ACT 4

FADE IN:

22.

INT. TOOLA'S CAVE - NIGHT

Gabrielle stands inside a cavern. There are torches stuck into clefts in the wall that provide light, but the overwhelming sound inside is one of water. In the back of the cavern a huge waterfall emerges from the rocks and drops down into a dark, seemingly bottomless pit.

Next to the waterfall is a wooden platform, obviously built for ceremonial purposes. It is covered with the jagged god symbol, and parts of it bear scratch and claw marks.

Gabrielle has the chest in her hands. She looks around the cavern for several moments. The falling water produces a steady wind that blows into her face and a spray that quickly dampens her.

GABRIELLE
I know this isn't fair, Xena.

(beat)

But you taught me life is
like that sometimes.

Straightening her shoulders, Gabrielle steps confidently forward, climbing up onto the platform and walking towards the edge. She is one step from going over when she is roughly tackled from behind and pulled off to one side of the platform, falling to the ground with her attacker on top of her.

Gabrielle rolls free and scrambles to her feet, facing Xena, who blocks her path towards the waterfall. They stare at each other for several moments. The sound of the water almost overwhelms any attempt as speech.

XENA
(yells)
Gabrielle!

GABRIELLE

(yells)
Xena, get out of my way.

XENA
(yells)
Listen to me!

Gabrielle starts past Xena, but Xena grabs her and holds her, bringing them close together.

GABRIELLE
I'm not going to let that man
die, Xena. Not for something
we did, right or wrong.

XENA
Well, I'm not letting you walk off
that platform so you better
rethink what you're doing.

GABRIELLE
(angry)
Xena, I have a right to
choose my own destiny.
Just like you did.

XENA
This is not the same thing!

GABRIELLE
(furious)
Isn't it? Or is it just that
it's you that gets left
behind this time?

Xena looks at Gabrielle, plainly hurt, and a little shocked.

XENA
(quietly)
I guess I deserve that, don't I?

Gabrielle stops struggling when she hears this. She stands inside the circle of Xena's arms and looks up at her, all of her anger dissipated by the sadness, and weary anguish she sees in Xena's face.

GABRIELLE
Neither of us deserves this.

Xena touches Gabrielle's cheek.

XENA
No.

GABRIELLE
But this was my choice, Xena.

Xena shakes her head.

XENA
It can't be your choice... or my
choice... anymore, Gabrielle.

(beat)

If we want this to work, it
has to be our choice from
now on. Together.

Gabrielle looks off into the waterfall, deep in thought.

GABRIELLE
(whispers)
Together.

XENA
I should have leveled with
you in Japa. I should have
made you part of my
decision, but I didn't.

Gabrielle looks at Xena. They are both now drenched from the cold spray.

GABRIELLE
That hurt.

XENA
(softly)
I know.

(beat)

I'm sorry. But don't make the
same mistake here because
you're angry at me.

GABRIELLE
Angry at you? Maybe I'm angry
at myself for not following my
heart and just dumping that
urn into the water.

Xena hugs Gabrielle closer.

XENA
(whispers)
Gabrielle, Gabrielle,
I'm so sorry.

Gabrielle returns the hug, surrendering up the rest of her anger.

GABRIELLE
You're right. We have to be
responsible to each other.
For each other, from now on.

Xena looks very relieved. She kisses the top of Gabrielle's head, then as Gabrielle looks up, kisses her on the lips. Gabrielle responds, then they part and look at each other.

XENA
From now on. I promise.

GABRIELLE
Me too.

(beat)

Now, what are *we* going
to do to fix this mess?

Xena smiles and looks over at the waterfall.

XENA
Nasty. What'd you
have in mind?

GABRIELLE
We don't know how far it goes.
I figured I'd ride it down and
see if that got me to this Toola.

XENA
(frowns)
Then what?

Gabrielle walks to the edge and looks down.

GABRIELLE
If I made it, then I'd find him
and get him to stop asking
these people for sacrifices.

(beat)

He's just a god, Xena.
We both know that doesn't
mean he's invincible.

Xena nods thoughtfully.

XENA
Good plan.

Gabrielle looks at Xena, and then she smiles.

GABRIELLE
I had a good teacher.

(holds out hand)

Come on.

Xena takes Gabrielle's hand, but points with the other one towards a dark cleft in the rocks, under the edge of the waterfall.

XENA
Cut your teacher a little slack.
I think I found a better way across.
We may not know how long a
drop it is, but I'm not in the
mood to take the chance.

Gabrielle nods in agreement, and they walk to the edge of the falls, disappearing together under the onrushing water.

FADE TO:

23.

INT. WATERFALL REVERSE - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle are plastered against the rocks, holding on for dear life. The water rushes by them, its force nearly knocking them off the tiny ledge they are standing on.

Xena balances precariously as she inches along. She comes to a rock that juts out, and realizes they must go around it to continue.

XENA
(yells)
I don't know if I can
get around this!

Gabrielle looks past her, barely able to see through the water and darkness. She lets go of the rock with one hand and takes hold of Xena's leathers.

GABRIELLE
(yells)
Give it your best shot.

Xena looks at Gabrielle's hand.

XENA
If I fall, you're not gonna
be able to hold me.

GABRIELLE
No, but we'll both end up in
the same place. Go on!

Xena grins on hearing this. She spots a handhold on the other side of the rock and jumps for it, pulling Gabrielle along with her. They teeter on the edge of disaster for an endless moment, then Gabrielle gets her footing and they are safe. Now, however, an entire section of the ledge is missing.

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other in consternation.

CUT TO:

24.

INT. CAVE - OTHER SIDE OF THE WATERFALL - NIGHT

The waterfall crashes down, throwing spray into a small piece of rocky ground. On the other side of this, the cavern walls rise up, with a large crack in one that appears to have been used as a passageway. A torch flutters in an iron holder wedged into the rock.

For a very long moment, all is still, except for the rushing water.

Then the water parts and Xena and Gabrielle leap through, both of them tumbling in mid air and landing at the same time. Xena shakes herself vigorously, sending droplets everywhere. Gabrielle does the same, then walks gingerly in boots that emit a squishing sound. Xena examines the torch.

GABRIELLE
Toola must have worshippers
on this side.

XENA
Looks like it. C'mon.

Xena takes the torch, and leads the way into the narrow crack in the rock.

CUT TO:

25.

EXT. CAVERN LEDGE - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle emerge onto a ledge on the outside of the mountain. Overhead, stars twinkle. In front of them is a rock wall. Xena sniffs the air.

GABRIELLE
What is that?

XENA
Burning flesh.

They exchange grim looks. Xena puts the torch down and unsheathes her sword. They can see an eerie light on the other side of the wall. It increases, and decreases erratically. Gabrielle draws her sais.

GABRIELLE
I'd better go first.

Xena's eyebrows go up.

GABRIELLE

(cont'd)
(grins)
If he starts throwing fireballs,
I'll turn my back and jump
into your arms.

XENA
(smiles)
Sounds like a plan.

Xena and Gabrielle creep slowly over to the wall and pause, now hearing a low rumble through the rocks. They gather their courage and stand up, raising their heads over the wall for their first sight of the mighty Toola.

CUT TO:

26.

EXT. TOOLA'S CAMPSITE - NIGHT

Below the ledge is a large, rambling camp full of people. There are men in armor, half clad women, half clad men, and women in armor. Tents are scattered everywhere, with various bits of personal belongings hanging off them.

The entire atmosphere is raunchy and freewheeling. Kegs of ale are strewn about, and crates of supplies are tumbled, half emptied.

One one side of the camp a huge, round piece of metal is strung up, with a log poised in front of it for striking. Nearby, a large lever made of wood and iron cradles a huge boulder, balancing it so that it can be tipped over to block the waterfall.

Near mountain wall, a huge rock is suspended by many ropes, tied to a frame. Two men, laughing, walk over to it and pull on a large, timber handle. The frame flexes, and the huge rock slams against the side of the mountain , making the entire area vibrate.

Far below, the base of the waterfall can be seen, with debris strewn about it. It is obvious the people in the camp have been living high off the tributes from Milltos.

A man stumbles up to the central fire, holding the chest that had been in Gabrielle's hands. He opens it and shakes the coins out, strewing them everywhere. Several women grab a few and toss them up, then tuck them into their bodices.

CUT TO:

27.

EXT. CAVERN LEDGE - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle stare at the scene, then slowly turn and stare at each other.

XENA
Son of a Bacchae.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

XENA
Yeah?

GABRIELLE
Remember that joint decision
thing we talked about?

XENA
Yeah?

GABRIELLE
Do we have a consensus that
there are some butts down there
in serious need of kicking?

XENA
Oh, yeah. Let's go.

Xena and Gabrielle leap over the wall, and head for the camp.

CUT TO:

28.

EXT. TOOLA'S CAMPSITE - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle tear into the camp. Xena leaps over discarded crates of Milltos' property and cuts the ropes holding up the tents, collapsing them on top of their occupants.

Gabrielle spins and kicks two men charging at her, then turns and sinks her sai into another man rushing her from behind, sword poised to strike. She pulls the sai out and glances at it, then ducks two other rogues coming at her with a net.

The half clad women and men run screaming in panic, colliding with startled rogues scrambling for their weapons.

ROGUE IN CHARGE
Hey! Hey!
Who are you!

XENA
Trouble.

Xena slugs the Rogue in Charge in the face.

XENA

(cont'd)
Any other questions?

The rogue slowly keels over, hitting the ground with a thud. Xena grins, then turns and runs up a ramp into a nearby wagon and launches herself off it, throwing her arms wide and colliding with a bunch of rogues heading for Gabrielle. The men all go to the ground, and Xena uses well placed kicks and vicious elbows to make sure they stay there.

Gabrielle engages a huge brute, intent on clobbering her with a spiked club. She fights literal circles around him, ducking under his blows and stabbing him in the butt with her sai. He whirls around, but she is already gone, somersaulting over his leg and landing on her hands, then kicking backwards to slam him right in the gut. He goes flying into a nearby refuse pit, sending bones and bits of garbage everywhere.

