FADE IN

Close-up on Eve (continuing from the end of Act II).

Pan to Xena and Ares, who exchange a meaningful look that Eve, still digesting the announcement, does not notice.

EVE (dryly):
     Well, there goes the undercover part.

ARES:
     No kidding. We're definitely overdue for a change of scenery.

EVE:
     So where are the reinforcements?

A tall, dark figure enters the tent. He looks like Ares, though he is not as bulky. He wears his hair short, and is dressed in functional, well-made armor. The camera zooms in on him to show that it's Evander.

EVANDER:
     On their way. At least, my soldiers are.

Ares gets up and he and Evander shake hands, unsmiling. Xena and Evander also shake hands. Then, Evander turns to Eve; a small smile appears on his face.

EVANDER:
     Eve. Good to see you.

He takes her in his arms and pulls her into a kiss. Eve makes a muffled sound of shock and pulls back.

EVE:
     What--

EVANDER (frowns):
     What's wrong?

Xena clears her throat. Eve looks from her to Evander, obviously debating with herself whether to tell him the truth. Then she sighs and musters a warm smile.

EVE:
     Sorry. I was just...a little taken aback to see you here.

EVANDER:
     You didn't get my message?

XENA:
     She's been--away for a while. (She comes up to him.) Evander--thanks for the support.

EVANDER:
     Well, it's not like I'm going to sell you all out to Auntie Artemis, am I? (rolls eyes) Took a while for my army to get here from Brundisium after we landed--it's not an easy task for over a thousand men to move across the countryside without catching attention. But here we are. The men are camped in the hills south of the city, waiting for the signal.

Ares nods.

EVE:
     Over a thousand men...and that's all the reinforcements?

ARES (wry grin):
     Oh no. We've got allies coming in from the north as well.

FLASH TO

An army marching through mountainous terrain. It is the Goths. The camera pans along their ranks to show, from the back, a tall warrior on a black horse wearing a plumed helmet.

DISSOLVE TO

A wide shot of the city of Rome. It is broad daylight but it seems strangely and almost eerily quiet.

DISSOLVE TO

A line of nervous-looking people standing on the steps of a Roman temple. Some of the people are holding offerings. The camera pans along the line, up the steps, to a portico with a semicircle of columns, flowers, statues of Artemis, an altar, and an ornate empty throne behind it. A doe, its legs bound, lies on the altar next to which Sabina stands, sword in hand.

The camera zooms in for a medium close-up on a kneeling couple in front of the crowd. The man is holding a beautiful ring. The woman is heavily pregnant.

KNEELING MAN (timidly):
     Goddess, please accept as our offering this precious ring which was once my mother's. Please spare my wife pain during childbirth and let our baby be born healthy.

The camera pans to another kneeling woman, further in the back.

KNEELING WOMAN:
     Please, goddess, heal my nephew, who has been badly injured in a fire.

Pan to another kneeling man, holding a golden statuette.

KNEELING MAN No. 2:
     Great goddess, I had this statue of you made as a token of my devotion. Please accept it as an offering and grant safe passage to my shipment of goods.

Pan to Sabina as she holds up her hand, silencing the others with an imperious gesture.

SABINA (raises her voice):
     Magnificent goddess! As Empress and High Priestess of Rome, it is my request that you honor this sacrifice with your presence!

There is a flash of greenish-gold light around the throne as the worshipers gasp and bow their heads. Sabina, too, inclines her head but only slightly.

Artemis materializes in the throne. Her expression is arrogant, malicious, and slightly displeased, as if she were somewhat unimpressed by the sacrifices.

ARTEMIS (haughtily):
     Proceed.

Pan back to Sabina, in medium close-up, as she raises her sword and brings it down.

Pan to Artemis as her face is sprayed with blood. She throws her head back slightly and half-closes her eyes, which begin to glow faintly with a green light.

VOICES FROM THE CROWD:
--Glory to the goddess!
--Pray to the One Goddess!
--Artemis, protect us!
--Save us!

Artemis sways a little, with an almost orgasmic look on her face.

Pan to Sabina as she casts a glance at Artemis. Her expression is hostile, almost contemptuous. Meanwhile, the prayers from the crowd turn into a chant:

CROWD:
     Protect us, Great Goddess Artemis! Protect us, Great Goddess Artemis! Protect us, Great Goddess Artemis!

Artemis sits up abruptly and opens her eyes. An awed hush falls over the crowd.

ARTEMIS (almost brusquely):
     Your prayers will be answered. Leave your offerings at the altar. Then go.

The camera pulls back as the worshipers rise from their knees and start approaching the altar with their offerings.

CROSS-FADE TO

Some time later. The last of the worshipers are leaving. There is a pile of offerings on the altar.

Artemis rises slowly from the throne, walks over to the altar and begins to inspect the offerings.

SABINA (dryly):
     I hope the goddess is pleased.

ARTEMIS (points to a painted ceramic jug and an ornate goblet left on the altar):
     Pour me some wine.

Sabina bristles visibly, but pours some wine from the jug into the goblet and hands it to Artemis, who takes a few sips and puts the goblet down, glancing maliciously at Sabina.

ARTEMIS (taunting):
     What's the matter? Serving your goddess is beneath you, hmm?

SABINA (inclines her head, a faint touch of sarcasm in her voice):
     I live to serve my goddess.

ARTEMIS:
     Good. (She caresses Sabina's cheek in an almost sensuous gesture, then turns Sabina's face toward her and continues, with a deceptive gentleness.) Now, tell me--why did you have that girl released?

Sabina flinches slightly.

ARTEMIS (continues):
     You know perfectly well that I gave no such order.

SABINA:
     I thought that showing mercy could only make you look more powerful.

ARTEMIS (scoffs):
     I have all the power, Sabina. I don't need to look more powerful. (she pauses) Who was that girl? Don't tell me you don't know her because I'll know you're lying.... Friend of yours?

SABINA (quietly):
     She was--years ago.

Artemis lowers her hand and contemplates Sabina for a moment.

ARTEMIS:
     And if I told you to bring her to this altar and kill her--what would you do then?

Anger flares in Sabina's eyes.

SABINA (harshly):
     Don't push me, Artemis. I still have some free will.

ARTEMIS (laughs):
     Really? And what would you do with it? Join Xena and my brother in their little rebellion?

SABINA:
     I'd think you would know better than to underestimate anything Xena does.

ARTEMIS:
     Oh, Xena may be a great warrior. But she's chosen the wrong side in this war, and she knows it. So does Ares--but their ego won't let them admit defeat. (She sips some more wine and smiles.) It won't be long before we crush them once and for all. And then--it's over. Who else would be strong enough to challenge me? (she laughs lightly) Or crazy enough?

SABINA:
     You've been saying that for years. Yet they're still alive.

ARTEMIS:
     They'll be dead soon enough. (She looks darkly at Sabina, no longer smiling) And so will you--if you defy me. Remember that.

Sabina steps up to her so that they are face to face.

SABINA (her voice calm but hard as steel):
     And you'd do well to remember that I don't like being threatened or bullied. I'm the Empress of Rome, not your puppet.

ARTEMIS (haughtily):
     I made you Empress of Rome!

SABINA (scoffs):
     You think I couldn't have taken out that pompous fool Titus without you? You may have helped me gain the Empire--but I delivered it to you. How many Romans would worship you without me?

Artemis gives an exclamation that is almost a snarl, her face twisted with rage.

SABINA (continues):
     Besides, I know how Xena fights. I know how she thinks.

Artemis is still glowering but Sabina's words have obviously had an effect.

SABINA (continues):
     You need me, Artemis. Don't even try to pretend otherwise.

Artemis scowls at her and vanishes in a flash of green-and-gold light.

Sabina remains standing by the altar, staring at the place where she vanished. The anger in her face is visible, yet she is obviously pondering something.

She raises her sword and, with a frustrated gesture, knocks over the wine jug. The wine spills over the altar, like a pool of blood.

DISSOLVE TO

The full moon above Rome.

CUT TO

A wooded area near Rome. In a clearing, the goths are setting up an improvised camp. We see their leader, facing away from the camera, stroll through their ranks.

GOTH LEADER (speaks in a half-whisper; it is a female voice that may sound vaguely familiar):
     No fires--too easy to spot.

She walks on, then addresses one of the Goths.

GOTH LEADER:
     Stay here--I'll go ahead to the rendezvous point.

GOTH SOLDIER:
     Yes, my queen.

CUT TO

The rebel base in the catacombs. Eve is spreading out some furs in a tent to make a bed. When she finishes, she removes her sword from the scabbard on her back and picks a sharpening stone out of her pack.

She hears a noise and instantly raises her sword, now alert.

A young soldier hesitantly enters the tent, clearly no match for Eve.

EVE (guardedly):
     What do you need? It's late.

SOLDIER (nervous):
     I'm guarding the passage that leads to the northern entrance. I heard footsteps and--you were the closest for me to warn. Someone found out how to get into our camp.

EVE (lowers her sword):
     How many do you think are there?

SOLDIER:
     I only heard one.

EVE:
     Let's go and see...the further away we catch them, the better.

CUT TO

Eve and the soldier walk along the dark passage. Eve is carrying a torch. Both have swords out and are looking around for any signs of the intruder. They round a bend.

Close-up on Eve's wary face.

Suddenly, there is a movement in the shadows and we see a figure walking towards Eve and the young soldier. It's the Goth leader.

GOTH LEADER (mockingly):
     How kind of you to come and meet me in person, Livia. Afraid I'd get lost?

Eve raises her sword again and pushes the young soldier behind her.

The woman walks forward into the torchlight. The camera zooms in on her face. It's Zenobia.

Pan to Eve, who stares at her in shock.

EVE (astonished):
     You! ... You're alive.

Zenobia laughs unpleasantly and steps even closer to Eve.

ZENOBIA:
     How perceptive.

EVE:
     What are you doing here?

ZENOBIA:
     For starters--this.

Without warning, she knocks Eve's sword arm away with one hand and punches Eve in the face with the other. The momentum makes Eve stagger and she almost falls over. The soldier catches her and grabs the torch, which she has almost dropped.

ZENOBIA (sneers):
     Just had to get that out of my system.

Eve rubs her jaw and glares at Zenobia.

EVE (angry):
     For the second time, what are you doing here, and at this time of night?

ZENOBIA (raises an eyebrow):
     You really don't know.

EVE (snaps, pointing her sword at Zenobia):
     I'm not going to ask you again.

ZENOBIA (shrugs):
     Fine. If you put it that way. I'm here with my army to help you against Artemis. Xena sent for me. (she grins) I'm shocked no one has told you.

EVE (scowls):
     Maybe that's because it's not true.

ZENOBIA (laughs):
     Oh, Livia, I'm sure you'd like to think so. But no such luck. Maybe they just didn't trust you to know.

EVE (lowers the sword):
     Why would you want to fight alongside my mother and Ares?

ZENOBIA:
     And their pathetic excuse for an army? I don't. I want to fight against Rome, and this looks like the best shot we have of defeating Artemis--and Sabina. (shrugs again) So, I'm in.

Zenobia tries to walk past Eve, towards the rebel camp, but Eve blocks her way.

ZENOBIA (annoyed, reaches for her sword):
     You're in my way, Livia.

EVE (to the young soldier, who has been keeping out of the way):
     Go and wake up my mother. Tell her we have a problem.

The boy nods and turns to go. Just then, Xena appears from around the bend behind Eve, in armor, torch in hand.

XENA (calmly):
     No need.

She walks past Eve, who watches in surprise. Xena motions to the boy to leave, and he runs off back to camp.

XENA (coldly):
     Hello, Zenobia.

ZENOBIA:
     Nice timing, Xena. I don't think your daughter is too pleased to see me. (sighs) But--here I am. Just thought I'd stop in and say hello before the battle.

XENA:
     How considerate.

ZENOBIA (sarcastically):
     Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to camp with you. (glances at Eve) I wouldn't want to be in Livia's way.

XENA:
     Your army's here?

ZENOBIA:
     Three thousand men, camped just outside the city.

XENA (businesslike):
     Ready for some action? (Off Zenobia's nod) Good. We attack at noon tomorrow.

ZENOBIA:
     We'll be watching. I've won rebellions against the Romans before, Xena...save your strength to worry about Livia.

Eve glares at her but says nothing.

XENA (ignores the taunts against Eve; levelly):
     Good luck.

Zenobia is silent, but nods and turns abruptly, leaving the way she came in.

Xena turns to Eve, who looks furious, and holds up one hand to stop her from speaking.

XENA:
     Come on. We're heading back to camp.

CUT TO

Xena and Eve walking down a passage. Other passages break off from the one they're on.

EVE:
     I still can't believe you're going to trust her.

XENA:
     Her army is the most powerful one around, and we don't have enough men not to trust her. They've been raiding and stealing from Artemis for several years-- (ironic) not to mention anyone else with some extra cash lying around. Besides, she hates Rome.

EVE (bitterly):
     She hates me.

XENA:
     Look, Eve, she's on our side whether you like it or not. We don't have any better options. That doesn't mean she's a long-term ally. If she gives us any trouble, we can always deal with her after we've beaten Artemis.

EVE:
     There has to be another way.

XENA (firmly):
     Believe me, I have looked for it--there is no other way. (pause) Go back to camp; I have to check up on the other guards.

She points the way for Eve and then disappears down one of the side passages. Eve stares after her.

EVE (mutters):
     I can't believe this.

CUT TO

The interior of Ares and Xena's tent from Act II. Ares is lying on some furs, dozing. There is a noise, and he stirs and sits up. Pan to Eve, who has entered the tent.

ARES:
     Xena isn't here.

EVE (wryly):
     I know, I just saw her. (she pauses) The other reinforcements have arrived.

ARES:
     Zenobia? (Off Eve's nod of assent; businesslike) Then we attack tomorrow.

EVE (carefully):
     Ares, what exactly are you and Xena trying to do? You know as well as I do that there aren't enough soldiers here to capture Rome, reinforcements or not.

ARES (unsurprised):
     Have you been talking to Xena about it?

EVE (bitter):
     Talk to her? She's too busy trying to order me around.

ARES (snorts):
     What a surprise.

He rises to his feet and approaches Eve. He stares at her for a moment, as if trying to figure something out.

ARES (quietly):
     Are you really here from the past?

Eve nods gravely.

ARES:
     Then you should know that she's...not the same. (looks down) I suppose none of us are.

EVE (awkwardly):
     I'm glad...I'm glad she still has you.

ARES (abruptly):
     We've got our own soldiers, plus the other two armies. That's almost seven thousand. Evander and his men attack from the southern gate, Zenobia and the Goths from the north--and we're going to hit the Forum and the Capitoline Hill.

EVE (nods slowly):
     How many troops are stationed in Rome?

ARES:
     One legion of the Roman army--

EVE (encouraged):
     Only one?

ARES:
     --and twenty thousand of Artemis' best temple warriors.

EVE (gasps):
     Thirty thousand? Can we count on some of the Romans to switch sides?

ARES:
     No. The plan's different.

He paces a few times around the tent, then stops in front of Eve, looking straight at her.

ARES (continues):
     For the past six months, we've been planting Greek fire in hiding places all over Rome. It's enough to burn the city to the ground.

EVE (shocked):
     You're going to destroy Rome? (off his silent look of assent, gasping in realization) So that was the real purpose of the food raids?

ARES (nods):
     Well--that and the food.

EVE (thinking this over):
     But wait...if you set the city ablaze, how can you be sure you and your soldiers will be able to get out in time?

Extreme close-up on Ares. He looks at her hard before responding, his expression grim.

ARES:
     We're not.

Close-up on Eve, who looks shocked.

EVE:
     You mean--this is a suicide mission?

ARES (raises his finger in mock warning):
     Ah--don't use the S-word. (with a crooked, bitter grin) Bad for morale.

He sits down on a stool, picks up a wineskin and takes a swig, then looks up at Eve, holding out the wineskin to her. She shakes her head no.

ARES:
     We've got a path of retreat mapped out. But once all hell breaks loose...anything could happen. (He takes another swig of wine.) It's not going to be pretty, I can tell you that.

EVE (incredulous):
     You mean, you--and my mother--are planning to burn a city full of people to the ground--including women and children? With your own soldiers in it, and no sure way of escape?

ARES:
     Yep--that pretty much sums it up. (He pauses and sips from the wineskin) Eve, we have no choice. If we burn down the city and its temples, Artemis loses her main base of worship.

EVE:
     What about her temple in Ephesus?

Ares is silent for a moment, his face darkening. Then he speaks.

ARES:
     That one is being taken care of. (He pauses) A lot of people are going to die. Look--as long as Artemis goes down, it's a victory.

There is a brief silence. Then Eve speaks.

EVE:
     I need to talk to Xena.

ARES:
     And tell her what?

EVE (sighs):
     Years ago, my mother made a promise to Gabrielle--that if something happened to her, if Gabrielle was killed, she would not turn into a monster. I need to--

Ares rises abruptly to his feet and grabs Eve's shoulders. The look on his face is hard and filled with controlled anger.

ARES:
     Don't even think about it. We've come to far to turn back.

Eve stares at him, taken aback. Ares lets go of her.

ARES (continues):
     Besides, Xena would tell you this is for the greater good.

EVE (pointedly):
     But would Gabrielle?

ARES:
     Well--Gabrielle isn't here. And right now, our priority is to not join her tomorrow.

Close-up on Ares, then Eve as they exchange a grim look.

CUT TO

Close-up of a target. An arrow flies into it, making a whooshing noise, and hits the center.

The camera pulls back to show Klymene holding her bow. She is in a small cave, lit with two torches. She picks another arrow out of the quiver on her back and prepares to shoot.

Darion comes into view and speaks just as Klymene releases the arrow.

DARION:
     I thought you'd be asleep by now.

Somehow, miraculously, Klymene's arrow hits her target despite her sudden distraction.

KLYMENE (startled):
     Just getting in some practice...I wasn't tired.

DARION:
     It's not like you need it .

Klymene shrugs and lines up a third arrow.

KLYMENE:
     Never hurts.

DARION (a little sheepish) :
     Look, I...I just wanted to...say good night and wish you luck--in case we get separated tomorrow.

Klymene lowers her bow and looks directly at him.

KLYMENE:
     You too. (pause) Be careful.

DARION (hesitantly):
     You know...this could be it. I mean, for all of us. If something doesn't go right tomorrow--

KLYMENE (reassuring):
     Xena will come up with something.

DARION:
     Just in case--watch out for yourself.

KLYMENE:
     Oh, Darion. Don't worry about me so much. (she touches his arm; softly) Don't you do anything risky. (grins, teasing) It's not like Eli's going to protect you.

DARION (annoyed, but trying not to grin back):
     Are you ever going to stop talking about Eli like that?

Klymene impishly sticks out her tongue.

Darion starts to laugh; so does Klymene. They lean in at the same moment and end up kissing. Darion pulls back, looking surprised, but Klymene smiles at him and they kiss again.

CUT TO

Eve walking through the caves. The look on her face is a mix of shock and hesitation.

EVE (thinking out loud):
     Gabrielle isn't here...but there may still be a way to stop this.

EVANDER (off-camera):
     Eve. There you are.

She turns to see him.

EVANDER:
     Come on over here. I've been looking for you.

He takes her arm and pulls her into a tent.

CUT TO

Inside the tent. Evander sits down on a pile of bedding, drawing Eve down with him.

EVANDER:
     You know, this is our last chance to spend some time together before--well, before the main event.

Before she can say anything, he pulls her into a passionate kiss.

After a moment Eve pulls away.

EVE:
     Evander, I--

EVANDER (looks hurt):
     What's going on with you, Eve? We haven't seen each other in three months--and now you act like the last two years never happened. Are you upset with me about something?

EVE (not sure what to tell him):
     Well, the truth is--

EVANDER (looks at her):
     Wait. It's the Ephesus plan, isn't that right? You don't like what we're about to do in Ephesus. That's it, isn't it?

EVE:
     N-no, I--I don't know anything about the Ephesus plan. (she looks at him warily) What are you going to do?

EVANDER (hesitates):
     If Xena and Ares haven't told you--

EVE (insistent):
     Evander. I have to know. (lowering her voice) We--we shouldn't have any secrets between us, should we?

EVANDER (sighs):
     All right. Once the battle starts--if we succeed in setting the fires--I give the signal to my second-in-command in Ephesus to launch the attack on the temple. (Off Eve's uncomprehending look) I can use my powers to do it. It's not easy at this distance, and it will deplete my powers for a while--but it's worth it. That way, we coordinate the attacks. If Artemis loses her temples in Rome and the Ephesus temple at the same time, and her Ephesus cult--it will be the end of her.

EVE (struggling to digest all this):
     The Ephesus cult?

EVANDER (nods):
     Ten thousand hardcore zealots--true fanatics, the worst of the worst. (his face hardens) We've got someone on the inside who'll lure them all into the temple. Then we lock the doors and set it on fire.

Eve stares at him in shock.

EVE (quietly):
      What?

EVANDER:
     Eve, I know this is a terrible--cruel thing to do. But the cult--

EVE (interrupts):
     My mother knows about this?

EVANDER:
     You think we'd make a major move like this without her approval?

Eve shakes her head.

EVANDER:
     Come on, Eve. This is war. People die--and kill. You know that.

EVE:
     All too well. (She rises abruptly) I'm sorry. I--have to do something.

She heads for the exit.

EVANDER:
     Eve!

She runs out. Evander punches his knee in frustration.

CUT TO

Eve striding through a tunnel, carrying a small lantern. There is a look of resolution on her face.

GABRIELLE'S VOICE (in voice-over, from Callisto):
     No, you promise me. If something happens to me, you will not become a monster.

CUT TO

Montage:

* Eve climbing out of a hole in the side of a hill in Rome and walking out into the moonlit night.

* Eve walking down the streets of Rome.

* The imperial palace.

* Eve lurks at the corner of a staircase. A guard passes by. She taps his shoulder; he turns around and she knocks him out with a punch to the face, with a muttered "Sorry."

* Eve removes the guard's helmet and starts taking off his leather armor.

* Now dressed in the guard's uniform and helmet, Eve walks down the hallway of the palace.

DISSOLVE TO

A luxurious bedchamber seen through the doorway. A dark-haired woman is asleep on the fur-lined bed, facing away from the door.

A shot of Eve watching the figure from the doorway, a dagger in her hand. She creeps into the room. When she reaches the bed, she leans over and whispers into the woman's ear, at the same time as she holds the knife over the woman's throat.

We see that the figure is Sabina.

EVE (whispering):
     Don't move a muscle. I came to talk...but I'm not planning on staying, so don't get any ideas.

The words and the pressure from the knife wake Sabina, whose eyes widen from shock.

Eve relaxes the knife enough for Sabina to nod slightly.

Eve allows Sabina to sit up and face her, but holds her knife ready, just in case.

EVE:
     Let me get to the point. Artemis has a stranglehold on most of the Mediterranean, and I assume you're tagging along. (Off Sabina's unapologetic look) Well, I have a better offer for you.

SABINA (coldly):
     It would have to be a very good offer.

EVE (earnestly):
     What have you really gained by siding with Artemis?

SABINA (bluntly):
     Rome.

EVE:
     And what good is it doing you? You may be the Empress--but you're under her thumb. (passionately) Sabina, come with me now. Help me find a way to defeat Artemis without destroying the city. And then--

SABINA:
     And then what? I rule the empire? (scoffs) We both know mommy dearest would rather die than allow that to happen.

EVE:
     Sabina...the times change people. Xena is so determined to defeat Artemis, she'd ally herself with the snake-haired Gorgon if she had to.

SABINA (wryly):
     Thanks for the compliment.

Sabina looks thoughtfully at Eve, considering her words.

SABINA:
     You said "destroying the city." What is Xena up to?

Eve is slightly taken aback, then rallies herself.

EVE:
     It doesn't matter. If you agree to help us, you can change everything. (she pauses) Don't tell me you're happy with the way Artemis runs things.

SABINA (after a pause):
     I'm not.

EVE (persuasively):
     Then help us beat her, Sabina. (She pauses, then continues softly.) Maybe being Empress of Rome isn't all it's cracked up to be.

As Sabina listens to Eve, she seems to be relenting. Then, suddenly, she bolts up from the bed, catching Eve unaware, and brings her down, knocking the dagger from her hand and pinning her to the floor.

SABINA:
     It's good enough for me. And I'm not going to let you destroy it because Xena doesn't approve. Artemis might have a screw loose--but I sure don't. (She raises her voice, shouting) Guards!

Close-up on Eve's horrified face as she squirms under Sabina's weight, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE