Night at Ares' temple. Xena and Ares are in bed, under silk black covers (as in SUCCESSION). Xena is asleep with her head against Ares' chest; Ares has his arms around her. He is awake, looking up into the darkness with an expression of pure bliss.

Xena opens her eyes, stares at Ares' chest for a moment in incomprehension, then winces and starts to move away. Ares catches her hand.

ARES (kissing her wrist):
     Good morning.

Xena's face softens; she touches his face, then smiles.

XENA:
     Mm. That was--quite an alliance.

ARES:
     We're gonna make a great team.

XENA:
     You think?

ARES:
     Oh, I know.

XENA (sultry):
     Prove it.

ARES:
     With pleas---

They are interrupted by a baby's wail.

ARES (resigned):
     That'd be time for breakfast.

CUT TO

Xena enters a back room in the temple, Ares a step behind. It has been converted to a nursery, Eve's cot is in the center, surrounded by some chairs. There are toys all over the floor, and a mobile of birds over the cot. Gabrielle is sitting in one of the chairs, holding Eve, who is still crying.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena! I think she's hungry.

Xena takes Eve, who quiets immediately, and prepares to feed her.

XENA:
     Thanks. (looks around) Where's Mom?

GABRIELLE:
     She went to--

ARES (also looking around):
     --to pick up more baby toys?

GABRIELLE:
     As a matter of fact... (clears her throat) --yes. Xena...we're going to have to think of something. We can't just keep Eve cooped up forever in Ares' temple.

ARES:
     I hate to say this, but she has a point. Eve's safe here for now, but the gods aren't going to give up this easily.

Eve starts crying.

XENA:
     Oh Eve... What happened to regular meals?

GABRIELLE:
     We're making her restless.

XENA:
     She'll be all right. You hear that, Eve? Everything's going to be fine.

Eve quiets down, looking curiously past Xena, to Ares.

XENA (solemnly):
     Eve, meet Ares.

ARES (uncertain):
     Hi.

XENA:
     Ares, meet Eve. (passes the baby to him; Ares hesitates before taking her) Hold her head, like that.

Ares holds her carefully, staring at her in wonder. Suddenly, Eve gives him a broad grin.

ARES (thrilled):
     See? I told you she likes me.

GABRIELLE:
     So what's our plan?

ARES (looking up):
     We can run--or we can stand and fight.

XENA:
     I'm not leaving these people to be slaughtered by the next god who comes along. And--we can't run forever.

ARES:
     In that case, we're gonna need my armies.

GABRIELLE:
     You want to bring another army to Amphipolis?

XENA (vehemently):
     What other choice do we have? (takes Eve from Ares) As long as my daughter lives, they're going to keep coming. I can't let her die, Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     No--no, of course not. (takes a deep breath) All right. We stand and fight.

CUT TO

Ares and Xena come out into the main temple area.

XENA (glances at Ares with wry amusement):
     You were right--Eve does like you.

ARES (shrugs):
     The kid obviously has good taste.

XENA (gives him a nudge):
     I think you like her.

ARES (grins):
     We-ell...let's just wait until she's old enough to hold a sword.

XENA (shoots him a suddenly wary look):
     Don't get any ideas.

ARES:
     What, you don't like it? (lifts up his palms in surrender) Okay--a chakram, then. (off her glare) A whip?

Xena is about to say something when they are interrupted by a flash of golden light and a "whoosh." Xena quickly draws her sword and assumes a battle stance. The light clears, however, to reveal not Athena but Aphrodite.

ARES (guardedly):
     Sis.

APHRODITE (to Xena):
     Hey, lighten up, Warrior Babe! (looking slightly embarrassed, Xena puts away her sword) I just wanted to congratulate you two.

XENA (sarcastic):
     On what? Being the target of a bunch of angry gods?

APHRODITE (pouts):
     On what? Come on, honey, you're talking to the Goddess of Love here. This is my department. (rolls her eyes) I mean, it took you long enough to figure this out.

ARES (uncomfortably):
     Figure what out?

APHRODITE (beaming):
     That you two were like totally, head over heels--

ARES (holds up a finger, stopping her):
     Sis, I'm warning you--

APHRODITE (sighs prettily):
     Oh look, he still doesn't want to admit it. (sighs, her face clouding over a little) Listen, I should get going--wish I could stay, but if Athena and the others find out I'm here... (she makes a face)

ARES (slowly):
     So. I'm a pariah on Olympus now.

APHRODITE (uneasily):
     Let's face it, Ar--this whole Twilight thing is a pretty big deal. I mean--what if we all become mortal? I tried it for like, one day and it was totally gross.

XENA (caustic):
     So I guess we shouldn't be counting on your support.

APHRODITE (looks somewhat embarrassed, then smiles brightly):
     'Course you should. My moral support. It's the best kind there is.

ARES (dryly):
     That means a lot.

APHRODITE (beams at him, obviously missing the irony):
     Aww...thanks, bro. Well, good luck, you two. And remember, love always wins out in the end.

She waves at them and vanishes in a flash of golden light.

Ares and Xena appear in an army camp. Soldiers shy away from the blue flash, shielding their eyes, then snap to attention.

SOLDIER #1:
     My lord Ares!

COMMANDER (ingratiatingly):
     The campaign is going perfectly to plan. With your support, we'll have Laotia on its knees within days...

ARES:
     The plan's changing. (at Xena) You've got bigger fish to fry.

Soldiers mutter uneasily.

COMMANDER:
     But lord Ares--Laotia's just sold a shipment of salt; there's gold there for the taking...

ARES (barks):
     Forget Laotia!!

XENA (steps forward, catlike):
     I don't think he can do that, Ares. He's got his heart set on that gold. (the commander is nodding to her words) Looks like your armies are nothing but a bunch of worthless looters who think a battle is a brawl in a bordello.

COMMANDER (snaps up):
     What?

ARES (insulted and hurt):
     Hey, hey, wait a minute--

COMMANDER:
     I'll have you know that these are the best troops Greece has seen since the Trojan war! Whoever it is you want us to fight, they're as good as gone.

XENA:
     Excellent. Then we can move out, now. You're going to Amphipolis.

COMMANDER (salutes):
     Yes, lady. (salutes Ares, then leaves) You heard the orders! Move out!!

ARES (relieved and impressed, to Xena):
     You've still got it.

XENA (grins):
     And I still know how to use it. (sobering) One down, three to go.

ARES:
     Four.

XENA:
     You got another army?

ARES:
     Didn't I tell you? It was when--

Still talking, they disappear.

Gabrielle opens the temple doors to find a middle-aged woman on the doorstep.

WOMAN:
     Excuse me--but we've heard rumors, of a miracle baby in this temple--a baby who ended the siege.

GABRIELLE (hedging):
     It was Xena who ended the siege...

WOMAN:
     Eli used to say the baby would be a sign--that the age of the Olympian gods is over. Is it true?

GABRIELLE:
     It is true. The gods ruled us in fear; Eli fought them with love.

WOMAN (exclaims):
     Of course! And Ares, the same god who struck Eli down-- (looks up at the temple) --is now on your side. We heard he'd abandoned Olympus to side with Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     That's true...

WOMAN:
     Then Eli's prophecy is fulfilled! The baby will usher in a new world. (calls over her shoulder) It's true!! The miracle baby is here!

Before Gabrielle can react, dozens of people are pouring into the temple forecourt.

VOICES IN THE CROWD:
     --It's a miracle!
     --Eli was right!

GABRIELLE (struggling to keep the crowd back):
     What--uh--stop, you can't come in!

Cyrene comes up behind Gabrielle, holding Eve.

WOMAN:
     The baby!

The crowd surges forward with a roar.

CYRENE:
     Gabrielle! What's going on?

GABRIELLE (gasping):
     These--uh--people--heard about Eve and the Twilight... They want to--see her!

CYRENE:
     Not like this they won't. (to crowd) Neighbors! Stop. (the people start to quiet down) Eve is only a child, she needs peace and quiet. (the crowd calms down further) Now, you can all see her--if you have a little patience.

Xena and Ares materialize in front of the temple, smack in the midst of a long queue of people that snakes all the way from the temple and around the corner, and presumably continues into the town.

ARES:
     What in Tartarus is this?

XENA:
     I have no idea.

WOMAN IN LINE:
     What do you think you're doing? You can't just push in!

MAN BEHIND HER:
     Yeah! We've been waiting since dawn!

XENA:
     Waiting for what?

MAN:
     You mean, you haven't heard? This is the temple of the miracle baby--the messenger of peace!

ARES ("say what?"):
     This morning it was the temple of the God of War.

WOMAN:
     Not any more.

She points to a handmade sign in Greek over the doors. A translation appears onscreen:

"Miracle baby gifts--line starts here.
Worship hours: noon to 3 pm"

Gabrielle is sitting at a trestle table underneath the sign, holding a laughing Eve (in an imitation of a "Madonna and child" tableau). There is a growing pile of gifts around her, everything from loaves of bread and pottery to flowers and wooden toys.

XENA (runs to the table):
     Gabrielle!

Xena and Ares jostle through the crowd to Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     It was Cyrene's idea. Xena, these people came to pay their respects to Eve--

XENA:
     Their respects--Gabrielle! Remember what happened last time?

GABRIELLE:
     They can't all be assassins.

XENA (growls):
     I want to talk to my mother!

GABRIELLE:
     She's gone back to the inn--seems they couldn't do without her.

BLONDE WOMAN:
     Ohh--is that Ares?

Ares whips around, startled.

WOMAN #2:
     The god who chose love over Olympus!

Ares scowls and turns around.

WOMAN #3:
     Can you sign my baby? (holds out a toddler and a quill)

ARES:
     All right, that does it! (turns to crowd, creating a blue fireball in his palm) Start running!

People look curious. Nobody moves.

ARES:
     I said, scram!

No movement.

ARES (screams):
     Aaaarrggh!!!

He pitches the fireball into the crowd; the people scream, scattering in all directions. Within moments, the forecourt is empty.

XENA (dryly):
     Very impressive.

GABRIELLE:
     Did you have to do that? (holds up a bewildered-looking Eve) She was having fun.

ARES:
     She was not. She's tired and cranky and the last thing she needs is a bunch of Elijan fanatics fawning over her. (takes Eve) C'mon, kid. We've got maps to look at.

Gabrielle casts a look in Xena's direction, but finds no support. Xena is shaking her head, watching Ares carry Eve inside. Gabrielle sighs.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm sorry. They started mobbing the temple, I didn't know what else to do.

XENA:
     It's okay. The armies are on their way, we should get some guards for the place soon. (smiles a little absently, still looking after Ares and Eve)

GABRIELLE (resigned):
     Let's go inside.

XENA:
     Yeah. (alert, looks at Gabrielle warmly) I think things are finally looking up for us.

GABRIELLE (returns the smile, but her expression remains guarded):
     I hope so.

Xena heads for the door; Gabrielle watches her, her face unreadable--then follows.

The main area of the temple. There is now a low map-table in the center, with a pile of parchment maps over it. Xena, Ares and Gabrielle are standing around it, deep in discussion.

XENA:
     How can you be so sure they'll attack? These armies aren't going to be cheap to feed if they have to sit out here for months, waiting.

GABRIELLE:
     The gods could just starve us out.

ARES:
     I doubt it. They're too eager to get their hands on Eve now. But if they try-- (shrugs) --we can always move on. Leave a garrison here and take the rest of the army.

GABRIELLE:
     Or we could force their hand. Xena, you could get the Hind's Blood Dagger, or the Dagger of Helios, or anything else that can kill gods...

XENA (horrified):
     Gabrielle!

GABRIELLE:
     Why not? The gods believe Eve can kill them anyway. At least this way we'd have insurance.

ARES:
     Or a bunch of dead gods and a fulfilled prophecy.

XENA:
     We're not going to force anything. Let's wait and see what happens.

A golden glow appears beside them. In the next instant, Xena and Ares have their swords drawn and Gabrielle her sais--all point-first at Athena's neck.

ATHENA (amused):
     I'm not mortal yet. Put those away. I came to talk.

ARES (sarcastic):
     We're all ears.

ATHENA:
     Gabrielle, would you excuse us? I'd like to speak with my brother and Xena in private.

GABRIELLE (with a worried look at Xena):
     All right.

She picks up Eve and goes to the nursery. Athena sits down in the chair vacated by Gabrielle; Ares and Xena sit down as well.

XENA (wryly):
     So, why are you here? To explain to me why I should let my child be slaughtered?

ATHENA:
     No. To offer you a compromise. (Xena looks interested but suspicious) This fighting can only destroy us all. (she pauses)

ARES:
     All right--we're listening.

ATHENA (to Xena):
     We're willing to call off our armies and leave your child in peace. But you must agree to some conditions.

XENA:
     You expect me to trust you?

ATHENA (pointedly, with a slight sarcastic raise of the eyebrows):
     You were willing to trust Ares.

ARES (ignoring the barb):
     So what are those conditions?

ATHENA:
     We don't want Eve to be an icon for the Eli cult.

ARES:
     Hey, I couldn't agree more.

ATHENA (to Xena):
     You have to take her someplace where no one knows who she is.

The nursery. Eve is sitting on her cot, gurgling and playing with a stuffed toy. The camera pans to Gabrielle, who is staring into the air, a dismayed look on her face.

GABRIELLE (in a quiet, intense voice):
     No! No, she can't be! (whirls around) Go away!! You're lying! (she puts her hands over her ears and closes her eyes) I said, go away! (opening her eyes, she turns to Eve and stares at her; her face crumples.) Oh no...it's true... (decisive) I'm not going to let Xena down again. This time, I'll stop you myself. (she bends down and starts pulling a sai from her boot) Good-bye, Hope.

The main temple room. Xena and Ares are still talking to Athena.

ATHENA:
     Believe me, Xena, you are not going to get a better--

Eve's cry slices through her voice.

XENA (leaps to her feet, her face changing):
     Eve!

She rushes out into the nursery. Ares looks suspiciously at Athena, who gives him a smug, chilly little smile.

ATHENA:
     I got the idea from you, brother. (off his questioning look) Using the Furies. Only my method was--more subtle.

CUT TO

Gabrielle, with her back to the camera, stands over Eve's cot, raising the bloodied sai. She starts to bring it down.

XENA (screams):
     Noooooo!!!

She throws her chakram at Gabrielle; it hits her in the head. Gabrielle collapses.

Ares runs in after Xena and finds her crouched on the floor wailing over Gabrielle's cooling body, covered with blood. She is clutching a small bundle--presumably Eve's body wrapped in a blanket--to her chest.

Ares goes to Xena's side, trying to touch her shoulders. Xena shrugs him off.

ARES (gently):
     It wasn't your fault. Xena, it wasn't your fault, it was Athena and the Furies. (with genuine feeling) I'm going to hunt them down and leave nothing behind...

XENA (snaps):
     If you care so much, why don't you heal them?

ARES:
     Gods can only heal with Athena's blessing. (sighs) Xena--I'm sorry...

Xena hunches over Gabrielle's body, sobbing wretchedly--then abruptly grabs her sai and falls on the blade.

XENA (gasps):
     Go back to your family. Tell them it's a package deal--they get me, too.

Ares lays Xena's body into an ice coffin in the cave, next to the bodies of Gabrielle and baby Eve.

ARES (leans over the coffin):
     I love you, Xena.

He kisses Xena's dead lips.