ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. GABRIELLE'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT

Gabrielle sleeps fitfully, tossing and turning several times. She pulls the thin blanket over one shoulder and settles once again, facing toward the shadow looming over her.

As Gabrielle settles into deeper sleep, Xena steps silently away from the wall. The shadow thrown by her body becomes larger as she approaches Gabrielle's bed and kneels down, never taking her eyes from Gabrielle's face.

A not-quite steady hand reaches out, as if to touch the tousled hair glowing in the torch's light.

XENA
(whispering)
I love you too, Gabrielle

Gabrielle's eyes snap open, and Xena flinches back as Gabrielle's arm comes up from under the blanket, holding one of her sais, lethal point outward. Still, Gabrielle manages to open up a small scratch on Xena's upper arm in the first split second between full sleep, and full awareness.

Xena steps back into the shadows as Gabrielle jumps out of bed, weapon at the ready. She's immediately takes a defensive pose holding the sai up and placing a hand in front of her. She looks carefully at the darkened corner and slowly lowers her hand as her mind makes the realization of what she's just done, and to whom.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

A queer buzzing sounds in her ears, and she realizes that it's the blood rushing from her head. She sways for a moment, then steadies, still staring into the shadows. She blinks rapidly, as if to convince herself that what she's seeing is there, and not a figment of her imagination. Or a dream.

GABRIELLE
(Cont'd)
Xena?

Xena starts to step from the shadows, but something holds her back. Her eyes are concerned, but wary.

GABRIELLE
Please, Xena.
Please... gods... say something.
Anything.

XENA
(whispering)
Gabrielle.

Gabrielle falters slightly at the sound of her name spoken by her soulmate. Then she straightens, still rooted in place by uncertainty.

GABRIELLE
Am I dreaming?

XENA
(softly)
No. You're not dreaming.

Gabrielle gasps and covers her mouth with her hand as tears spring to her eyes.

GABRIELLE
But how? Why?

Xena takes a small step into the light. Her face is somber, but her eyes shine with love.

XENA
Because you asked.
(beat)
And because I love you.

Seeing Gabrielle still frozen, she takes another step and holds out a hand.

XENA
(softly)
It's okay.

GABRIELLE
I… can't….

She stops speaking abruptly as her eyes focus on a small tear in the cloth of the shirt Xena's wearing. Her lips move, but no sound, save for a rasping intake of breath, emerges.

XENA
(concernedly)
Gabrielle?

Still silent, Gabrielle closes the distance between them, and reaches up to the tear in the cloth. She draws her fingers slowly away and brings them up to the light, rubbing them with her thumb. As if in a trance, she brings them slowly to her mouth and tastes them.

She looks up then, her eyes shining with a mixture of emotions impossible to name.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

XENA
(whispering)
Yes?

GABRIELLE
Ghosts don't bleed....
(beat)
Do they?

Xena's eyes close for a moment, and when they reopen, they are filled with unshed tears.

XENA
No. They don't.

Xena doesn't have time to brace herself fully before her arms are full of Gabrielle. She takes a step back and braces them both against the solid support of the wall and enfolds her soulmate into an embrace filled with warmth and devotion. Laying her cheek on Gabrielle's hair, she closes her eyes tightly as she feels the younger woman's sobs shudder through her.

Gabrielle presses herself as tightly against Xena as she can, not minding the unfamiliar clothing, nor the scent that clothing still bears. Her ear is pressed against Xena's chest, and over her own sobs, she can hear a sound she thought she never again would. The beating of Xena's heart, strong and steady in her ear, proves above all else that the woman she holds to so fiercely is indeed alive.

After a long, emotional moment, Gabrielle pulls away slightly and tilts her head, blindly searching as her hand moves up into Xena's hair. Their lips meet as fiercely as their bodies' embrace, reaffirming a connection that exists beyond death, and life.

Breaths slightly ragged, they break apart. Gabrielle takes a half step back, while Xena remains against the wall, watching.

Lifting her hands, Gabrielle uses just the tips of her fingers to touch Xena's face, as if to memorize her eyebrows, her cheeks, the shape of her lips. Her fingers trail along Xena's neck, down the center of her chest, and come to rest at her waist.

GABRIELLE
(whispering)
I can't believe you're here. Alive.

XENA
(hoarsely)
Gabrielle, there are things I need
to tell you. I....

GABRIELLE
No, Xena. No. Not now.

XENA
We have to talk. The situation....

Gabrielle covers Xena's lips with her fingers, stilling them.

GABRIELLE
....will have to wait.

Xena's expression softens in understanding. Gabrielle traces Xena's lips, then turns her knuckles so she can feel Xena's breath against them. A heartbreakingly tremulous smile appears on Gabrielle's face.

GABRIELLE
(Cont'd)
My soul just walked out of the shadows.
Life needs to back off and let me savor it.

Xena puts her arms around Gabrielle. She can feel Gabrielle shivering. Gabrielle leans her head and presses her ear to Xena's chest to listen to her heartbeat. Xena closes her eyes and strokes Gabrielle's hair.

XENA
In that case, we might as well get comfortable.

Gabrielle nods, then lifts her head up and they walk to the pallet, curling up on it together as Xena pulls the blankets around them.

FADE TO:

INT. GABRIELLE'S CHAMBERS - MORNING

Gabrielle is lying on the bed, her head propped up on one hand, watching with pleasure as Xena pulls on her familiar leathers and armor.

Xena looks at her partner as she slips the strap on her shoulder. She gives her a questioning smile

XENA
What?

GABRIELLE
It's nice to know dreams do come true.

XENA
(smiling)
Occasionally they do.
(beat)
I'm glad you kept my leathers.

GABRIELLE
I wanted more than a jar of ashes.
I needed more than that.

Xena can see that Gabrielle is about to break down. She joins her, taking a seat on the bed and rubbing her arm in a comforting manner.

XENA
I understand.
And I know we have a lot to deal with.

GABRIELLE
Oh yes, Xena, this is going to
require a LONG talk.

XENA
Lots of them I'm sure.

GABRIELLE
A few.
But right now….

XENA
(smiling)
Right now we have a job to do?

GABRIELLE
Yeah.
That reminds me!

Xena smiles when Gabrielle jumps out of bed and moves to her belongings. From the bag she pulls the jar and places it on the table. Xena shivers a bit but continues to watch Gabrielle. She removes something and hold it close to her chest, taking a deep breath and turning the hold the CHAKRAM out for Xena.

GABRIELLE
I believe this belongs to you.

Xena looks at the weapon, in Gabrielle's hand, hesitating for just a moment before stepping forward. She looks to Gabrielle, who smiles and offers the weapon once again. Xena wipes her hands nervously on her leathers, then slowly grasps it, audibly sighing when her hand doesn't pass through it.

Gabrielle laughs, tears coming to her eyes as Xena takes the chakram and places it on her hip where it properly belongs.

XENA
I have to say that feels good.

GABRIELLE
It looks good too.

Gabrielle rushes forward and puts her arms around Xena's neck. Xena returns the embrace.

GABRIELLE
Thank you.

XENA
For?

GABRIELLE
Coming home.

Both look up as they hear the sound of running footsteps headed in their direction. Zenobia and two of her GUARDS rush in.

ZENOBIA
Gabrielle! Amun is missing! I fear he was....

Her words cut off abruptly as she sees her top military commander in the embrace of a tall, heavily armed warrior.

ZENOBIA
Gabrielle? What's going on here?!

GABRIELLE
(sheepishly)
I can explain.

ZENOBIA
(over Gabrielle)
Guards!

GABRIELLE
WAIT!

The guards freeze in their tracks at Gabrielle's shouted order. They look to their Queen in confusion.

GABRIELLE
(Cont'd)
Zenobia, please. There's no danger.
This is... kind of hard to explain, actually.

Zenobia narrows her eyes.

GABRIELLE
(Cont'd)
Zenobia, this is Xena.
Xena, meet Queen Zenobia.

Zenobia's jaw drops and she stares at the two in patent disbelief.

ZENOBIA
You said she was dead!

XENA
(dryly)
I got better.

ZENOBIA
This is... impossible.

GABRIELLE
I'll grant that it seems that way, yes.
I'm still trying to get used to it myself, but
believe me when I tell you, Zenobia, that
this isn't the first time we've been
around this particular block.

ZENOBIA
Explain yourself.

GABRIELLE
(wincing)
Like I said, it's kind of hard to explain, but
dying, and coming back, isn't something
we're altogether unfamiliar with.

ZENOBIA
(disbelievingly)
Are you seriously trying to tell me that
this has happened to you before?

GABRIELLE
More than once.

Zenobia looks as if she wants to argue the point further, but the absolute sincerity in Gabrielle's eyes convinces her of the truth more than any words ever could. She shakes her head over the absurdity of it, but can do nothing but believe.

ZENOBIA
Fine. Assuming that you are telling the truth,
how exactly did you come to be here, Xena?

XENA
I came here because Gabrielle was here.
As for how I was restored to life, I used
my powers of persuasion to my
advantage. I went to Lucifer and
convinced him to resurrect me.

ZENOBIA
(to Gabrielle)
This is the same Lucifer you told me of?
The one who is behind the attacks on this city?

GABRIELLE
(softly, her suspicion confirmed)
Yes.

ZENOBIA
GUARDS!

GABRIELLE
Wait! Please, let her finish.

Zenobia eyes them both then nods, with reluctance.

XENA
He didn't care too much for the way your
people were kicking the tar out of his troops.
He sent me up here to lend a hand.

ZENOBIA
And so you were using your 'powers of
persuasion' to turn Gabrielle against us?

GABRIELLE
Zenobia! That's not fair.

ZENOBIA
Isn't it? I walk in here to find you in the
arms of the woman you have been mourning
since before you set foot inside my city. A
woman who freely admits that she was
resurrected at the behest of the enemy we
are currently fighting against. What would
you have me think, Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE
That I'm telling you the truth.
Zenobia, I've never lied to you.

ZENOBIA
(softly)
Love makes us sometimes do things
we otherwise wouldn't, Gabrielle.

XENA
I'd lie to you in a heartbeat, but
she never would.

ZENOBIA
(considering)
Perhaps not, but....

The Queen signals the guards who take up a position on either side of Xena and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
(looking at the guards)
You're joking, right? You do realize that
if Xena were really here to sabotage us
she would have done it by now?
She snuck into the city.

(looking to Xena)
Tripped my arrow trap.

Xena looks toward the ceiling trying to look innocent.

GABRIELLE
Captured Amun….
(realizing what she just said)
Xena?

XENA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
Where is Amun?

XENA
(sheepishly)
I had to stash him.
He's fine. Just sleeping.

Zenobia rubs her forehead, then looks back to them.

ZENOBIA
I should have you both put in chains.

(sighing)
But, I fear that if Xena is in allegiance
with the demon Lucifer, his troops would
only crush us. And I'm wise enough to
know that if she's not, then we have a much
better chance of defeating him with her help

XENA
That's why I'm here.
I want to help you.

ZENOBIA
Then I don't believe I have much choice.
However, I'm most certainly not comfortable
with this change of events.  If I see one
thing, just one thing that makes me believe
you are not being true to your word, I will not
hesitate to do whatever is necessary to stop you.

XENA
Understandable. I would expect no less.

Zenobia looks to Gabrielle, frustration at her situation clearly written on her face.

ZENOBIA
I'm trusting you, Gabrielle.
Don't make me regret that.

GABRIELLE
We won't. I promise.

Zenobia nods and turns to leave the room, taking her guards with her. Once she is gone Gabrielle rounds on Xena, hands on her hips.

GABRIELLE
Now, you want to tell me the real truth
about your little deal with Lucifer?

XENA
That pretty much was the real truth.
I just left out one little detail.

GABRIELLE
Yes?

XENA
I was supposed to kill you, go back to Hell,
become his second in command and trap
your soul before you went to heaven so I
could have you by my side forever.

GABRIELLE
Oh, is that all?

XENA
Pretty much, yes.

GABRIELLE
Well, you can't capture what you
already own, now can you?

XENA
(shocked)
Still?

GABRIELLE
Always.

Gabrielle grins at having rendered her partner speechless.

GABRIELLE
(Cont'd)
C'mon. Let's go show 'em how the
Warrior Princess and her Battling Bard
win wars and influence people.

Blithely turning her back on Xena, she leaves the room, while Xena stares after her, smiling wryly and shaking her head.

CUT TO:

INT. LUCIFER'S CHAMBERS

Lucifer sits on his newly restored throne, staring into his private portal. The image wavers constantly between crystal clarity and fuzzy static. Growling, he gives the side of the portal a good healthy rap, and the image steadies for a brief moment, before going fuzzy and distorted again.

LUCIFER
I am not amused.

Standing at the door, two GUARDS shrink back in fear. They've spent the better part of a small eternity picking up the pieces of the last two demons to guard the room, and they're none too anxious to be next in line.

LUCIFER
(Cont'd)
Beezel!

The left hand guard gulps.

BEEZEL
Yes, Sire?

LUCIFER
Get over here.

BEEZEL
Yes, Sire.

A funeral dirge plays as Beezel slowly walks across the floor, head hanging down.

LUCIFER
Stand next to the portal.

BEEZEL
Yes, Sire.

LUCIFER
Now hold both arms up, like this.

BEEZEL
Like this, Sire?

LUCIFER
No, you fool! Are you blind as well as stupid?
Like this!
(demonstrating)
Ah, perfect. Now hold it right like that.

BEEZEL
Hold what, Sire?

LUCIFER
(growling)
Don't. Move. An. Inch.

BEEZEL
Yes, Sire.

The portal's reception immediately clears, and Lucifer leans forward, anticipation evident in his posture. As the image zooms in, his eyes narrow, and his face begins to take on the color of the flaming pits surrounding him.

LUCIFER
DAMN HER!!!

BEEZEL
Damn who, Sire?

LUCIFER
Oh Xena, Xena, Xena. Did you really
think painting those torrid religious
symbols on the tunnel doors would be
enough to keep me away from you?
(beat)
If you even think of double-crossing me,
the seven levels of my domain will seem
a paradise compared to what I'll relish
doing to you for all eternity.
(beat)
Beezel!

BEEZEL
Yes, Sire?

LUCIFER
Call up my soldiers. I may have
a little job for them soon.

BEEZEL
(gratefully)
Yes, Sire.

FADE OUT.

ACT 4