ACT FOUR

FADE IN:
31 EXT. VALLEY SUNRISE
Establish time.

CUT TO:
32 EXT. WOODS - DAY

Gabrielle is trying her best to use what senses she has learned from Xena as she moves along. A BEAT, then she stops ... she hears something. She ducks into hiding as two of Talmadeus' men walk through. Another man, WARRIOR #1, calls to them.

WARRIOR #1 (O.S.)
Hold up!

The two men turn as he walks up.

WARRIOR #1
Change of plans.. We're to assemble
near the factory.

WARRIOR #2
What about Xena?

WARRIOR #1
Xena's dead. It's all over. One of
the villagers sold them out.

WARRIOR #2
(to other man)
What did I tell you? One of them would
turn. You owe me ten dinars.

And they head off. Gabrielle appears again. She has no choice; she heads back toward the factory.

DISSOLVE TO:

33 EXT. FACTORY - DAY

The villagers are herded out. Nymis grabs Argo's reins. She resists, but he holds her fast. Ness and Salmoneus come out as Kalus drags Xena across the ground. Salmoneus doesn't look pleased with Xena's treatment.

SALMONEUS
Now, don't hurt any of the people. Talmadeus promised they wouldn't be harmed.

Meanwhile, we INTERCUT with:

GABRIELLE

watching from the brush. Her face reveals anger toward Salmoneus.

SALMONEUS
He's not going to like it if you go back, on our arrangement.

GABRIELLE reacts to this.

GABRIELLE
(to herself)
He sold us out ...

Ness turns to Kalus.

NESS
We're keeping to our end of the bargain. Now, you go with your people. Calm them down. If they resist, the deal is off. Understand?

Salmoneus nods and, with a look to Xena, exits with the people. Ness turns back to Kalus.

NESS
Wrap her up in that blanket. Talmadeus wants her body to prove he's killed her. Bring it and the horse.

Kalus roughly wraps Xena in the blanket and picks her up. All three of them, including Argo, exit the area.

ON GABRIELLE

frozen in shock.

CUT TO:

34 EXT. TALMADEUS; CAMP - DAY

Talmadeus sits on his makeshift throne. His men are gathered around and the villagers are sequestered nearby. Ness stands next to Talmadeus. Salmoneus faces them, nervous. Talmadeus casually spins Xena's chakram on his finger.

SALMONEUS
Okay, I've fulfilled my end of the
bargain. Now, make me proud to have
done business with you and let them go.
(beat; re: chakram)
If you like that thing, I can throw it
in to sweeten the deal.

TALMADEUS
Bring out Xena's body.

Kalus walks up and throws Xena's body to the ground. Talmadeus smiles.

TALMADEUS
This is it? This is what I was afraid of?
(to Salmoneus)
Who killed her?

Salmoneus just shrugs, staring at Xena.

SALMONEUS.
I ... I don't know.

TALMADEUS
You don't know? It's obvious. And soon the entire world will know. I killed her! The great Talmadeus has taken down the Warrior Princess!
(then)
Business is business. A good
businessman gives what he is given.
(beat; deadly serious)
You gave me talgamite weapons. And I lost a battle. I'm giving back now. Selling these people of yours to the slavers is good business!

Ness pulls a dagger on Salmoneus.

SALMONEUS
But we had a deal!

TALMADEUS
(to Kalus)
Bring out the horses.
(re: Xena)
Let's tear this carcass limb from limb.

The warriors all CHEER. Suddenly, there is the SOUND of something SPINNING THROUGH THE AIR. It's Gabrielle's staff! It hits several of Talmadeus' men and drops them. Gabrielle rushes in and picks up the staff.

She swings it around as we've never seen her do it before, as she heads relentlessly toward Talmadeus.

TALMADEUS
Don't kill her! I like her spirit!

If they don't kill her, they sure aren't going to capture her. Gabrielle has a look in her eyes we haven't seen. At one point, a warrior pulls a sword in front of her. She brings her staff up under his chin and sweeps the other end under his wrist, sending the sword flying. Then, she vaults over the man, hits the ground and rolls to her feet, coming up directly in front of Talmadeus. Before he can react, she CATCHES THE SWORD as it comes down and points it right at him. Let's face it, we are amazed. Talmadeus freezes, only inches from death. The blaze in Gabrielle's eyes lets us know that she's not to be taken lightly.

GABRIELLE
I'm taking my friend and we're leaving.
Got it?

TALMADEUS
You fight well. I might ask you to join.

GABRIELLE
I'm taking her home to her brother!!

TALMADEUS
(beat)
I can see you're determined.

Gabrielle gives a WHISTLE and Argo pulls away from the man holding her and trots over. Gabrielle looks to Kalus.

GABRIELLE
You. Put her on her horse. Now.

Kalus doesn't move. Talmadeus starts to stare into Gabrielle's eyes.

TALMADEUS
How long do you think you can keep this up? The moment you turn your head... the moment your eyes flicker... I've got you. You know that.
(she does)
You don't even know how to hold a sword.

He's right, of course. And Gabrielle shifts her grip. That was all Talmadeus needed. He slaps the blade away, grabs Gabrielle and spins her, holding her in an armlock.

TALMADEUS
You people are pathetic. You think you can steal Xena's body from me. Salmoneus thinks he can trade his life for the villagers.

Gabrielle gives a look to Salmoneus.

TALMADEUS
Such nobility... such a waste of time!

He hands her off to Ness, who holds her. Talmadeus turns to Kalus.

TALMADEUS
Tie Xena to the horses.

The men CHEER as Kalus drags Xena over to an open area. Two horses are brought in, Argo being one of them. Xena is quickly tied to the horses, an arm and leg for each horse. The ropes are slack. Gabrielle glares at Salmoneus, who can't return her gaze.

Finally, two men stand next to each horse with a whip. Talmadeus steps forward.

TALMADEUS
Finish it!

The men turn and HIT THE HORSES.

ON ARGO
as she neighs loudly.

THE OTHER HORSE
replies! It nods it's head but doesn't move.

BACK TO SCENE
as the men hit the horses again with the same result.

TALMADEUS
It's her horse! Kill it!

Kalus draws his sword and swings it high toward Argo.

It never connects. A HAND intercepts Kalus' wrist and stops the blow.

ANGLE - ON KALUS

His sword still raised, but his wrist in a powerful grip. His expression is complete shock as the person rises up into frame ... XENA!!

XENA
Don't ever touch my horse.

And, with a twist of his wrist (and the requisite "crack"), Kalus goes flying.

BACK TO SCENE

Everyone reacts. Talmadeus stares...

TALMADEUS
(amazed)
Xena...

GABRIELLE
(overjoyed)
Xena!

SALMONEUS

Xena?!? (relieved)

Xena tears into the warriors, taking a moment to pick up Gabrielle's staff and throw it to her. The aim is perfect and it hits Ness in the chest. He flies back as Gabrielle grabs her staff and nails him on the head. Xena WHISTLES; Argo kicks. Two men go flying.

Gabrielle runs up to Xena, almost ignoring the carnage around her.

GABRIELLE
(happy)
Nice to have you back!
(pissed)
Don't you ever do this again!

XENA
Gabrielle ... we're in the middle of a
fight.

She punches the warrior coming up behind Gabrielle, then smiles at her. And they are back into it. Meanwhile:

Salmoneus runs to his people and unties them, sending them running. Some of the men join in the fight. Salmoneus is hit and drops. A blade appears in front of his face. Talmadeus grabs him by the neck and pulls him to his feet.

TALMADEUS
At least I get my revenge on you!

XENA
Think again.

Xena's fist plows into Talmadeus' face, knocking him back. He drops his sword. She swings again, he dodges it and hits her square in the chest. She recoils, but doesn't back off. Then, in at the same time, they grab each others' hands. Now it's a matter of brute strength.

Talmadeus has the obvious advantage. He starts to smile as he brings her hands down and locks her elbows. She reacts to the pain.

TALMADEUS
I'm glad you're not dead. It would
have robbed me of this.

XENA
Yeah... but it would have saved me from
your breath.

And she HEAD BUTTS him. He is staggered. She does it again. He doesn't let go, but he is weaker. Without letting go of his hands, she WALKS RIGHT UP HIS BODY, WRAPS HER LEGS AROUND HIS NECK, AND DIVES FOR THE GROUND, FLIPPING HIM OVER HER AND INTO THE WATER TROUGH. Villagers surround him, swords ready.

And that pretty much takes care of it. All that's left is the CHEERING from the villagers. Salmoneus is still on the ground. This time, the person who grabs him is Gabrielle. He reacts as if she's about to hit him.

SALMONEUS
Wait! You don't understand!

GABRIELLE
I understand you did it to save these people. There's hope for you yet, Salmoneus.

She smiles and hugs him. He isn't sure how to react. Off this, we:

DISSOLVE TO:

35 EXT. FACTORY - DAY

It is much later and the place is back to normal. Except that there's a bit of a festival going on to celebrate the victory. We can tell everything is good by the sound of happy "belches" that pervade the air. Salmoneus stands with "his people." He looks over and raises a toast to:

ANGLE - ON GABRIELLE

as she stands next to Argo, rubbing her neck. Argo nuzzles her. Gabrielle smiles. Xena walks up.

XENA
I'm glad to see you two are getting along.

GABRIELLE
Well, the best of friends are made in strange situations. Argo's okay. At least I know she doesn't hate me.
(then)
She's still too tall, though.

They start to walk together.

GABRIELLE
I'm angry with you. I mean...I
thought you were... you know.

XENA
I almost was. Tolmic poisoning shuts
everything down. I had to go under with
it just to fight the effects. I didn't
expect to be under so long.

GABRIELLE
We still don't know who hit you with the dart.

XENA he was
Whoever it was knew what he was doing.
I just have to figure out why.

Another BEAT, then Xena stops and faces Gabrielle.

XENA
Gabrielle...when you thought I was
dead... You risked Your life to
take me home...

GABRIELLE
It was your last wish. For all that you've
given me and all the times you risked your
life, I'd go to Tartarus and back to
carry it out.

XENA
I used to wonder whether I'd make it back. Now,
I know that no matter what, I'm going home again
because of you.

Gabrielle wipes a tear.

GABRIELLE
Let's change the subject, before I
start to get all soft on you.

XENA
Now we wouldn't want that, would we?

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR