ACT FOUR

FADE IN

Xena is strolling briskly through the palace garden in Corinth. She stops and her eyes widen, a tense, bitter look on her face.

XENA (quietly):
     Ares.

Ares materializes, a guarded, somewhat grim look on his face.

ARES:
     I thought I'd save you the trouble of calling me.

XENA (narrows her eyes):
     I'm flattered that you found the time. You must be pretty busy with your new pet.

ARES (sighs):
     Sabina. You think I'm helping her.

XENA:
      She obviously thinks you are.

ARES:
     Or she wants her troops to think so.

XENA (pauses and looks at him probingly):
     Then tell me you've never spoken to Sabina. (Ares stares at her silently) Tell me you didn't come to see her after I fought her. (off his silent stare, bitterly) I thought so.

CUT TO

Gabrielle paces in a colonnade on an upper floor of the Corinthian palace. It's dark, only the moonlight illuminates her. She stops to lean over the side, peering down expectantly. After a moment, her face falls in disappointment and her head drops a little lower. Sensing someone approaching her from behind, she turns her head slightly, listening for the footsteps.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon.

Haimon steps into the moonlight and smiles at her.

HAIMON:
     I thought I'd keep you company.

GABRIELLE (she turns to face him, leaning against the wall):
     You mean you thought you'd try to keep my mind off worrying about Eve.

HAIMON:
     Sabina. (he shakes his head) Do you really think she would do anything to hurt Eve?

GABRIELLE (smiles bitterly):
     After that last attack, I don't have a lot of confidence left in Sabina's humanity.

HAIMON:
     You encouraged all those people down there not to give up hope. (he shakes his head sadly) I believed in what you said. (he reaches up to stroke her cheek with his fingertips) I believed it and I admired you for having the faith to say it. Don't let Sabina take that from you too.

GABRIELLE (wrenches away from his touch):
     Fine! Then tell me that Eve is all right and that she'll be riding back through those gates any minute.

Haimon stares at her, then lowers his eyes. Gabrielle nods bitterly.

GABRIELLE:
     I didn't think so.

Haimon sighs and grasps her by the shoulders lightly.

HAIMON:
     You sent Eve to Sabina--

GABRIELLE (shoving him away angrily):
     I don't have to listen to this! I know that!

Gabrielle rushes past Haimon.

CUT TO

Xena walks on in a purposeful stride, but Ares transports himself so that he stands in her path.

ARES:
     Xena.

XENA (stops, her eyes flashing):
     Sabina is everything you could possibly want in a Warrior Queen, isn't she? Smart, ruthless, fearless--great combat skills...

ARES:
     You're making a pretty good sales pitch.

XENA (bitingly):
     Not nearly as good as the one she made for herself, I bet. (looks at him regretfully) Oh, I know you would have rather given the job to me, but you knew I'd never take it. (pauses) I should have known. Just because we're together--it doesn't mean that you weren't going to look for someone who could give you--more. (sarcastically) You're the God of War and it's what you do.

ARES (takes her shoulders and speaks, a steely edge underneath his suave tone):
     I'm not going to make excuses for my job, Xena. Don't forget--you gave it back to me.

XENA (shoves him away, disgusted):
     Fine. Go on and do your job, then. Let me go and do mine.

ARES (exasperated):
     Let me finish. I can't promise you that I'll never back someone you don't approve of. But I can promise I'll never lie to you about it, or do it behind your back. It's the best I can do.

XENA (warily):
     What are you saying?

ARES:
     That if I was helping Sabina, you'd be the first to know. (off her doubtful look) You don't believe me.

XENA (after a long pause, her face reflecting a struggle):
     I don't know.

ARES (takes her hands):
     Come on, Xena, don't you think you can trust me now?

A long pause. There is a pained look on Xena's face.

ARES (grimly):
     I see.

He disappears. Xena lowers her eyes and stands still, her face rigid.

CUT TO

Haimon catches up to Gabrielle and takes her by the arm, turning her back towards him.

HAIMON:
     Hold on and let me finish. You sent Eve to Sabina because you were trying to protect the lives of the people in here. There wasn't any other choice. You knew that and so did Eve. Whatever else happens, Eve rode out of these gates a hero, willing to risk her life a thousand times over for hundreds of people she didn't even know. You didn't have to order her to do that, Gabrielle. It's just who Eve is.

Gabrielle stares up at Haimon a moment, resentment burning in her eyes. Finally, her expression crumbles and she dissolves into tears, burying her head against Haimon's chest. He draws his arms tightly around her, stroking her hair soothingly.

HAIMON:
     It's going to be all right. I promise. (he raises her chin with his index finger to look down into her eyes) You believe me, don't you?

Gabrielle stares up at him, an odd expression on her face. Finally, she nods.

GABRIELLE:
     I believe you.

A long and intense gaze is exchanged between Haimon and Gabrielle. Haimon grasps her shoulders a little tighter. At the same time, Gabrielle leans up towards Haimon as he is bending down to her. They kiss.

XENA (off camera):
     Gabrielle? (she comes bounding up the steps) Gabrielle?

She stops short, stunned, when she sees Haimon and Gabrielle kissing. They break apart, quickly moving away from one another.

XENA:
     Sorry. I--uh--I thought...

GABRIELLE (rakes a shaky hand through her hair and turns to Haimon):
     Haimon--would you excuse us a minute?

HAIMON (nods, glancing at Xena nervously):
     Sure. Sure--I'll just be... (he gives Xena a wide berthing as he heads for the steps)

Gabrielle watches him descend, then turns back to Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     What is it? Is there news about Eve?

XENA (frowns and nods):
     Sabina sent back a message with the soldiers that accompanied Eve to the camp.

GABRIELLE (swallows hard):
     Eve is--?

XENA:
     She's fine. Or so Sabina says. She's holding Eve as some kind of bargaining chip against me. She wants to meet me just outside the walls of Corinth tomorrow at sunrise.

GABRIELLE:
     I guess she's not coming to discuss the terms of her surrender.

XENA:
     I think there's about as much chance of that as there is of Aphrodite becoming a Hestian virgin. (Xena pauses and looks away sadly. Her eyes mist up a little) Gabrielle--Ares is working with Sabina.

GABRIELLE:
     You've suspected that all along. What makes you so sure?

XENA:
     One of the prisoners told me. (she sighs) Ares came to see me just now.

GABRIELLE (raises an eyebrow in skepticism):
     And Ares admitted to you that he was helping Sabina?

XENA:
     He didn't do a very good job of denying it.

GABRIELLE (shaking her head, almost in disbelief):
     Xena, I never thought I'd be defending Ares. But I can't believe that he--

XENA:
     Can't believe he could be a lying, manipulative bastard?

GABRIELLE (pauses, thinking carefully about her response):
     All right, he could. (holds up her hand as Xena opens her mouth to speak) Xena--you know that Ares and I don't have the greatest history. And I don't think we have much of a future. He can be arrogant, manipulative, cruel--but I can still see that underneath all that, he really does... (she flinches slightly) ...care about you.

XENA (thoughtfully):
     Maybe I was right all along... Ares only cares about himself.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, he gave up everything for you--twice. He wouldn't put his ambitions for some second-rate warrior queen ahead of you.

XENA:
     Since when did you become Ares' champion?

GABRIELLE:
     Maybe since he gave up his godhood to save Eve and me. Do you really think that after all that, he would allow Sabina to harm your daughter?

XENA:
     You mean the way he almost let Varia kill Eve?

GABRIELLE (thinks for a moment):
     The way he let you free Eve and wreck his plans for a big war. (she pauses as Xena looks down) Xena, he's been chasing after you for so many years. Now that he finally has you--does it make any sense that he would do something to mess it up?

XENA (raises her eyes, an anguished, bitter look on her face):
     Maybe that's it. The hunt is over, the thrill is gone. He's moved on to bigger game.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, you don't believe that!

XENA (shakes her head bitterly):
     Ares hasn't changed, Gabrielle. I wanted to believe that he could--that he had. Yes, he has some compassion in him, and... (her voice drops as she looks away slightly) ...love. And sometimes, he can act on it and do something completely selfless. But eventually, it's back to normal. Ares can never be good. Not really.

GABRIELLE:
     Can't teach an old dog new tricks, is that it, Xena?

XENA:
     Exactly.

GABRIELLE:
     Well, if what you say is true--then I suppose I've been fooling myself all these years about you too. Sooner or later you'll go back to being a killer with no compassion or conscience.

XENA (her jaw clenches and unclenches several times):
     Just you watch, Gabrielle--if Sabina does anything to hurt Eve, it could happen sooner than you think.

GABRIELLE (her mouth forms into a sneer):
     I'm sure Eve would be honored that her mother is willing to avenge her with a bloodbath.

Xena turns away angrily.

GABRIELLE (takes a deep breath and continues in a gentler tone):
     Xena, do you think I could ever forgive myself if anything happens to Eve? It was my decision to send her to Sabina. But if you're willing to become a monster to avenge her...

XENA (whips around):
     Yes?

GABRIELLE (takes a deep breath):
     Don't count on me to stand beside you--me or the Amazon nation.

XENA (looks at Gabrielle with something close to disgust):
     Thanks. At least now I know.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena--

XENA:
     I can trust you about as much as I can trust Ares.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, don't--

Xena turns and storms off. Close up of Gabrielle's anguished face as she watches Xena walk away.

CUT TO

The sun is beginning to rise as Sabina waits on horseback a few hundred yards from the city's gates. Just behind her, Peneios waits on horseback as well. Accompanying her is a contingent of fifty of her best soldiers. They wait patiently. It is so quiet that the sound of the bolt being removed from Corinth's gate can be heard. Peneios picks his head up expectantly.

PENEIOS (his voice shrill with excitement):
     They're coming out!

SABINA:
     Peneios?

PENEIOS:
     Yes?

SABINA:
     If you can't keep your emotions under control, keep your mouth shut until this is over.

Peneios frowns and drops his gaze. The city's gate opens slowly with an audible creak. Xena rides out on horseback, keeping the gait of the horse slow and relaxed. Gabrielle and Haimon follow at the head of a column of Corinth's soldiers. They all appear to be exhausted and dirty--a striking contrast to the neat and polished appearance of Sabina's men. Sabina waits to speak until her horse and Xena's are practically nose to nose.

SABINA:
     My compliments to you and your men, Xena. You fought well last night. You exceeded even my expectations.

XENA (arches her eyebrows derisively):
     Sorry to have disappointed you.

SABINA (smiles with chilly amusement):
     Actually, I enjoyed the challenge--however small. (pauses a moment to gauge Xena's reaction) Let's be honest, Xena. We both know I was toying with you last night.

XENA (sneers):
     Oh, really? Then what are you doing here? Why not just take the city if you're so sure of yourself?

SABINA:
     I was hoping you'd listen to reason. You're out of soldiers, you're out of food and you're out of options. It's time to end this before any more lives are lost needlessly.

XENA:
     You'll forgive me if I'm a little suspicious of your regard for human life.

SABINA (laughs):
     You're right. If anyone is foolish enough to stand against me, I don't care if they live or die. But you do. (she pauses as her eyes meet Xena's) You can surrender or you can fight, Xena. Either way, the city will be mine. The only question is whether these people will live to see it or not.

XENA:
     And what's to stop you from slaughtering every man, woman and child inside Corinth if we do surrender?

SABINA (frowns almost in disappointment):
     You know me, Xena. I'm cold, I'm ruthless and I'm practical. But I don't kill just for the sport of it. I'm not a monster. And as a show of good faith--

Sabina raises her hand in signal. The column of soldiers splits down the middle and we see Eve and a semi-circle of six men guarding her.

SABINA:
     Bring her.

The soldiers march Eve down the center of the column toward Xena.

XENA:
     Eve!

Xena leaps down off of her mount and pulls Eve into her arms.

XENA:
     Eve--thank the... I was so worried about you. (she pulls back to touch her daughter's cheek)

SABINA:
     I'm giving her back to you.

XENA (ignoring Sabina, she strokes Eve's hair):
     You're all right? She didn't hurt you?

EVE (shakes her head):
     No. I'm fine, Mother.

SABINA:
     You see? This should prove to you that I don't kill for the sake of killing. Don't let your pride be the death warrant of these people, Xena. You can't win.

XENA (steps around Eve and moves menacingly towards Sabina):
     Don't be too sure, Sabina. Even Achilles had a weakness.

SABINA (smiles coldly):
     And maybe yours is underestimating me. You think I'm just another Mavican.

Xena gives her a slightly puzzled look and frowns, as if Sabina's words have reminded her of something but she's not sure what it is.

XENA:
     Give me time to think about this. I can't make this decision on my own.

SABINA:
     Very well. You have until sundown to surrender the city. I think I'm being generous enough.

She raises her hand and motions to her troops. Her soldiers turn around and, led by Peneios, pull back from the gates. Sabina stays still, steadily holding Xena's gaze. Then she smiles, betraying just a hint of glee, and turns around and rides away. Xena grimly purses her lips and signals to the watchman at the top of the gates. Slowly, with a groan, the gates open and Corinth's defenders, led by Xena, retreat back into the city.

CUT TO

The hall that serves as headquarters. Xena, Gabrielle, Haimon and Eve are there, along with some of the Corinthian officers we saw before, including Kodros.

GABRIELLE:
     Where's Jason?

KODROS:
     He was killed in the fighting last night. (Gabrielle lowers her eyes sadly) Along with fifteen other Corinthians. Such losses mean nothing to Sabina, but three more such attacks--and between the dead and the wounded, we'll have no defense left.

XENA:
     Then there's no choice but to surrender the city.

KODROS (appalled):
     It's the end of Corinth.

GABRIELLE:
     No, it's not. It will buy us some time. We can always come back with reinforcements--there has to be an army somewhere that can stand up to Sabina.

EVE:
     Sometimes you have to lose a few battles to win the war.

XENA (darts a quick glance at her):
     Sounds like an excuse for losers.

EVE:
     It was Eli who said that--don't you remember? I read it in Gabrielle's scrolls.

XENA (suddenly thoughtful):
     Scrolls... (she turns abruptly to Gabrielle, looking as if she's been trying to think of something and has finally remembered what it was.) Gabrielle--in your scrolls, did you ever write about Mavican?

GABRIELLE (glances at her, surprised):
     Why?

XENA (brusquely):
     Just tell me, Gabrielle. I have my reasons.

GABRIELLE:
     No, I didn't. She wanted to make a name for herself by going after you--and I decided I wasn't going to give her that.

For just a moment, Xena's face crumbles, her eyes filled with pain and regret before she regains her composure.

XENA (quietly):
     I see...

Gabrielle takes her arm; Xena flinches and looks at her.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, maybe we don't have to give up the city. I know you don't like asking Ares for help, and I know you think he's working with Sabina--but--

XENA (harshly):
     No, Gabrielle. I know he is.

CUT TO

Outside the gates of Corinth. The sun, on its way toward sunset, is blazing in the cloudless sky. The gates creak and groan, and start opening slowly until they are thrown wide open.

CUT TO

The inside of Sabina's tent. Peneios sticks his head inside the tent; Sabina, who is seated on a fur-covered chair reading a scroll, looks up at him sharply.

PENEIOS (trying to suppress his excitement):
     They've just opened the gates!

Sabina rises abruptly, a look of triumph on her face.

SABINA:
     Now, it's over.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Haimon riding out of the city gates. They look tired and gloomy. Behind them, the gates stay open.

A wide overhead shot of the city walls and Sabina's camp. As Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Haimon ride toward the camp, Sabina rides out toward them. The camera slowly pans down until it closes in on Sabina and Xena, who stop just a few paces from each other and stare at each other silently for a few moments. Gabrielle, Eve and Haimon look away.

XENA:
     The city is yours.

Sabina smiles coldly and nods. Xena and her companions ride on.

CUT TO

Sabina entering the city gates at the head of her army.

CUT TO

Kodros standing on the palace colonnade where we saw Gabrielle and Haimon before. A grim look on his face, he leans on the ledge and looks down. An overhead shot of Sabina's soldiers moving through the streets of Corinth.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle, Haimon and Eve riding silently through a grove at a slow pace.

GABRIELLE (reaches out to touch Xena's arm):
     Xena... (Xena flinches slightly) It's not the end of--

XENA (abruptly):
     Don't. There's nothing you or anyone else can say that-- (she trails off, shaking her head)

EVE (tentatively):
     Mother...

XENA (harshly):
     I'd like some time to myself, if you don't mind. (prods Argo) Yah!

She takes off at a gallop. Gabrielle, Eve and Haimon exchange worried looks.

CUT TO

A deserted stretch of the road lined with trees on both sides. The trees and the road are bathed in the glow of the setting sun, which glows crimson above the horizon. Xena is riding alone at a trot.

Ahead of her, there is a flash of blue light. Ares appears in the road and stands still, his arms folded on his chest. A close-up of his face, closed and expressionless.

Xena, facing the camera, slows Argo down to a walk. Not a muscle flinches in her face as she gets closer to Ares, but one can see the bitter disappointment and sadness in her eyes.

When Xena is only a couple of paces away from Ares, his eyes flicker and his lips twitch slightly; he swallows convulsively. Xena rides on, looking straight ahead, her face unchanged. Ares remains silent. Xena rides past him.

The camera pans to face Xena again, so that we see Ares standing immobile behind her. Xena reaches into her breastplate, takes something out and drops it on the ground without slowing down. The camera pans down to the objects she has dropped. It's the medallion from "What Dreams May Come" and the pearl pendant Ares gave her in the teaser.

A close-up of Ares as he watches Xena sadly. Then, the camera pulls back for a long shot to show Ares standing in the road with his back to the viewer, and Xena ahead of him, riding slowly away in the dusk as we:

FADE OUT

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Xena and Ares could have used relationship counseling during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 7 Episode 23 Divided We Stand I Story By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Written By: LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkinson Ares Kevin Smith Sabina Jennifer Garner Haimon Michael Vartan Peneios Simon Qui Kodros Steve Call Original Airdate July 21, 2002 Xena and Ares could have used relationship counseling 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

This script is provided by GDev Resources.