FADE IN

On the same scene--Ares facing Conqueror Xena.

CONQUEROR XENA (to Mavican and the guards in the throne room, in a steely tone):
     Leave us.

Maivcan salutes her and walks out in a determined stride. The guards follow, the last two closing the doors behind them with a heavy bang.

Slowly, Conqueror Xena rises, walks down the steps of the throne and approaches Ares, eyeing him guardedly. He rises gingerly to his feet.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     I recognized the sword Mavican took off you. So...what exactly are you up to, hmm?

Ares is silent, still too stunned to speak.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Oh, I get it. You're pretending to be mortal to test my loyalty--is that it? To see if I'll help you when you're without powers? (Sneers) Oh, please. Why should I? My loyalty is to Ares, God of War, not to (gestures toward his bruised face) some bashed-up mortal has-been. I don't have time for games. So--drop the act. (She looks at his manacled hands and shakes her head scornfully)

ARES:
     Trust me, I wish I could. (He raises his chained hands) This is really not my thing.

Conqueror Xena circles him, looking him over skeptically, then stops.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     So you really are mortal. That's what you want me to believe.

She slowly runs her hand up his chest, looking at him with a dangerously seductive smile. Ares gulps down as he looks at her, trying not to show that he is both afraid and affected by her touch.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     So--if I were to do this--

Suddenly, she jabs two fingers into his neck. Wheezing, Ares staggers and collapses to his knees.

CONQUEROR XENA (strokes his face, looking at him with a chilling smile):
     --you would just--die?

ARES (hoarsely):
     Xena--don't--

His nose is bleeding and his eyes start to dim. He seems about to pass out when Conqueror Xena jabs her fingers into his neck again, releasing the pinch. Still on his knees, Ares gasps for breath and lifts his chained hands to rub his neck.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Well. I suppose the only way to find out for sure would be to kill you.

ARES (in a raspy voice, still rubbing his neck):
     That would be--a little too final.

CONQUEROR XENA (chuckles):
     You're right.

She extends a hand and helps him to his feet.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Want some wine?

ARES (regaining some of his cockiness):
     Sure. How about a nice Chian re-- (off her withering glare, finishes, somewhat deflated) --red.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Sit over there.

She nods toward a bench by the wall. He goes over and sits down, watching her warily. Conqueror Xena goes over to a table with some wine jugs and goblets, pours wine into a goblet and brings it over to Ares. He drinks.

CONQUEROR XENA (after a pause):
     So. What happened to you?

ARES (after a brief pause):
     You know--if I knew that--I'd be glad to tell you.

CONQUEROR XENA (narrowing her eyes at him):
     Don't play games with me.

ARES (frustrated):
     It's not a game! Athena and Artemis were fighting each other and throwing fire-bolts, in a field near Thebes--and then some sort of portal opened up and next thing I know, I'm here in Corinth. Only everything's different. I'm not sure if this is a different timeline, or another world. In my world, you-- (he breaks off and looks at her warily)

CONQUEROR XENA (dryly):
     I was what?

ARES:
     You didn't have any of this. (He nods toward the throne) You were a warrior--that's all.

Conqueror Xena looks at him thoughtfully.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     So...when you went through that portal, you lost your godhood?

ARES (looks at her thoughtfully, as if trying to figure out how much to tell her):
     Something like that.

In an almost tender gesture, Conqueror Xena puts her hand on his shoulder.

CONQUEROR XENA (in a gentle voice):
     You're not really used to pain, are you?

ARES (looks up at her nervously):
     I, uh--well. (He fidgets a little) I can handle it.

CONQUEROR XENA (with a catlike smile):
      Really. You know, I don't think we're talking about the same kind of pain. (She runs her fingers over Ares' neck and his face, lightly scraping his skin with her fingernails which are painted a dark red. He flinches a little.) And I don't think you want to find out. So, I'll tell you what. If I ask a question--you better give me a straight answer. (She pauses, letting this sink in) How did you lose your godhood?

ARES (clears his throat):
     I--gave it up to Apollo and Artemis to protect someone. Someone close to Xena--my Xena.

Conqueror Xena contemplates him for a moment, then walks over to a large gong by the throne and strikes it.

