FADE IN

A town square in the middle of a brawl. A quick montage of shots:

Two middle-aged women pummeling each other;

A grey-haired man beating a young man with a stick while the young man tries to block his blows but doesn't go on the offensive;

A man is punched in the face and flies back, slamming into a wall and then slumping down.

A young woman is riding on a man's back and beating him with her fists while he tries in vain to shake her off.

The camera pans over to the spectators on the sidelines, watching the brawl in progress, some of them shouting encouragement--"Yeah!", "Go get him!", "Way to go!"

A middle-aged woman hesitantly pushes her way to the front of the spectators, peering into the brawling mob. She finally spots the grey-haired man attacking the young man. She stands still for a few moments, obviously trying to muster the courage to join the fray.

Finally the pair find themselves on the edge of the melee. The woman uses this opportunity to charge forward and grab the man's arm.

WOMAN:
     Priscus! What are you doing?

PRISCUS:
     Teaching an insolent pup a few lessons! Leave me alone, woman!

The woman continues to restrain him. He shoves her away, making her stumble and nearly fall. Then he swings his stick at the young man again and is about to bring it down when a hand grabs his wrist. We realize that it's Xena as her gauntlet comes into view.

XENA:
     Isn't it about time to start acting a little more mature?

The camera pulls back to show Xena and Gabrielle. Gabrielle is helping the middle-aged woman steady herself.

PRISCUS (bitterly):
     Why don't you lecture that son of mine about manners! Turning his back on his father and his emperor! (tries to wrestle free from her grip) Let go of me!

Just as Xena releases him, the man we saw before with a female attacker on his back stumbles into Priscus, knocking him to the ground.

MAN:
     Get off me, witch!

With a sigh and a headshake, Xena pulls the woman off the man's back while Gabrielle helps Priscus to his feet.

GABRIELLE:
     Come on, let's get out of here before you really get hurt.

She and Priscus' wife lead him aside. In a moment Xena rejoins them.

XENA:
     So what's going on here?

PRISCUS' SON:
     We're organizing a group of fighters to join the rebellion against that monster Nero. Some people in town (glances bitterly at his father) don't like the idea.

PRISCUS:
     You hotheads are going to get us all into trouble. Nero's a good emperor--always has been. He's looking out for the people, not like some of those others!

PRISCUS' SON (scoffs):
     Right. A good emperor who has people killed for daring to speak the truth about his tyranny.

PRISCUS:
     What do you care if he's executed some plotters? They had it coming.

He raises his stick again; Xena glares at him, exasperated, and grabs the stick from him.

XENA:
     You shouldn't be playing with dangerous toys.

PRISCUS' WIFE (shakes her head):
     My sister wrote to me the other day from Naples. It's like this all over the empire--factions for and against Nero tearing apart every town and village. Brother turning against brother, father against son--

GABRIELLE:
     Why isn't someone breaking this up? Where are the guards?

PRISCUS' WIFE:
     Right there.

She points to the brawling townspeople; among them are several guards in Roman uniforms. Two of them are fighting each other; others are participating in a general melee on both sides.

XENA (sighs):
     I guess that's our cue. Come on, Gabrielle.

Xena and Gabrielle charge into the melee and start pulling the combatants apart. Priscus' son rushes after them and starts to help them. A quick montage of Xena, Gabrielle and Priscus' son trying to stop the fight--separating combatants, punching or kicking some of the more stubborn ones who continue charging into the fray, pulling others to the side.

DISSOLVE TO

The town square some time later. The fight has stopped. People are standing around dazed and out of breath; some are tending to others' cuts and bruises. Quick pan to a man being carried away by two others, and a limping, bloodied woman being helped away by a man.

Pan to Xena and Gabrielle, who survey this scene. Priscus' son approaches them.

PRISCUS' SON:
     Thank you for your help. (extends his hand to Xena) I'm Aelus. (his face is aglow with curiosity and enthusiasm) You're Xena, aren't you?

XENA (smiles coolly):
     I am.

AELUS (nods):
     And you're Gabrielle. We've heard rumors of the two of you joining the rebellion. (He shakes Xena's hand, then Gabrielle's.) It's given us a lot of hope. With Xena, Warrior Princess fighting under Valeria Sabina (quick pan to Xena's shocked and disgusted face as he continues) victory will be ours for sure.

XENA (narrows her eyes at him):
     What do you really know about Sabina?

AELUS:
     Only that she's inspired the people as no one has in a long time. Some were reluctant to rally behind her at first, because of her past as a slave. But she's a true Roman, born and bred--leading Romans in a fight for their freedom and dignity.

Close-up on Xena as she stares at him grimly. Then she exchanges a worried look with Gabrielle.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle ride back along a forest path.

GABRIELLE:
     You think they'll join the rebels?

XENA (grimly):
     Probably.

GABRIELLE (a little hesitant):
     Well--that's good news, right?

XENA (curtly):
     Maybe.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena--

Xena perks up suddenly, as if listening to something. Gabrielle looks at her and shakes her head.

GABRIELLE (with a sigh of resignation):
     He's here, isn't he. (off Xena's somewhat guilty look of agreement) You talk to him, I'll ride on ahead.

XENA (presses her hand):
     I'll catch up with you soon.

Gabrielle smiles at her wanly, then rides off as Xena stops Argo and waits.

XENA:
     Well?

There is a "whoosh" and a blue light, and Ares materializes by Argo's side. His face looks grim.

ARES:
     Hello, Xena.

XENA (looks down on him sarcastically as she sits astride Argo):
     Having fun?

ARES (raises an eyebrow, somewhat annoyed):
     Didn't we just go through this the other day at Thebes?

XENA:
     Go through what?

ARES (adopting a casual tone):
     You busting my chops about a war that you think is my doing.

XENA:
     I don't think it is. The Romans don't need you to get into a war over a crazy emperor.

ARES:
     Well, I'm glad we've got that figured out.

XENA:
     So what? Both sides in this war will be praying to you for help. Don't tell me that means nothing to you.

ARES:
     This is getting old.

They stare at each other, the tension between them palpable, Ares biting his lip, Xena's face hard and closed.

XENA:
     So why are you here?

ARES:
     Xena. For once, listen to me and stay out of this war.

XENA:
     This is getting old too.

ARES:
     I warned you not to get involved with Agrippina and Nero.

XENA:
     Well, I did. And now, I have to fix what happened because of that.

ARES:
     So you'll help get rid of Nero and hand the power to someone else. How do you know you won't regret it someday? (off her startled, grim look) Of course, now you think that I'm only warning you off this war because I've got a hand in it.

He stares at her, as if waiting for her to say something. Xena remains silent.

ARES:
     Suit yourself.

He disappears.

CUT TO

A square in Rome. It's night but the darkness is dissipated by torches carried by a large crowd. Many people in the crowd are carrying swords, battle-axes, and makeshift weapons such as sticks or rakes.

Close-up on a large man, his face lit up by the reddish torchlight.

MAN (yells furiously):
     Down with Nero!

The camera pulls back to show him brandishing an axe, then pans over the crowd to show men and women of various ages, brandishing their weapons or shaking their fists, shouting, "Down with Nero!"

The camera pulls further back to reveal a huge status of Nero--holding a lyre, with a poetic expression on his face--looming over the crowd. A man is sitting on the statue's shoulders fitting a noose around its neck, with ropes attached to it.

When he is done, the crowd erupts in cheers.

The man clambers down the statue and to the pedestal, where we see two other men with pickaxes chipping at the statue's feet. The camera then pans to several men and one stout, powerfully built woman on the ground who are pulling at the ropes attached to the noose.

The other three men climb down a ladder leaning against the pedestal. The chant of "Down with Nero!" picks up again as the people with the ropes pull harder. The crowd backs away cautiously from the statue, clearing a circle around it. As the statue starts to sway, a collective gasp rolls over the crowd; then the cheers go up again. Finally the statue topples; its feet still rest on the pedestal while the body protrudes from it. The cheers grow deafening.

OLD WOMAN:
     Murderer!

She throws an egg at the statue's head; it splatters over its face.

YOUNG MAN:
     Monster! (throws a rock at the statue's head)

More people in the crowd start throwing rocks and refuse at the statue; others start dancing.

CUT TO

A wide shot of the imperial palace, lit up by torches.

CUT TO

A distant corner of the palace. It's almost completely dark.

A door opens and several cloaked figures emerge. One of them stops, looking around warily, its face concealed in the shadows.

MAN:
     Come on--the way is clear.

The other figures move after him.

CUT TO

The square with the fallen statue, which is being pelted by rocks, eggs and rotten fruit as it still hangs from the pedestal. The people holding on to the ropes give them another tug, and the statue finally falls from the pedestal and to the ground. Its head breaks off and rolls on the ground. The gasps and exclamations of shock in the crowd are followed by a roar of cheers. Some people run up to the head and start kicking it.

The camera pans back to the man we saw at the start of the scene. He brandishes his axe.

MAN:
     Let's not waste our time on a statue! We should get the tyrant himself!

The crowd roars its approval.

MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN:
     Kill the monster!

There are more cheers.

A sudden hush falls over the crowd. The camera pans to a group of Praetorian guards who are standing on the edge of the square. Pan back to the now-silent crowd, staring at the Praetorians in fear and defiance. Then back to the Praetorians. For a moment there is a tense standoff. One of the Praetorians draws his sword. The man with the axe lifts it menacingly.

PRAETORIAN:
     Down with Nero!

A huge sigh of relief rolls over the square.

The other Praetorians join in a chorus of "Down with Nero!" and the crowd erupts in wild cheers.

CUT TO

The arched city gates, lit by torches mounted into the wall. There are guards posted at the gates.

A party of seven riders approaches the gates, their backs to the camera. A guard steps in front of them and holds out a hand, forcing them to come to a halt.

GUARD:
     Pretty late hour to travel.

LEAD RIDER (his back to the camera, talks to the guards):
     I'm Septimus Rufius, the silk merchant. Just got word that my wife's been taken ill while visiting her mother in Naples.

GUARD:
     All right--come on through.

Pan to a front view of the group. As they start to ride, a gust of wind sweeps aside the cloak of one of the riders, making his face clearly visible. It's Nero.

The guard flinches in shock.

GUARD:
     Emperor!

The other guards turn to him in shock, then stare at Nero, who remains silent, looking frightened but also proud and defiant.

Aquilo (the lead rider) reaches quietly for his sword.

GUARD:
     The gods be with you.

NERO:
      Depart then each unto his fate, Your quarrels over.

CUT TO

Camp. Night. A group of rebel soldiers are sitting around the fire playing dice. Xena and Gabrielle come up.

REBEL SOLDIER #1 (looks up excitedly):
     Xena! Come and sit with us! It's an honor.

The soldiers move over and Xena and Gabrielle sit down by the fire.

REBEL SOLDIER #2 (impressed):
     Xena? That's Xena?

REBEL SOLDIER #1:
     The very one. (to Xena) He just joined up today. Defected from one of Nero's legions.

XENA (her face inscrutable):
     Is that right.

REBEL SOLDIER #1:
     So what do you think of our fighting force?

XENA:
     Not bad.

REBEL SOLDIER #1:
     Especially for an army that didn't even have many real trained soldiers in it when we started out, some three moons ago. I was just a humble weaver myself. But who can sit by idly when the empire is ruled by a power-mad monster who killed his own mother and set fire to Rome? Just to think how many people he had fooled early on...

He shakes his head. Quick pan to Gabrielle, who winces slightly but visibly.

GABRIELLE:
     Of course, now you've got soldiers from the Roman legions coming over to your side. (Motions toward Rebel Soldier #2)

REBEL SOLDIER #3:
     The crazier the emperor acts, the more people desert him.

REBEL SOLDIER #2:
     Give credit where it's due. A lot of it goes to Valeria Sabina.

REBEL SOLDIER #1:
     That's right. Can't say enough about what that woman did to build up our army.

XENA (impassive):
     Pretty popular, is she?

REBEL SOLDIER #2:
     It's the stories I've heard of Sabina that finally inspired me to join the rebels. It's not just that she's a brave warrior and a great leader...she's truly a woman with a noble heart.

XENA:
     A noble heart. Sabina. (she and Gabrielle exchange bewildered looks)

REBEL SOLDIER #2:
     Indeed. Not long ago, when Nero's troops and the rebels clashed in Jeronim, a town south of here, the town hospital somehow caught fire in the fighting. Sabina herself went into the burning building to rescue the sick.

GABRIELLE (unable to conceal her shock):
     Sabina? Rescuing people from a fire? I'd have to see it with my own eyes before I believe that.

REBEL SOLDIER #1:
     Well, I didn't see it with my own eyes, either. But it was the talk of the army for days.

REBEL SOLDIER #2:
     Of Nero's army, too.

XENA:
     I bet it was.

She gets up abruptly and walks off. Gabrielle stares after her, then gets up and follows.

CUT TO

Xena striding through the mostly sleeping camp, with Gabrielle at her side.

GABRIELLE:
      Well, what if Sabina has changed? (off Xena's exasperated glare) Come on, Xena--you've always said that everyone deserves a second chance. Why not Sabina?

XENA:
     Because she's up to something. (she pauses grimly, staring ahead as they walk on) And I think I know what it is.

GABRIELLE:
     Speak of the devil...

Sabina steps toward them, emerging into the moonlight, a wry smile on her face.

SABINA:
     Girls. Gossiping about me?

XENA:
     Talking about your heroics--or at least the stories people tell about them. (gives Sabina a questioning look) Saving people from burning buildings? Doesn't sound like the Sabina I know.

SABINA:
     Oh yes. My heroics. (she tilts her head, smiling brightly) Do you have any idea how many new recruits that little story brought over to our side?

XENA:
     Watch it--you might get a reputation as a do-gooder.

SABINA (clicks her tongue):
     The sacrifices one makes for the cause.

GABRIELLE:
     And what cause is that? Bringing down Nero?

SABINA:
     Bringing down Nero ... building up an army...take your pick. (with a slight grin) Look at it this way--we're all on the same side now. Or maybe I should say--for now. (chuckles) Good night.

She walks away. Xena and Gabrielle stand looking after her.

XENA:
     You know what she's after, don't you?

GABRIELLE (shocked):
     You don't mean--

XENA:
     Sabina has always set her sights pretty high. She believes her father could have been the emperor. She probably thinks the empire is hers by right. And even if she doesn't--she'll take whatever she can get.

GABRIELLE:
     That story about the hospital ... you don't think it's true?

XENA:
     Who cares? Even if it is, Sabina's a dangerous woman to have at the head of an army.

GABRIELLE (thinks a moment):
     Xena, let's go talk to Siran.

XENA (gives her an incredulous look):
     Why? To find out if Sabina is really a good person now? Come on, Gabrielle. Siran worships her--and why wouldn't she? Sabina saved her. Siran is a naïve little girl who doesn't know anything about people like Sabina.

GABRIELLE (quietly):
     People could have said that about me, once...

Xena glances at her, obviously cut to the quick. Then she nods.

XENA:
     Have it your way. Let's go find Siran.

CUT TO

A tent that serves as a makeshift field hospital. Siran hands a cup of water to a wounded man.

WOUNDED MAN:
     Thank you. (takes a sip) But you know, wine would be a lot better.

SIRAN (chuckles):
     Sorry, this is all I've got--and I don't think Eli himself could change water into wine.

XENA (off-camera):
     It wasn't his kind of thing.

SIRAN (turns around abruptly as the camera pans to Xena and Gabrielle, who are standing behind her):
     Xena! Gabrielle--hello.

GABRIELLE:
     Siran, can we talk to you for a minute?

SIRAN:
     Sure. (smiles) What about?

GABRIELLE:
     Sabina. We've heard a story about her going into a burning hospital to rescue the sick...

SIRAN:
     Oh yes--in Jeronim. (smiles) It was very brave, what she did.

GABRIELLE:
     Siran. (puts a hand on Siran's arm) Did you actually see her do it? Were you there?

SIRAN (matter-of factly):
     Of course I was. I went in first.

XENA:
     You.

SIRAN:
     That's right.

XENA:
     So she was just going in after you.

SIRAN:
     I know she was. But she didn't leave until everyone was out of that building. (almost pleadingly) Xena, she did the right thing--even if--maybe--it wasn't for the right reasons. Isn't that what's important?

Close-up on Xena, who looks very thoughtful.

CUT TO

Inside the tent of Haimon and Gabrielle, Haimon sits on the bed, sharpening his sword. The tent flap is pulled back and Gabrielle enters.

GABRIELLE (smiling):
     There you are. I've been looking all over camp for you.

Haimon says nothing and continues sharpening his sword. After receiving no response, Gabrielle studies him a moment and touches his shoulder.

GABRIELLE:
     Haimon, what's wrong?

HAIMON (shrugs):
     Nothing. What makes you think something's wrong?

Gabrielle smiles and takes a seat beside him on the bed.

GABRIELLE:
     Right now you remind me of Xena. She sharpens her sword when she's angry too.

HAIMON:
     Obviously you know me a lot better than I know you.

Gabrielle frowns, her confusion over his behavior is evident. She places her hand on top of his.

GABRIELLE:
     Tell me what's bothering you.

He sighs and lays his sword aside.

HAIMON:
     Was there something going on between you and Nero?

GABRIELLE (aghast):
     Me and...? Of course not! Why would you ask me something like that?

HAIMON:
     I was in the prisoner's compound this morning with Siran. I heard some of the men talking.

GABRIELLE (laughs):
     Haimon! You should know better than to believe gossip--especially from a soldier.

Haimon stares and Gabrielle becomes increasingly uneasy under his scrutiny. She leaps to her feet.

GABRIELLE (defensively):
     It's not true! I admit that Domitius and I--

HAIMON:
     Oh--so now it's Domitius?

Gabrielle glares at him.

HAIMON:
     Is that why you didn't want to go up against Nero?

GABRIELLE (angrily):
     If you think I could forget everything I believe about right and wrong then you obviously don't know me at all. (she pauses a moment then sighs) I made a mistake. (pause) We both did--Xena and I. We were tricked... we let ourselves be tricked into bringing Nero and his mother to power. Nero liked my writing and I was...flattered. I couldn't see him for what he was. (she glances at Haimon.) You're disappointed in me, aren't you?

Haimon looks at her.

GABIRELLE:
     ...I'm even more disappointed in myself.

Gabrielle turns away resignedly and exits the tent as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO