FADE IN

Xena's tent. The camera pans over to Ares and Xena. He is half-lying on the fur spread, propped up on some pillows, with his arms around Xena, whose head is resting on his chest. Their eyes are closed, their expressions tender and wistful.

HAIMON (off-camera):
     Xena?

Xena's eyes fly open and she sits up. Haimon is standing at the tent entrance. Ares scowls while Xena stares silently at Haimon.

HAIMON (uncomfortably):
     Sorry, I didn't realize you had--company.

Xena glances awkwardly at Ares; he gets up and disappears in a flash of light. Haimon flinches slightly.

XENA:
     It's all right--what is it?

HAIMON (awkwardly):
     Can I talk to you...about Gabrielle?

XENA:
     You mean she's not--(breaks off abruptly, a flash of realization on her face)

HAIMON (stares at her intently):
     No. She told you she was going to see me?

XENA (shakes her head slowly):
     No.

HAIMON:
     She just rode out of camp--she told me there's something she needs to do alone. (pauses) I think we both know who she's gone off to find.

He and Xena stare at each other.

XENA:
     Haimon. If Gabrielle has gone to find Nero, it's not to protect him.

HAIMON:
     What makes you so sure?

XENA:
     Knowing what I know about Nero. (pauses) And knowing Gabrielle.

HAIMON (frowns):
     What about Nero?

XENA (with an anguished look):
     Haimon--it was Nero who led the gang that raided Darion's village. It was Nero who kidnapped his sister. (off his shocked look) It was just a lark for him. A spoiled Roman nobleman--sowing his wild oats. (softly) Whatever illusions Gabrielle may have had about Nero once--she could never forgive him for that. (pauses) And she knows that the war needs to be stopped--as much as you and I do.

They stare at each other.

CUT TO

Night. Outside Nero's house. Aquilo and the slaves guarding the exits are visible in the moonlight. The camera pans to Gabrielle, who is hiding in the shrubbery nearby, watching intently.

A hand comes down on the shoulder. She flinches and turns around to see Ares standing behind her.

GABRIELLE (in an angry whisper):
     Ares. I don't have time for this.

ARES (with a crooked grin):
     For what? You've been sitting here long enough to take a good nap.

GABRIELLE:
     What are you here for?

ARES:
     Funny, I could ask you the same thing.

GABRIELLE:
     You know why I'm here.

ARES (sarcastic):
     Kill Nero. Stop the war. Stop Sabina. Am I missing anything?

GABRIELLE (angrily):
     Don't try to stop me.

ARES (raises his eyebrows):
     Me? The only thing stopping you is you.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm just waiting for a chance to get into the house. I need to get past them. (gestures toward the men patrolling the house)

ARES (chuckles):
     Them? A few house slaves too much for you to handle? Come on, you could have taken them in your first year on the road with Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     That's just it, don't you see? They're not warriors. And they'd fight to the last to protect their emperor.

ARES:
     So--if you could get past them--you would just walk up to Nero and--(draws his finger across his throat)

GABRIELLE (winces):
     I'll do what I have to do. (off his skeptical look) Isn't this what you've been telling me, Ares? That I won't accept my responsibility as a warrior? (bitterly) Maybe it's time I did.

ARES:
     Right. And your only problem is getting inside the house.

Gabrielle stares at him defiantly. Ares walks past her and toward the house.

GABRIELLE (hisses):
     What are you doing?

ARES:
     Don't worry, they can't see me.

He holds out his right arm and makes a sweeping motion. In the next instant, the men outside the house crumple to the ground.

GABRIELLE (runs toward Ares):
     Oh no--what did you--

ARES:
     They're asleep, not dead. They'll stay that way until dawn. (smirks) There goes your excuse. Good luck.

He vanishes in a flash of light. Gabrielle stares in exasperation at the spot where he vanished. Then, pursing her lips with a determined look, she walks toward the house.

CUT TO

Nero shuffling morosely down a dark, deserted hallway in his residence, a beam of moonlight provides faint illumination. He stops and glances around.

NERO:
     Aquilo?

He waits for a response but there is only deadly silence.

NERO (sighs):
     Alone... (He shuffles along aimlessly, muttering sorrowfully to himself.)
     ...The horror of the house,
     The curse of ancient bloodshed, now repaid!
     Yea, deep and to the heart the deathblow fell,
     Edged by their (he stops, blinks and shakes his head, trying to remember the rest of the line)...by their feud ineffable...

He passes by a darkened archway and Gabrielle steps out of the shadows behind him, a dangerous expression on her face.

GABRIELLE:
      ...By the grim curse, their sire did imprecate
     Discord and deadly hate!

Nero gasps and spins around.

NERO:
     Gabrielle! You...(he looks her up and down) You're here...

She glares and Nero shrinks back a little. He glances around nervously.

NERO:
     And Xena?

GABRIELLE:
     Xena isn't the one you should be worried about.

NERO:
     Of course she is! She's a barbarian--a vicious, deceitful thug. Surely I don't have to tell you that.

GABRIELLE (menacingly):
     I'm warning you. Watch what you say about--

NERO:
      We are artists, Gabrielle. We've dedicated our lives to the muse--to creation--not the destruction that Xena is so hell bent on.

Gabrielle is eerily calm. She glares at Nero dangerously.

GABRIELLE:
     You're one to talk. It was you that raided Darion's village, killed his parents, took his sister. (she takes a menacing step towards Nero.) Then you offered Lykia her freedom in exchange for murdering Agrippina.

Nero reels back, as if struck by a blow.

NERO:
     Who is it that has turned you so against me? That pathetic weakling that you've taken up with? (he smirks) Oh yes--I know all about him. A destitute vagabond that follows after you and Xena like some tame pup. What could he possibly have that I don't?

GABRIELLE:
     For starters--me.

With a howl, Nero lunges at Gabrielle. Gabrielle reacts quickly, spinning around to land a kick in the small of his back. Before he can check his forward momentum, Nero stumbles into a wall, banging his shoulder. He glances around for a weapon or an avenue of escape, finding none, he glances up at the ceiling as if in supplication.

NERO:
      O father, look down on the fight;
      Look down in thy wrath on the wronger, with eyes that are eager for right.

GABRIELLE:
     Forget the poetry and fight.

Nero freezes, as if trying to screw up his courage to charge at her again. When Gabrielle pulls her sais from her boots and affects a fighting stance he sinks to his knees, holding his hands up in front of his face.

NERO:
     No! No, you can't! Gabrielle--I implore you...in the name of everything we--

Gabrielle takes a menacing step closer. Realizing he is unable to talk her out of this, Nero suddenly sighs, composing himself. He lifts his head to expose his throat and squeezes his eyes shut.

NERO:
     What an artist the world loses in me!

Gabrielle lifts her sai above her head. Nero clasps his hands tightly together, his lip quivers even as he tries to maintain his composure. Despite herself, Gabrielle is affected by the pathetic figure crumpled on the floor. She pauses a long moment, thinking. Finally, she exhales slowly, lowering her weapon. Nero opens up his eyes, blinking in confusion.

NERO (sighing in relief):
     I knew you couldn't--

She strikes Nero in the temple with the handle of her sai. He crumples to the floor unconscious.

Gabrielle stares down at him, her expression inscrutable. She doesn't hear Sabina step up behind her.

SABINA:
     I knew you couldn't do it.

Gabrielle turns her head slightly.

GABRIELLE:
     You followed me?

SABINA (shrugs lightly):
     I figured that if anyone knew where Nero was hiding, it would be you.

GABRIELLE (speaks as if to herself):
     He told me about this place once. He said it inspired his muse.

Sabina rolls her eyes.

SABINA:
     Well, be sure to give his muse my regards. But if I were you I'd leave her name out of this and hog all the credit for myself.

Gabrielle flinches, as if reminded of something. Sabina notices and nods.

SABINA:
     My, my. Quite a sticky situation for you, isn't it, Gabrielle? You can't bring yourself to kill Nero--and yet you and Xena both think that Nero has to die to keep me from getting too powerful. (smirks) Don't think I haven't figured it out. Now, what's to stop me from stealing Nero right out from under your nose and bringing him back to camp as my trophy? Just think how many converts I'd win with a move like that.

Gabrielle spins on Sabina, a fierce glint in her eye.

GABRIELLE:
     The war is over, Sabina. Galba is going to be proclaimed emperor and Xena and I are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep you from power.

SABINA (smirks):
     Whatever it takes...well, when you put it like that it sounds almost too good to pass up.

Close-up of Sabina smirking coldly at Gabrielle, then Gabrielle staring back defiantly at Sabina. Off-camera, a moan is heard. Sabina and Gabrielle both look down abruptly. The camera pans to Nero, who stirs and slowly sits up, and then back to Gabrielle, who is clearly struggling with her emotions.