The doors are thrown open and two guards come in. Conqueror Xena beckons to them and to Mavican. They approach.

MAVICAN (salutes):
     Conqueror.

CONQUEROR XENA (points to Ares):
     Unchain him.

Mavican gives Ares a frankly hostile look as she comes up to him; she takes a key on a chain off her belt, unlocks his manacles and takes them off. Ares winces a little as he rubs his wrists.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     I'll be back. Watch him.

She walks toward the doors, then turns.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Don't hit him again if he behaves.

She walks out. The guards shut the doors.

CUT TO

An ornate bedroom. Conqueror Xena stands leaning against a bedpost, her arms folded casually on her chest.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Ares!

A moment passes and she frowns a little.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Ares!

There is a flash of blue light. Ares, God of War, materializes before her. He looks like Season 3 Ares, with long hair and sideburns.

ARES GOD OF WAR:
     Did you want something, my dear?

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Just a little face time with my patron god.

She pulls him toward her and kisses him hard on the mouth. As he takes her in his arms, she pulls back and smiles teasingly.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Unless you're busy, of course. Even a god can't be in two places at the same time...right?

She kisses him again.

CUT TO

The throne room. Seated on the bench, Ares finishes the wine in his goblet under the watchful eye of the two guards, while Mavican paces impatiently back and forth.

The doors open and Conqueror Xena comes in, adjusting her dress a little. She is followed by a plain-looking middle-aged woman in a gray dress, clearly a servant.

Conqueror Xena walks up to Ares, looking at him with a new expression, curious and thoughtful. For a moment, she looks as if she wants to say something; then, she turns to the servant.

CONQUEROR XENA (nods toward Ares):
     Put him up in the Egyptian chambers. Let him have everything he needs. (She gives Ares another look; then, with slight mockery) Starting with a bath.

Ares eyes her nervously as he puts down the goblet and gets up. Pan to the guards, who look at him, clearly intrigued; then to Mavican, who is obviously displeased.

SERVANT (inclines her head):
     Yes, Conqueror.

She gestures to Ares. He looks at Conqueror Xena, somewhat at a loss for words, then nods to her and follows the servant. The camera tracks them as they walk toward the door.

Pan back to Conqueror Xena.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Wait!

With a start, Ares stops and turns around.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     Come here.

Ares approaches her.

ARES:
     What?

She looks at his arms and points.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     You're not wearing gauntlets.

Pan to Mavican, who flinches visibly; then, to Ares.

ARES (with a smug look at Mavican):
     I think you should ask the captain over there about that.

Conqueror Xena turns toward Mavican, her face cold and hard.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     You took his gauntlets?

MAVICAN (visibly shaken):
     I--I--great Conqueror--I was going to turn them in, I swear--may Ares be my witness--

Conqueror Xena glances wryly at Ares.

MAVICAN (continues):
     I'll bring them--right now--

CONQUEROR XENA (coldly):
     They're in your quarters?

MAVICAN (pale):
     Yes, Conqueror. I--I--

CONQUEROR XENA (steely voice):
     Your sword, Mavican.

She holds out her hand. The two guards stare nervously. With trembling hands, Mavican surrenders her sword.

CONQUEROR XENA:
     What else did you take?

MAVICAN (stammering):
     A p-pendant. T-that's it. The pendant and the gauntlets--but I was going to--

Conqueror Xena extends a hand and presses a finger to Mavican's lips, then strokes her face with a deceptive gentleness.

CONQUEROR XENA (quietly):
     An officer of my guard--a common thief. (shakes her head) I'm disappointed.

MAVICAN (sinks to her knees):
     Conqueror--please--I beg your forgiveness--

CONQUEROR XENA (harshly):
     Don't be pathetic. (to the guards) Take her away. I want her hanged in front of the guard at sunset.

MAVICAN (stunned):
     What? No. No, you can't--please--

She grabs the hem of the Monarch's dress and tries to kiss it.

Pan to Ares. His smug grin fades and he looks somewhat uneasy.

CONQUEROR XENA (yanks away her dress in disgust):
     Stop that. (to the guards) Take her.

After a moment's hesitation, three guards come up to Mavican. One of them pulls her up roughly to her feet, the other takes the manacles that she had taken off Ares off her belt and cuffs her hands behind her back. Mavican seems too stunned to resist.

The guards drag Mavican toward the doors.

MAVICAN (screams):
     Nooooooooooooooo!!!! Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Close-up on Conqueror Xena as she looks after Mavican with a slight, contemptuous smile.

CUT TO

Xena walks down a dirt road. Rounding a bend, she suddenly stops and gasps softly. Before her is Herodotus and Hecuba's farm in a state of disrepair. The roof of the house is half burnt away and the barn is a pile of rubble. A cow wanders across the yard and Xena moves quickly to corral it, tethering it to a fence post. The creak of a wagon can be heard in the distance and Xena looks down the road and sees a donkey drawing an old man in a cart. He pulls up alongside her.

OLD MAN:
     Afternoon.

Xena makes no response, gravely assessing the farm.

OLD MAN:
     Don't know as I've seen you around these parts before. (he indicates the house) Kinsmen of yours?

XENA:
     Not exactly.

The cow moos loudly and the old man points.

OLD MAN:
     She's in need of a milking. Do you mind if I--?

XENA:
     What? Go ahead.

The man climbs down from the cart and grabs a rusty bucket, smiling sheepishly at her.

OLD MAN:
     Times are hard all over.

He places the bucket beneath the cow and crouches slowly. He begins to milk.

XENA:
     What happened here?

OLD MAN:
     Why, the Monarch, of course. (he eyes her suspiciously) You mean to tell me you ain't heard the story?

XENA:
     I've been...away.

Shakes his head in astonishment and shrugs, continuing his milking.

OLD MAN:
     Three months ago an attempt was made on her life during her victory march in Corinth. (he frowns) Damned fools. They say they spent seven months hatching a plot and the closest they got was wounding one of her slaves. All but one were captured and crucified on the spot. There was one that escaped--he gave the Monarch's men a good run for their money. They finally caught up with him in Megara and dragged him back to Corinth.

XENA (impatiently):
     What does any of this have to do with Potidaea?

OLD MAN:
     When they questioned him, he admitted he spent a night here--hiding out in some poor fool's hay loft.

XENA:
     So they leveled the town in retaliation.

OLD MAN (nods):
     As an example to anyone else who'd shelter rebels or assassins.

XENA (a sick expression on her face):
     What did they do?

OLD MAN:
     Rounded up all the men between 16 and 60 and crucified every third man right in the town square. (he sighs sadly) Under pain of death the bodies were ordered left for the vultures. (he indicates the farm house) They lost the father--as well as the intended of their oldest girl, just days before the wedding. (He spits as if in scorn) Herodotus wasn't a bad man--certainly the last that would ever stand against the Monarch. Matter of fact, the only one in the family with any real spunk was the oldest girl, Gabrielle.

XENA (looks up at him in shock):
     Gabrielle? (she thinks a moment and mutters to herself) So Herodotus is--? (she looks up at him) What happened to the rest of the family?

OLD MAN:
     The womenfolk are all that's left. Lost their barn--burned to the ground. Would have lost the house too had not the gods smiled on them and sent rain. (he shakes his head sadly) Three womenfolk trying to eke out a living on this farm alone.

XENA (her voice betraying excitement):
     You mean they're still here?

OLD MAN (nods):
     Out in the fields. (he squints up at the sky) Judging by the light they'll probably be back soon. (he eyes her suspiciously) You say they ain't kin of yours. Friends?

XENA:
     Not exactly--but maybe I can help.

The old man finishes his milking and slowly gains to his feet.

OLD MAN:
     Don't know that they can offer you anything in return except a corner to sleep in their house.

XENA:
     That's my problem.

He shrugs nervously under her gaze.

OLD MAN:
     Well, none of my affair really. These days you live a lot longer minding your own business. Pass along my best to Hecuba when you see her. I went to school with her father back in the day.

XENA:
     I'll do that.

He climbs back onto his cart and takes off slowly down the road.

CUT TO

Later in the evening. The cow now stands in a pen. Lila, Hecuba and Gabrielle can be seen walking towards the house.

LILA:
     We planted twice as much today as we did yesterday.

GABRIELLE:
     But at this rate we'll never have the entire field planted in time. Not with just the three of us.

LILA:
     And certainly not with that negative attitude. We can do it if we set our minds to it.

Gabrielle turns to Hecuba.

GABRIELLE:
     You look tired, Mother. Why don't you go lie down. Lila and I can start dinner.

Hecuba ignores her and looks toward the cow pen.

HECUBA:
     Did one of you girls repair the pen this morning?

Gabrielle and Lila look at one another and shake their heads. Gabrielle slowly approaches the cow, as if expecting an ambush. She reaches out to touch the cow's head.

GABRIELLE:
     Who could have done this?

XENA:
     That would be me.

All three women gasp and spin towards Xena who emerges from behind the house.

GABRIELLE:
     Who are--? What are you--?

Xena takes a cautious step forward.

XENA:
     My name is Xena. I was just passing through your town when a neighbor of yours told me what happened. (she pats the cow's flanks) And I found her wandering around the yard so I corralled her and repaired the gate for you.

The women stare in stunned silence.

XENA:
     I thought you could use my help.

GABRIELLE (quickly):
     We don't have any money.

XENA:
     I wasn't asking for money. Just a place to stay for a few days in exchange for helping you get the farm back on your feet.

Gabrielle glances at Lila who smiles in relief.

LILA:
     Well, we would certainly welcome the help. We don't have much but we'll be happy to share whatever we do have. (the cow moos and Lila laughs lightly) We have plenty of milk, you see. I'm Lila and this is my sister Gabrielle and our mother Hecuba.

HECUBA:
     I should probably milk her right away.

XENA:
     No--you've all been working in the fields all morning. I can do that.

HECUBA (smiles gratefully):
     Then I suppose I'll get dinner started.

She glances at Gabrielle who looks to have the intention of moving.

LILA:
     I'll help you, mother.

Lila and Hecuba enter the house. Gabrielle stares at Xena a moment, an awkward silence between them. Finally, Gabrielle turns away wordlessly. Close-up on her troubled face.

DISSOLVE TO

Close-up on Gabrielle (in "our" world), staring ahead, looking troubled. It's evening.

The camera pulls back to show Gabrielle and Hercules seated at a campfire. Gabrielle stares pensively into the fire as Darion approaches carrying a small jug. He offers it to her.

DARION:
     I found you some goat's milk, Gabrielle. Xena said it's good for the baby.

Gabrielle looks up and blinks as if coming out of a haze.

GABRIELLE:
     What? Oh-- (she takes the jug and strokes his cheek) Thank you, Darion. I promise I'll drink it all. Why don't you get some sleep?

Darion nods and heads toward his bedroll. He stops and turns back.

DARION:
     Gabrielle? Are Xena and Ares ever coming back?

HERCULES:
     We're going to do everything we can.

Gabrielle nods and smiles faintly. Darion settles into his bedroll and Hercules turns back to Gabrielle, noticing her troubled expression.

HERCULES:
     Gabrielle, tell me what's wrong.

GABRIELLE:
     I've been with Xena a long time. We've been through--everything together. When I lost her in Jappa I felt so... empty and lost.

HERCULES:
     Xena will be back. Count on it.

GABRIELLE:
     Well that's just it. I want her to come back, Hercules--more than anything. But whether she does or not, I have to remember I have other responsibilities now. (she looks at Darion) I can't let this affect Darion or the baby.

HERCULES:
     I've seen you with Darion. You're a good mother.

GABRIELLE (smiles bitterly):
     I'm such a good mother that I drove the father of my child away.

HERCULES:
     I've known you a long time, Gabrielle. You've always had a big heart.

GABRIELLE:
     People change, Hercules.

HERCULES:
     Maybe... (he glances warily at her) I have to admit I never expected Xena to start an affair with Ares.

GABRIELLE:
     It's not like that. Xena and Ares aren't--

She trails off, unsure of what she wants to say and Hercules watches her expectantly.

GABRIELLE:
     Let's just get them back--Xena and Ares.

Hercules nods in understanding. Gabrielle sighs and looks away as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO