Time elapse:

 

 

Ext-Forest-Gabrielle

 

Gabrielle comes to a small clearing in the woods and bows to her knees.  She removes the Katana and Chakram and lays them on the grass before her.

 

Gabrielle

Xena, you once told me the dead

can hear the thoughts of the living. 

I believe you hear me now.  What

am I doing?  I’ve been fighting alone

since you died.  I’ve been trying my

best to carry on our work but its so

hard without you.  There’s no joy in

waking up to another day anymore.

Now the only thing I have left of you is

going to die and there’s nothing I can

do to save her.  I finally have a

chance to be Hope’s mother and all

I can think of is how unfair it all is.  Xena

I don’t think I can continue to do this.

not alone.

 

Eve

You’re not alone.  You have me.

 

Gabrielle turns to find Eve, still dressed as Callisto coming toward her.  Eve kneels beside her, wrapping an arm around her.

 

Eve

I remember everything now.  I

remember everything that happened

between us when I was Callisto. I

murdered your husband. I murdered

Xena’s son, my own brother and I-

 

Gabrielle

No.  That’s where you’re wrong.

you didn’t do that, Callisto did. 

 

Eve

But I remember everything. 

 

Gabrielle

Then you remember I forgave you.

Now that you know the truth of your

past, you have only until the sun

sets this evening and you…

 

Eve

I return to being Callisto.  I know.

 

Gabrielle

That’s not all Eve. Eli says…that once

you complete the transformation he

has to kill you.

 

Eve

What?

 

This is one detail she didn’t hear while she was lost in the Awakening. She’s shocked and dismayed, but she wants to keep a brave face for Gabrielle.

 

Gabrielle

He says it’s the only way

To save your soul from Lucifer.

Once you’re back in Heaven

You’ll be safe, forever.

 

Gabrielle dissolves into tears but Eve holds her close, stroking her hair and making comforting shushing noises to her. After awhile Gabrielle calms down.

 

Gabrielle

I’ve lost Xena now I

have to lose my little girl

too.  I just don’t understand it.

 

Eve

You have Hope. Hear me out.

 

Gabrielle

There’s nothing you can say

that would convince me to

trust Hope, Eve.

 

Eve

A relationship with your

child is the most important

thing in a persons life.  This

is your chance to finally have

that with Hope.  Don’t walk

away from it. 

 

Gabrielle

It’s not that simple Eve. 

 

Eve

It can be, if you let it. Promise

me one thing before I…leave

tomorrow.  Promise me you’ll keep

an open mind.  Please?

 

Gabrielle

I’ll try.

 

They hug one more time before they hear blasts coming from the campsite. When they return they find Rachel shooting fireballs at Eli and Eli deflecting them.

 

Eve

Rachel.

 

Close up on Eve

Fade out.

 

Moving On-Act 3

Fade In-

 

Rachel continues to fight with Eli until she looks to find Eve has returned to the campsite.

 

Rachel

There you are mother.  Are

you ready to come home?

 

Eve

I am home Rachel. 

 

Rachel

Oh no, no, no.  Your home is in Hell

with me.  Now come back or I’ll

obliterate your little angel friend here.

 

Eli

Not even in your wildest dreams.

 

Eli throws a ball of white light at Rachel and it slams her squarely in the chest, sending her flying off into the forest, but that’s not the last of it.  Portal after portal from hell cracks open and demons come flying out, hissing at them.  Eli throws Eve Michael’s sword.

 

Eli

Here!  Use this!  It’s Michael’s

sword and it’s the only thing you have

that can send these demons back

to hell permanently.

 

Eve takes the sword looks to Gabrielle.

 

Eve

Shall we dance Gabrielle?

 

Gabrielle

It would be my honor Eve.

 

Gabrielle draws the Katana and Eli hits it with a bolt of light.  When Gabrielle strikes a demon he explodes into a burst of green energy.  Gabrielle, Eli and Eve begin to fight the demons, “killing” one right after the other.  Hope wakes up, confused as to what’s going on so she hides behind a tree.  As Gabrielle and her two partners send the last demon to back to hell, Rachel rushes Hope and grabs her by the throat.

 

Rachel

Gabrielle. Look what I have here. It’s

your…now mortal daughter. Oh,

isn’t that sweet? You had a chance

to have your baby back all nice

and good but Eve here messed

that up by refusing to come home.

 

Rachel picks Hope up by the neck and despite herself Gabrielle starts to move forward to save her. 

 

Rachel

I wouldn’t do that if I were you Gabrielle.

 

Gabrielle

Your choking her.

 

When Eve moves in Rachel tightens her grip.

 

Rachel

You don’t want me to hurt Gabrielle’s

baby now do you?

 

Eve

Gabrielle’s baby…

 

Eve is overcome by another flashback of Callisto in Hell with her child.

 

*Callisto holds up a demon baby, kissing it.

 

*Callisto teaches a demon child to sword fight in hell.

 

*Callisto–You’re growing so fast Rachel.

 

*Rachel–Mommy, why did you name me Rachel?

 

*Callisto–Mommy had a sister named Rachel.  Xena killed her.  That’s why it’s so important we win against the forces of Heaven.  So we can destroy her.

 

*Rachel–Will I get to meet her and Grandma and Grandpa? 

 

*Callisto–Yes, you will.

 

*Callisto looks around to make sure no one is watching her and then kisses Rachel, hugging her up close.

 

*Callisto–I love you Rachel.  You’re the only good thing I’ve ever had.  You will always be my Sweetness, no matter what happens. Remember that.  Remember I will always love you.

 

*Rachel mimics her mother looking around for privacy, bringing a smile to Callisto’s face.

 

*Rachel–I love you too Mommy.

 

Rachel

I can hold her up here like

this all day long, but I don’t

think she can hold her breath

that long.

 

Eve

Put Hope down…Sweetness.

 

Rachel, who is staring at Hope, whips her head around and looks at Eve, hissing at the familiar name.  Eve eases toward her and Rachel tenses.

 

Eve

I’m in a different body true,

but I’m still your Mommy.  I see

that now...Sweetness.

 

Rachel

No!  You’re trying to trick me!

 

Eve has a sense of urgency for the struggling Hope who is choking in Rachel’s grasp.

 

Eve

Rachel!  Please.  I was redeemed. 

I was given a second chance at life

and so can you.  Put Hope down.

You don’t want to hurt Mommy by

hurting some she cares about do you?

 

Confused by her new emotions, Rachel slowly lowers Hope to the ground then lets go.  Hope falls back, choking, and it’s clear that Gabrielle wants to go to her despite her vows never to be Hope’s mother, but Rachel is blocking the way. Eve tries to ease up on Rachel, who takes a step back, then stops to let Eve get closer.  Eve’s eyes are full of pain of what she must now attempt to do.

 

Eve

I remember you now darling. You

were such a smart little girl. 

You learned so fast.

 

Rachel is almost child-like in her confusion about what to do, and we see just how much she really loves her mother and how much she wishes to have a relationship with her again.

 

Rachel

I was?

 

Int-Throne Room-Hell

 

Lucifer watches the exchange, sitting on the edge of his seat.

 

Lucifer

That’s right Rachel.  Let her get

close then take her!  I know you’re not

falling for this sentimental trash.

 

Eve

Oh yes.  You learned so fast.

I was so proud of you.  Good

girl.  Good.

 

Rachel

I’ve missed you Mama.

 

This seems to break Gabrielle’s heart, and Rachel’s words inspire Gabrielle and Hope to share a meaningful look. 

 

Eve

And I’ve missed you.  A soul can

never forget someone so dear to

them as you are to me.

 

Eve is still moving toward Rachel. When she is close enough she intends to strike Rachel down with Michael’s sword.  This will vanquish Rachel to hell forever, never to return to earth.

 

Rachel

Mama?

 

Eve

Yes?

 

Rachel

I can’t be good Mama.  I’m evil.

I was born to be evil.

 

Eve

I know.  I made you what you are.

I’m so sorry for that.

 

Eve swings Michael’s sword once she is close enough, trying to slash open Rachel’s gut.  Rachel’s reflexes are sharp and she jumps back just before any serious damage can be done to her and she cries out in heartbreak at her mother’s betrayal.

 

Rachel

No Mama!

 

Eve kicks Rachel in her already wounded gut, sending her flying back into the last remaining portal to Hell.  Gabrielle looks to Hope, wanting to comfort her but she resists the urge and stays put.