FADE IN

Xena holds up the glowing Mickree flower, smiling--but suddenly, the flower starts to shrivel and fades to a grayish color. Xena's face turns from joy to bewilderment and then horror.

XENA:
     No... No!

The flower disintegrates into ash, running through Xena's fingers. She cups her hands, but to no avail--the precious plant is gone. She looks up at Ares, who is just as stunned.

ARES:
     What was that?

XENA (tonelessly):
     The Mickree flower, the antidote--it's gone, turned to dust the moment I touched it. (getting angry) I'm not letting Toris die! I was too late to save his family, and now--I'm going to be too late to save him, too.

ARES:
     There was nothing you could have done about his family.

XENA:
     No. No, there wasn't. But then to you, it's just another... (an idea has obviously struck her) ...village.

Seeing the change in Xena's face, Ares looks at her curiously.

ARES:
     What is it?

XENA:
     You said you were poisoned in the same way--and there was an antidote. The healer may still have it! (hurriedly) Ares, take me to that village...

ARES (looks down almost sadly):
     You won't be able to get it from them, Xena.

XENA:
     Why not? It wasn't that long ago when you were mortal, a year or two. They should still be around.

ARES:
     No...they're not.

XENA:
     What do you mean "they're not"?

ARES:
     There's still a part of the story that I haven't told you. Tycan's thugs did return, a few days later...

XENA:
     So they're dead. (Ares nods) I'm sorry.

Ares looks down, not answering.

XENA:
     But that antidote they had is my only hope at curing my brother. Ares, will you take me there? Maybe the antidote is still in the village.

ARES:
     It was destroyed by fire, Xena. Everything was burnt to the ground.

XENA:
     Just take me there.

Ares looks at Xena and hesitates, not sure if he wants to go back there himself. Then after a pause and Xena's almost pleading eyes, he nods and puts his hand on her shoulder and they disappear.

CUT TO

Morning, ruins of a village. Remnants of buildings are everywhere--skeletal, charred crossbeams, half-burnt barns and houses. Xena and Ares appear on the street.

XENA (looks around):
     Was their house around here?

Ares points to a pile of wood to the left. Xena runs over to it while Ares stays back. Xena walks around the building ruins, searching frantically through fallen boards. She walks over to a place where one of the walls used to be, and something catches her eye. Under a pile of earth and some wooden beams, there is a tin box. Xena digs it out and opens it--inside is a set of vials, all intact.

ARES (coming up beside her):
     It's the green one.

XENA:
     Are you sure... (off his look) Okay.

She takes the green vial and opens it--there is only a little bit of the antidote left. She puts the top back on and stands up.

XENA:
     I hope it's enough.

Xena and Ares disappear.

CUT TO

Athens' city gates. The sun is well above the horizon--it's late morning. Xena and Ares appear in front of the medic's house; the doors are now open. Xena opens her palm and looks at the small vial, then hurries inside. Ares looks after her.

CUT TO

The infirmary. Xanthus is standing next to Toris, looking very grim. Toris is throwing off his blankets in delirium, moaning with agony. Xena bursts into the room.

XANTHUS:
     Xena! It's too late--there's no time to make the antidote now...

XENA:
     We don't have to.

She hands him the vial. Xanthus is speechless for a moment.

XANTHUS (smelling it):
     How... Where did you get this?

XENA:
     From a friend. (impatiently) There's no time for questions now, Xanthus--you've got to hurry!

XANTHUS:
     Yes, of course. Help me, Xena--hold him down.

Xena takes Toris' arms and pins them to his sides with difficulty. He struggles against her hold, then opens his eyes for an instant, almost seeing her. His eyes close again, but he stops struggling. Xanthus unwraps the bandage from around Toris' wound, opens the vial, dabbing the contents of it onto the festering flesh. Toris flinches a little and groans.

XENA:
     Is it enough?

Xanthus inspects the wound.

XANTHUS:
     Plenty. He'll be just fine in a few days, though he may be weak from the fever for a little while longer.

XENA:
     Xanthus--thank you.

XANTHUS:
     It's--a rare thing to witness.

XENA:
     Poisoning?

XANTHUS:
     No. The determination to triumph over death. I feel privileged to know you, Warrior Princess--and your brother. (pause) I must see to my other patients--I'll leave you two alone.

Xanthus walks out of the infirmary to give Xena some time with her brother. When he's gone, Xena looks at her brother. Awake now, Toris smiles weakly.

XENA:
     You heard him. You're going to be fine, brother.

TORIS (quietly):
     I knew you'd come through, Xena. Thank you.

XENA:
     Hey. We're family.

At the mention of the word, Toris' face closes over.

TORIS:
     All the family I have left. Xena--when Lyceus died...I blamed you for not protecting him well enough, then not mourning him enough...

XENA:
     Shh...

TORIS (turning away):
     I was a fool. I didn't understand that this kind of grief is...deep in the heart. Too deep for tears.

XENA:
     Toris... There is nothing I can say that will make it all right, because it's not all right. It never will be. But when you look in your heart--it won't be grief you find there. It'll be love. Their love, and your own. Treasure it.

Toris looks back at Xena, then reaches up to stroke her cheek lightly. She takes his hand.

TORIS:
     Perhaps one day, I'll be able to do that. I'll return to the place, give them a proper burial... There are many things I need to do--things that they would have wanted me to do.

XENA:
     I'll come with you--

TORIS (gently):
     No, Xena. I need to do this alone.

They look at each other for a moment, then Xena nods.

XENA:
     You know you can count on me if you need anything.

TORIS:
     I know. Mother...would have been very proud of you.

Xena smiles sadly; Toris releases her hand and closes his eyes. Very carefully, Xena arranges the blankets around him, then kisses his forehead.

XENA:
     I'm glad we have each other, Toris.

TORIS (whispers):
     So am I.

Xena watches him for a moment, then leaves the room.

CUT TO

The porch of the medic's house. Xena comes out, squinting in the light. Ares stands in front of her, holding Argo's reins. He is feeding her something.

XENA (coming up):
     I don't believe it. One morning, and she's already eating out of your hand.

ARES:
     I think it was Greba who said, "why can't we be more like animals?"

XENA (smirks):
     She also said you have grey hair.

ARES:
     Point taken--but I was mortal at the time. All that's behind me now.

XENA:
     Is it? Then why do you hang around burning villages, reliving the "past"? Toris' village had nothing for the God of War.

ARES:
     Hey--I had nothing to do with... (pauses) How did you know about that?

XENA:
     So you were remembering.

ARES (changing the subject):
     How is your brother?

XENA:
     As well as expected. The soul takes longer to heal than the body. (looks at Ares shrewdly) Even for gods.

ARES:
     But...it does heal?

XENA:
     Not always. And not completely. (she smiles slightly at Ares' pained expression) But sometimes a few scars only make a soul more beautiful.

Ares holds out his hand, Xena gently touches her fingertips to Ares', then weaves her fingers through his.

XENA (softly):
     You were a good man, Ares.

Ares' guarded look gives way to something like contentment. Xena raises Ares' hand to her cheek, holding it close for a second before letting go.

XENA:
     Perhaps you still are.

They look at each other for a few moments, then Ares grins and shakes his head.

ARES:
     Good? I thought you were into bad boys in leather?

XENA:
     One out of two ain't bad.

Xena tries to get up into Argo's saddle, but Argo steps away, tossing her head, obviously too tired to carry a rider.

ARES:
     Looks like you have a mutiny on your hands.

XENA:
     She's just tired. (pats Argo's neck, Argo nuzzles her) She knows where her loyalties lie. Gabrielle and Eve are waiting for us.

Ares holds out his hand with a little flourish.

ARES:
     There are always alternative means of transportation...

XENA (taking his hand):
     Sure. We can walk.

ARES:
     Uh, Xena--don't you think you're taking this mortal thing a little too far?

XENA:
     Why? Do you?

Ares looks down at their hands.

ARES:
     Did I say too far? I meant not far enough.

XENA:
     Oh, it's another half-day's walk--that should be far enough for you...

Their voices begin to fade as they walk away, leading Argo, and the theme music rises.

ARES:
     So you're serious about this walking thing?

FADE OUT

THE END

[Gabrielle and Eve shared some quality time during the production of this episode.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 7 Episode 13 Ghosts From the Past Story By: Aurora and LadyKate Written By: Aurora, LadyKate and Tango Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Ares Kevin Smith Toris Joseph Kell Xanthus Frank Ur Philyra Juila Craft Lycaon Daniel Lloyd Chloe Tiffany Mandan Helice Jessica Walker Dymas Chris Tausan Warrior Brian Orr Bandit #1 George Heccon Bandit #2 Harvey Qwettles Original Airdate February 2, 2002 Gabrielle and Eve shared some quality time during the production of this episode. 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.