Production #V701 - Episode 1

STORY BY
Melissa Good

TELEPLAY BY
Susanne Beck & TNovan

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair

ARTWORK
Lucia

EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC
Judi Mair

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. CAMPFIRE. FOREST CLEARING. NIGHT.

GABRIELLE is seated on her furs. A plate of untouched food is on her right. An unfurled scroll sits in her lap. She has on a fur cloak on which she pulls around her face, inhaling deeply. She sighs, her breath covering her head in a mist, and her shoulders slump, defeated.

A noise is heard in the trees, and Gabrielle turns her head quickly, her eyes narrowing. The sound repeats itself, a rustling in the leaves, and Gabrielle’s hands move toward her SAIS.

GABRIELLE
(softly, plaintively)
Xena?

An OWL screeches from the tree above her and takes flight into the night sky. Gabrielle turns away sadly and looks back down at her scrolls. Rubbing her eyes, she finds her place and begins to read over what she’s just written.

GABRIELLE
(VO)
It's been two months since Japa and Xena's death.
And instead of getting easier, it's only gotten harder.
When she's not here, I see her everywhere.
When she is, all I see is a ghost. I can't live with
the nightmares that sleep brings, and I don't
know when the last time was that I ate something.
My mind is full of so many questions,
questions I long to ask, but can't.

And my heart…

(a beat, quieter)

My heart is empty.

A single tear rolls down Gabrielle’s cheek.

GABRIELLE
(VO)
“Even in death, Gabrielle,
I will never leave you,” she said.
How could something that was once
a blessing have turned into such a curse?

Gabrielle carefully rolls up the scroll and tucks it into her bag, where it rests next to the URN carrying Xena’s ashes. Stretching out on her furs, she settles in for another fruitless attempt at sleep.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SAME CAMPSITE. SUNRISE.

Gabrielle is awake, and in the light of the new day, it is obvious how the past two months of her life has taken its toll on her. Her hair is limp and dull. Her eyes are sunken, red-rimmed and lack their sparkle. She is very thin and her clothes seem to hang on her. As she turns to watch the sun rise over the trees, XENA appears on the other side of the campsite. She frowns slightly, then pads silently across the campsite, to enfold Gabrielle in an embrace from behind.

Gabrielle stiffens, and Xena pulls away, her frown deepening.

GABRIELLE
(softly, without emotion)
Hey.

XENA
(concerned look)
Is there something wrong?

GABRIELLE
(a beat, as if she’s fighting
against something)
No.

(smiling half-heartedly)

Nothing’s wrong at all.
Beautiful morning, isn’t it?

Without waiting for a response, Gabrielle walks back to the center of the camp and begins to pack. Her movements are quick and precise, not betraying her exhaustion, but Xena can see through the act.

Xena takes a step forward.

XENA
Gabrielle?

Ignoring the question, Gabrielle passes Xena and loads her gear on ARGO. She takes one last look around.

GABRIELLE
Well, I guess it’s time to head out.
The ‘girl with the chakram’ needs
to get herself to Egypt.

She easily mounts Argo, then extends a hand.  For the first time, she looks directly at Xena.

GABRIELLE
You coming?

Xena hesitates for just a moment, then crosses the camp and grasps Gabrielle’s hand, allowing herself to be pulled aboard. A soft click to Argo, and they’re on their way.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PATH. SAME DAY.

Xena is walking along side Argo, whose pace has slowed to a walk. Gabrielle is slumped in the saddle, half asleep. To their left is a thin stand of trees, the last such grouping for miles. Ahead lays the beginnings of the vast EGYPTIAN DESERT.

Xena reaches up and gently shakes Gabrielle’s thigh.

GABRIELLE
(fuzzily)
What? What is it?

XENA
(fondly)
You’re falling asleep up there.
I think it’s time to pack it in for the night.
Start out again after you’ve gotten
a good night’s sleep.

GABRIELLE
(sarcastically)
Sleep? What’s that?

XENA
Gabrielle . . . .

GABRIELLE
No, I’m fine.
I need to keep going.

XENA
What you need is sleep. And some dinner.
Egypt isn’t going anywhere.

GABRIELLE
(heatedly)
You don’t give the orders around here
anymore, Xena! You’re dead, remember?

(a beat, off of Xena’s hurt look)

You’ve made your choices.
Now let me make mine.

XENA
Gabrielle, listen . . . .

Gabrielle holds up her hand. It’s obvious she’s reached her limit. The lack of sleep and food and the emotional torment she’s been under has taken its final toll. Her words come out in an almost breathless tumble.

GABRIELLE
No, Xena, you listen.
I don’t need food and I don’t need sleep.
What I need is to be left alone.
I need to grieve.  Don’t you understand?

Tears fall unhindered down her face. She doesn’t seem to notice.

GABRIELLE
(cont'd)
You just . . . left me.
And I need to come to terms with that.
But how can I when you keep popping
back into my life as if nothing's wrong?
Well, there is something wrong!
You're dead! You're dead and you're
not coming back! I need to accept
that, and I need to deal with it.
Alone.

She turns her head away, looking off into the far distance for a long moment.

GABRIELLE
(cont'd)
I stood by and let you make your
choice, Xena. Now I need you to
stand by and let me make mine.

(a beat)

Let me go. Let me grieve. Please.

Xena stands immobile, shock written plainly on her face. It’s clear she wants to say something, anything, but the pain of what she’s hearing has stilled her tongue.

GABRIELLE
(cont'd)
Goodbye, Xena.
I love you.

Xena stands and watches as Gabrielle urges Argo into a fast gallop. A single tear traces its way down her cheek.

XENA
(whispering)
Goodbye, Gabrielle.

FADE OUT: