FADE IN

On the same scene as before. Darion stares at Haimon. After a moment, his shock gives way to a hard, sullen look.

DARION:
      I didn't know it was you.

HAIMON:
      Damn! Why does this always happen? (he touches his nose gingerly, then looks up, studying the boy a moment) Darion? Is that you?

Darion lowers the staff and takes a step back. Haimon slowly gains to his feet, looking Darion over.

HAIMON:
     I wouldn't have recognized you. You've changed so much since I saw you last.

Darion looks down at his feet and mutters sullenly.

DARION:
     A lot of things have changed since you saw us...

Gabrielle's voice can be heard coming from inside.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion? (The door opens and Gabrielle emerges, wide awake.) Darion, is Xena--?

She stops short upon seeing Haimon.

GABRIELLE:
     Oh...

Haimon nervously drums his fingertips against his leg and nods at Gabrielle.

HAIMON:
     Hello, Gabrielle.

DARION (to Gabrielle):
     I caught him sneaking around the garden.

Haimon touches the bridge of his nose.

HAIMON (to Gabrielle):
     Did one hell of a job guarding against intruders, too.

DARION (grimly and proudly):
     You bet.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion--why don't you go back in the house and check on... (pauses) Just go back to bed.

Darion glances at Haimon, then turns wordlessly and disappears into the house.

Haimon and Gabrielle stare awkwardly at one another a moment.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon. How did...how are you?

HAIMON:
     Darion has really shot up since I saw him last.

Gabrielle says nothing, practically fidgeting. Haimon looks her up and down.

HAIMON:
     And you're...almost back to your old self.

GABRIELLE:
     What are you--?

HAIMON:
     I ran into Xena. She told me everything. About Jerusalem, the baby--everything.

Gabrielle stares.

HAIMON:
     You should have told me.

Gabrielle takes a step closer to him.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon, I tried. Please believe me. I just...I couldn't find the right words. And when you joined Vespasian--well... (She trails off, lowers her eyes, then looks up at Haimon again.) Maybe I was wrong.

Haimon says nothing.

Gabrielle glances over her shoulder and back at him.

GABRIELLE:
     Do you want to see him?

Haimon stares at her, then nods almost imperceptibly. Gabrielle goes quickly inside the house. A moment later she returns with Samuel in her arms. She smiles softly down at him then glances up at Haimon, taking a step closer.

HAIMON (pulls back a little):
     Is it okay? I mean, you didn't wake him, did you?

GABRIELLE (smiles and shakes her head):
     No. He's a good sleeper.

She holds the baby out to Haimon.

GABRIELLE:
     This is Samuel. Your son.

Haimon takes the boy into his arms carefully.

Najara, wearing a long dark robe, comes out into the garden.

NAJARA:
     Gabrielle? (she sees Haimon, his back to her) I was told that a stranger had been seen on the grounds, and--

GABRIELLE:
     It's fine. Najara, this is Haimon. He's-- (she falters a moment) my friend.

Haimon turns around and nods. Najara gives him a curious look, obviously scrutinizing him. Looking uncomfortable, Haimon hands Samuel back to Gabrielle, mouthing a quiet "thank you." Close-up on Najara as understanding dawns in her face.

NAJARA:
     Sorry. I can't be too careful around here.

GABRIELLE (suspicious):
     You have enemies?

NAJARA:
     Yes--King Aretas. He would do anything to shut this place down and run me out of the city--or worse.

GABRIELLE:
     Why?

NAJARA:
     I'm a follower of Eli. Eli's message brings hope and strength to the common people--the hope that one day, they can be free from kings as well as gods. And that's dangerous to anyone who wants to hold on to absolute power. So I'm a threat--and the king's been sending his spies to do mischief. (turns to Haimon) But you say this man is your friend--then I trust him, too. (to Haimon) Come. I'll find you a spare bed.

Haimon hesitates a moment, then looks at Gabrielle, who nods slightly.

HAIMON:
     All right.

With one last look at Gabrielle, Samuel and Darion, he follows Najara out. Gabrielle stares after him. Darion comes up to her and puts a reassuring hand on her arm.

DISSOLVE TO

Day. A wide shot of the garden and the shelter.

CUT TO

Outside the gate, Gabrielle is drawing water from the well.

A dark-haired, dark-eyed, bearded young man peeks from around the street corner, making sure Gabrielle is alone. Then he approaches her. This is the same man who was spying on Gabrielle and Najara in the garden in Act One. Hearing his step, Gabrielle looks up.

MAN:
     Good morning. May I speak to you?

GABRIELLE (slightly hesitant):
     Sure.

MAN:
     You know Neimah?

GABRIELLE:
     Who?

MAN:
     Ah, of course. You know her by another name. Neimah is what she calls herself here in Petra. (pause) My name is Duman. And you are--?

GABRIELLE (guardedly):
     Gabrielle.

She draws the water from the well and pours it inside two waterskins.

GABRIELLE (continues):
     What do you want?

DUMAN:
     The woman who calls herself Neimah--you've known her before, haven't you. (Off Gabrielle's silent look) There are things I'd like to know about her past.

GABRIELLE (narrows her eyes at him):
     Wait a minute. You're one of the king's men, aren't you? Well, forget it. I have no intention of helping your master persecute people of a peaceful faith.

DUMAN:
     Are you so sure Neimah is truly peaceful?

Gabrielle looks troubled; it's clear that the thought has already crossed her mind. She hesitates, looking at Duman. Before she can speak, the sound of a baby crying can be heard, and Gabrielle turns her head abruptly. The camera pans to show Haimon coming toward the garden gate, with a crying Samuel in his arms.

HAIMON (at the gate):
     I think he needs to be fed. (He gives Duman a suspicious look, clearly wondering who the man is.)

GABRIELLE (to Duman, abruptly):
     I have to go.

She picks up the water skins and heads toward the gate.

DUMAN:
     I'll see you again.

GABRIELLE (after a brief hesitant pause):
     Don't waste your time.

Duman turns around and walks away while Gabrielle goes inside the garden. She hands Haimon the waterskins and takes Samuel from him.

HAIMON:
     Friend of yours?

Gabrielle attempts a teasing smile but it appears weak and forced.

GABRIELLE:
     Why do you ask? Jealous?

HAIMON:
     Not really. Well...not of him, anyway.

Gabrielle seats herself on a boulder in the garden and begins to feed Samuel. Haimon looks on and the air is thick with tension. Several times, Gabrielle looks ready to speak then stops. Finally, Haimon speaks.

HAIMON:
     I remember you telling me once before about this Najara.

Gabrielle looks up at him.

HAIMON (continues):
     Is this really a good idea to stay here--especially now with Samuel--given your past history with this woman?

Gabrielle shrugs and gazes down at Samuel.

GABRIELLE (murmurs):
     Sometimes people can change...

HAIMON (frowns and nods):
     True. People can really surprise you sometimes.

CUT TO

Xena and Ares ride along a long stretch of road in the desert. The sun is hot, beating down on them.

Close-up on Ares as he wipes the sweat from his face and neck, then reaches for a waterskin and drinks avidly. Xena glances at him.

XENA (quietly sympathetic):
     It's tough, huh.

ARES (glances at her):
     What, the desert? (makes a face) I've seen worse.

XENA (quietly):
     Not just the desert.

ARES:
     Oh, you mean the whole mortal thing? (he pauses and takes another swig of water) I can handle it.

He and Xena look at each other. She slows down her horse and he does likewise, matching her pace.

ARES (continues, lowering his voice):
     I've got everything I always wanted... (he pauses for an instant, still looking intently at Xena) ...right?

Xena brings her horse to a complete halt; so does Ares.

XENA (a husky note in her voice):
     You've got me.

They look into each other's eyes.

XENA (reaches out to take his hand):
     You're part of my life now, Ares. Nothing--and no one--is going to change that.

They lean toward each other and are about to kiss when Ares' horse, startled, neighs and bucks suddenly, then rears up, throwing Ares off so that he lands in the sand on his rear. Xena pulls hard on the reins, restraining the horse, then quickly dismounts.

XENA:
     You okay?

ARES:
     Yeah.

XENA (chuckles):
     Looks like he's jealous.

She extends her hand to help Ares, who scrambles to his feet as he speaks.

ARES:
     Nah--it's not that kind of relationship. (Pats the horse on the side.) He's just spirited, that's all.

XENA:
     Where'd you get him?

ARES:
     Bought him right after I landed in Judea--some guy was selling him on the cheap. (The horse neighs and bucks again, and Ares mutters under his breath) C'mon, boy.

XENA (grins):
     No wonder. He's not easy to handle.

ARES (pats the horse on the side):
     That's how I like 'em.

He grins and puts his arm around Xena's shoulder; she whips around to face him.

XENA (in mock outrage):
     Are you comparing me to a horse?

They both laugh and kiss. After a moment Xena tenses and pulls away, turning to look to her left.

XENA:
     We've got company.

The camera pulls back to show a group of six Roman soldiers riding toward them.

Xena and Ares turn to face the Romans, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

The Romans approach and bring their horses to a halt. The camera pan over the faces of the Romans as they stare intently at Xena and Ares.

ROMAN #1 (to the others):
     That's Xena.

ROMAN #2 (shouts, pointing a finger at her):
     She was in the camp when the prisoners were freed--I saw her!

There is a murmur in the group of Romans.

ROMAN #3 (under his breath):
     The guy that's with her--is that--?

ROMAN #2:
     It's gotta be him. (dismounts, shouting) Get them!

The other Romans follow, jumping down and drawing their swords, and Xena and Ares are forced into a fight. They deftly repel their attackers, blocking the thrusts of their swords, and delivering blows of their own as well as kicks. Xena gives her piercing, ululating battle cry as she leaps into the air, flips, and knocks out two of the Romans with a split V-kick on landing; meanwhile, Ares spins around, kicking down one of the Romans, and spars with another.

ROMAN OFFICER (off-camera):
     Halt the attack!

The camera pulls back to show two Roman officers riding up. They halt their horses as the fight stops. The Romans who have been downed scramble to their feet, breathing hard. Xena and Ares stand at the ready, shoulder to shoulder at a slight turn, their swords drawn.

ROMAN OFFICER #1:
     What is going on here? You were told to scout the area, not picks fights with strangers.

The soldiers do as they are told and step back. Xena and Ares stand facing the general.

ROMAN SOLDIER #1 (to the officer):
     That's Xena, Sir. Looks like she was at the camp when the prisoners--

ROMAN OFFICER #1:
     We've got no orders to detain her.

ARES (smirks):
     Then it's your lucky day.

ROMAN SOLIDER #2:
     We thought the man with her might be the deserter, Sir.

ROMAN OFFICER #2 (looks closely at Ares):
     That's not the man we're looking for.

XENA (scornfully):
     So, what exactly is going on?

ROMAN OFFICER #1:
     We're looking for a deserter--a Greek who was serving in the Roman army. Got three search parties after him, combing the area. (he pauses and looks closely at Xena) Name's Haimon. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?

XENA (impassively):
     I don't keep tabs on Roman soldiers--deserters or not.

ROMAN OFFICER # 2 (suspicious):
     Rumor was that you (points to Xena) had a hand in freeing the Israelite prisoners--and that Haimon might be traveling in your company.

XENA:
     I have all the company I need.

Close-up on Ares as he grins a little.

ROMAN OFFICER #2 (scowling a little):
     Well, I think you know more than you're letting on. You got no reason to be here except to make trouble. If I ever do get orders to bring you in--

XENA (with a slight mocking note in her tone):
     Well, then you'll just have to catch me.

The officer grunts in displeasure and signals to the men.

ROMAN OFFICER #2:
     Come on--let's get moving!

The Romans get on their horses and ride off. Xena stares after them.

ARES:
     You know, if they do get on wonder boy's trail--

XENA (finishes for him, abruptly):
     --he'll lead them straight to Gabrielle.

ARES:
     So--want to make sure they don't catch up with him?

Xena looks heavily in the Romans' direction, her hand on her chakram. Then, she shakes her head and mounts her horse.

XENA:
     That won't stop the other search parties. (looks at Ares) We just have to get to him before they do.

ARES (sighs, sarcastic):
     So much for taking the scenic route.

Xena clicks her tongue and gallops off. Ares mounts his horse and follows.

CUT TO

Haimon is now seated next to Gabrielle as she continues to feed Samuel.

HAIMON:
     I'm worried about Darion.

Gabrielle sighs. There is a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm doing the best I can.

Haimon shakes his head ruefully.

HAIMON:
     You never should have taken him to Jerusalem.

GABRIELLE (a little brusquely):
     Maybe if you hadn't run off to join the Roman Legions--

HAIMON (interrupts):
     You didn't give me a lot of reason to stay.

GABRIELLE (bristles):
     Well, maybe if you had-- (she bites of the rest of it and looks away; then, after a pause) This isn't helping.

Haimon shakes his head and sighs, gazing down at Samuel a long moment as the baby feeds.

HAIMON (in a softer voice):
     He's a good-looking boy.

Samuel is finally done feeding and Gabrielle repositions him on her shoulder, patting his back gently. She smiles.

GABRIELLE:
     Even Xena can't get over how much he looks like his father.

Haimon nods, smiling grudgingly. Gabrielle rises to her feet and Haimon does likewise.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm going to put him to bed. I have to go into town and get something. (Off Haimon's questioning look) Oh, Naomi will watch him. She's great with babies.

HAIMON (quietly):
     I'll watch him.

They stare at each other for a moment. Then Gabrielle nods slowly.

GABRIELLE:
     Good.

CUT TO

A busy street in town. Gabrielle comes out of a shop, wearing a new green and brown leather outfit with black and silver accents, armbands and gauntlets.

As she starts to walk down the street, she hears a voice behind her back.

DUMAN (off-camera):
     So you and Najara do have a history.

Gabrielle whips around, startled.

DUMAN:
     I heard what your friend said in the garden.

GABRIELLE:
     I don't like spies.

DUMAN:
     Do you like people who kill for their faith?

GABRIELLE:
     The only people Najara ever killed were criminals she had captured.

DUMAN (grins):
     So it is true. We had only heard rumors ‘till now.

GABRIELLE (vehemently, obviously upset at herself):
     She gave them a chance to reform. It was only if they refused--

DUMAN:
     Then she's become more ruthless since then.

GABRIELLE:
     What are you talking about?

DUMAN:
     About a month ago, a young woman name Malia, who worked at Neimah's--Najara's shelter, disappeared without a trace. Rumor has it, she wanted to leave the Eli cult. And Neimah killed her.

Close up of Gabrielle's horrified face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO