XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS "Agape" Written by Richard Carter Jr 1. TEASER FADE IN: EXT. ROAD IN WOODS - DAY XENA leads her horse ARGO. GABRIELLE carries PAN, a small dog. GABRIELLE I think dogs must be man's best friend, don't you think? XENA Man's best friend? GABRIELLE Yeah. Oh, I mean-- it's not that you aren't my best friend or anything. I was just-- XENA I knew what you meant. Gabrielle hugs the dog. XENA (CONT'D) I still don't know why you picked him up. GABRIELLE Look at him. He's small. He's helpless. XENA He has fleas. GABRIELLE I'm sure he'll be very useful. Xena smirks. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) When... when we're asleep, he can warn us if somebody approaches. XENA Argo does that. 2. GABRIELLE (to Argo) And very well, too. (to Xena) But aren't two sets of eyes better than one? And-- Pan BARKS. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) What is it, boy? Everyone stops. Bushes RUSTLE in the woods. Xena draws her sword. Pan BARKS some more and wriggles out of Gabrielle's hold. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Pan! Come back here. Gabrielle chases after the dog, calling its name. XENA Gabrielle! Xena sheathes her sword, and mounts Argo. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY A 3-meter-high wood wall surrounds the modestly-sized village. One-third of the wall is on fire. Outside the wall a battle rages between MALE VILLAGERS, mostly old men, and a small band of MARAUDERS. Swords clash against sword and shield, but the Villagers are clearly over-matched. One-by-one the defenders fall. EXT. ROAD - DAY On high-ground over-looking Pallasos, Pan stands watching the fighting. Gabrielle catches up and scoops up Pan. GABRIELLE Oh no. (turns) Xena! Xena's already there. She pulls her sword. 3. XENA Stay here. Pan BARKS again. Again, there's RUSTLING in the woods. XENA (CONT'D) On second thought... Xena reaches down and helps Gabrielle, still holding Pan, onto Argo. XENA (CONT'D) You're taking the dog? GABRIELLE You don't leave me, I don't leave him. We're friends. XENA Whatever. Xena urges Argo to Pallasos. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY XENA stops Argo near the wall but out of the way. She dismounts. ULULATING, she charges the Marauders. THE VILLAGERS lie hurt or killed on the ground. THE MARAUDERS meet Xena's charge with gusto. Xena slashes one. She kicks another. She ducks and lets two Marauders knock each other out with their staffs. GABRIELLE dismounts Argo. Pan wriggles from her grasp once again and runs toward the battle. GABRIELLE Pan! XENA 4. looks up. She sees a SCOUT on horseback emerge from the woods and spur his horse onward -- skirting Pallasos. Pan BARKS. Xena turns just in time to see a Marauder with a sword, and ducks. Xena loses her sword. She picks up a staff and smites the Marauder. Pan GROWLS and bites at the Marauder's heels. Xena knocks the Marauder out. Gabrielle rushes up. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) I told you he'd be a help. XENA Uh-huh. THE LARGE GATE of Pallasos opens, and out come many WOMEN carrying buckets of water. They all run to the flaming parts of the wall, and douse the flames. XENA (CONT'D) Let's give them a hand. Xena and Gabrielle rush to help. INT. DRACO'S TENT - DAY Draco isn't happy. The Scout stands before him. SCOUT And then the Marauders were beaten by a woman. DRACO Let me guess: dark hair, big sword, yells like "lelelelele"? SCOUT That's her. DRACO (to himself) Xena. SCOUT Xena!? 5. Draco hates being overheard. DRACO Out! The Scout rushes out. Draco angrily clears the scrolls from his table. DRACO (CONT'D) So much for a nice and easy pillaging. Frustrated, he takes a knife and throws it at a pole. It lodges by the hooded head of a robed figure. DRACO (CONT'D) And who in Hades are you!? The figure pulls back the hood revealing the face of love and beauty: APHRODITE; with a voice to match. APHRODITE I can help you get the warrior princess. Draco raises an intrigued eyebrow. FADE OUT END OF TEASER 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. DRACO'S TENT - DAY Draco faces opposite Aphrodite. DRACO What interest could the Goddess of Love have in my beating Xena? APHRODITE I never said "beat", I said "get". DRACO Beat. Get. What's the difference? APHRODITE One's more profitable. DRACO I'm listening. APHRODITE Suppose Xena could be made to join forces with you again? You two together would be unstoppable. DRACO And she'd do this of her own free will, I suppose? APHRODITE Of course not. Don't be dense. DRACO Then how? Aphrodite produces a vial. APHRODITE With this. DRACO Poison? APHRODITE Of a sort. It will weaken her resolve. She'll fall in love with you. You can use that to make an invincible army. 7. DRACO What will this cost me? Gods don't usually give gifts to mortals. APHRODITE Just get Xena on your side. Ares will be happy. If Ares is happy, then I'm happy. DRACO I understand. APHRODITE No. I don't think you do. Draco takes the offered vial. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY The fires are quenched, but the wall is badly damaged. WOMEN tend to the men who fell before Xena showed up. Xena and Gabrielle are sooty from the fire. Gabrielle holds Pan. HELIS, the strong village matron, approaches Xena. HELIS Thank you for your help. Xena looks at the fallen. XENA I wish I'd arrived sooner. HELIS You saved the village. Nothing matters more. GABRIELLE What did those men want? HELIS This is Pallasos. Xena and Gabrielle look confused. HELIS (CONT'D) One of Athena's sacred temples. GABRIELLE They attacked you because they hate Athena? 8. HELIS You don't know? XENA Know what? HELIS I'll show you. Helis leads the way. INT. TEMPLE - DAY Xena and Gabrielle follow Helis into the simple temple. At Helis' prompt, a PRIESTESS pulls open a curtain that hides-- A STATUE OF ATHENA A classic-styled sculpture of the goddess stands on a pedestal. The statue is about 1-meter tall, made of gold, ivory, and silver. It seems to glow. Gabrielle and Xena are both in awe. GABRIELLE I've never seen anything so beautiful. HELIS It is said to have been forged by Hephaestus, himself. GABRIELLE I can believe that. XENA Do many know it's here? HELIS Of course. Everyone. At Helis' prompt, the curtain is lowered. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY The village is simple. A hub of carpentry, pottery, weaving, and metal-working. Helis, Xena and Gabrielle walk down an avenue. 9. HELIS People come here looking for Athena's favor. GABRIELLE Against invaders. HELIS And other things. We have a library, philosophers come by to teach and exchange ideas, artisans come for her favor. XENA Where are all of your men? HELIS They've gone to the east at the request of a nearby King trying to repel an invasion. We haven't had any trouble for many years, and the men have gone off before. ORESTIA, a shy little girl goes up to Xena and offers her a flower. Xena kneels down. XENA This is nice. Thank you. HELIS This is my daughter, Orestia. ORESTIA Are you our Goddess? GABRIELLE Your goddess? HELIS No, Orestia. She is not. But she is a brave warrior. ORESTIA But her eyes-- HELIS Many people have eyes that color. Now go and play with your friends. Orestia runs off. 10. HELIS (CONT'D) (to Xena) The way you fight, many here think you must be a champion for the goddess. XENA I don't fight for the Gods any more. Excuse me, I have to see to my horse. Xena leaves. HELIS Did I say something? GABRIELLE Let's just say that Xena's past isn't something she likes to remember. O.S. Pan BARKS. Gabrielle realizes he's missing. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Pan? Pan? (to Helis) Have you seen a little dog? HELIS Is that him over there? Through the crowd, Gabrielle sees Orestia and other little CHILDREN playing with Pan. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco's MESSENGER rides up to the gate. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Xena tends to Argo. Gabrielle walks up. XENA Where's your dog? GABRIELLE He's playing with the children. XENA I arranged a place for us to stay while... There's a general COMMOTION as in b.g. the Messenger strides straight to Helis. Xena and Gabrielle follow. 11. EXT. OUTSIDE TEMPLE - DAY The Messenger waits as Helis reads the short scroll. Xena and Gabrielle look on. HELIS It's a note wanting to negotiate the terms of our surrender. GABRIELLE Surrender? XENA May I? Helis hands the note to Xena. XENA (CONT'D) Draco. HELIS You know this person? XENA Too well. HELIS Can we negotiate with him? XENA No. GABRIELLE You could. HELIS Could you? XENA I'm not a member of this village. I can't speak for you. HELIS You defended us. You're a member of this village more than you know. If this Draco is as bad as you seem to think, I don't think we could ask for a better champion. Xena and Gabrielle exchange a look. 12. XENA (to Messenger) Tell Draco that if he wants to negotiate, he'll have to talk to me. Xena. The Messenger eyes widen. He bows and turns to leave. Pan BARKS and nips at his heels. The Messenger runs away with the village LAUGHING. Xena's not laughing. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - NIGHT Draco wears a blindfold. A SOLDIER with a sword attacks him. Swing, swing, swing -- Draco dodges cleanly every time. The Soldier lunges, Draco drops him. Draco pulls off his blindfold. DRACO Pathetic. Get him out of here. Draco walks toward his tent where the Messenger waits. The Soldier springs up and with a knife rushes Draco. Draco turns. The Soldier stops just short of Draco. Draco smiles. DRACO (CONT'D) Good. I like a man who doesn't quit. The Soldier relaxes. Draco pulls his own knife and plunges it into the Soldier's heart. The Soldier drops dead. DRACO (CONT'D) But you've got to learn to finish what you start. (to a Lieutenant) Clean up this mess. Draco walks into his tent. 13. INT. DRACO'S TENT - NIGHT DRACO So, is Xena ready to meet with me? MESSENGER Um, er, uh, yes sir. DRACO Good. (laughs) Good. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle fidgets while Xena double-checks Argo's bridle. GABRIELLE You do realize that this is a trap? XENA I want you to get the village ready to defend itself. GABRIELLE Me? XENA I can't be here. This village is an easy target, and they need to get prepared. GABRIELLE What can I do? I don't know how to set up for a battle, or-- XENA You can organize. Get the women to finish repairing the wall, and then set up weapon stations all around the top. Spears, arrows, rocks... Just in case Draco attacks while I'm gone. GABRIELLE Don't you think Athena will protect this village? XENA I think Athena helps those who help themselves. You should also dig some traps along the wall. Xena mounts up. 14. XENA (CONT'D) And if Draco does attack, barricade that gate. Anyone here caught outside the wall will be die. GABRIELLE Be careful. XENA You too. I don't want to have to go breaking in a new best friend. Xena slowly rides off. INT. DRACO'S TENT - DAY Draco empties the vial into a goblet that sits on a food laden table. Xena enters. XENA Hello, Draco. DRACO Xena. How long has it been? XENA Not long enough. Your note said something about negotiating a surrender. I accept. DRACO You're developing a sense of humor. As much as I liked the good old days, that's the one thing that your time away has improved. XENA You know I'm not going to let you take that village. DRACO Does it always have to be business with you? XENA What did you have in mind? DRACO Lunch? Xena warily finds a place to sit. 15. DRACO (CONT'D) Niko! NIKO, an aide, enters the tent. DRACO (CONT'D) Lunch. Draco pours wine into each of the goblets. He walks over to Xena and hands her one. XENA Thank you. DRACO What are you doing here? Last I heard you were saving some village up north. Xena takes a sip of wine. XENA What are you up to? Draco drinks some wine. Xena does also. DRACO I want the statue. XENA You know I'm not going to let you-- let you have it. DRACO Of course you are. Xena, are you all right? You look a little green. Dazed comprehension crosses Xena's face. XENA The drink... Xena passes out. FADE OUT END OF ACT ONE 16. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. DRACO'S TENT - NIGHT Xena wakes up, but remains groggy. She reaches for her weapons... they're gone. She stands. Draco enters. DRACO Feeling better? XENA What happened? DRACO You were acting very strange. Now that you're rested, perhaps we can continue our talk. XENA Our talk? DRACO We were planning a raid to take the statue from Pallasos. XENA Raid? DRACO You're not having second thoughts? XENA Of course not. I-- I'd do anything with you at my side. Draco relaxes -- the potion worked. DRACO You don't know how much I like hearing you say that. Draco grabs Xena by the arms and kisses her hard. Xena responds affectionately. INT. TAVERN - NIGHT Gabrielle sits at a table. Pan stands on the table, eating from Gabrielle's dinner plate. 17. GABRIELLE I think something's gone terribly wrong. Sure, Xena disappears for days sometimes without a word, but this is Draco we're talking about. What do you think? (a beat) What can I do? She left me in charge of setting up defences. If I left, she'd kill me. But then again, if she's in trouble and I don't leave, what kind of friend would I be? Pan BARKS. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) You're right. I'm-- HELIS (O.S.) Who are you talking to? GABRIELLE Oh. Uh-- nobody. Nobody. Just thinking. HELIS Would you like to come and see our progress? GABRIELLE Yes. Thank you. Come on, Pan. Pan continues eating. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Pan... HELIS Why not let him eat? Nesta will watch out for him. NESTA, the tavern keeper, nods. GABRIELLE Ok. Let's go, then. Pan never looks up from the plate. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - NIGHT Xena stands at a table covered with maps. Draco's MEN stand around. 18. XENA There are no defences anywhere around here. But they are fortifying the village. It's not going to be easy to get close, so we will need to attack from two different directions. Draco sees a figure standing in his tent. He slips away. XENA (CONT'D) They are going to dig pit traps and... INT. DRACO'S TENT - NIGHT Aphrodite waits for Draco. APHRODITE Is our plan proceeding? DRACO It's going very well. She's like the old Xena -- thirsty for battle. Aphrodite cringes at the thought. APHRODITE Yes, yes. Spare me the details. DRACO How long with the spell hold? APHRODITE As long as I want it to. You doubt me? DRACO Forgive me, Aphrodite, but experience has taught me to never be surprised at whatever Xena might do. I just don't want her turning on me. APHRODITE You want proof? DRACO If you don't mind. APHRODITE Fine. I'll send a -- no. No, I won't tell you. (MORE) 19. APHRODITE (CONT'D) (giggles) Surprises are so much more delicious. DRACO Now wait a minute... APHRODITE Take most of your men on a scouting mission before Xena wakes up. You'll have your proof. XENA (O.S.) There you are. Draco turns. Xena has just entered the tent. He turns back to see that Aphrodite has disappeared. XENA (CONT'D) I was starting to get lonely. DRACO Well, we can't have that. XENA No. That would be bad. DRACO What should we do about it? XENA Later. It's your turn to talk to the men. Draco gives Xena a quick peck on the lips. DRACO Right. Draco exits the tent. Xena follows. EXT. PALLASOS - NIGHT Gabrielle and Helis oversee the arming along the wall near the gate. HELIS I think Orestia has lost her heart to your dog. GABRIELLE I think he likes her, too. 20. HELIS She's been so quiet since my husband died last season. GABRIELLE I'm sorry. HELIS I thank the gods that you and your friend found us. If only for Orestia's sake. They reach a group of women on a platform near the top of the wall stocking spears into a basket, and arrows into quivers. HELIS (CONT'D) Do you think we've prepared enough at all of the stations? GABRIELLE I think we're ready for just about anything. HELIS Really? You made Draco sound terrifying. GABRIELLE I'm not going to lie to you. Draco is very strong. But Xena and I have defeated him before. HELIS Just you two? GABRIELLE Yes. There's nothing two women united can't do -- and we have a whole village filled with women fighting for a cause. HELIS I almost feel like we've won already. GABRIELLE That's good. But we can't get overconfident. I'm going to look at the work we've done outside the walls -- just to double-check that everything is ready. Gabrielle cracks the gate open. Helis hands her a torch. 21. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Thanks. HELIS Rap three times and then one time, and we'll let you in. GABRIELLE Three times, then one time. Got it. Gabrielle walks out. Unknown to her, Pan quietly follows her before the gate closes. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - NIGHT Gabrielle skirts the wall for several steps. She listens. No one follows. Gabrielle takes a deep breath. Her courage up, she walks toward Draco's camp. Pan continues quietly following. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Xena wanders over to the dying camp fire and picks off some meat from the left-over roast beast. She's met by the Messenger. XENA Where is everybody? MESSENGER Draco heard there were some raiders nearby, so he sent out the men. In b.g. there's RUSTLING and a TWIG SNAP. XENA You hear something? The Messenger shakes his head. EXT. WOODS NEAR DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Gabrielle can see Xena, but knows she's made too much noise. She steps back. Pan starts BARKING. GABRIELLE Shh. Shhh! 22. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Xena pulls her sword. There's a glint in her eye. From behind Xena, YELLS and WAR CRIES sound as RAIDERS rush in on foot into Draco's camp. THE MESSENGER immediately ducks for cover -- which annoys Xena. XENA ULULATES and charges the scruffy and smelly band of men. Xena's out numbered fifteen-to-one. The Raiders don't stand a chance. Slash, stab, knife throw, punch, kick -- the Raiders drop easily. Half the band is taken out with one throw of Xena's chakrum. EXT. WOODS NEAR DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Gabrielle holds Pan and crouches under cover near a tree, quietly rooting Xena on. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Two Raiders remain standing. Xena stuns one with a kick to the head. The last Raider fights with a staff, and fights well. Xena gets hit in the stomach. She's tripped up and thrown to the ground. As the Raider prepares for the coup de grace, Xena sits up and plunges her sword through the Raider's gut. He falls dead. Xena's eyes are alive. Her smile flashes. She grabs the stunned RAIDER. XENA What did you think you were doing? RAIDER We needed weapons. XENA And you thought you'd steal them from us? The Raider starts to cry. 23. XENA (CONT'D) Give me a break. Disgusted, she throws the Raider back to the ground. DRACO shows up with some of his men. DRACO Xena! EXT. WOODS NEAR DRACO'S CAMP - DAY Gabrielle watches with some concern. DRACO AND XENA meet in the middle of the carnage. They put their arms around each other's waists. GABRIELLE'S eyes are wide with shock. GABRIELLE It's not possible. XENA AND DRACO enter Draco's tent. INT. DRACO'S TENT - DAY Xena relaxes as Draco removes his weapons. DRACO You are impressive. XENA Would you have it any other way? DRACO Definitely not. Draco moves lustfully closer. XENA I'm hungry. DRACO Hungry? 24. XENA Those idiots interrupted my breakfast. DRACO Say no more. Draco kisses Xena's hand. DRACO (CONT'D) I am your servant. Draco exits. Xena grabs a stone, sits back, and sharpens one of her knives. GABRIELLE (O.S.) (sotto) Xena! Xena doesn't hesitate. She turns and throws the knife at Gabrielle -- pinning some of Gabrielle's hair to a post. Gabrielle's eyes widen with fear as Xena reaches for a sword. Pan rushes in BARKING. He nips at Xena's heels. XENA What the--? Gabrielle yanks her hair free and runs out of the tent. Xena stabs at Pan, but the dog is too small and quick. Pan runs out of the tent after Gabrielle. Xena rushes out, but literally bumps into Draco, sending a plate of food flying. XENA (CONT'D) Did you see that girl!? DRACO What girl? XENA The one that was just in here. Xena pushes Draco out of the way and runs outside. 25. EXT. CLEARING - DAY Argo, wearing only a bridle, stands near a tree where she's tied. Gabrielle comes running. GABRIELLE Argo! Argo... I know we've had our differences. But if you ever liked me at all, you'll get me out of here before I get killed. Gabrielle unties Argo, and uses a nearby boulder to jump onto Argo' bare back. Argo jerks around, but takes off in a gallop away from the camp. Pan follows, BARKING. XENA reaches the clearing. XENA Argo! Xena reaches for her chakrum, but she isn't wearing it. XENA (CONT'D) Damn. Draco reaches her. XENA (CONT'D) That girl took Argo. DRACO I thought your horse would only let you ride her. XENA That's what I thought, too. You know she's going to tell them we're coming. DRACO It won't matter. It will just make the fight a little more interesting. XENA I'm going to get my horse back. DRACO Tomorrow. XENA Tomorrow. 26. Xena smiles a wicked smile. FADE OUT END OF ACT TWO 27. ACT THREE FADE IN: EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Argo runs at a full gallop toward Pallasos. Gabrielle hangs on for dear life. GABRIELLE You can stop now. Argo. Please, stop. Stop! Just short of the main gate, Argo pulls up. Gabrielle lands on the ground on her bum. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Thanks. (to herself) I actually think I'm getting better at this. Gabrielle gets up painfully. She grabs Argo's reigns and leads her to the gate. Gabrielle pounds on the gate. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Hello!? It's Gabrielle! I'd like to get in, please. Hello!? (a beat) Whoops. Gabrielle hits the gate three times, and then once more. The gate opens. In b.g. distant BARKING. INT. TAVERN - DAY Gabrielle stands surrounded by WOMEN of all ages. GABRIELLE I've never heard of Xena ever being defeated in battle. If she's joined with Draco, then this village is going to be destroyed. HELIS So, what? Are you telling us to run? GABRIELLE I'm just saying-- 28. PRIESTESS We won't run. The Women all echo that statement. They won't run. HELIS We can't run. PRIESTESS This town is a sacred place. We cannot leave. Athena is the goddess of defense. She will not let us be defeated. What if we can kill your friend? GABRIELLE Kill Xena? PRIESTESS If she's as dangerous as you say, then if we kill her, we might be able to defeat this Draco. HELIS Listen to us... Who would have thought two days ago we'd be talking about killing a woman who saved our village? Now we stand on the edge of total annihilation. This isn't a time for rash decisions. I suggest that we take a break and think about what we are considering. Can we defeat this army? Should we try? The Women MURMUR. HELIS (CONT'D) (to Gabrielle) If we stand and fight, will you help us? If anyone knows Xena's weaknesses, it would be you. Gabrielle looks around. She swallows hard. GABRIELLE I'll help you. HELIS We'll meet again tonight. EXT. DRACO'S CAMP - NIGHT ESTABLISHING SHOT 29. INT. DRACO'S TENT - NIGHT Xena lies on a bed without her armor on. She looks greedy for love. Draco picks up a bunch of grapes. He puts one on Xena's lips. She eats it. He puts another on her lips. She eats it. Xena takes a grape and feeds it to Draco. Draco tosses the grapes aside. Xena and Draco kiss. Long and hard and passionate. V.O.: APHRODITE LAUGHS Draco becomes alert. DRACO Did you hear that? XENA Shut up. Xena pulls Draco back down for more kissing. INT. TEMPLE - NIGHT Gabrielle enters. The curtain is drawn, revealing the statue. GABRIELLE Hello? Hello? Gabrielle sits on the steps near the statue. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) What am I going to do? ATHENA (O.S.) About what? Gabrielle stands -- startled. Before her is a hooded figure -- tall and muscular under her hood and cloak. ATHENA (CONT'D) I didn't mean to startle you. GABRIELLE You didn't. Well, ok you did, but I thought I was alone. 30. ATHENA What are you going to do about what? GABRIELLE Xena. Something's wrong with her. She's like the Xena I heard stories about. ATHENA Ruled by Ares. GABRIELLE She's going to attack this village. Xena never loses. ATHENA She's a great warrior. GABRIELLE But she's my best friend. ATHENA Would you die for her? GABRIELLE Yes. ATHENA Would she for you? GABRIELLE Of course. Well, maybe not now... I'm sure she's under some sort of spell. ATHENA You're wise. I like that. Would it help if I told you that you were right? She is under a powerful spell. GABRIELLE But who...? ATHENA Maybe the Goddess of Love. GABRIELLE Aphrodite? But that doesn't make any sense. ATHENA Doesn't it? 31. GABRIELLE Why would she do this? She's the goddess of love. I could understand if the god of war did this, but -- wait... Aphrodite and Ares are lovers. Xena is her gift to him. ATHENA Exactly. GABRIELLE But that doesn't solve my problem. How can I defeat a goddess? ATHENA It's not as difficult as you might think. GABRIELLE No? ATHENA If you are truly Xena's friend, then... The temple door opens and the Priestess enters. PRIESTESS What are you doing in here!? GABRIELLE I'm sorry. I was talking to-- Gabrielle looks around, but Athena's disappeared. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Where...? I was talking to the other priestess. PRIESTESS There is no other but me. GABRIELLE But... I don't understand. She was right here. INT. DRACO'S TENT - DAY Xena, dressed for battle, kicks the still sleeping and undressed Draco. 32. DRACO There better be a good--! Xena. (disappointed) You're dressed. XENA We have a village to destroy. DRACO Aren't we eager? Xena is like a child on Christmas morning. XENA I can't wait to smell the heat of battle. It seems like it's been so long. DRACO That's the Xena I know and love. Xena bends down and kisses Draco. XENA We leave in five minutes. She walks to the exit. XENA (CONT'D) You should probably put something on. Xena exits. DRACO This is going to be a very good day. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle holds Pan. She paces back and forth. Helis arrives. HELIS Nervous? GABRIELLE No. Not nervous, exactly. HELIS Then what? 33. GABRIELLE I was in the temple last night, and I talked with this woman. I thought she was a priestess, but then your priestess came in and said she was the only priestess. Anyway, she said that Xena was under a spell. Helis' eyes widen. HELIS Do you know who it was? GABRIELLE She said that Aphrodite-- HELIS No. I mean, who was this woman? GABRIELLE She didn't say. HELIS What did she look like? Was she tall and strong and-- LOOKOUT (V.O.) They're coming! Everyone's attention is drawn to the gate. EXT. TOP OF WALL - DAY In the distance, a cloud of dust moves slowly forward. EXT. ROAD - DAY Xena and Draco lead the army at a steady pace. Xena's eyes are bright and hungry for battle. She's happy. By the side of the road, seen only by Draco, stands Aphrodite. As they pass, he looks at Xena and smiles -- pleased with himself. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY It's ordered mayhem as Women dash to their stations. Gabrielle doesn't see it. She's lost in thought. 34. HELIS Gabrielle. Gabrielle. Are you all right? Your friend is coming. Comprehension appears on Gabrielle's face. GABRIELLE Would you die for her--? That's it! HELIS I don't understand. Gabrielle searches the crowd. She sees Orestia standing out of the way. GABRIELLE Orestia! Come here, please! (to Helis) I know what I have to do. (to Orestia) Orestia, can you look after Pan for me and keep him safe? Orestia nods her head and eagerly reaches for the dog. ORESTIA Yeah. GABRIELLE Take him inside your home and play with him until this is all over. Promise me. ORESTIA I promise. Orestia quickly goes away with Pan in her arms. HELIS That was nice, but what are you going to do? GABRIELLE I have to go outside. Helis looks at her like she's crazy. EXT. CLEARING - DAY Draco's army and Xena pull up. They organize for their charge. 35. DRACO Ready? XENA Like taking candy from a baby. They see the village gate open. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle, a spear in hand, hesitantly walks out from the village -- the gate locks closed behind her. In front of her is Draco's army. GABRIELLE I must be crazy. EXT. CLEARING - DAY Xena and Draco can't believe what they're seeing. XENA She must be crazy. DRACO No doubt about that. Isn't that the girl who stole your horse? Xena's eyes light with anger. XENA Yes it is. Keep the men here. I want to take care of this myself. Xena spurs her horse on. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Xena stops her horse and dismounts. She draws her sword. GABRIELLE Xena. Hi. Um-- Gabrielle realizes she has the spear. She throws it down. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) Uh-- I'm unarmed. You wouldn't... 36. XENA Where's my horse? GABRIELLE Argo? She's inside. I can get her if you want. XENA I'll get her. But first things first. Xena raises her sword. GABRIELLE Wait! Please. I know you're going to kill me, but can I say something first? Please? XENA Make it fast. Xena lowers her sword. GABRIELLE I just wanted to forgive you. I know it's not your fault. You wouldn't be acting like this if it wasn't for Aphrodite. XENA Time's up. GABRIELLE Even though it ends today, it was worth it to be your friend. XENA Friends? Right. GABRIELLE I know you don't believe me now. (kneels) If you ever cared for me, please make it a clean cut. XENA Fine. With a fire in her eyes, Xena raises her sword. FADE OUT END OF ACT THREE 37. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Xena raises her sword and swings. A SPEAR forged by Hephaestus plants itself in the ground and blocks Xena's sword before it reaches Gabrielle. XENA is shocked. Gabrielle looks up and sees Athena. GABRIELLE You... XENA You're going to pay for that. ATHENA I don't think so. Xena swings. Athena grabs the spear and deflects the blow. Xena tries again. Athena looks bored. APHRODITE (O.S.) Don't interfere, Athena! Aphrodite stands by the gate. GABRIELLE Athena? Xena twirls her sword. She's perplexed. ATHENA We're at my temple, not on Cythera. Your threats don't mean anything here. (to Xena) She's the one you should be fighting. GABRIELLE Aphrodite is why you are with Draco. She did something to you. 38. ATHENA Listen to your friend. She was willing to die to save you. You owe her. Besides, I'll never let you take this village. Athena vanishes. GABRIELLE Xena? XENA Gabrielle? APHRODITE Don't fight me. XENA Fight. APHRODITE You love Draco. XENA Draco. APHRODITE You have to make him happy. GABRIELLE She's never going to-- Aphrodite reaches out her hand. Gabrielle immediately starts choking. XENA NO!!! Xena musters her strength and charges Aphrodite -- pinning her to the wall. XENA (CONT'D) What have you done to me? APHRODITE Go to Draco. Rule with him. That's what your heart wants you to do. XENA I-- 39. APHRODITE You can't resist. You have no protector. ATHENA (O.S.) She does now. Release her. Athena half-draws her sword. ATHENA (CONT'D) Release her or fight. APHRODITE Feh! With a wave of her hand, Aphrodite disappears; as does Athena. EXT. CLEARING - DAY Draco sits impatiently on his horse. DRACO Something's wrong. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Sad and confused, Xena turns to the still kneeling Gabrielle. XENA Gabrielle, are you alright? GABRIELLE Are you? They look at each other for a long time. They each want to say something, but nothing is coming out. They hug. EXT. CLEARING - DAY Draco is annoyed. DRACO Never send in a goddess to do a man's job. Attack! But Xena's mine! The army charges. 40. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle and Xena stand opposite each other. XENA I would have killed you. GABRIELLE But you didn't. XENA Because of Athena. Why...? GABRIELLE She asked me if I'd die for you. XENA Gabrielle... GABRIELLE You're my friend. Xena sees the charging army. XENA Well, friend, you better get back inside. I have a score to settle. GABRIELLE Be careful. Xena runs to her horse. Gabrielle raps three then one on the gate, and re-enters Pallasos. XENA charges Draco; both with their swords drawn. Xena and Draco clash swords. Draco's army flows around them toward Pallasos. Xena's sword clips fringe from Draco's helmet crest. Draco spurs his horse to the woods. Xena follows. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco's men charge the wall. 41. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle watches the charge from the top of the wall. GABRIELLE Now! ARCHERS launch arrows, and other Women launch spears. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco's men duck and some fall to the rain of arrows and spears. EXT. WOODS - DAY Draco jumps up onto his saddle, and leaps from his horse onto a low thick branch. Xena echoes the leap, but adds a somersault. XENA I don't know what you did to me, but you're going to pay. DRACO It was Aphrodite's idea. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it. XENA I'm going to enjoy this. Xena attacks. Swords clash. Draco defends himself briefly before jumping to another branch. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco's men fling flaming containers of oil over the wall. EXT. ROOFTOPS - DAY A container breaks on the roof, spreading fire. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle watches from the wall. 42. GABRIELLE Fire! A catapult swings into action. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco's men get pummeled by various kitchen ware: pots, pans, kettles, etc. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle turns at Pan's BARKING. GABRIELLE Pan, you were supposed to stay with-- Gabrielle sees the house Orestia went in is now an inferno. Gabrielle rushes down a ladder. Helis sees Gabrielle, and then sees the fire. HELIS Orestia! Gabrielle never hesitates -- she runs into the burning building. EXT. WOODS - DAY Xena and Draco continue fighting in the trees. Parry, thrust, jump to another branch. Parry, thrust, jump to another branch. Xena knocks Draco's sword from his hand. DRACO Uh-oh. Draco turns and runs -- leaping from branch to branch. Xena follows. Draco comes across a vine. He swings, YELLING something between a Tarzan yell and a scream of terror. He lets go and lands squarely in the saddle of his horse. With a LAUGH, he rides back to Pallasos. 43. Xena whistles, but the horse doesn't come. Annoyed, Xena gets her own vine and swings to the horse. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Draco runs into his retreating men. DRACO Attack! Attack! Xena emerges from the woods, ULULATING, charging closer. DRACO (CONT'D) Next time! Draco wheels his horse around, and joins his men in retreat. Xena slows her horse, and heads to Pallasos. EXT. PALLASOS - DAY Gabrielle, covered in soot, accepts thanks from Women as Helis holds Orestia who in turn is licked by Pan. Xena walks up. XENA What happened to you? Gabrielle smiles triumphantly. EXT. PALLASOS - NIGHT The whole village celebrates their victory with FOOD, MUSIC, and DANCE. Xena and Gabrielle stand out of the way. XENA You almost died today. GABRIELLE Twice. XENA Twice. Do you know how stupid that was? GABRIELLE I thought it was brave. 44. XENA Same thing. You were really courageous. You saved that little girl, and you saved me. If it wasn't for you, I'd be back in my old life: raiding and killing and... GABRIELLE I didn't do anything you wouldn't have done for me. XENA But-- GABRIELLE Ordinary people can be heros, too. XENA I've never thought of you as ordinary. The celebration finds its way to Xena and Gabrielle. HELIS What are you doing over here? We wouldn't be having this celebration if it wasn't for you. Gabrielle gets dragged into the group. And so does Xena. It's a celebration for the ages. EXT. OUTSIDE PALLASOS - DAY Xena and Gabrielle load up Argo. Helis and Orestia, holding Pan, go up to Gabrielle. HELIS You are welcome to stay. GABRIELLE Thank you. Orestia, tears in her eyes, holds Pan out to Gabrielle. GABRIELLE (CONT'D) You know what? If it wasn't for Pan, I wouldn't have known you were in danger. He saved your life. That means that you are both responsible for each other. 45. ORESTIA Huh? GABRIELLE If you promise to take really good care of him-- do you want to keep him? Orestia's eyes light up. She hugs Gabrielle tightly before running off and playing with the dog. HELIS (to Xena) Your friend is something special. XENA Yes she is. Gabrielle comes closer. XENA (CONT'D) Ready to go? GABRIELLE (to Helis) Goodbye. Gabrielle and Helis hug. Xena and Gabrielle walk off together with Argo. XENA That was pretty generous of you. GABRIELLE It was worth it to see the smile on Orestia's face. XENA I still want to know how you managed to ride my horse. GABRIELLE I guess she sensed that something was different. XENA And now everything's back to the way it was. GABRIELLE Not everything... Now you have Athena on your side. 46. XENA Ares isn't going to like it. I think our lives are going to get a lot more interesting. They walk off into the countryside. FADE OUT END OF ACT FOUR THE END