A Saving Grace

Written by: Caina Q. Fuller

Episode #6 In The Messenger Series

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Teaser

Fade In-bubbling brook, 26 years ago

The waters of a bubbling brook course roughly over small stones made smooth by years of being submerged in the brook. Suddenly a bucket is dropped into the frame, held by porcelain white hands.

As we pull back, we see the arms of the woman dipping the bucket are covered in bruises, some old and yellow, some dark and fresh. The woman is NAJARRA, and as we look into her eyes we see her spirit has been broken in the short time she has been in prison, cut off from Gabrielle.

As the bucket fills, Najarra’s eyes are drawn to an apparition of a woman with flowing white gowns and luxurious black hair. She has warm brown eyes that smile at Najarra as brightly as her lips. Najarra looks away in fear, not certain if this woman is real or merely a figment of her demented mind.

When the bucket is full, Najarra struggles with it over to a group of women doing the prison cooking. No sooner does she stop next to the cauldron do two nearby guards strike up a conversation. In the gates behind them, new women inmates are being led into the prison, making escape somewhat easier if given the right distraction.

Guard #1

You won’t believe what I

heard. Julius Caesar was

assassinated last week. Rumor

has it Brutus was responsible.

Guard #2

That’s nothin’. Xena and

Gabrielle were crucified that

same day. Rumor has it

they were tacked up on

Caesar’s order.

The men laugh, but Najarra is horrified by this news. The prophecy had come true. Gabrielle was dead because of Xena, and her own inability to save her.

Guard #1

I wouldn’t be surprised if

Xena had something to do

with Caesar’s assassination.

You know how much they

hated each other.

Guard #2

Oh yeah. Hey, what do

you say we head on over

to Aesop’s place later and-

Najarra

Excuse me.

Najarra has left her cooking duties and interrupted the guard’s conversation, even though she knows it could result in another beating. She can’t help herself. Gabrielle just couldn’t be dead.

Guard #1

Get back to work!

Najarra

I couldn’t help but hear

your conversation. Are

you sure about the rumors

you heard? I mean, isn’t-

Guard #2

He said get back to work!

You should be cooking, not

eavesdroppin’ on people’s

conversations!

Guard #1

I know you had a thing

for Gabrielle, but she’s

dead. You’ll be joining her

if you don’t get out of here!

The guard moves to strike Najarra, but something in her snaps. Now that Gabrielle is dead, there is no reason for her to remain on her best behavior. She would never see the woman who’d won her heart again, so there was no reason to stay and take beatings from these men.

Najarra blocks his hand, and then head butts him, sending him falling back. She then pulls his sword from his scabbard and runs him through. Guard #2 tries his own clumsy attack, but Najarra quickly dispenses with him by cutting off his head.

Guard after guard attacks, and one right after another Najarra cuts them down. When most of the guards in the yard are dead, Najarra makes a beeline for the door. She’s almost through when a guard on the wall fires at her, planting an arrow in her chest. She falls to the ground, dead.

As the remaining guards work to subdue the women trying to escape, some of the prisoners come to stand over Najarra’s body. Unseen to their eyes is the apparition from the waters edge earlier in the Teaser. She appears and pulls Najarra’s soul from her body.

Shiriah

Najarra.

Najarra

Who are you?

Shiriah

I am Shiriah. The Jinn. I’ve

come to take you home.

They fade away, leaving Najarra’s body in the prison yard.

Fade out. End of Teaser.

*********

Act One

Fade In-Potidaea Present Day

We fade in on the peaceful village of Potidaea. It’s market day, and every stall is stocked full with the freshest catches and newest clothing material. As the villagers go about their day, Najarra appears among them. She is wearing a traditional Greek toga, dark gray in color.

She begins moving through the village, looking for a young man who’d murdered his father in a drunken rage. Finally, she comes to the village tavern and finds two men talking outside.

Man #1

Cephus is inside. Can you

believe they let that guy

go after he murdered his

own father in cold blood?

Man #2

Yeah I know. But they didn’t

have any hard evidence.

Man #1

How much evidence do you

need? He’s a loud-mouthed,

rude, drunken jerk. He’d

even threatened to kill his

father in public. What happened

to justice these days?

Najarra

I’m right here.

Najarra enters the tavern, unseen by human eyes. As soon as she does she spots the man in question at the bar, drinking and laughing with a friend of his. As Najarra nears him, intending to kill him, she spots Hope in the room just behind the bar.

Something in her recognizes her, but her memories of her past life were wiped clean by the Jinn when they took her to their realm to spend eternity as an angel of justice. This seems unfair given Najarra’s history, but we’ll get to that later.

Right now, an image of Gabrielle appears before her mind. It’s of the first time she ever lay eyes on her, fighting off her men from Crusader. The flashback is brief, and Najarra quickly shakes it off. She has a mission to do. A mission she hates, but is powerless to refuse.

Najarra approaches Cephus, slowly and with hand outstretched. She is just about to touch him, thereby pulling his soul from his body and killing him, when Hope emerges from the rear room. She has taken a job here to help her Aunt and cousin with the living expenses.

Hope isn’t showing yet, so she still wears her mother’s Season Three clothes and she looks exactly like the Gabrielle that Najarra met in Crusader. Upon seeing her again, she has another flashback of placing the wreath on Gabrielle’s head and accepting her into the light with a hug from Crusader.

Najarra isn’t the only one to notice Hope either. As she passes by him to refill empty mugs with fresh mead, Cephus wraps an arm around her and pulls her to him. Hope struggles against him in disgust as he tries to kiss her.

Hope

Stop it! Let go of me!

Cephus

Come on now sweet thing.

be friendly now.

Hope

I said get off me!

Najarra has yet another flashback at the sound of Hope’s voice. It is of her sitting in the cave at the end of Crusader, after she has been taken from Xena.

Gabrielle

You’re so close to being

this ultimate force of

goodness…

Suddenly Najarra remembers her, but not before Hope elbows Cephus in the nose. He loosens his grip on her, and she takes off out of the tavern. Embarrassed by the villager’s laughs, he takes off after her.

Najarra

Gabrielle!

Ext. Street

Hope rushes outside and almost smacks into Eve, who is coming after Cephus. New evidence has been found against him, and a new trial is set to be held.

Eve

Hope! What’s the matter?

Hope

It’s Cephus. He’s going to

hurt me.

Eve

No he’s not.

Cephus emerges from the tavern, murder for Hope in his eyes. He tries to plow through Eve to get to her, but Eve grabs him by the arm and twists him around. She plants her foot on his butt and shoves him into the dirt, face down, where this draws even more laughter from the townspeople.

Najarra exits the tavern, still invisible to mortal eyes. She watches as Eve faces Cephus down with a scroll in her hand.

Cephus

Who the hell are you?

Eve

I’m Eve. The Magistrate has

sent me to tell you new

evidence has been brought to

light in your father’s murder

case. I’m here to take you

back to jail for a new trial.

Cephus

The jury wasn’t able to make

up their minds if I did it or

not. I’ve been set free. I’m

not going back for no new

trial.

As Najarra watches Eve draw her sword, she sees Xena do the same thing in the fight seen in Crusader. Her face contorts with rage at the sight of Xena, but she does nothing as she watches Eve handle Cephus.

Eve

I’ve been told to bring you

back, dead or alive. It’s

your choice.

Cephus

You’d cut down an unarmed

man? Figures.

Eve resheathes her sword, then tosses him a pair of handcuffs that land on the dusty ground.

Eve

Put them on. You don’t

want me to do it, trust me.

Cephus kicks the manacles back at Eve, and she ducks. Hope catches them before they can fly into the trough the horses are drinking from, and Cephus charges Eve with a cry of rage.

Eve jumps into the air, kicking Cephus in the face, then lands. She follows through with a drop kick, but Cephus ducks it. Now they’re punching at each other with everything they’ve got. For awhile neither one is able to get the better of the other, then Cephus lands a solid punch on Eve, sending her flying back.

He wastes no time in pouncing on her. While she’s on her back, he tries to drive his foot into her gut, but Eve flips back, stoops and sweeps her feet beneath him. He falls to his back now, but quickly jumps back to his feet. Eve kicks him in the chest, sending him stumbling toward Hope, and when he’s close she holds up the manacles.

Hope

Hey!

Cephus turns around and Hope smacks him hard in the face with the manacles. She then kicks him hard in the groin, and he falls to his knees.

Eve has her sword drawn and to his throat in no time, and he decides it would be wiser to surrender now and try to escape later.

Eve

We make a good team

Hope. Would you like to

do the honors?

Hope

Yes I would.

As Hope cuffs him, Najarra frowns in confusion. She has no concept of how much time has passed, and she has no idea of all the events that have transpired since her death.

Najarra

Why are you calling yourself

Hope? Who is this woman

that looks like Xena?

A light appears next to Najarra, and solidifies into Shiriah. She sees that Najarra is regaining her old memories, and this she cannot allow.

Shiriah

Najarra darling. Justice still

has a chance to be served now

that Cephus is getting a new

trial. Your work in Potidaea is

complete. You’re needed in

Athens now.

Najarra nods in agreement, but motions at Hope.

Najarra

And what about them? I

know her from somewhere.

Shiriah

No you don’t. You just

have her confused with

an older case. Come now.

Athens awaits.

Najarra doesn’t look convinced at all, but she fades away, leaving Shiriah in the town square. After studying Hope and Eve leading Cephus off, she shakes her head in worry and fades away. She’s done all she could to keep Najarra out of hell, since it was the Jinn that corrupted her to begin with. But if Najarra returns to her old ways…

Ext. Homestead

Hope and Eve lead Cephus, gagged and bound, toward the homestead Gabrielle grew up in with Lila. When they arrive Lilla comes out to greet them with a smile. Her smile quickly fades upon site of Cephus however.

Lila

Hope. I just received word

from your mother. She’s

returning from Egypt.

