SVS7 - E12 - Been a Wonderful Life

Episode Guide

Teaser

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Act 4

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. CAMP - MORNING

Ephiny watches as Xena and Gabrielle sleep in each other's arms. She looks around as the sun rises, knowing she has to wake her friends. Standing, she takes a deep breath and crosses to them, kneeling by their heads. She gently combs her hands through their hair.

EPHINY

Hey guys. C'mon, wake up.

Xena stirs first, carefully extracting herself from Gabrielle's grasp. She sits up and looks at Ephiny.

XENA

I thought you'd be gone.

EPHINY

We're not done. But you two were so
exhausted last night, I didn't want to push you.

Xena moves from the furs, gingerly covering Gabrielle back up before she goes to the firepit and puts a log on the embers so the fire will catch.

XENA

We've seen enough.

Ephiny joins her friend near the fire and looks her right in the eye.

EPHINY

No. No. you haven't. There's more.

XENA

We don't need to see more.

EPHINY

Xena, trust me. This will be worth the trip.

XENA

We get the gist of the thing, Ephiny.
We're better off with each other than without.

EPHINY

(laughing)

We didn't need to do this for me to tell you that.
The very first time I saw you two together I knew that.

XENA

The first time you saw us together she was....

EPHINY

(cutting Xena off)

....Warming her way into your heart.
C'mon let's wake her up and do this.

Xena sighs, then moves to Gabrielle and gently shakes her awake.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

Ephiny, Xena and Gabrielle are standing on top of a hill looking down at a city that has been burned to the ground. There is not a square foot of ground that is not blackened. There are remnants of buildings left, but not much of anything else.

XENA

(to Ephiny)

This is the fun part?

Gabrielle suddenly grabs Xena's hand.

GABRIELLE

Xena, this is Athens!

EPHINY

You're half right. This is what Athens WOULD
have become if Callisto had survived. But
because of you two, it is still a thriving, growing city.

Xena smiles at Gabrielle and kisses her on the top of the head.

XENA

Well, whaddya know? We did good.

EPHINY

Oh, the best is yet to come.

(motions to the mist)

Shall we?

Gabrielle and Xena nod simultaneously and walk toward the mist with Ephiny.

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

There is a celebration taking place. It appears to be a wedding. The groom is dressed in formal attire. His clothing is old fashioned, yet totally foreign to Xena and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

Where are we?

EPHINY

This is the future. Several generations into the future.

(pointing to the groom)

See that good-looking fellow over there?
Xena, that's your great, great, great, great, grandson.

Xena's smile widens as she takes a good look at the young man.

XENA

He has my eyes.

Gabrielle can't help but laugh at Xena’s pride in the young man.

EPHINY

But the best part is he will be the forefather of a man
who will find a cure for a disease called polio. It will
save millions of lives, Xena. Shall we move on?

GABRIELLE

Sure!

CUT TO:

EXT. DESERT – DAY

The sand is blowing around them as they stand atop a dune and look down into a valley. There are several men digging and crating dirt away. Gabrielle points to a figure in a felt hat.

GABRIELLE

She looks like me!

EPHINY

There's a good reason for that.
She's a descendant of yours.

GABRIELLE

How can that be? I don't have any....

EPHINY

There's plenty of time, Gabrielle. Trust me...
I can speak from experience. Where
there's a will, there's a way.

(beat)

Her name is Janice Covington. She is about
to make an amazing discovery, Gabrielle.

Your scrolls.

GABRIELLE

My scrolls?

EPHINY

Yes. So you see, it's imperative that you keep
writing. It'll be very important in the future. Your
scrolls will be the key to keeping a man
named Hitler from taking over the world.

GABRIELLE

How can that be?

EPHINY

I wish I could tell you my friend,
but I'm afraid I can't.

XENA

Why?

EPHINY

There are some things you are destined
to do yet, Xena, and to reveal the whole story
for you might jeopardize those things. Just
know that you have and will continue
to do things very important.

Ephiny takes her friends hands and smiles at them.

EPHINY

(Cont’d)

So, my friends, you see, you have made a HUGE
difference, in so many lives they cannot be counted.
Apart, you could not have accomplished what you
have together. You two are meant to be
together, and it will be that way forever.

Xena turns to Gabrielle and stares deeply in her eyes.

XENA

We know.

FADE TO:

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Xena and Gabrielle are standing in the center of the village they defended the day before. They are locked together in an embrace, kissing each other passionately. After a long moment they part, still looking at each other and smiling. Finally, Gabrielle takes a step back, allowing her hand to rest on Xena's breastplate.

GABRIELLE

So?

XENA

So.

GABRIELLE

I, ah, I guess it's been a wonderful life huh?

XENA

Been? No, Gabrielle. It is a wonderful life.
And I'm glad I'm sharing it with you.

GABRIELLE

(teasing)

You know, under all that armor and
leather you really are sweet.

XENA

Hey! Not so loud. I have a
reputation to maintain here.

GABRIELLE

(whispering conspiratorially)

Your secret is safe with me. I promise.

XENA

I knew it would be.

Xena cups Gabrielle's cheek, brushing her thumb over her lips in an extremely tender gesture.

XENA

(Cont’d)

I love you, Gabrielle. I don't think I take
the time to tell you that enough.

Gabrielle smiles shyly, glancing down and back up.

GABRIELLE

I love you, too.

They continue to look at each other, almost as if they're seeing each other for the first time. Because they're distracted in each other, they don't notice Cassandra coming toward them. Gabrielle finally takes notice and smiles.

CASSANDRA

Welcome back.

They both give her confused looks. She smiles and offers them her hand.

CASSANDRA

(Cont’d)

Come with me.

They look at each other for just a moment, then decide to go with the old woman. They notice as they follow her that the village is now deserted. It had been teaming with people yesterday and now it appears desolate.

They continue to follow her into what appears to be an old temple, but inside it is designed to look more like a small theater in the round.

Cassandra takes a spot on the stage and motions for Xena and Gabrielle to take seats in the area where the audience would be.

Suddenly a light floods the stage. Ephiny walks out of the shadows and joins Cassandra.

Xena stands up, but Gabrielle takes her hand to hold her in place.

GABRIELLE

Xena, it's okay.

Xena looks back to her partner, then retakes her seat.

CASSANDRA

This is the last part of your journey,
my friends. A journey of self-discovery.

There is a flash of light, that causes Xena and Gabrielle to shield their eyes. When they look back to the stage, Cassandra and Ephiny are gone. In the place they stood are two beautiful women unknown to them, and behind them, seven more. The woman who was standing in Ephiny's place takes a step forward.

CLIO

I am Clio, Muse of History. My sisters and I
have come to you to show you the fortune
that you have brought each other and those
around you. Your history is wrought with
many experiences. Some of them tragic....

Xena puts her arm around Gabrielle and pulls her close, resting her cheek on the top of her head.

CLIO

(Cont’d)

Some of them wondrous.

Above Clio, a mist swirls, and visions of Xena and Gabrielle's past are seen. There are glimpses of the Titans, the centaurs, Goliath and Cecrops that move and swirl within the mist.

Another woman steps forward and smiles down at them.

THALIA

I am Thalia, Muse of Comedy. In your
life you have also experienced great joy.

Scenes in the mist now turn to visions of Gabrielle playing the flute as she and Xena walk down a country road.

Gabrielle smiles at this vision of her much younger, innocent self and sinks closer into Xena's embrace.

The mist then shows Xena tossing fish at Gabrielle and Hower.

Xena chuckles and give Gabrielle a little squeeze.

XENA

I'm sorry about that, by the way.

GABRIELLE

(grinning)

No, you're not.

Xena laughs as yet a third woman steps forward.

TERPSICHORE

I am Terpsicore, Muse of Dancing. Your spirits
are many things... compassionate, kind and
adventuresome. And you have brought these
qualities to those you have touched with your deeds.

The mist swirls and the faces of those people Xena and Gabrielle have met appear one by one. The faces of Pandora, Salmoneus, Meleager, Joxer and many others morph from one to the other.

Xena sniffs and wipes her eyes quickly with her fingertips as she sees her mother and her brothers in the mix.

Gabrielle lovingly rubs her back, offering support and comfort.

The fourth woman steps forward.

EUTERPE

I am Euterpe. The Muse of Lyric Poetry.
The story you have woven together
is as beautiful as any song.

A fifth woman steps to the forefront.

POLYHYMNIA

I am Polyhymnia. Muse of Heroic Hymns.
Your story is one of the greatest ever told.
A story of deeds well done. Fights for honor
and righteousness rather than glory or fame.

The sixth woman steps next to her sisters.

MELPOMENE

I am Melpomene, Muse of Tragedies. While you
have certainly known tragedy in your lives, it has
made you stronger. It has made you worthy of the
blessings of strength, courage and determination.

One of the last three women present steps forward and spreads her arms in a welcoming, almost comforting gesture.

ERATO

I am Erato, Muse of Love Poetry. Your journey has
blessed you with many things, but the most important
of these is love. For within each other, you have found
love. True and unerring. It is what keeps you warm
and safe, even when you are apart. It is what gives you
the strength to go on when the odds seem insurmountable.
It is what provides you with your passions.

Xena and Gabrielle look to each other and know that what Erato is saying is absolutely true. Everything they have done has only served to bring them closer together. Xena winks, and they return their attention to the groups as the eighth woman comes forward.

URANIA

I am Urania, Muse of Astronomy.

The mist expands until it is covering the ceiling of the theater. It darkens and then becomes a beautiful view of the night sky. Stars twinkle in their place and one or two even shoot across the expanse.

URANIA

(Cont’d)

This is your future. Unknown, but amazing and
filled with possibilities. It is like the world you see
before you, ever expanding, but constant and always
yielding something new for you to discover.

Finally, the woman who had been known to them as Cassandra steps forward, taking a spot in from of all the others.

CALLIOPE

I am Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry. The story you have woven
will never be forgotten. Xena, with your heroic deeds, you have
made your place in history as one of the great defenders.
And Gabrielle, as my sisters and I guide your hand, you tell
these stories, which have made your life. A life filled with all
of the experiences that only mortals can truly feel and
understand. It is because of the two of you that we still
go on. The twilight did not take us, because your passion
and your pride and your belief kept us whole and complete.

Calliope steps down to stand in front of them, she smiles and places a hand on each of their cheeks.

CALLIOPE

(Cont’d)

Gods will come and go. But because of you, our power
will always remain. Mortals now and for future generations
will look to us for guidance and inspiration. It is the hope
of my sisters and myself that we can give them as
much as you have. Thank you both... for everything.

The room grows dark and everything feels to be fading away.

FADE TO:

EXT. CAMP - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle find them selves back in their camp, lying in each other’s arms, staring at the night sky and the stars above their heads.

GABRIELLE

Wow.

XENA

There's an understatement.

Xena turns her head to face Gabrielle.

XENA

(Cont’d)

I don't know what to say.
That was incredible.
I never realized how much we've done.

GABRIELLE

We've been more important than we knew,
and not just to those people we've known or
helped, but to each other. Xena, I never
imagined the things that could have
happened to you, if I had been taken.

XENA

I know. I never thought that things
could go so bad for both of us.

Xena takes Gabrielle's right hand and tenderly places a kiss on the palm.

XENA

(Cont’d)

You have no idea how much I love your stories and
your passion for writing them. I'm so glad you've
found it again. It's such an important part
of you, that it's an important part of me too.

Gabrielle takes her hand and traces gently around Xena's eyes.

GABRIELLE

I know what you mean. I saw you in that other time
and I just couldn't believe.... You looked so tired,
so lonely. Your strength and control are so much
of what you are. You've shared with me the
most important part of yourself. Thank you.

Xena sighs and pulls her lover tighter, looking once again at the stars.

XENA

We spend so much time taking care
of other people. We never really take
the time to take care of ourselves.

(beat)

I guess we should take some
time for us a little more often.

Gabrielle laughs and pats Xena's stomach.

GABRIELLE

I've been telling you that for years.

XENA

(nodding, laughing)

I know, I know. I should learn
to listen to the bard.

GABRIELLE

No argument there.

XENA

You know, separate from each other we
are whole people, but together we are....

Xena stops, seemingly trying to find the right word to describe what she is feeling. Gabrielle props herself up and her elbow and looks down into Xena's eyes, which are sparkling with the reflection of the stars and the firelight.

GABRIELLE

Complete? Together we are complete.

XENA

Yes, yes, that's it. We are complete.

Gabrielle leans over and gives Xena a tender kiss on the lips and then pulls back.

GABRIELLE

I love you, Xena.
I promise to tell you that more.

XENA

I love you too, Gabrielle and
I promise to show you that more.

Xena pulls Gabrielle back into her embrace. Gabrielle rests her head on Xena's shoulder. Both are quiet for a long moment, obviously considering the things they now know.

A star streaks across the sky and ends its journey in the ever-disputed constellation.

XENA

(Cont’d)

It's a ladle.

GABRIELLE

It's a bear.

FADE TO:

EXT. CAMP - MORNING

Gabrielle tosses handfuls of dirt on the embers of their fire as Xena tightens the last of their gear on Argo. She returns to her and offers her a hand up. Gabrielle takes it and is pulled up immediately into a tight embrace.

XENA

Ready?

GABRIELLE

Always. Shall we try to find
our next adventure?

XENA

Nah, let it find us.

GABRIELLE

Now that's a plan. I like it.

XENA

Let's go.

The walk hand in hand back to Argo. Once Xena is settled in the saddle, she reaches down and pulls Gabrielle up behind her. Xena nudges Argo and they start off, moving up a little hill on a path that will take them to a ridge.

XENA

(Cont’d)

I thought you might like to take
one last look at that little village.
This should take us above it.

They continue, but when they get to where they should be able to see the village, they discover it is gone. All that is in the valley is a field of brightly colored wild flowers, swaying gently in the light breeze and filling the air with a sweet aroma.

Gabrielle tightens her hold on Xena, sighing as she looks at the thousands of flowers in every color she can imagine.