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ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODED TRAIL – MORNING - PRESENT DAY
The group is on the trail. There is a sense of excitement in the air because the journey is coming to an end.
Gabrielle launches into her tail without preamble.
CUT TO:
EXT. FESTIVAL OF BACCHUS - DANCE FLOOR - 30 YEARS AGO - NIGHT
Xena leads Gabrielle to the dance floor. They face one another. Gabrielle is nervous, and a little embarrassed.
GABRIELLE Xena, this is crazy.
XENA (smiling)
No, it’s not. Listen, you
said
GABRIELLE Yes, but I also said I couldn’t dance.
XENA
Sure you can.
Gabrielle watches Xena intently. The music starts and Xena begins to dance.
XENA (Cont’d) Here. Hold your hands up, like this.
Gabrielle imitates Xena’s posture. Xena begins to move her upper body in a slow, swaying motion. Gabrielle copies her.
XENA (Cont’d) Good! Now, do this.
Xena sways her hips to the beat of the drums. She moves slowly at first, but quickens her movements as the music’s pace increases.
Gabrielle stares, wide-eyed.
GABRIELLE If I did that, I think I’d be arrested.
Gabrielle watches Xena’s body as she dances, her face frowning in concentration.
Awkwardly at first, she copies Xena’s moves, then after a few steps, the motion becomes more natural.
GABRIELLE (pleased) Hey, this isn’t so bad.
Xena reaches over and pats Gabrielle on the cheek.
XENA Let’s have some fun.
The music gets a little faster. The dance area fills in, forcing Xena and Gabrielle closer together. More confident now, Gabrielle goes through the dance, a broad smile growing on her face. The steps change, and Xena puts her hands on Gabrielle’s shoulders as they move sideways.
Gabrielle glances at the couple next to them. She lets her hands rest on Xena’s waist timidly, looking up to see Xena’s reaction. Xena just smiles, and moves closer.
The music gets even faster. Xena and Gabrielle move confidently within the group of dancers. Xena swings Gabrielle around in a circle. They part and catch hands. Gabrielle turns and their arms cross, then Xena pulls her back in the other direction and wraps her arms around Gabrielle’s body as she turns, bringing them face to face against each other. Their eyes meet. They both smile at each other, then Xena releases Gabrielle and they sway to the music together.
Gabrielle is suddenly jostled from behind and she stumbles forward. Xena catches her, and then she puts a protective arm around Gabrielle, her hand resting in the small of Gabrielle’s back.
Gabrielle finds a comfortable spot to rest her hands around Xena’s waist as the music slows and dwindles. They end the dance in each other’s arms, a position they hold as the last echo fades.
Then the dancers all part and the spell is broken.
Xena releases Gabrielle.
XENA (Cont’d) See? Told you you could dance.
Looking into Xena’s eyes, Gabrielle smiles.
GABRIELLE Must be your influence. (beat) Thanks.
Gabrielle gives Xena a big hug. Xena, surprisingly, returns the hug just as fiercely. They walk from the dance area hand in hand, and return to their table.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODED TRAIL - DAY - PRESENT DAY
Gabrielle shoots not so covert looks at her listeners. Some are looking decidedly flushed. One is even wiping sweat from her brow with the edge of her gown.
Gabrielle resists the urge to laugh out loud as another walks blindly off of the trail, almost hitting a tree before coming to her senses.
Anteia and Vesta appear somewhat less than comfortable, but before they can say a word, Gabrielle continues with her story.
CUT TO:
EXT. FESTIVAL OF BACCHUS - SERVING AREA - NIGHT - 30 YEARS AGO
Xena and Gabrielle sit down side by side at their table. Both are sweating lightly. A man, tray of mugs in hand, stops before them, smiling. Xena nods and is presented with two mugs. Accepting them, she tosses a couple of coins on his tray and hands one of the mugs to Gabrielle.
The wine and heady atmosphere are taking their toll on many of the revelers. Nearby, a man is deeply kissing a woman sitting on his lap. Gabrielle flushes at the display and turns away, taking a quick sip from her mug before putting it down on the table.
XENA You ok?
GABRIELLE
Oh, sure. Sure. Just…
hot. You know…
Concerned, Xena lays a gentle finger on the pulse point on Gabrielle’s neck, frowning when Gabrielle’s eyes flutter closed and she gasps.
XENA
You sure? Your heart’s
beating
GABRIELLE Really, I’m….
Gabrielle jumps as an amorous couple, oblivious to anything but themselves, crash atop the table. Xena boots them off.
XENA Must be the wine.
GABRIELLE (smiling)
Well, you know what they
say
XENA It’s worth the hangover?
Gabrielle laughs.
GABRIELLE No. (beat)
They say that if you drink
the wine,
Xena lifts her mug and peers into it.
XENA Comforting thought.
GABRIELLE
They also say that if, on
this night,
passion, Bacchus will
become so
Their eyes lock for a moment, before Gabrielle turns away, covering her discomfiture with a small laugh.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) Kinda silly, huh?
XENA (shrugging) It’s a god thing.
GABRIELLE I suppose.
Gabrielle stiffens as she looks out onto the dance floor.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) Xena.
Xena follows Gabrielle’s gaze to spy five young women, all dressed identically in tight black corsets and long capes, their hair slicked back and their skin unnaturally pale.
XENA
‘S’all right.
GABRIELLE How can you be so sure?
Xena points to the women as they laugh and joke with the dancers.
XENA No fangs.
Realizing Xena’s right, Gabrielle relaxes, and even manages a laugh.
GABRIELLE That was quite a time, wasn’t it?
Xena snorts.
XENA You weren’t the one bitten by a Bacchae.
Gabrielle looks over at Xena, then blushes furiously.
XENA (Cont’d)
It’s all right, Gabrielle.
The blush doesn’t fade.
GABRIELLE What… um….
Xena lifts an eyebrow.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) What was it like?
XENA What was what like? Being bitten?
Gabrielle nods. Xena smiles slightly.
XENA (Cont’d) Judge for yourself.
Xena leans over and moves Gabrielle’s hair out of the way, then bites her on the neck. Xena draws back, and waits for Gabrielle’s reaction.
Gabrielle’s eyes are tightly closed; her face, completely still. As Xena watches, her eyes flutter open and she fixes Xena with a stare of a kind Xena’s never seen from her before.
GABRIELLE Xena?
XENA Yes?
GABRIELLE I… I don’t want Bacchus to drive me insane.
Gabrielle impulsively cups Xena’s cheek and kisses her on the lips, the hesitant gesture rapidly becoming far more. Xena responds, and the moment draws out much longer than either intended.
They break apart. Xena’s eyes widen in surprise and consternation. Gabrielle stares at her in shock for a brief moment, then realization hits.
GABRIELLE
I… Gods, Xena… I’m sorr…
Gabrielle is on her feet before Xena is able to gather her wits and put a quick hand on Gabrielle’s wrist.
XENA Gabrielle….
Gabrielle tries to pull away. Xena tightens her grip and stands.
GABRIELLE Xena, just… I need to….
XENA Let’s get some air. C’mon.
Gabrielle stiffens as she feels Xena’s hand descend lightly on her shoulder. Then she nods, reluctantly, and allows Xena to guide her away from the crowd.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWN - 30 YEARS AGO - NIGHT
Xena and Gabrielle walk silently through the mostly deserted town. Though they walk side by side, it is as if a chasm separates them. Gabrielle’s expression is one of misery. Xena radiates concern.
They walk toward a shadowed Inn whose owner is standing outside, the smoke from his crudely carved wooden pipe fragrant in the cool, still air. He nods to them as they cross the threshold into his Inn, but neither responds.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ROOM - 30 YEARS AGO - NIGHT
The sleeping room Xena and Gabrielle share is large, clean and well appointed. A large, down-filled mattress sits atop a wooden platform placed along one wall. An unlit fireplace takes up most of the wall opposite. A circular, braided rug covers the weathered floor in between.
Following Gabrielle inside, Xena closes the door and leans against it, watching as Gabrielle strides into the room, headed straight for their gear.
Gabrielle picks up her staff and stares at it for a moment, rolling it in her hands. She begins hitting it up against an exposed, sturdy beam in the corner of the room; not hard, but with purpose.
GABRIELLE (muttering) Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Of all the… Gods!… idiotic….
Having seen enough, Xena crosses the room and catches the tip of the staff in her hand before it can make contact again.
XENA Gabrielle. That’s enough.
Gabrielle looks up at Xena, blinking, as if just realizing that she’s there. She pulls the staff. Xena lets it go.
Gabrielle places the butt of the staff on the ground, holding onto the weapon as to an anchor. Her eyes examine the floor at her boots.
GABRIELLE (softly) Why are you here?
XENA Why am… Gabrielle….
GABRIELLE
I’m serious, Xena. How
can you (beat)
By the gods, I threw
myself at you like…
XENA Gabrielle, it was a kiss. And a very nice one, as kisses go.
Gabrielle looks at Xena, her expression a mixture of hope and disbelief.
GABRIELLE You didn’t ask for it.
XENA You’re right. I didn’t. (beat)
But not asking for
something and
Gabrielle’s eyes widen.
GABRIELLE
Are you… are you telling
me that
It’s Xena’s turn to look away.
XENA
It’s… complicated. Look,
why don’t
Gabrielle looks from the only piece of furniture in the room, the bed, back to Xena. Xena smiles.
XENA (Cont’d) I promise not to bite.
Despite herself, Gabrielle laughs at Xena’s attempt at humor.
GABRIELLE Not even if I ask you to?
Xena smirks and eases an arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders, turning them both in the direction of the bed.
XENA C’mon.
Xena and Gabrielle sit on the bed, close, but not touching. The silence is thick between them as both attempt to come up with the best way to articulate their thoughts. Gabrielle turns to Xena.
GABRIELLE
You know, Xena, I can't
tell you
XENA Gabrielle….
GABRIELLE (blushing) I know. I’m babbling, aren’t I? (beat) Xena… I’m scared.
Xena goes very still.
XENA (softly) Of me?
GABRIELLE No, Xena. No. Never.
She gathers her thoughts.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d)
You’re my friend… my best
friend.
Xena nods.
XENA
Yes. And to tell you the
GABRIELLE (with wonder) You?
Xena shifts slightly on the bed, her clasped hands hanging between her knees.
XENA
Face it, Gabrielle. My
track record when (beat) I don’t want to mess that up.
Gabrielle nods, and bites her lower lip.
GABRIELLE Can I ask you something?
XENA Sure.
GABRIELLE
You said that not asking
for something
Xena nods.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) Did you want me to kiss you?
After a moment, Xena raises her head and stares Gabrielle directly in the eyes.
XENA Yes.
A slow smile of happiness and relief brightens Gabrielle’s face.
GABRIELLE
Do you think that maybe
our hearts
XENA Maybe they are.
Gabrielle’s smile grows until her entire face seems wreathed in it.
GABRIELLE Can I ask you something else?
XENA Yes.
GABRIELLE Do you… think I could kiss you again?
XENA Yes.
Shyly, tentatively, Gabrielle leans forward and presses her lips against Xena’s in a sweet, tender kiss. Xena responds in kind, letting Gabrielle set the tone for this, their first “real” kiss.
Gabrielle’s hands move up to thread through Xena’s hair and the kiss deepens naturally until both sets of breathing go ragged.
Gabrielle pulls away, reluctantly. Her face is flushed; her eyes, vibrant and shining.
GABRIELLE Wow. That was….
XENA (huskily) Very nice.
GABRIELLE I’ll say. Can we do that again?
Xena chuckles.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d)
I’m serious, Xena. It was
like… poetry.
Gabrielle frowns.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) Except….
Xena’s eyebrow rises.
XENA Except…?
GABRIELLE (blushing furiously)
Except that… well… I don’t
have a lot
XENA Gabrielle….
GABRIELLE
…it wasn’t as if I knew
what I
XENA Gabrielle….
GABRIELLE …he was very sweet and kind and….
Gabrielle’s babbling is cut off by gentle fingers to her lips. Her eyes widen.
XENA (smiling) Trust me.
Gabrielle nods, a little nervously, and Xena removes her fingers and looks down at her, her expression deadly serious.
XENA (Cont’d) Are you okay?
GABRIELLE Yes! Yes, I’m… um… I’m… fine.
XENA Gabrielle….
GABRIELLE No, really! I want this. I want….
Gabrielle looks down at her hands, then back up, shyly.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) I love you, Xena.
Xena lifts a hand and tenderly cups Gabrielle’s face.
XENA (murmuring) I love you too, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle brings forth another beaming smile at Xena’s words, and her body visibly relaxes.
Xena’s head lowers as Gabrielle’s lifts and their lips meet again in gentle exploration. Gabrielle’s hands trail up Xena’s arms, over warm flesh and soft leather, until they tangle in her hair, pressing them more closely together.
Xena settles Gabrielle more comfortably against her, lost in a feeling of love and warmth that far surpasses any passion she’s ever known.
She has no time to dwell upon that, however, as Gabrielle’s mouth grows more insistent. With a small smile, she lowers them both to rest on the bed, stretched out on their sides, facing one another.
Pulling away just slightly, she reaches over to stroke tangled bangs from Gabrielle’s forehead. She smiles as Gabrielle’s eyes flutter open to focus on hers.
XENA How you doing?
GABRIELLE (smiling brilliantly) Wonderful.
Propping her head up on her free hand, Xena brushes her fingers along the exposed flesh of Gabrielle’s neck and belly, watching as her eyes flutter closed again as her breathing increases.
Gabrielle feels as if she’s flying. Xena’s touches, so tender and sure, set off small explosions of sensation each time they brush against her. Her heart races, and her lungs draw in deep.
She feels a slight tugging, then shivers as her top is gently parted and the coolness of the night air grazes across her skin as if in worship.
The cool air is replaced by the warmth of Xena’s hands, and then the deeper warmth of her mouth. Gabrielle cries out softly as her body responds, requesting more.
All too soon, the warmth is replaced by the night air’s chill as the body lying next to her seems to vanish. Gabrielle reaches out blindly. Her eyes open in time to see Xena stripping her leathers off, her skin bathed in the moonlight streaming in through the open shutters.
Gabrielle’s mouth becomes suddenly dry, and she tries, unsuccessfully, to swallow.
GABRIELLE By the gods….
Xena smiles, looking down at Gabrielle as she removes the last of her clothing. She is awed by the absolute beauty of the woman she loves.
With easy grace, she returns to the bed. She wraps Gabrielle in a strong embrace, needing to feel every part of the smaller body against her own. She shivers as she feels Gabrielle’s lips explore her neck and the top of her chest, and her head lolls back to give her more access.
Xena lets her hands roam, reveling in the soft skin beneath her sensitive fingertips. She gauges Gabrielle’s reactions to each touch and caress even as she feels a fresh wash of passion break over her from Gabrielle’s increasingly bold explorations.
Gabrielle cries out again as she feels her belt loosened and her skirt unwrapped. Any chill is immediately overridden by the all-encompassing warmth of Xena’s legs as they tangle around her own.
The feeling is almost overwhelming, and when she feels a hand slide gently along her thigh, she becomes lost in the sensation of sweet love and burning desire.
Her body demands what her mouth cannot, and her unvoiced wish is granted, consuming her completely. Her thoughts shatter and are driven away by a need so powerful that she can do nothing but give in to it.
Warm lips meet hers again, and she takes them greedily as her body responds to the gentle, coaxing touches. With a soft moan, her body releases its tension in a surge so powerful that nothing else exists but waves of indescribable sensation.
Gabrielle comes back to earth held in strong arms that rock her gently as a deep voice whispers nonsense words into her ear.
Heavy eyelids finally open and she stares, dazed, into the moon-shadowed room, totally unaware of the blissful smile covering her face.
Grinning, Xena brushes sweat soaked bangs away from Gabrielle’s eyes.
XENA You ok?
GABRIELLE Me? Ohhh yeah. I’m just… just great. (beat) I can’t feel my legs, but I’m… wow!
Chuckling softly, Xena gathers Gabrielle tight against her. Gabrielle’s head tips back and they kiss.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
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