Hope

Really? How long till she

gets here?

Lila

She says she should be

back in a few days.

Eve

Looks like she can’t bear

to be away from her baby for

very long.

Hope

And I can’t bear to be away

from her either. I love her

so much.

Hope touches her slightly swollen stomach, which contains new life and Eli’s soul.

Hope

I have Eli to thank for

that. I wonder if he knows

how much I appreciate

what’s he’s done for me.

Eve

You gave him new life Hope.

he understands.

Cephus rolls his eyes and makes a disgusted noise, prompting nasty looks from Eve and Hope.

Eve

Ah, shut up. I have to go

guys. I’m taking sunshine

here back to Pella to stand

trial. This time the only

thing that’s going to be hung

is you, not the jury.

Lila

I’ve packed you some supplies

for your trip. I’ll get your horse.

Eve

Thank you Lila.

As Lila moves to disappear, Najarra appears next to the house. She peers around the corner as if she is afraid of being caught. Perhaps she is afraid Shiriah is still lurking around to make sure she’s gone.

Hope

Where’s Virgil?

Eve

He’s gone home to make

some repairs on his house.

At least that’s what he says.

Hope

Oh, Eve. He’s not trying

to avoid you.

Eve

I don’t see why he wouldn’t.

Since he’s met me his father

was murdered, he was

kidnapped, nearly eaten by a

lion, run through with a sword,

and almost crucified.

Despite herself Hope begins to giggle, and even Eve’s lips curl up in a small smile.

Hope

Well, when you say it like

that…I’m sure he sees life

with you as an adventure

that he wouldn’t give up for

anything. Besides, this will

give him good writing material.

You two make a good team

Eve. Don’t give up on it

just because he needs a break.

Eve

I won’t.

Lila arrives with her horse as well as another steed. Eve helps Cephus mount Braveheart, then she climbs up on her own steed.

Hope

I don’t think you should go

alone with this guy Eve. Let

me come with you. I’m sure

I could get the time off at the

tavern.

Eve

Nonsense. I was the champion

of Rome at one time. I can

handle one psychotic looser.

Hope

Ok.

Eve rides out with Cephus, and Hope watches her go. As the camera pans around her we see Najarra has taken up a position right behind Hope to look down on her with eyes full of love. Though she doesn’t know it yet, Hope is in trouble.

Fade Out.

End of Act One.

*********

Act Two

Fade In-

Hope enters the windmill and spreads a mat out on the floor to mediate. With that done, she takes out a small scarf her mother had given her, and ties it around her right wrist. As she is working, she notices a scar in a beam on the ceiling and remembers the time she and her son the first destroyer tried to kill Xena in this same room.

Hope shakes these images out of her mind and takes a seat on the mat, then begins to meditate. As she is doing this, Najarra appears before her.

Bad memories still haunt Hope. She can see her creature kill her in this room, and this time, Najarra sees it as well. Slowly, gently, Najarra reaches out and touches Hopes face. Hope smiles, thinking her mother has returned early, but instead of finding Gabrielle, she finds Najarra.

Hope

(startled)

Who are you?

Najarra

My name is Najarra.

You’re Hope?

Hope

Yes.

Najarra

I see your memories Hope.

Bad things happened to you

in this same room. Things

that happened because of

Xena.

Hope doesn’t know what to make of this woman. Who was she? How could she know about any of her history? Then the name Najarra comes back to her.

Hope

Najarra…I read about you

in my mother’s scrolls. How

are you here?

Najarra

That’s a long story.

Hope

Look, I have to be getting

back to my aunt. She needs me.

Najarra

Wait. Don’t you want to talk?

We have so much in common.

Xena hurt us both.

Hope

No, I don’t want to talk,

and Xena wasn’t responsible

for my actions. I was. Just

as you were. Look, I

want you to leave now.

Najarra looks genuinely hurt at Hope’s angry rejection, and her face pinches up in anger.

Najarra

You’re just like your mother

aren’t you Hope? You’re taking

Xena’s side against me, and

all Xena ever did was try

to keep you separate from you

mother and kill you!

Hope gets up and looks to the door. She begins to ease away from Najarra, hoping with all her heart that Gabrielle would come home now instead of a few days from now as planned.

Najarra

I had hoped we could be

friends. Since you’re so

obviously against that, I

have no choice but to take

you by force.

Hope

What? What are you talking

about? Take me where?

Najarra

If I want Gabrielle to come

with me willingly, she’s going

to need an incentive to do so.

Hope runs for the door, but when she pulls it open, Najarra stands on the other side. She grabs Hope by the arm, and they fade away, leaving nothing behind of Hope but the scarf.

Ext. Road. Eve and Cephus

Eve and Cephus continue to ride for Pella, and as they do Eve’s captive struggles to free himself of his restraints. He also kicks Braveheart mercilessly on his sides to encourage him to run, but as Argo was trained only to run for Xena, so is Braveheart only trained to run for Eve.

Eve

Do you like the feel of

intense pain Cephus?

Cephus

(muffled from his gag)

Hmmm?

Eve

Kick my horse again and

I’ll cut your left foot off.

Cephus immediately quits kicking and rides along quietly.

Int. Realm of the Jinn

Members of the Jinn, Shiriah included, have gathered in their realm to discuss the situation with Najarra as they watch Eve with Cephus. The realm is gray, like a stormy sky, and we get the feeling that the realm of the Jinn is some kind of purgatory for souls. Not heaven, but not hell either.

Darcon

Shiriah. Najarra has gone

renegade again. You know

what this means.

Shiriah

I know. I tried to pull her

away from Potidaea but…

who’s idea was it in the

first place to send her there,

knowing her history with

Gabrielle?

Darcon

Don’t try to escape your

responsibilities by assigning

blame to us. Najarra was

your project and she went

horribly wrong. She wasn’t

reformed. Her recent actions

prove this.

Shiriah

Well what do you want me

to do? I’ve tried everything.

Darcon

That’s up to you. You see,

I have just been informed by

Michael that she’s being given

one last chance. You have

until sunset three days from

now turn her from this obsession

with Gabrielle once and for all, or

She spends her eternity in

hell for her crimes on earth

before she met Xena and Gabrielle.

She’s your error so fix this!

Darcon fades away, and Shiriah turns to Eve and Cephus.

Ext. Potidaea

Lila is carrying laundry to the backyard when she passes the windmill. She looks inside for Hope and sees the meditation mat, but Hope isn’t there. Where could she be?

Lila

Hope? Sweetie, are you here?

A gust of wind kicks up, and the only response to Lila’s question is Hope’s scarf as it blows in the wind toward her.

Najarra appears before her, scooping up the piece of material and smiling wickedly at her.

Lila

Who are you? What have

you done with my niece?

Najarra

My name is Najarra. All I

want is for us to be one

big happy family. What do

you say we start planning a

welcome home party for

Gabrielle?

Slowly Najarra advances on Lila and we-

Cut to:

Ext. Eve and Cephus

The ride with Cephus is peaceful once again, until Shiriah suddenly appears and both horses rear up in fright of her. Eve manages to hold on to her horse, but Cephus’ hands are tied behind his back and he falls to the ground.

Eve

Whoa! Calm down boys!

who are you?

Shiriah

My name is Shiriah. I’m

a member of the Jinn.

Eve

The who?

Shiriah

You haven’t read Gabrielle’s

scrolls?

Eve

No, so why don’t you make

it easy on me and explain?

Shiriah

Alright, but there isn’t

much time. Your friends, Hope

and Gabrielle, are in danger.

Eve

Talk to me.

Time elapse:

Eve and Shiriah have pulled the horses up beneath some trees, and currently are not watching Cephus. As they talk, Najarra appears beside him and waves a hand over his restraints. The cuffs fall from him, and Cephus looks to her in confusion.

Cephus

(whispering)

Who are you?

Najarra

I’m a friend. I’ve come to

help you get your freedom.

In order to do this, I

need your help.

Cephus

Alright. It’s a deal.

Najarra

I need you to keep Eve busy

while I take what’s mine.

when we’re finished, you go

free.

Cephus

I’m in.

Ext. Grove-Eve and Shiriah

As Eve and Shiriah talk, Cephus slowly mounts the horse Eve was riding, and walks him off, out of site of Eve’s peripheral vision. She is so taken with Shiriah’s story of Najarra’s history with Gabrielle, she doesn’t notice him leaving.

Shiriah

So you see? It was I who

put Najarra on the path of

the warrior.

Eve

From what you’ve told me,

the Jinn can’t be held

responsible for Najarra’s actions.

Shiriah

I can. I knew she was

unstable when I began contact

with her as a child. I thought

I could reform her, but I was

wrong. That’s why I crossed

her path with Xena and Gabrielle.

to stop her.

Eve

Only it backfired and she

became obsessed with Gabrielle.

Shiriah

She only has three days before

she’s sent to hell forever.

Please Eve. Save her. I’ve tried

and failed.

Eve

What makes you think I can?

Shiriah

Humans have been known

to do extraordinary things.

You may be able to get through

to her. Please?

Eve sighs, knowing that if she agrees to try to reform Najarra and fails she will have to live with the knowledge that a soul who’d been dependent upon her for salvation was suffering forever. However she was the Messenger, and it was her duty to reform people on the wrong path.

Eve

I’ll do my best, but I’ll

need some help from you.

Shiriah

Anything.

Eve turns to check on Cephus and finds him gone. When she runs out to Braveheart’s side, his tracks lead into the forest. There’s no telling where he has gone, or if she’ll be able to find him again after dealing with Najarra. Eve shakes her head in frustration.

Eve

Great.

Shiriah

Your prisoner?

Eve

He’s gone. I’ll worry about

him later. Right now, here’s

what I need you to do.

Eve turns to hatch her plan with Shiriah, and Cephus watches her from the trees, a diabolical chuckle breaking the silence of the still, hot air.

