Motherhood
This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Smith.
TEASER
Eve walks through the desert under the hot sun. She has no shoes and is covered in sand from the blowing wind. Xena stands on a hill, wearing a cloak and watches Eve. Eve falls to her knees.
EVE
Uh!
Eve picks up some sand and lets the wind blow it into her.
EVE
Ah-h-h!
Xena watches. Gabrielle joins Xena, also wearing a cloak.
GABRIELLE
Xena I don't know if I wanna help her or...she
killed Joxer.
XENA
And she's lost...just as I was. But I got lucky, 'cause
I found you. Now I have to try to help her find her
way. Gabrielle I understand if you can't go through-
GABRIELLE
Xena...let's save your daughter.
EVE
Uh-h-h! Uh-h-h!
Eve hits the ground, sobbing.
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Mount Olympus.
EXTRA
Come on now!
ARES (voice-over)
Back off!
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Inside. All the gods are gathered.
ARES
I'm the one figured out that Livia was Eve.
HADES
You should have told us immediately. The
prophecy says she'll bring about the end of the gods.
DEIMOS
She probably developed enough power to kill
all of us!
ARES
I guarantee the only thing this girl has developed
is inferiority complex.
HEPHAESTUS
He's right. I hear she's a babbling idiot.
DISCORD
I say we move on her right away. What's the challenge?
Athena enters.
ATHENA
Xena is the challenge Discord. If we wish to kill
Eve, we have to go through Xena, and as a mother,
she'll be more dangerous than ever.
ARTEMIS
So what exactly is the plan?
ATHENA
Furies!
The Furies appear. Ares laughs.
ARES
Yeah. Um, I gave the Furies a shot at Xena. It
didn't work out.
ATHENA
Hm-m. I know. My plan is a bit more, subtle.
Aphrodite moves to Athena.
APHRODITE
(whispering) Can we leave the bard out of this?
ATHENA
Do you have a soft spot for Gabrielle?
APHRODITE
She's my friend.
ATHENA
Oh-h-h-h, well. Then don't watch.
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Xena and Gabrielle look out at Eve. Xena throws her chakram. It flies down to Eve and splits in two, cutting two spears in half before they hits Eve. An army of villagers comes from over another hill.
HORSEMAN
Death! To the monster Livia!
The men cheer and run at Eve. Xena and Gabrielle run to Eve. Eve does nothing. The chakram joins together and Xena catches it. Xena and Gabrielle fight the villagers. Xena flips with a yell over a horse and keeps fighting.
XENA
Come on.
Xena flips, ululating and kills two villagers. Gabrielle fights. The Horseback lassos Eve and starts to drag her behind him.
XENA
Eve!
Xena throws the chakram and Eve catches it, but she does not use it to cut herself free. The horseman continues to drag her. Xena whistles and Argo the Second rides in. Xena jumps with a yell and knocks a man off of his horse. Argo the Second moves next to Xena and Xena mounts. Xena rides after the Horseman.
XENA
Yah! Yah! Yah-h-h!
HORSEMAN
Yah! Yah! Yah!
The Horseman tries to ride faster, but Xena catches up and knocks him off of the horse. Xena grabs the other horse's reins.
XENA
Who-o-o-oa!
The horse stops. Xena dismounts and moves to Eve. Eve is covered in cuts. She moans. Xena holds her.
XENA
(whispering) Eve.
Gabrielle rides in. Xena takes the chakram from Eve.
XENA
Give me that.
EVE
You should have let them kill me!
XENA
Never, hear me? Never.
Gabrielle rides over to them.
XENA
Gabrielle bring be some water. Quick.
Gabrielle does.
XENA
Okay, try to drink.
Eve drinks. The Furies appear around Gabrielle (unseen by all).
EXTRA
(whispering) Xena.
ALECTO
Xena, Eve will only break your heart. There'll be
no peace for you until she's dead.
The Furies laugh.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
The Furies are around Gabrielle. Xena helps Eve drink.
ALECTO
She killed Joxer. Who will her next victim be?
XENA
We've gotta get her to shelter.
The Furies go into Gabrielle's head. Gabrielle looks down and blinks.
XENA
Gabrielle?
ALECTO (voice-over)
She killed Joxer. Who will her next victim be?
GABRIELLE
Xena? Of course.
A Shepard has entered.
SHEPARD
Xena?
The Shepard moves over to them.
SHEPARD
Excuse me, did you call that woman Xena?
GABRIELLE
Yes.
SHEPARD
Oh. Well, our scriptures tell us that our Founder
knew a woman called Xena. We call her the
Defender of the Faith but, well it couldn't be the
same woman.
GABRIELLE
The Founder? Do you mean Eli?
SHEPARD
Yes!
GABRIELLE
This is the Defender of your Faith.
XENA
Give me a hand to get her on the horse. (to Eve)
Come on.
Gabrielle and Xena help Eve up and put her arms around their shoulders.
SHEPARD
It would be a great honour if you would all take
shelter in my home.
XENA
Thank you. (to Eve) Come on.
They move off.
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Tent.
SHEPARD (voice-over)
Is it true that he could breathe fire?
GABRIELLE (voice over)
No.
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Inside. Xena, Eve, Gabrielle and the Shepard are at a table. They are surrounded by other followers of Eli.
GABRIELLE
No. He was a man made of flesh and blood like
you. That's why his mission was so important.
SHEPARD
You see Jeb? Now I want you to take that fire-breathing
stuff out of your scroll. Tell us some more please.
GABRIELLE
He um...he gave us all hope, that every living
thing could be saved by love.
EVE
(sobbing) He was wrong. How can I be saved?
The things I've done.
XENA
Eve maybe you should listen to what they have
to say about Eli.
SHEPARD
Eli teaches that even if you've done something
really bad, you can find comfort and love.
EVE
I wiped out entire villages because they wouldn't
pay me tribute. I've drunk the blood of men that I
tortured to death!
The Furies appear around Gabrielle.
EVE
I killed their best friend!
Xena puts a hand on Eve's shoulder.
XENA
(whispers) Stop. Stop it.
ALECTO
She's gloating about killing Joxer. I shouldn't leave
her alone with Xena. Who knows what she's capable of?
XENA
Eli used to initiate sinners into his way of love
with some sort of ceremony.
SHEPARD
Yes, yes, w-there's a man that continues that
tradition. We call him The Baptist.
XENA
Where can we find him?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ocean. Baptist walks with a man to the ocean. There is a small crowd of people gathered. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve walk over to them.
XENA
Here.
The Baptist and the man kneel in the water.
BAPTIST
Do you admit your trespasses?
EXTRA
Yes.
Baptist puts water on his head.
BAPTIST
I now cleanse your body, with these sweet waters,
and initiate you, to the way of love.
The man sobs and then smiles. They both stand and the man moves off. Baptist looks at Eve.
EVE
What are you looking at?!
BAPTIST
Suffering. Horrible suffering.
Baptist holds out his hand and Eve moves to him. He puts his hand on her shoulder and moves her to the ocean. They both kneel.
EVE
I should die for my deeds.
BAPTIST
You're right. You must die to the things of the flesh-
He puts water on her head,
BAPTIST
-and be reborn-
He puts water on her head.
BAPTIST
-to the way of love.
A streak of fire comes out of the sky and stops before Xena. No one but her can see it. There's a face in the flames.
XENA
If that's the way it must be, then I'm ready.
The streak of fire returns to the sky. Baptist holds Eve's face. They both stand and Eve laughs. She looks at Xena and laughs. Xena walks over to her and Eve hugs Xena. The Furies appear.
ALECTO
Look at Xena!
TISIPHONE
She's just setting herself up to be hurt again.
GABRIELLE
No.
ALECTO
You know there's no reforming Eve.
The Furies go back in her head. Eve is hugging Xena and smiles.
TISIPHONE (voice-over)
She's just setting herself up to be hurt again.
Xena looks at the ocean as Poseidon rises from it.
XENA
Eve.
Xena shoves Eve behind her. The people run off. Gabrielle moves to Xena's side. Xena turns with the others to run off but Discord, Deimos, Hephaestus, Hades and Artemis appear in their path. Xena draws her sword. Discord holds her sword, Deimos laughs, his hands glowing, Hephaestus has his hammer, Hades' hands glow and Artemis raises her bow. Deimos and Hades attack with bolts. Xena and the others duck and Xena uses her sword to knock the bolts around. Xena knocks one of Hades' bolts into Poseidon and he dies, screaming.
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Mount Olympus. Ares looks around as the palace shakes.
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Discord yells and runs at Xena, screaming.
DEIMOS
No! No, no, no, no, no!
Discord yells as she runs at Xena. Xena cuts Discord's head off.
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Ares and Athena look around as the palace shakes.
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Hephaestus throws his hammer, but Xena throws her chakram and knocks it back. Xena drops her weapons and summersaults. She grabs Hephaestus' hammer and throws it into his chest. He dies.
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Aphrodite grabs her chest and sits. The palace shakes. Athena disappears.
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Deimos looks at Hephaestus. Deimos and Hades look at Xena. Athena and Ares appear.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
Gabrielle tosses Xena her chakram.
ATHENA
So, you can kill gods.
Xena snarls.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
The beach.
XENA
How does it feel to smell your own mortality? You
know there's nothing more pathetic than a dead
god. So do yourselves a favour, don't follow us.
Xena picks up Hephaestus' chains. Xena blows on her chakram and then leaves with Gabrielle and Eve. Athena turns to face the other gods.
ATHENA
You fools! If you'd waited for the Furies to do
their work we could have gotten through this without
losing anyone!
ARES
You know? I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking
Xena's gonna be pretty tough to kill.
ATHENA
We don't have to. Her daughter must somehow
give her that power. It's Eve who has to die, and
the Furies are still our best chance!
ARES
So, what we need is a distraction. (sarcastically)
O-oh, pick me.
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Xena, Gabrielle and Eve walk along.
GABRIELLE
Xena you can kill gods! How is that possible?!
XENA
While Eve was being initiated, I was visited by
a spirit. He said that Eve's cleansing, gave me
the power to kill gods.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean? What kind of spirit?
XENA
It was sent by the archangel Michael.
GABRIELLE
Michael?!
XENA
He said that Eve would prepare the way for the
rule of the God of Love.
GABRIELLE
And you're to protect her?
XENA
I was chosen as the mother of the Messenger. As
long as Eve lives I have the power to kill gods.
EVE
What's happened to me is all so confusing. When
I was being initiated, I felt one load being lifted
only to be replaced by another just as frightening.
Where should I begin?
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Joxer and Meg's place.
XENA (voice-over)
By facing someone you've wronged.
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Virgil writes on a scroll. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve ride up (Eve is behind Xena on Argo the Second).
VIRGIL
Xena, Gabrielle.
Eve dismounts. Gabrielle dismounts. Eve pulls off her hood. Virgil draws Joxer's sword and runs at Eve with it raised. Xena jumps down and stops Virgil. Eve drops to her knees behind Xena.
XENA
No.
VIRGIL
Let me cut her throat.
XENA
Put it down Virgil.
There's tears in Virgil's eyes.
XENA
Put it down.
EVE
I don't expect you to forgive me.
VIRGIL
Good, because that's not happening.
Virgil puts down his sword.
EVE
If my death could bring your father back I'd accept
it, joyfully.
VIRGIL
You know, in my entire life I never saw my father
be cruel to a man, woman, child, nor beast?! He
brought joy to everybody who knew him, and you?
You killed him.
Virgil sheathes his sword and walks back to the stable. He collects his things.
XENA
That kind of reaction comes with the territory.
Xena leaves. Eve looks at Virgil and follows Xena. Gabrielle moves to Virgil who packs up his saddlebag on his horse.
GABRIELLE
Where are you going?
VIRGIL
My mother was mad with grief. She took my brothers
and sisters to Athens to stay with some relatives.
I'm going to catch up with them.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry Virgil.
They hug.
VIRGIL
(whispering) Thank you.
Virgil mounts and leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds role and there's lightning.
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Inside the tavern. Eve holds Gabrielle's scrolls.
EVE
You preserved Xena for all the ages in these
scrolls Gabrielle. Thank you.
Eve moves off. Xena is looking out the window. She sees Ares outside in the rain.
XENA
Watch the back.
Xena runs out, drawing her sword. Gabrielle sees a shadow at the back. She draws her sais.
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Xena steps outside, sword and chakram drawn, looking for Ares.
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Gabrielle looks around the tavern.
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Outside.
XENA
Ares?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ghost of Joxer appears and makes ghost-like noises.
JOXER
Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h. Oh-h-h-h-h.
Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h.
Joxer falls. He now looks normal.
JOXER
Oh. Oh. Oh! Ow! Ow! Damn! Materializing is not
like it is in the brochure. Hi.
GABRIELLE
Joxer. Y--you're, uh-
JOXER
Uh yeah, I'm dead.
GABRIELLE
I miss you Joxer.
JOXER
Then you shouldn't 'a let Eve kill me.
The Furies appear.
GABRIELLE
Joxer, I didn't let Eve kill you.
JOXER
(whispering) Kill her Gabrielle. Kill her before
she kills somebody else.
HOPE
Good point.
Gabrielle turns to see Hope.
HOPE
Hello Mother.
GABRIELLE
Hope?
HOPE
Xena's making a terrible mistake. Trying to save
Eve? The same mistake you made, when you
didn't kill me when you had the chance.
Lightning flashes.
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Outside. Xena turns and holds her sword on Ares.
ARES
Hello, Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Furies and Hope walk with Gabrielle over to Eve. Eve sits at a table, reading. While Hope talks, the Furies whisper in Gabrielle's ear.
HOPE
Only you can stop the cycle of violence. Eve must
die. Xena won't kill her own daughter. You
know how hard that is. Be brave Mother (whispering)
for Xena.
ALECTO
(whispering) For Xena. Xena.
HOPE
(whispering) You can do it Mother.
Gabrielle puts her hands over her eyes.
HOPE
You must do it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside. Xena holds her sword on Ares.
ARES
You're not gonna kill me are you?
XENA
Why ever not?!
ARES
Because I love you. Yeah, I love you.
Xena looks at him, a curious look on her face.
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Inside. As Hope talks, the Furies whisper in Gabrielle's ear.
HOPE
You can do it. You can do it Mother. You have to
do it. You must do it.
Gabrielle draws a sai. Hope moves to the other side of the table. Eve can't see the Furies or Hope and she's unaware that Gabrielle is behind her. She continues to read one of the scrolls.
HOPE
Do it Mother. Kill her. Do it! Do it for Xena. I know
you can. This is the decision Xena can't make!
Gabrielle holds the sai over her head and then looks at Hope.
HOPE
Kill her! Kill her!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside.
XENA
(whispering) Eve.
Xena turns away from Ares and runs to the tavern.
XENA
Eve!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Xena runs in. Gabrielle stabs Eve, yelling. Eve yells in pain.
XENA
No-o-o-o-o-o!
Xena throws her chakram and it cuts Gabrielle's head. Xena catches the chakram, which is now covered in Gabrielle's blood. Gabrielle falls to the ground, blood pouring from her head.
EVE
Uh!
The Furies leave Gabrielle and the tavern. Xena moves to Eve.
XENA
Eve? Good girl. You hang in there. You're gonna
be fine.
Xena moves to Gabrielle and holds her head.
XENA
Ga--Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside. Ares disappears.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside. Xena looks about.
XENA
Furies.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Xena washes the blood from Gabrielle's head.
XENA
Gabrielle, stay with me okay? Stay with me.
Xena moves to Eve and rips a cloth in two pieces.
EVE
How's Gabrielle?
Xena dabs at Eve's wound. Eve cries out in pain.
XENA
Not good.
Xena looks to see a large pool of blood on the table Eve is leaning on.
EVE
You got her-ah-h-h! You got her pretty well.
Xena looks worried. She continues to treat Eve.
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Mount Olympus. Aphrodite (now dressed in black), Hades, Ares, Deimos and Artemis stand before Athena who is tapping her fingers on her throne.
ATHENA
All you had to do was distract her. How was she
able to stop Gabrielle?
ARES
How does Xena do anything? She just does.
ATHENA
All right, now we have no choice. We launch a
full-scale attack.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena treats Eve. Deimos, Athena, Artemis and Hades appear. Xena stands, holding up her chakram, which is still covered in Gabrielle's blood.
ATHENA
There's no need for you to be hurt as well Xena.
Give us your daughter. It's true you can kill gods
but at four-to-one, it's not great odds.
XENA
Not for you.
Athena shoots two bolts from her hands and Xena knocks them aside with her chakram. Deimos and Hades fire bolts, but Xena sends them flying as well. The gods take cover. Xena flips with a yell as Athena fires. She lands on the table and brings it down before her and Eve and the two duck behind it. Xena throws the chakram, which splits in two and bounces around the room, keeping the gods busy as they duck from both pieces. Aphrodite appears next to Gabrielle. Xena turns and draws a dagger.
APHRODITE
No! I just wanna help!
Xena lowers the dagger, but gives Aphrodite a warning look. Aphrodite touches Gabrielle's forehead and disappears with her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aphrodite appears with Gabrielle in another part of the tavern, cradling Gabrielle's head in her lap.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hades shoots a bolt behind the table and fire breaks out. Xena helps Eve up.
XENA
Quick.
Hades blows up the table, which knocks Xena and Eve forward from the blast. The chakram returns to Xena's hand. Hades and Deimos throw bolts, which Xena knocks away. Xena throws two daggers at Athena, but she ducks. Hades throws a bolt. Xena knocks it aside and it almost hits Deimos. Xena knocks away another bolt and then throws her sword at Athena, who ducks. Xena moves to Eve.
DEIMOS
O-oh! O-oh!
Xena helps Eve along.
XENA
Come on! You gotta get out!
Artemis shoots an arrow, but Xena blocks it.
XENA
Okay.
Hades shoots a bolt, which Xena blocks. Deimos shoots a bolt, which lands near Eve. Her outfit catches fire. Eve screams and falls. Deimos laughs. Xena grabs a blanket and tries to put out the fire. Eve screams. The gods move closer. Xena puts out the fire.
XENA
All right?
Hades comes around the corner, making a huge fireball. Xena helps Eve up and then sees Hades. She puts Eve down and picks up a shield. Hades fires. The ball hits the shield, but is so powerful, it sends Xena flying. Hades stands over Eve, chuckling. Xena gets up and moves to draw her chakram, but it's not there. Hades starts to make another large fireball.
HADES
How did you think it would end?
Xena grabs a bottle of alcohol and takes a drink. Hades holds the fireball above his head. Xena holds up a flaming stick and spits the alcohol on it. Hades is hit and screams as he burns. The gods are horrified. Xena moves to Eve and helps her up.
XENA
Come on. Go!
Eve and Xena move off.
XENA
Go! Go!
Xena and Eve leave the room. Hades dies.
ATHENA
No-o-o-o!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Eve enter the room where Aphrodite and Gabrielle are.
XENA
Aphrodite?! Aphrodite?! Take care of her!
