ACT FOUR

FADE IN

The characters stay as they were for a minute, as the tension in the room lessens, before Xena sheathes her sword.

CLAUDIUS (shakily stands up):
     I think we can reach a verdict immediately. I pronounce Eve of the Elijans, Livia of Rome, guilty of manslaughter. The sentence is death by crucifixion. (he ignores the furious looks from Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil--Eve is staring at the ground and continues) However, as I think we have all just seen, she was not responsible for her actions. She will not be killed. (Xena looks slightly calmer, and Eve looks at Claudius in surprise--she was fully expecting the death penalty) Instead, she will be forbidden from returning to Rome for ten years. If she is seen in any of our territories, our legions will have permission to kill her on sight. She will have five days to get out of our lands.

Eve smiles at Claudius and the side of her mouth quirks up, in a motion very like Xena. Xena nods at Claudius, thanking him for sparing her daughter and allowing Eve the chance to make amends for her crimes.

CUT TO

A peaceful hillside. There are trees on both sides of a wide gap, and the hill looks down on Rome. The sun is shining. Eve, Xena, Gabrielle and Virgil are standing, all ready to leave, looking at the bustling city.

XENA (joking):
     Well, Eve, it's a good thing this is the last time you'll see this view for a while. I wish I could say the same.

EVE (smiles):
     You haven't exactly had the best luck with the place. But it's not so bad really...

VIRGIL:
     I don't get it. Why would Michael do something so evil to his Messenger? Wouldn't his god object?

GABRIELLE:
     You know, Virgil, I think there's a lot that we don't know about Michael.

She, Eve and Virgil start walking down the hill. Once they are out of earshot, Ares appears.

XENA (smiles):
     Thank you for helping me save my daughter, again.

ARES:
     It's getting to be quite a habit now, huh?

XENA (chuckling softly):
     Eve getting into trouble or you saving her?

ARES:
     Like mother, like daughter.

XENA:
     Although it was partly your fault to begin with. I'm worried about her though. Michael is shaping up to be quite a nasty piece of work--and she's right in the firing line.

ARES:
     Maybe, but he has to get through you first. But, if you ever need a bit more-- (he sends a lightning bolt in the direction of a nearby tree, which bursts into flames for a second before returning to normal) --power then you know who to call. (he winks at Xena, and then disappears)

XENA (looking at the tree):
     I do.

She stands for a moment longer, before shaking her head and starting off down the hill to catch the others up. We watch her back for a moment as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[No archangels were harmed during the production of this motion picture--something Xena was most upset about.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 7 Episode 6 Bloodlust II Story By: Amber Written By: Amber Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkinson Ares Kevin Smith Virgil William Gregory Lee Didus Chad Thompson Guard Anthony Ward Claudius March Underbridge Michael Charels Measure Augustus Colin Moy Original Airdate November 3, 2001 No archangels were harmed during the production of this motion picture--something Xena was most upset about. DEDICATED TO KEVIN SMITH All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent. © Shipper Seasons www.shipperseasons.com

This script is provided by GDev Resources.