ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. AMAZON TERRITORY- NIGHT

Unhooking her chakram, Xena watches as the frontrunners of the approaching army finally break through the woods and onto the flat, grassy plain that borders the sea cliff.

Ten Amazons are still waiting their turns to go down the trail.

LEAD SOLDIER

There they are!  Get them!!

SOLDIERS

AARRRGGGHHH!!

The soldiers begin to run across the plain, torches and swords held high in their hands.

Xena smiles coldly, her grip tightening on her chakram as she lets them approach.

When the soldiers are some fifty feet away, Xena releases her chakram.  It flies through the air toward the soldiers, turns, and cuts a line through the torches and swords they hold in their hands.  Metal and torches land on the ground.  The flame from the torches immediately catches the tall grasses, setting up a roaring line of fire pushed back toward the soldiers by the wind from the sea.

Two soldiers catch fire. Running back toward their brethren screaming, they spread the fire across the tall, bone dry grass in their panic.

The others stop, turn, and run away from the quickly pursuing flames, back to the forest.

The chakram returns to Xena, and she catches it, a cold smile still on her face.

The fire continues to spread, spurred on by the dry grass and the stiff wind blowing it toward the woods and the fleeing army.

After a moment, when it’s obvious her plan has worked, Xena turns away and heads for the trail down the cliff. A roaring, out of control fire backlights her movements.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BEACH - NIGHT

Two large signal fires have been set up along the beach.  Gabrielle and the Amazons watch as the two darkened ships lower large rowboats down into the water and head for shore.

RAYA

You planned this?

GABRIELLE

Yes.

RAYA

How?  When?

GABRIELLE

Xena knows a couple of Amazon sea

captains who run their ships out of Piraeus.

They have no tribe affiliation, but they owe

her a couple of favors.  We both decided

it was a good idea to have a plan.

RAYA

When did you have time to think up this plan?

GABRIELLE

Does it matter?  Xena made a promise

to Ephiny.  I’m the Amazon Queen.

We both knew this was right.

RAYA

What about our say in this?

Didn’t we have one?

Gabrielle’s face sets.

GABRIELLE

No.

Raya grits her teeth, her anger obvious.

GABRIELLE

(softly, but firmly)

Raya, this isn’t a democracy.  I’m Queen here.

You either do as I ask, or you leave.

There are no other choices. Not anymore.

RAYA

You’d abandon me here?

GABRIELLE

(without hesitation)

Yes.

(beat)

You aren’t the only one

without choices, Raya.

Gabrielle’s expression softens as she senses Xena approaching from behind.

GABRIELLE

(to Raya)

Think about what I’ve said.

With that, Gabrielle turns and walks up to the beach toward Xena.  Xena has a frown on her face and is looking past Gabrielle, sending Raya her own easily read message.

XENA

(to Gabrielle)

Problem?

GABRIELLE

Nothing that I couldn’t handle.

Gabrielle looks up at the cliff and the flames framing it.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Nice job

XENA

They won’t be bothering us for awhile.

She sees the rowboats land on the beach.

XENA

(Cont’d)

Let’s get this show on the road.

The two walk toward the shoreline where the boats have landed.  The Amazon captains, sisters, step from the boats and approach Xena and Gabrielle.  SOROI and CYDELL look very much alike.  Older, but not yet over-the-hill, both are tall, thin, blonde, deeply tanned and weathered from constant exposure to the elements.  Though dressed flamboyantly in colorful silks, they look extremely capable.

Both wear identical smiles as they greet Xena, grasping her forearm in a warrior’s handshake.

SOROI

We came as soon as we heard.

It’s good to see you again, old friend.

XENA

Likewise.  I’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle.

Both Amazons immediately straighten and salute Gabrielle, clenched fists over their hearts.

SOROI and CYDELL

My Queen.

GABRIELLE

Thank you both for coming.

CYDELL

For the future of our sisters,

we could do no less.

XENA

Let’s get those boats loaded. That

grassfire isn’t going to burn forever.

Both captains nod and begin ushering the Amazons onto their respective boats.  It will take at least two trips to ferry all the Amazons aboard the ships.

Xena and Gabrielle step away from the commotion, standing close together in the signal fires’ light.

GABRIELLE

Not exactly how I imagined

spending my wedding night.

XENA

(ruefully smiling)

That wasn’t the plan, no.

Gabrielle sighs and looks down at the sand at her feet.

GABRIELLE

I understand the logic of us being in

separate ships, but I don’t have to like it.

XENA

I don’t like it either, but it’s for the best.

 If one of the ships goes down....

Gabrielle looks back up, eyes blazing.

GABRIELLE

Don’t say that, Xena.  Don’t even think it.

I finally have what I’ve been searching

for my entire life.  I won’t let that be

taken away from me.  I won’t let it.

Feeling Gabrielle’s pain through this new bond they’ve formed, Xena does the only thing she can.  Gathering Gabrielle in, she envelops her in a tight hug close against her body, loving her as best she can.

After a moment, Gabrielle gathers herself and pulls away, wiping her eyes.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Sorry about that.

Xena smiles sadly.

XENA

Don’t be.

Reaching out, Xena tips Gabrielle’s chin so that their eyes meet.

XENA

(Cont’d)

I’ll make it up to you.  I promise.

GABRIELLE

(softly)

I’ll hold you to that.

Coming together, they kiss, and the sweet power of it rocks both to their very foundations.  When they finally pull away, both are visibly shaken.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Wow.  That…will take

some getting used to.

Xena’s reply is aborted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.  Xena and Gabrielle turn to find Cydell looking at them, a knowing smirk curving her lips.

CYDELL

Any time you’re ready,

Your Majesties.

Xena’s hand extends lazily, causing the captain to double over, wheezing from the slap to her belly.

CYDELL

(breathlessly)

All right, al right.

I can take a hint.

Straightening, Cydell looks at Gabrielle, who is grinning from ear to ear.

CYDELL

(Cont’d)

Do you think you can lend her your

sense of humor for the journey?

Gabrielle laughs as Cydell shrinks away from another threatened slap in her direction.

XENA

Let’s just get this over with.

CUT TO:

EXT. XENA’S SHIP - EVENING

It is several days into the journey and the Amazons are just now settling down.  Some have spent the first hours at sea hanging over the ship’s railing, feeding the ocean.  Most now tap pressure points in their wrists, courtesy of Xena’s teaching, even though the sea is very calm.

Too calm.

A small group stands off to one side, watching the sun set.

Xena and Cydell stand to the other, watching a roiling, angry cloudbank moving swiftly on a collision course with their ship.

CYDELL

It’s gonna be a bad one.

Quick, but bad.

Xena nods, agreeing.

XENA

I’ll get the Amazons below deck.

After staring a moment more at the increasingly angry sky, both women turn away. Cydell signals her crew as Xena walks over to the Amazons and begins directing them to the hold.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. XENA’S SHIP - EVENING

The storm has come much closer, blackening the sky above.  The sea is white-capped and foamy with large, crashing waves that rock the ship sickeningly up and down and side to side.

The Amazons are safely below deck.  The captain, her crew, and Xena are the only ones who remain.  The large mainsail has been lowered to keep it from being ripped apart by the howling winds.  Cydell is at the wheel, trying to keep the craft on course by mainly strength, white teeth gritted and flashing in the meager light.

At the stern, her hands gripping the railing, Xena looks over at Gabrielle’s ship, which has also been readied for the storm.  Unhooking her chakram, she waves it in the air, once, twice. 

Gabrielle unsheathes her sais and returns the signal.  All is as ready as it can be.

Xena nods grimly, and returns to her spot beside Cydell as the clouds unleash their fury.  Rain sheets down, blown almost horizontal by the force of the shrieking wind.  The only way to be heard above the din is to shout.

CYDELL

We’ll have to ride it out!  Hope it

doesn’t take us too far off course!!

XENA

Worry about the course later!  Just

concentrate on keeping us afloat!

CYDELL

Aye, aye, Cap’n!

The storm hits in all its fury.  The ships are tossed about like children’s toys by huge, foaming waves that crash over the deck repeatedly and with malicious intent.