DISSOLVE TO

Dawn. A covered wagon on a road. As the camera pulls in closer we see that Sabina and Gabrielle are sitting at the front of the wagon, Gabrielle holding the reins. Sabina looks over her shoulder back inside the wagon.

SABINA:
     Your little friend is still out. (she shakes her head in admiration) That's quite a right hook you've got. I guess you picked up something from Xena after all.

Gabrielle raises her eyebrows in curiosity.

GABRIELLE:
     That almost sounded like a compliment.

Sabina shakes her head and taps her temple.

SABINA:
     You're right. Hanging around a goody-goody like you is starting to turn me soft in the head.

Approaching from down the road, two soldiers on horseback can be seen approaching the wagon. One is a dark-haired man barely in his twenties, with a still-healing cut on the left side of his face. The second man is somewhat older; from his armor, it's apparent that he's a high-ranking officer.

RIANORIX (pointing at Sabina):
     That's her. That's Valeria Sabina.

Sabina nods at the young man.

SABINA:
     You were with me yesterday, weren't you?

He nods.

SABINA:
     I remember. Rianorix. You fought well.

The young man grins shyly, obviously flattered that Sabina remembered him.

OTHO:
     Valeria Sabina. (he slightly bows his head.) Marcus Salvius Otho, commander of the Praetorian Guard. My compliments to you. Your army has carried the day.

Sabina smirks and cocks her head to one side.

SABINA:
     And what exactly is your business with me, Marcus Salvius Otho? Can I expect to be facing the Praetorian Guard on the battlefield any time soon?

OTHO (frowns):
     You do have a reputation for being...direct.

SABINA (chuckles):
     And you Romans waste too much time on the social niceties. Skirting around like a pack of frightened schoolgirls isn't going to win any battles.

Gabrielle chuckles uncomfortably, trying to defuse what could become a confrontation.

GABRIELLE:
     You'll have to excuse her, General. Manners aren't exactly her strong suit.

OTHO (raises his eyebrows):
     Obviously not. Be as it may--I'm here to tell you that the Praetorian Guard is at your service.

GABRIELLE:
     What about Galba?

OTHO:
     Galba is a beloved leader--but he's an old man. As I'm sure you've heard, Nero has fled Rome and is on his way to join his still-loyal legions. That means we're in for the long haul--and Galba doesn't have what it takes to lead an army in a drawn-out campaign.

Gabrielle glances warily at Sabina. Sabina notices and slides her gaze to Gabrielle, smirking dryly. She pauses a moment, obviously reveling in the idea of the power she is about to command, then glances behind her into the wagon. She turns back to Otho and frowns, shaking her head.

SABINA:
     I'm afraid you're a day late and a dinar short, General. The war is over. We found Nero dead in his residence.

OTHO:
     The emperor is dead?

SABINA:
     An apparent suicide. You didn't expect him to be taken alive, did you?

OTHO:
     Where is his body?

SABINA:
     Burned up. His slaves were cremating him as we arrived. (She chuckles dryly.) Apparently Nero didn't want to be taken dead or alive.

Gabrielle holds up her hand to Otho.

GABRIELLE:
     This is all that was left.

On her index finger can be seen Nero's imperial ring.

Otho is flustered, this outcome not being one he had expected.

OTHO:
     Well, this changes everything... I--

SABINA:
     You mean, I've just lost my new best friend? Pity.

Otho stares.

SABINA:
     Send my regards--and this (she takes the ring from Gabrielle)--to the new emperor Galba.

She hands the ring over to Otho. Flustered, Otho bows to her again and turns his horse around, galloping off quickly.

Gabrielle gapes at Sabina, the magnitude of what the woman has just walked away from has rendered her speechless. Sabina stares straight ahead, not meeting Gabrielle's gaze.

SABINA:
     Where's that goody-goody friend of yours? I've got a job for him.

CUT TO

Early morning. Xena is in the stables brushing Argo down. It's obvious by the far-away look in her eyes and the mechanical way she tends to Argo that she's troubled. Gabrielle comes up behind her.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena?

XENA (gasps):
     Gabrielle! (she spins around and rushes forward to gather Gabrielle in her arms, hugging her tightly.) Are you okay?

Gabrielle steps out of Xena's embrace.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm fine, Xena--fine. (she pauses a moment then bows her head guiltily.) Xena, I...last night...I lied to you. I wasn't with Haimon--.

Xena takes Gabrielle's hands.

XENA:
     I know, Gabrielle. I know you went to...find Nero.

GABRIELLE:
     You know?

XENA:
     Haimon came to see me after you rode out of camp. It wasn't hard to figure out the rest.

GABRIELLE (frowns):
     I'm sorry I lied to you, Xena.

XENA:
     No...no--as much as I wanted to stop you--I knew this was something you had to face on your own.

Gabrielle nods sorrowfully and sighs. Xena reaches out and strokes Gabrielle's shoulder gently.

XENA (in a near-whisper):
     Nero is dead?

Gabrielle looks at Xena and shakes her head slightly.

CUT TO

Outside the camp. The covered wagon we saw before stands off the side of the road, in the shade of some trees. Haimon and Gabrielle are standing a few paces away from the wagon, facing each other, both looking uncomfortable.

GABRIELLE:
     Thank you for doing this. (after a pause she gestures toward the wagon) You do believe that I'm doing the right thing--don't you?

HAIMON:
     Yes, I do.

GABRIELLE:
     He'll never be a danger to anyone again. As far everyone's concerned--Nero, the Emperor of Rome, is dead.

HAIMON:
     Unless he tells someone who believes him.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head sadly):
     Where he's going--I'm sure they've seen their share of Roman emperors.

A brief pause. Then Haimon reaches out and takes Gabrielle's hand.

HAIMON:
     Gabrielle...some of the things I said to you--I... (shakes his head) I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself.

GABRIELLE (squeezes his hand):
     Haimon--we were both at fault. I hope...I know we can put this behind us.

They stare at each other for a moment.

HAIMON (with a forced smile):
     Let's not wait for another war until we see each other again, okay?

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     There's always going to be another war.

After another brief pause, Haimon leans down to kiss her. They are interrupted by Nero's voice off-camera.

NERO (off-camera):
     Young man!

The camera pans toward the covered wagon. Haimon sighs resignedly and walks over to the wagon, with Gabrielle cautiously following him. Haimon opens the flap of the wagon covering and we see Nero sitting inside, his hands chained, a blank and absent look in his eyes.

NERO (peevishly):
     Isn't it time for us to get on the road? I would hate to be late for my performance.

HAIMON (rolls his eyes):
     Right...wouldn't want that to happen.

NERO:
     Do you think Mother will be in the audience? You know--it's a terrible thing to say for a loving son--but I'd rather she didn't come. She doesn't think acting is a proper hobby for a Roman gentleman, you see. (lifts his eyes in resignation) Mother has no appreciation for the arts. Not like Gabrielle.

Quick pan to Gabrielle, who stands behind Haimon, unseen to Nero, an anguished look on her face. Then back to Nero, who suddenly grows more animated.

NERO:
     Gabrielle--she will be there, will she not?

HAIMON (somewhat at a loss for words):
     I--I don't know.

NERO (sighs and holds up his chained hands):
     I must say, this costume is most uncomfortable. But one must make sacrifices for the muse...

He stares blankly at his hands and his speech turns to unintelligible muttering. With a sigh and a headshake, Haimon closes the flap and turns toward Gabrielle. They step aside from the wagon.

GABRIELLE (worriedly puts her hand on Haimon's arm):
     Will you be all right? Maybe I should come along...

HAIMON (with a forced smile):
     This isn't the way I would want to spend time with you. (puts her hand on top of his) I can handle it, Gabrielle.

They stand still for a moment, staring at each other. The camera pulls back to show Xena, Sabina and Siran, waiting on the road, standing by their horses.

SABINA (pretends to yawn):
     Well? How much longer will it take them to profess eternal love?

Xena glances at Sabina and rolls her eyes.

Gabrielle walks back toward them. Behind her, we see Haimon getting on the trestle of the wagon and driving off.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm ready. (She turns and stares after Haimon.) Do you think I'll ever see him again?

XENA (gives her a thoughtful look):
     I know you will.

Gabrielle squeezes Xena's hand affectionately and they smile at each other.

SABINA:
     I hope you don't mind if I don't join in the group hug.

XENA (glances at her wryly):
     I see you're as sensitive as ever.

SABINA (smirks):
     Did you expect anything else?

XENA:
     Good-bye, Siran. (to Sabina) Look out for her.

Gabrielle comes up and faces Sabina looking at her intently.

SABINA (smirks):
     You're dying to ask me a question, aren't you?

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Why did you do it?

SABINA:
     You mean--why didn't I hand Nero over to Otho? In his condition--it wouldn't have been very sporting.

XENA:
     You could have had it all.

SABINA (shrugs and grins slightly):
     I'm a survivor, Xena. Being a Roman emperor doesn't come with a long life expectancy. I wouldn't count on Galba to die of old age.

GABRIELLE (looks at her curiously):
     And that's the only reason.

Sabina pauses and glances briefly at Siran, then back at Gabrielle. She smiles slightly, cocking her head.

SABINA:
     It's the only one you're going to get.

Gabrielle looks at her curiously, then smiles slightly and walks over to Siran.

GABRIELLE:
     Good-bye, Siran.

They hug, then pull apart.

SIRAN (smiles):
     I was right about her, wasn't I? (Gabrielle gives her an uncertain look and nods slightly) Will you write to me?

GABRIELLE:
     Sure.

SABINA:
     Just don't send her any poems.

GABRIELLE:
     Where are you going now?

SIRAN:
     To Jeronim. They're rebuilding that hospital--I'd like to help.

Xena gives Sabina a curious look, saying nothing.

SABINA (off her look, grins a little):
     Don't worry, I'll find something to keep me busy. (she gets in the saddle) Come on, Siran.

Siran mounts her horse and they ride away. Xena and Gabrielle stand watching them.

Xena shakes her head; then she straightens up and smiles a little.

XENA:
     Don't tell me you're going to miss her.

Gabrielle gives her a shocked look. Ares materializes next to them and Gabrielle nods, realizing that Xena wasn't talking to her.

ARES:
     Not much. Especially now that she's turned out to be just another softie.

XENA:
     Careful. You might miss her more.

ARES:
     You don't think I'd let that happen again, do you?

His cocky grin turns to a suddenly serious expression.

XENA:
     Gabrielle told me about--what you did. (a little awkwardly) Thank you. (teasingly) You realize that this war is over thanks to you?

ARES:
     Don't rub it in.

They look at each other; Xena smirks a little and Ares cocks his head at her with a small grin. Then he turns to Gabrielle.

ARES:
     So--

GABRIELLE:
     I know what you're going to say. I didn't kill him. (Xena frowns as she looks from Gabrielle to Ares and back, as Gabrielle continues) I am a warrior, Ares. But as a warrior--I'm going to do things my way. I can fight--and kill--if I have to. If I can find a solution without killing, I will.

ARES (lifts his eyebrows quizzically):
     Did I say anything?

XENA (smiles at him a bit tensely):
     I think you should quit while you're ahead.

ARES (smirks at her):
     Let's face it, Xena--you would have stopped this war one way or the other. Maybe I just saved us both some time.

XENA (lifts an eyebrow):
     Right.

ARES (suavely):
     For which we both have better uses.

Xena gives him a barely perceptible smile as he vanishes. She stands still for a moment, lost in thought. Then she looks tenderly at Gabrielle.

XENA:
     I'm proud of you, Gabrielle.

They look at each other, smiling affectionately.

GABRIELLE:
      Well, now that we have all this time on our hands...what do you say we pay Darion a visit?

XENA (after a moment's pause):
     Good idea.

They get in the saddle and ride off at a trot.

GABRIELLE (wonderingly):
     You know--things haven't turned out so badly after all. (pauses) So, do you think Siran was right?

XENA:
     I've always said that anyone has the ability to change. After what Sabina did--we owe it to her to believe that she has. (glances at Gabrielle) Just like you believed in me once.

They both mull this over for a moment. Then Gabrielle gives Xena an amused look.

GABRIELLE:
     You know what Sabina would say if she could hear us now, don't you?

XENA (smiles a little):
     She'd say I've gone soft in the head.

GABRIELLE (grins mischievously):
     Well, have you?

XENA (her smile fading to a serious expression):
     I hope not.

The camera pulls back for a long shot of Xena and Gabrielle riding along the road as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Sabina's reputation as a do-gooder got a boost during the production of this motion picture.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 8 Episode 22 Turnabout 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 Ares Kevin Smith Haimon Michael Vartan Sabina Jennifer Garner Nero Hans Matheson Siran Ebonie Smith Aquilo Jason Turner Andrash Tim Wess Original Airdate May 7, 2004 Sabina's reputation as a do-gooder got a boost 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.