FADE IN

Continued from the previous scene.

XENA (grimly):
     I bet they're being taken to Rome.

GABRIELLE:
     To be paraded in a victory march...and then probably sent to die in the arena. (shakes her head in disgust) The Romans' idea of entertainment.

XENA:
     I won't let that happen. I need to get to them before they can reach Rome. If I can only find out by which route they're being taken...

She stares ahead pensively. Gabrielle touches her shoulder.

GABRIELLE (tenderly):
     You'll do it. I have faith in you.

XENA (quietly):
     I'm glad someone does. (She looks up, shaking off her melancholy reflections, and rises to her feet) I better go help Darion with the firewood.

She gets up and walks away, Gabrielle staring after her.

DISSOLVE TO

Dusk. The sun is low; the sky is bright shades of orange and yellow.

Gabrielle and Naiomi sit next to each other. In the background, Xena is chopping wood. Darion arranges the split pieces in neat layers, building a fire.

Samuel suddenly cries and Gabrielle lifts him onto her shoulder and gently pats his back. The baby cries louder and she frowns, patting his back quicker. Samuel's cries continue to increase and he grows more fussy. Gabrielle is obviously becoming more and more frustrated at her inability to burp him. Naiomi looks on sympathetically and holds out her arms, smiling gently.

NAIOMI:
     Here--let me have a try.

Gabrielle hands the boy over to Naiomi with a grateful sigh. Naiomi takes Samuel and lays him face down across her lap. Gabrielle watches, clearly confused by what the older woman is doing. Naiomi rubs his back gently. After a moment Samuel burps and stops crying. Naiomi takes him up in her arms and he gurgles happily.

NAIOMI (smiles):
     I still remember a few old tricks.

Gabrielle sighs in gratitude.

GABRIELLE:
      Oh--thank you. There's so much I don't know about... (she shakes her head). I never expected to have another child and now that I do I feel a bit lost. (she squeezes Naiomi's shoulder) I'm so glad to have you.

Naiomi nods wisely.

NAIOMI:
     I have noticed a certain...insecurity about you lately. That doesn't seem to be at all like you, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle shakes her head and frowns.

NAIOMI:
     It's going to be fine. When it comes to taking care of a baby, a woman's nature just seems to take over.

Gabrielle looks away.

GABRIELLE:
     What if I don't have that inside of me anymore? I've been a fighter so long that maybe that other side of me is gone now.

She sighs and looks over her shoulder at Xena, energetically splitting a large log with a hatchet.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena and I wanted to raise this baby together. But...for a long time now I've wondered if I'll be able to fight by Xena's side and still be the mother I want to be.

Naiomi rocks Samuel in her arms.

NAIOMI:
     You and Xena--you've been together a long time...haven't you?

GABRIELLE (nods):
     A lifetime.

Naiomi looks over at Xena, then back to Gabrielle.

NAIOMI:
     And...the boy's father?

Gabrielle is obviously flustered.

GABRIELLE:
     He didn't--that is to say we didn't—well...we parted ways. We realized we both wanted different things...

Xena laughs loudly in triumph as the large log she has been chopping splits and falls to the ground with a loud thunk. Naiomi glances over at her, then back to Gabrielle.

NAIOMI:
     Where is he now?

Gabrielle stares ahead.

Gabrielle frowns and shakes her head curtly.

GABRIELLE:
     I don't know where he is.

Pan to Xena. She stands up, panting a little from the exertion of chopping firewood. Then she tenses, as if sensing something, and slowly turns around.

Ares is riding up on his horse. He brings the horse to a halt, and their eyes lock in a long moment of silence.

She breaks out into a small, almost incredulous smile.

Ares dismounts as she walks toward him and then stops. They stand facing each other a little awkwardly, as if unsure what to say. Finally, she nods toward the horse.

XENA:
     So...you picked up a friend.

Ares clears his throat and looks pointedly at Samuel in Gabrielle's arms.

ARES:
     I could say the same about you.

They continue to stand facing each other.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares is watering his horse by a pool of water amidst the ruins. He unbuckles the horse's harness and starts to take it off. The camera shows Xena standing nearby, leaning on a ruined pillar, her arms crossed. As Ares pats the horse's neck, Xena notices his bare wrists and frowns slightly as she comes closer.

XENA:
     What happened to your gauntlets?

Ares looks at her and shrugs.

ARES:
     I needed money to follow you. (after a pause) I heard about what was going on in Jerusalem. Figured maybe you could use my help.

Xena holds his stare for a long moment, then takes another step and puts her hand on his shoulder.

XENA (softly):
     I'm glad you came.

He turns around and she kisses him, gently brushing her lips against his and then capturing his lips. There is a little awkwardness at first but then they move into a warmer embrace. Ares moves to kiss her neck and she wraps her arms around him, closing her eyes for a moment. The camera moves in on them.

XENA (her voice husky):
     How--did you know where to find us?

ARES (his voice muffled as he nuzzles her hair):
     I went to Jerusalem looking for you--heard you were on the road. Then--

XENA (pulls back a little):
     Jerusalem? What's happening there?

ARES (shrugs):
     Romans. When I was heading out of the city, they were taking a bunch of prisoners to Caesarea.

XENA (stares at him in shock):
     Caesarea? Not Rome?

ARES:
     That's what I heard the Romans say. Seems Titus is in Caesarea now, planning a big victory celebration before he returns to Rome. He's going to have the prisoners fight in the games for the celebration.

Xena stares at him grimly, then finally speaks.

XENA:
     No, they're not. (pause as the camera zooms in on her) Not if I can do anything about it.

Pan to Ares, who looks worried.

CUT TO

Evening. A bright night sky full of stars. Xena, Gabrielle, Ares, and Darion are sitting amongst the ruins of a building, several fallen columns and an archway around them. They are on a small hill, a bit of a distance from where the refugees have made camp. A fire is burning in front of them. Samuel sleeping on some blankets next to Gabrielle. They are eating a modest meal of bread and fruit.

ARES (to Darion, half-serious, half-teasing):
     You know, young man, you and I have some serious business to talk about. You were supposed to stay with me and make my mortal life miserable for a few months. Instead, you run off and get on that ship. (points a finger at him) What's the idea?

DARION (serious):
     I thought Gabrielle might need me.

ARES:
     Did you, now! (glances at Gabrielle) Well, good to know there's at least one guy who'll stand by you through thick and thin.

Gabrielle looks like she's been punched in the stomach. Xena elbows Ares in the side, hard enough for him to almost choke on his bread.

GABRIELLE (mutters curtly):
     Thanks.

Ares looks a little sheepish; he obviously hadn't realized how hurtful his remark was.

There is a moment of tense silence as Gabrielle looks down, fiddling with her piece of bread. Finally, she looks up with a somewhat forced smile

GABRIELLE (trying to lighten the mood):
     Well, at the moment, there are only two guys I want or need in my life--and they're both right here with me.

Darion grins proudly; Ares recovers from his embarrassment and smirks.

ARES:
     Why, thank you, Gabrielle--I'm deeply flattered.

Gabrielle snorts. Xena, who had been staring off into the distance, distracted, suddenly turns to face them.

XENA:
     Gabrielle. Do you think you can get these refugees to Petra without me?

GABRIELLE (puzzled):
     By myself?

DARION:
     You won't be by yourself. I'll help you.

Gabrielle chuckles and pats him on the arm.

GABRIELLE:
     Standing by me through thick and thin, huh? (to Xena) Why?

XENA:
     I need you to do this, Gabrielle. Ares and I have something else we have to do.

Ares gives her a surprised look.

ARES:
     We do?

XENA:
     I'm going to Caesarea after those prisoners--and you're coming with me.

Ares and Gabrielle look at her, somewhat taken aback, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE