FADE IN

Xena and John of Giscala stand atop the walls of Jerusalem, looking out. Perhaps half a mile outside the city several Roman legions have surrounded them and are heavily dug in. The landscape is bare and hostile. John leans against the wall, squinting against the bright, afternoon sun.

JOHN:
     Titus may have cleared all the trees for better observation, but on the bright side, we can see him too.

XENA (frowns):
     Not that it does us any good without artillery.

JOHN (sobered):
     True.

XENA:
     You can't sit in here forever. Sooner or later you're going to run out of food and water. Titus knows that and he's content to wait you out. We've got to find a way to break out and push the Romans back so that you can make it into the countryside to rally fresh troops.

JOHN:
     My men have started working on a tunnel. If we're able to extend it far enough out we'll be able to come up on Titus from behind in a surprise attack.

Xena frowns ponderously, considering this for a moment and finally shakes her head.

XENA:
     It's too risky. The weight of the city walls would probably collapse the tunnel before you even got close to their lines.

She gazes out at the legions.

XENA:
     The only answer is a swift, frontal charge--right out the gates and straight at their lines. Hit them fast and hard with two waves of men before they have time to react.

JOHN:
     In theory that plan might work--but I'm not about to be the first outside these gates. I wouldn't put it past Simon to bar them behind me, leaving me and my men to be slaughtered by the Romans and declaring himself king of Jerusalem. (he chuckles mirthlessly.) Of course Simon would also refuse to be the first out of the city because he would be afraid I'd do the same to him.

XENA:
     Then meet with him. It's the only answer.

JOHN:
     There's no point in talking to that madman.

Xena shakes her head and walks off. John turns and looks down upon the scene inside Jerusalem. The city is crowded but despite the siege things appear fairly normal as people go about their daily business. John takes note of six young men loitering outside a shop just below him on the wall.

CUT TO

The same six men, swords strapped to their backs. They have a dangerous air about them as they survey the crowds. It is obvious they are members of the Sicarii, Simon bar Giora's men.

Sicarii #1 sneers at the crowds as they pass by, going about their business.

SICARII #1:
     Look at these sheep. What do they care that Rome is just outside these gates? They've forgotten that this is the land of our people promised to us by God--not the city of some pagan Roman emperor!

SICARII #2:
     They've become complacent. As long as the siege doesn't affect their lives too greatly they're content to just ride it out and hope for the best.

SICARII #3:
     The people need something to shake them up. Hardship and sacrifice might help rally them to our cause.

CUT TO

Gabrielle exiting the shop with Darion at her side. She carries a basket with a few jars and some vegetables inside. The Sicarii's voices can be heard indistinctly in the background.

GABRIELLE:
     The shortages are starting to get worse. I don't know how much longer the food is going to hold out.

DARION:
     Xena says she's going to sneak out of the city to forage. I want go with her.

GABRIELLE (vehemently):
     You're not stepping one foot outside this city on any foraging party! (she seizes his shoulder) Do you understand me, Darion? I want you to promise me!

Darion wiggles out of her clutch.

DARION (resentfully):
     I can take care of myself.

He turns and walks off, with Gabrielle close on his heels.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion, I want you to promise--.

She rounds the corner of the shop and she and Darion stop short at seeing the six Sicarii, engaged in heated conversation.

SICARII #4:
     ...drastic measures are called for in times such as these! A cleansing of the soul of Jerusalem by fire.

SICARII #2:
     Not to mention that fear and violence can be a most effective tool.

They all stop and notice Gabrielle and Darion staring at them.

SICARII #1:
     What are you looking at?

Darion sniffs indignantly.

DARION:
     Nothing much.

Sicarii #2 takes a menacing step towards Darion and Gabrielle steps between them.

GABRIELLE:
     I heard what you said. Fear and violence is an effective tool, is it? Well, if you're so brave why don't you make your move on me? You might just get more than you bargained for.

SICARII #2:
     Now listen here, my little Greek friend. We've had just about enough of your meddling--you and your warrior friend. The day of reckoning is fast approaching.

DARION (snorts):
     I bet you wouldn't act so tough if Xena was here.

Sicarii #1 draws a dagger halfway from its sheath in threatening manner.

SICARII #1:
     I'd watch that smart tongue if I were you, little man. The Romans aren't above teaching boys your age a lesson--and neither are we.

Gabrielle makes a surprisingly agile move towards him.

GABRIELLE:
     You son of a--.

A young man of twenty-five comes running up and jumps in between Gabrielle and Sicarii #1. He is of average height and build.

SAMUEL:
     Is this what your noble cause has become, Barnabas? Bullying children and pregnant women?

SICARII #1:
     Until a few months ago ours was your cause too, Samuel.

Samuel glares back at Barnabas.

SAMUEL:
     People change, Barnabas. My only cause now is peace. But if you keep up with this harassment of Gabrielle and Darion I'd be more than willing to make an exception.

Barnabas and Samuel square off against one another a tense moment until finally Barnabas laughs dismissively.

BARNABAS:
     You've lost your guts, Samuel. But the day is fast approaching when you'll be called upon to stand up like a man or lie down like a dog. The choice is yours.

The five Sicarii follow Barnabas down a narrow passageway. Close up on Samuel as he glares unflinchingly until they are finally gone from sight.

CUT TO

Evening in the home of Samuel and his mother Naomi. Xena, Gabrielle, Darion, Samuel and Naomi are gathered around a table for the evening meal.

NAOMI:
     It's fortunate that my son happened by when he did.

GABRIELLE:
     I'm grateful. Normally I can take care of myself...

XENA:
     But she's a little out of commission at the moment.

Gabrielle pats her large belly.

GABRIELLE:
     Right. Just a little.

XENA:
     Gabrielle and I were lucky to find lodging with such good people.

NAOMI:
     And of course a woman in your condition requires some extra looking after at this time. This is your first child?

Xena glances at Gabrielle, who carefully chews her mouthful of food and swallows and speaks a bit curtly.

GABRIELLE:
     That's right--my first.

Both Samuel and Naomi recognize the lie but graciously ignore it.

NAOMI:
     Have you thought of a name yet?

GABRIELLE:
     No--not yet.

XENA:
     The right name usually suggests itself when you least expect it.

SAMUEL:
     I was named for my grandfather. He was a remarkable man--a man who believed in trying to understand those who are different from us--even our enemies. He believed that most of the time, war could be avoided if we only tried hard enough. He was a great voice of peace.

GABRIELLE (after a brief silence):
     In the market today, Barnabas said something about you having been with the Sicarii once...

Samuel nods, almost in embarrassment.

SAMUEL:
     Yes. For a time. I was a hothead--young and idealistic. I believed I was acting for love of my country.

XENA:
     What changed it for you?

Samuel is thoughtfully silent a moment.

SAMUEL:
     I think I finally realized that it was a greater act of love for my country is to live up to the ideals of my namesake--to become a man of peace rather than one of violence.

Gabrielle smiles softly in admiration.

GABRIELLE:
     That's very noble of you.

XENA (grimly):
     Too bad that right now, peace doesn't stand a chance.

There is a tense silence. Breaking it, Naomi stands and begins to clear the table.

NAIOMI (to Gabrielle):
     Are you finished, dear?

GABRIELLE:
     Yes--but I wish you'd let me help you.

NAOMI:
     I won't hear of it. A woman in your delicate condition needs pampering.

Xena raises her eyebrows.

XENA:
     Delicate?

NAOMI:
     Xena, you should take Gabrielle out into the garden for some fresh air before it gets dark. You'll do that, won't you?

Xena is barely suppressing a smile of amusement.

XENA:
     Of course, Naomi.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle outside. There is a stone bench and Gabrielle glances down it.

GABRIELLE:
     I think I'm going to need some help with this one.

Xena takes her arm and gently lowers her onto the bench. Gabrielle lets out a sigh.

GABRIELLE:
     Ah. Thanks. (she pats her belly) It won't be long now.

Xena takes a seat beside Gabrielle.

XENA:
     You should try to enjoy this time.

GABRIELLE (nods):
     I do. It's just that days like today remind me of my limitations. I'm not used to needing anyone swooping in to rescue me. (she laughs) Well--except you, of course--whether I need you to or not. (she is thoughtfully silent a moment.) Xena...I think Simon's men are planning something. All that talk about cleansing the soul of Jerusalem by fire and fear and violence being effective weapons...I wish I had heard more so that I knew exactly what was going on.

XENA:
     We're going to have to keep an eye on them. Tomorrow John is meeting with Simon to try to forge an alliance. A bunch of young troublemakers like your friends from the marketplace might upset that.

Gabrielle nods and hides a yawn behind her hand.

XENA:
     Tired?

Gabrielle nods reluctantly.

GABRIELLE:
     Every day it's taking me longer to get food in the marketplace. Most of the shops are either near-empty or have long lines... (she sighs) I guess that's what happens sooner or later in a city under siege. (reflectively) It's funny, I was thinking of the refugees at Jeronim and how Vespasian gave them food--and now, here's his son, trying to starve out the city we're trapped in.

Xena stares at her in gloomy silence.

GABRIELLE (continues):
     Darion mentioned you were planning a foraging party.

XENA (nods):
     Tonight.

Gabrielle gives Xena an intense glare.

GABRIELLE:
     He also mentioned he wanted to go with you.

XENA:
     You know I wouldn't take him, Gabrielle. Not after-- (she falters)

GABRIELLE:
     I'm not crazy about you going out there either.

XENA:
     You know we don't have any choice. The food shortages are going to keep getting worse and worse, you said so yourself. I've already told Samuel and Naomi that we've got to be prepared. We need to start hoarding our own supplies.

GABRIELLE:
     Hoarding? (she shakes her head vehemently.) No, Xena! I won't do that. You know that humanity and compassion are always the first casualties of war. And I refuse to become a part of it by refusing to help someone else in need. We'll become no better than the Sicarii. And then what's the point?

XENA:
     The point is survival, Gabrielle. I've got you and your baby and Darion to think about. And if you think for one moment that I won't do anything I have to in order to keep you all alive then you obviously don't know me very well.

Xena turns and marches out of the garden. Gabrielle watches her in angry silence a moment. Finally, she sighs and drops her head tiredly.

CUT TO

A darkened room. Gabrielle is asleep. Softly, a door can be heard creaking open then shutting quietly. She rouses slowly and looks over her shoulder, noticing Xena tiptoeing into the room.

GABRIELLE:
     You're back.

XENA (whispering):
     Sorry--I didn't mean to wake you.

GABRIELLE:
     Are you all right?

Xena sits down on her bed and wearily removes her boots.

XENA:
     Fine. I even found us a milking goat. Would you believe it actually followed me back?

She takes off her gauntlets and starts to settle into bed as she continues to talk.

XENA (yawns):
     Darion will have to milk her first thing in the morning...

GABRIELLE (smiles uncertainly):
     I'm glad you're okay. Looks like you need some sleep.

XENA:
     I sure do...

Suddenly, she sits up, alert.

GABRIELLE (startled):
     What is it?

XENA (quietly, nods toward the window behind Gabrielle's back):
     There. Look.

Gabrielle turns. Pan over to the window. There is a faint orange glow in the distance.

GABRIELLE:
     What do you think that is? A fire?

Xena is already pulling on her boots.

XENA:
     I'm sure of it. (Rises abruptly)

GABRIELLE:
     The Romans--?

XENA:
     I don't know. Stay here.

She puts on her armor and gauntlets, grabs her sword and races outside. Gabrielle looks after her, clearly troubled.

CUT TO

Xena running out of the house, shutting the door behind her with a bang.

CUT TO

The bedroom. Gabrielle is sitting on the bed. The bedroom door is pushed open slightly. Gabrielle looks up, startled, but it's only Darion.

GABRIELLE:
     Darion! What are you doing up?

DARION:
     I heard a noise--just wanted to check and make sure everything's okay.

GABRIELLE:
     Everything's fine.

DARION (a little apprehensive):
     Xena's not back yet? I thought I heard--

GABRIELLE:
     She came back and then went out again. I think there's some--trouble.

Darion stares at the window, riveted.

DARION (points):
     Is that a fire?

GABRIELLE (nods):
     Yeah. (She reaches out to take his hand) Don't be scared.

DARION (squeezes her hand):
     I'm not.

She turns and they both look at the distant blaze.

DISSOLVE TO

A roaring fire that some people are trying in vain to put out.

Pan to John of Giscala. He looks both majestic and frightening in the orange light of the flames, his eyes blazing.

JOHN:
     More water! Now!

RESCUER #1:
     It's no use!

Xena runs up, sword in hand.

XENA:
     What happened?

She stands still, understanding suddenly dawning on her face.

XENA:
     The main granary.

JOHN:
     One of the city's two. Both set on fire tonight.

XENA (her face full of disgust):
     Let me guess. The Sicarii.

The camera pans to Eleazar, who has just come up, panting for breath.

ELEAZAR:
     They weren't shy about it either. (he holds up a dagger) Left one of their daggers as a signature.

Xena stares at the flames, her face hard.

XENA:
     We're going to run out of time much sooner than we thought.

Pan to the flames, then to Xena, John, and Eleazar looking at the fire, bathed in its eerie glow, as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE