FADE IN

The village square. High noon. There is a large platform positioned against a line of trees behind it (the same platform that we had seen in the season 7 episode "Sisterhood" where Varia had been talking to the Amazons and where Eve addressed the Amazons). Amazons are beginning to gather around the platform, talking amongst themselves, some of them obviously wondering what the gathering is about.

Eve walks through the crowd and toward the platform.

As the camera pans over the crowd, we see Phania; then, Virgil at the back of the crowd. The sight of him causes some murmurs among the Amazons.

Pan to show Gabrielle and Lykia standing in the crowd with Darion. Gabrielle is talking quietly to two Amazons, one a blonde in her late twenties, the other a dark-haired, dark-skinned woman who seems to be in her forties. Behind them is a small group of children and old people (male and female), which includes Caleb and Alyssa.

Eve walks up the platform and turns to face the crowd.

EVE:
     I'm glad you all came. We'll start the meeting as soon as the council arrives.

Cyane, Nari, Othila, and the other council members come up to the platform and take their seats. Nari and Othila do not look happy.

EVE (to the council):
     Thank you for coming. I know this meeting was called hastily--

NARI (looks out into the crowd, then to Eve):
     Queen Eve. Why are there outsiders here? This is a town meeting of the Amazons. They have to leave.

EVE:
     They are our guests. And this concerns them, too.

OTHILA:
     You're flouting our tradition!

There are some approving cries from the crowd--"Yeah!", "You tell her!", "Get them out of here!" while a few voices shout, "No!" and "Eve is right!"

EVE:
     Is our tradition so weak that it will crumble from letting a handful of men and little boys attend a town meeting?

Much of the crowd erupts in loud cheers.

NARI (displeased):
     All right, let them stay so we can get on with business.

Pan over to the crowd as another loud murmur arises. We see Xena coming up with Scyleia, who is holding her baby in her arms.

NARI (leaps to her feet and shouts):
     This woman has been banished from the tribe!

Pan to Scyleia, who shrinks back. Xena puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.

XENA:
     No, she hasn't--not until the council has confirmed its decision.

CYANE:
     This is about her. She has a right to be here.

Pan to the crowd as the murmurs grow louder.

LYKIA (cries out):
     That's right!

Pan back to the platform.

OTHILA (also rises, with clenched fists):
     You have no respect for our way of life!

EVE (calmly):
     Yes, I do, Othila. But I cannot follow tradition in everything. I see that some things need to change--to make it better forall of us.

OTHILA (sneers as she sits down again):
     You mean, you want to let men into the tribe so you can have your boyfriend around.

EVE (ignoring her gibe):
     It's not about me, Othila. It's about all of us. Tradition is important--but it can change. There was a time when, for Amazons to have children, they had to go out on the battlefield and conquer a man with a sword, or raid a village and abduct men by force. There were many pointless deaths--pointless hostilities.

Pan to Kleita, who stands in the crowd.

EVE (continues, off-camera):
     Then, that changed. When we pay our respects to that tradition today, it's only as a ritual.

Kleita nods, smiling.

The crowd murmurs in assent.

EVE:
     Hundreds of years ago, the Amazons began as a nation of women because they wanted to honor their fallen husbands, brothers, fathers, sons. It was never meant to be out of hostility to men. Our foremothers wanted us to be a people who helped others in need. Now, in the name of this tradition, we are denying a home in our tribe--to people whose village was destroyed by our own renegade sisters...

As she speaks, the camera pans over the faces of the Lanis survivors and over Phania's face, contorted with hate; then over the faces of the Amazons as they listen.

EVE (off-camera):
     In the name of this tradition, we are about to banish one of our sisters, a good Amazon ...

Pan to Scyleia and her baby.

EVE (continues, off-camera):
     ... for the crime of loving a man at the wrong time and bearing a child of the wrong sex.

Close-up on Eve.

EVE (continues):
     In the name of this tradition, we forced our queen--

Quick pan to Gabrielle and Darion.

EVE (continues, off-camera):
     --Gabrielle, to resign--because she would not abandon an orphaned boy.

Gabrielle nods with a small, wistful smile, almost tearing up.

EVE (continues, off-camera):
     In the name of this tradition--one of our greatest queens, Ephiny, had to live with a broken heart because she sent away her only child, a centaur and a male. And in the name of this tradition--

Close-up on Eve.

EVE (continues):
     --we break our sisters' hearts every day. (looking into the crowd) Tell them, Anara!

Pan to the blonde Amazon in her twenties standing next to Gabrielle. She hesitates.

GABRIELLE:
     Tell them. Tell them what you told me.

ANARA:
     Eve is right. In the past five years, I have given up three children because they were boys. According to this tribe, I have no children at all because I have never had any girls. (her voice grows shrill, filled with anger and pain) But I'm a mother too and I miss my children! I try not to think about them but--I can't help it. One of them fell ill and died when he was two years old--I got word from his father about this. (She starts to cry) I never even had the chance to see him after I gave him away. And now, I'm afraid to try for another baby because if it's a boy again, I just can't bear to-- (she shakes her head and trails off)

Gabrielle squeezes her hand comfortingly, then glances at the dark-skinned Amazon in her forties standing next to her.

GABRIELLE (quietly):
     Tekmessa--?

Tekmessa steps forward.

TEKMESSA:
     I gave away a son twenty-two summers ago. Except, by the time I sent him to his father, his father was already married with a child on the way. His new bride didn't want an extra child to feed, and so--he went to an orphanage and was raised there. When I came to visit him, he couldn't understand why I couldn't take him home with me. He was very angry with me for abandoning him. (She sighs deeply) He is now married and with a baby of his own--and I don't think I will ever get to hold my granddaughter.

A murmur rises in the crowd, growing louder and louder. Another young Amazon, a brown-haired girl barely out of her teens, steps up.

YOUNG AMAZON:
     I gave away my first child last summer. It was a boy. Sometimes, I wake up at night and I think I hear him crying. (her eyes fill with tears) I know I'll never see him--when he's old enough to understand, his father plans to tell him that his mother is dead.

OTHILA (off-camera, forcefully):
     Enough!

Pan to the stage. Othila has risen to her feet, shaking with rage, her lips trembling.

OTHILA:
     What is this disgusting spectacle? We are Amazons! Yes, our duties are hard sometimes--but we bear them with fortitude and dignity!

CYANE:
     You mean, suffer in silence. Maybe if more Amazons had spoken out, something would have changed sooner. (She looks meaningfully at Othila)

OTHILA (nails her with a hard stare and snarls):
     Don't you dare! (to the crowd) This meeting is over! The council will now retire for a private conference and make its decision.

The square fills with shouts. The camera pans over the crowd to show women shouting, arguing, gesturing in agitation.

Pan to Virgil, smiling in the back of the crowd as he looks admiringly at Eve; to Gabrielle, who squats down to hug and kiss Darion; and finally to Xena, who pats Scyleia's shoulder reassuringly as she looks proudly at Eve.

Pan to Eve, who steps up to the edge of the platform.

EVE (shouting over the noise):
     I just want to tell you one more thing. Listen to me!

The crowd quiets down a little.

EVE (continues):
     From the beginning, the Amazons showed the world an example of what strong, powerful women can do on their own. But if we now accept some men into our midst--that does not make us any less strong or less powerful. It makes us more balanced--and confident enough to not be threatened by the presence of men.

Most of the crowd erupts in cheers.

VOICE (screeching off-camera):
     Nooooooooooooooooo!

Quick pan to Phania, who is pushing her way to the front of the crowd.

PHANIA:
     Don't you see what she's doing? She's ruining this nation! She tried to destroy us before--now she's just doing it in a different way!

Voices in the crowd:
--She's right!
--Don't listen to her! She's a murderer!
--Shut up!

Pan up to Eve, who looks pained.

Phania looks around, finding no support, then turns to Eve again, snarling in rage.

PHANIA:
     I challenge you! It's my right!

EVE:
     No, it's not. (forcefully) I will not fight you.

PHANIA:
     Yes, you will!

She runs up the platform before anyone can stop her and charges at Eve. The other queens leap to their feet in alarm. Quick pan to Xena, who stands alert, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Eve side-steps Phania and knocks her to the ground. With a shout of rage, Phania gets up and charges Eve again. Eve grabs Phania's shoulders and, in a move reminiscent of her time as Livia (the move she showed Varia in COMING HOME), flips over Phania's head, landing behind her. She then spins and knocks her down so that Phania lands on her stomach. Before she has a chance to rise, Othila steps up and presses her sword to the back of Phania's neck.

OTHILA:
     Don't move, Phania. Queen Eve may not have the heart to kill you--but I do.

PHANIA (growls):
     Then just do it!

Eve looks on, heartbroken, then turns to some spear-wielding guards standing at the foot of the platform.

EVE:
     Take her to the prison.

The guards walk up the platform. Othila moves her sword; the guards grab Phania by the arms, hauling her to her feet. Phania struggles but the Amazons hold her tight, binding her hands as they drag her down from the platform. As she is being taken away, Phania spins around and looks back at Eve, who looks determined yet regretful.

PHANIA:
     You murdering bitch! Just kill me and finish off what you started!

Eve looks down. As Phania is led away, the crowd breathes an audible sigh of relief.

DISSOLVE TO

Outside the council hut. Xena, Gabrielle, Darion, Lykia and Virgil are waiting; a few other Amazons are milling about.

Eve comes out of the hut, a smile on her face.

XENA:
     Good news?

EVE:
     Yes. Scyleia can stay here with her child. So can any boy who does not have a father to take him in.

Medium close-up on Gabrielle and Lykia, both of whom glance at Darion. Gabrielle presses her lips together and nods slightly, obviously thinking back to when she had to leave the tribe. Lykia looks moved and confused.

EVE (continues off-camera):
     Eventually, we'll fine-tune the rules for everyone else.

The camera pulls back to show the entire group.

EVE (continues):
     Oh, and the Lanis survivors will be allowed to stay too.

GABRIELLE:
     You did it.

VIRGIL:
     I knew you would.

EVE:
     We did it. (to Gabrielle) If you and Xena hadn't talked to some of the Amazons and persuaded them to speak at the meeting--

XENA:
     Sometimes, all it takes for everyone to see an injustice is for a few people to speak up. (looks curiously at Eve) Did Othila give up a son once?

EVE (nods):
     Yes, ten years ago. But--she has always been firmly tied to tradition. Until now.

Xena looks over Eve's shoulder, clearly reacting to something. Pan to show Othila coming out of the hut. She looks composed.

OTHILA (reluctantly):
     My son's father was killed by bandits two winters ago. I got word from a village elder. (She sighs) She said that Mykon--that's my boy--was not being treated well by his foster family, and that-- (her voice almost breaks but she steadies herself) he kept telling people his mother was an Amazon who'd come back for him some day and set things right. (She chuckles bitterly) I couldn't do anything, of course. Now, maybe I can. (to Eve) I guess I should thank you. (To Xena and Gabrielle) And you two, because something tells me you had a hand in this.

XENA (puts her arms around Eve and Gabrielle's shoulders):
     No, no--the credit belongs to Eve and Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     Just to Eve. (smiles) She's the one who went up there before the crowd and pulled it off. You've done good, Eve. I'll go tell Scyleia. (To Darion) You want to see Scyleia's baby?

DARION (enthusiastic):
     Sure! (to Lykia, who stands still, lost in thought) Lykia, you come with us too--come on!

Lykia looks uncertain but Darion tugs at her hand and she follows. Gabrielle, Lykia and Darion walk away as the other council members file out of the hut. Cyane is smiling, as are some of the others; a few including Nari look somewhat stunned.

CYANE (to Eve):
     You did it. (smiles) A happy ending, for once.

Shouts are heard off-camera. Eve turns in alarm.

EVE:
     Now what?

Antiope comes running, looking distressed and out of breath.

ANTIOPE:
     Queen Eve...

Xena, Eve, Cyane and Virgil exchange alarmed looks.

CYANE:
     What is it?

CUT TO

Xena, Eve, Cyane and Antiope stand outside the prison hut, looking inside through the open door. Phania's feet, dangling in the air, are visible inside.

ANTIOPE:
     She told me she'd rather have been hanged with Andromache than live under your rule. (sighs) I guess she meant it.

Stricken, Eve leans on Xena's shoulder. With an anguished look, Xena puts an arm around her.

XENA:
     Eve...you can't always save everyone. You did your best.

Eve stands up straight.

EVE:
     Cut her down. Rebel or not, she'll have a proper Amazon funeral.

DISSOLVE TO

A long shot of Gabrielle and Darion talking to Scyleia, who is sitting on a bench outside her hut, her baby in her arms; Lykia stands to the side, looking away. Darion reaches out to touch the baby's hand and Scyleia smiles at him. She turns to Gabrielle and says something that looks like "Thank you."

DISSOLVE TO

Gabrielle, Lykia and Darion are walking down the village street. Gabrielle looks thoughtfully at Darion and Lykia, obviously struggling with herself. Finally she speaks.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion, you know...now that the rules have changed--you're free to stay here in the village with your sister. You'd be treated no differently than all the other kids.

Lykia looks at her in shock and comes to a halt. All three stop. Darion is looking at Gabrielle, his face full of doubt.

DARION (glum):
     I understand.

GABRIELLE (taken aback):
     You understand...what?

DARION:
     You're having a baby of your own now and...I'll just be in the way.

Lykia purses her lips, looking away. Gabrielle, an anguished look on her face, leans down to hug Darion.

GABRIELLE (near tears):
     Don't say that. I couldn't love you any more if you were my son by birth. We are family and nothing is ever going to change that. I just meant that--I thought you wanted to be with your sister and--

DARION:
     I want to go with you.

Lykia nods and looks away. Gabrielle kisses Darion, obviously moved, then stands up and turns to Lykia.

GABRIELLE:
     Lykia, I--

LYKIA (in a neutral voice):
     It's okay. I know you'll take good care of him.

Darion looks at her, obviously realizing that he has hurt his sister's feelings. He comes up to her and tugs at her arm.

