ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. LAKESIDE BOULDER - EARLY EVENING

Gabrielle sits on a rock, watching the sun set over the lake. She has a handful of flat stones, and as she sits and thinks she throws them one at a time across the surface of the water. They skip several times, before they finally drop below the water and sink, leaving behind ripples.

GABRIELLE

I remember the day you taught

me about ripples, Xena.

Gabrielle throws a rock, and watches it skip and sink.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

The water gets smooth again, but it’s

changed forever. Boy, were you right.

Unseen, Xena stands in the shadows behind her, listening.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

I’ve changed.

Raya appears from the trees. She approaches Gabrielle cautiously, looking around as though she expects something to jump out at her. Gabrielle sees her.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Need something?

Raya walks over and sits on a neighboring rock.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Got any more gorillas you want to

sic on me? Or maybe you’ll bring

in a Hydra this time. That’ll be fun.

Gabrielle’s dark tone and obvious rancor surprises Raya a little. It probably surprises Xena a little as well.

RAYA

Gabrielle, you make it sound

like we’re enemies.

GABRIELLE

Aren’t we?

RAYA

We both want what’s best for the

Amazons. You’ve proved yourself

a fine warrior and....

GABRIELLE

Gee, thanks.

Raya frowns.

RAYA

Most of us would follow you, if

you were willing to compromise.

GABRIELLE

Compromise.

RAYA

Xena is not one of us, and she never

will be. But there are those of us who

are true Amazons, and who would

gladly partner with you to lead us.

GABRIELLE

None of you have the experience Xena does.

RAYA

But....

GABRIELLE

And she’s the only one that

*I* would trust to do this.

(beat)

So. Take your pick. Follow Xena or

stay here and be slaughtered.

RAYA

(angrily)

We will never follow her.

Raya gets up and storms off. Gabrielle chucks a rock after her, narrowly missing her back.  It gets quiet in the clearing again. Gabrielle runs out of stones and sits looking out at the water.

FADE TO:

EXT. FOREST GLADE - NIGHT - XENA’S POV

Xena stands in the shadows, watching Gabrielle. An owl hoots nearby, and Xena looks up at it.

XENA

Wish me luck.

The owl hoots again.

Xena enters the clearing and walks over to Gabrielle, sitting down on the rock by her side. They remain silent for a bit, just sitting there each with private thoughts occupying them.

GABRIELLE

I don’t know what to do, Xena.

It’s just so pointless.

Do they want to die?

XENA

No.

(beat)

At least, I don’t think so. But they want

to survive on their own terms.

Gabrielle sighs.

GABRIELLE

I’m trying to help them. Why can’t

they just cooperate with me?

XENA

Mm. Know how you feel.

Gabrielle looks at Xena. She is upset.

GABRIELLE

How could you think I’d use

something as personal to me as

our relationship for a political end?

XENA

That’s not what I....

GABRIELLE

(angrily)

You know it is, Xena! I realize you

made a promise to Ephiny, but damn

it, this means something to me and we

both know how you really feel about

commitment of any kind, don’t we?

XENA

Gabrielle....

GABRIELLE

Don’t we? You made it clear

enough the last time ump....

Xena puts her hand over Gabrielle’s mouth, gently but forcefully.

XENA

Wanna let me talk for a minute?

Gabrielle’s eyes are very stormy.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Please?

Gabrielle responds to the magic word and relaxes. She nods at Xena, who removes her hand cautiously. They study each other in silence for a few heartbeats.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - OUTSIDE FOREST GLADE - NIGHT

Deliz approaches the glade. She has her ribs taped, and is wearing a somewhat sheepish expression. She spots Gabrielle and starts to enter the glade, then hears Xena’s voice and stops, listening.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST GLADE - NIGHT

Xena takes Gabrielle’s hand in hers.

XENA

Forget about the Amazons.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - OUTSIDE FOREST GLADE

Deliz hears Xena’s words. Her face becomes grim. She turns and leaves the glade hastily.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST GLADE - NIGHT

Gabrielle watches Xena’s face as she speaks. There is an expression on it that she has seen only very rarely.

GABRIELLE

I’m listening.

XENA

You’re right. I’ve never been able to

commit myself to any one person.

We both know that.  You’ve

known me long enough....

Gabrielle’s shoulders slump, just slightly. It is one thing to think a truth, and another to hear it said aloud.

GABRIELLE

Yeah.

XENA

Gabrielle, I’ve never been closer to

anyone in my life than I am to you.

Gabrielle is close to tears, but refuses to give in to them.

GABRIELLE

I know.

XENA

And... I never thought it was fair to

you to ask you to commit yourself to

someone as cursed as I am, and

we both know that’s true, too.

Gabrielle doesn’t answer that one. She is upset, though, and Xena knows it.

XENA

(Cont’d)

So now I find myself in a damn

tight spot because... I want this.

Gabrielle stares at Xena.

GABRIELLE

What?

XENA

It’s not a trick.

Gabrielle gets up and paces around the rock.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Lousy timing.

Look, you can decide....

GABRIELLE

Decide?

Gabrielle sits down hard on the rock, and puts her head in her hands.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Gods, Xena for me that decision

was made a lifetime ago.

Haven’t you realized that yet?

Xena is at a momentary loss for words. She makes an attempt at humor.

XENA

Does that mean it’s yes?

Gabrielle lifts her head and rests her chin on her fists as she looks at Xena.

GABRIELLE

I can’t believe you’re serious about this.

Xena kicks a rock up and catches it. She tosses it out and watches it skip across the lake a half dozen times before it finally sinks.

XENA

Me either.

Xena pauses, and looks at Gabrielle.

XENA

(Cont’d)

But I am. I want this. I hope you do too.

Gabrielle shakes her head slowly.

GABRIELLE

I’ve wanted this for so long...

I just finally gave up hoping for it.

Xena kicks another rock up, and throws it. Gabrielle gets up again and paces. She turns and looks back at Xena.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

You’re really serious?

Xena nods.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Amazons or no Amazons, you want to go

through a joining ceremony with me?

Xena nods again. Gabrielle leans against a tree and looks up at the moon.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Wow.

Xena looks cautiously encouraged.

XENA

So is that a yes?

Gabrielle, finally, smiles and believes it. The joy on her face is almost painfully apparent. She starts to laugh.

GABRIELLE

Oh, yes. You bet it is.

Xena stands up just in time to avoid being knocked over as Gabrielle rushes at her and throws her arms around her. Xena lifts Gabrielle up in a hug, happy and very relieved at the words.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

(whispering blissfully)

You bet it is.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO