ACT FOUR

FADE IN

EVE:
     Joxer, I don't expect you to believe me when I say this, but--

JOXER:
     It's okay. I've been watching you for a long time, Eve, and you've done a lot of good. And you know what I've realized? The person you are now would have never killed me.

Eve's eyes are filled with tears and she shakes her head.

EVE:
     That still doesn't make up for what I did.

JOXER:
     No, it doesn't. But I forgive you anyway. You've punished yourself enough.

EVE (looks down):
     Forgiveness won't make what I did go away.

JOXER:
     Hate won't either.

Eve nods grimily, then looks at him.

EVE:
     Virgil really misses you, even now...and so do Kara and Theon. You have beautiful children.

JOXER:
     I know. (smiles slightly) You know, you were a beautiful baby too...I guess I could never forget that. I think Virgil is growing quite fond of you. (Eve blushes a little) And I can see why. I hope you have a good life, Eve. Look out for your mom...and for Gabby, okay?

Eve nods and Joxer fades away.

CUT TO

The city gates swinging open. Nicodemus rides in on a black steed, the rest of his army of about a hundred men following. The townsmen stand lined up along the square in front of the city gates. Gabrielle, with a cloak over her armor, and Eve are standing with the crowd.

NICODEMUS (grins; to his men):
     So these dogs finally decided to come to their senses and give in. And Xena thought she could stop me!

CUT TO

Xena is in the room in the inn. She is putting the chakram on her hip and the sword at her back. Then she sees the medallion lying on the bed from the night before. She walks up to it and picks it up, rubbing it with her fingers and then she places it in her breastplate.

A hand comes from behind and runs through her hair. She turns to find Ares standing behind her, now rubbing his knuckles against her cheek.

ARES:
     Keeping that in a safe place, are you?

XENA:
     I guess you could say that.

ARES:
     So...Nicodemus and his men are coming. For some reason, he thinks the town is surrendering to him.

XENA (grins):
     Does he, now?

ARES:
     I bet you have a nice surprise in store for him.

XENA:
     Wait and see.

ARES (sighs):
     I'm still going to have to think of some horrible way of punishing Nicodemus...when the time is right. You know, it's been a while since I've made anyone really cower in fear of me...I've kind of missed it.

Xena smiles indulgently.

CUT TO

The square, where Nicodemus postures in front of the cowering townspeople.

NICODEMUS:
     Kneel, scum! You're looking at your new master!

The townspeople drop to their knees. So do Gabrielle and Eve, who exchange mischievous looks.

Xena's ululating battle cry rings through the square and she arrives in a series of spectacular flips.

NICODEMUS:
     Xena. I told you I wouldn't hesitate to kill you if I saw you again.

XENA:
     And I told you I'd stop you one way or another.

NICODEMUS:
     Oh, then bring it on!

Xena throws her chakram. Nicodemus ducks but the chakram knocks out several of his soldiers before Xena catches it.

NICODEMUS (laughs):
     You think that little toy is going to stop me?

Suddenly, the townspeople rise to their knees. They reveal knives, pots, pans, rocks and sticks which they've had hidden behind their backs or under their clothes. Nicodemus' soldiers are pelted with rocks. Several of them tumble off their horses, taken by surprise. The townspeople attack. Gabrielle throws off her cloak, revealing her sais, and leaps into the fray. Nicodemus' warriors are being knocked down everywhere. As the fight rages, Eve stands to the side, looking uncomfortable. Then she sees one of the soldiers about to strike down a townswoman who has fallen. Eve hesitates, then grabs a rock and throws it at the soldier, knocking the sword out of his hand. He looks up in shock and she smiles a little.

Under the surprise attack, the warriors turn around and run, while others are on the ground wounded or knocked unconscious. Xena stops and turns to Nicodemus, who is still mounted on his horse.

XENA:
     I wonder why your men left so soon. Didn't enjoy the party?

The townspeople start to converge on him and then pelt him with rotten food.

TOWNSWOMAN #1 (throws a rotten apple):
     These rotten scraps are all the food you left us. Maybe now you can taste it yourself!

Nicodemus tries to ward off the incoming missiles and tumbles off his horse. The townspeople laugh, pelting him with more food. There is a brilliant flash of blue light and Ares appears in the middle of the square, his hand on the hilt of his sword. The townspeople gasp.

XENA:
     Well, look who decided to show up.

ARES:
     Hey. Now that you've got the situation firmly in hand, mind if I have a little fun? It's not as if I'd be (with a look of mock horror) bailing you out or anything.

Nicodemus looks frightened.

NICODEMUS:
     Ares, my lord, I beg you, have mercy.

A murmur of "Ares" goes up among the townspeople.

ARES (sneers):
     Mercy? The God of War doesn't show mercy...especially not to those who choose to disobey my commands.

NICODEMUS (stammers):
     P-p-p-p-please, m-m-my Lord...

ARES:
     Run along. You're much too pathetic to kill.

He laughs gleefully. Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and the townsfolk join in. Nicodemus turns around, leaving his horse behind, and runs toward the still-open town gates.

XENA (to Ares):
     And that's all the fun you were going to have?

ARES (shakes his head and grins slyly):
     Oh no. You just watch.

Just as Nicodemus is running out through the gates, Ares raises his hand and shoots a lightning bolt, zapping him in the backside. Nicodemus yelps and grabs his backside, running faster. Ares shoots another bolt at him.

GABRIELLE (scrunches up her eyebrows):
     I'm getting this weird sense of deja vu...

ARES (grins):
     It's good to be a god.

XENA (smirks):
     You know, I can't believe you would even pick a guy like that to be in your service. Bad for your reputation.

ARES:
     Oh, so you're worried about my reputation now, are you?

XENA (teasingly):
     Not really. (suddenly, she grows serious) Thank you, Ares.

ARES (looks at her questioningly):
     For what?

XENA:
     For not siding with Nicodemus...and for letting me do things my way.

ARES:
     Mm-hmm. (they look deeply into each other's eyes, oblivious to everyone else for a moment, then jolt out of their trance) Well, I've got...stuff to do. See you later, right?

XENA:
     Right.

He disappears.

GABRIELLE (walks up to Xena):
     Well, at least we know he won't be back here again.

XENA (gives her a puzzled look):
     Who? Ares?

GABRIELLE (grins):
     No, Nicodemus. What, do you have Ares on your mind or something?

Xena smiles sheepishly. Meanwhile, the villagers begin to cheer for their victory, chanting the names of Xena and Gabrielle.

TREIUS:
     Hey, let's not forget Eve! My friends and I would have been dead if it hadn't been for her.

Eve looks embarrassed. Some of the townspeople pick up a chant of "Eve."

LANDER (walks up):
     Thank you so much. We never would have been freed if it weren't for you.

XENA:
     It's what we do. But remember, Lander, the people of your town freed themselves. I just (smiles) gave them some useful tips.

Lander nods and walks toward the crowd.

GABRIELLE:
     So, Xena--is Ares still bothering you?

XENA (a dreamy smile still on her face):
     What do you mean?

GABRIELLE:
     I mean, does it still bother you that you're...with him?

XENA:
     Gabrielle...

GABRIELLE:
     Fine. If you don't want to talk about it...

Gabrielle turns.

XENA:
     No, Gabrielle, wait! (Gabrielle looks back) The truth is...it's never going to be easy between Ares and me. But being with him is my choice, and I don't regret it.

Gabrielle smiles as she walks back to Xena. Eve joins them, and Xena puts an arm around both of them, smiling. They walk over to the crowd of townspeople who cheer them again.

LANDER (to the townspeople):
     We're free. Can you believe it? We're free. All we had to do was believe--not just in Xena, but in ourselves.

Music fades in: "When You Believe" {4.65 MB} (Right-click or Ctrl-click sound icon to save file)

The townspeople nod in agreement; Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve stand back watching them.

LANDER (singing):
     Many nights we prayed
     With no proof anyone could hear
     In our hearts a hopeful song
     We barely understood
     Now we are not afraid
     Although we know there's much to fear
     We were moving mountains
     Long before we knew we could

A beat.

     There can be miracles
     When you believe
     Though hope is frail
     It's hard to kill

A beat.

     Who knows what miracles
     You can achieve
     When you believe
     Somehow you will
     You will when you believe

Treius walks up next to Lander. He looks at Lander briefly and then looks ahead.

TREIUS (singing):
     In this time of fear
     When prayer so often proves in vain
     Hope seems like the summer birds
     Too swiftly flown away

A beat.

     Yet now I'm standing here
     My heart so full I can't explain
     Seeking faith and speaking words
     I never thought I'd say

A beat.

     There can be miracles
     When you believe
     Though hope is frail
     It's hard to kill

A beat.

     Who knows what miracles
     You can achieve
     When you believe
     Somehow you will
     You will when you believe

They and the rest of the villagers start to walk out of the village gates, smiles on their faces. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve smile too, following.

LANDER and TREIUS (singing):
     They don't always happen when you ask
     And it's easy to give in to your fears
     But when you're blinded by your pain
     You can't see the way to get through the rain

LANDER (singing):
     Hold still

TREIUS (singing):
     Reveal your voice

LANDER and TREIUS (singing):
     Says hope is very near

ALL VILLAGERS (singing):
     There can be miracles
     When you believe
     Though hope is frail
     It's hard to kill

A beat.

     Who knows what miracles
     You can achieve
     When you believe
     Somehow you will
     Now you will
     You will when you believe

LANDER (singing):
     You will when you

TREIUS (singing):
     You will when you
     Believe
     You will when you

LANDER and TREIUS (singing):
     Believe

The music fades and the townspeople walk on, Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve behind them.

DISSOLVE TO

The sound of birds chirping is heard. It is morning. The camera pans over the campsite. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve are asleep in their bedrolls. The camera moves in on them as the chirping gets louder and they all wake up at the same time. They sit up and look at each other, bewildered.

EVE:
     Was that a dream?

XENA:
     I guess so. (shakes her head) I had a dream that seemed so real...we were in a town called Coronea and there was this warlord named Nicodemus, whom I fought years ago...

GABRIELLE and EVE (in unison):
     You had it too?

XENA (stunned):
     What do you mean?

GABRIELLE:
     Coronea, Nicodemus...we were there! There was a man who asked for our help, named...

XENA:
     Lander?

EVE:
     Yes!

GABRIELLE:
     And then you got the townspeople to pretend to surrender and when Nicodemus' troops rode into the town, they--

EVE:
     Attacked them with rocks?

XENA:
     And pots and pans?

EVE and GABRIELLE:
     Yeah!

XENA:
     And then when Nicodemus was running away, Ares zapped him--

GABRIELLE (chuckles):
     Right in the backside!

XENA (rubs her temples):
     I guess we all had the same dream last night.

GABRIELLE:
     How could that have...wait. What did we eat last night?

EVE:
     Just the berries that I got in the forest.

Xena stands up and looks around, searching for any of the berries that were left. She finds one lying on the ground. She picks it up and inspects it, then throws it down and looks at Eve.

XENA:
     Eve, you gave us Zazen Berries. Do you know what those are? They play tricks on the mind and cause hallucinations.

Eve looks at Xena and Gabrielle guiltily.

EVE:
     Sorry. I thought they were something else.

XENA:
     Well, at least we know who won't ever be gathering dinner for us again.

GABRIELLE:
     Hey, I'm sure she can cook a little better than you. Besides, it was an interesting experience.

EVE (hesitantly):
     There was a moment in my dream when I fought because it was--the right thing to do. I wonder what that means...

GABRIELLE:
     Eve, you'll know when the time is right.

XENA:
     Come on, let's get out of here.

Gabrielle and Eve stand up, and they all start to pack up camp. Xena walks over to Argo, straps her bedroll to the saddlebag and mounts. Eve and Gabrielle soon do the same and mount their own horses.

GABRIELLE (a little wistfully):
     You know, it's funny...I saw Joxer's ghost in my dream (casts a slightly uncomfortable look at Eve) and I said things to him that I really wish I could say...I wish it had been real.

EVE (almost in a whisper):
     I saw him too.

There is a brief uncomfortable silence.

GABRIELLE (trying to sound cheerful):
     So where are we headed?

XENA:
     To start with, I'd like to get some real food. (shoots a teasing glance at Eve) Preferably the kind that won't give us any more weird dreams. Come on, there's a village not far from here that has a good tavern.

GABRIELLE:
     Good idea.

Just as Xena nudges Argo and is about to move forward, there is a flash of light and Ares appears in their path.

ARES:
     Morning.

XENA:
     Morning.

ARES (glances at Gabrielle and Eve, then turns to Xena):
     Can I, uh, talk to you alone?

XENA:
     What about?

ARES:
     Well...I had this odd dream last night...

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve exchange startled glances.

