Episode Guide Teaser Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4

Production #V1006 - Episode 06
 


WRITTEN BY
Trish Kocialski


DIRECTED BY
Denise Byrd


PRODUCED BY
C
arol Stephens

SCREENGRABS
Judi Mair


ARTWORK
Lucia


EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC
Linda (Calli)


TEASER

 

FADE IN:

 

EXT. CAMPSITE - NIGHT

 

Xena and Gabrielle are lying side by side on their bed roll, staring up at a night sky filled with brilliant stars.  A meteor streaks across the sky.

 

GABRIELLE

Thirty-one.  That one must

have come from Artemis’ bow.

 

Two more streak by in tandem.

 

XENA

Thirty-two and three.  And

those were from Athena’s.

 

Another meteor crosses the sky but is the biggest and brightest one yet.

 

GABRIELLE

By the gods... that

one was... was....

 

Xena rolls over and faces Gabrielle.

 

XENA

Thirty-four.  And

probably from Ares.

 

 

Gabrielle turns her head to face Xena and gives her a brilliant smile.

 

GABRIELLE

If you were up in the night sky,

yours would be the best!

 

XENA

Ah, now that smile, my

bard, outshines all the

stars in the heavens.

 

Even in the pale glow of the campfire, Xena sees Gabrielle blush.  Xena moves closer toward Gabrielle’s lips while Gabrielle begins to reach up with her hands toward Xena’s face.

 

XENA

(cont’d, whispering)

Ready?

 

Gabrielle’s nod is barely perceptible.  In skillful fluid motions, both women reach for their weapons and spring to their feet, sais and sword at the ready.

 

GABRIELLE

You better come out now....

 

A bush at the far end of the campsite begins to shake violently.

 

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

… before you get hurt.

 

The leaves of the bush begin to part and a young teen steps out with fear on his face as he holds out a shaking hand holding a scroll. He speaks in a quivering voice.

 

YOUNG TEEN

Please... I’m just bringing a

message from my mother.

My name is Ersep.

 

Gabrielle and Xena relax their stances as the youngster steps into the firelight.  Gabrielle replaces her sais into their boot sheaths and steps forward indicating to the youngster to come closer.

 

GABRIELLE

Who is your mother?

 

ERSEP

Tara.  She said you

would remember her.

 

Gabrielle’s eyebrows hike up in surprise and she looks back at Xena who is shaking her head as she replaces her sword by their bed roll.  Ersep watches Xena closely and takes a step backward in a move crossed between fear and shyness.

 

XENA

Well c’mon and sit down.

 

Ersep takes a long minute to decide, then slowly moves toward the campfire and the log Xena is indicating for him to sit on.  Xena is now sitting on the bed roll back propped up on another log with her legs stretched out and crossed.  Her hands folded across her chest as she stares at the youngster.

 

ERSEP

My mother... we live in the next town

to the north.  She heard you were

near and sent me to find you

and give you this message.

 

He hands Gabrielle the scroll as she steps toward him.  While Gabrielle reads the message, Xena observes the youngster who seems too timid and shy to be the child of the Tara they know.

 

Watching as Xena gives him the once over, Ersep unconsciously slides down the log, further away from Xena. 

 

GABRIELLE

Xena, Tara would like us to come

see her.  She says she needs our

help in a family matter.  Seems

there is trouble in paradise.

 

 

Xena rolls her eyes and shakes her head. 

 

XENA

(muttering under her breath)

I don’t do marriage counseling.

 

ERSEP

It’s only a half day journey.  I know

she would be honored for you to visit.

 

Gabrielle looks hopefully at Xena who gives in, knowing that Gabrielle would pester her until she agreed, so she nods approval to Gabrielle.

 

GABRIELLE

We’ll come.  Now, are you hungry?

We have some fish left.

 

ERSEP

No, thank you.  I must go...

home... now.

 

He stands and backs away again with that mixture of fear and timidity. He looks over his shoulder at them.

 

ERSEP

(cont’d)

I’ll just head home now, and

tell mother you will be coming.

 

He turns and begins to trot away.

 

Gabrielle calls after the fleeting youngster.

 

GABRIELLE

You’re welcome to

spend the night with us.

 

Ersep’s voice fades as he runs back into the brush.

 

ERSEP

No... thanks....

 

GABRIELLE

Hmm, he certainly

doesn’t take after Tara.

 

XENA

Nope.

 

 

Xena slides down off the log, resuming her previous position.  She pats the bed roll and winks at Gabrielle.

 

XENA

(cont’d)

Now... where were we?

 

Gabrielle walks toward the bed roll, drops the scroll to the side, then kneels down and gives Xena a mischievous grin as we....

 

FADE OUT.

 

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

 

 

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