-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WRITTEN BY Melissa Good -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTED BY Denise Byrd -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRODUCED BY Carol Stephens -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCREENGRABS Judi Mair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTWORK Lucia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPISODE TITLE GRAPHIC MaryD --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FADE IN: EXT. DEEP FOREST CAMPSITE - NIGHT It is a clear and starry night. On a hilltop stands a forest, and in the middle of the forest on the top of the hill is a tiny clearing. In the center of the clearing is a fire, neatly made, with a ring of rocks around it to keep it from burning down the surrounding trees. On one side of the fire, a pile of furs is lying, looking very thick and comfy, and on top of the furs lie Xena and Gabrielle. GABRIELLE Wow. What a beautiful night. Xena is busy munching on something. Other than Gabrielle, surprisingly. XENA Yeah, and if you make me another one of those sweet sandwiches, it'll be even more beautiful. Gabrielle reaches to one side and picks up a small square confection, with something squishy in the middle. She hands it over. GABRIELLE (indulgently) Whatever you desire, Princess. XENA Ooh. You could get in a lot of trouble saying things like that, y'know.

GABRIELLE (smirking) I know. Gabrielle crosses her ankles and looks up at the sky. GABRIELLE (cont’d) So what do you think, a ship? XENA (looking) Ox cart. Gabrielle gives Xena a loving, but long suffering look. Xena doesn't turn her head, but she grins as though she sees Gabrielle anyway. Gabrielle shakes her head. GABRIELLE It's really pretty out here. I’m glad we came this way. XENA (nodding) Me too. I think I can find a lot of those rare herbs I was telling you about around here. Gabrielle reaches over and absentmindedly plays with Xena's hair. Xena gives her a 'look' but does not comment. GABRIELLE You know, I'm really glad you decided to do that. She looks at Xena. GABRIELLE (cont’d) Start recording all the healing knowledge you have. XENA (shrugging) Be nice to have something for people to remember me by besides kicking heads in. Maybe if we run into any sharp kids like you want to teach, I can leave them notes.

Gabrielle rolls over, and sits up. She removes a pan from the fire, taking several more of the square confections from it, and setting them to cool on a rock near the furs. GABRIELLE We've been just reacting to life for so long, it's a little weird to be planning for the future, isn't it? XENA Very. GABRIELLE I mean, we always help people. But it's usually.... XENA Right then. GABRIELLE Yeah. I like the idea of giving them something to help in their future... like teaching them to read. Xena leans over and swipes another treat. She lies back down. XENA (satisfied) I like that idea too. It's time we put our past behind us. Make something new going forward. They both fall silent. The crickets get louder. The stars twinkle overhead. GABRIELLE (clearing throat) Isn't this where some messenger out of your past usually falls out of a tree on top of us?

XENA (chuckling) We're not under any trees. Gabrielle settles down next to Xena, and rests her head on Xena's shoulder. GABRIELLE Maybe someday we can even start a school. Xena looks skeptical. XENA Well....

GABRIELLE Hey, we have to retire sometime. Xena kisses Gabrielle. XENA Some other time. I have other ideas for right now. Gabrielle laughs, and we - FADE OUT. END OF TEASER