Production #V712 - Episode 12

STORY BY
Denise Byrd & Trish Kocialski

TELEPLAY BY
TNovan

DIRECTED BY / PRODUCED BY
Denise Byrd  / Carol Stephens

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair

ARTWORK
Lucia

EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC
MaryD

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

XENA and GABRIELLE are standing back to back in defensive poses.  Xena has her SWORD in her hand and a smirk on her face.  Gabrielle has her SAIS drawn and is watching several of the men that have them surrounded. It's very clear that none of their opponents really concern either woman.

GABRIELLE

(teasing)

Go in to town, you said.
Get a hot meal, you said.

XENA

Like I KNEW the town was under attack?

GABRIELLE

(smirking)

So much for your many skills.

Xena chuckles, then lands a left cross on the jaw of one of the men foolish enough to move within striking distance.

As Gabrielle fights along side Xena, she notices the residents of the town are putting up very little fight against the thugs.  Most of the villagers are hiding behind any cover available to them.  A few of the younger men are attempting to assist, but mostly they are on their own.

Xena and Gabrielle turn and end up facing each other as they prepare for the next round.  Without a word, Xena reaches out and puts her left hand on Gabrielle's head, pushing her down. As soon as Gabrielle is out of the way, Xena swings her sword and cuts down the bandit who was going to skewer her partner from behind.

Gabrielle turns very briefly, just in time to see the man fall to the ground.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Remind me to thank you later.

XENA

Count on it.

Both women continue to fight the gang of thugs. Xena is obviously enjoying the little skirmish. There is a wild look in her eyes and a satisfied grin on her face as she throws a combination of punches and kicks at the men who surround her.

Gabrielle wrenches a sword from the hand of the man in front of her, then kicks him backward.  She regains her footing and turns to find the next bad guy. Her defenses slowly lower as she watches Xena take down the last three men.  As the last man falls to the ground the remaining men pick themselves up and make a hasty retreat.

Xena is still looking for a fight. She glances around quickly, breathing heavily and prepared to launch another attack.

Very slowly the occupants of the village come out of hiding and gather around Xena, who is still looking for another attack.  Gabrielle smiles as she watches the villagers go to her partner.  They are cheering now, and offering their thanks to her.

Xena slowly brings down her defenses, and quietly starts to accept the praise of the crowd. Gabrielle stands back with a smile and watches as old women try to give gifts of food and children offer flowers to their hero.

As they make eye contact with each other, Gabrielle can sense the power and the energy coming from Xena. She gives her head a little shake and glances back as Xena is led away by the grateful townspeople.

Tucking her sais away, she looks around at the village which has taken a huge amount of damage from the attack.  The injured are being helped up by a few able bodied people.

Sighing, she runs her fingers through her hair, as she takes a mental inventory of what needs to be done now that the fight is over.  As she considers the problems before them, an old WOMAN moves to her side.

WOMAN

Come child, surely you need food and rest.

GABRIELLE

Thank you, but I’m fine.

WOMAN

I'm Cassandra. You and your
friend are truly saviors.

GABRIELLE

I wouldn't go that far.

CASSANDRA

Oh, I would. We haven't had a moment’s peace
since Rellton came into the valley. He and his men

are always pillaging or demanding tribute. We are
a village of simple farmers and craftsmen.  You
and your friend have truly saved us.

Cassandra looks to the inn where Xena has been led.

CASSANDRA

(Cont’d)

She is a natural born leader.

GABRIELLE

Yes. Yes, she is.

CASSANDRA

Do you think she would be willing to help us?
Possibly train some of our men to defend us?

GABRIELLE

I...I don't know.

Gabrielle looks to Xena who is standing in a crowd comprised of the younger men of the village. They are in awe of her and it's quite clear she is enjoying the attention. Raw energy is practically pouring from her.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

You can only ask her.

CASSANDRA

Then I will have Elder Dugan make the inquiry.

(beat)

I'm afraid if she accepts, we can't
offer much in the form of payment.

Gabrielle chews her lip for a moment, and then gives a slight smile to the old woman.

GABRIELLE

If she accepts, it won't be for what
you can pay her. She'll do it because
 that's what she does.

Cassandra notices almost a melancholy look on Gabrielle's face.

CASSANDRA

Is there something wrong, child?

GABRIELLE

No. I was just thinking about the past.

CASSANDRA

Oh, take it from someone who has
lived as long as I, the past is
a dangerous place to dwell.

GABRIELLE

Trust me, I know. But have you ever
wondered what the world would be
like today, if just one thing in
your past were different?

CASSANDRA

I think everyone has had that
thought at one time or another.

GABRIELLE

I think I just had mine.

She looks around, realizing there are things to be done.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

I really should help these people.
Will you excuse me?

CASSANDRA

Of course, but please come to the
inn soon and have something to eat.

GABRIELLE

(reassuringly)

I will. I promise.

Cassandra moves toward the inn as Gabrielle walks toward the building being set up as the hospice. As she walks, she watches Xena, who is now showing a young man the proper way to wield a sword.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

(to herself)

What would you be now, Xena? If I had
died in Thessaly, where would you be?
Would you be ruling Greece with
Solan at your side as your heir?

Shaking these thoughts off, Gabrielle enters the hospice.

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE