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
we should have fun, right?

GABRIELLE

Yes, but I also said I couldn’t dance.

XENA

Sure you can.
Just follow me and do what I do.

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…
with all the dancing and… everything.

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
faster than Argo’s at full gallop.

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
about the Festival of Bacchus.

XENA

It’s worth the hangover?

Gabrielle laughs.

GABRIELLE

No.

(beat)

They say that if you drink the wine,
you also drink the spirit of Bacchus.

Xena lifts her mug and peers into it.

XENA

Comforting thought.

GABRIELLE

They also say that if, on this night,
you don’t express your deepest

passion, Bacchus will become so
angry that he’ll drive you insane.

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.
They’re just Bacchae wannabes.

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.
I asked you to, remember?

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…
I didn’t mean to… oh no. No.

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
even stand to be here with me?

(beat)

By the gods, I threw myself at you like…
like some kind of love-sick harpy!

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
not wanting it are two different things.

Gabrielle’s eyes widen.

GABRIELLE

Are you… are you telling me that
you wanted me to kiss you?

It’s Xena’s turn to look away.

XENA

It’s… complicated. Look, why don’t
we sit down and talk about this.

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
how many times I’ve thought about
us having this talk, and what kind of
talk it would be, and where we'd have
it, and what I would say, and I... um….

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.
And I’m scared that… that the way
I feel could… change things.
Does that make sense?

Xena nods.

XENA

Yes.  And to tell you the
truth, I’m… scared… too.

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
it comes to relationships isn’t great.
And you… our friendship… is the most
important thing in the world to me.

(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
and not wanting something
are two different things.

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
are trying to tell us something?

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