Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

FADE IN:

EXT. FOREST PATH - NIGHT

A squirrel is nestled on a forest path eating a nut, all is quiet. SUDDENLY a pair of boots SMACKS the path - shortly followed by a small horde of SOLDIERS.

Autolycus runs, holding a small POUCH. He’s stopped by a fork in the road, he snaps to both sides, then slowly looks up. A smile lights his face.

The soldiers run up the path and crowd at the fork. Autolycus is nowhere to be seen. They look around and banter amongst themselves. Autolycus lets out a Xena-esc war cry as he leaps down from the trees and knocks out two men by kicking them split style. He whips around to face the rest of them.

He coughs a bit and rubs his throat. (The war cry had taken it outta him)

SOLDIER LEADER
You’re outnumbered Autolycus. Hand it over!

AUTOLYCUS
You mean this?
(Holding up the pouch)
You know guys I would but-

Autolycus clutches his hand into a fist and opens it- revealing an empty palm.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
-It just disappeared.
(Waving his fingers)

The soldier leader yells and rushes him. Autolycus ducks to the side and flips him over his arm. He kicks off the rest of them, knocking them down and dodging their blows.

One soldier manages to land a HIT on his FACE. It leaves a faint redness. Autolocus adjusts his jaw back into place and throws a punch back- throwing the guy into a tree where he crumples against it.

Two stay standing, they run at him from both sides. Autolycus takes a step back and they crash into each other, looking around in a daze before falling to the ground.

Satisfied, Autolycus bends down to the unconscious leader and pulls the pouch out from behind the leader’s ear. He stands.

AUTOLYCUS
Well look at that- the whole time it was right behind your ear.

He tosses the pouch in the air, catching it in a swift swing of the arm.

EXT. TALL GRASS- NIGHT

Autolycus walks through the tall grass with the pouch in hand. He emerges in a small clearing.

AUTOLYCUS
Now lemme take a look at ya.

He opens the bag, an EMERALD falls into his hand. He puts it to his eye.

PEERING THROUGH IT: The world is cast in a green hue.

AUTOLYCUS
Aha now this is-

A rustle catches his attention as he's still peering through the emerald. From HIS VIEW He focuses on something moving in the tall grass. He lowers the emerald and puts a hand on his dagger wedged between his belt.

The rustling gets closer.. Autolycus starts to draw out the dagger.

Eve (6) pops out from the grass. Autolycus lets out a breath and relaxes. It's just some lost kid.

AUTOLYCUS
Kid ya scared me.

He pushes his dagger back into its sheath. Eve backs away.

AUTOLYCUS
(Holding up his hands)
Hey hey I'm a friendly.

Eve looks to the EMERALD, Autolycus follows her gaze.

AUTOLYCUS
Oh this is uh- a special rock.

EVE
Where did you get it?

Autolycus frowns and glances around the clearing.

AUTOLYCUS
Some friends of mine.

EVE
Did your friends hit you in the face?

Autolycus raises a tentative hand to his cheek- an accusatory look on his face. He hardly takes his eyes off Eve. He lowers his hand and rests it back on the hilt of his dagger.

She’s more observant than the average child.

AUTOLYCUS
Where do you think I got it from?

EVE
I think you stole it.

A beat.

AUTOLYCUS
What are you doing out here huh? Where's your mother?

GABRIELLE (O.S)
(Hushed yelling)
Eve? Eve!?

Eve whips her head back at the voice. Autolycus’s eyes go wide.

EVE
Mom! Mom! It’s a thief, I've found a thief!

Gabrielle bursts through the grass. Without hesitation her sai is thrown in ATTACK. Autolycus flings the Emerald up in front of his face. The sai LODGES itself in the Emerald, saving him.

He peeks out behind the gemstone.

Gabrielle stands heaving, her hand raised to throw another when recognition washes over her.

GABRIELLE
Autolycus?

AUTOLYCUS
Gabrielle!

Autolycus looks from Gabrielle to Eve. He pulls the sai from the emerald.

The two hadn't see each other in years, he hadn't been "in town" in a while. When he did come back he heard rumors of Gabrielle and Xena's death. They were obviously false.

AUTOLYCUS
It’s been a while.

He tosses her the sai.

GABRIELLE
Too long.

She catches it.

AUTOLYCUS
Good to see ya.

GABRIELLE
You too.

An awkward beat. Gabrielle turns to look at Eve, seeing she’s safe she relaxes.

GABRIELLE
(Exhausted)
Eve don’t run off like that again. You took 10 years off my life.

EVE
But I caught a thief!

AUTOLYCUS
That's the king of thieves to you kid.

Gabrielle shoots him a ‘you're not helping your case look.’ She bends down to Eve, stroking her hair.

EVE
I stalked and studied him and didn’t leave a trail just like mama taught. I thought you would be proud.

GABRIELLE
I am proud, but what were you going to do next? You're lucky Autolycus is a friend. You might be a spitfire but you couldn’t take him on in a fight.

EVE
But I'm strong! You said I was strong.

Gabrielle puts her hand on Eve’s cheek.

GABRIELLE
You are strong Eve but even great warriors have limits.
(Softer)
-and I can’t see you hurt.

Eve looks away, feeling guilty for making her worry.

EVE
What are going to do with him now?

GABRIELLE
Do with him?

EVE
He’s a thief. Shouldn’t he be punished?

Autolycus attempts to speak in his defense but Gabrielle CUTS him off.

GABRIELLE
He is a thief but Autolycus steals for good. It’s like that story I told you about the sly fox stealing money from the rich and greedy and giving it to the poor. He's going to sell that gemstone and provide charity to the local villagers…
(A bite)
Right.

AUTOLYCUS
(Reluctantly)
Yeah that's right.

Gabrielle stands. Autolycus sadly slips the damaged EMERALD back in the pouch and ties it to his belt.

Looking up Autolycus better takes in Eve. The kid’s long brown hair reminds him of a mini version of a certain ex-warlord.

AUTOLYCUS
Where's Xena?

Gabrielle glances behind her.

GABRIELLE
She's back at camp. Where we should be headed. Come on Eve.

EXT. FOREST PATH - NIGHT

Autolycus pushes aside the grass so they can get back on the dirt path.

Eve skips ahead while Autolycus and Gabrielle hang back.

AUTOLYCUS
Those other guys weren’t holding onto that emerald tight enough but I'm the one with slippery fingers.

Gabrielle smiles to herself with a hum.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
Tough kid you’ve got. Hard to keep up I'm sure.

GABRIELLE
(With a laugh)
She can’t sit still. Xena was chasing Eve around all day yesterday, by the end of it she was knocked out.

Gabrielle bites her lip, thinking about something.

AUTOLYCUS
You two had a baby?

Gabrielle shoots him a glare that morphs into a contemplating frown then a quiet look of satisfaction.

GABRIELLE
(with a slight smile)
Yeah.

AUTOLYCUS
She's got your eyes.

Eve tries to run further down the path, Gabrielle’s eyes widen and she reaches out. Autolycus notices and quickens his pace.

AUTOLYCUS
(As he’s reaching to grab Eve)
And your swift nature.

Autolycus scoops her up.

AUTOLYCUS
That's right kiddo uncle Auto’s got ya.

He puts her over his shoulders.

Eve tenses, she's still cautious of Autolycus but she sees Gabrielle’s look of relief and eases.

Gabrielle puts her hands on her hips and smiles.

GABRIELLE
How's the weather up there?

AUTOLYCUS
Oh nothing but clear night sky.

Autolycus bounces her a bit and Eve laughs.

--------

EXT. CAMPSITE- NIGHT

The three arrive at the campsite nestled in tiny clearing surrounded by bushes. XENA lies snoring and sungled into furs closest to a dwindling fire, the spot beside her EMPTY. A smaller bedroll lay a little ways away.

Autolycus hauls Eve off his shoulders. As soon as he puts her down she hurries to her bedroll.

GABRIELLE
(Quietly)
Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us? Xena will be happy to see you.

AUTOLYCUS
I don’t want those soldiers back there to get antsy and come looking for me. Don’t worry, I'll find a warm meal somewhere.

He winks. Gabrielle gives him a knowing smirk. She puts a hand on his shoulder.

GABRIELLE
Catch up with us soon ok.

FOCUS ON EVE:

Eve is lying in her bedroll, turned away from the two adults who stand talking in the distance, exchanging goodbyes.

Her eyes are OPEN.

FADE OUT

Chapter Text

EXT. WAGON BED- MORNING

Birds chirp in the distance as there is a SLOW PAN up the wagon. In it is a heap of HAY.

Autolycus EMERGES from the hay with a groan. He rubs his head.

AUTOLYCUS
Shouldn’t have pushed my luck.

A HAND appears from O.S. offering him a water canteen. Autolycus sees it and takes it.

AUTOLYCUS
Thanks.

He does a SUDDEN DOUBLE TAKE.

EVE is staring back at him.

EVE
Hi.

--------

EXT. CAMPSITE- DAY

Gabrielle is ‘sleeping’ soundly. Xena’s awake, lying facing her. Her eyes are wide and gentle as she watches Gabrielle’s body rise and fall.

Gabrielle cracks an eye open.

GABRIELLE
(With a grin)
Were you watching me sleep?

XENA
(smiling)
What I can’t look at you?

GABRIELLE
I guess I can’t help it if you want to admire a Queen of the Amazons.

Xena smirks, reaching her hand out to play with Gabrielle’s hair.

Gabrielle closes her eyes again, in a relaxed state.

XENA
There's a lot to admire.

(A beat)

GABRIELLE
When was the last time we've had peace and quiet like this?

XENA
Not since Eve was born.

Eve.

Gabrielle’s eyes fly open. She springs upright.

GABRIELLE
XENA!

Xena sits up.

XENA AND GABRIELLE (Unison)
Where’s Eve!!?

The two SNAP to face each other.

--------

FADE OUT

EXT. CAMPSITE- DAY

Xena paces, sword in hand. Anxious to search, Gabrielle had to hold her back and convince her to search the camp first. Although, she wasn’t in any better state of mind.

Gabrielle rummages in Eve’s bag beside her bedroll.

GABRIELLE
There's no sign of a struggle. Chances are she left to go exploring. She took her canteen.

Xena WHIPS around, on edge.

XENA
There's a chance of that sure but I can think of a far more likely and far more terrifying alternative-

They had escaped the gods this long but now...

Gabrielle LIFTS up the furs on the bedroll to reveal part of a SCROLL held down by a rock.

GABRIELLE
Wait!

Gabrielle quickly tosses the rock aside and better unfurls the note. Xena rushes closer to read over her shoulder.

Gabrielle scans the note. Holding a hand to her chest as she allows some relief in.

GABRIELLE
It’s Eve’s writing.

The two read it.

EVE (V.O)
I’m safe Mom, Mama. I’m following the man that knows you. I know you can catch up. - Eve

Gabrielle’s hand falls down to her lap, her mind racing trying to decipher what Eve was saying.

XENA
Man-?

Xena stops as her terror shoots through her, the fear she’s carried since Eve’s birth seemingly realized. Her hand is on her sword, about to yell a name into the sky.

XENA
A-

It hits Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Autolycus!

XENA
Autolycus?

GABRIELLE
He can’t have gone far. I ran into him last night-

Xena’s eyes FLARE.

GABRIELLE
When I was chasing… Eve.

She feels Xena behind her, a sudden hand is on her shoulder, jerking her around.

XENA
Eve ran away and you didn't wake me?!

A tense beat.

GABRIELLE
Xena I had it under control she didn’t run far.

XENA
(Smiling in angry disbelief)
Control. Well she's gone now.

Gabtille holds up the note and shakes it.

GABRIELLE
At least we know she's safe! You were exhausted. I was letting you rest and I handled it.

XENA
No matter how tired I was, I should have been searching. I have instincts for this.

‘Instincts.’ Gabrielle gave a tight, thin smile. Of course Xena had instincts, because she was Eve’s mother.

Gabrielle brushes her hand off and walks toward the long burned out fire pit.

GABRIELLE
If you have such great instincts why couldn’t you sense your daughter running off?

Xena squints her eyes, trying to figure out if she heard her correctly.

XENA
‘Your?’

Gabrielle turns around to her, annoyed. Giving her an irritated ‘what?!’ look.

XENA
You said ‘your’. You haven’t called Eve my daughter since she was an infant. Gabrielle I thought we moved past that years ago- she's ours.

Gabrielle looks down, moving her thumb in comforting motions over her hand.

GABRIELLE
I wasn’t involved in creating her. Having her. How can I be a mother to her when all i’ve done is-

XENA
Love her.

Xena’s voice breaks slightly. Her anger dissipates as this new pain reveals itself.

GABRIELLE
(Scoffing)
Others might have been just as willing to take the job. You might have even let them. Hercules… Ares

Xena looks utterly heartbroken.

XENA
When Eve was being born it was you who delivered her, you who was there. Not Hercules, not Ares, you. How much more involved could you have possibly been?

Gabrielle can’t look Xena in the eyes. She wipes away tears.

XENA (CONT’D)
And even if you hadn’t, you've raised her. Risked your life for her. She calls you Mom. You are her mom Gabrielle.

Xena takes a step forward, wanting nothing more than to reach out and hold her in her arms.

Gabrielle turns AWAY, she looks up. Tears rolling down her cheeks. She brushes them off, tilting her head slightly as if wanting to look back.

GABRIELLE
I'll make sure Argo’s packed.

Gabrielle walks off.

Xena watches her leave. She’s on the verge of tears herself.

Chapter Text

EX. PATH - MORNING

Eve and Autolycus are on a path, the sunlight gleaming down on the open trail. The wagon lies in the distance.

AUTOLYCUS
I’m taking you back. It's bad enough to have one mother worry. I can't imagine having to deal with two.

EVE
No!

She grabs his hand.

EVE
Please, I need your help. I need to steal something.

AUTOLYCUS
Steal something? Hey I thought you wanted to punish thieves.

EVE
I thought you were a bad thief! But my parents trust you so I trust you.
(A beat)
I need to steal the Mo Anam Cara rings.

Autolycus frowns.

AUTOLYCUS
Yeah I’ve heard of those, the soulmate rings.

Eve nods. She looks down at her hands.

EVE
The story says that two soulmates made the rings and promised to claim them in every lifetime. That way they’ll always have a reminder that they’ve loved each other since the beginning.

Eve looks up at Autolycus with large pleading eyes.

EVE
My mom says her and mama are soulmates. They say that our family will always find each other. Those rings belong to them.

Autolycus finds himself giving Eve a sympathetic smile.

AUTOLYCUS
Listen kiddo, not everyone needs rings to know they love each other.

Eve shakes her head.

EVE
We used to live with the Amazons and they wore beads of the Queens. They were so happy. When we left they stopped wearing them and then they started acting- different…

Autolycus had begun to piece together Eve’s story with what he knew about his friends, and he knew more than most people.

AUTOLYCUS
(Musing to himself)
They started acting careful.

Eve looks at him confused.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
Did you tell them how you felt?

EVE
No. But I need to do this. I’m strong just like they say I am. I can prove how much I love them.

AUTOLYCUS
You and your mother have a habit of controlling me.
(A beat)
Alright I'll take ya. The rings are in Sal Sagev - about half a day from here. But I'm sending a pigeon so your parents don’t tear apart all of Greece looking for you.

EVE
Deal. Just don't tell them about the rings yet.

--------

EXT. SAL SAGAV- DAY

The city is like a burst of GLAMOR. The people are adorned in extravagant outfits and salesmen eagerly show off their wares. Advertisements for shows are posted around on every wall.

AUTOLYCUS
It's a lot more gaudy than I remember.

Autolycus sees some half-naked showgirls dancing from the corner of his eye. He quickly turns Eve away before she sees, but his eyes linger on them for a moment.

AUTOLYCUS
Much more.

EVE
Look!!

Eve points to the middle of the square where a CASTLE sits. A sign is pasted over its entrance reading: THE MAGIC CASTLE PRESENTS: QUILL AND TALKER- THINK YOU CAN FOOL THE GREATEST MAGICIANS WHO EVER LIVED? AUDITION TODAY! On the sign displays a painting of two men- each with a GOLD RING on their pinkies.

EVE
Their hands! They have the rings.

Eve’s face falls.

EVE
I thought they weren’t anyones yet. Do you think they’re soulmates?

AUTOLYCUS
(With a laugh)
Those guys? No they stole em’. There's no kind of love between them except for the love of con. We worked a few jobs together in the old days. They just couldn’t stop bragging about their jewelry.

Autolycus looks around at the CLOTHING VENDORS around them. Some silks that look like they could make up a costume for an act catch his eye.

AUTOLYCUS
Kid, I think I've got our ticket in.

---------

EXT. PATH TO SAL SAGAV- DAY

Xena rides in front of Gabrielle who is trailing behind on AMBER. They haven’t been speaking. They had received the pigeon from Autolycus, at least they knew Eve was safe and where she was headed.

In the silence Xena was picking out some choice words to say to Autolycus when they found him.

Xena glances back to see Gabreille staring out into the landscape around them. She quickly turns back but not before Gabrielle's eyes briefly catch with hers.

GABRIELLE
I don’t feel like talking Xena.

XENA
I didn’t ask you to.

A beat. Gabrielle looks back out.

GABRIELLE
Why do you think Eve wanted to go to Sal Sagav?

XENA
I thought you said-

GABRIELLE
Talking about what I said earlier.

A beat. Truth be told Xena was grateful Gabrielle was saying anything at all.

XENA
I don’t know. She could have just asked us. She knows we weren’t headed anywhere specific.

GABRIELLE
Do you think it’s something she felt she couldn’t talk to us about?
(She puts a hand to her mouth)
Did we push her away?

Xena bites her lip. She goes to grab for the familiar feel of the AMAZON BEADS around her neck- only for her fingers to fall upon nothing.

XENA
Maybe so.

CLOSE IN ON XENA

XENA
(Quietly and out of earshot of Gabrielle)
She might not be the only one who feels pushed away.

Chapter Text

INT. MAGIC CASTLE AUDITION ROOM

SWEEPING PAN THROUGH THE CROWD:

The showroom is about as chaotic and full of excitement as one would expect. People are rehearsing their magic acts. There's a woman in a box with a man sawing her in half, a man transforming a deck of cards, a woman going behind a pillar and her copy emerging from the otherside in a different outfit etc.

LAND ON AUTOLYCUS AND EVE AT THE END OF THE ROOM:

The two are dressed in silks, Autolycus in a black turban with a green and black robe and Eve adorned in greens and yellows. They blend in with all the other extravagant clothing worn by surrounding wannabe magicians.

AUTOLYCUS
Those goons and their rings have to be around her somewhere. We just have to get close enough to slip 'em off their fingers.
(He stares around at the seeming unassuming crowd)
But this place is a city of scum. We'll have to be careful.

Eve isn’t paying much attention. She brushes her fingers along the silk of her sleeve and giggles.

EVE
It's so smooth.

Autolycus rubs the silk of his own robe.

AUTOLYCUS
If you think this is nice you should feel the silk from Chin.

EVE
I wish I got to dress up more. It’s fun.

AUTOLYCUS
You know me and your mother’s played dress up a few times.

Eve’s eyes light up at the mention of her parents.

EVE
Really?

AUTOLYCUS
Oh yeah.
(He starts counting on his fingers)
Inside jobs, sneaking on boats, infiltrating towns, the list goes on.

EVE
(With a giggle)
Mom hasn’t told me those stories yet.

Autolycus gasps and clutches his chest in mock horror.

AUTOLYCUS
I’m offended that the tales of my good exploits were never mentioned. I’ll have to have a talk with Gabby about what she's putting in those scrolls.

SUDDENLY All attention is turned to a COMMOTION in the sea of auditioners.

The camera WHIPS over.

An EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT pushes through the crowd, a scroll in hand. He has a striking resemblance to CALIGULA.

EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT
Awful awful awful! We won’t have a show if we don’t have acts that aren’t halfway decent.
(A beat- the assistant looks around, eyes landing on someone)
YOU!

The camera WHIPS back to AUTOLYCUS and EVE.

Autolycus nervously points to himself.

The assistant comes behind them.

EXHAUGHTED ASSISTANT
(Threateningly)
You're on.

The assistant PUSHES both of them from behind.

AUTOLYCUS
Hey hey! Wait a second!

EXHAUGHTED ASSISTANT
I don't care if you're nervous, afraid of lights, or need more ‘blocking time’. If you wanted a shot on tonight's show you should've come ready.

They're pushed ONSTAGE. Autolycus stumbles out. The theater is empty aside from two people in the front row, one with a scroll in hand and the other looking up at him cross-armed.

Autolycus’s eyes go wide as he recognizes ZAHARA and MILO.

ZAHARA (In unison) MILO (In unison)
Get on with it. What's the name of your act?

ZAHARA
(Snaping)
Milo!

She picks up a rolled up scroll from next to him and starts beating him down. Saying things in between hits.

ZAHARA
You’ve. Got. To. Stop. Talking. Over. ME!

Eve takes advantage of the distraction.

EVE
Who are they?

AUTOLYCUS
Criminal royalty like yours truly. That's Zahara, Queen of Cons and her lackey- Milo. They switch show business gigs every other week- doing whatever will make ‘em an extra dinar.

Eve looks scared.

Autolycus gently clasps her on the shoulder.

AUTOLYCUS
Hey, it's gonna be fine. Just follow my lead.

ZAHARA
(Getting their attention)
Alright!

The two are watching them again. Zahara jabs Milo in the ribs.

MILO
Name-

Autolycus coughs, clearing his throat to change his voice slightly.

AUTOLYCUS
We’re the Smiths- a duo named for our trade if you will. I’m Smith and my assistant is-

EVE
Smith!

A beat.

AUTOLYCUS
Also smith.

Eve nods (a little too enthusiastically) in agreement.

Zahra stares unimpressed. As Milo is scribbling down the name of the act Zahra impatiently gestures for them to start.

AUTOLYCUS
Right. Now every show needs a little glamor.

He pulls out the emerald from his pouch, showing it off to his audience. Zahra and Milo lean forward.

AUTOLYCUS
(Nodding along with a grin)
Eh eh- yeah, it's a real attention grabber.

He tosses it up in the air and with a WHOOSH of his sleeve it’s gone. He reaches into the silk of his turban and pulls it back out.

He twirls the point of the gem on his finger for a moment.

AUTOLYCUS
Hold onto this will ya.

He tosses the EMERALD to Eve who fumbles it a bit before getting a grip on it.

AUTOLYCUS
Now that Smith here has this beauty for safekeeping she’s gonna chain me up so I can’t get to it.

Eve looks over at him concerned.

Autolycus cocks his head slightly to the side, gesturing over to a pile of chains laying slightly backstage. Someone’s prop left out. Eve gives him a determined nod of understanding and tucks the emerald into her silks.

Eve looks out at the two con-men turned casting directors and shoots them a showy smile.

Eve lets out her own AMAZON WARRIOR CRY and does a series of flips over to the chains.

Autolycus can’t hide the complete surprise on his face.

Eve reaches the chains. She’s able to lift them and she throws it like a whip at Autolycus. The chain reaches him and wraps around him like a snake.

AUTOLYCUS
Woah! Hey!

Eve comes up with the rest of the chain and finishes wrapping it so his hands are pinned to his sides. She finishes it off by adding the LOCK that came along with the chains.

She stands off to the side- admiring her work and then doing a little JAZZ HANDS as a disgruntled Autolycus stares down at his predicament.

AUTOLYCUS
(Deadpan)
Perfect.
(A beat)
Now what am I to do without a key?

Eve holds up the key to the lock and CHUCKS it offstage.

AUTOLYCUS
I’ll have to improvise.

He glances around the stage but comes up empty. All his eyes fall upon is Eve looking anxiously for instruction. A thought comes to him and all he can do is count on the fact that Eve truly is Xena and Gabreille’s daughter.

AUTOLYCUS
I can retrieve that emerald using an ancient Amazonian technique.

Eve frowns at him.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
(Glancing between Eve and the theater)
See this charming little princess is a princess. An amazon one.

Eve puts her hands on her hips.

ZAHRA
(Comments quietly to Milo)
Exsotic.

AUTOLYCUS
Now she will do the ritual that will COVER you in excitement and be DISTRACTING in nature.

He shoots her a look that says, ‘Go on’.

Eve gets the hint and feels around in her silks. She lands on a few essentials she carries. Nothing dangerous, but supposed to be used in case she needs to slip away to safety. A plan quickly forms. She whips out a small container and blows out WHITE POWDER.

It provides the perfect cover, allowing Autolycus to mess more openly with the chain and lock.

Eve backs up and disappears into the white cloud. Autolycus’s head is still visible. Eve throws down POPPERS that create sparks in the powder.

Hidden in her sleeve she quickly pulls out a small wooden disk (resembling her mother’s chakram) and throws it. It swirls around the stage kicking up and corralling the powder to form a tornado.

Within the smoke Autolycus hears a click, the lock falls open but it is still hanging on the chain.

AUTOLYCUS
Atta girl.

AUTOLYCUS (From behind the smoke.)
And like that I’ve been granted the unbridled power of strength!

He jumps from out of the smoke into a backflip and lands with the chains unbroken slung over his arms and the lock REMOVED and in his TEETH.

He spits it out and grins wildly. Throwing the chains.

Eve steps out from the side and looks on in amazement.

Autloycus SLOWLY and DRAMATICALLY reaches into his turban and pulls out the emerald (Notably without the mark Gabrilelle had put into it earlier.)

Zahra JUMPS up, clapping- Milo clumsily drops his scrolls and scrambles to his feet after her.

ZAHRA
Bravo bravo my darlings!

She clasps her hands together.

ZAHRA (CONT’D)
Very entertaining. You definitely fooled me.

MILO
Definitely. Definitely.

ZAHRA
Not to mention that's a pretty little number you got there too.
(She points to the emerald in his hands)
Where did you find it?

AUTOLYCUS
(Covering it protectively while waving a finger)
Aha, a thief never reveals where he got his scores. Figuratively speaking.

The two disingenuously laugh along with each other for a moment.

ZAHRA
(snaping)
Milo!

Milo quickly leans in.

ZAHRA (CONT’D)
(To Milo)
At the very least they’ll be good for publicity. Advertise them. If we're lucky they could be material for a spin off.

Milo nods and scribbles things down on his scrolls.

ZAHRA
(To Eve and Autolycus)
Well sweet things congratulations! You’ve made it through auditions. We’ll see you two here later tonight!

Zahra waves sweetly to Eve who returns it with a cute smile as they walk offstage.

INT. BACKSTAGE - CONT’D

The phony grin drops from Autolycus as soon as he’s out of sight. He reaches up and adjusts his jaw. The pair walk and talk.

EVE
(In awe)
How did you do that!

AUTOLYCUS
(Proudly)
Oh well I have many skil- Ow!

Another EMERALD falls out of his turban and onto his foot.

The two stop walking and Eve gives him a look.

AUTOLYCUS
Gemstones- I have many gemstones.

Eve checks her pockets again and makes a face at him when she feels that the emerald he gave her (the one with the sai mark) is still very much there. She tosses it back up to him and walks on.

Autolycus makes a guilty face before glancing up then around. He carefully tucks the emerald back into his turban.

---------

INT. SAL SAGEV STABLES- AFTERNOON

The stable is like any other they’ve encountered. Hay lines the floor and Argo is secured in a wooden pen with Amber a little ways away among the other horses, but there's tension in the air.

Xena pets Argo’s face, patting along her long nose. Gabrielle is facing away staring out of the stable, her arms crossed defensively.

Xena turns and her eyes sadden as she sees Gabrielle’s weary expression.

XENA
(With a hopeful smile)
We should ask around the taverns, growing up in one I know those owners know just about every person that passes through here.

Gabrielle doesn't turn when she responds.

GABRIELLE
It’s a big city, there's lots of taverns. We should split up… cover more ground.

Xena’s smile fades.

XENA
Alright if that's what you want.

Xena turns back to Argo, disgruntled.

GABRIELLE
(Exasperation mixed with disbelief)
It’s not about what I want, it's about what's best for Eve.

She looks at Xena who has gone back to caressing Argo’s snout. Argo makes a smug noise in Gabrille’s direction.

Xena huffs a quiet laugh but quickly stops herself.

Gabrille whips her head up.

GABRIELLE
What was that?

XENA
(Mocking innocence)
Nothing.

GABRIELLE
Did you two just laugh at me?

XENA
Don’t be ridiculous, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle scoldingly slaps her on the arm. Xena looks up in surprise.

XENA
Gabrielle!

She rubs her arm as Gabrielle looks between Xena and Argo.

GABRIELLE
I bet Argo must be pretty happy right now. She's been getting most of the attention lately.

Xena’s eyes narrow.

XENA
Are you jealous of my horse!?

Gabrrielle gets out a huff as if to say ‘that's crazy’. Argo makes another sound and Gabrielle GLARES at her.

XENA
You know who your’re acting like-

A beat as Gabrielle shoots accusing eyes at her.

XENA (CONT’D)
Your old self, when you and Argo would spat over me.

GABRIELLE
Now you're the one being ridiculous.

Gabrielle starts to take a step and Xena grabs Gabrielle’s wrist to keep her from walking away.

XENA
Whatever it is, you're upset about your taking it out on Argo. If you really want to do what's best for Eve you would’ve talked out your feelings or written them down so we can be over this when we find her.

GABRIELLE
Xena I told y-

Xena waves, cutting her off.

XENA
You said you didn’t want to talk about it and I was respecting that but you obviously need to talk about it.
(A beat)
Please, tell me what's wrong Gabrielle.

Gabrielle softens as she looks into Xena’s PLEADING eyes. She looks away, suddenly struggling to find words.

GABRIELLE
I miss the way we were with the Amazons. When we were- when we felt like a family.

Xena searches Gabrielle's face.

XENA
Oh Gabrielle.

Gabrielle looks up, Xena’s expression making her heart plummet.

Xena’s hand moves from Gabrielle’s wrist to her hands. Grasping her fingers in between her own.

GABRIELLE
I knew you and Eve didn’t belong there forever, settling was always going to be temporary. But by the gods if I didn’t cherish it.
(A beat)
The truth is Xena we might have been confined but I never felt so free in my life.

XENA
(Without hesitation)
Then we should go back.

GABRIELLE
No! I can’t ask that of you, of Eve. She needs a life outside the tribe we all do.

XENA
A life of us closed off and distant from each other doesn’t sound like a life I’m interested in.

GABRIELLE
(Giving a sad but sincere smile)
Then that's just something we’ll need to work on then.

Xena smiles back, the tension between them thawing slightly.

XENA
Yeah.

Chapter Text

INT. MAGIC CASTLE AUDITION ROOM- NIGHT

Autolycus sits ALONE on a long crate, tapping his hands and looking over the competition.

FOCUS ON:
A feathered showgirl nearby makes flirtatious eyes at him from behind her fan.

Back to AUTOLYCUS:
He grins with a little wave.

AUTOLYCUS
Hello~

Eve APPEARS next to him.

EVE
(Smiling)
I did it.

Autolycus JUMPS. He clutches his silks.

EVE
(Giggling)
Did I sneak up on you again?

AUTOLYCUS
Yeah.

He looks back over to where the showgirl was but she’s now looking elsewhere. Autolycus sinks down- defeated.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
But that's good, it's what I'm counting on.
(A beat)
You got the plan down?

Eve nods curtly. She kicks her feet back and forth, they don’t reach the floor.

EVE
Mom and mama are going to be so proud.

AUTOLYCUS
Kiddo they're already proud of you. Have to be with a smart kid like you.

He ruffles her hair.

EVE
You think?

AUTOLYCUS
Oh I know. Hey this plan wasn’t all my wonderful strokes of genius. You’re a natural improviser.

EVE
(giggling)
Thanks for everything Uncle Auto.

Autolycus turns at the mention of Eve referring to him as Uncle.

AUTOLYCUS
(A nostalgic look on his face)
Ah, anything for you kid. Reminds me of old times.

EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT
Acts to places! We have a crowd and a schedule let's move!

AUTOLYCUS
Come’on it's showtime!

--------

EXT. MAGIC CASTLE CROWD- NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle walk together against a crowd of people hurrying in the direction towards them.

GABRIELLE
I don’t get it, 9 taverns and no one’s seen them. Do you think they made it?

XENA
It's a big city that's all.

A man bumps into Xena.

XENA
(Calling after him)
Hey!

He turns then suddenly cowers as he looks up at Xena’s intimidating presence.

XENA (CONT’D)
Where’re you going?

Her tone makes her words a genuine question rather than a rhetorical threat. Her casual interest surprises the man, practically stunning him into speaking.

RUSHING MAN (Played by Michel Hurst)
The magic castle- to see the show! Rumor is there's an act that could actually be a fooler! We haven’t had one of those in so long.

GABRIELLE
What's a fooler?

RUSHING MAN
Someone who can fool Quill and Talker! The local con men. They have a show. The prize is quite hefty but recently no one’s come close. You know it's pretty funny actually because Talker doesn't actually talk it’s part of the gag-

Xena and Gabrielle are already walking away, turning around to follow the crowd to the show.

RUSHING MAN (Distant Background)
Hey! Hey! I was talking to you!

XENA
Big city but chances are they're headed the same place everybody else is.

--------

INT. MAGIC CASTLE THEATER- NIGHT

CLOSE ON a man playing a very elaborate organ, equipped with a variety of noisy attachments.

The theater is PACKED. Quill and Talker sit at their own special table in front of all the other seats.

QUILL is a tall man with a large black mustache while TALKER is short and scrawny.

People cheer as a female announcer comes on stage.

ANNOUNCER
Welcome to the Magic Castle’s CON SHOW! Where acts have to fool our known world renowned judges! QUILL AND TALKER!

Cheers erupt.

ANNOUNCER
And now introducing- The Smiths. Smith and his assistant Smith.

The crowd cheers as curtains part revealing Autolycus and Eve. Autolycus is entirely tied together with chains, restraining different limbs.

Eve stands beside him, holding something behind her back.

AUTOLYCUS
An amazon princess!

EVE
A King of Locksmiths!

AUTOLYCUS
And we are here to demonstrate The ART of escape.

He flings his arms up. The chains around his wrists BREAK.

Eve reveals the chain she had behind her back and she wraps the fresh chain around his hands.

Autolycus shoots an unserious “aw she got me face” at the audience. Eve makes a point to SNAP a fresh lock on the front.

AUTOLYCUS
Oho you’ll have to do better than that my dear.

He spins and the chains wrapped around his thighs fall to the ground.

Eve does a little war cry and flips to center stage where she stands tall.

Autolycus breaks his remaining leg chains as he jumps up into a split OVER EVE.

At last the only chain remaining is the one Eve put on his hands.

AUTOLYCUS
Now this last one is a little tricky. I need a key.

He steps offstage and approaches QUILL and TALKER.

AUTOLYCUS
I think one of you gentlemen might know where to find it.

He’s close enough now. The Mo Anam Cara rings glint up at him.

Autolycus hovers his hand over Talker’s sleeve. Some slight of hand and it would be over. Search for the key in the sleeve and snatch the rings in the process. He eyes the golden bands hungrily.

QUILL
Ah ah, not so fast.

Quill moves his hand out of the way. Autolycus snaps up. From the stage Eve cowers away from the light.

The crowd REACTS, murrming to themselves.

(A beat)

QUILL
The act was good, you definitely came close- but we cracked your grand finale.

Autolycus’s face falls.

AUTOLYCUS
You did?

Quill holds up the KEY and the audience GASPS.

QUILL
Talker noticed the girl sneaking into our chambers before the show. She was planting this on my clothes.

Talker nods along with the increasing reactions from the crowd.

QUILL
Very clever. You could have had the key on you and tried to plant it on us just now. I'll admit I would have stopped you as soon as you approached us if I thought that was your trick. BUT! You wanted us to already have the key beforehand because how could we ever account for your boldness… Well we did. You did NOT fool us.
(A beat)
Good try.

Audience Member #1
Get off the stage!!

People yell in agreement booing wildly

A guard grabs Autolycus by the arms and another picks up a struggling Eve. They haul them backstage.

AUTOLYCUS
Woah woah- hey hey!!

--------

INT. BACKSTAGE- NIGHT

They’re dumped behind the curtain.

--------

INT. DIFFERENT PART OF BACKSTAGE- NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle are backstage in DISGUISES. They just arrived. Xena is in an outfit reminiscent of her garb from INDIA while Gabrielle is wearing a two piece that resembles what she wore in LYAR LYAR.

The two are hiding in the wings, trying to peek out the curtain to see into the crowd. They hadn't seen Eve or Autolycus yet, only heard the crowd boo an act offstage .

GABRIELLE
Why don’t we just go down there?

XENA
With these on we’ll just stick out. Can’t believe it was easier to sneak back here than to buy a ticket.

GABRIELLE
What can you see?

XENA
Not much.
(A beat)
But- we’ve obviously missed something.

EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT
What are you two doing?

The Exhausted Assistant is standing with a scroll in his hands, looking them up and down.

Xena freezes as Gabrielle starts to fumble with an excuse.

GABRIELLE
Oh we're not an act. You see we were just-

EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT
Just milling about while you're supposed to be out next! W-what you think everyone is just gonna wait for you. Well here's a dose of reality, life doesn't f***ing revolve around you!

Gabreille and Xena both startle back in surprise.

He starts walking towards them. Stalking them and keeping them moving backwards.

EXHAUSTED ASSISTANT
Get your a**s out there! I don’t get paid- well hardly anything!

He grabs them by the shoulders and shoves them onstage into a waiting spotlight.

--------

Chapter Text

INT. ONSTAGE

Xena and Gabrielle freeze like deer in the headlights. The cheering crowd and the organ go SILENT.

A beat.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #1 (O.S)
Is that Xena!?

AUDIENCE MEMBER #2 (O.S)
Isn’t she dead?

Xena snaps out of it. They were still concealing their identities in public, they weren't ready for the gods to catch wind that the fiery wagon and some poison hadn't finished them off just yet.

XENA
Oh, no no I’m not Xena. I just kinda look like her. Couple people do actually.

She looks at Gabrielle who nods and mouths a subtle “yeah” in agreement.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #3 (O.S)
Hey, that would make her Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
What?
(She lets out a short laugh in disbelief)
No no- Gabrielle had long hair.

XENA
Yeah Gabrielle wasn’t this butch.

Gabrielle pinches Xena from behind.

GABRIELLE
We are the… Diamonds.

XENA
I’m Lucy, and she’s my assistant Amy.

GABRIELLE
Oh so I'm your sidekick again?

XENA
(Loud and to the audience.)
No, you're my equal and respected partner.
(Hushed to Gabrielle)
Who’s dressed in a dancing outfit!

Gabrielle looks down at herself. She looks up with a sheepish ‘oh right’ face.

--------

INT. BACKSTAGE- NIGHT (CONT'D)

Xena begins to explain their act (O.S) while Eve PEAKS OUT from the curtain behind them.

XENA (O.S.)
Our area of expertise is disappearing. Getting out of a pinch.

GABRIELLE (O.S.)
Or using one to get out of one.

Eve steps back to reveal Autolycus staring out of the same small gap in the curtain.

AUTOLYCUS
Looks like the mama bears found us.

Eve tries to step out from behind the curtain but Autolycus puts a hand on her shoulder.

AUTOLYCUS
Wait a second kiddo. They make a good distraction. Stay here I’ll go get the rings

He leaves but Eve longingly eyes her parents.

--------

ONSTAGE- CONT’D

A large UPRIGHT RECTANGULAR BOX is wheeled onstage.

--------

THEATER- CONT’D

Autolycus walks unassumingly among the audience, he shed his turban and some excess silk hoping that would be good enough for him to not draw attention.

--------

ONSTAGE- CONT’D

XENA
Now I’m going to make my lovely assistant disappear.

Gabrielle strikes a pose.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #4 (O.S)
Wait!

They look up.

Autolycus sulks back down in the shadows as Quill and Talker turn to the person speaking.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #4
Well duh she can make her disappear when she's in on it. If they really want to fool everyone they have to do it with someone who isn’t a part of the act.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #5
Yeah get someone from the audience!

The audience members all murmur in agreement and even Quill and Talker nod their heads. They look to the act onstage for their next move.

The two exchange looks. Gabrielle’s eyes go wide as she shrugs her shoulders. Xena WHIPS back to the audience.

XENA
(Awkwardly)
Well- alright. You.

She points to the RUSHED MAN from earlier

The audience cheers as he giddily gets up onstage. He appears not to recognize them from earlier.

RUSHED MAN
This is so exciting I’ve never been asked to participate in one of these things before.

XENA
Well, first time for everything.

She pushes him towards the box.

RUSHED MAN
You know you look really familiar.

XENA
I think we’ve established I've just got one of those faces.

She shoves him inside. Gabreille shuts the door behind him.

XENA
In about 30 seconds this man will vanish.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #4
From existence or the box?

XENA
(Snaping)
Will you shut up!

Gabrielle sees Xena’s patience running out. She quickly glances down at herself, then starts DANCING.

The Organ Man starts playing the song the Three Naked Gabrielles danced to in The Quill is Mightier.

The crowd silences their heckling. Even Xena is distracted.

--------

INT. BEHIND THE BOX - CONT’D

EVE’S POV: Eve comes out behind the curtains to the back of the box where there is a small latch to open a secret door.

The backdoor of the magic box opens. The rushing man turns around and looks down. His face lights up.

RUSHING MAN
Hello little gi-!

A BLOW DART hits his neck and he falls forward.

--------

INT. MAGIC CASTLE AUDIENCE- CONT'D

Autolycus cocks a confused eyebrow at Gabrielle's "distraction" but quickly resumes his mission.

He pretends to trip and FALLS onto the table in between Quill and Talker. He scrambles to pick himself up.

AUTOLYCUS
Oops clumsy me, haha.

The two look at him in annoyance for a moment but then turn their attention back to the dancing.

He stands and looks at his palm. In it are the MO ANAM CARA RINGS.
They had slipped right off the con men’s fingers. He sneaks away.

--------

ONSTAGE - CONT'D

Gabrielle dances to Xena, tracing fingers along her neck. She starts dancing up on her with her back to the audience.

Xena forgets herself. Her expression seems to be in a state of permanent shock.

GABRILLE
(Snapping Xena out of it)
You didn’t do anything.

XENA
What was I supposed to do?

Xena realizes what Gabrielle is doing in order to provide cover for the conversation and she steps away. Gabrielle stops dancing.

GABRIELLE
Come up with a plan!

XENA
What are they really going to do when we open the box and the mans still there?

GABRIELLE
Xena they look hungry for a riot.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #3 (O.S.)
(Catching their attention.
Get on with it!

AUDIENCE MEMBER #4 (O.S.)
Yeah quit talking, open it up!

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, both unsure of what is going to happen when they open the door.

Gabrielle looks back out with a smile and dances up to the handle. Xena tenses as she watches.

Gabrielle flings open the door and the audience gasps. EVE stands in the doorway.

The two stare in SHOCK.

AUDIENCE MEMBER #4 (O.S)
Hey it’s that Smith girl!

The three onstage aren’t paying any attention to the others around them.

GABRIELLE 
(Breathless)
Eve!

Xena rushes her, scooping their daughter up in a hug. Gabreille runs to them, wrapping herself around her family. Eve sinks into them both.

XENA
Oh sweetheart.

GABRIELLE
We found you.

(A beat)

QUILL
(Lifting his hand in a gesture of disbelief)
Oh come on that's a really simple-

He looks at his HAND, Teller follows his gaze. The two have a REALIZATION.

BRIEFLY BACK ON: The family of three in an embrace.

QUILL (O.S.)
Our rings!

The three turn around.

BACK ON: Quill and Teller

QUILL
They’re gone!

Quill jumps up and frantically LOOKS AROUND while Talker pats himself down as if he had misplaced them in his pockets.

QUILL
You!!

He points into the audience. A SPOTLIGHT focuses straight onto Autolycus who is between the seats, attempting to sneak off. He freezes.

AUTOLYCUS
(Nervously)
Ha ha who me?

TALKER
Get him!

AUDIENCE MEMBER (O.S)
Did Talker just Talk!

Autolycus takes off through the crowd, jumping to avoid the guards DIVING at him.

EVE
Come with me!

She grabs her parent’s hands.

--------

INT BACKSTAGE- CONT’D

There's some silks laying unassumingly on a crate, she rummages in them for a moment then continues on.

The three of them run past the RUSHING MAN who is slumped over unconscious against a wall.

Xena’s eyes go wide with shock as she swings her head, looking between Eve and the RUSHING MAN before she's pulled away and shoved into a DRESSING ROOM.

--------

Chapter Text

INT. DRESSING ROOM- NIGHT

Gabrielle shuts the door behind them.

In an instant Xena is at Eve’s side. She checks her for any scratches or bruises.

XENA
(With a smile)
Good. All in one piece.

She strokes her face.

XENA
Sweetheart, what are you doing here? Why did you run away from us?

Eve is taken aback by her mother’s words.

EVE
I wasn’t running.

Gabrielle kneels beside them.

GABRIELLE
We were so worried.

EVE
I didn’t mean to. But you would never get them yourselves! I know you wouldn’t.

She grabs Gabrielle’s hand and puts the RINGS into it. Autolycus had gone backstage and hidden them in the silks before going back into the crowd to lead the guards away.

EVE
You need to remember.

Eve heads to the door.

XENA
Eve!

EVE
I have to go get Autolycus. I’ll stay outta sight I promise!

Xena can hardly react. In the next moment Eve is gone.

Possibilities run through her head. Briefly wondering if all this was some trick by a higher power. If Eve was really Eve.

Xena turns on Gabrielle, expecting her to be up and ready to chase their daughter. Instead she finds Gabrielle is staring STUNNED at the objects in her hands.

GABRIELLE
Xena these are-

Xena realizes what exactly is lying in Gabrielle's palm.

XENA
(Breathless)
The soulmate rings.

GABRIELLE
Why would…

The two meet each other’s gaze.

GABRIELLE (CONT’D)
Are they- ours?

XENA
I don’t-
(A beat)
Do they feel like they’re ours?

Gabrielle knew what she meant. If when she touched them she saw something, glimpses of a past life, an unexplainable warmth.

XENA
(Muttering an echo of Eve)
We need to remember…

Xena’s eyes are wide as she looks at the rings in Gabrielle’s hands. They were symbols, just like their matching beads of the Amazons they once wore when they were with the tribe. They symbolized love, an unbreakable bond that could be recognized by anyone with no more than a glance.

XENA
(Quiet realization)
We never had to prove who we were with the Amazons.

Gabrielle looks up. A reminiscing smile plays on her lips.

GABRIELLE
Even our daughter saw how distant we were becoming.

“Our.” Xena smiles at that.

GABRIELLE (CONT’D)
I’m sorry I've been so hard on you. I just miss not having to worry about people knowing.
(A beat)
I guess a selfish part of me wants people to know.

A SHOT of the rings in Gabrielle’s hands. She carefully caresses them with her thumb. Suddenly Xena’s hands are cradling her’s.

XENA
Then people will know.

Xena puts her palm over the rings, over Gabrielle’s hand, and GETS DOWN ON ONE KNEE.

Gabrielle frees one of her hands and puts it to her mouth.

XENA
Gabrielle, I've never been much of a storyteller or a poet- words don’t come easy to me, but when I'm with you I could write endlessly about the things I feel. I was afraid of what could happen if things were more open, I thought we would be vulnerable. But if there's anything I’ve learned is that love is not a weakness, it strengthens me.

Both of them are emotional.

XENA (CONT’D)
You are a gift to me. My strength. My love. A life by your side is safe and warm. I want it to be like that forever, if you’ll have me.

GABRIELLE
(Tears stream from her eyes)
Xena I’m- I

She’s SPEECHLESS.

GABRIELLE (CONT’D)
(She laughs quietly)
I’m some bard huh?

XENA
(Softly)
Gabrielle, you don’t have to say a word.

Gabrielle shakes her head, it’s true Xena already knows all that she feels, still sometimes it's the simplest things that should be said.

GABRIELLE
I love you Xena.

The two soak each other in. Memorizing every feature.

Xena uncovers the rings and Gabrielle is the one to make the first move. She slips one onto Xena’s finger. Xena takes the other and slips it onto Gabrielle. They fit PERFECTLY.

Xena rises and Gabrielle kisses her sweetly.

They pull apart and Xena gently caresses Gabrielle’s cheek with her thumb, Gabrielle brings her hand up and lays it over Xena’s.

AUTOLYCUS (O.S.)
Bold of you to think people weren't already making assumptions about you two.

The two look up from each other to see Autolycus and Eve smiling from the doorway.

AUTOLYCUS (CONT’D)
With the way you were always making goo-goo eyes at each other.

Eve runs to them and the two quickly fling out their arms to embrace her.

GABRIELLE
My strong girl.

She kisses the top of Eve’s head.

XENA
(Eyes shining)
You did this? For us?

EVE
You remembered?

Xena holds out her hand, showing off the ring to Eve.

XENA
Now we’ll never forget.

EVE
I knew it! I knew they belonged to you!

They pull her closer.

Eve looks up to Autolycus with a bright smile.

AUTOLYCUS
Glad to see you three worked things out.

Gabrielle makes a scrunched smug face at him.

GABRIELLE
We did.

Xena smiles and walks up to Autolycus while the other two go to sit down on some crates. She clasps him on the shoulder.

XENA
It's good to see you friend.

AUTOLYCUS
Likewise.
(A beat)
You know if I had a dinar for every time I was involved in a major moment of your relationship..

XENA
Autolycus, thank you. For bringing our family together.

The pair look over to Eve sitting snugly in Gabrielle’s lap while Gabrielle beams at them.

AUTOLYCUS
(A little surprised by the sincerity)
Don’t mention it.

(A beat)

XENA
Say where have you been all these years?

GABRIELLE
(Chiming in)
Some big heist we should know about?

AUTOLYCUS
Hey I only steal for good, you should remember you're always reminding me.
(A beat)
And unfortunately no, I bummed a ride off some viking pirates. Found some land but- practically worthless.

Xena hums along thoughtfully, then makes a ‘I almost forget’ face.

XENA
Oh one more thing..

Xena YANKS Autolycus’s EAR. He cries out in pain.

XENA
That’s for letting our daughter run around the city with ya.

AUTOLYCUS
OW AH

She lets go. He rubs his ear, disgruntled while Xena looks on satisfied.

There's shouting outside the door.

EXHAUGHTED ASSISTANT (Muffled O.S)
How am I supposed to know where they went?! This disaster is security’s fault don’t you DARE put the blame on me.

AUTOLYCUS
(Jerking a a thumb at the door)
Sounds like we should be going.

Gabrielle and Eve get up, Autolycus and Eve leave the room first. The soulmates hang back for a moment. Xena puts her arm over Gabrielle’s shoulder.

GABRIELLE
(Teasing)
You know the amazons are going to want us to do the consort ceremony now.

Xena grimaces. As much as she loved Gabrielle it was well known that she was not one to participate much in Amazon ceremonies, partly because despite all her time with the tribe she still wasn't one.

XENA
Well I guess we have no choice but to not go back there.

They walk out.

--------

EXT. FOREST PATH- DAY

Eve rides on Autolycus’s shoulders as he walks. Xena and Gabrielle trail behind them, walking beside each other while guiding the horses.

Gabreille puts her hand out in front of her as she admires the ring as it glints in the sun. A shy smile comes over Xena as she watches.

XENA
Wasn't as romantic as you might have wanted…

GABRIELLE
Xena it was perfect. We had Eve… we had– Autolycus.
(She laughs)
I guess we really do owe him a lot.

They both know what she's referring to.

XENA
Hey I choose to possess him.

A beat.

GABRIELLE
He did get a little feel-y towards the end there.

Gabrielle rubs her backside.

Xena innocently puts her hands behind her back and looks away.

XENA
Oh right that was Autolycus yeah.

GABRIELLE
Xena.

XENA
Hmm?

GABRIELLE
That was Autolycus who-

XENA
Mhm yeah.

Xena won’t meet her eyes.

GABRIELLE
Xena!

XENA
(Muttering)
I got carried away.

Gabrielle gasps at her admission.

XENA (CONT’D)
Well it was so new to us and I wasn’t about to ruin it.

The Camera starts to PAN UP from behind. Getting a view of everyone walking into the distance.

XENA (CONT’D)
Especially when you reacted the way you did.

GABRIELLE
Hey I only told him to take his hand off because I thought it was him touching my butt.

XENA
Oh you did, did you? Well what would you have said if you thought it were me?

GABRIELLE
Wouldn’t you like to know Warrior Princess.

FADE OUT: THE END