Fade out.

End of Act Two.

***********

Act Three

Fade In-Potidaea

Int. Homestead

Hope and Lila sit at the table, eating a meal fit for a King that Najarra had conjured up. However they only pick at the food, for right now they have no appetite. At the window, Najarra paces nervously.

Najarra

Oh, I can’t wait to see her

again. Gabrielle and I could

have been so happy

if Xena hadn’t interfered.

Hope and Lila share a confused glance, and it is now that Najarra notices they’ve barely touched their food.

Najarra

Hope, eat up. A pregnant

woman must have her

nutrition you know. You do

want a healthy child don’t you?

Hope

Yes.

Hope makes another attempt to eat, and reaches for the scarf her mother had given her.

Najarra

What are you doing?

Hope

Nothing. I just wanted to

hold this. It was a gift from

my mother.

Najarra

You love her very much,

don’t you Hope?

Hope

Yes, I do.

Najarra

I love her too.

As Najarra speaks with them, something catches her attention outside the window. When she looks out, she finds Shiriah in the front yard.

Najarra

I’ll be right back. I have

the powers of a god you

know. If either of you try

to escape me, Lila dies,

then the baby.

Lila grabs Hopes hand at the mention of the babies death. What kind of a being is she to threaten the life of an innocent, unborn child? A demon from hell as far as they’re concerned.

Ext. Homestead

Najarra approaches Shiriah slowly, ready for a fight.

Shiriah

Najarra. I’ve come to give

you an opportunity to save

your soul.

Najarra

Save my soul? Without

Gabrielle, I don’t have a

soul.

Shiriah looks upon Najarra’s mad obsession with pity in her heartbroken eyes.

Shiriah

Don’t you think that if

Gabrielle wanted to be

with you, she would have

left with you years

ago? Stop this madness

and come back where you

belong.

Najarra

I belong here, with Gabrielle.

All I need is time to show

her that we belong together.

Shiriah

It wasn’t meant to be Najarra.

have I ever lied to you

before?

Najarra

Yes. When you said I should

trust Xena.

Shiriah

We had to stop you Najarra.

You were committing murder-

Najarra

I was avenging the lives

of the people those bastards

had ruined, not committing

murder!

Shiriah can see she’s getting nowhere with Najarra, so she decides to cut the conversation short and put our deranged psycho on even footing with Eve.

Shiriah

Well, the powers that be

disagree with you. They

were going to send you to

hell upon your death, for

your executions, but I

convinced them to let me

take you since you were

my creation. Najarra,

if you don’t stop this madness

and admit to your crimes,

not just against the men you

murdered but against Xena and

Gabrielle, you will be sent to

hell.

Int. House

Hope and Lila watch the exchange outside.

Hope

Something is happening.

Najarra

You want to punish me for

loving someone? I’m not

going down without a fight.

I have the same powers as

any other angel. I’ll fight for

eternity if I have to.

Shiriah

No Najarra. You won’t.

Shiriah waves her hand over Najarra, and as she does her powers coalesce into a sphere of light that comes to rest in Shiriah’s hand. She closes her fist and it dissipates, leaving Najarra mortal.

Najarra

What have you done to me?

Shiriah

I’ve made you mortal. Now

how long do you think you

will be able to fight your fate?

The only thing that will change

you now, is to admit, in your

heart where it counts, that you

were wrong.

Int. House

Hope rushes Lila for the back door.

Hope

Lila, you heard that woman.

Najarra is mortal again. Get

a horse from the stable and

get word to mother. Go!

Lila

But what about you and

the baby?

Hope

She’ll still try to use me to

get to mother. She’ll succeed

if she catches Mom off guard.

Go, get word to her! I can

take care of myself.

Lila hugs her niece, and though she hates to do it, she rushes out of the back door and heads for the stables.

Ext. Yard

Najarra watches Shiriah fade away, leaving her mortal and vulnerable again. She shakes with helpless rage at her situation, but refuses to turn from her destructive path.

Najarra

I can still have what I want.

Once Gabrielle admits she

made a mistake you’ll see you

were wrong, not me!

She turns to go back for the house, and as she does, she catches sight of Lila riding like the devil out of the back yard and for the gate.

Najarra

No! No!

Her plan is falling apart now, and she isn’t sure what to do to keep it together. She rushes into the house to make sure she still has Hope, but finds her gone and the back door open.

Najarra rushes out to find Hope is mounting a horse to escape. Najarra’s old battle instincts kick in, and she makes a perfect flip for Hopes horse as she passes by, landing in the saddle behind her, then pulling the horse to a stop.

Najarra

I told you what would

happen to Lila if you

tried this.

Hope

You’re mortal Najarra. I

heard what that woman

said. When mother finds

out what you’ve done, she’ll

kill you. This time, you’ll

stay dead.

Najarra

I still have you, so I still

have leverage. Come on!

Najarra kicks the horse into a run, heading out of town behind Lila.

Ext. Road

Eve rides full speed for Potidaea, knowing that if Shiriah held up her end of the bargain that Najarra is mortal again by now. All she has left to do is get back to Potidaea and take control of the situation.

As she is riding, she comes to a crossroads. To her right the road leads to Potidaea, to her left, deeper into the trees. Eve catches sight of Najarra and Hope riding into the forest.

The situation may have gotten a little more complicated, but she could still take control of the situation. Eve kicks Braveheart into a run and takes off after them.

Ext. Forest-Cephus

Cephus brings his horse back out onto the road when he sees Najarra riding up. He’s chewing on a apple, and blocking the path. Cephus doesn’t yet know that Najarra is mortal.

Cephus

Goddess, or whatever you

are. Eve is right behind you.

Hope

She isn’t a goddess anymore.

she’s mortal.

Najarra rolls her eyes, especially when Cephus begins glaring at her.

Cephus

What about my freedom?

Najarra

You can still have your

freedom, if you don’t panic.

I need time to set some

traps for Eve in the forest.

keep her busy will you?

Cephus

Sure, but on one condition.

It figures. Najarra says nothing as the sound of Eve’s horse becomes audible.

Najarra

Well? Spit it out!

Cephus

I want the girl when we’re

finished.

Najarra

Fine. I get what I want

and you can have Hope.

Cephus eyes a shocked Hope with lust and takes off down the path to stave off Eve’s approach. Najarra and Hope continue further into the forest.

Ext. Road outside Potidaea-Evening

Gabrielle is indeed returning home early, and Lila is glad to see her coming up the road toward her. Gabrielle’s smile fades away when she sees the alarm on Lila’s face.

Gabrielle

Lila? What’s wrong? Is Hope

and the baby ok?

Lila

No. Some woman you used

to know named Najarra

kidnapped them. The woman

plans to use Hope to get to

you. Eve is gone to Pella to

take in some prisoner so she

doesn’t know what’s happening.

Gabrielle

Najarra? How can this be?

Lila

It’s a long story.

Gabrielle

You can tell me on the

way back home.

Ext. Forest

Eve pulls Braveheart up short when she comes upon Cephus, blocking the path. The sun has begun to set, and it’s hard to see past him into the dense foliage lining the road. She didn’t want to risk injuring her horse, so she doesn’t try to ride past him.

Eve

Cephus, that nut has my

friend. Get out of my way.

Cephus

That nut has promised me

freedom and uh…other things

for helping her. So if you

want to get to her, you’re going

to have to kill me to get to her.

Eve

It doesn’t have to be like this

Cephus. Just back down.

Cephus

No way.

Eve

Alright. You asked for this.

Eve draws her sword and kicks Braveheart into a run, coming straight for Cephus.

Fade out.

End of Act Three.

**********

Act Four

Fade In

We resume where we left off with Eve charging Cephus. As she does, Cephus realizes she has no intentions of slowing down or stopping, so he draws a makeshift weapon, preparing to run her through.

He barely gets his horse out of the way in time to allow her through, and when she passes she takes his head off with one single, fatal swoop, and Najarra’s help goes down for the count. Eve re-sheathes her sword and turns to look at what she has done.

Eve

You just had to do this the

hard way didn’t you?

She takes off into the night.

Time elapse:

Fade in-Morning

Eve has the look of a tired, disheveled woman as she makes her way through the forest. She has been searching most of the night, stopping only for a couple of hours of rest. Now she has found Najarra’s trail and dismounts. She follows the trail on foot until she sees Hope, tied (and gagged) to a tree.

Eve

This was too easy.

Najarra steps out in front of Eve, the sword she’d taken from Gabrielle’s home in hand.

Najarra

You just don’t give up, do

you Eve?

Eve

Never. I have my mother’s

spirit. The Jinn asked me to

try and save you. That’s what

I’m going to do.

Najarra

The only one that’s going to

need to be saved is you.

Najarra attacks Eve, swinging her sword with rage clouding her ability to fight. Eve not only manages to put a small cut on Najarra’s right side, she kicks her opponent’s sword from her hand, then follows through with a kick to the stomach. Najarra is slammed into a tree, and Eve begins walking toward Hope, who tries desperately to warn her off.

Eve sees this and comes to a stop, but Najarra comes up behind her and shoves her forward. Eve hits a trip wire, and a net jerks her up into the air. Najarra comes to stand beneath her, her face full of triumph.

Najarra

Looks like I have you

just where I want you.

Najarra turns to Hope and unties her, then takes the scarf Gabrielle had given to Hope and ties it around her waist to cover her wound. Once that is finished, Najarra mounts up with Hope, and takes off through the trees.

Once they are gone, Eve whistles for her horse, and he comes trotting up. When Braveheart sees her, he gives a whinny that sounds more like a laugh.

Eve

Think this is funny huh? Why

don’t you do something useful

and jump?

Braveheart hops up against the tree, and Eve is able then to reach into the saddlebag and pull out a spare dagger and begins the arduous process of cutting herself free.

Ext. Road-Gabrielle rides full speed toward the forest.

Ext. Road-Najarra and Hope

Hope

Tell me what love is.

Najarra

What?

Hope

You say you love my mother.

When you think of her, what

do you feel?

Najarra is silent for a long time, but finally she begins to speak.

Najarra

I feel happiness and joy when

I think of the time Gabrielle

joined the light. She was going

to help me start a hospice. But

Xena came back and ruined all

of that.

Hope

You still haven’t answered my

question. What do you feel

when you think of my mother.

I’m not talking about what you feel

when you think of the past and

what could have been, but what

you feel right now. In this moment.

Najarra

I feel anger.

Hope

Don’t you see? You don’t love

Mom. You just want her to hurt

as much as you do now. You

know Najarra, I’ve learned a

few things about love from Mom

since she and I were reunited.

Najarra

Yeah? And what’s that?

Hope

She taught me that when you

love someone you care about

them more than you care about

yourself. Najarra, you can’t

make someone love you. That

is something you have to feel

on your own. It has to come

naturally. It can’t be forced.

Najarra

Stop. I don’t want to hear

anymore.

Hope

You need to hear more. If

you love my mother, you’ll

realize that she doesn’t want

to spend her life with you.

you’ll let her go and move on.

Ext. Forest-Eve

Eve has freed herself from Najarra’s trap and is riding full speed for Najarra and Hope.

Ext. Road

Najarra and Hope have reached a section of road that cuts through a hill. To their left the hill rises steeply up, and to their right, it slopes to a bottom where the forest continues. Their pace is slow and unhurried, unlike Gabrielle and Eve’s pace. The only question is, who will reach them first.

That question is soon answered when Eve comes riding toward them full speed. Najarra looks around to find Eve almost upon her, and to her amazement, Eve flips out of her saddle and begins somersaulting for them.

Eve

Hope! Duck!

Hope ducks obediently and Eve literally snatches Najarra right out of the saddle. The two women hit the sloped side of the hill and go tumbling down, rolling over each other until they reach the bottom. When they land, they’re facing one another with their faces covered with fresh cuts and newly forming bruises. They force themselves to their feet, through their pain.

Eve

Hope! Get back home! Find

Gabrielle and tell her what’s

going on!

Without argument Hope takes off for Potidaea. Instead of drawing her sword now, Najarra does her own amazing flip and lands in the trees. With a skill that would make Tarzan jealous, Najarra begins to swing through the trees, deeper into the forest with Eve hot on her heels.

Ext. Road

As Hope rides toward Potidaea she finally encounters Gabrielle. They pull their horses up alongside one another and Gabrielle hugs her daughter fiercely.

Gabrielle

Hope! Are you ok?

Hope

I’m fine. Eve’s the one

that needs help. That mad

woman might kill her.

Gabrielle

Don’t you worry about Najarra.

I can handle her. Right now

I want you to get back to

Potidaea and let Lila know you’re

ok. She’s worried sick about you.

Hope

Ok. Mom, be careful. Please.

Gabrielle

I’ll come home to you tonight,

I promise. I’ll have Eve with me.

Gabrielle and Hope continue on the road, going in opposite directions. Finally Gabrielle finds Braveheart on the road, nibbling at the daisies. Gabrielle leads Argo II down the hill, and takes off into the trees.

Ext. Trees

Eve and Najarra play cat and mouse until they come to a clearing. The clearing is roughly square, with three sides surrounded by trees. However one edge leads to a fifty-foot drop to what looks like rocky, shallow water below. Najarra and Eve face off.

Eve

This has to end Najarra. I can

see now there’s no saving you.

Najarra

I don’t need saving. I beat

your mother in a fair fight.

I can take you too.

Eve

Maybe. But I know you can’t

take Gabrielle.

The two women meet in a vicious battle that’s fought fast and hard. Finally Najarra gets Eve’s sword from her hand and knocks her onto her knees. She raises her weapon high into the air, and just as she’s about to deliver the death blow, Gabrielle’s Chakram breaks the blade in half.

Najarra turns to find Gabrielle sitting astride Argo II. The Chakram returns to her, and the Warrior Bard dismounts. As Gabrielle approaches her quietly, Najarra can’t believe her eyes. Gabrielle has changed so much…

Najarra

Gabrielle. You’ve changed so much.

Gabrielle

Yes, but I see you haven’t

changed at all. You went too

far when you went after my

family.

Najarra

All I wanted was to have time

to convince you that we can

still make a good team. We can

fight evil side by side, like we

should have done years ago.

Gabrielle

Najarra, you are the evil I fight.

it’s time to put an end to this,

once and for all.

Najarra

You want to fight me?

Gabrielle

No. I have to fight you.

Najarra’s love turns to anger, especially when Gabrielle splits the Chakram and hands half to Najarra. This way they have equal weapons.

This battle is the biggest, most intense battle yet. Najarra gives it all she’s got, landing many hard blows to Gabrielle, but Gabrielle is a true warrior now. Slowly but surely she drives Najarra to the edge of the drop off, and with one last kick to the gut, she sends Najarra falling over the edge.

Najarra uses the Chakram like a hook and drives it into the ground just before she falls over the edge. Gabrielle comes to stand over her, blocking Najarra’s attempts to climb back up.

Gabrielle

You know I can’t let you live.

Najarra

We could have been so good

together Gabrielle.

Eve

Gabrielle! Don’t kill her.

Gabrielle

I once said that same thing

to Xena Eve, and I’ve been

paying for it every since. She

has a sickness that only death

can cure. I know that sounds

cold but-

Najarra

It’s the truth.

Najarra looks into Gabrielle’s eyes as tears begin to spill down her cheeks.

Najarra

All I wanted to do was

love you.

Najarra releases the Chakram, and falls to the water below.

Close up on Gabrielle.

Fade to:

Ext. Homestead-night.

A thunderstorm brews outside as Gabrielle, Lila and Eve sit at the table. Gabrielle can see Hope sleeping soundly in the next room.

Gabrielle

And that’s the story of Najarra.

Lila

She was such a troubled soul.

Gabrielle

Yes she was. You know,

this experience has made me

realize something. I need to

be here for my daughter. I’ve

made a decision. If nothing

major happens to call me away,

I’m staying here. I’m lying down

my weapons and I’m going to

stay here so I can be a mother

to my child. She needs me now

more than she ever has.

Eve

I think that’s a wonderful idea

Gabrielle.

Lila

I know I’ll be happy to have

you back after all these years.

As they talk there is a thumping outside, and the women frown.

Eve

I’ll see what that was while

you guys get the dishes.

Gabrielle

You’d do anything to get out

of doing the dishes. Just like

your mother.

Eve

(as she goes to the door)

Hey, the apple doesn’t

fall far from the tree.

Gabrielle and Lila begin cleaning up, and after awhile they notice Eve still hasn’t returned.

Lila

Where’s Eve?

Gabrielle looks to Hope’s room and finds she’s missing.

Gabrielle

Hope!

Gabrielle rushes outside to find Najarra has Hope and Eve strung up by their hands from a pole protruding from the barn. Their mouths have been gagged and their feet dangle so they cannot touch the ground.

Najarra stands beneath Hope with a sword to her gut. As she does this Shiriah appears, as well as a demon from hell.

Shiriah

This is your last chance Najarra.

Najarra drops her sword and begins to weep as the demon inches closer to her. Their presence is a physical representation of the war over Najarra’s fate.

Najarra

All I wanted to do was love you.

Why can’t you see that?

Gabrielle

(motioning to Eve and Hope)

Look what you’ve done to my

family. Is this what you call

loving me?

As Najarra collapses to her knees, weeping, Gabrielle takes pity on her and the demon halts in uncertainty.

Gabrielle

You’ve got one chance to

speak Najarra. Use it wisely.

Najarra

I didn’t have a very good

family, but I did have the Jinn.

They told me that I could stand

up and fight against people like

my father and mother, so I did.

I thought I was doing the right

thing to give the men I captured

a chance to turn to the light as

I had.

Gabrielle

But you weren’t right Najarra.

You played judge, jury and

executioner. That wasn’t your

place.

Najarra

I see that now. But I was alone

Gabrielle. I had never met

anyone who made me feel complete.

Not until I met you. We had

the same dreams and desires. I

felt that you were my soul mate.

All I wanted was to protect you

from that vision Xena had of

your death. I just wanted to

love you Gabrielle. But all I

ever got from you was lies and

betrayal!

Gabrielle

Najarra, I’m going to say

something to you and I hope

you can listen and accept it.

I don’t love you the way you

love me. I never have and I

never will.

Gabrielle takes Najarra’s face in her hands and makes her look her in the eye. Meanwhile Lila works to free Hope and Eve.

Gabrielle

You longed for companionship,

and you thought you could have

that with me and the hospice,

but when I discovered the truth

about you, I had do what I

knew to be right, and that meant

stopping you. You’re going to

have to face the truth: There will

never be a Najarra and Gabrielle.

Do you understand that?

Najarra

I understand that. Gabrielle

I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.

Gabrielle looks up to her daughter and Eve who are back on the ground and un-gagged. They nod with pity in their eyes for Najarra.

Gabrielle

My family forgives you. I guess

I can too.

Najarra has finally admitted her wrong, both in the past as a warrior and her wrongs against Gabrielle. She’s been forgiven by them, so now it’s Shiriah’s turn.

Shiriah

I’m going to give you a

chance to get it right Najarra.

If you go back to your old

ways, nothing and no one will

be able to save you. Thank

you Gabrielle. Thank you for

caring enough about her to

show her a new way.

Shiriah fades away, and Gabrielle continues to hold Najarra as she weeps tears of pain. It will be a long road to healing and redemption, but at least she has a fighting chance.

Gabrielle

It’s going to be alright

Najarra. You won’t have

to face this alone.

Wide shot of the five women in the front yard of the homestead.

Fade out.

The End.