DARION:
     Hey. I'll come back and visit a lot. I promise. (to Gabrielle) That's going to be okay now, right?

GABRIELLE (smiles through tears):
     Right.

LYKIA (nods slowly):
     I'd like that.

She gives Gabrielle a none-too-friendly look. Gabrielle looks from her to Darion. Close-up on Gabrielle's face; she looks torn between relief that Darion is staying with her and guilt that he'd rather be with her than with his sister.

DISSOLVE TO

Evening. A funeral pyre is burning bright in the middle of the Amazon village. Amazons are gathered around, with Eve standing next to Xena, Gabrielle, Klymene, Lykia and Antiope. They look at the pyre somberly. In the background, mournful chanting by Amazons is heard.

DISSOLVE TO

Later that evening. The fire in the funeral pyre is dying down and most of the Amazons have left. Eve turns and starts to walk away, Xena and Gabrielle at her side.

XENA:
     Eve--it's not your fault. Phania lived in the past and could never get beyond it--that was her choice. You are a good queen--and the choices you've made today are going to give this nation a better future.

Eve stops and looks at her pensively.

EVE:
     I hope you're right, Mother. (sighs) I, uh--have to go and talk to someone. I'll catch up with you later.

She goes off, striding briskly. Xena and Gabrielle look after her, curious.

GABRIELLE (grins a little):
     I guess she and Virgil are going to try and work things out after all.

XENA:
     It's about time.

CUT TO

Eve walking through the field where Xena talked to Ares before. It is night and the field is flooded with moonlight. Eve stops and looks around.

EVE:
     Ares.

There is no answer. After a brief pause, Eve speaks louder.

EVE:
     Ares. I need to talk to you. It's important. (pauses) It's a matter of life and death.

After a pause, there is a flash of blue light and Ares appears in front of Eve.

ARES (eyes her suspiciously):
     Now this is a surprise.

Eve stands up very straight, obviously uncomfortable.

ARES (continues):
     So. Whose life and death are we talking about here?

EVE:
     Yours. And the other gods'.

ARES (understanding her, turns very serious):
     The Twilight.

EVE:
     Eli came to me in a dream.

Pan to Ares, who flinches at the mention of Eli.

EVE (off-camera):
     He told me about the fate of the Olympians.

Ares stares at her in nervous anticipation.

Pan back to Eve.

EVE:
     As you lose worshipers--you will grow weaker and finally die. Then, you'll linger forever as ghosts in this world--mere shells, unable to make mortals see you or hear you.

ARES (snorts):
     Tell me something I don't know. That's what's become of Demeter.

EVE:
     Eli has told me more. (pause) You all have a choice.

ARES:
     And what choice is that?

EVE (quietly):
     A choice you already made once.

ARES (understanding):
     To become mortal.

EVE (nods):
     If you're mortal, the Twilight will have no effect on you and you can live out the rest of your life.

ARES (shakes his head):
     Become mortal. (He chuckles bitterly) Not sure how well that'll go over with the family. How long do we have?

EVE:
     I don't know. I wouldn't wait too long if I were you.

A brief pause.

ARES (curious):
     And why are you telling me this?

Eve thinks for a moment.

EVE:
     Because the Olympians should be able to make a free choice. Eli wanted you to have that chance and--he was right. Now it's up to you. (She hesitates for a moment) And besides...you once gave up your godhood to save my life. I know it was for my mother's sake. Now--I owe this to both of you.

She turns around and walks away. Ares remains standing in the field, his arms crossed, a thoughtful and somber look on his face.

CROSS-FADE TO

A medium close-up of Xena and Eve sitting together in an Amazon hut in the candelight, Xena's arm around Eve and Eve leaning on her mother's shoulder, as we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[The staff wishes to thank the Athens Academy of Natural Sciences for its generous grant for the study of the Amazons' mating habits.]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 15 Crossroads Story By: Aurora, Ryan and LadyKate Written By: Aurora and LadyKate Co-Written By: Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkenson Ares Kevin Smith Darion Alexander Gandar Kleita Nora Willson Lykia Katrinia Brownie Othila Claudia Octa Nari Theresa Thrace Cyane Morgan Reese Fairhead Scyleia Renee Morgan Klymene Hilary Duff Caleb Dean O'Gorman Antiope Marjean Holden Phania Tanya Dignan Virgil William Gregory Lee Artemis Josephine Davison Zeus Charles Keating Athena Paris Jefferson Demeter Sarah Wilson Persephone Andrea Croton Aphrodite Alexandra Tydings Hades Stephen Lovatt Hera Meg Foster Apollo Scott Michaelson Hermes Murray Keane Ephiny Danielle Cormack Original Airdate December 18, 2006 The staff wishes to thank the Athens Academy of Natural Sciences for its generous grant for the study of the Amazons' mating habits. 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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