ROGUE #2
They're demons!
Run for it!!!

Xena grabs Rogue 2 by the scruff of the neck as he runs past, and swings him around to slam him face first into the wagon she recently jumped off of, the sound of his nose breaking scaring the horse into bolting and dragging the wagon after him.

ROGUE #3
Look out! Ahhhh!!!!!

The wagon rolls over Rogue 3.

Xena tosses Rogue 2 into the wagon as it thunders past, careening wildly and scattering people before it.

XENA
Heeyahh!
Keep running, boy!

Gabrielle grabs a piece of wood and whacks at the rogues running past. She is enraged, and releases her anger on the men as they try to escape her.

GABRIELLE
Go on! Get out of
here you bastards!
Cowards!
ANIMALS!!!!

Gabrielle catches a man as he runs by and grabs him by the collar, throwing him against a stack of boxes. She cocks her fist and hits him as hard as she can. The man's head snaps back and he slumps to the floor. Breathing hard, Gabrielle glares at him, then, reacts and looks at her own hand, shaking it .

GABRIELLE

(cont'd)
Ow. Son of a...

A retreating rogue picks up a crossbow and aims it at Gabrielle, releasing the trigger and sending the bolt towards her.

XENA
Gabrielle!

Xena jumps to the top of a box and leaps forward, crashing into Gabrielle and taking her to the ground out of harm's way.

The sounds of running feet and screaming men slowly subside as the rogues all beat a hasty retreat, running as fast as they can from their now wrecked campsite.

Gabrielle finds herself trapped under Xena, who shows no signs of moving.

GABRIELLE
Xena?

XENA
Yeeesss?

GABRIELLE
Did you forget how to catch
arrows or something?

XENA
What? Oh. No, just wanted
to make sure, that's all.

Gabrielle notices Xena is still making sure she's safe, to the point where she can't move an inch.

GABRIELLE
Why am I suspecting an
ulterior motive here?

Xena grins, and lets her up. They survey the camp. They are alone, surrounded by the debris of years of the rogues sponging off Milltos. There are boxes of supplies, chests of coins, food, ale, everything given by the town thinking they were honoring a god and protecting themselves.

Xena and Gabrielle exchange hand slaps.

GABRIELLE

(cont'd)
That was a great
joint decision.

XENA
First one of many. C'mon,
let's go. We've got a lot to tell
those people back there.

GABRIELLE
And a lot of things to bring
back where they belong.

Xena and Gabrielle start to pick through the supplies.

END OF ACT 4

TAG

FADE TO:

29.

EXT. MILLTOS VILLAGE - LATER THAT NIGHT

The villagers gather around the huge wagon of supplies Xena and Gabrielle have brought back from around the side of the mountain. To one side, the Leader and his Wife stand with Xena and Gabrielle. The Leader seems crestfallen and embarrassed.

LEADER
I... I can't believe we
were taken in for so long.
I feel so foolish.

XENA
They had a good scam
going. Noisemakers, a way
to flood the place. Fooled
us... for a while.

LEADER
Still.

(sighs)

It'll be strange not having
Toola to guide us.

GABRIELLE
Having someone, or something
else make your choices for you
gives you a kind of security.

(beat)

But it's the choices you make
on your own that really count.

WIFE
Gabrielle, thank you.

(hesitant)

Thank you both.

A village man runs over with a keg.

MAN
Brandon, look. From your
stock this year! We sent
the last of it!

LEADER
Then we must celebrate.
Please, join with us, Xena,
Gabrielle - it's the least
we can do to thank you.

The villagers close around them, and Xena and Gabrielle are drawn into a happy, dancing crowd.

FADE TO:

30.

EXT. MILLTOS VILLAGE - VERY LATE NIGHT

The party is ending. Villagers are staggering off, or staying where they cheerfully collapsed. Xena and Gabrielle walk towards the Inn. Xena puts an arm around Gabrielle's shoulders, Gabrielle puts her arm around Xena's waist, and yawns.

XENA
Tired?

GABRIELLE
Yeah, I am.

(beat)

Maybe even too
tired to dream.

Gabrielle leans her head against Xena's shoulder, much more at ease now.

XENA
Maybe I can do something
about those dreams.

Gabrielle smiles, as they enter the inn together.

FADE TO:

31.

INT. MILLTOS INN - MORNING

It is late morning. Sun is pouring in the window, covering the bed against the wall. Xena and Gabrielle lay in bed. Gabrielle is sound asleep, her body draped over Xena's.

The sun falls on Gabrielle's back, highlighting the dragon tattoo except where Xena's arm covers it.
Xena is awake. She looks down at Gabrielle and smiles. A rooster flies up and lands on the windowsill, fluffing it's feathers as it settles down. It cleans it's beak on the wood, then preens, ready to crow.
With a swift motion, Xena whips her leg out and boots the rooster out through the window.

A feather drifts slowly down on to the bed's covers. Xena grins, and closes her eyes.

FADE OUT

DISCLAIMER
No mysteriously omnipotent gods were harmed in the making of
this motion picture, but the rooster didn't get off so lucky.

NEXT WEEK ON XENA