Eve falls against some stairs near Aphrodite. Xena leaves. Aphrodite looks at Eve with an angry look.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena steps back out to face the gods, her sword and chakram both in hand. Athena is pissed. Xena flips with a yell as Athena fires two bolts at her. Deimos shoots a bolt and Xena blocks it. Xena throws her chakram at him, but he ducks. The chakram cuts Artemis' leg. Artemis yells. Athena fires a bolt, which knocks Xena's sword from her hand. Deimos fires a bolt and Xena flips to the side, ululating. Xena picks up two swords and throws them at Deimos. He ducks, but Artemis uses the moment to fire an arrow, which catches Xena in her upper thigh. Athena laughs. Xena pulls out the arrow and yells as she throws it at Athena. Athena ducks. Xena catches the chakram and rolls as Athena fires at her again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aphrodite looks after Gabrielle. Ares appears and moves on Eve.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athena and Deimos fire bolts at Xena, which she sends flying. One blows up a cart and it falls towards Deimos. He screams. The cart falls and kills him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ares draws his sword. Aphrodite watches. Eve looks up at Ares and shakes her head.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athena disappears.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ares raises his sword. Xena enters. Xena yells and throws the chakram, which knocks Ares' sword from his hands. Ares turns to face Xena. The chakram bounces back and cuts Ares' arm. Xena catches her chakram. Ares looks at Xena in shock and then disappears. Aphrodite disappears. The tavern is on fire and falling apart.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena drags Gabrielle out by her arm and Eve has her arm around Xena's shoulder. The three move out into the rain. Xena kneels and looks at them both.
XENA
Neither of you is going to leave me. (sobs) Gabrielle.
(looks at Gabrielle) You're the most pure thing in my life
(holds Eve's face) And you're my great hope. (kisses Eve's forehead)
So I'm not gonna let either of you go!
Aphrodite appears.
APHRODITE
So sad.
XENA
Well if you care so much why don't you cure her?
APHRODITE
Gods can only heal with Athena's blessing. That's
not gonna happen.
Xena stands.
XENA
Then take us to Olympus.
APHRODITE
Why?
XENA
I want to offer them a deal.
APHRODITE
And you'll, kill them if they don't accept?
XENA
Please? Gabrielle doesn't have much time.
Aphrodite looks at them all.
APHRODITE
All right! I'll take you to Olympus!
Xena nods.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Mount Olympus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aphrodite, Xena, Gabrielle and Eve appear in the gods' palace.
XENA
Where are they?
APHRODITE
They're probably in the main hall, which is right
through there.
XENA
Aphrodite you might wanna take off. Things could
get ugly.
Aphrodite kneels down next to Gabrielle.
APHRODITE
Goodbye little one.
XENA
Thank you.
Aphrodite disappears.
XENA
Here we go.
EVE
Mother?
Xena kneels and faces Eve.
XENA
What is it Eve?
EVE
Nothing. I just wanted to say it. I--I've never called
anybody Mother before.
XENA
I just wish I had 'a seen you grow up. I bet you
were a beautiful little girl.
EVE
I was.
She chuckles.
EVE
I liked spiders.
XENA
Me too.
Eve coughs.
XENA
Okay, let's get you two outta here.
Xena stands. Ares appears.
ARES
Quite a load you got there.
Xena holds a crossbow on him.
ARES
Just, take it easy.
Xena lowers the crossbow a little. Eve kneels behind Xena.
ARES
I'm here to make you an offer.
EVE
Like she'd trust anything you'd say you lying bastard!
ARES
We'll make you a god.
XENA
What about Eve and Gabrielle?
ARES
Gabrielle, we can negotiate. But Eve, she's our
death warrant. She has to die.
Xena holds the crossbow on him.
ARES
You know, uh, this is the second time since you
became, Xena, Slayer of Gods, that we've faced
off one-on-one, and you still haven't been able to
pull the trigger.
Xena shoots him the leg.
ARES
O-oh!
Xena punches him and then ties him up with the chains of Hephaestus.
ARES
You shot me! I'm the God of War! Nobody shoots
the God of War!
XENA
Move on!
Xena shoves him.
ARES
Oh-h-h-h!
The group moves off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athena is on her throne. Xena shoves Ares in and enters with Gabrielle and Eve. Athena looks at Ares and shakes her head. Eve falls to her knees, too weak to stand.
XENA
I have a deal for you Athena.
Artemis comes out from behind a corner, unseen by Xena.
XENA
You heal Eve and Gabrielle, and I'll leave you alone.
Athena pulls back an arrow, ready to fire.
ATHENA
Xena wants to make a deal. I don't think that's
going to be necessary.
Artemis fires an arrow, but Xena catches it. Athena is shocked. Artemis fires another arrow, but Xena catches it. Artemis looks at Athena, worried. Xena throws the arrows with a yell. They hit Artemis and kill her. Athena yells and throws a bolt at Xena. Xena runs through the room as Athena fires, dodging the bolts. Athena looks at Eve, who is no unguarded, since Xena is on the other side of the room. Athena flies towards her. Xena jumps with a yell and slams into Athena. Athena draws her sword and she and Xena fight. Xena flips over Athena, ululating. Athena stabs up at Xena, but Xena grabs her sword and lands in front of Athena. Xena holds Athena's sword on her.
XENA
You sure you don't wanna reconsider?
Athena kicks Xena's hand and gets her sword back.
ATHENA
Never!
Xena draws her sword and the two battle. Ares looks at Eve, who falls unconscious next to Gabrielle. Ares crawls over to her. Xena and Athena fight. Xena kicks Athena's sword out of her hands.
XENA
Goddess of Wisdom you got two choices. Either
you heal my friends and I leave you in peace, or
you die now.
Athena attacks her, but Xena head butts her. Athena falls to her knees. Athena puts her hand on her dagger. Ares crawls closer to Eve and Gabrielle.
ATHENA
(yelling) I will not be dictated to by a mortal!
Athena draws her dagger and cuts Xena's leg. Xena screams. Athena grabs her sword and stands. Xena stabs Athena. Athena laughs.
ATHENA
I don't feel a thing, Xena. You've lost the power
to kill gods.
Athena steps back off of Xena's sword. Xena looks back at Eve, who is dead. Athena attacks Xena. Ares puts his hands on Eve and Gabrielle's heads. His hands glow blue. Athena knocks Xena back with a bolt. Xena gets to her knees and Athena walks over to her.
ATHENA
It's a shame it had to come to this Xena.
Athena raises her sword over head, near tears. Xena yells and stabs Athena in the stomach. Athena drops her sword. Ares has healed both Eve and Gabrielle. Athena grabs her bleeding wound. Ares backs up from Eve and Gabrielle. Xena pulls out her sword. Ares stands and takes off the chains.
ATHENA
You healed them without my blessing. That's impossible.
ARES
I gave up my immortality to save them.
ATHENA
Why?
ARES
I'm sorry, but I got a thing for her.
Athena falls and dies. The palace shakes. Xena stands and moves to Eve and Gabrielle, hugging them both.
XENA
Hey!
Ares looks at Athena. Xena looks lovingly at Gabrielle and hugs Eve. She stands and faces Ares.
XENA
Thank you.
Ares nods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
White clouds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eve and Gabrielle are sitting on a log near the ocean. Eve holds an Avondale spider.
XENA
O-o-o, what have we got here?
Xena lets the spider crawl onto her hand. Eve laughs. Eve takes the spider back and cups it on her arm.
EVE
Gabrielle? About Joxer? I uh-
GABRIELLE
Eve, Joxer's at peace.
EVE
Thank you.
Eve walks off with the spider. Gabrielle stands and moves to Xena's side.
GABRIELLE
Looks like you got your daughter back.
XENA
No we got our daughter back.
Xena and Gabrielle watch Eve.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Renee O'Connor as Hope
GUEST CAST
Ted Raimi as Joxer
Kevin Smith as Ares
Alexandra Tydings as Aphrodite
Adrienne Wilkinson as Eve
Paris Jefferson as Athena
William Gregory Lee as Virgil
Stephen Lovatt as Hades
Meighan Desmond as Discord
Joel Tobeck as Deimos
Josephine Davison as Artemis
Julian Garner as Hephaestus
Äsa Lindh as Alecto
Annmarie Dennis as Tisiphone
Diana Rowan as Shepherd
Jon Brazier as Baptist
Siaosi Fonua as Cullar
Jonathan Costello as Horseman
Susan Brady as Gabrielle/Hope Acting Double
Teleplay by: R.J. Stewart
Story by: Rob Tapert
Directed by: Rick Jacobson
Disclaimer: All the gods were harmed during the production of this motion picture.
