| ACT II
5. EXT. SHIP DECK - EVENING
FADE IN:
Xena's at the ship’s side looking a little 'green' as Gabrielle walks over.
GABRIELLE
Nearly twenty-one sunsets Xena and the root's not working.
XENA
I'll be fine.
GABRIELLE
Told you we should have stayed behind.
XENA
And lose the shot at our 'greatest adventure'?
GABRIELLE
(small chuckle)
Well according to Gades our greatest adventure involved you, me and three handmaidens to Athena in a Roman Bath.
XENA
(playful grin)
Funny but I don't recall that.
GABRIELLE
Yeah. Neither do I.
(beat)
That's an adventure one is not likely to forget if you ask me.
Xena gives a chuckle but she stops and begins to rub her temples. Gabrielle notices.
GABRIELLE
( continued)
So now it's your stomach and your head?
XENA
(exasperated)
Okay. I'm sicker than I thought. You were right. I was wrong. There. I said it. Are you happy?
Gabrielle reaches out and pushes a bit of fallen hair behind Xena's ear.
GABRIELLE
No. Because I don't like to see you in pain.
XENA
Well, there's not much I can do now. Just let it run its course I guess.
GABRIELLE
We could turn around.
XENA
(grinning)
Yeah and when we pull into the dock I'll be fine. Wouldn't that sit well with everyone?
GABRIELLE
I don't care about everyone else. I care about you. We've been traveling west for nearly a month now with no sight of land. If need be, I'll make them turn this ship around because I love you Xena.
XENA
(grinning and stroking the back of Gabrielle's head)
I know you do. So just keep this to ourselves right now. I don't want any of the men thinking I'm sick and I can't 'defend our virtue'.
GABRIELLE
Xena do you honestly see any of these men a threat?
Xena
They're men Gabrielle - I'm not sure if all of them are morally sound. And sometimes desire speaks louder than logic.
GABRIELLE
I don't think they'll try anything. They're the most well-organized team I've seen at sea. Not that I'm an expert or anything but-.
XENA
I just don't want to take the chance okay.
Gabrielle nods hearing the 'finality' of the conversation in Xena's voice.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
Gabrielle runs her hands nervously along the ship’s side rail. Xena watches the reaction and strokes Gabrielle's back.
XENA
And I'm sorry for cutting you short. I just don't want to debate it because-.
GABRIELLE
(smiling)
You're sick and grumpy. See? Two can play the cut off game.
Xena gives a small grin and wraps her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder as a small silence passes between them.
XENA
So tell me Gabrielle. What do you think we'll find out there?
GABRIELLE
With any luck? Chin.
Xena's grin broadens into a smile.
XENA
Now I was expecting some ‘grandeur of the sea' equation.
(teasing)
You're so practical lately. Dare I say
(beat)
stoic?
That makes Gabrielle laugh out loud and she quiets her voice by putting her hand over her mouth briefly.
GABRIELLE
No. You're still the stoic warrior princess and I'm still the battling bard. Well except for that story that Gades told me,
(beat)
you really had a lot to say at the Roman Bath. In fact-
XENA
Gabrielle? Let's not go there.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
(beat)
But the positions he described-
XENA
I repeat. We're not going there.
GABRIELLE
That's fine.
(beat)
I have to say however he is quite the bard. Very visual in his language.
Xena groans.
XENA
Gabrielle, I'm gonna be sick.
GABRIELLE
Oh come on. The story wasn't that -
Gabrielle doesn't finish. She watches Xena pitch her body over the side as she heaves.
GABRIELLE
(continued)
- bad.
Xena groans again as she rights herself.
XENA
Did we bring the sleeping herbs?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. They're in my pack because I figured I'd be the one using them.
Xena just gives a nod.
XENA
Think you can handle things alone tonight?
Gabrielle nods.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I should be fine. You could use the rest.
XENA
Thanks Gabrielle. Think I'm going to call it a night.
GABRIELLE
Okay I'll be there shortly. I'll stay here and enjoy the grandeur of the sea for a little while.
Xena musters a grin and heads below deck.
FADE TO BLACK.
6. EXT. SHIP DECK - NIGHT
A crash of lightning brightens up the black screen and we see the ship hitting a heavy storm. The men are scrambling about while the boat rocks back and forth. Gabrielle emerges from the doorway, both hands on the frame trying to steady herself. She sees the captain shouting orders.
CAPTAIN
Secure that rigging! Bellus! Madden! See to the sail.
Bellus
Aye, aye captain.
CAPTAIN
(shouting to the crows nest)
Gades!
GADES
Yes Captain?
CAPTAIN
Do you see anything?
Gades is trying to look through a telescope despite the wind and rain.
GADES
No, Captain. No sign of the 'Indis'.
Gabrielle hears the conversation and comes out.
GABRIELLE
(to the Captain)
We've lost the other ship?
CAPTAIN
Seems so. We can't see her lantern, but these waves are so high, the waters are so rough -it's possible they're right next to us.
Another wave comes up and Gabrielle's jaw drops as she watches it threaten to capsize the ship. The Captain sees it too.
CAPTAIN
( continued)
Hold tight crew!
The wave doesn't crash into the boat but it lifts it so high that when they return from the crest the water slams across the deck, with such force everyone loses his footing. The force of the water punctures the railing and two sailors lose their grip, getting tossed into the water. A third man yells out to try to stop them but he gets sucked away too. The others start to panic.
CAPTAIN
(continued)
Hold tight! That's an order!
The captain and Gabrielle are next to each other holding onto some rigging on the mast.
CAPTAIN
(continued)
Where is Xena?
GABRIELLE
(yelling to be heard)
She's below. She's not feeling well so she took some sleeping medicines.
CAPTAIN
(yelling)
We need to wake her. Let's work our way over.
Gabrielle gives a nod and they both stutterstep their way to the doorway toward the cabins. As they enter, things are scattered about and they need to step over them. Gabrielle and the captain are both drenched as Gabrielle calls out.
GABRIELLE
Xena! Xena! You've got to wake up!
They look over to find Xena rolled into the corner still asleep. The captain chuckles as he looks around them and sees all the mess.
CAPTAIN
With the way she's facing, this storm probably put her to sleep. Lucky for her. If she were laying the other way she'd be buried under crates.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you've gotta get up! We've got a rough storm to ride out.
Xena isn't responding and Gabrielle checks to see if she's still breathing.
CAPTAIN
She okay?
GABRIELLE
She's alive but she's totally knocked out. The herbs really sedated her.
CAPTAIN
I’ve got a better idea.
The captain gets a rope and starts to use it to secure Xena to the bed.
CAPTAIN
(continued)
Give me a hand. This way she won't fall off the bed if the storm changes directions.
Gabrielle gives her support and helps secure Xena.
GABRIELLE
If the boat sinks, she can't get out.
CAPTAIN
If the boat sinks, none of us get out Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Good point.
CAPTAIN
There. That should hold her.
The captain reaches up and strokes Gabrielle's face softly.
CAPTAIN
(continued)
I've been a sailor my whole life and I have to admit I've never been through a storm like this Gabrielle. I don't think we're gonna make it out of this one. Maybe we should make the most of what time we have left.
Gabrielle swallows hard and moves away slightly.
GABRIELLE
I think you should be focusing on directing your men and not your lower instincts. Your skill as a sailor will save us - not your skill as a lover.
The captain approaches closer and Gabrielle slams back into a crate - both because of the unsteady ship bobbing up and down but also the captain's advance.
CAPTAIN
Trust me Gabrielle. A woman as beautiful as you, I'd still have plenty of time to direct my men. It won't take but a minute.
GABRIELLE
Sorry I'm not interested.
She starts to move away from him but he lunges at her and the movement of the ship sends both of them to the floor. He starts to crawl up her body as she kicks him away. She's not having much luck since the ship's movement hampers her efforts.
CAPTAIN
Don't fight me, beautiful. Give into it. Chances are this is our last night. The end of our tale so to speak. Wouldn't you like to go out with a little passion?
Gabrielle tries to reach for her sai in her boot but can't quite reach it. She closes her eyes as she strains from his advance and her need to reach the weapon at her feet.
Suddenly she feels the pressure of the captain's body loosen. She opens her eyes to see Xena holding him by his hair with her chakram at his throat.
XENA
Passion can be deadly, Captain Madrid.
CAPTAIN
I ...
(beat)
I-.
XENA
You're a dead man.
Xena pulls him up by the hair and tosses him across the room in one swift heave. She puts the chakram on her hip and rushes over to him. She grabs him by the hair again and slams his head into her knee. He looks dazed as Xena throws him back against the wall and delivers a right hook to his jaw. His face is bloody at this point. Gabrielle rushes behind Xena and grabs her arm, preventing another blow.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you're gonna kill him.
XENA
(hissing)
That's the point.
GABRIELLE
No Xena. This ship needs a captain. Let's tie him up and deal with him after the storm. There's an order we have to abide by - a code of the sea.
Captain Madrid slumps to the floor unconscious.
GABRIELLE
(continued)
You know I'm right. If we kill this man without witnesses, things could get ugly.
The ship hits another wave tossing Xena and Gabrielle into each other. They try to hold each other up. Xena's anger begins to melt into concern.
XENA
Are you okay? I mean did he -?
GABRIELLE
No. I'm fine. Let's just get him tied up and get the men in order.
Xena gives a nod.
CUT TO:
6. EXT. SHIP DECK - MOMENTS LATER
Xena and Gabrielle step from the doorway. The ship is still bobbing up and down but the waves aren't nearly as high.
XENA
Bellus! We have to talk!
BELLUS
Now Xena? I'm a bit preoccupied hoping we don't sink or capsize. Where the hell is Capt. Madrid?
XENA
Funny you should mention him.
Bellus hands his line to a fellow sailor and walks over to Xena and Gabrielle, trying his best to balance.
BELLUS
What's going on?
XENA
Come with us.
7. INT. SHIP CABIN - MOMENTS LATER
Xena and Gabrielle lead him inside and show the Captain bound and gagged.
BELLUS
What in the name of Poseidon is going on here?
XENA
Seems the good captain took it upon himself to offer his services to my companion. When Gabrielle declined he decided he didn't need her consent.
BELLUS
(to Gabrielle)
Is this true?
GABRIELLE
Unfortunately, it is.
BELLUS
Are you all right?
GABRIELLE
Shaken but okay.
Bellus turns Gabrielle's check to notice a small scratch and he believes her story.
BELLUS
We'll deal with him after the storm, I promise you.
GABRIELLE
Thank you Bellus.
BELLUS
As for now - all hands on deck.
GABRIELLE
Yes sir.
BELLUS
Aye aye.
GABRIELLE
Aye aye, sir.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT II
ACT
III
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