CYDELL

(Cont’d)

Poseidon’s in a feisty mood tonight!

XENA

Poseidon’s dead!

CYDELL

Oh yeah!  Remind me to

thank you for that later!!

Some internal sense causes Xena to look toward the east.  Her eyes widen slightly as a towering wave, taller by far than the rest they’ve encountered thus far, bears down swiftly in their direction.  With no time to try and position the ship, Xena tackles Cydell and bears her down to the deck, grabbing hold of the wheelbase with her free hand and holding on for dear life.

CUT TO:

EXT. GABRIELLE’S SHIP - NIGHT

As predicted, the storm, while violent, is brief.  Soroi breathes a sigh of relief as she steers her sail-less ship into brilliant moonlight and calming seas.

SOROI

(to herself)

Thank whatever gods are left.

That was a nasty one.

Slowly prying her fingers from the wheel, she looks down proudly at her crew who are slumped against the rail, soaked to the skin and breathing heavily.  Gabrielle stands close by, also at the rail.  As Soroi watches, Gabrielle’s back stiffens and her chin snaps up as if in response to a summons only she can hear.

SOROI

(Cont’d)

Uh oh.  I don’t like the looks of that.

Stepping down onto the deck, Soroi approaches Gabrielle and lays a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

Completely unaware of her visitor, Gabrielle doesn’t move.

Soroi frowns.

SOROI

(Cont’d)

Gabrielle?  Are you all right?

After a moment that seems to span eternity, Gabrielle’s muscles finally relax enough for her to turn to the captain.  Soroi gasps slightly at the mix of desolation and determination on Gabrielle’s face.

GABRIELLE

We need to turn back.

SOROI

We need…what?  Have you lost your senses?

That storm was one of the worst I’ve ever been

through, and you want to go through it again?

GABRIELLE

Yes.

(beat)

Something happened.  Xena’s in danger.

SOROI

What?  You can’t know that.

GABRIELLE

Yes, I can.  And I do.

You’ve got to turn us back.  Now.

Soroi shakes her head.

SOROI

I’m sorry, my Queen, but I can’t do that.

I won’t put the lives of everyone on my ship

at risk because you “think” something happened.

Gabrielle’s jaw tenses, betraying her anger.

GABRIELLE

I don’t “think” something happened.

I know something did.

Reaching out, she grabs the front of Soroi’s silk vest and pulls down until their faces are mere inches apart.  Gabrielle speaks, her voice very low and soft.

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Now turn this ship around, or by the

gods I’ll grab the wheel and do it myself.

SOROI

You don’t know how to captain a ship.

GABRIELLE

(growling)

I’ll learn.

Soroi studies Gabrielle’s face intently, and finally nods, pleased when the tight grip on her vest loosens, allowing her to straighten to her full height.

SOROI

(very formally)

It shall be as you order, my Queen.

GABRIELLE

Thank you.

Soroi nods once again, then returns to the wheel, eyes staring up at the star-filled sky.

SOROI

I must have done something to anger

the gods.  Only the Furies could

have caused this kind of insanity.

With a grunt, she throws her weight behind the wheel, turning the large ship back in the direction of the furious storm.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GABRIELLE’S SHIP - NIGHT

Gabrielle hangs onto the rail with iron hands as the ship pitches downward at a sickening angle.  One hand lifts away to prod the pressure point at her wrist, then returns to grip the rail as the ship reverses its angle and heads up the next towering wave. 

The ship seems to pause for a moment, as if floating on air, before slamming downward once again, rattling Gabrielle’s teeth.

A crewmember spots something from the stern, and points frantically in that direction.

AMAZON CREWMEMBER

Look!  Over there!!

Releasing her grip on the rail, Gabrielle runs across the slippery deck, slipping and falling, then rising desperately back to her feet, stumbling until she crashes into the rail on the opposite side.  Her eyes strain to see through the blackness of the night and the sheeting rain that stings her eyes and the exposed areas of her skin.

What she sees causes her face to pale and her heart to clench painfully in her chest. 

GABRIELLE

(whispering)

Dear gods.  No.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO