do we go out now, and look for them?

Xena looks at the sky, which is darkening into twilight.

XENA
(shaking head)
Morning. Let's see what we can get to add to their dinner pot tonight. 

GABRIELLE
Ah, the old ‘way to their hearts is through their stomachs’ trick? 

XENA
Can't hurt.

GABRIELLE
(smirking)
Yeah, and sometimes it works. 

Xena looks at Gabrielle.

XENA
You insinuating something, shortie?

GABRIELLE
(innocently)
Me? Like what?

XENA
Hm. C'mon. 

Gabrielle gets up, and they walk off together. 

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - TWILIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle glide through the trees, making almost no sound.  Xena carries a dagger, Gabrielle carries a bow and arrow. Xena signals Gabrielle to go one way, she chooses a second and they separate. 

Xena creeps up behind a moss covered boulder. She puts her dagger between her teeth and climbs it, cautiously poking her head over the top and looking past it.  

She spots a wild goat, and she grins. The goat is cropping grass near a patch of trees. Xena climbs back down and circles the rocks, stalking the goat. 

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - CLEARING - TWILIGHT

Gabrielle has chosen a different hunting method. She has come upon a stream, and has settled behind a fallen log, downwind from the bank. She waits patiently, turning her head to listen to the sounds around her. 

She hears something. Slowly, she puts the bow in front of her and draws back the arrow, her eyes fixed on an opening in the brush. 

There is motion, and Gabrielle's shoulder tenses. Then the leaves part and a man steps into the clearing, walking very softly. 

Gabrielle freezes, then she lowers the arrow and ducks behind the log. 

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - TWILIGHT

The goat is chewing grass placidly. 

Ten feet away, the brush parts, revealing Xena's eyes, and a wicked grin. 

Just then, the goat looks up, hearing something. Stalks of grass drop out of its mouth and it starts, then runs off into the woods. 

Xena frowns.

XENA
Don't tell me I'm losing my touch already.

A sound catches her attention, and she looks towards the far side of the patch of grass the goat was on. Two men step out of the forest, dressed in a mixture of animal hides and cloth, their skin stained a purplish color. Xena's eyes widen. 
The men slink off into the forest just past where Xena is laying. Xena waits, then she gets to her feet and follows them. 

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST CLEARING - TWILIGHT

The two men step out into the clearing, joining the third already there. They talk together in inaudible voices as Gabrielle watching from behind her log. 

The three men separate and go to different trees, hiding themselves behind them. There is an open space leading down to the water, the grass is beaten down there by many people and animals going to the edge of the creek for water. 

Xena creeps up behind Gabrielle and hesitates, not wanting to startle her. 

Gabrielle reaches back without looking and touches Xena's head, tweaking her hair and pulling her forward. Xena looks a bit surprised. She taps her ear, and looks at Gabrielle in question. 

Gabrielle shakes her head, and touches her chest above her heart instead. 

Xena joins Gabrielle behind the log, an intrigued expression on her face. After a moment, she merely shakes her head and presses close to Gabrielle as they watch the now empty space.

GABRIELLE
(almost inaudibly)
Trap?

Xena nods. 

They hear voices coming towards them. From between the trees, they can see a group approaching, and after a moment, it's obvious it's the women from the village. 

Gabrielle grips Xena's wrist and looks in that direction.

XENA
(inaudibly)
I know.

GABRIELLE
You get the ones on the right?

Gabrielle puts her bow down and reaches for a sai. Xena grabs her hand and holds it still. Gabrielle looks at Xena questioningly. 

Xena points at herself, then at Gabrielle, then at the women. She gathers the fingers of Gabrielle's hand together and closes her fist around them. 

Gabrielle rolls her eyes.

GABRIELLE
Let them take us?

XENA
(shrugging)
Easiest way to find ‘em. 

Gabrielle looks at the oncoming women. Then she sighs, and pushes her bow and arrow under the log, shaking her head. Xena carefully excavates a trench and lays her chakram and her sword inside it, covering everything with leaves. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
Got in a lot of trouble last time I did this.

GABRIELLE
(smiling)
Gonna take those leathers off too? 

XENA
Shh.

The women enter the clearing and go to the water, unaware of anything around them. As they cluster near the log, Xena and Gabrielle slip out and join them. 

PETI
What? Oh. It's you. 

GABRIELLE
Yep, it's us. Just needed some water. 

PETI
Well, you'll wait till we finish.

Peti and two others go to the edge and start to fill basins with water. 

A moment later, a soft hiss is heard, and darts fly from the underbrush, hitting the women. 

Xena hears them. 

Three women fall, then more darts rush out. 

XENA
Gab....

GABRIELLE
I know.

Xena and Gabrielle drop to the ground almost in unison, flopping into attitudes of convincing unconsciousness. 

No one screams. After a moment, the clearing is littered with women's bodies, and silence has returned to the forest. 

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN: 

EXT. FOREST PATH - EVENING

The women from the village are fastened together, and their wrists are tied. Their legs are tied also, but loosely so they can walk. 

They are not in the same place they were taken. The trees are much closer, and there are no sounds of habitation around them. 

Xena and Gabrielle are near the back. They appear docile and avoid looking at the men who have captured them. They have their hands tied behind them. 

The men have odd purple staining on their bodies, and all have thick hair and beards. They wear hide clothing, but carry well crafted weapons. 

PETI
(angrily)
Thought you were going to protect us.

One of the captors hears her.

MAN
What?

Peti falls silent, but glares at Gabrielle. Gabrielle doesn't answer. The men prod the women with long sticks. 

MAN 
(Cont’d)
Move!

PETI
Where are you taking us?

The man hits Peti across the face with his stick.

MAN
No talking!

Xena watches impassively. Gabrielle looks down and swallows. Her hands clench at her sides, but she also remains where she is. 

MAN 
(Cont’d)
Move. Be silent. We won't hurt you.

Peti snorts. She is bleeding. The men start herding the women along a half hidden path, drawing aside branches and leaves as they look around to make sure they are not being watched.

GABRIELLE
(under her breath)
This was a good idea, right?

The best Xena can manage is a shuffle, as the men have tied her legs in a short loop. She does not look pleased.

XENA
Hmph. 

CUT TO:

EXT. WATERFALL - NIGHT

The men shove the women down a path lit only by moonlight. They are climbing upward, and the women are visibly exhausted. 

Xena and Gabrielle climb stolidly at the back of the line. They are in much better shape than the villagers, but it hasn't been an easy night, and both have smears of mud across their skin from falling on the path. 

MAN
Hold!

The line stops. 

GABRIELLE
(softly)
Xena.

XENA
(whispering)
You all right?

GABRIELLE
Fine. 
(beat)
I think there's something familiar about these guys. 

XENA
My fist wants to get very familiar with them. 

GABRIELLE
Y'know....

XENA
(sighing)
This was my idea. Yeah. I know. 

The men have been removing what appeared to be a fallen log from near the bottom of the waterfall. Now they return, and prod the women forward. 

It is apparent they want them to go behind the falls. 

GABRIELLE
Ah. Guess that's why they never found them.

XENA
They never looked. 

One of them men comes over.

MAN
Are you talking?

Gabrielle looks at him with gentle innocence. She points to the waterfall, and then shrugs. The man grunts and shoves her up the path. 

Xena moves towards the man. He senses it and turns to look at her, raising his stick and aiming a blow at her head. 
Xena evades the stick and keeps walking past the man, shifting as she comes even with him and knocking him back. 

XENA
Sorry. 

MAN
Bitch. 

XENA
(amused)
Among other things.

The man shoves Xena, but ends up almost unbalancing himself when Xena proves quite unshovable. 

They disappear under the water. 

CUT TO:

EXT. FAR SIDE OF WATERFALL - NIGHT

The women emerge from the waterfall, drenched and disoriented. They are faced with a ring of torches. They stop, confused, then they are grabbed and shoved into a large cage made of tree limbs lashed together. 

PETI
Hey!

MAN
Shut up!

The men grab the women in front of Xena and Gabrielle and hurl them towards the cage. Two stumble and fall, and as they do, Xena is revealed in the torchlight. 

WOMAN'S VOICE
STOP!

Xena's head jerks up in reaction. She tries to see past the torches, but the fire is too bright and she can't shade her eyes from it. 

MAN
Getting them in the box, m'lady. 

WOMAN'S VOICE
Not that one.  Put the rest of them in. 

The man grabs Gabrielle and pushes her towards the cage. Gabrielle resists, sensing something is very wrong. Her lips twitch, forming Xena's name. 

WOMAN'S VOICE  
(Cont’d)
But leave this one out. 
(laughing)
This is one piece of long, cold revenge about to be served up to me least expecting. 

The man wrangles Gabrielle into the cage. Xena remains where she is standing, flanked now by the two other men, holding weapons close to her. 

The torches flutter, and a shadowy figure moves past them, into the light. 

It is a woman, perhaps in her late fifties, with gray hair showing faint signs of once being red. She wears hide garments like the men, but a battered, faded copper torc circles her neck. 

Xena's expression remains very still. 

XENA
Hello Boudicca. Been a long time. 

The woman looks at Xena with utter hatred. 

BOUDICCA
Longer for me than you, apparently. But it doesn't matter. I've waited a lifetime to find you again, you worthless deserting coward. 
(smiling)
It's now been worth it.

She turns to her men.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
String her up. Tight. Don't get too close.

Boudicca backs into the shadows. A half dozen men descend upon Xena, throwing ropes around her, while three stand back, with crossbows aimed at her. 

Gabrielle puts her hands around the bars, her expression stunned.

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - NIGHT - SHORT TIME LATER

Xena is hung from a tree, her hands tied to an upper branch, and her legs tied to lower.  Around her, the men are gathering, bringing drums and laughing together. 

Xena looks around. The campsite is a collection of shelters in a semi circle, some tucked under rock overhangs that line the back side of the waterfall. 

She sees a small child hanging back near one shelter. The child is dressed like the men, but is watching the women inside the cage with wide eyes. 

One of the men spots him and walks over, grabbing him and shoving him inside the shelter. 

Boudicca reappears, and approaches Xena. 

BOUDICCA
These men here? 
(pointing)
They're all that's left of my people. 

XENA
And?

BOUDICCA
And the death of us started with you. 

The men settle around the tree Xena is hung from. 

XENA
Don't lay your failures at my feet. It was your army, Boudicca. 

BOUDICCA
(fiercely)
Aye. It was. But it was your battle, and you ran from it.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT - SAME TIME

Gabrielle untwists a bit of the hemp rope tying the cage bars together. The rope extends all the way up the joint out of her reach. 

She sits down near a back bar and starts to use the rope to saw through the bar near the bottom. 

PETI
What are you doing?

GABRIELLE
Getting out of here. 

PETI
Little late to think of that, isn't it? Now that you got us into this. 

Gabrielle doesn't look up. 

GABRIELLE
We didn't get anyone into anything. If you're going to blame someone, blame them. 

Gabrielle jerks her head towards the men around the tree.

PETI
Well, turns out you aren't the heroes you made yourselves out to be after all, huh? Your friend over there sure got pegged fast. 

GABRIELLE
(gritting teeth)
It's not what it sounds like. 

The woman makes disbelieving sounds and comments. 

PETI
Sounds like you're a couple of frauds, to me. 

SECOND WOMAN
Maybe at least we can find out what happened to our children ourselves. 

PETI
Yeah. Who needs heroes?

Peti goes to the front of the cage. Gabrielle doggedly keeps working on her makeshift saw. 

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE - CONTINUOUS

Boudicca brings a torch close to Xena. 

BOUDICCA
See their faces? They still remember that day, Xena. 

XENA
(quietly)
So do I.

BOUDICCA
They believed you had a plan. Hell. I believed it. 

She brings the torch close to Xena's face.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
And then you turned tail and ran, and left us to Caesar's mercy. 

Xena blinks as the smoke from the torch enters her eyes. She looks past Boudicca 

XENA
You would have lost anyway. It was never about you.

BOUDICCA
No. It was always about you, wasn't it? You and him. Did he pay you off to lead us on, Xena? How much?

Boudicca grabs Xena by the hair and pulls her head back.

BOUDICCA 
(Cont’d)
What was your honor worth... if you ever even had any?

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Gabrielle is concentrating on her sawing, but she can hear what Boudicca is saying and it is distracting her. 

SECOND WOMAN
(kneeling)
What are you trying to accomplish? You'll never get out of this thing like that.

GABRIELLE
Sure I will. 

The second woman looks out at the fire circle. 

SECOND WOMAN
She caused all those people to die. What kind of people are you?

GABRIELLE
It's not.... It's not as simple as that.

SECOND WOMAN
So you're saying she's lying? 