GABRIELLE:
     Gods get dreams? I didn't know you even slept.

ARES:
     We do sometimes.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him suspiciously):
     Wait a minute. This dream of yours, did it have anything to do with a town called Coronea and my old friend Nicodemus the Warlord?

ARES (looks at her, surprised):
     You had the same dream?

XENA:
     So did Eve and Gabrielle. (angry) Ares, what have you done? Were you messing with our heads? That would explain everything.

ARES:
     No, Xena, I didn't. (impatient) Come on, after everything that's happened between us (Eve looks away at his words, flinching slightly) do you really think I'd mess with your dreams?

XENA (a little uncertainly):
     Well...I suppose not.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Thank you for that ringing vote of confidence.

There is a flash of golden light, and Aphrodite appears.

APHRODITE:
     Hey, stop busting Ar's chops! I was the one who gave you that dream, okay?

XENA, GABRIELLE, EVE and ARES (in unison):
     You did?

APHRODITE (with a self-satisfied grin):
     Yeah. Didn't think I was up to it, didya? I always told you, don't believe everything you hear about blondes.

ARES:
     It would take a blonde to do something that stupid! (shoots a glance at Gabrielle) Um...yeah. (back to Aphrodite) Don't you know better than to mess with another god's head?

XENA:
     Why would you do a thing like that?

APHRODITE:
     Because you all have issues, okay? If I left it up to you, I would get wrinkles before you did something about it. (rolls her eyes)

XENA (irritated):
     And that gives you the right to do it for us?

APHRODITE (beaming):
     I'm a god, Warrior Babe. I don't need rights. (looks at Gabrielle) Hey, Gabrielle--just wanted to tell you one thing.

GABRIELLE (a little sadly):
     Yeah?

APHRODITE:
     Joxer--you did talk to him. Yeah, it was a dream, but he was really there.

GABRIELLE (smiles brightly, her eyes growing a little moist):
     He was?

APHRODITE:
     Yeah. It was his chance to...say some things, too.

Gabrielle smiles contentedly.

During the conversation between Aphrodite and Gabrielle, Xena has ridden forward a little, stopping under a large tree. Ares comes up to her. She dismounts and they face each other.

XENA:
     So...

ARES:
     So.

They are silent for a moment.

XENA:
     I guess your sister had a point. We're just not very good at talking when we're awake.

ARES:
     Xena, the things I told you in the dream--I really did mean them.

XENA:
     I know you did.

ARES:
     Want me to say them again, when we're awake?

Xena slowly shakes her head, looking him in the eye.

ARES:
     Hey. What's that?

He points to a small piece of chain sticking out of Xena's breastplate. She reaches into it and pulls out the medallion that Ares gave her in the dream. She looks at it and then at Ares, smiling warmly.

XENA:
     It's beautiful.

ARES:
     So...what you told me in the dream...

XENA (quickly):
     I didn't tell you anything. (off his indignant look) Just kidding.

ARES:
     I know you are.

He smiles and then disappears. Xena stands looking at the spot where he vanished, the medallion in her hand. A close-up on the dreamy look on her face.

GABRIELLE (off screen):
     Xena. (Xena doesn't hear her as the camera pulls back for a wide shot of Xena, Gabrielle and Eve) Xena! (louder) Xena!

XENA (jolted out of her trance):
     Yeah?

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     Still dreaming?

XENA (grins):
     Maybe.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, wake up and let's get to that village.

XENA (mutters as she gets back in the saddle):
     Maybe I don't want to wake up.

GABRIELLE ("did I hear that right?"):
     What?

XENA:
     I didn't say anything.

GABRIELLE (rolls her eyes):
     Oh...there we go again.

Gabrielle kicks her horse and starts off, followed by Eve. Xena continues to look at the medallion. Then she shakes her head with a smile, puts it back in her breastplate and hurries to catch up with Gabrielle and Eve as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Eve's reputation as an herbalist suffered during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 7 Episode 21 What Dreams May Come Story By: Aurora Written By: Aurora Edited By: Amber and LadyKate Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkinson Ares Kevin Smith Aphrodite Alexandra Tydings Joxer Ted Raimi Lander Steve Liquori Treius Bob Burchette Nicodemus Justin Berka Original Airdate May 29, 2002 Eve's reputation as an herbalist suffered during the production of this motion picture. 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

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