ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. TEMPLE GROUNDS - DAY - PRESENT DAY

Gabrielle’s voice trails to silence.  Looking around, she immediately notices that the group is somewhat more disheveled than before.  It’s also a bit smaller.

GABRIELLE

Where are Anteia and Vesta?

A young Virgin, sporting a beautiful rosy flush, points over Gabrielle’s left shoulder.

VIRGIN #3

(hoarsely)

They….

The Virgin clears her throat and tries again.

VIRGIN #3

(Cont’d)

They… fainted… back there.

Gabrielle whirls around, immediately spotting the two slumped forms attended by two Virgins frantically fanning their faces.  As she watches, another Virgin uncaps her water skin and douses the two with water.

Anteia and Vesta come to, sputtering and gasping.  They sit up, spy Gabrielle, and faint again.

Gabrielle turns back, smirking.

GABRIELLE

Wonder if that means they liked it.

VIRGIN #3

(enthusiastically)

I sure did!

VIRGIN #4

So did I!

VIRGIN #5

Me too!

Gabrielle notices that this young woman is dripping wet, from head to toe.

GABRIELLE

What happened to you?

The Virgin cocks a thumb over her shoulder.

VIRGIN #5

Cold pond.

Gabrielle stares off in the indicated direction and watches as two more Virgins struggle out of the pond, pulling the sodden fabric of their gowns away from their bodies.

GABRIELLE

Not exactly how I imagined
winning my bet but….

She looks over at Peony, who smiles shyly.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Guess this means you can go
to the Temple then, huh?

PEONY

I think I changed my mind.

VIRGINS

What?

PEONY

After hearing Gabrielle’s story, I don’t
think life as a Hestian Virgin is for me.

The Virgins look at one another, then back at Peony.  Their gazes, this time, are kind.

VIRGIN #2

I wish I had your courage.

PEONY

Courage?

VIRGIN #2

Yes.  I mean… now I can understand
Gabrielle’s point.  You don’t have to
be a Hestian Virgin to feel love.

VIRGIN #3

And that sex-act stuff
is pretty good too!

The other Virgins nod vigorously.

VIRGIN #2

It’s just that… being a Hestian is all I know.
I’ve served her since I was a child.

(beat)

I don’t think I could give that up.

Gabrielle looks at the rest of the group.  They look away shyly, heads lowered in shame.

Gabrielle smiles.

GABRIELLE

Don’t feel bad.  It takes a great deal
of courage just to open your mind.
And you did that, right?

The Virgins nod.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

There you go then.

(beat)

Well, I guess this is it, then.  I’m sure
your new Priestess is waiting for you.

One by one, the Virgins come forward to hug both Gabrielle and Peony.  Then, after final smiles, they take their leaves, heading for the TEMPLE DOORS, which open to them in welcome.

PEONY

Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE

Yes?

PEONY

That story… it was about

you and Xena, wasn’t it.

Gabrielle looks a little surprised, but nods.

PEONY

(Cont’d)

I thought so.

(shyly smiling)

That kiss she gave you when
we met was pretty nice.

Gabrielle laughs.

GABRIELLE

That was Xena being Xena.

PEONY

Can I ask you something else?

GABRIELLE

Sure.

PEONY

Are you… an Amazon?

GABRIELLE

Yes, I am.  Why?

PEONY

Oh.  I just….

Is it true what they say about the
Amazons?  That they’re wonderful….

Her voice trails off as the Virgins attending Anteia and Vesta close in.

PEONY

(Cont’d)

…fighters?

GABRIELLE

(smirking)

Some of the best around.

PEONY

Do you think they could use another…
you know… fighter?  Even if she
hasn’t ever… fought… before?

GABRIELLE

I think they’d welcome
you with open arms.

Peony grins happily.

PEONY

Thanks!

Well, I think I’d better go before
Anteia and Vesta wake up again.

GABRIELLE

Will you be okay here?

PEONY

Oh sure!  I have an aunt who lives
in the city.  I’ll stay with her until
I decide what to do with my life.

GABRIELLE

Well, as I said, the Amazons
would be happy to have you.

Stepping forward, Peony hugs Gabrielle tightly.

PEONY

Thank you for everything, Gabrielle.
And thank Xena, too, ok?

GABRIELLE

Xena?

PEONY

Sure!  If she’d been the one escorting
us, I don’t think we’d have learned
what we did from you, you know?

GABRIELLE

Hm.  I never thought about it like that.

Peony laughs, and pulls away.

PEONY

Well, goodbye, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

Bye, Peony.  Be well.

After watching Peony leave, Gabrielle, still smiling, turns to retrace her steps back to Xena. On the way, she passes Anteia and Vesta, who are just beginning to wake up.  She gives both an engaging grin and waggles her fingers at them in farewell.

They faint again.

Gabrielle’s laughter rings through the air.

CUT TO:

EXT. CLEARING - NEXT EVENING

Gabrielle enters the clearing where she and Xena parted ways three days previous.

Her face falls when she sees the area completely empty.  Concern mixes with disappointment as she takes another step, scanning the clearing intently.

GABRIELLE

Xena?

She senses the presence a split second before it materializes behind her, and stiffens as a warm hand is placed over her eyes.  Then she relaxes and a smile blooms.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

(happily)

Xena.

XENA

Close your eyes.

GABRIELLE

Close…but….

XENA

Close your eyes.

A little thrill of excitement runs through Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

Okay.  They’re closed.

XENA

Good.

Xena removes her hand.  Gabrielle then feels a soft cloth as it is drawn over her eyes and tied in the back of her head, blindfolding her.

Stepping from behind Gabrielle, Xena takes her arm at the elbow.

XENA

(Cont’d)

C’mon.

GABRIELLE

Xena?

XENA

Trust me.

Gabrielle smiles, remembering the story she’s told, and willingly allows Xena to lead her onward.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW CLEARING - EVENING

Xena escorts Gabrielle to a new, smaller and more private clearing very close to the water.  A gently steaming bowl of water sits beside a large sea sponge atop a rock beside a tree.

Releasing her grip on Gabrielle, Xena moves behind her and gently slides the straps of Gabrielle’s top over her shoulders and down her arms.  Pulling the back ties free, she removes the garment from Gabrielle and places it on the ground beside the rock.

Pressing a languid kiss against one bare shoulder, Xena then unwraps Gabrielle’s skirt and sets it aside.  Gabrielle’s undergarment and boots are next, drawn off with slow seduction.

Xena moves to the rock, picks up the sea sponge, and dips it into the warm water.  She begins to bathe Gabrielle’s shoulders and back.

Gabrielle sighs in pure pleasure.

GABRIELLE

Ohh, I like this.

XENA

I thought you might.

The rest of Gabrielle’s body receives the same loving attention, as every part of her is gently cleaned, then patted dry with a soft piece of linen.

She shivers slightly as an incredibly plush fur is drawn carefully around her shoulders, the edges brushing against her calves.

With a guiding touch to her back, Xena leads Gabrielle to a spot closer to the water where a variety of food and drink is laid out, picnic style. A small fire blazes merrily nearby.

Gabrielle smells the food.  Her stomach grumbles. She blushes.

GABRIELLE

Sorry about that.
I haven’t eaten in awhile.

(beat)

Gods, it smells delicious!

Chuckling, Xena helps Gabrielle sit atop a luxurious, deep black bearskin.  Gabrielle moans in pleasure as the thick, soft fur slides along her limbs.

Xena lowers herself to a matching fur, sitting cross-legged facing Gabrielle so that their knees casually brush.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Xena?

XENA

Yes?

GABRIELLE

This is a wonderful surprise.
And I’m not complaining at all, believe me.
But… why are you doing this for me?

She grins.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Is it because you cheated and
stuck me with the Virgin Horde?

Xena chuckles softly.

XENA

No, that’s not why.  Though I
do apologize for cheating.

GABRIELLE

Apology accepted.  And though I’d
probably rather get my toenails
pulled out than admit this….

I kind of enjoyed myself.

(beat, softer)

So… why?

Xena smiles and cups Gabrielle’s cheek.

XENA

Gabrielle, in all the time we’ve known
one another, you’ve taken care of me
in ways that no one ever has.  You’ve
made me feel cherished, and loved.

I want to give that back to you.

Gabrielle places her hand over Xena’s and squeezes.

GABRIELLE

Xena, not a day goes by that
you don’t make me feel like the
most treasured person alive.

Xena smiles shyly.

XENA

If I could, I would give you the
world, and everything in it.

(beat)

Allow me to give you this one night.

Turning her head, Gabrielle places a kiss in Xena’s palm.

GABRIELLE

I love it already.

XENA

Good.

Pulling her hand softly away, she resettles herself, reaching into a bowl of oiled, salted olives.

XENA

Open your mouth.

Gabrielle readily complies.  Xena places the olive on Gabrielle’s tongue.

Gabrielle hums as she rolls the fruit around in her mouth, savoring the flavor as she separates the meat from the pit and swallows.

Disposing of the pit, she opens her mouth again, and Xena feeds her another olive, and then another.

A piece of lamb, warm and expertly seasoned, is next, and Gabrielle groans as she takes the morsel from Xena’s fingers.

A sip of wine from a silver chalice follows.

GABRIELLE

This wine… it’s the same kind we
had at the Bacchanalia, isn’t it?

XENA

(smiling)

Yes.

GABRIELLE

But how?

XENA

I have many skills.

Gabrielle’s laughter is halted by another olive, this time delivered from Xena’s own mouth.  They share a deep, sensual kiss as the exchange is made.

Xena pulls away and spits the pit into the fire.  Gabrielle swallows the olive.

Breaking into a small loaf of warm bread, Xena soaks it in herbed oil, and feeds the bread to Gabrielle, a small bit at a time.  Gabrielle’s lips linger over Xena’s fingers as much as the food she’s being offered and Xena growls, low in her throat.  Gabrielle grins.

Another olive, and another kiss that leaves them both breathless and wanting more.

Xena pulls away again, fingers trailing over Gabrielle’s arms as she does so.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Would you like some dessert?

Gabrielle nods, rapidly.

Xena smirks.

Reaching into a bowl filled with fresh, cool fruit, she selects a large, ripe strawberry.  Lifting it to Gabrielle’s mouth, she draws the tip of it back and forth across Gabrielle’s slightly parted lips.

Gabrielle moans.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Open.

Gabrielle bites into the sweet fruit, breathing deep as the taste bursts inside her mouth, filling it with the flavor of summer.

Xena draws the remaining half of the strawberry down the underside of Gabrielle’s chin, down her neck, her chest, and into the valley between her breasts.

GABRIELLE

(huskily)

By the gods.

A hot mouth descends on her flesh as Xena’s tongue slowly removes the trail of juice she’s just laid.  Lips meet again in a kiss of dizzying passion.

Sensing Xena is readying herself to pull away, Gabrielle holds her tightly and tips back, pulling Xena with her until they are both lying full out on the bearskin.

Gabrielle squirms on the fur, plucking at her blindfold.

GABRIELLE

Xena, please.  I need to see you.

Smiling, Xena rises up on one elbow and gently slips the cloth from Gabrielle’s eyes.

Gabrielle breathes deeply as she watches the moon bathe Xena’s soft skin and bring special radiance to the blue of her eyes.

XENA

(very softly)

Many years ago, in a clearing
much like this one, I met my destiny.

She strokes Gabrielle’s hair.

XENA

(Cont’d)

I fell in love with her that very day.

Leaning down, Xena kisses Gabrielle with all the love within her, then pulls away only enough to whisper into her ear.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Happy Anniversary, Gabrielle.

FADE OUT.

DISCLAIMER
Rob Tapert's reputation was not harmed by the making of
this motion picture. And Xena and Gabrielle are *forever* grateful.

The Subtext Virtual Season 7
will return on March 20, 2002!