Gabrielle pauses. She looks at the string she's been using, which has just frayed in half. It falls to pieces and drops from her fingers. 

GABRIELLE
No. Not exactly. 

PETI
Yeah, I bet. 

GABRIELLE
She didn't run from anything. She...
(exhaling)
... Had something else to take care of.

Peti snorts in derision. 

PETI
Well, she can't run now. 

Gabrielle gets up and goes to the front of the cage. She grabs the bars and shakes them in mounting frustration.

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Boudicca plants the torch to one side of Xena. She removes a dagger from her belt and approaches Xena again. With a dispassionate look, she takes a handful of Xena's hair, and cuts it off. 

BOUDICCA
Something to remember you by. 

Boudicca puts the knife to Xena's throat. The men start to drum, a low, throbbing sound like a heartbeat.

Xena stares straight ahead.

BOUDICCA 
(Cont’d)
One thing, before I decide how you'll die, Xena. One thing I want from you. One thing you owe me. Owe them. 

XENA
I don't owe you anything.

Boudicca grabs Xena by the throat. 

BOUDICCA
Liar. You destroyed my people, and now I want to hear from your lips you admit that. 

She sneers.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
Tell me how you turned your tail and ran. Tell me you're sorry, Xena!

She shakes Xena, then screams.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
TELL ME!

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Gabrielle grips the bars and pulls against them. She takes a breath, then lets it out. She starts looking for another way out, leaping up and grabbing the top bars, and rattling them. 

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE - CONTINUOUS

Xena struggles for the first time, ripping herself free of Boudiccas grasp and taking a breath.  Boudicca grabs her again.

BOUDICCA
Say it! Say it and I may let you live the night through, Xena. 

She leans in next to Xena and whispers.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
Say it. 

Xena stares at Boudicca.

XENA
(loudly)
All right. 

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

Gabrielle stops in mid-motion and just listens. 

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Boudicca turns to her men. They stop drumming and face her. 

BOUDICCA
Listen! Listen all of you. Remember this. Remember all your friends and comrades dying. Remember their screams. 
(to Xena)
Go on. Tell them. Say it! 

XENA
I'm sorry. 

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

Gabrielle looks through the bars at Xena's profile. Her expression is very sad.

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Boudicca tips her head back and laughs harshly.

XENA
(yelling)
I'm sorry I didn't turn my back on you sooner. 

Boudicca turns and stares at her. 

XENA 
(Cont’d)
You weren't worth what was lost that day. 

Boudicca recoils, then lunges for Xena. 

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

Gabrielle's head drops, and she looks away. She leans against the bars, shaking with emotion. 

Peti walks over to her.

PETI
See? What a bitch.

For a moment, Gabrielle is completely still. Then she whirls and slaps Peti across the face with shocking violence. Peti stumbles and falls. 

GABRIELLE
You're not worth what we're about to go through. 

Gabrielle goes to the bars again. She sees Boudicca grab Xena. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
(loudly)
Boudicca!

Boudicca turns and lets go of Xena. Xena twists and looks over at the cage for the first time. 

BOUDICCA
Who speaks? 

GABRIELLE
Why don't YOU tell the truth? You couldn't lead your people to victory so it's easier to blame someone else!! 

Boudicca steps out of the circle of torches and shades her eyes. Her expression turns very cold. 

BOUDICCA
You. 

GABRIELLE
Yes. 

BOUDICCA
(to men)
Bring that one. Hang her there. When the moon rises, they'll both die. 

Boudicca leaves the campfire circle. The men pull Gabrielle from the cage, and start tying her up.  Gabrielle doesn't fight them. She looks past them at Xena, a faint, wry smile on her face.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Xena and Gabrielle hang next to each other. The men have withdrawn, leaving them alone.  A few men are doing chores around the campsite; one brings water and bread to the women in the cage. 

XENA
Was there a point to both of us going through this?

Gabrielle twists, trying to relieve the strain. 

GABRIELLE
Yes. 

One of the women reaches out through the bars to the men.

WOMAN'S VOICE
Please... tell us what happened to our children!

MAN
Shut up! You'll find out soon enough. 

The man shoves the woman back, and walks away. 

XENA
Nice. 

GABRIELLE
Yeah, well, we never do fall in with gentler and kinder thugs, Xena. It's always the nasty, smelly, kick-us-in-the-butt-with-our-own-past kind. 

XENA
(sighing)
Didn't expect this particular kick. 

GABRIELLE
No. Me either. 
(pausing, then quietly)
And for the record, not stowing away in your saddlebag as you went into battle that morning is one of the things I'll regret until my dying day.

XENA
(gently)
Gabrielle....

GABRIELLE
(wryly)
However many of those I turn out to have. Is this two or three now? 

Xena doesn't say anything. Instead, she smiles reluctantly, acknowledging the truth of the statement. 

XENA
You're getting a sense of humor in your old age?

GABRIELLE
I had to. I married you. 

Xena chuckles softly. They are both quiet for a minute.  

XENA
This might be the one that sticks. 

Gabrielle twists again, and grimaces as her shoulder joint pops. In the darkness past the torches, a soft drumming starts up again. 

Through the trees, the gleam of moonlight is seen. 

GABRIELLE
I've learned in my life that there are worse things that could happen to me than dying at your side, Xena. 

Xena's eyes glisten. 

XENA
Likewise. 

The drums get louder, and closer. Through the torches, a gathering crowd can be seen. 

The women from the village stand up in the cage and watch.

PETI
Bet you wish you were back in here!

GABRIELLE
(loudly)
Bet I don't. 

Boudicca and her men step out into the torchlight again. They are dressed now in the tattered remains of what was once the strongly colored fabrics of their homeland. 

The men fan out and encircle the tree. Two of them carry drums, which they beat on incessantly. 

Boudicca comes to stand in front of Xena and Gabrielle. 

XENA
Where are the kids, Boudicca?

BOUDICCA
Shut up, Xena. 

XENA
S'matter, you don't want your image tarnished? Those women deserve to know what you did with their children. 

Boudicca turns to the men.

BOUDICCA
Divide yourselves into four. You will take hold of the ropes that bind her, and all pull in the directions of the four winds. 

Gabrielle winces. 

XENA
Classy. 

BOUDICCA
(viciously)
No more than you deserve, and all of those who had brothers and sons die will get a piece of you.
 
She gives a mirtheless laugh.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
Literally. 

The men start to untie Xena from the tree. Xena strains against the ropes, but she cannot budge them. 

BOUDICCA 
(Cont’d)
I'm sure you wish we'd all died also, Xena. But I'm not going to let that happen. My people will survive, even if you do not. 

GABRIELLE
By stealing babies?

Boudicca looks at Gabrielle.

BOUDICCA
I will enjoy watching you watch your friend be torn to pieces. As I saw my friends torn. 

Xena arcs her body and tries to pull herself free. The men yank her back between them, suspending her in mid air.

They pull the ropes hard, and Xena jerks helplessly. 

The men laugh. 

GABRIELLE
Boudicca, it wasn't the way you think it was. 

BOUDICCA
Wasn't it? I'm not sure it matters anymore. 

Ten men are on each rope. Each rope is tied tightly to Xena's arms and legs. The men move to opposite corners and start to pull. 

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

Peti and the other women watch.

SECOND WOMAN
By the gods. 

PETI
Don't you feel sorry for them. 

SECOND WOMAN
But I do. They're feeling creatures just as we are, Peti. 

PETI
You heard the woman! 

SECOND WOMAN
That woman? The one who had us captured? The one who probably stole our children and did who knows what with them? Whose to say *she's* telling the truth?

The women from the village murmur together.

THIRD WOMAN
She's right. These two have done nothing to harm us.

PETI
Nothing to help us!

SECOND WOMAN
Maybe they were trying... and they got caught! Now they're going to die. Because of us!

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Xena just barely has time to brace herself before the ropes go taut and she is being pulled in four directions.  She clenches her fists and resists the pull, her body swinging wildly. 

She is looking up at the sky. As the pressure increases, she lets her head tip back so she can see Gabrielle, whose body is tensed in sympathy. 

BOUDICCA
Pull!

GABRIELLE
Boudicca! Stop this! Xena didn't kill your people. Caesar's army did!

The drummers increase their volume.

BOUDICCA
PULL!

GABRIELLE
Boudicca!

The men haul on the ropes. Xena grimaces with the strain of holding them back. 

XENA
Gabrielle! Save your breath. 

GABRIELLE
(frustrated)
For what? 

BOUDICCA
Pull, all of you! Harder! Now!!!

Boudicca grabs the end of one of the ropes, ands starts to pull with the men.  Gabrielle yanks at her bond with almost mindless rage, causing leaves to shower down over the men, and over Xena's suspended body. 

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

The woman watch, unable to turn away. 

SECOND WOMAN
Look!

She points - the small boy has reappeared near the hut in the back. 

PETI
What? Oh!

THIRD WOMAN
(calling out loudly)
Bettus!  Bettus!

The boy sees them. 

BETTUS
Mama!!

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Boudicca sees the boy.

BOUDICCA
Stop! Go inside! 

The boy clings to the side of the hut, clearly torn between fear of Boudicca, and wanting to run to the cage. 

GABRIELLE
(calling out)
Let him go to his family, Boudicca. 

BOUDICCA
We are his family now! Shut up!
(to men)
Pull, damn you! She's just flesh!

The men lean into the ropes, the drums get louder, and more insistent.

GABRIELLE
Is that what you're doing here? Stealing babies?

The men dig their feet in and haul in earnest. Xena's eyes close and her face contracts in agony. 

BOUDICCA
Rebuilding my people! Now PULL! PULL!!

GABRIELLE
By destroying their families? What does that make you, Boudicca?!

Boudicca looks over at Gabrielle.

BOUDICCA
Shut up! This isn't about them. It's about her!

CUT TO:

EXT. CAGE - NIGHT

The women now are shaking the bars together much as Gabrielle had, but with more success since there are more of them working at it. 

PETI
Is he the only one? Call for them! Call their names! 

SECOND WOMAN
(loudly)
Cassi! Jase! Children! Do you hear us??

Bettus dashes from the hut, circling the tree and heading for the cage. 

BETTUS
Mama! Mama! Oh, Mama!

Boudicca sees him. She starts to call out, then stops, as the boy throws his arms through the bars and tries to hug his mother.

She turns her back on them.

BOUDICCA
PULL!!!!

CUT TO:

EXT. BOUDICCA'S CAMPSITE - TREE

Gabrielle rips one arm loose, the skin on her hand and wrist torn and bloody. 

GABRIELLE
Xena! Hang on!

Boudicca sees her. She drops the rope and picks up a sword, heading for the tree. 

Xena realizes what she's after and reacts, almost convulsing in mid air as she fights the men's pull.

XENA
Gabrielle!

The men struggle to control the ropes attached to Xena, suddenly being pulled back a step. 

MAN
M'lady! Look out!!!

Xena yanks the ropes with all her strength, and she pulls the men back almost enough to gain her feet. 

XENA
Yeahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Boudicca stops, whirls, and then changes direction, striding back to where Xena is fighting.

BOUDICCA
PULL!!!!!!!!!!!

The men lean into the ropes desperately. Boudicca grabs Xena's hair and pulls her head back, raising the sword. Gabrielle redoubles her efforts, shaking the tree. 

GABRIELLE
NO!!!!!

BOUDICCA
This is for my family. The only ones I had left after Caesar's bastards raped us!

Gabrielle freezes, knowing she won't get free in time. Boudicca pulls Xena's head all the way back, exposing her throat. Xena fights the hold, but she can't pull free. 

GABRIELLE
Boudicca! You took your people to war, for what? Risked everything, FOR WHAT?

Boudicca's eyes are glazed with bloodlust.  She turns to stare at Gabrielle, smiling triumphantly. 

BOUDICCA
For my family. To avenge what happened to them. 

She puts sword to Xena's throat.

BOUDICCA
(Cont’d)
To avenge what happened to me. 

Boudicca draws her arm back, then starts to lunge forward. Xena pulls against her grip, against the men, against the ropes, a low growl erupting from her throat. 

GABRIELLE
(desperately)
Then how can you condemn Xena for doing the same thing?

The sword tip plunges past Xena's neck, coming to rest with the edge against her skin as Boudicca stares down at her. 

Xena stares steadily back. 

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
She wasn't running from Caesar. She just... had a friend in a lot of trouble. 

The drums slowly stop, as the men watch both of them. Silence falls, broken by the creak of the ropes still holding Xena taut, and Gabrielle captive of the tree. 

BOUDICCA
(tonelessly)
Your family? 

Xena looks past Boudicca at Gabrielle.

XENA
Yes.

Boudicca releases Xena's hair and walks away, turning her back on both of them.

BOUDICCA
Release them. 

The men slowly relax the ropes, lowering Xena to the ground. Boudicca remains at the edge of the fire, staring into the darkness. 

MAN
M'lady, if we let them go, they'll know we are here. If they know, others will. 

Boudicca nods absently. 

BOUDICCA
So we move on. 

The men mutter among themselves. Xena gets herself free of the ropes and heads for Gabrielle, to help her untie hers. 

GABRIELLE
What about the children?

BOUDICCA
They are young. They would have grown to love us. In time. 

XENA
And their mothers?

Boudicca walks into the darkness. The men follow her, disappearing into the shadows.  

Xena puts her arm around Gabrielle. They walk in the opposite direction. 

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

TAG

FADE IN:

EXT. TINY RUNDOWN VILLAGE - MORNING

Gabrielle is sitting in a circle of children, telling them a story. Her hand and wrist is bandaged. Xena sits nearby, with a pensive expression. 

Casey walks over and sits down next to Xena. 

CASEY
I still don't understand. Who were those people?

XENA
Don't try to understand. Just be glad they're gone. You can live in peace now.

CASEY
(thoughtfully)
For a while. 

Xena nods, conceding the point. 

XENA
They were desperate. People end up doing crazy things when they don't think they have options. 

CASEY
Stealing our children? Our wives? How could they think that would work?

XENA
It has before. 

Casey looks very surprised. Xena doesn't explain further, so he eventually shrugs. 

CASEY
Well, as you say, it's peace for now. 
(sighing)
Peace to till our crops, and teach our children. 

XENA
Right.

CASEY
Really, what more can you ask for?

Casey gets up and strolls off. Xena sits and listens to the end of the story Gabrielle is telling, then she smiles as Gabrielle gets up and comes over to join her. 

The children get up and start playing, laughing and running around, visibly no worse for wear from their captivity. 

GABRIELLE
They're good people.

XENA
(nodding)
They are. 

GABRIELLE
The kids told me Boudicca was starting to teach them her traditions. 
(beat)
They really weren't slaves. 

XENA
No. Caesar's legions pillaged Boudicca's lands. 
(pausing)
Killed her family. Raped her. She led the uprising afterward, but she never could manage a campaign.

GABRIELLE
She needed you for that. 

Xena is silent, then she nods. 

XENA
I had the plan. Or I thought I did, anyway. 

Gabrielle links her arm through Xena's.

GABRIELLE
Wasn't our plan. We were part of someone else’s. 

She looks away, and exhales.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
But that's water under the bridge that I have no intention of ever drinking again. 

She turns and looks back at Xena.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
I hope Boudicca can find what she's looking for. 

XENA
I think she's just been trying to get home ever since. 

GABRIELLE
(quietly)
I feel sorry for her. For them. 

Xena nods again.

GABRIELLE 
(Cont’d)
Now that they don't have us strung up like a smoked fish, that is.

Xena smiles. She looks off into the distance with a thoughtful expression. 

XENA
It was good to have reason win out for a change. 

GABRIELLE
Well....

XENA
Words over swords. You talked, no one ended up fighting. 

GABRIELLE
Only because I had no other choice. Though chewing through my other arm here had started to become an option. 

XENA
I know the feeling. 

Xena puts both arms around Gabrielle and hugs her. They stand up and begin to stroll through the town. 

Gabrielle looks around the village.

GABRIELLE
They could use some help here. Want to stick around for a while?  Must be some herbs back in those woods somewhere, and these kids could use a few good stories. 

XENA
And we can be here in case trouble happens.

Gabrielle circles Xena's waist with one arm.

GABRIELLE
Xena, we are trouble. 

XENA
Hm. Good point. Maybe if we're here, no other trouble will happen. 

GABRIELLE
(chuckling)
Don't count on it.

FADE OUT.

DISCLAIMER
Xena's conscience was not harmed in the making of this motion picture.  However, she is considering selling off some of her past to start up a retirement fund for her, and Gabrielle's future.

The Staff of the Subtext Virtual Seasons would like to thank all our readers for helping us to keep Xena & Gabrielle alive.  We hope you join us next fall for Season 10!!

Carol, Denise, Judi, Missy, Sue, Lucia, MaryD, Linda (Calli), Trish, Linda, Marsha